Card Challenge #2

Hi all,
Another hot and humid day here in Chicagoland...lovin it! Wish I had a pool in my own backyard... Anyhow, since I am still on medical leave for my back surgery, I have the time to make cards and get caught up with some projects. So I decided to make another card to enter in the challenge over at CR84FN. What I like about these challenges is that it makes you use color combinations that you normally wouldn't. Wish I didn't have to go back to work in 2 weeks! I can get use to this :)

I have used the 5 and Dime papers and cardstock stickers from October Afternoon, top border and doily is from a Cricket cartridge - Elegant Edges. I love this cartridge! Ribbon is from Memriemare and button from PTI.

Once again, sorry for the poor photograpy. Have a great Thursday!                                                             Nancy                                                                                                                                                      

First challenge

Hi all,
I'm going to attempt to enter a card in a challenge! It is one of my favorite blog sites - CR84FN. Lots of inspiration over there. I've always wanted to do this so here goes. The color challenge is aqua, green and yellow. The papers and embellishments are from the "Clothesline" series from Little Yellow Bicyle, ribbon is from Prairie Boutique and pearl gems from Recollections. Sorry, I don't know who the mfg is of the butterfly. I picked it up at a craft show last August in St. Charles, IL.

Wish me luck! Now if I can only figure how to link it to the CR84FN website!
Have a great Wednesday!
Nancy

Finished!

Hi all,

Popping in with the last of the 6x6 recipe book - finally. Just adding the finishing touch - tying ribbons around the book rings.

Sorry for the poor quality photography. Looking into classes! I'm only somewhat pleased with the way this turned out. More of a retro style than my normal shabby/vintagey style. Maybe the next one will turn out better.

Just got the word my daughter will be moving back home this weekend. Her lease is up on her toy box of an apartment! Unfortunately I will not be able to help her pack and move. Not taking the chance of hurting my back after what all I have gone through to get it where it is at!

 Need to go lie down as I've been sitting too long and the back is getting stiff. By the way - my doctor extended my release back to work by another week!

Take care,
Nanc

Happy Birthday Tamatha!

Hi all,
Just popping in here quickly to wish my goddaughter a happy birthday today! Happy birthday Tammy! How young today? 33? 32? 34? Here is a pic of the card I just made her and hope to get it in the mail tomorrow!

Can you believe that cute Betty Boop tag came off of a pair of pj's bought at my local Walmart! The papers are from October Afternoon, 'Enjoy' tag from PTI, button and ribbons - not sure. From my local craft store?
I want to send a shout out and a big THANK YOU to my daughter and sisters that have helped me through this first week of post-surgery. You all have been a huge help - thanks!
Have a great Sunday!
Nanc

P.S. - Happy 23rd Birthday Joanna, too!

Recovering

Hi everyone!
It has been 10 days since my surgery and I feel good! I should have done this a long time ago. I had a bit of a scare the last couple days - all of a sudden I had this throbbing pain/ache beneath my left calf; above my ankle. It worried me as I have followed Dr's instructions to the T. But I awoke this morning with no pain. Not sure what was wrong but it is no longer there.
My daughter came home last night as today she had all 4 wisdom teeth pulled. It's been a bit of a struggle having to take care of her and avoid movements that I shouldn't be doing just yet! She's finally resting so I thought I would update my blog.
I've worked on a few more pages to the 6x6 recipe book - pics below. I really suck at photography! I'm definitely looking into taking a class.

The next 2 pages are actually 'pocket pages'. It's hard to tell but I created these so that you can not only have a picture on the page, but you can put recipe cards in the pocket.

Well that is all for now. Hopefully I will finish it over the next day or so. I received a baby shower invite for one of my close friends' daughter who is having a boy. Lots of ideas swirling around in my head right now!
Have a good weekend
Nanc

Back home!

Hi all,
I got through my trip to California with no mishaps due to the back issue. The flight there and back was another matter...thought I would never see Chicago again! As soon as my friend and coworker, Deanna, sends me the pictures she took on her IPhone, I will be sure to post them.But I made it home in one piece and now I'm preparing for my big day at the hospital! Yep - today is the day I've been waiting for for months. I've been ready since 8:00 this morning. Last night I removed all nail polish and showered with special anti bacterial soap (1/2 bottle). This morning I showered again using the rest of the bottle. Yep - I'm following hospital's instructions to the T! Ain't taking no chance of getting an infection.

Below is another card I made using the Melissa Francis 5th Avenue papers and stickers. Probably got the inspiration from another blogger as I cannot seem to get my mojo back!

Well, off to pack an overnight bag to bring with me to the hospital. Wish me luck and hopefully I'll be back soon enough to post the rest of the 6x6 recipe book!
Nancy

Leaving on a jet plane...

Hi all,
It is my last night home before leaving for my 2 day trip to California for business. Never have been there and really wish I had more time to spend just sightseeing. My boss did invite me back once our project for Lean Six Sigma is over. She estimates our finish date to be August 26th. Hmmm, maybe our last meeting will be back in California!!
But for this trip she mentioned to our project manager that we are on the same flight! When he found out he approached me and said how fortunate for me - we get to talk purchasing for 4 hours! Yippe!!

I return home for 1 day and then my back surgery. Keep your fingers crossed that there are no delays flying home as I sure don't want to miss my surgery. I have high hopes that surgery will be successful and it will make me pain-free.

My 6x6 recipe book is coming along great. All the pages are put together. Now I'm ready to embellish and it will be done. Will probably finish it over the weekend - as long as I can sit for a bit. Here is a card I found in my stash and I'm sure the inspiration came from one of many, many blogs I follow.

Ribbon from PrairieBoutique, cardstock sticker MadebyJanet - both etsy shops. Papers are from Melissa Francis. Florals and doily are from local craft store and buttons and tag from PTI.
Well I am off to finish packing for my trip. Have a good night!
Nancy

Recipes

Hi all - as I stated in my last post, I was starting a new project creating a 6 x 6 receipe book. It's far from being completed but here are a few pics of what I've put together so far. Just the cover and a page or two.

Still far from finished and looking for embellies to finish this page.
The last few days here in Chicagoland has been very hot and humid - record breaking  - I believe it hit 97 degrees today!
I had my pre-op visit with my surgeon on Monday. Everything is still a go - my son and my sister Lynne will be there waiting for me to come out of surgery. I wanted Lynne there as she will better understand the Doctor and the medical lingo more so than my son, Jake!! No offense Jakey :-)
Well, sounds like we are getting storm warnings on the TV - better go check it out.
Nite...
Nancy

Bored...

Woke up this morning to a cloudy sky. It is suppose to be a beautiful, sunny day with temps in the high 70's - low 80's. Most of you who know me know that I've always had a bad back. 6 months ago I had an MRI that showed a herniated disc. Long story short, I will be having surgery but until then, I am very limited to any activities! It is very uncomfortable sitting in a car which is why I chose to stay home. So what better way to spend my time but to paper craft! I just started a 6 x 6 mini recipe book which will have alot of Cosmo Cricket papers and die cuts and stickers taken from the 'Rise & Shine' series.

Here is a card I made using kraft embossed cardstock, paper scraps, twine, Prima flower and stamp from SU! Looks like I need to play around at photography! Or invest in a better camera!

Another card I made using Melissa Francis papers and tag, Prima flower, doily, button, ribbon, lace and twine

That's it for awhile. Enjoy your Sunday!

1st day

Hi all -
 This is my very first day of blogging! My own blog, titled for my late sister, Leslie. Hope she likes it! It was she that introduced me to this whole other world of papercrafting. She was always one level ahead of anyone else when it came to her card creations. She turned me on to vintage and shabby, collage, introduced lace, ribbons, buttons, and the list goes on. So, in her honor and memory, I will continue to use what she taught me and create for her.
 I still have alot to learn about all of this and each day will get better :). Now I have to teach myself how to post pictures on this blog. Most will be pictures of cards I have made or perhaps a page layout. Yes, you've guessed it, I am a scrapbooker and cardmaker. My style lately has been shabby, vintagy.
Well, enough for now. I need to learn some more things regarding blogs just to make this interesting!
Have a good weekend.
Nancy