"Teacher Clipboard"

A dear friend placed an order for a clipboard that her child could give as a Christmas gift to their teacher. I hope she likes how it turned out, because I do! I think the primary color combo looks great! I used patterned paper by Dude Designs at the bottom, solid yellow Bazzill for the top, and satin ABC, 123 ribbon across the middle. I also adhered a 3-D apple embellishment at the bottom. She has also ordered a matching post-it note coaster magnet, with pen, to go with this.

"Homemade Ornament"

I thought I would do something different this year with my daughter's recent school picture. I decided to make homemade ornaments to send to the family members for their tree. I used a Bazzill chipboard circle and adhered Christmas paper on both sides, using double-sided tape. I then inked all the way around, before punching a hole in the top center with my Crop-A-Dile. Lastly, I added red ribbon and adhered a wallet size photo of Alyssa to the center. Nothing really fancy, but something different. I hope they like it!

"A-WALL"

Hello, everyone! Just wanted to apologize for not posting anything recently. I'm MIA and haven't been back in my craft room since my booth last Saturday. I am determined to get it 'reorganized' and will post something this weekend! Happy Friday to everyone!

"Mission:Crop....Successful!"

A great big applaud to Michael & Jennifer Hickerson and the foreign mission team at the Vineyard Church for a job well done at yesterday's crop! This is a picture of my booth and I had a very good day and sold lots!!! I also was able take several orders! There was 68 croppers and 10 vendors. We had a fun filled day with great food and fellowship! Here are a few more close-ups of my booth, as well as some of the scrappers:

"Holiday Nugget Tins"

These are the last of the nugget tins for my booth. I also love these clear top tins by Papertrey. With these tins, I decorated one in Halloween colors and one in Christmas colors. These tins hold a perfect dozen Hershey's nuggets and decorating the nuggets are such fun! You can cover them to suite any theme! These tins filled with nuggets make the perfect gift!

"Miscellaneous Clipboards"

Whew! I have almost gotten everything ready for my booth. Saturday's the big day -- so wish me luck! These are just two clipboards I decorated last minute. I keep running across a single sheet of paper, like this Hello Kitty and TN Vols, that I think I should do something with.

"Last Tea Tin"

Believe it or not, but this is the last of the decorated tea tins for my booth! It is, however, still my favorite style tin! I love how it looks all tied up with ribbons. On this one, I tried to use more masculine colors in the paper and ribbons. Also, I used SU's chocolate chip to stamp the reindeer image that I added to the front. I filled the inside with York peppermint patties....Yum!

"Character Band Aid Tins"

Here are some more decorated band aid tins. These tins are cute and fun to decorate! I use paper and ribbons to coordinate with whatever character sticker I'm using and I put mini gel pens on the inside. (You could put just about anything you wanted in the tins, but so far gel pens have worked great for me.) These make great gifts for kids!

"Gum Holders"

These are gum holders made out of cardstock and I just love them! I totally cased the idea from Rochelle -- I hope she doesn't mind! Rochelle recommended using only thin packs of gum, like Trident, with only 5 pieces in the pack. So, I was able to find some at Target, like she had. These will be for my booth, however, I am definitely going to be making more of these in the future. My daughter thinks they are cute and already wants me to make them for all her friends! LOL

"Composition Book #2"

This is another composition book I decorated for my booth. I found this adorable school paper while shopping at Archiver's. I just always think of school paper when decorating composition books. I guess because I think they would make a great gift for a teacher -- both, male and female.

"Crisscross Card"

In honor of "World Card Making Day", my dear friend, Linda, and I, went to a card making class. Makes sense, huh? We had the choice to make several different types of cards, however, this crisscross style turned out to be one of my favorites. (To me, my first card just seemed generic?!?!) Anyway, Linda and I enjoyed our morning and I was glad to see Ruth Ann at the class, as well. (We missed you, Lacee!)

Oh, I can't end my post without wishing my beautiful niece, Lauren, a happy 18th birthday!!! I love you, sweetie!!!

"More Tins?!?!?!"

Ok, so you've figured out by now that I really like these tea tins by Papertrey. Believe it or not, but I've only got one more to decorate for my booth! These two turned out so cute! One is done in the Christmas colored dots paper. I filled it with Butterfinger sticks, then tied it up with burgundy and sage ribbon. The other tin is decorated in this cute paper with goofy spiders hanging down all around. I filled it with fall colored Hershey's kisses, then tied it up with purple ribbon. These make great gifts for anyone!

"Purple Pride"

I just had to do a purple nugget tin to sell at my booth. If you live in Milan long enough, you must have 'purple pride' and be a true Milan Bulldog! However, I know that not all the girls coming to this October event are from Milan, but the ones that are will appreciate the gesture. LOL (It's just a Milan thing!)

New Archiver's Store

Oh my gosh! The new Archiver's store opened yesterday in Memphis and it is fabulous! Me, my sister, my mom, and dear friend, Jennifer, made the trip for the grand opening. It opened at 9:30 am, and if you were one of the first 100 customers in the door, you received a free gift. Also, they had a free make and take and you received an Archiver's tote if you spent $50.00 or more. Well, let's just say, we accomplished all of the above! LOL It was amazing! I think we spent about 3 1/2 hours in there. Basically, if you want it, it's there! LOL We all agreed that there would be many trips made to this store!! We had a blast!!

"Autumn Clipboard"

I decorated this SU clipboard sideways so it could be used to hold a photo. I used Bo Bunny patterned paper, with coordinating shades of Bazzill, for the photo mat. I inked the edges of the board and papers with SU's Close to Cocoa. I paper pieced a pumpkin for the corner and added autumn leaves behind. I used Bo Bunny's brown rubons in the corner of the photo mat and on the pumpkin. I added brown blossoms, with a rhinestone center, and, lastly, tied khaki and cream ribbons on the clip.

"Fall Treat Bags"

I made 24 of these treat bags for Alyssa to take for her homeroom next week before they get out for Fall Break. My dear friend, Sharon, told me about the purple wrapped Hershey's kisses, and since purple is our school's color, I knew they would be great for the bags.

I've included a picture of an individual treat bag below:

"Candy Corn Popcorn"

Lookie what I found at Wally World! It is 'Candy Corn' Popcorn, can you believe it?!?! I knew the mini bags would be cute dressed up like the hot cocoa mix. So, after printing the 'title' on white, I layered the three colors of cardstock, used my candy corn stamp from SU, and tied it with coordinating ribbon. I like how they turned out. Another quick and easy treat! I'll have these made up for my booth, as well.

"Hot Cocoa Card"

This is another little 'treat' I'm selling at my booth. I got the idea for this from someone, somewhere, a long time ago. My version is alittle different, but I like the way it turned out. I used stamps from SU and the stir & sip sentiment from Papertrey. I think this hot cocoa card is a great little gift for anyone.

Also, I am on the committee for the Christmas Breakfast for Alyssa's school staff and I thought that I would make these up in our school colors and set them on the tables in baskets for the staff to pick up.

"Quick Treats"

Besides the tins from Papertrey, these are my favorite containers to fill and give as quick gifts! You can do anything with them, for any occasion. I've made these up for my booth in October. I filled each one with something different, like candy corn, malted milkballs, runts, sugar babies and snack mix. I've also adhered a circle to the lid of each one, and I know you cannot really tell, but each one has a different stamped sentiment on it. Finally, I tied a coordinating ribbon around each lid.

"Composition Book"

Can you believe I've never altered a composition book? Well, I guess there is a first for everything, right? hee hee This was super easy and fun! I used school themed paper from Pebbles, Inc.; misc. school ribbon; and a chipboard 'school' word from We R Memory Keepers. I made it for my booth in October. It would make a great teacher gift! (*wink*)

"Holiday Wishes"

Here are the four different cards that I put together from my Christmas card kit from CTMH. First, they are not the 'normal' Christmas colors, but I liked the look. Second, I will openingly admit it was a 'kit', because sadly, I don't have time to come up with my own designs. However, I am very pleased with the outcome of the cards. You cannot really tell from the scan, but they already had the distressed look -- which I like!

"Go Rebels!"

Surprisingly, this 'ole orange and white Tennessee Vols gal has been all about the Ole Miss colors of red and blue lately! lol A dear friend of mine ordered these koozies in her college moto & colors to give as gifts. You really can't tell in detail, but the tag hanging from the ribbon, has the college's rebel mascot on it. I hope she likes them!

I've also included a picture of one of the koozies once I tied it up in cello.

"Remember"

Please keep everyone involved and affected by the tragedy of 9/11 in your thoughts and prayers, especially our troops.

"My Favorite Tin....Again"

Here's another tea tin from Papertrey Ink. Did I mention that I love these tins? LOL I used a patterned paper with 'Octoberish' colors and tied it up with a purple satin ribbon. Inside, I filled it with Hershey's kisses.

I have a couple of these tins left to decorate. I'm making them for my booth.

"Taking Notes In Style"

These are a few of the memo pads I decorated for my booth in October. I have several more that are covered with patterned paper, but I've not tied the ribbons yet. (If you've not notice, I like lots of ribbon!?!?) LOL

I am hoping these will be good sellers, since they make the perfect gift for teachers, co-workers, or even stocking stuffers.

I've tried to do all of them in different patterns, hoping there will be something for everyone.

"Cover Page"

I rarely scrapbook anymore, since I've been doing more paper craft items lately. I go to a crop once a month and scrapbook then, but I hardly ever scrapbook at home. (Never thought I'd say that!?!?!) On Labor Day, however, my sister, Kim, and I, wanted to scrapbook. So, we spent the better part of the afternoon at her house trying to get something accomplished with our piles of pictures. I decided I was going to work on Alyssa's horse camp pictures, so here's my cover page. Even though it looks quiet simple, I spent more time on it than the other couple of pages I got done. (I didn't notice that my ribbon wasn't straight until I scanned it...I'll have to fix that.) Anyway, we will get together to crop next weekend, so I guess finishing up the horse camp pictures will be my 'project'.

"My Favorite Tin"

This is my favorite tin from Papertrey Ink! It is called the tea tin. It is tall & slender and just the right size for me to fill with Hershey's chocolate sticks. (However, the possibilities are endless with what you could put inside.)

Anyway, I decorated the tin with K&Company paper and used a coordinating bazzill to scallop punch a circle for the top. I then layered khaki Offray ribbon and SU stitched ribbon to tie up around and knot at the top. Lastly, I stamped a pumpkin image with SU chocolate chip ink to add to the front. I loved how it turned out! I am going to decorate several of these for October!

"More Treat Tins"

More tins from Papertrey Ink! These are the 4oz square clear top tins. I filled each one with Reese's pieces; added a ribbon, and used my oval punch to create a tag. Quick and easy!

"Sweet Treats"

I was thrilled when I got my order of tins in from Papertrey Ink! I had seen how Nichole Heady had decorated some on her blog, Capture the Moment, so I ordered some tins and cased all her ideas! This is one of the clear-top hinged tins. I decorated white address labels with autumn leaves and wrapped them around hershey's nuggets. As Nichole promised from her blog, the tin holds a perfect dozen nuggets. After filling the tin, I then layered different widths and colors of ribbon around the tin, then topped it off with a label. Cute, huh?

"2 Down, 3 To Go"

A friend placed an order for 5 of these clipboards for her employees. Even though I've only got 2 completely finished, I think they are turning out cute. I have decorated them in the company's colors. On the remaining 3, the only thing left to do is tie the ribbon. You cannot really tell, but I put the company's name in the oval at the bottom. I hope she likes them!

"Ready for pumpkin time"

I am sooo ready for autumn! This is a layout of my dear daughter at Green Acres Pumpkin Patch last fall. I had a good friend, Lia, meet us at Green Acres to take some pictures of Alyssa for me. Let's just say that I ended up with over 200 different pictures! Bet you didn't think there could actually be 200 different shots to be taken at a pumpkin patch?!?! Well, leave it to me! Instead of having some photos to do a pumpkin patch layout, I ended up with enough to do an entire pumpkin patch book! LOL Anyway, my favorite picture, out of all of them, is of Alyssa sitting on that huge pumpkin. Every time I look at it, I think of the great quote by Henry David Thoreau ...."I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion". (However, knowing Alyssa, she would choose the velvet cushion...heehee)

"Quick and Easy"

Do you remember the foam drink koozie? Well, who would have ever thought they could be so cute?!? Just get some coordinating wide ribbon and tie around & knot. This is a quick and easy way to 'dress' them up. I have also seen where the wide grosgrain ribbon has been monogrammed with a name or initials and then tied around, with the knot being in the back. I'm going to make several of these in a variety of colors for my booth in October.

"Rochelle's Blog -- Impressions"

I am so appreciative of Rochelle complimenting my blog and giving me 'props', that I just had to return the favor! Rochelle's blog is great! I've been going to her blog almost everyday now for months and have gotten the coolest ideas from her. She is very talented! Whether she is making school gifts, birthday favors or cards, they all turn out adorable! If you ever need inspiration, just check out her blog at http://impressionsbyrochelle.blogspot.com.

"Big Brown Truck"

I don't know about you, but I love to see the big brown truck stop at my house! Lookie, lookie at what it dropped off today! It may be hard to tell what these are, but it is my 18 mini album set from American Craft. Look at all the different patterned covers ---- yummy!

Ok, I am not normally a QVC shopper, but Tuesday's Craft Day got me! LOL I just had to have this set. It is 18, all occasions, 6x6 albums with page protectors. Now, I've got a mini book for just about anything that comes up. Fun, fun, fun!

"Framed"

I love, love, love this framed cork board! I found it while shopping for Alyssa's school supplies. Dumb me, however, only bought one to try it out and, now, there are not anymore to be found! My luck!?!?!

Anyway, I painted the wood letters white and used E6000 to adhere them to the cork. I then used several layered flowers as my "O". Also, I found the dragonfly at Hobby Lobby already painted and adhered it with E6000, too.

"He Said, She Said"

I love these ATC trio albums from Stampin' Up! When they first came out, I made one for all of Alyssa's wallet photos and it has come in very handy. I have also decorated several and gave as gifts. These, I decorated for my booth in October. I did one in boy papers & colors and the other in girl. I think they turned out cute -- hope they sell!

"Open For Business"

You'll love this! I picked my dear 5th grade daughter up today from school and, since her world revolves around watching High School Musical 2 tonight, she's having her best friend spend the night. Anyway....I was asking the girls about their day and such when Alyssa explained that several girls wanted some of the things like I had made for her locker. I thought that was sweet, until she pulled out a crumpled piece of paper with the "orders" on it! LOL My dear daughter had taken the girls' orders telling them that, of course, her mommy would make it. I immediately scanned the list and thought, this is a hoot!!!!! The list included chipboard alphas, decorative mirrors and picture frames. Alyssa was proud that she had gotten the correct initial and what color blossoms & ribbons they wanted! Are you still with me???????? This is just a small sampling of my life with Alyssa...heehee

Since I do these kind of crafts for people, Alyssa just thought she was rounding me up some 'customers'. However, I use the word 'customers' loosely, since I don't plan on these girls giving up their lunch money! LOL Anyway, I guess I've got my work cut out for me this weekend!

"Just What The Doctor Ordered"

Well, I've got a doctor's appointment today and I am taking my very spoiled doctor a treat. Shall I explain. . . I have been going to this family doctor for over 10 years and he has always taken such good care of me & Alyssa. (My sister use to work for him, as well.) So, we just love him to death! Therefore, when I have an appointment, I always try to take him some kind of 'treat'.

My dear friend, Abbie, had given me some scraps of this Ole Miss school logo paper and, since he graduated from Ole Miss, I thought it would work perfect to decorate this container. I also tied ribbon around the lid and filled it with M&Ms to finish it off. I hope he likes it!

"Sweet Baby"

I thought this was such a cute baby book, I just had to show it! I decorated the inside pages for my sister to give at a baby shower for a co-worker. The little girl's name is going to be Ella Brooke. Is that not a beautiful name?!?! Sorry the scans are not that clear.

I've also included some photos of a couple of the inside pages. They are not real elaborate, just simple and clean. I hope the mother-to-be enjoys filling it with sweet baby pictures.

"Be Yourself"

When I found this 'Be Yourself' rubon by Daisy D, I thought it was stunning. Then, I found this sunflower paper from Bo Bunny and had to have it, too. I knew exactly which picture of Alyssa I wanted to use. (I love this photo of her with cowboy boots on.) I used a matching Bazzill to anchor the sunflower paper, then used a Bo Bunny aged school paper for the rubon. I matted in two more Bazzills and was able to use my new ticket punch from SU to get the corner effect. I was also able to use my new spiral punch from SU to get the look for the journal box. Finally, I paper-pieced a sunflower for the bottom with the year and her age. Sorry, this scan does not do it justice. In real life, all the colors are richer. My journaling reads: Alyssa, I absolutely adore you! Always believe in who you are and just be yourself! You are the sun that fills each and every day for me! I love you, Mommy

"Brag Book"

I have officially started working on products to sell at my booth in October at Mission: Crop. The time is getting closer and I've got to get busy. This is my first time vending a booth of 'my stuff', so I'm alittle nervous. I've made a zillion lists of the things that I want to make, however, I'm not sure what all I'll end up doing. I just want to make sure there is a variety. This is a 6x6 Bo Bunny chipboard album done up as a Grandparents' Brag Book. I think it turned out cute. I love all the coordinating Bo Bunny products!

"A+ Locker"

Ok....I know that all I've been posting is school stuff, but bare with me, this soon shall pass. LOL Well, I have come to learn that organizing and decorating your locker is a big part of 5th grade. (According to a 5th grader) So, for the last two nights, my dear daughter has 'collected' things to take to school the next day for her locker. I have already decorated her a mirror, picture frame and ordered locker shelves. Now, I've decorated this chipboard "a" with patterned paper, ribbon and magnets for her to add to her 'collection'. So, maybe our remodeling of a 5th grade locker is over...for now.

"Principal Gift"

I am very fortunate that my daughter is going through the same school system that I, myself, graduated from. Also, there are alot of teachers in the schools now that were there when I was. This year, Alyssa has moved up to the middle school and her principal use to be my guidance counselor, and she is wonderful. So, for the first day of school, I sent this little container filled with candy (in the school's colors) to the principal.

"Yippee....I got flowers!"

Aren't these fabulous?!?! They are from my sister, Kim. My birthday is tomorrow and she is out of town, so she had these delivered to me today. I absolutely love them! She did good!! Thanks, Kim!

"5th Grade...Here We Come!"

Wow, what a day!! My dear daughter is starting 5th grade next week, which means moving up to middle school, and today was registration. Well, let me tell you, we're not in Kansas anymore!! LOL Today they registered us by "groups", not individually, and Alyssa's homeroom teacher told us abunch! However, I still had no idea of some of the basics, like..where do I drop her off and pick her up?! Hey, you have to understand, we had a map last year!!! Oh, and Alyssa was not nervous about anything, it was ME! Well, I guess it will all work itself out. After registration, we left the school in search of a High School Musical messenger bag. I was proud that I had already avoided the craziness and bought school supplies earlier, however, the HSM messenger bag was a must and, of course, no where to be found. So, off to Jackson we head looking for just that one item. We ended up at Target, but had to have one of their employees comb the stock room for one. Eventually, she did find one box left of HSM bags. Thank goodness!!! Anyway, you know I could not have gone to registration without taking Alyssa's homeroom teacher a small gift. So, I made her a round, magnetic post-it note holder with matching RSVP.