Mr. Toad @ Bell-Graham

If you know me, you know I have a silly sense of humor and I ALWAYS laugh at my own jokes, I usually find the oddest things humorous and laugh uncontrollably at them. I laughed the entire time I made this PBA because there are so many inside jokes in it...I just know the girls at work are going to love this!

Here is the story of Mr. Toad...

If someone at work comes up with a good idea that can be used through out the company we are rewarded with a statue of a toad that says "OLD TOAD COOKING" and are required to proudly display it in our kitchens for a month. Yes, we won in December and had the toad delivered, along with a camera that had a note attached that said, "Have fun!"

A couple random thoughts about that last paragraph:
1. A toad statue is a reward?
2. These perks make you want to apply w/ my company doesn't it? (Yes, there are openings!)

Anyhow, you just can't give a scrapbooker a camera and say "Have fun" without expecting something in return....





"Pssst....are you wearing UP DOG?"
"Whatz UP DOG?"



"Hey Denice, I'm getting hungry. Could you make us something to eat?"
"No problem Kay, I've got the perfect thing in mind."



"Are these chicken sticks?"
"No, but they sure are good!"
"Toad-a-lly!!"


Did you notice the little frog/toad tabs? I received a lot of them from some inchie swaps I was in last summer...they are just too cute! It was great having those in my stash, waiting for the perfect little "something" to use them on!

Sadly, Mr. Toad is being returned tomorrow. I hope he can come back soon for another play date and lunch! LOL!

Pagoda Cart for Valentine's Day

I feel like I haven't posted for sooooooo long, and it looks that way too! I was overly busy making gifts for Christmas, and now that the holidays have passed....maybe it's a little too late to post pics?!!

My dd loves anime and manga, so when the Pagoda cart was released I couldn't wait to get it. This is a simple card I made for her for Valentine's Day using the Kenja feature on the cart, along with a stamped image of cherry blossoms that I received from one of my sissers. I think she's going to love it!

Be Yourself

Here's a new set from CTMH that I picked up at a local craft fair, it's called BE YOURSELF...it's fun and sassy, just like my teenage daughter! It also perfect for any female, of any age, who has attitude!

I'm giving the set of cards to a co-worker and needed to find something to put the cards in, so I made this quick folder for them. I've never made one before, it was really easy thanks to my trustworthy Scor-Pal! Gotta love it!



Stay safe during the Holidays, and don't get too caught up in the details...what needs to get done will get done, and the rest will be waiting for you after we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Countdown to Christmas

I found this really cute Christmas Countdown project at Christmas with the Cricut, and thought I'd made a couple of them for my co-workers. Here's a link to see the directions. The site has some great how-to Christmas projects, all are made with your bug!

I used some shapes that I had got in a Christmas Shape Swap last year on SP, I love the reindeer!

Sweet 16

It's my niece's Sweet 16 birthday party tomorrow, I can't believe she's 16 AND she's going to be driving in a couple of months! We all know "they" grow up too fast!!!

Last year, I was in a creative slump and that felt that no one really cared if I made them a card or not, so I gave my niece a store bought card *gasp* for her birthday...well, the disappointment on her face was very apparent! She ran upstairs and brought down a pile of all the handmade cards I have ever made for her and she said, "I keep them all!" YES!!!! VALIDATION!!!

I put a little extra time and love into this! Happy Sweet 16, Michele!












I love, love, love texture! The more the better, and this flower from the Paper Studio has loads of layers on it...soooooo dreamy!

SP Fall Shape Swap

I just loved every shape that I rec'd in the Fall Shape Swap and wanted to use them all, but didn't want to give them away! LOL! So what I decided to do with them was to make place cards for Thanksgiving, and because we usually have the same people over every year, I should be able to keep them for a couple of years! I also made a few blanks cards, just in case we invite some new people to join us.

I just know in 3 or 4 years when I go to set the table for our family feast on Thanksgiving, I'll think of all the wonderful ladies who participated in this swap and will be thankful for all them and their bountiful creativity!

Mini Tear-Off Calendar

Here's a mini tear-off calendar that I made a couple of days ago, I think it turned out really cute! I used my new CTMH set Inspirations and stamped the quote and flowers. I cut and painted some chipboard, then added some paper that I found for $1 at J's in the clearance aisle(a pad of 18 sheets for $1?!! Lucky me!) Added some Glossy Accents, pop-dots, and ribbon. The calendar came from SCS, here's a link to it if you're intersted in making one of these. I think it's a cute idea to make and give to a friend as a way to say you're thinking of them!

A good kind of busy!

I have been busy, but it's been a good kind of busy! I hope the pictures speak for themselves!

The 1st Annual Bartuci Rocking Rib Fest, we had a family "RIB-OFF" and then played Rockband...what a blast! My family didn't win the title or trophey for best ribs, but then....my family wasn't counting votes! Hmmmmm, we all wondered why the judges' family won?!! LOL!

What a great trophy!
While the winning family was playing Rockbank, this is what we (the losers) did to the trophy!


A broken arm at the Rocking Rib Fest! He's on his 2nd cast, and will be recasted again later this week.


Homecoming, yes I agree will all of you, she is beautiful!


And lastly, here are a few of the swaps that I've been working on, some ITT's for CMB and some tags and cards for SP.