Update and challenge card

Well still at my life change eating and working out. I have lost 12 lbs but given that I was just over 200 lbs, (yes I was that large) you really can't tell.  I can a little, and I mean just a little. I see a very small difference in my tummy area.  That has gone down and it seem to me my boobies are shrinking.  Not happy about that only because they are not a young girl perkie anymore so that only means they are getting saggy and will be flat.  I am proud of myself that I have not cheated, still only eating Paleo and working out about an average 5 days a week.

Another great update is that I got a promotion at work and have become a full timer and part of management.  I really don't care about the management so much as the full time and the small raise that came with it.  I am lucky that I like going to work and enjoy what I do, so all in all it is a good thing.

Today I made a Valentine card for the Simon Says Work It Wednesday challenge this month.  I bought the Sizzix heart die set a little while ago and had never used it, just waiting for Valentine day cards to break it out.  I decided to use the positive and negative on the same card. Did you know that Michaels craft store sells My Minds Eye products.  I picked up a 4x4 pad, called Love Me, and found the perfect paper for under the heart.  I made sure I situated the paper so that 2 and the 14 would show through.

I went ahead and embossed chevrons on the cut out heart and added a little "hugs & kisses".

I love it!

Be Mine

Here's my last Valentine Card of the season.  Yep, I'm all done.  For once ahead of the game.

I used the sketch from Sunday Sketch & Stamp Challenge #141.

My color combo is from the ColourQ Challenge #174.  They always have such great combos.  No disappointment for this one.  So perfect for Valentines.
I used my Doodlebug collection for this card.  I think it turned out sooo cute.

While I'm at it I'll enter it into this weeks Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Anything Goes and also Inkspirational Challenge #5 - Anything Goes.
I still have one last Valentines project I'm working on so stay tuned.

Sweets for the Sweet

Bringing you another Valentine card.  I love stamping jars and putting things in them.  I have a few different ones.  This one is from PTI and the coordinating die cut that goes with it.  I love the touch of putting the trim around the lid.  I thought I would fill it with little candy hearts.  They are cute little stickers I found.

I really got inspired by the sketch at Retro Sketches - Sketch #48

When I first saw this I thought the sketch looked like a taco.. LOL.  I think it was perfect for my Valentine Jar. 

Did you know Paper Issues is having a give away sponsored by Lawn Fawn products.  I'll add my card into the mix at Paper Issues.. Who knows maybe I'll get lucky.  I love Lawn Fawn stamps.

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

Valentine Pig

Why a Pig?  I love them.  I use to have a pot belly pig name Jimmy Dean.  Swear, that was his name.  He was adorable and they are soooo smart.  The main reason for this piggy valentine is it's my daughter's nickname.  Her siblings do not call her by name they just call her pig.  I have to say that she embraces this nickname and she is very proud of it.  It is a very loving nickname.  I can't remember exactly when it was given to her and it wasn't because she is dirty or messy.  It's because she just eats crap.  Sorry no other way to say it.  Her mainstay in nutrition is chips and salsa.  Please don't think I am a bad mom.. I have tried and tried.  Here's the thing she is rail thin!  I hate her for that... not really .. yes I do... noooo. 

Here's the card I made for her.

Here's a couple challenges I'm entering this card into:

Addicted to CAS - ATCAS#5 HEART

The Cuttlebug Spot - It's Hip To Be Square

RRR Challenge #64 - Valentine's Day/Love & Ribbon Theme

Back to working on my Valentine Banner.  I'll show you as soon as I get it done.

I must (ache) U

I ran across this sketch from Just Add Ink - challenge #150.

It is clean, simple and perfect for an idea I had rolling around in that empty space above my ears.
 
I really love this card.. It turned out great if I do say so myself. 

I got a little crazy on the inside.  hehe

Here's some info on what I used:
Stamp: Stampabilities
Paper: American Crafts - XOXO
Chipboard: Cosmo Cricket
String of hearts - Recollection stickers
Arrow Stamp: American Crafts - Valentine pack

A cup of Valentine love

Here is another Valentine card I made using my Hero Arts cling stamp. Once I got my card completed it really felt like it was missing something.  I came up with making a little tea bag tag as the sentiment.  It turned out really cute.

Close up of my tag.

I'm going to enter this one in the Simon Says Stamp Challenge - Paper Piecing. 

Well it's late so better head off to bed.

MFT Valentine

I wanted to share a card I made for the MFT Guest Designer challenge - MFTGUESTDT0213.  I have never attempted to be on any design team before but if there is ever one spot to be lucky enough it has to be My Favorite Things.  I love their stamps and their dies.
 
My bestie just recently gave me Pure Innocence My Little Firecracker.  Pure Innocence figures are sooo cute.   I know I'm working with the wrong holiday but that's what great about these stamps.  You can customize it into your own, so I did just that.  I took her sparkler and made it into a valentine.

Here is the sketch they wanted us to follow.   If you ever need some inspiration or just run out of your mojo, check out their blog.  They have the best sketches, perfect go to in a pinch.

Here she is!

I had a great time paper piecing her little dress.  I used paper I had from Dear Lizzy and colored her little sleeves and collar.  I'm still working, every day, on my blending with my copic but I'm happy with the way she turned out.  In fact I thinks she is adorable.

Of course I used my Circle Stax, they are a must in anybody's stash, open scallop doily and if you look very close that is chevron embossed in the red.  I used my Martha Stewart boarder punch and added a little bling to spice it up.   Last but not least is the heart background paper from Bazzill - Love Story.

I know exactly who this little lover will go to but that's a secret for now.    I hope MFT loves this as much as I do.