{ my secret heart }

signs of a good weekend

It's been so long since I blogged that Typepad did not even remember me. But, I've been super busy and consider that a good excuse not to blog.

Yesterday I took wedding photos for these great people. After they are edited and the bride and groom have actually seen them, I will post some here.

In the meantime, I am trying to have a fun and relaxing holiday weekend. What about you?

M

signs of a good weekend

Lots of time spent with friends this weekend. 

I love the fact that we can accomplish just about anything together when fueled by candy and soda.

M

a bright sun-shiney day

The sun is shining and I have a million and one things to get done! 

The first thing I want to accomplish is to share my card that's featured on the Scrap-Mart.com blog today.

 

I'm very excited to share this project because it's been out for publication for what seems like forever! You can see it in CARDS Magazine this month.

To replicate this card, here are some of the products I used:

• October Afternoon Report Card alpha stickers
• October Afternoon Report Card patterned paper (science fair)
• Jillibean Soup cool green buttons

I'm also hoping to get my RAK posted later today, but realistically, it may be tomorrow before that gets checked off the list.

Have a great Saturday!

M

check it out

I started typing this post and now I have that Beastie Boys song in my head. 

Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out
What-wha-what-what-what's it all about
Work-wa-work-work-work-wa-work it out ......

So, now that you have that song stuck in your head too, here's something you might want to check out.

There's a new challenge at Candy Shoppe Designs based on this delicious cotton candy color pallette. 

 

Plus, two new kits are available for purchase at CSD.

Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out!

Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

M

big or aiden...really?

Last time I went on a trip to NYC, I came home determined to watch every episode of Sex and the City (I was sans HBO in the early years). I might have even braved one of the worst ice storms ever in my attempt to hunt down all of the seasons on DVD within a 48-hour period. 

When I was in NYC this time around, there were signs everywhere for the new SATC movie. I even saw SJP painted, larger than life, on the side of a building in Greenwich Village (kind of scary with her big dress) and I survived at least two SATC-related jokes on the tour bus (the one about Kim Cattrall was actually quite good).

While I admit that I am going to go see the movie at the first available opportunity, am I the only one that's a little disappointed that they can't come up with something better than reviving the Big versus Aiden storyline?

And is vacationing in the desert really fashionable? I think not. 

M

scrappy sunday

This rainy overcast weekend has been good for a few things:  sleeping, visiting with friends, watching movies and scrapbooking. In retrospect, I guess that makes for a pretty good weekend.

While I've failed miserably at taking any pictures of weekend activities, I thought I'd share a new card. 

 
Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned paper: BasicGrey; Photo frame: K&Company; Alpha: American Crafts; Jewels: Michael's

I think I may have finally succeeded in making a masculine birthday card. And, I found a use for the new Basic Grey Max & Whiskers patterned paper that has nothing to do with animals. Double bonus!

If you're in the market for some new scrapbooking products, check out this American Crafts giveaway that my friend Lynette is sponsoring on her blog. Details on how you can enter to win here.

In addition, I've been working on putting together a little RAK myself. I'm planning to post it Saturday, May 22, as I celebrate the one year anniversay of my jubilant exodus from the corporate world.

Have a wonderful week!

M

you had me at core impressions

I'm loving all of the new products from CHA-Winter that are finally hitting the shelves! While I don't like to wait, it is nice to keep the new products coming year-round.

One of my favorite products is the Core Impressions embossed cardstock from Core'dinations (check it out here). I knew I'd love it the minute I first saw it, but once I had it in hand, I loved it even more. I used it to make the base for this card, which is featured on the Scrap-Mart blog today.  

Sand it and the background color shows through. Paint it. Ink it. Love it!

I also used some great number stickers from October Afternoon's Report Card line (take a look here) on this card. I've found that these stickers stand out so much more if you ink the edges just slightly with brown or black ink.

In addition, check out this exclusive new Spellbinders die available only at Scrap-Mart. I know it's going to be very popular. My mom even sent me a special email and told me she had to have one!

For a limited time you can pre-order it for $19.99. Once the special is over, the price goes back to $24.99, so make sure you get your order placed.

Happy Friday!

M

back to gettin' crafty

Well, my travels are over for now and I'm back to crafts. 

I haven't had much time to be crafty lately, but I did partake in a crop for NSD the weekend before last. And, I actually managed to get a few things accomplished! 

Here's one of the cards I made using some of my favorite new products -- The Girls' Paperie patterned paper, Coordinations embossed cardstock, and sparklers from Webster's Pages.

 

By the way, have you checked out the latest challenge and guest designer at Candy Shoppe Designs? There's a great tutorial on how you can use dominos to create altered art. And, don't forget about playing along with the "domino effect" challenge for your chance to win the May blog candy from the Magpie Club.

Have a great day!

M

i heart new york

I didn't think I could love New York City any more. 

Then I went back. 

And I fell in love with it all over again.

1. We rode the hop-on-hop-off bus around the city. Even in the rain.  2. Pastry at Balthazar. My favorite.  3. Brooklyn in the distance.  4. Columbus Circle. So vibrant on a Saturday afternoon.  5. Exploring Central Park by foot.  6. Time seems to stand still in Central Park.  7. Shopping. Enough said.  8. Shoes at Saks = heaven on earth.  9. In the Heights: fantastic Broadway musical.  10. Exploring Chelsea Market via food tour.  11. Eleni's = total let down. Looks amazing, tastes like dirt. 12. Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. So good. So illusive. So sad they were lost. Yes, lost.

Well, that's the tale of my long weekend in NYC. Much food was eaten. Many sights were seen. Our fabulous Magnolia Bakery cupcakes (minus one) were lost. 

I heart New York.

M

signs of a good weekend

I am home from a fabulous weekend in NYC. 

I am already thinking of going back. 

M