My first "365" challenge; Penny's challenge

Not too long ago, I discovered the 365 cards challenge . I have taken a peek a few times, but today was the first day I jumped in, with their ad inspired card. I like the idea of a different challenge every day! Most products are Close To My Heart except the sentiment on the second card, the pearls, and the flower center. At Sarah's suggestion, I'm also including this in Penny's Challenge which was to use pearls.

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I received another FUN package from Samantha today and my daughters and I have been enjoying all of the CTMH products she gifted us with (as she has become a Stampin Up demonstrator.) I'm sure she'll have lots of great stuff on her blog soon, so be sure to check it out.
Thanks for taking a peek.
Marie with a :-)

cps 124

I can't believe it has been four weeks since I have taken part in the Card Positioning Sketch challenge. I had a hard time even finding where anything was in my craft room...which is still a disaster!
Not too long ago, Alyssa thanked Scott and I for being there when she needs us. I thought that was a good sentiment to put on a card. Here's my take on sketch 124:

Thanks for looking. I hope everyone is enjoying summer as it whizzes on by.

Hugs,

Marie with a :-)

more cards

Today was one of those days where nothing went as I had planned. That includes crafting...I really wanted to start working on a layout (and even printed some pictures!) but after completing a PCP challenge, I really liked the colors I was working with and made several more cards. Now I really need to get myself to bed...the time change will be a challenge for me!

Happy Sunday to you!

Marie with a :-)

Quick and Easy cards...

Remember when I wrote about "Many Maries?" Once again, I'm longing for that cloning ability as I really need to be in three different places at noon today!
Here are two VERY quick and easy cards that I made late last night and a previously made version of one.

This first card is a non CTMH version of a card I believe I saw in a card magazine.

Here's a CTMH version using Emporium paper, You Are Beautiful, various Solos sentiments and Code it.

And finally a very quick birthday card using Emporium, bitty brads, sparkles, June Word Puzzle and Happy Birthday stamp set.

Have a beautiful day,

Marie with a :-)

Playing Hooky

I didn't mean for it to happen. Really. Playing hooky was the farthest thing from my mind this morning. The girls and I simply planned a trip to the library to look for some books for research papers they have to write. On the way, Elizabeth wanted to stop at the Dollar Tree to look for a present for my birthday (the girl's got a limited budget...) The fact that the Colorado sun was flashing its tempting smile, the Tale of Despareaux was playing at Cinema Grill (which is next door to the Dollar Tree) and it was dollar day all conspired together with three giggly girls and their mom. So not a lot of academics were done today, but we did enjoy ourselves. Now I'm waiting for Scott to get home so we can go for a long walk to counter the effects of movie theater chili cheese fries...and I'm feeling thankful.


I did manage to get three birthday cards in the mail before we headed out. I'm posting one of them that uses the Key to My Heart paper pack and Stamp Set. The inside reads: YOU. Happy Birthday.

The second card is a Thank You card using the Amore paper pack and Damask Tiles (C1342) stamp set. I made it last night before watching Traitor with Alyssa and Jay. I seem to be watching a lot more movies than I ever used to!

Wishing you sunshine regardless of the weather,
Marie with a :-)

You are beautiful, Trifold thank you

I'm waiting for Alyssa to get back from Jay's soccer game (I think 10:30 is pretty late for a game to start!) and while waiting I was thinking about a conversation the two of us had just a couple of nights ago. I mentioned in a previous post that I am having a hard time with her "growing up" but after our conversation, I realized she's having struggles too; she has feelings of inadequacy and loneliness because she doesn't have many friends; she wishes she got better grades, etc. It made me sad to realize that she was having such struggles. I told her then that I think she's an amazing young lady with many gifts and talents; I truly believe she is beautiful inside as well as outside. So this card was made with her in mind. (Green and purple are her two favorite colors :-) )
CTMH supplies used: You are beautiful stamp set (c1352), garden green ribbon, creme brulee cardstock and ink, garden green ink

The second card is a trifold thank you card I made the other night using the CTMH Amore paper pack again.

Happy Thursday to you,

Marie with a :-)

Thank You card

The coffee that Scott left for me was cold this morning - REALLY cold - by the time I stumbled out of bed, so I am going to force myself to call it a night a little earlier tonight and spare you any Marie ramblings.

Here's a card made from scraps that I had left over after making Alyssa's book. They aren't CTMH papers; I've been trying to use up my pre-CTMH stash and figure by the year 2032 I will possibly have accomplished that :-) Anyway, while I was working on it, I was thinking what "happy" colors these seem to be.

Have a happy day,

Marie with a :-)

Thanks and Monday Morning Discovery

I want to say thanks to my friends who have wished me "get well" and/or commented on my blog. Your words are greatly appreciated.

I discovered something new this Monday morning. Perhaps it wasn't new; I just hadn't quite picked up on it yet. MY FIFTEEN YEAR OLD SON HAS SUPER POWERS!!! You heard me correctly. Just this very morning I discovered that he has the ability to change inanimate objects into whatever he wants them to be.

"Uh, Matthew, don't you want to put a coat on? It's pretty cold out this morning."

The look. "Mom, this IS a coat!"

"Oh really? It looks an awful lot like the shirt you were wearing on Friday."

"It's a coat, Mom. I'll be fine. "

"Okay. Well, you and your coat can get a ride to school this morning. It's too cold to be walking in that, um, lightweight coat."

After dropping him off at school, my mind ran wild. (I know, I know...running wild is a state of being for my mind.) If I could somehow acquire his super powers, life would be just dandy. That mountain of reeking clothes in the laundry room? I would just call it clean, folded and put away. Voila! The hamburg that will still be frozen twenty minutes before dinner time? I will call it "Casserole Extrodinaire" and head to the craft room to play. And right now? Well, I would call myself showered, dressed and ready to tackle my day...Voila. *Sigh* . No super powers here...

This (previously made) Thanks card showcases the butterfly from the Celebrate Life stamp set (C1287) and the Key To My Heart paper pack.

Thankful for the Only True Super Power, Jesus Christ,

Marie with a :-)