Carrie's Blog

Finally an update....and MAJOR BLOG CANDY!!

2010-07-07T09:59:00.002-05:00

**Edited to add: Blog Candy will end Sunday July, 18th 2010.

Winner will be announced Monday the 19th.**

I have bragged so much about my Cozy and how much I LOVE it. Now Kathy has generously offered up a Cozy for someone to win. The Cozy pictured is exactly what you will win if chosen by random.org (Fits Cricut Expression). All you have to do is:

1. Become a follower of my blog (if you aren't already) and of Kathy's blog .

2. Leave a comment, anything will do, and your contact information (please spell out contact information example: your.name AT yahoo DOT com.) This helps avoid junk emailers.

My Mother in Law has the Mickey Mouse Cozy and my Sister has 2, one for her baby bug and one for her Expression. I can't say enough about how wonderful these are!!! We don't even "know" Kathy. My Mother in Law was lucky enough to come accross her on the Internet...and boy what a find!!

I know I have not posted anything in a while. I am trying to get back into the swing of things. I actually made a card, first time in 2 months!!! Wouldn't you know, I forgot to take a stinking picture!! Hopefully life will let up a little and I can start posting more often.

Hope everyone is staying cool and having a great summer!

Carrie

HAPPY MU-D-D-ERS DAY!!

2010-05-09T14:15:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone is having a great day, weekend, month, year!! I just wanted to show you my card that I made for my mom.

It's almost copied exactly from Robyn at MyPinkStamper. I cut my little cow at 3.25 from Create A Critter. My ribbon is from Hobby Lobby, and the paper is from JoAnn's "Flower Shop" stack....I LOVE THAT STACK!!

I am so blessed. My boys got me a new Flip Video, so hopefully now I will get around to posting. LOL!! On the inside of my mom's card, I put "Get out and enjoy the sunshine, you are going to be treated to a day of getting your hoof's cleaned." Meaning, she is going to get a pedicure. I know she will like it and it will give me a reason to get my "hoofs" done too.

Have a great weekend!!
Carrie

NSD Challeng #12 - Critter-Licious"

2010-05-03T23:17:00.001-05:00

This challenge was to use a critter to make a project, card or scrapbook page. I thought I would use EVERYONE'S favorite right now, Create A Crittter. I LOVE THIS CARTRIDGE!!!
**Edited to add: I used Mickey Font for the title.**

I have needed to start this jungle themed baby album for weeks now. What a perfect excuse!! Every critter on this cartridge is ADORABLE!!! The orange that is hard to see says "to our" Making the title "Welcome to our Jungle". I even added a little bow to the girl monkey and a blue bow tie to the little boy monkey.

I really like how this turned out!!!
Carrie

NSD Challeng #6 - Make Something WITH a Child or For a Child

2010-05-03T23:12:00.000-05:00

If you know me, you know that I do scrap with my boys. I knew I did not want to get them out here while I was trying to complete challenges. I would have never gotten rid of them. So, I am posting the "art work" I made for Blake. He mad "Star of the Week" at daycare. When that happens, the parents bring in stuff to fill up a poster board...here is mine....

It has a picture of the boys and a little explanation of Blake's favorite things like "hi-hop" which is really IHOP. I cut the motorcycle from Going Places. I bought that cartridge, just for this baby!!!

Hope you enjoy,
Carrie

NSD Challenge #4 - I like you the least

2010-05-03T23:05:00.000-05:00

You will notice that I skipped #3. There are a couple that I decided to skip. Not enough time in the day. This challenge was to use that cartridge you got because you thought it was all the rave and now you haven't used it. My first Cricut came with George Basic Shapes. That was almost 2 years ago. There are so many cartridges with those shapes on it now, it just seems like a waste. I have seen it going on Ebay for some crazy $$, I just don't get it. Here is my entry.

I embossed the white cardstock with a QuickKutz embossing folder and added flowers that I cut from George Basic Shapes. I went so crazy for the flowers on this cartridge that I ruined a brand new Cricut mat cutting HUNDREDS of these flowers with. You might be able to see it here...

Crazy huh!! The silly things we go CRAZY over!!
Hugs,
Carrie

NSD Challenge #2 - Getting Scrappy

2010-05-03T22:58:00.000-05:00

This challenge from My Pink Stamper is to use any scraps laying around to make something.

Literally scraps I had. You can see the bags (that's how I keep most things). There are bags of the paper clips and of the pink / red paper I had around.

I hope you like it.
Carrie

NSD - Challenge #1 "Mother Dear, I Love You So"

2010-05-03T22:54:00.000-05:00

MULTIPLE POST ALERT!! I am starting to post my entries for The Pink Stamper's National Scrapbooking Day Challenges.

Challenge #1- "Make a scrapbook layout, card or other item with your mother or someone dear to you in mind".

The paper is from DCWV, sorry I can't find the name of the paper. My area is like tornado alley right now. The stamp is from Verve, and it is a Plain Jane. The circle is from George Basic Shapes and I just can't remember where the scallop is from right now. I will have to edit later. Sorry for the lack of information, I am POOPED!!

Have a great evening!
Carrie

Now it's Cozy near Seattle...

2010-04-30T23:12:00.003-05:00

Here is the picture I promised of my MIL's Cricut Expression Cover. How stinking cute!! I am telling you, these things are so nicley made. You should hop on over to Kathy's blog here.

She has plenty already made up. She is so super sweet!! Did I tell you she spends her day training monkeys?!! (Not really, but close..she is an elementary school teacher). If it's anything like here in Texas, the kiddos just finished their testing and I bet the teachers could use a nice crafting break.

Feel free to email her, she answers promptly and our "Cozies" turned out so wonderful.

Carrie

Finally!! A card!!

2010-04-27T21:50:00.004-05:00

I know the picture is horrible. This card literally took me less than 5 mins. to make. I used my Gypsy and cut the airplane at 3 inches from Mickey and Friends cartridge. I CASED (Copied And Stole Everthing) this card from the Occasions Gallery on Splitcoaststampers. Luckily the sun was shining on Sunday, unfortunately it made the card too bright for the picture. I stamped my own clouds using a 1 1/4 scallop circle and sponging around the edges.

Forgot to add: The paper is retired SU!, the "happy birthday" is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!).

I am going to make tons of these. It's not too often you find easy boy cards to make just to have on hand.

Thanks for looking,

Carrie

It's pretty cozy in here...

2010-04-26T21:19:00.003-05:00

I got an early birthday present. My MIL got me this GORGEOUS cover for my Cricut. You can find more of these quilted covers at Kathyscozies.

I will tell you, many years ago I bought a cover for my Wishblade. It is thin, cheap and only does one thing good...keep the dust out.

Kathy's cover matches my pink and green room and is thick and quilted all over the place. She was even able to custom make a Mickey Mouse one for my MIL. I will have to get a pic to share with you guys.

They are so reasonably priced. She does excellent work. And she is a 3rd/4th grade teacher (??), so let's support her in any way we can!!! This is her therapy, who the heck wouldn't need therapy after dealing with that age!!

I can't tell you how happy I am with my cozy!!!

Carrie

MY PEN HOLDERS ARE HERE!! MY PEN HOLDERS ARE HERE!!

2010-03-31T21:33:00.003-05:00

Once again my husband has spoiled me rotten. I am a follower of Amy Chomas for a little while now. She is having an inventory reduction sale on her pen holders for the Cricut and I was lucky enough to make a deal with the hubby to get them. Woo Hooo. Okay, so no lie I have only had them out of the package for 5 mins. I started getting my mini sharpies out and my scrap paper, I totally thought I would know what to do, Duuuuh, I have only watched her youtube video at least 100 times. Nope, I had a brain toot and had to stop and watch again. Here is what I came up with after ripping open my package and watching the video....

The smaller circle with the butterfly is my attempt using just the Cricut, the sharpie holder, and the cartridge the regular way. Obviously it is supposed to be able to fit...I know it was operator error. The larger circle with the bird is using my Gypsy. It worked perfect!! First I placed the bird on my mat screen and loaded the pen holder according to the directions, then a message comes up on the Gypsy asking if you want to "Go back to design" or "Add to design". I just added to design, it prompts you to save at this point, which I think you have to do in order to know the original position of the bird. When I went back to the design the bird was in Gray, so it did not cut. I just added the scallop circle and POOF!!! BAM!! BOOM!! WAAAAA ZOOOOO!!!

I wish you all could see my excitement. I am CRAZY GIDDY right now. With the pen holders and the power of my Gypsy....NOTHING CAN STOP ME!!! MuuuaaaaHAHAHAHHAAHA!!!

Okay, so stay tuned for more....I am still working on the nerves to make a video...maybe this is my sign.

Big Hugs!!!

Getting there...just a little sidetracked...

2010-03-28T10:05:00.004-05:00

Hi All!

So I am working on a baby album and went looking for some paper. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE paper stacks. I have them all lined up on top of one table. I had a problem because I didn't know where one stack started and one ended. It was a huge problem, not because I would damage any paper, but because all of that pretty paper would distract me.

A very long time ago I bought these divider thingy's to organize my stamped images. Well, that really went out of the window, so I dug out my thingy's and this is what I came up with.

Here is the line of stacks all together...

I kinda have them color coded. The purple are My Minds Eye and the Green are DCWV and the Blue are random stacks that go within a "subject"...for example I have Nana's Kitchen by DCWV, but I also have I Love Baking by Paper Studio, so I put them together. I have all of the kids, baby and then Spring, Summer and Flowers together. I like it, it has worked for me. It's just now I can cut down on the paper cuts, and distractions....Yaaaay me!!!

I love seeing how people organize their stuff. I hope this helps someone else out.

Big Hugs,
Carrie

I finally fit into a medium!!!

2010-03-24T19:15:00.003-05:00

Okay, so it's not the size of my clothes...yet...but someday. My hubby got me a prezzie today. I like to think it's because of the color and he just wanted to be nice. I am sure it is a little of that and so that I don't like another "Dude" when I am riding with him on the back of his bike. I am sure with me in a black jacket and black helmet and on a bright yellow motorcycle we could surely be thought of in a totally different way...haha!! Now I look like an actual hot babe riding on the back of the "booty launcher"...that is my new name for his bike. Since I haven't been very creative lately, I thought I would share this with you all.

I hope everyone is well,

Carrie

I am a total copy cat!!

2010-03-07T18:14:00.002-06:00

I am a copy cat and I don't care. I have had a couple of new stamps from Kraftin Kimmies Stamps and are just getting around to getting some ink on them. I used the sample from their website and noticed that I had the same paper. So off I went to make the same thing. I started stamping using Stamping Bella's about 4 years ago and used to have to color images all of the time. Then I fell in love with Stampin' Up! and don't have to color so many images, it's a nice break. Coloring images is good therapy, I have to admit. After taking almost an hour with two little interruptions (named Goose and Blake), I finally finished this card. The paper is Basic Grey.

Thanks for looking,

Carrie

Finally a clean scrap room...

2010-03-07T12:19:00.003-06:00

I know it has been a while. Most of you can relate when I say sometimes you just get into a slump and just don't wanna do anything. So last week I spent most of my time staring at my scrap room and just tired of how I had just crammed things into spots. So I have spent the last 2 days cleaning and reorganizing. Not only for me, but for my SU! order that was just waiting on me to play. Ami and I both have been saving our "allowance" and finally placed our SU! orders during Sale-A-Bration....what a RUSH!!! I LOVE getting free stuff. Click on my website on my sidebar to check it out. HURRY, the Sale-A-Bration ends the 31st of March.

My MIL will be here on Friday and I hooked her into scrapping and stamping the last time she was here, so I plan on playing with her a lot. I wanted to be able to move around and find things. Of course my playroom is the garage (I hate saying that, it's really nice). The weather yesterday was beautiful so the door was open and Ami and I got to play all day. I was still moving around and organizing while she did most of the playing. I did get a thank you card done for the Veterinary office that sent us the sweetest card after Molly left us.

I have to show you pics of what the boys do when mom makes room in the garage. My hubby grilled on the BBQ last night and with the beautiful weather they put up the tent. Well, it was still too chilly to actually sleep outside so we moved it inside. Of course nobody actually slept in it, so it just stayed in my playroom. My Blakey loves to hang out with me in here and watch T.V. while I play...it's makes for some really cute company. After a great breakfast it got really quiet, so I looked around...here is what I found....Blakey sleeping with his "snuggie" that Olivia made for him. HE LOVES THAT THING!!

Here is what my nice clean room looks like now...
My pics are horrible, but you get the idea....a BIG 'OL TENT!! Right in the middle.
I had to share, since I haven't created anything in a while. Maybe it will kick in.

Big Hugs
Carrie

Hey, Hey, Hey...IT'S A SNOW DAY!!!

2010-02-12T10:32:00.004-06:00

Howdy from North Texas Y'all!!!!

Yesterday the Dallas area set an all time record for the most snow accumalation in one day. This Cali girl still gets soooo giddy when the snow comes!!! These are the pics from yesterday (Feb. 11) My two boys and my neice Kaily (visiting from California)

Our front yard and the house..

The sidewalk to show how thick the snow was yesterday...
This morning when I woke up school was cancelled..wooo hoo! That means work is cancelled for me!!! Here is what I woke up to outside my front door... The same sidewalk...just some more snow on it...

Our backyard fence.....

Our cars.... The first one is my van that has all of the snow from yesterday and today.

Finally, my big boy Carrots running through the back yard playing in the snow.I know this is probably nothing to what some people are experiencing. In true Texas fashion, tomorrow is calling for sunny skies and a high of 57....Seriously? Yep!! Thanks mother nature for a nice day off!!!

Hugs,

Carrie

In Loving Memory of Molly May Hajnal....

2010-01-29T21:03:00.008-06:00

On Wednesday night Molly left us to go play in Heaven's backyard. David got Molly when he was at a gas station and a guy pulled up to him and asked if he wanted a dog. If not, he would just take her to the pound. So David took her home...this was about 1998-1999. I moved here in 2000 from California and she bacame part of my life too. When I was pregnant with Goose, she layed with me while I was on bed rest. When I...yes, I decided to propose to David I put the ring on her collar and asked David to marry me. Below is a picture of Molly Mae with a friend at our wedding. She was in it.

She has become Blakey's puppy recently. I am almost glad he doesn't understand. Before Blakey, she was Goose's sidekick. Here she is locked up in timeout....
Rest in peace little mama may may, life will never be the same without you. I hope you have all of the hotdogs and tennis balls that you could ever want up in Heaven. We will think of you every single day. We will miss your love and our days will be empty without being able to see your little wiggle.
Probably the saddest thing of all is how much Carrots will miss his mama...thats what we call her. People can understand the loss of a pet and most likely get over it. What happens to the furry bestfriend who has lost the love of his life? How do you explain to him that no matter how long he waits, she wont come back to him.

Our hearts are filled with loss and sadness right now.....Molly we will miss you!!!!

A little weekend mojo...

2010-01-24T16:22:00.007-06:00

Lately it seems that I can only get stuff done on the weekends. This weekend was no different. The weather was nicer that it sure has been so I was able to open the garage and play while the boys ran off some energy. Since I..uhhh emmm...WE are on a severe money restriction I am using more stuff that I already had. So I FINALLY pulled out this stencil that I just HAD to have after last years Scrapbook Convention in Arlington. I would NEVER pay $10 for a stencil, but I saw this one demonstrated and it was just gorgeous. I am really happy with the way my cards turned out, although they are not as beautiful as the demonstration I saw. I also used buttons. I love buttons, but it seems that I always forget to use them. So today I pulled them out. I am in LOVE with the DCWV Recycled Stack. I used it with SU! kraft cardstock and the SU! In Colors Inks and cardstock...they match this stack perfectly!!! Here is the group all together with the silver stencil in the middle.
**Edited to add*** I forgot to mention I used Old Olive Ink for the tree and all of the sentiments are from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

I made the top two without embellishments so that they could be mailed a little easier. Here is a closer view...
The next two are may favs with the buttons and a spiral clip. I have bought tons of these kinds of embellishments and never use them. Shame on me!!!

This tree fits so many occasions. I used it for Sympathy, Thank You, Thinking of You, and for a Masculine Birthday. The buttons were embellished with some basic twine.

Back to laundry and chores.

I hope you all are having a great weekend!!

Carrie

Taaa Daaa!!!

2010-01-16T13:49:00.004-06:00

I got something finished!! I am sooo excited. There is a long standing joke between my boys, my nephews and my two older brothers (their uncles), they say "Hey pink panty head", or "Are you wearing your pink panties?" and then call each other sissy laa laa. It's hilarious!!! So one of my brothers has a birthday next weekend and my other brother has one next month, so they are getting the same birthday card....here it is. I AM SOOOOO GIDDY!! IT'S PERFECT!!!

Above is the inside of the card. I am so excited!!! I can't wait until they get their cards. I hope you like them.

Love,

Carrie

Just a Note.....

2010-01-09T21:27:00.004-06:00

While cracking myself up in my last posting, I totally forgot to post Tess. Haaa Haaa!! My BFF Ami made me a notebook using her new Bind It All (BIA). She has made tons of cute things with this handy little machine that she got from Hobby Lobby.

She made this notebook by stamping Totally Tess and snipping her out. Ami placed Tess on top of a cut that she made with her Cricut using the Sweehearts cartridge. Layering everything on top of Melon Mambo card stock and topping it off with Melon Mamo ribbon. Tess totally matches my scraproom!!! Ami also used Crystal Effects to make the little stampin wheel seem more real.

Remember, Sale - A - Bration and the new Mini Occasion Catalog are both going on right now!!! Now is the time to rake in the free items. Go to my website to place your order directly and get the special offers available. Don't forget that the new Occasion Mini Catalog shows our new line of clear mounted stamps...just like Totally Tess!! Keep your peepers open, I will have a post that shows what the clear mounted stamps are all about. If you can't wait until then, just jump on over to my website at Stampin' Up!

Please contact me anytime with questions. My email is clhajnal@aol.com.

Hugs,

Carrie

You did WHAT?!!!!

2010-01-09T20:43:00.002-06:00

Okay, it has taken me all day to post this story. I will probably wished I hadn't once I do.

Saying that I LOVE my Gypsy has been taken to an UNBELIEVABLE higher level now. Okay so I was about to take a lengthy potty break (WARNING!! Sorry, if you get offended of stuff like this turn away now, It does not get any prettier!!) Since I new it would be a few minutes and my SU! Success has not arrived yet, I decided to take my Gypsy with me. So I am sitting there ticking way when the stylus fell out of my hand!!! GASP!!! WTF?!!! Did I just....YEP. I DID!!! It dropped onto my lap. My dumb butt (severly sensored) looked down and instead of just looking to see it there and picking it up decided to move my legs to pray to god that it fell onto the floor. It was just then that I heard the noise....OH CRAP!!!! (sensored once again). It had fallen into the toilet!!!!! So what the heck is a girl to do? Flush the sucker!!! It's like a nightmare that has haunted me all day long. Maybe this has happened before?? Is this why Cricut sells them in a set of 3?? I just keep replaying the whole thing in my head. I just can't believe that happened.

For those who own Gypsy's, you are pretty aware of the message boards. They have a topic that says "Tell us where you take your Gypsy, and about the reactions you get with it" Could you just imagine if I put it there? Haaaa Haaaa! I am sorry to say that I usually love humor like this, and have to admit that it is pretty stinking funny!! Ooooh poor choice of words.....sorry but funny!!!

I told my sister Pam who said OMG, you have to post this as she died laughing. Then I spoke to my friend Ann, she said I should too. Then I called Sherrie, in typical Sherrie style with a bunch of friends while I was telling her the story, she just kept saying that is sooo funny!!! Are you kidding me? S*Up!!! I am dying!!! I totally have to pee now!!! Ahhhh Haaaa Haaaa!!! I could hear her friends in the back ground saying "What?" "What is it?" So she said...wait, I will tell you in a minute. OMG!!!! Now, I am usually one who LOVES this kind of stuff, it's different when it actually happens to you. I am a little embarrassed....a little...but I still think it is pretty funny. I can't wait to tell Ami....she is going to die!!!

I hope the New Year is treating you all well. I am starting my New Year on Monday as I just practiced pretending this week. I will hit the gym full blast on Monday along with a new class, I only have 5 to go before graduation!!!!! Woo Hooo!!!

Love,
Carrie

Sherrie's album is all done!!

2010-01-02T13:01:00.002-06:00

I just wanted to post that the album is posted in my SCS Gallery found HERE. I won't bore you all with a long post but if you have any questions, just email me at clhajnal@aol.com and I will be happy to answer them.

Please let me know what you think of it. I do have to tell you something that our other sister Pam pointed out. My sister does not have the boo-boo's you see in the pics. She totally SWEARS by the Victoria Secrets Water Bra!!!

I just got back from seeing the album off with Kaily at the airport. It took her all of 5 seconds to admire my countless hours of back breaking work that I did on that album. This is one reason I don't do a lot of albums for gifts, unless they are requested. No one really understands how much work is put into these things. I know that my sister Sherrie will, only because she knows how much work I put into them.

I hope you all are having a wonderful New Year....my wonderful vacation is almost over. But I got a lot of things marked off of my "To Do" list.

Big Hugs,

Carrie

SALE-A-BRATION TIME!!!

2010-01-02T12:16:00.003-06:00

I love when Sale A Bration comes around. I don't know about you, but I keep a constant wish list for Stampin' Up!. Then, especially when Sael A Bration comes around I save up my allowance and place a pretty good order. I end up with tons of free stuff!!!

Not only is it Sale A Bration time, but on the very same day we get to begin ordering from the new Mini Occasions Catalog and earn SAB items for doing that....Duh!!! HOW EASY IS THAT!!! You can look on my sidebar and find downloadable catalogs. You can also just stop by my SU! Website found HERE.

If you have ever thought of becoming a Demo, now is the time to join. You can choose to be as active as you wanna be. If for anything, use it for the awesome discounts and fabulous perks of preordering. Here are the detals on becoming a Demo during Sale A Bration....

Choose any retail stamp set (valued up to $47.95) from the current catalogs when signing up during the promotion. Plus, get 15 percent off your Starter Kit (Standard or Digital+)!

Standard Regularly $199 ***Now ONLY $169
Digital+ Starter Kit Regularly $185 ***Now ONLY $157

Let me know if you have any questions, I will be glad to help.

Big Hugs,

Carrie

All Finished!!!

2010-01-01T22:02:00.006-06:00

I am all done!!!! Tomorrow night I will put all of the pics on a slide viewer or something...maybe a link to my SCS so that you all can see the full pics. For now, only pieces of the final pages.

Some stamping and embossing, although it's hard to see in this pic. Also, to the left you will notice a Cuttlebug Embossing folder. I call it a tool box pattern, but Ami has said Billet...and I would trust her knowledge over mine.

Some green, bling, and patterned paper...

Dont't forget the journaling. I also used my Cricut, I'll explain more tomorrow on this one.

More cutting on the Cricut. I also got into my long loved but never touched stash of Thickers. My favorite summer embellishment of last seasons Mini Occasions "Just Beachy" stamped in Craft Whisper White. I love Craft Whisper White, it gives a nice white, thick painted look.

Okay all that is it for now. I just wanted to post a little more for everyone to see.

Love,

Carrie

Posting some progress....

2010-01-01T15:54:00.003-06:00

I am almost done with the album. Tomorrow morning I will take the album to the airport to meet Kaily on her layover. I have had a hard time deciding to let her see it first, but I think I will. I will do a post later when it is done with pages, for now I just wanted to let you in on the little mess I have going on..heee heee

We'll call this one "To the left of the Cricut"'''

And this one we'll call "To the right of the Cricut"....

I know the pictures aren't the clearest, kinda good. I don't want Sherrie to try and scope it out too much.

Chow for now, off to finish.

Carrie

So easily distracted....

2009-12-31T14:36:00.003-06:00

We have a visitor for the day..This is Dutch. I noticed Molly and Carrots barking like crazy and there was Dutch with his little doggy brother Sarge. I noticed that they had collars so I went to round them up. Our yard seems to attract the lost doggies, usually when they get caught up barking with Molly and Carrots the parents have time to catch up. When no parents followed I went out and tried to wrangle them up. I was able to get Dutch, but Sarge looked at my hands like they were little Vienna Sausages. Sarge is a little Chihuahua mix....clearly a biter. I about had them both in the house and then Sarge darted off. I called their mom, she is at work and can't get off right now, so I offered to drive around and get Sarge but she said he will come back. So here I am getting tons of puppy lovins from Dutch. I am a HUGE dog lover and just LOVE PUPPY KISSES!!!!!

O.k. back to work on the album.....

Carrie

Movin' and Groovin"...

2009-12-31T00:30:00.003-06:00

I think this is my most favorite page!! It might be because I was able to get the whole stinkin' family on the page...well minus just a few.

So far I have managed to use my Cricut on every page. You can't see it here but I used Sweet Treats and George Basic Shapes. Okay...off to do more "crappin'" ...I know, I know.....harsh...but that is what Sherrie calls it. Oh...but silly little sissy....it's not so crappy. I'll have you know that I don't even have an album this awesome!!!! Maybe I should keep this for myself...hmmmm.

Love,

Carrie

A pic from way back...

2009-12-30T20:38:00.003-06:00

I wanted to post another piece to the album. This picture was from an all girl trip in 2003 to Las Vegas. I used a lot of the Indie Cartridge on this layout. I can't show it all right now. I will post picks of every page once I know that Sherrie has seen the album, hopefully after Saturday night.

Here is today's sneeky peeky. I am not moving at my usual album pace....usually I can have one done in 3 days. At this rate, I am doing one page a day. But, in my own defense I have my hubby and 8yr old home with me at the same time. Okay Okay....here it is....

I am on the right and Sherrie is on the left in the black. We were both blonde at the time...not so much anymore.

Big Hugs,

Carrie

Let's call this Tasty Tuesday!!!

2009-12-29T19:49:00.004-06:00

I just wanted to update you all on the album....since I know my sister and neice are watching now I thought I would give just a peek. I just uploaded 173 pictures to Walgreens....they are having a great price until Jan 2. The total price was about $10.. I did it in two bundles...since SOMEONE knows nothing about scrapbooking OR a computer I had to upload the last 68 pictures from MySpace by myself....not easy!!! Okay, so here is just a little tease....

I started this page before my sister got up off of her booty and sent me pics. NOT ONE FREAKIN CHRISTMAS PICTURE!!!! I couldn't find one ANYWHERE!!! I started with Christmas, because I thought that would be one EVERYONE would have. Now butt head has a Christmas layout with no pictures!!!

Dear Kaily and Ricky...

Your meemers loveS you very much and this is why I am making the album for you. Because your mama does know her head from her butt and I wanted you to have proof that we are a loving, memorable freaking family!!! DARN IT!!! WT Heck....no freaking Christmas pictures....REALLY?!!!!

Love and frustration,

Carrie

Trying some temptation..

2009-12-27T20:04:00.003-06:00

O.k., you all have seen me talk about my sister Sherrie who HATES scrapbooking!! She loves the end result, but the girl won't even walk into a Michaels store with me to save her life!! I have been saving stuff for over a year to make an album for her. Finally I will have a chance to send the album home with my neice on an airplane, instead of paying for shipping. So I have been BEGGING her to send me pics to put into this album. Because I just know if I send it home without pictures she will never put them in. The girl doesn't even own a roll of scotch tape!!! So, I finally got her looking at my blog and wanted her to be tempted......

Because this pic is not very clear....you might want to take a look at just the ribbon alone....

And the paper...ooooohhhh paper!!!!! It is VELVET ANIMAL PRINT!!!!

Okay, so this post may not mean anything to her. But if you all could leave a comment and tell her she has NO IDEA what she is missing out on not only to have the most talented sister (me, not Pam) in the whole wide world...but one who is making her a priceless heirloom for her family to enjoy forever!!!

Hahahaahhaaa!

Carrie

My First Cricut Layout..

2009-12-27T09:00:00.001-06:00

I couldn't remember sharing this layout on my blog, so I thought I would post it to share.

Although Opposites Attract was not my first Cricut Cartridge purchase, I did buy it just to do this layout. I know, I know....what an expensive layout. Nope...I have a rule. Just about anything I buy has to fit into my $1 rule. Example....If I want this cartridge and it costs $20...I need to think of 20 things that I will do with it. And I have. I used it alot on the last wedding album that I did. The hibiscus that you see is from way back in the day (B.C. Before Cricut) Haaa Haaa!!! I used a Quickutz die in my wonderful Big shot. I love that thing too!! Please do not think that the wonderful Cricut will replace everything manual...it does not. It is just another lovely companion to all of the other wonderful tools that we have and love. O.k., O.k. enough babbling.......

This is a pretty simple layout. I just love the colors. The paper is DCWV (Summer Stack)...still trying to use what I have. Here is just a close up of the title.Okay, I know I have mentioned that the new Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration starting on January, 5th 2010. If you are not huge stamper, you might want to take a look at the Big Shot that Stampin' Up! has. You can earn free stuff by ordering it through me during Sale-A-Bration. If you purchase the Big Shot through me, I will pay for your shipping. I can reimburse you if you want to shop online or let me know and I will take care of the ordering for you!

You can get to my SU! website by clicking here.

Big Hugs,

Carrie

On my way to the New Year!!!

2009-12-26T23:09:00.005-06:00

It's AMAZING what a week off and with no homework will do for a girl!! Woo Hoo!!!

Tomorrow is the official end of my first week off and the beginning of my last week off...boo hoo. I have made a promise of catching up on my scrapbook and to post more often to my blog. Taaa Daaa....here I am doing both!!

I have to tell you, almost 2 years ago I was COMPLETLEY caught up on my scrapbook, from me and hubby in High School, our wedding, and both kids from birth. I was really caught up. That is when I started stamping (#$%^&**)!!! I do love stamping and the instant outcome and feeling of accomplishment that it brings, but I miss the emotional feelings and the connection that scrapping does for me.

Being able to scrap with my Cricut is even better. So here it is...my Layout!!!

The paper is DCWV (Recycled Stack) and misc. cardstock. The title was cut using the Micky Font Cartridge and the Trees and leaves were cut with the new Dinosaur Tracks Cartridge. I inked up the edges of the cuts to age them a bit. I also popped up one of the trees using SU! Dementionals. Seen here...I love texture. I just had to take the title and use it in a Cuttlebug embossing folder. Seen here..

I know we (me, my sister Pam, and Ami) are not alone, when I tell you there comes a point when it seems to be more fun to collect all of the Cricut Cartridges than to use them. Then you just have to sit yourself down and make yourself use what you have. That is also on my "To Do" list for 2010..right after I place my new Occasions Mini order and Sale-a-Bration that starts January 5th, 2010.....SO GET READY!!!! let me know if you need to place an order or if you have any questions.

P.S...besides the hubby's B-Day card...this is the only thing I have done all week.....creative wise. The housework never ends!!

Hugs,

Carrie

It's Snowing!!!!!!

2009-12-24T19:29:00.003-06:00

I can't believe how much snow we are getting. I know this isn't anything compared to what some people are getting. But it sure is more than my family in California....so I am bragging. I just had to snap a picture of one of our dogs, this is Carrots, or what Blakey says, Tarrots. Molly May is our little spaniel that we didn't think would make it to Christmas. Thank goodness she has. But that little girl is no dummy. Her butt is inside "becoming one" with a blanket on the couch. That's what we call it when they lay sooo still they think we can't see them.

I am off to clean the kitchen and get ready for Santa. I made meatloaf...my hubby's favorite and now we just have the cookies for Santa and some wrapping to do.

Lots of Love!!!!

Carrie

Happy Birthday Baby!!!

2009-12-24T11:04:00.005-06:00

Well, not only is it Christmas Eve, today is my hubby's Birthday!!! Without telling you all the whole story, just know that this family LOVES Infomercials. Lately we have been addicted to "The Big Top Cupcake". So when I was at Walmart and saw it for only $19.99 with the bonus mold....I JUST HAD TO GET IT!!! Into my cart went the cupcake and out of line I went to stock up on cake mix and frosting. So I got home and told the boys, they about died!!! Finally, last night we made it........TA DAAAAAA!!!!!

I only used one box of cake mix and not even a whole container of frosting. IT IS SOOOO DELICIOUS!!!! You even get to cheat a little when you take it out of the mold and shave off a little from the top to make it flat, you get to eat the scraps. LOL!!! This is a easy thing to do with the kiddos.

Well, I have been off Since last Friday (5 days) and only a few things done. NOT what I had in mind...but I am changing that today!!! I will start something TODAY!!! I really hope to have my sister's (Sherrie, who hates Scrapbooking) album done. It's a kinda Ed Hardy themed album. I'll take pics when it's done.

OH!!! I have to share the Birthday cards that Goose (my oldest) and I made for my hubby using the Cricut. We whipped them up pretty fast. I am still IN LOVE with my Gypsy!!! I don't have to worry if I loaned out a cartride, I have it no matter what. And I get to share my carts at the same time.

O.K., I am off to create something else....my card is the cupcake and the hat is Goose's.

Lots of Love,

Carrie

What an exciting time!!

2009-11-26T20:07:00.004-06:00

I have lots to tell you guys..

I have been so crazy blessed lately. I am off for Thankgiving for a total of 5 days....wooo hooo. I have been playing with a toy.....drum roll.....

A brand new Gypsy. Okay, without the long boring details...I am NOTORIOUS for wanting something and having to have it right away or the opposite and thinking there is no way that I need to spend my money on whatever it might be.

That is what happened with the Gypsy. My friend Ami and I went to a demo that Michaels had a month or so ago and since it wouldn't help us share our carts, we decided against it. I work, and Ami is a lucky stay at home sexy biker wife- that's what I call her job title. LOL!! I used to do homework at lunch everyday, but then got booted out of my spot with WiFi and started taking up "napping" under a tree in my van. Well, that is getting old and I was almost late a couple of times. So as I was wishing for WIFi, and thinking about the wedding album I was working on at home...the Gypsy popped into my head. I won't sell you on it, but you can find all kinds of info on the web out there. I just wanted to tell you what happened to me.

I got it yesterday afternoon. I LOVE IT!!!! A couple of newbie complaints...1. It doesn't come with a manual...2. Everything you want to know, you have to get off of the website or youtube. 3. I wish it had "hovering" information. Like which button was shadow versus black out. Those are my only concerns, and with only 24 hrs. under my belt I am sure it is that I haven't figured it out yet.

Here is my first "Thingy" that I made while watching ICarly on Nickalodeon, sitting on my couch with my boys.....instead of hiding out in my scrap room. Hint: If you are a ICarly fan, try to figure out your Gypsy when the show is not on! I might have caught on a lot sooner, had I stopped watching the T.V.

This is from the Destinations Cartridge which is exclusive to the HSN Gypsy bundle. I LOVE THIS CARTRIDGE!!! The Gypsy also comes loaded automatically with exclusive Gypsy Font and Gypsy Wonderings.

So I am deciding that I am totally for this now!! I uploaded my carts and now Ami can take them home with her and bring them back whenever I need them. It also allows me to swap carts with my sister in Arkansas. Provocraft states that you can only link each cartridge to one Gypsy. But you then can use that cart and that Gypsy on any Cricut machine. Since my sister and Ami are both at home most of the time, I get to be the lucky lady with a Gypsy and they can borrow my carts whenever they want. Provocraft also suggests that you don't get rid of your carts, once they are uploaded. Just incase you may ever need them. So letting my peeps borrow them, is no problem at all.

I didn't want this to be a infomercial for the Gypsy, but I figured since I had spent the last 24 hours searching for "stuff" on the Internet, someone else might like my info on it.

I will be posting more about this lovely machine...and hopefully attempting my first video soon.

Big Hugs,
Carrie

P.S. I hope you all had a wonderful Thangsgiving. Once again I was spoiled by my hubby with him cleaning and doing dishes. I just made a simple turkey feast and played with the Gypsy all day...I AM A LUCKY LUCKY GIRL!!!

SALE EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!!!!!

2009-11-23T16:09:00.003-06:00

HUGE HOLIDAY SALE THIS WEEK ONLY!!!

Shop online through my SU! Website and SAVE BIG!!!!

30%-60% SAVINGS!!!!

Savings available thru my website only.

**Technical Difficulties prevented me from posting the specials, please go to my SU! Website**

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Carrie

214-578-0095

clhajnal@aol.com

Back from Cali...

2009-11-15T17:32:00.006-06:00

Hi Guys!

I am back from California. I drove with my parents out there and then flew home. I was so relieved when Friday came around of last week and couldn't wait to just hop into the car and drive. It was a pretty crazy week before I left. I had a wedding album to finish, a baby mum and a lot of homework to catch up on. I got back on Wed. night to face a full days work and my last day of Spanish class on Thursday evening. Wheeew!! Then Saturday morning a few friends and I decided to throw a little Craft Sale together. We had more "Yard Sale" type customers who seemed more interested in buying our table and chairs than the stuff actually on the tables. I wanted to share a couple more tiles that I threw together. I am sure you know which one is my favorite!!
*** Edited to add that these are just plain ceramin tiles purchased from a Home Improvement store*** Fairly inexpensive.

The first one is a tile that can be used as a reminder decoration. This tile will make a great thank you gift for a teacher. Super Simple to make!

The second one is used with my most favorite color combo and my favorite addition of BLING!!! This one will actually have a home on my desk at work and the cork squares are where a pic of each of my boys will be. The pictures do not so these tiles any justice. They are much more cute in real life!!

I posted a while back that something exciting was in the works. It really is. I'll give you 3 words that might give you all a hint....tattoos, blog candy, and digital....can you guess???

Until next time,

Big Hugs

Carrie

****Edited to add this FABULOUS COMMENT!!!!***

Congratulations! I just wanted you to know that your project will appear on the Yahoo Group Late Night Stamper’s blog finds of the day for Nov. 17. Want to receive your own copy of the blog finds of the day? Join us at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stampinuplnstampers/

A Spooky Invitation with some cute help...

2009-10-25T20:48:00.005-05:00

My friend Deborah has a halloween party every year, and every year she hands out some computer generated invites. They work just fine, I wanted to just jazz something up that wouldn't cost anything to make. Soooo here is what I came up with.

These did come out much better than the picture did. I used orange cardstock with a simple text box boarder in Microsoft Word. Then on the orange I stamped the Haunted House from SU! House of Haunts. I topped it off with the party information printed on vellum and stapled some halloween ribbon to the top to hold it all together. So easy!!! Since I made over 70 of them, I recruited some help...

This picture came out horrible, we were both cracking up so bad!!! You can even catch a little peak of his "baby" in the corner of the pic. With my hubby, we finished over 70 invitations in about 2 hours. NOT BAD!!!

I also just helped my friend Nancy with her baby's princess invitations using the same idea. They make for a simple but cute invitation. And easy to put in the mail too!!!

I just love that I got my man to help me stamp, and I think he had fun too!!!

Hugs,
Carrie

Crop Party!!!

2009-10-24T10:50:00.004-05:00

I am soo lucky to have such a wonderful scrap spot. I owe it all to my hubby for letting me take over "his" garage where his "baby" (motorcycle) sleeps. So last weekend we scrapped on Friday and on Saturday. Annnnnd my hubby cooked for us!!!!! YUM-A-LICIOUS!!!!

In hopes of totally sounding like a infomercial- LOVE THEM-uuuuhh emmm.....

When you come to crop at Carrie's house, you get great atmosphere, comfort and creativity all wrapped up in one!!! Here is where you can crop the night away...and we really did...both nights until 1 a.m. Ami pooped out a little early, but the little trooper was back for both nights!!! David SWORE that he was going to wake up with girls in the guest room....ahhhhh like back when we were kids. I was BFF's with his sister growing up...really like when we were kids. LOL!!! Ohhhh back to the spacious cropping area...

At Carrie's Crop House there are tons of tools and little helpers that love to be put to work...

Lots of room for you and all of your friends...P.Jams are highly encouraged!!! This is me, Ami, Olivia, and Julia.

BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!!!

When you come to Carrie's Crop House and just can't seem to shake those little booger's off...we have made room for them too!!! Yes, at Carrie's Crop House.....BOYS SCRAP TOO!!!

AND DON'T THESE LITTLE BOOGER JUST LOOK ADORABLE!!!!!
Okay, so I hope you laughed a little too!! This is where the gang hangs out when classes are not in session. We would love to have you over!

Hugs,

Carrie

To busy to post??

2009-10-24T10:10:00.005-05:00

Unfortunatley, yes.

I hate that I am such a procrastonator!!! Even right at this very moment. I am updating my blog instead of getting a mile long crafty-to-do-list done. Ha!! Oh well, I figure it will all get done someday.

I am sooo overdue on posting a HUGE thank you to my new BFF Ami. Looooove her!!! I love that I finally found someone here in Texas that I can Scrap with, Stamp with, laugh with, cuss up a storm with, share tears with, make things for, get things from....and I'll stop there just to keep you interested. My Love list of Ami could go on and on!!! I am so glad that SU! brought Ami to me. If you have hung out with us, you know!! If you have not scrapped with us yet, you are missing out and are welcome to join us anytime!!! Here is what my Ami made for me using her Cricut Cartridge "Boxes, Bags and Tags".

She was such a little sneaky sneak!! She pulled a bunch of pictures off of my blog and myspace and made the cutest topnote type album. I have had a rough few weeks of school, work and just in a real slump. So she whipped me up a batch of inspiration...and it worked!!! I am much better. Ami and I scrapped all last weekend with random visitors. It was sooo much fun.

Thanks to my Ami for helping me back!!!

Carrie

BIG NEWS!!!!!

2009-08-18T19:39:00.002-05:00

This weekend is "Tax Free Weekend" here in Texas. Not only am I a school supply junkie....it works out very well for us scrappers/stampers. Stampin' Up! is giving all of us Texans a deal for this weekend only....Yipppeeee Yahoooo!!!! Here it is straight from the horses mouth...haha!! Can you tell this Cali girl still gets cracked up with the slang of Texas?!

The state of Texas is having a sales tax holiday from August 21 - 23. Because school supply items are included in this sales tax holiday, the below list of items will be tax free during the holiday period. Please note that you must place your order with Stampin’ Up! during the tax holiday period in order to receive these items tax free.

Uni-ball Signo gel pen, 105021, $3.95
Basic Black Stampin’ Write journaler, 105394, $3.25
Stampin’ Write markers, various, $3.25
Watercolor Pencils, 101879, $19.95
Watercolor Wonder Crayons Bold Brights, 106695, $19.95
Watercolor Wonder Crayons Earth Elements, 106696, $19.95
Watercolor Wonder Crayons Rich Regals, 106698, $19.95
Watercolor Wonder Crayons Soft Subtles, 106697, $19.95
Watercolor Wonder Crayons Neutrals, 106746, $9.95
Stampin’ Pastels, 105542, $24.95
Craft & Rubber scissors, 103179, $19.95
Paper snips, 103579, $9.95
Craft & Paper scissors, 108360, $29.95
Pencil sharpener, 100745, $4.95
Blender pens, 102845, $9.95
2-Way Glue Pen, 100425, $3.50
SNAIL adhesive, 104332, $6.95
SNAIL refill, 104331, $4.50
Mini Glue Dots, 103683, $4.95
Pop-Up Glue Dots, 104183, $3.95
Stampin’ Dimensionals, 104430, $3.95
Anywhere Glue Stick, 104045, $3.95
Dotto, 103305, $12.95
Dotto refill, 100902, $6.50
Sticky Strip, 104294, $6.95
Tombow Adhesive, 110755, $3.95

This is a very big deal!!! Hurry and get your list ready. You can place your order online through my website. Click here.

Don't forget, you must live in Texas to get this offer. Sorry to all my peeps and fam from out of state.

Love,
Carrie

Hey....Hey....Hey.....

2009-08-04T22:08:00.002-05:00

I got an A!!!!!

I just wanted to pop in realy quick. Today is Blakey's birthday, we aren't partying until Saturday. I am just going to lay with him on the couch tonight and make out with my baby who isn't 3 anymore.....sniff...sniff.

The class I just finished was Critical Thinking and my paper was on Assisted Suicide. I have no problem telling people what I think or my opinion on any matter. It's when I have to back it up with proof...I am sooo lazy. But I did it!!! I am letting my brain rest and my bank account cool off from the stress shopping last weekend on Ebay. Hopefully I will be on more here in the next few days.

I hope everyone is doing well....Thanks for all of the support.

Carrie

What the heck is wrong with me???

2009-08-01T22:39:00.003-05:00

O.k. peeps..... I am going through my usual procrastination of writing my final paper. I was even not feeling well in the middle of the week and had extra time to get into it and get it done. Did I do that??? Heck NO!!!

I have been working on it yesterday and today and hopefully will get into full gear tomorrow morning. I went to bed early last night with the same intentions...but this morning I cheerfully jumped at the chance to offer up and take my parents dog to the vet. I even choose a "near miss" mental breakdown while choosing to take my almost 4 yr old to the vet with me and the dog during a "4 hour only, first come, first serve, standing room only shot clinic". If that weren't nearly enough I decided to stop at Hobby Lobby and leave the dog in the car and drag my lovely little boy (who just finshed his fruit and yogurt parfait after sharing it with Missy) into the store with me. I didn't have to wash his face because the part that Missy did leave on his face would soon be taken care of by the sudden down pour of rain. So we hussled on in. After 5 or ten minutes of only spending $2.78 we fought our way back to the car. By the way.....if you ever have to take a lil one into Hobby Lobby some GENIUS planted the party favor isle right next to the scrapbooking dept. that had tons of stuff for like 3/1.00 or .50 ea. The kids think that they have gone to HEAVEN when you tell them if they are really good, they can pick 3 things. AWESOME GOODNESS!!!!

Back to the good stuff....as my sister Sherrie would say..."Thats not the funny part"...

So we got soaked and went home. All day long I have been mostly staring at my paper....(DARN IT AMI JUST HAAAD TO TAKE A NAP!!!! ) I kept thinking....10 more mins...at the top of the hour.....after I eat.....after I pee. I even offered to watch one of "his" movies tonight and thought I would start fresh tomorrow morning with a clear head. Well, his movie sucked. I was just sitting here in my room and looked up....

(Horns playing) Dunnnnn...Daaaa.....Daaaa.....Daaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

This is the funny part. Way back in 2003 or early 2004 my other sister Pam and I both bought these little Sew Crafty machines. We just HAD to have them!!! I have not ever used this thing until tonight!!!! I am telling you if someone would have asked me to sit and watch their paint dry....today would have been the day and I would have loved to do it!!! I was sooo excited to do anything but my paper at this point. I climbed my booty on up to the tippy top shelves and dusted this little guy off for the first time ever.

It took some practice, but look at what I was able to do...

I know this post has gone on a little long....I have cracked my self up something silly. I was catching up on some blogs and Julie had a title..."What do you do, when you don't know what to do?" That is what started this post......and avoiding my paper still. I bet I could win some kind of "Use it up" or "Ways to use it" challenge...but we might save that for tomorrow. What???? My paper isn't technically due until Monday......I have time still.....LOL!!!!

Thanks for listening,

Carrie

What kind of Demo am I?...And Deal of the Week

2009-07-26T17:03:00.006-05:00

I blog hop a lot! I come accross a few blogs that belong to other SU! Demo's and all they show or create with are SU! products.

1. Good for them if they can afford only SU! products.

2. Good for them for having the will power to always "wait" for their stuff to arrive.

3. Good for them for never ever wondering what else is out there.

I think one of the greatest things is to hear of an awesome sale, deal or technique. It doesn't ever matter to me where any of these could come from. If I tell people of every kind of deal, then when they are ready to shop from me, they know they aren't being tricked by some silly sales trick that it must really be a good deal.

Although I think SU! has shown us some awesome deals for the Deals of the Week, there have only been a couple that say WOW! to me. Here is the one of them .... If you don't know me I am a total punch-a-holic and any punch that can pull double or triple duty is AWESOME!!

Deal of the Week: Heart to Heart Punch
You're going to LOVE our Heart to Heart punch, especially July 27-31 when it's just $10.99—that's more than 30% off the regular price of $15.95!

This punch works just fine on its own, but also goes with the Love You Much Stamp Set.

They both can be used for Valentines Day that much is obvious. I have also used them to make shaker boxes, kids love pages, frienship cards, engagement, anniversay cards and maternity pages. Your imagination is the only limit with wonderful duo!!

Order online on my website here.

If you have any questions, just email me at clhajnal@aol.com.

Have a terrific Tuesday!!!

Carrie Hajnal

I am chirping....

2009-07-26T10:11:00.004-05:00

It's official!! I have been bit by a bug....uhhhh cricut!!! After my crack-head like behavior on Ebay this weekend and possible groundation from it, I decided to actually start creating with my new cricut and let my paypal account cool off for a while.

My friend Ami got me started...I just have to blame someone and she's it!! LOL!!! I had to continue the chain and my sister Pam was it!!! I am soooo Jealous!!! I got mine at Michaels, she soooo did one up on me and got the HSN special with the Expression and tons of crap to go with it!!! Sooooo JEALOUS!!!! So I was flipping through the booklet that came with my Sesame Street Friends cartridge and saw the cutest notebook with Elmo on it. What a great way to start a project!!!

It's not finished, but I was so excited that I had to show it off. The zig zag boarder punch is my Martha Stewart punch and then some misc. ribbon that goes perfectly, I left some extra ribbon up top to use as a bookmark. I have some actual Sesame Street paper, but just used basic cardstock for my first time practice.

I am excited!!!! Can't wait for my 9 other cartridges to get here!!!! If I get into trouble, I may have to edit this post and add a "Donate Here" button, LOL!!. Thankfully David doesn't read my blog....I hope.

Have a great weekend!!

Carrie

Great News about Bermuda Bay and other Reminders

2009-07-24T14:51:00.007-05:00

There seems to be so much going on that I just wanted to send out a reminder so that you won't miss out on anything.

Note from SU!: We are happy to announce that we have successfully resolved the quality issue with our Bermuda Bay Classic ink. Backorders have begun to ship, and we will be ready to begin processing order corrections by early next week. The ink pad and refill will again be available for order on Wednesday, July 29. You can order online 24/7 through my website here. The color is sooo cool. I tried to use something very similar and it does not come close!!!

REMINDER: I am giving a free catalog or $10 credit for any orders over $100. This offer is only available by contacting me BEFORE you place your order.

Just a hint....I was able to get a look at the Holiday Mini Catalog that will be available starting September 1, 2009. It's CRAZY full of stuff!!!!

Another Reminder.... This week is Deal of the Week #4
Deal of the Week: Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware
Our Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware adds class to any project. Get them for just $18.99 (over 30% off the regular price of $29.95)—only July 20-26!Throughout July, be sure to check my web site every Monday at 10 AM (MT) for the week's new deal.

The last reminder, but not least....

Have Fun Doing What You Love
From July 15 — August 31, you can join the Stampin' Up! family for as little as $85 with the Mini Starter Kit. Have fun helping friends and family create exciting projects, while earning free products and even a little extra cash! This is also helpful if you have a huge wish list, start getting a discount on all of your purchases! You don't have to throw any parties or worry about bring in any extra orders....unless you want to.

Hope your weekend is getting off to a great start!

Carrie

You really missed out!!!

2009-07-19T16:00:00.003-05:00

I had a little crop party on Friday. My friends Ami, Charli and Chelsie came over and it was so much fun and will definatley become a regular thing now. I have had many SU! workshops, but never just a "play on your own" crop.

Ami finally talked me into keeping the Cricut that I bought a couple of weeks ago. I know...I know...GASP!!! I already have a Xyron Wishblade and didn't think I needed anything else. Then I started wanting to make a Disney album and it's kinda difficult to find files for my Wishblade without paying for them and even then your not guaranteed how nicely they will cut. So I bought it. I AM IN LOOOOOVE!!! Not just because it is sooo easy to use, but now I can share. We can share cartridges too! With my Wishblade I had to be the only person able to use it. Not only because when I bought it I spent $400 on it , but also because it's not very user friendly until you become one with it. By the end of the night Goosie (My 8 yr. old) was using it behind Chelsie's back.

Sooooo if you live in North Texas and want to come play, just let me know. There is plenty of room. LOL!!! That is when the motorcylce get's moved. My husband promised before hand to help by moving it on Friday and setting up my spare tables. He left and I had to move it....You should have seen it! Ami (who's husband has a motorcycle too) and David said What!!! YOU moved it?! Yeah....Duuuuh!! Don't evah try to get in my way of scrappin!!! LOL!! It was soooo funny.

Off now...really to start being productive.

Carrie

Plain with a purpose...

2009-07-19T15:31:00.005-05:00

My Blakey is turning 4 Woooo Hooo! This post would be 3 miles long if I explained the trouble we have gone through to decide what to do for his birthday party. This will be his first "real" birthday at an actual place, besides here or at Nana's house. We wanted someplace that would be good for a bunch of 4 yr. olds, without having to pay a high cost to reserve for kids that may or may not come.

We decided on McDonald's. WHAT KID DOES NOT LIKE MCDONALDS!! For a few seconds I thought I was the most brillant parent in the world. They give you everything...cake, balloons, invitations, goodie bags, and happy meals for everyone. I didn't want to book someplace like Chuck E. Cheese's becuase I know a lot of us parents are a little burned out of that place and trying to pry your children out of that place is horrible. Another option was a water park, let's face it...none of us parent's really want to dress for the water park and then HAVE to stay for hours and then again pry the children out of there either.

I know, I said I wouldn't go into it. So here is the party invitation, because I know the one that McDonald's will provide won't be good enough for me. I thought this would be fun to send out and let the kiddos color it in.

What do you think? The image is digi from Dustin Pike. If you have never seen his blog or digi images....YOU HAVE TO GO CHECK IT OUT!!! Every Wednesday he has Freebies and also has a ton for sale. I was lucky enough to get it on the Super Sale and get a ton of them.

Digital Images (Digi's, Digi Images) are really handy. You can resize them and add sentiments directly from your computer and even color them with your own software. It's not something I know how to do, just something I have heard about. I like to use real stamps, but for mass production or certain occasions these sure do come in handy.

Off for more productivity..

Carrie

Deal of the Week #2 !!

2009-07-06T11:04:00.003-05:00

July 6, 10 AM (MT) through July 13, 9:50 AM (MT)

Item #113474 Page #194
Sizzix Big Shot Doctor's Bag

$69.95 Regular Price
$49.99 THIS WEEK ONLY

You can place order online 24/7 through my Stampin' Up! website.

Stampin' Hugs!!
Carrie

It's Monday!!!

2009-07-06T08:34:00.004-05:00

ALERT!! ALERT!! ALERT!! ALERT!! ALERT!!

** The Scallop Edge Punch is only good until 9:50 a.m. MT, which is 10:50 a.m. Central.**

** The new Deal of the Week will be announced at 11:00 a.m. Central **

Hurry on over to my website and place your order. If your order is over $50.00 email me your order at www.clhajnal@aol.com . I have my email up and can respond immediatley. I will announce the new Deal of the Week as soon as I find out.

Happy Monday!

Carrie

I did a challenge!! I did a challenge!!

2009-07-05T19:28:00.004-05:00

I have been soooo stinking productive this weekend...WOOO HOOO!!!! I have had a few stamps from Unity for a while and I do love the nice quotes, but they are a little difficult to put on a card....at least for me. I follow the blog of 365 Cards. They give a card sketch every single day of the year. I gave my try at Day 127 - Super Sketchy Sunday

It's probably no big shocker that the colors are pink and green. Note to self: Maybe the challenge should be NOT to use those colors.

The patterned paper is just some open stock paper from Hobby Lobby matted on White and a simple line of some spiffy ribbon. I added a flower and a light pink heart jewel in the middle and VOILA!!! Very easy and took out a couple of birds at the same time!!!! HHAHAHAHA!!!

I am really done for this weekend now, hopefully this week can be just as productive!

Happy Stamping!!

Carrie

More Circle Circus.....

2009-07-05T11:12:00.004-05:00

Well, I always figure if you have the stuff out then you might as well make as many cards as you can...so I did!!!

I just can't decide which one I like best. These designs on flowers would sure make for great bachlorette invites, weedding or wedding shower. I think they are just funky enough! I am telling you this stamp set is really a MUST HAVE!!! Order yours TODAY!!!

Off to go make more....stamp ya later!!

Carrie

Wings of Friendship..

2009-07-04T21:14:00.005-05:00

This card started off as a friendship card, but then I thought of wedding. So many choices....I just left off the sentiment until I need it. If you know me, you know that I really have to be able to have things that can be used in a number of different ways. Just like this card. I used Whisper White, Bashfull Blue cardstock along with some scrap of Imaginsce...I think. I also used my Scallop Circle Nesty and Scallop Rectangle Spellbinder dies.

**Wings of Friendship is a Level 2 Hostess set. Not available for purchase. This set can be yours with an online order of $300 or more. Even easier host a workshop and this could be yours without having to pay for it!**

Call me to book your workshop. It is a ton of fun!!!

Carrie

Here comes a circus!!!

2009-07-04T21:00:00.006-05:00

I know I keep saying it....I love this set...too!!! This is Circle Circus available in the 2009-2010 Stampin' Up! catalog. All of the circles are perfect companions with the circle punches that SU! has. This card using Basic Grey and Walk in the Park can be used for so many occasions. The possibilites are really endless here. You can do what I did and use them in the centers of flowers. You can mix them all up as a background paper...tons of different uses. This set, along with the Lots of Bots should be on the top of your list....until I find more to put on there. LOL!!!

Edited to add pic of stamp set:

If I had any patience at all, I would stretch these posts out....naaaaah!!!

Big Hugs,
Carrie

Lots of Bots!

2009-07-04T16:20:00.003-05:00

One of the many new Stampin' Up! sets this year is Lots of Bots. This set has come in so handy already. It's perfect for all of the birthdays that my boys like to wait until the last minute to tell me about. It also works out really well for the men at the office. I think it is the quickest stamp set I own. This card literally took me about 5 minutes to make with some simple matting. The image is not terribly tiny, and so easy to color in with pencils, chalk or markers. I hesitated getting this set, and now I am so glad that I did. Go to my website and get yours TODAY!!!

The patterned paper is DCWV from the "All About Boys" stack. I colored the image with Copic Markers. The plain cardstock is old olive, basic black, real red and the base of the card is texured only orange.

I am off to make a ton of these just to have on hand.

Happy Stamping!!

Carrie

These colors are soo IN!!!

2009-07-04T11:58:00.006-05:00

I am finally able to play with my new stuff and post it for you all to see. I played with my new In Color Cardstock of Melon Mambo and Bermuda bay and then YoYo Yellow of the Bold Brights. Those are all of the colors that you see here. I also used the Scallop Boarder Punch that is this weeks Deal of the Week!!!

Edited to add this new pic and info.

Stamps: NEW Level 3 Hostess Set!!! Kind and Caring thoughts. This is a HUGE set!! It includes 12 stamps. Book your workshop and get the chance to earn this set that can't be bought.

Ribbon: Mambo Melon Polka Dot

More Details:

Inspiration for this card came from SCS.

Stamps: "Single Daisy Print" from Impression Obsession (Inked in Melon Mambo and YoYo Yellow), "Wish Big: SU! is from Short and Sweet (Bermuda Bay).

Misc: Scrap ribbon

Hope you like it. Let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from you!!

Carrie

Ready to join the fun?

2009-07-03T11:12:00.002-05:00

Click Here to find out all of the information.

I will posting this on my sidebar as well, just in case you need to come back to it.

Hugs, Carrie

Deal of the Week July 1-6 2009!!!

2009-07-03T11:00:00.005-05:00

Deal of the Week: Scallop Edge Punch
Everything's prettier in scallops! July 1–5, get the Scallop Edge punch for just $10.99—over 30% off the regular price of $15.95!Throughout July, be sure to check my web site every Monday at 10 AM (MT) for the week's new deal.

Don't forget my own special **Contact me with your order of $50.00 or more and I will add in a NEW 2009-2010 catalog!!***

Let me know if you have any questions at all. All of my contact information is on my Stampin' Up! website.

Login there to check out all of the promotions going on and contact me at the same time.

Carrie

WHAT A DAY!!!

2009-07-01T10:33:00.005-05:00

Well, I thought since we are all just sitting around waiting for SU! to update their sites and systems I would do a weight loss update. Today is the mark of SU!'s New Year and I am kinda taking that literally in my life too. It's no secret that I have been busting my rear in the gym since January. This week is the 60 Day mark of my workout with my coworkers. Here is the update with pictures.

Here is the current "Before" taken at the beginning of June.

Here is the "After" taken today.

I must say....I am pretty pleased. Here is the low down...

Last Month This Month
Weight 200.2 199.5
Chest 41.5 40.5
Hips 47.5 47
Upper Arms 15 13
Thighs 28.5 24
Calves 16.5 16.5

Here is the three of us all together...

June's "Before"...

Here is June's "After"..

This will be a multiple post kinda day. As soon as SU! finishes with the updates, I will post all of the wonderful happenings and new links.

Stay tuned.....

Carrie

Can you believe it!!

2009-06-21T16:47:00.003-05:00

Well, well, well...Baseball is finally over. The end of season was wonderful. I was able to make the coach as COACH book out of one of those cardboard word albums. I looooooved how it turned out. Can you believe that I didn't even take a stinkin' picture!!! I will get a pic and post it once I do. Moving on....

I finished another class last week and got an A!!!!!! I WAS SOOOOO EXCITED AND COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!!!!!

I am getting ready for a vendor fair in July and would love to hear some suggestions if anyone is willing to share. I do have a ton of stuff that I could get rid of. I am going to make some brag books and such.

My weight loss is still going great!!! I am still going to the gym 6 days a week. I had the most horrible news last week. They are closing our location of Bally's next week. They at least gave us 2 weeks notice ( I say that rolling my eyes). If you are a member of Bally's BEWARE! They are starting to shut down many locations. They told me they were not willing to do anything about my 2 year contract because technically there is another location within 10 miles. Yes, true...but driving there after work and trying to juggle the boys would cost me at least another 1 1/2 of my already too short of nights each week. So I paid the $75 cancellation fee and went down the street and joined Lifetime Fitness. Where have they been all of my life?!! I know I was only able to afford and join because of the amazing deal that they are giving us Bally rejects. I am totally loving it!!! The verdict is still out on "My Melissa". We are not sure if she is staying with Ballys or not.....sniff....snifff. Life would such without her!!!! But......drumrolll....

I AM OFFICIALLY UNDER 200!!! WOOOO HOOOOO!!!!!

Granted, it may vary on some days but it is now staying under 200 with a pm/all clothes on weigh in. I AM SOOOO EXCITED!!!! I even took my bathing suit wrap off at the waterpark and have started riding the waterslides again.

So this weekend was our first official weekend off. Nothing planned. It was great! Although I pulled a muscle in my next and move like a robot to look around I actually got some stuff done.

Here goes...

I used Stampin' Up! kraft paper and Trendy Trees stamp set. The white cardstock was embossed using a Cuttlebug embossing folder on my Big Shot. The contrasting green is Bazzil dark green. I should have made this on Earth Day. I am loving the Kraft paper lately.

The next one is made using a stamp that I found at The Great American Scrapbook Convention that was in Arlington, Texas. The stamp is from Heartfelt Creations. I bought quite a few of their stamps and really like how they have turned out so far. Here is a daisy-ish stamp using some scrap paper and nesties. Inside the card says Happy Birthday. I used Copic markers to color the image.

The last card that I made today is from Unity Stamp Company. A few months back when I went on my shopping spree I bought the cutest set called "Cuter than Most". The color didn't come out as bright in the picture as in real life. This stamp company has awesome monthly specials and weekly specials on Monday and Wednesday.

Thanks for listening and allowing me to cram all the weeks I have missed blogging and put them into one enormous one. I hope to be able to stay on track for a while now.

Have a great week!!!

Carrie

Miss Me?

2009-05-22T10:16:00.003-05:00

It has been a few weeks since my last post. I have been really super busy. I made a few cards a couple of weeks ago, but don't have pics here at work. I just wanted to give a quick shout out and let you know how things are going.

It's baseball season and we lost a game last night. :-( We still have a few weeks left, so who knows how it will play out. Hahaha...play...get it? We traveled to our very first tournament 2 weeks ago and really got our rears handed to us. I had the most fun decorating my mini-van...which is stiiiiil decorated. LOL!!! I HAVE to wash it tis weekend, I am starting to get made fun of.

School is still going...just doing what I have to do to get by. I know it is soooo horrible to say, and I received some grief the last time I mentioned this buttt......I don't understand what the big deal is trying to pay someone to write a paper for you. Yes, I work for a school district....Yes, I am trying to become a teacher...... yes, I know what a HORRIBLE example this is for my children and any children I hope to teach someday. But DARN IT!!! I have have stuff to do!!! I know I should have done this earlier in life, but honestly If I followed everthing that I started back then I would be a bigger mess than I am now. Thats how I became a Veterinary Assistant and then a Flight Attendant...and then dated the Tatto Artist.....not good. So I am TRYING to do the right thing, but it is so stinking hard!!!!! Just had to vent about that one, thanks for listening.

Now for the better news!!! I have officially become a weight loss maniac. Just see my list for the week...

Monday - 1 hour on the eliptical

Tuesday - 1 hr with Melissa (Personal Butt Kicking Trainer)

After Melissa I got my new game "Active" for my Wii Fit. If you have a Wii Fit, you HAVE HAVE HAVE to get this new game. I just came out on tuesday May 19. I thought I could easily handle the High Intesity option. I did finish it an hour later, but it worked me just as hard as Melissa. It even tells you how many calories you burn. I did 254 calories....not counting Melissa's.

Wednesday - 1 hour of Aqua Areobics and then went bike riding with my neighbor.

Thursday - 1 hr with Melissa then Baseball game

Friday - Tonight I will do Cardio (eliptical/stairclimber) for and hour and also the pool for 30 mins.

Saturday - Bootcamp with Melissa and B.J. and the girls.

Sunday - Day of Rest

Rough huh? So I weighed in this morning. It is our last week of Biggest Loser here at work and I only lost 2 lbs. in the last 2 weeks. I will find out what the total amount is and let you know. The girls I am doing this all with "unofficially" measured ourselves yesterday. The official measure will be in 2 weeks with Melissa. Then it will have been one month since starting hot and heavy with Melissa. It looks like I have lost almost 3 inches in my waist alone. I can't wait!!!! The word around camp is that I am losing more inches....I sure hope so.

I still haven't made it under 200. I am just about there, but can't seem to make it to that magical point. Believe me, when I get there EVERYONE will know!!!

I better get going. I plan on cleaning my house tonight (really overdue!) Since we have a 3 day weekend maybe I can fit in some scrapping too!

Thanks for listening,

Carrie

Mid Week Stress Relief

2009-04-29T19:50:00.003-05:00

Woweeee! Today my workout buddies and I got measured and did the official weigh in. They weren't too excited....I SURE WAS!!!!! I have lost a total of 34 pounds so far!!! They have only started, I've been doing this since January 8th.

yeah for me! yeah for me!! yeah for me!!!

Don't unplug your ears from my squealing just yet!! I am really hoping to loose 4 by this friday, if not the next. This will bring me to a very important part of my journey. If I loose anything over 4 lbs. by Friday, I will be under 200!!!! This is a really huge deal for me. I wasn't going to share my "personal" information, but after watching Biggest Loser last night, it hit me. If someone, just one person gets inspired by my weight loss then this is worth it.

I know a lot of moms can relate to me out there. I was sooo hot in High School (full of myself huh?) Somewhere you loose yourself and get lost inside a shell that really doesn't belong to you anymore. I miss me.

I think it really hit me when my twin sister told me about running into some longtime friends. I don't think she realized it at the time, but what she said really got to me. She told them "She has moved to Texas and is a completly different person". Yes, I did settledown. I lost my blonde hair, and it is shorter ("Soccer mom do"- is what she called it). But I have also gained 100 lbs in 3 years.

Well, with each class that I finish I know I am getting closer and going to have to spend a summer in Cali and see all of my friends and family. The last time I saw my friends, I was still hot---ish. And the fact that my boys started a game of running into my butt and bouncing off of it for fun. Annnnnd singing "Momma got a big 'ol butt". I know it is all in fun but now I am so happy for my sister saying that, and to the boys for bringing my butt to my own attention....although....I couldn't miss it even if I wanted to.

I am now lifting my bottle of water to me and everyone out there that got hit in the butt (hahah..lol!) and woke up and smelled the scale. Here is to all of us working hard, falling down, and getting right back up there. Here is to us women who struggle with food, diet and excercise but still manage to do it when all there is for dinner is chicken nuggets and mac & cheese.

Most of all here is to my wonderful husband who pays my gym bill, paid for MY Melissa (Personal Trainer), goes grocery shopping and gets me my skinny cow ice cream, who makes chicken nuggets and mac & cheese for the boys...but also makes me a salad and my own dinner. Here is to the same man that acts soooo surprised when I told him what I weigh and said "NO Way you weigh that much" , but meant well Snort!! And here is to MY man who hugged me and said he would love me no matter how much I weigh and that butts are IN!!!!!

YIPPPEEE!! to Mr. David Hajnal and the other two Hajnal's that love Big Butts!!!!!

I know this is a long post, I just had to share my excitement. I just had to give a "shout out" to my wonderful hubby and spread some excitement and encouragement to my friends, sistahs, and anyone else out there who might be listening.

Big Hugs,

Carrie

Oh How I LOVE my Big Shot!!!

2009-04-26T13:26:00.004-05:00

Does the month of May scream card making season to everyone else? I have a ton of Birthdays, Mothers Day, Graduation, Weddings, Teacher Appreciations...OMG!!!! OH! and NATIONAL SCRAPBOOKING MONTH WOOO HOOO!! Don't fret......I have a solution!!!

TAAAAAADAAAAA!!!!

I used SU! cardstock (Huge Sale coming up on paper!!), Textured Impressions Manhattan Flower and some simple stamps on both cards

Cherish:

Paper: Basic Grey SU! and Vellum.

Stamp: "Cherish" from Baroque Motifs, this is a very versitile set for so many occasions.

Ink: Tuxedo Black Momento Ink

Mothers Day:

Paper: SU! Pink Pirouette

Stamp: Verve

Ink: Regal Rose

After just trimming a small portion from the vellum, add a couple of small zot dots in the corners and a couple of random places and VOILA! These can made so fast, in any color and in large quantities. Just change the sentiment to match the occasion. I have had this embossing folder for at least a month......what a waste of time. I could have solved a lot of problems a whole lot sooner.

I am in the final week of my English Lit. class this week. Get ready for MAY!!!! I have a ton of stuff planned. Start saving your pennies and making a wish list.

Hugs,
Carrie

Mmmm Coffee

2009-04-19T19:54:00.004-05:00

I am finally starting to ink up some of the sets that I bought during my "spending spree" a month or so ago. I can't believe this is my 3rd post for the day. I though earlier about posting and setting them to go out during the week...that thought quickly passed...I had forgot what I thought....hahahaha! This is "Lets Get Together" from There She Goes. My cousin showed me a couple of sets from this company almost a year ago maybe. I finally remembered to order them and now remembering to use them.

Stamps: There She Goes "Lets Get Together".

Paper: SU! Kraft and Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Basic hobby twine, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots

Original Inspiration found here.

Have an awesome week!

Carrie

Butterflies are sooo pretty

2009-04-19T14:53:00.003-05:00

I can't help from noticing all of the gorgeous cards with butterflies on them lately. I saw this card on SCS and just had to copy all of it. That's the paper I bought at the LSS this weekend.

Card size is 6x6

Stamps: SU! Baroque Motifs and Birthday Whimsy (Retired).

Paper: Unknown cardstock. Patterned paper is Basic Grey Urban Prairie.

Accessories: Filigree brad from SU! Misc. ribbon, jewels, butterfly from MS punch.

Off to go see what else I can whip up!

Love,
Carrie

At least 1 thing done!

2009-04-19T11:57:00.003-05:00

Okay, so things have been good since I have decided to slow things down a bit. Since I have decided not to stamp on the weekdays to focus on baseball and homework, I am now getting an A in English Lit. I also am watching a little bit more T.V. which puts me in the living room with the boys a bit more, thats the part I am most ashamed of. I didn't realize how much I rushed through in order to hurry up and get into my room. Once in my room, I realized that I spent most of my time just surfing and not being productive anyway. I feel much better about that.

As far as the shopping thing goes, I have only spent $2.47 at the LSS. I had to drop off a baseball thank you card and just could not pass up the paper I bought.

So, trying to stick to my "use what I have" challenge I made this card. Almost all SU! products.

Paper: SU! Walk in the Park, Basic Grey, Pink Pirouette and Whisper White.

Stamps: Oval all "Best Wishes" (Occasions Mini Catalog p8) stamped and embossed with Silver EB. Leaves are from Great Friend (Occasions Mini Catalog p6) stamped with Tuxedo Black Momento Ink

Accessories: Wide Oval SU! Punch, Scallop Oval Punch (Occasions Mini Catalog p8), Butterflys are Martha Stewart B-Fly punch and Pearl accents. The pink and white flowers were punches by EK Success and brushed with Butter Cream Shimmerz.

This card was so easy to make, and duplicate!

SPECIAL!!!!!! Go to my website and check out the special free stamp offer when you purchase from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I have just about everything from this AWESOME catalog. If you want to check anything out or ask a question about it, just let me know.

Big Hugs,

Carrie

WHAT A WEEKEND!!!!

2009-04-12T14:54:00.006-05:00

I am sooo shocked that I just whipped out 4 cards! Granted they were two designs that I was able to easily duplicate. I guess I can say I was "lucky" to have Friday off and got to get a root canal done. :-( I can usually be brave through anything, dentistry is not one of them. I took my valum like a good little girl and also begged for the strongest Nitrous that she had. With all of that and my hubby by my side, I stayed awake the whole time shaking like a leaf. Although I couldn't feel anything it still terrified me. So that was Friday.

Yesterday was our 2nd Baseball game and we didn't win. It was a long day. The boys had to be there at 3 for team pics and the game wasn't until 5. They were pretty tired. Thank goodness Nana and Papa brought Happy Meals.

Today is Easter. HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE!!!! Here in Texas we had some severe weather last night, so with the wet yard we hunted eggs in the house. Last night hubby and I filled little plastic eggs and hid them through the house and the boys woke up all excited this morning. Although I don't have any pics of them coloring eggs like every other year, this was still fun. It made for an awesome clean up!

With all of the excitement over and done before we celebrate my big boy turning 8...boooo hoooo..snif..snif...I was able to make a few cards. I want to make him a really good one. I haven't felt it yet. Here is what I have come up with so far. I CASED everything on this card. I just loved how simple and "boyish" it is. Here is the link to the original card.

I used the Rockabilly designer paper along with the Something Special stamp set that is available as a Level 2 Hostess gift. I also used the Large Star Punch. Just a reminder that when ordering online through my website your total purchase could qualify you in one of the Hostess Levels and allow you to get free stuff. Don't stress over it, the online ordering system will keep track of everything you qualify for and let you choose and the end of your order. I easily whipped out 2 of these cards with in about 15 minutes. SO STINKIN' EASY!!

Here is the other easy card that I whipped out today. I used the new Digistamps over at Dustin Pikes Blog on blogger. I stumbled accross a card made with one of his images on SCS and I am HOOKED!! I am stiiiiiiil waiting for my 2nd order from High Hopes Stamps (the longest shipping of any company I have EVER ordered from!, But excellent customer service) The reason I mention that is because of the adorable dragons that I ordered from High Hopes. Dustin Pike's dragons are just as cute, and so easily alterable it makes them even better!! I also ordered from his ETSY site and got my Easter files very fasssst....so unlike High Hopes. Go to his blog, every Wednesday he has a Freebie. Here is the birthday card I made with his dragon flying a kite. I just matted some bright patterned paper and added a sentiment in Microsoft Word and VOILA!!!

I am very excited with this card, it is so bright and cheery. I am now IN LOVE with Digistamps.

Hugs for now,

Carrie

IT'S BASEBALL SEASON!!!

2009-04-04T16:34:00.005-05:00

Well, it's that time of the year again and we just got back from our very first game of the season. This year was a little different. All of the boys are either 7 or 8 and we had to come up with sponsors in order to play in the tournaments because of the fees. I offered to make the "Thank You" cards, I will come up with any excuse. The team is the Miami Hurricanes. Here is a pic of the card I made.

I also just have to share a pic of my most handsome big guy. Doesn't he look so spif-i-licious and yummy?!!! Even though it's not a pic of his face.

All of the boys played sooo good out there today and ended up winning the first game of the season. My throat hurts from screaming so loud. I am one of those parents. I cheer for everyone. I just can't understand parents who don't even yell and cheer for their own kids. I am sitting right next to them and if I can't hear them, the boys for sure can't! It gets me soooo HOT!!! I just want to get in their face and scream at them. Whew! I feel better. The boys are playing outside, it is so beautiful. I think I will scrap and watch them play.

Big Hugs!

Carrie

Countdown to restriction.....

2009-03-31T22:50:00.003-05:00

O.k, O.k, O.k!!!! I am really going to do it!!! I am putting myself on restriction starting on April 1st. You better believe I have been surfing the net for any missed bargains that might be out there. I have gone waaaaaay overboard on spending and with the new stove and the soon to be refinancing, I just can't spend anymore! I still have a couple of deliveries that I am waiting to come in. Just so you won't think I am a big story teller when I show off my new creations. I ordered them over 2 weeks ago.

Question: Does it count if one of you send me a fantabulous link before midnight tonight and then I buy tomorrow? HURRY SOMEONE SEND ME A LINK TO BUY SOMETHING!!!!! (GASP!!!) (BREATHE!!!!) I can do this.

Another goal is to double up on classes. I am going to check it out on April 10. If it even seems like a possibility, then I promised I would put down the ink and take more than one class to graduate sooner. BREATHE GIRLS!!!! IT MIGHT NOT HAPPEN!!!!

Can you tell that I seem a little more dramatic than usual? It's been a roller coaster type of day. I might be able to tell you more about it later. But not right now.

Nighty Nite!!
Love, Carrie

A Good Friend...

2009-03-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

I have finally gotten around to inking up this little guy. I have seen him all over the place on SCS. I knew how good he looked with blue and orange so that's exactly what I used. He is from the Stampin' Up! set called Good Friend. My greeting in the lower right hand corner is from Saying It with Scallops. The scallop set was made in mind for the Scallop Square Punch, I stamped the sentiment and then punched it out using my 1 1/4 Circle Punch. I added some SU! Dimentionals and VOILA!!!

One of my biggest challenges is actually coming up with ideas. I totally copied this card from SCS. I wished I would have inked my bird a little bit more. Otherwise, I am really happy with how quick and easy this card was to do.

Hope you like it,

Carrie

A little change...

2009-03-29T17:16:00.007-05:00

I am sure you all know what I am talking about when you are constantly re-working your craft space. I did it again. Especially since I have been kicked out of the "game room"...have I mentioned that a few hundred times yet? LOL! My wonderful hubby seen here with his new spiff-i-licious glasses on...

Helped me hang my shelves and put the pink back in my spot...I know there was pink before...there is more pink (and some green) now!! Wooo Hooo Yummy!!

I have also jumped on the Ikea bandwagon and am using the towel bars as punch holders. A little embarrased, I have 7 and could easily add 2-4 more!! They are sooo wonderful!!! Here 5 of them here and the other 2 are right above my scrapping table with my regular squares and cirlcles and matching scallops, I seem to use them the most.

Here is a pick of the ones I use most...

You can tell with all of the light that I "live" in the garage. It's really pretty nice. I like it. Especially when the weather is beautiful like today. I can watch the boys play and scrap at the same time. Hubby is grilling on the BBQ...YUM!!!

Hopefully I will post some productivity later...

Carrie

Little Gold Mine Found!!!

2009-03-29T15:20:00.004-05:00

Okay, so everyone is well aware of my spending sprees lately. I am a firm believer that when you get great service or experience anything great for that matter, you should yell it from the rooftops!!

Before the last month or so I only had Bella stamps from Stampinbella and Stamps from Stampin' Up!. Oh, and some from the local JoAnns, Michaels, and Hobby Lobby. As I started to stalk Split Coast Stampers everyday I noticed that there are soooo many other fantastic stamps and companies that I just had to try.

I have already told you about High Hope Stamps and how much I love them and their awesome customer service. Although I wish the shipping was faster, they are sooo worth the wait!

My next order brings me to the reason for this post. I placed an order from 7kidscollegefund and it came so super fast. The shipping was so unbelievable starting at $3 something. I bought this lovely little Sara Kay stamp and just other little doo dads. I stamped her with Tuxedo Black Mometo Ink. I never knew there would be an ink that would not smear the black. I am in love with this ink!!! I will hold off further babble and show you this precious Margaux.

Isn't she so sweet? She is the only one I have of the Sara Kay Collection, she sure won't be my last. I colored her wih color pencils and blended them using Gamsol Magic. The paper is DCWV and some of the card is embossed using my Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. The flowers are punched out of thick mulberry and on the right hand side of the card is a the tab punch from Stampin' Up! I only wished I would have colored her hat and shirt orange and yellow. I changed the card colors at the last minute.

I hope you all like her, I think she is cute. You can hop on over to 7kidscollegefund and check out most of the items that I used to make this bright and cheery card.

Big Hugs

Carrie

Thank goodness for sunshine...sorta

2009-03-20T15:54:00.003-05:00

Did the title catch your attention? What I meant was that I had previously sworn off buying one more sheet of paper or cardstock....or spending money at all for that matter. Why in the heck did I go out of my way and find myself walking through Michaels? With a cart!!! I am such a Dum Dum!!! If it would have been storming, god just might have sent a lightning bolt in my direction. So I bought some camping paper because we are going to go camping in the front yard tomorrow night. I just haaaad to! I am making easter cards, so I just Haaaaad to get some of that too! Because you know the old Spring Stack, Summer Stack , New Citrus Stack and New Double Sided Spring Stack that I have sitting right here sure would not had anything for me to use. Hahahhahaa!! I didn't even look in them.

This is all especially frustrating because we had to buy a new stove yesterday. That was horrible!!! So I am really grounded now.

Does anyone feel my frustration?!! Do you ever get to that point when spending money on anything just starts to make you cranky? I am at that point now.

To make things worse, I am officially kicked out of what is now the "game room". It's my old scrap room inside the house. I have been hiding/keeping my barely used stuff there for over a year. That's what I get for asking for more shelves inside the garage. He took the old ones down and even packed everything up very nicely and moved it all himself. I wish you could see me pouting right now. Shhhh...we won't mention the guest room closet. :-)

So as I am moving around I feel even more frustrated because I remember exactly when and where I bought most of this stuff. What was I thinking? Tons of $$$$$ waasted!!!!

I do have a point with some of this. I have lots of stuff I can get rid of and I need to recoupe some of the money I have been blowing lately.

FREE STUFF FOR YOU!!!

With every order placed through my SU! Website I am just going to mail you a little gift. Book a party for the month of April (or place a order of $150 or more) and get a free stamp set (sorry, of my choosing).

I am sooo rude.....I forgot to beg..... PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!

Email me with any question you have at clhajnal@aol.com.

Gotta get back to cleaning, Big Hugs!!!

Carrie

Using up some of the stash!!

2009-03-19T13:27:00.005-05:00

I am so happy to be using up some of my paper. Wooo Hoo! I am sooo addicted to DCWV (This is from Blossoms and Butterflies) and all of their stacks. It's so bad that I just bought 5 of the new ones. So I just haaave to use some of my old stuff. I this card just this morning. As soon as I saw it , I said I HAVE THAT!!!! So off to work I went on the card. Here are my versions...

Not too bad, eh? Both sentiments are stamped from Stampin' Up! sets. The first one is "Just a little thanks" from Matchbox Messages in the Occasional Mini Catalog, The second sentiment is from "Oval All" from the Occasional Mini Catalog also. Oval All punches out so beautifully using the new Scallop Oval Punch available in the Mini Catty. All will be available April 1st. You will want to make sure you mark your calendars. The whole catalog is a must have!! So many of the sets are compatable with punches and the new Matchbox Bigz XL Die. I am pretty sure with all of the die cut maniacs out there that these will go on back order very quickly.

Make sure you go to my website and order as early as possible on the first of April. I can't spill everything, but there is a special incentive for every $40 you spend out of the Occasional Mini Catalog beginning on April, 1st. For every order on April 1st over $100 through my website I will throw in something special on top of everything else.

With all of that being said....Sale-A-Bration is coming to an end on March 31. These special sets will no longer be available after that date. If you have a $50 dollar order just waiting to be placed, now is the time to do it!!!

Big Hugs,

Carrie

Wooot Woooot....Bustin' a Move!!

2009-03-18T22:57:00.004-05:00

I can't believe it!!! I got more done. I am totally doing a happy dance right now.

Here is "Flying Ace" from High Hopes Stamps. I used color pencils and Gamsol. I also used a scrap piece of DCWV from the Summer Stack. I tried paper piercing for the first time....it was o.k. I love the look, not my most favorite thing to do. His goggles have crystal effects that can be bought from ME!!! and my website. Go check it out!! Sale-A-Bration is still going on, but only until March 31st. I added some star shaped eyelet with my cropadile and VOILA!!!The second card is sooo stinkin adorable. The usual, color pencils, Gamsol. I used Crystal Effects on the thermometer and used DCWV Glitter Mat Stack. I am really thinking about sending this one to Goose's (my oldest) friends. He's been really sick with pneumonia and baseball started without him. It sucked not to have him there. Get Well Austin!!! The inside says "Get Well Soon".Can you tell that I am sooo in love with these stamps? I have wanted stamps from High Hopes since I started stamping. I just kept forgetting about them. Seeing them on SCS reminded me and I finally went and bought! ....and again last night. LOL!!! You've got to see "Stretch" the giraffe the whole reason that first took me to High Hopes a couple of years ago. For some reason everytime I get there I forget to put him in my shopping cart. I forgot again last night! Darn it!!!

Big Hugs....hope for more!

Carrie

Worth the Wait!!!!

2009-03-18T16:04:00.006-05:00

Okay, so I left a few hanging on Friday night. I didn't bust a move like I thought I might. I was in and out of bed on Sat. and Sun. I'm not sure why....just the blahs I guess. Monday was a run around kind of day. Although I weeezled my way out of the work the dentist was going to do, I let it take over my Tuesday. The best news was that my High Hopes stamps came in that I ordered a while ago.

I just have to share with you the most awesome customer service that I have experienced in such a long time. Bethany at High Hopes answered my very distraut email about my stamps and assured me they were on their way. She was so sincere and I just can't even begin to tell you about all of the nice things she said. Although the original package never reached me, I got Bethany's and she snuck in a little extra something just inside for me. She didn't have to do it. She had already made up for my purchase and sent the most lovliest email. It's just the way she rolls. I am so grateful for her and the great service that she gave to me. It is so rare these days that we see such service like that. It is really appreciated. I wanted everyone to know how wonderful she and High Hopes Stamps is.

Here are a couple of cards I got started on so far...

This is Lenny's Love me Not. He is colored with color pencils and I used Gamsol. I also used some faux crocadile paper I got at Joanns and some of the Citrus DCWV paper. After using a little orange rick rak and a couple of flowers from Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby)...Voila!!! Oh! And my one yellow bauble from my million $$ find at Michaels last year.

Here is "Froggy Gift" colored the same way. I added some buttons from Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby) and trimmed one edge using my Martha Stewart Zig Zag border punch from Michaels. It's nice to be able to get back to coloring. I am so happy with how these turned out. I "CASED" him from SCS.

I think my little "depression" was from the anxiety of "having to" whip out some cards. After thinking about it, I am just going to worry about one card at a time and move on from there. I am going to stop worrying about how I am going to whip out 10 cards at a time, and do just what makes me happy.

Thanks so much for listening...hopefully I will have more soon to come!!

Love, Carrie

Getting ready for something...

2009-03-13T22:25:00.003-05:00

Have you ever wished for more hours in a day? Dreaming of when you will have hour after hour just to play? Well, I am sure I have mentioned that I have been stocking up for my Spring Break. I have had my stamp area clean for two days. All of the stuff I ordered has come in and situated/mounted, except for a order from Canada. Why in the heck have I been sitting here for the last 2 hours wondering where to start?? I am so stinkin excited, I just don't know where to begin. I have even been stalking SCS while I was hard at work (LOL!) during the week. I should be able to just pick a card and go. I guess I am just so happy to finally get to this point. So I decided to do a quick update and add a little jibber jabber to my blog.

So now that's done, I will go and get started....

Unless there is a super sale I should be checking out.....

What about some fantabulous blog that is super amazing......

O.k!!!! Really, I am going to go be productive and whip something up....

Bye......

No, you say bye first......

Just kidding.

Maybe I will pull and all nighter and have a pile of amazement for you all when you wake up. :-)

Goodnight,

Carrie

Good stuff coming...

2009-03-01T20:00:00.000-06:00

Oh My Goodness!!

Life has been so crazy lately. I just haaaave to tell you about the Stampin' Up! stuff going on.

It's still Sale-a-Bration time annnnnd SU! is giving our customers a chance to buy some of the stamp sets that are coming up in the Mini Occasions Catalog at the beginning of April. What the heck does that mean for you?

-You are able to buy the sneak peek stamps and still collect the Sale-a-Bration stamps for every $50 you spend.

A little secret....Being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator allowed me to buy everything in the Mini Occasions Catalog this morning and I still used my Demonstrator discount, got a hostess stamp set and collected all of my Sale-a-Bration sets...ALL AT THE SAME TIME!!! I saved over $80!!!!

Now is the perfect time to become a Demonstrator. During Sale-A-Bration, anyone who joins as a demonstrator can choose any stamp set—a value of up to $47.95—from the current Idea Book & Catalog! Plus, new recruits get 15% off the Starter Kit—over $350 of Stampin’ Up! products and business supplies for only $169!

If you sign up as a Demonstrator through me, I have an additonal stamp set just for you!!!

You can find out more details on all of these specials on my website. You can also email me at www.clhajnal@aol.com.

Hope you are having a Wonderful Day!!!!

Feelin' a little creative.

2009-03-01T18:43:00.004-06:00

I am so excited that I was able to get so much done this weekend!!! It sooo looks better in a list...so here goes...

-Got a sponsor for my sons baseball team!! There is still room for more sponsors if you are interested. A donation of $250 gets your own spot on the team banner that will be up for every game. Get noticed on the banner, rather than squeeeezing your company's information on a teeny tiny baseball shirt.

-Got caught up on all my homework and got ahead on next weeks!! Wooo Hooo

-Cleaned my house!!

-Cleaned my scraproom!

-Spent a ton of $$ on car insurance....Just kidding....seeing if you were paying attention! Hehehe! I did spend a ton of money, but all on my wishlist. I ordered from SU! I also did an order from Joann's and then went to Joanns and Michaels and spent more money! Ooooo I also went to the huge sale at my LSS. Spring Break is coming soon and I totally plan on locking myself up in my scrap room. I don't want to be running around shopping and taking up any of my time off.

- I also got caught up on my "To Do" list of cards. I haven't sent my grandma a card in a while, and she loves them. I also sent one to my SIL, I was sooo overdue for that one!!! I made a Symathy card....don't we all hate doing those?! I need to make those when there is not an occasion to do so. Here are a couple of pics...

The first set of 3x3 cards are just basic brown textured cardstock using the Scallop Edge Punch and then my Cropadile to add smaller holes along the side. I also used the Thank You Kindly stamp set and stamped a cute little flower using the hostess level I set called Botanical Blooms that I stamped on white cardstock and then punched using the Designer Label Punch. After adding some simple pink satin ribbon and a gem or two I laid all of it on top a large pink Oval Punch.

The second card is just matted on some Basic Grey paper and jewels. I added some simple ribbon, and some little flower puches from some thick mulberry and just stamped a saying from Full of Life. This card was so simple and is so adorable in real life.

The only thing I have left is to make more cards for my basket at work. I am so lucky to have the opportunity to sell some of my cards. It pays for my hobby....and then some. I am also currently working on some wedding invitations....I will have to see if I can post the "previews" to my blog. It will be up to the Bride.

There's always a lot going on. Now is a great time to join SU! if you have ever thought about it. I have a lot of tricks up my sleeves that will help you make money doing this wonderful hobby. I would love to share all of my tricks with you.....but only if you become a Demonstrator through me first :-).

Check out my website to learn about the current Promotions SU! has to offer.

Counting down the days to Spring Break!!!

Hugs,

Carrie

Great News Coming!!

2009-02-20T09:39:00.003-06:00

Howdy Ya'll!!! I know I have not been here a lot lately. I have been so crazy buzy, but hopefully this weekend I will get a little caught up on creativity. I do have a couple of things to share.

CURRENT PROMOTIONS

Sale-a-Bration is still going on and if you have not placed an order to receive some of the most adorable FREE sets that are available during this promotion you are really missing out. This promotion is over at the end of March. After that you won't be able to get those adorable sets.

Place your order through my website and get a free catalog. That's a $9.95 value!! You can take advantage of both promotions at the very same time.

Upcoming News!!!

Stampin' Up! is going annual!! Starting in July the new catalog will be good for a whole year. We will have added opportunities with the Occasions Mini Catalogs that come out a couple of times a year....which brings me to my next point.

The Occasions Mini Catalog is coming soon!!! You will be able to get a sneak peek and preorder a couple of the new sets that will be coming out in the Mini Catalog that official starts April, 1st. I will let you all know as soon as you are able to order....hang in there!

So hurry and get your Sale-a-Bration order in and get your free catalog!!

Let me know if you need anything at all.
Email: www.clhajnal@aol.com

Love, Carrie

Over due thanks to Ann..and a quick story.

2009-02-07T15:18:00.007-06:00

These props are waaaay overdue!!! My Bella Sistah Ann has been sooo good to me. I wanted to flaunt it in front of Ya'll. LOL!!

Quick story: My husband and I were born and raised in California and now live in Dallas, Texas. Both our sons were born here in Texas. I don't think either of them have an accent, but our family says they do. Our 3 yr. old walked into the kitchen where hubby and I were standing and said...giggle......"What are ya'll doin'?" We looked at each other and said OMG!!!! We were just short of falling onto the floor, rolling, and laughing our butts off. So, being from Cali and using my most favorite word ever, I said "Duuuude!! Did you hear that?!!" He says it all of the time. We were trying not to make a huge deal over it, to see if he still said it. He does! So I picked him up from daycare yesterday (Friday) and told Blake to say Bye to all of his friends and told the two teacher to have a great weekend. DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAID TO ME?! Ya'll too!

HAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!! ROTFL!!!!!!!! I know where it came from now. Hahahahaha!!! I just had to share that with you. Back to business......

Besides surprising me with the gift certificate that was emailed to me on like the first day of the Bellah Sistah thing, Ann sent me this wonderful package first. Tons of stuff.....I mean TONS!!!!! Bling ,Embellishments, Chipboard, Awesome paper and matching ribbon, frames, acrylic stamp, rubber stamps, images and brads...Tons!!Then just the other day I get another package. I am like "What the heck?" And I am feeling like a pretty bad sistah at this point. I had a package in my car and totally laaaged on mailing it out. Boy did I ever hussle it to the post office!!! Here is the second box I got from her... It had the most adorable smaller box inside with little kiddos on the side and a little boy on the top...awww....it's sooo cute!!! Inside had "snowmand circle" from StampingBella and the floral lace punch from Martha Stewart...SCORE!!!!! And a package of chipboard....AWESOME!!!

Last, but more precious than all are the handmade cards that came with each of the packages. I took a pic of them together. I absolutley loooove Ann's work. I am so impressed with her and her talent. Ann is the third sistah I have had at the Bellaholics Yahoo Group. I have learned sooo much from every single sistah I have had. All of the ladies in the group are amazing.Going to create now, I just wanted to let ya'll LOLOLOLOL!!! know how lucky I am to have Ann as my sistah! And to let Ann know how much I really do appreciate her!!

Love, Carrie

Catching up on posting

2009-02-07T14:37:00.005-06:00

O.k. so I have gotten over the stress of my last class....TIME TO PLAY!!!! My current sistah Ann sent me some pics of her space, so I thought I would share some of my "play area". I have not shared pics since I moved from the office inside the house to the garage. I know it sounds wierd but the owner before us had a home interior business out of the nicely fixed garage and it was just begging for me to move out here. So here I am! Here are pics of the piece of office that I had before the big move. It was quite cozy and I had book cases to the left and some bins to the right. This is what I have now...

I am constantly rearranging trying to figure out what works best for me. I move the long table that was in the way and it now makes a nice spot for any visitor that comes to scrap. Here is what I have now... I stll share a small part of the garage with my husband's girlfriend (motorcycle). And the greenish large chair is facing a t.v. a little play area for the monkeys (kiddos) when I am trying to get something done. All of that is done on the other side of the garage. It works out very nice. I have tons of room to set up tables and chairs when I have parties or crops. I am really loving it.

I have a lot to share, so gear up for another post....or two.

Love, Carrie

BIG NEWS!!! FEBRUARY 1ST!!

2009-01-30T10:09:00.005-06:00

This Sunday, Feb. 1st begins Sale-a-Bration with Stampin' Up!

For every $50 you spend, you will get a free stamp set from the Sale-a-Bration Catalog. There is no limit to the number of free sets. If you have a wishlist, this is a great time to get your wishes and FREE SETS!!!

Also, beginning on Feb. 1st Stampin' Up! is sending out the new 2009 Spring - Summer Catalog to every customer that places their order online through my website. That is a HUGE Deal!!!

My Favorite Sale-a-Bration set is the Polka Dot Set, it allows you to use the 5 Petal Flower Punch, the Scallop Circle and the NEW Full Heart Punches. I just love any set that I can use with punches. Easy Peasy!!!

Interested in becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator? Now is the perfect time to join. Along with the awsome Starter Kit, you will get to choose an additional stamp set of your choice from the 2009 Spring-Summer Catalog (Up to $47.95).

CONTACT ME TODAY TO GET STARTED!!!

Big Hugs,

Carrie

Bog Candy Alert!!!!

2009-01-27T09:58:00.001-06:00

I was just following up on my favorite blogs and Kim is giving away a looovely chance at Blog Candy. Check her out here.

I've been MIA...

2009-01-27T09:12:00.003-06:00

Hi Everyone.

I know I have been a little MIA. I am in the waiting room of the hospital right now waiting for my mommy, she is having her last aneurism surgery. WHEW!!! Right in time for tax season. She does taxes, so now that means that I do taxes too. And school, work, attempt to clean and scrap when I can. It's o.k. it's mostly just for the rest of January and February for me, then life can get back to "normal". I have some stuff to share...

Last Friday the 23rd was my current sistahs birthday. Ann has amazing talent check out her blog. I sent her a flower pot card that I found here. I was going to upload my pic, but it must be on my stinkin jump drive that I left at work. Check out Ann's Blog. She was so nice to post a pic and say some very nice words.

I am in the final 2 weeks of my Interpersonal Communications class, so creativity will be flowing very slowly until it is over.

Su! Updates: The Love You Bundle sale ends on the 31st of January. If you were even thinking about ordering....Hurry Up!!!

Starting on February 1st all online orders receive a free 2009 Spring-Summer Catalog and SALE-A-BRATION STARTS!!! For every $50 in order, you get a free stamp set (from the sale-a-bration catalog only). It's a HUGE DEAL!!!!

You also get a free Sale-a-bration stamp set free when you sign up to be a Demo. Thats a HUGE DEAL!!!

I get to buy school books when orders are placed through my website, so please let me know if you need anything at all. Anything stamping related would be a very welcomed distraction to whatever I might be doing.

Have a wonderful day!!
P.S. I said I was going to wait 30 days but.....I lost 3 more pounds...thats 15 total!!

Woo Hoooo!!!!

2009-01-21T20:10:00.004-06:00

I totally swore to myself that I would not weigh myself until my 30 day mark. All I could see is that little froggie counter at the bottom of my page. That sucker sure isn't going to move itself!!! It's been 2 weeks and...............

12 pounds are gone!!!!!

It hasn't been too bad. A lot of water and going to the gym. Next week I promised to start doing something other than the tredmill. Hey, it may be silly but the chubster hasn't hardly moved from the computer and scrap table in almost 3 years. Yearly scrapbook convention doesn't count..LOL!!!

Gotta go, homework and don't forget my SU! Party on saturday!!!!

Love, Carrie

The sign of tough times!!!

2009-01-18T15:54:00.004-06:00

I wish you all could have seen the look on my face when my hubby and boys brought this home to me from the dollar store. You know I practically made a deal with devil when I agreed not to ask for or spend any $$ in order to join the gym, and get new shoes and a new work out outfit. Since I have not even asked for a dollar, he must have known I was just jumping at the chance to buy something card or scrapbook related...not quite my idea, but the thought was worth a million dollars!!!! I must have looked like Scooby Doo when Fred suggested they go in and find those darn ghosts. Even better, my boys are out here in my scraproom (I call it scrap, even though I have not scrapped in months) and now I actually have stuff for them to play with.

They love to make cards with me. I just thought I would share this funny story and to brag about my husband for a minute. Even took the boys to grocery shopping by himself while I went to get my membership at the gym. I am a very lucky girl. He even cooks almost every night and cleans both bathrooms.

Thanks for letting me share. love, carrie

On a mission...

2009-01-15T11:24:00.003-06:00

Hello everyone,
I don't have anything creative to share with you today. I just had to pop in and let you know that I have been sooo busy. I have made it to the gym every single day and have made it to the week mark of not having one piece of candy!!!! That is HUGE for me!!! I will have to bring my camera to work so that I can take a pic of the biggest candy bowl that sits right next to me. Michelle (Owner of the candy bowl) doesn't just fill it with crap either. It's the good stuff...twix, Reeses, Kit Kat...mmmmm. I will not eat anymore candy!!! I will just open up my fiber bar and be content with that.

Overall I think I am doing very well. Yesterday and today seem to be the hardest for me. I will just drink a bottle of water and get past it. I am not going to weigh myself yet, although I can feel it. I am going to try and wait for my 30 day mark.

I hope everyone else is doing good on their resolutions. Thanks to Kimmie for starting this little weight loss group and all of the great support!!

Love, Carrie

Blog Candy Alert....

2009-01-11T08:09:00.003-06:00

Sorry everyone....because I can barely move from yesterdays work out, I am not sure how productive I am going to be this weekend. LOL!!! My legs don't hurt..my ribs are killlllling me. That darn ball that Melissa (my trainer) had me do and I tried the trick to suck it in whenever you think about it...and I am dying now. Since I am in sooo much agoooony....do I still suck in my stomach....YOU BETCHA!!! This is good pain and means that it's working....YIPPPEEE!!!

Sorry, got sidetracked....Go check out Carri D's Blog she is giving away some blog candy. I totally want to win this candy. It's really hard to find pretty stuff in boy colors and that is what she has. I love it! Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Love, Carrie

The best candy....

2009-01-10T20:02:00.002-06:00

The best and only kind of candy I am allowed right now is BLOG CANDY!!!! Go check out Dannie's Blog and check out the sweet stuff she is giving away.

Love, Carrie

My first trip

2009-01-10T17:23:00.003-06:00

O.k. girlfriends, I have officially taken the plunge! I have joined a wonderful group of girls with my very first sistah Kimmie and now I am accountable!! I signed up with Bally's fitness through the Discover Channel 30 Day Body Challenge. Today I went to my first session at the gym with my personal trainer Melissa. She is awesome!!!

I have a very scary (100 lbs.) amount of weight to lose. I know, everyone seems to think that what I weight is not true....oh trust me....it is! I about had a heart attack when the "meat head" at the gym put me on the scale. After I said "What the F&^%@!!!, he laughed. DUDE!!! I wasn't kidding!!!! Really?...What????? I went to work, because I don't own a scale ( I know, it's probably the reason for my surprise) I double checked my weight at work. It was true!!

So, my first steps is to add water and leave the candy bowl alone at work. Before yesterday I can't honestly tell you when my last drink of water was. HORRIBLE, I know. Melissa told me I needed to poop at least 2-3 times a day. WHAT!!!! Sorry, it may be TMI, but sooo true. I will let you know how things are going.

In scrap news....Since I no longer fit into my workout clothes, I am not allowed to spend any money on anything stamp or scrap related....GASP!! Boo Hooo. I will get a new pair of shoes and workout outfit out of this deal. Hubby says it's to see if I am really serious before I get into one more thing. I have to agree. I can do it! I am hoping he was only talking about like a week or so. YIKES!!!! I might want to check out the fine print!!! I will let you know. As for now, I am going to clean up my scrap room and see what I have to work with. Teee Heeee** He doesn't remember that my SU! order just came just over a week ago and My order from SweenSassy is on it's way...Heeee Heeee.

Thanks to Melissa, my legs are spaghetti...ooooo spaghetti yummmmmy....FOCUS!!!! I will probably be sore tomorrow. That's o.k. No pain No Gain!!!

Thanks for listening. Love Ya!

Carrie

I'M A WINNER!!!!!

2009-01-05T20:20:00.004-06:00

YEAH FOR ME! YEAH FOR ME! YEAH FOR ME! I won Challenge #3 for the Jacksonbelle Embellishments. You can see my entries for each of the 4 challenges just a few posts below this one. I just had to share this very exciting news!! Thanks for all of the great comments. It's really nice to have comments every time you log into blogger.

I am so happy to know such wonderful people!!

Love, Carrie

Finally!!! Some Mojo!!!

2009-01-04T17:02:00.004-06:00

Tomorrow I have to go back to work. YUCK! I have been off for over 2 weeks. Until yesterday I only had finished 3 cards.... what the heck?! I guess I just needed to be challenged....hahaha! Before I left work to go on Winter Break, I made all of the secretaries that I work with a decorated tile or candle...their choice. But they were all personalized to fit their taste. I didn't get this last one finished...or started...until today. I have had the Hello Kitty Die Cut for a while now, but just got to using it.....what a regret!! She is so much fun to piece together. And with 2 little boys, the perfect outlet to get girly!! I think the girl at work who loves Hello Kitty will like her, what do you think? I used DCWV Blossoms with glitter and HK Paper from Michaels and Hello Kitty Sizzix Die, and Cuttle Bug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder with my Big Shot. Pssst....Don't forget you can get the pink and black Big Shot from SU! and a nice little thank you if you order from my website. *Wink*Wink*

Off to do laundry and get ready to get back to work :-(

Love, Carrie

Wish on a Scrap Challenge #1

2009-01-04T15:27:00.005-06:00

A lot of my blog friends are doing the challenge from Wish on a Scrap. I wanna play too!!! Here is my version...

Every single day I get on the computer and scrap with my real sister who lives in Arkansas. We always use yahoo or stickam and scrap with our webcams on. It is sooo much fun!! I am always just grabbing my blue robe when I get cold and the other day my brother in law asked if I was going to get dressed or just wear the same thing as the day before? LOL!! Duh! Brother,I changed....sorta...I showered and just took my hubbys p.j.'s out of the dryer and wore his while mine were washing. HAHAHA!!!

Another part of the card is the slippers and the blue shirt under the robe. I didn't just do a color mix up and decide to color it blue...almost. I couldn't just leave it white and have everyone think I was naked!!! LOL!! Under my robe is my new Wii pajamas that my MIL got the whole family for christmas and they are also blue. She was sooo super smart!!! LOVE HER!! She got me and hubby the same size so I could alternate washing and wearing. TMI ALERT!!! Shhh...he only wears his boxers....hehehe...mostly. My MIL is also a slipper and P.J. FANATIC!!! Seriously!!! Although I do not have bunny slippers, they are white Abonomable (SP?) Snowman slippers from the Christmas cartoon Rudolph. I had to...uhh emm...we wore them when she visited from Washington and we did Black Friday shopping. You HAVE to wear themed P.J.'s when shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I flocked the bunny ears to add some deminsion. I made this card for her, it totally fits her. That's the reason for the "missing you" on the front of the card.

I know, really long blog post. I loved this challenge. What a great idea!! The paper is DCWV and glittered, basic cardstock and handmade flowers out of mulberry paper....leftover from my "Tear Bear" attempts. Uggghhhhh...that's a whole other story! Anyways, I just love this color combo. Hot pink and blue-ish-teal?? I can't ever seem to get away from the pink, at least it wasn't green....again.

P.S. This also goes with the new Mail it out challenge for SNS Yahoo group...wooo hoo I am doubly challenged....oppps (Insert Scooby Doo tilted head here saying Ruttt?)

Sorry So Long....Happy about playing Challenges,

Carrie

Jacksonbelle Embellishment Challenge Time!

2009-01-03T18:45:00.006-06:00

I am sooo excited!! I have officially started working on challenges. I have 4 of them. One of the cards is a do-over....can't have too many Birthday cards.

Here is Challenge#1: Anything to do with the word "ring". I used DCWV and the "Ring around the Rosie's theme". I also used Ring shaped Grommets.

Challenge #2: Black, White and Bling. I used DCWV with glitter and embossed an image from the "An Affair of the Heart" stamp set from Inkadinkadoo. I added some bling to the corners and ribbon to a small binder clip.

Challenge #3: New Years Resolution. I used Diplomabella, my Cuttlebug embossing folders on my Big Shot and a graduation hat charm. I am hoping to graduate with my degree this year and start teaching.

Challenge #4: Birthday. It is Lindsey's Birthday over at Jacksonbelle. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO LINDSEY!!! You all have seen a card identical to this one about a week ago. Since I have to make duplicate birthday cards, this is what I came up with. I used Partygirlbella and embossed SU! cupcake wheel on some Deisgn Paper picked up at Hobby Lobby.

Usually I just play along in "made up" challenges with my cousin. This is both of our first "official" time playing in challenges. You can click HERE to go and see her version of the challenges. Give her a shout out and leave her a comment while you are over there. This is her first blog site and she finally made it about 2 days ago.

I am hopefully going to start on some SweetNSassy Challenges now, I had so much fun at their Blog Party last night!!

Love, Carrie

A cute little Love You Bundle

2009-01-02T15:09:00.006-06:00

By now you have been seeing adorable creations that have been made using the Stampin' Up new Love You Bundle that is available. I got my set and let me tell you how stinking adorable it is!!

From now until January 31st. you can get this amazing bundle at 20% off!! You get the Love You Much stamp set, the Candy Lane Designer series paper, and the Heart to Heart punch all for $41.48!! Regular price is over $50!!

If you order a Love You Bundle from my website HERE, I will send you this set of cards that I made with the Love You Bundle. If you think that this set won't get you far, let me just tell you that I made 4 sets of all these cards with just 1 piece of the Designer Paper that comes in the bundle, and some cardstock, ribbon and embossing powder...VOILA!!! It was sooo easy. I even had a small scrap of Designer Paper left over to cover exactly 4 Binder clips to use as Photo Clips.

AREN'T YOU SOOOO EXCITED!!!! Use this as teacher gifts, secret sisters, honey bunny gifts...anything. These are so easy to stick in the mail and a cute little gift set too!!

Contact me TODAY!!! These sets have gone on back order once already, be sure to grab one at this great price before it is all over!

Love, Carrie

www.clhajnal@aol.com

www.carriehajnal.stampinup.net

Blog Candy Post..

2008-12-31T21:24:00.004-06:00

I just came accross this awesome chance for Blog Candy. Go visit Toni's Blog here. She has a great blog and tons of great ideas to go a long with a ton of Blog Candy.

Please, Please, Please pick me Toni!!!

Carrie

Blog Candy Post..

2008-12-31T21:24:00.001-06:00

Free Counter

Ahhh...Time off

2008-12-30T21:15:00.006-06:00

Boy the time is flying by! Before vacation started I planned to get current again in my scrapbooks and to have at least 100 cards made.....o.k. maybe not quite 100....but close! I have played the Wii until my arm is sore, and have totally caught up on all of my missed episodes of icarly and Oswald. LOL! So until today I have been a bum. But I have had more time to spend with my boys and some of their friends....so all is good.

I did get to finsh the Autumn themed wedding album for a friends daughter. I set soo many records it was rediculous!!! Not one jewel....GASP! (breathing into a paper bag)...and I only stuck to one role of ribbon...breathe girls.....and finished it in 48 hours! It actually looks good. I will take pics and post them later. For now I have Birthday themed cards that I got done. The album and cards were on my To Do list and now I can check them off!

I have just started as a Stampin' Up! Demo and just got my first order and with free shipping. So I am going to start posting a ton of projects where I have a chance to use my new stuff. YEAH FOR ME! YEAH FOR ME!

Here is Partygirl Bella from Stamping Bella. I used some Birthday paper that I picked up at JoAnns and then used the Cupcake Wheel that can be found on my SU! website.The second type of card is all SU! When I make a card I try to use up all of the DP (Design Paper) that I have used and make less leftovers as possible, so I acutally have made 4 so far and will make as many as I can.
I use Kraft 12x12 paper and cut it into 4's. Making 4- 6x6 and then just scored them in half. I used the Happy Birthday Wheel and then embossed it using White EP (Embossing Powder). After trimming closely I matted it in Night of Navy and then matted all of that onto a retired paper of SU!. I used my new SU! Star punch on the design paper and popped it on up with dimensionals or pop dots. SO EASY!! I have highlighted the supplies that can easily be found on my SU! Website. On the inside of the card is from the Full of Life stamp that can also be found on my website. It reads: "May every part of your Birthday have happy in it".

Contact me if you have any questions at all. I am also sending out a special Thank You for everyone that places an order from my SU! Website.

**Contact me today! Stampers Club Starting in January. Get $25 in stampin stuff every month! A kit mailed right to you if you can't make it to the meeting.!**

Love, Carrie

MAJOR BLOG CANDY ALERT!!!

2008-12-27T19:59:00.003-06:00

I soooo want this Blog Candy that Melissa at Creating from the Heart is giving away!!!!! I have followed her blog for a while and her work is AMAZING!!! She is a DT member for Jacksonbelle Embellishments. I secretly applied to be a DT Member a few weeks ago and now I totally understand why I was not chosen. It was the first time I had ever dicided and tried to apply to be on any Design Team. You should really check out her blog and all of her amazing work.

Please, Please, Please Melissa, I hope your son picks me!!!!

Love, Carrie