Soho Subway Hello

Hello & Happy Hump Day!  Today's share is a card that was inspired by Stampin' Up!'s Shelli Gardner.  Shelli is a little under the weather right now after her riding accident, so because she has been on my mind a lot lately, I thought I would honor her with this card.  If you'd like to see the original, click here and scroll to the very last card.

For my design, I used the Soho Subway DSP, Backyard Basics Stamp Set and coordinating Framelits dies, and the Deco Labels Collection Framelits Dies.  I had so much fun playing with the patterns on the DSP.  It all coordinates beautifully, and the colors play so well together.

 
I also love how the Deco Labels Collection Framelits Dies gave way for ample layering.  This was a fun card to make, and I hope that you like it too!  Please let me know what you think about this card by leaving me a comment below. 

Thank you for stopping by!  Until next time, happy crafting!

Lisa

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Get the NEW! 2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog HERE!

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Here are the products I used:

InLinkz

Soho Subway Thank You

Hello!  I'm so glad to be back on the crafting scene!  The last couple of weeks have been SO busy!  Julian started Kindergarten on last Tuesday, and he hasn't been exactly been thrilled with all new faces, new schedule, and new "work" environment.  However, change and structure are good for him, so I know he's in a good place and am not worried about it.

So for today, I am delighted to share a fun craft project with you!  When the new catalog debuted in May, the Soho Subway DSP wasn't exactly at the top of my list of must haves.  But it grew on me.  So I ordered some recently, and this is one of two cards that I made.  I'll share the other one later this week.

I just love all of the colors and patterns in this paper.  There are so many ways to layer all of the patterns together...the possibilities are endless really.    

Please let me know what you think about this card by leaving me a comment below.  I'm glad that you stopped by!  Until next time, happy crafting!

Lisa

Shop Online Anytime for Your Stampin' Up! Supplies

Get your NEW! 2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog HERE!

Latest Stampin' Up! Specials HERE!

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Here are the products I used:

InLinkz

Another MUST SEE--Safari West!

Hello friends!  No Flashback Friday project today.  However, as promised, I'm back with more pics...this time of Safari West in Santa Rosa, California.  If you have not heard of this place or haven't been, head straight to their website for more information here!  I can't say enough GREAT things about this place...it's like going to Africa on safari but without all of the shots, jet lag, or fear of being eaten by hyenas included!

Of course we took 100+ pictures, but I whittled it down to a select few to share with you today.

Beautiful flamingos

One of the cheetahs

Some of the giraffes

I don't remember what type of animal this is above, but she lives with a herd of antelope.  As it turns out, she was abandoned by her mother, so they adopted her (she thinks she's one of them).  Her adopted family is on the other side of the fence behind her.  Sad story, but I'm glad that she has a family nonetheless.

The animals have large habitats, and some probably don't even know they are in an enclosure.  The giraffes are the biggest attraction, and they know they are the stars.  As you'll see below, Suzy is quite the ham!  She refused to move when we were on the driving path, so we finally had to drive around her into some uncharted territory after 5 minutes of trying to cajole her.  She wasn't having it.

Suzy being Suzy

Did you know that giraffes have 18" black tongues?!

I learn a ton about the animals every time we go.  I guess I remembered too much from our last adventure in 2010 because our guide John finally had to tell me that I couldn't answer anymore questions.  Hey, I love wildlife...what can I say?!

Our handy guide, John

The rhinos

Beautiful zebras

Baby zebra!

Another safari ahead of us

A monkey contemplating his next move

We had a great time on safari, especially little Julian.  He loved the flamingos more than any of other the animals.  I was surprised.  He even talked me into buying him a new stuffed flamingo for his stuffed animal collection that he calls Flamingee.  This kid is so cute AND original!

I hope that you all have enjoyed the adventures from our last vacation of 2013.  With Julian being in elementary school now, our vacations will be relegated to the last two weeks in December and June through August.  I'll miss being able to take off anytime we want to, but life is always in flux, right?  It's always a give and take...out with the old, in with the new...nothing stays the same.  You get my point.

Well, have a wonderful weekend!  I'll be back next week with NEW craft projects.  I've got some great stuff up my sleeve!  Until next time, happy crafting!

Lisa

Shop Online Anytime for Stampin' Up! Supplies

Get your NEW! 2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog HERE!

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Cambria, California--A MUST SEE!

Hi Everyone!  For today, I'd like to share some of the pictures we took on our family getaway along the central California coast to Cambria last week.  Howard and I hadn't been there since 2005, so we were long overdue for a trip down the coast and wanted to visit Hearst Castle again.  

If you haven't been to Hearst Castle before or it's been ages, get there and soon!  It's one of those magical places that reminds you to dream big!  Now for the pictures.   

DAY 1

We drove down Highway 101 (not so scenic) going down and took Highway 1 (very scenic) coming back.  But this is what you see when you get there! 

The Pacific Ocean beckons you to get as close as you can, and we did exactly that.

The birds flying overhead are pelicans.  Such beautiful birds!

Us and everyone within a short distance to the beach stopped what they were doing to take in the sunset. The beach and boardwalk were teaming with people with their cameras poised and ready to capture this.  Gorgeous, right?


DAY 2

The weather was glorious on Day 2 when we went to Hearst Castle.  Almost too nice.  It was a bit hot, and we were dressed for cooler weather.  Nonetheless, we enjoyed our "Designing the Dream Tour."  The tour took us to the Neptune Pool, through the main house, to parts of the expansive garden, and the Roman Pool.  It was excellent, and I highly recommend it!  

TIP:  If you go, be sure to arrive about 1 hour before your tour so that you can watch the movie that tells you why William Randolph Hearst built the Castle where it stands.

There are only a handful of pictures here, so it's worth seeing for yourself!

The Visitor Center

Hearst Castle

The Neptune Pool

In the garden

One of the upper bedrooms with amazing views

The Roman Pool

DAY 3

Julian had to take a dip in the Pacific Ocean before we hit the road.  He wasn't leaving until he put a toe in the ocean.  Can you tell that he was having fun?  This picture was taken right before he was knocked over by a big wave.  What was supposed to be him getting wet up to his ankles resulted in us having to change his clothes completely because he was soaked up to his armpits after the knock down.  He sure didn't mind and neither did we.  Moments like these are priceless!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope that you have enjoyed these pictures.  I'll be back later this week with pictures from our trip to Safari West in Santa Rosa, CA.  Another unforgettable adventure!  Until next time, happy crafting!

Lisa

Shop Online Anytime for Stampin' Up! Supplies

Get your NEW! 2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog HERE!

Latest Stampin' Up! Specials HERE!

A Change is Gonna Come

Hi Everyone!  I hope that you all had a nice Labor Day Holiday!  Instead of sharing a crafty project today, I'd like to share my thoughts with you.  After much thought and nearly three months of "full-time" blogging, I have come to the conclusion that I will not be able to keep up with my current schedule of blogging 5-6 days a week.    

Here are the reasons why:  

1.  Our 5-year old son, Julian, will start Kindergarten TODAY.  This change will entail a new schedule, nightly homework assignments and projects that require mommy and daddy's help.  Yes, they assign homework in Kindergarten at our new school.

2.  I HAVE to return to the working world.  Since I finished up my MBA earlier this year, I've been job hunting, but it's going to require more of my time to make it happen.  If any of you have looked for a job lately, then you understand that a job search IS a full-time job.

3.  Blogging is fun and rewarding (and I can't stress that enough!), but it is  also very time consuming.  When I initially started blogging, I thought the time I spent would actually decrease as I got over the steep learning curve.  But if anything, it takes me more time now than when I first started.  I won't bore you with all of the details, but I invest the time to give you quality images and content that you WANT to read.  I sure hope it's working! 

So, I said all of that to say that I will now be blogging 2-3 days a week.  Maybe in the future, I'll be able to fit more in...I sure hope so.  But  until further notice, you'll be hearing from me a little less often, but I hope that you don't mind.

I'm over here tearing up, so I'll wrap it up.  But before I go, I want to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who has been SO kind and dear to me!  I can't thank you all enough for your kind words about my projects, for all of the friends who have visited from all over the globe near and far, and for the many new followers I now have both on this blog and on Pinterest--all as a result of this blog!  It's been amazing!  Until next time, happy crafting!

Big hugs and MUAH!

Lisa

Shop Online Anytime for Stampin' Up! Supplies

Get your NEW! 2013 Stampin' Up! Catalog HERE!

Latest Stampin' Up! Specials HERE!