Cococat's Card Site

For anyone who might pop in here - Pam is working on the site and trying to fix it.

I had an e mail forwarded from Peggy I believe - Cora has been talking to Pam. Cross your fingers.

my e mail address is bjhouse2004@yahoo.com if you want to get in contact with me.

Barb

Happy New Year's Eve

2008 winds down and comes to a close. It was an interesting year - weather wise - if you have read my blog at all - you will note all the reference to snow. Way too much of that in 2008 and I do hope 2009 is not the same.

I am not too much for making personal new year's resolutions - but I did decide to try and make some card making resolutions for 2009 - let's see if I can remember them.

Learn to color better (going to sign up for a copics coloring class in January)

Buy less

Use up supplies I have

Try to keep creation station cleaner and neater - although right now everything is neat and put away and I have no desire to create

I think that is a pretty big list of resolutions for 2009 in regards to my card making.

Do you have any resolutions for your creativity - whether it is paper crafting or some other type of hobby? Of course, a big one for me - may be just staying awake at night - or sleeping through the night. Must get a better handle on my sleep patterns.

The card I made is made from scraps from a Christmas grouping from K&Co. Some of the papers work great for regular cards - hope you enjoy my scrap creation.

Patterned Paper: K&Company
Rub On: Imaginisce™
Inks: ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inkpad by Clearsnap, Inc.
Die Cut: Sizzix
Brads: Basic Grey
Flower: American Crafts

Idea to Note: This entire card except for brad and foam flowers was scraps. This is actually a Christmas group of papers and I was making Christmas cards. I used the leftovers to make the card base, front, cut flourishes and flowers. Added Stickles to brad and top foam flower to pick up the glitter in the paper.

Good Sunday Morning

Just a quick post to celebrate Sunday. The house is returning to normal after Christmas Day and a house full of people. I did not even count - some did not come because of the of flu - but at least the weather did cooperate - no snow that day. YEAH. Would you believe yesterday it was almost 50 degrees and we had rain - but at least some of the snow banks have reduced in size. Last night it snowed again - not too much - but enough that we have broken the record for snowiest month. OH YIPPEE SKIPEE.

Need to make plans for the leftover dinner. Making chicken encihiladas - garlic bread, corn bread also - no leftover dessert - so will make some brownies to go with the ice cream I have left.

The creation I am sharing today is made with Kaiser scrapbook paper, Sizzix die cut and a recycled container from Target. Loved the shape of this container - it was talking to me from the shelf to reuse - of course - I had to eat the cereal first.

Back to work tomorrow but I think I can work for 2 days - have 2 days off - work one day and have a week end - I think.

Everyone enjoy your day.

I am a slug

Day after Christmas - I have been a slug - got up this morning and grabbed a blankie and curled up on the couch for the morning. Finally around 2 I started moving about a little - did a load of dishes - washed the tableclothes.

there was no way I was going near any stores - maybe I will venture out tomorrow and do something - maybe I will go to a movie. Maybe Maybe Maybe and then Maybe not.

Hopefully soon I will feel like creating again.

I could send my holiday cards out since they never got sent and finish some ornaments. That might be a nice thing to do to jump start creativity.

Enjoy your day and if you went shopping - hope you found some great values.

Merry Christmas

Holiday wishes to everyone - I am in a winter wonderland - so bah humbug - the snow plows came through at 4 this morning - so I must go clear the end of my driveway again this morning.

Hope Santa brought you something wonderful in the crafting area.

Barb

Happy Christmas Eve

Just a quick post - before I start the frenzy of the day - how about some salt and pepper shakers decorated up for Christmas dinner. The shakers are from Walmart so very inexpensive - covered with Imaginisce paper and used a gold Krylon pen along the edges.

Everyone have a wonderful holiday.

Tuckered out

Yesterday I was on the road picking up my Mom - got home late evening, and fell asleep on the couch - today have worked very hard getting most of the cooking done - tomorrow - going to do the turkey ahead of time, finish the fruit salad, mom is baking an angel food cake - so things are under control - need to ge the dinner area set up. I feel pretty good about things - we had more snow last night today and more to come tomorrow but Xmas day is suppose to be clear - it will be good to be with everyone for the holidays.

Must go - I need to wrap some gifts - saving the gift wrapping when I watch a basketball game - this way I will see the game - rather than sleep through it like I did last night with the Packer game.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

4 Days Till Christmas

Good mroning - thought I would post quick - lots to do today. I am going to drive up and pick up my Mom tomorrow but can't leave until the cable guy comes - 8 to 10 is my appointment - hope it is closer to 8 rather than 10. 4 hours of driving tomorrow. YUCK. So I must get lots of cleaning done today and get the bedroom ready for her.

This is a little tag that I have made.

Size: 3.25 x 5
Patterned Paper: Chatterbox
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
Felt Penguin: Masterpiece Studios
Inks: ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inkpad by Clearsnap, Inc.
Rub Ons: Bo Bunny
Punch: EK Success

Rounded bottom corners of tag. Used circles for topper. Inked edges of all paper. Added rub ons.

Saturday - Whew Survived

Survived Saturday - graduation went off pretty well - just a few hitches - but lived through them - had a nice late breakfast with a few of the workers - and then home - sent the snowblower back to the snowblower hospital - a snowblower without the blow - is no good - oh by the way - guess what it is doing outside - snowing again. After I got home I then decided to be very brave and go to town (what a fool) - I decided I wanted new tableclothes - 70% off - got 4 tableclothes for less than what one cloth would cost. Then off to the grocery store - that was a mess also - but I still need to unpack everything.

Tonight I am sharing a little set I made - I had posted the container before - but here is the little mini card and gift bag that goes with it. The rub ons and paper are Imaginisce.

Everyone enjoy the remainder of your evening.

Yeah - it is Friday

Snow - Snow - Snow - I can hear Bing Crosby and the other guy - name escapes me - singing that song in a musical comedy. Well we have snow - another 8 to 10 inches last night - rode to work with the neighbor - the roads in the country were not that bad but once we got into Whitewater - the streets were terrible - my car would have never made it through. In fact someone got stuck in front of us and a truck with a snow plow pushed her out. Had to be at work to get set up for graduation tomorrow - we are set up - but I think there will be a low turnout - our football team is playing for Division 3 national championship which is at the same time as the ceremony. Go Warhawks.

On to my card -

Penny Black Sticker, Bazzill cardstock, Heidi Grace rub ons, Snowflake rain drops by Cloud Nine Designs, Stickles, Colorbox chalk ink, Cuddlebug Embossing Folder, May Arts Ribbon

Wacky Wednesday

It is Wednesday - a snowy drive to work - better drive home - 24 hours of respite and we do it all over again - but the good news is - my snowblower is coming back - the part finally came in - yeah -

Busy cleaning but wanted to post a Xmas card - big Sizzix die cut - I think it is Heidi Grace flocked paper, rub ons by Pebbles.

Enjoy the evening.

Happy Tuesday's Sweet Treat

Just finished my daily workout - it is called snow shoveling - luckily it was fluffy - still need to do some more in the morning. But Thursday into Friday it is going to snow again - and I need to be at work on Friday to get ready for graduation. Oh well we will cross that bridge when I get to it.

Today's little sweet treat - would make a great gift for a co worker - it is a Starbuck chocolate candy bar - I don't remember who makes the paper - but it was all on the one sheet - even the bird - cut the bird out - added stickles - cut the tag and added a little rub on. The snowflakes are rubons - love the colors.

Monday

Crazy day at work - I am already losing steam at home but then it is almost 8 and I was up at 5 - I guess that is allowed. Trying to get more cleaning done - I set little tasks for myself each night and when I accomplish them - I feel good - so tonight was pay bills and clean off this one table in the basement - that is done - plus another area was cleaned up.

Weather - very low temps and chill factor but tomorrow it warms up to snow again - 3 to 6 - oh please let it be 3 - I am still waiting to get my snowblower back - he can't get a part for it - and of course when it gets cold - my garage door acts up. Today I did not know if I would get out of the garage. And then more snow on Thursday and more snow on Saturday and more snow on Monday - this is too much like last year.

This little set was a gift box with a matching gift card. I think it turned out cute. Paper Crafts did a tree for charity and the colors were green, red and brown - I sent this set to them.

Patterned Paper: Pebbles, Inc.
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
Letter Stickers: Making Memories
Inks: ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inkpad by Clearsnap, Inc.
Stamps: Stampabilities
Brads: American Crafts
Trim: Wrights
Adhesive: Paper Mod Podge by Plaid
Cuddlebug by Provo Craft

Idea to Note: Painted edges of box – this way – you do not have to put paper completely up to edge. Cut paper to fit. Ink edges of paper. Adhered paper with Paper ModPodge by Plaid. Wrapped eyelet trim around box and tied bow. Made cardbase. Stamped deer image. Cut strips. Inked edges of all paper. Adhere to card front. Cut tag. Adhere sticker letters. Ink letters and tags. Using brad, add tag to front of card.

Everyone have a wonderful evening - stay warm.

How many days till Christmas??

I don't think I want to know how many days till Xmas - although I think I made a good dent in clearing my work area up - this is where we eat - put all the stamps in plastic crates - separated by Xmas/Winter and regular. Put a bunch of paper away. I do need to make at least one more card. A backward card for my neighbors and finish some ornaments. But I do feel good about what I accomplished - why does it always seem that it is worse before it is better.

Party at work tomorrow so I said I would bring potatoe soup. I make the different parts of the soup and then when I get to work - I put it in the crock pot and by lunch - we have a very yummy soup. It is suppose to be very cold tomorrow so it will be a great treat for everyone. We were in the 40's today and single digits tonight with winds - yuck and all the melted snow will now freeze on the road.

This is a holiday card I made a while ago. Non traditional colors.

5.25 square
Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants Designs, Inc.
Inks: VersaMark by Tsukinkeko, Inc. and ColorBox Fluid Chalk Inkpad by Clearsnap, Inc.
Stamps: Stampendous
Embossing Powder: Seafoam White by Ranger
Rub Ons: Me and My Big Ideas
Die CutL Sizzix
Glitter: Stampendous
Button: Favorite Findings - Blumenthal Lansing Co.
Snowflake: Imaginisce™
Punch: Marvy
Ribbon: May Arts
Pop Dots by All Night Media


Idea to Note: Embossed sentiment; used punch for oval. Inked edges of all paper. Die cut large snowflake; ran through Xyron machine – added glitter to snowflake. Add ribbon to stripes. Adhere stripes slightly off center on front. Add snowflake rub ons to card front. Add layered snowflake to card. Pop dot sentiment to opposite corner.

Vintage Santa

Another day done almost - I worked this morning so that shot part of the day, came home and listened to a football game being broadcast off the computer - our University is playing in the semi finals for Division 3. They won and will be playing next Saturday for the championship - hope they win. The game is being played at the same time we have graduation - hmmmm - not fair. I went and did a little shopping - bought myself a Christmas present - the nestabilities tag set 1. Now to find some time to play.

Today's card was sent to my friend Annie - and now that she has received it - I can post it.

Paper - Basic Grey

Die Cut - Stampin! Up Top Note (love this die cut)

Stamp - Artful Legacy - stamp store in Myrtle Beach www.artfullegacy.com

Ink - Chestnut Roan Chalk Ink by ClearSnap

Crimper (wrong name) strip - dug it out of the deep dark regions of a drawer

Button from stash

Fiber - May Arts

Get Well Jim

Yeah - it is Friday - I am going to work tomorrow but will done by 1 so that is not too bad. I am going to focus on clearing/cleaning this week end and get my holiday cards in the mail. They must go in the mail on Monday. I make cards but never put the insides in them - that must be my new year's resolution - to always finish the inside also.

I am picking up my cardmaking area - we must find the person who buys all this paper, stamps, etc - and beat the crap out of her. She must stop. Hmmmmmm - where is that 40% off coupon on Michaels.

Today's card is for our former boss. The monkey is from the Target gift wrap section - and the paper is by Reminisce. Zig zag cardstock is by Bazzill. Hopefully he likes it or at least it makes him smile. Retirement has looked very good on him.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

How many days till Christmas??

Christmas is approaching way too fast and I am not ready - I have everyone to my house for dinner on Christmas day and the house is a disaster - I need to kick it in gear - so guess what I did last night - I fell asleep before 8 o'clock. That is not conducive to getting things done - I also have to work the next two Saturdays. It will get done - next week - is crazy at work - but I always survive.

I have sent out just a few holiday cards and need to get that all done this week - people will think I am not doing Christmas dinner.

The card for tonight is done for a very special friend. It is based on the sketch at Our Creative Corner.

Image - gift tag

Bazzill Bling for cardbase

Acrylic Sentiment - Cloud 9 Designs

Paper - Pinecone Press Papers

Snowflakes - Sizzlets

Everyone have a happy evening.

Merry and Bright

Snow day in Wisconsin - all the schools were closed in the area so when the schools close - I figure I should not be on the road either so I was home today. I do wish I would have accomplished more - oh well - I need to kick it in high gear soon.

Tonights card is made with Paper Salon Paper - somewhat non traditional colors - but yet I really like it - goes well with the rub on from Deja Views.

Everyone have a wonderful evening.

Counting Down to Christmas

Happy Birthday Molly. This card is for my 6 year old niece's birthday this upcoming Wednesday. I think she will like it. She likes Barbie. This card is based on the sketch at Taylored Expressions - every Friday she has a Cupcake Dketch Challenge. Well it is no cupcake and very easy card to do using the Barbie Stickers I had.

Christmas is coming very fast. I have a potluck this Wednesday and another one next Monday so tried to buy the things I needed for both. Plus I picked up food for the food drive at work. I had to change my mind on what I was going to make for the potluck on Wednesday - was going to make this yummy avocado salsa but we are suppose to have a big snow storm on Tuesday so did not think I could get anywhere to buy decent avocado's for the dip. Buying avocados for me, is like, playing the lottery, most of the time I lose. I am making a layered Mexican salad and next Monday will be the potatoe soup I always make.

Here are the details on my card.

Paper - Imaginisce

Oval - Sizzix die cut

Brads - Paper Studio

Stickles on top of the brads and on the dots on the patterned paper.

Happy Saturday

Must have been a dark day in Wisconsin when I took this picture - sorry - and the bag is gone so can not re photograph -

Did a marathon Friday evening of shopping, etc - got lots done - just need to find a decent toy aisle now - to buy toys to go with the clothes. I always get gifts for my Mom to give to the little ones - so we go together on our gifts - at 90 she finds it quite difficult to get out shopping - it is bad enough how much I hate it - I only like shopping for paper supplies. I did treat myself last night to the Basic Grey holiday pad at Michael's - shame on me - as if I need more holiday paper or more Basic Grey - but if this is my only vice - let it be.

The bag is made with all Bo Bunny products.

Everyone enjoy your day - I have 3 pots of chicken stewing for homemade broth for Christmas dinner - will bake some cookies - and must go shovel the sidewalk and driveway - guess what - it once again snowed in Wisconsin.

Everyone Loves a Snowman

Snowmen or snowwomen are special people and of course, when you get snowman snow - you must create. Alas I did not feel like making a "real snow" snowman so I went with the next best thing - a card with a snowman and snowflakes on it. This was the challenge on Our Creative Corner. A perfect challenge for this time of the year.

I need to make a thank you card. I was the lucky winner of 4 sets of circle nestabilities on the Gina K Blog. The cute little snowman is from her set - Let It Snow. I embossed with with white embossing powder. I did some paper piecing on the scarf. The snowflakes are sizzlits highlighted with Stickles with snowflake buttons on top. The letters are from Cuddlebug. I cut the two circles with the nestabilities. I do have an embossing mat somewhere - but presently - it is playing hide and seek from me. The paper I used is We R Memory Keepers.

Everyone have a great evening.

Snow Shoveling Fairies

It has once again snowed in my little corner of the world. We got 3.5 inches. Left work early so I could drive home in the daylight. Thankfully the winds were not blowing to drift the roads. And when I got home - the young man from across the street (knows my snowblower is at the snowblower hospital) had my driveway and sidewalk all shoveled for me. That was very sweet of him - I may take him some cash - he does not have a job. I struggle with that - I know it was very kind of him but I know he needs some money. What should I do?

Last night I got a card made with someone specific in mind - I may even get it in the mail in the next couple days. The card design is based on the weekly sketch at 2 Sketches 4 You. I did not want to make a square card and pay extra postage so I made the card 4.5 x 6. I have this vast supply of patterned paper so have been trying to use patterned paper (if heavy enough) for the base on my cards. Here are the details.

Paper - Basic Grey - some of it is from the Dasher collection - I believe -some were just pieces

Stamp - Hampton Art - colored with Prismacolor and Gamsol

Ink - Memories Dye - antinque brown

Buttons - American Crafts

Die cut - Sizzix (button sizzlit)

Punch - McGill

Fiber - May Arts

Rickrack - I think Wrights

Tis the Season to be Jolly

Oh Bah Humbug - there is more snow on the way. YUCK. And my snowblower is still not home.

Time to start posting the holiday cards - I really need to pull them all out and see if I need to make anymore. Probably not - seems like you make holiday cards all year long. but I am really liking some of the new papers out this year so I must/need to buy some of it. Next payday - the Rusty Pickle collection is coming home with me.

Tonight's card was an easy one to come together. The tag comes in a little booklet. Rounded the bottom corners of the card to resemble the rounded edges on the tag. Fussy cut the strips of paper and added a brad to the tag. I highlighted parts of the tag with Stickles. Pop dotted tag to add some dimension.

Size: 4.5 x 6
Patterned Paper: K&Company
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
Tag: K&Company
Brads: Basic Grey
Stickles by Ranger
Pop Dots by All Night Media
Corner Rounder: EK Success

Sore Body

After shoveling three times in the last day - my body said - hey - old woman - get the snowblower back home - so needless to say tonight I am not doing too much - I just want to crawl into a warm bed and sleep the night away. Must stay up till at least 9. Just watched a great basketball game betwen the UW Madison Badgers and Virginia Tech - WOWSERS - Wisconsin won in the last seconds. Going to be a good season - our cable company got the Big Ten network so I am a happy camper.

Back to my card - this card was based on the weekly sketch at Card Positioning System. This will be my Mom's Christmas cards - pink is her favorite color and she loves flowers.

Paper - Die Cuts With A View - Glittered Mat Stack
Bazzill Swiss Dot Cardstock (love it - doesn't it just set off the card so beautifully)
Stamp - Hero Arts
Ink - VersaColor Pigment Ink
Clear Embossing Powder
Flower - bought at the resale shop
Brad - Imaginisce