…cause this is gonna take awhile; I have LOTS to talk about.

DO YOU LOVE GRAB BAGS? If so, then you DON’T want to miss out on these – available THIS WEEKEND ONLY:

While you’re there, be sure to checkout Bunny and Kim’s retirement sale – it ends this weekend also and includes CU products too.

You’ve probably noticed the DSO Blogroll on my sidebar keeps growing – that’s cause DSO keeps growing! We have some fabulous new designers who have joined our already awesome team!

Scraps By Jessica

Alessandra Designs

Silvia Romeo

Loucee Creations

Congratulations ladies! We’re glad to have you (plus I think we have a couple more coming soon – yea!!!!!)

On a more personal note, my baby turned 2 last week!  We had her party last Saturday, but also had a small celebration at home on the “real” day.  She’s growing up so quickly – part of me is sad to see the baby disappear but I’m really excited to watch as the “big girl”  emerges. I can’t say it often enough – we are truly blessed to have a happy and healthy little one! These were taken on her special day.

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And these were taken at her party – I was initially going to host it at home, but her Daddy STRONGLY encouraged me to book it elsewhere, so we compromised on one of the Pizza places.  Everyone had a great time and as an added bonus – very little mess for me later! Here are a few shots from the party.

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And, because Bunny has asked for photos from swimming lessons and Daddy was able to join us one day – here are a few shots of our little fish.

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I made these adorable little “goodie” bags based on instructions found here – but I didn’t get any good photos of them.  I used yellow patterned and glittered papers for the girls and blue/green patterned and textured papers for the boys.

I haven’t completely bailed on my card-making either.  I created my very first Magnolia card for Nadya’s birthday:

The card layout is based on this month’s sketch at Magnolia-Licious – my very first Magnolia sketch too!  I stamped Tilda with Memento Tuxedo Black on Whisper White CS (SU).  My copics arrived, so I colored her with copics – another first for me – but I didn’t keep track of the colors (sorry).  I added some shimmer to her wings with my Spica glitter pen. I used sponged the sky and grass with Bashful Blue and Green Galore (SU) and added clouds and flowers (Art Impressions) using Brilliance Sky Blue and Coral inks.  I used my rectangle nestabilities to cut and mount Tilda onto Regal Rose CS (SU). Instead of ribbon, I used striped DP from DCWV The Glitter Mat Stack that I edged with a Fiskars lace punch.  The little flowers were punched out of DCWV The Glitter Stack.  I attached all of these items using my Mono Adhesive to my base Whisper White card that I had embossed with my Big Shot and SU Swirls Texture Plate. For the inside of the card, I cut the liner on my Wishblade (yep – another first) using a card liner file from Great Scrappin Designs that I modified to fit my card.  I used the same DP as the front to continue the theme. Then I cut 2 square pieces from SU Shimmer White CS and mounted them.  I stamped the sentiment (SU-Retired) in Regal Rose. I layered and adhered everything with my Mono Adhesive and then wrote a little letter to my daughter.  Whew – one birthday card completed!  I also created a Mother’s Day card for my Mom – but that’s another post!

I guess that’s about it from me – oh wait – one more lil goodie.  You can find super yummy blog candy here. Kellie is celebrating her 20,000th blog hit in grand fashion with lots of goodies to give away.

Have a fabulous weekend!