BOOYAH!

Happy Halloween everyone! I am not one into scary stuff, so I stick to cute. And, yes this particular skull is trendy and like to be different. Instead of just saying "boo" it prefer to say "booyah!". And, mind you, if he had hand, he would say this with jazz hand. ;)

Have fun celebrating to those who celebrate the day. 

Hello Sweet

First of all, I want to say thank you so much to all the kind words you all left on my post for Ollie yesterday. Your kind words do bring me comfort. It's only been 2 days and we are still feeling the pain. I know it will takes time, but we'll heal. Please know that I really, really appreciate your heartwarming words.

At first, I really didn't feel like creating. I actually hadn't touch my crafting desk for a week as I had been worrying about Ollie. But, last night, I forced myself to sit and create. Not to dwell on my sadness. 

The vet gave me a book on dealing with the loss of a pet. The book said take your time to grieve. Acknowledge your loss. Give yourself 20 minutes to cry a good cry and then do something that makes you happy. For me, that would be creating.

As I was looking for inspiration, I found Avery Elle sketch challenge and I do need to create a post for i {heart} papers, so it was perfect. Good inspiration and duty are good incentives.

Hubby always said Ollie is such a sweetheart and it makes me think of the sentiment "hello sweet". :)

I used three Avery Elle sets to create this card:  the word hello from Oh Yeah, the word sweet from Celebrate and the leaves and flower are from Laurels set (along with the matching dies).

I want to create a soft look, so for the layered circle, I created a mask and color it with distress ink. Once the inner circle done, I cover that and use another larger circle mask and again fill it with distress ink. Then I added the black polka dot patterned paper (from Simple Stories Say Cheese 6x6 pad) and stamped the sentiment. Finished it with leaves, flower and sequins.

Thank you for swinging by here and again thank you so much for all your kind words.

My Dear Ollie

Yesterday, I had to make one of the hardest decision I ever have to make. We said goodbye to our pug, Ollie. To many people, a dog is just a dog. That's definitely not the case in our family. In our family, our dogs are our kids. So, to have to make that decision of life and death was painful.

I had Ollie since she was only 8 weeks old. She was my very first puppy that truly belong just to me. I grew up always having dogs, but Ollie was the first that I got to choose and really mine. She taught me how to be a mom, to be responsible for another being. I remember preparing myself and learned about pugs as much as I could before I decided to get her.

She was feisty and bossy. But, she is such a loyal companion. Besides my family, she's the only being that never let me down. Always there for me trough the good and the bad. When I went through the lowest point in my life and feeling all alone, she was there. She's the reason I got up in the morning. When I thought of giving up and move back to Indonesia, she's my reason to stay, because I wouldn't want to leave her behind. If I hadn't stay, I wouldn't have met hubby.

When I met hubby, he had 2 dogs, Hank, a yellow lab & Nick, a sheltie. And, everything just clicked. Hubby loves Ollie like his own. I mean, he truly loves Ollie with all his heart. And, Nick, who was a rescue never wanted to play with other dog, met Ollie, and he was prancing asking Ollie to play that even hubby was astonished.

Nick & Ollie - spring 2009

Ollie shared my life for over 15 years. She was my brave, strong girl. Even when she was hurt, she didn't whine. I had all kind of funny stories about her. One of my favorite, was this one time when I was in my craft room and hubby was in his man cave and next thing we knew, we heard this noise... clunk, clunk, boink. We're both like what the heck is that? And, next thing we know here comes Ollie:

Busted!!!

Yep, caught red handed.  She was checking through the trash can and somehow got the lid on her and she was walking out of our bathroom with that lid. Her antiques like this always made me laugh. 

I always think pugs are the cutest and I always said Ollie was so photogenic. I am her mom, so I can say that. :) For Halloween in 2010, I got her this costume because I thought it matched her personality. This li'l red devil costume was totally perfect for our sweet trouble maker.

She loves the sun. On sunny days, she likes to go outside and lay on the grass sunbathing. Like this. She looked so happy, didn't she? I just love this pic.

This past year, she lost weight drastically. On her healthiest time she was 25 pounds. By the time we had to let her go, she only weighed 12.8 pounds. She had arthritis that causing her to loose strength on her back legs. There's time where it  just broke my heart when she just suddenly slip as she walks. She was going through cognitive issue (like Alzheimer in human), chronic arthritis and about three weeks ago we found out that she also had gal bladder. Between the two weeks period of visits to the vet, she lost another pound. 

The vet gave her 2 kinds of pain medicine and he also prepared us that it may be kinder to let her go as just looking at her posture and the way she walked he could see that she was in pain.

On Friday morning, when we did our usual 3a.m cleaning routine, I saw her slipped, pooped (she no longer can control her bowel movement, her nerves causing her to loose sense), and struggling to get up. I had to help her to stand up.  That scene really broke my heart. It pained me to see her like that. It's also been over a year where she couldn't go up and down the stairs. We always have to carry her.

We decided to call Last Wishes In-Home Hospice & Euthanasia. For second opinion and also, we decided that if it's time for Ollie to go, we want her to be comfortable, at her home, with us her family around her. Dr. Cornelius helped us with our decision. She was compassionate and she helped me in making the decision.

Hubby left the decision completely in my hand, because she's mine to start with. I went back and forth, yes and then change my mind again. How do you decide that's it's time to let your love one go??? It's when the vet said that if I want to delay I should take no longer than a week as so not to let her continue to be in pain that with heavy heart I decided to do it. It'll be different if she said she still has six months or a year to have decent life.

Dr. Cornelius was so gentle with her. When we decided to go ahead with our decision, a band start playing on the park behind our house and the words that stick in my mind was take a piece of my heart with you. Yes, she took a piece of my heart with her.

We went outside as Ollie loved the sun. I cradled her in my arms. We sat in front of the flower bed where we buried Hank & Nick. We have this Buddha statue there and the whole scene was just peaceful. The weather was gorgeous, the sun was shining brightly. Dr. Cornelius sedated her first. And during that 8 minutes, I kept whispering to Ollie of how much I love her, how she's my first kid, for her to wait for us on the other side. I told her that I pray Hank & Nick are meeting her at the rainbow bridge and they all can play together now. Running free, no pain.

I just keep repeating  myself that I love her, for her to forgive me for all my mistakes, that I will never ever forget her. I kissed her repeatedly. Hubby kissed her repeatedly. Once she's sedated, Dr. Cornelius gave her the final injection. I kept touching her. Looking at her. I want to memorize every single piece of her. I physically felt as if someone took my breath away.

I know it's the humane thing to do, the kind thing to do. But, saying goodbye to your baby is heartbreaking. I am heart broken. Yes, I know time will heal the pain. Right now, I just want the world to know how much I love this fur ball that gave me so much love. Right now, I am mourning the loss of my spunky girl. 

Rest in peace my baby girl. Know you are loved always. You will always have a special spot in our heart. I love you. Your daddy loves you. Your daddy always say you're daddy's girl. You are ours and we are yours.

Congratulations Carnation

Happy weekend! Today I have a quick post for i {heart} papers. 

I made this card using Avery Elle Ikat set. Yep, this is the set that started my love for ikat pattern. The pretty ink pads color are from Memento Sorbet & Gum Drop collection.

Now, the flower... I made it from tissue paper by layering 8 tissue paper and fan folding it. Once you finished the fold, tied a thread in the middle and gently pull out all the layers and you'll end up with this gorgeous flower. I love this technique as simply by changing the end of the flower tip, you'll end up with different kind of flowers. You can get daisy, carnation, etc.

That's it for me today. Thank you for stopping by here. And please don't forget that Caring Hearts card drive is still going on. For all the details please click on the top tab or on  the badge on the top right. :)

Snowman Soup Blog Hop

This set from Chaitali is perfect for all sorts of holiday gift giving needs, from bag toppers, to mini cards, or whatever else you need…with 25 images to chose from, there is something for everyone!

Snowman Soup is a 4x8 set that includes a total of 25 stamps and will sell for $18.00.

Would you like to win the new Snowman Soup set? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, October 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Pugalicious Blog Hop

We love our animal stamps here at There She Goes, and we love it even more when you can dress up your animals for the holidays!! Who doesn't like putting antlers on a pug, anyway?! (Psst... yours truly might or might have not begged for this pug set. Not that I am obsessed with pugs or anything like that... haha...)

Pugalicious is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 25 stamps and will sell for $15.00.

For my card I combine the pug with the Snow Globe set and cover the snow globe with stickles. An, the neat thing about this card, the pug is movable. Yep, you could twirl the pug on the snow globe.

This second pic showing the pug move to the side.

To make the pug movable, I punched a hole in the middle of the snow globe, attached a pop-dot to the pug, put it through the hole and adhere the pop-dot to a button.

Would you like to win the new Pugalicious stamp set? Here is what you need to do- visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM EasternTime Saturday, October 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Give Thanks Blog Hop

Our second release from new designer, Chaitali, will have you ready for all your fall cards. The simple clean and simple images, and sentiments will help you create gorgeous cards for fall.

Give Thanks is a 3x4 set that includes a total of 7 stamps and will sell for $9.00.

Would you like to win the new Give Thanks set? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, October 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

Happy Fall Blog Hop

Our first set from long time designer, and now ILLUSTRATOR, Danielle Lounds!! Happy Fall is full of fun images, and awesome sayings and fonts, perfect for all your Fall scrapbooking and card making needs.

Happy Fall is a 4x6 set that includes a total of 16 stamps and will sell for $15



Would you like to win the new Happy Fall stamp set? Here is what you need to do-visit the Trendsetter’s blogs that are participating in each of the blog hop challenges below and comment on their creations as you go. One of the Trendsetter’s blogs (from each hop day) will be randomly chosen as the ‘it’ blog and a winner will be picked using a random number generator from the comments left on that Trendsetter’s Blog Hop Challenge post.

You will not know which blog has been chosen so the more you comment on the better your chances are of winning new stamps! The Blog Hop Challenges will be open until 5 PM Eastern Time Saturday, October 26th with the winner being announced during the release party chat.

i {heart} papers Birthday Bash

This week, i {heart} papers is celebrating it's 5th birthday and we'd like for you to join the party. Come celebrate with us with 5 days of saving. Lots of stuff is marked down 40-50% off. So, it's great time to stock up!

 

And, you know what's even better?? 10% of your purchase will be donated to dog rescues!! Awesome, right? So, what you waiting for? Go shopping! And, yes I am enabling you. ;)

 

 

Dreaming Always of You

You know what... for the last few post of my blog post, I've been wondering why the heck my blog pics looked so different than the way they look on my Photoshop program. Today, I was about fed up and was going to uninstall my Photoshop program and re-install thinking that maybe my program has gone wonky.

Good thing that I decided to google the issue beforehand and found out that it wasn't me. Hah... So, apparently when you upload your picture to blogger  blogger automatically upload your picture to Picasa and auto-enhanced it. And, when they do that the picture tend to looks splotchy and grayish.

Apparently there's some simple step you can do. I found my answer from Peek & Ponder blog. So, if you've been having issue with your blog pictures, do these simple step an uncheck the auto-enhanced option.

Now, that my pictures back to looking normal, I feel better at sharing my projects knowing it looks the way it should look. :)

I am making this card for Moxie Fab challenge to use general craft supply. I found this plain wooden bird at Michael's and make it look all pretty by transferring the patterned paper pattern to it. The pretty patterned paper is from Simple Stories.

I cover the bird with mod podge and do the same to the patterned paper. Adhere the patterned paper to the bird and let it dry over night. The next day, I soak the bird in water and gently rub away the patterned paper till it's very last layer that stick to the bird. I then stamped the sentiment once the bird dry.

I kind of like this technique. It's fun. 

Well, that's it for me. I need to take care of my ol'd lady, my pug, Ollie. She is over 15 years old and 2 weeks ago the vet found out she has gal bladder on top of already pretty bad arthritis. Hubby and I have some tough periods coming up and most likely will have a very tough decision to make. However at this moment, we're still trying to do as much as we can. Hoping and praying that the medications will help her.

Ollie is my baby. I have her since she was only 8 weeks old and she's been my loyal companion through so many stages of my life. She kept me going, kept me sane when I went through really bad time. She loves me and I love her. For me, all my dogs are my babies. The one I lost, I still think of them, one in particular is Milo, who I lost when he was only slightly over 2 years old. The sentiment, "dreaming always of you" still ringing true for me.

So sorry... didn't mean to ramble into my doggies situation, but it just something that been weighed heavily on my mind. I know many of you are dog lovers and understand what I am feeling and going through. All I can do is pray and wait. Hoping for miracle. 

Have a blessed Sunday everyone.

Wrapped In Joy

Happy Friday! This week There She Goes Stamp is highlighting a few previously released sets. One of them is a set called Wrapped In Joy. Here's a look at the set:

I love the cute images on this set and made this mini card.

 

I notice that my pile of mini cards is growing and I am okay with that. I really love this size of card 3" x 4.25".

 

Super short post today. Too much stuff on my to do list today, so I better get going. Check out what my team mates has created HERE.

Stamping on Feather

On the recent Paper Crafts Handmade Cards publication, I have 2 of my favorite cards in there. One was the one that showcased HERE and the other one is this one: 

This card has very soft and pretty look. I got the feathers from the general craft section at Hobby Lobby and color them with distress ink and then stamped one of them with handwritten background stamp. Definitely color them first, then stamp it. If you do it the other way around, you'll end up with lots of smear. LOL... yep, speaking from experience. ;)

To keep the soft look, I stamp the pretty sentiment from Avery Elle "Celebrate" set in colors that match the colors on the feathers. If you're interested on Avery Elle's products check out i {heart} papers.

I also want to use this chance to thank both Avery Elle and i {heart} papers for their support for Caring Hearts Card Drive. They are simply awesome, awesome companies!

PS: So excited to share that my Santa card is being showcased at Paper Crafts Connection HERE and on Moxie Fab HERE. Double happiness. So grateful... 

May your day be filled with things that makes you grateful. Cheers.... 

Holiday Wreath

Hi there lovely creative peeps. Today, I am sharing a card that I made for i {heart} papers. My order came in last weekend and I spent the weekend playing with the new goodies.

Among the goodies I received were the Wplus9 Woodland Wreaths stamp set along with  the matching die and the Silver Bells set. Those pretty bells kind of reminds me of those old days when lots of the Christmas cards we received has bells image.

I'll be needing lots of holiday cards for my Caring Hearts Card Drive, so I decided to start on my holiday card stash. Starting with this card. :)

And, this past weekend I also received my prize goody box from Paper Crafts filled with many colorful stuff, including some ice sticklers. I can't believe how much I resisted on  buying ice sticklers. This is my first time trying them and they are awesome! Lots of glitters. Totally perfect for adding gorgeous sparkle to your project. I am hooked!

I hope as you work on your Christmas or holiday cards you will consider to send some in for the card drive. There's lots of prizes. Check out all the details HERE. And, I thank you in advance for all your support.  If you have any question, feel free to email me or if you have a nursing home in mind that you'd like for us to send cards to let me know.

Fall Floral

There's quite a few companies out there that offer digital stamps, but I have to say that to this day, one of my favorite is A Day For Daisies. I love her delicate design. And, I am not just saying it because I used to design for her. Just check out her shop, and you'll see she has so many gorgeous images.

When I was browsing through the store, I saw this cute squirrel, I know right away I want it. It simply looks adorable and it holds poppy flowers. Double whammy. Love at first sight. :)

I have such soft spot for cute animal image. I made this card for ADFD challenge #80 to add flower.

Does the squirrel image make you think of fall? For us here, squirrel is for all season since we usually have mild winter. And the squirrels on our yard is spoiled rotten. Our orange trees are bearing quite a load of fruits right now and every day we found a couple laying on the ground, totally empty in the middle. Hubby thinks the squirrels are enjoying the juicy orange. Sweet hubby decided not to anything about it as he said it's probably rare for the squirrels to enjoy delicious juice. :) Another reason why I married this kind man.

Hope you are enjoying fall no matter where you live. Cheers...

Happy & Bright

Good morning, peeps and happy Monday! So sorry that my blog been so neglected this past couple weeks. 

Now that things kind of back to normal at the office, am optimistic that I can get back to blogging regularly. :) Starts with new challenge from There She Goes Stamp, shall we?

This week, TSG is challenging us to be prepared and get our Christmas card done early. Of course, I totally agree with this as I will need lots of cards done for the card drive. :)

I love snow globe and even have a small collection of snow globe. Seeing the glitter floating around always mesmerize me. So, needless to say I also love making card with snow globe image. For the snow underneath the snowman I use white opal liquid pearls. Then for extra sparkle, I trace the snow globe outline with Star Dust stickles.

You have 1 week to play along. For more inspiration and for the challenge and prize detail please checkout TSG blog. Thank you so much for swinging by here.

Welcome Baby

Knock... knock... Hello?? I am still here. Sorry for disappearing for a bit. Things are a bit cray, cray in my world right now. I only managed to get the card drive details up. And I really have to thank Jennifer McGuire in helping me in getting the card drive ready. Without her help, I wouldn't have been able to do the card drive. 

In case you missed it,  you can find all the card drive details HERE.

At work, my boss has me buried under tons of paper works. We're working on finishing the company's taxes, which I only have 7 more days to finish. To say I am going nuts is an understatement. I've been alternating between wanting to cry, laugh out of frustration to just blankly staring at the computer. We had to postpone our vacation so we can get things done.

Pretty sure that after all this done, I'd need glasses and I'll have carpel tunnel. What helps me going is the fact that I do love my job and I do work for pretty awesome company.

I actually still making cards, too whenever I can, but they are mostly for submission. However, I do have a sweet card today to share with you all.

Made this card for my i {heart} papers post. This sweet deer from Lawn Fawn Into The Woods set is perfect for baby card, don't you think?

The polka dots paper is from Echo Park Bundle of Joy 6x6 pad and yes, I finally jump in the enamel dot trend wagon. And, boy, I am totally hooked! Love, love, love this enamel dots from Doodlebug. Here I used the dots from Bubblegum Pink Sprinkles.

Am also entering this to Lawnscaping challenge 67 to use patterned paper.

Well, I am glad that I managed to get a post up today. Hopefully, I can get more post up this week. Thank you for not abandoning my blog. I appreciate your visit very much. :) Have a great day!

2013 Caring Hearts Card Drive

Hi all. It's that time of the year again! Holiday time is approaching and we are back for the 4th year for our annual Caring Hearts Card Drive to collect holiday cards for the elderly that lives in nursing homes. This year, I teamed up again with Jennifer McGuire and we really hoping that we can bring holiday cheers to as many nursing homes as possible. 

We also have a couple ladies helping us in collecting the cards. Tina Schrof is working with Jennifer in collecting the cards. And we want to support the nursing homes that are located in Canada as well, so, we have Anita Recksiedler helping out for our Canada joint venture. Since international shipping is expensive, those of you in Canada can mail your cards to Anita and she'll distribute the cards.

I hope you will join and help us to reach as many nursing homes as possible and continue to spread more joy.

The holidays are about family, about kindness, and joy. During this time many of the elderly who lives in nursing homes would really feel the loneliness or missing their family. Wouldn't it be so awesome if we can bring a smile to their face & brighten their holiday season simply by sharing our love of card making? A simple gesture to let them know that they are not forgotten.

We all love making cards and what’s better than knowing our creations can bring a smile to others, right? Some helpful people already agree to help us deliver the cards to selected nursing homes.

A few important details:

• This card drive will be going on till November 28, 2013. We need to receive your card by November 28, 2013.
•  Please make the cards for Christmas or Holiday Wishes. Anyone can send a card, your children, church group, scout troops, etc.
• All cards need to have a message in it (it can be stamped or hand written).  
• Please sign your name and where you are from. 
• Please include an envelope for each card and please don't seal the envelope.
• Please stick to just cards (all size welcome)
• And please don't use any pins (safety reason).
• You can mail the cards to:

                 Vera Yates                                         Card Drive                                             Piney-fine

                       109 N. Post Oak Lane Ste. 430               c/o Tina Schrof                                    Attn: Anita

                       Houston, TX 77024                                        P.O. Box 75                                          P.O. Box 30       

                                                                                                     Springboro, Ohio 45066                  Piney. MBR0A 1 K0

                                                                                                                             Canada

• In each package, PLEASE include THIS SUBMISSION FORM.  This helps us in keeping track for prizes! For each card you send, you will get a chance.  So the more cards you send, the better your chances. 

To thank you for your generosity in supporting this drive, I have several PRIZES ready for several winners. There will be many winners and remember… the more cards you send the better your chances. :)

I'll update the prize list as more prizes coming in. And huge thank you to all the fabulous companies who support this card drive by donating awesome prizes.

Avery Elle - $30 gift certificate

 Framed Sentiments, Thinking of You, Nuts For You with coordinating dies

Elise Blaha Cripe - 3 stamps of winner's choice & a spot on quilting e-course

Ellen Hutson - $25 GC

 Fresh Squeezed Stamps - 1 stamp set of your choice

5 Cling Stamp of your choice

i {heart} papers - $10GC

Inspiration Emporium - $25GC

 From Jennifer McGuire - Online Card Classes - 2 classes of your choice

Lawn Fawn - $30 GC

Lil' Inkers Designs - $15GC

May Arts - 3 rolls of ribbon of your choice

My Favorite Things - $25GC

Neat & Tangled - $25 GC

Newton's Nook Design - $20GC

Paper Crafts Magazine - 4 Special Edition

Handmade Cards, Holiday Cards & More 8, Birthday Creations, and Card Creations: Volume 11

Paper Smooches - $25 GC

Secret Sponsor

Simon Says Stamp - $40GC

Studio Calico - 3 months subscription

There She Goes Stamp - $15GC

Tim Holtz

The Twinery - $40 GC

Latina Crafters - $30 GC

BABY BIRD & BUB BUB - $25 GC

Wplus9 - $25 GC

Gina K. Designs - Petite Border Clear Stamp

Ren- Yi Lo 

Waltzing Mouse Stamps - $30GC

Crafter's Companion - $20 GC

Spectrum Noir - (2) 6-marker set of your choice

Melissa Bickford - 3 Papertrey Background Sets

Canuck Craft Distributing - $25 GC 

Uniko Studio - £15 GC

I will update the prize list as I get more. :) Please feel free to share about this card drive. We really appreciate your support & kindness. Let's rock this card drive and bring Christmas joy to as many nursing homes as we can!! Thank you. 

PS: Thank you to Kristy from Some Odd Girl for designing the badge. :)