Lorrie's Story

Valentine Card with my Silhouette Cameo

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:00 +0000

I made this cute Valentine card with the Pink Paislee Spellbound Digital Elements & Papers. You can get them at Jessicasprague.com just click on the link above. I adore Pink Paislee. The papers in this kit just OOOZE Valentines, but could very easily be adapted for any number of girl pages, adult pages. The tags are all blank so you can add whatever sentiment (digital or stamp) that you like. I cut them out with my Silhouette Cameo. I am LOVING the Silhouette. Already I've used it more than I ever used my Cricut. I find it so much more versatile. Valentines is right around the corner... have you made any cards yet?

Valentines Card

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Another fun Valentine Card using the For the Love Digital Kit by Jessica Sprague & Heidi Swapp. I really enjoyed making this one. Go check out the kit! It's soo cute.

Valentines Card

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:00:00 +0000

I made this card using For the Love Mini Kit by Heidi Swapp & Jessica Sprague. It's a very fun collection of papers that could be used for a lot of different occassions. The kit also comes with a video classes with Heidi showing you a bunch of great ideas for cards, a mini album and some great ideas.

Valentine Popcorn Mix

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:42:00 +0000

I whipped up some Popcorn Mix to give the kids and a few others for Valentines Day. I think this would be a fun teacher, neighbor or co-worker gift as well. It's very simple. We make this for different holidays, just change out the M&M's and Sprinkles. I used Heidi Swapps Digital kit called "For the Love" to make the cute little tags.

Bunny Mix
1 Package of Wilton White Chocolate Melts
3 bags of Microwave Popcorn (I prefer to use the white variety, not the buttery varieties)
1/2 bag of M&M's
1 jar sprinkles
(Optional: Small spiral pretzels)

Pop corn in microwave and place in large bowl. Melt candy melts in microwave or in double broiler. Pour melted chocolate over popcorn and add sprinkles, mix lightly. Lay popcorn on a cookie sheet to dry. Add M&M's after 2-3 minutes. When dry package as you like.

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 03:38:00 +0000

I mentioned that Doug and I have been eating very healthy and that we are both losing weight. I thought I'd start sharing some of the yummy alternatives we've been fixing. Believe me, NEVER EVER did I think I would EVER eat a Mushroom Burger. I don't particularly care for mushrooms, but last week we made turkey burgers and they were pretty good, so I wanted to try this. I have to admit, they are very good! It's ALMOST like eating a cheeseburger.. in a healthy way. ;) So, if you're up for a change, try these one night, you may be very surprised! I'm sorry I didn't take a photo, we got a late start on dinner and by the time they were done, we were ready to eat!

A little note: You probably already know this, but I had to look up how to clean a mushroom. Remove the stem and using a spoon remove the "gills" on the inside of the cap. Next take a wet papertowel and wipe the mushroom off. That's it.

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:08:00 +0000

This layout was made with the Pink Paisley Spellbound digital papers and elements available here. They are so fun and perfect for Valentines. Hurry and get them, you've still got time to whip up some cute Valentines for your sweeties or a Valentine Layout.

Valentine Card and Wrap

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 23:49:00 +0000

Here is another card made with the Sweetness kit which I got at JessicaSprague.com. The kit is by Pink Paisley. The wrap envelope is a cut file I got from the Silhouette store it's by Lori Whitlock. Isn't it adorable?!?! I saw Kristina Werner use this wrap on a card and I just had to run over to Silhouette.com and buy one too! I'm in LOVE!!

Valentine Card

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 12:52:00 +0000

Here is another Valentine Card I made using Digital Elements. This set of elements comes from Carina Gardner and it's called "Love Nest". This is a really cute set of papers/elements. Do you make Valentines for your family and friends? Leave me a link in the comments, I'd love to see!

Valentines Card, Silhouette Cameo, Heaven!!

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 16:51:00 +0000

I made this card using digital elements and my new Silhouette Cameo machine! So FUN! This card uses the digital kit by Pink Paisley called "Sweetness". It will be available soon at Jessica Sprague. It is so fresh and fun, I absolutely LOOOOVE this kit.

Have you tried the Silhouette Cameo yet? I am in HEAVEN! I have sold a lot of my Cricut Stuff and have converted to Silhouette. Did you know you can print any jpg, png, clipart, whatever you can print it and then CUT IT OUT with the Silhouette. No cartridges needed, no added software (the software is free) and it's sooo simple. Also you can use their software to design your own custom shapes or if you wish you can shop in their store and choose an image (or several images) and cut them. They have amazing designs to chose from including Echo Park, S.E.I., Samatha Walker, Lori Whitlock.. and many many more! Most images are $0.99 each if you pay full price...BUT if you have a subscription the cost goes down even more. I bought a subscription for $14.99 which gives me $25 worth of images which brings the cost down to a mere $.60 an image. Each week there are clearance items which are $0.50 each and even a free item to add to you treasure box of goodies! I cannot wait to share some of the images I purchased already!

I've lost 16 Pounds! WoooHoo

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:10:00 +0000

Well bloggers, I haven’t written about this yet because, to be quite honest, I was still processing and digesting it. The day before Thanksgiving my other half, Doug, was diagnosed with Type 2 Diebetes. He hadn’t felt well for a long time and always just wrote it off as “I’m getting older”. He went to a new doctor for a different reason because his doctor wasn’t available. The new doctor in one visit and as a new patient ran all kinds of bloodwork, etc on him and found that his sugars/cholesterol/triglycerides, and everything else were just about off the charts. He was ordered that evening (mind you the night before our Thanksgiving Feast hosted at our house) that he was to go on a major diet change, get a glucose meter and exercise, etc, etc. Doug is not a HUGE person, but he’s a manly man. 6’1” and probably was 260 pounds prior to the Diabetes. Doug and I love to cook. He’s a VERY good cook and doesn’t cook easy things. He loves to watch the food network and replicate with a twist the things he sees. I love to cook Italian foods and sweets. We indulged in Thanksgiving, but the very next day, he took it very seriously and started to eat only healthier food. No longer were we fixing casseroles smothered in cheese and cream sauce, gone were the Chicken Pot pie he is famous for, gone were the sweets (his weakness) and bye bye Fettucine Alfredo (my favorite). It was hello to meat, veggies and some other good choices. Well at his 1 month follow up appointment, the doctor was impressed. The sugars were down as well as some of the other levels, but he suggested he follow this diet called the 17 Day Diet. It’s a book you can find it online here. The doctor said I promise you will lose 30-40 pounds on this diet and that will really help your sugars come down even more. So we got the book and decided on January 2, we would start the diet. Now we THOUGHT the plan was to lose the weight in 17 days, but it’s actually a diet in 3 phases of 17 days, so it’s really 51 days. Phase I was pretty strict. It’s very low carb (much like South Beach Diet if you are familiar with it, only more strict). During the 1^st phase you eat only “white meats” i.e. Chicken, Turkey & Fish, lots of veggies and of course no breads, etc. We made it through that 17 days. I lost 10 pounds. We just started Phase II, which opens up a bigger window of foods to enjoy, ie Beef, pork, potatoes, brown rice to name a few. I’ve now lost a total of 16 pounds. Doug has lost 25 pounds total since he was diagnosed (I really wasn’t dieting until Jan 2). The next Phase opens up even more foods like pasta etc. After the final phase you return to eating healthy during the week, but you get weekends off. You can eat pizza and alfredo etc if you want to. The beauty of it is, already my stomach has shrunk, I can’t eat the portions I could before. I’m full very quickly. In addition to the diet, I’ve also given up Diet Pepsi (I used to drink a 6-pack a day and sometimes more). I gave up alcohol, I used to enjoy a glass (or two) of wine in the evenings. I am at my Target weight now, but am going to keep going. I feel so much better. I’m alert, my skin looks better, my skinny clothes fit again. Doug’s sugars are dropping all the time and he’s had so many added benefits to the way he feels. Anyway.. I’ve rambled a lot, but I thought I’d tell you about this journey we have been on.

Thank you card

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:37:00 +0000

Another VERY simple card. Too simple I think. I should have at least embossed part of it. The tag is a tool by Making Memories that I bought over a year ago and just now opened. It says thanks on it, but you can't see it in the photo. Anyway, kind of fun to use some "Spring" colors when there is currently about 4" of snow outside. :)

Thank You

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:33:00 +0000

Thank you for being so thoughtful card. I was inspired for this card by one on Pinterest. It's a nice simple clean look. I hope you like it.

Another Art Journaling Class Assignment

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:34:00 +0000

This is my latest completed assignment at Jessica Sprague's Digital Art Journaling Class. This one was to represent "GOALS". I am an assignment (or 2) behind. It's been such a crazy week, I haven't had a chance to do much of anything.

I decided to sell my Cricut and all of my cartridges. I listed on Facebook, Craigs List and then on the Cricut Messaageboard. I wasn't prepared. Within minutes of listing on the messageboard I literally starting receiving a ton of emails. It was going so fast.. questions coming in.. do you have this cartridge, that cartridge... how much for this, how much for that. WHEW! In one day I sold quite a bit of my stuff, but still have a lot left to sell. The Cricut itself, all the accessories and still about 50 cartridges. I think I will list on ebay. Anyway... sorry I haven't posted anything much lately, but life happens! :)

Valentines is coming

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:04:00 +0000

Time to start the Valentine Cards. I made this one out of several different products, and both digital and 3 dimensional items. The love you and hearts are from a cuttlebug die, I cut the burlap heart by hand, the stamp is a digital element as is the writing on the postcard. The paper is a patterned Pink Paislee paper with a faint pink design to it.

Jessica Sprague Digital Art Journal Class - HOME

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 16:02:00 +0000

Here's My "Home" assignment. This I feel could have been much more detailed, but I ran out of time. I'm not one who likes to go back and revisit a project (at least not digital ones).

Happy Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:31:00 +0000

Here's a birthday card I made for my friend, Barb. I added a yellow birthday candle right behind the button and ribbon, but didn't take another photo. I liked how this turned out. The papers are from Stampin Up! (also from my friend Barb, who's my SU Rep).

Art Journaling Class - "Treasure" Day 2

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:07:00 +0000

Today's Theme... Treasure. I didn't have a lot of time to work on my layout tonight, but I still like the way it turned out. This class is sooooo much fun!!!

Art Journaling Class - Jessica Sprague

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:52:00 +0000

Well guys... looks like I've gone out of my safe place, eh? I'm taking the incredible Art Journaling Class at Jessica Sprague and wow! This is sooo much fun! Today's theme was "heart". That's it. Pretty much anywhere you want to go with it. I absolutely love this class. She gave us so much product in the course materials that the possibilities are endless!

Happy Birthday!

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:35:00 +0000

A quick birthday card! I've got about 4 birthdays this month! :) I haven't posted some of the cards because the recipients haven't received them yet. But this one is signed, sealed and delivered! I hope you like it.

Be Mine

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 19:57:00 +0000

I was playing around today with Valentine ideas. Again, this card did not go in the direction I had planned in my head. The paper is from K&Co, Ribbon is from Stampin' Up and the tag was a random tag I found in my stash, unfortunately it wasn't in its original packaging. I switched things up on this card by starting with the tag, then I went in search of papers to match and went from there. Normally I pick my papers and make the basic card, then decide on embellishments.

If a picture paints a thousand words......

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:53:00 +0000

A digital layout of my mother. I was trying to convey in this layout how I miss her and how even at my age I worry that I won't remember what she looks like, what she sounded like, etc. I know it's really plain and I'm not quite sure I'm finished with it. I made it, walked away.. came back and moved some things around, changed fonts and font color... and I just couldn't go anywhere else with it. I hope it conveys the story I was trying to tell.

I made this layout with products from Liv.edesigns from Jessica Sprague.

A Christmas Thank You Card

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 02:09:00 +0000

A very simple Thank You card. This card turned out WAAAAYYY different than I had in my head, but sometimes, you just have to change directions. This is all just random products from my scrap drawers and ribbon jar. I just got a Sizzix Big Kick and though I've always had a Cuttlebug I had to try it out, so I pulled out this old embossing folder and started from there. I have to say, I think the Big Kick does do a better, sharper embossing job. I also used a Sizzix die for the snowman and the cuts were really crisp and clean. I may have been converted permanently!!?!?!

Logan... He is such a doll!

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:24:00 +0000

This is Logan. I had the privilege of spending a little time with this guy over the Christmas Holidays. He is Doug's great nephew and the first great grandbaby of the family. If I could have taken him home without anyone noticing I would have! LOL (Not Likely.. this little man is quite adored by everyone... including me). This is also another project for Jessica Sprague. I used Liv.E Designs Warm Wuv & Soft Hugs Kit (Isn't that the cutest name?)

By the way... Happy New Year Everyone! I hope you have a blessed 2012 filled with love, laughter, friends and family.

Visions of Sugar Plums

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:17:00 +0000

I made this layout for my Jessica Sprague Creative Design Team. It's made using Pink Paislee SnowDay paper and Elements. I love the colors in this kit. If you're interested in learning digital scrapping or learning your way around Photoshop you should check out Jessica Sprague now. She's offering some amazing discounts on classes and products. I started with Jessica about a year and a half ago and did not even know how to open a blank document in photoshop, everything I've learned, I learned from her classes. Go, treat yourself and save some $$ at the same time!

Enjoy the moment

noreply@blogger.com (~ Lorrie ~) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:53:00 +0000

Yet another card with Pink Paislee papers. This is from the butterfly collection. I just cut the butterfly out of the paper, the seam binding and brad is from Stampin' Up and the lace ribbon is some random from my stash. I think I got it at hobby lobby.