Take It and Alter!

OMGoodness. I am so sore I can hardly write today's blog. I was in a Yoga Fusion (both yoga and Pilate's) class yesterday that has completely busted my butt! I can hardly move! Every inch of me hurts. They were doing so many twisted positions that most of the time I sat there watching them with a scrunched up, puzzled look on my face. I had to go up and apologize to the teacher because I just sat there so much during some of the more advanced moves. Here's one of the moves I just couldn't seem to master... and another.....I mean, really, these don't look all that difficult, do they? Yeah, right. I hate it when I embarrass myself in a workout class. But, you'll be happy and relieved to know that I LOVED IT anyways! I'm definitely going back. The instructor was FABULOUS--so motivating and sweet. I may look frightening all twisted up with fat hanging upside down, but at least I'm PARTICIPATING! Woo-hoo!

Today's post is about altering. I found these little Bratz refrigerator magnate frames in the Target $1 section yesterday. I thought they'd be so cute altered! The first one I made is this black, creme and Brocade Blue beauty. I was making a few cards yesterday afternoon with this color combo and I fell in love with it, so I thought I'd try the same thing on the frame. First of all, I removed the back of the frame, which was just glued on. Then I glued up the front of the frame with Mono Multi and laid it down on top of the back of the Foof-a-la paper. I didn't worry about the center of the frame, for now it's just covered with paper. I cut around the edges of the frame, leaving about a 1/2 inch flap of paper that could be flipped up and adhered to the back of the frame (I used double sided tape to secure my paper). Once the paper was all adhered, I cut out the center. I just made an "X" with my x-acto knife. I pulled these flaps to the BACK of the frame and adhered with double sided tape.

After I was finished with the paper, I distressed the edges with my Ranger Ink in Tea Stain. A black gingham bow was added around the side of the frame. The sentiment (by Penny Black) was stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock, and aged with Ranger Ink. It's secured to the back of the frame using double sided tape. The sentiment in the bottom right hand corner is from Circle of Friendship. It's punched out using my Martha Stewart 1'" punch and then adhered on top of a Cuttlebug die cut flower of Brocade Blue. The scallop at the top is also Brocade Blue. I glued it to the back of the frame. Once all these steps were taken, I replaced the back of the frame, being careful to use enough glue so it didn't fall apart. I whipped this baby up in about 20 minutes. What a great gift idea, uh?

This is the second frame I made yesterday. I broke into my new Basic Grey Mellow 6x6 paper pad for this one! I adore this paper, ladies. You have to get yourself some! I did everything exactly the same on this frame, so I won't bore you with the fine details again. The exciting news is that I am going to be sending these cute little frames out to three lucky blogger friends (there are 3 frames to a package, but I didn't get the third frame altered last night)!!!!

You guys have been so supportive of me over the last few months, it's the least I can do. If I could send one to each of you, I would! Please comment on this thread if you would like to win one of these, ok? I'm not really into blog giveaways, but I'm going to break tradition here and do one. If you are a regular reader/commentor, be sure and leave a comment today so you can be entered into the giveaway. If you are a faithful reader, but not a commentor, please leave your comment today anyways! I want to have the chance to thank you personally with one of these! You are ALL very important to me and I consider each of you a friend! You guys rock! I'll do the drawing on Friday evening, so you have a few days to get your comment registered! One entry per person, k?

Now on to some more fun stuff. I have a few RAK's to share today, lucky me!

This one, from Denise Lynn Roberts, I received way back in the middle of July, when things were really crazy with Muriel. She thought I needed a little RAK lovin' and she was right. It felt so wonderful knowing someone was out there that cared enough to take the time to send me a card. Wow, thank you Denise! I'm so sorry I'm late in thanking you! It's been sitting on my desk this whole time, but then got lost under my freelance work. I hate when my freelance work takes over my desk! Isn't Denise's card so cool. It's so summery, great colors. Now, I am so not an expert on technique, but it looks like she white embossed her stamped images and then watercolored over them (or vice versa). Whatever technique it is, it's really cool! Thanks Denise!

The other two RAK's I received just a few days ago. Miracle of miracles, I'm actually on time posting these!

The first one I opened was from my blogger friend Charmaine (Oodabug Alley)!Isn't this adorable? I love the cat image and Charmaine's coloring......? PERFECT! I think Charmaine knew I'd love all the bright colors. She knows me very well! Everything about this one is perfect. Thank you Charmaine! It helps knowing I have friends like you out there that are concerned for me!

The second card I opened was from my good gal pal Julee Tilman (Poetic Artistry)! Can you see my jaw hanging open? I scored the mother-load getting this beauty.....I remember seeing this on Julee's blog and commenting on how I loved how she used the Verve sentiment on the card, straight up the side. So cool! And look, now it's MY hot little hands! How lucky can a girl get? Julee also sent me some of these fabulous flower images that she used on the front of this card. Woo-hoo! Looks like I'll be using some of these babies up today!

Well, that's it on the RAK front. I think I got them all posted. I hope I'm not forgetting any others. If I am, and you know you sent me one but haven't seen a thank you on my blog yet, will you please let me know? Seriously, with how my summer was going, I very well might have lost an RAK or forgotten to thank someone. So please, let me know if I did!

Eldest Son is at his final drivers training class this morning, so that means he could potentially get his drivers permit this afternoon and be behind the wheel of my Tahoe by early evening (with his father or me in the passenger seat). God forbid. I'm not sure I can handle this. So, so, so strange he will be driving soon. Look out world. Another teenager behind the wheel of a 2 ton vehicle. Frightening. I need to be stepping up the prayers, I'm afraid.

For me, I plan on spending most of the day getting my submissions ready for the Cards Jan 08 submissions call. I want to put a shout out to Daniela (For the First Time ) for all her wonderful help as I navigate this submissions minefield. She was so generous with her time and her resources, which is priceless to me. So, Thank you, Daniela! You rock girl!

Have a wonderful day, and get some stamping done!!!

Hugs,
Amy