I'm in awe...

http://thepinkcouch.blogspot.com/

Howdy Y'all!

Thank heaven for good friends! I love you, Brandon, Nikki and Kaitlyn!!!

Starting graduate school in Engineering Management on June 8th. Let the fun begin again.

Papertrey Ink Blog Hop!

This month's blog hop challenge was to use tissue paper in a creative way. So I made a tissue paper flower using the Beautiful Blooms flower Die #1.

Remember: Click on the picture for a bigger look! :o)

Happy Birthday



Here are some bonus cards, since I haven't posted in a while.

Berry Sweet


I combined my tools and cut out a strawberry with my Cricut and then embossed it with PTI's tin types embossing folder. I popped the texture with fresh snow ink to make the strawberry's seeds. Fun!

Some non-PTI cards for your viewing pleasure...

Monkey Love

Pointer: If you're using flock on a project, as I did with the balloon, color it in first (I used a red copic marker) and then flock it, that way any "bald" spots you might have aren't so visibly noticeable.

Clear Card- Hello

Did you know you can actually emboss on clear cardstock/transparency sheets? Give it a try some time!

Joy Spinner Card

Dental floss is fun for creating spinner cards, as I've done with this Christmas card. Just cut a hole in your card (I used a nestie) and then "suspend" your object of interest inside the hole using floss sandwiched between your floaty.

Thanks for looking!

Supplies:

Happy Birthday:
Cardstock: All PTI- New Leaf card base, Stampers select white, Raspberry Fizz
Stamps: PTI Polka Dot Basic, Fillable Frames 1
Tools: PTI Beautiful Blooms Flower Die, PTI Tin Types
Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz
Embellies: Microbeads, Ribbon from Michael, 7 Gypsies felt butterfly
Technique: Masking
Copic Marker R83

Berry Sweet:
Cardstock: All PTI- Kraft card base, Stampers select white, Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy, New Leaf
Stamps: PTI Lucky frame, SU! tiny tags
Tools: PTI Tin Types, PTI Large Scallop Die, Cricut
Ink: PTI Raspberry Fizz, Pure Poppy
Embellies: PTI Button twine, PTI Vintage button, MS glitter
Technique: Sewing

Monkey Love:
Cardstock: All PTI- New Leaf cs, Stampers select white, Raspberry Fizz
Stamps: Changito
Tools: SU! Border punch,
Ink: PTI Fresh Snow, Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz
Embellies: Flock, Ribbon from Michael
Technique: Masking

Clear Hello:
Cardstock: PTI- Clear cardstock, Hawaiian Shores
Stamps: SU! Medallion, Fillable Frames 1
Tools: PTI Beautiful Blooms Flower Die, PTI Tin Types
Ink: Palette Noir, Versamark, Seafoam Embossing Powder
Embellies: Black rhinestone- Kaiercraft
Technique: Embossing

Joy Spinner:
CS: SU! Chocholate Chip
PP: SU!
Stamps: SU!
Ribbon: Michaels
Ink: Versamark
Embossing Powder: Ranger Red Tinsel and Gold Tinsel
Other: Floss

Today's ramblings...

Hi everyone! After struggling with stomach issues, I finally went to see my doctor about it and found out I am the proud owner of a nasty ulcer. I am happy to report that I am half way thru my 14 day regimen of medication where I have to take 4 different pills FOUR (yes 4!!) times a day! Blech!! I guess when I worry and stress, I keep it in and it has manifested itself as an ulcer in my stomach. I know, I know- TMI. ha ha. Not really playing the sympathy card, just want you to be proud of me for enduring this horrible medicine situation. I know. Things could be worse. Thank God it's not cancer, which is something I worried about, which I'm sure only contributed to the ulcer's happy party in my stomach. Ok. enough.


Now on to happy talk!


I went to a card party last night with my SU! guru, Donna LaPorte where we made 5 cards and one gift item for $15.


Here's what we did:
(all items are from Stampin Up unless otherwise noted)

A bleach technique was used with the Upsy Daisy stamp set. I love finishing the inside of the card with the same stamp set but inked with Melon Mambo ink. When the card bleaches it turns a pretty vanilla color, which goes well with the vanilla grosgrain.

Isn't this baby buggy card cute? To make the buggy, just take a circle punch and cut a wedge out of it. The button wheels are made with a small circle punch and a paper piercer was used to make the holes. The buggy frame is made with SU! gold cord. The slit punch on the bottom holds the top flap in place. The sentiment is from Whimsical Words in the SAB flyer.

Isn't this lovely and lacey looking? The "lace" was done by first inking the bottom with a sponge and soft suede ink. Then it was cut with a scallop border punch (found in the SAB flyer). This punch can be earned free. Ask you demo about it. The stamp set is a new feature of SU! which is an unmounted stamp. It clings on to an acrylic block so you can see better where you're stamping. This stamp set is in the new occasions mini (I think!).




Last but not least is this Easter card done with the chocolate bunny stamp that's in the occasions mini as well. The bunny was stamped with Versamark, then embossed, then fussy cut and placed on the mats. A cuttlebug folder was used to create the grass. The leaves are a SU! die that was cut out on a Big Shot. The sentiment was from Teeny Tiny Wishes (I think) and the tag was used with the Oval Window and Modern Label punches.

If you don't have a demo, you can either contact Donna (above) or a new, sweet friend I just met on SCS who is also a demo, Jamie. She can help you as well. Or just email me what you want and I'll find a way to get it to ya!!
And there you have it! Enjoy!

Papertrey Ink Party Continues!!

There's an anniversary party goin on at Nichole Heady’s Blog!

Today's challenge was to pick a color scheme from one of 12 designer's favorite color combo's. Of course I chose Erin Lincoln's combo because she is like one of my most favorite crafters ever! I had the privilege of meeting her a couple years ago at CHA and I immediately clicked with her.

So here is Erin's fav color combo-





And here is my take on the challenge:



I had to substitute a different orange cardstock since I didn't have any Terracotta Tile in my stash. I used 2 PTI stamp sets- Beautiful Blooms and Life. I used Versamark for the leaves in the background. It's hard to tell but I chalked my focal point using the Spellbinders Nestabilities die as a stencil. The ink I used was PTI Ripe Avocado and Chocolate. I needed some chocolate on my card so I just cut out 3 little circles with my handheld hole punch.


Thanks for looking!
~Tree

Papertrey Ink's Third Anniversary!!

There's a party goin on at Nichole Heady’s Blog with tons of give aways to boot!

Today's challenge was a Paint By Number based on a sketch and the color palette we were assigned was one that had to do with the first letter of my message board name, which is "T" of course.

Here's the sketch:



Here is my color palette based on the first letter of my MB name (T):




And Voila! Here is what I came up with titled, "Follow Your Own Star":




Here is a close-up:


I thought the blues in the palette lent itself nicely to a manly card, so I substituted the scalloped edge for a pinked edge. I popped up my star with foam tape to give it interest and dimension. I also thought it'd be fun to kinda curve the sentiment- you know, making it look like a shooting star.
Here's my formula per the sketch:

1. Aqua Mist
2. White (used the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder on it)
3. Enchanted Evening- didn't have it in my stash so improvised with Bazzil Smoothie in Huckleberry Pie
4. Kraft
5. Spring Rain

Stamps used are all PTI: Polka Dot Basics, Text Boxed and Star Prints.

So hop on over to Nichole's blog and play along. There are fun challenges and prizes galore!!

Remember to click on the photos for a better look!

While I have your attention (hee hee) I wanted to show you that I've actually dusted of my Copics and tried my hand at coloring today! After a long dry spell of no crafting, if feels good to put some of my supplies to good use!! You'll see on the left two hummingbirds colored in and on the right is the before picture. The first one I colored was the top left and thought it needed some work on the tail feathers. There wasn't enough light reflecting off the feathers, so I tried it again and the lower one is my second attempt, which is the one I like better.

Last, but not least. I altered a journal that I found in the dollar spot at Mike's for a dear friend of mine who is going through the scary situation of being tested for cancer. I filled it with a bunch of inspirational quotes throughout the journal that I stamped with some stamps I've been dying to use.

If you turn your head to the side (oops!) you can see the inside cover of the journal.

Thanks for looking!!!

~Tree
XOX

It is finished!!!

Finally, after so many years of working and raising a family while commuting to school, I finally finished my degree! I graduated Magna Cum Laude last Saturday from MS&T (Missouri University of Science & Technology) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences and a minor in Chemistry. I'm interested to see where God will lead me next.

Time flies. I can't believe my little man is 6 years old already. Isn't he a dolly baby?




Merry Christmas and lots of love to everyone!

I'm an official blog slackard!

I know, I know. I'm a worthless blogger right now!

I deleted my Facebook account so don't think I "defriended" you. Just don't have time for all the silliness on there.

I started back to school this week. I am so ready for December to be here! I'm so ready to graduate!!

Josh got married.

Josh's beautiful bride, Rachel. It's so funny. When I was pregs with Josh his name was going to be Rachel if he was a girl. Well it looks like I got my Rachel after all! LOL!

Emily will be 1 on August 31st. Can you believe that little stinker has been walking since she was 9 months old? She's just like her daddy. Josh walked at 9 months old too.

Isn't she perfect? I just love how she's colored like Eric- red headed and brown-eyed. Isn't that funny? She's our little strawberry. tee hee...

Ryan is coming home to graduate from Sullivan High.

Connor started first grade.

Eric and I have been together for 7 years as of August 16th.

Sorry so brief but I have an 8:00 a.m. class tomorrow!!

Tree

XOX

Back from Texas!

Gosh, I shoulda posted this a month ago. It has been sitting in my drafts since May 29!!

I can't believe my baby graduated Kindergarten this year. Here he is on the last day of Kindergarten with his bff, Michael.

We went to Texas for a really quick trip over the Memorial weekend.

I finally got to hold my baby for the first time.

Here is a photo of Emmy and her mama, Rachel.

Connor loves his baby niece

My sister's baby, Savahn, is finally getting some hair and man, is she ADORABLE or what in her little Mexican dress?! Tee hee!

As promised, here is a pic of my new piano. I've always loved music, as you can see of this photo of me with my little toy piano at age 2.

Here I am many, many, many years later. Lots of things have changed in my life but my love for music will always remain the same.





About the RAK, anyone who posts on this thread will get a small token of my appreciation of our friendship. I love making cards, so you will get a little card kit put together by me!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Did everyone have a wonderful Mother's Day??

I had such a great day! I actually won a prize at church for being the youngest Grandma!! LOL!!

After church we all went to lunch. I ended up crying so hard on and off all day because I missed Shirley so much. I also missed Ryan's Grandma, Ruth Ann, who passed away unexpectedly exactly a week after Shirley. So those two things together left me so sad amd with a splitting headache!! Has your head hurt so bad that you felt like throwing up? Well that was me yesterday. We went to see Star Trek yesterday evening (I know, I'm a nerd) and it was FANTASTIC!!!! You should go see it! Even as sick as I was, I still enjoyed the movie.

But on a brighter note, I want to share the most recent picture of Emmy and her mom Rachel. I've only got to see Emmy in pictures because she's in Texas and I'm stuck here in Misery, umm, I meant Missouri. I can't wait to hold her for the first time!

As I said, Eric bought me a piano for Mother's Day. He also got me another hummingbird feeder for our front porch as well as some hanging baskets of flowers. I don't know where the camera card is to my Nikon, so as soon as I find it, I promise some pics of it.

ALSO, Eric bought me a piece of furniture to use as a scrap desk in my scrap room, so this motivated me to clean up what the tornado left behind in there! Hee hee....

While doing so, I came across some stuff that would make GREAT RAK prizes!!

SO stay tuned for:

1. Picture of my new piano

2. RAKS!!!!!!

Tree

XOX

My WONDERFUL husband bought me...

a new (to me!) Yamaha studio piano today for Mother's Day!!! He knows how much music is a part of my being, so he got me the piano today and we pick it up next weekend. Here is the touching part. When his mom died, she left him a bit of money left over after paying for the funeral expenses from her life insurance. So what does Eric decide to do with the money that his mom left him? He buys a piano for ME! God love him. I really don't deserve him. He is so good to me. His mom would be so pleased to know that the money went to the purchase of a piano because she loved music so much as well. I will use this piano to teach her grandson how to play.


OMGosh! I can not believe that I've posted like 3 times within the last few days! I guess I am just now feeling whole again and able to share.

I have two more weeks to go of school. My last final is on May 15th. I will be receiving my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Missouri in December (fingers crossed!). I hope I can pass my classes in order to complete my degree. So far I'm making all As and Bs. I'm a worry wart. I have to worry though so I can make sure I do well on my exams, kwim?

Thanks for letting me share. I will be posting a pic of the piano real soon!!

Mmmmuuuaaaahh!!

Tree

New find

Ok, I don't have time to make a fancy looking link to this blog that I just found today, but I wanted to share it with you.

http://starlitstudio.typepad.com/

This artist blows me away! When I have more time, I'm gonna check her out some more.

Have an awesome day!

Meet the newest addition to the Tyree clan

Introducing.....

Daisy!

I've always wanted a little girl. Well now I have one! LOL! She's a 9 week old Maltese puppy. I wanted a lap dog so here she is!

:0)

NSD celebration over at AMLT!!

Here are the deets:

http://amillionlittlethings.typepad.com/amlt/

I can't wait to get my goodies!

Enjoy!
Tree

Sad sad

My mother-in-law, Shirley, lost her battle to breast cancer on March 20th. A week later, my ex-mother-in-law, Ruth Ann, died suddenly of a heart attack. My poor son has lost two grandmothers in one week.

Hopefully, I will be able to post more in the future.

Tree

Fun with photos

Here's some fun with photos, created by my sister. Ain't she a kook?? LOL!!





I made this one:



Be sure to leave me a comment if you posted any fun photos of yourself on your blog.
Have fun!

Facebook

I just love Facebook so much! My sister turned me on to it and I just recently reconnected with old friends from school. It's been such a hoot reminiscing about high school days. For example, here is a pic of me my senior year in my Cavalier outfit. Ha ha!




One of my high school girlfriends I talk to alot on Facebook is Linda, seen below. I'm so glad she snapped this photo of us at our reunion a few years ago. I just love this girl!!





I've been reminiscing alot lately as you can tell by last few posts. I guess it's that time of year to reflect and think about what's truly important in this life. Facebook has alot to do with it also. Thanks for letting me share.

T
XOX

Wow, how time flies.

Josh and Ryan, then (1996)




Josh and Ryan, now (2008)





My how time flies. Sad.

Hello

At the insistence of so many friends, I guess it's time to update my blog. Thank you so much for caring enough to keep in touch with me and for praying for us.

Eric and I are separated at the moment. Please pray for us to have the strength to get through this.

We got a cute little Calico kitty we haven't named yet. Does anyone have any suggestions? We also have a Jack Russell terrier, Odie. Odie sleeps under our bed. One night we couldn't find the kitten. We looked under the bed to find this:



I guess the kitty hasn't figured out yet that there is no milk coming out of there! LOL! Poor Odie. He seems to take it well, but he'll have enough of it and nip at her and tell her to stop it. Ha ha.

Most of y'all don't know this yet, but I officially work for Piggy Tales!! I worked CKC-Kansas City the first part of October. Here I am teaching one of my classes. I taught four classes in all. It was a great learning experience seeing that I had never taught at this level before. It was great that all four classes were packed. If everything works out ok, I'll be working for PT at CHA-Winter. Hopefully I won't be sick and will be able to get more pictures.

Here's me and Connor on our annual trip to the Pumpkin Patch. It was a gloriously beautiful day. We always look forward to this little tradition.



Well, I haven't scrapped much so there's really nothing for me to show off.

I love you all and appreciate each and everyone's friendship and prayers!!

~Tree

Update

Hi Everyone!

At Detta, Joy and Cheryl's request, here is an update.


Eric and I have been going through hard times in our marriage. Please pray for us.

On to happier news...



Here are a few cards I made for Papercrafts Magazine Gallery Idol contest. I'm proud to say that I made the Gallery top 20!!













JULY:

Ryan came home for two weeks. For two weeks we had a plethora of smelly teenage boys in and out of the house. It was nice to have the house noisy again, even for just a little while.






Yes, I did go to CHA. Here is a pic of me and a good friend, the ultra talented Basic Grey girl, Kelly Goree. Isn't she just so dang cute!!









Here I am with two of my roomies, the ultra talented Margie and Becky Chabot.








Here I am working the Piggy Tales booth with owner, Debbie Juden. I love Piggy Tales so much. They really make me feel like I'm a family member and not just a designer!!

Ok, Detta, there's about 4 pictures of me smiling. Yes, I do have teeth. But I look horrible when I smile, so now you know why I don't. LOL!


AUGUST:



We were supposed to go to Cancun for a week, but dummy me thought you could still board an airplane overseas with just a driver's license and a birth certificate. Needless to say, we didn't have our passports so we had to reschedule our trip for a later date. So instead we went to Texas to visit with my mom for her yearly visit to the states. I was going anyway, but since we cancelled the Cancun trip, I was able to spend more time in Texas.


We took Connor to San Antonio so we could see Shamu the killer whale at Sea World.




We also visited the Alamo while in San Antonio.





It was also perfect timing for me to catch Ryan on his first day of school. I haven't missed taking his picture on the first day of school. I was worried I wouldn't get it this year since he lives in Texas now with his dad, but it worked out that I could be there. We also took Connor to Surfside beach. It's not the prettiest beach, but hey, it's a beach complete with waves, sand and sea shells!! So he was in heaven. I'll post some beach pics soon. For some reason, my camera card is giving me an error message when I try to download them to my computer.

Here is a picture of me with two of my bestest girlfriends, Gracie (middle) and Maria (right). We worked together at the environmental analytical lab for Dow Chemical company. We had such great times working together that we're now friends for life. Although we've all gone our separate ways, we're still close and keep in touch and get together when we can.






Here is a picture of me with my oldest, Joshua taken at El Toro- my favorite Mexican Restaurant in Clute, Texas.







Thanks for visiting, y'all!! I haven't forgotten about the RAK I promised way back when. In fact, I have several tubs of swaps that I've never used and probably never will use. I hope to get a list of them together to RAK. So check back. When I post the list, let me know which ones you want and I'll send them to ya.

Tree
XOX