Papertrey Ink December Blog Hop Challenge

Is this thing on?  Honestly, it has been so long since I have created/posted/given a thought to a blog that I wasn't for sure if it was even still here!

A lot seems to have happened since I blogged last, just as with anyone and everyone, life seemed to get in the way of being creative and sharing with others.  I would love to say "I'm back to stay" and say it with confidence, but alas, if life calls for hectic, once more, that's where I'll be!

For now, let's live in the moments and play along with the PaperTreyInk Blog hop for the Month!  I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised to see my all time favorite stamp company still kicking it!  Some of my favorite blogs and challenges have gone since I last took a peek years ago, I guess they too are busy just simply living...

Hugs,

YSL Mascara Product Review

In all actuality, the name of this blog post should be YSL mascara *LOVE* but...

Let's start with product presentation - let's be honest, sometimes it is nice to have a super cute product and the shiney gold tube is awesome!  Honestly, it is easy to find in my bag because it is so different from all of the black that most make up comes packaged up in!  So, there's our first plus!

Next, I love the little click when opening/closing - the YSL logo lines up when completely closed!  No worries of the makeup leaking out onto everything else in my bag...

When I first pulled the wand out I was admittedly a little skepticle.  It all looked like a matted up mess on there and I wondered if it would really deliver.
Then I tried it...
And boy did it ever deliver!
The wonder of the wand is that it captures mascara on it allowing there to be enough on the wand to actually make it on to your lashes!  Great plus it that you don't have to constantly "redip"  The brushes are so close  that they allow great detail of your individual lashes rather than a clumping of many lashes together!

There is a great and quick little video on YouTube by Influenster that shows the zigzag application of mascara for your top lashes!



So, for me - 5 star product YSL!  Keep up the great work!

Toodles,
Mary


disclaimer:  I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.  The opinions are solely my own!

Vicks VOXBOX

Hello!  This is not my normal crafty post but I have to share this wonderful product with you!

The Vicks Cool Mist Humidifier is wonderful!  We are having a yucky Winter here full of colds, flu, and dry air due to the heat - VICKS to the rescue.

First, I need to disclose to you that I did receive this product free to test from Vicks and Influenster, however the opinions of the product are solely my own.

We have owned Vicks humidifiers in the past and although worth it, the plastic seemed to be thinner and would break down fast.  Also with the older models, you have to pour the medicine into the water which can sometimes make a mess.  Oh and the amount of "mist" they put out was not consistent...AT ALL!

That is NOT the case with this new model! I love that the product seems to be VERY durable (I knocked it off the nightstand onto hardwood already and it survived!) AND no more pouring the medicine in!  These use wonderful little pads that slide right in and viola - your menthol smell has arrived.  The amount of mist seems like a very consistent rate throughout the duration of use but isn't so much that things are left wet or damp around it.

Most of you already know that I am a nurse by day so this product is completely my "thing" to test!  I am all about keeping my little family as healthy as possible and thanks to Vicks - I feel like we are taking an extra step to healthiness!

Sunday Play Time

It's a bit of a dreary Sunday here - RAIN!  And...that's what's on the forecast all week long :(  Sure doesn't make fun when it's the time of year you want to see snow flurries flying!

First up today is a little cutie for the CAS303 at SCS.  Love the way this little card turned out!  I am such a sucker for little snowflakes and the Snowfall and Snowfall Additions sets from PTI are perfect for me!  The sketch for today's card comes from SC518 at SCS.

Next up is a little card I like to call under the influence of Tamiflu...  The higher my fever went the more crooked my stamping, cutting, and photography got. It's not perfect but then I got to thinking - neither am I! The color combo is from the CC510 challenge at SCS, the layout from Sketch Saturday (ss341), and the Bible verse for the BV14-DEC challenge at SCS.  I really need to work on being still and knowing who God is - and being under the weather kind of forces you to do that a little quicker than planned!!

Have a Happy Sunday! I pray the flu doesn't make a visit to you and yours!

Blessings,
Mary

Long Time no Paper Play

Poor Blog - It tends to have it's seasons and perhaps it turns into more of a paper crafting journal than a "blog"...  My intentions had always been to finish school and then hit the paper crafting wide open every. single. day.  Know what?  That didn't happen...  I have found that being an Oncology Nurse Practitioner takes more out of me than I care to admit on most days...  So my early morning me time - it has been getting filled with running in an attempt to be the healthiest me I can be.  My evenings - they are spent with my loves of course!

On with the papercrafting we go....
Why have I never thought to do snowflakes in purple??  I adore how this turned out with a touch of purple Martha Stewart glitter!  Snowfall and Snowfall Additions by PTI are two of my all time favorite stamp sets EVER!  Such a go to in the Winter for me...  The lovely sketch is CAS304 from Splitcoaststampers - what used to be my home away from home - I sure have missed being there!  I hadn't even uploaded to the gallery in over a year!!!

How about a little MOJO377 just in the nick of time from MOJO Monday??  Another of my favorite places to gain inspiration and lovely sketches!!  I also worked this in to the F4A252 challenge over at SCS - with 5 (yes, 5) full size Christmas trees in our home, it wasn't hard to chose a theme of colors and make a non-Christmas card...even though it is a Winter card!

Thanks for stopping by to visit friend!  I hope to see you again soon!!

Blessings,
Mary

Puppy Dog Blues

*Our little puppy batman passed away yesterday.  My sweet little one is taking it very hard, as he was her first little pet.  Please keep her in your prayers and thoughts.*

How appropriate that today's little card would then be a praying for you card.  It goes along with the Sweet Stop Sketches Challenge this week (SSS213).

This little monkey fits in the color challenge over at The PlayDate Cafe (#184), the card makin momas challenge to use rubber stamps, as well as the sketch challenge at freshly made sketches (missed that deadline in all this chaos)!

And lastly, a little sweet sketch Wednesday (208) to wrap things up.

At this point, I honestly can't remember what challenges these cards even go to - I know, how awful is that...  

Monday Monday

Good Morning and Happy Monday!  I hope today is the beginning of a week filled with nothing but blessings from our Heavenly Father just for you!  Although we are starting the week off on a rainy note here in the little corner of the world we call home, we are so blessed - for God knows just what we need.
First up this week, for CAS(E) this sketch, is this little number.  I also decided to try to make it a little on the masculine side and combine it with the challenge over at Really Reasonable Ribbon to use ribbon on a masculine project.  Isn't this owl ribbon just too cute!  After making it, I couldn't believe I hadn't used any stamps on this card, but I'm still tickled with how it turned out, so I didn't go back and add anything!

Next is my take on the current SCS sketch challenge (438).  I decided to combine it with a little Fab n Funky (173) to throw in the girly side of things and Card Makin Mommas (CMM70) and used a good ole rubber stamp from TE.

Later this week I'll *hopefully*have some scrapbooking uploaded to here!  The weather has just not been too cooperative for nice sunlight pictures!

Have a happy Monday!
Blessings,
Mary