2sketches4you, Kazan's #23, "you light up my life..." + BIRTHDAY!

woohoo! i got to play with Kazan's sketch over at 2sketches4you. i LOVE looking at the incredible talent, getting ideas for my own cards, and of course, playing along! this time i decided to use some of my favorite colors (to wear and use) RED + BLACK. i love this card that resulted from Kazan's sketch. sooo elegant, don't you think? i love the gems, the ribbon (i tied it so well, if i say so myself!), and the flowers too :) ah, i just <3>

but don't stop looking, there's more...

i LOVED this stamp, and actually i love all stamps with chandeliers :) i bought this one at Impress Rubber Stamps on Monday when i went to stamp with my co-worker and friend, Helene, from school. we teach a blended 8th grade special education class together during 3rd period and i'm SUPER blessed to get along with her so well. she always makes me laugh, and she's laid back so we don't get too fussy about anything. just what i need :) i got some stickles (pink that you see here, orange, and pearl) and the sentiment "you light up my life" (so sweet, right?) there as well, and i have to say, i really like this card. i used some oversize rick-rack for the ribbon, and left the edges frayed... i think it's cool :) i know that not everything's perfect, but that's what makes it special.

okay, so here's another card (i made this one AGES ago, like my previous post). i used the same sentiment as the previous card too, but it's so versatile i figured re-use wasn't hurting anyone. this is, yet again, a card made with Costco ribbon. it's flocked damask (or is it velvet? either way...) and i used it to wrap presents this year... they turned out so well! i really like this card, and it's actually one i started at Paulina's house during our last stamp session :) some of the poppies on this card are shiny (lacquered is the word?) and unfortunately the paper is DOUBLE sided (agh, how am i to choose which side to use? it's my ever-present dilemma).

and, you may have noticed that i have a card stand. i got that on Monday too, and it's SO AWESOME. i saw it and was like, "okay, gotta have it. don't care if it costs $20, i'm getting it." fortunately it was only $2, and it's getting a lot of use. tons easier to take photos with this handy-dandy stand. how do YOU take pictures of your cards? do you use a stand?

again, this is a card i used the damask stamp on, plus DeNami Designs "Greetings" stamp. i love the fact that it goes with just about any combo. (have you noticed that i "love" a lot of things lately? it might be the fact that i'm still on SPRING BREAK and it's having a positive impact on me. sure hope so :)

oh, and you've probably noticed that my blog post title mentioned "birthday"... and i'm so excited to tell you why. this year i asked for a Cricut Expression (from multiple givers, mind you), and yesterday & today my mom and i went shopping, found the best price, and bought one! :) *BIG SMILE* now i just have to wait a month until May 1st when i can actually open it up and use it! :) we also went cartridge shopping (just looking, though) and i found a couple of cartridges i'll probably want, but i was wondering... what's your ABSOLUTE FAVORITE cartridge and why?
i'm interested to know what you say, because i really want to get the most use out of whatever i buy... you know, not just using part of it. oh, part of the shopping process was to go to Costco (that's where we bought it... $279.99--best price around) and i got some more ribbon :) haha, i know you're saying... she doesn't need any, but it was too cute. red with white polka dots (grosgrain), zebra stripe (satin), and light blue with white stitching on the edge (grosgrain). 50 yds each spool, $6.99 a spool... can we say YUM!?

do you buy ribbon in bulk, or do you just get the little packs? what's your favorite ribbon?

ahh, i know this has been a long post, but you can probably tell i'm excited. seriously can't wait until my birthday. usually i feel like people forget it because it's the first of the month, and people aren't thinking ahead (i am NOT complaining, just my observations), but this year i'm so stoked :)

thanks so much for looking, and have a great day... i love reading your comments, and i'd LOVE to hear your answers to my plethora of questions! XOXO, take care!