Red Velvet Art and Some News!

This print by Elsie Flanagan says it all!!!!!

So much so that I HAD to order it in celebration of my "new life"! Some of you know I took a layoff from my insurance job last month after almost 10 years due to the office relocating. I wasn't upset about it, it seemed like the right time in my life for a change. I didn't know how many changes would be going on until a week ago when I walked into my local scrapbook store, the Scrapbook Cafe, to say goodbye to the owner who is moving to England.

We got to talking and when I told her I wasn't working the wheels started turning for both of us! I left there 2 hours later and went straight to my sister's to discuss my "dream" with her. We were in the car within an hour and back there to talk to Angela. That was last Monday. Today I was there organizing the store and moving things around and if things go as planned, I will be a partner in this store very soon.

I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS IS HAPPENING!!!!! Never in a million years did I think I would be doing something that I love so much and have a true passion for as "work", as my JOB! I should know for sure in the next few weeks, but was too excited not to share!

Thanks for stopping by and letting me share my news...I couldn't be happier right now :) Keep your fingers crossed!
xx, Nora Anne

***Edited to say, I hope Elsie doesn't mind me sharing her print here. I was too excited to think of that when I wrote this!***

A Mini Makeover

for my bathroom, not for me! LOL! Although, I could seriously use one right now! Feeling a little blah about my appearance these days, I really need to get back into a healthier lifestyle including more veggies, fruit and exercise for sure. I do feel like I am getting a little bit of mojo back though, which is good. I am feeling motivated to get things done around the house. I went to Target today and bought a new shower curtain, shower curtain hooks and a rug. Eventually we want to gut this bathroom and re-do it completely. It is small so it won't be a huge project, but for now I just felt like I needed to brighten it up a bit. So, brighten it up, I did, with some stripes and polka dots! It's a little juvenile looking maybe, but it's bright and cheery for the summer and was only an investment of about $35.00. When my son saw it, it put a smile on his face too, so that means it is a success!

On to something crafty! I made this card using the Always Remember stamp set I recently got from my Close To My Heart consultant.

I used DP from Pink Paislee and my Swiss Dots Embossing Folder that I LOVE! I use this one all the time! The flowers are from Michaels in the floral department.

Thanks for stopping by!
xx, Nora Anne

Victoria Case Beefcake & Some Modern Sugar Blvd.

A few more cards to share.....

I made these for co-workers prior to leaving my job last month. This first card uses Victoria Case's "Beefcake" digital image. When I saw this I knew I had to make a card for a guy I worked with because the image reminded me so much of him (yes I was lucky enough to work with someone that looked like this and was SUPER nice at the same time, which made him even more attractive!) Okay so he didn't look exactly like this, but close enough, maybe better!

The background image on this one is from Charmed Cards & Crafts and of course the "Beefcake" digi image is from the talented Victoria Case! I had so much fun making this card! The sentiment and name of the bar are kind of a joke that we had with this young cutie we worked with!

For the next two I used the Belly Mama digi stamp from Modern Sugar Blvd. This has to be one of my FAVORITES!!! I just love it :) and all of the men in my office had a crush on her when they saw these cards, too funny! They thought she was very sexy! For both cards I used paper from "Just Chillin" a Making Memories 8 x 8 paper pad that I got at Michael's. I made the brunette card first, then I RUSHED a few days later to do the blonde. I did a much better job coloring the brunette, I think. I still have a lot to learn with Copics!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far!

Hugs! Nora Anne

Happy Father's Day and Some Cards I've Made

Happy Father's Day to all you Daddies out there! Here in New Jersey we saw the sun for a short time today, but the rain is back! Since my office moved and I took a voluntary layoff 3 weeks ago, it has not stopped raining. If I was stuck in an office wearing an uncomfortable suit, pantyhose and high heels, I'm sure the sun would be shining, ha! But that's okay, although I haven't accomplished much around my house in the way of cleaning and organizing, I have made the time for some cardmaking! Here are a few recent ones to share :) Thanks for looking!

The first one is made with the Sugar Nellie Daydreamer stamp from Funky Kits. I used Stampin Up cardstock and DP along with my Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder (love this one!!!)

On the second card I used a Memory Box perched chick stamp! Too cute :) I paperpieced the bird and branches and then mounted it on to Kraft cardstock from Stampin' Up that was cut with my scalloped oval Nestabilities.

The red and black card was made with the I Love To Shop Digi Stamp from Modern Sugar Blvd.

I've been having some fun with several of their stamps recently! I'll post some more later!

The last card is Lily at the Beach from Pink Cat Studio. I love these little cuties, I just bought the Sporty Billy set too, but haven't had a chance to play with them yet! I was turned on to Pink Cat Studio from following Lauren Meader's blog. She is a designer for them and I had never heard of them until I discovered her blog.

So that's all for now! I have some more to share later but must get going now and take care of my little 3 year old! He is so excited to be 3 now! He is doing great with potty training and is so proud to be a "big boy"! It's so much fun but sad for me too to see my baby growing up so quickly! TREASURE EVERY MOMENT! ! ! !

Are You YARTING?!!

Yard + Art = YART!

Make sure you check out Etsy's Second Annual Yart Sale going on until this Sunday! I have a special Yart Sale Shoppe Section where all items are marked at 50% off. Here is a sample of some items I have listed :)

There are so many GREAT talented artists on Etsy, and many of them are participating in the Yart Sale this year, so stop on over and check em all out!

Hello Blog World! There's A Yart Sale Coming To Town!

Wow! It's been ages since I blogged. Life has been crazy, but I am settling in to my new life as a "temporary" SAHM! I am officially unemployed as of 5/29/09 and am loving it! A lot has been going on, my sister has been having some pretty scary health issues, so the timing has been great as far as me not working because I have been able to help her out in the past week much more than I would have if I was working.

So, I decided to participate in the Second Annual YART SALE sponsored by Team ESST~Wednesday, June 10th-Sunday June 14th. I will have a selection of items in my "Yart Sale Shoppe" on sale for 50% off. This is my first time participating in anything like this on Etsy so I am pretty excited :) Make sure you stop by and see me over at Etsy.