Hey! I designed my own template!

Did you notice my blog's new makeover?  Yesterday I woke up and decided to try and make my own template.  After neglecting my boyfriend and dog all day and skipping lunch, I accomplished my goal!

I started with a blank canvas in Photoshop and used free stock images, Pantones and other junk to create the images.  Then I applied it to my blog with HTML and CSS.  Wow!  I didn't know I could do that! I'm a complete idiot when it comes to Photoshop and coding, so I just kept googling what to do next.  Lol.

I'm really proud, although there are still some kinks to work out with the way the background is tiling.  What do you think?

--CC

EDIT:  I looked at the layout on my boyfriend's computer to make sure it worked right at different resolutions, and I noticed the fonts weren't showing up on his screen.  I don't know if it's just his computer or if I have a problem.  If you could tell me what your fonts look like that would really help!  Thanks! :)

Pardon our Dust

Hey everyone!  Just wanted to let you know I'm working on my blog layout so it may look a little weird until I get it all finished!  Hope you don't mind. :)

New Series: Weekend Workdays

As you know, recently we moved into a house.  I was sold on the house because of the screened in patio...

...and the fenced in backyard for our dog.

Sure, the backyard looked like it needed a little work, but I figured it might be fun to do some gardening.

Little did I know the backyard was a complete jungle.  A JUNGLE.  Yes, it's so bad it was necessary for me to use all caps, italics and bolding.  That's how bad it is.  Don't believe me?  Click "read more" for the proof.

Handmade Thank You Cards

I'm finally back online!  And, boy, am I glad.  I've really missed connecting with all you other crafters out there.  But just a heads-up, still expect my posts to be slow going.  I'm still in the process of unpacking from the move, plus now I'm in full force job hunt/interview mode.  So sorry if I remain scarce! 

Nonetheless, today I thought I'd share a few thank-you cards I made recently.  When we got back from our trip to Missouri, I owed a few people my gratefulness.  I think handcrafted cards go the extra mile in showing gratitude and thoughtfulness.  Added bonus: handmade thank you cards are perfect for a tight budget!

So, first, I needed to send a thank you card to my grandpa for showing us lovely hospitality when we stayed with him for part of our visit.  Green, blue and yellow were my inspiration for this card because when I think of my grandpa I think of the sky, the sun and helping him in his flourishing, green garden.  So I came up with this card:

Next up I needed to send my mom a thank you card for being the best ever.  (Have I mentioned she came all the way to Florida from Missouri to drive the moving truck for us?  Or that she loaned me a bunch of money to help me finish my last semester of school and get started in my new career?  Seriously, I couldn't be more thankful for having such a supportive mom!) 

Anyway, I used a similar layout and inspiration on my mom's card.  My mom always calls purple her "signature" color, and, like my grandpa (her dad), she loves some time in her garden.  So I gathered some purple supplies I already had on hand and some garden-y elements and whipped up this card for her:

Now, I've never claimed to be the best scrapbooker.  In fact, I think of myself as pretty lousy when it comes to scrapbooking.  I just get so overwhelmed by all the pretty things I could put on the page!  But I do think these cards turned out pretty well, don't you?

And I even went as far as to upcylcle some envelopes out of old paper grocery bags.

See how there are three envelopes here but I've only shown you two cards?  That's 'cause one of them stunk!

I got a little creative and left the printed side facing out on my mom's.  I think it gives it a little extra bit of individuality and cuteness.

That's all I have ready for you right now, but I've got some more posts lined up for you if I can just pull them together.  So stay tuned!

Until next time, happy crafting!

--CC

Still in Missouri

Hello, blogland!  Just popping in to let you know I'm still in Missouri.  I've been having a good time visiting with my family, from going to the park in 97 degree weather with my 2-year-old niece and step-sister to shopping and lunch in the city with my mom.

On Monday I went to Johnson Shut-ins State Park with my mom and dad.  The park's trail runs along the rocky riverbed that runs through a mountain, and most people use the park to climb around in the river rocks and explore the different pools and waterfalls.

It's really slick and kind of scary climbing around.  I thought I was going to slip and hit my head, and I almost washed away down the river one time!

But, all in all, the park was really beautiful and we had a good time...
 

...especially making fun of the emergency preparedness signs.

We had to take this picture to show my Floridian friends what the "beach" is like in Missouri.  Sidenote:  This sign failed to mention the "condition" that sometimes the water is suddenly 40 feet deep.  Who knew?

Like running 200 steps up a hill is going to save you if the dam breaks.  The dam broke when I was a kid and devastated the area so much that the park was closed for 2 years.  Thanks for trying, I guess?

We'll be heading down to farmland in Portageville, MO to spend some time with my grandpa and step-grandma on Friday, then it's back home to Florida on Saturday!  Hopefully we'll get settled in and get the internet back on so I can get back to crafting! 

Again, my apologies for the extended blogging break (or at least the extended crafting break...).  You'll be glad to hear I have had a few tutorial ideas during my absence.  I hope all is well with you!  Happy crafting!

--CC

P.S. I can tell this post is poorly written, but can't figure out how to fix it seeing as it's one o'clock in the morning and it's about a bajillion degrees in the room I'm writing from.  Sorry! :)

Internetless

Hi guys!

I just wanted to check in with you.  We finally moved last week!  I was going a little crazy from all the packing...

This picture makes me look so weird, but I'm posting it anyway.

 Ahem.  But finally the day came!

By the way, it was POURING rain on moving day.  I'm talking urban flood warning.  Ugh.  And we had to move a cat and a dog.  This poor baby got wet and cried when we took her out to the truck.  Awww!

My mom came down to help us move.

She would love me for sharing this picture.

She flew in and drove the big moving truck for us, so this week we drove her back up to Missouri and are staying for a week to visit with family.  Since I'm out of town for the week and we haven't had the internet hooked up at the new house yet (or finished unpacking for that matter), I think it's safe to say you won't be hearing from me for awhile.  Sorry about that!

I hope you're doing well.  I can't wait for us to catch up!  I really miss crafting and blogging.

Until next time, happy crafting!

--CC

My Mom's $1 Flower Arrangement

My mom sent me a picture of a craft project of hers the other day.  She was proud and wanted me to show it off for her, so here you have it:

She got the flower pail from a yardsale for $1 and the silk flowers for $6 from a dollar store with a gift card she had.  So, essentially, she spent $1 to make the whole arrangement!  Way to go, Mom!

At least someone's crafting, even if I'm not.  (Just two days until the move.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!)  How about you?  What have you made lately?

If I don't post again for awhile, just know that it's because I've moved and I don't have any internet yet!  Until next time, happy crafting!

--CC