Tuesday, September 30, 2008

09.30.2008 Job Update

A little update on the job front. Nothing, nada, zip, zilch, zero. Nothing to report, period. I have several applications still alive out there but no calls for interviews. Kind of disappointing. Kind of disheartening. I do still have hope. I told myself that I would give it a 100 applications or a year before I would get a job. It is getting close to a year from my first application submission. I have four months left. I don't know how close to 100 applications I am. I have been meaning to make a list and report here of all the locations I have submitted. That has yet to be done. I haven't submitted 100 but probably 50 or 60. Maybe.

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Friday, September 26, 2008

09.26.2008 Vacay!

Guess who is on a little day of vacation today? Me! Yay! A mental health day is so needed right now. Due to our business, we don't take any days of leave in October, Novembe, and December. So this was really my last chance to take a day for myself. And it is just as hard to take a day of leave as it would be a week. A week? Impossible. Nothing planned today. Well I would like to get a few things done. Right now I am contemplating a shower then to town for lunch and groceries. If that is accomplished then I am a success. If I get the bathroom cleaned, living room picked up, and the floors swept and mopped... OMG! I would be like Oprah... a serious overachiever. We'll shall see what this day holds for me...

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Thursday, September 25, 2008

09.25.2008 Project Runway

Please explain to me how this woman is still on Project Runway after last night. Anyone? Hello. Seriously, if Kenley makes it to the final three then this will be my last season of watching Project Runway. Maybe. At the start of the season, I loved Kenley. But now that attitude of hers makes her a very ugly contestant. Not that Suede didn't need to go but he could've gone next week to make way for Kenley's departure last night. Seriously.

However I will predict that this talented and gorgeous woman WILL win this season's Project Runway. She has been robbed on too many challenges where she should've won. Finally she won last night and will be vindicated by winning the whole thing!


Auf Wiedersehen!

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Wednesday, September 24, 2008

09.24.2008 Whatever, Martha!

Have you seen this show? It is hilarious. My mom was telling me about it last week and I almost couldn't believe it. The gist of it is that the two hosts take old episodes of Martha Stewart shows and basically rip Martha apart. They make fun of her, what she is wearing, the the ridiculousness of being Martha. Now get this. The two hosts are Alexis Stewart and her friend. BTW, Alexis Stewart is Martha's daughter. Her daughter! This is the funniest show on TV right now. Hilarious!

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

09.23.2008 Birthday wishes!

Happy Birthday to my friend Minica! Have a great celebration!

Now to tell you the story of Minica. Minica and my sister Nikki started as great friends during Junior High... I think. We all palled around. Then we moved to Texas. Kept in touch for a little while then of course lost touch. Then a good 20 years later I get a phone call at work... say about 6 or so months ago. The conversation goes a little like this...

Caller: Is this Kim?
Me: Yes.
Caller: This is Minica from Colorado. Remember me?
Me: Of course.

Okay maybe this isn't exactly how the conversation went... Needless to say I am so glad that we have renewed our friendship after all these years. While I may not have been a good friend then, I do all I can to be a good friend now. We play phone tag more often then we actually speak to each other. My hope is that I express to Min how much I value our friendship now.

Happy birthday friend.

(P.S. I did steal Min's picture from her Facebook site so I hope she doesn't mind!)

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Monday, September 22, 2008

09.22.2008 Sew is go!

I did it. I actually sewed a little yesterday. I traced and sewed three sets of three icicle snowman ornaments. Eight of the nine ornaments are stuffed. I sewed the four dolls I previously traced. No stuffing yet. Will work more on the sewing tonight. BTW, the sewing almost didn't happen. I was setting up my sewing machine when I noticed the feeder foot (or whatever it is called) was gone. There was no way I was going to find it... luckily I was able to dig out my other sewing machine and use that foot... I can't use the back-up sewing machine until I find the electric cord for it... which is still packed away somewhere in the house. So between two sewing machines, I was set to sew!

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Sunday, September 21, 2008

09.21.2008 Sewing

Today is the day... I am going to sew. I have four dolls already traced and ready for sewing. I am also going to trace out some holiday ornaments to sew. I won't be able to finish anything today completely... as I don't have any instant coffee. Instant coffee is needed to stain the dolls/ornaments to make them more primitive. I was going to get groceries on Friday after work but after I ran some errands I was a little tired. So the coffee will have to be purchased another day... then I will be able to finish the dolls/ornaments and post pictures. I will try to get as far as I can today to finish without the coffee. Wish me luck! I hope to have pictures posted this week of some finished products.

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Thursday, September 18, 2008

09.19.2008 Ebay (Again)

Look at another of my fabulous Ebay finds for my dolls. This vintage bed is perfect... well not perfect because is does have some rust, the mattress has some spots, and it is missing casters. Other than that it is perfect. Quite wonderful in fact. And about twice the size I expected it to be. Yes I read the dimensions and invisioned them in my head. Only my head thought it was about half the size. I am in love... with a doll bed!

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09.18.2008 Headache

Nothing to post about except for a headache that I can't get rid of.... sinus headache. Nice. I will say that I traced four dolls and cut out their clothes. Along with that I removed about 7 armfuls of scrap crap from my room in an attempt to organize. (I have to start organizing my scrap room by first emptying it into another room so I can get where I can move around. Once empty, then I can organize what remains, and then begin to bring back the crap to organize.) Is it Friday yet?

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

09.17.2008 Favorite TV Shows

Sons of Anarchy on FX has got to be my favorite new TV show of the fall season. That and True Blood on HBO (but then again I love the books that this series is based on by Charlaine Harris. Definately worth reading!) And to round out my top 3 list of favorite TV shows is Entourage. I keep trying to think at what point did I stop watching regular network TV. There isn't a show on regular network television that I follow anymore. I was watching Desparate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy but don't follow anymore... although I will watch an episode here and there and be completely lost! While I am addicted to TV... there isn't a point where the TV isn't on when I am home... but I don't really watch it. I spend more time changing the channels trying to find something to watch. I also like the noise of the TV in the background when I am doing other things even reading. Not so much when I am napping but then I usually just turn the volume down real low so I can barely hear it.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

09.16.2008 Ebay Find

Look at this wonderful find I bought off Ebay. Okay it looks much much better in person than in the picture. It was described as "Footed Antique Wooden Dough Bowl Cir. 1920-1940's RED" and I think it is delish! It wasn't that expensive either if I don't count the shipping. The shipping was a little high but it was delivered via UPS. I really bought this as a display piece for the dolls I plan on making... either in pictures so I can sell the dolls online or in a booth display. Even if it doesn't get used for the dolls, it will make a wonderful addition to my home.

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09.16.2008 Crafty Art

I am considering signing up for this show. The poster alone makes me want to attend. I found out about this show from this blog. If nothing else, this show will make me make my dolls that I have been talking about now for a little longer than forever. Now I just need to work on my dolls and get my mom and sister working on something so we can submit out application next week. Yes next week. But it is about 3 months to the actual show date so that should be plenty of time to actually make enough stuff for a good show. Wish me luck!

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Monday, September 15, 2008

09.15.2008 Burn After Reading

My mom and I went to see Burn After Reading yesterday. It was an enjoyable movie. Not the greatest but certainly not the worst. Just another nutty movie by the Coen brothers. You know Brad Pitt has to be a great actor when he can be so unattractive in a movie part as hot as he is in real life... or as hot as I imagine he is IRL.

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

09.13.2008 Hurricane Ike

Yes I am quite aware that I haven't posted in quite awhile. Two reasons. Not necessarily valid reasons but two reasons nonetheless. First. My internet at home has been out for several weeks. Just on a lark I turned on my computer today to try my internet thinking it wouldn't work especially the afternoon after Hurricane Ike. Maybe Ike put the right mojo on it because my internet is working like a charm today. My internet goes out randomly after storms... so who would've thunk it. Second. I really haven't had anything to post of interest lately. Needless to say, another boring post coming your way...

I have survived Hurricane Ike. I believe this is the closest I have been to a hurricane. I have been extremely nervous the past couple of days in anticipation of Ike. Nervous to the point of giddiness.... seriously good mood at work. So much so that my mom even make a comment. I told her maybe we need to have a hurricane come through more often. So I went to the obligatory grocery store run on Thursday at noon. I really didn't know what to buy considering I counted on a power outage at the least. So what do I buy that will survive without refrigeration that I can survive on for a few days. I bought what I wanted be damned with the refrigeration. The store was busy but checkout was quick. Lucky for me the power did not go out. We did get some high winds and a lot of rain. The winds did bring down alot of limbs, big and small. About three big limbs fell down in my yard. Luckily the dogs have a ginormous doghouse to hide in. I kept Baby, Sugar, Pearl, and Peanut (who is normally an outside dog) in the house overnight. Baby, Sugar, and Pearl are always in overnight but I wanted to bring in Peanut too. Except for the three dogs (Blackie, Cowboy, and Curlie Sue) that I keep in my yard and the four in my house, all the other dogs stayed inside at the warehouse. I got a little cabin fever today and took a ride around the property around noon. One tree was snapped in half and one Horse Apple tree was uprooted. Other than that the lake filled up quite a bit and again there were tree limbs, big and small, down all over the property. Keep in mind my parents have 755 acres with plenty of old, old, old Pecan and Oak trees plus plenty of other trees that I cannot name. Other than losing power, one of my biggest fears was the big trees in my yard toppling onto the house. For the reason, I slept on the couch with Baby. The biggest tree in the yard is very close to my bedroom and I couldn't chance it. Not that I got much sleep last night over worry and the uncomfortable sleeping arrangements on the couch with Baby. I don't know how a four pound dog can make sleeping on the couch an uncomfortable situation but she does. We made it through... now just to survive all the standing water and mud. Yuck! I hope the power is restored quickly for those in Houston and the surrounding areas. Estimates are over 2 million CenterPoint Energy customers are without power and no telling how long it could take to restore it due to all the debris and downed trees.

I have taken a break with the papercrafting. I have been working on reorganizing my {s}crap room once again. I think scrapbookers spend as much time organizing and re-organizing as they do on the actual crafting. I have great new plans to make my room workable plus I want to start sewing again. I think I said I was going to start sewing again over a year ago but this time I am serious. I bought several new patterns but the best have to be from Raggedy Old Annies. I was so excited to see one of the new patterns Nicole posted was of a finished that I bought from her... one I would love to make. So not only did I buy that pattern but I bought all four of the new patterns plus I got one free... a great deal she is offering. If you are into sewing, I highly recommend Raggedy Old Annies... they are too cute!

Nothing new on the job front. I continue to submit applications... and continue to get frustrated. I know it isn't because I am not qualified or my application doesn't look good... there is just a lot of competition out there. And I know it helps if you know someone... which I really don't. I did apply for another position in El Paso as well as College Station that I am waiting to hear results and see if I get called for an interview. Other than that not much else to report.

I don't know if I have seen any movies other than Death Race since my last post... Death Race was the greatest bloody, deathly, action movie I have seen in a long time. E asked me if I thought it was better than Jason Bourne and I responded by saying it would give Jason Bourne a run for his money. It was a fantastic movie that kept me on the edge of my seat. At the climax of one action packed scene, I actually said seriously outloud in the theatre "What?" when it was done. Exciting... so exciting that I will definately invest in the DVD when it is released!

Sugar is on pills to cure her incontinence for the rest of her life. When she first got on the pills she was out of it and sleeping alot... a real change in her personality. Then she got aggressive. She has always been a bossy dog and bullies everyone but now she is more aggressive. Not a good change but we are dealing with it.

I guess that is all I have to report. Maybe I can get a picture or two of the results of Ike posted. Maybe.

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Friday, August 15, 2008

08.15.2008 BFFF

Loserville continues. Let me update you on my life lately.

1. My car dies. Cannot start for the life of me. Battery dead. Battery charged. Battery lives a short while. Run errands. See movie. Battery dead again. Call AAA. Charge battery long enough to get home. Ask stepdad to change new battery that I bought earlier in day but stepdad said to see if the old battery would charge itself up again. Not.
2. Run errands and stop for groceries. See one tire it separated and almost gone. Drive to Discount Tire for a new set of tires.
3. Discover a leak in the main water line that goes into the house. E spends all afternoon of the one day he came to visit trying to fix water line. Could not fix. No water overnight. Shower at work. Water leak fixed next day.

So you would think that all of this would get me down. And you know what... it didn't really. Granted I didn't have the money for any of this but I guess I will survive.

On a positive note. I did see Pineapple Express. Over-the-top hilarity that you can expect from Rogen/Apatow, etc. I love their phrase, BFFF. Best fuckin' friends forever!

I had a job interview on Wednesday for a local position. I think the interview went great. This same agency also posted another position that is more of my expertise that I will also be applying for.

I went to see Tropic Thunder on Wednesday. Another over-the-top hilarity movie that I truly enjoyed. It was really funny in a cheesy jokey way.

Right now I am doing pretty good. Just ate a delicious lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup. The standard combo. What made it even better was that my mom made it. Yes you can never be too old to have your mom cook you lunch and as a 40-year old I can testify to that.

I appreciate my car even more now that she is almost new again with a new battery and tires as well as a car wash and detailing. My house was clean last weekend which also made me feel pretty good... not so clean this weekend however. My outfit was cute for my interview especially the new shoes that are a little too big and my new purse.

For some reason, even with the car issues, my life is going a little too good right now. I would really hate to look a gift horse in the mouth. Things are perfect by any means but I am feeling pretty good about life. Period.



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Wednesday, August 06, 2008

08.06.2008 Thug Life


I am definately going to see this movie this weekend.

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Friday, August 01, 2008

08.01.2008 Loserville

It is official. I am a loser. I can't get a new job to save my life. Yes, I am extremely grateful that I have my current job. I am extremely grateful that I can pay my bills. I am extremely grateful that I am in relatively good health... relatively. But it doesn't mean that I don't feel like a loser. It doesn't mean that I feel like my life is in the crapper. It doesn't mean that I can't get depressed. You guessed it. I didn't get the job in Winston-Salem. I know it really doesn't say anything about me or about the employee that I know I am. It still doesn't make me feel any better. I do have another job interview scheduled for mid-month. And get this. It is for a position right here in town. I wouldn't even have to move. And it is with a very interesting agency. So we'll see. If I don't get this, I need to get my ass working on more applications. Because I think this is probably the last one that I am a contender for. All others I haven't even made the best qualified list or wasn't even considered besides the ones that I have interviewed for. So I have another pity party scheduled for me this weekend... which really doesn't help the pigsty I am residing in. I so haven't felt like doing any housework for several weeks now. I seriously need to quit feeling sorry for myself and get my ass cleaning some house. That is a hard task to accept let alone accomplish. But I am thinking this is the weekend. Maybe.

I saw Swing Vote this evening. It was a cute movie with a great message. Kind of moving. And it doesn't help with Kevin Costner smeared all over the screen looking a little rough. He looks like he stinks... and I am sure he does. I would totally recommend seeing this movie. Cute.

And for those that have asked about the turkey/brie/nectarine sandwich. Let me say that it was okay. I really thought it was going to be something... but in the end is was just okay. Not to say I wouldn't make it again but I would have to add something. Maybe bigger slices of nectarine to get more of the sweetness. Maybe a different dressing. Maybe different bread. It definately needed something else to give it a wow factor but I can't really say what that something is.

Tomorrow my mom and I are off early to a couple of monthly trade days in the area. We have never been to either of them and it is going to be one helluva hot day. That is why we are getting an early start.

For now, goodnight.

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Saturday, July 26, 2008

07.26.2008 Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's 58th birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! I got her these cute handmade ATC cards with cats on them. Then I framed them with a bright background. I thought it turned out pretty nice. My mom is a hard person to buy gifts for. She doesn't have a need or want for anything. I know if it something related to a cat I am safe.

I just got back from the grocery store. I cannot believe how much I spent and how little I came home with. What can you say, the price of gas effects everything related to retail prices. Of course it didn't help that I had to buy some cleaning supplies... and you know how much that can add on to the final bill. I did pick up some great chicken sausage that HEB sells with poblanos and cheese in the sausage. This sausage is the shit!

I also got some turkey lunchmeat, brie, and nectarines to make a sandwich from a recipe in Real Simple. The recipe sounds delish as well as fresh and new. So I thought I would give it a try. Here is the recipe in case you are interested:


Open-Face Turkey, Brie, and Nectarine Sandwiches with Arugula Salad


2 tablespoons honey mustard
4 thick slices crusty bread
3/4 pound thinly sliced roasted turkey breast
2 nectarines, pitted and thinly sliced
6 ounces Brie, sliced
Kosher salt and pepper
2 bunches arugula or one 5-ounce package
1/2 small sweet onion (such as Vidalia), thinly sliced
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Spread the honey mustard evenly over the bread. Top with the turkey, nectarine slices, and Brie. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

In a large bowl, toss the arugula, onion, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve with the sandwiches.

Upgrade: Adding fruit is a delicious and easy way to spruce up almost any sandwich with cheese. Some more great pairings: plums and Parmesan, apples and Cheddar, pears and blue cheese, and figs and goat cheese.


Yield: Makes 4 servings

CALORIES 467 (41% from fat); FAT 22g (sat 8g); CHOLESTEROL 81mg; CARBOHYDRATE 40g; SODIUM 1672mg; PROTEIN 32g; FIBER 4g; SUGAR 14g

Real Simple, JULY 2008

Not much new going on. Still haven't really cleaned house like I should and still haven't started to purge stuff from my household like I should. I keep trying to trick myself into doing both. I consider that I am going to get this job and that means I would have to report in a minimum of four weeks. But then it starts to scare my that there is no way I could get my house packed and ready to move in a month. In reality that is exactly what will have to happen if I get this job and if I were to start today. If I wait until I actually get the job and they want me to report with a two week notice at my current job... then I am shit out of luck!

And on that note, obviously I haven't heard anything on the job in Winston-Salem yet. I did have to tell E that his New Orleans Saints will be playing the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte in October. Charlotte is about an hour and a half from Winston-Salem. And E has never been to a Saints game ever, period. It would be so cool for him to be able to see his beloved Saints in person. I would love to give him that opportunity. Well there are plenty more reasons I would love this Winston-Salem job... that is just one.

All the dogs are doing well... except Pearl is driving me crazy! Crazy!

I have been in a serious nesting mode lately. It really isn't that strange... because all I really want to do is laze around in bed and read but I have really been doing nothing but napping and reading lately. I need to get some energy and will power and fast. My stinky, dirty house can't take it anymore.

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Saturday, July 19, 2008

07.19.2008 No News Is Good News?

I really don't have anything new to report. But I thought I needed to update my blog since it has been forever...

No news on the job front, still. Interviewed for the position in El Paso. The interview went great. However, there were two gentlemen up for the job that were currently doing the job that were being considered over me. While I am greatly disappointed, I completely understand. However, there looks to be another vacancy coming in El Paso that is really in my line of expertise... so it is a waiting game for it to be announced so I can apply.

Right after I interviewed for the El Paso position, I received another invitation to interview for a position in Winston-Salem, NC. I did a telephone interview for this position this past Thursday. Again, I think the interview went great. The two people interviewing me were really easy to talk to and hopefully I didn't sound too stupid on their end. They said a final decision would be made in the next 2-3 weeks. Definately got my fingers crossed for this one. I have been doing some internet research on Winston-Salem and it really seems like a great place. I don't think I have ever visited that state before so it would be a new adventure to discover. While they do have a state income tax (which I am not used to in Texas) it seems like the rents are extremely reasonable for something I would be interested in.

Sugar, my white Boxer, has been having some issues. She apparently is leaking juice from her vagina. It doesn't appear to be urine but... So I have already taken her to the vet twice with this issue. And believe me it is a lot of juice, not just a few drops. Both times they have prescribed antibiotics thinking it is an infection of some kind. While the antibiotics did help, it didn't totally cure this issue. So I took Sugar to the vet for a third diagnosis. This time they actually took a urine sample and sent it to Texas A & M for further study. Well it comes back that she indeed has incontinence. Now she has been prescribed a pill that she has to take twice a day for the rest of her life. Sugar is a young dog too... approximately 3 years old. Approximately because as you know she is a found dog... or rather she found us. Anyways, I gave her the first pill last night. Within two hours she had barfed all over the house and I DO MEAN ALL OVER. She completely emptied her stomach. It took a whole roll of paper towels to clean up the mess. I really felt bad for her. I had to give her another pill this morning after calling the vet to see if these two events are related. The vet confirmed it could be with a new medicine. I knew Sugar was sick when she was asleep on the couch with two bones resting by her head. Sugar has a serious dog bone problem. Meaning she is truly addicted. She jones' for them on a regular basis. Luckily she didn't get sick with the second pill. Hopefully it gets better.

Blackie is another dog of ours that has been sick. I let Blackie out of the yard on Sunday for several hours. When I got his yard-mates, Cowboy and Curly Sue, back in the yard I couldn't find Blackie. I called and called with no response. He was still missing on Monday morning. When I got to work, I sent one of the warehouse guys to go look for him. He came back saying Black was in the yard. This means he was in the yard the whole time no responding to me. Monday night still no response. Tuesday I asked my mom to go look at Blackie when she got back from her day-trip. She didn't feel comfortable waiting until she got back that evening so we sent my step-dad over to look at Blackie. After two lectures, he told me that Blackie had a big wound on his side. So I called the vet and took Blackie immediately in. I left him there all day. When I went to pick him up they reported he had been in a fight or attacked by another dog. His wound was gross. Needless to say they cleaned him up and send him home with a drain in his wounds and meds. So now Blackie is a house dog. And he is loving it. I am trying to keep him kind of confined so he can heal without getting dirt and other junk in his wounds. He has a room all to himself with a pallet to lay on. His own food and water as well as a fan. The room doesn't get as much air from the A/C as the rest of the house so I put a fan in there just for him. He is getting better. I took him back for a check-up yesterday and the vet says it is getting better but they didn't take out the drain as expected. Brought home more medicine and will take him back on Tuesday. Now for the fun part... I get to start hydro-therapy. This is where you take the garden house and attempt to wash out the wound. I haven't tried this on a couple other dogs of ours and they did not like it. I definately to not feel like attempting this with Black. Hopefully it goes well.

Tomorrow Nikki is coming through town on her way to Houston. Our plan is to see Mamma Mia. At first I totally wasn't in to seeing this movie but the more (and more and more and more... I know you have seen the overkill on the trailers) I see the trailers the more I want to see the movie. I will let you know my review.

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Thursday, June 26, 2008

06.26.2008 Cards

So I haven't really uploaded anything scrappy lately... not that there has really been anything to upload. I haven't done too many scrappy things since the beginning of the year after I resigned/completed my Design Team terms. Here are some cards that I made this weekend at an all-day crop I attended on Saturday. The cards are made with the Black Orchid line by SEI from Michael's. I love SEI and I seriously love this line.



I made these cards awhile back. Isn't this birdy line adorable. Sorry can't even think of what brand it is right now. The last two cards are smaller cards sized 3x3.


Enjoy!

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