Bippety-Boppety-Boo

This summer we went back to the States for a month. My husband and I are from different coasts, so we ended up spending our fair share of the time travelling via air or ground so we could see everyone.

Our flight from SFO to Orlando was delayed...by hours. Consequently, we ended up getting into Orlando at 10:30 pm. After getting our luggage and car, we finally got out of there around 11:30. We were craving Wendy's. I do realize this is wrong on many levels (eating after 8 pm, craving such healthy food options, etc), but we had been deprived of Wendy's for 2 years! So, remembering the brainwash of commercials that played 2 years previously, I said to my husband "many drive thru's are open until midnight or later!" I bet the Wendy's marketing team is pleased that after 2 years I still remember that...

As we are looking off the highway for any sign of life (ie: a Wendy's sign), we start torturing each other with the possibility that we will have to wait yet another day to clog our arteries, I mean fill our bellies, with yummy chicken nuggets.

It was then that my 6 year old pipes in with "Mom, don't worry! It is not midnight yet!" She says in a sweet, consoling tone.

"Really? How do you know that?"

"Mom," she says in a condescending tone, "you would have heard the clock strike midnight!"

Do you suppose my daughter has watched too many princess movies?

As it turns out, we were lucky that our car did not turn into a pumpkin while we were eating our chicken nuggets and fries! (By they way, they were awesome!!!!)

Stamp A Stack

Jill hosted a Stamp A Stack on Wednesday. I love these events because I can crank out a ton of cards in a few hours, I get to be creative with friends...and I get to go without the kids!

This event's theme was baby cards! It was a blast! We made 3 cards of each design in varying colors; I only took pics of one of each card, though. I love that Jill gives us the design and allows us some creative license when we throw it all together.

Card One:

Isn't this cute? I love how it looks like a read baby handprint! We did this card in Groovy Guava (shown), Soft Sky, and Apricot Appeal all with matching papers.

Card Two:

Love this one as well! These were monochromatic, but I made it a little different by stamping the saying in Close to Cocoa. We made these in Close to Cocoa (shown), Groovy Guava, and Soft Sky. They all have a cuttlebug embossed background in Swiss Dots.

Card Three:

The onesie card!! Ok, so this was my favorite! And they are soooo easy-peasy to make! We did these in white (shown), pink, and blue. We used the Wild For You stamp set with inks and markers. I just love how the giraffe came out! Unfortunately for me, I don't have this stamp set...yet!!! I must have it now! I enjoyed the direct to stamp marking technique. It is one that I kind of forgot about. BTW, do you like how the brads at the bottom are little buttons?

Card Four:

Last but surely not least was this 6x6 card. We made them in pink and blue as well. In fact, this card was completely monochromatic! I loved it but thought the animals might pop more with some color! I colored it with copics and I am happy with the end product!

Hope everyone is having a great long weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!

You Totally Rockabella, Dude!

When I saw this stamp, I knew I had to have her along with the sentiment! It is so perfect for a trendy thank you card! And I had already purchased the DCWV Rockstar mat stack...so it was meant to be...do you like how I justify my purchases? LOL

So, I needed some trendy thank yous for a couple of girls that did an awesome job putting on an event for our Spouses' Club. I immediately thought of my Rockabella and got to work! I pulled out my mat stack and this was the ONLY mat with a guitar on it! Some Rockstar mat pack! I mean, there is a lot of glitter and shine, but not-so-much Rockstar-ish, in my opinion. So, I was locked into this mat.

Lucky me, it matched up perfectly with Old Olive, Close to Cocoa and...my cardstock color of choice lately, Chocolate Chip (seriously, what is my deal with this color lately? I am stuck in a chocolate box! And I don't really think I want out...BTW, it is See's). I had a hard time with the gold...I wanted to pull it out and SU's was too muted, so I turned to my bright gold ribbon from...Wally World!

I stamped the bella, colored her with Copics, and matted her. I was tied to this layout due to the guitar. I wanted to showcase that element. When I had it all put together, I ran to SCS to see what others had done with the sentiment, because at that point it was not in the image portion. Much to my surprise, there are 2 other cards there extremely similar to mine! LOL Great minds think alike!! I guess you really cannot deviate too much from this layout due to the elements involved! Needless to say, this card will not go in my gallery there! I did like one lady's version, as she made a guitar pick to put the sentiment on! Too darn creative for me!!

Hope you enjoy my latest creation!

Stamps: Rockabella, Sentiment from Stampingbella.com
Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Copics to color
Paper: Chocloate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive (all SU), Georgia Pacific White
Accessories: Rhinestones, SU Chocloate Chip 5/8" ribbon, Wally World gold ribbon

Lisa, the "dude" is for you! LOL

First Impressions

So, we were on our way to school this morning for the beginning of the year "meet and greet". As we were driving, my 8 year old son asked me where we going.

"To school," I replied, "We get to meet your new teacher!"

"Mom", he said...dragging it out for dramatic effect, "I didn't have time to work on my first impression! They are very important, you know."

Carol's Pen Pal Challenge

The Challenge: Use a stamp set that has never seen ink.

This was a blast to create! I knew I wanted to use this set, so I took a look around SCS to see what others had done. The repetition stamping was an idea I obtained from other's work. I love how the horse looks with it!

Stamps: SU Wanted, Weathered

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark

Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Outlaw (all SU)

Embellishments: Hemp Twine, We R Memory Keepers Snap

Tools: Score-Pal, Crop-A-Dile, Mini-Glue Dots

Tinkle Little Star

My 3 year old is apparently allergic to the potty...

The aforementioned "allergy", we will call "potty resistancitis", only manifested after we went to Hiroshima for Spring break. See, culturally it is considered "rude" bathroom behavior here for other women to hear you tinkle in the ladies room. To remedy that situation, some of the pottys have music that plays when you sit down. (Incidentally, they also have a seat warmer which rocks in the winter!)

To be honest, we had not experienced a potty that serenaded you! Really, we have lived here for 2 years and *nada*...so when the toilet started in with a peaceful, albeit rather loud,-water-going-though-the-stream tune, it kinda of startled me as well. Well, my darling daughter freaked out.

I tried to sing Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Star (yes, tinkle...it is a potty song) over the sound of the flood water tune they had going to no avail. The damage was done. Or maybe it was just my singing...

It was the beginning of the end, really. So, here we are. 3 years, 1 month old...and she could care less about the potty. I wonder if she is just trying to get back at it for scaring her...or me for exposing her to my rendition of what William Hung must sound like singing children's songs.

Bottom line (no pun intended): in order to attend preschool, one must be fully potty trained. No pull ups. Ugh.

Well, I met a lady that just moved here...who teaches preschool in her home...and guess what? She will take her in Pull Ups! Oh My Gosh! I know, good times! Oh, and of course I am thrilled because she will get a good education as well! (I had to throw that in there so you don't think I am just trying to dump my kid off for a few hours a week...I would never mean that...not buying it, huh?)

And guess what else happened? The other kids' bus passes arrived today! It is official! I will have some "free time" this year!

T minus 3 days until school starts!

Battle Plans

My dear son came squealing into my little piece of heaven and solitude (aka the craft room) tonight.

"[my sister] just pulled my hair out! She pulled it out! I could hear it coming out of my head!"

Of course, right behind him comes his sister, protesting his comments. "No, no...well he did it first...like this" and proceeds to show me exactly "how" her brother grabbed a handful of hair and pulled it. (Not genius, I know...but she did not actually hurt herself!)

"Did you pull her hair first?", I asked.

"Well yeah, but it was a surprise attack, Mom", he replied as serious as could be, while clearly emphasizing the words surprise attack, as if they were the instrumental part of the battle plan.

Well then, if it was a surprise attack...carry on!

T minus 9 days until school starts...

Dogwalkabella

I had so much fun making this card! To start, it was the first time this stamp saw ink! Secondly, this card is for our Base Commander's wife, as she is getting ready to move.

You might find it a little unconventional that I would make such a card (dog walking??!!) for the Base Commander's wife, but I assure you, she will love it! She is a HUGE fan of the on-base animal shelter. In fact, our gift to her is a donation to the shelter in her honor. I know, it is a little "out of the box", but I think she will treasure that more than a little presento.

Design wise, this was a tough one to make, as the image itself it so large I could not really fit it vertically. I wish I would have had the room to showcase the printed paper more, but such is life! (BTW, did you notice the paw prints in the flowers of the paper??!! I KNOW! To die for!) I actually picked this paper up at Michael's when I was out in Kansas City last Sept. I loved the colors and had no real plan for a project at the time. It is so perfect for this card!

Here are the deets:

Stamps: Dogwalkabella (Stampingbella.com), TAC sentiment, Sanded BG (SU)

Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black, Wild Wasabi, Copic Markers

Paper: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Wild Wasabi (all SU), Dog Flowers (Deja Views), Georgia Pacific White

Accessories: brads (SU Silver Hodgepodge Hardware), dog bowl charm (Stampingbella.com)

I frequently get asked what color Copics I use for my projects. I promise to start tracking that and including it with the descriptions. Basically, I use the SU Copic matches and go from there. It is a lot of trial and error on scratch paper, too!

Dr. Tell-It-How-It-Is

So, last night the TV was on as I was preparing dinner. The Dr. Phil show started and they announced that this episode was a celebration of the 1,000th episode of the program!

My 8 year old son says, "1,000 episodes, huh?"

"Well, that's just 1,000 hours of wasted time."

The Usual Suspect

The Victims:
A Bag of Trail Mix...a little nutty, but sweet, too. Note the band-aids nearby. It appears there was an attempt to cover up the crime.

Curtains...sheer, but not completely transparent.

Hair...most certainly human, not canine (no picture available). A leotard...to grossly disfigured to show here.

The Weapon:
Found on scene. A stool was on the floor close by. It appears as if the perp was around 3 feet tall.


The Suspect:
Found hiding behind the couch/end table.


The Investigation:
When questioned, eye witnesses to the crime stated the 3 year old suspect used the stool to gain access to the forbidden zone (Mom's Pen & Pencil cup), which contained the weapon. The 6 year old eye witness stated after the suspect disfigured the Trail Mix and Sheers, she "asked" to have her hair cut, of which the eye witness obliged. (Oh my...thank goodness you can't tell)

The Trial:
An immediate court appearance was called. The defendant was sentenced to loss of one Barbie and a firm lecture from Mom. The 6 year old eye witness was granted leniency for telling the truth, but was sentenced to 1 week scissor probation.

Please, please let school start soon....please.... :)

Toot, Toot!

Shortly after we moved here in 2006, my husband was deployed to a very sandy location. (And I can assure you where he was there was no luau goin' on!) At any rate, I had some time on my hands in the evening after the kids went to bed. Rather than drink alone, I would typically spend that time scrapbooking or making cards.

My friend Jill (she keeps popping up here, huh?!) told me about SplitCoastStampers. SCS was my first exposure to a message board and I was hooked! I ended up getting into a big Pen Pal group and exchanging cards with 100+ ladies who live all over the world.

One of those Pen Pals kept encouraging me to send my cards into a magazine for publication. I honestly thought she was on the pipe...but then I thought what could it hurt? I mean, what is the worst that could happen? I could make someones day as they posted my card for the "Ugliest Submission of the Day" contest they probably have at the office. I wonder if they have a toilet seat frame up on the wall in the break room over the water cooler...

Anyway, fast forward to now and guess what? I am sitting at home reading the September 2008 issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts and...out of nowhere a card pops out at me.





Hummm...that looks vaguely familiar...

Wait! My card is in the issue!!!

I bet a disgruntled employee pulled a fast switch...she took mine out of the toilet seat frame and switched it for the good one! Heh...

Inspired by Jill

So, my good friend (and stamping enabler) Jill sent us a really cool Christmas card last year! She used a Z Fold, but the center with the image on it also folds out so you have a small place to write (or stamp!) a little sentiment.

Stamps: SU Always & Friendship Blooms

Ink: SU Close to Cocoa & Pretty in Pink, markers in Pretty in Pink & Mellow Moss

Paper: SU Berry Bliss, Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Heidi Swap rhinestone flowers, Stickles

Stamps: SU Garden Whimsy

Paper: SU Petals & Paisley, PTI White, SU Pretty in Pink & Tempting Turquoise

Ink: SU Tempting Turquoise

Accessories: Paper Crafts pink flower rhinestones, SU Dazzling Diamonds

Technique: Dryer Sheet, Cuttlebug Dry Embossed

I ran the striped paper through the Cuttlebug to get some dimension. I used the Distressed Stripes folder as to not go overboard with differing designs.

This card also used the dryer sheet technique I read about in the Sept 2008 issue of Scrap & Stamp Arts. It is so easy to do! You take your image, put it face down (image side) on a Zyron machine, roll it out, and place a used dryer sheet on the sticky part. Then, pour some dazzling diamonds on top for a little bling! Presto! It looks cool and smells pretty! :)

And, last but certainly not least, I used my Score-Pal for these cards. I love this tool! It is one of my favorites for sure! And, by the way, Jill is the one who inspired me to buy it!

Seeing Spots

The kids and I went to the Food Court for lunch today. As we walked in, the High School Cheer team had a table set up, as they were having a "bake sale". Technically it was not a sale, because they gave you baked goods for a "donation".

My kids immediately honed in on the table. The baked goods look so enticing...brownies, cookies, cupcakes with pretty sprinkles...a child's delight!

My oldest asked "Wow! How much does this cost?"

"We are just asking for donations" replied the pretty girl with her hair in a pony tail held high atop her head with a big green ribbon.

"We'll take a look after lunch" I said, as I drug the kids from the display of sugar.

My 6 year old spent the majority of lunch poking at her Subway sandwich. The other kids were practically done eating so, not being beyond bribery, I said "hurry up and eat so we can get some cookies from the table!"

"We get cookies and a dalmatian?" she asked.

That would be "donations" sweetie, not "dalmatians"....

A Little Adult Supervision, please

Everyone else is doing it, so why shouldn't I? :) Seriously though, all of my virtual "friends" on my favorite message board, splitcoaststampers, seem to have their own blogs. I thought I would give it a try as well.

How hard can this be?, I say with a snicker and sense of sarcasm. Surely, I can figure it out!

First off, as my dear husband would tell you, I don't know squat about computers. Funny thing is that I do actually know a little! I have gotten really good at being able to google whatever hole I need to find my way out of! So see, I know how to google!

Secondly, if my 8 year old son can figure out how to reformat our hard drive in 2 seconds, then I am sure I can figure out this whole blog thing! (Ok, my son did not really do that, but he is pretty darn comfortable on the ol' computer...scary, actually...which is why he is not allowed to be on without adult supervision!) The sites he "knows"....like iTunes...YouTube...Google...should an 8 year old even know those yet? Begads! How times have changed...

Let's see how this whole blog business goes...I have a crop tomorrow so perhaps I will take some pictures of my creations and try to upload them! Maybe I can even do it without adult supervision!