Sweet Baby

First off, I want to say thanks to all of those who have left comments to far!! It's great to hear about the designs to wanna see out there!!

Secondly, only 3 more days till my mini vacay!!! Yay me!

Thirdly, I have a card to share! One of Joe's friends at work asked if we had any baby stuff to give his niece because she is close to delivering and they don't have anything. Her mom just recently died and it has been really hard on her (the girl is my age) plus she and her husband don't have the most *ideal* jobs. I was so happy to help! I sent a Pack and Play, bouncy seat, johnny jump up, high chair, and tons of clothes (thank goodness she is having a boy!) along with him. My sisters and friends have helped me out so much with passing clothes and toys down that it was nice to be able to do the same for someone else!

Anyhoo, I made her this card to send with the stuff and just told her a few things about what I sent. I swear, every time I need a baby card I ALWAYS reach for the Special Delivery TAC set! It is the cutest baby set I have ever seen! I just love this tiny baby in a pod! So, here is my easy peasy 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 card.

• STAMPS- Special Delivery (TAC), 1/8 inch Snap Stamps (Karen Foster)
• PAPER- Bashful Blue CS, I *think* this is Paper Studio paper. Somehow I always cut off the piece that has the name on it!
• INK- Palette Hybrid Noir
• OTHER- Nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies, Word Window punch, Copic markers, Prismacolors and OMS, ribbon, pop dots

If you haven't already, be sure to comment on this post to win 2 free Queen Kat Designs stamp sets!!

Thanks for stopping and have a great day! Don't forget to come back tomorrow for the bi weekly Tea Party smARTworks challenge!

Attack of the scallops!

Okay, so who else out there is like me and has trouble putting the scallop punches down? Is it a disease? Do I need to pick up a prescription at the pharmacy? Someone help me! I thought I was doing good last week when my post had no cards with scallop punches used! Well, apparently my mind and heart took over because as I was uploading my cards this time I realized that every card used one! Tell me I'm not the only weirdo in the crowd! Well, actually I know that isn't true!! I won't name names but man, some of you are a little Coo-coo! {wink} Moving on!

Alright, I know that it's part of my 'job' to tell you guys how wonderful smARTworks stamps are because I am on their Design Team, but honestly, between you and me, they really do rock! Since I have gotten my DT sets and a few extra ones I just HAD to buy, I haven't been able to put them down. Nor have I wanted to! If you haven't checked them out yet, you simply MUST do so! They have something for everyone! Not to mention, that cute Birdie Bitties set I used last post (Oh Happy Day card) is only $2.00! How can you beat that? Oh wait, you can't! So go here. Man, I should get paid commission! {wink}

This first one is another attempt at using the bird on the branch. I did a no layer card with it before and loved it so much I didn't want to do it any other way! But! I also wanted to see what it looked like inside one of my Marvy scallop punches. I pulled out my Mega scalloped oval but it just wasn't big enough and I have held myself back from getting the Giga! So, next I pulled out my Giga scalloped circle. It worked great but I had to fill the branches a little. All I did was re-ink the bottom branch and fill it in where it needed. I thought the soft colors of the Lilly Kate BG paper went well with the soft colors of the bird and flowers.

• Spring #1 and Middie Messages #2 (smARTworks) stamp sets
• BasicGrey Lilly Kate DP
• Marvy Giga scalloped circle
• Prismacolors and Gamsol
• ric rac
• Copic gray marker
• push pin
• pop dots

This next one is quite out of my 'zone' that I usually stick to. Which is why I think I like it! I am just now starting to get the hang of shading more with my Prismacolors. I am using two different colors on some things now (like the leaves) and actually don't hate the result! I swear though I can't put that Copic marker down! Love how it outlines!

• Spring #1, Middie Messages #2 (smARTworks) stamp sets
• polka dot DP (can't remember maker, it was scrap)
• Real Red, Certainly Celery, white CS
• Cuttlebug Swirls EF
• Marvy Mega scalloped oval
• Word Window punch
• Coluzzle oval template
• Prismacolors and Gamsol
• scalloped scissors
• Copic gray marker
• push pin
• ribbon
• pop dots

The last one actually I couldn't wait to use! It came in my Starving Artistamps order that I got in the mail today! Aren't those birds too cute for words!?! Get this, their names are Pip and Oggy! Can you believe that!?! They are part of the 'Doodle Factory' line. Oh my gosh, when I looked at these I wanted every single one!!! But, thank goodness I limited myself to 4! Plus she added a free small one in with my order! Here is the link. You must go look NOW! I got Pip & Oggy and Tobias from the Doodle Animals and then I got Zot and Yapples from the Doodle Creatures line. I thought the Zot would be absolutely perfect for making cards for those addicted to coffee and can't function without it! And Yapples was just too stinkin' funny. Now that I think about it, I need more of these guys! They are so up my alley!!!

• Pip & Oggy from Doodle Factory line (Starving Artistamps), Be (TAC) stamp sets
• Marvy Giga and Mega scalloped circle punches, Super Jumbo circle punch
• Certainly Celery, Brilliant Blue, white CS
• Prismacolors and Gamsol
• ribbon
• push pin
• pop dots
• black pen for landscape

*****

Alright, on a side note I just wanted to share that I recently watched Pirates of the Caribbean 3 and boy, dissapointed was an understatement! Jolee and Ava both love the POTC 1 &2 and will sit and watch it over and over again. Ava was done about 20 minutes in and Jolee was disinterested about halfway through. They even lost me until the fight scene at the end! And the end made me mad too! Ah well, I guess you can't expect too much from a 3rd movie.

Joe and I also saw Knocked Up. That was pretty funny. Lots of F-bombs but removing all of that it definitely amused us!

I wanted to get Wild Hogs at Blockbusted but they were all gone by the time I got there. Bummer. I hear it's pretty funny.

What movies have you guys seen lately? And that dissapointed? Any you loved? Fill me in!

Great news and I'm still Dirty!!!!

So, first of all I want to share my super awesome news that I made the design team I was trying out for! The company is smART works rubber stamps. I should be getting started next week and I am so excited!! Thanks Susan for this great opportunity!!

I also finished some more challenges from the Splitcoast Dirty Dare. This one was JanTInk's challenge for no dark colors. I think I was walking the line by using Mellow Moss but it's still a light color in my opinion! I used the Stardust glaze pen one the edge of the Pale Plum and Barely Banana and also on some of the pattern on the Paisley and over 'thoughts of you' too. As soon as I drew it on I used my finger to blend it in.

• Mellow Moss, Barely Banana, Pale Plum CS
• Deco Designs (TAC), Paisley BG (Cornish Heritage Farms), Thoughts of you (Michael's $1 bin) stamp sets
• Versamark and Stazon jet black inks
• Sakura Stardust glaze pen
• deco edge scissors
• ribbon

This one I made for JulieHRR's challenge. I knew she would come through for me with a no layer card!! Woo-Hoo!

• Fabriano watercolor paper
• Falling Down (TAC), Simply Said (SU) stamp sets
• Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Bashful Blue re-inkers
• aqua painter

Cambria prompted this next card with an all pink challenge along with BadSherry's Monet challenge which included the cracked glass technique along with the wet watercolor technique. It's hard to see the cracked glass part, but it's there! I stamped the flowers in Pretty in Pink and the took one of my ZIG markers and outlined it. I added a bit of glitter before I embossed and punched it out with my Mega scalloped punch.

• Rose Red CS
• Bo Bunny (Candy Dots) DP
• Happy Harmony (SU) stamp set
• Marvy Mega scalloped circle punch
• clear embossing powder

Okay, now I am a fan of BadSherry because well, sometimes she is BAD! And with this challenge she asked us all to be bad! Man was that fun! I still have several other cards floating around in my head but haven't had all of the right stuff to make then, so for now they will just stay there!

• Gable Green, black, and white CS
• rhino (unknown), On the Spot wheel (SU), Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Stazon jet black ink
• Marvy Mega scalloped punch
• push pin

Okay, last but not least JeanneS's paper piecing challenge (which also works for Julie's no layer card too!). This is very similar to a card I made before with the Diva Dresses set from TAC. This time there is no pop dots, no watercoloring, and instead of the sentiment being 'Hello beautiful girl' it says 'My beautiful girl' which would make it great to send to a daughter ir younger girl that is special to you. Hopefully I ccan get my MIL to sell it where she works!

• Diva Dresses (TAC), Word Play (TAC) stamp sets
• Stazon jet back ink
• rhinestones
• push pin

*****

So before I go I need to ask you guys what kind of 'cookie' you think my card making style is. I was thinking something plain like sugar cookie or peanut butter but then maybe something cool on the inside like a snickers bar or something. What kind of cookie do you think I am? And if any of you say "something with nuts of course" then so help me!!!!!! {wink}

Go ahead, stone me!

I know! I deserve a good old fashioned stoning for being away so long! But to me, my stupid computer was a blessing in disguise. My regular computer has been on the fritz lately and it apparently still is. Every time I turn it on, the tower beeps telling me that my computer is getting too hot and I need to shut it down. The only way I can upload photos anywhere is on that computer. Right now I am typing all of the info on Joe's laptop so all I need to do on the other 'wacky' computer is crop and paste the photos. But even though I was making cards the whole time I was 'gone', I got extra time with my family that was much needed. I've been pretty busy lately and the girls were feeling a little deprived of attention. So, with my sincerest appologies and a promise to never leave you hanging like that again, could you ever forgive me? Please?! Oh, I know you have to love me! {wink}

That being said, I'll share my favorite one first. I think this is the second time I have used this set and have had it over 2 years. Hey, before I get a lecture it was a hostess set! I really like the set, just never seem to pull it out. I also used the polka dotted center from the Paper Tray set. I love that little stamp!!

• The Earth Laughs (TAC), Paper Tray(PaperTreyInk), Happy Everything (SU), Enjoy ( Studio G)
• kraft CS
• ColorBox Olive Pastel chalk ink, Stazon jet black ink
• push pins
  

This one uses the Blossoms Abound set from SU that I fell in love with but have no idea how to use it! So, I made a smaller card so it would look like it fit better. I also added a few spots of the Stardust glaze pen and then rubbed it around with my finger before it dried so it sparkled up the whole flower.

• Bossoms Abound (SU), In my Thoughts (Studio G) stamp sets
• kraft CS
• ColorBox Olive Pastel and Rouge chalk ink, Stazon jet black ink
• Startdust glaze pen
• ribbon
  

I wanted to do a quick and simple card with this one. Mission accomplished, I just don't know if I like it that much. I used the Paper Tray set but instead of using the flower I used the Cuttlebug flower die.

• Paper Tray (PaperTreyInk), Thank You (Studio G) stamp sets
• Cuttlebug flowers dies
• Versamagic Aloe Vera chalk ink, ColorBox Yellow Citrus and Lavender chalk ink
• ribbon

This one is an anniversary card. I am just loving that paper by . I used my Marvy super jumbo to punch out the couple sitting at the table. I also stamped the hearts twice onto the BasicGrey paper and cut them out and popped up one of them.

• Hearts (Studio G) stamp set
• Hot off the Press polkda dot DP, Colorbok 'Little People' DP, BasicGrey Lilly Kate DP
• Stazon jet black ink
• Marvy super jumbo and mega scalloped punches
• stickles
• push pin, ribbon, pop dots

This is a card using a stamp from smART works, which is the design team I am trying out for. This is one of the ones I made but decided not to send. I got this ribbon at Walmart and I love it!

• Friends Trio (smARTworks) stamp set
• Versamagic Sea Breeze chalk ink
• Close to Cocoa, Positively Pink CS
• SU Slit punch
• Cropadile
• corner rounder
• ribbon

My sister is turning 42 this week and she has a great sense of humor so I made her a card from a unmounted rubber stamp swap I was in. The stamp says 'Born in the USA, a looong time ago." But, I already had that to send out and forgot to take a picture. I also made her another card that was normal and flowery but forgot to get a picture of that one too. Go figure. However, I did get a picture of this one. This one is made with a stamp that I got in the swap too. I don't know who makes it though. I used the Karen Foster snap stamps for the outside sentiment that says "You're only as young as you feel" and the inside reads "Happy 16th birthday" She really is so young at heart! I love her!

• Marilyn Monroe frog (unknown) stamp
• Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Stazon jet black ink
• Copic markers
• Stardust glaze pen
• blue Souffle pen

Okay, now that I am all caught up here I am going to go do some of the Dirty Dozen challenges on Splitcoast and catch up on all of the blogs I have missed for the past 2 weeks!

By the way! I have a new niece Chloe! Momma and baby are healthy and happy! Gives me baby fever!

Christmas already?

No, I don't mean I fell into lots of money and I get to spend it like it's Christmas. {sigh} I mean I have a few Christmas cards!

I know I have been MIA for about a week but things have been super busy (in a good way) around here. On Saturday I went to my cousin Tiffany's house and made Christmas cards with her and Amy. I also met to super cool friends of Tiff's, Jenny and Heather (Hi Heather!!). We had such a great time! I got a lot of inspiration but in true Heidi style I only got 2 cards done in 5 1/2 hours! Well, a girls gotta talk right? So, here are the two cards that I did make!

On this first one I used the Tsukineko Essential Glue Pad with ultrafine iridescent glitter and I found it hard to use at first because you can't see where you stamped. I was stamping snowflakes across the paper but I had to do one at a time because I couldn't see the imaged I had just done with the glue pad. I also wanted to say that by the time I got it home and pulled it out to show hubby, 90% of the glitter was off of it. I didn't have it seriously rubbing up against anything, just another card sitting on top. I dunno, maybe it was just me but it convinced me NOT to purchase this product. Might want to try someone else's before you take that plunge.

• white CS
• Happy Everything (SU), Snowflakes (TAC) stamp sets
• Versamagic Sea Breeze, ColorBox Chalk Warm Red inks
• snowflake punch
• edge distresser
• rhinestone, stickles, pop dot

This one is done with one of my favorite Christmas/winter sets! These snowmen are just the cutest! Card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4.

• Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, white CS
• Snowman Smiles (TAC), Snowflakes (TAC), Karen Foster 1/8" snap stamps
• Stazon Jet Black
• Marvy Giga and Mega scalloped squares
• Word Window punch
• Prismacolors and Odorless Mineral spirits
• ribbon, pop dots, push pin

This next one I did a little here and a little there all weekend. I stamped the Javabellas onto watercolor paper while I was at Tiffany's (thanks Tiff!) so I could bring it home to use!

• Javabellas (Stamping Bella), Friend (Studio G $1 set)
• KI Memories patterned paper
• Pumpkin Pie CS
• Re-inkers (several) and aquapainter
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Cropadile and eyelets
• scalloped edge scissors
• McGill tag punch, SU slit punch
• ribbon, jump ring, pop dots

And last but not least this is one I did quickly this afternoon for hubby. I love him lots and sometimes I just like to make him a card to remind him how much I do.

• white CS
• Barbeque (Scraptrends 'Summer Party'), Karen Foster 1/8" snap stamps
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Prismacolors (scarlet lake) and OMS

Hope he likes it! {wink}

*****
I had a cookout with my family on Sunday and while we were there I brought back two of my nieces to stay so they could play with all of my stamping stuff. They were here until yesterday till around 4pm so I have been pretty busy doing fun things with them. I HAVE to share a few photos of my nieces that I took while they were here though. Wow, they are such good subjects and so photogenic! Thanks Hannah and Ivy!

This is Ivy (13). I took her pic by our front tree with the sun going down. The pic was pretty good but I added a vingette and did an Urban Acid action on it in Photoshop. I think the look is so 'teen'!


This is Hannah (12). I also did an action in Photoshop with hers. This action is called Midnight Sepia. Love it!


So, sorry for the long post! I will be back tomorrow. And by the way, consider my tip on the glue pad our 'Product Talk'! I know, I know, I'm such a wienie!

You Rock and a big H

Alright so I actually sat down and made a card from Amy's Super Sunday Sketch challenge. I didn't get to it last week so I made a point of not getting out of my chair until it was done. I have lots of teenagers and kids in my family so it will be hard to decide who to give it to.

• Guitar stamp (unknown), Paper Tray (you), Simple Bet (TAC)
• The Paper Studio DP
• Marvy Mega Scalloped oval punch
• Oval and circle Coluzzle templates
• ribbon, pop dots

But before I did that this morning I was working on a big 'ole H this weekend. My husband's cousin had her baby shower and she is having a boy in July. I decided I had to do something for her other than buy a gift (which was baby monitors - usefull but boooooring!) so I got this to alter. It was about 12 inches tall or so and was only $2 plus 30% off at Hobby Lobby. The theme for the baby's room is nautical so I had to go with the theme and colors.
Here is the before:


Here is the after:




I painted like 5 coats of white then did 2 coats of the red trim and sanded it all down to distress it a little. Wow, was it time consuming! My back hurt that whole night and I couldn't sleep. BUT! I think she really liked it to it was completely worth it in the end.

Here is a pic of how I wrapped the baby monitors. I couldn't leave it plain! I also put the other stuff in a white gift bag and put a red wooden anchor on the front of it and added some ribbon. I rarely get to do fun stuff like this so I kind of go a little overboard when I do. I also stamped her baby onesies that said 'Future Rock Star' and 'Born to Play' with a guitar beside it. She and her hubby are really into music. He wrote her a song and sang it to her at their wedding, but that's another story for another day. I think I have been blabbing enough already!


I plan on stamping this evening once I update my photography blog so hopefully I'll have some good stuff to share tomorrow! See ya then!

If wishes could make you well

This is a card I made months ago and forgot I had made it. One of Joe's younger cousins got her face burnt when hot oil splashed out of a pot. Thankfully, everything healed well and she is doing just fine now!

The card is watercolor paper in 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 size. I don't have any of the Fabriano note cards so I try and get the effect of those by using watercolor paper for my whole base.

• Little Friends (TAC), Curvy Verses (SU) stamp sets
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Barely Banana, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Going Grey re-inkers
• aqua painters
• ribbon and rhinestone

***
Okay, so I used to be a big fan of scary movies. I loved watching them and I loved being scared. But now-a-days scary movies aren't what they used to be. I like House on Haunted Hill and Amityville Horror and movies like that where there are 'spirits' or 'ghosts' chasing people around. What happened to those kind of movies? It seems like every movie that has come out lately that I can think of (other than the remake of Amityville and Grudge 2-which I can't watch cause the kid freaks me out!) has to do with sick demented perverts that chop people up and never get caught. I mean seriously! In the end they are walking away whistling or smiling. I can't watch these movies! I watched Saw when it first came out and those images still pop into my head occasionally. It makes me sick to my stomach. I think things changed once I had kids. I would watch movies and never think 'hey, I hope someone doesn't creep into my house tonight and slit my throat.' Now though, that I have children, I think of anything that could possibly happen and what I would do in that situation. There really are people out there that are sick and crazy!

I guess this all stems from watching Hannibal Rising last night. I watched Silence of the Lambs and it was a good movie. It was a movie and not a gore fest. I also watched Red Dragon. I don't remember much of it but I do remember thinking it was good. So, I had to watch this one. This one, well, this one was okay. It was really odd but then again he is supposed to be an odd character. It does make you think though about some of the torment kids go through in certain situations and home lives. It made my heart hurt for those who sustain such abuse.

I'm sorry, I got off on a tangent. I just would like to see a decent ghost movie. But it appears as though the oldies will always stay the goodies. Until something else comes out I'll stick with my comedies! Gotta love Will Ferrel!

Playing around with felt

I never thought I would be able to use felt in such a cute way! I am loving seeing what everyone is doing with it! It inspired me to run it through my Sizzix with the Cuttlebug Asteriks die. I did find out though that not all felt will work with the cuttlebug dies. This felt was pretty thin and somewhat stiff. It did work great though! I like the red flowers but wish I had another color on hand to work with. I'll pick some more colors up when I am out next.

• Happy Everything (SU), Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer) stamp sets
• Aloe Vera Versamagic chalk ink, Real Red classic ink
• Cuttlebug Asteriks die
• red felt
• rhinestones
  

Now this card came out of absolutely nowhere. I threw it together in about 10 minutes. I like how it turned out though. Nothing too bold. I thought about using ribbon where the paper piercing is but thought that might make it over done. I did pop another dress up on top of the one underneath that I had already colored.

• Diva Dresses (TAC), Paper Tray (PaperTrey) stamp sets
• Regal Rose re-inker
• Black Stazon ink
• push pin, rhinestones, pop dots

*****
Allison tagged me to tell 7 things about myself and then tag 7 people to do the same. So, here goes.

*I have never smoked a cigarette even though both of my parents were smokers (I think that's why!).

*When I get scared while watching a movie I wiggle my toes.

*If I ever came into some money, the first thing I would do is get my teeth fixed. They have never been straight.

*I am a cat person and grew up with all kinds of animals as a kid. However within the last 3 years have developed allergies to pet dander and pretty much sneeze my head off any time I get near any. That includes our Guinea Pig Franklin.

*I belch quite often. And usually quite loudly! But don't worry, I always say excuse me!

*I love to fish! Hubby is teaching me the in and outs of bass fishing though and hopefully we get to plan a day to go together.

*Lately my absolute favorite indulgence is Ferro Rocher chocolates!!! Good gracious they are yummy!

Alright, now I will tag the following....

Amy S.

Meli Mitchell

Amy Westerman

Jovi

Rose Ann

Stephanie

Julie Masse

Can't wait to hear what you ladies have to say!

I've been tagged!

Woo-Hoo! Jovita tagged me! I am in someones top 5 fave blogs to read! Go me! Go me! Now the hard part is choosing my top 5! This will be rough! I'm sure all of those that I will pick have already been tagged by someone so be prepared for repeats from other blogs.

Ana Wohlfahrt's Ink a Stamp

Amy Westerman's Heartfelt Greetings

Debbie Olson's Thinking Inking

Tracy Durcan's Durcan Designs

Kendra Giles' Inkin' it Up

There are so many more! I am thinking about picking one blog a week to feature. Maybe putting a permanent link on the side or something. Everyone is just getting better and better that I can't keep up with all of them!

*****
I know this card looks familiar! I made one just like it for Amy's scrap paper challenge last Saturday. I also liked it enough to re-make it and submit it to the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol contest. Still used scrap paper so I guess it works for todays challenge on her site too!

You had to make a hello card for the contest (the other one said 'smile') so I just changed the colors and sentiment but everything else is the same.

• MME patterned paper
• Pumpkin Pie CS and dye ink
• Delight in Life (SU), Paper Tray (PaperTrey) stamp sets
• Marvy Mega scalloped circle punch
• Prismacolors and Gamsol, push pin, pop dots

I also had to make a sympathy card for a friend of my mother. I printed out the verse and just used my Mega scallop punch on it.

• BasicGrey LillyKate patterned paper
• Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer), Fanciful Flowers (TAC) stamp sets
• Chocolate Chip dye ink
• Marvy Mega scallop oval punch
• brown velvet ribbon
  

*****
Thank you to all of you who left a comment yesterday! It means so much to know that I can share those kinds of things with people I have never even met but get such a positive and wonderful response! God bless you all!

Some cards and a giggle

Good morning! I hope everyone is having a lovely morning so far! If not, I have a joke to hopefully make you smile, and wonder what the world is coming to, all in the same breath!

A mother was reading a book about animals to her 3 year old daughter.

Mother: "What does the cow say?"

Child: "Moo!"

Mother: "Great! What does the cat say?"

Child: "Meow."

Mother: "Oh, you're so smart! What does the frog say?"

And this wide-eyed little 3 year-old looked up at her mother and in her deepest voice replied, "Bud."

*****
I did another Super Sunday Sketch challenge over at Amy Wetserman's blog. The friend panel and the top flower are popped up but you can't tell in the pic. I am really loving her challenges! I rarely ever do any of the SCS challenges so these are nice for me.

• MME Magnolia line paper
• Chocolate Chip CS
• Delight in Life, Lexicon of Love stamp sets (SU)
• scallop scissors
• prismacolor pencils and gamsol
• pop dots

I want to start doing a simple card along with any more detailed card that I do. That way I am getting two done at once and I don't feel I have spent a whole hour working on one card! This is what I came up with this morning. Card is 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 (my new favorite size). I tried to use the Love you Latte set a little differently. The 'steam' stamp almost reminds me of wings beside the hearts.

• Love you Latte (SU), Hey there (TAC), stamp sets
• Black Stazon, Pixie Pink die ink
• pop dots

*****
I have to go out and about today to pick some things up. The high is 62 degrees so today is a good day to do it. I just hope we don't have the wind we had yesterday, whew! It blew everything around in our yard and off our porch. Then again that's a pretty normal thing around here. We are in the middle of wind central! We are on a hill with only a few trees around. So in that case, I guess we're kind of asking for it!

I'm going to pick up some new sand for the kids' sandbox. Hopefully we won't keep having 40 degree weather anymore. The kids are just dying to go out and I feel bad to keep having to tell them no.

I don't think there are any other mind numbing things I have to say. Oh, we didn't win the lottery last night, so that was a bummer. Better luck next time, right?

*****
My stuff is still for sale! Check it out here.

Simple kinda day

I wanted to do some quick and simple cards this morning before I started sorting through my stamping stuff. I am going to be getting rid of some things that I don't use any more. I plan to post a sale list sometime this weekend. I am also sending a lot of it to my nieces. They all think stamping is cool.

• Deco Designs (TAC), Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer) stamp sets
• white CS
• Stazon jet black, Versamagic Aloe Vera ink
• ribbon

I just have to say that Deco Designs is one of my all time favorite sets! I got the set expecting that I wouldn't use the birds in it but as soon as I got it I fell in love with them! I love every single stamp in the set!

• MME Everyday Tango paper line
• Earth Laughs (TAC), Blossoms Abound (SU) stamp sets
• Marvy Mega scalloped square
• Versamagic Pixie Dust ink
• ribbon
• corner rounder

This is the first time I have made a card with all of the corners rounded. I have always loved the look but didn't want to pay too much for a nice punch that would actually go through 3 sheets at a time. I got this one at HL half off for $3 I think. I works great!

*****
I have to give you the link to this video that a friend told me to check out. I absolutely LOVE Will Ferrel! Elf is one of my favorite movies! This is just too funny not to share! I do have to say that the rest of the clips on this website are a bit vulgar or just plain stupid so I wouldn't waste my time with anything else on the site. You cannot miss this one though! I almost cried!
Will Ferrel clip

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!

Can't put this paper away!

Alright, I just HAD to make another quick card with this paper! The scraps from earlier were just screaming my name! I used this layout from an old Paper Crafts mag I was flipping through while the kids were taking a bath. It was really simple to put together since I use just about everything I used on the previous card. Except I added a metal rimmed tag, new ribbon, and changed the stamp set. This is a 4 x 8 card.

• MME Magnolia line patterned paper
• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTrey)
• Paisley Rockz stamp set (TAC)
• ribbon (RABOM)
• metal rimmed tag, glitter, pop dots, aqua painter

Both the tag and the flower are popped up but I just couldn't seem to get a good enough angle that you could tell. I also used the aqua painter to smudge the dye ink a little once I stamped the paisley. I learned that from the good ole' Nicole Heady herself! She's such a smartie I tell ya!

*****
Well, I'm off to clean some more. It also has the makings of a long night with Jolee's coughing. It seems to be getting worse.

Sweet dreams to all! See ya tomorrow!

The lone stamper

I got this card made last night. I got the paper together, the bird colored, the ribbon out and then I sat there. I must have struggled with the placement of things on this card for 25 minutes. It's still not my fave layout, but it works.

I figured out that this is a Tuft Titmouse bird thanks to Jovita! You are a lifesaver girl! I don't know much about birds and I had no idea what color these really were.

• Things of Nature, Sweet Sayings stamp sets (TAC)
• MME Everyday Tango paper
• black CS
• watercolor paper and aqua painter
• Black Stazon, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Creamy Caramel, Mellow Moss classic ink
• Ribbon, brads, pop dots

I need to stamp with someone!! I am getting a tad bored stamping by myself lately.

For those of you who don't know me that well, I don't have any friends {sighs}. I have 5 sisters who are my best friends but still, they are sisters. And I have cousins and Aunts of Joe's that are great friends, but there again, they are relatives. My one true non-related friend is Heather who lives an hour away and has a brand new baby girl and also has a job as a baby nurse. She doesn't have time to come stamp with me!! So, here we are, back to square one, me with zero friends. I have tried to make friends with people and was even voted friendliest in my class in HS but I don't know if it has worn off or I am just too talkative for most or what. It's also hard to find someone my age (24) that has kids and is into stamping. I don't mind at all actually if they are my age. I get along with people older than myself perfectly. Actually, it seems to be people my age that I can't bond with. I think I know where I am in life. I have 3 kids, I am homeschooling, I'm happy that I can stay at home with my kids and that be my job every day. A lot of women (or girls, depending) my age are fresh out of college and still go out every weekend with friends or boyfriends. If I can't talk about my kids to someone, I pretty much don't have anything to talk about! And those of you with kids know exactly what I am talking about! I keep telling Joe's best friends to hurry up and get married so I can have someone to hang out with, even though I have a feeling they might be the complete opposite of me. Who knows!?!

Alright, I'm done whining now. Off to stamp......by myself.

VSN and Homeschool Convention

Once again I want to thank everyone who helped me out with my banner and whatnot (especially kmb.designer) I think it turned out pretty well. If it still looks wonky let me know so I an *try* to fix it! I took 4 years of computer in HS and even a full year of HTML but do I remember anything? Nope. I lucked out and was paired up with the smartest kid in class (who was also way cute) and never really had to do much. I was so thankful that I quickly became his girlfriend. We were together 2 years and I'm still no smarter for being with him. I can't decide whether to giggle or be severely depressed!

Friday was VSN on SCS and I got a few cards done but didn't get to play too much. I'll share the emboss resist one I did.

• Delight in Life, Riveting stamp sets (SU)
• Pixie Pink, Going Gray, black inks
• Cuttlebug slide die
• circle punch
• Versamark and clear embossing powder
• sponge
• glitter
• ribbon

Saturday I left early in the a.m. to go to a homeschool convention in Cincinnati. Wow! There was so much to take in! All the vendors that Joe and I had been looking into were there (Math U See, Mystery of History, etc.) including Five in a Row which we already use. I went to a few of the seminars and they were very informative and started to get me excited to teach History!!! Yes, I got excited about teaching history!!

All of the speakers made very obvious points of how most of us studied hard before the test but once the test was over, didn't remember any of it. THAT WAS ME! I got good grades in school but can't really say I'm all that smart now!

They did a study on college graduates (can't remember what college) where 4 months after they had graduated and taken their final exam they were called back to re-take the test (they had no clue what they were gonna do). Their score on the same test they took 4 months prior dropped 90%!!!!!!!! Isn't that crazy!? Makes me re-think some of the 'smarties' I know! {wink}

Anyway, we got a lot of info and are gonna go back next year.

I made a few cards on Friday that I didn't get a chance to upload too. I made this one for my uncle's birthday. I really like how the trees almost look 3D because of the frame around them. I'll be doing one like this again.

• Lovely as a Tree, Label Classics, Happy Everything stamp sets (SU)
• MME Everyday Tango paper
• watercolor paper
• Mellow Moss, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, and Black Stazon ink
• aquapainter
• ribbon
• pop dots

• Deco Designs (TAC), Small Script (SU) stamp sets
• Real Red, White chalk inks
• Word Window punch
• ribbon
• pop dots

And looky what I got! Fun mail! Allison sent me this card and said that I have a twisted sense of humor. If you only knew what she wrote inside! And she calls me twisted! {wink} Ya know I love ya Allison! Thanks for the card girl!


This is my 'bling' candy that I won from Stephanie! Can't wait to get it out and use it! Maybe I'll get a chance today. She sent me a super cute card to and a Rockabella image! She said it reminded her of my Daughtry concert. How sweet!!!!!! Thanks Steph!

Watercolor woman!

I am absolutely LOVING my aquapainters!!! If you don't own these yet, you NEED them! I have been quite an enabler lately haven't I? Sorry about that! Really though, they make things go soooo much smoother and there is no dipping it into water over and over. Go call your SU demo and buy them now!

Alright, now onto the cards. I absolutely love this image from Eat Cake Graphics! This stamp is called 'Flopsy's got an egg' and the smirk on his face just kills me!

• American Crafts paper
• Flopsy's got an egg stamp (ECG)
• TAC word (unknown set)
• Word Window punch
• re-inkers and aquapainters
• ric rac
• brads
• pop dots
  

• Gerbera Daisy (TAC)
• Happy Harmony (SU)
• Paisley Backgrounder (Cornish Heritage Farms)
• re-inkers and aquapainters
• egde distresser
• RABOM ribbon

I went outside of the lines a little with this one but I really think that with watercolors it doesn't look so bad when you do.

I keep adding to the blog candy pile! It's getting big!!!!!! I think you guys will like it! I am going to make you earn it this time though. If you know me by now you know how I love humor........

Sisters are special

I have the best sisters in the world! There is absolutely no one that could ever replace them and I would never want anyone to. People see our relationship and try to figure it out but there is just no way to understand our crazy wacked out behavior!! When the 6 of us get together, we are just a barrel of monkeys!

I laugh more with them. *So much so that I have peed my pants on occasion*

I can be completely honest with them and they know I have their best interest at heart.

They think I'm funny.

I can call at 3 am if I need them and they will answer.

They call me on my birthday.

They look like me. {insert sexy whistle}

I would share my underwear if necessary.

They miss me when they don't get to see me.

They are just the most awesome people ever and I love them to pieces!!!!!

Alright, I'm done with my speech!! Now onto cards!

• Basic Grey's Lilly Kate paper (sooo in love with this!)
• Certainly Celery CS
• Sincere Salutations stamp set (SU)
• flowers from a stem
• brad
• pop dots

It might be hard to tell but the whole pink panel is raised. I sponged Chocolate Chip onto the edges and the flowers. I can't even begin to tell you how much I LOVE this paper!! The entire pack is gorgeous! I can't believe I actually cut into it! Good for me!

I didn't make this for anyone in particular but realized I didn't have a get well card handy. Those are always good to have on hand because by the time I make one for somebody and send it, they are already well!

• Rustic Chic paper (TAC)
• All things of Nature stamp set (TAC)
• Paper Tray stamp set (PaperTrey)
• American Crafts ribbon
• Prismacolor pencils
• Gamsol
• pop dots

I CASEd this one from AddictedScramper on A Shade of Blue website. Just changed it up a little. Here is the original.

One of my mom's close friends is having a birthday and he is an avid bird watcher! I just hope I have the colors okay for this one!

Hope everyone has pleasant dreams and a wonderful weekend!

My first Cakeabella!

I really like how the colors ended up with this one! And the rhinestones are a personal fave of mine! I used a blender pen and ink pads to color her in. She is also on watercolor paper to make coloring her run smoother. Thanks for looking!

• Cakeabella stamp (http://www2.blogger.com/www.stampingbella.com)
• Paisley Rockz stamp set (TAC)
• Tempting Turquoise, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, and watercolor paper
• rhinestones
• pop dots
• scallop edge scissors
• push pin for piercing paper

P.S. I'm waiting for my 1/8 snap stamps to get here before I put a sentiment on the front. If you don't have any yet you should get them from Anna Wights Ebay store!