One More Pinwheel

Happy New Year's Eve! Thought I would share this card before I head out for a night of serious partying. Ha! Ha! I don't think that's happened since I was 21! As DH says, we always enjoy a very "exclusive" party...we're the only 2 invited!

This is the first card I tried making the star punch pinwheel, but I decided it was maybe too simple for Stamp Club, so I made this box a few posts below. It's a case from a Convention demo, but they used Groovy Guava & Blush Blossom cardstock and Groovy Guava Prints DSP, which I didn't have, so I switched to Not Quite Navy & Soft Sky cardstock and Old Olive Prints DSP. I think most of the Stamp Club members liked this pinwheel, but a few thought it was too tedious and too much trouble. They did seem to feel this other pinwheel was easier and had some great ideas on how to use it. I liked one of their suggestions to have a batch made and ready to go for package adornments, etc.

Okay, enjoy your New Year's Eve and be safe if you go out!

Recipe Stamps: All Holidays. Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Kraft, and Old Olive DSP. Ink: Not Quite Navy. Accessories: Not Quite Navy Brad, Dimensionals, and Star Punch.

Challenge Cards from Stamp Club Members!

We had a great Stamp Club today! Thanks to those who came, and we missed you girls who couldn't make it! Every month I give the Stamp Club members a challenge to complete...this month they had to follow this sketch from Beate and use the materials I gave them...Real Red and Very Vanilla card stock, as well as Dashing DSP, Real Red Eyelets, and Artichoke & Red Grosgrain Ribbon. They could use any stamps they wanted and add anything else to the card. Only two girls actually completed the challenge, but I know how crazy life is in December, so I just hope they get a chance to use the materials for something fun later!

Love this card from Beverly Mohler...she used one of my all-time favorites Alphabet Stew...it's a retired set I had to keep, being a "letter/font" junkie!

This awesome card is from Lori Franklin. I love how she cut her Dashing piece of paper up and used both sides, and how the eyelets mimic the circle design on the paper!

I hope (and think!) they enjoy these challenges, because I know I do! It's so cool to see how people use the same materials in different ways, like how they used the same sketch here, but oriented the cards in different directions. I think it's Creating Keepsakes magazine that has a column like this, and I always love it too.

I'll be back tomorrow with some more new stuff, hopefully! I went to my all-day crop yesterday, well ended up being there 9 1/2 hours and made a one page layout and a two page layout. Yep, that's it! ha! ha! But I talked and shopped and talked and ate and talked...a great time either way...and I'll have some scrapbook pages to show again...maybe it's time to reinstate Scrapbook Sunday again...or maybe I'm getting a little too cocky after one week off work...or maybe I shouldn't type on my blog every random thought that comes into my head...hmmm! =)

December Stamp Club

Guess what? I didn't go to the movies today! lol! I finished working on Stamp Club projects this morning, then started working on the house. Ugh! The Christmas tree was so dead, I wanted to take it down the day after Christmas, but DH was poo-pooing that plan. So today while he was busy playing on the computer, I stripped it down, hauled it outside, and packed everything away. When he finally wandered into the living room, it was a bit of a shocker for him! Then I've been playing with the furniture arrangement. You know how everything gets messed up when you have to work the tree into the room? So when putting things back, I tried something different, but DH is not happy because the sofa is not EXACTLY in front of the tv. What is up with men and that?!

Anyway, here are the projects I finally came up with...finally! And I had to resort to "borrowing" the little take-out box that Jaron presented at the SU Convention last summer. I wanted to show that pinwheel technique with the star punch, but I thought it looked too plain on the first card I came up with, so I added it to Jaron's box. Also had to change the colors to find a color of 12x12 cardstock that I had enough of. Taken with Teal! A color I never use! lol! It's a little plain, but I do like the way it turned out. The box is 9x9, so it's actually perfect for the old SU cardstock that was not quite 12x12. I'm so glad they changed that now!

For the second project, I kept with the "pinwheel and packaging" theme it seems! I wanted to make this bigger pinwheel, but then wasn't sure what to do with it. I liked the idea of using it with a brown paper bag and clothes-pin for the closure. While trying to decide which stamp set to used, I noticed this Block Party stamp had a row of pinwheels at the bottom! Perfect! I love this stamp set, it was on my first catalog order last summer...of course, that was when I got my free $500 Artisan Award shopping spree...man, don't I wish that would happen again January 1!


This photo shows the close-up of the pinwheels and dry-embossed edge border. I saw this here on Kristina Werner's blog and had been wanting to try it. It's the perfect little dress-up when you "plain layer" your cards, like I always do!


Okay, better get back to the kitchen. It's the next room on the list, and I have some sugar cookies to finish baking for Stamp Club on Sunday. *wink* I know they're counting on it! I'm going to an all-day crop tomorrow...10 a.m. to midnight...so lots of packing to get ready! The most challenging part of crops...the fear that you might *NEED* something you don't have with you...so you take everything with you!

Have a fabulous Friday night!

Take-Out Box Recipe Stamps: All Holidays. Cardstock: Taken With Teal, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, and Whisper White. Ink: Taken With Teal and Certainly Celery. Accessories: Star Punch, 1 1/4' Circle Punch, Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads, Paper Piercer, Apricot Appeal Grosgrain Ribbon, Stapler, Dimensionals.

Lunch Sack Recipe Stamps: Block Party. Cardstock: Wintergreen DSP, Always Artichoke, Sage Shadow, and Whisper White. Ink: Always Artichoke Craft Ink. Accessories: Paper Piercer, Silver Brad, Always Artichoke Button, Linen Thread, Large & Mini Glue Dots, Stylus, Wooden Clothes-Pin, Brown Lunch Sack.

Stamp Club Rejects

No finished projects to show, so thought I might as well show the pile of rejects! At the SU Convention last summer, Amy Y showed a great presentation, creating with type, and she did something like this. She showed how to lightly trace a circle around the center letter (hers was the background monogram lower-case a) and use that pencil line as a guide to stamp letters in a circle; when done, erase the pencil line and perfection! Not so much with mine! I could never get one I liked...couldn't get the spacing right on "happy birthday"...trying to be clever with the "TU" but decided it looked stupid...thought about switching to "TY" but was too tired of it by then, ugh! On to Plan B...whenever I think of it! lol!

So dh takes me out to the movies again today and to a few shops to think about spending some of the Christmas gift cards we received. Keep in mind, we're going to the $5 movies playing between 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. He decided to brave Sweeney Todd, and I have to say it was really good. Loving Johnny Depp, like I do, definitely made it easier! One reviewer had said the gore was comparable to Saw, which is totally untrue. Saw is just like gruesome, grotesque torture and mutilation (in my opinion anyway). In Sweeney Todd, it was always a cut to the neck, and yes, the blood spurted, but more like in an exaggerated cartoon way (I still kept my eyes mostly closed during those parts).

The best part was that feeling like you've just been to see a Broadway musical. After leaving, I was in full-singing, narrating-the-next-events-of-the-day mode. Does anyone else do this after seeing a musical? For example, we were looking for the Chili's in the area (I still had an unused gift card I received from my company LAST Christmas), so I'm singing "Where is the Chili's, or where can it be?...Is it near or is it far?...I see it! I see it!" Of course, it's hard to get the full effect without hearing me, just try to imagine it! *wink* Dh had a good laugh anyway!

Ta-ta for now...need to head back in the stamp room and see if I can come up with that Plan B or maybe a Plan C!

Recipe (sad as it is) Stamps: Letterpress Alphabet, Typeset Lower Alphabet. Cardstock: Whisper White. Ink: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive. Accessories: none (ha! ha!)

The Last Christmas Card

...for a few months anyway! You know I like making Christmas cards year round, but I'll try and lay off for awhile now. I made this card yesterday with my new Winter Jelly Cuttlebug embossing templates. (Am I the only one who feels they must use the Joann's coupon on something when they go?! And they're catching on to me and putting the magazines at 10% off so I can't even fall back on my normal standby!) I had this scrap of Dashing paper on my desk, plus the Real Red card all ready to go, so it just worked out. Did I make my Stamp Club projects? No. Did I made my new catalog preview set swaps (that need to be mailed tomorrow)? No. Arrrggghhh!

But I have seen a few movies. Sunday we saw I Am Legend. LOVED it! (I am a science-fiction, end-of-the-world kind of girl, though.) Dh wanted to see Sweeney Todd, but he's been waffling due to reviews of excess gore. So today we saw The Golden Compass. It was perfectly fine, just formulaic and following the current trend as of late. (I'm sure you could say that about I Am Legend too, but I LOVED it!)

On the rented video, or I guess I should say dvd now, front I watched two movies, the first being Chalk. I'd never heard of it, it just caught my eye with me being a teacher and all. Plus, the box compared it to the style of Waiting for Guffman and the Office, both highly positive in my opinion. I thought it was really funny, but I don't know if others would. Dh thought teachers and their spouses would think so.

The other rental was Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. I loved the first one, the second one was okay, but I last saw it July 2006. I didn't know what the heck was going on in this one. And it ended still not being finished. Whatever. Oh, and we watched Flags of Our Fathers on HBO. That was very good, but a real tear-jerker. Now you see why I haven't been getting much stamping done. lol! It's okay, I've been catching up on my rest and will soon be rarin' to go!

What have you seen recently? Which chick flicks do you recommend? Dh won't go see those, so I'm saving those for the girlfriends. Okay, happy stamping or movie-watching or just vegging out to you!

Recipe Stamps: Oops! There are none! Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, and Dashing DSP. Ink: none! Accessories: Old Olive Brads, Crafter's Tool Kit, Dimensionals, Cuttlebug Winter Jelly embossing template, and DYMO label maker.

Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays! I hope you are all having a wonderful day! We have a beautiful, sunny day here in Dallas. Well, I'm looking at it through the window, but it sure looks nice! lol! We just finished our Christmas lunch...the most unhealthy kind...all "yellow" dishes, nothing "green"! But it's Christmas, right? It's been different staying in Dallas instead of visiting family. Dh is SO happy, words can't describe. I'm trying not to cry every 15 minutes and ruin it for him! lol! Today is actually a little better, maybe 'cuz I know we're wrapping things up and moving on.

I finally managed to stamp last night. I have NOT been feeling the mojo, if you know what I mean. I couldn't get this card where I liked it, so worked on it a little bit more this morning and finally gave up. Maybe because it's not a Stampin' Up! stamp? ;-) I rarely buy other brands, mostly because I just don't find many I like as well. But this one caught my eye at Recollections (if you're in the Dallas area I'm sure you know they're going out of business, everything is 20% off right now, but will be going lower) the other night, and I don't have any others like it. He is a cute little snowman.

Okay, I'm off to the stamp room to see if I can find that misplaced mojo! I have Stamp Club Sunday for my 2 clubs that are ending their six-month go around this time. I'm planning something very festive...we'll have my famous Christmas sugar cookies...and the new Stampin' Up! catalog, of course! I just need to come up with the killer cute projects now!

Happy Holiday hugs to you and your family!

Recipe Stamps: SU Tiny Talk and Hampton Art. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Basic Gray, and Confetti White. Ink: Bashful Blue, Going Gray, Certainly Celery, and Staz-on Black. Accessories: Jumbo Eyelets, Crop-o-Dile, Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, 2-Way Glue Pen, Stampin' Flock, Aquapainters, Stickles, Snowflake Embossing Template & Cuttlebug.

Good Mail Day

We received a package of Christmas goodies from dh's sister's family and the contents of my gift sort of fell out of the gift bag while opening the box. Oops. So be it. I received the new Autumn Leaves Designing with calendar (this is my 4th year for their awesome calendars, it's like a fantastic idea book in a desktop page-a-day calendar format), Autumn Leaves Jenni Bowlin stamps (these will be great for scrapbooking, come next summer, of course...), and a Marshall's gift card. Merry Christmas to me!

Fortunately, dh's gift remained in tact, and I made sure it stayed that way! Since we're staying in Dallas this year for Christmas (I'm trying to be brave, but I am a little worried...I already cried twice yesterday at the last day of school before the break started...me, who was counting down the days, hours, and minutes left all week!) we've received a nice assortment of gifts to put under the tree. It is soooo hard with no grown-ups here telling us we can't open the presents yet. We try to take turns "playing that role" and keeping each other in check, but it's not easy (as you can tell from the pictures posted above!).

Okay, that's it for today. I did get the house cleaned up and in order today, so I can enjoy myself tomorrow. And stamp!! Yaaay! It will be squeezed in around a trip to the movies and Pei Wei Asian Diner. Yummm. The planned trip took some serious negotiations. I wanted to go to Pei Wei a few weeks ago, and dh wouldn't go at the last minute, so to appease me he promised 2 trips there over Christmas break. (And you can bet I didn't forget!) Then the movies...what an ordeal...so we compromised and it now involves seeing 3 movies over the break...1 he really wants to see, 1 I really want to see, and 1 we both want to see but he wants to see more I think. Confused yet? Me too, I'll let ya know how it works out!

Aloha!

Aloha! No, I'm not in Hawaii, even though one could draw that conclusion from my lack of posts. (Get that drawing conclusions? 3rd grade TAKS teacher talk!) So why Aloha? Well, I'm going to use my microscope slides today...like the one above that is assembled with sticky strip and microbeads...BUT I'm going to be learning how to solder them!

Prepare to be jealous...I'm heading off to the studio of TexasGrammy, aka Bev, the soldering expert!! Whoo! Hoo! I received a soldering kit several years ago for Christmas after I fell in love with the art of Sally Jean, but I've never attempted to try it by myself. I'm so excited to be learning today!

Is my tree decorated yet? No. Have I bought one Christmas gift yet (including the ones that must be mailed to Missouri?) No. Do I have stacks of paper to be graded before grades are due Monday? Yes. Is my house a mess? Yes. Am I worried? No. When TexasGrammy calls, you go!

I'll share the (hopefully wonderful) masterpieces I made tomorrow! Have a super Saturday!

Merry with Martha

Martha Stewart ribbon, that is. I mentioned in my last post (daaaaaayyyys ago, lol!) that I had bought some Martha Stewart ribbon at Michael's, this is from the other package. It's actually ribbon tape. It's okay, but I still kind of like traditional ribbon, because you can add sticky strip to get the "tape" effect if you want, but still make it into bows for more dimension if you prefer. This ribbon did allow me to get the Green Galore card stock out...it used to be such a favorite along with Gable Green, until Certainly Celery came out, and I abandoned all other greens, sigh. And it's hard to see in the picture, but there is a pretty flourish stamp under the white circles on the upper, left-hand side.

Is everyone ready for the holidays? I still haven't started shopping yet, yikes! We did go and buy a tree last night, but it's still standing "au natural" in the living room right now. The plan is to quickly throw the lights and ornaments on it, I mean adorn it beautifully, during The Amazing Race at 7:00.

I tried to convince dh to get the tree last weekend, he said it was too early. December 1, too early? I disagreed, but to back up his argument, he offered this little pearl of wisdom: "I think it's easy to ruin the season by trying to make it last too long." Huh? Maybe if you leave the tree up until March 1. I immediately got a piece of paper and wrote it down, telling him "That little baby is going on my blog." (You can never have too much good material.)

Anyway, before tree shopping yesterday, I had to get the paper out and read it to him. His reply, "It's not nice to remind people of the stupid things they say." (FYI, he just walked through the room and commented, "Hi stampers, it's me Angie!" See, I told you he really does that!) Actually, he got off really easy on the tree acquisition expedition. I looked at ONLY three trees and bought the first one I saw. In years past, I've been known to visit 3 or 4 different tree lots across town before committing to one. I think I'm mellowing with age. Or not. It's hard to say. I haven't budged on the mustard, for example.

Have a super week!

Recipe Stamps: Season of Joy. Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Green Galore. Ink: Real Red, Green Galore. Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, Red Eyelets, Green Galore Brad, 1/2" and 1/16" Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Martha Stewart Ribbon.

Cheers

Hi stampers! It's me, Angie! Thought I'd try that little greeting again! lol! I have to say that Katy's comment on my last post: "Hi, Angie. It's us stampers!" cracked me up!! I laughed sooo hard, thank you for that!

I had a chance to make two cards last Sunday evening during my weekend of severe slacking (which I'm now paying for dearly, like I knew that I would!). I wish the photo was better, but had to take it at night. My new Martha Stewart pink ribbon from Michael's inspired this card.

When did I get new pink ribbon? Well, let me tell you. When I came home from work Friday evening around 6:30, one of the neighbors was getting their carpet cleaned. I've never witnessed this before (we have hardwoods), but this equipment machine in the street was SO loud, our entire street was vibrating. Even inside our house the noise was deafening. I have "noise issues" (along with my "smell issues"...remember the mustard?!) so after 30 minutes I told dh we had to leave the house immediately. Luckily he's a saint...we were already in our loungewear (aka pajamas), but he agreed so we went to Border's, which just happens to be next to the Michael's and Recollections. You get the idea, right? There wasn't much selection, though, and I only bought two ribbons and a magazine, shocking!

Okay, off to try and get through Wednesday. Things have been a little challenging with the precious darlings, normal for this time of year. I had to break out the Teaching with Love and Logic book, which my dear friend Mendy lent me when she quit teaching and I started...and I haven't returned in two years, yikes! It's very good, though, and helping already.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Recipe Stamps: Glad Tidings, Three for You. Cardstock: Close to Cocoa, Soft Sky, Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa DSP. Ink: Close to Cocoa, Pretty in Pink. Accessories: Star Punch, Sherbert Designer Ribbon, Vintage Brad, Dimensionals, Martha Stewart Ribbon.

merry {again}

Hi, stampers! It's me, Angie!

What did you think of that greeting? Every time I am writing a blog post and dh sees me, he says "Hi, stampers! It's me, Angie!" It always cracks me up, he's such a funny (strange) boy. In a good way. I think the thing we say most to each other is "You're not normal." I guess it's a good thing we found each other then.

Today I share my last card from my big, stamping extravaganza last holiday weekend. I need to get myself in the stamp room for a repeat of that at some point today, as I did absolutely NOTHING yesterday, what is wrong with me?! I mean NOTHING!

This merry card is very similar to Wednesday's merry card, except on this one I did not color the letters in with the Versamarker. This card is a little plain, even for me who likes plain cards, but I think I couldn't think of anything else so just gave up. Oh well, they can't all be out of the park, right?!

Okay, here's to doing SOMETHING today! Are you with me?!

Recipe Stamps: Jumbo Outline Alphabet. Cardstock: Real Red, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, and Dashing DSP. Ink: Real Red. Accessories: Snow Blossom Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, and Always Artichoke Grosgrain Ribbon.

Season of Joy

Happy Saturday! We're off to a good start...woke up at 8:30 with the sound of dh coming in the front door with coffee. Yummmmm, nice. Been lazing about, checking out the Stampin Up! retired list, you can view it here. I lost some more, but I'm getting used to it as it's bound to happen after "collecting" tons of stamps over the last 5 1/2 years. I was quite relieved to see I didn't lose any brand new sets that came out this last July. I'm most devastated by Typseset Alphabet Lower, I use it a lot, darn!!

I can't believe the Holiday Mini Catalog is over, boo hoo! I barely used this Season of Joy stamp set enough! I started this card last Saturday while spending the day stamping with my two fellow 3rd grade teachers. In 6 hours, Vina made 3 cards and wrote personal Christmas messages to all 18 of her students, Eva made 30 Christmas cards...and I made 1 1/2 cards. Serious lack of output! Probably because I was so concerned and busy being the hostess, right?! I did heat up some canned soup for them for lunch. So much for the hostess theory.

This is the 1/2 card. I started it in the afternoon and finished it later in the evening. It's hard to see, but I did emboss the image with the words in the background. Embossing is a major event for a lazy stamper like me! I stamped the image in Versamark, then in the retired Cranberry Crisp ink, then embossed with clear embossing powder. That's one of the first stamping tricks my upline taught me years ago, still love the versatility of that Versamark pad!

Okay, I should get busy and try to do something productive today! Perhaps I better go and prepare my pre-order from the new Stampin' Up! Preview Brochure. Do I *need* any of the sets? Probably not. Can I resist an extra 15% off? Absolutely not! Have a super Saturday!

Recipe Stamps: Season of Joy. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Cranberry Crisp, Very Vanilla, and DCWV Winter Stack paper. Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Wild Wasabi, and Versamark. Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Paper Piercer, Vintage Brads, Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen, and Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Sidekick Sayings

Whoo! Hoo! I made it! I would usually be referring to the fact that it's Friday, but this time I mean that I managed to make a new post everyday this week! I guess I should wait until this weekend to celebrate if I make two more posts, but I've at least made seven in a row now! It's just like summer...except for the big dark circles and bags under my eyes! lol!

I hope everyone is doing well and has a wonderful Friday and weekend! Thank you for all of your nice comments, you don't know how much they brighten up my day!

Recipe Stamps: Sidekick Sayings. Cardstock: Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Dashing DSP.
Ink: Real Red, Old Olive, More Mustard. Accessories: Aquapainters, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Old Olive Brads, Paper Piercer, Photo Corner Punch, Dimensionals.

Glad Tidings

Glad Tidings...with contraband! I actually made this card this summer and realized I never shared it. Don't you love this tree paper? I had been hoarding it for awhile *ahem, several years* ahem. Bashful Blue is one of my favorite colors and Christmas is one of my favorite holidays, so this paper was like a dream come true!

Wish me luck today...I've stayed home sick the last two days, but feel I must go back to school today. I have a doctor's appointment at 3:30, it was the earliest I could get in. I think it's just a sinus infection, but sitting up or standing up, I break into a sweat, get all dizzy, feel like my head is going to explode and I may pass out. (Is that dramatic enough for ya?!) I mention the good luck part because I just ripped dh's poor head off when he was asking a simple question about where to put the dry cleaning. Uh-oh. Doesn't bode well for the children today...yikes!

I did make it through Stamp Club last night, thanks for coming ladies, if you're reading! I needed some *girl time* badly! You don't know how much I enjoyed it and how much you help me!

Okay, have a terrific Thursday!

Recipe Stamps: Glad Tidings. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Whisper White, Certainly Celery DSP, tree paper ?. Ink: Bashful Blue craft. Accessories: Blue Gingham Ribbon, Silver Brad, Paper Piercer & Template, Silver Circle Frame Joann's brand.

merry

I know AJ asked me not to make anymore cards with this Jumbo Outline Alphabet, but it was too late...I had already made a couple more last weekend. You know I love using alphabets on cards! So sorry, AJ, go ahead and bite the bullet and buy this set, you need it! *wink* *wink* Tell Santa!!

I used some more Dashing paper scraps on this one, love those scraps! Waste not, want not, right?! I also colored inside the letters with a Versamarker, it's very subtle, but hopefully you can see it a little.

On a side note, I just saw that Waitress was out on video now. If you didn't get a chance to see it, go out and rent it, it's really good! Okay, have a wonderful Wednesday!

Recipe Stamps: Jumbo Outline Alphabet. Cardstock: Real Red, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Dashing DSP. Ink: Real Red. Accessories: Versamarker, Always Artichoke Brads, Snow Blossom Punch.

Peace

Ahhhh, peace. I hope you're feeling some! I was on a bit of a Wild Wasabi kick last weekend, it's great for holiday cards and looks good mixed with so many other colors. Here it's mixed with some patterned paper from the DCWV from Joann's. I'm trying to make myself use some of those big stacks of paper that I can never resist at 50% off! The chipboard bird is also from a Joann's 50% off huge chipboard pack.

On a funny note, I couldn't resist taking a picture of Nick the other night during a bit of animal cruelty on his owner's part! He went in for grooming last Friday, excellently timed with a cold front hitting, and he was soooo cold and shivering when he got home. I remembered this little coat I bought him several years ago from a Christmas trip home to Missouri, but it was too large for him and I never got around to returning it. (Does anyone else have a closet full of stuff you never get around to returning?)

Isn't he the cutest? The front part is too long and seriously hampered his walking. Wish I could have got an action shot of him walking, my camera does make movies, maybe I'll have to figure out how to do that. I decided I could hem the front and it might work (given my track record of completing alterations, dh says he's not holding his breath waiting for this to happen...he has some pants with a stapled crotch seam to prove his point!) Anyway, I coined him Sherlock Nick (he just needs the little tweed hat) or Mr. Barky von Schnauzer (don't you love that Petsmart commercial?!)


Okay, I hope you have a terrific and peaceful Tuesday!

Recipe Stamps: All in a Row. Cardstock: Wild Wasabi, Cranberry Crisp, DCWV Winter Stack patterned paper. Ink: Chocolate Chip, Versamark. Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware Kit, Cranberry Crisp Stitched Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Dimensionals, 1 1/4' Circle Punch, Chipboard Bird from Joann's.

SCS Color Challenge 141

More stamping, can you believe it?! I loved this Splitcoast Color Challenge 141 using Wild Wasabi, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White, so I gave it a go last night while watching The Amazing Race. (Anyone else watch it? Sad to see that couple go...our favorite moment so far this season is that girl having a meltdown last week while milking a camel..."THERE'S NO MORE MILK!" Drinking that warm camel milk? -->insert shudder here)

Okay, back to the card. If you have time, go check out the gallery for this challenge. There are some fabulous cards with this color combo, I love it! I think my card needs a little something else, but I was wearing down and gave up. Hope the photo doesn't look too dark, had to take it at night...I knew I wouldn't be home again during daylight until Saturday. (Have I mentioned I HATE Daylight Savings Time?!)

Well, must finish getting ready for school now. I've accepted it. I have to go. I'm putting on my big girl pants and trying to deal with it. Actually, running through my head is that song Big Girls Don't Cry...by that girl who sings it...you know...it's on the radio every 5 minutes...she's got to get a move on...she's going to miss him like a child misses its blanket......which really has nothing to do with going back to work after a wonderful 5 day break, except neither of us are going to cry.

Have a marvelous Monday! Don't cry!

Recipe Stamps: Jumbo Outline Alphabet, Typeset Alphabet Lower. Cardstock: Pretty in Pink, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White. Ink: Pretty in Pink, Wild Wasabi. Accessories: Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Spiral Punch, Dimensionals, Cuttlebug & Snowflakes Embossing Template, Pink Clip from Rob & Bob Studio.

SCS Featured Stamper TexasGrammy

I don't have as much time as I'd like to participate in the Splitcoast Challenges, but when I saw the Featured Stamper Challenge today was featuring TexasGrammy, I had to join in! I've been lucky enough to get to know TexasGrammy, aka Bev Gerard, and spend time with her, and she is the BEST! She is one of the most sincerely nice, caring, thoughtful, and "real" people I have ever met. She's the kind of person you just know you could call in an emergency, and she would be there and do anything for you. I love ya, Bev!

Okay, enough gushing, on to the card! I copied this wonderful card where Bev used Simply Circles. I kept the same layout, just changed the colors and stamp set. I also used taffeta ribbon where she used cord, as I don't have any cord left right now. Do we still sell that? I don't think so, maybe just the new elastic cord in the Holiday Mini, which I never ordered.

Go check out TexasGrammy's gallery and give the Featured Stamper Challenge a try! Hope your Sunday is super!

Recipe Stamps: The Snowflake Spot. Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Whisper White. Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, and Craft White. Accessories: Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Jumbo Eyelet, Circle Punches: 1 3/8", 1 1/4", 1", and 3/4".

Peek-A-Boo Box

As usual, I'm one of the last ones to catch on to a trend (believe me, if you met me in person, you'd never believe I was a fashion major in college...I better not even say my college to save the department and professors embarrassment!), but I recently spotted these cute, little peek-a-boo boxes and decided it would be a great project for Stamp Club this month. I kept intending to go to the store and get little treats to put inside the box, but let's face it...the little treats never stay inside the box. They end up inside me. (If there's any doubt, I could show you the way this Halloween candy bar wrapper and basket look now!)

I've been enjoying my Thanksgiving break way tooo much. So much that the realization that tomorrow is Sunday and I must return to work Monday has just hit me HARD. Nooooooo! I miss my life, please don't make me go back! Once I'm back (fully immersed and drowning) I'll forget that I had a life and all will be fine...it's just the transition time that's difficult to face! Am I the only one going through this right now?!

Well, dh is calling me because I'm missing the Mizzou Tigers football game on national television (oops, let my alma mater slip there!). Guess I better go show some school spirit, plus his second cousin is on the team or something...no worries, I can stamp and watch at the same time!

Recipe Stamps: Sparkling Sayings. Cardstock: Dashing DSP, Real Red, Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke. Ink: Real Red and Always Artichoke. Accessories: Star Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" and 1/2" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 5/8" Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals.

Big on Christmas!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving! I'm sure that no one laid around and ate too much...like I did! I did spend a little time in the stamp room getting projects ready for Stamp Club, which is this Sunday and next Wednesday night. This is one of the projects using Big on Christmas. I've had this set for some time, which is perfect for the "snow" across the top. I've been dying to try this since Shelli showed it at Convention, super easy!

Happy Black Friday! Good luck if you decide to venture out of the house and hit the retail scene!

Card Recipe Stamps: Big on Christmas. Cardstock: Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Watercolor paper, Close to Cocoa Prints Designer Series Paper. Ink: Staz-On Jet Black, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Groovy Guava, Always Artichoke, Ruby Red. Accessories: Crystal Effects, Dazzling Diamonds, Blue Bayou Double-Stitched Ribbon, Silver Brads, Dimensionals, and Horizontal Slot Punch.

Wrapping up the Holidays Promotion!

In case you haven't heard, Stampin' Up! announced an exciting special, Wrapping up the Holidays, that runs now through December 15, while supplies last.

Item Number	Description	Price
112409	Holiday Tag Bundle	$4.95
110380	Tags for All Stamp Set* (20% off)	$24.76
110264	Designer Gift cards* (30% off)	$4.55
109862	Chocolate Chip satin ribbon*	Buy 1, get 1 free!
109863	Purely Pomegranate satin ribbon*	Buy 1, get 1 free!
108333	Tin 3-Pack	$9.95
110147	Celebration wrapping paper*	$17.95
110228	Hand Selected Accents & Elements (25% off)	$8.21

Some of the details:

• There is no limit to the number of items a customer may purchase, but Holiday Mini items are available only while supplies last.
• The Holiday Tag Bundle includes 15 of each of the following pieces:

-Whisper White card stock
-Real Red textured card stock
-Soft Sky Prints Designer Series Paper (Dotted Diamond pattern)
-Real Red twill tape

• The satin ribbon offer (buy one, get one free) is good on both the Purely Pomegranate and Chocolate Chip ribbon. Customers may select any combination of ribbon for their free ribbon. For example, a customer can buy one Chocolate Chip and choose a second Chocolate Chip or a Purely Pomegranate ribbon for the free ribbon.
• The Tin 3-Pack contains three empty Accents & Elements tins. These tins have never been available for purchase separately.

You can get more details, get more ideas, and download the official flier here. Let me know if you have any questions or find a Stampin' Up! demonstrator in your area here.

Time Well Spent!

Who loves free stamps?! I do!! Stampin' Up! sent all demonstrators this brand new set, Time Well Spent, that will be a new Level 3 Hostess set in the new catalog coming out January 1. Isn't that amazing? It has a great "doodley" look, and I know it will challenge me to watercolor more.

I made this card last night (after I had a short nap of course) to celebrate the kick-off of my Thanksgiving break!! I had some scraps of patterned paper laying on my desk, so I used them together...not a combo I would have put together on my own, but I ended up really liking it. The velvet ribbon was also a tiny scrap I had laying around. I've said it before, but I do love the scraps!

The card layout, I got from this sketch 33 from the Sketch This Cards blog. I always love their sketches and the artwork of their designers. Below here is a picture of the stamp set, so you can see all the wonderful stamps close-up. I'm starting to get really excited about the new SU catalog, even though I know it's gonna cost me and I can't afford it!


My holiday is off to a great start..nap last night...slept in until 10:00 this morning...it's bringing back some wonderful flashbacks to last summer! Looking forward to spending a peaceful, relaxing holiday here at home with dh. And stamping, of course! I hope you do the same!

Recipe Stamps: Time Well Spent. Cardstock: BlueBayou, Purely Pomegranate, Whisper White, Brocade Background DSP, Apple Cider DSP. Ink: Blue Bayou, Purely Pomegranate, Old Olive, and Staz-On Jet Black. Accessories: Purely Pomegranate Double-Stitched Ribbon, Sherbert Ribbon, Aqua Painters, Stapler, Dimensionals, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Paper Piercer & Template, and Ice Circle Rhinestone Brad.

Cuttlebug Challenge

I finally stamped, can you believe it?! I signed up recently for a Cuttlebug Challenge in one of my Yahoo groups. You make a card and send it to someone and someone else makes you a card. They kind of move around in a circle. This challenge was to use your Cuttlebug, or any other type of die cutter/embosser you have, so I decided that would be a good challenge for me (as mine does tend to collect dust!).

This card is 5x7 (card stock cut 7x10 and scored at 5" on the 10" side), and it had a matching envelope that I embossed as well. I used the Cuttlebug Snowflakes embosser. All of the patterned paper pieces are embossed, but it's a little hard to see in the photo. The next photo shows the little tags when you pull them out of the pockets. I used mostly Certainly Celery, Sage Shadow, Always Artichoke, Confetti White, Wintergreen Designer Series Paper and Season of Joy stamp set. Feel free to email me or post any particular questions.


Okay, I'm off to school, running late! It's the last day before Thanksgiving break, give me strength!! I don't know who's more excited...the kids or me! Who am I kidding...it's me!

Let's All Go to the Movies...

Okay, I still haven't been stamping, so I thought I would recommend some movies. After going to the school last Sunday afternoon to work, I decided to stop on the way home and see a movie. I needed a break, a total get-away. I saw Dan in Real Life, and it was great! Who knew Steve Carell could be normal and look SO cute?!





And since seeing this movie, I can't get this song out of my head! It's moved into my top 10 favorites of all time now!






Lastly, I just recently saw Happy Feet when it premiered on Starz one Saturday night. I think I have watched it like ten times now, while grading papers, writing lesson plans, cleaning house, etc...everytime it's on again, I have it playing in the background somewhere in the house. It's just the happiest movie with the best message. I've never thought much about penguins, one way or another, but after watching that little penguin dance, you can't help but love penguins and feel sooooo happy!






Okay, hope you enjoyed that little bit of entertainment! I *plan* to stamp tomorrow, if all goes well. Worst case scenario...only two days of school this week to get through, then I"ll be off Wednesday - Sunday! Yahoooo! Lots of stamping and relaxing planned for then! I hope you'll be able to join me! *wink*

Stamper's Showcase!

I have a card on Stamper's Showcase today! I'm having a "Beate" moment! She's always on there! (For non-SU demonstrators, Stamper's Showcase is a gallery where SU features several SU demonstrator cards everyday on their demonstrator-only portion of the website.) I've been on there a few time over my five years as a demonstrator, but not very often. When I go to Stampin' Up! events, I'll easily see a dozen cards of mine on the display boards, but I just rarely make the Showcase, so it feels nice.

Anyway, I thought I posted this card before, but I quickly went through the previous months and couldn't find it. DH just looked at it and said "It's cute. I like the North Pole thing and the whimsical way the star is too big for the tree." Hmmmm....is that a compliment? I'm not so sure!

Here's the recipe, copied from the SU website as I'm officially running late now! Have a great day!

Stamps: PERFECT PRESENTATION HOSTESS STAMP SET ALL IN A ROW STAMP SET	Paper: CARD STOCK REAL RED 8 1/2X11 CARD STOCK SO SAFFRON 8 1/2X11
Inks: CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD REAL RED CLASSIC STAMPIN PAD SO SAFFRON	Accessories: RIBBON GINGHAM RED CRAFTERS' TOOL KIT PUNCH HANDHELD 1/16 INCH CIRCLE BRADS SOFT SUBTLES STAMPIN DIMENSIONALS

Stamp Club Challenge

Well, I'm a little late in posting these, but wanted to share the fantastic cards some of my Stamp Club members made last month. Pictured above are the supplies they received: Old Olive Prints Pattern Designer Series Paper, Confetti Card Stock, Old Olive button and 5/8" Wide Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon. Their only instructions were to make a "fall" card, although I didn't write that down, so that was bad on the "teacher's" part!

Here is Beverly Mohler's card...great watercoloring and paper piercing...and loved the addition of the tab punch!

Here is Lori Franklin's card...ingenious use of the ribbon by fraying it to make the giraffe's hair! And she has a brand new baby niece in the family, so can't blame her for making a baby card!

This is Beth Houser's card...I forgot to add the Old Olive button in her supply packet, so she added her own! I love the way she did the ribbon with the fold-over and button on top. Also, just realized I should have photographed the inside, because the little tracks on the front of the card lead to a precious turkey stamped on the inside! So cute and clever!

Here is Michelva Evan's card...love the addition of the Ruby Red card stock and lovely leaf punches!

Okay, back to work for me. Graded papers all day yesterday (when I wasn't sleeping!)...next week is the end of the 2nd six week period so grade cards will be sent out again. I'm determined to not be behind this time, and since I'm attending an all-day TAKS reading seminar next Saturday, I'm planning ahead (a rare occurrence for me!).

By the way, the school fall festival was a smashing success. As I mentioned, this was really our first school event, and the kids and parents really seemed to enjoy it. There was a large turn-out, and we raised a lot of money for the school. The kids really loved decorating the cupcakes...although not as much as throwing wet sponges at the PE Coach!

Hope you're having a great weekend and getting some stamping done! I've set aside 7-10pm tonight to squeeze some in, during my Sunday night shows, yeaaaa!

540 Reasons

Isn't this romantic? Not really, I just had some Cuttlebug numbers (4 to be exact) laying on my desk from an old project, so I threw this card together. It was the same night as the last card I posted, while watching the Amazing Race and using my new Joann's winter mat stack. I guess I'll have a card ready for next year's anniversary, though, right? (That should give me enough time to start thinking of these 540 reasons...)

Speaking of numbers, last night I baked something like 78 cupcakes for our school Fall Festival tomorrow night. (Not to self: do NOT sign up for the cupcake decorating booth next year!) I still have like 3 more boxes to bake tonight. I may never make cupcakes again after this. I really should have stopped after work and bought more muffin pans...it goes very slowly with only two. I'm actually very excited about the Festival, it's the first event like this our school has ever had. Wish us luck...I'll let you know how it turns out!

Hope your Thursday is super!

Big Deal abc

Whoo! Hoo! After working all day Saturday and spending the majority of Sunday in bed with a migraine, I managed to stamp for one hour Sunday night while watching The Amazing Race with hubby. (You know, you have to have some "quality" time together!)

It felt so good to stamp again! Usually I'm "rusty" after not stamping much, but I cranked out two cards pretty quickly. I bought a new winter mat stack at Joann's two weeks ago with a 50% off coupon (I was buying supplies for school next door at Staple's...it just happened to be next door to Joann's...how can a girl resist that?!). When I saw the blue stripe and green polka dot in the stack, I immediately thought of school (or maybe it's just because that's ALL I think about and it's sucking the life blood out of me), so I made this "abc" card. I'm sure there will be an occasion where I can use it for someone at school.

Thanks for all your kind comments about the "throwing up" incident. It made me feel much better reading them! We haven't had anymore incidents like that at school, thank goodness!

Some other exciting news...dh set up wireless service in our house now, and I am addicted!! How did I ever live without a laptop and wireless service?!! I know it's not a Mac, but it is blazing fast, especially compared to my five year old desktop model. DH named our network LLN...Local Laziness Network. It does make it very hard to get off the couch now...if I could just reach the printer...

Have a terrific Tuesday!

Recipe Stamps: Big Deal Alphabet. Card Stock: Brocade Blue, Whisper White, Winter Mat Stack. Ink: Real Red, Brocade Blue, More Mustard. Accessories: Real Red 5/8' Grosgrain Ribbon, Button, Sanding Block, thread, Glue Dot, stapler.

True Friend Mini Album

This is the second project my Stamp Club members are making this week. The top picture I photographed at night, so it's not as good, the ones below I took this morning, so hopefully they're a little better.

I've seen this project around for awhile, but then again recently on Patty Bennett's blog...thank you, Patty, you were a life saver this month!! The textured River Rock base is 6x6, so it can fit inside the SU 6x6 envelopes, perfect for gift-giving! I was so happy I finally had a chance to use my new True Friend set! This was my first, and only so far, attempt...hope to have more time to play later.



Now, for scary school stories. Let's just start by saying I have a new appreciation for all you moms out there. My kids have always gone to PE right after lunch, which has always worried me a little. Well, Coach ran them hard on Thursday in a race/contest. When they came back to my room, they were all complaining (which is normal and frequent anyways), but I sent them on their normal bathroom/drink break. Two of them came back, crying, telling me they had thrown up on the bathroom floor. I kept them in the hallway, standing over the big trash can, patting their backs, wiping their faces with cold wash towels (see, I thought, no problem, I could do this mother thing).

Then they started throwing up again. I started gagging, the stench was awful, but I thought I would be okay. No such luck. I had to shout, "Move over!"...and then we were all three throwing up in the trash can. Man, what a wuss I am! How do you mothers do it?! Luckily another 3rd grade teacher was on conference, so she took over, got their stuff, and walked them downstairs to the secretary so they could go home.

Anyway, I hope I didn't gross you out too badly. I just have to send out some praise and love to you moms out there! I'm pretty sure they don't pay you enough to handle situations like that! Have a super Sunday!

School Folder Project

Yeaaa! It's Thursday...which means it's almost Friday! Yeaaaa! And I remembered to photograph the little file book I made for my fellow 3rd grade teachers for their birthday. I used mostly the Simply Scrappin' Kit Primary Colors. I love these kits! The textured card stock and patterned paper are so yummy, and they have sooo much in them to use! I think the only thing I added was their initials from my "contraband letter" collection and some American Crafts school-type ribbon. The next pictures show the inside and back side of the folder.




My upline showed me a project like this they made on the Stampin' Up! cruise. At the time, I didn't have the paper and stamp set they used to copy it, but I loved the project. Then I saw it again on Patty Bennett's blog (love her and her stuff!!), so it inspired me to go ahead and give it a try. I bought the plain white folders on sale at Office Depot during the back-to-school promos, but you can also get neutral colored ones in packages there (see the picture on Patty's blog). Let me know if you have any questions about this, it's super easy!

Speaking of school, did I mention all the teachers got brand-spankin' new laptop computers last Friday?! Are we special or what?! It's not a Mac, but beggers can't be choosers, right?! I just need to get wireless set up at home now so I can be free to "work" from any room in the house! Yipppeeee!

Hope you have a terrific Thursday!