True Friend

Happy Friday! Mostly happy because this week is coming to a close! I did some surfing tonight and then remembered at 10:30 that I needed to finish the card I started yesterday morning at 6 a.m. for Beate's Be Inspired Challenge #30. (Remember, the one I had the idea for while blow drying my hair Thursday morning?) Hmmm, now that I see the inspiration piece again, not so sure what I was doing. Typical for this week! lol!

Take a look at the button tragedy down below, sigh. It was a bad spill Thursday night. Yes, each color used to be in its own little square inside the container. This is just one little example of how my week has been! lol!

I am excited to get started on some projects this weekend, and I just know things are going to turn around! Did you see that "12 Days of Christmas" box over to the right on my blog? It's a month-long holiday workshop being offered online by Lisa Pace. She does amazing stuff, so I signed up for it and highly recommend it, especially if you love the vintage look.

I'm off to Bedfordshire (do you know what movie that's from?!). Sleep tight! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: True Friend, Occasions Collection.
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Urban Garden DSP.
Ink: Basic Gray.
Accessories: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Baja Breeze Designer Button, Cutter Kit, Big Shot, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder.

Hi & Hello: Beate's Weekend Sketch #64

Happy Monday! I just managed to sneak this one in before bed last night! I used Beate's fabulous sketch for Weekend Sketch #64. I copied it to a T, nothing creative here, well not on my part anyways! lol! Oh, I did have to scoot my circle over a little to the right to get it to work with my "hello".

I've had that chipboard U laying on my desk for a LONG time, rejected from a past project, so I'm glad I finally found a use for it! While cleaning off my desk Saturday morning, I *almost* threw away all the little bits and parts that I'm always saving, but luckily I didn't!

Hope you had a super weekend! I caught up on a lot of sleep, it was so nice to *fall* back! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Hi & Hello (on the dormant list)
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Ski Slope DSP, Bella Rose DSP.
Ink: Staz-On Brown.
Accessories: Baja Breeze felt flower, Silver Brads, Border Scallop Punch, On Board Lots of Letters, Paper Piercer Mat Pack, Dimensionals.

Beate's Be Inspired Challenge #28

Happy Wednesday!



I didn't really have time to stamp last night because I had so much housework to do to make up for being gone last weekend and to get ready for Stamp Club tonight, but then I saw Beate's Be Inspired Challenge #28, so I had to give it a quick go at 11:00 p.m.! It may be a little simple, even for me! lol! I needed a card for an upcoming birthday, and now I just noticed I forgot to stamp the "October" up top. Doh! It may need to undergo some revisions tonight! *wink*

Hope you have a great Wednesday! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Mark the Date
Cardstock: Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP.
Ink: Staz-On Brown.
Accessories: Chocolate Chip Felt Flower, More Mustard Brad, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon.

Stamp Club Challenge

Happy Monday! I realized last night I had never posted the cards from the last Stamp Club Challenge, I'm way late! I gave the girls this challenge in August, then they brought or mailed (thank you, Beverly!) the cards to me by the end of September.

The challenge this time was to use Beate's Weekend Sketch #54 and I gave each member a piece of the Bashful Blue 1 1/4" Double Stitched Ribbon and a Chocolate Chip Felt Flower. They were free to use anything else they wanted.

On my card above, I made it a 4 1/4" square card, I'm loving these so much lately! It's actually a 4 1/4" square piece of Chocolate Chip as a base, and the Kraft is a 4" x 8" piece, scored at 4" and attached on top of the Chocolate Chip piece. Something went wrong and I had to end up doing that, but I can't remember what it was now, it's been too long ago! I used the stamp set Happy Everything and the Real Red patterns paper in the level 1 hostess set. Love that paper!

Now here are the awesome card from the stamp club members who took the challenge! They are so good, I think they may have to start supplying the stamp club projects every month! hee! hee!

Lori's card with the fabulous Top Note die in place of the circle image, so clever! Love all the layered oval punches with the sentiment too!


Beverly Mohler's card with incredible embossing! It's hard to see in the photo, but it's amazing in real life! Great way to use that big stamp as the circle for the sketch!


Michelva's card, great way to use the little envelopes and I love the ribbon wrapped around the outside of it with the hodgepodge hardware, too cool!


Valerie made this awesome hanging tag! Love how she used the scallop flower edge for the circle image and those little white/pink flowers are so cute, reminds me of when I was a little girl!


Didn't they do a great job?!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Beate's Be Inspired Challenge #26

Happy Wednesday! Yesterday I worked a little late (4:40, hee! hee!) and ran a bunch of errands I put off over the weekend, so I didn't plan on stamping when I got home. BUT, when I saw Beate's Inspiration Challenge #26, I had to! It's such a cool look! Of course, I made the mistake of looking through my Google Reader first and I saw Dawn's fabulous card (check it out, she has some blog candy there too!), and it's exactly what I was going to do! It's the perfect look I was going to create once I had thought of it! Freaky! *wink*

So, I almost quit right there, but then decided to go with my back-up plan, which turned out to be the card above. I keep going for Kraft lately, not sure what's up with that. When I pulled this piece of Kraft out, it already had the 3 holes punched, so I decided to roll with it. I used 2 retired sets, shocking! The dots and stripes are from So Happy, I still love that set and couldn't part with it. The sentiment is from Quick Thinking...it's a keeper...and where else would you find a stamp that says, "Really, I like you."?

The 2nd grade teacher I work with was out sick Tuesday, so I decided to make it a get well card for her. She's an amazing teacher and this is her second round of sickness in the first six weeks (although only the first day she's missed work, what a trooper!)...that first year of teaching is killer for building up the antibodies! I am so lucky, all four teachers I'm working with are great, and I love being in their rooms and helping their kids.

Thanks so much for stopping by! You really take my breath away! Get it? Rex Smith from yesterday? hee! hee! I'm so glad *some* of you knew what I was talking about! Juanita commented on how much time it must have taken me to write that post with all those links... ummmm, yeah, but so worth it! lol! And I'm not even going to tell you how many times (11) I listened to those songs while writing the post!

Have a super day!

Recipe
Stamps: So Happy & Quick Thinking (both retired).
Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White, Pacific Point, Basic Black.
Ink: Staz-On Black.
Accessories: Circle Punches (1 1/4", 1 3/8", 1/2"), 5/8" Red Riding Hood Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals.

Spooky Week Day 6: Halloween Frights play Scrabble

Happy Saturday! This Spooky Day 6 is running a day late, sorry! By Fridays I'm just so pooped and I took a 2 hour nap then watched the movie No Country for Old Men with dh...not exactly a happy little show...so I got no stamping done. My students always can't wait for Friday Night Smackdown (wrestling, ewww!), but personally, I can't wait for Friday Night Napdown! That's what I call it, hee! hee!

So anyway, after getting coffee with dh this morning, I came home and made this little card using Beate's Weekend Sketch #58. I got these Scrabble tiles awhile back on my junking day with friends at Junkadoodle. I always buy them when I see them because they're great for my students to use. I couldn't help but pull just a few out to make this card, though!

Okay, guess I better get moving! Dh and I are *planning* to go see Burn After Reading (ironically, another Coen Brothers movie, but hopefully a little lighter than last night's choice!) if we can get our lazy b*tts moving! lol! We planned on going last weekend, but with the wind and rain, etc we just holed up inside all weekend.

What are you up to this weekend? The weather has been AMAZING in Dallas this week, and from what I've been reading on your blogs, it's been pretty nice all over. I hope everyone suffering from Hurricane Ike fallout has their power back on and is getting the help they need.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Stamps: Halloween Frights
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Whisper White, Ghostly Greetings DSP.
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Staz-On Black.
Accessories: Scallop Edge Punch, Black Hemp, Black Eyelets, Scrabble Tiles.

Punch Pals...Beate's WSC55

Happy Sunday! I don't know about you guys, but I have been super lazy today, like embarrassingly lazy! lol! The only thing I've really *accomplished* is this card for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #55. Can I get a shout out and high five for Beate's return?!! I know I'm not the only one that missed her from all that I've read.

I love long cards, so I really loved this sketch. You may remember my long envelopes from this Party Hearty card and post, and since I still have lots of envelopes left and love the color palette, I decided to use them again for this card. The finished size is 9 1/4" x 4". I love the way it turned out, but I'm afraid I won't be mass-producing it for Christmas this year! lol!

I mentioned I had some fun things planned with friends yesterday, so I thought I'd share a few highlights. While waiting for them to arrive at Zoes Kitchen (which was great, especially the cherry limeade!), I happened to spot a new paper store next door, Paper Affair. How convenient!! Imagine my shock when I discovered Patty Bennett stationery!! I knew she was popular, but wow!! *Edited to add: This was just a sample showing how you could custom order items, I just thought it was too funny that it was a paper product and it had Patty's name on it!

I found a few things at Junkadoodle, which I haven't unpacked yet, but thought I would share this interesting little piece of artwork with dolls' heads that I did not buy...creepy, but interesting...


Over at White Elephant, I *really* wanted this old scale, but at $62 I just couldn't do it. Sigh. It would look so cool hanging from the ceiling...


Now for my very favorite booth at White Elephant, I would buy everything here if I could! She has great taste and great style, lots of old school stuff, but it ain't cheap.





Okay, maybe I should go try and accomplish something else. Or not. Hee! Hee! Hope you're enjoying your weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Recipe
Stamps: Punch Pals, Everyday Flexible Phrases.
Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Real Red, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Holiday Happenings DSP, Real Red & Not Quite Navy Patterns DSP.
Ink: Staz-On Brown.
Accessories: Big Shot, Go Go Alphabet, Small Tag Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Snowburst Punch, Border Scallop Punch, Kiwi Kiss & Baja Breeze Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Real Red Button, Vintage Silver Brad, Not Quite Navy Brads, Stapler, Dimensionals.

Bella Blossoms SC189

Happy Sunday! Here's another Bella Blossom (this is it for awhile, I'll change to another set for tomorrow!) card I made for the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge #189. It gave me another chance to use the Top Note Bigz die, so I couldn't resist! lol! I did break out the new GoGo Alphabet die for a project last night, it's way fun!

I used the Parisian Summer DSP, it's so pretty and girly! At first I poked holes in the plaid paper, but they didn't show up at all, so I turned it over and poked again from the back side to make them more noticable. If I had a Janome Mini, I would have sewed around the edge, sigh. lol! For the flower image, I stamped it in Bravo Burgundy craft ink, then covered with Heat & Stick Powder, heat embossed, then poured on the Dazzling Diamonds glitter. This close-up shows the sparkle better:


Did y'all catch that great night of Olympics last night? Besides Michael Phelps, obviously, it was a great night for the *old girls*...the 41 year old Dara Torres for swimming and the 38 year old Romanian marathon runner, Constantina Tomescu-Dita. Go old girls!

Okay, better dash, this old girl has lots to do! It dawned on me that I'll have to do the laundry and housework today! yikes! I got in the habit of doing those on Monday, so dh and I could enjoy a relaxing weekend. Those days are over! lol!

Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Stamps: Bella Blossoms
Cardstock: So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Parisian Summer DSP
Ink: Bravo Burgundy, White & Vanilla craft.
Accessories: Heat & Stick Powder, Heat Gun, Dazzling Diamonds, Top Note Bigz Die, Big Shot, Paper Piercer & Guide, Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Pretties Kit, Cutters Tool Kit, Dimensionals, Glue Dot.

Two Challenges: BIC18 and SC181

Happy Thursday! I have to admit, last night I had to ask DH, "Is this Tuesday or Wednesday?" and it really didn't make any difference to me! Love that! I have been working on my June Stamp Club projects (which I did finish and will photograph later when the rain stops and there's better light), but I took a little break last night to work on Beate's Be Inspired Challenge #18 and the Splitcoast Sketch Challenge #181. (Oooh, look how those numbers coincide?!) The Be Inspired Challenge was based on this cake, isn't it fabulous?!


You know it wasn't hard for me, since Bashful Blue is my favorite color. I did break out of my Whisper White box and use Very Vanilla for a change. I can also happily say I used Fresh Cuts again...the little green flower/vine stamp is from Fresh Cuts. The sentiment is from Fun & Fast Notes...another set that we received at Convention last year, like Wanted, that has been sadly neglected by me!

Okay, off to do some more organizing. I'm slowly getting the teacher pile in the dining room organized and put away. It stormed Tuesday and the power went out for an hour, so that got me started, luckily. I'm proud to say I waited ONE more hour and kept working before I turned the comptuer back on! hee! hee!

Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped something today?

Recipe
Stamps: Fresh Cuts, Fun & Fast Notes.
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Ruby Red, So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Bashful Blue & So Saffron Prints DSP, Ginger Blossom DSP.
Ink: Certainly Celery, Ruby Red.
Accessories: Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon, Bashful Blue Brads, Three for You Flower Punch, Dimensionals.

Beate's Weekend Sketch #51

Schwooo! I just barely managed to squeak in with Beate's Weekend Sketch #51 last night while watching Hairspray on HBO. I never could get the "hi" quite how I liked it, but it was getting late (1:00!) and John Travolta kept cracking me up in the movie, so I was a little distracted!

Another felt flower tip...here I squished the Old Olive felt flower in brown Staz-On ink to change the color. I used a rub-on popsicle stick so my fingers wouldn't be completely inky. When finished, it was pretty saturated, so I used a heat gun to help dry it along. (BTW: It had a great chemical smell, if you like that sort of thing! lol!) The back side of the flower was kind of a brown-olive distressed look that was neat too. I might use that side next time. If you give it a try, link to your creation here so we can see it too!

Lastly, there's been a lot of talk among my Great Swap Girls about signing up for this Got Sketch 101 Class, and I finally caved and did it. Do you want to join us?! It starts today, you still have time...plus, you work at your own pace. I've been reading Valerie's blog forever, she's really awesome. It seems like a great challenge to get you working and using your stash, so come on, join us!


Recipe Stamps: Jumbo Outline Alphabet. Cardstock: Old Olive, Whisper White, Ginger Blossom DSP, Spring Break DSP. Ink: Brown Staz-On. Accessories: Pure Color Pencils, Old Olive Poly Twill Ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware Kit, Jumbo Eyelet, Felt Flowers.

Friendly Flowers Be Inspired Challenge #15

Don't forget to go here to register for Happy One Year Blogversary Blog Candy! Drawing to be held Friday evening!


Happy Friday! After I posted that Text & Texture card last night, I was really not liking it! So I thought I better go ahead and make another card I could post first thing this morning! lol! I planned on using the So Much set, but then I remembered that Beate had a great new Be Inspired Challenge on Tuesday that I liked, so I played with it. When I saw it, I thought of the Friendly Flowers set right away because of the large stamp with a circle shape. The card is based on this dress from J. Crew:

Okay, gotta run! Hope you have a great Friday! Thanks for stopping by! Have you stamped today?

Recipe Stamps: Friendly Flowers. Cardstock: Basic Gray, Bordering Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive Prints DSP. Ink: Versamark. Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Winter White Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Black Brad, Slit Punch, Old Olive Polyster Twill Ribbon, Rub Ons, Dimensionals.

Be Inspired #14 & Wednesday Dig It Out & Use It Up #5

Happy Wednesday! I decided I *had* to stamp around 11:00pm last night (I should have been in bed, yikes!), so I decided to try Beate's Be Inspired Challenge #14 in conjunction with my Wednesday Dig It Out and Use It Up Challenge #5. I really liked the inspiration piece, and since I was in a *bit* of a hurry, I used a sketch from the August 2007 Stampin' Success (a monthly SU publication for demonstrators) that was open and laying on my desk from the weekend's search for possible stamp club projects. I didn't intend to add the piece of More Mustard patterned paper across the top, but I got the proportions wrong and there was too much rust, so I had to add something. Oh, and the brown ribbon is what I "dug out and used"...it's from the SU Flirty ribbon offered in an old mini catalog.

Did anyone vote for Idol last night? I'm embarrassed to say I kept voting for David Cook until midnight (except for an hour when I forgot because I got sidetracked looking up crime reports in Dallas based on a news story I saw, doh!). He didn't do as well last night, and I don't think he has a chance against David A. and the throngs of teenage girls supporting him, but I think he'll still do okay in the "biz" after this.

Also, thank you SO much for all your sweet comments about our 3rd grade results this year. We...the teachers and students...all worked so hard, and you're so nice to comment, I love you! The 3rd grade is off on a field trip to the Science Place today, give us (the teachers!) strength!! Hope y'all have a great Wednesday!

Recipe Stamps: Friendly Flowers. Cardstock: Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Old Olive Prints DSP, East Coast Prep DSP. Ink: Staz-On Brown, More Mustard marker. Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Flirty Ribbon, Stapler, Pretties Flower, Aqua Painters, Vintage Brad, Dimensionals, Rub-On.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #44

Well, Monday came way too fast. It always does, I don't know why I'm surprised! I did manage to complete Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #44 last night, but the lighting was not great for this photo. (I still need to get one of those light tents, and TexasGrammy commented before that I need to speak to her before doing that, so I must call her!) I also made this card for a group challenge "Something Old, Something New"...the something old is the Looks Like Spring set, and the something new was my Nestabilities square scallop die-cut, which was awesome by the way, so I see *more* of those in my near future!!

Anyway, back to the card, it's fairly straightforward...Afternoon Tea DSP and even splurged on a Build-a-Brad. I used the Argyle stamp from Looks Like Spring behind the flower focal point, but you really can't see it. When I showed dh he said, "Well, it's certainly busy." So I added the paper piercing in the corners, just to show him. lol! He's actually very supportive, he just prefers the clean and simple style.

Okay, better get ready for work now. I did manage to walk a mile this morning, after a 3 day hiatus, shame on me! I *HATE* to admit it, but I do feel better when I do it. Ugh! Have a great Monday!

Recipe Stamps: Looks Like Spring. Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, Whisper White, Afternoon Tea & Wild Wasabi Prints DSP. Ink: Versamark, Wild Wasabi. Accessories: Heat & Stick Powder, Heat Gun, Celery Fine Cosmo Glitter, Scallop Circle Punch, Paper Piercer, Build-a-Brad, 3/4" Circle Punch, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Slit Punch, Square Scallops Nestabilities.

Be Inspired Challenge #8

Happy Friday!! Hooray! And I got a chance to try one of Beate's Inspiration Challenges last night. This is Inspiration Challenge #8 based on the picture below. (I love that dress, but it's definitely not made for a short, round person!) At first I started to replicate the inspiration piece very literally, but then decided to be a little more funky and have fun with it. I wanted to use a green ribbon originally for the flower stems, but I could not find one narrow enough with a color I liked, so I used the paper piercer to punch holes diagonally and make faux stitches.

Two last things...were any American Idol watchers shocked about Michael Johns going away last night? Boo! Hoo! I was worried about Brooke, so I voted for her, never dreaming Michael would be in trouble. I don't think he's the best, but he's definitely better than three others I can think of. Darn! And second...if you go to Starbucks I tried a new drink you might like. I usually get the White Mocha (I'm a sweetaholic!), but I tried one Caramel pump in place of one White Mocha pump, and it was the yummiest!! Another coffee shop I go to has a drink like that so not sure why I never thought to have Starbucks try one like that.

Okay, that's it for now! I'm afraid I'm going to regret staying up until 12:30 last night...somehow convinced myself that it would be okay since I had a 30 minute nap and today would be Friday. The kids will be testing this morning, then I'm interviewing new teachers for next year from 12:00 on, so I guess I'll make it! Hope you have a great Friday!


Recipe Stamps: Always. Cardstock: So Saffron, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Jersey Shore & East Coast Prep DSP. Ink: So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Versamark, and Always Artichoke marker. Accessories: Heat & Stick Powder, Heat Gun, Light Blue Fine Cosmo Glitter, Dimensionals, Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, 1" Circle Punch, Paper Piercer, small orange brad from Target $1 Spot.

Hey Girl!

Don't you love a rub-on that says "HEY GIRL!"?! It's from the new A Perfect Day rub-ons in the SU Occasional Mini Catalog, and it seemed appropriately sassy for this girly, little pink owl. The layout is based on Beate's Weekend Sketch #WSC41, go check it out and play if you haven't yet! I colored the owl with the Pure Color Pencils, still one of my favorite coloring tools.

My lazy weekend flew by too fast! I took pictures from Stamp Club yesterday so that I can post a tutorial for this project I posted the other day. Hopefully I'll have it up in a few days. After Stamp Club, I had to get busy and finish all the "schoolwork" I had put off the rest of the weekend. Doh!

Oh, almost forgot, yesterday's funny from dh after stamp club:
Dh: You have some glitter right here on your chin.
Me: That's weird, we didn't even use glitter on the stamp club projects today.
Dh: Well, if you walk in your stamp room, there's a good chance you're gonna come out with glitter on.
Me: {busting out laughing}

Thanks for stopping by and have a Happy Monday!

Recipe Stamps: Just Celebrate, Dotted background. Cardstock: Kraft, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Berry Bliss & Wild Wasabi Prints DSP. Ink: Chocolate Chip classic, Pretty in Pink Craft. Accessories: Pure Color Pencils, Vintage Silver Brads, Slit Punch (for scallop), Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, A Perfect Day rub-ons, Dimensionals, Pink Flirty Ribbon (retired), Library Clip (retired), Stapler.

Sad Attempt...

...at Beate's Be Inspired Challenge #6, you can see it here. I tried to give myself another 30 minutes last night to make a card and do this challenge. Let's just say it was NOT happening! Ever have those times, when the mojo just isn't flowing?! Arghhh! I finally gave up trying to get the "feel" of the inspiration piece (see the REJECTS pictured below!) and just used the colors, so there you have it, 2 1/2 hours later! Arghhhh again!

On a side note, I've been getting 6 hours of sleep the last few nights, and I told dh last night it's amazing how much better the kids act when I get 6 hours of sleep! It's like they know if I get enough sleep and act so good, and they know if I didn't get enough sleep and act all irritating and loud! He said that's an "interesting theory" I have, but he's very smart and didn't say anything else! lol!

Happy Wednesday! Can't wait to see my "peeps" at Stamp Club tonight!

Recipe Stamps: Spring Solitude (hostess). Cardstock: Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Whisper White, Ginger Blossom DSP. Ink: Staz-On Black. Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Crop-o-Dile, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, photo Corner Punch, 2-Way Glue Pen, Chunky Black Glitter, Dimensionals.

Take A Number birthday

Happy Tuesday! I had lots to do last night, but gave myself 30 minutes to make a card. I used Beate's Weekend Sketch #40, although I changed it from rectangular to square. I'm not sure I got the placement of the circle exactly right by the sketch, but mine needed to go there because of the paper lines. Not sure if I'm crazy about this...decided to wheel the Take A Number over the patterned paper...seemed like a good idea at the time, but not sure of the results. The "4 you" is from the retired SU set Play on Words (never could bring myself to get rid of that set).

Below here is the inside of the card. I saw this idea on Nichole Heady's blog where she stamped the inside greeting and cut it apart in strips (I just took the picture this morning, sorry it's not too good). I like the effect a lot. I did it on my niece Emma's card (posted last week), but forgot to take a picture of it.


Gotta dash...early morning tutoring again. I swore after the reading TAKS test I was going to cut back, but I'm back to tutoring 5 times a week again! Argh! Now I have to help the kids who failed the Reading TAKS for their next try on April 30 as well as help all the struggling math students for the Math TAKS on April 29. Wish me strength! lol! Have a great Tuesday!

Recipe Stamps: Take A Number wheel, It's Your Birthday, Play on Words (retired). Cardstock: Old Olive, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Real Red, Summer Picnic DSP. Ink: Staz-On Black. Accessories: Scallop Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Crop-o-Dile, Dimensionals.

Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #39

This is the way we go to work, go to work, go to work...so early in the morning! This is me putting on a brave face! ha! But first had to post my card for Beate's Weekend Sketch #39. I was in an overwhelming Easter mood last weekend (as you'll be seeing in the coming days!), and this is my first attempt with my happy new Bloom Paper Salon papers.

For some reason, I don't really have any Easter stamps. I'm not sure how this happened. Maybe it's because I don't like really "cutesy" stamps or I think I won't use them enough to justify spending the money, not sure. I did look at 4 stores on Friday and could not find even ONE Easter stamp to buy...either they had none (maybe I'm running a little late?!) or I didn't like them. I did find one or two online I like, but it was a little too late for ordering online, so I had to wing it.

I had this one bunny stamp that a co-worker gave me years ago (he was always giving me things, then I caught him stealing and he was fired, bless his heart), and I really do like it. I used the "happy" from the retired SU set Quick Thinking, and the "Easter" letter stamps are Vintage Typewriter by Stampabilities (they're not great, need to be trimmed better as I caught some inky rubber edges, but they were $5.99--less 50% made them $2.99--from Hobby Lobby, so they were practically giving them to me, and I hated to hurt their feelings, you know!).

So, as I went to photograph some of my "precious" Easter cards, I showed them to dh and after the appropriate amount of praise (God love him!), he asked, "So, are you going to actually send any of these out or just save them for posterity?" Humph! The nerve! I would like to be offended, but dang, he knows me good! Therefore, I shall be mailing lots of cards out this week! Hmmm, it does make me wonder, how much of what I do is done to prove that maybe dh isn't always right about me?! Scary! Surely I'm not the first married person to think of this?!

Okay, now that I've given you so much to think about (ha!), I must go face the music...wish me luck...I'm going to need it...I'm pretty sure I'm going to regret only getting 4 hours of sleep last night! Doh!

Recipe Stamps: SU Quick Thinking, Vintage Typewriter by Stampabilities, rabbit by PSX. Cardstock: Old Olive, Pixie Pink, Whisper White, Paper Salon Bloom DSP. Ink: Pixie Pink, Old Olive. Accessories: Slit Punch, Olive Twill Ribbon.

Beate's Weekend Sketch 38

Happy Monday! I was a big, lazy lump yesterday, but this morning I got up early and made this card for Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge 38. I'm a little late, as usual, but hey, I'm on vacation! lol! I made this flower shaker the weekend before, but I had punched it out so crookedly, I threw it aside in disgust. Oh well, what the heck, perfection is over-rated, right?!
I still had scraps of Jersey Shore laying around that matched it, so it worked out pretty easily. Here's a close-up of the shaker part:

If you've never made a shaker before, Splitcoast has a good tutorial by Beate here. I used the Scallop Circle Punch, a clear transparency, the edges of the Stampin' Dimensionals sheet, and some discontinued SU beads. Very easy!

Guess I better go take a shower (ewwww!) before dh gets home from work! Nothing like stamping the day away in your jammies! Did anyone catch the series finale of The Wire last night? It was so good, but I'm so sad it's over (don't leave me McNulty, waaaaahhhh!) It has been one of the best series ever made, in my humble opinion, go rent the old seasons if you get a chance! Happy stamping!

Recipe Stamps: All Holidays, So Many Scallops (SAB). Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, and Jersey Shore DSP. Ink: Brilliant Blue. Accessories: Scallop Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, Pumpkin Pie Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, 1/8" Circle Punch, Slit Punch (to make scallop border), Dimensionals, retired beads, transparency film, Making Memories white brads.