New Stamps!

I know, I know, "old hat" stamps to many of you, but I really wanted these as soon as I saw them in the catalog and there's always too many other things I NEED so these keep sitting on the back burner. I always have them on my list to "get next month" and it never happens. Well I got it! My very own Boho Backgrounds set! Hooray for me! And yes, I love them as much as I thought I would. This is what I did last night -

Super simple, as usual. Chocolate Chip base, Pumpkin Pie front. I couldn't come up with any colors that were what I wanted besides shades of green and that would be too Halloween-y for me, so this is all I used! Chocolate Chip ink and Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon! Ta-da!

This one I think is vaguely inspired by this card. I loved what she had done with the set (making me want it more!) and when I sat down to stamp this is what I had in my head to create. Since I knew she'd done something similar, I thought I'd better give her a nod! LOL! I just did two panels of black ink on white card stock, matted with black card stock. Then my lovely red striped grosgrain ribbon was added for a touch of POP. Love it!

Teacher Gift- Completed!

Here is the gift for my son's teacher. (Now that she has it!) I've already shown the frame and the card, but here it is together! The other night I had to track down a gift sack. It was ridiculously huge, but it was all I could find last-minute! I stamped it to match the gifts! (almost- used Pumpkin Pie ink instead of Summer Sun, the yellow didn't show up on the brown bag) I don't know if I've ever done a themed gift unless it was a wedding shower... Anyway, this was a lot of fun for me! The rolled up scroll is a thing about teachers. I printed it off onto some patterned paper that I definitely hoard...I've had a stack of it for probably 6 years now! But I rolled this up neatly and tied it with Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, which also matches! haha! Anyway, for anyone curious, here is the thing about teachers. It was posted on the demo chat area of the Stampin' Up! website by Jaynell Giliberti. I thought it was great for our first school teacher, maybe you know someone you could share it with.

GOD CREATED TEACHERS On the 6th day, God created men and women. On the 7th day, God rested. Not so much to recuperate, but rather to prepare for the work to do on the next day. For it was on that day-the 8th day-that God created the first teacher. This teacher, though taken from among men and women, had several significant modifications. In general, God made the teacher more durable than other men and women. The teacher was made to arise at a very early hour and to go to bed very late - with no rest in between. The teacher had to be able to withstand being in a classroom, for many hours, with energetic and very impressionable children. The teacher had to be available for any unforeseen needs children may need, when away from home. Yes, God made the teacher TOUGH, but GENTLE too. The teacher was equipped with soft hands to wipe away the tears of the neglected and lonely students and provide them with God’s encouragement. To be available for children going through emotional changes in their lives, as they grow older and mature. The teacher was also equipped with organization and firm discipline to keep children in order. God poured a generous amount of PATIENCE into the teacher. Patience when a student asks to repeat the directions, the teacher has just repeated for someone else. Patience when one-half of the class fails the test. Patience when the student’s textbooks or homework was left at home or unfinished for the next days’ lessons. The patience for a teacher to give that extra help to the students with special needs. God gave the teacher a HEART slightly bigger than the average human heart. For the teachers’ heart had to be big enough to love the kid who needs someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on. And to love the kid who runs out of the classroom at the end of the day without so much as a 'good-bye', let alone a 'thank you'. And lastly, God gave the teacher an abundant supply of HOPE. For God knew that the teacher would always be hoping. Hoping that the kids would someday learn how to read and spell, hoping each child will mature and lead a productive life, and hoping for deliverance. When God finished creating the teacher, he stepped back and admired the work of his hands. And God saw that the teacher was good. Very good! And God smiled, for when he looked at the teacher, he saw into the future. He knew that the future is in the hands of the teachers.

Mom Tag!

Ok, this was way too funny! I came up here to stamp since today I got a darling new stamp set I've been itching to get for MONTHS now. But what did I do? Check everyone's blogs! I tell ya...! So, I'm going down my lists and I come to my upline, Kari Lyn's blog. I thought her post started out funny, how she saw her name at the end of a tag and was shocked, and I enjoyed reading her responses to the tag. Anyway, just exactly like she said, MY name was one she tagged! WHAT?! ME?! Um...ok! So, after figuring out it IS me...here's my Tag! 1.Typically, what time do you wake up? 7:30am 2. On a good night, what time are your kids in bed? Both of them?? Not til at least 9:30. 3. How long have you been a mommy? More than 5yrs 4. How old were you when you became a mom? Not 23 5. What is your favorite kids T.V show? I miss Wiggles. And I really loved Mr Rogers. I even donated to the local PBS when they were asking for interest or removing his show! 6. What is your least favorite kids T.V. show? This is a LONG list! But we'll start with Teletubbies. 7. What is your favorite chore? Laundry. I do not mind sorting, washing, drying or folding. Hanging is a different story... 8. What is your favorite meal to cook? Stuffed Baked Potatoes, usually served with some kind of meat and always veggies. 9. What meal do you cook most often? Cheese Crisps. (open quesadillas) 10. What is your kids favorite meal? S does not like repetition in meals, H would live off corn dogs and grapes if we let him. 11. What is your favorite thing your husband does with your kids? Boys Days Out! And bedtime with S! 12. What are 5 things that make you smile when you’re being a mom? Random hugs and kisses, when they sing, H's stories, S doing my makeup for me, 'moochy kisses and how they both randomly say "I'm so glad you're here Mom." 13. If you could take your kids anywhere, where would it be? An ocean beach 14. When was the last time you went out without your kids? I don't remember. ...My birthday/valentine date? So mid-March. 15. What is your favorite pastime/activity to do with your kids? I like to read to them and we sing together a lot. 16. Name one thing you said you would never say as a mother? "Well, that's what happens when you don't obey." 17. Name something you do, that your own mom did? Sing church songs as lullabies. 18. What is your favorite quality your mom has? She loves children. 19. What is your favorite kids book? I don't know, but One Fish Two Fish always comes to mind. We have a LOT of books! 20. What is your favorite advice for new moms? Have fun with them! 21. What is your most heartbreaking moment as a mom? Any time they suffer. In any way. If they're scared or sick or dealing with allergies that make their eyes water..... You just ache for them, and you can't help. 22. What is your most joyful moment being a mom? When they are trying so hard to do good. 23. When was the last time you told one of your kids you loved them? Tonight. 24. When was the last time you were told? Tonight. I tag Yvette, RaeAnne, Melissa & Melia!

Super Simple!

Hands down, the fastest page ever. These were the spring pictures done at school and they just arrived. I had to scrap it immediately! This page is for his book. I love my retired Primary Colors Simply Scrappin' kit and just realized I've used it for all school-related pages this year! Hmm...!

I actually used a sheet of 8x11 Chocolate Chip for the base, to work with the photo. On the left side I have the textured Wild Wasabi that comes with the kit and on the right side I have the textured Brocade Blue. I added the thin brocade strip that looks a bit like ribbon, even tho at a closer look its lined paper. Then two stars in either corner. I'm going to add journaling in the blue space, but I haven't decided if I'm going to add a rectangle of white (or vanilla) to do so, or just journal right on the blue. Either way, the page is simple and perfect for him!

My New Desk!

Several people are asking about my new office. But I'm not done! Its a big old project and I have my kids and everything else! LOL! However! This part is done! So here is my old messy cluttered desk.....

....and my lovely, tidy new desk! Isn't it great?! A work space and a typing space and a shelf and its soo nice!

So there's my post for today. I'm hoping to get some more projects done later today for something fun tomorrow. But there's that much!

Inspiration Station!

No, not me, sorry. But all three of these come from other people's sketches and/or inspiration posts! (thanks guys!-LOL!) This first one comes from Lauren's color challenge. And you had to use a circle! So I did! I used Night of Navy for the base of the card and stamped everything in Night of Navy ink...because it was already out! I have a Whisper White card front and I actually cut out the frog and dragonflies. Wow...there's a reason I never do that! The frog is on Old Olive card stock and the dragonflies are Barely Banana. The big circle is of Cool Caribbean card stock and then a smaller one of White. And some Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon goes across the top. Oh and I colored the eyes with my white gel pen.

This one is my take on Jen's Saturday Sketch To Try. Its a White card base with a rectangle of Chocolate Chip on one side, the yellow side of some Petals and Paisley paper on the bottom half of the other side and the matching Celery striped Prints paper on the top half. This card coordinates with my frame gift found here. So I used the very same inks for the flower and dragged...drug? the one side of the White focal piece across my Chocolate Chip ink pad to get that hint of brown along the edge. Then I added three Vanilla buttons. I think it coordinates well with the gift and was easy to make. This is from Julee's Mojo Monday sketch. I have a Close to Cocoa base, then my panels are Pretty in Pink and Barely Banana. I stamped the tiny flower from Priceless on those panels using the inks that match. Oh...and I guess it doesn't quite match the sketch...hmm... Anyway, I tied that layer with Pink gingham ribbon. Then for the top layer, I have a Cocoa mat beneath the White. I stamped the image from the For A Friend set in Pretty in Pink and colored the little flowers Banana. I dragged the white square in the Banana ink on all sides again, and tied more pink ribbon with a Clear round button around that one! I got a LOT done today! Good for me! haha! Hope you can say the same!

Weekend Sketch #48

'Tis the graduation season! This year we had two graduates and my mom needed a card for my cousin. For 'my' cards I used Beate's weekend sketch. The third card is different. I tried hard to use the school colors, but I wasn't 100% successful. ;) Anyway, here ya go! (Every single stamp I used today is retired! Sheesh!)

This one has a Brilliant Blue base, a Whisper White front, a square of Going Gray and a square of Whisper White. I embossed this image from Framed Greetings with Silver embossing powder and my Versamark pad. I stamped the congrats in Brilliant Blue. This one I had a harder time with because I didn't want a big white front...or a white card. So I got creative with the big rectangle in the sketch! I tore a rectangle-ish piece of scratch paper, then instead of sponging around it, I just smooshed my Real Red Stampin' Spot right onto the paper, around the scratch piece. So there you have it! I embossed the tossed hat from Event Full with the same powder/versamark, on Basic Black card stock. I have another rectangle of Going Gray layered with Whisper White and I stamped the greeting from Warmest Regards in Real Red. This final card uses a very old set - Great Graduation! I embossed the girl image on Going Gray card stock with the silver powder and then colored her with markers. I overlapped that onto the Taken with Teal card stock (a color I never use!) and stamped the diploma with Teal on Teal for a nice subtle touch. I put the three silver brads thru both those pieces. Then I put it all on a Whisper White card base and stamped the congrats in Teal as well.

Three more cards, ready to go!

Color Inspiration #9

Another much-mentioned spot for inspiration is on kwernerdesign. I'm really liking this idea of people setting the "rules" for a stamp project, so here is my little creation based on this challenge.

I thought with the Turquoise in there it had a tropical-feel. Maybe its just chaos, I don't know...! But it was fun to try something new!

All the colors you see here (except the white) were required. That was kind of hard for me to use so many colors! I have Old Olive for the base, a mat of Real Red and then stamped my flowers in Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron and Pumpkin Pie. Oh and leaves in Old Olive. I tied this fabulous Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon around the bottom of the image and stamped my greeting in Real Red too. That's it!

A Gift!

Here is one of the projects I've been working on. Oddly, it took about an entire day to settle on a color for the flowers! Then I had to get an opinion on the ribbons... I put waaay too much effort into this one! But I am happy with how it turned out, so I guess that's what matters!

I bought this small black frame that actually ended up too big for my original idea, maybe that's why it took so long to figure out what to do! Anyway, I stamped the flowers on Whisper White card stock with Summer Sun blossoms and Certainly Celery stems, and used Chocolate Chip for the center. That way they can be Black-Eyed Susan or Sunflowers, depending on the recipients preference. I matted that onto Chocolate Chip card stock and layered the whole thing on some Celery Prints Paper. Then I added three bits of ribbon to the side of the frame. That's trickier than I thought because you have to bend the ribbon around the inside of the frame to allow for the glass and everything to go back in! Not so much fun...and maybe there's an easier way to do it...hmm....! But I used some old Stampin' Up! yellow, I think it was called Maize grosgrain, and then Black Gingham ribbon, just knotted on the side.

Here's a close-up:

So it works! I'm going to make a coordinating card to go with it, and I'm debating something else like maybe a stamped candle...I don't know. Something cute tho! haha!

Be Inspired Challenge #13

Today Beate posted her Inspiration challenge. I was thinking of doing something with lines...and whatever it was I wanted, I do not have. So I went with my cute favorite- Daisy Crazy!

The picture she gave us did look more like Soft Sky but I used Sage Shadow instead, and the Chocolate Chip color too. I picked Sage for the card base, and I have a strip of Chocolate Chip going across the middle. That has some old Stampin' Up! ribbon on one end and three Pretty in Pink brads on the other. For the focal point I used the trio of daisies. The stems are Sage Shadow and the flowers are Pretty in Pink. I matted this on Chocolate Chip and pierced the corners. The entire Thank You greeting seemed too big and it wasn't til I went a head and inked up just the Thanks and stamped it when I realized a really cute idea for the greeting...alas...this is what I get! :)

I wish the picture was brighter, but adding light in my editing program made the green really funky and not pretty. But there you have it!

A Mojo Monday!

I tried this sketch today. I've seen lots of people blog about Julee's Mojo Monday and I was really looking for an idea to get me going today! This seems pretty different for me, but maybe it isn't.

I started by choosing a patterned paper, which I picked from the long-retired Spring Showers package. I used a So Saffron card base then matted both rectangles on Basic Black card stock. (the lines in the paper are actually Chocolate Chip, I believe, but black worked better for me) I tied the bigger rectangle with Black grosgrain ribbon. The second rectangle I stamped the greeting from Polka Dots & Paisley in Basic Black ink, then the flower from Priceless in So Saffron ink. I planned on using buttons but they were too big for my card pieces, so I used three brads from my Hodgepodge Hardware kit. Oh and I paper-pierced around the three open edges of my card. So what do you think?

I managed to get a couple other things done today too, that I'll be posting soon. It was nice to have a rainy day and just stamp this afternoon while I let Hunter play computer games. But tomorrow we are getting out!

Weekend Sketch #47

I was very excited to play with this sketch from Beate! Its 11pm and I am tired, but I had to create today! So, card first, stories in a minute!

I was a little thrown by the oval. I don't have any cutting system and no pre-cut ovals...so I used a very old super cheap corner rounder that didn't work too well! But hey, it got the gist of the oval....except that I just notices mine is turned the wrong way... hmm... O well! I really like the card so its ok! ha ha!

So I have my Close to Cocoa base, a mat of Whisper White, then a piece of brown flower print from the Berry Bliss pkg and a pink flower print from the Hostess Level 1 Prints Paper. I tied that whole rectangle with some White grosgrain ribbon. I gotta say, just that far was absolutely lovely! I could have left it just like that! But not for the sketch! Plus it did need some kind of greeting....and stamps!! So I used my For A Friend thank you flower. I colored it with my Watercolor Wonder crayons and even used the Pretty in Pink crayon on the edges to give it a hint of pink. Subtle, but nice. I matted it on Close to Cocoa also, and put it up on Dimensionals. Purty sweet!

My office is coming along nicely. Burt and I were up insanely late last night taking the old desk apart and assembling the new one. (This is the third big piece of furniture we've had to assemble in our marriage and we always start about 11pm! I think I may not assemble any more furniture! ha ha!) Anyway, I tried to start organizing things today but at the moment I'm to that point where its like the night after you moved into a new place...you know what you need is around here somewhere, but where?! Sienna didn't take a nap today, so I didn't get very much done. Lots and lots of work to do tomorrow. When its all done it will be fabulous. I can't wait! I love my new desk and I'm really excited about everything else. Just gotta keep going!