Cabin Fever

"Cabin Fever" is the theme of this week's Stamp Simply Challenge on the No Time to Stamp? blog. In the mood to color, I pulled out my Stampin' Up Blooming with Love set. Getting the flower pots into the wheelbarrow required masking, a technique I don't do very often anymore. The image was colored with Prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits. The colors in the photo are kind of blah and look better in person. Due to the lighting, I 'spose. I used white Bitty Brads for the flower centers and mounted the focal point image to the card with foam mounting tape to give my simple card a little added dimension.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Buttercup, and Chocolate cardstock; Memory Box Homespun 6x6-inch paper pad; Black and Chocolate ink pads; Stampin' Up Blooming with Love and Impression Obsession Anytime Sentiments stamp sets; White Daisy Bitty Brads; 3M foam mounting tape.

I didn't wait until bedtime to start my new book. Rather, I laid down after finishing my last post and read myself to sleep. Don't take that to mean that I was bored with what I was reading. It's just that unless I'm having some insomnia issues, I fall asleep when my head is on a pillow. Did you have a good day? I hope so. I don't have anything specific on my agenda for tomorrow with the exception of some chores and then some playtime in my corner. I catch you again when I've got something to show you! Until then, take care!

Simple Saturday

Here's a quick card to kick off the weekend. The polka dots were stamped with White Daisy pigment ink using Papertrey Ink's Polka Dots Basics set. The flowers and sentiment stamps are from PTI's Floral Frenzy set.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy Textured cardstock; Black and Tulip cardstock; White Daisy pigment, Black, and Tulip ink pads; Papertrey Ink Floral Frenzy and Polka Dot Basics stamp sets; Buttons from my stash; White crochet cotton.

Well, this day is certainly flying right by. The boys were here until around 11 a.m. They came in to wake me up this morning, both planting the sweetest little kisses on my cheek. Mathias makes the same declaration every morning that he's here and has since he learned to talk, "Gamma, the sun is up!" It doesn't matter if it's cloudy, so long as it's light outside. I love it, and it probably goes with out saying that I love those little boys.

Since they left, I've been finishing up the basket I made for the benefit I mentioned in a previous post. It's an Easter Cardmaking Kit that includes the Eastertime stamp set, three stamp pads, a paper sampler(18 sheets of B&T paper and cardstock cut into 6x6-inch squares), card bases and A2 envelopes, a tape runner, acrylic block, a package of pop dots, a spool of ribbon, a little tin of miscellaneous embellishments, and of course, a sample card. I packaged all of the paper in cellophane envelopes and had to make a quick trip to Wal-Mart for a basket and a few additional things that are in it. Wal-Mart didn't have paper shreds in a suitable color, so I ended up some icky Easter "grass" that I had to fight with to get it to look decent. Then, I fought some more with a roll of cellophane. I added a tag that lists the contents. I hope it looks OK and brings in a few bucks for a worthy cause tomorrow.

That done, I believe that what's left of the day is mine. I finished Jodi Picoult's Vanishing Acts the other night, so I picked up another book to read, the much talked about The Shack by Wm. Paul Young. I'll save the book for bedtime though and hopefully, come up with a another card or two to show you yet today. I hope you're having a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by!

Toadily Glad It's Friday!

This card makes me laugh. As soon as I saw the leaping toad (that looks more like a frog to me), I thought of this "What's Up?" sentiment. As for the layout, it's my take on this week's Mojo Monday sketch. All the layering was easy with these coordinating Basic Grey papers.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Cocoa cardstock; Basic Grey Sultry 6x6-inch paper pad; Black and Cocoa stamp pads; Penny Black Toadily and Impression Obsession Anytime Sentiments stamp sets; Acrylic disks from Michael's; Just Blooms paper flower; Stampin' Up Build-A-Brad; EK Success corner rounder (scallops).

Having put in a little extra time earlier in the week, I was off work early today. I came home with intentions of taking care of some housekeeping chores only to discover when I walked through the door they were already done thanks to my sweet husband. I really appreciate starting the weekend with some of the mundane stuff already taken care of. I learned after work that Bjorn and Mathias are coming to spend the night and will, I'm sure, spend at least part of the day with us tomorrow. I plan to do a little stamping, too. I've noted some fun-looking sketch challenges, and I'm definitely in the mood for this week's Stamp Simply challenge. On that note, you can count on seeing more of me during the next couple of days. Enjoy the weekend! Later ...

More Simple Stampin'

I stamped this background piece with Damask Tiles (CTMH spring catalog) a few nights ago and finally figured out what to do with it. The simple theme continues with a wedding card.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White, Bamboo, and Black cardstock; Black and Bamboo ink pads; CTMH Damask Tiles and Flourishes Wedding Essentials stamp sets; Black grosgrain ribbon; Kaiser Kraft pearls.

Ooh, Friday tomorrow. Yea! While it's been a good week, I'll be happy to hole up in my nest for a couple of days of R&R.

Right now, I need to slip into my corner to put together an auction item for a benefit that is being held this weekend. Not everyone has it as good as I do. This particular benefit is being held for a young family whose little girl is recovering from brain surgery. Although thankfully the tumor was benign and she will make a full recovery, mom and dad have missed a considerable amount of work, and the bills have kept coming.

I hope your week as been wonderful. I'll catch you tomorrow. Take care.

Going Back to My Roots

Tonight, I returned to what I do best. Simple. And, it felt good, because it's more "me." My inspiration was derived from this pretty card on the Clean & Simple Stamping blog.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Topiary cardstock; White Daisy Textured cardstock; Black and Topiary ink pads; Topiary and Watermelon markers; Close To My Heart June Word Puzzle and Hero Arts Anytime Messages stamp sets; White Daisy and Sunflower Bigger Brads; Cuttlebug w/Frills border embossing folder.

Bowling was really fun tonight. I bowled good, too, which makes for two weeks in a row. If I'm discouraged about anything this evening, it's the weather forecast. The thermometer is supposed to hover around zero for the next few days with windchills in the 25-below range. Ugh. I just keep telling myself, "Spring will come." Maybe, this cold snap will be the last one this season. I'm going to spend what's left of tonight wrapped up in a comforter, reading the final chapters of Jodi Picoult's Vanishing Acts. I'm curious to see how it ends. I hope you're having a great week, and although I know I sound like a broken record, I appreciate your having stopped by! Until tomorrow night, take care.

OK, so maybe if I ...

... Stamp the flowers with Chocolate ink ... Yup, this has been one of those evenings when I think I should s#%&can this hobby and take up something else.

Now, don't laugh, but here is the card that inspired me. Before I go further, I'll tell you that while Thinking Inking is one of my favorite blogs, and Debbie's cards are a constant source of inspiration, it is rare that I attempt to case one of her cards. The reason, if you're familiar with both blogs (hers and mine), is obvious. Anyway, I fell in love with her card and wondered if I maybe couldn't create something similar with stamps I own. I discovered the answer is "No."

It was not, however, for the lack of trying. Four times I put a card together, and three times I pulled it apart. After a couple of attempts to get a similar look, I realized that as much as I love this flower stamp, it does not have the same contemporary look as the stamps Debbie used. Still, I thought I could create something acceptable in that same color scheme, so I stamped the flowers in blue. When they were too plain, I chalked them. I finished the card, photographed it, and uploaded it before deciding to try one more time . . . the last time, stamping the flowers with Chocolate and coloring them with blue chalk.

All of that for this. Crazy, huh? Marv thinks so. Hearing the story (or part of it), his comment was, "And the card's not even that fancy." No crap, sweetie. All I could think as I was laboring away was that had I been so persevering in other areas of my life, I might have been a rich woman by now. The moral of the story? There isn't one with the exception that maybe I should give in and buy that Papertrey Inks set that I've been admiring all over the place. LOL.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Chocolate, and Crystal Blue cardstock; Chocolate and Crystal Blue ink pads; Verve Stamps Abundant Blessings and Whipper Snapper Designs Blooming Sentiments stamp sets; CTMH Speckled Backgrounds stamp (retired); Ribbon from Wal-Mart; Blue mini brad.

Well, that's my stamping story for tonight. The rest of the day was busy but much less eventful ... thankfully. On that note, I'll sign off for tonight. Have a great Wednesday!

With a Little Help from My Friend

Here are the cards Mathias and I made yesterday using Bunny Love, a cute new set from the spring Close To My Heart catalog. As you can see, we used the same sketch for all four cards. Three-year-olds like to keep moving, and thus, coming up with a variety of sketches was out of the question.

Once I got it measured, Mathias did all of the paper cutting. He also operated the 'cranker thing' AKA Cuttlebug with the embossing folders and Nestabilities dies. He was happy to watch me do the stamping and coloring, which I did with Prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits. He was even impressed, stating quite emphatically, "You're a good colorer, Gamma!" Throughout the process, he offered color suggestions with me accepting enough of them for him to feel good about what we were doing. He learned to use the tape runner and poke holes with the 'stabber thing' AKA piercing tool, which I made clear is for is only for 'stabbing' paper! We talked about shapes, texture, and color, and I answered what must have been 100 questions.

It was fun and worth it, because while I was at work today, he told grandpa that I'm his best friend. That fact, of course, is subject to change and most likely will the next time I have to skedaddle him off to bed or tell him he has to use his 'inside voice' in the hallways. LOL. And, since I used up all my patience yesterday, I'm going to list all of the materials and supplies we used for the cards in one list. I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out!

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Key Lime, Heavenly Blue, Baby Pink, Amethyst, Crystal Blue, Sunny Yellow, Clover Meadow, and Bubblegum cardstock; Black, Crystal Blue, and Amethyst ink pads; Close To My Heart Bunny Love and Say it in Style and Papertrey Ink Mixed Messages stamp sets; Heavenly Blue My Accents; Ribbon from Wal-Mart; Cuttlebug with Forest Branches, Houndstooth, Swiss Dots, and Tiny Bubbles embossing folders and Nestabilities Classic Circles set; 3M foam mounting tape.

It was a busy Monday, the start of what looks like is going to be a busy week. I hope yours was a good day, too, the beginning of a good week. With that, I'm going to grab a bite to eat and spend a little time in my corner before heading for bed. Later ...

Sneak Peek

While Bjorn monopolized the computer playing Sponge Bob games on the Nickelodeon website this afternoon, Grandma and Mathias teamed up to make a few cards. You'll have to wait until tomorrow night to see them, however. After all, it's not like I haven't posted anything this weekend, and it's always nice to be a day ahead during the workweek in the event that I a) have something else to do or b) don't feel like stamping.

About the cards, I'll give you a little hint. We used the same set of stamps (new in the spring CTMH catalog). I did the stamping and coloring, and Mathias was in charge of "that cranker thing" AKA Cuttlebug. He also made color recommendations.

It was a good day, and as it turned out the little guys are spending the night with us tonight. Both of their parents are under the weather, and because their daycare is closed for the day, and they were coming back here tomorrow anyway, it only made sense that they stay. They're sound asleep already, and while it's a break from my usual Sunday night tradition, I'm going to follow suit and go to bed as soon as I've finished this post and tidied up my corner a bit. I hope you've enjoyed the weekend as much as I have and we all have a great week. Every day is a new adventure! Later ...

Put Your Sunglasses On ...

... Because my second card is a bright one. My first card is a repeat of the Mojo Monday sketch turned on its side. I can't see a thing that warrants explaining. The corner punch that created the little notches isn't new but one I came across at the bottom of the heap in the back of a drawer when I was looking for something else.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White, Cranberry, and Olive cardstock; Memory Box Homespun 6x6-inch cardstock; Olive, Garden Green, Chocolate, and Cranberry ink pads; Honey marker; Lizzie Ann Designs In the Treetop and Impression Obsession Anytime Sentiments stamp sets; Colonial White mini brads; Carl corner punch; Stampin' Up Word Window punch.

This second card is my contribution to Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #56. It's a bright one! I colored the stamped image with Prismacolor pencils, using odorless mineral spirits and a paper stump for blending. I curved my sentiment stamps to line up with the edges of the oval. The exclamation mark was added with a marker when I didn't get the bottom stamped centered just right. Sigh ...

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Black, and Citrus Leaf cardstock; Black and Citrus Leaf ink pads; Penny Black Toadily, Impression Obsession Anytime Sentiments, and Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Basics stamp sets; Ribbon from Wal-Mart; Cuttlebug w/Nestabilities Classic Ovals set; Prismacolor pencils; Gamsol odorless mineral spirits; Blending stumps; 3M foam mounting tape.

I'm getting off to a slow start today after staying up way too late last night, which, when I posted, was something I didn't think I was going to do. Cameron and the boys are coming over this afternoon, so it would probably be wise to save the bulk of my housework until after they've left this evening. Sweet as those little fellas are, they're not neat!

I hope you have a wonderful day, and as always, thanks for stopping by. Your visits and kind comments are a great source of inspiration. Take care!

Fancy Cuts

If you want to play with paper but don't want to stamp (much), then Close To My Heart's Fancy Cuts Botanicals are for you. This set of floral die cuts consists of three 12x12-inch sheets of cardstock, all in colors from the Spring Blossom palette.

To give the flowers a little more dimension, I inked the edges of all the pieces with same-color ink. I used Cocoa to edge the swirl, so it would show up against the Juniper background. With more than 20 flowers of various sizes on each of the three sheets in this set, a lot of fun (and a bunch of cards) can be had for $3.95.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Cocoa cardstock; Perfect Day paper packet; Fancy Cuts Botanicals die cuts; Cocoa ink pad; Say it in Style stamp set; Spring Blossom Mini Medley Accents Collection; Circle Window Charms; Sponge daubers.

This is it for me tonight. I've got a couple more cards that I'll post in the morning. My stamping time will be limited tomorrow due to the fact that I made more cards today than items I scratched off my 'to do' list! Shame on me. LOL. I'm going to take it easy for the rest of the evening. Somehow, I've managed to snag a headache, and my throat is a little bit sore. I'm hoping a couple of aspirin and a good night's sleep take care of it. Thanks for stopping by!

Make a Wish

Hi! Here's my take on Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge #69. It's a sketch that affords on a great opportunity to combine some fun papers - mine from the Basic Grey Urban Prairie collection. The rest is just simple stamping that includes 'stitches' that are crooked enough to appear real! LOL.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy cardstock; Basic Grey Urban Prairie 6x6-inch paper pad; Black, Chocolate, Breeze, and Sweet Leaf ink pads; Lizzie Ann Designs In the Treetop, Papertrey Ink Mixed Messages, and Close To My Heart Simple Stitches and Solo 'E' stamp sets; Cuttlebug w/Flowers dies; 1-inch circle punch.

Man, I love Saturdays. Work a little. Play a little. Quiet. Sun shining through the window. A perfect day. Hope yours is, too!

Grateful

Something different. A photograph with props. Heck, usually I feel fortunate if I can get a card made a simple photo taken. LOL.

The sketch for this card was provided by Jen del Muro, her weekly A Sketch for You to Try, on her i {heart} to stamp blog. My props, of course, are a couple of items I used on the card - the 'made in China' (because I can't crochet!) flat Cluny edging that I picked up at Wal-Mart and the self-adhesive pearls by Kaiser Krafts that I ordered from Stamper's Dream. The sentiment was stamped on a chipboard bookplate that I covered with cardstock. The stamped image and bookplate were both adhered to the card using 3M foam mounting tape.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White, Cocoa, and Hollyhock cardstock; Basic Grey Bittersweet 6x6-inch paper pad; Cocoa ink pad; Treasure Life stamp set; Wright crocheted edging from Wal-Mart; Kaiser Kraft self-adhesive pearls; Cuttlebug/w Nestabilities Classic Ovals set; Sanding block; 3M foam mounting tape.

Are you having a good Saturday? I hope so. I slept in this morning... kind of. Actually, I was up for about an hour between 4:30 and 5:30 and then slept again until 9:30. It's time to go knock a couple more items of my 'to do' list, so I can play some more. Later!

Simple Saturday

This week's Stamp Simply challenge - black ink only - on the No Time to Stamp? blog momentarily threw me. With the exception of lined images and an occasional sentiment, I don't use a lot of black ink. Then I thought back to the day, a long time ago, when all I had was a black stamp pad, a few lined image stamps, and a couple of sets of Marvy markers. It can be done!

My card is 5-1/2 inches square. I used a square Window Charm to dress up the small center 'tile.' Fittingly, it's simple!

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Black, and Breeze cardstock; Memento Tuxedo Black stamp pad; CTMH Damask Tiles and You're Invited (retired) stamp sets; Window Charms.

Enjoy your Saturday! Later...

Pretty Porcelain and Friday Favorites

I've been a bad blogger this week. I started this card and this post last night but scrapped the post, because I decided I needed to redo my stamped images. The floral stamps needed a little more "seasoning," and to top that off, I'd done a poor job of stamping the sentiment. Tired (and kind of disgusted with myself), I tossed my substandard card on my desk and went to bed.

There isn't much to say about the card with the exception of the fact that it was created using Basic Grey's new Porcelain paper. I mentioned a Stamper's Dream order in my last post. This paper was the reason I was shopping and was the first thing I placed in my 'cart.' Little did I know that there were stamps to match. Well, I had to have them, too.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Baby Pink, and New England Ivy cardstock; Basic Grey Porcelain 6x6-inch paper pad; Garden Green, New England Ivy, Baby Pink, and Blush ink pads; Basic Grey Porcelain Gracious Bitsy stamp set; Papertrey Ink Sweet Blush ribbon; Kaiser Kraft Snow White self-adhesive pearls; Sponge dauber.

Earlier this month, I received a wonderful email from someone who appreciates my blog. She made note of the fact that she misses my Friday Favorites (AKA enabler) post. Unfortunately, my computer crashed before I had the opportunity to respond to the message. That bugs me, and to make up for it, I'm dedicating this post to that sweet individual.

With that, I'm sure it comes as no surprise that the favorite I'm making note of tonight is Basic Grey paper. The colors and designs are all exquisite, and I love the variety. I particularly have an appreciation for the 6x6-inch pads, which are just right for cardmaking. As for my favorite collection, I'd have a hard time committing to just one, because every time I think I've found it, there's a new one that I love just as much.

It was a weird week, or better said, I was weird this week - tired most of the time and kind of blah over the cold, winter weather that's getting old. TGIF!! For a couple of days, I don't have to go out of the house unless I want to. Warm or cold, I hope you're looking forward to the weekend as much as I am. While my 'to do' list is as long as my leg, I've a hankering to stamp, so I'm relatively certain you'll be hearing more from me. Between now and then, thanks for stopping! Take care...

Ah, Color!

Like I said in my short post, last night's card was ugly. The problem? It didn't have any pizazz. Cute stamps. Nice paper. Blah. Instead of posting it and making lame excuses for myself, I did something else with hopes that if I skipped a day, my mojo would return.

This card is my adaptation of this week's Mojo Monday sketch. The image is from a new set of stamps that were in my mailbox today along with a few other little things from Stamper's Dream. The stamp set is called 'Toadily' by Penny Black. While frogs/toads might not be everybody's cup of tea, I think they're cute, cute, cute! They are also 'toadily' appropriate for cards for boys - big and little.

The image colored up quickly with Prismacolor colored pencils and odorless mineral spirits. I filled in the background with a light dusting of chalk and added a little Fun Flock to the center of the flower. The paper is from the best-ever Basic Grey Urban Prairie collection. The end product is a card that makes me smile, which is preferable to last night's yawn. LOL.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Black cardstock; Basic Grey Urban Prairie 6x6-inch paper pad; Black ink pad; Penny Black Toadily and Impression Obsession Anytime Sentiments stamp sets; Ribbon from Wal-Mart; Round metal-rimmed tag; 3M foam mounting tape; Prismacolor colored pencils; Gamsol odorless mineral spirits; Blending stumps; Spring chalks; Foam chalk applicator.

I bowled reasonably well tonight (144-146-137). In fact, the whole team bowled well, and we took all four points against a team of 'good' (as in serious) bowlers. For me, it be an every other week thing. Last week, I was hopeless.

Bjorn and Mathias are here tonight and will spend the day with Grandpa tomorrow. I got home in time for a couple of stories, prayers, and the bedtime ritual that now includes several 'discussions' with Mathias about the benefits of sleep. At five, Bjorn seems to (finally) realize he's tired, and sleep is a good thing. At three, almost four, Mathias needs more convincing. It must be a stage. While I don't remember my boys putting up much of a fight at bedtime, I do remember Dusty, at about the same age Mathias is now, wanting me to lay down with him for a few minutes every night. All these years later, I recall and cherish the memories of many of the little conversations that took place during those few minutes I spent with him. We talked about life, what was right and what was wrong - things that may well have shaped the strong character he displays today.

Back to the present, my workweek has been busy. The days are flying by. Spring is little more than a month away - by the calendar, anyway. The weather that goes with it sometimes (often) takes a little longer in Minnesota. Enough chat. It's time for bed. I hope you are having a wonderful week, and as always, thanks for stopping by my little corner of cyberspace.

Later...

Just popping in to say that I'll be posting a card after I get home from bowling this evening. I made a card last night, but it was ugly, so I spared you. No ugly card, and no whining about having NO mojo. LOL. Talk to you later.

Sketch for You to Try

Here's a card - my take on the latest Sketch for you to Try from the i {heart} to stamp blog.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White, Cocoa, and Sweet Leaf cardstock; Emporium paper packet; Black and Cocoa ink pads; Whipper Snapper Designs Posies for You and Blooming Expressions stamp sets; Chocolate Bigger Brads and mini brads; White gel pen; Prismacolor colored pencils; Gamsol odorless mineral spirits; Blending stumps; Black My Legacy Writer; 1/2-inch circle punch; Quick glue pen; Yellow Fun Flock.

I'm wiped out tonight - too pooped to tell you about my good, albeit very ordinary, day. The plan is to jump into my jammies, lay down with my book, and see how long I last. I hope yours was a great day and tomorrow is, too. Thanks for stopping. Later...

A Bit Much

Let's call this card a 'sampler.' Because I didn't have a lot of time to make samples with this promotional set (free this month with a $25 stamp purchase), I set out to use as many of the stamps in the set as possible on a single card. While the results don't impress me, it's a card I can send to a kid. The b-size stamp set, "Good Times," is cute and also includes a balloon, tiny star, and gift. The promotion is in commemoration of D.O.T.S./Close To My Heart founder Jeanette Lynton's 25-year anniversary in the industry.

I used white Liquid Applique to 'frost' my cupcake. The cherry on top was created with a hole punch and made shiny with Liquid Glass.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Clover Meadow, Star Spangled Blue, and Holiday Red cardstock; Clover Meadow Star Spangled Blue, and Holiday Red ink pads; Good Times stamp set; Red mini brads; White Liquid Applique; Liquid Glass; 1/2-inch square punch.

Here's a little 'Only a Stamper' story: I stopped by K-Mart to pick up some inexpensive paint brushes to use with the Yes! paste at tonight's stamp club meeting. Proceeding to the check out, I noticed that all of the heart-shaped boxed Valentine's Day candy was half price, so I picked up one big box, two medium-size boxes, and two small boxes of candy. When I got home, I dumped them into Marv's lap with a sweet smile and a "Happy Valentine's Day ... er, kinda late" greeting. He looked up at me with no expression on his face. "You don't need to tell me. They were cheap, and you wanted the boxes," he stated rather of matter of factly. "Yup," I said. The man's got me figured out. Now, I just need to figure out where to store my precious boxes for a year. Later...

Simple Saturday on Sunday

So I'm a day late. What else is new? Actually, I forgot all about Simple Saturday until I saw these great cards on Ellen Hutson's the CLASSroom blog this morning. What you can't see is that the butterflies are dimensional, and I used textured white cardstock.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Vineyard Berry cardstock; White Daisy Textured cardstock; Basic Grey Bittersweet 6x6-inch paper pad; Sparkles; Martha Steward Butterfly punch; Cuttlebug w/Swiss Dots embossing folder.

Speaking of late, we didn't get home early last night. We did have fun. Mid-party, we left Marv's mom playing cards with a bunch of her cronies and slipped away to the hunting cabin (about a mile away) with Marv's brother and sister-in-law to play a couple of games of Cribbage. Joyce (my SIL) mixed up some Colorado Bulldogs which would have been fine had she not used quart-sized (only a slight exaggeration) mugs. By the time we returned to the party, I was in the silliest of moods, the likes of which these relatives had never seen. I believe they had previously deemed me quite stuffy. Oh, well. LOL. That's all for now. I need to go get ready this evening's stamp club gathering. I hope yours is a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping by!

Challenged

Here's my adaptation of Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #55. The sketch provided a great opportunity to use up some of my precious Bittersweet scraps.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Cocoa cardstock; Basic Grey Bittersweet 6x6-inch paper packet; Cocoa ink pad; Impression Obsession Sentiments II stamp set; Sparkles; Ribbon from Wal-Mart; Antiqued Copper Itty Bitty Brads; Cuttlebug w/Butterfly Combo and Nestabilities Classic Circles set; Stampin' Up Word Window punch; Piercing tool.

Looking at the clock, I guess I'd best go get dressed for our night out - a 60th birthday party for Marv's cousin. It's being held in a small town about 40 miles from here, and Marv's mom is riding with us, so she doesn't have to drive home after dark - a good thing considering in that neck of the woods (literally) there are at least 20 times as many deer on the roads as there are cars. I'm hoping we're not out too late. I hope you're having a wonderful day, either someone you love doing what you love. Thanks for stopping by. If I'm lucky, I might get to check back later. 'Til whenever, take care!

Amazed ...

This card arrived in my mailbox yesterday. It was from my friend, Jeanne, who has the kindest heart and more talent in her little finger than I have in my entire body. The crocheted detail on this most beau-ti-ful card is a wonderful example of her diversity.

The card arrived with a book, The Origami Handbook, that she thought I would find interesting. She was so right. In paging through it, not only did I learn that the box I created is a traditional 'masu' box, but I discovered that many of the folded paper projects I did as a kid - paper hats, fortune tellers, chains made from gum wrappers, and the like - were Origami, as in the 'real deal.' There's a chapter entitled, "Toys, Games, & Action Origami," that features all kinds of fun little things like leaping frogs and gliders that I can make to amuse the little guys and when they're old enough teach them to make themselves. Fun!

If you'll excuse the not-at-all photogenic model, I'll show you something else Jeanne did. The Mobebius scarf I'm wearing was a gift that not only keeps my neck warm but warms my heart even more. To explain it, as best I can, it's a scarf knit in a continuous loop. The one she blessed me with is a long one, which can be wrapped twice, tucked under my coat, or pulled up like a hood. On more than one frigid, windy day, I've said a silent 'thank you' as I've walked the long trek from the parking lot to the door at work.

My heart is warm today as I think not only about Jeanne but all of the other wonderful people who bless my life - my family and friends, some of whom live within a couple of blocks and others, like my cyber friends, I have yet to meet. A few weeks ago, I sent Jeanne a book, I am Amazed, by Jodi Hill. It's a coffee table-type book that artfully describes how I feel about so many people, and to borrow a few words, ...Mostly I admire you, you who give love so effortlessly, with such ease, and such grace ... as if the steps of the heart just flowed from your every muscle, and I am amazed that you let me fumble along beside you. It's you who amaze me... you lovers and losers, you teachers and listeners, you faithful and hopeful spirits of playfulness, wisdom and strength... you who show up every day and dance. It's you I admire, and I am happily, joyfully, and gratefully amazed.

Inkspired

Monograms is the theme for this week's Stamp Simply challenge on the No Time to Stamp? blog. If you see similarities between my card and Sharon's, it is no accident. I was inspired by her beautiful card and very happy to have a little stamping success with my monogram stamps. One would think that for someone who stamps simply all of the time, they would be a piece of cake. LOL.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Cocoa, Baby Pink, and Hollyhock cardstock; Basic Grey Bittersweet 6x6-inch paper pad; Hollyhock ink pad; JustRite Damask Borders and Trompe Script Font stamps; Sparkles; Papertrey Ink Sweet Blush grosgrain ribbon; Fiskars Sunburst border punch; Cuttlebug w/Nestabilities Classic Circles set; Piercing tool.

Happy Friday! We have the little guys here with us tonight, which means I should go start dinner - something nutricious to offset all of the treats I know they've ingested today. I hope yours is a good weekend. I'm sure I'll be stopping back. Hope you do, too!

Mojo Monday on Thursday

Hi! How's everyone doing on Thursday - the day before TGIF? Marv went to a hockey game this evening. "Do you mind if I go?" he asked. Silly question. The idea of a couple hours of quietude was quite appealing this evening.

My card is my take on the Mojo Monday sketch, which I finally got around to this evening. There's nothing much to explain. While the right ribbon would have been a nice touch, I opted to use a paper band.The heart was punched and "Stickled" to make it sparkle.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White, Cocoa, Blush, and Tulip cardstock; Amore paper packet; Tulip and Cocoa ink pads; Heidi Swapp Love stamp and CTMH Solo "Y" stamp set; Spring Blossom Mini-Medley Accents Collection; 1/2-inch circle, heart, and Stampin' Up Horizontal Slot punches; Christmas Red Stickles; Sponge dauber; Sanding block.

I'm tired tonight and think I may have fried my brain today creating links for documents, none of which were in English but rather German, French, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Japanese, Korean, and simplified and traditional Chinese. It was quite an adventure.

I'm looking forward to the weekend. How about you? Bjorn and Mathias are spending the night with us tomorrow night, so we'll be kicking off Valentine's Day with lots of love. As for Saturday night, we're going to a 60th birthday party for one of Marv's cousins - not exactly romantic but fun, I'm sure, nonetheless. My stamp club meets on Sunday evening, so there's some prep work to be done. I'm excited about having them make Origami boxes. For tonight, I'm going to go clean up my corner, so I can mess it up again tomorrow night. I'll catch you then. In the meanwhile, enjoy Friday and take care!

You're On My Mind

Remember how I told you I bowled like I knew what I was doing last week? It wasn't that way tonight, but I laughed my butt off anyway, so it was good. My card is another inspired by some I saw on the Flourishes blog, more a color combination than a particular card. It's a bummer that you can't see the sparkle on the flowers. It makes the card. What you can see is the upper right-hand corner accent, a 'cover-up' for a poor job of piercing. As it looks OK, I don't suppose I would have had to have told you, but laying it all out part of my style I guess. The vines and flowers were colored with markers. I went around the flowers with an inked up blending pen, too. The bird was stamped, cut out, and glued to the branch.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Breeze, and Black cardstock; Black and Breeze ink pads; Flourishes Birds in Vines and Verve Stamps Heartfelt Phrases stamp sets; Silver mini brads; Star Dust Stickles; Stampin' Up Word Window and Photo Corner punches.

It's Thursday already tomorrow. This week is moving right along. I've got all kinds of stuff going on at work - seldom a dull moment, which is good. I hope your week is going well, and with that, I'm off to my corner to see if I can find a little mojo before bedtime. Thanks for stopping by!

Just a Card

Good evening! I hope I'm able to keep my wits about me long enough to complete this post. Husband is outside the door hammering me with questions and making me crazy. With a little luck, my keyboarding will get the best of him, and he'll tell me to close the door.

My card. It's a simple one I stamped on Sunday evening using the Intrinsic Background set and paper from the Amore packet. I love the Cocoa/Juniper combination.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White, Juniper, and Cocoa cardstock; Amore paper packet; Cocoa and Juniper ink pads; Intrinsic Backgrounds and Say it in Style stamp sets; Cocoa grosgrain ribbon; Juniper mini brads.

I mentioned to Marv that it is time for me to get a new cell phone and that I am considering a BlackBerry, which is the basis for all the questions. Considering I don't know how to use the menu on my current phone, his questions might have warrant. LOL. I believe he's concerned about my becoming a text message junkie. He doesn't have to worry. While I think a quick text to ask a simple question is OK, I won't be conducting all of my personal business via text message the way the younger generation does.That's enough jabber for tonight. It's time to stamp! Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the evening!

A Quick Note

I have my email account set up again. Among the many messages and files of information I lost in what I'll call the "Crash of 09" was my contact list/address book. Thus, I invite anyone who would have been in my address book to drop me a line at kcarlson@mncable.net, so that I can get my list established again. Additionally, if you're someone who had sent me a message prior to last Thursday who had not yet received a reply, know that had I not lost your message, I would have answered you. Bummer.

For the Birds

Hey, how's your Monday? Not wanting the weekend to end, I was naughty and stayed up too late last night. I'm paying for it tonight in that it's barely after 8 p.m., and I can hardly keep my eyes open. You would think I would learn.

My card is one of two that I made over the weekend with Flourishes' Birds in Vines set. My inspiration for both came from cards I saw on the Flourishes blog. I'd link you to the pocket card, but there so much good stuff to see between the top of the page and the inspirational card, I'll let you look for it. What really attracted me to the card was the pretty soft pink, which I combined with Chocolate and Blush.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Baby Pink, Blush, and Chocolate cardstock; Blush, Chocolate, and Baby Pink ink pads; Flourishes Birds in Vines stamp set; White mini brads; EK Success corner rounder; Fiskars Sunburst border punch; Stampin' Up Round Tab punch; Sponge dauber.

For as much as I complain about snow, I'll have to say that the fluffy white stuff is much preferable to freezing rain. It started around midnight last night and has been raining on and off since. When Marv and I stepped outside this morning, the sidewalk as like glass. The roads weren't much better, and there were numerous reports about vehicles in the ditches from those who drive to work from neighboring communities. The rain is supposed to turn to snow tonight and continue for a couple of days. I'm happy that outside of going to work on the other side of town, I don't have anywhere to go.

Now, it's off to bed with that book I mentioned a couple of days ago. And since you asked, Jeanne, I'm reading Vanishing Acts by Jodi Picoult. Friends at work introduced me to this author. Previously, I read Perfect Match and most recently, Harvesting the Heart. Her stories are compelling and thought provoking, leaving one with something to think about after one has read the last page. Up until I started working at the newspaper 11 years ago, I was an incessant book reader. When I worked at the paper, I gave up books for magazines, finding that shorter articles worked better with my hectic (or was it frantic?) lifestyle. Recently, I discovered that I have the time and attention span to read "whole" books again. I'm glad.

With that little bit of information, I'll bid you goodnight. I hope yours was a great day and tomorrow is, too. Thanks for stopping! Later ...

Another Challenge Card

Here's my card for this week's Paper Craft Planet Sketch Challenge. If you can't tell by the photo, the card front has been cut down to reveal the side sentiment on the inside of the card. It's a springy-looking card, don't you think?

Materials and Tools: White Daisy and Breeze cardstock; Basic Grey Urban Prairie 6x6-inch paper pad; Pink Carnation, Breeze, and Sweet Leaf ink pads; Close To My Heart Happiness and Papertrey Ink Floral Frenzy stamp set; May Arts ribbon; Pink brads from my stash.

I hope you've enjoyed the weekend. I have. Little by little I'm getting my computer set up again, while trying not to fret too much about what's gone - stuff like my address books, both physical addresses and email addresses. I haven't set up my old email account again yet, because I tossed the instructions from my cable provider. Luckily, however, that was all I discarded. The software and instructions for my printer, scanner, camera dock, photo editing, etc. were all in a nice little file in my filing cabinet. I couldn't remember where that stuff was and impressed myself! The invoice for my computer was there, too, and get this, it was dated February 8, 2004! While it is probably time for a new one, we'll see if we can't keep this one going for a while instead. Bjorn and Mathias were loads of fun today. As for that ton of laundry, it's done. I'm ready for another workweek. I hope your week is a good one. Most likely, you'll be hearing from me ... Take care!

Challenge Card

I got my hands on a new Stampin' Up catalog this week, which is always my inspiration to use what I have. That's my way, I 'spose, of justifying the purchase of more. Sick, ain't it? LOL. Seriously, there is some very cool new stuff in the catalog. I'm particularly curious as to whether the Big Shot Texturz Plates work with the Cuttlebug. Does anyone know?

About my card, it's my take on Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #54.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White, Blush and Cocoa cardstock; Basic Grey Bittersweet 6x6-inch paper pad; Cocoa ink pad; Stampin' Up Essence of Love and Papertrey Ink Out on a Limb stamp sets; Sparkles; Acrylic discs from Michaels; Cuttlebug w/Nestabilities Classic Circles set; Sanding block; Sponge daubers.

I'm off to run some errands.As for the rest of the days, I have a mountain of laundry to address and a couple little boys who warrant games, stories, and lots of hugs and kisses. Thanks for stopping by! Have a good day. I'll catch you later ...

Design-As-You-Go

I made this card last night. It was a total design-as-you-go effort based on a 'vision' remotely similar to the finished project. LOL.

The bird is from Close To My Heart's Bird Basics set. I stamped the body and wing on scraps of Basic Grey paper and cut them out. The flowers were all cut with Cuttlebug Flowers dies, two from white cardstock and stamped and the others from the same Basic Grey Urban Prairie papers. The flower centers were both punched from patterned paper and stamped. I used small buttons on a couple of them. A couple of the flowers and the bird's wing were attached using foam mounting tape. The leaves were an afterthought. I struggled with the sentiment after stamping it directly on the nearly finished card - crooked. I think my 'cover-up' looks OK - better after I added the thin strip of patterned paper across the top. The background is White Daisy textured cardstock. Although not all of my design-as-I-go endeavors work out, I'm pleased with this one.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy Textured cardstock; White Daisy and Cocoa cardstock; Basic Grey Urban Prairie 6x6-inch paper pad; Breeze, Carnation, Sweet Leaf, and Cocoa ink pads; CTMH Bird Basics, Papertrey Ink Floral Frenzy, and Hero Arts Anytime Messages stamp sets; White mini brads; Buttons from my stash; White crochet cotton;1/2 and 13/16-inch circle punches; Corner rounder; Cuttlebug w/Flowers dies; Paper piercing tool; Stampin' Up Piercing Guide & Mat; 3M foam mounting tape.

With the exception of creating this post, I decided to leave the computer alone for a while. The little boys are staying with us this weekend and deserved some attention earlier, and once they were in bed, I snuck into my corner and made another card. Now, I think I'll put my pajamas on and snuggle up with the book I'm reading. Maybe if I start early, I will make a little headway before nodding off. Enjoy Sunday! With a little 'bank' of cards to show you, I'll be back then...

Simple Saturday

I'm here. And, right now, I'm feelin' like my card is the only thing that's simple about this particular Saturday. This computer thing has been a real pain in the you-know-where. The card is my take on Sharon's Stamp Simply #73 - Let's Get Negative challenge on the No Time to Stamp? blog. I used Nestabilities circle dies to create a frame for my heart, which is mounted to the card with foam mounting tape. The rest of it is self-explanatory, I think. Simple!

Materials & Tools: White Daisy textured cardstock; Tulip cardstock; Tulip ink pad; Key to My Heart stamp set; Sparkles; Cuttlebug w/Nestabilities Classic Circle set; 3M foam mounting tape.

I think I'm in shock right now. My computer is like a stranger. I'm sure, however, we'll get reacquainted. At least I can do the picture thing again and blog. While Cameron worked on the computer this morning, I stamped, so I've got more to show you later. I hope you're having a good day. For now, I'm off to install more software and try to bring this thing back to some semblance of what it was. Later ...

Just Checkin' In

Happy Friday! While I'm still on the disabled list, there is light at the end of the tunnel. My one-man Geek Squad removed my hard drive tonight and took it to his house where he retrieved the data and placed it on his iPod. He also wiped my hard drive with plans to reinstall Windows XP tomorrow. Then I can begin the process of starting over with regard installing software, etc. While I can imagine it will be a tedious affair, I will have my photographs back, which is all I really care about. I've also learned a little lesson about taking technology for granted and not listening to those who know more than I do. As soon as I have some photo editing software installed, I will have a card or two to show you. Between now and then, enjoy the weekend!

Trouble

My computer is sick. Bjorn was playing an online game this morning, and from what I'm told, the screen went blank, and that was it. While it will reboot, Windows will not open beyond the "flash" screen. Cameron worked on it for about three hours this evening, all to no avail. For now, he's got me running on a open source operating system.

I don't have my photographs backed up, so I'm more than a little nervous. And, before you tell me how stupid I am, believe me, I've already heard it. The question, I'm told, is not "if" one's hard drive will fail but "when" it will fail. When he wasn't chewing me out, the computer guru assured me that he's relatively certain the information on my hard drive can be retrieved. With the exception of my photos, I don't care.

As for when I'll be back with a post that includes a photograph/artwork, I can't tell you. Should anyone who reads this want to email me, I now have a gmail account at kathic1953@gmail.com. With that, I'm going to sign off for tonight. I hope yours was a good day and that tomorrow is, too. Later ...

A Monogram Card

This is a prototype. I want to make a set of monogrammed cards for a friend's birthday. I'm not lovin' this one but for lack of something else to show you tonight, I thought I'd throw it out here. As you can see, I added a couple of items to my StampRite "collection" - the Trompe Script Font and Damask Borders. That didn't take long. LOL.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White and Olive cardstock; Olive ink pad; JustRite Trompe Script Font and Damask Borders; Ribbon from Wal-Mart; Sparkles; Fiskars Sunburst border punch; Cuttlebug w/Textiles embossing folder and Nestabilities Classic Circles set.

I bowled like I knew what I was doing tonight - 154, 156, and 169. While those scores are nothing fantastic, they were consistent, which, for me, is unusual. The little boys are here tonight, and I arrived at home just in time to play a game of Cootie before bedtime. Bjorn cleaned house on Mathias and me, and while I took it well, Mathias never wants to play "this dumb game again." For all the drama and animation he displayed, I'm not sure we shouldn't take that one to Hollywood for an audition or two. With that, Grandma better get to bed, too. I'm crazy busy at work this week, which might be why I don't have much steam for stamping. The weekend, however, is coming ... Thanks for stopping by. I'll catch you again tomorrow!

Happy Heart

Tonight's simple card was inspired by this card on the 2bKrafty blog. What the photograph doesn't reveal, the materials list will.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy Textured cardstock; Papertrey Ink Sorbet cardstock, satin ribbon, and ink pad; Key To My Heart paper packet; Hero Arts Anytime Messages stamp set; White button from my stash; White crochet cotton.

Today was a good day, mostly because I decided it was going to be when I opened my eyes this morning. I hope yours was, too. In anticipation of tomorrow, I'm off to get a good night's sleep. Later ...

You'll Know I Love You If ...

... I make you a card using StampRite's small alphabet. Man, those stamps are small. What a humbling experience! I put my glasses on. I took them off. I tried a several different pair, all to no avail. These microscopic stamps came with a pair of tweezers, which I found difficult to manipulate. I dried a different a pair, and resorted to using my fingers, which, in this instance, all behaved as thumbs. I dropped several stamps and ended up on my hands and knees on the floor, feeling around for them, because I certainly couldn't see them. It was a real circus. As I love my brother and his wife, however, it was worth it. How fun to make a personalized card. Before I do it again, though, I need to invest in one of those magnifier lamps and do some exercises to improve my fine (very fine) motor skills. LOL.

The card is my adaptation of Mojo Monday Week 72. What you can't see is that the top flower was mounted with foam mounting tape, and the heart was layered on several layers of cardstock to emulate chipboard. The rest, I think, explains itself.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy, Garden Green, and Hollyhock cardstock; Bo Bunny Vintage Carnival designer paper; Hollyhock, Garden Green, and Honey ink pads; Papertrey Ink Floral Frenzy stamp set; JustRite stamps; May Arts Ribbon; Cuttlebug w/Flowers dies and Nestabilities Classic Circles set; 3M foam mounting tape.

I have a lot on my mind tonight. I work as a media communications specialist/writer for a large electronic components distributor. As our business is worldwide, we are feeling the effects of the current economic crisis. Last week, all overtime was eliminated, which did not affect me. Today, it was announced that each employee has the option of voluntarily cutting back to a 32-hour workweek, while maintaining full-time status and benefits. This is on a month-by-month basis, which means you tell your supervisor prior to the beginning of each month whether you are going to work 32- or 40-hour weeks during the coming month. The plan is for this to in effect through the end of 2009. It is being done to prevent layoffs, which in this very successful company's 37-year history, has never occurred.

Back to me. Because my position is unique (as in there is one of me), I have more to consider than a 2o percent reduction in pay. I don't want to diminish the position in any way. Writing assignments and news worthy of press releases vary from week to week. With looming deadlines, I will be pushing it to get it all done in 40 hours this week. A couple of weeks from now, it might be slow to the point that I find myself reorganizing files just to pass the time. It's the nature of the job.

What to do. What to do. Having a three-day weekend every week sure sounds good ... Less $$, not so fun but manageable ... doing my part to see that everyone gets to keep his or her job, appealing ... having a human resources person decide at the end of the year that because I've accomplished my job working 32-hours a week, it can be reduced to a part-time position, unthinkable.

If you've hung with me this long, thanks for listening. Putting it down on "paper" has helped me think it through. As much as I'd love to have an extra day at home, starting this Friday, my work load warrants 40 hours this month. Next month, I'll try the 32-hour thing and see how it goes. That's the sensible thing to do. With that, I'll bid you goodnight with the promise that I'll be back tomorrow night with a simple card and a little light-hearted commentary! In the meanwhile, take care.