Masculine Monday 2

Looking at the clock, I realize Monday has turned into Tuesday. However, as I cannot think of another clever title, I will leave it at “Masculine Monday.” Actually, the full title would be “Masculine Monday #2 on Tuesday with a Card Made on Sunday.”

If the truth be known, it took from Sunday until now for this card to grow on me. The paper is from a “had-to-have” but “hadn’t-gotten-around-to-using-it-yet” pad from Basic Grey. The prints in “Oliver” are masculine with this and another one especially appropriate for kids. I did alter the paper some. Although many of Basic Grey’s designs are quite rustic, most have white in them as opposed to the antique white color that I prefer when working with more primitive designs. A foam sponge tool and Antique Linen Distressing Ink took care of the too-white monkeys.

I almost forgot – the sketch is my adaptation of FTL #123 as featured on the Clean & Simple Stamping blog.

Materials & Tools: Colonial White and Vineyard Berry cardstock; Basic Grey Oliver 6x6-inch paper pad; Black and Vineyard Berry ink pads; Mint Motif I’ve Got Your Number stamp set; Colonial White mini brads; 1-11/16 and 1-3/4 inch circle punches; Cuttlebug w/Nestabilities Classic Circles set; 3M foam mounting tape.

A Slice of Life: Yesterday was not at all the kind of Monday I had planned thanks to another little bug that managed to a hold of me. It started in the middle of the night with the kind of headache that leaves you holding your head in your hands and moaning. About as soon as I took a couple of aspirin, my stomach erupted. Then, it was back and forth between the bed and the bathroom until about 9 o’clock when I finally fell asleep. When I woke up around 12:30, I felt good enough to enjoy the boys for a few hours. As for the 100 or so other things I wanted to do, they have been added to today’s list. A couple of “good” days would be deeply appreciated here. LOL.

With a wish that your week got off to a great start, I’ll close. Thanks for stopping by. Have a great Tuesday!

Masculine Monday

Hmm… masculine Monday. Could this be the start of something? It might be. Either that or it sounds good for tonight. LOL. As you can see, I used some paper scraps that were on my desk from yesterday’s project. I used stamps I bought last year but hadn’t gotten around to using yet (shame on me), which means my card meets the criteria for PIO#1 – this week’s “Brand Spankin’ New” theme on the Pile It On blog.

There isn’t much to say about the card construction.  I like the sentiment. The inside of the card holds a birthday greeting.

Materials & Tools: Black and Stampin’ Up Crumb Cake cardstock; Graphic 45 Shutter Speed from the Communiqué Collection; Black Tim Holtz/Ranger Antique Linen Distressing Ink ink pads;  Mint Motif What a Card and I’ve Got Your Number stamp sets; Black Bigger Brads; EK Success corner rounder; Sponge distressing tool.

A Slice of Life: This is going to be a tough week with a lot going on at work in the way of stuff to do and feelings to be sorted out. After making a difficult decision a few years ago, Husband told me I was the most resilient person he has ever known. I was younger then. Change was easier to accept. Still, thinking way back, I remember how fearful I was when encountering something new. Unless I am worried about someone I care about, there isn’t much that frightens me anymore.

Enough of the serious stuff. It will all be good. A week from now, I will be telling you how I spent my day either at home or out and about having had some fun – maybe both!

How was your day? I hope your week got off to a great start. If you want to pity me, it’s COLD here at -10° F. If you want to envy me, sweet Husband, who put all of the Christmas decorations up, took them all down and put them away today – a job I was dreading. Sweet guy.

Finally, thanks for your comments on my posts. They mean the world to me.

P.S. Husband just caught sight of my card and is impressed – a rare occasion. He informed me, however, that while my choice of numbers/suits was good, the worst cards one can be dealt in poker are a seven and a two of different suits. I will retain that information for future reference. LOL.

A Cup of Kisses

I found my inspiration for the day when I came across this post on the {Stampin’ Gal Val} blog. The tutorial for this fun little project can be found here along with several others in Scor-Pal’s November E-Zine. The finished cup is 3-inches tall by about 2-1/2 inches in diameter. It’s kind of cute, don’t you think?

Materials & Tools: Colonial White cardstock; Martha Stewart 12x12-inch Classic Woodland Paper Pad; Cocoa and Ranger Antique Linen Distressing Ink ink pads; Mint Motif Very Square Sentiments; CTMH Just Blooms; Chocolate brad; Cocoa chiffon ribbon; Brown crochet cotton; Martha Stewart Score Board; 1/4-inch Terrifically Tacky Tape; McGill Multi-Tag punch; Sponge dauber.

A Slice of Life: Today was exactly what I said it was going to be – church and chores. Expecting it to be cold, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a gorgeous day when I walked outside this morning. Sunshine. Nothing more than a gentle breeze. In fact, the thermometer reached 60 here today. Very nice. A couple more mild days are forecast before the temperatures drop 15 degrees or so later in the week. I will take them!

In addition to the takeover of what he thinks is his TV, Husband’s absence due to hunting affords me the opportunity to eat what I want when I want. While he is about 100 times more willing to try new things now than he was when I married him, he still likes to stick to the basics – the meat and potatoes that don’t do much for me. Anyway, his being away spurred me to try this recipe I came across the other day on the House of Hepworths blog.  Oh my goodness. Is it good. Husband might even eat it, although I think he would might at the artichokes. I think I might become a bit more adventurous in the kitchen again once I’m home more.

While I sound happy to have the hubby gone, and it is kind of nice to have a couple of days of quiet, I will be missing him by tomorrow night and will be very happy to see him on Wednesday. It’s always that way.

After a little blog surfing, I’m going to bed. As usual, the time change has me a little off. I hope you have a wonderful week. Talk to you soon!

Simple Saturday

Here’s a very simple “backpack” card made with Mint Motif’s recently released “School Basics” set. School will be starting here on the Tuesday after Labor Day, so I thought it would be wise to get a few cards ready. Periodically, it is fun to surprise the boys with cards in their backpacks – just a little note from Grandma with a few encouraging words.

Materials & Tools: White Daisy and Outdoor Denim cardstock; Outdoor Denim gingham B&T paper (retired); Black, Cranberry, Topiary, and Crystal Blue stamp pads; Chocolate marker; Mint Motif School Basics stamp sets; Stampin’ Up Spiral Border punch; Prismacolor colored pencils; White and silver gel pens.

A Slice of Life: Maybe it spontaneity that my life has been lacking! Today, we made a little impromptu trip to a nearby state park with Cameron, Sarah, and the boys, and it was the “bestest” of days! We spent the afternoon frolicking in the water and then hiking around the park before enjoying a picnic supper. It was fun. Bjorn is our nature lover who relishes filling his pockets with treasures. Today, it was acorns. After all that fresh air, I should sleep like a baby tonight.

How was your day? A good one, I hope! Enjoy your Sunday, too.I need to get around to visiting all my blogging buddies again – I’m so far behind! Soon… Last, but not least, thank you for your comments on my last post. Excited about the baby and mindful of all my many blessings, I’m feeling the fog starting to lift.