Having one of those days....

I was all ready to post earlier- but for some reason or another we didn't have an internet connection! And then when we got that cleared up- my computer wouldn't show me any of my pics and so I couldn't upload. But I was relentless and so I have a card to show ya.

I am pretty sure that I was the last one out there to buy the Aviary set. I remember everyone getting excited last year when it came out. I was like "Why all the fuss? That isn't cute." But then I started to see some cards made with it. I even got to use it at a class. And what do you know? Now I think it is cute and had to order it for myself! Please tell me that happens to you too.

It is a very simple card, but I think the pearls make it special.

More on my day.....I discovered that I have lost my coupon binder. If there are any avid couponers out there- you know just how important the binder is. It is almost like losing a kid. I called stores and checked everywhere. I am to the point that I know I need to start a new one. (I guess that is a difference between the coupon binder and kids. I can replace the binder. But replacing one kid with another is generally frowned upon.) So I am off to work on coupons even though I would rather be stamping.

On the mend....Finally!

I can finally "see" the light at the end of the tunnel with this eye surgery! I am still uncomfortable, but each day is a tad better than the last. I have 2 cards that I want to show you- but it is cloudy and I can't get a picture. I don't have lighting in my stamping studio. :-( I am sure you are getting sick of my digi layouts- but I have nothing else to show! So here are a couple 1 page layouts from my DC trip...

I have been working on this vacation scrapbook while recovering and I am almost done! Which is good sense we are leaving for a family vacation in 3 weeks! Ha ha!

Do a little stamping for me today! With both of your eyes open! :-)

Nothing can keep me from my stamps...not even blood.

I was lucky enough to get to spend yesterday morning in the hospital having surgery on my eye. You're jealous right? 24 hours later and I still can't see out of my eye. It is swollen, watery and so scratchy! And I am one big baby about pain. So I have spent a lot of time in bed. While laying around, I came up with a card idea. I decided "I will make it when I feel better." But I just kept thinking about it. Finally, I couldn't wait any long and went to the stamp room. So now imagine me stamping and gluing (with just one eye open) while my eye is watering and bleeding on the paper. It was a disaster! Definitely not a keeper! But the design was very cute and will definitely be remade when I can see!

In the meantime, I have another 2 page layout for you from my trip to DC. When I was in college, I dreamed of being a Federal Court judge. (Keep in mind that you have to be appointed to the position by the President and so it is not an easy job to get!) I took judicial class and constitutional law classes. I even worked for the Judiciary Committee in the State Senate as well as a lobbyist for the State Supreme Court. I loved it. But after college, I got married and started having babies. The dream of law school and being a judge were replaced with dreams of staying home and watching my babies grow. Good decision. But I was so stinkin' excited about seeing the Supreme Court when we went to DC. And it was no let down. It was easily the most beautiful building I have ever been in. It was all marble! Marble floors, staircases and pillars. Awesome! So the visit was deserving of 2 pages in my scrapbook!

A closer look at page 1....

And page 2....

I smile whenever I look at these pictures! And this is another simple layout for paper scrappers!

Well I am going back to tending the my drippy eye!

I'm Back!!!

We are back from our back East trip! We had such a fun time and I am a little sad that it is already over. I get post trip depression. I get post holiday depression as well. My husband thinks I am weird, but I have my fingers crossed that I am not the only one who experiences this!

Our trip started in Washington DC. I LOVED it! I love the old time charm that the city has. I love that you can see the Washington Monument all over the city. I LOVED the museums and the Supreme Court! While I was on the trip- I was already planning my scrapbook. So as soon as we got home- I got to work. The tough part is sorting through the 700 pictures that I took! My first layout is about our tour of the capitol. I used the same template I used for a layout last week- as I wanted to showcase lots of pictures on the one layout.


A closer look at the 1st page...

And the 2nd page....

More trip layouts and some stamping will be coming your way soon!

Cherish

I thought I would share one last project before I leave on my trip!

I am constantly asked by my blog readers to make more 2 page scrapbook layouts. Well, this one is for you...A close up of page 1....

And a close up of page 2....

I love that it has 10 pictures on it!

You know that I LOVE digi scrapping. I can't wait to scrap our trip using one of Stampin' Up's digi kits! But I know that many of you prefer to paper scrap. This layout would be a breeze for a traditional scrapper as well! Choose a fun (but not too busy) DSP for the background, another 2 others that coordinate for the paper strips. Use border punches on the thin strip for each side. Add pretty stamped flowers with buttons. For the title, stamp the letters with you favorite alphabet and cut each letter out in the shape of a square. Mat them on some darker cardstock and put them on the layout using dimensionals. Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Go scrap! I am going to go take a million pics to scrap when I come back! Stay tuned!

Hooty

So I have a cute card for you today that I CASED from Tami. But the pictures really aren't so good! I am having some trouble with lighting in my stamp room these days! But hopefully you can see how darn cute this guy is. The owl punch is new to me. I think I am the last stamper out there to get it!

Then you open the card...

He is just peeping out of the hole in the front! Can you see the clouds? This has always been one of my favorite techniques.

I am still having trouble finding my stamping mojo! Even my scrapbooking mojo is tough to locate. I hate these dry spurts! I will keep looking for the mojo! But my husband and I are leaving this week on a trip to Washington DC and New York City! I have never been to either place and so I am just bursting with excitement. A Government teacher just HAS to go to DC! And a lover of the theater MUST see Chicago on Broadway! But at any rate....don't be surprised if you don't hear from me this week.

Happy stamping!

Nashville!

I seem to be missing my stamping and scrapping mojo! YIKES! I sent 3 hours last night playing with pictures and paper. It was a disaster! And then this afternoon- I threw this layout together in about 10 minutes!

I had the BEST visiting my dear friend in Arrione in Nashville. I love country music so Nashville is the perfect fit for me! And I love Arrione- so it was the perfect get away! Next time I am going to bring my hubby!


This page would be easy to CASE for those who paper scrap as well. DSP can be the best embellishment!

I'm one sappy mommy!

Today was the last day of school for my kiddos. I am still not certain if I am happy or sad. I am excited about sleeping in, not having homework and not having to pack lunches. But I am such a sappy mom that I cried a bit today because the kids are growing up way too fast. When Danika's kindergarten teacher broke down crying (for the 2nd time this week), I just couldn't help but join in. How can it be that I have a 2nd grader, 2 1st graders and a kindergartner?! Sigh..... Let's not cry again, Jamie!

I have been so busy with all the end-of-year parties, talent shows and graduation that stamping had to be put on the back burner. Then when I went back- I had stamper's block!!! I am still struggling! But then I realized that I never showed you a card that I made for my MIL for Mother's Day.

I just love these colors- Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight. Such happy colors. I made an oval frame with my Big Shot and then just set it on the white cardstock and sponged the Daffodil Delight on. I got the idea from a stamper on Splitcoast. I popped one flower up and used ribbon to add dimension. I just can't stand a flat card! By the way- I am loving this stamp set! I have used it on the cards in my last couple of posts. It is called Awash with Flowers.

I am not sure that I ever shared my good news regarding Stampin' Up! I was going to have to give up my demonstrator status as I hadn't been able to have a workshop since before my illness. Well, after Stampin' Up! heard about my medical problems, they helped to make it possible for me to keep my demonstrator status! Yay!!!

Since I am suffering from Stamper's Block, I am going to try and focus on scrapbooking. Cross your fingers that I will have some layouts to show tomorrow!