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!

Spring Flowers

I made this card a few weeks ago when I first got the stamp set. I have gotten better with the stamps since I made it, but I still love the colors and simplicity so I thought I would share.

On Mother's Day, my MIL got me a bouquet of spring flowers. I loved them! Such pretty colors and they live much longer than roses do. A couple of days later I moved them to the kitchen counter for more sunlight. The next morning, I noticed that the vase was drying in the sink. What happened to my flowers?!!! Turns out that my dear husband thought that I put the flowers on the counter because they were dead. Never mind that they didn't look the least bit dead!!! So anytime I get the chance, I tease him about the pretty spring flowers that used to be!

I had a fantastic trip and I am looking foward to getting back to stamping!

A purse that doesn't break the bank...

I can't believe how much money you can spend on a purse! I would NEVER pay what some are willing to pay! First, I really don't care what is "in." I have my own style and feel no need to copy the in crowd. Also, I am afraid of commitment. I like to change purses when I see something cute. When you pay hundreds of dollars on a purse, you can't just get a new one a few months later! That being said, I bought a purse that was much more than I wanted to spend. But it is gorgeous!!! Meet Big Buddha...

It is big enough for my usual purse stuff plus my camera and kindle. And it still doesn't feel stuffed. And it is soooo soft! It is my new best friend.

So, you ask, what does this have to do with stamping? I made a cute purse from paper! And it definatly will not break the bank!

Isn't it cute?! I used this template. And it opens up too. I filled it with these notecards...

I made this special treasure for a friend. She moved to Nashville over a year ago and I am flying out there to see her tomorrow!!! I am so excited!

Setting the house on fire in the name of stamping

So I was using a glue gun today to make the flowers on my card when the glue gun suddenly burst into flames! I screamed and jumped a mile. Luckily I was wise enough to unplug it and the fire died down. The only damage are some blisters. It could have been far worse. But I was right in the middle of making my card and I needed hot glue to finish. So I actually run to Wal-Mart to grab a new one. What do you suppose are the odds of two of my glue guns catching on fire?

The good news.....I think the card came out nice!
I love the little ribbon flowers! I have been wanting to make these for some time now.

So was it worth the fire?

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Where oh where has my mind gone?

I am having one heck of a scatter brained day! And I mean more than the usual!

Today two of the kiddos had water days at school. I did a terrible job getting them ready! Kid #1: No towel or sunscreen. Kid #2: No towel, sunscreen, water bottle, sand pail, backpack or clothes to go over her swimsuit. Plus, she was wearing her sister's swimsuit and so half of her bum was sticking out! Water day was a big fail for mommy!!!

Then, this afternoon- I got all the way to the kids' school (15 minute drive) only to realize that I took the wrong vehicle! A super small car does not cut it when picking up 6 kids! I had to make a 30 minute round trip to get the right car.

I think I should just call it a day and go to bed before I cause anymore havoc!

Now on to the stamping....
I made this card at least a week ado and it is a CASE of one that I found on Splitcoast. And being the scatter brain that I am, I didn't not save the link so I could share who made the original :(

I am off to search for my mind. Let me know if you spot it.

Finally....

I finally finished the gifts for teacher appreciation week (which was last week)! It took me forever! I actually made 4. And after working on them for nearly a week, I finish and wouldn't you know it? I forgot to send them to school with the kids! Ha! They have waited this long, so what's another few days!

I do like the way they turned out! (But note to self- you don't want to make these next year. Once is enough!)

It is also finally Friday! The kids will be gome in a few minutes and we can start our weekend of fun with some swimming!

Good News Email!

I was running around on Monday like a chicken with my head cut off- when I got the best email! Cards Magazine wants to publish one of my cards in their October issue! I am so excited. I have had 3 other cards published- but it has been a long time. I am especially proud since I have only gotten back to stamping for about a month. Now I know many of you are getting published every month and are not all that impressed with this. But I don't get published often and so you can't rain on my parade!

The card I am showing you today is one of the first cards I made after my long break. I CASED it from Kristina Werner. Of course, he card is way better than mine! I miss the times when Kristina worked for Stampin' Up! but I still love her stamping style.

This was a super hard card for me to photograph. I punched a circle in the front and added 3D butterflies to the inside.


I am still working on the teacher gifts. But I took a break and spent about 10 hours (so far) working on pictures, videos and scrapbooks for my twins' Kindergarten graduation. I am already getting a bit emotional. I am a cry baby when it comes to this sentimental stuff. So back to my work.....

I may be a tad biased.....

....but my kids are the cutest kids EVER!

I have lots of really fun pictures from this portrait session. They take forever to load to this blog so if you want to see them check out this link.

This has been the perfect Mother's Day. I had a date night with the hubby last night. He took me shopping!! This morning they all made me breakfast and gave me flowers and super cute hand made cards. Then I got to go to the salon for a sassy hair do. And finally, we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner! I am tired and full. But I am going to pick up my stamps right now and get inky! I hope that you all had a special Mother's Day and that you are also getting some time to do those things you love.

Welcome Spring?

It was 100 degrees today and we spent the afternoon in the pool. (Which is why I have a sunburn tonight.) And so I have to laugh at this card...I made it a few weeks ago. Spring only lasts 2 weeks around here. I missed the window of opportunity to post it and send it to someone!

The stamp is from Papertrey Ink and everything else is SU!

I have spent the past 3 days working on making teacher gifts. I intended to bring them in this week for teacher appreciation week. But I ran out of the red sticky tape! I guess I will just have to appreciate the teachers next week! But seriously, next year when I want to make elaborate teacher gifts for 4 sets of teachers- someone pinch me. 3D paper crafts take me forever. Oh well. They are super cute and I will post as soon as I find some sticky tape.

I probably won't have time to post this weekend. Tomorrow is dance class, Mother's Day lunch with my in laws and date night. And I am getting my hair done and going out with my kiddos on Sunday. So happy Mother's Day!

Live, Laugh & Love

Just a quick post with another one of the cards that I made at Diana's class. I love simple so this is perfect for me.

I am tired, sunburned and subbing again tomorrow. I am calling it an early night. But I did place an order for some new stamps and I can't wait to play with new goodies!

New card with old supplies

I was organizing some supplies and I found this circle scallop card. I can't remember what SU! called them. But I LOVED them when they came out. Even though the colors (Groovy Guava and some kind of blue sky color) retired, I couldn't get rid of these. When I found them, I was giddy excited and HAD to make a card right that moment. The organizing took a back burner!

I am missing my stamping time while substituting! It is a good thing that I made tons of cards last week!

Forget Paris

I loved the movie Forget Paris. I laugh until I am in tears every single time I watch it.

So this is another card from the 10/10/20 class I took last week. It is very simple but so pretty. And it will be the perfect card for my dear friend who was a french teacher. Now I just have to remember to send it.....in January. No problem.

So I am substituting in the class that I student taught in. It is kinda weird going back but a fun weird. It will just take up some of my stamping and blogging time this week. We shall see....

You crack me up

We were all cracking up here- thanks to the dog! The kids spent time coloring hard boiled eggs this afternoon. They were diligent and very careful. The eggs looked great. So we head out to grab a quick dinner. When we came back- there were only 4 eggs left in the carton. I was perplexed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a purple egg sitting in the grass right outside the door. The darn dog got the eggs!!! He ate 7 hard boiled eggs (shell and all). Yuck!!! And he is a small dog! I have banished him to the backyard for tonight. I don't want multi color poo in the house!

I have a simple Easter card for ya....

I colored the chicks with some copic markers. I am still not too good with those things. But, from time to time, I have fun pretending I am an artist.

Happy stamping!