Vervealicious!

K, I just have to start by saying I'm not a fan of the birds. You know, that big bird craze (wait, not Big Bird craze, but big 'Bird Craze') that has hit the stamping world like, um, like, being hit by a big bird? Owls, love birds, bird silhouettes...ugh, it goes on & on. Yech, not feelin' it. But, did you see? This bird's little tail has the same flourish as the 'Birthday'! And he's wearin' a party hat, for cryin' out loud! Even the most hardened non-bird lover has to like this. And here we are. That darn Julee. Making me want things that I never had any desire for. Ever. *sigh* I have to say, tho, that this set has some of the best birthday sentiments my eyes have ever seen. And I collect them. I truly believe that you can't have too many birthday sentiments. Ok, I'm gonna stop gushing. But I do love my Verve stamps. And, in the midst of playing with them, I did manage to finish all 27 (I know, don't ask) Lily Christmas cards! I've got a Pure Poppy version to go along with the Baja Breeze cards, and I'll have a picture of that for you next time.

Stamps: Birthday Surprise (Verve), Ink: Memento Tuxedo black (Tsukineko) & Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Papertrey white, Soft Sky (SU!), Accessories: dimensionals (to make the balloons, hat & bow stick up!), Baubles (Stamping Bella), Copics: RV00, RV10, RV13, B000, G000

What Verve!

Oh man, do I love me some swirls! How beeeutiful are these flourishes? I saw the new Verve stamps and just about fell out of my chair. These were made for me. No, really, it's like Julee said, "hey mint, what would you like to see? what's that? lots of girly swirlies and foo-foo she-she shtuff? you got it, girl." And just like that, I'm a happy stamper. And I can whip up simple stuff like this in just minutes and feel like I've really done something. I just had to take a break from my Christmas cards and play with my Verve stuff. And I'm so glad I did. Aah, this one is just so lovely, I can't stop staring at it. I just love those swirls! Anyway, a quick note about this card. The center circle is punched out and on dimensionals, so it looks weird at this angle, but trust me, it's centered. And yes, you got it, I'm just too lazy and too crappy a photographer to take another picture (or 12) just to get a good, straight on shot. Let's all just celebrate the fact that I got this picture up. And, have a fabutastic weekend.

Stamps: Fairy Tales (Verve), Ink: Pink Pirouette (SU!), Versafine Onyx Black (Tsukineko), Paper: Papertrey white, Pink Pirouette (SU!), Accessories: 1 3/8 circle punch (SU!), Baubles (Stamping Bella)

Christmas Card #2

Hey there. Can you believe I have my second Christmas card done? It just kinda came together. The only thing I knew for sure was that I was using that silly tree. I had purple in mind but just couldn't get anywhere using it. But now that I have a completed layout in front of me, maybe I can try it in purple. As for this one, it would seem I'm a tad bit obsessed with my Baja Breeze, which is funny, cuz I almost never think, "ooh, let's start with blue!". I just find blue hard to work with. And out of all the new In Colors, this is not the one I thought I would fall in love with. Guess it's a good thing I got a whole pack of this stuff, cuz it's all over my Christmas cards this year. I really like how this one came out, but...I know, I've always got something poopy to say. No, I really do like this one, but I'm thinking maybe a more - um, big or more silvery ribbon? Bolder. Ha! I knew it would come to me. A bolder ribbon. Maybe. I don't know. I really like this one. It's one of the new ribbons Nichole just came out with. Hmm, maybe the wider silver sheer metallic one. Ok, now I'm just rambling. Anyway, let me know what you think, cuz I'll be making a bunch of these bad boys and you could be getting one. So, if you think it's gross, you better say something now! And yes, Angie, I know, you want one of each. =D I'll see what I can do.

Stamps: Snow Swirled (SU!), Ink: Baja Breeze (SU!), Brilliance Moonlight White (Tsukineko), Colorbox Black pigment, Paper: Papertrey white, Baja Breeze (SU!), Warm Steel (Paper Company), Accessories: Clear embossing powder (SU!), Silver edge ribbon (Papertrey), rhinestones

Happy Birthday Darien

Man, do I have a story to tell you. First, let's have a little background, shall we? A couple of years ago, I went through a phase. Bad medical things would happen to me on holidays. First, one Christmas I woke up with a horribly infected ear. At the time, I had 8 earrings in my ears. A few days before Christmas, my ear had that hot feeling, but that's a really busy time for me, so I ignored it. When I woke up on Christmas, my ear was so swollen, it had eaten my earring. You couldn't even see it. I went to the ER and turns out this is quite common. Huh, how 'bout that? Anyway, the Dr. thought it would be cool to see if he could just shove that bad boy out, without numbing me or anything. Yeah, just like giving birth out of your ear. I don't recommend that one. Then, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I got this extreme pain in my leg and had to wear one of those really attractive braces for a bit. No reason for that one. Then, on St. Patrick's Day, I was diagnosed with MS, which I totally blame that mysterious leg pain on. I'm pretty sure this was all within the same year. So, by the time Flag Day rolled around, I was afraid to get out of bed.

Now, fast forward to today and you'll notice a very strange pattern emerging with Darien. Only, it's not holidays, it's just days that are important to her. A few years ago, she was supposed to dance at a festival and the night before, she broke her toe. Then, a month ago, she got hurt {<---clicky if you missed it} just as school started and had to start 10th grade on crutches. Yesterday, the day before her 15th birthday and a big volleyball tournament, she got hurt again. Same as a month ago. Playing volleyball (again), a girl (same girl) landed on her foot (again) and now her ankle has a softball sized lump on it. Oh, different foot, though. But everything else is the same. My poor baby. Oh, and Krista got sick and stayed home from school yesterday. Not relevant to Darien, but pitiful and bad timing all the same.

So, that's my household. And now I don't even feel like bragging about my card. {Click the pic to make it bigger so you can see all the shimmah}. About how I didn't do everything all matchy matchy. The brown paper is cocoa, but the ribbon is chocolate. About how the fairy totally does not match the swirly paper (which I LOVE), and I'm ok with that. This is growth, people. Stand up and cheer. Well, not you Darien, cuz, you know, you can't. Ok, nevermind the cheers, cuz this day is not about me. Or the 22 hours of labor I was in to squeeze that child out. No, no, just go to the comments and wish my baby a Happy Birthday! Thank you.

Stamps: Patricia Birthdaycake (Stamping Bella), swirl from Boxes, Bags & Tags (Papertrey), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Blush Blossom & Close to Cocoa (SU!), Paper: Papertrey white, Close to Cocoa (SU!), Two Scoops swirl (Basic Grey), Accessories: Chocolate Chip satin ribbon (SU!), brads (Making Memories?), paper piercer, Copics: R00, R20, R30, RV42, E11, E13, E25, G24, W5, Y17, clear spica glitter pen

Christmas Lily

Ok, I got one done. Phew! I have 3 different cards in mind for this year and this is the only one that I have all the way completed. I mean, the layout & shtuff like that. I don't have 15 of these done or anything. But it wasn't too difficult. I do have to say that I did chop off the bird. Wait, that could sound better. I didn't include the image of the bird {<---clicky} on the branch on my card. I just have a hard time being happy with the way I color him, so I covered him with masking tape when I stamped the image to make him go bye-bye. I giggle cuz I can see the tiniest hint of his feet on the tip of the branch. But I'm just too lazy to be exact about it. Plus, if you don't know he's supposed to be there, then you don't know he's not really there. So there. Still with me? Now, I do have a bunch of these stamped without the bird and that isn't too bad to do, really. I only mention that because I can tell my mom is worried about all the effort going into this. "That sounds like an awful lot of work..." It's fine, really. Ok, now a little about the details. If you click on the picture (this should work!) it gets bigger and you can see the liquid applique & dazzling diamonds (white puffy stuff & sparkles for the non-stampers) on Lily's fluff. I love those 2 together. And, I have to point out, I made my own Baja Breeze (blue to match the paper & ribbon) with my Copics. Uh, if there's just one Copic color that matches, please let me know. I like to make things harder for some reason. Anyway, to get Baja Breeze, I just layered G000 + B000 + N1. Easy peasy. So there you have it. My first Christmas card for this year. And, no, I still don't have a card for Darien. *sigh* 4 more days.

Stamps: Lily & Tweet (removed) (Pink Cat Studio), Best Yet (SU!), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Baja Breeze (SU!), Paper: Papertrey white, Baja Breeze (SU!), Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, Baja Breeze ribbon (SU!), Nestabilities, Liquid Applique, Cuttlebug folder, Copics: Y38, E51, E25, E35, C3, B000, G000, N1

Happy Birthday Angie

I love this card. Not to toot my own horn (ok, I guess that's exactly what I'm doing) but I just love it. I made it about 3 weeks ago and I've been sitting on it this whole time. If you know me, that's huge, cuz I can't hold water. I'm a complete sieve. Info, secrets, intel, just run right through me. Don't tell me something you want held just between the two of us, because it's just not gonna happen. Not that I can't wait to blab, I just forget what I'm supposed to keep hush hush. Well, I suppose it could happen if I completely forget what you told me. Now THAT I'm good at. I forget all kinds of things. Yesterday I got a call from the school picture people telling me that the check I sent in for Darien's pictures had no signature. Yeah. Nice. There's no coming back from that one. It just looks like I didn't have money in the bank and was just stalling. I could be paranoid, but that's the first thing that came to my mind. Of course, I don't know these people and really shouldn't care what they think, but holy cow! What a dork. Yeah, Shawn wasn't the least bit surprised to hear that message on the machine. He just kinda sighed when I asked him if he heard the message and how crazy was that?! Then I asked him if he called them back to clear it up and he just looked at me, trying to hold in his laughter and said nah, he thought he'd let me handle that one. Gee, thanks. Anyway, every day that goes by and I've remembered my girls' ever changing schedules and remembered to pick them up and bring them home, I consider a successful day. I even pat myself on the back sometimes. If I remember.

Oh, and my next post will be my first Christmas card for this year. I found time to design it, get the stuff (the hardest part is the waiting!) and put it together. *Patting myself on the back before I forget* Of course, it's the only one I have done, but we all have to start with one, right? And I'm still working on Darien's card. Ugh! She's so stinkin' difficult. Hope I don't choke and just hand her money in an envelope. 1 week to go...

Stamps: Embrace Life (SU!), Out on a Limb & Wedding Day (Papertrey), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Pale Plum & Elegant Eggplant (SU!), Paper: Papertrey white, Wild Wasabi, Pale Plum, Elegant Eggplant (SU!), Accessories: Wild Wasabi ribbon (SU!), slot punch (SU!), cuttlebug folder, Copics: V01, V04, V12 and G24 (I think =/ )

Pink & Brown Stuff

Wait, I know what you're gonna say. 'That girl has been gone soooo long, she must have scads of cards to show us.' And to that I would have to say, 'Yeeeaaah. No.' It's that darn life business getting in the way again. I haven't had time to sit down & stamp. Please, I haven't had time to sit down! I did get this done, tho. How exciting, right? Just go with it and pretend to be excited. Nod & smile, people, nod & smile. Oh, I have been thinking about my Christmas cards. (Waiting to order some Pure Poppy stuff. Ooh!) Still finishing up the one I mentioned earlier. I know, that was like a whole week ago. It's a good thing I still have 2 1/2 months to get my Christmas stuff done and completed. And I still have no idea what my Christmas projects will be this year. Wow, guess I should get on that, huh? Especially since Darien's birthday is but a mere 9 days away and I've got nothing done on that end. Zip, zero, zilch. Hmmm, well, what am I doing here entertaining you people? I've got work to do!

Stamps: Birthday Basics & Guide Lines (Papertrey), Ink: Chocolate Chip & Pink Pirouette (SU!), Paper: Chocolate Chip & Pink Pirouette (SU!), Accessories: Dark Chocolate ribbon (Papertrey), Scor-Pal (you can't see it, but I scored lines around the ribbon) and Petal Pink Liquid Pearls (Ranger, and again, you can't see it, but I dotted the centers of the chocolate chip things)

Purple Flowery Thingies

I know, for those of you who keep track {ok, Mom}, I was supposed to have my post up yesterday. Well, this is what happens when life gets in the way of all the fun stuff. Hmmm, ok writing blog posts isn't always the fun part. Sometimes I struggle with what to say. Yes, really. Hey, all this wit doesn't just roll off my...fingertips. Alright, so sometimes it's just a bunch of gobbledy gook, but I do have my moments. Anyway, since all the stuff I've had going on is boring for you guys, I won't, well, bore you with the details. But it hasn't all been humdrum. I've been working on my Christmas cards. Ha. The plan for those was to do it over the summer. I remember telling my mother that brilliant plan around May and she laughed at my naivete. 'Suuure, you're gonna have a nice, quiet summer. Mmhmmm.' I colored like, 2 images. And now I don't even like those. Whatever. But now that I've actually put my mind to it, I've got one layout pretty much done. Unfortunately, I can't finish the card and show you cuz I don't have all the supplies. So you guys get to wait it out. And look at this card instead. I liked it, then I didn't. What I've got to learn to do is not look at my cards once I finish them, cuz once they've sat on my desk for a few days, I pick them apart and think of how I could've done them all kinds of different. Better. And do I ever do them over in the new and improved version? Nah. I have NO attention span for recreating something old, so I'm always moving on. But I think you guys {ok, Mom} are really gonna like my Christmas cards. Well, hopefully at least one of them. I'm working on having a variety of cards again this year. I'm just holding out to see what Nichole over at Papertrey has up her sleeve this month before I finish up my layouts. Hope it's something good!

Stamps: Embrace Life (SU!), Birthday Basics (Papertrey), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Elegant Eggplant (SU!), Paper: Papertrey white, Elegant Eggplant & Pale Plum (SU!), Inkssentials white opaque pen, Copics: BV000, BV08, BV11, BV13

Maisy Sunshine

K, first I have to acknowledge that I am indeed aware that this picture is crooked. But it was the only one I took where you could see all the shimmer. Shimmer won out over straight. This is one of my Bella stamps that you haven't seen from me yet. I had stamped this image and colored it about 2 months ago, but I couldn't get any further than that. I just had the image and nothing looked right, so I gave up and started over. I like this version much better. Especially once I found a Copic that perfectly matches my Aqua Mist paper. Coordination just makes me a truly happy girl. So it's probably really strange that 2 of my 3 girls just really don't care if what they're wearing matches or not. Well, Krista cares, she just doesn't really have it down yet. She'll wear a really nice top with basketball shorts. But hey, the colors work. The fact that she cares at all is huge progress, though, so I'll take what I can get. Tiara actually prefers not to match. And I think that's just to irritate her sisters. Then there's me. I don't know how not to match, and frankly, I'm okay with that.

Stamps: Maisy Sunshine (Stamping Bella), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Paper: White & Aqua Mist (Papertrey), Close to Cocoa (SU!), Accessories: Nestabilities, Aqua Mist ribbon (Papertrey), Cuttlebug folder, Cinnamon stickles, Copics (G000, G02, G12, G24, G99, E00, E11, E15, E35, E47, Y02, Y06, Y38, YR04 and clear atyou spica glitter pen)