Rachel's Card (Finally!)

{We interrupt this sap fest to bring you a regular old (but lovely) birthday card. The sap will be back, rest assured. Ok, go!} Alrighty, I think it's finally safe to post this. When I saw this stamp at Stamping Bella, I laughed. And then I thought, that's just wacky enough for me to own and actually use. And use I did. It took me a couple of tries to get the coloring the way I like it. And finding paper I wanted to use with it. Ugh! But I got it done and in the mail and over to Rachel for her birthday. A little late, but if you know my family, that's just the way it's done.

So I wanted to share with you a little incident I had this week. Normally, the weird stuff that goes on in my life would bore you to tears, or you would be thinking, 'what is that girl on?' And the wonky has just become the norm in my house. But this one I had to share because who couldn't use a good laugh, especially at someone else's expense? So, I'm coming home from dropping off Darien & Tia at their schools, to pick up Krista & take her to her school (don't ask). I'm pulling into the garage and I hear this horrible, scratching CRRRUUUUNNNNCCHHH! Unfortunately, I knew exactly what it was, but wasn't sure what happened. The garage door was crunching on the roof of my truck. And if you haven't experienced this, it's not really a pleasant sound. I reached for the garage door opener (which was in my pocket and the seat belt had pushed on it - oops), pushed it, said 'oh no, oh no, oh no, oh *bad word*' and pulled back out of the garage. Yeah, it was a little bent. But that didn't deter me, oh no! So I pushed the button to see if it would close. Um, no. Well, I still had to get Krista to school, so I got her out of the house, while she's asking, 'What was that noise?!?', told her mommy kinda hit the garage door, locked the door to the house (yes, steal my paper towels, clorox wipes and dying treadmill while i'm gone, but you can't get IN the house! ha!) and ran her to school. Came back not even 10 minutes later and was actually shocked to see my garage door was open. Oh yeah, duh. Hmmm. {wondering to myself how I missed out on that Mensa membership.} Anyway, I called Shawn at work and I was sure there would at least be a little bit of humor in his voice (women drivers! or something), but no. Maybe he was laughing on the inside. Deep, deep on the inside. So, what eventually happened was he fixed it. And I had to help. Yes, that was my 'punishment'. Helping. Him fix something. Me. K, the initial part was bad enough, but when he forgot to replace some tension wire something or other, and then tried to shut it and it slammed shut, I think that may be when the frustration set in. So, we had to fix it again, this time putting it back together one panel at a time. But we got it done. And we can already laugh about it. Sorta. My bad! I laugh every time I see my black, greasy fingerprints on the inside of the door and the hammered out dents on the outside. It's a reminder of this very important lesson. Just leave the opener no where on or near my body and we should be just fine. Phew! Hope you had yourself a good laugh.

Stamps: Predictabella (Stamping Bella), cupcake (The Cat's Pajamas), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Baja Breeze (SU!), Paper: PTI white & Pure Poppy, Baja Breeze & Ski Slope DSP (SU!), Accessories: Pure Poppy ribbon (PTI), Copics: B24, B93, BG000, B41, E11, E15, E25, E35, N1, N5, R29, R81, RV19, YR000, Y06, T0

Happy Bee Day!

Ok, this probably gives you a better idea of what the little "Huggabuggs" actually look like. Hmmm. Or not. Her presents are blocking her face, but still, we've got wings & a body. Sort of. They're just sooo stinkin' cute! Hopefully, if you click on the picture, you can see the shimmah a bit better. She has a light glitter (courtesy of my clear spica pen) on her black stripes and Stickles (of course!) on her wings and at the tip top of her, oh, gosh, antennae? Well, if that's wrong (cuz you know i'm too lazy to look it up), on the tip top of the boingy springs on top of her head. So there. Oh, and yes, this is a birthday card, but no, it's not Rachel's birthday card (i had lots of play time!). I'm not sure if she's got it in her hot little hands yet and really want her to be the first to see it. It's quite a departure for me (i think), but it's bright & fun and birthdayish. It's coming. Aaaaand, this is still not the end of the sap. I got the cutest little stamp...well, I don't wanna ruin it, so you're gonna have to wait. I'm working on that card as we speak, so if it works out (i always get to this one point and bam! i get stuck, so cross them fingers!), you'll be seeing it soon.

Stamps: Happy Bee Day (Stamping Bella), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black, Soft Sky (SU!), Paper: PTI white, Basic Black & Ski Slope DSP (SU!), Accessories: Nestabilities, Stickles, black satin ribbon (PTI), word window punch (SU!), Copics: BG10, B000, B02, E51, G12, G20, RV10, RV23, Y000, Y06, YR02, YR04

i heart you

Okie dokie. First, lemme say that this is the back up card. I know my friend didn't get her birthday card yet (which is why i'm not posting it), cuz it's going in the mail today. Hopefully. Oh, and today is her birthday. Happy Birthday Rachel! Um, things weren't working out like they were supposed to (stupid mojo block!). I guess you could say I was having technical difficulties. But this one came together like a dream. Isn't she cute? She's a little bug, IN a bug! haha. I don't know why I think that's so funny, but I do. She's taking her love on the road in her cute little car, leaving a trail of hearts behind her. I know what you're thinking. Isn't this a little sappy for my taste? Nope, I think she's just right. And she's not alone. Look out people, here comes a butt load of sap! Don't say I didn't warn you.

Stamps: Lovebeetle & i heart you (Stamping Bella), heart image from Around & About Sentiments (PTI), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Pink Pirouette (SU!), Paper: PTI white, Wild Wasabi (SU!), Accessories: oval punch & Pink Pirouette ribbon (SU!), Nestabilities, Copics: B000, B02, BG10, BV000, BV13, E13, E51, G000, G12, N5, N7, T0, R81, R83, RV000, Y000

Just Because

K, it doesn't get much simpler than this. I almost feel like I'm competing with myself to make my cards as simple as possible. I win! And clearly I'm really feeling square cards now. The last one was 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" and this one is just 4". The image here is small and centered, so I thought I'd downsize it just a wee bit. When I finished this card, I thought I would send it to a certain someone that I don't see that often and usually only send cards to on special occasions. Then I looked at my calendar and realized, hmmmm, she's got a birthday coming up. And now it's just days away, so I'd better get crackin'! I was hoping to use my new stamps (hopefully coming today) for her card (oh, you guys are gonna love these!), but we'll have to see. I might have to use something I already know, since time is just whizzing right by. And I have to have a back up card to post for you people, cuz I can't post her card before she gets it. That would be crazy! K, I'm gonna go work on that now so y'all have somethin' to look at.

Stamps: Pocket Silhouettes (SU!), Simple Little Things & Borders & Corners: Square (PTI), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Pure Poppy (PTI), Paper: PTI white, Basic Black (SU!), Accessories: square punch, dimensionals

Aw, Thanks

Ok, I think this one is a little different for me. But I like it. I think it's pretty and simple. Just like I like it. Sooo, I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day. Of course, I don't celebrate it cuz I think it's dumb. I'm pretty sure I covered all of that last year, so I won't bore you again with my wacky conspiracy theories. But Shawn still celebrates it with the girls. Every year he gets them candy and stuffed animals and shtuff like that. And every year they love it. It's funny how excited they get about little things like that, which of course makes him happy that they're happy. Just another example of how he really is the best daddy ever. Awwww. Makes me wonder how I got this way and how it hasn't rubbed off on the girls. Hmmm. Oh, well. Now bring on a holiday that doesn't make me wanna barf. Ah, President's Day. Sounds good to me.

Stamps: Faux Ribbon, Heartfelt Basics, Borders & Corners: Squares (PTI), Vine (Inkadinkado), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Kiwi Kiss (SU!), Pure Poppy (PTI), Paper: Vintage Cream (PTI), Basic Black (SU!), Accessories: Stickles

CAS01

Alright. I know, this kinda resembles another card I made a while back. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then, um, nevermind. But if you do, yeah, I CASEd myself. See, there was this challenge (i know, another one! first i don't do any, now i can't stop!) on Splitcoast, and I was in a hurry, even tho there's no time limit, and I panicked and copied myself instead of just thinking it through. I'm not really complaining, I'm more laughing at myself for getting all panicky. We had to use a flannel pattern for inspiration. Well, I picked this one, and all I could think of was punched out butterflies, which I had already done. And from that, we get this. Aaaand, you know how I was talking about the CAS challenge and how exciting it was? Well, now there's going to be a weekly CAS challenge. Yeah, there was so much excitement and interest in the first one that it's going to become a regular thing. Woohoo! Of course, the inspiration could be colors, or a layout or some kind of technique, so we'll see. But for now, I'm planning (it's easy to say that now, but me & commitment aren't all BFF) on doing this on a regular basis. I think it would be good for me to have some kind of weekly challenge for myself, cuz sometimes I am stumped! Just got nothin' comin'. No ideas, no inspiration...just nothin'. So, ladies and...oh, I'm gonna be sexist and stick with ladies, this is CAS01. Hopefully there will be many more to come.

Stamps: One of a Kind (SU!), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Regal Rose (SU!), Paper: PTI white, Regal Rose (SU!), Accessories: Martha Stewart Butterfly punch and rhinestone

It's All Me, Folks

Wow, I was sitting here trying to think of something witty to write. Just so happens, I'm tapped out. I was going to point out that this is the billionth time I've used my Raspberry Tart paper, but since I'm not about to quit using it any time soon, I thought that would be silly and pointless. So I thought I'd just let you guys in on some random stuff about myself. Nothing too exciting or over the top. Or too revealing. Don't want you guys to know what a dork I can be. Although, just doing this is probably letting you in on that fact. K, let's get started.

* I can wiggle my ear. Just my right ear. The girls are constantly fascinated by this. They can all (all? yeah, i think they can all do it now) make their nostrils flare. Not really something I aspire to be able to do, but they can ALL do it. They take after their dad. Since I'm the only one with the ear thing, clearly my talent is superior to theirs. heh.

* I have a head full of gray hair and I hate it. It started when I was 20 and has gotten progressively worse. Since I was pregnant with Darien then, I guess hormones are to blame. Some people rock gray hair - my step mom, George Clooney. Me? Yechhh! I dye it, but it doesn't take. It always lasts for shorter periods of time. I'm down to, maybe, 2 weeks. I AM Miss Clairol.

* In the 9th grade, I went to a Performing Arts/Smarty Pants high school in Detroit. It's called Cass Tech (i think Diana Ross went there. {is that right, mom?} i do know Carlos Santana went to my high school in San Francisco). Anyway, it really was like Fame. There were people playing instruments in the hall, some singing, dancing...it was pretty cool. But there was nobody dancing on the tables in the cafeteria. Bummer.

* I didn't drive until I was 25. Yeah, I grew up on public transportation, people. Shawn was finally forced to teach me when we moved to the 'burbs. Um, can you say brave?

So there you have it. My fascinating life. You're on the edge of your seat, aren't ya?

Stamps: Baroque Motifs (SU!), Cloud 9 Birthday Sentiments, Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Pink Pirouette (SU!), Paper: Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Raspberry Tart (SU!), Accessories: Black satin ribbon (PTI), pearls (K & Co.)

So Wicked

Do you know Wicked? It's a Broadway show that I'm obsessed with. I got all this cool Wicked stuff for my birthday from my mom. {thanks again, mom} Anyway, Darien said that's what this card made her think of. It's got the Wicked colors goin' on. Purely coincidental. I just wanted something strong to go against the black that I was gonna use for the round stamp designy thingy I used there. I'm sure it's got a name, but darned if I know what it's called. And I'm ok with that. I don't need to know what stuff is called to play with it. Hopefully I'll get lots of playing done this weekend. The girls have today through Monday off, so no running in & out, from school to school for 4 days. Woohoo! Of course that means I'll have to feed them everyday...ugh. Wait, that sounds bad. K, in case you don't know, it's not that I don't want to feed my kids, but look: we're talking 3 different tastes, I'm way better with stamps than food, and let's face it, cooking is just not my thing. Thank goodness for the microwave. Aaand for the fact that they can all make stuff for themselves by now. Sadly, but not shockingly if you know her, Tiara cooks for herself more than anybody else does. And she's the baby. *sigh* Well, have a great weekend!

Stamps: Simply Stationery, Birthday Basics and Mixed Messages (PTI), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Kiwi Kiss & Basic Black (SU!), Accessories: nestabilities & PTI black satin ribbon

Back to Basics

Ohmygoodness! Happy February. Where is the time going? You know, I realized while making that CAS card last week how much I love keeping things simple. Making a card you like doesn't necessarily have to take all kinds of thought & hard work. No agonizing required. No bad words (no, not me!) if you've been working tirelessly for an hour & then your idea somehow suddenly gets mangled in the process. This card took me about 15 minutes, and that was just deciding if I wanted to color a flower on each square, which sentiment to use and dew drop or no dew drop? Going through the tons of stamps that I have (ok, but in NO way is it too many, let's be clear, in case Shawn is reading, cuz I gots me a list!), I found these cute little square stamps. They were the inspiration I needed. Note: these stamps are part of the clear Inkadinkado sets I found at Costco for CHEAP, but they're also at Joanne's & possibly Michael's in the smaller Inkadinkado sets they have now. I just happen to have the same size punch as the stamp, but really, how hard would it be to cut them out? They're squares. Slapped them on a strip of black cardstock, picked a sentiment, busted out my trusty Copics and that's it. Simple. Basic. And I like it enough that I think I'm going to make a bunch of them with different sentiments and stamps, just to have on hand. Spot of color optional. It looks good without, too. I really wrestled with that one, but in trying to keep it simple, decided not to overthink it and just went wild with my red Copic. Oh, yeah. I know how to let loose!

Stamps: Flowers (Inkadinkado), Heartfelt Basics (PTI), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: PTI white, Basic Black (SU!), Accessory: R29 Copic