My Brain Thinks It's Spring

I know it's January. I know how to read a calendar.  Well, most of the time. You'd be amazed at how often I'm looking at the wrong month when scheduling things. We could actually play "let's count the scribbles on mom's calendar", due to all the times I thought I was writing on a different month. Oops. Anyway, it just feels like Christmas was soooo long ago.  And we were moving right along with the colder weather that I love so much. Yes, I do realize I'm in the minority here. But cold to us is, like, 40°. Brrrrrr.  So, no, I do not wanna "know what real cold is" (been there, done that) and go somewhere with ridiculous lows, like -20°. What is the point of that? That's just wrong. Annnyway, so this week, it's cold & rainy, then it totally warms up and we get sun and then the temperature shoots up to, maybe, 57°.  Ok, well now nature is confused and I can feel it coming. Ugh. Allergies. In January? Now that's wrong.  But apparently I saw this coming, cuz I have been using my spring colors. This bright & colorful {and yes, Dana, simple - see, it's ok} card is just what I needed.  I'm back to wanting to create, which has been missing since before the holidays.  Aaaahhh, can you smell that? I can't, cuz I'm stuffed up now. But they tell me it smells like mojo.

Stamps: Turning a New Leaf & Birthday Basics (PTI), Miracles Blossom (Verve), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: black, white & Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Accessories: Copics

Year in Review

I'm back. I know, don't pass out from shock. I have been working on stuff, but I can't post what I have yet, so I thought I'd totally steal borrow this idea from another blogger and put up my favorite cards from last year.  Ready to be thrilled beyond belief?  Well, that's not gonna happen here, but it should be fun anyway.  And if I did it right, you should be able to click on the date and it'll take you to the original post. Yeah, I put some effort into this one!  Be impressed.

I don't even know where this came from. It just kinda happened

and was a fun surprise when I was done. (2/15)

I pretty much love everything about this card. The colors,

the layout, the stamps. Love it. (3/16)

I made a lot of cards with this set (1 or 2, maybe you
remember), but this one is my favorite. (5/1)

I love this card, but I really love that the title for the post with

this card was Green Tea. Ha! My clever wit at its finest. (6/17)

When I can make it elegant and not seem old fogey

at the same time, I'm very proud of myself. (5/15)

Look at all those colors! That was me bustin'

outta my box. (7/22)

Flowers and polky dots. What's not to love? (8/17)

Check out that coloring. AND, I got the chairs even.

AND, chair-ish. Price-less. (8/31)

I love the stamps and was so proud of myself for

using that color, cuz it's not me at all.  Yay, me! (9/14)

Simple is good. (9/23)

Took me a couple of tries to get those birds lined

up, but once I did, it was sooo worth it. (10/11)

Bonus

K, I usually love all of the non card projects that I do, but these coaster books that I made for my moms are my favorites. They came together so beautifully that I really want to make more, I just have to find the rest of my pictures. (5/10)

So, that's it. That's last year all wrapped up.  Gee, now I can hardly wait to see what happens next!

Happy New Year

Wow, 2010. Happy New Year to you all.  Where did the time go?  Time can be a funny thing. Normally, I don't pay attention to the big picture of time.  20 years since I graduated from high school, 18 years with my husband, 16 years since I had my first baby.  Eh, life stuff.  Don't look back, look ahead.  I'm more like, the right here & right now time kinda girl. Gotta get up at 5, have an appointment at 4, need to leave by 3:30...that kinda stuff. But with the start of a new decade, all anyone talks about is the decade that just went by.  So it makes me think, wow, a decade? What was different 10 years ago for me?  Um, well, I only had one child in school, a toddler and a newborn.  We even walked to school.  Now, I've got 3 girls in 3 different schools and I'm a driving fool all over the place.  10 years ago, I still believed in cleaning my house incessantly. Ha, what a foolish girl I was!  Which leads me to another big difference from 10 years ago.  I had no stamps.  *gasp!*  I know, right?  I can barely imagine what life was like before stamps and ink.  Cardstock and ribbon that coordinate.  My beloved Scor Pal.  Stampin' Up, Verve and Papertrey.  Oooh, Papertrey. How I love me some Papertrey. Blogging.  Making Christmas presents for teachers, friends and family?  Never.  Copics?!  o.m.g.  Don't get me started on my Copics.  Aaaaahhhh.  Yes, it has been quite the decade.  I mean, don't get me wrong.  There were other memorable things.  Girls losing teeth, learning to walk, getting haircuts, starting school.  Yes, these are all momentous occasions, but stamping...come on.  That's big!  Would you be here if all there was to read about was Tia losing, probably her 7th tooth since school started? That's a true story, by the way. The girl is thisclose to being on a soft food diet.  It's crazy.  She's losing all her teeth at once and her 12 year molars are busting through. Aaaarrrrgggghhhh! Ok, so yes, my most loyal readers {hi, mom!} would be here for that, but I wouldn't even find that fun and these are my kids!  Ok, enough blabbering.  So, even if your last decade rocked, I hope this one rocks even more.  Have an awesome day, year, decade!

Stamps: Birthday Surprise (Verve), Image: Fairy Tabia (Mo's Digital Pencil), Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!), Paper: Pink Pirouette (SU!), white & Dark Chocolate (PTI), Accessories: Sweet Blush satin ribbon (PTI), Copics:

Birthday Snack

Well, hey there!  I hope you all had a fantabulous Christmas. Ours was pretty good. Crazy busy all weekend, and lots of fun, but I'm so glad it's over. I'm gonna need the year to recover and be ready for the next one!  Let's see...what all happened?  Well, on Christmas Eve, we made our cookies for Santa.  They look forward to that one every year.  Then later that night, we had a stubborn Krista who insisted on waiting up as late as humanly possible so she could catch a glimpse of Santa.  Ok, I'm gonna be as discreet as I can here since I don't know who's gonna read this (children over your shoulders, maybe?), but, really?! She's 12.  We know what she was trying to do and better luck next year sister, cuz I set my alarm!  First for 3:00, but when I heard movement responding to my movement, I tried 4:30.  hahaha.  I never saw this coming when we decided to have kids!  Christmas strategizing...wow.  So then we had a regular ol' chaotic Christmas day, with a wee nap thrown in so mom didn't go completely bonkers.  Plus, I had to rest up for our ginormous family brunch in the city on Saturday. Shawn has a really big family and they have these crazy get togethers on holidays.  It's a lot of fun, but even after 18 years, I have a hard time keeping everyone straight.  And then, to top off our weekend, we went to the 49ers game on Sunday.  The Christmas game has sort of become a family tradition.  And even tho the weather surrounding the game was crappy (it rained for some people on the way), it was near perfect the whole time we were there.  Phew!  We've been busy.  So busy that I made this totally unrelated card over a week ago (at like, 2 a.m. - don't ask!) and am just now finding the time to photograph it & throw it up on the old blog.  And to think, I was looking forward to all my "down time" this holiday break so I could sit & craft. You'd think by now I would know better!

Stamps:  Polka Dot Basics (PTI), Smells Like Cake (The Cat's Pajamas), Image: Birthday Hamster (Mo's Digital Pencil), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Antique Linen (Ranger), Fresh Snow (PTI), Paper: white & Aqua Mist (PTI), Accessories: corner punch, Copics:

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! I wasn't sure if I'd have any cards made by today, so I went to JibJab the other day and started playing around, just in case. Have a great holiday!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

No Stamps Used *gasp!*

It's a(nother) digital image.  Not very Christmassy, I know.  But it's what I was in the mood to make.  I won't be making any more Christmas cards for about 9 months.  I got this image and just adore it, but once again, wasn't sure what to do with it.  So I used this patterned paper that I got a while ago and pulled some colors from it to make this card.  It's different for me, but I like it.

So, I've completely finished all my shopping & everything's all wrapped, so I'm hoping that I just get to relax while the girls are out of school.  I'm really hoping that I get to sit & make some cards now that I don't have all that running around to do.  I've got some great images that I want to color and, of course, I'm sure I'll be getting some fun new toys for Christmas. Ha! Ask me how I know...

Anyway, I hope you all have a fabulous holiday. I'll try to get back here just as soon as I can.

Image: Little Girl in Kimono (Mo's Digital Pencil), Paper: black & white (PTI), Black Orchid patterned paper (SEI), Accessories: copics:

Just Because

I know, I know. It's been awhile. Here's the thing. You know how I had my Christmas cards done early, and then finished my boxes to give out to everyone? I was so proud of myself! Well, I don't plan everything quite so well.  Now I'm in the middle of finishing up geting presents for everyone, wrapping, school parties and delivering/mailing things. Plus, I've still got those 3 girls to deal with...blahblahblah. Who's not busy this time of year?  So, I didn't plan on having pretty things made to blog about.  I did have a spare minute combined with the energy to make something and this is it.  And I'm actually sending it to somebody!  Woohoo.  I sent my dad (and stepmom and sisters) our Christmas card with our family picture in it.  Well, being the super proud dad & grandpa that he is, he wanted another copy to take to work with him. Awww. Yeah, plus, I totally forgot to include the picture of just the girls, so I'm sending him the card with lots of pictures in it.  Hopefully this will tide him over until we get to see each other again, which is never soon enough for me!

Stamps: Simple Little Things (PTI), Image: End of the Summer (Mo's Digital Pencil), Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Bashful Blue (SU!), Paper: kraft & white (PTI), Raspberry Tart DSP (SU!), Accessories: Copics:

It's A Girl

No, not for me. I've already got 3! Okie dokie. This one's gonna be quick. As usual, things around here have been crazy busy and I'm not even close to being finished with anything. I did, however, mangage to finish this card, but only cuz I had a deadline.  If it looks familiar, then, why yes, I did copy myself.  But I think this version is better than my original.  Tiara has had a student teacher this year and today is his last day.  Also, last week, his wife had their first baby.  Awwww. Don't we all remember that? When it was new & exciting...before the first messy poop, first cold, first temper tantrum.  Ahh, good times, good times.  Anyway, this card may look like just a baby card (which, ok, it is), but it's also a good bye & good luck card for him.  Tia's really gonna miss him.  Good luck, Mr. DJ.

Stamps: Oh Baby (Hampton Art), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Paper: white, Sweet Blush & Hibiscus Burst (PTI), Accessories: Sweet Blush ribbon, cuttlebug Swiss Dots folder, Copics:

Holiday Boxes 2009

So here's this year's Christmas loot.  I've done tins the past 2 years, which were wildly popular and pretty easy to do.  But this year, I saw these boxes and just wanted to do them.  Not sure if I really thought cutting out 30-ish of them was gonna be a big party or what, but I got it done.  I just did little bits at a time and then it didn't seem so bad.  I don't plan on doing a bunch of gifts next year, because right now good chunk of them is for teachers at the elementary school and this is my last year there.  Some of them who have become my friends will still be getting stuff, but whatever I do, I will probably be going back to tins.  Just not sure what I was thinking.  Looking back now, I can't believe I did all that work.  Gonna have to have my head checked out.

K, just so my mom doesn't think I went through 20 million steps for these boxes, lemme just break it down.  The box itself is one piece, with the cutest little tucked in flap.  I traced them (cuz i didn't want printer lines on the inside - picky picky, i know), cut them out, scored them & put them together. The decorative paper is just cut out and slapped on the box (the shape for this is included with the template).  I added the eyelets on the sides, pulled the ribbon through them, then made little tags for the front of the boxes.  That's it.  Hmm, ok, reading that over, it does sound a little tedious, but I did it over a couple of weeks, so really not bad.  Gee, I can't tell if I'm encouraging you or discouraging you to try it.  Yeah, I'm scattered. It must be close to Christmas.  Don't even get me started on shopping for the girls!  No, I'm not ready.

Alright, now we've arrived at the good part.  Yes, friends, it's the chocolate.  This is the chocolatey center everyone waits for.  K, so it's just kisses and not some fancy European truffles, but let me just say that this stuff gets people excited!  And here's hoping that the packaging isn't so attractive to people this time that they don't wanna eat the chocolate.  Come on, people. Go nuts. Eat the candy!

Stamps: Ornamental Christmas (Verve), Ink: Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, Pure Poppy (PTI), Versafine Onyx Black, Paper: Vintage Cream, Rustic Vintage Cream, Kraft, Spring Moss, Ripe Avocado, Scarlet Jewel, Pure Poppy (PTI), Merry Moments DSP (SU!), Accessories: oval punches (SU!), eyelets (Making Memories), Tucked Away template & ribbons (PTI)

For My Friend

A little over 22 years ago, I began my sophomore year of high school in San Francisco. Days before school started, I was in the office being registered, since I was coming from a high school in Detroit.  I was sitting there waiting for my mom to be done filling out paperwork when I looked over and saw a blonde girl, also sitting and waiting.  I smiled and said hi, then she smiled and said hi.  Then my mom was finally done and we were off.  On the first day of school, I was wandering around the hallway at lunch wondering what to do with myself. People just scattered in all different directions, with almost no one heading for the cafeteria.  I turned and there was that blonde girl from the office.  Man, I was so glad to see a familiar face, even if I didn't know her.  She saw me and appeared to be experiencing the same sense of relief.  Her name was Rachel and she was a freshman, newly planted from Fresno.  We decided to go explore this high school's lunchtime and see what kind of trouble we could get into.  Nah, we just tried to find something to eat.  I threw that last part in to see if my mom was paying attention. Anyway, we were instant best friends, and had no idea of the dances, cookie dough slumber parties, boys (ok, we saw that coming), ice cream orgies (cleaner than it sounds, i swear!), MUNI rides, McDonald's visits, NKOTB caused embarrassing moment, missed Madonna concert, years of laughter, tears, marriage and motherhood yet to come.  Phew.  So now we've come to one of those times when one of us needs a shoulder to lean on.  A little cheering up with happy thoughts & wishes.  So this was my little effort to bring a smile to her and her daughters in this very moment.  I won't put her business all out there (cuz i think all that above was plenty!) but I will say I'm thinking about her and her girls and I know everything will be fine, cuz they deserve it. Love ya girl!

Stamps: Birthday Surprise (Verve), Scattered Showers & Fancy Flourishes (PTI), Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black, Aqua Mist (PTI), Paper: white & Aqua Mist (PTI), Melon Mambo (SU!), Accessories: Copics: