halloween goodie

Happy Halloween!

We are having a very different Halloween this year. The boy is at a competition in San Diego with the hubs and 15 is working the haunted house for community service hours. Grace and I are left all alone to go trick or treating.

I mean, the boy hasn't really gone trick or treating in a few years but he was still here to help dad give out candy. I guess you know your babies are growing up when everyone has their own adgenda.

Regardless........I bought way too much candy. Just what we don't need.

Anyhow, I wanted to show you the little gifty that I gave to everyone who came to the Stamp A Stack last week.

Scary Skeleton and Frightful Fence jumbo wheel. Lg. oval punch, 1 1/4" circle punch and word window punch, top note die, black grosgrain ribbon. Basic black and pumpkin pie ink. Perfect plum, old olive, pumpkin pie and crushed curry cardstock.

Aren't they cute? I made a little box and adhered the top note to the front and back. I cut a piece of cardstock in half lengthwise 4 x 11. Then scored it at 2", 5", 7", 10". And then turned the cardstock and scored at 2".

The neatest trick that I discovered was to use the green Tombow multi glue instead of sticky strip. It was getting late and I didn't want to mess with cutting bitty strips of tape, I saw the green multi glue sitting there and gave it a shot. Worked like a charm! A little goes a long way and I had them put together in no time!

I should have put a little ghosty on the back side.

Overall they were really easy to make and they are so super cute, I can see doing some for every holiday.


I'll forwarn you now, be prepared for some Halloween pics coming up. I'm not always lucky in getting them since they are in such a hurry to get out the door. But since its just me and Grace I think I can get her to pose for at least 1 or 2.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

Stamp A Stack #4

Here is #4 from the Stamp A Stack. I wanted to make a tent card ala Michelle Wooderson, check out her blog over there on the side, Mish Mash. I haven't made one in a long time and decided it would be perfect.

Flight of the Butterfly and Polka Dot background. Kraft, whisper white and Bermuda bay cardstock. Whisper white craft ink Sahara Sand and bermuda bay ink. Ticket corner punch, dimensionals and bermuda bay dotted ribbbon.

Very polka dotty isn't it? I stamped off twice before stamping the butterfly and then stamped the dots full strength. Cool way to get 2 different colors from the same ink pad.

The base is 4 1/4" square. I lay down the base on my grid paper and then line up where I want the panel to go so it measures 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. Does that make sense? Let me know if you need help understanding that.


The new butterfly punch we have would have made making this card so much faster. Oh well.

I had also made one using an oval for the panel. I kinda liked the oval better but I didn't have enough bermuda bay paper for that.

Again, I had to take a bite out of the oval with my 1/2" circle punch so the ribbon would get nice and close.

Isn't it cute? I can't wait to send this to someone. Hmmmm........would you like it? Let me know and I'll send you one.

Thanks for stopping by today. You guys make my world go round.

Blessings, b.

last minute Lilly

last minute Lenny.......
last minute Larry........
last minute LuLu........
last minute Lilliput......


Well, you get my drift, I'm doing this at the last minute.

This is another Stamping 411 sketch. I haven't done one in like a month or something. Lots has been happening around here. So it was really fun to do one.

Lovely as a Tree, Refuge and Strength and Sanded background. Timber Brown Stazon, soft suede, so saffron, old olive. Soft suede, kraft, basic black and watercolor paper. Aquapainter, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" square punches and dimensionals.

I had printed out this sketch on Sunday but never got around to doing anything with it. Again it was another one that I thought would be so hard. But once you get going, it gets easier. We all need a kick in the booty sometimes don't we?



I used my beloved Aquapainters and inky lid pools. That sounds weird doesn't it?

Anyhow, I'm off to bed. 15 is reading over my shoulder and says I'm getting punchy and writing dumb things. Gotta love her :)

Thanks for stopping by. I'll have more Stamp A Stack projects tomorrow.

Blessings, b.

prayers/kind thoughts needed

Hey peeps!

We had some very bad news Sunday night. Our band director, Mr. Rick Lorenzen died unexpectedly. It looks like it may have been a heart attack. He was only 52. He died in the band room at his desk. 3 of the leadership girls found him. We are all heartbroken.

We are hosting a Memorial service this Sunday at the school. You can go here to read more about him. He was very well known and loved.

I know this isn't stamping related and kind of a downer but I wanted to honor him a little and hope that you put he and his family/band family in your prayers. We are all going to miss him so much. May God keep you Rick.


Now, I didn't want to leave you here all alone and asking, "where's the stamping?" So here ya go.

These are the cards we made at the Stamp A Stack. You've already seen 3 of them up close and personal like. I'll be showing the rest this week along with the little gifty.

Thanks for stopping by. Hold the ones you love close tonight. Life is so short.........

Blessings, B.

halloween duo

We had such a super busy weekend.

I had my Stamp A Stack on Saturday. We had a great time. Not very many people came but it was like a reunion, we hadn't seen each other in a long time. You don't realize how much you miss someone until they are with you again. We really need to get together more often.

Did I take one pic? Nope. Didn't even think about it. I'll be showing you the other cards we made this week. I need to get the pics uploaded and stuff.

Then the boy and one of his buddies had a combo birthday party Saturday night. I think there were 8 boys here at some point. Only 4 spent the night. They had a great time swimming, playing football and playing XBOX. You know you have good friends when they bring their XBOX's to share with everyone.

Did I take one pic? Nope. Didn't even think about it.

What is up with that? I usually take pics of everything. I had even planned on making sure I had permission to post everyone's beautiful faces on here. Oh well.....................

Anyhow, I was thinking about these cards we made last year at our monthly group and I wanted to show you.

No stamps! Old Olive, whisper white and basic black cardstock. 1/2", 1 3/8, 1 1/4"punches, basic black marker, white gel pen and dimensionals.

Isn't he cute? He's so easy to make too. Pretty self explanatory but let me know if you need help.

No stamps! Whisper white, basic black and real red cardstock. Creamy caramel ink. 1 1/4", 1 3/8" and 1/2" circle punches.

Wouldn't you love to get this in your mailbox? I would, you can send one to me. This is a little more work but so worth it. Let me know if you need help with it.

I'll have more for you tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, B.

razzleberry birthday

Super duper quickie post tonight, 'cause I'm tired.

You people who are stay at home moms or work outside of the home moms, I seriously don't know how you guys stamp so much! Anybody with children, I hope struggle as much as I do. Okay, I don't really hope you struggle, it just would make me feel better if you did a little bit. I only work part time but never seem to get more than 7 minutes of uninterrupted time. Yep, I timed it the other day.

Needless to say I've been trying to finish the samples for the Stamp A Stack this Saturday. My goodies arrived yesterday and I'm finally all done tonight.

What do you think?

Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry and whisper white cardstock. Melon Mambo ink. Wide oval punch, scallop oval punch, Scallop square die, crushed curry dotted ribbon and dimensionals.

Isn't it cheery? The sentiment is an old, old, old really old, hostess set. I got the idea for this card from Andrea Walford's blog. You can find it over on the side there. I'm too tired to link it. This is from an older card of hers. I found it awhile ago when I was planning this class.

Okay, I'm off to bed. Let me know if you'd like me to pack up a kit for you. Either stamped and assembled or just stamped. I'll be showing the other 2 cards and the little gifty next week.

We have a HUGELY busy weekend. So I'll catch ya on Monday.

Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings, B.

apple tree

Hey everyone,

Short little quickie post today. I've been trying and trying and trying (you get the idea) to get all my samples done for Saturday's Stamp A Stack. But we have been one busy little family.

I have one sample to show you today. Ever have an idea that just isn't working out but you refuse to let it go? That is this card for me. It kept morphing and morphing and finally I think I have something I like.

Branch Out (dormant list), Sincere Salutations, Itty Bitty backgrounds and Woodgrain Background. Old olive, ruby red and soft sable inks. Old olive, whisper white, soft sable and real red cardstock. Top note die, wide oval punch, red gingham ribbon, brad and dimensionals.

I love this tree! I wanted to make it into an apple tree. I think you can click on the pic to see it closer. And I wanted to use the gingham ribbon. But man! I had a hard time coming up with something I liked. I'm still not sure about the tag.

There are accessories you can put on the tree like the bird or the tire swing. You can change the sentiment to whatever you'd like.

Stamp A Stack is this Saturday the 24th. We'll be making 15 cards with envelopes for $25. I've found a yummy sandwhich thingy I'm going to make and I've got to finish making my little gifty for everyone who comes.

I still have room so if you'd like to come, just drop me a line by Wed. nite. My order is coming then and I'll start cutting and getting everything ready.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

Happy Anniversary to us!

20 years ago right this minute, I was partying.

20 years ago right this minute, I was so glad it was over.

20 years ago right this minute, I was beginning a new life with this man.

October 14, 1989 at 2:00 in the afternoon, we got married at the Lakewood Community Church.

We planned it all ourselves. With the help of his mom and my aunt. I look back now and think that we must have been crazy. We had no money. We had set the wedding date and then had put it off because we were buying a house and it was going to close at the same time.

But as luck would have it the closing date had been put off because that is how construction is and so we decided to go ahead with our original date. We planned our entire wedding in 3 months time.

It was a great wedding. We had a really good time. I wore my mother's wedding dress. Although we had to have it let out ALOT. My mom was a size 9 when she got married............I was not.

My color was peach. So 80's. I hate peach now. The cake was actually orange. And it came to the reception after we did.

The minister had a speech impediment so his voice would fluctuate during the ceremony. My maid of honor was laughing (silently) so hard that she lost some flowers out of her bouquet because she was shaking it when she laughed. The video is a real hoot.

Our guests had so much fun at the reception that everyone kicked in money to keep the dj longer.

We had a great time.

classic numbers. kraft, blush blossom, choc. chip and whisper white cardstock. 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches, scallop edge punch, white organdy ribbon and dimensionals.

Our whole married life has been something like our wedding. Things haven't turned out quite like we planned/thought, but we've had a great time. Most of it anyway. Some years have been better than others. I mean if they were all good, how boring would that be. Yep , thats me being sarcastic.

This flap folds down and I wrote 20 reasons why I love him. I guess I didn't get a pic of the inside. But you didn't want to read that stuff anyway.



I filled up his "Can O' Love" and put that and the card in his truck so he would have it this morning. He loves his chocolate. He ate almost all of it by lunch time and then got sick. Thats my guy.

He loves candy. Me? not so much. I'm a salty/crunchy kinda girl. I started the "Can O' Love" several years ago and it gets filled each time we have a special holiday/occasion.






He had wanted to make some big vacation plans to celebrate, but some family obligations are more important right now. Thats okay. We have time.

I did get flowers though. Pretty!

So here we are then, 20 years ago. Such babies!


and here we are now. Actually this pic was taken last year. Although we look pretty much the same the kids have changed slightly. Funny, I did look for a pic of us together. We don't have any. Just a family pic I try to take every year. I guess I better work on that.

So there ya go. Thanks for tolerating my little trip down memory lane. I could keep going on and on but I know you got other things to do.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

another birthday

Gracie poo had a birthday at the end of August. My baby turned 9. Here is the card I made her:

Flight of the Butterfly, Polka Dot background and classic numbers (retired). Melon Mambo, Pretty in Pink, old olive inks and whisper white craft ink. Whisper white, bashful blue, melon mambo and old olive cardstock. White taffeta ribbon, 3/4" and 1" circle punches, scallop edge punch and sponges.

I freehand cut some cloud shapes and sponged the white. Super simple card. She loved it!

We had cake. She helped decorate it. Way too many sugar crystals for mom.

She wanted to have a party but wasn't sure what to do. She finally decided on a slumber party. So we found a free weekend to have it and started planning. I know what you're thinking, "Beth, her birthday was like 6 weeks ago!" Yeah, I know. We're kinda slow around here.

First to make invitations.


She helped of course.

Finished!

I saw on a blog somewhere, where a lady had made little sleeping bags for the Build A Bears and I thought that would be such a cute idea. ( I can't find the blog now. If you or someone you know did this, let me know.) How funny, Patty B. had the same idea on her blog today, but she is awesome and added the correct link for the sleeping bag idea. Its from Monika Davis' blog Isn't she clever?

I had her pick out some DSP for the lining and we got to work. We wanted to fashion some kind of pillow for the pull out but just couldn't come up with a usable idea. Still super cute!

So this past Saturday was the big day! She invited 8 girls and 4 could come. Sounded like a perfect number to me!

Fred's company has a jumper they keep on hand for block parties and he surprised her with it.

We used fabric paint pens to decorate pillow cases. They turned out really cute.

Then we had brownie sundaes. YUM! Those girls had sweet tooths!

opened presents.

FINALLY they fell asleep. I'm not even sure when exactly. I turned off the tv at 12:30.

I chopped off the heads because I didn't think to ask their mommas for permission to put their cute little faces on here.

the dogs loved the jumper too.

Thank you from Upsy Daisy set and Polka dot background. Whisper white, choc. chip and pacific point cardstock. Choc. chip and pacific point inks. 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" circle punches, scallop edge punch, misc. button, old DSP and dimensionals.

Next, was to make Thank you cards.

Like that blue "thread"? I didn't have any thread that matched to I just used a sliver of the pacific point paper.

nifty huh?

There ya go. She had a great time. BUT, I didn't get a whole lot of sleep. I now know why I didn't have any slumber parties when I was a kid. Little girls can scream really loud. I tried to sleep but kept listening for any crying or walking around or something. Its hard being responsible for other peoples children. But everything went great. Although it may be a while before we have another one.

I'm trying to get everything together for the Stamp A Stack on the 24th. I'll have some more stuff to show you really soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, B.

Thank you notes

I finally got the thank yous ready to send out for the golf tournament that we did for the band.

We wanted to send out a card to everyone who sponsored a hole or donated a prize for the
raffle.

Thank you from an old hostess set (I don't remember the name now). Basic black, real red and whisper white cardstock. Versamark ink and silver ep. Black grosgrain and silver cording.

What do you think? They are super simple. Not quite as simple as my first idea was though.

I had thought about just doing the Thank You in silver ep and then just a red strip and the logo punched out with a black border. But it looked a little too plain. I like things plain but even I thought it needed something.


So I added the black ribbon and silver cording. It seems to balance it out a little better.

As soon as the hubby gets me a list of people to send them to, I'll be all done with that. We are having Grace's slumber party Sat. and I need to get things finished for that.

Thanks for stopping by, have a great weekend and I'll yak atcha later.

Blessings, b.

lets do Halloween first

hey everyone,

I've been blog browsing and have noticed that everyone seems to be thinking Christmas already. They are the smartypants people. I'm not one of those.

I am a procrastinator by nature. Even when I have a class or project deadline coming up I will wait until the last minute. I don't really do it on purpose. Theres just other things to do.

I'm doing really really well by getting a few Stamp A Stack samples done already. I mean REALLY well.


Anyhow, I wanted to show you some Halloween candles I made last year. Aren't they cute?


I got these candles at the "M" store for $1 each. I had wrapped them with whatever the Halloween paper was called last year and then made little punchy things to go on them.

here is the "Black Widow". Originally I had made just a plain ol' spider. But Grace wanted her to be a black widow. This uses the scallop circle punch and the round tab punch. Just punch out a tab and then slide the punch up a little and punch again. You'll get these little slivers that look like bug legs. YUCK!

Here is Batty! I used the large oval punch for the body. I cut out an oval using my coluzzle (retired) and cut it in thirds. Then punched out 1/2" circles from the straight side. Does that make sense? Sponge the whole thing with white craft ink. Use your white gel pen for the mouth.

here is the cute little pumpkin. I used the large oval punch again. Sponge all the edges to give it a little depth and tape together. I cut a little sliver of old olive and curled it on a pencil.

They are sitting in my bathroom again this year. I love having handcrafted stuff out for decorations. Wish I did more of it. Its that procrastinating thing again. By the time I get around to it, the holiday is over.

I plan on doing another "Month in the Life" album again for December. I did one last year but didn't have the blogeroo up yet so I didn't document the process. When we get a little closer I'll be posting more details about it.

I'm going to use our 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 chipboard album for this. So be thinking about it and I hope you join me. Last year I didn't even get mine finished because I didn't have the album ready ahead of time so I could slip in pages. This year though? Watch out! I'll be showing you more later.

That's all folks! for today anyway.............thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

how did this happen?

My baby boy just turned 17! I can hardly believe it. One minute you're changing their diaper and in the next they are driving away.........in their own car............without you. waaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!


I am so proud of him. He is an excellent student. A good friend. Loves his momma.


This was a few days ago, going to the homecoming dance. He barely let me take a pic.

For his birthday he had a late start day so he went to breakfast with his best friends. Went to school. Had drumline practice. Had Arby's for dinner. Asked me to make him donuts instead of a cake. Got a new video game and his beloved Reese's.

Headline numbers, (retired), heart from Cheep Talk. Soft Suede DSP, soft suede and whisper white cardstock. Soft suede and real red ink. Silver brads.

Here is the card I made him. I know what you're thinking, "um Beth.......thats kinda plain and not a very teenage boyish color."

Well let me tell ya, the boy is color blind (takes after my mom and brother) and he likes this color. When we shop for clothes he tends to go for this type of color. I'm not sure what it looks like to him but he likes it. And, he is kinda like me in that, I like things plain. Plain does not mean boring! I tell the husband that all the time.

Well Worn Alpha (retired). Soft Suede DSP, kraft and whisper white cardstock. Natural hemp, soft suede dotted ribbon, Top Note die ALOT of sticky strip.

I decorated a can to put his Reese's into. Here is the top

I figure he can put some kind of treasure in there when the candy is gone. OR, what I'd like to do is make him a little scrapbook from when he was born till now to keep in there. Thats probably what I'll do.

I'll have to get the scanner working so I can scan in some baby pics. I didn't go digital until 2003.

Thanks for stopping by today. I hope to have some more Stamp A Stack samples up soon.

Blessings, b.