December Daily album

Howdy,

I first saw this idea on Ali Edward's blog. She has this great idea of documenting every day in a week or month. I'll be doing a weekly one in the Spring sometime.

The main idea is to just capture what you did that day. No matter what it was. Lets face it, some days are more exciting than others. But I figure when I'm dead and gone my kids, (who think its a dumb idea right now) will be happy to have a glimpse into what our life was like. Even the boring days. I know that being an old fogey now, that I would love it if I had something like it.

So heres what you do; Ali is very organized and you'll probably get better info there but here is what I'll be doing:

• I'll be doing all 8x8 pages. I will be getting the 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 chipboard album that SU! carries to keep everything in. No, I don't have it yet. :(

• I will try to take at least 1 pic everyday of something we are doing. Now, this could be homework, opening the Advent Calendar, baking cookies, church, buying the tree, wrapping presents, playing Monopoly (we tend to do that alot on vacation) watching Christmas movies, etc. Just whatever you're doing.

• Take just 20 - 30 minutes everyday to document the previous day. I already have my templates ready. This would be a million times faster if you have MDS (My Digital Studio). I don't have that yet and actually don't see me getting it anytime soon.

I went to the SU! site and some other sites and came up with some sketches to use. I'm more of a linear scrapbooker. I take lots of pics and its just easier for me to line them up and tell my story.
I'm big on journaling. Now there are lots of you that don't like to journal or don't know what to say. Just explain what is happening in your pics. Talk about your memories or how you felt that day. The journaling is just as, if not more so, important than the pics. Also I am a firm believer in using your own handwriting, even if you think its icky. I don't love my writing either but I know, looking back at my mother's writing, I'm glad that its there. Just her penmanship brings back so many memories.
Each page will basically be the same. I may turn the sketch or change the pics around depending on what we did that day. Obviously I'll have more pics some days than others.
I'm limiting my colors to Kraft, Real Red, Old Olive and White. I'm not sure yet which stamp sets I'll be using.
Ali does hers from Dec. 1 to Dec. 25. Last year I tried to do mine through New Years but I wasn't prepared and didn't finish. This year I'll be doing it until the 25th and then doing another special one that goes from Dec. 26th to Jan 2nd. We'll be going to my dad's during that week and so it will be its own album.
You can choose to do just Christmas week or the week between Christmas and New Year's. Its just about getting your life on paper and not worrying about how perfect the pages are.



Since tomorrow is the first I probably won't be getting that page done until Wed. I'll be sure to show you what I'm doing along the way. I really encourage you to follow along with me and do one yourself.




I know, this is alot of talking today, but I really want you to do this with me. I have a Christmas card ready for you tomorrow.




Thanks for stopping by.


Blessings, b.

wish list

The other day, when I was supposed to be making Thanksgiving projects to display here, I got distracted by a child. Whats new??? did you notice the lack of Thanksgiving projects? Sorry :(

She was bored and wanted something to do. So I suggested that she get her Christmas list started. A light twinkled in her eyes and she skipped merrily off.

Thats when I stopped thinking about what I was supposed to be doing and thought about what she was doing. UGH!!! I am my own worst enemy.

Old numbers set. Real red, kraft, garden green, very vanilla and Merry Moments DSP. Garden Green ink. Scallop edge punch, square scallop die, real red grosgrain, 3/4" and 1" circle punches and Naturally Serif alpha die.

Cute huh? She was not the least bit impressed.

I put a magnet on the back and stuck it on the fridge. Of course that was after I made her rewrite it on the right size paper. I know, poor kid.

This will be cute to put in the December Daily album I'm making. I guess I really should get going on that huh? I'll see what I can get started today and show you tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it.

Blessings, b.

happy birthday honey!

Today is my hubby's birthday.

He hasn't decided what he wants to do yet today. But I know it will involve ice cream. He views ice cream as its own food group.


I also got just a little stamping time in yesterday. Here is his card,

Woodgrain background, heart from Cheep Talk and Happy Birthday from a retired set. Kraft, basic black, soft suede, very vanilla cardstock and Merry Moments DSP. Soft suede, ruby red and basic black inks. Square scallop punch, dimensionals, silver brads and a black Sharpie.

I didn't really think about the scallops not being manly until I looked at the card here. Oh well, too late now. I guess I should have just made them squares. When you have a million child interruptions you tend to lose your train of thought.



I wanted black brads but didn't have any so I used my Sharpie to make my own. Groovy eh?



I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I tried to cut my finger off while slicing the turkey. Its okay now but it sure makes typing a hassle.



Whats funny though, is that right after I sliced my finger and had to go get it taken care of, my BIL tried to finish slicing the turkey and cut his finger too. Not as bad though, thank goodness. Would you like a little blood with your dressing?



I will have some Christmas projects for you on Monday. Thanks for stopping by.



Blessings, b.


ps. the pecan pie was delicious!

Happy Thanksgiving

Sorry that I haven't gotten any more stamping done this week yet. I had every intention of gettting a bunch done. Can I blame it on the kids? We've been playing alot of Monopoly.

I made a pecan pie for the first time ever. I followed Pioneer Woman's recipe. I hope it tastes as good as it looks.

My crust is not as pretty as hers but hey, looks aren't everything.

We're heading out to my MIL's house but I wanted to let you all know again today just how thankful I am for all of you. It makes me feel so good everytime you leave a comment or I see that counter go up, that someone actually comes here to see what I've been up to. Its like having an extended family that you only get to talk to over the phone or internet.

I'm so thankful for you, my extended family. Have a wonderful day.

Blessings, b.

matchy matchy

There's a line in the movie "The Wedding Date" where she says they look too "matchy matchy". It'll make sense in a minute.

Anyhow, remember the candle from yesterday?

Well, I told you I made a card to go with it.

Same stuff as before, Bright Blessings jumbo wheel and Autumn Harvest set. Very vanilla, soft suede, watercolor paper and kraft cardstock. Soft suede, more mustard and ruby red inks. Wide vanilla grosgrain ribbon, misc. button, hemp, distresser from the cutter kit and glue dots.

See, matchy matchy.

I really wanted to put some Crystal Effects on the word "Blessings" but when I went to use it, it was all dried up. I guess I need to order more. I think that would have finished off this card just right.



Again, I dig on that orange popping off the card.

Okay, I'll have more to share tomorrow. AND, I know you're dying to see the Disneyland pics.


Oh, wait! Have you gone to my SU! website yet to check out the Thanksgiving deals? Don't miss out on the great deals www.stamperbeth.stampinup.net

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

Thankful for you

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

I did get some wonderful stamping time in yesterday. Not as much as I would have liked, but I gotta take what I can get.

I've been wanting to make a candle for awhile now. This isn't what was in my head but things kinda morphed away from the original. What's new eh?

Bright Blessings jumbo wheel and Autumn Harvest set. Watercolor paper and kraft cardstock. Black Stazon, more mustard, old olive, soft suede and ruby red inks. Aquapainter, vanilla taffeta ribbon, sponges and glue dots.

Isn't it cute? Its sitting in my bathroom right now. I probably will burn it but will keep an eye on it to make sure nothing happens. Like the whole thing going up in flames.



I used the Stazon and my Aquapainters again. I just love how that orange pops!

I made a matching card to go with it. Maybe I'll give it as a Thanksgiving gift to my MIL. We're going to her house for the turkey. Hmmm.......decisions, decisions.........

On Monday be sure and check out my SU! website www.stamperbeth.stampinup.net for the ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA . There will be special online only specials everyday this week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings,

b.

ahhhh.........

good morning everyone. I actually stayed in bed for almost 10 hours last night. After only having about 6 hours of sleep in the 48 hours prior to that, I feel much perkier today.

The crazy week is over and we are officially on vacation. YAY!! Here are a few pics of what we did last week:

I found a potato that looked like a heart on Tuesday. Grace had to take a pic.

Just a little slice of my life. We are easily amused :)

Wed. the boy got his braces off.

Here is the before,

I could hardly believe he smiled for me.

and here is after,

They gave him balloons with popcorn and sour straws attached to the strings. Things you aren't supposed to eat with braces, (not that that ever stopped him). We go back Tuesday to get his retainer.

After the ortho appt. I had to rush home to finish shredding the pork for the pulled pork sandwiches. Then deliver it to the school.

Here is my friend Beth (also a stamper) working the snack bar. Hi Beth!

We snuck out of the snack bar to watch our boys march. Her son is also a snare drummer.
My boy is on the far left and hers is on the far right.

I need to either figure out the settings on the camera or get a new one. I hate fuzzy pics!

Then on Thursday, 15 had her ceremony for NHS (National Honor Society). It was a semi formal black and white event.

This is her buddy. We took her to the movie with us too.

after they light their candles they kinda circled the auditorium and said the NHS pledge and then blew out their candles.

And of course here's my husbands take on it;

"It looks like they're joining a cult."

sorry for the fuzzy pic

It was really beautiful.

So, after the ceremony we came home and got ready to go see

NEW MOON

yep, I'm a dork

yes, that is 12:01 AM

yep, I'm a dork

we had driven by the theater after we had run to Target after school to get 15 cheaper shoes (but that is a whole other story), and the line was already forming.

We got there around 9:30 and they were already letting people in. YAY! The line was wrapped behind the building

Here are the girls

here is my friend Veronica and me. She is a Twilight know-it-all. I can't blame her. Its all so very addicting.

We're almost to the front!

I have to hand it to the theater. They were very organized. AND the fact that they let us in early so we didn't have to hang around outside in the cold was awesome. We got in the theater about 10:00. The girls found many of their friends and so we all sat with them. It was like a big slumber party. So many people with blankets and pjs.

The movie was AWESOME!!!!

I realize I'm using that word alot today. Hmmm...oh well, word of the day I guess.

Really, the movie was really good. They stayed closer to the book and I'll admit it, I LOVE JACOB! I loved the Jacob character before they cast Taylor Lautner in it, but I will admit, I think he's great too.

So that was a little bit of my week for you and why I didn't get any stamping done. I've already printed out the Stamping 411 sketch and hope to work on that today. I have some other projects I'd like to get done too, before Monday. We'll be at Disneyland on Monday. The band is marching.

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

Blessings, b.

Heres a little something for you to think about

you still with me?

Thanks for being patient with my erratic posts. This week is absolutely crazy! I'm hoping things will get back to normal this weekend.

Heres whats going on:

• cooking lots and lots of pork roast for pulled pork sandwiches for the snack bar during the band tournament today. I don't ever want to smell or shred pork roast ever again.

• helping out and working today at the high school because we are hosting a band tournament

• going to my regular job everyday

• shopping for shoes for 15 for her NHS ceremony

• Parent/Teacher conference for Grace

• going to ortho so the boy can finally get his braces off

• Going to the NHS (National Honor Society) Ceremony Thursday night. We are so proud of her

• After the ceremony, going to the midnight showing of New Moon with 15, her friend, and one of my friends.

• trying to finish New Moon before we go to the movie.

and other misc. things over the weekend. Then on Monday our band is marching in the Disneyland Parade. So we'll be gone all day then. Aren't you tired just reading about it all? I sure am. Because you know, you still gotta do all the normal things around the house; laundry, cooking dinner, picking up/dropping off etc..........

There are lots of SU! special things going on this week and next. Go check out the website and see all thats going on, http://www.stamperbeth.stampinup.net/

Remember, you can get gift cards from me too. Here are what they look like. You can get them in any amount.

Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it. I'll get back to my stamping routine really soon. My stamps cry out to me every time I pass my desk.


Blessings, b.

I'm still here

Nope, I didn't fall off the face of the earth. I just got busy........and distracted. Lots going on around here and then my guilty pleasure........I read a book.

I knew I shouldn't have started it, because once I start a book its very hard for me to put it down until its done. So, you want to know what it was?........Twilight.

I had promised 15 that when New Moon came out I would chaperon her and her friends to the midnight showing. In hindsight I realize that was sure dumb. I have a hard time staying up past 9:00. Anyway, I wanted to read Twilight and New Moon again before we went to see it. We even have our tickets already.

I hate to admit it, but its such a good story. When the big hoopla started when Twilight first came out I had no intention of jumping on that bandwagon. Teenage vampires? Give me a break.

Well, 15 started reading them and rereading them and I got curious. She doesn't like to read. Needless to say, I got hooked too. We are Team Jacob girls. Sorry all you Edward lovers.

So anyway, thats part of whats been going on. No stamping! I may go into withdrawls. But tomorrow is another day and I fully intend on getting some stamps dirty.

Not that you care, but I wanted to show you our Veteran's Day activities.

Remember, I said there would be planes to start off the parade.

It was kinda overcast but still warm. Once that sun hit we were all sweating.

This guy was hanging around before the parade started. He had the gentlest horse.
All the kids kept stopping him to pet the horse.

See this dog? This dog wanted to eat the horse. His owner practically had to sit on him to get him to stop.

Heres my drummer boy.

The guy on the far right is my next door neighbor. He is a retired Marine.

This is another neighbor. She is 15 too.

This is her momma. She is kinda a big wig with the Girl Scouts in our area.

Here is the competition we went to that night in Oceanside. See my boy on the left? We only had 3 snares that night. One of our guys hurt his foot playing soccer.

We sat up really high to get the full effect. Ugly field though. We came in 2nd for our division.

So there ya go. No stamping for you today. But I promise tomorrow I'll have something beautiful/gorgeous/awesome/wonderful etc............to look at.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Our town really whoops it up for Veteran's Day. We have a field of flags and speeches and a parade. Oh yeah, and the part that makes me tear up every year, (not sure why) the flyover from the Air Force base of new and old planes while the Star Spangled Banner plays.

The boy will be marching in the parade. Its an old time parade. Bunches of girl scouts, boy scouts, firetrucks, police cars, 4H groups, war veterans and a few marching bands. In our fast paced world its almost like going back in time. We all sit on the curbs and wave and generally have a great time.

15 has already told me she won't be going this year. I'll be trying to change her mind.


Anyhow, here are some more fallish cards from last year. I haven't done any stamping in a few days. I've had lots of other things to do. I hope to find time tomorrow/today. Although we have a band competition tomorrow/today too. So much for a day off.

Everyday Flexible Phrases (retired). Last years fall DSP, more mustard, choc. chip and whisper white cardstock. Leaves #2 die, chipboard, small oval punch, hemp and dimensionals.

I just love the Leaves #2 die. I glued the DSP to the chipboard before I cut them out. Makes the edges nice and clean that way. BUT, make sure your glue is dry before you cut them out. Otherwise you'll get your die all icky. Yes, I speak from experience.


Here is another placecard using that wheel again. Crooked letters huh? Stampamajig mean anything Beth? Just keeping it real here.


Alrighty then, I'm going to bed. Its been a very busy couple of days around here and I'm pooped.


Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have some brand new stamping to show you tomorrow.


Blessings, b.

punchy turkey

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Mine was productive, getting paperwork done (grrr.....car insurance) and getting my Brownie projects together. Cross your fingers that I pull it off without a hitch.

Oh yeah, the kids did make dinner on Saturday. Homemade pizza. Do the words "dough from scratch" mean anything? Overall, it was pretty good. I purposely didn't take any pics. Protecting the innocent and all that ................


hmm....I thought I had a few of these from last year but, I can only find this little turkey.

Isn't he cute? This little dude was so easy to make.

Retired alpha, I don't remember the name and Fall Harvest wheel. More mustard and choc. chip ink. Choc. chip, more mustard, really rust, pumpkin pie and very vanilla cardstock. Paper piercer, large oval punch, scallop circle punch, three flowers punch, 1 1/4" circle punch.

Pretty self explanatory on putting him together. I think Grace might have made this one. We put him on a place card for Thanksgiving dinner. We had also made napkin rings with him. I wish I had a pic of that. They were adorable.

So now, go forth and produce turkeys, ye pilgrims!

Blessings, b.

You're invited

Time to start thinking of Thanksgiving. I love everything about Thanksgiving. The blessings I concentrate on more, the family, the food, the vacation, the food............

Ahh.....I feel fat just thinking about it. YUM!

Last year I had borrowed one of my friends wheels (before she even got to use it, bad I know) and made up a bunch of samples.

The first was an invitation:

Fall Harvest wheel, Lovely as a Tree, and Hugs and Wishes (retired). More mustard, choc. chip and watercolor paper. More mustard, choc. chip, old olive, pumpkin pie inks. Aquapainter, distresser from the cutter kit and dimensionals.

I can see that my watercoloring has improved from last year. This isn't bad but I think I do better now.

I also made a bottle topper. Sometimes when we are invited to a friend's house we'll bring a bottle of wine or in this case a bottle of apple cider.

Same design just a different use.

I've got some more placecards with this wheel and some punchy turkeys to show you next week.

We are staying home this weekend! Whoo Hoo!! I'm so glad we have no obligations. I've still got lots to do though. Its my turn to host the Brownie meeting on Monday and we're going to learn about sewing, so I gotta get my projects in order. Oh yeah, and the children are required to cook dinner on Saturday. We'll see how that goes.

Thanks for stopping by. Catch ya on Monday.

Blessings, b.

cattails

Howdy peeps! I hope you all had a wonderful day today or are going to have a wonderful day, depending on when you're reading this. I'm gonna keep it short and sweet tonight. Really, I am.

I had a need for some more "no special reason" cards and flat out copied one I saw on my up, up, up, upline's blog, Sandy Hancock's blog.

Inspired by Nature and Sincere Salutations sets. Old olive, choc. chip and very vanilla cardstock. Old olive and choc. chip inks. Scallop square die cut, Tombow multi glue, dimensionals, slot punch, and choc.chip striped grosgrain ribbon.

Sometimes you come across a card and not only think, "wow! what a great card!" but you think, "hey, I actually have everything to make that."

So I whipped up several, they were really easy, wrote heartfelt messages in them, addressed them and they will go in the mail tomorrow. Hey, thats a HUGE accomplishment for me. Usually I just make the cards and then hate to give them away.

So send someone some love today. Make an extra card and actually mail it to someone. I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

Thanks for stopping by. I'll catch ya tomorrow.

Blessings, b.