almost home

Hey there!  I wanted to get this put up before I got home because I know once I get home I won't get it done.  I'm sure my house will be in order but I'm going to be pooped. 

The Hubs has actually been cooking while I've been gone.  Well, they've all been cooking from what I understand.  When I asked him about it he said, "I don't know what you're talking about."  Funny guy. 

Anyway, this is the last sample I have of the Reason to Smile set.  Its only $5 with a $50 order and you can only get it until the 31st.  So don't wait!  It's too cute of a set to pass up. 

Reason to Smile and Fabulous Phrases.  Whisper white and crumb cake cardstock.  Whisper white craft, Versamark and black Stazon inks.  White embossing powder, big shot, jewelry tag punch, baja breeze seam binding, simply scoring tool, Window Frames collection framelits (Holiday Catalog), linen thread.

See that new shape?  That is the new Window Frames Collection Framelits.  I couldn't help it.  I had to get them.  They will be in the Holiday Catalog.  If you didn't get your Holiday Catalog in the mail just let me know.  I have bunches.  There are some great new stamps that match the shape too.  You're going to love it!

I used Versamark to ink up the stems.  Punched a couple of holes and tied a cute little bow.  Easy.

When I was making this card I felt like it needed something.  Something on the white base.  Hmmm..........Simply Scoring Tool to the rescue.  It is so easy to add just that little extra something subtle to finish it off. 

I can't wait to play with this shape some more. 

Alrighty then, luckily we've had no more excitement around here. We've been watching the Olympics.  They said it was only 55 degrees.  That sounds nice.  I also found out that Airsofting is an Olympic sport.  HUH?  Let's get rid of baseball and softball but keep Airsofting?  Yeah, I think the heat is getting to me.   The weather is getting hotter and no more rain in sight.  Means it time to go home! 

We did figure out how to Skype.  Talk about awesome!  18 even took the computer out so I could see my veggies. 

Okay, I'm really done now.  I'll be checking in again when I get home.  Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

creepy crawly

I meant to post yesterday but things didn't go as planned.........as usual.  Today I have a card and a story.  I'll do the card first.

 I can hear you thanking me now. 

Reason to Smile and A Word for You set.  Baja breeze, whisper white and crumb cake cardstock.  Whisper white craft ink and Black Stazon.  Woodgrain embossing folder (YES!), big shot, white taffeta, vintage clear buttons, label framelits, white embossing powder, white bakers twine. 

This was the card I made for my MIL's birthday.  "85 and still alive" is her rhyme this year.  She makes up a new one every year.   

I used the Reason to Smile set.  It will only be available for 3 1/2 more days.  For only $5 you don't want to miss out. 

See this button?  That is from the new catalog.  They remind me of my gramma's door handles.  Love them!  But they are plastic, not glass. 

Also see that blue twine?  I just used my ink pad.  I smooshed the lid and then added a few drops of water.  Then put some white baker's twine in there and let it dry. 

Now my favorite part.  See that way cool embossing folder?  That is in the new Holiday Catalog.  I so love this!  I've been waiting for something like this to come out.  You'll be seeing alot more of it from me. 



Okay, now for my story:

On Wednesday, Grace and I went to Target.  We went to get my dad some pants and shirts.  While I was deciding which ones to get, Grace was running her hands up and down the pants hanging on the rack. 

All of a sudden she jerks her hand back saying "Ouch! Something poked me!"  I looked at her hand and it had just a drop of blood coming out. 

Of course I start thinking someone put a needle full of something in there so I tell her to keep squeezing it to keep it bleeding.  I took the pants and was pressing on them looking for something sharp and didn't feel anything. 

Then I shook them (they are still on the hanger) and I see something on the leg.  Want to see? 

My phone takes cruddy pics. 

This guy was about 2 inches long and TOTALLY freaked Grace out!  She starts crying and I put ice on it.  Then run out to the aisle looking for help.  We were in the very back corner of the store.  I flag down a guy and lets just say 20 min. later we were at the hospital.........with our little friend.

She is actually laughing here.  She was on a jittery high because she was so relieved.  The dr. had already seen her and decided that she was going to be okay.  It was apparently similar to a bee sting.  Had the scorpion really meant to sting her it would have been much worse. 

The hospital released the scorpion.  They aren't kidding about that Hippocratic Oath. 

Anyway we are extremely thankful that she is okay.  God was and is truly watching over us.  Plus she has the best "What I Did Over Summer" essay story ever! 

Alrighty then, we are kind of watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics.  My dad keeps switching the channel. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and checking in. 

Blessings, b.

I made it!

Good morning!  ( afternoon and evening....and morning and afternoon......its taken me 2 days to write this).

 Well, I survived the train.  I was really concerned that I would get all crazy claustrophobic but it was ok. In fact we decided to keep our reservation and take the train back.

We reserved a "roomette".  Very small.  Here she is on the top bunk but she didn't sleep there.  No, she slept with me on the bottom.  Well, I didn't really sleep.  Especially with us both on a bed smaller than a twin size.  Can you say cozy?

Food was pretty good.  Walking to and from the dining car was hilarious!  The train was very, um........shall we say turbulant?  I know thats not the right word but I can't think of another way to describe it.  There's a good reason why there is a harness on the top bunk.

 Anyway, we got here safe and sound. 

It was a busy day for my dad because right before we arrived my cousin came by plane.  So happy she was coming. 

Why they both got up to stand behind me I'll never know. 

You all know Grace but this is my cousin Jeni from Iowa.  She is so sweet and wanted to spend some time with my dad.  I'm so glad I got to spend some time with her.  She went home today.  Already miss her. 

Oh, for those of you in the ABQ area, you probably recognize the restuarant, El Pinto.  I had to take her there.  The food is good but I really wanted her to have the experience.  She had her very first sopapilla and green chili.  She loved it!  Maybe I can get her to come to New Mexico again eh?  Although we'll go to Little Anita's next time. I like Little Anita's. 

Okay, thats the last family pic for now. 

I did do some stamping before I left home.  I've been using the new Reason to Smile set.  Check out the flyer here.  For only $5 bucks its a great bargain.  Tuesday is the last day you can get it.  So don't wait! 

I'm going to drag it out a little and show you just one today. 

See this shirt that Grace is wearing?  This was the inspiration for this card I'm going to show you.  The colors are more of a Rose Red/Cajun Craze, River Rock, Baja Breeze and Early Espresso. 

Ready?

Reason to Smile and Fabulous Phrases.  Crumb cake, very vanilla, early espresso and watercolor paper.  Rose red and summer sun (retired) watercolor crayons, early espresso, baja breeze, daffodil delight, river rock and crumb cake inks.  Big shot, finishing touches edgelits, lattice square embossing folder, jewelry tag punch, dazzling diamonds, 2 way glue pen, vanilla seam binding, linen thread, aquapainter. 

What do you think?  I've  been thinking about my watercolor crayons lately and I wanted to try them with this set.  I first colored the background stamp with the rose red and then layered summer sun on the edges.  Squirt with water and I let the water set on the stamp about 5-7 seconds so it would sink into the grooves and then stamped, letting it sit on the paper for about 5-7 seconds before lifting it off. 

After it was dry I stamped the line image in early espresso and stamped the smaller flowers in crumb cake.  Then I watercolored the flowers, the centers and the background.  I love coloring and miss doing it.  Good thing they are a bunch of awesome sets in the new catalog that are line images just waiting to be colored.

 Check out that groovy border.  That is one of the new Finishing Touches Edgelits.  Love it!  Another trick on this card is that the word friend does not fit in the jewelry tag punch.  So I cut a piece of cardstock to 3/8" and stamped my word then stuck it in the punch from underneath to punch the round part.  Is that clear as mud?  Let me know if you have questions.

Alrighty then, I'm done for today.  It only took me 2 days to write this.  Geez!  We've gotten an afternoon storm and its really cooling things off.  Super happy about that.  I probably should get off in case the lightning does something crazy to the computer. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and hanging out.

Blessings, b.