today..........

......is the day. 

The first day of the December Daily journal.  Did you get at least 1 picture today?  Have you thought of 1 story to tell?  I will get my page together tomorrow and I'll show you then. 

Tonight though, I have a card to show you.  Can you believe it?  I stamped!

I wanted to make a Christmas card.  I have our family card all sketched out but I need a family pic........that may take an act of God. 

So I got out all my stamps that are Christmas related.  Yeah, I have 2 sets.  Not much to work with here. 

So I started with Tree Trimmings.  I don't like this set.  There, I said it.  I don't like it. 

Stampin' Up! sent it to me to create display samples with a few years ago.  Because I don't really like it, I thought about how I could use it for non-Christmas things. 

When I opened the box tonight I found that I had started a project but didn't finish.  So I decided to finish it.  I did make it Christmasy though.

Tree trimmings and Teeny tiny wishes.  Very vanilla, red riding hood, crumb cake and garden green cardstock.  Riding hood red, garden green, black Stazon, and Versamark inks.  Clear embossing powder, big shot, top note die, stripes embossing folder, antique brads and stampamajig.

I made a poinsetta! 

Nope, this would not make a good production card.  I made the striped flower a few years ago and I remember it was a challenge to get the petals lined up.  I had to use my favorite tool; the Stampamajig.  Love that thing! 

The stripes embossing folder is new to me and I think its pretty groovy.

 HA! Get it? 

Groovy?

I bought these antique brads during the summer and this is my first time using them.  They are so cool!  They are pretty heavy duty and I love how big some of them are.


Alrighty then, I guess thats it.  Unless you want to see what an A+ state report looks like. 

 A big cookie in the shape of New Mexico.  She even labled Grampa's house.  

Okay, thats all.  I be back tomorrow with my Dec. 1 page to show you.  See, you're going to get sick of me now. 

If you are doing the December Daily, I would love for you to link up a pic in the comments section here.  Or you can email it to me since the comments section has been having problems.  I would really like to see your project. 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

turkey owls

Hey there!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We went down to the in-laws house for a yummy turkey dinner.  I'm still full.

I have no Thanksgiving day pics.  I know.........you're disappointed.  Me too. 

There were only 9 of us for dinner.  We decorated gingerbread houses.  That has become a Thanksgiving day tradition.  We leave one for Gramma, one for Uncle Danny and take one home for us.  Grace gave us a little concert on the flute.  So cute!  I wish I had taken a video.  I'll have to learn how to do that. 

I do have something stampy to show you today though.  Can you believe it?  Earlier in the week I had made a couple of Thank You cards.  They should have been received by now so I can show you. 

Woodgrain and A Word for You sets.  Soft suede, more mustard, crumb cake, old olive, cajun craze, early espresso, whisper white, pumpkin pie, basic black and bashful blue cardstock.  Black Stazon and crumb cake inks.  Big shot, top note die, owl punch, fun flowers die and dimensionals. 

Its a turkey owl!  Isn't he cute? 

I sent these as a thank you for a couple of online orders I got.  I think they were friends because they both ordered the owl punch.  I wanted to make a card using the punch so they would have an idea that they could copy and since it was close to Thanksgiving I thought it appropriate to turn him into a turkey.  HA!  I crack myself up.  Its probably been done a million times but humor me here. 

I cut off his little ear tufts and used the Fun Flowers die to make feathers.  I couldn't resist giving him some baby blue eyes.  I think he's adorable.  Gobble...Gobble!

Oh yeah, and the top note?  Just cut out a top note then turn it sideways and run it through the machine again.  You'll get this groovy square.  Gobble.....Gobble!

Alrighty then, thats it for today.  I have some more craftiness up my sleeve to show you later.  I hope you're getting geared up for the December Daily journals.  Come on........get ready. 

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I appreciate it more than you could ever know. 

Blessings, b.

big day today

A big big day today.  First of all, 16 is now...........................................................17!

(this is from the Iowa pictures that I haven't gone through yet)

She is now 17, a senior, a licensed driver, getting ready to apply to colleges, looking for a job.............next thing you know she'll be getting married and having babies. 

Ugh.  Seems like yesterday she was learning to talk and everyone kept telling me she had such a low voice.  Her voice is normal by the way.

We had a fun day planned but then something happened this week, we had to buy a new frig and the delivery day was today.  So the fun day got revamped to accomodate.

We got a deal at Best Buy.  It was dinged and damaged on the outside so it was even more of a deal than the sale price.  Being dinged up a little doesn't bother me any.  I mean, look at me.  I'm a little dinged up too.  Or is that dingbat? 

Its HUGE!  It does stick out alot more than our old one but I don't care.  It has a bigger freezer and water and ice in the door.  WooHoo!  I know, we're a little behind the times. 

So after the frig got all set up we went to Olive Garden to celebrate.  It was so good!   

Then we went to the movies to see Cars 2.  I know, not your typical teen flick but nothing else was playing she wanted to see. 

We had the theater all to ourselves until the movie started.  Can you see how Olive Garden affected the hubs? 

You may notice The Boy isn't at the movies with us.  He had to work.  Did I tell you he got a job?  With this economy and the fact that he had no prior work experience, we are truly blessed that they hired him. 

Then home for homemade ice cream cake.

It was really yummy! 

I also got to stamp with my card ladies this week.  I just love hanging out with them and am so lucky they keep inviting me.  Thank you ladies!  I haven't taken pics of those cards yet but, I'll get right on that. 

I do have some to show you though.  Lucky for us The Boy had some more thank yous to send out. 

Thank you Kindly set.  Basic black, whisper white and real red cardstock.  Black Stazon ink.  Big shot, square lattice embossing folder, top note die.

These were really easy to do.  I used the school colors again. 

The whisper white is 4x4 and layered on the 4.25 x 4.25 black.  Makes it easier to write on the inside. 

Alrighty then, its past my bedtime.  Tomorrow we are celebrating my MIL birthday and 17's birthday again.  Good times! 

I think Monday will actually be a free day for me.  I can't believe how busy I've been.  Seriously, something going on everyday.  I'm pooped out. 

Thanks so much for stopping by. 

Blessings, b.

band, books and blah blah blah

Hola people!  I hope everyone is having a fantastic Saturday.  This has been a busy week around here.  The kiddos have their last day of school on Wednesday, so this week (and next) is full of activities.  We've had an AVID banquet, band banquet, a field trip and an author's brunch.  Next week is the big day though.  Graduation.  (big sigh)  My baby will officially be a college student.  (bigger sigh)

So I got things to show you.  First up, at the very last minute before we left for the band banquet, I asked the boy if he had gotten anything for the percussion coaches.  He is the percussion section leader and in charge of this, so of course he didn't even think about it.  So I whipped up a little somethin' somethin' just in time.

Thank you Kindly set.  Crumb cake, real red, whisper white and basic black cardstock.  Black Stazon and crumb cake inks.  Newsprint DSP, top not die, big shot, 1.25" and 1 3/8" circle punches.

These came together really quickly.  Not the best thing I ever made but they served their purpose and they loved them.  This is the very last of my music pattern.  I wonder if there will be more in the new catty.

Ahhh............aren't they cute?  This is the clearest shot I got.  Maybe its time for a new camera.  Anyhow, these are the 4 kiddos,

and these are the 4 kiddos moms.  I had just told him to turn off the flash because the camera refused to take a pic with it on and as soon as he got us positioned again they turned down the lights to start the show.  Whatever!   Sorry ladies for the horrible pic. 

High school band is officially over.  Forever.  And ever.  Well, unless Grace gets into it. 

No pictures of the AVID banquet.  I know......I know, you were so looking forward to those pics weren't you? 

I do have pics of the Author's Brunch.

Each year the kids get to write and illustrate their very own hardcover book.  There is a program they do it through, I don't remember the name.  Let me know if you want it and I'll find it.  I love it because I have books from each kid all through elementary school.  Fun keepsakes.

They all got their books and 2 of the 4th grade classes got together to do readings and have brunch.  If I'd known it was going to be outside, I would not have let her wear this top.  We both got a little sunburned. 

They got into groups of 7 and 1 adult and took turns reading.  I had a blast!  Some of these kids are so articulate. 

In other news, I am going to Iowa again.  This time the whole family is going.  If anybody lives near the West Des Moines area, can you give me a few things to do around there?  The hotel has a pool but I'm wondering about zoos or museums or something.  Give me a shout out will ya? 

Alrighty then, I do have a few more cards I haven't shown you.  One even has a tutorial with it!  Plus I have a ton of cards to make before school gets out.  I guess I'd better get busy huh? 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

Christmas tags

Hidey ho! 

So, did you go shopping?  I always hit Target and Best Buy on Black Friday.  Yep, I'm one of those people.  Only 2 stores though.  I'm home by 9:00 am.  The kids never even know I'm gone. 

Did you have a wonderful Thanksgiving?  I'll tell you about ours later.  I have pics to share but my camera isn't cooperating.  I can't tell my story without the pics.  I'm so thankful we were able to spend it with family.  And that I didn't have to cook it.  HA!

I do have some tags to show you though. 

A Word for You and Christmas classics sets.   Riding hood red, crumb cake, whisper white and old olive cardstock.  Black Stazon and whisper white inks.  Big shot, top note die, tombow multi glue (green bottle), silver glass glitter (holiday mini), and dimensionals.

Aren't these cute?  The finished size is 4x4.  I made these to go on the bags for some customers. 

I know they are very plain and simple.  But I like it!  I stamped the tree in old olive ink on old olive cardstock. 

To get the die cut shape you just cut out a Top Note die.  Then turn it 90 degrees, line up the points and cut again.  Gives you a perfect square.  Okay, not a square, but you know what I mean. 

I used a dollop of the Tombow Multi glue and then poured the glass glitter on there and pressed it down a little with my finger.  It gives it some nice dimension.  It almost looks like a big ol' fat snowflake. 

Then I wrote my little thank you on the back. 

Alrighty then, I am pooped out!  I think I'll sleep in tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

band on the brain

Howdy stampers!

Ahh.......the week is over.  For the past few months my dear hubby has been planning and organizing a band tournament.  Wednesday was the day.  Our school hosted 14 bands. 

This was a huge undertaking.  So many details to consider that I never would have thought of.  I helped mostly with the program.  And the judges gifts.  And crowd control.  That was my favorite.  I had the power to deny access to the stands during performances.  Sometimes having the power is fun.  I am woman!  Hear me roar!  HAHAHA!

I have pics to share with you.  Of course the judges gifts included some stamping.  My hubby didn't see the reason for this.  He never does........

I had to put together 8 gifts.  The first thing was deciding what the packaging was going to be.  We went through several different options.  Trying to stay on the cheap side but make them nice.  Story of my life.......

I found boxes at Michael's for .89 a piece.  They were 9"x4".  I cut a rectangle in the top and adhered a transparency so you could see through them.  I tied them up with our real red striped grosgrain ribbon. 

Cute eh?  Each box had a coffee cup, Starbucks Via coffee, creamers, sugars, fancy hot chocolate, candies, Oreo mini cookies, popcorn, 2 different kinds of tea bags and of course, a set of 3 note cards, lovingly handstamped by me.  I'll show you those in a minute.  First check out the tag:

A Word for You set.  Crumb cake, basic black and real red cardstock.  Black Stazon and soft suede inks.  Dotted ribbon punch, curly label punch, 1 3/8", 1 1/4", 1/8" and 1/2" circle punches, Newsprint DSP, dimensionals and hemp. 

I really like how the tags turned out.  They were 2 1/2" x 4 1/4".  I got the music note from some craft store, I went to so many I forget where I got them.  The judges thought they were awesome.

Here are the little notecards I put in:

A Word for You set.  Crumb cake and basic black cardstock.  Black Stazon and soft suede inks.  Top note die, big shot, vanilla seam binding (holiday mini), Newsprint DSP.

These are 4x4.  I made up little sets of 3.  Each bundle had 2 that said thanks and 1 happy birthday. 

I cut the DSP into 1 1/4" strips.  I tried to get as much music on each strip.  Then it was kinda funny because when they are cut up, you can't really (ok, I couldn't really) tell which way they went.  So I hope I got them on there right. 

Here was my other fun job:

driving the golf cart around.  Super fun!  These are our good buddies that came.  I know they don't look too happy here.  Thats because of my lack of understanding how my camera works and they had to take more than 1 pic.  As you can see, the girls are used to it ;)

 16 got put to work also.  She actually looks fairly happy here.  That didn't last long, let me tell ya.

  Since we were the host band, we didn't compete but we did perform.......last.  9:00 pm.  UGH!    See that little drummer boy?  He's mine.  Notice how crystal clear my pics are?  I need something with shake stability or something.

Here we are in all our glory.

Here is our Tournament Director.  I think he's kinda cute.  The biggest detail here to notice is that he is still smiling.  Because of his planning and because we had so many volunteers, things went pretty darn smoothly.  You did a good job, honey!

Here is a shot of my desk this morning.  As I write this, it looks exactly the same.  I'll get to it later.

Yes, that is our beautiful program from the tournament on top of the pile there. 

Alrighty then.  We are still trying to recover sleep.  Who has a band tournament in the middle of the work/school week? 

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

elements of........thanks

Howdy,

What a day!  We had beautiful weather again but I woke up with a tension headache.  OY!!  So we are going to keep it short and sweet tonight. 

The older kids are selling those Entertainment books to raise money for a college field trip (I think the thought of them both being gone for a few days is the source of my headache.  My babies and I have never been separated for more than an sleepover at one of their friends houses.) and 2 of my good buddies at work each bought one.  So of course I had to make thank you cards.

Elements of Style and A Word  for You sets.  Crumb cake and soft suede cardstock.  Soft suede ink.  Vanilla taffeta ribbon, Newsprint DSP, Top Note die, big shot, hemp, misc. button and dimensionals.


These came out 4 1/4" square.  Super simple to make too. 

I had made one and decided it looked too plain.  In came Elements of Style to the rescue.  I used the flourishy/swirly stamp to add a little character. 

I think my friends liked them.........they never actually said.  Hmmm......


Alrighty then, I'm headed to dreamland.  Well, with the aid of medication, I may not dream at all.  HA!  Either way I need my sleep, my new goodies are coming tomorrow!  WooHoo!

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its off to work I go..............

Hidey Ho, Hey Di Hey, Humpty Dumpty, Whoop Di Doo, etc...........

I'm officially back to work.  I love having my time off and very grateful that I have a job where I get that time, but its so nice to see my friends.  I never realize how much I miss them until we're back together.  This summer I really wanted to spend time with them.  Hang out, stamp, chat, laugh, eat, etc.........  But I didn't.  I get wrapped up in my own little family and love it when I do get some alone time. 

Anyhow, I'm trying to get my routine down.  I'm trying to be better about being on the computer so much.  You know how it can suck you in.  So today I spent some time with my stamps.  I'm not sure what I'd use this card for, I think its much easier to create when I have an objective in mind, but I kinda like it.

No stamps!  Soft suede, basic black and old olive cardstock.  Soft suede ink.  Top note die, big shot, little leaves die, scallop circle punch, 1/2"circle punch, fire rhinestone brad, Newsprint DSP, spiral tab punch and sponging. 

This card ending up taking twists and turns to get here.  This is nothing of what I originally had planned.  This is 4 1/4 x 4. 

I ended up leaving the black hanging off the edge.  I'm still not sure if I'll keep it that way.  The flower is just the scrunchy flower.  Only 4 layers and not quite as scrunched.  Otherwise, exactly the same.  I punched out a 1/2" circle of very vanilla and sponged it to make the brad stand out a little more.   I also sponged the leaves so they didn't stand out so much. 

So there ya go.  Here is a little funny for you before I go to bed.  I put this in Grace's lunchbox:

Its just a little 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 joke card.

hahahahahahahahaha.  This is where I go to find jokes to put in her box  http://www.101kidz.com/jokes/kid1.html

Alrighty then, we have a busy weekend ahead of us.  I'm hoping to finalize my order of new goodies.  I'm trying to be really good and not spend a million dollars but, its hard.  I'll be putting it in Sunday night if anyone wants to put an order in with mine and get cheaper shipping. 

Also, don't forget about the Super Duper Hostess Special going on right now.  Spend $350 and get an extra $25 in free goodies.  Good stuff man!


I'm off to bed.  Thanks for stopping by.  It makes me feel good.

Blessings, b.

butterflies and a bullet

Hey there!

I hope you all had a wonderful Sunday.  We have been garage cleaning fools.  We took out the trailer to get ready for camping and the hubs decided it was a good time to clean out the garage.  UGH!!

He didn't have to work this weekend.  He is one of those guys that can't sit down for very long.  Mainly because he'll fall asleep.  So he always wants to be doing something.  Its odd because, I'm very good at sitting down for long periods of time.  Reading, stamping, watching a movie.............. I like it.  My backside can prove it.

Anyway, we got lots of stuff done.  I'll tell you more about it tomorrow.........along with a garden update.  I know you're dying for an update ;)

Anyhow, there are goodie bags in my future.  I wanted to make a cute little tag to go on the goodie bags.  I also wanted to use some of my new goodies.  How many times can I say goodie?  Goodie, goodie, goooooodie..........

So I went to the Stamping 411 site for a little inspiration.  My tag doesn't exactly match their sketch but it helped get me started at least.  They are very helpful over there.

Watercolor Trio, Inspired by Nature and Flight of the Butterfly.  Whisper white, pumpkin pie, crumb cake and bashful blue cardstock.  Old olive, more mustard, tangerine tango, bashful blue, black Stazon and sahara sand inks.  Lattice embossing folder, Clearlits scallop rectangle die, 1/8" circle and 1/2" circle punches, corner rounder and dimensionals.

Finished size is 2 3/4 x 6.   I know, I've been using Inspired by Nature and Flight of the Butterfly alot lately.  Just be thankful there is no Lovely as a Tree on there too.  I think I'm in a rut. 

Now look at the new goodies I used on here. 

See that cute pumpkin pie scalloped rectangle?  That is the new Clearlits Scallop Rectangle die.  Its clear!  You can see through it!  See:

Its so awesome!  Its especially helpful if you want to cut out a certain part of your DSP or a picture or a sentiment or .................whatever you desire.

This little cutie measures out 2 1/16" x 1 9/16".  Perfect size for adding a little tag. 

Now for the other new goodie I used.  See the pattern on the Top Note die?  That is the new Lattice embossing folder.  So fun!  I think it ends up looking like wicker or fabric.  Pretty groovy huh? 

I also used my 1/8" punch to punch a hole in my bashful blue and then used my 1/2" circle punch to punch that out.  Hole reinforcer! 

The butterflies are stamped using the rock 'n' roll technique.  Just ink your stamp in a light color ink and then rock the edges in a darker ink.  Here I used More Mustard and Tangerine Tango. 

You can look here to see how I did the clouds.  Clouds are easy!  Clouds are fun!  Clouds are for everyone!  er.........sorry

I'll be making up a few more tag ideas and see which I like better.  I have a few more days before I'll give out the goodie bags. 

Now, look what came to live at our house

                                                

THE MAGIC BULLET!! 

The kids have been asking for one ever since it came out on tv.  They love making smoothies and have gone through 2 blenders.  So we saw this at Costco, and I had a coupon, and it came home. 

I gotta say, this thing is pretty awesome!  The mess is half of a regular blender, in that you blend your drink in your cup!  And its pretty quick too.  I just hope it lasts.

Alrighty then, this old broad is TIRED!!  The hubs is just like the Energizer Bunny when he gets an idea in his head.  Needless to say, the garage is cleaned out and we're ready for a yard sale. 

Thanks for stopping by.  You rock!

Blessings, b.

Artisan contender

Howdy people!  I hope you all had a fabulous Thursday.  It was really low key around here today.  I will admit, I was reading.  My chores were done so I spent the morning finishing a book.  I read Jane Eyre.  I've been trying to read the classics.  I have to say that I enjoyed it.  I liked how the author talked directly to the reader. 

Tomorrow I have big plans to get my stamp desk organized for the new stuff!  I have some new stuff and I haven't played with any of it yet.  This also means going through my discontinued stamp sets.  I have no room for them.  I need to sell them.  Pronto!  I'll let you know what I have.

So of course I have not stamped today........or yesterday.  And I thought it was time to show you one of my Artisan Award entries.  You know, the ones that didn't win.  Yep, those ones.

Refuge and Strength (retiring).  Whisper white and not quite navy cardstock.  Not quite navy, old olive and black Stazon inks.  White taffeta ribbon, white floss, Top Note die, paper piercer, playground buttons (retiring) and Bella Bleu DSP (retiring) and dimensionals.

I thought I'd show you this one first because it has the most stuff retiring on it, I think.  I thought it was very pretty.    I stamped off once for the cross so it wouldn't be so dark.  I might have stamped off twice.  I don't remember now.

  I fussy cut around the leaves.  What a pain in the bazooka!  I used a little tiny dot of the Tombow Multi Glue to tack down just one or two of the leaves so they would still stand out a little. 

Anyhow, there ya go.  I felt so rushed to get them done and sent in on time because I was going to Iowa.  Come to find out when I got back, I could have had another 10 days to tweak them.  Oh well.  I can find something I would have changed with each one.  But I'm glad to just have entered the contest.  Maybe I'll be a finalist.  That would be cool. 

I have another 9 projects to show you.  But I would overload you with their beautifullness if I showed them to you all at once.  So you'll just have to be patient. 

Thanks for stopping by and checking in.  I love it when you do that.

Blessings, b.

p.s.  here are some more brave and talented women who entered.  Check 'em out:

http://stampspaperandink.typepad.com/stamps_paper_and_ink/

http://igotstamps.com/
http://jhurley90.blogspot.com/
http://jackietopa.typepad.com/
http://paperpatty.blogspot.com/
http://stampingaddiction.blogspot.com/
http://onyxstamps.com/
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=162570
http://www.saucystamper.blogspot.com/
http://www.reneevs.blogspot.com/
http://monikastamp.wordpress.com/
http://letmestamp.com/
http://www.inkspotsandgumdrops.blogspot.com/
http://stampinwithtina.blogspot.com/
http://artisticavenger.wordpress.com/

Hi, my name is Beth................

.........and I'm a procrastinator.

There, I said it.  Admitting it is half the problem right? 

I promised my good buddy Karen over a month ago, that I would make 5 cards and 5 goodies for Father's Day for the Ronald McDonald House that she is in charge of. 

Did you know that SU! is a sponsor of Ronald McDonald House?  They are.  In fact, they create a special stamp set for RMH every year and $2 from each sale goes directly to RMH.  That is on top of the $100,000 they donate every year.  And let me tell you, the set for this year is super cute!  How do I know this? 

I GOT MY NEW CATALOG TODAY!!!

I only cracked the one open so I could see the RMH set.  I have lots to do this week so I don't think I'll be able to go through them until the weekend.  If I can wait that long.  Sorry, I can't show you the whole cover.  You're going to love it though!   My order of catalogs should be shipping next week.  Let me know if you want one. 

Okay, so you want to see what I made for the RMH daddies? 

I know what you're thinking, " Good Lord Beth!  Lovely as a Tree again?" 

Well, I really liked that card and I thought the daddies would too.  I promise no more Lovely as a Tree.  At least for a little while.  They might have another tree in the new catalog.  Hmmm...............

Lovely as a Tree, Woodgrain background and Wonderful Favorites.  Soft suede, basic black and watercolor cardstock.  Old olive, more mustard and soft suede inks.  Aquapainter, cardboard, twill tape, large oval punch, sponges and dimensionals.

Same as before.  I just used the "Father" from Wonderful Favorites on the tag.

Typeset Alpha lower and Sanded background.  Crumb cake, choc. chip and very vanilla cardstock.  Choc. chip ink.  Large tag punch, choc. chip striped twill, misc. button, crimper and hemp.

Remember the crimper?  Poor thing, I forget I own it.  Anyway, super easy little goodie.  I know dads like cookies.  The dad at this house made sure he hid some from the kiddos after I took what I needed.  I have 4 kids you know :)

So Karen, I will get these in the mail tomorrow.  Thank you for the opportunity to help out. 

Alrighty peeps, I'm hitting the hay.  I still have to make a card for Grace's teacher and for Mr. Dale and for a few people at work tomorrow.  Procrastinator, remember?  Wish me luck.

Thanks for stopping by.

Blessings, b.