Life is a Matter

Life is a Matter of Moments....

My 'moments' have been CRAZY this week.

Thursday night, I hurt my back. Silly how it happened...I was sitting on the ground on a blanket w/ Evan and reached forward to grab one of his toys to play with him and I heard a (((CRUNCH))) I couldn't sit down on Friday-it hurt terribly, so I cooked all day making food ahead for the weekend so I could take it easy.


Saturday morning, we walked in the Autism walk. I walked slowly and babied my back, but managed to go a couple miles. I was so glad that I decided to go, but even more glad that I had Evan's stroller to lean on a bit. :)


When we got home after the walk our house started to FILL with company. I am so glad I made a bunch of food ahead!!! We have had A LOT unexpected company over the weekend--an old friend, Dale surprised us with a visit, my friend Stacy and her son, my sister and her husband and our family of 5 seemed to FILL our house. It is nice to have that constant hum of commotion and it is fun to play hostess. After everyone left I SLEPT. Unfortunately, I had to get out of bed this morning and the back was stiff. It does seem better tonight though.


I feel really bad because stamping went on the back burner and I was REALLY late submitting my card over at Cards & Things for this weeks challenge. When I did finally sit down to stamp, my mind draw a complete blank. This was a difficult color combination for me. Can you think of anything for these colors?

Well this is what I came up with:
(Layout was inspired by Krista Driessen--Thanks, Krista ♥)
Card Recipe:
Stamps: Elements of Style
Cardstock: Kraft, Basic Black, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion, Garden Green
DSP: Newprint (NEW! JULY 1st)
Stampin' Write Marker: Basic Black
Accessories: Signo White Gel Pen, Rhinestone Brads, Aqua Painter, Scallop Trim Corner and Border, Circle Scissors Punch, 1/16" circle punch, White Satin Ribbon

Na-na na na Elmo's World

Evan absolutely LOVES Elmo. It amazes me how a little boy that doesn't acknowledge his name can hear Elmo from across the house and come running. Every morning we watch Sesame Street and if Evan should be playing in the kitchen, it sounds like a herd of elephants coming down the hallway when the "Elmo's World" theme song starts. Evan smiles and it makes my heart feel like it is going to explode with happiness. I love to see 'typical' behavior-- that most mommies think nothing of, but makes my whole day.

Kelly Mayou recently had one of my FAVORITE STAMPERS of all time, Dawn Griffith on her Blog Finds of the Day. I haven't been blog hopping much lately, but knew this is one I had to check out.

I found these cards and a little video tutorial on Dawn's Blog. I have visited a lot of stamping blogs and read a lot of posts, but this is the first time that I got teary. It was perfect! I knew immediately that I was going to follow Dawn's tutorial and make Evan an Elmo.

Now I didn't want Elmo to be a lonely little monster so I had to make Cookie Monster too to keep him company while Evan naps. ♥

Elegant Trio Stencil

Happy Tuesday, Stampers! I have had a great time playing with my new Elegant Trio Stencil. Omgosh, I ♥ STENCILS! Who knew? I can't wait to sneak away and play again, but first I have to clean house. I would much rather be stamping!

This card uses some old, but new colors. Starting July first, you will see the return of Riding Hood Red and Tangerine Tango--they are pretty teamed up with Old Olive and Sahara Sand. :)
I'm looking forward to using the new colors--there are a lot of beautiful new color combinations!






The sketch from Card & Things Challenges this week was my inspiration:
Go over and play along this week! :)

Card Recipe:

Stamp: On Your Birthday, En Francais

Stencil: Elegent Trio (Decor Elements Catalog)

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango

Ink: Old Olive, Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango

Accessories: Daubers, Old Olive Satin Ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Old Olive Brads,

Diggin' Out the Brayer To Add A Little Chocolate?!

It's Tuesday morning, that means another challenge over at Cards & Things Challenges. This week is a super color challenge. I have been hooked on Pale Plum and Old Olive since Stampin' Up!© introduced the Cottage Wall DSP.

The only thing better than these two colors together.....wait for it....is when you add CHOCOLATE! Everything is better with chocolate right?!

Here's my card for this week.... (And since it is brayered it can also be used for the StampinUpLNS challenge! YEA!)

Stamps: Watercolor Trio

Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Pale Plum, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Pale Plum, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (including Stampin' Write Markers)

Accessories: Brayer, Clear Blocks, Big Shot, 5/8" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Twine, Crop-a-dile, Jumbo Eyelets, Dimensionals and Petals-a Plenty Impressions Folder (this folder will be available again July 1st when the new catalog comes out!)

First Blogiversary Blog Candy Winners!

Thank you everyone for stopping by my blog to wish me a Happy Blogiversary! ♥ I really enjoyed reading all the nice comments. I hope to be here next year offering candy to all my stamping friends.

Last night before bed, I let each of my girls pick a number.

For the Sprinkles set, Dani chose #82 Raquel
For the Thank You Kindly set, Riley chose #87 Sandi Carter


Raquel and Sandi, I will be contacting you today to get your snail address. :)

Tea Party Purse

Here's my second purse. I made it so that I could share the step-by-step tutorial with you. It's the post right below this one.

Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts, Thank you Kindly

Cardstock: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Whisper White and Pretty In Pink

Ink: Basic Black

Dsp: Tea Party

Accessories: Pink Taffeta Ribbon (LOVE IT!), Eyelet Border Punch, Dimensionals, So Saffron Brads, Sticky Strip

Purse Tutorial

Purse Tutorial for 3" x 3" Notecards

Supplies:

Cardstock

Stamps, DSP or other products to decorate your finished project

Word Window Punch

Corner Rounder Punch

Score-Pal or Bone Folder & Paper Cutter

Sticky Strip

Brads

Hole Punch or Mat Pack & Paper Piercer


Dimensions:
1- 3 1/2" x 8 1/2"Purse Base
2- 8 1/2" x 5/8" handles
1- 3" x 1 1/2" closure
2- 5 1/4" x 3 pockets


Score the Purse Base at 3 5/8" from both ends. Punch with the Word Window Punch at the center of one end. (This will be the front of your purse.)

Score the Closure at 3/4" and 2". Then round the edges of the remaining 1" section with your Corner Rounder.

Score your Pocket Pieces at 1/2" and 1" on the bottom (5 1/4") side and both 3" sides.

Trim away excess and fold the score lines.

Using Sticky Strip, make the pocket.

Attach pockets at the score lines on the Purse base.

Add the closure to the back of the purse.

Decorate the front and back of your purse as desired. The DSP is 3 x 3 1/8" and the Certainly Celery mat is 3 1/4" x 3 3/8". ****When attaching cardstock or paper to the front remember not to use adhesive where your closure is. ****

To add handles first attach them with sticky strip or strong adhesive--much easier to work with this way. Last add your brads to keep them in place.

The pockets can old about 4-6 cards depending on what embellishments you add or how thick the cards are.

Have fun! :)

Extreme Happy Birthday

What is this? No flowers? I never thought I would be the kind of girl who stamped flowers on all my cards, but I have seen a trend lately--F L O W E R S!

This morning, I decided that I would make a conscience effort to not use flowers. Ohhhh it was terrible! The UPS man, Dave (oh yes, we are on a first name basis), brought me this brown box from SU! last week and it had the prettiest set in it called WaterColor Trio from the Summer Mini Catalog and I'm just itching to use it. I promised myself that will use it soon. LOL

Instead, I pulled out my 'guy stamps' and the To The Nines DSP (I have had just the hardest time creating anything with this paper) and sat down determined to create. I'm so glad I talked myself into this, because I FINALLY have a use for that paper! I think this card turned out pretty stinkin' cute. Can I say 'cute' in reference to a guy card?

Card Recipe:

Stamps: On Your Birthday, Extreme Skateboard, Extreme Elements

Ink: Sahara Sand, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip

Cardstock: Sahara Sand, More Mustard, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip

DSP: To the Nines, Pattern Pack III (hostess)

Accessories: Small Star Punch, Dimensionals

Hostess Gift/Purse

I have seen these purses online a lot lately. Aren't they just the cutest thing? I decided that I was going to make a little one to hold 3 x 3 cards. I went through a phase where I bought A LOT of 3 x 3 envelopes and it's time to actually use them now. LOL I am a great buyer/hoarder. Shhhhhh! Don't tell...

Anyway, I love when I make up my mind to do these things. First things first, A PATTERN--oh boy (EEK!). Okay after a little wasted cardstock, I managed to make the inside pockets for the cards and envelopes. :) I made a handful of simple little cards to match. (so fun!)

It took me a little bit to figure out exactly what I was doing, but it is finished! :)

I'm pretty happy with the results and it will make a great Hostess Gift Tuesday night. I hope she likes it! :) BUT before I give it away, I'm going to make sure to write down ALL the measurements! WHEW!


RECIPE:

Stamps: Kind & Caring Thoughts, Greenhouse Garden, Thank you Kindly, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Ink: Basic Black, Only Orange, Pink Passion

Cardstock: Only Orange, Whisper White, Basic Black

Accessories: Twine, Playground Button, Black Grosgrain, Gold Brads, Sticky Strip, Dimensionals, Word Window and Corner Rounder Punches, Mat Pack, Paper Piercer (brads)

One Year of Blogging...

My first year of blogging has been wonderful. I have enjoyed sharing what I love to do with you. I did miss my first blog anniversary by a week or so, but I have been busy with the kids, the house, the yard, the husband, the friends and well....LIFE! Ahhhhh....you know all that stuff that keeps you out of your stamp room, but you never want to be without. ♥♥♥

To celebrate my first blog anniversary and 30,000 hits (I had a couple thousand before I figured out how to add a different ticker....lol I have come a LONG WAY in a year-a REAL LONG WAY.) I want to give you some blog candy. You have been so sweet to me that I want to send some "sweets" back to you.

My blog candy consists of two retiring stamp sets.

I absolutely LOVE the Thank You Kindly set. I picked up an extra one during SAB to share, because I knew it was already one of my favorites. :)

The second set is Sprinkles. This is a cute CUTE set that will make wonderful backgrounds on projects. Also a SAB goodie to share. :)

To win ONE of these sets, leave me a comment and in that comment PLEASE tell me which set you would like and your email address so I can contact you if you are picked.

The WINNER WILL BE PICKED ON SUNDAY NIGHT, JUNE 6th and ANNOUNCED MONDAY MORNING!

Thank you all! You have been the best thing about blogging! ***HUGS***

Cards & Things Challenge 34

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Memorial Day weekend. The Hawkinson's helped my friend, Stacy move, planted garden and flowers, built a wall in the garage with a gate so that Evan can't fall down the stairs, dropped off a couple graduation cards, attended the Memorial Day ceremony in Argyle, cleaned house, etc. etc. etc. Now doesn't that SOUND RELAXING!

I'm so glad it's Tuesday! It's time for another one of Krista's Challenges over at Cards & Things. What a great way to get back into stamping after a LONG weekend....
Here's this week's color challenge #34
I had a blast with this card:
It was great not having the option of using DSP--I love making my own backgrounds and wrapping it up with a pretty bow. :)

Card Recipe:

Stamps: All Holiday, Greenhouse Garden, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Pink Passion, Only Orange

Ink: Basic Black, Pink Passion, Only Orange

Accessories: Black Satin Ribbon, Glue Dots and Dimensionals