Happy Halloween!!!

Hope everyone had a spooktacular Halloween!!! My little "ghoul" sure did!!  Steven is old enough now that he feels better staying home and handing out the goods to the neighborhood ghouls.  This year he handed out the small sodas and suckers.  Well.... for the first half hour anyway  :-( .  We had 90 cans of soda and 180 suckers... yep... he ran out after the first 30 minutes.  I had no idea we got that many kids every year.

I admit though... talk travels fast!! Steven said everyone was freaking out that we were giving away sodas AND that the house was scary with the sounds coming from the strand of strobe lights and the thick fog from his new fog machine!! It made it all the more fun for him.  I wish I had taken more pics of the house and his idea to make a chalk drawing of him on the driveway and splatter candy liquid blood all over (caution tape strung around it).  He even found bloody hand prints and drips of blood in the gel window cling. 

As  you see, he even had a fake cemetery which Emily HAD to pose by even though he wasn't finished with it. Ha!  Little sisters. 

Emily, obviously, went as a Army Sweetie.  She always seems to gravitate towards any costume that involves painting her face and then will cry when it's time to wash it off.  She has always had sensitive skin and it's not so much the paint that bothers her but the scrubbing that comes after. *sigh*  She has never been much for the "princess/girlie" costumes so I guess she will suffer through. 

MY favorite stop on the treat trail was "the beer place" (as the other parents told me when we headed that way).  Emily went to a friend's pre-begger's night party and then the parents all met at their house and took the kids around the neighborhood.  Soooo.... we get to one house and on the front deck was two younger fellows handing out the goods.  One guy yells... "OK kids, I got the candy here!"  The other guy yells... "Parents.... Bud Lite in the left cooler.. Miller Lite on the right!"  SCORE!!!!  A treat for mom and dad!! LOL  I asked .... "Are you serious??? Can we walk around with the kids and a BEER in our hands?"  They all started laughing at me and someone said.. "You wait... as the night goes on... you'll see parent after parent with a beer from these guys in their hands!"  WE have such a huge family, we have never really gone any further than our our street... never had time. 

Not only that.... there is a HUGE Halloween display just two blocks from us.  I mean these people LOVE Halloween!!!  They have a corner lot and their yard is huge.  Every single inch, or so it appears, is covered with "statues", caskets, ghostly creatures.  At one end you enter though the cemetery arch where you are greeted by the likes of Jack Sparrow..... the Mummy... Belle and a hoard of other adults dressed to hand candy to the kids.  Then you follow the path up to the house where they have a popcorn machine that every kid gets a bag.  And.... to top it off... there is a video of the old Frankenstein movie playing on the side of their house!!!  The BEST house ever!!!  I noticed a man with a video camera walking behind Emily taping the kids and I realized later it was the local news!!  Emily said he told her... "You didn't even notice I was there, did you?" LOL

Here is Emily in all her make-up up close. 

Hope you had a great day and your kids are on a sugar high!! *smile*

I Can't See You!!!

Hello friends and fellow stampers...

Just a note to let you know that though my blog has not been updated lately, I am still thinking of you!!

I have had an unfortunate eye issue that I am being treated for and as soon as I can actually SEE again... I will be posting again!

I have four different eye drops to put in my eyes three times a day and though I know it will help me heal, it probably won't be fast enough.

The doc says probably 3-6 months before I'm healed completely but... that doesn't mean I will be having to wait that long to stamp, create and post again!  Trust me... in fact, I'm hoping to head to my studio this weekend and let the fun begin. 

Wonder what I will create and how it will look when I can't see it much? LOL  LOL  Kidding... In about a week all should be good enough with my vision to at least post a few cards here and there!

So.. in the meantime.. I didn't want you to think I am just not creating.  You know if I could... I'd be there!! 

Stay tuned for the stamps and cards to be flying soon! *HUGS*

CSS Limited Supplies Hop

It's CSS Hop time again!! THIS time we are hopping with the "Limited Supplies" requirements. This is always fun for me to see what I can do with what limited supplies are available to me. If you came here from Shannon Hawkins blog, you're in the right place. If you didn't start at the beginning, head over to
Betty Neville's blog to see all the projects the CSS Team have created for you.  Here are the requirements for the hop.

Blog Hop Details:
Create a CAS card or project that contains only the following items and no others:

• Your design must be CAS - Clean And Simple: lots of white or open space with one main focal point
• One image
• One sentiment
• One layer card - your card base plus only one more layer
• Embellishments - you can use any number of embellishments you want, but they all must be the same color

My card base was created with Gina K's Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight White card stock.  I used my Scor Buddy to give it a diamond embossed background.

My image is from Melanie Muenchinger's set, "Little Tees".  In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month I decided to go pink.  I stamped the image in Versamark and embossed it with white embossing powder.  I then sponged Memento Angel Pink all over my Circle Nestabilitie layer and then added some Memento Rose Bud along the edges. 

My sentiment is from Melanie's "Hand-in-Hand" set.  I used my Memento markers so that I could color half the sentiment and stamp it on top, then the other half for the bottom of the tee.  I added a small rhinestone on the ribbon and for my ribbon on the corner, I added a small butterfly that I spotted sitting lonely in my embellishment drawer.  *smile*

My card also remembers my dear friend, Bette, who lost her life to breast cancer.  I sure miss and love her.

Don't forget to stop over at the StampTV Forum for a list of all the participants in the hop and a chance to join us in the fun.  Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoyed the hop!!  *smile*

Surgery Day...

I hate having surgery.  HATE HATE HATE it!!!  Mostly, I hate going under general anesthesia.  I can't stand the thought of not having control of my body..  Not only that... but when you're out.... you're out!  You have no memory of getting sleepy and falling asleep... no memory of just when you closed your eyes.  Nothing!  AND... I suspect if I died during surgery, I wouldn't know!!!  I know... I suppose it sounds strange, but.. it really upsets me. 

So... silly as I am... I make sure I tell my family that I love them and give them all hugs and kisses before I head in to surgery.  Not my WHOLE family because I could never get around to them all... LOL  But definitely my kids and darling husband. 

My card today was made for my husband.  I wanted something simple that said all I wanted to very simply.  My sentiment and my focal point was from Gina K's, "Love Notes" set.  A favorite saying of my hubby's. 

Thought it's kinda hard to see in the picture, I embossed the Pure Luxury Heavy Weight Kraft paper with my Cuttlebug Leafy Branches folder.  I then lightly rubbed some Tim Holtz Distress Ink Antique Linen over it to bring out the embossing some. 

A simple punched out bird and branch and a small addition of ribbon and this card was simply all I needed to say what I wanted him to know.  *smile*

Oh yes... surgery went well and I'm still here and thankful for all of you who sent prayers my way.  I am healing slowly and it hurts to walk and get up and down, but overall I couldn't be happier with the way it all went.  I'm going to try to work tomorrow though the doc said to take two days off.  I know my dad is dying not having me there!! 

Worse part is the doctor also informed me that I can't do ANYTHING in the gym for the next SIX weeks!!!! WHAT???? Oh mannnn... that really took the wind out of my sail!!  I am so not liking that.  Having just lost 22 pounds, I want to keep going.  Sooo... I guess all I can do is watch the diet.  No lifting of any kind, no walking, no biking... ugh.  I hope six weeks goes faster than I ever wanted.  Though my grandma would not like me saying that.  She always told me "never wish your life away".  But I soooo want to be at the gym!!!  Oh well... I guess it could be worse, right?

Again.. thanks for your prayers and support and thanks for stopping by!  *smile*

For Farmer Waldo...

 

Today I had lots of thoughts of my younger days.  Thinking about my daughter soon being nine years old... I realized my niece was nine when my daughter was born.  They share the same birth date.  :-)  That also made me realize my sister and I are nine years apart as well.  My thoughts then went to younger days.  And I thought again of my Uncle who had a farm that we use to love visiting.  Every since Theresa Momber released her "Farm Life" set, I have had thoughts of him.  

Much to my surprise he came by my office about a week ago.  I told him then I was going to send him something and he should watch his mail.  My card today is for him.  (P.S.  His name really isn't Waldo, but I call him that.  He has always given all his nieces and nephews "nick names" so I gave him one.  Mine is "Tina Leena"... which I can't complain about because he named my dad, "Mupsound"... LOL  I have no idea what that means! LOL)

My card base is Gina K's Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight Kraft.  I used DP from the October Afternoon "Thrift Shop" paper pack.

I stamped my image in Memento Rich Cocoa on Pure Luxury Layering Weight White card stock and used my Tim Holtz Distress Ink, Antique Linen to cover the paper and make it appear a bit older. 

I hope he likes it and it reminds him of his old farm like it does me.  I promised to stop by to visit and bring the kids.  He likes to take them to Dairy Queen since it's at the end of his street.  Not good for me since I'm dieting, but I guess that's why I go to the gym... to offset calories. :-)

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!! *smile*

Purple Forever!

I was asked to make a purple and white card for a wedding the other day. Well.... can you imagine ME making a card like that???? Hee Hee!!  I was thrilled to say the least!  I had so many ideas in my head because you know.... I LOVE purple and what CAN'T be done in purple??? Ha!

I used Nina Brackett's, Lovely Labels as my focal image.  I just love love this label with the flowers!!  It's probably my favorite in the set! 

I colored the flowers with my Copic markers.  My card base is Gina K's Pure Luxury card stock, Lovely Lavender.  I embossed it using my Cuttlebug Swiss Dot. 

And..... to add to the wonderful stamps by Nina... I also used some gorgeous lace which Nina herself sent to me!!!  I LOVE LOVE the lace she got for me in Croatia... all of it is just gorgeous!!  Thanks again, girlfriend!!

I added a satin ribbon and a small lavender rose from Prima Flowers.

Now... the trick was to STOP making purple cards! HA HA!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! *smile*

Red, Black & White Wedding

Today I'd like to share with you a card which I created for one of my daughter's caregivers at her school.  She wanted a red, black and white card for a wedding she was attending with the same colors.

I used Nina Brackett's, "Lovely Labels" and Asela Hopkins, "Friendship's Garden" for my image.  I stamped them in Memento Tuxedo Black and colored the rose with my Copic Markers.

My pearl and rose flourish actually began as light gray roses so I used my Copic marker to turn them red.  :-)

I used the PaperTemptress' "Laser Black Glossy Lustre" and "Laser White Glossy Lustre" paper which I think makes any card a bit more classy.  My card base is Gina K's Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight Red Hot .

For my bow, I decided to tie it and tuck the ends under so it reminded me of a pin-striped tuxedo with a bow tie! 

I hope she likes the card, it is one of my favorites.... so far.... hee hee.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! *smile*

CD Scrapbook & Green Tomatoes!

I'm on a scrapbook roll, can you tell?? Hee Hee  My husband's family has a Green Tomato Fry "gathering" every year and this was the first year we've been able to attend!!  My mother-in-law has been wanting copies of the pics I took at the event and I have delayed getting them to her so I could create this scrapbook for her. 

I covered old CD's with different green DP's and used Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pine Needles to sponge around the edges. 

This was the coolest event!!! They had green tomatoes EVERYWHERE!!! Signs painted to look like a green tomato, table clothes made with a green tomato print, flags and even a green tomato MASCOT!!

Don and Steven signed up to play in the horseshoe tournament... something my father-in-law enjoyed doing.  He was certainly missed at this year's event. :-(   Steven had never played before but once he got the hang of it, he really enjoyed it!

Ha!! I couldn't believe it when the guys put on their green tomato aprons and started frying them!!  I tell ya .... nothing was left un-green tomatoed!! LOL

 

The kids had a FABULOUS time riding the dune buggy they had for everyone to enjoy.  They had a course laid out with the "caution" tape and it seemed the kids all did a great job taking turns.  They actually had a green tomato Christmas tree ornament they drew for as well.  Emily especially had fun on the zip slide they had.  They live on a huge farm and had one of the biggest tree houses I'd ever seen... supported with not just wood but steel beams!  And finished off with a huge green tomato face for the kids to put their face in for photos! Ha!  And last... they had Annual Green Tomato Fry t-shirts for everyone to wear.  And lastly.... fireworks at the end of the day!  Fun Fun!  We can't wait to go back next year!!!  Oh and the tomatoes.... were mighty tasty... though I did only have two slices... dieting, ya know (and quite proud I did FABULOUS that day with my diet... even with all the wonderful homemade food there!).  

Have a nice day and why not try a CD scrapbook!!  *smile*

Emily's Bag Book

 

Have you ever made a bag book?? A scrapbook made from lunch bags?  I made this one for my darling daughter a few years ago.  When she was "Student of the Week" in Kindergarten, she took her book to share with her classmates. OMGosh was she ever proud and excited that her teacher sat and read through the book to everyone in the class!!  I LOVE these little books... so much so that I even made a larger one out of the regular brown bags you get from the grocery store for my dad that same year for Christmas.  Again... he was thrilled!!! (Of course it was manly, earthy and showed all his hunt and fishing "trophies".)

Below are just a few of my favorite pages from the book.  This page is the Halloween the kids went to Steven's Boy Scout Costume Party and Emily won first place for Costume!  Was she adorable or what??! LOL  Yes... I was dressed as Dorothy and dad went as the Scarecrow! *smile*

 

 

On this page I tried a two-page layout.  A bit of a space between bit still... love how it came out.  I wish you could see Steven's face better.... he has "monkey lips" in it as I was reading them a book.  Hee Hee

 

If you noticed,  you can see tabs on each page.  Every other page has a pocket made from folding the bags in half.  I put a card inside of each and added the tab and named them "Secret #1", etc.  Each tells a little story about the pic or Emily in some way.  

On this one, I stamped the little dog right on the picture in Stazon and colored it in.  I was surprised and happy with the way it came out. 

 

For this page I used the bottom flap of the bag to create a multi-fold out story. 

 

The hat was actually a chef's hat and I colored it to look like Dr. Seuss' Cat in the Hat.

 

One of our favorite trips when Emily was small... visiting the Omaha Children's Museum.  Obviously, they had a Dr. Seuss display while they were they and the kids LOVED it!  You should see the pic of Steven... someday... when I share his book.  *smile*

You really should try a bag book... they're fun and I find if you use the regular brown lunch bag they seem to be more "boyish/manly".  Even today, three years later, Emily STILL gets a huge smile on her face as she looks through this book. 

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.  *smile*

CSS Alumni Sketch Challenge Blog Hop

Tonight Gina K's CSS Alumni are participating in a Sketch Challenge Blog Hop!! If you came here by way of Tera Fujan's blog, you're in the right place!  If not... start at the beginning and see all the teams wonderful creations.

Our sketch came from a card created by Deb Felts.  Here is the sketch.

For my card I used Theresa Momber's awesome set, Aloha.  Of course I used Gina K's Pure Luxury card stock for all the layers on my card and my DP is from the Basic Grey Olivia set.

My flamingo was colored with my Copic markers.  My flower is from a fabulous set of Prima flowers that I just fell in love with... pre-glittered... can't ask for much more than that! *smile*

You will want to head over to the Stamp TV Forum to see all the team's fabulous designs in one place.  Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!!

*smile*

Sending InStyle Stamps Love...

 

Tonight I'd like to share with you a card I made while I was on the InStyle Stamp Design Team but never shared on my blog.

My image is called "Sending Love" and is available in the digital images at InStyle Stamps.  I colored it with my Copic markers.  I mounted my mailbox on my heart Nestabilities, both the plain and scalloped hearts,  

My card base is beautiful Mountain Rose, Glimmer Paper,  from the PaperTemptress.  This paper is fabulous weight and the glimmer it has is just amazing.  Almost like having misted it with glimmer, without the mess.  *smile*

I added some pearls to the corners and a simple ribbon and bow with a small flower.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! *smile*

I LOVE Autumn!!

 

I think for me, the best thing about autumn is seeing all the bright colors emerging from the greenery.  Love seeing the leaves turn to reds and yellows and oranges.  For me it's the next best thing to seeing spring with all the colorful flowers coming up.  I guess I'm a fair-season gal. *smile*

My card today was created using the "Signs of Autumn Stamp TV Kit". 

I used Gina K's Pure Luxury Heavy Base Weight Mango card stock for my base.  I stamped the leaf print in Memento Desert Sand (kind of hard to see in the picture but I love how it turned out in real life).  I colored the pumpkins with my Copic markers and the two leaves which I cut out and mounted with pop dots.

I made the inside sentiment  "Happy Thanksgiving" card and think I'll send it to my neighbor.  

Hope your days are cooling down wherever you may be... (but not like it was here this morning... 36 degrees!!).

Have a great day.  *smile*

Blog Candy Winner!!!

As a thank you to all my followers and readers, tonight I hired Random Cara to draw from the comments I received on my Monday, October 27, 2010 post!!!  I had over 30,000 hits on my blog since I started it a year ago and I wanted to celebrate with you... my favorite peeps!!

Our winner will receive a free stamp set of their choice from Gina K Designs... a set of their choice from Creative Clear Stamps and two images of their choice from InStyle Stamps!!! 

Are you ready to see who Cara picked???

AND THE WINNER IS................ 

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 7
 (I have no clue why when I copied the results it throws in 100 as the max.  I honestly only put the number of comments in... just FYI)



Comment #7 was from Donna (Blog:  Indiana Inking)!!!!  


Congratulations Donna and thank you for visiting my blog!!!!

Please send me an e-mail with your choices and I will get the sets sent right out to you!!  Have fun picking them out!

Thanks again to everyone who commented and who take time to visit and support my blog.  I wish I could have sent something to ALL of you!!!

Have a great day and I'll be back tomorrow with a fun item I created this weekend!  *smile*

Family Tree

When I sat down and looked at Theresa Momber's, "Farm Life" set I saw this tree with the fencing and was wishing I had a small pony to stamp in the background but... alas... none could be found.  Soooo... I decided this tree was perfect drawing of what one would think of when they thought of a "family tree".  Big.. full... and darn near perfect!

I proceeded to use my Nestabilities to cut our the other trees in the distance and focus on just this big ole tree.

I colored it with my copics and stamped "family" right about it.  Then I thought... hmmm.. sort of a plaque of sorts.  So I took my caramel card stock and used my Tim Holtz Distress Inks to make some line across it to resemble wood.  Then I mounted some nail heads to it to finish off my ":plaque".

Using my Cuttlebug Herringbone embossing folder I added texture to the card base.  That always reminds me of old pictures, old walls, so I thought it was perfect.

After looking at it again I wished I had roughed up the edges a bit.  Guess I'll save that idea for another time.

I hope you have a great weekend and there still time to enter in the drawing for some free blog candy!!  Make sure you comment under the Monday post below!  *smile*