Jobs, Revisited

Well, it finally looks like it's official. I have a new job! It's not the firm, nor the money that I had wanted, but it's definitely better than the unemployment check that I've been collecting every two weeks! I begin at a firm in La Jolla tomorrow in an open-ended temporary position. This basically means that it *could* turn into a permanent position at some point in the future.

Although I'm not holding out much hope anymore, there is also still a slight possibility that the original firm I interviewed with will call with a permanent position. If and when they do, we'll figure it all out. I do know that if they do finally call they will be offering me about $12K a year more than the job I start at tomorrow - LOL, with that in mind, it's almost a no-brainer!

Thanks to all of you for your continued support during this time of struggle. You believed in me even when I began to doubt myself.

TahDah!!!

So here it is!! I got rid of the Pacifica and got my new Suburban!! I did all the dealing yesterday, but just brought the Suburban home today.

I'm so excited! I love it! C doesn't like the color, G is so-so - he thinks it is too big, but knows we really need it. I get custom wheels and new tires put on next week, part of the deal. I'm in heaven!

I know I will get some who say I shouldn't be driving such a big gas hog, etc. But I was actually getting worse gas mileage with the Pacifica than I will with this. And with my "growing" family - LOL, their height and size, not in numbers - I definitely am going to enjoy it!

We're in the middle of our "GG weekend" - see below - but I am hoping to be able to do some stamping tomorrow. I'm going through withdrawals!!

Crazy? Maybe....

So I'm putting it all out on the line right here - I *HATE* my new car! We bought a 2006 Chrysler Pacifica when we moved back to the states. We've made three - yep, that's right - three payments on it. And why am I crazy? Because I'm trading it in! Yep - hopefully today I will be getting rid of it and getting my new Suburban - LOL, the vehicle we originally wanted in the first place!

We opted not to get a Suburban because of the gas mileage and the price of gas. We thought we could make do with a smaller vehicle. Well, we can't make do with a smaller vehicle - we're a very tall family and our height all tends to be in our legs... and gas mileage? Let's just say that I will probably end up getting better mileage in the Suburban with it's V8 engine than I am in the Pacifica. Chrysler advertises the Pacifica to get 17 mph in the city, 25 on the highway. The most I have ever gotten was 19 when we first bought it, and I am currently getting 12.9!

More to follow on this later - I have to get the car cleaned up and head back to the dealer this morning.

As for jobs - still no news. S says not to stress and worry about it, but I can't help it. I am so frustrated! I know there is a reason for this - for me not getting one yet - but for the life of me I can't figure it out!

I haven't stamped in days - I'm going through withdrawals! C and I have been having a Gilmore Girls marathon because Season 6 came out on video this week and Season 7 starts next week. We have 17 more episodes left to watch before next Tuesday. As much as I love "GG" - I need to stamp!!

Jobs...

I have been frustrated as all get out this past week as I still didn't have any good news about jobs. The firm I had done two interviews with supposedly wanted me but couldn't hire me due to some restructuring, I interviewed with another firm for a temp position and they didn't want me, and a third firm that I had been told I would start with on Monday decided I didn't have enough "recent" experience and didn't want me.

So I was feeling down, my feelings were definitely bruised - I have *never* had this hard of a time finding a job. C and I went clothes shopping the other night and even though I liked some of the outfits I tried on, my heart wasn't in it and I just couldn't bring myself to buy anything.

Friday afternoon at about 5:15 I received a telephone call. It seems the original firm really *is* interested. They would like me to come in and work as a temp between the two offices. We are assuming it is probably their "try before you buy" type thing and if it works out they will offer me full time employment. I will hear more about it on Monday but it looks like I will be starting sometime this week.

So what did I do since I was in a better mood? I went shopping! C and I went back out today and boy did I strike gold! I ended up getting over $500 worth of clothes out the door for $260. They were having a huge sale on work slacks, a lady standing next to me in line gave me a coupon that saved me $75, and for the heck of it I applied for their in-house credit card and received an additional 20% off. LOL, I don't want the card, and if I do get approved for it will cancel - I only wanted the discount!

So, it looks like I should finally join the ranks of the gainfully employed again this week. Thanks for all your well wishes and "happy thoughts." They have been very much appreciated!

Back to Basics

I haven't been able to stamp in the past few days because I've been busy with so many other things - job interviews, getting some maintenance and repairs done to my car, etc. Today C and I went shopping for work clothes for me (job info to follow) and I was finally able to sit down and play tonight.

I wanted something quick... I wanted something basic... This flower stamp was sitting out on my desk from the last time I played. As I was sitting here literally playing with the stamp - turning it over and over in my hand - I wondered what it would look like if I stamped it in two colors - so I grabbed the nearest pad - Bashful Blue and then decided I wanted to try the combination below. I loved the color combination - Pumpkin Pie and Bashful Blue - and this is what I came up with. Fast, easy, basic layout and concept.


This is where I am most happiest - quick and easy cards. It's the reason my site is named Simply Stamping. It's not for "the only thing you're going to get here is stamping" it's for "this was done so easily and quickly."

I did use the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the orange over the blue. I wonder what I have done without this darn thing all these years. I know - I eyeballed - but I have always been anal about how my stamps line up and have often been disappointed with my results - so to me, this little gadget is a Godsend.

The bottom layer is Pumpkin Pie with both Linen and Weathered stamped on it. I love the look that you get from double stamping background images.

I purposely didn't clean the Linen stamp very good so that when I inked it again with Bashful Blue and stamped on the blue cardstock, I got some muddy colors.

For the ribbon I used the Seaside Ribbon Originals from SU! and put a small amount of ink from the pumpkin marker on the white stitching - mainly because I stamped my main image on vanilla instead of white and I didn't like the contrast.

So, here are the supplies - all from SU!:

Stamps: Bodacious Bouquet, IBB, Linen, Weathered, AYCI
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Seaside Ribbon Originals, Cutter Kit, Pumpkin Pie marker, SAMJ

Thanks for looking! I'll post about job results separately!

Do the Hula Rock

*grin* I'm sitting here with that darn song stuck in my head and can't get it out. Somebody help me, quick!

I think as long as I'm not working and have time to stamp I am now officially glued to the SCS challenges! This is my version of Sketch Challenge 89 *and* Beate's technique of the week - Rock-N-Roll.

I had seen some patterned paper at my LSS recently and almost bought it, but realized I could make almost the exact same thing with my stamps. I used Weathered background and Hula to make the background paper. I stamped Weathered first by finger walking it onto the cardstock. I then inked the flower in Marigold Morning and then lightly rolled the edges in Cranberry Crisp before stamping.

I watercolored the hula girl on watercolor paper with aquapainters and classic inks. I love to just squeeze the pad before opening it so that ink transfers to the lid. I then just use the lid as my palette.

The layer under our dancer was scrunched up and then after straightening it out I dabbed brown ink on it.

All supplies SU! unless noted:

Stamps: Do the Hula, Weathered, Linen, Everyday Flexible Phrases
Cardstock: Cranberry Crisp, Very Vanilla, Marigold Morning, Watercolor
Ink: Cranberry Crisp, Marigold Morning, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, True Thyme, Mellow Moss
Accessories: Aquapainters, Making Memories brads

Thanks for looking!

My Obsession!

Okay - I have to admit stamping/scrapbooking and Splitcoast are my first obsessions, but I'm talking about my *other* obsession!

There's this awesome website that is run by National Geographic. It's called Pete's Pond. It is a pond in the middle of Africa with webcams on it and you can watch all the wildlife coming to the pond to drink. I have seen some other feeds from different sites where they take pictures every few seconds and update them - Pete's Pond is different - it is streaming video.

I got hooked on this thing last year and then they stopped it in December because the rainy season had come back to Africa and the animals wouldn't be coming to the pond as much. I have been faithfully checking every few days to see if they would start the video at the pond back up and lo and behold - we have contact! Within the last week or so, National Geographic has started the live feed again.

If at first you don't succeed, try try again! What I'm saying is - if at first you don't see any animals - don't give up! I have seen lions, crocs, zebras, elephants, hyenas, water buffalo, ostriches, gazelle - the list goes on and on. It is something that the entire family can enjoy!

So enough with the spiel Karen, where's the link? LOL, I'm sure that's what y'all are saying by now!

Here ya go - Enjoy!

Pete's Pond

Bodacious Dream

So I had this dream.... *grin* - not really.

I am daydreaming about the fact that I'm still jobless and am supposed to find out something today though. It's been over two weeks since I went in for my first interview and over a week since I went back for the second one. I know they got my background report because I got a copy of it on Thursday. I'm still *sooooo * stressed over this! So what have I been doing to ease the stress? STAMP - of course!

I'm really trying to do more of the challenges on SCS. I loved the new color combination one that Emily posted today. - Real Red, Almost Amethyst and Bashful Blue. I combined it with the sketch challenge from yesterday and came up with this card.

I am loving the little Cutter Kit tool that Stampin' Up! has in the new catty. I have been distressing just about everything lately! And the new ribbons... well, suffice it to say that I will be buying more as soon as I get my first real paycheck!

This card also uses a technique called Finger Walking. Ink up a backgrond stamp and then lay it on your desk, rubber side up. Lay your cardstock over the top of it and then just tap your fingers around on top of it - you don't want to fully ink the whole piece of CS, just randomly move around so that the ink is darker in some places, and others won't get any ink at all.

All supplies SU!.

Stamps: Bodacious Bouquet, Linen, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Everyday Flexible Phrases

CS: Whisper White, Almost Amethyst, Real Red, Bashful Blue

Ink: Same as above

Accessories: Cutter Kit, Hodgepodge Hardware, Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals

Well, need to go check on my not-so-young'un.... He has a recurring problem with a thumb that gets dislocated very easily. It has been recommended that he have surgery but he doesn't want to be out from basketball as long as it would take for the recovery process. In his defense, it hasn't dislocated since maybe January, but he did it pretty bad at school today lifting weights. I picked him up and had him pop it back into place, and told him if it popped back out I was taking him to the doctor. He is in the other room asleep with ice on it, and so far, it has not popped back out. Keeping our fingers crossed!

Up to the Challenge?

I had some more scraps of my blossoms sitting around and wanted to do something with them so I decided to do another weave. This is a very toned down version of Sketch Challenge 88 on Splitcoast Stampers. I kind of cheated in that the heart, as the fourth layer, is *supposed* to be on top of the weave, not straddling both layers.

Oh well, at least I did something! I initially thought that if I put the little white x's it would look somewhat like stitching and quilting - carrying forth the weave/quilt of the layer. I guess it does but if I were to do it over again, I'm not sure I would put them on there.

Supplies used - all supplies Stampin' Up! unless noted:

Stamps: Print Patter, Linen, Blossoms Abound, Wonderful Words

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pretty In Pink, Rose Red

Ink: Rose Red, Pretty In Pink, Green Galore, Gable Green, Cranberry Crisp

Accessories: Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, On Board Accents, White Signo Gel Pen, Making Memories Brads

I definitely feel better now. Much better than during my previous post.

Where Were You? - Reflections

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Were you in the yard with your wife and children?
Or working on some stage in LA?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor?
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below?

Did you burst out with pride
For the red white and blue
And the heroes who died just doing what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself and what really matters

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things
He gave usAnd the greatest is Love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children?
Or driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor?
In a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you loved her?
Did you dust off that Bible at home?
Did you open your eyes, hope it never happened?
Close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages?
Speak with some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow?
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent home movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family?
Thank God you had somebody to love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love

I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love

And the greatest is Love
And the greatest is Love

Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?

I *still* cry every time I hear this beautiful song by Alan Jackson. In fact, I'm typing through tears now. I believe September 11th affected us all, and will continue to do so, but for me - and many other military wives and families - it has completely changed our lives in ways that some just wouldn't understand.

Rewind to that day. I remember sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee and the newspaper. I distinctly remember thinking, "Wow, this is kinda nice. Today is the first day in a long time that I have some time to myself. " The kids were back in school, my hubby had left over the weekend to go to Mayport, FL - he was on an inspection team that happened to be on the John F. Kennedy aircraft carrier that day. The TV was off, I was enjoying some quiet time.

Next thing I know the phone is ringing. My mother-in-law was frantic. I didn't even get a "Good morning, how are you?" It was, "How's this going to affect S?" "Um, how's what going to affect him, Mom?" She proceeded to explain as I turned on the TV, and right as I did the second plane went into the tower.

I sat paralyzed and glued to my seat in front of the television. Word came quickly about the other two planes - the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. It was also quickly announced that the JFK, which was on routine work-ups off the coast of Florida, had been re-routed to NYC. My hubby eventually got off the ship before it ended up in NYC - but we did have a communication blackout for almost a week.

I can't imagine what it was like for the families that lost loved ones. However, I do know what it's like to have loved ones in places of danger . The dread and fear that accompany those feelings are completely different ones that I wish upon no one.

So how did my life change because of 9/11? My husband, after serving almost 20 years in the Marine Corps and never having actually been to a "war" or skermish, left for Iraq - the first time in 2004. He "celebrated" his 20 year anniversary with the Corps, and our 17th wedding anniversary while there. He was home for little over a year and is now back there again. He will "celebrate" our 19th anniversary while there also.

He goes because it is his job. As we grow older, our values and our minds change - we see things differently than we did years ago. I had a family member say to me not too long ago, "He's been in for 22 years. Why don't they send the young ones?" Well, they do. But, who is going to train and mentor the young ones? They need our senior military members to guide them and be there with them. That's why he's there.

I had an assignment a few years back - at SU! Leadership as a matter of fact - that was to make a list of the people in leadership positions that we most respected. Many people were putting down people such as Martin Luther King, Ronald Reagan, Shelli Gardner, etc. And while I do respect many of those people also, the person at the top of the list was my hubby. I have seen him with his troops over the years, and I have talked with so many people who truly respect him and say that he has changed their lives for the better. That's why he's there...

As a mother, it has been difficult recently for me to hear these words from my oldest - "Mom, I want to follow Dad and join the Marines." His father and I have talked about it a lot over the years and I think deep down we both knew it was inevitable. My son goes on to say "I don't want to be a grunt, I want to do what Dad does." "I know that unless things change in the next couple of years, I will be going to Iraq." Wow... as a wife I handle it - as a mother I don't know what I would do! By the time he joins and would go, his dad will most likely be retired and home with me for good. At least then I'll have some support here at home.

I sit back and reread what I have written today and I see no succession or point. It looks to me like a lot of rambling. I don't really seem to get the point that I was trying to make across. It does feel good to get it out though.

Guess I need to go stamp....

Weavin' all over...

If I were driving I think I would be weaving all over the road. I'm dead tired - it's been a long day - but I wanted to get this last one finished.

While I was trimming pieces off of the other cards I made today I started playing around with a weave. I liked how the pieces were coming together so I decided to stamp a couple more pieces of cardstock with Blossoms Abound, cut them up, and see what I could come up with. Above is my end result. From the very beginning all I wanted was the weave pattern without anything over it - I envisioned it as a quilt background when I started on it.

The little piece of ribbon was left over from an earlier project - and believe it or not, that's my *first* prima! I have four bottles that have been sitting on my desk for months - they were too pretty to open and use! I finally broke down and opened them a while back but still hadn't used them. The one I did end up using was a blue - maybe around the shade of Not Quite Navy or Buckaroo Blue? I just laid it on the Vintage Violet stamp pad to get it to match the color that I wanted.

I think it's sort of understated, but exactly what I was looking for. I even cut the edges of the Violet so that it is a frame around the weave.

All Supplies SU! unless stated:

Stamps: Linen, Blossoms Abound, Happy Everything, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Cardstock: Naturals White, Vintage Violet, True Thyme
Inks: Certainly Celery, True Thyme, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Vintage Violet - classics
Accessories: Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals, Hodgepodge Hardware, Prima flower

Thanks for looking! It's time to catch some zzzzzz's.

Challenge Fun

I'm having fun playing with my stamps today and remembered that I have been wanting to try this sketch challenge from Splitcoaststampers. The challenge is *only* two weeks old - better late than never, huh?

I had seen somewhere that someone had used Almost Amythest with Vintage Violet and liked the results, so I thought I would give it a try. I am pleased with this card, and since it's probably the last one I will get to do today, I'm ending on a happy note!

My oldest is at his first drivers' ed class and I have to go pick him up soon. I'm not sure what else we have in store for the day - who knows? maybe I'll get to come back and play some more.

Another fun note - since we don't have the markers to match the In Colors, I had to try to figure out a way to get my sentiment to match VV... I used Bravo Burgundy and then Night of Navy over it - together the two match just about perfectly! The brads really are even - it just photo'd weird.

All supplies Stampin' Up!:

Stamps: Linen, Blossoms Abound, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Eat Cake

Cardstock: Naturals White, Almost Amethyst, True Thyme, Vintage Violet

Ink: Certainly Celery, True Thyme, Mellow Moss, Almost Amethyst, Vintage Violet (all Classic)Accessories: Cutter Kit to distress, Word Window, Bravo Burgundy and Night of Navy markers Hodgepodge Hardware, Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals.

Thanks for looking - have a great weekend!

Accidental Beauty

Do you ever try a technique or maybe a color and decide you don't like it and put it aside? I know you do... I think we all do. But do you throw it away or keep it? As I have said before, I don't tend to throw much away - my desk is covered with clutter and small pieces of cardstock!

Yesterday when I was playing with faux shaving cream, I thought I would try it on a background stamp. I inked the Linen background stamp with Certainly Celery, and *tried* to get the swirls with Green Galore - it didn't work. That is, it didn't work to my liking for the card I was trying to work on, so I put it aside and went in a different direction.

Fast forward to today. I wanted to play with blues and greens. I was getting ready to stamp on white cardstock when I noticed the green background that I had made yesterday... hmmm, the wheels start turning in my head - wonder what it would look like if I stamped over it?!

The above card is what I came up with, and I love the main image. The flowers stamped over it beautifully! I still feel like it could use something up at the top, but I didn't want to cover too much of the image.

I used a piece of the On Board Chipboard and just dyed it with my Buckaroo Blue classic pad. I also dyed white grosgrain ribbon with True Thyme to get the colored ribbon I wanted.

Supplies: - All supplies Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Linen, Blossoms Abound, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Cardstock: Whisper White, Buckaroo Blue, True Thyme
Ink: Certainly Celery, Green Galore, Bashful Blue, Buckaroo Blue, True Thyme, Mellow Moss - all classic pads
Accessories: On Board Chipboard, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Cutter Kit

Thanks for looking!

Halloween Fun

This one I like. LOL, figures - it uses background papers. I have been getting into them so much more now - especially since I have finally decided to cut them up... I have kept my papers in pristine condition - I don't like cutting them, they're too pretty to look at. *grin* - guess you could call me a hoarder. A couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and actually cut into one of my sets - and now there's no stopping me!

This one actually just used scraps from something else I had done - I believe it was the notecards. I tend to throw *nothing* away - maybe if I did my desk would be a little cleaner once in a while!

I also double dyed my ribbon on this one, so it is two-sided. Take white grosgrain ribbon and use your daubers and pastel chalks. I didn't have daubers so I used cotton balls - a little messier - you can see smears of chalk if you click on the card - but I achieved the same result. I used Only Orange and Green Galore.

All supplies Stampin' Up!:
Cardstock: Green Galore - base, Only Orange, Dots & Dashes
Stamps: Trick Or Treat
Classic Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Only Orange, Green Galore
Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon, Pastels, Cutter Kit - the cutter blade to make a hole at the top of the card to put the ribbon through.

Too Simple!?

I wanted to play around with Halloween and had an idea. I thought it would look clean and simple - problem is I think it is TOO simple.

I did the "Faux Shaving Cream" technique on the pumpkins and saying, and made faux eyelets also (courtesy of MamaK and Em on SCS). AND, I got to play with some more of my new ribbon - but something's missing - I think there is still too much white.

Give it to me straight, I can take it - what do *you* think?

Supplies: All items by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

Stamps: Trick or Treat, Itty Bitty Backgrounds

Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Certainly Celery, Whisper White

Classic Inks: Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore (for "shaving cream"), Certainly Celery

Accessories: Dimensionals, Non-SU! ribbon

Steve Irwin, RIP

I think my daughter said it best the other day when she said, "Mom, it feels like we lost a family member." My kids have grown up with him. When we moved to Okinawa we said the one thing we wanted to do - and unfortunately never accomplished - was to go to Australia and visit him at the Australia Zoo. Man, if I just had it to do over again. He will be sorely missed. As my hubby said, at least maybe at some point in the future there will be some peace and solace knowing that he died doing something that he thoroughly loved and enjoyed.

Steve Irwin Memorial is an area on Animal Planet's website dedicated to the man and his life that was tragically cut too short.

See 2 posts down!

OK, so I FINALLY got pictures to upload, but since I had saved my post in draft it comes up with yesterday's date - please see "Stamp-A-Ma-What?" below!

Argh!!!!

I am trying to upload a tutorial and pictures - Blogger isn't agreeing with me and won't let me upload pics. I have tried directly from the computer and from a different website. I'm sorry folks, no new pictures at this time... this kills me!! I guess it has something to do with BETA.

Off to get my car serviced, hopefully it will work when I get back.

Stamp-A-Ma-What?

Have you ever been stamping something and wished you could line it up perfectly? And you try over and over, and you just can't quite get it right? ME TOO! I have had this darn thing sitting around my house for*evah* and had never used it. OMG!!! Whatever did I do without it? What is this "darn thing" you ask? Why, it's the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig! (SAMJ)

Now, how to use it? EASY!!!!! The SAMJ comes with a clear piece of plastic called an Imaging Sheet. It has a smooth side and a textured side. Use your dye-based inks on the smooth side and pigment inks on the textured side.

Enough with the "what is it"s - I'm a visual person you say... Okay, so here ya go:



First you need to align your plastic piece in the corner of your SAMJ. Ink up your stamp and stamp your image - placing your block completely in the corner of the SAMJ.


Your imaging sheet now has a stamped image that you can use to line up the placement of your stamps. In my samples, I used Stampin' Up!'s Blossoms Abound stamp set. I stamped the first image in Pretty in Pink and then wanted to line up the second layer to stamp in Rose Red.


I layed the imaging sheet directly over my PIP stamped image, lining it up exactly where I wanted it. Without moving the imaging sheet, I placed the SAMJ so that the imaging sheet was aligned in the corner.


Leave the SAMJ in place and remove the imaging sheet, ink your rubber and stamp.


Voila - a perfectly placed image every time!

Here's the finished image:



Products used:

All products by Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

Stamps: Blossoms Abound, Linen
Cardstock: Gable Green, Rose Red, Pretty In Pink, Whisper White
Classic Ink: Gable Green, Green Galore, Rose Red, Pretty In Pink
Accessories: Cutter Kit, non-SU! ribbon

Thanks for looking!

Success!

Well, sort of anyway! I got my header changed to what I wanted, but can't get it to stretch over the entire header section so I have some blue - but hey, who's counting? LOL, *I* did it!!! Since I wasted an entire day trying to figure it out, I didn't get to stamp, but definitely plan on it today!

Now I'm going to go out into left field here. My oldest child turned 16 yesterday. Phew! It has really made me reflective - it seems like just yesterday that we were holding him in our arms. He's anxious to drive - we couldn't get him into drivers' ed over the summer because of the move - he starts classes this weekend. His dad took him out once in a while before he left, and now I've been doing it. We went out yesterday afternoon for a lesson. When S gets home we'll be buying both of them "new" trucks - NOT new, but new to them! G was "chomping at the bit" to put in job applications and completed and turned in one yesterday, and has 3 more he is working on. I think it will be good for him. He hates it here. He has no friends, he says he's a "loner" and is having some issues with me and his father because we "chose" to come here. It's bound to get better soon - I pray that basketball season gets here soon, and that he makes the team. I think it would definitely be the end of our world if he didn't.

I guess I can't stamp if I'm typing, so I'm outta here for now, back later!

Creative Clutter

Does anyone know how to add a picture to a header in Blogger? LOL, so by asking this question I am assuming that I am possibly getting some hits by other creative bloggers out there.... I want to add this picture to my header and although I have figured out how to do quite a few other things on here this probably simple task eludes me!

"Lovin' Them Notecards!"

While watching movies with C last night after our run to Michael's and Golden Spoon for yogurt - YUM! - I came up with these notecards. I am so hooked on these things I literally sat with all of my patterned paper last night figuring out what combinations I am going to use as I make more. These are going to be a gift to my sister-in-law for her upcoming birthday. I made a total of 12 - three each of the four designs, all with matching envelopes.

All Products Stampin' Up!

Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Bodacious Bouquets

Paper: Whisper White, So Saffron, Friends & Family Simply Scrappin Kit (hostess)

Ink: So Saffron Classic

To make the dots - I used an old stump (the ones for gamsol)

I have some other projects in the works on my desk but have to go pick up my soon to be 16 year old (tomorrow!) - he spent with weekend with friends - and will be back later!

I hope you have all enjoyed your holiday weekend!

Land of the Big PX

I think I have said about a million times, and I'm sure you'll hear me say it again - "I love being back in the states!" *Grin* - In all honesty, I really miss Okinawa - we absolutely loved it there and had the situation been any different, we would have stayed given the chance. But the crafy side of me couldn't wait to get back here to the "Land of the Big PX!"


My daughter and I were trying to figure out something to do this afternoon/evening that didn't cost a lot of money. LOL, I know - let's go to Michael's! She couldn't get out the door fast enough - a girl after my heart! They didn't have what I went there for - a scalloped punch - but I can *never* leave there empty-handed.

All of the above ribbons were on the $1.00 clearance rack - meaning no one else wanted them but I can always figure out a way to use them! LOL, C and I were quite a sight - "I can use the orange and green one for Halloween, and I already know what I'm going to do with the green and pink argyle." And "Mom, the blue and green dots would look cute with the colors you were working on last night." We're home for the evening - she's going to work on her poster she's coloring, I'm going to stamp, and we're going to watch movies. A great way to spend the evening with your daughter, eh?

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A Different Take on the Monogram

OK, as seen in the post below, the original inspiration card is in the middle. The one on the right was the first one I did, but I wanted to try it again with the other striped pattern from Dots & Dashes Designer Paper. Of course, I *love* the one on the left - looks more sophisticated to me. My daughter and her friend who is here spending the night both think the one on the right with the polka dots is better. What do you think?

Monogram Magic

Once again - inspiration that has been sitting around the house and I'm finally getting to it! The smaller card with the monogram "i" was sent to my daughter by her good friend Isabelle months ago for her birthday. As she was cleaning out her room, I grabbed it and stashed it in my office. LOL, when I was cleaning *my* room I ran across it again. Go figure!

I have the house to myself today - except for Lucky, who is asleep on my office couch - and decided to finally work on this. I may still work on putting some Crystal Effects on the monogram on the "T" - I do like how the other one is so shiny. I did pop the monogram off the card with a dimensional though. Here's what I used:

Stamp Sets: Bodacious Bouquet; Riveting; Simple Type Alphabet, all by Stampin' Up!
Inks: Craft White and Classic Gable Green, by Stampin' Up!
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Gable Green and Dots & Dashes Designer Paper, all by Stampin' Up!

I designed it so it would fit in SU!'s new small open end envelopes. I do think I am going to use the other striped paper in the Dots & Dashes paper - more blues and greens - for more of these. I have decided that I am going to actually make some Christmas gifts this year, and notecards will be at the top of the list!

Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone!

Fun Ribbon

I've had this incredible pink ribbon with brown dots since February or so, I just have never had a chance to play with it. I have it in a very pale yellow (Barely Banana) a light green (dangit - it's a perfect match for ret. Mint Melody), and light blue (Bashful Blue) all with brown dots (which are a perfect match to Chocolate Chip).


I put all my ribbon in a new holder sitting on my desk, so I've been staring at this stuff for about the past week or so. I've been thinking about what I wanted to do with it, and I *finally* got it out today and decided to play.

I'm realizing I definitely like my work better when I have had time to think about what I'm going to do - as in I have an idea in my head before I sit down and actually start working. This is another of those ones that I had pretty much figured out in my head.. I knew I wanted to use the Weathered background stamp, and I knew I wanted to use Riveting (hostess set). I had even decided which color combination I was going to use. The rest was on the fly, but at least I didn't just sit down with a bunch of stuff and not know what I was going to do. I am very happy with the end result!

I've seen others talk about carrying sketch pads and small notebooks with them and had never really thought about having one, but now I am beginning to see the possible advantage of that. Since I know I like my work after it's been thought out, if I have a notebook nearby that I can start making sketches and notes in as I think about it, I just might start liking the ends results more.

Unfortunately on the job hunt, I *still* have not heard anything. J from the agency said not to worry about it. She said this firm is notorious for dragging it's feet and not hearing anything is actually good, not bad. I had just hoped to hear something before the holiday weekend, but no such joy. The kids keep telling me not to beat myself up about it - easier said than done!