Hello!

I just wanted to update everyone.  I have been in Kentucky since the beginning of February.  I am working part-time at the school that my children attend and was offered a full-time teaching position there beginning the 2012-2013 school year with the stipulation that I attend AMI Montessori training (in Cleveland, OH) during the 2011-2012 school year.

Our house that we are building is DONE and we close THIS FRIDAY!!!  I will try to share a few more pictures in the near future (once the sod is put in - it has been rainy, rainy, and some more rainy - with tornado warnings mixed in - over the last several weeks, so they can't grade the lot and put the sod down) when the house really looks pretty.  The picture above is of one of my favorite parts of the house - my tub.  The picture was taken back on the 4th of March when the drywall wasn't even up yet.  You will be amazed at how quickly they built the house, and I am so happy with how it looks!!!  :)  The picture below is one of the house in progress from across the pond (which is the view out the front of the house). 

I really hope to do some stamping sometime after school lets out in May and I'm able to get most of the house unpacked.

My husband has been off at training in two different states since February, we've seen him for about 10 days since he left then, and he will deploy as soon as he finishes up there sometime (we think - weather dependent) in May for 6-9 months.  I've done everything in relation to the house by myself, and now get to move us all the way across town into it by myself.  So, can you tell that things are a bit crazy?!?!  This isn't even everything that has happened - I didn't even tell you that I had some of my husband's family here to visit and they stayed in our tiny 2-bedroom (the third is completely filled with storage) house that is meant for a couple with no children!!!  Or maybe I did just tell you, but there has still been so much more that has been going on ;)

Some ways I am grateful for having moved to Kentucky are that my three children LOVE their school, I'm close to family, I get to live in my hometown - a place I love and am comfortable.  I just am not the type to ask for help, so I know it's partly my fault if I am super-stressed.

Life is hard, but it is good.  I thank each of you that follows my blog - it means a lot to know that some of you care enough to want to know when I get back to blogging.  I will also try to be a better blog-visitor myself once school is out.

Take care!!!!  :)

More Friends....

This is the second card that I told you about in THIS post.  It's for the other gal that I wanted to leave a note with when I leave her behind after we move.  I am truly grateful for the friends that I have and hope that we will be able to see each other again some day!

This will be my last post for a while.  We are currently in the process of loading our trailer of our household goods to move to Kentucky.  When I'm settled in there I will try to post again!

 
Stamps: Friends Never Fade
Inks: Daffodil Delight and Cajun Craze classic ink
Papers: Pear Pizzazz, Cajun Craze and Whisper White Card Stock
Accessories: Pear Pizzaz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Jewels - Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

A Great Teacher

My eldest daughter had a fabulous teacher last year in the 1st grade, and then my middle daughter has the same teacher this year for the 1st grade as well.  We will miss her terribly, and as a small token of our appreciation I got her a Willow Tree figurine that's for teachers and made this CAS card to go with the gift.  It's always such a gift to have a good teacher!  Short on time, so no recipe - sorry!  I'll try to fix it later when I'm settled in.

Friends...

I made this card and one you'll see in a few days that has just a small color variation for two of my dear friends here in Dover.  Shelly, to answer your question, I'm moving to my hometown - Lexington, KY.  As most of you all are aware I am leaving Dover for there on January 31st, and while I hate goodbyes I am grateful to be able to say them.  It would be sad to leave somewhere and not have those special friends in your life that you have to say goodbye to.  Some people look at us military folk and say (to my face - literally, I've had someone say this), "you're ONLY going to be here for four years?  That's not long enough to bother getting to know you."  Seriously.  How sad.  While it's no fun to have to say goodbye to friends, those years, months, or even DAYS that you got to know someone and become a part of each other's lives is worth the pain of a goodbye to me.  So....this card is for my friend Jen, and I'll show you Debbie's in a few days ;)  This card is based off of THIS card I showed you previously.  Have a great week!

Stamps: Friends Never Fade
Inks: Daffodil Delight and Concord Crush classic ink
Papers: Pear Pizzazz, Concord Crush and Whisper White Card Stock
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Jewels - Basic Pearls, Stampin' Dimensionals

Last of my SIM Cards

This final card from my last round of SIM is also a CASE from the Idea Book & Catalog.  You can find the original card on page 98.  It was a fun one to CASE because it got my customers coloring the image using their markers, and there's just something about coloring that even a grown woman (or man) can enjoy like a kid!  I think it's kind of magical to see the stamped image after you've done all that hard work coloring and not letting the markers bleed, and huffing before finally pressing it down on the card stock.  Almost like a surprise - seeing how your coloring turned out.  It was a pain folding that Daffodil Delight DSP though - I couldn't get it straight for anything, and don't like that it's not more parallel to the layer of Real Red CS.  Oh well, my OCD will have to just be quiet!!! ;)

Anyway, enjoy, and have a great weekend!  My final 3 cards (everything stamping-related is packed up and ready for our move now, so it will again be a while before I can post - FOLLOW ME so that you'll get updates without having to constantly check in!!) will be posted next week.  Have a GREAT weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by!  I appreciate your visits and your comments so much!  If you have any questions about what I used to make the card simply leave me a comment and I'll get back with you.

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Just Believe
Inks: Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Real Red and Pear Pizazz Stampin' Write Marker, Pumpkin Pie classic ink
Papers: Pear Pizzazz Textured CS, Real Red and Whisper White CS, Greenhouse Gala DSP
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, 2-1/2" Circle Punch

Another favorite

This card is an Idea Book & Catalog CASE as well (see my last post for another). You can find the cute little giraffe inspiration card on page 94 of the IB&C.  I really love the use of vellum as an overlay on top of Designer Series Paper to create a more subtle, soft look. What do you think? I hope you're having a great week!!! Questions about the items used, just leave me a comment!!

Stamps: Friends Never Fade, Tiny Tags
Inks: Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Markers, Early Espresso classic ink
Papers: Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight, and Whisper White CS, Greenhouse Gala DSP, Card Stock Vellum
Accessories: Jewelry Tag Medium punch, Scallop Edge punch, white thread, Stampin Dimensionals, mini glue dots

Catalog CASE

The card below is a CASE of the one found on page 98 of the Idea Book & Catalog.  I LOVE this card.  I have always enjoyed pocket cards, and especially ones where the pocket is vellum.  Adding in some sewing and it's just perfect!  Eventually I will get around to the cards I made last week, that are a play off of this card.  Anyway, enjoy, and again, sorry for no recipe but if you leave a comment with a question I will get back with you ASAP!  Have a lovely weekend!!

Stamps: Friends Never Fade
Inks: Baja Breeze and Cajun Craze classic ink
Papers: Pear Pizzazz, Cajun Craze and Whisper White CS, Card Stock Vellum
Accessories: Pear Pizzazz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon, Jewels - Basic Pearls, Janome Sew Mini, Stampin Dimensionals, 1-1/4" Circle Punch

Wow - Pigs are Flying!!!

I can't promise that I will post anything even remotely resembling regularly, but here is one post of several I hope to get done over the next couple of weeks.

An update on us, first.  We are packing up our house (family of 5, 2 cats, a dog and a VERY filled garage (tools, bikes, camping gear, etc.)) to move to Kentucky on February 1st.  My husband will be going to 3-4 months of training in Georgia and Mississippi followed by a 6 month (perhaps longer) deployment to Afghanistan.  I thought with him gone nearly a year it is a good time to take advantage of being able to move "home", where there are no Air Force bases and we have very little hope of ever living there while he is Active Duty in the Air Force.  Anyway....since we are choosing to move, the move is on us, so all I have been doing is packing and trying to clean a little in-between.  I'm also trying to be a good mom for once and give my kids some fun memories with friends so we've started making a point of having them over to play and spend the night.  Five kids running around hasn't been too helpful on the packing front, but I want my kids to remember the fun times.

I actually stamped yesterday because I pulled out some CS for the girls to make cards with their friends - it was a miracle!!!  I made 3 cards.  One for a beloved teacher we will be leaving behind, and 2 for my dear friends that I will also be leaving.  The two friend's cards are based on one I did for my last round of SIM (Stamps in the Mail) and so I will begin there with sharing with you one of the cards I made for SIM.  I apologize, but no recipes. If you have any questions, just leave a comment and I'll answer them.  If I get a chance, I will try to add the recipe later.  In looking at the photo - should have scooted that button and sentiment over to the right a little.  Oh well.  I made this card back in October.  :)  Have a GREAT day, and thanks for stopping by - if anyone even still checks in!

Stamps: Friends Never Fade
Inks: Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Daffodil Delight and Real Red Stampin' Write Markers, Basic Black classic ink
Papers: Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Real Red and Whisper White CS, Subtles (Baja Breeze) Designer Series Paper Stack
Accessories: Real Red Designer Button, Whisper White 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals, mini glue dots

SIM #4

This is the last of my 4 scheduled posts.  I can't even guess at this moment with all that I have going on the next couple of weeks if I will have gotten some time to stamp between now and when this posts actually is published.  I hope so!  I guess you'll have to tune in on Tuesday to find out ;)  I post on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.  Sometimes all three days, sometimes only one or two, but those are the days I publish posts.  It's fun to see that some of you are taking advantage of "following" me so that you don't have to guess as to whether I've posted or not.  You get a pretty little e-mail with my post every time I post :)

The card below is a CASE of Ilina Crouse.  Her card is HERE.  I changed the colors up a bit because I can't ever just totally copy someone else's card.  I'm curious how all of you are about that?  Can you just copy everything, or do you have to tweak even just one little thing to make it more your own?

Well, have a great weekend and hopefully I'll "see" you soon!!

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Funky Four and Just Believe
Ink:  So Saffron, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Real Red Stampin' Write markers, Chocolate Chip classic ink
Paper:  So Saffron, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Real Red CS, Play Date DSP
Accessories:  Old Olive brads (Brights assortment), Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border (say that three times really fast!  LOL) punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, clear-mount blocks

Another One...

This card is another case of myself.  Here is the card that I cased.  I REALLY like this color combo and the use of the Rhinestone Brads.  What do you think?

I should be back from Kentucky now, maybe we have a house lined up - I sure hope we do.  When I get back to posting and it's not scheduled in advance, I'll let you know.  I'm sitting here writing this a week ago.  :)

Have a lovely day!

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Funky Four, Just Believe
Ink:  Old Olive classic ink
Paper:  Old Olive, Crumb Cake and Whisper White CS
Accessories:  3/8" Crumb Cake Taffeta ribbon, Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads (in green), Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, clear-mount blocks, Stampin' Dimensionals, mini glue dots

CASE'ing Myself

I CASE'd this card I made that won Shelli's Creative Challenge back in August to use in my Stamps-in-the-Mail (SIM) program.  I hope that they like it.  The change in colors was to go along with the Play Date Designer Series Paper color scheme that we used for this SIM kit.

I am still in Kentucky but hope you're having a great day wherever you are!! :)  Thanks in advance for your comments!!!

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Funky Four, Just Believe
Ink:  Old Olive, Real Red, So Saffron and Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Write Markers, Chocolate Chip classic ink
Paper:  Real Red, Crumb Cake and Whisper White CS
Accessories:  3/8" Old Olive Taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearls Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, mini glue dots, clear-mount blocks, 1/4" Circle Punch (retired)

CASE'ing Jen

When I saw this card by Jen Timko, I just knew that I had to CASE it.  I changed the colors up a bit, added some of the FABULOUS new glimmer brads, and tried out something I've never done before - put a lighter CS behind a darker one, as a mat.  To be totally honest, I don't think I like the light behind the dark that much, but it was fun to try something different.  I hope you like my card, and if you check hers out you can see where the sketch came from (Stamping 411) and all of that.  Leave her some love - I am sure she appreciates your kind comments as much as I do :)

As for me - this post, and the next three, are all scheduled while I am out of state house-hunting.  My stamping has been sparse, and it doesn't look to get much better.  I will do my best though, and at least you've got 3 more posts coming!! :)

Have a great day!

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Funky Four, Just Believe
Ink:  Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive Stampin' Write markers, Black StazOn
Paper:  Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, Real Red and Whisper White CS, Play Date DSP
Accessories:  Real Red and Tempting Turquoise Glimmer Brads (Brights assortment), 3/8" Real Red Taffeta ribbon, Old Olive Designer Button (Brights assortment), Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, clear-mount blocks, Stampin' Dimensionals, white thread

Woo hoo - sounds like fun!!!

Canadian? Click here for more information.

Dates: October 1-November 15, 2010

Stampin' Up!  invites YOU to participate in its first ever digital design contest using My Digital Studio and Stampin' Up!'s digital downloads! The My Digital Studio Design contest was created to recognize the amazing digital design skills of our talented, creative customers and demonstrators! The contest is open to all customers and demonstrators who have access to My Digital Studio in the US and Canada; five customers and five demonstrators will be selected to win.  To enter the contest you will need to design one digital card and two single-page layouts using ONLY My Digital Studio product and Stampin' Up downloads.  Submit all samples along with an official entry form and photo release form (if applicable) to MDSContest@stampinup.com.
Winners will receive free My Digital Studio digital downloads from Stampin' Up valued at approximately $400! You will also receive a digital pin for your personal blog.
Don't own My Digital Studio or want to purchase new Stampin' Up! digital downloads? Click here!
Our panel of judges can't wait to see your digital artistry on display, so submit your project today!
Ready, Set, Create!

1. Read the complete official rules.
2. Read the My Digital Studio Designing contest FAQ's.
3. Download an official entry form and photo release (if applicable).

As Clean and Simple as it Gets

For those of you that know me, you know that I really like Clean and Simple (CAS) stamping.  It is how I would describe my stamping style.  Well, these little 3x3's are about as clean and simple as CAS can get! :)  I really enjoy making single-layer cards.  It can be very challenging, and I think that if you haven't made any in a while (or ever) you should give it a try!  Have a lovely day!

All items used are SU!

Stamps: Silhouette Sentiments (hostess level 1), Curly Cute
Ink:  Daffodil Delight and Early Espresso classic ink
Paper:  Whisper White CS
Accessories:  Clear-Mount Blocks

Funky Mojo

I finally got a chance to use this week's Mojo Monday sketch, which you can check out HERE.  I had fun using one of my favorite new stamp sets, some fun new papers, and the Glimmer Brads that are in the Holiday Mini Catalog - which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!!!

I hope you are having a great weekend!!!

All items used are SU! unless noted

Stamps:  Funky Four and Apple Blossoms (level 2 hostess)
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Old Olive and So Saffron Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red and Whisper White CS, Play Date DSP
Accessories:  Glimmer Brads (Tempting Turquoise), Flower Brad (Tempting Turquoise - Brights Assortment) Designer Buttons (Real Red - Brights Assortment), Scallop Edge Border punch, So Saffron 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Janome Sew Mini, White Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals, Stamp-a-Ma-Jig

Long Story Short....

So, it's a rather long story, but I will condense it for you.  About a month ago, we were told that we would be moving next spring/summer, on schedule.  My husband was also told that he would have normal duty until then which consists of typically 2-3 weeks gone each month flying missions on the C-17.  Well, last week he was stopped by his Commander and was told that he is deploying to Afghanistan, will be flying a new jet, and it will all start to happen (training followed by the deployment) in February.  This sounds like a long time from now, but when he's gone at least half of the month each month, that leaves us with 2 months where we'll be together to get packed up and ready to move me and the kids to Kentucky for the nearly 16 months that we'll be separated.

I can't go into details about his deployment, nor do I probably even know them all (for security reasons), but suffice it to say it's not "as" safe as his last deployment. It also was a shock, plain and simple, that he got it.  Of course in the military we all know that deployments happen - that's a fact of military life.  BUT, when you're told you won't be going on one, and then your wife takes that to heart and gets comfortable, it's a shocker when she hears one day when you come home for lunch that you'll be leaving.

We are getting down to business though now, already, preparing to move a whole house.  I also have to wrap up my Master's classes for now.  Because I am seeking certification to teach, I have to have a mentor at a local school and moving will throw a kink in that and set me back a semester or two.  Not to mention that I now have to decide what to store, what to take, what to throw away, and what to give away in order to pack.  I thought I had until next spring!!!!!

Your kind words, thoughts, and prayers are appreciated.  It is what it is, and we will get through it like we always do. I can tell you that I have such a strong testimony of the purpose of families and the roles of parents, and being apart only strengthens it. I know that my Heavenly Father will not give us more than we can bear.  As part of Psalms 2:12 says, "Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."  I know that Peter will be safe, and we will make it through this difficult time.  We are doing all that we can together - trying to build some memories - as a family during the days/weeks that Peter is actually here in town before we move in February.  That will explain my sparse stamping.  Not to mention that the kids have school, soccer, I have my Master's classes, volunteer work, and we have all of our other normal obligations to meet that don't "care" if we're going to move in a few months.  Packing up a 4-bedroom house is going to be fun - or NOT!! ;)  Ha ha ha.

So....have a wonderful day and a fabulous weekend!

PS - thanks for "following" me!! I think the most fun about having some followers (in my sidebar) is that I can "see" who you are :)

Yellow...Really?

This card was extremely quick to make, and I was playing around with a new stamp set and punch.  I have realized that I am really enjoying Daffodil Delight, and I am totally not a yellow person.  I am more of a blues and greens gal.  Anyway, I love sentiment stamps too, and when I saw this one in the new Idea Book & Catalog back in July, I just had to have it.  The punch is the Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch.  Isn't it fun!?!?  The circle was pierced using my SU! Piercing Tool, Template and Pad.  It's so fun to make circles with it!

I hope that you are having a great day!!  Thank you so much for stopping by and for the kind words that many of you either posted or e-mailed me with after my last post.  The news is to come, shortly.

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Curly Cute
Ink:  Early Espresso
Paper:  Early Espresso, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight and Whisper White CS
Accessories:  Daffodil Delight 3/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Piercing Tool, Template and Pad, mini glue dots, Clear-Mount Blocks

FTL 107 and...

This will be a quick post because there are some big changes happening for my family in the next several months.  I am going to try really hard to keep posting several times a week, but soon I will share with you what is going on and I think you will understand why I may not be stamping as much as usual.  But, NO, it's not a baby.  It's actually not really "good" news, but it is what it is and we're making sure family hears from us first ;)  Have a great day!

This layout comes from the FTL 107 sketch.  Check it out!

All supplies used are SU!

Stamps:  Funky Four, Apple Blossoms (level 2 hostess)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron (colored part that ended up under the brad - oops!) and Old Olive Stampin' Write Markers
Paper:  Poppy Parade (doesn't coordinate with the DSP, but I wanted it a tad lighter than Real Red so that the card would be "lighter" in general), So Saffron, Old Olive and Whisper White CS, Play Date DSP (Designer Series Paper)
Accessories:  Paper Piercing Tool, Template and Pad, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Glimmer Brad (Real Red - Holiday Mini Catalog item), Clear-Mount Blocks

Simple Card Box

I saw a box like this as one of the items made at a past SU! Convention - not even sure which one, I can't remember.  I saved a photo that I nabbed on the internet of the directions for it, since I'm not even sure if I went to that particular Convention (or if I did, I didn't have my own photo) and made this fun box for my August SIM kits to hold the cards that we made using the Just Believe Stamp set.  It was easy to make, and I love using my Big Shot and the Top Note Bigz die is one of my absolute favorites!!  Enjoy!!

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope that you have a fabulous day!!

All items used are SU!

Stamps:  Just Believe
Ink:  Marina Mist classic ink
Paper:  Whisper White and Marina Mist CS
Accessories:  Big Shot, Top Note Bigz Die, Marina Mist 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Marina Mist brads (from Subtles assortment), Filigree Designer Brad, Clear-Mount Blocks

Sweets for a Sweet Girl

I made this card back in August and forgot to share it with you.  It uses the really fun stamp set from the Summer Mini Catalog called Sweet Scoops.  Unfortunately for the stamp set, it hadn't seen ink when I pulled it out for this card, but I know that my girls' friend, Savannah, deserves the sweetest blessings that life has to offer, and I thought she would think that this card was fun to receive for her 6th birthday.  The color combination was inspired by Shelli's (then current) Creative Challenge to use color combinations from the wonderful SU! Color Coach.  This color combination comes from the back of the Blushing Bride card, and includes Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz and Early Espresso.  Love it!

I hope that you are having a fabulous day, and I am thrilled that you stopped by to visit my blog.  Thank you so much for your sweet comments - I truly do appreciate each one of them!!!

PS - If you have a blog, make sure that when you comment you link to it (if it's not linked to your profile that you comment with) so that I can check yours out.  I enjoy returning the love!! :)

All supplies used are SU!

Stamps:  Sweet Scoops, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz and Whisper White CS
Ink:  Pear Pizzazz, Blushing Bride and Early Espresso classic ink
Accessories:  Dazzling Diamonds glitter, 2-way Glue Pen, Whisper White 3/8" Taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Sponges, Scallop Edge Border punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Clear-Mount Blocks