Color Chef Challenge #10

Kelly Jo posted her 10th Color Chef Challenge and I actually had to steal away time from my family to play along! Thankfully my husband supports this crazy addiction I have...

Her colors were White Daisy, Black and a punch of color in your choice. I still had "Lights, Camera, Action" on my desk...so I thought, 'pop of color...POPCORN!'.

Here's my card. I used Cranberry (red) as my color of choice since that's what color popcorn boxes come in and Liquid Applique to stand in as popcorn. I am so happy with how this card turned out. I think it would be really sweet to surprise your spouse with this card for a stay at home movie date night!

Aren't you hungry for some buttery popcorn right about now?

Thanks for stopping by!

Details: all CTMH

Paper: white daisy, black, cranberry cs

Ink: black, cranberry

Stamps: Lights, Camera, Action

Other: liquid applique, black bitty brads, foam squares

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge#9

This week's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge colors are lovely. They make me think of the beautiful pastoral toile I decorated the nursery in before Little d was born. Just don't ask me how I derived my card from that...

I picked out a stamp set that I've had for weeks and never even inked. For shame! I just couldn't think of a card to use it on, even though I had to have it...I know you all can relate to this particular anomaly us stampers have. {Must have, not sure where I will use it} I ended up with a card I thought would be appropriate for a graduate, especially one who is a drama student.

The little masks are popped up and bent for dimension. I also want to make a card with these colors using an old teapot set I have. Although who knows if I'll have the time...

Details: all CTMH
Paper: vanilla cream, black and garden green cs
Ink: black
Stamps: Lights, Camera, Action
Other: black bitty brads, garden green brads, garden green ribbon, foam squares

Survival of the fittest

I was taking a few minutes to blog surf and FB surf and generally just waste time today. PS Little m has caught Little d's 'allergies'. Anyway, during my surfing I realized I forgot to post a link to my brother's blog.

Now, he is not the most frequent poster, but he is rather funny, even in the written word. He is currently trying to grow grass from seed and documenting it on his blog like a scientific study. If I remember correctly he only created a blog to help me figure out how to do something on mine. Anyway, in THIS post he was talking about a lame bird he saw walking down the street and it reminded me of a story.

A few summers ago, I'm not even sure if Little d was born yet, my brother and I were out in my backyard. There was one of those huge garden spiders on our back fence. My brother caught a grasshopper and threw it into the web. The grasshopper struggled and fought, but it was stuck. Suddenly I had an attack of pity. I told my brother we had to let the grasshopper go and let it out of the web.

He laughed and said, "Survival of the fittest."

In complete seriousness I said, "But the grasshopper was fit, you through it into the web!" This completely cracked him up and together we set the grasshopper free.

Here's the part where I'm supposed to tie the story to some grander scheme of life, but I got nothing...

A couple of things going on...

or several hundred!

It seems I don't have much computer time this week. I still check my email every day. (Ok twelve times a day) Imagine my surprise when I received a comment congratulating me on being "In the spotlight" on Dawn McVey's last Raspberry Suite Challenge!! I was thrilled!! What a great honor! First being picked by Stacey for her Jewelry Challenge and now this...two honors in one week! I should run out and buy a lottery ticket...

You know if I weren't so busy with other things.

Like my workshop. I had that two night this week and I actually didn't create my projects until this week, so I was running a little behind. Plus my inlaws visited with my two neices on Monday, so I was cleaning house and entertaining for a bit. Plus Thursday Little d woke up with a sore throat, so I took her to the doctor--it's just a cold. {I should say normally I wouldn't have taken her in right away, but it was close to the weekend and she didn't have any other symptoms at the time so I wanted to make sure it wasn't like...I don't know...strep.} Plus last night I didn't go to sleep until 8am this morning. Yes I mean that literally. Poor stuffed up Little d started with fever during the night, and Little m thought we were having an all night party...I guess she didn't get the memo. So I ended up never going to sleep. D was working last night so Thank God that my mom was staying here to help out. She is my sanity.

So here I sit waiting to give Little d her dose of Zyrtec. You know now that's the only thing they recommend for kids with a cold. None of the good stuff. In fact the doc called what she has 'allergies'. Now I'm no doctor, far from it, but I didn't think you ran 101.8 with 'allergies.' {I heart Tylenol.} Of course when we went in she didn't have fever yet. I guess we'll see if Little m (or the rest of us) develop allergies in the next day or so.

Enough of that...I'm sure you all don't want to hear about snotty kids.

So I got to take a loooong 3 hour nap today courtesy of my husband which means I will probably be pulling the night shift. I hope Little d can sleep better tonight, hopefully that Zyrtec will help her breath. I hate not being able to do anything for her! Worst part of being a mom, hands down.

Wait, I'm not supposed to be talking about snotty kids.

My sis in law gave me a blog award and I haven't even had time to collect it. (Check out her pictures from our Houston trip, along with the explaination of why there were no pictures taken of Glenn Beck.) Anyway if things settle down around here, maybe I'll have time to catch up with my blog roll. Or post a political rant because, believe me, there is one brewing. Or maybe I'll just sleep some more...

My June CTMH Workshop

This month I wanted to use the Moon Doggie papers, and the only B&T available in bulk for consultants was the blue print and the surfboard print. Hmmm. Not my favorite out of the pack, but I am still pretty happy with how the LOs turned out. And I love the Woodcut Alphabet with these papers.

I am also trying to add more embellishments that are hand made (cheap) to my layouts.

I decided that I wanted to introduce the watercolor pencils this month, and found a stamp that could be colored in...hello Father's Day card.

And for my craft project I went super simple and made one of those lunch bag gift bags.

There are a lot of products involved in these projects so if you have any questions leave a comment and I'll answer you. Thanks for stopping by!

You know how...

when you're in a hurry to clear off the stove and you leave a skillet of scraped out sausage and gravy? And then you know how the next day you are in a hurry again and you put a cookie sheet over the skillet? Oh and then you only wash the giant stuff on certain days when the dishwasher is not completely full? And then you go away for the weekend and then you are too tired to do all the dishes?

And then you know how your mother in law is coming to visit so you go nuts cleaning the house, including the giant dishes that have been sitting by the sink...and you realize that skillet has been there hiding under a cookie sheet with dried on food for like a week? And you know how you finally get all the dried on mess scrubed off and you realize in that same amount of time you could have just cleaned it with soap instead of scrubbing it to put in the dishwasher?

No? Me either.

Home Sweet Home

Let's just say for starters I am not a big city sort of girl. And you know, Houston is BIG. Still, we, D, my brother, his wife and I, had a phenomenal time this weekend. The highlight was of course seeing Glenn Beck. I was like in the 12th row people. I totally could have thrown my panties at him...I mean not my panties, but like a really hot pair size extra small that I picked up at Victoria's Secret for the occasion.


We arrived in Houston at 3:30ish which, it turns out, is like rush hour downtown. Who knew? {Probably Houstonians.} D's brother gave him a TomTom-since he bought a new one-so we had fun with her. Oh and I should mention, my brother is a bonafide comedian. If he were one to be the center of attention, he would totally have a career as a stand up comic. I laughed so hard this whole weekend!


Finally we arrived at The Magnolia. Click on the link and take some of the virtual tours. The lobby is divine... Anyway. We handed over D's truck to the valet (yes I said valet, it's that kind of hotel) and settled in. Then we decided to get to the venue (Verizon Wireless Theater). We called for the truck to be brought around. And headed out. Not really having any idea where we would park. {Guess what? I'm claustrophobic.} Guess where parking for the Verizon Theater was? Underground. In a tomb...three...stories...down. Gulp.

Seriously. Everybody was all joking and laughing and I was all 'breathing' and 'ringing in the ears'. I am still a little traumatized by that experience. You know the frightening part? When we were about ten cars in (down) in a curved tunnel where you can't see more than one car in front of you and then...you see another line of cars coming in from another tunnel and you are both headed in the same direction. How the beep do you people in the big city do it? I gave this nervous little chuckle that meant I am not ready to die in a cavern of cement. Finally, finally we were parking. I didn't realize (fortunately) that we were three stories down until we climbed the three flights of stairs to open sky (sweet freedom). But alas it was all worth it!

Beck gave a hilarious (albeit frightening) view of society today. I laughed and clapped and gave standing ovations. It was awesome! I can't wait to read his new book "Common Sense". The sad truth is that we are, I believe, slowing (and in some cases not so slowly) sliding toward socialism. I think that we are just handing over one freedom after another until one day we will look up and not be free at all. One of Beck's points, and a very valid one I think, is that we must not be afraid to speak the truth out of fear of being labeled or called names. Later when D and I were talking back at the hotel he said "I feel like I need to do something." I completely agreed with him. I now feel the need to be proactive in stopping the craziness of spending and social giveaways. For example, I agree with Beck that no you do not have the right to own a home. You have a right to work to earn money to save and buy a home. So be forewarned I will likely be posting more political views in the future.

After the show, we made our way to the parking garage (tunnel o death) and I (courageously) braved the tomb and walked back to the truck. We went back to the hotel and ordered room service. Nice. Although my brother, H, would argue that his indigestion at 3am was decidedly not nice.

Saturday morning we woke early and had the breakfast buffet in the hotel restaurant and then we went up to the rooftop to take pictures of downtown. We even soaked our feet in the rooftop's postage stamp-sized pool. I laughed so much this weekend (even while panting and blacking out in the tunnel-o-death) that I could hardly catch my breath. I had a fabulous time with H and L. They are so much fun to hang out with. While waiting for our order (the second time--they screwed up the first) at Sonic back home, we even tentatively planned another roadtrip to Corpus. My only stipulation? Let's keep it at sea level--not below.

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #8

Dawn of My Favorite Things posted yet another yummy challenge. Here's the colors...

I needed to make a Happy Birthday card for my Memaw and her favorite color is PINK! So I first thought of that when I saw the colors. I was looking through an old (OCT 09) issue of Scrapbooking Etc. that I had and I loved the layout on the cover. I mentally wondered how to adapt this layout to a card.

First I decided I needed to corral the girls into some semblance of a landscape-style portrait. Ha, easier said than done. I did get some cool shots though...

And I did finally get a picture of both of them. I converted it to sepia and here's the card I ended up with...

Details: (CTMH except where noted)
Paper: Chocolate cs, Hollyhock cs, Colonial White cs, Notebook B&T, Kraft cs-not CTMH
Ink and Markers: Chocolate, Hollyhock
Stamps: Happy Birthday, Intrinsic Backgrounds, Happiness
Other: Stipple tool, Ticket punch (SU), Scallop punch (SU), twill ribbon, sanding block, sponge daubers, foam squares, Colonial White brads

And I am still working on a post about my wonderful evening with Glenn Beck (wink)!!

Oh and guess what?!?! I won Stacey's Jewelry Inspiration Challenge!! Can you believe it?? HERE's her post about it. Thank you again Stacey, I am so honored!!

Up

Today we took Little d to her first ever movie. (at the theater) She has been so excited! For days she's been wanting to know if it was Thursday yet. We decided on the movie Up. Pixar makes such cute movies.

One of the first things Little d said when she found out we were going to the movies was "can I get some popcorn?"

I was a little nervous. Theaters are so loud these days. (I sound old, right?) Plus with her motion sickness I didn't know if she would be effected by the large screen. She has gotten sick feeling while swinging and while riding in the red wagon so it's not really a stretch... Anyway, we got to the theater and it was so fun. Watching her total excitement as I let her pick her own box of candy (whoppers) and then feeling her death grip on my hand as we entered the theater with the huge screen. Her wide eyes as the lights dimmed and her constant questions. 'When is it gonna start?' Her little body too small to hold the seat from folding up occasionally.

It was a cute movie. A little slow moving in some places for her,but overall she enjoyed it. And she definitely loved the experience. And the box of Whoppers. Yes, she ate the whole thing. Yes of course I let her...that's all part of the experience. Don't you all have memories of what your favorite candy was when you went to the movies as a child? For me it was SweetTarts. Ate them until my tongue was burnt.

I look forward to taking her to another movie sometime. And maybe next time the person behind me won't sneeze directly on me. Yeah that was part of the experience too.

T minus 1 day until we go see Glenn Beck!!!

Some Father's Day Cards

I was busy yesterday...goofing off! Here's what I decided to get accomplished...four father's day cards.

This one is for my dad. When I saw this sentiment on the B&T from "It's a Guy Thing" I knew it was perfect for my dad. He's definitely a big believer in being genuine. And even though his favorite color is blue, I added a pop of red.

This card is for D's dad. It took me the longest to make. I stamped the wood grain from a background stamp and cut each plank, inked the edges and then added the nails. After stamping the tag in desert sand I used clear embossing powder. Here's a detail of it, not sure this helps show the EP but...

Next, Poppy's card. If you remember me mentioning that he has this snoring habit...well when I saw this on that same B&T I had to use it! I hope it gives him a little chuckle.Here's the last one for D's grandpa. I really love the look of torn and folded back paper. I really don't love how I did it. If any of you have any secrets on how to do it feel free to let me know. I'd love to master that little trick! I watercolored the image and now I am seriously thinking about buying some watercolor paper to try it on. Here's a funny little story:

On that last card I wanted to finish with the eyelets while Little m was sleeping, so I took my stuff downstairs and all the way into the laundry room on the floor. I had no idea how well the linoleum would dampen the noise, nor did I realize how well it would work for a hammering surface. As you can tell on the eyelet closest to the deer, I lambasted it almost through the paper! (Lambasted is a fun word). Anyway...I'll just pretend it was meant to be like a bullet hole or something...

T minus 2 days until we go see Glenn Beck.

Details: all CTMH

Paper: Colonial White cs, Cranberry cs, White Daisy cs, Textured Chocolate cs, Bamboo cs, and It's A Guy Thing B&T. (Also a small scrap of bark looking paper I have no idea where I got...)

Stamps: Say It In Style, Hunting, Weathered Backgrounds-ret'd, Antique Tags, and Tiny Typewriter Alphabet

Ink: Desert Sand, Grey Wool Marker (for nails) Watercolors

Other: Antique Copper brads, twine, twill ribbon, eyelets (not CTMH) foam squares.

I don't have words for a title to this post.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,522659,00.html

I am just speechless over this story. Ok. No I'm not. I am overwhelmingly appalled that Politically Correct in this country has gone so far that the American flag is offensive! I mean give me a freakin' break people. If our flag offends you move the hell out of this country!!

Whew. Had to get that off my chest. And thank goodness she was allowed to put her flag back up.

Mooooo

Here's what my FB status update says...

"we're moving cows to the land today. i guess that makes me a farmer. or is it rancher? whatev...as long as the taxes go down!!"

So true. We are trying to keep an ag exemption and we've landed on 'putting cows out there' after passing Go, and Baltic Ave, and a host of other options. Anyway. It should be fun to go out and check on the cows and stuff. {I sound like a rancher don't I?} We may have to feed 'em some cubes. {I have no idea what that means...} Hooock spit.

T minus 3 days until we go see Glenn Beck!

What's Black and White...

and turquoise and dark pink and orange? This weeks JCI#39!!

When Stacey posted her Jewelry Inspiration Color Challenge this week I got so inspired to think out of the box. At least, out of my box! I loved the colors, but when I saw the piece of jewelry I thought 'zebra'. Do you see the beadswith the 'zebra stripes'?

So I thought I'd try my hand at drawing stripes. I googled zebra stripes to get some ideas of how real zebras look...I'm ridiculous that way...and freehanded some stripes on black cardstock. I then cut them out and stuck 'em onto glossy white cardstock, (even though it doesn't show in the picture), it gives a great effect in person. Then I just played around until I was satisfied with the rest. I didn't want to cover the stripes too much since I was really thrilled with how they turned out.

And that snazzy teal ribbon is some I picked up at a garage sale and sadly I am starting to run out. I have to start rationing. Do you do that with favorite supplies? When they are running low and you can't get any more? You know, save them for projects that are worthy of them? No? Just crazy me I guess... Anyway here's the card!

Here's the details:

Paper: black cs, glossy white cs, hollyhock cs, white daisy cs, (CTMH) orange (DCWV)

Stamps: Life's A Jungle (CTMH)

Ink: black (CTMH)

Other: ribbon (garage sale) and foam squares.

Almost forgot to add: T minus 4 days until we go see Glenn Beck in Houston!!

Two cavities and a haircut.

I love my dentist. She is the sweetest, prettiest, funniest dentist you will ever meet. She and her assistant crack me up every time I'm in there. That being said; I don't like visiting her so often.


I went in for my cleaning last week and guess what? Two cavities. I floss every night. I brush twice a day. More if I'm going somewhere. I don't sip on soda all day. I don't have acid reflux. I'm not bulimic. But my teeth are just lousy with cavities. Well not the front teeth. I have so many fillings, just for fun I'm going to ask her how many I have next time I'm in.

They keep wanting to put me on fluoride, but for the last five years I have mostly been (a) pregnant (b) breastfeeding or (c) trying to get pregnant. No fluoride during that thank you very much.


The other day when D and I went grocery shopping I threw some floss in the cart and said "how about I throw some money down the toilet..." because obviously it's not working too bueno.


Enough of that...how about some fun news? I finally got a haircut. I walked in and said "I have no idea what I want, but I am over bangs!" E said "What about a little shorter in the back and then angled down in the front?"

"Let's do it!"

Here's a before shot. Remember this horrid picture.



And here's the after(s). Pay no attention to the fact that I have no makeup on. This was taken the morning I got home from the hairdresser after spending the previous night in the ER with D. Yeah we'll go with that excuse for my bad skin...



What do ya think? I am a little in love with this haircut.


PS T minus 5 days until we go to Houston to see Glenn Beck!!

Creative Process

Lately I've become a slave to online challenges. They are so fun to do and share. But I was working on a particular one and realized that I was completely unmotivated to make the card. It wasn't so much that the colors were totally not me, it was that I was tired of using someone elses idea to create. I hope that doesn't sound ugly. I just mean I wanted to go through my supplies and look for something to strike me creatively, not gather supplies based on restrictions and try to bend them into something I think is post-worthy.


That also doesn't mean that I don't like challenges, it simply means that I needed to do something other than challenges! So here's what I did. I decided to look through some old paper and found this stack. I loved these papers. I am surprised there were any left. They have a vintage wallpaper feel to me and I adore that.


This is how I used to create in the 'old days' before I became a Close to My Heart consultant. I would look through some patterned paper and find something I liked and then go from there. So with this paper I wanted to try something that was reminiscent of a quilt. When D saw the work in progress he said 'cool that looks like material' meaning fabric.


Anyway, here's the card I ended up. I didn't feel drained and just satisfied, I actually was overjoyed with the results. Okay and you want to know what's really funny. This card actually qualifies for Katie's challenge to use something yellow or sunny. And I can totally relate to her love of summer. I feel like winter brings me down and as soon as the days get longer I start getting happier and happier!!

BTW I used the cracked glass techique again and this time I used Desert Sand over it to age it. I had stamped the image in black and used watercolor pencils to color it. It is a really fun--like those books from when you're little that have the paint on paper and you simply go over it with water on a paint brush to color it in.

Details:

Paper: sorry can't find the name :(

Stamps: Thank You (CTMH) Romantic Backgrounds (CTMH-ret) lamp (Wild Frog Creations)

Ink: Desert Sand (CTMH) Black (Staz-On)

Other: Liquid Glass (CTMH) foam squares, watercolor pencils (CTMH)