Our frustrating day

Let's hope tomorrow goes better than today!  We arrived at the Charlotte Red Cross office at 7 a.m. Friday  to meet up with the other 5 members of our team that we were deploying with.  Everyone had their airline confirmation info except Sonny and I!!  We finally received the info when we arrived at the airport.  We had a couple of hours before our flight so we all headed to get something to eat.  You know how it is when you have a group of people .... everyone can't agree on anything and no one wants to make a decision!  As it turned out, Sonny & I went in to a restaurant to have breakfast while the others headed to the Burger King at the airport.  I figured our next meal would be quite a while away and wanted to make sure I got some real food in my stomach.  Then we boarded the plane and there was a major discussion as to whether we switch our seats with each other so we were sitting with our spouses.  Come on .... it was only an hour flight!!  I was in Row 11 at the window and Sonny was behind me on an aisle.  I wasn't switching with anyone and wind up in a middle seat.  Plus our seats were Exit Rows ... double the reason not to switch!!  We ended up flying into Orlando; renting 3 cars and driving to Gainesville.  Sonny was the driver of one of the cars with me as his passenger.  Well, the other 2 cars pulled over on the turnpike/interstate a couple of times for the gal in charge of our team to complain that he wasn't putting his turn signal on when he changed lanes every time and they were having trouble keeping up with us plus she thought he was going to fast (earlier she had complained about the other driver going to fast so that guy dropped back behind us.)  We were going the speed limit but that was too fast for her!!  Two of the cars had GPS systems and we were only going a couple of hours down the road.  Why couldn't we all just meet up at the destination instead of having to piggy back with each other.  We stopped for lunch about half way and she told us we had to switch drivers.  She wanted me to drive our car and one of the other gals to drive the other car.  I told her I did not want to drive & Sonny was doing just fine.  Sonny was about to blow up!!   Anyway, we finally arrived at the Red Cross headquarters in Gainesville which is the staging area for all the shelters.  (We arrived there while the other two cars were lost and going in circles!  They finally called us to ask how to get there!)  As is the case most times with the Red Cross, it is a "hurry up and wait" situation.  They did not have accomodations for us for the night and claimed they didn't know we were coming which is not true since the other half of our team arrived yesterday.  Plus, we found out that there had been 11 shelters open in the area but they had closed all of them except 2!  Keep in mind that there are people coming in here from all over and we heard that there are 4 teams coming in this weekend from California!  The other part of our team who got here yesterday were sent to Lake City this afternoon but by the evening they were sent somewhere else because they were not needed in Lake City.  So, we found a local mall and walked around while they found a hotel for us nearby.  We are staying at the Days Inn tonight but who knows for tomorrow.  Sonny & I left the others at the mall while they were eating at yet another fast food restaurant.  (Keep in mind that we are given quite a bit of money from the Red Cross for our expenses so you don't have to do fast food.)  Anyway, after we checked in to the hotel, we found a local bar and grill in the university area and had a meal, a couple of adult beverages and chilled out!  It could be that we go back to the headquarters tomorrow and are told we are not needed and have to make arrangements to fly back to NC!  I have suggested to Sonny that if that is the case, we see if we are needed in Montana or Colorado and go there to help with the fires.  We're packed and have made arrangements for the next couple of weeks, so why not? 

Stay tuned for this evolving story!!  Thanks for letting me vent!

I'm Traveling .... Again!

My postings may be sporadic for the next couple of weeks.  Sonny and I are deploying Friday with the Red Cross to the flooded areas of Florida.  We will fly into Gainesville and I have no idea where we will go from there.  Since this is our first deployment, we really don't know what to expect.  And we don't know if we will be staying in a shelter or in a hotel .... my hope is for the hotel!!  One team from Charlotte left on Thursday and the second team, that Sonny & I are in, will leave on Friday.

Here is a link to our local news about our deployment.

Volunteers for local chapters of the American Red Cross always are needed to respond to natural disasters, near and far.  Residents must be 18 or older to volunteer and are required to complete some training. Volunteers who wish to be deployed also must get experience locally.   Whenever someone is displaced by natural disaster, most often a fire, the volunteers go in and meet with the people and  provide for their immediate relief as far as shelter, clothing and food.   We also try to link them with other community organizations for long-term help.

On another note, I took Mom to see the neurologist today.  He actually gave her a physical exam!  The reason this is so surprising is that the surgeon or the pain mgt. doctor never gave her an exam.  The most they did was feel her ankles and test her strength in the feet and legs.  Not once in all this time did they touch her back area where she was hurting when she was in their office.  I had gathered all her charts from the doctors but did not get the films (MRIs) from the hospital.  Of course, that is the one thing that he wanted!  He does not want to make a diagnosis without looking at the films.  So, Angela is going to get them and take them to him and Mom will return to see him next Thursday. 

Pinwheels

Newest MDS downloads

Every Tuesday, Stampin' Up releases new downloads for My Digital Studio.  These are the downloads from this week:

Afternoon Daytime Kit

Bon Voyage Photobook Template

Dahlias

Daydream Medallion Stampbrush Set

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Naturals Composition  Designer Template

Summer Love Designer Template

Sketch Challenge

I had a really lazy day today.  It's so nice once in a while.  We are planning a trip in August to the Outer Banks when Ashley comes to visit.  We want to stay a few days in the more touristy area and see the play, The Lost Colony in Roanoke.  Then take the ferry and stay a couple of nights in Okrakoke.  So, I've been comparing rates to get the best deal on motels and trying to make a decision.

I sure hope Sammie has 9 lives!  Today I was standing in the hall upstairs talking to Sonny and Sammie was trying to get my attention I guess.  She jumped up on the bannister railing and was trying to straddle it like she likes to do.  But this time, she was on the quilt that I have hanging on the railing and it started to slip.  Sammie kept clawing to try to catch herself and all I could do was watch in horror as she fell backwards.  She landed on her feet (I think!) on a table that I have in the foyer and then onto the floor.  She broke a little crystal do-dad that was on the table in a hundred pieces!  I think she is ok.  She's been pretty quiet since her fall.  I bet she doesn't jump up there any more!

We got a call this morning from the Red Cross that we could be deployed to the hurricane/tornado area in Florida.  As of now, we are on stand-by.  They think they may deploy two teams.  Since I need to take Mom to the doctor on Thursday, we are standing by for the second team - hoping it won't deploy until after Thursday.

The Stamping Queens Sketch is a fairly easy one this week involving tags.

I used My Digital Studio to make the card.  Elements used from MDS are:

Sunset Serenade DSP, Taffeta Trimmings ribbon,  Twitterpated buttons, Tea Time II tags, butterflies are from Flores Suaves, Live Your Dream and Touch of Nature and Scallop Punch.

Everything Eleanor

Another long day!  I left the house this morning at 9:30 and didn't return home until 6:30!  Luckily, Sonny grilled our dinner outside so I had a couple of glasses of wine and kept him company.  But it is so hot and humid here that it was not fun sitting outside tonight!  I played bridge today and had a pretty boring time.  I got a lot of really awful hands.  It it weren't for the fellowship with friends, I would have really been bummed.  After that, I picked up Mom for another doctor's appointment.  Marianne was working from home today so she met me at the doctor's office.  Mom was in really bad shape today.  She had a bad night and was in really bad pain all day.  When I got to her house, she asked me to get her the strongest pain meds that she had.  She has 3 different levels of hydrocodeine and has been taking the lowest dosage lately.  But today called for the "big dogs."  When I got her in to the doctor's office all she could do was cry.  It is heart breaking.  Dr. Allen is starting to believe that the cause of it all is her sciatica which I have been of the opinion from the start.  I have had debilitating sciatica pain twice and it is not something that I ever want to have again.  But I remember that the most pain I would have was trying to sit down or get up from a sitting position.  (It was hell trying to get on the toilet!) 

The common symptoms of sciatica include:

• Pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting
• Burning or tingling down the leg
• Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
• A constant pain on one side of the rear
• A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up

And these are all things Mom has been complaining about.  Dr. Allen said with the surgeries and the injections she has had, all the "mucking" around in her spine has caused it to be inflamed and if it is sciatica, it can't heal.  There's not a "fix" for it but she needs to get to the point that she can do some stretching exercises.  He gave her a prescription for a drug that is used to treat neuropathy to try and see if it will help.  On Thursday, I am taking her to see a neurologist in Huntersville.  After that, I am electing to find a good chiropractor to treat her.  That is who helped me both times I had my sciatica. 

OK - on to a couple of cards I created this weekend. 

I saw a card similar to this one on Pininterest and decided to CASE it.  I used one of the floral stamps from Everything Eleanor and Primrose Petals ink.  It's hard to tell but the card at the top is stamped with Pretty In Pink with a swirl stamp in the background.  The bottom card uses the swirl or flourish stamp but in Crumb Cake.  The saying on the bottom is from Heartfelt Creations. 

Hybrid Daring Adventure

It's Monday again.  This month has flown by!  We went to play Bingo Friday - Sonny, Mom, Angela, Marianne and I.  It was the fundraiser for Newcomers.  We raise money each year for our literacy program.  There was also items available for Silent Auction and at the end, there were prizes raffled off.  Marianne won a couple of meals at IHop; Angela won a calendar (made by me!); and I won a Pampered Chef package that contained a glass mixing bowl, pastry brush and a package to make Cucumber Mojitos!  It was a fun night and we were all glad Mom was able to come.  She was feeling pretty good all weekend until today.  I am taking her back to see Dr. Allen today.

I made a few cards this weekend.  This one is my favorite.  I just love the stamp set, Daring Adventure.  I wanted to use the "splat" stamp from Extreme Elements but unfortunately, I never bought that set.  That's when My Digital Studio came to my rescue.  I just printed the "splat" stamp in Summer Starfruit and Baja Blue on my cardstock and made the rest of the card with my stamps.  That's what is called a hybrid card.

June Club Cards

These are the cards we did this week in my clubs.  I really love the Greetings stamp set, From My Heart and used it on a couple of the cards.   The sayings are so good.


I think this is my favorite one.  i just love the color combo.

Supplies:
Paper:  Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Whisper White
Stamps:  Everything Eleanor, From My Heart
Ink:  Calypso Coral, Pool Party
Acces:  Itty Bitty Buttons, Itty Bitty Punches, Dimensionals

Supplies:
Paper:  Whisper White, (retired) In Color DSP Paper Stack,  Daffodil Delight
Ink:  Concord Grape, Pear Pizazz,
Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Words,  Pennant Parade
Access:  Pennant Punch, Itty Bitty Label Die, 3/4" Circle Punch, Itty Bitty Punch, Bakers Twine

Supplies:
Paper:  Summer Starfruit, Whisper White
Ink:  Midnight Muse, Versamark, Summer Starfruit, Gumball Green
Stamps:  Curly Cute, Papaya Collage
Access:  Jewels

Paper:  Rasperry Ripple, Gumball Green, Whisper White
Ink:  Gumball Green, Rasperry Ripple
Stamp:  From My Heart
Access:  Labels Framelits, Tulip Embossing Folder

Sammie

I am so sleepy I can barely hold my eyes open so this is going to be a quick one!  I created a card tonight using My Digital Studio for the weekly challenge on Late Night Stampers.  The challenge was to include an insect in your creation.  I actually think I have gotten rid of most of my buggy stamps but I can always count on MDS to find a stamp.  Think I included enough insects? 

 I also have to share this picture that Ashley sent me tonight.  My friend, Kenny brought Sammie a toy last month when she came to Stamp Club.  Sammy wasn't impressed with the toy and never played with it.  The blue plastic circle has holes in it for them to put their paws and there is a ball rolling around inside.  I knew the perfect place for the toy since Sammie didn't want it .... with Bogart!  So, I sent it to Ashley and she got it today.  Looks like I picked the right cat!  That should keep him busy for a while.

I got registered for CKC-Charlotte today.  Ashley is going to come down in August and go with me.  We are taking 2 classes on Friday (and doing a little shopping!) and 4 classes on Saturday.  Marianne is going to try to take 1/2 day off on Friday and go to one of the our Friday classes and all the ones on Saturday with us.  We booked a hotel room across the street from the Convention Center so it will be a fun girls weekend!

Stamping Queens Sketch + Blog Candy

Two posts today!  The other post I thought was scheduled for yesterday .... guess I picked the wrong date!  Makes sense since yesterday felt like two days to me.  In fact, I was talking to my friend, Margaret, earlier and told her today was Thursday.  She corrected me and told me no, it was Wednesday!

I took Mom to her regular doctor yesterday to see if we could get a grip on what was going on.  I think Mom thought he was going to "fix" her when he actually cannot do that.  He explained to us about what a crap shoot pinpointing the cause of pain on the spine when you have so much going on up and down.  She has arthritis, degenerative discs and stenosis.  When they did the surgery, they hoped they were hitting the source of her pain.  But, guess not all of it.  So, now we need to get the injection to the S-1 vertebrae and hope that helps.  He was going to call the pain mgt. doctor to see if he could fit mom in any earlier than July 16.  So, as usual, I am waiting for doctors to call!!  After the doctor left the room yesterday, Mom fell apart.  She is getting really depressed and giving up hope of ever feeling better.  She called Ashley last night and could barely talk to her, she was crying so hard.  It is really tough to see your mom like this.

I had my card class in the afternoon (I'll be sharing those cards tomorrow).  I did good this time - they finished 4 cards in 2 hours!!  I really tried hard not to let them be too intricate but still look pretty.  After class, Marianne and Judy and I went out to dinner at Pomodoro's in Mooresville.  It was really good and I have my lunch for tomorrow!!

Today is Stamping Queens Sketch Challenge and I did my card on MDS.

Look familiar?  I used the the elements from the digital kit, Sweet Shop - same as I have done on my blog background and banner.  The black frames are from the Candid Frames download.

We’d love to have you join us for the Stamping Queens Challenge this week!  Simply make a card using the basic bones of the sketch above, and then visit the stampin’ queens sketch challenge blog  to add your interpretation.  This week we are giving away BLOG CANDY - a 10-second bow maker.

Simply Sent Birthday Cards

How do you like my new blog header and background paper?  Just screams summer time!!  I made it using My Digital Studio .... so easy!

I am really getting frustrated with doctors!  When we took Mom back for her surgery check up last week, the surgeon did the MRI and said all was well with the incision area but it looked like their was narrowing at the S-1 vertebra area.  So, he recommended we go back to the Pain Mgmt doc for another injection.  We tried to call that doctor on Friday but their office was closed.  Today they called Mom and had her scheduled for JULY 16!!!  Please - another month???  This is unacceptable.  I feel like Mom is their dart board and they are just pitching darts hoping to hit the target eventually.  So, tomorrow I am taking her to her general doctor to see what his recommendations are.  I am getting really fed up with getting the run around.  You would think the surgeon would be trying to do everything he could since he didn't look at her first MRI for a week and then discovered the blood clot.  Sounds like a case for a lawsuit to me.

I have been trying to use up some of my retired items.  I had a Simply Sent card kit that I bought during Saleabration so thought I would dress them up a bit.  Plus, I needed a few birthday cards.  These three all went in the mail this week to friends.

Published!

 "Congratulations on having your art published in Catch Up Issue!  We are grateful you chose to share your creativity with us and that we have had the chance to showcase your work. We hope you are enjoying your time in the spotlight!  As a published artist, you will be mailed a complimentary issue of this publication.  Please allow until the 15^th of this month for the delivery of your magazine."

I received the above in an e-mail May 7 but as of yet I have not received my magazine.  So, I do not even know which card was featured in the magazine.  I sent several cards to Take Ten magazine at least 6 months ago or more.  I have had cards chosen to be published in these magazines before but it is real hit and miss whether they notify me or not.  Several times I have been leafing through the magazine only to come across one of my cards!  Surprise!!  So if any of you have the latest Catch Up issue from Stampington & Co., please check for me.

Speaking of magazines .....

I received my July Stampin' Success Magazine from my mailman a few days ago.  And, this month, guess what was included with our exclusive demo monthly magazine—the new Holiday Catalog!  EEEEEeeeee! 

I'm barely getting started with my Annual Catalog goodies and they're already tempting me with holiday stamping treats!  Whoop, whoop, whooooop...OVERLOAD!!!!!

Talk About Too Cool Stuff!  While I'm not able to share specific details quite yet, let me tell you that you will absolutely LOVE this new Holiday Catalog!  Stampin' Up! really pulled out all the stops this time!

It's a 40-page catalog, that's a full 8-1/2" x 11" size and it's jam-packed with tons of AWESOME new Christmas stamps, papers, accents, dies and some very uniquely, unexpected items!  You'll also find a nice selection of new Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Hanukkah items!  Truly something for everybody—cardmakers, scrapbookers, kids, casual stampers, digital designers, holiday party-throwers, and creative gift-givers!

You're Gonna Want Need Some Holiday Hostess Dollars!  I know you're gonna have a HUGE wishlist with this Holiday Catalog, but having a workshop or private class will help you earn Hostess Dollars to get more bang for your buck!   Contact me to get your event on the calendar on the date you want! 

Get Your FREE Holiday Catalog—If you've ordered from me in the past year, you'll automatically be getting a copy of the Holiday Catalog mailed to you in late-July.  If you'd like a FREE Holiday Catalog, simply place an order by e-mail or at my online store and I'll make sure you get one as soon as they are available.  You can also get a FREE catalog when you attend any of my stamping events. 

Holiday Catalog items will be available for purchase on August 1.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Fathers Day to all those great fathers out there!  I am lucky to have a great father living in my house.  He has been a great father to both of our children - daughter, Ashley and son, Jeffrey.  I was blessed to have two fathers in my life.  I grew up with my step-father, Lee Burke, who was a great father to all us kids.  I later got to know my birth father, Bill Edwards.  Unfortunately, neither of them are alive today.  But I know they still look down on me and watch over me and my kids.

Here are the two Father's Day cards I made this week.  The first one I made for my son who has 4 children that keep him busy.  I am sure he is a great father to all of them. I used The Open Sea for the card and the retired Nautical DSP.

 This is the card I made for Sonny.  I got up this morning and fixed him a good breakfast and had the card ready at his seat at the table.  I think we will be going out later on the boat now that I feel better.  Yesterday I had a bit of Vertigo.  I get that every so often but don't think I have been bothered by it in several years.  I took a pill which made me sleepy all day so I didn't get a lot accomplished yesterday!  Luckily, I remembered I had this "Old Guys Rule" DSP stashed away in time to use it for this card!  He has a tee like this that Ashley gave him so the card is only fitting!

Here's a sweet poem I saw on the internet and thought it was so appropriate for today.

THE LITTLE CHAP WHO FOLLOWS ME

 A careful man I ought to be,
A little fellow follows me,
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he'll go the self same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes,
Whate'er he sees me do, he tries;
Like me, he says, he's going to be,
The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine
The base in me he must not see,
The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go,
Through summer's fun and winter's snow,
In building for the years to be
The little chap who follows me!

More Fabric Projects

I have been working on getting my projects ready for Stamp Club next week.  Late in the afternoon, Sonny and I went out on the boat and enjoyed a nice dinner at one of the restaurants on the lake.  There are only 3-4 restaurants near us on the lake and it is always hard to find a place to dock the boat.  Each place only has 8-10 boat slips so it's always a guessing game whether we will find a spot or not where we want to eat.  Tonight we ended up with our second choice but it turned out ok.  I had a delicious Shrimp and Grits meal!!  Ashley called us while we were at the restaurant to tell us her latest news.  Not so good news as it turned out.  She broke her big toe doing Yoga Thursday night.  (I knew there was a reason I didn't like to exercise - it's dangerous!)  I thought when you broke your toes, there was nothing you could do except tape them together.  Well, not so with your big toe.  She is in a walking cast for a month!  Luckily, it is a removable cast so she can get in her pool to get relief from the Texas sun.  Poor baby - but I doubt this will slow her down too much.

Here are a few more projects using Stampin' Up's fabric:

Accessories for Memory Keeper


Memory Keeper



• Soft Suede polka dot grosgrain ribbon
• Linen thread
• 5/8" Jumbo brads
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Lattice Bigz die
• Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die
• 18" x 18" artist canvas
• Background fabric (2/3 yard)
• Push pins
• Thumbtacks

•  Instructions
• Adhere background fabric to canvas.
• Die cut lattice shapes from fabric using Big Shot and Lattice Bigz die. Adhere to fabric in rows.
• Adhere Soft Suede polka dot grosgrain ribbon to fabric in crisscross pattern. Attach 5/8" Jumbo brads where ribbon intersects. Adhere Soft Suede polka dot grosgrain ribbon around outside edges of canvas.
• Die cut six large and six small butterflies using Big Shot and Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die. Create double-sided butterflies by adhering butterflies together, resulting in three large and three small double-sided butterflies. Tie linen thread around the middle leaving two long ends for antennae. Attach butterflies to canvas using push pins.

***********************


Quilt Square

 Accessories for Quilt Block

• Sizzix Big Shot
• 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• Background fabric (two 10" x 10" squares)
• 10" x 10" square 100% cotton batting
• Ric-rac (6")
• Sewing machine and thread

 Instructions

1. Die cut four pieces of fabric using Big Shot and 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die. Round off hard edges.
2. Die cut two large scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die.
3. Die cut one small scallop circle using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die.
4. Insert cotton batting between two squares of background fabric and sew together using sewing machine and thread.
5. Sew four flower petals (from 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die) to square. Fold large scallop circle in half and adhere to bottom of flower petals.
6. Fold small scallop circle in half, then fold over part way to create one gather. Adhere to bottom of flower using sewing machine and thread.
7. Adhere ric-rac stem to square using sewing machine and thread.
8. Create leaf by cutting large scallop circle in half, then folding inner edge, and sewing each half on square.
9. Wash and dry to give shabby-chic look.

*********************
Here are pictures of a couple of other items made with SU's fabric.  I just don't have the instructions for them!

TABLE RUNNER

REALLY CUTE BAGS / PURSES!

Stampin' Up Fabric

Stampin' Up has really expanded their fabric selection in the new catalog. You don't have to be a seamstress--or even like to sew--to enjoy using Designer Fabric! The colors and patterns in the Designer Fabrics are designed to coordinate perfectly with Stampin' Up! inks, card stock, Designer Series Paper, and other accessories, and are perfect for adding a stylish touch to traditional paper projects. If you do enjoy sewing, however, the beauty and high quality of Designer Fabric, available in an extra-wide fat quarter (18" x 26"), makes it perfect for use in quilting, clothing, home décor, or any other project you can think of.

 Since SU has retired the wide ribbons, I think the fabric will work great for a wider ribbon.  Just tear or cut it into strips and you will have a widerfabric ribbon and it will also match the DSP!  Give it a try.  But there are also a lot of other things you can do with the beautiful fabric.  Check out the projects below and be creative!  My favorite is the last one - the onesie outfit.  Wish I knew someone who was having a baby girl!!!  

PONY TAIL HOLDER

1. Die cut 10 large scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Cut off eight of the scallops from each scallop circle. Gather together across the flat side about 1/4" from edge, gathering all ten circles on the same double-thread. Tie off.
2. Die cut 10 small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Gather the circles across three of the scallops on the same double-thread. Tie off.
3. To cover Corduroy button, die cut a small scallop circle, then cut off all scallops. Gather the fabric around the edge, place button in the middle, then gather up threads and tie off.
4. Attach ponytail elastic to back, then sew through all layers of fabric (including fabric around button), so fabric layers are connected to elastic.

Accessories

• Corduroy button
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• Fabric
• Needle and thread
• Ponytail elastic

 *************************

1. Die cut 10 large scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Cut off eight of the scallops from each scallop circle. Gather together across the flat side about 1/4" from edge, gathering all 10 circles on the same double-thread. Tie off.
2. Die cut eight small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Gather the circles across three of the scallops on the same double-thread. Tie off.



HEADBAND

3. Die cut four small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Fold circles in half, then in half again. Gather together across the bottom, gathering all four circles on the same double-thread. Tie off.
4. Layer scallop circles and sew together.
5. Attach Corduroy button through center.
6. Die cut small scallop circle using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Adhere to bottom of layered fabric pieces.
7. Cut two strips of fabric and adhere over headband to secure scallop circle flower to headband.

Accessories

• Corduroy button
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• Fabric
• Needle and thread
• Headband

 ***********************
 Instructions

ONSIE

1. Die cut 12 pennants using Big Shot and Pennant Bigz XL die. Gather and adhere to 1" elastic using sewing machine and thread.
2. Die cut seven small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die. Fold over five scallops and adhere to collar of onesie using sewing machine and thread.
3.  Die cut 10 small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die. Gather the circles across three of the scallops on the same double-thread. Tie off.
4. To create ribbon flowerette, tie a knot in the end of Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, then tie a new knot every three inches. Gather the ribbon in between each knot.
5. Adhere ribbon to flower, then sew entire piece to onesie.
6. Wash and dry to give shabby-chic look.

Accessories

• Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Pennant Bigz XL die
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• 1" wide elastic
• Sewing machine and thread
• Baby onesie
• Fabric

Fathers Day Card

Saturday my nephew, Harrison, graduated from Mooresville High School.  The next day he took his first airplane ride!  The family took a vacation to Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas and who knows from there!  I've been following their progress as they post on Facebook.  Isn't modern technology wonderful?!!  At his graduation party, there was more food than any of us could eat and this beautiful cake.  His friend, Sean's grandmother made the cake with both Sean & Harrison's names on it.  I think this friend is the only one who is allowed to call him Harry!  My mom told him that when he was born, Marianne told her she better not ever call him Harry .... his name was Harrison!  That's all any of us have ever called him so imagine our surprise to see Harry on the cake!  It was a yummy cake - one layer, strawberry and the bottom layer, chocolate.

Marianne and Harrison

I have a guest designer today, my sister Marianne.  She made this Father's Day card and asked me to mail it while she was gone.  Isn't it great?  She used the retired DSP, Mocha Morning and several punches.  She ran it through the Big Shot with the dotted embossing folder before adhering it to the front of the card.

Happy Father's Day

Sammie sure missed me while I was gone and has not let me forget it either!  She has certainly come out of myher shell in the past few months since I've had her.  She doesn't like to see me working without giving her attention and makes sure she lays right on the keyboard or the table where I am working for me to pet her.  Or her favorite thing is to bring me one of her many plastic drinking straws that she has scattered all over the house and play with her.  In the picture below, she is looking down at her straw - who will get it .... her or me?

Hanging out on my desk

Here is another place she likes to hang out!  It's pretty scary to me but doesn't seem to bother her.

hanging out on the bannister

Hanging out on my chair

Bright Blooms Sketch Challenge 43

It's time for the Wednesday Stamping Queens Sketch Challenge #43!  This week we had a great sketch to work with.  There are a lot of options for this sketch - make a pocket card, tuck a tag in .... etc. 

I have been working hard for a few days getting all my downloads on My Digital Studio up to date.  I printed out a list of ALL the downloads to date and have been highlighting the downloads that I have purchased.  Yesterday I went through the list and highlighted a bunch of downloads that I want to get in the future.  I ended up buying about $40 worth of new downloads yesterday so I just had to use one of them.  The flowers in the card below are from Tuesday's newest downloads.  You can see the newest downloads HERE.   Every Tuesday Stampin' Up releases new downloads.  You can view them all by clicking on the Digital tab above (in my blog title). 

I just love these flowers - called Bright Blooms.  They are pretty large and I just resized them (and copied and pasted them) onto the green scallop circle.

Items I used for the MDS card are:

Cardstock:  So Saffron, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade DSP, Flirtatious (yellow strip)
Punches:  Scallop Punch (filled with green); Scallop Trim Punch
Accessories:  Bright Blooms, Pearls
Stamp:  Best of Everything

I received some new SU goodies yesterday but I haven't had time to play with them.  We went out to dinner with friends last night.  We went to an Italian restaurant in Cornelius and had a yummy meal although I have enough Baked Ziti to serve a couple more nights!  Why do they give you so much?  Just lower the price and give me a normal amount of food!  When we got to the restaurant, Sonny & I noticed a new bar in the same area called Paddy's Pour House.  It had shamrocks on the sign so we assumed it was an Irish bar.  After dinner, we convinced our friends to go with us to check it out.  Well .... it will not make our Top Ten list!  I am sure we stuck out like a sore thumb - everyone in there was probably in their 20s, it was very loud, and didn't even have any of our Irish beverages on tap.  Too bad but we have seen a sign for a new Irish bar that will be opening in Mooresville soon and we are waiting to check it out.

I am going to be a travel agent on the side!  Our friends that we had dinner with are waiting for their passports to arrive.  They want to take a trip to Seattle and the Vancouver area and wanted our input.  They convinced me to plan it for them since we know about the area.  I don't know much about Vancouver but I suggested they spend a few days in Seattle, take the ferry to the San Juan Islands and stay at a bed and breakfast on one of the islands (something I wish we had done when we lived there) and then get on the ferry and head on over to Victoria.  Victoria was our favorite Canadian destination when we lived in Washington.  It is such a quaint little town.

Anchorage - MDS pages

Thought you might enjoy my MDS scrapbook pages from our visit in Anchorage.  We flew into and out of Anchorage.  If you click on the pages, you can view them and read the journaling.  I usually have a hard time with journaling on my scrapbook pages but I think that is because I usually wait too late and it is difficult to remember all the details.  I'm trying not to let that happen this time!

 

Telescoping Open Sea

I'm a little late with this card technique.  I think this was a featured technique on Splitcoast Stampers about six months ago.  I never made one of them but decided it was a good technique for this nautical card. It was a lot easier than I thought.   I made this card for my nephew for his birthday .... a little bit late, but hey, better late than never!

The colors I used are Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White along with a retired Nautical DSP.  I'm so glad this stamp set was included in the new SU catalog.  It is so great for male cards.  Here are the directions to make a telescoping card if you are so inclined.

We had a busy weekend.  Friday night we enjoyed dinner at Prickley Pear in Mooresville to celebrate our friend, Bob's birthday.  He and Sharon were visiting Marianne for the weekend for graduation.  Saturday we attended the Mooresville High School graduation ceremonies and watched my nephew, Harrison graduate.  Where have the years gone?  He will be going to Central Piedmont in the fall.  After the ceremony, Marianne had a party for him at mom's club house.  It was fun.  Today, Sonny and I went out on the boat.  It was my first time on the boat all season!

Derek, Harrison, me & Sonny

New SU Ink Pads are great!

The NEW Stampin' Up! Firm Foam Ink pads are great! They change your stamping experience for the better. Here's what they look like (plus check out a quick video by Shannon West from the Stampin' Up! home office - great information!)

I think you are going to love these new Stampin' Pads! Just look at all the exciting benefits listed below:


•Provide better ink coverage for your stamps!
•Light-tap stamping produces flawless images!
•Pad stays juicier for longer resulting in better ink pad longevity!

In addition, our new Stampin' Pads:

•Have a crisply printed, glossy label on the top of the pad that is easier to read and that will not fade or chip off!
•Come with color name labels in all four languages (English, Spanish, French, and German)-just choose your language, peel it off the back, and add it to the side of the pad for easy identification!
•Use the same patented flip-top case design that stores the inking surface upside down, so the pad surface stays moist!
•Are available in all colors, including our exclusive In Colors!

NOTE:  Five ink colors have undergone formula changes to improve functionality and color stability with the new firm foam pads. These colors are:

•Basic Black
•Basic Gray
•Marina Mist
•Perfect Plum
•Tempting Turquoise

All five colors of the reformulated inks have been fully tested and approved. While using the new ink formula in the old Stampin' Pads is fine, we do not recommend using the old ink formula in the new firm foam pads.

Additional features you will love:

•The firm foam is nice and flat and will not become wavy.
•The firm foam material does not imprint on the stamp images like the felt pad sometimes did. However, because the firm foam material is a foam base material, the stamp image can momentarily leave an imprint on the pad, which can transfer to a second stamped image. By inking your stamp on different areas of the pad or waiting momentarily for the ink to rise back to the top, you can easily avoid this situation.
•The firm foam material is soft and has a nice bounce to it. It’s not hard like the felt is.
•The ink lay-down (how the ink is absorbed into the card stock) is even, not blotchy, and dries quickly. It has an increased opacity and stamps solid images beautifully.

Here is Shannon's video:

Another Papaya Collage

Sorry for not posting yesterday - seems as I've picked up a bit of a cold since returning from our trip.  I think I sneezed my head off yesterday while I was going through a box of kleenex blowing my nose.  So, I'm staying close to home today and taking it easy.

I took my mom out to lunch yesterday just to get her up and out of the house.  (I tried to keep my distance so she wouldn't catch my cold but at the time, I thought it was just allergies.)  She did great - using her walker to go to the restaurant.  We just did a short outing - to a deli for lunch and back home.  But last night she called me in tears she was hurting so bad.  This is getting really frustrating.  Today she and Angela are getting their hair cut so we'll see how today goes.  I have a call in to her doctor to discuss the situation.  I hate being at the mercy of these doctors.

I finally picked my 2 free stamp sets (compliments of my SAB sales) Tuesday and put my order in for them.  I ordered Everything Eleanor and From My Heart.  Of course, I have a whole page of other stamps that I want on my Wish List but they will be there for another time.  I also ordered all the in color cardstock, Polka Dot DSP, Dahlia embellishments, Chevron embossing folder, Delicate Designs textured folder, and was able to get a new stamp set that will be offered for $5 in July for every $50 order, Reason to Smile.  Now I just have to be patient and wait for UPS to process my order and bring it to my doorstep.

In the meantime, I have been having fun playing with Papaya Collage, the new stamp set I got in the pre-order as well as the new In Colors.

I know a lot of people are on the fence about the new Summer Starfruit color.  I probably am too.  I love the color that it stamps.  This is the first time I have used it for a card and I love how it coordinates with the other colors.  I stamped the background with Versamark to add a little contrast to the color.  The frame is stamped with Midnight Muse and the leaves are stamped with Gumball Green.  So what do you think?

Queens Sketch Challenge 42

It's Wednesday, so that means it's time for another sketch challenge from the Stampin' Queens.  One of the things that I love about these sketch challenges, is how versatile the sketches are. Here is this weeks sketch:

I decided to do a card about traveling in honor of my recent Alaska trip.  I used the May 22 download, World Traveler to make this digital card.  I finally got it to download today by turning off my Norton security options.  It wasn't SU's fault - turns out, it was Norton that was blocking it and deleting it since it was a new and quite large download.   So, now can get started scrapbooking my pictues. 

The elements I used with this card are:

Baja Breeze cardstock
World Traveler Photobook Template
Epic Overlays stamp
Travel Log (elements)

Here are the first few pages of my scrapbook that I have done so far. 

Title Page