Up Up and Away

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My Mom is waving at the crowd!!

Yippee!!! Yep, that's me going up in a hot air balloon. In the balloon is me, my mom, my brother (the little boy is in front of him) and my sister in law. The other man is the "pilot"!!

Unfortunately, we didn't go very high. The balloon was tethered so we only went about 10-20 feet up. But it was pretty cool!!

We went to my uncle's 70th birthday party this afternoon. His daughter threw the party for him and had the hot air balloon there to take us all on rides. What a party! There were white coated servants passing out appetizers when we got there; our drinks were served in glasses with "John's 70th birthday bash" and a picture of the CAR his daughter bought him for his birthday (a 2008 Dodge Challenger!!) There was a jumpy house for the children out back along with a hay wagon to pick you up at the parking lot and bring you to the party. We had a buffet lunch (yummy macaroni and cheese!!) and a gorgeous cake - don't know how it tasted since I didn't try it. (I had already eaten pecan pie!!) Then after eating and balloon rides, some of the kids went horseback riding. Too hot for us to do that!

What was popular when you were born?

This is just for fun. I found this on another blog and couldn't resist copying it. Follow this link and see what song was popular when you were born!! Mine was ..... A Tree in the Meadow by Margaret Whiting. I never even heard of that song or of the artist!! But, a fun link anyway.

http://www.joshhosler.biz/NumberOneInHistory/SelectMonth.htm

Leave me a comment and let me know what your song was .... and if you are even familiar with it!!

Exhausted but had FUN!!

I am exhausted!! I have spent 2 days in Charlotte at the Creative Keepsakes Convention. My sister and I got there a little after 10 yesterday morning and shopped the vendors for a couple of hours ... only getting down 2 1/2 aisles (out of about 7 or 8 aisles!) We then grabbed a quick lunch and headed up to the Paper Crafts class where we were TA's for noon to 4 pm. As luck would have it, we were assigned to be TA's for the same class we had paid to take the next day - Pocket Cards. The instructor was Sue Neal - one of the creators of Paper Crafts Magazine which I have subscribed to for about 8 years so she was like a mini celebrity to me!! She was really sweet and thought Marianne and I were super duper TA's!! (although she didn't give us any freebies!! I was a TA last year for Quick Quotes and got a free class kit.) When our shift was over, we rushed back downstairs to the vendor area to browse the aisles a little longer. We decided to forego going back home and fixing dinner for our families and instead signed up for an evening chipboard class. Luckily, we ran into Marianne's neighbor who also signed up with us so we could borrow her supplies. (We didn't come prepared to take a class on Friday.) We made a really cute chipboard album (I'll be posting pictures a couple of days).

On Saturday, I got up at the crack of dawn (at least it felt like it to me - 7:30 am!!) and met Marianne and Robin and headed back to Charlotte. We wanted to try to get there when they opened the doors this time! We had a couple of hours to shop with the vendors (got a couple more aisles done and a make and take). Then, off to class .... since Marianne & I already knew how to make the Pocket Cards in our Paper Crafts class, we decided to just pick up our packets and make them at home. Robin and I took a great class from Quick Quotes but it was fast paced!! Made me a little nervous. Quick Quotes was definately all of our favorite vendor! They have some wonderful kits, canvas book set, vellum quotes, etc. If you are at all interested in any of their kits, believe me, you can't go wrong purchasing them. The instructions included are very easy to follow and tell you everything step-by-step. My sister ended up signing up for their monthly club which was a pretty good deal at the convention. She got lots of free stuff for signing up. Plus, she is a newbie to this paper craft world and this will get her hooked!!
Marianne had to head back to Mooresville to watch her boys play soccer so left Robin and I to do more shopping and classes! We took our final class from Keller's Creations which was a Chipboard Wall Hanging - once I finish it, I'll post the picture. They had some really cute things and I bought my daughter a 6"x 6" Disney chipboard book for her upcoming trip in September. If you see either of these companies in your travels - classes or goodies, check them out - they are great!!

Wel,, I will be posting pictures of stuff I saw in the future. Right now, my head is about to hit the pillow!!

Thank you Mr. Brown

I have been a busy beaver today! My UPS man (thank you Mr. Brown!) brought me my new catalog goodies this morning - right after my DH left for a day of skeet shooting, so I had the day all to myself!! I got 4 new stampsets, 2 punches, 2 packages of Designer Paper, 2 spools of ribbon, Felt Flowers, rub on's and filigree brads!! Here are a few cards I made today using my new goodies. These are some of the cards we will be working on next Tuesday night at my Card Buffet. If you are in the area and want to come, let me know!!

I am loving this card!! The stamp set used was Dreams du Jour with Pink Pirouette cardstock. The front has 3 layers - the pink pirouette cs; Bella Designer Paper; and on the top Vellum held together with 2 pink brads. To get the square scallop, I cut a square 2 3/4" and used the new Scallop Punch on all 4 sides. By centering the pink square in the punch, you leave the little connecting piece on all 4 corners.

This card uses Eastern Blooms stamp set. Cardstock and ink used - Taken With Teal; Shimmery White; Certainly Celery & Chocolate Chip. I used Dazzling Diamonds Embossing Powder on the large flower in the corner and curled the petals up. In the middle of the flower is one of the felt flowers and a brad. "Hugs and Kisses" is actually a rub on from the Chit Chat set. This will be a very versatile rub on set I think.

This card uses the stamp set Fresh Cuts and the petal punched note cards. I stamped in Elegant Eggplant, going over the solid petals with my marker to make them stand out more. I punched a flower out of Elegant Eggplant with the 5-Petal Punch to put behind the center petal with a Rhinestone Brad in the center. I put Old Olive on the inside of the card - using dimensionals. I used the Oval Punches for "for you." And the ribbon is the gorgeous new Kiwi Kiss satin ribbon.

This card is using the darling Sock Monkey. I stamped him in Chocolate Chip on Vanilla cardstock and colored him with markers. I used the Tab Punch with red eyelets and on the side, I used the slot punch with red grosgrain ribbon. The banana is on with dimensionals.

This card uses Life's A Breeze. This is the stamp set I got with my SAB rewards. Isn't it fun and sparkly??

I think this is my favorite stamp set! I wasn't too sure when I first saw it in the catalog because it is so large, but I have seen some great cards using it. It is called Inspired by Nature. I stamped the image with Versamark on Designer Paper (Pacific Point Patterns - page 171) and embossed with white embossing powder. I also used one of my new filigree brads on this one.

Sharon

Happy Birthday Jayce

Happy Birthday sweet boy! Today is my grandson's 2nd birthday. Only wish I could be there to see him open up his gifts and have a great day. He lives in Tucson and he is my only grandson. I was there last year for his first birthday.

Isn't he adorable????

Monday Mailers

I received another great Monday Mailer this week from Beth. This time it is faux postage. I haven't done this technique in quite a while - think I'll pull it out and do a card. Thanks, Beth for reminding me!!

And here's the card I sent to my MM partner. She should have received it by now - or maybe tomorrow. Last week, I posted it early and she saw it here on my blog before getting it in the mail. I wanted to wait this week so she could be surprised. I did Faux Denim and it really turned out cool. I swiped my Brocade Blue ink pad over Brocade Blue cardstock in long strokes (leaving some areas uninked). Let it dry (I used heat gun.) Then swipe the white craft inkpad over the blue (in the same direction.) Let dry. Next, swipe Night of Navy inkpad over but this time going in the opposite direction. Let dry completely. Buff to blend colors. I trimmed a small strip off the edge and used it for the jeans seam. Then I used my gel pen for "stitches". I stamped paisley's from Western stamp set and the Dotted Background stamp in white craft ink on Riding Hood Red and cut it into a triangle for the pocket look. Dream Big is from "It's All Good" stamp set and I punched it with my SU square punch.

Swap anyone?

I was in a new catalog (sneak peek) swap recently. Jami hosted this swap. She does great swaps - not too many cards to make and great swappers. A lot of the gals are members of Splitcoast's Dirty Dozen - Jami is an alumni actually. So, I always try to participate in her swaps. Her nick-name is the Swap Nazi because she does not allow any late swappers, etc. so you always know you are going to get the cards back in a timely manner. The category I swapped in was new "In Colors" and we could not use any retiring stamps. I just want to share these great cards with you!

This card (by Jen del Muro) uses Riding Hood Red and Kraft cs. The stamp set is from All Holidays. She used the scallop punch for the black circle and a clear button.
This card (by Tandra Boyer) uses Chocolate Chip and Baja Breeze. The bird is from the stamp set, Always. I don't know what set the other stamps are from. She used the new Scallop Punch on both sides of a strip of Chocolate Dotted paper and dyed her ribbon to match Baja Breeze.

This card (by Leann Yoho) uses Kiwi Kiss with Riding Hood Red and the new Bella designer paper. She also uses the Scallop Circle punch on a piece of textured Pink Pirouette paper with a Rhinestone Brad.

This card (by Britta Ward) uses Fresh Cuts stamp set on Pacific Point cardstock with black accents. The bow is Old Olive. She embossed the stamp on white cardstock and used her daubers to sponge on inks doing the Emboss Resist technique. Again, the scallop punch was used on the black cardstock. Dazzling Diamonds was used on the bottom of the card.

This card (by Tracy Harp) uses the new Pink Pirouette cardstock and Very Vanilla. The stamps she used are the Pretty Petals Background; Pretty Amazing and Frames with a Flourish. Again, the scallop punch was used along with Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain ribbon. The frame was embossed as was the background stamp.
This card uses one of my favorite new stamp sets .... Sock Monkey! And in the new catalog, he also has accessories! So cute! This card (by Crystal Spencer) uses Tangerine Tango, Old Olive, White and Bashful Blue paper. She used her paper piercer to pierce all around the edges. and used white grosgrain ribbon.

ENJOY!!

The Sense of Sight

Follow this link and take the test!!

http://www.blogthings.com/whichofthefivesensesareyouquiz/

How old are you?

This came from Steve Blow's column in the Dallas Morning News.

Do you remember your mother or grandmother using any of these phrases? Or maybe you did or still do!! (I do!)

Of a mornin
Of an evenin
Land o'Goshen
cattywampus - out of line
Sakes Alive
Yonder
Boy Hidy
Bodacious
gumption
tump - turn something over
much obliged
Rat cheer - same as right here
highfalutin
picture show - today the movies
Floocy - very fancy
sashay
traipse all over tarnation or all over Timbuktu
mosey
Great Day in the Morning!
For cryin' out loud!
Lawzee me!
I'll swan!
Dadgummit!
My lands!
Good night, nurse!
I swanee

I might need a loan!!

This is the beautiful new catalog. Contact me if you want a copy of it!! Notice .... the front cover is scalloped!! Check out the new scallop punch on page 189. Did I mention, when I added up my wish list, it was over $500!!!