Colonel Ashley's big day

I have been busy, busy, busy with all the details of Ashley's promotion and my healing!  We drove to Maryland last Tuesday.  I was glad when that trip was over!  I was using the walker and sure got a good idea of what handicap people go through on a daily basis.  At one of the rest stops, I couldn't maneuver the door to the rest room and my walker.  Luckily there was a nice lady who helped me in and out.  At a gas station, I went in to use the rest room and a young person was in front of me and she went in the handicap stall knowing I was using a walker ... and there were other stalls available for her to use.  So I patiently waited for her to do her business  before I could go in but oh how I wanted to say something to her!

Mom and Angela also drove up on Tuesday as did Marianne and Greg.  Marianne & Greg stayed at a campground a short distance from Ashley's house.  Two of Ashley's girlfriends arrived Thursday night from Texas.  We had a full house and lots of helpers to start the preparations.  Friday morning it was pouring rain as we went to the pinning ceremony at the Woman's Memorial.  Ashley had about 20 guests at the ceremony.  It was wonderful!!  

Ashley with two of her colleagues/friends who participated in the Colonel Pinning Ceremony.

Ashley with me & Grandmom!  This was not an easy trip for a 92 year old!

 

Ashley with my brother and his wife who came from Texas (Jim & Janie)

Sonny and I pinning the Eagles on her shoulders!  I was able to make it on stage without the walker!!  Yay!

The newest female Colonel!!

After the ceremony we all went to a local restaurant for Texas BBQ!!  Yum!  It was delicious.  Next the prep work for the Saturday party started!!  Ashley's two girlfriends who were staying with us are not cooks but they pitched in & did a great job while I had to sit and supervise.  We did a taco bar (for about 50 people) which was really good but a lot of work before hand to shred the lettuce, cut tomatoes, cukes, celery, peppers, jalepenos and cook the meat - chicken and beef.  We over estimated how much food to make and ended up with a lot left over so Sunday we started dividing things up to put in the freezer, give to neighbors, and mom & Angela to take home!!  One of Ashley's favorite bands played at the party (well, actually 2 of the members of the band, Alternate Routes.)

These are all Ashley's Rock Boat friends along with the band members.  The Rock Boat is a music cruise that Ashley has taken for about 17 years!

Ashley with her Aunt Marianne

Just a few of the friends and family who gathered in Ashley's back yard to celebrate.

Alternate Routes band members

Delicious cake from Costco

Ashley, Jodi and Lisa - our cooks for the day!  They did a great job.

Sonny and I are driving back home on Tuesday.  We stayed a couple of days extra to return the keg and help put things back in order .... and to recover from several 1:00 am nights/mornings!!  I can finally put weight on my leg and walk around gingerly.  I have an appointment for Wednesday with the orthopedic doc whom I'm guessing will refer me for Physical Therapy (again!)  I'm kind of embarrassed to tell the doctor I fell again!!

Update

 Thought I'd update my progress for you.  Every day I see & feel a little bit better but I still have a long way to go.  I just took my shower (#2 for the week!)  I went up & down the steps on my butt with Sonny waiting for me at the top & bottom to get me in the shower!   It felt so good to wash my hair & myself!!  I am still sleeping on the couch downstairs & it is pretty comfy.   I actually graduated from the wheelchair to a walker yesterday.  I am hoping I can use a knee scooter soon.  A friend of mine has one & is going to let me borrow it.  Ashley & Sonny don't think it will work for me as I will have to have my left leg (injured one) folded up on the scooter & scoot with my right one so we'll see.  I appreciate all the emails and text messages that friends have sent me.

Here are a couple of cards I made with the latest Paper Pumpkin.  Truthfully, this kit wasn't my style but I'm still thinking of ideas I can use to make more of the Batter Up cards.

This card was made as a birthday card for a special friend.

This card was a little bit different.  I used the blue tissue paper that comes in the kit and adhered it to a white card.  The striped paper is from the envelope liner that I tore on the side.  I had some blue twine that I looped under the circle.  I fussy cut the words in the sentiment and used the Blending Brushes to color the circle Balmy Blue.

Enjoy!

OUCH

 Hi friends!  Wanted to let you know that I won't be posting for a week or so.  Clumsy Clara again!  I fell again!  I got up to use the bathroom about 2 a.m. Monday morning & the room was spinning & I fell on my left side.  We ended up calling 911 about 6 a.m.  They were able to get me down the steps and into our car.  It was free for that but if we'd needed them to take me to ER it would have been big bucks!  They took x-rays of both hips & there was nothing broken (thank goodness!) & they gave me a shot for the pain. My left leg is pretty much useless right now.  When I put any weight on it the pain radiates from my groin to my lower back on the left side. On the way home, we stopped at my mom's and got her wheelchair.  Last night I slept on the couch & was able to get myself in and out of the wheelchair by myself without too much pain.  Sonny stayed home with me today.  He is NOT a good nurse!!  I am dying to go upstairs & take a bath, wash my hair & put on clean clothes but I think that will be for another day.  I have too much to do in the next few days to be disabled!  We are driving to Ashley's on Tuesday for her promotion celebration (to Colonel.)  Please pray for me.

I also wanted to let you know about the sale going on for products in the Mini Catalog.  Click on the link below.  There are some great sales there.

LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS

Teamwork Blog Hop

Good evening and welcome to the May Blog Hop by NC Demos.  For this month's blog hop we will be focusing on new products in the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog but with a twist!  Our project will feature at least one new product from the new catalog and some "old" products that carried over to the 2021-2022 catalog.  So these two - old and new - will work together just like a team!  My "old" product is the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set and my "new" items are the In Colors Stampin' Blends,  the sentiments on my two cards and the Artistry Blooms Sequins.

I decided to use the spotlight technique with the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set.  I used my Stamparatus to easily stamp the image and sentiment  in Memento black ink.  Then I colored them with my Stampin' Blends Markers.  I love the pop of color the new In Colors gave these cards.  

The center panel is 2 5/8" x 4". Double check to be sure your sentiment fits!  The Basic Black mat is 1/4" larger on each side of the center panel.  To keep the layers together while stamping, I put a small amount of adhesive on the back of the small layer and then pressed it a few times against my clothes to take some of the stickiness off.  (Another option is to gently use your Embossing Buddy on the adhesive.)

The sentiment "thanks" comes from Artistically Inked stamp set and "you are amazing" is from Color & Contour stamp set.

I just love these new In Colors and keep changing my mind on my favorite.  But, I'm pretty sure my fav is Polished Pink!  What about you?  

I used Pale Papaya Blends on this card with a little bit of Pumpkin Pie Blends.

I think this is my favorite using Polished Pink light and dark Stampin' Blends.

Now continue along to Laurie's blog and see what a great project she has for us.

Tracie Evans Langley
Amy Kinler
Jo Anne Hewins
Toni Campana
Tina Lesson
Sharon Maranich   You are here
Laurie Meier
Neidine DuPree
Frances Wagner

United Through Creativity

Caring about people means working together towards a common goal; helping each other through life's challenges; and celebrating each other's accomplishments.  It means including others, even when we disagree, have contrasting life experiences, or simply see things differently.  Caring about people is one of Stampin' Up!'s central values.

In honor of this value - and in the spirit of World Diversity Day - Stampin' Up! is celebrating what makes us unique through what brings us together:  creativity!!  The United Through Creativity Digital download features inclusive, multicultural and mutilingual sentiments and illustrations that represent the multiple markets Stampin'Up! engages with .... AND it's free for all!

The elements featured in the United Through Creativity Digital download were created in the spirit of World Diversity Day - a day for each of us to join together and understand the value of cultural diversity throughout the world.  And, to celebrate our unique community of crafters!  Print your favorite pieces and use them to create cards, scrapbook pages, and other paper projects.  I hope you'll enjoy celebrating diversity, connection, community, and creativity with this sweet selection of inclusive, multicultural, and multilingual elements. 

Download HERE.

Here is a card I made using the download.  I colored it with Stampin' Blends and ran it through the Rectangle Die.  

Above is "together" in three different languages.

Expressions in Ink

It's been really warm  / HOT here this week with temps almost to 90.  And wouldn't you know it ... my mom's air conditioner went out on Monday!  I guess it's no shame for it; she's had it since 1998!!  She was due I think.  It is going to be replaced today so she should be cooled down by Saturday!  I offered for her and my sister to come to my house to sleep but at 92 years old, mom can't get up and down the steps.  

I want you to notice my blog header.  I used the new In Colors to color the elements.  I love that I can do that by changing the HEX values to match.  The background is Soft Succulent; the largest rectangle is Freesia; the next rectangle is Papaya; and the tag and the smallest rectangle is Polished Pink.  I love these In Colors!

I am in love with the Expressions In Ink designer paper!!  The colors are just beautiful.  Some of the papers have gold running through - gorgeous!  Here are a couple of cards I made with the DSP.  It really hurt me to cut it up if you know what I mean.  But, hey, I can buy another pack!!

No stamping on this card.  I adhered a piece of an Adhesive Sheet to the back of the black cardstock before die cutting it.  The card is made using Evening Evergreen (new In Color) and matted with a piece of Lemon Line cardstock (retired).  I cut the DSP into 4 pieces to use on a card.   The design runs down the middle of the DSP piece.

Isn't this beautiful paper!!  I die cut a few flowers and leaves and adhered them in the corner.  Don't know if you can tell it but the Polished Pink flower is shiny with Wink of Stella.

More Swaps

 Here are a few more of the swap cards that I got last month.

Isn't that frog the cutest?  He is on the hostess stamp set, Prince and Princess.  

This is the card I made.  I used one of my favorites, Pierced Blooms Dies.  I love how the Magenta Madness coordinates with the new in color, Soft Succulent.  I colored the pearl with a Stampin' Blend and cut 1/4" strips at the bottom.

Love Fresh Freesia!  It's such a pretty purple.   This card uses a two step stamp , Art Gallery.

I think a lot of people like the Soft Succulent!!  This flower is from Color & Contour.  I urge you to get the dies (as a bundle) for this great pair!  The Scalloped Contours Die are great!

Blog List Info

 Well, my little "by myself" vacation is over.  Sonny got home last night after playing golf in Pawley's Island for the past 5 days.  It was kind of fun being alone and doing and eating when and what I wanted.  I tried out 3 recipes from Green Chef that Ashley gave me and they all were delicious but nothing my hubby would eat!  One of them had couscous in it and another one cooked the pork with figs and had feta cheese on it.  All of that would have him doing a thumbs down!  I had never tried couscous before but really liked it so it went on my shopping list for another time.

I don't know if you have noticed but the Blog List on the left hand side looks like it has lost a lot of blogs.  BUT look closely at the bottom and you will see where it says "show all" after the 4 or 5 blogs that are displayed.  I guess this is a new feature for Blogger but you can still see all the blogs that you enjoy looking at.

Here are a few cards that I have made.

This card is a technique that I learned from on of the NC demo gals, Laurie Meier using the Stamparatus and grid paper to make a wreath builder.  The stamp set I used is the flower in Free As A Bird.  The sentiment is from Color and Contour.  I love the two In Colors together - Polished Pink and Evening Evergreen.

 

Here is another card using Polished Pink but this time with Soft Succulent.  The white scalloped cardstock is from the Scallop Contours Dies which can be bundled.  The flowers and sentiment are from Color and Contour.  I stamped the flower image first on the a piece of white card stock and fussy cut it.  I stamped the leaves onto the scalloped white cardstock and tied a piece of ribbon around the stem.  I used the Aqua Pen and Polished Pink ink to scatter a little pink over the card.

For this card, I embossed a piece of Granny Apple Green with the Brick & Mortar embossing folder and then adhered it to the card. I stamped the floral image (from Art Gallery) on scrap paper and  used the dies to cut it out before adhering it to the white cardstock .  I stamped the flowers again with Pale Papaya and cut them out with dies before adhering them on top of the image.  I used a little bit of Gilded Leafing on each of the flowers.  The DSP is from Fine Arts which has retired.

Swap Cards

 I was recently in an new catalog swap with a few of my NC Demo friends.  It was great to see some of the stamp sets used that I don't have.  Of course, it also makes me want to get some of those stamps!  It's funny - you can look at the stamp sets in the catalog and not think much of them until you see them used in real life!  Broadens your horizon!

Here are a few of the cards I received.

I love the designer paper used on this card and it goes wonderful with the new In Color, Evening Evergreen!  I think this stamp set could be the replacement for Lovely As A Tree.

On this card, you can see a few of the snippets of the designer paper on the bottom.  I love how she die cut 2 trees and just a peek of the Evergreen is showing like a shadow.  This card and the one above are both from the Beauty of the Earth suite (pg 10-11).

Again another card that gives us a peek at some designer paper and a new In Color.  This time she used Hand Penned (pg. 131) and Soft Succulent.

This is a stamp set that I did not like when I saw it in the catalog.  My sister and I both gave it a thumbs down.  UNTIL we saw this card and the next one!  OMG .... this is just beautiful.  The Fresh Freesia card with the Soft Succulent is just wonderful!

Another great card using Simply Elegant suite (pg 68-69.)  And this bundle comes with a PUNCH and not a die!!  Another reason to put it on your list!

Isn't this slimline card beautiful?!!  I love that Pansy Petals suite (pg 28-29) with the new In Color, Polished Pink.  I like the size of this slimline card.  It is cut at 7" x 8" and scored at 4" on the 8" side so it  makes a 4" x 8" card.

Well, my husband made it the Pawleys Island.  He found a gas station somewhere just past the NC / SC border and topped off his tank.  Then when he got to the beach, he found another gas station and filled up so he should be good to go to return on Thursday!  I'm enjoying a little bit of  "alone time."  Sunday I spent just about the whole day working on some swap cards for the July Quarterly in Hendersonville.  Ashley is  going to come down that weekend since it is my mom's 93rd birthday so she will go to the Quarterly with Marianne and me.  Today I played Hand & Foot with my friends.  Ashley signed me up to receive a couple of free meals through Hello Fresh and another one.  So, last night I had Caribbean Tilapia.  It was delicious and not something Sonny would eat!  I did a Peruvian Chicken before he went out of town.  He ate it and said it wasn't too bad!  He is just a "meat and potatoes" king of guy - drives me nuts!  I have another one lined up for tomorrow that is a pork dish using couscous which I know he would turn his nose up at!

I've got to share the picture of Miss Abigail.  I got to see her on Mother's Day.  She is a cutie!!

I think she is going to have red hair!  Both of her grandparents (Marianne and Greg), Harrison and Derek (her dad) have red hair.

This is some of my family on Mother's Day - my two sisters, mom, brother, nephew and great niece.

Get your Gas!

Isn't this gasoline shortage crazy!  Sonny filled his truck up on Tuesday & paid $3.05 for high test since they were out of regular gas.  On Wednesday, we had some errands to do in Mooresville and in Cornelius.  I had about a quarter of a tank & we were going to fill up on the way home.  Well, every gas station we passed from Cornelius to our house had bags around the pumps because they were out of gas!  We had about given up but found a gas station finally that had gas ($2.89).  Funny but it was the closest gas station to our house!  Our state is now in a state of emergency.  I hope things get better by next week.  Sonny is going on a golf outing at Pawleys Island in SC - leaving tomorrow through next Thursday.  He has enough gas to get him there.  Let's hope he finds gas to get home!

I have more Paper Pumpkin cards to share with you.  I just love the bright colors in this month's kit.

On this card, the white label die piece in the center is what holds this card together.  The label is from a retired Stampin' Up die set.  I stamped the popsicles with Black Memento ink and then using the ink I squeezed out of the stamp pad and my Aqua Brush, I colored them with Bermuda Bay, Bumblebee, Magenta and Old Olive ink.  I found an old bottle of Shimmery Mist.  It wouldn't spray anymore so I just used the straw piece inside and dabbed the white splotches on the popsicles.  The striped pieces are from the envelope liner.  The inside green piece is from Artistry Blooms DSP (retired).

This was a simple one to make.  I cut the popsicle card apart.  It was already colored.  I just used the Bermuda Bay Blend pen to go around the edges of the popsicle, tied a ribbon around the stick & attached the sentiment.  The white layer was embossed with Seaside.

Sammie wanted to see what I was doing!  What a helper she is - ha ha!

Another easy card.  The sun and the rainbow are stickers that came in the kit.  I sprinkled a few sequins around and added the striped envelope liner.

I stamped "happy birthday" all over the card with Gorgeous Grape, Lemon Lime, and Magenta Madness.  The stamping was done with full strength ink and I also did 2nd and 3rd generation ink.  I colored the popsicles with watercolor pencils (on watercolor paper.)  I spread Shimmery Glossy Accents & they are so shiny!