Stampin' Up Quarterly

What a great time we had in Kernersville this weekend at the Stampin' Up Quarterly.  Luckily, Marianne was feeling better on Friday and was able to go.  I picked her up at Mom's after I did my stint at the Retirement Center.  We stopped along the way at the Enchanted Cottage Stamp store. WOW is all I can say!  It is overwhelming because it is so big and has so much stuff in in.  Unfortunately, we had a little trouble finding the store and by the time we got there, we only had about 20 minutes before they closed.  It is definitely a place you need more than 20 minutes - maybe a whole day to see everything. 

We checked into our hotel and went across the street and had a yummy dinner - country style steak, mashed potatoes, baked apples ..... really good!  Then it was on the the quarterly.  We got set up and got started with our Friday night project.  Janie Murphy was in charge of this one and she did a great job.  We each had half of a Simply Scrappin' kit and made 11 cards and a magazine holder for the cards from the kit and even had a few pieces left over to take home with us.  I was impressed.  I have never done much with the Simply Scrappin' kits (page 162-165) but that will change.  The cards are so cute and were so quick and easy to put together.  We made the 11 cards and holder in about 2 hours!!  We were back at our motel by 9:30 which never happens at Quarterly!  We used the Sunshine Garden kit to make these cards:

Big Boy Panties

I found this pattern on Splitcoast earlier this week and just had to try it!  My niece, Melinda, is trying to potty train Zach (although he is not interested at all!) so I thought I'd send him this card.  I used the Life's A Breeze stamp set.

Here it is opened:

Busy, Busy, Busy

I've been busy since I got back .... getting unpacked; doing laundry; and getting ready for NC Stampin' Up Demo's Quarterly meeting this weekend in Kernersville.  My sister, Marianne, is supposed to go with me but she called me about 3 this afternoon and she's SICK!!  How could she get sick at a time like this????  We're crossing our fingers that she'll feel better tomorrow and be able to "road trip" with me.  She's been working hard on her swaps and has paid her $$$ so I know she doesn't want to miss it.

Also tomorrow, I am going to the retirement home in Mooresville to do a card project with the group.  My friend, Judy, is going too and has made a card and a bookmark for them to make.  I did a card today using the Big Shot that they will just have to put together.  Here's my samples:

 

I'm taking a few items to the Quarterly for "show and tell."  Here is a Milk Carton that I made using the Parisian DSP.  I just love how it turned out.  That paper is the best and is on sale through Sunday.

I'm baaaack!!

Wow - it's gonna feel good to put my head on my own pillow tonight!   You know, it's always good to travel but it's always great to come home!!   Our trip to Texas came to an end today.  We had a great time!

My flight to Texas last Saturday (May 16) was not so great!   When we landed in San Antonio, I got the most horrific pain in my gums on my left side.  The tears were flowing and I tried putting pressure on my gums to make the pain subside.  It's hard to describe how bad it was.  My nephew and his girlfriend met us at the airport and drove us to Austin.  By the time I reached their house (about an hour later), I was in severe pain.  I called my daughter to get her advice and could not even talk to her I was crying so hard.  When we lived in Texas, I had a lot of sinus problems so went prepared, thank goodness!  I had taken a couple of Imitrex pills with me so I took one of them and laid down for about an hour.  The pain dulled so we were able to go out to eat.  When I came home, I took a Tylenol PM and went to bed.  That was the end of my pain but the weirdest thing is my gum is still dead feeling .... like I've had Novocain or something.  We are thinking that perhaps a nerve in my sinus/gum area is damaged.  Guess I'll be calling the dentist tomorrow!

We spend the first weekend we were in Texas at my nephew and his girlfriend's house.  They were excellent hosts and fixed us wonderful breakfasts each morning!  We went to my niece's home Sunday and cooked fajitas on their grill.  We also had yummy tamales!!  I've missed that Mexican food since being in NC. 

(remember - click on the photos to see the whole picture!)

I had such a great time playing with my niece's little boys.  They are just so cute.   The oldest is just finishing kindergarten and Jake is just sooo smart!  Her youngest, Zachary, is just 2 weeks younger than my grandson, Jayce.  Zach will be 3 in early September.  So, since I don't get to see my grandson, I did a double effort in spoiling and loving on Zach! 

We went back to San Antonio Monday night and started our house hunting with Ashley on Tuesday.  We look at a little over 60 houses Tuesday through Saturday!  I love looking at houses but Sonny wasn't so thrilled with it!  He got a reprieve on Saturday when our friends from Dallas drove down for the weekend.  Ashley was able to find several houses she liked and made a list of a "top 5-8" houses.  Now, we just have to wait for the sale of her condo in Bethesda before she can make a offer on a Texas house.  I know it will all work out, but say a little prayer that it will sell sooner than later!!

Happy Birthday Harley Friend

This is a birthday card I made for a good Texas friend who loves his Harley!

3 D Card Swap for Quarterly

Well, I wasn't going to enter this swap (as I told you, Judy).  But, Friday, during a weak moment, I did it!!  And I made 18 of them (using different papers) on Friday!

The card opens up and can be used just as a card or you could put a Gift Certificate inside.  I have a small magnet under the top note and between the designer paper and the cardstock on the "card part" to hold it closed.

American Idol Final Results

Well, we were walking around the Riverwalk here in San Antonio after viewing houses all day so I missed the first half of Idol. But, I figured I didn't really miss much!

The second half that I am watching has a LOT of big name groups performing - Queen, Kiss, Steve Martin (who knew he was a singer???), Santana, Rod Stewart plus all the Idol performers from this year and previous years. I heard that I missed Queen Latifa during the first half. Wow! Idol has come a long way over the years to have all the $$ to get all these big names. And we even got to see a little bit of Tatiana tonight!

My understanding is there were over 100 million votes last night!! A world record! I can tell you about 5 of those votes were mine!!

YIPPEE!!! KRIS ALLEN IS THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL!!! I am in shock. He had come the farthest of any of the others. He was definitely the dark horse in this competition. What happened I believe is he got Danny Gokey's votes and knocked Adam out.

American Idol Final Night!

Had to watch the show tonight live - commercials and all. W.e're in San Antonio helping Ashley house-hunt. More details on that later

This is it. Why do I feel oddly let down already? I don’t necessarily think Adam has it in the bag like the judges seem to think. I think Kris will get a lot of Danny’s votes. It could be close. And they’re both so good; it should be a phenomenal show tonight. I think I’m bummed that Danny is gone.

So Adam was a hyperactive child. Is anyone surprised by that? Okay then. Adam is performing Mad World from the Birth Year show. I like this subdued but passionate performance. Kris is singing Ain’t No Sunshine from his comfortable perch behind the piano. I like the bluesy spin he’s putting on this classic. So, good song choice, Kris! And isn’t his wife the cutest, nodding her encouragement from the front row?

Simon gives Round One to Kris, after eating some crow. I agree, Simon!

For Round Two, they’re singing songs chosen by the show’s creator, Simon Fuller.
Adam has changed from the Dracula robe to a classic gray suit, and he’s singing an R&B classic by the great Sam Cooke.

Kris is in his element with this one but it's just OK. Randy said it was “a little light” and I have to agree, but I have to point out, Kris didn’t choose it. I still love ya, Kris!

At any rate, the judges give Round Two to Adam. So, what else is new?

Round Three. Let’s roll.
In Idol tradition, both are singing the same song — No Boundaries, written by Kara DioGuardi and two other people I haven’t ever heard of.
Adam’s up first, of course. Um, what’s with the pants?

These finale songs are always so cheesie I can hardly stand it. Adam is doing his best to give it a rock edge but the melodrama is a bit much for me on this one. The judges look dubious about this performance. “Not one of my favorite Adam performances,” says Randy. Um, yeah. Pretty much.

Simon starts to bash the song and thinks better of it. Awww, come on. I feel like I missed out. Of course he still thinks Adam is the most amazing contestant to ever grace the Idol stage and doesn’t even try to hide his bias.

Kris gets his turn, and I have to say I prefer this performance to Adam’s. It’s more my style, and I think he makes it more modern and less cheesie. I’m giving Round Three to Kris.
They’re both phenomenal, and I look forward to hearing from them A LOT. Who are you rooting for? Will you vote? I voted .... for Kris, of course!

Word of warning: Ryan says tomorrow’s show will go long, so don’t depend on your DVR to catch the end. I’ll be watching live from my hotel room. Over and out!

More Quarterly Swaps

This card is bright!!  I used the "poppin' pastels" technique.  Stamp the image with Versamark and use a dauber to apply chalk.

Quarterly Swaps - Thoughts and Prayers