Crafting!!

WARNING: Mom, DON'T READ THIS!! The second thing is a surprise for you--wait until tonight to read it. I'M SERIOUS!

I finally felt like sitting down and crafting--and I finally had time! We were home during nap today, and I stayed inside the whole time and made stuff.
First up is a card. I've been feeling bad for myself, because I sold my ink pads because we need money (so buy my stuff! :) ) and now it's like I don't know how to stamp without them! Well, I had the BRILLIANT idea to use my pastels (which I hardly ever use)! Here's the product:

I just got my new Guidelines set by Papertrey Ink, and I LOVE it! I finally worked up the courage to use it, and I love the result! I stamped the design on versamark onto the Orchid Opulence paper. The pastels come in on the main image. I stamped the flower spray in versamark, and then colored it with pastels. I also just realized that I can erase the pastels with the eraser that comes with them (and I've had these for several years now). Excellent!

Gone is the excess!

Plus, I'm super excited about the new PTI Birthday Basics set I got from a trade on SCS. It's got lots of birthday sentiments, plus happy birthday written in different fonts and sizes. I love it!

***ingredients***
Paper: Orchid Opulence, unknown green
Stamps: Verve Because of You, PTI Birthday Basics, PTI Guidelines
Ink: versamark
Other: stampin' pastels, HL ribbon from my mom
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And now for my super awesome project I was talking about last week. I'm pretty sure I'm going to be making more of these (if only for myself!)

Here are the details:

1. My mom picked up a flyer at HL that had an idea to use glass plates and decorate them.

2. She asked me to do it. I, of course, said yes.

3. She bought me a 10 inch plate and an 8 in plate. This is the 10 incher.

4. I printed off the picture using matte medium weight photo paper with my inkjet.

5. I used a 10 1/4 in. dinner plate to make a circle. From that circle, I measured 1-1/2 in. in on each side and top and bottom. I then used a pyrex mixing bowl (approx. 7-1/4 in. round) to cut a smaller circle from the big one.

6. I cut the outer ring into four somewhat equal pieces. Using GREAT care and precision, I mod podged everything on- first the inner circle, and then the outer four pieces. In hindsight, I would have modpodged the outer pieces first. I am slightly unhappy with the seams showing, but my husband assures me that you don't even notice. (This appeased me a little bit)

7. I cut the letters from my Pooh Font cricut cart, size 1-1/2, marker application. Modpodged those on.

8. Cut the picture into a 5x7 oval, and then matted it. Mod podged it on. I did a test run with the picture to make sure it wouldn't smear- it didn't even act like it would!!

9. Thought about adding bows. Decided against it. Husband agreed.

10. Stuck a piece of white c/s on the back with the ages of each child in the photo. I plan on making one of these plates for each year since the first grandchild was born.

11. Perfection! Just WAIT until you see what I have planned for the little plate!

Good night! Thanks for stopping!

Busy Week

Thought I better quick write something or everyone will stop reading this! This week was so crazy- the kids didn't go to bed until like 10:00 every night, so I got no crafting done! The one night I did have some time, my mojo left me and I didn't feel like doing it. I just got a new Papertrey set called Guidelines, so I'm really anxious to play. Also, my mom had this great idea to decorate glass plates (it sounds weird, but its not), and I have a super good idea, so I'm anxious to get started on that! Should be lots of crafting next week!
Myron went to New Mexico this week, and it was horrid. We had a really good load of onions coming back up to Chicago, but on Tuesday (the day he was supposed to load), everything fell through because it rained. So, he had no load. There he sat. Until Wednesday afternoon. Then I found him a load going up to Detroit (onions), so he and his brother (also hauling onions) drove 1800 miles in two days. They were so exhausted when they got there this morning. I was so worrried about them. Oh, the life of a trucker. What you won't do for money, right? But the good news is he was able to load up again in Ohio and is on his way home! He should be home tomorrow night.
The kids are doing okay. Micah has a double ear infection, again, and if this one doesn't clear up or he gets another one, they want to do tubes. Which is okay. Really. I do think they are linked to allergies, though, because I skipped a day with Zyrtec yesterday (because he had an infection), and today his nose is so runny and his eyes are so scratchy. So, never skip the Zyrtec!
He hardly slept at all last night, but I am happy to report that he is sleeping soundly now. Michelle is doing very well- she mowed with me for almost 3 hours this morning. She loves to mow! Then my sister Crystal came over, and she loves Crystal. Then, we went to my in-laws, and she loves them. Boy, she had a great day!
I have to play piano at TreasureFest in Alcester tomorrow afternoon, so I won't get any crafting or blogging done tomorrow. I'll try to upload a few pictures tomorrow morning, but I can't promise anything! Have a great weekend!
Kayla

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day! I hope all the father's out there (including my own :) ) are having an excellent day! While the kids and Myron nap, I thought I would quick update and show you the AWESOME secret project I have been working on!
I had the best idea for father's day. I came across it on SCS- it's by Mel Stampz here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=9891576#post9891576.

I'll just let you bask in the awesome-ness of this project:

I began making this box. I used PTI's Dark Chocolate paper (which I love!) and followed the instructions for the faux leather look:

1. Wet under tap

2. Crumple

3. Lay out flat and ink if desired (I didn't ink)

4. Iron dry

5. Hit with Versamark (a clear ink)

It worked great- while I was doing it. It looked super cool and it has so much depth. Except- when I went to glue everything together, NOTHING WOULD STICK. The versamark made everything immune to adhesive or something! It was a pain in the rear. I quickly decided that I was going to give THIS box to my husband, because he wouldn't care that it was falling apart and very fragile! I made this on Tuesday, and I reconstructed it with several different adhesives about 4 times before he actually saw it! It was a nightmare. So, I made this one next:

I began with a piece of non-SU cardstock that looked very similar to SU's Sahara Sand (I think). I did the same thing, except I didn't versamark it. It worked like a charm! This box turned out to be my favorite- IRL, it looks like khaki-like a real tool belt! See the darling little tools in the pockets? I cut them from my cricut. I did put them in Myron's box, as well, I just didn't take a photo (I feared the bright flash would cause it to fall apart!). I found the tools here: http://www.myscrapchick.com/collection_small.htm. They are so darling!!!

This box was for my dad. I put a little "brag book" inside of it. I decorated it with some paper that looked like a burlap sack, and stuck four pictures in it. The book was made of coasters and bound with a metal ring in the corner. I thought he could take it to work with him (he delivers mail) and show off a few of his grandkids!

This is the card I made for my father-in-law as well as for my grandpa (from my parents). Same idea, no versamark. I put (on all of them) "I'm so blessed to call you..." on the top rectangle piece. On the inside of these cards, I also stamped a sentiment from Verve's Because of You: "I hope that when people look at me they see a little bit of you." I thought it was super appropriate!

Finally, here is what I put in Myron's box. I made these out of coasters and some SEI paper (it's so gorgeous- most of it is girly, but a few papers can be manly!) called Chocolat. I cut the letters with my Cricut cart "Pooh Font" and used photo corners so the pictures can be interchanged. I am going to punch a few very small holes in the top corners and run fishing line through them. I am going to add a few suction cups to the fishing line so he can hang this up in his truck. He never wants books or anything like that, he just likes pictures he can hang up to see all the time. Don't you love the ribbon connecting the two coasters? Genious, I know (one of my rare moments).

Well, that's all for now. Kids are still sleeping and I need to do some stamping! I've included the supplies list for each project after my signature, so if you don't care, you can stop reading (ahem, Mom)! I have some darling pictures of the kids to share in the next few days. Stop back again!

Dark chocolate tool box:

***ingredients***
Paper: PTI Dark Chocolate, cream
Stamps: Verve Because of You
Ink: Versamark, ranger distress walnut stain
Other: cricut- SCAL ("DAD"), tools from internet; white gel pen, brads

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Khaki tool box:

***ingredients***
Paper: something like Sahara Sand, cream

Stamps: Verve Because of You

Ink: ranger distress walnut stain

Other: cricut- Pooh Font, tools from internet; brown pen, brads

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Tool belt card:

***ingredients***
Paper: PTI Dark Chocolate, cream
Stamps: Verve Because of You
Ink: walnut stain
Other: brads, white gel pen, cricut: Pooh font, tools from internet

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We Love you Dad picture frame:

***ingredients***
Paper: SEI Chocolat
Stamps: n/a
Ink: n/a
Other: coasters (from a woman on SCS selling them), fishing line, suction cups, cricut: Pooh Font, photo corners by Fiskars

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Catching Up

Hello everyone! Sorry it's been so long. Myron (my husband) was home last week because we couldn't find a load, but last weekend was a pretty stressful weekend anyways, so we needed the time to recouperate and get back to normal (not to mention tie up a few loose ends). But, he's back on the road this week heading to Boston, MA with cowhides (yuck). It'll be a long week, because it's 1500 miles out to Boston and he didn't leave until 9:30 Monday night. Boo. So, after driving most of last night and all of tonight, he should arrive there {exhausted} on Wednesday morning. Unload, hopefully reload to go back to Indiana, and then pick up his load home in Winamac, IN sometime Friday morning. Be home late Saturday afternoon. Sickening.

Anyways, he's gone, so that means---it's time to STAMP! I've been kind of busy, I just haven't been able to upload anything because the husband and family always need my attention!

Anyways, three cards today. Here's the first one:

Super simple birthday card. My mom needed some cards in exchange for a blanket she made me, so this was one of the last ones. I paper pieced the envelope and should have pieced the candles, but I was getting sick of cutting and decided to just marker them.

***ingredients***
Paper: Green Galore, unknown blue DSP from Wal-mart, Summer Sun
Stamps: Send a Celebration, Itty Bitty Backgrounds
Ink: Tempting Turquoise
Other: stickles (on candles)

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Next one. This is for Viva La Verve's June Week 3 Sketch Challenge with a twist from Splitcoast. The challenge was to use lots of white space. I love how this turned out! Very simple, elegant--perfect for a sympathy card. In fact, I asked my husband if he thought it needed anything, and he said, "What else can you do to a sympathy card without it looking gaudy?" Very true. There is sponging around the sentiment (one of my favorites from Verve), and there is also a scored line for a border around the edge.

***ingredients***
Paper: Bella Rose DSP
Stamps: Plain Jane Psalm 46:10
Ink: Real Red
Other: scallop scissors, scallop circle punch

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Real fast: my second take on the VLV June 03 sketch. This time this card is a get well card. I think it turned out just as elegant! I just used my ranger distress ink to distress the edges of the card and add a little bit of color.

***ingredients***
Paper: Bella Rosa DSP
Stamps: Verve- Because of You, Fluttering By
Ink: Ranger Distress Walnut Stain
Other: scallop oval, CM cutting system ovals

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Thanks for stopping! Have a great day!

PS--I am making some super sweet Father's Day projects--I think I will be able to post them safely without spoiling the surpise tomorrow or Thursday. Check back then!

Michelle's Book of Colors

Okay, I finished the big project I was talking about in my last post. I decided, before Michelle's second birthday, to make her a book of colors and numbers so she could learn them. Well, two months after her birthday, I completed it. Page by page, let's take a look:

I designed the cover using my Cricut. In fact, almost all the color pages used my cricut. I first cut out the words using Sure Cuts A Lot (SCAL), some software I bought for connecting my Cricut to the computer. I then sponged heavily over each word, using the appropriate color ink. Then, I chose some patterned paper to go with the color. Finally, I cut something on my cricut that went with the color. How do you like that tractor? It's my finest achievement! I found it on Susan Blue Robot's web page (Awesome page, by the way). Winnie the Pooh is from my Cricut cart, as are the leaves and Piglet. The horse is from a freebie I found online, and the cat is from a dollar download from a website online. The pumpkins are stamped from an SU! Stamp set called Autumn Harvest, and colored with plain old markers.

Now, onto the number segment. While I was really picking up speed, the numbers took me way longer, because I stamped and colored everything. First, I once again cut the numbers using SCAL. Then I chose some patterned paper for dividers (PTI Razzberry Fizz), and then started stamping!

1/2: Loads of Love; 3/4 Unfrogettable; 5/6: Delight in Life, Both Ways Blossoms; 7/8: Very Punny; 9/10 Love Bakes (all SU!)

So far, she really loves it!! I also have a card to show you, but I'll post that later. Both the kids are awake now and trying to be in my hair. :) Happy Saturday!

A few Fizzy Cards

Hi, everyone. A few weeks ago, I read a post from a woman on SCS looking for a certain design out of a pack of PTI (Papertrey Ink) paper. The pack comes with six designs in two sizes. She needed one design in one size, and PTI was not very cooperative in helping her get just that one size. Seeing how she didn't want to buy 50 packs of the same paper, she asked if anyone would be willing to help. Remembering last winter with the craft fair and a kind woman on SCS named Amber who helped ME out selflessly and generously (she sent me like 200 cards AND paid the postage for them to get there), and a few other women who sent me some things out of the goodness of their hearts, I decided to help this woman out. I bought two packs of the paper, thinking, well, I think I can use that. WRONG! There is alot of paper in those packs. 36 sheets in one pack! I thought I better get to work:

This card is for Mojo Monday's Sketch. It's a prize week, so I tried extra hard to make a super cute card. I LOVE this color combination together- I'm really loving PTI paper and the Razzberry Fizz pack. The yellow is so much more lemony in real life. My camera just doesn't so justice. *sigh* Someday, I will have a better, cooler camera!

It's impossible to see, but the butterfly is stamped once, and then stamped onto Eggplant and cut out. It's also practically coated in stickles. There are also lines of stickles everywhere, and every other line of dots has a stickle in it.

The quote says: Dance as if no one were watching, Sing as if no one were listening, Live every day as if it were your last. I thought it would make a nice birthday card.

***ingredients***
Paper: PTI Lemon Tart, Razzberry Fizz, SU! Elegant Eggplant
Stamps: Verve- Beautiful You (quote), Floral Whimsy (butterfly)
Ink: Elegant Eggplant
Other: Stickles, flat back pearls, SU! grosgrain ribbon

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Second card. This one is for Viva La Verve's sketch challenge this week (June Week 1) with a twist of 3: 3 colors, 3 embellishments, 3 stamp sets. This one was tough. Again, I used PTI colors and paper *love it*. Check it: the ribbon was found deep in the abyss that is my ribbon drawer--I got it with my first Verve order; Julee included this ribbon and some gorgeous satin chocolate ribbon. This ribbon matched perfectly!!

You can kind of see the stickles on the flower and on the edges of the aqua mist paper--they are there!

***ingredients***
Paper: PTI Razzberry Fizz (solid and dsp), Aqua Mist, Lemon Tart
Stamps: Verve- Floral Whimsy, Because of You; SU! Noteworthy
Ink: SU! pixie pink
Other: sponges, rhinestone brads, Verve ribbon, stickles

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Thanks for looking! I'm trying to find time to finish a special project for my daughter; I'm waiting on the Pooh Font cartridge I just bought off SCS. Once that is finished, I'm starting a recipe book for my sister in law. Good night!

PS- Micah was only up TWICE last night!! Hooray!! We dosed him up on Benadryl, and I did again tonight, so wish us luck!!

More sickies

Just a quick update on the kids. We had a BAAAADDD weekend with Micah. He has been on Omnicef now for 5 days, and we were seeing no improvement. In fact, he was getting worse. He was tilting his head so far to the side that he just about fell out of his walker! Plus, he was now pulling on his right ear AND his left ear (the original infected ear). Over the weekend, he averaged about 4-5 hours of sleep (in spurts) at night, and last night, well, let me just give you an overview:
10:15 Laid him down
11:30 We went to bed (stupid, I know)
12:45 Awake crying
1:30 Finally asleep
2:00 Awake crying
2:45 Finally asleep
3:00 Awake crying
4:00 Finally asleep
6:00 WOW! 2 whole hours--him on the couch, me on the loveseat in the Living Room
Awake for the morning
Yep, that sucked BIG TIME. We would have kept sleeping (maybe), but Myron got up and left to go trucking. I didn't even hear him wake up (and he's noisy).
I took him to the doctor this morning, because I was concerned about his ears, his cough, his throwing up, his runny nose, and his exhaustion. Turns out, he has an ear infection now in his right ear, with his left ear still infected, but getting better. So, that's why he's miserable. But, I am seeing some improvements:
--He is a little easier to get to sleep
--He took a 2 1/2 hour nap this afternoon
--He actually smiled and laughed for a while instead of just looking miserable
--He actually played toys for a while and had fun in the bathtub with Michelle
Hopefully, tonight is a better night. He's been awake once already, but I put him back to sleep with some Motrin, and he's sleeping tight now.
Michelle, as always, is as chipper as ever. Dr. Post looked in her ears and said they look like they are clearing up. That's good news. I'm going to try Zyrtec with both of them once they are healthy to see if their infections are caused by allergies. Dr. Post said they are hereditary, and my allergies (pollen, hay fever, etc.) are terrible. Hopefully we won't need to undergo surgery for more tubes.
Look for some cards tomorrow. Good night!