Monday, July 28, 2008

More time to Stamp? You Betcha!

Well, this is it -- today DH finishes up a contract and is entering the ranks of the unemployed. G-d willing, this will be a one month holiday... and it will include a trip East to see Nana and Boppy... but I am hoping that he will find employment that he enjoys and is satisfying in all respects at the end of it. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers that each of you can offer.

Of course, he is a dedicated Dad, and this time off might even translate into a bit of time for me to get creative -- along with doing some of the projects I hope to get done around here~

Anyway -- something creative to post... let's see:


This little number is my younger daughter's birthday cake from February -- She loves ducks (and all birds) and calls them "mack-mack's" (think Quack-Quack in 2 y.o. talk) Anyway -- we had a rubber ducky themed party, with lollipops decorated with a cute Lizzie Anne Designs rubber ducky -- but dang, I can't find a photo of those!

I am not much of a decorator of cakes, but this sure was fun. And it was healthy -- a carrot cake, with cream cheese frosting...

Off to the dentist and to pick up DH and celebrate the new chapter with a sushi dinner.
Hugs all,
Julie

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Sympathy for Myself...

Grrr...
This is the year of sickness.
I was hospitalized in January (while on Vacation) for the flu and pneumonia... and now I seem to get EVERYTHING... the stomach flu last week, then on the heels of it, this sneezy head cold and I am all clammy and yucky. I could even stamp, as my DH is around and willing to take the kids... but it is just too dang exhausting to do anything.

So -- I have an older sympathy card to upload... it was made for a friend to honor her mother's passing -- a lovely British woman who would come to visit each year. My friend is always so generous and kind, and it was such a good feeling to work on a card for her. Just posting it makes me feel better.


Do forgive the photography... I am struggling with an ancient camera and limited light... and I have GOT to get that under control -- still, it is a photo of a card, and for that I am happy.

Hugs,
Julie

Saturday, July 26, 2008

The practice of blogging...

I have to admit to being totally addicted to surfing other people's blogs. I love seeing all that they do and I have to say, I wish I could do more, myself. Which I can -- but I sometimes don't.

I seem to be sick a lot -- not enough sleep, two little ones who demand a lot, the elder bringing home sickness from her school, her playdates, wherever... my immune system not totally functioning... sigh.

But I have done some -- and so I am posting some of those things here, while I get other things going... and oh, do I have some things percolating in my head!

Anyway -- here is a cute, and very simple card I did for a friend's son's 3rd birthday:


I love the elephant, and I am so glad I have the SU set -- but I sometimes find that it keeps me from buying other sets I like -- the Lizzie Anne set that Lauren just posted about, included. I just appreciated her blog entry so much, that it sent me right over here to blog myself! Thanks, Lauren ;^)*

I loved making this card -- I gave it with a substantial gift card to a local grocery store, from a group of us... and it was a nice BIG deal! Stamping very simply, it still came out with the right "umph" I think -- and good for a 3 year old, and his family!

I had better get stamping, though -- I only have a few more cards done in the past to show you... and so many NEW sets waiting for ink!

So -- time to send the kids and DH out on an adventure, keep a box of tissue for this lousy cold at hand, and GET INKY!

Hugs, all... after all, you can't get my cold through this computer ;^)*
Julie

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Helping Others, and a Win-Win

I am a member of an online community that I just adore -- anyone else know of Splitcoast Stampers? Hehehe -- www.splitcoaststampers.com is an amazing place... and I have to say, I sometimes don't tell my customers about it, because I want to be their ONLY source for stamping info -- TERRIBLE, I know, so I am getting OFF that!

Here is a good reason why: There is a chance to help others with donations to the Red Cross for Flood Relief! Just go here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/about/nonraffle

The Non-Raffle is a chance for you to donate to a good cause, and potentially win some amazing creations and/or supplies that have been donated by an incredible group of stamping enthusiasts! I hope you will consider donating.

Now, I am very much on the fence: My DH is going to be job hunting! His last day is on Monday... we have known this day was coming for a year, since he is on a contract and HAS to leave the place of employment for 100 days before he can work there again... I am not sure how much faith to have... this economy, not knowing how things will fall with getting interviews and finding that next job... sigh.

We've prepared for this time -- we have a little saved up, and there SHOULD be unemployment (I never believe that until it is approved and the checks start coming) but the COBRA payments are near the amount of our mortgage! GRRRR... How are folks making it these days? Let alone if there is an emergency, like the flooding! Lord, please help us all...

Anyway... I am seeking something hopeful and beautiful to post today, too:



This card was made for Julie Ebersole's class Simply Great Card Design, at My Creative Classroom. I ended up giving it as a wedding card, as I thought it was elegant enough, but not overly "lovey-dovey" as the bride and groom were just more "sensible" and design-oriented ;^)*
Combined with a heartfelt note inside, I think it did the trick. The stamps are Impression Obsession (delft tile) in the corners, and the center stamp is a backgrounder from Cornish Heritage Farms -- don't you love how they went together? I could put crystals on everything... but I seem to be stingy about them... gotta get OVER that!!! I keep telling my DD -- USE the stuff -- don't hoard it! I am going to start being a better example. The card is 6 1/2 inches square, mounted on matt board! Thanks for looking!

Hugs,
Julie

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Why I haven't blogged...

How did it get to be July already???! And almost August, at that!~

Sigh.

Here's the deal with the blogging, for anyone who might wanna know...

I got "cute" and created a new email address and all when I made this blog -- but that means that I have to sign out of my regular email and (can you believe...) *concentrate on one thing* when I blog... so it is a deterrent to my actually getting stuff written and posted ;^)*

Poor excuse, I know.

I have been making a few cards -- though honestly, I have been taking a LOT more time for my little girls. My eldest is 5 1/2 and my younger daughter is 2 1/2 -- both are incredibly demanding, and I am still not sleeping through the night as the younger one wakes about once per night on most nights. Grrr...

Very few classes happening -- I am making my minimums as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator -- but there are sooooooo many cool things out there, that I can't limit myself (hehehe...)

Anyone read Joan on Paperlicious? She's been posting about the money she is spending/not spending... it is such an easy hobby to drop the BUCKS on! (grin) I mean, I hate to shop for most things, but art supplies? Come on! They ALWAYS come in my size ;^)*

I figure, if you came here, you probably want to see some cards... let's see what I can find after all these months --

Oh, yeah -- lame excuse for not blogging #37: I am not on top of taking/downloading/editing/watermarking my photos of cards... so you get the unwatermarked kind... sorry. Don't steal 'em, please!
This card was made for the Lizzie Anne Designs Anniversary Sketch challenge. It is my most recent one. I had a good time coloring, but there were things wrong with it -- and I didn't have much time, and it didn't even get a mention. Still, I enjoyed making it. The butterfly was me channeling Lauren Meader ;^)* Hi, Lauren! I love you!!!

I should have way more cards -- I mean, I have been a LUCKY girl -- in addition to buying oodles of stamps, I have won some amazing ones! I was soooooo fortunate to have won Asela's set from Gina K. called Botanical Dreams and Simply Sentiments from Lizzie Anne Designs, too. (Wish it could have been Le Jardin or the Space set, or the Princess set... but ah, well, it was free... anyone want to trade? (grin) Seriously, I am one of the very luckiest folks I know... and I am soooooo grateful for that! I believe you can MAKE your own luck, and that talking about it helps it to grow! Begin today... :^)

Ok, another card... you will have to forgive the lack of recipes... I am playing with lots of types of paper... Prism textured cardstock is something worth trying and usually there is SU paper in there... I am generally using Prismacolor and Gamsol for blending... not spending the money for copics at this point.

Here's one from this inspiration:




You just never know where inspiration is going to hit...

One thing that happened in my personal life is that we had to put down one of our family dogs -- after 13 1/2 years , that was TOUGH. I had been putting off the decision, but she was having a terrible time getting around, and life was no longer fun for her... on Passover, April 19th, she left us. Here is a card inspired by her: (The sentiment was ordered from Impression Obsession, I believe -- I am adoring their sentiments and images!) It is going to be a place for journalling about Josie, as I am in the middle of a scrapbook/tribute page to her. I miss her so much -- we had a novena candle burning for over 60 days for her to light her journey to the "other side"






Soooooo -- now you have at least SOMETHING to look at -- and thanks Keri for gently getting me back over here. I am so inspired by so many GREAT blogs -- it is wayyyyyy tooo easy to sit back and just blog surf instead of creating and blogging myself! Yikes.

Anyway... Thanks to all of you who visit here, and I hope to be blogging more... your comments DO encourage me! Thanks for being in touch... I do love that!
Julie

Sunday, January 6, 2008

My Creative Classroom...

On Julie Ebersole's blog she talks about courses that she will be offering on My Creative Classroom.

Wouldn't it be cool to take these courses for free???

Well, here is a contest... and I am getting pretty good at contests ;^)* (Wahoo... I won one at Amuse and another at Gina K. Designs... sheer luck, but I am one of the luckiest people I know. Wanna know a "secret"? Luck gets BETTER the more you talk about it! So chat it up, folks -- we can MAKE our own luck!)

From the MCC website:

As part of our upcoming Grand Opening Celebration My Creative Classroom is hosting a logo contest to help us promote our website. All we ask is that you post our logo and/or the Grand Opening event information on your blog/website or public message board. In return you will be entered into a raffle drawing. 1st place is a $100 gift certificate to My Creative Classroom.Here's what you need to do to qualify:

  • 5 tickets/entries=Post our logo with a link on your blog or website
  • 2 tickets/entries=Blog about MCC and create a link to our website
  • 1ticket/entry=Add MCC to your link list
  • 1 ticket/entry=Post about MCC on a public message board (where allowed, please do not post on boards where it is against their TOU.)
You can begin to collect entries at anytime. Links and logos must be active through February 2nd. Winner will be announced on February 2nd.

Have fun, everyone!

A new year - A word - and an explaination

Hi -- it has been a while. Not that I don't like to blog, I do -- but I got into trouble with a "Blogging Obligation" == Let me explain:


I typed to the UHU folks and got a free gluestick -- I only had to write a review. I hated the glue stick, because I really hate gluesticks for most things... not because the gluestick was really bad (it was good enough for my kids...) I just don't like the things. So -- I haven't typed. I didn't want to put that in writing, or was avoiding it, or something. I will write a more "formal" review soon, but there -- it is out, and I can start typing again ;^)*

Now -- for the WORD part. Evidently, folks who follow Ali Edwards have been taking on a little game of sharing their words for the year... this is something that I think many people do: find some word or idea that seems to surface for them, and watch it as it takes form in their lives. Ali does it at the new year, I tend to watch for the change of seasons and do it more often... or to see if there is a natural cycle happening in my life, or the lives of my family. Lots of words pop up, as I began life as a writer...

So -- for the new year, these are two words that are battling it out:

FOCUS:verb
Inflected Form(s): fo·cused also fo·cussed; fo·cus·ing also fo·cus·sing

Some meanings: to cause to be concentrated ; to bring (as light rays) to a focus; concentrate;
to come to a focus; converge; to adjust one's eye or a camera to a particular range; to concentrate attention or effort.

AND a close runner up...

PRESENT: (in all its forms, but especially as an adjective describing a way of being. I also like the idea of a gift that is sitting in front of me -- TODAY _is_ a present! and the idea of Giving or "presenting" something to others...)

Some meanings: now existing or in progress; being in view or at hand ; existing in something mentioned or under consideration; constituting the one actually involved, at hand, or being considered; of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense that is expressive of present time or the time of speaking; attentive; instant; immediate.

If you like this idea, Lisa Strahl's blog has a great post where she and others comment about their words HERE or Stephanie Severin's blog HERE

Happy New Year to you all -- and thank you for being so understanding about my long absence!