Sad into Creative: Stepping into Digital Scrapbooking {finally}

It took the death of my old dog Tonsina to push me to the point of jumping in.

Here is my first attempt at Digital Scrapbooking with Stampin' Up! 's My Digital Studio software... I am pretty pleased, for a start.

Another birthday cake (or two)

I love the cake we made for Daughter # 2's second birthday -- and here are a couple of other cakes that we have enjoyed over the past year. This Elmo themed cake was for the third birthday:


I made Elmo punchouts for invitations -- but got way-laid and never sent them out -- so they became Valentine's for DD#2's preschool class:



And this Barbie cake was made for Daughter #1's 6th birthday -- with a Rainbow Fairy theme (note the use of vellum wings). We also made cute fairy dolls with vellum wings that I stamped and embossed for the kids' use:


I am no Lauren Meader when it comes to birthdays (seriously, she ROCKS at doing kids' birthdays...) but we sure had fun. I am getting really good at following through on a theme: for DD #1's party we made fairy dolls, rainbow playdough, and decorated cupcakes using all rainbow colored frosting and sprinkles -- tons of fun!

Finally -- I made this centerpiece for a friend's husband -- he is a great guy, and my friend really went all out with multiple opportunities to celebrate his 50th. I didn't do much stamping for this -- but I did include a bunch of punched scallops for folks to write their wishes on, and affix them to the lollipops:




I have been making more cards, and I promise to post them soon. I have a couple of more I have to make right now -- and a class to prepare for.

I am hosting a fun workshop at my home for local stampers who want to come (on March 15th) -- it is a "Green Stimulus Package" all of my own, celebrating the green holiday of St. Patrick's Day and Easter, and all things green and natural. Let me know if you want to come!

Cheers!

I am back again -- keep me honest!

Hey all -- I have been lousy at this, I know. I really, really should be a better blogger.
About 6 months ago, my computer crashed -- and with my DH out of work, we didn't jump to buy another. He did try to fix it. He went to great lengths, replacing the power supply and all -- but we fear that there was some damage to the CPU or motherboard, and frankly, we were not wanting to put more energy into it.

So -- we are making do with one computer, and surprisingly, I am loving it!

Recently, he and I have both been tapped for some work -- me, amazingly, because I put NOTHING into getting it... these are two sets of folks that I worked with/for about 10 years ago who called me up -- and DH is starting a new career and got an incredible break. Please think good thoughts for DH who is beginning to work in the field of Intellectual Properties with an absolutely brilliant inventor. It is a one month trial position, and with his hard work and your good thoughts and prayers, we are hoping it will be extended beyond that.

Anyway -- on to the card!

I have two baby cards that I just have to get out, and after MUCH ado, I got to assemble them. Since they are going to folks who don't know each other and are in different countries, I felt comfortable making two that were the same.

I am using a retired hostess set from Stampin' Up! Lilykate paper by Basic Grey, and Stampin' Up! cardstock... I love to color with my watercolor pencils, and the vine is a very cool sizzix die-cut using my Big Shot. Love that machine! I also used the sizzlet tag die-cut from Stampin' Up! to cut out the stamped image of the pea. Isn't this fun?! I promise to post more soon...

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

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

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

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