PAINT JAM

This guy is fun to watch! Enjoy!

HIM WAS MAD ABOUT HEMPZ!

Chadrick was looking for a receipt and other stuff that came with a part he ordered for his paintball gun, and I had put it in my purse but couldn't remember
what I did with it when I took it out of my purse. That's a normal occurrence, right? I looked in a few places and then told him to go look on my dresser since I may have "unloaded" there. He came back in a few minutes, with a stern look on his face, showed me a bag he'd found and said, "Just what is this? I'm very disappointed in you!" He was partly joking, but still unsure of what was in the bag. I started laughing and told him that it was a gift from the girl where I tan. Earlier this month, they had gone to a show for the indoor tanning industry and, obviously, a lot of vendors were there, giving out free samples, so the shop owner was sharing with her customers. I told Chadrick that he had not uncovered a secret stash and that the two-pocket zippered pouch contained several samples of tanning lotion. He checked it out and was relieved, somewhat. Now, he and I need to talk about that ring tone on his cell phone. It rang last night, and this is what I heard, "Roll, roll, roll your joint, take out the seeds and stems . . ." Once again, they put unpleasant lyrics to the nicest music! And he was concerned about my little green leaf????

HA! AN ACETATE BOX THAT I WILL MAKE AGAIN . . . AND AGAIN

After a little more digging, I found instructions that could be modified for this acetate box, and it is MUCH easier than the one I made yesterday! I'm trying to finalize projects and set a date for a holiday stamp camp, so look for this box to be one of the projects! ;-)

Stampin' Up! products used to create this box: Bashful Blue card stock, Blizzard wrapping paper, Chocolate Chip Satin ribbon, The Snowflake Spot stamp set, Chocolate Chip Classic ink, and White StazOn ink.

The snowflakes are hard to see in the picture, but they're really there!

CAN YOU SAY "EYE CANDY?"

Isn't this a cute box? I'm going to enjoy it because it's the only one I'll ever make! I didn't have any nicely wrapped candy to put in it, but that's just as well.

In case you'd like to make one, the acetate is made like a 2-4-6-8 box (only larger), and then the top and bottom pieces are attached to it. The instructions I had totally STINK because they leave a LOT to your own devices, and the measurements for the top and bottom Chocolate Chip pieces are scored exactly to fit the acetate box; however, don't we all know that won't work???? I know, I know . . . so why did I do that? I think I would have been better off to not even score the Chocolate Chip card stock and just wrap it around to fit. Images from Stampin' Up!'s "Priceless" stamp set were used to decorate this little dilly. White StazOn ink was used on the acetate (it worked GREAT and dried VERY quickly), and White Craft ink was used to stamp the Chocolate Chip card stock.

If nothing else, it does make a nice picture, and it really is something sweet for the eye to behold. ;-)

Have a stampin' good day!

BOY, DID I FEEL STUPID!

I'm sure you've felt stupid before, but how long has it been? For me, it actually happens quite often, but I had one of those moments today. Well, it actually started about two weeks ago when I put on a new shirt that had been freshly laundered. This was a brand new shirt that I was sure would become a favorite. It's a gauzy fabric that has a fair amount of "give" to it--the kind that feels like you're not wearing anything. And . . . best of all . . . I got it for like $12 at Dress Barn. When I put the shirt on, I was so angry because it had drawn up! And I didn't even put it in the dryer!!!! WTH? I didn't throw it away, though, I just threw it in the closet. For the past week or so, I have continued to look at that shirt each time I went in the closet for something to wear, getting mad all over again because I wanted to wear THAT shirt! Today, I tried on several shirts and didn't like any of them, which was making me kind of mad. So, I picked up the new shirt with the intention of putting it on . . . just to see if it looked as bad today as I remembered. Or maybe I just wanted to top off my frustration with something REALLY frustrating. Shrunk clothes never unshrink, so it was still shrunk and shriveled-looking. Argh!!!! In my heightened frustration, I just started pulling on this shirt to make matters worse but then I noticed . . . it was actually unshrinking!!!!! OMG!!!! Why didn't I think of this before . . . gauzy fabric does that . . . it wrinkles, shrinks, and then the shrinkage just disappears when you put it on. I am so loving this shirt today!!! I could be mad that I've wasted time kicking it around in the closet when I could have been wearing it, but I'm just thankful that some old knowledge finally came to the forefront of my brain.

The moral of the story: It is often during times of great distress that we discover that which has once before been discovered. [slap forehead with palm of hand]

WAKE UP CALL - NEW MUSIC

I started getting a little tired of hearing some of the songs on my Playlist, so I made a few changes recently. One of my current favorite songs is "Wake Up Call," but it has a dark side. A guy murders his girlfriend's lover . . . and disposes of the body! I saw the video and wasn't too impressed--I'd never promote murder--but I still like something about this song! If it should happen to pop up while you're visiting my blog, just enjoy the music and "tune out" the lyrics. ;-) Now, "Bubbly," on the other hand, is a happy little tune. Another new song on the Playlist is "Everything." I don't even know what this one is about . . . I can't seem to concentrate on the lyrics for listening to the music (ADD kicking in, I guess). Since Chadrick and I spend a lot of time in this room together (his computer is at the other end of the countertop), I hear a LOT of the music he listens to and, while I hardly ever listen to the words, I manage to pick up on a few choice words, if you know what I mean. For instance, there's an interesting song by Afro Man that I really like, but the lyrics REALLY turn vulgur. Why do they have to ruin songs with words that prevent the song from getting air time????? I hope you enjoy the music!

SNOWFLAKE BOX

It's that time of year . . . time to start thinking about the holidays. I don't really mean to skip over Thanksgiving but--truth be told--it's time to prepare for Christmas, particularly if you're planning to make gift items, decorations, etc.

I found the pattern for this little box and thought it might be a good holiday item. It is a good one--and would be a fun one to receive. The problem, for me, is that I don't really like working with patterns . . . I would much prefer to have measurements so that I can work solely with my paper trimmer and avoid having to copy a pattern onto card stock. Your printer might like card stock, but mine would just as soon chew most of it up and spit it out . . . if it didn't get choked on it. ;-) I have to admit, though, that I looked at the pattern, took some measurements, and used my paper trimmer to create this little gem. Between now and December, this might be a workshop or camp/class project!


The first picture (of the top of the box) doesn't really depict just how glittery the punched snowflake is. I used Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder on the punched snowflake, but I used Hologram Highlights Embossing Powder on the snowflakes that are randomly stamped on the outside of the box. Other snowflakes are stamped with Brocade Blue Classic ink on the box, too. In the second picture, you can see that there's a piece of acetate covering the window, which gives the recipient a peek at what's inside.

FYI: RIBBON ORIGINALS - COLOR MATCHES

Have you ever wondered which SU colors coordinate with the Ribbon Originals (p. 191)? Well, wonder no more!

BEACHFRONT: Basic Gray, River Rock, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Whisper White

DISTRICT: Basic Gray, Blue Bayou, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Sage Shadow, Whisper White

FAIRY TALE: Almost Amethyst, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Rose Red, So Saffron

JERSEY: Basic Black, Brocade Blue, More Mustard, Real Red, Wild Wasabi

SHERBET: Groovy Guava, Mellow Moss, Purely Pomegranate, Soft Sky, So Saffron, Very Vanilla

THEATER: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Old Olive, River Rock, Very Vanilla

ARLENE'S APPLE CIDER'D, HARDWARE'D, Z-FOLDED B-DAY CARD!

Arlene had a birthday this week. Yesterday, as a matter of fact. Her sweet husband ordered a HodgePodge Hardware Kit for her, and I thought she'd appreciate getting a birthday card with some hardware on it. And she did!

Apple Cider designer paper was used to decorate this card, and I used SU's Cutter Kit to distress the edges of the front panel. Card stock colors were Really Rust, River Rock, and Wild Wasabi. Stamp sets used were "A Tree for all Seasons" and "It's Your Birthday."

Shhhh . . . don't tell Arlene that by the time I was finished with this card, I REALLY wanted to keep it! Had to push myself all the way to the mailbox!

SO VERY . . . SORRY

One of my favorite SU Sell-A-Bration stamp sets of all time is from last year . . . "So Very." I "so very" wish that it didn't have to retire at the end of the SAB sales period. I had an opportunity (a need, really) to use it this morning. I found out that a person whom I've done business with a few times lost her home, her business, and three pet poodles to a fire this past Saturday. Fortunately, her family was able to get out of the house. I cannot imagine the magnitude of such loss--it's unfathomable! When I sat down to make a card for this family, the one and only stamp set that would work to convey my message was "So Very." The inside of the card just reads "sorry." What more can one say?

SO MANY STAMPS . . . SO MANY SAYINGS

Have you noticed SU's "So Many Sayings" (level 1 hostess set)? The stamp set comes with three stamps that are full of phrases/sentiments! I have one of the sets that I mounted on the three wood blocks that came with the set, but I have another "So Many Sayings" stamp set that I wanted to mount differently. This time, I cut the phrases apart and mounted them on long, narrow wood blocks that came with a Jenga game that we hardly ever play anymore and it is AWESOME! I no longer have to use a marker to ink the phrase/sentiment that I want--I just reach for the stamp I need, and ink it with an ink pad!

SCALLOPED FLORAL SNOW BLOSSOM

What does this card need???? I wasn't sure what to do with the "flowers" I created this morning, so I put them on the white panel. It was boring, of course, so I added some "doodling." It still wasn't exciting, so I added the red photo corner. I came home this afternoon and thought it still looked boring, so I added the "make a wish" sentiment . . . and then I added the three brads. It still seems to need something, but I'm afraid whatever it needs is something that should have been done before the doodling--maybe even before the flowers were put in place. Argh!

How did I make this card? I began by punching the Snow Blossom on three pieces of card stock (Real Red, River Rock, and Soft Sky). I then centered that punched out portion in the Scallop Circle punch, and added some doodles to the flowers. I used three pieces of Xyron tape (cut to size) on the backside of the flowers, and then sprinkled them with Dazzling Diamonds glitter. A mini glue dot was used to adhere the small buttons to the flower centers. Can you see how sparkly the flowers are?

I like the flowers, but the overall card design doesn't do them justice. I'll have to go back to the drawing board with this one. ;-)

WHAT KIND OF MONSTER ARE YOU?

In the spirit of Halloween, I thought it would be fun to see what kind of monster I am. I took the short quiz, and this is what I got. Fortunately, I play well with vampires!

You Are a Werewolf

You're unpredictable, moody, and downright freaky. You seem sweet and harmless, until you snap. Then you're a total monster. Very few people can predict if you're going to be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. But for you, all your transformations seem perfectly natural. Your greatest power: Your ability to tap into nature Your greatest weakness: Lack of self control You play well with: Vampires

What Kind of Monster Are You?

HELP WITH "TAKE-AWAYS"

This is so funny!! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZA7Hhc_MnE

ANOTHER LICENSED DRIVER IN THE HOUSE

I knew this day would come, but still I'm not ready for it. Chadrick got his drivers' license today! We were both really dreading the process after the horrible experience at the Lincolnton DMV last week, but the longer drive to the Maiden DMV made a HUGE difference! The word "difference" seems to be quite an understatement because the Maiden office was absolutely NOTHING like that sleazy, depressing, worthless, crappy Lincolnton office! Can you tell that I have an extreme dislike for the Lincolnton DMV? Our experience today was so pleasant--and quick--that Chadrick and I were both in a state of disbelief. The Maiden office was big and clean, there was no waiting in a hot hall, we were treated politely, and Chadrick's driving test was super simple. He was much more at ease in Maiden--unintimidated--and don't we all know what a difference that makes? Now, there's a chance that the person who "helped" us last week in Lincolnton may have taken offense to something I said (not to her, but she overheard), but whatever! I've already cast imaginary spells against her and predict that she'll be a miserable louse for as long as she works in that dreary office. Last Monday, I was reminded of a boss I used to have. He was quite a character and it was hard to believe that he ever worked with the public. He said that whenever he had to visit clients and, basically, take a lot of verbal crap as they complained about the company, he would always be as pleasant as possible and NEVER let them know that they had squashed his last nerve. After he stepped outside, though, and was headed to his car, he would say, "Son of a -----, I hope you die!" I have to admit that I, too, have had to use his phrase a time or twenty, and it's almost as good as a working voodoo doll! This milestone in Chadrick's life had a rocky start, but everything turned out positive today. For that, I'm very grateful! Let's just hope I've told him all he needs to know--and that he's been listening!

STAMP-A-STACK CARDS

I totally forgot to post this last night when I wrote about World Card Making Day. In observation of World Card Making Day and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I hosted a Stamp-a-Stack on Saturday, October 6th. A portion of the event fee and orders placed on the 6th will be donated in my sister's honor to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

I designed these four cards for the SAS, and my guests got to make two of each design. Their bonus project for this fun event was getting to make their own two-pocket bag like the one that I made for their "thank you" gift.

Thanks again, ladies, for your support of this very worthy cause! I appreciate you!

WORLD CARD MAKING DAY

Yesterday was World Card Making Day, and I celebrated with a Stamp-a-Stack! My guests made eight greeting cards, and they each got one of these two-pocket bags for attending. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, each guest (in their two-pocket bag) received two pink ribbon pencils, a pink ribbon book mark, a pink silicone bracelet, and an assortment of pink and white card stock. As a bonus project for attending my event, they also got to make one of these fun two-pocket bags!

Each bag had a shaker tag with pink ribbon confetti. The tags were created with a Sizzix die and acetate for the "window".

Thank you, ladies!! I truly enjoyed this event with you!

IT'S A POINSETTIA THIS TIME!

It's another tag punch creation, although this one didn't get to be a snowflake. When I started on this one, my plan was to make two of them, emboss them with Iridescent Ice, and use them as a snowflake just as I did on the previous card. All was going well until I started pouncing the VersaMark ink on the first one. I had dropped the ink pad, which landed upside down, so I just lifted the bottom and started pouncing it on the first flake. OMG!!!! It was a metallic gold ink pad!!!! Yikes! I tried to wipe the gold ink off the snowflake, but it was still somewhat discolored. I wasn't sure what to do with the other half of the snowflake until I remembered that one of the Wintergreen designer papers had a poinsettia design! And this half of my snowflake, all glittery and ready to go, was a perfect fit! Unfortunately, my picture neither portrays the sparkle on this card or the true colors of the paper. BTW, "Merry Christmas" is silver embossed. I was hesitant to use the silver embossing powder on that light green paper, but it actually turned out well. The rhinestone brads, in my opinion, turned out to be a perfect finishing touch on this card! I would like to have added some ribbon, but I couldn't decide where to put it.

CANDY CORN

The other night at Walmart, I bought some Halloween candy for trick-or-treaters. Chadrick tossed some candy corn in the cart. We had never tried Indian Corn, but we decided to get a bag of it, too. I saw where Chadrick had tried it tonight. Apparently, he doesn't care for the chocolatey end. ;-) He didn't seem interested in throwing away what he didn't eat, either. :-(

TIME TO LAUGH (OR CRY)

STAMP HEAVEN

A woman who was near death insisted she be buried with her stamps. As she passed away, she saw a white light and followed it until she found herself in a mystical place, surrounded by men and women who wandered about admiring all kinds of paper . . . beautiful paper on shelves stretching as far as the eye could see . . . and all the rubber stamps one could imagine. Overjoyed, the woman turned to a lady who was running her hands with pleasure over a rich and costly paper and said, "This is a wonderful place! Is it Heaven?" The lady replied, "No this is HELL. There aren't any ink pads.”

Author –Unknown

I think the moral of this story is to ask to be buried with stamps AND ink. Hee! Hee!

I've attached a sample (technique: Cuttlebug Smoosh) to this post so it won't look so boring.

TAG PUNCH SNOWFLAKE

Can you say "COOL BEANS?????" This is my very first snowflake created with Stampin' Up!'s tag punches, and I'm quite pleased with it. Although it was quite easy to make, it was somewhat tedious and time-consuming. The blue snowflake in the center was cut with a Sizzlits die, and the embossed snowflake background was created with a Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. Stampin' Up! products used to create this card are: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, and white Vellum card stock, Antique Brass brad, Crop-a-Dile to set the Antique Brass eyelets, white Mulberry paper, and the jumbo "Snow" wheel. Dazzling Diamonds glitter was applied to the edges of the white snowflake with 2-Way glue.

CHIPBOARD and DESIGNER PAPER

Have you ever purchased a product that you really wanted to use but, at the same time, you didn't want to use it? I'm like that with several products . . . like chipboard. The chipboard pieces are relatively easy to use. On this card, for example, I got the flower from "On Board Blossoms and Basics," but I saved the round center for something later. ;-) All I did to the flower is sponge Rose Red Craft ink on it! You can use Classic ink, but the Craft ink doesn't tend to get absorbed by the chipboard. For my flower center, I stamped an image from "Big Pieces" with So Saffron Craft ink and then embossed it with Iridescent Ice, although this picture doesn't allow you to see how it sparkles. And that gorgeous paper is from the "Cutie Pie" designer paper collection. If you look really close, you can see a couple of mess-ups. As I was putting adhesive on the back of the chipboard, I forgot that runner-type adhesive doesn't work well. Then I accidentally got too much glue from the glue stick on the chipboard. When I tried to clean it off, some of my ink came, too, so I had to sponge more ink on two spots . . . they're the dark ones . . . by the sponge-like smears. ;-) What can I say? This is a hand-crafted card--an original--mistakes and all.