"THOUGHTS & PRAYERS" COLOR STRIP

How's this for a simple and easy-peasy design? I love the color strips and white-embossed tree. Without being fussy, it's quite an eye-catching design. The idea to use color strips wasn't born in my head, but it was one that I had to try. This card is actually A2 size, but I cropped the photo because I think it looks better as a square.

AWESOME GRADUATION CEREMONY!

Being that Chadrick's school only had two senior classrooms, one might not expect a "wow" graduation ceremony, but I was totally impressed! It was very clear that the school was pleased to honor their graduates, and I have never witnessed this type of ceremony. Granted, I haven't spent a lot of time going to such events, but I honestly can say that the school--staff and adminstration--embraced and honored their graduates with an impressive send-off . . . from the beautiful invitations (I've heard many compliments about them) to the parade of graduates and the seating of teachers on each side of the seniors. In his address to the students, the Valedictorian compared EACH student to an element, and his speech was AWESOME! He said that Chadrick was much like uranium due to his radioactive explosions and was thankful that the Dean of Students was always there to handle those situations. He also commented about the humor that Chadrick brought to his classmates (he was voted Class Clown), and I think everyone in attendance really enjoyed this speech. One of the teachers asked parents to send in three photos of their child, one being a baby picture. There were two screens used to project all of the photos, and it was so fun to see the pictures! I've attached three of the four pictures that I sent in. All four pictures were used, plus Chadrick's yearbook photo. It appeared that some parents had not sent photos, but I'll bet they later wished they had done so. Isn't that a handsome boy (photo on left), Jurassic Park bookbag and all, ready for his first day of Kindergarten? All in all, it was a great ceremony! I didn't shed any tears, but I know that I'm going to miss the school years--the good, the bad, and the in-between. I guess the Dean of Students can give my Speed Dial number on his phone to another parent.

POMP & CIRCUMSTANCE

Today is a big day in the Andari household . . . Chadrick will graduate this evening! While I've become one of those people who often say, "It seems like only yesterday . . .," I mean it every time I say it! From the time the little fellow was born, it's often been kind of scary (for me) that he's outside the comfort zone and in the real world. Many mothers know the anxiety experienced when leaving a baby at day care, and most mothers have experienced even more anxiety at leaving their "baby" at Kindergarten on the first day of school. Yes, I've been one of those mothers that teachers really don't like, sometimes for more mean reasons than being over-protective. A child's years are simply filled with proud moments and a lot of "mom anxiety." I can't tell you how many times Chadrick has said, "Mom, I'll be fine!" For any new moms reading this post, let me tell you that in your child's first 18 years, the absolute worst anxiety (due to normal occurrences) will be when your child starts driving! You think you've shed tears and harbored fears at the Kindergarten classroom door? Oh, you just wait! (This is another phrase that I've adopted.) On this day, as I sit here thinking that it seems like only yesterday that Chadrick was born, learned to talk, walk and give hugs; used to think that I was the BEST thing in the world, and even when he decided that I was sometimes the enemy, I'm looking forward to the opportunities available to him and seeing what the future holds. So, on this day of pomp and circumstance, I wanted to share the graduation card that I made for Chadrick. Unfortunately, his gift is on order and won't arrive until next week (hopefully), but I've put a picture of it inside the card. Think about me tonight as I watch my "baby" accept his diploma!

PETER MURPHY!!!!!

My first "real" job after college was at Blue Cross. My supervisor's name was Celie, and she was a really fun lady from Charleston, SC. I spent many hours just chatting with her (and hiding from my boss), and we enjoyed processing the afternoon mail for our office. As Celie would often say, "It's a go'jus day to carry the mail out. Let's walk slow!" For someone in a management capacity, she sure enabled me to be a slacker on many occasions! She had lived in NC for many, many years but planned to retire to Charleston--which she did. I haven't seen Celie in over 20 years, but I still hear from her from time to time. Two things that Celie always said were, "Is it 4:30 yet?" and "Peter Murphy!!!!" I asked her one time who Peter Murphy was, and she said he was a boy she went to school with. Whenever she would get mad or frustrated, she'd call his name. I thought that was so funny, and I can't believe that I have never forgotten Peter Murphy! Celie's birthday is on June 1st, and I made this card for her this morning. "Bloomin' Beautiful" has been a favorite stamp set of mine, and it is severly stained with my inky love! Celie will probably be impressed that this year's card won't be late. What she won't know is that I chose a special stamp set to make this card for a special person.

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!

I don't have a brand new baby card to share today, but there is a brand new baby in the family . . . Campbell Grant Kyles was born this morning - 6 lbs. 13 oz.! I haven't talked to his mommy yet, but I hear they're both doing well. Welcome to the world, Campbell! ETA: I shorted Campbell two ounces, but he now weighs 7 lbs. 1 oz. as of 5-29-09.

PUNS FROM THE PAST

I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I really love how this card turned out. I made two similar cards for a swap and, well, the third time's a charm, right? The stamped images are from "Puns from the Past." This card features the Sizzix Buttons die, Eyelet Border punch, designer paper from Patterns Pack II (a level 1 hostess selection), and linen thread. You can't tell from the picture, but I used SU's Brushed Silver card stock for the scissor blades.

THREE CHEERS FOR KRIS ALLEN!!!

WOOHOO!!!! Kris Allen WON!!!! I think, surely, all of my votes counted. Ha! If you took the time to vote for him, thank you! I hope he'll really take off with this opportunity. It's amazing how some idols (and runners up) seem to disappear, but I hope Kris Allen won't do that. I look forward to hearing more from him.

HURRY! THERE'S STILL TIME!!!

Cast your vote for Kris Allen!!!!

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YOU NEED TO LAUGH!

I was just reading on someone's blog about a time when she was sitting in church, watching a cute little boy on the pew in front of her. His mother didn't know it, but he had brought his shiny cap gun to church that morning. At a quiet moment, the little fellow pulled the trigger, and the loud explosion reverberated in the quiet sanctuary. Even though a puffy cloud of blue smoke circled the mother's head, it was obvious that she was having unloving thoughts at the moment. Reading about this made me sit here and almost cackle! It also reminded me of a time at Honey Baked Ham with Chadrick. I used to really enjoy going out to lunch (or for an after-school snack) with him . . . just the two of us. I'd enjoy it still, but he doesn't crave my company like I do his. Anyway, we were having a sandwich and chips on this particular day but instead of opening the bag of chips the "mature" way, Chadrick proceeded to POP his bag open. And I mean it POPPED--sounded like a shot had been fired! For a very embarrassing split second that seemed much longer, you could have heard a pin drop in the restaurant, and the people looked like someone had pressed the "pause" button as they froze in their tracks. Of course, all eyes fell on the little guy sitting beside me who was pleased with the loud noise he'd made. Opening a bag of chips this way was not allowed in the elementary cafeteria, but I guess it seemed appropriate at Honey Baked Ham. The employees, especially those in the kitchen, didn't seem very humored. You'd think they would be glad to look out into the dining room and realize no one had been shot! After all these years, I think they still don't have employees with a sense of humor there! Of course, I explained to Chadrick why he shouldn't open a bag of chips that way again, at least not in public, but it was a funny moment.

TWO MORE MATCHBOX DIE CREATIONS

Oh boy, I'm having fun with the Matchbox die--as if I have nothing else that needs my attention! I was going to clean up my messy stamp room today and what time is it? After 6:00 p.m., and here I sit with barely enough clearance from my chair to the keyboard! I wanted to post these two projects, though . . . the beer mug and camera! Aren't they cute as can be? The idea for these two boxes wasn't mine, but I did give both of them my own design touches. The camera box isn't finished. Well, the box is finished, but the project is supposed to have a mini accordion album inside, complete with photographs! How smart is that???? On the beer mug, I applied Dazzling Diamonds glitter and the froth, of course, was created with circle punches.