And IT begins...

The RUSH to finalize everything and the make sure EVEYTHING is done before you leave...As the house will fall apart and no one can do anything with out you right there syndrome...YEAH...ya'll know what I mean...all the little things that no one BUT YOU can make decisions about...like what can I eat for breakfast...can I go play with my friends...anyway...I have lots of things that I will be scheduling to show ya'll later today for while I am away at Convention, but as I was gone visiting Kirk's sister and her family yesterday I thought that I would start a couple of days early and start today...OKAY the truth IS...I have nothing new stamped...that's my real reason...

I am going to show ya'll my FAVORITE Artisan Award entry that I made this year to send in...it was one of my 3-D items and I really hope that someone has it at home and is enjoying it...and remember that pictures do NOT do it justice...it is SO MUCH PRETTIER IN PERSON...REMEMBER...I make TWO of everything...so I have one to keep and one for SU!...so I have one TOO! Here it is...



YEP...Birds in a pickle jar...up on a pedastal...ain't they cute...I sure thought so...here are some close-ups



Mama bird in her cardstock nest and her three eggs...as I have three kids...



Daddy bird flying through the air...he is mounted to the pickle jar lid



Another view of the entire jar...


And here is the outside decorations...lots of ribbons and banner that says "Bless Our Nest"

I used the Chipboard Birds that are now retired and covered them with DSP. Made the nest out of Cardstock...and went to town decorating the birds and jar with pearls glitter and rhinestones from the egg kit out of the mini...and LOTS of ribbon...no one in my house really likes pickles so the pickles were sacrificed for the sake of the project and if you open the jar today...still smells a LOT like pickles...so of course it stays sealed...but it is SUPER CUTE to look at...I got the candle stick and wooden plate at Goodwill and spary painted them off white and then glazed over that with a brown so it looked aged...

Hope you liked my 3-D project...Hope to see it at Convention and I hope that someone else is enjoying it on their desk or at their home as much as I am enjoying mine...

Get 'er done...

Worked my fingers and everyone elses to the bone yesterday...My roommate gifts are ALL done! Still working on my WOW swaps...but Almost finished...all I need to do now is put the words on the front of the cards...that should take an hour or so, so I should be able to finish them up before I leave very easily...I even had time yesterday to stamp for you guys...here is a beauty...I know that I didn't use a NEW set, but I used one of my favorites...Friends 24-7...I spotted the unique layout using the Top Note die and Cork on someone else's blog...Stacy's Stamping Stage...Thanks Stacy for the inspiration!


And here is a close up of the flowers...I used the new Smooch Pearlized Top Coat...I really LIKE IT...it adds a bit of shine and sparkle...



Here are the card details:

STAMPS: Friends 24-7
CARDSTOCK: Daffodil Delight (5 1/2 x 8 1/2), Pear Pizzaz (5 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 2 1/2), Confetti White (1/4 Sheet)
INKS: Staz-On - Jet Black, Daffodil Delight, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzaz, Chocolate Chip
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Cork Sheets, DSP Island Oasis (5 1/4 x 2), Scallop Edge Border Punch, AquaPainter, 5/8" Satin Ribbon - Daffodil Delight, Smooch Pearlized Top Coat

Happy Stampin...
Twila

I've created a MONSTER...

A Monster of a MESS...Do you see this...This is what I was working in yesterday...this MESS...


YEP...and I didn't even get much done...Nope...I had to take Colleen to the Dr...she has a UTI poor thing...and then when I got home at 4pm the hubby wanted to go to Frys...all the way in Irving...in traffic...so of course...I went...so I got NO actual stamping done...I did get my roommate gifts designed, so that was something, but EVERYTHING needs to be done today...I KNOW I have told people that...and they keep dragging me away from my studio...from these...


They HAVE to get done TODAY...we are going out of town all day tomorrow and we are going to be busy most of the day on Monday...I leave on Tuesday for Convention.,..I really don't want to be sitting at the airport or on the plane finishing these...and the reason why...I ALWAYS forget something...ALWAYS...so I want them done BEFORE I go...I wnat them done TODAY...anyone want to come and help out?

Wish me luck...Sorry there isn't a new card for you to see...hopefully these can get done and I can actually stamp something tonight for you to see tomorrow...and my plan for while I am away at Convention is to show ya'll my SPECTACULAR non-winning Artisan Award entries...I am still hoping to be an Honorable Mention again this year...I figure one of these years they will take pity on me and let me win it...

Happy Stamping...
Twila

Short and Sweet today...

Short and Sweet post today as I have to get back to my swaps AS...my WOW swap for Conventions STILL not totally done...but almost...just in the assembly phase...HOPEFULLY I can get them done today...still haven't started on my roommate gifts...I swear I do this to myself EVERY year and EVERY year I say NEVER again...and I still do it...but...I did create this super cute card for you to oogle first thing this mornin'...YEP used the Aviary stamp set again...LOVE those little birdies...



Here are the card details...

STAMPS: Aviary, Short & Sweet, Teeny Tiny Wishes (The card on the front pulls out and under wish big it says happy birthday), Always In Bloom (Wheel)
CARDSTOCK: Confetti White ( 4 1/4 x 11, 3 x 4), Melon Mambo ( 3 1/2 x 1 1/4), Chocolate Chip (3 1/2 x 5), Daffodil Delight (1/4 Sheet)
INKS: Chocolate Chip, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzaz
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Scallop Envelope Die, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Corner Rounder, Scallop Edge Punch, Chantilly Ribbon, Basic Rhinestones, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Wheel Handle, Designer Button, Stampin' Dimensionals,


NOW BACK TO THE SWAPS...Happy Stampin'

Twila

Still working...

Well...I didn't get that much done on my swaps yesterday, but we did get Kaitlyn to the Air Force recruiter and most of her paperwork filled out...we have to go back on Monday to finish it up...they need copies of the other kids Birth Certificates from the British Embassy since they were born overseas and they rest of the paperwork filled out...it seems they need to know everyone that Kaitlyn has come in contact with since birth...name, address, social security number and where they are now located...just kidding...it's not quite that in depth, but they do need to names and address of people who have known of Kaitlyn's whereabouts for over 10 years and they can't be family members...do you know how hard that is to come by when you are a military family who moves and you have to remember who you were friends with when you were 7 and need their address now at 17 and 4 moves later...IMPOSSIBLE...but we will get it done...before Monday...and once all the paperwork is done she will be going to MEPS...the processing center...at the end of the month (27th or 28th) to do more paperwork...THEN it is a waiting game...wait until they have her job open and they are ready for her to go to Basic Training sometime in the fall...her journey as an adult to begin...

Now that I am all teary eyed...onto the card...after we got back yesterday, I worked on my swaps, finished my backgrounds and cut all the ribbons...then I made this card...


Here are the card details:

STAMPS: Printed Petals, On Your Birthday
CARDSTOCK: Bashful Blue ( 4 1/4 x 11, Whisper White ( 1/4 Sheet, Scraps), Real Red ( 5/8 x 3 1/2), Pear Pizzaz (1/2 x 3 3/8)
INKS: Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Staz-On - Jet Black
ACCESSORIES: DSP Celebrations (3 3/4 x 3 7/8), Big Shot, Top Note Die, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, 5/8 Satin Ribbon - Daffodil Delight, Designer Buttons, Basic Pearls, 3/4" Square Punch


RUNNING UPDATE: Well...I did run yesterday...and I ran farther than I ran before...met my goal of running to the school before I started walking and I'm not going to tell you how far away the school is...because you will laugh...so you can only imagine that it isn't that far...then I walked a bit then ran again...and walked a bit then ran again...when Kaitlyn and I were running back I met my goal of running from the corner to the fence...now that was really hard and she said MOM...next time you can run from the corner to the fence at the school which is only about 20 more steps or so and I said how about we just do to the fence again...that was really hard...BABY STEPS...it has been 20 years since I ran...BABY STEPS...but I am doing it...no Marathons in my future, but I would like to be able to run to the pool and back which is a WHOLE MILE...BABY STEPS...

I think I need a cup of coffee...

I KNOW I need me cup of coffee and I don't even like coffee...going to bed late and getting up early...it's wearing on me...I need naps...I LIKE naps...but NAPS in this house...not so easy to come by as they were before we moved...our room here is right beside the living room...and the only TV in the house, so you can see why right there...NO NAPS...but I really want one!

I even tried the other day and made the kids go to the pool, they were gone about an hour or so, just as I settled in and about 20 minutes after I had put my book down to go to sleep...they were back with their LOUDNESS, and the bickering...so again...NO NAP...then since they are teenagers and it's SUMMERTIME and remember I have one who is almost 18 they think that they can stay up till all hours of the night...

I don't get to sleep until 1 or 2 am and then Kirk's alarm on his phone is set to go off at 7 am...but does he get up...nope...he just turns it off and rolls over and goes back to sleep...RETIREMENT...I need some of that TOO...that DANG ALARM...it just wakes me up...just enough where I can't go back to sleep because it's daylight outside and I have a million card ideas rolling around in my head that need to be brought out into the light...so what do I do...GET UP of course...and then the cycle starts all over again...

Here is a card that I made last night after I quit working on my Convention swaps...ya'll will be happy to hear that my Movement swap is completed and am over 1/2 done with my WOW card swap as I FINISHED cutting out the 90 birdcages for my card yesterdaay...I hope to finish the WOW swap today...Now onto today's card...

Yep...another cute one...even if I do say so myself..

Here are the card details:

STAMPS: Morning Cup, Well Worn Background
CARDSTOCK: Pink Pirouette (4 1/4 x 11), Rich Razzleberry (1 1/4 x 4 1/4), Crumb Cake (1/4 sheet), Whisper White (Scraps)
INKS: Pink Pirouette, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzaz, Crumb Cake
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Basic Pearls, Daffodil Delight 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Greenhouse Gala DSP (2 3/4 x 4 1/4), Eyelet Border Punch, Stampin Dimensionals, AquaPainter

Okay...now I am getting pulled away from the computer for a run...and let me tell you I am going...but NOT willingly...she better be glad I LOVE HER...I'll let you know a bit later if I make it more than a block...wish me LUCK!

Happy Stampin!
Twila

Another Birdy day...

YEP...it's official...I LOVE this set...It is TOO CUTE! I can't wait to show you this card...so no jabbering this morning like normal...here it is...

So what do you think...PURE CUTENESS...YES...I think so too...I LOVE that the one little birdy is out an about struttin' his stuff while the others are all locked up in the cages...hehe...

Here are the card details:

STAMPS: Aviary, Short & Sweet
CARDSTOCK: Basic Gray (5 1/2 x 8 1/2), Daffodil Delight (5 1/4 x 2 1/4), Baja Breeze (Scraps) Whisper White (1/2 x 3, Scraps)
INKS: Basic Gray, Poppy Parade, Pacific Point
ACCESSORIES: 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, 3/4" Square Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon - Poppy Parade,

On the swap front...still NOT ANYWHERE CLOSE to being done...but I am still working on them...so I am hoping that today I can get the one set of 24 done and start back on the set of 90...I have 90 birdcages to cut out...WHAT was I thinking? Oh yeah...that the card was CUTE!

So I guess that this post is done for the day...enjoy the card...and wish me luck on the progress of my swaps today...check back tomorrow to see what new things I am using...until then...

Happy Stamping...
Twila

A quick post today...

A quickie today as I am heading out the door to do some Probate stuff on my grandmother and great-grandmother's estates...nothing like business on a Monday morning, when all you really want to do is stay home and STAMP! Although I did get quite a bit done on my swaps over the weekend, I am feeling the pressure as I leave for Convention in a week and have a TON of stuff to do...so a quick post is in order this morning and then I am off...hopefully to be back by early afternoon for more stamping!

Here is the card that I have been working on...

...and the card details...

STAMPS: Greeting Card Kids, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Tiny Tags, Well Worn Background
CARDSTOCK: Pear Pizzaz (4 1/4 x 11), Crumb Cake (1/4 sheet), Cherry Cobbler (2 7/8 x 2 1/2, Scrap), Confetti White (2 3/4 x 2 1/2, 1/2 x 3)
INKS: Pear Pizzaz, Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, Basic Gray,
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Polka Dot Emossing Folder, AquaPainter, Riding hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Crop-a-Dile, Basic Rhinestones, 3/4" Punch

I know I am getting ahead of my self on the Holidays, but this set is just SO cute...who can resist those chubby cheeks?

Twila

TODAY...Hard at work...WILL work Hard

I hope today will allow me to be hard at work on my Swaps for Convention...I was working a bit on them yesterday, after we got back from shopping...but not nearly enough...I think I might even recruit the kiddos to do some of the Big Shot work and the sponging that needs to be done... I need to get them finished...now that they are started...so I can work on the million and one other card ideas that are swirling around in my head...along with all the ideas for my roommate gifts...NEED to get working on those also...

Ya'll will be happy to know that I did take a break....After Kaitlyn sweet-talked me into running with her and we got back I made this sweet little number...YEP, folks...You HEARD it here first...I said RUNNING...That was the reason for our shopping trip yesterday...Kaitlyn is getting ready to join the Air Force in the fall and has started running and needed GOOD running shoes and I told her that I would run with her...what was I THINKING?!?It's been alsmost 20 years since I ran...and then I HAD TO, but I told her I would...So we bought new shoes yesterday and went running last night...I made it about a block and a half before...yep...I was walking...Kaitlyn ran 1/2 mile...I ran walked that 1/2 mile to catch up to her and then we ran / walked back...I figure that it might take a couple of months before I can run any distance...I need to get use to running with out being able to breathe...you see I purchased my first Sports Bra yesterday also...as the girls like to move around while I run and they were cinched in so tight that I could hardly breathe it seemed like...so it will take some getting use to, but I know that I can do it...My goal is to be able to run the 1 1/2 miles with her before she leaves in the fall...

NOW...Back to the regularly scheduled progrm...

Here it is...My super cute and simple card...



And here is a close up of the bow / button

Here is what I used:

STAMPS: Aviary, Tiny Tags
CARDSTOCK: Old, Olive (4 1/4 x 11), Whisper White (3 3/4 x 5, scrap)
INKS: Staz-On - Jet Black, Pear Pizzaz, Marina Mist, Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight
ACCESSORIES: Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1" Circle Punch, 5/8" Satin Ribbon - Daffodil Delight, Designer Buttons -Neutrals, Basic Rhinestones, Markers (Poppy Parade, Marina Mist), Jewelry Tag Punch, Crochet Thread, Stampin' Dimensionals

Hope everyone has a GREAT day...wish me luck on getting my swaps done and let me know if you have any tips on starting to run with out killing yourself...I would appreciate them...

Twila

FINALLY...Have them started...BARELY

YEP...I have FINALLY...STARTED on my Convention swaps...I have signed up for TWO Organized swaps...One is a movement swap...the cards need to have some type of movement on them...I have those designed and I have started cutting the cardstock for those and I am only making 24 of those....the other organized swap I am doing is a WOW swap...that one has about 130 participants, but you don't have to make that many cards...so I am only making 90 swaps for that one as that is how many cards I can make with the supplies I had for the colors I wanted to use for the design I wanted to make...did that make any sense? Both of these swaps reqiure FULL cards...which I prefer...that is what I make even when I swap on the general floor...so they do use more cardstock...SO since I was designing swap cards and starting the cutting process last night I did NOT get any stamping done...

SO...I when I got up this morning, while waiting on the girls to get ready to go shopping, I made this little beauty...TOO CUTE!!


Here is what I used:

STAMPS: Morning Cup, Take A Sip (Wheel)
CARDSTOCK: Real Red ( 4 1/4 x 11), Whisper White ( 1/4 sheet), Baja Breeze (1 x 4), Daffodill Delight (2 1/4 x 1 1/8), Pear Pizzaz (Scrap)
INK: Real Red, Staz-On - Jet Black
ACCESSORIES: Markers (Real Red, Pear Pizzaz, Daffodill Delight), Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Wheel Handle, Corner Rounder, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Basic Rhinestones, Stampin Dimensionals, Pear Pizzaz 1/2" Stitched-Poly Ribbon

What do you think? Hope you like it...Happy stamping...and wish me luck on getting my swaps done in a timely manner as then I need to start on roommate gifts...and then if I have enough time...General Swaps...

10 DAYS...I should have started sooner...DARN MOVE!
Twila

Late...but accomplished...

I was gone yesterday...ALL DAY...gone on a mission...on a mission to find that EVER ELUSIVE table...went to two Antique Malls and an Antique store...came home with zip, zilch, nada, nothing...it was a BUST...saw a LOT of CUTE stuff that I would have liked to have, but as I said...I was on a mission...I have a feeling that I am going to end up making that darn table...I really don't want to make it I want something old and unique...I will give it a couple of months...okay...in reality...probably until I get back from Convention...then something has to be done...I have to have someplace for people to stamp IN my studio...otherwise...NO ONE will EVER want to come and play....

So...Since I was gone all day...no stamping was accomplished...so when I got up this morning, while waiting on my SU! Sale-A-Bration freebie stamps to arrive (along with the second order that I placed yesterday from the new catalog and had over-nighted...SHHH...DON'T tell my man...I made this card...LOVE this set and of course had to have these little kids...


Stamps: Greeting Card Kids, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Cardstock: Basic Black (5 1/2 x 8 1/2 & 5 1/4 x 4), Whisper White (4 x 5 1/2 (torn), Scrap)
Inks: Staz-On - Jet Black, White CRAFT Pad, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, So Saffron
Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

So...now that I have to be here ALL day...I am waiting for the movers to come back and pick up all of the empty flat packed boxes and all of the boxes that are filled with packing paper...they are suppose to show up SOMETIME today...I won't hold my breathe though, as they were SUPPOSE to be here on Tuesday and NEVER showed...I want this stuff out of my garage...so that the stuff that IS ours and is suppose to actually be stored in there...can go out there and get out of the other areas of my house...

SO...now that I have to be here ALL day...with MORE NEW stuff from SU!...you know I am gonna be stamping...of course I do need to start working on my swaps for Convention sometime soon as I leave in about 10 days and haven't started them yet...but I work best under pressure...or so I keep telling myself...

Now...onto the stamping...
Twila

I want it NOW...

Well...have you ever decided you want something...something specific...and you start obsessing over it...then you start shopping for it...thinking it shouldn't be too hard to find...and then get all frustrated becuase you then can't find what you are looking for...it's happening to me and it is VERY ANNOYING!! Here is my delima...

My new Stamping Studio here in the Great and AWESOME state of TEXAS is actually the dining room in this house...it is a pass through room from when you come in the front door you have to pass through the Studio to get into the Kitchen and Family room...well, I have my work Island set up where the dining table should go and I really like it there, and our dining room table is in the Kitchen as it is large enough...But I have this problem...my problem is that I don't really like stamping alone...I am a SOCIAL STAMPER...

At the last house from my Studio space I could very easily work at my Island and see /talk to whoever happened to be stamping and scrapbooking with me...in the dining room...here that is not the case...there is this thing called a WALL in the way...so my solution...I want a table...to put on the other side of my island...a long and narrow one...I need it to be between 64-69" long and 18-24" wide...and dining table height...I know that they exist...I just can't see to find one...It is playing hide and seek with me...eluding ALL of my efforts to find it...I have looked at all of the local thrift stores (that I know of...remember I have only been here a month) and I have even started looking at Antique stores (the ONE that I found...need to go back SOON) but my shopping trips were all FAILURES...I got nothing...AND I WANT IT NOW...in my best Veruca Salt impersonation...

I KNOW that if I get impatient and SETTLE on something then I will go into another store a few days later and there it will be the PERFECT...table...but it is HARD to wait...but I am gonna...and my husband has justified it and said...All your stamping friends are in another state anyway...so there is NO HURRY...no hurry...NO HURRY...I know he doesn't get it...but I need to be ready, ready for the heaps and piles of friends that I am going to make......OKAY...now that I have gotten that off of my chest...wanna be my FRIEND? Apparently I need some friends here in TX...so if you are anywhere in TX or near Ft. Worth drop me a line...maybe I can justify, to my man, searching for my table a bit harder

NOW...Onto the card for today...


YEP...another Just believe card...Told y6ou I LOVE this set...Here are the details...

Stamps: Just Believe
Cardstock: Marina Mist (5 1/2 x 8 1/2), Whisper White (1/4 sheet), Pear Pizzaz (Scrap)
Inks: Versamark, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note Die (Whisper White Cardstock), Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Patterns DSP - So Saffron, Fancy Flower Punch ( Punched 3 times), FleurettesII (died with Melon Mambo reinker), Clear Embossing Powder, Powder Pal, Heat Tool, 5/16" Jumbo Brads

Happy stamping...
Twila

Three for Three...

How's that for some numbers... 3 for 3...WOW! I am impressed with my self...now today I need to stamp or I will not have much left to show you for the rest of the week...BUT...that shouldn't be hard as I have NEW stuff to play with...YEP my order from the NEW IB&C arrived yesterday...the only thing I did with it was unpacked it and put the stamps together...but they are all ready for me to get started with some crafty goodness...so hopefully my mojo is flowing and I can crank out some spectacular stuffs...

Here is my card for today...

I really like this color combination...I saw it on someone else's blog...have no idea where...SORRY, I wrote down the colors and even sketched out the layout of the card, but NOT where I saw it...I need to get better at that...it wasn't an SU! blog or stamps...so I adapted it...and of course I used a new stamp set and some new colors...Here's what was used:

Stamps: Just Believe, Hello Again
Cardstock: Peach Parfait (4 1/4 x 11, Scrap), Pear Pizzaz ( 4 x 3/4, 4 x 1/2), Whisper White (Scrap)
Inks: Tempting Turquoise, Peach Parfait
Accessories: Island Oasis DSP (4 x 5 1/2), Corner Rounder, Big Shot, Top Note DIe, Clear Button, 3/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, DMC Floss, Stampin' Dimensionals

Thanks for looking...let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything specific you would like to see...

Happy Stamping...
Twila

Two posts in two days...

Does this count as...ON A ROLL? I even have several more cards ready for the next few days...LOVE my new stamp sets...can wait for my first catalog order to get here later today so I have more new stuff to play with that can go with my new stamp sets...

Here is another card that I made with the new Just Believe stamp set...I LOVE this set and was so excited to get it for FREE...and EARLY!



Here is what I used:

Stamps: Just Believe
Cardstock: Blushing Bride (4 1/4 x 11), Cherry Cobbler (4 1/4 x 1 1/4)
Inks: Cherry Cobbler, Blusing Bride, Marina Mist
Accessories: Newsprint DSP (2 1/2 x 4 1/2) Cut into Tag shape, Scallop Border Punch, Jumbo Eyelets Pewter, Crop-a-dile, 5/8" Marina Mist Grosgrain Ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, Chipboard Letters (retired)

Here is a second card that I made yesterday...using a classic set...Fifth Avenue Floral...I LOVE this set and was happy to see that it stayed in the catalog for another year.



Here is what I used:

Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Thank You Kindly
Cardstock: So Saffron (4 1/4 x 11), Confetti White (1/4 Sheet) for Tope Note Die
Inks: Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron
Accessories: Island Oasis DSP (4 x 5 1/4), Big Shot, Top Note Die, 5/8" Old Olive Grosgrain Ribbon, Designer Buttons (Vanilla, Tempting Turquoise)

As always, I would love to read your comments and to know what you think of my cards...Happy Stamping...

Twila

LONG TIME...NO POSTS...

BUT...I have good reasons...It was HECTIC I tell you...HECTIC...you see we have moved...YEP...we have FINALLY moved back to TEXAS, the Ft. Worth area...YEE-HAW. Kirk has RETIRED from the Air Force and moved us half way across the county...not that it wasn't something that we hadn't done before, moved that is...but this time it was different...there wasn't a job at the other end, no base housing to move into...nope we had to get to TX, find a house, AND figure out the college thing, and if you have never done that before...good luck to you...that is an adventure and a half unto itself...but it has all worked out pretty smoothly, for the most part...

During the last month...in amongst all of this moving, college stuff, Probate issues with my grandmothers and great-grandmothers estates, I was having to unpack the entire house and organize it, make a couple of trips back and forth to Houston due to Kirk's mother's health issues and STAMP...YEP...I said STAMP...I was lucky enough to be chosen to make samples for the Display Boards for Convention this year...I knew that I was going to have to stamp during the middle of this move, but there was NO WAY, once I was chosen that I was going to turn it down because of a little thing called a "MOVE", but I figured that it would be a bit of a stress relief as stamping usually is for me...not quite so much this time...it was a bit stressful...but I got them done! The samples are now on their way to Salt Lake City...they should actually already be there as I mailed them on Friday at the Post Office for Delivery on Sat as they were due Today...oh...maybe I should check... Delivered, July 03, 2010, 9:13 am, RIVERTON, UT 84065...YEP...DELIVERED...and now I have new stamps to play with...

While everyone else is waiting...yep...I am waiting to, but I have new stamps...hehe...Now that eveyone can order out of the catalog and my order is due here tomorrow morning, YEP...I still OVER-NIGHTED it...I thought that I would show you a card that I made last night with the new Just Believe stamp set...I LOVE this set and was really excited to learn that it was one we were receiving at Convention, so I could play with it early, as it was the first one on my wish list when I received my catalog in May...



Here is the receipe for the card...
Cardstock: Marina Mist (4 1/4 x 11), Real Red (3 7/8 x 5 1/8), Whisper White (1/4 sheet for Top Note Die)
Ink: Whisper White, Staz-On Jet Black
Accessories: Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Top Note Die, DMC Floss, Baja Breeze Designer Button, Silver Brads, 5/8" Marina Mist Grosgrain Ribbon

I trimmed 1" off one of the long sides of the Top Note Die, mounted everything together with Stampin' Dimensionals.

Here is a second card that I made last night I LOVE this color combination...

Cardstock: Crumb Cake (4 1/4 x 11), Poppy Parade (2 1/2 x 3 1/2) Whisper White (Scrap)
Ink: Staz-On
Accessories: Polka-Dot Embossing Folder, 5/8" Marina Mist Ribbon

These were super simple and I hope you enjoyed them...

Happy Stamping...

Twila

Another one...

Here is another page from the April Stampin' Success...this once features my husband Kirk. He has spent over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and we have set our retirement date. We are moving back to our home state in a few months and can't be more excited...and nervous at the same time.

I really wanted to complete an Air Force album to give him at his retirement ceremony...but he has opted not to have one...while that does give me more time to finish it...once I get it started...I wanted to do a page for our family album...this page lists all of the different countries that the Air Force has sent him to over the last 20 years...some would say that he hasn't really been gone a lot for 20 years by that list, but know that he has been to many of the places more than once...He was deployed to Italy more times than I can count...he really missed the kids childhood and a LOT of their growing up...

A few years ago he had deployed in April before school let out and was gone the ENTIRE summer and returned the end of September...we were on our way into town so we dropped off our oldest daughter at the High School...she was a freshman that year...and he turned to me with tears in his eyes and said...when did she grow up...we just left her at the door of her pre-school class...he missed it...he missed a LOT...

You see...what you probably didn't know is that even when he was home with us...he has never really been there...pretty much his entire career...he has been assigned to work Swing shift (3pm-Midnight)...once the kids started school...it was over...When the kids woke up...it was the middle of his night...by the time they got home from school...he was at work...we were stationed at Beale AFB in CA from Oct 1997 -Jan2003...that five years...was really hard...he deployed constantly and again when he was home...he worked swings...I figured it up right before we moved from Beale...I got out all of his leave forms, travel vouchers, and looked back at my calendars for when he had weekend duty...and the kids had see him a total of 362 days...out of 5 years and 4 months...now remember that he gets 30 days of leave a year...that's 150 days right there...so while he was working and deploying...the kids saw him a total of 212 days....out of 5 years...not enough...

So when I say we are looking forward to retirement...I really mean it...now that the kids are teenagers and all in high school...one Air Force journey is over...in Oct we embark on another one...Our oldest daughter is graduating from High School in a couple of months and is leaving for San Antonio in Oct to start HER military travel and her Air Force journey...so we will just transition from Active Duty to Retiree's and proud parents of another Airman...

Anyway...back to the page...20 years...is almost over...


Here is a close-up of the list of countries...


Close-Up of the title...


And here is the hidden journaling...with another use for the 20 year logo...



Hopefully you get some inspiration from the scrapbook page and a bit more understanding about what the Military Family goes through on a regular basis...

Happy Stamping...
Twila

Stampin' Up! Newsletter - April 2010

Well...I have been keeping it a secret for a while...but now that the April Stampin' Success has been posted onto the Stampin' Up! website for all demos to see and we are starting to receive them in the mail...I can...LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG...I am the Featured Stamper for April 2010....I was SO shocked when I received the e-mail asking if I would be interested...are you kidding me???...who wouldn't be...I had checked my personal e-mail at work...ssshhhh...don't tell my supervisor...and there it was in black and white...an e-mail from someone at Stampin' Up!...asking if I would be interested...I couldn't believe it!....so I immediately replied...YES!!!!!


So I was asked to do some scrapbook pages...with a new stamp set from the Summer Mini...I would get it and get to hold and play with it before everyone else...talk about excitement...boy...my family could hardly keep my head out of the clouds...so once I had come back down to Earth a bit...here is one of the pages that I created...using the Sentimental Journey travel stamp set that will be available in the Summer Mini in May...

I have taken a few close-up photos of some of the details on the pages...

Here is the Title that I Boo-Boo'd the spelling on and had to fix...can you tell where it is?



I used the "Detour" arrow and covered the word with the dates of the weekend that we spent in London...we were stationed at RAF Mildenhall, UK at the time...we left all three kids with friends and took off...it was a jam packed sight-seeing weekend. We stayed in a Bed and Breakfast outside of London and rode the tube all over the city seeing the historic sights...


Here is the entire page.


Check back tomorrow for another page...I have to drag this out so I have some things to post over the next few days...Leave me a comment and let me know what you think...

More cards for you...

I have some cards that I have made over the last couple of months that I haven't posted yet...so I thought that it was time to clean out my Blog folder and get these up for ya'll to see...

The card has a bit of an unusual color combo...I have no idea where I saw it, but I thought it was striking...so I HAD to use it some-how. I used the Woodgrain Background which I LOVE as it is such a versatile background stamp...I also used an Embossing Folder on the Really Rust cardstock....For All You Do is one of my favorite stamp sets in this catalog as it has some many different stamps...


I saw on someone's blog where they had used the scalloped square die from SU! and ran it through the Big Shot two different times and shortened it from a square to a rectangle...TOO CUTE!



For this one I used the Extreme Elements and Hello Again...it is a bit of a mish-mash, but...you know I LOVE the color combo...



Hope you enjoyed the cards and get some inspiration out of them...Stay tuned as I have more to show ya'll...HAPPY STAMPING....Twila

Monday's Card Class

Yep...the same-o...same-o...here are my cards for this coming Monday's class...

The first card uses a technique called Crayon Resist...



The Second is a Peek-A-Boo Pocket Card using the new Jumbo Flower Punch



And...last but not least...we will be using the sanding blocks to make your polka dots stand out...




OH...I also wanted to show ya'll my new sassy hair-do...What do you think?

I REALLY like it...as does everyone at work...They say it fits my personality...and Kirk even likes it TOO!

More Class Cards

Here they are the projects for next weeks Monday Class...the first thing I wanted to show you was the bookmark that I made using the Hodgepodge Hardware and some ribbon. I personalized it with my Girls' initials so that they would each have one...I guess that I will have to make a more manly one for my son...maybe someday...


Here is a closer look at the bookmarks...


The technique I will be showing on this card is "Masking" we will be learning own to layer stamps for depth...I love that little raccoon...


Here is our third project for this class...we will be embossing...it is a bit special though as that orange...when you scratch it...it really smells like an orange...anyone remember Scratch and Sniff stickers...well...this is just as good...Scratch and Sniff cards...


Hope you enjoyed the peeks at next weeks class...if you have any questions please let me know...

Happy Stamping...

Twila

Here are some cards that we have made during my Monday card classes over the last few weeks...

Get Well Soon...I love this little sick doggie...he is so pathetic looking that it just melts my heart and makes me want him to get better real soon. We used the Hodgepodge Hardware and the matching punch to make the window looking into the inside of the card and the polka dot embossing folder for the card...I used the new Red Satin Ribbon that is in the Occasions Mini...LOVE that ribbon...


Here is a Buggie Birthday Card...we stacked some bugs...used the markers to make the sentiment multicolored, and even used Crystal Effects to make the bugs shiny...TOO CUTE!

Another Birthday Card...I have made so many birthday cards lately...My supervisor at work wants to stock up on them before I move...This one is uses the hippo from the Pun Fun stamp set. The hippo is simply watercolored with the Aquapainters and the ink pad...super simple...


Hope you have enjoyed a peek into my Monday class...come back tomorrow for the projects that we will be making next week...

Happy Stamping!

CANVAS CLASS...Feb 20th @ 11am

Well...it's time for another class...I am still having classes every Monday night at 7pm....but it seems that some of my newer stampers / scrapbookers can't get enough...so I will be having a Saturday class every other Saturday...through April to try and satisfy their crafty urges...they even want me to try Skypeing classes once we move...these ladies...whoooweeee...they are die hards...

Anyway here is the canvas that I made at my last Canvas Class...there are more who want to take the class so I am offering it again...on Saturday, Feb 20th @ 11am...this class has an RSVP date of Thursday, Feb 18th...

Here are the photos...CUTE KIDS...Huh!?!


Close-up of the title


Closer look at the Chipboard Heart


So what do you think...???