One Week Down

I am smack dab in the middle of taking two entire weeks off of work. I have never done it before, but I desperately needed the break. One week down - one to go.

I am LOVING playing at home mom/wife/homemaker - cooking, baking, freezing goodies, cleaning and organizing, napping each day and of course stamping like a fiend. I have lots of goodies to share for the next few days.

Today's card is from theFeatured Stamper Challenge at SCS. I didn't begin with the thought of the skulls on the dress, but one of the great things about stamping is that anything can happen! I love the way this card turned out, and I love the dress. If I were in high school again (and with the appropriate tan and non-hangy arms) I would definitely wear this dress! Too fun!

Check back tomorrow for a fun little cutie from the Big Shot.

Have a great night!

Supplies: (All supplies Stampin' Up unless noted)
Stamps - Retro Boutique (Gina K), Handwritten Notes (PTI)
Paper - Whisper White, Basic Black, Rockabilly and Parisian Breeze Specialty DSPs
Ink - Basic Black
Accessories - Nestabilities, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Black Stampin' Write, Scalloped Edge Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Sewing Machine

Welcome, Spring!

Good Monday morning! I'm off to work in a short time for another one of those crazy, busy weeks. It's grant funding season. Lots to write, submit, present ... it's the nature of the beast.

It's so warm and "springy" here I couldn't resist a short post with a card that I think oozes spring!

Have a great day!

Stampin Up! Supplies:
Stamps: All Holiday
Paper: Regal Rose, Old Olive, WW, Sweet Always DSP
Accessories: Circle Punch, Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Marvy Flower Punches

Rock Stars!

My soon-to-be college graduated daughter (yeah!) is doing her internship at a local assisted living facility, and she asked me to do a scrapbooking demonstration with some of the residents. I spent an afternoon there last week, and it was so much fun!

I can't post photos of the residents and I don't have photos of their pages, but here's the pages they worked from.

Some made their page exactly as I demonstrated. Some positioned the ribbon or paper strips differently. Some made three punched flowers or hearts. They were offered buttons and brads, and they all chose buttons, but they all used them in different and amazing ways!

They were not crazy about the tape adhesive in the beginning, and were confused in the beginning about how to use the dimensionals, but in the end it was all good.

I told them they are the true ROCK STARS of scrapbooking! (Insert them beaming from ear to ear.)

Stampin Up! Supplies:

Stamps - Polka Dot Punches

Paper - Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, Delicate Dots DSP

Ink: Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Scallop Circle, 5-Petal Flower and Full Heart Punches; Dimensionals, SAB Ribbon Bundle

Good Saturday Morning!

This is a busy weekend. The Bowl for Kids' Sake event that suports the Big Brothers Big Sisters program where I work is this weekend. The program Director works incredibly hard every year to make the event successful, and for her it is always for the kids in the program. I have a great deal of respect for her as a colleague and as a friend. I made this small gift for her - and a matching card, of course - to say "thanks" for her hard work. She is stamper too, so I have filled the box with some ribbon, buttons and bling! I know she'll love it!

The flower on the box is made with some AWESOME wool that I found at a local quilt shop that I didn't even know about. How did that happen??! I'll be back later with the scoop on the why and how. Here's the delicious little pieces that I picked up there - they just sing spring, don't they!

Okay - off to the bowling alley!

Mondays are the BEST...

... when The Bachelor is on! Mindless TV with my best girl (DD) - nothing could be better! Are you watching this season?

Just finished a family dinner fave - Tator Tot Casserole with chunky, homemade applesauce. I even had time to make chocolate chip bars with walnuts. There's plenty of everything for some yummy lunches tomorrow. It really IS the little things!

Today's card is one that I made a few weeks ago. I love that it's simple and has just the impact that I wanted. It's great when getting what you want is this easy.

Stampin' Up! Supplies:

Stamps - Absolutely Fabulous, Fresh Cuts

Paper - Basic Gray, Urban Garden DP, WW

Ink - Rose Red, Basic Black

Accessories: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon

Random Facts and FS108

I have been trying to decide how to introduce myself to the blog world. I decided to do it simply - by putting out a few random facts (in no order of importance). Here goes:

• I fell in love with my husband when I was 16, and we have been married for more than 20 years. Marriage is not always fun or easy, but sometimes it is, and I cannot imagine my life without him.


• Our kids are funny, smart and passionate young adults. We are lucky to have them. Sometimes they feel lucky to have us!


• I had a stroke when I was 40.


• I have a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy.


• I am the Executive Director of the oldest, private non-profit social service agency in the county where I live.


• I believe that we are sent to people and opportunities that are meant for us. I don't ask why. I just have faith.


• I lost a brother to suicide. A part of me will never get over it.


• I LOVE papercrafting.


• I am a SU! Demonstrator.


• Featured Stamper is my favorite SCS challenge - I am more of a caser than a creator, and today's card is for FS108.

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies: (All supplies from Stampin' Up! unless noted)
Stamps - Pun Fun, Nursery Necessities
Paper - Pink Pirouette, Cosmo Crocket Girl Friday DP
Ink - Basic Black
Accessories - Copics, Nestabilities, Pink Pirouette Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals