Cardstock Class

Hey all! I thought I'd pop in and show you some of the cards I've been making for the newest class from Online Card Classes. It is called Crushing on Cardstock and it's been super fun. There's so much packed into the four days of class. It's been so fun!! 

Things here are about the same. This week has been a mentally challenging one. Hopefully I can get myself together a bit better. I have been walking at least 30 minutes every night for the past month. I've tried to make that a part of my day that just has to happen. I think I've lost 7 pounds so yay! It's about time for my walk right now, so I'll sign off and go suit up. lol

(Andrea, I swear I saw your email and keep meaning to reply. I am not good at life, but don't give up on me. lol I'm a mess.)

Cheery Miss You

Today I went back and did one of the lessons from last summer's Online Card Classes Spring Card Camp. This was a two-fer lesson, so you got two cards from one die cut. I thought the samples were so pretty back then, but I didn't have the right die to make them. I ended up getting the actual one used in the lesson recently, so I decided to recreate the samples with some different colors and a different stencil. I love how they turned out. So cheery! I used distress inks for the background in Squeezed Lemonade, Spiced Marmalade, and Worn Lipstick. Fun combo for sure! :)  I want to enter them in the Crafts Galore Encore Challenge. It's anything goes and the design team has great examples of how diverse that can be! 

Now... I have a book to finish and a bed calling my name. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. 

Rita 

Warm Wishes Hedgehog

Happy New Year! I'm so sorry it's been so long. I struggled to make it through December and the holidays, but I'm working on getting it together now that we've survived those. I started Weight Watchers and am back on medicine for my depression. That whole I can make it without them phase was NOT a good one. Yikes! I hope the new me can get back into my card making and I started with this one. I used the sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and would also like to enter the As You Like It and Cute Card Thursday challenges.

We had a nice holiday in Kentucky with my parents. It felt rushed to get ready to go up there and the 18 hour drive was SOOOO LONNNGGGG, but I'm glad we went. My dad's health isn't the best and while he did finally make it onto the liver transplant list, we aren't sure what the future holds. He gets a little better, then a lot worse, then better... it's exhausting for my poor momma. Laila was so sweet with him and I loved watching her with him. 

I'm off to clean the kitchen and do another load of laundry. The guaranteed parts of life, right? They'll always be there for you. lol 

Falliday Monarchs

I thought I'd share another card that I made using a technique from the Online Card Classes Merry Making class. Again, not a holiday card. lol I just can't get in the mood. I have struggled with all the October, November, and December holidays since we lost Eli and Christmas is the worst of those. I dread it, so I'm just using what we are learning to make things that make me happy. I will eventually use the techniques from some winter cards, but I'm just not there yet. I also made this for one of the Splitcoast Falliday Fest challenges. We were asked to make a general or kind card and mail it to a random person that we don't know.  You know I love my Monarchs, so I thought I might try to find the address for a random person in one of my Monarch groups. :) I think they'd appreciate receiving it. The stamp and sentiment are from Inspired by Stamping.

This cutie had an awesome day at school today! I read an article on Friday that really spoke to me, so I messaged her teacher this weekend and we agreed to try out some ideas from it. She had her best day so far!  I am hoping that maybe what we put in place will help, so keep your fingers, toes, and eyes crossed for us. Maybe even your arms and legs. We need good days!  She was so happy and proud and so was I.

Now I'm off to bed. Little Lady is on a mission to destroy my stamp room and I'm tired of fighting with her.  Have a great Tuesday!

OCC: Merry Making

One more witch and I swear I'll give you a break. :) I signed up to take a new class at Online Card Classes this week and it's all about holiday cards. I am just not in the Christmas mood because it is still 90 degrees! So, I'm improvising. :) This is my day one homework. I'm a bit behind of course. lol
Story of my life these days. 

Laila and I went to a little class at the library after school and made slime! Ours didn't work so well, but we brought it home and I managed to fix it. She had such a blast. She's had two good days at school, so that was nice to hear tonight. Her teacher has been great about keeping in touch with me.  Next week we will have her 504 meetings to work on ideas to make her more successful. I have a lot of research to do before then.

Now I'm off to bed with Doctor Sleep. I have felt yucky mentally today, so a book and my quilt sound perfect for tonight. Anyone else a Stephen King fan? This one is all about the little boy from The Shining and his life as an adult. I can read it at night, but I can't say that about the first one. *shudder*

Simon Says Distress It

The kitten woke me up at 3am.  I swear it's like having a newborn! lol I couldn't go back to sleep so I decided to come stamp.  One of my best friends from high school is having a lot of health issues, so I wanted to make a new card for her. I've been trying to send encouragement to her as much as I can and I thought these sticker words from Tim Holtz would be perfect.  I used a bunch of techniques from the Creative Chemistry class.  If you love Tim's products, I'd totally recommend them.  I distressed the heck out of it and am entering it in the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

We had a lot of rain earlier in the week, so Laila got to go do her most favorite thing in the world besides eat chocolate.  This girl LOVES jumping in puddles.  We even met a neighbor because she had the best puddle in the neighborhood. She was happy to share. :) Overall it's been a good week.  I got some great feedback from her social skills class and we are trying some new stuff to help us all. I'm not sure what today will hold, but I know it will include a lot of coffee for me!

Maskerade of Animals

August is apparently the month for birthdays!  What happened 9 months ago?  lol   I have so many friends with birthdays this month so I'm trying to crank out some cards for them.  I saw that Online Card Classes was having a sale this week (ends today by the way!) on classes so I took a peek.  I saw the Maskerade class that I never really finished because I didn't have the supplies and thought hmm...  So this card is the results of the first lesson.  :)   I still might go sign up for a new class, but I have several that I can revisit and do again with supplies that I have now.  It will feel all new in a way!  If you've never tried a class, go look and give one a chance! I love every single one I've taken.

And this card has too many random sequins.  We won't talk about the smudges they are hiding.  Oops!

Stamps:  Avery Elle Furry Friends, Mama Elephant Carnival Toppers, Avery Elle Party Animal
Paper:  Neenah Solar white 80/110 lb
Ink:  Mememto Tuxedo Black
Dies: MFT Blueprints 20
Copics: E31, E33, E35, E42, E43, E44, W1, W3, W4, R20, BG01, BG02 BG05, V12, V15, V17
Other: Inkadinkado Masking Paper, Sequins

Happy Monday!  Enjoy your week!

Coffee Lovers Rainbow Tag

Today I got to play around a little and I made a tag for the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop and for Day 3 of the Online Card Classes Summer of Creative Chemistry challenge.  I grabbed distress inks and got busy.  Boy were my hands messy!  I've been working on getting a lot of cards out in the mail along with making more things, so my desk is in a constant state of MESS!  It's crazy!

Here's another card I made with a rainbow theme. I forgot to snap a photo with my camera before I sent it off to some dear friends who I know are hurting this week.  

Distressed Galaxy

This was my first completed tag that I made.  I love how it turned out!  It's so fun to play around and see what happens.  :)   I ordered some smaller tags that will on A2 cards, so I hope that helps me use them.  I love the galaxy look and it is so forgiving!  Just make a big mess!  lol

Update on me:  I'm hanging in there.  My exercising is going well and I've weened myself off my anti-depressants.  I know if I slip on exercising that I will need to go back to them, so it's good motivation to keep going.  I don't know for sure that it will work out to be off of them, but I thought I would give it a few months and see how it goes.  I don't mind taking them if I need them, but my health needs works and if walking can fix them both, why not?  I do have my anxiety medicine still nearby because that's been my major issue for the past few months.

In addition to my walking, I'm working on a cleaning schedule and keeping the house in a less stressful state for me.  It can be tiring to constantly be working on something, but I do have more energy now and less headaches.  So another positive! Yay!

Laila starts school next month and we are hoping for a better experience.  She will be at a Montessori school this time as recommend in her evaluation by the school system.  If it works out, she will be going four days a week from 8 until 3:30.  I won't know what to do with myself!

So that's where we are.  The rain is making us all a bit crazy, but thankfully we remain safe.  Others in Texas have not been as lucky, so please keep them in your thoughts.

Freshly Made Butterfly

Hello!  This week has been one of those crazy ones where I completely lost track of what day it was.  In addition to the holiday on Monday, Jason was off on Tuesday and is working tomorrow, so that makes it even more confusing.  He normally works Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, so this was a big change.  Even poor Laila is all confused.  lol   I didn't get my Freshly Made Sketches card made in time for the beginning of the challenge, but I made one this morning.  I combined it with the Summer of Creative Chemistry going on over at the Online Card Classes site.  It's fun to use distress inks and keep it clean and simple.  I will be using this same technique and mix of four colors for a more traditional Tim Holtz type project tomorrow.  :)

Here is Cindy's awesome sketch for the week:

We are having more crazy storms today, so it will be a stamping and relaxing day.  Texas is going to float away soon if all this rain doesn't go away!  It's just been too much! 

Stenciled: The White Space

Another card using stencils!  This was the first example taught in the Online Card Classes Stenciled class and I tried to copy Debby's technique and card.   It's a lot of white space for me, but I like how it turned out. I am enjoying going back and doing some of the lessons from this class!  I think I'll look back at the other classes I've taken there as well, so stay tuned for weeks of masking and one layer cards too!

I surprised Laila with some bristle blocks this weekend.  She loves playing with them at school and I wanted to have them here for her.  We decided this week to pull her out of the MDO program she's been attending.  The teacher had a talk with me about teaching Laila to obey people other than her parents and during that discussion she told me that Laila's spirit needed to be broken.  I was upset to hear that.  I know Laila has problems, but she doesn't need to be broken.  :(  Out of nowhere at breakfast on Thursday Laila told me that there were too many kids and that the teachers didn't listen to her, so I think it's just been a bad fit.  They never have anything nice or positive to say about her, so I just can't keep taking her to that type of environment.  We are going to an appointment with the nurse at the local elementary school on Thursday and will follow through with an evaluation to see if she has any issues that are leading to these problems at school. I am also going to talk to her peditrician to see if we need to have any other evualuations or assessments.  Everyone I've talked to seems to think she's just gifted, but I don't know...  She does seem to have some social issues, but we are working on those as best we can.   This parenting thing sure isn't easy!

Masked Butterfly

I thought I'd share my third homework card for the Online Card Classes Mask-erade class.  I've always been afraid of masking, but I'm learning so much and actually trying it out!   I used a new stamp from Tim Holtz that I hadn't used yet, so yay for using neglected things again.  :)   I will definitely being this technique a lot as I really LOVE it.   I have several more days of homework to go, so I'm trying to get caught up before the class officially wraps up on Friday.  

She's reminding me that she wants strawberry cake on her birthday.  lol    I think I'd be in big trouble if I didn't make that happen.  She seems set on it!

Masked Flowers for OCC

I thought I'd share another card I did for the Online Card Classes Mask-erade class.   I don't have all the recommended supplies yet, so I have been trying to improvise so I can try the techniques.   I dug out an old Stampin' Up! set that I don't even know the name of to do this one.   I needed some little flowers and vines and it seemed to work.   I used Pool Party, Island Indigo, and Pear Pizzazz.   I hate that giant sequin, but it's covering up a mistake.  Sad face.   I did learn a lot making this, so hopefully the next one is even better!

Don't you just love that look on her face?  lol   So mischievous!  I ended up a bit wet after trip outside to play.   I guess it's fun to squirt your mom.  I can't believe she'll be 3 this month!   I am not doing a big party or anything this year since we don't have a lot of friends and family near us, so I am trying to think of something fun to do.   We did buy her a little bounce house for the backyard, so I'm guessing she'll be jumping most of the day.  Oh, and eating strawberry cake.  She's told me several times now that she wants strawberry cake.   I'll be looking on Pinterest for that I guess!

Masked Animals

This week I got lucky and won a spot in the newest Online Card Classes class called Mask-erade.  I was super excited as it is something I've wanted to learn to do for ages.   It's not something that I try much because I feel pretty clueless about it.   I've learned a lot so far and this is my first attempt.   I love how it turned out.  :)

If you haven't taken any of the classes over there, I totally recommend them.  I've enjoyed the Stenciled and Copics for Cardmakers classes that I took before and this masking class is great as well.  

Stamps:  Mama Elephant Carnival Cupcakes, Altenew Super Script
Ink:  Memento Black, Melon Mambo, Copics
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, SU Pixie Pink Textured, misc pink scraps
Other:  Lil' Inker Stitched Rectangle dies

Clean & Simple Cards

I finally took a bit of time to work on some cards for the class I'm taking.  I did cheat a little as they aren't really one layer cards, but I kept messing up and had to go down to working on a panel that I could trim down after I finished.   It took a lot of attempts for me to get a plaid background that looked like this and it still needs a lot of work to look good.  Post It tape really helped out a lot and I think I'm on the right track!   It's definitely a process to do and if you aren't good at masking (like me), it will take some effort and practice.  I'm going to keep trying as I think it is a super fun look!

For my second card I tried graffiti stamping.  I didn't really have good stamps for this one, but I tried.  I did the inlaid die cutting again for my teacher die and then stamped around it.   Not my favorite card and again, more practice and some new stamps will be key! 

Peek-a-boo!

One Layer Happiness

I'm a bit behind on my homework for the online class I'm taking.  I haven't had a lot of luck mastering some of the techniques we've learned so it's been more practicing and not much card making.   I think this one is okay enough to show at least.  It is a true one layer card with some sponging and embossing.   Nothing complicated, but I am not good at sponging!   Nor masking apparently.  lol  I'm practicing and have added some masking paper to my shopping wishlist.  I really need to win the lottery so I can buy all the stamping goodies that are piling up on my want list!

I have been thinking about trying to sell my cards online somewhere, so if anyone has any tips for that email me please.  I tried Etsy before with no luck.   Ebay maybe?   I need to fund my habit one way or another!   UPDATE: I added a For Sale tab on my blog, so we'll see how it goes.   Thanks for the recommendations! :)

Laila painted her first masterpiece on Sunday.   She had a blast, so we'll definitely have to do it again.  :)

Hat, truck, and a pink shirt.  Perfect combination for my girl.

CS3 Day One

Where have I been?!   I honestly don't know where the times goes!  I did finish up the cards for my next event, so I have been stamping.   I'll share those after the event, but I did make something I can share today.   I signed up to take a new class with my Freshly Made Sketches sisters.  (I feel like they are all sisters now; we have an amazing group!)  It's a clean-and-simple class focusing on one layer cards.  I know this one has two layers, but it's really just to hide the die cuts.  Who wants to open up a card and see all that mess on the back?!   You *could* do it one layer, but we like our cards pretty, right?!  lol   I had a lot of fun with this first technique.  The stamps and dies are non-SU, but I used our lovely paper in Real Red and Pacific Point.  

I hope I can improve on my clean-and-simple skills with this class.  It's a style I'm drawn to, but it's so hard!  The less you put on a card, the more each thing matters.  So. Much. Pressure.    *breathe*   

Talk about useless...  Those locks are only made to keep adults out!  We've been in the crazy that is toddlers lately.  Jason and I could probably both use a drink and maybe we will have one on Thursday to celebrate our 10th anniversary!  lol   She's a cute little thing but man... the attitude!!!   

Stenciled Class continued....

Even though today has been extra super crappy, I still managed to make a card for my online stencil class.  Now it was for Saturday's homework, but better late than never, right?  This is a simple one, but I think it turned out kinda cute.  It uses Real Red and Coastal Cabana with black for the neutral.   

She just loves playing outside.  :)   It was a gorgeous day yesterday, but now we might actually get snow tomorrow!  Crazy!  I would be so excited to see some snow.  After today, I think it's a small thing to ask.

Keep sending good kitty thoughts about Bandit.  I don't think we are going to be able to afford all the testing they are talking about, so I have to have a serious talk with our vet about what's realistic and what we can do.  I'm pretty heartbroken and have cried a lot today, but I'll take care of him as long as I can and love him always.

Stenciled Class Projects

What a week!   We still don't know what's going on with Bandit other than he has an enlarged spleen and they are recommending a biopsy.  I spent almost 4 hours (most of them being aggravated that it was taking so long) at the vet on Thursday. Long, long day!   I do have something fun going on this weekend though.  I signed up for a class at Online Card Classes with a few of my buddies at Freshly Made Sketches and it started yesterday.  It's all about using stencils.  This is my first project for the sponging lesson taught by Debby Hughes.   It will be the one and only time you'll see me embossing on vellum; I have a trash can full of mistakes on that one!    

Everything is Stampin' Up! except for the sequins.  :)  Oh, and the stencil of course.  

My second project is all about misting and was taught by Julie Ebersole.  I have been having a rough time with these projects, so this one is simple to keep down on my frustration levels.  I tend to get very flustered, stressed, and aggravated when trying new things, so this class has been a stretch for me.  

I used rubbing alcohol, some Pool Party reinker, and the Stampin' Spritzers/Misters whatever they are called on a chevron stencil for a pretty easy background.  The hello was cut with my Cameo.  Easy and simple! 

Peanut butter and jelly... Oh my!!!!