Happy Birthday W&W

One of my favorite new companies, Winnie & Walter, are celebrating their first birthday.  How exciting right?   They have some fun challenges going on and I've been trying to play along as I get a chance.   The first one I did was Shay's One challenge to use one of something.  I used one stamp set and one color.    I got distress inks for Christmas and I was so excited to play around with them.   I added some water spots and splattered some diluted white acrylic paint on my background once I'd inked it up.  Fun stuff!   The background has some hearts stenciled on in embossing paste.  It's one of those "simple" cards with lots of steps (and drying time!).   :)

I also use the very awesome current sketch at Retro Sketches.  Love this one!

Be sure to come back tomorrow for two fun posts! 

Pictures were acceptable yesterday.  LOL  Toddlers!  

Retro Underwear?

My dear friend Anne Marie sent me this stamp set (as a joke I believe), but I thought it was hilarious!!!  I had to ink it up today with the current sketch at Retro Sketches.   It is totally cracking me up!!!   Mondays always need some humor (and a lot of coffee), so it was the perfect card for the day!

Isn't that a fun sketch?  I used some manly colors, Gumball Green, Midnight Muse, and Crumb Cake.  I thought a card with men's drawers on it needed manly colors.  Ha! 

Speaking of change...  someone needs one again!   Goodness.   Here's how she reads the Sunday paper.  lol

Stampin' Up! Perfect Blend

This week I worked on some cards for my next event, an open stamping day.   I design the cards, send a picture and supply list to customers, and then they bring their consumables and make them using my stamps/inks/tools.  I always provide sketches with the measurements for them so that they can use them again for other ideas at home.  I love that they have the experience of cutting and making everything all by themselves.  :)  I used the awesome sketch at Retrosketches this week for this card we'll be making.

Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge, Perfect Blend, Happy Hour
Ink:  Versamark, Early Espresso
Paper:  Early Espresso, Sahara Sand, Pear Pizzazz, Gingham Garden DSP
Tools:   Small Heart Punch

My little kitchen helper.  :)  She loves her whisk.  Today has been a better day.  We went to the program at the library and then to the craft stores to look around.   It was nice to get out of the house for a bit.  It was over 100 degrees again today, but we had a nice storm come through this evening and it's cooler now.   Thank goodness for that!

Stampin' Up! Zoo Babies & Dictionary

While Mom and Jason assembled playroom furniture last night, I ran off to my craft room to stamp.  It feels like it had been ages since I made anything and I needed the break!   I decided to combine Dynamic Duos and Retro Sketches and here's the result.  I think it's kinda cute.  :)

Stamps:  Zoo Babies, Dictionary

Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Basic Gray, Smoky Slate

Paper:  Basic Gray, Smoky Slate, Daffodil Delight

Accessories:  White Baker's Twine, Neutrals buttons (retired)

Tools:  Big Shot, Alphabet Press TIEF, 2 1/2 inch circle punch

     

Laila's party went great.  It was a lot of work, but she seemed to have fun.   Now we are doing some serious work on getting her a playroom set up.   My favorite "decoration" was a timeline of photos from birth to 12 months.  I saw one on Rochelle's blog a while back and immediately pinned it.  Mine didn't turn out as cute as hers, but it was so great to look at her development.  ;)  

Red Ribbon Graduation

I thought the sketch at Retro Sketches was super fun this week so I decided to ink up a new set I got last week.  

I had to google the colors for our local high school to make this one.  lol  I guess I'll know them better once Laila starts school.  Not growing up here makes me pretty clueless about all that.  I also have to learn about the Texas mum tradition for homecoming.   I am hoping that Laila's not into those because man are they obnoxious!  

Stamps:  Blue Ribbon, Happiest Birthday Wishes

Ink:  Real Red, Pacific Point

Paper: Pacific Point, Real Red, Whisper White, Brights DSP stack

Accessories:  Hung Up Cute Clips, Basic Rhinestones

Tools:  Big Shot, Stripes embossing folder

Laila's back to not sleeping through the night.   Her nose started running on Saturday evening and it's been rough since then.  Saturday night Jason held her for half the night and then I did from 1:30 until 6. She was so restless that I was up the entire time.  Thank goodness for iPhones and Candy Crush! I was so tired, so Mother's Day was pretty much cancelled.  We had plans for brunch but a sick baby and tired parents weren't up for getting dressed and going out.   She's slept a little better the past two nights, but not all night.   She doesn't seem to be sick, but is getting a new tooth, so I'm assuming the crazy drooling and runny nose is from that.   I know we are tired and ready for whatever it is go go away!  

Mustache Duo

I decided to get in a little stamping today before bed.  Now I should have went to bed as I am hoping to get up around 1am to check out the retiring lists and see the new catalog!   We'll see how that all goes.   :)   Now back to my card...  I wanted to use the black/gray combo from Dynamic Duos this week and I thought it would be perfect with the sketch at Retro Sketches.

It's a pretty simple card, but I like it.  :)  I don't use contraband (aka non-SU) stuff that often, but I got this stamp set and die for free last year when I won a prize during Hope You Can Cling To.  It was a great reward just to make cards for such a great cause, but I got a few prizes as well.  Can't beat that, right?!  

Laila LOVES to stand up now. Whether it is standing at this toy or standing at the couch trying to help me type, she's all about it!  

Pinwheel Wishes

I actually worked on a challenge card this week!  Now I didn't get it photographed in time to enter, but I did make something that I didn't HAVE to.  Nothing fantastic, but it was nice to create just because for a change.   I just love the cute pinwheel sizzlit and haven't used it nearly enough.  

I  need to work on finding my love of creating again and I think trying to do challenges again will be a good start.  I'm also thinking if being a demonstrator fits in my current life, so lots and lots to think about.  Maybe my next challenge card I can finish in time to enter.  lol  

Stamps:  Wishes Your Way

Ink:  Basic Black

Paper:  Basic Black, Daffodil Delight, Neutrals DSP stack, Polka Dot Parade DSP

Accessories: Black Gingham ribbon (retired), Neutrals Glimmer brads, Brights buttons, White Baker's Twine

Tools:  Big Shot, Pinwheel Sizzlit, Corner Rounder punch

My sweet girl.  We had an absolutely awful day yesterday.  I'm not sure who cried more, me or her.  I don't know what was wrong, but she was just crying and crying. It was very strange as she's normally such a happy baby. I had so much to do to get ready for my stamping event last night and she just was not having it.   I was stressed, she was upset...it was just bad.   We survived though and I'm hoping for a better day today.   I'm not sure I can mentally survive another 12-13 hour day like yesterday!  I love that Jason's home 4 days a week, but on those really long days he's gone I miss having someone to jump in when I need a break .

Retro Butterfly

It's a rainy day here in Texas, so Laila and I spent some time in my stamp room today while Jason went off to work an extra shift.   I started a card for Retro Sketches yesterday but it never came together and I left it on my desk to work on today.   I finally changed out some things and made it presentable.   :)  

I am proud to say that I also addressed and put this one in the mail for my granny!   She loves my cards and I've been a bit behind in getting them out to her.  I haven't had time to go to the post office to mail a stack of cards to a few blogging friends and some family, but I found a lost stamp to at least send this one to her.  She hasn't been feeling that well and I thought she might need a pick-me-up!  

I know it's been a while since I last posted and that's because Laila started feeling worse.   We were up with her most of the night on Thursday and Friday.   She developed a cough that's still lingering on.   We went to the doctor on Friday and her lungs were clear, but she did have an ear infection in her right ear.   She doesn't have a fever and seems fine other than the occasional coughing while she's sleeping.  Hopefully that goes away soon.   I'm so thankful that we are all getting some rest as those nights last week were rough!   I was a total zombie on Saturday.   She had fun rolling around on her mat and quilt while I stamped this morning.  :)  Now it's about lunch time for us!  

Retro Pinwheels

Laila crashed early on me, so I had time to go stamp a bit more before Jason got home from work.  I wanted to finish my pinwheel card for the awesome sketch at Retro Sketches!   It's another clean-and-simple card with lots of white space!

I pulled out my Polka Dot Parade DSP for this one.  I love that paper and haven't used it nearly enough!  I paired it with some glimmer brads to add a bit of sparkle.  :)   The panel behind the pinwheels is embossed with the new Cloudy Day embossing folder.  I wasn't sure about that one at first, but now I sorta like it.  I'm a bit addicted to embossing folders!  

We have seriously purchased every kind of teething apparatus on the market and Laila still loves her hands the best.  This was my most expensive folly, Sophie the Giraffe.  She likes to throw it in the floor way more than chewing on it.   She's a bit more interested in looking at her spots lately at least.   ;)

Trying CAS...

I loved the sketch at Retro Sketches last week but didn't find time to play.  Laila went to bed early tonight so I decided to go straighten up my desk and then try it.   As stampers I feel like we should always be trying to improve or try new things, so I have been inspired by my fellow Freshly Made Sketches designer, Jen Mitchell, to try some white cards.  She is such a talented stamper and I love her work.  I know I won't get to her caliber ever, but I would love to be able to make a decent clean-and-simple card with lots of white.  Uh huh.   So here is attempt #1:

So not great, but it's a start, right?   Jen has been using some fun Washi tape on some of her recent cards and I wanted to play with it too!   I had no idea what it really was, but I managed to get it on my card and didn't tape myself up.   I wish I'd done the piercing AFTER I put the tape down, but I was feeling a bit lazy and didn't start over. I guess I didn't realize it was so transparent.   Lesson learned though!  :)

LOL   Gotta love a messy pea-covered face!  :)   We had a nice day today.   We went to the infant program at the library and she did great.  I hope we can go again, but they always seems to fall during her nap times.   She took an early nap today so we were able to hurry and get ready for it.   I really need more social interaction and it was nice to chat a bit with the mom next to me.  

Retro Edge

Yesterday was so busy that I didn't get a chance to upload my card!   Now I have two that I haven't shown you because I stamped a bit today too.  :)   I'm going to show you today's on this post because I like it better.  I used the awesome sketch from Retro Sketches this week for it.  It is also a Hope You Can Cling To card for Lynn's challenge to use a decorative edge on a card.  Remember you can find the master challenge list here if you want to make some cards!  

I'm stuck on using Gently Falling in these colors.  It's just so pretty.   I am going to have to challenge myself to use it in more traditional colors again.  lol  I've also seemed to have the color spritzer tool on my desk a lot these days.   Just be sure you guys let me know when I need an intervention.  :)

Stamps:  Gently Falling, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Soft Suede

Paper:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Tasteful Trim die, Pool Party ruffled ribbon, Island Indigo baker's twine, Neutrals buttons, color spritzer tool

I realized today that I hadn't shared my favorite picture from Laila's three month photos!  How adorable is this one??  We just LOVE it!  I can't believe she's going to be four months this week.  My little one is just growing up too fast.  

Happy Birthday, Kathy!

I made this card to celebrate the birthday of my sweet friend Kathy.  She was the first demonstrator I really got to know personally and I absolutely LOVE her.  We haven't let the fact that we are in different countries stop us from becoming close friends.  I think she's amazing and super duper talented!   I hope you have a wonderful day my friend!  I wish I was there to celebrate with you!   (If I didn't time this post correctly, it's Jason's fault since he helped me with the time conversion.)   

I used a few challenges for my card, the sketch at Retro Sketches, the colors from The Paper Players, and the challenge of 3 b's from the brand new Black Tie Friday challenge.   I have been struggling with my creativity lately but I hope Kathy will think it's the thought that counts.  :)   

Stamps:  Summer Silhouettes, Papillon Potpourri, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Staz On Black, Basic Gray, Baja Breeze

Paper:  Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White, Neutrals DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Basic Black satin ribbon (retired), Basic Pearls

      

Retro Gratitude

I really loved the sketch at retro sketches this week and wanted to make a card with it even though I knew I wouldn't make the deadline to submit it.   I've been having some serious creativity issues lately so just getting a card completed has been a huge challenge for me.   Eli's birthday was yesterday and Laila has been super fussy for over a week, so I think I'm just mentally exhausted.  It's hard to stamp when your brain is tired and overloaded with other stuff.  :(  But anyway... I DID make something!   I don't know why I wanted to play with fall colors, but that's what I grabbed.   Maybe the hot weather just has me wishing for cooler weather and leaves and all that good stuff.   :)   Fall is by far my favorite season of the year!

I pulled out some of my favorite retired designer paper, Autumn Spice, and the stamp set I got at my first Stampin' Up! event, Day of Gratitude.   It's been ages since I played with this one and I thought it deserved some love.   I love the colors and love the layers.  At first I just had a flat, one color image but decided it needed a little something to make it POP.  I think bringing in the other colors added much more interest and made me like it a bit more.  :)

Stamps:  Day of Gratitude

Ink: More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso

Paper:  Cajun Craze, More Mustard, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Autumn Spice DSP (retired)

Tools/Accessories:  1 3/4 circle punch, Boho Blossoms punch, Brights brads, Regals buttons, Linen Thread

And as always, Miss Laila:

We had her picture taken with Eli's crab and picture.  It was a bit heartbreaking, but I want her to grow up knowing him and continuing the fight to find a cure for SMA.   August is SMA Awareness Month, so if you don't know anything about it, please take a minute to get informed.  

Retro Tree

I love sketch challenges and I found a new one that I haven't played along with before!   It's called Retro Sketches and they have some great sketches over there for inspiration.   I used this week's sketch today to make another Father's Day card.  Hopefully I almost have enough to drop off at the local shop soon.   If anyone needs one, you can email me or stop by Merry-Go-Round in Kingwood.   :)

When I sat down to stamp I had intended to do a very distressed card.  After looking at the design team samples, I realized they are more into clean cards without a lot of fuss (aka distressing) so I decided to go with what I'm best at and do a somewhat clean-and-simple card.   For some reason Father's Day and Christmas are the times of the year that I am really drawn to use Lovely as a Tree.  It just works so well for both!   I'm trying to use up more of my hoarded designer paper, so you'll probably be seeing a lot of retired paper on my blog.   Sorry for that, but there's only so much space in the craft room and it's too pretty to throw away!  

Stamps:  Lovely as a Tree, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Always Artichoke

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Naturals White, Woodland Walk DSP and other misc retired paper

Tools/Accessories:  Ticket Corner punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, linen thread