Simon Says Pumpkin Spice

Monday.  It was a sad morning to wake up to, so I needed to come color to take my mind off things for a while. I had a rough time leaving Laila at school and had to have a distraction when I got home. I decided to play with this new set I got from Simon Say Stamp's STAMPtember release. I love fall and coffee, so I had to have it. It will be a challenging set for me as the hair is HARD, but it will be good practice. I entered it into their flickr challenge and in the Wednesday Anything Goes challenge as well.

I also got to release some happiness into the world in the form of butterflies today. The season is almost over, but we have a few left to send off into the world.

Lots of hugs today to you all.

Simon Says Stamp Distress It 2

I don't know about where you are, but Texas has been miserable this week.  So hot and humid that nobody wants to go outside.  Today we added the run of thunderstorms. I went to hide away in my stamp room a bit and play with a couple new Distress Oxide inks I got and my new leaves background from Hero Arts.  I love the background, but the card didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped.  I guess I'll have to get messy and make another background and try again. :) Entering it into the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.  I guess I'm in a Distress It! mood.

I am ready for Fall! :)  I think I might switch over to making cards for Halloween and Thanksgiving for a while.  It's crazy that we don't really have any holidays before then.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

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!

SSS FLICKR Ice Cream

Trying to keep up a bit of stamping.  I've been feeling a bit down again lately, so I wanted to add some creative time in with my gardening.  If you see me not posting much, send me a kick in the butt email. :)   I saw the Simon Says Stamp flickr challenge was to use stencils, so I grabbed on and this was the end result.  Kinda fun for summer, huh?  I love this ice cream set. I also used a new for me Copic combo.  Fun!!

Laila loved her Pokemon birthday party.  She must be excited because she keeps telling EVERYONE that she's five.  lol  I just hope she's as excited about school since it starts in less than 2 months! Yikes!

Have a great week!
Rita

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge

Hey!  Happy Wednesday.  :) How's everyone's coloring going?  I've managed every day so far, but I still have today to do.  I've been busy cleaning, plus our car wouldn't start so no playgroup for Laila. I have been taking stuff to Starbucks and coloring while she's there, so I was sad to not get that little time today.  Anyway, here's one of my coloring attempts from this week.  I used a beautiful set from Simon Says Stamp, so I thought I'd enter it into their Wednesday challenge since it's for a special lady/girl.

I will try to come back and list the supplies, but I have to run and finish up dinner.  I've been trying some new recipes this week and so far so good.  I hope this one is as well.  Anyone else addicted to the Instant Pot?

Oh, someone asked about my Ebay store I think.  I honestly don't have much there as some of it sold and I'm behind on listing new stuff, but here it is.  I'm working on a few more card kits, so stay tuned.
If you have a stamp set or occasion you'd like to see in a kit, let me know.

Simon Says Stamp To Thine Own Shelf

How's your weekend going?  Ours is not really going at all.  We had plans to go to the science museum yesterday and then a birthday party today and of course Laila woke up with a fever yesterday.  We've been resting and not doing much at all, which is fine.  I don't mind some down days sometimes.  I managed to sneak in my room this morning and make a card.  I've been working on cards to send to some of our senators just to say thanks and that's what this one is for.  The person it is going to is an author, so I thought the To Thine Own Shelf set from Simon Says Stamp might be fun to use.  I wanted to enter it into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge this week.

When she does this, we know she's not feeling well.  She is usually going full force from 7am to 7pm.  She took a couple naps yesterday.  We've been keeping a close watch on her fever since she has had two febrile seizures in the past.  I keep us stocking in Tylenol and Motrin for that very reason.  I think Jason is picking up dinner tonight and we are just going to continue resting. I've had awful sinus headaches all week from the high tree pollen, so the rest has been nice for me too.  I just hate when she's sick.  :(

SSS Magical Birthday

Can you believe 2016 is almost over?  It seems to have been a year with a lot of negative things, so I am hoping that 2017 brings better days.  Today I started the new year organization early and worked on my craft room..  Mom helped me turn my desk so that I have better lighting and I've been working on finding a place for everything.  I am always losing things, so I figure organized with labels is going to be my best bet.   We shall see how it goes!

This week I worked on a card using this adorable stamp set from Simon Says Stamp.  It was a free one as a birthday gift from them.  :)   Isn't that unicorn awesome?!  The SSS Wednesday challenge is to make your card sparkle, so I did.  I added Wink of Stella to my stars, the rainbow, and the unicorn horn.   A little silver glitter paper finished it off.  The stars are purple, but they showed up as black on every picture I took.

Mom got to experience some crafty time with Laila to make this gingerbread train.  I don't think they'll be making one again for a while.  lol  Laila was in rare form today as well.  Mom was even out of patience by bedtime.  She told me she now understands why I have so many breakdowns.  Glad to know it just isn't me, you know?

MFT Penguins in Paradise

Hello!  How in the world is it Thursday already?   It's been a week here, but I'll get into that at the bottom.  For now I'll start by sharing the one thing I've managed to create.  It's one of those that I did a piece here and there and finally managed to glue it all together today.  lol The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge was "to go wild" and one option was to use a critter.  I had these cute MFT penguins in my stash and hadn't used them, so perfect!

I made the background using Brusho watercolor crystals and man are those fun to use!  The images are colored with Copics.

Stamps: My Favorite Things Penguins in Paradise
Ink:  Memento Black
Paper:  Canson 140lb Colc Press watercolor paper, Neenah 110lb White, Neenal 80lb solar white
Copics:  YR12, YR15, YR18, Y36, Y38, YG11, YG13, YG17, E33, E35, E37, T4, T6, T8
Brusho Crystals Yellow, Orange, and Scarlet
Dies: Sizzix Tim Holtz tag framelits, MFT Blueprints 27

Do you guys like the supply list?  I am trying to remember to leave the stuff on my desk and then blog before I clean up.  I know I get questions sometimes on what I used and I am not usually helpful because I don't remember.  :)

 Monday started off with a trip to the vet.  My oldest sweetie isn't doing so well.  His blookwork only showed an elevated white blood cell count, so he's on antibiotics now.  I think it's something serious though and I'm not sure how long he'll be with us.  His breathing is labored at times and he is not being very social.  He's staying in his cat carrier resting most of the day.   I'm just heartbroken, but he's 14 so I know we've given him a good life, a better one than the dumpster where he started out.

On Tuesday, Laila had a fever and we've been battling since then.  She says her stomach hurts some too, so I don't know what we have going on.  I've just tried to keep her resting and hydrated.  Since she's had two febrile seizures in the past, I'm a nervous wreck about viruses and fevers.  Between checking on her and Bandit, I'im just worn out.  Jason is home now, so I'm sneaking out tonight for dinner and a movie with a friend.

Thank you to everyone who has emailed about sending Laila postcadrs.  I got behind on replying with all the sickness this week, but I'll try to catch up this weekend.  I am going to go shopping for a scrapbook to hold them so she can look at them.  I'm hoping to find some Project Life type pages so she can see both sides!

I'm off to shower and try to wake up.  Sorry for any typos; I don't have my glasses and I'm squinting and typing.  lol Have a great rest of the week!
Rita

Simon Says Red White and Blue

I managed to make a card yesterday!  I actually have a little pile of things to blog, so you might be in for a treat this weekend.  :)   This card is for the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge.  It is a bit more technique/mixed media type challenge, so I figured I should start playing since I am so in love with Tim Holtz products.  :)   This week's challenge was to do a Red, White, and/or Blue project.  I thought I'd just go with them all and a make a card to send to someone with a birthday in July.  I have several friends already who I need to mail one to, so it might be heading out of my craft room tomorrow!

Stamps: Mama Elephant Carnival Cupcakes, Altenew Label Love
Ink:  Copics, Blueprint Sketch and Candied Apple Distress Inks, Versafine Black Onyx
Dies: My Favorite Things Stitched Scallop Circles plus Stampin' Up! Stars embossing folder
Embellishments:  Studio Calico Wood Veneers Stars, Wink of Stella, seam binding

When my friend Meg got here, Laila didn't waste any time getting her to craft!  :)  

Simon Says Distress!

I'm back today sharing my tag using some lovely gold/yellow and brown tones.  I wanted to play along with the Simon Says Stamp Monday challenge and Barbara's project just really caught my attention and helped me decided on my colors.  I used the wrinkle free distress technique, some stenciling, and some stamping.  Pretty simple, but not.  lol  I am having so much fun with distress products.  I think my Copics are feeling a bit neglected!

A friend introduced us to SnapChat and the fun filters.  Oh my.  lol  They crack me up, but this one must makes my heart happy;  My pretty girl.  I can't believe she will be four in 18 days!  Yikes!

Peep Anniversary

So Easter is my favorite holiday.  That's probably weird for someone who isn't really religious, but I just love it.  I think it's spring, the cuteness of bunnies and chicks, and of course the CANDY.   Making baskets is my most favorite thing!  When I saw the card kit from Simon Says Stamp, I had to get it because PEEPS!!!!!!!!   Who doesn't love Peeps?!   Even if you don't eat them, you have to admit that they are adorable.  :)   I made this anniversary card for Jason using it and an older sketch from My Favorite Things card challenge.  I added a little package of Peeps with it too of course.  :)

Laila and I took newspapers to the animal shelter today because they were in desperate need of them and then we went to Michael's.  Paint was on sale, so I let her pick out some new colors.   She does love to paint when she's not collecting ladybugs or screaming, so it's a cheap investment in fun.  lol   We had a rough weekend.  Yesterday was our 12th anniversary and it was a pretty awful day.  Jason was angry all day, Laila was whining and screaming all day, and I went to hide in bed before I had an anxiety attack.  Some days I wonder how we are going to make it through whatever this is.  Sigh.  Lots of day I think I don't even want to.

Anyway, happy Pi day.  I hope you have a wonderful week!

Freshly Made Smiles

Surprise!  Two days in a row. lol  Today is a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches and I was able to make a card yesterday while Laila was at MDO.  :)   Yay!  Narelle created this fabulous sketch and I loved using it! I pulled out a Simon Says Stamp card kit and used the products from there along with my SSS stitched circles die and a Tim Holtz stencil for this cute, but simple card.  The current SSS Flickr challenge is anything goes, so I just had to enter!

Isn't that a fun sketch?  I just love it!   I also love what the team did with it and can't wait to see the gallery this week!

Look at that face!  I swear she's a mess. So smart, but so sassy.  SOOOOO sassy.  It's hard to figure out how to discipline her without breaking her spirit.  She's been a huge challenge for me as I struggle and fumble my way through PMDD and my low iron/vitamin D issue.  Three year olds and a tired, grumpy momma are a volatile combination at times.  I'm trying so hard though and I hope one day she knows that.  <3 arenting="" attempted="" difficult="" ever="" for="" i="" is="" most="" nbsp="" p="" sure="" the="" thing="" ve="">

Crazy Bird Birthday

I found a little energy over the past few days to visit my poor stamp room.   I thought I'd work on my stash of birthday cards so I grabbed these crazy birds to use.  Simon Says Stamps Wednesday challenge was all about ombre, so I used my distress inks to make an ombre background.   I found another new challenge at 7 Kids College Fund, so I also want to join in there.

Simon Says Sparkle

Sharing another card made with an image and watercolor panel that's been hanging out on my desk for a while.  I finally combined them and made this fun card.   I added a bit of bling with some sequins and silver embossing paste.  I would like to enter it in the Simon Wednesday Challenge as it is Sparkle and Shine this week.   :)  I think I only have one more image that needs a home on a card, so I hope to make that happen soon!



This is a bit of a different card for me, but I like it!  

Stamps:  MFT Super Girl
Paper:  Neenah Solar White, Canson Watercolor Paper, SU Riding Hood Red
Ink:  SU Real Red, Copics, Koi Watercolors
Dies:  Lil' Inker Stitched Rectangles, MFT Blueprints

Simon Says Owl

Simon Says Stamp has a fun challenge going on right now.  It's for shaped cards!  I had this cute owl die in my stash that I hadn't used yet, so it seemed like the perfect time to pull it out.  It was pretty fun to put together and has already been claimed by Laila.  :)

She still loves carousels.   There was a big meltdown over it last week, but she had fun when she did ride it.   It makes me a bit motion sick, but seeing her smile and have fun is worth getting on with her.

Double the Challenge with SSS and MFT

I actually managed to play around a little this week and do some challenges!  It seems like it's been forever since I did that and I enjoyed it so much.   This one is for the MFT Card Challenges sketch and the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge to use a stencil.

Stamps:  MFT Geek is Chic
Ink:  MFT Grout Gray, Versafine black
Paper:  MFT Grout Gray, MFT Sno Cone, MFT Blu Raspberry, MFT Black Licorice
Other:  MFT Geek is Chic Glasses dies, MFT Scattered Bars stencil, Glossy Accents, Recollections Enamel Dots

 

Flowers for a Friend

Looks like I was in a fussy-cutting flower mood this weekend!  lol  I saw that the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge was to use a sentiment and I love this one.  I used the flowers that also come with that stamp set too.  I have been trying to send more just because cards to friends, so this one will work perfectly for that!  :)

We had a nice lunch at Jason's Deli last week.  I'm a bit nervous about taking Laila out these days because she can be a bit unpredictable, but she did great.  Well, minus eating this pickle that Jason gave her.  Yuck!  lol

Simon Says Birthdays

The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge was all about birthdays this time, so I decided to play along using my March card kit.  I am so in love with these colors and the pretty flower stamps!  I went ahead and made a belated birthday card because I am behind and need to get a few out in the mail.   Hopefully they won't be a month late like the last ones.  Yikes!

Another picture from our day at the park.   :o)

Happy Easter Flowers

Can you believe it's almost Easter?!   I wanted to get a few cards out in the mail tomorrow, so I'm trying to stamp up a few today.   I love this stamp set so much and it has been given my Copics quite a workout!   I found these funky rectangle dies in a box I had put away and thought they might be fun to use.   It's always fun to rediscover things you haven't seen in years.  lol

I'll be entering this in the MarkerPOP Easter challenge and the Simon Says Stamp Anything Goes challenge.  :)

Now I'm off to rest and read for just a bit while Laila finishes her quiet time.   I'm worn out and there's still laundry to fold and dinner to cook.   Yawn!   Good thing I planned an easy dinner night, huh? 

Friday Mashup 200

Two of my favorite online stamping friends are part of The Friday Mashup, so I had to go play with their 200th challenge celebration this week.   For my card I chose challenges #121 (polka dots and the word Happy) and #59 (ribbon/bow and a decorative edge).   I used the March kit from Simon Says stamp again because I kinda love it.  :)  The Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge of girly cards is still going on, so I'm linking up over there as well.

I'll see you tomorrow with a Freshly Made Sketches card. Maybe...  I can't get the picture to look halfway decent, so I might run away this week!  lol