Distressed Butterflies

Laila took a long nap today so I was able to get in my room and stamp!  I figured that was okay since I had both the washer and the dishwasher going, right?   ;)   I decided to work on this fun sketch from Stampin' Celebration.  

I ended up going down a distressed vintage road for some reason.  Not my norm, but the doily seems make me want to do that.  Did you notice the green?  PEAR PIZZAZZ!  I'm so, so excited about it's return.  Now if they'd replaced Old Olive with Lucky Limeade I'd be even more excited.  Lots of retired stuff on this one, so don't shoot me.  I have so much stuff in my room and I need to use it.   

Stamps:  Something to Celebrate (retired)

Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede

Paper:  Early Espresso, Whisper White, Early Espresso Coredinations (retired), Neutrals DSP stack. In Color Hostess stack (retired)

Accessories:  Paper Doilies, Basic Pearls

Tools:  Big Shot, Beautiful Wings embosslit, Distressing Tool, Color Spritzing Tool, Sanding Tool, sponges, stapler

This was on one of our rough days this week.  We'd been up a lot at night and were all so tired.  I had finally crashed out for a nap and when I woke up, this was what I found.   Aren't they sweet?   She is one lucky little girl to have such an amazing dad.   She finally settled down and slept great last night, but her naps yesterday were short.  I am hoping that she'll sleep again tonight, but you just never know lately.   She's been asleep for over an hour and a half now so I don't know what's going on with her.  

Fresh Fun Flower

Time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  Jen B. is our hostess with the mostest this week and she gave us a challenge sketch!   I wasn't sure what to do with it at first, but when in doubt, go with Fun Flowers!

My friend Lisa used a similar color combo last week and I tried to remember to try it out.  My card doesn't showcase them even close to as good as hers, but they still look nice together.   I think I should have left off the Pool Party. ;)

Stamps:  NONE

Ink:  None

Paper:  Island Indigo, Soft Saffron, Pool Party, In Colors DSP stack, Tea for Two DSP

Accessories:  In Color Polka Dot brads

Tools:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots EF, Fun Flowers die, Boho Blossoms punch, Scallop Edge border punch

Blooming with Thanks

  

Believe it or not, I stamped AGAIN!   I'm trying to work on challenges and having fun again.   It seems to be working too.  Yay!  I appreciate those of you who have taken the time to leave encouraging comments or sent emails.  I appreciate it so, so much.   I also have some news to share! :)  I was chosen as a display stamper for Convention 2013.  I got the email yesterday evening and am so excited...and nervous.  I won't get to go to Convention to see them in person, but my friends are under strict orders to take lots of pictures.

Now on to the card... I combined the fun new sketch at Try Stampin' on Tuesday with the awesome colors at Dynamic Duos.  

I actually like this one.  :)   I don't normally say that, but I think the flower from Blooming with Kindness just makes me happy.  It's just so pretty!   I added a cute little butterfly from Papillion Potpourri and a sentiment from Fabulous Phrases.   Three great sets are bound to make a lovely card aren't they?  

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Blooming with Kindness, Papillion Potpourri

Ink: Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie

Paper:  Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Brights DSP stack, misc. retired Bashful Blue DSP

Accessories:  Bashful Blue 3/8 Taffeta ribbon, Basic Pearls

Tools: Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die, 3 inch circle die, Scallop Border punch, Petite Butterfly punch

Someone has outgrown their mat.  lol  I don't know why she wanted to get on it yesterday, but it was cute.  We've had a much better day today thank goodness.  She was up crying for over an hour at 3am last night though.  I took her to the doctor today just to make sure nothing was wrong.   She's fine, so no clue what's causing her to be so fussy.  Hopefully it goes away and soon!!!! We are now on week two of cloth diapers and still learning by trial and error about those.  A few more kinks to work out and I'll be 100% in love.  I'm at about 93% now.  ;)

Be sure to come back tomorrow for a new card for Freshly Made Sketches! 

Topsy-Turvy Color Celebration

  

I attempted to stamp again tonight to try to help get myself back in the creating mode.  My mojo and creativity are kinda still in the crapper, but I figure if I stamp enough maybe they'll improve.  One can only hope, right?   Anyway, I played along with two of my favorite challenges, the Paper Players and the Friday Mashup.

I love Island Indigo and Rich Razzleberry, so I decided to combine some favorite colors with a stamp set that I love just as much.   I'm a huge fan of cakes, both looking at them and eating them, so Topsy-Turvy Celebration was one of the first sets I bought last year from the new catalog.  I'm not sure other people love it quite as much, so I'm crossing my fingers that it doesn't hit the retirement list that's coming out soon.  

Stamps:  Topsy-Turvy Celebration

Ink: Island Indigo, Baja Breeze (sad face), Rich Razzleberry

Paper: Crumb Cake, Rich Razzleberry, Baja Breeze, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Brights DSP stack, Island Indigo DSP scrap 

Accessories:  Brights buttons, Island Indigo Baker's Twine, Basic Rhinestones

Tools:  Scallop Border Punch, Paper Snips

We went to our local arboretum today and walked around for a bit.  It's was such a gorgeous day here.  I think we are going to be enjoying a few days in the mid to high 80's this week before some storms and cooler weather hit.   I'm not sure what else we'll find to do, but I hope we get to enjoy 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 .

FMS81: Open Seas

Believe it or not, I finally stamped!   Cindy gave us this fun sketch for Freshly Made Sketches this week and it got me out of my slump for a minute.  Well, more than a minute I guess.  Who can make a card in a minute?  

I have really been struggling with stamping lately.  I don't want to stamp, I don't enjoy stamping.  It's a very strange place for me.   I have been avoiding it unless I have to do it.   When I sat down to make this card, I had no idea where to start.  I finally pulled out my Color Coach and picked a combination.   After that I made most of the card and then looked for a stamp set that would work with it.   Not the most traditional way of doing it, but it ended up working out.  I like how it turned out and that's a nice change for me. :)  

Stamps:  The Open Sea, French Foliage, Something to Celebrate

Ink: Midnight Muse, Bashful Blue

Paper:  Midnight Muse, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Print Poetry DSP, Tea for Two DSP

Tools:  Big Shot, Scallop Circles #2 die, 3-inch circle die, Scallop Border punch, paper snips

Accessories: Midnight Muse ribbon

Someone has discovered that they LOVE mom's iPhone.  Uh oh!  I'm sure it won't be long before she knows how to use it better than I do.  :)

Like all Texas kids, Laila had to have her picture made in the bluebonnets.  Her poor eye was really bugging her after our trip.   Our doctor gave us a referral if we wanted to get it checked out, but let us know that it can take up to she's a year old for the tear duct to open all the way.   We are going to wait for now and try to massage it as much as we can.  That's quite a task considering how active she is now!

Free SHIPPING!!!! Woot!

Don't forget about the free shipping that starts tomorrow!   If you are ordering online and your merchandise total is less than $150, I'd really appreciate it if you could use the following hostess code:  ZBTUFDKU

It would be a huge help to me and doesn't change anything for you. :)  

Here's my official website address just in case you haven't checked it out.  You can shop from there:  http://ritawright.stampinup.net

One of my favorite pictures from our trip is this shot of Laila, me, my mom, and my granny.  Four generations of awesome ladies.  Ha!   

CAS Summer Silhouettes

Okay, so it's been ages since I got to post!  We went to Kentucky for Easter and just got back on Tuesday. Yesterday was chore/unpacking day and today Jason went back to work.  I've been washing cloth diapers for two days trying to get them ready to try and doing the normal grocery shopping, etc.   I thought I'd post a card I'd originally made for the display stamper try-out and then update you on the current SU news!  So here's the card:

I really love how it turned out.  These are two of my favorite colors and part of the big news is that they are sticking around.  :)   Yay, right?!  

Stamps:  Summer Silhouettes, Tiny Tags, Fabulous Phrases

Ink:  Island Indigo, Pool Party

Paper:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Whisper White

Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Pool Party Baker's Twine, Neutrals Designer Buttons

Tools:  Jewelry Tag Punch, Paper Snips

Now for the specials and news: 

There's going to be a change in the current line-up of colors!  I'm so excited about it.  I love that some of my favorites are staying around.  I will definitely miss Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy (my kitchen is painted in those colors), but I think I like Pool Party and Island Indigo better.   Here's the list of the new colors and the ones retiring:  (you may need to click on it to see it a bit better)

The other awesome news:  Free shipping!!!!!!!   This weekend, April 6-8, all orders qualify for free shipping (except expedited ones of course).  Woo Hoo!!!!!!!   If you like any of the retiring colors, it will be a great time to stock up on those because as of now, they are while supplies last ONLY.   Yikes.  You can order through my website, http://ritawright.stampinup.net if you'd like.  I appreciate any and all orders, big or small.  :)

Can you believe she's 9 months old???   She's crawling EVERYWHERE now!  We just put up another baby gate and I think I'll be heading back to Target soon for one more.  She's "talking" more now with lots of dada and an occasional mama.   I have to thank one of my sweet readers, Janice, who sent me a couple packs of coffee to help me keep up with her.  :)   

She did not like sharing with her cousin, Lauryn.  lol  We are going to have to work on that.