Hey!

Hey there friends! Today's ways to use it, something old, something new, really got me in the mood to create today! The challenge is to use something that is at least 6 months old and something that is new on your project. Not hard for me to find either of these items in my craft room! In fact, I used quite a few "old" products on my project! I first stamped my vintage banners from Unity (old) with some pink pirouette ink on vanilla card stock and cut them out. I used my Olivia cuttlebug alphabet (super old) to die cut the word "hey". Then I chose last week's sketch challenge for my layout and used a striped impression plate (really old) to emboss the circle. My new item is the dotted pink DP from Echo Park's Dots and Stripes Candy Shoppe 6x6 paper pad. I added the pom pom trim and some twine string to the banners along with a Basic Grey brad. The banner stamps are quite large so the finished size of this card is 5 1/2 inches square. 

I'm off to tackle my mountain of laundry. My husband and 2 youngest sons just came home from 4 days of cub scout camp yesterday so you can image the fresh scent in the laundry room today!! Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Good Times Vintage Banner (Unity)

ink: pink pirouette (SU!)

paper: very vanilla, melon mambo (SU!); Dots and Stripes Candy Shoppe DP (Echo Park)

accessories: striped texture plate (Sizzix); Olivia alphabet (Provo Craft); pom pom trim (SU!); circle cutter (Creative Memories); scallop circle die (Sizzix); twine string (Creative Impressions); brad (Basic Grey); paper piercer

Expectations

We had another High School Graduation party to attend yesterday. This one was for our neighbor and former babysitter, Ashley. She is a beautiful young lady and sooo smart! We wish her all the best as she takes on the new adventure of college! I made this card for her using last week's MOJO Monday sketch (here I am a day late AGAIN!). I used some fun summery paper by Jillibean soup and a sentiment from Verve's Great Expectations.

Don't forget about the pre-CHA sale that is going on over at i {heart} papers! There's lots of good stuff on sale HERE. And if your order totals $50 or more you get free shipping (can't beat that!) I just got my order (that I placed last Thursday) in the mail today so I'm off to play with new goodies! Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Great Expectations (Verve)

ink: memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko)

paper: very vanilla, basic black (SU!); Watermelon Gazpacho Soup DP (Jillibean Soup)

accessories: circle punch (SU!); pink baker's twine (Divine Twine); rhinestones (Zva Creative); butterfly punch (Martha Stewart); oval and scallop oval nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Birthday Wishes

Yay it's the weekend! We have soccer tournaments all weekend and then my DH and 2 youngest sons leave for scout camp on Sunday so we are busy, busy, busy! I had time last night to make a birthday card for a good friend using another Verve sketch and more Echo Park DP! I love this sketch and used my labels 16 nestabilities for the elements on the side of the main panel. I again wanted a "mailer friendly" card so I kept the embellishments simple and the Divine Twine is just perfect for that reason! My sentiment is from Verve's Wordy Birds.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

stamps: Wordy Birds (Verve)

ink: early espresso (SU!)

paper: early espresso, pink pirouette, taken with teal, very vanilla (SU!); A Walk in the Park DP (Echo Park)

accessories: oval and scallop oval nestabilities, labels 16 nestabilities (Spellbinders); butterfly embosslit (SU!); rhinestone (Zva Creative); pink baker's twine (Divine Twine)

Thinking of You

It's always hard to hear about a death in a family. One of my longtime friends just lost her brother-in-law to ALS. Sympathy cards are one of the hardest cards to make but I know they are appreciated by the recipients. I used my much loved "Kind Words" from Verve. I stamped the flowers in pear pizazz and added tiny rhinestones to the stamens. The layout is one of this month's Verve sketches. My DP is from an older collection by K&Co. I kept the embellishments to a minimum so it can be mailed easily!

Thanks again for stopping by! (This is my second post for today so scroll down for a much brighter card!)

stamps: Kind Words (Verve)

ink: pear pizazz (SU!); versafine black onyx (Tsukineko)

paper: crumb cake, basic black (SU!); DP (K&Co)

accessories: striped ribbon (SU!); border punch (Martha Stewart); oval and scallop oval nestabilities (Spellbinders); corner rounder (Creative Memories)

Thanks

Happy Friday my friends! I've been away for a few days and it feels good to get back to crafting! I'm still working on building up my thank you stash so here's another one. This time I used Karen's Sweet Sunday Sketch (I always seems to be a few days late for this one though!) and yesterday's Ways to Use it challenge of no white card stock! I tried to make this one "mailer friendly" too so that it would only require one stamp but I'm afraid my string bow is a bit too bulky and will have to be padded :(. (It just didn't look right without the string though, KWIM?) My DP is from Echo Park's Walk in the Park collection and I paired it with some crushed curry and taken with teal Stampin' Up! card stock. I stamped my butterfly with the french script in versamark ink for some added interest. Speaking of SU!, I got my new 2011-2012 catalog from my wonderful demonstrator, Laura, the other day! I've already got a long list of "must haves" going and I can't wait until July 1!

Where have I been you may ask? Well, I've mentioned before how all 4 of my children play soccer. Three of the 4 of them are in the city's traveling league and that means, obviously, travel. My mother-in-law and I took my oldest son up to Duluth, MN for a couple of games on Monday and Tuesday. Duluth is a beautiful port city on the northwest shores of Lake Superior two and a half hours from us but I don't think summer hits there until about mid July!! For our game on Monday the wind was blowing and the high temperature was 48 degrees. We had our winter garb on (including mittens) and were wrapped in blankets! By Tuesday evening, the temperature had risen to a balmy 50 degrees but it was raining and the wind was literally howling at a sustained speed of 35 mph! Luckily, we parked the car right next to the field and could see most of the game from there! By the end of the game it was getting foggy and you could barely see across the field! So, needless to say, I'm glad to be back in the Twin Cities with the sunshine today and headed to the pool! (Thanks for listening to my whining!) Here's a picture of the Duluth landmark, the lift bridge, from the car. See that flag flying straight out? Beautiful soccer weather isn't it?!

Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: French Script, Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)

ink: versamark, versafine black onyx (Tsukineko)

paper: crushed curry, taken with teal (SU!); A Walk in the Park DP (Echo Park)

accessories: lacey circle and circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); dotted embossing folder (Quickutz); butterfly die (SU!); rhinestones (Zva Creative)

Smile

Hi friends! It's time for another IHP design team challenge! This month we are making projects with some of the new summer items that are in the i {heart} papers store. For my project I made this little framed saying.  During the summer months, I suspend my daycare business to spend time with my own 4 children. My children range in age from 8 to 15. Nearly every day one of them is taking some kind of jab at another, or arguing or picking on each other in some way (sometimes I think preschoolers are easier than my own kids!) I am constantly reminding them to be nice to each other and many times I am responded to with an eye roll! When I came across this little saying from the Quiet Essence store kit from Unity, I knew I could make it into a nice little reminder for my kids. I mean, how can you be grumpy at each other if you greet each other with a smile right?! I stamped my sentiment in black on some Echo Park Splash paper and framed it with a lacey square. Then I layered it on more Splash DP and tied a bit of bakers twine around one end. I couldn't add too many embellishments because of the glass so I decided to add a fun little pinwheel shape to the frame itself. The DP for the pinwheel is also from the Splash collection and I secured it with a brad from Basic Grey. Now just cross your fingers that this will work {grin}!

Check out my fellow DT members projects too!

• Carolyn


• Deb
• 
  
• Kendra


• Loretta


• Lori


• Lynn


• Megan


• Tracy


• Kate
AND there's a sale going on at i {heart} papers! Even though new items are still arriving in the store (new Unity, OCL and Echo Park, to name a few), CHA is only a few weeks away! Starting today, IHP is having a HUGE Pre-CHA Clearance sale to help make room for new things that will be purchased at the show. Some highlights of the big sale:
o All Unity $12 or less, including store kits and co-brands
o Unity Itty Bittys $3.25
o OCL (except the latest releases) are all $11 or less
o All open stock 12x12 only 25¢ per sheet
o FlowerSoft only $4.50! 
o Stampavie only $6!
But there is much, much more so be sure to check out the sale page for all the details! And, as always, free US shipping with you $50 order!

Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Quiet Essence (Unity)

ink: memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko)

paper: copic medium white (X-Press); Splash DP (Echo Park)

accessories: lacey square nestabilities (Spellbinders); baker's twine (Jillibean Soup); pinwheel die (Lil' Inker Designs); Life of the Party brad (Basic Grey); frame (Target $ Spot)

Fairytale

Happy Saturday! Today my cousin is getting married and we are all excited for the party to follow! It's always fun to get together with family to celebrate. This is the card I made for them. I love this sentiment and it is perfect for the wedding couple! All of my DP is from the Stella & Rose Hattie collection by MME. My fancy scroll elements behind the sentiment are actually a die from the fancy tags 3 nestabilities. The gold scallop is made from velvet paper and adds just the right touch of elegance. I hand colored my flower with a marker to match the DP.

Thanks so much for stopping by- we're off to party!!

stamps: May KOTM (Unity)

ink: early espresso (SU!)

paper: Very vanilla, early espresso (SU!); Hattie DP (MME); Jocelyn velvet paper (SEI)

accessories: flowers (Bazzill); brown twine (Creative Impressions); lace trim (May Arts); Fancy Tags 3, circle and scallop circle nestabilities; lotus borderabilities (Spellbinders); chocolate pearl brad (Kaiser Craft); glitter (SU!)

An Anchor

Happy Friday friends! My card for you today features a verse from Hebrews that has been a comfort to many, including me. My mom was diagnosed with a rare blood disease a few months ago. It is nothing life threatening or debilitating and her doctors assure her that it can be managed with medication. Well, most of the medications she has been prescribed, are not working the way they should and her doctors are constantly changing their frequency and dosage and have even admitted that they are baffled by her body's response! She goes in weekly for blood draws and waits for the doctor to call her with her results. I know (and so does she) that there are worse things that others are dealing with but this is taking it's toll on her mentally and physically. The worst part is that my parents live in Phoenix, Arizona in the winter months and then travel between their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma and our home in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the summer months to spend time with our kids and now her doctors in Phoenix don't want her to travel until they get her medications right. Most of their friends in Phoenix are snowbirds so right now their housing community is pretty bare and she is lonely! (not to mention it's freakin' hot there!!) With all of the soccer commitments we have here, we won't be able to travel ourselves until August. I'm hoping a card from me will help lift her spirits a bit! I stamped the anchor in going grey ink and then stamped the verse right over it in versafine black onyx ink. I framed it using a Spellbinders wonky rectangle. The circle element was kind of an afterthought. I had cut it out for another project and never used it. It was sitting on my desk and so I started playing with it on this card and found it added that "something" that I thought was missing. I love when that happens!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

stamps: Anchor (ODBD)

ink: going gray (SU!); versafine black onyx (Tsukineko)

paper: basic gray, basic black, very vanilla (SU!); Stella & Rose Hattie DP (MME)

accessories: jet rhinestones (Zva Creative); wonky rectangle nestabilities (Spellbinders); Circle cutter (Creative Memories); paper piercer; black twine (Creative Impressions)

Thank you Lulu!

Last week when I dug out my box of Stampingbella stamps to use for this month's sketch for you to try, (yep, had to uncover them from a bottom shelf-sad) I fell in love with them all over again! I've been playing with them a lot- just a warning! I also love this month's SFYTT so I played with that again as well. I'm working on replenishing my thank you card stash. For this one, I colored Lulu with my Copics and added glitter to her wings and crown. All of my DP is from Pink Paislee's Hometown Summer collection. 

My summer vacation is off to a good start. I've decided to use a few hours of each day to do some much neglected cleaning around here. I figure "slow and steady wins the race" right?! Yesterday I cleaned off the air hockey table in the playroom (that had become the catch all for EVERYTHING) and waxed it up so the kids can actually use it again! The day before that I vacuumed all of the bedroom ceilings (kind of tedious when you have textured ceilings!) And today I have 4 boxes of stuff from the basement shelves to drop off at the Goodwill. Stuff I keep hanging on to because I just might use it "someday". Yeah, time to let it all go! We are having fun though too and are off to the city pool after our stop at Goodwill!

Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Lulu Ketto (Stampingbella); Teeny Tiny Wishes (SU!)

ink: memento rich cocoa (Tsukineko)

paper: very vanilla, old olive (SU!); Hometown Summer DP (Pink Paislee)

accessories: circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); Copic sketch markers; glitter, word window punch (SU!); button (Basic Grey); twine (Creative Impressions); ribbon (Michael's)

For Aubrey

My last card for my little daycare friends. This one is for Aubrey. Aubrey is a spunky little girl who has started dance class this year and literally dances through the house. She has even taught the preschoolers some of her moves! I call her "the boss" because when she is here all day (on the days she doesn't have school) she is in charge! The other girls always do what Aubrey tells them to do. Sometimes I have to remind her who is really in charge (me) and she giggles! 

I chose Missmatch Ketto for her card along with her favorite color, purple! I colored little Missmatch with my Copics and added glitter to her veil and dress. The DP is all from the Lime Twist Happy Go Lucky collection by MME.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

stamps: Missmatch Ketto (Stampingbella)

ink: memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko)

paper: rich razzleberry, very vanilla (SU!); pink (?); Happy Go Lucky DP (MME)

accessories: ribbon, flower punch (SU!); circle and blossom nestabilities (Spellbinders); Copic sketch markers; floss (DMC); buttons (Basic Grey)

Give me your tired, your poor. . .

When I saw last week's Free For All challenge on SCS to use any stamp that you have that has been forgotten or neglected, I knew that I just had to play! I probably should play multiple times since I have oodles of forgotten/neglected stamps on my shelves! I started by wading through the cobwebs to find just the right set and settled on Feathered Hope from SU! (the date on the set says 1998- yikes 13 years?!)

Anyways, I colored my bird and basket with my Copic markers and distressed the edges. I used a simple layout that I jazzed up with pearls, a border punch and wide ribbon. I really like how it turned out, maybe I should play with my forgotten stamps more often :)

Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Feathered Hope (SU!)

ink: memento rich cocoa (Tsukineko)

paper: early espresso, very vanilla (SU!); basic Kraft DP (Basic Grey)

accessories: arch border punch (Martha Stewart); pearls (K&Co); square nestabilities (Spellbinders); Copic sketch markers; ribbon (SU!)

Graduation

We attended a high school graduation party of a beautiful young lady yesterday whose family has been our neighbors and good friends for 10 years! Over the years we have gotten to know members of their extended family and some of their friends so it was a good time visiting with them as well. I volunteered to help keep the food going in the kitchen so the rest of the family could mingle with their guests and I think I got to visit just as much as they did (I mean who isn't drawn to the party food?!) It was a perfect day for a party!

This is the card I made for the graduate. I used a fun stamp by Mo Manning (that I bought from Stampingbella.com) called Bye Bye Girl. I thought it was just the right image for a graduation! I colored her with my Copic sketch markers and added some polar white Flower Soft to her coat's collar. The DP is all from MME's Lime Twist Out of the Blue collection. My layout is this month's Sketch For You To Try.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

stamps: Bye Bye Girl (Stampingbella)

ink: memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko)

paper: vintage cream (PTI); basic black (SU!); Out of the Blue DP (MME)

accessories: Copic sketch markers; circle and scallop circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); vanilla seam binding (SU!); black twine (Creative Impressions); button (Basic Grey); polar white flower soft (Flower Soft)

8th Birthday

My kids are officially on Summer Break today! It is also my youngest son's 8th birthday! He is looking forward to breakfast and shopping with Grandma and Grandpa and then helping me entertain the little girls on their last day of daycare! When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he said "new tennis shoes and clothes. Oh and one of those cool boy necklaces." Umm, don't eight year olds still want toys?! I guess when you have an older teenage brother in the house that you think is just awesome, you want to  dress like him too! So, of course, he's getting new clothes and tennis shoes and 2 cool boy necklaces!

 I made this card for him using this week's MOJO Monday sketch. My DP is from MME's Lime Twist Fly a Kite collection. The star sentiment is from an old SU! set called "In the Stars". I have soooo many stamps (shelves and shelves of wood mounted SU! sets) that I just can't part with and when I make a card with one of them, it gives me justification to keep them all :)!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

stamps: In the Stars (SU!)

ink: peach parfait (SU!)

paper: crumb cake, early espresso, peach parfait (SU!); Lime Twist Fly a Kite DP (MME)

accessories: number collage embossing folder (Provo Craft); circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); star punch, 1" circle punch (SU!); natural rope twisted burlap (May Arts)

Fashion Diva

Annelie is a little fashion diva! Her dad and I just chuckle at some of the things she shows up in but you have to pick your battles with a 5 year-old right? She is definitely unique! I chose this Heart Stripes girl from MFT for Annelie and I colored all of the stripes in her outfit different bright colors with my Copics. I used some bright Lime Ricky DP by Basic Grey and some crazy stitching for the background. I also added a bit of sparkle and bling (which is also tops on her list of fashion must haves) to represent her sparkly personality! I will miss her fashion sense and the way she breaks into her cute little preschool songs at anytime! She will be an awesome kindergartner!

Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Heart Stripes (MFT)

ink: memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko)

paper: tempting turquoise (SU!); white (PTI); Lime Ricky DP (Basic Grey)

accessories: baker's twine (Jilibean Soup); Copic sketch markers; square and scallop square nestabilities (Spellbinders); rhinestones (Zva Creative); glitter (SU!); sewing machine

For Gabby

This card is for my little friend Gabby.  I've taken care of Gabby since she was only 6 weeks old! She is smart as a whip and has a little attitude too but she is also so very shy! For the first few weeks of preschool, she would cry and didn't want me to leave her. We had to make up a little routine with talking about how fun school was and how her mommy worked just across the street and would pick her up every day- never fail! I would also draw a little heart on the palm of her hand and kiss it before we went into preschool (just like the book "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn) to give her some reassurance. By about the second month of school, the crying had stopped and we even would occasionally forget the heart. I thought we were on our way! Fast forward to preschool graduation in May. I didn't tell the girls I was coming and slid into the pew next to their parents. The processional march started and as soon as Gabby saw her dad, she made a beeline for him and wouldn't let go! She was sobbing and clinging to her dad so much that they had to step out of the sanctuary! She missed nearly the whole ceremony (only singing the closing song!) She would hardly even let anyone take her picture! Her mom and I were joking that she probably didn't really even graduate from preschool so she was going to have to stay at my house forever in daycare! I know she will do fine in kindergarten, she just needs LOTS of encouragement :) I colored this peek-a-boo PI girl with my Copics and used some Restoration DP from Crate Paper for the background. Fun trim and stitching complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Peek a Boo (MFT)

ink: memento rich cocoa (Tsukineko)

paper: very vanilla, not quite navy (SU!); Restoration DP (Crate Paper)

accessories: circle and scallop circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); vanilla satin ribbon, pom pom trim (SU!); Copic sketch markers; crochet trim (May Arts); sewing machine

For Olivia

It's my last week of daycare this week and then we are on summer break until school starts again in the fall.  This year I have 4 that are "graduating" from daycare and moving on to full time school. One of the little girls I have had for almost 6 years! I really enjoy my job and all of the kids give me great joy (and many laughs) and I am going to miss their chatter tremendously! I decided to make each of the kids a personalized card and a little summer fun gift bag to send them on their way. This first card is for Olivia. Olivia is a spunky little 4 year old that ALWAYS has a smile on her face! She is so bright and cheery and her laugh is infectious so I chose some bright summer colors  from Echo Park's Summer Days collection for her card. I colored my PI girl with my Copics and added some sparkle to her flower and ponytail holders. What little girl doesn't like sparkle?!

For Emmett, I chose this little PI boy hangin' on a rope swing. Emmett is the kid who loves to be outside playing sports or climbing around the playground. His favorite thing to do is use a long blue climbing rope and tie it from deck, to playground, to tree, etc. You can just see the wheels turning in his head. He is a bright little boy and will do a wonderful job in 1st grade! My DP for this card is all from the True Blue Fine and Dandy collection by MME. I hand printed his name on a modern label punch.

It's another scorcher today but all of the kids brought their swimsuits along and we are headed out for some water play in the yard and popsicle snacks afterward! Thanks for stopping by!

Olivia

stamps: Being Cute is What I Do (MFT)

ink: memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko)

paper: melon mambo (SU!); medium blending white (X-Press); Summer Days DP (Echo Park)

accessories: ribbon (SU!); floss (DMC); button (Basic Grey); Copic sketch markers; circle and scallop circle nestabilities (Spellbinders)

Emmett

stamps: Tree Swing (MFT)

ink: memento rich cocoa (Tsukineko)

paper: vintage cream (PTI); early espresso (SU!); True Blue Fine and Dandy DP (MME)

accessories: twill, modern label punch (SU!); oval nestabilities (Spellbinders); Copic sketch markers; brown twine (Creative Impressions); brads (Hobby Lobby)

Birthday Princess

Happy Monday!? We had such a gorgeous weekend here in the Twin Cities that it is hard to go back to work and school today! Last week of school though. . . My card today uses this week's MFT sketch and a PI Birthday Princess. I colored her with Copics and paper pieced her dress. My DP is from Echo Park's Life is Good collection.

It's going to be a hot one today (finally), hope you are enjoying some sunshine and warmth wherever you are :)! Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Birthday Princess (MFT) 

ink: memento rich cocoa (Tsukineko)

paper: very vanilla, early espresso (SU!); Life is Good DP (Echo Park)

accessories: circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); Copic sketch markers; border punch (MarthaStewart); ribbon (Michael's); glitter (SU!)

With You Always

I'm working hard on finishing up my teacher's thank you cards and gifts but I had to take a break to participate in this challenge that I found on the Our Daily Bread Designs blog. Being a woman of faith, I enjoy looking for ways to share it with others and ODBD makes it so easy with their stamps! The challenge is to use a sentiment only and this verse, from the Jesus set, is one that I hold dear. Some days, especially those challenging times with children, I can become overwhelmed and discouraged but when I just sit down and breathe, this verse seems to whisper in my heart! Then I pick myself up, say a little prayer of thanks and get on with the life that I have been blessed with- challenges and all! I chose some bright spring colors and a bit of sparkle to highlight this special verse. My frame is a Sizzix die that I got in the clearance bin at JoAnn's and if you look closely, you will see that I dry embossed the inside of the frame with some polka dots.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

stamps: Jesus (ODBD)

ink: early espresso (SU!); vintage photo distress ink (Ranger)

paper: Walk in the Park DP (Echo Park); crumb cake, very vanilla (SU!)

accessories: large frame (Sizzix); petite oval nestabilities (Spellbinders); polka dot embossing folder (Quickutz); ribbon (SU!); twine (The Twinery); rhinestones (Zva Creative); butterfly punch (Martha Stewart)

Just Ducky

What do you think of this sweet little duck? He's from the set Lucky Ducky by Verve. I colored him with my Copic sketch markers and then trimmed him out and popped him up for dimension. My DP is from Echo Park's Walk in the Park collection and my layout is this week's MOJO Monday sketch. I made my card a circle by adding the front panel to a circle card base that I cut with my nestabilities. The inside says "hope everything's ducky".

My DH and oldest son are camping with the boy scouts at Fort Ripley this weekend so the rest of us are going to enjoy popcorn for dinner and a few Redbox movies  tonight :) Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Lucky Ducky (Verve)

ink: early espresso (SU!)

paper: crumb cake, early espresso, very vanilla (SU!); Walk in the Park DP (Echo Park)

accessories: scallop circle die (Sizzix); circle, scallop circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); pom pom trim (SU!); brown twine string (Creative Impressions); Copic sketch markers; button (?)

Awesome

All of our children have attended the same elementary school in our district. Having four children, we have gotten to know many of the teachers there. One of our favorites is Mrs. Harris who teaches second grade. She is just the most positive and encouraging woman and always has a smile on her face! You can tell that she really loves her job! Our middle boy had her as a second grader and we were thrilled when our youngest had her this year too! At the school carnival's silent auction earlier this year, the boys wanted us to bid on "special lunch with Mrs. Harris" so we concentrated our efforts on that and they won! She provided the boys with a picnic pizza lunch, pop and ice cream treats! A special lunch indeed!

This is the card I made for her to go with her end of the year gift. I used Crate Paper's School Spirit DP and a fun sketch from Verve. Along with her card and gift I know she will receive many hugs!

Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Happy Hello (Verve)

ink: Early espresso (SU!)

paper: naturals ivory (SU!); School Spirit DP (Crate Paper)

accessories: twill, circle punch, scallop circle punch, spiral punch (SU!); paper distresser

Don't Become Weary

Isn't this just a fabulous verse?! It is from Verve and one of my new stamps that I bought last week. Working in the childcare industry (if that's what you call it) this verse speaks volumes to me! So many times I am reminding my preschoolers to share, or speak nicely to their friends, or not run in the house, etc. All good and basic things to know and learn yet I feel like I am repeating myself at least 20 times a day!! But, if you keep at it it will all payoff right? Well, the other day was payoff for me! At lunch the rule at my house is that you need to at least try a bite of whatever is served before any comments can be made. My pet peeve is when faces are made or food is called gross or disgusting. I teach my preschoolers to say "I don't care for this" after they try it and then they are excused from eating it. The other night when one of my preschoolers was at home at dinner, she tried a bite of the casserole that her mom had made and then very politely said "I don't care for this"! Her mom was so impressed with this and thanked me profusely the next day! Hooray!! So whatever it may be that you feel is just being run into the ground, someday it will payoff!

Enough philosophy from me, thanks so much for stopping by!

stamps: Galatians 6:9 (Verve)

ink: dusty durango (SU!); antique linen distress ink (Ranger)

paper: natural ivory, dusty durango, not quite navy (SU!); Out of the Blue Lime Twist DP (MME)

accessories: swiss dots embossing folder (Provo Craft); ribbon, corner punch (SU!); button (Basic Grey); natural twine (May Arts); oval nestabilities (Spellbinders)

One Cool Chick

Happy Wednesday! Don't you just love the short work week that follows a long holiday weekend?! I got some new Verve stamps in the mail today and sat down at nap time to play a bit! This layout is another of the Verve sketches from May. At first glance I thought it would give me troubles but after playing around with it, I love it and might even use it again (wink)! My chick and sentiment are from the Chicks Rule set that was released around Easter but it is a very versatile set. How about that bright DP? It's from the Echo Park Dots and Stripes Candy Shoppe collection that is available at i {heart} papers. If you missed the Memorial Day sale at Verve, never fear! There is a new sale going on now through June that features sets all about the boys!

Well, that's it for me today. It's a beautiful day here and all that is on the agenda for this evening is soccer practice. Aah, maybe I can sneak in another chance to craft! Thanks for stopping by!

stamps: Chicks Rule, Sweet Scallop Tag (Verve)

ink: memento tuxedo black (Tsukineko); summer sun (SU!)

paper: white (PTI); summer sun (SU!); Dots and Stripes Candy Shoppe (Echo Park)

accessories: scallop scissors (Fiskars); ribbon, glitter (SU!); Copic sketch markers; circle, scallop circle nestabilities (Spellbinders); sweet scallop tag die (Verve); swiss dots embossing folder (Provo Craft); black baker's twine (Divine Twine); Dainty Doily Die (MFT)