SOTW - Lupine Flowers

I am so in love with the floral stamps from Repeat Impressions - and this week we're highlighting one of my all-time favorites - Lupine! Visit The House That Stamps Built to get all the details on how YOU can purchase this same stamp for 50% off!

Although I don't have anything new to show you, HERE is a link to a card I made previously using this exact stamp. This card also used one of our What if Wednesday sketches - always so much fun!

Stop by the other Rock Stars blogs and leave them some love for their amazing creations!

• Ayana Posadas
• Dana Joy
• Darsie Bruno
• Harriet Skelly
• Joy Hadden
• Julie Smith
• Lynette Neus
• Makiko Jones
• Robin Kirkpatrick

On a personal front: Our daughter played in a basketball tournament this weekend; they had 5 games over 3 days; they lost the 1st two games and then came back & won the championship. Oh, there was some intense basketball - they played GREAT!!! Such fun!

Whereas our son is headed in for an x-ray today and possible MRI this week on his elbow; we'll see what that holds for us! ?? SCARY!!!

Hope your week is off to a great start; thanks for visiting! Hugs, ~M.

RI - SOTW

BLOG CANDY - WHIMSICAL WINNER - BLOG CANDY!!!

Don't forget about the above post (click on it so you can register)....I'm going to extend the deadline for drawing a winner to 6/22/10 since I'm without Internet at home...any idea how LOST I feel? Way beyond the typical "blonde" moments - tee hee!!

Don't forget, it's another Stamp of the Week at Repeat Impressions - YOU can purchase the stamp for 50% off; visit The House That Stamps Built to see all the amazing creations and find out how to make your purchase at 50% off!

Thanks for popping in; I hope to have my Internet back soon - I have lots of creations to show you!!

Hugs, ~M.

Looking for a Whimsical Winner!

It's blog candy time - haven't done that in AGES! But I'm slowly going to be working through the craft room and giving away items that are brand new or gently used. This first round is LOTS of designer paper; so here's some links to what's in the giveaway!!

My Favorite Things Spring Paper Pack (gently used-20 sheets) (6"x6")

My Favorite Things Summer Paper Pack (gently used-23 sheets) (6"x6")

My Favorite Things Halloween Paper Pack (BRAND NEW-25 sheets) (I can't find this pack on their website but it contains lots of great Halloween papers - same sizes as the other paper packs)

Making Memories Cheeky Collection - Abby (gently used, 6"x6", 6 designs) link is for paper samples **ONLY**

Making Memories Kids Collection - Kate (gently used, 6"x6", 6 designs)

DCWV The Blossoms & Butterflies Stack (gently used, 4.5" x 6.5", 72 blooming prints)


So...who is interested in some DP they can give some lovin' to? The contest will be open until June 15 at which time I will announce a winner using random.org. To be entered into the blog candy drawing, please leave a comment and tell me either special plans you have for the summer OR one item from your "bucket list". I cannot wait to read your entries. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me; if not, I will choose another winner.

Have a great week; hugs, ~M.

A Woman's Best Friend (MTSC74)

Everyone has probably heard "a man's best friend"; but you know, sometimes a dog is a "woman's best friend"! I have a very, very dear online friend who lost her dog after 14 years. That's a LONG TIME; the loss is so hard and as is often the case, 'time' heals, but it will take a long, long time!

I loved Mercy's sketch (HERE) and decided to use it for a sympathy card making my dear friend's dog the focal point. Unfortunately, I need a new toner cartridge, so the picture isn't the greatest (sorry CW)!!

The "with sympathy" on the main panel is embossed with clear embossing powder using SU! Craft Chocolate Chip ink. The DP is by Basic Grey and the card stock is PTI's Kraft, Spring Rain & Ripe Avocado. I just love the color combo.

Mulder, may you rest in eternal peace, CW, may you find comfort and peace through friends, family and the many memories of Mulder. Love you dear friend!

For my American friends, hope you enjoy the long Memorial Day weekend! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: PTI Anniversary Set
Papers: PTI Ripe Avocado, Spring Rain & Kraft, Basic Grey Kioshi DP
Ink: SU! Chocolate Chip Kraft
Accessories: nesties, sponging, clear embossing powder, corner chomper

I'm a Rock Star!

Did you see THIS???

If you are a subscriber to the blog, you may have seen it already, if not, click on the link above (word THIS) and see what's been revealed!!

Have a great week; hugs, ~M.

W@@T, W@@T - you know what that means!

I'm going to toot my horn...but I do have some sad news to share too. :(

Anyway, I am so excited to say I have been chosen as a designer for The Stamping Boutique! Woo hoo; I cannot wait to play with their images. They have digital images which I am learning to love a lot more than I ever thought I would. Yep, I was someone that thought "phew, why purchase digital images - my ink will probably bleed, will I ever use the image more than once, etc."; well I quickly learned what "blonde" statements those were. I love digital images - here's some that I've used to date in my creations (you can click on the links to see the cards I created):

Harold & his Cake
Maltese doggies
Herby the Frog
Little Mermaid

See, I really do love these images and cannot wait to begin work!! You can check out their incredible images HERE.

If you read my last post, you know what an absolutely insane weekend we had - so very busy. But this morning before leaving for work, our daughter reported her guinea pig, Snowball, had passed away. :( I cried right along with her - she's passionate about her pets and she really, really loved Snowball. We'll have a burial ceremony tonight when dad gets home from work.

Thanks for popping in and sharing my GREAT news and a bit of sad news too. I appreciate you taking time from your busy day to visit!

Hugs, ~M.

SOTW - Vase of Tulips

I LOVE this image - so big and beautiful - lots of opportunity to color and I do love to color. This is Repeat Impressions Stamp of the Week and you know what that means? Spend money - but save 50% on this particular stamp. Oh yeah, who doesn't love a bargain? But remember, you MUST be a member of their blog - The House That Stamps Built! Check it out; the DT has some amazing eye candy for you!

For this card, I used Taylor's sketch #114 - a definite sketch to use time and time again. Love it! Lots of possibilities with this sketch.

I also ventured out and tried something new - see that blue amongst the flowers? What do you think? I think it makes the image 'pop'; do you think so too, or do you think it looks strange? I paper pieced the vase and then colored the flowers to match the colors within the DP (by Basic Grey). The larger flowers I colored bolder and added some red sparkle to the center of each of those flowers. The edges of the nestability are sponged with PTI Sweet Blush.

This card measures 5" x 5".

And as a side note? Our daughter's team won their basketball tournament with 4 games in one day (AND they only had 7 players); and our son's baseball team ended up 3rd in their tournament after playing 8 games in 2 days!

Thanks for popping in; don't forget to check out the blog - The House That Stamps Built and see how you can purchase this same stamp for 50% off. It's a delightful stamp, no doubt!

AND if you'd like to visit each of the DT members and leave them some love, I know they would appreciate it!!

Ayana Posadas
Dana Joy
Darsie Bruno
Harriet Skelly
Joy Hadden
Julie Smith
Lynette Neus
Makiko Jones
Michele Greenwood (that's me!)
Robin Kirkpatrick

Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Repeat Impressions Vase of Tulips
Papers: PTI Sweet Blush, DP by Basic Grey
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Sweet Blush
Accessories: copics, nesties, twine, ribbon, buttons, sponging

Yes...it's true!

We are officially the parents of a high school freshman...wow, what a journey!

Enjoy the slide show from our oldest daughter's promotion ceremony...and thanks for stopping by, I'll be back very soon with some creations to share!! Hugs, ~M.

Before I was a mom...

Before I was a Mom...

author: Unknown

BEFORE I WAS A MOM...

I made and ate hot meals. I had unstained clothing. I had quiet conversations on the phone.

Before I was a Mom... I slept as late as I wanted and never worried about how late I got into bed. I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.

Before I was a Mom... I cleaned my house each day. I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies.

Before I was a Mom... I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous. I never thought about Immunizations.

Before I was a Mom... I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, peed on or pinched by tiny fingers. I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, and my body. I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom... I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots. I never looked into teary eyes and cried. I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin. I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom... I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down. I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt. I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much. I never knew that I could love someone so much.

Before I was a Mom... I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body. I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby. I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child. I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important.

Before I was a Mom... I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay. I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom. I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much before I was a Mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

RI - SOTW

Greetings!

Although I don't have a card to share with you today, I want to remind you that Repeat Impressions is offering another Stamp of the Week - you must be a blog subscriber to The House That Stamps Built; hop on over to the blog and learn how YOU can get the Stamp of the Week at 50% off!

AND don't forget to visit the DT members below to see their creations!

Dana Joy
Makiko Jones
Harriet Skelly
Joy Hadden
Lynette Neus
Julie Smith
Robin Kirkpatrick
Darsie Rose Bruno

Meanwhile, our oldest daughter is being promoted to high school this year; this weekend was their 8th grade promotion party with an 80's theme. Some of the funny things:

1. I take her shopping for 80's clothes - we walk into a store and I say "what are you looking for"; she looked at me with that typical teen look and said "YOU grew up in the 80's, YOU should know"!

2. We find a couple options and I'm holding them up asking "which one do you like"; she replies with "which one looks more 80's" ??

3. I show her a website that shows looks from the 80's and lists the highlights - makeup, clothes, hair, songs, etc. While viewing the website she mumbles, "I don't know HOW you lived through the 80's".

Needless to say, I had a lot of laughs but thought she looked pretty cute. Here's a slideshow of her in her outfit before the party.

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a great week! Hugs, ~M.

The Big Reveal!

I am so very excited today to announce I have been accepted to my very first design team - W@@T, W@@T!!! EEEEEeeekkk...my picture is even over there - oh my!!!

I'll be working with Repeat Impressions and I can not wait; Wendy (the owner) is going to be a blast! So jump on board and check out the announcement at:

The House That Stamps Built (GREAT story behind this name - amazing) and while you're at it, hop on over to their store and see what YOU might need for your stamping collection:

Repeat Impressions

And while you're there, check out the other incredibly talented team members I'll be working with:

Ayana Posadas
Dana Joy
Darsie Bruno
Harriet Skelly
Joy Hadden
Julie Smith
Lynette Neus
Makiko Jones
Robin Kirkpatrick

Stick around, the fun is just beginning!

Hugs, ~M.

Hit with a Pitch - WARNING GRAPHIC!

Our son played in a baseball tournament this past weekend and was hit above the eye with a pitch; I won't give you all the details but to say - I'm traumatized! He's doing great; no concussion, he's very blessed...as are we!

I've made a slideshow of our pictures to date...enjoy but please know these pictures are graphic (no blood, just lots of swelling and bruising)!

Thanks for stopping by; take care! ~M.

L@@K!! WOOT, WOOT!

I am SO EXCITED; I have so much respect for Becky. Click HERE, see that little birdie card and my name - that's mine!

Sure 'nuff; I was chosen as one of the top 3 submissions. Oh did, I mention I'm excited?

Becky just introduced her very own stamping line through Papertreyink called Studio 64 - very whimsical & fun! She's an amazing artist, an amazing singer and an incredible mother; I love following her blog.

Thanks for allowing me to share my excitement with you...did I mention I'm ***REALLY*** excited?

Hugs, ~M.

Mozy Online

Need to backup your computer but hate storing all those CD's? Try Mozy Online! It's free...or you can sign up for unlimited space for $4.95 per month. Check it out!

Mozy Online

I am not affiliated in any way, just found it to be a safe and effective way to back up my files!!!

Hugs, ~M.

You Rock Our World!

Our oldest turns 14 tomorrow (February 10) - AMAZING! I saw THIS card created by Michelle Zindorf several weeks ago and I just loved it - she does such incredible work!! I've been wanting to try it forever but I can barely find time to create, but I snuck in about 30 minutes tonight and made a small 3.75"x3.75" card for our daughter.

I ordered some gourmet cupcakes from Folk Tales Flowers & Gifts for Valentine's Day, but I'll take one tomorrow and deliver it to our daughter at middle school just before she has lunch and I'll drop this card off with it.

This card features Inkadinkado's "In The Groove" stamp set - I had my daughter preview the images before I bought the set - she thought they were cool, so I thought I'd be safe using one of the images on her card. You know how teens can be...F-I-C-K-L-E!! :D

I sponged on several colors on the base card - PTI's Aqua Mist, Ocean Tide & Spring Rain and then edged it in SU! Close to Cocoa. I layered the main image onto PTI's Smokey Shadow and Spring Rain.

Thanks for peeking in; hope your week is going great!! Hugs, ~M.



WHAT'S IT TAKE?
Stamps: Inkadinkado In The Groove
Paper: PTI Smokey Shadow & Spring Rain, GKD's 80 lb. White
Ink PTI Spring Rain, Ocean Tide, Aqua Mist, Memento Tuxedo Black

Mish Mash's Blog

Here's an entry at a blog I read every single day - it's very touching; I love what she has to say. Hope you'll pop over and read her entry - leave her some love too!!

Mish Mash <----CLICK HERE

Or copy and paste this address into your web browser: http://michellewooderson.blogspot.com/2010/02/seventeen.html.

Until next time; hug the ones you love!!!

A card & an update

Hi friends,

How are you? This is a card I made quite some time ago but never posted. Very little stamping - just the verbiage; the rest is all designer paper and punched butterflies. I scored a square piece of Hibiscus Burst card stock and then punched out the butterflies, if you click on the picture, you "might" be able to see the lines on the butterflies - there is one large butterfly and two small ones. I also added small chocolate half pearls to the middle of each butterfly. I'm really lovin' the chocolate pearls!!

I also decorated the inside of the card - simple, but so fun.

Last is a picture of our son, who has been so very sick, and one of his buddies. We attended a hockey game and our 'regular' mascot was there - but then this chicken was also there??? I have no idea why; he's not a very "cute" chicken; but nonetheless the boys wanted their picture taken with the chicken so I complied. :)~

That's what mom's do!!

By the way, our son (the shorter one) is doing MUCH better! He's off the pain & nausea medication; we still have another medication we're taking daily and we added Activia Yogurt to his diet to help with any bacterial imbalance in his tummy. Thank you for your thoughts & prayers; we greatly appreciate them!!

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a great week! Hugs, ~M.

Our Very Sick Little Boy

At 1:15 a.m. on 1/8/10, we made a trip to the ER for our son - well, he and I made the trip while daddy and the girls stayed behind and got some rest!

Our son has been very ill for 6 weeks; I think we reached the peak last night and I reached my wits end! Here are a couple of pictures from the hospital; the first is shortly after they started the IV drip and gave him nausea and pain meds.

The pain med didn't do much; within an hour he was crying and screaming again so they gave him some more nausea med and then a dose of morphine; when they finished pushing the morphine in, he yelled, "I'm going numb!"; it was the side effect of the morphine but scared him to death...(me too). He literally passed out after the morphine went in as you can see from the 2nd picture.

He's a very tough little boy; he has never cried when they've drawn blood, or started an IV or anything - but this stomach problem brings him to his knees. If he's not better next week, we'll be seeing a pediatric GI doc. I pray we don't have too; but we'll do whatever we have to do - we want him healthy again!

Thanks for stopping by; hope you have a great weekend! Hugs, ~M.