Day One…….
While this is not my first blog post, it is the first since I joined Stampin’ Up. I am excited to be back in the world of paper crafting. This is something I do to relax and unwind. I also get to document my family history and make some really cute gift and ‘thinking of you’ items for friends.
I am participating in my first SU Demonstrator Swap next weekend. This is not my usual color palette but I was lucky enough to use inks borrowed from Elizabeth.
I won’t show my cards yet but I will share photos of the work in progress and some of the materials and supplies used. Here goes:
- Ink
- Sweet Sugarplum (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141395)
- Wisteria Wonder (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=126985)
- Perfect Plum (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?”productID=126963)
- Sunshine Sayings (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141594)
- Sunshine Wishes Dies (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=141489)
- Whisper White and Black Cardstock
- Mini Ink Blending Tool
- water brush
- small spray bottle of water
- craft mat
- Dimensional Adhesive (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=104430)
- Fine Tip Glue Pen (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=138309)
- Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=132708)
Background

Next, spritz water from the small spray bottle. Allow the ink to lift slightly. Blot with a paper towel to remove the ink. If desired, remove the pump from the bottle and use the end to flock water drops onto the paper and blot again. Your paper should look like the photo to the left.
Card Front Elements
While the background papers are drying, let’s work on the paper used to make the die cuts on the card. Again, since I have not stocked my supply closet yet with SU products, I am using alternate methods to create colored paper. To that end, mist a sheet of Whisper White cardstock. Blot the Wisteria Wonder onto the craft mat. Spritz it with water to create a watercolor type liquid. Using the water brush, apply the Wisteria Wonder ink to the dampened card stock to create a very lightly colored cardstock.
After this dries, cut each piece into something small enough to fit through the Big Shot (or Cuttlebug). I cut my sheets in half to make them easier to use. Using the Thinlits, cut one flower and four ‘congrats’. I cut one of the colored cardstock and three of white cardstock.
By now, your card background should be dry. It’s time to assemble your card front. Using the Fine Tip Glue Pen apply glue to the back of the flower and place it to the top of the card front at a slight angle. Meanwhile, using the fine tip glue pin again, glue the white ‘congrats’ in a stack and then attach the colored one on the top of the stack (to mimic a chipboard element). That is placed at the bottom of the card and will look like this.
Stamping
Dog Days of Summer
These have really been the Dog Days of Summer. We have had record highs, and incredible droughts in the midwest. We can’t complain too much. While Arkansas was suffering record heat, we were on the Gulf Coast soaking up the sun and relaxing.


THE POOL IS OPEN
…and it is almost crystal clear. WooHoo!!! Almost 2 months ahead of where we were last year.
May, already?
Spring in Arkansas seems tohave flown by — ok it did with the tornados and straight line winds. We were very fortunate here, and are saying prayers for our neighbors that weren’t so lucky.
May brings with it a season of change. New beginnings and bittersweet endings. This is a crazy time of year for all of us, but this year it seesm to have taken on a surreal sense of calm. I think I know why – but I am not certain. It is sad that I am winding down as the Den Mother for B’s cub scouts. I love each and every one of those little boys, who are on the brink of becoming young men. It is time for me to let someone else have a turn and continue them on their path. I will miss seeing them at each meeting and when I do attend, I will be B’s mom and not the line leader.
Which brings me to another ending. A friend of mine, my age, passed away today. She is the person that initiated me to the term ‘line leader’ long before days of preschool and kindergarten. Although we were not besties, she always had a smile and a twinkle in her eye. She will be missed by her family and friends. MG – practice at being line leader so when we get there you can show us the ropes. We’re counting on you.
Beginnings — spring always brings with it the thought of new beginnings. This is the first time in many years that we have a garden. We are all so excited about having fresh tomatoes and peppers.
I hope to check in more frequently than I have recently. Have a Happy Cinqo de Mayo!!
Playing with downloadable files and PSE
Christmas Wrap Up
It is four days after Christmas at our house. Mike has been sick for three of them………… I went back to work to get some rest (ha!). Here is a quick video of the day after Christmas. B playing an on-line game with M (from Dallas) talking on the phone with the speaker attachment. It was priceless. They did this two or three times this weekend.
Long Weekend
The kids are out of school tomorrow. Wish we were home to play, too.
My little man is growing up WAY too quickly. this has been a great first 9-weeks of Third Grade. He is learning so much. Monday starts a new adventure — BP starts the Chess Club. They meet once a month. I think this will be a great activity for him and for his daddy.
Big Weekend
For a relatively ‘unscheduled’ weekend we have been really busy. Last night, we had family movie night (after a fashion – since someone was in timeout). This morning was soccer followed by lots of exciting college football. WOOOO PIG SOOOIE!!! This was all followed by a wonderful meal of salmon, risotto, fresh asparagus, and homemade yeast rolls.
Yummy!!
Oh – back to the rolls. I made a recipe from the Pioneer Woman (chocolate chip cookie sweet roll). I will report back later – but things are looking very promising.
Church tomorrow and more cub scout and PTA paperwork and website updating.
Big League Dreams
Today was day 3 of Vacation Bible School and SLUFY. Mike was off work so it was his turn to take BP to the church for VBS. I went to wake up BP.
He was stretching (or so I thought). I mentioned that was a big stretch for a little boy.
He asked, “Is he out?”
My response, “Is who out?”
Answer: “The 3rd baseman.”
“Yes, you threw him out.”
“OK.”
Then he rolled over and went back to sleep. My goodness, my little man LOVES baseball!!