Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Off to have fun... and a card to share...

I'm off to Bella Art in Rhode Island today to play with some Colored Pencils and Memory Box stamps! I'm excited to be going. New techniques to learn, expanding my knowledge of all things artful. Very exciting!

Every month at the Scrapbook Cupboard I join a card swap. It's hosted by my friend, Kerriann and she's already predetermined the themes for the months ahead. It's a great little swap. We never have to make too many - which is perfect!

Well, I'm a procrastinator. To the nth degree. If I can leave it for two minutes before, I will. So yesterday I decided to make these cards. I finished them at about 5:30PM. Class started at 7 and I had dinner to make and company coming over so... it was the 'nth' time. I did finish them... little "Lilac" all done up in Copics, mounted and then a stamped "hi!". She had 5 other friends but they all have good homes now. Here's the one that made it back to my house...

"Lilac" is a stamp from Stampboutique. Some very cool and unusaul stamps there as well as some cutesy ones like little Lilac here. I used the Copic airbrush system on her background. I LOVE that machine. I'm borrowing the one I have to make samples for next month's Copic Collection Class at Scrapbook Cupboard but I'm really thinking that I need to save my pennies for this machine. It's fabulous! And I'm sure all those ladies that take the Copic Collection classes in August will agree.
OK, off to have fun now!

Friday, July 24, 2009

Camp is out...

Camp is out for the Summer. The three little weeks that I had paid for are now done and gone. The kids are home now for 5 more and they have no place to go and nothing scheduled to do. AHHHHH!H!!!! Let's see if this give you an idea of what I'm up against. Caleb received an award today, on the last day of weeklong Cub Scout Camp. This is what the award said...

I don't know what to do. What am I going to do with these kids for 5 weeks? It's going to be 5 long weeks, I'm sure.
Putput is still here with us. He has congestive heart failure. He could be around for a while or gone today. We've made some special arrangements for him, like bringing one of the kittie boxes upstairs so he can access it better, running the tub water so he doesn't have to jump up to the sink when he wants the running water, keep a chair empty so he can sit in it, run the AC when it's humid out and other little things to keep him comfy in his life. So, he's here and we're happy about it!
I finished my Kandi Corp projects this past week. They were shipped off and they received them. If you're off to CHA next week, stop by the Kandi booth to see some of my art. I'll post some pictures next week of what I did. I'm not supposed to show anything until CHA.

I think I'll order a pizza and make some cards. I've got a few projects I want to work on so I think I'll sketch some stuff out too!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Stampin UP!

I joined Stampin Up! as a consultant back in March but I haven't really done anything with it until recently. I've had two parties and a couple of separate orders and I've got a few parties on the books coming up. So I thought it would be a great time to put up this information on my blog.

I've got a website if you need to purchase anything, or to take a peek at the latest catalog. You can view my Stampin Up! website here: STAMPIN UP!

If you have any questions about Stampin Up or are interested in having a party, let me know. I can help you out. If you'd like to purchase anything with Stampin Up! online, remember to chose a consultant. If you don't choose a consultant you pay premium pricing. If you'd like to choose me, my consultant number is 2047981.

Hope to see you soon!

Friday, July 10, 2009

Creating something new...

Thank you again to everyone for their thoughts on Putput. The Vet called today and Putput's blood work came back fine. The Vet told me that if he had just seen his blood work and not the actual cat, he would have thought he was an older cat and still pretty healthy. So... what's next. Monday we'll hear about the thyroid test. So until then, I'm keeping him comfy and stress free!

Today I created some samples. I have a demo tomorrow at the Scrapbook Cupboard. I'll be demoing the Stampscape Stamps. And since I'll be doing that, I really needed to practice with them. To be honest, they were easier to use than I thought they were going to be. I think the hardest time anyone will have with these stamps is getting the colors correct. I don't own all the Adirondack inkpad colors so I used all Distress inkpad colors. Today, I could have owned all the Adirondack colors and used most of them! So, if you are in the East Bridgewater, MA area tomorrow from 1-3PM, come on by and see what I have to say about this unique stamp company. See how I create something beautiful from a single piece of white cardstock. Here's a sneak peek of what you'll see tomorrow...
And then I put together the next Best Guess design. The Scrapbook Cupboard has a contest every month where (usually Donna) we put together a card using the basic design and coloring of an item you can purchase at the grocery store. So, here's my design....


Any guesses as to where my inspiration is from? If you know and live in the East Bridgewater, MA area, stop by the store and fill out a Guess form. It could be worth 20% off any one item in the store! And when the contest is over (July 31st), I'll post here on my blog what the inspiration was from so that you guys can see. Please don't post your guess here on my blog. Thanks!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

No news yet...

Well my pocketbook is $335 lighter but the blood work on Putput was done. I'll hear tomorrow what it all means. He seems in great spirits today and this could turn out to be nothing, a blip on the story of his life. Time will tell. I have to mention here... every time I have ever brought Putput to the vet, the people at the counter and the vets have ALL laughed or snickered over his name. Sometimes they even call him Putt putt - as in the mini golf game. I've had a cat named Putput nearly every day of my life. It started years before I was born with my Father. He named a cat Putput and then it stuck. The only pre-requisite is that the cat be all black. No tan tabby Putput's, only black ones. I thought I should mention that. Especially if you read it yesterday and was wondering if I spelled it wrong. Nope. Just as if you were to "Put" something on the counter, that's his name - twice. We also call his Putty - as in the yellow birds words, "I thought I saw a Putty cat!"
Anyhow...
My Mom came over for a visit today and we brought the boys out bike riding again. We're no closer to taking off those training wheels but at least they are trying...

Now I'm going to read and tomorrow I will hear some news. Good news (fingers permanently crossed) and then get some samples ready for Saturday. Saturday we've changed the Demo from Copics to Stampscapes. If you are in the East Bridgewater area on Saturday between 1 - 3 pm, come on by and say HI! I'll be demoing these stamps.
Oh, one more thing... THANK YOU! to everyone who commented yesterday about Putty or who emailed me. I really appreciate it and will keep you guys informed!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Tired...

No art for me today. As much as I wanted to, I'm mentally in a fog. I spent last night either up or sleeping on the couch. I'm trying to spend some more time with my old man. That is, my cat, Putput. He is off to the vet tomorrow and I'm worried. Very worried. He's 13 and I've had him since he was 3 months old. He's grown very skinny but lately I've noticed that his tummy appears to be distended and he's not grooming himself very well. So tomorrow at 9:45 AM I find out what we can do to make the twilight moments of this old man better.


The kids went to camp again today. They love it. Caleb made a clay volcano in his Rock Hounds class and then came home and showed his brother how to make one. Bryce is in Computer Club at that time. After Bryce made his they both wanted some baking soda, red food coloring and vinegar. They were having so much fun with it. They worked on those volcanoes for about an hour.


And amazingly the clean up wasn't too bad. They kept most of the mess in the plates!

Monday, July 6, 2009

Transformed...

OK, it's not as deep as I led you to believe.



Today I slept in late, hubby was home. Then about Noon we headed off to the theaters where we saw the 1:15pM viewing of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Not too many scenes made me cringe to bring a 6 and 8 year old. (Although my 8 year has become wiser lately and I must watch what he watches.)



I must say that this was one of the longest movies I have been to in a while. We weren't out of the theater until about 3:50PM. Of course Caleb and Patrick loved it and Bryce, well.... he wasn't too thrilled all the time.

It was a typical good versus evil battle with some romance and action built into the plot. I think I'd have to see it again to totally get everything that was going on. And of course, in kid fashion... Caleb needed to pee at the end, right in the middle of the big action scene. Of course. But I sent Daddy to go with him. :-)

It's not my favorite Transformer movie but it's always fun to see stuff you watched as a kid on the big screen. Speaking of shows I watched as a kid, we saw a preview for G.I. Joe. Yah, I thought it was a remake on RoboCop, everyone was all done up in this Robot like gear. Oops. That's a definite skip in my book. I might not even watch that when it gets to the Red Box. How come no one will bring back He-Man and She-Ra. I used to love those shows!

Well that was our movie event for the weekend... I'd say for the month but I'm positive I won't get out of bringing those kids to see the next Harry Potter when it comes out next week. I'm off to read my book. I finished the last book in the Twilight Series this weekend. I really wish it wasn't for Young Adults. It has a great story and I love the characters. I just wish they'd BITE!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Flamingo FUN!

Today my friend Mimi hosted a birthday party for our friend Traci at her house. She made all sorts of good food from Tastefully Simple and made it into a little Tastefully Simple party as well.

Kerriann decorated Mimi's front lawn with Flamingo's and I made little Flamingo pins for everyone...


And Susan printed some photos and we even decorated two of the Flamingos to look like Traci and Dale Jr. (Traci is a HUGE race car fan and LOVES Dale Jr.!)

By the way, did I mention that Traci hates Flamingos?? Ahh.. no worries, she'll get over it! I even put a flamingo on her birthday card!

We played a ring toss game, had some cake, ate some food, had some fun, laughed and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! Happy Birthday Traci! Thanks for being such a great friend!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Never rush the Copics...

So I'm playing around today. I wanted to see what the difference was with Copic Markers on Ninah Cardstock versus Ranger's Glossy Paper. So I stamped a cute little image from Sarah Kay Stamps and then thought I'd get to coloring.

Well, if you have kids you know... this project took me ALL day! All day. And, to boot, I accidentally chose the wrong brown for the ground and ended up saying... Ah, never mind, I'm not doing this again!

I started this little girl at about 11 this morning and I just finished her at 9PM. If it's not one thing it's another with the kids. Hubby had to work today so again, it was just me here with the kids all day. And if you thought it didn't rain, you'd be wrong. On our way out of the grocery store, we were tinkled on. So, yet another day with rain. Sparse amount, but still... rain.

To top things off, all day I've been suffering with stomach aches. I ate some and feel a little better but my back is now killing me. I think that the Z Pak meds I'm taking is doing a toll on me. Only two more doses and hopefully I'll be all better.

Anyhow, about the picture above... She was colored in using the exact same colors in the exact same areas. The girl on the left is Ninah paper and the girl on the right is the Ranger Glossy. I can notice a difference in colors here at home but on the screen, it may be more subtle. I think the hat and the dark brown (obviously just rototilled) dirt definitely look different.

I also did a little sample on some shrink plastic, coloring in some white shrink plastic with a dark color and a light color to see the color comparisons. I colored before and after and the colors are different. Which in my mind is a no brain er but sometimes we just don't think of that when we are using our shrink plastic.

So I'll use a similar comparison as above with the shrink plastic, some vellum, transparency, glossy card stock, metal and photos to make up this month's Copic Collection Class. Lots to go over in class this month!

Tomorrow I'm off to celebrate the 4th. I'm up early to make some Buffalo Chicken Wings and cut up veggies for a dip. It should be a great time.... IF my back feels better.

Happy 4th of July to all those Americans out there!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Catch up...

First let me show you what I woke up to this morning and yesterday morning. Add this to the last two and a half weeks, it's just been a rainy Summer so far...



So, I'll catch you up on a few things I've been doing over the last month.

Caleb and Bryce participated in the Cub Scout Fishing Derby. Caleb won a prize for the third largest fish! And realistically, while we let them hold the poles, most of the catching was done by Mom and Dad.




















The weekend after the fishing derby, was Winston's Birthday. My friend, Traci, puts on a birthday party for her beloved cat each year. It's really a big cookout with lots of cat presents!


Oh wait, I found a photo of Bernadette digging into the kitty litter cake...


The day after Winston's party, we went to the Stamp Show in Springfield, MA. I bought a bunch of great stamps. Dropped some cash at Paula's Best, Motivet, Stamp Camp, Class Act, Los Coast Design, Starving Artist and quite a few others. I tried to be choosy on which I decided, being frugal and picking something that I knew we wouldn't normally carry at the Scrapbook Cupboard. This was also the first day I became sick, coming down with a nasty cold. As a matter of fact, I've had that cold ever since. It was only yesterday I went to the Doctor's and she tells me I have a bronchial infection. Yah for me. She did tell me that I'd be perfect by Sunday so hopefully the coughing, hacking and heavy lung feeling will be gone by then. Anyway, here are all the stamps I picked up...


The following Thursday, Caleb was in his play. He was a Bee. I think I mentioned in an earlier post that he was going to be but I didn't get a chance to show you the costume I sewn for him! Yes my Mother helped but I did all the stitching myself! Bryce loves it so much, he's going to be a Bee this Halloween! This is the best picture I can give you. Many of the other have tons of kids in them...


Since the last time I posted I created a few pieces of art. I made this book for the Bookbinding class I taught last Sunday. I didn't finish it until the night before. Shame on me, I know. So, we are going to offer it again in August or September. Giving people the opportunity to sign up. It's a 4 hour class. You are given 3 piece of chipboard, two pieces of metal, two piece of humungo adhesive, 9 piece of white card stock, one piece of 12x12 paper and along with some buttons, canvas and twine, you can create a book that really holds up!


As in my last book, all the inside pages are decorated too! The students last Sunday learned 6 techniques for the inside pages alone! Never mind the metal work, the book binding and the stitching..


Today, my Mom came over and I showed her a few things I was working on...

And then we used some Copics to color in some dragons. Mom's is the cutesy dragon and mine is the more, ah.... maybe majestic. She's on the left and I'm on the right.















Now, I'm off to read some more and rest. It's gonna be a busy weekend and I'd like to be completely over this cold soon.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Happy July!

So much has been going on.



My kids have been out of school since the 16th of June, so they've been here with me for over two weeks. Camps start next week so I'll have a slight reprieve. I've been enjoying having them home but it's gotten me off my schedule. I'm used to creating when they aren't here to continually ask for something and now, well, that's not happenning.



When it's not raining (which is nearly everyday lately), the boys have been playing outside with the neighborhood kids or I've been teaching them to ride their bikes. Neither of my kids are off training wheels and really, they both should be. So we are trying to make an effort to get them riding by the end of the Summer. With no training wheels. As you can see I'm wiping Bryce right out...



But when we are inside... I feel like all they do is watch tv or play the wii. And they argue, which is keeping me very busy. Refereeing is a full time job. Today we are going to get back into a routine. The are going to read more, do their flashcards, and we'll find something else in the house to do then to play that darn wii. And I'll start blogging more. I promise.

I have a few things I've been working on. I'm going to play some today as well and see what I come up with. A class for the Scrapbook Cupboard is in the works.

I've been asked to create a few pieces of art from Kandi Corp again so I'll be working on that as well. I can't show you what it will be until after CHA but I'll try some sneak peeks.

Let's see, what else have I been doing.... I've been devouring books like they are candy. I've started several new series and completed a few I had been working on too. Of course you can always see what I've read by looking at the bottom of my blog. I keep my goodreads account up to date. While I know I'll never get to read 209 books this year, I'll definitely make 109. I've already read 47 books. OK, well I listened to a bunch and I read a bunch. And I got a stack delivered from Amazon today. All first books in the series.

It just started thundering here (again), so I think I'll jump off the PC, make some lunch and start those new routines...

School's out ...for Summer?

Last night the Governor of Massachusetts cancelled all school until May 4th.  He did this on March 25th.  That is about 6 weeks of no sc...