Birthdays Rock!

Is it safe to come out?

My boys were telling me about some "thing" running around here last week. They said it had wild, untamed hair...crazed, glazed over eyes...mostly grunted and yelled. I have no idea what they're talking about, I never saw anything like that.

But I do want to know what happened to all my adhesive...I am totally out!

Yesterday was a friend's birthday. I got this Bella stamp long ago and have always wanted to use it on a card for her. Even with 4 grown boys, she is still an 80's girl at heart with a deep obsession conviction for all things Duran Duran.


Stamps: Stamping Bella Rockabella, CTMH Charms Alphabet
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, CTMH Ocean
Papers: CTMH White Daisy, Ocean, Black


I used the Allegro embossing folder on the Ocean CS and sanded it a bit. I colored the Bella with Copics then loaded on the Stickles! I used Turquoise on the pants and her hair and Black Diamond on her top. I also used Liquid Glass on the guitar to make it nice and shiny. It took about 15 hours to dry...really...

Right now I have to get some more adhesive and get back to work on Open House displays. I love deadlines.

Lesson Learned

So I came back from vacation, all rested and relaxed. Then I saw the huge pile of laundry that was awaiting me and

But I quickly realized I had two extra helpers for the summer and the boys and I quickly got those 11 or so loads down to nothing...mostly. I hope my washer and dryer made it through.

My family (us, my parents, siblings, in-laws, neices, nephews) goes every year to the same timeshare up in Ruiodoso, NM. I love going because it is about 30 degrees cooler than here...and seeing all the family, too. But is makes the last couple of weeks of May busy, busy while I try to get end of school stuff done and pack for this week long vacation. This year, while doing all this planning, list making, packing, shopping I forgot to get my mom's Mother's Day card made. And while she can tell you it's not an unusual thing for me to be late with cards for her, I still always feel bad about the whole thing. Even though she says it's okay.

I did have all the good intentions to have the card made, take it with me and hand it to her in person. But that didn't happen either. All the pieces were cut, the coloring done, I just ran out of time, plain and simple.

To make me feel even worse, while at church on vacation, we watched a short film called The Mailbox. It is a story about a lonely mother that makes her daily trek to her mailbox, hoping to get something from her children. It's a sad little movie and made the room full of women teary eyed, to say the least. And the whole time I'm thinking of the card, not put together, on my kitchen counter. So I learned when I tell my mom I'm sending her a card, I better well get it in the mail!

After all the laundry got done, I was able to sit down and get it finished! So Mom, this card's for you!



Stamps: Stamping Bella SuperBella, CTMH Tiny Typewriter Alphabet
Inks: Brilliance Graphite Black
Papers: CTMH Emporium Reflections Kit

Now all I have to do is get it in the mail...

Hey There Cupcake

I almost blew my resolution to have birthday cards sent to my family on time! Since I've been working on those pesky swap cards, everything else has kind of been put on the back burner. But I realized before it was too late that I had another birthday coming up quick.

Yes, I do realize it is the same sketch as the cupcake card. But I love the way it looks and it was easy to put together. When I showed Engineer the card he said, "Hey, that's my stud muffin girl." Actually, I was surprised he recognized it.


Stamps: Stamping Bella Matilda Muffinbread
Inks: Brilliance Graphite Black
Papers: CTMH Daydream Reflections Kit

It may be hard to tell, but I loaded up the frosting with Frosted Lace Stickles.

Oh the frosted, sugary goodness!

Happy Birthday Ashley!

To My Stud Muffin

Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

I'm not one for all the mushy, cuddly, whoop-dee-doos that come with this day. I don't really wear jewelry or like to receive flowers...doesn't Engineer have it easy? The only thing I like to get from him is a card. I've saved all the cards he's given me over the years. They are always funny and make me laugh, but the best part is the way he signs them. Over the years, and after much teasing, they've gone from being signed with "just his name" to "Love, just his name". But I have to say he is more of a romantic than me most of the time.

Which brings me to his card. I wanted something that would let him know just what I thought of him.


Stamps: Stamping Bella Matilda Muffinbread, CTMH Storytime Alphabet (retired)
Inks: CTMH Tulip, T!M Holtz Distress Ink Vintage Photo, Brilliance Graphite Black
Papers: CTMH That's Amore Reflections Kit

That's about as much mushy, cuddly, whoop-dee-dooing as I can put on a card. But I think it gets my point across.

Hope you have a love-filled day!

One More Birthday Card

So my New Year's Resolution sure got a work out this week. But I'm afraid that's all that got a work out this week. Sigh.

A sister, a brother, a son, and a sister-in-law all having their birthdays in the same week makes one busy card crafter! This card is for my sister-in-law, Jenny. And once again, I'm hoping the mailman got it to her on time.


Stamps: Stamping Bella Partygirlabella
Inks: Brilliance Graphite Black
Papers: CTMH Birthday Bash Reflections Kit (long retired)
I did use Xmas Red Stickles and my Clear and Lemon Spica Glitter pens to make it sparkle, you just can't see it in the photo.

And now that the birthdays are over for the month, I should get some Valentine things started.