Our Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Today's card was done for the Card Sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers. It was very simple and quick.

Here's the recipe:
Stamps: Tag Time (retired Hostess set)
Paper: Only Orange, Vintage Violet, white, Halloween (Making Memories)
Ink: Basic Black, Only Orange, Marigold Morning, Vintage Violet

I used the Ticket Corner Punch on the center layers.

Have a very Happy Halloween and don't eat too much candy!

Why females should avoid a girls night out...

Here's a funny joke one of my dearest friends sent:

Why females should avoid a girls night out after they are married...


Recently I was invited out for a night with the 'girls.' I told my husband that I would be home by midnight, 'I promise!' Well, the hours passed and the margaritas went down very easily. Around 3 a.m., a bit tipsy, I headed for home.

Just as I made it through the door, the cuckoo clock in the hallway started up and cuckooed three times. Quickly, realizing my husband would probably wake up, I cuckooed another nine times. I was really proud of myself for coming up with such a quick-witted solution in order to escape a possible conflict with him. (Even rather impaired... three cuckoos plus nine cuckoos totals 12 cuckoos--MIDNIGHT!)

The next morning my husband asked me what time I got in, and I told him 'MIDNIGHT.' He didn't seem upset in the least. Whew, I got away with that one! Then he said 'We need a new cuckoo clock.' When I asked him why, he said, 'Well, last night our clock cuckooed three times, then said, 'oh, shit.' Cuckooed four more times, cleared its throat, cuckooed another three times, giggled, cuckooed twice more, and then tripped over the coffee table and farted.

Sandy Claws

Happy Tuesday! We're all feeling much better today ~ kids are back at school. Of course I remembered AFTER Sarah was gone that yesterday was her teacher's birthday. YIKES!!! Guess she can give her the card when I pick her up from school. Here's what it looks like.

Today's card is for the Color Challenge at Splictoast Stampers. Today's challenge is to use Tempting Turquoise, So Saffron, and Real Red. I also took it as another op to create another cute, yet simple Christmas card.

Here's that recipe (all supplies from Stampin' Up!):

Stamps: Crab & Company

Paper: white, So Saffron, Real Red

Ink: Real Red (to color Mr. Sandy Claws), Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black

Accessories: word window punch, So Saffron Pastel Chalk, Dazzling Diamonds (for his hat), Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon

Daily Thought from RealSimple.com: "There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience, and that is not learning from experience." --Archibald MacLeish

"Wanted" Another

Hey y'all! I just love these new Stampin Up! stamp sets! I had time today to try Beate's Weekend Sketch Challenge. It was very easy. And you see that scalloped circle on the bottom right? Well I can tuck the card under that to keep it closed. It's so nice to have a card design that something other than a single-fold note card. Here is Beate's tutorial.

I punched out the circle with the scalloped circle punch. I also used the Ticket Corner Punch on the corners of the main stamped image and striped dp.

Recipe:

Stamps: Wanted, Bronc Buster

Ink: Stazon Timber Brown

Paper: Natural, Outlaw dp (designer paper)

Accessories: eyelets

Techniques: Z-Fold, Sponging

WHAT??? AM I YELLING???

Ugh. First Dana had it - fever, stuffy nose, dizzying headaches, etc... Then Sarah started to get it. Now me. I've kind of felt it coming on for about a week. Yesterday my ears decided to plug. Just when I started chomping on a carrot stick no less! So it's just us girls at home today. Drinking juice and sucking on throat lozenges.

Empty yards are a very sad thing :(

He went home today. We got a call this morning and found out he lives a few streets over. It's a good thing I put out the big neon posterboard signs yesterday. There's no way his people would have seen the other signs I had up. We learned his name is "Agate", like the stone. He belongs to a lady in her 80's and it was her neighbor who called. He usually takes Agate and his brother for walks on Sundays since their owner has hip problems.

So he in now in his own yard with his brother who I'm sure is very happy to see him. Apparently he got out of his yard on Tuesday. No wonder he was so hungry and thirsty when we found him on Wednesday!

Ballet Blue Horse

This card is for this week's Sketch Challenge on Splitcoast Stampers.

I've had this set for a couple weeks and can't believe it took me so long to use it! It's also my first time using Basic Grey's Urban Couture designer paper. I usually stick with the Stampin' Up! stuff.

Here's the complete recipe:

Stamps: Wanted

Paper: Ballet Blue, Basic Grey

Ink: Stazon Timber Brown

Accessories: Lily Kate by Basic Grey

Look what followed us home, Mom!

Well he didn't exactly follow them home, they were already home. I went out last night to tell the girls dinner was ready and found them petting him. Dana was also on her cell phone. She found the phone number for the vet on his rabies tag. Unfortunately the tag is from 2005 and they weren't able to track it.

Any fear I had about them being with a strange dog quickly vanished as he was clearly ready for belly rubs. Any takers? It seems belly rubs are his "gift"! He is very sweet and well trained. He won't come into the house, but he has managed to get 2 paws in and look around. Maybe it's the tile floor?

The girls would love to keep him, but as sweeet as he is, I'm sure someone is missing him! I put up signs last night. If someone can pass my quiz, well then he'll be going back to his house. That will be a happy/sad moment.

Any guesses as to his breed? I'm guessing lab/shepherd.

Thoroughly Thankful

I have a LOT to be thankful for. Or I guess it's - I have a LOT for which to be thankful. Either way, my life is pretty damn good! I have a wonderful hubby, great kids, great parents, and I love my friends. The only thing that stinks is that so many of my friends are scattered all over the country. I think this is why I was so drawn to this stamp set.

Here's the complete recipe (all products from Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:
Stamp: Thoroughly Thankful
Paper: Naturals White, Pomegranate
Ink: Stazon Timber Brown, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Ruby Red, Summer Sun, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: twill (Joanne's), eyelets (Making Memories)

Snappy Birthday

My sister-in-law, Susan, is turning 50 next month. To honor her, we (her family & friends) are each assigned a day to brighten for her. We can send a card, gift, flowers, etc.... Anything to make her smile. Here is the card I made for her:

Here is the recipe (all supplies are from Stampin' Up!)~
Stamps: Crab & Company
Paper: Natural, Pomegranate, Soft Sky
Ink: Pomegranate, soft sky, River Rock
Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds

And now for something completely different:
Yes, it's a quote from Monty Python, which I LOVE!!! This is a "painting" I did today. It was very simple, looks like a 2 y/o did it!
http://www.createpaintings.com/result.php?id=11932380778679
Click here to create your own painting.

Busy weekend...

To say this was a busy weekend would be a major understatement.

Friday night was another SAGA skills meet for Sarah in New Braunfels. It didn't start very well because she bent her 2nd toe back and was in a lot of pain. But she was a trooper. She iced it in-between events and did her best. She ended the night with 5 red ribbons (2nd place). BTW, she now has a bruised toe and foot. I'll try to get a picture to post (edit: see bottom of this posting). We got home around 9:30 pm.

Saturday morning Sarah had soccer pictures at 9:30 am. Her Dad tried taping her toe for stability. But the poor kid was in a lot of pain. The Motrin wasn't working. During the game she played back defense. I felt so sorry for her - hobbling around trying to get to the ball. She did get in some great kicks. Good thing her right foot is in good shape!

Saturday night was Dana's gym meet in Austin. We left early and met her team for an early dinner at Red Robin. The meet went really well and the girls had a great time. Dana got 8's on Beam, Floor, and Vault. Just nevermind about Bars ~ LOL! We got home around 11:30 pm.

At the end of the competition the girls had fun dancing. They did the Electric Stomp (ok I don't reallyl know what it's called, so we'll call it this for now) and the Macarena. Even their coach, Sandee, joined in the fun!

Sunday I slept in until 10:05 am!!! I did manage to get the pile of clothes in Sarah's room hung up. That was my main goal and I'm feeling much better about mself as a Mom now! Hubby took down our deck in the back to make way for the bricked patio we'll be putting in. Dang it, I should have gotten a before picture. Oh well. Here's how it looks now:

I'll post more pictures as more work gets done.

Here's her foot. It may be difficult to see, but there's bruising between the 1st and 2nd knuckles on her 2nd toe and on the top of her toe. No really, it's there!

Well here I am.......

I keep looking at all these wonderful blogs created by wonderfully creative people and you know what they say about imitation. Not that I'm near as creative or artistic. But I do enjoy what I do and that's all that matters. Right? Hopefully as I learn new techniques my posts will get better. Let's all keep our fingers crossed on this one! LOL!!!

It's late so I'll get started in the morning! Goodnight!