Transformations

Valentine's Day 2010

2010-02-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

Chip and I are at Furlong's, one of our favorite restaurants here in Lexington. Good atmosphere and fabulous cajun food! It was a fun night!

Weight Loss Progress--Goal is Met and I Will Continue to Lose!

2009-12-23T13:36:00.000-08:00

So far, I have lost 80 pounds! This was my original goal but I am "technically" still a tad overweight, so I am going to work on losing 10 to 20 more pounds. Body fat is in the normal range but I'm going to work on lowering that just a tad more. I feel great!!

Merry Christmas and Just Checking In!!

2009-12-23T13:33:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to check in and say "Merry Christmas" to everyone and yes, I am still alive!! I keep saying I'm going to start posting my work and the camera keeps going on the fritz...still in "survival stamping mode". I am continuing to work out, etc. Will post a picture of my progress. I am currently dealing with a hip injury that has set me back quite a bit both physically and emotionally, however, I have reached my original goal of 80 pounds lost!! Whoo-hoo! I pray you have a safe and blessed Christmas!

Race for the Cure

2009-10-14T18:17:00.001-07:00

Here is a picture of my Race for the Cure team. It was wet and cold day! We were drenched but had a great time! I'm the third from the left.

I Can't Believe It's October!!

2009-10-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's October and I haven't posted anything since June!! It has been one wild and crazy 4 or 5 months. My big focus has been losing weight and getting fit. I am now down 61 pounds and look and feel better than I can remember! I am getting up early, early and going to the gym to run on the treadmill before I work out with my trainer at 6:20 a.m. I also do at least another hour of cardio on those days and also on the days I don't see him...I have now done two 5 K races. I have 20 to 4o more pounds to go. It has been challenging but fun. I can't believe all of the physical things I can do at the gym. I teach and my school is in the process of accreditation. That has been a huge undertaking! So, my stamping time has been very limited, usually on an "as needed" rush basis. No time for pictures. I'm really feeling the need to be more creative and am going to try to figure in some weekly time. Life is full of challenges isn't it? I have some great new stamps and papers...took two Copic classes and am loving them now that I know how to use them! Keep looking up and thanks for stopping by!

Still having technical difficulties...

2009-06-11T11:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally have some photos to share and I can't get them loaded on the computer! No idea what the issue is. DH (the computer guy) is trying to help me, but to no avail. SO...I'll just share my latest weight loss/work out success -- 31 1/2 pounds down! Whoohooo. Not much else going on. I'm trying to declutter my house, working in the yard, spending time with friends, reading, and trying to raise a small garden. Hopefully, I'll have cards to show one day soon!

Jake and his Girlfriend

2009-05-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

This is Jake and Kelsey, who graduated from the University of Dayton the weekend before. We had a busy May! Sorry for the multiple posts, I just can't seem to figure out how to post more than one picture from Picasa at a time! Technically challenged! Oh, well!

With Dad

2009-05-30T08:39:00.000-07:00

I look like I've eaten a lemon!!

Three Generations Graduating From the Same School!

2009-05-30T08:38:00.000-07:00

This is my mom, Jake, and me!

The Graduate

2009-05-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how to post more than one picture at a time so we'll see what happens! The youngest son and proud mom here.

I'm Baaack, Again!

2009-05-30T08:12:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been a long, long, very long time since I posted anything here! Life has happened and things just fell off my plate as others piled up. I have been on this diet and exercise program since late January/early February and after finishing up some extensive physical therapy for a torn rotator cuff, I am working out with a trainer 3 times a week. I'm usually there an hour and a half. I am also working out for an hour to an hour and a half the other three days a week! Very crazy! But, the results are pleasing. I am now closing in on 30 pounds and am training to run my first 5K in August (it's at night). Now, understand this, I never ever run! So this is huge. I am now alternating between running and walking. I feel so much better. Stronger mentally and physically. So, what with school things, home things, and exercise creating and blogging have been on the way back burner. I have been creating, but on an "as needed" basis and then I use it for whatever and don't even have time to snap a photo of it. But, school is out and I'll have time to spend in my studio. Once I dig it out!!

Great news, I have a college graduate!! Whoo, hoo.

Easter Blessings

2009-04-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

I'm back! After quite awhile away from stamping, blogging, etc. I'm finally back! I was just very busy and in a bit of a creative funk. When I did make something, the photos I took of them were just not that great and I found myself becoming quite frustrated with the whole process. But, I am happy to have this card to post. It is made with a Northwoods stamp colored with Copics. The paper is by Kimberly Poloson for Fiskars. I believe it is called Nature's Splendor. It is so rich and beautiful you could almost eat it up!! I used some ribbon I had on hand and Orchid Dew Drops.
One reason I have been so "busy" is that I have been going to physical therapy for a shoulder injury. I am now "graduated" to an exercise/fitness routine. I am working out three days a week with a trainer and three days a week on my own. I'm happy to report that while I don't LOVE exercise yet, I do feel better and I've lost 15 pounds!
I pray you have a wonderful weekend celebrating the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Another Bird Card

2009-03-07T13:27:00.000-08:00

This is another nestie bird card. I really liked how this one turned out!
I used my cuttlebug for the "grass" and of course, lots of bling! Well, today, spring has come to Kentucky. The weather is beautiful! It gives one a certain happy outlook on life. My windows are open and my heart is singing. Hope your weekend is shaping up as well! Keep looking up!

Nesting Bird

2009-03-01T10:10:00.000-08:00

This is yet another card from the auction set. I cut the bird and wing from my Nestiblilies bird dies.
The "nest" is stamped from a clear Inkadinkadoo set. Prima flowers and velvet ribbon top this one off. I found the bird dies harder to use than my other Nestibilies. I don't know if I'm doing something wrong with them or I got a dud set!
We just arrived home from going to see my youngest son's senior art exhibit. It is one of his last requirements to graduate from college with an Art degree. He had some very good pieces in the exhibit and I think a few pictures will make it to the blog! Jake could own the name "Transformations" himself. The Lord sure has transformed his life in so many ways! It was a fun family weekend: Our older son took off from work to go with us, grandparents came down, and Jake's girlfriend was there as well. We had a great time. Well, I'm off to go to the grocery and then put in a few hours in my studio area. Have a great week and keep looking up! Thanks for stopping by and I love reading your comments ( yes, that is a blatent hint! ha, ha)

Hero Arts Birds

2009-02-24T18:53:00.000-08:00

This is another card I made for my auction donation. It is made with a new Hero Arts wood mounted stamped. I paper pieced the birds. The border on the left is done with an acrylic stamp, also from Hero Arts. There are three little blue jewels below the birds that don't show up very well in this picture. My cards and bag sold for $65 tonight! This is our school's major fundraiser and I think we probably did very well especially considering the economy. What a blessing!

Birds and Blooms Card Set

2009-02-22T17:40:00.000-08:00

This is one of the cards I made for a set of ten cards that I packaged up in a cute Vera Bradley bag for our school's Gala and Auction. This is my favorite of the set. The flowers were stamped from a new Hero Arts acrylic set. I used Prima flowers, punched flowers, crystals, and a cute little flocked butterfly brad as well. The ribbon is actually green but doesn't show up well in this photo. The background was run through the Cuttlebug.
I was able to go to a fun event yesterday. It was a Fiskars Fun Day. There were about two hundred ladies (and a few men) there. We did four workshops and at the end of the day, Fiskars gave away all of the tools we had been using! We received lots of cute paper from Heidi Grace, stickers, a Fiskers finger trimmer, and some other goodies too. It was a great day!

Valentine Card

2009-02-08T09:29:00.000-08:00

This is a Valentine Card I made with a new Hero Arts stamp set. I used brown and blue instead of the traditional colors and really liked how it turned out. The ribbon is from My Favorite Things. I don't know why this is so dare, but in the lower right corner are three blue crystals. I hope you've had a great weekend!

Shopping

2009-02-03T16:08:00.000-08:00

I've really been stamping away since my power came back on! I made this card using a My Favorite Things image, copic markers, and Basic Grey "Boxer" paper. I bought the ribbon at the local fabric store. This was a fun card to make! I'm still learning with those markers, though! It is really snowing here again. Probably had two or three inches by the time school was out. My children were very anxious. They kept asking if I thought the roads were slick or if they'd lose power again. We sometimes forget how things impact children. Yesterday was the 100th day of school! I can't believe that in about 80 days school will be out for the summer break.

Last Winter Card

2009-02-02T18:40:00.001-08:00

In honor of our snow and ice festival last week, I'm uploading the last snow card of the season. I hate to admit it, but I've had enough!! I cuttlebugged the white, used my cricut for the snowflakes. The sentiment is from an unknown acrylic set. I stamped a little white snowflake on the inside. I hope this finds you home, warm, with light! I am thankful that I have all three tonight! Blessings and keep looking up!

Snow and Ice

2009-01-29T11:16:00.000-08:00

Well, the snow and ice (especially the ice) have put my crafting endeavors on hold. We are without power for yet another day...So, today I ventured out to the library to use their computers and check out some more books. No school most of the week. I hate not being able to use all of this "free" time in making all of the Valentines, etc. I need to be making. I'm also needing to put together some cards for an auction basket I'm doing. Oh, well...at least I have the options that I do have. I have found myself thinking a lot about places in the world where my little inconveniences are a daily way of life. AND they also have to search for food and fuel, worry about violence, etc. So, I'm thanking God that I have options in my life! I have been able to get quite a bit of my Beth Moore Bible study done! It's a great one: Esther. I highly recommend it! Well, my time here is up so Keep Warm and Keep Looking Up!

A Snowy Thank You

2009-01-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

I made this thank you card using my new Nestibilities label dies. The shiny snowflake and the gem are from K&Co. Bazzil cardstock. I used a cuttlebug die for the snowflakes and stars. It's snowing here today! I love snow, especially if I'm working at home.

Why I Stamp, Part Two

2009-01-10T06:55:00.000-08:00

Thursday evening my school had a dinner honoring teachers and staff who had been there ten years or more. I was one of the honorees. Several of my current and former students spoke about me. One student, a senior this year, told several of her favorite memories and then held up a Valentine I had made her in SECOND GRADE! She has had this card in her bedside table ever since! She talked about when she received the card how it made her feel "wow, my teacher really must love me to take the time to make me this card." She went on to say that over the years when she became discouraged in school, etc. she would pull out this card and look at it. Continuing, she spoke about how now, as a senior, when she looks at it she notices all of the details I put in it even though it was for "just a second grader" and she thinks, "wow, my teacher really did love me!" She went on to tie that in to how I treated each student, how I taught, etc. So, fellow stampers, keep it up! We never know what impact something as simple as a homemade Valentine might have! Have a wonderful weekend and keep looking up! Deb

Mitten Thank You Card

2009-01-07T16:27:00.000-08:00

I stamped out these mittens on Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper and then paper pieced them. The rest of the paper is also Figgy Pudding. Used chenille yarn and a white snowflake brad to give it some texture. I can't remember who makes this mitten stamp but I love it! Today is a good day for mittens in Lexington as we are having what the weatherman calls a "wintery mix". Of course, my students had a hard time focusing on me when it was really snowing outside our classroom window! I'm happy to be safe at home in my warm house. I have so much to be thankful for! Hope you're having a good week and keep looking up!

Snowman Thank You in Purple

2009-01-04T15:18:00.000-08:00

This is that same little Serendipity snowman done up in purple. I used my cuttlebug for the white snowflakes and cotton for the "snow". I used a Nestibilities tag, once on white and once on purple, for the sentiment by Stampin' Up! I hope you had a great weekend. I did! It was busy as I tried to get a few last minute things done before school starts back up. I always find myself wishing that I had "just one more week" of Christmas break! Well, gotta go - UK is being beaten by the Louisville Cardinals (boo hoo!). Keep looking up!

Snowman Thank You

2009-01-02T18:33:00.000-08:00

I have been busy making thank you cards. This one is an old Serendipity stamp colored with Prismacolors. The snow is Martha Stewart "Snow Glitter". This little guy is just the cutest thing isn't he? The sentiment is from a Stampin' Up! set that I bought at a garage sale.

The girls on Christmas

2008-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Maggie (under the pink chair) and Little Ellie (in the blue bag) both had a good Christmas!

My boys on Christmas

2008-12-26T12:14:00.000-08:00

Just Checking In

2008-12-26T08:42:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to say I hope you had a great Christmas with your family and friends! We did! Both my boys were here and Jake's girlfriend. They've gone back to Cincinnati today. Lots of laughter, baking, eating, and of course, we watched "A Christmas Story"! The dogs were on sensory overload and I'll have a cute picture to post later. It's raining here today so I'm planning on taking a nap, doing some pick up, and starting on thank you cards. What are you up to?

Christmas Gifts for Friends

2008-12-14T13:22:00.000-08:00

These are the little gifts I made for the ladies in my Bible study/prayer/life group. I got the idea from Lori Craig's blog and had to tweak it some to be able to use supplies I already had on hand. I used the large rectangular block from Just Rite Stampers, the Believe from their oval stamper set, and then used letters from the various alphabet stamps I own. Since I wanted to ink it in two colors and didn't have a large inker of any kind, I had to really fiddle with it to come up with something that I felt was acceptable. That part was a bit tedious, but I am really pleased with how they turned out! I made up spiced tea mix to fill the bags (which I ordered from Paper Trey.) Most of the ribbon is May Arts. I used buttons and snowflake stickers that I had in my stash. I punched the green paper with a Stampin' Up! punch and the decorative paper with a Martha Stewart punch. The bags are stamped with a Magenta image in Red Riding Hood ink. I just got back from our holiday get together and these were a big hit! I put a little sticker on the back of the label with the "recipe" for mixing and a list of suggested scripture readings. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of this time of year and loose sight of what the season really is all about. I plan on taking some quiet time with a hot mug of tea and reading those scriptures myself! Care to join me? -- Isaiah 9, Matthew 1, Matthew 2, Luke 1, Luke 2, and 1 Corinthians 13.

And the winner is...!

2008-12-14T13:10:00.000-08:00

Mary OK! Mary, send me your email address and I will get your package in the mail! I'm looking forward to seeing what you create with the stamp!

Card for my groomer

2008-12-10T17:03:00.000-08:00

I made this card for my dog groomer. I've had this stamp since one of my boys was really young! He used to go with me to the local stamp store (when Lexington HAD a local stamp store) and he would talk me in to buying some really interesting, odd stamps. This is one of those. I'm going to put it with some bone-shaped sugar cookies and drop it off when the girls go to be groomed this weekend. I haven't had much response to my first blog candy offering, so either it was a dud or people just aren't that interested in my blog. Sniff, sniff. Oh well, so I'll leave it open for a day or two more and then I'll send two really, really NICE gifts to the ladies who did respond! So, if you're interested go to the post from a few days ago and respond. or respond here. Have a good night.

Vintage Christmas Cards

2008-12-07T18:02:00.000-08:00

I made these cards with a stamp I purchased last year and didn't ink up. I forgot to look to see who made it. I'll check and update later. I love the look of this card but it is a little too artsy for my husband. They will go to girlfriends who like this style! I made the most wonderful jambalya in the crockpot today! It was the perfect thing to have on a cold winter day. Don't forget to leave a comment on the previous post for a chance to win a new stamp and some other goodies!

Blog candy!

2008-12-06T07:50:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the birth of the Savior, I have this sweet stamp to give away. Actually, it is a duplicate of one I already own! Guess I liked it:) Anyhow, I will put some other goodies in the package as well. Not sure what, but since I LOVE decorative papers and embellishments, I'm sure some of those will make it in the box. This stamp is by Heidi Satterberg for Stamps Happen. It looks so cute stamped out and water colored. I add "shiny stuff" to the straw. Now, I guess I need to do the To Win This Package bit: To win, leave a comment under this post telling me what you do to keep your focus on Who this season is about; how do you work in time to read His Word, worship, etc. - how do you keep from getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season? I want this to have a quick turn around so let's say have your comments to me by EARLY (6 a.m.) Wednesday morning and I'll announce a winner either later that day or early the next.

It's snowing here and very cold. People in the bluegrass region freak out over even a little bit of snow so my trip to the grocery will be interesting! Not much else going on with me. I've been a bit under the weather with an upper respiratory thing that's going around school. It starts with a cough and then turns in to the dreaded PINK EYE. So, antibiotics for me!! I've felt lousy so no stamping, cleaning, or decorating got done this week. My husband did vacuum though. I can't stand a dirty floor...and he knows it. Wasn't that sweet of him?

Well, I'm off to face the hoards. Have a great weekend and keep looking up!

Post-Thanksgiving Musings

2008-11-30T16:45:00.000-08:00

No art to post today. I spent several hours down in my stamping area, organizing and laying out things to use for Christmas cards, etc. I can actually see some tabletop now! I found some stamps that I bought new and didn't ink up last year, so I'll need to do something about that! Lots of great paper and embellishments.

Our Thanksgiving was good. We drove up to the Indianapolis area to spend the day with my mom and stepdad. Oldest son, youngest son, and his girlfriend joined us. It made for a really long day, but I'm glad we went. I think that in less than a year mom won't know anyone. She already really doesn't know exactly WHO my husband and boys are. Just that they are someone she should know. She doesn't remember my name, but she does know that I'm her "baby". It's hard because we would have made some different choices for her care, but we are not in charge. My stepdad has chosen to do things his way and he does take good care of her. He does not want any help from any source. I know that this is exhausting for him, but he refuses any help. So, we pray.

Jake's girlfriend and I got up early, too early, very early to do some shopping Friday morning. I'm talking we were at Home Depot at 5:45 shopping! 15 minutes later we had a $49 lighted Christmas tree. It looks great! Next stop - Staples. Then, the mall. We were both SO exhausted, but it was fun. I really, really like this girl!! So, we pray:)

Saturday, I went back out to Michaels to get some more decorative touches for the new tree and some Iris boxes to organize the stamp room. Kelsey and I were both exhausted. I cooked a Thanksgivingish meal for all of us here.

Today I have felt under the weather and have slept a lot. We did take the kiddos out for breakfast. The youngest and his girl both left to go back to their colleges and the oldest is at his apartment.

We have so much to be thankful for... Thank you for reading my ramblings! In the next day or so I plan to give away a duplicate stamp I discovered.

Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-26T13:14:00.000-08:00

I made this card using a Stamping Up set for the main image and the orange background. The image on the green strip is from Great Impressions. The cardstock is from Stampin Up and the ribbon is May Arts. I hope you and yours have a Happy Thansgiving! We are driving up to my mom's for the day. It will be a really long day, but we need to get our oldest son back so he can go to work on Friday.

Autumn

2008-11-24T17:03:00.000-08:00

I made this card as a thank you for one of my parents who cut out 12 girl colonial hats, 12 boy hats, and sewed 12 boy vests! That is a huge job! The paper is Bo Bunny (Beautiful Life - Leaf), ribbon May Arts, sentiment is Great Impressions, Dew Drops on the side of the Cuttlebugged brown. Thanks for looking and have a great night!

Season of Thanks

2008-11-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

I haven't been making many cards lately, but today I spent several hours down in my stamp lair and this is one of the cards I came up with. I semi-CASED it from a card by Lindsey Botkin published in a 2007 edition of Cardmaker. Yes, I am a pack rat! I think I changed it enough to actually call it "mine" and I was really pleased with the results. The tree image is from Hero Arts and the sentiment from Stampin' Up. The decorative paper is from Basic Gray (Recess-Principal) and Imaginisce (Exotic East). I used copper colored brads on the two little half circles. The brown cardstock is from Stampin' Up and the ribbon from Michaels.
On a personal note: I have been so busy with school and family commitments. Mid-term grades at school and my second graders just had their big "Colonial Day". We spend about six weeks studying Colonial America. Then, they choose a Colonial trade to dress up as and give a short presentation about. We also have a Colonial "feast" with foods served during colonial times. It is a wonderful day for the children but LOTS of work for their teacher (ME!!). I come home exhausted. The parents are a great help. There is no way I could do this on my own.
Sadly, my aunt just passed away. We spent last weekend out of town at her visitation and funeral. Her only daughter and I are sister close and this has been especially hard on me. It has really surprised me that I have responded with such sadness. I think it may have something to do with the fact that she had Alzheimers and my mom (her sister) also has it. This has really sent my mom into a tailspin. We are going up there for Thanksgiving. It will be the first Thanksgiving in years that I haven't had all of the family here.
Well, I hope you've had a great weekend and keep looking up! Thanks for looking at my card!

Christmas Cardinal

2008-11-08T08:24:00.000-08:00

I made this card at the first card workshop I went to that was hosted by my Stampin' Up demo, Fran. She is one creative person! I stamped my image too far to the right, so when I got home I added some Dew Drops - the little bottle says the colors are Poinsettia. I think they make the card! My husband really likes this card so it may end up be "the" card for 2008! I'm working around my house today. My aunt is expected to die at any moment so I'm trying to be ready to go support my cousin and my mom. Both this aunt and my mom have Alzheimer's so the last few years have been very challenging. My cousin really needs your prayers if you are so inclined. Her name is Beverly. Thanks for stopping by and keep looking up!

Candy Corn

2008-11-02T12:17:00.000-08:00

This is the last of my Halloween cards. I love how the coloring and the decorative paper go together!

Another Halloween Card

2008-11-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

This is another Halloween card that I made using Lockhart stamps. I really loved the little saying!

Halloween Shoes

2008-10-31T15:22:00.000-07:00

This is another card I made for Halloween. I loved the sentiment from a Stampin' Up set, so I looked for a stamp to go with it. I can't remember who makes it! It's downstairs in my basement so when I get down there I'll check and update:) I just bought it this year so you'd think I'd remember! Oh well....be safe tonight!

Halloween Card

2008-10-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

I don't usually make Halloween cards, but for some reason, I decided I would make some this year. This image is from Northwoods and colored with Copics. The papers are from Die Cuts With a View. The air is crisp here. We had rain on Friday but the weekend has been beautiful! Our roofers come Monday. We are also having our electric lines buried, so I may be without power a few days! Not sure how that will work with having to get ready for school, etc. It will be very hard to stamp in the basement without power!! My husband is power washing the house and then he is going to paint the exterior. The dogs caught a squirrel today. They are so cute and tiny, it's amazing what they can catch! They are true to their terrier breeding I guess. Well, hope you've had a great weekend and keep looking up!

The Last Wedding Card

2008-10-19T08:04:00.000-07:00

This is a wedding card I made for a friend's daughter's wedding. The image is Outlines Rubber Stamps. I stamped it three times and then colored, cut, and layered it. I used my Cuttlebug for the background and the ribbon came from Michaels. I was really pleased with how it turned out. Fall weather is finally here in Lexington and I love it! This is the best sleeping weather. I'm going to really start focusing on Halloween, Fall, and Thanksgiving cards now. I also need to change my closet over -- I hate that job. But, I just remind myself that I am fortunate enough to have choices in what I wear and don't wear! Have a great day.

Fall Card

2008-10-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

I had this acorn paper "squirreled away" from who knows when? and decided to use it to make a card to send as a thank you. The stamp is PSX and I cut the circles from my Nestibilities. Ribbon is from Michaels. I colored the acorn with Copics. Today was such a warm day for October! I had to do car line at dismissal and was really hot! Tomorrow, I am taking my class to Shaker Village for the day. We will be outside all day. I plan on resting tonight and making some more cards. I invested in a Wizard and I am really enjoying the difference it makes when I use my Nestibilities! I was really amazed at how big a difference it actually made in the embossing. I am going to be making some Halloween cards, which is a first for me.

I Lift My Eyes

2008-10-13T19:24:00.000-07:00

This is a shot from my weekend in the Smoky Mountains. It reminds me of one of my favorite Psalms: I lift my eyes to the hills, Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The beauty and magnitude of Creation puts everything in perspective doesn't it?

Another Christmas Card

2008-10-13T15:42:00.000-07:00

This is another Christmas card made with a stamp from the Stampin' Up flyer. I like the basic idea but would probably use a different image if I decide to use it as my "official" 2008 card. I really like the color scheme. I have been posting less than usual over the past week or so. It is really busy at school. In-service and getting ready for report cards and parent-teacher conferences. Stressful! I spent the weekend in Gatlinburg, TN with some girlfriends. We had lots of fun. A little too much outlet mall shopping than my liking. I finally put my foot down and said, "We're in the mountains, so we are actually going to SEE the mountains!" Fabulous scenery and we even saw a bear! That was so exciting! On the way home we had an Elvis sighting!!

Christmas card workshop

2008-10-03T17:50:00.001-07:00

I don't normally do a lot with Stampin Up, but I decided to take a monthly Christmas card workshop just to get out and meet some real live stampers. This is one of the cards we made. I make my cards every year and I need to begin thinking about what to do this year. I usually go with a dark red, dark green, and gold. I could change it up this year. Hmmm....

I'm going with my husband and his BMW club on their yearly fall drive through the windy backroads of Kentucky to a state park in the mountains. They drive really, really fast and I really don't like that. I usually take an allergy pill which puts me to sleep and I try to pretend I'm not worried! He really likes me to go, but I'd rather be home SLOWLY stamping away the weekend. SLOW is the key word here!! Pray for me!

More Fall Cards

2008-10-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

These are two cards I made with a stamp I've never used before. The stamp is from Hero Arts. Again, I really like this stamp and I don't know why I've never used it! The weather here has turned a lot cooler and it really seems like fall now. I love it! Hope you're having a great week!

Autumn Cards

2008-09-29T16:21:00.000-07:00

I made these two cards with the same stamp. With our national economy crisis, there was

some talk on the Gingerwood board about what we stampers would do to economize. One thing I know I can do is use things I haven't used in a while or haven't EVER used!! This stamp falls into the last category. It is a PSX stamp from (hold your breath here!) 2003. It really is a very lovely image. I don't know why it has never seen ink! The pictures don't do either card justice. Maybe I'll retake them and post them again. I seem to run in cycles with my photographic "abilities". Speaking of the scary state of the world, I must remember where and with Who my security lies! There is a scripture, in Psalms I believe, that talks about all of the Psalmist's expectations are in the Lord. Isn't that a wonderful thought? A dear sister in Christ who has lived many years more than me always reminds me "when things seem to be falling apart, they are just falling in place for the Lord's timetable". I'm holding on to Him and to that thought! I'm also looking up for His soon return. Blessings to you and keep looking up!

The Ham Days

2008-09-28T17:38:00.000-07:00

Ham Days featured country ham and was a little more "upscale" than the Apple Fest. The craft booths were more high end, etc. We came home from there and I was beat! Took a nap and didn't do much the rest of the night. Today, Sunday, I have been stamping a lot! I have eight cards to take pictures of and post!

Busy week and busier weekend

2008-09-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted recently. It's been busy at school and I come home just worn out. This recovery thing has a time frame of its own. My little second graders are shaping up nicely! I worked 4 and 1/2 days this week. Took off Friday afternoon to go about 2 hours away to the little town my son goes to college in. We met my mom and stepfather there. I slept on the way over and Chip drove. Aren't you glad I wasn't driving!? We met up with them and drove another hour to Casey County for the Apple Fest. It was truly a slice of rural Americana. Lots of people., lots of music (bluegrass and country gospel), lots of junky food, and lots of craft booths. There was a parade where tractors and pageant contestants of all ages were featured prominently. When we got back to our motel, our son and his girlfriend came over to visit. We sat around the pool and talked and laughed until late. The next day we went to Lebanon, KY for the Ham Days.

Bold Birthday

2008-09-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

I made this card using a stamp I've had since 1999! It's made by Stampendous and it's a great image when I need to come up with an idea quickly. The dots on the left are from a My Favorite Things set. The ones on the right and the sentiment are Impression Obsession. The cardstock is Bazzill. I used copic markers to color the image. There is definately a learning curve with those, but I'm starting to like them!

Fun Thank You

2008-09-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

This is a thank you card that I made using Junkitz paper.
The thank you and the design around it were stamped using markers. They are from a clear set by Impression Obsession. I made several of these because they were so fun and easy.
It is really windy, windy here in Kentucky today. I can't even imagine what those hurricane winds were like! I had to run to the grocery this afternoon and a cart came flying (ok, blowing!) across the parking lot and knocked me down. I've hurt my elbow and I really pray it's not broken. It's on my stamping arm! It was so hard that I thought someone had pushed me or run into me. No, just an unmanned cart. It was so crowded in the store you would have thought we were getting ready for snow! Here in the Bluegrass even a hint of snow causes a major run on the grocery stores! Well, I'm off to do progress reports for my students. I dread those. I agonize over the comments because I know what it feels like to be the parent receiving them! Hope your weekend finishes well and keep looking up!

Why I Stamp

2008-09-09T18:42:00.000-07:00

I have seemingly unrelated story that explains why I stamp. Following is the EXACT wording of a note I received from a parent whose child was absent yesterday (and today): "Little Susie's"
head is 3x's its normal size. Allergic to something. I am not kidding, this is actually what I received!!! I'm picturing beach ball size, aren't you? Guess that explains why she wasn't at school today! So, I stamp to preserve my sanity or what's left of it! Have a great week and keep looking up!

Hero Arts background card

2008-09-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

I made this card with a Hero Arts backgrounder that I bought last April and have never used! I cased the idea from a HA flyer I had, but changed it up a bit to suit me. Its hard to tell, but the big flower on the lower left, the butterfly, and the just for you sentiment are mounted on a pop dot. I chalked the background and used stick on jewels and stickles to make it sparkle. Hope you had a great weekend!

Friendship card

2008-09-05T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is a card I made "just because" but I am using it as yet another thank you card. I used my nestabilities to cut the ovals. The little stamp set comes with the tree trunk, lots of little branches, several kinds of leaves, some fruit, the owl, and the sentiment. I believe it is made by Impression Obsession. I stamped the tree, branches, verse, and owl with staz-on ink in timber brown. I used two shades of ink for the leaves and then stippled the white cardstock to give it a softer look. The green strip on the left is made by K and Company. I was really pleased with how this card came together and plan on making some more! Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by to take a look!

Thank you card

2008-09-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

This is another thank you card I made to send to someone who blessed us with a meal after my surgery. I've been needing to make a lot of thank you cards! I cuttlebugged the darker purple paper. Again, I don't know who made the image.

Maggie and Ellie

2008-09-04T16:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo of my oldest dog, Maggie, and little Ellie doing what they do best!

My Oldest

2008-09-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

I thought I should post a picture of my oldest son, Jud. It's not real great because of the glare on his glasses. This was taken at a family function.

2008-09-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

I made this card for a friend. I don't know who made the stamp. I went "back to stamping 101" and used a Kaleidoscope pad to stamp the image. The paper is Bazill bling. The flower and leaf are so cool - really sparkly and sort of transparent. The brad is glittery too.

Another Jake Picture

2008-09-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

Jake is home for a very brief visit. He works at a non-profit camp for disadvantaged children. He is in charge of overnight wilderness camping and the music program. He loves everything about it! The kids love him! This is his last year of college and then he will work for the children's foundation full time. I need to figure out how to import and/or post more than one picture at a time from Picasa. Oh well....

Two of My Favorites

2008-09-03T10:24:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with paper crafting, but here is a picture of my youngest son and my youngest dog. (Jake-boy and Ellie-dog)

Paint can survival kit

2008-09-02T15:33:00.000-07:00

Here is the lid to the paint can in the previous post.

Finally Able to Stamp

2008-09-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

I had surgery six weeks ago and haven't been able to make it down to my stamping "room" in the basement. The stamp lair may be more like it! I made this paint can for my new co-teacher and filled it full of things she might need in an "emergency", like chocolate and tylenol! I think it turned out really cute. AND I think I've finally figured out my husband's camera enough to get a decent picture.

I've been tagged

2008-07-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

Jacki over at The Card Castle tagged me. I'm having trouble copying the rules. I think I need another Blogger refresher course from Miss Jacki! If you're interested please visit The Card Castle for the rules and please consider yourself tagged! I'd love to get to know a few more paper crafting friends. Anyway, the basic premise is to list 7 random or weird facts about yourself. So...here goes:

1. I am absurdly, irrationally afraid of birds and mice, but am not afraid of insects or snakes.

2. I was an exchange student to Arequipa, Peru. I spoke French and learned Spanish while I was there.

3. I have a tattoo on my left foot. I designed it myself and got it for my 50th birthday.

4. I made the down payment on my first house from my tips from waiting tables.

5. I have a photographic memory for words and images but can't remember numbers!

6. I can not whistle at all.

7. I do not like the feeling of nail polish on my fingernails, but it is ok on my toes.

I think those last two are a bit of a stretch but it's late so they'll have to do.

Have a good night's sleep and keep looking up. Deb

Fresh Cuts

2008-07-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

I don't usually purchase many Stampin' Up sets, but I love this Fresh Cuts set and the little note cards. I made this card just to play around with the set. I think I am really going to like both the stamps and the cards.

Wedding card

2008-07-13T09:58:00.000-07:00

This is a card I made for yet another wedding celebration we have attended this summer. We've had three so far and two more to go. The paper is various designs of white shimmery paper from Michaels that I cuttlebugged. The stamp is from DeNami -- very old and it had never been used! I embossed it with silver and lined the rectangle with silver paint pen. The white ribbon over the swiss dots is from Michaels.

Cupcakes

2008-06-23T14:23:00.000-07:00

This is a fun card I made for my girlfriend's birthday. I used the Hero Arts cupcake stamps. They are just so cute! I stamped them out on Basic Grey "Two Scoops" papers and pieced them together. I added a little glitter with my Spica pens. All of the background paper is Two Scoops also. We are taking her out for Mexican tonight. She's a big scrapbooker so all of her gifts will be things she can use!

Sunny butterfly

2008-06-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

This is a fun summer card I made. The images are Inkadinkadoo (I seem to have a thing for this company). I use three stamps for this card. All of the images were stamped on white cardstock and colored with Tombow markers, then highlighted with Spica pens. I was going to leave the background white but it just needed something. The yellow did the trick. The background paper is from KI Memories ("Just Sew" - Fire). It is hard to see, but I mounted the butterfly image on foam tape and cut the wings so I could give them a 3d effect. This small picture seems blurry, but if you click on it you can see a better picture. I have been sick with a UTI this weekend and other than going to the doctor yesterday, I have done nothing. I have never had one of these before and it is not fun! I had to have another procedure done last week and that is what caused this infection. I am going to try to do a few things today. (Like get dressed! Ha, Ha!) Have a great day and keep looking up!

Go For A Ride

2008-06-20T15:36:00.000-07:00

I've had a bit of a creative block lately, but I think I may be over the hump! I was able to create two cards that I was happy with today. This one is a Great Impressions stamp colored with Prismacolors. The pink paper is Basic Frey (Sultry - Fandango). The decorative paper is beautiful (Urban Rhapsody Garden Collage by K&Company). It has a lot of texture and sparkle. Flowers are Prima with crystals in the center. The twill ribbon is from Creative Cafe. I used my new Nestibilities for the ovals. I'm having fun with those! I'll show you the other card tomorrow. Have a great weekend and keep looking up!

2008-06-11T19:19:00.000-07:00

I made this card as a small "door prize" for a group of ladies that gets together at least once a month. We call ourselves the "39rs" because we are always celebrating the anniversaries of our 39th birthdays. We all used to go with our families to the beach every spring break -- 5 to 6 families and all of our children. The age ranges were close so everyone had someone to hang out with. It was so much fun. Well, the kids have all gotten older and we are starting to have weddings, births, and even a death. We're still there for each other to laugh and cry, to support each other through all of life's stages. This picture doesn't do the card justice. I was in a hurry to take it and go. The stamps are a clear set from Inkadinkadoo. Paper is Basic Grey -- Two
Scoops. The fibers are also Basic Grey. I've used this layout before, it's one of my favorites. Doesn't the beach seem like a wonderful place to be?

Summer Butterflies

2008-06-05T12:43:00.000-07:00

This is not my usual color scheme. But, I loved this paper and wanted to do something with it. It does remind me of a picnic or a bandana. The sentiment is Hero Arts.

This is a card I made "just because". I love this color combination and the decorative paper. The image is from a new Inkadinkadoo clear set I just got. It just looks like summer to me.

Summertime...

2008-05-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's not really summer yet, but today was my last day of school. I judged the 6th grade costumes for their "Hobbit feast" and we had parties all over the building. The second graders (my kiddos) had a doughnut party. Those kids love to eat! I got bad news yesterday. My co-teacher is being sent to 3rd grade and I will be the only teacher of a very large, very challenging class next year. We both cried all day yesterday. God is sovereign and we will deal. In the great scheme of things it is such a minor thing, but it has broken up a great team and we are sad. My parents were very generous in what they gave me as an end of the year gift (cash!) so I plan to buy some Nestabilities. I've been wanting some for such a long time. Which ones shall I buy? That will be a hard decision! I am looking forward to having time to create. It's had to go on the back burner with all of the end of the year meetings, programs, etc. First, I'll need to do some laundry though! Well, keep looking up.

2008-05-10T18:16:00.001-07:00

This is the card I made for my mother. She has Alzheimers so every Mother's Day is bittersweet. I tried to coordinate it with the flowers we're taking her. Tomorrow will be a busy day. We are all meeting at my aunt's house about an hour and a half from here. My step-dad and mom are coming down from the Indianapolis area. Both of my boys will be coming over, as will my youngest son's girlfriend. My cousins and all of their children will all be there. My mom's third sister also has Alzheimers and she will be there too. Her daughter lives here in Lexington and she and all of her kids will be coming over as well. The aunt who is hosting the event is the only one of the three sisters who has all of her wits about her. But, it should be fun. I figure if my youngest's girlfriend can handle this rowdy bunch then she's a keeper! We love her and are so happy she can be with us. She and my son will be working at a camp for inner-city children again this summer. They are on duty 24-7 and they both just love it. Well, blessings to all and keep looking up as the day soon approaches.
Posted by Deb at 6:03 PM 0 comments

Sketch Challenge

2008-04-28T04:19:00.000-07:00

Here's my take on last week's Sunday Sketch Challenge over at Heartfelt Greetings.
I really like how it turned out. The paper is Basic Grey's Sugared. The patterns of the paper look sort of old fashioned or peasant girlish. I changed up the basic sketch a little but I think it still has elements of it. I just love the little bird from the Bird's Galore set. Have a great day and keep looking up!

Challenged

2008-04-27T13:35:00.000-07:00

Today I was really challenged by the speaker at my church. The man who played Jesus in The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson spoke. His name is Jim Cavesselle (I don't think I spelled that correctly). He was very quiet and unassuming. He spoke on his walk with God and Christ; how he came to do the movie, and living life as a Christ follower in today's environment. He spoke about suffering and embracing our cross as Christ embraced His. He moved me to tears several times in the course of the 45 minutes he spoke. One thing he said really impacted me, "You were not made to blend in with the crowd, You were born to stand out." It has left me to question just exactly what was I born to do and how do I go about doing it? What role does my art play in that?

Pretty in Purple

2008-04-23T13:37:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't figured it out, purple is my favorite color. This is a little (3" x 3") bit of hanging encouragement I made for a friend. I love the paper (Bohemia) and the embellishments. I just really like the way it turned out.

2008-04-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

I made this card today "just because". It's been a busy weekend and I wasn't sure I'd be able to stamp anything. I spent yesterday baking all day. I baked three dozen brownies to take down to a local homeless ministry. I made homemade frosting to put on them and it is fabulous. My Bible study group is coming over tonight for our last session of Beth Moore's "Stepping Up".
We're having a pitch in, as they say around here. I made a wonderful homemade chocolate cake. I got the recipe off the Heartfelt Greetings blog. I'm also making artichoke dip. The branch stamp and little bird are new from Great Impressions. I stamped the little bird, cut her out, and put her on the branch. This just seems like a happy Spring card doesn't it?

2008-04-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

I'm sending this as a birthday card. It doesn't show, but I stamped the butterfly twice and cut the second one out. I folded the wings up a little to give it some depth.

2008-04-15T18:22:00.000-07:00

This is a card I made for a friend. The sentiment is from WhippersnapperDesigns and the brown bird image is from the Bird's Galore set. I don't know who makes the decorative paper, but I love it.

2008-04-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

This is my secon attempt at this entry. I stamped the Hero Arts stamp three times on different decorative papers and then cut out and layered them. It doesn't show well, but the brads are shiny and glittery!

2008-04-06T16:59:00.000-07:00

I made this card for a friend.
I'm still learning to get a good picture. The tulips are Northwoods and the sentiment is from an old Stampin' Up set.

Easter card

2008-04-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

This is a card I made for Easter. I believe the image is from Impression Obsession.

A Day At The Card Castle

2008-04-02T08:29:00.000-07:00

I spent the past week in Atlanta, GA. It was my Spring Break and my husband was working down there. I took that opportunity to visit some stamp stores and visit my friend, Jacki Jones, of The Card Castle. Holly Craft (Todays Creations) also spent the day with us. Jacki was a wonderful hostess! We spent the morning having "Blog 101" which I was sorely in need of! I brought my stamp purchases and we introduced them to ink after lunch. Jacki has a lovely home and I really enjoyed getting to meet her in person. We formed our friendship via Gingerwood and the rest as they say, "is history"! We just instantly seemed to form a connection and I consider her a friend. I loved meeting Holly for the first time! She is very talented and has a great sense of humor (a MUST in my book!) I'll be making cards from the images we stamped and now I'll be able to post them. Thanks, Jacki!

Here's a photo of me with Jacki. I look awful, but isn't Jacki radiant? I had one of me with Holly, but I can't seem to get it loaded. I guess I need another lesson!

Ready for a new year

2007-12-28T13:58:00.000-08:00

It's almost time to begin 2008. I have tried a couple of times to start and maintain a blog related to my creative pursuits. This time I am going to really try to keep it up! This will be a work in progress as are the things I create. Wish me luck.