Becca Aitken

I'm not sure if Becca has a blog (please let me know), but the card she sent me for my birthday has left me wanting more! It's a totally girl-powered up card. Who doesn't love that?! Be sure to give her a high-five for this creation.

Leslie Miller

Isn't this such a cute card? It's from Leslie Miller. I've been a huge fan of hers even before I started blogging on my own. She never ceases to inspire me. Stop by her blog to see what I mean.

Marie McClellan

Marie has been one of my blog sisters since I first started. She's always been there when I needed a little inspiration, and I consider her to be one of my "battle buddies". She's an amazing crafter as well. She's one of those mom's that can somehow do it all. Here's the fun little card she sent to me for my birthday. Be sure to stop by her blog to see more of her work. You won't be disappointed.

Jennifer Wright

This card was created by the UBER talented Jennifer Wright. This photo certainly does not do her creation justice. It has lots of sparkly glitter that I absolutely love, and it's the first time that I've seen those little pebbles in real life. They're so CUTE! She sent it to me for my birthday along with some super fun goodies. (BIG HUGS!) Be sure to stop by her blog to see some more yummy-ness.

Lots of Cards

I haven't been up in my studio in over two weeks now since I went to Texas for a week immediately followed by a trip to Fort Knox, Kentucky. Lilly and I are finally back in our little apartment, I'm completely worn out. I think Lilly is too. I've never seen her sleep with all four legs up in the air before. I finally checked my mailbox as well only to find one little orange key sitting in there. Turns out it led me to another bigger locker stuffed full of birthday cards and Rolodex swaps. You guys are THE best! I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to post each one of the yummy goodies right here in the next coming days. I think it's time for some celebratory blog candy as well. What are your thoughts?

Memorial Day

I hope everyone is having a great Memorial Day. I also hope you are remembering the reason for this holiday turned vacation time with your family and most of all your children. Here are some great ways to celebrate and observe Memorial Day:

• visit cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes
• visit memorials
• fly the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon
• fly the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act)
• participate in a "National Moment of Remembrance" at 3 pm to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day
• play or listen to Taps
• aid the widows, widowers and orphans of our fallen Service members, and to aide the disabled veterans
• say a prayer

P.S. Here's a fun quiz too: Military Myths Quiz

Old Photos

One of the things I love about coming home is seeing all the old photographs my mother and grandmother have collected over time. We don't have too many keepsakes anymore since our home burned down in 2002, but that makes the ones we do have all the more special. Here are a few of my favorites:

I was our school mascot... a duck named Waddles.

This is from a musical I did in college.

Golf was my sport of choice in high school.

This is my sister and me climbing a tree in our great aunt and uncle's backyard.

This photo always makes me laugh. It's my mom, sister, and me. This one was for our Christmas card one year. This was in EMT school before I became a "real" firefighter.

It's strange to think I graduated high school six years ago now. I remember taking this photo on the playground in elementary school. I'm the kid laughing with hot pink shoes and crazy socks. This one is from a movie that was originally titled "Square Dance", but I think they changed the name after production was through. Rob Lowe was in it, but other than that I don't know. My parents used to work avidly in the movie business until a couple of babies tied them down. My nose will never change. Another movie set, but I don't know which one.

I played basketball one year, but I was rather horrible at it. I was great at stealing the ball, but I never scored once. This one is my high school freshman photo. I grew up mostly on the farm playing in cotton trailers and cattle stalls. My sister and I were cute once.

I remember this like it was yesterday. It's from a field exercise I did in combat medic school. Here I am tying up a ladder in the fire academy. My sister and I took dance from 1st grade all the way up until middle school, but neither of us can dance at all. This one is from family day the day before I graduated from Basic Training. Don't you love those glasses? They're called "BCG's" or birth control glasses. I never knew I ever had an outtie belly button!

These were two of my drill sergeants in basic training. They were MEAN!I never was good at taking regular "cheese" pictures, so this is what normally comes out. Well, I hope you enjoyed browsing some old pictures as much as I did. I really need to get some sleep. I plan on starting my journey back up to Fort Campbell, Kentucky tomorrow sometime. I have to head back out again on Monday for Fort Knox, so I want to be well rested and reorganized for another road trip. Bye for now.

Pillow Wrinkles

Ack! It's here. I'm now officially 24! I woke up, looked in the mirror, and saw wrinkles. I freaked out, but I was quickly relieved to find out they were just from sleeping on my face. Whew! Pillow wrinkles can be scary sometimes!

Ladies Night

Last night I took seven of my favorite gals out to ladies night at The Melting Pot for fondue and lots of fun. This picture is of me and two of my cousins.

Road Trip

Guess what?! I have nine days off from work... YES! I really didn't expect to have the time off, so there's not time to get a plane ticket. I'd have to take Lilly to the vet for records and shots verification to get her a plane ticket or kennel stay, so I just decided to take a road trip instead. The trip isn't too bad with all the stops I like to take. Between Lilly and I we need to take breaks of some sort every 2-3 hours. I left from Tennessee Sunday morning and arrived here in Texas around 2330 (11:30 pm for you civilians). I really enjoyed the trip. It's the first time I've really taken a long car trip alone. Well, I did drive down to Fort Benning, Georgia last year for Officer Candidate School, but it wasn't a terribly long trip like this one. I forgot how nice it is just to be away and alone sometimes. I still had to call about a dozen different people at every stop to check in, but it was still worth it.

Rock Climbing

So, I did it. I went rock climbing like I wanted to. I actually went twice already, and I'm getting a tad bit addicted. It's not my first time doing this, but it's been a super long time since I have. I started climbing and rappelling in the fire academy a few years ago. We were all certified in rope rescue during the five month long course. I loved it then, and apparently I still love it. I hope I can meet some other people there too. You can't rappel on your own after all. You have to have someone at the bottom on belay (to stop you from falling). I can't wait to go back again and again.

Summer Schedule

We're officially headed into our summer schedule here at the school house. This means the days are even hotter and longer. We also start traveling quite a bit too. I already have two trips to Fort Knox and three to West Point on the books. Most of the instructors took off on up to Fort Knox around 0630 this morning. We're teaching 200 college ROTC students up there. There's not really a whole lot that I do in the middle of the course, so "Sergeant D" (my boss) and I are taking turns. He's doing the first half, and I'm going up for the second half. Neither of us will be there in the middle. It's only two hours away, so it's easy enough to just drive back and forth without having to hitch an air ride. He's got a whole brood of kiddies plus one on the way, so I don't blame him for lacking travel interests lately. Being that we're a mobile course in the summers also means it's quite boring around here when I'm left behind. I suppose there's less excuse for not blogging now. I like to write my blogs in my email server before I post them over to Blogger. It seems so unreliable at times. I never know when the links are going to stop working or when it just decides it doesn't feel like playing with me anymore. It's a pain sometimes, but at least it's free! You can't beat that deal, right? Anyhow, I found this fun-looking indoor rock climbing place in Nashville (50 minutes away). It's called Climb Nashville. I've already emailed the point of contact to get some more information. I'm dying to be a member already. I just hope I have enough time to get there at least once a week or so. I learned how to climb and rappel in the fire academy back about 5 years ago, and I totally loved it. I just hope I get that same thrill again. I'm not a terribly athletic or sporty girl in general, so it's rare I find a sport that I take interest in. There's just something that doesn't spark my interest about running in circles or on a treadmill like a hamster. I don't like things being thrown at me either, so that eliminates most of the ball-sports. I did play on the golf team in high school and college, but my old clubs are still back home. My golf coach gave them to me after our home burned down my senior year of high school. They're definitely way past their prime, but they still managed to help me earn 3rd place at state. I've been eying a new set from Callaway though. They're the Cadillac of golf equipment, and I've ALWAYS wanted a set. Perhaps it's a good gift to give myself for my birthday. I hope I'm not the only one out there who buys themselves a present. I don't have to worry about keeping gift receipts after all.

Don't Ask Me Why...

I did it. It was on a random whim. There was no forethought to it whatsoever. I signed up for the dating site again! I'm already regretting it. I don't know why I'm sitting in remorse over it either. I'm not sure if I should be proactive or sit on my bum about the whole thing. Perhaps I should have taken that hundred bucks for a measly six-month subscription to love and spent the night shakin' my booty at a club. Mr. Right just might be a rump-shaker...Not! I sure hope my MR isn't a bar-scene kinda dude. Beer guzzling and butt gawking aren't exactly on the checklist for my McDreamy. I wonder if they have any of that weird speed dating stuff around here. I'm interested to try it out. I have complete and profound doubts about it, but at this point I may as well start collecting the rest of my dating memoirs, tearful woes, and silly stories for the book that seems to be well on it's way to creation. Even the stuff in Cosmo doesn't give me the same gag or giggle that my own formerly boring life does. (P.S. 9 more days 'til I'm 24!)

Happy Tears

Wow! I'm overwhelmed at the sweetness that comes from total strangers. I really feel like I know many of you even more so than some of my own family members. You're awesome! You got me to thinking too... is anyone interested in doing a Rolodex swap of sorts for birthday information (name, address, email, website, and birthday)? I just want to make sure to send birthday cards to all of you, but there's no way I can remember them all without a little help. I won't open this up as a traditional swap, but if you'd like to send me your information as an altered index card, Rolodex card, ATC or by whatever means you keep track of birthdays I'll be sure to return the favor as well. I've already started crackin' on some cute little Rolodex cards and ATCs for you. I hope you'll come play with me! (P.S. 12 more days 'til I'm 24!)

Laura Barefoot

PO Box 323

Fort Campbell, KY 42223

One of Those Days

Do you ever have a day when the smallest seeming thing just sends you into tears? Well, I'm having one of those days. I really think it's an accumulation of so many things, but you know what they say about the camel's back... Although there are a couple other females that work here somewhere at the school with me, I mostly interact with men. Let me remind you that I am in the Army, so we can't flirt or dress cute or do anything that the average workforce would consider socially acceptable or just plain normal. You can't tell someone "You look nice today!", or you'd be accused of sexual harassment. The military is very strict on these things. I don't know how any female could begin to look "nice" in a man's uniform anyhow. My clothes are so baggy and bulky. Even my knees rub together when I'm wearing my fitness uniform. Who's crotch hangs that low, really?! I think someone was thinking entirely too generously when they designed those things. Since we aren't allowed to say most compliments and pleasant things to each other, they instead dish out rude elementary verbal slaps. Keep in mind though that around here we can only say something disrespectful to someone whom we don't out-rank. I'm on the bottom of the totem pole here, so that means I'm the target for all of the jerks here. I'm the butt of every joke it seems. Sometimes I can laugh with them, but other times they're just plain mean. Anytime there's a screw-up with paperwork it somehow ends up being my fault too. The top guy blames the guy under him and the guy under him and the guy under him... all the way until it crashes down onto me. I guess today it just got to me a little. The weight was just too much for a second. I cracked. I shed one tear in the privacy of a community latrine. You're not supposed to do that here either though. You can't be weak. At least you wouldn't dare let them find out. Who wants the enemy to have more ammo?! Not me! I think being a single Soldier is another issue that I have a difficult time dealing with. I'm the only single Soldier at this unit. I don't mind being single in the general aspect, but little things like not hearing my own name. I'm "SGT Barefoot" here. I just want to be "Laura" every once in a while. And what about being able to vent? I can't talk to people here about personal matters, and really there is no one to talk to at work that would actually listen without laughing. This blog does help to an extent, but I'm not allowed to say so many things I would rather scream than type. I can't even remember the last time I had a hug. My birthday is just a couple of weeks away too. I bought a box of butter pecan cake mix and cream cheese frosting to make cupcakes as normally do. Baking cupcakes has been my main celebratory event since I've been stationed away from home. My birthday happens to fall on a Wednesday this year. I can't ask off a day in the middle of the week. It doesn't work that way. So instead, I'll be sitting at my desk knowing the whole time that today I am 24. I'm one year away from being able to rent a car on my own without any extra insurance, waivers, or signatures, I'm officially in my mid-twenties, and other than the annual phone call from my mom reminding me that today I made her a mother no one will say anything to me regarding my special day otherwise. I just hope it's one of those rare days that I make it safely under the radar and perhaps manage to get home early enough to see any bit of remaining sunlight.

I've Been Tagged

I was tagged by Marie a couple days ago. It's been a while since I played along, so here we go... What was I doing 10 years ago? Well, I was a couple weeks shy of being 14 years old. (My birthday is May 21st.) I guess that means I was in 8th grade. That was a scary time. I was just a few weeks away from leaving middle school and heading off to the treacherous HIGH SCHOOL! I was in the choir, on the basketball team, and I was also the school mascot, a DUCK! What was I doing 1 year ago? I was down at Fort Benning, Georgia going to Officer Candidate School. I HATED it! 5 favorite snacks? Just five, huh? Let's see... Nilla Wafers, homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, peaches, plums, and Blue Belle Homemade Vanilla ice cream with bananas and pecans! 5 things I would do if I was a millionaire? I'd pay off all of my debts, pay off my family's debts, start a college fund for my future children, start my retirement savings, and buy a new set of golf clubs. 5 things I like doing? I love to take naps with Lilly Belle, laugh at Brad's silly faces, find new places within driving distance that are "undiscovered" to me, play with paper and ribbons, but mostly I love being a Soldier. 5 things I will never wear again? Short skirts, short shorts, anything neon, bikinis, and CULOTTES! Arg! Do you remember those? They're a funky fusion of shorts and a skirt. They're just so wrong! 5 favorite toys? I love my laptop, any craft supplies, roller skates, my camera, and boys! 5 people I am going to tag: Debbie, Danielle, Estivalia, Roree, Anabelle.

Lilly's New Do

I finally took Lilly in for a hair cut. I've been debating over it in my head for a while now. I just couldn't bear the thought of cutting all that cute shaggy hair. She just looks SO different now. All the pretty black hair is finally gone. I miss that too. I'm not sure that she likes her new do though. I've been getting the stink-eye from her since I picked her up. She kinda looks like a little old man... Don'tcha think?

My First Time

I'm always telling my friend Debbie that it's my goal to at least send in a card to one of the paper crafting publications. I finally did it last week. I jumped right in and submitted to my all-time favorite publication: CARDS! Don't you love their stuff?! I DO! I've been subscribed to their monthly book for over two years now. I can't live without it. I waited on pins and needles to hear back from them. I didn't know what they'd say or even if they would respond to me at all. Last Friday when the clock hit 1600 I gathered my things to go home for the day, but not before hitting the refresh button on my email server. Ooo! A new email... it was from "them"! I was so excited I couldn't really read the entire email. I only got through the first "Congratulations!" before I yelled across the office for the other two girls to come and see. We printed out the six-page email with complete directions on how to get my card to them. I only had until the following Wednesday to get it in their hands. That didn't leave me much time. I carefully measured and wrote directions on how to remake my project, kissed it goodbye, and handed it over to the mail man. Thankfully, this morning I received another email from "them" saying my project arrived safely. Yes! They also made it clear that although they've accepted my project for consideration, it doesn't mean I've made it in the book. Now I just have to WAIT until SEPTEMBER to see if I'm in. Ugh! That's FOREVER away. I don't know if I can stand it!

Ribbon Slider

You asked for it! This is my first attempt at a tutorial of one of my cards. I'm sure that I'm not the original creator of this interactive card, so I'm not taking credit by any means. I hope you like it...

Step 1: The first thing you want to do is create your card housing base. The card from the last post was a sealed envelope that I trimmed one edge from, but today I'm using a library pocket. Since not everyone has an oval shaped Word Window Punch (Stampin' Up!) like I used on my original card I decided to show you how to make an oval slot with a circle punch. You can do this with any size. I first drew a line matching the width of my desired slot as you can see by the pencil line in the picture.

Step 2: Now you'll want to punch your circles on the end of each line. I made sure to let my pencil line dissect the circle exactly in half before squeezing. I then drew straight lines with my ruler and pencil connecting the tops of each circle and the bottoms of each circle. Using your craft knife or scissors you should then cut along these lines to create your oval opening. (I would glue my decorative paper on before I did all these steps, so that I would only have to punch and trim all in one step, but it turned out to be easier for the tutorial to show you a simplified version.)

Step 3: Now that you have your oval slot for your ribbon to slide through your card's housing base is complete. For my project though I wanted a matted piece of patterned paper. Normally you would just trim your patterned paper 1/4" or so smaller, but since I had a curved edge at the top of my library pocket that wouldn't do for me. I trimmed the width of my PP to 1/4" smaller than the base then slid it into the pocket. I then traced with a pencil the curve of the pocket and cut it by hand. Now you can measure your PP to a quarter inch smaller in length and have it matted nicely. You'll also want to create your card to fit in your pocket and a piece of matching ribbon at this point. Step 4: You'll want to slide your card into the base with the ribbon loosely sandwiched around it so that both ends of the ribbon are hanging out of the open end of the base. You'll then pull the top end of your ribbon through the slot you've already created and tie a knot or bow.

Step 5: I recommend adhering your ribbon to the back of your card insert so that it's not wobbly when you slide it in and out of the base. Your card should work like this now:

Step 6: Embellish! I've been into making little paper bears out of mulberry paper for a while now, so I thought I'd put one of my fuzzy little guys on this card along with a few pieces of bling! (Do I need to do a tutorial on mulberry bears too?)

I also turned the card insert into a gift card holder. Once I get a real gift card I'm sure anyone will love this card. And...that's it!

I'd love to see your creations with this technique. I've got some blog candy waiting for all of my creative participants. Happy scrappin'!

Finally Expired

UPDATE: This project has been removed for publication. Look for it in CARDS - September 2008.

My account finally expired on my last dating site. I haven't really used it in quite sometime, but I can't help but feel relieved now that I don't have to shell out any more money on crap that's not really working for me. I did meet a couple of guys who were nice but had no personality. I meet even more guys who were total weirdos though. Remember THIS POST? I was signed up for three sites there at one point. Yeah, I'm pathetic. At least I was committing, right? All my chips were in there for sure. As I promised yesterday...I made another card with more stuff from my Scarlet Lime kit. This card has a ribbon pull tab that slides the inner card in and out of the envelope. I just love interactive cards. They're so much fun. If anyone wants instructions on the construction of this card just let me know, and I'll whip up a tutorial.Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Envelope: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Making Memories, Ribbon: American Crafts, Flower: Making Memories, Brad: Making Memories, Stamp: Close To My Heart & Stampin' Up!, Chipboard/Stickers: Making Memories, Button: Unknown, Special Tools: Circle Cutter & Window Punch (SU!)

Scarlet Lime

I'm home earlier than usual at least. I've even taken a shower already! It's amazing how the little things really start to make you feel good when you've missed them for a while. I haven't been able to unwind this early in quite some time. I still missed Oprah, but I think I can catch up on the highlights online. I haven't watched that show in so long that I think I really have gone past missing it to not caring anymore. I'm not sure when the last time was that I even picked up the remote. More often than not I'd rather spend time listening to music, playing with Lilly, catching up on house work, or finding any spare creativity I can to make something. The project below is created with my fun new Scarlet Lime kit. The name of the club is yummy all by itself. You can sign up for a three or six month membership. I signed up for the six month stint. You even get an extra special treat if you sign up for six months, (but don't ask me to spill the beans on that one because I don't even know what it is yet!) Christy is the creator of this site, and I must say she is alone the epitome of superb customer service. She's always SO sweet and SUPER quick to respond to any little thing I happen to email her about. I give it two thumbs up! I can't wait to play with the next kit. Anyhow, this is my first creation with the kit. I added a couple of things from my own stash, but I've got WAY more stuff to use from the kit, so I already have another project waiting for you for tomorrow's post. So...what do you think?

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned Paper: Making Memories & the Paper Studio, Brad: Making Memories, Flower: Making Memories, Ribbon: American Crafts, Die cut: Cricut, Fabric & Lace: Unknown

Altered Composition Book

Today was such a tiring day. I didn't do anything particularly strenuous, but I'm wiped-out completely! I just got home, so that means I spend yet another extra hour at work somehow. I even went in an hour and a half earlier this morning. It's sucking my life away! At least I managed to get a post in. It's short, but it's here... Here's what I did: I started with a blank composition book and painted the spine and page edges in thin multiple coats of Meadow paint (Making Memories). I then used a combination of red line tape and a liquid adhesive to attach the embossed glittered polka dot paper (MM). I used my craft knife to trim the edges. I then attached the striped patterned paper (MM) and a couple of scalloped borders I trimmed from another piece of die cut paper (MM). I then attached the chipboard pieces, brad, and flowers (MM) using glue dots. And...that's it!

Altered Organic Soap

I bought these organic soaps packaged beautifully in egg carton-like boxes when I purchases the wedding favor stuff I posted a couple of weeks ago. I wanted these to accompany the bath salts, but I never got around to it. I'm such a bum sometimes. There's the side of me that works way too hard and the other side of me that could sleep the whole day away. That lazy bum side usually comes out more frequently after a long day of being G.I. Jane. More and more I think of how much I wish I could live back home though. I love being a Soldier, but life here isn't really moving forward the way I always thought it would be. I've felt like a transient for the past three or four years that I've lived here. I just don't have a sense of permanency that I really long for. I want to settle into something. I want something stable in my life. I just don't know what that something is. You'd think my job would fulfill this need. I mean, I do have the most stable job I can think of. I don't foresee getting laid off anytime soon. I'm not even in a deployable unit right now, and I'm even guaranteed to stay for another two years. That's stability, right? Then why don't I feel like it. Am I being selfish? Maybe I'm just done with this chapter of my life. I've accomplished all of the goals I set out to achieve. I just don't know what's next...

Here's what I did: I cut a strip of (double sided) patterned paper to 2-3/4" wide and a solid piece to 3/4" wide. I stamped the solid piece with a background stamp from Stampin' Up! in Really Rust also from SU!. I then wrapped the strips of paper around the box before adhering the strips to themselves, so I can still slide the band off without damaging the wrapping. I used the Making Memories Tag Maker to create the center embellishment, but stamped it with a set from PTI in Sahara Sand (SU!) first. I used my Crop-o-dile to punch a couple of holes in the tag so I could run the ribbon (SU!) through before tying it in a bow. And...that's it!

Vaccinate Your Children

I always let Lilly out back in the mornings for a few minutes before I let her run around in the house again. Normally she's sitting there by the door waiting for me, but today she must have gotten into some little adventure because this is what I saw:

Yet Another Tweak

I don't know why I'm obsessed with "correcting" this card, but I just am. I made this one right after I posted the last one, but it's been sitting on my studio table. I've walked passed it a few times thinking of how to change it yet again. I finally decided to just move on. I'm sure I'll wake up in the middle of the night with a brilliant idea in a couple of weeks or maybe a couple of years. I tend to not let things like that go. The perfectionist in me annoys me quite often. Having something that's not put together the way I like it annoys me too though. It's a lose-lose situation I suppose. I cranked out two other projects today somehow as well, so I'll post those in the next couple of days to come. It'll be nice to have four consecutive posts for once. I started off blogging so well, but I wax and wane. I see you other bloggers are the same, so it lessens my guilty feeling. Ha!

Here's what I did: I started with an A2 base in black then added a 2.5" x 4" piece of patterned paper from KI Memories "Jacks" to the bottom half. The green is the other side of the pp and was ran through my Cuttlebug. It's cut to 3"x4". I then used my craft knife to cut a slit for the ribbon to slide through on the fold. I tied pink stitched ribbon (from Michael's) in a bow. The black circles are from a Quickutz die and adhered with tape runner. And...that's it!

A Little Tweak

I'm stuck inside this weekend while I recover from the dreaded PINKEYE! I really sucks. I feel like a bit of a pirate being able to only see out of one eye and all, so "Arg!". I really didn't like the card I did yesterday anyway, so I made a little tweak. Actually, I made an entirely new card. I love the glittered frosting from the first version, but the rest of it just didn't work for me. I started with the same foundation and just changed the focal point embellishments. I'm still not satisfied. I don't think I ever am. Which card do you like the best?Here's what I did: I started with an A2 base in black then added a 2.5" x 4" piece of patterned paper from KI Memories "Jacks" to the bottom half. The green is the other side of the pp and was ran through my Cuttlebug. It's cut to 3"x4". I then used my craft knife to cut a slit for the ribbon to slide through on the fold. I tied two pieces of the pink stitched ribbon (from Michael's) each in a knot. The black flower and green circle are from a Quickutz die, and I then used the Making Memories Tag Maker to add the silver rim. The brad is from Making Memories as well and is used to attach the blue flower (Bazzill). I used pop dots under the rimmed tag as well as under the black flower to adhere them both. And...that's it!

Cupcake

I've had this stamp set forever now, and I just cut the rubber today. I have more than a dozen other sets that are still sitting in the box they shipped in as well. I hope to eventually get to them all, but for now I'll settle with any amount of being creatively productive. Here's what I did: I started with an A2 base in black then added a 2.5" x 4" piece of patterned paper from KI Memories "Jacks" to the bottom half. The green is the other side of the pp (Don't you love double sided?). It's cut to 3"x4". I then used my craft knife to cut a slit for the ribbon to slide through on the fold. I tied two pieces of the pink stitched ribbon (from Michael's) in a regular knot. I punched out a 1-3/8" square (SU!) and matted it with the black scalloped square (Marvy) before pop-dotting it. I then stamped the cupcake base in VersaMark onto a teal piece of embossed paper I found. The frosting is also stamped in VM. I then added heat & stick powder and dazzling diamonds (both from SU!). The candle is stamped in Yoyo Yellow (SU!). All of the cupcake parts are also pop-dotted. I then used a VersaMark marker to hand draw the flame before using heat & stick and orange glitter. (It's not in the picture, but I went back and stamped a polka dot background on the green with VM. It was just too plain for me.) And...that's it!

I Love You, Dad!

What a relief! My dad found my old logo that he had designed for me last year. I lost it after my computer crashed not too long ago, but alas it's back! Woo-hoo!

Wedding Favors

Whew! I did some extra special PT (physical training) this morning, and now I'm really feeling it in my hip flexors. PT is a great way to firm your buns and feel geriatric for a day or so. It's just super! Okay, so I was strolling around Wally-World as I often do. I get lost in there sometimes. It's really just a ploy to waste time on occasion, but this time I ventured into the kitchen section and discovered these cute little jars next to the assortment of sugar, salt, pepper, and parmesan shakers. I'm a sucker for any cute container, so I grabbed five. It's easy enough to make your own bath salts at home, but I bought three jugs while I was there anyway. They were only a couple bucks each and had enough salts in each to fill two and half of the jars. I guess I'm too lazy when there's a good deal and less mess. I also picked up some beautiful organic soaps to match. I brought my goodies home and filled them with with the colorful bath salts, added a fun little tag, and voila! I now have the wedding party gifts for my sister's reception this weekend. It took less than ten minutes to finish all five. I'll be sure to pick up some more on my next visit. It's a great thing to have for a quick gift. Here's what I did: This one is EASY... All you'll need are two scallop punchies (Stampin' Up!), one 1-3/8" punchie (SU!), six inches of ribbon, a flower, and a brad. One end of the ribbon is sandwiched between the scallops and the other end was pulled through a double slit made on the rear scallop so the user can remove the tag without loosing the ribbon. I originally secured both ends of the ribbon between the scallops, but my test audience (aka the girls at work) didn't like that the tag wasn't removable for "keepsakes".

Ashle's Invite

My cousin, Ashle, asked me to design some invitations for her high school graduation that's coming up in May, and since I'm going home this weekend for my sister's wedding reception I thought it would be the perfect time for us to get together and put them all together for mailing. I know that when I was Ashle's age (not long ago) I really didn't want anything traditional, so I went ahead and asked her how she felt about it, and I was right on. She wanted a fierce pink and black combo and polka dots of any sort, so this is what I came up with:

Here's what I did: I purchased pre-cut scalloped card fronts/postcards with envies from JA's. When I saw them I immediately knew they were my starting point. I also picked up EVERY pink/black polka dot paper I could find between JA's and HL. The card above is just one of the color/pattern combos I ended up with. I first trimmed off the long sides of the black scalloped card base after discovering they weren't true A2. It made the card easier to slide in and out, and you can't see it anyhow. I then trimmed the white/pink paper to 5.5" x 9.75". I scored in at 2.75" from each short end and folded the edges in. This should give you an A2 base (4.25" x 5.5") for the inside. I then used my Circle Scissor at mark 140 to create the curve on each end. I was able to get two card wraps out of a 12" x 12" piece of paper with a 1" strip left over, so of course I utilized that scrap too for my card band along with the trimmed off scallop from the black card base. After assembling all the pieces I wrapped the whole thing with a piece of ribbon from my stash. All of the cards are completely different since I just used a mix and assortment of ribbons I already had and six different sheets of coordinating patterned paper. And...that's it!

I'm Not Fat

I haven't shared anything about this subject, but something pushed me to let it go... Actually, someone said I look fat, and I lost it. It's been nearly two years now since I started treatments to rid myself of some "bad cells" as the doctor first described what I now know as cancer. I'm sure we all know someone who has it, or you've even had or have it yourself. It's not fun, and it's scary no matter what type or severity you have. The word "cancer" just flashes sweet memories of my Aunt Sarah. It was my senior year of high school when she was diagnosed one day and gone the next. I didn't even know what was going on until I saw her in a hospital bed so stocked with medications that I doubted she knew I was even there. I can still see her there and hear the moans that I never was able to escape. I never got the chance to say my goodbyes, to hug her one last time, or even tell her how much I love her. I hope she knows. Anyhow, I've done a few different recommended methods of treatment from burning it off (stinky!) to getting huge butt shots (owwie!). One day I'm feeling great and the next day I can't venture two feet from a bucket. I've gained 20 pounds, my skin is pale and pasty, my hair falls out constantly, I've got two black eyes, and I'm just so tired all the time. I'm emotionally and physically drained constantly, and there are days when I just want to throw in the towel... but I don't.