The Big Bad Stack!

It's no secret that I love to stamp but here is something you may not have known about me… I'm not a fan of stamping the same card over and over again.  That means when I am preparing swaps I get delirious stamping the same card after about the third one.  I'm not sure what you would call the present state of mind I'm in right now since I am working on my Founders Circles Swaps of 135.  I've been working on them the past two days and I know that my arms now stretch to the floor.  Yes, my kids will officially think I have super powers.  Maybe I will be Elastic Mom? Seriously- A background stamp feels like it weighs 20lbs right now.  I had a fight with my Cherry Cobbler Ink pad and it appears I did NOT win.  Dimensional pieces are everywhere in my stamp room.  The worst is the Sticky Strip leftovers.  You know how much static those pieces have?  Well, they are all over my body.  Not exactly sure how that happened but I know Russ will be going to work with something else on him instead of glitter.  C'mon ladies/gents… how many of your significant others have gone to work with glitter on their heads?  Russ hates to admit it but it happens. 

Here is what I started with… the TEASER!

I'll show you the final next week. 

I have to break up the swap frenzy with another card.  You know I love birdies! This card just makes me happy because the birds are chubby and cute!

Most of these products came from the Holiday Mini. Supplies will be listed below.  Not too much stamping on this card. I had to keep the stamping simple since my arm cannot handle much more.

Have you started your Christmas cards yet?  Hard to believe that Christmas is not far away. 

On a side note- Thank you so much for the sweet comments on the kids first day of school.  I have really gotten a few laughs from the mention of the convention bag and how many other little girls are using their mom's bag too.  Alexis loves the bag and thinks she is SO cool because it's Stampin' Up!  Poor Brandon!  His bag does swallow him.  The kids are adjusting fantastic at school.  They both have new friends and I even heard that one of them has a "crush" on someone.  WHAT?????  NO, NO, NO!  It is funny how "HE" smiles when I bring up her name. <sigh>

Supplies:

Stamps: Jolly Bingo Bits (121187), Merry Crittermas (121181)

Inks: Real Red, Baja Breeze

Cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Garden Green, Real Red

Accessories: White Taffeta ribbon, Real Red 1/8" Taffeta ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, Brights Buttons, Extra Large Decorative Label punch (120907), 3/4" x 15/16" Oval punch (120908), Glimmer Brights Brads (121006), Scallop Edge Border Punch, Markers, Paper Piercer & Mat Pack, Linen Thread, Candy Cane Christmas DSP (120809)

Have a GREAT Thursday! The weekend is almost here!  Yippie! 

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Quiet House

It was a busy day today.  The kids woke up bright and early and they were skipping out the door ready for school.  Brandon woke up at 6am.  He was so excited.  Alexis was only concerned about the outfit for the day.  Me, I couldn't believe how early it was!  After a few cups of coffee and lunches made we were out the door for the big day.  They did GREAT. Me, NOT so much!  I came home and felt like my two best buddies left me.  Of course I had the big happy mama smile on as they walked into their classrooms and kisses goodbye.  It felt like Kindergarten all over again.  It wasn't long into my day when I was shopping (always makes you feel better) that I realized they are in a good place and I was too.  I came home and stamped, cut paper and got busy on that HUGE pile of swaps that needed to be done. I made GREAT progress today.  I was so proud of myself.  Here is my favorite card of the day!

I used the stamp set French Foliage (121166) for the background on the Cajun Craze cardstock as well as the focal point of the card.  The sentiment came from Fabulous Phrases (120501).  That sentiment set is just amazing.  It's the best font.  I love it.  Truly, MUST HAVE!  I used the Vanilla Seam Binding (120999) from the Holiday Mini catalog.  Fun to use and really flexible!  

Lastly, I have to show you my two cuties on their first day.  I promise not to bore you too much more with my little family… but it's kinda the news lately!

I guess I better go to bed.  The kids will be up VERY soon and mama will not look as excited as it was today!  More tomorrow!

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Home…and running!

Yes, we made it home.  I wasn't ready at all.  I had the best vacation ever.  We did so many great things on our trip to Florida this year and everyday was a GREAT day.  It's always great when you spend it with FAMILY!  We actually came home a day later than planned due to flight delays.  Made me happy, however that means we are running around like a bunch of lunatics getting ready for the first day of school.  It's NOTHING unusual for me to run around like a crazy woman but add my husband to the mix and our kids think we have gone crazy!

I spent the majority of the day doing what we all do when we come home from vacation… laundry, mail and grocery store.  Today was get the kids in gear for the first day tomorrow.  While I should be doing cartwheels that school starts, a part of me feels terribly sad as these two have kept me busy all summer.  They can be little turkey's but they ALWAYS make me laugh and forget about the other things I really miss. I'll let you know how the first day goes.  

Anyways, I'm leaving again in a very short week for Founders.  Can't wait for this amazing trip sponsored by Stampin' Up!  It's always awesome!  I'll be busy this week putting together 135 swaps for the big event.  YES… 135.  So if the postings are a little slim… you understand why.  Russ said he would help.  This makes me laugh, but I know he will.  The kids will be helping too.    It will be a family affair. 

Now for something a little crafty.  Before I left Colorado my friends Christy, Cathy and I did some MAJOR stamping.  We would stay up until 3 A.M. stamping.  Oh I miss those nights.  Along with stamping came lots of laughing.  Here is a box we made during one of our midnight stamp-marathons. 

I used the Itty Bitty Box Die Cut as the base of this project and then just kept adding.  It used the Artistic Etchings (#120573) stamp set that is such a favorite of mine. The only piece that took time on this project is the crown.  I cut it out but it always looks so much better when cut.  I used Early Espresso and Crumb Cake cardstock together.  These two colors together are just RICH.  YUMMO!!  

I hope your Labor Day weekend was amazing.  I'm going to bed and will reflect on a great vacation, great family and the ones that made it all happen are these two beauties below… my parents!  They are the BEST!

Have a FABULOUS week!

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Supah Spooky!

Before I left for vacation I couldn't stop making Halloween stuff.  It's just so fun to make.  Tonight's card I played with lots of fun products!  This card made my creative space a beautiful MESS! You know what I'm talking about.  I ended up with piles of stamp sets, punches, tools and inks everywhere.  When I finished this card I felt pretty darn satisfied.  Not so much because of the card but because of all the fun things I used.  LOL! 

Let me show you the Supah Spooky Card!

As you can see, LOTS of products. Some new, some old.  All together… they make a fun Halloween card.  Below is a list of supplies!

Stamps: From the Crypt (115460), Style Beautiful (120483), Seasonal Sentiments (121130)

Cardstock: Basic Black, Old Olive, Whisper White

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Basic Black Striped Grosgrain ribbon (ribbon cut in half), Nite Owl DSP (123012), Cutter Kit (SERIOUSLY, favorite tool!), Distressing Essentials (118762), Rhinestones, Vintage Trinkets

Now, I have to just add one thing.  You NEED the Distressing Essentials.  Super great tool for your stamping needs.  It's like Sugar in your kitchen.  It's a staple product, right? Well, this Distressing Essentials is just that too.  Staple in your stamp room.  Gotta have it!  Add it to your order this month using my Online Shopping button and I will send you a card made using this GREAT tool!

Our vacations continues but only for a few short days.  <sigh>  I think we've packed in more fun this last week than ever.  I know my kids are starting to get wrinkles at a young age from too much smiling. Or, could it be prolonged time in a pool? Either way it's been great watching two very happy chicks play! Today was supah amazing.  We went on my parents boat and fished.  I personally did not touch a pole.  I was there for shooting the pics.  Little did I know Brandon wasn't keen on fishing either.  Let me set the story straight.  This child has a heart for animals.  We caught little minnows early this morning to have bait for fishing.  Once Brandon caught those minnows it was all downhill. They were now his FRIENDS and there was no way we were using them for bait.  Everyone had to be very strategic when baiting their hook.  Anyways, the kids both caught fish.  We threw them back in the ocean and Brandon said a prayer tonight that the fish were okay.  <sigh>  It was an awesome day with AWESOME memories!

Here are TWO happy Kids!

And you know how much I love chubby birds? This one below is one of my favorite photos!

I hope you have great plans for the weekend.  We have one more great day to spend here and then we are back to reality.  I'm hoping our new friend "Hurricane Earl" doesn't decide to stay too close to the coast.  It could make getting home a little nuts. 

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Simple & Spooky

We're still busy with family here in Florida.  Gradually some of the family members have been going back home and now it's just my little family left of the outta towners.  I could get use to being lazy.  After a hectic few months of moving into the house it's been nice to really sit back and do nothing.  Although the kids have been going strong, Russ and I move in slow motion.  Today my mom and I ventured to the mall.  I was able to visit some stores that are not in Virginia.  We then came home and jumped into the pool which is where the water gun fight happened.  Again, I would show you pictures but "SHE" would kill me.  Let's just say she had a few hairs out of place. 

Tonight I want to share a simple Halloween card with you. It's made with just a few layers. 

I really wanted to make the bat layers with Basic Black cardstock but you couldn't see it.  SO I decided to keep with the Basic Gray bat.  I love that Bat Punch! 

Here is a list of supplies I used on this card:

Stamps: Wicked Cool (118738)

  Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Basic Gray

Ink: Basic Black

Accessories: Scallop Border Punch, Wicked Fun DSP, Bat punch, Neutrals Buttons, Linen Thread, Rhinestone Gems,Corner Rounder

Hope your Thursday is FABULOUS! I'm going fishing.  This could be another GREAT adventure.  I'm not keen on putting a worm on a fishing pole.  Wish me luck!!

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