He’s 12!

My little boy turns 12 today! Time sure does fly by. It's CRAZY to see how much he's changed in just 4 years. While some of his sweet looks have matured, there are some things that haven't changed.  You can see in the picture he has food all over his face… at 12 years old… that hasn't changed.  To be honest, I'm glad.  I may think differently when I'm showing you his dirty face at age 21.  

Yes, that's a snake he is holding.  He loves any kind of animals.  Loves to catch them and then they become his pets.  I'm fine until this.. SNAKES. 

Anyways, it's his birthday. I'm having a hard time knowing this is the last of his child days… the pre-teen is already hitting.  You know where they think they know EVERYTHING.  Yes, it's here. But that's okay. I still hug and kiss this sweet boy in the mornings before school. Sing to him at night and tell him how much I love him to the moon and back.  He's 12,  but always will be my baby. 

He also shares a birthday with my Father in law.  How cool is that? 

I made them each a card using the Open Sea stamp set.  It's a beautiful set and I love the World image.  I used our new In Color Baked Brown Sugar. It's so yummy sounding and a beautiful brown.  Very "cardboard" looking. I love it.  

I also used a new Designer Series Paper called SoHo Subway. *NEW FAVORITE* You will see lots of it from me.  I also used a new hostess set called Express Yourself. Love the words and this was perfect for this card. 

If you haven't used your Open Sea stamp set in awhile pull it out and dust it.  It's a beautiful stamp set.  Perfect for Summer cards too.  

Stamp set: Open Sea (123032), Express Yourself  Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Baked Brown Sugar Ink: Baked Brown Sugar

Accessories:   Linen Thread (104199), 7/16" Natural Trim Ribbon (129287), Natural Buttons (127554), 1 3/4" Circle Punch (119850), Soho Subway DSP

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Worlds Greatest!

Are you completely immersed into the Olympics as I am? Talk about a HUGE distraction to my creative time.  It's so incredible to hear and see every athlete and their stories. I love it all but I'm obsessed with swimming and gymnastics.  I've kept my TV on while creating and I'm finding my cards are coming out crooked because I'm not focusing.  NOT good.  I guess I'm lucky this only happens every 4 years. <smile>

Lots of great news coming from Stampin' Up!  We have an amazing Recruiting special you will want to check out.  It's only $99 to get started and the best part is that you can customize your kit YOURSELF by choosing $125 in retail merchandise.  It's very exciting.  Check out more details HERE. I would love to have you become a part of my team.  

You will also see the fantastic MDS 31 days of savings special on my promotions page.  WOW! Take advantage of this amazing deal. 

Speaking of MDS… Tuesday means NEW downloads.  You can see them HERE. 

I've been playing with MDS 2 and there are so many great changes to this already awesome program.  75 upgrades that I think you will be REALLY excited about.   For this layout I played with one of the new upgrades—-> Changing the color of embellishments.  YIPPIE.  You can see this on the staples that I used on this layout.  I colored them Tangerine Tango. Whoo Hoo!!  I also recolored my stitching. 

Here is the list of supplies I used on this layout: (P.S.-this is another upgrade that ROCKED my world.  I can easily find my supplies by the click of a button! Thank you Stampin' Up!)

Background
     Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/Newsprint – designer series paper/Newsprint – 11

Punches
    Extras/Flag Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/2011 Notable Desktop Calendar Kit – designer series paper/2011 Notable Desktop Calendar Kit – pattern 2
    Extras/Flag Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/2011 Notable Desktop Calendar Kit – designer series paper/2011 Notable Desktop Calendar Kit – pattern 4
    Extras/Flag Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper/_Designer Kits/2011 Notable Desktop Calendar Kit – designer series paper/2011 Notable Desktop Calendar Kit – pattern 3

Remember, you can download a FREE 30 Trial of MDS 2.  Check out HERE. 

You know I always love a set that is REALLY versatile.  The World's Greatest and You're Amazing stamp set are just that.  We all know of people that we think are amazing or the GREATEST so why not show them with a hand stamped card? I also used the Family Reunion stamp set to make them more personal.  I figured my husband needed a card from me ans I think he's the GREATEST.  Below you will find the products that I used on this card. 

Products Used:

Stamps: World's Greatest (126270), You're Amazing (126722), Family Reunion (122712)

Ink: Early Espresso, Island Indigo

Cardstock: Island Indigo, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla

Accessories: Gold Brad, World Spectacular DSP (126897), Apothecary Accents Framelits Dies (Page 191), Argyle Folder (127750), Dimensionals. 

You can find all these great products in my Online Store.

Don't forget to check out the NEW registration for Stamps in the Mail—-> HERE.

Have a spectacular DAY!!!

XOXOXO

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All Tied Up? Fun Fold Card

Good morning stampers! I have a fun card I wanted to share with you today.  This is a fun fold card using the Labels Collection Framelits (#125598) and a Father's Day Card.  This big day is just around the corner.  Are you ready?

To make this card I started with a 4 1/2 x 12 piece of Riding Hood Red Cardstock.  I folded that in half  and ran in through my Big Shot using the Labels Collection Framelit.  It was the second to largest Die in this collection.  Once through the Big Shot I scored the card once more 2" from the center score line so the card folded up to create an easel card.  Once I had all the score lines it was time to stamp.

I used the Best Dad Ever stamp set (#120681).  Such a great Father's Day set.  I started by stamping the ties on a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock using Early Espresso ink and then stamped them again using Marina Mist ink onto a scrap piece of Crumb Cake cardstock.  I used my snips to cut out three ties and popped these up using Dimensionals.  I used two of the sentiments and cut each of the words to fit my card.  The large Scallop is from the Perfect Pennants Die Cut (#123126).  I love this scallop and use it often.  I layered a 2 1/2" Circle punch onto the Scallop and this is what helps to keep the card standing.  Lastly, we have an awesome ribbon that I have barely used this year and decided to pull it out and start using it.  WHY did I wait so long to use my Scallop Dots Ribbon? Silly.  For this card, I just wanted to show the small scallop edge on the top half of the card.  You will see it underneath the Crumb Cake cardstock. 

I hope this inspires you to use this awesome set.  If you don't have it yet there is still time to get it before Father's Day.  You can find it HERE.

Have a GREAT WEEK!

Check out my Online Rewards Program!

XOXOXO

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Fitting Update on Russ

I think it's only fitting on Father's Day to give you an update on one of my favorite men, my Prince. I was so thankful that we were able to Skype with him today and tell him how much we love and miss him.  He is a GREAT daddy! When you're on Deployment, the holidays run together because everyday is Monday.  He didn't realize that today was HIS day.  Instead he worked 17+ hours.  This seems to be a typical day for Russ.  As the story goes he sleeps, eats and works.  Then the same thing happens the next day over and over again.  We are lucky enough to talk to him almost daily for a few minutes each day.  He looks great, but I am pretty bias.  He is tired but he wouldn't tell you that. He tries really hard to keep a positive outlook on everything.  This is why I love him so much.  Even during a crappy situation (Ummm… LIKE this!) he will find something FANTASTIC about it!

No worries, my husband is protecting your safety.  ROFL.  I have to laugh at this photo because Russ seems to be obsessed with toilets overseas.  Not sure of the story behind this photo but I thought it was pretty funny that he has potty patrol.  This is my hero!

One of our friends invited us over for dinner tonight.  It was a coworker of Russ from the Pentagon.  I was so grateful for this invite.  It meant we were able to get out of our house and celebrate rather than sit at home and be sad.  The kids have been doing so great since we came home from the cruise and I want it to continue.  Don't get me wrong, there are still moments but they are much more under control.  Thank God!

This week was a tough week for me.  I did a few STUPID things which could have played a good role into my mood.  Could have been the moon. Who knows? I am female and totally allowed to have these moments.  I just make sure I can pull myself out of the them otherwise we are in trouble. This means I do a lot of self talk and SO very thankful for my friends that can make me laugh until I almost wet my pants. They are the BEST!

The kids are now on Summer Break and thrilled.  I'm thrilled because I'm a night owl and this means I can sleep in just a wee bit.  It's a good thing. 

Here is a few pictures captured today of my kids. 

Lastly, this is what I made for my Prince. 

I thought the stamp set was perfect to use for a Father's Day card for him.  I didn't put a Father's Day sentiment on the card because I wasn't sure the card would make it in time.  I am so glad this set will continue on into the new catalog.  You can check out this set and much more in my Online Store.  I stamped until 3am last night with a friend of mine.  It was so much fun and I got a lot of stamping done.  I'll be back tomorrow to share more. 

Thank you for your continued Prayers for Russ! We can't thank you enough. 

Have a GREAT week!

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My King…

Actually I call him my Prince but you will understand the title in just a second! Russ has been one busy guy lately!  Getting use to the new commute, a little traveling and of course taking care of our CRAZY household! He comes home from work and typically after dinner I need him for something.  Hang this, fix that… yadda yadda!  Today we spend ALL day in our "family room" and the Formal Living Room trying to get it situated.  I thought at one point he was going to throw me out of the house.  You know the female drill.  "Oh honey, I don't like that piece of furniture there, can you move it here?" Then as soon as you do…."Ummm… ya know, it actually looked better where it was!  Can we move it back there? Right NOW?"  This was pretty much the conversation all day.  I felt like the least I could do was cook a nice dinner.  I chose to grill some chicken.  There is just one problem!  I don't even know how to turn that grill on!  So dinner was GREAT tonight, thanks to Russ.  Now that he's in bed, EXHAUSTED… I felt the least I could do now was make him a little card letting him know I really do love my prince and appreciate his big muscles! <smile>

What better set than King of the Grill from the Summer Mini? I told you I was going to get my fill of these stamp sets.  I'm making sure they are getting nice and inked. Check this out…

I used a few new things also on this card.  I stamped the card with Black Stazon and then I colored the entire BBQ image with pastels.  If you haven't used your Stampin' Up! Pastels in a bit PULL THEM OUT! I think this product is SO under used.  I used my Pastels with my Blender Pen and they blended beautifully on the Crumb Cake cardstock.  You will notice the White Hat has a shimmer to it.  I used the new Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink (Moonlight 119969).  Isn't that cool? I have some other ideas on how to use this product that I am working on and will show you soon.  Under the King of the Grill sentiment I used the new Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch (119275) and placed it directly under the sentiment to make it a teeny tiny scallop border.  Kinda fun.  I also used Pewter Jumbo Eyelets because I think they are fit for a any dude.  I placed the Vintage Trinket Brads in the centers since they kinda looked like screws, even more manly! The Pattern Paper is from the New Neutrals Patterns Designer Series paper pack (117157).   Overall this is a simple card!  Just perfect for my prince.  I am guessing that Russ and I will barely be able to move tomorrow from all the furniture that was moved.  As long as my right arm works, I'm okay. 

Have a fantastic Sunday!

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