Kelley's Island

Kelley's Island is a place on Lake Erie and it's a lot of fun. There are amazing historical homes and landmarks there. I had to go out to sing there this weekend, so we asked some friends to come along and spend the day with us. We had such a great time. Benjamin, the little 4 year old, kept asking us who Kelley is. It was funny. One of the coolest things about Kelley's Island is that there are glacial grooves that are known throughout the world in the middle of Kelley's Island. Anyway...enjoy the pictures. I should be posting more cards this weekend. That looks like the time I'm going to have to stamp...school.

178 more days of school

There are only 178 more days of school left. I really don't mind school itself, I have a hard time with early rising and encouraging the kids to do their homework, etc. 9 more months. I can do this...I can do this.

I'll put a couple of more cards up, but I'm sure the blog thing is going to slow down considerably.

This card was taken from a template made by Beate Johns. I didn't case her card, but instead her layout.

The Flooded Fair

For our last hoorah, we took the boys to the Lorain County Fair. It's tradition. I can't believe how soaked we were!

I didn't have to wait in line for an elephant ear, however, so I was happy. It was just difficult eating it under an umbrella.

I'll probably be a bit slower this week to post items to the blog because it's the first week of school and it's crazy. So far, so good, but it was only the first day. By next Friday, I should be crying. I'm not great at getting up at 5:30am. In fact, I stink at it.

Enjoy the pictures!

Rainy Day Sunday

What a rainy day! I started getting nervous because it was a lot cooler today and the gray sky was abundant and I thought...oh man, Cleveland winter, Cleveland winter agh!!!!!!!!!!!

This card is such a fun birthday card that you can either make using the scratch-n-sniff technique or dazzling diamonds. I posted both.

Look for my October class to be listed soon. It's going to be a great one!

Bewitched

Don't you wish you could be like that lady on Bewitched and when you need something done you simply wiggle your nose and you have time to stamp?

I should be painting...well, I am painting, but before I start going out of control and slapping the paint on the walls and curse at the air, I thought I would come down and throw another card up for anyone who really does look at my blog. I'm thinking when I look down at the number counter and I see 126, that it has actually been me looking at the counter to see if anyone has looked at my blog causing the counter to then jump to 127. Thank goodness the paint isn't lead based or I'd write more! But seriously, I think I am writing a personal journal to myself and posting cards that remind me of the cute cards I display for myself each day.

Did I mention how much I hate to paint?

Here's What You Missed!

I will be loading several cards over the course of the weekend and upcoming week. With school starting, I have only bits of time here and there to make contact with blogs, emails, etc. You know what I'm talking about.

Regardless, we had a fantastic time with a fun group of ladies at the August workshop. I already have plans for the October Christmas Class which includes a full day of making cards and sending several cards to some of our troops. Stay tuned for details forthcoming.

This card is cut 5 1/2" x 3 1/2". I love the petals hanging off the side, but still enough room to fit into an envelope. I used this card to demonstrate the Crop-a-dile, which I refer to as the "beast".

It took me an entire TV show to figure out how to use this monster, but now that I have the hang of it, I'm excited about using it and challenge you to send me your ideas. Yes, I did read the directions by the way, but I don't feel that SU! gave very good directions for people who need more pictures!

It's all in perspective

Normally, and maybe it is that I don't know my eldest the way I thought I did, normally, Blaine is the crazy man, but not today my friends. No no.

My day ended the way it should every day and that is with a smile on my face and a hopeful memory of my boys making me laugh til' I cried. I'm not sure what Ethan was doing because it didn't matter except to say that I began to have flashbacks of my brother Donny and cousin Jack. That made me a wee bit nervous...you obviously don't know them. They make me laugh all the time. I'm sure my cousin Jill would beg to differ, but she lives close to them and added a new member to the club by marrying a new cousin...the question remains are they really cousins. Ugh?

Just a note...

I have been working on several projects and will hopefully post a few by Friday. I don't want to post them until after my workshop because I'm afraid that my guests will see what I have been working on for them, and I would hate to spoil the surprise.

I will however post a card (the lady bug)I made awhile back that I cased from Beate Johns. The second card is just a quick card I made using the metallic pencils. I love those and forget to use them. Enjoy!

Getting Organized

I hate this time of year. I have to start getting my body ready for school and getting the boys ready, too. Putting myself in the mood for early mornings, early nights, soccer, football, bingo. And the worst yet! Cleveland gray sky...I'm okay.

One good thing is that Lost is coming...I'll have to DVR it.

My good friend, Kari Lyn, is wicked organized. It's crazy! She has to be with a couple more kids, but regardless she is a great example of how to get things done. Kari carries a calendar with her and to her workshops. On the inside she stamps what dates she is not available. She knows right away which days she has available for workshops, etc.

I decided to give it a try.

No tricks, just treats

I shouldn't post these samples before my class next Friday, but I wanted to share with you the special little treats that my stamping friends are going to receive for attending my class.

They're not much, but I wanted to show them one of the new Halloween sets and the many ways to put together treat bags rather quickly and inexpensively.

I would like to thank Nichole Heady for this great idea.

Mississippi hot

The past week has reminded me of days past living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi while Matt attended grad school. The summers were brutal, but every one in MS has amazing skin!

The average temp would hang around 105-110 degrees with 90% humidity. There were times I thought I would die, but then we'd go eat amazing southern food and associate with great people and I would be among the living once more.

The reason I share this story with you is because Blaine found a "cowlapitter" outside and wanted me to come share in his discovery. I brought the camera out and just couldn't get a good shot because the camera kept fogging up.

Summer is almost over and the "S" word is becoming a quick reality. I seriously think I'll cry. I LOATH getting up at 5:30 am. I mean, I really, really hate it!
I love my job, though, so I can only complain to the blog...it listens to me.

Thankssss

We are headed off to see the Lion King tonight. It's our big summer thriller. We had only a taste of it when we visited Animal Kingdom, but I don't think the boys have any idea what they're about to experience this evening.

In lieu of the "circle of life", I'll throw in one of my animal cards! It was fun to make using the stamp-a-ma-jig. I read where one stamper said she never used hers. I don't know what I would do without mine!

Love that stamp-a-ma-jig.

Send me your stamp-a-ma-jig samples. I'd love to see them!

By the way, I have a couple more spots open for the August 17th class. It's going to be a bunch of punching fun. Ohhhhh that was even cheezy for me. Sorry.

Bob the Builder

I wanted to show you one of the pieces of stamp equipment my friend Bob made for me. Bob is a builder, which is so cool because I can irritate him all the time with "Bob the builder, can he fix it? Bob the Builder, yes he can". It's a miracle I have this pretty ribbon holder to show you for the amount of torture I produce in Bob's life.

I have other pieces other than this great ribbon holder to show you including an ink pad holder and cardstock stacker. If you are interested, I do have extras I can sell to you. This wood is a heavy wood and Bob is precise and meticulous. He would make a great stamper!

I sing in a band with Bob and I sing with a great group of guys who all have grown children or they themselves are trying to grow up.

Come see us out at Kelley's Island on the 11th and the 25th. We'll be singing at the Caddyshack.

Soccer til you die!!!

I am alive, but barely. I fully intend on coming back to blog land as soon as I have a couple of minutes to myself. Soccer camp has consumed my week this week and I am so stinkin' tired. Sadly enough, the boys are the ones doing the camp! It is wicked hot and it seems to drain us all. No worries...I have been stamping in my head.

I had to throw a picture in. This is one of Blaine's teammates, who simply couldn't wait to tie his shoe during a game (it was in April. Yes we wear sweatshirts in April...it snowed here in April). I think it's hysterical.

I have great ideas for my Punch-A-Bunch class. Come enjoy an evening of projects and foodies. Even if you don't think you'll learn anything, come anyway. The idea of going home with completed projects is such a good idea!