Belated Birthday Greetings

I did it!!
I created a buckle birthday card for my friend, Heather. Her birthday was tax day. Silly me, I didn't have any birthday cards ready to mail out to her.
This was my first attempt at a buckle card and also my first attempt at 'one sheet wonder' backgrounds.
OSW backgrounds aka one sheet wonder backgrounds are created by using various ink colors and multiple stamps and covering the previously blank card stock with the colorful stamped images. Then, the cardstock is cut into smaller pieces just like you would patterned paper.
I know several ladies who even have created sketches on the various ways that you can cut up a single sheet of 12 x 12 cardstock to create multitudes of cards and other creative works. I haven't evolved to that point. For now, let's just say I'll be working on my OSW background technique and color combo-ing.

Making the buckle card--
Supplies needed
SU Large Word Window Punch
Corner Rounder
Scorer
1 piece cardstock 5 1/2" x 7"
1 piece cardstock 5 1/4" x 4"
1 piece cardstock 5 1/4" x 2 1/2" (this is your osw background)
1 piece cardstock 1 1/2" x 5 1/2"
1 piece cardstock 1 3/8" x 2 5/8"

1). Score the 5 1/2" x 7" piece of cardstock at the 2 3/4" point (making it now a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" card folded with a shorty front)

2). Score the 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" in half at the 2 3/4" point

3). Corner round the 5 1/4" x 4" piece, and also the 5 1/4 x 2 1/2" piece

4). Using strong adhesive, adhere the 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece and the 5 1/4" x 4" pieces to the inside flap of your card. You will want to make sure that the fold of the 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" piece folds back towards the shorty end of your card.

5). Adhere the 5 1/4" x 2 1/2" piece to your outside shorty flap of your card.

6). Using a pencil or disappearing ink mark where the the short strip now hits the shorty flap of your card. Use this mark as your guide, and punch the large word window out. Be sure to leave a little space to be able to tuck the short strip (or belt)into the short flap of the card.

7). Corner round the short strip (belt) ends showing and also the left hand corners of the 1 3/8" x 2 5/8". Adhere that piece to the short (belt) strip.

Use the finished card as an example. It really is an easy technique for making a card.

Let's go Shopping!!

I just realized that I need a new dress. Well actually, two new dresses. Yup! Two!!
I need one to attend some upcoming graduations in June. I do have a potential dress in my closet that could suffice. However, I also need a dress suitable for a very formal evening wedding in June. I think most of the possible formal contenders in my closet for the wedding are black and that just won't do for a wedding. And who doesn't love an excuse to go shopping?? Anyone want to go shopping with moi??!!

Oh, and here's another recipe page that I made recently but didn't get a chance to share. With the weather warming up--yeah--it looks like it might be fall before I make it again. LOL

I haven't yet finished that birthday card--but I have the supplies out and I'm hoping for some creativity to start sparking. Wish me luck!!

Happy Earth Day

I almost forgot! Luckily, the chirping birds busy at work reminded me. LOL
Today is the First Day of Spring!! And, Today is also Earth Day!!
Here's a suggestion on how you can celebrate Earth Day and the first day of Spring. In honor of spring, and Earth Day, sign up for Community Supported Agriculture. In return for supporting a local farmer, you get locally grown produce. This is just one way to help reduce your carbon footprint. Find CSA farms your area through Local Harvest www.localharvest.org

Maybe I can find a kewl earth graphic to insert. Catch you real soon!

Another Recipe Page

I created another recipe page. I just love the Rhonna Farrar clear acrylic Flourish Stamps by Autumn Leaves. Because they are clear, you can easily see exactly where you are stamping. In doing so, I was able to create the swirly background on the lighter green cardstock. I challenged myself to create my own patterned paper for this project. The clear acrylic stamps meant no mistakes to worry about. WAHOO!!

Today, I am in search of a box. Not just any box will do. I need a box to mail something. I know I could just use a priority box; but the item that I am sending is more bulky than it is heavy. After searching through the various discarded boxes in the garage awaiting recycling, I'm hoping I can find one at my local post office for sale.

Yesterday, I saw my pulmonologist and also had my annual 'breathing' tests that go along with asthma. While the respiratory tests gave promising results, the Dr. pointed out some areas of possible concern on my recent chest x-ray and mentioned that it might be time to obtain another chest CT. He is going to wait for the radiologist' report and let me know.

I didn't realize that braces gave a person a slight lisp to their speech. It also resonates its own sound along with the usual trumpet sound. It doesn't change the pitch of the sound, just adds another dimension. I guess that is because of the way one makes their embechour and sound vibrations on the wire of the braces.

I need to go to the grocery store and buy additional snack food. After reviewing the contraband list from the orthodontist, my pantry is nearly all contraband. Right now, one of the few allowable snacks available is the huge jar of pretzel sticks that I bought on Saturday. Judging by the speed at which the pretzel level appears to be dropping, its not going to last long. The starving urchins have requested Go-Gurt, which appeases even my health concious snack criteria.

I'm going to try to create an overdue birthday card for a friend later today. Heather's birthday was tax day. She likes pinks and burgundies. Maybe I will use one of the two stamp sets that I mounted yesterday. I mounted a couple sets with flowers....hmmmmm...

I'm off to do some creating!

Monday, Monday

It's Monday. And it sure feels like it. I'm feeling slow to get motivated for the day. The boys were extra slow this morning getting ready for school. I'd rather not blame it on the yucky, rainy weather outside; however, I am sure the weather is playing its own part.

Our soccer game on Sunday was cancelled due to weather. I'm glad that we didn't play in the pouring rain. I'm just not looking forward to playing that extra weekend in the heat of June. Here's hoping that this Sunday brings better weather.

Remember that stack of stamp sets that need to be mounted??? Well....I've challenged myself to mount a minimum of one set per day in the hopes of making that stack disappear. Oh yes, I am also hoping that once they are mounted that the creative juices will start flowing.

I finished up two recipe pages earlier today. I'm anxious to share them with you. One is a fun coffee recipe. The other is a super yummy recipe for Fettucine Alfredo. The recipes are really easy.

Remember that "Just Do It" attitude from last Friday---I'm trying to keep it going.

Just Do It!!

Just Do IT!!

That is my motto today!

Finally, I scheduled my mammogram. I've been putting it off for too long. Now, I have to wait until late May to actually do the darn thing. But hey, I can mark that off my 'calls to make' list.

Went to Lowes this morning. Purchased a bunch of stuff to tackle some of those "Harry Homeowner" projects. Even purchased a replacement blind for the one that Cody destroyed in the bedroom. Honest, I feed the darn dog--he just has an oral fixation on just about everything. Those of you with dogs, know what I mean.

Took the pool cover off. Dragged it out into the backyard to dry in the sun. Later, I folded and put away until fall when the pool gets closed up again.

It is a gorgeous day here. Hope everyone else is experiencing similar fabulous weather. I'm going to spend some time in my flower gardens and also enjoy that fresh air.

O.K. I'm Back!!

Yeah, I know. It has been quite awhile since my last post here. Things have been a whirlwind here. To put it quite simply, life went a little crazy!! LOL

Things are still going at warp speed. I think I'm getting a better handle on how to juggle all of life's balls --lol--just don't ask how well I can juggle!! LOL

More details??!! Ok....

My Dad's surgery went well. He is recovering wonderfully. I am extremely thankful for everyone that kept him in their thoughts and prayers.

Did I tell you I made a surprise visit again after his surgery with the boys? I was barely home a week before hopping back on that westbound plane! The boys had a blast. I know it was a huge surprise to my Dad and that it meant a great deal to him.

Spring Soccer Started

Soccer season has started. This year, I am feeling my age. It took until Wednesday (after our game on Sunday) for my muscles to stop screaming in agony.

We have gained some new players. I am happy to report that our new recruits are really quite talented players. I'm excited about the upcoming season. Go Challengers!!

Batter Up

Baseball season has begun. Thankfully, practices and game will not be on the dreaded already jammed-packed Tuesdays--WAHOO!! Mondays and Wednesdays have the honors. Games begin next Monday. Go Red Sox!

New Beach Digs
I'm now a homeowner at the beach as well! Amazing!! Totally hard to believe! I am still pinching myself. Totally gorgeous brand new house! Complete with a neighborhood pool, tennis courts, walking paths, and pier right there for the days one doesn't want to head to the beach.

Yes, there are spare bedrooms. Cody loves investigating the area. Just 6 miles from the actual beach, so no worries about hurricanes and such.

Oh yeah, there is a scrapbook store in the area, too!

Speaking of the beach house, bet you can't guess what kind of shopping has overtaken my so-called 'free-time'??!!

Blinds, furniture, bedding, linens, and more!! Some furniture was delivered last Friday. There are beds in the bedrooms, now! It is comfortable to sit in the Great Room and watch movies or tv. The blinds hopefully will arrive next week and can be installed next weekend. Have to get it ready to entertain friends! LOL

I've driven up carloads of 'stuff' the past two weeks. I kind of felt like a college student again with my car completely jammed-packed except in my seat and Cody's. Cody seems to like his doggie-seatbelt. I feel like I've been going on mini vacations each weekend. So Refreshing!!

Kid Brag Moment!!

John won Honorable Mention in his project's category at the state science fair. He also won the Young Scientist Challenge Award. Pretty impressive.

Tom was nominated and selected to participate in a Junior Leadership program next spring. Great Job Boys!!