Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween!


Happy Halloween Everyone! We had a long few days with parties, parades and trick-or-treating. We have an annual party here at our house for the neighborhood kids. We have dinner (my famous mac & cheese), then head out to beg the neighbors for high carb treats. Here are some pictures from this whirlwind of a few days...

Karen and I decorated this pumpkin for her class. Pearl white paint with black polkadots. Some ribbon....very fun!
Karen (vampire) watches the little kids march in the parade. 5th Graders do not march :(
They have to prepare for when they are in middle school and they don't get to march!
She had fun!
It was gorgeous weather here in Upstate NY. I think it got close to 60* (it said 64* on the thermometer in Greased Lightnin').

Xavier (red power ranger), Genevieve (ladybug), Sophia (black cat)

Here I am at the parade! I was waving to Xavier and Sophie (who were with my folks).
Xavier at the preschool festivities. Put the "eye" on the jack-o-lantern.


Xavier got a bat at the face-painting table.


Victoria (cowgirl) in the school parade.

Sophie got this eyeball eraser in her goodie bag. Look what my clever girl did! LOL!

Sophie and Evie at the preschool party.
Sophie beading at the preschool party. Lucky girl got to go to her and her brother's party (two days in a row....JACKPOT!)
here are Bella (witch) and I in the school parade.
This is the neighborhood gang. We eat homemade pizza, mac & cheese and had some cider and donuts. (does anyone else get apple cider donuts in their area?). YUM!

We did trick or treating in the neighborhood and then CRASHED!


What are some of your Halloween traditions?



Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Blog Candy: Do UStamp????

My Friends Dawn and Heather have this awesome Blog called Ustamp. It is the premier self paced online class connecting crafters from all over the world. Did you know that they have their Holiday Class registration open now? Just stop by Ustamp and sign up for their Holiday Pass 08.

BUT WAIT.......You could easily ENTER to get a free holiday 08 Pass courtesy of ME! Just tell me your FAVORITE Stampin' Up ® Product. Any comment with the response of your favorite Stampin' Up! ® product will be eligible for my drawing which will take place Sunday at Midnight EST. (it may take me until Monday to post).

My favorite Stampin' Up!® product is their watercolor crayons....no....the white gel pen....no....the punches.....no...the cardstock.....Oh, but I love the two sided designer paper....Hm....that must be it...the two sided designer paper. Well, wait...what about the stamps. I love the stamps the most. That is what got me INTO Stampin' Up!®. The stamps. I especially love that they are die cut now. Yes...that is my final answer. The stamps! I {heart} the stamps the most.

So what is your favorite Stampin' Up!® product?



Be sure to stop by and see Heather and Dawn at UStamp! And don't worry, even though the Holiday 08 event has already started, you will not mis a thing because all the projects, PDF's and Videos are posted on the website. How kewl is that?





Saturday, October 25, 2008

FS90: Speedystamper

Tonight I was uploading my photos from the small Sony cybershot (WHICH I HATE) and got distracted, posted a blog post with NOTHING IN IT but the title! Grrr!
Now I {heart} my canon rebel, but I loathe this stupid little SONY! I hate the delay, I hate the way it takes pictures, they come out grainy and blurry. Sometimes I turn the stupid thing on and it zooms in all the way and doesn't let you take a photo. It isn't as nicely compliant with my mac and it frustrates me. I wish they made a mini canon rebel. Todd and Karen go to China in less than a month and I need to find a camera for them to take with them. Todd doesn't want big, he wants compact. Any suggestions?

Onwards to the FS card:

I cased Kay's card Dreams Embraced. I loved the way it looked. What a great layout! I changed things to Pink for Pink week on SCS. I am bringing up the rear of challenge week. SAVIN THE BEST FOR LAST I SAY!!!!


So my changes to the card are the colors (to pink and black). I also eliminated the sentiment and used 3 eyelets. I changed the background to embossed (from a background stamp) and changed the strips to patterned paper (from stamping). I used my crop-a-dile. I haven't used eyelets in so long that I forgot how to use it and the little polkie thing got stuck inside. I have to see if I can get it out...anyone have any suggestions?

I digress easily tonight! I stamped the image with black soot ink and then colored it with copics. I used the ticket corner punch, I added some glitter and popped it up on dimensionals. Easy peasy!

And finally, A big happy birthday to my Super K! Eleven years old today! My baby is growing up!


stamps: Dreams du Jour
paper: pink passion, basic black, white, DCWV
ink: black soot, copics
misc: dimensionals, glitter, cb embossing folder (stylized flowers)/eclecticpaperie, tag corner punch, eyelets




Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Catch-up!

Most of you know that it took much longer to recouperate from surgery than I had planned. Here are some of the banners which I finished up this week. Thank you to my *oh so very* patient customers!



Karen wanted a banner which reminded her of her favorite pattern paper.



This was a fun one to make!

Similar to Moira's design, Joanne wanted something fun for her blog


Chrissy wanted a bright, fun banner and also had me make her a matching "challenge" blinkie



To see all my banner samples, click the sidebar link on the top right corner where it says {Design Samples} or click HERE





October Fun:


I started doing a fun craft day after school with some of the teachers in the local elementary school. One of the projects we did this month was domino pins. I used several stamp sets to create these pins. Autumn Apparitions is a retired SU! set from last years holiday mini catalog. I covered the dominos with three colors of alcohol inks, then stamped the image with archival black ink. Add a small pin to the back and it makes a GREAT holiday pin. What a wonderful teacher gift. I used a smidge of the green leaf ribbon (I got mine from Starlitstudio). They also sell this at Papertrey. It is a fun simple craft you can do with your kids. Just make sure they wear rubber gloves and you are able to assist them with the pin on the back. Take one drop of each color ink (butterscotch, terra cotta, caramel) and apply to felt pad. Place pad on handle and pounce directly on domino. No special preparation necessary for domino since you are using alcohol ink.

Happy Stampin'

Stamps: Autumn Aparitions
Ink: Ranger alcohol ink (eclecticpaperie), ranger archival black
dominos, pins (local craft store), ribbon (leaf ribbon/starlitstudio)





Sunday, October 19, 2008

Carrie Underwood Rocks!

For Bella's actual birthday, we were able to get tickets for the girls to Carrie Underwood. She was amazing! We were actually on the Syracuse news....Here is a Link to the news story we were in.....



Saturday, October 18, 2008

FS89: Ink-e

This week's FS is Ink-e on SCS.
WOW Emily!
She has an amazing style for ONLY BEING 18. Hey, I am only a few years older...right???

This is the card which she made on SCS {Emily's card}. It's cute and easily replicable! I changed a few things....the colors, the patterned paper and stamp set.

I used the Stampin' Up! set Snow Swirled for this card. I chose a kraft base and some fun patterned paper (on my desk for Halloween goodies). I used the largest nestie scalloped circle, cut a piece of the patterned paper and adhered it to the card base. I stamped the sentiment in the corner with black ink (black soot). I used versamark ink and stamped the snowflake and then used white craft ink to really make the snowflake pop. I daubered around the snowflake on the white paper with riding hood red ink, then placed the stamped image on some riding hood red and distressed the edges. I added the Riding hood red ribbon on the main image. Main image is on dimensionals. Simple cute:

To easily replicate something similar for your holiday cards:

1. cut base card stock and stamp sentiment on side.
2. cut all your circles (with a nestability punch)
3. stamp all the snowflakes. Try using glossy paper for a fun look.
4. heat emboss main image.
5. try brayering the main image instead of daubering. That would go really quickly!
6. add ribbon and assemble card

This would make a fun project with a girl scout troop or card group!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Can you believe I got home a 1:45 am from Carrie Underwood and just got up. Xavier is up - he cannot be alone in the kitchen. POOR CHOICES! Carrie, on the other hand, KICKED BUTT last night. The girls loved her. We went to the Spaghetti Factory in Syracuse for dinner. That was yumm-a-licious....




stamps: Snow Swirled
paper: kraft, riding hood red, whisper white, DCWV 6x6 pad
ink: black, versamark, riding hood red
misc: ribbon, dimensionals, daubers, white embossing powder


Thursday, October 16, 2008

40 things to do before 40 {revisited}


remember
{The List}

Let's take a peek at how I did!!!!


1. Keep exercising 3 times a week so that I go down 2 dress sizes! -

{I did it - sometimes 3 times a week, sometimes 2....I went down 3 dress sizes - YAY for me!}

2. Read 40 books for FUN! This does not include the 1000 books I am going to read with my children before the end of the school year (actually, I am reading the 1000 books with Xavier and Bella, so that is 2000 books). {okay, that didn't happen, but I did read a TON with the kids, so I am happy about that!}

3. Take my girls to the American Girl store in NYC! Let them each select a new doll! Take lots of pictures. {Well, we didn't get to NYC with the girls, but they each got a new doll for their birthdays}

4. Go to see Elton John in Vegas. Cry when he sings “Your Song”. Hold Todd's hand and squeeze it regularly so he knows how much I appreciate him. {Nope, didn't get to see Elton. We are taking the girls to see Carrie Underwood this Saturday for their birthday. Note to self, sit next to Todd, squeeze his hand}

5. Re-learn how to knit. Make myself a nice blue scarf ! {AW CRAP! I totally forgot about this one! Anyone want to make me a scarf??? LOL!}

6. Climb the Eiffel Tower wearing a black beret with Todd. Hold hands at the top and give him a long, extended kiss. {YAY! I did this!!! Check it out!!}

7. Go to at least ONE Broadway show. This will not include my daughter’s friend’s local version of Annie. Real Broadway show, real city! I am thinking Grease (I did sit through an entire season of "You're the one that I want" and my favorite's one!) {DID IT!!! I went to see Spamalot a few weeks ago with my girlfriends! I even met Clay Aiken after the show (he was my favorite in Season 2!!!)}

8. Hang all the items I purchased for the walls in my home. This will be a feat and I may have to enlist the help of my wonderful brother in law! {I hung up a few things, there are so many more things to get hung up though! Oh Michael!!!}

9. Spend at least one week not changing a diaper! I would go as far as 2 days! {I did this a couple of times - once when in Paris and once then again when I was recovering from surgery. Don't get me wrong - I only have one in diapers now...it's not that bad!}

10. Go on a stamping retreat with my girlfriends. Stamp till my hands hurt and laugh until my sides split! {Totally did this!!! It was so much fun! Not only did I stamp for three days in a row, I learned how to solder jewelry (thanks Pine), make playing card books, drink margaritas (thanks Maria), giggle all night (AngFab, Navy, Prinny, Otter), play in the Stamping Olympics (thanks Stevie, Nancy, Donna), eat till my belly ached (yummy food HB!), and know that I was surrounded by so many friends! I also got to witness Pine (Heather Nichol's) first PaperTrey Ink stamp set go LIVE! It was a thrilling weekend beyond words! }

11. Bring Xavier to a Yankees, Rangers or Giants game. Bring along Todd! Cheer loudly! Drink a beer and eat a hotdog with ALL the fixin's. {Okay, we didn't get to do this yet, but the Giants won the Superbowl! That moment was shared by my entire family and was one of the best memories I have of the past year! Here we are just after the game ended! Can you tell it was nearly 1 am and the kids had school the next day! }

12. Get at least one card published in a magazine! {Not yet, but they did name a stamp set after my daughter Sophie G {Hanna Stamps!} and I will have a card published in a magazine in November. I will try and post a photo of it soon. It is a local magazine and the article is called "the lost art of the Thank You Note!" with a photo of one of my cards"

13. Organize my ribbon. {Accomplished October, 2007}

14. Eat in the dining room once a week! {this would mean removing all the crap from the table and hanging it on the walls – see number 8} {We actually have been doing this every Sunday and we are trying to eat in there more often! YAY!}

15. Become a member of a Stamping Design Team {Accomplished October, 2007! I was asked to be on Hanna Stamps! and Kitchen Sink Stamps last October and I have been a full time member on both teams since then. Thank You Maria and Kristi!}

16. Eat healthier, stop drinking diet soda {yeah, right!} {Well, I am totally off soda! I have been eating much healthier and although some days are not great, most days I do really well!}

17. Label all my stamp sets {started October 2007 - I love my label maker!}

18. Go white water rafting {accomplished 2006 - this was *SO* much fun! My brother in law Michael took us out during the summer of 2006! It was a surreal experience!}

19. Find a pair of boots that fit me like a glove!!! {OH YAY! On my trip to NYC, I got a pair of Uggs! And they certainly fit me perfectly!}

20. Find a pair of gloves that fit me like a boot? (Nah, never mind. I will settle for a nice pair on jeans that fit me good). {accomplished - Vera Wang's new jeans a Kohl's - I have had to keep buying smaller and smaller sizes!}

21. Eat pasta in Italy (and maybe have a cappuccino in a café watching the locals hustle and bustle around us.) {I was so close to Italy, but I didn't get to do this :( Maybe another time!}

22. Accept my body’s imperfections. Most of them are because I have given birth to six beautiful, healthy children. (is this even possible? I guess I should just refer to number 1.) {I have totally accepted my body! I think Todd finally has too! I think that it is hard for women to do this, especially in this day and age, but I am happy with how I look!}

23. Host a dinner party. Invite all my friends – drink wine and savor each bite of food! {Todd and I did this last Christmas. We had his entire group from work over and we had a blast!}

24. Start building the camp! Choose a design and get ‘r dun! {We chose a builder, not set on plans yet.}

25. Give blood. I have always wanted to do this, but I have not been able to do it! {Oops! Not yet!}

26. See a college football game live and cheer like I am a co-ed at that school! {accomplished October 20, 2007 UCLA vs Cal - I cheered on the Bruins as they upset the Bears!}

27. Visit West Point! Maybe take in an Army football game. {Not yet. Tasia promised we would go one day!}

29. Watch the sun set from a boat.{Oh yeah! We did this on the River Cruise in Provence!}

30. Go deep sea fishing. Catch a fish! {Accomplished with Todd in 1994}

31. Sleep until noon! {Did this when recovering from surgery! Does it count?}

32. Horseback ride with the kids! {Does a hayride count? LOL! Next summer in Lake George!}

33. reconnect with a former high school friend {Accomplished in 2006 when I planned my 20th HS Reunion! Hi Chad, Hi Siobhan, Hi Annette! Plus all the friends from Todd's class!}

34. sleep under the stars {Hmmm....does sleeping with the shades open count?}

36. try one new food a month {I tried stuff, not a lot, but maybe twelve new things...so okay!!}

37. learn to play edelweiss on the piano {I didn't, but Karen did! She is playing it at her recital this year! It's even better when Sophie sings along!}

38. swim with the dolphins and not be scared! {I went in the ocean when there were Dolphins, but I wasn't close to them....and I still have such a fear of swimming in the ocean!}

39. plant a vegetable garden and share the items with family, friends & neighbors {accomplished 2007! Love my tomatos}

40. plant one tree for each of my children. {We did that this year! Todd and I lined pear trees on the edge of the driveway. Looks Purdy!}



I guess I did pretty good!! I am sure that reading books ad knitting would have been fun things to do....and giving blood....well....that would have been nice to do, but all in all, I did pretty dang good! (PATS SELF ON BACK!)

Have you started your list yet?


Saturday, October 11, 2008

FS88: Anne Ryan

This week's featured stamper is Anne Ryan. I really adore her style! I made this Riley card based on Anne's card {cookies are ready}.

I started by changing the colors and stamp sets. Kept the square layout with the multiple layers. I added a sentiment and used dry pressure embossing in lieu of the grid technique.

The white base (4.25x4.25) has a layer of wasabi textured paper atop it. I added a layer of chocolate chip, then the layer of white which was dry pressure embossed with the paisley A2 folder. I rubbed some pumpkin pie ink on it with a dauber. I used some ribbon (thick grossgrain and brown/white sheer polkadot) layered atop one another. The pumpkin patch riley is stamped on white paper with black soot ink. I love using black soot with my copics. I use it exclusively now with my Rileys/Sophie G. stamps because it does not smear! I trimmed Riley after coloring him and added him with dimensionals to the card. I used some banana brads from SU!, then colored them with my copics to coordinate. I stamped the sentiment on the orange and trimmed the sentiment at an angle. Just a little different look.

What do you think? Cute fall card?


Stamps: Pumpkin Patch Riley ,Hanna {Everyday Sentiments}
Paper: white, chocolate chip, wasabi, pumpkin pie
ink: pumpkin pie, black soot
misc: copics, brads, ribbon (mayarts/startlistudio) dimensionals, Cuttlebug (paisley)




Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Pumpkin Farm



What a wonderful birthday! I enjoyed a trip to the pumpkin farm (Sunyside Gardens), just outside Saratoga (NY) in the morning with Sophia and her preschool class. Genevieve joined us too! They had a train ride, a hay ride and even a butterfly garden in the greenhouse.

Sophie was thrilled when a butterfly landed on her t-shirt.

We had a wonderful dinner at home with family - Mom and Dad came over and made Roast Beast with all the fixings. Yum!

Victoria and I enjoyed a birthday cake with 9 candles (9 for Victoria). Todd made up some crazy mathematical formula (count the candles, subtract the amount of girls you have, multiply by 10)...I was never good at math - that comes to 39, right? {wink}


I made this card with some of my new Kitchen Sink Stamps. This one is called 1/2 pint playful alphabet. I used my Stampin' Up! punch (scalloped circle) and a fun leaf punch to create the pumpkin. I used pumpkin pie cardstock, then stamped BOO with artichoke ink on the pumpkin. I used my pumpkin pie marker to create pumpkin ridges. I hand cut the stem and randomly added some other color leaves. The forrest branches cuttlebug folder made a perfect background. I used some great mayarts ribbon on the top. The pumpkin is popped up on dimensionals. Fun Fun!











stamps: 1/2 pint alphabet {Kitchen Sink Stamps}
paper: pumpkin Pie, celery, artichoke, wasabi, ruby red, chocolate chip, close to cocoa
ink: artichoke
misc: su scalloped circle punch, cuttlebug, leaf punch, ribbon, dimensionals, pumpkin marker






 

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