Friday Fun

This still cracks me up!

Paper and Pawprints

I've been so busy lately, I haven't had any time at all to take pictures to share! I am actually finding myself with a pretty relaxed weekend (perhaps Fate's attempt to prevent me from having a nervous breakdown? lol) so here goes...

First, the "paper" part of my post - some recent stamping projects. Here's a duplicate of a birthday card that I made for my MIL a week ago:

I love that stamp set. It's designed by Mabelle Ramirez Ortiz. Check out her website: Whimsy and Stars Studios. Heres another variation of the card:

The brown cardstock is from TAC. The rest of the paper is from my huge stash of scraps. Ribbon from Hobby Lobby. Brads from either HL or Michael's - I don't remember. Images colored in with Prismacolor pencils (including a blender pencil).

Here's an A2 (4X5.5) calendar that I made with my Bind It All. (I love that thing!!) I first saw this calendar on the blog, "Confessions of a Ribbon Addict". Rather than spend the $4 for the calendar download on the Amuse site, I decided to make my own calendar pages. I figured "How hard can that be?" ha! ha! (It wasn't actually hard, but more time consuming you'd think getting things right.)

All supplies (except ribbon) by The Angel Company. Paper: A Little Whimsy, stamps: Spring Dream (cover) and Curls & Swirls (inside), cardstock: DCWV, ribbon: Michael's (?). Images are colored with a combination of Tombow and Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils. Scallop circle punch by Stampin' Up!

Lastly, here's a Christmas gift bag I made for a swap. (If you've participated in Avis' giftbag swap and don't want a peek, don't look any further!)

And now for the "pawprints" portion of my post... We've had our share lately of foster dogs, as well.

First, there was May May. Most of the time she really didn't look that much like Tasha. (May May was bigger, leaner with longer, floppier ears) but sometimes, boy did she remind me of Tash. There was a time I couldn't have fostered May May because it would've made me miss Tash too much.

She was certainly not the most cooperative photography subject. Here's Jessica (unsuccessfully) trying to get her to pose for the camera:

As you can tell, May May was a pretty big girl - and she was only 7 months old! Next was Daisy. She had just as much energy as May May but it's a little easier to handle in a much smaller package. :-)

She was an even less cooperative subject. This blurry photo is my only shot!

Our current foster is a 3 month old puppy (beagle/terrier mix, per the shelter) named Taz. He is SO sweet! I have to sneak up on him when he's asleep/resting to get a better picture. He's a real cuddler and only wanted to lay on my lap. Not the easiest angle to get a good picture...

He's all black (except for some white on his chest), so it's hard to see his features. He is cutie in person. The girls have been bugging me for ages to foster a puppy so he was our "experiment" to see how much they'd help watch/take care of one. He is a very easy puppy so they're passing this test with flying colors. (Oh what have I set myself up for?! lol!)

Time to think about going to bed. Jess is marching in the MU homecoming parade tomorrow, so it's an early start for us. It's supposed to get really chilly, too. Yuck! I am not ready for cold weather yet! (Not that I ever am ready, but...)

Santa's Workshop

I've been busy stamping for Christmas lately. Here are some projects.

This is a gift card holder. For directions, check out Cambria Turnbow's blog (http://cambriaturnbow.blogspot.com/2008/10/quickie-gift-cards.html). All supplies are from The Angel Company (TAC), featuring Amelia cardstock, large eyelet, ribbon and printed paper, Palette Burnt Umber and Jardin Moss inks, Holiday Cheer and a swirl stamp set from the last catalog.

This is a photo holder made from a large binder clip. All supplies by TAC (Amelia cardstock, ribbon and printed paper/tag, Matte Heritage brads, Holiday Cheer stamp set, Palette Burnt Umber ink).

I've also been keeping up with my monthly Christmas Card Challenges. Here's my September card. The snowman is from a discontinued TAC set. I love him! He's so cute and very quick to color. I used my Cuttlebug swirl embossing folder on the Scarlet cardstock. I use that embossing folder more than any other one. It's so versatile.

Have a great week! (Is it Friday yet?! lol!)

A serious moment

I try to avoid posting anything on my blog that someone might take offense to.

But I lay awake at 4:30 this morning, worrying about this. So I'm going to ask you to please read and consider my request.

Thank you.
Lisa
- - - -

In an election where both sides pledged to be civil, to run a campaign based on issues, not personal attacks, how did we wind up here?

Supporters at recent McCain rallies have been quoted shouting “Terrorist” and “Kill him!” (referring to Barack Obama). Is a candidate responsible for the words of everyone who shows up at a campaign event? No. But they are responsible for the rhetoric that incites such hatred and violence. They are responsible for saying “No. Stop it. This is not OK and I will not tolerate this.”

Maybe you don’t agree with Barack Obama’s policies. Maybe you think his presidency would be disastrous for the country. But remember that Barack Obama is not just a politician. He is someone’s husband, brother, grandchild, father.

To Michelle Obama, Barack isn’t a presidential candidate. He’s the man she fights with, laughs with, makes babies with. The one she intends to spend the rest of her life with. Michelle Obama already had concerns about her husband running for President. Imagine the fear and worry that runs through her heart and her mind when she hears people calling for the death of her husband.

To Malia and Sasha Obama, he isn’t a presidential candidate. He’s Daddy. I know the Obamas try to keep their daughters shielded from the harsher realities of political life. But we all know that our kids don’t live in a bubble. Imagine how they would feel hearing someone called their Daddy a terrorist. Or shouting death threats. Worse yet, imagine those two innocent little girls having to be told that their Daddy has been killed. That he’ll never be there again to tuck them in and kiss them good night, to watch them graduate college, to walk down the aisle, to tell their own funny “ride home from the hospital with the new baby” story.

So, regardless of your political affiliation, your religion, your social views, or the color of your skin, please demand that there be a stop to this before someone gets hurt. Contact the McCain campaign (http://www.johnmccain.com), your local government representatives, your local paper… whoever it takes to get the candidates talking about the issues, not each other.

Challenge Card

The first of our Bellaholic challenges was an embellishment challenge. We had to make something (didn't have to be a card) with a stamped Bella image, ribbon and at least 5 buttons. I knew Fashionistabella would be perfect for this!

Have a nice week! I promise to get that pocket tutorial up soon.

Happy Fall Y'All!

Here's another card that I made with "Fall Harvest" from the new Angel Company Fall Supplement:


The pumpkins on pocket were stamped in one color (Palette Orangerie). The brown stems and green vines were added with Prismacolor pencils. (I got the idea from this card on Heather Scott's blog.)


I had fun coming up with this pocket design on my own. Later this week I'll post a tutorial to make the pocket.

I've put my Bind It All to good use, getting ready for a craft show this weekend. I made a ton of notepads (thanks Lisa H for the chipboard covers!!). Here's a batch made with stamps from The Angel Company. (The two birds are from sets in the Fall Supplement.)
Here's another batch, featuring Bella stamps on notepads in the bottom row:

(The kitty is a Fluffles stamp by Stampendous. The dog is from a retired TAC set.)

Making these notepads was FUN! I can't wait to get my hands on some more chipboard.

3 Little Birdies

I made this set of 3 cards featuring one of the new Fall Supplement sets, "Fall Harvest". It's a very versatile set - look for more card samples later this week.

Here is a close up of one of the cards:

All the printed paper is from one paper collections - "Rustic Chic". It's one of my favorites because of the variety of colors & prints. The ribbon is from Bags and Bows. (Thanks Lisa H for coordinating that ribbon purchase!)