Wednesday, February 24, 2010

"Cute Easter" from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff

This is my last week as a guest designer for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff. Her latest release is called "Cute Easter", and it is full of sweet images! Visit her blog for a freebie that coordinates with this set!




I wish you could see the shine on this card! The background is covered in Adirondack Metallic Pearl paint.
The chick was shaded with Tim Holtz distress inks.
Eggs were "painted" by smooshing distress inks on a craft mat and spritzing with water. After flicking Ranger Perfect Pearls on top, I just pressed the image into the inks. In real life it is quite pearlized.

Supply List:
Stamps- Cute Easter
Ink- Faded Jeans, Broken China, Antique Linen, Tattered Rose, Worn Lipstick,
 Scattered Straw, Spiced Marmalade (Tim Holtz Distress Inks)
Other: pearl acrylic paint, Perfect Pearls, Swiss Dots embossing folder, foam adhesive

I have had such a great time showing Lindsay's stamps to you!
Visit her store to see all her great designs!

Monday, February 22, 2010

Project 365: Days 45-51

This week's photographic sample, although I was sick most of the week, so there's not much to see!

Day 45- A welcome sight!

Day 46- What I had to look at in the exam room as I was waiting for my doctor.

Day 47- Looks like we had a visitor on our front porch overnight!

Day 48- Hot chocolate in Hannah Montana mugs is a frequent treat during the winter!

Day 49- Duck slippers, abandoned under the dining room table.

Day 50- Typo!

Day 51- This is the street one on which one of my friends live. SOUNDS like a nice place!

Friday, February 19, 2010

It's Always Valentine's Day

I am finally getting aroud to posting the card I made for hubs for Valentine's Day. I used SC267 from Splitcoast Stampers for the layout. I kept it very simple and used non-traditional Valentine colors.



Supplies:
cs- misc scraps
stamps- "Always" by SU!
ink- Faded Jeans and Fired Brick (Tim Holtz distress inks)
CM circle punch
ribbon- Offray
foam adhesive
Embossing folder- "Floral Fantasy" by ProvoCraft

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Lindsay's Stamp Stuff- Valentine's Day Layout

Check out Lindsay's store for some great deals!

I have been having a great time as a guest designer for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.
I can't believe this month is almost over!
For today's post I scrapped some pictures that my babysitter
 took and had digitally framed for me. She is the best!



I started with Sketch SBSC224 from Splitcoast Stampers. I used the cute Bingo card from Love Grows Here as the main element on my layout. I just printed it out and colored the word "love" with colored pencils and matted it with pink paper. Easy peasy!


The half-circles were embossed, cut with nesties, and chalked.



Complete supply list:
background cs- American Crafts
pink paper- Creative Memories
stamps- "Love Grows Here" digi stamp set from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff
brads- Creative Impressions
chipboard bracket- Oriental Trading Co.
other- "script" embossing folder; nesties; chalk; colored pencils

Be sure to check out Lindsay's blog for more info on the sale
and links to the design team's awesome projects!

Monday, February 15, 2010

Project 365: Days 38-44

This week's peek into my life:
Day 38- Playing with the macro setting on my camera. I obviously need some practice.

Day 39- I agree that our government should be held to its own rules and regulations. I wonder what specifically prompted this bumber sticker?

Day 40- Killing time, waiting in the drive-thru for our Big Boys!

Day 41- Blood draw room. I get bloodwork at least once a month to make sure the meds I'm on aren't screwing with my liver and kidney function.

Day 42- Making Valentines. I used to love this as a kid. Not ONE child in my daughters class, other than her, gave out homemade Valentines.

Day 43- For the SCS Photo Challenge #70, to capture a feeling. Here Morgan looks contemplative. I wish I could say she was solving the world's problems, but she was only absorbed in the TV!

Day 44- I know everyone's tired of snow pictures, but just look at how huge this icicle is!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Have a Heart this Valentine's Day- Be an Organ Donor



This Valentine’s Day, I urge you to think about one of the greatest acts of love you can perform- organ donation.



Today is National Organ Donor Day, begun by the Saturn Corporation and its United Auto Workers partners to raise awareness about organ donation and to encourage people to sign up as donors.


Here are some startling statistics: As of February 10, 2010 there were 105, 611 individuals on the organ transplant waiting list, but only 13, 327 registered donors. It is estimated that 19 people die every day due to a lack of donated organs.


But not only organ can be donated. Tissue, including parts of the eye, ear, heart, skin and bones are all usable. Stem cells, bone marrow, blood and platelets are also important donations. Young and old alike can donate, as well as people with chronic illnesses.


Most religions support organ donation, and it can often help a grieving family deal with the loss of a loved one if they know another life can be saved. Most states have an official organ donor program, and/or a place on your driver’s license to indicate you are a donor. The most important way to ensure your donation wishes are followed is to let your family and loved ones know. Often they will make the decision in case of death.


To find out more about organ donation and to download a donor card, start here. It could save a life.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Flying by to Say Hi!

Here is a quick card I made using the digital stamp set "Winged Things" from Lindsay's Stamp Stuff.
I printed out the butterfly twice and colored it with Bic markers. After cutting them out, I covered one in several layers of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel and used the Shattered Glass technique. I mounted this on top with foam adhesive. After a few rhinestones from Studio G, I was done!

Check out Lindsay's blog for a list of the Design Team (and their projects) as well as a freebie for you!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Book Review: Playing James (2002) by Sarah Mason

This was the January selected reading for the Sistahood of the Reading Bellas club on SCS.





It is a cute and quick read with a well-developed lead character. Holly, a newspaper reporter, has been assigned to follow a detective and write about their adventures. The overall premise reminds me of one of my favorite television shows, Castle.



Holly is klutzy and accident prone, much to the chagrin of her handsome, no-nonsense detective. A string of robberies turns this novel into a mystery-within-a-romance.



My favorite aspect of the book is the British colloquialisms peppered throughout the scenes and dialogue. Have you ever met a bloke or made a run for the loo?



I would recommend this book if you’re looking for quirky characters with a happy ending.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Project 365: Days 31-37

Snippets of my life from the past week:
DAY 31:A shadow of a lawn chair. Significant because a shadow actaully meant SUN.

DAY 32: Passed out after school.

DAY 33: Carwash, as seen from the inside of my car.

DAY 34: My new Acer laptop, which replaces the one that blew up in early January.
Yea, to be back online!

DAY 35: What I'm reading. If you read it, you'll know why I staged it thus.
Review to come in late Feb. or early March.

DAY 36: Clowning in the shower!

DAY 37: Decorative grass outside my house. For SCS Photography challenge #69,

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Sundays in My City: Big Butter Jesus

Unknown Mami



Join us as we travel the world with the Unknown Mami. I am joining you from SW Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.



This statue is for real, and it is about 15 minutes from my house. You can see it on I-75, between Dayton and Cincinnati, Ohio. It sits in front of a baptismal pond for the Solid Rock Church. Around these parts it's known as Big Butter Jesus or Touchdown Jesus (my favorite). The "big butter" is a reference to carvings made out of actual butter at the Ohio State Fair. Well, probably other state fairs, too.

I personally find it very distracting, and I am somewhat disgusted by the reported $250,000 it cost the church to erect. However, it has inspired a very funny song by comedian Heywood Banks. Here are the lyrics to "Big Butter Jesus":

In southern Ohio, just north of Cincinnati
I beheld a vision, next to the expressway.
Was a 60 foot jesus, with his hands in the air
looks like he’s carved out of butter,
just like at the state fair.

Big butter Jesus
Sweet cream Jesus
Oh country fresh Jesus
Unsalted Jesus
Oh Promise Jesus
Imperial Jesus
Can’t believe it’s not Jesus
Oleo Lord.

Well you see him from the chest up
like he’s about to do a back flip,
like he scored a touchdown
or maybe melting or about to drown.

Well I’ve been to the state fair
seen a cow made out of corn cobs
Garth Brooks made of string cheese
and the virgin out of olives.

Big butter Jesus
Sweet cream Jesus
Oh country fresh Jesus
Unsalted Jesus
Oh Promise Jesus
Imperial Jesus
Can’t believe it’s not Jesus
Oleo Lord.

Shipped in pieces on a flatbed
staring backwards was his big head
Driver stuck in traffic backups
desperately avoiding eye contact.

Well don’t make no graven images.
That’s one of the 10 commandments
I hope the grading curve is kindly
You get to heaven with a 90.
Big butter Jesus
Sweet cream Jesus
Oh country fresh Jesus
Unsalted Jesus
Oh Promise Jesus
Imperial Jesus
Can’t believe it’s not Jesus
Oleo Lord.
Can’t believe it’s not Jesus
Oh spread the word.

For the full effect, check out the actual song on YouTube:



Hope I have made you laugh today. Have a great week!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Writer's Workshop: A letter to SpongeBob

Mama's Losin' It

Writer's Workshop: An open letter to a cartoon character.


I am angry with SpongeBob Squarepants.






Dear Mr. Squarepants:

Please leave my daughters alone. Especially Morgan. When you are not in her face and in her head, she is charming, smart and creative. When she gets fixated on one of your idiodic episodes, she mimics your antics until she is sent to the hallway by her teacher "until she can calm down".

You should know that you have been banned from our house. Any momentary relief I felt when my children would veg out in front of your show has been replaced by embarrassment (from the issues at school) and annoyance (from dinner conversation beginning with, "Mom, did you see what SpongeBob did...).

Yes, banned. It may seem harsh, and you may seem like an innocent sponge, but I know better. You are addictive and promote stupidity. Going cold-turkey was tough on my kids, I admit, but I am convinced they will be smarter and more interesting because of it.

Sincerely,
Fed Up Momma


Thursday, February 4, 2010

Lindsay's Stamp Stuff: scrapbook page

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I am a guest designer for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff for the month of February. Check out her blog today for a cute freebie!

This week I created a scrapbook layout using the Doodle Flowers kit.

I tweaked the 10/15 sketch from Sketchy Thursdays and started the layout by spritizing Old Lace Glimmer Mist around the edge of the background paper.

The flower was colored using the following Prismacolor pencils, then blended with Gamsol: Olive green, Grass green, True blue, Crimson red, Carmine red, and Process red. The flower also got a shot of Glimmer Mist and a button center covered in Martha Stewart's Blue Topaz glitter. It was popped up in the middle of the sentiment using foam adhesive.

The dragonfly in the upper left-hand corner was covered in several layers of Crystal EP and mounted on foam adhesive.


Complete supply list:

Stamps: Lindsay's Stamp Stuff "Doodle Flowers"
Ink: VersaMark; Rose Red (SU)
Paper: background (We R Memory Keepers); strips (Me and My Big Ideas); white CS
Other: Glimmer Mist (Old Lace); Prismacolor
pencils; gamsol; button; MS glitter; foam adhesive; CM cutting system; Crystal EP (Stampendous)

Check back next Thursday for another project and another freebie from Lindsay!

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Design Team announcement!

I am happy to announce that I will be a guest designer for Lindsay's Stamp Stuff this month. Lindsay's Stamp Stuff is a digital stamp and paper company... cute and whimsical designs. Here is a little peak at what I have created using Lindsay's designs...

A package topper!

Here's a close-up of the layered lily stamp I watercolored, cut out, and layered.

Check back on Thursday for a scrapbook page and freebie!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Project 365- Days 17-30

I must say that being computer-less for a month is taking its toll... I have so much blogging to catch up on! So, if I regularly post on your blog and have been MIA lately, I will be back soon! My new laptop should arrive within the week!

Here are my latest pics for Project 365:
Day 17- Tinkerbell birthday party for a friend.

Day 18- I usually work late on Mondays, so hubs makes pancakes and bacon for the kids.

Day 19- Allergy testing for my oldest. Yuck!

Day 20- One of my current favorite radio stations.

Day 21- The spaceship house in Carlisle, Ohio.

Day 22- Passed this flower shop on the way to a doctor's appointment.

Day 23- Another birthday party!

Day 24- Went to visit a co-worker who had a baby on Dec. 26th. Welcome baby Claire!

Day 25- Chicken enchiladas for dinner. Yum!

Day 26- Huge sculpure at Miami University Middletown, otherwise known as MUM.

Day 27- "P is for Powerlines".
Photography challenge at Splitcoast Stampers.

Day 28- Talking on the phone with her cousin in South Carolina.

Day 29- Just a reminder to have patience!

Day 30- Had breakfast with hub's cousin. Finally got to see new baby Alex!