Well I’m running a bit late today. Sorry about that. I’m REALLY stressed out.

I SWEAR I hate being all gloom and doom, and try to look on the brighter side-so I’ll keep it short.

Jason had some “testing” done today, and Im all freaked out. He is a “guy” so he doesn’t ask questions, he just does what they tell him. Drives me insane. I want to know WHY they are doing X, and what do they think X symptom may be. Let me tell you, if you Google symptoms its not a good thing! DONT DO IT!

 I wont post his symptoms for the world to read, out of respect for him. While I’m an open book,  I dont think HE would want to be that “open”. I will say, his doctors are a bit concerned. So please, pray all is well. I seriously cannot handle another major issue in our lives right now. SERIOUSLY!

Jason is my best friend, my rock, the love of my life. He is the glue that holds me together. The thought of anything serious being wrong is incomprehensible to me.

The only good thing is, due to my high stress, I’ve been creating up a storm. When Im stressed the ideas just flow. Takes my mind off “stuff” for the short time Im stamping.

So, my point of this post is to sometimes IMPROVISE.

Definition: Improvise

 *perform without preparation;

*manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand;

*Improvisation is the art of acting and reacting, in the moment, to one’s surroundings. This can result in the invention of new thought patterns and/or new ways to act.

————————————————————————————————————-

Noah was invited to a birthday party for a friend of his. The boy LOVES Spiderman. In general boy cards can be hard for me. But hey, I LOVE a challenge.

 I wanted to make him a card, and I have NO Spiderman stamps or paper. So I figured I’d make a “spider” card! :LOL!

 itsy bitsy spider

I know its NOT the same as THE Spiderman-but hey, sometimes you got to IMPROVISE!

 Now, Im sure I could go buy Spiderman stickers, or something-but then this handmade card could turn into an expensive little piece of paper for a 6 year old child!

I learned LONG ago-NOT to do that to myself.

So I FINALLY inked up my SU! set Booglie Eyes, that I got LAST year, and NEVER touched. I KNOW I am not alone on that.

Anyway, I felt it was the perfect little spider for the task at hand.

Here he is, in detail.

I stamped him on the base. I also stamped him on scrap cardstock-added Fun Flock with my glue pen-so he’s all fuzzy and creepy cute. I also stamped, colored, and cut his eyes.

I made the “gift” myself, using the DCWV glitter stack paper (for that and the colored layers).

The web image is from a CTMH set last year (shamefully never inked before either). The sentiment is by Lizzie Anne-the Spooked set, and was it ever PERFECT.

The ribbon is by American Crafts– (boardwalk) – and it determined my color scheme.

So is he not the cutest spider card ever? I am lovin him 😀

Do you think the Birthday Boy will mind its not “the” Spider he loves?

I also wanted to take the time to thank all of you-always-for checkin in, leaving comments-which make me laugh and relate to you, fell better, and even the sad stuff. Also thanks for sharing your opinions here. many of you drive valid points 😀 I love trying to see the other side to things sometimes.

Also, for people who have sent along cards, prayers and wishes 😀 It means so much to me, as I appreciate it all!

I know I say this often but I think it matter’s. You should always take the time to tell people thank you.

So till tomorrow 😀

I will have some Papertrey samples!!!!!! WAHOOO!!!!

What a great day! I’m bouncin up & down!

I got my December 2007 copy of Crafts n’Things. You can see my three items on the following pages……

page 33 Penguin Ornament using Winter Blast

page 76 Playful Penguins favor Box also using Winter Blast

page 107 Snowman Lantern using Christmas in the City

Let me say its a JAW DROPPING issue! COST ONLY $5.99!

Im in awe of some of the idea’s this month! 220+ Holiday Gift ideas.

Im taking a real close look to get inspired to get my holiday gift making D-O-N-E ………….ASAP!!

They have totally stepped up their style. Great photos, and props. LOVE it! Plus there are some great RECIPE’S!!!

I feel so lucky to be a part of this month’s issue. Seriously check it out.

I cant share any of the photos YET. But hope to soon. Let me know if you see it 😀

I made this Smilebox to share our photos from our Christmas photo shoot. What a cool thing to send to the family! Do you know that not only is it EASY, but PRINTABLE?? Now that is cool. NO POSTAGE! I like that idea too. Now I need to compile a family list of email addresses.

Those of you stressed for time may consider this option 😀

You can choose the number of photos, music, and background color! Even the style of snowflakes that fall! LOL!

 So here are all our photos. Its hard to get 3 kids happy at the same time, looking in the same direction!

We chose 2 photo collage’s that we felt captured our favorite’s.

Hope you like it.

Make your own slide shows and scrapbooks

I wrote in an earlier post that I was determined to get my Christmas cards DONE by November. That meant an early Christmas photo shoot-and I actually followed through!

 Well, Im happy to say Im well on my way!!!

I have 25 postcards completed.

No need to rush. Im only needing 50ish more. My problem is, do I make more postcard style cards like this one?

 Meader Christmas postcard 2007

I loved the group shot, with the individual photos at the bottom. It already say’s Christmas 2007. I considered for a brief second-just sending the photo. But the stamper in me said Um, NO!

I used the NEW! Snowflake Serenade from Paper Trey Ink.

What do you think? Are they OK? Im thinking of making a “stepped-up” version to share. Afterall, I DO have PLENTY of time. RIGHT?

I could put another layer of white behind the main red layer-but, I wanted these to be SIMPLE-easily mass produced. Not too much going on. I definitely achieved that here. Maybe a bow at the top?????? HMMMMM.

I just put the 3 snowflakes on my block-strategically placed. Inked with white craft, then stamped twice on the red layer.

I attached my Christmas photo, then stamped the “With Love” sentiment, then the “Joy” in the corner-for balance. Our “With Love” is a personalized stamp by Stampin Up! that I had put all our names on, and use every year for our Christmas cards! Its fast, and easy, and is way nicer than my handwriting. I LOVE that idea!

This measures 3 1/2 X 5 1/5. Very simple to make.

Next I did an ornament of sorts-which I think would be a really nice and different thing to send in the mail instead of a card!

What do you think of this?

 Meader Family 2007 ornament

This was EASY! EASY! EASY! Nothing fancy here.

I just used my NEW! Spellbinder’s Nestabilities rectangle die!

On the back I stamped the largest snowflake from the set, in white craft ink-added a red adhesive rhinestone, and then our “With Love” sentiment. The ric rac adds to the scalloped appeal from the nestablility.

Decisions!!!

Thanks for looking-Id love your opinions, and to know what you plan on doing this year.

Is a Smilebox in your future? Or have you even thought about your Christmas cards? I REFUSE to do the mad dash this year! REFUSE!!

So let’s hear it!

Its Sunday. The end of the week. Sunday is always sad for me.

I thought I would share the altered frame I made last week with all of you.

My friend Erin is due to have her first baby-a little girl. 

 I altered her this frame for part of her gift. Its by Bare Elements.

The DIVINE paper from Rubber Soul matched her room colors, to a ‘T”. I also thought the senitment from the Baby Shower  set by Green Grass was PERFECT for the focal point of this frame.

Another COOL detail……………the top right corner-has a $1 Key Tag! Remove the cover, and insert a photo, or bracelet, maybe a lock of hair! I tied on a flower and some ribbon-VIOLA!

The lower right corner has an acrylic frame by Making Memories, that I stamped a place for the stats of the birth !

Date

Time

Weight

Length

She can add some chipboard letters, in the empty space once the baby is named. They are thinking Avery, but are unsure-Im not putting anything in glitter and glue yet!

I know I changed Amber’s name from Rebecca (during pregnancy) to Amber once she was born. LONG STORY!

I also liked Brielle, or Lily. But she didnt “look” like those either. Amber was PERFECT.

So, what’s so great?

I came up with this FABULOUS gift idea! Alter a frame to match the room, and in the photo insert I will place a YEAR membership to our area photo place, along with enough money to purchase a photo package!

Our Sears has a photo place that now offers these new photography gift cards! I know as a new mom I got Alexa’s photos done religiously for the first few years of life! I would have loved to not have paid a membership fee and get discounts and gift certificates to the photo place! Lets not say how awful I am about professional photos now! YIKES!!! Hangin my head in shame.

Since she has had/is having like 5 different baby showers due to spread out family/friends I hope my gift will stand out and be original! And get used!

Best part-the shower is 2 weeks away and Im not scrambling for a gift! GO ME!!! Im usually a last minute stamper, but am attempting to change that.

Id love to hear any original baby gift idea YOU have or had 😀

Thanks for reading

That today- the 20th is now designated toMFT Stamps day? NO? Well look —–>here. You will find all the details.

In honor of that I am posting the above card.

It used one of my favorite sets- Winter Blast! The penguins are WAY cute! And I love the little sentiments. Not only do I LOVE penguins, but I love ice skating images-no idea WHY! I just do.

The patterned paper is a holiday paper by Paper Salon (last years) and am IN LOVE with it. I liked the different colors this one had to offer.

I hope you do too.

What I would like to know is what you are all thinking about the NEW! Member Companies?

What do you like?

What do you dislike?

AND what you want to see from them in the future?

I like- The fact that you can chat with the owners of the companies-it gives it a more personal feel to their “business” that they are willing to converse and LISTEN to their customers!

I like that fact that SU! is not the ONLY focus since these companies have financially supported SCS for some time, they deserve some recognition!! GO SCS!!

I also like that these companies are getting to be successful, yet maintain a great customer “relationship”. I can honestly tell you the companies I represent are run by some of the most amazing people ever! So sweet and caring-and they ALL love to hear YOUR opinions-even the not so good ones-cause they want to better their business. They are all around amazing! Im very blessed to be a part of their teams.

What I dislike-I dont like that you still have to use KEYWORDS to find samples from companies other than SU! I really hope these companies get their own galleries soon. That would be cool. Not neccessarily a category for every set-just a general gallery for each.

I think that also answers what Id like to see in the future.

Id also like to see more participation in the threads! I am personally guilty of not being “in them” enough, cause Im too busty stamping ! THAT is how I get SO much done. If I were on the computer ALL day I would have not a thing done. Plus I cant justify purchases if I don’t USE my stuff. I give myself props, because I am really good about using my products!!

Now its your turn-be HONEST!!! I wanna know!

Happy Saturday!

Well as you know its Sketch time! Feel free to play along-just link your creation in the comments section so everyone can see what YOU do with the sketch!

 click for larger image

I had FUN with this one-using Lizzie Anne  NEW! Floral Frenzy, and the hello from Daisy Dots set.

NOTE: Dont forget about their card contest!!!! Details —————->here

I LOVE floral sets! In case you haven’t noticed! LOL!!

I used a tag from SEI called Ally’s Wonderland-which inspired my colors. OMG! you ahve to see that set of paper-GORGEOUS!!!

It was fun using Vellum cardstock for the panel. Added a different element. I couldnt bare to hide the cute pink polka dot tag.

I colored it from the back with my Copic markers.

Added some brads for “balance”.

I have been using Orchid alot lately too.

I find I go through color phases. How about you?

Are you in a phase? What color are you hooked on right now?

I also get in a product phase-which is my new Spellbinders!!! I cant share most of what I made………..yet!

Till tomorrow! Ill share a gift idea I had. Hope it gets the creative ideas flowin.

This term applies to more than one area today. I am SAD SAD DAS-even happy mail (aka stamp deliveries) could not turn my frown up side down.

My Mom called and had to cancel the babysitting for Jason’s 30th Birthday party/getaway because she has the flu.

Im so bummed! I have been trying to organize this for months. I know she needs to rest, and definitely dont want my kids getting sick it’s just been a sucky day! And that is awful news-both cause I dont want my mom to get REALLY sick, cause she never lets herself fully recover, and because we NEVER get alone time. When you have a child in this situation its very important to keep “watering the garden” in other words-maintain your marriage.

ANOTHER HUGE disappointment-

If you didnt know The Rubber Stamper, and Paper Made Easy magazines are combining into one great magazine called Crafts n Things.

Now this is cool-but they are basically having to take THREE magazine worth of accpeted stamping/paper crafting projects, and combine them into ONE issue for months worth of acceptances. A very difficutl task Im sure.

SO heres the bad part-

I had this super cute project accepted MONTHS ago-but due to the merger it has NO ROOM in issue’s! A few others that were due to be published in Novemeber/Decemeber got moved to February-thats OK! But to get accepted then rejected really is a bummer.

I’ll hear back later on some others.

Im just really sad-ESPECIALLY since I LOVED my project!

So thanks for reading. I know the blah, blah, blah can be ANNOYING. So Ill get to it!

Here is the REJECT!

 Gingerbread gift set

Is this NOT cute? SERIOUSLY (channeling the cast of Grey’s Anatomy here)

I made the gingerbread man cardholder template MYSELF! I was inspired by my paper-by DCWV (holiday stack from 2 years ago??)

His little hands hold the “gift card”, and he fits into the door knob hanger holder! OR a gift could go in there too.

See the gingerbread couple on the plate? I loved that. And the wrapped peppermint candy! (That is a sizzix die cut I made)

The stamps are by Lizzie Anne -Celebrations II (two gingerbread couple), Designer Dots (for the plate), Simply Sentiments (for the gift card).

Well thanks for looking.

Sorry-this is just depressing!

Till tomorrow………………………………..

Well am I ever HAPPY its Friday! Jason and I are getting away over night-ALONE! I am so thankful to my mom for the break. Now lets pray the kids will sleep at her house.

They are pretty traumatized by Alexa being in the hospital, and me being away, so if one of us isn’t home at bed time, it really throws them for a tail spin.

So Im really working hard to get all myMUST DO’s – DONE asap! One of those being Noah’s 5th Birthday party planning. I think Im doing well! Still gotta design those Christmas cards………………almost there.

I LOVE planning themed party’s for my kids. FUN parties. Memorable parties. I SO enjoy it. People always say I should do event planning-um nice compliment but no thanks. I can hardly handle the 3 whopping birthdays a year!

So I decided we would have his party at our area’s “Space Center”. They provide EVERYTHING-cake and all! I just have to show up with the kids 😀 Im lovin that this time of year. Especially after the stress of Alexa’s party. AND God forbid-if she goes back in the hospital it can still be done-without poor Jason having to run around crazy-NO STRESS!

At the space center they have indoor games, and indoor rides-like bumper cars, slides, carousles, laser tag-FUN STUFF. BOY kinda stuff. And I made sure to informthe parents I NEED head counts!! SO RSVP PLEASE! So far I have gotten speedy replies and I expect a good turn out. Dont want too many though!

So I figured the theme would be “Space”. Noah liked transformers but we went with the Rocket idea-or is it a spaceship? Not entirely sure.

Point being-this week’s blogger’s challenge was to get INSPIRED by something! So I did! It was perfect timing-again.

When designing his invites I pondered the thought of a rocket stamp-didnt have any, or know any that were big enough.

I saw this  Cuttlekids die cut, and wanted to use it for his invites.

Problem is, it was going to be too small. So, I decided to attempt to create my own!

Here is his invite

 OK so its not exact-but its still cute isnt it?

I used my coluzzle  oval-to round the top of my space ship.

 Sponged the edges.

The window is just my circle punches.

For the red “wings” or whatever those things are suppose to be- I cut squares, then trimmed them on either side-4 at a time. Once I had my “template” it was quick, and easy!!!

The gray part on the bottom-that was done with my tab punch by SU!-So the invite info pulls out from the bottom tab. I just quickly printed off the info from my computer-nothin fancy. The tab “pull” was done using my brother label maker (another must have)!

 Click for larger view.

So the rocket is on dimensionals, and the info easily pulls out.

For the blue-I sponged the clouds with a template I made myself! See that ——> HERE

I then stamped the “please come” from invitation builder  from Paper Salon (and while linking I saw these AWESOME new clear sets by PS!!! OMG! DONT LOOK!).

The “Noah & 5” are from a set from CTMH-it was a monthly set a while ago. It was my ONLY CLEAR alpha! So I went with it. I wasnt going to ruin these by stamping a crooked name-yes I am anal!!!!!! Now I decided I need MORE CLEAR Alpha sets-know any good ones???

The rocket or whatever, is suppose to be flying off the card. This is a standard size invite-so easily mailed-but we hand delivered.

 Hope you liked my inspiration piece!

Be sure to check out the other stampers creations in my Blog Challenge link on my side bar.

Feel free to play along and link it to any of us!

Tomorrow is my Sketch challenge! So I so hope you can play along.

I have been stamping like a mad woman-but alot I am unable to share-BUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Happy Friday! And Happy Birthday to my good friend AMY!!! Hope it was a good one 😀

Till tomorrow.

Hello my PSF’s!

Im so lucky to have you all here visitng.

Its truly amazing the people I have come to know through stamping and the internet!! Some I even get to chat with on the phone 😀 I’m sure you all can relate.

Many of you “know” me here through my ramblings and take the time to share yourselves with me as well-so thanks again.

I have so many thank yous to get stamped, and thought Id share this one. I think if you use your gift piece as an inspiration point, it shows the fact that the card was made FOR them!! Not that if you didnt make if FOR them specifically or it wasnt inspired by the gift its not as nice, but when you do take the time to actually do it-I think its cool! Plus we can all use some inspiration right?

One of my friends, Diana-knows how much I LOVE butterflies, and was SO thoughtful, when she surprised me with this amazing butterfly dish with these glittery butterfly candles! Is that not so sweet?! And it was for nothing special!

     Isn’t it amazing?

So…………I made her this card, as a thank you! I hope she will like it.

I was going to go with butterflies, but felt compelled to go with flowers! And my most favorite color-PURPLE!

Stamps are by Papertrey Ink-Paper Trey Ink, Green Thumb and Beautiful Blossoms.

I JUST got my very first set (the complete set of scallop and straight) of Nestabilites rectangles dies (since I felt rectangle was most commonly used).

So, I HAD to use them. I used mine in my Cuttlebug, and can see WHY they are ALL THE RAGE! Im in LOVE!!!!!!!!

I even made my rectangles inot squares! Cool huh? Ill have to post a tutorial on that if you are a visual person.

So thanks for checkin in! Id love to hear your fave new product! I LOVE to get enabled!

Is this not CUTE?

I was so happy with it! It was for Alexa’s friends birthday party-her name is Allyson. She just turned 9, and I thought Alexa’s set would be PERFECT!!!!!

The colors were inspired by the wrapping paper and bag I purchased at Target-they were Orchid and Gable Green.

I wanted to add some more color and a little interest.

I remembered this StranoRibbon I had (one of my fav. stripped ones called Hazel) . I LOVE how its attached, and gives it some added interest.

It also helped me expand my color pallet. I always find if you stick with 2 main colors, then add some coordinating patterned paper or ribbon, will easily help guide you to subtly add some other great coordinating colors, without over-doing it.

Alexa’s set is perfect for ANY fun and funky combo 😀

The sentiment is a sneak peek at a UPCOMING-New Release by Lizzie Anne (sorry but it was VITAL to the perfect touch for this card, so TRY to forget you saw it yet! It will be a must have BTW!) that coordinated and added just the right words and size needed.

I also used a flower punch by EK Success (just like the SU! one), and the bloom dots embossing folder-which I also LOVE.

I had to add an initial too-so used my cuttlebug Red Tag Alpha, and some dazzling diamonds. Gotta have some BLING!!!!!

Well, thats it for today. Tomorrow I get to take Amber and some classmate’s of her to the Circus!!! I cannot wait.

Of, course now that I learned to pre-post I will have some eye candy for you before I go.

I have some happy mail that Im hoping will greet me when I get home 😀

Enjoy the day-