Autumn Leaves in Winter

It has been a long time since I have done a card swap, but I promised myself that I would not sign up until the cards were actually finished. This week I discovered that one of my favorite hostesses had opened a new Forest swap, due in July. Plenty of time, but my goal was to be the first to arrive.

This theme is 'Seasons in the Forest'. I looked through my nature stamps and found the perfect one. I then CASE'd a card from a long ago class at my LSS (What can I say, I was rusty)

Princess A came in as I was finishing to tell me, "You do realize it is not Autumn, right?" Newly minted fourteen-year-olds are ever so helpful

Without further ado, here is my Seasons of the Forest card:

I sent it to the Post Office with Main Squeeze and got confirmation from that it was on its way before I sent a PM to Jeanette to tell her my cards were in the mail, so I needed to sign up for a spot.


Card Details:
Image:Memory Box
Sentiment: N/A
Cardstock: GP, SU
Ink: Memento
Tools: SU Scallop Edge punch
Coloring: Prismacolor markers
Embellies: Ranger Glossy Accents, SU button, SU Baker's Twine, unknown ribbon

Android Blogging

This morning as I was catching up on my swap threads, I came across instructions from April on posting via cell phone. And here I am. I won't say it is the easiest thing to do, but I am sure I will get the hang of it. Thanks April :-*

On New Years Eve, Main Squeeze and I went snowshoeing for the first time. I had given them to him for Christmas 2011, but there was never enough snow. As we were traversing the snow covered field, I told him how I had been thinking of listing '13 Things To Do in 2013' and now I could not use 'try something new' for snowshoeing. He suggested it could be grandfathered in. I am more of a stickler.

Blogging through my phone, however, can officially count as 'learn something new'. Now to decide if that is synonymous with 'try something new' ;-)

Happy New Year!!

Bird Watching

Darlene was the hostess for this round of Mystery Image swap (I know this is the first my loyal readers have heard of it; I admit, I have not been so regular with the posting), and gifted us all with a very pretty, but detailed image from D. Morgan (Stamps Happen). I took one look and thought, "Oh my! Where do I begin?!" Then I put it away for many weeks...

...And listened to what others said. There were so many comments about 'messing up' the frame, I knew I no longer wanted to attempt my original plan; instead I eliminated the frame completely and fashioned one of my own. 

I layered the image at a slight angle and used my brand spanking new, even though it had been  discontinued (shout out to my LSS for managing to get some in stock this past December!!), Tim Holtz Texture Hammer on the brads for an added bit of interest(?). Well, I like the effect, anyway.

Since I never know exactly how to color kitties so they look like real, I just left them alone. Some kitties are white after all; like my own sweet Iisis. 

In the midst of typing this post, I turned and discovered, that two of my babies were posing, hoping to be famous in blogland!

To the left is Osiris and Miss Miri is on the right. Someday they will figure out that the bird watching is much better in the back of the house, where the bird feeder is.

Card Details:

Image: D. Morgan for Stamps Happen

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: unknown for image, SU, unknown dp

Ink: unknown

Tools: Tim Holtz texture hammer

Coloring: Prismacolor markers

Embellies: Recollections brads

Winter Fun with Riley

I was perusing my friend Kelly's blog the other day and discovered she is the host over at Riley & Co for this week's challenge, Winter Fun! I LOVE Riley stamps; In fact, I asked for a whole slew of them for Christmas/Birthday. (Out of the eight requested, Princess A gifted me six. S'alright, Valentine's Day is coming... and I am sure my list will be longer by then anyway )

It has been a long time since I participated in a challenge for a blog post. Much too long since I have gotten to sit at my stamping desk, truth be told. I needed some Sketch Challenge inspiration (SCS Sketch Challenge #367 to be exact)

Without further ado, here is my Winter Fun with Riley card:

 

Card Details:

Image: Riley & Co.

Sentiment: N/A

Cardstock: GP, SU, 3 Bugs in a Rug

Ink: Memento

Tools: EK Sucess Paper Shapers snowflake punch

Coloring: Prismacolor markers

Embellies: SU buttons, Liquid Applique, glitter, embroidery floss

My Million Dollar Check is Gone in the Wind

Just about an hour ago, a large black pickup truck took out our mailbox. (I do not know why I mention it was large and black; Perhaps you know him?) I heard a thump and looked out to see the box flying. The truck did not even slow down. Took another glance and realized the pole is now not even a stump.

Princess A said today was probably the day we got that letter stating we had won $1 million. (Did I mention it is terribly windy outside?).

I told her, "Now you know why I insist you wait for the bus halfway down the driveway rather than at the end." "Oh"

But as with many things there is good news:

I got a new mailbox about 6 months ago and have been waiting for Main Squeeze to install it. That is double-sided good news - good that he had not done it yet, good that it will now get done

Good that it was not Roxy out for her afternoon constitutional that got hit. (Gemini is never off leash in the front cuz she is too foolish)

Good that I was not out collecting the mail from the box at the time

Good that I am not hosting a swap right now, as the mailbox was full. I hope I collected everything, but with this wind, who knows? There certainly was not our winning Million Dollar check, so I have no idea what else was lost

RIP Dear Departed Mailbox. You were a hard worker and a good friend.

I have a line from this song stuck in my head; "I guess nothing can last forever"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFjjO_lhf9c&ob=av3n

Miss Madisyn is Very Shy

I was so excited to be asked to be part of a debut of a new line of stamps, but my printer will not cooperate! Waah!!

I still want to be sure all my stamping friends know of this fun new line, designed by my good friend Lorie. Not only is she a FABULOUS card maker (in fact, every Lorie card I have ever received has made it to my favorites box), but to hear she is now drawing images as well just blows me away. I have long said that I cannot even draw a stick figure - that is why I use rubber stamps.

Right about now you are probably wondering what my printer has to do with all this. Well, Lorie sent me a digital file to use for today's debut, but when you purchase, you will receive actual stamps. I have used Peachy Keen Stamps before and they are a great company. Quality materials, clean lines, washes well - what more could a stamper want?

I hope you will check out the Country Bumpkin stamps! I linked the promo bundle, but you can purchase the sets individually. I have my eye on the turkey and the goblin.

When Miss Madisyn gets over her shyness, I will come back and post her debut. Right now she is sitting in my open window enjoying the breezes and the sun and hoping she will dry soon, now that she has (finally) printed in her entirety.

Hallowe'enie

Yesterday Main Squeeze and I went to Petco (where the pets go) for cat litter, kitty food, dog food, etc. On our way to the registers I saw a display of costumes and grabbed one for Roxy to try. I think $25 is too much for a costume for my child; I am certainly not going to pay it for the dog. Besides, the only reason to dress the dog is for the photo...

 

Look, she's smiling!