Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Well Wishes for the New Year

I hope you all have a wonderful time bringing in the New Year! My family and I will be going to a concert of one of our favorite bands, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band in Omaha. My son is a jazz major and plays a lot of big band music. This concert tonight should be incredible! (And if you have seen "The Incredibles," the lead trumpet player for the band tonight did the trumpet music in that movie!

So I am wishing you well in 2009 with this cute wishing well from Hambo Stamps. These two cute images are some of the New Arrivals from Hambo just released! I used SCS Sketch 202 for my layout. Happy New Year to all my blog friends!!

Stamps: Hambo Stamps: Wishing Well - 2905 and Wishing You Well - 2904
Paper: Very Vanilla, LSS DP, Naturals Ivory, Baja Breeze
Ink: Black Stazon, Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue, Green Galore, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: brads, organdy ribbon, handcut cloud stencil, acrylic button
Techniques: watercolor, sponging

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A Little Vintage, A Lot of New!

I am so excited to share this new release preview with you! These images are from Lift Up Our Hands, which will be available in two short days on January 1st from Our Daily Bread designs.
There are beautiful scripture verses and other sayings to go with the main image. I know I will get a lot of use out of this set!

My colors came from today's SCS Color Challenge 199:
So Saffron
Bravo Burgundy
Handsome Hunter

I found the same hymn as on the praying hands image in my old hymnal I keep for paper crafts and decided to use it today with these neat images. The hardware in the upper left corner is from some jewelry finds in my stash, and the corner piece is from a Christmas present I got from my sister - Sizzix Architectural Corners.

This set is special to me because I could stamp some today - and I have felt all the prayers sent my way about my own hand situation! Thank you so much. I will keep you posted on what I find out Friday!

Thanks for stopping by today and be sure to check out what some of the other ODBD Design Team members have done so far:
Sita
Chris
Stacy
Angella

Stamps: Lift Up Our Hands (ODBD)
Paper: So Saffron, Bravo Burgundy, Handsome Hunter, Very Vanilla
Ink: Bravo Burguny, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: hymnbook page, lace, Sizzix Architectural Corner die, pearls, distressing tool, Cuttlebug EF, gold vintage hardware


Monday, December 29, 2008

Cute New Stuff! Come See!

I am not sure if I will be able to stamp today (yes, continued pain....bleh!) so I wanted to highlight some of the other HAMBO STAMPS New Arrivals.

Check out these cute new projects by the Hambo DT:
Holly
MacKenzie
Jane

and these oldies but goodies by
Jane
Libby

Be sure to see my previous two posts about how to receive the GIRAFFE from me FREE!
I hope to be back later today with a new sample, but it may be tomorrow before I am.

And just a reminder about House Mouse Monday -- our Challenge #19 - Embossing -- runs through January 4th due to the holidays. Challenge #20 will be posted January 5th.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Introducing......























Well, I am tickled pink to present to you two of the new Hambo Stamps releases:
Giraffe - 2926 and Necks to You - 2914.

I seriously love this little giraffe that Tim drew, and the sentiments to go with it are so cute! The other sentiment says "Thanks for going above & beyond"! I love it!

It took me awhile to get this made; I had originally hoped to have it done earlier, but my carpal tunnel has reared its ugly head in the worst way. I have had symptoms for about two years, and wearing braces has helped tremendously, but I think I am past that, as today at lunch, I couldn't even hold my fork. Not good news for someone whose livelihood is in piano playing, and whose sanity comes from rubber stamping! So I am stamping (and typing) slowly with a few fingers instead of all of them! But enough of that! Back to the CUTE new stamps!

Be sure to check out all the New Arrivals HERE.
Read yesterday's blog post to find out how you can receive this giraffe from me FREE!

I made this card for the SCS Featured Stamper Challenge. Barbara (Stampfilled Dreams) has a wonderful gallery and I chose THIS CARD to case. I am sure you can see why! :)

Thanks for stopping by today. I will have lots more new stuff this next week, as we celebrate the New Year!

Stamps: Giraffe - 2926 and Necks to You - 2914 by Hambo Stamps
Paper: Whisper White, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Bella Rose DP
Ink: Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: pink brads (The Paper Studio), Crystal Stickles, satin ribbon (Hobby Lobby), designer label punch (SU!), Marcy scallop circle punch

Friday, December 26, 2008

Happy New Hambos and a Gift From Me!


I am so excited to show you the new designs by Hambo Stamps. Monica and Tim came up with some wonderfully fun and zany new stamps! I am especially fond of a particular image on the New Arrivals page...... and two lucky winners will receive it from me FREE! Keep reading to find out how!

My new stamps will be arriving in today's mail (I hope!) and I will be ready to ink up some fun, so be sure to check back later today for some new Hambos.

Now, for the FREE stuff: Check out the New Arrivals page and guess which stamp is my favorite! Place a $25 (or more) order with Monica by January 1st and tell her which stamp is my favorite. The first two to guess correctly will have my favorite stamp added to their order FREE! I am sure there are some fun things you simply must have!

I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas!! I certainly did!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas to All


I just wanted to take this opportunity to say Merry Christmas and to thank all of you that read my blog and have become dear friends. What a special year I have had with such sweet friends.
May God bless you during this holiday season and in the year ahead!

I will be spending time with my family the next two days, but be sure to check back later this week for a peek at the new HAMBO stamps -- I am especially fond of a particular stamp......can you guess what it might be?

Merry Christmas!

Monday, December 22, 2008

A Sweet House Mouse Monday to You

Is there anywhere that people aren't wearing ear muffs and coats? Can I come over?
Wow! I think this is the weirdest winter lots of places have had in a long time! Snow and cold and ice and STUFF! Maybe a trip to Hawaii is what I need for Christmas!

This little Monica House Mouse is all cozy and warm on her cotton ball bed. Today's House Mouse & Friends Challenge was to incorporate some embossing on your card. I used two kinds: I embossed with Stampin' Up! White Craft Ink and then used Stampendous Pearlized Plum Embossing Powder on the sentiment (from Stampin' Up!'s So Very) and I also embossed with the Swiss Dots Cuttlebug Embossing Folder. All designer paper is by K & Co. This card is 4.25 inches square.

Be sure to join in this week - any kind of embossing, and link your card HERE, as we have a great prize for one of the participants from 7 KIDS COLLEGE FUND. Congratulations to CRAFTERESA, who won my blog candy ("Mudpie Tells") from the House Mouse Challenge last week!

Thank you to my friend, Jami, for my great new watermark!!

The wind chill today is only minus 12, so it will be another busy shopping day! I have to finish mine up (just started on Friday!), so off to find my gloves and ear muffs! Have a wonderful day!

Stamps: House Mouse by Stampabilities; So Very by Stampin' Up!
Paper: Whisper White, Naturals White by Stampin' Up!; DP by K & Co.
Ink: VersaFine Black Onyx; Pink Pirouette, Basic Gray, Cratf White (SU!)
Accessories: Marvy scalloped oval punches, Cuttlebug Swiss Dots EF, Cuttlebug Corner Die, small oval punch (SU!), brads (The Paper Studio), Pearlized Plum EP (Stampendous)
Techniques: embossing

Friday, December 19, 2008

No Blues Here! No School and Lots of Snow!

Good morning!

Today's SCS Limited Supplies Challenge 199: Holiday Blues calls for a holiday card (any holiday), and 3/4 blue (either with ink or paper or whatever). My flowers are paper, so my only non-paper embellishment is my favorite: pearls~

Remember that song "Love is Blue"?
Well, my "LOVE" is today, but only because I used blues in making it! I am actually ecstatic (and not blue!) because we got about 6 inches of snow overnight and school was cancelled for today (I am a teacher), so we have an extra vacation day ! Yay! The only drawback is that my sister is flying in from sunny Arizona and I hope her flight is not delayed. She comes this afternoon, so I am hoping everything will be cleared off by then.

This stamp set (LOVE SWD3802) is a new release available at Rubber Stamp Tapestry. I plan to use this for a Valentine's Day card (although it would make a nice wedding card too and I have a wedding to attend tomorrow!).

I made this for LSC199: Holiday Blues. My flowers are paper, so my only non-paper embellishment is my favorite: pearls~


Stamps: Rubber Stamp Tapestry: LOVE (SWD3802 )
Paper: Basic Grey Two Scoops and Old World MatStack DP, Baja Breeze, Whisper White
Ink: Baja Breeze, Sage Shadow, Bliss Blue, Blue Bayou
Accessories: Pearl Gems by Mark Richards, Nestabilities, paper flowers


Thanks for stopping by today! Enjoy your day and weekend!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Today Is The Day!

Today is Sketch Day over at {Sketches! by Tamara}. You can see the Design Team cards HERE.
I made a quick (for me!) card using the beautiful Holiday Treasures paper by Stampin' Up! and a sentiment with a gorgeous font from Joy to the World by Our Daily Bread Designs. The border punch is from Martha Stewart. The ribbon and gems are from my stash of stuff all jumbled in a drawer...... I really need to organize all that!

Today is the day my son comes home from college. He will be here in about seven hours; the airport is three hours away, so my husband will drive there this morning and pick him up. I had planned to go along, but the forecast is for freezing fog, sleet, freezing rain, and snow on the way back. I think they will have a more relaxing ride back without me! :)

A couple of places to visit today:

Hambo Stamps
is offering free shipping on retired stamps - wait until you see the new designs coming out in January (maybe even later this month!). I am really excited about one in particular.......shhhhhhhhh! No more hints! And check out this fun drawing by Tim Hunter -- you will definitely want to be buying some Hambos!

And a new blog to me: Rica's Haven - has some wonderful blog candy from Basic Grey - and lots of fun stuff to look at!

Thanks for stopping by! I gotta get crackin' and straighten up this place!

Stamps: Joy to the World (ODBD)
Paper:Holiday Treasures DP, Pink Pirouette, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up!)
Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU!)
Accessories: Martha Stewart Lace Doily Border Punch, crystal gems, ticket punch, stitched grosgrain ribbon, slot punch

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Rejoicing That I Have Electricity and Heat!


For today's SCS Color Challenge 197:
Baja Breeze
Basic Grey
Kiwi Kiss
Not Quite Navy

I love this color combination.
My stamps are from a new December release by Our Daily Bread designs called Worship the Lord. The piercing in the corner was done with an Ornare piercing template, also available at ODBD.

I am rejoicing that I have electricity and heat -- I know it's cold a lot of places around the country and some are without power and frozen pipes. It's warmed up from -28 wind chill to just -9 with a 7 degree temp. We've havin' a heat wave!!!

Only two more days and my son will be home from college (UNCG) for the holidays! We are very excited here; more than he is right now! He just called me to tell me he finished his last exam today and was wearing SHORTS. I said, "Ummmm......it's 7 degrees here........" Total silence. Good thing I already bought his plane ticket or I think he wouldn't come at all!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Stamps: Worship the Lord (ODBD)
Paper: Designer Paper by Basic Grey, The Paper Studio; Stampin' Up! cardstock: Baja Breeze, NQN, Whisper White
Ink: Palette Noir Black, Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Going Gray
Accessories: ticket punch, Kiwi gems, silver organdy ribbon, Crystal Stickles, Ornare piercing template, paper piercer

Monday, December 15, 2008

Beware! It's Really Pink!


Today's House Mouse & Friends Challenge is in memory and honor of Joanne {stamps4sanity}, who passed away suddenly this past week. Joanne was a sweet woman who spread cheer through her kind comments and card-making. Everyone on the House Mouse team, as well as countless others, will miss her dearly. Please see this post.
In honor of Joanne, the HM Design Team will be sending their cards this week to someone in need, as requested by Joanne's husband.

Our challenge this week was a sketch. I used two new House Mouse stamps for mine, and made it PINK, just like it was on the stamp!

I am offering "Mudpie Tells" as blog candy for a winner from this week's challenge participants. Be sure to link your card back to the sketch post HERE. You are welcome to turn or flip the sketch, but we should be able to see the original layout. Hope many of you will participate! The deadline for the blog candy is Friday of this week! December 19!
Thanks for stopping by today! Give a special hug or a kind word to those you care about today.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Today's Featured Stamper Challenge...on the Third Sunday in Advent


Today one of my friends and fellow House Mouse DT members, America Kuhn, was chosen for the SCS Featured Stamper! America has a delightful gallery full of fun and beautiful creations. I chose to case (copy and share everything) THIS CARD.

I knew with how pretty her card is that I would have to change mine quite a bit (since I knew I wouldn't be able to re-create it!), so I made it a little country and rustic. I didn't have a frame to fit my sentiment, so added CTMH hardware as a substitute. I cut out and popped up the brown star and the sentiment panel on dimensionals and added a miniature lace doily for texture. My Star Bright designer paper (Flair Designs) is available HERE. The sentiment is part of I Wait for the Lord from Our Daily Bread Designs.

I think it is so neat how the word " advent" is part of "adventure." Adventure is defined as "an exciting or very unusual experience" or "participation in exciting undertakings." I certainly believe that the birth of Christ was an unusual experience! And I am participating in the time of waiting and expectation for the celebration. Today we sang many of my favorite carols and Christmas songs: "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," "O Come, All Ye Faithful," "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen," "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" and "What Child is This?"

I am thankful that Jesus wasn't born around Christmastime in Nebraska, though. Today the temperature is ONE with 52 mph winds and a wind chill of minus 24. BRRR!

Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I will have blog candy for anyone participating in the House Mouse & Friends Challenge! Be sure to check it out!

Happy Adventurous Advent!
Stamps: I Wait for the Lord
Paper: Star Bright Designer Paper by Flair Designs, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: CTMH hardware, American Crafts velvet ribbon, star punch, lace doily

Tuesday, December 9, 2008


I chuckled at today's SCS Color Challenge title: Taken With Breezy Hoods ~

I love this combination, and used one of my favorite Stampin' Up! retired sets, Peace on Earth, to make my card. I was inspired by Amy Sheffer's card HERE.

My tree is stamped in Taken With Teal, and the stars are filled with sparkly Crystal Stickles. The circle panel is stamped with the Peace on Earth matching wheel, but I can't remember the name! Anyone? My designer paper is Basic Grey's Figgy Pudding, and the ribbon is Riding Hood Red and Silver Organdy, both by SU!

I am staying inside as much as possible today - the wind chill is 2 degrees because the gusts are 45 mph! That's Nebraska!

Thanks for stopping by today! I appreciate your comments!

Monday, December 8, 2008

A Log Cabin Mouse


Today is House Mouse Monday and I made a different kind of card than I normally do. This is a "quilt" card - where I chose a quilt pattern and then used that for my sketch. I chose Log Cabin for this week's House Mouse & Friends blog challenge. The edges are crooked on purpose - a lot of quilt squares are not exactly even, and I think it gives character to a quilt when they are not! I am making a quilt right now, and I know many of my squares are not square!! :) Maybe you can even see a hint of the red background underneath - my "quilt backing."

Our challenge was to use snow on our card somewhere, either as a background or accessory. I used Liquid Applique and Crystal Snow (Stampendous) for mine. The kitty is trying his best to sing carols, but the Mouse Maestro isn't sure that Kitty is in tune!

My designer paper is from my favorite Basic Grey Wassail and my image was stamped in Palette Noir Black, and then colored in using Stampin' Up! markers.

Thanks for stopping by! Play along and make a House Mouse Snow Card! You could even try a quilt pattern yourself!

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Second Sunday in Advent

Today is the second Sunday in Advent. Today, among others, we sang "Angels We Have Heard On High". I love the refrain; I think most people that sing carols like that one a lot.

This afternoon I drove out to a big park just outside of town called Cottonmill. It has a lake and a swimming hole, which is full of people in the summer. Today it was so peaceful and quiet. The swimming hole has been drained until May, and the lake was just frozen. I sat in my car and listened to carols on the CD player. It was fun to watch across the lake and see a yellow lab running free of its leash while the owners tagged behind.

I drove up to the Nature Barn, which is closed for the season. It has a petting zoo in the summer. A lot of the animals live there year 'round, and there were many out in their pens. As I drove up, the donkey came over to the fence. He followed me as I walked around the pens looking at the swan sitting on a huge nest, the goats chewing on whatever they could, and the llama conversing with the Shetland pony. I could barely fit my hand through the chain link to pet his nose. I think he is pretty busy during the week -- cantatas and Nativity programs and so on tend to need him.... It was a peaceful moment I needed - - Why don't I venture out there more often?

I made this card when I got home.

Stamps: Worship the Lord (Our Daily Bread Designs)
Paper: Basic Grey Wassail DP, Always Artichoke, Naturals White
Ink: Always Artichoke, Palette Noir Black
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Tafetta ribbon, ticket corner punch, Ornare piercing template, paper piercer

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Chocolate Snowflakes!

I made this card for SCS Limited Supplies Challenge 197: Let It Snow~

Only snowflakes, only one word, and bling!
Our cards were also supposed to be monochromatic and I loved this Basic Grey Wassail DP, so my snowflakes followed in the same color scheme. I stamped them on Very Vanilla and then cute them out so that they would be at different angles in the 1.5" squares. The ribbon is the last piece of have of this pretty, shimmery, chocolate American Crafts ribbon, so I will be on the lookout for more of that!

I used my scallop decorative scissors to cut the border under the main panel. The sewing was done on my Janome. A little bling, a little sponging, and voila! Chocolate Snowflakes!

Now for a totally different subject, I am THRILLED (and I mean that literally!) that I have the opportunity in January to attend a watercolor class taught by Jerri Kay Jimenez. I am attending the CHA Show in Anaheim and am really looking forward to watching Jerri Kay work! She is a master at making her watercolor just come alive on the page. In fact, today, she has an incredible post about Christmas placecards - it's worth it to stop by to see that and her gorgeous dining room!! I will also be meeting several design team and SCS friends, and am looking forward to that as well.

Thanks for stopping by today! Our family is working on decorating the house, so it's time for some cocoa and Christmas music!

Stamps:
Graceful Words (SU! retired), CTMH New Fallen Snow

Paper:
Basic Grey Wassail DP, Kraft, Very Vanilla

Ink:
Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa

Accessories:
American Crafts chocolate shimmer ribbon, crystal gems, scallop scissors, sewing machine, sponge dauber

Friday, December 5, 2008

A Matching Envelope

Just a quick post to show you something I added to my snowman card.
Here is a picture of my card from yesterday with a matching envelope. I used the Martha Stewart doily lace border punch and added a strip of my hoarded designer paper from Basic Grey on top of that.


Because of the layers in this card, I would probably mail it in a bubble envelope anyway, so the punched border would be safe too!

My daughter goes in to the surgeon today to get her stitches out and for a checkup. I think she is doing really well. Because of her surgery last week, we didn't put up our tree yet, so I am excited to start that today and tomorrow! Happy Friday!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

I Have a Confession to Make

My confession is:
I tend to hoard designer paper! Horror!!! I know, there is no one else out there that does this. So I thought I had better come clean and admit it to all my paper crafting friends. I know none of you have drawers of paper, or those stand up files of paper waiting to be put on a card. And none of you like to just look at it. Certainly there is no one out there that hesitates to cut into a new big piece. And when you go to wherever you shop for those necessary supplies, paper doesn't find its way into your basket. I mean, 50% off isn't such a great deal, is it?


Well, guilty as charged am I. So here is a little card (if six inches is little...) using some of my beautiful, kept in a drawer, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding and Wassail designer paper. I think the snowmen from Hambo Stamps are enjoying their snowy forested paper scene. Much more than just plain old cardstock. Oh no! Is there a solid cardstock color I haven't been using?? Off to look!

If you would like to see more cards using this sketch, click HERE. The Sketches! by Tamara Design Team made some fun designs!


Stamps: Hambo Stamps: Let It Snow, Snowmen
Paper: Georgia Pacific White, Basic Grey Figgy Pudding and Wassail DP, Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke
Ink: Stazon Black, Baja Breeze, Mellow Moss, Only Orange, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Liquid Applique, Circle Punch, Designer Label Punch, ribbon by American Crafts, Antique Copper HPH, snowflake brad by The Paper Studio, crystal glitter by All Night Media

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

100 Things I Have Done.....Or Not.....

I saw this little game on several blogs this past weekend and thought I would see how I do. If you would like to play along, just copy the list and highlight or underline those things you have done! The ones I have done are PINK! :)
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/World
8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican (I even sang for the Pope!)
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Fostered a rescue animal (adopted)
63/100 (I think!)

I am thankful for so many places I have been! I am not so thankful for the bee stings (since I am allergic!). Here is a card I made a few days ago for the SCS Ways To Use It Challenge: Give Thanks.
Stamps: Garden Silhouettes
Paper: Basic Grey Fusion DP, Very Vanilla, Really Rust, Elegant Eggplant
Ink: Really Rust, Elegant Eggplant
Accessories: oval punches, Nesties, word window punch, brads, fibers by CTMH


I hope your day is filled with fun adventures today!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

When Life is Too Much......


I think the sentiment says it all.


For today's SCS Color Challenge: Basic Black, Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla
Stamps: Follow Your Dreams by CTMH
Paper: Silhouette DP by CTMH, Basic Black
Ink: VersaFine Black Onyx
Accessories: Martha Stewart border punch, Pretties kit, corner rounder, photo corner punch, Primas, garter lace trim, oval punches

Monday, December 1, 2008

Precious Memories


This is a long post and just a story - with a scrapbook page at the end - so you may need to get a cuppa Joe and settle in!

There are so many things that my kids don't know about me. Nothing secretive -- just stuff I did when I was a kid that we don't ever talk about. My daughter was astounded to learn the other day that her dad and I used to ride motorcycles in college. And that we drove through a 3 foot deep running river in Canyonlands National Park (Utah) in our car - not knowing what was under the water -- and I can't swim! There was supposed to be a bridge.......
(That wasn't so smart, but we were adventurous in those early married pre-kids days!)
Her response: "Wow! I didn't know my parents were FUN and COOL!" Can you tell she is a teenager?
Lots of stories to tell. Sometimes I think we wait until it's too late to share things with those we care about.
There are a lot of things I would like to know about my parents' early days too. And "who is that in that picture?" Stuff like that.
I have put my scrapbooking aside for literally years. I was caught up when my daughter was a 5th grader. She is a sophomore this year.
So with the beginning of the Advent Season yesterday, I resolved to share a bit more, journal a bit more, and work more on my scrapbooking.

So a bit to share: This newly released set (Worship the Lord) by Our Daily Bread designs is a special one to me. I am a PK - aka Pastor's kid. When I was ten years old, my dad had two churches, one 30 miles away from the town where we lived and one 15 miles past that. We would drive each Sunday out to the first one, and then on to the second for a little bit later service. The second church looked exactly like the one in this set. There were a few more trees, as it was a heavily forested area, but it was this church. They were a very small congregation; most Sundays there were maybe 15 people there. But they were so welcoming and sweet -- and to my ten year old eyes: OLD. They were probably younger than I am now!
They didn't have a piano or organ player, so I was recruited. My mom was a piano teacher and had started me on lessons when I was four, so I was into my sixth year of playing by the time I got to this church. Every Sunday I would play the hymns at this church, and the people were so thankful to not have to sing a capella anymore! They loved my dad. He also had a great tenor voice and would sometimes sing special numbers.

My dad has retired. But I haven't. I have played piano almost every Sunday since then, even sometimes when I am visiting a church! And I still love it. I think there are very few hymns and songs that I don't know. I am not sure how many that would even be, but I know all the hymn numbers in three hymnals by heart. (I don't mean the music; I do not play by ear at all. I mean the #s - like "Joy to the World" is #125.....) Weird.

One of the hymns I used to play out there was an oldie, for sure: "The Church in the Wildwood." I can remember the marching sound of the chorus as it started "Come, come, come, come, come to the church in the wildwood...."

Once on the way to church, it was winter and snowing, and our car - a blue Pontiac Grand Prix (in those days a HUGE car) - broke down. My dad and I needed to get there! So, we hitchhiked. Back then it was "more acceptable," although a little girl and a big man in a black coat hitchhiking caught the attention of a policeman, who stopped and asked for ID. He wanted to know if everything was okay. I was having the adventure of my life - are you kidding!? Hitchhiking with the minister! We made it to the service - I have no idea how we got back home. Not a life-changing story, but one I remember, and it's a fun one to tell my kids.

So, in honor of that snowy day and the little church in Ash Fork, Arizona, I made this simple 6 x 6 scrapbook page. Nothing fancy, but lots of precious memories. The other side will be the journaling of a story about a ten year old piano player and her dad - their grandpa. I tore the music out of an old hymnal (I have a few of those around). The page looked just like that - I didn't have to dye it or change it at all, except to tear the edge and sponge around it to match the little church scene. Notice in the words of the hymn, "little brown church" -- and so it was.

The Star of My Tree Is......

......a darling little mouse! I say that only because it's not a real house mouse! I am certainly no fan of the "real thing"! So I will just enjoy the cute designs on rubber stamps!


Today's House Mouse & Friends blog challenge was to use glitter and glitz. You are invited to play along and link back HERE. I stamped my image with Black Stazon ink and used Stampin' Up! markers to color. The star is covered with my favorite Crystal Stickles. The cardstock base is from a set of cards (already made and folded!) by My Mind's Eye that I got at Target. The designer paper is Holiday Treasures by Stampin' Up! (which I also used yesterday, and still had on my desk!). The cute patterned ribbon is from American Crafts. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up!'s Best Yet.

Thank you to Angela R. and Linda B. for awarding me with the Kreativ Blogger award, and to Jane W. for the Butterfly Award. I so appreciate you! Stay tuned later this week, as I pass along these awards to others!