Monday, August 31, 2009
Good Golly Molly, It's Monday
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Lotto Crazy
Friday, August 28, 2009
Don't Forget Even the Weeds Can Bloom
You would not believe how many "bloom" stamps I own. I can never pass one up. I get so excited when I see one, as if it was made just for ME! Isn't it? Anyway, today I'm sharing I card I made yesterday. I was busy using scraps on my desk again and this was the end result. I love how it turned out! I love the October Afternoon papers. I can't seem to get enough of them. Then again, I can't seem to have enough of any beautiful printed paper! I think the green plaid is from American Crafts. It's hard to find this paper so I bought several sheets when I saw it. The flower is from my friend Gretchen. Another of her gifted stamped images to me. This bloom verse is from Verve stamps.
I save all my old Mary Engelbreit magazines. You never know when you'll need a bit of whimsy to get you going in your creative quest for that perfect card. No, I've never made that "perfect" card, but I have made lots that I love to look at, but that doesn't stop me from trying to create better and better. That's the lesson for today. Use your own imagination! Creating the perfect card isn't the reason most of us create. It might be the goal, but remember to enjoy the process. I know so many crafters who think that their work is not good enough to show off. Why is that? Can we all improve? Sure, but only improve for ourselves. I want to laugh when I look back at some of my earlier cards. How could anybody have bought those? I ask my self. Self answers the same way every time. They saw what could be. I've been selling cards for a long time and I have a few wonderful friends who have been buying from me from the start. I'm sure they think the latest cards are the best, but I hope they treasured the first ones as well. The moral of this story is---don't be afraid to show off your creations! They are part of who we are!
This is a quote from Mary
At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done. Then they see it can be done--Then it is done and the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago!
Have a wonderful day! Love and Hugs to all who enter!
P
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Just Sharing Some Cards Today
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Fall?
I'm sure Fall is in the air, somewhere, just not in Dallas today! It's going to be another hot one for us. 99 plus! We're usually on the "plus" side of the temps! It's OK, Fall will be here soon enough. As much as I love the summer, I do think Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the warm colors and the fresh apples. We're from Maryland and we used to drive up to the mountains and bring back so nice fresh apples by the baskets. We were lucky if we had any by the time we reached home! I have a lot of nice memories of those days. Now I can't get my "boys" to go for a ride anymore! I'm lucky that Barry likes to drive and a "ride" can be anything from a few hours to a few days with him!
The card I'm showing today was made using an old SU set of stamps. I bought it from eBay this summer for a very good price. I really love the apples and the set has a great pumpkin too. The only stamp I'm not sure about in the set is a Sunflower. I love those type of flowers, but it's a bit funky for a stamp. I have to play a bit with the image before I can say it's ready for prime time card making! I used some fun, fun paper that I got from Emily's store when my friend Gretchen took me there. It's been hanging around my stash for a while now, and cried out to me yesterday. It's a little busy, but I think it works well with this card. Notice the dew drops? They are from a set of Halloween colors!
Today I have to work on cards. I got a lot done yesterday but just NOT enough done! I have to get back to "machine" mode in cards. I'm working up to that slowly! Very slowly! I made a bunch yesterday and posted them in my eBay shop. They sold well. Now to make more---that's the hard part!
Have a wonderful day and come back anytime!
Hugs,
P
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Have I Said I'm Tried?
I hate the end of the month! Bills come due that are so hard to pay. Bill collectors get crazy with their phone calls and still there are NO jobs! I feel like I'm on a roller coaster some days. One day good, the next day, not. I've tried not to turn the news on so much either. That's hard because we're news junkies at our house. But that's not helping my stress level one bit! I go off the deep end when I hear the wing-nuts on TV talk about the health care issues! I wish I could say to them---walk in my shoes for the last year without health care! Figure out how you're going to pay for the pills you need to stay healthy and how to keep food on your table! I know that there are many people who are just so Happy with their health care. Well so were we when we had it, but everyday things are a changing! Tomorrow the job that you have today may be gone---then what? If you plan on Cobra for a family and paying for it with your unemployment check---forget it! You can't have both! I know this for the truth! You know that big wonderful government run program called Social Security? Not one person took me up on my offer to give them the papers to opt out of it---so much for BIG GOVERNMENT not working! It's a life saver for many Americans! What would my in-laws have done without it? Like I said---I'm tired!
Enjoy the Fishing Riley! He's always having a good day!
P
Monday, August 24, 2009
Believe
I finally inked up my beautiful RAK set of SU stamps from Paula this weekend. Isn't this the prettiest card? It looks so much richer in color IRL, but you get the picture. I used some My Mind's Eye paper that I got on our little Sunday trip a few weeks ago. No one carries all the new stuff in our area. I love the papers of My Mind's Eye. They are always so pretty. It's hard to find pretty purple papers. I used up the last of the Razzleberry ribbon that Gretchen shared with me. I'm going to have to get some of the new stuff for my self. Self, make a note!
We had a nice quite weekend. On Saturday we went to the $ movie to see Star Trek. It was great. I really liked the way it showed the people when they were young. Fun! Last night we had dinner with Evan. That was about it for us. Barry did get a lot of rest!
My MIL, Annette, arrived on Friday at the rehab center. Sid is now sleeping in his own bed and using his own bathroom. What a treat! When I spoke with him last night he said Mom is doing a bit better, but they're still having a hard time getting her up from the bed. She's in a lot of pain. They were hoping today would be the day. They need to start working on the broken parts! If you could spare a get well card to send along to her, I would be so grateful. Just email me and I'll be happy to send along the address. Barry's Mom loves getting cards in the mail!
Today I'm doing all those things I didn't get done over the weekend. You know, like wash and clean. Ok, so maybe I'll only get the wash part done. I WILL try to get some of the cleaning done. Now that Barry's parents aren't coming any time soon, I feel I don't really have to clean right now. Barry on the hand, thinks I'm a day late in cleaning!!
Take care and hurry back soon!
P
Friday, August 21, 2009
Mom-In-Law On The Move!
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Congrats To Kim!
I didn't make the final cut for the Guest Design spots for Hanna Stamps this time, but I'm so happy for my friend Kimberly. Her site is Creating for Sanity listed on the my favorite sites, and wish her a happy too! Kim is waiting for the birth of her 5th child right now.
Not much new in the Bloom Zoo world. Annette (MIL) is doing OK. I spoke with Sid last night and he said they are taking her off her pain meds so she'll start to mend better. I think that's a good idea. They still don't know how long she'll be there, but he was told to make plans to move her to a rehab center soon. Poor guy. These are the things Annette would normally do, not Sidney.
School was better yesterday for Barry. He said he had a little easier time with the coding. That is a very good thing. Still no job, but as always we keep hoping. Maybe I should say I keep hoping. I really don't know what else to do but keep good thoughts in my mind. Without that I really would go NUTS!
We're hoping to get together with Evan either tomorrow night or Saturday and go to one of his favorite places for dinner. His treat of course!
I'm off to try and create something today. I didn't get much done yesterday again. I don't seem to be able to get a handle on my MOJO. I still think it's at the beach or at least the pool!
Love and Hugs to all who enter!
P
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
I love how this card turned out! Sometimes my brain just can't seem to get an idea out and then I turn to the net. I went blog hopping yesterday and found several ideas out there. I combined the best of the best and then made it my own with my own combination of colors and shapes. This is the finished card! I used some new Basic Grey papers. 3 different papers to create this card. I must buy some more of those Plain Jane verse's that Verve has. I like how they make such a great statement on a card. For the center panel of this card I used a pretty busy piece of printed paper. I layed my spellbinder over the part I wanted to use and then just added the butterflies to finish it off. I need to make more of this. It's a great way to use up some of those pieces of paper that come in the pads that you really don't know what to do with without covering up all the pretties on the paper.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon at Evan's waiting for his fridge to come. At 3 Evan called and said there was so sort of mix up and they weren't coming, so I went home. At 4:45 they called Evan at work and said they were on their way. He left work and went home to meet them. That was my day. Hurry up and wait! Now today I have to do the wash, clean a bit (not too much, don't want to upset the dust bunnies) and find time to make a card or two. I was planning a trip to my LSS to check out all the new stuff she's got. I'd love to do some more sample cards for her. I like getting paid in trade. It's nice to know I don't have to take money out of my pocket to get a few new pieces.
I would like to say thanks for your support. A few of my customers read that I was having some doubts about my work. Was it good enough or not, and again they supported my habits!
Barry's Mom, Annette, came through the surgery yesterday just fine. I spoke with his Dad afterwards and he said she was doing good. I'll call him again today and check. That was such good news.
I'm off to the race now. Have a wonderful day!
Hugs and Love to all who enter!
P
Monday, August 17, 2009
Do you love Lulu? She's a new addition to my stamping children. This is a Stampin Bella Ketto stamp. I think she's too cute by far! I have had a box of tiny little saying from Hero Arts for years and years and keep going back to them time and again. I think this was one of the first sets of Hero Arts I got many years ago. I've added a few more stamps since then!
I'm beginning to think my cards are unloved. In the last two weeks I've sold about a half dozen cards at my ebay store! Where is everyone or have my cards suddenly become so darn ugly that people don't want to buy them? I'm at a loss as the cause of this problem. Do you sell cards? Is this happening to you too? I don't want to spend anymore money buying fall and holiday papers and stamps if this is going to be the way it is. I NEED to sell more then 6 cards a week just to pay for my own needs! Forget eating! I'm hoping it picks up soon. The good news is that I've gotten some really, really great new customers in the last few months and I hope they will continue to support my habits!
We had some good news about my MIL last night. Barry's Dad called to let us know that Annette had a good day and was feeling about 100 times better then the day before. She was able to eat some and even sat up at the end of her bed. I guess she'll be feeling bad again by tonight. She's having the pacemaker surgery this morning around 9 AM. I'm praying every thing goes well. I don't know how my FIL would handle it if anything were to happen to her. She's the rock in the family. At least Barry's brother Don is with him today. He drove up on Saturday with his GF. His other brother is coming up later today. That gives Barry some peace of mind.
Today I have to go to Evan's house. He's got some new things coming today, but he had to go back to work. Mom can always be counted on! I'm trying to get a little house work done (very little) and some wash before I go. Maybe I'll get a little card making too.
Take care everyone.
P
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Sunday, Sunday
Saturday, August 15, 2009
My Final Hanna Project!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Is It Friday Yet?
Thursday, August 13, 2009
UpDate ON MIL
Barry's mom seems to be holding her own. My son Larry spoke to Alan, BIL, last night and he said she's doing better. They are still trying to get all her blood levels stable, but they hope to put the new pacemaker in next Monday. That seems like a long time to me, but I guess the DR's know what they're doing.
Another Tilda card today. I made her so soft and pretty in purple. This is some My Mind's Eye paper that I picked up last weekend at a scrapbook store we visited. What would life be without my Martha butterfly punch? I really like the tiny little ones. I think they add something to the feel of this card.
This morning I finished my project for the Hanna Guest Designer #3 contest. It's suppose to be a 3-D item. I wish I could share it with you today and get it over with. It came OK. I just don't feel as if I'm up to much of late. As I said, the week has been hard with Annette being sick. She's always been a big supporter of all my crafts. When I did needlepoint, she got needlepoint. She has several pieces on her wall of framed pieces of mine. When I made jewelry, she got Angel pins, and now she gets cards. The bad part is that she broke her right hand in the fall. She'll miss sending out her cards. I'll still send them. Maybe she'll get my FIL to write them for her. He's only 91 himself!
Please keep them in your prayers.
Hugs & Love,
P
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Some Bunny Loves You or Is It the Chocolate?
Mr Bunny came into my home yesterday. Isn't he something? He's part of a new set of stamps from MFT. My oldest son is a choco-guy and darn proud of it, so I thought this set would be perfect for a birthday card for him next month. And of course how many others have this same problem?????
We got some bad news yesterday about Barry's Mother. My in laws, who are from Maryland, were visiting this past weekend up in New York. My MIL fell on Sunday on the way home and broke her hand and shoulder. To make matters even worse, her pacemaker has gone bad and that's what they think caused her to black out and fall. Now she's in the hospital in New Jersey along with my FIL. They are waiting for her to be more stable so they can replace the pacemaker and then fix the rest of the broken bones. They are no spring chickens. Sidney is 91 and Annette is 86. Sid didn't want anyone to come and stay with him. They are giving him a room at the hospital right now. I told him to milk it for all it's worth and get food too! Please keep our family in yours prayers. We dearly love them both.
That's it for today. I'm still trying to figure out what to make for the 3rd item for the Hanna Stamps thing. Mind is NOT working.
Hugs and Love to all who enter!
P
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Lazy Days of Summer
I'm washing again today. Yesterday I headed over to Evan's new house to help him out and I didn't get all the dirty clothes done, so that's my first job today. After that I'm hoping to get some stamping done. I have got to think of a project for my Hanna Design Tea Contest. I need to think of a 3-D project. My mind is blank as usual. Oh well, I'm sure something will come to me soon.
I'm off to the races now. Have a wonderful day and come back again soon. Maybe I'll have the good news that I won the Lotto! Or maybe not!
Hugs and Love!
P
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Tina's 40th Birthday Party
Today was moving day for Evan. The movers came to his home and packed up all his stuff. On the way to this new home they stopped for his dining room set that I was storing in my studio along with a twin bed we gave him for one of his rooms.
Barry and I went for a ride to a scrapbook store we had never been to before. It's about 60 minutes from Dallas, but it was a nice day and we needed to ride. I wanted to go and he was a sweetheart and took me. I found several pieces of brand new My Mind's Eye papers. We don't have any stores in our area that carry that line. I love the richest of color and texture their paper has. I should be able to made lots of new car. Yea, sure!
Thank you all for stopping by and checking out my cards for the Hanna Stamps contest. Now to think of something to make for next week!
Hugs and Love to all!
P
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Here's Sophie!
Friday, August 7, 2009
It's Friday!!
I love the beach! Can you tell? We used to live in Tampa and the water was so close. We had a nice pool in the backyard and the beach was about 10 minutes away. Ok, so you couldn't swim in the pool in the summer during the day. The water was too hot, but so nice in the evening! When I made this card yesterday that's what I was thinking about! I used parts of several old SU sets. I have two different ones but I don't have a clue what stamps go with what set anymore. I've mixed and matched for so long! The chair is stamped in the new ink color from SU. Part of my RAK. The paper is from Cosmo. Did you like the little red crab?
Last night we went and did the walk through with Evan. Today is going to settlement. His house is a really, really nice starter home. 4 bedroom and nice yard. It's old and needs some improvements for sure, but nothing he can't get done with a bit of money! He just called to say the house is his now! He's 34, single and owns a home. He drives a nice car and he's not Gay. Anybody got a nice daughter who wants to live in Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well, I'm off to finish up a special order for Marla. She missed some cards on ebay yesterday. No problem!
Don't forget to come back tomorrow bright and early for my Hanna Stamps Design Contest Card #2. She's a real beauty!
Have a great evening!
Hugs!
P
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wishing I Could Share More
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
If One Apple Is Good...
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Second Post of The Day
Notice the paper? It's the new SU Raselberry(?) I got yesterday as a RAK from Paula Leu! See the posts below for the details. Just let it be said--she's a special lady! I used the new ink to match the paper to stamp the card and verse. I guess I'm going to have to give back the stamp set to Gretchen soon. She must be "needing" it! See the ribbon? I got that from Gretchen. I found the hardware in a drawer full of goodies in my stamp room. I MUST move all the stuff back in there some day. I love this card and the layout. It always works for me!
Tonight is FREE Taco night at Jack n' Box. We have coupons for 2 free each. What a deal! Other then that, nothing new in our little crazy world. A good friend of Barry's from Lion's Club passed away on Monday. He was in his 80's and not well, but we visited with late last week and he seemed to be on the mend. I was sorry to hear that. He was a true gentleman. Barry is taking off school on Friday morning to attend the services for Gene. His family is in my prayers.
I made lots of cards today and posted some over at eBay if you're interested in looking. Hopefully they won't be around too long to look at.
That's about it kids!
Hugs and Love to all!
Paula
Dear Dear Friend Leu
Hugs and Blessings to you all!
Love
P
Monday, August 3, 2009
Baked With Love!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Sophie Just Being A Girl
What could be finer then having a nice glass of wine in your own bathtub? Maybe having it in a nice hotel would be better, but could you bring your own duck????
This is my first entry into the Hanna Stamps guest designer round #2 contest. Sophie is bubble crazy. I used yellow dew drops for the bubbles. Her head is popped up and so it the duck. I hope you enjoy her day of fun!
Be back later!