Mother's Little Helper

Back for a JiFFy!

The JiFFy Girls are eeking in the November challenge at the last second, what with this being the final day of November and all.  (I must be rubbing off on them.)  Can you believe the holiday season has officially begun?  And even more exciting: my Christmas cards are in the mail!!! 

Don't hate me.  If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that this sort of early-bird behavior is highly unusual.  In fact, for the past two years, I completely dropped the ball on getting out my Christmas photo of the boys and family newsletter.  We have a large mailing list which makes the whole process exceptionally laborious, and I've spent big chunks of the past two Decembers out of town (2007 at EuroPeds, and then last December in St. Louis while Carter was recovering from surgery).  Prior to this egregious lapse, every year since Sean and I married, I faithfully sent out a holiday newsletter; once the kids were born, it was accompanied by a photo.  I have been plagued with guilt by allowing this tradition to fall off, so this year I decided to make it the first thing I did to prepare for Christmas.  I have to say, it's a HUGE relief to have it done already as it's something I really tend to dread.  (I wonder if this is how organized people feel on a regular basis?  Would one of you let me know?)

Okay.  Enough patting myself on the back...  let's get back to those fabulous JiFFy Girls, shall we?    

I had planned to rejoin our Just For Fun challenge after the New Year, but when I saw the ADORABLE image that Michele had selected -- Snow Day from My Favorite Things' precious new Pure Innocence line -- well, I had to make my comeback a little early!  Once Michele had selected the image (but before she revealed it), Lori sent out the paper: Cinnamon from Cosmo Cricket's Nutmeg line.  Gorgeous!

Because I spent most of the weekend on the aforementioned Christmas cards, and because you KNOW I waited until the last minute to work on my challenge project, I wanted to put something together that was quick and easy but still cute.  I've been seeing so many sweet gift tags on the blogs of late, so I thought I'd try my hand at one:

I used Bonnie Sharp's Scalloped Tag Tutorial to create a tag with a tiny bit of flair at the top.  I colored the image with Copics, and paper pieced her coat and hat. The snow was made sparkly with a light coat of Frosted Lace Stickles. 

Be sure to visit the other JiFFy Girls to see what they came up with -- I know without a doubt they have made this sweet snowy gal shine! 

Michele Boyer   Lori Craig   Julie Campbell   Alli Miles   Kim Hughes

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Snow Day by Pure Innocence from MFT

Paper: Neenah Natural White, Cosmo Cricket 'Cinnamon' from the Nutmeg line

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, ColorBox Old Rose Pigment Brush Pad (for edging)

Accessories: Copic markers, Frosted Lace Stickles, Nestabilities (Large Rectangles and Labels 4), Jody's Foam Boosters, satin ribbon, sponge

A Gift for You...

At my house, we have a Christmas tradition of watching 'A Muppet Christmas Carol' as we put up the Christmas tree.  Hopefully, that will happen tomorrow, just as soon as I finish getting the Christmas cards out.  (No, these are not hand-crafted.  Not by a long shot!)

In the spirit of the Muppets and the holidays, I'd like to share the following with you.  I'm not sure I can think of anything more wonderful than the combination of Bunsen Honeydew and Freddie Mercury...

Such a sap...

I don't even watch Jon & Kate Plus 8, but I do watch a lot of Law & Order SVU/CI on the USA network, where a promo for the final J & K + 8 episode has been running non-stop for the past several days.  That song ('It's Your Life' by Francesca Battistelli) coupled with footage of all those sweet little children running around?  Well, it's moving if you're in the mood to be moved.  And I must have been yesterday, because I did get weepy when a schizophrenic perp/victim was reunited with his five year old son.  Anyway, the commercial reminded me: 'Oh, yeah.  Those fame-mongers actually have children.'

I'm not planning on watching the program, mind you, but I am considering downloading the song from iTunes.

What's the world coming to?  Next thing you know, I'll have a drastically bi-leveled hair-do and be sporting nothing but Ed Hardy T-shirts...

 

*shudder*

Cover Girl

Did you received your copy of Splitcoaststampers' Weekly Inking Newsletter in your inbox yesterday?  If so, did you notice a certain someone is featured as this week's tutorial writer? 

Hmmm?  You didn't? 

Oh.  How embarrassing. 

I thought surely this was going to be IT: the big break that would lead to my discovery, that would get me noticed, that would help me bust out of this one-horse town and secure my place in the Craft and Hobby Hall of Fame.  Not that there is such a thing.  Yet.  In this particular fantasy, I'm part of the first class of inductees.  I ride my unicorn into the ceremony wearing a flowing white gown created especially for me by Christian Siriano...

Yeah. Um...

So about that tutorial...  It's for a background technique I stumbled across while trying to create something 'Dirt Worthy' for the October 2008 'For a Song' Dirty Dozen gallery...

 

(This was made for that month's Inspiration Challenge, and my musical inspiration, in keeping with that month's theme, was 'Dog and Butterfly' by Heart.)

I've been scheduled to do this tutorial for over a year now, I think (it's been so long, I can't really remember).  Are you at all surprised that despite having such a HUGE window with which to work on it, I was still scrambling to finish up to the last minute?  Me neither. 

While doing the behind the scenes work to get it ready for prime time, Beate (SCS's Creative Director, member of the '69er club, and -- like Cher-- so famous she only needs to use her first name) suggested the title 'Faux Torn Mosaic.'  Well, I thought it was brilliant and readily agreed to it as I didn't have anything better to call Mod-Podging randomly shaped pieces of inked patterned paper onto cardstock.  Since the tutorial has been up at Splitcoast, however, it's been brought to my attention by some very observant stampers that the title is a misnomer: the background is actually made of torn paper and is actually a mosaic, thus there's nothing 'faux' about it.

They're right; I stand corrected.  I guess I was thinking of a mosaic as one typically does, made of tiles, stone, or glass.  Ashamed as I am to admit it, I was thinking 'inside the box.'  (I'm even more ashamed that I'm intentionally using that soul-corroding cliche.) 

And yet...

I feel the urge to quote the recently departed cheftestant from Season 6 of Top Chef, the arrogant-yet-somewhat-entertaining Mike Isabella who, upon being criticized for his undercooked leeks, said these wise words: "Whatever, whatever."

 

Call it what you will, here's the card I built and photographed to support the tutorial (which also did double-duty as the card included in my friend Rachel's baby shower gift):

If you're interested in giving it a try, head on over to the resources section of Splitcoast, where you'll find the tutorial, a questions and comments section, and a dedicated gallery.

Now, I must take my leave of you and admire the kitchen countertops that are being installed as I type!
 

Supplies used on Baby Mama card:

Stamps: TeddyBella by Stamping Bella, sentiment by Paper Trey Ink (Bitty Baby Blessings)

Paper: Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip (SU!), Perfect Paper Panels (My Favorite Things), Bitty Dot Basics patterned paper (PTI)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Memento Rich Cocoa, Adirondack Latte

Accessories: Copic Markers, oval punches, ribbon, wooden button, twine, Jody Morrow’s foam boosters, Mod Podge, sponges, dauber, paper trimmer

Is it Pathetic that I'm Envious of a Polymer Woman?

Howdy, Hoppers!  I'm taking a brief respite from 'retirement' to join my MFT girlfriends in showing you the newest set featuring everyone's favorite everywoman, Who's That Girl? (known to her good friends as 'WTG').  The first stop on this Hop is with the MFT Lady herself, Kim -- be sure to go back and make all of the stops if you missed any because this is MUST-SEE stamping!  The Mega-Talented Ms. Jody is a tough act to follow, but here goes...

There's a reason I needed to play with my friends today.  You see, when your house looks like this

and this

(Look, Ma!  No sink! Or countertops!  Or appliances!), you need to put your heart and hands to use while thinking happier thoughts. And what scene could be further from my lack of domestic bliss than this one of WTG as she sits, surfs, and sips while her man makes himself useful?

Not only does WTG's guy vacuum, he's secure enough with his masculinity to wear Melon Berry!  Some gals have all the luck...

Speaking of luck, for all of you MFT lovers out there, it's your lucky day!  Not only has the VIP package been brought back by popular demand, it's now available TWO WEEKS before the regular release date!  In other words, if you order the VIP collection, you'll get Maid For WTG (and all of the other VIP package contents; see below for details) a full two weeks before the rest of the stamping public.  You'll have to be quick about it, though: there are only 45 VIP collections available, and it's available for ONE day only (11/18/2009)! 

Okay.  I've jabbered enough.  Now it's time to send you hopping to the MFT DT's NKOTB (My Favorite Things Design Team's New Kid on the Block), who was just revealed this past weekend as one of the newest members of the SCS Dirty Dozen (that's longhand for saying she's super-duper talented)... MELODY!

Card Deets for those who are interested:  I don't know where this crazy color combo came from -- River Rock, Melon Berry/Groovy Guava, and Silver? -- but I have to say, I kinda like it!  I'm very into silver these days.  You'll see what I mean when I show you the 'After' photos of my house.  If 'After' ever gets here...  Anyway, WTG's chair, her Macbook, and her dude's vacuum bag were all paper pieced.  There is a coat of Glossy Accents on her wine glass, and his vacuum was made metallic with a Marvy Silver pen.  The embossed silver background was created via a Fiskars Texture Plate (the 'Rug' pattern, which I thought appropriate considering the image) and a piece of silver cardstock from my stash.  All coloring was done with Copic markers.

BUY THE WAY:

VIP contents:

Maid for WTG? $15.95
Princess Ribbon Collection $9.95 (Contains 5 yards each of 5/8” Sheer Ribbon in Silver, Antique White, White, Black, Lt. Pink)
Princess Pearls Adornments $15.95 (Contains 20-25 of: 3mm White Pearls, 4mm White Pearls, 4mm Jet Pearls, 4mm Cream Pearls)
VIP COST: $41.85  Available for purchase: Now!
VIP Perk: When you purchase this month’s VIP, you’ll get a coupon good for 5% off your December release purchase. Coupon will be valid for 5% off your purchase between 12/2 and 12/4 only.

Supplies used:

Stamps: Maid for WTG by My Favorite Things

Paper: River Rock (SU!), Melon Berry (PTI), MFT Perfect Paper Panels, Cosmo Cricket Boyfriend (plaid) and Earth Love (floral) Mini Decks, silver cardstock from stash

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Copic markers, PTI Melon Berry ribbon and Vintage Cream button, Prima Flowers, Fiskars Texture Plate (Rug), Jody's Foam Boosters, Glossy Accents, Marvy Silver Pen, silver cording

For Rachel

First off, I want to thank all of you who took the time to comment on the video of Carter walking.  Each one felt like a warm, congratulatory hug and many of them brought tears to my eyes.  You made me all verklempt! I feel so fortunate to have such wonderfully supportive cyber friends. 

There are so many people who have contributed to help making Carter a proud pedestrian, but I'd have to say that a big ol' piece of the credit pie belongs to Carter's primary physical therapist (and my dear, dear friend), Rachel.  You've heard me mention her before -- she's come to stay with Carter and me each time we've taken our act on the road, whether to EuroPeds in Michigan, getting botox treatments in Kansas City, or as Carter was recovering from surgery in St. Louis at this time last year.  When you consider the fact that Rachel has worked with him for several hours a week since he was an infant, she has spent more time with Carter than any single person aside from Sean and myself.  We are so incredibly lucky to have such a devoted friend and caregiver.  When I count my blessings, she ranks right up there near the tippy-top.

After several years of trying, Rachel and her hubby are expecting their first baby -- a little girl to be named Abigail (in honor of Abigail Adams -- again, I ask you: is this a gal after my own heart or what?!  I swear, we could have been separated at birth but for the pesky fact that I'm a decade or so older than her...).  Yesterday was Rachel's baby shower.  I had volunteered to make the invitations, but Rachel said she'd prefer me to focus my energies on making something for Abigail's nursery.

Little did she know I already had something special in mind!  When I first saw the amazing Becca Feeken's 'Sesame Street' submission to last March's Dirty Dozen Gallery (you can see it here if you're an SCS Fan Club member), I fell head over heels in love.  The general idea, and those precious sentiments...

So, I ordered the Children Are set from Stamp Camp and bided my time until the right pregnant person combined with the right inspiration came along.  When Rachel gave me a piece of her main nursery fabric, I knew we had a winner.  Check it out -- not your traditional pink for Miss Abigail!  The photograph doesn't really do it justice; the background is actually a warm, chocolatey brown, not the black-ish color it appears in my pic.

Anyhoodle, here's what I came up with, using Becca's general idea, Rachel's fabric inspiration, and a few little tweaks of my own...

I based the color scheme on the main colors in the fabric and the knowledge that her furniture was white and the walls have been painted saffron.  I decided to keep it simple -- even leaving the buttery canvas background that came with the frame as is -- so that the sweet sentiments wouldn't have to fight for the spotlight.  I used PaperTrey Ink's Simple Alphabet for the letters on each sentiment blossom, and PTI's Fresh Alphabet to spell out Abigail's name at the bottom.  The sentiment panels were cut using a Spellbinder Nestabilities Blossom die, and each were backed by an SU! Scallop Circle punch.  All were mounted using plenty of Jody's Foam Boosters.  The display box is from Michael's.

And just to show you how much I love you dear readers, I'm going to type out the sentiments so you can see for yourselves exactly why I find them so charming.  But if I'm going to go to all of this effort, you've got to promise me one thing: let me know if they make you tear up as you read 'em.  I want to know that I'm not alone in my sappiness...

A: Children are Amazing.  Acknowledge them.

B: Children are Believable. Trust them.

C: Children are Childlike.  Allow them.

D: Children are Divine.  Honor them.

E:  Children are Energetic.  Nourish them.

F:  Children are Fallible.  Embrace them.

G: Children are Gifts.  Treasure them.

H:  Children are Here Now.  Be with them.

I:  Children are Innocent.  Delight with them.

J:  Children are Joyful.  Appreciate them.

K:  Children are Kindhearted.  Learn from them.

L:  Children are Lovable.  Cherish them.

M:  Children are Magical.  Fly with them.

N:  Children are Noble.  Esteem them.

O:  Children are Open Minded.  Respect them.

P:  Children are Precious.  Value them.

Q:  Children are Questioners.  Encourage them.

R:  Children are Resourceful.  Support them.

S:  Children are Spontaneous.  Enjoy them.

T:  Children are Talented.  Believe in them.

U:  Children are Unique.  Affirm them.

V:  Children are Vulnerable.  Protect them.

W:  Children are Whole.  Recognize them.

X:  Children are Xtra-Special.  Celebrate them.

Y:  Children are Yearning.  Notice them.

Z:  Children are Zany.  Laugh with them.

Now tell me those don't make you want to snuggle with your kiddos and whisper that they're the best things that ever happened to you.  You can't, can you?!  Marshmallows, unite!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Children Are by Stamp Camp; Simple Alphabet and Fresh Alphabet from PaperTrey Ink

Paper: So Saffron (SU!), Suede Brown Dark (Prism), Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy (PTI)Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Color Box Pigment Brush Pad in Cranberry

Accessories: Display box from Michaels, Blossom Nestabilities by Spellbinders, SU! Scallop Circle punch, Jody Morrow's Foam Boosters, circle punches

Words Fail Me...

Some of you may have seen this already on my Facebook page, but if you haven't, I'd be ever so pleased if you would take a second to check out the following video:

Hours of physical therapy: Countless

$$$ spent on surgeries, medical evaluations and specialists, therapeutic treatments, equipment, travel expenses, etc: More than I want to know

Years spent praying, wishing, hoping, worrying and wondering if this day would ever come: 4.5

Seeing the look of pride on Carter's face at the end of that video: PRICELESS

Congratulations, Mr. President

Where Am I Going, Where Have I Been?*

Hello, friends.  It's been a while, hasn't it?  Are you wondering why I left you high and dry for over a month?  Well, it's kind of a long story, but I'll see if I can whittle it down into something readable.

To start at the very beginning (which, according to Maria Von Trapp, is a very good place to start), I woke up one morning in late August and decided I didn't feel like stamping.  Actually, that feeling had been growing in me for a while.  But this particular morning, it felt more acute. 

Let me give you a little backstory.  As I've mentioned before, I came to stamping during a critical juncture. It was fall of 2006.  My husband was on the campaign trail, my youngest son had recently been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and I had left my position as an assistant professor at a local university to become a stay-at-home-mom.  In the course of a few months, my life had become unrecognizable to me.  Then, I discovered stamping and threw myself into it.   Stamping and the online stamping community provided me with a creative outlet and a much-needed escape from the stress and worry of everyday life.  I made neat things, 'met' new friends, and felt validated and encouraged by all the kind people who said nice things about my art.  It was all very comfy-cozy, unlike the uncertainty that seemed to be swirling about me in the 'real' world.  And so, I stayed there -- in the stamping world -- as much as I could.

I was lucky enough to have a lot of success in stamping, and was able to achieve many of the goals I set for myself like serving on the Splitcoaststamper's Dirty Dozen and doing design work for my favorite stamp manufacturers.  

But then... There's a problem, I learned, with having two worlds: whenever you're in one, you can't be (or, at least, I can't be) fully there for the other.  And as we know, everything is a trade-off.  I am not a fast stamper.  In fact, I'm not fast at much of anything, and I don't multi-task worth a darn.  While my stamping life thrived, my real life became careworn.  I always felt like I was playing 'catch-up' and many things were left undone. 

On that August morning when I woke up and didn't feel like stamping, I took a little tour of my house and saw it through different eyes.  I remembered how excited I had been to move into our home and realized that as of September, we would have lived here for 10 years.  Also during September, my little guy would be turning 5 and I would be turning 40.  Those are big milestones, and I wanted to give them their due.  I knew I couldn't do that and keep up with my stamping commitments, so I requested and was graciously granted a month-long leave-of-absence from all of my stamping 'bosses'.

September came, and Carter had a great birthday at the lake over Labor Day weekend.  A couple of weeks later, I was treated to an absolutely wonderful trip to San Francisco/Napa Valley for my 40th birthday by my marvelous husband.  And to mark 10 years of keeping my family safe and warm, I intended to honor our home with a thorough cleaning and light re-furbish.

Famous last words.

What started as a little nesting project has turned into a full-blown remodel.  (Yes, I know.  I have issues with moderation...)  New paint downstairs (including all trim and moldings, and resurfacing the ceilings where age/settling have caused cracks), new countertops and appliances in the kitchen, some new furniture and rugs, updating doorknobs, hinges, and bathroom fixtures from brass to chrome/nickel, new carpet on the staircase and upstairs, and tiling the floors of a couple of bathrooms that currently are carpeted.  Phew!

If all goes according to plan -- ha! -- our remodel should be finished before Christmas.  I'm really excited by this project, but as I noted above, everything is a trade-off.  After a lot of soul searching, I've come to the conclusion that there's no way that I can oversee this remodel, meet my my wifely and motherly duties, and resume my design team commitments.  (Just thinking about outside deadlines right now gives me the vapors!  Of course, it could just be paint fumes...)

Thus, I've made the tough decision to 'retire' from the Design Team business.  It wasn't an easy call, believe me.  I've so enjoyed the privilege of working behind the scenes with Alma, Kim, & Emily, and my design team-mates have become some of my closest friends over the past few years.  The Cat's Pajamas, My Favorite Things, Stamping Bella, Flower Soft, and GLUE remain my favorite products, and I leave them in hands vastly more capable than mine as they each are represented by some of the best designers in the industry.  And because any crafting I do these days needs to be schedule-free, I'm also stepping down as a sample maker for Jen's Sketch For You To Try (Jen got the better end of that deal, what with the incomparable Leigh O'Brien taking my spot as an SFYTT Sister).

Even though I'm taking a step back from stamping, I'm not forsaking it altogether.  I'll still play when I can, I'll just be doing so as an enthusiast as opposed to a 'professional.'  Life is good; I've gotten my arms and mind around what it means to be the wife of a politician and the mom of a special needs kiddo, and I'm no longer feeling an identity-void due to the fact that I don't work outside the home.  I'm so, so grateful to the stamping community for being there when I needed it and helping me get through a really tough time.  And most likely, if you're reading this, that means I thank you, personally, for the support and encouragement you've given me over the past few years.  I appreciate you more than you know.

So where does that leave this blog?  Well, in my first post I said, "I think this might be a fun way to entertain myself and hopefully those friends who stumble on to it."  A modest aspiration, and one I still think I might be able to pull off.

* Footnote on the title: Have you ever read the short-story 'Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?' by Joyce Carol Oates?  It's positively chilling.  You can find it here in full.  Try to remember yourself as a fifteen-year-old girl as you read it.  And if you have teenaged daughters?  You might want to skip it for a few years...

A Collage-y SFYTT

Jen's really given us a challenge with today's Sketch For You To Try!  I thought about it for a long time before I actually decided what images would 'fit' and even as I was doing it, it went through several changes.  For example -- the Ruby Red layers and accents were an afterthought added for a little extra *pop* (just the brown, ivory, and aqua mist was a tiny bit too tame for my comfort.  If I were on Project Runway?  I predict the judges would sometimes say that they question my 'taste level.'  Consider me the card-making version of Santino).  Still, I like the way it end up; it's kinda different for me, but I think it works as a masculine card, which is what I was going for...
I used the just-released 'On the Desk' set from CHF's Rummage Bin line, designed by my sweet friend Julia Stainton.  It has a lot of vintage-y office images, and I just love that Emerson quote.  The pen is actually a very detailed image, but I sacrificed some of the detail in order to emboss it because I wanted the verdigris look on the brown cardstock. 

I challenge you to stretch yourself and see what you can do with today's SFYTT.  You'll need to head on over to Task Master Jen's for the Sketch and to see samples from her and August Guest Designer Megan Lock.  Then, blurf on over to my SFYTT Sisters' blogs to see their handiwork:

Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Kelly Lunceford, and
Amy Sheffer

When you upload to your SCS gallery, be sure to use 'SFYTT' as one of your keywords so we can give you props. 

Have a great weekend, and make it work! :)

Supplies used:
Stamps: On the Desk by Cornish Heritage Farms (Rummage Bin line)
Paper: Aqua Mist (PTI), Suede Brown Dark (Prism), Ruby Red (SU!), Ivory (Neenah), patterned paper: Cerulean Chestnut Script by Scenic Route
Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Ruby Red (SU!), VersaMark
Accessories: Nestabilities, Verdigris embossing powder (Ranger), red Copic Spica marker, gingham, Jody's foam boosters

Bellarific Friday -- Self Portrait

Don't you see the resemblance?

I used Halobella for this week's Bellarific Friday sketch (created by Mehanibella).  First, I stamped her out and colored her in with Copic markers, then I masked her with Eclipse Masking Tape and airbrushed her sky.  Her dress was paper pieced, and her clouds were made extra-fluffy thanks to Polar White Flower Soft. Shading was accomplished via Prismacolor pencils & odorless mineral spirits.  The wings were glittered via Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen & aqua painter, and the sentiment was hand-written.

Make sure you stop by Emily's blog today to see what the rest of the Babes and the Sistahood made of the sketch.  Just leaving a measly comment while you're there?  You could win some Bella Bucks!  What a deal!  And did you read her blog this week?  They've lowered the free shipping point for all North American customers -- woohoo!  I don't know about you, but I love me some free shipping!

Not a whole lot of time for a lot of jibber-jabber today, but I do want to say: Project Runway has successfully survived the move to Lifetime.  Phew!  It has the same look and feel that we know and love. And Mood Fabrics has an L.A. branch!  Who knew?  COLOR ME RELIEVED!!! (Although I disagreed with the judges' verdict in the All-Star challenge.  Call me fashion-backward, but I thought Daniel V's collection was fugly.) Heidi, you can relax now.  Though I will always prefer Bravo to the L-word, so long as Project Runway keeps its soul and Tim Gunn?  I will follow it anywhere...

Supplies used:
Stamps: Halobella by Stamping Bella
Paper: Sweet Blush, Kraft, Bitty Dot Basics (PTI), Solar White (Neenah), cloud patterned paper by K & Co.
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Copic Sketch & Spica markers, Eclipse masking tape, Copic airbrush system, Polar White Flower Soft, sewing machine, circle and oval punches, Nestabilities, SU! silk ribbon, Prismacolor pencils & odorless mineral spirits, Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen, Dimensionals (SU!)

A Two Pot Kind of Day...

... ever have one of those?
Poor Flopsey.  He looks like he's been up all night.  Check out the bags under his eyes...  It's hard out there for a bunny.

And yes, I do consider Flopsey a 'he.'  There's a debate out there about his/her gender, but I'm fairly certain he's a dude.  Even though I've put him in Baby Pink Flower Soft fluffy slippers. (He's man enough to pull it off.) 

I Need Coffee Flopsey (by My Favorite Things) was colored with Prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits. The yummy gingham ribbon is from MFT's Perfect Plaid Ribbon Nest.

Toodles, gang.  Time for a refill... 

Edited to Add:  Hey -- MFT Fans -- did you hear the good news?!  FREE shipping through Saturday!  Here are the details (read through 'em all, because you will be required to follow directions):

*Code SCS0809 will deduct $4.95 from your order total from all orders over $25 (in sets or products, before shipping)

*Your order will be shipped first class, or the most cost effective way possible

*This special is valid 8/19 - 8/22 ONLY and will not be honored at any other time

*If your order is over $50, and meets the free shipping criteria, the code will still deduct $4.95 from your total

*If your order is shipping Internationally, the code will still deduct $4.95 from your total

*Your cart contents need to over $25 (in sets or products, before shipping) to qualify

*You MUST use the code to receive the discount

Supplies used:
Stamps: I Need Coffee Flopsey by My Favorite Things
Paper: Aqua Mist & Sweet Blush by PTI, Natural White (Neenah), 'Tease' from Basic Grey's Blush collection, polka dots by A-Muse
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Prismacolor pencils & odorless mineral spirits, blending stumps, MFT gingham ribbon, PTI button & twine, sewing machine, oval punch, brown twill, Dimensionals (SU!), Baby Pink Flower Soft

School of... Whales?

Have we ever got a fun and timely TCP Tuesday Challenge for you this week!  Amy is our Hipster Hostess With the Mostess this week and here's the Inspiration Piece (selected by Toni):

Doesn't that just make you want to break out your Crayolas? 

All of those colors reminded me of some yummy new ribbon I bought, and since I've been dying to get the whale from the new By The Sea set inky, I figured I'd make a school of whales...

The card is long-note sized and the whales were colored in with Copics and popped up on Dimensionals.  I trimmed the turquoise layer below the whales with mini-scallop edged scissors to resemble tiny waves.  Since my oldest fishy is beginning Junior High tomorrow, I think I'll use this to write a note telling him how proud I am of him and to wish him a wonderful school year.

Wanna play with us and have a chance to be this month's Swanky Stamper? 

Here are the deets. (Lifted from Ana's page.)
1. Each a week one member of The Cat Pack will host a challenge.
2. The challenges will vary {stamp, color, theme, sketch, etc.}
3. You will have until {this} Saturday night at midnight EST to complete the challenge.
4. Link your project on this week’s hostess’ challenge announcement. This week you will link your project HERE!
5. TCP stamps are not required, but of course, highly encouraged. {Unless it is a challenge calling for a specific stamp}
6. There will be one winner each month. She/he will be deemed that month’s Swanky Stamper and get $25 in Cat’s Cash {money to spend on the TCP site!}.
7. When uploading to SCS or PCP, please use the keyword TCPTUES72 for this challenge.
8. Alma will post the entries from the week the following Monday on her blog.
9. The newly crowned Swanky Stamper will be announced on the First of the Month and have his/her winning entry posted on The Cat’s Pajamas website where he/she will reign for the entire month.

Can't wait to see what you'll come up with!

Supplies used:

Stamps: By The Sea by The Cat’s Pajamas; Paper: Yo-Yo Yellow, Totally Turquoise, Soft Sky (SU!), Georgia Pacific White; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic markers, ribbon, Dimensionals (SU!), Inkessentials white pen, mini-scallop edged scissors

A Swirly-Sweet SFYTT

This, folks, is about as vintage as I get...

For today's Sketch For You To Try by soon-to-be-Mommy-of-a-son Jen del Muro, I pulled out my 'Minty Wreath' stamp from Stamping Bella.  At first I tried to color it with Copics, but found the nib too fat, so I stamped the image again brought out my trusty Prismacolored pencils and odorless mineral spirits. 

You can't really see from the main photo, but I added some sparkle to the mints via a Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen.  The patterned paper is from Cosmo-Cricket's Early Bird line.

For the sketch and samples by Jen and August Guest Designer Megan Lock, blurf on over to Jen's blog at iheart2stamp.  And don't forget to check out the sure-to-be-sensational stuff by my SFYTT Sisters

Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Kelly Lunceford, and
Amy Sheffer

Wanna play with us?  Then be sure to use SFYTT as one of your keywords when you upload to your SCS gallery so we can give you props.

In non-stamping news, I'm excited about the coming week -- we're about to enter into a golden period of television!  Three of my favorite shows begin their new seasons over the next few days: Mad Men, Top Chef, and the much-anticipated return of Project Runway.  TV doesn't get much better than that! 

However.  As all Project Runway lovers are aware, PR has changed networks and left it's home at Bravo for Lifetime.  I was barely watching a cheesy Lifetime movie as I created my card this morning (hey -- don't judge me.  I like to mock the dialogue while working on projects, and it's not as if you have to pay close attention to follow the plot -- John Stamos was being framed for the disappearance of his wife...) and caught an even cheesier commercial for Project Runway.  It was explaining -- much as you might to a preschooler -- what Project Runway is.  *sigh*  I really fear Lifetime's influence on my favorite program.  If they dumb it down, I will be forced to do something drastic... Heidi Klum: you've been warned!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Minty Wreath and Happy Holidays by Stamping Bella
Paper: Ivory (Neenah), Red Riding Hood Red (SU!), Kraft (PTI), patterened paper from Cosmo Cricket's Early Bird line
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, PTI Vintage Touch chamomile & chai
Accessories: Nestabilities, sewing machine, satin ribbon, PTI Vintage Buttons and twine, Prismacolored pencils, odorless mineral spirits, blending stumps, Dimensionals (SU), Sakura Stardust Gelly Roll pen.

Bon Appétit!

It's Bella-rific Friday, and I have some fun non-stamping news to share!  I made a late post yesterday and gave you a little hint.  I haven't seen any guesses yet, but I also know I haven't given it a whole lot of time. 

(By the way, do any of you use Feedburner?  If so, how do you get your posts to show up in GoogleReader and/or emailed out to your subscribers simultaneously with your posting?  Mine sometimes take up to 24 hours to be updated/emailed out. Thus, if a post isn't made first thing in the a.m., it can get 'lost,' KWIM?  I've tried doing a search to find out this info, but to no avail.  So if any of you have the answer?  Please share it with me!)

Anyway, the card I created with this week's Bella-rific Friday sketch (courtesy of Shannanabella) is your second hint...
I'll go over the card details whilst you ponder the significance... Chefabella was colored with Copics and shaded with Prismacolors and odorless mineral spirits.  Her kicky little apron was paper pieced.  Don't you love that veggie background paper?  It's courtesy of Basic Grey's Offbeat 6"x6" paper pad.  The sentiment was hand-written, and the gingham brads were some that I found long ago at the Target Dollar Spot. 

Be sure to check out Emily's blog today to see what the other Bella-rific Babes and the Sistahood created using this fab sketch -- lots of inspiration and just by leaving a comment, you could win some Bella Bucks!

Now for a little backstory on my scoopage.  See, I've always been kind of a foodie at heart.  I'm a decent cook for someone who is totally self-taught, though I'm utterly reliant on a recipe and my timing is terrible.  I've long been a subscriber to Cook's Illustrated (greatest cooking magazine ever, IMHO), and I own countless cookbooks.  I love reading foodie memoirs (The Soul of a Chef by Michael Ruhlman, Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, Calvin Trillin's Tummy Triology, and Ruth Reichl's books are particular favorites) , and have harbored a long-standing fantasy of attending the Culinary Institute of America.

Well, the whole Julie & Julia hype (regarding the current movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams) made me buy a second copy of Julie Powell's book about how she set a challenge for herself to cook all 524 recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French cooking in one year.  (My original copy was loaned out before I had a chance to read it and was never returned.)  So, instead of my first edition hardback (which is now going for good money on eBay...), I bought a movie tie-in paperback while I was in Michigan and read it this past week.  It was delightful, and re-kindled the abovementioned culinary school fantasy. 

Clearly, CIA (the main campus is located in Hyde Park, NY) isn't an option, unless I wish to abandon my family.  And if I were to do that?  I'd definitely have to do something like work in the restaurant industry... um... no thanks.  I don't actually know what I'd want to do with a Culinary School degree; I just want to go through the process of getting one.  Better stick with the hubby and children.  I looked at the culinary program at OSU Okmulgee, but that's a year and a half long and an 1.25 hours away, one-way.  Just not feasible; at least, not now.

Sean, always the voice of reason in this particular household, suggested that maybe I should start slow and take a few cooking classes here or there, just to make sure it was something I truly wanted to do.  As opposed to impulsively diving-in, full immersion (my typical style) and then deciding I didn't really want to invest so much time, money, and energy.  I reluctantly lowered my sights and did an internet search for cooking classes in Tulsa.

My hopes weren't high.  Most cooking classes I've seen are so specific -- learn to make sushi (I love sushi, but have no illusions that I'll ever want to make it at home; which is saying a lot because I'm fairly delusional, as a rule) or something related to whatever gadget they're trying to sell at Williams-Sonoma.  But what to my wondering eyes did appear?  It looked too good to be true: a course called 'Pro Chef I' at a Tulsa gourmet shop.  According to the website:

This 14-week comprehensive cooking program is for the cooking enthusiast who is interested in developing professional chef's skills. The Pro Chef program is a fast track curriculum that has been developed using the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) textbook and the professional experiences of our chef. Our goal is to equip each student with skills that they can use in catering, a career in the restaurant industry, as a personal chef, or simply to advance the home gourmet's culinary expertise.

And guess when the next semester starts?  Next week!  Is that kismet or what?! Well, I was so excited, I could hardly contain myself!  I told my great friend and next door neighbor, Marguerite, about it the next morning on our daily walk.  Her response: "I want to go to there!" a la Liz Lemon.  By the end of the day, we were both signed up (there were only two spots left -- more evidence of destiny?), and starting next week, we'll be spending every Wednesday evening through November learning mad knife skillz and wearing our white chef's jackets just like the Cheftestants on Top Chef! 

So you've been warned.  This paper-crafting blog is going to be a hybrid paper-crafting/foodie blog for at least the next several months.  Are you ready to cook vicariously? 

Bon Appétit!

Supplies used:
Stamps: Chefabella by Stamping Bella
Paper: MFT Perfect Paper Panels, Pure Poppy & Ripe Avacado (PTI), patterned paper from Basic Grey's Offbeat 6"x6" pad
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black
Accessories: Nestabilities, Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils & odorless mineral spirits, PTI Pure Poppy grosgrain ribbon, gingham brads from Target Dollar Spot, Jody's Foam Boosters