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