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Have you heard the news? If not, you might want to skip-to-your-lou on over to Kim's blog -- she's making a few announcements today, one of which I'm particularly *thrilled* about! It's been in the works ever since I took my stamping hiatus. If I say anymore, I'll give it away, and I don't want to irritate the Boss Lady anymore than I already do.
So skeedaddle! In the meantime, I'll just sit here and do my happy dance...
Here it is -- the official Burrage family Christmas card photo for 2010! The caption to the side of our card reads "Have Yourself a Snuggie Little Christmas." It's hard to believe, but Truman is now 14 and Carter is 6. One of the first ways I decorate our home each year is to put all of the Christmas card photos out in chronological order on the bookshelves in our living room. It never ceases to amaze me how the boys have grown from year to year. The memories of each photo session come back, and I'm always startled to recall that there was actually a time (almost 8 years) when Truman was an only child. Even harder to believe is that I somehow existed for 27 years without one of the above critters. Being these wild things' mom is such a part of my identity, I wonder who I was before.
Merry Christmas, dear readers. And thank you for giving my humble little creative outlet and random ramblings an audience. Peace and love to you and yours.
Howdy, gang! Sorry it's been such slim pickings around here of late. Like I told my husband last night, "Christmas is a full-time job." Between the decorating, the shopping, the wrapping, the parties, and what not...
Sometimes a girl just needs to stop and give herself a moment for a little stamping therapy. Though I'm personally inspiration-free at the moment, I knew I could count on My Favorite Things' Wednesday Stamp Club to give me a challenge that would get my mojo a-go-go. Today's challenge is: Simply Die-Namic -- create a card or project where Die-namics (dies) are the main component (SCS Keyword MFTWSC12222010).
And since tomorrow is the 23rd -- also known as FESTIVUS! -- I thought I'd create a little something for the rest of us. What's that? You're not familiar with Festivus? Well, then watch this for a primer:
And here's my tribute, using the Die-Namic Banner Strip Die and Mini Alphabet Set.
Please note the shimmery ribbon, in honor of the Festivus Pole. And, in further celebration of this auspicious occasion, I have a first: my first decorated card interior! Can I get a holla?
Simple and to the point. For the sentiment, I used a combination of Twisted Sentiments and the Grow Love Plant a Tree set.
Are you in need of a break and a little stamping therapy of your own? Then come play with us! For links to more samples by MFT designers, see this post on Kim's blog. Be sure to use MFTWSC12222010 as a keyword when you post to your Splitcoast gallery to be eligible for a random drawing for $15 to the MFT Boutique.
Now, I must go. Gotta get started on the Festivus meatloaf, write down my list for the Airing of Grievances, and practice my wrestling moves for the Feats of Strength. Here's wishing many Festivus Miracles for you and yours!
Howdy, peeps! It's been a week or so since I've slowed down for long enough to have a moment to stamp and share. I'm quite certain I'm the only one who gets a wee bit busy around this time of year. However, I do realize there are millions of you waiting for crumbs of information about my glamorous life. Thus, I forced myself to take a break from jet-setting, hob-knobbing, and humanitarian work to give my adoring public what they want.
And, since it's Saturday, that means it's time for Jen's Sketch For You To Try! Holla!
These last weeks of the year -- before she unveils the new SFYTT procedure (which she's hinting about on her blog today) -- Jen's letting us pick among all of the past SFYTTs to work with. I dug around through my various print-outs and found this one from November 14, 2009 that I thought would be fun to try once more. I wanted to combine it with this week's My Favorite Things' Wednesday Stamp Club Challenge (which I'm late for) - create a Winter Wonderland. Here's what I came up with:
Isn't she sweet? I used the first Pure Innocence image I ever inked up -- Snow Day. Love her! My color choices were determined by the patterned paper -- Jillibean Soup's "Whole Cloves" from the Christmas Chestnut Soup line. Kind of a rusty red and a very dark brownish green. I colored the cutie with Copics and highlighted the snow with Stardust Stickles. The side embellishment was made using a ribbon brad and My Favorite Things' fabulous Hearts A Plenty Die-namic. This is one you're definitely going to want for all of your heartfelt and Valentine-y needs. See what I mean...
Good stuff! Anyway, I inked the edges of all the cardstock with a little Color Box Cat's Eye inkpad in Popcorn, finished off the corners with some brads, and there you have it -- a krafty little winterscape. There's still time for you to play along in this week's WSC Challenge; just use the keyword MFT12082010 when you upload to your Splitcoast gallery to be entered in the weekly WSC drawing for a $15 voucher to the MFT Boutique.
Try this sketch -- it's a keeper! Be sure to stop by Jen's blog for her sample and to find out what she has up her sleeve for the SFYTT New Year. Then, make sure you head on over to my SFYTT Sister's blogs to see what sketchy inspiration they've got in store for you:
Susan Liles
Amy Rohl
Amy Sheffer
Megan Lock
Amber Hight
Sony Christoph
Jodi Collins
Jenn Diercks (this is Jenn's last week as an SFYTT Sister -- be sure to wish her well!)
Kelly Lunceford
Leigh O’Brien
and introducing the new SFYTT Sister on the block, Kerry Johnson (aka PPL#2; don't ask -- you DON'T want to know)!!!
Also playing along with us this week are the uber-talented Joanne Basile and Ana Wohlfahrt! Yay!
Now for a little non-stamping related news...
As I mentioned earlier, we've had a tsunami of activity here at the Burragio. I had papers and presentations and finals, oh my! Truman, my oldest, is running for his junior high's Student Council President. I can't resist showing you the photo that ended up on his campaign posters...
He needs a haircut (looking a little Wolverine-ish), but isn't he a cutie? I swear, though, it's MUCH worse being the mother of a candidate than being the spouse of one (and that's pretty bad, believe me). Gives me knots in my stomach. I think it's wonderful he has the confidence and chutzpah to run for office, but I anguish at how he might feel if he loses. I ran for student body president my junior year of high school and lost, so I know it's not the end of the world. I know firsthand there's no shame in losing a well-fought race, and that the experience is actually character building. You learn you wont die from disappointment, and to just rally for another day. But as a mom... well, you know. My kid is terrific and perfect and amazing and how dare anyone think he's not! Anyway. I guess a person who marries a politician and names her kids 'Truman' and 'Carter' shouldn't be surprised when one of them runs for office. Probably wasn't the smartest strategy for someone who loathes campaigning.
What else? Well, Carter had his school holiday program this week...
He's the adorable one, seated, in the burgundy and hunter rugby shirt (gotta love a good hand-me-down that is still relatively fashionable seven or eight years after purchase). Please note the light-up shoes; Carter refuses to don footwear that doesn't appear to burst into flames with every step.
"The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay..." (This surprised me. I grew up right outside of D.C. and we NEVER would have gotten away with singing "Away in the Manger" in a public school. Truman went to private school all during the school musical program years, but it was one of those where they'd sing old English wassailing songs or something equally esoteric. I guess public school in Oklahoma's different. How about where you live?)
"Up on the housetop..."
"Out jumps good old Santa Claus!"
At the 'wrap party' in his classroom with one of his buddies.
Arguing with me that his face was clean and he wouldn't need a bath that night. Uh-huh. God bless those parents who bring items with red and green frosting to school functions. Kids love 'em. If it were up to me, they'd have nothing but plain sugar cookies and Sprite...
Okay, folks. I has gots to go. Have a great weekend, and I'll see you sooner than later! Thanks for indulging me. :)
Supplies Used – Stamps: Pure Innocence – Snow Day, by My Favorite Things; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Color Box Fluid Chalk in Popcorn for edging; Paper: “Whole Cloves” from Jillibean Soup’s Christmas Chestnut Soup collection; Fossil from My Favorite Things; Neenah Solar White; random colored cardstock from my stash; Accessories: Hearts A Plenty Die-namic by My Favorite Things; rectangle Nestabilities, Copic Markers, Stardust Stickles, ribbon, Dimensionals (SU!), ribbon brad by Spare Parts, copper brads.
Happy December 1st! You know what the first Wednesday of the month brings, don't you? Another fabulous sketch challenge for My Favorite Things' Wednesday Stamp Club, created by the dinomite duo of Cindy and Frances! Holla!
After much hemming and hawing, I decided to play with the sweet little gal from the new Pure Innocence - Naptime set. Take a look...
I decided to use this week's Splitcoast Color Challenge colors, too (Real Red, Old Olive and River Rock). With that color scheme in mind, I got to thinking about Christmas Eve when I was a little girl. Like this sweet little chickie, I wore footie pajamas because our house was always cold; my mother refused to turn the heat above 65 degrees. And, yes, in the summer? The AC was not allowed below 80 degrees. Is it not a wonder that a delicate flower like me didn't perish?
Anyway, Christmas Eve was the one day of the year that I was anxious to go to bed. I would try to go to sleep the moment it got dark so Santa would come to my house first. Therefore, I had to draw a little clock in the corner, showing little Miss PJ getting ready to hit the hay at 5:30 p.m. It's covered in Glossy Effects to make it shiny. Her tiny scene is framed out using the new Die-namics Textile Rectangle. Her jammies are paper pieced, as is her blankie. The olive circle panel was embossed using the Cuttlebug Houndstooth embossing folder. And the sentiment is from MFT's Merry & Bright sentiment set.
Be sure to head over to Kim's blog around 11 a.m. EST to find links to all the other MFT designers playing along in today's challenge. Then, come join us! When you upload your creation to your SCS gallery, be sure to use the keyword MFTWSC12012010 to be eligible to win a $15 voucher to the MFT boutique.
In non-stamping related chit-chat, I have to say, it's so wonderful to have most of my Christmas decorations up by Dec.1! That may sound bragadocious, but I truly don't mean it that way. If you knew what a slacker I've been in this department compared to my glorious pre-Carter past, you'd really be happy for me. I feel like maybe I'm actually getting my groove back from having that second child. It's only taken me six years... The self-satisfaction I feel as I type this on my laptop on Monday evening, in the glow of the Christmas tree lights, with my feet on the ottoman and a glass of pinot grigio on the end-table, watching A&E's atrocious Project Runway wannabe, The Fashion Show? Well, I think this must be how Martha feels full-time. Of course, she probably doesn't have dirty laundry stacked to the ceiling in the utility room, but nevermind that. She's got staff and I'm a one-woman show. Plus she's an ex-con and I'm not. So there.
Now, if I can just get my classes over with, I'll be ready to enjoy the holiday season unfettered. Tonight (meaning Wednesday night) I have to give a presentation. Ugh. My first Powerpoint presentation, believe it or not! I guess I'm a bit of a luddite. Wish me luck. I'll let you know how it goes.
Hasta luego, chicas!
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