Mother's Little Helper

On Rejection

Rejection.  It's one of those words/feelings most of us fear.  I used to.  I used to fear rejection so much that if I a caught of whiff of distance from a jr. high or high school boyfriend, I didn't ask him if something was wrong; I broke up with him.  I couldn't stomach the idea of someone breaking up with me first.  (It's no wonder that before I met Sean, the longest I'd had a boyfriend was 3 months.)

The only way to get over a fear like that is to go through it, over and over again, until it's happened so often you know you'll survive the disappointment to hope another day.  Writing taught me this.  Back in the summer of 1999, I began writing a novel as a way to get my mind off a miscarriage.  Within a couple of weeks of doing so, I attended a writer's conference in OKC in an effort to learn more about the publishing process.  The first night of the conference, Sean and I were at pub and a literary agent from New York who was on a panel discussion I'd attended walked in by himself.  We invited him to join us, and spent a great evening drinking beer, watching tornado reports (there were a few swirling around the area that night), and getting to know each other.  The next morning, I bumped into the agent at breakfast and we ate together.  We met each other for lunch, too.  By the time he left town that afternoon, I felt like I had made an old friend.  He gave me his card and told me to send him my novel the minute I was done.  I put that business card in a photo sleeve in my wallet, right behind the ones of Truman and Sean.  I carried it with me like a talisman, and I looked at it often to remind me to perservere in my writing.  We heard from the agent a couple of times and sent each other Christmas cards.  It felt like kismet.

I finally finished my novel that following winter, and sent it to him via FedEx.  I was positive he would drop everything else he was working on, flop down in a chair to read my manuscript straight through, and call me back by the weekend.  Um, no.  Weeks and weeks passed.  Sometime in April, I swallowed my pride and emailed him.  Later that week, I got a skinny envelope in the mail, saying how much he wanted to love it, that he had stopped and started reading it several times in the hope that it would hit him differently the next time, but that "unfortunately, it didn't ring those necessary bells."

To say I was crushed is an understatement.  I'm fairly certain I spent a month or so in a minor depression.  I put my manuscript away, and figured I'd work on it some time in the future.  For the next year or so, I continued my daily life of working as an assistant professor at Rogers State University, mothering Truman, and wife-ing Sean.  I also had another miscarriage.  Then, in January of 2002 I received notice that my father had died and left me a small inheritance.  The majority of it, I put toward Truman's college fund.  There was a small life insurance check, though, and I decided to pull out my manuscript and apply for the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference.  If I was accepted, I'd use the insurance money to spend 10 days that summer in Middlebury, Vermont where I would workshop a portion of my novel, meet other fledgling authors as well as established literary lights, and make industry contacts. 

I was accepted and Bread Loaf was amazing.  I met so many interesting and talented people who loved books and words as much as I did. I made several friends that I'm still in occasional touch with and with whom I keep up on Facebook. I came home on a cloud and was consumed with a passion for writing and got hard at work revising my novel.  Here's a photo of me doing so that my husband took of me that fall:

In addition to revising my novel, I applied for a low-residency MFA in Creative Writing program at Warren Wilson College in Ashville, NC.  With my novel revised, I sent it out to three more agents.  Eventually, I received the dreaded skinny envelopes from Warren Wilson and all of the other agents.  Rejection still wasn't pleasant, but having survived it once before, I knew I could and would get over my disappointment.  I received some words of wisdom that helped so much from one of my good Bread Loaf friends, Will Clarke: "They're not your tribe.  It's nothing personal - they just don't get you.  And if they don't get you, you don't want 'em representing you.  Why would you want to be a part of a tribe that's not your own?  You're awesome, and you know it.  Do good work, find your tribe, and don't take the rest of the stuff personally.  Think of every 'no, thanks' as one step closer to finding your tribe."

Soon, I began working on editing an anthology of Oklahoma women's essays with some of my RSU colleagues. 

 

Dr. Sally Emmons, me, Dr. Carolyn Taylor, and Dr. Emily Dial-Driver

All of the time and energy I spent shlepping my novel made me the one with the most publishing know-how, so it became my job to send out the queries, etc., to try to get representation.  This time, instead of handpicking a few select agents, I sent out about 300 agent query letters.  We received way more no's than yeses, of course, but we secured an agent.  I didn't take the no's remotely personally - each got us  one step closer to finding the person who was excited about representing us. 

 

Voices From the Heartland was published by the University of Oklahoma Press in 2007.

As it turned out, we secured the publishing ourselves; after 6-8 months of no bites via the agent, we let her go. Though I would have preferred being published by a big New York company, academic presses are more prestigious in academia (they have to go through peer review, etc.), and -- more significantly -- the market for the book was so niched that it was a long shot we'd ever get anyone outside of the state who would want to publish it.  After 3+ years of working on this sucker, we were ready to put it to bed.  It came out to rave reviews, was printed in hardback and had a second print run in softback, and was nominated for the 2008 Oklahoma Book Award in Nonfiction.  It was also named an Oklahoma Centennial Project (a status granted to certain projects celebrating Oklahoma during its centennial year of 2007).

Whatever happened to my novel?  A chapter of it was included in an anthology - Don't Abuse the Muse - edited by my abovementioned friend, Will.  Then, I put it away.  And I tried one more time at that whole baby-thing.  This time, it worked.  When the time came to move Carter to a big boy bedroom upstairs, I cleaned out the guest bedroom closet, including several drafts of my manuscript...

I think I was hanging on to all of those drafts for the library that would eventually house my archives... ;)  I recycled most of that paper, keeping my last hard-copy draft and a now-obsolete floppy disk. I may not have gotten my novel published, but I did get that second baby I wanted so badly.  If having my novel published or being Carter's mom was an either-or situation, I'm certain I got the best end of that particular deal. 

So why am I telling you all this, and what does it have to do with papercrafting?

Well, at the last minute a couple of weeks ago, I submitted a Christmas tag for a PaperCrafts Magazine submission call. 

And guess what?  It was rejected/didn't get accepted/however you want to phrase it.  Did that get me down?  Not in the least.  Does it mean my tag is crummy or that I'm a bad stamper or that I'll never submit anything for publication again?  No way.  I think it's awesome: graphic, masculine, and festive, with lots of yummy heat embossing (my fave).  Some dude in my life is going to be super lucky to get this on one of his gifts next Christmas; maybe it'll even go to that cutie pictured above.  The fact that PaperCrafts didn't want it for this particular issue isn't personal; "it just didn't ring those necessary bells." 

You know what?  I can live with that. :)

Supplies used:

From i {heart} papers: Paper Smooches stamp sets - Design Elements & Christmas Sampler, Green Apple Divine Twine

Other: Paper: True Black & Pure Poppy (Papertrey Ink); Ink: Versamark; Accessories: Sparkling Pine embossing powder (Powder Keg), Detail White Opaque embossing powder (Stampendous), ticket corner punch (Fiskars), Crop-a-Dile, Marvy Uchida embossing heat tool

WTF, Mojo Monday?

This accurately captures how I'm feeling today, folks:

Except for the "Who Totally Forgot?" part.  Here's a question for all of you parents out there: have you ever wished you could go back in time and advise your younger self to stay on birth control, run like the wind, and don't look back?  That's my frame of mind at the moment.  At least I still like my youngest.  Of course, that's easy to say considering the fact that he's sleeping right now. 

Oh, well.  This too shall pass, right?  Back to the card. I wish I was in a better mood as I write this, because I think this stamp set by CAS-ual Fridays Stamps is a hoot. I know you're *shocked* that I had to have it. ;) Of course, the large WTF caught my eye, and then it also has a bunch of accompanying sentiments like "Where's The Fun?", "Wow, That's Fantastic!", "Who's Turning Forty/Fifty?", etc.  Funny stuff, and bravo to CAS-ual Friday Stamps; there's a market out there for irreverent stamps and I'm glad to see a company willing to fill that niche.

Since it's the last Monday of the month, the Mojo Monday challenge allows you to go a little wild and choose either a round or square version of the sketch.

For all the details on how to play in this week's Mojo Monday challenge, you'll want to visit the Mojo Monday blog.  Be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Monday Designers to be inspired by their interpretation of this week's sketch:

• Julee Tilman
• Debbie Carriere
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft
• Wanda Cullen

Have a good day, peeps, and if you can spare a good vibe or two, send 'em my way as I'm in short supply.

Supplies available from i {heart} papers:

• Stamps: WTF by CAS-ual Friday Stamps
• Paper: My Mind's Eye Collectable - 'Unforgettable' 6 x 6 pad
• Ink: Peacock Feathers Distress Ink

Other supplies - Paper: Neenah Natural White, Prism Intense Teal, Cranberry Crisp (SU!); Ink: Adirondack Earthtones Mushroom; Dies: Banner Stacklets 1 (Taylored Expressions), Notebook Border Die-namics (MFT), Buttons (TCP); Accessories: KaiserCraft Mini Crochet Flower - Vintage, DMC embroidery thread #918

Mojo Monday, Ninja Style

Hi-ya, most honorable friends!  I don't know if you noticed, but I have a new blinkie on my side-bar...

That's right - I'm now a Trendsetter for There She Goes Stamps!  I adore TSG's whimsical images and clever sentiments, so when my long-time friend Jessie Rone asked if I'd be interested in joining TSG's design team, I leapt at the opportunity.  Let the fun begin!

I selected this week's TSG Challenge, and since it's the week of St. Patrick's Day, I decided we needed a color challenge in all sorts of shades of green:

I sifted through my TSG stamps to see which would work best in all green.  When I saw the NINJA SKILLZ set, I figured I'd go ahead and make my nephew Jack's birthday card, since he'll be turning 7 next month.  Both Jack and his BFF/cousin Carter are H-U-G-E Lego/Ninjago fans, so I knew he'd get a kick out a card featuring Ninjago's Green Ninja:

Here's a close-up of this emerald Master of Spinjitzu:

(His trademark eyebrows were hand-drawn, and his cupcake is frosted with Spearmint Stickles.)

I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch, #284, which looks a little something like this:

Instead of a bow, I embellished with a ninja star (aka the backside of a pinwheel die).  I eschewed the three-brad (or whatever) detail as I didn't want Lloyd (the Green Ninja's name) to trip over them.

For more info about how to play along in this week's TSG Challenge and be eligible to win a gift certificate to the TSG store, head on over to the TSG Blog.  And, for all the details on how to play in this week's Mojo Monday challenge, you'll want to visit the Mojo Monday blog.  Be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Monday Designers to be inspired by their interpretation of this week's sketch:

• Julee Tilman
• Debbie Carriere
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft
• Wanda Cullen

 

Taylored Expressions March Spotlights: Vintage Dreamer and Chevron Cutting Plate

I hate to play favorites¹, but I'm thinking this has been my favorite release since I became a member of Taylored Expressions' Bakers Dozen.  I have thoroughly enjoyed playing with every single stamp and die I've used thus far, and (happily!) I still have a few more to test out, like the Graphic Greetings Thankful image and the Flutter-Bys, Open Scallop Border, and Luggage Tags² dies. Not only that, but I'm looking forward to going back and working again with the sets/dies I've already used; that's when (as a designer) you know the release is a home run.

 

A stamp set you might be surprised that I am LOVING is the VINTAGE DREAMER set.  Me and vintage?  We typically go together like ice cream and onions, but this set is so easy and elegant on its own, that even I can pull it off.  For example:

Isn't that CHEVRON CUTTING PLATE  just the coolest?  Very on-trend, and the patterning combinations you can make with it are endless.  I cut one layer out in Choice Snow White Cardstock, and then I cut another layer out with PTI's Raspberry Fizz cardstock.  The white became the 'skeleton' of the background, which I 'fleshed out' by piecing rows of raspberry in the larger chevron spaces.

I heat embossed the sentiment panel in white (love the Art Deco looking flower and flourishes that surrond the label image) on Bermuda Bay (SU!) card stock, then popped up a the actual sentiment on a hand-cut fish tail banner.  I debated whether to use the "Celebrate", "Thanks", or "Hello" sentiments that come with the set, but I opted for "Dream" as graduation season will soon be approaching, and I think this works well for new graduates.

Plus, the finished card lays pretty flat for easy mailing - love it when that happens!

Ready to see what the rest of the Baker's Dozen and our guest designer, Broni, are spotlighting today?  I know I am - I'm truly in awe of their mad skillz!

Broni Holcombe

Charmaine Ikach

Jami Sibley

Jen Shults

Kerri Mchaud

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Tammie Edgerton

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Supplies available from Taylored Expressions:

• Vintage Dreamer stamp set
• Chevron Cutting Plate
• Choice Snow White card stock

Other supplies:

• Ink: Versamark, Pink Passion (SU!)
• Paper: Bermuda Bay (SU!), Raspberry Fizz (PTI)
• Accessories: Stampendous White Opaque Detail embossing powder, Jody Morrow's foam boosters

Footnotes:

1.  Who am I kidding?  I love to play favorites.  I routinely tell each of my boys that he's my favorite when he's being particularly sweet or pays me a compliment.  Conversely, I also say things like "I wish I'd had Carter first then quit..." or "Why didn't I leave well enough alone and stop after I had Truman?" when they're being especially obnoxious.  Of course, they pay about as much attention to me when I say those things as they do when I suggest they go play in traffic or with matches; they think I'm kidding.  And, most of the time, I am.

2.  I'm especially giddy about the Luggage Tag dies -- awesome, awesome gifting possibilities with these.  I received some adorable laminated baby tags when Truman was born.  At least, I thought they were cute at the time; they were basically just little business cards with his name on them in a computer font.  NOTHING like what I can make with these fabulous dies now that I'm a bona fide papercrafter! 

Taylored Expressions March Release Day: Banner Stacklets 2

Good morning, lovelies!  It's a beautiful day in my neighborhood - how about yours?  As I was taking my bub to school this morning, I spied the first shoots of daffodils beginning to poke out of the ground, which is always a good sign.  It won't be long before the redbuds are in bloom.  Do you have redbuds in your region?  They only bloom for about 3 weeks a year, but during that short period they are glorious and make it worth putting up with the rather scraggily trees they are for the other 49 weeks of the year.  Here's a photo I took in a previous spring of one of the redbuds in our backyard (ignore the mess of hose inside the pool fencing, please...):

Isn't the color on that tree extraordinary?  Thinking about redbuds gets me sentimental: I vividly recall sitting in a chair, looking out the window at the redbuds while rocking Truman (then a toddler) as he napped, and thinking, "I wonder how big he'll be and what he'll be doing the next time the redbuds bloom?"  In the blink of an eye, it seems, that sweet toddler has transformed into a 16 year old boy with a driver's license who's worried about tomorrow's chemistry exam. Thus, blooming redbuds are always a reminder to me of how quickly time flies, to take note of how my boys have changed over the past year, to appreciate the stage they're in at this fleeting moment, and to document that as best I can with my camera. 

Speaking of cameras, there's lots of photo fabulousness to love with Taylored Expressions March release, now available!  Take, for example, the new MOKA MEREDITH image - perfect for all of us shutterbugs:

I used the super-versatile new BANNER STACKLETS 2 dies to frame Meredith and the image, and the new FILM STRIP BORDER die as a theme-consistent horizontal embellishment.  Here's Miss Meredith (one of my nieces is named 'Meredith' - I love that name :) ), close up and personal:

Isn't she a cutie full of charm?  Wish I had ginger hair like her (or like my cutie-pie teammate, Charmaine, whom I affectionately refer to as 'Shortcake' due to her sweet strawberry tresses). 

Speaking of Charmaine (yes, I've used that segue twice in one post; what a lazy blogger am I!), why don't you go visit her and the rest of my Baker's Dozen teammates to see what clever and creative projects they've made with this month's release?  I guarantee you'll see lots of goodness that will make you want to get crafty!

Charmaine Ikach

Jen Shults

Kerri Mchaud

Regina Mangum

Sankari Wegman

Shannon White

Shelly Mercado

Stephanie Kraft

Tammie Edgerton

Taylor VanBruggen

Wanda Guess

Supplies available from Taylored Expressions:

• Stamps: Moka Meredith
• Dies: Banner Stacklets 2, Film Strip Border
• Paper: Choice Snow White cardstock
• Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black
• Copic Markers

Other supplies:

• Paper: Copic X-Press Blending card stock (IHP), Bamboo (CTMH), True Black (PTI), patterned paper from Echo Park's This & That: Charming 6x6 pad
• Accessories: General's Pastel Chalks (for ground shading), twine & button (PTI), sewing machine, Jody Morrow's foam boosters

Taylored Expressions February Sneak Peek: Easter Doodles & Easter A la Carte

Happy Tuesday, friends!  How you doin'?  Well, I hope.  Yesterday was the first day of the legislative session for Oklahoma, which means my dear husband will be gone Monday thru Thursday for the next four months, representing the fine folks of Oklahoma Senate District 2.  Some people might be afraid to post such information on the web for the whole wide world to see, but I'm not.  Reason #1: I can't feature many hardened criminals read my crafty little blog, and reason #2: I have the world's largest German Shepherd/Direwolf named Ringo protecting me and mine.  That boy is H-U-G-E, and if you didn't know he was such a goofy, playful lover, he'd scare the bejesus out of you.

Moving right along!  Ready to seem some cute-cute-cute stuff coming your way from Taylored Expressions?  Of course you are!  Let's start off with a little trio of Easter Basket tags I created for my boys and my third child (Bo, the son of our best friends and next door neighbors) using the new EASTER DOODLES stamp set:

And here's a look at each of them, up close and personal:

I couldn't decide what colors I wanted to use at first, so I dug through my ribbon to look for inspiration.  LOVE this green and purple check, so that's what I went with.  I wish I had a shirt that looked just like that ribbon...

To make the purple background layer above, I cut a Label Stacklets 3 Taylored Die out in Choice Snow White Cardstock, then left the die on top off the die-cut while I sponged ink on the interior.  I like that pop of bright white around the border.

Don't you just love that adorable bunny?  He's the cutest!  After I created these, both of my boys looked at them and determined that they liked the bunny the best.  It happens to be Truman's lucky day, however, as I randomly put the names on the backs of each using the new Whimsey Alpha Dies:

I told Carter I'd make him another one, and he said that the chick in the egg would be fine for this year, but that he wants me to make another one just like Truman's for him next year.  Cute boy. :)

Here's another Easter-rific project, using a new word in the A la Carte series of stamps:

(The new word is EASTER, by the way... ;) )  This is such a fun series of stamps - playful and graphic, but easy, too.  Lots of possibilities!  I fancied this one up a bit with four different colors of Art Glitter:

Sparkly! 

Lots of gorgeous, spring-y eyecandy awaits you at my fellow Baker's Dozen teammates blogs, so go see 'em!

• Carole Burrage
• Charmaine Ikach
• Jen Shults
• Kerri Michaud
• Lynnette Kauffman
• Sankari Wegman
• Shannon White
• Shelly Mercado
• Stephanie Kraft
• Tammie Edgerton
• Taylor VanBruggen
• Wanda Guess
• Anna Wight (Guest Designer)
• Nancy McKinney (Illustrator)

I'll be back manana with another look-see!

Tag Trio 

Supplies available at Taylored Expressions: Easter Doodles Stamp Set, Labels Stacklets 3 Dies, Whimsey Alpha Dies, Choice Snow White Cardstock, Copic Markers, foam tape, Momento Tuxedo Black ink

Other supplies: cardstock: Grape Jelly (MFT), New Leaf (PTI); Ink: Orchid Oppulence (SU!), Clover Meadow (CTMH); ribbon; circle and oval punches (Paper Shapers), sponges for inking

Easter

Supplies available at Taylored Expressions: Easter Stamp A la Carte, Choice Buttercream cardstock, Copic markers, Bow Easy, foam tape, "Dwell" 6x6 patterned paper pad by My Mind's Eye

Other supplies: cardstock: Berry Sorbet & Lemon Tart (PTI); Barbara Trombley's Ultrafine Transparent Art Glitter in Just Peachy, Jonquil, Blue Boy, & Bonnie Blue; Lemon Tart Ribbon (PTI), sewing machine, Glue Dots, Prismacolor pencils & odorless mineral spirits

Good News, Suckers!

Hmmm... maybe that title should be 'Good News / Suckers', or perhaps 'Good News and Suckers'?  Whatevs!  Y'all will get my drift in a second or two...

Ready for the good news part?

You'll recall¹ that in October, I was the guest designer for  i {heart} papers, an online store that carries everything a paper crafter could want or need.  I had made that guest design commitment several months in advance, and by the time it actually rolled around, I hadn't stamped for months² and I had given serious thought to packing up my acrylic mounts and inks for good.  My craft room could be turned into a playroom/den for the boys, etc.³ But a deal is a deal, and I had met Kate at CHA in 2012 and really liked her a lot.  So, I dusted my stuff off and got to playing with a variety of products from companies I adored (like Paper Smooches) to those I wasn't too familiar with but thought looked like fun (Technique Tuesday, Lawn Fawn, Gourmet Rubber Stamps, etc.). 

To my delight, and to my boys' dismay, I re-discovered the pleasure I experienced when I first started stamping, so many years ago.  For that, I truly credit the liberty I found in dabbling⁴ with IHP's vast inventory of all that's au courant.  I am THRILLED to now be joining the IHP design team - I think it's a perfect combination for me: the structure of a team environment⁵ with the freedom to explore and create with a plethora of product.  Color me excited!

For my first official IHP post, I created a bumper crop of cuteness (this is the sucker part of the post, btw):

I think I may have mentioned before that Carter was wanting me to create homemade Valentines for his classmates this year...

Carter's teacher is Miss Hartsock, so how could I resist using Lawn Fawn's adorable My Silly Valentine stamp set?  Answer: I couldn't!

I first stamped the cute socks with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on white cardstock, colored the heart and the sock edges with Copic markers, then fussy cut them out. I cut my kraft circles with circle Nestabilities, stamped the socks, then 'highlighted' them with a light blue prismacolor pencil and odorless mineral spirits.

I created 27 of these (there aren't that many kids in his class, but he'll have a few extras to pass out to teachers, therapists, office workers, etc.).  Note the washi tape - my first ever use of it!  I really thought it was just a passing fad, but after this year's CHA, I am comfortable in saying I was wrong in that prediction.  Washi tape was everywhere at CHA and it appears it's here to stay for a least a few more seasons.  Very fun and easy to use, especially if you're doing any sort of mass-production.  IHP carries a wide variety⁷ of washi tapes with fun patterns.

Side view:

Backside:

(Isn't his handwriting getting nice and legible? #proudmama)  And on the inside...

A Charms' Valentine lollipop - mmm... cherry!  Charms are the best lollipops ever, IMHO.  You can find them online, but they're more expensive through those sources.  I bought two bags for $5 at my local Walgreens. :) 

Funny-but-true-story: While I was putting these together (it took me a couple of evenings to get them all done), Carter asked: "Mom, when did you become a craft genius?"  Man, is that kid following in his politician daddy's footprints, or what?!

 

*************EDITED TO ADD!**************

Ugh!  I'm such a dummy!  I almost forgot, what with all of my excitedness for me - there's something in this FOR YOU, too!!!  Kate has generously donated a $10 gift certificate to i{heart}papers to help me celebrate!  All you have to do is follow IHP on Facebook and/or Pinterest.  If you follow IHP on both, you get to enter twice.  Just leave me a comment (or two) and let me know what YOU are planning on doing/making for Valentine's Day, as well as which way(s) you're following IHP, and I will randomly select a winner.

 

Supplies used:

From i {heart} papers: Lawn Fawn's My Silly Valentine stamp set; Copic markers; washi tape; Memento Tuxedo Black ink; Dimensional Dots

Other: cardstock - White (Georgia Pacific), Tempting Turquoise SU!), Kraft (PTI), Red Hot (MFT); Circle and Pinking Circle Nestabilities by Spellbinders; Tuck 'N Close Notecard die (Taylored Expressions); Crop-a-Dile; Charms Valentine Lollipops

Footnotes:

1.  Of course you'll recall what I was doing in October, because (like Sting, himself) every breath I take, every move I make, you're watching me and committing those acts to memory, both short-term and long-term.  Because you have nothing better to do and I am The Most Interesting Woman in the World.  I don't often drink beer, but when I do... ;)

2.  You'll recall (see footnote 1 - I'd put a footnote here, telling you to do just that but I think it might be a bit tacky to put a footnote within a footnote) that Carter had a big ol' surgery/recovery/immobilization/rehab period from April on. 

3.  And, as I'm sure you know, once you give up prime real estate in your house to other family members, you will NEVER get it back!  That's a serious surrender that should be done only when one is absolutely certain.  That's like giving up a kidney.

4.  I used to think being a 'dabbler' was something to be avoided, at all costs.  There's a great passage from a wonderful novel, The Here and Now, by Robert Cohen (who was my teacher in 2002 at the Bread Loaf Writer's Conference and for whom I have great admiration and affection) that has haunted me for over a decade... damn it, I've been searching through that book for the last half-hour and haven't been able to find it.  Guess I'm going to have to re-read the book and get back to you, because it's just that good. 

The gist of the passage is how utterly disappointing it is when you discover that instead of being an expert/genius/one of the great ones, you discover you're merely a dabbler, flitting from one thing to another.  It's heartbreaking and funny, simultaneously.  Now, I recognize I am what I feared (and must have sensed - why else would that passage have affected me so?  I even brought it up in a conversation with Rob. C) when I first read that: I am a dabbler.  With a few more years on me, and having survived a few more of the requisite kicks in the teeth that life occasionally serves up, I have come to the realization that  that's okay. I wonder if I'll be struck by that passage in the same way, reading from the vantage point of my early 40s (as opposed to early my 30s)?  In so many ways, I feel like a totally different person than who I was 11 years ago, when I first read that book (and paradoxically, I feel exactly like who I was at, say, age eight...).  Interesting experiment - I'll let you know how it turns out and share that passage when I find it. 

5.  This is going to sound insane to some (if not most) of you, but I need deadlines and requirements to get me off my duff and into my studio.  Even though I love - in theory - creating for the sake of creating, left to my own devices, this is what I'd look like 95% of the time:

It reminds me of something Carter and I were talking about this morning, as he was getting ready for school.  He had checked out a Junie B. Jones book from the school library, and he was discussing how he needed to get it read before Monday so he could return it and get a new book.  I said, "Don't you have all of the Junie B. Jones books up in your room?  Why do you check them out?"  His response: "Because if I check them out, I read them, but if I don't, I won't."  Makes perfect sense to me.

7.  I'm going to have to come up with a list of synonyms for 'variety', I can see... ;)

SFYTT, Gangnam Style

Good Saturday morning and Happy December, everybody!  Do you have all of your Christmas decorations up and all of your holiday shopping done?  Not me.  I don't have a single decoration up yet, my holiday newsletter and photo of the kids hasn't been written/taken, and I've bought a few gifts, but not many.  In other words, I'm slacking. 

One thing I did prepare for: I bought Carter's Star Wars Lego advent calendar a couple of months ago when I first saw it at Target.  I hid it in the attic, and yesterday he reminded me several times to get it out and set it on his little desk in 'his area' (a bay-windowed nook off of the kitchen where a play table, toys, and his video game/DVD center resides).  He woke up at five a.m. this morning to open the first window.  My bedroom is right off of the main room in our house (see photos from yesterday's post), and somehow, the acoustics are such that if a pin drops anywhere on the first level of our home, it sounds like thunder in the bedroom.  Which means?  I woke up at five a.m. this morning.

 

Anywho - enough about me and my mysterious ways.  It's the first Saturday of the month, which means it's time for a brand-new SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY, created for you by The Sketcher Herself, JEN DEL MURO!  This month, our sponsor is noneother than the #1 stamping website in the world...

Yay!  We all love SCS, do we not?  Splitcoast is generously donating a free Fan Club membership to the winner of the BIG SFYTT DRAWING taking place on Christmas Day (Jen will notify the WINNER on the 25th).

I shan't (<--- hmmm... I think I'll try to see how many times I can use this word today, just for kicks & giggles) keep you in suspense any longer -- here's this month's fabby layout:

And here's what I did with it, using the new SNOW KISSES set from The Cat's Pajamas:

Hang on, little dude!  TCP's penguins are great images to use when you're not feeling like investing a whole lotta time in coloring.  Plus, they're cute & fun, don't you think?  Here's a close-up, in case you need further convincing:

See the fussy cutting around the main image?  Fussy!  See the Stardust Stickles used to embellish his snowflake?  Sparkly!  See the heat-embossed sentiment? Texture-y! All of the papers [with the exception of the pre-scored card base (bought when I first started stamping, and for whatever reason, I'm now on a mission to use them up when I can) and a wee-bit of Copic's X-Press Blending paper for the image] are from Echo Park's Winter Wishes 6"x6" pad.  The three vertical panels behind the image are constructed from felt (TCP), ribbon from my stash, and a paper panel edged-out (is that a paper-crafting term of art or did I just make it up?) with one of TCP's new HOLIDAY TOPPERS CutUps dies.  A bit of Purple Plum Divine Twine finishes it off. 

You'll definitely want to head over to Jen's blog to see what she and this month's delightful Designer of the Month, TANGII CRANE have put together using this month's sketch.  Then, you'll need to pass Go, collect your $200, and take a ride on the Reading Railroad to see what my spectacular SFYTT Sisters have created to inspire you.

• Amber Hight
• Amy Sheffer
• Becky Carafa
• Jodi Collins
• Susan Liles
• Jen Tapler
• Megan Lock
• Kerry Johnson
• Tracy Shultz

I'm off to try to get a little bit done today before a big shindig tonight.  Which reminds me: gotta practice my Gangnam-Style-horsie-dancing, dust off my Cupid Shuffle, and stretch so that I can properly Dougie. I'm pretty sure it's also going to have karaoke, so you know I'll need to break out a little 'Love Shack' and 'Tik Tok' (because the party don't start 'til I walk in). I'm open to requests if y'all have any!

 

Happy Birthday, Dear Sweet Pea

We're not exactly sure when our beloved pup Sweet Pea was born, as she was a rescue dog that we adopted when she was approximately 3 years old.  The group that we adopted her from (Zoi's Animal Rescue, located right here in Claremore, America) first had her when she was a tiny puppy¹. Zoi's took in Sweet Pea and her littermates when were abandoned (I always picture a sack of puppies in a ravine...), so they have a rough idea when she was born.  On her paperwork, it says that her birthday is November 20th.  Therefore, Carter and I threw a *very* exclusive birthday party a week or so ago.  Both People magazine and Dog Fancy have been in a bidding war over the photos from the event, but I felt that my loyal blog readers deserved the first glimpse.

Here's the cake we bought at the local dog bakery, Aye Chihuahua.  It was about 8" in diameter.  Not sure what it was made of, but all dog-friendly stuff.  The older man who decorated it was so cute, and I think it cost me all of $7.00.  Not sure how exactly our local economy can support a dog bakery but not, say, a bakery for humans or a bookstore (*shaking my fist at WalMart*)... I'm glad it can, though.  When Aye Chihuahua first opened several years ago, I remember shaking my head & thinking, "Not a chance."  It's in a weird location and is so highly niched, it defied common sense that it could make it². Sometimes, it's nice to be wrong!

Here are Ringo and Sweet Pea, as Carter and I sing 'Happy Birthday.'  She looks a little suspicious of him, don't you think?  With good reason. He's a big clumsy boy, and his exuberance has been known to ruin good things for both of them.  By the way, do any of you know how to removed that weird dog-eye glow from photos?  I edit my photos with iPhoto, but it's not sophisticated enough to do that.  I have a copy of Photoshop that I need to learn how to use before it becomes obsolete (though I may already be too late), but I'm intimidated.

The cake has been cut and each pup has her/his slice.  Of course, I intended them to eat it in the kitchen, but Sweet Pea took hers and ran with it, directly to the living room³.  Please note the ripped flange on the chair to the right of Sweet Pea. That was courtesy of Ringo.  You cannot imagine my dismay when I first saw that.  Those chairs were mighty expensive when we remodeled a couple of years ago, and Sean has harangued me about the impracticality of my furniture selection ever since⁴.  I took him to the showroom and showed him what I wanted, and he agreed on it at the time, but nevermind that.  Fortunately, I did purchase the Furniture Protection program when we bought them.  Now, I've just got to figure out how to make it work for me.  After all the grief I've had to take about this furniture, Ringo is lucky he's so devoted to me or he'd now be a German Shepherd throw rug.

Sweet Pea saw me taking picture of her with the cake, and I think she thought I might take it away from her, so she moved to a different part of the living room, between one of the couches and the coffee table.

And there are the crumbs.  *sigh*  That is some very thick shag carpet, so who knows whether there are still some crumbs in it.  I'm kind of afraid to find out.  Pretty sure carpet like this should be outlawed as a health hazard, because you really don't know where it ends.  It's pretty to look at and feels good on barefeet, but even I have to admit, it's not the best choice for a house with two active dogs, a slovenly teenager, and an eight-year-old whose parents affectionately refer to him as "Pigpen."

And, here's Ringo with his piece.  Contrast this picture of Ringo at the side of a chair with the above photo of Sweet Pea beside the same chair to see the size differential between the two.  He is so big, and he's not done growing, yet.  When we boarded them over Thanksgiving, the vet weighed him in at 90 lbs. (Sweet Pea is a svelte 36 lbs.)  Since we're looking at this picture, I'll show you a few things about my house. 

See that white plastic table near the back windows?  That's been there for a few months, waiting for me to finish putting together the Lego Deathstar (3,802 pieces, I'll have you know).  Carter loves Lego and Star Wars, but he doesn't yet have the manual dexterity to put together much more than the minifigures.  Dad and Truman aren't interested, so I end up being Carter's builder.  I actually kind of like building Lego (it's the crafter in me), but this project is a huge one.  Hopefully I'll have it done before 2013.  I've definitely had time to finish it, but it's hard to get back into once you've stopped for a while. 

Beyond the Deathstar, on the wall to the right, is a little print of a cross section of Tenenbaums' house.  (The Royal Tenebaums is one of my all-time-favorite movies; if you haven't seen it yet, you must.  And you must watch it at least 3 or 4 times.  Trust me.)

The hallway beyond the arch leads to the master suite (aka my bedroom/bathroom/and rarely-used exercise room).  The Beatles canvas on the wall is self-explanatory, but I'll explain it anyway: I'm a huge Beatles fan, I love the pop art look & feel of it, and the pop of pink against the platinum wall just makes me happy.

Back to the dogs... hard to believe that less than a year ago, they looked like this:

Time flies -- gotta celebrate these sweet little moments whenever we can, don't you agree?

Footnotes:

1.  Sweet Pea was adopted out when she was a puppy, but the couple fell on hard times and had to move back in with one of their parents who wouldn't permit a dog. Zoi's has a policy that if there's ever a time when you can't keep an animal you adopt from them, you must return it to them.  Thus, Sweet Pea had been back with Zoi's for about 3 months when we adopted her.

2.  See?  This is why I will probably never own my own business.  I'm risk averse.  That's one of the reasons I so admire and like to support independent companies like The Cat's Pajamas, Your Next Stamp, My Favorite Things, Taylored Expressions, Paper Smooches, i {heart} papers, etc.  The gals behind those companies are willing to step out on a limb in a way I have a hard time seeing myself doing. 

3.  Actually, our kitchen and living area are all part of one large room.  Open floor plan, you see.

4.  I love my living room furniture and think it's beautiful and comfortable, but I swear if I could go back in time, I'd just get a naugahyde sectional and call it good.  No muss, no fuss, and no "Why did... this is the worst... What a bad idea..."  I finally solved this problem last year when Sean asked what I wanted for my birthday: "I want you to never mention the living room furniture ever again."  Now, when it gets brought up, I get to counter with: "Wait just a minute, Mr.  My birthday present..."  Do we sound like an old married couple, or what?

 

FUN Friday (or else)!

If there's anybody reading this that doesn't want to have fun, I suggest you leave immediately; this a FUN Friday post, and party poopers will NOT be tolerated!

See? We're having fun already. What's more fun than a little image of fleet-footed feces?  Nuttin', honey!

On second thought, maybe one thing is: participating in this week's YOUR NEXT STAMP FUN Friday!  This month's FUN Friday theme is GIFTS & GIVING.  Thus, I created a card featuring Moddy (the name I call this little birdie; you know I talk to my stamps) (because I'm crazy) on top of a present, chirping the "Happy Birthday" song:

The actual name of this particular stamp set (just released this week!) is SING SONG ROBIN.  Lots of Doodlebug papers in play on this card: the presents and dots on the background papers are from the Surprise Party line, and the smaller patterns used to paper-piece the image panel are from Doodlebug's Snips & Snails 6" x 6" pad.  Like me, Karen (YNS's fabulous & charming owner) adores Doodlebug products, and carries lots of their papers and embellishments in the YNS store.

AND GUESS WHAT?! You can get 15% off SING SONG ROBIN (and all of YNS's stamps) and tons of Doodlebug products (as well as everything else in the YNS store) just by using the coupon code YNSNOV2012!  What's more fun than saving money?! Or as Carter and I like to say, 'MONEYMONEYMONEY!' then give it a big kiss, a la

 

Let's see, what else can I tell you today?

• You have until midnight EST tonight (Nov. 9) to comment on all of the stops on YNS's Nov. Release Blog hop to be eligible for one of the three prize packages. The Hop starts here at cutie-pie Kerri's blog.
• Check out these FREAKIN' SWEET YNS Snowman Glittered Skittles!  You can see how they look on a project on this post on the YNS Blog. I NEED SOME, QUICKLY!!!
• Head over to the YNS Member Forum on Splitcoaststampers to check out more FUN Friday projects made by some of your favorite designers (including one of my BSFs and all-around-cool-chick Amy Rohl).
• The sketch I used for this card is Karen Giron's Sweet Sunday Sketch, #171.
• TV shows I am currently LOVING include Homeland (Sunday nights on Showtime) and Nashville (Weds. nights on ABC).  I tried to watch Revolution, but it bores me.  Sorry, JJ Abrams.  Just calling 'em like I see 'em.
• Carter and I went to see 'Wreck-It Ralph' last weekend and it was awesome! Sean and I have talked for years about getting one of those arcade tables that plays stuff like Ms. Pacman and Galaga; now I REALLY want one.  Maybe I need to get it for him for Christmas? (Even though it will really be for me.  I love giving gifts like that... ;) )
• Book I am currently reading: 'The Innocent Man' by John Grisham.  It's a true-crime book that takes place in Oklahoma, and my book club will be discussing it Monday night.  I've got a lot of reading to do this weekend if I'm going to finish it in time...
• My oldest son, Truman, turned 16 last week, got his license, and now drives himself everywhere.  I am usually a blubbering mess with every milestone he reaches, but this one has been a long time coming and is such a relief! I thought I was supposed to feel anxious and worried all the time with him driving, but that isn't the case.  One reason is probably that we live in a pretty small town, so it's not as if he's in a lot of heavy traffic or going at high speeds (at least, not that I'm aware of; ignorance is bliss).  Another reason is probably that my levels of anxiety/worry have been off the charts for years re: Carter, so I don't even notice it if they increase anymore.  SILVER LINING!!! ;)

Okily-dokily, peepages.  I'm out of stuff to say.  Or at least, I'm out of semi-coherent things to say.  See you soon, and thanks for popping by to spend a wee bit of your day with me. :)

Pumpkins & Pirates

Good morning, Glories!  (I'm writing this at 6 a.m., which is why I say 'morning,' but if you happen to be reading in the afternoon or evening, please substitute 'morning' with whatever time of day is appropriate.  That probably goes without saying, but typing it out gets my rusty fingers going...)

My stamps from The Cat's Pajamas have been feeling pretty neglected, and I fear Sprinkle (TCP's feline mascot) is about to give me a nasty case of Cat Scratch Fever (try to get that song out of your head, now; you're welcome!) if I don't show 'em some love.  This week's TCP TUESDAY challenge - a color challenge hosted by the loverly Lori Tecler - is the perfect opportunity to show Sprinkle & crew that I haven't forgot them. 

Here's what I came up with...

I used the oh-so-fun HELLO, PUMPKIN set featuring everyone's favorite penguin trio, and paper-pieced the pumpkins and Larry's scarf.  Then, I fussy-cut around the image and popped it up on foam boosters on top of a Jenni Bowlin Mini Bingo card that I've had in my stash forever.  Another stash-dweller -- the Imaginesce jack-o-lantern brad -- was rescued from oblivion to adorn the paper flowers made with TCP's Button Flowers CutUps dies.  The sketch is this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch (#170), courtesy of spider-lovin' Karen Giron. :)

Yesterday was Pirate Day at Carter's school.  It's Red Ribbon Week; an annual campaign for alcohol/tobacco/drug/violence/frog-licking, etc., prevention.  I'm not sure that prior to this week Carter had an awareness of tobacco or drugs (can't say the same for alcohol, as Mama does like her wine), but he does now as he came home Monday full of facts about the dangers of drug use and addiction.  And even though we just had a week full of dress-up days (or as I call them, "distractions") for Homecoming week -- not to mention that they're allowed to wear their Halloween costumes to school next week -- little Blackbeard, to your left, set sail. {Can you tell Mama thinks dress-up days are a PITA and basically a waste of a school week?  I thought perhaps I was being too subtle... ;)}

If nothing else, Carter did come home with an AWESOME pirate accent and two actually funny jokes (as opposed to most of his repertoire, which are of the painful knock-knock variety).

Q: Where to Pirates like to shop?

A: Tarrrgh-get!

Q: What's a Pirate's favorite restaurant?

A: Arrrgh-by's!

Q: What's a Pirate's second favorite restaurant?

A: Carrrghl's Junirrrgh!

 

Carrrgh-ter's a chip off the old block, is he not?!  Well, I'd better get going -- gotta get ready for "Crazy Hair Day."

 

Supplies used - Stamps: Hello Pumpkin from The Cat's Pajamas; Paper: patterned paper from Echo Park's Dots & Stripes - Homefront and Pebbles' Seen & Noted (6"x6"), Intense Kiwi (Prism), Basic Gray (SU!), Orange Fizz and Perfect Panels (MFT); Ink: Marvy Matchables Black; Accessories: TCP CutUps Dies (Pinking, Flower Buttons, banner from Easy Rosette), Copic markers, Jenni Bowlin Mini Bingo Card, Imaginese brad, foam boosters from Jody Morrow's Sticky Stuff Store.

Can-Do Mojo Monday

Howdy, friends!  I'm back with another sample for this week's MOJO MONDAY sketch challenge - #264 for those of you keeping track.  Here's the latest, greatest sketch from the terrific Teresa Kline:

And here's what I did with it, using a wonderful Technique Tuesday quote stamp (Can Do) that I got from i {heart} papers:

Don't you love that?  When I first saw it in the ihp store, it immediately made me think of my little man, Carter.  As many of you know, he had very major orthopedic surgery last spring.  Within the last week or so, he's really turned a corner with his walking independently.  He's doing it for longer periods of time, and is straighter than ever.  His hands are staying down at his sides (as opposed to being held up near his shoulders, in an effort to maintain greater balance).  It may not seem like much to the average eye, but to me, it is truly a thing of beauty.

Speaking of things of beauty, I couldn't help but take a picture of this sweet scene, earlier this weekend:

Carter was reading his latest 'Fly Guy' book to Sweet Pea.  And yes, she is NAKED.  (Her collar was still drying from being doused in Febreeze after an unfortunate encounter with a skunk... Don''t let her adorable face fool you - this little gal is a troublemaker, deluxe!)

Other card ingredients available at i {heart} papers include:

• Memento Rich Cocoa Ink
• Brown Sugar Divine Twine
• Dimensional Dots
• Cork Sheet Paper

Ready to see what the rest of the Mojo Makers have put together to inspire you?  Then be sure to visit:

• Julee Tilman
• Debbie Carriere
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft
• Wanda Cullen

And head on over to the Mojo Monday Blog to learn how you can play with us in this week's Mojo challenge. 

See you soon, mi amigas!

Happy Labor Mojo Monday!

Happy Labor Day, folks!  For those of us in the U.S., it's a three day weekend.  Here's a fun Labor Day fact for you: eight years ago, on Labor Day 2004, a certain little boy was eager to leave his mother's hostile womb.  He was so ready to meet the world, he decided to be born 9-10 weeks before his due date! That young man's name is Carter Tillman Burrage, and he's still does everything according to his own timeline.  To illustrate, here's another pic from the first day of school:

I was telling Carter to smile like a normal person (we have been going through a prolonged 'goofy smile phase') and he was anwering me with his standard "Aye-aye Captain, I mean Sir, I mean Pooh-bah!" Hence the salute.  Truman, as you can see, was getting a little weary of his younger brother's antics and was anxious to get off of the front porch lest anyone he knew were to drive by and see him in such an embarrassing predicament. Teenaged angst - it is what it is.

Anyway, what are these fine young men doing today?  Well, the oldest one is still asleep (of course), and the youngest one is watching a Spongebob Squarepants marathon on his parents' bed while he plays with Lego Star Wars minifigures and occasionally snuggles with his dog, Sweet Pea.  Life is good, is it not?

And what am I doing?  Why, I'm writing a late blog post for this week's Mojo Monday sketch, #257.  Wanna see it?  Of course you do!

I wanted to do something quick and easy for this one, so I pulled out one of my all-time favorite Verve sets, Starstruck.  (My Verve stamps are my go-to stamps when I'm not in the mood to spend a lot of time coloring an image.)  I love all the sentiments in the Starstruck set, but as a Madonna fan, this combination is my favorite:

Makes you want to Vogue, doesn't it?

This was pretty quick and easy (for me - I tend to be one of those who belabor everything...).  I used a pre-scored white cardbase, patterned papers from Echo Park's A Boy's Life, and built everything around my beloved primary colors. I like this card so much, I might have to make a couple more just like it while I still have all of my stuff out - it's nice & versatile.  Could go to a person of any age or gender; those don't happen too often! 

Be sure to visit the Mojo Monday blog to see how to play along - since it's the first Monday of the month, it's contest week, which means you could win a free set of Verve Stamps!  You'll also want to check out what the rest of the Mojo Makers have created to inspire you:

• Julee Tilman
• Debbie Carriere
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Stephanie Kraft
• Wanda Cullen

 

Supplies - Stamps: Starstruck by Verve Stamps; Ink: Adirondack Denim, Red Pepper & Sunshine Yellow; Paper: A Boy's Life by Echo Park, Sno Cone & Red Hot from My Favorite Things, Prism Classic Yellow, white base from stash; Accessories: Corner Chomper, Circle and Petite Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Banner die from Lil Inker Designs, Star Trio and Star Border Die-Namics from My Favorite Things, Jody Morrow's Foam Boosters.

Long Time, No Me

Hello out there!  It's me!  I'm alive!  I'm sure many of you had given me up for dead, but never fear: I have survived a looong and tiring spring/summer of pediatric orthopedic surgery and its aftermath.  Actually, the aftermath is ongoing (aftermaths have a tendancy to do that, you know), but Carter is doing great.  We still have a ways to go until he is once again walking independently, but his legs and gait are much straighter and he is getting stronger every day.  Now that school is back in session, he uses a walker most of the time to get around, with occasional use of his wheelchair to go the long distances to the cafeteria, etc.  I'm told that its considered a high privilege amongst his classmates to get to be the person who pushes his chair on such occasions.  Leave it to Carter to convert a wheelchair into social currency! 

In case you're interested, here's a recent photo of my beautiful boys, taken on the first day of school (Aug. 9th):

Truman is now a high school sophmore, and Carter is a second grader.  Aren't they a couple of clean cut cuties?  They make their Mama's preppy little heart pitter patter (when they aren't driving her to drink).

And though I haven't done ANY stamping over the summer, I have managed to keep crafty.  Spending so much time in Minnesota (at Gillette Specialty Children's Hospital and the nearby St. Paul Embassy Suites.  Thank the good Lord for the daily Manager's Reception - free wine and snacks!) and Oklahoma City (we did about a month and a half of Lokomat therapy, four days a week, after we returned home from MN) I needed something highly portable that didn't take up a whole lot of space.  Thus, I rediscovered one of my first crafting passions: cross stitch!  I'll show you some of the projects I've finished and am working on in a different post. 

The reason I am posting today, though, is that my buddy Jen del Muro called me yesterday.  We chatted for a while, and I mentioned to her that I had just cleaned off my craft desk after months of using it as the place to pile life's random - how shall I put it? - crap.  With a clean desk, I was feeling the first itch to get inky, and wouldn't you know it: just in time for the brand new SKETCH FOR YOU TO TRY!  And guess who the September SFYTT sponsor is?  KRAFTIN' KIMMIE! 

I'm a former Krafty Girl, and I adore Kimmie and all of her wonderful stamps. I especially love the Moonlight Whispers line, illustrated by the AMAZING Annie Rodrique.  Pretty much every month, I'm forced by Annie's talent to purchase a Kimmie Kit because I MUST possess each and every one of her images. Therefore, I have lots and lots of lovely rubber just waiting to get inked up.  It seemed serendipitous that my desire to stamp coincided with KKS's sponsorship, so here I am.  LUCKY FOR YOU! ;)

Enough backstory.  Ready to see this month's SFYTT?  It's a goodie, as usual:

Mr. Carter is turning 8 next Thursday, so I used CURTIS to make him a birthday card...

I'd love to say the idea for using the linen thread (from The Cat's Pajamas) to resemble a fishing line was the result of my own cleverness, but that would be a fib.  I copied the idea from my brilliant buddy, Michele Boyer - here's the card that inspired me.  I did come up with something kinda cute on my own, though.  Check out this little fish hook I created by bending a straight pin...

Not too shabby for a rusty, worn-down-to-a-nubbin stamper like myself!

Make sure you visit Jen's blog to see what she and Designer of the Month, Leslie Good, have created, and then visit my SFYTT Sisters to see what goodness they've put together to inspire you.

• Jen del Muro (you can also get all of the details about how you can participate on Jen's blog)
• Amber Hight
• Amy Sheffer
• Becky Carafa
• Jodi Collins
• Susan Liles
• Jen Tapler
• Megan Lock
• Kerry Johnson
• Tracy Shultz

As for future postings, I'm going to try to post once or twice a week, but probably no more than that.  My vida loca just won't permit it, and I've been told I'm cranky (the nerve!) when I'm stamping on a deadline.  Thus, I'll be keeping it light and aiming for that ever elusive balance.  (I can hear you snickering, you know. I agree; the idea of me and balance is akin to, say, Lady Gaga and demurity. But still. One can try.  Wish me luck!)

 

Supplies - Stamps: Curtis by Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps; Paper: Campfire 8 x 8 pad from October Afternoon, Prism Mystic Dark, PTI Ripe Avocado, Copic X-Press Blending Paper; Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black; Accessories: Copic Markers, Mini Brads from Queen & Co; Linen Thread from The Cat's Pajamas, Jody Morrow's Foam Boosters, straight pin, PTI ribbon in Ripe Avacado.

Exciting News!

Hi, friends!  Long time, no see.  My life has been turned upside down (not in a terrible way - just in an "I can't find my behind with both hands" way - since we've come home after Carter's surgery). Still, I couldn't NOT be a part of sharing this F-U-N May Day news.  Are you ready for it?  Let me break it down for all you visual learners out there...

+

 

= Stamping Heaven!

That's right - YOUR NEXT STAMP is Splitcoaststampers' newest MEMBER COMPANY!!!  To celebrate, the YNS Design Team and a few special friends are throwing this celebratory blog hop.  Again, for the visual learners...

We have 3 hidden prizes along the way, so make sure you comment on all of the participating blogs for your best chance to win! Here’s the hop list:

Dana- http://gotjoycreations.blogspot.ca/

Kerri- http://cardsbykerri.blogspot.ca/

Cabio - guest - http://cabioscraftcorner.blogspot.ca/

Carole- http://motherslittlehelper.typepad.com/

Diana- http://doodledeedesigns.blogspot.ca/

Veronica- http://lk2thestarz.blogspot.ca/

Jen D- http://iheart2stamp.com/

Jen R- http://www.tennisgirl27.blogspot.ca/

Kelli - guest - http://stampingwithadream.blogspot.ca/

Susan- http://www.susiestampalot.com/

Wendy- http://sugarpea-designs.blogspot.ca/

Peggy- http://cardcrazy.wordpress.com/

Lydia - guest- http://understandblue.blogspot.com/

Jenny P- http://mylittlestampinspot.blogspot.ca/

Karen- http://yournextstamp.blogspot.ca/

The hop will run from today, May 1st at 8:00 am (EST) until Sunday, May 6th at midnight (EST). Winners will be announced Monday, May 7th on the Your Next Stamp Blog  and the YNS Splitcoaststampers  forum.

Now, because of my aforementioned haywire life, I know you won't mind me showing you a little something that has been viewed by human eyes before, but never on this blog. So it IS new for the hop, in a way.  Please let me retain my illusions/delusions for the moment, okay?  Mama's sanity is hangin' by the most slender of threads at uno momento and you don't want to be responsible for sending me over the edge, do you?  Let me tell you, my edge of reason ain't pretty.  For example, yesterday my eldest (15 year old) son and I were... having words.  We managed to come through it in a civilized fashion, but I did warn him that next time, I would be taking his phone away from him and taking him on a little drive.  We'd go for about 5 miles to a remote - but scenic - country road, and then I would be dropping him off.  He could then spend an enjoyable couple of hours finding his way home and thinking about ways to avoid similar situations in the future.  He said, "You wouldn't really do that, would you?" 

My answer: "Trust me. Or find out the hard way. It's up to you, buddy."

Anywho... enough o' my rambling.  If you want more crazy talk, there's always the monthly CCC - CAROLE'S CREATIVE COMMOTION - which occurs on the YNS Blog on the 18th of every month. (How's that for wrapping up a tangent with a tidy little bow?)  And speaking of the CCC, here's what I made for my last CCC post, using the cute new ELLIE LOVES LATTE set:

(I used the April Sketch For You To Try as my blueprint, by the way. :) )

Karen - YNS's lovely owner and just an all-around-awesome gal - is also in the process of moving, so YNS is having a HUGE moving sale!  You'll want to shop early to get all of the stamps and dies you want at fantastic prices because quantities are limited. Don't forget to check out the Bargain and Retired Stamp Bins on the YNS site, too, for savings of up to 70% off!

Ready for more YNS goodness?  Then hop along to the delightful DIANA'S BLOG for something special.  And don't forget to stop by and visit us in YNS's SCS MEMBER COMPANY FORUM!