Mother's Little Helper

The Fabulous Mr. Fox

Hi, friends, and for all of my U.S. readers, Happy Memorial Day!

Man, oh man -- for the previous eight years, Memorial Day Weekend was monumental for my family.  Not because we were remembering those who fought for our country and died, but because it signaled that the Oklahoma legislative session was out and Dad would be home more-or-less full-time until January. As I've mentioned in previous posts, my husband took a new job last July which required him to leave his office as state senator and necessitated a move to the opposite end of the state. Though I was sad to leave my longtime home of Claremore, one of the HUGE benefits that came with this move/life change is that my husband of nearly 22 years very rarely has to spend a night away from us (as opposed to residing at the state capitol for a third+ of the year), and more often than not, he is literally a stone's throw away. It's been such an improvement, words fail me. I know that must seem like an obvious statement, but after a few years, you adapt and get used to whatever rhythms life imposes on you, and hardships become the norm. Now, in addition to honoring the intended purpose of Memorial Day, this weekend is a less-heightened event for us, and that is a very, very good thing for which I am especially grateful.

So, there you go. Coincidentally, this Memorial Day coincides with Your Next Stamp's FEATURE DAY, a monthly reason for the YNS design team and guest designers to give folks a little eye candy.

For this particular Feature Day, we were challenged to:

• create a project that CASEs (Copy And Share with Everyone) another DT member
• this project should inspire you/you love it and would remake it as your own
• remember to tell your readers that if they comment on the YNS blog, they have a chance to win a FREE STAMP SET of their choice

I'm not telling you anything you don't know when I say that choosing what to CASE from the oh-so-talented members of the YNS Design Team was tough, tough, tough! Not leaving-your-family-and-putting-your-life-on-the-line-tough (let's keep this in perspective...), but not an easy-peasy choice, just the same. I hemmed and I hawed, but eventually, I decided the most recent project that I wished I'd made for my very own was the lovely LAURA'S super cute Fox Journal that she proffered for the most recent Design Team Dare.  Here's the nifty notebook and pen I wish I had as my very own:

Isn't that absolutely delightful?!  Every single thing about it is sweet perfection, to my eyes. Thus, when I converted it to a card, there were minimal changes I elected to make. Really and truly, besides size, the main change I made was using a ribbon embellishment in place of the notebook's elastic closure band. See for yourself:

That oh-so-perfect patterned paper is from Doodlebug Design's Friendly Forest 6"x6" pad.  Supplies from YNS include

• Woodland Cuties stamp set
• Woodland Cuties coordinating dies
• Circles die set
• Stitching Marks Circles dies
• Black Licorice Glittered Gumdrops

Here's a close-up of this darling little fox, illustrated by the fabulous Macy Wong:

Now, head on over to the YNS Blog and check out what my crafty comrades have created, then leave a comment. I really want YOU to win the stamp set of your choice! (What can I say? I'm a giver... ;) )

Fun Friday -- Sweet Hello

Hey, friends. I've got a quick Your Next Stamp Fun Friday post to help you welcome the weekend.

The current YNS Color Challenge inspired me to make this sweet spring scene, featuring the new Woodland Cuties stamps and dies. 

 

Other dies used include Whatnot Seasons and Spring/Summer Scene. Lemon and Ivory Gumdrops were used to embellish.

Head on over to the YNS Blog to see what the other participating designers have put together, and find instructions about how you can play along with us. 

I apologize for the unusual lack of chatter. I'll be back to my normal, long-winded self after this weekend.  I think I've mentioned once or several hundred times that my son is graduating on Sunday, haven't I?  Plus, school is officially out for both boys tomorrow, so it's busy-busy In Carole-ville for the next few days. Wish me luck!

YNS May New Release Blog Hop

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms in the house, whether you claim a human baby, fur baby, fin baby, etc.

I'm sure there are all sorts of other babies I'm not naming, but it's late and I'm storm-weary. (We in Oklahoma are always dodging a tornado and/or hail at this time of year.) And if you aren't a mom, Happy Sunday/YNS New Release Day -- there's something for all to celebrate around these parts! 
I'm super excited to share that for the first time in a very long time, Your Next Stamp has some new FHIONA illustrated stamps available!  For many of us -- me included -- Fhiona's illustrations were the reason we fell in love with YNS in the first place. The fact that her latest drawings pertain to something that's very near and dear to my heart? Well, that's an added bonus. As I always say this time of year, I love me a good graduation set. This year, more than ever, as I'm sure regular readers are tired of me mentioning, seeing as my #1 son is about to collect his high school diploma in one short week. Here's a card I made, just for Truman, using the brand new Fhiona-illustrated GRAD KIDS set:

I don't mind telling you, I was bawling as I finished up this particular number. Here's a close-up of this cutie, colored to favor one of my favorite people in the whole wide world:

My next project features the second of the two sushi-themed sets YNS is coming out with this month (I gave you a sneak peek of SOY AWESOME yesterday).  Today, I want you to take a look at MAKI A WISH.  I promise you, if you're a sushi lover like I am, you need both sets and their coordinating dies.  See what I mean?

Just in case you need further evidence, here's the set in it's entirety. As I say in all sincerity, I could eat my body-weight in sushi, so this and its sister set are definitely going to be among my all-time-faves.

Next stop on this glorious hop? One of our fabulous guest designers, who just happens to be my oh-so-talented BSF: the AMAZING AMY ROHL!!!

Just a reminder, leave a comment as you go to increase your chances of being the lucky random commenter to receive a $20 gift certificate to the YNS Store.  And, when you place your order -- give yourself a Mother's Day Gift, why not?!  You deserve it! -- be sure to use this month's discount code to get 20% off. 

Miso Happy -- YNS Sneak Peek

Konnichiwa, peeps! I've been pretty scarce of late. Lots of stuff going on, not the least of which is my first-born graduating in a few short days. I know by merely mentioning that fact you'll cut me some slack, so I'm going to milk it for all it's worth. We good? Good.

In spite of such earth-quaking events, stamp companies still seem to be having releases. Go figure! I'll let Karen off the hook for this, and I'll even participate in the goings-on despite my heart and brain being elsewhere. I know, I know... it's big of me. I'm a big gal, what can I say?  (I'm working on that, though...)

Enough about this and that. Ready for a look-see at a super cute new stamp set by Your Next Stamp?  Of course you are!  Here's a sneak peek of the new SOY AWESOME...

Did you know that if I could eat only one thing every day for the rest of my life, it would be SOUP?  It's true. I love love love me some wonderful soup. Hot & sour soup is probably my favorite, but a good lobster bisque or clam chowder is close behind. I don't have a great source for miso soup, but I've found a lot of recipes on Pinterest. If this cute bowl is anything to judge by, however, I'm sure I will adore it. Did you know that purple bowls are good luck in Japan?

Neither did I, until I made it up. Let's just go with it, shall we? Look at those yummy cubes of tofu and scallions... mmm. Lots of fab images in this set. Don't believe me? Then check 'em out...

Delicious cuteness! The background paper is orgami paper I purchased many moons ago at Michael's. I created a bamboo-esque treatment using YNS's STITCHED RECTANGLES die set. Utsukushii!

Head on over to the YNS Blog to see and find links to all of the other May sneak peeks being shared today.  Then, come back tomorrow for the New Release Blog Hop, and I'll have two more projects to share with you.  Thanks for visiting today, and I'll see you then!