Mother's Little Helper

Sympathetic Pineapples

As a longtime lover and semi-collector of all things pineapple, the current pineapple trend makes me slap-happy.

I received an order from Lil Inker Designs last week; I know I said I'd ink up all of my LID stamp sets that I had before placing another order, but I couldn't resist the new Pineapple Panache stamp set, and LID was having a birthday sale. What's a girl to do? She's to order the pineapple set and coordinating die, as well as a few of the other sets/dies she's been wanting (because: 20% off!). And that's how you go broke saving money.

Anyway, I was itching to play with aforementioned Pineapple Panache, I needed to make my sample for Mojo Monday, and a close friend's grandmother passed away last week.  Those parameters were not enough: I also wanted to participate in the current Color Throwdown challenge (#357). Thus, I determined to make a pineapple-themed sympathy card with this sketch and color scheme:

And here's what I came up with, turning the sketch on it's side:

The card measures 3.5" by 5.5". I used LID's Circles & Diamonds Stitched Background Die to give the white background a little texture.  The sentiment came from LID's Really Rosemaling stamp set, and was heat embossed with white detail embossing powder.

My ink colors are Baja Breeze (Stampin' Up!) and Blush (Close To My Heart), both of which seem to be retired.

Ready to play in this week's Mojo Monday challenge? Then head over to the Mojo Monday blog where you'll find all of the details, and be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Monday design team members for lots of lovely inspiration:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

LID Pineapple Panache stamp set	LID Pineapple Panache die	LID Really Rosemaling stamp set	LID Circles & Diamonds Stitched Pattern die
MFT Card Stock	VersaMark	Stampendous Detail White Embossing Powder	Jody's Foam Boosters
MISTI

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Stalker Moms Are the New Soccer Moms

I'm back! From Monday through Wednesday, Sean and I took a whirlwind trip to Boston/Cambridge, MA. We helped Truman get moved into his dorm room, took a look around campus, heard various Deans and college administrators talk about the First Year, and ate some awesome seafood that is just not available here in landlocked Oklahoma. It was a great trip, and though I'm sad I won't get to see my eldest until Parents' Weekend (a couple of months from now), I'm so excited for him to embark on this big adventure. My heart is full!

Here's a pic of Truman, standing in front of the library on Monday evening:

Next is me and my baby, right before we said goodbye on Tuesday evening. I'm sweaty (no A/C in those dorms! Never so happy to see a box fan in my life...), sans makeup, and puffy from being teary-eyed all day, but he looks pretty cute:

It's probably a good thing that we live so far from Boston; if I was closer, I might be tempted to do a little spying or "just happen" to bump into him, from time to time. You've heard of soccer moms, right? If geography cooperated, I would become the first self-admitted stalker mom. That's the inspiration for my Fun Friday card for this week, using the current Your Next Stamp sketch challenge (#21):

If you see someone slithering around Harvard Square in Groucho Glasses, with her hair tucked into a baseball cap, you'll know it's me. But don't tell! Sadly, this really does look kinda like a selfie:

Please note my beautiful ribbon hair. Oh, well. I'm pretty on the inside! All of us are beautiful in God's eyes! Etc.!

(It's been a while since I used the vomit smiley; you have no idea how happy it makes me to be able to that. I wonder what that means?)

Go, go, go to the YNS Blog and see what the other participating designers made with YNS Sketch/Color challenge #21. There, you'll also find graphics for the sketch and color scheme, as well as info about how you can play along and possibly win FORTUNE & FAME (up to $20 in YNS moola and/or be selected as the YNS Top Pick. Top Pick-ers get featured on the YNS Blog and a nifty badge to wear on their blog, proclaiming them as a winner of this major award). How can you resist?

YNS - Silly Monsters Incognito One stamp set	YNS Silly Monsters Incognito One coordinating die set	YNS Circles die set	Taylored Expressions - Pinking Circle Stacklets
Taylored Expressions - Say What Dies	Doodlebug Designs - Day to Day 6x6 pad	MFT Card Stock	Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock
Copic Sketch Markers	Memento Tuxedo Black	MISTI	Jody's Foam Boosters

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Clowning Around with Charlie Brown

Hey, friends.  This is going to be a quickie, even though I'd like for it to be longer because I have a lot of backstory and extra photos I'd like to share with you. However, it's 9-something p.m. as I write this on Sunday night, and I have to get up at 4 a.m. tomorrow to make a 7 a.m. flight out of Dallas (wake, shower, load car, drive). Sean and I are heading up to Boston so that we can help Truman move into his dorm room. I have spent the whole weekend packing up all of Truman's stuff. I still have yet to pack my own bag.  Eek!

Anyway, I didn't want to leave without showing you the sample I made for this week's Mojo Monday sketch, #412. I'm sure it will not be a huge surprise to know I made it with Truman in mind...

I used a new-to-me stamp set by Lil Inker Designs called The Fine Print.  It's got several what-seem-to-be-snarky sentiments, but when you read the fine print, they are quite sweet. Take a closer look at this one:

There's a story behind the Charlie Brown zigzag. Truman was bald for a long time as an infant, and so for his first birthday (his birthday is on Oct. 30, hence he's had lots of costume parties and Halloween has always been a big deal at our house) he was Charlie Brown.  Here's a look at part of a scrapbook page from way back then:

And since I'm showing scrapbook pages, here's a part of a two-page spread devoted to the clown I spoke of in my last post:

I've already started buying little gifts I can stick in the cards I'm going to send Truman as part of the oft-mentioned 100 Card Challenge.  I picked up this USB drive a week or so ago for him, and now I have the perfect card to go with it. :)

Alrighty, folks - this is way longer than I intended, already. I have miles to go before I sleep!  Wish me luck, and I'll be back soon.  In the meantime, be sure to visit the Mojo Monday blog where you'll find this week's sketch and get info about how you can play along in the current challenge. For further inspiration, visit my craty Mojo Monday Design Team Members at:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Awesome x 3

So, this is the third time in one week that I've used a sentiment that features some variation of the word "awesome." Pretty sure that's a record of some sort. I don't think I could do that again if I tried...

It's the 22nd of the month, which means it's Your Next Stamp's Feature Day!  Every month on the 22nd, YNS design team members are challenged to create a card around a given theme.  Because this is YNS's birthday month, this month's theme is CELEBRATE!

Clowns are celebratory, don't you think? (Or creepy/scary, but let's not go there.) Thus, I inked up the recently released WHEELIE FUN stamp set to put together this number:

I think this will for sure be a part of my 100 Card Challenge for Truman, as he is freaked out by clowns. At his first birthday party, David Boren (Sean's former boss, a former US Senator and the President of the University of Oklahoma for the past 20 years) and his lovely wife, Molly, had a clown deliver a proclamation that Truman was the first student in the high school graduating class of 2015 to be accepted at OU. Isn't that, well, awesome?!  Truman did NOT like the clown, however, and cried all through her presentation. (Maybe that's why he's going to Harvard, now, and not OU?  Hmmm... it's a theory!)  I'll have to remind him of this story when I send him this card.

Let's call this clown Tickles, because what little kid wouldn't love to be tickled by a clown? (hee)  Here's a close up of Tickles. Please note the embossing on the background behind him; a bumpy background makes his unicycle/juggling feat all the more extraordinary.

Head on over to the YNS Blog and check out what fun and festive cards the DT has put together for your enjoyment. Make sure to leave a comment and you'll be eligible to win a FREE YNS stamp set of your choosing! Free stamps -- that's wheelie awesome, for sure!

Thanks for stopping by, friendlies.  Have a wonderful weekend!

YNS - Wheelie Fun stamp set	YNS - Wheelie Fun die set	Doodlebug Designs -- Hip Hip Hooray 6"x6" pad	MFT Card Stock
Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock	Memento Tuxedo Black	Cuttlebug Clockworks Embossing Folder	Copic Sketch Markers
Jody's Foam Boosters	MISTI

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From Awesome to Paw-some

I have survived this week! That definitely calls for a

Whew! First up was a day I've been dreading for almost 19 years: my oldest has flown the coop and left for college. I've had lots of teary moments, but ultimately, I'm grateful for the opportunities he has before him, for this exciting time in his life (I LOVED both college and law school -- good times!), and that he's launched in a way I couldn't have even dreamed of when he was a baby. So far, so good -- so what's the use of belly-aching, right?

Next up, Pinterest and what-not convinced me I had to make all sorts of teachers/para/staff gifts for Carter's 1st Day of School (grade 5). And, believe it or not, I did it! They turned out pretty cute. I will try to show you them in a post this weekend, however, if you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you've seen them and/or can check them out now. If you don't follow me, you should (not to shame you, or anything, but I am a teeny bit entertaining. I mean, you're reading this -- that social media type stuff is way shorter... ;) ). But just in case those venues aren't your thing, I do have a sweet 1st Day story later on in the post. 

So, back to where we started: TGIF!  And not only is it F, it's FF!  Meaning: Fun Friday, in Your Next Stamp speak.  This week, I opted to make something with the newest Color Challenge, which looks a little something like so:

Here's what I created with this summery-scheme, using the adorable new Pheobe With Her Wagon stamp set and coordinating dies:

I can't tell you how thrilled I am that YNS's longtime illustrator, Fhiona, is creating new characters and stamp sets for YNS. Fhiona was the initial flagship illustrator for YNS, and a big reason why I fell in love with this sweet company. And the fact that her first set in a long time has a Daisy-looking dog?

To get a gander at how this week's participating YNS Design Team members interpreted the current sketch and/or color challenge, head on over to the YNS Blog. You'll also find information there about how to participate in the challenge and be eligible to win up to $20 in YNS moola and/or be selected as the YNS Top Pick. Top Pick-ers get featured on the YNS Blog and a nifty badge to wear on their blog, proclaiming them as a winner of this major award. FAME & FORTUNE could be YOURS!

(Insert seamless transition...) Check out this first day of school photo, taken early a.m. yesterday:

That good looking young man to the left is my youngest son Carter. The guy to the right is a friend of Truman (my oldest son)'s, named Neil Patel. Neil is a great friend to Truman, and Carter, too. Like a few of Truman's friends, he sees Carter as a little brother. Neil will be a senior in high school this year, and a couple of weeks ago, he contacted me via Messenger on FaceBook. He told me how he remembered how sad & lonely it was to take 1st Day of School pictures right after his older (and only) brother left for college, and he volunteered to come over and take 1st Day photos with Carter.

Is that not one of the sweetest, most thoughtful things you've ever heard a teenaged boy do? I will tell you, I've adored Neil since the moment I met him. But now? I'd seriously consider adoption...

Thanks so much for stopping by today, friends.  I'll be seeing you very shortly!

YNS - Pheobe With Her Wagon stamp set	YNS Phoebe With Her Wagon coordinating dies	YNS - Rainbow Fun die set	YNS Fun Faces stamp set
YNS Silver Tinsel Gumdrops	Doodlebug Designs - Hello, Sunshine 6"x6" pad	MFT Card Stock	Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock
Memento Tuxedo Black	VersaMark	Copic Sketch Markers	Jody's Foam Boosters
PTI - Rustic Cream Button Twine	MISTI

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You're Seriously Awesome

Hello, hello!  I'm here, and I'M NOT GOING TO TALK ABOUT the fact that my firstborn is leaving for college tomorrow. 

I'm telling myself that I am absolutely fine with this fact. It's a good thing! Especially considering the alternatives. It's the circle of life, right?

Right. So let's move along, shall we? Everything is right with the world. (*breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth... breathing in through the nose, out through the mouth...)

Today I've got a TRIPLE THREAT card for you! That's right, I've combined three -- count 'em: 3! -- challenges in one single card. I'm not going to claim it's the holy trinity, but it's definitely a trinity of some sort. Let me explain:

1. It's my sample for this week's MOJO MONDAY card sketch -- # 411, for your information.
2. The color scheme is from the current COLOR THROWDOWN challenge, #355.
3. I used stamps and dies from Lil Inker Designs, just in time for their AUGUST MONTHLY MEET-UP challenge.

Here's my card, also very suitable for my 100 Card Challenge for Truman (the aforementioned eldest sweet child o' mine):

The Basic Gray card stock was so dark, I knew I'd need to add an interior panel of white to make it useable. I also know myself well enough to know that I'd better do so when I make it, or it might never get done. There are so many great sentiments in the Seriously Awesome stamp set, that I couldn't help but stamp one in Tempting Turquoise ink to the interior panel:

Compare and contrast to the various challenge parameters:

And be sure to visit the MOJO MONDAY BLOG to see how you can play along. For further inspiration, visit my craty Mojo Monday Design Team Members at:

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Thank you so much for coming to visit me today! I get by with a little help from my friends, like you. :)

Little Inker Designs - Seriously Awesome stamp set	Lil Inker Designs - Pointelle Cover Up die	Lil Inker Designs - Seriously Die	Stampin' Up Card Stock
SU! Tempting Turquoise Ink	Jody's Foam Boosters	MISTI	YNS Silver Tinsel Gumdrops

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Happy 6th Birthday to Your Next Stamp!

As promised in yesterday's post, there's a party going on and you're HERE!  Woo-hoo!  Ready to celebrate?  Of course you are!  Then let's get started...

First up, I've got a card featuring the new ZERO CALORIES stamp set and coordinating dies.  If you're like me, you end up sending as many or more belated birthday cards than timely greetings, therefore...

A fallen scoop of ice cream ranks right up there with an accidentally-let-go balloon as a sad and sorry sight, don't you think?  Look how happy Pinky's friends are, seemingly unaware that she has fallen victim to a dairy version of the Malachi Crunch:

Poor, poor Pinky.  May she melt in peace. (Whisper: other YNS products used on this card include the new BANNER DIE SET, Stitched Square Dies, Stitched Rectangle Dies, and the Fancy Frame Die.)

Next up, I've used the super-fun new CUTE ALPHA stamp set and coordinating CUTE ALPHA SQUARES die. Such possibilities with this set!  Think of all of the subversive things you could create with this!  But because this is a family friendly party, I've kept it clean and simple...

I know you're anxious to hop along and see what the other fabulous YNS Designers and guest designers have created for your viewing pleasure, but before you leave me, let me give you your goody bag and explain how you can be eligible for prizes, savings, and a free stamp set!

1.  PRIZES!  Three randomly selected lucky commenters will receive $50 YNS Gift Certificates, so be sure to say a sweet something at every stop on the hop to increase your chances of winning.

2.  SAVINGS!  I'll let this graphic do the 'splaining for me...

3. FREE STAMP SET!

Okay, friends -- keep the party going by conga-ing to all the blogs in the linky below.  Thanks for stopping by, and of course, HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY, YOUR NEXT STAMP!!!

Calling All Party Animals!

There's a party going on this weekend, in case you haven't heard.  And, I'm issuing you a PERSONAL AND EXCLUSIVE INVITATION. No, it isn't to celebrate my husband's and my 22nd wedding anniversary (that was yesterday), though you are welcome to congratulate me on that fact. I don't care what anyone says -- staying married that long takes hard work and perseverance (in addition to all the hearts and flowers, etc.)! He's a lucky, lucky man, wouldn't you agree?  

But back to that party I was talking about... It's a bash to celebrate Your Next Stamp's 6th Birthday! Yep, it's been six whole years since Karen Dedman launched her sweet little stamp shop, and my how it's grown!  In human years, YNS would be starting first grade! You moms out there know how much love and work it takes to nurture a child to age six; Karen's got little ones of her own, and has been rearing them and her awesome company, simultaneously. I don't know how she does it - some days it's all I can do to take a shower, know what I mean?

I'll give you all of the celebratory details WHEN YOU COME VISIT ME TOMORROW (hint, hint... I'm subtle, don't you think?) during the YNS 6th Birthday Blog Hop. There are prizes, discounts, and even an exclusive *FREE* stamp set with qualifying purchase.  Believe me when I tell you that you don't want to miss it.

In the meantime, here's a little sneak peek of one of the ADORABLE birthday-themed sets being released this month.  It's called PARTY ANIMALS, and the first must-ink image for me is the Daisy-look alike with a spot over his/her eye...

Total cuteness, right?  Here's a close-up of the pup, in case you need further convincing (please note the balloon has been fussy-cut and popped up on foam boosters):

Here's a look-see at the entire PARTY ANIMAL set, which of course has a coordinating die set for those of you who like that sort of thing (which I believe is just about everybody):

I know you're anxious as all get out to get previews of all the other new sets, so go to the YNS Blog for a linky list to all of the designers participating in today's peeks. In addition to the awesome YNS Design Team, there are several fabulous guests joining the fun this weekend.  Good times!

See you tomorrow!

YNS Stitched Square Dies	YNS - Stitched Rectangle Die Set	YNS Blue Sapphire Glittered Gumdrops	YNS Neon Sunrise Gumdrops
Doodlebug Designs - Hip Hip Hooray	Copic Sketch Markers	Stampin' Up Card Stock	Copic X-Press Blending Card Stock

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Happy Campers

Hi, friends. How was your weekend? Mine was great. We had a bestie from Claremore come down and stay with us Friday evening, showed her our new hometown on Saturday, and then on Sunday the husband and I went to a church off our beaten path to hear a sermon given by a wonderful friend who was subbing for the regular minister (he did an awesome job -- go Dell!). To top all that off, Sean's been ever so diligent at his grill this weekend, and I'm anticipating some mouthwatering barbequed ribs and corn on the cob as I type this. Life is good!

(I'm still trying not to get in a funk about the fact that Truman is leaving in 16 days...)

Earlier today I saw a cute pic on Instagram where one of my local friends (whom you would love; she is so, so funny and cool. One of my favorite peeps I've met since we've moved) posted a picture of a trio of tents set up in her backyard. Her son and friends had a little impromptu camp out, and it inspired the card I created for this week's Mojo Monday.  Take a look:

That's some summertime fun, right there! Not only does it use this week's Mojo Monday sketch, but it also qualifies for the current TCP Tuesday Challenge from my longtime friends at The Cat's Pajamas (challenge = Anything Goes) and I'm going to enter it in TCP's Summer Blog Hop.  All ingredients are listed in the In Linkz area below.  As far as card details are concerned, the only perhaps less-than-obvious thing I did was stamp the image first on my background patterned paper layers, then again onto Ultra Smooth alcohol ink cardstock.  After coloring the image with Copic markers, I fussy cut it out, then adhered it to the patterned paper layer.

You'll definitely want to play in this week's Mojo Monday challenge (#409). Not just because it's a great sketch, but because it's the first sketch of the month, which means... PRIZES!!!  For every fifty entries, one lucky participant will be randomly selected to win the Verve stamp set of his/her choice.  That definitely beats being poked in the eye with a sharp stick, doesn't it?

Head on over to the Mojo Monday blog for more details about how you can play along, then go visit the other memebers of Mojo Monday's design team for further inspiration.

• Julee Tilman (Owner)
• Justin Krieger
• Lori Tecler
• Marisa Ritzen
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline
• Wanda Cullen

Thanks so much for visiting, and go make this Monday a fun day! :)

Mojo Monday Sketch # 409	TCP - Under the Stars	MFT Die-namics - Stitched Rounded Rectangles	Taylored Expressions - Pinking Circle Stacklets	Memento Tuxedo Black
Echo Park Happy Camper	Stampin' Up Card Stock	UltraSmooth Premium White Card Stock	Copic Sketch Markers	MISTI
Jody's Foam Boosters

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