Mother's Little Helper

Friends-Friends-Friends!

Friends are good, don't you think?  Even when they're as ornery as Carolyn King/Cammie/Cammie Toe/Camela Anderson.  She (who, shameful as it is to admit, is one of my BSFs) recently designed a new stamp set -- Stamp it BIG! -- for Gina K Designs, and like the sucker I am, I had to buy it to prove my fidelity.  Plus, it's super-cute and versatile (but DON'T tell her I said that). 

I had it out on my desk after my last post, and so I thought "What the hey?" (except replace 'hey' with a term that refers to that place where doomed souls - like, possibly, Cammie - go when they perish) and decided to use it for this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  Here's the sketch:

Since it's the last sketch o' the month, you have the choice to make it round or square.  Seeing as I was inspired by Cammie for this sketch, I naturally chose square (as in "she is such a..."):

I was still 'hungover' from my last post, with reference to the repetitive phrase, but this time I went for an inked ombre effect, using shade of ink from the lightest pink to a dark cranberry red.  I'm sending this to the Camster for Valentine's Day (yes, she is a lucky duck, and yes, I am a giving giver).  All the patterned papers are from Doodlebug Designs' (my fave paper company - I so-so-so puffy-heart them!) Sweet Cakes 6"x6" pad.  The inks are all by Adirondack/Ranger (from the top): Shell Pink, Pink Sherbet, Raspberry, Watermelon, and Cranberry.  The banner die details are via Taylored Expressions' Banner Stacklets 1, the scallops at the side of the white panel are thanks to MFT's Small Scallop Border Die-namics, and the heart punches are oldies-but-goodies from Creative Memories. 

Go to the Mojo Monday Blog for all the details about how to play along with this week's sketch, and be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Makers' blogs for inspiration and eye candy:

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

I'll be back soon with some good-and-bittersweet news.  Did that get you interested?!  I hope so... ;)

PS - In case you're new to my blog and aren't aware of the ages-old 'frenemy' relationship between Carolyn & myself, know that anything within that appears disparaging is all said in the spirit of fun; Cammie was my first online-turned-IRL friend, ever, and I love her dearly.  (But DON'T tell her I said that!!!)

Tuesday Trigger: Sweet Dreams

Did I happen to mention that I met Cath Edvalson, Herself, at CHA?  You know, PaperCrafts Magazine's Trends Editor and of Moxie Fab World fame?  ('scuse me for a second while I pick up that name I just dropped...) What's that?  You don't believe me?! Well, here's proof:

(From left to right: me, PC Go-To Gal Kim Kesti, Cath Edvalson, Kim Hughes and Karolyn Loncon.  Don't we Paper Smooches gals look sweet in our aprons?  Kim Kesti made those - ain't she somethin'? ;)  By the way, let this also serve as my BEFORE picture.  Jenny Craig update: I lost 2.8 lbs my first week!  Woo-hoo!  Only 33.2 left to go...)

My buddy Karolyn is always telling me how much fun she has playing in Cath's Moxie Fab challenges, and heaven knows I could stand to get a little Moxie-Fabber in 2013.  Thus, today I created my first Tuesday Trigger challenge entry. Here's some flair, to break up all my chatter:

For those of you who are similarly Moxie Fab-less, the Tuesday Trigger is an inspiration challenge.  Here's the current inspiration photo, which I puffy-heart:

Oh, how I wish my bedroom was this clean and bright!  Not sure I'd like an exterior door right there next to where I sleep, but as a teenager, wouldn't that have been super-handy for sneaking out?  Anyway, here's my attempt at Moxie Fab-ulousness:

It's cloudy early-evening here, so I had to use my lightbox to take the photo.  It's hard to tell, but the bottom 'love' actually is a pretty good match for the pomegranate-colored rug in the photo.  I wanted to keep the white, light, and bright feel of the room, so I embossed white glossy cardstock with a quatrafoil embossing folder from Paper Studio (Hobby Lobby).  Glossy cardstock is nice and shiny, much like I imagine the high-gloss painted woodwork is in the trigger photo.  The 'love' die is from Taylored Expressions' new Love Tree die set, and I die cut several of those from various Lilybee Designs patterned papers and some SU! Purely Pomegranate cardstock. 

The stamps for the 'you forever' sentiment are from one of my stamping besties - Carolyn King's - newest stamp set from Gina K. Designs, Stamp It BIG!  I like the contrast of the sans-serif font with the cursive of the die cut.  The sentiment was stamped out in Taken With Teal ink (SU!).

Okay, gang.  That's it for me getting out of my comfort zone today.  Thanks for stopping by to visit me, and I'll see you bright and early on Monday morning with a new Mojo Monday sketch.  Have a happy weekend! :)

A {Better-Late-Than-Never} Mojo Monday & Ode to Camela Anderson

Hey there, gang!  Sorry if you tried earlier to see my take on this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  I actually had my card done early; I think I was the first Mojo Maker to upload hers into our DT album, to tell the truth.  That's a FIRST, believe me!  But then, as fate would have it (in the form of my father-in-law having quadruple bypass surgery on Easter Sunday), I was unable to get to the computer until just this very second to create my post. Life sometimes gets in the way, you know?  Fortunately, our family patriarch came through with flying colors. I guess the Burrage family is keeping the medical profession busy this month with Mike's surgery yesterday and Carter's next week. You're welcome, doctors and nurses of the world!

Back to this week's Mojo Monday sketch...

I was looking at my calendar right before I sat down (EARLY, as I mentioned before) to work on this week's sketch, and I noticed a dear friend of mine's birthday is later this month.  I know when her special day rolls around, I'll be in the big middle of mayhem and too busy to create a card just for her, so I *thoughtfully* decided to get to work early. It also helped that I had just received said friend's SIGNATURE IMAGE from Paper Smooches.  If you're a longtime reader of my blog, you'll have no problem figuring out who this particular card will be going to...

Those of you who are relatively new readers may ask, "Who on earth has a camel as a signature image?  Well, besides Joe Camel..."  My friend - let's call her 'Camela Anderson' - is well known within the stamping industry, not only for her lovely creations, but also for a rather unfortunate tendancy to wear snug trousers. You know how the Grinch's heart is 3 sizes too small?  So are this gal's pants, if you know what I mean.  Evidentally her family of origin thinks so, too, as they're the ones who gave her the nickname by which she is commonly known, and which is a not-so-subtle reference to her affliction.  Still, we must not judge books by their covers nor friends by their fashion faux pas. And, since those of us who love her can't convince her to beat her nasty habit, I say we celebrate it!

Happy EARLY Birthday, Camela!  Your sigil was colored in with Copics and popped up on foam boosters.  I *lovingly* hand-stitched around the image layer and the background layer with embroidery thread.  The sweet patterned papers are from Doodlebug Design's Sugar & Spice 6"x6" pad.  The sentiment is from Paper Smooches' Sentiment Sampler, and the camel is from PS's Zoo Crew set.

Visit to the Mojo Monday blog for more info about how you can play along with this week's sketch.  And be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Makers for further inspiration:

• Debbie Carriere
• Mary Fish
• Sarah Bigelow
• Teresa Kline

 LOVE YOU, CAMSTER! :)

Strawberry Flavored JiFFy!

Greetings and salutations, precious people!  How are you this fine morning?  I'm in a great mood because I just found out the BEST news!  More on that in a second.  First, I've got to set the scene for this month's Just For Fun (a.k.a. JiFFy) challenge that I do on a {mostly} monthly basis with my JiFFy girlfriends.  We took the last couple of months off, but now we're back and ready to play. 

This month, my worlds are colliding -- y'all know how I feel about that.  My sweet JiFFy Gals have been infilitrated by the notorious Carolyn/Cammie King.  Now, Cammie and I have been rumored to have made a little mischief together in our pasts.  People have ALLEGEDLY witnessed us engaging each other in practical jokes, cards of questionable taste, and very loud show-tune singing in public places.  Of course, I deny all culpability.  Any lewd or lacivious conduct that I am accused of in Cammie's company is 100% her fault.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

Fortunately, there isn't too much wiggle room for mayhem in the JiFFy challenge: one of us selects an image, and before that image is revealed to the group, another one of us mails out some patterned paper to everyone.  The patterned paper has to be used to make a card with the selected image; sometimes they go well together, and sometimes they're a ... challenging fit, but it's always JUST FOR FUN! 

This month, Miss Julie selected the image -- Sweetest Day, a Jillibean Itty Bitty by Unity Stamp Co. Speaking of Jules -- she's the subject of the fabulous news I just heard! 

 

Guess who was just announced as one of Papercraft Magazines' newest GO-TO GIRLS?!  Yep, that pretty blonde chickadee, Julie Campbell herself!  Congratulations, Jules!!!  I'm so thrilled and excited for you!

Back to today's challenge... I was the paper picker.  I'm pretty sure the other gals hold their breath each time I come through the paper rotation, on account of my well-documented love of colors like YoYo Yellow (RIP) and Glorious Green.  I took it pretty easy on 'em this month, though.  I chose Madison Plaid from Echo Park's Little Girl collection; it makes my preppy heart go bang-bang-bang!

Here's what I came up...

Just like the sentiment says, it's pretty sweet, don't you think?  Can you see the glittery seeds on the strawberry?  The photo isn't the greatest because it's a cloudy & rainy day here in Claremore, America. I used yesterday's Splitcoast sketch challenge (#326) as my layout.

I'm going to let you go as I'm anxious to visit my JiFFy Gals and Cammie to see what they've done with this month's combo.  I'm also hoping that us JiFFy Girls will be a good influence on Cammie, and that maybe she'll take our virtuous examples to heart and mend her wicked ways.  Having her play with us this month is actually a form of ministry, you know...

Please stop by my buddies' blogs and leave a little love:

• Michele Boyer
• Julie Campbell
• SWEET Lori Craig
• Alli Miles, and our special guest
• Carolyn King

I'll be back a little later today with another post.  In the meantime, I've got to go comb out my wings...

God Winks via Gene Simmons

I was wandering past a random store in a local mall when this toddler shirt with the cover art from KISS's Rock and Roll Over album jumped out at me.  I had to have it for Carter!  The store clerk looked at me like I was kind of strange; I doubt I resembled her idea of the target demographic for this item, or anything else in that store.  A perfect example of why one shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.  I may look like your typical soccer mom, but I'm also the person who created this card for my recent stint as Gina K's Guest Designer:

And here's a detailed close-up of the good doctor's face...

I haven't posted this card here yet or in my SCS gallery, but after getting Carter dressed today, I thought it was high time I did so.  Now, don't get the wrong idea; I'm not a KISS groupie and I don't TIVO Gene Simmons' Family Jewels (although I have watched it on occasion and I think his son is really funny).  The only KISS album I had was Double Platinum, which Santa brought me when I was in third or fourth grade.  But I needed to make something a little off-kilter with my good friend Cammie/Carolyn King's set, Dr. Feelgood, for my guest designer spot and this is what my warped brain came up with.  In case the April Fool's blogging between Cammie and I didn't clue you in, we kinda like to give each other a hard time.  (And just to clear up any lingering questions: no, I'm not pregnant, and no, she is not a surrogate mother for any current or future children I may have.)   

Now, I have to say, I LOVE this card and think it's a hoot.  But not everyone shares my sensibilities.  I understand that fully, and I wasn't sure whether Gina would want this on her blog.  Fortunately, though, it made Gina giggle, too, and she reminded me that she was the one who created a stamp set featuring a toilet and a plunger.  So she posted it.  There were a couple negative comments, but by and large most of those who left comments found it as funny as we did.

Just to tie this all together with a nice little bow: Calling Dr. Love is a track on which KISS album? Why, Rock and Roll Over, of course!  I don't know about you, but I'll take a full-circle-moment any way I can get it.  And I think this one is evidence that God/the Universe/whatever-you-want-to-call-it has a great sense of humor.

Go forth and rock on with your bad self!

(Gotta use that smiley whenever the opportunity presents itself, you know?)

Supplies used -- Stamps: Dr. Feelgood by Gina K. Designs; Paper: mauve cardstock by Bazzill, Georgia Pacific Black, Basic Black, Basic Gray,
patterned paper by Paper Studio; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black;
Accessories: Copic Sketch and Spica markers, velvet flower w/brad (unknown source), computer generated sentiment using Die Nasty free font from www.dafont.com, Dimensionals.

Thanks a Million, Cammie!

I am so touched by the outpouring of support from my stamping friends all over the world!  With all of the problems I've had with my previous pregnancies -- I have a very hostile womb that likes to kick the buns out of the oven before they've fully cooked -- I'm somewhat superstitious about making these sorts of announcements, but I guess Cammie couldn't help herself!  No, no -- I'm not angry!  How could I be?  She is giving me such a gift.

What do I mean?  Well, what she was too humble to tell you herself is that while I may be the one expecting a new family member, she is actually the one who is carrying my little bundle of joy.  Yes, Cammie/Carolyn King is the surrogate mother of my baby.  Don't worry -- it's my egg and my husband's seed, so we don't have to worry about any of the debilitating abnormalities from Cammie's genetics (which she has valiantly overcome for the most part -- it's amazing what she's been able to accomplish in spite of being so inbred).  Her parole officer (whom I'm in daily contact with) has assured me that Cammie has passed every single one of her frequent random drug tests, and that being a surrogate has had the positive effect of bringing Cammie slightly out of the sociopathic narcissism that has gotten her into so much trouble in the past.

And I would be remiss if I didn't also thank Cammie's husband, known to most of us as Dr. Feelgood.  He's a great guy.  Not many men would allow their wives and best earners to be out of commission for so long, but as the good 'doctor' has told me privately, "At least this time I know for sure whose baby she's carrying."

Our due date is fast approaching.  Our little miracle should be here in just a few weeks; don't tell, but I've planned this as a present for my husband's 40th birthday, which is on the 20th!  Won't he ever be surprised, considering he's had a vasectomy and all.  Fortunately, I thought ahead and had the urologist save a little 'life force' for just such a rainy day.

I know this special time will soon be coming to an end.  But I will never forget what the Camster has done for me or my family.  Here's a picture I snapped of her when I was down last week for one of our doctor's appointments (<-- a real doctor, btw, as in OB/GYN):
Check out those gams!  You know she's a runner!  Oh, and yes, she does have a cigarette in her hand, but the OB said one a day should be alright.  And considering the various and sundry vices she's temporarily halted to do me this great favor, how can I deny her this one small indulgence?

I've got something very special up my sleeve to thank Cammie for all she's done for me, but I'm waiting to reveal it until the MFT New Release Cocktail party tomorrow night.  You'll definitely want to be there, from 9-11 p.m. EST in the MFT Member Forum on Splitcoast.  See you then!

And thanks, Cammie.  I'll spend the rest of my life repaying you for all you've done for me!

There's a Bee in my Bonnet

Isn't this little bee adorable?  And even though he's part of the DoodleFactory Valentines set, he's versatile enough to use all year long.  I'm thinking that little heart he's carrying is a declaration of love for the Queen Bee; he wouldn't just do that on Valentine's Day -- he'd do it every day, much like my DH does (yes, in fact, Sean does bring me a sparkly little heart daily.  Really.  No kidding.  It's true, for all you know...).  I made this using Jen's Saturday Sketch for You To Try; be sure to check out what Shannan, Susan, and Jen's Guest Designer, the fabulously talented Bethany Paull have done with this loverly design.

The bee was heat embossed with black embossing powder on cheap-y Georgia Pacific White cardstock, then colored in with Copic Sketch markers.  His heart was filled in with red stickles.  The honeycomb background was created by running Fiskars Texture Plates through the Cuttlebug, then taking a brayer and running black ink over the embossed image. 

Whenever I use the Fiskars Texture Plates with the Cuttlebug, I get a lot of questions about how to do this. It's really easy -- here's your sandwich: plate A, Fiskars Texture Plate (desired pattern facing up), cardstock (I spritz mine with a little water first to get greater relief in the embossing process since the Texture Plates don't make nearly as deep an impression as Cuttlebug embossing folders), then rubber plumber's gasket (I got mine at Lowes; it came in an 8" x 8" sheet), and finally plate C.  Run the sandwich through the Cuttlebug and you're done!

Supplies Used -- Stamps: DoodleFactory Valentine set and Mini Positive Words by Starving Artistamps; Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, YoYo Yellow, Georgia Pacific White; Ink: VersaMark, Basic Black, Real Red; Accessories: Cuttlebug, Fiskars Embossing Plates -- honeycomb pattern, brayer, silk flower by Doodlebug Designs, red flower by Prima, Blackbird Brad by MOD, ribbon, red Stickles, black embossing powder, dimensionals.

By the way, I am apparently the object of identity theft.  It seems someone has posted a despicable card on Gina K's blog under my name as Gina's Guest Designer for February.  As if I would adulterate the innocent Dr. Feelgood created by my good friend Carolyn with the abominable likeness of some heathen heavy metal freak!  Me?!  The same person who made that sweet little bumble bee card above?!  Why, it's preposterous!!  I'm offering a substantial reward to anyone who can help me track down the REAL stamper of that, that... paper travesty.  This rubber-stamping menace-to-society and ruiner-of-my-good-name must be STOPPED!!!

Mad at Mother Nature

Well, the weather didn’t cooperate – Sean and Truman’s flight from Tulsa was canceled due to an ice storm. Carter and I were really looking forward to seeing the other half of our family, but now we’ll have to wait until we get home next weekend. 

At least I was able to get a little stamping in.  Today’s Featured Stamper is Charlene, aka LilLuvsStampin.  Charlene is such a sweetheart – one of those super-nice people who always has a kind word for everyone.  I chose this card from her gallery to CASE.  I wasn’t able to CASE as closely as I would ordinarily due to stamping logistics (computer in a different room from stamping stuff + no printer) and my limited supplies, but this card captures the gist of Charlene’s original, I think.  I used the new MFT “Rain or Shine” set.  I just love yellow raincoats, and combining Summer Sun  with turquoise makes for a very cheerful color combo, don’t you think?  The card is a 4.75” square.

Supplies used – Stamps: Rain or Shine by My Favorite Things; Paper: Summer Sun, Georgia Pacific White, Turquoise cardstock by Paper Source; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Technique Tuesday Turquoise; Accessories: Cuttlebug, ribbon, brads, paper piercer, 3-D Dots, Copic Sketch markers.

Tag!  I’m it…

My pal Carolyn King tagged me.  You’re probably familiar with this one, but just in case you’re not, here are the rules of the game:

Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Okie-doke.  Here are seven weird/random facts about me:

1.    When I was in sixth grade I wore black armbands to school the day after Reagan was elected president and the day after John Lennon was shot.
2.    I was obsessed with Duran Duran in 8th and 9th grade, and seriously thought I would marry John Taylor (the bass player) if only I could figure out a way to meet him.
3.    I have a personal mission to one day participate in the Pillsbury Bake-Off. 
4.    I met my husband when he coached my sorority’s intramural football team.  Before I ever dated him, I told one of my friends “ See that guy, Sean? I’m going to marry him.”
5.    I bite my fingernails down to the quick. 
6.    I can recite just about every line from Mommie Dearest.
7.    I subscribe to at least 25 magazines (but none of the paper-crafting/stamping ones – go figure).

I don’t know if these folks have already been tagged by this yet, but I’m going to go ahead and slap:

Jody Morrow
Susan Liles
Pam Varnell
JanTink
Ana Wohlfahrt
Mary Jo Albright, and
Heidi Kingery

Later, gators! : )

A Sketch For You To Try!

It's Saturday, and you know what that means -- Jen del Muro has a great new Sketch For You To Try!  I have to say, I just love this card!  Do you ever do that?  Make something and think, "Oooh, now THAT is cute, cute, cute!"  I love it when that happens, and wish it would happen more often!  Let's dig a little deeper and figure out what makes it click, shall we?  Kind of our own little CSI (card scene investigation)...

1.  It starts with good bone structure -- a strong sketch that provides interest and balance without being too busy.

2. An eye-catching main image -- isn't this Santa adorable?!  He's called "Marshmallow Santa" and is by Stampabilities (which is located in good ol' OKC, by the way).  Best of all, he was gifted to me by my ELF, who I'm going to out right now as none other than Carolyn King.  {{{{Carolyn!}}}}  I colored Santa with Copic Sketch and Spica markers.  Then, because I wanted to do something with all the white space on his beard, I added a little depth and texture by polka-dotting (that's a technical term) Diamond Stickles.  The scalloped layer behind the image is actually just a scrap of Georgia Pacific White colored around the edges with a Copic -- this is my sneaky little trick to having just the right shade of paper even when I don't!  A little bling on the corners echoes the sparkly polka dots on the beard.

3.  Embellishments and extras that enhance -- this is kind of a fine line, as well as a matter of personal preference.  It's easy to overdo the add-ons.  I'm not a huge fan of layers and doo-dads just for the sake of layers and doo-dads.  Some people can really pull it off, but unless everything is just so, it can look a bit cluttered.  I tend towards patterned paper on most of the cards I make.  If I'm making something for a particular stamp company that discourages the use of patterned paper, then I'll begrudgingly sacrifice my love of dp (Tracey, if you're looking, this statement is for you... : ) ).  But otherwise, it's the first thing I reach for after the image itself.  On this card, I used coordinating pieces from Basic Grey's 6" x 6" Figgy Pudding paper pad.  Ribbon is next -- it feels a little nakey without ribbon, but sometimes (like the Hula Hoop Bunny from yesterday) I just can't make it work.  I always, always try before throwing in the ribbon towel, though.

4.  The sentiment is a really big deal to me, too.  I'm a sentiment-on-the-front kinda gal.  Every once in a while, I'll make a card w/o a sentiment on it, but that's only when I can't find one to fit.  Again, there may be limitations imposed by outside forces; if it's a design team assignment, I usually can't mix the products of stamp manufacturers.  I'll even computer generate a sentiment if I need to (sacrilege!).  And I'm a wee bit of a font bigot.  When doing DT stuff, I will occasionally use a sentiment with a font that I don't care for, but there are instances where I just have to draw the line as a matter of personal integrity (i.e. Comic Sans) and in those cases, I will do without the sentiment all together.  For this card, though, I think the sentiment font is just perfect for the look and feel I was going for, and the size is just right, too.  No surprise that this wonderful little sentiment is by My Favorite Things -- Kim (the MFT Lady) has several awesome sentiment sets that meet my exacting standards.  I also love the sentiment stamps by A Muse and River City Rubberworks.

Class dismissed!

And for lecture-free examples using this same sketch, check out the beauties by Susan Liles and Shannan Teubner.  Should you be inspired to use this sketch and upload your card at SCS, use SFYTT as one of your keywords so we can be sure to admire it!

Supplies used -- Stamps: Marshmallow Santa by Stampabilities, sentiment from MFT's Tis the Season set; Paper: Kraft, Georgia Pacific White, Figgy Pudding 6" x 6" patterned paper by Basic Grey; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black; Accessories: Copic Sketch and Spica Markers, 3-D Dots, Nestabilities, Diamond Stickles, cheap-o bling; ribbon.

The Power of Happy Mail

I have been having a really crummy couple of days. Yesterday, I had planned to get a lot of stuff done in preparation for my upcoming trip. On Saturday, Carter (my three year old) and I are heading out to Pontiac, Michigan, where he will be doing a two-week stint at the EuroPeds clinic. I could go into a whole long spiel here about the EuroPeds philosophy, why we're going there, what we hope to gain, etc., but I'm going to save that. Actually, I'll start another blog page documenting our whole EuroPeds experience once we get there for anyone who's interested in reading about it. But for now, all you need to really know is that we're going on a pretty long trip and I'm a terrible procrastinator. I've left getting a lot of necessary things -- x-rays, doctors' scripts, etc. -- together until the last minute, let alone start packing. So yesterday was going to be my day to get lots of stuff done.

Well, super-duper long story short, I ended up having to take my mother to the emergency room because she threw up and passed out at a local cafe. Was she there to eat? No, she was cutting vegetables in the kitchen. Does she work there? No. She just likes to go there and hang out. I don't get it either, but I'm glad the lady who owns and operates the cafe humors her. My mom is 72, lives within a mile of me, and drives me CRAZY. That sounds awful, I know, but it's true. And if she were your mom, she would drive you crazy, too. Take my word for it. So, after much wrangling, I get my mom to agree to let me take her to the emergency room, and we were there all day, until at about 6 p.m. we finally found out that she has a urinary tract infection. Pick up some meds at the pharmacy, deliver her home, and come home to a husband who has had to practice law and give a talk to a local group while simultaneously watching a toddler. It was a long day for everybody, to say the least.

Today, I have to cram two days worth of stuff that should have really been done over the course of four days, had I not been procrastinating in the first place. And I'm doing all of this with a toddler in tow, between two therapy appointments. As I'm driving home, I call to check on my mom, who didn't go to the doctor like she was supposed to. I call the doctor's office to get her an appointment, and I explain that I want the appointment today, because when Mom's doctor talked to the ER doc, she said my Mom needed to come in today. Plus, I tell her, I'm leaving town and for an extended period of time and I would really like to make sure she's okay before I leave. The nurse won't give me any information because of HIPA, though she says she will call my mom and make the appointment with her. Okay. I wait a few minutes and call my mom back to find out what the nurse said. When is the appointment? Not until Monday. Grrrr... And my sister (who is 10 years older than me but takes zero responsibility for Mom) has invited Mom to her house for the weekend, but Mom doesn't want to go. Oh, I ask, was *sister* going to come down and get you? (She lives about 4 hours away.) No, she wanted my mom to drive herself up... Grrrr...

I'm approaching my house and nearly hyperventilating with frustration. I stop at the mailbox, where I find amidst the catalogs and bills two Priority mail boxes and a puffy envelope that bears my own handwriting. In the first box -- from one Leona Carver of Burton, Ohio -- I find the goodies pictured above. I don't know Leona, but apparently, she has ELFed me with a 1/2 lb. Hershey bar, two adorable stamps, some bright ribbon (how does she know I tend towards bright colors?!), and a darling card with Baby Jesus in a manger. Funny, the return address says Leona lives in Ohio, but the postage meter stamp reads "Cibolo, Texas." I wonder if Leona was visiting relatives? And I wonder if she knows my sweet friend, Carolyn, who just happens to live in Cibolo? Her handwriting is uncannily like Carolyn's, and I think she may have even CASEd that precious card... Well, I know better than to look a gift horse in the mouth, so THANKS, LEONA!!! In the moments it took for me to open your box, my day went from to

And in the other box? Just twelve *FREE* stamps from a company who asked me to make some samples for them! (I'm going to pull a JanTink here and not reveal the source until I can show my results. You'll just have to wait and see! Jan is a terrible influence on impressionable minds like mine.) And in the SASE? Why, a bunch of adorable Elzybell ATCs (plus a penguin by Taylor)!!!

Wouldn't a mail day like that cheer you up on even the rottenest of days?! It did me such good, and I'm so grateful to have my stamping and my stamping friends. So grateful, in fact, that I'm going to be giving away that blog candy tonight at 9 p.m. CST! So, if you haven't signed up yet, you still have a few hours...

Freaky Friday!

I know you're thirsting to get your Freak on, but first things first... (Actually, I just wanted to write "get your Freak on." I don't know why, but it makes me giggle to think of a bunch of middle-aged -- face it! -- rubber stampers using hip-hop terminology.)

Today's Limited Supply Challenge is substitute hosted by Carolyn King/Cammie, a member of the design teams for My Favorite Things and Hanna Stamps!, as well as the creator of Carolyn King Designs available through Gina K. Designs. In addition to being incredibly accomplished in the world o' stamping, she also manages to find time to raise three young children, run, and be very cute. I imagine her house is immaculate and that she does laundry daily, too, in addition to cooking nutritious and delicious meals every evening that her family sits around the table and eats together while discussing current events. Yes, she's such a total package that she could inspire a mean case of Schadenfreude if she weren't also so dang sweet! Seriously -- she's sugar personified. : )

Enough about her and her achievements and slender physique and kindness... Here's the challenge Carolyn issued: make a card for someone battling breast or another cancer, but no designer paper (gasp!) or ribbon (choke!) or hardware (eek!). My friend, Amy, just had her first chemo treatment this past Tuesday. Fortunately, she was feeling well enough by Wednesday to pick up her little guy from preschool, where we waved to each other in the parking lot. Later that day, I saw these awesome tee-shirts at the local college bookstore, so I picked up three; one for Amy, one for me, and one for my MIL, a breast-cancer survivor. I made this little gift card (measures 3.5" x3.5" square) according to Carolyn's harsh directives to include in Amy's package. Aren't those peas adorable?!

Supplies used -- Stamps: Little Pod by Stampendous!, sentiment by A Muse; Paper (all SU!) Shimmery White, Pretty in Pink, Green Galore; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black; Accessories: Cuttlebug, Marvy Uchida Giga and Mega Scallop Oval Punches, SU! oval punch and word window punch, heart punch, 3-D Dots, Copic Sketch Markers.

Freaky Campaign War Story
Yesterday, I was inwardly moaning and groaning about having to go to two political events that evening. But then, when I considered what was going on at this time last year, I realized things weren't so bad. You see, in October of 2006, we were within a month of DH's first election and at the height of campaigning. You couldn't turn on the local stations without seeing a commercial featuring my husband or his opponent, there were yard signs with either our name on it (yay!) or his opponent's name on it (boo!) in what seemed like every yard, and horror of horrors -- there was the door-knocking. Now, I know that you always see political spouses on TV saying how much they enjoy being on the campaign trail and meeting people and knocking doors, etc. It's my opinion that those people are ... not being truthful or possibly insane. Come on! Who likes knocking on the door of a stranger, interrupting their peace and quiet enjoyment of their home and/or property, introducing oneself, talking about how fabulous your spouse is and why they should support him, and then if they agree, asking to put a sign in their yard or a bumper sticker on their car?!?! I'm shameless for the most part, but even I cringe at that sort of thing. The only thing that makes it remotely bearable is the steadfast belief that the people you're bugging would benefit from your spouse's service.

On my first day of door knocking in earnest -- it was August 1, and I had told DH that beginning August 1, I would knock doors with him at least four nights a week until the election -- we were in the middle of a record-setting heatwave. The temperature was in the hundreds, and the humidity was fierce. We had split up to cover more ground, so Kassie (DH's campaign manager) and I were covering one side of the street and DH was covering the other. We get to a house and I ring the door bell. A large man comes to the door. He was well over six feet tall and must have weighed over 300 pounds. He is wearing nothing but his underware. Not boxers, mind you, but briefs. I went through my spiel, and kept my gaze above his neck at all times. He listened intently and even asked a few questions before taking a brochure and saying, "Boy, it sure is hot, isn't it?" As Kassie and I walked down the street to our next house, neither one of us looked at each other. "Is that a common occurrence?" I asked. Kassie, a veteran campaigner (and thus insane by definition) said, "No. That's a first." My entree into the glamorous world of door-to-door politicking had officially begun.