Mother's Little Helper

July JiFFy!

Howdy-do!  It's time for another JUST FOR FUN challenge with my JiFFy girlfriends.  This month, brand new Dirty Girl, Julie, selected a scrumptious plaid, "Blueberry Hill," from We R Memory Keepers' Vintage Blue collection.  She kept it a secret and mailed it to the rest of the gang, then Alli revealed the image she selected: a comfy chair from PTI's Chair-ished set.  Most of the time, the image-picker sends out her selected image to everyone, but this month I told Alli to hold off -- Chair-ished is so cute and versatile, I had to have it for myself.

Here's my clean and simple July JiFFy...

Now just hold your horses.  I know what you're thinking.  "Clean and simple = lazy."  I've thought that before, myself.  But don't be such a snob.  Clean and simple really forces one to execute a good design.  No hiding underneath layers of cardstock and embellishments.  Why, I would be THRILLED to receive a CAS card from any of you!  Do you know how long it's been since I received some home-made happy mail?  AGES!  Are you feeling a wee bit guilty?  Well, you should.  Would it kill you to send me a card every now and again?  Or remember me in your nightly prayers?  Or put me in your will?  No.  It wouldn't...

So, card details:  The sweet chairs are paper-pieced and the edges of the layers have been inked in PTI's Vintage Cream ink.  I created a little paper ribbon embellishment and topped it with a sparkly PTI button and tied it off with a tiny bit o' twine.  The card is long-note sized (3.25"x6").

Please stop by my fabulous fellow JiFFy gals' blogs to get their takes on this month's challenge: 

Michele Boyer,

Alli Miles,

Julie Campbell,

Kim Hughes, and playing with us this month, the oh-so-talented

Dana Seymour

(Lori Craig is taking a break this month -- she's up to her ears in CHA prep and what not -- but I'm sure she'd appreciate a little love from you just the same. :) )

Hey, I have an idea!  When you leave them comments, be sure to add something like "You know, you really should consider mailing this to Carole..."  In terms of karma, it might be the best thing you do all day!

Snow, Aliens, and Guinea Pigs

So, how's the weather where you live?  Here in Oklahoma, we've been covered in ice and the white stuff since last Thursday.  School was canceled on Friday and today, so the kids are happy.  Since we had plenty of warning the storm was coming, Carter and I stayed home instead of going to Lokomat therapy in OKC for our Thurs-Sat appointments (we'll just tack on a week at the end).  If one has to be stranded indoors, there's definitely no place like home.  Speaking of home, here's a pic of our abode as the snow fell on Friday afternoon:

Don't let that peaceful exterior fool you -- it's wild on the inside! 

One has to be pretty creative to keep an active five-year-old with cabin fever entertained.  At one point, I was in desperate need of about an hour of peace and quiet.  I made a deal with Carter: if he would sit and watch a particular DVD in its entirety, I would get one of Truman's old Halloween costumes out of the attic for him to wear.  (Carter LOVES hats, costumes, masks, and the like.  During the Christmas holidays, he wore a Santa hat every day, everywhere.  He still wears it around the house, and calls me out on my efforts to hide it away until next year.) 

As I read my book (current bookclub selection: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks), Carter sat quietly and absorbed 'Lilo & Stitch' for the first time.  For the rest of the weekend, there was an alien in our midst:

I'm beginning to question the wisdom of what I've done, as I predict I will be zipping him into this outfit daily.  Potty breaks with Stitch are an adventure, to be sure.

I actually have a couple of things to show you, believe it or not!  It's been a long time since anything remotely artistic has appeared on this particular blog. *sigh!*  But with today being the first day of the OK legislative session, that may actually change.  I find that my best crafting months of the year come between February and May.  'When the cat's away...'

With my home makeover, I've been thinking a lot about I put on my walls.  Some of the artwork -- prints, paintings, photos, what have you -- that we've accumulated over the years is still to my liking, but a lot of it, I'm sort of 'eh...' about.  One of the benefits of getting older is discovering what you really respond to, and what's just taking up space.  Aside from items of sentimental value, I find that the things I'm keeping have the following in common: bright colors, bold graphics, pop art imagery, and patterns.  And as a stamper/papercrafter, I also love one-of-a-kind, handmade items.  So how to combine all of these?  That's been on my mind. 

I think I've come up with a few projects I want to make for my home, but first I wanted to create a couple of 'rough drafts.'  And what better way to do so than to kill multiple birds with the same stone: I'd get my rough drafts made, and I'd bestow said rough drafts on a couple of dear friends as their Christmas gifts!  Friends, guinea pigs -- these terms can be synonymous when done with love...

On November 1, I sent the following email to my oldest friends in 'Green Country' (<-- nickname for NE Oklahoma; we've lived here since September of 1996, and I met Kayla and Joan my first week on my new job, when their boss forced them to take me to lunch):

"Hey Girls --

I've come up with an idea for your Christmas presents, and I want to get started on them.  But first, I need to know the color scheme of either your office or your favorite room in your house.  And, if the room of your choosing doesn't have a firm color scheme in place, give me a rough idea of your favorite colors and/or color combos, up to five colors. (And don't just say 'green' -- tell me sea glass green, kelly green, forest green, mint green, etc.)  Just so you know, your gifts will have a similar concept but will not be identical.  Aren't you intrigued?!"

The responses?

Kayla: hunter green, sage green, oxblood, and cherrywood

Joan: butter, sage green, black, and crimson

I bought the shadowboxes and decided on the images shortly after receiving their replies.  You'll be happy to note, however, that I remained true to form and did not complete their gifts until the morning of our gift exchange, December 23rd.  Despite the frantic rush as the end, they ended up being my favorite gifts to give, and I was so excited to see the gals open them. 

I knew I wanted to keep the images simple and bold, and that I wanted to heat emboss them for added depth, texture, and gloss.  And also, just because I love heat embossing -- it's truly the technique that made me fall in love with stamping.  It still seems magical to me how that funky powder transforms into whatever you want it to with little more than a hair dryer and watermarking ink. 

Because Joan has Buddhist leanings and collects Buddhas, I selected a wonderful image from Inkadinkadoo's Asian Influences set:

Each image was heat embossed, trimmed, and then popped up on Jody's foam boosters.  It's hard to tell from this photo, but the images do appear to float (which seem awfully enlightened of them).  Here's a close up:

Joan's shadowbox measures 12" x 12".

Kayla's image was a little tougher to choose.  I wanted to keep with the spiritual theme, and Kayla is Baha'i.  (Yes, I do see the irony in having a Christmas gift exchange with a Buddhist and a Baha'i... however, Jesus is the kind of guy who'd extend an open invitation to his birthday party, don't you think?)  I don't know a tremendous amount about the Baha'i faith (other than that followers include Rainn Wilson -- Dwight from 'The Office' -- and England Dan and John Ford Coley -- singers of one of the greatest songs of all time, 'I'd Really Love to See You Tonight'), but I know from Kayla that one of their symbolic images is the camel.  Well.  Good camel images?  Very, very had to find. 

Instead, I went with tea.  Kayla has given me a couple of tea-themed gifts over the years, and we've had many great conversations over pots of Jasmine tea.  Further, it's been said that tea soothes the soul.  So can you see how I might jump from a camel to a teapot?  Of course, it makes perfect sense!  Additional bonus was the fact that I had yet to use my PTI Tea for Two set:

Kayla's shadowbox -- which measures 11" x 14" -- actually opens from a side clasp.  Side clasps are very handy when you're trying to make last minute adjustments.  Don't ask how I know that.

And here's a close-up of the images:

I know copper wasn't one of her chosen colors, but I couldn't resist adding a copper tea kettle.

They seemed very pleased and touched by their presents, which was great.  I'm not sure if they've actually hung them up yet; I hope I'm not that person who gives a gift that's dragged out of the closet and propped up five minutes before she's set to arrive...  But no pressure, girlies -- even if they're collecting dust in an attic, I enjoyed making them and did so while thinking happy thoughts of you. 

And now I have a better idea of what I want to make for my own house.  I'll give you a couple of hints:

1.  think BIGGER!

2.  think ELVIS!

Supplies used:Shadowboxes from Michael's

Stamps: PTI Tea for Two, Inkadinkadoo Asian Influences

Paper: Neenah Natural White, Neenah Ivory, SU Handsome Hunter, CM butter-y patterned paper from my stash

Ink: VersaMark

Accessories: Ranger Super Fine Detail Embossing Powder in Black, Ranger Embossing Antiquities embossing powder in Verdigris, Powder Keg Wine embossing powder, Powder Keg Not So Tarnished Copper embossing powder, Jody's Foam Boosters

For Rachel

First off, I want to thank all of you who took the time to comment on the video of Carter walking.  Each one felt like a warm, congratulatory hug and many of them brought tears to my eyes.  You made me all verklempt! I feel so fortunate to have such wonderfully supportive cyber friends. 

There are so many people who have contributed to help making Carter a proud pedestrian, but I'd have to say that a big ol' piece of the credit pie belongs to Carter's primary physical therapist (and my dear, dear friend), Rachel.  You've heard me mention her before -- she's come to stay with Carter and me each time we've taken our act on the road, whether to EuroPeds in Michigan, getting botox treatments in Kansas City, or as Carter was recovering from surgery in St. Louis at this time last year.  When you consider the fact that Rachel has worked with him for several hours a week since he was an infant, she has spent more time with Carter than any single person aside from Sean and myself.  We are so incredibly lucky to have such a devoted friend and caregiver.  When I count my blessings, she ranks right up there near the tippy-top.

After several years of trying, Rachel and her hubby are expecting their first baby -- a little girl to be named Abigail (in honor of Abigail Adams -- again, I ask you: is this a gal after my own heart or what?!  I swear, we could have been separated at birth but for the pesky fact that I'm a decade or so older than her...).  Yesterday was Rachel's baby shower.  I had volunteered to make the invitations, but Rachel said she'd prefer me to focus my energies on making something for Abigail's nursery.

Little did she know I already had something special in mind!  When I first saw the amazing Becca Feeken's 'Sesame Street' submission to last March's Dirty Dozen Gallery (you can see it here if you're an SCS Fan Club member), I fell head over heels in love.  The general idea, and those precious sentiments...

So, I ordered the Children Are set from Stamp Camp and bided my time until the right pregnant person combined with the right inspiration came along.  When Rachel gave me a piece of her main nursery fabric, I knew we had a winner.  Check it out -- not your traditional pink for Miss Abigail!  The photograph doesn't really do it justice; the background is actually a warm, chocolatey brown, not the black-ish color it appears in my pic.

Anyhoodle, here's what I came up with, using Becca's general idea, Rachel's fabric inspiration, and a few little tweaks of my own...

I based the color scheme on the main colors in the fabric and the knowledge that her furniture was white and the walls have been painted saffron.  I decided to keep it simple -- even leaving the buttery canvas background that came with the frame as is -- so that the sweet sentiments wouldn't have to fight for the spotlight.  I used PaperTrey Ink's Simple Alphabet for the letters on each sentiment blossom, and PTI's Fresh Alphabet to spell out Abigail's name at the bottom.  The sentiment panels were cut using a Spellbinder Nestabilities Blossom die, and each were backed by an SU! Scallop Circle punch.  All were mounted using plenty of Jody's Foam Boosters.  The display box is from Michael's.

And just to show you how much I love you dear readers, I'm going to type out the sentiments so you can see for yourselves exactly why I find them so charming.  But if I'm going to go to all of this effort, you've got to promise me one thing: let me know if they make you tear up as you read 'em.  I want to know that I'm not alone in my sappiness...

A: Children are Amazing.  Acknowledge them.

B: Children are Believable. Trust them.

C: Children are Childlike.  Allow them.

D: Children are Divine.  Honor them.

E:  Children are Energetic.  Nourish them.

F:  Children are Fallible.  Embrace them.

G: Children are Gifts.  Treasure them.

H:  Children are Here Now.  Be with them.

I:  Children are Innocent.  Delight with them.

J:  Children are Joyful.  Appreciate them.

K:  Children are Kindhearted.  Learn from them.

L:  Children are Lovable.  Cherish them.

M:  Children are Magical.  Fly with them.

N:  Children are Noble.  Esteem them.

O:  Children are Open Minded.  Respect them.

P:  Children are Precious.  Value them.

Q:  Children are Questioners.  Encourage them.

R:  Children are Resourceful.  Support them.

S:  Children are Spontaneous.  Enjoy them.

T:  Children are Talented.  Believe in them.

U:  Children are Unique.  Affirm them.

V:  Children are Vulnerable.  Protect them.

W:  Children are Whole.  Recognize them.

X:  Children are Xtra-Special.  Celebrate them.

Y:  Children are Yearning.  Notice them.

Z:  Children are Zany.  Laugh with them.

Now tell me those don't make you want to snuggle with your kiddos and whisper that they're the best things that ever happened to you.  You can't, can you?!  Marshmallows, unite!

Supplies used:

Stamps: Children Are by Stamp Camp; Simple Alphabet and Fresh Alphabet from PaperTrey Ink

Paper: So Saffron (SU!), Suede Brown Dark (Prism), Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, Pure Poppy (PTI)Ink: Memento Rich Cocoa, Color Box Pigment Brush Pad in Cranberry

Accessories: Display box from Michaels, Blossom Nestabilities by Spellbinders, SU! Scallop Circle punch, Jody Morrow's Foam Boosters, circle punches

Quick & Easy Teacher's Gifts

Today was Carter's last day of PDO/pre-school/whatever-you-want to call it, and after I dropped him off this morning, I thought, "Hmmm... this might be a good time to do something about teacher's gifts..."  His main teacher was covered, but there were still a few people I wanted acknowledge for making this such a great school year for my little guy.  Mind you, I still needed to shower and go to a meeting before picking him up, so my time?  It was a bit short.  Yes, yes, I know.  I should have thought of this before today.  I need to spend more time in quadrant 2 on Stephen Covey's chart where I'm supposed to be doing stuff like planning, preparation, and clarifying my values, and less time in the quadrants where I'm putting out fires and watching T.V.  I know all this.  But here's something you may not be aware of: I'm not a highly effective person!

So here are the quick and easy gifts I put together for the Director of the program and a couple of the aides...
Just your standard Hershey's Nuggets labeled a la PaperTrey.  The little box is from Taylored Expressions.  They are so cute and handy, and very reasonably priced.  I'm sure a lot of you might just make your own, but I really like having some of these on hand for days like today. 

And here's what they looked like all bundled up:
Pretty cute, don't you think?  And sooo easy!  And though I have a strict policy that readers of my blog are to learn absolutely nothing of value from my ramblings, I'm going to let the rules slide just this once and share a couple of things I figured out if you ever want to recreate this project:

1.  The boxes will hold 16 Nuggets each.  In order for them to fit properly, however, you need to alternate rows of the Nuggets being right side up and upside down.  If you look at the first picture closely, you'll see that the first and third rows actually have the flat, 'bottom' sides of the nuggets facing up; the second and fourth rows have the rounded, top side facing up.  Adhere your labels accordingly -- eight with the design on the rounded part of the Nugget, and eight with the design on the flat side of the Nugget.

2.  One bag will yield about 35 Nuggets, so you can fill two boxes and eat three pieces yourself for each bag of Nuggets.

3.  The tops of the boxes have an oval cut out of them.  I used some of the acetate I've saved from clear stamp packaging to make a fancier window.

In other news, have you been visiting the Verve Blog over the past couple of days?  If not, you're missing out!  Verve Visual is releasing FOUR -- yep! -- FOUR new sets on Friday that you are going to L-O-V-E!  Sneak Peeks started yesterday and will run through tomorrow (that's when my project will be shown : ) ).  Check out the awesome projects the Verve Design Divas have created, and then leave a comment on each day of previews to enter your name into the drawings to win free sets.  Yippee!  New stamps!  Free stamps!  Are those words not music to your ears?!

Now you know what tomorrow will bring... Class Act Stampin'!  See you then!

Supplies used -- Stamps: Limitless Labels by PaperTrey Ink, sentiment by Sun Spirit Studios; Paper: Window Box from Taylored Expressions (Baby Blue Dark), Labels from PTI (#3207), random acetate, Georgia Pacific White for the tags; Ink: Cyan and Cranberry ColorBox Pigment Brush Pads, Real Red; Accessories: CuttleBug RedTag Alphabet tag die, red liner sticky tape, ribbon, Hershey's Nuggets.

TCP Tuesday # 6 and a Belated SFYTT!

Today's Hipster Hostess with the Mostess is Katie, which means it's time for a stamp challenge.  And just what is Katie's challenge to the stamping world on this fine day? It's to use The Cat's Pajamas Ring of Flowers stamp.  Ring of Flowers is a sweet little image, and keeping with that initial impression, here's what I came up with:
I used Ring of Flowers to make the background paper as well as a frame around the sweetie pie image.  And, since I was in the weeds last week trying to get fully prepped for all sorts of non-stamping obligations in addition to last weekend's big shoebox swap, I just couldn't manage to get my act together enough to come up with a sample for Jen's Sketch For You To Try until today.  Fortunately, she's forgiven me -- thanks, Jen!  Anyway, here's my version of Jen's awesome sketch, and if you go to this page of her blog, you'll find the sketch and samples by Jen and her Guest Designer for the merry month of May, Toni Whitnell.  Be sure to also check out what Amy and Susan came up with. 

I also used this card as an opportunity to break open the seals on some of the PaperTrey loot I received last week.  In addition to three sets, I finally broke down and ordered all of the PTI Perfect Match cardstock, Palette ink pads, and patterned paper, as well as a roll of ribbon in each of the colors.   Those colors -- mmmmm!  I think my favorite is Aqua Mist (I love just about any shade of blue-green), but Berry Sorbet (the darker of the pinks -- the lighter shade of pink is PTI's Sweet Blush) is a close second.

Okay.  Enought of my blabber.  Want to know how you can join in the TCP Tuesday fun?  Well, this week, you have to have the Ring of Flowers stamp.  (It's kind of hard to do a stamp challenge when you don't have the stamp, you know?)  Got it?  Good!  Then, create your card and post it to Katie's challenge post no later than Saturday evening.  That will ensure your card gets into Alma's Holey Moley Monday slideshow, as well as entered for the Swanky Stamper of the Month contest.  And what do you get if you become May's Swanky Stamper of the Month, besides that fabulous title and bragging rights?  Twenty-five clams in CAT CASH, that's what! 

I promised to have a report on the Arlington Swap today, but I'm still so sweepy, I don't think I can hang on much longer. (I'm writing this at 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, and I still haven't had that nap I was wanting in my last post!)  Because Wednesday is New Release day for MFT, I figure it'll be Thursday before I'll be able to give you the skinny on the happenings in Texas.  By then, though, I'll have gained a perspective that can only come via distance in time, and I'm sure that my take on the events will be even more insightful than had I written them down contemporaneously.   So really, I"m doing you a favor by putting it off... (you buying that?)

Supplies used: Stamps: Ring of Flowers (#E-7462), Sweetie Pie image and sentiment from Puppy Love set (all from The Cat's Pajamas); Paper: Berry Sorbet, Sweet Blush, Pink Patterns 6"x6" pad (PaperTrey Ink Perfect Match), Georgia Pacific White; Ink: Berry Sorbet Perfect Match Hybrid Ink by PTI; Accessories: Ribbon, Nestabilities, Fruit Punch Stickles, Dimensionals.

For Tamra

Today's Color Challenge is to use Pink, in any way, shape, or form that tickles one's fancy. I saw the sweetest wintery ATC made by Iris that made me want to pull out this little Stampendous! Snow Angel stamp that I hadn't inked up yet. And though this time of year pink is often equated with Breast Cancer Awareness, I'm sending this particular card to someone who's suffering in a different way.

On Oct. 15th, SCS launched it's new Member Company forums. SCS Member Companies include Gina K. Designs, My Favorite Things, PaperTrey Ink, Stamping Bella, Scor It, Lizzie Anne Designs, and Jacksonbelle Embellishments. The Card Ladies was supposed to be among the group of charter member companies, but on the eve of the big launch, disaster struck the home of Tamra Davis, The Card Ladies owner/operator. Her home was completely destroyed by fire. Fortunately, she and her husband narrowly escaped, but they weren't able to save her three beloved dogs. For more information on this devastating story, visit the thread Tamra started to explain why The Card Ladies has closed its doors (hopefully just temporarily).

My heart breaks for the losses that Tamra is experiencing right now -- her home, her business, her dogs, her plans for her future. She has said that she wants to start over as a stamper as a form of therapy, and there is also a RAK thread for anyone who wants to donate items to help at least by providing some stamping supplies.

I'm hopeful this little angel will remind her that her SCS friends support her 100%, as she had intended to support SCS by becoming a Member Company. The big snowflake background panel is Georgia Pacific White (you know, the cheap stuff you can get at Wal-Mart! It's a little flimsy for a base, but for a background... and if it's good enough for artist extraordinaire Jeanne S., I'm not about to turn my nose up at it!) ran through the Cuttlebug with the CB snowflake embossing folder, than rubbed with a ColorBox pigment brush pad in Old Rose.

Supplies used -- Stamps: Prayer Angel by Stampendous!, scallop border from Faux Ribbon by PaperTrey Ink, snowflake background stamp by Clearly Wordsworth, sentiment from Michael's $1 bin; Paper (SU! unless otherwise noted): Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, Shimmery White, Georgia Pacific White; Ink: Brilliance Archival Graphite Black, Regal Rose, ColorBox pigment brush pad in Old Rose; Accessories: Cuttlebug, CB snowflake embossing folder, ribbon, Marvy Uchida Giga Scallop oval, Creative Memories cutting system, Copic Sketch and Spica markers, 3-D Dots, SU! Word Window Punch.

Featured Stamper Sunday - Stamper Tammy!

Tammy Hershberger is today's Featured Stamper, and she inspired me to do two things I don't do nearly enough: 1) Ink up my PaperTrey Green Thumb set, and 2) make a Baby Girl card. It seems like whenever I think to make baby cards, I tend to make Baby Boy cards. Might have something to do with the fact that both of my babies are boys, but still. I'm always left scrambling at the last minute when baby girl cards are needed. Click here to see Tammy's card that I chose to CASE. I made the following changes:

1. Used more/busier patterns of paper and ribbon.
2. Made smaller scallops along the bottom of the horizontal panel, and used a Giga scallop square to offset the main image, which I paper pierced.
3. Added a little happy face to the peas. : )

Kind of strange -- both this card and the card I made for Friday's Limited Supply challenge have images with pink peas in green pods. I've never colored pea images that way before, though I think it's kind of sweet. Even stranger -- both the FS challenge and the LSC challenge in which I made said pink pea cards were substitute hosted by Carolyn/Cammie!! Almost freaky enough to be featured on Freaky Friday, don't you think?!

All these images of sweet peas makes me think about my very own. My oldest went to a dance tonight for 4th-6th graders (he's in 5th). He looked so cute after he got ready that I just had to take a quick pic. Here's my soon to be 11 year old son, Truman. Isn't he a doll?! I'm going to have to beat those girls off with a stick before too long...

Happy Birthday to ... ME!

At 10:06 p.m. EST, I will turn 38. So technically, I'm still 37 as I type this. And on the inside? I still feel like I'm thirteen, with big ol' glasses, braces, and a bad perm. Can you relate? : )

I woke up early to work on today's autumnal Color Challenge, which is to use River Rock, Really Rust, and Chocolate Chip. I pulled out these cute scarecrows by Close to My Heart, and looked through my stash of patterned paper; this Simply Seasonable stripe by EK Success/Inspirables fit the bill perfectly. I used the sketch that Bad Sherry Cheever featured for her and Jeanne S's weekly Just Because We Wanna Challenge. The card base is a 5.5" square.

Supplies: Stamps -- CTMH Scarecrow Party, leaves from Holiday Blitz by Stampin Up!, sentiment from Faux Ribbon by PaperTrey Ink; Paper -- Really Rust, River Rock, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, dp by EK Success/Inspirables; Ink -- Chocolate Chip, Staz-On Opague White, River Rock re-inker; Accessories -- SU! Stampin Write markers, ribbon, paper piercing tool and SU! Mat Pack, oval punches, 3-D Dots

Other Happy News...
You could have knocked me over with a feather when I looked in my email in box this past Sunday and found an email from the one and only Nichole Heady, world famous paper artist and co-founder of PaperTrey Ink, one of the most innovative and stylish stamp manufacturers in the industry! I had submitted my Altered Jack pumpkin for consideration to PaperTrey's guest star stamper contest. While Jack didn't win the big prize, he did earn an Honorable Mention and was featured on Nichole's blog! Nichole said that there were over 450 entries this month, so being one of the Honorable Mentions isn't half bad.

I'm trying to submit more and more of my stuff to various places to see where it might lead. A very important lesson I've learned from writing is not to take rejection personally. That was a really bitter pill that took a long time to swallow, but now that it's finally digested, I'm cured of thinking my worth as a writer, stamper, etc., is contingent upon whether or not a particular agent, editor, design team or what have you accepts or rejects a particular project. As my good friend, writer Will Clarke once told me, "Who cares if they don't like your stuff? They're just not you're tribe." The challenge is not necessarily to change your style, but rather it's to find your tribe: where your style fits the look and feel -- the 'vibe' if you will -- that company or publisher is going for. That being said, I do think that one always needs to be in the process of refining one's craft, and for those like me who are looking for their tribe in the paper crafting industry, Lisa Strahl (Mona Lisa) has some excellent advice on her blog.

Anyway, the email and blog feature from Nichole was a nice little boost and very encouraging. Are you ready for me to quit blabbing and tell you how to make an altered pumpkin of your very own? Okay then!

* Supplies needed: decorative pumpkin (you can get these on the cheap at WalMart); ModPodge; foam paint brush; patterned paper, cut into various sizes of square and rectangles -- don't worry at all about measuring; brown Staz-On; ribbon; optional: stamps -- Spooky Sweets by PaperTrey Ink
* Ink the edges of your patterned paper with Staz-On
* Adhere the pieces of paper to the pumpkin with ModPodge, slightly overlapping each piece to make sure the pumpkin is completely covered. After you've initially stuck the paper to the pumpkin, spread a light coat of ModPodge on top of the paper to give it sheen and help it stick. Smooth the paper as you go to avoid bubbles and wrinkles.
*Let the pumpkin dry for several hours or overnight. Meanwhile, stamp the face of the pumpkin on a coordinating color of cardstock.
* Adhere face to pumpkin with ModPodge.
*Tie ribbon on the stem.

Now you have a cute little pumpkin that won't rot and can be enjoyed for years to come!