Mother's Little Helper

Study, Study - School's Your Buddy!

I used to say that all the time to Sean (when we were in undergrad and law school together, which seems like both yesterday and a couple of lifetimes ago) and to Truman, when he was in elementary school. Not sure why I quit saying it and/or why I haven't beaten it to a pulp, likewise, with Carter. Maybe he's just lucky.

More likely, because, unlike Truman, Carter is one of those kiddos whom you have to sit down and do homework with, much to my chagrin. Before, I used to think parents did homework with their children (as opposed kids doing it for themselves, by themselves) did so because they were either helicopter parents or they needed to discipline their kids to do it themselves. So judge-y of me; "Not my child!" Famous last words, right?  Left to his own devices, Carter will sit and daydream, and a worksheet that should take 5 minutes will take an hour, with me coming in and out of the room a dozen times, telling him to get back to work. Plus, for lengthier homework assignments, I have to be his scribe because of his fine motor skills issues. It's enough to make me want to drink gin from the dog dish, I tell you.

Why have I gone off on this particular tangent? Because I made an education-themed card for the current YNS Sketch & Color Challenge (#27). I opted for the sketch, which looks like so:

Here's my version:

I wanted to make a quick card because I'm leaving this afternoon (I'm writing this on Thursday) to meet a bunch of girlfriends from my old hometown to see REO Speedwagon at the Tulsa Hard Rock Casino. Fun! So, I looked through my stamp sets for an image I wouldn't have to color or fuss too much with. Large sentiments, like this Einstein quote from YNS's Little Darling Belle stamp set are perfect for such times.

The "A to B" part of the quote reminded me that there was a cute and colorful alphabet pattern in my recently purchased "Teacher's Pet" by Echo Park 6"x6" paper pad. Added some cork for texture, a bit of ruler washi tape (that I first put on white card stock, then trimmed; it kind of goes against the simplicity of slapping on some washi tape, but I prefer the washi tape to retain its color. It's so sheer that if you put it on colored card stock or patterned paper, it looks messed up, in my opinion) adhered at a tilt, and a fun little paper clip to play up the school theme. 

Other YNS products used: Stitched Square Die Set.

Something like this would be good for inclusion in a gift pack of cards to one of my educator friends or one of Carter's teachers. It could also work as a graduation card, of which I am always in need.

Visit the YNS Blog to see what the other participating YNS designers have put together for your inspiration. There, you'll also find graphics for the color challenge, 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).

Okay, gang. Gotta go ROLL WITH THE CHANGES. Fortunately, the weather is clear so I won't have to be RIDIN' THE STORM OUT. Thanks for stopping by to see me. And remember, I'm gonna KEEP ON LOVING YOU.

(I'll stop with the REO puns now.)

 

YNS November New Release Blog Hop

Are you ready are you ready are you ready?! Lots of fun/new stamps, dies and Gumdrops are now available from Your Next Stamp! If you haven't finished shopping or can't decide what you want, never fear: we have a blog hop to show off all the new wares and to persuade you that you really need it ALL. :) 

If you've been hopping in order, you've stopped by via sweet SUE.  If you just happened to visit me, be sure to start at the beginning with the oh-so-awesome ANITA. Remember, if you want to win a $25 YNS Gift Certificate, your best odds come by leaving comments at every blog. None of us know which lucky designer is "it" -- only the POWERS THAT BE (I'm thinking mainly Karen) know from whose blog the winner will be randomly selected. I always think/hope I'm "it" and that one of my readers/commenters will be the lucky one. Let's think about that together and make it so, mmm-kay? Power of attraction, and all that jazz...

Enough jibber-jabber. On with the show!

My first project combines two of my life's great loves: dogs and wine! For me, it just doesn't get any better than the new SIT STAY DRINK stamp set and dies. Take a look at this here wine tag, and you'll see what I mean:

Because she's so distinctive with her brown eye-patch, I tend to make every dog stamp I encounter these days look like my sweet rescue girlie, Daisy. If only Daisy was so talented as to balance a glass of wine on her head, I'd never need to get up from the couch again!

Here's a close up of the wine-tag, where hopefully you can tell that I've heat embossed the clever sentiment:

I'm truly thinking I need to mass-produce about a dozen of these to hang on wine bottles for the holiday season ahead. You can never have too many wine tags when you need a quick-and-easy host/hostess gift.

Next up, I used the new SPRINKLES - KNIT HAPPENS stamps and dies to create an homage to that object of holiday humor: the ugly Christmas sweater. Take a look-see:

I actually kind of love this and I'm thinking I made need to get an album-sized shadow box and make a permanent Christmas decoration featuring dozens of variations on the Ugly Christmas Sweater. What do you think? The images on these sweaters were fussy cut from patterned paper in Doodlebug Designs' Santa Express 6"x 6" paper pad. I especially love the one that looks like Mark Darcy (from Bridget Jones' Diary)'s reindeer sweater. Makes me giggle!

I'd chatter more, but I know you're anxious to get along to the next stop on our hop -- our marvelous guest designer MARTHA. Don't forget to leave a comment here and everywhere for a chance to win the $25 YNS Gift Certificate. And, as always, Karen has generously extended an awesome discount for those who are ready to shop NOW (my kind of people!).

 

Winter Joys (YNS Sneak Peek)

Winter joys, you ask? Didn't it just turn fall, like, last week? Yes, especially when you live in my part of the world, where it's still warm enough that no jacket is required (shout out to Phil Collins!). Still, we papercrafters have to be ahead of the actual calendar so that we can that we can show fellow enthusiasts what they NEED in time to create their seasonal projects. In real life, though, I'm still firmly in early November. Case in point: last week, I stood in line behind a woman who was telling the clerk that she had already completed her Christmas shopping. I was very restrained. I did not say a word, and I fought the impulse to stab her in the neck with the stylus attached to the credit card reader. I took a deep breath and told myself, "Self. You have plenty of time left to shop. You are a good person, even if there are gifts in your closet that you still haven't delivered from last Christmas. The holidays have not beat you. Yet."

Back to my crafty non-real-life... Tomorrow YOUR NEXT STAMP is coming out with its November release. Huzzah! As it is YNS Release Day Eve, I've got a sneak peek for you of an ADORABLE (<--- when I all-cap, you know I mean what I say) new stamp and die set, ICE SKATING PHOEBE.  Phoebe is the latest recurring character from YNS's original flagship illustrator, the fabulous Fhiona. Everything Fhiona draws is darling, and Ice Skating Phoebe is no exception.  Check her out:

Ain't she sweet, as she glides along her amazingly symmetrical, tree-lined frozen pond? Here's a fun-fact for you to know and tell: see that silvery-blue cardstock I used to create Pheobe's pond (die-cutting it with good ol' Nestabilites Labels 14, which are now offically 'vintage' as I don't think you can buy them but from a third-party seller these days)? I scored it from the packaging of a set of Sonicare toothbrushes I bought at Costco last week. It was a big, 12"x12" sheet; so pretty and shiney - I couldn't let it go to waste.

As always, Ice Skating Phoebe has a coordinating die set. Here's a look at the complete stamp set.  I love the font selected for all the sentiments, don't you?

Here's a close-up of Sweet Miss Phoebe (she wanted me to let you know that those little brown 'hairs' are low-lights):

YNS is releasing two new collections of sparkly Gumdrops tomorrow. Here, I've used the new ICE ICE BABY Gumdrops. (Saying that makes me smile. It's all I can do not to type "Stop. Collaborate and listen...") Other YNS products used on this card include Banner - Piercing Holes Die Set; it's what gives the sentiment layer that marquee look.

For those of you interested in card-making details: I used the Ice Skating Phoebe die set to cut out Phoebe and her trees with Copic X-Press cardstock. I stamped the images onto the die-cuts with Momento Tuxedo Black ink, using my handy-dandy MISTI. Next, I outlined the snowcovered branches and colored the tree trunks with Copics, before tracing the snow outlines with Stardust Stickles. I set those aside to dry, then got to coloring Phoebe. The background patterned paper is from Doodlebug Designs' Frosty Friends 6"x6" paper.  The sentiment and cardbase are made with MFT's Smooth White cardstock, and the sentiment is stamped in SU!'s Brilliant Blue ink.  Various layers and images are popped up for depth and dimension using Jody Boosters.

Okay, friendlies. That's it for me today. Be sure to check out all the other sneak peeks the YNS designers have created for your viewing pleasure. A link-list of participating designers is on the YNS Blog.  I'll be back tomorrow with more to share.  Thanks for stopping by to visit me!

Fall Rainbows

It's fall, friends, and it's the 22nd of the month.  Because it's the 22nd of October, in the year 2015 of our Lord, it's also my friend Charla's 50th birthday. That may not mean much to most of you, but she's kind of a big deal in these parts. I'm writing this late on the evening of the 21st, so by the time the majority of you read this, me and mine will be well on our way and/or there in Cambridge, MA, home to Harvard College (which I've learned over the past few months is what one calls undergraduate school at Harvard; Harvard University is the collective title of both the undergraduate and graduate schools. Thus, I totally showed what an ignorant non-Ivy I am when I created Truman's graduation announcements stating he would be "attending Harvard University in the fall." Color me hayseed).

Know what else the 22nd of the month means? It's Your Next Stamp's Feature Day, the day when members of the YNS Design Team shows creations around a given theme, and this month's theme: FALL.  Now, y'all know I'm basically Skittles in human form, meaning I like to create/taste the Rainbow. I tried to do so with my YNS Feature Challenge card using YNS's Rainbow Fun Die Set. My thought was to do so in a way that speaks to the season. Thus I used "earthier" colors, as opposed to the bold brights I typically use. See what I mean?

From this vantage point, it still looks pretty bright, I know. But hear/see me out. Instead of Real Red, I went with Purely Pomegranate. Instead of Daffodil, I chose Summer Sunset. I elected for a dark teal instead of a bold blue.  Rather than Garden Green, I selected Old Olive.  Simply Suede substituted for whatever shade of violet, and my background was an autumnal kraft. The sentiment (from YNS's new Waddles - Sweetie Pie Stamp Set) was heat embossed in Wine embossing powder (which I've had forever from Powder Keg/PK Glitz, but as of now, I can't find retail existence of; too bad, because their stuff is/was awesome). Even the clouds are earthier - being die-cut out of Neenah Ivory card-stock, rather than solar white.

My inspiration was the earth-tone rainbow graphics of the seventies like this one, that I've saved on a dedicated Pinterest board:

Now do you feel me?

If not, it's okay. But you should still check out what my talented DT-mates have put together for you over at the YNS Blog, all of which I guarantee are more traditionally autumnal. Another reason to visit the blog? If you leave a comment regarding what your favorite card is, you'll be eligible from a random pick to win the YNS stamp set of your choice.  And should you win by stating my concept-rock of a card (I'm like Rush or Yes, I'm thinking...) then I'll even send this card to you!  Let me know.  I'm good for it - I swear! 

I'll be back tomorrow for the YNS Sketch & Color Challenge. Peace out, peeps, and thanks for stopping by to visit me. Stay groovy, and steer clear of any 70's-style key parties.  (<-- word to the wise.  If you don't believe me, watch the movie "The Ice Storm."  No good can come from that!)

Pie, Stretch Pants & Penguins (YNS October New Release Blog Hop)

Are you ready for some cuteness?  Good, because it's time for the...

There are lots of new stamps and dies NOW available for purchase at the YNS online store.  I've got a couple of cards to show you, using the aforementioned new products. First up is a pie-liciously sweet little something, created with the new WADDLES SWEETIE PIE stamp set:

Don't those little pies make you hungry? So cute! And that sentiment just cracks me up -- love it!  Here's a look at all the great images that come in WADDLES SWEETIE PIE:

Next up, I have a 3.5" x 5" (index card sized) card, using the fun new SANTA'S HELPERS stamp set and PEEK-A-BOO WINDOWS die set:

From the look of those little guys in the foreground, something is going on with that bouncy-looking penguin in the window.  What could it be?

He/she really is Santa's helper! Looks like Santa needs to cut down on the milk and cookies, no? 

Make sure you visit and comment on all the participating designers via the linky list below.  As you are probably familiar, the more you comment, the greater your chances of winning the "hidden" $25 YNS store gift certificate.  The winner will be announced on the YNS Blog on October 18th.  And, as always, Karen has provided a very generous discount for those smart peeps who order within the next few days.

Thanks for hopping by, friends, and be sure to leave a comment. I really want one of my readers to win that $25 in YNS bucks! And of course, visit my wonderful YNS design teammates via the linky list to see all the lovelies they've created for your viewing pleasure.  Happy fall hopping!

 

Snuggly Squirrels (YNS October Sneak Peek)

One of my favorite picture books as a child was "Miss Suzy" by Miriam Young, and illustrated by the awesome Arnold Lobel. 

If you're a big fan of children's books, as I am, you'll remember Arnold Lobel from books like Frog and Toad, The Ice Cream Cone Coot and Other Rare Birds, and the Caldecott Award winning Fables. All great stuff. But there is something particularly winning about Miss Suzy. Lobel's little squirrely girl is a fastidious housekeeper. She sweeps with her little twig broom, and has the cutest little acorn coffee cups. I'd go so far as to say that Suzy is the rodent version of Martha Stewart.

Thus, when I saw Your Next Stamp's delightful new SANDY AUTUMN GREETINGS stamp set, I couldn't help but think of sweet Miss Suzy.

How adorable is that image?! I just love it. And for those of you (like me) who like coordinating die sets that free you from the work of fussy cutting, you're in luck. This stamp set has a coordinating set of dies, too. Even if you think squirrels are just fluffy rats, you can't help but be charmed by these sweet illustrations:

So cute and cuddly!

In addition to the to-be-released-tomorrow SANDY AUTUMN GREETINGS stamps and coordinating dies, I also used YNS's Stitched Rectangle Dies and Love Me Some Latte Gumdrops. The patterned papers are from Doodlebug Designs' Fall Friends and Friendly Forest 6"x6" paper pads.
Visit the Your Next Stamp Blog for links to all of the other YNS designers previewing goodies from the October Release, then come back and visit me tomorrow for the YNS New Release Blog Hop. Thanks for stopping by! :)

And just in case you have a few extra minutes and want to hang out with Miss Suzy a little longer...

 

Something Incredible

Hi, friends. It's been a couple of weeks since I checked in. Carter had a great session at EuroPeds. He and I had a fun couple of weeks, hanging out with each other and doing our own little things. It's good to get away, one-on-one with your kiddo if you can, because you really get to know each other in a different way than you do at home. Carter and I have had many of these opportunities between various therapeutic programs, surgeries, recoveries, etc., so I know of what I speak. All in all, the conclusion that I repeatedly come to is: he's a sweet, funny, awesome little-but-quickly-getting-bigger guy, and I'm luckier-than-all-get-out to be his mom. :)

Now that we're back home, I've rediscovered my stamping cave, and I'm back with another Mojo Monday card.  Here's the lovely sentiment I focused on, in all it's emboss-y glory:

Heat embossing is still and will forever remain magical to me.  This sentiment is from Reverse Confetti's Shine From Within stamp set, and was heat embossed with Ranger Fine Detail Black embossing powder on to patterned paper from Echo Park's Teacher's Pet 6"x6" pad.  Here's this week's Mojo Monday sketch:

Here's my scholastic sample:

Dies used include these from Your Next Stamp: Circles, Stitching Marks Circles, Stitched Squares, and File Tab Die.  I also used MFT's Fishtail Flag STAX Die-Namics.

Head on over to Mojo Monday Blog to see how you can participate in this weeks challenge, and be sure to visit my fellow Mojo Makers for inspiration:

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

Thank you for stopping by to visit me. I appreciate each and every one of you who spends a moment of your day with me. Have a great week, and I'll be back in a couple of days with brand new stamps and dies to show you from YNS.

Perk Up!

Hello from beautiful and temperate Pontiac, Michigan! The weather has been insanely glorious since we arrived on Sunday. Lows in the high 50's/highs in the mid-70's, sunny and clear. Perfect! I've been taking advantage of it while Carter's in therapy by taking long walks and getting lots of steps logged with my FitBit. Afterwards, I head back to the room, take a shower and get ready, then walk back over to the EuroPeds clinic. I sit and read for a few minutes, then Carter and his physical therapist come out and tell me what they've been up to over the past few hours. We head back to our room, grab a little lunch, do some homework, and then head out for the day's adventure. Not a bad way to spend a couple of weeks!

We're both excited for tomorrow (which is today, by the time you read this) -- a few months ago I bought tickets for us to see MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE; can't believe the time has already arrived!  (Why does that same time seem to be dragging with regards to the house we're remodeling?! More on that in a different post...)

Anyway, I created today's card before I left Oklahoma. It's for the current Your Next Stamp Challenge (#23); YNS Challenges always have a sketch or color component, and if you're feeling really ambitious, you can incorporate both. This time, I went with the color challenge, which is:

Very autumnal, no?

I broke out the new PERK UP stamp set, which I had yet to use.

I like a cup o' joe in the a.m., usually, but if I don't get one, it's not a big deal to me. I'm definitely not one of those coffee fanatics that lose their minds this time of year because Starbuck's Pumpking Spice Lattes are back on the menu. Still, I couldn't resist this cute, kawaii caffeinated stamp set. Have you ever seen such a happy little coffee bean grinder or french press? I think my favorite is the standard coffee maker. I watercolored backgrounds for each image panel -- on trend and SO easy!  Win-win.

My card was inspired by this sweet card by my wonderful friend, Wanda. One of the things I like best about Wanda's card is how it features lots of images from a single set.

YNS products used include: Perk Up stamp set, Stitched Rectangles die set, Stitched Squares die set, Spellbound Gumdrops, and Silver Tinsel Gumdrops.

Go to the YNS Blog and see what the other participating designers made with YNS Sketch/Color challenge #23. There, you'll also find graphics for the sketch, 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).

Thanks for stopping by today, friends! Have a fabulous first weekend of Fall.

 

YNS September New Release Blog Hop

You know, I've always said that Karen Dedman (owner of Your Next Stamp) is the one of the sweetest peopl in the stamping industry. Do you want further proof? She has scheduled this release EXCLUSIVELY to celebrate one Carter Burrage's 11th birthday!  Isn't that awesome of her?  And since I'm his mom, Karen thought I should be the first and only person on this blog hop to wish him a "Happy Birthday!" (She doesn't want any of the other participating designers to steal my thunder and make me look lame in front of my own kid.) So, Happy Birthday, Carter! I love you!

Moving right along... Have you been hopping in order and leaving comments everywhere you go so that you have the best chances of winning the $25 YNS Gift Certificate? Oh, good. That makes everything so much easier. Then I don't have to tell you that the hop starts at the oh-so-crafty KYMONA's blog, and that you should have came this way via the super-talented SUE. I can just go straight to the cards.

 First, I decided to shake it up with the frightfully delightful new TRICKY TONIC stamp set and coordinating dies. Take a look-see:

I don't know what it is about me, but every design team I'm on, I seem to get assigned the stamp sets with adult beverages. Isn't that weird? Do you think I have a reputation of some sort?

(I suppose the martini siggy might have something to do with it.  No matter, I LOVE adult beverage sets, and TRICKY TONIC is one of the most fab I've seen in a long time. Even if I wasn't on the DT, I'd be snapping this one up in a jiffy! If these drinks tasted as good as they look, I'd be on a bender until Halloween, for sure. Good thing they don't, as I have the aforementioned 11 year old. Plus, stamping and drinking don't mix. Everything just gets a little... sloppy. What's not sloppy? These fun images:

 Next up: I have a VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.  Are you paying attention?  Good.  Because you're hearing it here, first.  PICKLES are the new pineapples!  Don't believe me? Just take a look at this savory new stamp set, DILL-IGHTFUL, complete with coordinating dies:

I love this whole family, but I do believe the lil' gherkin is my favorite...

They're so cute, I just want to eat 'em up!

I'll add additional info about my cards and products used after the linky-list so that those of you who are anxious to keep hopping can do so.  Next stop on the hop is that oh-so-amazing and thoughtful gal I was talking about earlier, YNS's founder/owner/fearless leader -- KAREN!

 

TRICKY TONIC card:

• This card measure 5"x5".
• The shaker was made using YNS's Circle dies, and Halloween Mix sequins from Pretty Pink Posh. 
• The panels behind the drinks were made with the same YNS Circle dies, and the Circles Stitching Marks die set.
• I used Key Lime Translucent Art Glitter to create the "sugared" rim on the martini glass.
• The skeleton mug has a couple of 4 mm Silly Eyes from Pretty Pink Posh. 
• The black gumdrops are from YNS's brand new SPELLBOUND gumdrops.
• Patterned paper is from Doodlebug Design's Halloween Parade 6"x6" pad.

DILL-IGHTFUL card:

• This card measures 3.5" x 4.75" -- not a standard size, but large enough for a short little note. :)
• The image layer was created by using YNS's Stitched Rectangles die set.
• I sponged Tumbled Glass Distress Ink on the part of the background layer, then made a "floor" for the pickles to stand on with a piece of gingham washi tape from Doodlebug Designs.
• The pickles are popped up on foam boosters, as is the image layer.
• The pickles were colored in with Copic Markers, then "dotted" with a colorless blender to give them a bumpy looking texture.  I also highlighted some bumps with a Signo Opaque White pen.

Three Little Pumpkins

Happy Labor Day weekend, for those of you visiting from the U.S.!  I love this weekend for a variety of reasons: 1) it means summer is just about over (and hopefully the heat and humidity that go with it) and fall is around the corner; 2) it's September, which is my birthday month (a.k.a. my favorite month of the year); and last but not least, my boon companion and saving grace, Mr. Carter Burrage (my soon-to-be 11 year old) was born on Labor Day, way back in 2004. Now I have one more reason to celebrate this weekend -- it's new release time for Your Next Stamp. Yay!

I've had so much fun creating for this release, I have to tell you.  Longtime readers know I'm a fan of cute, kawaii and cartoon-y, and this release has all that and more. Plus it's chock-full of Halloween goodness, and what kid-at-heart doesn't love Halloween?

Ready for a sneak peek?  Of course you are!  Here's a look at YNS's new HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS stamp set and coordinating dies:

My card was inspired by this cute little poem I found while searching my stash of Halloween paper pads. It's from We R Memory Keeper's "Spookville" collection from a few years ago.

From there, I die cut the three different shaped pumpkins from Pumpkin Pie card stock, then stamped the pumpkin images on the card stock with VersaMark ink.  Same story for the leaf stems, using Old Olive card stock. The jack-o-lantern faces were cut from black card stock and adhered onto the stamped die cut pumpkins.

Other YNS products used include the Fence, Spring Grass, Stitched Squares, and Bookmark/Tags - Large die sets.

I'm sure you're anxious to see more previews from this fabulous release, so head on over to the YNS Blog where you'll find a linky-list to all of the design team members and guest designers who have created lovely projects for your viewing pleasure.  Thanks so much for stopping by today, and be sure to come see me tomorrow for the YNS September Release Blog Hop.

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

InLinkz.com

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

InLinkz.com

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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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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