Happy Father's Day, Dad

Even though my Dad is no longer physically with me, his spirit and example will be with me forever.

I had a dream just the other night about camping with Dad.  Such good times and memories.   Oh how I wish we could go just one more time.  He and Mom have always been my best cheerleader.

I was thinking about some of the things he taught me.  I could never name them all, but here are a few, in no particular order....

• Righty tighty Lefty Loosey
• The best things in life are the simple things
• fresh garden corn and tomatoes
• a slice of watermelon
• fishing on the shore of a mountain lake or bank or the river
• Hugs
• being tucked in at night
• a good joke
• a wild flower
• If you take care of your "things" they will last a long time
• TV is a waste of time when you could be working on your hobbies
• Count, Count Count.  Music...its all about the numbers
• Music is not all about numbers - feel and emote
• Home Made is the best
• As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord
• Be honest in all your dealings
• Family is important - take care of them
• We are blessed to be American - Be Proud of it and don't waste your privileges
• Always do your best and believe in yourself
• Work Hard
• Be aware of those that have less then you and be willing to share and give
• Honor your heritage.
• How to tie a fisherman's knot
• How to roll a sleeping bag up so tight it will fit back into it's original cover
• A Sunday Afternoon nap is good for the soul
• How to shoot a rifle and hit the target
• If you are quiet, you can see and hear a lot more things.
• Chores First - Play second
• A can of peanuts or bag of chips helps take care of the munchies

 I am sure there are more and I could go on for quite some time.  Although, at this time, I don't have children, I would hope when my opportunity comes that I will be able to be as good of a parent as he was.  Happy Father's Day Dad!

Distractions

Do you ever find yourself faced with a task that you really don't want to do?  It happens to me all the time.  At this point, my mind tends to start looking for all the things I would rather be doing.   It can't be anything too big or you would be blatantly procrastinating.  These are the top 10 distractions (in no particular order) that are pretty consistent in delaying what really needs to be done.

• Baking/Eating
• Facebooking/blog hopping
• Pinning on Pinterest
• Planning my next paper crafting project/browse the Stampin Up Catalog
• Playing games on my computer or phone
• Reading
• Sitting down to watch "just 10 minutes" of a PBS mystery or mindless movie
• Call a friend
• Playing with the dogs
• Planning my next vacation - regardless of whether I am going or not

This week so far, I have finished a book and a card for my Mum's B-day (which should have gone in the mail last week,   I think this is evidence that the must do/need to do project is icky!

This book is the first in a series called Cobbled Court Quilts.

It is about a southern Texas Gal that has recently divorced and her attempt to put her life back together.  The book does not provide "new" plot material, but it just felt good to have a book that didn't end up being over dramatic or depressing.  I especially appreciated the absence of foul language and gratuitous sex scenes.  The overall message of the book is friendship, don't be so quick to judge and the support you get from your family & friend circle.  I am excited to read the next one in the series.

The card I created for my Mum was inspired/cased from Elizabeth Bellville from my Positive Inkers Group.  I have seen several similar designs on Pinterest - the hardwood stamp just screams out for flowers, insect accents and cheerful greetings.

Stamps - A Round Array, Polka Dot Pieces, Hardwood
Ink - Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey
Paper - Lost Lagoon, Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, DSP Stack Moonlight, Mossy Meadow
Accessories - Elegant Butterfly Punch, 7/8 scallop punch, Flower Frenzy Bigz die, Fun Flowers Bigz die, Hexagon Hive Thinlit, Wink of Stella Clear

Well distractions aside....
Ta Ta for Now

Imported Goods

Lucky for me...Ralph ran most of the grocery errands on Saturday.  I usually come away tired of people and grumpy at the exorbitant prices.  He found a sale on rump roasts and suggested we have a Sunday roast beef dinner.  Now anyone that knows my family understands that yorkshire pudding and to die for gravy accompanies the roast beef.  We didn't have any of the secret ingredient on hand, so a trip to the London Market was necessary.

I can't seem to ever come away from there with just one thing

The allsorts, garibaldi's and jaffa cakes were gone by this evening.  Pretty sad when all the treats get devoured in 3 1/2 days.  I tried to make them last, especially as they cost a small fortune.  Alas my will power was weak.  Ralph hates the licorice and could pass on the garibaldi's.  I did share one box of the jaffa cakes with him and offered part of the second, but he left them to me.

The dinner turned out spectacular and we spent Sunday evening in food coma.
I love my British Heritage!

Ta Ta for Now

New Catalog Goes Live Today Blog Hop

This is the moment we all look forward to this time of year as the retirement list is published and we anxiously await new rubber and accessories!  


This years new catalog does not disappoint! 

We, as demonstrators, had the chance to preorder just a select few of the new stamps and in-color supplies and accessories.  I Love the new in-colors as you will see that is what I have mostly used.

I can't get enough of this hardwood background stamp and how cool it looks on any color of paper.  The linen thread inspiration comes from all those old fence posts tied with rope that seem to stand the test of time.

Stamps - Hardwood, Hello There (exclusive Hostess Stamp set)
Ink - Whisper White, Hello Honey, Meadow Moss, Blackberry Bliss, Lost Lagoon
Paper - Lost Lagoon, Whisper White
Accessories - Starburst Framelits, linen thread, dimensional's, gold metallic marker.

 
 
I have seen so many different card layouts with offset  papers.  I had this one in my head and was excited to put it to paper.  I love it when the projects come together quickly.

Stamps - A Dozen Thoughts, Hello There (Hostess set)
Ink - Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Meadow Moss
Paper - Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss, Hello Honey, Moonlight DSP Pack
Accessories - Starburst Framelits, scalloped circle card from Thinlits Circle flip card, linen thread.




Front View

This little bag was demonstrated by Donna Griffith at the New Catalog Premier Party.  This little bag measure 4 x 2 and is made out of one sheet of the Moonlight DSP stack (6 1/2 by 4 1/2)  Do you notice the top zig zag edge of the bag?  I used the Tiny Wave Stampin Trimmer rotary cutting blade to create it.  Just gives it that extra little final touch.

This little bag will hold a miniature Hershey bar, or other little candies.

Side View
 

Stamps - Hello There
Ink - Lost Lagoon, Hello Honey
Paper, Lost Lagoon, Whisper White, Moonlight DSP Stack
Accessories - Starburst Framelit, Banners Framelits, 1 3/4 Circle Punch, gold Bakers Twine, dimensional's, Fast Fusion tape, Tiny Wave Stampin Trimmer Rotary Blade.


Lengthwise score at 1, 1 1/2, 2, 4, 4 1/2, 5
Shortwise score at 1/2 in

Cut all edges off except for middle section  (see pattern)
I used Stampin Up's new Fast Fuse Tape.  As strong as sticky strip, but so much easier to use.  I love it for things that need to hold strong.
You can see where to make the mountain and valley folds. These create the gussets to your bag.  The edges meet up and use your favorite strong adhesive and seal them and then seal the bottom up.

Go check out what the amazing Jeanna Bohanon has created just for you!



Bubbles & Daisies

I love that the daylight lasts longer.    The ground has dried enough from the rain that Ralph was able to finally get some blackberry plant starts that my Mom brought from her garden into our garden.  Filled the holes full of steer poop and watered them.  I think they will take off quite nicely.  Especially since our weather is supposed to be so nice.

Temple square looks amazing this time of year.  I take my lunch breaks to wander the church campus.  Not only do I get to see God's amazing creations, it adds steps to my fitbit




Here is a quick card I did this evening before I  focused in on the chores and responsibilities that had to get done tonight.

This card was cased from Lisa A  - Iminhaven. 
I saw this card on pinterest and since I am a sucker for daisies and dots I had to check it out.

The border is made using a memory box border die - Bubbles and daisies.  The Thanks is from a cuttlebug cutting plate I purchased eons ago.   I applied crystal effects to the thanks to give it some pop. 

To see how the pieces were place on the border - check out Lisa A.'s blog at the link above.

This was so much fun and I can't wait to make all kinds of color combinations.  It is a little simple, but am not sure it needs layers and extra embellishments. 

Well, best be getting off to bed, stayed up way too late last night for my chance to put in my Stampin Up order from the new catalog!  It shipped today - Hooray!  Hopefully I will have some time this weekend to play with new toys.

Ta Ta for now

We Create Blog Hop - Last Chance

There comes a time every year that Stampin' Up sends out a new catalog with lots of fun new stamps and accessories.  In order for them to be able to do this, they have to "retire" some of the product in the current catalog. I have lots of favorites that I can still use and love, but I will no longer be able to demonstrate and promote them.  Now is your chance to get them before they end up on e-bay for an exorbitant price.

This is a sympathy card for a family in our church congregation that had a young daughter pass away from complications fighting cancer.

This is card is based on a similar layout seen on Pinterest.  Fabulous Florets stamp set is such an elegant floral stamp set.  It can be made into a whimsy look or classic look as seen here.  I am also so sad that the 3/8 taffeta ribbon is being retired.  It is so pretty and easy to work with. 

Another stamp set that is retiring is Fabulous You.  Who doesn't love a fabulous shoe like this one. 










Last but not least...Field Flowers Stamp set.   I know that I cased this from someone, but I have no idea who that would be.  Once again a great floral set that is so versatile.

Thanks for hopping along on our hop.  Our next stop is royalty herself Jeanna Bohanon - go check her amazing creations out.

Ta Ta For Now

 

My Digital Studio - AKA MDS

I have started to dabble a bit with digital scrapbooking.  Stampin UP's My Digital Studio (MDS) is so easy to use and has so many options to choose from - the sky is the limit!

Let me preface that last comment with.... I don't scrapbook.  My interest in paper crafting is anything but a scrapbook page. My life is so exciting I could never keep up with the photo's.  OK - heres the truth...My life is so normal that I don't think about taking photos of much of anything except my dogs and you know...people get tired of dog pictures.

Here is one of the main reasons I got excited about MDS is that I have to do a lot of flyers tied to my church activities.  I knew that this was going to put them over the top and so easy to make.

Here is one that I recently did for a Relief Society Activity.

I used a card template set up for a baby shower.  I changed some of the layout and added my own text and voila, an invite.  








I am not a huge fan of MDS cards because they look so store bought andone dimensional. In a pinch though they work out splendidly.  You can always add an embellishment to the card to add some dimension. 

Here is one I did for my Mom.

I took a flower stamp and resized and positioned it on the paper and then colored it, added some text and I'm done.  If I got super fancy, after I printed it I could add a button and ribbon to the center of the flower to make it a hybrid.










Here is my attempt at scrapbooking.  This is our little baby bulldog who isn't so little but still so cute.  That is, until you find him chewing a brand new shoe.  I once again used a template already in place, but added my own photos and text.

 I can promise you that even if you are someone with very little time...this makes putting your efforts into a project worth every second.

Your next hop spot is Jeanna Bohanon, if only I had the talent of what she had it just her little finger.