The stars at night are big and bright....

*clap*clap*clap*clap*
Deep in the heart of Texas!

Yep, I'll be singing that about 3 times this weekend and reenacting the scene from Pee Wee's Big Adventure when they go to the Alamo, "Where's the basement?"

I am mostly packed. I will have about 45 minutes when I get home to pack up the last little bits that I left out this morning.
And anything else I forgot.
My toothbrush!!

I have made peace with the shoes.
Whomever told me to "just deal", you are a keeper.
Girl needs a good smack in the face to snap her out of the insanity sometimes and I was knee deep in insanity. Actually started looking up stores last night on the computer that opened early enough for me to go and buy new shoes and be at work on time. Insanity!
I'm wearing the damn shoes and that's that.

Got my travel scrapbook all packed up with Scenic Route paper scraps, pens, rubons and stickers. I just try to wing it as I go but generally pick a paper line and go in that color direction.
Glad I did my pages last year because reading the pages last night I had a good laugh.
And it made me remember so many silly little things about the whole trip, priceless.

I am taking my own photographer on this trip and giving him free reign to photograph me as much as he can, so I am hoping for countless silly pictures. Usually I only allow certain pictures at certain times like when I am standing on one leg holding an umbrella. kidding.
And I plan to go crazy and shoot everything because it is my first trip with a digital camera instead of film.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and pray for me on the plane.
I think I may need more than one cocktail before boarding this time because it just started raining!
Yikers!

Glad Grad!

Just wanted to post this little guy before I leave so I can add it to my Amusapalooza Ambassador points for the week. In case anyone was wondering, I don't think I am anywhere in the running for this thing, but dang if I am not trying my hardest!

Got this little chap at the Stamp store last weekend for the big sale. I had seen him there before but didn't really think he "spoke" to me, but when he said 20% off, I figured, why not give the little guy a good home.
The colors for this card are my brother's graduation colors and he joked that I am 3 years late with his card.
Me??
Late with a card???
I like the way it turned out, the gold really helps it stand out.

I had great intention for this little guy when I bought him too.
"I know people graduating this year! I'll use it for that."
But now that I think about it, all the people I know are mostly girls.
This is a boy.
Wouldn't seem right to send a card with a boy grad to a girl grad, would it?
Thinking I can change his hair to pigtails.
Stay tuned.

Card details: (sorry for the lack but limited time today and brain power) Stamp - A muse, Shiny gold paper - Paper Source.

One more chance to win free Stamps!

One more chance over at the A muse News blog to win some free stuff, all you have to do is leave a comment....sweet!
Click here to view cards and comment.

You only have until midnight tonight to enter, so go now!

Secret Squares Contest!

No need to make or buy a thing...
Just head over to Amusapalooza and guess which A muse designer is holding the secret prize. There are no clues or rhyme or reason, as far as I can tell. Just guess.
Run on over HERE and place your guess.

You need to be registered for Amusapalooza to guess, but that only takes a second. ( and don't forget to mention me, Simone, because I think I need all the help I can get!)

You have until Monday, June 4th to enter, so don't wait!

Enabler Alert!

A muse is having a big Birthday Sale.

They have 7 pages filled with stamps that are on sale for 25% off. And, if you order 6 or more sale stamps, we will give you an extra 15%!!! (total discount = 40% off) Gotta love those numbers!

So, to see all the stamps on sale, just click HERE.

Enabling over for now.

STRESSED OUT!

Can my title be any bigger because I am WAY stressed out.
I don't deal well with stressful situations and this lovely little trip I have planned is more stress than I can really deal with. Making all the arrangements with three different people for Max and working out the travel for me and Nate as well as packing....CRA-ZEE!!
I am neurotic enough as it is, but lists and packing as well as leaving work and don't even get me started on flying....AHHHH!

Someone have a tranquilizer gun?

So before I leave just a couple things....
Do these shoes look like crocs?
I know I am going to lose a few friends with this next series of comments, but here goes...
I hate Crocs. Like seriously hate!
They look like cartoon feet, I can't stand them.
The only people who can get away with Crocs are children under the age of 6, preferably little girls.
There, I said it.
Still like me?

So, I needed sandal type shoes that I can walk around a lot in without the flip flopping of flip flop sandals, so I picked these up today and I'm not sure I like them. They kinda look like Crocs.
I don't want to look like I have Mickey Mouse feet, no offense Mickey.
Keepers?? See, I can't make a decision about anything!
Want different shoes but no time to shop between now and tomorrow's flight time.

Here is a peek at my Austin pages in my travel journal from last year, in case anyone wanted a peek. Totally a scribble style which is not like my scrappin style at all, so it was a stretch, but then again, scrapbooking on a plane is a challenge in and of itself.
Ok, that is it for now.

Wait...Does anyone know if I can take a crochet hook on an airplane?

Ok, now that is it, haven't even begun to pack or make dinner for that matter.

Hope I can post from Austin, not sure though, may be too much fun happening and won't even want to touch a computer.

Oh, wait, I think I have a couple posts for tomorrow....
See ya tomorrow then.

Tagged!

I was tagged by Miss Trish to answer these questions with one word answers. Difficult task for a blabber mouth like me, but I tried my best.

Your Partner: Non-existent
Your Hair: Punk
Your Mother: Rocks
Your Father: Sarcastic
Your Favorite Item: Sparkles
Your Dream Last Night: Surreal
Your Favorite Drink: Diet
Your Dream Car: New
Dream Home: Affordable
You Are In: Chicago
Your Fear: Heights
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: Better
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: Max
You’re Not: Girlie
One of Your Wish List Items: Money
The Last Thing You Did: Shopped
You Are Wearing: Deodorant
Your Favorite Weather: Cool
Your Favorite Book: One?
You Ate: Lunch
Your Life: Crazy
Your Mood: Unpredictable
Your Best Friend: Honest
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: Packing
Your Car: Beater
What Are You Doing At The Moment: Stressing
Relationship Status: SINGLE
What Is On Your TV: Junk
What Is The Weather Like: Humid
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: Earlier

There ya go...Tagging everybody....Share a little more of yourself, I love the sneak peek!!

Amusapalooza Challenge #5

This week's challenge is up! Seeing Scenes
Challenge is to make a scene using your stamps.

Because I only have an owl, purse, oval, graduation boy and wheely girl, I don't see a scene materializing before I leave for Texas tomorrow. An owl, a purse and a girl on a bike walk into a bar...
Nah.
Stop even thinking about it.

But you can head on over and make up a little scene of your own and the prize this week is a good one.

Oh, and another thing...

I scrapped last weekend too!Another page for the About Me book. Totally inspired but not directly copied from the Ali Edwards patterned paper book.
Patterned Paper: Scenic Route, Cape Town Collection, Bazzill Cardstock, Letters from American Crafts.

A muse Winners posted

Lots of weiners, I mean winners posted over at the Amusapalooza blog.
Check them and what they won out here!

hoot.

I pretty much feel the way this owl looks...

He has that "whatever" tired look that I am so feeling after that nice long weekend. And with my trip to Austin just two days away, I am so not even somewhat capable of doing any actual work.

Over the weekend, I got this little owl stamp over at our local stamp store because they were having a big sale and this little guy was only $2!! How can you not buy it if it is only $2?? Plus, it was screaming for me to make a card with it and send it over to my buddy, Elizabeth, she really digs the owl.

I get this little guy home and don't know what the heck to do with him. What could an owl card say really? And look at this particular owl, doesn't look overly happy, does he? Like he would wish someone a happy day??!!

So he's saying hoot. That's it. hoot. Like a hello in owl-ease. And I cut the stupid brown oval myself and it looks wonky and weird, but I needed an oval and didn't have the right size template, so I just have to deal with it. That's how life goes. hoot.

At the big sale, thanks Connie for telling me about it, I also got a bunch of patterned paper (american crafts!!) for only 10 cents a sheet. Mind you, I bought some of this exact same paper for 79 cents a week before at the Archivers so I was delighted and peeved all at the same time.
Lucky me found a couple more A muse stamps and they were selling everything else in the store for 20% off, so that was good and I picked up another new stamp that just screamed "buy me, buy me" so you will be seeing a lot of that one as well.

Snapped just a few photos of family at a cookout on Sunday and I saw the new Pirate movie yesterday and besides the fact that it was so damn long, I was entertained.
See this kid....

Got picked for the All Star team for soccer.
Still making all A's and B's.
Polished all my silver jewlery this weekend because he thought it was fun.
And has the sharpest tongue in the midwest.

Oh well, three out of four ain't bad.
hoot.

Card details: Stamp - A muse, Patterned Paper - Paper Adventures, Ribbon - Archiver's, White Signo Gel Pen, Black Glaze Pen, Prisma Pencils, tiny alphabet stamps.

Friday Frenzy Continues....

Yes, more posts for this Frenzy of a Friday, I think I woke up with a thought about everything, so just a few thoughts for now:

• Thanks for the Austin, Texas ideas!! I have been there before so I have seen 6th street and the capitol building as well as Umlaf (sp?) Sculpture Garden, so I appreciate all the lesser known ideas. And if anyone knows any crafty stores to check out...need the 411 on that too!!
• Anyone in Austin next week and want to officially meet over a Cherry Limeade?? Let me know that too, possible, just need to figure out when I am traveling to the Alamo.
• Have you seen Scrap In Style TV?? If not, check it out, Greta made me and now I am offically a SIS. If you are already a SIS, you can find me there...I'm spazzgirl.
• Still working on the blog, but lovin' the 3 column layout. Totally Typade-esque without the price, love that! Got it free online.
• Working on a Banner myself at the moment, but will probably enlist my buddy, April to use her mad digi skillz to make something way better than I ever could.
• I have three product reviews, all half way done...Look at that adult ADD in action! So stay tuned for those.

For now, that is it.
But I do have more on my mind.
Still thinking about Lost the other night, anyone else?
And I need to make some graduation party invitations for my nephew and haven't found a great stamp for that yet either, any suggestions??
And if I take a 1MB card to Texas will that be enough?

Yep... cloud of nonsense this Friday...swirling....swirling...

Amusapalooza Challenge #4

Broke my new Giga punch out of its package last night, he was happy to finally be free.
Originally thought I could open and try it, then return it if I didn't like it, but the packaging would not allow for my sinister plan, so keep it I will.
Maybe.
Anyone want to buy a slightly used punch??

This card is for the challenge for week #4, to use punches.
No other limitations, pretty easy.
Unless you don't have any A muse stamps.

So here she is again...You know her....You love her...
WHEELY GIRL!!!

Card details: Stamps: A muse, Cardstock: Bazzill, Patterned Paper: Paper Salon (double sided!!), White Signo Gel pen, Black Ink, Marvy Giga Punch

Flower Girl Tri Fold

Saw this on Splitcoast months ago and finally got a chance to make one.
There are so many great ideas on SCS and just not enough hours in the day, so sometimes my "great ideas" take a little longer to actually happen.
Know the feeling?

This is a Triangle Trifold Card with directions directly from Splitcoast, posted by Beate Johns. If you haven't seen her blog, you are really missing some great projects and some great tutorials.

The little girl stamp is another stamp I borrowed last Friday night, the Flower Girl. Also the Happy Birthday stamp on the inside as well as the scalloped oval is also from A muse. The paper I used for the card is the new Bazzill Bling. Way cool and sparkly without the glittery mess, love that!
The patterned paper is from Doodlebug, got it free last Friday at mania.
Colored her with the Prismacolor pencils, yes, I totally love them now and tied the whole thing up with some Black Grosgrain ribbon.

Process to make this card...Totally easy. Sometimes what looks easy on paper is in fact not! Well, in this case, simple and conquered in the first try. So I made three at once, figured there were enough birthdays coming up and you can never have enough birthday cards, right?

The Friday Frenzy Begins...

Get ready for it...
Here it comes.....

Begins with Hero Card from A muse.

Trying to get all my stuff in before the end of the week tally, so bear with the magnitude of posts today, you don't mind, do ya?

Card details: Stamps: A muse, Colored with: Prismacolor Pencils and gamsol.

Men At Work

Yes, the 'ol blog is getting a facelift, needed to change it up a bit.
So bear with me.
My skillz are not the best.

Stay Tuned.
Don't mind the dust.
Suggestions welcome.

Hey Y'all...

forgot to tell ya, in one week, I will be in Austin, Texas visiting my best bud, Eric.
Went last year in March and had a blast.
Started a small road trip scrapbook while there and on the plane last year, plan on continuing that (and finishing up last year).
These are two 12x12 pages(seems to be a problem with the clickable feature I used to have, anyone know a solution?) I made last year after I got my pictures back, I loved so many of them because they just exuded the feelings I had when I was there, know what I'm saying?

This year I am going with my new digital camera in hand, so I am envisioning a huge magnitude of photos. And my baby brother is accompanying me, so I am envisioning flattering pictures of myself as well, is that too much to ask for?

So besides my big plans of drinking cherry limeade, seeing the Alamo and asking to see the basement and watching those bats fly...What else don't I want to miss in my second trip?
Who's been to Austin, lives in Austin (I know there is someone, now I can't remember who of course) and can give a girl some ideas.

Eric may not live in Austin much longer, so this may be one of my last trips to the great state, so flood me with info, I'm ready to add to my list.

Page details: Patterned Paper - Scenic Route (this is my favorite collection), Cardstock - Bazzill to match, Letter stickers and Rubons - MM

Have you seen the sneak peek?

There is a sneak peek up over at the Amusapalooza blog...
The new summer stamps....
Check out the peek...
HERE

Congrats to the Big Winner

Yes, I was waaaayyyy off in my guess about the A muse trunk.
Seriously off.

But someone got it right, Pam Becker, 956 Stamps!!
Way to go, you are one smart estimater.
And now she gets $100 in stamps, how cool is that.

So, if you are not registered you are missing out!! And remember they pick names from the people registered just because, yep, just 'cuz. So register today if you haven't.

This little piggie....

Made the cutest card.
Card details: Patterned paper: Scenic Route, Stamps: A muse(petunia and hog wild), Colored with Prismacolor Pencils and gamsol, Cardstock: Vanilla.

Amusapalooza Challenge Week #3

Yep, I am still in it even though I am yet to find the stamps I want.
Get ready for some more Wheely Girl.
And even worse, I heard from my local stamp store dude that he isn't ordering any new A muse stamps from the May 11th release because, "none of them were really that good".

I know, I know...Just order some already! But I am trying to be so good and save money for my upcoming trips.
Well, this week's challenge is just screaming my name...Punches!! (no my name is not punches)
I love love love punches.
They are so versatile and economical.

I still haven't released my new punch from its packaging. I can hear its muffled cries every day as I play with all my other crafty tools and leave him all alone trapped in plastic inside the bag from the store. At least he has Mr. Receipt bunking with him, keeping him company.
Still just not sure it is worth the money. Or if it is the right size.
This is Day 4 of the contemplation.
With the new challenge I am tempted.
But still unsure.

I do this all the time, with anything I buy.
Buyers guilt and indecisiveness are really not a good combination.

EDITED: Yes, yes...it is week #4...Duh!! This is why I am a spazz. Can barely keep my life straight let alone anything else. It is week #4 people, got it now!
More coffee...more coffee...

Happy Bug Day!

Yep, today is the day.
Big creepy bugs are erupting from the ground as I type, just waiting for a chance to creep me out.
What is she talking about you ask?
Cicadas!!
Yep, today is the day they all come up out of the ground to join us on the topsoil.

Now I know just as well as the next guy they are completely harmless little critters, but the creep out factor just gives me permanent heebie jeebies!
Max has offered to protect me from the little buzzers with his wiffle bat (how noble!). And I have changed some of my plans for outdoor activities because I don't want those things crawling on me.
I remember the last time they were here, I graduated from high school that year (go ahead do the math, I'm that old!) and one of my girlfriends had an outdoor party and they were everywhere.

So, in honor of Cicada day, I bring you a new bug card with a brand new little buggy stamp.
These stamps are from Stampendous, picked it up when I bought my new still in the box punch last weekend. They are from the Bee Happy series. All very cute but the store only had these two, so these are the ones I got.
I have been playing with him, coloring him in on different colored paper and with different things and so far I like him on this kraft paper the best. The colors really seem to pop and it is so simple a style.
I added glitter to the wings and antennae...I know, the horror...Glitter!! Eek!
I used another nifty new thing I picked up last weekend, the Quickie Glue pen. Very cool and very easy to maneuver it into tiny spaces.

I hope to get a picture of those nasty little buggers when the begin crawling out from under my trees but I am not sure I want to get that close to them. I just hope that they are not loud enough to keep me awake at night!

Card details: Stamps from Stampendous, Bee Party and Bee Day, colored in with Prismacolor pencils and gamsol, added glitter to the words with the Sakura Clear Starduct Gelly Roll pen.

See the New Me ----------->

Yep, in case you didn't notice, had my picture taken about 50 times this weekend so I could get a more recent picture of myself and there it is.
Of course when I added it to my profile, for some reason it is now smaller, but there I am.

So, don't be startled by the new picture on my comments, it's me...really, it is.

An Amusing Monday

I've got a bad case of the Mondays.
Could be because of this.
Or because a certain child was less than cooperative this morning.
Or that, unlike yesterday, today is glorious outside and I would rather be anywhere than in this office right now.
Or maybe it's just because it's Monday and Mondays suck.

Friday night I got busy with A muse stamps I borrowed from Carol and let me tell ya, when I tell people she owns everything, it is not an exaggeration. I asked her to bring all the A muse stamps she owned so I could play with them and there was a BOX of just A muse stamps.
So I got busy with those stamps all night, trying to crank out as many Amusing cards as I could. Usually Carol is the most generous person I know with her supplies and I am truly lucky to have such a giving friend. But sometimes, when she "finds" something in her stash for me, she realizes she owns it and hasn't used it in a while and wants to play too.
That was the way with these stamps.

So I made cards as fast as I could.
And then found out that our local Stamp Shop has ordered some A muse and they should be here this week!! Yay! I have this things about supported the local stores, it's just a thing.

So, until then, here is the first of my creations from Friday night.
I really shoulda made about 5 more of these because I am always late sending out birthday cards.
See that little bee, Tiny Bee, it is so super small..Insane. I totally messed up stamping the words on this card and had to fix it with a marker.
The wings are color in with a White Signo Gel pen and then I added some stickles for more shine.

I also bought a scalloped Giga Oval Punch this weekend and I am trying to get over punch guilt for buying it...I couldn't believe I actually spent that kinda money on a punch. Once I get over it, I might actually take it out of its packaging and use it...maybe.

Wanna be an Amusapalooza Weekly Winner?

All you have to do is sign up.
Then you can be like these people were this week.
See those cute little farm stamps, they won all that.
I've been looking high and low for those chicks, dang!
And they didn't have to do a thing, but sign up for the Amusapalooza weekly drawing.
Didn't hafta make a card.
Didn't hafta buy anything.
Nuthin'.

So run over, sign up and then guess the number of stamps in the suitcase too, while you're there. Gotta get those extra chances.
And when you are signing up for the fab prizes, remember who sent ya...Me!
Fill that in to help me on my Ambassador quest.

I Live with the Papparazzi!

Thanks for all the nice well wishes for my little guy, he is feeling better (less itchy) and back in school. Thank God! It was a trying couple days there with a hyper little boy being told every 2 minutes to rest and sit down by his mother. If he had just been sicker, he wouldn't have been so nutso. Terrible, I know.
But all those antibiotics are now coursing through him and he is on the mend.

And now that I have my brand new camera (canon rebel xti, if you wanted to know), Max has claimed the terrible little digital camera as his own. Which was fine with me because I don't even want to touch that camera again, Ugh!

Well, apparently, he know thinks he is the Papparazzi.
I was eating a chip yesterday, when suddenly, out of nowhere, he pops into the kitchen...Snap!
"Good one mom, stuffing your face."
I am in the bedroom putting away clothes....Snap!
"Yep, my mom doing laundry, that's a keeper."
I am sitting on the couch trying to watch the Grey's finale...Snap!
"Woooo, you should see your face!"

Now, I don't generally like to have my picture taken, but with the proper clothes, makeup done and just the right situation, I am more than happy to pose for a shot.
These were not ideal situations and when I went in to kiss him goodnight, he pulled that damn camera out of nowhere and as I moved in for the smooch...Snap!
That was it.
I had to say something.

"Stop taking my picture, that's not nice and I don't want you to. And you are taking horrible shots of me!"
"What???!! I can look back at these pictures of you in like 10 years mom and laugh and laugh."
"That's just not nice and you don't have my permission."
"Papparazzis don't have permission either."
"Max!"
(that's what Moms say when they don't know what to say, isn't it.)

This morning, I was brushing my teeth..."Papparazzi!"....Snap!
"Max!"
I was blow drying my hair..."Papparazzi!"...Snap!
"Max!"
I was yelling at my son to stop and get ready for school..."Papparazzi!"...Snap!

On the way to school he told the boy we carpool with, "You should see the pictures I have been taking of my mom, they're hysterical!"
"You are not showing anyone those pictures!"
"Sure I am. I think I may make a scrapbook." (he laughed about this comment for a good 2 minutes)

"You do realize that I know how to delete pictures, right????"
"Sorry mom."

"So, you'll stop?"
"Maybe."

Oh geez!

Card for Shane

Last week I spent the afternoon with Max's 5th grade class teaching them a cool watercolor project as well as the importance of good Karma.
In the Chicago Public Schools there are no "art teachers" so the art projects that children bring home really make you question whether or not they are age appropriate or even art!
The first quarter Max got a 'C' in art and I was appauled. In our old school where we had art 3 times a week with an art teacher in an art room, Max was the star student and now with no art teacher to be found he was getting a 'C'??
I questioned the teacher about the grade and offered to come to school and "teach" the kids something more art and age appropriate. They have little time for art, so finally I asked and begged and got a chance to bring paints to class and make birthday cards for Shane.

As we passed out the materials I had a nice talk with the kids about "doing good things and good things come back to you."
It seemed like a great lesson for this age and the kids were really all ears. (suprisingly)
Then I gave them all the details about Shane and they were all excited about helping out a kid in need and in their own way being a part of the Guiness Book of World Records.

Then came the art part.
Up to this point, the most complex project I had seem Max come home with was a butterfly that had strips of colored paper weaved into the wings! Other than that it was all coloring book pages and cut and glue projects. (seriously!)
They were all very interested in the directions (again, suprisingly). And seemed to be hanging on to my every word. I gave very specific instructions with a visual demonstration and everything.

These are our watercolor cards.
All beautiful.
All made with care and attention to detail.
I didn't see one kid try to mess with the water.
Not one kid complain that the project was stupid.
Not one kid making a mess out of the paints.
It was remarkable. And totally cool.
They begged me to come back again.
Of course I said yes.
How could I not when the little girls told me I was pretty.
And they liked my hair.
Gee thanks.

When they sent the cards home on Tuesday after they had dried and were graded, they also sent home this card.
And I couldn't have been more touched and blown away by the words inside:

Thank you so much for teaching us how to do art. You are really artistic. You have a warm heart of thinking of Shane. He probably deserved it. I never knew that art is from everyone's heart.
We thank you Mrs. Collins

The whole class

Yep, art is from the heart!
How deep (and cool) is that.

So if you haven't sent a card to Shane yet, Get on it!! His birthday is May 30th, send a little something from your heart!
Details here.

Amuse-a-palooza Challenge #3

Ok, so this is my entry for challenge #3, but I think I may be disqualified because I guess the card was supposed to be shaped like a square...Is that what that shape is?
Totally missed that when I saw it, no really, I am that much of a spazz.
So, this is my pseudo-entry for the challenge...I think I may try this challenge again, but actually make a square card the next time. We'll see if I am inspired when I meet up with my pal, Carol tomorrow to do a little scrappin'. Plus, if I get to use some of her A muse stamps I may just be inspired to go wild.
I love ya biker chick, but I am kinda gettin' sick of your wheels just a little bit.

Card details: PP - Scenic Route, Stamps - Lots of Dots Long, Wheely Girl and Wheely saying from A muse, Ink - White Pigment and White Embossing Powder.

In case you hadn't heard...

New Amusapalooza challenge was posted yesterday!
Make a card based on this sketch.
Prize this week is a One Year subscription to the Dirty Dozen from Splitcoast.

Made mine last night in about 10 minutes.
Then, realized I am shape-blind.
Yep, serious illness that affects only the spazztic.
Looked at the sketch and after I was all done realized...
THE CARD IS A SQUARE!

It is a square isn't it?
Damn, my selective blindness.

I'll post my feeble attempt later.
And also, A muse released all new stamps!
Once I find some around me, I am so buying those gymnasts, they are too funny. And I love the hot dog on the stick, is that weird?
And if you want new stamps for free, don't forget to guess the stamps!!

Pulled into the Gas Station This Morning...

and cried and cried and cried....
$3.75 a gallon for the cheap stuff, at the cheap place.

I'm gonna need to work from home more.
And get a basket for my bike.

cry, cry, cry

A muse News

Huge contest over at Amusapalooza...
Guess the stamps in the trunk and win!

Who doesn't like winning.
The prize, and if this doesn't make you get your bootie over there nothing will, is $100 in A muse stamps!!!
RUN!!!

You must be registered for Amuseapalooza to win, so just register so you can win some stuff, they are giving away a ton of freebies and when you register, it was me, Simone Collins, who told ya to do it. *wink*

Blogger RAK

Just a couple great cards I got the past few days from some amazing women!
The first card is a gorgeous little number by Susan Liles. Her blog is called Susiestampalot and is a must see. You really have to check out her tiara card, now I want that stamp too.
The colors on this card are amazing and the textured background (probably cuttlebugged, if I was guessing) really completes the whole look.
Thanks Miss Susie, I love this card, and now want the stamps too!
This second card is truly from an amazing woman because not only did she send this card, not to me, but to little Max, but her timing couldn't have been better. It arrived yesterday after he found out he would have to stay home from school for two days.
Every other year in his school career he would dread school but this year, he dreads missing it. He has only missed school 3 whole days now and all because of strep (everytime!)
When he got this card it totally perked him up and made him smile because the thought of a nice girl in Canada knowing about him and his great grades just tickled him pink.
So run, don't walk over to Stephanie's blog, Steph's Stampin', Scrappin' and Stuff and please let her know just how wonderful this card it.
She used this stamp because of Max's ballroom dancing...isn't she clever.
Thank you a thousand times over, he even wanted to see what you looked like and where you live in Canada. (he thinks he has a fan)
Thank you ladies, just when I was losing faith in my fellow Blog Rakkers and Max was feelin down...Poof! Cards to make the world right again.

Sent out the Dogs Yet?

Sorry for the absence but the weekend was exhausting and there is never a dull moment here in Spazzland. So a quick rundown of what has taken preference:

1. My baby bro is home from college for the summer now, so we had some pizza Friday night to celebrate.
2. Saturday I went to the Wrigleyville Relay which has nothing to do with running and everything to do with beer.
3. Drank too much at said relay and thus, sang a little too much karaoke.
4. Learned that my sister is the worst person to drink and go karaoking with because if you utter the words, "I like this song...", you WILL be singing it.
5. Mother's day lunch with my mom, poor thing didn't even get a handmade card from me. How did I let that happen?

Oh, yeah and I bought a new camera...My new child.
Last night I noticed a huge rash covering my poor son's whole body so this morning I ran off to the doc to get some cream.
It was SCARLET FEVER.
The kid had strep and I didn't even know it.
THIS is why I got no mom's day presents.
I'm pretty much the worst mom on the planet.

Be back tomorrow, when I have more time because we are off school til Thursday!
Don't want to spread the boogie woogie fever.

Last A muse card for Challenge #2

Ok, this is the last of this week's cards.
For this card, I went way out of the A muse box and thought, "Hey, I could totally use that plain oval stamp for something else!"
So this is the flower I came up with. Not thrilled with the results, but it is close.
I *kissed* the oval with the paisley to make it a little more interesting.
The buttons for the center are from Doodlebug and then I added the white brad in the center.
Again, not my favorite result but my step-mom will like it.

PSA - Stay Clear of Wolf Camera!!

Saved my pennies.
Was finally gonna break down and buy it.
But thought that free shipping, free tax and free printer was the best way to go.
Man, was I wrong.
Shoulda looked here first.

First they wouldn't put through my charge and send me out my new toy, which I paid overnight shipping for. And now they won't give me my money back!!!
It's been days and I cancelled right away when I knew they were screwin' me, so I could just go buy it in a store and pay our ridiculous tax.

Warning....Do not buy ANYTHING from Wolfcamera.com...Worst customer service and business practices ever!!!!
And if you are ever buying anything electronic and dropping mad cash, check here first!
Wish I did.

Now, no special mom's day gift for me.

Amuseapalooza- Card #3

This last card not only accomplishes the A muse challenge this week but also follows this weeks Sketch Challenge over on SCS. You can check out the sketch and try it yourself - HERE.
I had this card in my head when I woke up yesterday morning, I love when that happens and then when I saw all the sketch challenges in the gallery yesterday I realized it followed that as well. Bonus!
It's Wheely Girl...Again! Sick of her yet?
The center chipboard circle is by Scenic Route.
The patterned paper on the bottom is from KI Memories, but an old line, I had just this scrap.

The images were punched perfectly with my 1 3/8" punch.

I have one more card, but suprisingly it doesn't use Wheely girl and it is way outside the A muse box, so stay tuned!

Amuseapalooza - Card #2

Another entry for the weekly challenge. (again, stamped in brown, not black)
Let me introduce you to Trudy.
She is a hip chick who loves to ride around the big city on her diamond encrusted bike popping wheelies to just further exemplify her coolness.
Yep, that's right...Diamond encrusted bike!
Hard to see in this photo, but the bike itself is colored in with White Signo gel pen and then I added glitter with the Sakura Stardust Clear Pen. The center of the wheels are pure 10 carat diamonds, yep Hero Arts Bling.
I had to write in the "You go Girl!" Just seemed appropriate for someone riding that fast on a diamond bike popping wheelies.
A muse may already make this stamp, but if they don't, they should!

Got a new large corner rounder last weekend and now I can't stop rounding everything!
The circles on the bottom are also an A muse stamp that I used with Versamark.

Amuseapalooza Challenge #2 - Card 1

This is my first entry for the Week #2 Challenge, no black ink.
I know what you're thinking...Hey! I see black!!
Nope, not black...chocolate brown.

Had envisioned that the wheels would spin, which they will if anyone wanted to turn the little wheels, but not exactly how I saw it in my head.
I am loving the large oval, doesn't look like she is floating on my paper anymore.

Thursday Blogger Swaps

I think these are the last two swap cards from my Blogger Swap, besides my own. You don't really want to see mine, do ya?
Alright, fine, I'll post it next week...maybe.

The first card is awesome because of the super cool overlapping. I am a total sucker for cards of unusual size or unique folding. Could just be a used bandaid on a piece of cardstock, but if it's 6x8 and opens diagnolly, I love it.
This card was made by Tracy Harp. Her blog is Inky Doodles. She has lots, did I say lots, I mean LOTS of amazing samples on her blog and it is really worth a looksee.
See how this bad boy opens, cool isn't it!
Dang doodle, I meant to measure this card and post dimensions.
I'll edit this post later, if you wanna make one yourself.

The second card was created by Debbie Seyer. Her blog is A Peek into My Stamping Room and it is wonderful.
I have a special place in my heart for Debbie because she sent me my very first RAK card, so in my eyes she is a god.

Hope everyone enjoys the last of the swaps and check out those blogs, they are awesome!

Happy Birthday Mason

I think it is today, is it Greta?
I made this card last week.
Bought the present last week.
Ran out of tape to wrap it up.
So it is sitting on my table...still.
I had such good intentions, always do.
It's the follow thru that I suck at.

I knew I wanted a baseball card for the little slugger but I don't own anything baseball and didn't want to buy anything new, so I thought...Make a baseball yourself.
My first baseball was actually a tennis ball.
Max helped me the second time.
Then I added the name and it just wasn't enough.
So, I made the pennant, but my first "stick" of paper just wasn't right.
Then the lightbulb moment.
A flat toothpick!!

And I had the colors in my head to start, of course. (Go Cubs!)
One day it will actually be in the mail and on its way to little Mason, maybe he'll get his goods by next year.
Seriously, who doesn't have tape?!!!

Oh and btw....I put back many items I thought little Mason would enjoy because somebody thought it wasn't such a good idea, what boy doesn't love silly string? But there is one thing comin' down that I was told, "He's gonna strangle somebody with that thing!" Just a warning....

Amuseapalooza Frappr Map

Just added to the Amuseapalooza fun, a new Frappr Map that shows all the places where A muse stamps rule as well as stampers!
Very neat.

You can put yourself on the map, HERE.
I am.
So cool to see that there are actual stampers near me, really?!!
And to see how close (or far) the closest stamp store carrying the stamps is to my house.

Also, Challenge #2 is up! No black ink.
Great prizes each week and the more you make the more entries you get. So, get stampin'.
I made a couple already but I am starting to get tired of Wheely Girl.
Well, maybe not totally sick of her yet.
But these challenges have been 10 times harder when I only own 4 A muse stamps!

Cards later, I woke up with one more idea.
Dontcha love when that happens!

Back to Pages

For Scrapbooking day last weekend, I was determined to try to stay in my scrapbooking mode and get some pages done. It was pretty difficult to get some done and also make those cards too, but I managed somehow.
New product always helps me get in the scrappin' groove too. New papers with great colors really scream out, "Use me!!" So that helped.
This first page uses a hodge podge of things, some I have had for years!
The patterned paper is Scenic Route, love the stuff! Whenever I buy a new pack of Scenic Route, I get into that mode and can whip through pages like lightning. Unfortunately, I usually run out of paper and so I stop. I also adore that they sell coordinating Bazzill cardstock, makes it so simple not to have to guess which shade of brown would match.
The little chipboard circle with the arrow is from Scenic Route too, they are Be Happy Chipboard Circles. I know Elizabeth had some too, because she has several pages posted on her blog using these same circles!
The A+ Achieve coasters are from Cloud nine and I have had those since last year, finally thought of a perfect use.

This was the first day of school this year and now that Max is doing so well in school, it made it even easier to scrap!

All the other stuff is Prima, MM rubons, Chatterbox fabric stickers and see that little lock in the top right corner? Not sure where I got those, didn't even remember I had those.

I buy all my stuff from my buddy Carol who is currently selling on the bay, but will be opening an online boutique shortly, I haven't really given her a choice on this one. She sells everything fabulous, I know because I help her pick! And she is a great gal to work with. So, if you see scrappy goodies on my blog and they aren't SU!, I probably got them from her. You can check out her goods - HERE. Tell her I sent ya over!

Well Helllllooooooo

If you are a blogger that links to this blog, Thanks!
Also, let me know so I can return the favor. I have come across a couple blogs that I didn't even know about and I feel badly.
Just comment on this thread with your blog address and I am happy to add it in the links to the right.

And again...Thanks!

See This Guy...

He's handsome isn't he. All sharp in his red and purple bottle with the crisp white.
I love him.
He's totally reliable.
He does exactly what he says he will.
He holds up during the test of time.
He gets along well with all my other friends, like paper and chipboard.
He is perfectly sized. Not too tall or short.
He's completely predictable.
He's strong.
He never leaves a mess.
He sticks with me.

Yep, I compare all guys I date to my favorite adhesive.
Now, if I could just find a guy that was half the things this glue is.
I buy it here and can't speak more highly of it.
Just got a brand new bottle after 4 months and can't wait for our date night.

My snail adhesive is soooooo jealous!

Thank You Thank You

Last Friday, after a long week, I came home to find not one but two envelopes that were clearly not bills. It truly made my day, nothing like a little note to make the day even better than a Friday afternoon is normally.
Max quickly opened the first card. I usually let him open the "good mail" although I don't think he appreciates it that much because after all they are never addressed to him.
He quickly reported back, "Some girl from Canada is thanking you for sending her something, I think. You're gonna like this card, it's brown."
Cool, I do love brown!
And sure enough, it was a little Thank you note from Allison for the Blog Candy I sent her for passing along a great idea for a tutorial.
Love the card, Basic Grey, brown and flowers...Perfect!

As I was admiring Allison's great card, Max was tearing into card number two. I was just thinking last week about how I hadn't received any RAK cards in the past couple weeks and had been sending so many, so the fact that I was getting two cards in one day was a real treat.
Max had the strangest look on his face.
"Mom, it's another thank you card, from Canada, and....Let me see that other card....The same handwriting. I think it is from the same person!"
What??
Sure enough, it was a thank you card from Allison, thanking me for the same blog candy.
I swear I read the cards three times to see if I was missing something. My blog candy was not good enough to warrant two thank yous, although I loved them.

So, I can only assume that:
1. Allison has children and thus forgets things, like we all do.
2. She loves me more than other bloggers.
3. She wants us to be best buds...Well, OK!
4. She had to send me the 2nd card because it matches my living room perfectly.

So, Thank you Thank you, Allison!! I am now sending you a Thank you for your Thank yous, seems only right.
And if you haven't been over to her Blog, Stampin When I Can, you have really been missing out on the authority of Stamping blogs. She is truly the hardest working blogger out there in cyber space and I am amazed that she has enough hours in the day to blog all that and still stamp.

And now she is one of my best buds, so you really must!

What I Inkadinkadid Last Weekend.

Spent my Saturday for Scrapbook Day as I did last year, shopping!
Yep, no actually scrapping on that day, just buying more stuff for my collection.
It was actually the first time in a LONG time that I went shopping for stuff at a real scrapbook and stamp store, I have been very very good in recent months. After I saw went I spent last year on crap stuff, I mean scrap stuff, I really cut back.
This is a quick look at some of the loot. I have more! My friend Carol brough over my big 'ol order I had for her and it wouldn't fit in this picture. I got some new acrylic stamps, can you believe that before Saturday I owned a total of zero. (not crazy about the acrylic, so never had a desire to buy any) I got a large corner punch at 40% off and some new A muse stamps when I met up with Connie at Stampology. I even trekked it into the city to check Stamp on In for some A muse and they had very little. Very disappointing for the girl who so badly wants to be the Amuseapalooza Ambassador for 2007!
And see those lovely skulls?
It is a huge book of skulls and cherries and everything rad rub ons I got at Windy City. Carol looked at me like I was insane for buying them, but I LOVE them. Plan on sticking them all over my apartment to punk up the place.

On Sunday afternoon, in 4 short hours I made 3 cards and 3 scrapbook pages. Can you believe it? I thought that was pretty fast considering at times it has takes me an hour to make a card.
So here is my first card that features the new Inkadinkado Stamps I got at Stamp on In for only $10.50 and it included an acrylic block, can you believe that deal? How could I not buy them?!!
The set is called Lots of Pots.

I went waaaaayyyyy out of my comfort zone for this one. I didn't stamp on white for my main image. Never really did that before and don't really know what possessed me, but I am so glad I did.
First I stamped out the image using colored inks. Then I added color to the image with my Prismacolor Pencils. I love especially the white on this Kraft paper, really shows up well.
Then, I added glitter with this brand new pen I bought this weekend, Stardust Clear Gelly Roll Pen. I am always on the look out for ways to add sparkle without the glitter mess. Love this pen, worked like a charm right over the stamped colors.
The card is not your typical size or fold.
The base card measures 8.75" x 4.25"
Scored at 5.5".
The main image is 4" x 4.25" (the burgandy colored paper)
After you punch the flap on the right of the card using the Slit Punch, then you should (at least this is the way I did it and seems to be the easiest way, in my opinion), place the image inside the flap and then adhere, to make sure perfect placement.
I added the white eyelet to the little flap because it seemed lost without it.

I am truly getting the hang of my pencils and the gamsol technique, this is probably my best work so far.
This card is already off in the mail to a fellow blogger who was so kind to give me an inside scoop about where I could get the *wink wink* at you know where so I could get some you know what.
This is the best part about blogging, sharing of totally useful info and awesome new friends.

ps. I also saw Spidey 3 and a complete review is coming, don't worry. In the meantime, save your money!!

One more Wheely Girl

Of the two cards I made with little Wheely Girl today, this one is my favorite. I love the summer colors and I love that I completely planned out the whole card in my head as I was making coffee this morning. Sometimes it is the ease of the idea that just makes it so good.

I used the same concept as the spinning slider card, except she doesn't spin, she just bikes along a careful path made with dimensionals on the inside of the card. When you pull the tab, she rides along the cards and I made the dashes inside the track because it just looked so bare with nothing but white on the inside. Now that I figured out the "mechanics" of the card, I know what I would do next time that would have made it even better. I was just happy I actually figured out how to construct the idea without even glancing at the internet.
I used my Prismacolor pencils to color her in. (I am loving these) And I love that little red star eyelet. I think I have had those since the dawn of time!
This also counts as an entry to the Weekly Challenge because again, I only stamped in Black.
It is harder than it sounds.
You may be seeing more of Wheely Girl because she is one of only three A muse stamps I own currently because the stores around here don't seem to have very many. So I hope everyone likes her.

An A*musing Card

Well, it amuses me and uses A muse stamps...
Worked on the Weekly Challenge over at the Amuseapalooza blog finally. Had to buy a couple stamps first! Unfortunately there were only a few to pick from which made this challenge even more difficult.
I love this card because the fact that she is wearing a pink shirt and orange pants while popping a wheelie is completely hysterical to me.
I also love that the stamp is called Wheely Girl.
I was completely inspired for the colors for this card by a well known "store". Do you know which one??

EDITED: This card was completely inspired by the THREE Dunkin Donuts I pass on my way to work. I see that pink, orange and brown at least three times every morning and it finally sunk in! Paper was bought at Archivers, it is by Paper Fever. Although I bought it years ago.

Hapy Happy Happy!

Happy Scrapbook Day!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Happy Saturday!

Up early today for soccer, although I will not be out on the wet cold field this morning. I decided not to feel guilty for putting myself first just a few times and letting myself sit at home where it is warm and cozy and having a nice cup of coffee in a quiet house.

Getting ready for a busy, fun day. I will be meeting up with my pal Connie and heading over to Stampology to try and find some A muse stamps to inspire me. Then off with my friend Carol to Windy City Scrapbooking to see if anything there strikes my fancy and makes me want to make more pages. Then off for tacos, guacamole and margaritas tonight.
Just wouldn't be cinco de mayo without those!

Have a great day! And scrapbook something and drink a margarita! Ole!

Page is an oldie but one of my favs. Bad bad picture, not much light this morning. Papers are Bazzill and Scenic Route. This is pretty typical of what happens when you ask for a pose.

Birthday Bling

Just a quick birthday card sent out to a fellow blogger.
Used a Michaels $1 stamp, love those, wish we had the newer more fabulous acrylic ones at my stores, but these are good too.
If you click on it, you can see more details, my pictures were dark last weekend and I took them outside! Just more proof of why I need a new camera. (and I am actually getting one...shhhhh)
Colored the image with my fabulous markers.
Added Hero Arts Bling to the flower and the other sentiment from All in a Row on the black strip which is stamped in White Craft Ink.

Note about Grey's

Just a brief note to the creators of Grey's Anatomy...

I stuck with ya when you added more drama and less patients.
I hung in there when you just started killing people off to keep people watching.
I even defended ya when Meredith picked the totally wrong guy.
But come on.
Mixing a horrible spinoff show with my beloved Grey's...
Using city scenes to transition between plots...
Creating a less than imaginative storyline with a Grey-esque medical emergency...
Enough!
Your hopes of becoming more famous and making more money with a new version of Grey's just ain't gonna happen.
Let it go.
And NEVER mix any of that crap with my Grey's again!
Go back to Grey's and stay there.

Thank you!

Free Stuff Alert!

Who doesn't love free stuff?
A Muse stamps has contests, giveaways, challenges and more from now til A*musea*palooza.
I am personally going for the amuseapalooza Embassador 2007 prize, who wouldn't want the $250 in stamps?!!
Yours truly will be visiting the local Stamp store this week in search of some A Muse images to play with because I don't own a single one. {my control amazes even me sometimes!}
So register, so you can possibly win one of their weekly drawings and feel free to tell them Simone Collins sent ya, I surely could use the points.

Blogger Swap Thursday

It's Thursday, so it's time for more swap cards, please see my post from last week, I am a total goofus and label the card wrong! Be sure to check out Ana's GREAT blog at Inkastamp, she has great stuff and is really well worth the click!

The first card is by Robin Desko, from Stamped Reflections. It screams spring and the added Crystal Effects on the boots is the perfect touch! All the faux stitching made my head spin with excitement, I love it.

The second card is by Michelle Laycock. Her blog is called Ink Artist and is full of tons of information, samples and tutorials. It is a must-see in the blog world. So glad this was a birthday card, I was running a little low. Thanks Michelle.

Some images copywrite SU!© 1999-2007

Page for Today!

Actually made a scrapbook page this weekend. {shock!}
This will go into my About Me album one day when I have more than 3 pages done. So hard to do an album about yourself when you have such few pictures of yourself, isn't it?!!

I haven't scrapped in a while and I find it hard to switch from cards to pages, (and pages to cards for that matter) so I had to really work to get the mojo working in that direction again.
National Scrapbook Day is this weekend, so I figured it was as good a time as any to get moving back into that direction. Plus, I have plenty of new photos to work with, so really there is no excuse.
Lord knows I have plenty of paper and supplies to scrap, it is for goodness sake my first love. I only started making the cards because I had left overs from the scrapping and couldn't bare to pay $3 for a card that someone would just throw away.
Yes, my cheapness got me started in cardmaking.

So, I'm hopefully back to scrapbooking for a little bit before I have to change gears back because someone will eventually need a birthday card, right??

Supplies: Bazzill Shaped Cardstock, SU! Black Cardstock, Fancy Pants patterned paper (double-sided), White Signo gel pen, 7 Gypsies stamp.

Cry Cry Cry

Stampin' Up! came out with the retired list today.
Every year, the buzz about the list stirs up many many threads over at SCS. Most discussing how many sets you have lost.
180
65
92
These are the kinds of numbers you see.
I never post on these threads because in comparison, 12 doesn't really seems like anything to complain about.
It wouldn't be if I owned more stamps!

I counted all my stamps this morning before I left the house because I knew today was the big day...30 sets total.
That's it.
People would assume that I have only been doing SU! for a couple months if I only own 30 sets and 12 ink pads, but I have been in this thing for 2 years!
Yep!
2 years and only 30 sets.
I try to make good decisions so that I am somewhat working this as a little business and as a single mom working in a big city like this, life is way expensive so I have to pinch the pennies every second.
So 12 sets has me pretty upset today, that's 40% of my total business supplies....And that doesn't even count the 5 more sets that I bought this year from the mini catalogs that I am praying make it into the big catalog, if not I am down to less than 1/2.

Looking forward to new sets coming and couldn't be happier that some of them are leaving, but still not thrilled with having to replace 40%.