Randomness

Yes kids, it's friday again and you know what that means....

What's on your mind Simone?
Funny you ask....

* Kat was kind enough to nominate me for this....

She actually nominated me for the Best Craft Blog too, but this one meant so much more to me and made my day, all you other gals...Feel free to add your vote, you know I'm hot!
KIDDING!!

* Greta tagged me twice this week, thanks girl, so I thought I would pick which one I wanted to do, that's the option when you get tagged twice in one week by the same person, right?

1. First and Middle Name: Simone Gabrielle (I hate hate hate my first name)
2. Birthdate: January 25, 1972
3. Married to: no one, ever...I'm single, not divorced, hate when people assume that.
4. Kids: The Max (as in maximum I can handle in my lifetime)
5. Name of High School Team: Res Bandits (raccoon)
6. Favorite TV show: Lost, Rescue Me, Weeds, The Office
7. Favorite band or singer: Dmode, The Smiths, The Cure, Sufjan Stevens
8. Celebrity you have the hots for: John Cusack and Matt Damon
9. Last movie you saw: The Last Mimzy (hated it)
10. Movie that you cried your eyes out to: The Hours
11. What did you do last night? 8 loads of laundry
12. Favorite Perfume/Cologne: Burberry
13. Last Thing You Ate: French fries and diet coke from Wendy's
14. Favorite Holiday: Halloween
15. Something you dressed up for at Halloween: Cher back in 1994
16. Last concert you went to: Decemberists
17. Siblings? Do you get along? 6 brothers, 6 sisters...some I get along with more than others.
18. Person you miss the most: My grandma
19. Dream job: Being home all day with no obligations
20. Toothpaste you use: whatevers on sale, paste, not gel
21. Dream Vacation: Island somewhere with unlimited cocktails
22. What color is your car: Gold
23. What are you listening to right now: Phish is on the radio
24. If you could look like a celebrity, who?: Audrey Hepburn
25. Hobbies: Scrapbooking , knitting/crocheting, photography

Need something to blog about, consider yourself tagged!

* I love this site....Cuteable

* I am loving the new Kanye I heard on the radio, Stronger and Homecoming, totally weird because I don't really listen to that music, nor am I Kanye fan, but I love it.
But I feel like Brooke Shields in this video when I listen to it...Momma's gonna take out her pimp hand!

* I am liking some of the new Lizzie Ann stamps, especially the new Halloween one and that Good Cheer stamp.

* I am working on a This Is Me journal and so far I am liking the process. I think it will be a nice time capsule about myself for the kid and I like taking a look into myself without the pressure of scrapbooking an actual picture...very stress-free. I encourage ya to check it out, when I get my cover finished (started), I will post some of the pages and such. You can join in the fun yourself, the details are on their blog, no pressure.

* I'm working on a big suprise for next week...hint...Halloween, stay tuned.

* The weather here is glorious, amazing how much great weather can change your mood, isn't it? Hope things are sunny and 70 where you are!

* Think I'll check out a movie this weekend, anyone seen SuperBad? Think that may be the one, or the kid wants to see Balls of Fury, that's a possibility too.

Hope everyone has a safe and happy Labor Day weekend, I'll miss camping this weekend, we usually do that, but we are laying low this weekend and just hanging.
Have a GREAT weekend!

More about Copics...

Ok, let's talk a little more about Copics shall we?

I have played with them a little more and I am starting to get the hang of it, somewhat.
The tricky and wonderful part about these markers is that they are blendable, so if you go over your dark areas with a lighter color, you can blend the two together.
Now, if you go over your dark area of another section by accident with your lighter color, then they will blend, by accident and then you will curse and stomp your feet like a 2 year old.
Oh...maybe that's just me.
So, for instance, if you look at this Xmas card (I can't believe I made a Xmas card!), you will see that there are ornaments on those trees, so if you color the ornaments after you color the tree, you could accidently drag a little green on to it. Or vice versa.
And it is very possible that you will, because as I said before, the tips are not small.

Now, that ribbon on the card is colored with the markers so it is a perfect match to the stars on the trees, which is probably the coolest thing I have done with the markers.

So, you're thinking about getting the markers?
My official advice:
1. Do you have the Prismacolor pencils? Have you tried the OMS with them? If not, buy those first, they are cheaper, easier to work with and very similar results. They are way more user friendly and I got mine at my Michael's with a 50% coupon...totally worth it.

2. Go to a class, if you can, that is featuring these markers, that way you get a hands on trial as well as instruction right there, that would be a good way to see if you like them as well. And not just like the end results of them because let's face it, we all like the end results but can we all color like those masters....no.

3. Buy only 3 markers, all in a color family, and try to color like a big flower. Use your inks and paper to stamp and work those three markers to see if you can get the hang of it. Then, if you don't like it, you're only out the cost of those three. It's important to get the color you want, then the way lightest color, because that is how you blend, so don't get three different colors, that won't show you any of the technique.

Let's talk about paper and ink.
I appreciate the advice I have gotten so far about this and I truly believe there is something off with the SU white paper, I've thought this for a while though.
My OMS was smearing on their new paper (their older SU white I had did not smudge a bit) and now the markers as well, so the paper will be the first thing I try to change.
Then the ink.
Well, that Pallette Hybrid ink is just that, a hybrid, part dye ink, part pigment.
Pigment or Craft Ink is made to stay wet, it is for embossing, juicy inking of chipboard and other techniques. If you don't seal pigment ink, by embossing or letting it fully absorb, it will stay wet forever.
I used to teach stamping classes at a store and would always tell the story of how I sent a card to Seattle once and by the time it got there and she opened the envelope the card had totally smeared because the ink remoistened from the humidity.
So, I think if you are going over this ink with an alcohol based marker, it is more likely to remoisten.
So, the next thing I will try would be the Adirondack ink, which I already own that and then if that doesn't work, the Versafine.
Thanks for the suggestions.

Those of you that have the markers already and are struggling like me....First off, I feel your pain.
Coloring shouldn't be that hard, right?
Well, you just need to know the "tricks".
First off, use your lightest color first.
Then with that light marker, pick up a little color from your dark marker.
Don't be afraid, it will come off.
And then add the shading.
Next, drag that same light marker onto some scratch paper to make sure all the darker color is off.
Then, take the light marker and blend your light and dark areas together.

If you have a blender marker, you can use your markers to create a pallette of color on a piece of plastic and then pick up your colors from that.
They dry instantly on the plastic, but will remoisten when you touch the blender to them.
If you go over your image you colored with the blender marker, it actually takes the color away. The only way it actually "blends" is on special paper, which I can't remember the name of. Kathy from Copic told me at CHA and of course I was so mesmorized by her coloring, I forgot to write anything down.

I hope this helps.
I have about 6 hours of coloring time in now and I am still not very good, but thanks for all the nice comments.
And thanks to Michele who not only had me over for beer and bubba burgers, but also gave me a mini lesson herself and plenty of stamped images to play with like this one!
Without watching Kathy from Copic play with these for about an hour and then getting Michele's mini lesson, I woulda never been able to figure this out alone.

Some Card details: Stamp - Stampendous, PP - KI Memories, Glitter Pen from Marvey.

lil' Stephanie

This is my little sister...literally.
Didn't I tell ya, I'm the tall one in the family at 5'3".

Staphanie is literally my littlest sister at 4'8" and at that height, it seems impossible for people not to nickname her.
They feel compelled to add a description before her name..."little steph" or "tiny steph".
Like no one can see that she is small, duh.
But she takes it all in stride, love that about her.
Just wish now that she is 25 people would just call her Steph and she wishes waitresses would stop trying to give her a kid's menu.

Page Details: Patterned Paper and Letter Stickers-American Crafts, Flower-Stamped and cut, Photo corners - MM, Flower-Prima.

Let's talk about Copics...Shall We?

EDITED: I fixed the picture of the card, don't know why that wasn't showing up...Hope that helps to actually see it! LOL

Yes, I took the plunge and got some Copic Markers (finally).
I saw them demonstrated at CHA and have seen them everywhere for the past few months.
The samples were amazing.
What you can do with them...stunning.
The price....not for the weak of heart.

So let's start by looking at a card I made with an image I colored with my new markers.
Now let's talk about the facts.

*Got the markers and played with them for about 2 hours before I really started to figure out how I was supposed to use them, and I am still not very good at it.

* The brush tips which are the smaller of the two sizes are still not small enough for some of the detailing on this small image, so that's an issue.

* Used the Pallette Noir black ink as recommended and SU white cardstock, let it dry for about 5 days, and it still smudges, looks like I need to invest in new paper or ink.

* Bought a 36 marker set and still felt like I didn't have the colors I needed. There are way too many grays in this set if you ask me.

* These markers seriously take some major coloring skills and personally I think I can get just as good results with my Prismacolor pencils and odorless mineral spirits and those were waaaayyyy cheaper.

Do I love the markers?
Not yet.

Would I recommend them?
If someone had the spare money and time.

Are they hard to use?
ABSOLUTELY (although I must admit, I am coloring challenged)

Are they a stampers must-have?
Definitely not, I can think many, many other things you could buy with marker money.

Am I returning them?
Nah....I need to figure this out, I'm not ready to give up yet.

Best thing about them?
They are alcohol-based so you can color glass, metal, ribbon without it bleeding! See the ribbon on my card? Colored with a marker to match the bowl and dried in minutes without a heat gun!

Where did I get 'em?
From my buddy Carol because I made her order them at CHA so I could buy a set. They are listed in her ebay store HERE.

Any more questions??
Just let me know, I'll be happy to give ya an honest answer!

Back! Miss Me?

The weekend was kinda a blur.
Out on Friday night for Pomme-tinis...yummy!
Saturday spent at the Flavorfest hosted by Whole Foods for my mom's bday.
Got tons of free samples, but it was in a very muddy park and we were covered in mud when we were finished.
But for mom, I would trek through a muddy park any day.
Man, I hope I look that good when I am that age.

Worked on some pages this weekend too.
Got my new Scenic Route paper and then proceeded to use my old lines for this one.
Just couldn't bring myself to cut my new paper.
Ahh...summer!
So glad school starts back next Tuesday!

Randomness

Yes, I know I already did this a couple days ago, but I am trying to make it a Friday routine and really I've got nothing else.
My creative energy is still focused in one direction and I'm not done with my project and the deadline is tomorrow...yikes!



On to the nonsense....

*My Max is a total one of a kind, kooky kid.
And as I was telling my buddy Elizabeth this week, he has decided what he would like to be for Halloween this year.

In previous years, he has gone as Gandalf, The Six Flags Guy, Donald Trump(see pic HERE) but last year he just wanted to be a boring zombie.
Very crushing to a mom that LOVES Halloween and especially ingenious costumes.
But this year, his costume choice had me laughing and anyone else I've told has had a good laugh too.
And it has me trying desperately to talk him out of it.
Best sit down for this one.

The kid wants to dress like Michael Jackson in the Thriller video.

And he tells me, "I'm gonna need you to help me learn the dance too."
So apparently he plans to dance for his candy this year.
And doesn't care what kids say or think, which I love about Max because I was totally the kid that just wanted to fit in.
He actually tries to stand out.
Be different.
And I love it, but worry about it too.
Especially because not only is he going as MJ for Halloween but he is also using a 90210 pencil case and a Spinal Tap lunchbox this year.
Oh man, he is just setting himself up for trouble.

*Tornadoes have hit us here in the Windy City and man, what a mess!
So many traffic lights out, it made getting to work pretty scary, unfortunately I live in a city where people don't know what to do at an intersection without lights and even if they do know they are waaaaayyyy to important to wait their turn.
Gotta love that.

*I have come to terms that my Magic Bullet will only pulverize things and I think I'm OK with it.
And in case anyone else was wondering....
I also own a Turbo Cooker, Ove Glove and the Hercules Hooks.
All good, but embarrassing.

*The new "add a video" button here on blogger intrigues me.
Makes me want to make a video, but alas that would require a camera.

*I love this idea about embroidering a digital image, I am so trying this and I haven't done anything like this since 6th grade.

*If you're in the Wisconsin/Illinois area, you may wanna join us over at Scrap In Style TV because they are planning a Crop for October and I know I am going to try to find a babysitter to go, how about joining me? Details HERE.

*There is a great flower tutorial HERE (beware of the music though).

*Joined an owl swap over HERE, so if you love all things owl too, you have til tomorrow, Aug 25th to join me!

*Watched Cry Baby with the kid the other night, forgot how much I love that movie. The singing and dancing and 50s styles... I just love it. And the young Johnny Depp.....ahhhh!

*The arm appears to be going away, looks way less red, so I hope that means it is leaving. Five more days on the drugs and I should be back to normal.

*Does anybody else think there are way too many flower stamps coming out?
It just seems like everytime there is a new set from any company, there is a good probability it will be a floral set.
Especially now, it is almost fall and winter time.
I love me some flowers, but man, there are so many and so many look so similar.

Ok, that's about enough of the blab for one day.
What's on your mind?
You know that thing that's been sitting there all week and you have just been mulling it over.
Go on, share it!

Have a spectacular weekend!

Randomness

So meant to post this on Friday, figured Friday is a good day to post about nothing.
But I have been a bit busy.
Top secret project.
Shhhhhh....
Totally sucking my will to blog.
Just need to finish this baby and I will be back full force.
Wish my Adult ADD would stop impeding the process.

So on to the randomness....

Has everyone seen the line up for the Celebrity Apprentice?
Joan Rivers, Carmen Electra, Jim Cramer of CNBC, Naomi Judd, George Foreman, Pete Rose, Tony Hawk, Danica Patrick, and Jeff Gordon
Now that is a show I may tune in to see.
Carmen Electra flirting with everyone.
Joan Rivers being herself.
Naomi Judd, enough said.
Could be insane....I hope so.

Not sure why this bothers me, but it does and maybe it irks someone else too?
Why does Ali Edwards have to refer to herself as a life artist?
Saw her new book, Life Artist, and it just irks me.
Too good to be called a scrapbooker? paper crafter? crafter?
I love Ms. Edwards, have both of her previous books and love them to pieces.
But this is just a little much, to give yourself a title like this.
I think I will refer to myself as a Blog Artist, I capture life's little moments in my blog.
Sheesh.
She does have info and some good info HERE though, see I like her, but it is just...

Saw Disturbia last week, stupid!
Not scary enough.
Rear Window is so much better.

Bought a Magic Bullet.
Yes, the infomercial sucked us in.
The kid is a milkshake fanatic and I thought this would be a way he could safely make one with a minimal mess.
My impressions so far?
Does not work like it does on tv, I know, you're shocked.
It turned my onion into a liquid, with large pieces still!
And it is very loud.
Not sure we are keeping it even though we got an amazing deal.
I am a total sucker for infomercials, totally.

I am making a large purchase of Scrappy Goodness this week because my buddy Carol has gotten some shipments from the stuff we ordered at CHA.
Very exciting, I love new.
Expect to see some new Scenic Route, Dude Designs, Savvy Stamps and images colored with my new Copic Markers.
I'm pretty sure I won't have a clue how to use them properly, but I am gonna try.

Oh and I almost forgot, I had to visit the clinic over the weekend.
Got, what I thought/think was, a mosquito or itch mite bite on my arm last week.
No biggie.
Those nasty itch mites are wicked.
Had some of those before and I don't know if we are the only ones luck enough here in Illinois to get this pesky little bugger, but man they itch.
Don't know how they made their way here this summer.
Well, this little bite really didn't itch, but it was red.
Left it alone.
It got bigger.
And bigger.
And bigger.
I took mass quantities of Benadryl and Calydryl.
I marked where it was on Friday to see how much it was growing.
It was kinda scary.
Went to the clinic on Sunday because my mother yelled at me, usually that's what it takes.
I have cellulitis on my arm.
Some nasty infection in my arm because she told me "you musta scratched it"
Nope, I swear I didn't.
Or it is a spider bite or something other than a mosquito.
She gave me antibiotics.
They are making my stomach quite woozie.
But it isn't making the large red splotch that covers my arm go away.
Looks like I may have to go back, which, there is nothing I hate more.
Especially because I will have to pay for a second visit, when it was their fault for not giving me the right thing in the first place.

Told my mom, "You were right mom, I have an infection, Cellulitis"
"Cellulite? Cottage Cheese fat on your arm? Then why is it red?"
"No mom, Cellulitis...not cellulite."
Oh mom.

Hope everyone is having a Terrific Tuesday, I am heading my way south this afternoon to visit my buddy Michele. We can gab and our boys can hang.
Man, I hope I don't get lost but it seems inevitable, always happens.

Time to Par-tay!

What comes before Part B?
Par-Tay!!

My sister tells that joke every chance she gets, and although we all know the punchline, we always play along.
Makes me laugh.
Annoys my brothers, which makes her do it more.

Simple, card with bright summer colors.
Cameo coral and Summer Sun, in case you were wondering.
Stamp is from A muse.
Colored the drinks themselves (cosmo, mai tai and margarita) with prisma pencils and gamsol, then colored the flowers with gel pens to make those really pop and the drinks to appear more transparent.
Punched with a scallop punch and added some Black Glaze pen doodling.
The "Time to Party" stamp is a $1 stamp from Michaels.

Thankful Thursday

I really like Thursdays, always feel like it is close enough to the weekend and just enough more time to finish this week's work.

Made this card for another of the challenges over at splicoast, it was a sketch plus there was another challenge to use bright colors and this one is definitely bright.

Got the big Heidi Swapp Thanks stamp on a recent trip to the Archiver's (I had a coupon).

I was reminded why I don't visit the A as much after a nice 5 minute argument about whether my carstock was Bazzill or not.

Girl, I know my cardstock.
Plus, why would I lie to make it cost me more?

Sheesh.
Some details: Cardstock colors-green galore, passion pink, only orange, white, black, Flower - Prima mini, Stamps- Heidi Swapp Thanks and Little Spots? from SU!, White Embossing Powder from SU!, Punches- SU!

Know of a Good Military School?

I think summer is wearing on me.
The kid with nothing to do.
The heat, although it has cooled off, thank god.
The lack of summer vacation.

All that, combined with the fact that my once perfect child is quickly approaching....
Da-da-da-dum...
Teenhood!
(the crowd shrieks in horror!)

I've never been shy about my feelings about teenagers, I can't stand them.
I think it is the "all about me" attitude, combined with sass that I just loathe.
I survived when 5 of my siblings were all teenagers at the same time, but barely.
Pretty sure it is the reason for my dislike.
I see the teens and tweens hanging out at the Walgreens just running through aisles, smacking on their gum, using foul language just to be cool....I just wanna smack one.
Fill in, because obviously their mother isn't there to do it herself and she would.
The behavior I have seen recently is just appauling.

Yes, yes...I was a teen once.
And unfortunately, because I was the oldest of many kids, I don't think I had a chance to be all "look, the world is actually revolving around me!"
I had diapers to change and kids to babysit all the time.
I had to work to pay my way through private high school.
I had a mom that had the strictest curfew of any other parent for at least 15 miles around.
And I always had this fear, oh my mom was good, that whatever I was doing when she wasn't around, she could hear about from someone...so, I was a good teenager.
To this day my mom always says, you kids were all good not like most kids.

So, now, my son, who is only 11 (I'm sorry, 11 and a half), seems to be rushing his way to puberty.
I don't know why I am suprised really.
He's always done everything faster than most.
Walked at 10 months.
Talked at birth, I swear. (and hasn't shut up since)
He's always in a rush for everything it seems.

The attitude is already starting.

My once super obedient, nice little baby is transforming into a "I want it", "Do I have to?", "None of my friends...", "Whatever" monster.
Don't get me wrong, he is still a great kid and a total momma's boy, but every once in a while the teen in him emerges.

"I'm gonna need new shoes for school and a backpack. But not one of those cheap ones, the one I want costs $60."
"I'm not buying a $60 backpack."
"Yes, you are. I want it."
"EXCUSE ME??!!"

That's when I lose it.
Turn into my mother.
The evil eye emerges, the tone of my voice lowers and I hear this come out of my mouth...
"Who do you think you are?"

Totally my mother.
Although she would add "girl" to the end.
And it would scare me to the bone.

He twinges a little but I don't think I have put enough fear into him yet.
Because he actually tried to follow it up.

"You never buy me anything I want."

Dontcha love when they say that.
I almost feel like I should make a list and when that comes out of his mouth, I just produce the mile long list of crap I have bought over the last 11 years, including every last quarter toy he just had to have at the supermarket exit.

"Go to your room. When I say you can come out, you better have a new attitude."

It's pushing the limits.
It's talking back.
It's "I want it now"!

I can't stand it.
Not sure I will survive another round of Teendom.
My sister actually told Max this weekend, "You're gonna be a teenager soon and you know your mom hates teenagers, so can you imagine how strict she'll be then?"
I think he was complaining that I am too mean because I make him do things around the house..oh the horror, the poor darling has to take out the trash!

When one of my brothers was about 13, he started to get a little sassy with my mother, he liked to slam doors too.
So my mother very quietly and calmly one day, took an ad from a magazine for a Military Academy, placed it on the fridge, then looked at my brother and said, "Keep it up mister and you'll be there before you know it. I already called."
That was it.
He behaved like an angel after that. Got straight A's in school and finished top of his class.

So I need to find a Military School....fast!

And if you are a teen or have a delightful perfect teen of your own, I am sure you are all lovely, like I said I wasn't a bad teen myself. We're a minority. But the majority of your counterparts are just not as lovely. And that's just my opinion and I am sticking to it.

RAKs

Got a lovely card from Michelle the other day, which is really what inspired me to bust out the new Halloween stamps and make my card.
So thanks Michelle, for the card and the kick in the behind!

It's hard to see but the letters on the Batty for You stamp are actually glittery.
She tells me it is embossing powder from her local shop.
Love the colors, purple and orange are my favs for Halloween.

This second card is made by Trish, she sent it to me because I sent her some A muse images for her to work with.

The petals are all oval punches and I know the sentiment is from SU, but not sure about the other stamp on the petals. Sorry it took me so long to get that picture Trish, life seems to get away from me from time to time.

Just a Tiny Note

Almost forgot I had this little baby to share today.
Made with White StazOn and the Paisley background from SU!
It is just a 3x3 little note.
Stamped the paisley on a small piece of acetate.
Cut the cardstock to 3 x 4 and scored at 1 inch.
Adhered the acetate below the scored strip.
Added stamped flower from Baroque Motif with a brad.
Pink Organdy ribbon on top. Simple little note, but I just love the white stamped on the acetate!

Tags

So all in the matter of two days I got tagged twice:

Once with this...

Malieta tagged me for the Thinking Blog, thanks girl. I never really thought anything I rambled about made anyone think anything.... but that I am a lunatic.

A lunatic with poor grammatical skills! (that wasn't even a sentence)

Nice to know I may occasionally make someone stop and think something other than that.

Bloggers that make me think:

1. My buddy Mimi: We have been blogging buddies for a couple years now I think? She is just enough like me and plenty different to make it a perfect harmony of friendship. And her posts are almost always deep, or at least I think so. And although I am not even a fraction as religious as she is, her thoughts are views on the matter always make me ponder.

2. Glo Girl: She is a person who puts it all out there too and I love that about her. She has ups and downs and it is all out there in the blog. Love seeing a different life unfold. Gloria rocks.

3. Elizabeth: I swear we have the same sense of humor. Seriously. Love that! And in case you missed it, she posted the secret to life yesterday. Ahhhh...if it was only that simple.

4. Melanie over at Mynee's Musings: She tells it like it is too. Gotta love a chick that actual goes on record saying she doesn't like Bellas. (I heard your gasp!) And man, I swear she leads an exciting life that I live vicariously through her blog.

5. Tara Whitney: Besides making me think that I will never be as good a photographer as her, I really look at her photos and try to memorize the composition, the positioning, the colors. Then I acually pay attention to anything that is written about the whole technicality of her photos in strives to become better. This is one that I read with both ears open...does that even make sense to anyone but me?

Then Michelle tagged me for Nice Blog. If anyone really deserves this award it would really be Michelle, she is truly one of the nicest bloggers I know.

And seriously, I think my family would disagree with ya, seeing as how I am known as the meanie of the bunch.

I must reserve all my niceness for friends only.

Too bad family, kiss my grits!

Some bloggers I think are nicey-nice:

1. Kristina Lewis
2. Melissa
3. Connie
4. Rose
5. Malieta

You may have already been tagged, but too bad.
I'll tag ya if I want.
Deal with it!
(told ya I wasn't that nice!)

Trick or Treat

Made one card this weekend, last night.
Felt like if I didn't I might lose my groove.
Took only a half hour which was good because it was still quite warm in the crafty room.
I think the heat made me more efficient.

Used my new Halloween stamps from Stampin' Up!
Love that little spider, although I find that the 1 inch circle punch is just slightly too big and that drives me a little batty.
Ha!
Well, it does.
The lil spidey is on the inside of the card through the circle punched window.

I also now know that I am wheel challenge.
I had such a hard time getting that darn thing straight.
I know, I know...Get the guide thingy.
Just don't want to buy a glorified ruler, just don't.
I'm cheap like that.
Tried it with a regular ruler, didn't really work, got ink on the ruler too.
Anyone got a secret method?
Maybe you could share it with the wheely challenged, I am sure I am not the only one.

Oh...Too early for Halloween?

Monday Monday

Sing it with me...

Every other day every other day
Every other day of the week is fine yeah
But whenever Monday comes but whenever Monday comes
A you can find me cryin' all of the time
Monday Monday can't trust that day
Monday Monday it just turns out that way
Oh Monday Monday won't go away
Monday Monday it's here to stay

Man, this song is so right on the money.
Oh, how I hate Mondays.
Getting in the car this morning, dropped my energy soda and punctured a tiny hole right in the side spraying about 2 ounces directly on my legs and feet.
Carefully carried the rest of the can to work, I knew I would need that crazy ginseng more now that the day started in this fashion.

First, let me say...THANKS!
Super duper thanks to everyone who comments on my blog, really it is your comments that keep me laughing and thinking.
The headless teacher comments had me going for days!
Didn't even think about people putting their own heads on the teacher body, that is even funnier or better yet...A pumpkin head for halloween.....HY-sterical!
And Donna, you totally rock for standing up and proclaiming your love for the headless...Way to stand up and be heard, love that!

I honestly thought that there was something that I just didn't "get" about it.
Like when someone tells a joke and everyone is laughing and you're laughing too just to fit in, but you haven't a clue what was so funny...that's how I felt.
Glad to see some other people just don't get it either.

If there is one thing about me you should know, I always speak my mind, sometimes to a fault really and before I posted about the teacher I had second thoughts.
I was afraid there could be repercussions for making such a bold statement from the stamping world.
Got a couple emails after the post about the creepy headless teacher.
Thought for sure it was the stamping mafia coming for me and my big mouth.
Thank god it wasn't.
Just more people in agreement, some who didn't post it in the comments on the blog.
I suspect they are afraid of the stamping mafia as well.


My wine party was a total hit.
Took pictures.
Eleven bottles of wine later...pictures are gone.
Don't know what I or someone else did, but they are gone.
Oh well.
Had so much fun it didn't matter, laughed and ate and drank, good times.
And it was officially my first grown up party, no kegs or Cheetos.
I made these Chicken Kabobs and now the kid is convinced everything should be wrapped in bacon to make it taste better.

After the party Friday night, we did absolutely NOTHING the rest of the weekend.
Didn't leave the house at all!
Didn't touch the computer (at least I didn't).
Watched movies (finished Weeds season 3...OMG!!)
Just chilled.
I can't remember the last time I did that.
A weekend with no where to be or no errands that had to get done...it was so wonderful, words cannot describe the thrill it was to just put life on pause for a couple days.
The kid wasn't too happy about having nothing to do, but he entertained himself and was actually pretty happy I wasn't rushing around and making him go to stores or dress up.
If you haven't had a "pause day" in a while, think about fitting one in, I can't explain how it really gave my batteries a re-charge.
Make it happen, you'll be glad you did.

Randomness

Just skip this whole post if you don't want to hear a major ramble about completely random things.
Seriously, this is like brain exhaust comin' at ya.


Got a menu decided for Friday's party, thousand thanks for all the nifty ideas and links, I swear this blog is one of the best decisions I have ever made.
Made a grocery list.
And a To-do list because I have completely neglected my place since the heat has sucked my will to live.

Dropped my camera yesterday.
Cried a little.
Thank god it is still working, I think.

Am I the only person that thinks the new school set from MFT is a little creepy??
I know all their other sets are missing heads too, but this one just seems a little off.
Is anyone with me?
Decapitated teacher is not on my wishlist, for sure.

Pamela tagged me about a thousand years ago to list 7 random things about me and well I completely forgot. So here are some more if you aren't sick of me yet.
1. Michele and I are quickly becoming awesome friends, love that chick!
2. Haven't put on a bathing suit since 2005.
3. I make my bed each night before I get in it.
4. I have a sink full of dirty silverware at home, we've run out of everything but knives.
5. Saw THIS cutting tool for kids at school on TV and now I want one.
6. Haven't had my hair done all summer, so there is 2 inches of brown roots on top of my black hair.
7. Love koolaid, but only the kind you make yourself with only 3/4 cup sugar. (green is my favorite)

All my crafty stuff is in the hottest room in my apartment, so needless to say I haven't touched a piece of cardstock the last few days.
But I did mount a new stamp set last night, is it too early to get ready for Halloween?

Done watching the Rescue Me dvds for Season 3, now I have to wait forever for the current season to come out on dvd.
Poor cable-less girl.
Unless someone has them and can send them to me?? *wink*

In the middle of Weeds, season 2 now.
Love that show.
Anyone got the Netflix and love it?
Let me know, we could be friends and you could get all my crazy movie notes I send all my other friends.

Man, this is totally boring...sorry, better stuff tomorrow.

Robo-Tuesday

Finally brought my camera to work so I could capture this little guy that sits on my monitor and watches my every move.
One day a couple weeks ago I couldn't get the kid to go to day camp and he spent his day trying to amuse himself in my office.
He giggle at himself while he carefully cut out the little guy.
Everyday I giggle just a little (even weeks later) because
He likes to make himself laugh, just like me.
And he abuses the exclamation point just like....ME!!!!!!!!!

Woke him up bright and early this morning for day 2 of what I am now referring to as Sweat Camp, instead of soccer camp.
"Max, it's time to get up!"
"Why?"
"You have to get ready for camp."
"I have to go back?"

Didn't want to put his shoes back on his now blistered little footsies.
And it's 90 again.

A little wine

The kind you drink, not the kind that comes out of my mouth most days.

This card is another for one of the dares, embossing on vellum.
Got this stamp set at the Archivers over the weekend, wasn't gonna buy anything but this whole set of cocktail stamps practically jumped in my hands.
In fact, Max was the one who said, "Here mom, you would like these."
Wow, what does that say about me?
Mad me laugh.
Then proudly proclaimed loudly enough for the chicks closest to me to hear...
"Mama likes to get her drink on baby!"
I am hosting a wine tasting party on Friday for everyone who helped me move this last time.
My family and friends loved it the last time we did it and have begging me ever since to do it again.
So, trying to put the final touches on the place and shove everything else in closets.
Gotta at least give the appearance that I am all moved in and settled.

I am making little scoring books for my guests (did this last time and it was a hoot!) with these new stamps but when I color and blend with my gamsol, it is smearing the black Staz On ink.
This frustrates me to no end.
It has never done this before, but my new white cardstock from SU, which is not only in super flimsy form now, but it also does this!
It is making my white wine look all mucky.

I know there is a tip out there somewhere, so feel free to throw it this way.

I am serving appiteasers for my little shindig, but haven't a clue what besides the cheese plate.
These people are obsessed with their cheese.
And chocolate fondue for dessert.
They love their chocolate too.
What else could I make that does not require a stove?
And would be a good wine party appiteaser?
Cheetos in a big bowl?
Does that scream classy?

Mad Monday Continues...

Just another Manic Monday....(oh, Elizabeth, I am so gonna kill you!)

So, yes that damn song is still in my head, over and over....
That's my fun day....

Picked up poor Max at Soccer Camp and some children were barfing from the heat...such a lovely way to end a day.
Felt so bad about driving him home in our hot car after he sweated his day away at camp, so we stopped for Slurpees, seemed to make the hot car less of a problem after that.
Glad to see that maybe it is the heat getting to me, and I am not the only one.
And let's face it, there are just some days when you are just off.
Today was one of those days.

Here's a couple cards I made yesterday for one of the Dares over at Splitcoast.
Make two cards, one simple, then add some magic to the second.
These are 4 x 4, figured that they would still fit in a regular envelope, so that's the size they are.
For the card with the added jazz, I used my Stardust pen to add some glitter to the swirls of the Baroque swirls. It is a clear glitter pen but for some reason, mine looks gold.
If you have this pen...Does yours look goldish too?
Then I used the Hero Arts gem stones to the flower and the swirls.
I have a few more challenges I want to take a stab at still and there are a couple more cards I made that I am not totally thrilled with that needed to be saved...
But alas, it is too hot in the back room where all the scrappies are, so that will have to wait for cooler, or at least less humid weather.

It is so humid here....You should see how big my hair is!!

Mad Monday

It's Monday, that alone is a reason to be grumpy.
But I am especially cranking this Monday.

Had to be at work at 8:30 today.
The kid thought he'd like to chat at 6:45am.
Almost killed a child at 6:46am.
Have to leave at 2:30 to fight traffic to the lakefront to get the kid from Soccer Camp.
Did I mention that my car does not have a/c?
Oh, and neither does my office, really.
So, it's about 85 degrees inside.
Having leftovers for lunch...yuck!
Returning my current Rescue Me dvd to Netflix, just found out it is the last one of that season and now I will have to wait another 8 months to see what happens.
Stuff in my car for the post office but I sooooo don't wanna go.
Just realized I have nothing in the fridge for dinner.

Yup.
Totally crabby, grouchy, unpleasant day.

Did some scrappin yesterday and hated everything I made, it was like I was just disfunc.
Know what I mean?
Couldn't match anything.
Got ink on my hand and touched said hand right on a finished white card.
Made a scrapbook page, didn't look right, so I added stuff, and more stuff...now I really don't like it.

Maybe it's the heat that just makes me downright rotten.
It's only 90 degrees and the humidity dropped it is only 95% now.

Be back later with something nicer.
Promise.

And I got this today too!

My buddy Carol sent me this little guy in the mail, he arrived today.
Love that stamp!
Really...She rocks!!
Totally!

A Peek at the New Place

So, I realize that I have posted like No pictures of my new place since I moved a month ago and it was totally on purpose!
You see, I am totally challenged in the area of interior design...completely!
Can't match furniture or create a room to save my life.
I have pictures that need to be hung and have no idea, where, how high or if they even match!
So, most things are put away in the new place, but it is still lacking a little in the "feeling like a home" department.

My biggest dilemma is in the kitchen hallway, where I have this massive built in wooden hutch that is directly across from the bathroom door.
What am I supposed to put in this monster?
I stuck my cocktail glasses in there for now, they are kinda pretty, I guess.
But what else?
My dishes?
Wouldn't they get dusty?
Plus, well, they don't match.
Yes, I am over 30 and my dishes still don't match.
And how do I add little knicky knacky stuff without making it look like I am 15 again displaying my carebear collectables?
Here's a shot of the hutch, disregard the clutter that appears now.
The phone stuff has to stay there, it is where the jack is and there is no other place in the kitchen for message central, but other than that...Help!!From the other way, in case that helps in deciding what goes here.

This is the only thing I am certain belonged on the hutch.
Doubt he will come to life or anything, there are no doors on the hutch.
But we wish he would.
Max and I always say how cool it would be to have some little toys to come to life.

Coulda put him in the bathroom.
The medicine cabinet has doors and looks slightly magical.
But these guys were already in there and have resided in my medicine cabinet for the past 12 years.
Love seeing them every morning, still makes me chuckle.
When the kid was old enough to realize there were strange little toys in our medicine cabinet, he asked me one day, "Who is that?"
"Oh, you mean Gumby and Blockhead?"
"Yeah, why are they in there?"
"Why not?"

I have regretted saying that many, many times.
"Why are you wearing that shirt backwards?"
"Why not?"

I can see clearly now...

The rain has gone
I can see all the obstacles in my way.

Have no clue who sings that!
Salt-n-Peppa!
You have all set me straight, I just don't know my pop music like I should.
I can recognize a song and maybe know some of the lyrics, but chances are I am saying that it was by Tiffany when it was really Stacy Q.
Plus, I thought Salt-n-Peppa only sang Push it.
And I still don't know what Color Me Badd sings then??

And I am terrible at making decisions.
But the decision has been made.
I am no longer a demo.
Just don't love the SU products like I once did and am so ticked about some of their policies that are looser for some demos and not others and so many problems with their current products would not make me as a consumer buy from them, so I think it makes me incapable of effectively selling their stuff.
Plus, there are so many other things I would buy other than SU, so I will just do that.
And I still need stuff for the new place, so the money will likely go in that direction.

Thanks for all the words of encouragement, made it all much easier.
No regrets.

Now on to the good stuff...
Here is another challenge over at the Dirty Dares.
When I was making this card, I realized that I was out of acetate and transperencies.
Then, I had a genius moment!
You know, a moment when you come up with something so good, you think to yourself...GENIUS!
Well, this was that moment.

Had to use acetate or transperency to complete the challenge and I had the idea for this card, when I realized...I could use a clear envelope, if I cut it!
I thought for a moment that maybe the Staz On might not work as well on the envelope, but it did!
I started squealing with delight in my brilliant scheme.
Made the kid run in to see what all the ruckus was about.
He wasn't impressed, but I was plenty impressed for the both of us.
I even made this card as well....

See!!
The pink petals are actually under the sheet!
If you want to make this type of affect, I definitely advise you use the Hermafix repositionable adhesive when you are originally placing the petals down, so you can place and then check the position and replace as necessary.

Also, when using brads with these pretend acetate sheets, be careful, they tear very easily. On the first card, I put the brad through only the flower, not the clear sheet and glued the clear piece underneath the flower to keep it from slipping on the card.

So, there you have it, when in a crunch and you don't have an acetate sheet, use one of the clear envelopes or packaging (that works too!) and your Staz On, works like a charm!

Totally thought of this myself, hate saying that because someone is gonna say they thought of it, but I swear, thought of this all by my lonesome, never saw this anywhere but my own crazy whacked head! (seems a shame I have to say that, but just feel like I do nowadays)