Don't Look at the Bags Under My Eyes

I am glad the World Series is over. I didn't think I'd be able to take another night of games going past midnight. It was good for folding laundry and getting Halloween costumes ready, but I've had enough. More importantly, the Red Sox WON!!! My husband was so happy. He woke up our son, Joey, at the bottom of the 9th so he could watch the final two outs. It was such a sweet moment. I *heart* the Red Sox for giving me that!

So, with all this baseball stuff going on, I've had limited stamping time. But I did want to share another little something with you. Every year I make a few different holiday card designs to send to family and friends. My husband thinks I am crazy for doing it, but I usually make the designs quick and easy. Here is the first one, quick, easy and good for a chuckle.




If you've ever been to Tijuana, Mexico, it is possible that you've seen a donkey painted to look like a zebra. So, why not make a donkey look like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? (I inked up Blitzen's antlers to achieve this.) I am so happy that there is a "Feliz Navidad" sentiment, too. You can find it on the
A Muse On Line Shopping Cart - look for the Holiday Greetings set.

I hope to get back to some more stamping soon, but tonight, I think I am going to go to bead EARLY! Happy Monday to you :)

card info: images, sentiment, ribbon, twinkle sticker by A Muse, cardstock by Bazzill and scrap supply, Prismacolor markers - crimson red, warm grey 40%, cinnamon toast, Copic marker - baby skin pink, eyelet from my supply.

Another Thanksgiving Idea

I am still working on some fun things for the kids' table for our Thanksgiving. I think it would be nice to have place cards, but that might not really appeal to the kids. So, I made paper cup/wine glass charms.




The inspiration for these came from an idea in the Nov. 2007 Family Fun magazine. Their idea was to take digital photos, print on shrink plastic and make into wine glass charms. That would be cute and personal, but these pilgrims are cute, too, and I just wrote each name on the back. I don't know about you, but I am a bit reluctant to give kids under 10 glass glasses. So, unless I find some plastic wine glasses, I will just wrap ribbon around the paper cups to hold the charms in place. Since three other kids will be using sippy cups, I only made charms for the four oldest. I am still working on a couple of other ideas for Thanksgiving. My kids are getting excited to see everyone, too. And, thank you to all who have asked about and offered good thoughts for my sister. She has had her second round of chemo and things are starting to look good for her. If you don't mind, though, keep 'em coming!

info: images by A Muse, circle punches (1" and 1 1/8"), Copic marker-baby skin pink, Prismacolor markers- walnut and sand, wire earring hoops, ribbon by SU!

Some Stamping Culture

Some of you may know that my family background is truly American. I have a Chicana mother and a son of an Arkansas farmer father, with Scoth-Irish and American Indian running through his veins. Now, I am married to an Irish Lithuanian from south of Boston! My kids have quite the cultural make-up, don't they? Growing up, we didn't want to learn Spanish, thinking that it was something we wouldn't need. But, my mom made great Mexican food, which was difficult because during the 70s in Northern Virginia it was hard to find "the good stuff." Slowly, things changed, and I became much more aware of my personal background and much more appreciative of what my grandfather's family did, coming to America during the Mexican Revolution. I am glad that my mother is sharing Mexican traditions with my children, too. One of these is "Dia de los Muertos" or Day of the Dead. This is a custom in Mexico in which you honor your deceased family members on the first two days of November (All Saints and All Souls days). You can find lots of info here. Skulls and skeletons are HUGE for the celebrations, as are marigolds. So, I fashioned myself a Dia de los Muertos card!




The Mexican skeletons have even gone mainstream: last year and this year, I have seen Mexican inspired Halloween decor at Target, including a mariachi attired skeleton. I love the look, but my 6 year old hates "spooky" so I don't have many skulls or skeletons, yet! I hope you've enjoyed this cultural interlude, stamping style. I'll have one more Dia de los Muertos card for you soon.

card info: images by A Muse, cardstock from my supply, black pen (for the moustache), paper flowers by Doodlebug and Prima, stickles.

10-20-30 Tag

The Red Sox won LATE last night and I am a bit bleary this morning. But, my husband it away, so I've got to get four kids up and out the door soon! The lovely MJ at Inking Good Times tagged me for this game called 10-20-30 (what were you doing 10, 20 and 30 years ago). So, here goes:
10 years - I have been married for almost a year and a half. I am really just learning about my husband's passion for the Boston Red Sox.
20 years ago - I was in high school and in the fall I went to lots of football games to be rowdy and start "The Wave" with my friends. I didn't pay much attention to the Red Sox, either. I was an Orioles fan.
30 years ago - I had just started first grade. I wore a uniform jumper and hunter green knee socks (for 8 years!). To me, red socks were probably non-existent!

I'm not sure who to tag now, but here is a short list:

Amanda
Katie
Tracy
Connie

I hope that I can make it back to post later today. Before I do, though, gotta get some sleepy kids out of bed! Have a great day!

Spooky Chandelier

Believe it or not, but a Dora the Explorer story actually inspired this card! One of the pictures had a chandelier with spiderwebs on it and I figured it was possible to do the same with my rubber stamp image. I highlighted the spiderweb a bit with a stardust pen, so that it would sparkle just a bit, too.




I've stamped a bunch of Halloween cards this year, so now I need to get these sent out to friends who have kids. I have just two more Halloween designs to share with you before I start sharing Christmas/winter holiday cards. I am still working on a good design to mass produce. I've had so many friends and family say how much they enjoy the handmade cards, so it is one job I look forward to doing.

card info: images, ribbon and sentiment by A Muse, cardstock by Bazzill and my supply, patterned paper by Doodlebug, brads by Making Memories, Sakura Stardust pen, black pen.

I had an "A ha!" moment

My whole family is going to go to see my sister in Massachusetts for Thanksgiving next month. We will have 8 children ages 8 years to 6 months, so we can have a bona fide kids table! I have always thought that the kids tables decorations I've seen in Pottery Barn catalogs and Martha Stewart and Family Fun magazines are great, but sometimes it hasn't seemed worth the hassle for just my kids. So I've been thinking of what I could make to bring with me. Last night, this is what I made:




I had seen a similar matchbook on the A Muse News blog (see it here). I thought these would be perfect for little hands. The kids can write or draw pictures inside on the pages. I love these so much, I have decided to make my older two children "Wish List" matchbooks for the Christmas holidays this year!

In other news, my very *first* Card of the Week was featured in the A Muse Newsletter on Friday. I was so excited! If you don't receive the newsletter and would like to click here to find out how to sign up. Also, don't forget about sending in your Cards for a Cause before the end of the month. You'll be eligible for a random prize drawing - good stuff for stampers!

matchbook info: papers and image by A Muse, copy paper, black pen, Copic marker-raw silk, Prismacolor markers-cinnamon toast, ballet pink.

Birthday Barrage Continues!

This is my baby, my wee Clare. She is one today! I cannot believe she is toddling around, nor can I believe she still has blue eyes and this reddish-blond hair. It is absolutely crazy! We'll be having homemade chocolate cake after supper - YUM :)




Saturday is my husband's grandfather's birthday. He is such a sweet, dear man - we just love him! He is a die-hard Red Sox fan, too (GO SOX!!!), so I wanted to make him a baseball themed birthday card. The new A Muse clear set has great mitt and baseball images, so I put them together with the little star to make a fun little card. Now, it is up to the Red Sox to make his birthday a little happier.

card info: images and sentiment by A Muse, cardstock from my scrap supply, tag punch by Martha Stewart, circle punches, jump ring, ribbon by Offray, pop dot, Prismacolor markers-crimson red and sand.

Catching Up

Here is my big girl, Emma. We had her "make your own pizza" party last Friday and it was a lot of fun. A lot of work, but fun. I had made chef's hats for the kids, too. That is the weird white thing hanging on her chair. Emma had a great time and is, naturally, already thinking about next year's party!



Here's the cake. I thought she'd want a cake that looked like a slice of pizza, but she said candy corn, so , there you go. She is DEFINITELY my daughter, huh? This was also a big hit because there were candy corns all along the bottom of the cake, too.





After a party, you've got to have thank you notes, right? So, I made pizza chef thank yous. I know, I know, pizza chefs don't toss dough with the toppings already on it, but I hope that the 6 and 7 year olds recipients don't notice ;) Where'd the pizza stamp come from, you might ask? It is the mini oval from the A MUSE A PALOOZA 2007 release! I used the rock and roll technique for the dough and cheese, then drew in the rest.




And, finally, here is what I have been trying to get done at the sewing machine lately. My kids decided to be Harry Potter and Hermoine Granger for Halloween. I am making up their school robes with no pattern or anything, which is hard for a novice seamstress (I use that term very loosely!) like me. This is the first time I've done sleeves, lining and a hood, so I am way out of my element here. My husband keeps reminding me that it will be dark and the robes are black, so mistakes are unnoticeable. I figure, hey, if the kids are happy, I should be, too. That, and I didn't have to pay something along the lines of $25 per costume. All the materials for this so far total about $17. I have one more to make before Halloween, so wish me luck!

card info: notecards, images and sentiment by A Muse, ribbon by May Arts, Prismacolor markers-black, crimson red, raspberry, walnut, Copic marker-baby skin pink, Making Memories ribbon slot punch.

Jane Dandy

I thought I'd share a card I made to send to the WCMD blog contest winner, Ingrid. I know she has received it, so this is not spoiling the surprise. If you recall, I had asked what A Muse stamp each person wanted. Ingrid had said Calamity Jane, so I made her a card with that sweet little lady on it. For the sentiment, I merely inked up the parts of the stamp I wanted.

On a side note, the party was great. Every parent that dropped of a child said they loved the invites! I was so glad :) I have to work on thank you notes now. However, I promised my kids I'd work on Halloween costumes today. Ugh, it never ends! I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

card info: image and sentiment by A Muse, patterned paper by Crate Paper, cardstock from my supply, stickles, ribbon by Martha Stewart, paper flowers by Doodlebug and Prima, Prismacolor markers-crimson red, sand, Copic marker-baby skin pink.

Okay, I lied...

I said I wouldn't post before Saturday, but I have almost everything done for this evening, so I thought I'd post real quick. I have a friend from college who just had twin boys! I wanted a cute, but not too cute, card to send them. These new polka dot notecards from A Muse are sensational! This light brown was perfect for a soft look, without too much blue. And it fit the punched squares so nicely, too. Now, I have a very hot date with my vacuum, so I'm off. Have a wonderful Friday!

card info: notecard, papers, image and sentiment by A Muse, Prismacolor marker-sky blue light, pop dots, corner rounder, ribbon from my supply.

Delayed posting due to KIDS!

Fortunately, my kids are not in trouble at school and are all healthy (for now). However, this birthday party comes at a very crazy time. I'm sure that I am not the only one in this position, either, so I cannot complain too much or too loudly. I've been trying to get some games and activities organized, as well as a few goodies for the party guests. I've come up with a treat bag, too, based on a SCS tutorial I saw back in the summer. It is called a 2-5-7-10 bag, but I needed it taller, so I modified the measurements so that it would work with a 12"x12" piece of cardstock. I wanted something along the lines of a "doggie bag" from a restaurant; I think this is close ;) I've got pencils, mini candy bars, glow stick bracelets and bubbles inside.

The party is tomorrow and I still have a few things to do, so I probably will not post before Saturday. Right now, I am in need of some harvest salad! Here's the recipe:
1 bag of m&ms
1 bag of candy corn
1/2 of a jar of dry roasted peanuts
Mix together in a bowl and snack away!


info: cardstock by Bazzill and my supply, stamps by A Muse, computer, ribbon from SU!, corner rounder.

WCMD Winners

HI everyone! I have had a very busy day today and am just now getting a chance to be off my feet. I didn't want to keep anyone waiting too long for the announcement of my WCMD giveaway. There were two prizes. The first is being shipped directly from Seattle all the way to...... INGRID OTT! Yay Ottchix! The second prize is from me (a collection of ColorBox fluid chalk ink cat's eyes and more) and it goes to...DENISE! Please send me your USPS addresses ("contact me" under my picture) and I will do my best to get your special treats to you soon! Congratulations and thanks to everyone who commented. It was so nice to hear from many of you :)

Around the World in a Card

I had a "vision" of how this card would work, but I couldn't get it *just* right. I think it would be good as faux postage, but, I didn't try that this time around. This is just a quick post to say hello and remind you to play along in the giveaway two posts below. If you have never posted me a comment before, I hope you will today! Have fun making cards today.

card info: images and sentiment by A Muse, brads by Making Memories, cardstock by Bazzill and my scrap supply, ColorBox fluid chalk ink, black pen, Prismacolor and Copic markers.

Cool Little Dude

Another card from my archives to share today. It is very similar to one posted on Emily's blog today. I'd like to say great minds think alike, but Emily is stamping genius and I don't categorize myself as such. **She will be at the A Muse shop tomorrow afternoon, so stop by to see her! I hope to get to meet her myself someday soon.** We gave this card to our neighbor who is turning two tomorrow. My two year old helped "paint" her name inside by smearing an inked up stamp across the inside!

Tomorrow is World Card Making Day! If you are a stamper or crafter, I hope you have some fun cardmaking planned. I'd like to, but I'm not sure that it will happen for me. My in-laws are coming for a visit and we are always so busy when they are here. My kids can't wait!

If you missed yesterday's post, make sure to check it out because I have a terrific A Muse giveaway. I actually have *two* things to give away, so make sure to post before midnight Saturday night!

card info: notecard, images and sentiment by A Muse,Prismacolor markers-muted turquoise, pumpkin orange, avocado.

A Two-fer

Well, I have been meaning to do one of the A Muse Addicts Yahoo! group challenges for a while, but just never found the time to do it. I took a little bit of my scheduled cleaning time today to make a this quick card for the monochromatic challenge that ends today! I guess I am in the mood for lots of pink this month, so I made this card with two shades of pink. Quick and easy and it is a 3" x 3" card, too, so nice for a gift!



This card I made some time ago, just never got around to sharing it with you. This is for all of you who come and check up on me regularly. I really do treasure the internet/blog friends I have made! It is always nice to hear from those of you who leave me a comment, too. So, in return for the warm fuzzy feelings you all have given me, I have an A Muse giveaway in honor of World Card Making Day! I had thought to make this a toughie, but then decided to go easy on you ;) If you would like to enter, all you have to do is tell me TWO things:
1. What is your favorite or most-used A Muse stamp?
2. What A Muse stamp do you most desire to own?
I will leave this open through Saturday, October 6, midnight (I'm east coast). I will pull a number from the hat and post the winner on Sunday! Please, only one entry per person. I can't wait to hear from you! Good luck!!!!!

card #1 info: cardstock by Bazzill and my supply, images and sentiment by A Muse.

card #2 info: paper, image and sentiment by A Muse, clip by Making Memories, crystals by EK Success, ribbon by May Arts.

Living in the woods

This was a scene straight form my backyard a few days ago. Our dining room window faces towards the woods and we occasionally catch a deer or two in the yard. A few days ago, there was a group of at least six does and young bucks outside. One was under our pine trees, looking much like this fella. Nature is nice, but once it comes inside the house, I don't like it as much, i.e. crickets, spiders, bats, mosquitoes, squirrels, mice, bats, etc. Yes, I said bats...twice!!! I don't know that you can tell from the picture, but the edge below the pine cone edge was trimmed off, so the card does not stand up properly.

World Card Making Day is almost here. Are you ready for some fun? I hope that you have been making cards to send to friends, family and good causes. Getting mail puts such a smile on your face, doesn't it?

card info:images, PLP and sentiment by A Muse, cardstock from my supply, Prismacolor markers - walnut, sand, dark green.

Nothing Better to Do

As if I am not busy enough with four kids, I have THREE! with birthdays in the fall. Two of those are within a week of each other, too. My oldest daughter is turning six next Friday and I was a little behind on putting something together. Ok, I was WAY behind. I had to figure out a plan and get invitations done last night, so that I could get them to six darlings today. We decided on a "make your own pizza" party for next Friday afternoon. Emma loves to help me make pizza, so this seemed like a good idea, but I wasn't sure about the invites.

I decided to make the invitations look like menus from an Italian restaurant. My brilliant husband took my ideas for the inside a bit further than I had expected, but I loved the end result. I hope that people "get" it!

Now, it is almost World Card Making Day! I hope that you are ready for some fun. I will have some fun, dare I say it, *giveaways* this week, too, so get ready!!!!! Tell your friends, pass it on, share the love, ok?

On a side note, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so in honor of my dear sister, Laura, who has been diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer, I have added some dashes of pink to my blog. I hope that you take some time to read about breast cancer this month, too. Educate yourself! And, {{{hugs}}} to all of you who are affected in some way by breast cancer.

card info: images by A Muse, cardstock from my supply, ribbon by May Arts.