Meow Meow!!

Some of you might remember our cat O'Riley. We adopted him last summer from a local shelter. He was an young adult orange tabby with the coolest personality. We really enjoyed having him as part of our family...but the silly boy must have been a wanderer. Cuz...he kept running away! The last time was a few months ago and I had resigned myself that we just were not destined to have a cat.
But I am a total cat person. I just kept having this nagging voice telling me that we should try again. I knew we didn't want a kitten....I already have 2 kids, I didn't need 2 more. I didn't want a cat that was older and already set in it's ways. I needed to find a cat that was still young, good with people, especially kids. No health problems, already fixed and current on shots. Seemed like a lot to ask. So, I checked with the local pet rescue places and they actually did not have any cats they thought would fit our family. I knew I could go to the county shelter and rescue one there but I thought to myself.....maybe I can rescue one before it ended up there.
Which is what took me to Craigslist. Anytime I need anything that is one of the first places that I check. I contacted a number of people before I found a cat that really seemed like it would be a good fit. The catch was.....he had a buddy...and their owner really wanted to keep them together. Now, I have always thought that cats should be in pairs at least so I didn't have a problem with this. DH was not thrilled when I brought the idea to him but because he is such a great guy, and he knew how much I really wanted a cat so he agreed to go check them out with the kids and I. We had to drive about 40 minutes to get to their home..........but I think it was worth the trip.


So these are our new boys.....






They of course have names - they were named after a classical music composer (Can't remember who) who had 2 alter egos. Florestan and Eusebuis....which are very hard names to not only remember but to pronounce. So we are going to have to try to come up with something a little easier. We are thinking for the white/orange one we will just shorten it to Stan. But for the silky grey one....not really sure yet.

So far Stan has adjusted really well. He is out and about checking out the house. He loves to have his head rubbed and has the loudest purr. Now his buddy..is MIA and we kind of expected that. We were told he is very shy at first but will warm up quickly and actually be the one who is the big love. Hopefully we will see him tomorrow but for now we are just going to give him as much time as he needs.

So that is our exciting news for the day. Thanks for coming by to see what is going on with us!!

Ever had a Bat??

Last night I was cleaning up my stamp area. I have been a busy girl with some Challenge cards and D's birthday invites and my table was a huge mess. I don't create well that way....I am way too organized. So I had this huge pile of cards that I can use for RAK's, birthday's etc. but I needed a place to store them. Since the move I have not been able to find my box I usually use. I walked out to the garage to grab one of the many empty shoe boxes I keep for reasons just like this.
I was about 10 steps in and was almost dive bombed by this flying animal. It was flying in a circle and at first I thought it was one of the annoying little starlings that have made a nest in my attic. But as it made it's 2nd pass at me I realized that it's wingspan was way to long and the shape just didn't match one of those little birds. It took maybe 1/2 of a second for me to realize what was going on......and by that time I was running for the door.
I have never seen a bat that close to me except at a zoo when it was behind a glass wall. I came flying into the basement trying not to scream and wake the kids......"It's a Bat!! It's a Bat in the garage!!!" My husband was on the couch and just kind of looked at me. "What?" he says.
I took a few deep breaths and told him again....and of course I was not going to go back out there to show him what I had found. Luckily he was able to just open the garage door from the outside and the little bat flew out and away. I have no idea how, or when he got in there and I have no idea how many of his friends live around here. But be sure that I am on the lookout now. I know there are bats everywhere. I am used to seeing them at dusk when we are out camping. I'm just not used to seeing them in my garage!!

How about a card?

I've made a few cards in the last month for challenges and such that I have not posted here. So I thought tonight that I would share one with you. All products used are Stampin Up! unless otherwise noted.
This card was created for a Limited Supply Challenge. I am afraid I don't remember which one and cannot look it up at the moment, as SCS is down for maintenance. But I do remember that the challenge was to make a masculine birthday card using a non-masculine set.
The card base is Old Olive, stamped with Print Pattern. The main image is stamped on Whisper White. I colored the image with watercolor crayons and blended with the Aqua Painter.
Then it is mounted on black and More Mustard. I used a CM corner rounder as well. The sentiment is stamped in Mustard, mounted on White. I used a black pen for the faux brads and mounted on black gingham ribbon.


I think it turned out really well. I was not sure where I was going with this when I started it but I do think it ended up being fairly masculine.

Thanks for stopping by. I am planning on doing quite a bit of stamping this weekend so hopefully I will have lots to share with you!

If I would just stop traveling

Maybe I could keep up on my Blog a little better. I've been wanting to post for days and days....sorry I took so long.

So - Disneyland! We had a wonderful time! The morning we left, we pulled the kids out of bed and right to the car at 4:30am. Once we got to the airport and got the bags checked in we were finally able to breath for a few moments. We had not told the kids we were taking a trip, and even at the airport we did not tell them where we were going.
So, we got on the plane and got totally lucky to end up getting one whole row to ourselves. The flight was pretty quick and the kids did a great job! D started getting restless about 1/2 hour before landing and then fell asleep. Of course!!

Anyways...we started out trip in San Diego with a quick visit at my oldest brothers house. We have not seen him or his wife since Christmas so that was a treat! And they treated us to SeaWorld. Oh man...what a fun place. It was our first trip to SD or SeaWorld and the kids loved Shamu! My son is still asking every day to go again....More, More he asks!


This is DD at the tide pool. She was freaked at first but was then totally into it.

This next pic is my brother, sis in law, DD, with me and DS in the back.

DS favorite part of the day was
He was up on his feet clapping and hollering everytime Shamu did a trick. It was so cool to see them having so much fun!
The kids could have just stayed there and watched show after show after show.

After a few more activities and a very full day, we headed up north to spend the rest of the evening with Mike and Kiki. It was really hard to leave them the next day, as we were headed to Anaheim but I was so thankful that we had the chance to even spend 1 day with them.

As this post has gotten a tad long, I'll wrap it up and post again tomorrow. I think we took something like 500 pictures so it could get to be a 10 parter before it's all said and done!

Thanks for coming by and seeing what is going on here. If you haven't already Please sign my guestbook! I would love to know where everyone is visiting from.

Sign my Guestbook!

More cards....

I have been really busy the last week or so, trying to get caught up on some challenges. Last week's Ways to Use it challenge was Acetate or window sheets. I would love to actually try a shaker card sometime but last week was not the time for me to take on a card that seems so hard and scary. So, instead I used the sheets to create the mirror effect. I have made one other card using this technique quite some time ago and I really liked it. Since I was able to make a trade and get Lovely as a Tree, I thought that would be a good set to try with this.

Another first for me was making an oversized, square card. The dimensions are about 5.5 X 5.5. The card base is Caribbean cool. The main image was stamped on Whisper White and stamped with Black Stazon. I used the Watercolor crayons and Gamasol for the coloring. The image is then mounted on Gable Green and Chocolate. A Chocolate polka dot ribbon was used as the final accent.





The other Way's to Use it challenge I did involved Orchid. I always think I am going to have a hard time with this color, but I am pretty happy with the way this turned out.

For this card the Orchid is used as the card base and the main image came from the set Bud Basics. It was in last year's summer mini (I think) and I really hope that it will be in the upcoming SU! Catalog. Black was used as the main accent color, with little splashes of Green Galore. I used both the word window punch and the horizontal slot punch on the card. It is a very bright, springy card and I really like it.











My family and I are leaving on Saturday morning for our first real family vacation since having both kids. It is a total spur of the moment trip, which is not like my DH at all. He called me last week at work one day and just said "Lets take a trip...get to some sunshine for a few days"
So, of course I jumped on it......We are going to the Happiest Place on Earth. And our kids have NO idea!!! I've been secretly packing all week, and we are just going to grab them out of bed Saturday morning and head out. We are going to spend 1 night with my brother in San Diego, hit the beach and SeaWorld. Then on Sunday, head to Anaheim for 3 days with Mickey and the gang. Our DD is just going to flip out when she figures out where we are at. I cannot wait to see the look on her face!!!
So, I won't be blogging about cards for the next week most likely but I am still going to try very hard to come and Blog about our day - The more I Blog, the more I like to Blog....

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Here She is!

I have finally overcome my fear of unmounted stamps and acrylic blocks. I had never used one before, but I got these cool stamps......Bella's......and that is what StampingBella suggested. So, I ordered them, got them and there they sat. For a few weeks. Until last night, when I made this......

The card base is Pretty in Pink, and the horizontal panels are done with Designer Paper from the Stampin' Up! Spring Mini. Paisley and Polka Dots was used to create the background.
My girl is a CosmoBella and she is colored with watercolor crayons, an Aqua Painter and markers. Main image is mounted on Cool Caribbean and Old Olive.

I am soooooo happy with how it turned out. Especially the coloring. I can't wait to make her some friends.

What year do you belong in?

This is a super fun quiz I saw on Dawn and Tracy's Blogs

You Belong in 1977

Bold and brash, you take life by the horns. Whether you're partying or protesting, you give it your all!

What Year Do You Belong In?

So, give it a shot....what year do you belong in? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Country Thunder

A few posts ago I said that the next one would be a Country Thunder.....and it almost is. But since I am stamping again, and that is what the blog started out about I thought I should post those....

BUT - now, onto Country Thunder.
Country Thunder is a 4 day Country Music Festival. It is held in a few locations throughout the US. I have never been before, in fact I really didn't listen to country music until December of last year. My sister in law took me to Las Vegas to see a band she really liked. Turns out that I really liked them too. They were not your usual country music where my dog just died, and my girlfriend ran off with my best friend and my truck broke down. No, this was different. This was FUN. It had soul and energy and I came away feeling wonderful! The band was called Big and Rich. And from that day I was totally hooked to their music. So shortly after the Vegas trip, Michelle and I started talking about where to go next to see them. She had traveled to a couple of places to see them and I knew I wanted to go the next time. So we looked at the schedule and saw this show, er I mean festival and decided to go for it! She works for Alaska Airlines, so she gets us on the flights. And I'm a travel agent so I get the great deals for the cars and hotels. We are a great pair!

So, the weekend of April 14th we headed off to the desert sun for some country fun. Each day there were 6 or 8 band playing. On Saturday just before Big and Rich were scheduled to play was their good friend Gretchen Wilson. She is a member of the Muzik Mafia and a wonderful artist. She is a favorite of mine, so I was tickeled to see her.



So, after her set was done the final act came on. I won't go into the long story ;o) just know that Big and Rich rocked the house and by the encore, we had worked our way down about 30 rows and were in the front row! It was absolutely amazing. After the show we hung around for a while waiting for the poeple to clear out and ended up each getting a play list off the stage. I'm just going to pretend mine came from John Rich :o)



Oh yeah, did I mention that I love John Rich. Something about his black hat, boots and that super sweet face!

I love Pink

Pink's are some of my favorite colors. I used to not enjoy pink at all, but these days...I love using it. Aren't I lucky that this week's Color Challenge was to also use pink. As many as you wanted, how ever you wanted...but only pink and neutral.

The main image was done with Roses in Winter. When I first used this set I did not like it at all. I was a beginner stamper and I thought it was too hard and never looked right. But it was always a hit at the classes I was going to, and everyone else loved it.
It took me using it only a couple of times before I realized what they loved about it. I have never made a bad card with this set and when ever I feel like my MoJo is off - I pull it out. While I might not be able to demo this set after June, I will not be letting it go and I'm sure it will see just as much ink as it does now.


The main image was double mounted and the scribbles are hand drawn as is the underlining on the sentiment. Stickles are added to the main image for sparkle. The background is done with Cheesecloth, another stamp that has gotten the axe for the next catalog.

Sketch Challenge!

I really enjoyed the sketch challenge this week. I needed something that was on the easy side. This sketch fit the bill perfectly. I know I will be using it again.

The card base is Apricot. The main image is stamped on Whisper White, then matted on black and Pale Plum. I used the water color crayons and Gamsol to color the image and white area of Print Pattern for the back panel. A circle punch was used for the sentiment area, black journal pen was used for the diamond centers and it was all finished off with black gingham ribbon.

I have never used these colors together but really like how they turned out.

That was Grey's Anatomy?

Yesterday was Thursday wasn't it? I thought it was....my TV schedule said it was. But what ABC showed for 2 hours last night was NOT Grey's. At least I didn't think so.
It was the prelude for Kate Walsh's new show....which looks like it has quite a bit of potential. Some really great actors made guest appearances. It was a great set up of what Shonda might be creating for the character of Addison Montgomery.
But, it was not the Grey's I had hoped for.

Why in the world did they kill off Mer's step mom?!? That storyline was just gaining some strength! I had hope for Mer and Susan. I really liked her.
And the scene with George and Izzy in the elevator? Talk about torture!
Really the only part that was even slightly happy was Burke realizing how much Cristina was doing for him and the wedding. Will that actually happen? Who knows....I see way too many season ending cliff hangers here. I don't know if I like where this is all headed.

I could go on and on about the show, but I have to run. I did manage to work on a challenge while I was watching last night so I will post that card later. I tried to post it last night but was having issues with Blogger.

If you are a Grey's Fan...tell me what you thought of last night's show!

I have actually been stamping...........

As you can tell from the Blog, I have not stamped much in the last 2 months. But, that is changing and here are some of the cards I made over the weekend.
This first card is for the color challenge from last week. Emily had 2 options this week, which was fun!
For the first card, I used So Saffron for the card base with the background Weathered and the Big Blossom is done in Rose Red. On the blossom I used the Cuttlebug with the Stylized Flowers Folder. In the center of the blossom I used the hostess set Riviting in Rose Red and finished it off with a brad from Making Memories.

In the 2nd card I used one of my most favorite color combinations and one of my most favorite sets. This card used Cool Caribbean, Basic Black and Whisper White. For the white background layer I used the Cuttlebug with the Bubbles folder. On the main image I used the ticket corner punched and wrapped it in the Black Gingham ribbon. The greeting is from Fancy Flexible Phrases. Both the main color and stamp set from this card will be retiring and I am completely heart broken. This is one set that I will hang on to.




The last card was made for the Ways to Use it Challenge. This week the featured product was Orchid Opulence. I always think I'm going to have a hard time with this color but end up liking cards done with it. I really like the way it looks with the Green Galore. This card is made using Bud Basics which was in a past min catalog. I really hope it is in the new catty in July. Again I used the Black Gingham ribbon and I also used the word window with gold brad.

OK, next blog entry will be about the Arizon trip and fun at Country Thunder. All I can say is.....
I have a Big and Rich Play list!!!!!!!!!!!!!

New products too

I had sent an email to many of my customers telling that lots of new stuff was coming. I figured I should just post here....make my life and theirs easy! * Photos and information on the new products have been found on other Blogs, of those who attended convention and the annual SU Cruise for Demonstrators. Products shown here may differ than those shown in the upcoming catalog.


Okay, here is the infamous new flower punch kit that will be offered in the new cataloge



It also has spots of the new In Color's.











The new chipboard collection that will be offered


































Also shown were some new of the new sets

New In Color

Hot off the press: Inside information of what is to come

Soft Sky - a pale blue, very close in color to Cool Caribbean I am told!
Purely Pomegranate - appears to be similar in color to magenta.

Wild Wasabi - a shade of green; Wasabi is a spicy Japanese plant, traditionally served with sushi.
Groovy Guava - two parts Apricot Appeal and one part Cameo Coral; GORGEOUS!
Blue Bayou - a medium blue along the lines of Brocade, Ballet and Buckaroo Blue.
River Rock - think beach sand. Lighter and brighter than Sahara Sand, this will be a beautiful complement to almost every color we have!
We will also have a new neutral color called Basic Gray; a charcoal shade between Going Gray and Basic Black.


I would like to give credit to stampingonthelakefront for the info. I found it on her Blog
http://stampingonthelakefront.blogspot.com/2007/04/in-colors-su.html

In mouring.....

The retired list is out!! And while I am thrilled at the idea of having a huge new selection of stamps to drool over, I am so sad by some of the sets that SU! has decided to retire. I have not printed the list out yet, so I don't know my exact losses but I am going to guess I'm losing 1/2 of my stamps. Some of them I will keep just for personal use but others I am going to have to part with. Please email me, or leave me a comment if you would like the complete list emailed to you.

Among the casualties:

Roses in Winter
Petal Prints
Best of Cluck
French Script
Cheesecloth
Birthday Beauty
Whimsical Alpha
A New little Someone/Wash Day Wheel
Fall Whimsy
Wisecracks
Bubble Queen
Girlfriends
Power Up


Some of these I own, some I do not. So now comes the hard part. Deciding if I will actually get any of them. And will I keep my favs that are retiring? Yes...to most of them.

The shock over at SCS is rampant. It will be interesting to see what the feelings are in a few days when we have all had some time to think this over.