Lesson in Life!

Well-- it is Saturday night and all the "Angels" are in Kansas City being recognized for their amazing accomplishments this past catalogue year with The Angel Company. I am sure that they are having a blast at the banquet!

I traveled to KC on Wednesday to pick Awna up from the airport and spend the afternoon Power Shopping all of the scrapbook and stamp stores in KC. Wednesday morning was a great morning to travel. A little rain in places but the roads were good. Now, I know very well how to get TO the airport and the expo center...but here is the deal...I knew the exit to take to get to the airport but after that it was all new to me!! This was my first trip to an airport all by myself. I did the map quest thing and I even looked at the map from the airport and figured that I was a BIG girl and I would wear my big girl panties and everything would be JUST FINE!As I turned off I-29 on the airport road exit...yep you guessed it, I started to get a little rattled. There was not just one road to simply get to the airport---entering a terminal at MCI is like entering a major metropolitan city!! Awna told me terminal 3...my choices were A, B, C...so C it was! I am sure that the poor fella behind me in that blue truck could see the word "panic" in my tail lights! So I get into the terminal and go right past the parking area. Worried that I would end up back on the road I just came off of or worse...having to go out and start all over...I stopped to ask one of the nice security folks if I was in the right place for the flight and were I needed to go to park. The kind gentleman pointed two doors down and told me that was the door I was to go in and if I go just a little further round the circle... I could indeed get into the parking area. Thanked the kind man and went to my running vehicle...pulled on the door handle---PANIC was no longer just in my tail lights...it was all over my face. I had hit the door lock button when I jumped out. Fortunatley, I had done this one oher time as well and once I stopped to THINK realized I should try the back door and rear hatch/door. The back door came right open and I jumped in...pulled the keys out of the ignition and with a big sigh of relief plopped down on the back seat...right on top of my roomates gifts! So the first lesson in this is...if you lock yourself out once be smart enough to realize that this could be an issue in the future and always take your keys with you when you get out!
So as I happily sit in the airport with my vehicle parked and my keys in my hand...I watched all of these teen age youth walk by...loads of them. No adults just them... Having a great time... no panic, no worries...While I was in the restroom I asked one of the gals what conference they had come from--It was a national student council conference hosted in different cities each year. They have youth come from as far away as Australia and this year it was hosted in Overland Park Kansas.
Me- by this time I am doing the compulsive worry thing... Am I really at the right terminal? I don't see the flight number listed on the screen that I was given...so I ask not one, not two, not three but four different people...the second lesson...just go to ticketing and ask your question...the flight number had been changed--the plane had landed and the passengers were coming off...fortunately it was just 100 feet from were I was! Snagged up Awna and her bags and off we went to conquer KC!
On our way out of the airport I was thinking about the third lesson... "teach todays life skills lessons that I experienced to my daughter early!!" I had previously thought about how I really want my daughter to experience traveling via airplane...and yes I still want her to do this...but now I see how much more important it is to get her comfortable getting to the airport and knowing how to navigate her way at an airport...I want her to be one of those teens...no fear- flying across the US in a strange airport and completely confident that she will get to were she needs to be with out her mama. So although we will not be flying when we go on vacation this year...maybe we should stop by a few airports for some major life lessons!
Above card made with Cudle bug and Spunky Stamps.

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.---Margaret Cousins

This quote seemed so appropriate for this project. I work in a very busy office that can sometimes, by nature of the field I work I am in, can seem very negative. Our staff has learned that it is not the other staff members that we work with nor the other's we encounter--It is the situations that arise on a daily basis that tend to make a day hard. Once upon a time, we had a box in which we placed thank you notes, nice words about each other, etc...in and then read them at our staff meetings. Somehow our box dissappeared and guess who was allowed to make a new one...OK I volunteered! We are calling this one the Can of Appreciation. We all get so busy that we sometimes forget to acknowledge the great things that others do for us...and as the quote says "appreciation can change a life". It is amazing to think that something so simple as sharing a word of appreciation with someone has the ability to change a life...that is truly powerful. And just think with in minutes of waking up or walking out of the front door tomorrow morning you will be in contact with others...more than likely someone you know...and you could make a huge difference in their day and maybe even their life. So tomorrow morning---I am going to tell Lavonne at Green Lantern (my favoite fountain pop stop) how much I appreciate her wonderful smile and friendliness each morning as it starts my day on a positive note--And I encourage you to think of someone who touches your life and show or tell them how much you appreciate them and most importantly why.

SMILE!

I was looking through my samples and thought the sentiment on this one ("smile") reminded me of so much of my week so far.

Sam had her oral surgery Monday...two pain pills...and that is it! She is such a trooper- I would still be whinning and milking it for what it is worth but she is out there playing softball tonight with her "A" game on. Just one and a half days since the procedure (stitches and pulled teeth) was done and she has her beautiful smile back on.

I am Smiling and Laughing as I read Awna's blog about the stamp boy and M&M's. You have to go there!!

I am smiling because next week at this time I will be spending time with one of my best friends --- knowing that I am in the company of an absolutely AMAZING woman!

Today I was reminded that the impact of a funny look or dissappointment can mean big things to others...so I need to make an effort to smile more often when working.

Smiling...knowing as I look back at the day...I was able to make a positive impact on someones life.

And I am sure that if I sit here I could continue to think of a lot more reasons to smile. For those of you who have read my blog since it started. This post would be the "good therapy for me" at the end of a tough day that I was referring to in my very first post!

So Keep Smiling--You can find something positive in any situation---It is all in how you look at the situation, perception, attitude, and willingness to find something good worth saying.

How does THIS happen??

Well it has been a few days since I posted anything...so I thought I better get in gear! Now I have been working but unfortunately it is on some things that I just can't share....cause my creations are goodies for some friends who just might "tune in" to my blog!! So instead of showing you the finished goods I thought I'd share the proof that I HAVE been working--at least tonight anyway!
Seriously...How does this happen??? ---I can't even find the spot on the table where I was working when I put the finishing touch on the last project I was working on. Now I look at it

and I am completely overwhelmed at having to clean it up! It's a good thing Annie, our German Shorthair, is sleepy tonight. She loves my room. Her nose can find things that I haven't seen in years...and she is sneaky enough to be able to get them off the shelf and into the living room for a good chomping!
There are things to be created so off I go to clean ---mess it up---and clean it again!

Don't forget about Dad!!

Stamps used: Spunky Stamps (www.spunkystamps.com)
Ink: Kaleidacolor Cappuccino Delight

As I am sitting here tonight making this card as a sample, it dawned on me that father's day is this weekend and Oh My Gosh!!! I haven't made or picked out a card for my dad yet...Bad, Bad daughter!!! Nor- have I done anything for my husband for the role he has played in my daughter's life for a very long time now!! So my focus tomorrow besides work...will to be to get "my men" taken care of for Daddy's Day!! If it were only as simple as going to hobby lobby and buying them some colorful ribbon to add to their stash I would have it made!! Hummm, let's see is there a power tool that we don't have that I need for crafting?
My dad has always been my "go to guy" in life when it comes to dealing with life. He has an amazing way of telling me like it is, reassuring me that it will all work out , he helps me to see my accomplishments and is always there for encouraging words. Wow- I never put all that down in writting before--I need to scrap all of that important stuff and send him a great big singing card!!

And with that said-- todays life lesson in stamping is...it is not all about the physical or creative part of stamping something on paper and finishing a project. It's about the thoughts that go into what we are making either before, during or after when creating for someone else. But most of us already know that! And to think this was just to be a simple sample to post on my blog--when in reality it turned out to be a time of reflection on my relationship with my father.

Spunky Stamps

I love the name of the website that these stamps come from...everyone needs a "Spunky Stamp" or two or three or four! Yesterday was a pretty productive day...I was able to finish 12 card samples for submissions to magazines. Worked my stamp'n fingers to the bones! I didn't get much done today though as I decided to nap most of the day away. Of course, now I am up because I slept all day--and I wonder why I dread Monday mornings!! My next projects will be to finish up some projects for some great gals that I will meet up with in KC at the end of the month. I better get busy!

Reverse Masking and Water Color Markers

Here is an example of water color markers used on glossy card stock.
1. Stamp your image and allow time to dry on the glossy cardstock. Heat set if you like.
2. On a pad of post it notes stamp the same image several times on several different pieces.
3. Cut out sections of the image that will be colored the same colors ( here I cut all of the brown spots out of the post it note. Then I used another post it note and cut out the places where I was going to use green marker).
4. Stick mask over image stamped on white glossy card stock.
5. Apply water color to latex make up sponge by coloring onto the sponge with the marker. Tap sponge on scrap paper and then on masked image. (It is much easier to add more ink ..can't take it off if you get it to dark :) ). Repeat until desired effect is achieved. (all the tapping i.e. pounding is a great stress reducer!!)

The hat was done by starting with a yellow marker and then moving to a light green marker and finally a darker green marker. Darker colors being on the outside edges of the image. Layering color using this technique is a little tricky and takes practice but it is well worth it once you get the hang of it.

The first few times that you do this work with big open spaces..instead of little bitty spaces. This will help you get more comfortable with the technique.

I was challenged!!

I was challenged by a friend around 11 0r 11:30 tonight (Friday night) to use one of those great stamp sets that I purchased at a garage sale last weekend and post a card to my blog "tomorrow". Well since I love a challenge and tomorrow is actually here (12:27am to be exact) her is my card!! The flower was done by using water color markers on the stamp, spritzing with water and then stamping on the paper. The background was stamped with versamark (my fav ink ever!) and I added a little scrapers floss and stitching for embellishment.


Now this same friend also tagged me so here are the answers to the tag-
Yourself: Stubborn
Your Partner: Such a patient man!
Your Hair: Hard to manage
Your Mother: Great...both of them
Your Father: The glue that keeps me together/my life coach
Your Favorite Item: My dogs
Your Dream Last Night: don't know but 2 nights ago...that I forgot to get money for the toll road before leaving home
Your Favorite Drink: Diet Dr. Pepper
Your Dream Car: Drives like an SUV, sits high like an SUV and gets the gas mileage of a Honda
Dream Home: anything by the lake
The Room You Are In: my stamp room
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: in the house by the lake
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: hubby, kiddo and dogs
You're Not: patient
One of Your Wish List Items: to have the floor in my kitchen replaced
The Last Thing You Did: made that card I just posted
You Are Wearing: capris, t-shirt and wind breaker
Your Favorite Weather: Fall- cool with the leaves turning colors
Last Thing You Ate: Cheese Quesadilla/ Diet Dr. Pepper
Your Life: Busy but GREAT!
Your Mood: Ever changing
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: getting this done
Your Car: Gas eating kid caravan...it's actually an SUV but when all you do is haul kids all day it might as well be a van!
What Are You Doing At The Moment: Typing
Relationship Status: Married
What Is On Your TV: Whatever my husband left on before he went to bed...not a clue it's on in the other room keeping the June bugs that are outside focused in on "the light".
What Is The Weather Like: cool/slight wind
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: when I kissed ny daughter bye tonight and she wiped it off..she is a preteen

Let's See...

...If I can remember how I actually made this little gem!?!?!? It was one of those things were it started with a technique but didn't turn out right so it just became what it became. I know I used the brayer and Kaliadacolor pad. For the background, I cut the flower our of a piece of lightweight cardstock using my sizzlet and big shot. I actually cut three of them. I put them on a piece of white card stock and brayered over them several times. (The intent was to have just a white flower image surrounded by the Kaladiacolor when I was done...yes...some would say..."Eva, why not just use the embossing method"- Nope... I have to do things my way). Well , when I was done I had brayered so much that some of the ink bled through so I brayerd again after I removed the flowers...and it left the cool little impression. I stamped the flower image (TAC) in black ink and decided just to leave it. Cut a strip of paper, rounded the sides and stamped "friend". This was just a piece of scrap paper so I made a little note card with it.

Mama's Got New Stamps

And she is doing the happy dance! Nothing like getting new rubber! I can't wait to play more with my new stuff this weekend. These little jewels came fron Spunky Stamps www.spunkystamps.com they have some really cool designs that are fresh and fun. This card was created by using the rock n roll technique on the flower petal stamp- yellow ink and then orange ink around the edges. Then directly stamping the circles for the centers...It was actually stamped on white cardstock...someday I will get the white balance figured out on my scanner- or maybe I should just buy a new one! Hopefully I will have some more new cool cards or projects to show you using these stamps after the weekend.

My FAVORITE Photo

Those who work with me or see me on a regular basis will recognize this photo...they have seen it on numerous occassions. This was one of those "lucky shot" deals. I promised my daughter that I would take pictures of her this year instead of buying school pictures. I waited and waited until one night she comes barreling in saying, "I need pictures for school tomorrow because everyone else is bring theirs to trade". Not wanting to risk the chance of being deemed the world's worst mom...I tell her to comb her hair and get in the back yard. It was great...I took some of the best pictures I've ever taken in my life! Downloaded them to Wal-Mart (which is right around the corner-way to close!!) and in 2 hours we had pictures. What would we do with out Wal-Mart?

As for me, I have been toting this picture around with me for ever (yep, there is one in my office at work too)...a little intimidated that I would mess it up by scrapping it. Finally, about 6 weeks ago I did it- I scrapped it and I still love it! Many are say "Thank Goodness- maybe the woman will move on now!"

A Cute Little Note Card

I love this little thing! Pink and brown --two colors that are fabulous together. This was all from scrap paper that was just begging to be used. I used brilliance pink ink for the flower. I "empty stitched" (the best form of sewing that I do) around the three sides and stamped my sentiment. I was then brave and threaded the sewing machine...tucked the stamped piece under a small fold and stitched. Used the circle punch on the kraft card stock and added a brad in the middle-then tucked it under the stamped piece.

In The Beginning....

Ok, so maybe I shouldn't go there...but for me starting a blog...it's been a little challenging! I have been thinking of doing this for a few weeks now but have been too chicken to hit the "create blog" button on my friends blog. Tonight, I finally said "Self, Just Do it!" And here I am. Now, It may take me a little longer to get the fine details figured out...like putting a picture next to the "about me section". I thought about putting a picture of my GSP, Annie to see if anyone would notice the difference :).

But...Hey lookie there...I did figure out how to put a picture in a post. That's the coolest thing! This was my mom's birthday present this past year. I wrapped it with lime green wrapping paper and stamped with Petal Pack stamps from theangelcompany. Made the tag and the flower from the Big Shot and did a little writting and doodling with my white pen.

This is kinda fun! Who cares that right this moment I am talking to no one but myself because no one knows this blogs exsists! This may end up being good therapy at the end of the day!