Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Let It Snow...


...but not here in Chicago, again. We just had 5 inches of snow yesterday and tomorrow we are in for an ice storm and then more snow over the weekend. Lovely, huh?! Anyway, this is my last Christmas card I made. And I just received 4 new sets of stamps from MFT that I ordered and I am anxious to get started with them. This is going to be a very busy weekend with my family Christmas party and several of my brothers and sisters flying in from all over, so I don't think there will be any stamping going on. School is out on Friday for two weeks and all I want to do is stamp, crazy, isn't it?!
Anyway, as many of you have already heard, one of our fellow bloggers and unbelievable stampers has passed away suddenly. Joanne, over at My Adventures in Cardmaking, passed away last Friday night. She is the one who introduced me to card making many years ago. The first class I went to with her as the consultant I kept telling myself I wasn't going to start stamping too. But low and behold she had us do the cutest fish card and I couldn't resist so I ordered my first set and it's been love ever since. Joanne was a part of our Stampin Diva group and every time we got together we laughed so hard and had a great time. We are sooooo going to miss her and her talent. I am still in shock every time I think of her. So, if you have an extra minute, please say a prayer for her family during this difficult time, especially since it's the holidays. I know they would really appreciate it and so would Joanne.
Thanks for stopping by and have a good weekend!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Frosty the Snowman

Here is a card I made a while ago. A friend of mine and I made cards one night and we had an assembly line going. Since we both wanted the same cards (and many of them) this was the easiest way to do it. We each ended up with 60 cards and 3 different kinds. Not a bad idea, huh!
Now, the job of getting them sent out, that's the hard part! I don't know about you, but we haven't received many cards so far. I'm sure that has a lot to do with our economy and the price of stamps these day. Crazy, isn't it. I'm going to give it a good try and get them out in the next few days. It's been crazy around here, with all the extra Christmas activities. This week will not be any better. Our Christmas concert at my school is Tuesday and another party on Wednesday and then our family party on Saturday, with many of my brothers and sisters coming in from out of town. It will be a blast but tiring. Oh well, that's what Christmas is all about, family and friends. So have a great weekend and as always, thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Brrr! It's Cold Out!!

I can't believe how cold it has been so early in the season. Usually we don't get this cold until late December or January. Does that mean it's going to be a long winter?!! I sure hope not. Anyway, this card was made with one of my favorite stamp sets, MFT. I tried piecing it together the best I could, since I usually don't piece things. It didn't turn out so bad, if I say so myself. So off to relax a little and head to bed. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Happy Holidays!


I just love this stamp of Rudolph! This card was made with leftover paper from last year. Yes, I do keep all my Christmas leftovers together and save them. Wierd, I know!! Well, if you have been in Chicago lately you would be as cold as I am, not to mention snowed in so early in the year. We just had our first snowfall of the season and I already don't like it. It came with rain and ice I am so paranoid of slipping and falling on my you know what. That so would not be a pretty site. So instead I look like such a dork walking on the ice. I guess that's the old lady in me. Anyway, I had better quit ragging about the snow because I know we are in for long winter, here in Chicago. So, have a great week and as always, thanks for stopping by!!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

Enjoying the Weekend!!



Here is a card I made quite a while ago. The flower paper is from a pack from Archivers that they gave us at the last scrap. The back of the paper is peel and stick. Pretty cool, huh! So, did anyone find any real bargains yesterday that was worth getting up at the crack of dawn for? Not me! I was not about to do that and fight the crowds, not to mention the cold at 4 a.m. However, we did go to this cute little town, Geneva, Illinois. It has the best little specialty shops. If you are looking for something different I'm sure you will find it there. The best part of the day was when I came home and all the ourside lights were up. Normally I do that and don't usually look forward to it. So that was a nice surprise. Now off to put up the tree. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!


Well, here is the first Christmas card of the season I made. As a matter of fact, my friends were over last night and I made 30 of these and 30 of two other cards which I will be posting in the next several days. I made this original card at a Stampin' Diva night get together several weeks ago and I was waiting for now to post it. The little bling I used are just plain clear crystals and I use my markers to color them. Clever, huh! Anyway, now all I have to do is to be sure to send them out. I have become quite a card hog. I tend to make cards and forget to send them out and end up with a ton of cards. So, I vow to send these on their way(soon)! On another note, how was your Thanksgiving? I feel like I could just roll into bed and sleep for the whole winter. I ate enough to hibernate until spring. But I'm sure I'll be hungry (again) in the morning. Today started out with getting up at the crack of dawn and going downtown Chicago, Casey's band was in the Chicago Thanksgiving Day parade. Man was it cold down there! It was a blast though! Once we started marching you forgot how cold you really were. I can't believe the amount of people who also get up early to go see the parade. I sure hope her band does it again next year. So now I am off to bed and getting ready for some fun shopping with my scrappin' friends. Have a wonderful, long weekend and thanks for stopping by!! Gobble, Gobble!!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Have a great Turkey Day and try not to get up too early for those early bird specials on Friday!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

THE DREAM TEAM

A picture's worth a thousand words! How true! This picture is of my son and his teammates. Danny is number 44. His team was awesome this year. They didn't lose any games all season, they won their first playoff game and then lost the next playoff game and couldn't play in the championship game. That was a killer. However, the other teams were awesome too. It was his best season yet and being his eigth grade year and last grammar school year to play it was amazing. I really hate football because I don't know a thing about it but I really learned to like it this year. Hopefully he will play in high school and he does want to. As I write this now, he is at a football practice for an all star football game this Friday. His teammates voted for 3 boys to go and represent their team and Danny and number 4 and 20 were voted in. So one more game this weekend and then on to baseball. Anyway, thanks for looking and listening to me brag a little bit. Have a great rest of the week!!!

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Howdy, Partner!!


Another great stamp from the TAC company. They have some really cute ones for kids. I used my cuttlebug folder for this one and the Howdy stamp came from a MFT set. So, I hope everyone had a great Halloween. I can't believe the costumes kids wear now a days. Nothing like we did when we were kids (as Casey says, "Back in the Day!") Parents really go all out with the costumes. My favorite one was the cave man. It was a riot!! Anyway, on to Thanksgiving. Casey is marching in the Chicago Thanksgiving day parade, so of course I just had to volunteer to help out. It's so much fun being downtown Chicago at the parade on Thanksgiving day. As long as the weather holds out it should be a blast. Plus, that way I don't have to cook that day. Yippee!! So, thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ALL!!


I just love this Halloween stamp! I think it's a riot. It's from Stampendous. The paper is all left over from last year so I'm not sure who made it. Anyway, what is everyone going to be this year?! All the teachers on my floor at school are going to dress up like cowboys (I know it's a boring idea but coming from Chicago there are no cowboys around here). I managed to find a black leather vest with fringe on it and a purse with horses all over it, at the resale shop here. I totally embarrassed my daughter wearing it through the store. It was so funny. I guess I'm doing my job as a mom if I embarrass her. Anyway, I hope everyone has a great Halloween trick or treating with the kiddies. Try not to eat all the chocolate before you even get back home (I've been known to do that).

Sunday, October 26, 2008

It's About Time!!


I know, I know! It's about time I post something. Everyone around school and some friends have been asking me what happened to my blog. So last night there was no football, band or anything else so I was on a roll stamping. I made several cards for the next few weeks to post. I also figured I had better get my Halloween cards up and running before it's Thanksgiving. So here I am, back to posting (and still going to football games and it's 50 degrees here and the wind is like a hurricane, won't that be a fun game to sit at???!!!) These stamps are from an SU set that I just love and don't own. I had to beg, borrow and steal this set from a friend.
Anyway, I think this is going to be a crazy week at school, what with Halloween and kids. I'm sure all the teachers out there know what I am talking about. My whole school dresses up, preschool thru 8th grade and even the teachers. We are going to be cowboys this year. Pretty simple costom to put together. So, how many Sarah Palin's do you think we'll all see this year?
Quite a few, I'm sure. Anyway, have a great week and thanks for coming back to visit me.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

HELLO!!

I AM still alive out here in blog land. As much as I like football and competition band season I will be glad when it is over. Tomorrow is Casey's last competition, but football is another story.
Danny's team has not lost a game and is going into playoffs next weekend. Maybe the championship after that. HOWEVER, Danny managed to break his wrist at practice on Thursday and will now be hanging out with the waterboys on the sidelines. It's pretty depressing because he is so into the season, he plays the whole game and they really count on him (he's the kicker and something else (I don't know my football positions)). This is his first sports injury ever, amazing!! On another note, I ask you for some extra prayers these days. My girlfriend's 16 year old son was in a car accident last weekend and is really broken up. They had to rebuild several vertebrae using hip bones and his sholder is also broken. He is wear a halo on his head. Matt is healing fine but the saddness and why me attitude has set in. I know he will be fine in the long run, but the long run is going to be a very long road. Any extra prayers you have will be greatly appreciated. Thanks so very much.
Anyway, I will stop rambling on. I haven't stamped is so long but haven't forgotten it. The minute I have an extra five minutes I'll be back at it. So, take care and thanks for stopping by~

Monday, September 29, 2008

I'm Baaaack!!

It does feel like I have been gone forever. The truth is, I felt a little burnt out with making cards and scrapbooking. Ever since school started I feel like I can't catch up with everything (including sleep). The weekends fly by around here, with football games for Danny and all Casey's band competitions all over the city. Before you know it, it's Monday already and back to work. We just have to make it through October and then it should slow down around here. I'm sure there are alot of you out there in cyber world who feel the same. I made this card Saturday night when I did have a few extra minutes before heading out. So, if I don't post quite so often don't think that I forgot about everyone. I'm still looking for my mojo!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Make a Wish!

Just playing around with some SU stamps that I haven't used in a while and this is what I came up with. The paper is pixie pink and the patterned paper is from an old SU package. The make a wish sentiment is from Hanna Stamps. Of course I had to add a little bling on it. Not much other than football and band competitions going on around here, ( oh, I forgot, it hasn't stopped raining since yesterday and it is supposed to continue on through Sunday). Lovely,huh!! Anyway, thanks for stopping by and have a great (dry) weekend.


Monday, September 8, 2008

Happy Birthday!!


An oldie but a goodie! This birthday stamp is one of my first stamps I purchased and I'm still using it. Yipee! This one will never go out of style. The striped paper is from Archivers and the rest of the paper is SU. The ribbon is from Joanne Fabrics. Very simple card but nevertheless a card well done! I don't mean to brag but I get excited when I make a simple card and I'm pretty pleased with it. Corny, I know!! Well, it's the beginning of a new week and it hasn't stopped rain (I mean pouring) since 11:30 this morning. It chilly out so boy, does it feel like a fall day. I'd be fine if the rain would just stop. Anyway, have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Celebrate

Here's another monogram stamp from JustRite Stamps. I told you, they're great! There is so much you can do with them. Either stamp initials in the middle or another image. Whatever suits your fancy! Anyway, I just came from an awesome party we had with the faculty at school. I work with a great bunch of teachers. We laugh so hard every time we get together outside of school (do you think the drinks help that out?). Either way, we have a blast. Busy weekend coming up, working Bingo, mass in the park, first football came and maybe squeeze in lesson plans. Before you know it its time for school again on Monday morning. Did I mention that I have a great group of kids this year?! They are so sweet. The weather has gotten much cooler so we are able to get more work done. So, for all those teachers out there, I hope you have a great year. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Monday, September 1, 2008

You Rock!!


Another fun stamp from Hanna Stamps. I don't ride bikes nor does my husband, we don't even have an interest in motorcyclyes but I just loved this stamp! I colored it in with my Prisma pencils and Iknow! I could use a little more practice with them. Oh Well!! The striped paper and the red paper is both from the Archivers packet we received at their latest scrap. The yellow is barely banana and the blue is tempting turquoise. I already have someone in mind for this card. I hope everyone is having a great long weekend, I was super busy making cards yesterday and today I plan on getting a ton of school work done real early so I can stamp some more. I'm hoping to get a bunch of cards made so I have plenty to post for the next week or so. Once the weeks is here it's so hard to get any stamping done, with school, football, and band competitions. I sure don't remember running my parents ragged with all these activities when we were young (even with 11 children). I'm sure I just didn't see how busy they were , either that or they just threw in the towel by the time the last several of us came around (especially #9, that's me), LOL!! So, have a great week and thanks for stopping by!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Monagram Set

Yesterday when I posted this card I didn't have any time to comment. So now I'm back. I was with our stampin' diva group last weekend and Lynda had the monogram set from Just Rite Stamps and I tried them out. They're awesome and of course I had to go home and order some for myself. As soon as they came this was the first card I made using it. It's nothing wonderful but I just love these monograms! The flower paper came from Archivers. They gave us a free package of paper at the last crop and this was in it. What's nice about the paper is that it already has adhesive on the back so it's ready to stick. You're probably wondering why I used the torquoise blue, well there is blue in the flower paper but you can't see it in the picture. I'm not color challenged (although, sometimes I think I am). So, I'm ready to get busy creating more monogram cards.
The weekend's here and I'm ready to stamp! What better time to stamp, it's going to be close to 90 degrees if not in the low 90's and I'm just not a heat person. Good excuse to stay in and stamp. By the way, Joanne, over at My Adventures in Cardmaking just awarded me an awesome award. Thanks, Joanne!! I am thrilled that my blog is being enjoyed by other fellow bloggers. Now, I'm supposed to pass it on to seven more bloggers however, as I surf the blogs I see this award on so many of them that it would be hard to pick seven more. So, thanks, Joanne for the wonderful compliment!! Well, have a great long holiday weekend and thanks for stopping by!!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Teen Scene

I know, I haven't posted lately. Well, I really don't have any new cards to post so I thought I would show you one of the pages I made this past weekend when we were are Archivers for an all dayer! This is of Casey and her girlfriends, who by the way, were throwing a surprise party for a boy friend of theirs. I don't even know if any other boys were there. They had a great time anyway. As I am looking at this picture I realized I forgot the journaling. I'm really not good at that part, maybe I should get Casey to do it. Anyway, this has been a long week and it's only Wednesday. School started Monday and I have a great bunch of kids. We are off school this Friday and Monday, Yipee!! So I'm hoping to get some stamping done. Have a great rest of the week and thanks for stopping by!!


Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Horsin' Around

Well, I wasn't going to post this card at all but it is the only card I have right now. I have been really busy with school work and other things. This card was made for my neice who is in love with horses. The rolling stamp is an old SU stamp and the bigger horse I have no idea where it came from. It was in my daughter's junk drawers. Really simple card but as long as it had horses on it Julia loved it! And it was quick to make. Now I am back off to school to work some more in the room (the kids come on Monday) and of course the heat is back on. The last few weeks it was in the 70's around here and now the temps have creeped up into the 80's and 90's in the classrooms. Have a great rest of the week and hopefully I'll get some stamping done soon.


Friday, August 15, 2008

Birthday Wishes

Just a short post today. I'm still trying to get everything together for a busy weekend. This birthday paper I found at Archivers. I thought it was perfect for making cards. It is from Doodle bug Design and the rest of the paper is SU. The presents stamp is an old (2004) SU stamp.
Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Coffee and Friends...


are the Perfect Blend. I'd prefer a margarita instead of coffee! Here is another gift card holder for a friend of mine who is giving someone a Starbucks gift card. I just love these cards, they are easy to make and perfect for any gift card. The image is from MFT and all the paper is from SU. Well, I've been back to school already getting the room put together. I hear I am in for a great year with this group of kids. I've been told they are really sweet and there are only 19 (as compared to last years 28). I also think I am ready for fall. Danny has already started football practice and Casey is back to competition band. I think they both needed to get back into the swing of things. Anyway, have a great rest of the week and thanks for stopping by!!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Stampin' Diva Challenge #5


Well, here is another card from one of our challenges. We had to use a bird image and follow this layout. I'm not real big on birds and this was the only stamp I had of a bird. It's a pretty simple card. Oh well!! Be sure to check out the other girls' cards.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Sketch Challenge


I made this card for the sketch challenge by tamara. The designer paper came from the free pack you received if you spend $50 at Archivers several weeks ago. The paper pack is awesome. There is some really cute paper in it. I hope you didn't miss out on it! The stamp set is from MFT and the ribbon is also from Archivers. I think I have someone special in mind for this one. On another note, this is really my last week off of school before meetings start and the kids arrive. I am planning on going in tomorrow to start on my own but they are calling for weather in the middle 90's and we don't have air conditioning. So I may have to stay home and scrap or stamp. Isn't that ashame!! As much as I don't want school to start everyone around here is ready to get back into a routine. Including me. Casey starts band camp tomorrow and Danny starts football next week. Some of the other moms I talk to say the same thing about getting back into a routine. How about you?
Anyway, thanks for stopping by and take care!!

Friday, August 1, 2008

The Happy Couple


We have a wedding to go to tomorrow so I made this card last night. I'm not really good at wedding cards so I found a layout similar to this one on Splitcoast (sorry, I can't remember whose it was). The stamps are from CTMH, which I bought a loooong time ago. I used my cuttlebug folder, the pink paper is regal rose, ribbon is from Joann's and I'm down to my last dew drops (which Michele gave me). Any idea where I can buy some more? It's hard to believe that my girlfriend, who is the same age as me (45) has a daughter that is getting married already. We met in a moms and tots group and her daughter was one of the tots. There is a funny coincidence about this wedding. Lisa is getting married on August 2nd, I got married on August 1st. Both weddings are at the same church and both honeymoons are in the Bahamas. The only difference is that our receptions are (were) at different places. Oh! and we are both teachers. What do you think about them apples!! Yep, today is our 21st anniversary, it sure doesn't feel like 21 years. We are just going out to dinner at one of my favorite places, Maggianos. If you have eaten there then you'll know why I love it so much. The food is unbelievable. Anyway, that's it for now, have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Puppy Love!


Another MFT stamp. Isn't it a cute
one?! I haven't mastered the copics yet so I colored it in with my Prismas and SU watercolors. The paper is from DCWV winter packet. As I look at the picture I think the dog looks lopsided or is it just my eyes? Anyway, I can't believe July is just about over! You know what that means, school is just around the corner. My school starts on the 25th but I'll be in anytime after August 1st. I'm just not ready to go back yet. Is anyone else ready to go back? I guess I'll just have to stamp away to keep my mind off of school. So, take care and thanks for stopping by!!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

These Boots...

Don't you just love the stamp sets from MFT?! They are some of my favorites. I have a niece who is in love with horses (ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she say a cowgirl) so I bought this stamp so I can make her birthday cards with it. Anyway, if you haven't bought any stamps from MFT you might want to check into them. Or if anyone wants some images stamped I'll be glad to stamp some for you. To change the subject, we are taking the kids and their friends to Starved Rock National Park in Ottawa, Il. They have a huge lodge with indoor waterparks and an indoor amusement park as well as hiking trails along the Illinois river and lots of cute little shops. I just hope the waterparks aren't too babyish for my teenagers. After going to Wisconsin Dells and their waterparks we hope this one is just as much fun. If anyone has ever been there let me know what you think. I look at it as a few days away and not cooking dinners. So, have a great rest of the day and thanks for stopping by!


Monday, July 21, 2008

Chocolate Therapy

It's so true, isn't it?! I found this stamp and many more great ones in the dollar bin at Joann Fabrics. If you haven't seen them yet, hurry on over and check them out. The stripped paper is from Archivers and the green is always artichoke. The blue ribbon is from Micheals. I colored him in with my (few I have) copics and am still trying to figure them out before I buy any more. So, here he is, Mr. Chocolate! Anyway, have a great Monday and thanks for stopping by.


Saturday, July 19, 2008



Saturday is finally here. No baseball, no work, and it's raining out. What's a girl to do?! Stamp, I guess! It's the perfect kind of day for stamping. I made these two gift card holders for my stamping friends birthdays, Michele, and Debbie and Barb. I bought this stamp set from Pink Cat Studio just on purpose to use for our scrapping group. Not too shabby, huh! Be sure to check out Michele's blog, she has a ton of pictures from CHA, right here in Chicago. Anyway, have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Lil' Bunny FuFu!

Just a quick post for now, we're off to ANOTHER baseball game. We should be done by tomorrow for the season but you know how coaches are, there is always another game somewhere. This is one of the newest stamps from MFT. It's perfect for get well cards.
This is another "Just had to have" sets. Anyway, have a great night and thanks for stopping by.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Stampin' Diva Challenge 4


What do you think?! This is our 4th challenge so far. We had to use any SU stamp and 3 embellishments with one being a ribbon. So I had to pull out my very first and one of my favorite SU sets I bought. If you don't have this set, Fishy Friends, you're missing out on a good one! Anyway, the paper is SU, ballet blue, always artichoke, the polka dot paper didn't have a name on it. I colored it in with my copics. The ribbon is from Micheals. This was a fun card to make, I may have to make more in different colors. Be sure to check out the other girls who also did this challenge, you can link on to them on my side bar under Stampin Divas. And finally, the weekend is here. I've been at my mom's helping her out all week and now I am ready for a scrap. Sunday our scrapping group is going to Archivers from 1-8 and I'm looking so forward to it. The pictures are piling up. So have a great weekend (hopefully dry, we've had a ton of rain). Thanks for stopping by!!

Sunday, July 6, 2008

Aloha!


What do you think of this image? Isn't she so cute?! Last week I took a ride out to this great little store in Lockport, Illinois called Stampin' Thyme. It has so many stamps in there you could be there all day looking. I found this one and just had to have her. She is from Great Impressions. The flower paper I made so long ago at a CTMH workshop and forgot I even had it. It went perfect (Ithink). I was really happy how this one turned out. Anyway, this was the only card I made this whole weekend and I had big plans to get a bunch done. Isn't that how it always happens? Well there is always tomorrow. So now I am off to work at Bingo (those bingo players can be ferocious, they were last night). Have a great day and thanks for stopping by! ALOHA!!!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Tweetie Bird

More brown and pink combo. Lately I've been into the browns and pinks, or browns and blue and green. Don't ask me why. Anyway I'm not sure what company this parrot came from. This was one of the images I stamped at our stampin' diva club, where we bring any new stamps and share them. It's been a great way to get new images without buying them. (What am I say?! That doesn't stop me from buying them)! All the paper is from SU and the ribbon is also SU.
Well, the 4th of July is upon us already. Tomorrow our town has their annual parade and fireworks show and the best thing about it is that the fireworks are right across the street from my house.WOO HOO! It's a blast (no pun intended). Everyone and anyone comes over and sits on our front lawn for the show. The streets are blocked off so we tend to flow out into the street also. I set up a table and people bring snacks if they want and it a great time. The crowd seems to grow more every year. So, what is everyone else doing for the 4th? Hope it's a good one! I'm hoping to get more stamping done this weekend. I'm starting to get low again for posting. Anyway, have a great 4th and wonderful weekend!!