Seeing Stars

Hello-

Today I wanted to share a card with you for a couple of challenges (I know you never would have guessed)!    But before I do, lets go back to my post from Tuesday, Soda-pop, an Evolution of Terms.  Though I know there are cultural and regional differences in terms, I was mostly being silly because...well, that is what I do.  But people really chimed in with their opinions.  First thank you for actually reading my post and second for leaving your comments. :)  Anyway, Kara Lynne commented about drinking fountains versus bubblers and I want to know  more about this.  I think I have only heard of a bubbler once before, is this an East Coast term?  Are there other names for drinking fountains out there?  Educate me people!

Now to the card.  I have a card made for three challenges.  First, the 10 Minute Craft Dash- featuring Stars, second the Little Tangles Challenge for any old birthday and last CAS-ual Friday's Challenge- Material girl.  I originally used the CAS(E) this sketch #35 for the layout but knew I wouldn't make the challenge deadline- go figure! For the Craft Dash, I made my card in 7 minutes and 55 seconds.  For the Little Tangles I used my  Neat & Tangled Sunburst Stamp and for the CAS-ual Friday I used ribbon for my material (hope that counts, I wasn't sure).  Anyway, here are the photos.

 I love these colors and the DP from BasicGrey Kneehighs and Bowties.  You may have noticed I've been using that paper a lot lately!  As I said, I used the Neat & Tangled Sunburst stamp that I love and this is my first time using it.  I also used my CAS-ual Friday Exclamations set for the "Squeal" part of the sentiment.  This set adds fun for just about any card.  Finally I used my new Avery Ellie set Party Animal for the rest of the set and the stars.  I wanted to add the balloon dog too, but I thought it would take too much time for the craft dash AND it wouldn't be CAS anymore, so I didn't.  Not to fear though I will be using that balloon dog elsewhere. :)  Here is a close up.

Okey-doke folks, thanks for stopping and I hope you have a good day!

PS- I am participating in the DeNami Blog Hop on the 15th, so please be sure to stop by for that. :)

paperclips, staples and tape, oh my!

Are you afraid?  Well don't be, because office supplies are a paper crafters veritable paradise!  These common, everyday supplies (such as paper clips, staples, notebook paper, envelopes, post-it notes, binder clips, tape, rubber bands, postage stamps, mini calendar, etc.) can be used in all kinds of ways on your cards and other paper creations.  AND....it just so happens that this weeks Hambo Hoedown challenge is Office Supplies!  Wahoo!  So go dig among those drawers my friends, if you keep it in your office then you can use it!

The card I made for this weeks challenge has a whole slew of office supplies.  As you can see I've got some corkboard, a mini binder clip, and notebook paper (I didn't have any actual paper, so I used a notebook paper die but would have used it if I did).  I've also got some supplies that might be found in an office such as washi tape, twine and stick pins. 

Ooh, ooh, speaking of washi, did you know you can make your own washi tape with masking tape and stamps!  Take a few of your Hambo Stamps (if you use rubber) and stamp them right on that tape, feel free to color them in too- wahlah!  I've cooked up an idea that I haven't tried yet but want to, I am imagining putting masking tape on paper and printing the digis there with the hopes the paper doesn't tear after printing- there might even be some type of masking tape paper that you could print directly onto- wouldn't that be cool?! 

Anyway, I digress...but obviously I enjoyed being creative with office supplies for this challenge. :)  For my digi from Hambo for this weeks challenge I used the set Bailey Flower.  Isn't this dog just the cutest?!?  I know I was going on and on last week about Hambo and pigs- obviously they like pigs, but they clearly like dogs and other animals too!  There's a whole farmyard of animals over there, so be sure to check it out and come play with us in this weeks challenge.  We can't wait to see what you create!

Thanks for stopping by!

Soda-pop, an evolution of terms

What is your preference, Coke or Pepsi?  It is funny, I grew up with Pepsi, but my personal preference is Diet Coke (I don't like how regular coke tastes).  People sure do have their drink preferences, not only that but a preference of what they call that drink.  I grew up calling it pop.  When I spent a few of my college years in the South (Baton Rouge) they called every dark drink cola.  I can't remember what they called clear or other colored drinks (thinks like Sprite or Squirt).  My question is when you call everything cola then how do you distinguish one from the other?  Maybe you just don't care.  There is also the soda camp.  Which one do you fit it and why?  These days, I call my caffeinated brown cola of choice soda-pop.  I am not sure when or why that transpired, but it did.  So there you have it, the most exciting thing you've read all day! HA!

Why do you care?  Well there is a good chance you don't...and I am ok with that.  :)  It is simply the jibber jabber that was in my head when I made today's card.  Here is the card, which uses my three brand spankin' new PS stamp sets- Think Fast, Briny Blue (bubbles) and Slang Gang.  When you look at it you might know why that was the course of my thought process...  It makes you feel like you are in the middle of a Pepsi commercial with the colors right?!  I even used some velumn on the cup lid to emulate an actual fountain drink cup lid.  Anyway,  this is probably the most boring post ever- sorry!  Moving on, I made this card for this weeks PS SPARKS Challenge sketch shown here.  (Hopefully they don't dock points for boring posts- lol!)

That is what I have for you today, now go chillax and

enjoy an ice cold soda-pop, or whatever it is you drink!

PS- That reminds me, do you remember the superbowl commercial a few years back for Pepsi- aka Brown and Bubbly- worst soda commercial ever!  http://www.superbowl-commercials.org/1581.html    

Swine Devine

Happy Saturday all.  I hope you are enjoying the weekend.  It is lovely here in Coeur'd Alene.  We have been having lots of great family time and are hoping to take Sophie to the beach and park today for some fun.

Just a quick share today so I can get out in the sun.  I have a fun birthday card I made using another Hambo Digi.  I love this devine swine, so very fabulous!  I used my new 5th and Frolic papers from Dear Lizzy and bunch of elements from BasicGrey Bowties and Kneehighs that went well with it.  For the layout I used this week's Mojo Monday sketch.  I specifically picked this sketch because my it has banners in it and my friend Stacey over at Stacey's Stamping Stage LOVES banners.  She is having a birthday linky party over at her blog until July 10th, go check it out!

Happy (early) Birthday Stacey!

Something exciting to announce...

For the month of July I am Guest Designing over at Hambo Stamps for their weekly challenge blog- the Hambo Hoedown!  I   am sooooooo excited!!!!!!  Hambo has some super fabulous and fun stamps and they come in rubber and digi. I myself like both, but there are always folks who like one version and some who like another and they have both...as they say, variety is the spice of life!

One of the other things I am coming to love about Hambo is the sense of humor they have over there, it is totally up my alley!  They crack me up with their Talk to the Ham blog and Bacon Bits DT!  LOL! I am not sure I've ever told you this but I love bacon, so this is a match made in heaven! :)

So look at the date on the calendar...can you guess what this weeks challenge is?  I'll give you a hint, think patriotic...  If you haven't guessed it yet, spoiler alert, I am telling you now- Red, White and Blue!  Each week they release a new digi that correlates with the challenge theme.  Most of the DT will be using that image for the challenge but I get to use any image.  Since nautical stuff is so hot right now and perfect for summer, I chose the Lighthouse digi for my creation.  I had so much fun creating this card.  I really enjoy coloring for one, so that was perfect and I also used these little star charms that I have been holding onto for a looooooooong time, they were waiting for just the right occasion and here it is!

Thank you so much for joining me for my my big announcement today.  I have been wanting just such and opportunity and I thank Hambo Stamps
for providing it.  Be sure to check their fun stuff out and be sure to come back next Wednesday for the next challenge!

CAS-ual Friday's Challenge

Just a quick post this evening as I have to get packing.  We are headed to Eastern Washington to visit family over the 4th of July and are leaving tomorrow right after work.  But first, my CAS-ual Friday challenge post!

The deadline for the CAS-ual Friday Challenge is usually on Thursday, but due to the holiday in the US they are bumping it up to Wednesday.  I can't say I blame them, everyone deserves a little time off!  The challenge this week was Hunger Games, all creations must include at least one arrow.  If you've read this book you know that symbolism is represented in not only in the arrow but also in the Mockingjay.  So, I tried to incorporate the bird as well.  Here is what I made.  Pretty CAS for me, the DP covers most of the creation and I embossed the bird.  Other than that I just stamped the sentiment on a banner and added the button and arrow with twine- wahlah!  Hope you likey

On that note, have you read the Hunger Games?  Fab set of books if you like that kind of read.   I myself do.  Since having a kiddo and work, etc. reading offers a little escape, so I mostly like fiction and nothing overly serious or depressing.  Anyway, these were filled with action, imagination and of course the good vs. evil element. I am looking forward to the 2nd movie when it comes out.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for another fun post with some awesome crafty news.... :)

Need a morning chuckle?

Well then I might just have the story for you.... If you aren't interested them scroll down to the last paragraph with today's card.

Yesterday morning at work I was extremely busy putting out "fires" and running here and there.  Well wouldn't you know that one of the shoes I was wearing broke... :(  I tried masking tape, I tried staples, I tried any office supply you could possibly think of, but nothing worked.  Luckily, there is an REI about a mile from work, so I thought I'd drive over on my lunch and get some new flip flops.

Here I pause to tell you that we are having a heat wave here in the Seattle area.  Yesterday we were filled with cautions of Extreme/Excessive Heat Warnings with temperatures possibly into the mid 90s.  OK, laugh if you will  (though this is not the part where you are supposed to chuckle...) but we are fair weather folk here and not used to the extreme weather.  My personal wilting point is about 77 degrees...I honestly think spinach can stand more that that!  Anyhoo, I wasn't about to walk several blocks to my car with one shoe and scorch the bottom of my tender little toes, not to mention that this is a city and well... cities are not the cleanest. 

My co-worker who parked in the garage offered me a ride to my car.  I accepted.  We get there only to find that someone has parked me in...doh!  OK, I write a note, a kind note, asking them to "please be aware of where they park next time as I needed to leave and....."  My pen runs out!  Are you kidding me?!  OK...breathe...find another pen... "...couldn't.  Thanks for your consideration."  I hesitate about putting it under the windsheild wiper as I stand on the searing blacktop, "what if they key my car or slash my tires?"  I decide the note is really quite pleasant and they shouldn't have cause, but take a picture of their license plate just in case. 

Meanwhile, I get back in Carrie's car and it dies.  WHAT?!  OK I am starting to feel like I might be a magnet for bad luck.  Carrie (who didn't sleep all night because of her infant son was up hungry throughout the night) thinks she is out of gas.  Um, seriously!?!  Not that I blame her because gas isn't the biggest priority when you have 800 things to do and only time and energy enough for 5...  We are on a steep hill so she puts it in neutral and backs down and turns the key.... in my head I plead, "please, please, please don't make me have to push the car with no shoes in this heat, please start, please start!"  I am pretty sure Carrie is doing her own silent prayer in her head...and... it does!  YEAH!  She speculate that her tank was so low that it just wasn't registering on the steep hill. 

We drive back and laugh the entire way.   We could have cursenot parked in any longer and there was no damage.  SUCCESS!  Phew, I've made it through another day and have a tale to tell all of you!  (Note- laughter is allowed at this point, really it is allowed at any point, but the part where I compare myself to spinach might be the best place to start!)

d and been mad, I could have cried from frustration, but it really wouldn't have been worth it, so we made a joke of it instead! :)  I just ended up going barefoot for the rest of the day.  I am not sure anyone at work noticed or cared.  I got another ride to my car at the end of the day and it was 

Oh, did you come here for a card?!  I nearly forgot.  Well here is my card for the Pinspired Challenge #12.  These colors are totally fun!  I think my card had the right "feel" for the occassion too.  The picture looks like a wedding reception and here I have someone (perhaps a bridesmaid or guest) toasting in congratulations.  UPDATED: I am also throwing this in the for Color Throwdown Challenge # 249 over on their blog.  Why not right?!

Thanks for stopping and I do hope you have a fabulous day!  I can tell you mine started VERY early but is going swimmingly! :)