Random things about me

Sara (check out her blog on the right) tagged me, so here are 7 random things about myself:

1. I got my first (and only, so far!) tattoo when I was 35 ~ OUCH!!
2. I am absolutely TERRIFIED to fly. When my oldest was only 2 mths, I passed up a trip home because I just couldn't bring myself to get on a plane. I'm talking sweaty palms, cold chills down the back TERRIFIED.
3. I could eat ice cream for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
4. I love watching Ghost Hunters and home decorating shows.
5. I haven't worked outside of the home in 7 yrs. and am extremely nervous to go back out into the *working world* next year.
6. I really, really, really would love to get some of my work published but hesitate to send anything in because I worry it won't be *good enough*.
7. I love to refinish furniture.

Whew, that was hard!! Ok, I'm thinking that almost everyone has probably been tagged at this point, so whoever would like to write some random things about themselves, please do so!

Festive birthday colors

Here's my card for today's color challenge over on SCS. They're such fun, bright colors, I immediately thought *birthday*. Although, these colors did give me a little bit of a fit! I started this card last night and after working on it for about an hour, just stopped and went to bed. I suppose I got a decent amount of sleep because I didn't seem to have a problem finishing it off this morning. I actually inked the entire flower stamp from Oh so lovely in so saffron, then went over the stem part with a turqoise marker (go back to 1st grade or those older ziploc commercials ~ yellow and blue make green! did I just date myself???) and went over the flower centers with a red marker. {man, I love my SU markers!} The scallop piece was inspired by Chat's work (check out her blog on the right).

Today is my middle son's 7th birthday so he gets to decide where we eat dinner. So no cooking for me, but I do have to make a cake. He asked for a Nintendo DS for his gift, but we told him if he got that, then we wouldn't throw a party for him (same offer we made our oldest) because those things are expensive!! Well, his Gameboy Advance SP has been misplaced for a few weeks now and we told him that if he didn't find it, he wouldn't get the DS. Well, I had already bought it! But I really don't think he's expecting it, so I'm hoping he'll be very surprised to get his gift this afternoon. Alrighty ~ thanks for stopping by!

Another Christmas card

Here's a card I plan on doing at an upcoming workshop. My hostess requested that I show the bleaching technique, so I thought it'd be cool to have some bleached *flurries*. Super easy technique with really cool results, I just hope it doesn't get messy at the workshop!! I almost didn't add the swirls on the card base, but now I think it just makes it look more festive.

We're getting down to just a few days before we get our things all packed and shipped out! I'm so excited and nervous. I really hope my youngest handles it well. My other two are old enough to realize what's going on, so maybe they'll be *good* big brothers and help out their youngest bro. Well, if I can ever figure out how to add a counter to my blog, I may actually get to a point where I'll give some blog candy!! If anyone can give me some help with that, I'd greatly appreciate it! Hope everyone has a great week!

Basic pomegranate color challenge

I started this one a few hours ago, then the little one woke up and well, I'm sure you know the how the rest of your day goes when you have a little one! Anyway, I do like this stamp set, but didn't feel like coloring it all in and that's where the Spotlight technique came in! What a great technique when you're feeling *lazy* or just don't have enough time. The *snowy* parts of the colored image have liquid applique on them. I sponged over the basic grey textured cs to soften it, plus it helps accentuate the texture. This is also my card for Beate's sketch challenge, WSC24 ~ her blog is listed on the right, so go check it out!! Alright, lots to do today ~ geesh, what else is new ~ so I better go! We are getting very *short*, as they say. We're down to 42 days left in paradise. I can't believe how quick the time flew, but time to move on. Ok, I'm blabbin'... thanks for stopping by!!

New banner?

Hey, look! I did my blog banner myself ~ what do y'all think?? Go ahead, be honest! I'm still learning my Adobe Photoshop program, so I'd appreciate any and ALL comments! Thanks for stopping by! I hope to have time to post a card (that I started almost 3 hrs ago!!) a little later!

Fall color wishes

Here's my card that was inspired by Jen70's blog challenge to use really rust, bravo burgundy and river rock. Such a wonderful combo!! The large panel was done using the versamark emboss resist technique. I stamped the larger image from the True Friend set in versamark on glossy cardstock, let dry, then brayered river rock over it. Once I wiped off the excess ink, I think colored the smaller circle image from that set with burgundy and rust markers. The cut out medallion was done by first stamping in river rock, then, because SU doesn't have a river rock marker, I went over certain areas with the rust and burgundy markers. For a little *extra* I added a copper eyelet, faux stitching and distressed the burgundy layer. And, as usual, I have to rush off to run errands!! Geesh! OH! Almost forgot, the card base has linen stamped on it in rust, not sure if you can see it good! Alright, have a great evening and GO SAINTS!!!

Limited elegance

I have to say that I love Jen's limited challenges. Sometimes having too many options just makes my head spin! We were only allowed to use one flower image stamped once, one swirly type image, ribbon as the only embellishment. We were also allowed to use punches, paper piercer and sponging. I just received my True Friend set earlier this week, so this is the first time it's seen ink. Such a pretty set and it was kinda cool to be able to just pop out the die cut stamps, adher to the wood and ink! I did the shadowed swirl using celery and white craft. I don't have a stamp-a-ma-jig, so I just line it up and hope for the best!! Ok, lots of errands to run, so off I go!! Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

card info: paper ~ celery, guava, white. stamps ~ true friend, baroque motifs. ink ~ celery, guava, white craft. access. ~ punches, ribbon, marker, piercer.