Christmas in July on Etsy!

I'd really like to encourage everyone to stop by Etsy and maybe do some early Christmas shopping. More than 700 shops are running sales up through the 25th. Why not support handmade and give one of a kind gifts this year?
I was just gettin' jiggy with some Sassafrass Lass on this one. Do you see the old SU! stamp? I have dragged that little set out and have been using it lately. People outside the stamping world have no idea this stamp is "old." I had to add Orange Peel Stickles accents-it's one of my favorite colors, it's super sparkly and very orange. Stickles is on sale at Creative Play Stamps for $1.59. That's about as good as it gets.
This one is kind of old school, but it sold on Etsy, so I was pleased.
The kinds of things I sell on Etsy and the kinds of things we stampers go crazy for aren't always the same.
These were a custom order for a baby shower. They went on a banner or something. I can't remember exactly, but my customer had a really cute idea, and she bought stuff from two or three Etsy shops for the shower. The glitter I used is Art Accent's Angel Dust. It's just like Dazzling Diamonds, just so ya know! CPS has a large selection of glitter from many companies. I drool over it regularly.

I hope you are having a terrific summer. We're having fish tacos for dinner, I hope they're good, because I'm hungry!

Creative Cuts and More Christmas in July Blog Hop

This month, by playing in with the Die Cut Divas, you can win Creative Cuts and More's fabulous Christmas Card Kit!! This kit retails for $29.99 and has a $40.00 value!
This is the Matchbox. It is larger than a small matchbox, and so easy to put together! The bottom doesn't even require any adhesive!

Use this coupon code at Creative Cuts & More, it's good through July 18th!
This is the 3D Sleigh. I make a new one every year. They are fun to work with, and can be decorated to match any decor.

Here is the order of the hop. If you didn't start at Die Cut Diva, you should hop on over there so that you don't miss anyone!

Die Cut Diva - http://die-cut- diva.blogspot. com/

Steph Zerbe http://stephzerbedesign.blogspot.com/

Becky Voth http://scrapateenyg irls.blogspot. com

Jan Tatomir http://www.jantatom ir.blogspot. com/

Noelle Reese - http://noellescraps alot.blogspot. com/

Kayla Dupont - http://dream- bielieve- imagine-mustangk ayla.blogspot. com/

Carla http://paperpastora le.blogspot. com

Chris Dickinson http://www.chrissyd 723.blogspot. com

Lisa Somerville www.lisasomerville. com

Holly Brown - http://glitterstamp sandink.blogspot .com/

(A) Leave a comment on this post. (This is limited to one per person unless you meet the criteria of B, C, and/or D below.)

(B) Leave one extra comment if you've posted a link to this blog candy on your own blog. Make sure to include a link to your specific post in your comment.

(C) Leave one extra comment if you become one of our blog followers. See the right-hand navigation column to follow us.

(D) Leave one extra comment if you click over to our new page on Facebook and become a fan.

(E) Leave one extra comment by commenting on ALL of our talented Designers in our Blog Hop!

For a chance to win a wonderful prize from Creative Cuts and More, complete the above and head back to www.diecutdiva. com.

The next hop is to the fabulous Chris-I know you will love what she has to show you!!

Happy Fourth of July!

One of my very best customers on Etsy asked for some high heel cards, so I made them! She has been a tremendous supporter of my work, and if it's at all possible, I'll do what she asks!
I borrowed a few stamps from my little sister, and bought a few of my own.
Now I can't quit making fashionista cards! I used Brushed Silver Distress Stickles on this one. I get mine at Creative Play Stamps. I love the store, and I love the prices!
I think I'm going to get a pair just like this to teach in next year. They look comfy, don't you think?
What do you think my principal would say if I showed up in these? My students would think I was tha shiz, that's for sure!
I am going to try to become a blogger again. I don't know why I can't stick with it anymore, but I'm going to try and do better!

Sweet little row of owls!

I'm sitting here in a hotel room in Craig, CO. I came with Troy and some of his students for the FFA State Convention. We've had a lot of fun. I'm taking Wilson to the pool when it opens at one, but what to do until then? This is day three, and I've already done all the shopping I should probably do! I did bring Troy's parents' 50th wedding anniversary invites, and I will most likely finish those today.

How do you like these sweet little owls? Cute, huh? I think Noelle gave me this stamp, I'm not sure though, because I am feeble, and lucky I can remember my own name.

Living Room BEFORE Pictures

It's a small house 750 up and 750 down. I think it could fit into my classroom, I'll have to measure sometime. This view is right inside the front door. Two bedrooms on the right, bathroom ahead.
Master bedroom, and I use that term loosely. That's where Troy and I sleep. It's pretty easy to get around the bed if you turn sideways.
To the left of the front door. The paneling is currently undergoing a transformation. The LOVELY black curtains are history.
Front door. Do you see the curtain? It is made of some kind of unidentifiable velvet-like substance. In peach. No, I'm not kidding. It has swoops and swags and stuff. So, being the incredibly thrifty girl that I am, I said to myself, "Self", I says, "I could run this through the cuttlebug and make embellishments with this hideous travesty of home decorating, and mebe make sompin' purty." So, I took it downstairs and washed it. When I opened the washer, everything was covered in VERY SHINY FIBER. So I said to myself, "Self", I says, "This will all come off in the dryer." NOT EVEN A LITTLE BIT CAME OFF. I laughed my ass off as I put Troy, Ross and Skyler's clothes away. Now this is a gift that keeps on giving, because when they wear these items, I will be able to laugh at their expense once again.
So that's all I have on the home remodeling front today.

Happy Memorial Day!

Some Gina K. patterned paper, and the polka dot stamp is from the Bold Flowers set.
More stuff from the Floral Frenzy Stamp TV Kit. I have used the heck out of that kit, and I still have a few scraps of paper and ribbon!
Did you know that Wild West used to sell for well over $100 on eBay? I never sold mine.

One evening, the lilac bushes were covered in butterflies, and Troy snapped a few pics. Ross and I were out on our evening stroll at the time, and we actually stopped and examined a butterfly bush that was covered in butterflies. Isn't it interesting that even though we weren't together, we were doing the same thing? Seriously, isn't the connection with loved ones the most amazing thing?

Homeowners!

So there you have it!! We had to move in the middle of the school year this year because the house we were renting sold. When we moved into this one, after we knew it was a good house without any huge flaws, we decided to buy. It's a good little house and will work well for us for a year or two. Most of all, no strangers parading in and out on a moment's notice, and no having to move in the middle of the school year while trying to direct a musical. That almost killed me, I tell ya.

We have started bending the yard to our will, and have fixed holes and filled paneling stripes. Next we paint and then tear up the nasty carpet. There's 100 year old hardwood under this carpet!!! Then curtains, some new miniature furniture, and the living room will be done! We are going to turn this house into the cutest little thing!
This is a Unity owl. Love it!
Gina K. Designs -all of it. Even the sketch!

Creative Cuts and More Celebration Blog Hop

I love this Card Portfolio. It holds four A2 cards perfectly. What a nice gift this would be for someone you care about!
The theme of this blog hop is CELEBRATE. Why not celebrate the fact that you have people to love by giving them a bit of love in the form of PAPER!

This sweet box is cut from Stardream card stock. Choose Stardream Metallic card stock if you are looking for an elegant shimmer.
This box is a total breeze to put together and it's an interesting shape. It's the size of a cd case, and almost three times as deep.
It comes with an acetate square so your goodies, whatever they may be, won't fall out. Nice, huh?
It's the Heart Window Square Box #01

CELEBRATION BLOG HOP!

Hello! Welcome to the Celebration Blog Hop for Creative Cuts and More's NEW Website! You are in for a GREAT treat! We have TONS of VERY Talented Designers that came to join us for this special HOP!

On the NEW website have over 100 NEW Die Cuts AND a NEW section called GREAT DEALS! Today, each of our Designers will be showcasing some of the NEW DIE CUTS Creative Cuts and More offers!

There will be 5 prizes in the form of Gift Certificates. 1 - $25.00 Gift Certificate, 1 - $20.00 Gift Certificate, 1 - $15.00 Gift Certificate, 1- $10.00 Gift Certificate, 1- $5.00 Gift Certificate

Ways to win ONE of the gift certificates (one certificate per winner!)

(A) Leave a comment on this post. (This is limited to one per person unless you meet the criteria of B, C, and/or D below.)

(B) Leave one extra comment if you've posted a link to this blog candy on your own blog. Make sure to include a link to your specific post in your comment.

(C) Leave one extra comment if you become one of our blog followers. See the right-hand navigation column to follow us.

(D) Leave one extra comment if you click over to our new page on Facebook and become a fan.

(E) Leave one extra comment by commenting on ALL of our talented Designers in our Blog Hop!

(F) Leave one extra comment by another chance to win subscribe to mailing list at www.creativecutsandmore.com

Now it's time for you to hop on over to Rachel's blog, Hope Stamps Eternal to see what gorgeous creations she has in store!

Just Call me Rita. Margarita!

This sassy gal was an image RAK from my friend, Sue, aka Perk, over on SCS. It's not the type of stamp I would ever buy, but I had fun making this card. I've never actually had a Margarita. I've tasted them, and I think they are yucky. I do think I might take a liking to them if they were offered in the junior high teacher's lounge, which is probably one of the many reasons why they don't have a bar in teacher's lounges. Can you imagine? ***Snort***

Hello! Is anybody out there?

I'd be surprised if anyone was, seeing as how I've been gone for two months! I thought I might try to get back to my blog now and again. I decided to start with these tiny tags I made using a Basic Grey set my sister gave me. Aren't they cute? I think there are three of the little Matryoshkas, and this is the smallest one. The tags are just some office supply tags I picked up somewhere. I added some beautiful hot fix crystals, which I get at Creative Cuts and More. They come in a wheel dispenser that is chock full of fabulous crystals. Makes me happy just thinking about it!

These tags are in my Etsy shop. Tags seem to do pretty well for me. I am enjoying Etsy, but it is a tremendous amount of work, and expensive. I don't think I'm making a profit, but I'm having fun. I can just ignore it when I don't have time to fiddle with it. That doesn't make for a terribly successful shop, but it's what I can do!

Bookmark, Tags and Junior High Kids

One of my worst photographic efforts ever, but I still love this little Crafty Secrets cherub! I stamped and sponged him and layered him with punched ovals.


I'm doing a series of dead white guy bookmarks. This is John Winthrop. He's dead. And white. Seriously, though, these are cut from a 1947 American Literature textbook. I have a lot of fun putting them together. I reread the history and keep decorations to a minimum, so they are easy and educational. I have actually sold some of these in my Etsy shop, so apparently they appeal to others as well.

I am loving my junior high kids. I like teaching JH better than high school. I never thought I'd say that! I have two HS classes, and my speech class is full of seniors. How jaded, angry and rude they seem compared to my sixth graders. Have they always been like this and I never noticed? They whine constantly about being tired, their school work, the school itself, everything to do with school and each other. Or are my JH kids just so sweet and open and excited that 18 year olds seem especially obnoxious?

Anyway, today I'm grateful for my junior high students-every wild, innocent, wiggly and irritating bit of them!

More cards for Baby Francesca's First Events

No, I'm not pregnant! No, I didn't just have a baby, Lord help me! These cards are for a custom order on Etsy. I was asked to create six cards for Baby Francesca's first events. I thought it was a clever idea, and I had lots of fun with it! One of my blog buddies does this, I want to say it's Amy Tsuruta, but I'm not sure.
So this is her Father's Day card. Pretty standard fare on the outside-those are Flourishes stamps-but I did the inside a little differently.
Easter, obviously. I thought she'd like the feel of the micro beads. She could probably drool this card to death, don't you think?

Well, musical rehearsals have begun. Three nights a week, plus extra when called for. I have help for this one, though! The band teacher, Pat, is in charge of the music. It's nice to have someone else on board. Plays are a tremendous amount of work! When I'm not at rehearsals, there's always costuming and set design. Who needs a life, anyway?

I'm trying Motivated Moms to get my house under control. I heard about it from my little sis, who really doesn't need it. However, she's such a perfectionist about her house, that now that it's normal, she thinks the world has come to an end. Join the club, sistah! Children aren't for sissies or perfectionists! Anyone else trying MM out?