Card-a-Copia: Holy Smokes!

It's been two months since I posted anything here. First it was my class reunion, then I went through a seriously long beading phase. I think I'm back on the papercrafting train now, though, since I put together a pretty nifty card for my mom's birthday.

Stamp: Pinky (digi stamp, Tiddly Inks)

Papers: Georgia-Pacific coverstock, patterns (Creative

Imaginations), other (unknown)

Inks: Copics

Misc.: punch (Martha Stewart); ribbon (Stampin' Up!), Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, sentiment, rhinestones (KaiserCraft), charm (Dollar Store earring), " (CK Noah computer font

Card-a-Copia: And It's Over!

I truly cannot stand my neighbors. They are both in their fifties, work opposite shifts, and have a hands-off approach to child rearing. None of children have a moral compass and they are prone to all sorts of illegal activities - many of them in the cul de sac outside my home.

I will say this for the dad, however; he cleans up his kids' messes. He was out bright and early this morning with the leaf blower, cleaning up the fireworks debris. (If he would just take care of my dandelion problem, he would be a great guy in my book!)

I only hid in the house for part of the day yesterday, but was plenty productive this weekend. Here are a few of the cards I made.

Stamps: Peek-a-Boo Boy (digi from Karen's Doodles)

Papers: Georgia-Pacific coverstock, circles (Heidi Swapp), other (unknown)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko); Copics

Misc.: corner punch (Stampin' Up!); ribbon (unknown),Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, sentiment (computer generated, CK Buzz), 1/4" hole punch

Stamps: chickens (digi stamp Hambo)

Papers: Georgia-Pacific coverstock, patterns (White Out Collection - We R Memory Keepers)

Inks: Copic markers

Misc.: edge punch (Martha Stewart); ribbon (unknown), Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, sentiment (computer-generated CK Noah font), twine*

The side of the card got cut off, so you can't see the ribbon with the twine on the side.

Stamps: Edna (digi Bugaboo Stamps)
Papers: Georgia-Pacific coverstock), other (unknown)

Inks: Copic markers

Misc.: heart border punch (Martha Stewart); ribbon (unknown), rhinestones (KaiserCraft), sentiment (computer-generated font), Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, stick pin (Heidi Swapp) ribbon (Stampin' Up!)

Card-a-Copia: Yuck, It's Almost the Fourth!

Of all the holidays, the one I dislike the most is the Fourth of July. It has turned into a beer-guzzling excuse to blow things up and be obnoxious. If only most of the people who spend their hard-earned money on fireworks could tell the story of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, I'd put up with the rest of the Independence Day crap; but no, your typical American can't manage that. Arrgghh!

On the other hand, Independence Day is a good excuse to make cards. Here's my patriotic card for this year...coming to a mailbox near some of you soon!

Stamps: star (Stampin' Up!)
Papers: Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), stars (My Minds Eye), brown ("Homeroom Reinforcements," The Paper Company)

Inks: Basic Brown (Stampin' Up!)

Misc.: star punch (Martha Stewart); ribbon (unknown), brads (Stampin' Up!), sentiment (computer-generated Jane Austin font), stick pin (Heidi Swapp) sponge

Card-a-Copia: Father's Day Changito

Still practicing with my Copics and not feeling like I'm very good at it, which is really frustrating given how competitive I am.


This is my Copic-colored Father's Day card using the fun, fun, fun Changito. I loved how Changito clings to Daddy's leg. (Or it might be the mailman, but I'm going with Daddy. Unless Daddy IS the mailman. Hmm...)

Stamps: Changito (Stampendous)
Papers: Whisper White (Stampin' Up!), Ballet Blue and Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up!), Getaways (EK Success), Fab Dad (Foof-a-La)

Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko)

Misc.: scallop punch (Martha Stewart); ribbon (Stampin' Up!), brad (Stampin' Up!), Cuttlebug, Nestabilities, chalks, sponge dauber

Card-a-Copia: A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood! Mr. Rogers would probably have counseled going outside to enjoy the weather - no rain; in fact, not a cloud in the sky! - but I spent the day with the STD's stamping. I didn't finish much of anything, but I got a lot of elements put together for some new cards that I'll be able to complete once the school year is officially over in 4.5 days! I also did some practicing with my Copics and am beginning to believe I can do it...but you be the judge!

The card here was made from an Operation Write Home "triage" card. Not much exists of its former self - just the polka dot paper strip - and I'm so tickled with the way it turned out, I decided to make a bunch more. Many of the supplies for this card were from Operation Write Home stock, so I don't have a lot of specifics.

Stamps: Smoochie (Tiddly Inks); sentiment (Inkadinkadoo)
Papers: (unknown)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Real Red (Stampin' Up!), Copics

Misc.: punch (Martha Steward); rhinestones (Michael's Dollar Bin), ribbon (Michael's)

Card-a-Copia: We (Should) Be Mowin'!

Well, it's a good thing I got my beautiful electric mower out yesterday and mowed most of the front and back yards, because it is raining AGAIN today. You don't have to convince me about global warming - this is not a "normal" Spring here in the Pacific Northwest!

The mower is very quiet and tried valiantly to mow the tall, weed-infested yard. I had to stop mowing when the grass was just too tall and weed wack it down. Sigh. By the time it's dry again, the grass will probably be up too my knees again and I'll have to start the whole grueling process from scratch!

I also weeded the dry creek bed, which had become overrun with some pretty nasty stuff. I will follow the weeding up with a - hopefully - one time application of Round-Up to keep things from growing in the rocks. I think I'm finally at the point in my life where I'd be willing to pay someone to do this kind of work for me, because I'm too tired to do it myself. Until I find someone I think will meet my standards, however, I will continue to do the damned lawn work myself.

Here's a card from some time ago where I used the sewing machine for the first time. I'm not too coordinated, so it's got a real home-made look about it! I knotted ribbon to make the centers of the flowers.

Stamps: Splatter (Stampin' Up!); sentiment (Stampin' Up!)
Papers: patterns (unknown); Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up!); Summer Sun (Stampin' Up!)
Inks: Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up!)

Misc.: punch (Stampin' Up!); flowers (unknown)

Card-a-Copia: A Ketto a Day Keeps the Blues Away

This is the first full-out sunny day the Seattle area has seen in about two weeks. Yes, I should be out running the lawn mower. (Hey, don't rush me!)

Got my hair massacred at the local hair dressing college today. I hope by Monday I can find a magic product to make it look reasonable for the next two weeks. After that, who cares? Few people will actually see me over the summer!

Coming down with my yearly Spring whatever. Many students have been out side. I'm hoping it'll go away, but it feels a little like strep throat right now. Aren't you glad real germs aren't spread through the Internet? (It's only a matter of time, I'm sure!)

I made this card for a shoebox swap last fall and just love the Afro-centric look of it. And who doesn't love a Ketto? Seriously!

Stamps: Kenya Ketto (Stamping Bella); sentiment (Stampin' Up!)
Papers: unknown
Inks: Copic markers, Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)

Misc.: brads (Dollar Tree); Cuttlebug; Nestabilities

Card-a-Copia: For the Best Person I Know in the Entire Universe

Still raining here in the Pacific Northwest. During a brief reprieve from the precipitation last weekend, the neighbor offered to cut down the biggest sections of overgrown lawn so I could more easily mow with the electric mower. I fear I may never get a chance to finish the four-year-old-cuts-own-hair-with-blunt-scissors lawn trim he did because it's just not drying out. (Yes, more rain is predicted throughout the entire week.)

However, the rain has made it possible for me to do some interior work that was sorely in need of being done. The guest bedroom is in much better shape - until the kittens get to it - and the family room has a new piece of furniture I got at Ikea to hide stamping/beading supplies, so it's improved - until the kittens get to it - and the stamp room is looking better - until the kittens get to it. Hmm, I see a pattern emerging!

Here's the card I made over the weekend at the Saturday Stamping and Scrapping get-together at April's house. It's for Grandma's birthday and I love the way it turned out...although she'll never be able to read the sentiment on the front, it's so small!

Stamps: Rosie Posy (Lili of the Valley)
Papers: "Breaking Free" (My Mind's Eye)
Inks: Copic markers, Tuxedo Black Memento (Tsukineko)

Misc.: ribbon (Stampin' Up!); punch (Martha Stewart); text (computer generated, CK Noah font); chalk/dauber (Stampin' Up!); Cuttlebug; Nestabilities

Card-a-Copia: I'm in Love!

Another oldie-but-goodie! I thought I'd feature something about love since I am officially in love with my new stove. I spend idle time just polishing the top and admiring its smooth surface. I actually cooked on the stovetop twice this weekend and baked a frozen pizza that turned out perfect. Love, love, love it!


The stamps for this card have long since retired, but the set featured cows for four different holidays. Way fun!


Stamps: Cow, heart, and sentiments (Stampin' Up!)
Papers: Confetti Tan (Stampin Up!), Real Red (Stampin' Up!), Basic Black (Stampin' Up!)
Inks: Basic Black (Stampin' Up!) Bordering Blue (Stampin' Up!)

Card-a-Copia: Monstrously Good Stuff!

Once upon a time I saw these really funny monster stamps that I just had to have. And it was a brilliant purchase! This card was made from a cute set of six clear rubber stamps from Michael's and the one lone sheet of some really awesome Halloween paper I had left over from a purchase long ago.

It's another rainy day here in the Pacific Northwest. It seems that Late Spring started to turn the corner but realized she'd forgotten her purse at home and turned around to go get it! The lawn is now officially thigh-high in a couple of places but until it dries out a little, I can't use my fancy new electric lawn mower to cut it!

But since I'm stuck inside again, I can use my fancy new stove to make baked Alaska - or maybe just baked cookies! I got this brand new, in the box, glass-top stove for $380! And it only took me four hours and six trips to the trash/recycling bin to install it myself!

Today, then, I'm being Hannah Homemaker and baking, working on the final project for my School Libraries class, and doing some beading before the finale of Lost comes on. I am taking a day off of work tomorrow - maybe it won't be raining and the grass can get cut after all!

Stamps: Little Monsters (Michael's Recolletions), sentiment (Stampin' Up!)
Papers: pattern (Scenic Route), orange (Around the Block), Basic Black, (Stampin' Up!)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), colored pencils (Prismacolor), blending stumps, Goo-Gone
Miscellaneous: brad (Dollar Tree); ribbon (Stampin' Up!); Cuttlebug; Nestabilities

Card-a-Copia: Nature's Creatures

So here in the Pacific Northwest, it's mostly slugs and ants, but I'm sure if we looked hard enough, we could find some frogs around here somewhere, too; although I really doubt any of them would be as gorgeous as this little gal!


This frog is part of a digi-series by Pink Petticoat, whose work I can't say enough about. (Not to mention the fabulous website with samples and freebies that will make most papercrafters drool. You've got to visit there soon!)


Stamps: frog (Pink Petticoat)
Papers: pattern (unknown), green (Die Cuts With a View)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black, Copic markers
Miscellaneous: ribbon (unknown); flowers (Prima); Cuttlebug; Nestabilities

Card-a-Copia: Grab a Snack

Oh, you know me, if there's sprinkles (or glitter or sequins) on it, it's mine, no matter how ridiculous!


I chose an odd layout for this, but again, I couldn't resist. It's a donut hole...get it? I ran the cardstock base through the Cuttlebug to create the hole and centered the donut on the inner base. There's not a lot of room to write, but it's good for a quick, "Hey, ya wanna grab a snack sometime soon?"


Stamps: donut (Hero Arts)
Papers: pattern (unknown), Creamy Caramel (Stampin' Up!)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tuxedo), Copics
Miscellaneous: ribbon (unknown); twine (unknown) button (Basic Gray); Cuttlebug; Nestabilities; "CK Leisurely" computer font

Card-a-Copia: It's Spring!

And I have to mow. :-(

On the plus side, I just bought a new electric lawnmower that starts with a key and has a battery that I can recharge in the house! I'd like to say I'm excited about mowing with the new mower, but I am just NOT a lawn and garden kind of girl. Give me a stack of cardstock and some scissors any day, but not grass, dandelions, and a mower!

Speaking of cardstock, here's another recent card:

Stamps: sofa and saying (Stampin' Up!)

Papers: Not Quite Navy and Rose Red, (Stampin' Up!), patterned paper (My Mind's Eye)
Inks: Basic Brown, Not Quite Navy, Rose Red (Stampin' Up!)
Miscellaneous: punch (Martha Stewart); twine (Stampin' Up!), brads (Stampin' Up!)

Card-a-Copia: Whoo's Ready for Summer?

Me! ME! I'm ready for summer! In fact, there are 28 more school days until I can do stuff I want to do instead of things I have to do...like crafting! (Well, there is the curriculum and writing program I need to construct and the perpetual lawn maintenance, but who's counting those!)

This is a card I made last week. I found the great owl papers at my local craft store and combined them with the wood looking background paper that was a 4/$1.00 find. The owl is colored with Copic markers - obviously still trying to figure those out! - and the sentiment is computer generated. How about the funky paperclip and the great ribbon combo?

Stamps: owl (The Greeting Farm)
Papers: patterns (My Minds Eye); Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up)
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Copic markers
Miscellaneous: ribbon (May Arts); paperclip (7 Gypsies); Cuttlebug; Nestabilities; "Two Turtle Doves" computer font

Card-a-Copia: An Oldie

I made this card a year or two ago with a Stampin Up! set. I found the paper on sale and couldn't pass it up, but couldn't figure out what to do with it once I got it home! I like how the large graphic images go with the "big" greeting and, of course, the paper features my favorite color family!


This is a great guy card because of the paper and images!



Stamps: big and thanks (Stampin' Up!)
Papers: Boho Chic (), Old Olive and Not Quite Navy (Stampin' Up!)
Inks: Old Olive and Basic Brown (Stampin' Up!)
Miscellaneous: pewter brads (Stampin' Up!) and teal brad ()

Card-a-Copia: Manuals, oy!

Why did I have to spend 30 minutes searching the internet to figure out how to take a good close-up shot with my Canon camera? All the manual needed to say was press the button to the right of the view screen with the tulip on it. Seriously, this is not brain surgery, Canon, just get to the point!
Here's the first of many photos to come of cards I have made. This one is for Valentine's Day next year. (Ya gotta love the markdown bins at craft stores!)


Stamps: cupid and swirl (Michael's dollar bin)
Papers: unknown
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black (Tsukineko), Copics
Miscellaneous: ribbon (Stampin' Up!); rhinestones (Kaisercraft); Cuttlebug; Nestabilities; "CK Journaling" computer font

Lest the girls get left out of the family photo opportunity, here is Saddles (who always looks pissed off...and probably is!)

And here's Mignon, who runs or dives under the covers when she hears the motor of the camera, so I don't have a single good shot of her.

Card-a-Copia: Making up for lost time

I will be posting cards I have made over the past couple years but didn't get digitized until now.  Here's an oldie-but-a-goodie from last year:



Stamps: quote (Stampin' Up!)
Papers: unknown
Inks: Memento Tuxedo Black
Miscellaneous: ribbon and paperclip (Stampin' Up!); punch (Martha Stewart)


The boys-who experts say are no longer kittens but JUNIORS now-were playing WWE on the bed at 3:30 AM. And one of them yakked on the floor.


Fun. 

Here's the main culprit, Yael.

And the wingman, Cocoa.

The Yadda Yadda Buffet: Here I go again!

I decided to start blogging again, this time with strict instructions to myself that I do not have to be witty and wise ALL the time! This blog will focus on the home front and creativity; hopefully that will provide enough humor that I won't embarrass myself with a bunch of lame entries!


My first act of creativity was to edit the blog header you see at the top of the blog. The original, from Mikelle of My Style Backgrounds didn't have enough whimsy for me, so I rolled up Photoshop's sleeves, and added more of everything! I like the way it turned out and am thankful that I had a great jumping off point with Mikelle's Wild Thing background and header.