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