My Hope Is In You, Lord

When we bought our new van it came with a 90 day subscription to Sirius XM Radio.  I've been loving it!   Not sure I want to give it up.  But I'm gonna have to be selling a lot more stamps to afford it, LOL!

The kids like Radio Disney and some other teenie-bopper station.  My two favorites are "The Boneyard," a heavy metal station and "The Message," a Christian station.  Talk about two completely different stations.

Last night, I went to the funeral home last night to see my Aunt Carm.  That was the noisiest funeral home I have ever been to - all those chatty Italians in one big room!  Even though it was sad, everyone was prepared, in some way, for her passing.  On the way home I heard a new song on "The Message" and wanted to share it.  Knowing that I would forget the artist and title, I saved a text message in my phone with the information (also hoping that I wouldn't actually send the message by accident).  Then I watched the video this morning.

Kinda ironic, I had no idea that the video would be about someone passing.  I hope to remain strong for my Aunt Carm's children and grandchildren - and also for my dad and his brothers and sisters.

Addendum:  I also found a video that was the inspiration for this song and wanted to share it, too.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Two Fall Challenges

Today's project combines two challenges, the Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge to IMPRESS (embossing folder, heat embossing, letterpress plate) and the SUO Challenge  to use fall colors.  As part of my Fall Stamp Camp, I had participants make a candle.  This one uses different colors than in my camp and is also a taller pillar.  This way, I can show off more fall colors!

I stamped the leaves onto white tissue paper (waxy side up - don't know why - someone recommended it) then cut them out leaving about 1/8" tissue paper on the perimeter.  You don't have to be precise about your cutting. 

I used a More Mustard ink pad and Cajun Craze and Early Espresso markers for the maple leaves.
I used the Pear Pizzazz ink and Always Artichoke and Soft Suede markers for the oak leaves.
I used More Mustard and Early Espresso for the aspen leaves.

Be careful to clean the stamp after you stamp each leaf, so you don't contaminate your ink pads.

I used a small bit of adhesive on the center of each leaf (waxy side facing candle) to hold the leaves in place.  Then I wrapped a piece of waxed paper around the entire candle. (The width of a piece fits nicely around the candle to give you a "handle.")  Next, using a heat tool, heat the candle until the image gets glossy and the tissue paper melts into the candle.  Be careful not to overheat the candle or the wax will start dripping.  I heated one leaf at a time.  Reposition the waxed paper as needed to get each leaf to adhere to the candle. Watch Dawn Griffith's video to see the process in action.  Then I embellished the candle with fabric, ribbon and a tag. Note to self: These candles would make great gifts for teachers!

Stamps: Gently Falling, Fabulous Phrases
Paper: white tissue paper, Very Vanilla
Ink: More Mustard and Pear Pizzazz ink, Cajun Craze, Always Artichoke, Soft Suede and Early Espresso markers
Accessories: heat tool, waxed paper, Spice Cake designer fabric, Crumb Cake taffeta ribbon, hemp twine, Tag punch

We've got a busy week for the Carlson family.  Fall swim lessons start today.  It's only twice a week for five weeks.  It's right after school.  So I've got to start cooking supper at lunch time if we're going to eat on time.  Good thing is that Bradley's cross country practice is over at the same time that swimming ends.  Kim's workshop is tomorrow morning and I'm ready for it.

On a sad note, my Aunt Carm passed away over the weekend.  She's one of my dad's nine siblings, and the first to pass away.  She had cancer.  She's finally reunited with her husband who passed away in 1992.  I know she's not suffering anymore.  Please say a prayer for her nine brothers and sisters, six children and 14 grandchildren that she left behind.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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A Card for My First Grade Teacher

A few days ago I opened the newspaper to see that my first grade teacher, Mrs. Fye, was celebrating her 65th wedding anniversary.  Over the years I wondered what happened to Mrs. Fye.   Sadly, I never tried to locate her.  Of course, I thought this was a great opportunity to send her a card!

I ran the Blushing Bride card stock through the Big Shot with the Elegant Lines embossing folder.  Then I sprayed it with Champagne shimmer mist paint and alcohol. It really sparkles in real life.

Today I scanned my card instead of taking a photo.  I've been having computer troubles again.  The desktop computer is not recognizing the printer. It's been an ongoing issue.  Hopefully, things have been resolved : )

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Very Vanilla, Blushing Bride
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Elegant Lines tief, Oval punch, Scallop Oval punch, Champagne Shimmer Mist paint, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Candy Corn Card - and a Challenge

Yesterday I had to get up get up at 5 am to take Bradley to the school for an away cross country meet.  As I was driving home at the early time of 6:15 am I thought to myself, "Why not go to Walmart!"

I've got a love/hate relationship with Walmart.  But at 6:30 am there weren't any long check-out lines or strange people.  Actually, I saw some pretty 'normal' people there.  I wanted to ask them why they were there so early.  Maybe they're just morning people.  They didn't look like they had just gotten off the night shift.  In fact, all of them seemed to be happy.  It was a pleasant shopping experience.

As I was walking through the aisles, I kept seeing candy corn.  They've strategically placed bags of it all over the store on the end caps.  Thus, the inspiration for today's card:

For the candy corn pieces I started with a strip of Whisper White card stock.  Using Tombow multipurpose glue I adhered a 3/8" strip of Daffodil Delight, then above that a 5/8" strip of Pumpkin Pie.  Next I used the Petite Pennant Builder punch to create the candy corn shape - leaving the tip of Whisper White showing.

After they were punched I applied Crystal Effects.  The candy and the greeting are all popped up on Stampin' Dimensionals.

I'm entering this card in the Pals Paper Arts Halloween challenge.

Stamps: Grateful Greetings
Paper: Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black. Just Add Cake dsp
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Accessories:  Petite Pennant Builder punch, 1 1/4" Square punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

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Who Doesn't Love a Pizza Party?!?

A few months ago I saw a punch art pizza card that Connie Babbert made.  I wasn't sure when I'd actually make this card, but filed away the idea for future reference.  Fast forward to last week when I was in the Giant Eagle. One of the things I bought was sweet Italian sausage.  Mary, the clerk, asked what I was going to make with it.  So I told her about my Beefy Pizza Casserole.  Mary said that she's always looking for new things to try and asked if I'd bring her the recipe.  As I was leaving the store, I remembered about the pizza card!

This Beefy Pizza Casserole recipe originated from an issue of Southern Living.  The recipe calls for two pounds of ground beef.  The first time I made it, everyone loved it.  After tasting it my husband said, "Wouldn't this be good with some sausage in it?!"  So the next time I made it, I substituted half of the sausage for the ground beef.  It was a hit in our house with everyone!  (That's kinda a tough feat to accomplish since there's six of us.)  I suppose you could put any pizza "topping" in it that you like.  On occasion, I've added some pepperoni and mushrooms.  And my favorite spice mix to add to it is the Pizza Seasoning from Penzey's Spices.

As I was gathering all of my "ingredients" for the pizza card, I searched the "pantry" for some more recipes and found Tammy Howell's video.  Inspiration also came from Linda Aarhus.  Her card was actually the first online pizza card that I saw.

 
So this card is going to go to Mary.  Hope she likes it!


Stamps: Word Play
Paper: Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Basic Black, card stock vellum, Cajun Craze
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze
Accessories: 1/4" circle punch, 1/2"circle punch, 1" circle punch, Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer punch, Stampin' Dimensionals

Yesterday I was proud of myself.  Got the pizza card made and actually got dinner on the table for my family all in one day!  I was afraid we'd have to call out for pizza, LOL!

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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Clean and Simple Fall Cards

Since I'm in the business of making cards, you might assume that I have a stash of cards ready to send at a moment's notice.  Not so!  I needed a few cards to send to a few friends.  Here's what I came up with:

These cards were super-easy to create.  I stamped on a 4 x 5 1/4" piece of Very Vanilla, then used a Soft Suede marker to draw a border.  I popped that piece with dimesionals on a Very Vanilla card base.

Wow!  I created two cards, photographed and uploaded them, and wrote this post all before noon.  I'm going to enter these cards in a clean and simple challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  Now, I hope I don't miss the mail carrier!

 
Stamps: Gently Falling, Short & Sweet, Thoughts and Prayers
Paper: Very Vanilla
Ink: Old Olive, More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Soft Suede marker
Accessories: Stampin' Dimensionals

Happy Stamping!

Susan

Addendum:  To hand draw the border I used a piece of cardboard from a dsp pack as seen in Dawn Olchefske's video.

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A Quiet House

Today is unusually quiet in our house.  Clarice is still sleeping and I've got plenty of things to do.  But I am sitting here at the computer.  Over the weekend I made several different Christmas cards for my upcoming Christmas Stamp Camp, but haven't photographed them yet. 

Last week Randy helped me mount the Stampin' Up! logo to my new van.  Here it is:

 

Lots going on tonight:

Bradley has his first Cross Country meet at 4:30 pm.  I asked him last night to get everything packed that he needed.  Told him he'd need a separate bag for all his gear.  But he insisted on putting it all in his school backpack.  Then this morning I get a call from Bradley while he's on the bus on the way to school that he needs his spikes.  They didn't make it into his backpack.  This is only the second week of school - and the first trip to deliver a forgotten item.  (I'm trying to get him to be more self-sufficient - and can't enable him by packing his bag.)  Since Cross Country is not exactly a spectator sport, I told Bradley I'd be at the school before 5:30 pm, but I'm not exactly sure when he'll be finished.  Having a kid in a school sport is a new learning experience for me.

Annika has her Open House tonight at school from 7-8 pm.  I'm SO glad that the two elementary schools are doing their open houses on two different days.  (Thank you, Mrs. Weller!)  Prior to this year, we had to go to one school from 6-7 pm, then the other school from 7-8 pm.  I already told the girls that they have to shower before 7 pm.  (I'm sure that all of the girls will want to accompany me!)  Since Randy and I are outnumbered, we've gotta keep on track with the bedtime routine.

Because of the evening events, I've got to start thinking about what to have for supper.  And it's not even 9 am!  We're probably going to all eat at different times tonight because of the scattered evening schedule.  It's only going to get more complicated as the kids get older.

Hope you have a great day!

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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New Projects From My Kids, and a Little Rambling

I hate to admit it, but my girls have a love/hate relationship with Stampin' Up!  My dear daughter  Annika who is nine tell me she hates my 'job.'  She says that I spend all of my time doing Stampin' Up! stuff and never pay any attention to her.  Yet, when it comes right down to it, she really does love it!   I do try to do include her in some projects.  But the times she suggests it (like bedtime!) are not always the right time to 'share what I love.'

A few weeks ago we watched Frenchie's video together on how to make the shaving cream background.  We had everything in the house to complete the project.  However, I asked Annika to help with a few chores first.  With some hesitation and some grumbling, she completed the her torturous chores (what a mean mom I am!) and she got to make her backgrounds.

These ones were done with Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, and Cajun Craze.  They're almost too pretty to cover up.  I've added them to my collection of unfinished projects.  Hopefully, I'll finish a card with them soon.  I'm thinking French Foliage!

We experimented with two more sets of colors: Pretty in Pink, Melon Mambo, and Cherry Cobbler - and Pacific Point, Night of Navy and Not Quite Navy.  (Sadly, I don't have photos to share.)  The kids wanted to keep doing it all night long.  But we had to stop somewhere.  Besides, the dining room smelled like a barber shop.

Dide (pronounced Dee-da, a Dutch name) says she wants to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator when she grows up.  Dide is a first grader this year.  She is still at that age (and has the personality) where she'll do anything to please me.  We watched Dawn's video on how to make a heart punch art flower.  We used some non-SU! and some retired items on it.  Here is what she came up with:

Dide gave this card to her new teacher, Mrs. Rodriguez at orientation night.  Mrs. Rodriguez showed me a flower that Bradley made for her six years ago.  She says she keeps it on her desk.  Glad that some of these treasures stay around.

Here's another feel-good story:  A few weeks ago Bradley and Randy went to a double-header Pirates game.  They didn't get home until 1:30 am. Bradley was so excited to tell me how he caught four foul balls (some of them were thrown by the umpires).  Then he shared how he told a 5/6 year old boy that he'd catch a ball for him.  About fifteen minutes later, Bradley actually caught another ball.  He said that he made the little boy's day by giving him that ball.  He said, "Mom, you should've seen how he was smiling.  It made me feel so good!"

There have been a lot of changes and cuts in our local school district.  The moral of the teachers is way down.  So many pressures are put on them to do so much more with fewer staff.  They kept full-day kindergarten, but cut some of the specials like art and music (not completely).  This move kinda slid by under the radar.  I'm not sure all parents are aware of it (or maybe some don't care like I do).  Then there are all of those assessments the kids have to take - and pressure for them to do better.  Just let kids learn!!!  Please pray for our schools.

Happy Stamping!

Susan

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