Taking a Vacation

Just to let you know that I won't be blogging for a few days. I am taking a mini vacation and going to a stampers retreat with some friends. I am excited for the fun I will be having!!
Have a great day!

Miranda's wedding

Here are a few pictures of my niece's wedding. This first picture is of Miranda and Justin's first dance. Isn't she gorgeous? The wedding and reception were just perfect.


This is a picture of the Davids in our family. from left to right: David Steven, David Scott and David Ernest WE must like the name David. :)


Here is a picture of my son, David and me at the wedding reception. It was fun to celebrate Miranda's wedding and to visit with family. It had been 10 years since we had seen some of the family members.

Well, there is no stamping this past weekend to post. We were at my niece's wedding. I thought it would be fun to post a few pictures of the event. Now off and running to get things ready for another trip this week. Egads......this sure is a busy summer. I hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am.

I love PINK

I love PINK as those who know me know. And so it is always fun to design cards using pink and related tones of color.

This one just delights me....I love the sentiment. Isn't it true, when you spend time with friends it is time well spent.




This card was fun because I used my new embossing folder(the faux stitches) from eclectic Paperie.


For this one I used a technique called silhouette. It sure added some dimension to the stamped image. I am not much on trying new techniques when making cards, but for this one I am glad that I tried something new.




We had a great time in Wisconsin. The weather was fantastic. Our generator was leaking and we had to rent one. My DH uses the generator for electricity for running equipment. So that worked out. We didn't even need the air conditioning...that is how nice the weather was. I caught up on some organization projects that I took and some summer reading. I got to take a nap in the hammock. Life is soooooooo good.

Once I turn the page on the calendar and realize it is August, I start to panic...it means school is right around the corner. We have alot on the calendar for August. My son has friends from college coming to town today. (They are spending the day downtown today.) It is DH's birthday and our wedding anniversary. Then we have my niece's wedding in Minnesota this weekend. When I get back from that, I need to pack and get ready for a Girls stamping Retreat in Wisconsin. All fun stuff. :) I can plan what my school room theme will be this year on the car trips. As much as I dread having summer end.....I do enjoy getting back to school. I love school supplies and getting new markers and crayons and book bags. (Ask me if I am enjoying the HEAT on those first weeks...lol...when it happens.)

I hope you are enjoying your summer!!

More Challenge Cards

This card was made for Jenn's inspiration challenge:

This card was for Kittie's Make a Scene Challenge:

This card was made for Natasha's Sketch Challenge

I have to say that doing the challenges have inspired me ALOT!!! I have tried things in stamping that I wouldn't normally do. So I have learned and feel good about stamping.
We are packing to go to Wisconsin......I know. I know. It is gonna be a HOT and HUMID weekend. But I really just wanted to get away and enjoy some peace and quiet. Our property is kind of rustic. (If the generator works {pray that it does} then our cabin will have air conditioning. ) If not, I hope we are all speaking to each other on the trip home. LOL
Have a great weekend and enjoy.

More Challenge Cards

I will be posting the challenge cards I made this week over at Splitcoaststampers. I really had fun trying new things.
Here is Taylor's cupcake challenge card:




Here is JulieHRR's challenge called Embrace the White. I crack up laughing every time that I see this chick falling in the bucket. And who doesn't like the saying "oopsie daisie"?


This one I made was my VERY VERY Favorite one. It was made for Rose Ann's flap card challenge. I tried very hard to make the paper look like material. It has a magnetic snap (which I love those instead of using velcro to connect the flap.) I am in love with the Cosmo Cricket Paper.
I love this card. I even did the faux stitches straight. I stayed up til 1 am to finish this card. I got so obsessed with it. (It's a good thing I am on summer vacation and don't have to go to work.)


Thank you all for your comments about my weight loss. I lost POINT 6 of a pound..not 6 pounds.
LOL Today I went to Target and bought an exercise outfit and an exercise mat to use here at home. I think if I pump up the exercising......I will be reporting bigger losses...(keeping fingers crossed.) I am NOT giving up. I decided that an outfit is a good excuse for exercising. LOL.
I hope you are enjoying your summer as much as I am. My son finished his summer school college class today. So he is very happy. My DH bought a new bicycle and a bunch of bike gear and has been biking at nite. (I am sure he rides faster than the mosquitoes.) My next goal is to get a new bike this fall and ride like the wind! LOL. Of course I will need a new outfit...so I look the part.
I hope your summer is as enjoyable as mine. I love summer.
Thanks for stopping by!!

Challenge Cards

I decided to try my hand at the Dirty Dozen Design challenges over at Splitcoaststampers. This first card is for the embossing challenge. I just love how the Cuttlebug embossing folders work on vellum. I just bought some new embossing folders from eP. They have alot of new ones so I ordered some more.



This boxed card set was for the ribbon challenge. I made a 4 by 4 pizza box to hold the cards. I made the box with my Scor-Pal. When Val was here, she showed me how. I think it will make a nice gift for someone. The cards are only card fronts. Just big enough towrite a quick note to someone.


This card was made for the mascueline challenge. "Manly" cards are hard to design. I had this blocked word stamp set for years and never used it. I popped up some of the sentiments to add some depth to the card. I found the Making Memories star eyelets in my stash. It is good to use some of these stashed away items. I have been a hoarder and I now am using my stashed away embellishments.


Well, it is another beautiful summer day. I am doing laundry and stamping. I want to go outside and read a book this afternoon.
There were alot of challenges posted on SCS and I want to do them all.

Non stamping information: I lost .6 of a pound this past Weigh In at WWers. I am so happy. Two weeks of "vacation" and visiting...I was worried that I had gained. This losing weight is hard business..but I am determined to get er done. Slow but sure will win the race for me. I am going to start exercising this week. That will help for sure.
Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day!!!

The Rest of the story........

Here is a picture I took of the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier. It is a must go and see.



Val and I took the train into Chicago. Here we are at Union Station.


Here is a picture of the skyline of Chicago from Navy Pier.


My DH works downtown, so we seldom go downtown unless there is something special. Well,
having Val here for an extended stay from CHA was that something special for me. We took a Water taxis to Navy Pier. Then we rode the free trolleys around to Water Tower Place, then to Millenium Park. OMG. That is a definite MUST SEE. It was a gorgeous day and we had fun.
Now back to reality...laundry and vacuuming and grocery shopping.