ALTERED FRAME

Good morning all! Last night I got the chance to play and I took it! My friend and I did some shopping yesterday and came across these wood frames at Target on the clearance rack. Of course, we snatched them right up and I just had to alter it. So, I did! Now, for all you SU! folks out there, yep, I used (gasp!) non SU! products on this project, BUT I did stamp *smile* so not all is lost. I used some DaisyD coordinating paper so I could mix and match on the frame and I used a small piece of the patterned paper to cover my SU! flower chipboard. I then used my liquid glue and some dazzling diamonds to give it some sparkle. The buttons are from my stash. The stamp set I used was an old favorite - Doodle This. I will never get tired of this set - I absolutely love it! Then, I used some copper stickles to give it some pop and of course bling! I adhered the paper to the frame using Modge Podge and then sealed it with the same once it was all on there. This is the first time I actually covered the whole frame with paper instead of painting some of it, but I really like the way my frame came out - I just have not decided what pic will go inside. OR, if I will just stamp some more and make it a piece of home decor. I love all the options, don't you? I am not sure the pics give my frame the justice it deserves, but here they are! Let me know what you think! Have a great weekend!

A SWAP CARD

Hi all! Well, I am slowly but surely recovering from my hectic trip to Annapolis. Thanks to all of you for your kinds words about my son - I think he is pretty fantastic myself *wink*.

I actually had time to stamp today - well, I had to (how awful , huh?!) since I need a card for a swap I am going to do. I am not sure I like swaps yet because I am so nervous that people won't like mine that it kind of stresses me out! BUT, I decided to heck with it, and made a couple to choose from! I also got a chance to use some of my new paper and stamps - I love them! I had a big box waiting for me when I got back from my trip and inside were all my new must-haves from the Holiday Mini! I loved not having to cut them out - they are all diecut and so it took me about 30 seconds to mount them. Whoo Hoo! For this card I used my new set called True Friend; it has such pretty images that I see myself using this one alot! I enjoyed making this card and liked how it turned out. Here is one of them - let me know what you think! Have a great day!

CARD RECIPE
Cardstock: Really Rust, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Designer Series Double Sided Boho Friend
Stamp Sets: True Friend, Tres Chic
Ink Pads: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: Chocolate Chip Ribbon, Stampin Dimensionals,

Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Piercer and Mat Stack, Liquid Glue,

Dazzling Diamonds, Snail Adhesive

BACK FROM ANNAPOLIS

Well, I made it back - whew! It was certainly an interesting trip, that I can say! After 7.5 hours on the runway (yep, in the plane) then flight two flight cancellations, a security breach which shut down the airport in Baltimore (yep, I was there!) I finally made it to see my son! My husband also had hideous travel problems and neither one of us got there until Friday afternoon (we were sked to get there TH pm). BUT, once we saw Zach, all was well! He looks great but tired and he seems to be a lot more serious than he was before he left. He talked about hating the academy but loving it at the same time - it is a HARD summer for these kids and I just wanted to throw him in my suitcase and take him home but Tony wouldn't let me! I think Parents weekend is a double-edged sword really - it is great to see him and he was very happy to see all of us (we took his girlfriend of two years Nikki with us), BUT by the end of the weekend, he did not want to return to school. I think the homesickness is still there and I just wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him it would be okay (okay, I did do that!) as I am having such a hard time with the fact that my baby is now a grown man! I never thought it would be this hard to let go BUT for me, it really is! Man, I love that boy! We did get to do all the things he wanted to do - we saw a couple of movies, we went to Outback, he drank Dr. Pepper all weekend, and he hung out in the hotel jacuzzi. He really wanted to lay around the hotel so we did. I think he is just exhausted and wanted to spend time with us talking and relaxing. We really enjoyed seeing him and I know he was glad we came. I have some pictures I would love to share of our weekend! I have to show off my handsome son in his new whites! So, here he is:

Isn't he so nice looking in his whites? Of course, I am biased but I thought he looked great! And Nikki and him make such a cute couple and he was so glad that we brought her (this was a hard discussion but I am
glad we did bring her since so many others were there as well). Of course, we needed a picture with our son as well and he was a good sport about it since all he wanted to do was get off the campus as fast as possible! And, I
really like this picture of Tony and Zach - I have very few pics of the two of them alone together and this one turned out great! The last

pictures are of me saying goodbye to Zach - how hard that was for me, I can't even describe! I tried hard not to cry and managed to wait until I was in the car. I can't wait to see him at Thanksgiving! As he was quick to tell me, "Only 102 days mom until I come for Thanksgiving!"
And yes, I am also counting down the days! So, there you have it - my weekend in Annapolis! Not much stamping done lately but I am going to be doing some tomorrow and
will have something to post for you all then! Have a great night!

OFF TO ANNAPOLIS AND THE DOGS ARE SAD

Well, I am frantically running around trying to get ready to leave for Annapolis which means suitcases, piles of clothes, and nervous dogs. I have two little weiner dogs( Bonnie - pink collar and Clyde- red collar)who are attached to my hips and they hate when I am gone. You see, usually when I get out a suitcase, it means a long long time away from home. Normally, Clyde gets into my suitcase and won't get out so I now put it on the bed. So, as I am packing this morning, the two of them are driving me crazy because they won't leave me alone. Finally, I had to scold them and send them to their chair (they have claimed the lazyboy recliner in my room). But, they looked so sad and cute that I just had to take some pics and share! So, here they are: Bonnie likes giving me this big soulful looks with her eyes which means I have to pet her and Clyde gives me these looks like I can't believe you are leaving me! Aren't animals funny! Gotta love them though! I will not be able to post while I am gone but I will have some great pics to share when I get back which means scrapbooking! So, see you all next Tuesday!

A DAY AT THE BEACH

Well, I finally got the pictures of Zach and his friends at the beach the last time before he went to the academy. I also had an excuse to use my Mr. Crabby again - I just love that crazy crab! It is soooo late so I am going to make this quick, but wanted to share. Yes, I used non-SU! material, BUT as everyone does, I have TONS of it, and scrapbooking has always been my passion so I need to use what I have. The base paper is bazzil bling blue - LOVE IT! I want to say the palm tree paper is Rusty Pickle but I would not swear by it. The letters are cut using quickutz and the pics are mounted on summer sun cardstock. I did manage to stamp some though - LOL! I just love the crab set and those little clams and starfish are so cute! I was very excited to do some scrapbooking since I have not been able to lately. I have been practicing my card making skills instead. In all actuality, I have only been making cards for about four months so I am still trying to get the hang of it. I really do enjoy it though! Anyway, enough blathering - here are my pages. I hope you like them!

A BEAUTIFUL RAK

Good morning all! I have a story to share today. It's about the mail. You see, I have to drive down to a set of mailboxes to check my mail each day and my habit is to skim through the mail and then set it in the center console until I get home. Well, I guess one piece of my mail had slipped down underneath the drivers seat(I have no idea when) and when I was cleaning out the car yesterday - bam! There was a card there for me from a wonderfully thoughtful stamper who goes by the name lacyquilter - check out her wonderful creations on SCS, she does gorgeous work! Anyway, imagine my delight at receiving one of her beautiful cards, how thoughtful is she??!!! I wanted to share it with you all because it is absolutely gorgeous - so here it is! Have an awesome Sunday and thanks again Melody - you made my day!!!

I GOT TO STAMP LAST NIGHT!

My good friend and downline came over last night so we could hang out and stamp. I got to use my new Dare to be Fabulous stamp set and she brought over a couple of retired sets that I have always wanted to use but have never gotten to. We had a great time! Here are my cards:

This is the card I got to make using my new favorite new set (make sense? - LOL!) I absolutely love this flower and I have seen so many great cards made with this. I have to confess that I had trouble with this card and had to redo the cutting a couple of times before I got it right, but I do like the end result. I used my in colors again - I can't seem to get enough of them! And of course, I just had to add some sparkle! Here is the recipe: (all items SU!)

Paper: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate

Stamp Set: Dare to be Fabulous

Accessories: Dimensionals, Purely Pomegranate double stitched ribbon, Purely Pomegranate and Soft Sky stamp pads, Dazzling diamonds, liquid glue, mat pack and paper piercer,Ticket corner punch

This next card was so much fun to do - I kick myself everytime I think about the fact that I did not buy the Ruff Day set, but Vicki let me play with hers. I wanted to try the mirror image technique and I love the way it turned out! Those pups are so dang cute and I think I am going to send this card to my hubby! Here is the recipe for this one: (all items SU!)

Paper: Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Ruby Red, Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Ruff Day (retired), Boatloads of Love

Accessories: Close to Cocoa and Ruby Red stamp pads and Stampin' Write markers,

Vintage Brad, Dimensionals, Ticket Corner Punch, mat pack and paper piercer

The last one is a card using another retired set but one I alas did not get! I think it is so cute and was sad that it retired. This is a simple card but I liked the way it turned out! Here is the recipe: (all items SU!)

Paper: Ruby Red, So Saffron, Whisper White

Stamp Sets: Best of Cluck (retired)

Accessories: Black Stazon and More Mustard Stamp Pads, Ruby Red Brads, Sponge, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals