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

OFF TO CALIFORNIA - SAYING GOODBYE

Well, yesterday was a hard day for me. As many of you know, I have recently retired from the Navy and my family will be settling in Northern California - a town called Oroville which is 30 minutes outside of Chico. Anways, my husband has actually been out there since the day after Christmas because that is when his new job wanted him and also to supervise the clearing of our land and the building of our house. Needless to say, it has been a difficult eight months with me here in Florida taking care of the three kids, three dogs, and getting the house ready sell. Oh yeah, and retiring, my son graduating, well you get the point. Our original plan was for us to join Tony in CA at the end of June BUT the house has experienced some delays (not to mention my house here has not sold yet) so we have been here. The house will not be ready until the end of September, however my kids start school out there on the 6th of August so I packed all of their belongings and put them on a plane to be with their dad (who is staying with his parents who live nearby). All I can say is thank goodness for in-laws because I don't think we could have pulled this off without them. So, it was with a heavy heart that I put my kids on their very first solo plane ride (they have flown many times with us) and I will not see them again until the end of September. Here are a few of the pictures that I took of them at the airport. The airport personnel took pity on this poor emotional mom and actually let me follow them out the security gate and watch them board the plane! How nice was that??!!! I miss them already but I have no excuses not to get crackin' on clearing out closests and such in anticipation of the movers. We have moved every two to three years for the last 23 so I am glad this will be the last - at least for a long while. I am ready for us to be a family again - my several months in Iraq added to the separation now has turned into a very long time apart from my man whom I love and miss very much! Kayla and Tyler held up pretty well at the airport, only tearing up a little bit as they walked out to the plane. I think it was much harder on me than them - LOL! I have talked to them both and they are doing well and are now seasoned travelers! They are enjoying seeing their dad again and their grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I will join them all soon and we can all be together again! I hope to have something stamped for you tomorrow but for now, this is what I have to share!