Yes, more cards

This card is based on Annette Green's card you can check it out using the link. I used the paper pack called It's a Guy Thing. I love that paper pack for masculine cards. I have made numerous cards, scrapbook pages, even covered a picture frame with it.
I watched Fabulously Artsy Tresa Black's video, her second one using bleach. Have you seen any of her videos? She is a stitch. She always has the best ideas and clever tricks. This card is based on the card she made in her video. You can't see the edge of the card with the ribbon in this photo. I should have noticed it while using the camera since the front just barely tucks into the ribbon the tiniest amount - not on purpose, but. . .

This card is one I found on a blog by someone named Angela. Boy, I get so mad at myself when I do that - not get enough info to give proper credit. I have been doing that a lot lately.

Three birthday cards for a teacher. She has found that she likes my cards so much that she doesn't plan to go shopping for a card at a store from now on. Woo Hoo. I love it when people like my cards.
It is after 11 and I am going to hop into bed.
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just a card

I am just putting off the inevitable - work! I was also listening to an audio book and wanted to finish it before I had to come in here and get to work. The berries are from a stamp set by Mark's Finest Papers - A Speedy the Cat stamp set. The flowers are CTMH. I found them in a drawer and thought they went nicely with the color I used on the berries. You can probably tell I pop dotted the berries by the shadows. The paper is from the Grace paper pack.

You would think that as many blogs as I follow I should be able to put together a card that looks put together. I look at my cards and think it is a mish-mash of items put to paper and not a well planned, well thought out design.

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The box to go with the album from June 13

I finally finished the box. I finished the album for the wedding gift earlier this month. I love this paper with the crystal blue and sweet leaf green. Would really really like more of it. I ran out of all but some small scraps. Not enough to even finish the sides so I covered the top and the front. The sides and back I covered in card stock layers.
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Jumping to conclusions or being lead there

I must apologize to everyone for jumping to conclusions.

Remember my post of June 13 - Pardon me, My Politics is Showing? A good friend, Nancy, pointed out to me that I should have checked Snopes.com before posting and she right.

Please accept my apologies.

The president was not NOT SALUTING THE FLAG as was supposed in that photo. He was entering the ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, and was being saluted. I am sorry I jumped to conclusions. Yes, I was lead there by someone else who had been lead by an email.

I told you that I feel very strongly about our flag, Stars and Stripes, Old Glory! I grew up in a school where the first thing we did each morning was go to church and then go out to the courtyard for flag salute. The younger students stood in the courtyard and the envied position was lining the stairs. We all knew that one day we would get the enviable position of standing on the stairs at flag salute. One of the many perks of being in the upper grades.

Apparently that is not something that everyone is accustomed to doing. I see some of our teachers and staff completely ignore flag salute. They only stop talking when they realize I am saluting the flag. My office did not have a flag when I got there so I went out and bought one. I have since found several around the building and picked up several at the Teacher Supply Depot the other day.

Again, I apologize for jumping to the wrong conclusion.

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unscripted sketches #61

I really do have other things I should be doing today, it's just more fun doing this. I finished the card on top and brought the photos to the computer and thought, "I really could do a little more", so back I went and this is what I came up with. Hopefully it adds a little something to the card. It seems my rose could be a little bigger than the 'BUGS'. ya think? If I play around with it and change it, I will be sure to post.
The bottom layer is hollyhock card stock from CTMH. The next layer is a piece of wall paper. I got to go to the Teacher Supply Depot on Thursday morning. it was really open to the principals and assistant principals, but they were both busy so I was told I could go to represent them. I really wouldn't have known any thing about it, but our Parent Center Coordinator, who works there found a shelf that she could use in the parent center and asked me to come and get it, first come... no, actually it is the 'early bird that gets the worm' in this case. I stopped in the craft room and the lady that works that room showed me this book of wallpaper samples. Everything in it is white, it just has different designs. The designs are all raised and they are made of foam. It is called paint able wallpaper. I figured if it was paint able it could be sponge able so I lugged it out of there. It takes ink really well, so you will be seeing a lot more in the future, I am sure. If I remember to use it. The book is so big I stuck it behind my door. The B&T or Background and Texture paper is also CTMH called Magic Moments. The ribbon and the arrows are also hollyhock in color, they do seem a little lighter than the card stock though.
It is amazing to me how far a pack of paper can go. When you buy Close to my Heart level 2 paper packs you get 12 sheets of B&T paper and 10 sheets of coordinating card stock. It comes in a zip lock 13X13 inch bag. Once I start cutting my paper I put a small lunch size baggie in with the paper to collect all my scraps and it just seems to continue to grow. I can then use my scraps up, I know where they are and am not having to find room for other paper all the time. The smallest of scraps get used.
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The digital image

Hi all, Courtney from Penny's Challenge Design Team just emailed me to tell me the image of the dog with the flag scarf on the card I made yesterday is from KLM Design.
I really feel strongly about giving credit for other peoples designs whenever I can.
Thanks Courtney.
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for Penny's Challenge #32

I was checking out Penny's Challenge Blog and saw her latest challenge was to use a dog in my card or whatever. Here is it. I remembered downloading this digital image last year. I'm sorry I can't tell you whose image it is as I lost the data when my computer crashed a few months ago. I had colored the image and stuck it in a file. You never know when it might come in handy, like today.
have a before and after photo here. I put it together and took photos and as I was choosing the one I liked best I realized I could do a little better so back to the scrap room to add a few more touches. The ribbon and brads made a little difference.
One of the things this image speaks to me about is the flag scarf. I love our flag, I love this great country. I pray that we will always be the free nation we are now.
Got to get the house closed down for the night so I am signing off.
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another sympathy card and postage stamp wallet

I thought we might need a second card so I made another one. I know, I know, I got really carried away with the pearls. Oh well, maybe someone will like it.

I found this template on Stamp TV tonight that is one small piece of card stock cut, scored and then decoupaged for strength. Such a clever idea by Karen Knegten. It's not my best work, but it will do for me. The decoupage wasn't quite dry when I took the photos, as you can tell if you look at the brads in the center of the flowers, but I needed to get done so I can get to bed.

I slept for a few more hours last night than the night before last. Am hoping for a few more hours tonight.

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sympathy card

I looked through several magazines before I found a style that I wanted to CASE. The original was in Stamp It Cards 2009 by Tami Hartley. I used paper from one of those $20 paper packets from Hobby Lobby. I keep forgetting to check the brand name on the cover. We will probably need more than one card, but I didn't have time to make two this evening. I hope to get the second one made tomorrow night. This is still a little darker than I had hoped it would be. I used a cuddlebug embossing folder on the card front. Inside I had to put down a piece of B&T with a piece of card stock over that to give a writing surface. So I did the same on both inside pieces.
It was a long day at work today, but I got all my papers stacked up neatly and hid all the work still in progress because the financial analyst is coming in the morning. It was an even longer night last night since I only got an hour's sleep. I am hoping for more tonight. I will let you know how it goes, both sleep and analyst.
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For Meredith - hopefully to make her laugh

These are my girls being made to share a soda and as you can see the oldest really wasn't a happy camper that day. The youngest was taking advantage of the situation, seeing her mother and two or three aunts, all grown women, standing on the sidewalk laughing till the tears rolled down our cheeks.
Mere, I can honestly say I have been there, done that and it really does get better, or you get better at handling it all. I guess I really haven't been completely there, I only moved into a new house, I didn't have it built. My husband has always worked 16-20 hour days, 7 days a week running his own dental lab. I always felt like a single mom when the children were younger. When my son was born and started pre school, I went to work part time and my husband pitched in, picking him up and they got to do stuff together, run pick ups, deliveries, stop at construction sights and watch the big machines, library and post office kind of stuff.
Eventually you will get back to scrapping and finding some me time. Probably not til you get into the new house and the girls are exploring.
Leslie

another view of Unscripted Sketches #60

I couldn't help myself, I had to try something else with this card. Not sure it is any better than the first, but here it is. Check out the Unscripted Sketches website for yourself.
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Unscripted sketch # 60

I decided to try another challenge today to see if my mojo would come back. Oh where, oh where has my mojo gone, oh where, oh where could it be????I picked up a pack of papers at Hobby Lobby last week. I'm sorry I can't remember the name of it, though. There are 6 sheets of the designs you see in this card in about 20 different colors. Since Unscripted Sketches had this challenge today, I thought I would try it.

EWE YUK! I don't like my card, but am going through the motions anyway. I think if I do-go through the motions, that is-I might find some mojo lingering somewhere. On top of the sketch is the additional challenge: It's National Eat an Oreo Cookie Day - use black and white. I am going to keep thinking on this and see if I might like to change it up a bit.

This week has been quite rough on me. I started working 10 hour days so I would have Friday's off. Nope, that didn't happen. This last week of school and all monies had to be turned in or spent. Reports needed to be turned in to internal auditing and I chose to take a two day refresher course in the district accounting software. A big, ole, lumbering German software package. When I try to find something I am told you can't get there from here. (Reminds me of my in-laws trip to Ireland one year. Mom and Dad asked a man directions and he thought about it for a while and then responded "If I were going there, I wouldn't start from here". I love that story). Anyway, this software is apparently used all over the world and we are "fortunately" among the world that uses it. Oh how I long for QuickBooks. I took the refresher course while I should have been at my desk getting caught up. No use crying over spilled milk, right?

Right in the middle of the course, one of my reminders popped up to tell me a report was due on Monday and I had to sit down with the principal to get it done. That's where Friday comes in. She too had things to do outside the office so Friday at noon was the best time to 'git er dun'!.

I walked into the office only to be greeted with the news that one of the "Office Chicks" had passed away the night before. She was a sweet little lady who had just buried her husband less than a month ago and her mother had passed away about 6 months ago. That often happens when you have been married forever. My in-laws went home to be with the Lord 5 weeks apart. Mom, at 90 years old, standing at the kitchen sink doing dishes when the Lord called. Dad, at 98, wasn't going to be left behind for long.

Today was the funeral for my son's friend, Dameon. He was 17 and had as many open heart surgeries as he had years. The doctors said he was not a good candidate for a transplant. He was a most lovable young man with a beautiful and mischievous smile. Several of the young men there fell into my arms in tears.

One of my babies is moving out of town next weekend, so we got together today for lunch. Her husband was accepted at USF in the creative writing program and will be teaching at the school. I don't even want to think about it.

I have to close for now. Thanks for tuning in.

What do you say...

My son's childhood buddy passed away this week. This young man had spent many days at our home over the years. He and my son found plenty to get into growing up and we never knew what they would come up with next. Dameon was only 17 and had as many open heart surgeries as he had years. That never stopped him and you would never have known he had a heart condition if we hadn't been told. The boys had drifted apart this last year, but every once in a while Dameon would stop by and they would hang out for a while. We will miss him greatly. This is a tragedy that no parent should ever suffer and I pray for his parents and sister.
As you read this, please say a prayer for this grieving family.
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answer to a comment on my blog

The photo was taken at the Ft. Hood Memorial Service. At least, that is what the email said that was sent to me.

Pardon Me, My Politics is Showing

Probably most of you that tune into my blog know that I love this country. My grandfather served in the military, my uncle served, my father served, my husband served, my brother (in law) served, my husband's 3 brothers served, several of his uncles served in the military.
I bought a flag for my office and I am bothered when our safety patrol forgets to put up our flag at work/school.

This bothers me

As the president of the United States -

WHO,
THE HELL,
DO YOU PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE TO??????????????

I hope my speaking out doesn't bother you, but if it does I won't mind if you choose not to follow my blog. To those of you who are also bothered by this. . .
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cards and an album

Does anyone know how to change the photo/header on blogger? I am so envious of all these beautiful photos that people have for the blog headers and I can't seem to figure it out.


A quick card for my aunt. My dad's sister, fell and broke her hip and had to have surgery. I found out just a few minutes before the mail man was due so I grabbed what I had on my desk.

A card commissioned by a teacher. What am I going to do all summer? There will be a handful of teachers in the school over the summer as we are hosting a "Superintendent's Summer Reading Academy". That's a nice way of saying "summer school or day care" except that the children aren't required to attend. We are also a "feeding station" for the neighborhood. Anyone under the age 18 can come in for breakfast and/or lunch. I don't know what the identifying requirements are, just that it is so. I read that there are going to be several around the city.

I don't notice it so much since I am taking a different route to work now, but in the winter months while it is still dark out, there is one street downtown where homeless people literally sleep in a row on the sidewalk in sleeping bags. We have a lot of homeless and hungry people in our city. This is the largest (area wise) city in the contiguous US.

Last fall our school also held "Saturday School". I am not sure how many students attended and I am not sure how much it helped as our FCAT scores will not be available until the end of June. We will again have Saturday School and I believe it will be even more often than last year. I keep joking that eventually our students will be staying overnight and parents will have visiting rights. They are adding another hour to the school day, having classes on Saturday and they say that we cannot require students to wear uniforms, it will be pointed out to parents that refuse them that there are other schools their children can attend. The teachers and staff are being encouraged to wear uniforms also. No biggie for me, I have worn the same outfits (black pants and different tops) for years now. We will be wearing black or khaki pants and polo's. Enough about that.

One of my daughter's bridesmaids is getting married this summer. I am getting a head start on her wedding gift. You know, the usual, the My Creations Memory Keeper and the 9X9 My Creations Memory Showcase accordion album. I finished the album today and will work on the box later this week.

I used the latest kit from Close to my Heart called Miracle. I really like this paper and wish it were available in more than just two B&T papers and some stickease.

There are a few things that I may change before I am done. Any suggestions?

Guess I better get some work done.
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not feeling well

I really shouldn't have said I am playing hooky this morning. I have started feeling worse and may not go into work at all. At first my stomach was just kind of (ennhhh). Now not so good. Aren't you glad you can't catch anything over the internet - grins - ? I am taking a nap and see how I feel when I get up. Don't have any ginger ale, will pineapple juice help?
L

playing hooky this morning

Here are a couple of cards that I worked on last night.

This card is for a girl who had to have her dog put to sleep. I hope the furry ribbon is appropriate.


This one is for an uncle duh. I really should try to add some color to him, but I am afraid I will mess him up.

This one is for the same man, from his sister. I hope she will like it and not think it is too juvenile.