It's Here...

Friday! I live for Fridays... who doesn't? Well people who work on the weekends:( Anyway, the good day is here!

Not too much planned this weekend.. holiday party at a friend's tomorrow night, was asked to help my parents decorate on Sunday, may go to my sister's holiday party on Sunday...

and I hope, hope, hope for crafty time!! I have paperwork to do also. I have 5 new kids at the schools to see and overtime at the hospital coming up... I'm tired already! My Christmas shopping is so easy this year... my immediate family decided to draw names from a hat and just buy for one person... so easy!! Also, have to buy for the kiddos... I want to get my nephews tickets to an event that we can go to together... not sure what though. The only thing I can find right now coming to the area is Disney Princess on Ice... I would love it but they would never go for that!!

Some sad news this week... a girl that I was friends with in college, Maggie, is in the hospital in serious condition after suffering a heart attack followed by a seizure. I haven't heard any news lately but it didn't look too promising. She has little twins... it's unbelievable when I think of it... someone my age having a heart attack.... say a prayer for her and her family if you could.

Have a Happy Weekend and cherish your loved ones... this time of year is all about celebrating family, friends and love in all its forms... take advantage of that.

Two Things

This time of year we are harassed to receive flu shots... I know they could prevent the flu and I know I work in a hospital AND a school and I know it is better for all as you don't spread the love... BUT I don't want one and I'm not getting one! As with most of my beliefs, I have no reasons... I just don't want one... so stop asking! I do feel quite tired today though and have a scratchy throat. It could be my stubborn, pig headedness come to bite me!

I was reading another blog lately... the writer recently ended a relationship and she said that if she called her ex she wouldn't have anything to say. I've been thinking about Danny alot lately... not that I ever stopped, but still... and I could call him up today and still have a million things to say to him. We never lacked for conversation... . Even though it has been almost 5 months, I sometimes forget we have broken up and wish I could call him. But I'm afraid everything is still the same... I still hope for the day when he picks up the phone and says "I've thought about things and I see where you were coming from..." I still hope for that day but I try not to live for it. I'm hoping I'll hope less as time goes on.

A Bit of Math

Disheartened by my recent upswing in Diet Coke intake, I recently did some math to figure out what my drive thru trips equal in caffeine. I drink the equivalent of 3-4 cups of coffee per day... I didn't think that was so bad considering I don't drink coffee and Diet Coke is my only source of caffeine.

OK, wake up... I'm still talking. My roommates had a Christmas party on Saturday night.... my friends all left by 11:30 due to pregnancy and/or dogs. I went to bed at midnight. My roommates are 25... they're both the nicest but obviously have more stamina to party than I. I woke up at 3:30AM to a loud renditions of Madonna "Like a Virgin" and... that prayer song that just escaped me... see senior moment! Anyway, I woke up to a beer can in the bathroom and my roomie dry heaving. At least I didn't wake up earlier... I was told there was a male passed out on the toilet in a indelicate state. To be 25 again... I miss those days of foolish hijinks.

Last night my sister and brother-in-law went to Foxwoods and my mom and I babysat for the 4 little angels. It was fun but I am loving the thought of getting home tonight to a quiet house! Unless I find someone passed out under the sink!

Check It Out

For the book lovers out there, chech out Good Reads. A website created for book nerds like myself... filled with books, books, books waiting to be read!!

I went down to DC last weekend... 4 days of all kinds of tomfoolery. I felt 25 again... a good time was had! But now I am home to laundry, bills and work...

No new stamping lately... at the top of my Christmas list is a SU gift card! I hope Santa is good to me! I'm also thinking about ordering 2 stamp sets from My Favorite Things.. I've been tempted for a while! I will probably wait though as my vacation plans are set... until I change my mind again!:)

Jen and I are going to Buenos Aires!! The plan was Italy but given winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the dismal state of our dollar, we're heading south and a little west:) The other choice was Morocco... but I think we're sold on Buenos Aires in February. It's Operation Tango, aka stop stuffing your face with cookies and get yourself to the gym so you don't look like a large, pasty American, until then!!

Thankful Thoughts

Happy Turkey Day!! I hope you are having a good day on this most wonderful of American holidays... a day where it is socially acceptable to stuff yourself silly and lay like a sloth! I love it! Unfortunately, I am at work right now though I get off at 3 then I head to my sister's where chaos usually ensues. Tomorrow I leave for a long weekend with these cool girls. YAY... and I will get to see my friend Bobby who I haven't seen in forever... very thankful for that!!

There's so much to be thankful for... family, my nephews and niece,great friends, two jobs that allow me to try to help others in some way, freedom, a heart that still aches but not as much, four working limbs that will have to work overtime next week and craftiness that brings so much fun and cool people into my little world!!

Have a safe and fun day!! Gobble, Gobble!

What's A Girl To Do?

When the washing machine is broken and won't be fixed until Monday? Not go to the laundromat as a sensible girl may do... but go shopping! I went to Old Navy and bought a comfy fleece and loungy pants for yoga tomorrow.

Look at this cute RAK card I got from Dee (cookiemonster on SCS). I should have posted this on yesterday's post to go with the witch theme!

I have Monday off which I totally forgot about! Talk about a nice surprise!

Wicked Awesome

Bonnie, Alison and I saw Wicked last night. It was fantastic!! The leads who played Glinda and Elphaba were wonderful! It was at the Opera House which was a beautiful setting! There was a book club on the row in front of us which made me a little sad... Bonnie and I read Wicked as part of our bookclub. Our bookclub doesn't meet anymore as members had babies, got married and didn't have the time. I miss it though!

FS Sunday

I made this card tonight for the Featured Stamper challenge on SCS. I tried some non-traditional colors for a holiday card... I'm not too happy with how it turned out... oh well!

I modified this card by jpmayo on SCS.

On Thursday Bonnie and Alison and I are going to see Wicked!! I'm so excited... I wish Joey McIntyre was still in it:(

Hope you all had a good weekend! I'm off to do some paperwork for work.

Happy Saturday!

There are so many great sketch challenges out there this weekend! I can't wait to get started on them! Hurricane Noel is in the Boston area so it is rainy, cold and windy...a perfect day to stay in and stamp!


I made this card using Julee's sketch and this week's SCS color challenge.

Madeleine asked who the little peanut is... it's Charlie!

Hope you are having a happy weekend!!





Details-

Paper- SU So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red and White

Ink-Black

Stamps-Stampendous

Accessories-Cuttlebug, Circles folder, Sparkle Pen, Marvy markers, Blender pen and Ribbon from Tammy's blog candy

Blah Blah Blah

I just wrote a whole post about how I am sore today after yoga yesterday, I'm in a foul mood and I just had to shell out $500 b/c Shortcake thought it needed a new some kind of pipe... only 129,000 miles, kind of selfish don't you think?

Anyway, my post was so annoying that it annoyed me. That is the worst when you start annoying yourself... you know it's bad! So I decided to be more positive!

So I saw this today and it made me smile...Memories I can relate to pretty much all of them except I never had a Holly Hobby sleeping bag. Strawberry Shortcake was my girl... hence me naming my car after her. What.. doesn't everyone name their car?

Jen asked on my last post if I could change the picture so you could click and enlarge. The short answer is no:) I am able to click and enlarge the others but not that one and I have NO idea how to change it... if anyone has a clue please let me know!

Sunday Night Already?

I got a little stamping done tonight. I made this card using Jen's sketch challenge... I like the layout! I made this one pretty simple... I wanted to put ribbon behind the square panels and some other embellishaments but I am making the card for Kyle. He's 8 and if he got anything girly, his head may explode! He told me today that I could sign his cast but I couldn't write my name on it because "the kids at school might not believe me that you're just an aunt." They might think I am an actual girl!!

Unfortunately it is already Sunday night! I went to the Irish Cultural Centre of New England last night. Every Saturday night they have traditional live Irish music. We were a little early getting there and apparently there was a rugby game earlier in the day and the players were in the bar... rugby players with Irish accents!! I asked my friend Christine if she wanted to go again on a Saturday and she said yes, especially after a rugby game!!

Look at the cute RAK card I got from Molly!! I LOVE penguins!!

Huh??

Today one of my co-workers was talking about my love for stamping and another said "I have so many stamps (all SU!!) that I don't use, I don't like to stamp so I'll give them to you." I'll gladly take the stuff but don't like to stamp... I don't understand??:)

Take Your Time

I'm at work right now waiting for a doc to call me back... he is taking his sweet time but at least it lets me update my blog! Too bad I didn't have any stamps here at work with me:)

I actually did stamp last week but my camera batteries were dead so I haven't been able to take a picture. I also got a fun RAK card in the mail as well as blog candy from Tammy that I need to post here!! I got some really fun inks and ribbons from Tammy that I can't wait to start playing with!! Sorry about the Indians Tammy!:)

I bought a raffle ticket yesterday to win a pair of tickets to the game on Thursday night... keeping my fingers crossed!! Go Red Sox!! Everyone here is totally fired up about the Red Sox and the Patriots... I don't pay much attention to sports but it's fun to see the hometown teams doing well!!

I went down to DC last weekend for a whirlwind 24 hour trip... way too short but it was great to see the girls! We went here which was fun and very classy! I had to get home for a family dinner... my parents house is getting too small to fit the adults and grandkids. Kyle said "No I don't want any cake, I just want to sit here and talk to Laura for a few minutes." How cute is he! Charlie is getting so big! Grace is all smiles! Brendan is his mischevious self! Owen is getting to be quite the athlete! They are all so cute and I love them so much!

I'm up to 9 kids right now in the schools... it is a little overwhelming but they are so cute one on one!

Alright I hope to stamp this weekend! I have been keeping up with blog reading and there are so many great Halloween cards out there! There are also a ton of great new sketch challenges out there!! Last week I did discover The Paper Tree. If you live in the Manchester, NH area or even if you don't check it out!!! The owner, Michelle, is super friendly and nice adn she has THE best selection of papers... seriously! I got a few pieces of paper there and OMG they are SO cute! I'll post a picture when I get my camera sorted.

Alright, the doc called me back so it's back to work!!

Please Pray...

The 4 y/o nephew of my friend Brian was recently involved in a very severe accident. He is in ICU and stable but has alot of serious injuries and health complications. I talked to Brian today and he said "I don't know if he'll ever be the same."

Please say a prayer for Brian's nephew... and give your little ones an extra hug today!

:)

Miss Independant

Over the weekend I became an LICSW...licensed independant clinicical social worker!! I'm all fired up... this opens up some new career opportunities and should put a few more cents in my paycheck! The test kicked my butt a little bit... but I passed... huzzah!!

Happy Holiday

What holiday you say? World Cardmaking Day of course!!

I went to Spark Craft today and made this cute card!

How Does That Make You Feel?

I've been slacking with stamping and blogging lately:(

I started my new job... I am working 3 days a week at two middle schools providing therapy for the middle schoolers. This is scary to me since I can not advise myself out of a paper bag. Somehow though I have to try to help these kids help themselves. They're pretty cute... awkward, gangly, self conscious, thinking they know it all but really desperate for approval and attention. I have to be careful though not to project my issues... if you asked me if I would rather go back to middle school/high school or submit to acts of torture, I would say what's the difference?

I put on a big front that I don't like children and don't want to be saddled with the responsibility but really I'm scared... that I won't be able to do it right, that I won't be able to protect them. So right now I am trying to help a bunch of kids break their little punk shells that they have built to protect themselves.

Close Your Eyes...

If you have an October birthday, you may see this card soon!! There are 6 birthdays in October of friends and families, so I'm making lots of birthday cards lately!

This card is based on Jen's challenge. I love this layout and will definitely use it again!!

I felt like I accomplished alot this weekend but as I look around my room it is still a disaster! I'm proud of myself though b/c I went food shopping this weekend! Food shopping is my least favorite thing to do... I. HATE. IT! I usually buy my dinner at work or grab something on the go which works for me b/c I don't have little mouths to feed. I noticed this week though that my pants seem a little more snug lately... motivation to get my (expanding) butt to the grocery store!! and cook dinner at home last night.

Details-

Paper-SU Bordering Blue, Real Red, Summer Sun, DP from my LSS, white

Stamps-SU It's Your Birthday

Accessoried- American Craft ribbon, Cuttlebug and Birthday folder, piercer and mat pack, gel pen

It's Saturday Night...

... and I have no plans and I could NOT be happier!! This week was really crazy with my uncle's wake and funeral, visiting Charlie, starting my new parttime job at the middle school and working an unexpected overtime shift on Friday! So, it's Saturday night and I am stamping, doing laundry and watching TLC!

I made this card using my new goods from SU. I totally restrained myself with the new catalog and only ordered paper! I used Beth #16 sketch challenge. Beth is posting 27 sketches in 27 days. All the sketches are great!!

Details-

Paper- SU Darling Doodles DP, Wild Wasabi, Purely Pomegranete, River Rock, White

Stamps- SU Tag Time

Ink- SU Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranete

Accessories- SU ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware and Blender Pen

Silliness

I saw this on Shannan's blog... it's funny and I'm trying to amuse myself!


1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Squeaker Protege... not too catchy, is it?!
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Oreo Shortbread
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) Lhur
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Green Elephant
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Susan Boston... that does sound soap opera-ish!
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Hurla
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The") Blue Tonic... hee hee
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Arthur Austin
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Happy Reese's
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) Elizabeth Bartholomew

The gangsta name is my favorite!

Welcome to the World, Charlie

Ana had her baby today!! Charles Michael and he is a little peanut at 5 lbs 12oz!! I'm disappointed that my brother told me I cannot call him Chuckles!
I can't wait to meet my new little nephew!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Today was such a beautiful day! Crisp, sunny and cool... it really felt like fall! Fall is my favorite time of the year! It is socially acceptable to begin wearing turtleneck sweaters, the colors and foliage are beautiful, the weather is cool and dry and the holidays are approaching.

I made this card based on Beate's sketch challenge. I love Halloween cards even though Halloween is not my favorite holiday... I lack creativity when coming up with costume ideas! Tomorrow I get my Stampin' Up order!

Details-

Paper-SU Pumpkin Pie, Elegant Eggplant, Stemma DP

Stamps-Amuse oval, Amuse pumpkin tree, ??Halloween stamp

Ink-Craft white ink, Ink it Up black

Accessories-May Arts ribbon, Close to Cocoa So marker, Marvy orange marker

Choices

I love this stamp and finally bought it for myself. Last night my work buddy Dave and I had a chat that was very time appropriate for me. Every day we both work with people who have been beaten by their own sadness and difficulty coping with life. We were talking about people and the different levels of strength and resiliency that we all have. I think for alot of people happiness and peace is not a choice, it is a fight between them and their brain chemistry. Life is a constant fight to move on... to choose not to let your own and other people's loss, guilt and grief weigh you down. You can give in or you can keep going.

One person who I know who always kept going was my Uncle Jack. He died today after 87 years, the last few weeks being sick and today being taken off the ventilator. He lived through WWII, the loss of parents, siblings, his wife and his son and he kept going. He had a companion, Eva, for the last 10 years of his life. And she became part of our family. I was struck today with love for my family as three generations were gathered in his hospital room. The Early family has lost precious members over the last 10 years. Today we were telling stories about Nana, Aunt Jean, Aunt Janice, Uncle Bob, Sean and now Uncle Jack... hopefully they are all together now, playing cards, having some cocktails and watching those they have left behind.

How Would You Do?

I discovered this game on Facebook and I have become addicted! It is not as quite as bad as my Tetris addiction! It is a game that if you play it more than once, doesn't really count but still... I've made it to level 11 but can't get past it! The African countries keep messing me up!!!

Try it!

Time Away

I am all settled into the new place. I still have a bunch of stuff in my car but to tell the truth that's not necessarily due to the move. Here are a couple cards...

This card is for the SCS color and sketch challenge for this week. I don't know how I feel about it but I made it to send to my mom and dad. My mom and sister and I recently hosted a baby shower for my sister-in-law(who is due in less than 4 weeks!!). My mom did a ron of work for the shower. I wanted to send my parents a card telling them I appreciate all they do. I forget alot to tell them!

This is the card I made for Ana. You'll recognize this little guy. I think he's so cute and I can't get enough of him! It seems that elephants are also popular among my family and friends. I love elephants myself! I also LOVE this ribbon from American Crafts!!

Off to bed... I'm too tired to post the details for these cards!:( Work was fairly busy tonight and it's time for bed and an episode of the Golden Girls!!

All Moved

I am in my new place! The move went well! For anyone needing a moving company, I would highly recommend Gentle Giant!!! I am pretty much unpacked and settled in... the most important elements of the move... My roommate has two dogs, one is a boxer who looks very vicous but he may be the sweetest dog ever. He keeps poking his head around the door, staring at me.

I took my nephews to the zoo today. It was a fun day though they totally wear me out and I find zoos slightly depressing, this particular zoo anyway!

I had plans to stamp today but I am really tired! I am starting a new part time job this fall. I will be working one day a week at a local high school, doing therapy with students. I am excited about this but scared!!

Need.More.Boxes

Want to see something funny... the extent of my packing... As I was packing my photo albums and scrapbooks, I was seriously delayed. I had to re-read my Australia journal and then the e-mails from Australia that I have saved. I have to say though that it was a very enjoyable trip down Memory Lane.

I spent the day with my nephew, Kyle, today. We went to Barnes and Noble then to lunch... that was Kyle's birthday gift from me. Kyle is 8 and is really such a joy to be around. I cannot believe that he is 8!! He loves to read and his vocabulary is really amazing. At lunch we read all about snakes and lizards!! Here are the three loves of my life... when faced with a camera, Brendan finds it impossible to keep both eyes open:)

And we can't forget Grace...

Another Winner

Unfortunately, I never heard from my first winner so my co-worker picked another random number and the winner of the blog candy is... Jan Scholl! Jan, send your address to laurafjv@yahoo.com and I'll get your stuff right out to you!!

I haven't stamped in so long, as you can tell! I am moving on Saturday and have been busy packing and purging!!

Practice Random Acts of Kindness...

When I got home from vacation, look what was waiting in the mail for me!!

This adorable Fluffles card from Becky (belledancr on SCS). I love the paper/color combination and the layout!!

Also, this beautiful welcome care from Kitty (Oregon Stamper on SCS). I love the colors and the layout here too!!

It was such a treat to get home and have these waiting for me... it helped to cheer me up! Stamping and the kindness of strangers has truly helped me to get through this rough patch in life!! I can't wait until life settles down and I can reciprocate to these two great stampers and become more involved in the forum!!

For now though I have to face th massive project of packing up my apartment!!

Winner

Okay, my vacation threw off my contest! The winner was E Jones! E-mail me your snail mail address at laurafjv@yahoo.com. If I don't hear I will pick another winner!!

Back

Here I am... back at home. I had a really great time on vacation. Pictures to follow...

I absolutely fell in love with Colorado... the wide open spaces, the hot, dry air, the friendly people. I hadn't seen Liz in 3 years, far too long, and she and Jamie were such great hosts! She drove me around the state showing me Vail, Boulder, Colorado Springs and Denver. We reminisced about our year in Phoenix and shared a margarita or three:) Liz is the kindest, most giving, loving person I know and I am so glad to call her a friend.

I flew from Denver to Baltimore on Friday to spend the weekend with Salvatrice, Jen and the Murphy family. Monica's baby shower was good fun and it was so good to re-connect with friends. I miss those days in DC and the fun I always have with those girls!

I don't know what I would do without Salvatrice and her amazing strength and advice that I so needed right now!! I am always humbled by my friends, here in Boston and all over the country... with them I have not cried in 7 days!!

Vacation

Here I am, blogging from Denver! I am on vacation, visiting my good friend Liz and her husband Jamie. They are slowly convincing me to make a move to Colorado... where the men outnumber the ladies:)

Back next week:)

Funny How That Works...

Grief that is. You're going along okay, planning vacations, reconnecting with old friends, starting to live life as a single person instead of a twosome... and then out of nowhere, it hits you. Like a blow to the stomach... a blow that has taken your best friend away. Then you go over all the reasons, legitimate reasons, for now being without that best friend. But it doesn't help... because those reasons won't make you laugh at the grocery store, support you in everything you do or bring you gingerale when you are sick. The hardest part is that you have willingly inflicted this grief upon yourself... because for whatever reason you weren't as happy as you thought you could be, or should be. You were angry alot and thought that is no way to start a life with someone else. So you make a tough decision and say good bye to a really great guy and your best friend. And you hope it's not you and that someday you'll find another best friend and this time you won't be angry or worried or resentful. And you hope that you learned from this and that this grief is for a reason and is making you a stronger person.

We Have a Winner

I am having issues with my internet at home so I have to pick the blog candy winner tonight!! The winner is... E Jones who suggested I go to Italy!! I had my co-worker pick a random number between 1 and 26. I already looked up flights to Rome!!

So, E Jones (I'm sorry I couldn't find your first name)... please let me know your snail mail address and I will get your goodies in the mail to you!!

Congratulations and everyone thanks for playing!!

Amused

Today I went to an Amuse class at Ink About It. It was taught by Jenn Sherkus from Amuse. It was very fun. I worked with some new inks, specifically the Colorbox chalk inks... LOVE them!! I didn't buy anything today though! Huzzah!

So, I'm loving all the comments below...there have been some great suggestions that have me drooling to get on the road!! When I was younger, I had a short list of places I needed to see, that if I didn't get there in my lifetime I may not be able to deal with myself.. those places were California, England, Ireland and Australia. I feel incredibly fortunate that I have done my short list and am now working on my long list!

I will choose a random winner on Saturday!!

Want Some Candy??

I promised some goodies when I hit 500 visitors. That happened a little while ago... I'm up to over 700, however 1/3 of those visits are probably me anyway!

So, without further ado, I have some sparkly crystal brads from Making Memories, 2 spools of ribbon from Michaels and the new Super punch from Marvy... I guess it's kind of ticket shaped!

But I'm not giving it away for free:) I've been thinking of taking a vacation in Jan or Feb 2008... Leave me a comment and give me some suggestions! I LOVE international travel so get out your world maps!! I'll randomly pick a winner on Saturday!

Addendum: I would have to say that the top 5 places on my travel list are... Spain, Fiji, the French Riviera, Germany and Thailand... I know what Jen will suggest:)

Everything Will Work Out

I'm still so sad and just feeling a million mixed emotions

But...


Tonight I've had this feeling wash over me... I don't know if it's going to Denver, talking with a co-worker about my Doctors Without Borders dream, planning to go see Irish music tomorrow night... I don't know.. but I feel like ME and I don't remember this feeling for a long time.

Life is going to be fine (I hesitate to say that b/c now something disastrous will happen... see,still myself:)

D.O.N.E

My Micro class is finished!!!! I had my final today and I am SO happy!!

Now I can stamp, stamp, stamp! and pack, move, etc! with no studying hanging over my head!

I am trying to keep myself busy, busy, busy so tomorrow I get my haircut and foiled (haven't had a foil in almost a year, so excited), go see my friend Rita and then go here for some good craic! I don't have anyone to go with me tomorrow night so being a fun, fearless female I'm going to go by myself:) After that I'm headed down the Cape until Monday. Two less nights of sleeping in my oven-like bedroom.


So no stamping until Monday night... Have a great weekend!!

Color Challenge

This little number is for this week's color challenge. The pieces are crooked but I made it when I got home last night... my room wasn't 5,000 degrees just a mere 3,000. No stamping today... I have my final tomorrow then class is DONE!!!

Details-
Paper-SU Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Close to Cocoa, White
Ink-SU Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery
Stamps-SU Simply Said, Kindness Jumbo roller
Accessories- Ribbon (?), Hodgepodge Hardware

Still Nothing

I swear, TODAY, was going to be a day to stamp... but my sister-in-law called and invited me to hang out at a lake and have lunch with her. It was a beautiful day and I couldn't refuse! So, Ana and I had a great talk as always... she and my brother are expecting their first child in October and I am so excited!! Our brood is growing...that will make 5 grandkids for my parents! and even better... none are mine!! I get to hand them all back!

Yesterday I babysat for my sister's kids- 3 boys and a baby girl. I felt all out of whack as I slept over the night before and got up at 7am with them. Me...7am... yeah that's what I said too! Anywho, my sister has some kind of grudge against caffeinated soda so I was flying solo through my morning of babysitting. It went fine though... I love those little people so much! Except when Grace threw up on me and Owen told me I was too bossy!

I love the color combo for this week's color challenge so I am going to try to get to it tonight. I get home at midnight and alot of times I don't feel like stamping b/c my room is usually 5,000 Degrees. 9/1... central A/C!! I actually don't like A/C but the option will be nice.

Better Stick to Stamping

My friend, Kira, and I went to Spark Crafts today and made necklaces. (I'm trying to link to the website but it won't let me). I like the way it turned out but that was after I strung all the beads and then dropped them off the wire. Then didn't put the clasp in the right place... I should stick to stamps! Spark has some stamping stuff and some great American Crafts ribbon which I LOVE!!!

Even better though... you can go there and pay $8 and just use their stuff all day!! You can go whenever you want, not just when there are classes!! They have Amuse stamps, punches and you can just go and use them... how cool is that?? I will definitely be doing that sometime soon!!

Yesterday was the first time I could get together with the North Shore Stampers and Scrappers! There were about 15-20 women there who were scrapbooking for the most part. I was working on baby shower invites which I can't post yet! They came out well though... they HAVE to go on the mail by Tuesday!!

Thank you to everyone who left comments on my last post... I appreciate the kindness from friends as well as "internet friends"... it really helps what was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. I feel like I've lost my best friend... and things like stamping and going out to Denver aren't as fun b/c I can't talk to Danny about them.

Life goes on though, doesn't it and noone has ever died from a broken heart... but thanks everyone!! I have my Micro final on Friday and then class is over!! I may be a little scarce this week as I'll be studying however... next week I will have blog candy!!

Sad Shortcake

Breaking up is hard to do... they're not kidding. Danny and I have parted ways. I have valid reasons, at least my head says they are valid. Danny didn't agree that they were valid and my heart isn't sure either.

But I am trying to stay busy. In a couple weeks I am going out to Denver! I'm looking forward to that. My good friend Liz has lived there for 6 years now and I have been wanting to get out to visit her. Now I can really say I've been to Colorado... when Liz and I were driving cross country, we stopped at the 4 Corners and I put my hand in Colorado. I was never sure if it was technically a state I could have counted as having been to... problem solved!

Still Here

Due to some things going on, I haven't felt much like blogging for the past couple of days:( I don't have any cards to post at the moment but will try to scare some up when I get home.

I went to my podiatrist yesterday and he said that foot surgery is inevitable on my left foot... which really, really stinks! I'm not sure when the surgery will be... it's a matter of how much pain I'm in and how quickly things progress. So we'll see, I have pain now but I have a pretty high tolerance so I'm going to wait it out!

Over on SCS, there are alot of fun challenges going on that I can't wait to try! On Saturday I am going to an all day stamping event. I have baby shower invites that I have to get moving on!

So Fun!!

This week's Featured Stamper challenge on SCS was so fun!! The challenge was to pick a card from Ana's gallery... it was hard to pick a card because her gallery is so great!!! This is the card that I came up with... it's a welcome baby card and I have no shortage of people to give it to!!

I love this little elephant!! I tried to adhere the ribbon to the card with Crystal Effects which didn't work and left a spot on the ribbon. I have no luck with Crystal Effects.

I have about 200 pages to go on HP and I LOVE it!! In my opinion, it is the best book!! That's all I will say!! The main reason I love the HP books so much is the possibility that there is magic out there! As Harry says, Muggles go to great lengths to rationalize magic. It's fun to think that maybe there is a whole magical world going on that we can't see. When I was a kid, I read the Borrower books which were sort of the same premise... little people living in the floors/walls of homes and stealing from the home owners in order to survive. A little creepy to think of a whole society in your walls.... I also love Mary Poppins for the same reason... magic that you have to believe in to see. The Borrowers and Mary Poppins are both set in London... so also began my love of London, which has not dimmed at all. So that is the basis of my love for Harry Potter...it appeals to the kid in me!

I saw my nephews today... they got new sunglasses. They looked SO cute though of course wouldn't stay still long enough for me to get a picture!

Details-

Paper- SU Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Bashful Blue, Colorbok patterned paper

Stamps-Stamps by Judith, SU Simply Said, SU Warm Words

Accessories- Hodgepode Hardware, Making Memories ribbon

No Time to Stamp:(

For good reason though... HP 7 was in my mailbox today!! A HUGE thank you to Salvatrice for pre-ordering for me! I have been reading for some of the day... I'm on about p.200. I can't wait to talk about it! I visited my friend Rita today... she is 95 and I have known her for about 3 years now. She is a really great lady... I was talking to her about stamping today and I brought her some cards to show. We were also talking about Harry Potter... she's never read the books but knew some about them!

So, I'm taking some time out to read in order to study and work on my Micro mid term. Another beautiful Saturday spent indoors, mostly of my own accord though! Ihaven't seen the sun much this summer!

Yesterday I had stopped in between school and work to get some lunch and I ran into my friend Sarah, who had her birthday yesterday and we were able to have lunch together. Sarah is one of my good friends who I grew up with and she has the cutest little baby, Lily. We don't get to see each other too much lately so it was a real treat to see her for lunch!!

Back to my test...

Mmmm... cupcakes

I'm back from Cape Cod. We went to see Harry Potter last night. We had to go see the 10:30 show... we wanted to see an earlier show but we could not find the movie theatre! What kind of movie theatre doesn't have a big marquis out front? Anyway, amidst Danny's protests of stopping and asking, we stopped and got directions but by the time we got to the theatre it ws late. So, I can't believe this but I fell asleep during the movie!! I made it almost an hour and then I could NOT keep my eyes open and fell asleep. I must not have been snoring because Danny didn't notice I was asleep! So, I might go see the movie again at some point!

Yesterday we also went to Hyannis so I could go to Colorful Creations. I got some basic black paper that I couldn't find at AC Moore and some ribbon. There was a great selection of stamps but I couldn't bring myself to spend the money! There were some adorable stamps but $7 for one stamp! I have this problem when I go to any stamp store. Stampin' Up does seem to have the best prices for stamps so I'm going to stick to SU stamps. I also do love Amuse stamps so may treat myself, like I did last week with this cute cupcake.

I made this card for this week's SCS sketch challenge. I need a birthday card for my friend Sarah's birthday, which is tomorrow. I never thought of the red/pink color combo until I saw Sarah wearing a pink scarf with a red bag a couple years ago. Ever since it has been one of my fave combos so I used it on this card!

So I didn't work on my homework at all on vacation so tonight I have to buckle down. Danny and I are going to the gym first then it's bacteria time!!

Details-
Paper-SU Regal Rose, Rose Red, Certainly Celery
Stamps- Amuse cupcake
Ink-SU Rose Red
Accessories-Happy Birthday embossing folder, Cuttlebug, May Arts ribbon, Stickles

What To Do

So here we are on the Cape and it is raining!! Yesterday was a beautiful day and we went swimming and played miniature golf... which I totally won!! All my trash talking to Danny paid off and I won by 2 points! Danny owes me dinner tonight!

We sat outside on the beach today but it's too cold. A benefit of the rain though is there not alot to do on the Cape when it rains so we are going to see Harry Potter today... woohoo!! First I need to stop somewhere and pick up a sweatshirt. Being last minute Laura I packed the morning we were leaving and didn't bring anything warm... even though the rain gods love us!!

Thank you!!

I love this card. It's so simple but I love the colors! I used Gina's tutorial on creating a scalloped rectangle using the square scalloped punches. I'm not sure though how to cover the seams... I thought of using ribbon but couldn't find the right color. Any other ideas for those seams??

It's a thank you card and I wanted to send out a thank you to readers and those who have commentSed!! I appreciate your support and encouragement! I may be giving away a little something when I hit 500 visitors so stay tuned!

I may not be around for the next couple of days when I am on a mini break. I am bringing my computer with me though so I can do school work:(

Details-

Paper- SU So Saffrom, Elegant Eggplant, white (unknown)

Ink-SU So Saffrom, Handsome Hunter, Ruby Red, Elegant Eggplant

Stamps-SU Springtime Stems

Accessories- Giga scalloped punch

Featured Stamper

Today I participated in my first featured stamper challenge on SCS, where you create your own card based on another member. It was fun but harder than I thought! I hope I did justice to the original!! I had trouble with the ribbon on this card... I am definitely all thumbs... or all finger pads:)... when tying bows but I followed Shannan's tutorial which made it easier!

I'm going to try to do some more stamping tonight. I'm working overtime again tomorrow but this week I only have a 2 day work week...woohoo!! Danny and I are going down the Cape for a couple days in the middle of the week!! We have the WORST luck when it comes to weather and vacation so we'll see what happens:)

Details-
Paper-SU Gable Green, Pretty in Pink, Colorbok patterned paper
Stamps-SU Springtime Stems
Ink-SU Real Red
Accessories-Marvy punches, Making Memories ribbon

I'm on Fire!

Two cards in one day! I'm so excited... I searched the SCS website for photo taking tips and through that, I was able to find a new setting on my camera that seems to be giving better pictures. This is another card that did not turn out exactly as planned.

Thanks for looking!

Details-

Paper- SU Pretty in Pink, white paper (not sure?)

Stamps- SU Very Punny

Ink- Joanns's Black

Accessories- Cuttlebug squares folder, Super square punch

Fun with Vellum

I wasn't able to stamp for a couple days and I was going through rubber withdrawal:) This card didn't come out exactly as I pictured it but it is still fairly fun!! The SU mat pack is definitely on my wish list... I love paper piercing and faux stitching but it's hard (for me) to do a straight line without the template!

It's a beautiful summer day and I'm inside stamping. I feel a little wrong about that but whatever... I was out earlier this morning! Between working overtime this week and going to school I am feeling very blaahhh today!! Tonight three of my good friends and I had plans to go out for a girls night out on the town. I wasn't looking forward so much to a "night on the town" so I was happy when the plans changed to "how about we all do dinner" and now the plan is "come over to my house and we'll barbecue." YAY... I can hang out with the girls without having to change my clothes and drive 15 minutes into Boston. Oh man, who am I and what have I done with Laura??:) There was a day not too long ago where I hated being home on a weekend night and was up for anything!! Aging is not kind sometimes:)

Has anyone seen the HP movie? It's been out for 3 days and I haven't seen it... I'm going to have to fix that soon!! 6 more days 'til HP 7!! I know what my plans are next weekend!!

Details-

Paper-Colorbok vellum, SU Real Red and Cool Caribbean

Stamps-Simply Said

Ink-Joann's black, Ruby Red SU marker

Accessories-Paper piercer

I did get to stamp today...

I got up early today, early for me that is and I was able to participate in the SCS sketch challenge. I've been wanting to make a Halloween card so here she is. The color combo is a little out there with the triangle color... I wanted some patterned paper in there and this was the best match I had. Sorry for the bad picture... I'm not sure why I can't get decent pictures lately.

I find that I take sketch challenges very literally... I copy the sketches EXACTLY as they are and I find I don't vary from them. SO, Question... how do you think you become/became more adventurous in your stamping? I would imagine it comes with practice but I'd be interested in hearing opinions!! So opinionate away!!!

I have to get ready for work... I'm working from 10a-11p today... YAY:) Just Kidding, I signed up for it, so I can't complain!

I heard back from my new "landlord" and I'm all set for Sept 1st... I'm excited!

Thanks for looking!

Details-

Paper-SU Cream Confetti, Elegant Eggplant, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke, So Saffron Palette of Prints

Stamps-Sugarloaf pumpkins, SU Cheesecloth BG

Ink-SU Pumpkin Pie

Accessories-Mega and Gige round punches, white gel pen

Color Challenge

I was finally able to get a picture of my card for this week's color challenge. Probably no stamping tomorrow... I am working overtime!

Good Night!

I made a card for the SCS color challenge today but I could not get a decent picture of it. I kept at it until I looked at the clock and remembered I have a job and they like me to be on time and not show up in my sweaty gym clothes. So I abandoned my camera and will try again when I get home.

I've been tagged by Godchick to share 7 random things about myself and then tag 7 other bloggers. I've never been tagged before, not online anyway... I was always the worst at tag on the playground... does that count as one thing?:)

Anyway,

1. I've had surgery twice in my life. I was born without tear ducts and they were "installed" when I was a year old. Before that I used to get alot of eye infections, so I'm told, and when I cried my tears wouldn't drain, they would just spill over, like cartoon characters which strikes me as funny. The second surgery was corrective surgery for a bunion and arthritis in my foot three years ago.

2. I couldn't have furry pets when I was younger b/c of allergies in the family but I did get a goldfish in the 5th grade. His name was Squeaker and he lived for 9 years. My friends wonder if he died and my parents kept replacing him:) He died when I was away at college and my dad buried him in a matchbox in our back yard:)

3. I did a year of volunteer service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps for a year after college. I was out in Phoenix.. it was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

4. I love to read. Ever since I was a little girl I would have 2 or 3 books going at a time. I still love it but don't have as much time as I did and now it shares my free time with stamping:)

5. I spent three months backpacking in Australia. Ahhhh... to be that thin and tanned again!

6. I have 3 nephews and 1 niece who I absolutely adore... they are the cutest EVER!!!

7. I am a licensed social worker and work in a hospital ER, doing emergency psychiatric evaluations. I had trouble with the job when I started because I found it SO sad but I have adjusted and worked on that. I am also pursuing my nursing degree part time. I would like to combine nursing and social work. I'm not sure what kind of job I want.. I just really like learning about the workings of the body and disease.. I know I could never work on a respiratory floor though. The sounds of people coughing... ughhh, turns my stomach!!


I'm always suprised when I finish stuff like this, how much I love to talk about myself:) Now I have to tag 7 people...

Jenny

Robyn

Carmen

Samantha

Karrie

Jen

Salvatrice

If you don't want to play, no problem! I qualify because I am having flashbacks to chain letters in elementary school... I had a bad experience:)

Blogger won't let me post a title. I couldn't think of one anyway so I'm off the hook! I don't have any creations to post today. I'm at work right now and it will be too late to stamp when I get home:( It is a quiet night at work which means that I should be able to get some studying in... if I can tear myself away from the internet!

I've decided that I need to reign in my spending. I had made a vow that 2007 would be the year of no shopping which went well for a while. However, I've decided that I NEED all this new stamping equipment. Well, I definitely want stuff and I do need some stuff but I am going to hold off for a while and use up what I have. There was a discussion on SCS last night that inspired me to use what I have and not buy more for a while.

In other news, the girl I am supposed to be moving in with... she is a friend of one of my best friend's and she is looking for a roomate... I called her home and cell phone and I haven't heard back from her. So I am in total panic attack mode and trying to stop myself from becoming the guy in Swingers.

Hopefully I'll have something to share tomorrow!

Cheerful Card

So I told my roommate that I was moving. There was no drama but I'm still feeling bad about it. A good friend of mine said "You're just being yourself, Don't feel bad." Meaning that I hate hurting others feelings and would rather sacrifice my own. Not a good thing and I'm trying to work that out. I called the girl I am supposed to be moving in with... let's hope she calls back or I'll be homeless!! It should be a good move... the house I'll be moving to is brand new, central A/C, my own bathroom and it's very quiet! This will be my 5th move in as many years... which is kind of how I like it.

Anyway, here is the card du jour... I CASE'D (basically copied) this card from p.101 of the new SU catalog. I changed the colors and the stamps and added a sentiment to the top. I never would have thought of adding Cool Caribbean to this card but I used this color combo site and I think it works! A happy little card!

Thanks for looking!

Details-

Paper- SU Green Galore, Rose Red Palette of Prints, Apricot Appeal, Cream Confetti, Cool Caribbean

Stamps-Very Punny, Just Cause I Like You

Ink-SU Real Red

Accessories-Making Memories ribbon, Giga and Mega square punches

Lord of the Stamp

Hee Hee... uhhh, I'm such a dork but I'm giggling anyway. No stamping today... it's too late but I saw Riverdance tonight!!

It was incredible!!! It was really great! I love the music of the fiddles and the bodhrans (did I spell that right?). The music and the dancing make me so happy! It makes me want to get out my passport and get on the road!

In addition to homework I hope to get some stamping done tomorrow. I think I have decided to move. I live with my boyfriend's Danny's sister right now which has overall been fine but I'm feeling the need to move on. I think moving is the best thing for me but I feel really bad and I'm dreading telling her. I also HATE confrontation... can I just slip a note under her door? or send an e-mail? No I won't wimp out... will let you know how it went tomorrow!

Ribbon Challenge

This could be a problem... I didn't go to the gym today because I wanted to stamp. Really though I kind of take advantage of any excuse to not go to the gym!

Here is my card for the SCS ribbon challenge. I didn't intend to use the ribbon like this... I smudged the white ink so had to cover that up!! I like this color combo!! I don't know what I'll do when I run out of Cool Caribbean... I didn't order any more:( This birthday set was my first stamp set and I think I mounted them crookedly. I also didn't trim enough of the rubber so I get stray marks.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!! I'm going to see Riverdance tomorrow night. I'm very excited... I have never seen it though I have been wanting to go forever! I've been looking into Irish step dancing classes. I found a class but it is at night... I need to find a day job!! Sunday I need to do homework and start on my Micro lab report... I'll be spending the day with gram positive bacteria.

Alright, back to work today! Thanks for reading!
Details
Stamps-Simply Said, It's Your Birthday
Paper-SU Real Red and Cool Caribbean
Ink-SU Ruby Red and Joann's white pigment ink
Accessories-Mega square punch and Michael's clearance ribbon

Happy Place

2007 was supposed to be the year of no shopping... well that is not working out so well!!! Especially now that I have discovered this place!! Ink About It is my "local" stamping store. Today was my first visit and they have a great selection of stamps as well as paper and accessories. I treated myself to a few things...very cute paper, the mega and giga square punches!!! and stickles!! I also got 2 12x12 pieces of canvas that can be used to make hanging "scrapbook pages."

This is my card for this week's SCS Sketch Challenge.... I'm not sure how I feel about it. I feel like the smaller panel needs something. I wanted to put another panel behind it but couldn't find the right color. Hmmm... will have to keep working. This was my first SCS challenge... I think these will improve my stamping, I hope!!

I'm trying to take advantage of my night off from work. The 3-11 schedule really cramps my style:) Danny and I went to dinner tonight to one of our favorite restaurants. Due to our work schedules, we can only hang out at night every 5 weeks which is a downer.

Hmmm.... I can't figure out what's going on with the placement of these pictures. I'm going to have to talk with my IT staff (Danny:).

Thanks for looking!

Details...

Paper-SU Real Red, SU So Saffron, patterned paper from LSS (not sure of company)

Ink-SU Ruby Red

Stamps-Simply Said

Accessories-Cuttlebug Dots Folder, Making Memories ribbon, Mega Square punch, Stickles

Happy 4th!!

Thank you for the comments on my first post and the welcome into stamp blogging! I hope everyone is having a safe and happy 4th of July!! I am exhausted as I worked last night and again today. I did go to a barbecue after work where I caught up with friends but I think I overdid it on the artichoke dip... now I'm feeling not so happy:( But I am watching one of my favorite movies... Office Space!

This is a birthday card I made for a friend with an upcoming birthday. The stamp is off center and the ribbon isn't looking so hot, but this is one of my favorite color combos.


I went to Ikea and bought a desk chair today. Prior to today, I was stamping while sitting on the floor of my bedroom... not so good for the back! I'm blaming all card mistakes on inadequate facilities. Now I have to step up my game!! I also bought a couple baskets for ink storage and glass canisters for ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Details:
paper-SU cream confetti, SU Chocolate Chip, SU Cool Caribbean

stamps- SU Blooming with Happiness colored in with SU watercolor pencils and blender pen

Accessories- Happy Birthday Cuttlebug folder, American Craft ribbon

First Post

So I have started my stamping blog! I am hoping that this blog inspires me to stamp more often. I LOVE rubber stamping and card making. I love everything about it and I hope to use this blog to share what I love with the people I love... and maybe some strangers as well! There are a ton of blogs out there and the talent is unbelievable! I've been reading these blogs for the past couple months and gathering inspiration. It seems like stampers are having fun blogging so why not? Plus it is one more thing I can use to procrastinate my school work:)

Here is a card that I made over the weekend. I'm going to have to work on the photos!

Card was made with SU So Saffron base with a layer of SU Certainly Celery which was run through the Thank You Cuttlebug folder. I wanted to Cuttlebug the So Saffron but I couldn't figure out how to only emboss the front of the card and not the back while also making sure the words were going the right way. Spatial relations are not my thing:) but in an AHA moment the solution came to me at work last night! The bottom of the card is Certainly Celery Palette of Prints cut with scalloped scissors (also unintended, I made a mistake with measuring... this is why I am a social worker and not an engineer:). Anyway, I stamped this SU stamp (not sure what set it is from, I got it from my demo) onto confetti paper layered on the CC POP and the ribbon is American Crafts from AC Moore.

Thanks for looking!!!