10...9...8...7...6...

Blast Off!!!!! You get the idea! So I've been playing with paint and I used some for the Sparkle challenge from last night. The background is LuminArte Teal Zircon it shimmers a lot. Here I painted it on black card stock. Then I had to figure out what to do with it? So I started playing with some stamps and other painted papers. The yellow stars and seaweed flames are Heidi Swapp Acrylic Paint in Butterscotch again painted on black then stamped and cut out. I used Doodlebug rub ons for the numbers. All of the stamps are justjohanna's Odd Bird Planet including the circles I used to create the craters of the moon, then cut out with my coluzzle. Stamps used: Rocket, circus star, circle dot background, and seaweed. I colored the rocket and highlighted the moon with Copics.

So other than that it was a pretty normal day. I'm going to start writing a column every week. How to tell when your children have been up half the night playing with their DS's and talking. This even though they were very quiet in their little fort they're Daddy built them on the bottom bunk of the bed. Lets see my first indication was this conversation in the AM as we're doing the mad dash last minute check list to get in the car to go to school. Mommy "Abbi where are your shoes" Abbi "I love my tri-cycle but I think I want to paint it" Mommy "Emily do you have snow pants in your back pack...........WHA tri-cycle? paint?. Ab's I think that you may be getting a little big for the tri-cycle it may be time to get a bigger bike for you" Abbi heads to the car. Mommy and Emily continue the check list. Doo de Doo de Doo driving to school Emily and Mommy talking away about the New Chilie on the menu and how Em got extra cheese etc. Pull in to the school to let Emily out start saying our good byes Abbi(now louder) "BUT I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE my tri-cycle" Mommy being directed where to go by the principle watching for kids and crazy drivers "what......." last wave to Emily. Mommy again tries explaining the age thing and how her legs will be to long etc. etc. By now she is SOBBING, like she lost her dog, in the back of the car. Finally non-caffinated Mommy realizes she needs to go back to bed and rest. Fine, switching gears, I explain how she's tired and she needs to rest or go back to bed before it's time for her to go to school. Fast forward 4 hours to gym class............. She's thrilled and has asked for a hoola hoop for her birthday because that is what we're doing in gym today. Great. All seems well..(note to Mommy's never never be fooled by this sense of peace and tranquility it is not real!!!! It will bite you in the a&*!!!) So class starts everyone gets a hoola hoop Mommy's get instructions how to help we spread out in the gym. We jump rope with them, drive with them, spin them etc. etc. Finally we get to actual hoola hooping(is this a word?) and you know what I cannot hoola hoop. I would be concerned if half of the other mothers could but they can't either so I'm good. There are a couple of contests and 2 of the kids are AWESOME at it can go on and on and on. Abbi and I on the other hand sit in our hoola hoops on the floor because we're out. Now we get to the hard part that Mr. Harris warned us about spinning the hoola hoop on your arm. We were shown how to help so I helped Abbi. It hit her in the head.....Oops the tears start. Now she's mumbling "I can't Hoola Hoop, I can't, I can't, I can't" I try explaining that neither can I or more than half the other people in the room but she doesn't care she's getting more and more upset. The we try to make the hoola hoops come back to us. Mr. Harris explained that if we tell the hoops we love them and they love us they will come back. I'm the mommy that stands up and shows how mine doesn't love me so all the kids can laugh. This of course is Abbi's trick she loves it and can do it but now she's worked up and no matter what she does it doesn't work and she cries and cries. Luckily by now class is over and we put our hoops away and the kids line up to go back to class. She's standing in line trying not to cry but crying anyway(I'm sure that the teacher loves me when she gets back to class). Gym is finally over for another week and she even gave me a hug after class even though I'm sure she was mad at me. Fast forward to the end of the shool day. She is invited to a friends house after school so I tell them they have to pick up the play room and then she can go. In record time they get it done and we're off. Drop her off at her friends and Emily and I go to Starbucks for a treat. She gets a hot cocoa and a cupcake. Now she's settled in the kitchen doing her homework with her amazing snack and no little sister to bother her. Bring Bring(that's the phone) it's a friend of hers from class. "Can Emily come over and do homework together" Mommy is feeling very generous by now things are going well. "Sure but she can only stay an hour they both have to get home to eat dinner and get ready for dance classes etc. etc. blah blah blah" Good to go I drop her off. An hour later I pick up Abbi who by now has forgotten about the tri-cycle and the hoola hoop and wants a Nintendo Game Cube or something for her birthday so she cal play Mario like at her friends. blah blah blah Off to pick up her sister. Things are good right. The other mom is asking me about the dance classes and if we're doing cheer etc. In walks Em leaning on the wall pouting. "I hate dance I don't want to dance anymore" answering the question about if we're doing cheer "NO I hate cheer" "I hate my dance teacher" finally I send her to the car the other mom asks what's up to her daughter. It comes out Em doesn't want to leave to go to dance she wants to play more. I apologize and explain I think their tired. I get into the car she's crying and it comes out they didn't finish their homework and "THEY DIDN'T GET TO PLAY EITHER!!!" by now I'm annoyed and yelling "it's not my fault they didn't play or finish their homework and what did they do for an hour etc. etc." I get in response "I HATE DANCE I WANT TO QUIT" blah blah blah. In the house dinner on the table Daddy and Abbi are smart enough to stay out of the way or help. In the car on the way to dance the crying continues she doesn't want to do it etc. etc. etc. Now I'm explaining to the dance teacher she's really tired etc. etc. etc. I sound like a broken record. I have my phone on me blah blah I'll be at the gym if she needs me to come and get her or you need to kick her out blah blah blah. When they get home from dance they both love everything and are perfectly happy dance was great everything was great. Ugggghhhhh! So they slept in their own beds with no fort and no games and were asleep within minutes of their heads hitting the pillows. Hopefully today will be a better day! If not well there is a bottle of chilled vodka in the freezer..........And it is Friday.

Have a great day!

Owls are casing the neighborhood!

So the other night Renee(neighbor Renee) called around 9:30. It seemed odd we thought maybe something was wrong? She had just gotten home and was standing outside. Apparently when she got out of the car she heard the hoot hooting of an owl very near by. When she turned around she spotted him on the neighbor across the streets chimney. Then called here. So now we're all outside on the phone staring at this owl. He was HUGE sitting up there almost half the height of the chimney. I wished there was a brighter moon or more light all we could really see was his silhouette but it was enough to really tell who was perched up there. Probably watching us crazy people outside in the freezing cold talking to each other via the phone! 3 houses apart! Dave then spent the rest of the evening checking and reporting back that the owl was still there, then offering Petunia and Daisy a trip outdoors to stretch their legs! HA

To that end I made this card this week. Stamps are justjohanna's Odd Bird Planet, short house and Michou Owl. I sponged chalk ink to make the background and added stickles to the windows, die cut and as stars. The rub ons are Basic Grey and October Afternoon, pattern paper is BoBunny Double Dots. Flowers are Chatterbox. Coloring is done with Copics and the die cut is Stampin Up.

So today I'm finishing up my sparkle projects for the challenge last night! Can't wait to show you! Have a great day!

Sharing The Love

Working on some Valentine projects! here is a card using a doily, wings, heart shaped sequins and Prima rhinestones! I pleated the red polka dot paper which was fun! The papers are American Crafts. Stamp is SU.

So tonight is Scrapping and we have a new challenge. I've been playing around with shimmery things all week trying ot figure out what I'm working on? I'm excited to get to sit down and just play!

Have a great day!

Happy Tuesday!

How is everyone? Staying warm and dry? I hope so!!! It's snowing across the country right now. Not here, thankfully, since we have plenty on the ground for all of our snow based needs. Things are quiet here and returning to normal. What is normal? I guess it's Laundry and cleaning and moments where everyone is doing what they need to be?

OOOH I forgot to mention the Puppet show at Church on Sunday. It was amazing. It's more than puppets it's a whole black like choreographed show and they showed us how they worked the puppets it was amazing. We were all very impressed with Katie and Marc's performances! Very cool, we are all looking forward to the new show their putting together for April!

Here is my snowy gnome out for a ski. We need a guy with snowshoes since that's a big thing around here. Not enough open area to ski properly around we live. The stamp is justjohanna's Odd Bird Planet, colored with Copics, patterned paper is Doodlebug, felt trim Queen & Co. Stickles and I can't remember what the metal snow word is? But it's was perfect. This was for our Wed. Night challenge a couple of weeks ago. This weeks challenge it to sparkle! Soooo hard for me! Ha! Can't wait to play tomorrow night.

Great Day!

What a fun day! This is part of the Mom N Me Tea Party Treat Class I taught today at Craft Fancy! It was so much fun! The girls were adorable and it was so sweet to see Mom's and Grandma's crafting with them! Emily was my assistant. She did a great job and had a great time. The class sold out, so I think they're adding a second class in a couple of weeks! That little cupcake opens up to be a picture frame or place card or really whatever you want it to be. Everyone seemed to be making them as Valentine gifts for Dads or Moms or someone else special. I took my assistant out to lunch afterwards. It was very nice to spend some alone time with her!

Friday was Stamp Camp which was fun as well! This week I've been cutting and cutting class kits like mad. Ooooh and Wed. was our Copic class which was oh so much fun! I learned a new technique I'm going to try out this week.

Most exciting the kids got invited on a sleepover last night and Dave and I went out to dinner! Like on a date! It was so nice and the perfect end to a great day. Then he creamed me on the Wii and was very happy! Today we are heading to Marc & Paula's church to see our Marc and Katie perform in the puppet troop! It's in black light? How fun is that? Can't wait to see it! Have a wonderful day!

Yikes what day is it? I know it's the Year Of the COW!

Ok so I've been a little MIA sorry about that but everyone/someone has been home for the last 9 days and they've been driving me a little NUTTY! With illness, school closings, Holiday's and days off to visit the Doctor I've not really been left alone for more that 45 min. EEK Anyhoo it's a beautiful day! After Abs goes to school in a few hours and I do Kindergym I get at least an hour to myself. Well that and really she plays quite nicely on her own in the AM we just did a half our of playing Pollies go to the Mall and she informed me she wanted to play alone now! HA

What else well we cleaned and organized all the girls craft stuff and toys in the play room. It's so neat now I labeled every drawer yesterday and they can find all of their toys it's so cool. There was also a roller skating party, a sleepover, a trip to the Movies to see Hotel for Dogs, lunch out with Daddy, the Girl Scout Field Trip to the Vet and marker club/class. OOOH and my Mom N Me Tea at the LSS this weekend has SOLD OUT! WEEEE! It's been a fun week so far!

OOOH and almost forgot Dave had a good day with the Dr. yesterday. He is recovering wonderfully from his surgery. The Dr. did say it would take a full 2 years to recover fully but he is impressed with the progress so far! YIPPY!

So now your asking what's the deal with the Cows/Year of the COW? Well...apparently it is and you know we're celebrating jusjohanna's Chinese New Year SALE and Johanna has added new items to the sale and it ends tomorrow and I forgot to remind you! So here it is more stamps on sale and more things to celebrate!

justjohanna images used: Sale images - Curly Neck Bottle, Baby Bootie. Moo Cards - Chubby Cow Right, Frontal Cow, Poka Dot Cow Left, Tall House Mini, Moo Bottle, Rooster Right. Other items used Patterned Paper - Scenic Route, Stampin Up, Bottle Cap Letters Paper Crafts, Rub Ons American Crafts, Stickles, Sequins, Chalk Ink, Colorbox Rain Drops, Stickers Stampin Up, Doodlebug Glitter Paper.

Pull up a Chair....

And get ready to shop! The Odd Bird Planet Sale starts today! Check out the huge selection of other stamps will be 25% off! You can read more about it here on Johanna's blog. Or just head on over to the STORE and start filling your cart! This adorable mushroom chair stamp is on sale! Can you believe it? It's one of my favorites!

Also exciting is that one of the greatest card making stamp kits, the Fairytale Limited Edition Kit will be 20% off. There is a collage of the kit below that Godelieve was kind enough to share!
In the next few days the other designers will be showcasing projects made with these stamps you won't wan to miss it so be sure to check out their blogs! Today I have the honor of sharing the day with Laura O. You'll want to head over there to check out her project and inspiration! Make sure you give her Props for her way cool banner it's one of my FAVORITES!

On to other things, after I finish all my cards. I'm driving around looking for that bridge. We got the call about 6:45 last night that there would be no school for today! ARGHHHHHHHH! I have to dig out some stuff to entertain them for the day! Yesterday they had to pick up and made that last the entire day but today I got nothing? Hope everyone has a TERRIFIC Friday!

OOOH this will Warm You UP

A Chinese New Year Sale at Odd Bird Planet starts tomorrow, January 16th and runs for a week. Some things on sale: The Fairytale Limited Edition Kit will be 20% off and a large selection of other stamps will be 25% off! You can read more about it here on Johanna's blog.

Here I used an adorable yet evil stamp to create this card the Evil Bee Left has just the perfect evil glint in his eye to make you chuckle! He wants a little kiss! heee heee!

Every day of the sale different Design Team members will be unveiling cards on their blogs of the items on sale to inspire you! So be sure to check back!

On the home front well it's cold our high is predicted to be -6 with a wind chill of -20 to -40! ICK Tomorrow we might get lucky and get a positive number like 1. So for today school here was cancelled. Abbi on the other hand was probably well enough to go to school today. She's just a little horse. She gets one more day of rest as long as they don't cancel school tomorrow! If that happens it will be me on that bridge threatening to jump off.... As this weekend is a 4 day weekend for the Holiday with Mon. and Tue. off. I don't think I would like a 6 day weekend........... Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Brrrrrrr. Can't get Warm

Man oh Man is it cold outside. Under 10 degrees and I'm so not digging it. I'm a big baby and it's only going to get colder I know I know. It's a bummer of a day although the sun came out. Out to shovel the snow around 6:30 am after the little one woke up sick and puking! She's home now having a Movie Marathon. First Scooby Doo and Charlie and the Choc. Factory now she's working on a Harry Potter marathon. She ate a few saltines but was appalled by them claiming she couldn't "take them down" and could she have a Nutella sandwich. Hmmm chocolate bread ewwwww no! She's getting better though and bouncing around. Poor kid has a lot of energy and can't use it up all alone with Mommy!

So here is the Snow Paint Santa delivered. Em asked for it and claimed Santa would know. I.....I mean Santa went to the Walgreens and bought the bottles(grey was all they had) and a package of food coloring. Each bottle got a different color and water. Then he apparently went into my stash of foam die cuts and attached one to each bottle. Voila Snow Paint. They think it's a blast. And we have lots of snow to paint even if "our mountain isn't as big as the neighbors" to quote Em.

Stay warm and dry and have a Great Day!

CCC Inspiration Challenge

Ann and her Creative Antics! HA Posted the most fabulous inspiration challenge for us to play along with! Here's mine. Using Anna Griffin double sided paper, Heidi Grace embellishments, Maya Rd. Ribbon and some chalk ink completed this card. Fun Fun!

Nothing new here the snow is on it's way again. The kids are looking forward to being snowed in. Last night we had a picnic in the Family Room while watching Journey to the Center of the Earth. Very cute movie. Em saw it in 3D at the Theatre and told us all the most scary spots, especially in 3D. Well off to start my work today I think I've had enough coffee..... Hope everyone is having a Happy Monday!

ICK SNOW!

So we got a ton of snow overnight Fri-Sat. ICK ICK ICK. About 5:30 Sat I finally decided to go out and do the driveway(Dave can't do anything if it is to heavy thus me getting to shovel). It was up to my knee's. Luckily I have new boots! Anyway now we can leave the house if we need to! HA Not going anywhere except to the grocery store today. The kids played outside today finally getting to use their snow paint! I have to go take pics but I'll do that when I head over to the store. I took the opportunity to bake a batch of cookies so that was nice.

Here is my second layout for the challenge last Wed. I got to use my new American Crafts paper! Love love love it! Thanks for stopping by have a great day!

OOOH I scrapped!

This was a from a challenge for our Wed. night scrap group. I'm so excited to have gotten some scrapping in. I've been doing so many cards I wasn't sure I could do a layout?

Otherwise things are fine here. Lots of snow. I cleaned the driveway today once and Dave just informed me there's another 2" out there. Welcome to January. At least we have no place to be. Dave and the girls are downstairs playing Wii I can hear them "WOOP"ing. Dave's Dad and Nephew came over tonight and helped put the xmas boxes up in the attic since Dave can't do any heavy lifting yet. So it's really gone now no more piles of big boxes! And this week all dance classes started again. There are 4 in total 2 for each. They are loving it, of course. Have a great weekend everyone and thanks for stopping by!

My Littlest Dancer
Products used:
Patterned Paper SIStv Mod Sheets
Cardstock Bazzill
Vintage Hymnal Page
Glitter Die Cuts & Date Label Crate Paper
Glitter Acetate Bracket Making Memories
All from SIStv The Songbird Collection
Alphabet Stickers American Crafts
Flower Prima
Rhinestones Walmart
Stamp justjohannas Odd Bird Planet

Thank you Teachers


So before the Thanksgiving holiday our kids were off so the teachers could do conferences with the parents. Our staff appreciation committee brought in food for the teachers and wanted the room mom's to get a card signed by the students or most of them to give to each teacher. As a Kindergarten room mom I got the call. I couldn't just buy a card now could I? Luckily I'm also a helper for K-gym every week so I had the kids all in one place to do the signing. It's a big card 6x6 they are little after all and have large signatures. So the paper is SU, the Diecut is Sizzix/SU, the stamp is Hero Arts and the punch is SU. I added stickles of course and some BoBunny double dots to the birdie to embellish.
Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Back on our Routine

Got these stamps before the holidays getting to play with them now. This is from a Bombshell set. I'm practicing my coloring with Copics having fun with that. I swear since the last marker club I colored for days and days. That's all I did in the hospital waiting room was color. I know my sequins look a bit odd in this pic but they don't scan or photograph well. I'm sure there is a secret maybe it's in one of my new filters I got for Christmas?

So things are calming down. The kids are back in school and dance starts up again this week. Em has decided to dance year round and not do cheer. Abbi is just happy her best friend is back from Sweden and she was invited to a rollerskating birthday party by one of her Big Sisters friends! Dave is back to work and scrapping starts again this week! WOO HOO! I just have to clean off the table for people to work! Either that or Dianne has to sew the entire night since the machine is in her spot! Hope every ones new year is calming down and getting back to normal!

Welcome 2009 & Dismantling the Holidays

Well it's done we've taken everything down it's even almost put away. And in 17 1/2 hours I'll be alone in the house just me by myself! We had a great New Years as you can see on the day we tore down the house, the Gingerbread house. Well the girls hammered it down. Aren't they cute in safety glasses? There was a lot of candy eating and excitement! This week was the week full of play dates and sleepovers. Everyone had fun but I have to admit I'm so ready to get back to normal. Even the bleakness of winter is looking good.
I know in a month I won't be saying that but at the moment it's how I feel.



They are having way too much fun doing this!
The complete and utter destruction 2 little girls with hammers can do!

Happy New Year Hope Everyone Had a Great One!