FLY ME TO THE MOON

When I first opened the 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog, my eyes spied the Up, Up and Away stamp set right away.  The big, beautiful hot air balloons caught my attention.  Once, while traveling through the mountains of West Virginia, we were awestruck to see an array of gorgeous hot air balloons floating through the sky.  I can't recall the exact number of balloons, but I'm betting there were over two dozen.  The beautiful, vibrant colors made for an amazing sight. 

I have seen many beautiful cards using this stamp set with patterned paper for hills and the cupcake punch for clouds and I wanted to get in on the action.  Whoever came up with the idea of using the cupcake punch for clouds is one brilliant cookie!

Well, I'm going to sign off for today.  I'll be back next week with another project.  Next week is shaping up to be a very busy one.  My husband will be in Chicago on business.  I will be taking my father to several doctors' appointments.  I have an appointment with my dentist for a partial crown.  (I broke the back of my tooth off in May.  Lesson learned - quit clinching my teeth.)  And last but not least, my son is playing in his first high school golf match!  (Go, Connor!)  I'm really excited for him.  Thanks for peeking in on me!

If you live on the east coast, please be safe.  I've been following Irene's path on the local news channel.  It looks like she's rearing her nasty head. 

Recipe:  Stamps - Up, Up and Away, Trendy Trees (Sentiment); Paper - In Colors 2011-2013 DSP Patterns Stack, Poppy Parade, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White; Ink:  Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Basic Brown; Accessories:  Border Punch

(non-SU!), Cupcake Punch, Crimper, Cutter Kit, Jewelry Tag Punch, Bakers Twine, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Poppy Parade 1/2" Poly Stitched Ribbon

CRAZY FOR CHALLENGES C4C101

Yes!!!!!  I actually took time to participate in an online challenge - on time!!!  Whoo Hooo!!!  Today, over at Crazy 4 Challenges, the challenge was to create a project using this bingo card.  I chose to go vertical and used brads, flowers and 2 or more designer papers.  (Kind of sounds like Jeopardy.  I'll take brads, flowers, and designer papers for $500, Alex.)                                                     

For some reason, I have been stuck on distressing my cards lately.  Don't ask me why.  I don't have a clue.  Perhaps, there is just something therapeutic about relieving stress through crumpling, sponging, tearing, etc.

This is going to be a short post for me.  I'll be back later to give you the supplies I used on my card.  I need to go get cleaned up.  One of my friends and I are headed to lunch and then a matinee showing of "The Help".  We both live in a testosterone sea and are in need of some "girl time".

Thanks for peeking in on me today!

FAITH IN NATURE

I've never really considered myself very good at coloring and shading images.  Honestly, I tend to shy away from open image stamp sets but I really am drawn to the stamp images in Stampin' Up!'s Faith in Nature hostess set.  This is my first attempt in inking up this set.  I sat down with my trusty Aqua Painter and my Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils.  Instead of filling my Aqua Painter with water, I used mineral spirits.  (A nice tip I learned from one of my customers.  Thanks, Dee!)  The mineral spirits work better for me.  Who knew???

I designed this card to be a masculine get well card.  I'm not sure why, but designing masculine cards always throws me for a little loop and creates a bit of a challenge for me.  Why is that???  I guess the challenge explains why I went a little "overboard" with the distressing elements of the card.  Sigh!

Believe it or not, I have quite a few more projects to share with you.  We're in the hurry up and wait stage of my father's battle with esophageal cancer and I have an immense amount of nervous energy right now.  I'm not sure how much time I'll have to create once his chemo and radiation treatments begin.  As I've said before, that's a part of the journey I'll have to wait to travel.  Thanks for all the kind words, encouragement and prayers you've said on his and my behalf. 

Thanks for peeking in on me and thanks for your patience during my father's illness.

Supplies: (All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted)  Stamps - Faith in Nature (Hostess set) and Sincere Salutations; Ink - Jet Black Stazon, Basic Gray Marker, Watercolor Pencils; Paper - Neutrals Collection Patterns DSP, Play Date DSP (retired), So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Paper, Basic Black, Old Olive; Accessories - Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Antique Brad, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer, Cutter Kit

UPDATE ON MY DAD

It's been a while since my last post so I thought I'd give you an update.  We have learned that my father's cancer is contained to the esophagus and has not spread.  (Praise God!)  Dad has been continuing to slowly lose more weight so his surgeon took him off the liquid/soft diet restrictions.  Now Dad is eating just about everything but bread.  Unfortunately, the tumor is located at the base of the esophagus which makes some food difficult to pass through to the stomach.


Monday we will see Dad's oncologist.  I'm hoping we will learn a little more about his cancer and also find out what the chemo/radiation schedule will be.  I have done a little research on esophageal cancer and I can tell you I'm very scared for my father.  Please, please keep him in your prayers.


On a lighter note, I have been creating projects.  I've been so nervous and the time in my scrap nook has helped ease my nervousness some.  My husband, my blog photographer, has been taking pictures of my projects for me.  I'm hoping to get some of them posted very soon.


Thanks for peeking in on me today!

BUY 3 DSP, GET ONE DSP FREE!

 

During August, Stampin' Up! is offering their famous "Buy Three---Get One Free" Designer Series Paper Special. 

• Choose from a wide variety of designs and colors available in both the 2011 - 2012 and the Summer Mini!

122343 Nautical Expedition

122367 Paisley Petals

122357 Beau Château

122354 Pocketful of Posies

122355 Domestic Goddess

124339 Just Add Cake

122351 Frightful Sight

122352 Timeless Portrait

122350 Berry Blossoms

122342 Beyond the Garden

122359 Well Worn

122347 Nursery Nest

122349 Letters to Santa

122348 Big Top Birthday

• SPECIALTY Designer Series Paper and Hostess Designer Series Paper are not eligible for this promotion.
• There is no limit to the number of free packages you can earn.
• Hurry! The promotion ends August 31, at 11:50 PM Mountain Time.  You can shop Stampin' Up! on my website here.