Monday, June 29, 2009
James got happy mail!
My New Rileys
Here are Riley and Sophie at the beach. I made a chalk background. I'm not crazy about it, but it's better than when there was no background.
Here's grillin' Riley. I used my Copics to make the background for this one. For the clouds, I just removed some of the blue with my colorless blender. The blue and green cuttlebug backgrounds are from a swap I was in on SCS.
And here's tractor Riley with similar cuttlebug backgrounds. I had to make his tractor a John Deere. For this one, I colored in clouds with my Prismacolor white color pencil before coloring on the blue Copic, then wiped the marker off the penciled area. I like the way both methods turned out. I can tell I ordered these right before Father's Day, because I ended up with the tractor Riley, grillin' Riley, and cowboy Riley. I'm really impressed I used them so quickly, especially since I bought the unmounted ones. I usually wait a few months before actually mounting them, but this time it took less than a week. I think taking the pictures out by the pool in natural sunlight helped. The only problem I had was that there was a tiny breeze that kept blowing my cards over.
By the way, I don't think I've mentioned this, but my booth at Bayou Crafters has not sold anything. It's only been a week, but I'm a little disappointed. To cheer myself up, I'm gonna bribe yall to leave me comments. In the next day or two, I'm gonna draw a random name and I'll send a card to that person, so be sure to leave a comment! I may even send more than one card, depending on if I get several more done in the next few days. If you have one of these Rileys that you really like, let me know. That way if you win, I can send you your favorite. Thanks!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Don't forget James' birthday!
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Anniversary Plate
Isn't it gorgeous!!! I used a file I found on the Craft Edge forum. I was wondering how a large etched surface would look, and it etched smoother than I thought. Back to work now, but let me know what you think.
Swimming Lessons
Here's Anthony swimming to his daddy. Below is Joey jumping off the diving board to show Ms. Cara how well he remembers his swimming lessons. He did so great this year that he didn't have to take lessons.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Special card request
I really appreciate all of your help. His address is below. Thanks!
James Murphy, 140 Louie Murphy Road, Winnfield, LA 71483
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Another birthday card
Isn't it too cute! I love the stitching, the distressed brads, the little metal thingy on the top right corner of the dragon, the distressed edges, everything about this card is awesome!
Yall will not believe the stuff Joey comes up with. A minute ago he said he had a question (he always has a question). He said, "If I asked God in a prayer to play the Wii with me, and I gave him his own remote, would he? He can do everything at the same time, so will he?" It's no wonder I'm always exhausted. Update--Joey asked and God said no, no, no, no, no, no. Friday night he was making a Father's Day card and told me that my cards are not that good. They don't have the "excitement" that his cards have. "I mean, Momma, you can't even draw. You just glue paper on top of more paper, and use a stamp, which is not even something you drew. My cards are more personal. I draw pictures of things the person likes. And then on the inside, all you write is the to and from. I write really cool stuff." I told him I loved paper. He said, "Momma, it's just a flat surface."
Anthony is hilarious in his own way. During swimming lessons he told the teacher that he would jump off the diving board when he was older. Any time she mentioned doing something he wasn't sure about he told her he would do it when he was older.
Now I hear Joey in the kitchen calling himself a genius because he found the cheese crackers in the pantry when his daddy couldn't find them. Somebody help me.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
More swapped cards
I love this card. It's simple, but elegant. The next card uses a technique I want to try.
This is the view of the card as it would come in the mail. You pull the top piece out to see this.
It makes a cute little stand. It looked more complicated online, but when I saw it in person, it doesn't look too hard. Just cut, score, and glue. Anyway, I probably need to make sure there's nothing else left to be done before the shower. I hope yall have a good evening!
Monday, June 22, 2009
I love this beautiful card. The paper is super smooth, like SU's Whisper White. They are all beautiful, but this is one of my favorites.
This one is awesome--the little cowboy is cut out of fabric! I'm gonna have to try this some time. After she adhered it she drew dashes around it. There are blue brads in the center of each star.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Happy Father's Day!
I think the Riley is my favorite. I just ordered my first Rileys last week and can't wait until they come in. Anyhow, Jason and Anthony just left to go to the store, so I better use the free time while I've got it. Have a good evening!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
My 200th post!!!
I was gonna upload some cards, but just realized they're on the new laptop and I'm working on the old laptop so I can use SCAL. Oh well, maybe next time. I hope yall have a great evening. Jason is cooking country fried steak and it smells WONDERFUL.
Missed me???
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to etch on the bottom of the glass. Isn't it cute!!!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Swimming Lessons
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Etching Test Results
Happy Flag Day!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Etching & Painting
Yeah, it doesn't look like much since I didn't do the full design, but I wanted yall to see how it looked. I'll let you know tomorrow how the dishwasher test comes out. I've got another etching test I'm gonna try to run tonight or tomorrow, so be on the lookout for a great new idea (if it works). I hope yall have a good evening!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cute Hedgehog Cards
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Howdy Yall!
I used white core cardstock for the base, sanded it down, and chalked it to make it look dirty. The red paper is some Creative Memories paper from years ago. The brown paper has a kind of wood grain look to it and was a scrap. The fiber was a little scrap too. I used my Nestabilities and Copics that my Big Sis bought me. The card did not take very long and I love how it turned out. I think she'll like it. The truck card I made yesterday didn't last an hour at work before it was purchased.
Yall would not believe my kids. Joey is "practicing" for second grade by doing math facts. He is begging us to teach him more, so Jason is teaching him some multiplication tables. Joey used the phrase "per se" a minute ago and I nearly fell on the floor laughing. We were talking about how some kids need flashcards, but Joey probably won't. We decided Anthony will need more than just flashcards. To prove the point, Jason asked him what 2 x 3 is. He yelled "BINGO!" Yep, those boys are as different as daylight and dark. Joey just figured out that 50 x 50 is 2500. To think, just 30 minutes ago I was amazed at how he logically worked through 45 + 45. Anthony is playing with a letter stamp set. Between helping Anthony get these letter stamps back in the box and trying to listen to Joey's bathtime math recital, I can barely concentrate here. I'll have to check back in with yall later. Have a good night!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Learning the Copics
The coloring takes time, but I am pleased with the results. I've never been able to color with my Stampin' Up markers without leaving streaks. I've seen other people do it, but I just never figured it out. I could probably apply what I've learned with my Copics to those markers, but right now I'm concentrating on the new ones. I bought a C1 & W1 to use with my starter set and they have really helped with blending.
In other news I finally had time to watch the Twilight movie last night. It left out a lot of details that are in the book, but I really enjoyed the movie. I can't wait until November 20 when New Moon comes out. I've always been on Team Edward, but after seeing Jacob in the new trailer, well, I may have to cheer on both teams.
Birthday update--today I received a birthday card from my Mom and Dad. Anthony loved the glitter on the front (he called it sprinkles), so the card is a little weathered looking now. I don't know what I'll be doing the evening of my birthday. Jason's parents will be in town and Jason said they could watch the boys while we go out to dinner, but we haven't really talked about it since Sunday. We usually do a birthday dinner somewhere with all our friends. The last 2 years I have chosen IHOP because nobody argues with me about where I choose on my birthday and normally no one wants to go there but me. OK, yall have heard enough about my special day for tonight. I need to get in the bed and dream about my Copics (yeah, I'm a nerd).
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Little boys...
New etched glasses
Saturday, June 6, 2009
My Big Sis Rocks!!!
This box is awesome! It has pockets on each side and had some sticky notes, a bookmark, and 4 cards and envelopes in it. I also had a wrapped present in the box. I sure was surprised when I opened it!
Yep, she bought me a set of Copics. Yall stampers know what those are. For my other friends and family, these are the ultimate in markers and I never thought I would own a set. I can see I will be watching the Hobby Lobby sale paper so I can add to the collection, but I am so excited to have these! Now, to put this gift in perspective, we are supposed to spend at least $15 during the 3 month period. She already spent that with my first gift, which included a set of Nestabilities (list price $24.99). I looked up this set of markers and the list price is $51.48 at Dick Blick, but they are on sale there now for $36.99. Not only does she buy expensive stuff, but there's no telling how long it took her to make that wonderful box. I can't wait to bring it to work and show my co-workers. Anyway, I guess today was the official beginning of my birthday week, which I will be celebrating through next weekend. In case you're curious, I'll be 32 this year. Last year Joey was so concerned that I was gonna die on my birthday because 31 was so old. Hopefully now that he has made it to the old age of 6 he won't be so concerned. Gotta go help with dinner now. Have a great day!!!