Sarcasm Is An Artform

A Muse Party Challenge #4

2010-04-17T22:42:00.000-05:00

The last challenge for tonight is to make a Mother's Day Card. I lost my mother about 6 years ago & honestly my boys NEVER think to make me a card for Mother's Day, so I made the card that I would want. (Is it wrong? Really) My youngest loves when I color the A Muse people to match his coloring, so of course, I started there. Then I had to add a tiny bouquet of flowers...cuz my boys never get me those either. :)

Thanks & Enjoy!!!

A Muse Party Challenge #3

2010-04-17T22:32:00.000-05:00

The third challenge for tonight's A Muse Party is to be inspired by flowers. I colored with Prisma Pencils & used Gamsol to blend.

Enjoy!!

A Muse Party Challenge 2

2010-04-17T22:28:00.000-05:00

The 2nd challenge was to use repetion. Ha! You will see that I was stuck in repetition mode on the next card, but here I had fun with the Cactus(es) (Cacti?). Since my little guy is Guatemalan, I am drawn to these stamps...

Enjoy!!

Another A Muse Party

2010-04-17T22:23:00.000-05:00

The first challenge of the night was to make a card inspired by these!!

Paper & stamps by A Muse.

Enjoy!!

A Muse Pajama Party Challenge #4

2009-09-19T22:17:00.000-05:00

The final card was to make a thank you card. I had a little fun with this one! I had not inked up this stamp before, although, I LOVE it!

Stickled the tree, cuz life should sparkle, right??

A Muse Pajama Party Challenge #3

2009-09-19T22:13:00.000-05:00

The third challenge was to be inspired by a tv show that is returning this fall! Here is my tribute to American Idol. (ha! Get the Red, White & Blue...)

OK, I will love to tell you more tomorrow (or Monday...). One more card to post, getting very very sleepy!

A Muse Pajama Party #2

2009-09-19T22:09:00.000-05:00

Here it is, the 2nd challenge card. We were challenged to be inspired by fall colors.

(will try to post more info tomorrow...)

A Muse Pajama Party Challenge 1

2009-09-19T20:33:00.000-05:00

The challenge was to be inspired by candy.

Reeses Peanut Butter Cup!!!

The inside says You're Sweet

More Eat Cake Graphics & my Sony EReader

2009-05-06T07:46:00.001-05:00

I will be sharing a few more cards I have created using my Eat Cake Stamps over the next day or two. I have to admit, that Eat Cake Graphics are one of my mostest favorite stamps in the world!!

I even have a few more that I have received, unmounted (yippee) and have not mounted yet on EZ Mount to use. Hopefully, I will get this done in the next day or two...

Off to the new job. Yes, after 8 years of letting stress keep me up at night, I have jumped ship. I am my 4th week at the new job, and still trying to get settled. It feels weird not being the expert, but I guess that is why there is not as much stress anymore.

Also, I got a Sony PRS-505 EReader this week to keep me busy! It is like the Kindle, without the Kindle pricetag. The package was a little damaged at Target, so I picked it up for a freaking steal!! I have found a great website, MobileRead that is a wealth of info about ereaders. Hey, I learned that I can download digital books from my local library, at no charge, to have on my reader for 2-3 weeks. If any of you guys get as giddy about technology (as well as free books) - post a comment to me. I would love to hear what other people have liked, about it all!!

2009-05-06T07:33:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, I luv me these Gina K. Stamps. Colored with Copics. The paper is from Wild Asparagus.

I'm not dead. Really.

2009-04-29T07:57:00.002-05:00

I have to apologize to my readers (reader?) that I have not been here in so long. I have started a new job, and life has just gotten away from me. But, hubby & the kiddos are all ok.

BUT....

I am really going to try to do better. I will try to post a creation by the weekend.

Ha! I crack myself up...AMC02

2009-03-02T14:42:00.001-06:00

HA!! Fat Bottomed Girls, we make the rockin' world go'round...Don't we???

The A Muse Lounge is sponsoring another A Muse Artstamp challenge. This one, was to be inspired by a song. Well, Jennifer used the song Bicycle by Queen. We are complete Queen fans in this house!! So, the Queen song list has been running through my head. Yes, I could have gone more subdued and picked Crazy Little Thing called Love, We Will Rock You, or even Flash Gordon.

...I could not think of a good way to do Bohemian Rhapsody...

So, Fat Bottomed Girls it HAD to be!

The paper & chipboard star burst is from DCWV Rock Star. I used the A Muse Lady Diver stamp. Used my Copics to color in some hair, Rose colored glasses, and the fine line Multiliner added some fishnets & stilettos! (I had to rock her out, right???) I colored in her swimsuit with black, and then went over it with my clear Spica glitter pen. The Earth (sorry, the best I could do) was paper pieced out of scraps. Her podium, was the base of the podium from the Announcer, and the top just hand drawn to fake it. Oh, also had to add my favorite A Muse stamp...the Rock Star.

Wow, I have been busy!!

2009-01-13T22:04:00.002-06:00

Saw this on Shannan's blog and thought it looked fun. All of the bold items are ones I have done in my 4 decades...

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (the clarinet in the school back counts, right?!?)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (whoops...)
24. Built a snow fort (there is no snow in TX!!)
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

mmmm....Cookies!!

2008-12-23T10:23:00.000-06:00

Well, Suzy, I completely cased your Pringles Can!! Your can was a perfect idea for Teacher's Gifts for the Adorable Little One. Suzy, you are a complete goddess, and everyone needs to follow your blog religiously.

I filled the can with butterscotch chip cookies, and snickerdoodles. They are both VERY yummy. I had my own Snickerdoodle recipe. Actually, Betty Crocker had it for me. She is very nice that way!

The stamps were from A Muse's clear Baking Set. Here is a link...http://www.amuseartstamps.com/CartGenie/prod-2913.htm
Adorable, isn't it?

Well, this is my last day of work before my Christmas vacation, and of course, it is snowing again. Wish me luck trudging into the office! Hopefully the roads won't be too freaking horrible!!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!

Aren't they freaking adorable??

2008-12-18T17:48:00.003-06:00

There was a portrait studio chain near my house that had a Pets Day. Aren't Blitzen and The Fabulous Miss Roxie beyond adorable??? Ahh, I love my doggies!! Spottie did not join us, because at 15 years old, she just has more pride and dignity.

This is our Welsh Terrier, Roxie. I brought her home against the wishes of The Owner of the Power Tools. He said no. Repeatedly. I laughed, and brought her home. Within about 1 week, she became a traitor - and made it clear that she loved him best. She will jump off your lap, to go to him. She is extremely gentle around children, loves playing in the sprinkler, sleeps with her feet in the air, and is afraid to go out in the rain.

Ahh, this is Blitzen. We had two dogs pass away last year from November 1st through mid-December. The Owner of the Power Tools agreed that Mamma needed a new pup. We brought Roxie with us, to pick out the lucky dog! Honestly, we had not even noticed Blitz before we brought her in to the center. Roxie picked him out!! The girl has great taste, and they hit it off instantly. Blitz is the friendliest guy! (and, it might be possible that he likes *me* best....) Blitzen loves to run and play with the Adorable Little One (still 4yrs old) and will allow A.L.O. to grab him by the collar and run him thru the house. Blitz loves playing in the mud, fetching a ball, and sitting on your lap. We may allow him to start sleeping upstairs with us at Christmas break, since he has been housebroken for 6 months, although he is a notorious chewer! Wish us luck with that one!

VMAADEC08E Movie challenge

2008-12-05T22:46:00.001-06:00

We had to pick our own movie for this inspiration! Well, I instead went for the Christmas classic, Gramma Got Run Over By a Reindeer, of course, inspired by the hit song.

Hmmm...the scary thing, is that I do have a friend or two that would enjoy getting this card in the mail!!

VMAADEC08D Home Alone

2008-12-05T21:56:00.001-06:00

This challenge was to make a card that reminded you of a childhood memory. Well, my favorite part of the Holiday Season was the ONE night of the year that Charlie Brown's Christmas was on!! Remember life before cable? When your entire class watched the same holiday specials on the same nights??

NONE of them beat Snoopy!

This Bare Tree just screams Charlie Brown to me!!

VMAADEC08C Scrooged

2008-12-05T21:28:00.000-06:00

Not in love with this card. Don't think I will be using staples again soon...had to add the ribbon when the stapler ran out of staples. Phooey.

vmaadec08b-Polar Express

2008-12-05T21:03:00.000-06:00

Again, more details soon!

VMAADEC08A- A Christmas Story

2008-12-05T20:35:00.000-06:00

More details will be here later...having a blast at VMAA!

Santa Baby...What's in your bag?

2008-11-18T09:55:00.002-06:00

Just thought that I would shhare the card that I made for my Novemeber A Muse card swap at my LSS. The swap had to include the North Pole Sign. I also added Santa & his bag from Missy Holiday Clear Set. This is only the second time that I have swapped there, and it is a TON of FUN!!!

Gobble Gobble!!

2008-10-30T08:22:00.000-05:00

Ahh, life is always sooooo busy this time of year, between the Adorable Little One's birthday, Halloween, and soon Thanksgiving will be upon us!! But, while I may be too busy to post for ya'll...don't think that I have not had the chance to get a little creative.

The turkey is by A Muse. The swirly background paper is actually photo paper (I was out of glossy paper), that I used the shaving cream technique on. You can see how to do it here at Splitcoast Stampers. Warning, this is a messy technique...but I always have fun with it!!

It is time again to chose the new homepage card at the A Muse Addict group. Have you joined yet? You really should, it is a blast!!

100 Things I like...

2008-10-17T23:04:00.002-05:00

Just in case you were wondering...here are 100 things I like. In no particular order:

1. Jelly Bellies
2. Donald Duck
3. House (the tv show...)
4. Jimmy Buffett
5. Palm Trees
6. Diet Coke
7. Scions
8. Camels (the dessert animal - not the cigarettes...)
9. Tequilla
10. Democrats
11. Baseball
12. Stamping
13. Boats
14. Hammocks
15. Red
16. daycare
17. Baby sitters
18. Good quality silverware
19. Skulls
20. Markers
21. Those sick days when you are just a "little" sick
22. Advil
23. Googlie Eyes
24. Sock Monkeys
25. Money
26. Postcards from friends
27. Being over caffinated
28. Naps
29. Cats
30. Missing teeth on 6 year olds
31. Muppets
32. tie-dye
33. getting a foot rub
34. temperatures in the 60s
35. scrapbook paper
36. CNN
37. The smell of babies heads
38. Jimmy Johns sandwiches
39. Costco
40. Monkeys
41. Chinese Food
42. the UPS truck
43. my laptop
44. Advil
45. campfires
46. Santa Claus
47. Cell phones
48. Rum
49. Cruises
50. ATM Cards
51. Glitter
52. Carmex
53. Fall Leaves
54. Cupcakes
55. Lazy Days
56. Amber glass
57. silver hoop earrings
58. Mexico
59. sleeping in
60. snowmen
61. The Wiggles
62. Apple Picking
63. Tetris
64. Train Rides
65. Reeboks
66. Puppy kisses
67. Elf (the Movie)
68. commission checks
69. ATCs
70. black appliances
71. dolphins
72. thick eyelashes
73. bookstores
74. Roadtrips
75. Movie Theaters
76. blog hopping
77. "me" time
78. restaurants
79. palm trees
80. trampolines
81. starry nights
82. Disney Worlds
83. Welsh Terriers
84. Donuts
85. redecorating
86. my craft studio
87. dates with my husband
88. brown eyes
89. belly buttons
90. good grades
91. stamps in the passport
92. recycling
93. English accents
94. Pet stores
95. daisies
96. snow days
97. coloring books
98. television
99. city skylines
100. My kiddos

You're Special!

2008-09-23T09:09:00.000-05:00

Ha!! Is this not hysterical?? The creature is a stamp from Starving Artistamps & the Sentiment is from A Muse. I received my first order a week or two ago from Starving Artistamps, and let me tell you, I love them. I am going ahead and adding them to my Shopping list on the right side of my blog for ya'll to check them out!!

So, I flocked his hair with Fun Flock and paper pieced the creature with the Fab-uuuuu-lous polka dotted paper that I had in my scraps.

Stamp Storage inspired by an Addict...

2008-09-14T16:40:00.000-05:00

Lookie Lookie what Mr. Snarky Pants helped me make!! I was inspired by the fabulous wooden shelf that Dawn (Earlymorning from A Muse Addicts) had her family make for her. Isn't that FAB-U-LOUS??? I love it. Wanted it. Needed it.

But, I knew that if I asked The Keeper of the Power Tools, he would say it was great. And hesitate. Somehow, he does not have the same sense of urgency that I do, in ensuring that the stampin' studio remains organized. So, Mr. Snarky Pants and I came up with this plan, to create organizational bliss, without involving The Keeper of the Power Tools.

The wire shelving is the same stuff from Target that we have built a paper holder in. Those are nothing new around the net...but we built it in a side-by-side model, to fit under the window that is next to my desk. All I have to do is swivel the chair around! Then, we bought the same clear plastic box frames that Dawn used to act as shelves. Warning...in all but the top shelf, they do scrape on the top and bottom...BUT that does not change how well the store stamps! I bought some cabinet knobs from Target (but did not get enuff & keep forgetting to get more...) and had to wait almost 1 month from The Keeper of the Power Tools to drill the holes for me to attach them.

I ♥ Boris!!

2008-09-10T09:54:00.000-05:00

Oh, I just can't tell you how much I love Boris. (Boris and his ingrediants are copyright of A Muse Artstamps) He is my man!! Can you believe that I did not have his special ingrediant jars until just last week? Ahhh....It just feels so right.

Hey, he does have a girlfriend, Bernice, listed over at the A Muse site. But, I will pretend that she does not exist. He is MY MAN!! And some newcomer cannot take him away from me. Back off Bernice... I ♥ him.

This tribute to Boris and other Halloween cards are currently for sale in my Etsy shop. I am making more daily, so keep checking back!

Two More Sheep

2008-09-04T10:06:00.000-05:00

Ahh, the love that I have for these Saltbox Studio sheep is not wavering! Aren't they the cutest?

First, there is the sheep jumping over the moon. Heck, who says that the cow should have all of the fun? Well, this little guy reminded me of the Serta Counting Sheep so it just all fit!

The Get Wool Soon sheep, has been glittered, and boy, does he sparkle in real life!

One more sheep to go...this one will be the "Black Sheep"...watch for him soon!!

AMACWC58 Sweet Scallops

2008-09-03T12:59:00.000-05:00

I told you that I would be back soon with another Saltbox Studio Sheep!! I made this over the holiday weekend, and doesn't it work perfectly with the A Muse Addicts challenge to use scallops on a card?

Ha! It is like I am physic! Or...simply addicted to scallops. Or pyscho...

Doesn't matter...

Oh, lemme tell you about how I am coloring the adorable little lamb! I am using mySigno Uniball pen, and coloring in tiny little squiggles. There are teeny bits of the craft paper showing thru - to help give it texture. I am IN LUV with this pen.

The notecard is A Muse paper...flowers were Prima. Ribbon from my stash & the craft paper was by TAC.

Saltbox Studio Star Sheep

2008-09-03T12:30:00.000-05:00

I have finally inked up the Saltbox Studio Sheep!!

I *heart* them!!
Honestly, I had been holding off using them, because I hate when you use clear stamps and they stain. YES - I know that does not affect (or is it effect...) how they stamp. Every bit of me understands that fact.

But, yet, they just aren't so pretty then. And prettiness matters.

But, I finally broke down and bought a bottle of Ultra Clean. Guess what? It DOES work! I know, I have been a little doubter myself... but it works. Ahhh, I feel sooo liberated to use the stamps that I want to use and not let my own shallowness about their prettiness get in the way!

Ahhh...

Hey, I have used 3 more of the sheeps in the set, I will post those as soon as I have a chance. There is one sheep to go, and I am still working out the plan in my head...

Mrs. Goonerberry

2008-08-28T11:20:00.001-05:00

Mrs. Goonerberry is adorable, isn't she?? I am jealous.

There is nothing more that I would like is a weekend in a comfy chair, with a snuggly blanket and a good book. Even the kitty is snuggled up with her! Ok, we have been kitty free in this house for over two years, but do not rule out the thought of a kitty forever...

We are up to 4 dogs. One, we are fostering and she is going to her forever home on September 8th. She has not fit in with the family well at all. She knocks down the Adorable Little One and has gotten in a fight with The Fabulous Miss Roxie, leaving Rox with 9 stitches. I am sad that it did not work out, but I know that this is for the best.

Mamma Spottie is getting on in years. While she is still spry for a 15 year old dog, you can often see her age. Her daughter passed away this past Thanksgiving. Spottie will still teach the "Littles" (Blitzen & Roxie - both under 25 pounds & shorter than knee height) a thing about wrestling, but yet, her hearing is getting worse. I will be heart broken when I lose her.

So, maybe someday this will be me. Do you see any kids bothering her? Nope. It looks like she has been able to read more than one page without an interuption! Just add a plate of chocolate and I would be a happy-happy girl!

The stamp is by Eat Graphics Designs. Love Holly & her stuff!! Patterned paper by Basic Grey.

Sometimes a Little Change is Good...

2008-08-26T09:10:00.002-05:00

I have even stepped out of my comfort zone with not just the look of the blog, but with these stamps as well!!! I love these stamps. I even have another dragon facing the opposite direction. I love him, toobut just did not include him. I got them at a stamping convention that I dragged Mr. Snarky Pants to one evening this summer.

Yes, he went. He actually did not complain too much.We ussually have a good time when it is just the two of us. Then, the fact that we are somuch alike just makes for a good time. He was happy to help me spend my money, and help me mock the ugly stamps (and you know that they are out there!) . Plus, we then went out for sushi! We are the only two sushi fans in the family!!

So, back to the card...the castle and the dark water was colored with Prismacolor pencils, and OMS was used to blend. The sky and the lighter water was colored with my SU! WCC. Dragon was covered in Diaond Glaze to make him shiny. Doesn't every dragon want nice shiny skin?

A Muse Addict Homepage Contest

2008-08-18T14:56:00.000-05:00

It is time for another Home Page Contest amung the A Muse Addicts. First,
have you joined the A Muse Addicts yet? What? What are you waiting for? This is such a fun group!! We have contests and swaps and sneak peaks and virtual meetings, and a fun place to hang out with other fanatics of A Muse stamps!!

Plus, if you joined...you could vote for me to win the Home Page contest. Yes, that was shameless begging for votes. Come on, like that surprises you...

The Challenge, posted by Geeta, was to make a card using 3 of the following colors: Palm Green, Bark (brown), Orange Crush and Swiss Red. Oh, yes, we also had to add glitter.

Well, Mr. Snarky Pants was using my laptop - and the Adorable Little One was watching "Lightening Car" on Hubby's Laptop - so I could not surf around to figure out which green to use. SO - I went ahead and threw both greens that I had in there. Ha! I felt soooo sneaky!

oh, the sun was added to cover a lopsided sentiment.

All stamps and patterned paper by A Muse. The yellow came from my scrap bag & the white base is actually watercolor paper. (that is one of my secrets for a strong but textured base. The orange glitter is from Martha Stewart.

Wow! I am a winner & More FUN Stuff!!!

2008-08-18T12:04:00.000-05:00

This morning, the son formally known as Mr. Snarky Pants, started high school! My baby!! Ahh, it just seems like I was holding Baby Snarky Pants and getting soy formula thrown up all over me...now, he is an Axe-wearing-highschool-going Mr. Snarky Pants! Wait...Snarky even remembered to hug me goodbuy this morning and did not object to the first day of school picture. Ahhh, he is good to me.

In the rush to get ready for back to school (and having a wee-bit o'outpatient surgery myself) I have not had time to share that I won two things lately! I won a surprise packet from the last VMAA (Vitual Meeting of the A Muse Addicts) that included a pack of their Blue Madeira Note Cards (mmm...yummy..), some gaw-geous green A Muse ribbon, and the clear A Muse Clowboy Frames! Yippee!! I have not won anything since that bike from Captain Crunch back in 6th grade - so ya'll just can't believe how excited I was.

Also, I was nominated for the Brillante Weblog by Victoria!! Isn't she the greatest?!? She is a fellow A Muse Addict, and I am proud to share that she has finished her Chemotherapy and is 1/2 way thru her treatments. Go check her out...she has a dynamic spirit & I dare you not to feel inspired by her!!

Here are the details of the award:

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.
2. Link the person you received your award from.
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4. Put links of those blogs on yours.
5. Leave a message on the blogs of those you’ve nominated.

Here are my nominations, just a few of the people that inspire me:

1. Tisha
2. HB
3. Novelle
4. Martha
5. Suzy
6. Lyndsay
7. Jo-elle

VMWW Friends (as in a Comedy!)

2008-08-02T23:01:00.000-05:00

Having to make a humorous card stumped me tonight! I don't know why, this is normally so much fun for me...but the pressure was killer!

Is he really a bad little monster - or just showing off for the girls?

VMAA One Tree Hill

2008-08-02T22:13:00.000-05:00

The One Tree Hill challenge is about using only 1 A Muse stamp. We could use it as many times as we wanted. I originally made 6 fish...but once I had these two on the card - it felt right.

VMAA Lost

2008-08-02T21:36:00.000-05:00

The Lost challenge had me stumped for about 1.5 seconds. The challenge was to use some favorites! (you know, items you would like to have on a desserted island). While I have a zillion favs in my A Muse collection - Rock Star was y first favorite. He was love at fist site!

I combined him with some of my favorite A Muse papers & colors! Enjoy!

VMAA Greys Anatomy

2008-08-02T21:13:00.001-05:00

We were challenged to make a card about love. Finally inked up stamps that have been feeling neglected...

Another VMAA for the A Muse Addicts...

2008-08-02T21:09:00.000-05:00

Here is my card for the first challenge. Decided to use the Scooter stamp, since I am all about the scooter that my hubby just bought me!!

A Muse A Palooza Challenge

2008-06-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

I know, I have been truly slacking on this blog...forgive me??

Well, I hope so -- otherwise I would not share this card with you...It is for Taylor's Twinkle Time challenge...Notice the sparkly wagon.

I like to call this card...You Lazy Pig!!

VMAAAPR08E - Weekend

2008-04-26T22:29:00.000-05:00

There was a bonus challenge, posted by the Goddess herself, Linda!!!

Here is my weekend card. Yes, I am the pudgy diver. Look, no kids calling my name in that card....ahhh, bliss! Won't ever happen -- but it sure would be bliss! Plus, I used only my mosted favorite colors in the whole wide world!! The green looks a little wonky...I even tried taking the picture right under the OTT light (and on top of the mess...) but you will just have to trust me that it is a very pretty green.

You know, that mess under the card probably fits in with the weekend theme really well...there is an A Muse stamp, markers to be put away, the phone to remind me to catch up on all those calls...

VMAAAPR08D - Black & White

2008-04-26T21:56:00.000-05:00

WHEW, I finally finished the last card! What pressure!!

Patterned paper by Junkitz, ink by SU!, ribbon & stamp by A Muse.

Did I mention it is my 40th birthday? Boy, this VMAA has been such a fabulous way to celebrate, since the hubby had to work.

oh...and I dyed my hair pretty darn red. Ha! Take that you "Albino Hairs"...

VMAAAPR08C Sketch Challenge

2008-04-26T21:38:00.000-05:00

here we go! sketch challenge

VMAAAPR08B Use Messy Glitter

2008-04-26T20:55:00.000-05:00

Ok, had to go old school with the glitter. Broke out the Martha Stewart Glitter on the larger scallop, and on the doggie's little purse.

VMAAAPR08A

2008-04-26T20:21:00.000-05:00

here is my first official VMAA card...

all stamps by A Muse, Patterned paper by TAC. Markers by Prismacolor.

No Time to chat....

2008-04-26T19:46:00.000-05:00

I am hanging out with my buddies in the the A Muse Addict group...there is a Virtual Meeting tonight.

Before it gets going, I wanted to post the Warm up card I made...

Weekly Challenge #39: Life's Simple Pleasures!

Lookie Lookie!

2008-04-18T23:06:00.000-05:00

Two blog posts in one week. Wowsers. Ya'll really must be feeling pretty special.

Here is a card that I knocked out for the A Muse Addicts Challenge #37 -- Lots of Dots.

If you look real close past the right side of my card, you just might be able to see the pile o'stuff on my desk. Heck, I am busy taking Mr. Snarky Pants to have a whole bunch of tests run, I work, I am helping DH remodel the kitchen...now you people want me to have a clean desk, too? Come ON! Some of you out there are getting way to bossy....honestly, be glad you have a pretty card to look at - ignore the mess. Please. Ignore it.

So, the patterned paper is from DCWV's Nana Kids line. The ribbon is from A Muse, and it is yummy. Colored the image with my Prismacolor markers.

I am back. With somethin' sparkly

2008-04-11T17:14:00.000-05:00

Yes, I know...it has been way to long since I have visited my very own blog. Life has been crazy around here. Next week, we have a ton of tests scheduled at Children's Memorial Hospital -- so hopefully, we can get past all this tuor business with Mr. Sassy Pants. Please cross your fingers for us, and say a little prayer...

In the mean time, my obsession with all things A Muse grows deeper. I have joined the A Muse Addicts group online, and I even just went on a little A Muse shopping spree the other day (shhh....).

Here is a little card for the A Muse Addicts - Stamp of the Week Challenge #10. It is hard to notice, but the scooter is raised on pop dots for extra fun - and the fenders have been stickled to sparkle :)

Which Muppet are You?

2008-02-12T10:57:00.000-06:00

Me? Was it ever a question?

You Are Miss Piggy

A total princess and diva, you're totally in charge - even if people don't know it.

You want to be loved, adored, and worshiped. And you won't settle for anything less.

You're going to be a total star, and you won't let any of the "little people" get in your way.

Just remember, piggy, never eat more than you can lift!

The Muppet Personality Test

Isn't it mice?

2008-02-09T23:53:00.000-06:00

Well, just spent most of today working on the Valentine Cards for 3-year-old son's daycare class. Why exactly did I feel the need to make over 30 cards? While I think that the little guy thought that they were cute cards...would it have made me less of a parent if we went out and bought Thomas the Tank Engine cards for, like $3 and only 1 hour of my life?

Ahhh, the guilt of the working mother...

and the adorable quote inside....

Stamps by MFT

February Made Me Shiver....

2008-02-05T22:06:00.000-06:00

ok...It is a few days late to be the anniversary of the Day the Music died. BUT, come on...there are not too many people that have sung about the cold, nasty little month of February. I can't think of a child's rhyme about February...so, that's what you all are left with...a song running thru your heads.

In all honesty, as far as 2008 goes...February is looking up for us here. January sucked. Blew Monkey chunks. Me no likey!!

It was January, 2008 that was greeting with Oldest Son, 13yrs, who shall be known as Mr. Snarky Pants (where did he find that sarcasm?) was treated to not only ONE trip to the hospital for surgery -- but TWO trips to the hospital for surgery. Yes, Mr. Snarky Pants had a malignant tumor in his digestive system and got the joy of having 1/3 of his colon removed. Talk about your good times....I got to spend many, many January nights sleeping in the empty bed in his hospital room.

And...I had to do it without the benefit of the morphine button to push every 10 minutes to help me sleep!! Not fair!!

We have a lot of follow up to do, and while we think that it has all been removed, we will not know for several weeks. Until then, we like to think that life is almost back to normal around here. As normal as we can pretend to be...I have been slow to jump back into my stamping, as I know that you all can understand. Like posting in my blog, those stamps are another reminder of how thin I spread my time. Wait...maybe they are reminding me of how much I procrastinate. Or, how sometimes...I just can't make up my mind.

Another bit of news, this time on the crafting front. Many of you have heard about Ebay hiking it's fees, and really sticking it to the small seller. Well, as a small seller...me no likey. (hey, I quoted the fabulous Emperor Kuzko twice today!! LOVE HIM!) So, more and more of us are going to be leaving Feebay altogether, and hanging out more at Etsy. Are you an Etsy fan? Do me a favor? Click on my Etsy link and Heart me...please...

In return, I will share one of my favorite sceens from The Emperor...the waterfall.

Hey! Who clicked on that without hearting me?? Naughty naughty naughty!!

oh, and to keep this on track -- here is the only card that I have made since Mr. Snarky Pants has come home...

Happy New Year!!

2008-01-06T22:49:00.000-06:00

Well, our New Year's Eve was not as uneventful as we had hoped. I spent it with Oldest son (13 yrs) having his appendix out. He had lived with the pain for almost 3 weeks, even the doctor was shocked that it did not rupture. It was all sorts of infected. ugh.

So, I did manage to get one card done since he came home.

This was from Splitcoast Stampers Scetch Challenge #157. Love the sketch. The cat stamp and sentiment are from The Cat's Pajamas. Adorable aren't they?

I will always be a cat person.

When I grew up, my dad brought us two cats. Not as wonderful as it sounded, since my parents were divorced, and these two cats belonged to his girlfriend, until she had to get rid of them for soem reason...that I never did figure out. Well, he brought the cats in and gave them to us, without even asking my mother. At 7 years old, I thought that this was a miracle for me. Ummm, mom felt differently.

They were two tabbies, a black striped, named Guy and a light grey striped cat named Parfait. (Hey, they came with these names.) Parfait was not nice. She scratched...and had attitude. When Mom took her to be declawed, she discovered that the vet's office had her file listed as "PARFART" instead of Parfait. Heeheee, is it wrong that this still makes me giggle 30+ years later???

I don't really even remeber "Parfart" leaving the house. I think my dad took her. Guy stayed around a few years, then "went away" one weekend while I was at a church trip. While we were allowed to have fish, lizards, mice, dogs, and guinnea pigs -- we all knew never to bring home a cat.

Even thought I do not have any cats now, I have had 5 as an adult. Sister and Brother are also cat people. But, they have all had better names than Parfart. ;o)

Hope your Holiday was Very Merry!

2007-12-27T13:56:00.000-06:00

Can you all believe that another Christmas was here and gone? I don't know about you, but once Christmas is over -- it really feels like winter should be over, too! But, nope, here, north of Chicago - winter will be hanging on for many more months. In fact, it has barely even started yet!!

I did get my new TAC catalog in the mail!! Yipppeeee!!! My own personal Wish List (I like to call it my NEED list...) gets bigger each time I flip through the book. I will have some catalogs available for purchase, by the weekend...so let me know if you are interested.

Meanwhile, we have been super busy here with my Christmas gift from hubby. May I introduce to you...Blitzen!!!! Here he is with The Fabulous Miss Roxie. He is a 4 month West Highland Terrier. And, I luv him :)

Soon, I will have more stamping creations to share. In the meantime, I have a puppy that needs to go outside.

2007-12-18T13:17:00.000-06:00

Well, the holiday cards are almost all mailed. I am down to just addressing them, as I have gotten them all made. Can you believe it? I finished my goal of making over 60 Christmas cards? Yowsers!!

I have only received 6 Christmas cards. Remind me again why I sent out so many cards??

Life has been out of control busy. I have been in full panic mode getting my house cleaned for my sister's holiday visit. Honestly, I don't know why I am stressing sooo bad, it is not like her house is perfect...but yet, worry and obsession are two of my favorite hobbies. Wait -- don't think that I am saying that my sister is a slob, she just has 5 kids, 2 dogs, 3 cats, and she is a working mom. So, while her house is clean, like mine, it is not Martha Stewart clean, again, like mine.

When I was growing up, my mom worked. For many years, until her passing, my Nana would come to stay with us over the summer and again in the winter. She was Dad's mom, and she was there for us after the divorce. My dad is an alcoholic. Many years after the divorce, he stopped drinking, and got remarried....but that is a story for a different day.

Nana was a dynamo of a woman. She always made you feel as if you were her favorite. She would send you out to the icecream truck with a $5 bill, and pretend like she did not know what you were talking about when you tried to give her back her change. She made monster meatballs, overly tart apple pies, and told stories about her life in Providence. As the youngest in my family, she spent a lot of time with me, while sister and brother were out doing their thing, and Mom was working. It was only recently, that I found out that my sister (who we all think of as the family historian) never heard many of these stories. Her best story, was when her family came over from Lithuania. They came over in the lower level of a ship in the early 1900's. They, like supposedly many other immegrants, scraped together their life savings to come to the US, seaking a better way of life. To save money, her infant sister was packed inside a barrel. HUH??? Yep, packed inside a barrel. There were airholes, and they brought her out all of the time, just hid her, enough to make her their little stow away.

I lost my grandmother when I was in highschool. I think about that story from time-to-time. I realize that despite any hard times, I have never had to hide my baby in a barrel. I have never had to pack up a few meager possessions, and my family to go across the globe in search of a new life. I am grateful for her parents that took the chance, and my Nana who was a very strong woman.

I know that Thanksgiving is long since over, but Christmas break is almost here. Twenty years ago, that would have meant that Nana was coming soon. I looked forward to that, almost as much as I did Christmas Day.

So, while you are all taking time with your families this Christmas -- take the time to remember the ones that are no longer with you. Enjoy those happy memories, and eat some extra pie, just for them!!

In the meantime, I better post a card for you. This is one of my favorite designs of my Christmas cards...this was a limited edition (only 5 made). I had forgotten that I purchased this stamp for my cards....once I remembered, I had almost 60 cards made. Not wanting this stamp to sit unused for another year, I whipped up a few additional cards....Isn't it adorable??

November? Already?

2007-11-09T07:38:00.000-06:00

Can someone please explain to me how it is November already? And...not just the first -- but today is the 9th? Hmmm. I just do not understand how the time is just getting away from me so fast. I need to borrow Mr. Peabody's Way-Back Machine and back up enough to feel like I am getting things done.

That big box of TAC goodies came in, and that is partly why I have not been here. I was rushing to get the Thanksgiving cards made. I have already received a card in the mail from my sweetest auntie...so there is, of course, that added pressure of having to actually mail the cards that I have been making.

I have been playing a lot with the TAC set Count Your Blessings & would love to share:

and a few close ups

please leave a comment and let me know what you think!!

2007-10-29T22:56:00.000-05:00

Hey Faithful Readers! (or, is that "Reader"??)

I am really trying to ink up some of these delightful stamps that I have here, before my big box of TAC goodies gets here! You know, to minimize some of the guilt :)

This card features 3 stamps from Eat Cake Graphics. This & A Muse are two of my favorite companies...Honestly, if money were no object, I would truly own everything from both of these companies. The stamps used are Lilly Puddlesworth, Ryan Relaxes and Little Phillip's Ready for the Water. Hubby was trying to help me come up with a good quote for the inside...We could go with something sweet like, "We Miss you when you are not here...".

But, we are really thinking that Little Phillip is waiting to talk about Ryan, as soon as he floats away. Perhaps he is suffering from Floaty-Envy...as his Momma stuck him with the plain innertube...when everyone knows that the Spotted-Floaty-Critter is da bomb!!

Lemme know what you think...What does this card say to you?

I'm Back.

2007-10-28T09:25:00.000-05:00

Sorry to all of my faithful readers {and, Karen, you know who you are :oP } I just was so overwhelmed between Logan hitting the big 3, potty training, working, and having Zach in 8th grade...that I really just have been horrible about posting.

I will really be better about it. I promise. I will try. I hope.

I have even been bad with my stamping....I have soooo much untouched "rubba" that I got from joining The Angel Company. They are such gorgeous stamps, that I really should be ashamed. Soooo, I have finally challenged myself to get using the pretties!!!!

Here are two cards that I have made this weekend. They both have used bleach to get the white color. Both the Tiger Face & Gerbera Daisy were stamped and embossed in black. Then I broke out the bleach pen. I have done it before with straigh bleach, and a paint brush -- and got the results much faster...but, I am out of plain bleach -- so I am working with what I have.

I used my SU! watercolor crayons and an aquapainter to color the green of the leaves and stem. The blue paper look a little wonky in the picture, with the added dimention of the brads, the paper is scanning a little goofy.

by the way -- the new TAC catty is coming soon!!! Drop me an email at Sarcasm.is.an.Artform@gmail.com, if you would like to order one for you!! Thanks!!

Cowboy Card

2007-08-17T09:40:00.000-05:00

Well, it had to happen...as soon as I got the harddrive replaced on my laptop - it died again. Toshiba thinks that it is the motherboard. So, it will cost more money. Of course it will!

We went ahead and got me a new laptop! Yippee!! This is super sweet, a 17.5" screen -- very swanky! I lost everyone's email address...so, drop me a line at sarcasm.is.an.artform@gmail.com, if you ever want to hear from me again. :) Now, I just have to get more familiar with both Windows Vista and the feeling of having a full size keyboard. Until then, well...be prepared for typos...

In the meantime, here is a card that I made with the new box of goodies that I received as my starter pack from The Angel Company. When I chose him...I thought that he was cute. Now that I have used him...I am in love. I want to have more reasons to use him. I want to plan cowboy parties. I want to go to the rodeo and travel to Texas. I want a big strong cowboy, with his own set of spurs...Wait...maybe that had nothin' to do with stamping...

It's ALIVE!!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-10T21:48:00.000-05:00

My laptop...I mean!!

Yes, Lappy was out of commission for the last few days. I installed a new hard drive (almost all by myself even!) and reinstalled the software...and he is now as new as he was in 2004. Minus all my pictures.

Still working on recovering those, but I do not want to depress us all by going there. Yep, all the pictures from Guatemala & meeting our son for the first time. Please, just cross your fingers and your toes for us. I have not given up yet!!

In the meantime, I got some of the greatest new stamps from Eat Cake Graphics. Wow, Holly over there, is as sweet as she can be!! Her designs are fun, fun, fun!!

Wanna Play Doctor?

2007-08-02T09:56:00.000-05:00

Whooo!!! Two posts in one day!! Amazing!!

Well, yesterday was busy around here. Not only did I get my new racks hung for my A Muse stamps (c'mon, you have to admit, those are too cute to put away in a box...), but I also got an order from Ebay of 4 stamps. And, shhh...I stopped by a stamp store at my lunch hour and brought home a couple more.

I am out of control.

But, hey, at least I am using them. Right? Of course I am!! Here is the fun card that I made for hubby!! It is a tri-fold card, so there are three pics to view.

Bwaaahahhahaha!!!

Stamps by A Muse...WW crayons by SU!...Embossing powder, is a custom color of 2 blues and a silver I mixed, patterned paper by Rob & Bob Studios, white & green cardstock from Office Depot (I forgot the brand...) and blue cardstock is from the Bazzill Bling collection.

New A Muse Storage

2007-08-02T09:35:00.000-05:00

Even though, I was just a SU! Demo....and I will be *officially* faxing in my TAC paperwork today...a big piece of my heart belongs to A Muse.

There is a new fun thread over at SCS dedicated to A Muse, and some great girls there have even formed an A Muse fan club on Yahoo.

I wanted to share the new fun storage that I picked up this weekend for my little A Muse collection. (warning, I know 4 other stamps snuck in there...but, hey....). I got these little wire desk organizers from Target. I think that they were around $8. Don't-cha think that this is their true calling in life??

Sorry about the brightness, these are hanging right next to the window...here is a better close-up.

Now...do you see the big problem? Yep! There is still space left open!! What am I thinking...must get shopping :)

Welcome...

2007-07-29T11:30:00.000-05:00

Well, I did it...I finally am jumping (no, make that crawling and sneaking...) into the world of bloggin'. Whew! Between the kids, the dogs, DH, full time work, being a TAC angel, Ebay, scrappin' and stampin' -- well, why not add a blog?!?

Please watch here for more interesting posts, shared crafting, and the occassional yummy of blog candy!!

In the meantime...let me share a card...

This was made for a swap over at SCS last month. The stamps, Lady Diver and Pool are two of my favorites from A Muse.