Less than 3 months

I can't believe that Christmas will be here in less than three months.  For me, time seems to be going too fast and too many things are happening.  Unfortunately, my daughter who is still homesick away at college is feeling that time is dragging as she is counting the weeks until winter break.  To be young again, not that I want to go back.

Patterned Paper:  Bearly Mine - Christmas Joy

Cardstock:  Bazzil, Core-dinations, Recollections

Stamp:  Kenny K - Mrs. Claus

Sentiment:

Ink:  Tim Holtz- Peeled Paint

Ribbon: Amuse

Brads:  Paper Studio

Flowers:  Prima

Spellbinders:  Labels # 

Punches:  EK Success & Fiskars

Prima Pencils

Sakura jelly glitter roller

Challenges:

SSSCC 136 - Sketch

Kenny K - Christmas

Bearly Mine - 3X DESIGN/BACKING PAPERS

Fall

I know that it is fall, but I just feel that I keep falling behind.  Unfortunately my husband was hospitalized on the past two Saturdays.  The first one for pneumonia and dehydration.  And the most recent for a nose bleed and rectal/GI bleed.  All this has come from his cancer treatment for his metastatic renal cancer.  Needless to say, he is weak and having quite a bit of pain.  Tomorrow he has a MRI of his spine and he may be discharged.  The question is will he be able to come home, or will he require some rehab.  He is a patient on the nursing unit that I work on so it has been rather stressful for me.  I have also worked because I have not wanted to use a lot of my "sick" time so I have not had a lot of sleep.

I did manage to use my Prisma pencils and do a little coloring while he was sleeping the other day.  And this is what I came up with.

Patterned Paper:  K & I

Cardstock:  Bazzil, Core-dinations, Recollections

Stamp:  Mo Manning - Fall

Sentiment:  Verve

Ink:  Memento, Rich Cocoa

Prisma Pencils

Border Punch:  Fiskars

Buttons:  JoAnn's Basics

Spellbinders:  Grand Standard Circle, Grand Scalloped Circle

Silk Leave:  Unknown

Challenges

Mo Manning:  Autumn
Sketch Saturday - Sketch 174

Amanda's turning 19

My daughter will be turning 19 next week on the 20th.  I made a card for her using the Monique stamp from Kraftin' Kimmie which the challenge was to use one of your first stamps.  I bought this stamp for her naturally because she is a dancer.  The sketch is one that the lines remind me of the slots in the pit of the stage for the band.  My husband has conducted many musicals/shows so you can tell where my mind is seeing these things.

Patterned Paper:  Pebbles

Cardstock:  Bazzil, Core-dinations, Recollections

Stamp:  Kraftin' Kimmie - Monique

Ink:  Memento, black tuxedo

Sentiment:  Verve

Brads:  Paper Studio

Flowers:  Recollections

Glitter pen:  Sakura jelly roller

Challenges:

Saturday Sketch 172

Kraftin' Kimmie - One of your first stamps

CR84FN38 Color Challenge  http://cr84fncolorchallenge.blogspot.com/2011/09/cr84fn38.html

Patterned Paper:  Pebbles

Cardstock:  Core-dinations,  Paper Cuts, Paper Company, Recollections

Stamp:  My Favorite Things - Lil' Pumpkin

Ribbon:  Michael's

Flower:  Recollections

Bling:  Recollections

Challenges:

MFTWSC37

All that Scraps - Fall

Cute monsters

Torico designed these cute monsters which just sounds ridiculous to have something adorable that is so frightening and terrible.  I used last week's Color Q scheme since I thought it was perfect for the critters.

Patterned Paper:  Doddle Bug

Cardstock:  Core-dinatons, Recollections

Stamps:  Torico - monster 1, monster 2, monster 3

Ribbon:  Michael's

Buttons:  Stash

Border Punch:  Martha Stewart

Square Punch:  Paper studio

Challenges:  

TESC 146

Patterned Paper:  Bo Bunny
Cardstock:  Bazzil, Recollections, Core-dinations
Stamp:  Tiddly Ink - Nuts about you
Sentiment:  Amuse
Ink:  Memento, rich cocoa
Leaves: stash
Bling:  Recollections
Ribbon:  Michael's
Spellbinders:  Large Circle, Large scalloped circle

Challenges:
The Sweet Stop- Sketch 125

Good to the last drop

Today is my friend, Teresa's birthday.  Unfortunately her husband had a massive heart attack this past week so he went to the urgent care on Tuesday (he wouldn't go over the holiday weekend even though he wasn't feeling well), and they immediately sent him by ambulance to the hospital.  They told him that he has so much heart blockage and damage they aren't sure how much they can do for him.  Each day, there has been some excitement.  This is my friend that I had the surprise 25th Anniversary dinner for back in May so I am so glad that my friends and I did that.  I just keep hoping and praying.  My plan today is to visit my daughter at college who is struggling with the adjustment to college life.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye - Six by Six
Cardstock:  Paper Company, Core-dinations, Recollections
Stamp:  Skipping Stones
Ink:  Memento, rich cocoa
Spellbinders:  Petite Oval Large & Small, Ribbon Labels
Ribbon:  JoAnn's
Button:  Recollections
Bling:  Recollections

Challenges:
Skipping Stone - Sketch

Patterned Paper:  Bo Bunny - Welcome Home

Cardstock:  Paper Company, Core-dinations, Recollections

Stamp:  Mo Manning - Two Toby

Sentiment:  TLC

Spellbinders:  Petite Oval Large & Small, Egebilities Classic Scallops

Bling:  Recollections

Challenges:

Deconstructed Sketch #17

Mo Manning - Boy Attitude

Patterned Paper:  Bo Bunny
Cardstock:  Bazzil, Paper Company, Recollections
Stamp:  Paper Pretties - Falling for you Sophia
Spellbinders:  Eyelet Circle, Egebilities

Challenges:
Paper Pretties:   Sketch

C4C104:  Color Challenge

Chocolate

When I saw this image of Mo's, I just had to get it since I think it is darling....a little girl with such a BIG chocolate bar.  It just brings back so many memories.  I can just feel the sense of determination in those eyes.

Patterned Paper:  K & Company

Cardstock:  Core-dinations, Recollections

Stamp:  Mo Manning - Chocolate Smile

Sentiment: G-studio

Ink:  Memento, rich cocoa

Chalk:  Stash, unknown source

Flourish: Recollections

Flowers:  Prima

Brads: Paper Studio

Ribbon:  Lawrence Shilts Silk Mills

Spellbinders:  Large Circle, Large Scalloped Circle

Punches:  EK Success

Challenges:

Mo Manning - Sketch

Do it with Digi's  -flowers     http://doitwithdigischallenge.blogspot.com/

Cute Card Thursday - A Pinch & A Punch  http://www.cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/

Patterned Paper:  Authentique, Pebbles

Cardstock:  Core-dinations, Bazzil, Recollections

Stamp:  All That Scraps - Hawaiian Brigritta

Sentiment:  Verve

Ink:  Memento, Rich Cocoa

Doily: Three Yellow Bicycles

Spellbinders:  Label 14, Edgebilities,- Classic Scallop, Ribbon Banners

Bling:  Recollections

Challenges:

SSSC 133

All That Scraps - Inspirational Picture

Crafty Creations Challenge - 3 or more punches/dies http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/

Dance Team try outs

I have heard from my daughter and my Mother so I know she is alive, but is apparently quite home sick.  I think she will do better tomorrow once classes start.  My parents took the girls out to eat on Sunday for lunch along with my brother and sister-in-law to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday.  She picked up her text books and Target, one of the local stores, was staying open late, just for the college students to do their shopping on Sunday night.  Now I know she is getting nervous for the dance team try outs which are later this week.  I made her this card using the Sugar Nellie "Team Spirit" stamp that I will send out to her tomorrow.  I used the colors of the school.

Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey- Inde Bloom, DCWV
Cardstock:  Bazzil, Core-dinations, Recollections
Stamp:  Sugar Nellies - Team Spirit
Ink:  Memento, Black Tuxedo
Brads: Paper Studio
Spellbinders:  Large Circle, Large scalloped circle

Patterned Paper:  Graphic 45, Digital download Softly Plaidly Peachy Keen- Kittenbella, Dots
Cardstock:  Bazzil, Core-dinations, Recollections
Stamp:  Tiddly Ink - School Girl & Books
Spellbinders:  Circle Large & Small, Petite Oval Large & Small
Embossing Folder:  Sixxiz
Ribbon:  Lawrence Shiff Silk Mills

Challenges:
JUGS- Sketch
Tiddly Inks - Reading Fun
C4C103- Back to School
Pixie Dust - School is Cool
Clear Dollar - Patterned Paper   http://www.clearlyistamp.typepad.com/

Patterned Paper:  Bearly Mine - digital download, water- free digital download
Cardstock:  Core-dinations, Recollections
Stamp:  Elizabeth Bell - Duckie
Flowers:  Prima & Recollections
Buttons:  Stash
Twine:  Divine Twine
Crystal lacquer on water
Brads:  Recollections

Challenges:
Sweet Wednesday Sketch
Elizabeth Bell Challenge Bingo

She's there

She is there, and unfortunately when I left her she looked like the dog in this card....a lost puppy.  Her words were, "Don't leave me Mom, I don't have any friends."  Even though we went out to eat with her roommate's family, and they seem to get along great.  My parents actually came to help with the move so they took her back to her dorm room so I left from the restaurant; otherwise, I think she would have cried.  I left a card on her dresser and I shoved one in her underwear drawer when I was unpacking a box for her.  Her Dad left early in the afternoon, but she is more my girl. It was raining so hard while we were moving it was a real mess that I didn't get any pictures so I feel horrible about that.  The girls did a nice job setting up there room.

Patterned Paper:  Basic Grey: Indie Bloom
Cardstock:  Bazzil, Core-dinations, Recollections
Stamp:  Karens Doodles - Basset Girl
Sentiment:  Verve
Ink:  Memento, rich cocoa
Spellbinders:  Grand Circle, Grand Scalloped Circle
Flowers:  Wild Orchid Crafts
Embossing Folder:  Sixxiz

Challenges:
Karen's Doodles - Sketch
Basic Grey - Celebration

Moving Day

Well it is here, in a few hours, we will be moving my daughter off to college.  She has definitely over-packed her clothes.  She is only going to be 90 miles away, but she packed like she will not be home until Thanksgiving break.  It is both exciting and sad to see her off as I'm sure many of you have already experienced.  She will actually be in my hometown with her grandparents there to keep an eye on her.  My Dad's birthday is coming up so I made this card for him.  He is a wonderful man, and I couldn't ask for a better Father.  My parents just came back from from a trip to Alaska and he is planning a trip out west hunting with my brother this fall.  He is an outdoors man so that is the reason I purchased this Impression Obsession Stamp.

Patterned Paper:  My Mind's Eye- Lost & Found 2

Cardstock:  Paper Company, Bazzil

Stamp:  Impression Obsession 

Sentiment:  Stampendous - Masculine Monikers

Ink:  Memento, rich cocoa

       Close to My Heart, Barn Red

Twine: Divine Twine

Spellbinders:  Grand Oval

Bling:  Recollections

Challenges
Deconstructed Sketch #17
Color Throwdown

Four months

I can't believe it is September 1st already.  My son starts is first day of High School.  It is to be a muggy and humid day around 93 degrees today so it is hard to think of the fall weather that is heading our way.  I made this Christmas card since I feel I'm already behind with the holidays coming around the corner.  I did some paper piecing of the stocking of this Bugaboo image.

Patterned Paper:  Bearly Mine - Paper Lace, Bearly Mine- Christmas Joy, Snowflakes - Red
Cardstock:  Core-dinations, Recollections
Stamp:  Bugaboo- Stocking Bear
Ribbon:  JoAnn's
Twine- Stash
Brad:  Paper Studio
Stickles: Ice
Spellbinders:  Large & Small Circles
Flowers:  Recollections & ornament
Border Punch:  Martha Stewart

Challenges:
CPS Sketch 130
Bugaboo: Paper piecing and warm colors
Create Colour Challenge: Kraft, red, and white
Ribbon Carousel: 2 spools, red ribbon & twine