Simple Saturday

You can't tell in the above picture, but it's sparkles.

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Details:
Stamp: Michael's $1
Ink: Black
Paper: Cardstock-Lovely Lilac (SU), Patterned/Textured-Unknown.
Accessories: Glitter pen, heart punch (CM)

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
What is the weather like today where you live?

Mostly cloudy. Right now it's 74, but the high was 86. There was a little bit of rain today, but the sun did peak through once in a while. It looks like there is supposed to be some storms tonight.

Soup
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how career-minded are you?

Maybe 3, but that's pushing it. While I have a strong work ethic, it's more important to me to be happy in a job than push my way to the top.

Salad
What type of window coverings do you have in your home? Blinds, curtains, shutters, etc.?

Curtains in the living room, vertical blinds over the back sliding glass door (which we are in desperate need of new ones) and horizontal blinds everywhere else.

Main Course
Name something that instantly cheers you up.

Singing along to a good song.

Dessert
How many times do you hit the snooze button on a typical morning?

Two or three. Just don't ask me how long I just let it play (clock radio) and completely ignore it.

I'm Beginning To Think It's Fake

A few months ago mom bought three orchids. She kept one for herself, gave one to Jackie, and gave the other to me. As mom gave it to me, Paul walked over, gently stroked the stalk of the orchid, and apologized to it for having to come home with me, as it would most likely suffer the same fate as many other houseplants that I have tried to grow over the years. I have a very bad habit of forgetting to water my indoor plants. Well...just so you know...mom's blooms fell off her orchid months ago, and mine still looks exactly the same as it did the day I brought it home...which leads me to believe that my orchid is fake. Mom, did you give me the fake orchid? The only thing that makes me think otherwise is that I think the leaves have grown larger.



Here's Abby looking not so interested in the fact that I'm taking pictures of the flowers rather than cooking dinner.

Love Ya Bunches!

I felt like participating in a sketch challenge this weekend, so I chose Lauren's sketch from her blog My Time, My Creations, My Stampendence. I have a massive amount of dew drops, so I figured I could use some of them up on that row of circles along the bottom of her sketch. The image is colored with Stampin' Up markers.


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Details:
Stamps: Turtle w/ Frog (Inky Antics), Love Ya Bunches (SU!)
Ink: Black (TAC); Mellow Moss, Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, Certainly Celery (SU! markers)
Paper: TAC cardstock, stipes by Making Memories, circles unknown
Accessories: Dew drops, pop dots (behind sentiment), ribbon, glue dots

Scrappin' Sunday

As promised, here is my digital makeover of last week's Scrappin' Sunday paper layout.


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Details:
Papers/Elements: "Mommy Dearest" kit at Booland Designs (except photo mats)
Word Art: Original design. Fonts used - Bickley Script and Kunstler Script.

Simple Saturday

A while back I saw a tip about running transparency film through the Cuttlebug, and I've been meaning to try it. I have a whole package of transparencies that I picked up at a garage sale last year ($2 for an unopened box...what a deal!). The fact that it's clear makes it difficult to photograph, so I tilted it to catch the light to give you a better idea of how it came out.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
If you could live on another continent for 1 year, which one would you choose?

Europe. That would be an interesting year. There are so many countries to visit.

Soup
Which browser do you use to surf the Internet?

Mozilla Firefox both here and at work. I like it so much better than Internet Explorer.

Salad
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you know about the history of your country?

History is not one of my best subjects. I'm starting to pay more attention to it now than I did in school, though. I guess I would place myself at a 4-5. I'm definitely not smarter than a fifth grader. I would love to visit Colonial Williamsburg. Maybe someday.

Main Course
Finish this sentence: Love is…

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
--I Corinthians :13:4-8 (NIV)

It also makes me think of the comic strip that was big in the 70's. I seem to remember Deb having some "Love Is" artwork. I remember always being bothered by the fact that the poor boy and girl were naked. Apparently it's still around today.

Dessert
Have you ever been in or near a tornado?

No...thank God! Knock on wood and all that stuff! I've been on the Twister Ride at Universal Studios Florida. That's about as close as I want to get (and that ride is totally lame, by the way). When the tornado hit the apple orchard earlier this year, that just freaked me out...too close for comfort.

Under the Weather?

I almost feel as though I'm going to jinx things by posting this card. Over the last couple of days, we have had some of the most beautiful weather we have had in a long time. The temps have been between 70 and 80, very low humidity, beautiful blue skies. Why does it have to be this way during the week when we're stuck inside? My boss and I have been walking the neighborhood on our lunch break just so we can get out and enjoy it. I just took a look at the forecast. It looks like Saturday it's supposed to rain, Sunday nice, and then the rain is coming back for next week.

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Card Details:
Stamps: Rain Or Shine (MFT)
Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Pretty In Pink, Sage Shadow (SU!)
Paper: Cardstock - Pretty In Pink, Sage Shadow (SU!) Patterned - Smile (Melissa Frances)
Accessories: Ribbon, Cuttlebug embossing folder, pop dots

Simple Saturday/Scrappin' Sunday

I had every intention of making and posting this card yesterday, but we went out of town and got back too late. We went out to Naperville, IL, to visit Penzey's Spices. We received a catalog last week with a coupon for a free bottle of their new BBQ 3000 seasoning, and yesterday was such a beautiful day, so we decided to go for a drive. We had no idea until we got there that Naper Days/Taste of Naperville was going on. We only had to park three blocks away from Penzey's and it's a miracle we even found a spot. We walked around town for a bit and decided that we're definitely going to go back when its not so busy...lots of neat shops. Before we left we decided to have dinner at either Smokey Bones or Joe's Crab Shack in Aurora. We drove around for an hour looking for either restaurant, although we really wanted to try Smokey Bones. Finally we stopped at a gas station and Paul asked for directions. The girl told him it's just down the road...right past Hooters. So we headed out looking for it again. Hmmm...could she possibly have meant the building that says "For Rent" on the sign outside. We found another building that said "For Rent" in the area that Joe's was supposed to be. So much for that. We had finally decided on Red Lobster when we came across a place that we thought looked neat on the way in...Key Wester Fish and Pasta House...so we decided to give it a try. We're glad we did, as we had a really good meal. Very interesting decor, and the food was good (although a bit pricey). I had the coconut shrimp with coconut rice. Paul had the banana crust tilapia with coconut rice. (You would be correct in assuming that the theme of the restaurant is tropical. ) We both really enjoyed it.

So, anyway, that's my reason for not getting this card posted yesterday.

Simple Saturday


Scrappin' Sunday

In honor of Father's Day, for Scrappin' Sunday I chose to post a layout that I did back around the time I first started scrapbooking. It's a "Butterfly Kisses" themed layout of dad and I when I was approximately 2. I did everything 8-1/2" x 11" back then because that's mostly what you could find. I also used a lot of stickers.


As a challenge to myself, my plan is to redo this layout digitally using these same pictures for next week's Scrappin' Sunday...so stay tuned for that!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer
Do you consider yourself to be an optimist or a pessimist?

I'm really more of a realist. I guess my glass is half full, but in this day and age I figure the water in it is probably contaminated.

Soup
What is your favorite color of ink to write with?

Blue

Salad
How often do you get a manicure or pedicure? Do you do them yourself or go to a salon and pay for them?

I barely remember the last time I had a manicure. I keep toying with the idea of getting a pedicure, but I'm afraid to for a variety of reasons. 1) My feet are ticklish. 2) I'm too cheap. 3) Have you read the articles out there about the dangers of pedicures? I mean, exactly how sanitary is it? (See, I told you I'm a realist.) I do keep my toenails painted in the summertime because I'm always either barefoot or in sandals.

Main Course
Have you ever won anything online? If so, what was it?

Not online. Not that I can remember anyway...so if I did, it wasn't anything exciting.

Dessert
In which room in your house do you keep your home computer?

The desktop is in one of the spare bedrooms, which is our office/computer room/stamp area/scrapbook room. Paul uses the laptop in the living room.

Randomness

1. What is your favorite day of the week?

I always say my favorite day of the week is Friday at 5:00. It's the end of the week and we're both home from work...usually.

2. How do you usually wear your hair?

Right now I'm all about the ponytail. My hair is pretty long right now and with the humidity we have been having, it's a crazy mess. The only way to keep it under control is to put it up. I'm still contemplating cutting it short again.

3. What is your favorite item of clothing?

My red UIC sweatshirt. It's a little too hot to wear that now, though.

4. Where would your dream vacation be?

Probably Hawaii. Although a friend of mine just got back from a Mediterranean cruise and that sounds pretty darn nice.

5. Who is your favorite author? book?

I really don't have one favorite author, as I read all different kinds of books. Medical thrillers are my favorite but I also like mysteries, ghost stories, autobiographies, and true crime. I'm not so much into romance novels. Some of my favorite authors include Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen, Sue Grafton, and Patricia Cornwell. I like some Steven King and Dean Koontz, but they are pretty out there for me most of the time. I just recently read one of Dean Koontz's latest books, The Darkest Evening of the Year...mainly because one of the main characters is a golden retriever. Dean is a huge golden lover like myself and recently lost his beloved Trixie to cancer. I love reading his website and hearing his stories about Trixie.

6. How often do you log on?

It varies. Sometimes the computer doesn't get turned on all day...sometimes I'm checking things a few times a day.

7. What is one of your favorite internet sites to visit?

Splitcoast Stampers

8. Coke or Pepsi?

Diet 7-Up or Sierra Mist Free. I like the clear ones better. If I have to pick Coke or Pepsi, I choose Pepsi...only diet. Regular coke still tastes like cough medicine to me, and regular Pepsi is just way too sweet. However, once in a great while I do get craving for a Cherry Coke.

9. Do you prefer healthy snacks or junk food?

Hahaha. Obviously I feel better eating healthy snacks. I enjoy munching on cut-up veggies. Paul can't comprehend why I would reach for a veggie tray over a tray of cookies. Unfortunately, junk food is just so much easier.

10. Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Well...the older I get, the harder it is to stay up late. I used to get more accomplished at night. Now I find myself waking up early even if I don't have to. Mid-afternoon is actually the worst time for me. I would take a nap between 1 and 3 every single day if I could get away with it.

till next time....

Something Besides a Card

I found some wooden frames at Michael's a while back that were only $1. I picked up a couple of them to play around with. For this one I used Modge Podge to adhere patterned scrapbook paper and sanded the edges. I then spread a layer of Modge Podge over the whole thing, let it dry, and then attached some silk flowers and rhinestones.

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I would like to take a moment in memory of mom's friend Woody who passed away suddenly this morning. My heart goes out to his family and friends. He was a nice man who will be missed by many.

As Long As You Remember Me

Today, my friends, I leave you all behind

Yet fear not, for I am still with you.

If you stop for just a moment you will hear me!

I’ll be the sound of the wind as it blows through the sky,

I’ll be the memory in your mind, so you need not ask why.

I’ll be the sound of the waves as they crash along the shore.

I’ll be the birds in the trees whenever you step out the door.

I’ll be the blossoms you see as they sprout up in the spring,

I’ll be the sound of the church bells, just stop and hear me sing.

I’ll be the light from a candle, as it flickers in the night,

I’ll be both sunrises and sunsets, for they’re both beautiful sights.

I’ll be the laughter you feel, and the tears when you cry,

But do me one favor and don’t ever ask why?

For why is a word that we can not explain.

And all the whys in the world, won’t get rid of our pain.

So do me another favor, for it seems favors are all I ask.

Yet this one can be accomplished for it is not a hard task.

Remember me in Happiness, Remember me not in Sorrow.

Then look ahead past the pain and know there is always tomorrow.

For as I enter into Heaven, upon leaving this Earth,

I leave to all of you my memories and all that they are worth.

~Author Unknown

Note To Self

If you're going to throw your jacket in the washing machine, remove the dog bones from the pockets first.

Another Bright One

This card started out to be my "Simple Saturday" card. What was I thinking!? I thought I would try my hand at tea bag folding, which is a form of paper folding similar to origami. I was curious as to why it's called tea bag folding because there are no tea bags used here. Apparently this form of paper crafting originated in Holland. One day a lady named Tiny van der Plaas (Tiny???) forgot to buy her sister a birthday card (been there, done that). She was sitting around her kitchen table and started fiddling with the little envelopes that her fruit tea bags came in and before she knew it, she had herself a card.

This particular fold is called the Dahlia and is made with circles of double-sided paper, a pattern on one side and a solid color on the other. Here are the instructions. It's not that it's difficult...I just advise you to use thinner paper. My hands quickly became tired and this flower...or medallion or whatever you want to call it...only took 8 circles. My creation here is a little bright, but this double-sided paper was already sitting out on my desk. Once I had the medallion done, I had no idea what to do with it, so I turned it into a flower. There are a ton of tea-bag folding instructions on the internet for those of you who are way more adventurous than I am.

Weekend Catch-Up

Appetizer
When you drink soda/pop/coke, do you prefer to drink it from the bottle, a can, or after pouring it into a cup?

After pouring it into a cup. I try to get as much of the fizz out of it as possible. Drinking it out of a can is the worst, and I prefer to let it sit for a little bit before I drink it. When drinking it out of a bottle, I tend to shake it up a little (then open it s-l-o-w-l-y). By the way, I call it "pop." Paul calls it "soda."

Soup
What television show are you willing to stay up late to watch?

We tend to stay up later to watch most shows these days because we tape most of them on the DVR and watch when we can...or after the show is over so we can fast-forward the commercials.

Salad
Name one person, place, or thing you think of as brilliant.

God's Paintbrush

Main Course
Would you be willing to work 4 10-hour days instead of 5 8-hour days in order to save gas?

Sure...but only if the fifth day was a Friday or a Monday so I could have a three-day weekend.

Dessert
If you were a superhero, what would you call yourself?

Mighty Monica...Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound and eat chocolate cake and Cheetoes without gaining a single pound. By day she's a mild mannered dog groomer, by night she avenges animal cruelty with the help of her sidekick Super Abby!

SIMPLE SATURDAY

Layout from Clean & Simple Stamping

SCRAPPIN' SUNDAY

Quick Page by Bubbles Babbles.

A Few More Pictures

Here are just a few more pictures from our Door County trip. This is about it because, like I said before, I didn't take very many pictures this time. Mostly because it rained a lot of the time, and because most of the pictures would have looked the same as the ones from last year.

I seriously need a haircut!

What's With the Mailman?!

Paul and I were in my car one day late last week, and we were stopped at a light. In the turn lane to our left was a postal worker in his truck stopped just a little ahead of us. All of a sudden the mailman turns off his truck, gets out, slams the door shut and then locks it. He walks to the back of his truck, so he's basically standing right next to Paul, who was driving, and he yells at the top of his lungs to the kid in the car behind him, "TURN IT DOWN PLEASE!!!!" "THANK YOU!" Then he goes back and gets in his truck. Apparently, the kid was playing his music too loud. We had our windows down but had our radio on...normal volume...so I barely noticed the music. Maybe I was just in la-la land like I usually am. It definitely wasn't rattling our car like some kids like it these days. All I know is I thought...oh my gosh...either this mailman is going to go postal or we're going to get hit by flying bullets because the kid is going to shoot the mailman...light, please turn green NOW! Mr. Mailman must have been having a bad day.

Playing Catch-Up

I'm still working a lot of overtime hours at work. The extra money has been great, so I'm not going to complain too much. Sorry it's been about a week since I posted. Since most of the shows that we watch have had their season finales, I'll hopefully have a little more time to blog...and do stuff to blog about! I thought I would start by catching up on some of my regular weekend posts.

Friday's Feast - There hasn't been one for the past couple of weeks because the chef is on vacation. They'll be back on June 6th with some new questions.

Simple Saturday - After I left work Saturday afternoon, we went to Algonquin with Jerry, Krista, and Jesse. Krista had never been to an Archiver's so us girls went shopping while the guys sat outside and talked. It was a beautiful day. Then we grabbed lunch at Cheeseburgers In Paradise. I bought this set by Hero Arts. The sentiment is a rub-on.

Scrappin' Sunday - I know...I strayed from this for a few weeks, but I really want to get back into it. This week's page uses a quick page from Designs By Lorie. The journaling reads, "Abby loves to sit out in the front yard while I'm tending to the flowers. She'll sit there forever just watching what's going on in the neighborhood."