Birthday RAKS

I got set up at work to use my laptop in the breakroom (going to come in handy when I don't want to go anywhere in the heat during the summer!) I had a wonderful birthday (thank you everyone for emails, comments, etc for well wishes) Since I am still playing catch-up with life, my posts are going to be sporadic, but I will make sure I post a stamped project soon).

Look at this adorable card I got from Monika M.A.D. Stamper & all the goodies she sent me for my birthday!!! Monika is super sweet - and was under the impression my birthday was tomorrow & she thought she was early. Well, she was right on time since I got it the night before my birthday! And to think, I didn't even send her a card for her birthday in March (I surely meant to but it came & went & I never did) she is very forgiving & thoughtful to still send me one!! Thanks, Monika - you totally made my day! BTW, My DH LOVED your scoring on the bottom and the musical bg. I love the bird & your coloring and design of the card!

This store-bought card is from my financial advisor (he sends one every year as well as a Christmas card - signs them himself) but what was so cool is that he printed up a time capsule for me about songs, prices of products, etc on the day I was born. Then a printout of my birthstones (June has 3 - pearl, Alexandrite & Moonstone). Can you believe the price of gas was 36 cents a gallon?? WOW

RAKS & More - HB to ME - Happy Anniversary to LEE

look at this cute Dress Up Lily card I got from Nicole - The Stampin' Librarian! I love Lily's bling on her ears & belt and the exclamation point! I totally loved it when she posted it (and secretly hoped she was sending it to me and she did! - LOL) She said I tipped her over the edge to get the Dress Up Lily stamps & it seems like she is having fun with them, huh? Thanks, Nicole - you totally made my day when I got back from vacation since it was waiting for me to open!

I also has this RAK from Tammy at Stamp with Tammy waiting for me when I came back. Isn't it beautiful? I regret not ever taking advantage of the wide satin ribbon SU! had in a mini last winter. It is so pretty. I love the colors (I think it was a color challenge a few weeks ago?) Thanks, Tammy!!

God has blessed me with another year of life - Today is my 37th birthday.

I am not ashamed of my age and don't think I ever will be because I feel like I don't look my age (IMHO), I have accomplished a lot but have more to do and I am allowing my grey hair to come in, with pride. I always liked it (on others and me). Most people say they don't see it, but I do and it's o.k. Sometimes I find myself looking for more and smile when I see it. My mom used to dye her hair but I always wanted her to let her grey hair grow out. It's o.k. that some people do, I am not judging the decision. My mom never looked her age either. Everyone used to comment on how young she always looked. I look just like her so I embrace it when people say I look like her. May 22 would have been her 73rd birthday but she died when she was 61. My nephew, Joseph - missed being born on her birthday by one day but that's o.k. That was pretty darn close. I miss her, I miss my dad who died in 1981. I miss my sisters, my brother-in-laws and rest of the family & friends who live in CA. It's on days like these that I miss them the most. But today is a celebration nonetheless!! A celebration of the day they welcomed their 3rd and final baby girl into the world. In 2 days I will think of my mom & dad again because it would have been their 53rd Wedding Anniversary. I know they would still be married and would be the best grandparents ever and would be proud of each of us and the women we have become.

On to my day:

I woke (reluctantly because my body thinks it's still on vacation) to e-greetings from my Sister Deana & BIL Frankie, BFF Lori and gifts & cards at work! woohoo! Everything has been so thoughtful. I will share the others soon, still playing catch-up from vacation.

My DMIL is going to take me to lunch today & celebrations will continue for weeks like they usually do (and I like it). On Saturday my DFIL & DSMIL (dear step-mother-in-law) took us to dinner at Patsy's Cowgirl Cafe - it was a very nice evening with them; we played catch up, sharing pics from her vacation to Ireland & ours to CA. Melanie is going to take me to lunch one day this week - looking forward to that because it's been about 2 months since we've just hung out more than 45 mins. She brought me my Jumping for Joy set yesterday and the Ostrich card (I've been showing it off) - thanks, Melanie! I appreciate you!

I made a card last night for the first time in 2 weeks, MOJO took a vacation too. I had an idea for my new set that was not working for me so I ended up making a congratulations card to send to a friend but didn't have time to upload it.

I also got a few private messages on SCS from:

MichelleGoodrich
"A birthday is a special day that comes but once each year.I'm sure you can’t believe it but that day’s already here!I hope your day is awesome and your projects all are fine;your gifts just what you wanted and you’re taken out to dine.But most of all, I wish for you a day that’s fully blessedWith family, friends and memories that truly are the best!Hope you have a terrific day!By His grace, Michelle"

Another from a fellow June 3rd birthday gal - tamijo:
"Just wanted to say happy birthday to all my fellow June 3 birthday girls! Hope your day is GREAT!"

And from lacyquilter:
"Just wishing you a blessed happy birthday. Here's a great big smile :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: to help you celebrate a fun and fabulous day."

Thanks for staying with me for the long post - hope you have a wonderful day like I am!

I want to give a shout out to my blogging buddy Lee and her DH - It is their 18th (or 19th) Wedding Anniversary today! Hope you remember the love that brought y'all together & celebrate your lives today & every day you are blessed with, my friend!

Blog Honors to Share

I'm honored to have my artwork featured recently on the following companies blogs/galleries.

Sheetload Showcase -May 2008

Starving Artist Stamps (Urban collection by Doodlefactory)

Pink Cat Studio - Dress Up Lily Stamps

the REAL CA or BUST

You know I'm back from vacation by now (just physically) today we went to the Parade of Homes in Lakeway ($1,000,000.00 homes and up) wow! It was neat. Since we're building a home some day, we take elements we see & make notes, pictures, etc. so we will make exactly what we want (and will be allowed in the budget). Anyway - it's going to take me a while to get back in the swing of things but realized I needed to post the card I intended the day I was leaving for vacation. This is using Starving Artist Stamps Urban set with Arno in the plane. I love these images, there's a taxi cab, a helicopter, rocket & skateboard as transportation. I was so excited to make this card & post it because we were headed out that day, but oh well. Better late than never. I used Michelle's (Zindorf) MFT meets City Nights tutorial for my skyline with a few modifications, but I like how it turned out.

We had a wonderful vacation - but are happy to be home as always. Good times, sweet memories and awesome pictures to share with loved ones. I will post a few soon. Just need some time to adjust from the busyness (and I have lots of blog reading to catch up on too) like 989 posts from my favorite blogs!! gasp

Handmade Earrings Tin

I was so excited when Melanie shared her idea for using her What's in Your Tin sets to hold a pair of earrings. How come I hadn't thought of that? After all, I've been making jewelry for well over a year now and love to gift it! I used my PTI Borders & Corners Monogram set for the S on front and What's in Your Tin set 2 for the sentiment & tin labels.

Rupert Likes You

I think Rupert is one of my top 3 creatures by Doodlefactory. I was looking forward to stamping him and found some inspiration on Jennifer Buck's blog with a sketch by Page Plans#5

Rupert's arms & legs remind me of Halloween for some reason, so that's why I decided to use Purple & Orange & my DCWV glitter stack dp. Rupert is colored with Prismas & OMS (I have missed using them lately) and my circle nestabilities.

Tiny Treasures of Gabby

If it weren't for my favorite cousin Andrea, I would not have pictures of my adorable niece Gabby. I am so grateful to her, she visits almost weekly and is one of Gabby's Godmothers just like me. She is funny, generous, pretty, mature & really my favorite cousin (I have never been hesitant to say that either). Recently she reminded me of a fun memory of when we were younger (I am 5 years older) and used to 'practice' french braiding her hair when I was learning and she was so patient to humor me. She braided Gabby's hair last month and told her about Auntie Donna braiding her hair and Gabby said, "yea braid hair". She actually did a real good job with it too!

I made this tin of my favorite pics she sent in March/April of some Firsts for Gabby. In the above photo this was taken March 1st - her first haircut (by her Aunt Cathi) check out the look on her face!
The next photos are her 1st trip to the beach and her 1st big girl bed (which happens t be a Princess bed) believe it or not - these 3 events occurred the same weekend! Andrea always gets the BEST photos and I can't thank her enough for blessing me with them! The least I can do to show my appreciation is make her gifts using them.

I used Melanie's What's in Your Tin set 1 by Gina K Designs for this gift album and there are photos on both sides of the cardstock. I kept the outside of the tin simple just in case she decides she wants to keep this in her purse so nothing is damaged.

Gabby Chipboard Album

I found this great chipboard album at the $ Tree a few weeks ago and altered it! It has 6 chipboard pieces on the inside. I used my Cutie Pie DP by SU! for the whole album. It came out so cute I decided I have to keep this fo myself because I have not made myself any albums of my niece since she's been born. I love making gifts but tend to do it for others and not myself. My cousin, who takes/sends the pics of our Goddaughter for me said I should keep it so I am! This album (with 12 pages) took me 5 hours to complete.

I used my Dress Up Lily (which I personalized Dress Up Gabby since she resembles my sweet niece so much!) to make these 2 pages. I love these photos and knew immediately when I saw them, these stamps would be PERFECT for them! I used my Doodle & Rough Edges Alphabets for my journaling and image was colored with copics.

On this other page, to complement Gabby enjoying her 'sweets' ice cream & lollipop, I had to make Lily (Gabby) two-fisted with her sweets.

WT166 Embracing Your Inner Creature

A few weeks ago I picked up a 1" square punch at Hobby Lobby for 1/2 price! What a deal! I see the Inchies (introduced by Ellen Huston) have been all the rage, but since I don't have the extra $ to invest in the supplies so like many others, I am improvising to still partcipate!

Well - look how cute the Doodlefactory Creatures are (small) just like the large ones at Starving Artist Stamps - unmounted stamps, the full set of both (10 of each) small (approx 1") & large (approx 2 1/4") are just $24.95! I have a few ideas brewing for these 'sets' of creatures and this week's Ways to Use it inspired this card to feature more than just one creature!

WT166 ways to use inchies on your project. I colored my creatures, leaving some portions uncolored and paired it with a printed quote by Albert Camus, "Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is". DH said he didn't get it, but my interpretation is that there are so many people who try to be someone or something else they are not; they care about what others think of them, are not comfortable in their own skin or have a low self-esteem. Well to me - these creatures seem to be embracing their uniqueness, they are one-of-a-kind and they love themselves.

They crack me up - I was smiling & chuckling as I was coloring them & putting my card together. I hope you have a smiliar reaction looking at it.

LSC168 Hola, Chica

Limited Supplies Challenge on SCS (LSC168) was to:

Use alphabet stamps to create a sentiment.
The sentiment should be the focal point of the card.
You may use other stamps on your card.
You may use designer paper and embellishments

I thought it was a perfect time to use my new Kim Hughes set 'Say What?' so I could make the Doodle Factory animal Squirt, who happens to be bilingual say "Hi, Girl" on my card. I used leftover scraps from my Skoober card the other day. I cut my Squirt out with my circle coluzzle & added sponging for depth. He was colored with copics and my alpha used is the SU! Rough Edges, which I love as it's upper & lower and is in a cute container (you know it's all about the packaging, right?)

Friendship is a Sheltering Tree

I used Jen's Sketch for you to try from 5/17 (SFYTT) and paired it with my new set by Kim Hughes called The Landing Pad which is a set of 27 images including this tree, several styles of branches, a few birds, this birdhouse, some fruit, flowers, and MORE! Go take a look at it at Cornish Heritage Farms. It such a value at $24.99 and you can get free shipping on an order of $35 or more. You will get your order within 2-3 days. I used my Prints Pack by SU! for my patterned paper, colored with my copics and the birdhouse is suspended from the tree branch by linen thread and swings with the bird on it for movement. I used my 'Friend Centers' set for the sentiment, which is a lovely set by Lisa Strahl for CHF as well. I also added my faux dew drops to finish off the sketch.

We all know friendship helps us weather through life's storms. I was reflecting on friendship and truly believe friends come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. No matter which they are, it's important to acknowledge it and cherish it for the length of time it lasts. I can say I never regretted being friends with anyone I have formed a connection with and although with lots of them our paths may have taken us apart; their memory lives on in my heart because it was not by chance we became friends. It was just not meant to be lasting. For those that have lasted, I am truly grateful that the effort has been a two-way street and no matter how much time passes between talking or seeing one another, it always picks up right where it left off. That is the sign of a true friendship.

LSC167 - No Stamping?

A few weeks ago the Limited Supplies Challenge (LSC167) was not to stamp at all!

The challenge wasn't that hard at all - due to RUB-ONS! If it weren't for those, I may not have a sentiment for my card (the travesty j/k) I love my Bali Breeze dp by SU! so I chose to go with Pumpkin Pie (adore that color) and Old Olive. I love how the DP has the Tempting Turqouise on it. Seemed perfect to use my Felt Fusion flowers and Ice Round Rhinestone brads. My card is complete with 'thanks a bunch' sentiment!

I made this card from the Gate-Fold tutorial on Scor-Pal's on-line Magazine by Carolyn. I used my Prints pack dp (real red) and Palette prints (groovy guava) as well as my new grungeboard and Prima flowers. I love those guava flowers because it they are frosted (sorta like frosted flakes).

Baby Joseph is HERE!

Just a quick post - I have less than an hour at work but I had to let you know my nephew was born at 11:04 a.m. (PST) and weighed 7 lbs 15 oz (just an ounce under the Dr.'s prediction) and was 20 inches long. My favorite cousin sent me 4 pictures on my phone (but no way to upload here) and he looks SO cute! Looks like he has long fingers like his big sister and my cousin said he has lots of hair but I only saw his little cap on his head.

Proud Auntie Donna

CA or BUST

The card I meant to show today (that I pre-scheduled) was not showing so luckily I had something I hadn't posted yet and intended to but forgot about it.

Today we are headed off to visit family in CA and we are SO excited!! We get there about 9:00 p.m. and may see our new nephew this evening! I just can't wait!! I scheduled our flight back in March, knowing my sister would have him near mid-May. Well the Dr. had her scheduled for today (and we thought yesterday for a while now) so as I type this she is in surgery! EEEKK! How awesome is that timing? I remember 2 years ago when Gabby was born and we were planning to be out there when she was a month old - I broke down & cried because I wasn't there for her birth (that's one of the downfalls of living out of state for me) and my heart ached to witness the miracle!

A few weeks ago I shared a trying week - our other sister had breast reduction surgery which went well (but of course that whole morning I was on edge waiting to hear all was o.k.) she was blessed with more than enough in this department and made efforts to lose weight the past year & a half (Dr's orders) and got approved & in surgery within a matter of a few weeks! I look forward to seeing the new her!

So to celebrate the new her (because she is excited to be able to buy matching bras & undies) I got her a gift card for Victoria's Secret which I am tucking away on the inside of the card - it fits perfectly in the undies because I left a pocket at the top.

I used the template on SCS (don't have time to find it) and used my prints pack by SU! and Making Memories ribbon (cute for the trim) - tried to re-create her tattoo on right boob but not so sure about it.

How do you like that pun - CA or BUST? lol

You Voted for your favorite Hip Hop Creation(s) and I won!!

edited to add:

Bee with her Baby Giraffe Card and I BOTH won Melanie's contest last night because we tied with 32 votes each! How funny (and ironic is that?) We both get her free set (take a look, it is SO cute) and the only bummer is that we're leaving for CA today so I won't get to play with it until the end of next week (boo hoo) but that's o.k. I will be so excited to be spending time with my family that I may forget about stamping all together (nah, just kidding)

Thanks to everyone who voted (I know it was REAL hard, in fact I had a hard time voting for myself but Melanie said it was o.k. now that vote counted after all)! It's like an early birthday present for me!
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I have entered a contest again on Melanie's blog - the Princess Hairbow Tin I made for Gabby
uses her new Hip Hop Accessories set. If you would like to VOTE for me (click on the vote to be taken directly to Melanie's blog) - I'd be so appreciative; her new set is at stake to get for FREE (and from what I've seen so far, it is SO cute!). I'm afraid I don't have any extra $ (shameless sympathy) to buy it with vacation this week! Although my birthday is just 2 weeks away, so if I don't win and you want to buy it for me - that would be so sweet! just kidding, really!

There are some awesome projects on there so if you decide not to vote for me it's o.k.! Just thought I'd try & get the WORD out!