Storybook Stew

Matthew's first grade school play was yesterday. The four classes put on Storybook Stew, and each did an adaptation of a different fairy tale. Matthew's class did The Sky Is Falling and he was one of the forest squirrels. They had two showings, one at 9:30am for the Kindergarten and pre-K classes, and one at 1pm for the parents.

Since I was way back in the theater, I bumped my ISO up really high (1600) and got some decent, if grainy, pictures of the kids on stage. Matthew's the one to the immediate left of the tree in the first picture, and directly in front of the tree in the second. He had a great time, and we could hear him from our seat. (Yes, he is the loudest human alive.) We were a little surprised, though, because he's always telling us he doesn't like to sing where people can hear him.

After the play they had a cast party. Here's a picture of all three of the play's squirrels.

Aren't they just the cutest?

Groovy Challenge

A few years ago, I scanned a bunch of slides for my parents.  Naturally I kept copies of all of them.  Tonight I decided to do a layout of one of them. This was a lot of fun to create.  My challenge to you is to pull out an old photo in similarly, uhm, attractive clothing, and post it on your blog, Facebook or in a card or layout, for all to see.

Groovy, Baby!  Digital Supplies: Template: December Daily by Ali Edwards, 

Paper: Summer Safari by Jessie Edwards, Classic Cardstock Christmas by Katie Pertiet, 

Edge: Sand Scratched Photo Frames 1 by Anna Aspnes, Swirl: Flocking Christmas 

by Anna Aspnes, Font: AR Christy.

Journaling:  The early 70s were not kind to fashion. Bright, screaming yellow must have been “in”.   Mom was dressed up for an evening out, and we were in our pajamas, ready for the babysitter.

Being Satisfied With Doing Less

Many of you know I started back to work with a number of steady contracts in mid-December.  I've spent that time enjoying working again - I truly love medical writing and getting into the data.  But trying to re-balance my other household and child duties meant that my craft time suffered.  I'm finally feeling a bit more balanced again, have learned to streamline some chores, and am getting more time for crafting.

The March 2010 edition of ScrapStreet.com Magazine highlighted BasicGrey's Origins paper line.  Here are my projects:

Happy Birthday.  Supplies:  Paper: BasicGrey (Origins),Stamps: Papertrey Ink, 

Twill: Stampin' Up!, Flower: Prima, Tools: scallop punch (Fiskars), acrylic block, 

Specialty ink: Tattered Angels, Ink: Ranger, Other: leaves.

Friend.  Supplies: Paper: BasicGrey, Rub-ons: BasicGrey, Stampin' Up!, 

Pen: Copic, Specialty ink: Tattered Angels, Ink: Clearsnap, Ranger, 

Twine: Stampin' Up!, Dies: Spellbinders, Sizzix, 

Tools: circle punches (Marvy), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), rub-on tool (BasicGrey), 

Adhesive: ThermOWeb, Scotch.

Welcome, Little One (a layout of my sister's Christening).  Supplies: Paper: BasicGrey, 

Stamps: HamptonArt, Papertrey Ink, Ribbon: Making Memories, other,

Twine: Papertrey Ink, Tools: scallop punch (Fiskars), corner rounder (Creative Memories), 

fingertip knife (Fiskars), glass cutting mat (EK Success), acrylic block, sewing machine, 

Markers: Copic, Zig, Ink: Clearsnap, Ranger, Other: thread, button.

So my recent scrappy obsessions (when time permits) include Papertrey Ink products, Copic markers (and coloring pretty images with them), and hybrid projects.  I have had this wonderful photo (ca. 1973) of my grandparents feeding the calves on their farm in a frame in my house for years.  But a long time in the sun has taken its toll, and it's time to put the photo into an album or risk it fading to nothing.  This Webster's paper, with its old-world feel, combined with some of Katie Pertiet's digital stamps (the cow one in particular), made for a fun layout.

 La Vie Est Bonne.  Supplies: Paper: Webster's Pages, Bling: Prima, Ink: Ranger,

Specialty ink: Smooch (Clearsnap), Pen: atyou Spica (Copic), Tools: finger tip knife (Fiskars), 

glass mat (EK Success), minimister (Ranger), Adhesive: Scotch, EK Success, Digital supplies:  Brushes: Countryside Clusters and My Family Genealogy Definitions by Katie Pertiet.

 A few of the Street sisters and I entered a digital card-making contest.  Alas, we didn't make it too far. My challenge was to do an easel-style card.  Digital stamps of Alice and the mushrooms, paired with some Fancy Pants rub-ons and Cosmo Cricket papers, made a fun card to send to my niece.

Spring Wishes. Supplies: Stamps: Papertrey Ink, Paper: Cosmo Cricket, 

Kraft paper: Stampin' Up!, Die cuts: Fancy Pants, Markers: Copic, Ink: Clearsnap, Ranger, 

Twill: Stampin' Up!, Tools: acrylic block, Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Die: Spellbinders, 

Adhesive: Scotch, Therm O Web, EK Success, Glue Dots,  

Digital Supplies: Stamps: The Greeting Farm.

Earlier this week, I decided to try out the Copics on some highly detailed digital stamps. I selected and sized them using Photoshop Elements, then printed them out and colored them in the evenings while watching TV. I really love how this card came out. 

Spring Bird.  Supplies: Paper: Webster's Pages, Cardstock, stamp: Papertrey Ink, 

Markers: Copic, Ink: Ranger, Bling: Walmart, Cloud 9,   

Digital supplies: Paper: Classic Cardstock: Cleansing by Katie Pertiet, 

Brushes: Birdwatcher Silhouettes No. 2 by Katie Pertiet, Birdwatcher Clusters by Katie Pertiet, Software: Photoshop Elements 8.0 (Adobe).

And finally, I'm trying out a new venture.  I've begun to make some digital templates and quick pages, under the name 4Two2 Frameworks. Grab the freebies on the ScrapStreet blog:  Framework No. 1 and Castle Cutie Quick Pages.

I made the layout below with one of my quickframes: Jeremy's hands holding a frog.  Can you tell I'm a mom to boys?

Spring Doings

Spring blooms are nearly done here, but I thought I'd share what's around my yard:

The early season cherry trees were really beautiful this year:

And the lorapetalum put on quite a show as well.  Here is a photo of the nearly 5-foot tall bush in front of the house...

and here is a close-up of one of the flowers.  I think they look like exploding fireworks.

This is the later-season cherry tree that's in the backyard.  When we moved in nearly 9 years ago, it barely reached the eaves of the roof on the shed next to it.  Now it towers over that whole area.

And the phlox near that cherry tree is so pretty, nestled up in front of the day lily leaves:

The day before Easter, we went to the NC state zoo in Asheboro.  They were giving "Easter egg" treats to a number of the animals.  They blow up a ballon, cover it in paper mache and paint them to look like Easter eggs.  Once it's dry, they deflate the balloons and put snacks into the eggs, and place them around the animals' enclosures.

The cougars were such fun to watch!  They really went into hunting mode, and stalked their prey before pouncing on it and ripping it to shreds.  Here's one climbing up a tree to get the egg:

The black bears weren't quite as observant as the cougars, and it took them a while to figure out food was available.  But once they figured it out they had a ball getting their treats out.

The boys were on spring break last week, and it got into the low 90s on several of the days.  We traditionally open the pool at Easter, and by Tuesday, when it hit 92 or so, the pool was ready to use.  Ready from a balanced chemicals and clarity perspective, that is.  The water couldn't have been more than 63 degrees.  But that did not stop my boys from getting in.

They were freezing, but managed to submerge and have fun for a good 15-20 minutes before they were cold enough that the testosterone was no longer in charge of their brains.

Oh, and the dog went too...

I'll have a few scrappy creations for you tomorrow or Friday.

Buttons Everywhere

This card was made to meet two challenges:  ScrapStreet's weekly challenge and the first Papertrey Peeps challenge.  For both of them, the challenge was to use buttons. Can you tell from the colors how happy I am that it's spring again?

Materials: Paper: Archiver's/We R Memory Keepers, Miss Elizabeth's, Pink Paislee, Bazzill Basics Paper, Stamps: MSE, Papertrey In, Ink: Ranger, Tsukineko, Clearsnap, Markers: Copic, Ribbon: Wright's, Fancy Pants, American Crafts, Buttons: Papertrey Ink, Tools: punch (Fiskars), Cuttlebug (Provo Craft), Dies: Spellbinders, Adhesive: Scotch, EK Success, Therm O Web.

Some Vacation Pictures

So the last 6 weeks weren't all bad.  We did manage to get a vacation in late February, during the kids' week off school.  We headed to Florida and got on one of Disney's cruise ships, the Wonder.  It sailed to Nassau and to Disney's own island, Castaway Cay, both in the Bahamas.  Ryan's parents were able to join us, and it was great seeing the boys hanging out with them.

Of course, since my boys can make anything fun, they had a ball at the hotel, just riding on the baggage cart.

This is Jeremy at the "sail away" party, wildly waving the streamers around, and barely missing Bob and Kitty.

Both kids quite enjoyed the giant slide into the pool; this is Matthew with an ear-to-ear grin after his first ride.  He pretty much only used the slide for the rest of the cruise.

For good or bad, cruise ships are known for their extravagant and calorie-free meals and desserts.  Jeremy quite enjoyed eating - and wearing - his Mickey ice cream bar.

Castaway Cay is the private island that Disney owns.  One of the ships from the Pirates of the Carribbean movies is sunk in the bay.  The boys thought they were hot stuff getting to go to the beach in February.

I quite enjoyed Castaway Cay.  In fact, I think that if the Wonder had been anchored there for the entire trip I would have been happy.  Plenty of chairs and umbrellas, bright blue sky, sand, sea and palm trees.  What more could a girl ask for?

Papertrey Peeps - Challenge #4

This challenge was to CASE (that's copy and stamp exactly) Nichole, the owner of Papertrey Ink, with a few extra rules:  you had to CASE one of her projects from the February or March release, and you had to use different stamp set(s).

I chose to CASE this adorable card (Capture the Moment blog by Nichole Heady):

Instead of a dog, I used a rabbit, and made an Easter card:

Materials:  Paper: Stampin' Up!, scrap patterned paper, Stamps: Papertrey Ink (Through the Trees), Stampin' Up! (Wildlife Reserve, All Year Cheer I), Markers: Copic, Ink: Fluid Chalk, Ranger, Stampin' Up!, Tool: Copic Airbrush System.

Aren't my daffodils beautiful?  Spring has just exploded here in the last week.  We went from cold, raw weather, bare trees, and shoots barely coming up from spring bulbs, to low 70s, sunshine, and daffodils and phlox in bloom.  The Bradford pear trees have gone from bare to fully bloomed - quite literally - in the last 2 days.

And on the down side, pollen season has begun.  The boys have been sniffling for 3 days now, and have started their annual Zyrtec dosing.  In another day or so, once the pine buds begin to swell, we'll have to keep the doors and windows closed against the green pine pollen explosion.

ScrapStreet Design Team Call!

Read on to learn about a design team call!  Scrapstreet is looking for a couple of new team members who LOVE to create and to write.  We are looking for people who are active in scrapbooking--blogging, gallery uploads, trying new things.  People who tackle scrapping with enthusiasm!  Traditional, hybrid, digital, layout, card, and altered artists are all encouraged to apply.

The Job:
Our team publishes a monthly ezine with thousands of subscribers and a 5-year history. We love finding and showcasing talented scrappers and beautiful products. If you are selected for our team, you will write a monthly article which will include selecting and requesting the work of designers, combining the work into an interesting article, and meeting your deadline.

You will also receive products at least 6 times a year from a variety of manufacturers and will scrap several items to showcase their lines. It is an excellent opportunity to increase your visibility in the scrapping community while having fun.

To Apply:
Send the following to designteam@scrapstreet.com
contact information
a short statement of why you are interested in joining us.
3 of your favorite creations showcasing your style.
a link to your blog.
a link to your gallery.

We will accept applications until midnight April 10th.  Announcements will be made on Monday, April 12th.  We are so excited to add some talented new people to our family!  Want to know who you would be joining?  Peek at our current issue here and at the blogs along the side to get to know some of our team.

Apologies All 'Round

To my friends, family and followers who like to catch up with me and the boys...  for not posting in 6 weeks now!  Between Jeremy's cheek wound not healing and nearly needing surgery, to working again and trying to re-balance my life so that work, play and house stuff all get a chance, I just haven't had much time.

To the Peeps... for not commenting on your wonderful and inspiring blogs, and your patience with my absence in the last 6 weeks.

To all of you who have stayed at our house and used the shower in the guest bathroom...  Ryan's used it a bit and said it was fine.  We recently had our sunporch tiled, and re-grouted the master bathroom.  So for a few days I had to use the guest bathroom.  And am embarrassed by how truly horrible that shower was.  The shower head has been replaced and hopefully at your next visit you will have a better experience.

PTI Goodness... and Some Stitching Badness

My PTI prize package arrived yesterday - it was like Christmas came again!  The gals at ScrapStreet have a "swap meet" challenge going.  I was inspired by this image that KT posted:

I love the combination of kraft, cream, dark brown accents and pastels.  And you *know* I had to play with my new PTI goodies, so I created these baby announcement cards using PTI's Pretty Pastels paper and the Baby Button Bits stamp set.  I have a friend who's due in February, so the timing was perfect.

Each bear and button is color-coordinated with the strip of paper at the top of the card.  The materials were:  paper, stamps, buttons: Papertrey Ink; kraft: Stampin' Up!;cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, The Paper Company; ink: Ranger; tools: Cuttlebug (ProvoCraft); dies: Spellbinders; adhesive: Scotch, Glue Dots.

On Friday night/Saturday we got 5" of snow and sleet.  The kids had a ball playing outside yesterday.  Until they started playing with sticks.  Matthew ended up accidentally hitting Jeremy with one, slicing his cheek open.  The cut was deep and had jagged edges, so I took him to the ER for stitches.  Luckily, the roads were better than they usually are in NC when it snows, and I was able to get there and home just fine.  It was not fun to have to mummify him to keep him still during the stitching.  Three of us were needed to hold him down, in addition to the wrapping.  Once he realized that the anesthetic was working, he finally relaxed and we were able to leave very shortly thereafter.  He won't let me take a picture of it yet, but I will.  The stitches won't come out until Thursday.

Both he and Matthew had already had endless lectures about swinging sticks around.  Hopefully this will finally have taught them a lesson.