Artist Trading Cards

ATC's are a fun and easy way to get a card started, without getting one completed! So, here are a couple done with alcohol ink on glossy paper and then winobella and cosmobella. They will eventually make their way onto cards that get sent. I have a friend or two that will love this as their birthday card.

We are trying to decide this morning what kind of program to place Alec in at high school. The normal choice would be to put him in classes to match his ability. But given his emotional state we are considering just putting him in regular classes. I am not sure what the right choice is here. But I am certain it will be a tough choice. HillHi has a great new pilot program next year that is a two year program to integrate all of their teachers. They also aim for depth of teaching and not breadth. I love love love this! I have been learning a lot about the IB (international baccalaureate) program. I didn't really understand that it is replacing AP (advanced placement) programs until last night. But its theorey matches my own learning theorey much better. Is he smart enough? Without a doubt. But, I am not sure he has (or will have) the work ethic for this.

Casey is home sick today. Bad red throat. It is so sweet to see him laying on the couch, and Roxy right there with him. She is a great dog. Wahoo! And the two of them together are just darling. While Casey is sick I have a few things to get ready to mail. But my big thing today is to get my photos printed for the album class next week. I HATE my printer for photos, so I am going to send them in.... if Shutterfly or one of those does weird sizes I will send to them. Otherwise they will go to Costco and I will crop them. Have a great hump day!

HillHi Here We Come!

Thank you to Sue for sharing a few oriental images with me. These are two of the cards I have made. I colored both with chalk, which I don't use too often anymore. I covered the left image with some pearl paint, just to make the image shimmer.... It looks better in person, as always.

We went to the first of many Freshman Orientation dates tonight at Hillsboro High School. I am really excited that our boys will be going there. There are about 2000 kids, which I THINK is a good sized high school. And, there are lots of opportunities. The night was a little LONG.... at 150 minutes.... but we made it. They have a lot of things that they do during their school day,which I think is very cool. This even includes clubs. Imagine that! It is just changing so fast. I love it. The clear decisions are Advanced Algebra 2 and Biology.... they get harder from there. Will Alec try Advanced English? His writing is an issue (just that he hates to do it) but his reading and understanding are very high. So, we shall see.

There are quite a few more activities for incoming Frosh over the spring semester. The principal is awesome, and the few staff members we met were great too. So, we will live through Middle School, and then on to HillHi. Go Spartans!

Butterfllies Bring Joy

I had to 'copy' Ali Edwards idea from her blog. Mine is pretty different, but equally fun. I wish it looked as good in the picture as in person. I used my new (LOL) butterfly punch in paper scraps. It doesn't actually punch out the butterfly, but makes wings you can pick up. Cool huh? Then I framed it in a shadow box. Oh well, first I put them on Bamboo Textured Cardstock. the c/s is 8x10. If you click on the pic it makes it bigger.

Alec still isn't doing ANY homework. He doesn't get that when grades come out and his are lousy that he will lose ALL of his electronics until the next grading period. It will be truly painful for him I am positive. He is just all about not doing anything that he doesn't want to do.

I am looking forward to this week. It appears that spring is on its way! Wahoo. I sure hope so. I am ready for some warm and SUNNY weather. Here is to a joyful week, for all of us!

Working on cards...

I am working on some card artwork for my show next month in Portland (Heirloom 3/15 & 3/16).

Both of these are done with the Always Remember stamp set, one for supporting our troops and one for finding a cure. I really like this set. I think it says a ton. =-)

Of course while I am working on things, others try to get in the swing too... Oh brother! Johnny B Goode.... take a clue from your name!

Right now I am really needing to figure out why I have NO summer stamp sets. LOL Beyond that stuff is coming together well.

Johnny B Goode

Yep, that is his name. And, he is a good bird! Roxy is eyeing him, but hasn't tried to take a bite yet. We tell her leave it when she looks too long, but so far so good!

Bill & Danielle are coming for dinner. I am really looking forward to seeing them. I miss them since we left the beach. I only see Danielle once or twice a month, not enough. Mike is cooking so it will be even better!

I didn't do anything crafty today, not one darn thing! I did, however, clean house. I figured since we have the day off on Monday, why not do it early and then I won't have to on Monday. (Monday is my standard house keeping day.) So the big question is, will I get to do anything creative this weekend? Hopefully.....

I really wanted to buy the heart folder for my cuttlebug, but sadly it wasn't there at ANY of the three stores I went to... boo hoo. So, I was going to order on line, but I think I will wait another week or so and see if any of my local stores get it!

Off to think about dessert.... just going to do brownies I think....

Joy

This beautiful reminder of Joy is from Sue. She did an awesome job. It has the new CTMH Sihlouette papers, flowers covered in our create a shade pearl paint. This is my new mantra. Create joy.

Yesterday was a good day. Why you ask? Because it was the first day in months that Alec has not called me from school. WAHOO. He was there from 8:10 until 1:20. He is on a shortened day. It was the most amazing Valentine's Day gift!

I am finding that I am really enjoying short card projects. I don't want to attack my many many many photos.... but that is OK. It has been a long time since I felt like doing anything creative... ok all of this Alec stuff just has me overwhelmed and not wanting to do anything. I feel like I was waiting for the other shoe to fall, all of the time. Now, not sure what life will bring when his grades are not 2 A's and 2 B's or better... but, for now, life is good. I have a friend who loves that mantra. Yep, going to make JOY my mantra. (Hmmm, never thought I was the type)

Happy Valentine's Day

I made my boys mailboxes. Mike got pink, with the bella card.... the boys got white and reds, no ribbons either! They all seemed to love them, but no one took them to school! I filled them up with candy, pencils, chapstick... nothing too exciting. They all seemed to appreciate them. Yes that is grunge board. I had painted their intials in red before, but not put them on a SB page yet. So, thank you to Sue for that little giftie, it was perfect here! Both boys have a box of cards that people sent them.... so I know they will save these too.

I got a package from Mike, but haven't opened it yet. I read the card. Of course he isn't allowed to buy cards, so my card was the card front from his card last year. Cute idea. I forgot to make him one for me, usually I do that.... although there was the year he made his own.... WOW, that was interesting.... (not so much in a good way)

I made 4 cards for Mike's office ladies last night, simple, and forgot to get a photo. Then this morning Alec asked for a card, so I made him a quickie card before school. Hopefully all of the boys will have a good day at their schools. I really want to go to Old Navy and find the girls matching collars... but I am saving for the cruise excursions, so I won't! See, sometimes I am good.

Happy Valentine's Day with my love...

Lessons we can learn from our dogs

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy. Take naps. Stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Thrive on attention and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Bad Girl, No Biscuit!

You think I mean the dogs? But noooooo I mean me. Lets see, I just had to have a couple new punches yesterday... I mean they were 40 percent off at JoAnn. I also got a hot knife, even if I don't have any EZ Mount yet. LOL Then today I got a cuttlebug. I am so bad. I actually only saw one embossing folder that I wanted at my local Michael's, so that saved me money! I got a 50% off coupon in the mail, and it was just begging to be used.... Boy do I hope my DH doesn't actually ready my blog.

I am so pleased to be getting back into crafting. I have seen some of these things used beautifully with CTMH paper and stamps. So, I know I will use them. I was LOL at myself for getting back into the punches though. I guess I thought been there, done that. But it all comes back around. Even the dry embossing, been there, done that. But now it will be soooo much easier! YAHOO.

Foxy Roxy

After much deliberation we have finally picked a name for the new black lab. Her name is ROXY. We really wanted it to have the "ee" ending, thus Roxy. It took a ton of work for the four of us to agree on anything.... and honestly Alec never agreed. He did not want to change her name, no matter what. But, Libby was the name of one of the gals in our wedding, and it just felt weird to me. So, Roxy it is! Woohoo, she has a name.

I am going to do something I seldom do, get serious! I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart... So many of you have sent private emails or posted that you are praying for us with Alec. Words can not express how much I appreciate this. And, I think it is going to work! We had a good appointment yesterday. He even did a little homework last night. I so hope that he understands that if he comes home with less than 2 A's and 2 B's at progress reports that he will be losing his electronics until the next grading period. His therapist was trying to explain this to him yesterday. We also agreed that when he does come home with these good grades, we will plan a family outing to the zoo or another animal rich place... he wants to be a vet. So, thank you all for your prayers and support. They mean a lot to me! =-)

Just another manic Monday.....

I love these funky colors! My DH was not crazy about red and pink, but honestly I wear stuff that has red and pink! LOL It is just fun. Grumpabella is too fun. This is an image I got from Sue. Yahoo! She is such a great friend to share. =-)

Today was pretty good, although I wanted a nap desparately and that never happened! I went to my doc this morning, and the good report is she feels like my medication is pretty good. I knew I had been feeling better, so this wasn't news. But it is still good to hear. I have to do bloodwork in four more weeks, so hopefully that will be good!

I also have started a vitamin regimine. I watched the Oprah show with Dr Oz talking about what meds to take, and decided to listen. I never know exactly what to do so I figured he must know more than me.

1. Multi vitamin- already doing that before--split in half and take morning and evening (wasn't doing that)

2. TWO baby asprin - I was only taking one, but he talked about a small percentage of people one is not enough for, so he suggests two, it doesn't have any more negative effect than one.

3. 1000 units Vitamin D- for those of us who don't live in Florida and need the sunshine! (or for those who live in Florida and are good and put on sunscreen daily)

4. 600mg calcium ith 200 mg magnesium two times a day

5. DHA Omega 3 -- 600 mg per day

Here is a link to show details if you want: http://www2.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/200802/tows_past_20080205.jhtml

OH yea, and sleep naked so you will get more sex.... now I don't know where you are with your kids, but it has been a long time since I felt sleeping naked was a good idea... nuf said

I think the part I liked is that I don't feel like it is all or nothing with the vitamins. I can do 5 things and be doing well.. which is only 3 more than I was doing!

Sassy Sunday

This is just one of those funny cards. "Sassy" is a saying from a stamp that came with a kit of the month I was once a member of.... just too sassy looking. Love it!

I got my camera back from my DH, but something was wrong with it.... so I took photos and then had to reformat the card. So, I have nothing on it now. It is making me nuts! But, I did learn the secret to sharing artwork is to take pictures when it is created. That way I can share a piece at a time even when my camera doesn't agree.

It was a pretty quiet weekend. Alec's friend was here for most of the weekend. Alec is struggling with his new eating program. His cholosterol was at 233 so he has to get it down. If only I could get him to break a sweat ever.... so I have to go for the eating program. Lots of doctor appointments Monday, so it could be a long one... we shall see. Hope you too had a sassy Sunday...

Life in the northwest....

I made this fun card for Alec's counselor the day he freaked out at school. I hope she enjoys looking at it as much as I do! LOL

I realized I haven't posted in a couple of days. It has been normal here, whatever that means. We haven't agreed on a new name for Libby. So, she is still Libby. Things are going great with the dogs. She and Aspen are great friends, and it gives Kassie an opportunity to not have to play....which makes Kassie happy.

I need to get my camera back from my DH so that I can get up some new pics. I have an awesome gifty from Sue that I must post, it is darling, and I have a few new pieces of artwork to share. OOO this reminds me, I can not belive I did this, but I signed up for the Thursday Album Class at CKC in Portland on Feb 28th. I am so excited about it!

I think I am finally feeling like myself again. This is the first time in months I have felt like m. I am soooo pleased! Making Alec go to school is really helping me... although, I noticed that I put on the bane of my existance list that I absolutely hate hearing the phone ring.... the furthermore is that I hate it when Alec is at school. Why? Because I know that it is Alec calling to tell me why he is sick and I must come get him. It is so hard to say no, but I do believe it is the right thing, if only to give myself a few hour break. I think I talked to him about 6 times yesterday. Some days are better than others I guess. But, when the phone rings I am just sure it is him.

Mike got his packet today for his New Orleans conference. He is so excited that he got his first couple of choices. I actually think he is at least as excited about this conference as he is about New Orleans. That should be a nuts week as that is the weekend of the Heirloom show at the convention center here. I hope that Alec's meds are balanced enough for me to leave him here alone to watch the dogs. I think so.... he seems to be doing better. If nothing else, most of the time he is deescalating faster than before. The lying is driving me nuts right now. That is my plan for Monday's psychologist appointment. What the heck is up with the lying! Grrrr.

Well, we have a list of possible names for Libby. But unless all four of us agree, she is going to stay Libby. I am having trouble wrapping my mind around Libby being a dog name I suppose. But, eventually I will get used to it. I'll keep you posted. BTW, Gabbi was my favorite.... but everyone else hates it! Oh well.

Hey, anyone else have trouble running spell check on this thing?

Serendipity

I am just loving this Serendipity paper. I think everytime I use it I like it more, I don't have enough! LOL I also love these little folio albums, they just rock! Too fun.

It was a pretty good day today. I have started keeping track of what time Alec calls me everyday. Today was a little worse, but the first call comes between 10:15 and 10:30. What is it about Geometry that is stressing him out? I know he doesn't love the environment, but he can't seem to tell us why. So, that is the next step, figure that out.

Mike is out at a training, again. LOL I hate his 12-14 hour days, although I bet he hates them more!

I did pretty well on my list today. Of course I am putting off sewing a simple curtain for Mike's office. So, I think I will bring my sewing machine inside tonight, then I can consider sewing with it tomorrow.

Things are going great with the new doggie. She is getting along great with Casey, and I think has decided that she is his dog. I am thrilled to see that. Currently his bird is sitting on my shoulder and eating my shirt. What is up with that?

I ordered my first bundle of textured cardstock the other day. Hopefully it will be here next week. I love texture lately, I am finding that I am VERY into it! Off to blog surf.

Fives Game

OK, if you read my blog I want you to post either on YOUR blog, or send me an email with your fives!

FIVE things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Living in Tucson (did I say GO JOHN MCCAIN yet today?)
2. Teaching High School Mathematics
3. Raising a 1 year old and a 3 year old
4. Getting ready for a month long summer vacation to the southeast.
5. Scrapbooking

FIVE things on my to do list today: (ok it is late, so tomorrow)
1. Stamp some images for Sue
2. Pack up some stuff for customers and go to the post office.
3. Take Kassie to the vet for her follow up from the teeth cleaning
4. Take the boys to school, pick them up, take a call from Alec begging me to come get him (about 10:30) because he is so sick and he just threw up.
5. Make breakfast, lunch, and dinner.... boohoo Mike is out tomorrow night.

FIVE things I will never wear again:
1. Fur from any once living being
2. A two piece bathing suit
3. Heels over 2 inches, and that may be pushing it!
4. Short shorts
5. 70's polyester!

FIVE of my favorite toys:
1. My computer
2. My camera
3. My pets: Kassie the pekingese, Aspen the German Shepherd, Libby the Lab, Johnny the bird, and Harvey the rabbit. I love to play with all of them!
4. My scrapbook/stamping supplies
5. My family and friends!

FIVE banes of my existance:
1. The ring of the telephone
2. Paying bills
3. Stupid people
4. Words that are over-used in my house like, "... actually...." This is Alec disagreeing with anything I say...
5. Having to watch what I eat, which usually I don't....

Libby?

Does this just remind you of those funky photos of pets? LOL It was sooo hard to get a photo of this dog! Ugh!

Aspen and Libby playing together.

This is our new black lab, Libby. OK honestly, I do not like the name. She is two, so I don't know that I want to change it too much.... I was thinking Lady... but I don't love that name.... so any ideas??? PLEASE tell me you have some.

I went to Alec's honor roll breakfast this morning. I think he consumed about 4000 calories of JUNK. He is so tough to stop from eating. I kept trying to get him to add fruit fruit fruit, and he kept going for the danish, croissants and cream puffs. Oh Alec, what to do what to do!

Super Tuesday

I wrote up a post yesterday, but it is gone gone gone.... well the title was there, but no post. Oh brother. It was a crazy hectic day! Kassie got her teeth cleaned. She got 6 pulled, poor pekingese. Turns out that dogs start with about 1/3 more than we do... she got x-rays and all kinds of good stuff.... to the tune of $700. OMG! Now, my fault because I did pick the clinic that has ALL of the coolest gadgets. If there is something wrong with my doggie, they will find it. And, Kassie must be worth at least that in saved therapy money for me. LOL

On another note, Mike brought home a new friend yesterday. A 2 year old black lab named Libby is now a part of our family. So far she is a GREAT dog. Both boys really like her. She seems like a typical lab. Woohoo. All three are now surrounding me waiting for my next move. If I get off the couch to go potty, they are all coming with me. LOL Good thing I love dogs so much. Seems like this might be Casey's dog, she is quite smitten with him. So, that would be good.

On a different note, I have gotten Alec to school 5 days in a row now, woohoo. And everyday he has called wanting to come home, and every day I have made him stay. The meds do have him groggy though. Of course, he has decided not to bother going to many of his classes! But, I am going to let the school deal with that one, instead of me. Getting him there is good. And, honestly when I get a tiny bit of time to myself I feel better. I feel better than I have in months. Although we just got his cholesterol back and it is at 233! Yikes. So, another issue. If nothing else we are going to make him go to the gym with us. Hopefully that will help. Although I think maybe his main doc will prescribe meds, we shall see on Friday.

Alec is getting fillings today at the dentist. I only wish I could get him to brush better. Maybe I could do it again for him. Heck, maybe I could get up in the morning, brush Alec's teeth, my own, and all THREE dogs too..... ROFLOL What a life! hehehehehehehehe

My house looks like a tornado hit. For some reason yesterday I thought it would be a good idea to clean the tops of things.... so I pulled stuff down from tops of cabinents and such and cleaned it all... of course the end of the day came befor the end of the job. And, so far this morning I am trying to get caught up on email and postal mail..... so maybe soon I will have a snack and then deal with the chaos. I hate chaos! I am not a chaos person. In my "Oprah style" life I will most certainly have a cook and a cleaning person... then I can hang out with the girls all day on the couch and eat bon bons. ROFLOL

If you are in one of the super tuesday states, go vote for my boy... John McCain. Love him! And I think it is great that many think he is too liberal...... oh brother. Off to deal with my mess....of which much of it really is mine this time!

Thanks to Sue for this great image of clickabella I was able to make this very cute card. Hope you like!

Superbowl Sunday

Something pretty, and easy for Sunday. I just love the weekend. It is so relaxing in comparison to the weekdays. Mike was off to his annual school auction last night. He sold himself for $200.... ok really he sold principal for a day for $200. It really is a neat idea. The same family bought it this year as last year, but for their younger son. I guess the kid has been talking about it since his brother got it last year. Cute! Casey pointed out that he could do all of those things free.... like sit at the principal's desk, get a ride home in the principal's car.... yea, ok, whatever Case!

Not sure what the day will bring here. I want to get a little bit of grocery shopping done, and I got my new bellas yesterday. So maybe I will get some stamping done too. Sometime I need to do a little scrapbooking, but it seems like work to dig through the photos these days. I think I need a separate room for scrapbooking from cardmaking. ROFLOL What do you think?

It's snowing!

It is so cool that it is snowing outside this morning. It isn't sticking but it is beautiful looking. It doesn't snow here too much, and it never sticks. Maybe that is one of the things I love about the northwest... it isn't the midwest! I don't know how people live in that snow. Don't get me wrong, I think it is pretty. But a layer that is gone by lunch is plenty for me! So which picture is cuter? Stampabella or DH with Kassie and Johnny B Goode the bird? OK, I know, it is the bella.... but I love those other three more...I admit it! LOL Yes that is my scrapbook/stamp room they are standing in! Mike came home looking for me and Johnny started squawking... Kassie, being blind, went looking to hear what the noise was about and stumbled onto her dad. So, there they are standing there wondering what I am doing.... and I am of course playing! LOL



Yesterday was a good day. Alec went to school and made it through the day. He was exhausted (from the anti anxiety pill) and called several times to complain about that, but he made it! Wahoo. I definitely consider that a success. And, of the three day week school had.... he made it through all three days. Now, I am not saying he made it through his classes, just through the day. One step at a time.



The seafood and wine festival is here this weekend. I don't know that we will go. I am not into that kind of crowd so much. The kids will want to go too. It could be that we spend $200 in about 45 minutes.... seems like maybe we should just go out for a good meal instead. Either way I am glad it is the weekend. I got a good long sleep last night, yahoo!

Bella

What is it about these bella stamps that I just love? They can make me smile...even when I don't wanna smile! I used some old supplies to make this card, that was fun. I am trying to get some stuff out that has been hanging around... instead of new stuff everytime. Anyway, there is something so fun about these cute little stamps. This is the first bella I have, although not the first card I have made. My dear friend Sue (hi Sue) sent me some images AND this stamp. So, while I wait for my order I have something to do with my time. Does this friend rock or what!!!!

Yesterday was a tough one. Alec had a bad meltdown at school. Poor kid. Thank God for a great counselor. They were able to keep him there and even get him back to class later in the day. I won't go into full details for everyone to see forever, but suffice to say it was a very emotional day for all of us, school included. I did stick to my guns and not pick him up until the end of the day. Go me!

Casey forgave me for telling his teacher about his poster problems. Whew. Although, it was not without a little annoyance and an explanation from me. He is still eleven, sometimes I forget because he is so mature in some ways. He is looking forward to us watching the Celebrity Apprentice when he gets home today. We record that one and watch it together. His shows with Mike are American Gladiators and oh brother, something else, I forget what now...

I am going to get a few long overdue cards in the mail today. I know how much I love getting something fun, so that is my push to get it done!