Red Apple, Green Apple

Here's the last of the cards from the Teacher Appreciation set. Can I say that crafting with kids is tiring? I've napped the past two nights :)

I like the play on a stop light with this card....plus it was super simple with some paper piecing :)

The weather is gorgeous here. I have yard work to do tonight and then I'm hoping to work on some Mother's Day items. Can you believe tomorrow is May?


Details:
Stamp - Apple (Imaginisce)
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper - white, black; red, yellow, and green (DCWV matstack)
Accessories - gingham ribbon (Bazzill)

Bus Ride

Here was another option. Now that I'm looking at the card again, I think it would be great to give to a bus driver. I go on a TON of trips with students, all driven by different bus drivers. There are a few that I'm SOOOOO thankful to have driving....especially when they keep my tendency to get bus sick to a minimum. It definitely takes a special person to do that job - my mom must've realized this when she'd send out fresh baked cinnamon rolls to my bus driver as a child.

Details:
Stamps - Bus (Imaginisce)
Ink - Fresh Snow (PTI); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper - white, black, yellow (DCWV matstack); dp - Cricut stack
Accessories - white gel pen

No. 1 Apple

Today was the first day of card crafting lunch. Picture 5 excited (aka impatient) 4th graders, a plethora of papercrafting materials, and Gogurt packages....ahhh, the life I lead!

Here's another option I gave to the kiddos for cards. I really wished they all picked this one. I really like it, and it's super simple to make. One only student chose it, go figure :)

This uses the Martha Stewart apple punch that I just picked up at Michael's. I really like this punch and have a bunch of ideas for it!


Details:
Stamps - Fillable Frames 1 (PTI)
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper - white, black; dp - DCWV
Accessories - square punch (SU!), apple punch (MS), dimensionals

Punch Out Crime - Wednesdays With MyGrafico

Hi there! We have a fun challenge for you at the MyGrafico Challenge Blog this week and a chance to win a set from my very favorite designer at MyGrafico, Zenware Designs!!

And here's the set I'm talkin' about:

Just perfect for kids' cards, especially little boys! However....coming from an ex-Wonder Woman wannabe, girls would probably like it too!!

The challenge this week is to use PUNCHES on your card/LO/project along with your MyGrafico image - don't have any MG images, check out the tons of freebies available here.

Here's my card. I was really happy with the coloring of my little batguy...whaddya think?

I used my absolute favorite punch on this card - my corner rounder! I know that sounds silly, but it's definitely one of those punches that I think every cardmaker should have. I thought the circle & pinking circle die cuts gave the card a little extra punch.

The sentiment is embossed on the card....anyone else love how embossing looks, but hate embossing? I really need to get one of those embossing buddies....maybe I'd change my mind a bit.


Details:
Stamps - Superheroes set (MyGrafico); Signature Greetings (PTI)
Ink - Versamark; Copics
Paper - white, yellow (DCWV matstack), dp - Bitty Star Basics (PTI) & Fun In The Sun Summer Matstack (DCWV)
Accessories - black brads, circle & pinking circle Nestabilities, white embossing powder, corner rounder punch, dimensionals

Sweet Donut

A few summers ago, I visited Baltimore and found Lexington Market. It's a wonderful market filled with loads of goodies. I enjoyed a delicious hand carver turkey sandwich and the best doughnut of my life. I've been on the hunt for another sour cream doughnut that tastes as good, but I guess I'll just have to return to Baltimore for that!

After receiving their Earth Day bookmarks, my fourth graders asked to make cards with me again. We made cards this Christmas to send to the hospital, so I figured it was only a matter of time before they'd want to make more. Since Teacher's Appreciation Week is next week, I thought the kids could make cards for their homeroom teachers (I only see them for about 2 hours a day). I made a bunch of examples, so they could have some choices.

This card was based upon the request to use the Sweet Kawaii set. It's one of my favorites, so there wasn't any argument from me! I created an argyle-esque grid in the background using my Scor-Pal.....it's hard to see in this photo, but it looks great in person! It was a big hit when I shared it....especially when they can pick the treat image of their liking.

I have a bunch more to share, but I figured I'd space them out...this way I'll have more posts for my poor, neglected blog. It's not much longer until summer vacation....is it bad that I'm just as excited as the kids? okay, maybe more!


Details
Stamps - Sweet Kawaii (My Cute Stamps)
Ink - Chocolate Chip (SU!); Copics
Paper - white, Pink Pirouette, Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories - brown gingham ribbon, adhesive pearls, Scor-Pal

My Newest Favorite Stamp (set)

My PTI order arrived last Thursday after a painfully long wait - gosh, those preview days were killing me :) And I can say that I'm just ecstatic over my woodgrain background set!! It is soooooooooooo easy to use and looks fantastic...can't wait to use the impression plate next.

Here's a sympathy card that I made using it as well as my anniversary set:

I just love the simplicity of the card - perfect for a sympathy card which I didn't have any of in my stash. The image isn't as bright blue as my photo - I'm in the process of studying up on cameras and making a big purchase. Any advice on SLRs....feel free to send it my way ;)

Can you believe it's the last week of April already? I hope the summer doesn't fly by like this! I have a bunch of things planned - stamping (yea!), CHA in Chicago (YEA!!), Washington DC (to prep for a field trip in the fall, and NYC (with my BFF)....I'm hoping one of these summers that I'll get to Europe - guess I'll have to stop watching the PTI releases then :)


Details:
Stamps - Background Basics: Woodgrain, 2009 Anniversary Set (PTI)
Ink - Versamark; Paris Dusk (Memento)
Paper - kraft, Very Vanilla, Night of Navy (SU!); Terracota Tile (PTI)
Accessories - none

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day, and I thought it was the perfect time to break out the Go Green set from My Cute Stamps. I created these fun bookmarks for my kiddos, who LOVED them...and asked to make Teacher Appreciation cards for their homeroom teachers with another My Cute Stamps set.

Cute, don't ya think? I bought the new EK Success zig zag edger punch...and it's awesome!!

I'm off to a majorette open house in a little while back at the school. At least I got to come home for a little R&R :)

Details:
Stamps - Go Green (My Cute Stamps)
Ink - Versamark; New Leaf (PTI)
Paper - kraft, white, So Saffron; DCWV
Accessories - zig zag edger punch, red gingham ribbon (Bazzill), silver eyelet, glossy accents (on heart)

Wednesdays With MyGrafico

It's been awhile since I've been around the blog world....from April until mid-May, I am swamped at school. Last week wasn't the best - our competition went well, but practices didn't go so smoothly. Why do kids have to become middle schoolers? Just a little too much stress atop a mounting list of other stuff to deal with, which leaves me exhausted!

Anywho...today is Wednesday and time for a new MyGrafico challenge!! This week is a sketch challenge and there are TWO PRIZES!!! One is this adorable image from Clip Art & Scrap:

And second is you could become our Guest DT for the month of May!

So all you need to do is create a card using MyGrafico images using the following sketch:

Here's my take:

Sunflowers scream dark red, gold, and black/white gingham to me. I used some of my new Jenni Bowlin Core'dinations paper on this card - isn't it great! Be sure to check out the fabulous creations of the rest of the MyGrafico Design Team.

I'm off for some dinner & then to hop around blogs...thanks for hanging in there with me :)

Quick Card....Quick Post

I was browsing Google Reader late tonight when I came across Natasha's sketch & samples at Clean & Simple. I instantly wanted to create my own version!

Here's my take on the sketch:

So simple, so fun, so easy! Just love it!!

One more day of crazy contraptions & challenges in prep for my students' competition on Saturday. This competition is appropriately called Brain Drain....but could also be called Brain (and every other part of you) Drain! It is fun building devices to shoot mini Koosh balls. It is fun building devices to shoot mini Koosh balls. It is fun building devices to shoot mini Koosh balls. (nope, repeating it doesn't make it true!!)

Wednesday With MyGrafico and Al E. Gator

Hi everyone! Gosh...it's been awhile since I've blogged. School is keeping me busy, and I haven't been in the bloggin' mood :( I'm really pleased with myself though - I submitted 5 items for the recent PaperCrafts Holiday Cards & More call. I typically submit 2 or 3 if I'm lucky, so 5 is pretty good in my book! Plus if these guys don't get picked, I have a headstart on my Christmas cards for next year :)

Alrighty then...onto this week's MyGrafico Challenge. This week, we have a color challenge for you and here's a photo of some blankets from Land of Nod for some inspiration:

The DT created cards using this week's set up for grabs - Baby Animals by LadyBug

And here's what I came up with:

I was even inspired by the diamond design in the blankets and pulled out my Cuttlebug argyle embossing folder to emboss the layer behind Al E. Gator.

See ya later.....

Details:

Stamps - Baby Animals (LadyBug for MyGrafico)

Ink - Copics

Paper - white, Night of Navy (SU!), Dark Chocolate (PTI); dp - Bitty Box Basics (PTI) and Flower Shower and Fun in the Sun matstacks (DCWV)

Accessories - letter stickers (Creative Memories), argyle embossing folder (Cuttlebug), stapler

Happy Mail

Just a quick post - I haven't been feeling well tonight. I started this card last night, coloring and die cutting the butterflies. I was excited to find Courtney's (Practicing Creativity) latest set, For the Love of Dots, in my mailbox when I got home. Oh my goodness....this set is divine! I can't wait to play with it some more. I LOVE the big dots & I REALLY LOVE how easy it was to line up! I created the fun background for my card with it....different color combo, but I think I'm likin' it!!

On a separate note, has anyone read The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein? I'm about 3/4 of the way through the audiobook, and I'm enjoying it so much! It's told from the perspective of a dog recalling all of the pivotal moments of his life. Such a sweet story....even though I know what is inevitable at the end. Do you listen to audiobooks? I've found over the past few years that I really enjoy them. My drive to school is about 1/2 hour, so it's nice to have for the trip as well as walking or doing any lawn work.


Details:
Stamps - For the Love of Dots (Practicing Creativity); Butterfly Dreams & Signature Greetings (PTI)
Ink - Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango (SU!); Ocean Tides, Sweet Blush (PTI); Tuxedo Black (Memento)
Paper - Ocean Tides (PTI); Chocolate Chip (SU!); white
Accessories - dew drops, butterfly die (PTI)

'Bee' Happy...It's Wednesday With MyGrafico

Good morning! If you haven't guessed already with the move to Wednesdays, we've made some (minor) changes at MyGrafico. Each week, we'll be alternating between sketch challenges and color/element challenges. Our design team has changed a bit too, including a special guest DT - be sure to stop by the Challenge Blog to check it all out.

This week's challenge is a sketch challenge. And here's the sketch created by our very talented DT leader Martha:

It's a great sketch to work with!! The DT worked with this fun set from Chi Chi Memories. It could be yours - just play along with the sketch and an image from MyGrafico. Post a direct link to your card on the Challenge Blog by Tuesday night at 10pm, and the winner will be announced on Wednesday.

Seeing this happy images made me think bright colors...which I realize I use quite often anyway - haha!! And here's what I came up with:

My favorite image was the little bee. I've been seeing a lot of bees lately - both on cards and zooming around all the fruit trees that are blossoming here. I did a little paper piecing on some DCWV cardstock in my stash...I really like their textured blue paper - the perfect cheery sky!

Well I hope you're having a great day! We're having unseasonable warm weather here - mid 80s!! So much better than the crazy amount of snow that fell not too long ago.

Details:

Stamps - Spring Is Here (Chi Chi Memories for MyGrafico); sentiment - Fillable Frames 1 (PTI); clouds - Cheer Up (My Cute Stamps)

Ink - Real Red (SU!); Copics

Paper - white, black, Summer Sun (SU!); dp - Swing Set (The Goods from American Crafts)

Accessories - black embroidery floss

MyGrafico Monday....strike that :)

In case you're wondering why I don't have my typical MyGrafico Monday post up....it's because we're moving to Wednesdays! 'Bee' sure to hop back on Wednesday for our challenge and a chance to win a super cute set!! Take a peek over at MyGrafico to see if you can guess which set we'll be using!! Wonder if I can fool you :)

Egg Fashion Show 2010

Each year, my students decorate eggs for our annual Egg Fashion Show. It was a great year, so I thought I'd share some of my favorites:

Percy Eggson and the Egglympians (Percy Jackson and the Olympians)

Alien Eggvader

Eggy Gaga

Miss EggDonald Had A Farm

The Incredible Edible Egg

Egg 2 D 2 (R2D2 from Star Wars)

A Butt-egg-fly and The Very Hungry Cat-egg-pillar

Hope you enjoyed the show :)

Happy Easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter with loved ones. It was a wonderful day here. Here's one card that I made to give out....didn't get time to photograph the others (see below), but I liked this one the best anyway!

The end of last week became very busy with my formal observation for the year, adviser-advisee with my high schoolers, and a get together with colleagues after school. Friday was so beautiful that I worked the entire day outside - you should see the perennials already poking out from the mulch! My plan for yesterday was to wash my car, do laundry, and work on cards. I don't think I'm meant to make plans....first I discover that there must be a crack in the pipe leading from my basement to my outdoor faucet - no car wash. Then my mom called saying she called an ambulance because she was having some chest pains. I'm so happy to report that she's doing just fine - we think taking the steroid for the lung infection she has too close to a nebulizer treatment (along with a little overeating at the Chinese restaurant) was the culprit. She's calling her family doctor tomorrow for a follow up. To put my mind at ease and to make sure she relaxed the rest of the day, I insisted she come to my house for the rest of the afternoon and evening. We had a great day chatting and watching movies....guess I'll be doin' the laundry tomorrow :)


Details:
Stamps - Jelly Beans (My Cute Stamps); Polka Dot Backgrounds II (PTI)
Ink - Tuxedo Black (Memento), Fresh Snow (PTI); Copics
Paper - DCWV Spring Stack, white
Accessories - blue satin ribbon