Freshly Made Sketches #50

I have something to admit...

I am in a funk.

My blog is in transition to moving to a new site.

I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all I should do right now.

So much so, that I don't want to do any of it. I just want to be a mom and wife.

So, I am going to ask something of you.

I need some encouragement. 

If you have ever had anything good come from visiting me, 

will you leave me a comment and tell me so.

I know it will pass.

But I need it to pass sooner rather than later. :-)

Freshly Made Sketches help.

I love how simple the designs are. You are free to step it up as much as you want,

but they are good simple designs just as they are.

Don't you love that?

Thank you FMS - you helped me today :-)

Supplies:

• Chocolate Chip CS, Midnight Muse CS, Very Vanilla CS, Comfort Cafe DSP
• Trust God stamp set
• Chocolate Chip, and Midnight Muse markers
• Dimensionals, Glue Dots, Linen Thread, Designer Naturals Buttons

First Day of School Share

The younger two had just woken up as the older one had to leave so I made them pose before the hair had been addressed

I should also add that it is still dark outside.

My oldest was a big goof and wanted some extra poses for his scrapbook:

Isn't this a cute gift?

One of the teachers had it so I snapped a picture.

Before we moved into our present house I home schooled.

Here is a picture from their first year attending traditional school:

I think this was 2007

Joel was 1, Samuel was 7 (2nd grade), and Abigail just turned 5 (Kinder)

Abigail (5th), Joel (2nd grade), Samuel (8th grade)

They grow up fast!

Sunday....

My favorite Wonderful Wings stamp set, seemed like a perfect stamp for the eve before a new school year. Can you tell I am a little excited for the kids to return to school?

I love butterflies.

I love their beauty

what they symbolize...

Monday is almost here!

Supplies:

• Basic Black CS, Pacific Point CS, Whisper White CS
• Wonderful Wings stamp set (retired)
• StazOn Jet Black ink pad; Night of Navy, Pacific Point, Marina Mist, Bashful Blue, Basic Black, Early Espresso, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Sahara Sand markers
• Aquapainter, Dimensionals, Basic Rhinestones, Big Shot, Embossing Folder

What is going on?

I am on the PTO at my oldest son's school.

The teacher's lounge is a bit in need of a makeover.

We wanted to give them a fresh new room - but our budget was tiny.

This is decorating on a dime AND it is a work in progress.

Above is the wall to the right as you enter the room (Before)

Below is how it looks now (After)

See that wreath? All Stampin' Up! paper.

It was very easy to make, but a little time consuming. 

The mirrors were $4.50 each and I am so pleased with how they fill up the empty wall.

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The two pictures above are BEFORE

The entertainment unit shares the wall with the new entry table

just at the other end of the room

Below are the AFTER pictures of the same areas

We gathered many of the items that were floating on a large wall from before

and gathered them in one space.

They hang just to the left of the entertainment center

We painted the far wall green (it is photographing a bit brighter than

it actually is. It doesn't glow in real life)

We moved the window treatment to the ceiling line,

which gives more light and brings the window in scale with the room.

My son took the bench and removed the fabric and cushions,

re-assembled and painted it black- for a coffee table  

The picture on this wall is all SU paper on a thrift store canvas.

I started with First Edition DSP, added some gesso

 and added several other DSP in the petals 

The black "frame" was painted on the wall

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Next is the wall space just to the left of the door pictured above

I am doing some hand lettered word are to encourage our teachers

This is my project for today.

______________________________________________________

This is the area I am still working on

We tidied up, cleaned and re-organized the cupboards,

moved the microwave from the cart to the counter

moved the trash can to the empty space

I have two canvases that I will do something to, and they

will hang over the sink

We will add some plants to this room.

We will do something to the cabinet tops and something on top of the refrigerator 

(we don't want them to become storage spaces)

______________________________________________________________

We will be adding a few things to the little shelves over the coffee area

Not much we could do here but we are hoping to make it 

neater, more organized and user friendly.

So there you have it.

My business is wayyyyyyy down this month. 

I didn't want to spend my time fretting about what can I do,

so I decided to give back.

Giving a little something to a group that works so hard

and isn't always given the appreciation they deserve- was a good use for my creative energy.

The teacher lounge make-over won't change any lives, but we hope

they will feel the love and know they have a space that reflects that appreciation.

Have a super weekend!!! 

Trending Tuesday #39

Mojo Monday #255

I know I sound like a broken record, but I love challenges.

I would have never made THIS card had it not been for a challenge.

This layout is not something I would have come up with on my own.

I like the way it turned out.

That is what makes challenges so much fun!

I am always surprised by the results.

I don't always like the results, but I always learn something.

Supplies:

• Crumb Cake CS, Very Vanilla CS, Island Indigo CS, Orchard Harvest DSP
• Friendship Preserves stamp set
• Rich Razzleberry ink pad, Crumb Cake ink pad
• Taffeta ribbon, Embosslits Beautiful Wings, Stamping Sponges, Brushed Bronze Buttons, Dimensionals

Challenge yourself today!

Sunday Scrapbooking MDS2

Last Saturday the kids played at the BBQ Cook-off.

MDS2 made creating this page a snap!

Here is a video showing some of the other things that can be made with MDS2:

Step It Up! Saturday - Snowmen

Step #1 CARD:

Supplies:

• Very Vanilla CS, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP
• Big Shot, Northern Flurry EF, Basic Rhinestones, Old Olive Satin Ribbon (retired)

Step #2 CARD:

Supplies:

• Very Vanilla CS, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP
• Snow Much Fun stamp set
• Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Old Olive, Lucky Limeade, Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Markers
• Big Shot, Northern Flurry EF, Basic Rhinestones, Old Olive Satin Ribbon (retired), Aquapainter

Step #3 CARD:

Supplies:

• Very Vanilla CS, Candlelight Christmas Specialty DSP, watercolor paper
• Snow Much Fun stamp set, Word Play stamp set
• Cherry Cobbler, Real Red, Old Olive, Lucky Limeade, Sahara Sand, Pumpkin Pie, Early Espresso Stampin' Write Markers
• Big Shot, Northern Flurry EF, Basic Rhinestones, Old Olive Satin Ribbon (retired), Aquapainter, paper snips, dimensionals, glue dots

Thanks for stopping by!

A CASE for Friday

I cleaned out all of my card files on my computer not too long ago.

I figured it was time to start fresh and be selective with my CASE inspirations.

This is one of the ones that I LOVE!

The original is done by Darleen Adamo 

and is done in reds with a different greeting but there is no doubt about it,

Her original design is spledid.

Why mess with near perfection?

I felt I needed to change something so I changed the color

Island Indigo doesn't normally scream HOLIDAY

but I do think it works well in this design.

I love it. 

It makes me happy.

Thank you, Darleen!

Supplies:

• Crumb Cake CS, Early Espresso CS, Festival of Prints DSP Stack
• Greetings of the Seasons stamp set
• Early Espresso, and Island Indigo Stampin' Write Markers, White Gel Pen, Crumb Cake ink pad
• Essentials Paper Piercing Pack, Mat, and tool; Bakers Twine, Stamping Sponges, Snowflake die (retired)

Freshly Made Sketches #48

I changed it up a little but I think the spirit of the sketch is still there

I used 2-way glue and iridscent ice to go over the embossing folder lines

and I painted our little witch. I love to paint with my aquapainter (dry). 

It is my favorite thing to do.