Flip Floppin' Summer

With the temps so high this summer, it has been perfect Flip Flop weather! That was the challenge to the Cutting Cafe DT this week...create a project with flip flops. My card uses Flip Flop Shaped Card and Summer Mini Words.

Be sure to flippity flop over to the Cutting Cafe blog for more inspiration.

Give Thanks for EVERYTHING

I recently ordered 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp and it isn't a quick read, but it is very good and deep. The main point is that we need to find little things to be greatful for and by recording them, we have a much more peaceful and stress free life. That doesn't mean stress won't enter our lives, but we don't give in to it like we used to.

As some of you know, I've been getting ready for CHA. It's been crazy around here as the product for my classes didn't arrive until later than expected and it was rush rush getting everything done and Fed Exed today! I had left a mess on the dining room table and had to get the boxes to Kearney (1.5 ish hours away) to Fed Ex and checked in before noon. So I planned to clean up when I got home.

I had several last minute things I needed to get in Kearney and Grand Island so got those all marked off my list and got home....to a disaster! I wish I could say I entered with a happy heart, but I am human and didn't.

As I was grumbling about the mess, God reminded me of what I had been reading and to start making a thankful list...so here is my thankful list

thankful that I even own a home to be messed up
thankful that I have 2 boys to make a mess (esp since I miscarried 4 babies)
thankful that I have ketchup to be out (even on the floor???)
thankful that I have dishes to be dirtied
thankful that I have food to make a mess with in the house
thankful for my son that knows how to and likes to cook
thankful to have clothes even if they are all over the floor
thankful for a laundry basket even if it doesn't get used
thankful that I am able to wash dishes
thankful that even though it looked like a disaster walking in, it only took 20 minutes to clean up

Summer Pics

I have been very busy with getting ready for CHA (Craft & Hobby Assoc), cutting LOTS of paper, kitting everything for make & takes, having company for the 4th, turning a year older and every day life. Ü

Here are a few pictures of things that have happened around here.

first I will start with this yummy yummy mulberry pie that Benjamin made

decor around the house

pics from the 4th

at our house after parade

I meant to take pics of all the food before everyone went thru the line, but it got crazy. This doesn't show the ones who braved the 100 degree weather and sat outside at the picnic table to eat!

Flowers for my birthday. Thank you Kassy and Benjamin! I also got my favorite chocolates, a book from Kassy (Resolutions for Women) and taken to my favorite pizza place-Pizza Palace in Burwell. Homemade pizza and the best around. Wish I would have thought to have taken my camera there. Was sad to see that the place is for sale. I sure hope someone buys it and carries on the tradition.

and last here are the boxes ready to be shipped out tomorrow to CHA. This doesn't count the things I will be taking with me as well!

Happy 4th of July!

Today in the US we are celebrating the 4th. Our little village throws a BIG celebration. It starts early in the morning with sand volleyball going most of the day, parade, BBQ/picnics, then games for ALL ages, karaoke, ball games til dark, then awesome fireworks! There is food, homemade pies/ice cream, and fun for everyone.
Today on Cutting Cafe we are also celebrating this holiday. Be sure to stop by the blog and see all the wonderful patriotic goodies the DT has created. For my creation, I chose to make a card using this vintage image I got here. I used CC's Independence Day Backgrounds.

Autograph Books

I know tomorrow is Independence Day for US readers and I planned to create a fun project, but time just didn’t allow me to get out to the garage to cut some wood. I do want to wish you all a very Happy 4th for all US readers.

I am sharing a project I already had done. These are autograph books, but could be used for mini albums, journals, etc. They are very simple to make.

I used 2 pieces of mat board for the front and back. Covered them with plain cardstock for the back and inside front and stamped and decorated for the front. I adhered the cardstock with Mono Glue Stick.

I used Mono Adhesive Permanent to adhere the layers. The image is stamped and colored with Dual Brush Pens.

Then punch holes into the ends add eyelets and clasp rings and tie on ribbons. For the inside I just cut a bunch of white cardstock 1/4″ smaller.

For the above one I added a film strip diecut I’ve had around for a long time.

Scrappy ABC Week

It's ABC (Anything But a Card) Week on Tombow's Blog. Today I am going to share the pages for a 6 x 6 album I made. I found the template here. I stamped one sheet of cardstock and then cut it and my patterned papers according to the instructions.

I used the Stamp Runner Dot Pattern Adhesive. This is perfect for those little pieces. If you get adhesive on your scrap mat, you just rub it right off. I love using the dot adhesive for small pieces like this.

Here are the pages in page order in the album.

CC Sweet Stuff

*this is my second post today, so please scroll down for the Inky Antics Blog Hop

Today is the first day of summer and we finally get a relief from the 100+ degree heat! YAY! Now if it would just rain!

Today is also the day the Cutting Cafe DT will be sharing their projects using Sweet Stuff. I also used a sentiment from Summer Mini Words.

I chose to use the popsicle image. Perfect for those hot summer days. I made mine blue, because blue raspberry is my favorite popsicle flavor. Ü I used new papers from Fancy Pants for the background of the card and the popsicle and its background is from an older line.

I am off to help serve lunch at a nearby camp. I hope you all have a much cooler day today as well. Be sure to stop by the Cutting Cafe blog later today and see the rest of the DT's Sweet Stuff!

Summer HoneyPOP Blog Hop

Welcome to Inky’s Summer HoneyPOP Blog Hop! You’ve come from Jovi’s blog if you started at the beginning. If not, be sure to hop over to Inky Antics so you don't miss any of the wonderful projects the DT has created for you. I used the new Rose Set drawn by artist Darby New, 11103SC Beautiful Borders HoneyPOP Set designed by our own Michelle Pearson, and a Magenta Honeycomb Paper Pad to create this card.

I used the triangle in Michelle's Beautiful Border set to create the border. I love how vintage it looks to me, like you could find these borders in an antique shop. The papers I used are by My Mind's Eye. Here is a look at all the designs each shape will make.

The blog hop starts today and ends on Sunday, June 24th at midnight Central time. Please visit each DT members’ blog to view their projects and leave a comment for each designer. The more you comment, the better your chances are to win. (Limit one comment per blog, please). TWO people’s names will be drawn at random to receive a HoneyPOP prize pack. The winners’ names will be announced on the Inky Antics (insert link) blog next Monday, so remember to stop back and see if you’ve won.

Your next stop will be Crystal’s blog where she will be showcasing the Birds & Bells set.

you can find the new HoneyPOP sets that we’re using here:

http://www.inkyantics.com/honeypop.htm#11105MC

The various Honeycomb Paper Pads are here:

http://www.inkyantics.com/honeypop.htm#honeycombpads

And the 11103SC Beautiful Borders HoneyPOP Set is here:

http://www.inkyantics.com/honeypop.htm#11103SC

Father's Day Box

I made this box to go with the Father's Day card I made here. I used the same Cutting Cafe pattern for the shirt, but glued the card shut. Then cut cardstock the same size for the back. I then just made a box and glued the front and back pieces to the box. Filled with 5 Snickers that fit perfectly.

Here is the set together:

Funky Pink Turtle

Turtle is by Inky Antics. Was just messing around with some scraps I had and the turtle image.

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is sneaking up on us (Sunday the 17th) and that is the theme this week on Cutting Cafe. I used CC's Shirt and Tie Cutting File for my card. The set also comes with the circle sentiment on the front.

The papers I used are by Heidi Swapp from her No Limits line.

Be sure to stop by the Cutting Cafe blog to see what the rest of the team created this week.

Saddle Up Fabric and Paper Purse

Today through Friday, the Tombow DT is going to share special projects we made using fabric from Samantha Walker's Saddle Up line, by Riley Blake Designs. The fabrics we rec'd had a western theme to them and in browns and grays with a tiny bit of mustard yellow accent.
I had seen this purse tutorial on Youtube and knew I wanted to give my own take. It is super easy to make and takes a sheet of 12 x 12 patterned paper as well as a couple strips of coordinating paper.

I made purse body and top strips like indicated in the video. I used new papers by Fancy Pants that went well with the fabrics for the body of the purse.

For my purse, I created a flap latch that I cut first with cardstock and then applied adhesive with Tombow's Mono Glue Stick. Be very liberal with this glue. Adhere it to the back side of the fabric and press the fabric down good onto the glue piece. Then I just cut around the cardstock shape.

I scored a 1" center strip and then adhered Power Tabs to the back section and one Fastener Tab to the front. I added a button to the front flap with a Power Tab.

The fabric came tied with ribbon, that I used for the handles of my purse. I attached them as shown in the Youtube video.

For the purse accent, I made a fabric flower, but cutting a circle of cardstock and applying Mono Multi Glue all over and letting dry. When this glue "dries" it is very tacky.

To make the flower, cut (or in this case I tore) a strip of fabric and tie a knot in one end. Press the knot into the center of the circle and just twist and turn the fabric strip into the glue as you make a spiral shape. Glue end to back of circle.

To make the loops, cut strips and fold in half and glue short ends together. Apply Mono Multi Glue to back of circle and add loops around the edges. I added Power Tabs to the back to stick onto the purse front.

Here is my finished purse. It will hold quite a few goodies. I'm thinking it would be fun to make a smaller size as well.

Birthday Sailed

Image by Inky Antics and colored with colored pencils and Gamsol. Basic Grey patterned papers.

CSAYL Anything Goes

Our theme is Anything Goes this week on CSAYL. I chose to make another card using this snowangel from Inky Antics. I paper pieced the image and love how it turned out.

Come and play along with us this week for a chance to win some 6 x 6 patterned papers.

BFB The Bride Wore Blue by Mona Hodgson

This latest book that I rec'd from Waterbrook is another winner. I had reviewed the book in this sequel before this and loved this one as well. I love Mona's style of writing. You just don't want to put the book down.

The Bride Wore Blue is about the youngest of the Sinclair sisters coming to Cripple Creek, CO. It is 1897 and Vivian is looking for a fresh start, but her past haunts her. She is living a secret afraid that her sisters won't be able to forgive her.

This book is filled with lots of action including a kidnapping by the outlaws, forgiveness, willing to forgive oneself, learn from mistakes and move on.

• Author's Web Site
• More Info
• Read Chapter One
• Author Bio

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

Broken Bow Notepad

I used some school themed paper to make this notepad. I cut the 2 "B's" with my Cricut.

I went to camp last week on Tues-Fri to cook for our youth group kids who were working there to get the camp ready for campers on Monday. I came home to 3 boxes of product to cut, sort, bag et for CHA. After learning of the accident minutes after it happened on Friday, I just haven't felt like doing anything. I finally sat down yesterday and started cutting. I will really have to push myself now as I have little time to get it all done, but it was theraputic, so will keep on.

I may not be on here much, but will try to update you all that are praying for Chad...he is slowly improving. It is very slow going, but each little improvement is a blessing.

The Blum and Sherbeck families will be laying their loved ones to rest. Please continue to pray for these families as well as the 3 boys and their families who remain hospitalized.

thank you for all your kind notes of encouragement and prayers, please don't stop praying. We need to bring all our boys home. There is still so much healing to be had.

Accident update

as of around midnight:

Another update to keep you posted as I know everyone is wanting to know how things are going. Chad's ICP (intracanial pressure) is staying stable and his labs are looking good so things are for now going the way they should be. Please pray that his temp stays down which also helps his brain. Thank you for all of your prayers and messages. They mean so much to Chad and our family. A lot of his friends and family made posters for Chad and put up pictures of Chad in his room today so the nurses can see Chad's personality!! Thanks guys! They are great!

In need of your prayers

Yesterday afternoon our school's (Broken Bow) van was bringing home highschool boys from Basketball camp. They were struck by a pickup who crossed into their lane. Both coaches and the driver of the pickup were killed.

Of the eight boys in the van, two were treated and released, the others were all taken to Kearney or Grand Island. 2 are in ICU. There are many broken bones and injuries. The 2 in ICU have head/ brain injuries.

One of the coaches was Bruce's cousin. He was a Geometry teacher and I was the para in his class.

One of the students who is critical condition is my cousin. Here is the latest on Chad:
update from late last nite of my cousin's post for Chad:
Home from the hospital...he came thru surgery and now it is a wait and pray and see and pray and pray some more as head injuries are so not like broken bones or cuts and we just won't know for awhile. The next several days are very critical to keep the fluid and swelling and temp and breathing etc all where they need to be.

Please pray for all of the families involved. This has been a very hard time for the families and the community as you can imagine.