A Question For You...

I love the Redskins. This seems like a silly statement, because not loving them does not compute for me. That would be like saying, "I don't like chocolate." See what I mean? If you don't like chocolate, GO SEE A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY.

See me at age 6? I thought I knew EVERYTHING at age 6. When I grew up, I knew I wanted to play QB for the Redskins AND be President of the United States. I practiced football as often as I could (I wore out many a purple nerf football!) I was Billy Kilmer for Halloween that year, not Jason Campbell (LOL). Sadly for me, I did not own a Redskin helmet. I did own a Redskin ski hat, Redskin pajamas, and my Billy Kilmer jersey. I named my goldfish Charlie Taylor and Sonny Jurgensen. Later I came to love Joe Theismann (see signature below right side of the laces?) By the way: Billy, Sonny, and Charlie all signed the ball too. This is one of my most prized possessions. My uncle and grandfather have had season tickets as long as I can remember. I always wanted to attend a real game. I have been once. It was Redskins vs. Panthers on Christmas Eve. Yes, I was already an adult by then. Awesome game, because I saw every type of point(s) scored: touchdown, extra point, field goal, and a safety. Not to mention, the Redskins have the prettiest uniforms! Yes, even those yellow helmets they used to wear. (Do you remember when you could buy plastic helmets for a quarter out of the gumball machines? See my collection in the picture.) I feel sorry for other teams, especially the Browns and the Dolphins. Yucky colors. I guess I can't talk, because second to the 'skins, I root for the Baltimore Orioles. Not exactly pretty combo there either.

Why am I blogging about my beloved team? Well, when I went for my daily Greenberry's fix this morning, I noticed 7 cards had sold in the past 12 hours! The girls told me that Al Saunders purchased one of my cards this morning. He is a regular too, but he goes in to G'berry's when I am still hitting my snooze button on my alarm clock. So, no, I have not met him. Wahoo! Al Saunders bought a card I made!!! (Jean, I know you love wiki, so here is the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Saunders).

My question for you is this: Did Mr. Saunders, with the same enthusiasm, show my card to the Redskins and say, "Wahoo! I bought a card hand made by June Houck?"

p.s. If you leave a comment, I am sensitive about happenings on October 28, 2007. Mr. Joe Gibbs is way too decent a man to say this, but I will...the Pats are just plain RUDE running up the score like that.

Treats for teachers (and other important staff members)

I'm taking these to the school today for the girls' teachers, teacher assistants, speech therapist, and occupational therapist. I already gave the bus driver and her assistant theirs this morning. I finally finished these last night, and took the pictures this morning outside, but I forgot that it is still so dark in the morning, so the pictures aren't great. We could clearly see the stars and Venus shining brightly! I love the fall!

If you are an SCSer, you have probably seen this project a million times. I think they are adorable little gifts! One bag of small York peppermint patties will make a lot of these. All products are SU! except the ribbon...I bought that at Michael's.

Using Daisy D's dies & dps

No twin cards today, just kissing cousins :)

I used different ribbon techniques on each.

I hope you like them!

Tagged by Mustang Sarah

1. If you could have 100.00 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose?

Tough choice...Bazzill or Basic Grey...Bazzill it is.

2. If you had to choose between using only stamps or rubons, which would you choose?

I would choose stamps.

3. If you knew how to do both awesome cards and layouts but could only do one for a whole year...which would you do?

Cards. More instant gratification.

4. Would you rather own a scrapbooking store or have your own scrapping room at home...(can't have both he he he).

Scrapping room. ..I have a scraproom that is a constant work in progress to find better organization and storage solutions AND use up stash to make room for new incredible stash that I can't live without :)

5. What is your CURRENT cardmaking or scrapping style?

Would have to say my style is simple and (hopefully) elegant. Hey, that's a good name for a blog...

5 people I am tagging: Tracy, Lauren, Corie, Amy, and Ila.

Happy Birthday card

This is a card originally designed by my very talented girlfriend, Dianne. She made a card very similar to this about six years ago. The frame stamp and butterfly are by Magenta, and the background stamp is by Stampendous! The sentiment is Class-A-Peels.

Directions:

Stamp background on card base in gold pigment ink.

Stamp & emboss gold frame; cut out with Xacto knife.

On acetate, stamp butterfly in black Stazon.

Adhere acetate behind frame, then layer over a square of gold moire paper. Wrap in metallic floss and mount on dimensionals.

Add sentiment to cs scrap, outline with gold Pilot pen, and mount on dimensionals.

Thinking of you & happy Birthday

I bought that adorable kit from Stampin' Up! to make a dozen cards. It came complete with stamps, ink pads, cs stickers, and chipboard (large flower and braces). I chose to paint my chipboard with white paint, rather than leave it grey. I think it gives it more "pop". I liked the instant gratification...if you count 12 cards in a little more than an hour as "instant"!

Cheers!

I still have 5 or six of these Making Memories latch cards and jellies. I found some scraps of Magenta paper and adhered to the edge and latch to cover up sun damage on the card. I distressed with walnut stain on the edges. It still looked blah, so I found a stamp in my stash and stamped a background with my Versamark pad. Better.

2 Birthday cards & 2 Awards

***WARNING: Long post, but worth the read, I hope***
Two more cards using Bazzill chips. (In case you are wondering, 20 different cs stickers come on a sheet. I gave two away, and I have 6 left still!)

I want to thank my good friend, Tracy (http://smallsmackerels.blogspot.com/). She bestowed the "Creative Blogger Award" upon me: For those who incorporate art, music, creative writing, photos, and other beautiful visual effects into their website. For those who put a unique spin on things and come up with new ideas. This award is for the artsy, the funky, the inventor, and even the rebel. This award is for those creative individuals who stand out from the crowd.

I wish to nominate Amy (http://pickledpaperdesigns.blogspot.com/) for this award. Amy is a new blogger, but I have known her for over a year. I love her cards and creations.

I also want to thank Jean (http://prettykittydogmoonjewelry.blogspot.com/), who I have not known nearly as long as sweet Tracy, but I have deep respect and affection for. Jean awarded me with the "The Inspirational Blogger Award": For those bloggers who inspire others through their words and actions. With a positive attitude, and an uplifting spirit these bloggers make the blogosphere a better place, and encourage others to do the same. This award is for bloggers who rise up to set an example but continue to reach out and support others."

I would like to nominate Lauren (http://llaurenb.blogspot.com/) for this award. If she is not on your favorites, add her NOW! I dare you not to smile and giggle at her posts. Lauren has a fantastic sense of humor and wonderful whimsical cards.

I love you, Tracy & Jean! I feel so honored that these two creative and art geniuses think so much of me, the math geek :) Everytime I get a blogger award my husband says,"And I've been nominated to the National Geographic Society." Should I give him a playful smack?

Birthday Cards

Top two cards: I have gotten a lot of mileage from these 3 sheets of American Crafts papers, haven't I? The rub-ons are from TLC mounted on SU! dimensionals. I mounted the scraps on black Bazzill cs, and paper pierced all the way around, though you can't see it in my pic.

Bottom four cards: DCWV cards, Bazzill chips and Bazzill cs stickers, American Crafts ribbons, Bazzill cs, primas from Queen & Co. and American Crafts.

Brain Fog

I went to the coffee shop yesterday morning for a coffee date with my dh. Then I went to the girls' school to chaperone the field trip to the Pumpkin Farm in Bluemont, VA. Leesburg used to be the boonies, but Bluemont is over the mountain in the middle of nowhere. We all arrived safely, used the potty, then rode the tractor-pull hay ride out to the patch. The plan then was to ride back to the farm to see the animals and pig races, etc. After exiting the hay ride, my daughter, Kathryn, walked about 8 feet and fell, creating a 1.5" x.125" cut above her left eyebrow. It took 15 minutes for the fire engine and ambulance to reach us. Kathryn and I rode in the ambulance back to Leesburg, where she had this cut nicely sewn up with just 6 stitches. My sweet brown eyed girl was a real trooper! I was so proud of her (I still feel like a wreck inside), but Kathryn is doing quite well.

This morning my dh asked me if I wanted to go on a bonus coffee date (we usually have our coffee dates once each week.) Of course I said, "YES, as long is it is not followed by any more accidents!" We went on our date, and all the halloween cards and birthday cards from Monday's post have sold. I came home, made more Halloween and birthday cards, and took them back to Greenberry's . I forgot to take pictures to post here on my blog! Serious brain fog going on here!

Beautiful Bouquet

My super sweet sister, Angela, sent me these wonderful flowers. They arrived last Saturday, and you can see they still look gorgeous! I have had them in my craft room so I can enjoy them, and my cat does not try to eat them :) Just thought I'd share them with you to brighten your day!

Halloween, Birthday, & Other

I was inspired by Sarah's RAK (previous blog entry) for these Halloween cards. I used my scraps from the cards posted earlier :) The birthday cards are American Crafts, I used a QK die & white cs, CM circle punches, and an SU! birthday stamp. Simple! The last two cards were originally designed by my friend Vera. They are SU! dps & stamps, but the ribbon was on sale at Michael's last week for $1.87 (normally $3.99!) Which do you like best?

More Halloween cards & My first blog RAK received!

I bought a package of glittery Halloween stickers at Michael's this week (they were only $1!) I used DCWV black scalloped cards, MM orange paper, scrap ribbon, and large white scallop circles (from sweet Tracy! http://suzyscrapbooker.blogspot.com/). I cut two circles with my CM cutter out of scraps of black Bazzill, and used my SU! polka dot stamp (3-4-U punch box). I was inspired by a card in the PaperCrafts Oct. 2007 issue designed by Alice. I did not realize I bought the same stickers she used on her card! I glued googly eyes and done :) Alice's card is even snazzier.

I received my first RAK from a blogger girlfriend, Sarah. She makes the lovliest cards! Her work is incredible. Her blog is called "Mustang Sarah's Creations." Click here:

http://creationsbysarah.blogspot.com/

She sent me this package of gorgeous handmade stickers too. All the way from beautiful Nova Scotia! Notice that Sarah stamped on dp and cut out Bella's pants and top. Isn't it wonderful?!

November 2005 completed

I know I posted the left page when I originally made it for a class I taught, but I bought extra paper to make it a 2-page spread. So here is the right page too! Twelve pictures on two pages is a lot for me, but not my record. I'm a "less is more" kinda girl in general; but not always. I think that is why I enjoy all the blogs I visit; I appreciate both the "more is more" styles that do 1 pic with lots of embellies and the "less is more" simplistic in design, but elegant. Blogging would be boring if everyone scrapped the same way, kwim? Now that I've finished scrapbooking 2004, this is my start of 2005. I'll go back and do January-October; but when I saw these papers, I knew I had to do an autumn month. I love Basic Grey papers!