Funny Cards

Adam always loves funny cards. I'd like to start doing more.

I whipped this card out because of this week's SplitCoastStampers Tutorial.


I've been thinking about this card for a long time. From the day I got the set, I thought it would be cute to have the bear leaning against the sleeping bag in front of the fire - so I made it! What a great guy card?!
Peace & Blessings!

Butterfly Coaster Box

I wanted to make a BEAUTIFUL coaster box for myself. I think I succeeded:


Peace & Blessings!

My Birthday Wishlist

My birthday is coming! My birthday is coming! (September 8th - only 10 days away!)

I have received a surprising number of e-mails asking:
"What do you want for your birthday?"

So, I decided this year, I'm going for shameless self-promotion by making it EXTREMELY EASY for you!

Alison's Birthday Wish list:



My wish list for The Angel Company's new catalog (I'm a demonstrator for this company) is HUGE!!!! So, $$$ for stamps is ALWAYS a good thing!














I also have a large wish list for the new Stampin' Up! catalog. My friend, Michele, is a demonstrator for this company, so contacting her for a gift certificate is the way to go.

This is the latest TOOL I simply NEED to have! This is NOT a want, it's a NEED. HA! You can find it HERE. (The book looks pretty sweet too!)















The Craft ROBO is a machine Adam brought to my attention. Both of us want this baby! You design ANYTHING on your computer, print it out, slide it into the Craft ROBO and it CUTS OUT THE IMAGE - PERFECTLY, EVERY TIME! Can we say GIFT BOXES!!!!!!!!!!!!




Other than that, I'm a voracious reader, so an Amazon.com gift certificate will never be wasted. In fact, I'd use it within 24 hours of receiving it! (Send it to: AlisonMC@nycap.rr.com)




If you were one of the numerous e-mail composers, asking me the fated question.... you now have your answer. Happy Shopping!

Peace & Blessings!

Know It All

Adam and I found out about a book: The Know-It-All by AJ Jacobs. I took it out from the library and started reading it last night in bed. I was laughing so hard from the introduction, Adam stopped reading his book and had me read out loud. We got through the intro and chapter A - both of us, laughing to tears at some points.

I have just found the introduction and chapter A on his website: HERE. Check it out.

Peace & Blessings!

My Hubby Is Brilliant - but we already knew that!

Check out what Adam did over the weekend, while the girls and I giggled.....



This is a puzzle that he designed & built himself. No, the puzzle does NOT fit through the mouth of the jar.

Peace & Blessings

The Fun Never Ended!

I had soooooooooooooo much fun with the girls over the weekend. We laughed, stayed up until 2 AM talking, painted, made cards, tiles, candles, watched an insane lightening storm from our front porch, watched movies, Adam made us Chocolate Lava Muffins...... I know I'm forgetting a few things. I honestly felt like I was back in high school doing a sleep over with the amount of late night giggling.......

Here's a few things we made:

Laura made some tile coasters:




The girls painted One Stroke projects. While they did olive oil bottles, I practiced my blueberries:

I whipped out a few cards to show them a couple of techniques:



We did more, but that would make this blog post a mile long.

I've told the girls I want them to come back at least 1 weekend a month - it was so good to laugh for 4 days!

Peace & Blessings!

Fuschia Pail

The girls and I took a One Stroke painting class together on Thursday evening. This is what we made:
We have been having SO MUCH FUN! We are laughing non-stop, there's just so much to do, and not enough time! They want to paint everything in sight, and we haven't even had the chance to hit the stamping room yet! My oh my! I've told them they need to visit me at least 1 weekend a month!


Peace & Blessings!

Blogging Vacation - Maybe

I'm doing the Happy Dance! My friend Karen, whom I have known since the 6th grade, but have not seen in 4 years - is coming for a long weekend visit today!!!!!!! YAY! YIPPIE! HAPPY DANCIN'

I'm not sure how much blogging I'll be able to do. I'm either not going to be able to blog at all, or because she wants to craft with me ALL WEEKEND (ok, HOW FUN IS THAT?!?!?!!) there's a possibility that instead of not blogging, I'll be blogging what we've made multiple times a day.

Stay tuned.......

Peace & Blessings!

Peace Bookmark Pocket Card

I get a kick out of cards that are different: the fold isn't where you would expect it to be, cards that move, cards that cause surprise, and so on. This card doesn't open, it's a pocket with a bookmark inside.


Peace & Blessings!

Love Box

I've fallen in love with white embossing powder. White craft ink takes too long to dry for my style of stamping - but white embossing powder ... what could be better?

Here's a box I made... what should I put in it? Ideas anyone?



Peace & Blessings!

Mark Batterson

Over the weekend, Adam and I had the opportunity to see Mark Batterson speak. I read his book In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day, after reading the Lion Chaser's Manifesto:

"Quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death. Set God-sized goals. Pursue God-ordained passions. Go after a dream that is destined to fail without divine intervention. Keep asking questions. Keep making mistakes. Keep seeking God. Stop pointing out problems and become part of the solution. Stop repeating the past and start creating the future. Stop playing it safe and start taking risks. Expand your horizons. Accumulate experiences. Enjoy the journey. Find every excuse you can to celebrate everything you can. Live like today is the first day and last day of your life. Don't let what's wrong with you keep you from worshipping what's right with God. Burn sinful bridges. Blaze a new trail. Criticize by creating. Worry less about what people think and more about what God thinks. Don't try to be who you're not. Be yourself. Laugh at yourself. Quit holding out. Quit holding back. Quit running away. Chase the lion."

Doesn't that give you thrill chills? I know that's my response to the manifesto.

I enjoyed his talk, especially when he unpacked the concepts of: are you playing defense or offense in your life? WOW!

How often are we simply reacting to what is happening around us, rather than responding? I know that lately, I've been playing defense! Let's see what happens as I start playing offense again..... and the question is: Will I chase my lion?

Peace & Blessings!

Lattice Card Tutorial

I have had many requests on how to make a lattice fold card. Here's a tutorial for you:

I first learned this technique with a cardboard cut-out template. Since then, I found this lattice fold guide at a stamping store. Most helpful!

(Click Here: http://www.paperwishes.com/products/7319 to order your very own.)

Stamp the front of your card with your background:

Flip your card over, and line the spine of the card up to the edge of your guide:

Trace your lines:

Cut your lines:
Open your card:
Fold down your cuts, starting with at the bottom:


Fold your card. You may want to use your score tool and really work in the crease:

Trim the bottom fold, secure flaps with adhesive, and finish decorating your card:

That's it! Simple, looks great, and usually gets a "WOW" out of people.

If you do not have the luxury of a lattice fold guide, I've included this photo to help you make your own:

Peace & Blessings!

PS:
Remember: For a larger view of each photo click on it.

Fun Birthday Card

Peace & Blessings!

Love Bug Box

This box is folded out of 1 sheet of 8.5" X 11" paper.



Peace & Blessings!

Are You A Rules Girl?

Check out this blog post about the rules of purchases - in regards to stamping. I laughed out loud!

Peace & Blessings!

Stamping, Stamping, Fun, Fun, Fun!

Last night I went to my stamping cave, without a mission. Usually I go down there with a list in hand of who needs cards, and I whip them out. Last night, no list, no agenda, just creating for the sake of creating.

Here are the results:






Peace & Blessings!

Apollo is Home!

YAY! Apollo came home tonight!

He got a little car sick, his fur has been shaved (under the bandage), and his paw is swollen - however - HE'S HOME! He's doing well. I'm so happy!


Peace & Blessings!

Lattice Fold Card - revised

I think the lattice folds down the spine of a card are stunning. This card was done with the same technique, except I unfolded it, and made it into the card front.

Adam really liked this card - not as girly as my usual cards.


Peace & Blessings!

PS - haven't talked to the vet yet about Apollo, but I did talk to the Vet Tech. She said Apollo used his litter box last night! YAY! We'll see if we can bring him home tonight - fingers crossed!

PPS - I'm feeling really proud of myself right now, that I could pass 8th grade math! HA HA HA!

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 9/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

I'm missing my baby!

Apollo has to spend the night at the Vet's office. Long story short; throwing up all weekend, no eating, just laying around, and ..... no litter box visits!

Today, they did blood work, and all the other stuff. The vet said she could feel 2 very large "reasons to visit the litter box" in him, that was probably the cause of his discomfort.

Me - "So, do you have kitty laxatives?"
Vet - "Yes, but we'd rather do a kitty enema"
Me - "Good luck with that"

My baby, my sweet Apollo, will be spending the night at the Vet's. He has his "procedure" today, and in the morning they'll call to let me know if he visited the litter box.

Now, Merlin & Apollo are brothers, from the same litter. They've NEVER been apart. I came home tonight to Merlin velcro-ing himself to me for a good hour. I'm sure he's wondering why he was alone all day.

Ok, so to round this out: I'm missing Apollo so much! He's such a fun cat. And I just want him to be better!

I'm sure I'll post more tomorrow on how he did!

Peace & Blessings!

Flowers & Butterflies

I like this card a lot, very pretty. It took a while with cutting out all the flowers and butterflies. Other than that, it's just good ol' fashioned watercoloring.



Peace & Blessings!

Try It On Everything - EFT Documentary

Warning: I'm stepping up onto my Soap Box.

I've been practicing EFT for about 4 years now, and it doesn't matter how big or small the issue: I and always astounded by the rapid results of this technique. It's profound.

I'm curious to see this documentary in full. I love that this technique is getting out to the masses.

In my personal experience, combining EFT with Donna Eden's Energy Medicine is powerful stuff!

Ok, I'm stepping off my soap box now.

Peace & Blessings!

Different Themes

I find that I have a very distinct style to my stamping. Going outside my normal style has proven to be quite a challenge for me.

Here are some examples of going outside my normal stamping style comfort zone:




This leaves card is for my Angel TAG group. I whipped up 7 of them to send out to other Angels as trades.

Peace & Blessings!

PS: I have been asked the same question multiple times this week: do you sleep? Of course I sleep, I sleep a lot actually. 8 hours on weekdays, and 9+ on weekends. So, yes, my friends, I do sleep, and I sleep a lot.