joy

Oh, it's a happy day!  I'm beyond excited to share with you that I've accepted my dream job with Fiskars.  I'll be one of four Lead Fiskateers for the next two years.  I get to travel to trade shows and other crafty events, teach online and in person, and spend lots of time online with The Fiskateer Community.  I can't imagine a better job in the whole world.

I've adored Fiskars orange handled scissors since I was a little girl.  Mom used her orange handled Fiskars scissors to cut out the fabric for all of the clothes she sewed for us.  They were referred to as "the good scissors" as in "don't touch my good scissors".  Now I can touch all the orange handled scissors I want.  I'm actually a part of the good scissors company.  It doesn't get any better.

Here's the video announcing the Lead Fiskateers.  I'm the only new one, so I'm at the end of the video.  The other three leads are such inspiring role models.  I'm honored to be in this group of talented women.




Thanks for stopping by today.

The stamp girls came over to play this morning.  We stamped tile coasters and trivets and swapped spring cards. Nine years ago I was invited to go on the stamp girls' annual field trip to a stamp store and out to lunch. It was such a fun day that I joined the group. I'd always been artsy crafty, but had never stamped before.  I had no idea what I was getting into.

I bought my first stamp that day. I wasn't very good at it, but they didn't kick me out of the group.  The girls shared their stamps and knowledge with me at every turn in the road.  It wasn't long before I jumped into stamping with all my heart. Playing in the ink, paint, rubber stamps, and messy techniques makes me happy.  It's taken me places I never imagined.

No matter where my stamping passion takes me, it's mornings like today that get to the heart of what makes creating such an important part of my life.  It's getting together with girlfriends and sharing our lives, our laughter, our stamps, and our ideas.  It's inviting new friends to join us, missing old friends whose lives are too busy to stamp, and then hugging them when they find time to come back.  It's taking a break from chores, kids, and responsibilities to spend time with the girls and play. It keeps us whole and sane so we can go back to chores, kids, and responsibilities with a smile knowing that we get playtime again with our girlfriends next month.

Thanks for stopping by today.

It's sunny and warm and I'm so happy the weekend's here.  We're going to a BBQ and softball game this afternoon.  What a fun way to spend the day.  I hope you're having a beautiful weekend and that spring has finally arrived for you, too.

This is a card I made quite a while back, but it fits for today.  The image was given to me by a stamping friend, so I'm not sure who made it.  I colored it with various markers and used the Fiskars threading water punch on the bottom. There's a bit of sparkle on the flowers, too. Thanks for stopping by today.

How about a new video tutorial?  We recently indulged in slightly used HD video camera and updated our imovie software.  This is the first of a new crop of videos.  I'm so happy that I can finally produce videos like a dreamed about in the beginning.  If you don't want music turn down the volume before you click on it.

Thanks for stopping by today!

It was a lovely getaway!  We swam, shopped, ate out, went to see a big hole in the ground, watched movies, oh and I gambled a bit.  Mostly, we enjoyed the sunshine and spring flowers and time to hang out together and laugh and play.  It was a long winter and we really needed to run away for a while.  Of course, it snowed last night after we came home and has been raining, snowing, and hailing today.  Hurry up spring, we need you.  Here's a short clip that hubby shot of the big hole in the ground.  I love rocks and geology and this place has it all.





Thanks for stopping by today.

We're running away for a few days of fun in the sun to finish off our spring break in style.  This little cutie is the luggage tag I made a while back.  So happy I get to use it.  See ya next week!

Happy Spring, Happy Easter, Happy Chocolate Eggs!  We're heading off to my folks for a yummy ham dinner followed by boston cream pie.  I think the food is my favorite part of holiday traditions. Of course there's all the part around preparing the food that I love, too.  The laughter and sharing of recipes and carrying on. I hope you're having a fine day with your loved ones.  Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies: glossy cardstock; Staz-On ink; Ink Potion #9; Stampin Up, Inkadinkado, and PSX stamps; feathers; metal epoxy words.

the reveal

So here's the big secret project from my Graphic 45 tryout.  I had a wonderful time altering this purse with their lovely papers, a copic marker, a handful of swarovski crystals, a few of my vintage supplies, and a ton of modge podge.  Best of luck to those who made the design team.  There's got to be a window opening somewhere, since this door didn't open.  Now I need to make a purse like this for me.  I loved making it.

soar

Supplies: Canson Acrylic Paper; Golden Fluid Acrylic Paints; Versamark Ink; Stampin Up Embossing Powder; Sharpie Paint Pen; Stamps by Darkroom Door, Impression Obsession, Stampin Up; Ranger Paint Dabber; Metallic RubOns; Fiskars Corner Punch; Vintage Buttons.


I got messy this weekend with these ATCs and a few projects for the magazine.  These are for a swap with a wing theme I'm hosting.  I made the backgrounds with a palette knife and leftover paint smeared around.  It mixed and messed while I was working on it, then I set it aside for about a month.  This weekend when I wanted to get my ATCs going I cut it apart and got to work.  I love making backgrounds like this when I'm cleaning up.  I always have a little pile of clean up backgrounds.  They usually work better than a background that I try to make for a project.

We had a wonderful time at Disney last week and I'm still working tons and tons.  I took today off to go meet a friend for tea and go to yoga.  It's been 2 weeks since I went and I really need to go get centered and balanced and strong.  Yoga isn't for sissies, it works muscles I never knew I had and the peaceful feeling at the end is better than chocolate.  Have a great week and thanks for stopping by.

Supplies: PSX Image Stamp; Rubber Stampede Sentiment Stamp; Memento Ink; Distress Ink; Copic Markers; Fiskars Edge Tearing Tool; Topographic Map; S&H Green Stamp.

First I've got to say a huge, monstrous thank you for all the love from the blog hop.  Wow, I didn't even offer any blog candy and I still got lots of love.  I read each and every comment and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to share in the hop.

I've been working like a maniac lately.  This happens every spring.  The retired teachers who got a golden handshake deal for subbing have put in their hours and the teachers are tired and going to lots of trainings and meetings. I've been subbing almost everyday.  I've taught elementary school, middle school science, wood shop and PE, and high school foods this past week.  I'm really enjoying all this time out of the house and the extra money for summer fun is always good.  Hopping around to different schools and grade levels is a challenge and keeps me on my toes.  I just need to sneak in a little yoga and all will be good.

Today is a teacher inservice day; no school for me or the young man.  We're running away to the happiest place on earth.  I need to go wake him up so we can ride Space Mountain!  Hope your having a beautiful spring day.  Thanks for stopping by.