Rainbow Days

One more quick post before I travel the five minutes it takes to drive from my home to work...

I need to thank Julie over at Rainbow Days for honoring me with the 'One Lovely Blog Award'. Now my charge is to pass this along to seven blogs that I frequent. I will do that as soon as I return from campus. Please click over and read Julie's funny posting about carpets, coffee, and pjs! Spend some time looking at her blog if you don't happen to already follow her. Her cards are lovely and very inspirational.

Rainbow thoughts,

Nancy

Traditions, Pepperoni, and Blessings

My undergraduate degree Alma Mater and current employer is an institution steeped in customs and traditions and not just in the form of the pomp and circumstances of an annual commencement ceremony.

Whether they realize it or not these newly arriving students are being folded into the Catholic Franciscan community that IS Briar Cliff University. Especially for the freshman, I hope this past week and the weeks to follow will embed many fond memories in the minds of these young adults.

The week, while it has not allowed for any Bubble time for me, has had it's moments of redemption. I love these early weeks of new and returning students.

This week has included traditional trips in school vans to ensure that every freshman dines in the home of the university president. I drove on Tuesday evening and again was entertained with random musings from my all male - all football playing - all freshmen - all hailing from St. Louis passengers.

Wednesday evening was the annual "Pizza with the President". This event was on campus and open to all fall athletes, all the Residence Assistants, and all the Peer Advising Leaders (essentially all the students who move in early). Seventy-eight pizzas were ordered for delivery to campus. The 'rule' is always, "take two pieces each and then return for seconds after everyone has been through the line'. You may think two pieces of pizza per football player, soccer player, and volleyball player doesn't sound like much - but serving begins at 8 pm. They finished with dinner at the campus all-you-can-eat cafeteria - one hour prior to the Pizza with the President!

I was in charge of the pepperoni end of the table. In less than 18 minutes all 32 large pepperoni pizzas were gone, two-pieces at a time - devoured - with nothing left but the empty boxes.

Yesterday was the official move-in day for freshman. These are the freshman who either don't play fall athletics, play spring athletics, or don't participate in any athletics. This is the day for some of the traditions I mentioned earlier in this post. We always have a family picnic on the green-space. It's interesting to see some families clumped together some with young siblings in tow, some with grandparents here to be a part of the send-off and some families expanding their personal community to embrace the parents and siblings of their own student's roommate. It is a lively dynamic!

Once the picnic has concluded everyone is 'herded' into the St. Francis Center for more words of welcome. There are conclusionary words of welcome with a very frank insertion that the parents will be given time to say their goodbyes and then they need to LEAVE. (Of course this is all said with kindness and diplomacy.)

Prior to the time families are given for farewells there is always a scripted blessing. The students turn to their parents and family members and read a blessing asking for safe travels, thanking them, asking for encouragement on their new path... The parents and families then read a blessing to their young adults asking to keep their child safe, praying that they make good decisions, asking for blessings as they begin this new journey...

It is a somewhat moving experience. Some families hold hands, some embrace, some seem embarrassed, many reach out to students who don't have family present, and ALL are tolerant of what is to be one of the first of MANY Briar Cliff traditions.

As I left the parking lot I caught a glimpse of some of the goodbyes. Hugs, slaps on the backs, handshakes, young siblings clinging to big brothers and big sisters, a few romantic kisses between student and girl friend or boy friend wondering if their long distance romance will last, laughter, tears, a mother with her "child's" face in her cupped hands looking directly into his eyes...

I just had to share some of the moments that I have the privilege of experiencing day to day. And now I will share the ONE card I had time to put together. I thought the image (Live Love Laugh Learn) was appropriate given what I'm around all day at work. I have to be back on campus today at noon until about 11 pm. MORE activities to assist with, and traditions to be maintained! The "RETURNING" students start their move in at Noon today! Gotta' DASH!!

Live, Laugh, Love, Learn
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink cardstock, edges distressed with Stampin' Up More Mustard
~Layer of navy blue cardstock
~Layer of lighter navy blue cardstock topped with polka dot blue background design paper that I distressed using Stampin' Up Not Quite Navy and Stampin' Up More Mustard
~Image (EK Success) Live Love Laugh Learn was stamped three times on Paper Temptress Cryogen White using Stampabilities Cotton Candy, Stampin' Up More Mustard and Not Quite Navy; image then smudged (distressed) using the same inks plus Versamark Sand~Image was layered onto three colors of Mulberry papers - navy, hot pink, and mustard
~Circle punch of a flower from The Paper Studio Country Random Flowers design paper and paper pieced 5 random flower petals attaching with tiny foam dimensionals
~Metal brad embellished with hot pink glitter for the flower center
Challenges:
Lord Have Mercy - sketch
Play Date Cafe - 'colour horribilis' inspiration: hot pink, navy, and mustard
Shabby Tea Room - use metal
Little Red Wagon - back to school (the sentiment is the piece that fits this challenge)

Here's to fond memories,
Nancy

Football Fabric

I feel like Dori in the Little Mermaid - 'just keep swimming, just keep swimming'. I know things will eventually settle down into the usual campus rhythm but MARTHA! I long for the days of getting home before 8 pm!

The parade of freshman dinners at the president's house has begun. For those of you new to my blog - the president of the university (at which I work) hosts a series of dinners at her home for ALL freshman - 25 or so of them at a time. I am one of the LUCKY van drivers. (Her home is across town.) Dinner at the president's house...six times in a week and a half...REALLY cuts into my Bubble time! (I should just be grateful I don't have to drive for everyone of the dinners.)

My Monday passengers were all male, all football players, all HUNGRY. The students in the school van I drove hailed from California, Texas, Arizona, and Nebraska. They were very chatty. Talking mostly about girlfriends they left back home and what food chains they missed the most. I got the feeling they were more disturbed about the lack of their favorite fast food than their female companions. They had a lively discussion about brands of football helmets - THAT was like listening to Farsi - I had NO idea what they were talking about. Me? I thought a helmet was a helmet was a helmet...

One of the guys was taking an informal survey of his fellow-freshman. "What would you rather have in Toller - air conditioning or an elevator?" (Toller has neither and is 'home' to freshman.) The unanimous vote as AIR CONDITIONING.

And just in case you are wondering...it takes a LARGE quantity of food to feed 23 college football players in training with 3-a-days (3-a-days means they practice three times during the day - morning session, afternoon session, and early evening session). This crew was 'permitted' to be late to practice in order to attend the dinner and they were doing everything in their power to prolong the evening at the president's house...they LOVED the idea of being VERY late to evening practice. The heat index was 98 Monday so I can't say that I really blame them.

Tonight I had to attend a dinner for a campus guest speaker but did manage some Bubble time. The sentiment on this card is my new mantra.


Fiber Squared
~Base card - white linen
~Layer of aqua cardstock
~Squares of fabric from my 'other stash'
~Sentiment (I saw it on a magnet) printed on white cardstock and layered on green and aqua cardstocks - faux stitching around the edges
~Buttons from the Big Blue Bowl (my button stash)
Challenge
Play Date Cafe - color challenge

Thanks for clicking by.
Nancy

A Rose is a Rose

Not much yada yada right now. My 'girls' (daughter Amy and granddaughter Bailey are back from their trip to Minneapolis. They took in the Mall of America and the Renaissance Festival.) Need to see pictures they took and hear about their adventures.

Picasso Pink
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Cream~Layer of K & Company Life's Journey designer paper
~Three wraps of olive green cording
~Sentiment by Inkadinkadoo stamped on tan parchment paper, die cut using Cuttlebug and Spellbinder Labels Two, edges smudged using Distress Ink Tattered Rose and Memento Angel Pink, outer edged darkened using Copic Olive
~Rose centered button from my stash
Challenges
Shabby Tea Room - delicate cottage rose inspiration
Aud Sentiments - anything goes
Stampin' B's- use a die cut (the label), a circle (the outer rim of the button), a flower (the metal insert of the button)
Our Creative Corner Sketch
Alphabet - Q is for Quotes

Thanks for clicking by.
Nancy

Sassy Spunk

Taking a quick moment to post this card while supper is cooking. Gotta' love the portability of a laptop!

Overheard in the hall today on campus, "Sure he can still walk - he came to campus a day later than we did". The fall athletes have been on campus for a week now - their spunk is draining. I think they are actually looking forward to attending classes so the 3 practices per day will come to a halt!


Sassy
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Ocean Tides
~Layers of Miss Elizabeth Art Nouveau design paper
~Image is from Creative Mind of Silvie, colored with Copics (Thank you Silvie for this fun and well crafted image!)
~Button accents
Challenge
Dutch Dare - layout
City Crafter - "Isn't She Lovely" - theme

All good wishes,
Nancy

Bruschetta - It's for the Birds

Last night was spent at my 94 year old mother's (and the my childhood) home. It is never without an internal chuckle and several (discreet) eye rolling episodes on my part. For the life of me I can NOT figure out why the woman has to follow me everywhere. I vacuum her bedroom - turn around - there the little sprite is! I vacuum the dining room - she is three feet away watching my every sweep of the Riccar (which by the way I wouldn't own if you GAVE me). She is essentially blind so it's not as if she can say, "you missed a spot".

I go outside to fill the bird feeders - turn and there is the little stealthy ninja! She is so quiet and SNEAKY! Do I REALLY need constant supervision. It's seed, it's several feeders... how difficult can it be? I know the 'general accepted' method for feeder duty: take down the feeders, walk to the porch, take the brick off of the METAL garbage can (darn those squirrels - can't have them chewing through another plastic garbage can and they haven't figured out how to muscle the brick off the top of the can), put the feeder over the can of seed, use the skinny funnel (a mandatory function according to the ninja), fill the feeders, (oh...forgot to mention one of the feeders has DUCT tape on the top so you have to untape the lid, fill it, re-stick the tape) then hang them back up, replace the metal can lid and MOST importantly put the brick firmly on the top of the can. See? I know the drill...I could do this by myself.

Why you might ask don't I just buy the woman a new bird feeder so we don't have to have duct tape at the ready? I told her I was going to buy her a new feeder. Her response? "Don't be ridiculous, I'm 94 years old, I'm not going to be around much longer." I've been hearing "I won't be around much longer" from her for the past 15 years. This from a woman who just bought herself 5 (yes FIVE) new pairs of shoes, a new queen size bed, and a new 42" plasma high definition TV. (Did I mention the discreet eye rolling and internal chuckling?)

THEN there is my younger sister - also at the house last night. I'm not going to air my family dirty laundry just suffice it to say I'm tired of her treating me like one of her elementary school students! Passing me the bruschetta, during dinner, and saying to me in her MOST teacher-like voice, "it's toast". REALLY? I thought someone left the bread out of the wrapper for three days! Geeeeeezzzzz between her and my maternal unit I wonder how I am able to function at all! FAMILY!!! Sorry - just had to vent.

I REALLY needed my Bubble time tonight. Since FAMILY is what drove me to the Bubble I thought I'd make a card for a family member. This is for daughter Amy's requested continuation of the cupcake series. Not sure if she actually gives the cupcake cards to anyone. Don't really care - just glad to make them for her and glad she likes them. Here is what I came up with.

Sprinkled with Love~Base card white linen
~Three layers of design paper (oldie but goodie set from Oriental Trading) edges smudged with Stampablities Cotton Candy~Circle punch of purple cardstock
~Scallop circle punch of green cardstock
~Image stamped using Hero Arts Cupcakes, colored using Copics, glitter dot dimensional, dots of glitter on 'frosting', cupcake highlights using white Sharpie Poster Paint
~Hot pink satin ribbon
Challenge:7 Kids College Fund - pinks and dots (posting this too late for the challenge - had BIRDS to feed you know...)
Lord Have Mercy - sketch
I have to admit that the card below and the card above were both accidents. I made the card below thinking I would use the cupcake image (above) where the silk flowers are attached. The brightness of the design paper overtook the cute little cupcake intended for this card - thus the 'birth' of two cards. I couldn't let the cupcake go without a home so put together the card above. It's best to just 'go with the flow' while spending time in The Bubble!


Raspberries - Hold the Cupcake~Base card PaperTrey Ink Raspberry Fizz
~Layer of white cardstock dotted with black gel pen ink
~Three layers of PaperTrey Ink Raspberry Fizz Mix on white and black cardstocks
~Top layer of design paper punched using Martha Stewart edge punch
~Wrap of hot pink Wrights Beader's Choice (a gift from Sister Gail - who knows I know what bruschetta is)
Challenge:
2S4Y - layout

Another busy day tomorrow on campus - that's it for me tonight.
Sweet dreams and thanks for clicking by.
Nancy

Hawaiian Hamster Chairs

One more post before I close up the Bubble. In the morning I climb back on the 'beginning of the academic year hamster wheel'. If I hadn't put the Hawaiian floral background with this particular sentiment I think I could use this image for a 'commitment card' that friend Mary Lee mentioned. I'll have to see what I could do to lessen the holiday feel and increase the 'setting for two' feel of this image. I think it has potential.
Sit with Me
~Base card white linen
~Layer of blue cardstock
~Layer of design paper - The Paper Studio Summer Floral~Stampin' Up punch - Word Window~Ribbons
~Freebie digital image from ??? I can't find the link but I have it filed as 'making our mark', image is colored using Copics, glassware is coated with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
ChallengesLittle Red Wagon - summer theme
The Pink Elephant - summer fun
Stampin' B's - scene
Our Creative Corner Sketch - layout

Thanks for clicking by.
Nancy

Pencil Parking

Hmmmm....I wonder if #2 yellow wood pencils will someday be obsolete? I hit the trifecta with card components with this one. The paper is named Recess, the image is a pencil, the buttons are ABC blocks. Don't you love it when a project comes together? School is on everyone's mind these days so this card only seems appropriate. I know school is certainly on my mind. School and the fact that campus parking is about to get IMPOSSIBLE again.

Get the Point?~Base card white linen
~Layer of BasicGrey Recess-Homeroom
~Layers of BasicGrey Recess-Answers and Recess-Classmates
~Three shank ABC buttons
~Digital image (freebie) from Shelly's Images colored with Copics, highlighted with Sharpie Poster Paints
Challenges:Card Patterns - sketch
Our Creative Corner - back to school theme
Stampin' Royalty - school theme (Thank you Sandra for the suggestion)

Bubble Mania

Bubble time will be very limited through the first week of September. College welcome week which includes evening activities and a dozen or so dinners - Bubble time will be scarce so I'm cramming in as much card making time today as I possibly can.

Life Infused~Base card PaperTrey Ink Kraft~Layer of dark brown cardstock
~Layer of BasicGrey Infuse~Smaller rectangle of ivory cardstock then a layer of dark brown cardstock
~Image is stamped using VersaColor Sand and Stampin' Up The Art of Life small background stamp the overstamped using VersaMark and Adirondack Moss embossing Powder and the flower from the same Stampin' Up set, edges smudged using the Sand pigment ink
~Moss green grosgrain ribbon
Challenge:
Play Date Cafe use the colors: dark brown, beige, green

May this day find you at peace and leave you with hope.
Nancy

Human Celebration

So excited! I made it to the "Super 6" over at Card Patterns. Whooooo hoooooo! Go me! And the BEST part? It wasn't a random number generator. REAL card making, creative, humans took the time to make the selection - not a computer. Yeah to the ladies at:

Here is my card and the five that I share this honor with:


Here is the skinny on another card.


Sweet Thoughts~Base card white linen
~Layer of My Mind's Eye Penny Lane~Rectangle of vellum
~Bottom square is made up of a layer of salmon cardstock, layer of dark teal cardstock, another layer of Penny Lane - all the edges curved using a punch
~Three small hearts punch using three colors of cardstock and coated with Inkssentials Crackle Accents and Glossy Accents~Sentiment from Just Rite
~Digital image (colorbook freebie from Marjies Malarkies) printed on Gina K Pure Luxury Ivory colored with Copics, grass added under her feet and Polar Blue 'atmosphere' sponged around periphery and layered onto dark teal cardstock; heart on the envelope coated with Inkssentials Glossy Accents
~Fabric daisy trim
Challenges:
City Crafter - heart inspiration
Alphabet Challenge - use a punch
Stamp, Scrap & Doodle - sketch

All good wishes,
Nancy

Potato Breezes

It has been difficult trying to squeeze in a little personal Bubble time this week. College freshman...they're EVERYWHERE! It's fall athlete move-in days at the university and along with the returning students are, of course, the 'newbies'. Organized chaos is the best way to describe life on campus during this time. Papers to sign, classes to sign up for, keys to be doled out, ID photos to be taken, last-minute roommate assignments to make or change. Amazing the number of (mostly girls) who are able to determine, in less than 2 hours, that their assigned roommate is incompatible with them.

And then there is the environmental SHOCK for many. Four floors in the freshman dorm...no elevators AND no air conditioning. Top floor - all men - all football players - all freshman... I don't envy the RAs (Resident Assistants) assigned to that floor. Now that must be brutal!

Actually 3 of the 4 dorms are not air-conditioned. The shock-factor is reserved for the NEW students. The 'returners' have learned to adjust, know it is imperative to have a fan, best to keep the shades down all day and windows shut, then open the window after sunset and place the fan in the window - blowing out. Returners also know the first few weeks everyone is so busy that time in the dorm is minimal and study areas ARE air conditioned. Maybe unconditioned dorm rooms encourage shy kids from hiding in their rooms forcing them to partake in the activities in the air conditioned student center.

The best request for an individual room air conditioner came from a football student from Georgia. REALLY??? You think it is hot and humid here? Oh...you must be from the cool, dry, temperate part of Georgia....Which would be WHERE???? Don't even!!! You will be so hot, tired, sweaty, after two practices a day that all you will be looking forward to is a shower, carb-heavy meal, and a bed!

On the bright side - after lugging the 'necessities' of life (speakers, X-Boxes, microwaves, dorm-size refrigerators, bean bag chairs) up four flights of high temp/high humidity climate - there are few parental teary goodbyes - as the parents flee to the comfort of their air conditioned cars.

On the helpful side - the men's varsity basketball team and a group of student peer advising leaders help with unloading cars and toting up the stairs.

Speaking of fall athletes...lots of football players, volleyball, soccer...young adults all...yesterday during the orientation luncheon the cafeteria ran out of potatoes. Chef Mike told me he cooked a pound and a half of potatoes per person...they ran out before half of the students made it through the line. Key words...FOOTBALL PLAYERS. Evidently fresh sauteed vegetables and tossed salad are not high on the average fall athlete menu choice. There was PLENTY of these low carb beauties to choose from.

Now on to a card or two.


Coral Breeze~Base card PaperTrey Ink Kraft
~Glittered layer of My Mind's Eye Out and About cardstock stack
~Coordinating layer of Out and About, fussy-cut to include the green glittered vine because I wanted it to parallel the ribbon
~Side by side vertical layers of coral grosgrain ribbon and striped grosgrain ribbon
~Image (generously free) is from the Creative Mind of Silvie, ink-jet printed on Gina K Pure Luxury Ivory and colored with Copics, her earrings and ring - dotted with Stickles Diamond, the buttons on her belt are dotted with Stickles Black Diamond, edges of the Ivory - smudged with Distress Ink - Peeled Paint
Challenge:
2S4Y sketch

May this day find you at peace and leave you with hope.Nancy

It's About TIME

This is a card I made for great-niece Ashley's high school graduation. About time you say? Traditional high school graduations were MONTHS ago! I know. However, maybe this way she'll still have the $ when she leaves for college in a few weeks. Lame excuse for being tardy with a card - I know! Better late than never? What is really sad is that I have her graduation photo sitting right here on my craft table STARING at me as a reminder to make her a card. I should have just hit the local Hallmark and tossed a store bought card in the mail. I thought this sentiment would be fitting as she is headed off to college.
Oh The Adventures You Will Have
~Base card Stampin' Up Cranberry Crisp
~Layer of Stampin' Up design paper (don't know the collection it is from)
~Vertical layers of Stampin' Up cardstocks - with Martha Stewart edge punch and white floral fabric trim
~Sentiment is a sticker from a scrapbook kit - Imagine That Travel, attached to a light green Stampin' Up piece of cardstock and attached to the card using foam dimensionals
Challenge
Get Sketchy - layout
All good wishes,
Nancy

Button, Button, Who's Got the Button

I am so flabbergasted! I was noddling around the blogosphere and saw a card on another blog that 'looked kind of like mine'. But wait - it IS my card. My blog is listed on the Creative Mind of Silvie "My Blog List". This is a FIRST for me. Wow! I feel so very honored! Silvie's digital images are fun, imaginative, and very well executed. Her card samples are scrumptious. I think my next card will feature one of her lovely lady images.

In a recent posting I featured SOME of my ribbon stash. This morning's card has buttons on it so I thought maybe I would show SOME of my button stash. Below is what is fondly referred to, by my adult kids and now grandkids, as 'the button bowl'. Adults and kids have spent hours mushing through the buttons, ooooohhhhhhing and aaaaahhhhhhing over buttons, hiding buttons... Granddaughter Bailey has sorted, categorized, and squirreled away 'favorite' buttons for years. I frequently find a mini-stockpile of 'favorite' buttons - a few in this trinket box, a couple in that dish, a small pile in a drawer...

And I've used many, many buttons from the button bowl. Here is a sample of a 'few'. The button bouquet. The second photo is a detail image.
In addition to the button bowl I have jars of buttons - most originating from the button bowl - sorted by color in my Bubble. Here are a FEW of the embellishment containers including more buttons.

And now on to the card that initiated all this yada-yada-yada.
Dimensional Daisies~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Dark Chocolate
~Layer of PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream - with lots of edge distressing using Stampin' Up More Mustard, Distress Ink Vintage Photo, Old Paper, and Antique Linen
~Layer of K & Company Wild Saffron design paper - edges smudged a bit using Distress Ink Vintage Photo~Rectangle of The Paper Company Chocolate Truffle - edges distressed using the edge of a metal ruler
~Three stamped flowers using Memento Tuxedo Black - colored with Copics (E29, E31, E43, Y11, Y38, YR21, YR, 23, YR31) - spot highlighted using Sharpie Poster-Paints (Yellow, White, Metallic Gold, and Brown)
~Flowers cut out leaving a small amount of the Vintage Cream cardstock showing - then distressed the ruffled edges using Copic E43 Dull Ivory - I found that the edge of the Gina K Design Luxury cardstock 'soaks' up the Copic very nicely
~Narrow layer of The Paper Company Chocolate Truffle topped with a coordinated design paper from K & Company Wild Saffron
~Five buttons from "The Button Bowl" - with twine threaded through each of the buttons
Challenges:
Just Us Girls - layout
iCopic Lover - use Ivory, Gold, and Chocolate Copics
Thanks for clicking in today.
Nancy

Mexican Peaches

How sad...no trip to Hobby Lobby to use this week's 40% off coupon. Oh well...it's for the 'BE$T'. We did treat ourselves to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant. We haven't been there in a very long time. In fact, Maria, our favorite waitress informed us it has been nearly a year since we were last there. In thinking back - she is right! Husband John ordered his normal Coke and I asked for water. Maria said, "What? No Diet-Coke for you?" What a memory that woman has!

Dinner was as good as I remember it to be even with the detour into the nether-regions of Elk Point, SD. They have Main Street dug up. And I mean ALL of Main Street - all five blocks!

Los Amigos is a bar/restaurant. You have to traverse the length of the bar to get to the dinning area. The food is amazingly good. It is the only restaurant I know that has 'man-bibs'. They hang on hooks near the order window. The man-bibs are LARGE bath towels with head-holes cut into them and ribbing sewn around the holes. They are like terrycloth ponchos without hoods. There are names like "Harold", "Richard", and "Darrell" embroidered on them. The man-bibs are for the (evidently sloppy eating) guys from the county who frequent this mom-pop shop for lunch. No more salsa stained ties for these government workers!

Maria made us promise not to wait another year to eat at the restaurant. I plan on holding true to that promise. (But I think I'll wait for Main Street to actually be a street.) I shouldn't complain though Elk Point is exactly three 'city' blocks wide - so any detour is really laughable. Elk Point is also home of Edgar's an old fashioned soda shop.

Only two cards "bubbled" to the surface today. That is really pathetic! Anyway - here is card number two. Card number one is below.


Well That's Just Peachie
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Melon Berry
~Layer of My Mind's Eye Vines~Oval cute and dry embossed using Cuttlebug and Oval Spellbinder - edges smudged a bit with Stampin' Up Blush Blossom and Certainly Celery
~Variegated ribbon (Transfer of Crap from my mother's house)
~Peach grosgrain ribbon
~Stamped image by Studio G from Archiver's Hot Spot
Challenge
Peachy Keen Stamps - layout
Alphabet Challenge - O is for ovals

Thank you for clicking by.
Nancy

Freud and a Cup of Java

I'm having trouble deciding what to create for cards today. Where is my Bubble muse when I need her? I keep logging in to my work PC trying to stay 'caught up' with the onslaught of returning and new students. This should be my total Bubble Time and I keep working on WORK STUFF! Somebody hit me with a 'weekends are for chillin' stick'!

I did manage to get one card made today. Someone suggested I make some civil union/wedding cards. Since I have wedding card phobia maybe that's the approach I should take. Hmmmm...maybe the whole, "I can't make a decent wedding card" affliction that I seem to suffer from is Freudian? I'll ask my husband...or maybe not! Wonder if this card would qualify as a 'commitment ceremony' card?...just a thought.



Home is Where...~Base card PaperTrey Ink Ocean Tides
~Layer of BasicGrey Archaic (A present from sista Gail - thank you)
~Layer of The Paper Company Chocolate Truffle cardstock - with edges distressed using the edge of metal ruler
~Digital image from Creative Mind of Sylvie, printed on Gina K Pure Luxury Pure Ivory, colored with Copics, trimmed with Stampendous Cobalt Blue embossing powder
~Background of the Pure Ivory cardstock is dotted with coffee and sponged with Versacolor Powder Blue (Wondering why in the world I paint brush coffee dots for background? Well THAT would be because as I was closing the 'sipper' on my 'to-go' coffee mug two spots of coffee plopped onto the already Copic'd cardstock. So as they say, "when life gives you lemons..." Or as I say, "when stupidity creates havoc...just go with the flow."
~I trimmed the circle opening to the bird house open and 'stuffed' shredded paper through the hole
~Vintage seam binding (also a gift from sissy Gail) purchased at Simple Treasures on Etsy
~Vintage button (it's actually a glass button - it must be REALLY old)
Challenges:
Shabby Tea Room - "House and Home" using blue, cream, brown, white
Stamping 411 - layout
Our Creative Corner - use embossing
Now - I may drive out to Hobby Lobby and use their 40% off coupon. It seems really silly to drive over there to use one coupon for one Copic marker - but who can pass up 40% off of anything? Maybe I'll print TWO coupons and make hubby go with me. He can buy a Copic too and give it to me as a gift. How considerate of him. "Oh John....where ARE you...????"

All good wishes,
Nancy

Bubble Time at Work

What do you get when you combine about 6 yards of large-size 'bubble wrap' and 2 college students? Rapid fire popping and peals of laughter. They popped bubbles by stomping on them and wrapping each other in the stuff and 'belly-bumping' and 'head-butting' each other. Just to make sure they annihilated every bubble they then twisted the copious quantities of buffering material into tight wads. This bubble 'play ground' was just outside my office door. I gotta' say...I LOVE my job! I guess even grown-up kids like the packaging as much as they like the contents of a package. Today's antics gave a whole new meaning to my need for 'bubble time'!


Chillin', Readin', and Sunnin'~Base card pre-made white linen cardstock
~Layer of turquoise cardstock
~Layer of K & Co. Happy Birthday 2U
~Multi-colored braid with under layer of white cardstock
~Digital image (freebie from Elizabeth O Dulemba colored with Copics
~Sentiment printed on laser printer - layered on orange and turquoise cardstocks
Challenges:
Get Sketchy - layout (oops wrong week's challenge - that's what I get for not scrolling down)
Aud Sentiments - use the sentiment 'relax' (I work with college students - I had to use 'their' verbiage for relax)
Tuesday Trigger - "she sells seashells"

I'm hoping for more Bubble time tomorrow. I can't even type the word bubble without laughing out loud about today's student performance.
All good wishes,
Nancy

Drama University

Warning! This is going to sound very sexist.

First off I have to say that both of the work-study students we have working for the Student Development office are very efficient, friendly, and fun to work with. Andi and Erin, while both have very different personalities, are a joy to have in our department. What then you might ask is the problem? The problem is DRAMA. Oh my goodness! Between roomate issues, boyfriends, hair, make-up, Facebook 'friends', rumors, and he-said-she-said, she-said-she-saids...I am SICK of drama! Drama is for TNT...not everyday in the office. Especially YOUNG college female drama...

I've never had a work-study work exclusively for me. My new boss, in his infinite wisdom, believes I should have my very own student assistant. Me, in MY infinite wisdom, think I will hire a male work-study student... I'll keep you posted on how that works out.

Speaking of Andi - tomorrow is her birthday. I baked two dozen cupcakes and bought ice-cream sandwiches for her special day. You might be thinking "ahhh....how nice of her". I have to admit there was no way I could show up on Friday without some type of treat. Andi has been on vacation with her boyfriend for nearly a week. Before she left she reminded me several times that Aug. 6 is her birthday. She wrote her name on my calendar. She posted several 'sticky notes' in various areas of the office. Then right before she left on her final day she said, "Will you make me a treat for my birthday?" So...how could I NOT bake cupcakes?

By nature Andi talks VERY LOUD (not sure she HAS an indoor voice) but can sing like an angel. Even without a sugar boost she is a whirlwind ! With all these sweets and the fact that it is 'HER' day...tomorrow will be - well let's just say - typical Andi - SUPERSIZED. Tomorrow I won't be able to tell her (as I do frequently), "Guess what Andi? It's not all about you." (Of course I say it with love...)

I didn't make all these cards this evening. These are from earlier in the week.

Missing U!
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Raspberry Fizz~Layer of white cardstock with a little sponging of Stampablilites Cotton Candy and Orange inks ~Assorted types of alphabet A through Z - sans the 'U'
~Layer of vellum with "Missing U!" stamped using Stazon Black and The Paper Studio Alphabets and Mini-Alphabets~Four different color metal eyelets in the corners
Challenges:Stampin' Royalty create your own background
Little Red Wagon use circles (the mini-alphabet stamped on the vellum has circles)


Goshawfulgooy~Base card - Gina K White~Layer of My Mind's Eye Deena's Penny Lane~Layer of brick red cardstock and striped coordinating layer of Penny Lane
~Polka dot grosgrain ribbon
~Layer of brick red cardstock topped with digital image printed on white cardstock. The image was a freebie from Arty'Mrs. I colored it using Copics and coated the glass with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects. Highlights dotted on using Sharpies Poster Paints
Challenges:
Lord Have Mercy - sketch
City Crafter - create something yummy - something food inspired
The Pink Elephant - create something yummy

What's Cookin'?
~Base card is pre-made white linen card
~Layer of blue cardstock with paisley design paper from My Mind's Eye
~Layer of dark brown cardstock topped with plaid stripe coordinating paper from My Mind's Eye
~Digital image stamped on white Gina K paper colored with Copics, blue edges introduced using sponges. Image is from Phindy's Place~Vertical layer of solid dark brown
~Sentiment printed using 'Word Art' and inkjet printer

Challenge
2S4Y - layout

I need to laydown before my head hits the laptop. Wow I'm TIRED.

Thanks for clickin in.
Nancy

RAGBRAI Sermon

The last of our RAGBRAI memories were made last night. The couple who left their car at our house for the week returned at about 8:30 pm. How grueling is that bike ride 500 miles across the state of Iowa then have to get into a car and ride 6 hours BACK!

They said they had a great time and were appreciative of the hospitality last weekend. We offered to let them spend the night before leaving for South Dakota (they were part of the Colorado Team - Gerry's Kids). They declined because they had to work this morning. WORK following a week long bicycle trek? Yes, in case you are wondering they are young. Both recently ordained Lutheran ministers. Ahhhhh to be young and energetic... Wonder what today's sermon was about?


Scrunched Medallion
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream~Layer of black cardstock
~Layer of The Paper Studio Vintage Black Checkerboard stamped with Distress Ink Peeled Paint~Layer of vellum stamped with Distress Ink Peeled Paint and a medallion background stamp
~Layer of black cardstock topped with The Paper Studio Black and Cream Medallion and three black metal brads
~Scrunched olive green ribbon salvaged from a bouquet of flowers and secured with two buttons and black embroidery floss
Challenges:
Our Creative Corner Sketch - layout
Play Date Cafe - Black, white, and a hint of green (Yes I cheated and used cream instead of white - go ahead - call the card cops!)
Really Reasonable Ribbon primarily black and white

Before you call the card coppers let's chat about the next card. Could it be that I made a wedding card? You may recall from a previous post that wedding cards are my nemesis. I don't like to make them and I don't do well at making them. I make them for other people to give at nuptial ceremonies however I run for the nearest Hallmark store whenever I need to give a wedding card. What is up with THAT???

Could it Be A Wedding?~Base card pre-made white linen
~Layer of white linen cardstock embossed using a Cuttlebug and Stylized Flowers Embossing Folder edges slightly smudged with blue chalk ink
~Prima Flowers with pearl centers applied using sticky dots and the QuicKutz QuickStik (it is awesome)
~Blue and white tulle
Challenge:Just us Girls - wedding theme
Stamping 411 - layout
That's it and that's all.
Nancy