Poseys and Packing

Yay me! I got my ribbon unpacked. While it hasn't been what I would call FUN moving all my card stuff I have enjoyed rediscovering tools and treasures, bits and bobs. I should have a box marked "scraps of paper too small to save"! I did manage to cull the herd so to speak on several items. Rather than just put things in place I made myself go through every cup, drawer, basket, and box before finding it a new home. There is a trip to the Bargain Center for a deposit in my very near future!

I already had this sweetie from  Baby Buds colored so I told myself I could make one more card before tackling another box.

Posey Pink
~Base card PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream
~Design paper - My Minds Eye Wild Asparagus - smudged with cranberry ink
~Satin ribbon rosettes (from the Dollar Tree) and green ribbon for 'leaves'
~Layers of cardstock with four metal glitter brads - edges of cardstocks roughed up using a metal ruler
~Lace around a Spellbinders cut oval using my Cuttlebug - edge smudged with Distress Ink Peeled Paint
~Baby Bud Designs image printed on PaperTrey Ink Vintage Cream colored with Copics, flowers highlighted with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
Challenges
Baby Bud Designs - flowers
Little Claire's Design - pink and green
Fairy Tale - pink and green
PaperPlay - distressing

I'm off to tackle another box. I'm determined to be done with this project before I go to bed tonight.
Have a wonderful week.
Nancy in Iowa

Doorway to Bliss

It's official! My husband and I completely swapped personal spaces. The 'computer cave' is now where my card making room was and 'My Fiber Bubble' is now nearly open for business in what was 'his' space. Or as I also referred to it: the mole hole, the geek cavern, the black hole, deep space zero, the disaster area, the viper's nest, the pigsty, the hurricane hole....do you get the drift?

What you may wonder was the reason for my own version of "Trading Spaces"? I can sum it up in one word. DOOR.

Dear husband's space was previously located in an undefined area adjacent to the family room. The problem with that? The man never met a horizontal surface he could walk by without leaving a deposit of some sort...a tool, a week-old grocery list, a movie stub from daughter Amy's last month visit, a grocery receipt dated March 24, 2009, an empty soda bottle, a computer bit, bite, or bolt, a church program... Not sure if he is a certifiable pack-rat, a close contender for the "Hoarders" reality TV show, or was just born with an especially dominate MAN gene.

He kept sprawling closer and closer to the family room...into my quilting area...across the room to the piano...It was like watching a petri dish colonize a rare, insidious, and potentially lethal, unstoppable bacteria. Ever heard of MRSA?(Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)? Well this was CRSA (Clean-Resistant Stuff-alococcus Allovertheplacis).

SO! The computer cave is now and forever more contained within a confined space...with a DOOR! The move is actually a win-win situation. I now have my quilting quarters and my card making area all in one space! Dear husband won't have to listen to my frequent diatribes regarding the state of computer clutter, plus the downstairs area is cooler - much more to my liking than his.

I'm still organizing the New and Improved Bubble. I don't like working in a cluttered workspace so I just made myself pretend I don't have a stack of unpacked crates and boxes sitting behind me and forced myself to make a card. I had to take time to challenge myself with not only working in a crazy mess but to use the yummy color challenge over at Play Date Cafe! Plus I used a stamp that I rediscovered during the moving avalanche! A Chunky Foam stamp - remember those?

Flowers Found
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Spring Rain
~Stamped image - chunky foam stamp by Anita's
~Image colored with Copics, flower centers stamped with Taylored Expressions Friendship Blooms using Versamark and embossing powders: Cobalt Blue, Wintergreen Pastel (from my "what was I thinking when I bought this" collection, Eggplant, and Evergreen
~Background paper - Remember When - Blue Stripe
~Faux stitches using green fine point Sharpie
Challenges
Play Date Cafe color photo inspiration
Totally Gorjuss - spring has sprung
Wee Memories - anything goes
Scrapbook Sisters - anything goes

I should have added a touch of ribbon - but it's not unpacked yet. Ribbon is next on my list! Maybe I'll post a few photos of the new Fiber Bubble when I get it all arranged.

Thanks for popping by.
Nancy in Iowa

Pushing Sherbet

I am privy to some pretty hysterically funny college conversations in my office. My office frequently serves as an after class and after choir hang-out. I have an extra computer in my office so it gets cranked into You Tube and there are multiple conversations of recapping the day, plans for the weekend, who posted what on Facebook, test grades, homework....you get the drift.

Most of the time I rely on my super-mom power of tuning them out - since I have work to do - and they don't really come by to see me - they just want to 'chillax' before the collegiate conveyor belt transports them to the next station of education and experiences. For the most part there is no filter when they speak. They are, however, all very aware of and follow my imposed rule of restricted word 'bombs'. When I do tune in I am usually suppressing a giggle or horrified glance.

This week's captured conversation involved two male students and four female students. They are all great friends and the laughter meter was off the scale. Watching the two male freshman students' faces while the girls were describing situations where it is perfectly acceptable to wear two bras....well...as the Master Card commercial says....it was 'priceless'. (This is an example of my tune-out powers - I have absolutely NO idea how they arrived at this topic. I missed the entire build up to talking about bras.)

The girls instructed the guys that they always wear two bras when they go running....and then went on to illustrate (with peels of laughter) what happens in a 'one-bra scenario', a 'two-bra scenario' and the dreaded no-bra scenario.

The alternate dual-bra circumstance has to do with endowment. Evidently there are physical benefits to doubling the push of a push-up bra.... This conversation also included hysteria, demonstrations, name dropping, and photos on Facebook featuring the no bra, single bra, and double bra looks.

I should have made a card about support or one with a bra in keeping with the talking points of today's blog. However as I got ready to upload this photo - I realize this card may be on topic after all and I may never look at TWO SCOOPS of ice cream without remembering the 'day of the bras' conversation.

I wasn't even aware that there are 'two-bra situations'.

Sherbet Scoops
~Base card white linen
~Layer of BasicGrey Acid Washed Dawson Collection - Variegated Stripe D
~Orange sheer ribbon layer with orange/yellow dotted grosgrain ribbon
~Taylored Expressions Friendship Blooms die cut flowers - topped with ready made white glitter flowers with blue rhinestones
~Digital image from Super Color Book, colored with Copics
Challenges
Just Us Girls - color challenge
Sugar Creek Hollow - anything goes
Stamp Something - sweet
Art Impressions - die cuts, punches
Charisma Cardz - use dies
Etsy Inspired - Dollbirdies inspiration
Basic Grey - use something recycled (the orange ribbon is repurposed from a bouquet of flowers)

May the rest of your weekend be sherbet colorful!
Nancy in Iowa

Forty Shades of Green

I think I forgot how busy this time of year is on campus. I don't have time for the BUBBLE - how sad. I did take time to watch my favorite video short Marcel the Shell with Shoes On. I don't know why but I laugh out loud every time I watch it. Bad day at work so a revisit of Marcel was just what I needed.

In the spirit o' the green of this week's St. Patrick's Day I thought I'd MAKE myself find enough energy to post this. I don't have a lot of cards that I make that I think to myself...'oh I REALLY like that!' But this one I do REALLY like it.

Get Your Green On
~Base card Gina K Designs
~Digital image by A Day for Daisies printed on Gina K Designs
~Swarovski crystal 'buttons' (gift from my sissy Judy)
~Design paper - Designs by Reminisce
~Big shot rivet (gift from my sissy Gail)
Challenges
Delightful Challenges - show us some green
Pixie Dust Studio - go green
A Day for Daisies - go green
Creative Card Crew - green
For Fun - green
Sisterhood of Crafters - St. Patrick's Day
Papercraft Star - St. Patrick's Day
High Hopes Stamps - go green
Card Cupid's Blog - green
Shelly's Images - anything goes.

Thank you for clicking by.
Nancy in Iowa

Grad School Fairy

You can all rest easy tonight. My weekly chores at my 94 year old mother's house have been completed. The bird feeders are bulging with sunflower seeds, the linens have been changed, the carpet vacuumed, and MOST importantly her queen size mattress has been flipped. This is VERY important to do every three months...EVERY THREE MONTHS!!! Not that it's a big deal - but the woman weighs about 90 pounds - SOAKING WET! She then proceeded to shoo me out the door...as she was late for listening to the high school state basketball tournament on the radio... In case you were wondering - she likes to listen to high school basketball on the radio, she likes to watch baseball on TV, she dislikes football.

I am currently awaiting a text from one of 'my' students. She stopped by at 4:30 pm tonight in a panic. The grad school she applied to requested more 'stuff' and it is due tomorrow. She has about 6 more pages of documents to write and I promised I would proof read it before she sends it off to California. I hope she sends me the text followed by an email SOON. I make no guarantees of my proof reading and editing abilities after midnight!!!

Fairy Tales
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Kraft
~Layer of Basic Grey Pheobe
~Horizontal layer of dark brown cardstock with another layer of Basic Grey Pheobe
~Three buttons
~Layer of brown and green cardstocks edges curved with punch
~Free digital image by Elizabeth O Dulemba colored with Copics, wings Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
Challenges
Crafty Purple Frog - things with wings
Basic Grey - wings
Paper Crafting Journey - things with wings
Incy Wincy Designs - use pastel colors
KB Cute Monday - use pink
Digi's With Attitude - anything goes

Thanks for clicking by.
Nancy in Iowa

Who Needs Design Paper?

I made a card without using design paper. It was a challenge for me but I had fun with it. A little Cuttlebug, a little embossing powder - and hey who needs a designer?!

Cheery Cherries
~Base card - Gina K Designs Pure White
~Layer of red cardstock stamped with Stampin' Up Perfect Plaid using Versamark and Ranger Black embossing powder and a small flower image stamped using Versamark and Ranger Seafoam White embossing powder
~Layer of white cardstock with the edges smudged with black and run through the Cuttlebug and the Swiss Dots embossing folder
~Three metal red brads
~Layer of black glossy cardstock with layer of red/white dot ribbon
~Digital image (freebie by Melon Headz) printed on Cryogen White and colored with Copics; Stickles red dots on dish, dish topped with Inkssentials Crackle Accents; cherry paper-cut and topped with Inkssentials Glossy Accents
~Side cherries stamped and colored with Copics and highlighted with Inkssentials Glossy Accents
Challenges
Sketch Saturday - sketch
Crafty Pad - ribbon
Aly's Sunday - anything goes
Shabby Tea Room - red, white, black
Play Date Cafe - black, white, and a splash of color

Thanks for clicking by.
Nancy in Iowa

Horse and Dragon Afternoon

Sitting here watching Disney's Secretariat with daughter Amy and husband. They went to the movie theatre this afternoon and I spent time in the Bubble. I colored this a few days ago and made the card this afternoon. I went with the colors of Ireland's  flag: orange, green, and white.

Paddy O'Dragon
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink
~Layer of Basic Grey Obscure
~Layer of green cardstock with another layer of Obscure
~Ribbon and bow made using Bow Easy, gold metallic floss added
~Layers of white, green, orange cardstocks edges curved with punch
~Digital image by Dustin Pike printed on Gina K Designs Pure White cardstock
~Gold coins highlighted with Stickles Yellow
~Shoes highlighted with Stampin' Up Crystal Effects
Challenges
Just us Girls - sketch
Crafty Emma's - St. Patrick's Day/good luck
Alphabet - R is for ribbon
Fairy Knoll - green
Paper Cutz - St. Patrick's Day
Card Makin' Mama - something green
Southern Girls - brads
The Sisterhood of Crafters - brads and ribbons

Thank you for clicking by.
Nancy in Iowa

Kool Treats

Just a card tonight. No blathering about me, my day, or the continuing saga of my 'fish-sitting'. I will, however report that yes they are still on my desk, yes I am still feeding them, and yes - (thankfully) they "just keep swimming, just keep swimming".

With a Cherry on Top
~Base card - PaperTrey Ink Kraft cardstock
~Four coordinating design paper by Making Memories Cheeky Collection
~Stamps Happen Ice Cream Cones stamped on Kraft cardstock, hand torn, using Versamark, Ranger black embossing powder, colored with Copics, cherries highlighted with Ranger red embossing powder
~Large 'celebrate' grommet by We R Memories
Challenges
Secret Crafter - sweet treats
Try it on Tuesday - inspired by a song (Celebration by Kool and the Gang)
Ooh La La - pink, pink, and more pink
Crafy Pad - something yummy for your tummy
Creative Inspirations Paint - birthday
Sparkles Forum - pink, brown, and blue
Cupcake Craft - anything but a square
Frosted Designs - use metal

Thank you for clicking by.
All good wishes,
Nancy in Iowa