Letter B

Hi again,

Today is the B day. The background for this card is called "distressed ink". You take the ink pads and drag them across the paper. The little bear is stamped on cork, cut out and layed on New England Ivy cardstock. The stamps and inks used are CTMH, the white background is from Walmart. The ribbon is from my stash. This was a fun, easy card to make. Sometimes it helps if you don't think to much.

I haven't quite got my C card put together. The swap was mailed but I always make an extra card for me. I have boxes of cards I'm finding. Spent most of the day trying to organize my space. Now if you saw it you'd laugh. Someday I'll post a picture, but I must warn you there is no paint on the walls only plaster board. I had to move everything out to do that and said I'd paint around it when the time came. Guess what the time hasn't come yet. It will one of these days.

I was down at my sister-in-laws when my brother was sick. She's addicted like I am to stamping and scrapping. I really thought I had a lot of stuff, but she beats me all to heck. She has the big Cricut, which I don't have, not even the small one. Then she has all these folders for the Big Shot and Cuttlebug. I have a drawer full but she has a big box, and I mean big. Guess I don't need to buy when I can borrow. My other sister-in-law and daughter-in-law were with me. They couldn't believe how much fun we could have at her house. So it's been decided when they all come back for a visit we're doing an all nighter at her house. No little kids, just us big kids. Hopefully that'll happen on Mother's Day weekend, but we'll have to wait and see.

Thanks for stopping by, come back again.

Hugs,

Bobbi

The start of the Alphabet Swap

I have joined an Alphabet swap. Each card must have something stamped on the front starting with the letter. Today's is A. Now think of the things that start with A. Of course if you live in North Central Washington the first thing that comes to mind is Apples. There used to be one right behind it, until they pulled it for houses. Now it's just a field. Off tract again. The card for today is an apple. The base is white, layered with Olive, then Chocolate cardstock. The words "Garden of Delight" are embossed with Olive embossing powder. The image was colored with markers. The mulberry paper is from my stash. All the other products are from Close to My Heart.

I've tried to upload the newest Idea Book on my page but for some reason it won't upload. If you like one let me know. They are now coming out with on 2 a year. The next one will come out in July with Summer, Fall and Winter stamps. All the items will stay on sale until the end of the year.

Since I'm on vacation this week and home, I'll try and get the B and C uploaded. I'm starting my work on D now. I also have some small books to upload, these are real cool.

Until then take care and thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,

Bobbi

1st Post of the Year

What can I say, it's been a while. Life has been busy and has taken alot out of my family. If you know me, it's always been family first. This past year has been a very hard one for everyone. I told you earlier, my brother had cancer. On the morning, March 24, he join our Lord in Heaven. He fought a real battle with cancer, but once again as all others, lost. My belief is we are put here for a reason and when we've met it we move on. We found at Bill's Celebration of Life, he touched many people in many ways. Of the 4 of us kids, he was the one that was quiet and layed back. He wasn't quiet when he was mad and had a temper but compared to the rest of he was pretty quiet. He loved to fish and do woodworking. He had the hands of someone out in the sun. He wasn't always a successful fisherman but would share if you'd clean them, which I always made him do when he gave me fish. I don't know how to clean and refuse to learn, thus I don't fish. Rule is you catch them, you clean them. He was always con-able (not sure that's a word). So he always cleaned my fish, besides I was the oldest and you don't argue with big sister. I'll miss calling him and him saying is this "My Butt head sister". As for his woodworking he made some wonderful things. I have a roll top desk in my living room that has to stay here as we can't get it out of the door and it's very heavy. So it'll always be my reminder. He made a beautiful hutch for his wife last year. We were very proud of the work he did. I'm going to miss him so much. We alway got a good laugh from him cause he was a yard sale nut. He bought things that were pure junk saying he could fix it. I can't remember how many cars he fixed for his grandson, so he could drive them around the yard. You know the kid type cars with the batteries. All the nieces and nephews had a good time going to his house to see what contrap he jury rigged. Oh! Billy Boy, your going to missed by us all. May you rest in peace without pain. We love you. My next post will be back to cards, this was something I had to do for me to get closure. I will miss him alot. Hugs, Bobbi

Back from the Beyond

Hopefully my computer will let me upload some of the cards I've been doing. The card today is one of my Christmas cards. The idea was taken from a card in Cards Magazine. I really hope you enjoy it, as some lucky person is getting it from my Christmas card list.

This card is done on a white card base. The layering is Navy Blue card stock, then white embossed with Christmas tree bulbs. The bows are done in silver ribbon. The bars are Navy cardstock covered in white, I pierced the white, then added Silver snowflake brads and a Silver ball with a silver brad. The Merry Christmas is a clear sticker. I love how this card turned out. The inside says, "Merry Christmas", with a stamped Snowflake.

Christmas is always a Happy time for family and friends. On Friday our afterschool program will have our first awards day for the kids. Each child that has been in class 30 days will receive a gift bag and certificate. I can't believe there are 41 children getting this. Some only missed it by a day. For those not getting the bag, they'll get a bag with a slap band and candy cane. For some reason the kids love these slap bands. I must say they come in very bright colors. I've had a great time doing up the bags. I'll have a party at my house for all the teachers the Wed. after Christmas, as I know how busy they are with family things when we finish getting ready for their own Christmas's. We'll get started on the New Year early. I can't tell you what a wonderful crew I have. These ladies go way beyond what is needed to make sure the kids all enjoy what they are learning. I'm very thankful for that, it makes my job so much easier.

Until next time, thanks for stopping by. I'll try and keep you updated on all the happenings in my life, some good and some not so good.

Hugs,

Bobbi

Hello

I've tried to post a few times and it wouldn't let me add pictures. I have alot of cards stacked up to share, but need to wait now for a photo program on my computer. Got a worm and lost everything.

Life has been moving on. Working on my house getting ready for Thanksgiving company. Everyone is coming home as this is probably my brothers last Thanksgiving with us. This is pretty hard on everyone. He's in great spirits and doesn't look as sick as he is. Has started to lose some weight, but not much yet. Everyone will start arriving here on Wed. They are all coming through snow storms and high winds. Everyone on this side of the United States is getting high winds and snow or rain and low temps. It was -14 here this morning, we have 1" of snow scattered somewhere. The wind blows so hard we're lucky to have a house. So far the trees are all still standing.

This is going to be short. Promise I'll have a photo program soon. Till then, have a great day and stay warm.
Hugs,
Bobbi

It's been awhile

I seem to say that alot. But it's true, been about 24 days. There is no excuse, I've been busy and think about getting on then don't have things ready to share. So, today I have lots to share.

We are praying very hard for my brother. It started 2 weeks ago, if your family you've read the nieces/cousins blog, if not you get it here. About 12 years ago my brother had a brain tumor. They removed it and said it was not cancerous. That was great, yet every year he has test to make sure it isn't back. This year he went for his tests and while waiting to go in thought he was having a heart attack. My sister-in-law rushed him to the hospital and they did the ekg and said he was fine, but his chest kept hurting. They decided to do an endeoscope and colon thing. Well, they found a tumor on top of his stomach where the esophagus goes in. Appointments were set up in Seattle with specialists and surgeons, for Tue. of the following week. On Friday my sister-in-law called and said he'd broken his arm taking the grandkids car seat out. It slipped and snapped his arm. They couldn't set it so set up surgury on Sat. He went in at 1:30 and at 4:00 they said that they were having problems with the screws to hold the plate in his arm. The bone was soft and didn't look good. They took a biopsy and sent everything with him to Seattle. During the meeting with the specialist the pathologist called saying the biopsy showed Stage 4 bone cancer. His hip had been hurting real bad so now we are keep an eye on it. He goes for radiation on his arm on Friday, they'll then set up radation on his hip and leg then. We know this is not a cure, but to keep the bones from breaking and to lesson the pain. He's been in pain since he came home but has kept his spirit up. I'd like all of you to please keep him in your prayers as he can use all he can get. Our family is very close and really enjoy each other, so this has been very hard for us. We know we will work through this together and help each other to over come our pain and grief.

Now, I'll try and take you to a happier place. I decided I needed some stress relief, so here's what happened. I joined a postcard swap. What's that you say, well I'm not really sure myself. I decided I'd make them like a card front. The first one I did was a technique called "Out of the Box", I used a white background and used tape to put the top layer on, hoping it would hold it on going through the mail. I then Embossed the stamp image is silver, not thinking that it was 2 layers and may not come out even. Here's the result, you can let me know what you think. The stamp set is from Our Daily Bread. It's a beautiful set that I won from Technique Junkies.

The second one is pretty simple, as I had done one kind of like it before. I random stamped snowflakes in 2 shades of blue, Dutch Blue and Star Spangle Blue (CTMH). I put a scratch paper circle in the center to stamp and sponge around and to leave a white spot to stamp in. I used the snowman from Snow Friend from CTMH. I love this set, you can do all kinds of thing with it. I colored the snowman with markers, then added glitter to the snow drops and the bottom. I'm hoping the glitter doesn't fall off in the mail. Yes, I made extras for my Christmas sending. This will cut down on postage by about $.20 a card.

Now comes the third card. It took alittle more time but I love it. The stamps are from 2 different places, but seem to fit together. The stalks and pumpkins is from CTMH and retire call Autumn Harvest. The saying is from 2000 Umage Rubber Works. It says "Oh, Bountiful Season Of Barley and Wheat Of Pumpkins and Chestnuts And Apples so Sweet Crisp Autumn Days And Frost on the Vine Sprinkled with Colors That make Fall so Devine. These are my favorite Fall stamps. The images were colored with markers. The were embossed in black so they would show up.

I think by taking time to do this gave me back alittle sanity, not much but some. I still get very emotional about everything, but feel I'm maintaining better that usual. All the family will be here for Thanksgiving, when we can all be thankful for the things the Lord has given us. I know for every thing that happens there is a reason, even if we don't see it. This will make us all stronger in the end. Keep the family in your prayers. Until I share again. May you have much happiness in the smallest of things.

Hugs,

Bobbi

Busy, Busy, Busy

Boy, it's been awhile since I've been on here. My title pretty much says it all. What I thought would be nice little part time job, has turned into full time, at least until I get it all figured out. Hopefully that will be soon, cause I'm sure tired. Love the job, but makes me really tired. Been going to sleep in my chair about 7 then to bed about 11. I do get up about 6 though. Taking some tiime off next week though, going to the Dr. Also Cody's birthday and a State Alcohol class. So will face the mess when I get back. Have about 65 kids registered, they are from Kindergarten thru 2nd. So I'm thinking this isn't to bad. Should have about 90, we'll get there.

Anyway, I have a share for you today. Did this before things went crazy. It's a card I did for a technique swap. The technique is called Worn Wallpaper. To do this you need to have a crackle type stamp. Mine is from Stampin up from years ago. Most of the time people use white ink to do this. My white ink wasn't showing up so I used brown on a patterned paper. The paper is from my stash of blocked paper. The kind you get at Walmart. This one is multi toned. My base card is white, with a layer of Goldrush (CTMH), then the Worn Wallpaper. The Scarecrow is from a retired set from CTMH. I colored it with markers. The backing is Buttercup (CTMH) and white (Walmart), I flicked the ends with Brown ink. I tied a piece of raffia around the colored cardstock. The inside has a Scare

Crow. This is a real easy technique. You can do it on most patterned papers. Hope you enjoyed the share. I'll try and get back sooner. Until the next time.

Hugs,

Bobbi