Sample Cards for Iris Folding Class

Janet Bradshaw and I are scheduled to teach a tea bag folding and iris folding class in Temple on June 13th. I just finished my samples. The Texas was made with a template that Janet made on her Cricut and the heart was made using a die cut from Quickutz and making your own template. I hope this class makes because it will be a fun one to teach.

Mother's Day Pictures & Kenny's Grad Announcements

Hello. Happy belated Mother's Day! We had a great day shopping for plants, having lunch, riding on my new lawnmower, finishing Kenny's graduation announcements and just spending time together!

I got the perfect combination of Mother's Day gifts. Tom bought me a scroll saw for my rubber stamps and a riding lawnmower to stroll around the yard and get the grass mowed at the same time. Maggie got me the colorful plants and Kenny got me the bloomin' cactus behind them in one of these pictures! That's just about me in a nutshell!

Kenny and Maggie had fun taking pictures and being goofy!! Just the way I like them!

Maggie designed and made Kenny's graduation announcements for me. I helped her a little bit!

Happy Mother's Day Card

Happy Friday! Life is good over here.
I just got a new order from Scrapbook Haus and putting it in the mail today.
Finished a Mother's Day Card for Tom's mom.
Working on my class at Wendaful's in Temple for tomorrow.
Joyce and I will be teaching a "Christmas in July" class at Scrapbook Haus on July 25th!
Maggie will finish semester classes today and begin studying for finals. Last final on the 19th. Kenny just completed two AP Exams this week and has two more to go next week. Then it should be smooth sailin' to graduation!!
Tom begins the first half of his 2 month PAID sabbatical June 1. He can't wait!!!

I absolutely love this JAM'N Stamps Iris stamp. I know you've seen one card with it. But I just wanted to make another and give it to Tom's mom. I know many who don't get along with their mother-in-law. This is so not the case with me. Tom's mom is awesome and we've had a great relationship for 22 years. She is kind, caring and thoughtful and I'm blessed to have her in my life!!
Happy Mother's Day! Marg!! Love, JS

Scrappin' and Stampin' Room

Good Monday morning! I love this cool morning. All my windows are open - at least for a few hours. Last week, I made an effort to clean up my scrapbooking room. It is a process. I'm still mulling through my papers and trying to organize them, but I thought I should take pictures of the room before I mess it up again!

I'm also working on some cards that a friend of mine ordered. Since she ordered 100 cards, I wanted to make the majority of them simple, but always with a touch of sparkle. On the flag, I used one of the Cuttlebug strips for the first time on the card and envelope. I stamped white cardstock with our Texana Designs flag stamp and embossed it with Ranger denim. I painted the red part of the flag with Twinkling H2O Garnet and the flagpole with my Pearlescent Watercolors Gray. And for my touch of sparkle, I added one tiny red star. These are cool little peel stickers made by Stampendous!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!

House Mouse Stampin'

I love House Mouse stamps. They were some of the first stamps I ever played with. My first calendar set was made with House Mouse stamps. They are cute and fun to paint. I've been cleaning up my scrapbooking room (pictures to follow in another post) and ran across my rather large bag of House Mouse stamps. I decided to take a break from our Texana Designs stamps and make a few card with the House Mouse stamps. Here are two and I have a few more I want to paint.

I stamped them with VersaMark and Black Memento ink (I agree that Memento is the best ink to use with Copic markers) and embossed with Ranger Clear embossing powder. I'm not the best painter and embossing the image helps stay inside the lines, but I still slip from time to time (no looking too close!!). Ugh! It drives me crazy, but not crazy enough to start over!! I just received the new "Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink in all eight colors. They are beautiful. I painted the umbrellas and noses and outlined the flowers with them. I used Core'dinations Paper with the Cuttlebug and some bling.

Maggie is coming over today to help with Kenny's graduation announcements. I always welcome her visual gift!!

WooHoo!

This is a picture of us last fall at a reception for Commended National Merit Scholar recipients. Kenny was a recipient and we were very proud of him. Today, we received more good news. Kenny was accepted into the Honors Program at UNT in Denton! Way to go Kenny!!

A CARD FOR MOM

I've been thinking a lot about my Mom today, this week and this month. Actually, I probably don't go a day without thinking about her - having some special memory of her, but this month was the 6 year anniversary of her death and Mother's Day is approaching. She died the day after Easter with her entire family with her. It was truly a holy moment and I know she left this Earth knowing how much she was loved. She was an extraordinary human being, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, daughter, friend, and wife. Her sweet, loving spirit truly matched her physical beauty. She was funny, kind, strong, compassionate, loving and she and my Dad lived every day to the very fullest. She lived with kindest and dignity and she left this world thinking about others. I learned so much from her and received so much from her. One thing I shared with her (when I was in my twenties) was my love of plants and flowers. Boy did I reap the benefits of that one!! She loved her rose gardens and a variety of other flowers. Weekly, my Dad would send me a picture through e-mail when another flower bloomed. I loved it!!

This card is for my Mom and her rose gardens!

(Thanks Libby for the loan of the stamp!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE!!!!

Good morning! Maggie is 22 today! She never ceases to amaze me. I'm so proud of her and what she has accomplished in her 22 years and I can't wait to see what the future holds! More importantly, I've never seen her happier! Have a great day, Ms. Mag!!! Love, MOM

Thanks for stopping by!!

A Touch of Many Things

Happy Sunday!

Maggie is turning 22 on Tuesday and we are taking her out for her favorite dinner tonight -- sushi. She is absolutely loving her spruced up condo and living alone for the first time - ever. I've never seen her happier and that makes Mom happy!!

Last week was so crazy getting out stamps orders that I asked Tom to get me a scroll saw for Mother's Day. He said OK and then today asked if I might want an IPod or flowers. Not really. How about a scroll saw and some new cactus for our cactus garden. Fortunately, Kenny works at Hill Country Water Gardens and they have awesome native Texas plants, etc. there!

Today I had an opportunity to play with several techniques and products. For our Texana Designs Cactus Border stamp, I used Versamark and Rich Cocoa Memento Ink and then embossed it with Ranger Clear. I used the Cuttlebug on the background paper and flowers from my Calypso Tin of flowers. That was really cool! I used Copic markers on our Texana Designs Cactus Border Stamp and around the edge of image with a touch of sponged StazOn Timber Brown and the sun was with my new fiskers squeeze punch, colors with Copic markers and then a touch of Flower Soft on the cactus flower. And, of course, a few bling.

ATTEMPT AT FLOWER SOFT CARD

Happy Friday! Life has been crazy good around here and this week didn't leave much time for creating. I have a stamp order to get out, but decided to take time to try out my new Flower Soft products I got at Wendaful's Scrapbooks in Temple yesterday. Joyce taught a Cuttlebug class and I went along to play and deliver a stamp order. We treated ourselves to a pedicure after the class. Aah!!!

I used one of my very first stamps to make this card. I thought the flowers would work well with the Flower Soft. I used the Cuttlebug, Momento inks, Copic markers for the vase, and a few bling.

I look foward to more play time over the weekend!

Have a great one!

CARDS MY DEAR FRIEND MADE

I have a dear friend (Kay Childers) that I used to work with at Cedar Valley M.S. I turned her on to scrapbooking and cardmaking when I worked there. About a month ago, I introduced her to the Cuttlebug and shortly thereafter, she purchased one. I went over to her house one afternoon and gave her a mini-tutorial. She has been one busy lady ever since - producing gorgeous cards. These are two of my favorites. I love what she did with our Texana Designs mini butterfly and I love the colors in her flower card! Love your cards, dear friend!!

Joyce and I are off to Temple tomorrow. She is teaching a Cuttlebug class and I'm going to play and deliver a stamp order!! We are treating ourselves to pedicures and one of Crow's famous burgers after the class. Too much fun!!

TWO MORE PROM PICS AND THEN BACK CREATIN'

Good Monday morning! I thought I was through posting prom pictures, but I just love these two pictures. They show the personalities of Kenny and Meaghan. They are best friends who really care about each other and they love to be goofy and have fun. We took these at the Arboretum Saturday night!

Well, I'm off to play with the Cuttlebug today. Can't wait to see what we come up with.

Have a great day!

PROM PICTURES

Well, I promised new Prom pictures. Here they are! They had a great time last night. Kenny took the weekend off from work. Poor Meaghan had to work today.

I'm hoping to do some creating today and I have a play day with Joyce tomorrow. I hope to have something to post Monday night or Tuesday.

Have a great day on this absolutely gorgeous day!!

PROM NIGHT

Well, Kenny just left to pick up Meaghan for the Prom. I took a few pictures before he left. I need a good pic for his graduation invitations that I will be doing (haven't a clue what I want to do yet). I really like this one. We are meeting up with them in an hour to take more pictures of the group (11 couples) at the Arboretum. The first picture is Meaghan and Kenny before last year's Prom.

Next post will be this year's picture.

Meaghan will be attending U.T. next year and Kenny UNT.

























We also partially moved Maggie back into the condo today. Tom is working on installing a new kitchen sink for her, and, of course, it didn't go as smoothly as planned. Back tomorrow to complete the project.

CRUISE WORD BLOOM ALBUM

Hello. I can't believe it's been a week since I posted. Life is going way too fast over here. Prom is this weekend. Maggie is moving back into her condo after several weeks of sprucing it up a bit. We are going to garage sales this weekend to look for treasures for her place!! As soon as Tom puts in the new sink, she's homeward bound. It's been great having her around! And she will be only 30 minutes away. Our rent house, that was vacated the first of March, is moving right along in its renovation. We hope to have it on the market by May.

I spent Monday with friends at the Scott & White hospital in Temple. Pam's hubby had major back surgery and 3 of us kept her company. As of the last update, Rich is doing OK but lots of pain!! Something I wouldn't wish on anyone. Hopefully, he will be home this weekend.

I went to Rubber Maidens class last night where my friend Joyce taught. We had a great time, but how can you not have fun when Joyce is around!! I will post my project when it's completed. I have a few little final touches to do!

And, Etsy has been pretty good to Texana Designs this week!

Last week, I did a CRUISE album (Heart of Texas Studio chipboard word blooms) as a sample for a possible class. The class didn't work out, but I now have my Cruise book from a cruise I took last year with a friend of mine. I immediately made her book, but dropped the ball on mine. I love this book made with Bo Bunny polka dot papers. It's amazing how one's looks can change in a year. In the book, I have short red hair. Now I have medium length silver hair!

Have a great day and enjoy the rain!!

BITTERSWEET MOMENT!

Happy Wednesday! My son, Kenny, is a senior at McNeil H.S. He has been in theatre all 4 years and every production in all 4 years. Last week was his last high school play competition and last production. They performed "Madwoman of Chaillot". Unfortunately, they did not advance, but everyone did a great job. As the year draws to an end, I'm about to complete a chapter in my life. The chapter of public school volunteering. I've been in PTA (mostly officer role) for the last 16 years and Theatre Booster Club Officer for 4 years. It was a great way for me to be part of Kenny's public school experience and I met an extraordinary group of students and parents.

Kenny will begin his new chapter in life at the University of North Texas in the fall. His major will be in psychology and hope to go to grad school and study "sleep disorders."

Maggie continues this chapter in her life with a slight change. She will stay at U.T. at least one more year and get a double major in anthropology/biology so she will have more options for grad school. She has been leaning more toward the study of cephalopods (octupus, squid, etc.) and not just primates. Santa Cruz on Monterey Bay is looking pretty good right now!!! Mom wouldn't mind visiting at all!!

I'm looking forward to the next chapter "It's All About Me" (just kidding). But it's time to focus more on my passion "creating". I'm looking forward to learning new techniques, taking classes, teaching classes, meeting many, many like-minded people, and spending time with the friends I already have in my life!

And, Tom and I would love to continue our travels. We hope the economy works with us on that one!!

It's Another Copic Wildflower Day!

It's already been a busy weekend. I have an order for 4 sets of coasters (bluebonnets and chili peppers) and worked on them all morning. I'm almost done. I need to protect them, pad them, and pretty them up with ribbon!

Here's another one of Joyce's wildflower stamps painted with Copic markers! Too much fun!

Have a great weekend!

P.S. If anyone is having a birthday soon, this card is for you!!

Copic Marker Cards!!! I love these markers!!

I have had so much fun today! Between my new Copic markers, Core'dinations Paper and the Cuttlebug, I would have a hard time choosing which one I'm enjoying the most! These three products make for awesome cardmaking and stamping.

The first card I made was with Joyce's "Paintbrush" stamp. Important: Do not use StazOn with your Copic markers. It will bleed. I used Memento Black. I used three orange-red markers for the flower, two green markers for the leave. The frame is in a teal blue. Used a teal Core'dination paper, Orange textured cardstock and the Cuttlebug with a little green ribbon and orange bling.

The second card I also made with Joyce's "Iris" stamp. Joyce's stamps are great for painting with Copic markers. I used two purple markers and one yellow for the flower and two green for the leaves. I smudged the rim of the card with StazOn purple (fine for using around the card, just not painting in the stamp). Purple Core'dination paper, Yellow textured cardstock and Cuttlebug with some bling and our Texana Designs "Thank You" stamp.

Have a great day!

CRUISIN' AND SCRAPBOOKIN' - GREAT COMBINATION!!!

Joyce and I spent the day in Temple at Wendaful Scrapbooks teaching a class, discussing future classes and talking about the upcoming First Wendaful Scrapbook Cruise (October 31st - November 5th). I've been on several cruises and went on this particular cruise just last spring with a girlfriend, but it was not a scrapbooking cruise. It was great fun! I've always wanted to do a scrapbooking cruise and this one just plopped into my lap unexpectedly.

Janet Bradshaw and I will be doing a Round Robin at Wendafuls on May 9th and teaching tea bag and iris folding classes June 13th.

I also purchased my first set of Copic Markers and can't wait to get started. I will attend an Introductory Class in April at Wendaful Scrapbooks, but also spend some time looking for great Copic Marker tutorials.

And, I found a great denim shirt!

Not to mention, that one of my high school girlfriends, (who lives in Temple) that I had not seen in over 30 years, came by the store and surprised me. We had a wonderful visit and promised to not wait 30 more years (ha!) to get together again! Overall, A GREAT DAY!!

Maggie and Petey's Playday

Maggie and her pet snake, Petey, have been together since her sophomore year in high school. She is now a senior at U.T. When Mags got home from school today, she and Petey had playtime together. I know how many feel about snakes, but Petey is a really fun snake. I had the best time with her yesterday while Kenny and Maggie cleaned out her home. I was on the computer holding her and she decided that the books in the bookshelf looked interesting. She curled in behind the books and knocked all of them off the shelf. They were falling all over me, but I couldn't catch them and continue to hold on to Petey at the same time. I wish I had pictures of it. I don't. But I do have pictures of Maggie and Petey having fun together.

Catching Up - Three Posts Today!

As most of you know, we have been busy sprucing up our condo where Maggie lives! She has really taken ownership on her place and spent many hours (all of us) painting. In fact, she loves painting baseboards (Ugh!) and won't let anyone else touch them. Bless her heart!!

Unfortunately, we did not take before pictures. So I have some "during" pictures and then will post more after the carpet is put in. The condo is 3 floors (sort of). The first floor is a one car garage and the entry way. The second floor is a rather large living area, dining area and kitchen and the third floor is the master bedroom and bath, and second bedroom and bath. We bought this the Spring of Maggie's freshman year at U.T. and decided it would be better to invest than to pay rent for 3+ more years. It is located off Enfield and Exposition - great location!

The master bedroom is 15 x 13 with beautiful sunlight pouring in throughout the day. This place is filled with windows!

Every wall in this place was painted a different dark color. We primed every wall - some twice - and Maggie picked out this cool light green color for the entire place - except for the kitchen and second bath. We decided to keep some of the funkiness in the place. Afterall, she is a college student. Painting the stairs was a real trip. Fortunately, we have two tall men in our family and they had no problem reaching the high spots.

The living room and master bedroom have hardwood floors. We are replacing the carpet in the stairs and second bedroom and will eventually replace the tile in the kitchen and entry way.

The first 3 pictures: Maggie's bedroom. We completed this room first because the mattresses were being delivered on Friday morning. Maggie and Tom set up the bed frame and night stand just in time for their arrival. Then Maggie and Kenny enjoyed hangin' on the bed.

The last picture is her large living area. All that's left is the baseboard and we can arrange the furniture! Tom and I are headed over there now to measure the carpet and get it ordered!

Backyard This Morning!

Here are a few pictures taken this morning! This is what we learned: Texas native plants really do come back! Asparagus ferns are the hardiest of all ferns and we will plant more this year. My cactus garden is hard to weed!!! Too many pricklies!
We've been planting tomatoes for almost 20 years and talk about spoiled!! I'm always a little sad when are tomatoes are gone and I have to "make do" with commercial ones.
















I love sharing my neighbors plants!! Thanks to them I get to enjoy the above plants and before too long our entire back fence will be solid morning glories!

This is our invisible fountain that we got at Hill Country Water Gardens last summer. They have so many to choose from. I hope to get one more very soon!

A Different Kind of Creating!!

This has been a labor intensive week at the Mitchell household, but in many ways instant gratification! Today, Tom and I took some time out from the rent house and condo work to plant our tomatoes and bell peppers and do a little pruning. He spent many hours last Spring creating a fern and cactus garden. Lucky for us, Kenny works at Hill Country Water Gardens and we were able to take advantage of his discount and purchase some beautiful pots and plants. Here are some pictures of last year and what we hope our yard will look like again in a few months. We have a huge backyard and have so many dreams and ideas as to what to do with it. We are still in the dreaming stage.