Quotes

A few quotes to ponder:

"Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. "
George Edward Woodberry

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. "
Winston Churchhill

Return of the Weekend Question

A while back I did a weekend question each weekend to get to know my readers more or sometimes to get opinions or advice about issues. This week I just want to know you better. I filled out a "finish the sentence" survey. Pick one of the sentence starters and write your sentence in my comments section. Or fill the whole thing out, post it on your blog, and leave me a link. To my family: this challenge is for you too!

Finish the sentence...
Maybe I should get off my computer and get some cleaning done.
I love the smell of fresh baked cookies.
People would say that I'm creative, but I don't feel creative at all.
I don’t understand how people can deny there is a God.
When I wake up in the morning my first thought is, “I wish I could sleep longer.”
I lost a $20 bill in the water at the beach one time.
Life is full of love.
My past is history.
I get annoyed when people are rude.
Parties are fun even though I don’t go to many anymore.
I wish I owned a house.
Dogs are loving and cuddly animals...usually.
Cats annoy me.
Tomorrow is a new day.
I have low tolerance for pain.
I’m totally terrified of the future. Not really totally terrified, but I couldn’t think of anything else.
I wonder why we don’t have a roadmap for life.
Never in my life have I been to Europe.
High school was fun, but I am glad it is over.
When I’m nervous I make stupid jokes.
One time at a family gathering I giggled with my cousins…actually that is most every family gathering J
Take my advice: don’t base your decisions on what other people think.
Making my bed only happens when guests come over.
I'm almost always on time to places.
I’m addicted to checking my email.
I want someone to help me clean my house.

Loads of fun Sushi set

I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but I *love* punny sayings that go with stamps. When I saw Joy and Daisy's Sushi Combo Platter with 3 Stampendous sets Sushi Party Bowl, Sushi's Favorite Words, and Loads of Sushi I knew I HAD to have it! I haven't really had time to stamp lately so I popped out this quick card in between work and meetings and visiting with out of town friends. The washer is from Loads of Sushi. I drew in the clothes instead of having a fish inside the washer. You can't tell from the picture, but the window of the washer has Crystal Effects on it to make it to give a glassy look. The blue "wallpaper" is from an old paper stack that I had laying around. The "floor" paper is from a simply scrappin' kit from Stampin' Up.
This card is going to a good friend who is "loads of fun" and lets me do my laundry at her house when I need it.

kids class

I started teaching an after school craft class for 2nd and 3rd graders. The class meets one afternoon a week for 5 weeks. The enrichment program has many options of classes so the kids that are taking my class are the ones that chose it and like art/crafts.

I wanted to start the first class with a project that the girls (I only have girls) would be excited about so I chose a covered notepad and beaded pen. I also chose this project to help the girls practice stamping. On these items the placement of stamps isn't important and mistakes aren't really noticeable.

If anyone would like to know how to make either of these let me know and I will make a tutorial.

stamps: Best Blossoms (SU) paper: Rose Red, Regal Rose, white ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery Other: RSVP pen, micro beads, oh so sticky tacky sheet, ribbon from Fabric Barn

StampMania 5

Don't worry I am still alive and healthy. I just haven't had the time or energy to update my blog. My days have been long and busy for the past 3 weeks and it doesn't look like that is going to change anytime soon. Life is good though.

This weekend I have several stamping friends in town for StampMania 5. StampMania is a huge stamping gathering in Southern California. Joy, Jami, and Emily organize this event and I think this year was the biggest and best yet! Many of us ladies live in California, but women come from all over the US (and a few from Canada) to join us (because us So.Cal. gals are the coolest ;) )

Pictures coming soon :)

sweet, blessed, loved

sweet****blessed****loved

My mom is extremely crafty and good at sewing. When I was little she would make outfits for me or fancy up my clothes with ribbons and bows. I am so excited to have nieces so I can make girly stuff for them.
I used Fabrico ink (in Bubble Gum and Cherry Pink) to decorate a t-shirt and onesies. It was really simple and easy
step 1: make sure cloth has been washed (to take out the shrinking) and put a piece of cardboard in between the front and back of the shirt so the ink doesn't bleed.
step 2: pick out any stamps. It works better with bold stamps, not ones with thin lines. For the t-shirt I used Island Blossoms and So Very.
step 3: gently dab stamp in ink. Make sure stamp is coated, but be careful not to get too much ink on it as the ink is a little "gushy" and you don't want to have extra spots.
step 4: let ink dry. I only waited 20 minutes, but I am sure overnight would be a better idea.
step 5: use an iron to set the ink. I put a towel on top of the t-shirt and ironed on top of that. I also kept the cardboard in between the layers while ironing.

wa-la you are finished!

I am not really a big fan of April 1 as April Fools Day. I feel like I am holding my breath all day waiting to see what pranks will be pulled. And as a teacher I probably heard about 200 April Fools jokes today that weren't all that funny ;)

BUT I found this website of the top 100 April Fool's Day pranks pulled and I think some are pretty funny (maybe it is because they weren't pulled on me?!) Check it out.

I think my favorites are 1, 8, and 39. What are yours?