Getting it in under the wire?

Lookie, I played along with this week's TCPTUES challenge! As you can see, it's 10:20pm and the sun has been down for a while. Please pardon the poor photography. (And the excessive use of P's) I'll take a better one tomorrow at work. BUT Since I wanted to get it in on time, I had to work with what I had.

The challenge was to use orange, bright pink and yellow. I was super excited because I just got my Stampin Up order which happened to contain packs of Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie Card stock. Add that with some Raspberry Fizz paper from PTI and I was good to go! Then I found this yummy designer paper in my scrap paper and went to town.

I colored the birdies with my Copics and added some Raspberry Fizz ribbon. I also added some tiny twinkles around the scalloped edge. Again, SO much prettier in person, I will thankfully remedy that tomorrow.

Alright, off to fold some clothes, have a good night!!!

Lara

So Cute! - What's your favorite?

A few weeks ago I was blog surfing at work. (shhh....) and I came across a post using the cutest stamps I've seen in a while. Coincidentally, the company is called "My Cute Stamps". So flippin' adorable. I like them so much I had to put their blinkie on my blog.

Well, my stamps were waiting for me when I got home. I FINALLY got a chance to ink them up! I used the "Little Forrest Friends" set which is right now my favorite from their current line. The animals are adorable and I had to use the owl and the tree. There is also a snail and a hedgehog and little flowers. Ack! adorable!!!

The designer paper is from a recent SU! order, don't you just LOVE those colors together??!!! Summer Sun, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip. Love, love, LOVE. It kinda reminds me of the appliances and carpet my parents had while I was growing up. Carpet was a golden yellow shag and the appliances were "Avocado" Retro-tastic...

I colored the owl and tree with my Copics and since I was on suck a polka dot kick between the 2 designer papers, I kept it going with the ribbon.

Lookie!!! Another button! Can you believe it??? Buttons and ribbon together woo hoo! Once you get started with buttons, I guess you can't stop. For a little added bling I used Taylor's Tiny Twinkles from Taylored Expressions. Do you see that? They are indeed tiny. I squirted a little Tombow adhesive on a baggie, picked up the twinkle with my tweezers, dip in glue, stick to card, repeat. I just love the effect, don't you?? I'm really happy with this one. I might have to keep it for myself!

Now, it just so happens that My Cute stamps is giving away some blog candy. Head on over here and tell them which of their sets you love the best! Good Luck!!

Lara

Get you some baby stamps at Starving Artistamps

Starving Artistamps is releasing a bunch of new stamp sets!!! My favorite one (but really love them all) is Oh Baby! Such adorable images and I only have 1 baby stamp from them. (scroll down 2 posts to check it out!) So I really need some more. Especially with all of the people having babies 'round here!

So, what you gotta do? Tell all about it! Put it on your blog, tell your friends, heck, shout it from the roof tops! Then head over to their blog and tell them what you did!http://starvingartistamps.blogspot.com/2009/04/oh-baby-youre-super.html

Good Luck!!

A face only a mother could love

Last week we were looking over the stuff at Kev's dad's house and deciding what we were bringing back with us and what his sister was taking. I came down the stairs and saw the most AWESOME thing sitting on the coffee table.

me - What a COOL nutcracker! That is Fabulous!!!
Kev's Mom - You want it?? It's nice, from the Black Forest Region of Germany, carved from one piece of wood. (she says eagerly)

Kev's Sister - You like it? Take it!! That is all you. (again eagerly)

me - Cool!!

Just then Kev comes around the corner....

Kev - AHHHH!! Put that thing down, I hate it! I had nightmares about it when I was a kid!!!(Kev's mom and sis mutter under their breath.)
me - are you crazy? This is a nice friendly nut cracker. Nothing wrong with it.

Kev - That thing is psychotic. It's gaping chattering mouth chases me in my sleep.

me - uh huh...
Then Kev leaves the room.

Kev's mom - (whispering) put it in your purse. Then hide it when you get home in a place where

he'll find it.

Kev's Sis - Yeah, yeah, that would be awesome!

me - he he he, (I scurry to my purse)

So, I almost made it home before I blabbed at dinner. I was most of the way through my cosmo when I told him it was in my purse. I cracked, I admit, I got nervous. I swear that he was in my purse more times on that trip home. I thought it would be better if I spilled the beans instead of him coming upon it by accident.

He said that I had to find it a new home. So, I called mom and explained the situation. She happily agreed to give him a new home. (She thought it sounded cool too.)

I decided to take some pictures of it for the blog. After I took them, I had a bit of an epiphany. See, when you look at it from the top (like you would as a grown-up) he looks friendly and nice.

When you take a picture from the underneath, at the same view point as if you were perhaps a child looking up at it, you get this...

Eeek!!I get it. To a kid, that would be horrific. On a happier note, I packed him up and sent to mom. She got it and had it on the table when my brother got home from work. He fell in LOVE with it and asked if he could have it. He named the nutcracker Walter.

Have a good night! ~Lara

Slightly retro owls

Have you noticed that oranges and olives are popping up every where? Furnishings, dinnerware, clothing, etc... For those of you who are also children of the late 70's / early 80's have you noticed that it looks like the stuff our mom used to have in the house while we were growing up? I have a funny story to share. When Kev and I were going through his dad's house I found this AWESOME platter / plate. It was cream stoneware with a 70's tastic orchid (his mom said that's what it was) painted in tangerine, olive, black and yellow. I fell in LOVE with it and asked if I could have it. Kev's mom and sister happily agreed. Kev however, can't believe that the plate that was on the wall for his entire childhood existence will now be in our house. I think it's fabulous and oddly current. I would post a picture but Kev said that it didn't "fit" into the car with all of the other stuff we had to bring back. I didn't discover this until yesterday when we started to unpack...(Later I'll post about the nut cracker from Germany.) We are going back in 10 weeks for his reunion and I'm confident it'll make it back to NC with us then. Grin...

So how about a retro owl card? I used MFT's Owl for all seasons and paired it with some funky striped paper from my stash. I stamped the owls directly on the card and again on some white card stock. I colored them with Copics and punched them out with 1 inch circles. I attached them to the card at varying angles.
I got me some more button action going on here. This time with some hemp twine. You likey? Me likey...

Enjoy!
Lara

New Baby!

No, not me! So, I've posted that I had 4 pregnant friends. Well, in January 4 became 3 and on 3/30, 3 became 2!! One of my oldest friends just had a little girl! Baby Jocelynn was born on the 30th weighing 8pounds, 14 ounces. She was 3 days past her due date and mom was VERY happy that she decided to make an appearance without having to be induced!

All of my friends have had/are having little boys and she's the first girl! You have to check out the adorable bow holder I got for her. (Yes, I know she doesn't have any hair yet, but she will!!) The ladies who run Nap Time Creations live in Durham and I absolutely love their stuff! Heaven Help me if I ever have a little girl. The bows and the outfits and the matching...

K, How about a baby card? This is actually for a little boy, but a baby card never the less.

I took a 4 1/2 square of chocolate chip card stock and added a 4 1/4 square of Kraft paper. Then I cut 8 1 1/4 squares from SU! designer paper. I alternated both sides of the paper. Some people have new-fangled punches that make a perfect square. Not me, nope, not me... I cut each of these with my own little hands (and paper cutter...) I digress, The little man is from Starving Artistamps. I got him for their Million Stamp project. Basically for a dollar they sent you a stamp. I asked for a Doodle Factory one and I got this guy. SO CUTE!!

K, I used my Nestabilities and made a scalloped square and them I colored him with copics. Added a few buttons and some chocolate chip ribbon and there you go! To both of my faithful readers. You'll be happy to know that I recently got some different colored ribbon and perhaps I'll put the chocolate chip away for a while. Perhaps.. Well. I got lots of stuff to play with in the mail while I was away. Off to put them in some sort of order!

Enjoy! ~ Lara

We're back

After a very long 9 days, Kev and I are back in NC. I want to thank all of our wonderful friends who have reached out over the last week and a half. We have been overwhelmed by the cards, donations and warm wishes we've received. It's truly amazing how people come together during hard times.

Thank you so much, we can't even begin to express how appreciative we are.

Lara