happy Memorial Day

here's wishing you all a happy Memorial Day! Make sure to take time not only this weekend, but daily, to remember and honor the men and women who died while serving our country. They and their families paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

We're planning a quiet day, and I'm posting this while my sweetie's started playing the Grand Prix of Monaco that he used the DVR to record yesterday so that we could watch it at our leisure AND him sleep in (grins). PB purchased a new flag to replace the one we have out front of our house so that'll go up today. Then it's b'fast and a bit of weeding (I'm not an avid gardener ... I just like items that are real drought-tolerant that I don't have to do much with) followed by a cookout later in the day and at some time I'd like to check out OWH's Memorial Weekend Blog Hop. Which reminds me ... I've amassed a group of cards so it's high time I mailed them another package. If you find you have extra cards, consider mailing a package so that our soldiers can use them to communicate with friends and family at home, won't you?

some kind of WONDERFUL

This new stamp makes me happy! I dunno about you, but it immediately made me smile, thinking of the ol' Grand Funk Railroad song by the same name! It's part of a two-fer stamp set and was coupled w a cute double-outlined birdie. Like I need more bird stamps ... I know, but I couldn't resist it!

I got a few inexpensive Ditto stamps this weekend and immediately put this flower garden one to use for a b'day card for a friend and coworker who' b'day is fast approaching. She doesn't read my blog so I'm safe uploading it in advance, I figure. I colored in the flowers and fussy cut around the image to pop it up. The outside sentiment is from another Ditto stamp set (a BOGO 50% off deal, I picked up 3 and my stampin' buddy kimR picked up a BK stamp - so these stamps, normally a t'riffic deal at $3.99 each, would cost us $3 each!) and I used the PC for the inside sentiment (If friends were flowers, I'd pick you! Happy Birthday!). Usually I find these bargains on the aisle end-caps at Mike's and I spotted these when I stopped by to pick up some mini starfish for yet another project this past week.

stamps: Ditto flower garden, some kind of wonderful; paper: AC textured white card stock; inks: Ranger's black soot distress ink; SU's Cameo Coral, Cherry Cobbler, Dusty Durango, Melon Mambo, More Mustard, Old Olive, and Summer Sun, CTMH's Cranberry,

they say it's your birthday

Guess how old my niece turned this week? We'll get together w friends and family this weekend to celebrate. I read from her Facebook posts that she wasn't feeling good last weekend. Ever notice how often things have a way of working out for the best?

I mainly used the Beatles' Birthday song as the focus (adding a few b'day words and phrases into the mix to fill the space) and popped up the numbers by gluing 4 sets of numbers to each other - an easy peasy card idea. My youngest, Garrett, put it into a colorful b'day bag he picked out from among my stash along with some Hello Kitty plushes I'd picked up for her recently, but we e-mailed the actual present. She's got a Kindle so next time she checks her e-mail she'll see she's received an eGift card. Happy b'day Jessy!

I {heart} new toys!

Here's a card created from my latest toys - those "buy 5, get 1 free" deals at Queen & Co's booth at Mega Meet spoke to me! And the freebie one? It was a black background w mini paws that I'll use another time. The blue and green tapes went so nicely w some chipboard pieces that I also picked up at that booth.

I ended up scanning the chipboard piece so I could use it multiple times. This one's also reduced 75%.

Thanx for stopping by!

Happy Mother's Day!

Do you ever purchase an entire stamp or sticker set to get your hands on one piece?! Yeah, I'm lovin' this little bird from the Little Yellow Bicycle folkes and MUST see if it's available as a stamp. This is from a set of fabric-covered chipboard pieces and is stinkin' cute IRL. It's from new product purchased during our Mega Meet trek this past Thursday, as is the banner stamp and the alpha stickers AND the Spellbinders' die.

The absolute best deals this year were available from Scrapmart, where I purchased the die, available either singly at $10 ea, or your pick of 3 sets for $20. I got the Labels Four Small set of 6 dies for $6.75 when sharing the deal w my stamping buddies. Another great deal there - I picked up a combo package containing a Lifestyle medium sized polka dots, a Sizzix mail set of four embossing folders, and a Spellbinders m-bossabilities reversible embossing folder for ... insert drumroll here ... $12! SUCH DEALS! But I digress ...

This is my Mom's Mother's Day card. We're heading to a family get-together to celebrate today, and I'm hopeful the weather cooperates! I'm hand-delivering cards to my Mom, Sister, and Niece as I'm Baaad w a capital 'b' for being such a slacker and not having cards ready 'til the last minute this year.

stamps: jillibean soup's birthday party; paper: SU asst'd colors for banner to match chipboard piece, A1 Neenah Natural White card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: Little Yellow Bicycle's Paradise fabric favorites, lilybeedesign's ABC stickers; tools: Cuttlebug w Spellbinders Labels Four Small dies

Mother and Child Mother's Day cards

Long time, no post! Hi folkes!

Here's a couple of cards intended for my sister and her daughter for tomorrow ... and I'm hoping to see them at my brother's house tomorrow for a Mother's Day cookout and visit w my eldest brother who's in visiting from Maryland! My sister's fav color is purple and the other's intended for my niece. Mom's card will be posted in the morning while my DH is watching some F1 race.

Hope you're having a t'riffic weekend!

Great Time Had By All

My stampin' buddies Pat and Kim and I went on our annual trek to Novi MI on Thursday to scope out the Great Lakes Mega Meet 2012. In its 13th year this year, over 70 vendors converged on the Suburban Collection Showplace hall from May 10-12. There were shopping and learning opportunities, classes, door prizes, evening events, and an informal cropping area over 3 days. We generally go on the first day, and I scheduled a vacation day on Friday so that I can play w new product. I definitely supported the local and not-so-local economy, LOL! My Mom's Mother's Day card will use some, and be posted on Sunday.

If you're local, mark your calendars and plan to attend an upcoming Mega Meet (for more info, check out their web site at www.megameet.com)! They'll be held May 9-11, 2013 and May 8-10, 2014. Maybe I'll see you at one?!