one fish, two fish ...

one fish, two fish, red fish, BLue fish ...

I wanted to make a get well card from my sons for my niece, who we visited today, and this week's clean and simple CAS77 challenge was my inspiration. That, and this week's Card Positioning System's CPS177 sketch challenge. The inside sentiment reads: Hope you FEEL BETTA SOON! so naturally the fish bowl had to include a betta fish, right?! When I spotted these two betta fish - one red, the other blue - when searching for the fish on the Internet, that clinched today's card for me! I didn't color in the fish bowl, making today's card CAS indeed!

stamps: ai factory's Betta Fish And Bowl; paper: SU's Basic Black, Ruby Red, Shimmery White card stocks; ink: PC-generated digi stamps; tools: ek success' dotted scallop border punch

a little friendly competition

With July winding down to a close (my how time flies! is it just me, or does time speed up exponentially as we grow older?! summers used to last forever when I was small!), that means back-to-school shopping's just around the corner. At the university I work at (insert shameless plug for Kettering University here, grins ...), we're starting a little friendly competition between the students and faculty/staff to see who can donate the most in the way of school supplies! If you'd care to donate any, just drop me a line!

More to follow on stats as the competition progresses ...

Think your day's busy?!

Think your day's busy? Check out Jenn's daily routine:

Her morning starts at 7:00 with the new shift and visits from the hospital floor's tech and nurse and physician's assistant who check vitals and meds.

Around 8:15 the occupational therapist (OT) does ROM (range of motion).

At 10 the physical therapist (PT) does ROM.

At 10:30 she naps.

At 11 the PT/OT work together.

At 11:30 it's speech therapy (ST).

From noon 'til 1:00 she rests.

At 1 it's PT/OT again.

From 1:30-2:30 she rests.

At 2:30 it's ST again.

From 3-4 she rests.

At 4 it's recreational therapy.

At 4:30 she naps.

While all this is going on she also has the boots on her feet preventing "toe drop." They're put on for 4 hours, then taken off for 2 hours, and repeated, 24 hours/7 days a week.

While all this is going on she also has her body lifted and shifted from her right side to her left and back again every two hours to prevent bedsores. This is also done 24/7.

Thanks again for all your continued prayers. I'll write soon and tell you about improvements since Saturday!

in case you were wondering

per the kind folkes' countdown at writeclickscrapbook.com

LOVE them!

I'm just sayin' ...

there is no doubt ...

... I just love you.

I love this stamp set by Ali Edwards, and it's the one I selected to use on my anniversary card this year. The font above doesn't do it justice ... the font in the stamp set is her swoopy one and the typed-look font very grungy. Pretty cool. I cut the "me & you" from a larger die-cut tag and popped both it and the DP piece up using dimensionals on the summer sun card stock, then attached a few buttons that I'd picked up at the past Mega Meet. They really worked well with the card stock, don't you agree?! I would've liked to have threaded the buttons but the hemp that I had handy was too thick and I'm just too lazy to go dig through my stitching stash. I added a few scored lines through the DP but it's hard to make out in this picture. That's about it - my card's based on this one by Polly Maly for Scrapbook etc's Best-Ever Everyday Cards article - an easy peasy anniversary card but me likey!

Short post tonight. It's late and I've miles to go before I sleep.

stamps: Technique Tuesday's Loving Words; paper: BasicGrey's green at heart DP, SU's Summer Sun card stock; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: Rusty Pickle's button pack, BasicGrey's die-cut shapes to match DP; tool: marvy uchida's mega heart punch

7/24 update on Jenn

Just a quick note to shout out praises to the treatment team at St Joe's in Ypsilanti MI who are caring for my niece Jenn, who was involved in a car accident in late June. She licked her lips Thursday and again Friday morning, and her oxygen counts were fine after being disconnected from equipment to receive the full "spa treatment," as my sister called it, when she enjoyed her first shower. She recently moved her head and shoulders on her own when someone came into the room to brush her hair too. Small things we take for granted, but large steps in her recovery! Thanx for your continued prayers!

do normal cats do this?

I ask, be'cuz I don't know if Louis is normal, you see ... but this cat loves to stretch out and the front half faces one direction, while the lower half faces the opposite direction. Can this be normal?!

This is our next-door neighbor cat, tho' we've pretty much been adopted as a second home for him. Our neighbors recently went from 3 to 2 and then to 4 cats by a couple deaths in the family (1 cat, 1 g'pa whose cats came to live next door). I've never seen cats act so much like dogs in my life. This is a good thing. They come when you whistle for them, follow their humans around in the yard, and generally seem to prefer their humans (we count ourselves lucky to be included in this group) to other neighborhood cats. Louis is sacked out on our living room floor right now.

side note: today I rec'd the Speedy the Cat's Friends stamp set in the mail (thanx, Faith!) - the July 2010 blog candy, compliments of Markie's Mom (aka Faith) of Mark's Finest Papers' as one of 3 lucky winners in Speedy the Cat's Friends Challenge #11. It was to use punches in a card - this was mine, tho' the winners were picked randomly.

when it rains, it pours

Yep, another baby card ... the count's at 2 boys, 1 girl this past week. This card's on its way to the first grandbaby of a prior coworker, compliments of my boss Susan and I. She made the awesome baby bonnet keepsake (out of a hankie - here's an example of one), and I made the card and used the poem from that same post for the inside sentiment. We work in conjunction on baby gifts lately!

I love the multiple rows of scallops at the bottom of the card AND the awesome crocheted rose that matched my digi DP to a "T;" don't you agree?! I picked up a 6-pk of them from an Etsy shop last spring. I couldn't find the gal's name who made them. I've gotta teach myself to crochet ...

stamps: Pink Petticoat's baby buggy; paper: Jessica Sprague's CrystalW Sept09 PaperCollection digi collection, SU's Whisper White card stock; ink: Pebbles' chalks; accessories: unknown Etsy shop crocheted rose, unknown silk ribbon; tools: Die-namic's large scallop

Have you seen Despicable Me yet?

Have you seen it yet? We absolutely LOVED it! At time hilarious, sweet, and nutty, this cleverly written comedy is age-appropriate for both kids AND adults! The story line's predictable, the weaponry straight out of Acme (nod to bro' Mark), but who cares?! You know the villain's gonna melt and end up loving the girls; I don't think that's giving away anything. I'd see it again in a heartbeat, and so would my eldest, who went with me today! The casting was great; leads were voiced by Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Will Arnett, and Kristen Wiig. And our rating? We'd give it 7.5 out of 5 stars!

variation on a theme ...

I had some left-over DP-printed card stock from yesterday's card and then was asked to make another boy baby card for Monday, so decided to make a variation of yesterday's card, this time putting the sentiment on in portrait orientation. The couple people I'd shown the last card to both tried to turn it sideways ... sigh ... so, which do you prefer? Two down, one to go - this one for a girl baby!

stamps: SU's Picture This; ink: ColorBox dark brown, Ranger antique linen distress ink; paper: A1 Neenah Classic Natural White card stock, Jessica Sprague's CrystalW Sept09 digi collection (all printed on nat'l white card stock)

a star is born

A hybrid card today, this cutie patootie uses one of the used stamp sets I purchased last week and some digi DP that I purchased online recently from Jessica Sprague. It's based on one of the cards in Kristina Werner's July 2010 segment of her A Year in Cards class from Two Peas in a Bucket. It's for a new boy baby. Isn't the DP sweet?! Both DP sections and the stars were popped up using dimensionals. Easy peasy!

stamps: SU's Congrats (inside sentiment), Picture This; ink: Ranger black soot distress ink; paper: A1 Neenah Classic Natural White card stock, Jessica Sprague's CrystalW Sept09 digi collection (all printed on nat'l white card stock); accessories: Westrim Crafts 1mm hemp cording

SC289 A True FRIEND is YOU friend

It's rare that I get to play along with the Splitcoast stampers' sketch on the day of the sketch (today's is SC289). I usually take 1/2 days off work on Wednesday so that my DH and I can golf on my work place league in the afternoons. We had to reschedule a couple dr appts that their office could only handle during the morning ... so here I am, at play already! We're not ill - at least not in our own humble opinions - it's just the "jump thru the hoops" biannual checkups our insurance is requiring these days to keep us in the "enhanced benefits" (aka lower out-of-pocket) program. I do happen to have developed what feels like a plugged left ear that started yesterday; the dr's assistant said I had fluid build-up and should take a antihistamine for it. It's distracting as all get out so hopefully this too shall pass ... and soon! Hope you have a t'riffic day! Thanx for stopping by!

This card uses a couple recent used stamp purchases. I picked them up in the past week from 2 different SU reps and used one of my fav color combos (red, white, and black) paired with some neutral basic gray card stock and b&w gingham ribbon. It's all supplies that I hadn't put away yet (wink!) so it's a quick card. Now I'm off to grab some lunch and watch a bit of the Tour de France w my DH before I organize my latest purchases.

stamps: SU's Boho Backgrounds, True Friend; paper: ColorMates' Light Berry Red, SU's Basic Black, Basic Gray, Whisper White card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: Jo-Ann's black and white micro check gingham ribbon

updated my "slide"

I updated my "slide" this a.m. - that's the little slide show located on the bottom right of my blog. It was a trip down Memory Lane for me, and it now consists of my fav cards from the past year or so, usually selecting a couple from each month's postings. I hadn't updated it since 2007 - shocker! - so it was really needing an update. It's interesting how your style changes over time, eh?!

So, if you haven't watched it in a while, sit a spell and check it out! And if you haven't made one for your own blog, the kind folkes at slide.com make it pretty easy to create one of your own! Not just for bloggers, you can use 'em on your Facebook accounts (and other places) too!

July stamp of the month

My stamping buddy Pat missed our every other Saturday class this past weekend and e-mailed me asking what the stamp of the month was, so I made a quick card for show-'n-tell purposes! I love black, white, and a splash of color - especially reds - and that happened to be the Crazy 4 Challenges C4C45 color challenge! This card's inspired by Savriti's July 3rd post and is DEFINITELY a CAS card! I'll color the stamp for another card real soon but I like the outline look of this one! So, what do you think? Do I add a liner inside or leave it black and just use a white gel pen for the inside sentiment?

stamps: Karen's Creative Stamping July 2010 stamp of the month; paper: ColorMates' Light Berry Red, SU's Basic Black, Whisper White card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: Jo-Ann's black and white micro check ribbon

Christmas in July

Here's one of the make -'n- take projects from Saturday when my stamping buddy Kim and I met for breakfast and then headed to Karen's Creative Stamping for their every other Saturday projects. I usually post my fav, but I've gotta tell ya ... I liked 'em all equally! I sign up to make two different cards and a pair of 6x6" scrapbook pages there.

No deets; sorry 'bout that. At one point I DID spot the name of the stripe of DP from this card but it flew in one eye and out the other, apparently, 'cuz I haven't a clue now what it was!

Saturday 7/10 updates on my niece and her son: Thankful to report that Nick was released this afternoon right after my Mom and younger brother arrived to visit. Dad Kevin will take Nick to out-patient therapy. And .... drumroll, please ... Jen has opened her eyes to about 50% AND has demonstrated purposeful movement in her left thumb! She'll move to a coma recovery facility at St Joe's in Ypsilanti on Monday. Thanx again for your continued prayers!

I love this time of year

I LOVE this time of year! I'm always interested in a deal and when the new cattys come out I'm on the lookout for stamp sets I put off purchasing that demos are unloading. Last night I purchased 3 used stamp sets, 1 used single stamp, 1 used standard wheel, 4 partial rolls of ribbon, and a full pkg of this SWEET DP! This - Bella Bleu - and the Cottage Wall, and Cast-A-Spell Halloween DP were probably my favs in the last catty, tho' all I purchased was a paper share's worth.

I used some of my new-to-me DP and pulled out some punches for the current Got Sketch 101 sketch and Punch It! challenges. Isn't it just gorgeous?! I'm just sayin' ... I love monochromatic CAS cards! Methinks they're soothing.
Quick post tonite, as I'm hitting the hay. This card's heading to my sister and her DH for their upcoming anniversary!


(all materials SU unless otherwise noted) stamps: Great Friend; paper: Bella Bleu DP, A1's Neenah Classic Natural White, Kraft card stock; ink: Color Box Frost White, Versamark (inside I stamped a pretty butterfly but other than that, it's blank); tools: ek success' scallop diamond edger and Marvy Uchida corner rounder punches, Cuttlebug with birds and swirls embossing folder

a three-way tie

I've been a slacker, I know! Usually I post my fav card from my 2nd Thursday cards class w the lovely and talented Angie Jarman within a day or two! My fav's hard to pick this month - it's a three-way tie between this one pictured, the green/black/ivory flower card (sound intriguing?!), and the "twinchie" card (Angie and Kim will know which ones I mean. Angie taught the class, and Kim and I had show-'n-tell Saturday morning before breakfast. I had the cards out on our table when she arrived! FYI, today's post is pre-dated.).

all SU products unless otherwise specified ... stamps: unknown "together," Artistic Etchings; paper: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Marina Mist; ink: Crumb Cake, Early Espresso; accessories: Marina Mist 1/8" taffeta ribbon; tools: eyelet border, circle, and scallop circle punches, Big Shot w Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder

happy b'day Kim/updates

I made this card for my buddy Kim's birthday, and was pretty pleased to see how well the ribbon matched the card stock. Sometimes things just work out that way, eh?! My fav couple SU colors are Kiwi Kiss and Old Olive so I'm glad they didn't retire BOTH with the new catty. My card was inspired by this one posted recently on Kristina Werner's blog. Here's a strange coincidence: I like the postage stamp edge punch that Kristina used on her card, and Kim got me a couple postage stamp punches for either a birthday or Christmas present a year or so ago.

My DH and I golfed this afternoon on my work place league even though there are heat advisories posted until 6 a.m. tomorrow. I hydrated all day, and we stocked up on ice water, and took a towel that we'd soaked in cool water and stored in a cooler. Even with all our preparation, my stomach's upset right now and I'm attributing it to the heat. I don't do well in HOT weather but I DID golf okay (for me, that is!) and scored 5 strokes under my average.

stamps: PAPERTREYink's paper tray, SU's Heard from the Heart, and Pretty Petals BK, and studio g's series 46; paper: A1's Neenah Classic Natural White, Paper Reflections' black, and SU's Kiwi Kiss and Purely Pomegranate card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress, SU's Kiwi Kiss and Purely Pomegranate; accessories: unknown dotted ribbon; tools: ek success' scallop diamond border punch

updates on my niece and her son, 7/6: What a difference in Nick from Saturday! He's now giggling, talking, enjoying DVDs, and started on solid foods! It was such a blessing to see him interacting with his Dad and G'pa Mike on our visit Tuesday afternoon! Nick's sutures had been removed and Jen's neck brace was removed - it's so nice to see improvements every visit! Kevin and grandparents met with hospital personnel to discuss the next steps in his treatment today. I shared with Jen about how geeked we were in seeing Nick's progress, before we headed for home. Can hardly wait to see Jen flash a smile again! Thanx again for your prayers.

updates on Jen and Nick

Thanx so much for your continued prayers!

Monday updates: Today while a friend of the family, Cindy, was talking to Jen, every time she mentioned the boys, either generally or by name, Jen would squeeze either G'pa Mike's or Cindy's hand so hard, sometimes it hurt. Cindy told her when she left that she'd come back in a few days, and Jen squeezed Cindy's hand so hard she had to pry her fingers out of Jen's grip; you could also see the muscles on her eyelids working hard to open. Jen's been breathing on her own now for 24 hours.

Nick sat quietly in his G'ma Karen's lap this evening. When Karen started blowing bubbles (she picked up a Toy Story air bubble blowing gun during quick trip we made to the Rite Aid across the street from the hospital on Saturday), he at one point reached up with his right hand an popped 2 with his pointing finger. This morning he told his Dad, "I love you Daddy," and later in therapy walked 15 steps - first using a mini walker, and later holding his Dad's hand.

Bay City fireworks

I'm not even sure whether others can see this video if you're not friends on Facebook, but a coworker friend and her son took in the Bay City MI fireworks and posted videos - here's one of 'em - and it looks like they were DA BOMB! I love fireworks ... and a parade ... and museums ... and zoos ... and ... I'm just sayin' ...

The Bay City Fireworks Festival is one of the greatest fireworks shows/festivals in Michigan. People come from all over the Midwest to see the show. The festival's a 3-day event, with entertainment daily (think beauty pageant, carnival, dinner cruise, live music, and fireworks). It's all held in a couple parks by the Saginaw River, providing great viewing locations all around the park's area, as you can see from the video.

The Blondin household took in the Saginaw and Midland and Washington DC fireworks shows from the comfort of the living room this year, a first for us. We're experiencing 90+ degree Fahrenheit days here in Michigan, and with the mugginess and mosquitoes, even I decided it was just too oppressive to venture out. It's definitely gonna be "bring a cooler" weather for golf this week!

happy Independence Day!

I'd neglected to hold aside a card post for today, so this one will be ready early for next year! It was inspired by Maile Belles' July 1st post and made into a celebration of Independence Day. I found my chipboard stars while looking for my large roller wheel ... this is a good thing! I'm cooling my heels at home and have been watching DVDs with my eldest. It's the supreme sacrifice for me to give up watching Sunday Morning. It's part of my routine on Sundays. We generally get donuts and I watch my newsy show while enjoying the world's best coffee, which my DH supplies. I've trashed my living room 'cuz I've been stamping here the last week or so, so I'm off to neaten up a bit. Here's wishing everyone a happy Independence Day!

stamps: SU's Red White and Blue, July Fourth; paper: Reminisce's Freedom DP, ColorMates' Light Berry Red, CM's Natural, CTMH's Outdoor Denim, The Paper Co's Kraft card stocks; ink: ColorBox Frost White pigment, CTMH's Outdoor Denim, SU's Real Red, Versamark's champagne Dazzle; accessories: Heidi Swapp's chipboard stars

update on Jenn and Nick: Nick's come out of his coma and has responded appropriately for doctors' prompts, and Jenn's starting to stir. Thanx for your continued prayers.

new SU catty & wish list

The latest SU catty's out, and while I don't have one to hold in my hands yet, I started perusing it online last night ... and of course that means I've started my wish list, right?! Some are new, some not-so-new:

• p19 - Baby Steps 8.95
  
• p20 - Simple Snowflake 7.95
  
• p28 - Falling Leaves 21.95, Bright Blessings 8.50, Thankful For 8.95
  
• p57 - Birthday Bliss 15.95
  
• p58 - Sweetheart 15.95, Something Sweet 19.95
  
• p82 - Lots of Bots 14.95
  
• p110 - Funky Forest 6.50
  
• p 104 - Inspired By 23.95
  
• p 118 - Every Moment 13.95
  

Jenny and Nick update

I'm not one to include much personal info online and generally reserve my blog and facebook mirror posts for all things cards- and movie-related but wanted to share that my niece Jenny and her son Nick are recovering from injuries they received from a car accident they were in on late afternoon Monday. Karen just set up a healing page for updates and asked me to share it with family and friends but I've since learned it didn't work and you need to be personally invited to view the page. We believe in the power of prayer and if you happen by this post ask for your prayers for a speedy recovery for them both. Thanx, everyone.

Karen posted this a.m.:
Hi, this is Jenn's mom. Quick post. Jenn's doing better by the day. Yesterday chest tubes were removed. Today the feeding tube in her nose and oxygen tube in her throat will be replaced with minimally evasive tubes in throat and tummy. That's happening at 10. She's still sleeping/unconscious, but stirring.

Nick's doing better as well. He's semi-sleeping. I'm going down now to say good morning to him. I'll focus more on this site when I have a minute.

Love, Karen