My Dad is 70 on Wednesday!

Isn't that crazy?

I have been absolutely wracking my brain trying to think of something really special to give him, but I have failed. So I settled for a book about the Auto Train (he's a huge train buff), and a handmade card. I'm still hoping for a flash of inspiration on his pressie!

Anyway, here's his card:

Supplies:

Whisper White cardstock ($8.50, 100730)
Champagne Glimmer Paper ($4.95, 127885)
Pool Party cardstock ($6.95, 122924)
Sakura Gelly Roll pen
Rectangle die
Designer Paper from my stash

I drew and cut out the numbers all by myself!

I also have another couple of BIG projects to get on with:

** Jacob's Ninjago costume for Halloween. I picked up a super-cheap Karate uniform on Amazon which I am going to dye blue (for Jay, the Lightning Ninja). Then I will sew on some silver parts, somehow fabricate shoulder pads and a head scarf type scenario and hopefully he will be a very happy Ninja!

** Florida scrapbook album - I've bought divided page protectors and a Simply Scrappin' kit (my first, but I have NO IDEA why I waited this long, it's lush!)
Supplies:
Pinwheels on Parade Simply Scrapping ($21.95, 126929)
Divided Page Protectors ($5.95, 127690)

** House move (October 15th onwards)

** .... and last night I booked myself onto the November 3rd Praxis 1 tests... yep, I'm going to try to get certified to teach over here as I have reasons to believe we'll be here longer than planned... I am excited but nervous. It's 2 years since I did anything remotely intellectual so I expect I am severely rusty! The plan is to get Praxis 1 under my belt, then hit the books to prepare for Praxis 2 in the areas I need. I am kind of excited, but also nervous. It's amazing how quickly you lose all semblance of self-confidence as a SAHM - it's not all it's cracked up to be! :D

Super Wednesday continued

---- Scroll Down for the other half of Wednesday's shenanigans! ----

So, onto 100.15:

Really pleased with this one. It's for my father-in-law as it's his birthday the week after next. I got the colour combination from the Colour Coach and I really like it so I'll use it again.

My FIL has a Jeep Wrangler (in Northern Ireland where they're really rare) and I originally thought this stamp was a Jeep Wrangler. Can you tell I am not a car person? Clearly I see now it's an ATV! Oh well. It's on the right lines. I used my SU! watercolour pencils & an Aqua Painter to colour the vehicle. Then I stamped off Crumb Cake to stamp the big paint splodge from Extreme Elements. The stars and sentiment are heat embossed in gold.

So sad mini library clips, Extreme Elements and Wonderfully Worn are all retiring! Sob.

100.15 Supplies: Crumb Cake, Basic Black and Versamark ink, Gold embossing powder, Marina Mist satin ribbon, Mini Library Clip, Watercolour paper, Watercolour Pencils, Crumb Cake, Cajun Craze, Marina Mist card stock, Need for Speed, Wonderfully Worn, Extreme Elements, Happiest Birthday Wishes stamp sets.

100.16 is for my husband for his birthday. Possibly!

I realised again that I'd been neglecting the huge pile of DSP so thought I'd have a go at using some more. And ---- shock horror! ---- this is only SUM as I used a Technique Tuesday sentiment.

100.16 Supplies: Blueberry Crisp DSP, both SU! heart punches, Not Quite Navy cardstock, Versamark ink, Silver embossing powder, Dimensionals, Technique Tuesday stamp.

100.17 was my last card for today, one for my Dad for Father's Day:

My Dad is a Power Engineer and obsessed with planes. So I thought Need for Speed would come in handy again here!

100.17 Supplies:  Blueberry Crisp DSP, Versamark ink, White embossing powder, Dimensionals, Technique Tuesday blueprint stamp, retired Pacific Point ribbon, mini library clip, Basic Black, Pacific Point ink, SU! Need for Speed, Extreme Elements and Best Dad Ever stamp sets.

Phew! Even blogging this took ages. I am really pleased that I am 17 cards in 10 days in. The ideas are starting to come more easily now, but I know I need to use more DSP! I am going to try to make the next 10 cards using DSP. This is not a strength of mine so wish me luck!

Super Wednesday!

Well, somehow I managed to get Leo, AKA Velcro Baby, to sleep for 3 hours solid this afternoon without being glued to me. I kept thinking I'd never get the next project finished, but I kept managing it. So I made 5 cards! Wooo! And in fact, I'd done two others earlier in the week so I am about to update you on 7 cards....

First up: 100.11 was a repeat of 100.10 (the Christmas mittens). So you don't need to see that.

100.12 was another Christmas card:

All I can say is BLEURGH!!! Don't like this at all. I think it's the button. These wooden buttons will be available from SU! from June 1st, I got them in the pre-order (one of the many perks of being a demo!). I am actually not a big fan of them though coz I can't figure out how to use them, and they are a bit plasticky looking somehow. Everything else SU! makes is awesome though! :D

Supplies: Certainly Celery and Very Vanilla cardstock, Jolly Holiday DSP, Linen thread, Wooden button, Chock-full of Cheer stamp set.

Onto 100.13:

This was for a colour challenge on Splitcoast: Blushing Bride, Certainly Celery, Soft Suede. I cheated and used Rose Red too as I couldn't find any ribbon in the given colours. I also did a bit of paper piecing with the leaves to give them a bit of dimension by curling them at the edges. And I cut into the bird's wings, again for a bit of dimension.

Supplies: Rose Red seam binding ribbon, Basics Jewels: Pearls, Whisper White, Certainly Celery and Blushing Bride cardstock, Soft Suede, Certainly Celery, Blushing Bride and Rose Red ink, Betsy's Blossoms and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets.

100.14 was a repeat of the 100.4 hummingbird card.

Getting worried I'll lose my post so I'll upload this, then do another!

100 Lions Roaring!

Well I have so much news...

Here is baby Leo, one of the projects I've been working on in the last few months!

And one with a very proud Big Bro Jacob:

I am so smitten with my boys!

On the stamping/Etsy front I have just reopened my shop, and caved and bought a proper light tent. So I will be updating with new shots soon, and I also have a few new cards to post.

In other stamping news, a very smart lady called Mindykid on Splitcoast Stampers has started up a 100 Cards/Projects in 100 Days challenge. Well I am on day 3 and so far 3 cards have been made. So I am hoping to post all of those on here too. I am also trying to incorporate some more regular blogging too, so any encouragement or prodding will be MOST welcome!

 Card 1 - SUO using Sweets for the Sweet and the sentiment comes from Best Dad Ever. It's actually my favourite "Happy Birthday" stamp.

 Card 2 - SUO using Fabulous Florets and my underused watercolour pencils. Entered this for the CAS Summer 2012 DT search but was gently reminded that CAS cards are usually white/neutral in base. So Daffodil Delight wasn't really cutting it!

Card 3 - SUO using Betsy's Blossoms and the sentiment from Fabulous Florets. Betsy's Blossoms is available from June 1 and I have to say, it's fabulous. This one is my actual entry to the CAS DT search, the deadline is 12 noon today so hopefully I will make it to the next round!