Thoughts of a Grasshopper

Since we've been back from our trip, it has been super busy. By the time I have some free time, I just want to sit and read a book or e-mail. It isn't that the days are exhausting in any way, we just aren't around. I just realized last night I'm putting on a shindig next week that I thought was still a few weeks out. On the bright side, I was happy this morning when I realized a dinner I thought I was hosting this weekend is still one week away. Nice! Dinners are easy enough to do but I'm expecting several hours on Saturday will be spent at the high school for registration. We saw Ramona & Beezus yesterday. It was a good movie. I was expecting it to take after the book but it didn't because they are about 5 years older. It did have at least one part from "Ramona Quimby - Age 8". My girls want to own it - not that they will watch it all the time but they will throw it in the mix. They watch one DVD every weekend. I have to, have to, hav

When we were stationed in Virginia, I learned how to make these bags. They are really easy to make and a lot of fun. I made one and then on of my daughters had sewing 101 helping me with the other two bags a couple of days before we left on our trip. We took one of them to Massachusetts to give to my cousin's kids. Their kids (7 & 5) really liked it. These bags are super easy to make. They get a little spendy with all of the things you put inside and the beads but they last so long. When I first made one, my kids would sit and try and find things, their friends liked it when they came over and were waiting. It went in the car with us and even to some dr. appointments. You need: 2 - 7-1/2 to 9" squares of sturdy fabric heavy clear shower liner poly-fil micro beads (linked so you'd know) As many things as you want to fill it with. Ribbon Printout of what went in Laminating paper or clear contact paper The size of the bag is up to you. I made 8" bags. From

I forgot to share the tins from the Altoid tin swap I participated in last month. I never thought of embossing on it but the Medallion stamp is awesome for it. I like the personalization with the initial too.

I was looking for some inspiration and thumbed through the current issue of Paper Crafts. I came across a card similar to this one. The card in the magazine has caught my eye every time I see it. I can't say it was a favorite because I didn't dog ear the page. This time, I decided to make it using a similar stamp. Stamps: Fifth Avenue Floral, Occasional Quotes CS: WW, Paper Pack II Ink: Tempting Turquoise, More Mustard, Old Olive Markers: Real Red, Tempting Turquoise Misc.: Real Red buttons, crochet thread

My e-mails have been piling up lately as I've been busy with other things. Sometimes it is so busy that it doesn't feel like summer and then there are the days that are laid back and it is what summer is all about. Getting together with friends, going to the beach, reading, etc. I spent a couple of hours going through SOME e-mails the other day and saw this from Vicky. I loved it. So simple. So elegant. I had to make it. Of course, I didn't have the right color of textured cardstock so I went with the plain version. I didn't want to get up to get the Melon Mambo ribbon, so I went with the Razzleberry on my desk. Stamps: Tiny Tags CS: Shimmery White, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive Ink: Rich Razzleberry Misc.: Textured impressions manhattan flower, rich razzleberry 1/2" polka dot grosgrain, tag punch

I can't wait to go through the blogs when I get home from camp. I'm sure there are some fabulous ideas being shared. You should have arrived here from Lori's blog, Paper Castles . The file folder notebook that she shared is pretty snazzy. I have had that project on my "stamping to do" list for a while. Her card sets in different colors are nice too. When I saw the Bigz Island Floral in the catalog, I could only see a Christmas light bulb. Today I give you Christmas in July. Stamps: Tropical Party, All Holidays CS: WW, Garden Green, Riding Hood Red, Crumb Cake Ink: Garden Green, Riding Hood Red Misc.: Bigz Island Floral, White Signo Pen Thanks for stopping by. Your last stop is Loni Holt . Enjoy!

One of my girls is off to camp tomorrow. They were asked to bring 3 small gifts totaling $5 (or free). We went shopping yesterday and she picked up a $1 lip gloss, a bottle of bubbles on clearance for $2.87 and a bottle of nail polish. We never did find out how much the nail polish was, and it is safe to say that we exceeded the $5. This notebook is her third gift. She is combining the bubbles and lip gloss. We are considering this notebook "free" since we didn't buy it, we already had it and the supplies. I got the notebook from Target a couple of years ago. It was either on sale or clearance. I just remember being excited about the price and I picked different sizes up with black, pink or turquoise colors. Stamps: Pick a Petal Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, Pear Pizazz CS: WW Misc.: Chipboard, Razzleberry ribbon

Have you read any good books lately? I'm reading The Good Earth and should finish it tonight. I hope the main character rethinks something he has done and goes back to the down-to-earth person he was instead of being so prideful. His values have changed and it is sad for him, his family, and others that are affected by his choices. I'm appreciating how swiftly this book moves along and yet, the point is made. I'm on a bookmark kick again. I'm making some for friends and for the girls at church for one of our meetings when we have a book review. I'm looking forward to hearing their top picks and a little of their book of choice. One of my daughters needs to have several gifts this week that total $5 or are free. I was thinking a couple of bookmarks would be good, along with a notebook that is jazzed up. She is thinking lip gloss or something similar too. We are going shopping tomorrow to see what we can find.

I made this M&T for VC Rocks. I had a hard time getting a picture where the colors were close to right. later in the day (sun setting) may be great for people but not cards. Stamps: Tropical Party CS: Wild Wasabi, Marina Mist, Early Espresso, Tangerine Tango, WW Ink: Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango Markers: Tangerine Tango, Early Espresso, Marina Mist Misc.: 1/8" Early Espresso Taffeta ribbon, piercing tool & mat, Dimensionals 1. On the Wild Wasabi card base, stamp the leaves across the middle. 2. Rough up the bottom edge of the Early Espresso cardstock (1-5/8" x 5-1/2") 3. Pierce the Marina Mist cardstock (1/2" x 5-1/2") and attach to the Espresso CS with adhesive. 4. Tie the ribbon around one end and mount to card base. 5. Color the coconut image with markers and stamp onto WW (1-1/2" x 1-3/4"). Mount onto Tangerine Tango (1-3/4" x 2") 6. Mount coconut/tangerine on the card. 7. Stamp flower with Tangerine Tango o

I used Punched Posies a lot this past weekend and found it to be a fun set to use. When I first saw it, I wasn't that thrilled with it and thought it would be somewhat limiting, dang was I wrong. This is one of the few things I don't mind being wrong about. Stamps: Punched Posies, On Your Birthday CS: WW, Night of Navy, Real Red Ink: Night of Navy Markers: Night of Navy, Real Red Punches: Scallop Oval, 2 oval punches, both scallop circle punches Misc.: Nestabilities circle, SU circles #2, dimensionals, 5/8" red grosgrain, white signo pen, dot impressions folder

The picture doesn't do this salad justice. It is a rockin' salad. My family has liked it for about 10 years. I took it to a BBQ yesterday and it was loved. I had comments even at the end and the host commented that what comes into the home stays. LOL. Guess I should have shared this one sooner. BLT Macaroni Salad 2C elbow macaroni 5 green onions 1 lg tomato, diced (I seed mine) 1-1/4C diced celery 1-1/4C mayonnaise 5t white vinegar 1/4t salt 1/8 - 1/4t pepper 1 lb. bacon, cooked and crumbled (I use 3/4 lb.) Cook macaroni; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large bowl, combine the macaroni, green onions, tomato and celery. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour over macaroni mixture and toss to coat. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Just before serving add bacon. I know a lot of people like the Poisonwood Bible, I'm not one of them. I did like how it was written in that you saw through the eyes of each family member what they th

Another birthday card for the OWH blog tour. I seem to be stuck on using crumb cake with the red, white and blue theme. Stamps: Punched Posies, Occasional Quotes CS: Night of Navy, Real Red, Crumb Cake, WW Ink: Night of Navy, Real Red (pad & marker), Garden Green, Crumb Cake Misc.: 5/8" Real Red Grosgrain, rhinestone brad, dimensionals, 3/4" circle punch, scallop edge border punch Don't forget to check out the OWH blog for the tour. I hope everyone has a great Independence Day celebration.

Today is the day for the OWH blog tour . It goes live at 3 p.m. PST. I just got my OWH stamp to use on the back of my cards so they don't end up in the "hospital" when I send them in. The day the stamp arrived, my son stamped his arm and said it is his tattoo. He is trying to show off some muscle in the pic. *grin* For this tour, we were asked to make a red, white & blue birthday card or a birthday card in general. I wanted to make a ribbon flower and ended up using it as the center for the paper daisy. Details below. Stamps: On Your Birthday CS: WW, Crumb Cake, Night of Navy, Real Red (base for ribbon flower) Ink: Real Red marker Misc.: Dimensionals, Scallop Edge Border, Texturz Backgrounds #1, 5/8" Real Red grosgrain, Paper Daisies, Sticky Strip, Glue Dots 1. The base of the card is made with Crumb Cake. I cut a piece of crumb cake 3" x 4-1/4" to run through the Big Shot with the texture plate and then sponged. 2. Punch a piece of Night

I've received a couple of RAKs and a RAK back in the past week. One card I shared previously from a swap I was in. It is always nice to get happy mail. Sue-Lynn Bock Gina Taylor Patrice Herrera Today I get to go back to my stamp room. The day camp I did is over and went over well with all of the girls that attended. A lot of work but totally worth it.