Another Bildmalarna Card

I have been busy today making cards. On one I used a Bildmalarna Easter stamp. It is new and can be purchased here. If you like this type image you also might like Magnolia stamps. Magnolias can be purchased here. I color my images with Copic markers. If you are new to coloring with Copic markers, here are several  hints that may help you.
 >The best ink I have found to use with my markers is Memento Tuxedo Black. I have had success with Versa Fine; however, I heat set that ink before I color. With Memento there is no wait time for coloring.
 >Use a good quality paper when coloring with Copics. There are several brands on the market. I have had success with Neenah and Gina K.
 >Information about coloring with Copic markers is plentiful on the internet. I will list several sites that I visit often.There are plenty of excellent card makers whose blogs I visit regularly. Not only do I get to see beautiful cards, but the artists usually list the products and stamps they use. Many list the Copic markers they use which is helpful. I often write down the Copic #'s artists use if I particularly like the way a card looks. If you look on the right side bar of my blog you will find several site I like to visit. Here are two sites with specific Copic information.
   I Like Markers
   Scrap Bitz

 I have learned about myself while doing the PROCRASTINATION NO MORE project. I have learned that I am most definitely a procrastinator.....as if I had any doubt! Doing anything when it needs to be done (and I don't want to do it) takes every bit of power I have. I have had to force myself to do things....it does not come naturally with me. Mike is so NOT a procrastinator. I watch him do things before they need to be done. You would think that after 31 years of being married to him, his behavior would rub off on me. We are so lucky that my behavior didn't rub off on him or things would never get done (unless I wanted to). I admire people who get things done...like Mike and my sister Polly. I am not giving up on myself. I will push myself to get things done in a timely fashion....sooner than later....and I'll start that tomorrow!
  

Bildmalarna Stamps

I have mentioned Bildmalarna stamps in previous posts; they are rubber stamps manufactured in Sweden. Cindy at StampingScrapping.com is now the US distributor of these stamps. They can be seen and purchased at www.bildmalarna.com. Here is one of my latest Bildmalarna cards. As you can see the images are of sweet, little children. Bildmalarna also has mushroom, frog, baby, and flower stamps. The newest stamps are spring and Easter. Now would be a great time to order your Easter stamps. Since they will arrive from Michigan instead of Sweden you will have plenty of time to make your Easter cards using Bildmalarna stamps.

PROCRASTINATION NO MORE (PNM)
N...need to vacuum scrapbook room

Tilda at Mardi Gras

Check out the Mardi Gras challenge on Magnolia Stamp Lovers Blog . Here is my entry into the challenge as a design team member. Magnolia stamps can be purchased at StampingScrapping.com .

Happy Anniversary

 Today has been a great day. Mike and I spent the day at  home relaxing and just being together. We like days like this. I'm usually upstairs in my scrapbooking room with Mike downstairs reading or watching tv; however, the upstairs is semi-open so we can talk between the floors. Sometimes I yell down, ''What are you watching?" or he yells up, "I love you, up there!". We have a good life.

 We went to Carrabba's for dinner since Italian food is one of my favorites. We had burgers (Mike's favorite) for our birthdays so I chose our anniversary meal. A good marriage is based on cooperation and consideration.When we left Carrabba's it was snowing. That was nice.

 In honor of this special day I thought I would show you a couple photos. Feb. 24, 1979....Mike and I with long hair. I still have the tags from my dress. The price was $48. We splurged on the reception and spend $75 which included flowers, cake, decorations, everything! That night we drove to Nashville and had dinner at the Polaris Room. On the way home snow started falling quickly. The following Monday we both went back to work.

 
 Mike's anniversary card was made with a digital image from Mo's Digital Pencil and colored with Copic markers. You can get Copic markers from StampingScrapping.com.

Anniversary Eve

  I took the layouts to the Sassy Scrapper today, and I also finished my card. I can't show it to you until tomorrow since it is Mike's card for our anniversary. Tomorrow will be our 31st wedding anniversary. We were married in Columbia in 1979, in the Rainey House at Woodland Park. We had a simple wedding and a small reception. That night we had dinner at the Polaris Room in Nashville, and the following Monday we were back at work. Our marriage, like most, has had its ups and downs; however, it is a good marriage. Mike is a good partner!

PROCRASTINATION NO MORE (PNM)
O....OUT TO THE MAILBOX......I have several things I need to get mailed tomorrow.

Satisfaction

I have finished my assignment for the Sassy Scrapper and have 5 layouts to take to the store tomorrow. Here is the final sneak peek. Layout #5 has hand sewing, a few flowers, a little ribbon, a few rhinestones, and four photos. This sneak peek reminds me of a quilt. I like how this layout looks.

 

PROCRASTINATION NO MORE (PNM)

I feel good about having my assignment for the Sassy Scrapper finished. It gives the store personnel time to gather the materials for the kit without being too rushed. Flowers, buttons, ribbon, and papers have to be sorted and in kits for March 6. While working to decrease my procrastination I have to take into consideration how my procrastination affects others. It is one thing to cause my own stress and frustration; however, it is quite another thing if my behavior impacts others. Call it thoughtlessness, rudeness, selfishness, or immaturity....I just know that I don't like it when my procrastination hurts others. PNM!

PROCRASTINAT   

I.....I have a card to finish for Wed.

Sunshine and Rain

 I am thankful for the variety of weather we enjoy in TN. I noticed yesterday my hyacinths are emerging from the soil. It won't be long until the forsythia glow with bright yellow blossoms. I just have to remember it is still winter and be patient. There may be more snowy days to come.

 I have completed four layouts for the March Sassy Scrapper kit. The kit will be available March 6 on LOTM day. I have planned one more layout to do tomorrow. Here are 2 sneak peeks of the same layout. Those of you who like flowers, glitter, and bling will love this layout.

 

 PROCRASTINATION NO MORE (PNM)

 PROCRASTINA

T.....TIME TO FINISH MY SASSY SCRAPPER WORK

This Bud's for You!

 On Tuesday I showed you a paper piecing I had done for Whimsie Doodles. Today I used that paper piecing to create a card.

  I did get my desk cleaned off today after making three layouts for Sassy Scrapper. I still have a couple more sheets of that gorgeous paper. Just trying to decide which photos to use. Tomorrow I plan to finish my designing work for SS. My next projects are coloring some images and making a 3D shadowbox frame. My artsy friend, Vicki Chrisman, sent me several of the frames. You can see them by clicking on her name.
 
 PROCRASTINATION NO MORE (PNM)
    PROCRASTIN
   A    Another day of designing for Sassy Scrapper

 BTW, my cake card won the contest. Thanks for voting for me! I won a free digital stamp of my choice from Phindy'sPlace.               Enjoy the sunshine! LC

Are you a card maker or scrapbooker who likes to sew? There is a new DIY site this is offering the chance to win a sewing or embroidery machine. Check it out here. It's called The DIY Dish.

I have been busy all day working on the layouts for the March 1 Sassy Scrapper kit. How about some sneak peeks? I am absolutely loving these papers, flowers, and embellishments. I think you will also.

PROCRASTINATION
  NO  MORE (PNM)

PROCRASTI
N...need to clean desk where I have been creating all day.

Sassy Scrapper Sneak Peek

    My craft table is cover with papers and embellishments for the March 1st Sassy Scrapper kit. Here is a sneak peek of a layout I finished last night. The papers are so gorgeous it is difficult to cover them with photos and  other items. You are going to love this kit! 

    PROCRAST

    I     I will work on Sassy Scrapper layouts.                                                                                  

Being Flexible

Magnolia Stamp Lovers Blog has a new challenge. The challenge is to use a Magnolia image on a card with a Mardi Gras theme. Magnolia stamps can be purchased at StampingScrapping.com

Here is a sneak peek of my challenge card. What's a Mardi Gras card without beads?

  One of my cards is in a competition. If you would like to vote for my cake #27 (on my card) you can do that
 here.  Thanks for voting for my cake/card.
 

   How do you like the turtle I paper pieced? This digital image is called 'This Bud's for You' and is free from Whimsie Doodles . I created a tutorial on paper piecing so that you can use it on cards or in you scrapbooks. It is an easy technique to learn and use. The tutorial can be seen here .

  Procrastination No More (PNM) has had its ups and downs. Yesterday I worked on the guest bedroom, and today I was going to finish it. I had to go to town for a hair appointment, so I was going to work on the bedroom before and after going to town. My hairdresser cancelled due to illness and re-scheduled for Wed. Then I learned that my company had to cancel her trip due to family illness....so I ditched the guest room work and went straight to my Sassy Scrapper designing (my S work for today). Will I finish the bedroom this week? Probably not, because the work I have to do for Sassy Scrapper cannot be postponed. For the time being the bedroom can wait. Learning to not procrastinate means making decisions about what has to be done first.
  PROCRAS    
  T   tackle the layouts for Sassy Scrapper

Stay warm! LC
 

Amaryllis

  This Amaryllis was given to me by one of my 60 Influential People. The photos do not do justice to this beautiful flower. I have enjoyed watching it bloom.

  PROCRASTINATION NO MORE (PNM) seems to be catching on. One of my readers who is working on PNM put information about it on her blog. Her sister read about it and decided to try it also. She then wrote about it on her blog. Who knows how many people will be changing their procrastination habits before this is over. One thing for sure, those of us doing PNM are getting things done in a timely manner. Two of the benefits from not procrastinating are having things completed and being less stressed.

  I struggled with my procrastination today. The snow falling and the cold temperature made me want to huddle on the couch under a quilt. I did start on the guest bedroom, and Mike helped me hang a small cupboard. It will take another day for me to finish with the room. My cards that are due this week are finished.

  PROCRA

  S.....Sassy Scrapper design work to do.

 Stay warm and drive carefully if you get out! LC

Happy Valentine's Day

  Hope you have had a good day spending time with the ones you love. I have had a great weekend. It started early on Thursday when I had lunch with Melissa at Chef Wang's. Friday, Griffin and I went to Rivergate to see the BodiesHuman exhibit. The exhibit was unusual and interesting. Griffin treated me to a delicious lunch at O'Charley's. He said he was glad we ate before we saw the exhibit! Saturday, Mike and I went with friends to the Paris Winery. After visiting the winery we had lunch at a country store. It was a good day. I have spent Valentine's Day with Mike, my awesome husband! From Thursday to Sunday I have spent special time with 5 of my 60 Influential People....I'd call that extraordinary!

  Here are some photos from Paris and the winery.

                               

  Now, after several days of fun, it's time to get back to work...PROCRASTINATION NO MORE!
PROCR
A  Arrange guest bedroom for weekend company

 Yes, we have company coming on Friday, and this will be a busy week with hair and dentist appointments. Our company is one of my 60 Influential People so that makes the visit extra special.

Lunch with a Friend

I had a great lunch with one of my 60 Influential People today. We met at 11:00 for lunch and left the restaurant at 2:30! No, we didn't eat that much but we sure did a great deal of talking. We caught up on the news of our lives and laughed til we cried. Melissa is 24 years younger than me so I took a bit of kidding about my age. She painted a portrait of me that stated 'Sixty isn't old if you are a tree' and then gave me a small pillow that read 'In Dog Years I'm Dead'! Her birthday card to me referred to aged minds. I took all the kidding in good spirit because that was how it was given. Melissa and I are alike....we can take it as well as we dish it out. I just reminded her about what is said concerning paybacks.....She laughed. It was all in good fun.

I hung the portrait in my scrapbook room as soon as I got home. When I look at it I smile and remember how special Melissa is to me.

Procrastination No More (PNM) report for the day...
P....put stuff in attic....done 2/8
R....rolls of wallpaper...started 2/9
O...one more day....not enough paper 2/10
C...car/cards....car washed and vacuum, cards started  2/11
R...return to card making and finish 2 cards 2/12

Tomorrow will be another big day for me. Griffin and I are going to Rivergate to see the Bodies Human exhibit. This exhibit is over 100 human bodies, organs, and specimens that are preserved by plastination. As you have read before, Griffin and I like science fiction and horror. With Griffin majoring in biology and our taste in reading I thought it would be interesting for us to attend the exhibit. We'll do a little shopping and have a meal while we are out. I look forward to spending the afternoon with my son.

Negative Consequence for Procrastination

  Hello Friends!
  If you are like me, you like to win things, and there is an opportunity to win $100 worth of scrapbooking adhesives. As scrapbookers and card makers we go through a great deal of sticky stuff....glue sticks, double-sided tape, dots, 3D tapes, and tabs. My artsy friend, Vicki Chrisman, is on the Scrapbook Adhesive by 3L Design Team. On her blog she has directions on how to enter. Here is the link to her blog VickiChrisman . While you are at her blog be sure to check out her great designs.

  Another artsy friend, Nicole Anderson, is offering bling on her blog. She is a talented jewelry artisan along with being an awesome card maker. You can check out her jewelry and comment to win on her blog,
 Gotta Have Bling . Be sure to look at the strawberry beads, they are yummy!

  A reader ask about the PROCRASTINATION NO MORE (PNM) project and how to get started. I suggested she list 21 things she needs to do that she has procrastinated about and then assign then to a letter. I reminded her that she has 'poetic license' when it comes to matching activities to letters. The main idea of the project is to get things done, and the letters are just a way to keep up with the 21 days. I am excited that my PROCRASTINATION NO MORE project is catching on. Think of all the things that are getting done and how good people are feeling about what they are doing. People engaged in PNM are getting rid of stress when they get things accomplished. New readers can learn more about my PNM project here.

  My fear of not having enough wallpaper was realized today. No, I didn't buy enough. If I had worked on this project when I first bought the paper I could have ordered more, but now that is not possible. That is my negative consequence for my procrastination. Now I have to decide what to do about the other wall! I am not going to let this situation discourage me and cause me to quit my PNM project. Tomorrow is the letter C and I am going to do several things.
      P....put stuff in attic....done
      R....roll of wallpaper...started
      O...one more day of wallpapering....not enough paper!
      C...car needs to be washed/vacuumed and cards (2) to make for design team assignments

   
   I am excited about tomorrow. I am having lunch with one of my 60 Influential People. If you are new to my blog you can check here to find out about my 60 Influential People. She and I get together about twice a year to eat Asian food and catch up on the latest. We always have a good time together.

   Here is another sneak peek at a part of the March Sassy Scrapper kit. The kits will be for sale March 1 at the Sassy Scrapper.

Thanks for stopping by....LindaC

  

Light Bulb Moments

   I made another envelope valentine card using  Whimsie Doodles images. Instead of using coin envelopes, I used regular red envelopes that I cut to fit.

  I thought this would be a perfect valentine for Mike. I could write on each tag a message such as 'this is good for a homemade apple pie' or 'redeem this for your favorite meal'. Leave a comment if you would like for me to post a tutorial on how to make this type of card. It would be great for Father's Day also.

 Are you wondering about the letter for today? Yes, I worked on the letter R. First thing I did was to locate a can of sizing to put on the walls before I wallpapered. The can of sizing was dried up! Oh no! I could type that excuse for not wallpapering, but how would that help me and others? I kept looking and finally located a partial can. I went right to work putting the sizing on the walls. While I waited the recommended amount of drying time, I pulled the wallpaper out of the closet. A light came on over my head..CLUE #1 to why I had procrastinated.....fear that I had not purchased enough of the paper. I remembered that after I bought it I questioned if I had enough.....and of course, 3 or 4 years later, it certainly won't be available. (Everyone say, duh!)
  I carefully measured the walls and the paper to see how I could make what I had work. Another light bulb came on..CLUE #2 to my procrastination....there are 6 doors, the air inlet, thermostat, doorbell, and a fire alarm to paper around. What a pain in the behind! I cut several strips of paper, and then took one to dip in water. I dipped the strip, let it rest to allow for expansion, and then began to hang the first piece. It went up easily. I smoothed it to get out the air bubbles, checked the plumb line, and then began to cut off the excess. Ugh! Light bulb moment CLUE #3....I had worked with this type paper previously and remembered it tears easily, especially when wet! I took my time trimming and continued wallpapering until dinner time.
  What did I learn today? I learned that fear and frustration caused my procrastination. I was afraid I hadn't bought enough paper and what would I do if I ran out before I finished? I was frustrated by how easily the paper tore when being cut, and there were so many things to cut around. So now that I've started I will just have to be careful when I cut the wallpaper, I can't be wasteful, and if there isn't enough.....I'll cross that bridge if I get to it.
  P put stuff in attic..done
  R rolls of paper.....started
  O one more day of papering

  Funny thing, I have only been working on my procrastination tendency 2 days, and I already feel better. When I look in the bedroom those containers are not there, and the wallpapering I have put off for several years has started. I can only imagine how good I will feel after 21 days. Think of all the things I will have accomplished. What have you completed and how do you feel?

Sneak Peek and the Letter R

 At the Sassy Scrapper today I picked out papers and embellishments for my next kit. The kits will be ready for purchase on the first Saturday of March (Layout of the Month Day). Here is a sneak peek at the papers. They are double sided, and each side is yummy. I am anxious to get started on designing the layouts. You will love these papers!

 Was the first thought in your head when you got to my blog.... 'Did she procrastinate today'?. No, I did what I said I would do. I put boxes in the attic that had been in a bedroom for months. So check that off!
I still don't know why I didn't do it sooner. Just rather do something else or laziness?

       P  Put things in the attic....done
       R  Rolls of wallpaper to put up

Yes, I have some wallpapering to do. I have procrastinated on this for several years. Good thing I still like the wallpaper! When Griffin was young I wallpapered for others to earn extra money, and I actually liked to wallpaper. That was 25 years ago, and my body doesn't cooperate with me like it did then. Can you hear the dread in my voice? So tomorrow night I may be too sore to walk up stairs to the computer. Let me know if you did Day 1 and what you have planned for Day 2. Together we can get things done!

Old Habits are Hard to Break

It is February 7, and I'm just now contemplating 2010 resolutions. Why, you ask? Well, because I am a PROCRASTINATOR! There, I said it! There should be group therapy sessions for people like me, but we would just delay joining the group....not the right time, what to wear, just not ready, morning or night session?

I decided to research why I procrastinate (and why others procrastinate) and found a few reasons:
1. Poor work habits...lack of time management
2. Feeling overwhelmed
3. Trying to be perfect
4. Rather do something else, but why? Do you hate it, afraid of failure, overwhelmed, waiting for right time?

I decided that my reasons for procrastination are all combined into #4, and I also decided to make some positive changes. It takes 21 days to establish a new habit, and tomorrow is day 1. Using the words PROCRASTINATION NO MORE (21 letters) I am going to take one thing a day that I have been avoiding or putting off and do it. So tomorrow.....
    P     PUT some stuff in the attic 
   R
   O
   C
If you decide to do this exercise with me, leave a comment on what you will do on day one. Just think how much we will have accomplished in the next 21 days!! Here's to getting it done! Stay warm~

                                       

Griffin and Christina

Last Sunday when Mike and I celebrated our birthdays with Griffin and Christina I took a couple of photos of the two of them. Today I made this layout for display at the Sassy Scrapper.

WE HAVE WINNERS!

Hello! It is time to announce who won cards! Guess who.......everyone!

I asked Mike to give me a number and TAMMY won the 3 cards; however, I have enough cards in my stash for everyone to receive a card.....SO, if you will send me your address by email I will send you a card. This is my way of thanking you for reading my blog and leaving a comment. Comments are so important to me because they let me know that my blog is being read and by whom. Have a great afternoon and evening!

cummings37128@comcast.net

Magnolia Easel Card

  The third challenge for Magnolia Stamp Lovers Blog is to make a card using a Magnolia image along with buttons, bows, or both. I used a Tilda stamp called 'Loves Me Tilda" and the sentiment that accompanies it.
The bench is also a Magnolia image. I colored them with Copic markers. Both Magnolia stamps and Copics can be purchased from StampingScrapping.com  It is an easel card. If you would like to make one, directions can be found at SplitCoast Stampers .
  There is a card challenge at Bildy Blog that is fun also. I made a pop-up card for this color challenge.The fun part of  this card is that it folds to fit in an envelope. You can learn how to make a pop-up card at Pop-upCard  on the Jan. 26 post. I used a Bildmalarna image, Copic markers, and a JustRite sentiment. Bildmalarna (Bildy) stamps, Copics, and JustRite can be purchased at  StampingScrapping.com .

Happy Birthday Mike!

This is Mike's birthday card. I used an image from Mo's Digital Pencil . *Read below about winning 3 cards.*

 

 Although Mike cooks, vacuums, and does the laundry, people who know Mike know that he is a man's man.

He loves the outdoors, hunting, and fishing. He is in his element when walking in the woods or wading a stream. Mike reads a great deal, and the books he reads reflect his love of nature. When Griffin was young, he and Mike hiked, rappelled, camped, and crawled in caves. They made lots of memories together in the great outdoors.

 Now those of you who know me know I am 'way too prissy' for the outdoors. I don't like dirt, mud, or snakes. Snakes may not be that common, but I have never been outdoors where there wasn't dirt nor have I been fishing where mud wasn't plentiful! The last time I went fishing with Mike may really have been 'the last time'. I slipped trying to climb up the bank, fell into vines and weeds, and skinned my knees. I got up and headed for the truck. As I was walking I tripped over a tree root and fell flat on my face. I fell so hard I knocked the breath out of me. Mike came to help me up as I laid there gasping for air. When I was finally up, walking and able to talk, I whined, "I don't get hurt scrapbooking!" That was the last time I was in the great outdoors!

  

* I have a stash of cards I made for various design team requirements. If you would like to win 3 of my cards please leave a comment and your name on today's post. I will draw a name randomly and post the winner

Feb. 5. I will mail the cards to the US only...no international mail.

Birthday Girl!

         Momma                            See the resemblance?

I have had a very nice birthday. It started last night having dinner with Griffin, Christina, and Mike. Griffin gave me the new Dean Koontz book that I began last night in bed. This morning I had a cinnamon roll (with a candle) and coffee while reading the newspaper. I have had many FB birthday wishes, emails, and calls from friends and family. BFF's from FL, MI, IL, AR have called, and flowers arrived from my KY BFF. Mike suggested going to Carabba's for lunch, but I told him I would rather stay home and relax. February is a big month for us. With my birthday, Mike's birthday (3rd), Valentine's Day, and our anniversary (24th) we usually get each other one big gift, or in my case, a lot of little things....stamps, punches, markers, paper....It works out well for me since CHA just ended, and there are so many new toys on the market. I can hardly wait to shop! Thanks to everyone who made my day special. I appreciate your thoughtfulness and generosity.

I suppose many of you are wondering what is next now that the 60 Influential People has been completed. 

I wonder the same thing; however, I do know that I will continue on this road. The last 31 days were cathartic. Mr. Webster says catharsis is "the alleviation of fears, problems, and complexes by bringing them to consciousness and giving them expression". I don't know if I alleviated anything, but it sure feels good to have my thoughts written down. Journaling, for journaling's sake, never interested me, but maybe the counselor in me thinks I can help others this way....or maybe it's just narcissism.