Sorry about that. I've been layin' low, enjoying my break from school by devouring books left and right. DH told me tonight (after spending $75 at Borders) I need to go to the library from now on. yeah, yeah. Anyway, I haven't been doing much stamping because I'm still sorting through stuff from my last teardown. I really need to get rid of some of my stuff that I'm not using, too. So much to do, not enough time to do it. Sound familiar?
Here are 2 more months to the calendar. I chose to use whatever stamps talked to me about the month, so the elephant on the left is from Our Craft Lounge & the boy with the kite is from Inky Antics. I colored each month with copics (my current favorite coloring medium). I am going to be teaching a class in Coolidge, AZ January 8, using this calendar template. Now to figure out the images for that one. They won't be using copics to color with either, so I have to figure out what medium to use for the class, too. Ah, sounds like I'll be busy for the next couple of weeks. Good think I'm on winter break!
This cute little calendar uses one of those acrylic picture frames to stand on a desk or table. At the end of the month, you just replace January with February! The frame measures 3 1/2 x 5" and can be purchased pretty much anywhere. I will be back on Monday with a couple more months to show you.
I am headed to Fargo, ND tomorrow and will be back on Monday. I have an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon to discuss what to do about my left hand (I'm a leftie) as it's been giving me a lot of trouble for quite some time. I've been getting shooting nerve pain, swelling, inability to control my pen or pencil when taking notes in school, pain with typing, driving, & picking up dog poop in the yard (I know, just what you wanted to know lol). I have had to change how I do things and stop doing certain things altogether. I have already had surgery on each hand 4 times, so I'm not really looking forward to another one, but there has to be something that can be done to improve function and decrease the pain. The only thing that made it possible for me to make it through the semester was the weekly acupuncture sessions, concentrating on my median nerve in my left hand. Man, are those some painful points, but I strongly believe in acupuncture now. I'm just not sure that I want to continue with weekly sessions to keep my functional. I will post an update when I get home.
Have a great weekend!
These are the cards I made for my customer. She loved them! I'm finished with her calendar too, i just need to get it photographed and edited. Hopefully tomorrow between studying for my finals. I was able to take one of my finals early today, so I only have 2 left. I can't wait for this semester to be over!!
...have arrived at their destination. My customer loved them! I did take pictures before I sent them, so here they are. I had so much fun making the cards, especially since I needed a break from homework. :) I dug out my favorite retired Stampin' Up! sets and just played. My customer wanted 20 cards, with some different designs, so I made 5 of each designs. The orange snowman card is one of my friend, Mish's criss cross cards and the tutorial can be found here. I just love making these cards! The hedgehog card in the front is based on my friend,Keri's original design pocket card. Pocket cards are so nice to use around the holidays. You can add a picture in the pocket, or attach a gift card.
It's getting really late and I'm having trouble keeping my eyes open and my brain functioning so I am going to close for now. I will be back tomorrow with individual pictures of each card design and another cute project my customer ordered.
Finals are upon the horizon. I have a lab proficency and a take home test to turn in on Monday in Microbiology, review session on Wednesday for Immunology, a test on the last section in Hematolgy and then a lab profiency in that as well. I'll round out my day on Wednesday with a test on endocrinology in Chemistry. We did our lab proficiency for Chemistry last week, so that's over & done with. PHEW! The following week is lecture finals and then I'm off for 4 whole weeks! I have some projects to work on and packing to do. I'm heading down to AZ to see my parents and maybe teach a crafting class or 2 at the park they live in. We'll see what happens there.
I have a card to share today! This one uses just one stamp from the set Pat the Dog, from Our Craft Lounge, but it's the best stamp in the set! LOL This is what my yard looks like quite frequently with 2 dogs messing it up. Stop over to the lounge and check things out!
None! I was hoping to get some stamping done this weekend, but since I've already spent at least 6 hours on homework for one class, it's not looking good. School is going good, but there's lots and lots of homework to do. LOTS. So, I probably won't get any stamping done until oh, say, after Dec 13.
Hogan had blood drawn yesterday for allergy testing (finally). He's been sooooo itchy since he was about 9 weeks old. Poor thing! He's been really bad this summer and has been on lots of meds. He chews and licks, and chews, and scratches, and chews, and.....you get the idea. I really hope we get some answers and can get him on some allergy shots that will help him.
That's about it. Boring, huh?
I have really enjoyed making cards for my customer. I've been able to stamp and create just for the sake of creating. It's been so refreshing to play with whatever stamps, papers, inks and embellishments I pleased. And if you've seen my stamp rooms, you'd know that I have enough stuff to create for YEARS without having to purchase much more than adhesives. LOL I've found things I forgot about. I found things that I've been looking for. And, I found things that were perfect for certain cards! I finished them up on Sunday & got them in the mail to her yesterday, so hopefully, she'll have them by Thursday. Here are a couple more that were in the box.
School is going good. I've been busy doing homework, studying for tests and gathering research for an oral presentation for my Immunology class. I've had 3 tests in my lectures so far and have a few more on the docket for this week or next. School is definitely keeping me busy!
My friend, Heather Nichols, has been designing for Papertrey Ink for quite a while now. She was given the opportunity to start designing her own stamps last fall & she had her debut last month! Her first set is called Rustic Branches and it is sooooo Piney! (That's what we call her.) She so generously gifted each of us at the stamping retreat with a set of our own last month. I finally inked my set up and played with it earlier this week. OMW! I love this set! Thank you so much, Pine!
This is a gift card holder using Rustic Branches. I love making these! They are so quick & easy!
I also made a couple of pocket cards using Rustic Branches. These are quick & fun to make too.
I've been contacted by some one who wants custom work done from time to time! YEAH! Right now, I'm making a bunch of cards for her. She had a special request for a birthday card for a friend who's in her 30's now so I came up with this the inside says, "or is it just all the candles on your cake?" LOL
She also wanted a wedding card. I used shimmery paper as the base (not sure of the color). I used pearlex on top of white craft ink on the hearts so they sparkle as well. Love was stamped with vanilla craft & heat embossed with detail clear powder.
School is going good. I like my classes, my classmates are interesting (they are from all over the world) and after dropping a problem class, I'm now able to keep up on my homework. The fact that I only have classes 2 days a week is great, however, the days get to be LOOOOOOONNNNNNNNGGGGGG. Monday I have classes from 10-4, not so bad, but getting home is a challenge. Wednesday I have class from 8a-10p. By the time I'm in my last lab, my brain is pretty fried. I need to leave home at 6:30ish to make it to school on time, since campus is across the whole metro. I do have 2 1 hour breaks so i can get some lunch and supper into me. I've been sitting in the backend of my Rav4, listening to the radio, just chillin' my brain, calling some friends, eating my lunch or supper. Sometimes I even try to do some homework. Oh, and I love my instructors. They are mostly laidback about stuff, but sticklers on due dates so we will get along just fine.
