Friday, May 15, 2009

Puppy Jail, a Bird Egg and Prayers Needed

Ah, it's RUFF being a puppy. Momma keeps me in puppy jail while she's at work. I'm too ornery to graduate yet! At least I have my snuggly red blankie with me in jail. Isn't my new haircut cute? Momma had Betsy trim me shorter and cut my face in a puppy style. I'm so handsome I deserve to be out of jail. Amen. Luv, Riley
Momma keeps us in puppy jail in the back yard, too. This is where we were tonight while she was checking on the baby bird egg that fell on the ground. We whimpered. I think she did, too, since she was sad for the egg. Do you see Riley's very green paws? That's cuz Momma mowed and we ran like maniacs in the grass. (psst....I'm the handsome one on the right. Luv, Jack)
Ok, now it's my turn to write. When I was mowing on the west side of our house, I noticed this blue egg under one of the small bushes. I went back later to see if I could find a nest it may have fallen from. No. The only nest I know of is in the tall bush near the front of the house. Wonder if the momma bird laid it here or what? It puzzled me, but I wanted so badly to make a difference and put it back for her. God bless that little baby bird. It probably won't make it, I'm guessing. I didn't know what to do so it is still there in the same spot. *sniffle*
Sorry, still nothing crafty to share. I did want to update you on a few things. Kevin's job was reduced to four days a week instead of five. That will mean an even tighter budget here. It is a blessing to have a job in this economy and we are certainly counting our blessings. We'll adjust. When he called me at work to tell me, the pit of my stomach rose up in my throat. At first, I thought he was going to tell me they laid him off. Whew. That could happen, but for now he's there four days a week. Not complaining, just informing.
Please pray for Kaylee Holtzapple. She is the beautiful 3-year-old granddaughter of my co-worker Barb. Kaylee was born with several birth defects (V.A.T.E.R. syndrome) and has undergone several corrective surgeries (ortho, urological and bowel). Just today they found out from her urologist that she will have to be catheterized every 3 hours. She retains urine, which in turn damages her kidneys. She had just begun potty training and will now have to change that. She was also born with no anus, had surgery to form one and has no bowel control. She was to begin bowel training in order to "hold" it in big girl panties. This may all be graphic, but it will help you understand some of her difficulties and what to pray for. Barb and her husband will visit Kaylee in Kentucky this weekend for a family celebration of her other granddaughter's first birthday. I told Barb to have a safe trip, then she told me the news and we shared a hug and some tears. She is such a dear woman and I couldn't help but share so you can pray for their family. Thanks!
And, lastly...Kristie Gauss. She is the one with cancer I talk of often. Her son, Zak, has been having some breathing, eating and swallowing difficulties. They aren't sure if he has asthma, a swallowing problem or if this is all completely stress related. Kristie also has a sinus infection. This family remains so faithful day to day and any prayer for them is so appreciated.
You see....one day off work per week is so minor when you put it all into perspective, huh? :)
On Saturday, I am picking up our food from Angel Ministries, getting my hair cut/colored and then spending time with my sister, mom and nieces. Kevin and my dad are going to the drag races. Hope you have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Wonderful Wednesday

Well, the card below had the word Wonderful on it and today is Wednesday, so the title of the post became Wonderful Wednesday. In all honesty, it hasn't been too shabby so far. That's a good thing.

Riley is at the groomer so Jack and I had a nice long walk together. It is sooooo much easier to walk with just one dog than two. No leash tangles! LOL! I haven't done anything crafty this week, but have one card I want to share. I was at my neighbor Wanda's and she showed me her Mother's Day card from Luann. It is gorgeous! I asked her if I could take a picture and share the idea. Luann works at a hospital and she bought it from one of her co-workers. The card is even more gorgeous in person, but check it out below...
Cardstock and ink colors are Taken With Teal, Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive. Not sure the flower set, but the "wonderful" is from the set Warm Words.
Love her little glittery details and the dimension of the leaves.
She used the distressing tool on the cardstock edges and I LOVE that edge punch. Wish I knew who made that. Isn't it neat that she also inked the punched area to emphasize the design?
Oh, yeah. This card was well worth me bringing home to photograph. Hope you like that I shared it. Gotta run...doing a lot of miscellaneous around the house. Riley should be ready soon to be picked up. His brother keeps looking for him and wonders where I hid him. LOL!
Oh wait...before you go. Please go HERE to read updates on Mic Becerra and his battle with acute myeloid leukemia. He and his family could use your prayers. Thanks!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Blessings Magnet

The clear patterned plastic shape was purchased at the local scrapbook store. I added punched/stamped scallops, Prima flowers, brads and a magnet on the back. I have to get more of these clear scalloped circles and make more magnets. I was very happy with how this turned out. It matches the purple in my mom's kitchen. When she sees it, she will have a reminder that I love her. :)
The stamped scallop is adhered to the front and the yellow scallop is adhered to the back. It makes it more dimensional, plus hides the adhesive. I used my Marvy circle punch on the thin magnet sheet to get this larger magnet piece. I used the Crop-a-dile to punch holes for the brads.
Thanks for stopping by!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

My Wonderful Mom

My mom is a tender, God-loving woman who is an example of gentleness, kindness and thoughtfulness. I am so blessed to call her mine. I love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!
I made this mini album for Mom. It is from Creative Memories and comes with the paper album, printed papers/photo mats, epoxy stickers, clear word stickers and die-cuts. I added some letters cut out with the Cricut and my hand-written notes of love and appreciation. Click each pic to make it bigger and read the journaling. First, grab a tissue. I tell ya, I wept when I did this. Happy, appreciative tears. I am so blessed to have the mom I do. :)


Under the inside cover, I tucked a certificate for a pedicure.
Check back tomorrow to see the magnet I made for her using Prima flowers, punches, stamps and a die-cut scalloped circle. Have a wonderful day!

Friday, May 8, 2009

Monkey Business

Yeah, this is a weird picture. But, then again....so am I apparently. LOL! I was sitting at the computer and Kevin said something about monkeys. Then, it finally dawned on me that I had half of my work clothes on and half of my jammies. They both have monkeys on them. I looked down and saw this lovely combo. Eww...he said he hoped that "What Not to Wear" didn't show up. He and I are like that....we don't care if we match at home. We just like to be comfy. Later I put on a t-shirt that I can sleep in. It was light pink. Still didn't match the Curious George pants. You should have seen me when I let the boys out....light pink t-shirt, George pants and hot pink slippers. FASHION POLICE...EAT YOUR HEART OUT! LOL!

This week flew by in blogland. I had not posted since Monday. I've been a bit busy and have a busy weekend ahead of me. This house must be whipped into shape, laundry needs caught up, groceries must be bought, bills must be paid and oh yeah....Sunday is Mother's Day! I may not be in blogland for a few more days. In the meantime, I've got some serious fashion faux pas going on. LOL! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Monday, May 4, 2009

Sneak Peek of Julie's Album

I am making an 8x8 keepsake album about Julie's bridal shower and bachelorette night. I used the Cricut Storybook cartridge for the lettering and decorative elements. I love that cartridge! I also used the leftover Vera Bradley invitations for photo mats and to punch out photo corners. I love that since the pattern contains her wedding colors, etc. I am keeping things pretty simple and will later add people's names and some heartfelt journaling with my handy dandy white gel pen. I will give it to Julie when it's all done. :)
I don't have the pages in an album yet since I have to journal yet. I just laid them on the ottoman by our front window where there is good light to take these pics. Click any of them for a closer look.
Thanks for stopping by! I don't have a whole heck of a lot going on this week, but might try to stamp something to share later in the week. I might catch up on my sleep! LOL!!!!!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

My buddy my pal

Riley and Tucker are such adorable brothers. At family functions, they get to play together. (Most of you already know, but in case you don't....I'll tell you that they are littermates/true brothers and were born Sept 5, 2008. Julie my niece had Tucker and we adopted Riley after falling in love with Tucker. It is neat that two littermates are in our family.) On this day, I had Julie hold them side by side for size/look comparisions. Tucker will always be smaller as he was the smallest of the litter and is more petite overall. I finally made a page Saturday about this day. I know I didn't journal their weights, etc. but the pictures say it all anyway. It is funny how Riley is more caramel and Tucker had maintained his black and tan look. *click picture for a closer look*
I had a sheet of vellum sayings about dogs. I cut out the ones I wanted and adhered them to Kraft cardstock. For the title block, I cut out watercolor paper using my SU! Top Note die. The edges are inked with Chestnut Roan ink. I added the vellum title and sewed on a button using linen thread. It is attached to the page using Stampin' Dimensionals.
I stamped bones on a strip of Kraft cardstock, added more vellum words and some more buttons. I accented the blue color of the striped paper by added a punched circle under these buttons. I used SU! Baja Breeze cardstock. I love that color! I inked the torn edges of the polka-dot paper using Papertrey Ink Vintage Cream ink. Love that hybrid ink! Thanks to Connie for the Baja Breeze cardstock and letting me use her Xyron for perfect adhesive on the vellum pieces!
The four Zaney Girlz scrapped together at Connie's Saturday from about 10am until about 3am Sunday!!!!! We were nuts! We each got a lot done and had a BLAST! We each brought different foods, enjoyed contagious never-ending laughter and created more memories. We have the BEST time together. What is so wonderful is that our friendship is about love, fun and laughter. The bonus is that we are family. :) The pic above is of the donut cake my mom brought. It is a gigantic glazed donut slathered with the most luscious icing ever! It is from our hometown Hawkins bakery. No other bakery can top this white icing! Yum!
Thanks for stopping by! I am still trying to recover today (bellyache from eating too much good food and exhaustion from staying up 22 hours!!!!), but a Zaney time is always worth it! Does this mean I have a scrappin' hangover? LOL!!!!!!!!