End of summer- start to fall

Hi ya everyone!

I've been enjoying the last few weeks of August with my son before school starts again and starting to get the itch for those lovely fall days to begin! Cooler days- crisp leaves- football games- and apple picking time is what I've got on my brain right now.

Last week we went on vacation up to northern MN to my father in laws for some down time on beautiful Birch Lake and playing on the 4 wheelers and fishing- it was very relaxing and the weather was beautiful (mid 70's to high 60's)- just perfect! We had a lovely time and I have to boast that I was the only one who caught any fish (he he) - a nice 4 pound small mouth bass and a little perch. The poor guys got skunked again!! I even saw a few trees that were starting to turn colors up there- loved it.

Here are some pictures of a few cards I made over the last 2-3 weeks- some of you have probably already seen them on Flicker- but some of you may have not. All of them are stamped using mainly Hero Arts stamps and my favorite fall colors- orange,  red, yellows and browns.

Here is a quick picture of my family and my mom who was here visiting for a few days. We had a belated birthday get together for her (very casual as you can see) and we watched some really old time home movies that we finally had transfered onto DVD (that was mom's present).  That's me in the white on the left, my mom,  all my sisters and brother with the nieces and nephews too!

Today we are just relaxing and getting laundry done and all our stuff put away from our trip before the work week starts again- but luckily I have the next 2 days off still before my son start first grade! I can't believe how quickly this summer went by and that it's school time already. Got all the back to school stuff purchased and his backpack with supplies ready to go. Now I just have to remeber what day is "picture" day- last year I completely forgot about it and he wasn't exactly looking his best for his kindergarten picture-oops!

I am also getting very excited for the upcoming "Scrapfest" out at the Mall of America too- just about 3 weeks away! It's going to be soooo fun meeting all my Hero Arts/Flicker friends and taking a class from the amazing Tim Holtz and Jennifer Mcguire!

I also just placed a big order of stamps and other goodies goodies from 2 Peas in a bucket last night- I can't wait for that to arrive!! If anyone wants a free shipping code for 2 Peas here it is "B2SKOL"- I think it was a minimum of $50 purchase to apply.

Thanks everyone for stopping by and I'll try to find the time to visit your blogs/Flicker pages and see what you have all been up to!


Inky hugs everyone!

Anne

3 birds with one stone!

Hi there bloggers!

Just a quick post sharing a card I made today for 3 challenges! I made this for both the Hero Arts challenge and also for Jenny's  butterfly challenge, and for the Simon Says "things with wings challenge". Geeze- I don't think I've ever made a card for 3 challenges before!

I only wish I knew what Co. the butterfly stamp is from (I got in off Ebay years ago along with many other unmounted stamps) as I just LOVE all the detail in it. Paired it up with some yummy Bo Bunny paper and tried out a new technique for making a resist background using smeared glue. Pulled out my favorite distress inks for the main image- broken china and tumbled glass.

I'm very excited to show you all something NEW I bought myself on Friday!

YUP- YOU GUESSED IT- A NEW CAR!!

I'm sooooo excited to get  a new car as I've been driving around my beat up old Honda Accord with 200,000 miles on it for the past several years. We were mighty broke for the last 5 years when I stayed home to raise my son , but now that I'm back to work and earning great $ again- this was one of the first things on my "to do list".

I JUST LOVE IT!    It's a 2010 Chevy Malibu- and it's got all the bells and whistles you could ever want - and as my hairdresser said to me last week- "go big or go home"- ha ha!! She has the same exact kind of car- imagine that?
More than anything I'm just happy to have a safe and reliable car- especially with a child now!


Have a great day all and thanks for stopping by- gotta run and make some dinner for my guys!

Hugs, Anne

The dogs days of summer

Hi ya everyone! Can you believe it's August 3rd already.  Geeze- where has this summer gone? Today it's soooo hot and humid- it's like pea soup out there- ugh! Thank God for air conditioning and swimming pools.

I just wanted to let you all know that I'll be taking 2-4 weeks off from blogging. I need to spend the last few weeks before school starts with my son (can't believe he is going back to school in 3 weeks already)  and work has been keeping me awfully busy as well. Since my mojo is still on vacation I thought it was a good time to not think about crafting for a while and try to revive my mojo in a few weeks.

We have the last week of August scheduled for our family summer vacation. We plan on visiting the wonderful Minnesota State fair one or twice (piggin out on deep fried foods on a stick)  and also finally making it up to my father in law's lake place for a few days of fishing and fun in the lake. I really miss my father in law- we haven't seen him all summer long.
If I should find some time and inspiration to get a card or 2 made I may just post a short and sweet little blurb here or there- ya never know?

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer- have fun with your kiddo's while they are home from school.
I'll still be cruising all of your blogs and looking at all the great projects on the Flicker Hero Arts site throughout the rest of August so you will see me here and there!

See you all again come September!!

Hugs, Anne

With a Cherry on top!

My friend Janice just gave me this sweet blog award. She is a wonderfully talented cardmaker- and design team member for Peachy Keen Stamps! I have enjoyed swapping cards with her over the years at Inspire Swap Chat. Check out her blog for some beautiful and really fun cards!  Thanks so much Janice-  I'm honored!


Here are the rules for this blog award:


1. Thank the person who gave you this award.

2. Copy the award and put it on your blog.

3. List three things which you love about yourself.

4. Post a picture you love.

5. Tag five people you wish to pass this award on to.

 
So I've got #1 completed, and #2 is done as well (such a cute award!)
 
 Here are 3 things I'll share with you all that I love about myself:
 
1. I'm not afraid to try something new- in fact I love trying new things- especially stamping techniques.
 
2. I'm a wonderful person to call when you need to talk about something difficult or stressful- I listen without interruption and offer my support in any way I can.
 
3. I'm a fun mother who is always willing to get dirty doing those gross boy kinds of things with my son- like digging up worms (I'm a real tomboy at heart so this is easy for me)!
 
 

I love this picture because it is so amazingly gorgeous and it reminds me of those summer nights when I'm outside catching fireflies with my son!

Here are the five ladies I would like to pass this award on to.

Barb- she is a talented stamper who is the just sweetest lady that always has something nice to say- and she lives right over in Minnesota so she's kind of a neighbor to me!

Jessie- my fun Irish friend who has a wonderful blog and is the Queen of cute recipe cards!

Nat- who creates the most amazing cards with Hero Arts stamps- everytime I visit her blog it just gets better and better!

Lin- who is the queen of challenges and everything she creates is just gorgeous- so much inspiration to be found on her blog!

Nancy- who is one of the most talented Hero Arts Hostesses- you must check out her fabulous creations!

I hope you take the time to visit their blogs- you will love what they create!

Inky Hugs, Anne

Smores anyone?

I know it's the middle of summer but we have been craving smores around here lately. But it's too darn hot to actually have a fire so I'll have to settle for a card version instead.

I pulled out my fun campfire stamp from Impression Obsession and got to work today on a fun fall smores themed card. We do have bonfires here on a regular basis once the weather gets chilly enough- and we frequently have the neighbors over or we go to their house and we always seem to make smores-all the kids just love them!

I used my Copic glitter markers for some real glimmer and shine on the flames and used my white souffle pen for the marshmallows. Found some punched leaves I had left over from last year in my drawer- thought that might give it more of a fall feel. Here is a closeup of the flames and marshmallows.

It was a struggle to get this card made today- my son had a friend over to play and I must admit I really find it very hard to craft when kids are running aroung the house like a bunch of animals! (we know they had fun-right?)

I think this has been the root of my whole mojo issue lately.......I'm embarrased to say this but with my son home all day it just seems next to impossible to sit down and craft- and I'm one of those types that needs my quiet time and space to myself with no interruptions or I cannot get anything done- the creativity just shuts down.

Is anyone else like this? So- maybe once school starts up again I'll get a bit  more time and space and maybe my mojo will come back in full force. 

Thanks for stopping by again everyone!

Inky hugs, Anne