Stamps ‘n’ Stitches

Here’s another one of my goddaughter.  It’s a recent school portrait.  As I mentioned in my goals, I’ve been trying to incorporate more stamping on my layouts.  I’ve been having fun using "stitch" stamps as I’m not very good at using my sewing machine on layouts.

Cardstock, Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper and stickers, Close to My Heart; Extra large eyelets, We R Memory Keepers; Staples: Making Memories; Acrylic stamp, Autumn Leaves; Ink (Close to Cocoa) Stampin’ Up!; Sketch: Page|Maps

This old layout of my cat (circa 2005) uses actual stitching that I did by hand.  I used a Lasting Impressions stitching guide with Making Memories paper piercer, needle and thread.  I think that’s when their tool kit came out.  I put it to good use!

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics, Patterned paper: Karen Foster; Conchos and ribbon: Michael’s; Stamps (letters in conchos): Stampin’ Up!; Diamond Glaze; Dies: (Paige) Quickutz; Fiber: Making Memories

Call Him Sarge

Sargeant Major George is a dog.  Yes, a dog is a non-commissioned officer in the U.S. Army.  Had no idea.

In my job as a public affairs specialist, I was working on a story at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital about all the things they are doing to help wounded soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  They told me about George and I had to meet him.  After trotting around a rec room a few times, he stood still long enough to take the obligatory picture and then rolled out.  I guess he had more important things to do.

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper, ribbon, extra large eyelets: (Urban Window collection) We R Memory Keepers; Chipboard stars: Basic Grey; Dies: (Vixen) Quickutz; Acrylic stamp: Autumn Leaves; Pens: American Crafts; Ink: (Close to Cocoa) Stampin’ Up

My Aching Back

I’m working on doing a layout or two a month that tells what’s happened to me during that particular month.  I was inspired by a year-in-review project from one of the scrapbook magazines (I’m sorry I can’t remember which one).  I already completed a January page that lists highlights from that month.  Then I did this page that illustrates a major event from January–my back going out.

I was cleaning the house in preparation for some friends who were coming over.  In the middle of mopping, I bent over to squeeze the water from the mop and stood up too fast.  Suddenly, I felt a pain like no other rush down my back and left leg.  After a few days of not being able to move, my husband convinced me to go to the doctor.  Turns out I sprained my back and had sciatica.   I was out for about a week.  My cats were kind enough to keep me company.  I think they were happy to have me home during the day.

Cardstock, patterned paper, accents: Crate Paper; Brads: Making Memories; Sticker: 7gypsies; Dies: (CK Typist) Quickutz; Ink: Colorbox; Sketch: Page|Maps

Down but not out

Last week was a crappy week at work.  I won’t go into here because I got all that out in the blog that I keep private.  Usually when it’s crappy at work, I come home, get in the bed and feel sorry for myself.  This time, I took a nap, got up and decided to scrapbook.  In fact, I forced myself to do it so I would feel better.  And it worked!

With the help of Page Maps, I was able to create three pages.  If you’re not familiar with Page Maps, they’re like Becky Higgins Sketches and they help those of us who are layout challenged.  I also ordered a new trimmer from Making Memories and some acrylic stamps and paper from Close to My Heart.

This is my goddaughter.  She’s a ham.

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper: (Cherish) Creative Memories; Accents: (chipboard circle), Bazzill Basics, (sticker) Creative Memories, (bling) Total Crafts stores, (ribbon) Michael’s stores; Dies: (asterisk/flowers, Vixen and CK Typewriter) Quikutz; Chalk Ink (Chestnut Roan) Colorbox; Chalk: Close to My Heart

My cat Kramer prefers to drink from the bathroom sink instead of his water dish.  He uses the water dish to wash his face.

Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Patterned paper: (Jitterbug) Cosmo Cricket; Rubber stamps: (dotted circle from Seredipity set) Close to My Heart, (flourish from Flourishes v. 1) Autumn Leaves, (zig zag stitches from Hanging by a Thread) Technique Tuesday; Ink (Basic Black, Close to Cocoa) Stampin’ Up!; Accents: (chipboard scroll) Fancy Pants, (buttons) SEI; Fibers: Making Memories; Font: Central Perk; Dies: (Maddie Anne) Quikutz

I had fun and felt better.  Lesson learned: don’t let the crud of the day prevent you from experiencing the joy you feel when you craft.