A {Not Too Shabby} Sketch For You To Try

Oops! I did it again! Another card from me straight from left field! I love the look of a clean design, but sometimes I just want SHABBY! This is my bright (sunglasses optional) interpretation of Jen's Sketch For You To Try for this week. The other day when she and I went to the Michael's in Southlake, we both picked up one of these cool new Naked Chipboard Tag Pads from K&Company. I think we just liked them because they say naked. So when I went to make the card for this sketch, I KNEW I wanted to use one from the little booklet (they actually come 6 to a book, embossed along the edges and strung on some fun ball keychain). They would be perfect to embellish as is and make a little mini book. I see myself getting a couple more, "just in case" I have a stamping emergency. Anyway, the little chipboard tag just jumped onto this card which I had to make 5.5 square to barely fit it. Demanding little thing. I think the birdcage stamp is just a bit small for it, so I made up for the minimal focal point with maximum embellishments and flowers, sponged all the edges and used a background stamp in Versamark to help balance it out. I love the new Verve Visual sentiment, especially with this card being that the colors of it are so bright. It seemed to just "work". You wouldn't think bright colors for such a shabby feel for a card, but I think with all the sponging, it tends to tone it down just a bit. What do you think? You really should just TRY this sketch. It's an easy one to get you going! Check out Shannan, Carole and Amy's mojolicious versions as well and be sure and use SFYTT for your keyword on SCS, so we can see your mojo at work!

TIP: Speaking of "tone it down", that's what all us moms are going to be saying here in the next couple of weeks when all the kids are home for summer and we're used to our peace and quiet. Several of you asked me to expand on my little WEEKLY SUMMER SCHEDULE, so here goes:

MONDAY MOVIE DAY--Pretty self-explanatory. Set child/children in front of TV and turn DVD player on. Continuous play buttons are extra handy. No really, after a busy weekend, they need down time. A couple of movies in a row won't hurt, or take them to a movie (Mondays are .50 cent days at a local theatre here), learn about a movie, make a movie.
TUESDAY TOY DAY--Don't you just love all the toys they have, but never play with (and then they complain they don't have anything TO play with?)? This is the day to say, play with the TOYS! Even outside toys are renewed when summer hits! Break out the rollerblades and bikes. Make a toy, have a puppet show, buy the toy you've promised them as a reward, build something.
WEDNESDAY WATER DAY--This one is fun. Take child/children outside and spray with water. They love it in the eyes. Get creative with this one. The obvious ones are play in a play pool, sprinkler or bathtub (seriously, my 4 year old loves to swim with her swimsuit on in the tub!). We don't have a pool, so if you don't either, take them to a waterpark or sneak over to your neighbor's pool while they are gone, making sure they don't use the dye that turns color if a potty accident occurs. This is also a good time to do science experiments that involve water or anything liquid. Read about the ocean and/or ocean animals. Potty train.
THURSDAY THOUGHTFUL DAY--You may have to force this one. The intent is to teach your kids to think of others, but the thoughtfulness concept is still an embryo until the age of 21, so keep that in mind. Today, make something for someone else, write a thank-you note, make a card for someone (who'da thunk and here's your chance to stamp), clean up something you didn't do. Make/send some flowers to a neighbor. Anything charitable or helpful toward others. The good thing about Thursday Thoughtful Day is that you get to play that card when they don't share and then they don't get the reward toy the next week on Tuesday Toy Day, totally forcing them to play with what they already have. If you're low on dough, have your radar ON for this.
FRIDAY FRIEND DAY--Farm your kids off for the day to a friend's house. If you're extra lucky, said friend will have them stay the night. Ok, if that's not possible, make Fridays a day where they get to have a friend over, or go do something with a friend. Scheduled "co-op" times between moms to take each other's kids, even for a couple of hours is greatness and majorly helpful for your sanity (remember this on Thursdays). Do I have any takers?

Seriously, this is a FUN weekly thing to follow and kids enjoy the structure of having something to look forward to. It's not imperitave that you stick to it and the activities don't even have to last all day. However, I think in the long run, you will have more time to get some stuff you want to get done if you just set that aside for a bit and share some time with them first. Only after that can you then also pull the "Now it's time for Mommy to play" card. I actually made a few of these days so that I'd have "built-in" stamping time. (But chores and laundry also have to get done--maybe I'm the one in need of a schedule!) I'd love to hear any suggestions of ideas for any of these daily things to do. If I get a lot of ideas, I will compile them here in a later post. Thanks for reading!!

Stamps: Fluttering By (Verve Visual), Bird in Cage (Hero Arts), Pretty Pattern Backgrounder (CHF)
Paper: Basic Black (SU!), Sasha Collection (Prima)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Chestnut Cat's Eye (Colorbox), Versamark
Accessories: Chipboard Tag (K&Company), Clip (Making Memories), Prima Flowers, Brown Flower Brads, Button, Colored Brads, Mini Flower Punch, Brown/White Polka Organdy Ribbon from Michael's, Pop Up Glue Dots, Regular Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Pink Trim