M.I.A.

Well, I've been a little (ok, a lot) Missing in Action for the last week or so. I just wanted to come over here and tell ya'll that I haven't forgotten about the ol' blog. Eric went to the hospital for his routine chemo (high-dose Methotrexate) last Wednesday and was supposed to come home last Friday. Due to a few minor setbacks, he's still there. We are hopihg he will get to come home on Thursday or Friday (tomorrow or the next day). I've been dividing my time between staying up at the hospital some nights and coming back to stay with the girls on others. He's doing fine, so no need to worry, just keep praying and sending good thoughts and well wishes! I'll be back soon with a card or two!

TCPTUES106--Let's Get Corky

Well, how's everyone's week going so far? We made it through another Monday, right? So being that it's Tuesday, let's change the subject to TCP Tuesday from The Cat's Pajamas! (Who wants to talk about crummy Mondays anyway when there's so much fun to be had on Tuesdays?) This week's Hostess with the Mostess is Amy Rohl, the queen of quirk, I mean cork! Cork is fastly becoming the latest trend, and as always, trendy Amy is all over it.

Amy has challenged us to "get corked" by using cork on our cards and projects. Since I was starting to feel "estranged" from my crafting space, I decided I wanted to make a little bit more of a time-consuming project and get comfy in my crafty chair to bask in a little more crafty goodness than just making a card. I knew right away that I wanted to cover one of these little $1 unfinished wood boxes from Michael's with cork sheets (that I also found at Michael's). So I painted only what would show on the box white and traced, cut out and adhered the cork to the rest of the box. The band was placed around it and the image panel is popped up a bit, with the bunny and white mushroom cut out and popped up even more for some 3D action.

Rising just as fast in popularity as the cork is fabric and denim in conjuction with papercrafting and scrapbooking projects. So yes, I HAD to go there, too. Audrie approved of me cutting up some of her old jeans that no longer fit and making this cute little flower and using some of the hem to make the tie on the little handle there. There's lots of ways to make these flowers. I saw some in magazines and on YouTube, but basically ended up doing my own thing with them and I think it turned out pretty cute! I'm sure (i.e. I KNOW) you'll be seeing more cork and denim in some of my projects to come. Let's get corked AND frayed!! Yes!


SUSIE Q-TIP: When trying to come up with a plan as to how I was going to stick the cork onto the wood box, spray adhesive was recommended to me. I've never used it. Come to find out, it's really really REALLY sticky. Let's just say it got all over my hands and I was able to "tack and peel" more of Eric's hair right out of the top of his head with my sticky hands just like a lint remover. ROFL!! I could not get the stuff off without googling what to do about it. They (whoever they are) suggested olive oil. I'm out right now, so I decided that suntan oil would have to work. It did. Now lets just hope the palms of my hands don't get that golden Coppertone glow.

Stamps: Blow (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, White, Pure Poppy (PTI), The Goods (American Crafts)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukieneko)
Accessories: Wood Box, Cork Sheet, Spray Adhesive (Elmer's), White Paint, Old Jeans, Buttons, Copic Markers, Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, White Gel Pen, Felt Leaf Sticker, Twine (TCP), White Grosgrain Ribbon, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters

A {Marker Lady} Sketch For You To Try

Well, everyone now knows me at Eric's doctors office/infusion center (Sammons Cancer Center at Baylor in Dallas) as the "Marker Lady". I've been carrying my bucket of Copics and a clipboard with stamped images to color around everyday this past week. I'm used to the odd looks everyone gives me. They are just jealous that they don't have a bucket o' fun like I do. (Their buckets are for other things, I'm sure.) I've gotten a lot of images colored, during Eric's treatments. Now if I can just find time to have them grow up to be cards! I've got lots of ideas up my sleeve, some of which I plan to start on today!

But first, we have today's Sketch for You To Try from Jen. It's a GREAT one, too. I tweaked it just a bit and made my card square, as I just couldn't get it all to fit on a regular sized one. I couldn't resist using this little Pure Innocence Birthday Princess girl from My Favorite Things. I didn't get to use her during last month's release, so it was time. If ya'll haven't seen the full line of Pure Innocence stamps on Kim's site, you are missing out!

I hope to be back soon with more...oh and sorry about the dark pics. I took them outside in full sun. Bad idea.

Eric Update: We managed to make it all the way through the week with going to Dallas for chemo every day! Week One of at least nine is done! We were there all day Monday and Tuesday (which included a nice little spinal tap for more chemo injected there), but only half days the rest of the week, as he only got Citoxan those days. (I guess they are trying to fool us with the spelling of that drug? Ci-TOXIN would be too obvious as to its mission in life, right?) All in all, he did ok with all of it. He's been more sick to his stomach the last 2 days than anything. Just a little trivia--his Neulasta injection alone yesterday would have cost $6,700 if we didn't have insurance (thanking God!). We are off for the weekend, then another little shot on Monday and reservations in Dallas' fanciest hospital digs--Baylor University Medical Center, Roberts Cancer Floor 9, Wednesday through Saturday. I told Eric he's going to be the $6 Million Dollar Man before all this is over. Check it out...'Eric Liles, Federal agent. A man barely alive. Gentlemen, we can rebuild him. We have the technology. We have the capability to build the world's first bionic man. Eric Liles will be that man. Better than he was before. Better, stronger, faster.' Go Go Gadget Eric (whose voice actually DOES sound like Batman still).

SUSIE Q-TIP: For a little more interest, offset your main image panel from its matting. In fact, go crazy and round only one corner.

Here's a little more inspiration for ya'll from my SFYTT sisters whom I'm sure would be considered "Marker Ladies" too if they had a pretty bucket to carry them around in (want a picture?):
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock
Sony Cristoph
Be sure and play with us!

Stamps: Pure Innocence Birthday Princess (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Regal Rose (SU!), Dk. Chocolate (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Lemonade (Basic Grey)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen (Ranger), Chestnut Roan (Colorbox)
Accessories: Sewing Machine/Thread, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Big Scallop Punch (EK), Felt Leaves, Crochet Flower (Thanks Daniela!), Buttons (MFT), Twine (TCP), Flower Brads, Shimmerz Sea Foam Spray, Adhesive Rhinestones, Copic Markers, Ribbon (PTI), Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: 5.75" Square

A TCP Tuesday New Release Blog Hop--It's Tutu Much!

Well, we're posting a little early (it's Monday night) for TCP Tuesday to give ya'll a head start to play and also because we are just so darn excited to show off the FIVE newest stamp sets being released tomorrow, Tuesday the 13th, from The Cat's Pajamas! Toni is our Hipster Hostess with the Mostess, so as always she'll have all the fabulous details about how to play for your chance at $25 in Cat Cash and an opportunity to be next month's SWANKY stamper.

In order to celebrate the new releases in style, we've put together a little Blog Hop--they're all the rage these days, ya'll know! So you should have come here from the wonderfully talented Sony Cristoph's blog, Stampin It Up in LA, but if you just popped in, you'll be remiss if you don't start at the beginning over on Toni's blog, Moved to the Mountains (remember, she's the TCP Tuesday Hostess, too) so ya'll don't miss a thing. Go on, I'll wait....Noo-ne-noo.

Ok, you're back! Hola! I am feeling generous, so I'm showing ya'll two cards today. The first one uses the new Salud! set which is super fun with those pesky penguins. Cheers! The second one is called Tutu Much (sketch courtesy of Karen's Sweet Sunday) and features a new little adorable bunny character and her babies. I think it's my favorite set from the entire release. Ya'll are going to LOVE IT!

Ok, well it's about time to head em' up and move em' out so ya'll can see more TCP goodness. Leigh's blog, Sunflower Studio is your next stop on the hop. No tellin' what kind of peskiness she's been up to! Thanks for hoppin' and I'll be back soon with more and an Eric update!

SUSIE Q-TIP: I almost forgot to tell ya'll about that RAD new twine I'm using on my card (the bunny one). It's also making it's debut with TCP tomorrow. It's like a thick thread, but not as thick as hemp. It's strong and not so furry like some I've used in the past. This twine is actually linen embroidery thread, so it is twisted tightly and keeps it’s shape better than regular twine and it ties perfectly and stays tight (I wish I could have--What? I'm talking about my sagging skin!). It is a little over 13 yds and will sell for $2.75 for the roll. I am COMPLETELY SURE ya'll will LOVE it!

Margaritas!
Stamps: Salud! G-9681 CL (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Dk. Chocolate, White (PTI), Summer Sun (SU!), Mint Green (Core’dinations), Garden Variety (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Pure Poppy (PTI)
Accessories: Large Scallop Rectangle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine/Brown Thread, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Border Punch (MS), Copic Markers, Silver Brads, Bride Flowers (Michael’s), Glitzy Glitter (TCP), Dotted Ribbon (PTI), Foam Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Thank You Tutu
Stamps: Tutu Much G-9683 CL (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Barely Banana (SU!), Ocean Tides , White (PTI), Peach (Core’dinations), Earth Love (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Circle Punch, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Sewing Machine/Brown Thread, Copic Markers, Button and Twine (TCP), Glue Dots, Foam Boosters
Finished Size: 4.25" square

A {Hola, Como Esta} Sketch For You To Try

Well, we had a really fun evening last night. Just hung out together as a family. We ordered a pizza, rented some movies from the RedBox (really cool because they are just a dollar), went for a walk and then came back in to watch Old Dogs (not so good) and New Moon (I got soo sweepy so we decided to watch it tonight--don't tell me how it ends!). I think I loved our walk the most. There are no houses behind ours, just a big park with a wide sidewalk all the way around it. The girls love it and always run ahead of us slow folks. But it gives Eric and I a little time to ourselves while entertaining them at the same time (ya'll should try it). Here lately we have had some really good talks as we have been hashing out life in general and what's to come in the next few weeks. We are excited to get things underway next week and find a semi-normal routine in it all. He and I have always loved our time together, but it seems like since his cancer diagnosis, we've become attached at the hip! It's a silver lining.

Anyway, enough of "clouds and bunnies" and onto my card for today's Sketch For You to Try from our one and only Jen del Muro. I am more often than not caught saying "Hola" instead of hello, just because I think it's fun. So when I saw this soon to be released set (April 13th), Hola Tequila from The Cat's Pajamas, I squealed to finally have a stamp that said the same thing! I added the penguin mariachi band with it, changing the circle to an oval, and used a little creative license with the orange panel, making it sort of a Mexican pancho thingy with the fringe. This set and ALL four other ones coming ya'll's way next week are so FUN! We'll be having a blog hop on TCP Tuesday (yes, I'll be on time for this one) to give ya'll some more previews of the stamp sets. And yes, it WILL be "clouds and bunnies" all over again!

SUSIE Q-TIP: I had to make this card an odd size to accomodate the image and all the "stuff" on it. I hereby give ya'll permission to do the same.

Well, I tried to write "please play along in our SFYTT sketch this week and upload your card to Jen's slide over on her blog for a your shot at being next month's guest designer" in Spanish, but it didn't quite come out the way I'd planned. All I could come up with was "Yo quiero Taco Bell." Check out las hermanas de SFYTT and play along!:
Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock
Sony Cristoph

Stamps: Hola Tequila N-9680 CL (The Cat’s Pajamas)
Paper: Black, Pure Poppy, Vintage Cream (PTI), Orange (Core’dinations), Garden Variety (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Pumpkin Pie (SU!), Pure Poppy (PTI), Chestnut Roan (Colorbox)
Accessories: Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities, Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Cuttlebug, Scallop Scissors, Paper Distresser (TH), Copic Markers, B/W Gingham Ribbon, Button and Twine (TCP), Glue Dots, Foam Boosters
Finished Size: 4.75 x 6"

Born to Be Wild--TCPTUES104

Well, like I said yesterday, this week has just driven right past me (but it didn't run me over, thank goodness. I'd make too big of a mess.). So staying true to form in my "behind-ness", I give ya'll my TCP Tuesday card on Friday from The Cat's Pajamas. Three days late isn't THAT bad, right? More or less a reminder that ya'll still have time to play to try and win your $25 in Cat Cash and be named April's Swanky Stamper. Yeah, that's the ticket. Yup, even though it's Friday, Jen is still considered this week's Hipster Hostess with the Mostess and has brought us this wonderful sketch that she pulled from the archives that was originally taken for a spin by Carole (waving!!).

This is also actually a Sneak Peek at what's to come from The Cat's Pajamas on April 13th. It's one of five new sets and this one is aptly named Joy Ride. I LOVE this bunny and I still want a Vespa (although I absolutely have no use for one). The set comes with these little dotted "road lines" that I stamped in a criss-cross pattern and embossed with white on the black cardstock. Much to my surprise, it gave the "road" a little vanishing point perspective when I placed the bunny/vespa onto the panel. Cool, eh? Funny part is that the whole time I was making this card, I had the Steppenwolf song, "Born to Be Wild" running through my head (and now ya'll can have that wonderful thrill of a song in your head all day too. Oh the rush.).

Anyway, check out all the details on how ya'll can get your motor runnin' and play to win in this TCP Tuesday challenge over on Jen's blog. You were indeed Born to Be Wild. Believe it.

SUSIE Q-TIP: I highly don't recommend picking up your kids at school on a Vespa. I saw a lady doing this the other day at Lindsie and Audrie's elementary school. She put her little darling in front of her on the seat and neither one of them had helmets. As we were droning along in the school zone a couple of minutes later, I saw her get "pulled over" and she was written a ticket(s) of some sort. The coolest part--it was two motorcycle cops that caught her lookin' for adventure. I love CHIPS. That Eric Estrada. I must have a thing for "Erics".

Stamps: Joy Ride (The Cat's Pajamas)
Paper: Kraft, Black, Vintage Cream (PTI), The Boyfriend (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, Versamark (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Heat Tool, White EP, Sewing Machine/Thread, Circle Punches, Copic Markers, Twine and Buttons (TCP), Stardust Gel Pen, Silver Gel Pen (Marvy), Glue Dots, Jody Boosters
Finishes Size: A2

An MFT Two-fer

Well, hey there, ya'll! Long time, no blog, eh? This week has just slipped by me! Big goings on though! Did you know that there was an MFT release last night? (I had a great time at the party!) And another release coming from The Cat's Pajamas on the 13th? I have so much to show ya'll! But yet I have so many DVR'd shows to watch, too! (AI, Parenthood, Dancing with the Stars, Biggest Loser) Where are my priorities? LOL! I guess I'll just jump right in and try and make up for some lost time with ya'll here on my blog and then become a couch potato. I've got two cards for My Favorite Things using two of the new stamp sets. This first one is Millie the Mouse, a new character for MFT. She's absolutely charming and so easy to paper piece! I also added a little blush to her ears with a Prismacolor pencil. This card is actually the Wednesday Stamp Club Sketch for April (MFTWSC040710). I got to play and the sketch is super versatile! There's another one of those big yellow flowers, too! Giggle!

Now, this card is a little special. I colored it at the hospital while Eric was having his first round of chemo when we were still in "waiting mode" to see what his actual diagnosis was (something was better than nothing at that point!). He didn't know it, but I was coloring this cute little Pure Innocence-Boy and Dog-Tree Swing right under his nose for a card to give to him! He even picked out some of the color choices! I borrowed the layout and tweaked it from a card i saw in last month's Paper Crafts magazine from Betsy Veldman pg. 70. LOVE IT! Yes, that is actually a clear button on the side there, with a "ribbon-button-loopy-thing" tied to it and it is all glued on top of a circular piece of gray felt. Fun and boyish. He loved the card. In fact, he's loving ALL the cards ya'll are sending! We have them all displayed on a rack in our living room. Just looking at it encourages him and lifts us both up constantly! THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!

I am sorry for the lack of blogging here lately, but I hope to have another post tomorrow and for once, I already did my SFYTT card, so that's a guaranteed post for Saturday! I haven't left my front door open again (yet), but yesterday I almost forgot to DVR American Idol! What is wrong with me!?! The fun is just beginning.

SUSIE Q-TIP: Play around with your border punches, using different depths of them for different looks. That green border on Millie's card is the same as the orange border on Eric's card, just less of it is peeking out for Millie.

You Make Me Smile
Stamps: Millie the Mouse (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Regal Rose, Barely Banana, Old Olive (SU!), Smokey Shadow (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Cherry Hill (October Afternoon)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko)
Accessories: Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Copic Markers, Prismacolor Pencils, Border Punch (MS), Silver Brads, Green Prima Flower, Felt Flower, Regal Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

Hang in There
Stamps: PI Tree Swing (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Smokey Shadow (PTI), White Perfect Panels (MFT), Orange (Core'dinations), The Boyfriend (Cosmo Cricket)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Antique Linen (Ranger)
Accessories: Sewing Machine/Thread, Border Punch (MS), Circle Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Silver Brads, Copic Markers, Clear button, Ribbon (PTI), Twine, Hot Glue, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: A2

A {Clearly Getting Older} Sketch For You To Try

Well, it's been a busy week here in Lilesland. Lots going on with the girls and school, lots of phone calls and errands ran. Then yesterday, after I went with Eric for a blood draw, my neighbors and I were LONG overdue for a little lunch-i-poo date, so we went and had Joe's Pasta (how many of them are in YOUR neighborhood? And they aren't even related!). However, I think I'm losing my mind. When we got back, I realized I had left my front door WIDE OPEN. No, not just unlocked, OPEN, welcoming all to my empty house (oh and you know it's chock full of valuables--not!). So after a quick and kind of scary walk-thru, opening all the closets, looking under beds and pulling the shower curtains back fastly to make sure there weren't any boogie-men hiding to get me, the coast was clear. Please tell me ya'll have done the same thing (lie to me) so that I won't feel so dumb!

Ok, on to the card, before I forget to show it to ya'll! Today we have, of course, Jen's Sketch For You To Try, but I combined my efforts and made this card a Sneak Peek of a set that's coming out this week as well from My Favorite Things. It's called Clearly Sentimental About Birthdays and includes several GREAT birthday quotes and general "getting older" type quotes. Hey, I heard ya'll snicker! I know I'm getting old and losing my brain cells. Yesterday was confirmation and this is the set I chose to peek. Oh the irony. Nice.

For all the Teasers of this set and another one called Bunch of Bots, check out Kim's blog for a list and links of all the DT members showing their stuff. Then join us this Wednesday night at 8pm EST for the release party on SCS HERE. We have TWO new characters, ONE new illustrator (who is quite famous, I might add) and FIFTEEN new stamp sets! Are ya'll excited yet?

I hope ya'll are equally as excited to play in Jen's Sketch For You To Try! We'd love to have you join us. Be sure and add your creation to Jen's Slide show on her blog so we can check it out. Don't forget, she pulls the next Guest Designer of the month from those who play this month! That's what Makeesha did and she's our April Guest Designer! Also here's how my other SFYTT sisters got sketchy this week:



Leigh
Amy R.
Amy S.
Kelly
Amber Hight
Jenn Diercks
Megan Lock
And we have a new SFYTT chick "representing" now, too:
Sony Cristoph

SUSIE Q-TIP: Use white ink to sponge around edges, especially when the color match is a little "off" and you need to alter it. Don't ask me how I know this. I don't want to talk about it.

Eric Update: All the pathology reports we had been waiting for finally came back. However, they all agreed that Eric's cancer is unclassifiable and somewhere in between the Large B Cell and Burkitt's (the rare and really aggressive one). Our oncologist recommended it would be better to go ahead and treat it as if it's Burkitt's, just to be on the safe side and have less of a chance of it returning with a vengeance. So we were dealt the harsher hand of more rigorous chemotherapy, spinal taps (to deliver more chemo) and hospital stays, but it was a "no-brainer" choosing to follow the doctors orders. He gets his port put in on Monday at 8:15 in the morning and we will be ready to rock and roll the following week with 5 days of chemo in a row! GO GO GADGET ERIC!!

Stamps: Clearly Sentimental About Birthdays (My Favorite Things)
Paper: Kraft, Smokey Shadow, Rasberry Fizz, New Leaf, White (PTI), Regal Rose (SU!), Embossed Rasberry (Bazzill), Celebration (American Crafts)
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black (Tsukineko), Craft White (SU!)
Accessories: Labels One Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, Sewing Machine/Thread, Paper Piercer/Mat Pack, Fiskars Star Punch, Adhesive Rhinestones, Jody Boosters
Finished Size: 5.25" Square