Inky Button - Ink Along With Me

Everything PLUS the Kitchen Sink Challenge

Good Morning Sistahs!

Yesterday I posted the latest "Everything PLUS the Kitchen Sink" Challenge over in the Forum.  This week's challenge is definitely a challenge for me.  I tend to hoard objects with the intent of altering them in some manner.  Then, the next thing I know, I have a cabinet full of alterables and nothing to show for it. *giggle

So...I decided to dig through my cabinet and alter an item I bought for $1.99 in Archiver's Hot Spot.

I found myself in need of something to help keep track of the students I'm conferencing with.  Usually I just find the nearest sticky-note and start adding names, but....the problem with that is...it's so small I either lose it or it gets stuck to the back of another sheet of paper.  So, I decided I would alter this clipboard and laminate the sheets so I can reuse it over and over.  Oh...and since it's a whole clipboard, the chances of it sticking to another sheet of paper is minimal. *giggle

I used 1/2 Pint Playful Alphabet for this and also Mix it Up!.  Both of these are my Go-To sets when I want to create some fun words!

Be sure to check out some of the other fun challenges in the New Kitchen Sink Forum.  A different Crew Member is hosting a new challenge every day in the Crew Challenge Cupboard.

Now it's time for something you'll really like....

Barbara • Connie • Julie • Lisa • Lynn • Makiko • Maria

Inky Hugs & Happy Stampin'

Say a Little Prayer

Good Morning Sistahs!

I told you yesterday that I had another project to show you.  Unfortunately it is a project I'd rather not have had to make.  

My Aunt's birthday was Friday and she was supposed to celebrate at dinner with close family and friends, but never ended showing up.  As it turns out, she was instead transported to the hospital with a brain injury.  The doctors finally diagnosed it as a stroke, but because of the location they weren't able to operate.  She spent a little less than 24 hours in the ICU, and was then downgraded to the Intermediate Neuro Care Area (INCA) Saturday afternoon.  With all the family and friends coming to show their love and support at the hospital we managed to over-stimulate her.  So because so many people wanted to share stories and say prayers with her, my mom asked me to make a book for people to sign in case my Aunt was sleeping when they came to visit.  So I created this:

This is the first time I have ever used my Bind-it-all!  Not bad for my first time right? *wink  I also decided to make pens to match the cover.  I took two 7.5" x 5" covers and cut 36 pages of cardstock in soft pastel colors so people could write little notes to her.  We took it to the hospital Sunday and people have already started writing in it.  It's also a great way to add a splash of color to my Aunt's hospital room.

If you would be so kind as to say a little prayer for her to have a speedy recovery my family and I would greatly appreciate it.

I hope to have more for you tomorrow, but with all the activities we have going on, I might not be able to post until Thursday.  

Thanks for all your love and prayers!

Happy Stampin'

Birthday...check! Christmas...check!

Good Morning Sistahs!

Happy Day After Christmas!  Doesn't it feel good to have your soul nourished with friends and family?  (I for one LOVED my day!)  Did you get anything fabulous?! Aside from the gift of time, I received a very special gift from my hubby. 

 For every gift giving holiday my hubby asks the infamous, "What do you want for _____________?" *insert: your birthday, Valentine's Day, Christmas, etc.  To which I ALWAYS reply, "Jewelry" or "Diamonds." *giggle.  Both of us knowing full-well that what I really want are rubbah, paypah, and eenk.  I mean seriously, one measly diamond or 5 new sets of stamps, some Copics, embellishments, and a few new sets of Nesties.  See, more for your money. Well this year, my hubby actually did it!  He bought me jewelry!!  He purchased a most glorious pair of pearl earrings for me, and here's the kicker...without me even knowing!!  Yeah, I'm shocked!  But "...in a most delightful way." (Sorry had to throw the Mary Poppins reference in, and I'm not even sure why.)  

I immediately put the earrings on and felt so underdressed, (I was still in my PJs.)  So I put on my holiday clothes and proceeded to finish cleaning the kitchen; feeling like a Princess.  Such a beautiful day!

Okay, enough babble...on with the show!  I promised I'd show you a few extra photos of the holiday projects I made.  This project comes from one of my favoritist people...mrs. rachel!!  She helped me out so much with her Tea-riffic Tin from last month's Frenzy Projects.  Her inspiration came from Jennifer McGuire but the love and care and the tea recipe came from rachel.  I made these tins for the gals who joined me at my Birthday Crop a few weeks ago.

Aren't they adorable?  I loved the green paisley print for the trees, and the rest of the paper is from Stampin' Up!.  (Retired Soft Sky and this year's Chocolate Chip DP Package.)  And, I actually used buttons.  I NEVER use buttons, I LOVE buttons, but almost never use them.  I'm a button hoarder.  The tins were so super fast to make, which is a good thing because I had less than 24 hours to get them made and given.  I gave one to each of the gals who attended the crop, and each one was filled with yummy friendship tea.  (At least I think it's yummy!)

If you're feeling social, let me know which gift you received that was your favorite!

I'm off to create a few new projects, hope to be able to share later.

Happy Stampin'

Merry Christmas!

Good Morning Sistahs!

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas!  I'm looking forward to a beautiful day of sharing laughter, joy and love with my family.  I of course want to share those very things with you too, because I consider you all to be family too.  So please wrap your arms around yourself, and give yourself a great big INKY HUG from me! *giggle

Now, on with the show!  Many of you have asked how my Nugget Tin Extravaganza went.  I'm happy to say that all 50 tins were successfully loaded and have "left the building!" *wink  I also have to let you know that I did not do it alone.  I had an elf (read here Darsana) come over and help me wrap about 35 tins worth of nuggets.  Because I am anal-retentive, er... OCD...er...particular, I HAD to have 3 of each Nugget variety in each tin, since well, the nuggets come in 4 varieties.  Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate w/Almond, Milk Chocolate w/Almond and Milk Chocolate w/Toffee and Almond (My Fave!) So she helped me go through each bag of Nuggets and pull out enough for each tin to have the correct amount of each Nugget.  (Yes, I am truly loved.) *giggle  

I actually ended up with about 5 different designer papers because I knew I would just get too darn bored of looking at the same paper while wrapping 600 nuggets.  Yes, sistahs, 600 nuggets.  Well, clearly you can see my need for variety.  I only managed to capture 2 of the 5 styles on camera, the rest flew out the door before I could grab a photo. 

This particular paper was my favorite to work with.  I just love the swirl of candy canes and this one just brought me joy.  

I also loved the blues of this paper:

I punched out two different snowflakes, the smaller one being Martha Stewart, the larger one was Fiskars. The Martha Stewart one was covered with Glossy Accents then dipped in Martha's chunky clear glitter, then the larger ones were covered with Glossy Accents and dipped in Martha's Mica Snow.  I wanted two different textures.  I found my snowflake inspiration from Amy Rysavy, who found hers from Anna Wight.  Both of these ladies made GORGEOUS snowflakes, but since I had to make 50 of 'em I figured simple was best.

Okay, I've talked your ear off enough!  More of my Holiday Goodies to come.

Merry Christmas and Happy Stampin',