CC428 and it's almost June!!!

Anyone else as excited as I am about June arriving?? Not only is it when the new 2013 Idea Book & Catalog go live~ but it screams summer!! School will be ending..and just as January and September signal new beginnings in the year so does June. Summer weekends, vacations and even weekdays that linger longer~ I remember when I was younger my mother said we could stay outside playing until the street lights came on.

Of course it also means 'air-conditioning'...right?? This Spring has been crazy, just this past Memorial weekend the evenings got so chilly that overnight the heat came on!! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend, things have been crazy here~ not so much in a good way either. But this weekend was perfect!!

Not only did I get my best score ever bowling...198 (and I also beat the hubby!) But the weather was beautiful enough during the day to head outside and enjoy the sunshine. We enjoyed an afternoon at a local wild animal park (Wilson's Wild Animal Park).

Here are a few photos:

Seriously...how do you not smile when you see this face??

The lemurs were our favorite...look at the baby!!

The biggest treat for me was this~

I can not even tell you the last time we (as an entire family were together, happy, healthy and carefree!!).  
From the left: Ryan, Aiden, (me), John, Regan and Tyler. Love it!!
Bonus: The park bench was long enough to fit my whole brood!!

I mentioned in a previous post that I was trying to get caught up on my blog to keep you all up-to-date on promotions, and all of the goodies retiring...etc. But...if you have been good little stampers (and you know who you are) you have already have been on my website to check things out!!

Reminder: This Friday (May 31st) is the last day to order from the current Spring Mini catalog and the current Idea Book & Catalog!!

Today I decided that I would participate in the SCS Color Combo. The colors you had to use are Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo and Pool Party. I thought a 'beachy' themed card would be perfect...so when I went to my stash I grabbed the Postage Due stamp set. The dessert option was to do some paper-piercing (who doesn't love a calorie free dessert??)

Note: Everything used here on this card will still be available June 1st. except for the color Lucky Limeade...but if you like love it, swap it out for another color!!


Supplies
Stamp Set: Postage Due (126397 C), My Friend (122587 C)
Card Stock: Whisper White, Lucky Limeade, Island Indigo, Pool Party, Vellum
Ink: Pool Party, Lucky Limeade, Versamark
Access: Stampin' Pierce Mat (126199), Paper-Pierce Tool (126189), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126187), Heat Tool (129053), Silver embossing powder (109131), Basic Rhinestones (119246), Big Shot (113439), Beautiful Wings embosslits (118138), Apothecary Accents framelits (127003), 2-Way glue pen (100425), Platinum Shimmer paint (retired) :(

That's it for me today...thanks for stopping by!! Until next time~ happy stampin'!
~ Erin

Playing a little catch up~

WOWsers!!! Where does the time go?? It seems to just zip right on by~ doesn't it?? Lot's to share with you today and over the next few days as I try to make an attempt to get things caught up (especially this blog!!)

I should get an award for the most neglected blog!! Yay for me!! No...not really!!

Okay to begin~ I won't bore you with the details about everything that I have been doing lately...just a few things. I spent some time in the yard (that too had been neglected)! I actually mowed the grass~ twice because it was so darn tall!! Did some weed eating (that doesn't sound or look right). I didn't eat any weeds TRUST me!!

Here is what I found though~

This cute little nest (now empty) was perched in a tree right outside our screened in porch and everyday, we would watch Mrs. Robin lay on her babies and keep them snuggly and warm. Sadlly...after counting the days (they should have hatched according to what I read online (10-14 days). However, a terrible storm ripped through one night and left us with a broken table and umbrella that sat on our deck, I was so worried about our new family...that I didn't even care about the patio furniture. Sadly...since the storm we have not seen mom and our eggs are gone too~Mother Nature is quite a beast sometimes (trust me...I wanted to use another 'B' word). I like to think that Mrs. Robin built another nest (stronger and safer) and moved her babies. Now whenever I am outside...every robin I see I stare at and wonder if it's her?
We also had a big festival here in Winchester, Va. The Apple Blossom Festival. It's a BIG thing for a small town....our Grand Marshal was Scotty McCreery!! How's that for us small country folk??

Anyway... there is a carnival, parades, fireworks and tons of events throughout the week. During the festivities...we have good news and bad~
Good news: I ran the Apple Blossom 10k (6.2 miles!!) while accomplishing two goals...to run the whole thing and in under an hour!! I did it!! I will now wear my t-shirt proudly!!
Sad news: My daughter Regan attended the carnival with a friend and came home with two goldfish....you know already where this is going~ the little one died first the very next day...then the next night we noticed that Tom died too (she named them Tom & Jerry). So she is pretty heartbroken about her little fish...it gets worse~ she then got suspended from school for standing up for a friend of hers who was being bullied and since the attention was on her...after being punched in the head 5 times...she fought back. I don't condone fighting, however I do believe that she had the right to defend herself. So..she was home from school for two days.

My husband celebrated his 49th birthday (can't wait until next year!!). That will be fun to plan for~ cards, banners and more!! But now I am focused on my oldest graduating highschool. I am about to get started on his goodies today...but knew that I had to post something on this here blog to let you know that I am indeed still breathing!!

These were the goodies that we made at my last Stamp Camp.

This first card uses Gesso...LOVE it!!

Hard to even tell from the photo what I have done here...
close-up:

I used a regular small flat brush (foam brush would work great too). I applied a light layer in one direction over the Tea for Two DSP (129311). It doesn't take too long to dry..and you can use your heat tool to speed it up. I love it because it adds subtle texture...and mutes out the boldness of the design of the paper but you can still see it...make sense??

Anyway...me likey!!

Supplies
Stamp Set: Stippled Blossoms (126747 C), Sassy Salutations (126707 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Tea for Two DSP (129311), Sahara Sand, Island Indigo
Ink: Island Indigo, Sahara Sand, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black
Access: Gesso, Big Shot (113439), Fancy Fan embossing folder (127751), sponge daubers (102892), dimensionals (104430), basic pearls (119247), Apothecary Accents framelits (127003), Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (118772)

This next project was so cool~ as soon as I saw it on Pinterest...I knew it would be a great Stamp Camp project...and perfect for this time of year!

DIY Garden Scrub

It's like the Mary Kay Satin Hands...only cheaper and such a cute idea for bridal shower gifts, teachers...this past Mother's Day~ the list goes on and on. I have had my scrub now for several weeks and it still is gritty...my concern was that the sugar would completely dissolve into a gooey mess.

The tag on top actually is a magnet (two gifts in one!!)

Here is the matching card:

Supplies
Stamp Set: Betsy's Blossoms (126006 C), From My Heart (126557 C)
Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight,  Floral District DSP (126919), First Edition Specialty DSP (121878)
Ink: Basic Black, Rich Razzleberry, Daffodil Delight
Access: Big Shot (113439), Secret Garden framelits (129372), Labels Collection framelits (125598), dimensionals (104430), linen thread (104199), Vintage Faceted Designer buttons (127555)

That's it for today...be sure to check my Stampin' Up! website for all updated retiring stamp sets and accessories. Current promotions and upcoming scheduled events.
If you have any questions, please contact me or leave a comment!!

Erin
Shop Online 24/7 (even in your P.J.'s)
website: www.erinsstampart.stampinup.net
email: stampingwitherin@yahoo.com