Another Great Kimberly Card!

Ahhh, Kimberly Van Diepen is so good at putting colors together! That's why I love to copy everything she does! This is another great card of hers that I copied using the "Friends 24/7" stamp set! I love the flourish in that set. Have a super day and think about coming to my New Catalog Open House in just a couple of days! We'll sip on Root Beer Floats and make some cute things!

Elements of Style Card Sample!

Told you this was a great set! If you don't have it, you'd better get it, or you won't be able to make samples like this to stare at all day and smile at! I saw this beautiful card on Stampin' Connection and wanted to make it for one of my 7:00 a.m. cards! So glad I did! It reminds me of Wedgewood China, or am I mixed up with my names? Reminds me of something like that!

THERE'S WATER IN MY POOL!

This is a HAPPY DAY! The plasterers came out this afternoon and plastered our pool! Before they can start, they have to clean out all of the "gunk" that has accumulated at the bottom of the pool while it was being built and they have to pump out the water, too.

The sides of the pool get covered in plastic before they start spraying the plaster to protect all of the tile and stone.

Here the plaster is being sprayed on!

Check out the interesting shoes they wear while they're in the pool. They have little spikes on the bottom! This creates a bunch of little holes in the plaster at the bottom of the pool while they walk around, but they come back later and smooth over those holes while they're wearing a different type of shoe - a big foam-pad shoe!

It's just like putting icing on a cake! They use their spatula-like tools to smooth out the plaster so it looks real pretty!

It looks like he's walking on ice, but it's the white plaster. The foam shoes keep him from putting holes or dents in the plaster. Cute, huh?

Here are the tiles that delineate our steps. I LOVE IT!

Here's the little starfish we put at the bottom of the pool in Hunter's Cove. It will be fun to swim down there and touch it! I feel like a kid again!

And, yes, folks, this is an actual picture of our garden hose in the pool filling it with water! If you look closely, you can see that water is accumulating in the bottom of the pool! WOO HOO! It's been a long time coming and I couldn't be more thrilled! I'm nervous because the water will be running all night long to fill the pool. I'm afraid that when I step out of bed in the morning, the carpet will be soaking wet because the pool has overfilled! My husband said not to worry - he'll get up at 3:00 a.m. to check it! He's so good to me!

We also had landscape lighting put in yesterday, so tomorrow night we'll be able to see the backyard in all its glory - a full pool with lighting in the landscaping! What a fun experience this has been and I'm so happy with how it has all turned out. Suncor Services has been exceptional in their delivery of our pool! We are so pleased! I would recommend them wholeheartedly! Talk with ya' later - I've gotta go check the water level!

Ribbon Card Sample!

Copied TOTALLY from Kimberly Van Diepen's blog! I just love it - one of my 7:00 a.m. cards. Makes me happy the rest of the day. ENJOY!

Pool Process - Step 13!

WOO HOO! They came and finished the landscaping around the pool today and replaced a palm tree in the corner of our yard that died in the freeze. They remulched and added some pretty flowers and some low-lying plants behind the rocks around the pool. It looks so nice - now I just need some WATER in that pool! Give those plants a couple of months and they'll look beautiful and lush! The flowers will add a nice splash of color around the rocks. I just love it.

Punch Card Sample!

My friend and fellow stamper Robin Owen has been watching my blog closely as our pool has been built! She has a pool, too, (a beautiful one, I might add!) and was interested in watching the process. She couldn't resist sending me this adorable card she made - all with punches! Isn't it precious? She says that's ME floating in my pool on a raft, drinking a margarita! Sounds good to me! Notice how Robin gave this cute little lady grey hair? That's gotta be me, then! It also looks like her arms and legs are hairy. I guess Robin knows me better than I thought! Ha!

McClung Family Reunion!

The McClung Family Reunion was spent at the T Bar M in New Braunfels, Texas! It was a very nice place and we enjoyed being there.

We thought it was cool to see our name on a sign welcoming us! Here's all the McClung kids playing a game one afternoon! A nice way to escape the summer heat!

One afternoon, Randy, me, Hunter and Haley went to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. I refused to roll down my car window because I didn't want animals like THIS sticking their head inside the car! What a strange-looking thing - I guess it's an emu! All I could do was scream!

Here's a zebra making it easy for Haley to get food pellets inside his mouth! YUCK! Look at those teeth! I think it's disgusting, but Haley loved it and wanted to stay there forever.

We also went to Natural Bridge Caverns, which is truly something to see. I took lots of pictures, but most of them came out too dark. It was fun to see all the stalagmites and stalactites!

Here are the gals taking a dip in the pool. From left to right is Sunni, Kayla, Haley, and Jeanneh! They all stayed in the same room together and had a blast staying up late and telling scary stories. When I knocked on their door one night to see if they were okay, they screamed bloody murder - I scared them half to death!

Here's the whole gang eating at The Grist Mill in Gruene, Texas. The Grist Mill used to be an actual operating grist mill that has since turned into a famous restaurant. Randy and I used to eat there many times when we were dating and living in San Antonio!

Here's my brother Kelly and his beautiful wife, Cassie!

Here's my dad and my brother Scott. It was so nice to be able to spend Father's Day with my dad!

What is a reunion without a blender and some Margaritas? My brother Kelly makes amazing Margaritas and I partook of them several times! Wish I had one right now!

One morning we went shopping in old historic Gruene, Texas. The shops are amazing and I didn't have nearly enough time there. I'll have to go back and see what I missed! Here's Gruene Hall, the infamous Texas dance hall and honky-tonk - the best one in Texas or anywhere, for that matter!

Randy, Haley and Hunter at The Grist Mill!

These are pictures from the McClung Family Reunion! We had a great time at the T Bar M in New Braunfels, Texas! It's always nice to see everyone and catch up!

Pool Process - Step 12!

I've received so many e-mails asking, "What happened to the pool process?" I'm glad so many of you have enjoyed watching the process! I'm laughing, though, because my blog has gotten more hits from people watching the pool being built than it ever received on hits from people looking at my stamped art!!! Hmmmmm...... We haulted the pool process for five days while we attended the McClung Family Reunion in New Braunfels, Texas this past week, but it resumed again today when the pool workers finished placing the flagstone around the pool. It's beautiful, and I love it, and I can't wait to see water in that pool! Tomorrow, the landscaping is supposed to be cleaned up and finished, and on Thursday, the pool is supposed to be plastered, weather-permitting! Then you drop your hose in there and fill 'er up!

FYI Card Sample!

I'm getting to where I REALLY like the "FYI" set, so I was very glad to see it in the new catalog. I am using it more and more and I really like this card sample. It's a super way to use your designer paper scraps. This happens to be the Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper. Too bad I discovered it too late - I love all of the brilliant colors in it!

Little Angel and Crazy Cool Card Samples!

Here's two of my 7:00 a.m. cards, only I made them at 3:00 this afternoon! Sometimes you have to be flexible - and today, I had to be flexible! Aren't they cute? You know me - I love texture, buttons, and ribbon! I think my favorite is the "you totally rock" card! How often do you get a card that says that? NEVER! I get tired of the same old greetings: thank you, happy birthday, thinking of you, and yada, yada, yada. Why not "YOU TOTALLY ROCK"? I like it! I thought you might like to see it!

Floral Fusion Embosslits Card Sample!

I've had my Floral Fusion Big Shot Embosslits for a long time now and haven't had the opportunity to use it! When I saw this card on Stampin' Connection, I knew it was time to pull it out and use it. This card makes me happy! You just build the flowers on top of each other and place a half-back pearl in the center and VOILA!, you've got an awesome card! If you don't have the Floral Fusion Embosslits, you REALLY should think about getting it! Call ME, YOUR Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and order it today!

Pool Process - Step 11!

It's getting so close, I can taste it! I'm jumping out of my skin to get our pool finished! Today the pool workers poured the concrete for the decking around the pool. Once they fill in all the spaces, they take a big spatula-looking-thing and smooth it out nice and pretty! Of course, once they were gone, me and Hunter and Haley (and Otto, too!) had to go out there and mess with it! The kids put their handprints and names into it and I just put my thumbprint in it! Of course the kids wanted Otto's paw print in it, too, but he started walking in it and got several paw prints in it! That's okay - it will all be covered up with flagstone on Monday morning! And then we can plaster! I went outside to take pictures of our handprints, but it had rained a little bit and almost completely washed away what we had done. BUMMER!

Pool Process - Step 10!

We're getting really close now! Today the pool workers started preparing the decking that will go around the pool! The two pictures above show you what the shape of the decking will be. Tomorrow, the concrete will be poured! The following Monday, the flagstone will be set in place and then we'll plaster and finish the landscaping! It's all amazing when you realize it's only been a week-and-a-half since they started on June 2nd! WOO HOO! I am super-excited about all of this and I can't wait to jump into my pool! I am very happy with all of it!

Bouquet Bunch Card Sample!

Isn't this a cutie? I wish I had worked with my ribbon a little bit better, but I found that to be quite challenging! I saw this card on Stampin' Connection and wanted to try it - and I love it - but I need to work on getting my ribbon lined up better! It starts out small and then gets bigger on the way down, but I still love it and wanted to share it with you! Have a super day!

Summer Things with Bling Camp Wannastamp!

I love this style of card! I've been seeing it a lot on Stampin' Connection and e-mailed one of the gals who has been posting them (sorry, I can't remember who) and asked her how to do it! She was kind enough to give me the instructions. It can be kind of tedious, but I love the clean, sharp look you can get! Outline images work the best for this type of card, so I've also included a sample of a more feminine card I made using "Fifth Avenue Floral" for the image. All supplies used and shown are from Stampin' Up! Recipe: Paper: Sahara Sand - 8-1/2 X 5-1/2; Sahara Sand - 5-1/4 X 4 Inks: Basic Black Marker; Versamark Stamps: Any of these images work nicely for Father's Day, so take your pick: Motorcycle (P. 31 of the Summer Mini Catalog; King of the Grill (P. 29 of the Summer Mini Catalog); Loads of Fun - the camper (P. 59 of the catalog); Totally Tool (P. 66 of the catalog) Miscellaneous: Stampin' Dimensionals; pencil; ruler; Stamp-a-ma-jig; White Pen Eraser; Black Embossing Powder; Heat Tool; Black Brads or Silver Brads, depending on your image; Paper Piercer with Mat; Embossing Buddy

Summer Things with Bling Camp Wannastamp!

OH, BOY, THIS COULD BE ADDICTING! Take a pair of cheap flip-flops and turn them into something fun and stylish! We embellished flip-flops at my Summer Things with Bling Camp Wannastamp and they were a big hit! Use your Crop-A-Dile to pierce a 1/8" hole right next to the center of the rubber straps. Run your foam sheet through the Big Shot machine using the Flower Daisies #2 Die. SNAIL the three daisies together just to make them easier to work with and don't remove the little circle in the center of each flower (that piece keeps the brad from sinking down into the hole)! Stamp the "Circle Circus" stamp in Basic Black ink (or whatever color you desire) on white card stock and punch it out with a 1/2" hole punch. Place that piece into a Pewter Build-A-Brad and then stick the brad into the center of the flowers. The Build-A-Brad can easily pierce the foam, but I used a paper piercer. You can also use our designer brads, if you prefer! Then take the flowers and place them into the 1/8" hole you made with the Crop-A-Dile. Bend the little prongs WAY back so that they won't rub your foot when you walk. I used the paper piercer to help me open up the prongs. VOILA - you've got an awesome pair of flip-flops that you'll be proud of! Recipe: Paper: Foam Sheets - 5-3/4 X 5-1/4; Whisper White Scrap Stamps: Circle Circus (P. 129 of the catalog) Inks: Basic Black (or whatever color coordinates with your flip-flops) Miscellaneous: Big Shot Machine; Flower Daisies #2, SNAIL Adhesive; Pewter Build-A-Brads (our silver Designer Brads look cute, too); 1/2" Circle Punch; Crop-A-Dile; Paper Piercer with Mat

Summer Things With Bling Camp Wannastamp!

Here's one of the cards we made at my Summer Things with Bling Camp Wannastamp! Simple, elegant, and just perfect! All supplies used and shown are from Stampin' Up! I probably got this idea from Stampin' Connection, an awesome resource for Stampin' Up! demonstrators! Recipe: Paper: Whisper White - 11 X 4-1/4; Whisper White; 5-1/4 X 4; Whisper White - 3-1/8 X 3-1/8; Pretty in Pink - 3-1/4 X 3-1/4; Whisper White Scrap Inks: Basic Black; Black Stazon; Pretty in Pink Marker Stamps: Blissful Bride (P. 20 of the Summer Mini Catalog) Miscellaneous: Elegant Bouquet Embossing Folder; Big Shot Machine; Stampin' Dimensionals; SNAIL Adhesive; Stamp-a-ma-jig; 2-Way Glue Pen; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter; Pretties Kit Half-Back Pearl; Mini Glue Dots; Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon - 15" long; Scissors; Large Oval Punch; Scallop Oval Punch

Summer Things With Bling Camp Wannastamp!

Okay, now I'm a BIG fan of the "Sweet Scoops" stamp set! That little cherry has won me over! This is a card we made at my Summer Things With Bling Camp Wannastamp and the Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the ice cream makes it look frosty-cold! YUMMY! The little cherry has Crystal Effects on it and, to me, is what makes the card so ADORABLE! Recipe: Paper: Pretty in Pink - 8-1/2 X 5-1/2; Chocolate Chip - 4-1/2 X 3-1/4; Whisper White - 3-1/2 X 3-1/8; Chocolate Chip Designer Series Paper - 3-1/8 X 1; Whisper White Scrap Stamps: Sweet Scoops (P. 10 of the Summer Mini Catalog); In a Word (P. 10 of the Summer Mini Catalog) Inks: Creamy Caramel; Chocolate Chip; Pretty in Pink; Chocolate Chip Marker; Pretty in Pink Marker; Real Red Marker Miscellaneous: Big Shot Machine; Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder; Stampin' Dimensionals; SNAIL Adhesive; Corner Rounder; Pretty in Pink Satin Ribbon - 14" long; Scissors; Stamp-a-ma-jig; Paper Snips; Dazzling Diamonds Glitter; 2-Way Glue Pen; Mini Glue Dots; Crystal Effects