Jo's ETSY Shoppe

My friend Johanna makes pretty cool jewelry and she has an ETSY shoppe here . Take a look around her store. She also does ATC's of which I have dozens. Johanna has some health problems and uses her artistic talents to purchase her medicine each month-sadly she lost her job and benefits months ago.

I hope you see something you like and I have added her shop to my Friends and Family list on the right-just click to shop (and save gas too!)

Step By Step

Directions to make stuff--here is the link for paper craft items but tons of ideas are here. And you can join and add your own step by steps. Now I can't get that annoying theme song out of my head.

Plaid Greetings

I am trying to do a bazillion things while hubby is gone, so I bought a porch glider to match the chairs and umbrellie. Now, it's May so I should be able to put it together outside, right? Nope-its cold, windy and raining. I imagine all my recycling will be up and down the road in the morning, and I almost didn't put it out at all. I just needed the room to move around in my garage.

I also need to put out the old freezer but I can't lift that. So it will probably be here next year and the year after that (it's been dead 10 years-sofa slug is never here to help me get it outside).

Hey, I found a Christmas card in my files. Kinda boring but if you needed a bunch really quick, this would work. I used a Sizzix die for the phrase holder and stamped on vellum, then taped it behind and used two brads to attach to the front piece (do this before adding to the card to not have the tabs show inside when opened). I layered it on a piece of distressed card stock and then added it all to a green textured card. This could use some ribbon maybe? Or not.

Hey, like hot sauce??? I found this at a local dive and they were selling it, too. I don't like catsup and this was great on my fries. Tangy, sweet with a tiny bite.

Anything to help the local economy, right?

Free Veggie Burgers at Johnny Rockets!

Get your coupon here-it's good all month of May!

What?? Eateries in Mexico but none in Hawaii or Canada? On cruise ships but not in Iowa? Jeez. Don't forget to forward to all your friends. Give a cow a break today.

Spring Thinking?

I thought I had published this card but using all sorts of searches within the blog didn't turn it up. I must have moved the photo to the posted file by mistake. I wonder if on one of my many drunken nights I did more of this??

I love the background that I stamped with a Distress ink and the flower image. I then used a corner punch to make innie scallops. I did this on the pink too when was run thru a corrugator for more texture. I used Die Cut With a View card stock here-not my favorite as I don't like the white core but the colors are pretty.

I did not get the cards I made this week photographed as it rained and will tomorrow too-so I may break out the inside set up. I was hoping for natural light but oh well. I did lose a tiny silver brad that flew off my card-can't find it. But will when I step on it in the dark. Have a great Hump Day.

Wedding Chariot

One year ago last week, my son got married. Since they could not find a white horse to ride off into the sunset, they chose a motorized animal to carry them off into their new life together. They are still building their dream house and living over the garage-last week the basement flooded big time (someone forgot that you need to install the sump pump after you buy it). Luckily the water stopped short of the Geo-Thermal computer set up. They are predicting August for the move in date-two years after the initial start.

Happy Anniversary Johanna and Ben. Hopefully, you won't kill each other over the insanity of life. And Ben, you will be 31 one next week-my Star Wars baby.May the Force always be with you. Just let the Wookie win! There is another wedding photo here and here.

PS-maybe I should upload the "hula" picture??? Did you forget about that one?

Retro Incomplete

I made about a dozen cards today. I also made a mess on the kitchen floor and wish the sweep fairy would come over. Hubby is in Korea so I can make all the noise I want but as slow as I have been today, I am just not in the mood. I actually remembered to eat at 1 AM. Anyway, I hope to get the cards photographed tomorrow . In the meantime, I need some ideas.

I made this retro looking card about a year ago but have not come across an image I want for the front. It reminded me of those crazy mid 60's prints that were so popular (I was 10) so I thought maybe I would have a Go Go dancer or even hippie stamp stuck away but I don't.

Here is what it looks like with the tag pulled out-and you could have the card sideways I suppose, too. I could easily print out some snarky head trip for the message but what sort of image would you put with this? If I had a hippie, I thought about even a fake joint inside the envy as a joke. So let me know what you all might use.

I need to sleep I think-how many times can I watch a rerun of the same ball game and keep it entertaining. I did take an hour and watch Brothers and Sisters-Holly is an evil woman and will find a way to punish her daughter and the Walkers by screwing them over with the merger. Evil skank!

More Bad News For Scrappers and Stampers In Michigan

Another store is biting the dust. Scrap Tales in Brighton is having a going out of business sale which started May 1. The first week was by invitation only for loyal shoppers. Of course, I had to go. It was only 20% off at this time but I was able to get full packs of neutral card stock from Bazzill-25 to 50 sheets per package for 10-14 bucks. I stocked up on some single sheets too as I love the earthy pumpkins and browns.

They will be announcing the sale in the papers and on the radio this week. I have no idea if they tried to sell the business as the owner said the store was fine financially but she wanted to move on after 7 years. Honestly, I thought this and the Zone would be the only two left as they were the best stocked and were fun to visit. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by as Scrap Tales will be open thru the end of June. A lot of stock was moving fast at 20% off but other than card stock and Penny Black stickers, I held back. I may go back at 40-50 off later in the month. I have my eye on some stamps but need a better discount to follow thru.

I also went to the Zone for National Scrapbook Day and got some fun stuff but never did get to do the Make and Takes-this place was hopping! I had my name on the list but ended up leaving when the line never budged. Oh well, I forgot my scissors anyways. I found a wonderful new paper company called GCD Studios. Double sided and textured!

Now this may be here say, but I think the Scrapbook Station in Fenton is close to going under, too. I stopped to use my full punch card and they aren't accepting them anymore. There was nothing really new in the store since the winter holidays either. The owner was not there and I didn't feel comfortable breaching the topic with the clerk who kept bugging me anyways. I never get store notices anymore and there were so many empty shelves that a year ago were full. I was the only one in the store on NSD. Pretty bad.

Winning Is Much More Than The Final Score!

This was buried in the back of the sports pages yesterday-it belongs on the front page!

Happy Holidays

Another blast from the past using stickers! I know this is off season but as cold as it's been-might as well be winter again. Depressing that its May 1st and int the 20's at night.

This is an easy peasy one using scraps. White base card layered with red card stock that has been distressed and inked on the edges. I then layered a patterned piece on top of that. Cut a tag or die cut one to match your sticker. Add a brad. Take a scrap of Magic Mesh and place it on the printed card and layer the tag on top. Tie a tiny bow using scrap ribbon and snot dot it. For a little extra glitteralia (does that word sound like a body part?), I used some rub on snowflakes and snow balls and placed them randomly on the green card stock. Click the image to better see it.