New Year - New Look!

2010 has brought changes in my life, so I decided that my blog needed a change too! Let me know what you think of the new look!

Thanks for stopping by!

January already!!!!!

Oh my GOSH, can it be January already? I took a look at my last post and it said July!!! Where did the time go?

Well alot has been going on here at the Gilbert residence during the last 6 months. My husband has been laid off since the end of July, construction has taken a big hit here in the midwest. I have been busy working 30 hours a week with my special ed students and am exhausted when I get home. Almost every weekend we are off somewhere to watch our daughter play division I hockey for the 'University of North Dakota - Fighting Sioux' which we LOVE doing! I thought I would add this picture of her 'crashing the net', nice save by the goalie!

Someday I will get the time and energy back to Stamp again!!! I think about it all the time but never seem to find the time to sit down and just do it. Maybe later this afternoon since I am off from work, but first, I need to get my hair cut!

Update

Hi everyone! I'm sorry for being sooo quite. I know you've heard that before haven't you? Here's what I've been up to:
Last fall I went back to work as a special ed para - what's that you ask? Well I am lucky, I get to work with children with special needs- these kids are so special, they make me smile everyday!!!!
Going back to work as proved to take alot of the sparetime I used to have for stamping! I've been trying to adjust my time but just haven't been able to make it work as much as I would like.
My daughter Megan graduated from high school in June: her senior year was filled with many activities that took up alot of time planning and preparing for (it was a fun time for the both of us)! Oh and we can't forget all the college preparations! Megan is attending the University of North Dakota (she actually started this summer) where she is planning on earning a degree in Physical Therapy, and where she is also playing on their women's hockey team this fall! GO Sioux!!!

My eldest son Matt has been trying to decide on what it is he wants to do when he grows up, I think he has finally made a decision to join the 'Navy'. That was a hard thing for me to hear, but I think it will be a good decision for him.

My youngest son Nick, will be a Junior in high school this fall. Where does the time go? I can't believe how fast they grow up!
I feel like a empty nester half the time with Megan gone at school for the summer, Matt's busy with his thing and Nick, well he is loving summer vacation!
Maybe now I will finally get back some time for stamping and blogging! But first I just need to get my mojo back!

Thanks for stopping by!

Lucky Duck

Recently I was able to attend the Stampin' Up! regional that was held here in Minneapolis. I met with my friend and downline Colleen who traveled here from Virginia, along with Colleen's friend Andrea (hi Andrea!) and Pam, one of Colleen's downline, who traveled from southern Minnesota. We had a wonderful time stamping and getting caught up with each other along with learning new stamping techniques!

This is the swap that I made for the regional, I was only able to make 25 but I was able to receive 25 other great ideas in exchange! I'm not sure if the picture shows that I paper pierced around the wing of the duck, along with the bow around his neck.

Can you imagine the energy 500 Stampin' Up! demonstrators can generate! I left with so many ideas I hope I can get the chance to re-create some of them soon!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Wagon full of Fun.

Paper~ So Saffron, Bliss Blue, Certainly Celery, Whipser White, Delicate Dots DSP (SAB), Watercolor paper.

Ink~ Black Staz-on, Summer Sun, More Mustard, Bliss Blue, Only Orange, Pumpkin Pie.

Accessories~ Blender Pen, Punches: Large Oval, Key tag, Window, 1" circle, Scallop, Blue Double Stitched ribbon, silver brads, cutter kit, craft scissors, dimentionals.

grrreat!!!!

I think these two guys are just tooooo cute! The first time I saw this set I fell in love with it. Unfortunately I haven't used it until now.

I know it's hard to see in this picture but I cut around the bear's head and the raccoon and popped them up with a dimentional. I also added a couple of wiggly eyes to the raccoon to make him even cuter!

Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Under the Stars.

Paper~ Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, Spring Break (retired), whisper white, watercolor paper.

Ink~ Noir Black Palette, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, Not Quite Navy.

Accessories~ 1" double stitched chocolate chip, natural hemp twine, wiggly eyes, cyrstal effects, cutter tool.

I thought I would share this picture of Megan and her boyfriend Taylor. They are on their way to the annual 'Snowdaze' dance held at their High School. I guess you could call it a pre-prom dance, in our day it was called 'Sadie Hawkins' dance where the girls ask the guys to the dance.

Megan's Senior year has been so busy! I guess that is part of why I have been so quite lately on my blog. I can't believe she will be off to college in a few short months!!!!

Speaking of college, Megan was offered a spot playing Division I hockey for the University of North Dakota recently. This has been her dream for a long time and it's finely coming true!!!! She is soooooo excited and so are we! We will be able to go to about half of her games next season as she will be playing in the WCHA.

WCHA teams include the University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, Bemidji, St. Cloud, University of Wisconsin and Ohio State. She will also have the opportunity to play teams out east and Canada. Can you tell I'm excited for her? Well if not, I am!!!!!!

I'm off work this week as the school district is on spring break. I've been getting caught up on alot of things that have been put on the back burner.

Tonight I'm on a mission to look for a challenge to get my stamping juices flowing again, any suggestions?

Thanks for stopping by!!!!

Happy New Year!

I am looking forward to a new year with new beginnings and new adventures along with health and happiness in 2009!

My Cousin is doing better everyday! It is truly a miracle that he is still with us and doing so well! We are hoping he will be able to return home in March or April. Thank you so much for all of the prayers that have sent our way!

With everything that has been going on the last three months my stamping time has been very limited. I did this card a few days ago, I'm not sure my mojo is completely back yet so please bear with me until it returns fully!

Thanks for Stopping by!

Supplies Used: Stamps- Inspired by Nature.

Paper - Pretty in Pink, Old Olive, Whisper White, Georgia Peach DSP.

Ink - Regal Rose, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa.

Accessories - Large Oval punch, 1/4" punch, paper piercer, silver brads.

Quick Update...

Hi everyone, so sorry I've been so quite lately. Life seems to take some pretty quick turns at the drop of a hat. Last Tuesday October 21 one of my cousins was in a very serious car accident. The driver in the other vehicle was killed. My cousin Jason was not, but he has some very serious injuries including broken bones in his back & neck. I come from a very close knit family and alot of my extended family has spent many hours at the hospital with my Aunt & Uncle and their family during this time. Please keep Jason in your prayers as he goes through this very difficult time in his life.

I hope to get in some stamping time soon, but my first priority is my family. Please keep checking back for any updates. Take Care, Diane

One last Flower Power card

Ok this is the last 'Flower Power' card for awhile, I promise!

This card is actually very similar to this card I posted last week. I was going through my scrap stash again and found these two flowers just sitting there waiting for me to use! These flowers are from a retired stamp set called 'You Make Me Happy'. The center of the flowers are raised with a dimentional.

I hope you have a fabulous Labor Day weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ You Make Me Happy.

Paper~ Old Olive, Rose Red, Whisper White, Flower Power dsp.

Ink~ Eggplant Envy, Old Olive, Rose Red.

Accessories~ Eggplant grosgrain ribbon, paper piercer.

So sorry....I've had computer trouble

Oh my goodness, I hate having to deal with computer troubles! I haven't had internet service for a few days and I was finally able to get things 'configured' as the techies called it! There is nothing more frustrating than being on the telephone for hours trying to figure out what the heck is going on! Oh well, I'm back now!!!! On to today's card:

I am STILL waiting for my order mister UPS man, I hope you get here soon!!!!! Since I haven't received my new stuff yet, I am going to throw another 'Flower Power' card your way...... Thanks for stopping by!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Wow Flowers.

Paper~ Flower Power card kit, Old Olive, whisper white, rose red.

Ink~Perfect Plum.

Accessories~ Scallop punch, Circle punches, paper piercer, Old Olive 5/8" grosgrain ribbon, clear rhinestone brad.

More 'Inking of You' cards

More cards from the 'Inking of You' meeting. This first card has a different fold from the tradition fold. The bird panel folds over the top of the DSP panel, I'm not sure what you would call it but if you know the correct term, please let me know.

Every time I see this stamp set I tell myself you should think about getting this set before it retires. Well I am running out of time, this set will be gone in a few weeks. I really need to make up my mind before it's gone forever!







This buckle card is super simple to create. Just a few punches were used, no stamping was done on this card.











This card was created by Shelly Gruber, it was one of the cards from the card exchange. Shelly used the new hostess set called 'Happiness Always' along with the new In-Colors, Pink Pirouette and Kiwi Kiss.




Well, off to a hockey game this morning! Hopefully I will get some serious stamping time in this afternoon!

Thanks for stopping by!

More stamp share ideas

Hi everyone! As promised here are some more cards from Tuesday's meeting.

Embrace Life is one of my favorite stamp sets from the current catalog. This card was super easy to make but look how elegant it looks! Two of the current In-Colors, Groovy Guava and River Rock were used on this card. If you don't have these colors yet they will be retiring soon, and the new In-colors will be arriving in the new catalog!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Embrace Life.

Paper~ Very Vanilla, Groovy Guava, Ruby Red, River Rock, Ginger Blossom DSP.

Ink~ Ruby Red.

Accessories~ Gold brad, Guava stitched ribbon, white gel pen, dauber.

This card exchange card was created by Kim Martini. I like how Kim dyed the white ribbon with Pacific Point re-inker to match with the rest of the In-Colors she used on this card.

Thanks for stopping by! My daughter & I are on our way for a college visit.

I've been tagged

It's been a while since I've been tagged, but in the last week or so I've been tagged by three very talented stampers. Kim over at 'Kim's Creative Stamping' , Joan over at 'Stampin, cooking, knitting...my life' and Carol from 'Stamp like Crazy'. Thanks for the tag ladies! Here are seven things you might not know about me.

1. I like to have alone time, I LOVE spending time with family and friends but every once and awhile I need my alone time.

2. I LOVE Dove milk chocolates, especially cold. I have to hide them from my husband or he will eat them all, so I hide them in the veggie drawer of the refridgerator. Shhhhh don't tell him! LOL!

3. I like my house to be clean but I HATE to clean it, I wish I had a cleaning lady!

4. I am the oldest of eight kids, I have SEVEN younger brothers (yes, seven brothers)! No, we are not Catholic. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked that question. LOL

5. I use to be an avid cross-stitcher, until I found rubber stamping. I haven't touched a cross stitch project in years.

6. My favorite color is green, any shade of green.

7. I like to stay up late (stamping), am not a morning person but feel guilty when I sleep past 8:00 am.

Now I am suppose to tag seven others. Well, with so many talented stampers out there I decided to tag anyone that would like to play and tell us seven random facts about yourself. Consider yourself tagged!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamp Share

Hi everyone, can you believe it's already Wednesday! The summer is just flying by! Last night I went to a meeting hosted by my upline Terri. I don't always get to go to Terri's meetings as most of the time I have more than one thing on the calendar for that day. I was sooooo happy to be able to go last night. Terri always has so many great ideas and last night was no exception! Over the next day or so I will share all of the cards we made. Not only do we get to make samples but we can also participate in a card swap with others in her downline.



After I leave one of Terri's meetings I feel so rejuvenated. It's like the same feeling you get when you come back from convention, but on a smaller level. I have all of these great ideas floating around in my head, now all I need to do is pull them out and create. All of cards we made are great for workshops or stamp~a~stacks. They are quick & easy and cute too! I love the bright colors of this card!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Absolutely Fabulous, Sanded.
Paper~ Whisper White, Purely Pomegranate, Old Olive, Pumpkin Pie.
Ink~ Purely Pomegrante.
Accessories~ Scallop punch, Flower Fushion, Gold brad, paper piercer.











This card beautiful card was created by Lisa Schultz, it is one of the cards from the card exchange.



I will share more with you tomorrow, Thanks for stopping by!

Notice anything DIFFERENT?

I was up way to late last night creating my new blog banner. What do you think? Thanks to my sweet blogging friend Jennifer Buck (who gave me some great tips), I was able to create my new image. I had so much fun creating my banner that I lost track of time!

Since I spent so much time last night on my banner I wasn't able to make a card for today's post. It's suppose to be very hot and sticky out today so I think I will stay in my air condition and stamp. Hope to post a card for you later today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Back from New York

Our trip to Lake Placid New York was cut short due to my daughter coming down with Mono. What a bummer! We had three great days in New York City but Megan started feeling sick on Sunday night with a sore throat. We decided to take her in to get it checked out before we had to leave the city and head towards Lake Placid. After FINALLY finding a doctor on Monday that would see her (being from out of state we got lucky to find one), her tonsils were HUGE. The doctor wanted her to get tested for Mono after the strep test came back negative so off we went to find the lab. That night Megan didn't get any sleep because her tonsils were so swollen she had a hard time breathing. We went back to the clinic on Tuesday morning to get a shot to help the swelling go down so she could breathe, then headed for Lake Placid. Tuesday afternoon we arrived in Lake Placid and did a little sight seeing, by this time she was feeling better and could breathe again (we thought things were looking up). Wednesday we checked her into the camp and after a day and a half at camp we got the dreaded call that she had MONO. My heart sank, I knew she would be sooo disappointed that she couldn't skate the rest of the camp. All her hard work to get there and it was gone like that!!! I just couldn't believe it! Thursday evening we checked her out of the Olympic Training Center and headed out of town the next morning.

I guess I can say the trip was not a total loss, we did have fun in New York City. Megan was happy she got the opportunity to skate on the 1980 Olympic Ice Rink. And on the way home we stopped by Niagara Falls!

Megan is feeling better, I took her to our doctor after we got home, and the doctor gave her the ok to start skating again after a week of rest. Next trip, Boston, let's hope this one goes better then the last one did for her!

Vacation in New York

I thought I would let you know that I have been quite lately because my family is in New York. Some of you may remember that my daugther was trying out for the USA U17 developement camp team in April. Well, she did make the team and we are out in Lake Placid for a week. This place is georgous! We started out our trip in New York city for three days, great place to visit but I don't think I could live there. I couldn't believe how busy it is all the time, now matter where you went there were people everywhere. We are having a great time but I miss not being able to stamp. I will try to share some pictures soon!

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!

I’ve been tagged by NANCY RILEY, ISTAMP!

Here are the details:

1. Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog. You can see NANCY RILEY'S inspiring blog here: http://stampinat6213.blogspot.com/

2. Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself (on your blog, we all want to know them).

3. Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

4. Let each person know that they’ve been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Seven Random Things About Me:

1. I am the oldest of eight children, my seven youger siblings are all boys! Yes, that's right I have seven younger brothers!

2. My favorite color is green, Certainly Celery, Mellow Moss & Wild Wasabi are my favorite Stampin' Up! colors.

3. Just like Nancy Riley who tagged me, I am a homebody also. I love my time alone at home during the day (that's when I get most of my stamping done)!

4. Fall is my favorite season, I don't like winter that much as it gets too cold.

5. Even though I don't like winter that much, that is when the hockey season is in full swing! I LOVE watching my kids play hockey!

6. I LOVE Dove chocolate's. I have to hide them from my husband or he would devour them and I would be left without any!!! There is nothing worst than not having any chocolate when you have the craving!!!!! Right?

7. I LOVE my little dog LILY, she has been best little dog! Isn't she just the cutest?

I tag these seven gals:

Jennifer - Jennifer's Sweet designs

Lynda - Stamp Act

Kim - Clearly Inspired

Laurie - Just give me Stamps

Jennifer - The Buck Stamps Here

Heather - Polka-Dot Inspired Creations

Wanda - My Creative Corner

WSC #23 - Season of Joy

I am sorry but I can't help it! I'm lovin' this Purely Pomegranate! I actually made this card a few week's ago for a Holiday Mini swap that I was asked to do with one of my new blogging friends Jennifer (Jennifer's Sweet Designs) aka: Lovetostamp6 on SCS. This card was the start of my purely pomegranate craze that I seem to be in right now!

I just LOVE the richness of this color and I LOVE the satin ribbon! If you haven't tried it yet, OMGosh you have to get some of this awesome ribbon!!!


My sketch also fits into Beate's weekend sketch challenge #23 for this week, wow how about that! I hope to actually stamp something else this weekend for her challenge but until then, this will have to do

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Season of Joy.
Paper~ Purely Pomegranate textured CS & DP, Very Vanilla.
Ink~ Purely Pomegrante.
Accessories~ Rhinestone & Vintage Brads, Purely Pomegranate Satin Ribbon, Ticket punch, Slot punch, sponge.

Thankful for Fall

Fall is my very Favorite time of the year! I just love the changing of the leaves and the cooler weather. I wish it would last all year long!

I wanted to make a card with my new 'Thoroughly Thankful' stamp set. I'm still working on my watercoloring technique, but for the most part I am happy with the way this turned out. This is definately a stamp set made for watercoloring!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Supplies Used: Stamps~ Thoroughly Thankful, Sanded background.

Paper~ Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, More Mustard, Watercolor paper.

Ink~ Stazon Black, Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Always Artichoke, Bashful Blue.

Accessories~ Blender pen, Aqua Painter, Twill Tape, Hodgepodge hardware, Photo Corner punch, paper piercer.