Officially National Flag Day...

On June 14th, 1777 the United States of America flag was adopted

and originally refered to as the "Stars and Stripes!"

RED is for hardiness and valor

WHITE is for purity and innocence

BLUE is for vigilance, perseverance and justice

"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

Long may you wave...

I look forward to our next visit. Until then...

Pindot PJ's ATC...

Surprise...

I know... it's not my usual weekend post! *wink*

It's official... yesterday was the last day of school at AES! AES gave the children a celebratory "ice cream sundae" party for winning the 2007 "School Of Excellence" award!!! While third grade waited in line... Mrs. K took my hand and proceeded to tell me how she was looking forward to my being her room mother. That's still two years away... Then imagine my surprise when Mr. W inquired if it would be too soon to sign me up to be his room mother for sixth grade! I guess my hubby was correct... no break in sight... maybe by seventh grade?! I love the children and our school staff are just incredible people! Extremely dedicated with all the extra hours they put in... long after the teaching day is finished at AES! Have a fun-filled and safe summer everyone!

Okay... now back to stamping! *wink* I loved my "Sweet Baby Girl" card so much... that I decided to make it into an ATC (Artist Trading Card) for one of two swaps that I'm currently involved with deadlines for next week. The other ATC started out of the gate at a good gallop. However... I became inundated with ideas boggling my brain to agree on an avenue of completion! Thus... grinding halt! *wink* My friend, Mary seems to be leaning towards this lil' ATC for her swap. We'll see... she might possibly be swayed by the next ATC that comes along and change her mind?! *wink*

I'm contemplating hostessing an ATC swap of my own for the end of July! The theme being Christmas in July. There will be NO stamp restrictions. If your interested in participating you can post a comment to this post or e-mail me from "view my complete profile." There's no time like the "present" to try something you've been wanting too! *wink* If you don't sign-up... you might be getting an invitation via e-mail! *wink* It's all FUN and NO PRESSURE... Don't be shy!

You can find a supplies list for Pindot Pj's ATC ----> HERE

I look forward to our next visit. Until then...

A Special Graduate...

As we all know it's difficult to find correctly proportioned graduate images and sentiments with elegant qualities. Thus... how my "iris fold" graduation cap came to be.

Simply "black and white"... This is a card that I designed and made many times for others to give to those "special" graduates in their lives.

Our family friends, Pete and Mel have a special son named Travis that will be graduating high school on June 22nd! Our family has had the honor and privilege of watching this wonderful "old soul" grow-up into a fine youngman.

Travis has so many fine qualities, such as his gentle patience with children, wonderful humor not to mention his willingness to lend a helping hand.

It's not always been easy for Travis to sit and learn from a book. However, he's excelled and absorbed "hands on" learning at the knee of his grandfather and father in the finished carpentary field. Travis is musically accomplished when it comes to playing the piano, banjo and guitar... whether with the church band or with family and friends.

We are so proud of you! We look forward to celebrating more of life's milestones with you. Much Love Always...

I look forward to our next visit. Until then...

Challenging Chihuahua...

Talk about "challenges..." Life seems to be full them... don't you think?! *wink*

It's been really busy around here lately with chaperoning field trips, spring concerts, award ceremonies, Father's Day luncheons with the close of another school year?! *shakes head*

Third grade was a "challenge" in many ways this year. It's an awakening to us as parents that our children are truly growing and blossoming into something other than a young child. Introduction of more homework, tougher topics and change of emotions to name a mere few. Even though we will ALWAYS consider our children our "babies" no matter how old they become!

A "challenge" I faced was... after being room mother the past two years, not to mention a regular volunteer at our daughter's school in years prior... I was going to take a sabatical from being room mother this coming fall. Well, lets just say that Mrs. S cornered me with the help of Mrs. B... all I remember is Mrs. S walking off to her meeting letting me know that she would be looking forward to having me as room mother next fall! *deer caught in headlights moment* OMGosh... what just happened!!! Well, when I explained to my hubby, as best I could what transpired that afternoon?! Dave gave me a hug and told me that I better resign to being room mother for the next five years! Long story, short... this is a mere blip of some "challenges" I've been faced with lately... besides not having enough time to stamp! *wink*

During Sophie's April vacation we scored two of these cute Pocket Pet Chihuahua wood mounts by Rubber Stampede. We decided on another friendly mother and daughter card-off! Sophie finished her card timely with some guidance and instruction on "measure twice and cut once!" *wink* I must admit that I did fall behind a bit and our darling daughter would occassionally inquire "How's your Chihuahua card coming along Mom?!" *wink* Well... I had made a decision on my color combination, layout and accessories... I just lacked time, SO what's new!

Sophie has an artistic eye... not to mention that she's very creative! After choosing her patterned paper, Sophie chose her other colors and embellishments accordingly. Then choosing Karen Foster "casual" snap stamps for her sentiment... CUTE!

I look forward to more years of Sophie and myself stamping together! I just hope that I'll be able to actually stamp! *wink* Now to light the fire under her to get her Father's Day cards designed and ready. *wink*

I look forward to our next visit. Until then...

Sweet Baby Girl...

You may remember my excursion to the CK Convention in Manchester with with my friend Mary back on May 18th? This lil' A Muse jammies wm stamp was found in the clearance aisle at AC Moore... happy to say that I was lucky enough to find one for Mary and myself! *wink*

As usual... I find myself behind on my own cardmaking for family and friends. *rolling eyes* This card was created in honor of our nephew's new baby daughter, Elisabeth Lauren's birth. As I always say, "better late... than never!"

Square card base consists of Bazzill romance cardstock layered with Bazzill petal cardstock stamped with Outlines Dot Background Sm in Versamark. Striped paper border is by Anna Griffin, layered with SU! apricot appeal grosgrain and embellished using two Making Memories button brads. Punch a scallop circle of Bazzill romance cardstock using a Marvy Uchida punch, pierced and mounted with dimensionals. A Muse jammies image is stamped in SU! Basic Brown and watercolored using SU! Watercolor Pencils and blender pen. Jammie buttons are accented with a Sakura White Glaze Pen.

Easy-Peasy!

I look forward to our next visit. Until then...

June

Cardmaker's Calendar

14th Flag Day

More formerly known as National Flag Day.

This day commerates the adoption of the flag of the

United States of America!

A great day to send a veteran or current service person

a Patrotic card of support!

17th Father's Day

Most of us have doting grandfathers, uncles or close friends

who've inspired or guided our lives. Why not take the opportunity

to wish someone close to us a Happy Father's Day!

A handcrafted card will convey to that special someone their

meaningful place in your life!

21st Summer Solstice

Better known as the First Day of Summer.

Some people feel that summer begins Memorial Day; or

when the kids are out of school. Astronomically speaking,

however, the first day of summer falls on June 21st during the Summer Solstice

when the Earth's axis tilts most towards the sun,

creating the longest period of daylight all year.

Take advantage of the longer evening of daylight by inviting

your stamping friends for a Solstice Stamp Fest!

Serve summery drinks, burgers on the grill and set-up some tables for stamping.

Here's to a wonderful summer.... CHEERS!

Ideas from INKAnews