Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Two-step Orange Flower Card

Hi, my name is Jessica, and I'm addicted to two-step stamping.

It's just so easy, and I love the way it turns out.

I made this card for Jonathan's sister. Her 18th birthday was last Friday. I was definitely a little sad to part with this card. I stamped the outline of the stamps in Chocolate chip, the flower fill in part in Peach Parfait, and the leaves in Old Olive...sounds delicious.

I cut around the outline, I love how it's not perfect, that the orange goes outside the lines. I popped up the flower and used Chocolate chip ribbon.

I'm sorry this is a terrible picture, and in no way does it justice..(I'm still learning, ok?) But I did some more stamping on the inside. I think it turned out really cute.

I've got a couple days off this week because it's my weekend, so I'm hoping to get caught up in the scrap room. I've still got several scrapbook pages to finish, by finish I mean start. Summer is almost over (hopefully) and fall is approaching, so it's time to gear up for some birthdays, showers, and of course, my favorite..Halloweeen. I don't start thinking about that red and green holiday until at least November..I suggest you all do the same.

Jessica

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Platte County Fair and Tractor Pull

So, yesterday was probably the hottest Saturday in the history of Earth. What was I doing? Staying inside? No. We were at the Platte County Fair to see Jonathan's sister sing the National Anthem for the Tractor Pull.

We were there for much longer than anticipated because there was a communication error as far as the start time of the show goes.

Look at that tractor pull! We spent an hour watching this tractor level out the dirt in the arena. We thought the event started at 6, so about 5:40 or so we sat in the grand stand. We had the perfect spot for photo opportunities. We were right in the middle, sort of toward the top. It was perfect, until we got word that they weren't going to start until 7! Yikes, it was a hot hour and a half.

Not a tractor, and it's not pulling anything. It's pushing, pushing the dirt down.

Did I mention it was an entertaining hour?

We finally got with the program. This is Rachel in the announcer's booth singing before the pull.

And the flag, you have to have the flag for the National Anthem. She did a nice job. I wish I had just a little more zoom on my lens so I could have gotten a bit closer.

This is what they were supposed to pull. I learned all about this in the hour we were watching them pack dirt. For those of you that don't know (this was me) there is a weight that comes out and goes across this thing, once it gets to the right side it pushes that big flat thing into the ground, making it harder to pull. Depending on the pulling class, there is more or less weight. They judge by the distance they pull. I suppose if there was a tie in distance then they'd use the time.

Big noisy trucks were first.

This guy is from Iowa, and he pulled the farthest. Don't cheer yet Iowa fans! He was also the only one in this class to get disqualified for going outside the lines!

This is a sad excuse for a picture. We were under the impression that they were going to do all the classes of trucks first..and we didn't want to wait around. But they surprised us all, they did the small class of tractors in between. We had moved from our prime seating at this point to make plans with Jonathan's family. The tractors are much more interesting. They aren't as noisy, and the front ends come off the ground! We only got to see a few.

This is the best I could do as far as pulling tractors.

I hope everyone had a good weekend. I'm glad to be in my fishbowl, watching my husband work on our vehicles, and sucking down some AC.

Jessica

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Flower and Sparkle Thank You Card

Today is Thursday, which is almost Friday, which I can't wait for. I'm over this week. It's payday this weekend, and that is the best kind of weekend.

Last weekend was my birthday. It was an awesome day. I finally got to that camera class that my friend and I signed up for several months ago. Jonathan took Oliver to agility class. We took a 3 hour nap and went to dinner. Win!

Anyway, so I got a nice birthday card in the mail from my grandmother, so I made her a Thank You card.

I recently got some new stamps, and the new 2011 In Colors, so that's what I used on this card.

It's a two step stamp, which I think I'm now addicted to...and I added lots of sparkle!

I probably shouldn't have mentioned that I just took a camera class...because this is not a good photo...I'm having a hard time making it work for such close shots...but I'll get it eventually. Anyway, I don't know if you can see, but I stamped the same thing very lightly on the inside.

I have another card waiting in the wings, for a birthday that's tomorrow. In other news, I finally finished our Year 2 of marriage scrapbook, and now I'm moving on the year 3, the current year...I just might get caught up. Yeah, probably not.

Jessica

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Cone Flower Anniversary Card

I have a card today. I spent all weekend up here in my craft room. I got a few cards done, and most importantly...I'm 1 page away from finishing my 2nd year of marriage scrapbook. Which means, I'm only 10 months behind.

My co-worker is definitely keeping me busy.

I made this for her. She knows a lot of people who are having anniversaries. I use the Inspired by Nature set. I colored it with markers, and cut it out. That sounded like a good idea until I actually got started. I am terrible with scissors. I used the new In Color Wisteria Wonder for the flowers. I also stamped off and used it on the background.

I used some Chocolate Chip ribbon, and added a few sparklies to the sentiment.

I'm hoping to get a little craft time in this week, I've got later start times at work. I doubt I'll have much time this weekend, we're getting it pretty booked up.

Jessica

Friday, July 8, 2011

July 4th 2011

So I've finally had some time to go through the millions of pictures I took on the 4th.

We had a blast. My mom cooked, and we lit a bunch of stuff, and we are in the perfect location to watch everyone in the neighborhood light off their big night stuff.

But our preferred way to spend the day is with Parachute Racing.

Stretching is very important in this game. You never know how it will go.

The Rules:
You have to catch the parachute before it hits the ground...
and
There are no other rules...

See what I mean...it's brutal out there.

But Jon reins victorious

Back from battle, with a victory.

Yeah, I won that one.

She took it out of my hand and tried to pass it off as her own.

Katie and Vladamir..pushing is legal..

He's way faster than her.

About the pushing...


It's encouraged!

I would have had that one too...but she pushed me to the ground.

No victory for Jon this time.

There is also a lot of smoke bomb dancing, this is one of my favorites.

Snagged it!

Ok, notice what everyone is doing. Where the hell is Jon going? I mean really? It's obvious to say, he didn't win that round.

I've got a video for your viewing pleasure...just so you can get your head in the game.




I hope everyone had as much fun as we did. Jon's going to train better for next year.

Jessica

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Flower Anniversary Card

I have a card today! Hooray!

We've been pretty busy around here lately. We've been practicing agility, buying new furniture, and shaping up that yard the way it should be. I've also got tons of pictures and some video from the 4th of July...so look for that soon, I've got a 3 day weekend coming up!

Anyway, today I've got a commissioned card.

One of my co-workers is keeping me busy in the studio..not that I'm complaining..I like it! Some people she knows just celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary. I've only got 3 years on that...and it seems like forever already. So I made this card for her. The flowers are from the AmyR sympathy set and the paper is Elegant Soiree from Stampin Up. I love the brown and blue combo.

The flowers are stamped on watercolor paper, and I used my aqua painter and my markers to color it in water color style.

She's asked me to make another one, so look for that on the horizon.

I hope everyone is recovered from the holiday fun.

Jessica