Memories

Several decades ago when my sister and I were thought to be asleep, we were actually wide awake gossiping.  

If you grew up with sisters and you were close, then you know what I'm talking about.  Those late night talks would give us away when they'd turn into out-of-control laughter.  Our bedroom was right off the kitchen and our father who would be in the kitchen trying to enjoy a late night snack would inevitably hear us then shout out "go to sleep I say!"  and we'd laugh even harder!  Hearing him say it that way made him sound like an English fellow rather than the Mexican-American he was.  LOL!
There was a brother too but he wasn't interested in what we had to say unless it was "let's play dodge ball, go to the park, ride our bikes...." you know, sentences with lots of verbs and interesting nouns.  

A baby sister came later but it was hard to share stuff with her cause she'd either repeat it and someone would end up getting in trouble.  Me, usually.
Thinking about my siblings always stirs up summer memories.  Like the temporary pool that would take longer to set up than it would for us to enjoy it.  Sooner or later that sick mosquito larvae would appear.  We thought they were tadpoles.  LOL!  Then no one wanted to get into the pool so we'd run through the sprinkler instead.  We'd pretend there was a Slip n' Slide and our bottoms would get pretty messed up.  Imagination.  It got us through a lot of boring days that turned out not to be so boring after all.  
Have a wonderful day and if things seem dull, run through a sprinkler and use your imagination!
  
           

Fun Card

I got a card in the mail today and I was transported back to my childhood kitchen.

When I opened the card I was brought back to the present. 

I wonder if there's a stamp out there that starts out like this....My name is ________ and I am a stampaholic....  Cause I would buy it.  
My friend Geri, who just might be a stampaholic, sent me this card today.  The sentiments she stamped ring HUGE bells for me.  Well, I'm not stampmaiden for nothing.  You must click on the photo of the girls in the kitchen to see the details and I'm not sure that the glitter will show up.  Oh, I forgot to mention that Geri  also loves glitter.  Lots of glitter.  What's  interesting about her is that there is never evidence on her face that she's been involved in glitter play.  You've seen those people before, I know you have.  You stop to talk to them and there's that spot of glitter resting on a cheek, nose or right below the eye area.  You try not to stare as you're talking to "glitter face" but your eye keeps going back to that speck/spot/glob.  As you part you smile cause you know that they've been crafting and you don't even bother telling them about the glitter spot cause it really doesn't look that bad.  I mean, it's not like they have a piece of broccoli stuck between their front teeth. 
Glitter, glue, paint, ink.  It goes with everything.  Wear it proudly!  




  

Happy Momma's Day

Happy Momma's Day!

  Any one can have a baby but it takes a super dedicated and ultra strong woman to be a mother.  If you are that woman, God bless you for doing the hardest job on earth and have a beautiful day celebrating your specialness.

"BE" Attitude

Lots of stuff going on over here.  Some of it made me physically sick.  Then it hit me.

 You gotta let it go and let it be.

I feel better now, thank you very much.

Just Stepping In

Stepping in to say Hola and  happy Cinco de Mayo!

There was a headline in today's news that Cinco de Mayo should be referred to as Drinko de Mayo.  Yeah, whatever.  Don't drink and drive, people!  
Happy birthday to Jolene who grew up in a Mexican neighborhood and always thought they were celebrating her birthday until she got older and knew better.  LOL!  Happy birthday also goes out to Anthony who is son of shop keeper extraordinaire, Nina.  I remember him when he was a little boy hanging around the rubber stamp store arranging rubber stamps.  Now he's burning rubber.  Well, I hope not but it seemed like a good thing to write!    
Whatever you do today remember to put your best foot forward.  Like me.  Today before I sit down to eat chips and guacamole, I'm gonna skip to the fridge and cross my feet outwards as I sit in front of the TV!
Enjoy your day!

Extravaganza Artventure

My project for this year's Extravaganza was an altered memory box.

Two sides of the altered memory box exploded with tags featuring me and Dad.

The days and last minutes leading to the Extravaganza seemed endless but in the end it all proved to be a worthwhile experience.

Each year the stamp store, Stampin' From the Heart in Los Angeles, has an art-filled fun day with breakfast and lunch provided for 20 participants.  Each person leaves with a tote bag packed with rubber stamps, paper/ephemera and an apron.  There are raffles on the hour and everyone leaves with four completed projects that four teachers offer.  There are four groups that spend an hour and a half at each teacher's table and the goal is to finish on time.  I've never experienced speed dating but this is how I imagine it to be.  We're all put on a timer, the fun begins, and then we work hard and fast to complete the project on time.    
I spend a lot of prep time before the day begins.  I want all the crafters that sit at my table to not stress out or have hissy fits cause we have 15 minutes left and they're still working on the first part of the project.  I've been on the other side of the game and I know that when you stress you DON'T have fun.  Not having fun leaves you with an incomplete project that you'll shove under the bed or  hide in a drawer where it will stay FOREVER!  Believe me, it's happened to me and I never want that to be the case with whatever it is I create for this event.
I'm happy to report that everyone finished their altered boxes and from the looks on their faces at the end of the day,  it looked as if they were satisfied with their project.  Lots of positive feedback leads me to believe that they will not be putting this project under the bed!
Have a wonderful Sunday and remember to make every moment count.  

Hoppy Easter

Happy Easter!

I made this card for my parents the other day.  It's differs slightly from the one I made for a Make-it-Take-it last year.  It differs slightly in color - I edged it in purple and added swirls of purple distress ink onto the tag instead of a smokey black shade.  I also added yellow beads in the centers of the green flowers rather than the gold sparkly dots and I omitted a stamped script in the background and a sunburst image.  But they would never know the changes.  Oh, just to make her carry out the Easter role, I added a glittery egg and a cotton tail.  
Hoping you have a wonderful Sunday.  And if you celebrate Easter, hope you find lots of colorful eggs!