Yes, I'm Fine

Due to multiple concerned comments and emails, I thought I'd pop in to let you know I'm fine.

Remember, I am no longer with SU and I am still "off" paper crafts, so there is no punch art to share. Heck, I haven't even looked at anyone else's blog in six months so I can't point you to anything new.

So what am I doing?

Just returned from a three week visit to see hubby (he is working in Australia).  Fun!!!

I'm crocheting these days.  I learned how about 6 weeks ago and I'm burning through the yarn - sometime ripping out and redoing multiple times (not proud of that but I'm an honest woman)

My girls are fine.

My oldies are chugging along. Or is that tottering along?  (one of each is accurate)

Hubby misses me (of course). I miss him.

The dog is still a lovable shedding sweetie.

I have the house "fixed" so if we MOVE I'm ready for the realtor. All those little chores you put off are done and I'm 90% decluttered.  There is always something else to give away although the word "barren" came out of hubby's mouth on his last visit home...  Could I have gone too far?

I have lost 22 lbs. (Weight Watchers and exercise and still working on losing more...)

Can't say if I'll ever get back to punching. And I am turning off comments on the blog because I am darn tired of deleting 20 spam comments everyday.  I'll leave the blog up for you to refer to if you find a burning need for one of my old ideas.

Thanks for stopping in and who knows, one day that old Inspiration Fairy might find her way home...

bye bye butterfly.... (sob!)

I'm not a Stampin' Up! demo anymore - but I still know a few (grin) and they told me this morning that 12 punches are retiring this year.  I saw the list and was OK with the losses UNTIL I saw the Butterfly punch and the Heart to Heart punch are getting the ax.

OH NO!!!

Take a look at the list at my right had side bar and see ALL the punch art you can make with the butterfly punch - well, don't even look there - just click this ----> 87 posts use that punch! 

If you like my punch art, and you don't have this punch, BUY IT TODAY before it is gone.  I will not stop using it in my punch art unless mine breaks.  And I don't know of any other place you can find one except Stampin' Up!.   Maybe I need to buy a back up butterfly!

Cleaning Lady

My favorite yahoo group has started up once again (only active Spring and Summer) and Kimm, our challenge leader is getting us ready for a season of creating with a series of challenges.  The first challenge was to find and clean your stamp area. Ladies are posting their before and after photos - gosh, I love seeing where other ladies create.

Because of all this activity,I thought I'd do a little cleaning lady...

Her face was borrowed from a  picture in an old stamp catalog - Stamps by Judith - Judith Kleinschmidt.
Her shoes were borrowed from my memory of Carol Burnett and her cleaning lady character.
Her hair is the postage stamp punch with another piece of it punched next to the hole to give a front layer
Dust pan is the pennant punch trimmed to have a handle
Collar is from the cupcake punch
The rest is the usual mess.

and here without any mess is my clean space....

Hopefully it will be covered in punch droppings soon (and for the next few months...)

Link to more Angry Birds

WOW - I found even more angry birds - I just stumbled across this blog following a link

Check out THESE  birds by Niki Toll -  also with tutorials.

Punch Art - isn't it FUN?

Link to Angry Birds

Just got an email request to make some Angry Bird punch characters and I said I'd try...

But I did a quick google search and found where someone else has already done them - and has a .pdf with awesome directions.  Melissa Stout is a WAY nicer blogger than me.  Check out her work HERE.

Love her bird and pig!

And I love that game.

Still Doing Laps?

Another stamp inspired punch art project - HERE is the stamp set that I saw - from Art Impressions - "Memory Laps".  I took it down to one girl (no lap) in a chair instead of two on a sofa...

Could be used for a pregnancy congrats card and certainly on a scrapbook page.

Prego Woman:
Head - 1.25 circle
Hair - 1.75 circle near a 1.25 circle hole - sponge edges
Bangs - Part of the 1.25 circle that you punched to create the hair hole - sponge to distinguish from base hair and cut a notch.
Eyes - standard hole punch in white and black - add highlight with white gel pen
Nose - standard hole punch - sponge top with pink ink
Shirt - wide oval for belly - full heart upside down for chest - tips of word window for sleeves - all sponged
Arms - narrow heart to heart next to hole of the same
Legs - narrow scraps
Ankles and feet - Full heart next to hole of same - color in black shoes with sharpie

Chair:
2.5 inch circle for chair back -outline in black
1 inch x 3 inch strip for chair seat - outline in black and draw dividing line
medium oval for chair arms - outline in black and draw center oval
black scrap chair legs

I know a mother of twins about to hatch - I think I'll finish this up for her - probably been awhile since she has "done" a lap - and very soon her lap will be FULL!

Mere Mortal

Yes, it is true.  I am no longer a Stampin' Up! Demo.  


I am a mere mortal.

sigh....

I never was a big SU seller.  Just a user.  And during my little break from paper crafts I declined to meet my quota.  The down side of this it that I now have to pay FULL PRICE (gasp!) for my SU goodies.  The upside is that I can talk about and link to other products and sites.  Full price = bad for me.  Linking = good for you.  You win!

Here is my "get back into punching" first project - Lady in Hat

I think she will go with any snarky sentiment you have for a girl friends card.

My inspiration came from an old (March 2005) Paper Crafts magazine and the stamp is Lady in Feather Hat by Victorine Originals.  (Don't know if it is still available).  But this is what made me want to punch again:

I was cleaning out some old craft stuff - saw where I had torn this page out. Her square jaw line made me think of the Curly Label punch and so I opened the second punch drawer, knocked the cobwebs off and tried it.  I think Betty Boop is the only other time I have tried using the Curly Label as a face.

Here is a shot of her parts:

Here is a list of her parts:

Hat - 1 3/8 circle, large oval, another large oval trimmed as shown in photo
Head - Curly Label - face drawn on (copying the Victorine Originals Stamp)
Neck/Chest - Blossom Petal Builder - feather duster one with the tip cut off - curve line drawn for cleavage
Dress - Full heart, point cut off
Arm - Full heart next to Full heart hole
Hand - end of Modern Label repunched with one of the smaller circles
Brim of Hat - small oval trimmed as in photo
Hair - scraps, cut fringe into one end of each and curl with your talented little fingers

Then I added a little flower but didn't have it added when I took the parts picture - you can figure that out!

Disclaimer - I have not yet flattened the hair, stuck it in an envelope and mailed it so I can't say what it will look like upon arrival at its destination.

My sentiment reads "The older we get, the more we should accessorize.  Or is that exercise?"  And here is where I accessorized her (well, at least I bling-ed her a bit)...

Hello to the faithful!

Hey girls!

I can't believe you still come checking on me.  You are too too too sweet.

I had a good long break from punching and I think maybe it is time to restart.  I pulled out my punches last night and had fun... which is a good sign.  I was horribly out of practice... which is a bad sign.  And I need to do a more work before I show you anything but I thought I'd get you caught up on my life before I got down to posting punch stuff again.

She who was "College Girl" and then "Miss Needs a Real Job" has one.  She's working at a Public Relations/Advertising company in a city she loves and having an awesome time.  While she isn't getting rich, she is gaining amazing experience, and getting to use her creativity.  We can officially rename her
"Career Girl".

My baby "She who still lives at home" is now the current "College Girl" winding down her freshman year -  happy as a clam (I guess clams are happy) with her degree choice, her roommate, her boyfriend and her plans for next year.

Hubby is upside down and backwards.  He is working in Australia, which is about as "other side" of the world as you can get from Texas (thus the upside down) And the down under folks are experiencing Autumn while I'm thinking Spring, doing Night while I'm doing Day, and driving on the "other" side of the road (thus the backwards).  He is in the middle of a two week trip home and it is great to have him for at least a little while.

So my nest is pretty empty, but the dog keeps me from total freedom to travel so what else do I have to do but start punching again and blathering about whatever pops in my head?

Thanks for stopping by and expect some punch ideas soon...

Naughty List

I know, I know.

I am on Santa's naughty list (and most of yours) as I have not been a very good blogger.  As some wise man said (and some folks sang) "there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven" and Autumn has not been punch/post season around here.

Thank you, thank you and thank you again for the continuing comments and emails of support and concern.  Honest, I'm fine.  I actually did punch - I recycled my jumping graduate for a couple of college grads that I'm really proud of - but nothing NEW has been created.

I just wanted to pop in and wish you all HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a very very Happy 2012.

keep punching (someone needs to do it)
hugs,

I Spy - firefighter

Tina Gillespie used my firefighter on a very nice card.  Check out the great job she did HERE to thank them for the great job they did with her childs' play group.

Do you know how much it THRILLS me when I see you gals actually using some of my ideas? 

I have gotten some of the sweetest emails about how you are using punch art in hospitals and card ministries, etc., to brighten peoples days and making hurting folks smile. Thanks for letting me know.

BIG SMILES on my face.

World Series

You didn't really think I'd let the Texas Rangers play in the 2011 World Series without some commemorative Punch Art, did you?

It has been a LONG time since I've punched so this is pretty simple - but hey, I gotta get started again somewhere...

And you could add a wimpy little moustache to represent our darling pitcher Derek Holland.  Way to pitch in the World Series Baby!

Punches needed: 1.75 inch circle, Small Tag, Blossoms Petal

Punch the circle for the ball
Punch the petal - reinsert it into the circle so you can see it and punch OFF just the bumpy ends - cut in half and you have the brim sections of your hat
Punch the small tag punch - either on the edge of the paper, or trim off one side slightly - insert in the circle punch to nip off just a tiny bit on the top of the hat

Outline hat pieces and draw lines on your baseball. Sponge a bit of ink on the edges if you like.

Ta-dah!

Whatever happens in Game 7, it was an AWESOME season. 

I love me some October Baseball!

Success!

Some of you might remember that I have been working on a HUGE Jane Austen scrapbook workshop project.  IT IS DONE!  And it was fun.

I had some of the loveliest ladies EVER in my classes and fortunately they LOVED what I had prepared for them.  I managed to please the newbies and give some tips to the experienced gals. 

I had a few students that hunted me down later in the conference - so I could meet their husbands so the guys would know who they had been talking about.  How sweet is that? 

And I had one hysterical gal that loved my sense of humor and we laughed every time we spotted each other over 5 days. 

And I think I might have inspired some ladies to run out and buy some new tools to add to their collections.  Now doesn't that sound successful to you?  Learning, Laughter and New Toys?

Hubby leaves in 2 weeks for Australia and then I should have plenty of time to start punching again. Soooo.... would the crafter who has borrowed my Inspiration Fairy please help her pack up her magic dust and point her in the direction of North Texas?  Thanks!

Just Talk

No punching has been going on.  As shocking as it might seem, there is more to life than paper crafts!

I'm fine.  I'm happy.  I'm busy.  And I haven't been posting 'cause I haven't been punching (or scrapping)

I could fill this blog with blather about life and my random thoughts and stupid insights -  but since most of you come here for the free punch art ideas, I decided silence was better.  But from some of the emails I've gotten, I thought I better check in with you gals and let you know all is well.

The girls are happy and settled in the same town (not this one) and hubby is preparing for a work assignment in Australia.  The dog and I have been (and will be) spending lots of quality time together. 

I've been painting and rearranging and organizing and reorganizing and moving the twigs around in my empty nest.  Still lots more to do. 

The idea is to be ready in case the Australia assignment turns a bit more permanent and we actually sell the house and move.  Right now, that is only a possibility but I want to be ready.  I have decades of crap to wade through and several household improvements to make.  And if we stay put - my house will be streamlined and in great shape.  I can already tell you that a decluttered home cleans a lot faster than a cluttered one!

Commercial Time:  I have a new addiction...audio books.  I LOVE being read to and our local library has LOADS of them to choose from.  I started just listening in the car but I have discovered that painting and cleaning are more fun with someone reading you a story.  TRY THEM!

Thanks for coming back to check on me.  I'm glad you noticed I was missing.  And yes, I hope to punch again but not right now.  Sorry punch fans.

The Fairy has been baking...

Don't worry, the Inspiration Fairy has been located.  Blog reader, Melanie Gunn, confessed that she has been at her house, baking cakes.  She helped Melanie bake this for a four year old:

Lucky four year old, huh?

I'm very glad to know that the I-Fairy hasn't been lazy!

Hoping while Melanie goes on her vacation, I can lure the fairy back to my punch drawer...  I have gotten a few requests and I hope to be able to help out.  Have fun on your travels Melanie! 

Call BPS

Someone needs to call BPS (Blog Protection Services) because I am SERIOUSLY neglecting this blog.

It is neglect when you totally miss your child's birthday, right? 

The blink blog had its second birthday this week and I didn't even think of it.

Bad blogger.

Can't really say what will become of Blinky this year.  I have the kids settled and am trying to get the hubby ready to work on the other side of the world which should leave me with lots of time to craft and punch but I'm not finding the enthusiasm for that. 

My short term goals are things like cleaning closets and painting bedrooms. And important things like watching Netflix.  I'll be scrapping and I guess some punch art will be created occasionally for that.

If you have requests, go ahead and ask me - maybe that is what I need to get punching again.  Otherwise, it may be pretty quiet around here. 

Which one of you is the lucky new landlord for the Inspiration Fairy?  She is a lovely tenant.  Please tell her I'd be happy to have her visit me anytime!

No punchin ' - Just talkin'

Still no punching around here.  Back from dropping off the kiddo.  Hard but not impossible.  Teared up but no hard core sobbing. 

And even though neither of the girls live here, they can still stir up plenty of drama.

Oldest drove youngest's car to work while hers was in the shop.
Left her purse in the car.  (note: I have only told her 300 times to NEVER do this)
Broken window.
Bye bye purse.

Hello DMV and Bank and all the other places you must go to replace ID.  Hello hassles, it is NOT nice to meet you.

So in case your Momma didn't tell YOU

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PURSE IN YOUR CAR

or if you do just go ahead and leave the door unlocked so the thieves can just take it and you don't have to pay to replace the window and you don't have to vacuum tiny shards of glass out of your car.

Tissue Time

About this time last year, I advised you to buy plenty of stock in a tissue company in anticipation of today because today is the day I leave to take my youngest to college. 

I am ready for her to have her big adventure... to start her "big girl life".  But I'm not ready to change my job title.  I can't exactly claim to be a "Stay Home Mom" without a kid in the home, now can I?

I guess I am now "House Wife".... oh geez, that means I'll be judged on the cleanliness of my toilets and the tastiness of my cooking instead of the wonderfulness of my girls.

Cleaning and Cooking - oh yes, certainly reason enough to spend the day crying. 

Where was I?

I'm back - and I'm very near the end of the final blog hop of the 2011 VC Rocks Season - Punches Galore is our theme - I couldn't miss this!

Where have I been since last hop? My Punch Art should give you a clue...

I have helped a friend pack to move out of her HUGE house in Houston. 

I have been to Austin, carting boxes from my attic to my eldest daughter's first solo apartment. 

This next week I will move my youngest into a dorm at UT Austin.  (The girls are THRILLED to be in the same city)

And when I get home from that, I continue preparing for hubby's overseas work assignment. 

I am tired of the smell of cardboard but I'm now a whiz with packing tape!

IDEA: You could change this to be boxes of presents for a birthday or other gift giving occasion.  OR: You could easily change it to a huge layered cake (oh yes! yum..... I'll have two pieces if it's chocolate).

And you don't have to have gray sticky out hair or boots - switch them around so you don't look like me!  But if you feel the need to make ME and packing boxes, here is what you need:

Boxes - 2 rectangles of Crumb Cake - sponged  (1.25 x 1.5 inches approx)

Hair - Scallop Circle in Gray - put it on a post it note, reinsert and repunch offset - lather, rinse and repeat (OK, just repeat) and then do it again for a small bang piece.  Post it notes are a punchers friend - keep some handy.

Arms -  1.25 inch circle HOLE in a piece of  Real Red - punch around that hole with the 1.75 inch circle - cut the resulting ring in half to get the arms.  (In the spirit of honesty, I was actually wearing short sleeves through all this packing - we had 40 consecutive days over 100 degrees around here...and more in the forecast)

Hands - Modern Label in flesh tone (I still have a stockpile of retired Blush Blossom, you could use Blushing Bride) repunch each end with a 1/2 inch circle

Jeans - modern label on denim paper - trim the "bumps" off one end  (need 2 since I have 2 legs)  To make denim paper, simply rub your Night of Navy ink pad all over a piece of Bashful Blue cardstock.  (Yes, it is that easy)



Click Button to Go to Loni's Blog

Shoes - (supposed to look like my favorite and constantly worn Cowboy Boots) - 5 petal flower - trimmed with scissors.

Ready to see more ideas for punches?  Click on the right hand button to hop on to see what Loni Holt has for you...                             . 


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If you get lost, Blog Hop Home is HERE.

Hang on...

The two trips are done, I have taught 2 of the 3 on line classes and the pile of pages prepped for Jane Austen has grown significantly, but the moving humans around part is just starting... and that of course means more trips.  Geez, how did my life get so busy?

Just letting you know that I am fine but little time to create and no time to punch.  Hang on... I shall return (just don't know when)

Swallow your patience pill...

Be patient with me for a little bit - I had a roll of posts going but that has come to a screeching halt.

I'm knee deep in Jane Austen.  Remember the big workshop I designed scrap pages for?  Well, now I'm doing assembly of the kits.  And completing 2 more Jane Austen tasks that I was "volunteered" for...

Plus I have to prep for 3 online classes for VC Rocks.

I have 2 fun weekend trips with girl friends this month.

I have one kid moving to an apartment and the other moving into a dorm during the first 2 weeks of August.

Can you say BUSY?

I'll post when I can.  Keep punchin'!