Miss Me?

I know some of you have missed me because you've been calling and harping on me about updating my blog! To those who don't know me well enough to have my cell number I hope you'll still read this darn thing even though it's been AGES since I've posted! I am glad to be back though, and looking forward to posting new cards!

As for my absence, there's been a TON going on at home. Tim (my DH) came home for two weeks from Iraq. While his visit was short it was wonderful to see him, and we had an absolute blast! It was nice to be able to spend some time with him and renew our marriage a little bit. While he was home we went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and stayed at the Crescent Hotel. If you ever get a chance to go that way I suggest you stop in and stay the night. It was an amazing adventure to say the least!!

On the coattails of the good news about Tim's visit there was some scary news in our family. My daddy was diagnosed with cancer during my time away from you. I'm sure a lot of women feel that their daddy is the best, but I KNOW mine is. He's over come a lot in his lifetime and it seems so unfair that now he has to face this as well. I am a daddy's girl and this is particularly hard for me - in fact I think he's taking the news better than I am! He has already had the tumor removed, but has to have 14 teeth pulled and a feeding tube inserted before he can start radiation and chemo. Please, if you read this, join my family and I in prayer for Dad's health and well being.

In addition to all that I've been an assistant seamstress for a renaissance guild preparing for their first joust of the summer! It's been an interesting adventure, and so nice to meet new people with a decidedly different view point on a lot of things! I've enjoyed my time with them and am REALLY looking forward to the White Heart Renaissance Faire coming up the next three weekends!

And, as if all that wasn't enough, I've managed to have a few uncomfortable health issues as well. First I managed (who knows how) to pull some of the muscles in my ribcage. Each breath was a struggle and THANKFULLY I recovered quickly. The same can't be said for my next more mysterious illness - a systemic reaction to a bug bite. Yup. Hives and rashes all over my body. I've been itching for just over three weeks, but am making progress since the swelling in my face has gone away and the rash is now located to places not seen by the general public.

So enough about me. How about a card? I did manage to get ONE done while I was away, as well as a pretty little something else too! LOL. What do I call it though? Lets start with the card first though, OK?

I used a new Hostess Stamp Set called All About Occasions that will be coming out July 2007 from Stampin' Up! As a demonstrator I was able to preorder this set (along with a few others!), and I'm SO happy! It is such a cute set, and easy peasy to work with. It comes with two Jumbo Wheels and a four-piece stamp set. So I used black, white, tempting turquoise, and real red card stock, our large tag punch, and ticket corner punch, tempting turquoise and summer sun markers, and turquoise ribbon.

On my LOVE paper craft I used another new Hostess Stamp Set, this one is called In the Spot Light and is SO fun to play with! I can't wait to start demo-ing with this set! Anyway, I covered four coasters with Chocolate Chip cardstock. I stamped the images tone on tone on the Cameo Coral cardstock and then doodled with my Galaxy marker. I punched chocolate chip scalloped ovals out, detailed them with the Galaxy marker again and then added the letters in Apricot Appeal cut out on my Cricut machine. I punched holes in with the Cropodile and tied the pieces together with our white organdy ribbon. So cute, so easy and I think I'll give it to my mother.

Anyway friends, it's getting late and I've got to get back to work on stuff for my retirement party coming up on Monday. If you're in the Springfield, Missouri area and want to come, please join us! Email me for more info!!