Happy, Happy Days

I've been doing a lot of papercrafting in recent weeks and this weekend is no different. Mind you, making 2 cards and 3 scrapbook pages is quite a bit for me when you consider my past volume of work!

Anyways, I used a couple of challenges done to ink up some new stamps and add to my card supply. It's nice not to have to rush and make a card EVERY time you need it.

Both cards used CHF stamps. Maybe other people are like me when it comes to new stamps and stamps companies (well, new when it comes to me). I go to my new stamps over and over again. I've made (relatively speaking) quite a lot of cards with these new sets, and I have added to my little CHF collection once again this week. :) They are running a great sale (it is actually still going on) to make room for the new products and stamp sets that are coming in.

I have never taken much notice until this year (I guess give that I am making cards on a more regular basis), but it really seems like all the paper crafting sites are discounting quite a bit. I guess my finance background never turns off. I wonder how much the downturn in the economy and overall nervousness of consumers have affected the craft industry. Even though the price points of these products are for the most part relatively low comparatively to a new home, car or something larger like that, I can't seen how it hasn't been affected by everything going on. So I'd be curious to see how much discounting is going on this year compared to past years when overall consumer sentiment is much more positive.

Well, back to the cards... the first card is based of Beate's sketch challenge this week. Fun sketch and I worked on trying to match patterns together in a more eye-pleasing way. I have a hard time with that.

Second card was just playing around, b/c I wanted to use the image and the Adirondack ink pad, both of which I picked up at CHF on sale. I have read lots of good things about the Ranger pads, so I had to check it out. Plus I was feeling in a fall sort of mood. The weather is starting to turn here now in NJ. It is getting cooler in the morning and in the evenings and is apparent that summer is on its last legs during the warmest part of the day....

Details:

1st Card:

Stamps: CHF Fall Silhouettes and sentiment; CS: PTI Berry Sorbet, Stamper's Select White; SU Kiwi Kiss, Barely Banana; Ink: Kiwi Kiss and Berry Sorbet; Other: Berry Sorbet ribbon, scallop border punch, slot punch

2nd Card:

Stamps: CHF Small Daisy and sentiment; CS: SU Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Barely Banana; Ink: Ranger Adirondack Latte; Other: Scallop border punch, ribbon (Martha Stewart), Dimensionals, Paper Piercer

First Teacher Card of the School Year.

The first day of school (which was last Thursday) happily went off without a hitch. The boys are sooo excited about their classes, their teachers and school in general. My kids in school for a fun day and then after-school programs and they still don't want to come home at the end of the day because they are having so much fun! I love that they are still at an age where they can't wait for school every morning. Tooooo cute.

Lots of first for us this year... This is the first year that everyone is officially in school. My littlest guy is in preschool - no more day care for our family (FINALLY... but in a bittersweet way). He looked so sweet with his lunchbox and book bag on his back... so determined to be a big boy going to school! My middle guy rode the bus for the first time this year (although I did stop by after dropping off my preschooler to make sure he made it safely to class ;) , which of course he did!). My oldest guy also started a new school, as the 3rd and 4th grader are in their own building (K-2 are in their own building). He is such a pro now and they really don't baby the students there anymore... there's no more name tags for the bus driver or teachers or anything like that. He just hopped on the bus and away he went.

As a mom that works full time out of the house, I especially am so grateful for caring and wonderful teachers given the amount of time they spend with my children during the week. I am a big believer in "spoiling" them and really letting them know how much I appreciate and value them. They are so critical to my children's development not just academically, but socially as well, when we are not with them.

Strangely enough, I had never bought a school-themed stamp set until I bought the Making the Grade from CHF. This is my 2nd Kim Hughes set in as many weeks, and I love the images in this set. I especially love the sentiments in this set, which included the word teacher and "you are appreciated." I can see myself using these sentiments many times in the future... especially when it comes to the teacher gifts at the holidays and end of the year.

I just got this set in the mail yesterday and I wanted to use it for Beate's sketch this weekend. Again, I turned the sketch 90 degrees to make it work with the stamps and idea I had. I really love Beate's sketches - they really help me out as I practice and just enjoy stamping and making cards {Thanks, Beate!}. I also used my nesties - the square scallop and the petite circle and scallops (love the petites!)

Details:

Stamps: CHF - Making the Grade; CS: PTI - Kraft, SU - Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, My Mind's Eye PP; Ink: SU Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss; Other: Dimensionals, Nesties