State Fair Update: Personal Post

I usually don't have a lot of personal info. here but the state fair is a big deal in our family so here's a little bit about how the weekend turned out. Don't worry, I have a mojo card to share, the blog candy preview, and the first chance to win all coming later today.

My oldest won 2nd in the Curley's bbq sauce competition! That was his only entry.



My younger son won 7 ribbons for entries in the scout building! But he was completely bummed that he didn't win the Spam jr. chef yesterday.





My daughter got a first on her cinnamon rolls and second for the oatmeal cookies. However, that was eclipsed by her big win as Spam Jr. Chef! For those of you close enough to get the Wichita channels, she will make her recipe on the Noon Show on Sept. 29. (Ironically, this airs at 11 am)

Oh, and I'll be on there with her since I placed 3rd in the Spam Champion adult competition. That was my only fair entry since I was so busy helping the kids prepare.

In case you are wondering, YES, this takes a big toll on the home life. Here is what my kitchen looked like this morning. It actually looked like this everyday this week and I would clean it all up (sometimes twice) but last night I was just too tired!

Tomorrow is the Extra Special cookie contest for kids sponsored by King Arthur Flour. Their prize is pretty good but guess what? I think we're going to pass. :) Today is dollar day for the rides so we will take the younger two right after school. Somehow, I think they'll like that better than cooking!

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WHY I DON'T GET A DAY OFF!

Last night, after getting home about 5:30, I decided I was too tired to cook dinner. None of the kids seemed hungry and the husband was at work so I thought I would just let them eat cookies!!! And let me say, these are cookies that I am baking up because the dough is in the fridge. They are hot, fresh chocolate chip and also molasses cookies. About 6 this conversation took place with my middle child.

child: what's for dinner mom

me: just eat some cookies

child: what?

me: just eat some cookies

child: okay, can I have two?

me: yes, but have a glass of milk too (and then feeling guilty) and here eat some of this (leftover meat stuffed bread--2nd place winner)

So then about 6:30 he comes to me and this coversation takes place:

child: Mom, what's for dinner

me: I told you--cookies

child: no, seriously

me: (thinking ugh! seriously, you expect me to cook something?) well...I guess I could make milkshakes (thinking the only fruit I have in the house are bananas that are too ripe to be eaten but would make a great milkshake)

child: but then what would we have for dessert?

me: (about to die laughing) fine! I just remembered we have bacon, I will make bacon and eggs

child: so then we can have cookies for dessert?

I realize I should be happy that my children know that cookies aren't a meal. But last night I simply found it irritating!

Thanks for stopping by! I will have the stamping post up by afternoon.

Tasha

An Unscripted Stamping Break

Since it is Saturday, I had to take a break from fair baking with the kids to visit Unscripted Sketches. Today's card idea uses their sketch #23.

This is a quick card to put together. It is the standard A2 size (4-1/2"x5-1/2") with the fold on the top.

stamp set: Christmas Punch (you can get this free as a hostess)

ink: close to cocoa, ruby red

accessories: Sleigh Bells ribbon (116795 in the mini-catalog), gold brads, hemp twine

All supplies are Stampin' Up! Need something? You can order directly through my online store, or email me for a catalog.

Have you started thinking about those holiday cards? I will start The 12 Weeks of Christmas on Oct. 6 to help you get everything ready without the last minute rush!

Have a great weekend!

Tasha

Blog Candy

Blog Candy Announcement: I am giving away a rubber stamping Halloween package and I will show some of it on Monday. This giveaway will be limited to US addresses because another way to enter is by ordering!

So here's how it works:

I will be posting random Blog Candy Trick-or-Treat Questions starting Monday, Sept. 14. You can answer the question/post a comment any time THE DAY the question is posted. Only one entry per person per day via comments.

Other ways to enter:

• link this giveaway on your blog, let me know, and you get another entry!
• place an order Sept. 14-Sept. 30 and you get 5 entries! place 2 different orders, get 10 entries!

So good luck to everyone! Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

Oct. Sneak Peek

It's time for Cards of the Month Sneak Peek! Since the cards are for October, can you guess what the theme is? ...That's right, a little spooky and fun.

Not familiar with Cards of the Month (COTM)? You can get the details by clicking on the COTM picture in the right sidebar. There are 2 September kits left which you can purchase through this weekend.

On a personal note: the State Fair starts Friday!! I delivered entries to the scout building yesterday. It didn't go real smoothly and I was having to play "beat the clock" but they got there!

Part of the reason I was distracted is that I got a call from the hospital that my brother's baby was coming about 10 days early.

But she was over 7lbs. and just perfect so the day ended well!

Have a great day!

Tasha

Classroom treats

Today's rubber stamping idea is a treat--like for Halloween! Using Stampin' Up!'s new Sweet Centers stamp set and sweet treat cups, these go together quickly. And when you need to mass produce a project, quick is a necessity.I've been waiting to show this project thinking I would get some candy to put in the cup but I keep forgetting! The completed size is 3-1/4"x3-1/4" so you can get 3 orange pieces out of a piece of 8-1/2"x11" cardstock.

• cardstock: only orange, whisper white
• ink: basic black, old olive (sponged around the edge)
• accessories: sweet treat cup, black gingham ribbon
• stamp sets: Sweet Centers, All Holidays
• tools: paper cutter, 1-3/4" circle punch

All supplies are from Stampin' Up! and can be ordered right now from my online store or by emailing me.

On the inside, I just used the center of the image that I punched out. These will be great for making 50+.

The Sweet Centers stamp set, sweet treat cups, and 1-3/4" circle punch are all available in the Holiday Mini-Catalog. You can download a copy in the right side bar or email me so I can send one to you! (US addresses please)

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• Cards of the Month Sneak Peek on Thursday
• you can still sign up for Die Cutting Day (right side bar)
• Sweet Centers (#116521) shown below with additional samples

Wild Mojo

This weekend I spent time caring for 2 friends' animals while they got away for the holiday. After getting our own animals down for the night I counted up that I had just finished tending 13 chickens, many fish, 5 cats, 2 bunnies, and 2 dogs. So with animals on the brain, I reached for my Animal Stories stamp set this morning once I checked out mojomonday sketch 103.

I did flip the sketch sideways, but other than that it is straight forward.

• Tall Tales designer series paper helped this card go together quickly


• colors are soft suede, old olive, so saffron, and whisper white


• gold brads anchor the hemp twine on each side


• the spiral punch lends some pizzaz to the paper strip (that punch is a bargain at only $10.95)

It's hard to see, but I did use the Shimmer Paint (yes, I am still loving it) on the giraffe.

Sponging the stamp with the shimmer paint, then inking it in soft suede, gives a shimmery --almost embossed-- look!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a great day!

Tasha

• click here to order supplies from my online store 24/7!


• 3 days to the COTM sneak peek


• watch for Friday's BLOG CANDY announcement!
  

Labor Day (or...er...life!)

It's been a busy weekend so far! We had our first football game on Thursday and Marlin's parents drove out here to see it. We had a nice, although short, visit since they had to leave this morning.

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For today's papercraft idea, I have some gift containers to share.

• A friend of mine is looking for something that she can fill with candy to give as thank yous for co-workers who help her out. So I made a few options for her to look at.
• All but the matchbox use the window sheets which are so cool! Tip: be sure to use permanent ink such as StazOn when stamping on the window sheet.
• Below you can see the basket style with it's matching card.

I'll be back later in the week with some dimensions/tutorial for making these!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• Cards of the Month Sneek Peek is Thursday!
• Times still open for Die Cut Day (see right side bar)
• Looking for a local fundraiser? email me!
  

Halloween Treat Sack

Today's project is a cute little bag for a special spook this Halloween! I just love the Build-A-Bear Kooky Spooky die. Isn't this bear adorable?

This is super-quick to put together if you have some of the bears pre-cut. Notice the shimmery gold leaves?! I just couldn't pass up trying Stampin' Up!'s new Shimmer Paint on the black. Love it! Simply dab a little on the stamp with a sponge and stamp.

The sign is made from the Modern Label Punch and a greeting from the stamp set All Holidays.

The base is a brown sack, the size that is smaller than lunch size. Usually found at craft stores in the wrapping paper area. I cut it down to 5" tall.

A short piece of the Pumpkin Pie 1-1/4" striped grosgrain ribbon closes the top while adding a touch of color.

You can make 2 of these bags along with other great projects at my Build-A-Bear Workshop on Oct. 17. Or take part in Die Cut Day on Sept. 26 and cut some bears to have on hand. Email me for details.

Or if you just want to order your own dies or supplies you can do that right now at my online store!

Have a great day!

Tasha

Commission Work

Today's card idea is a card that I made for a client. Occasionally, my upline/neighbor/friend along with another sideline and I work together as a group called Dazzling Diamonds Design Team to do custom order work. These cards are for a church to send on birthdays.

Because many people will need to sign them this card is actually a large 5-1/2"x8" size which was hard for me!

• colors: whisper white, orchid opulence, certainly celery, so saffron
• the background is embossed with the Big Shot and the exclusive Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 texturz plate
• the sentiment is from the Special Blessing stamp set heat embossed in black
• the flower images are part of the Eastern Blooms stamp set
• glitter is that fabulously fine Cosmo glittler in purple
• the ribbon is 5/8" grosgrain, unfortunately the so saffron color is no longer available but you can still get 9 other colors (and they are a bargain in 15yd. spools!)

In case you've been hiding under a rock, I better let you know that the Holiday Mini-Catalog is official today. Yes, you can now order the fantastic items available. Except for My Digital Studio which will not be available until Oct. 1.

And there is a hostess special. Any workshop that has $250 in product orders, earns the hostess the opportunity to order any item* from the mini-catalog for only $10. That is in addition to the already generous hostess benenfits. I also lhave an additional offer that I mentioned in my September newsletter. So email me to get on the schedule!

Thanks for stopping by!

Tasha

• don't have a mini? email me with your name, mailing address and phone so I can send one to you!

*excludes My Digital Studio and hostess sets