My Chaotic Realm

OOOPS.. I see another couple of weeks have gone by since last posting... ARGH. Well, was at work all of last week... way too many hours. Then, this week I have been off. Which sounds like a good thing, loads of fun lined up, etc...Right? WRONG. It was spent with some eye & doc appts, antibiotics, etc. Knew that was coming since my one day off the week before was spent in doc appts so planned very little for the week off except self-care. On the plus side, looks like surgery is not required so I am really happy about that! In spite of a migraine (weather is beautiful but the barometer change for that to occur usually knocks me for a loop) I made it to the St Patrick's annual Blessing of the pets. Callie went with me this year, carrying a photo of her sister, Abigale. She was not at all thrilled to be there and volunteered Abigale to go next year in her place. Today is World Card Making Day!! I will be making a few more. Spent last night and some of this last week scrap...

Well, had a crafting accident today...bummed. On the upside of things I have 4 penpals to reply to so now I have the time. I did get the project finished but it was the only thing I have finished today. I was using UTEE and embossing ink alternately on a pumpkin diecut using tweezers. All was going well, right up until it fell from the fine point tweezers and onto my hand while still in the flux state. Blisters, yup. Not to mention having to peel the embossing powder off my skin. So I have poured some lavender essential oil on the burns and my hand is sitting on an ice pack while I type one-handed. I was going to type then post a tutorial... but here is the card I made for it. Tutorial may need to wait a bit.

Taught a card making class last night and several people were absent due to football and travel, so here are the 2 cards I taught ... If you would like to have a one-on-one for these, just let me know... available during weekdays to meet up as well :-) Fold & Flip Card Supplies • Double sided Card stock cut to 5.5x12 inches (if don’t have 2 sided, can glue two thinner sheets together, white side to white side to make double sided and thicker) • Adhesive, both glue & dimensional (pop dots, foam tape, etc) • 3.5x5”Solid color card stock (inside panel mat) • 3x4.5” Lighter color card stock (to write on) Instructions Score (landscape oriented) card stock @ 2” 4” 8” & 10” Fold inward on the 4” & 8” lines to make a “gatefold” card Fold the 2 front flaps outward on the 2” & 10” score lines Open card completely and mark 2.75” down from top edge Line 2.75” mark AND the top of the 4” score mark up on cutter blade (or use a ruler and X-Acto) and cut off top...

If you do not yet have the Big Shot die cutter, then now is the time to get it! In August ONLY you can buy the Big Shot and get a Stamp Set AND Framelits Set FREE. Or, if you already have a Big Shot, the 5 Bundles are 15% off...but only this month! Sumthin' With Bubbly Words Clear-Mount Bundle $31.25 Decorative Goodies Clear-Mount Bundle $35.95 Celebrating Chalk Talk Clear-Mount Bundle $37.25 Flowery Daydream Clear-Mount Bundle $45.75 Bright & Beautiful Stars Clear-Mount Bundle $43.95 Big Shot $99.95 Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Got my car into the shop for new tires this morning so I am in captivity at home today until it is ready. Got back to the house by 8:30am and I have already finished mowing the back yard (Laureli got most of it yesterday), cooked lunches and dinners for Tuesday and Wednesday (I work) then got dinner ready for tonight, all the dishes are washed...feeling pretty good!! So now heading to art table and going to get caught up on 3 different ATC swaps , make a couple of birthday cards and then I am ALL CAUGHT UP!! OMG!! Observed the new moon on the beach Saturday... spent great day with good people yesterday, and today is recharge and get ready for four day week at work. I got this!! And, I will leave you with a picture I took while on vacation... enjoy

I know it seems like a lot of money...$99.95 IS a lot of money.! But then I looked at what all the Big Shot from Sizzix can do and I decided it was worth it. I really like that the Big Shot Run can use all sorts of dies and folders from many manufactures (Spellfinders, Dreamweavers, Cuttlebug, My Paper Studio, etc)to cut and emboss on a wide variety of materials. And, if you've been waiting for the right time to purchase a Big Shot, that time is August! When you buy a Big Shot during the month of August, you'll receive your choice of one of five FREE exclusive stamp set and Framelits bundles --that's up to a $60 US value absolutely free! If you already own a Big Shot, we're also offering a 15-percent discount on these select bundles. Check back on August 1 to get all of the details on my website http://chaotickristi.stampinup.net/ Big Shot $99.95 Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

This is my first ever Creative Challenge submission. Thought I would go ahead and make one for camping since my bestie & I just got back from a wonder-filled 8 days of camping and hiking and sights. Here is the sketch that we had to follow: I distressed the edges of the mat & background pieces. Banner Framelits used for mat under lantern. Lantern is stamped on leftover piece of pool party paper where I used scalloped edge punch on (under sentiment). The sentiment & the lantern are from "The Great Outdoors" stamp set. All supplies are StampinUp! and are available from my online store (see links below). Neutrals 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock $6.95 The Great Outdoors Clear Stamp Set $21.95 Scallop Edge Border Punch $15.95 Banners Framelits Die $26.95 Subtles 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock $6.95 Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.