Little League Time

I'm the youngest of three and every spring/summer we all played little league. In my memory from Rainy and cold Spring break until hot and humid Fourth of July we were at the ball park every night and every Saturday for either a practice or a game. Every evening we'd rush home from school search through the dryer for a clean uniform (if it wasn't there we'd check the bathroom floor). Dinner was eaten in a rush either before the game or practice or in a rush after so we could get to bed at a reasonable time. I remember the year my mom was in charge of the concession stand, I'm sure that I ate more hot dogs, nachos and frozen pizza for dinner that year than ever before.

These are some of my favorite childhood memories. I will admit that I never like playing ball but I loved being at the ball field. Over the last few years I've wondered if these memories have been exaggerated. Surely we weren't there every night it just felt that way to my 8 year old self so that's how I remember it as an adult.

Well this year I have confirmed that my 8 year old memory is right on! Emma and Caleb are both playing ball this year and every night someone has a practice. This Saturday is the first day of games, and I find myself saying "please don't let their games be at the same time, but don't make them too far apart either". From now until around the 4th of July I will be watching games, sometimes with an umbrella and other times with sunscreen. Family dinners will be quick and easy and occasionally frozen pizza, hot dogs or nachos. And I hope Caleb and Emma remember this season of the year with as much fondness as I do when they are all grown up.

What does this sappy memoir have to do with you, well you can expect fewer samples to be posted. My goal is one post a week, and I'll continue setting that goal, but I'm not going to beat myself up about it if I don't make it.

Man Cards

Last Saturday a few of my stamping friends got together to make cards. The general consensus was to make "Man-ly" cards. This is a subject that most cardmakers struggle with so I thought you'd like to see what these stampers made. I wasn't feeling well so I had to cancel, I was so bummed. I highly encourage you to get together with some friends and stamp. Share tools and stamps and feed off of each other's creativity. Sometimes you need someone to say "it's a little plain" or "That's plenty of Bling".

Kristie's Card: Lovely as a Tree stamp set


Tracy's Card: Wanted stamp set

Angie's Card: Wildlife Reserve Stamp Set

I hope you are inspired by these ladies. I'd love to see what you do with your own stamps. Send me an email you might make it on my blog.

Stamp is from the Full of life set in the occasions mini. I used markers so that I could highlight the word happy by using a different color. You can really see it in the picture but I also used dimensional to pop up the sentiment.
I left the sentiment off of this on, I thought I could make it whatever I needed at the moment I need it. I used one of the brads from the new silver hodgepodge hardware (I really love this stuff) for the center of the flower.

These cards were so fast and easy to make. I used the new die cut blooms. The colors match the summer picnic paper so it's like they were made for each other. (Old olive, pumpkin pie, real red and bashful blue)