Monday, January 3, 2011

A First....

Monday, Monday....four more days until the weekend!  Thankfully, I had lots of craft time on Sunday so I have cards to share this week!  This card is for the current Cards Challenge to do a banner card and The Play Date Cafe Challenge this week.  I've been itching to get a banner set.  This is a new Hero Arts set and I love that it comes with a variety of sentiments:  Happy Birthday, Hello and Thank You...I'll definitely be putting it to good use!  What are your favorite stamps these days?  I'm loving Hero Arts and Verve (getting some new ones next week from their fabulous sale that just ended).
Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Melon Mambo and Craft Card Stock; Kaiser Kraft Gems; Stampin' Up Basic Black Ink; Hero Arts Stamps; Crate Paper Restoration Collection DSP
And, I have to share a first that happened at our house just before Christmas.  Ryan had his first boy/girl get together.  It was his girlfriend's birthday on Christmas Day.  When he shared with his cousins, Madeleine and Elizabeth, they suggested a get together.  Pat and I really weren't sure about it.  So after lots of discussions, I called and introduced myself to his girlfriend's mom.  I was a nervous mess and still wasn't sure it was a good idea.  Her mom was hilarious...and just as unsure as me.  But, we both thought it was innocent enough.  And, if he wants to have his friends over, I want him to be comfortable doing so.  Ryan's idea was to watch the movie, Elf, as this is Chelsea's favorite movie.  And...he had a plan.  He had a list of decorations, food and other things that needed to take place. I meant to keep the list as it completely cracked me up (and yes, this is where he is his mother's son as I am a complete list maker), but the list got lost in all the Christmas clean up.  So, we purchased pink and purple streamers (a first in this house full of boys) and Christmas lights to decorate the basement.  It was a surprise to her that they were celebrating her birthday.  She thought she was coming over with some friends for a Christmas gift exchange.  And after several conversations with the other boys parents who were coming over, the party happened.  Very laid back (and yes, I had "reasons" to go downstairs during the three hours they were here...).  Here's a quick picture of the gang...Ryan is standing no where near his girlfriend!  Chelsea is second from the right!
They all really loved me taking their picture (well, not so much...)

And now, he's moved on to Valentine's Day.  Deciding what to get Chelsea for her birthday was a bit of a challenge.  He wanted to get her a necklace for one occasion and an iTunes gift card and Jolly Ranchers (apparently her favorite candy) for the other.  We were fine with the iTunes/candy idea, but our opinion was that jewelry is too serious for as young as they are.  This sent us into a last minute shopping trip. He didn't like shopping at the last minute, so he announced tonight that he already has her Valentine's present done....a CD with a decorated case and all of her favorite songs...sound familiar ladies?  Anyone get a gift like this when you were younger?  Do you remember your first gift from a boy?  Mine was a little stuffed dog with a Journey pin.  Anyone a fan of the band Journey when you were a teenager?  My response was, "You're planning early...isn't six weeks in advance early?"  "No mom, I don't want to be rushed."  All I can say is WOW! (and secretly wish he'd put this much planning into study habits....) 

Happy Monday...hope your week is off to a great start!

15 comments:

Karen B. said...

First, great card, love that the words are inside the banners. Second, thanks for the heads up. You've got some great tips and tricks in here.

Julie Ranae said...

I was JUST thinking about you today because I saw that you had been recognized somewhere for another creation, but of course, NOW I can't remember where!!!!
So great to see you back and I LOVE what you've done with our colors this week....hope to see you lots in 2011 at The Play Date Cafe : )

Maureen said...

LOL, oh my...this is precious!! He's definitely a man in love!! lol She is too cute...the one with the mixed socks, right? My students do that too, but I don't think on purpose! hehe. Love the banner card...haven't touched my PTI ones and the dies...maybe in a few weeks...they'll be great for spring cards :) Yay, new Verve!!! The new release is Friday night!! I'm off to bed soon!! Back at her tomorrow :)

Michele Gross said...

Oh my gosh! I LOVED Journey!! I even had a parakeet named Journey! LOL!! I never said I wasn't a dork ;D I love your banner card, so excited to see that set in action as I just got mine! Yay! Great job with the PDCC colors :D

Barb said...

Hi Lynn. First of all, I love the card! That flag banner is really fun, isn't it?! The kids all look so cute in the photo. Ahhh, first love. . .such a wonderful thing! And oh yes, LOVED Journey! Still do. To this day, when I hear one of their songs on the radio in the car, I crank it up and sing my lungs out! Love your blog! :)

Sue Lelli said...

OH I LOVE your Happy Birthday banner card! And all I can say is Good Luck ~ it's just the beginning and you have four boys!!!

Jen W. said...

Ryan gets big points as a boyfriend and a teenage boy in general. Planning ahead for Valentine's Day and not for the next hot girl on the horizon? What a guy! Great job, mom and dad!
Don't remember Journey. I was a New Kids on the Block fan (the first time they came around!)
Love the card - those banners are too cute. I was looking at the Hero Arts catalog yesterday and making a wish list. I might as well just put "Entire Contents of Catalog" on the list! Have a great day!

Jaclyn Miller said...

I just adore reading your blog and about your family. Hearing your stories about teenagers make me wonder what I'm in for! (my oldest is about to turn 8) Thanks for always sharing your personal stuff - oh and I love your banner card too!

Amy Kolling said...

First, I love your card because it has a banner on it and the rhinestones add just the right amount of bling!

As for your family, looks like I will have to take the tips you share and use them in my home someday!

Tiffany Ervin said...

Such a sweet card, love the colors against the neutral and warm browns! Thanks for sharing the family photos!

Aimes said...

Awwww young love! I remember it well :)
That banner card is sweet, Lynn! Didn't realise it was by Hero Arts - might have to take a peek over there....!
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Courtney Baker said...

Man I remember those days! So sweet! What a good mom you are!

Emily Leiphart said...

Lynn, great minds think alike! We used the same set today and I just bought new stamps from Verve, too!!! I love your card with the twine. I was thinking about using twine, too. ;) That is a cute photo of the get-together. I remember getting tapes with my favourite music on them. LOL All I can say is, it's better for them to be at your house so you can keep an eye on them. :D

Laurie said...

I so love reading about your boys! I bet you have so much fun at your house!! Your card is adorable! I am working on my banner card now too! It's not going so well! :) Yours turned out fab!! I love the red on kraft!

Savannah O'Gwynn said...

LOVE this card--that pink is beautiful with kraft:) Thanks so much for joining in the fun over at the Cafe and for playing along with us at PDCC:}