Thursday, September 10, 2009

Three very EASY fall cards!




These three cards are inspired by a card created by one of my CTMH downline team members, Katrina Sikora. I also used Wishes - Simple Expression for my inspiration (p. 40).

I needed a card design that would be quick and easy to create with a group of about 30 teenagers in about an hour and a half. I was asked to teach card-making to a group of 13-18 year-old girls (the teen mothers program at our continuation high school). The teacher of this program is one of my regular customers and this is the fifth time she has asked me to come to her class to stamp with her girls (I do it once or twice each school year). I'll be creating these cards with them this afternoon and I am so looking forward to it! Each girl will only make one card to start (and then maybe two each if there is time), but I altered my sample card designs each slightly to show them that they can change up their card layout a little if they want to.

Because I am donating all the supplies we use (I consider it a community service thing and a small tax write-off as a bonus), I wanted to use up some of the bulk "Free Spirit" papers and bulk Outdoor Denim designer ribbon I've had tons of and have not used for ages. I don't expect any sales to come from the class, but it is a great way of spreading the word about what I do (I'm always hoping the girls will share what they made with their parents and generate some interest there - lol). I know shades of blue really aren't very traditional fall colors, but I wanted to make it work so I could use up what I have and I think I really like how they turned out. Who says you can't use blue to create fall-themed cards?!! Colors I used are Colonial White, Desert Sand, Indian Corn Blue, and Outdoor Denim. Hope you enjoy seeing them!

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

2nd day of school!





The kids rode the bus today - yaay!
and here are a few more photos I took of the kids
in their new classrooms yesterday on the first day of school!
Poor Jose Jr, I think he was embarrassed to have Mom
still taking pictures of him at his desk in the 5th grade.
I promised I won't make him do it again next year as
I guess it's time for me to let him grow up a little - lol.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

First day back to school!

Wendy, Belle, and Jose (below) Wendy - age 6.5 - 1st grade
Belle - age 9 - 4th grade
Jose Jr. - age 11- 5th grade
Emily - age 12.5 - 8th grade

Today was a very good day. It was the first day of school and we had a great morning. The kids were up extra early and I didn't even have to wake any of them up - they were so excited they woke me up instead - lol. The kids showered, dressed, and fed themselves without any nudging or nagging from me - it was amazing! I just love when they are this self-motivated and I wish every morning could be like this. We had plenty of time to take a few photos of each of them in the front yard before we left for school and I was so proud of how nice they all looked in their new school clothes. We took Emily to school first as her school starts very early now (7:21am - yawn!). Em is at the Junior High and she is really happy with her class schedule and all of her teachers (7 class periods). Her last class of the day is marching band. She plays the flute and was recently awarded the first chair/section leader position of which we are so proud! Then I took the other three kids over to Henderson Elementary school around 8am (they start at 8:30). Jose Jr. is in 5th grade with Mr. Dale, Isabelle is in 4th grade with Mrs. Bravo, and cute little Wendy is in 1st grade with Mrs. Britt. Juan Steven and I had plenty of time to walk each kid to class and take a few more photos of them even. Then baby Juan and I went to Del Taco for an egg burrito with green sauce, french fries, and a cherry coke (my favorite!) Starting tomorrow the kids will begin riding the bus to school each day so I won't be in the car and can avoid the temptation to have Del Taco every morning - lol!

I expected Juan to be a little fussy and missing the kids throughout the day, but we still had a great day together. We read a few books, went for a walk in the desert, he rode around on his tricycle a little, and then we watched the baby channel of course (baby first TV is all he wants to watch all the time now). I even got him to take a nap around noon. I didn't get much housework done as I had hoped, but I can always try again on that tomorrow - lol. Then after Jose Jr's football practice this evening we sat together at the table for dinner (Chicken Fajitas) while each kid told us about the highlights of their day. Everyone had a great first day back to school. The kids were exhausted and went to bed around 9pm. Now I'm starting to feel really tired so it's about time Juan Steven and I turn in also. But first we have to go wake up Jose Sr. who was so tired he fell asleep on the couch - lol. Let's just hope tomorrow will go just a smoothly - good night!