Sunday, September 21, 2008

Inky Antics Jack-o-lantern


Inky Antics Jack-o-lantern
Originally uploaded by Buckeye
I got invited to a Halloween party next month, but unfortunately I can't attend because it conflicts with a game. Can't decide which would be scarier....our team or Halloween.

Anyway, it is sad that I can't go, because it is being hosted by a lady I used to work with and it would be so good to see everyone. I thought I'd send her this card along with my regrets.

This card continues my trend of liking bright, vibrant colors. The main image is from Inky Antics. I stamped it with Momento Tuxedo black ink onto Georgia Pacific cardstock and colored with Copic Markers. As you can see, I added lots of stuff...probably too much, but I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder, ribobn, brads, lots of layers...the sentiment is a Michael's $1 stamp.

Fun to make. Thanks for looking.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Happy Fall


Happy Fall
Originally uploaded by Buckeye
This week, I had the chance to play around with SC194 on Splitcoast. I've noticed that I've been drawn to the bright colors lately.

The image is from Bugawumps and is stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink onto Georgia Pacific cardstock. Various scraps of patterned paper were used, as well as black cardstock. The tag was made with a circle punch. Ribbon and brads were also used.

The sentiment is one of those dollar stamps from Michaels. Seemed perfect for the image. However, I'm thinking the inside sentiment is going to say "...and a Happy Birthday to you", because I'm in need of a birthday card for my neighbor.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Glitter Birthday Dog


Birthday Dog
Originally uploaded by Buckeye
Since I had the day off, I decided to participate in a Technique Challenge, TLC186 on SCS. The challenge was to make a glitter background. It was great to finally use The Essential Glue Pad, that I've had for ages, but never had touched until today. Ditto for the hot pink glitter.

Anyway, I needed to make a birthday card for the lady that watches Sloopy while I'm at work.

The main dog image is from Whipper Snapper. It is stamped with Memento Tuxedo black ink onto Georgia Pacific cardstock. I colored it with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils. The glitter portion was created with a Penny Black background stamp, using The Essential Glue Pad with Hot Kiss Art Glitter. Ribbon, patterned paper, corner punch, and colored cardstock were also used, along with a fiber scrap on the hat. The dog is very dimensional, as I used several pop dots.

Dimension Birthday Dog Close-UpNow, as the time nears for me to go to bed, I'm mad at myself for not getting more things done. Oh well...a freebie day is a freebie day.

Yikes, Ike!


Gutter
Originally uploaded by Buckeye
So, Ike decided that he didn't really like the gutter on the front of my house, and thought too that it was time for me to get a new roof.

Mind you, I live in Ohio.

At least I got the day off from this wind event.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

It Was Fun While It Lasted

Okay, I'm going to be cryptic, because I'm really just writing this for myself and I'm not wanting this to end up on some opposing fan's message board.

But, I think its over. We're no longer on top. Not worthy of even starting on top. It was a fun ride, my God...it was a dream come true and I'll cherish it forever...but, I guess in the college football world, it is someone else's turn.

It was a long ride too. It started in November 2001 when we somehow hung on to beat our rival...something that had only been done two times before in the past 13 years. That started it. Then, the bowl game for that season resulted in a loss, but it had in it players that never quit. Players that were playing for next year...to ride some momentum into the following year.

And yes...what a year 2002 was. I WILL ALWAYS TREASURE ITS MEMORY. Nothing, even a repeat National Championship, would ever top 2002....the close games, the lack of respect that was given for the close wins...this team showed the world and simply believed. They played for all teams past and played for the future as well.

And then...the following six years took place. We had established ourselves as a top team. Won the Big 10 more than not. And took care of our rival all but once. The glory years indeed. Games like Texas and Michigan 06 were fantastic. We were the elite and it is fun to be there. When you are on top, you expect to be there and stay there.

And then came a rout on January 8, 2007. It was bitter. Hard to watch. Memory burn. Then, another rerun of that on January 7 2008. Other teams knocking us off and succeeding. Exposing us and giving us glimpses into our future. When fallen, we'd quickly get back up and keep trying to defend our top position, but it was easy to see that the pendulum swinging.

Now, I'm afraid we're more like that old commercial..."I've fallen and I can't get up." That's where we are. It hurts and the whole thing isn't fun anymore. No longer is beating the rival enough. No longer is winning the sucky conference enough. Doing that means nothing, truly when you look at the other football talent across the country. The nation is laughing at us now, as we know most are jealous of someone that has been to the top, and has been there for a while. They'll keep laughing, I'm sure, as we continue to wilt and mourn inside.

I guess I just wanted to say... it was fun while it lasted, and just recognize that fact that we did make it to the top of the college football world and stayed there for some time. Something I dreamed of experiencing as a fan in my lifetime. And I did. I'm just not looking forward to returning to mediocrity, as it is evident we are very near that, rather than where the champions of football are. There's no fun or pride in that.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Thanks for the Flowers


Thanks- School Themed
Originally uploaded by Buckeye
I actually received some flowers last week. Can you believe it? They were from the school where I taught last year and they were sent to wish me a great year this year at my new school. So very thoughtful. I was touched.

This card was made using some Paper Studio clear stamps I picked up at Hobbylobby a couple weeks ago. I stamped the apple image, the ruler image and the stars with Marvy dye black ink onto Georgia Pacific cardstock. I colored them with Copic markers and Prismacolor pencils. I made the "thanks" with an Olivia Cuttlebug die. Patterned paper, colored cardstock and ribbon were also used. I did some paper piercing and doodling too. Just a lot going on with this card, but it was fun to create nonetheless. Truth be told, I'm procrastinating getting ready for work tomorrow.

Anyway, the end result looks like something from Mary Englebreit. I guess that's good.

And the opposite of good would be my favorite team. They looked terrible yesterday, and will probably get their ***** kicked at USC on Saturday.

Monday, September 01, 2008

June, July...September Already???!!!


June ATC
Originally uploaded by Buckeye
I think I was a pretty decent blogger during the months of June and July. I was creating and posting....having a great time. But, all good things kinda came to a halt in August. Back to school time hit before I was ready for it, and I found myself scrambling (and still am) to prepare for teaching again. About the only stamping I did was of some lables for my classroom library. I'll try to remember to take a picture of them, because they look pretty sweet if I say so myself.

I am very grateful to have a three day weekend, as I am overdue on a ATC swap. Way back at the the beginning of the summer, I signed up for a Months of the Year swap and had the best of intentions of creating a June ATC *during* the month of June, and a July ATC *during* the month of July, with plenty of time to get them in the mail for the end of August deadline. But I blinked, the summer was gone, and the deadline was here.

Here you see my June ATCs, stamped with a Penny Black dog, diploma from Studio G, and the sentiment stamped with Impression Obsession alphabet. I used Memento Tuxedo black onto Sterling Matte coated paper, and colored with Copic markers.

For the July ATCs, I used a Peanuts image from Stampabilities. I stamped the image with Brilliance black onto Georgia Pacific cardstock and embossed. I colored the image and background with Copic Markers. I used a Versamark pen to color over the headgear and emboss. The date of July 21, 1969 was computer generated and the faint white stars in a distance are from Stamps by Judith and were stamped with Adirondack Snow Cap pigment ink. A silver star brad was also affixed to the ATC.

July ATCWhew!

I'm not so sure when the next post will come. Football season is here and I'm teaching again. I have very little extra time. When I get a routine established both in and out of my classroom, I'll be back. I promise.