Eli's First Day of Kindergarten

Wow... did this really just happen?

Our oldest boy just left for his first day of school!

I can hardly believe how fast time has gone when I look at a picture like this.  He melts my heart!

We almost missed our bus! I should've planned a little better to be out there at least 10 minutes early.  We were running down the driveway but Eli was still all smiles. I didn't get to pray WITH him as I had planned, but I covered him in prayers on my walk back. We are so blessed by The Lord with our fun, smiling and caring boy. Eli is happy and now I'm looking forward with some time with our other boys. 

Praising God for all He has done!

My mother is one of the most creative people I know.  I know she would've done this sort of thing for us but I cherish the memory of our "first day of X grade" being written on a plain composition notebook. - nothing fancy - no chalkboards, no pinterest printouts...

But I also love to create and decided last minute that I wanted to make him a sign instead of doing the notebook.  I made this last night at 1030! (yawn!)

I used the Layered Letters Alphabet for my letters.  I sponged the black cardstock with Whisper White craft ink and framed the chalkboard with strips of Soft Suede cardstock that I stamped the Hardwood background stamp on.

I added the cute little apple tree using the Thoughtful Branches bundle.  This was a special only for the month of August, but when I looked last night, this item was still in stock and available.  If you'd like to order your own set, you can order it here.

The "adventure awaits" flag comes from the stamp set Places You'll Go.  

I also stamped this sentiment from the same stamp set.

One other thing that I made was this little lunch box note using the Foxy Friends bundle.  When Eli went to pre-k 2 years ago he had a very special teacher that read this book to the kids on their first day of school.  I had never heard of it, but it became an instant favorite.  We read it again last night and I knew I wanted to make this to remind Eli in the middle of his day that we love him!

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  

Blessings,

Holly

Foxy Cake Builder for Sam!

I can hardly believe our little guy is 2!  Seems like only yesterday...

Since it was my husband and I and the boys tonight to celebrate our youngest son's birthday, we didn't do anything big and fancy as far as party planning goes.  I did however manage to make his cake extra special!

I took some of the A Little Foxy DSP and the Dapper Denim In-Color DSP and make a banner for his cake.  The Fox Builder Punch makes things so easy!  I only had to stamp his legs, eyes and nose.

I took my White Gel Pen and drew the hair on his head.

I also tied in two balloons for fun using the Balloon Bouquet Punch.

This honestly took me 20 minutes tops!  I know this because I beat my icing for 7 while I made the banner and I was halfway done! :)

Our little guy loved his cake! :) I praise The Lord for the gift of children and the blessing of being his momma.

    

Enjoy your weekend!

<3

-Holly

A Little Foxy Trio for FabFri89

Hey everyone! Happy Wednesday!  I am having a lot of fun stamping with my new Stampin' Up! products and have plenty made to share with you over the next few weeks.  I just had my June Stamp n' Snack/Catalog Launch party on Monday night so I will be sharing my photos of that soon.

But today I want to share with you 3 cards that I made using this adorable Foxy Friends bundle.  I am so glad I bought this right away.  On Monday we made a card using the cat and one of the ladies that attends my class stamped just the little whiskers on the corner of her envelope and she inspired me to come home and make a card with whiskers all over the background.  Thanks, Jennifer!

This card I made using the sketch for the Fab Friday challenge.

Here's the card I came up with :)  I used the new Labeler Alphabet stamp set to make the sentiment.  If you know me, I loved the Rotary Alphabet stamp set.  (in fact, if you search for that on my blog you'll find a lot of cards.)  So as sad as I am that it's gone, this set is pretty dang awesome!

The Fox Builder Punch is so quick and easy to use.  I only stamped the whiskers on this card.  Our little boys are loving the punch and set too.

For the background on the Blushing Bride circle, I used the new Touches of Texture stamp set.

Are these whiskers cute??

Next I made this cute little fox card.  Of course, all I can think about is that stupid song... 

It says Happy Birthday!

(Again, I used the Touches of Texture on the background.  Thought the jumbled mess of letters was perfect for this.)

For the last card I wanted to make this neat background.  I actually saw this in the catalog, so I cannot take credit.  TIP:  Score or lightly draw a line so that your shape is consistent down the card.

I added the little hat and sentiment from Guy Greetings.  Cute, huh?

I hope you enjoyed these cards!  Be sure to check out my Product Shares tab!  I only have a few spots left!

Have a great rest of the week! :)

-Holly 

Hang in There Claire! with Fox Punch and Weather Together - TGIFC59/GDP039

Gosh, I feel like I haven't stamped in so long!  We have been gone since late May on a trip to visit family in Texas.  I had a few posts scheduled ahead of time, but I still feel like I haven't "blogged" or stamped for awhile!

I received my box of goodies yesterday from Stampin' Up!  I waited all day for the UPS truck with no luck only to see him passing as we left for our son's t-ball game.  When we came home it was dinner, the Penguins game.  Yes, I cared more about watching to see if the Pens would win the cup than I did opening stamps.

But after the game, kids went to bed and I stamped until 12:30 in the morning!  I would've went longer, but mornings come early with three little boys!  Anyway, I needed to make a card for my 4 year old niece Claire.  She spent last night in the hospital after having a tonsillectomy and her ear tubes replaced.  She's a tough cookie, but I'm sure she was scared and didn't want to be there.

It's also Friday which means a new challenge over at TGIF Challenges!  We have a fun sketch for you all this week.  I actually made a few cards with this sketch, so look for another reminder this week!  I'm playing along with the Get Well theme from the Global Design Project too.  Make sure to check out both challenge sites and pin my card (please?) :)

I originally had this card with the umbrella upwards by itself until I had the idea of putting this cute little cat inside the umbrella!  I punched the cat (uh.. card stock cat) out using the Fox Builder Punch and Crumb Cake card stock.  I then sponged it with Soft Suede ink.  I also add the ears and face with the stamp from Foxy Friends.  (You can bundle and save with the stamp set and punch).



I added a little Peekaboo Peach enamel dot for a little heart. Too cute!



I gave the background of the white oval a watercolored wash using my Aqua Painter and Pool Party ink.  I also added clouds to the oval and the Crumb Cake strip.  The sentiments from Weather Together are great, but I really liked the "Hang in there" from Here for You.

I carried over the watercolor wash, the A Little Foxy DSP and another sentiment from Here for You.

I challenge you to play along with our sketch challenge at TGIF!  Hope to see you soon!

-Holly 

Check below for the list of items used and don't forget to check out my product shares tab! :)