Saturday, September 29, 2007

Where Have I Been??

One word......homework. No, not mine. I have been trying to get my nine-year-old to do his. He has gotten behind, and I'm having a difficult time helping him to catch up (without grabbing his pencil....and doing it myself). Suggestions anyone?

I have a couple of simple projects that I was able to create in the meantime. I also have a birthday RAK to show you.

This first card uses the beautiful new Flourishes stamp set called 'O Christmas Tree'. The base of the card is Old Olive, and the designer paper is Brocade (both SU). I used my Old Olive Classic Pad to ink the needles of the tree, and my More Mustard for the pot. Then I touched up some areas with my Close to Cocoa Stampin' Write Marker, huffed the image, then stamped on my Shimmery White card stock. The gold chain is done with VersaMark ink and my gold detail embossing powder. The sentiment is from the Flourished Words stamp set, and is also embossed with gold detail powder. I will include the recipe at the end of the post.



My next card was created with an image (Fright Night from My Favorite Things) that was already colored with my Copic markers, matted with the designer paper (Crate Paper Avenue), and just sitting on my desk. The base of the card is Basic Black, with a layer of Pumpkin Pie...embossed with my D'vine Swirl Cuttlebug folder. I used a little SU twill tape, and 'fringed' the ends. The black mat on the sentiment is three circles that were punched out with my 1" circle punch, and adhered to the back of the sentiment piece.



My final card is a birthday RAK that I received from Marie, a very sweet friend of mine who also enjoys stamping. :) Thanks so much, Marie! I love the pretty colors and the crayon resist (that's what it is...isn't it?)

Thanks for visiting my blog, and have a wonderful Sunday!!

O Christmas Tree
Stamps: O Christmas Tree, Flourished Words (Flourishes, LLC)
Card Stock: Old Olive, Shimmery White, Brocade
Ink: Old Olive, More Mustard, Close to Cocoa, VersaMark
Accessories: corner rounder punch (retired SU), 1" & 1 ¼" circle punches, gold brads, Gold detail embossing powder, 5/8 " Old Olive Grosgrain ribbon, Aqua Painter, Stampin' Dimensionals

Trick-or- Treat
Stamps: Fright Night (My Favorite Things)
Card Stock: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla, Avenue (Crate Paper)
Ink: Palette Noir, Copic Sketch Markers
Accessories: Divine Swirls Cuttlebug Folder & Big Shot, Twill Tape, 1" circle punch, Black brads, Stampin' Dimensionals

26 comments:

Alex said...

Rose Ann, all three of these cards are beautiful and so very different which just shows how talented you are! Love them all! As for the homework, been there, done that - we had to take away things he loved and make him earn them back so you could try that. It worked like a charm when Tyler was that age and we have not had a problem since! Good luck! *STAMPIN HUGS* Alex

Allison Rankin said...

Super cards...love the Halloween one!

Anonymous said...

These cards are all cute - and I love the sweet Christmas tree. It's so beautiful! As for homework - other than a set time everyday that's "homework" time - I have no help. Still have a son who can't seem to get it all finished no matter what I try.

Anonymous said...

All are wonderful!!!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your tree and Halloween card. You are such a great stamper!
Your RAK is pretty as well.
I have to sit with my 8 year old every day on her home work, or she doesn't do it all....
Cyber hugs

Dawn Easton said...

Good Morning Rose Ann!

I was wondering where you had been...missed ya!

I've been having the same issues with Chloe, who is 8. She doesn't get much homework, yet...but that will come. I'm trying to encourage her to just get it done and then she can have some fun time. The problem is, I'm afraid to push too hard and turn her off all together. Maybe your sons teacher has an idea? Mine has given me math game ideas to keep her guessing. So far it's worked. Good luck with it!
As for the cards! Wonderful as always! Your RAK is beautiful!
Love the details on the tree card. The embossing makes it pop very nicely! Love the rounded corners too!
Those copic markers are awesome, I see! Such a fantastic job colouring in that image! Great idea to punch circle for the Trick or Treat!!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas!!

Anonymous said...

First, the cards are great. I especially like the flourishes christmas card. that is amazing. Second, homework ideas? HA Not from me. Anyone who wins that game should patent the idea!!

Sherrie said...

oooh, lots to look at! Both cards are very cool! Your coloring is great!

Deborah said...

Loving these cards! The new FLourishes O Christmas Tree is fab! You did such a nice job with it! When my girls were little, I do recall we did an incentive reward system, working toward something that they wanted or loved. Try to just do it in baby steps, say a weekly incentive. If the weekly incentive gets accomplished build points (stars) toward something really special. Then perhaps you may want to consider a tutor. Good luck Mom! Deb

Deb said...

Fantastic cards, the Halloween card is such fun and the Christmas tree is so beautiful, really elegant!
Homework is a tricky area, I get my little ones to do it as soon as possible after they get in from school especially if they have after school activities, I tell them if it isn't done in time they won't be able to do the activity, usually this works but not always!

Alhambra Club said...

Your cards are beautiful, don't have any hints for the homework thing, my friends laugh at me as I do things right away, think it is just the type of person you are, maybe the teacher would have some suggestions. Happy Birthday

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful cards and ideas with us!!

Homework - not a fun issue. I'm a firm believer in the fact that school is not just about academics - it's about learning life lessons. I think homework can teach children so much about organization and time management. My children are given only so much time each afternoon to complete their homework. If it was not done in the time allotted, it got turned in undone or incomplete. Talk about an incentive to concentrate and get their work done!! I started doing this with them very early on - 1st or second grade. I would look at what work they came home with and give them a time limit to finish it in (don't worry - I was somewhat generous). After a couple of times of taking in incomplete work, they learned to concentrate, focus on the task and get it done. Today, my kids (11 and 17) do their homework immediately upon coming home from school - I very rarely have to ask or nag them about it. they even do it on Friday afternoons!!! (That's another rule - homework gets done on Fridays, not Sunday nights)! Good Luck!!!
Susan

Anonymous said...

Not to sure if I can help on the home work thingy But 1 thing is it does get better as they get older .. Jessie ( 14) does her homework right when we get home from school .. I instilled in her early on .. NO play until homework is done 1st and now after 10 years of schooling Its just natural for her to do this without being told .. Praise God for growing up .. BUT not growing up to FAST that's not good KWIM? :-) Great cards girlie .. and very nice Birthday RAK Hey when was your B Day anyway ?
love ya
Dawn

My Paper World said...

Gorgeous cards as usual, I especially love the christmas tree one. and you are lucky recieving such a pretty card aswell!

Dawn said...

love your blog. These cards are great. My family went to Disney for the first time oct of '06 too...

Anonymous said...

These are all darling, Rose Ann! You did a beautiful job on that Christmas tree. It looks so nice! I haven't stamped the whole tree yet. It's sure cute, though. Sorry I have no homework advice. When my son was that age he had homework and I remember feeling shocked that kids that age had so much homework to do. I didn't have homework when I was in gradeschool. Times have changed, I guess, but I'm not so sure about the benefits.

kathleenh said...

I love the tree image! It looks great with the paper and the colors you chose.

I don't have any tips on the homework thing. I can only commiserate. It seems we have to keep on our kids every day. My 9 year old has a leaf project where he is supposed to collect leaves. He keeps procrastinating it and I'm sick of nagging him about it!

Pegi Taylor said...

I absolutely love your beautiful Christmas tree card.

joslyn said...

wow i love your tree card. the green with the gold accents, beautiful. i love how fun halloween cards are. great job on both. i am not looking forward to heavy homework. good luck!

Michele Kovack said...

Wonderful cards! Homework....how about setting up a chart for each day...if it gets done without fighting or complaining he gets a sticker, star whatever....and at the end of the week he gets a prize. Maybe a movie rental, or money, or ice cream. IT always worked with my 10 year old son. He loves to have something to work towards.

Swamp Tulip said...

Wow - I love all of your cards. You did an excellent job. The Christmas tree one is my favorite one - I think I'm actually to start my holiday shopping :)

I'm sorry about what you are going through with your son ... been there, done that! It always worked best for us if they had a quick snack and did their homework as soon as we all got home. My mom did this with us and I found that it worked the best for our boys. No tv, no playing outside, etc. until the homework was done. We even did this on Friday's and it was a great feeling to have the whole weekend to play! Good luck.

Teresa

Corie said...

Love these cards -- so beautiful!!

BTW -- homework is bogging you down too, glad I am not the only one.

Jen del Muro said...

cuuuute stuff!
as a teacher i have a few tricks up my sleeve. make daily and weekly goals and have a chart to show when he meets (or doesn't meet) each one. have a small reward at the end of the week for a job well done. (picking where to go for dinner, an ice cream cone, a toy, an hour extra tv, etc). good luck!! just remember small goals lead to bog accomplishments. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so happy you're back!! Awesome cards, especially love that "O Christmas Tree" card, Wow!!! The word homework almost makes me sick, happy to hear someone had some suggestions for you!!!

Theresa said...

That Christmas card is spectacular!!! Kids and homework - will it ever end?!?!? No electronics (tv, music, computer, etc.) around here until we check their planners and all things are completed. Big meanies we are!!! mwahahaha!!!

Bethany Paull said...

Love that elegant, vintage tree Rose Ann. Hope things improve in the homework department.