Dog Days Of Summer

Hello dear friends,

Wow! What a fabulous weekend. I went up to Philadelphia for a trade show Friday, and thought to myself,

"Self, why don't you cruise on up the turnpike and surprise Kimm at The Beary Scrap?" And so I did Saturday morning!

Now, we've never met in person. Last year, Kimm was very kind to me when I started making tear bears out of her mulberry paper. She freely gave advice and we became "online friends". Early this year I became her design team coordinator and our friendship grew. I look forward to our hours-long weekly conversations, where we *might* talk about scrapbooking or cardmaking, but *definitely* talk and laugh about everything else. :)

I was a little worried about walking into her store cold - will she recognize me? Will she *want* to chat? Gasp! Will she have a store full of customers and I'd be forced to shop shop shop until we could talk? (Ok, that really happened...)

I walked in to her adorable boutique and watched as she flitted about with the customers. She slowed down long enough for me to show my face, and she stopped in her tracks. You know that feeling when you think you recognize someone but you're not sure and don't want to embarrass yourself... I saw all that going through her mind, including the slight head tilt and eye narrowing... I said, "It's Susan," and I swear she squealed! (With joy... really!) Ah, I'm getting teary-eyed just writing about it.

Big hugs, dear Kimm! I enjoyed our time together more than I can write here. It was cool to stand in your shop and see the shelves from which you pull my monthly order. Your shop is wonderful and I can't wait to meet up again!

Ok, now on to the design team's weekly theme, which is "Dog Days of Summer". It's almost the end of August and kids are returning to school in the next few weeks. Can you believe it? That sound you hear is the collective cheer of parents everywhere!

I had trouble with this theme at first. What does "dog days of summer" mean to me? Mosquitos. Hmm... Nope, can't put a mosquito on a card... I knew I wanted to use my fabulous new Echo Park paper, so I started from that happy point and landed here... on a big, fluffy yellow lab!

Of course, I had to glitter my little one up a bit. I used Faded Jeans Distress Stickles on the puppy collar and "regular" Stickles Lime Green and Star Dust on her dress and bloomers. Love the bloomers!

While at The Beary Scrap (heeheehee) I found these fabby crocheted flowers. Pretty, no? I've also amassed quite a collection of the We R Memory Keepers Designer Snaps, 'cause they're a great way to add sparklies or a sentiment for the sentiment-challenged like me. The variety of sizes in each pack definitely make your dollars go far. Oh, and the last 2 cards I've used them on were Crop-A-Dile free! (The mega eyelet setting tool that you're supposed to use to attach these little buggers.) On the last card I glued lace and this card I used the flower and then used Fabri-Tac or Aleene's (can't remember) to attach to the card. The added lace/crochet takes up the space and prevents wobble once it's on the card.    

So, that is all. I think this is the longest post in TBS DT history, and I thank you from the bottom of my happy heart that you've stuck with me. Thank you!

Card Recipe

• Stamp: Mo Manning's Digital Pencil Too - "Buds"
• Paper: Bazzill Basics  Mud Pie, French Vanilla, African Daisy; Echo Park "Life is Good" Kit - Brown Floral and Set The Table; Neenah Classic Crest
• Medium: Distress Stickles in Broken China (collar); Stickles Lime Green and Star Dust; Prismacolor pencils with OMS
• Embellishments: Bazzill Green Ruffled Ribbon; We R Memory Keepers Designer Snap from the "Friends" pack; Green Crochet Flower (nudge Kimm to list these delicious little things online...); Robin's Nest Dew Drops; lace from stash
• Tools & Adhesives: Scor-Pal; Scor-Tape; Glossy Accents (nose and to attach Dew Drops); sewing machine

Yay! Thanks so much for stopping in today. Don't forget our current challenge "In Stitches"! You can enter with any kind of faux or real sewing and have a chance to win a $20 gift voucher from The Beary Scrap!

Cheers,
Susan