Fun, fun, fun...!

DD and DH have slipped off to play some tennis, so I thought I would slip off to the computer to report in on our weekend!

Yesterday was our baby shower. It was pretty successful! There were around 20 present, and all seemed to enjoy themselves! If possible, I'll post a few photo's later - they are all on DD's camera.

Today, my friend Shirley and I went to the Gateway Rubber Stamp Getaway in Illinois. We had a wonderful time. There were so many wonderful exhibits, and we learned some amazing new techniques and tricks. I do have some photos to show you from our day today!

We visited "Stampland Chicago", where the most amazing folks were. We met Darlene, and her very helpful and knowledgeable husband. They have Stampland Fine Art Rubber Stamps, and Stampart Museum and Gallery in Chicago, Il. In their factory, they make all of their own stamps, and in their museum, they have stamps dating back into the 1800's. They are open by appointment only, but it you are in Chicago, it would be well worth a call and a visit! Their number is 773-478-7696. The first photo is one that was done with Darlene. She uses ink and dusting brushes! They sell the most phenomenal masking tape, and a wider tape to use for actual masking of stamped images. She'd been using the same strips of tape for about 150 cards at the point where we sat down to play! I love the collage look, and bought a bag FULL of new items from her booth to play with!

The brown card with the deer is one that I made at The Paper Cut's booth. This is another of my favorites each year. They have many precut albums, cards, etc., and the gentleman that runs the booth each year is fantastic about picture taking so that you remember what to do with your kits when you get them home! The card pictured is one of their precut cards, and the deer is actually a real photo printed off of the computer in black and white, onto a piece of acetate, and then inserted in the open rectangle. I did not stamp a sentiment, as I wasn't sure what I wanted it to say, but isn't it a wonderful masculine card? It's definitely worth a stop at their website to look around! I spent much of my allowance there as well!

The last photo's were just so much fun, I couldn't NOT take them! Jan McGowen is a Stampin' Up demonstrator, and has a booth each year. She is also very willing to 'share' her knowledge and techniques, whether or not you purchase a thing. She was probably one of the most pleasant and cheerful vendors on site today. Jan was very open to my photo taking, and I took her up on her offer! She had some of the cutest little match boxes, treat containers, cards, etc. Even her business cards were just too much fun! There was a York Peppermint Patty in between the two scalloped circles! I'd seen this done before, but never for a business card! Great idea Jan!

All in all, it was a great day. We pretty much closed up the place at 3:00, stopped by Arby's for a flavored tea, and headed home. The trip home was uneventful, and the evening has been relaxing and quiet.

Hope you have all had a nice weekend too! Tomorrow is the start of a new week, and I think my countdown is at 14 or so.

Blessings....

Patti J.

~No man ever impaired his eyesight by looking on the bright side of things...