Enjoy the ride

We have great neighbors. Over the past year I've shown several cards that I've made for occasions in the family of our neighbors to the left. And here's another. I used Kazan's Sketch 55 on 2 Sketches 4 You as a starting point for the layout. If you can't see the resemblance, stand on your head. I flipped the sketch. :)

 

 

SHOW

 
Molly, the first-born of our neighbor children, turned 17 years old today. One more year of high school and she'll be heading off to college. She will most likely end up at a big university, possibly Ivy League, and — I'm sure with that in mind — her parents bought her something that will help her get to class on time.

They called last night on the way home from the store to ask if they could store this special something in our garage until the time was right to give it to her. And — it provided me with some color and image inspiration for the birthday card. (Click on the far right picture to see the detail that I was inspired by.) I must say that when I saw it last night, I was awfully tempted to take it for a little spin around the block. It's a real beauty. Of course, I'd have been banking on the saying, "It's like riding a bike" since I haven't been on a bike in about 20 years. :)

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Everyday Button Bits, Turning a New Leaf, Floral Fusion); cardstock is Stampin' Up (Going Grey) and PTI (Stampers Select White, Plum Pudding); patterned paper is PTI (Bitty Dot Basics in Lavender Moon); ink is SU (Marvelous Magenta), PTI (Plum Pudding), and Versamark; buttons are PTI (True Black); ribbon is from Michael's; also used SU Lots of Tags Label 1 die, Black Detail embossing powder, and Basic Black Stampin' Write marker, Stampin' Stuff Detail White embossing powder, Creative Memories metallic silver pen, classic and scallop oval Nestabilities, and Copic markers.

{Sigh.} It's time for the Day 24 update on the Flylady Beginner BabySteps. The goal for Day 24 is to add "Swish & Swipe" to your morning routine. The idea is that if you do a little swish with a toilet brush every morning and a little wipe of the sink area at the same time that your bathroom will always be presentable should you have unexpected company drop in for a visit. Or — heaven forbid — if you or someone in your family ends up having to hug the toilet for an unpleasant emptying of the stomach.

No pictures as proof of my swishing & swiping. Aren't you glad? I mean — gazing at your own clean toilet can be a bit exciting, but who wants to look at someone else's? And, I certainly wasn't going to show a before and after either. Just believe me when I tell you that all three toilets are now gleaming and the bathroom sinks are clean, too. Now that I've done a thorough cleaning and added swishing and swiping to my morning routine, I should be able to give each bathroom a bit of attention every morning and have them stay clean. I'll have to time myself and see how long that takes. Surely it'll be less than 5 minutes — especially since we rarely use one of the bathrooms. (But, I have learned that just because you don't use a toilet doesn't mean you don't have to clean it — why would I think that a toilet bowl that hasn't been flushed for weeks would still be shiny with crystal clear water? I have no idea.)

I guess that's it for today. This is a very busy week. The church where I work is having Vacation Bible School and I was recruited to help out in the 5 year old class when one of the teachers had to back out at the last minute. The 80 year old (!) woman who I'm working with does a great job with the kids, but the way VBS is done these days we're shuttling these 18 kids here, there, and everywhere for crafts or music or the Bible story or playground or snack or worship rally... and just keeping track of the schedule (to say nothing of the kids!) is exhausting even for me. It helps that, out of the 18, I already was very familiar with 15 as they are recent "graduates" of our preschool. One of them gave me a gift today. Jak gave me one of his (kazillion) silly bands. A blue duck. I think I've been accepted as part of the group. :) Hmmm. Is that good or bad? Hahaha. Well, we've been having fun and it's great to be able to interact with them in a role that most of them haven't seen me in before.

Hope you're having a great week! Thanks so much for stopping by. Hopefully I'll find time to create something else for tomorrow. I'm going day to day around here now. :) See ya!

Comments

[Char4355]

Very Cute!

[Maureen]

love that ribbon....eeek!!!! I need you to take me to Michaels and ribbon shop with me :)

[Smita]

Very cute card!! The ribbon is fantastic and the colors are adorable too!!

Hugs,
Smita

[Lindsay]

Aww, what a cute card Janelle! I love it! Swish and swipe is my fav of all! Even when I get out of my routine, I still find that I do that one regardless. It's that ingrained. Have a good one!

[Vicky]

Love your card - especially the background you've created. My top cleaning tip is to invite people round regularly - you have to clean up then. (Oh dear, am imagining flylady pursing her lips...)

[stacey schafer]

how lovely! fab use of buttons:) thanks for playing along at 2S4Y!

[Traveling Mama]

This is SO cute! What perfect inspiration! Hope you are having a great week with the kiddies! VBS is the best!

[Cheryl N]

Absolutely fabulous card! love, love, love the color combination!

[www.draperyworkroomblog.com]

I love the design, especially the buttons - but seriously Janelle - do you ever sleep???
Margie

[Sylvia Nelson]

Cute card!

[kazan clark]

awwww this is so cute! I love the bicycle and the color combo you have used!
Thanks for playing along with us at 2S4Y this week
Hugs
Kazan