This is for Red.

Mike and his buddy Robert (Red) have been playing Texas Hold ‘Em together forever, it seems. Poker night’s always a huge family deal with lots of food, screaming (happily!) children, and plenty of trash talk to go around the table. The table, though, is the problem. They’ve outgrown the regular tables, and need something more, something that holds their chips and their beers . . . in a grand style. So tonight, they sat here in the office/stamp room and surfed the net looking for the perfect poker table to build this weekend. While they did that, I wrapped gifts for the birthday girls. Tomorrow’s the big party, and I wrap everyone’s gifts, it seems!

I love the look of real ribbon (and certainly have enough of it!) on packages, and also stuff outside the box, literally in this case. Joy blogged about a packing a dress in an acrylic paint can, and I totally took that idea for Sage’s little sundress and hair stuff! The paint can I used is from The Container Store, and was (ouch) $7.99, but I could not resist the pretty colors they had and bought a few in different colors and sizes for special stuff like this. I tied some ribbon on the handle, Sticky Stripped on some Basic Grey cardstock, and added a rubon to the lid, and it was done.

Addison’s here from Ohio and is visiting her daddy; and we’re celebrating her birthday, too! She loves sparkles, to shop, and to sketch, paint and play with bright colors. I made this quick journal for her with more Basic Grey cardstock from the Romani line, Mod Podge, and edged everything with some paint (the Adirondack Dabbers are fantastic for this!), then added a rubon A and a ton of Stickles in all different colors, ribbon, and some K & Co. rhinestones to finish it off. I’m going to box up some glue dots, Primas, photo corners, and some other fun stuff so that Addi can make her own scrapbook of this trip, and put it all into a little tote bag I found at Old Navy. I think she’ll love it!

So why is this for Red? Click for

The guys were talking about what to do with the table, what colors of velveteen and pleather for the rail thingees, and Robert kinda stopped talking to Mike and asked, “What is it exactly that you do in here, Jenn?” You know what? I really didn’t have an answer! He knew that I made cards (as the recipient of one of my first Dirty Dozen gallery creations back in July of ’04!) and did crafty things. Heck, he was here and helped Mike put down the flooring in here after we tore the carpet out and saw all of my stuff piled up in the foyer and living room. I think tonight was the first time he’d seen me open the closet, dig through drawers and actually finish something. His remark, “You must have $10,000 in inventory here, huh?” I had to laugh! I had yet to answer his question, though, and promised I’d blog about it for him.

This, Robert, is what I do. I use some of my stash of papers and ribbons and stuff, climb over the piles of books and gadgets that cover the floor you and Mike installed, and make things that hopefully put a smile on someone’s face or inspire them to create something. Sometimes, I teach classes on how to do whatever it is. Sometimes I sell the stuff to make whatever, and show people how to recreate whatever. The best part of it is that I get to have fun while doing it. How’s that? Next time you come over, I’ll bust out the Crop-a-dile, Bind-it-All, Cuttlebug, and the embossing tool for you guys!

Anyway, in the next couple of days I’ll finish up a project for ol’ Red and share it here. He’s a talented landscape designer here in town and wanted some thank you cards to mail to clients. We’ll see if they exceed his expectations!

On a personal note

Y’all know my husband’s a huge fan of the four-time NBA Champs, right? Here we are on Sunday, all decked out in Championship gear before heading down to the River Walk for the big parade. My boss got a couple of suites at a hotel at the beginning of the parade route so that we could all sit on the balcony overlooking the floats and hang out. We left the kids up there, and went off in search of a better view. I sat on the edge of the river, and dipped my toes in; we were SO CLOSE to all the barges. For Mike, it was THE best Father’s day ever! Seeing the Spurs hoist those Championship trophies had him giddy all day! Here’s one of my favorite shots.

Hope y’all had a great weekend, and enjoy the one to come!