GO HERE TO DOWNLOAD PAPER.  NOTE:  A restriction of 2 downloads at a time may be in effect.  If so, you will be able to come back the next day for more downloads.

Go see what the Demi Diva’s did with these fun Halloween papers!!

Click HERE to download

Secondly, I would like to thank you for your comments regarding my struggle with Everyday Math. Your comments made me recall an article I just finished reading which I got  from my husband John, who will be discussing the article with his fellow teachers for inservice on Tuesday.  Let me write out part of the article, which I think is so insightful.  This may give you something to ponder when your child may lose their natural curiosity for learning, coincidently, when in third grade they start state testing. Something I am sure I will see in Sophie this coming year.  I am bracing for it and my reaction to it, to try and do a better job at dealing with it.  So here goes:

Tom Friedman on Education in the Flat World (Taken from The School Administrator feb. 2008)

A discussion with author Daniel Pink on curiosity, passion, and politics in school reform in the global marketplace.

Pink: What’s your take on how that (integration/right brained thinking) is going in the U.S. schools compared with education systems in other countries?

Friedman: What’s happening, I believe in the world, is a global convergence.  China’s rtying to get more innovative.  And we’re trying to get more rigorous.  But I’d rather have our problem than theirs because I think that this right-brained stuff is very cultura-bound and often hard to teach.

Pink: let’s go to math and science for a moment.  I find that in conversations about education, math and science is a showstopper.  It’s a trump card.  You slap it down-”But what about math and science?”-and then all of a sudden any discussion about the arts or synthesis or empahy just ceases.  Your thoughts?

Friedman: My favorite story is about Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ speech at Stanford’s graduation.  He says, “You know, I dropped out of Reed College and had nothing to do so I took a course in calligraphy.  And it all went into the Mac keyboard!”  That was not an algorithm.  That was a qustion of style and it helped define Apple’s niche.  Now, that[’s not to put down algorithms.  Apple needed those algorithms to enable it all to happen.  It’s just you’ve got to have both.  It’s about integrating the two. 

Pink: Right.  What’s needed, some might say, is a whole new mind.

Friedman: (laughing): Yeah, exactly.

Pink: Let’s go back to Steve Jobs because I think it’s an interesting example.  He took that course in calligraphy because he was curious about it.  How are we doing on that dimension, on putting kids in contexts that allow them both to be curious and allow them to get the benefits of curiosity?

Friedman: We could be doing it better.  As you know, my equation is CQ=PQ>IQ.  Curiosity Quotient+ Passion Quotient is more important than Intelligence Quotient.

Pink: Amen.  You show me a curious, intrinsically motivated kid-and I’ll show you someone who’ll leave the kid who mearly complies with the rules and studies for the SAT in the dust.

The article goes on to say that we have such a “massively screwed up system” that schools have become the fixer of social ills.  “We’ve got hungry kids? (Pink says), Feed them is school.  We’ve got kids who don’t have a sound moral sensibility?  Time for character education.  We’ve got kids who don’t know the birds and the bees?  We require sex education.  Is there a way to arrest that and say that schools are about education and learning-and not these other problems?”

Of course, it seems like common sense, but still, school districts and state mandates keep pushing teh boulder up the hill with one shoulder.  Let’s make things so difficult and crush the spirits of all of these kids just to say we are a great state in the rankings of the public school system.  I grew up in a very wealthy town(although we weren’t wealthy), went to private school for free because my father taught there and frankly, they could make any rules they wanted.  They weren’t funded by anybody in the state, so they made their own rules, and for many things, I think I had a great education because of it.  I do think that it just makes it even harder as a parent to encourage your kids to try something new for an extra-curricular activity.  Why?  Because they think they will be beaten down with information and then tested on it!!   Thanks for listening.  I hope you gleaned something from the tid-bit of this article I gave to you, even if it was the obvious.  At least in confirms that the administrators and teachers seem to dislike it as much as we do.

Here is a cute little card I did for a birthday party. It could be an invite or birthday card.  I am about to go on a rant…so just hold on or stop reading!

I am here today struggling with my kids Everyday Math packets.  I would swear on the Bible that this program destroys kids brains to think logically, and makes their brains turn to mush.  It is rediculous.  Emma has never struggled with math until they introduced the new curriculum when she got into third grade.  Finally after months of tutoring and hundreds of dollars spent, she got advanced proficient on her state testing.  I have to say…I don’t know if it is worth being proud of that.  I don’t think it will be to her benefit when she goes out into the big world and it takes her six to seven steps to subtract a  set of three digit numbers.   I am NOT pleased as I see Sophie struggling with the same things and I know I have hundreds of dollars waiting to be wasted on tutoring, as I sit frustrated looking on to the endless sheets of problems that in a normal world should take three minutes to complete, but in the Everyday Math world takes 40 minutes, because you have to master the 80 ways to do it.  Thanks for letting me vent.  I know some of you may be dealing with the same stupidity in your schools.  What a joke to sell textbooks.

Stamps/Inque Boutique: Cake and Sentiment from “Birthday Fun”, Swirl from “Petals”

Paper: PTI stampers select white

Ink: Adirondack Pitch, copics (I colored the pearls with my copics…try it!)

I have decided to offer these single sheet papers for fun as well.  The “Singlets” will be 6×6 just like the other papers. 

Many of you have contacted me privately and asked why I am not charging for these papers.  Well…that isn’t what it is about for me.  Some of you also asked if I could put up a donation button for the work that I do.  Again, I am not interested. But, if you would like to give something for these papers, I would like to direct your attention to my best friend.  She will kill me for doing this, but I don’t really care.  Sorry Janet.  You may have even read her hysterical BLOG which is on my sidebar, or of her sister’s fight with CF HERE.  Listen, here is the deal:   Janet’s husband Jeff has been diagnosed with Follicular  Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, a treatable, but incurable cancer.  Both Janet and Jeff are some of the strongest people I know, both in character and in Christ.  You would never believe someone like Jeff, an incredible athlete and coach, would have to suffer something like this.  You can read more about Jeff on the BLOG.  Most importantly, I would like you to donate if you wish, to Jeff’s Trust Fund, which has been established  to help them not only with medical expenses, but also for any future things they may need for his health, or their 5 children’s well-being.  Please go to the tab that says BLOG to donate.  Both Janet and Jeff are incredible commited Christians whom we love very much.  Please consider making a donation to their family no matter how small.  Also, if you live in the PA, NJ area, they will be having a family fund walk  on Sept. 6th that you can also be a part of with your whole family!!  Please enjoy the papers, but enjoy also the health in which you are blessed with.  I hope you enjoy our weekend and take the extra step to help a very special family to us get what they need to support their husband and Dad.  Thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!!!!!!

This is some paper I designed around my logo for Demi Design:

Go HERE to download this single sheet of paper

Disclaimer:  I know this looks like a lot of writing, but please trust me…you need to read on!!

So our time at the shore is slowly coming to a close.  I have been enjoying the Olympics as many of you have.  What an exciting thing to look forward to every four years.  Some great things still lie ahead in the games!  One of John’s former students at Haddonfield high school will be running the 1500 meters on Saturday!!  Her name is Erin Donahue.  So ROOT ROOT ROOT for her! 

I have also been fortunate enough to have some time this summer to read the travel diaries of my Great Grandfather.  His life was a bit of a fairy tale I have to admit.  I sort of like to think of him as the Forest Gump of our family.  Not that he was slow (he was a well respected lawyer in Philadelphia who lived on the Main Line), but rather he lived and breathed history.  He was friends with some of the highest people of society in Europe during the time of World War II and he just seemed to be in the right places at the right time.  Poss (that is what we called him his real name being Clarence E. Hall ) actually travelled to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin (Did you know Gina K’s Dad won the bronze metal in these games on floor excersize)? and flew back home on the Hindenburg.  My uncle still has a cup and saucer from the airship.  I thought I would actually write out here his account during this trip.  The most fascinating part to me was not the company he kept during the trip, but the fact that he made such good friends with the pilot that he flew them over their house and Philadelphia for all of the city to see!!  What a joy  to know they got to experience this, knowing now what we do about what tragedy ensued later on the Hindenburg.  So…here is this account from his diary:

HINDENBURG- TRANSATLANTIC JOURNEY 1936

An atmosphere of suppressed excitement began to pervade the Hotel Frankfurter Hof as the Airship travelers and their friends gathered during the course of the afternoon.  The friends were more exuberant, and the passengers disclosed an outward calm, but I doubt if one of them escaped the thrill which we felt at the impending adventure. 

 Toward Six o’clock three large busses ploughed slowly through the crowd which had gathered outside the hotel, the ordinary German curiosity being whetted no doubt by the prospect of seeing Max Schmeling and Douglas Fairbanks, who were booked as passengers.  The usual passport formalities were begun, tickets issued, and all baggage carefully weighed.  Those having more than twenty pounds per person were charged an excess rate.  At  Seven o’clock we suddenly realized that the busses were filling up, so we climbed in and were soon on our way through the beautiful environs of Frankfurt to the Air Field.  In half an hour we were passing through a narrow lane formed by the police,through the jam of people gathered there.  The order and efficiency was to later stand out in sharp contrast with the confusion and utter lack of police control over the mob at Lakehurst.  Our bags were already there ahead of us.  Before we scarecly realized it, we were up the stairs and within the body of this colossal silver shell.  At the top of the stairs a stewart relieved us of our cameras, cigarette lighters and matches, the cameras to be returned as soon as we were out of sight of land. 

Inside the appearance of stability and comfort was amazing.  Our cabin is five by eight feet, two bunks- one above the other and most comfortable.  A stool is the only furniture.  A celuloid wash basin, a shelf, a shallow closet and a row of hooks completed the equipment.  The walls are of cloth (percale) each cabin a different shade, and the framework of beds, door and stool is aluminum.  Painted on the wall beside my berth was a picture of a lighted cigarette with a cross to serve as a constant reminder that the motto of the Airship is, or should be, “Rauchen Verboten”.  Our baggage unpacked, we were then able to look around.  The cabin next to us was marked “Herr Douglas Fairbanks, Frau Fairbanks”.  On the same deck (port side) is the dining salon 25×50 feet.  The walls are of cloth, attractively decorated in panels with small paintings in the center of each.  The furniture is of metal and red leather.  A railing seperates the inner space where the tables are placed to form a sort of promenade, from which an excellent view can be had.  The window slope outward and three open, so by leaning out a little, one can look under the Ship or astern to catch a glimpse of the forward motor gondola.  The starboard side is the same size.  It is devided by a half partition, one part being a lounge with an aluminum grand piano in one corner, the other a writing room.  The same arrangement of windows is made on that side.   The deck below is much smaller in area.  On it is located the shower baths, the toilets, and a bar adjoining the smoking room.  On one side of the smoking room is a low railing.  Outside of this, one may look straight down through the horizontal windows.  The walls are of leather, gilded on which are designs of famous air ships.  Our departure was not to be long delayed.  By 8 o’clock we were slipping smoothly and silently through the lee gate of the hangar into an almost breathless night. 

Just as we were about to leave, Doug Fairbanks arrived with his bride and a little black Scottish terrier (named Bobby).  After we had reached a point far out in the field, an automobile drove across from the crowd to deposit Max Schmeling and his manager, whho scrambled on board,.  The men on the ropes paused in their steady march, a few short hoarse commands and suddenly we realized that the ground was falling away beneath us.  Steadily we ascended until at a height about 700 feet.  Then the distant roar of the motors gave the signal that the journey was actually begun, and into a cloudy sky streaked with red, we glided smoothly upward. 

In the gathering darkness we could discern the roads and hills.  The searchlight in the belly of the Ship illuminated a rapidly moving circle on the ground.  In it, one could see the tiny red zeppelin which weighed down the radio antenna-gliding below.  Flashes of reflected light from little pools were like huge fireflies in the night far below us.  That little red “Zep” also as sort of a “cat’s whiskar” to prevent our getting too low without warning.  Sandwiches were served and a little later the smoking room was opened.  By 10 o’clock all were in full routine, so off to bed we slipped for a very good nights rest in our comfortable bunks. 

Awakening at Six I went out to the salon.  The weather was cloudy, the ship travelling about 1000 feet altitude.  Breakfast was the usual Continental one.  Fruit, coffee, and fresh rolls baked on the Airship.  The personalities which were a sort of blur the night before began to take form.  Max Schmeling-sitting directly opposite a black-haired man broad forhead and cheek bones eyes deep set in bulbous lids, a sensitive small mouth and chin, not at all the pugnacious jaw-small hands, and a very quiet gentle manner.  All these characteristics bore out the reports we had had of him.  He spent most of the day by himself reading and writing. 

 The perfume of the Fairbanks apartment pervaded our cabin.  We have swapped ammenities and I had a long chat with Doug in the smoking room.  Sailing into warmer latitudes the clouds are drifting away.  We now fly over sapphire blue waters our altitude increasing gradually to 3000 feet. 

We have been invited to “inspect the Ship”.  Led by one of the engineers, we were led through a vestibule and then a door, and found ourselves upon the “Cat Walk”, really the keel of the Ship.  It is a plank about one foot wide extending from tip to tip.  The circular ribs of the Ship are bound together by wires and cross members with the walk as sort of a spinal column.  Along this path we walked with nothing between us and the ocean far below except the fabric skin of the hull and a few wires and a rope, at which we clutched grimly.   

Past crews quarters, repair stations, gas and oil tanks, water cisterns and storage sections we crawled.  The roar of the motors increased ,and beyond and quite unexpectedly, our guide pulled a cord.  Like a window shade, the skin of the ship opened and there we were looking down 3,000 feet to the sea.  Standing on that girder a foot wide and with nothing to hold onto but the little diagonal wires-nice sea, fine ship, all forgotten-we were just plain nervous.  I called a halt.  All I wanted was the firm, strong, good, comfortable cabin, but this was not to be.  We reversed our direction, and continuing forward were ushered into a sort of cubical, from this a ladder led down some 12 feet to the Control Car.  Here we found the officers in command, the charts, instruments for control, the two helms, everything moving like clockwork.  Three American Navy men, whom we had met the night before, were acting as observers and watching the business of navigating this huge projectile at 75 miles per hour-air speed.  What a rock of Gibraltar the smoking room was after the exposed position of that little glass bird cage, upside down.  For an hour I couldn’t bear to look out the window, and it wasn’t until after a good dinner that I really felt right-side-up. 

 Captain Lehman made the remark that an Airship can “pick it’s weather” and has complete freedom of choice as to which route to follow in reaching its destination.  The choice is of course determined by the localities of most favorable winds and weather.  For us it is the “Southern Course”.  Heading West from Brest and we veer South and have clear skies but head winds.  No motion, however, but a slow and almost imperceptable roll like a steamer on a calm sea.

The afternoon is spent in general conversation, writing, reading and a refreshing “nap”.  Max Schmeling stays much to himself. Doug Fairbanks’ bride, he former Lady Sylvia Ashley is charming.  We have spent several pleasant hours with them over cocktails. 

The meals are delicious-luncheon consisted of soup, fish, chicken breast with rice, peas, asparagas tips, ice cream, cake and coffee.  Dinner: Consummee, fish, tenderloin of beef on toast with mushrooms, potatoes, salad, Charlotte Rousse with coffee.

The smoking room is the rendezvous before and after meals.  Presided over by Max, a steward, who makes excellent cocktails and watches everyone “like a hawk” to see that none inadvertently leaves with a lighted cigar or cigarette.  The doors are so arranged that not more than one person can enter or leave at the same time. 

As we are to pass some of the islands of teh Azores at 3am, we were in our bunks and fast asleep by 10pm.

Sure enough, we reached the Islands on schedule-mountains rising from the sea, pale in the light of the full moon, plumed with clouds.

The second morning dawns clear.  We are at an altitude of 5,000 feet.  Below the calm sea is bright blue fading to grey at the horizon.  Great white clouds drift idly by below us, and looking across them is like looking across a field of white cotton batting, glistening clear in the sunlight.  It is though we are suspended by a star, immovable, while the earth and clouds reel beneah us.

We have received our most prized buttons, a silver and blue disc, about the size of a nickel-on the border is inscribed “Deutsche Zeppelin-Reederei” (German Zeppelin Corporation).  The center is a globe with a Zeppelin Ship across it.  They are an “Open Sesame” in Germany. 

From the registry I learn that we are the first Philadelphians to make the East-to-West crossing and the first Philadelphians as a couple to cross the Atlantic in either direction, together by air. 

As the day progressed we again ascended to a world of white clouds in all directions, mountains, and valleys of clouds and lakes-the breaks through which the deep blue of the distant water can be seen.

Advices indicate that the course to the North will be better, so we head for Halifax; blue sky-clouds-blue water.  Sometimes we get up to 6,000 feet, and at one time as low as 400 feet-constantly testing for the best wind and level.

The smoking room is very popular-Douglas and Frau Fairbanks spent hours today working over a ji-saw puzzle, in which we all had to ultimately take a hand.  Bobby Fairbanks, is a great care.  Attractive youngster, runs all over the ship without the slightest timidity and relieves himslef freely to the horror of the stewards, and the somehwat doubtful amusement of the passengers.  As to the Fairbanks, Boby’s kidneys are absolutely nothing.  I am beginning to  understand the reason for the barrage of perfume which they have laid down.  Bobby is six months old, as cute a little black Scotty as you ever saw.  We have seen few ships and the hours slip by pleasantly.  Good appetite waits on dinner or supper.  Of course, two hours a day at this speed.  After coffee and liqueur we decided to retire early. 

Saturday morning at 4am I arose to the lights of Nova Scotia.  The sea is as calm as a mill pond.  Far below little necklaces of light lay on the bosom of the deep, each marked with a fishing skiff.  We headed Southwest and on our arrival at Lakehurst will be about 11 o’clock.  As to whether we come down will depend entirely upon ocal conditions.  If cloudy we shall probably land at once. 

By eight o’clock, we passed over the tip of Cape Cod lying below like a cardboard map, yellow sands, green plots and ponds, little sailboats, cottages.  Thence across Buzzards Bay to Mantauk, along the south shore of Long Island, Great Sound, and finally two huge circles about the towers of New York and on to  Lakehurst, arriving promptly at eleven.

A test of the air proved that the landing might be bumpy, as a gusty wind was blowing from a bad quarter.  Our good luck.  Word was sent down that we would not land and away we flew through the clear sky of a bright summer day.  Down the New Jersey coast-a circle around Atlantic City thence to Cape May- West across Maryland and the waters of the Chesapeake to Annapolis and on to Washington.  The Nation’s capitol never looked more beautiful as we circled twice around it and then headed North toward Baltimore.

Shortly after leaving Baltimore, Capt. Lehmann sent an officer below to invite Dorothy and me down to the Control Car.  After the usual precarious crawl along the catwalk, we climbed down the ladder to the little glass cage, nerve center of the great Ship.  There was Captain Lehmann knowing us as Philadelphians, who said, “Show me where you live and what part of Philadelphia you would like to have us go over”.  On the map I pointed out the Main Line and a curcuit was planned.  From then on, until we had passed over the Delaware River, I directed the course of the ship.  Approaching from the Southwest, we flew over Independence Hall and then described a large arc, followed below the left bank of the Schuylkill, Germantown, White Marsh to Norristown.  Turning there we ponted out Bryn Mawr, following Lancaster Ave to Wynnewood and passing directly over our place where we could clearly see the figures of the household on the lawn and waved to them.  Over West Fairmount Park to Market Street and as a final thrill passed directly over the Packard Building where the offices of Orr, Hall and Williams are located-over the Delaware to head straight for Lakehurst. 

It was a very gracious courtesy on the part of an old friend, a thrill of a lifetime, and incidentally an honor I was able to share my City and its environs.  For forty minutes we cruised over this area, a longer time than was alloted to New York and Washington combined.  After that experience the rest of the journey was very tame.  In about a half hour-that is 7:00, we dropped our landing line at the Station and were safely down on Mother Earth.

No story of this crossing would be complete without recording the constant evidence of skill in the navigation and management of the Ship, and the courtesy and friendliness of the officers and personnel.

So that is it!  Hope you enjoyed the read.  I do have pictures, but am waiting for a family memeber to e-mail them to me.  I will add them to the post if I get them.  Have a great day!  Edited to add:  HERE ARE THE PICS!!

Here is another example of my favorite Poppy image from “Remember”.  There are a lot more images of these poppies, so you can check out the link below.  I loved using my scor-pal on this card accenting the points with rhinestones!  Fun! 

John and I are taking the kids to the circus tonight, so that should be a blast.  They are up from the beach now and getting showered.  I cleaned today (blech), and have to get changed myself…so…off I go!  Have a great night!

Remember

Stamps: Remember
Paper: PTI Stampers Select, PTI Summer Sunrise, PTI Everyday Blessings pp
Ink: PTI Dark Chocolate, Summer Sunrise
Ribbon: PTI Summer Sunrise Twill
Other: Copics, A Muse rhinestones, Scor- Pal

This is the great debut set “Rustic Branches” from Heather Nichols…Kraft artist extraordinaire!!  What a perfect display of how she loves to do things!  Rustic, Real and simply beautiful.  I knew a lot of people would be doing these images in Kraft and distressed looks, so from the start I wanted to show how clean these images can look as well.  So I decided to use the outline stamp os the wreaths as my first choice and color them in with my copics, giving them a bright, clean, refreshing merry sort of feel.  I also wanted to use something a little more elegant, so I pulled out my pearls and used them for the berries as well as showcasing them a little in the embossed squares I made underneath the main image using my scor-pal.  To top it off I accented it with a little bow in the corner.  So cute!  It’s almost like its own little package.

Thanks to everyone who has been loving these papers!  It has been a blast making them, so I wanted to hook y’all up with some fun links of rockin’ girls who are using them!  Thanks girls for a TON of inspiration!

Julie Masse did such a fun card using “Recorder” from the “Piffaro”  collection!  I love how she used the cool sketch and colors in her “Latte Bella” stamp to create such a cute hip card!

 Lauri made some great projects HERE using “Dresden” and HERE using the now retired “Metro”

 Char (my BFL)  made some fabulous examples using “Piffaro”  and “London”

  Jewels made an awesome example, showing “Zwinger” from the collection of ”Dresden” matches perfectly with the new SU! color Kiwi Kiss!

 Kimberly Crawford blew me away with the awesomeness she created showing what you can really do with these hybrid papers.  She even gives you a TUTORIAL for all of you too scared to try and digi scrap with your papers!

  Lynn Mercurio used two of the papers from “Piffaro” to create this fun design for her card!  I love the brads in the middle of the paper circles!  How fun!

  Steph’s card was the first card I ever saw with my papers!  here she printed them out on Kraft..which just looks so good!

What inspiration!  I hope this inspires you to use and post your creations with these papers!  If you do use them…I would love to know so I can spotlight YOU as well!!  It is a great encouragement to me to see all of the fun posts…you will never know!!  Have a great day!

This lovely/fun/flirty Poppy-based set “Remember” designed by Lisa Johnson is now available at Papertrey Ink!!  Isn’t it so cool?  I love Lisa’s doodly curly flirty style!  I REALLY had a BALL coloring this card with my Copic Markers.  If you are new to Copics it is a nice set to play with because the images aren’t too big or too small.  They are just big enough that you can play with color variations, but not too big that you aren’t quite sure where to end your shadow colors.  Don’t you just love the font mixing in the sentiments as well?  So nice!!  I have another card I made with this set that I will show you tomorrow.  So great.

Thanks Deena!       Thanks Lauri!          Thanks Char BFL!!     Thanks Karin!

Thanks guys for the awesome awards.  I have to tell you I love getting these, but am horrible at posting them (obviously) and passing them along!  I always break the rules.  Terrible, I know.  Take some time to visit these girls!  They have some rockin’ stuff of their own to share!