What to do with stickers???

I must admit that I am not much for using stickers. Since I have become a stamper, stickers just don't do it for me anymore! However, there are times when a good "sticker" is worthy of its' use. I made this jar for our secretary Lynne at work at the end of the school year. She uses them for candy jars on her desk. I have made her one for Back to school, Halloween, Christmas, Valentines and now Spring. Some say "Want a Kiss? (See below - at my craft fair items). This was totally done with just paper and sticker flowers and a ladybug (and of course ribbon). Oh, and I found a button "ladybug" that is attached to the ribbon. Love the colors - so bright and springy!

Happy Birthday Carolyn

My stamping friend Carolyn, who shows up at the Wed. group had a birthday recently and I realized that I never posted her card. So here it is. I sure do miss that group and maybe now that I am unemployed I may be able to go back!!!

Baby Shower Invitation

My friend Jen at work ( well actually, my used to be work!!) asked me to make her some baby shower invitations for a friend of hers. The baby's rooms colors were purple and sage and I had a hard time coming up with something to match SU lavender lace. Luckily in my stash I had some DCWV paper that matched perfectly. Unfortunately, I did not have enough of one piece so I had to make 2 different ones. The inside I have blocked to

protect their privacy.

Bon Voyage!

My good friend Roberta was headed to a whirlwind vacation - first to Seattle to visit a friend and run the Rock & Roll Marathon and then hop on a crusie ship to Alaska. All this in a matter of a few days and she is in her "70's". She is just amazing. I made this card for her to cover all those adventures in one. I can't wait to hear how it all went.

I'm Back

Wow, it has been a long time since I posted. But, I do have an excuse. In April our school was such a frustrating place because no one knew if they were coming back next year and the waiting game was very stressful. Unfortunately, I was one of those whose jobs got cut. However, I am still hoping that I will get called back the end of this month.

Then on May 26, I went in the hospital for a total knee replacement. Now, I know in 6 months I am going to say it was the best thing I've ever done, but at the moment "DON'T ASK"!!

It is just the most painful thing in the world going through recovery. Physical Therapy is just brutal, however, on a positive note I am getting better everyday - today is 5 weeks. I am no longer using a walker or cane and can pretty much do most things again. Except sit or stand for too long. I am constantly in motion - getting up; getting down; walking. At least I am getting my exercise.

Here are some of the "homemade" cards I have received.

The cards in order are from Sam, Jenne, Lois, Carolyn and Vicki. I just love their talent and believe me they brought a much needed smile to my face.

Happy Birthday Blakey

My dear friend, and former team teacher, Blakey, is celebrating her birthday. She lives in Ireland now and I surely do miss seeing her. I am sending her this card and nugget tin for her birthday at the end of April. I absoutely love this paper from SU. It is Parisian Breeze Specialty using Baja Breeze, Buckaroo Blue, and chocolate chip. It is just so soothing and calm. The flowers are from SU Pocket Silhouettes.

Newly made cards

Here are some new cards, some courtesy of Splitcoast members. I'm sorry I have been on that site so much and loved so many ideas, that I can't remember who inspired me. If it was you, please let me know so that I can check out your blog and see what other wonderful things you are doing.

This is one that my daughter, Jenne, did.

Leigh, You make my heart Smile

Leigh commented on my blog after viewing the Disney album I created (shown below). She bestowed this award on me and I feel so blessed. Thank you Leigh and thank you too for letting me discover your awesome blog. I am now a follower.

Disneyland Adventure

My good friend and co-worker, Leslie asked me to make her a scrapbook of her family's trip to Disneyland last summer. Well, I have been trying forever to get this on a slideshow but Myslide was not co-operating so I went to Imageloop and it came out perfect. This scrapbook was so much fun to do, and Austin is just so darn cute and the anticipation and excitement in his face is priceless. I think I had just as much fun creating this book as they did experiencing it! Enjoy your visit below!

Disneyland Adventure

Recent birthdays

For Jen at work. Inside says a Very Happy Birthday

For my friend Vicki

For Christine at work.

For my friend Alyce - Oopsie Daisy is because it was just a "tad" late!!!

For my friend Diane

Valentines for a co-worker

These are cards that I made
for a co-worker to give to
residents in a nursing home.
Most of the paper is from last
year's collection.

Valentines already?

Well now that Christmas 08 has come and gone can Valentine's Day be far behind! My only resolution this year is to try and get all my cards done on time and added to my blog. Today I said well let's just play and see what I come up. This is it - my first valentine for 08. Since I don't have to make many to send out maybe I'll be ahead of the game!!!

Recipe:

cardstock: whisper white; real red; certainly celery

ink: black; certainly celery; real red;

stamp: $1 Michaels bin for flowers; SU love

Misc: Nestabilities; SU make a brad; crystal effects; cuttlebug for background; small heart hand punch; cricut for "u"

It's hard to tell but this is a 5 x 5 card with white as the background.

Sympathy

Soft Sky and Chocolate Chip - you can't go wrong!!!

Christmas 08 cards

These are some of the cards I made for Christmas. I chose the joy card on the bottom left to send to 60 recipients. I do so love soft sky and wish SU would bring it back!!

Card Update

Just thought I would show you some of the cards I have forgotten to add to my blog over the last few months. I am going to try harder in 2009 to keep this up!!

Christmas

Reindeer card - made but never sent.

My daughter Jenne's Christmas card this year that she sent out.

A very close to Christmas birthday card for my co-worker Jen. This was sent along with a matching post-it note holder.

Happy New Year

For my friend Roberta.

Get Well

Two cards for fellow employees.

Birthday

Wow, this card looks so much better in person. Stickles just don't come off well on a scanner.

Recipe:

cardstock: certainly celery; DCWV Sweet Shoppe

ink: Certainly celery; black staz on

stamps: MFT Hey cupcake

SU large oval punch

Stickles: Tutti frutti; lime green; red

Cuttlebug HB embossing folder

$1 bin Michael's ribbon

Sympathy

This is a card that is actually 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 that I made for a teacher that John works with. I made it large so that all of the kids in the class could sign it. Same problem here as with the card below - I do not remember the name of the paper. It was in a very dark olive and I used SU vanilla. The stamp is from stampendous.

Thank You

Recipe:

cardstock: really rust; brocade blue; and not sure of the print. (I always cut off that strip at the bottom and toss it before I remember to write down what the paper was)

Ink: Really rust

Punches: Martha Stewart flower punch; punch a bunch (little flower); Marvy scalloped Mega and Giga punches

Brads: really rust

Stamp: Thank you from Inkadinkadoo

craft fair 2008

Below is a slide of some of the items in the craft fair I was in at my school. It was just too much to post it all so hope you enjoy the slideshow.

It's My Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday and what a great dayI had! From the moment I got up there were flowers from my husband - thank you John, I love you!, and a Jim Brickman CD titled HOPE from my daughter that I listened to on the way to work. If you love piano music and haven't heard of Jim Brickman you are really missing out. He had a Christmas CD out last year that is just so beautiful. He comes to the Phoenix area every few years which I always look forward to.

Anyway, on with my day. I went to work and they brought in lunch, beautiful roses and wine - however, since it is a school, we couldn't open it!!! The secretary Lynne, made me a homemade apple pie (I don't really do cake) that had little cookie cutter apples made from the piecrust on top. How cute it was! Gave me an idea for a card! So to Leslie, Millie, Robyn, Lynne, Christina for the lovely gift and to everyone who gave me cards, thank you so much. It was a real treat. I love you all and enjoy working with you all so very much. Then last night I had my two daughters with me - the first time in about 8 years that we have been together on my birthday. Jenne used to live in San Diego, and Kerin lived here and we never could manage it to be together on the actual day. So this was so special. Kerin's friend Kerry came over and we all played games; drank wine and or scotch!, played more games; had more wine and or scotch; played pool and then you guessed it! Finally had homemade apple pie - wow that's twice today- what a real treat!! So tonight we are going out to dinner, tomorrow I am going to breakfast with Leslie and Jen from work, Sam, my great Wed. stamping buddy is dinner at her house on Monday night, Wed. happy hour with 2 other co-workers and then my Birthday Week will be over. Whew..............................

I got a lot of cards from many friends and I want to thank you all. These are a few from my Wed

group. The pink flowers are from Carolyn- what a beautiful card - very striking. The pink stripe is from Marie-love these colors and now I think I need that punch!!! and the birds are from Sam - how cute is this!! Thank you all - I miss you.

This one is from my daughter Jenne, who is thrilled to have the use of my craft room now!!

I've been "tagged"

I have been tagged by Sylvia over at My Little Corner of the World.
Here are the rules:
1. Get the book on your nightstand (or whatever book you are currently reading).
2. Open it to page 56 and find the 5th sentence.
3. Post the next couple of sentences on your blog, along with these instructions.
4. Do not go and find your favorite book, it has to be the one you are reading now!
5. Tag 5 other people to do the same.

Well, I have to admit that "romance" novels are not very intelligent reading, however, I work out on the treadmill everyday and read while I am pacing along. They make for easy and quick reading while on the treadmill and I can last much longer!!! Here is my sentences - Haven't looked yet but I hope it's not on the "juicy" part!!
He stopped, dipped his hand into the water, made a fist and opened it. "You can't hold it," he said to me. "No matter how you try or how you love or how you sweat." Then he dug into the sand. It was wet and clung together in his hand. " But this," he said, "a man can hold." We never spoke of it again. "When my time came, I turned my back on the sea and held the land."

Wow, that must be the most profound few sentences in this book!!

October Birthdays

Well, somehow this month has just got away from me!!

I was late with everyone's b'day and if you are one of them reading this, I truly am sorry. I don't care for the saying " Better Late than Never" because that gives you an excuse to forget. But, I am glad that at least these 5 people got their cards. This card for my friend SueAnn uses SU Floral Background; HB from SU; and the flower from Hero Arts. Papers are Basic Black and Bashful Blue.

Happy Birthday everyone!! I will try better next year.

This card is for my daughter's friend Kerry.
I used SU Pumpkin Pie; Eggplant; and last Halloween's DP. The stamp set is from Autumn Leaves and the HB is from Hero Arts. Buttons are just a dark purple from my stash of buttons.

This second card was for my friend Lois. The stamp is from SU and I am sorry to say I cut off the label name from the paper before I remembered where it came from. It is really pretty. It is double-sided. This side had white dots that I colored in pumpkin pie and added crystal effects. ( CE was also added on the flowers). Other papers were SU Certainly Celery and Pumpkin Pie DP

This card was for my friend Connie. I love these two colors; Orchid Opulence and Certainly Celery. The background paper is from daisy d's and the stamp is from Autumn Leaves. The HB is from Hero Arts. The ribbon is from the $1 bin at Michaels.

This card was for our Office Secretary, Lynne. I used an old paper from one of Joann's stack packs; SU Lovely Lilac; CB swiss dots and filagree. The crystals below the flowers are green and really match the green in the paper.

The flower stamps are SU and the HB from Hero Arts.

Black and White Wedding Cards

Another co-worker asked me to make her a wedding card. The invitation was in black & white so since she didn't know the exact colors, she assumed that the wedding may be black & white. Here are the cards that I made going with that theme for her to choose:

First Card:

Recipe:

cardstock whisper white; shimmery graySU

ink: going gray

stamps: Inkadinkadoo wedding; SU Natural Beauty (cut out the flower and embossed in pearl gray)

accessories: leaves from (?); CM circle cutter; CB embossing folder; pearl gray emb. pdr. from Joann's

silver stickles

This is my favorite card.

Recipe:

cardstock: whisper white; shimmery gray SU; shimmery black (?)

ink: going gray

stamps: Inkadinkadoo wedding

accessories: Mega scallop oval punch; sheer white ribbon; small oval punch SU; CB emb. template

Third card:

cardstock: basic black; whisper white; SU clear vellum

ink: Archival Ink - Jet Black

stamps: Inkadinkadoo wedding

accessories: ribbon and crystals from Joann's.

This is the fourth card I made for the "selection"

Recipe:

cardstock: whisper white; basic black

stamps: Inkadinkadoo wedding; SU

ink: versa mark; black emb. pdr.

accessories: pearls from Target; SU scallop punch; CB emb. folder

Happy Birthday "Pat"

My friend Pat is 70 years "young" today. We are having a party for her tomorrow night. I got her a gift card and made this purse card to put it in. I found these cute note cards at The Dollar Tree and used them as a pattern. The paper is from Heidi Grace.

Wedding "Bliss"

A co-worker, after seeing the custodian card I made, asked me to make her a wedding card. Since she didn't have wedding colors, I just went with whatever. These are the results.

Sets used were Inkadinkadoo (wedding couple); Verve Visual (birds); and Darcies (wedding cake).

Custodian Day

Today at our school was Custodian Day so I was asked to make him a card. We gave him scratch tickets so I also made a box to put them in. We had a lunch for him and he was very surprised and thankful of being appreciated. It's always nice to be on the custodian's "good side".

I used a very old stamp set from D.O.T.S. for the tools. The sentiment was my own that I made up and I used Going Gray; Bordering Blue and Close to Cocoa and C to C DP. The box is a paper from Cloud Nine. Love that company! As always, if you have any questions, just email me. Thanks for looking.

Day Off From School

Hooray, we had a day off from school today, so I didn't have to work and instead just played in my room all day. Now, most of the morning I spent re-organizing AGAIN! But after lunch I got inspired. I just purchased the new "Holiday Cards" magazine from Paper Crafts and it is a GREAT ONE! On page 7 is an advertisement for the new "Card Creations" magazine coming out in a week. I saw this sneaker card and thought "How cute". Well, since I didn't have the pattern, I do what I usually do and that is to go onto Clip Art and find one. So, I found a sneaker, blew it up on Windows and VOILA! my own sneaker creation. I used some paper that I have had forever from a Joann's stack pack, and Real Red. Very simple. I used Circle of Friendship for the saying punched out holes and added eyelets and laced it up with 1/8" grosgrain white ribbon. I can think of endless possibilities for this card. It could be done in the colors of someone's favorite team; a baby card; or a girly girl sneaker. Let me know if you want the pattern.

Welcome James

The slide show below is the scrapbook I made for my friend and co-worker, Jennifer, who had her baby boy, James, on Friday. I made it so that she could add pictures and journaling at her leisure (although I don't know that she will have much leisure since she has Joey, a toddler, at home). Although I am so happy for Jen and her family, I sure do miss her at work. If anyone has any ?? about any products I used for this book please email me. Enjoy the show.............

I've taken the plunge!

Digital Scrapbooking here I come! Those of you who know me, know that I am not computer savvy at all. Well, after seeing all of my friend Lois's digital scrapbooking pages on her site: gingerbreadaholic, I decided I had to try it. I signed up for Jessica Sprague's class as Lois did, and just completed Lesson 1 - Week 1. It took me quite awhile to figure it all out even though Jessica's videos are very exact and so easy to follow. Like I said I am not a computer whiz! Anyhow, I can't wait to get to week 2. Here's my first digital scrapbook page of my darling kitty Price Tag (see his video book below) who died last November. GO ME!

Oops!!

I was so in a hurry to get the pictures of the paint can and candy cake below for Jen's shower on my blog, that I forgot to mention all of my daughter, Jenne's, help with these projects. Together we created and brainstormed throughout the weekend to get these done. The frog and dragon (or dinosaur?) in the train were hand done by Jenne. Isn't she clever!! And the ribbons on the cake was her idea as well as help with the block on the top. Thank you Jenne for all your help in brainstorming and putting these projects together; trips to the craft stores, and for being such an inspiration for our creativity together. I can't wait till you move here so that we can do so much more together. Love you so much.

Jen's baby shower

Jennifer, a co-worker, had her baby shower yesterday at work and since she is such a special person to know and work with, I made her 2 very special gifts. The first is a candy cake in all baby blues because she is having "James". These cakes (see the birthday one below) are just so special, fun, and easy to make. They are made using Hershey nuggets attached to styrofoam and covered with scrapbook paper. However, I don't know how you would ever be the "first"

to take one off!!! I made the block at the top using a 2 inch cube and spelled James on each side using the Cricut cartridge George. All the paper was from Joann's paper stacks as well as the teddy bears and signs from the baby department.

The next gift was a paint can using Autumn Leaves DP; Oxford from Bazzill; SU Old Olive and Really Rust. I used the New Arrival Cricut cartridge for the plane and train and clip art for the banner. The frog and dragon were done by hand. On the top of the can I created a poem about saving all those little things that are Jen's baby boy. It made her cry!!!

Back to School Tags

Just thought I would show you the tags that I made to go on the baskets that we made for Pal II ( see story below). Oh, I made a mistake (REALLY! LOL) Pal II is only 4 -6 not 4-8. I am sure they are happy about that!! These tags were all made using the Grade School DCWV.

Back to School "Survival" Bag

The school that I work at is a K-3 school and grades 4-8 are located in another building on our campus. Tuesday our entire staff is going over to their school as a goodwill gesture. I made this bag as one of the things that we will be bringing. I hope you can read the poem as we will be filling the bag with those things. I used Grade School papers and pop ups from DCWV. If you are unable to read this please let me know and I will send it to you.

Suzy's Zoo "Witsy"

My friend Alyce had done a card using this adorable little duck so I had to borrow this stamp and create some cards. I looked online to find the name of the stamp and came up with "witsy".

On the first card you can't tell but the beak and feet have crystal effects on them. The paper is from Paper Pizazz and SU Brocade Blue and Barely Banana and Whisper White I colored her in with Barely Banana marker and Apricot Appeal marker. The scallops were done with SU's new scallop border punch. The Shh...... at the bottom is on the inside that I positioned via the computer and used the word window punch on the outside.

The second card is Barely Banana and Bashful Blue and Whisper White. It's a Shower was done using alphabet stickers from Provo Craft called Alphabitties.

The third card is Bashful Blue and Whisper White and paper from KaiserCraft called "Little Man". Stamp set is SU Mini Mates

3 x 3 cards and box

I found this box in Michael's for $1 and discovered it was just the perfect size for 3 x 3 note cards. So I painted it brown and then used the Berry Bliss DP to cover it. The scalloped circles are Mega & giga punches and SU's scalloped punch. The brad inside is from SU's Build a Brad. I used the label punch with the "Just a note" from Mini Mates. Ribbon is from Michaels. Then I created the note cards to be put inside. Great little project - I must say!

Halloween treat box

I saw a pattern for this box on Lizzie Anne's Designs website. Since I am having a "Halloween" attack - meaning I am in to making Halloween stuff now - I decided to try it - it is really simple to do. The paper is from SU Pumpkin Pie DP and last year's Halloween DP and a spider web paper that I got at Hobby Lobby. The spider is from Cricut and the bats are from my stash of 3D stickers. I used the SU label punch for the handle and the ribbon I got at a local scrapbooking store.

Jenne's Frames

My daughter Jenne, who is an avid stamper (not a fanatic like her mom!) and part time scrapbooker has created these two frames for some friends of hers. The first frame is for a friend and her father who just took a trip up the coast of Calif on a Harley. The second frame is for a friend and her husband who have just moved into a new house in Calif. and love the beach.

Great job Jenne! Well, Jenne is soon moving to AZ from San Diego to be near her mom (yeah, me!) so I will try my best to turn her into a "fanatic" also. Of course, since mom seems to have it all she won't need to BUY anything LOL!

Our Wednesday Group Creations

Well, this may be my last time to meet with these wonderfully talented friends to make cards; share ideas, and enjoy some very good food. In two weeks school will start and I will be back to work!!! Boo Hoo!!! Although I am looking forward to going back to work, I truly will miss these Wednesdays. So, here are 3 cards that we did. We actually did 4 but with Marie "s (and I apologize) I tried to tweak her card to make it my own and totally flubbed it. I will just go back and do it her way and will post it then.

This first card is Lois's. She found the pattern from an old Papercrafts magazine and adapted it to make it her own. The front flap is a rectangle that opens. Love that "piece of cheese" charm on the inside. Colors used were More Mustard, Chocolate Chip and Summer Sun - cuttlebugged with Swiss Dot and edged with MM. Not sure about the font or where the charm came from.

SU hardware is on the front.

This next card is also Lois's and is just so feminine and baby girlish. I just love her color combos.The base of the card is SU's new pink in-color, cuttlebugged with Filagree. The dotted is Whisper White using a swiss dot background stamp. The next layer (green print) and the printed rectangles were just paper she had "laying around" (Imagine that LOL!). Regal Rose is the scalloped square - swiss dotted with CB and the green is green galore - CB swirl. The heart may be nestabilities but not sure. Ribbon is from Michaels and the flower brads again were just "lying around" I am going to put the following saying inside that I found online somewhere. The site that had it said that they changed the words a bit, and I again changed them to make this my own words. It is for a very wonderful friend having her first baby - a girl. (Love to you Natalie and Carlos)

I do not have a face to see

Or put inside a frame

I do not have soft cheeks to kiss

Nor, do I have a name.

You cannot hold my tiny hands

Nor whisper in my ear,

It's still too soon to count my toes

Or cuddle me so near.

But come this December

When my birth date is due

I will be your brand new daughter

And can't wait to meet you two.

All I ask before my birth

Is your love for me to grow

I promise I'll be worth the wait

More than you will know.

So as you're waiting patiently,

To see the real live "Me"

Please know that I'm impatient too

To make this family "three".

Now on to Carolyn's card. Her card uses Mellow Moss (when was the last time you looked at that color LOL!) and Groovy Guava and Ruby Red. Love this color combo. The red flowers are embossed white. She embossed the leaves also on her card. Filigree CB on the MM.

Just Some More Cards

Just thought I would post my latest cards that I have worked on. Now, there are a couple that I saw on SC and tweaked to my own liking, but I apologize that I can't remember who to thank for their design. So, if it is you, thank you for your inspiration. Here are my cards without any fanfare. If you want to know specifics please let me know and I will tell you what stamps; papers; and/or embellishments were used. Thanks for looking.

My "Birthday" Yankee Swap

Something happened to this post!!! It was suppose to follow the next post but somehow when I posted it left a HUGE gap between posts. I tried to fix it but could not. UGH!! So as you are reading this you may want to go to the next one first and then back to this one to get the correct sequence. Anyway, thanks for looking.

For my swap, I made a card holder using DP from SU. I cut out a piece of Certainly Celery 6x12 and scored at 5 inches from both ends . I then cut a strip for each side and attached with brads. I added a Close to Cocoa 1 inch handle glued under the top trim. The "cards" is alphabet stickers from Scrapworks. They match perfectly with our Blush Blossom. Inside were 5 cards made using the same DP.

This card uses the Penny Black/Charmed stamp. I stamped the image first on the white cs and then stamped it again on a patterned DP and cut out just the petals and glued them onto the original image. The bird is from "Make a Tree Set" from Stamp Camp. I stamped it on Blush Blossom and then cut it out and popped it up.







This stamp for this card is from Paper Inspirations and I used the cuttlebug folder Swiss Dots on the background. The 1/2 circle on the left was cut using CTMH circle cutter.

This card was very time consuming, but I loved the process. I used the "Time for bubbly" from My Favorite Things and stamped the image first on Blush Blossom and then stamped again on various DPs. I then cut out all the images and glued them in place. The mirror is vellum and I put crystal effects on all the bubbles and wine in the glass.







This stamp set also from My Favorite Things/what's up cupcake was stamped first; colored in with blender pen. I then stamped the frostings on bashful blue and cut them out and glued onto the cupcakes. The top is Cinnamon stickles that look like chocolate chips.





This final card in the set uses a stamp from inkadinkadoo.








Since it was my sister's "actual" birthday I made her this card. The stamp is from American Art Stamp/Emerson Quillin collection.

Birthday "Yankee" Swap

Well, I just got back from the Boston area to attend my family reunion; reunite with friends; and "fortunately" experience some very, very nice weather. It only rained 1 day. Talk about lucking out in good ol New England. (Oh, yeah, we did have to sit on the airplane for 1 1/2 hours in Manchester airport while they inspected the plane because we had a mini hailstorm (in June!) while we were boarding!) Anyway, at my family reunion the theme was "birthday". We were celebrating everyone's birthday so we had to bring a swap as a birthday gift, labeled male;female; or unisex. For my husband I made the following card and enclosed a gift certificate to Home Depot. This is a trifold card using Chocolate Chip; Bashful Blue; vanilla; and paper from My Minds Eye/Bohemian collection. On the front flap I embossed with cuttlebug's distressed stripes and the inside Bashful Blue flap I used the HB embossing folder. I stamped the sentiment on the front panel using a Hero Arts stamp (candles) in BB and then stamped the HB from Anita's stamps in CC over it. I added SU hardware rolled in CC and a lt. blue organza ribbon. The inside pocket holds the gift cert.

Candy Cake

Well, the other day I was surfing my blogs and came up with this site. Now, I cannot remember how I got there but was happy I did. What a great idea I thought, I can do that. Well, I have a million things to do because I'm going back to Boston next Tuesday, but hey this doesn't look hard. The site was: creationsbyyahaira.com. Somehow googling candy cakes, I came across this site with directions: http://67.15.207.135/candy_cake.php. Anyway, here is my 2 layer cake result. Now as luck would have it (and this was in the back of my mind), my family reunion is a birthday celebration - celebrating everyone's birthday. Well, this will be just perfect to bring with me. Of course it will have to be a carry-on so I hope that won't be an issue.

I used Paper Studio paper from Hobby Lobby and flowers 60% off at Joann's. It was very simple - takes about 1 1/2 bags of Nuggets. I wrapped each piece of styrofoam with cardstock and then attached the nuggets with my tacky glue. I punched holes in the styrofoam to put in the flowers. It did not take long to do - maybe 2 -3 hours, not sure as I didn't work on it non stop. But very easy. I think I may try for a 3 layer next time!

The 2 "minute" card

True, this card only takes 2 minutes to complete. How simple but still a card worth sending. I used Close to Cocoa and SU DP and SU stamp set stamped in close to cocoa and punched with the SU Scallop circle punch. Added a strip of DP and SU lt. pink ribbon tied in a knot and punched out photo corners and I am good to go! How simple and quick. Change it up for any occasion.

Baby Boy Sailboat

I saw a card on Renee's blog that had a sailboat. Don't know if it is a stamp or she made it herself but I liked the card and decided to make something similar to it. I made the boat by punching out a 1 1/4 inch circle and cutting that in half. I then punched out a 1 inch square and cut that for the sails. The flag on the top of the sails is just precut by hand using one of the background colored papers. The plaid paper is from one of Joann's stack packs; and the plain blues are Su bashful blue and brocade blue. The sentiment is SU as are the brads. The wave stamp is from Darcie's. Very cute; very simple!

Cutest dang cat

This is a card we did on my Wed. stamping group. I have not been there for quite awhile because of working full time but I AM Back! for the summer. Lois brought this card to do but she had a different stamp. We used a stamp of mine from Stampendous - part of the fluffies collection which I just love. Using SU p in p and; choc. chip and some unidentifiable "scrap" we came up with this tri-fold card. I used pink rhinestones for the middle of the flowers and blushed the cat's cheeks with p in p and colored the snail in blush blossom. The flowers are p in p and the leaves certainly celery. I used SU hardware and a piece of toile. We used tcuttlebug embossing folders - spiral; and swiss dot. I just love this card. It is so dang cute!!!!! if I do say so myself!LOL. And the inside can say anything you want it to!

Another 2008 Graduation Book

I gave Laura her book on Sunday,

and another friend, Karla, asked me to make

one for her niece who was graduating this weekend

in Michigan. Her school colors were Navy and White

so I added Gray for contrast. Check it out!!

Graduation 2008

We have some friends whose daughter, Laura, has just graduated from high school. I made Laura this 2008 graduation scrapbook. She absolutely loved it especially since it was in her school colors. I took a class to make this book from my good friend Rhonda who is just an awesome scrapbooker. The card was from one that I saw on Splitcoast, so if you are reading this I am giving you credit. (Can't remember where I saw it on the site). The bag is done using the Cricut. Enjoy the video.

Check out my Slide Show!

Cards for a Co-worker

The word has been getting around and everyone at work wants my cards. Next year they want me to create a catalog for them to order from. Looks like I will be busy this summer!! Here are two cards that I made for my awesome co-worker Millie for her to give. Another graduation card using the Cricut and a rubber stamp.(can't remember whose cap that is).

The birthday card uses Basic Grey Blush; Bazzil burgundy, a stamp from TAC, and HB from AAW/Printworks. The brad is a set from Michaels.

Whipper Snapper Winners!!

These 3 cards were created using 3 Whipper Snapper stamps that I purchased as a result of winning 3rd place in their Spring contest.

This first card uses SU Pretty in Pink; soft sky; certainly celery; and a SU DP (sorry I can't remember the name). It was colored in with PinP and cc using a blender pen. Brads are cc also and I also used thecuttlebug Swiss dot template.

The second card is done using Soft Sky; Purely Pomegranate; and Wild Wasabi. Just love that color combo!!!! The border stamp above was from a very "old" company called D.O.T.S. I colored in the quilt using my blender pen and then stamped the quilt again on soft sky and cut out the flowers. I found these shiny brads in my stash that just happen to match perfectly! The saying was done on the computer using CK Quirky font. The quilt is also popped up.

This last card is my favorite! I just love anything birds! I used Blue Bayou; Pumpkin Pie: and Wild Wasabi. The background was a Background stamp that I purchased unmounted at a recent stamp expo. Sorry, I can't remember who I bought that from! The flowers were punched out and stickles were added to the centers as well as the center of the leaves. Inside the card says "Happy Spring" Great card for my friends back East.

Love these ladies

I just purchased these stamps from my friend Sam who sells for TAC. These ladies are so"sassy" and I have a small handful of friends that will appreciate them! I made these 3 cards using a couple of them from the set "Kalioppe". This first card uses SU Basic Black and TAC's Uptown Girl Paper Pack. I embossed (in black) the image and the words and then colored in the pants with a glaze pen and the shirt with just a black marker. I used Blush Blossom and Pretty in Pink on all 3 ladies bodies with a blender pen. I used Cotton Candy stickles for the dots on the shoes and glasses and the flower on the shirt. Inside the card I made a pocket using the stripe of the front paper attached to a piece of whisper white and embossed a happy birthday in black. This will hold a "substantial" gift card for my daughter for ther birthday.

I love the simplicity of this second card. Just Red and Black cardstock; images embossed in black; and colored in with red and black markers. I used Xmas Red Stickles for the shoes; glasses: flower; and fingernails. The swirl is also from TAC.

It is hard to really get the effect of this 3rd card but everything surprisingly matches perfectly. I used Pearlescent Cardstock from Colorbok; a glitter gel pen for the dress and the 3 metal dots at the bottom are from the $1 bin at Joann's. Everything about this card just "sparkles"

Pink and Brown - a favorite of mine

This is a card that I made for my wonderful friend Lois, thanking her for a special deed!. Lois, if you are looking at this - the check's in the mail!! I got the inspiration from a card that Lauren did as a punched challenge. The leaves and stem are stamped first and then the flowers are punched out at random so that the background (pink) shows through. Thanks, Lauren, I love this idea. I used SU Close to Cocoa; Whisper White; and the paper set Berry Bliss. The saying and leaf stems are from Best Blossoms and I used the key tag punch from SU. For the back of the saying I just cut a rectangle from Close to Cocoa and then rounded the edges myself. The ribbon (I think) is a retired one from SU. The pearls on both the pink flower and the tiny flowers (hard to see in this photo) are from Target's dollar bin (Lot's of scrapbooking stuff there right now for $1) and the large flower punch is Martha Stewart and the smaller flowers are from the dollar bin at Michaels. Gotta love these dollar bins except you do tend to spend a lot there! LOL.

SCS Saturday challenge

This card is for the inspirational challenge to find something in your home that inspires you. Well, I actually went outside my home and there is my first blooming calla lily - a sure sign of Spring here in Arizona. Of course, Spring is a relative term since we only really have Spring and Summer here!! Believe me, coming from the Boston area, I know this to be true!!! So I made this card being inspired by "my" first sign of Spring. We actually have them all over the yard. They are like rabbits and seem to multiply. I don't know if the birds get the pollen and sprinkle it around but I am amazed at the locations each year of these plants.

I used Wasabi for the background; whisper white and then the only color printed paper I could find in my stash that matched. I think it is from one of those packs from Joann's or maybe it is just a single sheet from Hobby Lobby. Anyway there was no identifying maker on the back. The Calla Lily is from SU Ageless Adornment that I haven't used in such a long time. Maybe I should set aside a day for using "older stamp sets" LOL I stamped the calla lily in wasabi and just outlined a little in yo yo yellow. I only wanted to bring a touch of yellow into this card because that is all that is on the flower and leaves. So, that is the trim around the lily, and the brad through the ribbon. This is another thing that I have no idea where it came from but it was the only green ribbon that I had that was anywhere near close to Wasabi. I also tried 100 ways to put "think spring" (a tiny little saying from Hero Arts) on this card and nothing looked good so I decided to just leave it off. This way it could be a card for any occasion. I will post this on my SCS site tomorrow. Now, here is another amazing thing! I have been a member and have logged in daily for so long but somehow I have never uploaded any of my work. Why???? I really don't have an answer for that. So, I have opened my site as jk's mom and will add regularly. Have a great week everybody.

Easter Wishes

I have been frantically making Easter cards for the folks back home in Mass. Unfortunately I sent a few out without putting them here, but then I remembered "Oh, I have a blog". This is what happens on Spring Break!!!! This card is made from SU Certainly Celery and Pretty in Pink and the paper from Hostess Level 1. The leaves and flower have crystal effects on them. The Easter Wishes is computer generated. The stamp is from Whipper Snapper, called Lollie, (so, I think I might send it off to their Spring contest if I haven't already missed it!). I used SU's scallop punch and lt. pink ribbon.

This second card was a very quick spur of the moment. The stamp is from the dollar bin at Michael's. I am always amazed at what you can find there! I colored it in with SU Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie and used the same color papers. The eggs are just stickers that I also found at Michaels and I used them only because they match perfectly. I used the corner punch from "Whale of a Punch". I was going to emboss the background but nothing I had seemed to fit. I am waiting on all those new cuttlebug folders to come in and really wanted to use the Swiss Dots.

Happy Easter to you all, and may those of you who live East of the Mississippi have a wonderful Spring and none of those sneaky snowstorms that come in April - I remember them well!!

Rabbit Food

I am having a problem with my camera and not sure why! I can't get the blur out of my pictures so I think I am off to buy a new camera. Sorry that these did not come out clearer but I just wanted to show you the little "Easter" gifts that I made for co-workers and friends. I got these plastic carrots from The Dollar Store and just made a tag using SU's scalloped punch; plaid paper from one of those stacks from JoAnn's; and ribbon from JoAnn's also. I used the font "AlDancingEgypt" for Rabbit Food and inked the edges with SU Only Orange. The carrot is from Stamps by Judith - I colored it in with SU's colors and cut it out. I stuffed the carrots with all sorts of Easter candy and grass.

Happy Birthday Clean Up

Interesting title, but true. I had to do two birthday cards for people at work and really needed to clean up my space. Well, while organizing AGAIN! I found this paper stack from Paper Wishes called Jackie's Vintage (totally forgot that I even had it!). These are the two cards I came up with using this paper.

This first one is done using SU Pretty in Pink for the background; Basic Black for the border and the Vntage Papers in between. The ribbon is from SU and I don't know where I got these flowers but one is pink and the other is white that I sponged the tips of with Pretty in Pink ink. The HB stamp is "Happy Birthday Wishes" from AAW/Printworks. (The wishes is on the inside of the card). The 3 brads are SU Pretty in Pink.


This second card is again done using this Vintage paper and SU's
Pretty in Pink and Basic Black. The stamp is Single Blossom from G-Rated Stamps that I colored in Pretty in Pink marker and Certainly Celery marker and then added Crystal Effects to the blooms and leaves. The HB stamp is from SU.

Lots of Birthdays

Two very good friends and my daughter have birthdays within a week or so of each other. Unfortunately, my good friend Alyce had a birthday that I missed. I didn''t forget her birthday, just the day!!. My friend Diane's birthday (who I can't wait to stamp with in March with all our stamping friends) is on March 6, and my daughter Jenne is on March 8. So, I went to Michael's this morning and found this paper from Making Memories. I just love it and as luck would have it, the colors matched SU's soft sky; lavender lace; and Lovely Lilac. These 3 cards are the result of my creations. I am not going to tell you which card is for who because they are being mailed out tomorrow and if they view my blog they will see it beforehand. So, if you three see this you will be surprised at which one you get!!!

This card was done using Lovely Lilac as the background. The arrow is from Maya Road Chipboard Arrows. If you love arrows like I do, this is a great set to have. It consists of 72 arrows in all sizes and configurations. I used crystals in various sizes on the arrow and in the corners that were punched. The Happy Birthday is from Hero Arts ( a great size) and the border is punched using a 1 3/4" square punch and a 2" square punch with the soft sky paper. It is hard to see, but the HB is embossed with a glittery purple embossing powder.

The background on this card is Lavender Lace. The striped paper is a coordinating paper to the paisley from MM. The birthday stampHappy Birthday Wishes) is from AAW-Printworks. I rolled the stamp first in soft sky and then in lovely lilac to get a 2-tone effect. The flowers are punched out using 2 different sizes of the same flower and brads for the centers. I stickled the i's in birthday and wishes

This card's background is Lavender Lace. The Paisley stamp (embossed) and rolled in both soft sky and lavender lace, is SU Polka Dots and Paisley. The HB is again from Hero Arts and fits perfectly in SU's large oval punch. All 3 of these cards were sponged along all edges with lavender lace.

1-Year Old Birthday

Tomorrow I am headed down to Gilbert, Az to a park to celebrate my niece's first birthday. This is the card that I made using.American Crafts paper. The flower is really pink and matches the cardstock although it looks purple in my scan. I punched out a circle from the striped paper for the middle. The number 1 and Madison's name is done using the cricut. Check out Lois's site which shows a new use for your cricut. I never thought I would buy one, but now I can't live without it!!! LOL In the morning I am headed with some friends to a stamp expo in Glendale, Az. I wonder if I'll find anything I can't live without!!! I'll keep you posted! Really LOL now!!

Superbowl 2008

We recently celebrated the Superbowl here in Arizona with my hometown boys the "New England Patriots". Friends and family came out from Boston to join our family and friends here to celebrate the Patriots victory (which unfortunately did not happen!!!) However, we did have a great 10 days enjoying the festivities and area attractions. This is the card that I put on my SIL's bed when she came along with her favorite mint candies. The cactus is chipboard; the mountains a sticker, and the football is from one of the superbowl websites. I used several different fonts for the wording. In keeping with the Patriots theme, I used SU Navy and Red for the card colors.

Yeah, a Day with my Stamping Friends

If you keep up with Lois's blog you will know that there is a group of us that meets on Wednesdays. Well, I am sort of a member. I now have a full-time job so I don't get to meet with them very often. Last Monday, however, I had a day off for President's day so only 4 of us stamped but it was still fun to get together. I came up with these 2 cards for everyone to make. The first is using one of my favorite flower stamps "Charmed" by Penny Black. The small square flowers are from Endless Creations. I used Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise (Cuttlebugged with the flower circles - can't remember it's official name); and So Saffron. The corners are done using a SU scrapbook set that is no longer available. I used brads for the iniside of the big flowers and stickles for the inside of the little flowers which has been popped up. The "think spring" is from A Muse Artstamps. I love those little words and the font they used. This card will be sent to a friend back East in Mass. I just heard that they got 12 inches of snow last night!!! I am so happy to be living here in Arizona now.

The second card is a spur of the moment card. I love the new cuttlebug embossing folder "birds and swirls" which Sam had in her stash. She had this bird stamp (I think from Clearstamps)

and so I thought of a robin (again for a friend back East-they really do need to "think spring"!)

and so came up with this card. We used SU Only Orange; and the now retired bliss blue. I used a musical note punch that I got long ago from the dollar bin at Michaels. So, those 2 cards and a delicious Mexican Tamale casserole from Sam made my day!!! Can't wait till March when I have spring break and there will be 10 of us meeting at our friend Diane's house.

Valentines

Here are just a few of the valentines cards that I made this year. I never seem to have enough time to make as many as I need to.

The cards with the bird are made using the Holiday Birds set from Hero Arts. You can't see it in the scan but on the card on the far left I stickled the birds wings, the 2 hearts, and the red stripes. The 2 sets of 3 hearts are brads. The other card with the bird I used Cricut to cut out the heart; the red heart inside it is a stickled sticker; and the bow is done using scrappers floss. The card on the top right is done using a Hero Arts heart stamp and in the oval I stamped Love and a leaf from the heart stamp. The leaves are colored in with Artichoke and I also used crystal effects to make them pop. The background is cuttlebug's heart blocks and the ribbon is satin which makes it look more elegant. The last card is a tri-fold using the cricut heart again.

My friend Sam showed me how to make these "gum holders" . They were so fun and so easy to make. This paper I used is from last years Valentine collection from Recollections. Unfortunately, if you live anywhere near one, you know they are now closed.

Sorry about these scans. Not very clear but hope you get the general idea.

TAGGED

I have been "middle name" TAGGED by my good friend Lois because I think she wants me to get my act together and get back posting. Well okay!!

These are the rules:
You must post the rules before you give your answers.You must list one fact about yourself for each letter of your middle name. Each fact must begin with that letter. If you don't have a middle name, just use your maiden name.After you've been tagged, you need to update your blog with your middle name and answers. At the end of your post, you need to tag one person for each letter of your middle name. (Be sure to leave them a comment telling them they've been tagged and need to read your blog for details.

My middle name is Ellen............

E is for Eternally greatful for family and friends
L is for Loving many things i.e. new stamping catalogs!
L is for Looking for more time in a day
E is for Excitable (especially when a new product comes on the market)
N is for No which I just can't say because I am too Nice.

I reserve my right to tag 4 other people because I have been away from this for so long. I will catch up and then watch out-I will get you!!

Happily Ever After

I have been trying to use up some 3D embellishments and find that they work very well on cards. This is a card I did for a friends' sons wedding. The paper is SU Going Gray and Whisper White. The printed paper with the gray hearts is an 8 1/2 x 11 paper found at Hobby Lobby.

The stamp is a $1 one from Michaels and is stamped in SU Pretty in Pink. The heart I colored in with P in P using a blender pen and covered it with crystal effects. The hearts are "destination unknown" Just one of those things that has been around for awhile!!! I popped it up on the card. Inside is stamped "Congratulations on your Wedding"

Sam's thank you

My awesome friend Sam, makes nightlights for every occasion. She recently made me a pumpkin for the season. I have sent her this thank you for it that I created myself. I am going to send it to some publications and hope for the best. I got the pattern from googling pumpkin patterns and then made it pull up with the sentiment inside. I used SU pumpkin pie; the leaves are Prima and floral green wire creates the vines. The stem is a textured paper from Joanns

and I sponged the edges and created the stitching with a close to cocoa marker.

The night light was stained glass and so the sentiment inside says:

colored glass: $10 lead $5 wire $1 creative talent for a finished pumpkin - priceless!

Birthday cards

I have so many birthday's this month and here are the cards I created (I used two of them twice)

1) This card was done using a TAC stamp (Ooopsie daisy)from my friend Sam. I stamped the image in black and colored in the leaves with certainly celery using a blender pen. I used liquid applique (white) for the petals of the flowers and sprinkled dazzling diamonds (SU) before it dried. I used gold stickles for the centers of the flowers. The paper was from SU (certainly celery and whisper white). The embossing is from cuttlebug embossing template. The "happy" and "birthday"(inside) were done by the rolling technique ( stamping the image first in certainly celery and then edging in black.).

2) This card was done using a daisy flower punch; cuttlebug embossing spiral plate for the leaves that were cut by hand. Paper is certainly celery from SU and another paper from Michaels.

The stem and happy birthday are stitched rub-ons.

3) This card is done using SU barely banana as the background. A printed paper from Michaels, and a textured paper from Joanns. The birthday stamp is from Paper Inspirations..

My friend Lois over at gingerbreadaholic sent me a link to a site that made these cute little boxes filled with York Peppermint Patties that were covered with cut out circles. I can't remember the site but I only used her idea and made the boxes differently. Below is the pattern I created and how I did the box and decorated the patties.

Cut a piece of cardstock 5 x 11 inches. Fold in half the long way to get a 2 1/2 x 11 piece. Open up and score every 2 5/8 inches to get 4 squares. There will be a 1/4 inch left at the end.

Cut up from the bottom of each square to the fold line. Fold on the scored lines at the top. Fold in each cut square to make a box and glue together. Glue the 1/4 inch to the inside of the box.

Attach a 1 inch strip (any length you want) for the handle.

Using several size punches, make circles or scalloped circles to cover the pattie. Sandwich the pattie between the punched shapes. (See samples)

Teacher's Cards

My husband who is retired and is now a substitute teacher is subbing for a teacher whose father just died. My husband asked me tonight if I could please make him 2 large sympathy cards that the kids in his 2 classes could sign. Of course he needs them tomorrow! Well, it is near my bedtime but of course I was thinking that with all this "stuff" I have, I should certainly be able to come up with something. Well, here are my 5 minute results. The first card is some awesome masculine paper that I found in my stash of go togethers. (Yes, I do have a file of papers that I consider go-togethers - 2 or more papers that match) This paper is from The Paper Studio called Black Brown Tiles, and Black Brown Argyle. The inside is a taupe from those Stack Packs at Joann's and is stamped with the sentiment from The Stamp Doctor (stampdoctor.com). The ribbon is a black/beige check from Michaels. The base of the card is vanilla. The ink used is SU Close to Cocoa.

The second card is SU bashful Blue background; Close to Cocoa for borders and the paper is Courtyard Flowers from Chatterbox. The stamp inked in Close to Cocoa is from Paper Inspirations. Brown brads from a collection at Joann's rounds out the corners.

Weekend Projects

I have gotten a job working in a reading program at a local K-3 school so have not had much time to devote to this blog. However, my daughter, Jenne, was in town this weekend. She has a severe case of carpal tunnel so couldn't do too much. She needed a frame and some cards so this is what we did.

This was a wooden frame from Michaels, which the recipient will put in a picture of her little one. We created the lighthouse from a stencil and just added pieces. The dirt was just torn pieces of paper and the boat was a wooden one from Michaels. The airplane was from Clip Art and the background paper was just some from Michaels also.

These 3 cards were 1) an underwater scene for the big brother of Aidan (who is getting the frame above). Jenne bought him a book and Nemo stuffed animal and we made this card to go along with it. We got the Nemo from Clip Art. The seaweed is just stamped and cut out on bashful blue and brown torn paper. Inside Nemo says I am the big brother and we also put a little goldfish that says Hi Big brother. The 2) is a trifold card using Baby Boy paper from JoAnns and Brocade Blue and some funky star brads I just happen to have a million of in several colors! This card was for the parents of Aidan and his Big Brother. 3) is a birthday card for Jenne's boyfriend Corwin's niece. She loves butterflies and we were looking on line on Splitcoast and saw a similar card-can't remember who to thank for this! We just drew dots, added tiny prima flowers, and stamped a butterfly and popped up a duplicate on top. This is a $1 stamp from Michaels. Anyway it was a very productive weekend!

Embellishment Challenge

How many embellishments can you put onto a card? Here I have a card using Bashful Blue for the card base. Courtyard Print (2 sided) from Scrapbook Walls is used on the background and the brown ovals cut from SU's large oval punch, and the blue oval from the smaller oval punch. The flower is Courtyard Flowers from SW also. The flower is made by cutting a piece of paper 1 1/2 inches by 10 inches scored every 1/4 inch. Then accordian fold and fan so that the 2 ends go together. This is tricky but you have to hold it flat on your surface. Glue those two ends together. It will keep popping up until you flatten it on your card! I used double-sided tacky tape to really hold it down. I added a 3/4 inch circle that I punched out and covered it with a clear page pebble and a large brad. The "for you" is from SU "fun filled" and the happy birthday is from Memories in the Making rubber roll stamp. The photo turn is from JoAnn's and the brad is SU's bashful blue. The ribbon is ???(just from my stash!) The eyelets in the upper corners are really brads . So in this challenge I have used;
ribbon
eyelet brads
brads
photo turn
page pebble
Now it is your turn. Feel free to pass this around to all the bloggers you know and send me a photo or link to your card. At the end of the week I will post all my entries and have you the viewers pick the winner.

What Your Pizza Reveals

People may tell you that you have a small appetite... but you aren't under eating. You just aren't a pig. You are a very picky pizza eater. Not any pizza will do. You fit in best in the Northeast part of the US. Your taste is rather complex and sophisticated. You consider yourself a gourmet - and a bit of a snob. You are dependable, loyal, and conservative with your choices. You are deep and thoughtful. You should consider traveling to Paris. The stereotype that best fits you is hippie. You knew it was coming.

What Does Your Pizza Say About You?

Because Nice Matters

I have been nominated for the Nice Matters Award and so now I must nominate 5 bloggers that are worthy. Well, actually there are hundreds but 5 is a nice easy number! Before I give you my names I must show you the plaque that my friend Lois over at gingerbreadaholic gave me last year. I feel like I've been given the same award twice and am honored. Of course Lois is my first choice. She is one of the nicest people I know and is always there when I need her advice; help; or just to spend time together. My other 4 nominees are Samm, Malieta,: Cheryl: and Allison , all who leave me wonderful comments on my blog;

More 2 for One

Here are 2 more samples of 2 cards using 1 stamp and the same papers. I also noticed that the card with Joy to the left is SC's sketch challenge today!!!

Get Well Connie

My friend Connie has had some serious operations lately and I thought she needed something to bring back her great sense of humor. This card is the result. I know it will bring a laugh. Get well Connie. I love you!!

Same Stamp/Different Cards

Last night I was surfing the blogsites and came across one that had a challenge to create 2 cards using the same stamp. Well, I thought that was a great idea and kept it in my head until this morning. I created these 2 cards but have no idea where I saw that blog. I went back into several but to no avail. If any one out there knows what site it may be, please let me know so that I can submit these 2 cards. Thanks fellow stampers. You are the best!

Check out Cheryl's site for some great blog candy. She's a keeper to add to your blog list!

Love My Cat

Are there any cat lovers out there??? I'm sure there are! Well my daughter Jenne's cat, Price Tag, aka P.T. has been with "me" for 17 years. She received him from Auntie Debbie at age 13. (Auntie Debbie, by the way, never asked if we wanted a cat!) Well Jenne grew up and went to college; moved to an apartment in San Diego, and has never been able to take care of the cat. So, although he technically is hers, I am Grandma (this is my only grandchild as of yet!!!) and I have had him for 17 years. Last October he was diagnosed with bone cancer and the doctor did not believe he would make it till Christmas. So, I made her this scrapbook of his life to give to her to remember him. Well, it is now August and he is still with us!! The doctor is amazed, that he has lost half of his weight, but is still hanging in there. He doesn't look or act sick so I am thinking that he is on one of those 9 lives (not sure which one though). The last page of the book showing then and now is a picture of Price Tag when we left our home in Massachusetts (the only home he ever knew) to our home in Arizona. Well, I gave her the book before we took a picture of him on our patio out here to put in. Jenne has it now and has put a picture in.
I must have her send me a copy of that page.
This book was put into a pizza box. The first picture is the cover of the pizza box (with PT as head of the house) and the 2nd picture(PT on a quilt) is the inside cover of the box and the 3rd picture (yellow with brown ribbon) is the cover of the book. Enjoy!
I'd love to see your scrapbooked cat too!!!

Check out my Slide Show!

Winner Announced

Thanks to all who entered. After a random drawing Cheryl from mum-on-the-run has won the challenge. As soon as I hear from her a special "black" package of goodies will be sent.

More Halloween

Okay, so I have been going crazy with this new SU Halloween paper. But, luckily, it is almost gone!!! These are 4 cards that I created using the "Batty For You" stamp set and the "Bitty Boos" stamp set. The first card I created the saying which is on a pocket. The BOO is a tag that goes into that pocket.(If you can't read it, the saying is: Gouls & Goblins, Witches too, All so scarry, LOOK OUT! and then you pull out the tag that says BOO). The bottom is embossed using versamark and black embossing powder and the jumbo "Spooky Skyline" wheel. The 2nd card is a small white bag, creating a pocket, that I just inked. The tag with the scaredy cat stamp also goes inside the pocket. The sayings paper on the 3rd card was from last year's collection(?) and the 4th card I used the mega scalloped circle punch, cutting it into 4 pieces, to make the corners. What are you creating for Halloween???? I'd love to see.

Halloween Wallet Card

This is my rendition of a wallet card that I got from Ana's blog inkastamp, in which she did the tutorial. Thank you Ana (now I don't need to do one). This was very fun to do and I have so much Halloween stuff hanging around that I thought I would put it to use.
The first picture shows the outside front; 2nd picture the tab folders that pull out from the front pockets; 3rd photo the inside when opened; the 4th photo the inside with the tab folders that pull out from the front and back covers; the 5th photo is the back cover with the pull out folder.
Sound confusing???? It won't when you make this very easy project.
I used the new SU halloween paper; basic black; and pumpkin pie. All the stickers and embellishments are from all over. I've had them for quite awhile. Give this wallet card a try-it is really cool!

Check out my Slide Show!

Black Flower Challenge

Three more days to take this challenge (see below) I will be picking a winner on Monday August 6. Thank you to everyone who answered the challenge.

Halloween Recipe Box

I have been going through some old magazines for different ideas for Halloween creations and came upon this in last years October, Paper Crafts magazine (pgs.15-17). It was made as an invitation to a Halloween party, but since I am not having a party for Halloween anytime soon I decided to put the recipe on the pull out. Kinda cute for a little housewarming gift if you bring the "brew". I used Pumpkin Pie for the base; the handle is SU's chipboard that I covered with paper and cut out with an X-acto knife; the witch's legs are from Making Memories Halloween glitter stickers: and the Brew bubble letters were from the dollar store. (If you haven't checked out your local store yet, hurry on over. They have great deals on lots of scrapbooking stuff) On the inside I typed the recipe from pg. 15 and printed it on a piece of Xerox paper so that it would roll easily. If you don't have the magazine the directions to make this are as follows:
Cut a piece of cardstock 8" x 3".
Score at 1/2", 2 1/2", and 5 1/2".
Using your X-acto knife, cut a 2 1/8" slit across the 1/2" fold.
Fold the 1/2" strip down and fold on the other score lines bringing the end up and under your 1/2" fold.
Secure with brads.
Embellish as desired.
Glue handle to typed recipe; roll up and put into the now triangle folder and bring handle up through the slit.
Now pull and out comes your recipe!
Black Witches Brew recipe: 1 each of 13 oz. envs. of unsweetened grape and orange drink mix.
2 cups sugar; 3 quarts cold water; 1 liter gingerale (chilled)
Stir together the mixes; sugar; and water until dissolved. Add gingerale.
Serve to all the gouls and goblins!

CHA RAK GIVEAWAY

Check out this site for a fantastic giveaway from Spazzgirl.

She Rocks!!

I have been looking at the Scor-pal and wondering if I really need it. Well, I know I don't really need it!!!! but should I get it!. The site (http://www.scor-pal.com/) has many cool ideas and this is one of them. I have also seen it on a Splitcoast tutorial. Another easy box to put together.

Black Flower Challenge

I bought these beautiful fabric black flowers (can't remember where though) and wondered what I would ever do with black flowers. Well, I have a friend who just had surgery and went to visit her today and made this card for her. The background is cuttlebug's textile embossing folder. So, I have a challenge for all of you to create a card using black flowers. I would love to see your ideas and will reward 1 person (randomly drawn).

I recently went to visit my sister in Palm Beach, Fla. who has a condo on the ocean. She is not a scrapbooker, so I tried to convince her that scrapbooking is the way to go. I made this chipboard book for her which is inside a pizza box that I purchased from Jen, at Just4funcrafts.com. I don't think she is into scrapbooking yet, but she loves the memories we made.