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!!