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!