Thanks A Latte!

I just LOVE this set from SU. It's an old set that has since retired. I found it the other day when I was cleaning out one of my stamp drawers and thought I mind want to dust it off a bit! A friend of mine recently gave me a gift card to our local Coffee Depot, and I needed to thank her. I thought this make the perfect card. I used Birdie Collection double-sided cardstock from Crate Paper, along with some mocha colored cardstock. The images, with the exception of the steam & sugar cubes, are stamped in burnt umber. I stamped the coffee cup three times, once on the cardstock, once on patterned cs, and once more on a sherbet colored cs. I paper-pieced the final image together. The steam and sugar cubes are stamped using cotton white Stazon. I then outlined the images with my glue pen and covered in Stampendous ultra fine crystal glitter. I tied a small Martha Stewart ribbon in Cloud around the handle of the cup by punching a hole just inside and tying the knot around the edge of the paper. The layout is last week's SCS Sketch Challenge.
Enjoy!

Mom's Birthday Card

This technique was actually fairly simple. I used a piece of patterned cardstock - source unknown - and scored it using the ScorPal from TAC. I then folded on the score lines and lightly sanded following with a light inking with both an umber and white ink. I layered the patterned piece onto brown and tan cardstock. I tied a piece of sheer tan ribbon around the entire card. I added a layered Prisma flower in a rust color. I embellished all of the intersecting folds with pearl colored Bella Baubles. Mom LOVED it - hope you do, too!

Hubby's Birthday Card

I bought this set at Archivers recently, and just LOVE it! It's called Birds Gallore by Inkadinkadoo. I first stamped the owl in a dark umber on birch cardstock, then stamped over it with VersaMark and embossed using clear embossing powder. It gives it a small extra touch. I layered the image onto a Spellbinders rectangular Nestability and embellished the corner with lime Bella Baubles. I used brown cardstock as a base, then using olive cardstock and embellished with Basic Grey's Ladies Book Club/Stella Ruby, I covered the front using triangular shapes. The stripe makes an awesome masculine card. I tied a brown ribbon around the front and layered the completed image on the front. Enjoy!

Apologies....

To all of my subscribers and visitors, I apologize for not posting lately. It's been quite a busy couple of months for my family. My father was hospitalized at the end of April with pneumonia. During his many tests, the doctors discovered both a lung mass and a small blood clot. Of course, the blood clot took priority since it could be immediately life threatening. After a lengthy stay in the local hospital, he was released on blood thinners. During his follow-up with the lung specialist, we were given two options regarding the mass.... we could repeat a CT scan in 2-3 months to see if the mass had grown, or we could take the risk of taking him off blood thinners to have a biopsy done. After much discussion and weighing risks and benefits, we opted for the later. So, in late May, we took him to Lubbock, TX, to have the biopsy. From this point, June is a blur. He was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer. We have done many other tests to see if he would be a candidate for surgery and to see if there was cancer anywhere else in the body. Luckily, the PET scan showed no metastisis of the cancer! Also, his echocardiogram and lung function tests both showed he was borderline for surgery. He went to Albuquerque this past week to see a cardiothoracic surgeon, and has been scheduled for a lobectomy (removal of one lobe of the lung) on July 15th.
Please keep us in your prayers, and I will post updates.

Carousel Notes Purse

Well, first of all I CANNOT believe that it's been 3 weeks since I posted! Where is the time going? We had spring break the last week of March. The following week, I went along as a sponsor with Brody's JROTC unit to visit the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. It was a really FUN trip! The kids kept us in stitches the whole time. While we were there, we found out that Brody was accepted to attend the Summer Seminar at the Academy! Only 720 students a year are admitted. We feel very blessed! Since we've been home, it's just been run, run, run....

So finally.... I was perusing SCS a while back and found this incredible "Carousel Notes Purse" posted by Jan. I just LOVED it! One of my very good friends, Michelle, just became a grandma for the first time last Thursday. What perfect timing... I could make one for her to put her BRAG pix in! I didn't have the actual carousel note cards and envelopes from SU, but I had picked up some of the "Yours Truly" scalloped note cards and envelopes from Archiver's while I was in Colorado. They worked just as well, plus they come in a ton of different colors. The patterned paper is Basic Grey's new Sultry collection. The body is made of two square envelopes and a piece of matching cardstock. The envelopes are left open so that you can place a scalloped note card in each side for additional pictures or journaling. In the center section, I computer generated the new baby's info and a little poem about granddaughters. I embellished the inside with some coordinating Bazzill Bity Blossoms and Cupcake Doodlebug Jewels. The front is adorned with the baby's initial on a small scalloped background. The scalloped flap on the purse is set off with Bella Baubles in raspberry. I LOVE the way it turned out and think Michelle will be just as pleased. Thanks for looking!

Swim Banquet

Well, last night was finally the swim banquet! It was an awesome evening! Brody stole the show; it was like a sweep at the Oscars! He received "Rookie of the Year". This award is given to a swimmer who has truly contributed to the success of the team by earning points for meets and actively participating in relays. The awardee does not have to be a first year swimmer, just one that has not lettered in Varsity yet. He also received the "Will to Win" award, along with his relay team, for their efforts at the State Finals. Their relay switched it's swim order at the last second, and fought to stay ahead. In the end, they took first in the conselation finals. He received a certificate for swimming in the top 16 at State Finals. He also lettered in Varsity for the year. And, finally was awarded All-American Academic Swimmer. I never been more proud! He was gliding on air. Thanks for sharing in my joy!!!

Happy St. Patrick's!

Well, I finally decided I'd better get busy working on some Irish creations for St. Patrick's Day! Since I claim to be an Irish Angel and all!
I made this journal using a notebook purchased from Target. I covered the front with the shimmery Green Day paper from Reminisce. I added some coordinating cardstock stickers to the front, and used ribbon GALLORE that I had purchased quite a while back from Michaels. I will probably use it on my upcoming travels to Ireland!

I created this triangular card using a template from my stamping friend, Becky. We used this back in October to make an adorable Halloween card. I used a Green Day cardstock shamrock sticker inside. The lips are from an old SU set "Kiss Me" that I still LOVE. I stamped them in pink and embossed with clear powder. The shaker contains little shamrock confetti that I picked up at a party store yesterday. The ribbon is a little long, but worked out perfectly once knotted claiming, "kiss me, I'm Irish".

I am so Lucky! This layout was cased from SCS. I've noticed it popping up more and more. I again used various Green Day papers for the squares in the lower right hand corner. The shamrock is a little jewel that I also picked up from a party store yesterday. Simple, but cute!

The day just wouldn't be complete without a little gift for the gals in the office. I happened to run across some inexpensive shamrock bracelets in the party store, so I grabbed several. The tins are from the wedding favor section at Target. I adorned each tin with a strip of Green Day paper and more Michaels ribbon. I scalloped punched coordinating green cardstock for the tops of the tins and placed them using foam adhesive. The top is adorned with one of the shamrock jewels from the party store.

Thanks for looking! Happy St. Patrick's!

Lazy Bunny!

I just LOVE both of these stamp sets from TAC. They have both been retired for a year or so, but I still like using them - especially together. I think the bunny is adorable trying to climb out of the basket. I took my inspiration for this card from Faith Hofrichter. Her creations are absolutely gorgeous with all the layering, ribbons, etc. Mine is no where near her caliber, but it turned out cute just the same. The image is paper pieced using white cardstock, SweetPea Alyssa from Basic Grey, Prismacolors and mineral spirits. It contains over 10 layers! Even the pads of the bunny's foot are layered. It took about 3 hours to finish, but was well worth it! The solid cardstock is all DCWV. I used my Spellbinders Nestability rectangle die to cut the center background. The shear pink ribbon (source unknown) is run through and tied around the handle of the basket. The final card is adorned with Bella Baubles. Happy Easter!

Swim Banquet

I have no idea where the month of February went! It's all been a blur. We have finally finished swim season - whew! Now I'll have some weekend time to get some things done and posted. Most of the team made state finals. Brody's relay team qualified for the consolation finals and took first place. They were so thrilled! Now we're on to the swim banquet in just a week and a half. I was charged with making the invitations. I wanted something VERY special as the kids have worked so hard this year. Our high school's mascot is the powercat. I found the stamp at Morning Star Stamps and the ribbon is from M & J Trimmings. They have some really cool ribbon! I used purple and black Bazzill for the card. The powercat is stamped using purple ink onto white cardstock. The invitation was computer generated and printed on vellum. I have already gotten so many compliments on it from the other parents. I hope it is something special to the team.

Total Case

I was surfing SCS the other day, and came across a beautiful index card box made by Sharon Johnson. It was absolutely gorgeous! Sharon joined a group of women that are committed to memorizing scripture. They each post a "Divine Design" verse on the 8th of the month and hope to have a complete keepsake by year-end. Read more about the challenge here.
I just happened to join a ladies study group at my church last week. We are studying "Experiencing the Heart of Jesus" by Max Lucado. Each week we have an assignment in our workbook and a verse to memorize. This project would be PERFECT to go along with my study. Thanks, Sharon, for your fabulous inspiration! I used a dark chocolate cardstock and Basic Grey Periphery paper. I computer-generated the verses. My project is embellished with mixed Aqua Bella Baubles and Martha Stewart Ribbon from Michael's. The verse on the front of the box is just one of my favorites! Thanks for looking!

Ghirardelli Treasure Box

I'm home sick today with the nasty respiratory virus that's going around. So, I thought I'd share a post or two. Everyone I've come in contact with this past week has been ill. I guess I've fought it off as long as possible!
Anyway.... I've been seeing some very cute ideas to wrap the square Ghirardelli chocolates, and wanted to join in. Several years ago, I made a much larger version of this to hold a notepad. I thought I could easily adjust the size to fit the adorable square chocolates. I started with the rich, decadent Reminisce Flirt Forever paper. This paper is irridescent and shimmery - what else goes better with chocolate, right? I made a 2" sqaure box, 1" in depth to hold the chocolates using the paper. I then used Diva Bazzill Bling to make the covering. I cut a strip 2 3/8" X 5 3/4". I scored vertically along the 5 3/4" side at 2 5/16" from each end and pre-folded. I attached a strip of chocolate ribbon to the inside using adhesive, then attached my box to the bottom and back. I cut a 2 1/4" square to cover the inside flap & ribbon and attached. I adorned the top with a heart and shadow cut using my Cricut All Mixed Up cartridge. The box will hold 3 chocolate squares - just perfect! Thanks for looking!

Monthly Swap Group

Our lives have been insanely crazy the last few weeks. The swim team is gearing up for State Finals, we've been preparing for a Youth Rally at our church, and are just beginning the planning for the annual Swim Banquet. We've had a meet out of town every weekend since mid-December. We are off this weekend - and I can't wait!!! I'll have a little time to stamp!
The PhotoBucket slide show is a sampling of the cards I just received from my monthly swap group for January. I'm always bragging about them. So, I thought I'd better share! The theme was Easter or Spring. Enjoy!

January Swap Group

Valentine Stamp Camp

Well, not so much stamping, but Valentine all the same! We will be doing these projects on Super Bowl Sunday. I cased Becky for the hot tamale container, Sonja for the peppermint patty box, and several people on SCS for the heart-fold envelope. The hot tamale box is made from acetate 8" X 8 1/2". It is scored at 2" on the 8" side, and at 2", 4", 6", and 8" on the 8 1/2" side. A box top and bottom were made from the new TAC Miss Moxie cardstock. I used terrifically tacky tape on the bottom of the acetate box to hold the ribbon and box bottom on. I punched slots through the box lid, ran my ribbon through and knotted. You could personalize more by adding a tag. The patty box follows Sonja's template and hold 2 patties. I used some Art Warehouse Limited Edition Valentine stamps, but will use a TAC set for my camp. The heart-fold envelope is a 6" X 6" square with each corner folded into the center and each adorned with a die cut heart. Inside, I also cased Sonja's idea using the little Valentine credit cards from Walmart. I think this will make an adorable set for anyone!

Sweet Treats

I found these adorable little plastic heart containers at Hobby Lobby - two for $1.00! I bought several in both pink and red. I'm always looking for something to alter and knew I could do something with them.
I tried some mini Reese's cups inside - 11 fit perfectly! I used my new Sweet Love set from PaperTrey to cover the tops of the cups. I wanted to wrap a ribbon around the container and tie it through the slits on the sides, but also needed a way to hold the candy in. Acetate would work perfectly! So, I turned the container upside down and traced the opening on acetate using a white photo pencil. I cut the acetate just inside the marking. I used a slot punching tool (TAC) to punch slits to match the container. I ran ribbon through both slits and knotted on top. I asked my oldest son (17) what he thought about them. He said, "well, if they are for us, you can just give us the candy. It doesn't have to be wrapped up." I hope you enjoy!

Time keeps ticking.....

We are right in the middle of swim season, with a meet EVERY weekend! Don't get me wrong; I LOVE it! But, I just don't have any "me" time for stamping & such. I'm going to take Friday off work just to do that very thing. So keep an eye out for some new posts!
The kids are doing very well. Most of the relay teams, including Brody's, have qualified for the State finals. Many of the kids have improved their individual times significantly. This is Brody (on the far left) with some of his relay buddies! He's pretty fortunate that he gets to participate on both the "A" and "B" relay teams. He has received another letter from the men's head coach at the US Air Force Academy inviting him to a summer swim camp. But, he's also been invited to swim with People to People in Holland. WOW! This could be a VERY busy and expensive summer!!! I am so proud to be his mother!
Here's an awesome shot of Brody coming off the block for an individual free-style swim.

Stinkin' Cute

Wow! It seems like I've been out of touch for weeks, but it's only been a few days! It is swim season for my oldest son. So, my weekends are jam-packed with out of town events.
As soon as I got home, I thought I'd better get busy with my monthly swaps. I am so blessed to belong to a fabulous swap group. We swap monthly by theme. This month's swap is Easter. I found this adorable little skunk in the new TAC catty and thought he would be precious! It is springish, but I wasn't so sure about Easter. I wanted to give it a shot anyway, so I used my oval nestability dies to make an "egg" shape for him to peek through. The base cardstock is DCWV yellow #1. The patterned cardstock is from the new Miss Moxie design from TAC. Other supplies used are: Prismacolor pencils, Noir and Bordeaux Palette inks, and Trendy Greetings (all TAC). Of course I had to add a little ribbon to my egg.
Enjoy!

Wool you......

I just couldn't wait to get my hands on the new Papertrey Valentine set - "My Punny Valentine" and absolutely adore the way this turned out! I fell in LOVE with the little lamb the moment I saw him. And, of course, Valentine's is one of my fav days anyway! I started my layout for this card THE DAY I ordered the set last week. I nearly posted it without the image just to tease, but decided against it.
I used chocolate DCWV cardstock as the card base. I layered it with DCWV red cardstock that I had run through my Cuttlebug for a little texture. Next I layered patterned Blush Basic Grey matted with chocolate cardstock. These were wrapped in a flat satin chocolate ribbon including a shrink plastic charm with my sentiment "Wool you be mine?" The final layer is red and chocolate cardstock. On this I added my little lamb. The body was cut using a Spellbinders oval Nestability. I ran this through my Xyron machine to add adhesive to the front and covered it in a thick layer of white Fun Flock (TAC). The head and legs are stamped in a dark umber ink and cut from white cardstock. The legs are attached to the front using adhesive. I glued the little head to the body and attached it to the front using foam adhesive. Naturally, I JUST HAD to embellish using a few of my new Bella Baubles!
This will more than likely be my hubby's Valentine! Thanks for looking!