Spread the Joy!

I don't go to many concerts but I felt like I was at one Saturday night.  I listened and watched the live stream (on my computer) of the first iHeartRadio Country Festival live from Austin, Texas.  It started at 8:30 and I finally called it quits at 1:00 a.m.!  I think Luke Bryan was singing the final song.  I felt like I was really there with the crowd.  The artists were great - Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Hunter Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Jake Owen and Dan + Shay.  Each artist sang at least 4 songs and many sang more than that.  It was awesome!!

While listening to the concert, I did a little creating.  I have this stamp set, Spread the Joy, that has not seen ink yet.  Wouldn't you know it - right after I got it a few months ago, it was retired.  Oh well, I really like the saying on it and will continue to use it.  The stamp was created by a Stampin' Up employee, Emily.  Stampin' Up held a design contest and this was the winner.  Here is how Emily describes the set:  "The theme—Bucket List—was tricky! Although I do want to go skydiving and visit all 50 states, a big part of my bucket list is becoming what I want to be—so my set is a reminder. “Spread the Joy” reminds me to let loose and enjoy life; to leave love notes for my husband and kids; to be brave when life is stormy; and to do the things that really matter! I’m particularly proud of the jam and bread—100 percent my husband’s idea."  Cool, huh?




What's on your bucket list?  I still have a few things on mine but I am marking a lot of them off and not sitting around dreaming about them!

I used the Hardwood background stamp (in Occasions mini catalog) for the background and stamped it in Pool Party.  The die cut piece is from Apothecary framelits.  There is not a framelit or punch for the oval saying so I hand cut it.  I don't think I would have thought about putting these colors together - Pool Party and Crushed Curry - but I got the idea from my Color Coach (a great tool) and I really like it!

Marianne and I got together this weekend and put the finishing touches on the Quarterly that we are hosting this weekend.  I think we are ready!!  I am hoping by the weekend Sonny will be back to his old self.  He is still feeling poorly.  He went to the dr. on Thursday and started on an antibiotic and a pill for his cough and I thought he would be rallying by now.  But I woke up during the night and he was missing from his side of the bed.  He ended up sleeping in his chair last night and is still asleep this morning.  He's getting pretty grumpy from feeling bad for so long and I don't blame him.  The weather is supposed to be in the 80s later in the week and I know he wants to be outside!!

Petal Parade .... going, going ..... almost over!

Sale-a-Bration is fast coming to an end.  You have until Monday to take advantage of getting something FREE!!  So I made several cards this week using some of the items from the Sale-a-bration catalog.

I have not really used this stamp (Petal Parade) much so decided to dust it off and stamp with it before it's too late!!  I also used the twine in Summer Starfruit that is a Sale-a-bration item.  I really love the twine and hope it will be an item in the new catalog this summer.  The DSP pieces I cut into banner shapes.  As much as I love the Sweet Sorbet DSP, the piece that I used here (with the black and multi-colors) is not my favorite and I have had a hard time figuring out how to use it.  But I really like the way it pulls the other colors out in this card.  So, looks like if you just use a small piece in a background, it will pull your card together.  I lined the Summer Starfruit and Pool Party arrows up using my favorite tool, my Stamp-a-ma-jig! Love that tool!  In fact, I lost mine a few months ago (still haven't found it) and have had to replace it.  I also used it to line up the sentiment.  I love how that sentiment (from Perfect Pennants) fit perfectly beside the pennants.  Believe me, I did NOT plan it!!  I don't tend to plan when making a card - I just stamp.  Sometimes that's a good thing, other times not so much.  On this card, I was originally going to stamp the sentiment on top of the stamped flowers.  When I looked at the card I decided there was too much white space at the top so set out to find a sentiment to fill it up.  This one was perfect, don't you think?

Don't know if you can tell, but I took this card outside to take my picture .... in the SUNSHINE!!  It's not warm but the sun did shine yesterday.  On Tuesday, we had a little more snow mixed in with rain in the afternoon!  Crazy!!  Today's temps are supposed to almost get to 60 degrees so we are getting there!  I just hope the weather will be nice for our Quarterly weekend (April 4-5).  I have been really busy getting everything made for it.  Can't wait to share some of the things I have made but I want to wait until after Quarterly so as not to spoil the surprise for those who read my blog.  Marianne and I have made some cute things (in my humble opinion!!)

Sonny is still feeling poorly although he did go skeet shooting yesterday against my advice.  He is in charge of the Catawba group and felt like he had to go.  But when he got home, he called the doctor and is going to see him today.  It's about time!  I'm still fighting it - I'm congested and have been really sleepy.  I went out yesterday and ran a few errands.  It was good to get out of the house but I took a nap about 6:00 pm!  I think I am just getting a cold and I can handle that!

Imagination can take you Everywhere!

Time for Paper Craft Crew Challenge.  I have missed several of the challenges lately for one reason or another.  But I made sure I did my card early this week and got it posted.  I opened up My Digital Studio for my card as usual.  I really love this card I made this week!

I used DSP from Sweet Sorbet and the cork flowers and embellishment on the side are from Sale-a-bration.
This was a fun sketch with all the banners and the word bubble.  Why don't you give it a try and post your creation HERE

Ampersands are the Rage!

More bad weather moving in tonight!  Rain or snow is predicted for tonight and tomorrow but no accumulation.  The high tomorrow is only supposed to be 48 degrees!  Hopefully, this is the last hurrah for winter here.  I would like to get my capris and flip flops out of storage!

Things are getting better at the Maranich household.  Sonny is still not 100% but he is starting to rally.  I have "gunk" in my throat and sound kinda "froggy" but I am not achy like I was yesterday.  It's gotta be the honey and cinnamon!!

I played around yesterday with making a couple of cards with My Digital Studio.  Here is one of them using the popular Ampersands.  Isn't it funny that ampersands are in vogue now?

Here is my supply list for the card:
 Background
     Color = BAKED BROWN SUGAR

Embellishments
   (3)  Staple & Stitching\Chocolate - Simple Stitches line 3
 
Stamps
    OVERLAYS\Decorative Overlays\Decorative Overlays - woodgrain, Color = SOFT SUEDE
    OVERLAYS\Decorative Overlays\Decorative Overlays - woodgrain, Color = VERY VANILLA
    Designer Kits\Amped Up Ampersands\Amped Up Ampersands - ampersand,  VERY VANILLA
    Bring On the Cake\Bring on the Cake - happy birthday script,
    Bring On the Cake\Bring on the Cake - happy birthday script,
    Designer Kits\Amped Up Ampersands\Amped Up Ampersands - and many more,  EARLY ESPRESSO
 
Punches
    Basics\1.25 Square Punch,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Be Yourself - designer series paper\Be Yourself - paper 9
    Labels & Tags\Tag It - punches\Tag It - tag 1, Fill Color = SUMMER STARFRUIT
    Labels & Tags\Tag It - punches\Tag It - ticket, Fill Color = SOFT SKY
    Basics\Scallop Oval Punch, Fill Color = SOFT SKY

Where is Spring?

Happy Monday!  Luckily this Monday finds me feeling better than yesterday.  Sonny has been down and out with the flu since last Tuesday and I have been really afraid that I would get it.  I don't have time to be sick right now!!  Friday he finally felt like eating something and wanted an Italian Sub from a restaurant in Mooresville.  So I got it for him and he devoured it.  Saturday I drove him (I know he's sick when he lets me drive!!) to town to get breakfast.  Of course that was after he woke up at noon!!  Then that night MY throat started hurting and I started coughing.  Oh no!!  Sunday I was achy all over and sleepy so I laid on the couch most of the day taking Alieve every few hours. Someone in my stamp club told me last week that her chiropractor's nurse told her if you mixed one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon and take that, it would work on flu, cold, etc.  So that's what I did Sunday morning.  Needless to say, the others in my family laughed at me but ....y  I started feeling better in the afternoon and went upstairs to do a little crafting,  I decided to cancel my bridge playing for Monday so I could continue to recupe.  Today I am feeling ok - scratch throat and congested but not like I was feeling yesterday!!  Maybe it's time for more cinnamon and honey????

I am ready for spring weather.  We had a few nice days last week but this week is not going to be too spring'y - highs on Tuesday and Wednesday in the high 40s.  Go away winter!!!  I took a few "spring signs" pictures when I was out on Saturday so I know it really is Spring time.

My camellia bush is loaded with flowers.

a neighbor daffodills

Lenten rose in my front yard

Lenten Rose bush - wish they could not droop like that so you could see their faces!

Beautiful spring tree

Took this picture out of the car window of these beautiful trees

I can't take credit for this but isn't it lovely??

And today I saw a beautiful bluebird on the back deck.  So someone needs to tell the weather man, it is SPRING!

One of the gals in my stamp club had a masectomy last week.  We are all keeping her in our prayers.  This is the card I made and we all signed to send to her.

 

I masked the moon and sponged pink, yellow and blue onto the white card stock.  Next I stamped the images from Serene Silhouettes in Stazon Black onto the card.  I tore a strip of Coordinations card stock and adhered it on the bottom; wrapped a piece of ribbon around the bottom (Pool Party) and adhered the whole thing onto the Pool Party card.

Club Card #2

Today was such a beautiful day!  I went out this morning with a "hoodie" on and by the afternoon, was able to ditch it.  And tomorrow will be even better!!

We had a good time today at Stamp Club.  Here are the final two cards that we made with the Spring colors.  I am going to miss this Sweet Sorbet DSP .... it is so pretty!

I tried to make the cards simple but with a Wow factor.  This one uses the Sweet Sorbet DSP on a Pistachio Pudding card.  I sponged a little portion of the doily Cantaloupe with a dauber.  The little white piece of card stock is actually a little note card that Stampin' Up had a few years ago.  I had a whole package of them that I had never even opened so thought it fit well with this card.  I stamped piece on top with Cantaloupe ink from the Label Love stamp set.  It actually says "Just for You" but we stamped Happy Easter on a scrap, cut it out and adhered it on top of the stamped sentiment.  The twine that is thread through the button is from Sale-a-bration also.

Here is the final card again using Sale-a-bration products.  The card base is Sahara Sand.  I stamped my sentiment in Sahara Sand but I think it is too light so I had the gals stamp theirs with Baked Brown Sugar ink.  This card uses the Sorbet DSP and the Petal Parade stamp,

Club Cards #1

This week is Stamp Club. You can tell from looking at the cards I designed that I am ready for SPRING!! This has been the winter that will never end all over the country.  Monday and Tuesday was bitter cold here - never got out of the 30s either day.  Today wasn't so bad - It did get up into the mid 50s and I only had to wear a sweater when I went outside.  But tomorrow - the first day of spring - the predicted high is supposed to be 66 and Friday in the 70's!!  I'm more than ready.

My club cards are not only spring based but also use a lot of Sale-a-bration items.  This is the final month that you can get these items FREE - or for that matter, get the items at all.  After March 31, they will be gone (except for the Banner Punch.)

This card is one I CASE'd from Monica Gale, a UK demo.  I used the Deco Labels framelit for the opening. The banners are from the Sale-a-bration set, Banner Blast (love it!!) and punched out with the coordinating punch which will be in the 2014-15 SU catalog,   I used a couple of other Sale-a-bration items too - the Decorative Dots embossing folder and the Summer Starfruit twine which I love.  The sentiment is from the Happy Watercolor stamp set.

This is a fun card (above) similar to the one we made last week at Allison's.  I used Soft Suede cardstock cut at 8 1/2" x 5 1/2.  Fold it over without creasing and slide it into the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch, center and punch.  Next score at 4 1/4" from one side.  Cut away the pieces on either side of the scallops and crease one of the scallops - on the larger side.  Decorate as desired.  One interesting thing I did on this card is to stamp on the ribbon.  I used the Petite Petals stamp and Word Bubbles Bundle on the card.

Tomorrow is my eye doctor appointment.  I'm anxious to see what my vision is.  I'm starting to think I miss my old bifocals!  I've been wearing readers that I bought at Michaels for close up.  But taking them on and off constantly is a pain!!  Guess I'll get it figured out soon enough.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't get whatever crud my husband has.  We think it is the flu even though he had his flu shot.  He said he can't remember ever feeling this bad before.  I better not get it!!!!

Daily Deals

It was bitter cold today and rainy.  Uggg - I've had enough!!

And here are this week's deals:

Crisp Cantaloupe 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim Price: $8.95 $6.71 Grad Party Ensemble - Digital Download Price: $9.95 $5.97 In Color Boutique Details Price: $8.95 $6.71 Pewter Stampin' Emboss Powder Price: $4.75 $3.56 Scallop Trim Border Punch Price: $15.95 $11.96 Silver Glass Glitter Price: $3.95 $2.96 Tempting Turquoise Stampin' Emboss Powder Price: $4.75 $3.56 Vintage Trinkets Accents & Elements Price: $5.95 $4.46

Wild Rose

HAPPY ST PADDY'S DAY!

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Did you do something fun for St Patrick's Day this year?  Mine was pretty quiet.  I played bridge and that was pretty much it.  I did put a corned beef brisket in the crockpot before I left this morning.  I bought some cabbage this afternoon and put some in with the beef.  I know that doesn't sound like a big deal but I don't eat cabbage!  Sonny only likes it raw - which sounds awful to me.  Many years ago, my friend, Margaret, made some cabbage for me and I actually liked hers.  I haven't had any since but I ate the cabbage I made tonight (with added butter, salt & pepper) and liked it.  Sonny wouldn't eat it - of course - but he is picky about everything!!  He ate his cabbage raw with Italian dressing on it.

 I got a call back today from my doctor's office about my lab results and I have an infection - a UTI.  It is so weird because I have not had any of the usual symptoms that I have had before.  Oh well, at least it is nothing serious and with the antibiotic, I am on the road to recovery.

Sonny and I went to the movies yesterday.  It was cold and rainy and the theater was packed.  Guess a lot of people had the same idea of what to do on a cold rainy day.  We saw Non Stop.  It was really good.  We didn't find out who the bad guys were until pretty much the end of the movie and they weren't who we thought!  Very entertaining show.

I made this card a couple of weeks ago using a favorite retired stamp, Wild Rose.  Such a pretty two step stamp!

I used two of the In Colors - Gumball Green and Strawberry Slush and the Banner Framelit.

Do you ever lose things in your own home?  I have gotten so bad.  I was getting things together for Stamp Club this week and couldn't find one of the stamps that I needed.  I knew it had to be somewhere in my room since I had just used it Wednesday or Thursday to make the card sample.  I looked everywhere for about an hour - got down on my hands and knees looking under things; went through my stamps about 4 times; cleaned off both desks (which were a mess) and still no stamp.  I was starting to worry that it had fallen in the trash and we emptied the trash on Thursday.  So I decided to take a break and eat dinner and hopefully get a fresh view later that night.  When I went back upstairs, I started the search again with no luck.  I had to take some things into the attic which is accessible through the closet in my craft room and where I keep a lot of craft items that I don't use often.  Would you believe my stamp set was in there????!!  I guess I had it in my hand when I went in there to get something and laid it down.  That would have been the last place I would have looked!!  It's like having keys in your hand and going to the fridge to get the milk and putting your keys in the fridge!!  Oh well at least my desks got cleaned off!!

Swap Cards

I have a few more swap cards that I got at Allison's Monday night.

Nancy's Card

 This card uses the Banners Framelits and the Word Bubble bundle - framelit and stamp.  I love the Word Bubbles!!  I love the colors Nancy used for this card - so bright and cheery.

Allison's Card

Allison used a technique that I haven't tried yet.  The lattice on the side of the card is used with the Chevron Border Punch.  I have seen some videos with this technique but just haven't gotten around to doing it yet.  You punch 2 strips with the Chevron Punch and then weave them together.  I'll do it soon and take pictures - I promise!

Kathryn's Card

I am also in love with the Happy Watercolor stamp and DSP!!  There's so much you can do.  This card uses that great "blob" from the watercolor stamp set.  The flowers are punched with the Petite Petals Punch.  There are a few sequins (from Occasions catalog) and the Watercolor washi tape!  Love it!

So most of the cards are spring like.  Are you ready for spring?  I know I am!  We had another cold front move in yesterday and the high today was about 45.  It was almost 80 degrees on Tuesday!!!

My eye has been doing good the past two days.  I need my readers (from Michaels for $3!) to see close up.  But now I have another problem.  I discovered blood in my urine Wednesday night.  So I went to my doctor today and gave a speciman.  They went ahead and put me on an antibiotic until they can get the results back from the lab which probably won't be until Monday.  Grrr!!  I don't feel bad which is a good thing.  Thing good thoughts for me.

Weekly Deals and Surgery

I had cataract surgery yesterday on my right eye.  Guess I was spoiled by the cataract surgery I had done on my left eye a couple of weeks ago.  The surgery went fine and I was feeling fine until about lunch time.  I think I was trying to use my eye too much too early although they tell you it is ok to read, watch tv, be on the computer, etc.  My eye hurt most of the day - just scratchy and watering a lot - so I spent most of the day laying on the couch.  I also had another funny reaction.  When I got home from the hospital and doctor's office (had to go there right after surgery for them to check it with their equipment), I poured a glass of the flavored water that I drink.  I noticed it tasted odd - kind of flat - but didn't think much about it.  Later I fixed a glass of Diet Coke. UGG!  It tasted awful so I poured it out.  It was from a new case that I had just opened up and we had bought on sale a few months ago so I just thought it had gone bad.  So, I tried a second can - same thing - down the drain it went.  Then I decided to try a Cherry Coke that I had in the fridge (not from that other case)  and it was awful too.  That's when I decided to give Ashley a call and see if she had any insight into the matter.  She told me that sometimes anesthesia has that effect on people - giving things a metallic taste.  At dinner time, I tried the coke again.  It wasn't as bad but I could really taste the metallic flavor that time.  A nurse from the hospital called this morning to check on me and when I told her, I got the feeling she had never heard that.  So far this morning, I am ok.  I've had two cups of Spiced Tea that my good friend made for me and it has been good.  My eye is a little scratchy but nothing like yesterday.  Hopefully, I am on the road to recovery now.  I have things to do and no time to lay around on the couch all day!!

Here are this week's Weekly Deals.  Some good items for your Big Shot!

3 Inch Circle Originals Die Price: $17.95 $13.46	Ahoy, Matey Ensemble - Digital Download Price: $14.95 $8.97	Argyle Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $7.95 $5.96	Chevron Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Price: $7.95 $5.96
Circles #2 Originals Die Price: $15.95 $11.96	Dress Form Pop' N Cuts Price: $21.95 $16.46	Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die Price: $32.95 $24.71	Set Designer Frames Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die Price: $8.95 $6.71

If you do My Digital Studio, here are the specials on sale this week:

Baby We've Grown Stamp Brush Set - Digital Download Price: $4.95	Gold Silver Baker's Twine - Digital Download Price: $4.95	Hello Sailor Stamp Brush Set - Digital Download Price: $4.95	High Tide Designer Series Paper - Digital Download Price: $4.95
Striped Grosgrain Ribbon - Digital Download Price: $4.95	The Grad Life Ensemble - Digital Download Price: $10.95

Swap Cards

Marianne and I have been busy making plans for the NC Quarterly.  It's going to be a good one!  If you live in NC, you might want to join us - just saying!  It's April 4 & 5 and only $20.  So if you are interested, let me know.

Monday I went to Allison's demo meeting.  Allison had some really cute projects for us to do and surprised us all with a really cute frame that she had made for us using her Silhouette Cameo.  I'll share pictures later this week.  We did a small card swap.

This is the card I made:

I used a lot of the products from the Occasions catalog - On Film Framelits, Fancy Foil Designer Vellum (with hearts), Foil Sheets, and Word Bubblets Bundle.  The vellum is on top of a piece of Afternoon Picnic DSP (purple checks).  I added a few red glimmer hearts punched with the Owl Builder Punch.

Here is the card Marianne made:

Isn't it pretty?   I can't help but laught when I think of when I moved here and Marianne told me she was a quilter.  She wasn't going to get involved with my stamping hobby - had no interest!  And here we are several years later and she is a demonstrator!!!

I have to be an the hospital in the morning at 7:45 a.m. for the cataract surgery on my right eye.  Soon I will have both eyes working together and hopefull be able to ditch my glasses.

Life is a Gift

Someone sent me this and I thought it worth sharing and thinking about.



1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short enjoy it.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the future.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Spring Sampler

I have been wanting to make a Sampler Frame (not sure what to call them!) for quite some time - let's say, over a year!!  At one of the Quarterly's a year or so ago, we did a "inchie" swap so we could make our own sampler card or frame when we got home.  Well, those "inchies" are somewhere here in my craft room.  I actually saw them a few weeks ago but can't remember where!!  So I decided to do my own.  I made this first frame a couple of weeks ago mostly using extra pieces that I had made for cards and not used.  I keep them on my desk in a little box.  So, I pulled them out - the flowers, bird, butterfly, pinwheel and added a few other pieces and made this frame.  I used a lot of retired colors in making this frame - Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue, and Certainly Celery - a few of my favorite colors.

close up of pieces in frame

Spring Sampler Frame

Yesterday I decided to make a second sampler to fit in the same frame.  By the way, I bought this frame at Wal-Mart for about $12.  I am going to offer this sampler as a class and having the two samplers, the gals can pick the squares they want to make for their own sampler.

This second sampler uses In Colors - Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Cantalope Crisp and Baked Brown Sugar.

Close up

In Color Spring Sampler

So what do you think?  Would you like to sign up for this class??