Last Week’s Monday Mailer

I received my Monday Mailer card from Ellie right before I went to CK last week.  It uses the Medallion again!  And now, I’ve gone and ordered it myself so you’ll be seeing some cards with it from moi!!

Here’s Ellie’s version …. and a great one I think!!

Aren’t those colors great together??

Monday Mailer / Christmas Card

Here’s the Monday Mailer I sent this week. This is from a new Hostess Set …. The More the Merrier. This set will have a lot of use – Christmas, Halloween birthdays … very versatile! I ran the Sahara Sand through the Big Shot using the Top Note, then turned it 90 degrees and ran it through again to make the shape that I stamped on. I colored the button with ink and used Chunky Glitter on the card. Hope you like it!

I won’t be posting for a couple of days. I’m waiting for Marianne to pick me up to go to uptown Charlotte. We are attending the CK Convention and spending 2 nights at the Hilton!! I am so excited! Just hope I can keep my spending in check!!

Last Week’s Monday Mailer

I want to share the Monday Mailer card I received last week.  It uses the Medallion background stamp.  When I first saw this stamp in the catalog, I was not impressed …. even though it is one of Shellie’s favorites.  But as time has gone on and I have seen a lot of the fabulous cards others have made with this stamp, I have it on my list to order!  

She stamped (and embossed) the Medallion in Vanilla Craft Ink on the Razzleberry cardstock.  It is then layered onto a Vanilla card and the edges have been distressed.  The ribbon is the polka dot Razzleberry ribbon (turned over) layered onto a piece of Vanilla Grosgrain ribbon with a button that I believe she colored to match.  Isn’t it great?

Birthday Celebration

This week was my nephew’s 20th birthday!  Wow …. doesn’t seem like he should be that old.  Or for that matter, that my sister should be old enough to have a 20 year old!!  I used to change HER diapers and his!!  Like I’ve said before, how time flies when you’re having fun!!  We celebrated his birthday Friday night at a local Japanese restaurant and a good time was had by all.  I think he is set now with gift certificates from grocery stores, Wal Mart, etc. to stock his apartment when he returns to college next week.

I made a gift card holder from the Top Note die and it was so easy! 

Remember …. click on the pictures to see them larger.

Here’s the birthday boy! 

Here’s the family (minus Harrison – think the food got to him - he escaped to the bathroom for about 30 minutes!!)

Here’s a cute picture of Marianne & me -

Shape Class #2

I’ve been busy this week getting my supplies ready for the class I am teaching tomorrow at Stampers Alley.  It is another Shape Class.  I am doing three separate shape classes and this is the second one.  The final one will be August 22.  Here are the cards we will be making tomorrow afternoon:

I found this frog template on a blog.  It opens up and also fits in a regular envelope.  Isn’t he cute?

 

 

This flip flop card also opens up and there is small post-it note pad inside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The watermelon card is called a “Spring” card because it springs up when taken out of the envelope.  The instructions for it are on Splitcoast Resources.  I used Crystal Effects for the seeds.

I think these are my favorite!  I found the instructions for these on the ScorPal website.  I used Dew Drops on the chocolate one for “sprinkles”.  On the vanilla cone, I ran it through my Big Shot with a Cuttlebug folder.  The “chocolate sauce” is actually Crystal Effects with a little brown ink refill mixed in!  The strawberry cone has Liquid Appliqué with some pink embossing crystals mixed in.

Loads of Love to New Neighbors

I’ve been a bad blogger this week!  Sorry.  Thursday I went to Charlotte and did some volunteer work at the Red Cross office.  I took my mom and dropped her off at a friend’s house.  That was nice for her since she doesn’t drive so she doesn’t get many chances to see some of her old Charlotte friends.   I ended up finishing my work about 1 pm so I went to Park Road Shopping Center and had lunch and walked around the shopping center.  I can remember when that shopping center was the main shopping place in that area of town and I spent many a day wandering into the shops back in the 60’s! 

Today I went to Charlotte …. again!!  Can’t believe how many trips to Charlotte I’ve made in the last 2 weeks!  Sonny had a doctor’s appointment this a.m. in Charlotte for a second opinion on his hip replacement.  After sitting in the waiting room for an hour, we walked out!  I get so irritated when they over-book patients.  I guess they don’t think our time is as important as theirs!  Heaven only knows what is going to happen down the road if this new health plan gets pushed through Congress.  Anyway, I guess Sonny won’t be getting a second opinion.  He is thinking about getting his hip replacement the first of 2010.

Some new neighbors moved in this week just one house over from us.  (There are only 3 houses on our cul-de-sac.)  The family is actually just moving from another house in the neighborhood.  I made a casserole and some chocolate chip cookies for them tonight and took it over with this card:

I took the picture before I colored in their hair & skin and it’s too late to take another picture – I’ve already given her the card!!

Background Technique

I played around today with making a background for this card:

Isn’t it cool?  Here’s what I did:

I used Craft Inks and “smooshed” them onto Mellow Moss cardstock.  I started with White and smooshed it around in 2-3 places; then I used Mellow Moss and Perfect Plum and “smooshed” them in several locations.  Then, I used different colors of Pearl Ex and dusted them over the inks.  After that, I sprayed the whole thing with a clear sealer.  Next, I stamped the pine cone branches in Brown Craft Ink and embossed them with Hologram Embossing Powder.  I edged the card with a brown Copic.

For the focal point, I stamped the wheat on Elegant Eggplant in Versamark and embossed it with Copper Embossing Powder.  Then I stamped the pheasant in brown craft ink on Really Rust cardstock, embossed it clear, cut it out and popped it up.  I tore the edges of the Eggplant piece and edged the edges with Gold Encore Ink and dusted it with Pearl Ex.   I layered the whole card on Elegant Eggplant. 

What do you think?

Here’s another background I did.  I just haven’t made a card out of it yet:

A Friendly Challenge

Saturday after my Shape class at Stamper’s Alley, I saw a really cute tri-fold card that was on display.  Debbie, Judy and I examined the card to figure out how to make it.  I told Debbie I’d put one on my blog and for her to post one on her blog.  I tease Debbie because she is not great about keeping up her blog.  (It may have something to do with the fact that she works full time but I don’t know!!)  Anyway, lo and behold, Sunday night, Debbie had made the card and posted it on her blog HERE.  Isn’t it great?

Well, I actually made my card on Sunday after we got back from the Lake as my Monday Mailer.  I wanted to wait until I got it in the mail to Ellie before posting it though.  So, even though Ellie won’t receive it for a day or two, I’m going to share it with my faithful blog followers!

Here is the card open:

Card Recipe

• Stamp:  SU Wings of Friendship (Hostess)
• Paper:  Regal Rose; So Saffron; White, Tea Party DSP
• Accessories:  Circle Maker; Dazzling Diamonds; Celery Ribbon; ScorPal; Hole Punch; Rhinestone Brad
• Ink:  Regal Rose, Certainly Celery (SU) 

Happy Birthday Mom!

Saturday is my Mom’s 81st birthday!  Today my two sisters and myself took her downtown Charlotte.  It was a wonderful day and I think she really enjoyed herself.  I know we wore her out …. she was snoring on the way back home!!  We started out at the Levine Museum of the New South looking at the exhibits of Charlotte and the South the way it used to be back when farming and cotton were the main way to make a living.  After the museum, we walked over to Mert’s Heart and Soul Restaurant!  Yum, Yum!!  We had a great lunch!!  The people at Mert’s really know how to cook the southern way!  I had a vegetable plate  - green beans, mac & cheese, squash, okra & tomatoes and some of the best cornbread you’ve ever eaten!!  We sure wanted dessert, but unfortunately, there was no room in our stomachs. 

After lunch, we had to walk all that food off so we headed to Tryon Street and wandered up and down trying to remember where all the department stores used to be located.  When I was a young girl, I used to take the bus downtown on Saturdays and visit my grandmother and great aunt where they worked (Montaldo’s) and visit my grandfather at the men’s clothing store he worked at.  Then I would go to Woolworth’s to spend the money my grandfather had given me and perhaps to the movies.  It was a fun day.  Well, now Montaldo’s is the Mint Museum of Craft & Design and the men’s store my grandfather worked in is Hooters!!  It makes me sad that the city leaders thought it best to implode most of the old buildings downtown to put in new ones.  (The Mint Museum is still in the Montaldo’s building which is gorgeous.)  

It was a fun day and it was nice to be with my sisters and my mom.  Tomorrow we are going to cook ribs on the grill at Mom’s house and celebrate her birthday.

Here is the card I will be giving her tomorrow:

I used the SU Hostess set Wings of Friendship.

Card Shares

I haven’t shared many cards with you lately and for that, I am sorry.  So I will try to make up for that now!

This card I did for the Stamping 411 challenge last weekend and sent to my daughter.  She and I seem to share that shopping gene!  Her weakness is shoes … mine is probably purses & stamps!  So this card hits them all!

I used a clear stamp set from Stampendous.  The cardstock is Stampin’ Up.

This is the inside of the card!  It sure looks green but believe me, it was yellow!!

These are the Monday Mailers I have received so far from Jennifer.

This one uses the Top Note Die and it is crimped!  Isn’t the flower lovely?

I’m not sure what this card is called – but it swings open where the brad is on the side to reveal the message inside.

 

Happy Anniversary

My sister’s anniversary was Saturday …. 28 years!  Where does the time go?  I remember when she got married in 1981.  Both my children and myself were in the wedding.  My son was the ring bearer (at 2 1/2 yrs. old).  He was just so cute in his little white outfit.  He could only stand still at the front of the church for so long before he started tossing the ring pillow up in the air!!  Luckily, my husband was nearby to rescue him.  My baby sister looked beautiful on her special day.  I remember a day or so before she got married I told her she was too young to be getting married!  She was just 21 at the time.  So many memories! 

This is the card I sent to her on Saturday.  I stamped the Lace Background (retired) on the Gable Green card.  I stamped the flowers from Pocket Silhouettes in White Craft Ink onto Vellum and backed it with a piece of Lovely Lilac.  The butterfly is done on vellum (Flight of the Butterfly).  It is a Two-Step Stamp which means I stamped the first stamp – the butterfly outline – in White Craft Ink and embossed it.  Then I stamped the “filler” butterfly in Lilac.  I just love two-step stamping!  The “congratulations” is from a retired set from Saleabration.

Stamp Classes

I’ll be doing a few classes at Stampers Alley in July and August.  We’ll be making various shaped cards.  I’ve been having fun creating different cards for this.  Here are the ones I will be doing July 25.  If you’re in the area, come join us!!

This is a mini backpack!  It opens up and you can put some small items inside.

This is a refreshing glass of lemonade!

This teacup actually has a teabag inside!

This goes on your water bottle to hold your drink mix!

NMBS Blog CASE

I’m a member of the NMBS (No More Bad Swaps) group.  Periodically, they have a featured “nimbee” and ask that you CASE one of their cards.  So, that’s just what I did today!  You can check out her blog HERE.  Here is Adela Rossol’s card:

Here is the card I made:

I used the stamp set, Echoes of Kindness, a retired hostess set, and Flight of the Butterfly.  The sentiment, cherish, comes from the Baroque Motifs set.  I colored the flowers using my Blender Pen and Rose Red ink and the leaves are done with Old Olive marker.  The base card is Bordering Blue and the flower image is matted with Rose Red and Old Olive.    The DSP is non Stampin’ Up.

411 Challenge

I made my card for the 411 Challenge last night. It’s also going to be a birthday card for a friend who lives in England.

Here is the challenge sketch:

Here is my card:

The stamp sets are from Great Impressions but all other items are from Stampin’ Up. The paper is: Certainly Celery, YoYo Yellow and the new In Color, Bermuda Bay. I colored the cars with my Copics and used Glossy Accents on the windshields.

Happy Birthday Tom!

Top 5!!

I'm excited! I made a card last week for the challenge at THIS site and it was was chosen as one of their TOP 5!! Yay!!

Now on to do this week's challenge!

This week’s Monday Mailer

It’s the end of June and I have mailed out my last June Monday Mailer.  Unfortunately, I was not as lucky on the receiving end of my Monday Mailers and only received one card.  My partner was busy and says she will be sending my cards later so I’m being patient!

Here’s my card:

I used the stamp set, Fresh Cuts.  The Fresh-Cut note card is embossed with the polka dot Texturz Plate.  I stamped on Rich Razzleberry (new in color) paper with white craft ink and embossed it.  The flower is punched with the Boho Blossoms punch and sponged with white craft ink.  I used the new polka-dot grosgrain ribbon (Rich Razzleberry) on the side.

This is the inside of the card:

Friend .... ship

I am trying to be a friend with a person in my life by taking baby steps towards a trusting relationship. 

I've recently read an article about making friends out of rivals or enemies.  They listed these ten steps:

1. Find something to talk to them about which has nothing to do with the reason why you are rivals. Most of the time rivalry is a result of jealousy, so find something that is not a bone of contention between you.
2. Talk to them about something that they are very good at or interested in. This will make them relax because they have the home court advantage but at the same time they are not competing with you.
3. When they are not around, make sure that you speak about them the same which you would while they were present. The worst thing that you can do to a rival is say something which fuels the fire. Especially if it comes to them through another source.
4. Make sure that you are not too nice to them when you approach them. If you are they may lose respect for you or think that you are simply 'up to something.
5. Find something that you have in common which you are both passionate about that has nothing to do with the reason you are rivals. 
6. Ask for their advice.  This will impress them that you are humble enough to ask them for advice and that you respect them. Many times rivalry is due to a lack of mutual respect; if you can restore respect,  you can heal wounds caused by conflict.
7. Entrust them with something.  Just make sure that you have done some of the other ten steps to making friends out of rivals first. Trusting people puts them on the hook to live up to that trust. They will not forget it.  Just make sure that you use common sense.
8. Tell them a joke.  Seriously, making someone laugh is the best way to get them to relax. If they think that the joke is funny they may even try to one up you with one of their own. Just make sure that you laugh so that it will not be competitive.
9. As the friendship grows,  ask for them to forgive you for being the way that you have with them. They will most likely follow suit.
10. Find something productive to do with the friendship and it will probably last a very long time.  

So, without further ado, here's the card that I made.

 I used the new Soft Suede cardstock (new In Color) for the card base with some retiring DSP.  The stamp set is Boatloads of Love and I watercolored the image.  I used Liquid Applique on the clouds.  I also used the Nestabilities Labels One die.

Fathers Day Cards

 

 

 

Card Makers Series Workshop

I took a card class at Stampers Alley on Saturday taught by the very talented, Debbie Holland.  Debbie started teaching this card series classes several months ago and does them every other month.  We make 6 cards using 3 colors of the month that she has chosen (this month was red, yellow and blue) and 1 basic sketch that she has chosen.  Debbie is the most organized teacher you could ever want.  She has our cards all in a plastic bag and they are each labeled 1-6.  Then she has all the materials to make the each card in a plastic tray numbered 1-6.  So, 2-3 people can work on one card at a time and then just pass the trays around.  It is so nice to take Deb's classes.  Here are this month's cards:

Monday Mailers

Here are a couple of Monday Mailers I received recently.

This one is my last one for May from Tammy.  I love the long card.  I never think to do this size card but it's great and goes in a legal sized envie.  She used the daisy Sizzix die (my fav!)

This is my first one from Karen Culler.  Here is another favorite stamp set of mine because it is just so versatile.  It is so simple but so nice.  The inside says "you, you, you."  (or as my hubby would say, it doesn't say that ... you have to read it!)