A Scrunchy Vellum flower

What a beautiful weekend we had here in the Carolinas!  The temperature was finally out of the 30's and we saw the sun!  Sonny worked outside - changing oil in our cars, raking leaves, etc. and the ball of ice that is in our heat pump is almost all melted!!  At least it is melted down enough so we were able to run our heater and not on emergency power! 

I made the most gorgous card (in my humble opinion!) yesterday! 

I used Blush Blossom (a color I don't use often) with Soft Suede.  I ran the piece through my Big Shot with the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder.  Then I used my Scor It and scored diagonal lines over the whole piece.  For the flower centers, I chalked Pretty in Pink on a small piece of Blush Blossom.  (I think it was Pretty in Pink!  Last year I dropped my chalks & had to guess which colors were which to put back in the holder.)  I punched out the flower centers with my 1/4" circle punch and glued them down.  The flower is vellum that I chalked with a little Blush Blossom and a little Pretty in Pink (???).  I punched 10 circles with my Scallop Circle Punch and punched a hole through the middle with my piercer and put a brad through the middle.  Then I just scrunched up each petal to the middle.  Here's a close-up of the flower -

The leaves are from the Big Shot also using the Little Leaves die and Certainly Celery.  Tie a piece of Soft Suede polka dot ribbon and mat the piece onto Soft Suede.  Then adhere the whole thing to a Blush Blossom card.  Then sentiment is from Whimsical Words (Saleabration).  I punched it out with my small oval punch and chalked the edges. 

Mojo Monday Challenge

It's been a long time since I've done any challenges.  So, today I did two cards for the Mojo Monday challenge.  I needed a birthday card and a "just because" card, so these are what I came up with.

This one is really bright!  But, I figure, we old ladies like bright colors!!  Don't we???  The inside says "Don't let your age get you down, You might not get back up!"  The stamps are from Little Paper Shop except for the Enjoy sentiment - it's SU.  Hope this card doesn't offend my friend!!

I love this one.  I used Baja Blue and a retired stamp set that I think is my all time favorite and one I'll never get rid of - Art of Life.  I also made a "crinkly flower" with my circle punches.  Here's a close up of the flower. 

I punched one circle from my 3/4", 1", 1 1/4", 1 3/8" Circle Punches and 2 circles from the Scallop Circle Punch.  Then I just wadded each of them up into a tight ball.  Then I straighted them back out and using my paper piercer, punched a hole in the middle where I inserted a Rhinestone Brad.  Then I "poofed" the flower back up and glued it on my card!  A lot of technical terms here but I think you get the picture!!

Just wish I could see my sweet little grandson, but guess I'll settle for pictures on his mom's blog instead like this one -

Playing Mahjong today .... wish me luck!!

Folded Paper Frame for my Monday Mailer

For my Monday Mailer card this week, I did a Folded Paper Frame.  I got the tutorial from Splitcoast.  It took me a couple of tries since I kept cutting the paper to the wrong size and couldn't figure out why it wasn't working!  Duhhhh!!  Anyway, if you cut your paper correctly, it is pretty easy!!  Here is my card:

 

I used Crushed Curry and Rose Red cardstock.  The DSP is from the Occasions Mini Catalog - Sweet Pea.  There is some gorgeous paper in that book!  I had held off ordering it because I though it was a little pricey, but actually it is a whole book of 12 x 12 paper - 2 each of 24 double-sided designs.  (Again, I didn't read all the fine print - I thought it was a 6x6 pack of paper!)  I used the stamp set, Great Friend and embossed the butterfly.  The scallop punch that I used is from the Saleabration catalog (FREE)!!  

If you want directions on this card, to HERE and follow the directions.

Weather update - we only got rain last night!  But, it sure was cold today .... again!!  Tomorrow is supposed to be in the low 40's but warming up by the end of the week to the 50's!!!  Maybe Spring is around the corner.

A few techniques

Today I actually went out on my own!  I figured the roads were clear enough for a non-snow driver like myself to venture onto.  Although, most of the area schools were still out.  I heard a lot of mothers bemoaning this fact when I was in Michaels!  I had my Newcomers meeting this morning.  We did installation of officers for next year.  I was Corresponding Secretary (in charge of the newsletter) last year and am doing it again next year.  I will sure miss my old board members.  We got along so good!  Hopefully, the upcoming board will work just as well together although I don't know many of them.  But, that's what the club is all about - making new friends!

I want to share some of the cards I've made since I've been stuck in the house for the past few days.  It's actually been a pretty productive few days.

This one uses the Embossing Resist Technique on glossy paper.  After running my Embossing Buddy over the glossy cardstock, I stamped the French Script and Inspired by Nature with Versamark ink.  I then embossed it with clear embossing powder and melted it with the heat gun.  Next, I sponged a few colors on the card - Ruby Red, So Saffron, Old Olive.  Then use a tissue to buff the color off the stamped images.

For this card, I stamped the glossy white paper with Black Staz-On ink and sponged colors over the flowers - Bermuda Bay, Pixie Pink and Green Galore.  I then cut the flowers out and mounted them on a piece of glossy paper that I had stamped with the Canvas Background stamp (stamped in the same colors randomly.) 

This is a square card.  I stamped Riot of Petals on the 5" square card and the 3 1/2" square of Pale Plum.  Then I used my Copics to color in the petals of the flowers.  I put a little yellow Stickles in the middle of the flowers and mounted the smaller piece of Perfect Plum.  I tied a Rich Razzleberry ribbon around.

Oh - I have a little Ashley / Haiti news.  Looks like she will not be going to Haiti any time soon.  After getting her address changed so her mail would be coming to us, getting a Power of Attorney, etc, and waiting for two weeks to find out something, she was told yesterday that the deployment had been pushed back and they don't know when (or if) it is going to happen.  Needless to say, she is very disappointed.

Haiti Relief via Stampin’ Up

On January 12, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope.

From now until February 28,  $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

The I {Heart} Hearts clear mount set sells for $18.95.  The wood-mount stamp set sells for $26.95.

This is a simple and straightforward plan; the more stamp sets sold, the greater the difference can be made. Often it is the simplest plans that work best.

Stampin’ Up is also sending hygiene kits to Haiti.  See Shelli’s pictures - http://www.soshelli.com/so-shelli-blog/2010/1/20/helping-haiti.html

New Stamps in the House

I took time today to PLAY!!  I put together my new stamp sets that I got from SU yesterday.  I'm loving the new "clear" stamps.  They're not really clear but are packaged so much better for storage now.  I've had a few questions about the stamps so I took a few pictures of how you put them together.  They come pre-cut so you just have to punch them out from the rubber sheet.  Sometimes, I still trim a little off the stamps. 

There is a sticker sheet with the pictures of the stamps on them. 

So you peel off the white protective cover from the stamp and put the sticker on the stamp.  The sticker will cling to the acrylic block and you will be able to see how to place the stamp on your project.

I played around today with the Love Bandid set from the Occasions Mini.  I fell in love with this set!!  It is really cute.  I just love the little guys!  Check it out (remember - you can click on the card to make it bigger):

I made a little scene card!

Card stock:  Melon Mambo, Green Galore, Garden Green, Crushed Curry (sun); Bashful Blue, White

The decorate punches on the corners are from the new Scallop Trim Corner Punch (Occasions Mini).  I tore the Green cardstock to simulate grass and snipped it a little bit.

How do you like it?

Vintage Vogue

It's past my bedtime but wanted to quickly share a card I made last week for a good friend.   This card is like a box card.  It is open in the middle with a piece of acetate over the front.  Maybe you can make out what I'm trying to say from the visual!  I used the new Vintage Vogue stampset from the Occasions mini catalog on the card.

Tomorrow I will be getting some new goodies and hopefully will have time to play!  I have been gone every day this week and hope to have most of tomorrow and Friday to myself to do what I want.  I am going to try and go to the Y in the morning .... I have GOT to get back to exercising!!  My weight is just starting to creep up on me again.  Think it has anything to do with that bag of Dove Chocolates I keep popping in my mouth?

Stay tune for some creativity in the next couple of days!!

Scrunchy Flowers and Family Christmas

I finally had time … and felt a little better …. to make a few cards.  This is one of them.  (all items by Stampin’ Up)

The card is made with SU Red cardstock.  I ran the white piece through my Big Shot using the Finial Press Embossing Folder.  I cut the red and black piece out using the Top Note and ran the black piece through the Big Shot using the Elegant Bouquet folder.   I used the Filigree Brads on the side and SU Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon (turned over to the solid side).  The “scrunchy flower”  is 5 pieces of pieces of DSP (Night and Day from Holiday Mini) punched out with the Scallop Circle Punch and scrunched up.  Then I poked a hole in the middle for a brad and put a Red Corduroy Button on with Dimensional Tape. 
I was going to send this card to my Secret Sister, but then I realized the Night & Day DSP is retired now!  Her loss!! 
I’ll be making some more of these “scrunchy flowers.”  They’re pretty cool!

I’m feeling much better today and finally was able to sleep good last night.  Friday night I slept downstairs in my chair wrapped up in Sonny’s Snugglie and my Steeler blanket!   And Saturday, I felt about the worse I’d felt all week.  I thought my cold was coming back for a second round, but guess it was just giving me it’s last hurrah.  Today, Sonny has been sneezing and blowing.  I sure hope he hasn’t caught my cold …. you know what babies men are when they are sick!  I have been really careful and have been washing my hand much more than usual.  But, I’m sure after being cooped up in the car with me for two days, those germs were having a field day.

Today we celebrated Christmas at my Mom’s.  She actually kept her Christmas tree up which is a big deal for her!  She is usually pretty superstitious about not having the tree up when the New Year arrives.  All my life, she’s told me that was bad luck.  We all had a nice visit and my brother even came with his two kids (without his wife, of course but that’s another story).  My sister, Marianne and her family and me & Sonny & Ashley all chipped in and bought Mom and Angela (my sister who lives with Mom) a Wii!   Every time we get together Marianne brings her Wii over to my house or if we’re at her house, Mom & Angela play with her Wii.  And Mom has been wanting to buy it for Angela (who’s she kidding?)  We thought this would be a good way to get them both up and moving.  Now they have to pool their money to buy the Wii Fit.

Designer Box

Too late to wrap this year's Christmas presents, but you can use this Designer Box to wrap presents all year.  Here's a good solution to making gift boxes for all those odd shaped gifts.

DESIGNER GIFT BOX

Just click in the top left corner to download the instructions.  You have the option to open the file or save the file.

Holiday Lineup

A quick share for you.  More Christmas cards but this time I used Holiday Line Up .... such a stinkin' cute set!!

And talk about cute .... check out this post about my grandson!!  What a doll but like his daddy, a sneaky one!

12 Days of Holiday Sales

Order by Dec. 15th to arrive before Christmas!

Were there some Sizzix dies or accessories that you know you want–or you know your friend wants? Now’s your chance! There are special deals from now until shortly before Christmas on Stampin’ Up! exclusive dies and other accessories for your Sizzix Big Shot and also select Decor Elements.

The 12 Days of Holiday Sales begins today and runs through December 22. Some of the items introduced in this sale are new colors of Décor Elements vinyl sheets. There are 18 new colors to choose from, and they make great projects when you use them with Big Shot dies. Consider pairing the Clear Décor Elements vinyl sheets with the Tulipe Bigz die to create an etched-like design on a vase. Or use the Decorative Accent Bigz dies with the Old Olive Décor Element vinyl sheets to enhance a frame. The combination of Big Shot dies and Décor Elements vinyl sheets is sure to take your creativity to a new level!

Check it out HERE and call me if you want to place an order

Clear Mount SU Stamps

I want to share a video from Angie Juda about the clear mount stamps that you might be interested in.

Check it out HERE.

Early Christmas and I'm Certified!

Christmas came a little early for me.  My friend, Margaret and I decided to just order each other the Stampin' Up things we wanted for Christmas.  I sent a couple of items her way that she had on her wish list for Christmas when she placed an order last week.  And she gave me her credit card and I ordered a few things for myself for Christmas.  Isn't that the best way to do it?  Then, everyone gets what they want! 

Here are the items I received this week from the new Mini Catalog which starts January 5.  The stamp set is a clear set and comes in a DVD box so there is plenty of room for the stamps PLUS on the spine of the box is a picture of the stamps that are in the box.  Easier to see what you've got when it's on your shelf!!  I just wish Stampin' Up had done this years ago!  I don't know that I want to take all the rubber off my old wooden blocks for ease of storage but it's a thought.  I've about run out of room for those big boxes of stamps.

So I got the Vintage Vogue stampset (clear) along with the Very Vintage large wheel, 5/8" Celery Satin Ribbon, Red Corduroy Buttons, Scallop Corner Punch, and Two Step Bird punch from the Mini Catalog.  I got the paper pad, Welcome Neighbor, from the upcoming Sale-a-bration Catalog.  The Sweet Pea Stitched Felt pieces were a gift from Stampin' Up!!

I also received this pin because I am now CERTIFIED in My Digital Studio.

Here is a card I made yesterday using my new stamp set.

I used the Nestabilities Ovals and cut a Gold oval and a Rich Razzleberry Oval.  I stamped the "F" in Gold, embossed it and carefully cut it out.  The bottom of the Very Vanilla paper is wheeled in gold, embossed and distressed.  I crumbled up the whole paper, straightened it back out and sponged Soft Suede all over it.  I wanted to use one of the new felt pieces but I'm not so sure it really goes with the vintage-ness of the card.  Oh well .... that's what I did.  The ribbon and card base are Rich Razzleberry.

Well, gotta run - headed to town for a bone density test and thyroid ultrasound test.  Hoping to meet Sonny for lunch after his stress test.  And I guess we'll be headed back to town tonight to watch the Steelers .... hopefull BEAT Cleveland.  If we can't beat the Browns, we might as well give up!!  Last I heard was that Hines Ward was hurt and will be sitting on the bench with Troy Polamalu so I'm not so sure about our chances.

You know Dasher and Dancer ….

 I’ve been busy today with a single stamp!  I just love the Dasher stamp!  I made several different cards with it today.  It is such a bargain to be able to buy a single stamp – especially holiday ones.  Check out the other single stamps on page 208 of the big catalog and on page 31 on the mini.

It's Dasher the reindeer,
the fastest of all,
a quick tiny reindeer,
but not very tall!

There’s Dancer
the danciest dancer of all,
dancing about
and having a ball! 

And Prancer like Dancer
prances all day,
driving elves crazy,
but what can they say?

While Vixen plays tricks
on all the reindeer,
Mixing their sleigh bells
and having no fear!

Don't forget Comet
with a smile all the while,
you can see the teeth glow
from even one mile.

And Cupid the dreamer
who day dreams the most,
waiting for Christmas
and Holidays roasts.

Donner is jumping
about on the snow.
Eager for Santa
and the reindeer to go!

Finally, Blitzen with mittens
of gold lace and holly,
is happy, and zappy
and oh, so jolly!

Oh, yes don't forget Rudolph
with that nose red and bright,
shining his nose
through the thick of the night

So what do you think?  Which one is your favorite????

Shelli on Today Show

Shelli Gardner (SU Queen Bee) was on the Today show yesterday.  If you missed it, HERE is a link to her segment .... and you don't have to watch the whole 2+ hours to see it!  It was short and sweet.  I don't know about her hairdo though!  I really thought she'd be on the show a little longer.

Yesterday was one of those days!

Ever have one of those days when maybe you just should have stayed in bed?  Well, yesterday was one for me!  Things didn’t start going downhill until lunchtime when I discovered our computer downstairs had a virus.  It had been ok in the morning, but when I sat down to play while I ate lunch, it kept telling me there was a security issue and I should download some virus protection program (or course, by purchasing it!)  Well, I kept trying to “X” out of it to no avail and when the website came up for me to download a porn video, I knew I was in trouble!  (No, I did not download porn!!)  Luckily, that is not our only computer – just the one my hubbie uses to play solitaire!!  So, I just turned it off and decided I’d worry about it tomorrow, Scarlett.  I was teaching a card class in the evening at Stampers Alley and had to get all my stuff ready.  I had made the kits for the One Sheet Wonder class a couple of weeks ago and thought I was good to go!  Oh no, my friends, I thought wrong.  See, the class was to make 5 different  cards (2 of each), 2 gift card holders and a bag to put them all in.  I had called the store around lunch time to make sure my count for 10 in the class was correct and discovered I needed to make one more kit.  No biggie!  So I pulled everything out of one of the kits to use for the measurements and discovered I had only put materials in the kits to make ONE card each and not two.  As I mentioned before in THIS post, this class was a little labor intensive to put together.  Well, I put my butt in gear and started cutting and stamping the materials for the 2nd card for everyone about 2 pm.  I finished about 5:15!  I  thought my class was at 6:30 but decided to just check and make sure I was correct.  Noooo, it was at 6:00!  So again, I put my “little butt” (I wish!) in gear and got dressed, put my makeup on and hauled everything to the car.  Of course, I got caught up in 5:00 traffic but got to the store about 5:50 … in plenty of time!!   The class went smoothly – except for the 4 new gals that I had who didn’t bring any supplies!  After having to share borrowed markers, scissors, etc. I think they’ll bring their kits next time! 

Today was my first Christmas party of the season.  My Newcomers group had our annual Christmas meeting and luncheon.  Wow!  There was so much food, it was a sin.  Of course, I had to make my dish last night after I got home from teaching my class.  I made a new recipe called Cheesy Potatoes and let it cook in the crock-pot all night.  It was good, but too many calories to cook it very often!

Tonight I made this card.  It’s been a long time since I just sat down and made a card for fun – not for a class or Monday Mailer or for a specific purpose.  I used Lovely As A Tree.  I hope Stampin’ Up never retires this stamp set!  I used a mask and stamped the trees positioning them with my Stamp-a-ma-jig.  Then I sponged Crushed Curry and Dusty Durango on and Soft Sky and a little purple (don’t know what color – it was already on the dauber and I just used it).  I sponged a little bit of blue on the snow too.  Then I used SU’s White Shimmer Paint on the sky and the trees.   How do you like it?

Retiring Stamp Sets – January 4

Stampin’ Up is retiring the following stamp sets.  They are currently listed in the Dormant stamp list.  They will be discontinued as of January 4, 2010.  So if you have your eye on any of the sets, now is the time to order them!!  Just e-mail me or give me a call!

Item Number	Stamp Set
113407	Back Woods
114492	Beautiful Baby
114486	Birthday Wish
113200	Branch Out
114496	Celebrations
113732	Central Park
113206	Classic Sketches
113226	Classy & Fabulous
114498	Flowers in Silhouette
113405	Font of You
113216	For the Bride
114494	Forever
109425	Friend by Definition
114488	Fun Flowers
113716	Garden Greetings
114490	Glad Friends
111580	Grand Soiree
113242	Hit the Road
113710	Lexicon of Leaves
113236	Man's Best Friend
114423	Ocean Commotion
113728	Playful Petals
109276	Polka Dot
111544	Putt Putt
113240	Quilt Quips
113754	Really Retro
113403	Sip by Sip
113726	Sweet Stems
113250	That's Funny
113688	Wonderful Watercolors
114028	Para la novia
114032	Acuarelas Maravillosas

Monday Mailer for November

These are the last 2 Monday Mailers that I sent to my buddy for November.  We are going to be taking a break in December and resume the program in the new year.

But first, I have good news!  My daughter closed on her house today!!  Yippee!!  She was planning on renting it back to the owner this week since the gal said she couldn't move out until Saturday.  But, when Ashley got to closing, she found out the gal was moving today.  Of course, Ashley had the mover set up to come on Monday!!  But she was able to get them to deliver her things from storage on Thursday instead so now she will have the weekend to start unpacking.  Hopefully, she'll have it all done when we arrive in a couple of weeks!  Now, comes the fun part .... buying all the new things she'll need like, washer, dryer, bedroom suite, grill, lawn mower .....!    Glad it's her and not me!

Anyhow .... on to the cards!

This is the one I sent last week.  I used the Sweet Treat Cups from the Holiday Mini along with the Cold and Cuddly stamp set.  I filled the cup with Chunky Glitter!

This one I mailed today.  I used the Decor Elements stencil and sponged the ornament.  Then I stamped in Gold ink using Baroque Motifs.  I tied the white organza ribbon and left the streamers long.

My Digital Studio Certification

I'm happy to announce that I am now one of the Stampin'Up! Demonstrators that is Certified in My Digital Studio.


I've completed all the Stampin' Up! requirements which included participating in webinars, taking quizzes and completing projects with My Digital Studio. We were also required to have 1 project professionally printed.
 
This is a very easy digital paper crafting program. I had never worked with a digital program like this before and I ♥ My Digital Studio!

Monday Mailer - past and present!

This is a Monday Mailer card I received last week.  The center is cut out and is a "shaker" card.  It is filled with silver beads.

This card is from October's Monday Mailer and uses Circle Circus.  I need to pull my stamp set out and use it!  But I love this Soft Suede and Crushed Curry!

This is another card from October.  My Monday Mailer partner sent these last two cards to me last week to catch up since she got too busy during October to send the cards on time.  I just love this Medallion stamp with the Chalking Technique.