Swap Cards

I played a new game yesterday - well, sorta new to me anyway.  It was Duplicate Bridge.  A friend asked me to "sub" at her house and I didn't realize that was what they were going to play.  But, it was ok.  Duplicate Bridge is played just like regular bridge for the most part.  The scoring is different.  It was fun - you play a set hand and then the other table also plays the same hand so you can see how others win or lose the hand.  I was the third highest score so not so bad!

I have been working on swap cards for Convention.  I have signed up for 2 organized swaps and then I want to have other cards to randomly swap during the convention. 

 This is the card for the Fun Fold Swap.  When you pull on the Melon Mambo strip at the top, the inside card comes out like this:

RECIPE:
Stamps:  Flower Fest, Upsy Daisy (sentiment inside)
Paper:  Melon Mambo, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight, Beyond the Garden DSP
Ink:  Black, Melon Mambo
Access:  White Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals, Crop-a-dile

 This is for a swap that you have to use a new stamp set.  This one was available to demonstrators for a sneak peek.  It is the only one I bought but it is the cutest!!  Love the snowman!  The little border sticking out at the top and bottom of the snowman is from the Triple Layer Doily Punch.  I cut it in half and am going to put a pearl in the center (forgot to before I took the picture!).  I have to admit I used two colors that are not my favorites - Garden Green and Poppy Parade.  They look good together but I just don't ever use these two which is why I picked them for this swap!

RECIPE:
Stamp:  Snow Much Fun
Paper:  Garden Green, Poppy Parade, Whisper White
Access:  Markers, Black Ink, Poppy Parade Stitched Poly Ribbon, Northern Flurries Embossing Folder

I have done several of these cards to give out for general swaps.  There is a Vellum overlay over a white card.  I stamped the leaves from Fabulous Florets on the white card and stamped the flowers on the Vellum.  To hold the vellum to the white, I strategically placed glue dots on the back of the vellum on the flower centers.  And then the ribbon held it all together.

RECIPE: 
Stamp:  Fabulous Florets, Tiny Tags
Paper:  Cajun Craze, Vellum, Whisper White
Ink:  Old Olive, Cajun Craze
Access:  Always Artichoke Ribbon Binding, Jewelry Tag Punch

AND .... I have a retiring stamp set for my monthly give-a-way.  Don't forget to leave a comment if you want a chance to win the cards I am featuring this month!!

 RECIPE:
Stamp:  Forest Friends, Watercolor Trio (sentiment)
Paper:  Whisper White, Bravo Burgundy, Retired DSP
Ink:  Espresso, Garden Green
Access:  (non-SU) Ribbon, Small & Medium Oval Punches, Oval Nestabilities

I just finished talking to Ashley on Skype and she is leaving her temporary base tomorrow via helicopter and returning to Maraz where she has at least 3 packages waiting for her!  She needs to start packing up for her return home!!!!  So excited!

Happy Father's Day!

Hope all the Dads out there had a wonderful and restful day.  My hubby did.  He started out talking to Ashley this morning as she wished him a Happy Father's Day.  Of course, no word from our son.  We had an off and on rainy day today so he wasn't able to go out on the boat.  So, he sat downstairs in his chair and watched TV, played games on the computer and read.  Not much more exciting than that, huh?  We are going to go out tonight but don't know if he's decided on that yet or not.  Our options are to go to a Beatles tribute concert at Davidson College or go out to eat with Marianne and her family.  I'm afraid the weather is going to prevent us from going to the concert though.  Here is the card I made for him:

 RECIPE:
Stamp:  Sail Away (Summer Mini)
Paper:  Night of Navy,Red Riding Hood Red, Whisper White, Nautical DSP from Summer Mini
Ink:  Night of Navy
Access:  Large & Small Star Punch, Circle Nestibilities, 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

inside of the card using the retiring All Holidays stamp.

I also made a card today using a retired stamp - not retiring - but retired as in last year!  I pulled it out by mistake.  But I also wanted to showcase the Triple Layer Snowflake Punch!

A Tree for All Seasons

Christmas in .... June!

Back to the retiring sets.  I took a bit of a break this week with the cards that I will be offering in the drawing at the end of the month.  (See this post)  I was busy doing things for Newcomer's Bingo and for Stamp Club but now I am back to working for YOU!  And today we are showcasing Christmas!  I love the set, Big on Christmas.  It is really easy to use - stamp it, color it in and mat it. 

 I stamped the image with Espresso ink and colored it in with my white gel pen.  I colored the tree with a Copic pen.  I did faux stitching around the edge.  (Use paper piercer and pierce all around the edges; then use a white gel pen to "connect the dots".)   The DSP is retired as is the Taken With Teal that I matted the image with!  But who cares?  Not the person who will receive the card at Christmas time, I'm sure!

OK - Ignore the black dots on this card.  I had it sitting on my desk yesterday when I reinked my black stamp pads!  Guess a couple of drops eeked out onto the card.  I didn't even notice it until after I took the picture - thought it was something on my camera lens until I took a second look at the card!  There's a sneak peek on this card though so I had to share it.  The lighter colored purple is one of the new In Colors!  It is called Wisteria Wonder. 

I used a thin oval wooden frame that I got from m's to layer with my embossing folder to create the un-embossed oval in the center.

RECIPE:
Stamp:  Big on Christmas
Card Stock:  Whisper White, Wisteria Wonder, Elegant Eggplant
Ink:  Black, Wisteria Wonder Marker
Access:  Snowflake Brads (non SU), Stickles Glitter, SU Markers, Snowflake Embossing Folder

I got even better news from Ashley yesterday!  She now thinks she will be returning another week earlier!  Looks like she may be leaving there around the 21st of July.  Not giving us much time to find a good flight but maybe we'll consider driving instead.  We just need to wait for her to return to her base where she can find more details.  She had hoped to be leaving her temporary post last Wednesday and go to a medical conference in Baghdad.  But that didn't work out and she will probably be at the temporary base until next week.  You can believe she is counting down the days.  I don't think she has seen one patient all week!  She read all the books she took with her and was going to the library on base and getting 5-10 books at a time to read.  She reads 1-2 books a day.  Yesterday she went to the library to return her books and get another stack and to her horror, the shelves were EMPTY!  Because the base will be closing, they had thrown away all the books a couple of days ago.  If you are a reader, doesn't this make you cringe?  She has her Kindle with her and it has a couple of books on it plus the Bible.  So, she said she guess she will be reading the Bible for the next few days from cover to cover!  The internet connection is bad there and it would take her too long to download more books on to the Kindle.  So let's hope the PA that she is replacing comes back soon!

Stamp Club Cards for June

Well, I don't know that I made a lot of friends today at Mahjong!  I ended up winning every game except for 2!  We take $2 to play with .... I came home with almost $8!!  I know there is luck in playing the game but it is also a game of skill.  We have a special card with a description of all the legal hands you can go for.  The card changes each year.  The tiles all have Chinese symbols on them.  Here is what the game looks like -  It is really a lot of fun!

I spent the evening getting ready for Stamp Club tomorrow.  We will be making 4 cards with retiring stamp sets.  We will do 2 cards using Pick A Petal that I have already shared with you.  The other two cards are below:

 This card uses Fresh Cuts with watercolor crayons.  I like the vintage-y look of this card.

RECIPE:

Stamps:  Fresh Cuts

Cardstock:  Watercolor Paper; Espresso; Marina Mist, Pear Pizazz

Ink:  Espresso

Accessories:  Marina Mist ribbon, Watercolor Crayons, Aqua Brush, small Oval Punch (retiring), Pearl, Ribbon Punch

Another great card using Fresh Cuts with the Fresh Cuts Note Cards is this one:

I wanted to do this one in class but I didn't have enough note cards for everyone.  So, I will just be sharing it with them.  But if you like it, these note cards will be retiring so you should order them now!

I decided to let this great designer paper do most of the work in this card.  I'm going to miss this paper.

RECIPE:
Stamps:  Priceless, All Holidays
Ink:  Marina Mist
Cardstock  Crumb Cake, Elegant Soiree DSP
Access:  Marina Mist Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, 1" & 3/4" Circle Punches, Nestabilities Oval

June Monday Mailers

I have been super busy lately and don't see a break until at least Friday!  I played Mahjong last Friday, Saturday Sonny & I took a drive over to Concord Mills; Sunday we met Marianne for a delicious lunch buffet and then went cruising on the lake.  Monday, I played bridge.  This morning I was up really early (for me!!) and was in charge at the Soup Kitchen.  We served 125 people chicken salad, tuna salad and fruit salad - a great meal for a hot day!  When I got home, I made more chicken salad (I was on a roll!) to take to our Newcomers Bingo for Charity tonight.  My family - mom, 2 sisters and hubby - joined me for a great meal and fun Bingo games.  We weren't lucky at the Bingo games .... until the last one (played 12 games) when my sister, Angela won the "cover the card" grand prize.  She got a $75 gift certificate to The Chop House in downtown Mooresville.  After that, they raffled off the remaining bingo prizes.  Our group did pretty good.  My mom won first and picked out a necklace that she gave to me.  I won next and picked a bottle of Chocolate Wine.  (I've heard it's pretty yummy - I'll let you know.)  Next Sonny won but gave his ticket to Marianne.  There wasn't much left to choose from by that time so she picked a pair of earrings and gave them to me!  So, I did pretty good with bringing home the loot.  Tomorrow I play mahjong and then on Thursday, I have Stamp Club.  Whew!  I have got to find some time to work on my swaps for Convention!!

I've been so busy that I forgot to mail my Monday Mailer on Monday.  I used a retiring stamp - Cheep Talk and made a cute birthday card.  What do you think?

I was also trying to use up some of the retiring DSP.  This paper is from the Hostess 6"x6" stack (In Colors).

RECIPE

Stamps:  Cheep Talk, Party Hearty

Cardstock:  White; In Color Hostess Stack

Ink:  Concord Crush, Brushing Bride, Pear Pizazz, Peach Parfait, Poppy Parade

Accessories:  Signa White Gel Pen, Poppy Parade Ribbon, Corner Rounder

This is the Monday Mailer I received last week from Laurie.  It uses the Sail Away set.  I'm so in love with this stamp set!!  And, I love the way she did the birthday sentiment using eyelets and the Bakers Twine!

Who's Gonna Miss Pick A Petal?

 I'm going to miss Pick A Petal stamp set.  It is so versatile and you can make so many different things with it.  So, why haven't I used it in like a year????  Don't know but after looking at all these cute ideas, I know I won't be getting rid of it any time soon!

 This is one of the cards we will be making Thursday in Stamp Club.  I want to show them how versatile this set is.  You don't even have to cut the petals out - I used my Oval Punch and punched them out!!  They will like that.

Recipe:

Cardstock:  River Rock, Rose Red, Whisper White, Always Artichoke, DSP from Occasions Mini (retired)

Stamps:  Pick A Petal, Afterthoughts (hostess)

Accessories:  Small Oval (retiring), Large Oval Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Decorative Label Punch

 Doesn't this put a smile on your face?  I love it!  This is another one we will make at Stamp Club.  To make the hair, take a length of ribbon and tie a knot in the center.  Cut the selvage off both sides of the ribbon and fray it.

RECIPE:

Cardstock:  Bashful Blue, Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie

Stamps:  Pick A Petal, It's Your Birthday

Accessories:  1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Grosgrain Ribbon

This is another Pick A Petal sample.  Ashley made this card for me for my birthday last fall.  The front is cut short so you can read the sentiment that is on the inside of the card.  Isn't she a smartie?

Here's a better look of the card partially open.

Another flower sample using Pick a Petal.

A lady bug using .... Pick A Petal

A bumble bee using .... you guess it .... Pick A Petal!!

If you want this set, act now.  It will only be around a couple more weeks!!

A Walking Tour of Charlotte

I went with the Newcomer's Garden Club for a walking tour of the 4th Ward area in Charlotte a couple of weeks ago.  This is a really neat area in Charlotte's Uptown.  It was resurrected in the mid-1800s as one of the more prosperous areas of town providing homes to local merchants, physicians and ministers.  By the 1900s, Charlotte residents has moved out to areas away from the downtown area.  By 1970, Fourth Ward had fallen into a state of neglect with many homes vandalized or burned.  But in the late 20th century, Fourth Ward saw a restoration and is now a thriving part of Uptown.  There are many original Victorian homes along with condos, modern architectural houses as well as the home of Charlotte's first black mayor, Harvey Gantt (serving from 1982-87.)  Mr Gantt is an architect and is responsible for a lot of the restoration in the 4th Ward area.

Here are a few of the pictures that I took on my walk.

St Peter's Episcopal Church - from the mid 1800s - downtown Charlotte

Love this round window.  We didn't go inside but I bet it is beautiful.

This is a mural in a courtyard.  It is hidden away uptown.  If you don't know where to look, you will miss it.  Supposedly, the characters in the mural represent important people in Charlotte's history.

This is one of the Victorian homes. I just love this wrap around porch!

This is Mr. Gantt's home.  It doesn't do much for me but I'd be interested in seeing what the inside looks like.

Another Victorian home.  Isn't is something to find a house like this a couple blocks from the main street of uptown?

Retirement Stamps are Happy Together

I'm on a creative roll here!  Seems like the past few weeks I haven't been too inspired with my stamping.  But the past few days, I'm stamping up a storm.  Trying to get a bunch of the retirement stamps made into cards so I can give them away to a few lucky people out there.

Yesterday, I pulled out Happy Together.  I got this stamp set during Saleabration for FREE!!  That's always a good price in my opinion.  It is a happy little stamp set and makes me smile when I use it!  If you like it, you can purchase it now for only $14.95.  Just make sure you place your order before July 1!!

In this first card, I used the Designer Label Punch which is also retiring so if you want it, get it now!

 RECIPE:

Stamps:  Happy Together, Swirls & Curls Verses

Paper:  Crushed Curry (retired), Choc Chip, Real Red, Whisper White, red DSP

Access:  non SU sequins, Eyelet Border Punch, Eyelet Corner Punch, Designer Label Punch. Mat Pack and Paper Piercing Tool

 RECIPE:

Stamps:  Happy Together, Define Your Life

Paper:  Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point, Beyond the Garden DSP

Access:  Sweet Stitches Designer Brad; Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch. Top Note Die, Big Shot

Here's a close up of the stamped area:

 

Baby, It's Hot Outside!

Are you getting any relief from the heat where you live?  I know the hot weather is breaking records all along this area.  I think I saw where some schools in the northeast were cancelled today because of the heat.  We had another scorcher today but I think a thunderstorm is coming tonight.  Maybe it will cool things down but more than likely, it will just make it muggier tomorrow!  

Yesterday the Golden Boys had their annual Progressive Dinner.  Some friends came by on their boat and picked us up.  We all (100+) rafted up together in a cove for a couple of hours before we headed over to the Bomze's home for dinner.  It was so hot that most people stayed in the water the whole time during the raft up.  That doesn't usually happen.  Last year there were only a handful of people who got in the water.  It's funny because this event is usually held later in the summer but they changed it this year so it wouldn't be so hot!!  Well, that didn't quite work out!  The Bomze's have held this event in their home for the past 3 years.  They are braver than me .... how would you like to have 150 people at your house for dinner???  Of course, the meal is catered but Suze was still gracious enough to make a delicious rum punch for us!  

After a couple of lemonade and sweet tea vodka drinks during the raft up and a rum punch at the dinner coupled with the heat, I had a splitting headache when we got home.  That's why I didn't post anything last night!!  Plus, I had another reason ...... the new SU catalog arrived about 30 minutes before we left the house.  So, when I got home, I quickly took my shower and sat down to pore through the catalog.  I always make a Wish List as I'm going through the catalog.  It's fun to look back at the end of the year and see how many things I've gotten from my wish list or if I still feel the same way about the items.   This year I have about 18 stamps sets on my list plus ribbon, embossing folders, Decor Elements .....  I can't wait for you to see it in July!!  

Now, on to the retired sets.  I've made a few more cards for my giveaway (see details HERE).  This time I used All Holidays and Define Your Life stamp sets.

 This card has very little stamping on it.  The "Merry Christmas" sentiment is from All Holidays and it is white embossed.  I will miss this set because it is always a "go to" set for the holidays.  The DSP is from a pack that was available a few years ago.  It pairs really good with the retired Taken With Teal.  I always like the Teal card stock but I am down to 1-2 pieces now.  The little dew drops are non SU as is the ribbon.

This card uses Define Your Life stamp.  I didn't use this set enough although I've had it a long time.  The circles are Nestabilities.  The ribbon, DSP and card stock are all retired.  The DSP came in a big 12" x 12" pack and I still have bunches left.  The card stock is Bermuda Bay (retired) and Rich Razzleberry.  I love the butterflies from the Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die.   I used non SU sequins in the center of each butterfly.

Another card using the All Holidays stamp set.  This was probably my favorite sentiment in this set.  I think it will be missed by many!!  The DSP is from the current catalog - Greenhouse Gala. If you like it, you'd better order it before the end of the month or it will be GONE.   I used Nesties for the circles.  The polka dots are from a retired SU background stamp.  The flower is a pleated flower that is really easy to make.  I am sharing the directions with you.  Check it out:

I used 2 punches to make the different sized flowers - the 2 3/8" scallop punch and the 1 3/4" scallop punch.  Punch 2 scallop circles with each punch.

 Next, using a scoring tool, score all 4 of your scallops between each scallop.  See below - the black marks would be the score marks:

Your next step is to cut each of the scallop circles on one of the score lines as seen below:

Fold - accordian style - on each fold line, using your bone folder to crease well.

Then you will adhere each pleated circle to the other one.  Use a glue dot or something a little more durable than a glue stick or SNAIL adhesive.  Line up the larger scallop with the other large scallop and then the smaller scallop with it's mate.  So you will end up with 2 flowers.  

 Next you will adhere a button, or brad in the hole in the middle of the flowers and adhere to your project.

Which card is your favorite today?

Vote for Your Favorites!

I received some lovely comments today on the cards I've made using my retiring stamp sets.  Remember - the more comments you leave each day, the more chances you will have to win some of these cards.  So far, the favorite card seems to be the one using Eastern Blooms in Tangerine Tango. 

Here are a couple more I've done.

RECIPE:

Stamp Set:  Always

Paper:  DSP (don't remember which one!); Rich Razzelberry; Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Circle Punch; Triple Blossom Punch

RECIPE

Stamp:  Dreams Du Jour

Paper:  Pink Pirouette, Baja Blue, Basic Gray, Certainly Celery

Access:  Stick Pin and silk flower and pearls from SU Kit; Grosgrain Pink Pir. Ribbon, Embossing Folder with Big Shot

So which cards are your favorites so far?