Clean and Simple

Today is my son's birthday - 34!  Hard to believe my baby is that old!  Wish I could be with him today.

I am not so good at doing Clean and Simple cards but I do like how this one turned out.  It's hard for me not to add just one more thing when doing these types of cards. 

For this card, I spritzed the Crumb Cake card with Marina Mist and Summer Starfruit inks.  As you can see, I used lots of Framelits and Dies to make this card.  They make it so much easier!

We had a good time this weekend in Atlanta.  Before we got on the highway, we met Margaret & Graham in Charlotte for lunch.  Margaret called me Friday night to tell me they were in town - a last minute decision.  Too bad she didn't call earlier and she could have come to my Christmas Card Stamp a Stack!  We met Ashley and her friends for drinks and dinner when we arrived in Atlanta.  Sunday we walked over to the Coca Cola Museum and toured it.  It was really interesting.  Afterwards, we found an Irish pub to watch some football.  Ashley thinks we much have a touch of Irish in us!  Ashley went to her conference Sunday night to hear the opening speaker; Sonny stayed and watched more football and  I went back to the hotel for a nap!  This morning after breakfast, we checked out of the hotel and drove over to Underground Atlanta.  How disappointing!!  Back "in the old days" when Sonny and I were dating and were first married (early 70s), Underground Atlanta was THE hot spot!  I have many fond memories of bar hopping and having fun in Atlanta in the Underground.  Today though it is just a plastic, sterile shopping area with really junky shops and kiosks lining the roads.  You can still see some of the original architect - brickwork, granite archways, cast-iron pilasters, ornate marble, wooden posts and gas streetlamps from a centuries earlier but other than that, it's not worth the $3 we paid to park!  The only store we even wandered in to was the "Made For TV" store! 

I have a really busy week so bear with me if I don't post much.  Tomorrow Ashley and I are working in the Soup Kitchen early and then coming home for afternoon Stamp Club.  Wednesday I have my second Christmas Stamp a Stack and Thursday is my other Stamp Club.  After the ladies leave on Thursday, we are heading to Asheville for a couple of days.  Somewhere in the next week, I need to plan my menu for Thanksgiving and do a little grocery shopping.

Doilies and Christmas Ornaments

Just a quick post today.  I'm busy getting ready for ..... my Christmas Stamp a Stack, Stamp Club next week, Ashley's visit next 2 weeks, Thanksgiving ..... the list doesn't stop!!  Now I know why we had ham sandwiches for dinner tonight!!  No time to cook!! 

So, I had this card on my desk and forgot to share with you.  It came together really simply.  I haven't used the Doily Die much but I think I've figured out the trick so I'll be using it more often.  I was having a hard time getting it to punch out and then had all those little "chads" to punch out.  But I've discovered that If I use 3 vellum shims when running it through the Big Shot, I don't have too much trouble with it.  Every machine is a little different so you might have to experiment to see what works for you.  Anyway, back to the card ... the red circle is punched out and embossed with the Polka Dot embossing folder.  The ornament is from the Delightful Decorations stamp set (before I bought the Ornament Keepsakes).  Season's Greetings is from Curly Cute.

Have a great weekend!  I probably won't be posting since we are driving to Atlanta Saturday to pick Ashley up after her conference.

Holiday Ornaments

I told myself I didn't need any more holiday stamp sets but I just didn't listen to myself.  When Stampin' Up had the bundle on sale last week, I just couldn't resist.  And I've had fun making cards with it and will probably use it at stamp club next week. 

this one is my favorite!

close up of the ornaments

I had a busy day yesterday.  I left the house in the morning at 9:30 and didn't return until almost 6 pm!  I visited with my friends at the Newcomers meeting first.  Then I headed to Mooresville and did a little Kohl's shopping.  I have not been to that store in a long time until I went on Monday.  I bought some slacks and a top but when I got home, I had a 30% coupon in the mail from Kohls but the sale didn't start until Wednesday.  Well, I didn't need those clothes that bad.  So,  I took the items back, got credit and bought them again plus a couple more things using my coupon plus getting Kohls Bucks to use next week.  Then it was time for a haircut.  Boy, did I need one!  Although afterwards, she was sweeping up the hair she had cut and there was a lot of gray hair on the floor - don't know whose hair THAT was!!  Surely, not mine!  My next stop - after grabbing a bite to eat - was Dollar General.  Love that store!  Our Newcomers group collects baskets at Christmas for the Christian Missions Group.  They give the baskets to the elderly in our town who are in need.  So, I filled my basket with soap, hand cream, puzzle magazines, pencils, candy, etc.  We also donate a child's gift to the Christian Missions.  While I was at Kohls, I picked up the cutest Velveteen Rabbit along with the book for a child along with a few clothing items for a child.  Sure makes you feel good to do something like that.

 

And the winner is .....

Congratulations to Kathy Mc for winning my BLOG CANDY! 

Kathy said: 
"Red, black and white is one of my very favorite color combos, and this card is super. Wish I'd practiced more with my MDS software because I just don't use it. Couldn't have been too impressed with any of my Halloween costumes because I can't remember any in particular…but that was years ago. Thanks for the chance at your wonderful blog candy, Sharon!"

Kathy, contact me (smaranich@yahoo.com)  and send me your address so I can send the goodies to you.

NOTE:  I used the site, Random.org to draw Kathy's name but can't figure out how to show it here!!  It came up with #22.

Paper Craft Challenge 15

It's time for my sketch for the Paper Craft Crew.  We are trying something a little different.  We now have teams who are responsible for each week.  I am the leader for this week's team and we have some great cards for you.

Here is the sketch we were to work with:

And here is my card using My Digital Studio (of course!).

I will be drawing for the BLOG CANDY tonight .  So if you haven't left a comment HERE (for my give away) or HERE (for the grand prize), you better hurry!

How do you like my November blog header?  The turkey is made using flowers!  Love it!

Birthday Cards

I know Halloween is over but I just have to share my neighbor's display for the holiday.  It is so funny!!

Isn't that clever?  I just love it!

I got my butt in gear and did some stamp room cleaning last week.  I threw a bunch of stuff away and tried to get other things arranged where I can see it to use it but not have stuff laying all over the floor, etc.  I got my desk cleaned off first and then tackled the rest.  I still have things to get rid of but I made a start.  See my nice looking desk -

Now maybe I can be a little more productive.  My main incentive is that Ashley is coming to visit and over Thanksgiving, Marianne also comes over and we do some stamping.  The way it was, no one was able to get in my room but me!!

I also have a few more birthday cards to share.  Sonny's birthday was last Tuesday and this is the card I made for him:

 This is a stamp that I bought over a year ago and don't think I have ever used it.  But I love it!  It is one that I got at CKC by unity stamps.

From Ashley to her Daddy

from Margaret to Sonny

from Marianne to Sonny

from Margaret to me

Keep Calm and Carry On

This was an easy card. It is made with the hostess set, Keep Calm.  One of the sayings in the set is "Keep Calm and Carry On."  That slogan has a history.   But I have seen this slogan around a lot on different thing like mugs and t shirts. When Stampin' Up came out with this Hostess set (on page 203) in the new catalog
I thought it would be a fun set to have. Unfortunately, I had to wait because there was some legal issues over the slogan and the stamp was pulled from SU's inventory.  It was finally cleared up and once again offered as a hostess item.

I found this video about how this slogan came to be.  It is an interesting and charming video.   If you look at the video you will see the poster with the slogan.

My Digital Studio - FREE Downloads!

Christmas Stamp A Stack!

Get an early start making your own personalized Christmas cards!  

I will be holding a Christmas Stamp A Stack at my home in Sherrills Ford in November.  The dates that I have set up right now are:  November 9 (Friday) at 6:30 pm and November 14 (Wednesday) at 1:00 pm.  I may be adding more dates if needed. 

The price is:  $35 for 20 cards / $65 for 40 cards / $95 for 60 cards  (envelopes included)
(amounts will be pro-rated for other quantities)

You will pick the cards and how many you wish to make of each design in advance (sets of 5 please) so I can have the packets ready for you when you arrive. 

If you cannot come but would like to ordera kit, please contact me for details.

Let me know if you would like me to reserve you a spot.

Door Prizes will be awarded during the event!  Don't miss out on the fun!!

Time is running out so contact me ASAP if you wish to attend!

Final Halloween Projects

Kinda glad Halloween is over.  I'm tired of seeing all the Halloween stuff!  Now, to clean up the decorations in my house and get ready for Thanksgiving.

Here are my final projects I made for Halloween.

These are the Tic Tac Holders that I made this weekend for a few friends.  Such fun!  Think I will do some for Christmas too.

I made this for my Monday Mailer.  I stamped the images from Wicked Cool and cut the little skirts free-handed after using paper punches.  Pretty cute, huh?

This is my final Monday Mailer .... and I really mean the final one.  Participation was getting bad and I was tired of begging each month and sending out emails to get the gals to show up.  So we put it to a vote and decided to try Weekly Challenges instead of Monday Mailers.  We'll see how that works.  I'm not starting that program until after the holidays though.

I've got good news to share!  Remember the neon page I did (HERE) that I did for a challenge for SU.  Well, I got an honorable mention!!  You can see the other pages HERE.  I was just glad to get a shout out for my project!