Garden Birhouses

 I know .... I've MIA for quite some time (missing in action!)  No excuse except I have not been in my stamp room much lately.  I am feeling much better although not 100% yet.  My hip is still sore.  I have been doing water aerobics for a couple of weeks which helps.  I had to wait until the water was not freezing before I went to the pool.  I just started back about 3 weeks ago.  Usually, my early June the water is ok but this year it was still too cool for me until July!

I have been working on cards for the NC Demo's Quarterly which is 7/23-25 in Hendersonville.  Ashley is coming down also and will go with me and Marianne.  Mom's birthday (#93) is July 25 so Ashley will surprise her.  

I got a new stamp set (Garden Birdhouses on page 107) last week and have had fun with it.  

This is a slimline card.  I really like making these larger cards.  I used my Blender Brushes to lightly color the background with Pool Party ink.  I mounted the image on Cinnamon Cider cardstock before adhering it all to the 8 1/2" x 9" card.  I used Blender Pens to color the images.

This is going to be one of the shoebox cards I will be taking to the NC Quarterly.  The DSP is from the Pattern Party pack that you can earn as a hostess.

The (retired) DSP on this card is from Fine Arts pack.  I sure wish Stampin' Up kept the DSP's for longer than one catalog year!!  I used the Tailor Made Tags dies for this card.  I fussy cut the bird house and the pole and adhered it to the white tag.  The tag in the back is Daffodil Delight.  I used Blender Brushes on the white tag with Pool Party ink.  I found a little piece of lace in my stash of ribbons and adhered it along the edge of the tag.  The little flowers were punched from the Pierced Blooms dies.

Happy 4th!

 Hope you had a wonderful 4th of July!!  We went to Mooresville last night to see the fireworks that the "Y" puts on every year.  We drive up to my mom's church and get a great view of them sitting in our beach chairs.  (Just wish I was at the beach!)

I made this card for celebrating the 4th!

A lot of retired stuff is on this card - stamp and DSP but it fit the bill today!

Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Paper Sale – Enjoy a 15% discount on select papers from the Annual Catalog! The sale runs July 1st – August 2nd.

Alcohol Ink Vellum Background Cards

Just a reminder TODAY is the day for FREE SHIPPING with your $50 order!!  My Hostess Code is 6C4NUCZG

I had fun yesterday playing around with Alcohol Ink backgrounds for my cards.  I watched a video on Patty Bennett's site and then grabbed my SU Blends, vellum paper and alcohol!  Here is what I came up with:

I used Pumpkin Pie, Calypso Coral and Daffodil Delight dark Blends on this one.

I used Misti Moonlight and Shaded Spruce for this one.

And here are the finished cards using the technique.  I mounted all of them onto white cardstock to make them "pop."

The flower die cut piece and the leaves on the cards below are from Artistically Inked.  I die cut it onto (retired) Cantaloupe cardstock.

This one was mounted on Misti Moonlight and then onto the Just Jade card.

This was the first one I made.  I used Polished Pink, Daffodil Delight and Bermuda Bay Blends.

Alcohol Ink Vellum Background Instructions:

This is my version.  You’ll find many other ways to do this on YouTube

1. Scribble Stampin’ Blends ink onto Vellum Cardstock
2. Spritz with 90% Rubbing Alcohol in a spritzer or spray bottle
3. Dip Brush or Water Painter into Rubbing Alcohol and dab onto each color (doing all of one color at a time, clean brush, move to next color, etc.)
4. Drip, tap and splash Wink of Stella as desired
5. Drip, tap and splash rubbing alcohol
6. Flick more ink from Stampin’ Blends onto project
7. Dry with heat tool if desired
8. Mount to cardstock – mounting on white will really make the colors pop!

Artistically Inked with FREE SHIPPING!

 I'm still here .... hobbling around with the cane and the walker.  I went to the ortho doc last week.  He took x-rays and didn't find anything broken or fractured - only a bit of arthritis.  He told me it could take me a month to heal.  It's been 3 1/2 weeks but I know I've got a while to go.  At least I can put weight on my left leg - gingerly!  

I have made a couple of cards this week using the beautiful Artistically Inked stamp set.  It is so beautiful especially with the designer paper (which of course, I don't want to cut into it!!)  I wanted to try it out with different colors of ink.

Polished Pink with Soft Succulent leaves

Fresh Freesia with Granny Apple Green leaves

Pale Papaya with Granny Apple Green leaves

I stamped the centers of all of them with Bumblebee ink.

Thursday (June 24) is FREE STAMPIN' UP SHIPPING for a purchase of $50 USD or above.  Maybe you want to get the Artistically Inked Bundle for $53.  Order online using my Hostess Code 6C4NUCZG.

I want to share this picture I took at Ashley's of her hydrangea covered with cicadas!  The cicadas were so loud you just wouldn't believe it!  And they were everywhere - dead and alive.  When they fall on their back, they can't turn over so they die.  The cicadas that hatch in 2021 will drop to the ground and burrow into the earth for 17 years.  There, they'll feed on the fluids in tree roots until they emerge to breed in May 2038.  And so the cycle repeats!  

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Colonel Ashley's big day

I have been busy, busy, busy with all the details of Ashley's promotion and my healing!  We drove to Maryland last Tuesday.  I was glad when that trip was over!  I was using the walker and sure got a good idea of what handicap people go through on a daily basis.  At one of the rest stops, I couldn't maneuver the door to the rest room and my walker.  Luckily there was a nice lady who helped me in and out.  At a gas station, I went in to use the rest room and a young person was in front of me and she went in the handicap stall knowing I was using a walker ... and there were other stalls available for her to use.  So I patiently waited for her to do her business  before I could go in but oh how I wanted to say something to her!

Mom and Angela also drove up on Tuesday as did Marianne and Greg.  Marianne & Greg stayed at a campground a short distance from Ashley's house.  Two of Ashley's girlfriends arrived Thursday night from Texas.  We had a full house and lots of helpers to start the preparations.  Friday morning it was pouring rain as we went to the pinning ceremony at the Woman's Memorial.  Ashley had about 20 guests at the ceremony.  It was wonderful!!  

Ashley with two of her colleagues/friends who participated in the Colonel Pinning Ceremony.

Ashley with me & Grandmom!  This was not an easy trip for a 92 year old!

 

Ashley with my brother and his wife who came from Texas (Jim & Janie)

Sonny and I pinning the Eagles on her shoulders!  I was able to make it on stage without the walker!!  Yay!

The newest female Colonel!!

After the ceremony we all went to a local restaurant for Texas BBQ!!  Yum!  It was delicious.  Next the prep work for the Saturday party started!!  Ashley's two girlfriends who were staying with us are not cooks but they pitched in & did a great job while I had to sit and supervise.  We did a taco bar (for about 50 people) which was really good but a lot of work before hand to shred the lettuce, cut tomatoes, cukes, celery, peppers, jalepenos and cook the meat - chicken and beef.  We over estimated how much food to make and ended up with a lot left over so Sunday we started dividing things up to put in the freezer, give to neighbors, and mom & Angela to take home!!  One of Ashley's favorite bands played at the party (well, actually 2 of the members of the band, Alternate Routes.)

These are all Ashley's Rock Boat friends along with the band members.  The Rock Boat is a music cruise that Ashley has taken for about 17 years!

Ashley with her Aunt Marianne

Just a few of the friends and family who gathered in Ashley's back yard to celebrate.

Alternate Routes band members

Delicious cake from Costco

Ashley, Jodi and Lisa - our cooks for the day!  They did a great job.

Sonny and I are driving back home on Tuesday.  We stayed a couple of days extra to return the keg and help put things back in order .... and to recover from several 1:00 am nights/mornings!!  I can finally put weight on my leg and walk around gingerly.  I have an appointment for Wednesday with the orthopedic doc whom I'm guessing will refer me for Physical Therapy (again!)  I'm kind of embarrassed to tell the doctor I fell again!!

Update

 Thought I'd update my progress for you.  Every day I see & feel a little bit better but I still have a long way to go.  I just took my shower (#2 for the week!)  I went up & down the steps on my butt with Sonny waiting for me at the top & bottom to get me in the shower!   It felt so good to wash my hair & myself!!  I am still sleeping on the couch downstairs & it is pretty comfy.   I actually graduated from the wheelchair to a walker yesterday.  I am hoping I can use a knee scooter soon.  A friend of mine has one & is going to let me borrow it.  Ashley & Sonny don't think it will work for me as I will have to have my left leg (injured one) folded up on the scooter & scoot with my right one so we'll see.  I appreciate all the emails and text messages that friends have sent me.

Here are a couple of cards I made with the latest Paper Pumpkin.  Truthfully, this kit wasn't my style but I'm still thinking of ideas I can use to make more of the Batter Up cards.

This card was made as a birthday card for a special friend.

This card was a little bit different.  I used the blue tissue paper that comes in the kit and adhered it to a white card.  The striped paper is from the envelope liner that I tore on the side.  I had some blue twine that I looped under the circle.  I fussy cut the words in the sentiment and used the Blending Brushes to color the circle Balmy Blue.

Enjoy!

OUCH

 Hi friends!  Wanted to let you know that I won't be posting for a week or so.  Clumsy Clara again!  I fell again!  I got up to use the bathroom about 2 a.m. Monday morning & the room was spinning & I fell on my left side.  We ended up calling 911 about 6 a.m.  They were able to get me down the steps and into our car.  It was free for that but if we'd needed them to take me to ER it would have been big bucks!  They took x-rays of both hips & there was nothing broken (thank goodness!) & they gave me a shot for the pain. My left leg is pretty much useless right now.  When I put any weight on it the pain radiates from my groin to my lower back on the left side. On the way home, we stopped at my mom's and got her wheelchair.  Last night I slept on the couch & was able to get myself in and out of the wheelchair by myself without too much pain.  Sonny stayed home with me today.  He is NOT a good nurse!!  I am dying to go upstairs & take a bath, wash my hair & put on clean clothes but I think that will be for another day.  I have too much to do in the next few days to be disabled!  We are driving to Ashley's on Tuesday for her promotion celebration (to Colonel.)  Please pray for me.

I also wanted to let you know about the sale going on for products in the Mini Catalog.  Click on the link below.  There are some great sales there.

LAST CHANCE PRODUCTS

Teamwork Blog Hop

Good evening and welcome to the May Blog Hop by NC Demos.  For this month's blog hop we will be focusing on new products in the 2021-2022 Annual Catalog but with a twist!  Our project will feature at least one new product from the new catalog and some "old" products that carried over to the 2021-2022 catalog.  So these two - old and new - will work together just like a team!  My "old" product is the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set and my "new" items are the In Colors Stampin' Blends,  the sentiments on my two cards and the Artistry Blooms Sequins.

I decided to use the spotlight technique with the Celebrate Sunflowers stamp set.  I used my Stamparatus to easily stamp the image and sentiment  in Memento black ink.  Then I colored them with my Stampin' Blends Markers.  I love the pop of color the new In Colors gave these cards.  

The center panel is 2 5/8" x 4". Double check to be sure your sentiment fits!  The Basic Black mat is 1/4" larger on each side of the center panel.  To keep the layers together while stamping, I put a small amount of adhesive on the back of the small layer and then pressed it a few times against my clothes to take some of the stickiness off.  (Another option is to gently use your Embossing Buddy on the adhesive.)

The sentiment "thanks" comes from Artistically Inked stamp set and "you are amazing" is from Color & Contour stamp set.

I just love these new In Colors and keep changing my mind on my favorite.  But, I'm pretty sure my fav is Polished Pink!  What about you?  

I used Pale Papaya Blends on this card with a little bit of Pumpkin Pie Blends.

I think this is my favorite using Polished Pink light and dark Stampin' Blends.

Now continue along to Laurie's blog and see what a great project she has for us.

Tracie Evans Langley
Amy Kinler
Jo Anne Hewins
Toni Campana
Tina Lesson
Sharon Maranich   You are here
Laurie Meier
Neidine DuPree
Frances Wagner

United Through Creativity

Caring about people means working together towards a common goal; helping each other through life's challenges; and celebrating each other's accomplishments.  It means including others, even when we disagree, have contrasting life experiences, or simply see things differently.  Caring about people is one of Stampin' Up!'s central values.

In honor of this value - and in the spirit of World Diversity Day - Stampin' Up! is celebrating what makes us unique through what brings us together:  creativity!!  The United Through Creativity Digital download features inclusive, multicultural and mutilingual sentiments and illustrations that represent the multiple markets Stampin'Up! engages with .... AND it's free for all!

The elements featured in the United Through Creativity Digital download were created in the spirit of World Diversity Day - a day for each of us to join together and understand the value of cultural diversity throughout the world.  And, to celebrate our unique community of crafters!  Print your favorite pieces and use them to create cards, scrapbook pages, and other paper projects.  I hope you'll enjoy celebrating diversity, connection, community, and creativity with this sweet selection of inclusive, multicultural, and multilingual elements. 

Download HERE.

Here is a card I made using the download.  I colored it with Stampin' Blends and ran it through the Rectangle Die.  

Above is "together" in three different languages.

Expressions in Ink

It's been really warm  / HOT here this week with temps almost to 90.  And wouldn't you know it ... my mom's air conditioner went out on Monday!  I guess it's no shame for it; she's had it since 1998!!  She was due I think.  It is going to be replaced today so she should be cooled down by Saturday!  I offered for her and my sister to come to my house to sleep but at 92 years old, mom can't get up and down the steps.  

I want you to notice my blog header.  I used the new In Colors to color the elements.  I love that I can do that by changing the HEX values to match.  The background is Soft Succulent; the largest rectangle is Freesia; the next rectangle is Papaya; and the tag and the smallest rectangle is Polished Pink.  I love these In Colors!

I am in love with the Expressions In Ink designer paper!!  The colors are just beautiful.  Some of the papers have gold running through - gorgeous!  Here are a couple of cards I made with the DSP.  It really hurt me to cut it up if you know what I mean.  But, hey, I can buy another pack!!

No stamping on this card.  I adhered a piece of an Adhesive Sheet to the back of the black cardstock before die cutting it.  The card is made using Evening Evergreen (new In Color) and matted with a piece of Lemon Line cardstock (retired).  I cut the DSP into 4 pieces to use on a card.   The design runs down the middle of the DSP piece.

Isn't this beautiful paper!!  I die cut a few flowers and leaves and adhered them in the corner.  Don't know if you can tell it but the Polished Pink flower is shiny with Wink of Stella.