Quarterly Cards #2

 I'm on a roll - two days in a row!!  I have lots more cards from Quarterly to share with you.  Unfortunately, I don't know who made each of these cards!  I was in charge of lining the gals up for the swap and that was like herding cats!  

What a great use of the Pattern Party DSP.  You can purchase this pack of 48 sheets of paper with a $150 order for just $18.  On one side of each page is a black and white design while the reverse side is colored in all different colors - pinks, greens, yellows, blues, reds ......!!  I have used this paper a lot.

This is really a good idea - she used the stamp from Artistically Inked to create the water.  Wouldn't you like to be on that sailboat?!

Another good use of DSP.  This time she used the In Color 6"x6" assortment.  

I fell in love with this die during the Quarterly & have it on my next order.  I have several cards that were made using this bundle & when I first looked through the catalog, it didn't do anything for me.  Well, I have changed my mind after seeing all the cards that were made using it.

Tune in tomorrow to see several more cards made with the All Squared Away bundle

Isn't this paper gorgeous?!!  A simple card but oh so elegant.  I had to look up the DSP because I must have missed it too in the catalog.  But there on page 133 at the top you will see the beautiful Simply Elegant DSP.

This is a neat fold that I have never seen before.  Notice how the Crumb Cake piece tucks behind the blue circle to keep the card closed.  She used the new Painted Texture 3D Embossing Folder (pg 155).  You can see the opened card below.

Quarterly Cards #1

 Can't believe that I haven't posted anything since July 20!  So sorry.  I am well though .... for a change!  Well, actually, my left hip still hurts a bit but I can handle that!  Some days I even forget to take the Alieve!

We had a NC Demo Quarterly meeting in Hendersonville, NC July 23-25.  Ashley drove down for it (and for her grandmother's birthday on the 25th) and we rode up to Hendersonville with my sister, Marianne.  We stopped off at a brewery/restaurant that Marianne knew about for lunch.  The seats were inside a barrel!

We arrived at our hotel around 4 pm and were told that their washing machine had broken down the day before so they were behind in check-ins - probably our room would be ready in 1/2-1 hour.  Well, at 9:00, we finally got checked in & were able to take our things to our room.  Luckily the even was held at the hotel so we were able to just take our things & start with our shoebox swaps.  When we went up to bed, the temperature in our room was stifling - had to be at least 90 degrees - plus, there was no cold water coming out of the sink!  We didn't get much sleep that night.  I reported the problems to the front desk Sat. morning.  When we went to our room Saturday night, the cold water worked BUT our room was still stifling hot.  We were given the key to another room so we hauled all our stuff to it which happened to be the room right next to ours - which wasn't any cooler than our room.  So, we called down to the desk again & were moved to another room which was cooler thank goodness!  We tried to talk to a manager about compensating us & were told the manager was not there & we would have to speak with her the next day (Sunday).  OK - Sunday we were told the manager doesn't work on Sundays!  Since we've been home, we've tried to contact the manager several times & left messages on her phone to no avail.  She has not called us back yet.  We were not the only ones complaining about the place.  On Saturday, we were given box lunches (no choice) with bacon on them that looked like it was raw so we were all pulling that out of our sandwiches.  And of course, those that don't like mayo were out of luck because it was on the sandwich also.  That evening we were supposed to get a cookie snack but because of all the complaints, they "uppped" the cookie dessert to key lime pie, tiramasu or cheesecake.  Well, they ran out of those so some didn't get any plus we had to ask them for forks and napkins!  I spoke to the Choice Hotel group to register my complaints and will get additional choice points.  (I would rather have them reimburse me for a night!)

Other than all that, we had a good time at the event.  I haven't been to a Quarterly in a couple of years so it was really nice to see all the old and new faces.  We did a Shoebox swap on Friday and Saturday nights and made a few projects on Saturday along with swaps.  I participated in Fun Fold, Masculine and Slimline card swaps.  Here are a few of the cards that were made or swapped.

I love this black and white fun fold card!  A lot of embossing went into this card.

I think this was Marianne's Fun Fold.  The tulips on the bottom are adhered with dimensionals so the top part can prop open.

I love the look of the In Good Taste DSP!

I love the use of this die to make this fun fold.

Another fun fold similar to the above except this one uses Stitched So Sweetly dies.

Another piece of In Good Taste DSP

I just love everything about this card!  More DSP from In Good Taste (I need to get this paper!)  She used the Tasteful Textures embossing folder on the Cinnamon Cider card and Stitched Sweetly for the Cinnamon die.  The glasses are covered with Crystal Effects (I think!  they actually feel laminated!)

Even the inside has the Crystal Effects on the glass!

A great masculine card.  I struggle with making them, do you?  Looks like she used the Postage Stamp punch and made it a bit smaller.  The Daffodil Delight paired with the Basic Black cardstock is just stunning.

Expressions In Color

I am ready for this year to be over!!   We all thought 2020 was a bad year but truthfully, I didn't mind the quarantine so much.  It gave me lots of time to make cards, read, etc.  This year it seems like I have something happen to me every week!  First it was the fall I had in late December when I injured my shoulder and back and started the year doing Physical Therapy for a couple of months.  Next I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with kidney stones in both kidneys.  Then there was the fall I took on Memorial Day which hurt my hip.  I saw the ortho doc today and he said I probably still have a few weeks before I am not limping or hurting but he dismissed me.  My daily Aleve helps with my hip pain. Hopefully, I won't see him again!  Last week was my annual trip to see the eye doctor.  Well, he diagnosed me with the beginnings of glaucoma!!  I am now taking drops for that.  Oh .... I'm not done!  This weekend I suspected I had a UTI (urinary tract infection.)  I went to the urologist yesterday.  He gave me antibiotics and pain pills to take for 3 days.  He will send my urine sample to be tested.  So, hopefully I will hear something today to confirm or deny the UTI.  If it is not a UTI, then I will go back to the urologist to determine what is going on!

In the meantime, here are a few of the cards I have made with the June Paper Pumpkin kit Expressions In Color.  It was a fun one!

Everything on this card came right out of the kit except the Thick White Card Base, a piece of white cardstock to stamp on and the Evening Evergreen that is used for a mat.  I love the simple-ness (is that a word?) of this card!

This is a Z Fold card.  I used an embossing folder on the white background.

I love that the dies and stamps from the Artistically Inked bundle.  The leaves were die cut onto copper foil paper.

I cut small square from a scrap and tried to line them up straight!

Such a simple card but packs a punch!

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.

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