John 3-16

Last week a friend asked me to make a card for her.  She wanted it to have a church and the Bible verse John 3-16 on the card.  Well, I don't have a church stamp and couldn't find one online that I liked.  So she told me to go ahead and just make something pretty.  I am really thrilled with the card that I made for her.  I found the stamp online - it is a digital image.  I just love that I can do a search, find an image that I like, purchase it ($3), print it out and voila - make a stunning card with it!  You can also do that with Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio images.

The card base is Concord Crush.  The DSP is retired from SU (Bride) that I just love.  It is white paper that I sponged Concord Crush onto it and the white swirls pop.  I used various markers for the flowers and a tad of Stickles to make them sparkle.  I cut the image out and popped it up on Nestabilities Label Six.  The label and the book pages were sponged slightly with Soft Suede.  I used a Martha lacy punch for the vanilla cardstock at the bottom..

I even prettied up the inside of the card!

I hope you had a good weekend.  I took my mom shopping on Friday.  I picked her up at 10:30 Friday a.m. and I didn't return home until almost 6 pm!  Whew!!  We had a nice day and I didn't buy too much - got a jacket, shirt and Coldwater Creek jean capris - all for $30!!  Not bad, huh?  We went to lunch and on the way home, we stopped off at Kohl's.  Mom was looking for a spring purse but they didn't have a lot of them so she settled for a real pretty black and white floral bag.  I also got a couple of pairs of earrings and a necklace.  

Yesterday was supposed to be rainy and I had already decided I was going to make some cards.  I have an order for a few cards so I made great headway with them.  Plus, I need to get my club cards made.  Anyway, it didn't start raining until last night but I card-ed anyway and made about 6 cards.  Today was rainy all day and cold again!  Our yard looks like a swimming pool from all the rain.  

I have not talked to Ashley since last Thursday.  We usually "skype" every day or two.  She has not been on-line and I am freaking out a bit.  Hopefully, it is nothing and I will skype with her tomorrow.

Final Feb Monday Mailers

I am going to be sad not to receive Monday Mailers from Beth Fox any more.  She sent me some wonderful cards!  The card she sent me this week uses my favorite color combo - pink, green, blue.  I'll be CASE'ing it soon - maybe even for my club this month.

 

Beth sent me a note telling me her 7 year old daughter added the bling on the photo corners while she wasn't looking!  A future stamper in the making!  The stampset is the single stamp - Elizabeth

 

 This is the card I sent to Beth.  I love these colors together (Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point and Poppy Parade ribbon).  I stamped the image from Bliss in white on the blue and embossed it.  The bird is stamped in Pacific Point on white paper.  I used the Beveled Windowpanes to frame the bird.  The Daffodil piece is scallop punched and embossed with Elegant Lines die and the Big Shot.

I got a big shipment this week and I have to share the boxes Stampin' Up is using for Sale-a-bration!  

 

Going to the Birds

I made a couple of cards last night while watching TV.  One of the stamp sets I picked up locally last week and the other one is a Stampin' Up set that belongs to Ashley.  It is one of the stamps that you can get FREE during Saleabration!!

I bought a card making magazine this week at M's that I have been wanting and used it tonight for my color choices.  I usually pick my colors with SU's Color Coach which I love!!  But decided to try something different tonight.  Picking my colors is what usually takes me the longest time in making cards!!

The magazine along with my two bird cards

 

 I just realized that I haven't stamped the chain for the birdcage in the center!  Glad I saw it.  The colors I used for this card are mostly retired SU - Brilliant Blue, Cool Caribbean and Chocolate Chip & Certainly Celery (not ret'd). I also used the Modern Label Punch.

This card also uses some retired colors - Brilliant Blue, Gable Green, and YoYo Yellow.  It's funny - I hardly used these colors when they were part of our color family and now I am drawn to them.  Aren't these little birdies cute?  The stamp set is Happy Together.

I'm taking my mom shopping today and out to lunch.  Keep your fingers crossed that I don't buy too much!  We are going to a place in China Grove that has overstocks and that type of deals.  They only open a few times a year with some pretty good buys.  I have only been once before and ended up spending more that mom and I didn't even want to go!!  I did get a pair of black jeans from Coldwater Creek for a steal.  I would love to find another deal like that.  Last time there was also a shoe warehouse open for a limited time across the street and of course, I had to buy a pair of suede boots!

Top 13 for Idol

I'm posting a couple of cards tomorrow - I promise!!

It was a crazy night on “American Idol.” Somehow in two hours they managed to cut 14 contestants, make six sing, bring back three and premiere Jennifer Lopez’s new video.  After naming the top ten, the judges, on the spot (yeah right… as if the entire night wasn’t rehearsed), picked six contestants America did not vote through to the top ten and made them sing again.

The top ten that America voted for are:

• Scotty McCreery 
• Jacob Lusk
• Casey Abrams
• Paul McDonald
• James Durbin 
• Pia Toscano 
• Lauren Alaina
• Karen Rodriguez
• Thia Megia
• Haley Reinhart 

The judges had six contestants sing for their life.  The were:

• Ashton Jones
• Stefano Langone
• Kendra Chantelle
• Jovany Barreto
• Naima Adedapo
• Robbie Rosen

Ashton, Stefano and Naima made it through so now we have a top 13!

I’m bummed that Lauren Turner, Robbie and Tim Halperin are gone.  I just hope that Scotty can show off his talent on other genres than country.  Don't get me wrong - country is great, but all of America doesn't like it.  If he can, I think he will be a top contender along with Pia.

American Idol Girls Performances

I was expecting a lot more of the girls' performances on Idol, but they were only so-so for me - except for a few of them.  The top five vote-getters from both the top 12 boys and the top 12 girls will be automatically sent to this season’s  finalists spot, but it’s not over just yet for the other 14 singers.  There will be a series of wildcard saves decided upon by the judges to keep a little balance between what production wants and what America wants, assuming we make a mistake or two. There will be some serious “sing for your life” moments if this plays out with those bottom 14 singing for a still unknown quantity of Judges’ Picks.   I've read in different places that we'll have the "sing offs" on tonight's show and I've also heard that the  "sing-offs" will happen next week  If they don't do the "sing-offs" tonight, it could get very boring waiting for Ryan to do his suspense thing for TWO hours.  In my opinion, they are really stretching this thing out but that is nothing new  for Idol I guess!!

So here are my thoughts on the girls' performances:

Ta-Tynisa Wilson, “Only Girl.” Her performance was a bit weak. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez were much kinder than Randy Jackson.
 
Naima Adedapo, “Summertime.”   She sounded good but  I'm not sure if that was the song to get her through.  I like it but I'm old - don't know how the younger people will like it! 

Kendra Chantelle, “Impossible.”  I just don’t think she did enough to stand out even with the tight leather pants!
. 
Rachel Zevita, “Criminal.” From her drag queen opening to her pouty attitude to the judges, Rachel didn’t do herself any favors tonight either.  Rachel still has a good voice, she just freaked me out a little bit tonight. 

Karen Rodriguez, “Hero.” Her performance gave J Lo goosebumps.  She was good but I can't say I got goosebumps!  She sang in English and Spanish which was really cool.


Lauren Turner, “Seven Day Fool.”  I didn’t take any notes during her song because I was busy enjoying her fantastic performance. She’s got soul.  I loved it!

 Ashton Jones, “Love Over Me.” She just needs to skip this  show and cut an album. That is all.  

Julie Zorrilla, “Break Away.” The judges did not like her but I didn't think she was all that bad.

Haley Reinhart, “Fallin’” I thought the song and act was a little too old for her.  She put a sexy spin on it and her voice is pretty unique to this competition.  Judges like her though.

 Thia Megia, “Out Here On My Own.”  She is a great technical singer. Her tone is flawless. But her stage presence isn’t there yet.  She’s also coming off a lot older than 15.   


Lauren Alaina, “Turn on The Radio.” Lauren is a natural.  This was one of my favorites tonight!

Pia Toscano, “I’ll Stand By You.” Wow. Just wow.  What a performance.  People were even crying. She got the only standing ovation.  No one can say that wasn’t the best performance of the night. I don’t care who your favorite is. 

It's American Idol time!

Do you watch American Idol?  If you're a reader of my blog, you know that I am a big fan.  I wasn't so sure at the beginning of the show how I was going to like the new judges.  I am still not totally sold on Jennifer and  Steven Tyler.  I keep wondering how Steven Tyler is going to keep his mouth shut during the live show.  I'm not a prude but I don't care to hear the "F" word all the time.  There are a lot of young people who watch this show and he's not such a great role model in my opinion!  My updates will be a day late (at least) this year.  Since Sonny is not watching the show with me, I am having to tape it upstairs in my craft room and watch it the next day by myself.  The top 12 guys performed Tuesday night. Our votes this week will create the Top 10 with the 5 highest vote-getting guys and girls each. On top of that, the judges will add their Wild Card picks. 

So, here are my thoughts on what I just finished watching - the top 12 boys. 

Clint Jun Gamboa, “Superstitious.”  It was an OK performance. He can sing but he wasn't a favorite.


Jovany Baretto, “I’ll Be.”  His performance was boring and weak . Randy Jackson agrees with me. 

Jordan Dorsey, “OMG.” OMG is right.  He’s been a good singer but tonight it just wasn’t there. That clearly isn’t who he is as a singer and he is a TERRIBLE dancer.  I think he is gone.

Tim Halperin, “Streetcar Symphony.”  The song choice was just bad - it  was not his best song.  Maybe he’ll get the wildcard from the judges.

Brett Loewenstern, “Light My Fire" He can do better.  How many times did he toss his hair???

James Durbin,” Another Thing Comin.” Wow. He was pretty amazing. His voice was powerful, yet controlled. He showed great confidence. His high notes didn’t make me want to leave the room.  

Robbie Rosen, “In the Arms of an Angel.” His performance tonight was weak. He showcased his soft and vulnerable voice but he was pretty flat through most of the song.  I think he’ll still be safe, but not because of his performance tonight. 

Scotty McCreery, “Letters From Home.” I am a FAN!!   He’s got such great control over that low voice of his. It’s an impeccable sound. And the way he ended that song. Amazing.  Doesn't hurt that I love that song!  He'll make it big as a country singer.

Stefano Langone, “Just The Way You Are.” This guy is so likable.  And he’s cute so he’ll be getting a lot of votes for those reasons. Those reasons also means he’s incredibly marketable. And he can sing, too!  He’s very believable. 

Paul McDonald, “Maggie Mae.” His performance of “Maggie Mae” could be a hit today. It was so unique and enjoyable. One of the best of the night. I also love this Rod Stewart song!

Jacob Lusk, “House is Not a Home.”   His singing is technically perfect.  His performance tonight was flawless and its going to earn him enough votes to secure a spot in the Top 12. 

Casey Abrams, “I Put a Spell on You.”  Casey, you sound sexy. Sure. J Lo thinks so. But I think you still need to trim your beard   Like Jacob, Casey is technically a perfect singer. 

Aside from a few sure-thing goners, none of the other fellas were so atrocious they need to go just yet. It should be interesting Thursday night!

What were your thoughts on tonight’s performances? Any new favorites? Any thoughts on who will be leaving us Thursday?

In Like A Lion .... Out Like a Lamb?

March blew in like a lion yesterday with severe storms in our area.  All we got at our house was a lot of wind and rain but a tornado touched down not too far from Mooresville - in the Statesville area.  I don't usually get scared during storms like most of my family but those winds yesterday had me a little nervous plus I was home alone.  I'm sure my mom's weather radio was blasting away at her house!  But we didn't even lose electricity so that was a good thing.

Hopefully, we are done with the cold weather and ready to start spring!!  I'm ready for it.  I've already started putting a few of my house plants outside so they can enjoy the sunshine.

Plus, now that March is here, my Ireland trip is a little bit closer!  I've read all the tour books, got the reservations made, started planning what to pack - I'm getting excited!

Make today a good day!

Fun Fold

I found this cool fun fold card on Laura Lipe's blog and decided to give it a try.  I really like how it turned out!

Cardstock:  Old Olive, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Greenhouse Gala DSP
Stamp:  Just Believe
Markers:  Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive
I colored directly on the stamp with my markers.  This card fits in a standard envelope.

If you want the measurements and cutting instructions, you can visit Laura's blog HERE.

Vintage Monday Mailer

I got a beautiful vintage-y Monday Mailer this week from Beth.  I'm really going to be sad when I receive the final card from Beth next week.  She does such outstanding work!  And she is really good about acknowledging when she receives my card.  Not everyone who participates in the Monday Mailer program does this even though I plead with them every month to share what they receive.  

Beth used the Wallpaper embossing folder (I just ordered it!!) and the Beveled Windowpanes.  I just love all the details in this card - the sponging, the little bits of lace, the newspaper DSP.

Easter using MDS

I really love My Digital Studio.  I recently downloaded a few stamp sets that I didn't own.  I printed them out on card stock and made a few cards with them.  That is one of the greatest things I love.  You don't have to have MDS to purchase the downloads.  You can purchase the download and save it. What I do is open a Word document and insert a picture (my download picture).  Then you can print it out on cardstock and voila!! Here's a link to tell you a little more about MDS.   AND SU has recently printed a MDS catalog so you can keep up with your downloads.  Here are a couple I printed out yesterday and made into cards.

These are the little girls from Easter Blossoms (Occasions Mini).  I just love her!

This is a single stamp that is not offered anymore so MDS is perfect in that you can buy retired stamps.

 

 Here is the card that I made with Chocolate Bunny.  I also used Beveled Windowpanes that I recently bought.  The butterflies are an embosslet.

Close up of Beveled Windowpane.  These are sturdy acrylic frames.  You get 12 in a package in three different sizes.

This card uses Easter Blossoms.  The cardstock is Very Vanilla and Springtime Vintage DSP.  The little tags are from Tiny Tags stamp set and punched out the Tiny Tag punch.  I tied them onto the Vanilla ribbon with .....dental floss!!

Close up of my bow and tags.