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?

The Winner Could Be YOU!

I received some good news today from Ashley.  She may be coming home a little earlier than she thought!  Of course, with the Army nothing is written in stone so I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch!  But, she may be leaving Iraq the first of August instead of the end of the month to set up the clinic at Ft. Hood.  I've got my fingers crossed!!

Yesterday I had a really nice day.  Sonny and I started out by taking the boat out for breakfast to a restaurant on the lake.  After a little bit of a ride around, we headed for home before the lake got too crowded and the sun got too hot!!  In the afternoon Marianne and Mom came over and we went down to our neighborhood pool to "veg" out.  It was pretty warm so we ended up staying in the water most of the time but it was a lot of fun.  My mom is like a kid in water so there was a lot of splashing around and playing.  It was good for her.  One of her good friends had died the night before and this helped to get her mind off of that.  A storm came up around 5 so we headed back to my house to get dressed.  We met the rest of the family in town later for dinner.

I have made a few more cards using my retired sets - Chic Boutique and Eastern Blooms - to share with you. 

I've decided to have a drawing at the end of the month for the cards I am making using retired sets.  A few of them will be used for my Monday Mailers but the rest could be sent to YOU!  Just leave me a comment and July 1, I will put all the names in a hat and draw one .... or two .... out and send them to you!!

RECIPE:

Stamp:  Chic Boutique

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy

Accessories:  SU Markers, 1 1/4" Striped Navy Ribbon, Oval Punch, Embossing Folder

 RECIPE:

 Stamps:  Eastern Blooms, Swirls & Curls Verses (hostess)

Paper:  Marina Mist, Early Espresso, White

Access:  Pearls, Markers, White Taffeta Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Polka Dot Emb. Folder

RECIPE:

Stamps:  Priceless, Eastern Blooms

PAPER:  Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, Beyond the Garden DSP

Access:  Rhinestones (non SU), Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool

I don't know if you can tell but I've been photographing my cards in a little better light.  After I cleaned out my retiring stamps, I had an extra shelf so I set up a lightbox area in it.  Here's what it looks like:

 I have an Ott-Light that clamps to a table (thanks to Margaret) so I clamped it to the top of the shelf and hung it upside down to shine onto my card.  I just have cardstock behind the card but I can change it out to a dark cardstock if I need to for a white card.

Guess I need to tack that cord up but the switch is midway down the cord and I need to be able to reach it.  So far, it's not bothering me draped down to the outlet that way.

Where Does The Time Go?

Sorry - didn't realize I hadn't posted in several days!  I get to doing stuff at night and next thing I know, it's midnight.  So, I turn off the computer thinking I'll post something the next morning.  But, the next morning, I get distracted blog surfing, playing mindless games of Hearts and Spades, and who knows what else I'm doing.  Then I realize it's lunch time!   Most of the time, I just don't know where the hours in the day go.  

Last Friday I joined a Newcomers group at the firehouse near me to play Hand and Foot.  I had never played before but caught on pretty quick.  The game is a version of Canasta.  I played Canasta a lot when I was a teenager in college.  Also many years ago, my sister, Debra and her husband, Jack, got hooked on playing Canasta.  Whenever the four of us were together, we spent just about every waking moment playing games - hearts, canasta, spades, Oh Hell .... you name it, we probably played it.   I have some great memories of our get-togethers and wish we could all be together just one more time.  Once when we lived in Alabama, Jack & Debbie came down (from west Texas) for their vacation.  We had a den in our basement.  I don't think we ever came out of that den the whole week except to eat and sleep.  We spent the whole week playing card games while our kids played outside or in their playroom.  It was great since our kids were the same age and sex and they got along great.  Another time, they came to Alabama and we drove to Gulf Shores for our vacation.  It rained every day that we were there except for one day when we drove to Mobile to a water park and to see some battleship.  We didn't let that rain stop our fun though.  We were camping - the adults in our pop up camper and the kids in the tent (and that's another story!!).  So every day we drove to the state park where there were covered picnic shelters.  We sat at the picnic tables playing cards while the kids played in the sand.  Whenever there was a break in the rain, we'd run down to the beach and take a swim!  Our kids still talk about that trip but mainly because we put their tent in an ant bed!!

I don't have any sneak peek items to share with you.  I actually haven't ordered anything yet.  I think I am going to wait until the catalog is released to buy any of the stamps.  So far, the ones that we can buy haven't thrilled me except for one which is a snowman one.  I may get it early so I can use it for Convention swaps.  I am also going to order the new In Color package.  But my new catalogs arrive next Wednesday!!  I am super excited.  If you are in my club or are a regular customer, I have a catalog for you.  If not, let me know that you want one and I will save one for you ($10).

I am going to concentrate in the next few weeks making cards with some of the Retiring Stamp sets.   Also, that is the theme for June's Monday Mailers - Old or New stamp sets.  There are a few of the sets that I am sad to see go - Party Hearty, Always, Pun Fun, Cheep Talk, Great Friend, Priceless, Pick a Petal.  I took a pretty good hit on stamps that are going away - lost about 25 not counting the hostess sets which I know won't return each year.  I'm anxious to see which sets from the past Mini Catalogs will make it into the new catalog. 

So today I used Chic Boutique to make a couple of cards.  Wouldn't you know it - I just got this set at the Used Stamp Sale.  Luckily, I didn't pay much for it so I'll be holding on to it and using it in the future.

 RECIPE:
Paper:   Blushing Bride, Pear Pizazz, DSP (from hostess pack)
Accessories:  Pear Pizazz Taffeta Ribbon
The dress forms are paper pieced using the DSP

RECIPE:

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cajun Craze, Newsprint DSP

Stamps:  Chic Boutique, Autumn Days, French Background, Sanded Background, Bliss

Ink:  Cajun Craze, Basic Gray, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake, Versamark

Acces:  Clear Embossing Powder (on leaves in corner)

I sponged gray and crumb cake around the edges.

Let me know if you want to order any of the retiring items before they are all gone!!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

I went to my Newcomer's meeting today wearing a cute little straw hat.  I love hats!  Unfortunately, my family always makes fun of me when I put a hat on so I'm never sure if I look good or bad in them!!  But I got several compliments today on my straw hat.  If you're wondering, I wasn't the only one with a hat on.  Everyone was asked to wear a hat in honor of our speakers today.  We had two ladies who volunteer with the Mooresville Museum present their traveling trunk program entitled "The Story of Cotton - from Seed to Cloth."  It was quite entertaining.

After my meeting, I went shopping for a bathing suit!  I don't know about you but that is not a good experience!  I HATE it and I normally don't mind shopping.  Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I need to lose weight.  I need to find a plan and stick to it!!

Tonight Sonny and I went to Hickory Tavern in Mooresville for dinner and to play live trivia in the bar area.  Except ..... trivia was yesterday!!  I know I looked it up and it said Wednesday!!  Oh well, we watched the hockey game for a bit and then came back home.  It was better than having to cook something in the house for dinner.  The weather has been horrible!!!  Can you say HOT and HUMID?   It's been in the 90s for the past several days with no relief in sight.  If it's already this hot now, I shudder to imagine what the rest of the summer is going to be like.

I do have a couple of cards to share with you.  One of them is my final May Monday Mailer from Becky.  So elegant!  And the other is the Monday Mailer that I finally got in the mail today to Tina (a little late!).

 This is the Criss Cross card that I made for Tina.  It uses the DSP from the Summer Mini - Beyond the Garden.  I used the Triple Layer Punch for the Blossom.

 This is the card that slides into the pocket.  Along with the Triple Layer Blossom Punch, I used the Priceless Stamp.  I had a feeling this one was going to retire and I was right. 

This is the card from Becky.  She used the Flower Garden Embossing Folder on vellum with pearls in the center.  I love the Crochet Trim ribbon!

Memorial Day

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  Ours was nice - pretty quiet but we did spend some time with family.   Yesterday Sonny and I took the boat out on the lake early before the lake got too crowded.  We threw the anchor in our usual cove and read our books.  When we first got there, there were only about 4-5 boats but when we left around 2, there were probably 10-15 boats just in that cove.   Later in the afternoon, Marianne and Mom came over and we sat out on the deck and visited.  One of the chairs (mine!) was covered in baby praying mantis.  I've never seen such a thing! 

Unfortunately, in order to sit in the chair, I had to brush all of them off it!!  Felt like a real killer. 

Later Marianne's husband, Greg, came and Sonny cooked some burgers and hot dogs for us.  I made potatoes and a yummy peach cobbler!  After dinner, we took a boat ride.  When we got back home Angela (my other sister) had gotten off of work and come over to enjoy some dinner.  Then we watched the Coca Cola 600 race .... what can I say - we live in Race City USA!!

Marianne spent the night and we did some crafting today.  We both worked on our Button Farm mini scrapbooks.  It was a fun relaxing day.

Here is the Memorial Day card I made tonight.  It uses another SU stamp set that I bought at the used stamp sale for a steal ($4).  It is pretty old but a good one.  I'll be using it again soon to celebrate Ashley's homecoming.

Speaking of Ashley, I chatted with her on Saturday (instant message) and again today.  She didn't see any patients today and she said she's only seen a few patients the whole time she's been there.  She's read several books,  watched 3 episodes of Off The Map and several movies.  She's only been there since Friday!!  Luckily, she said they have a pretty extensive library since she only took 10 books with her.  She'll read all their books by the end of her 2 weeks!!

Monday Mailer / May

Here are a couple of the Monday Mailers I have sent and received this month.  I'm trying to think of a theme for June's Monday Mailers.  I'm leaning toward Retiring since June 1, Stampin' Up will announce their retiring stamps.  Got any predictions?

 

I am loving this stamp!  I sponged the water and the sky onto Glossy White paper, masking a circle for the moon.  I heat embossed the moon with Vanilla Embossing Powder (used Versamark on the circle first.)  The sails are cut out separately.  I used the Modern Label Punch and put 2 Itty Bitty Buttons up top with a blue circle behind the buttons and linen thread through them.

 This is a great card from Becky using Flower Fest from the Summer Mini.  I just bought this stamp set and will be making some cards from it this weekend.

This is another beautiful card that I got this week from Becky .... great for a wedding card!  She used the new Flower Garden embossing folder and debossed the front of the card.  Just lovely!!

Ashley arrived at her new location yesterday.  She took a 20 minute helicopter ride to get there.  She will be relieving a doctor who is on R&R for a couple of weeks.  The new post only has about 60 soldiers so it is much smaller than her post.  She said she will probably only be seeing 1-2 people a day!  Conditions there aren't as nice as where she is stationed - no cable in her room, food not as good ...  We have not been able to Skype - only talked via Instant Message.  She is hoping to be able to Skype with us tomorrow.  There is only one computer there that has a headset and video and it was in use today.  So, tomorrow she is going to take her own headset to call us.  She said she will be catching up on her sleep and her reading while she is there.  She also took a bunch of movies to watch.  Any of you who know her know that she likes to be on the go all the time.  My guess is she is going to go nuts over there!!  But the good news is it is almost June so her countdown to coming home has begin!!  Mid August doesn't seem that far away.