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!

Don't Miss - Blog Candy by All Paper Craft Crew!

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

This is the Grand Opening of the Paper Craft Crew Challenges. Please check out the blog and leave us a take on the sketch for this week. If you do the sketch and leave us a link to your sketch you will be entered into a drawing to win a Grand Prize Basket full of goodies! The Grand Prize drawing winner will be announced on Wednesday, November 7 and posted at 9pm EST the same day.  Mention that you read this on my blog, Inkie Fingers please!

Wait - there's more opportunities for you to win BLOG CANDY!  Make sure you visit each of the Crew's blogs, make a comment and you may be the winner of stamps, watercolor crayons, embossing folders, etc. from their blogs!!  There are several opportunities so go check out the other blogs after reading mine.  You will find a link  to the blogs in my side bar.

 Look for the Paper Craft Crew on Facebook!  You can like us by clicking HERE!  You can also find the Paper Craft Crew on Pinterest.

And, yes, I have some blog candy for you too but you have to leave me a comment below!!  Just like Trick or Treat!!  Tell me what your favorite Halloween costume was when you were growing up.  I think mine was dressing up like a hobo.  I loved Halloween growing up, didn't you?  There was always one house in the neighborhood that gave away caramel apples and we would make sure we went there before she ran out.  Too bad you can't do that in this day and age.  I feel sorry for all the kids in the northeast today that won't be able to go Trick or Treating.

My blog candy is a jar of Melon Mambo Embossing Powder, a spool of Raspberry Ripple Ribbon, a chip-board clipboard and this card below made with the Ornaments Bundle that was on sale this month.  We will be drawing for the prizes next week so stay tuned!

Our sketch for the week is:

And my take on the sketch using MDS2 is:

My Supply List:

Background     Color = Real Red

Embellishments
    Satin Ribbon\Satin Ribbon - Basic Black
    _Designer Kits\Eventful Year - embellishments\Eventful Year - pennant banner (re-colored)
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - Crumb Cake bow (re-colored)
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - Crumb Cake bow (re-colored)
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - Crumb Cake bow (re-colored)
    Baker's Twine\Baker's Twine - Crumb Cake bow (re-colored)
    Brads\Basic Black - brad
    Brads\Basic Black - brad
    Brads\Basic Black - brad
    Satin Ribbon\Satin Ribbon - Basic Black bow

Stamps
    Hip and Handsome Overlays\Hip and Handsome Overlays
    _Designer Kits\Twitterpated\Twitterpated - flower outline, Color = WHISPER WHITE
    _Designer Kits\Twitterpated\Twitterpated - flower outline, Color = WHISPER WHITE
    _Designer Kits\Twitterpated\Twitterpated - flower outline, Color = WHISPER WHITE
    _Designer Kits\Spring Fever\Spring Fever - enjoy life, Color = BASIC BLACK
    _Designer Kits\Spring Fever\Spring Fever - enjoy life, Color = CHERRY COBBLER

Punches
    Labels & Tags\Top Note shape,  Filled with: Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Love Letter - designer series paper\Love Letter - pattern 3
    Basics\Storytime - triangle, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK
    Basics\Storytime - triangle, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK
    Basics\Storytime - triangle, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK
    Basics\1.25 Circle Punch, Fill Color = BASIC BLACK 

I don't know about you but I have been watching the news coverage about "Sandy" non-stop.  My heart goes out to the people in New York and New Jersey.  We got a call today from the Red Cross to see if we are available to deploy.  Unfortunately, I have a lot going on in the next couple of weeks so I can't go at this time.  I imagine they will be needing people for a while and maybe we'll be needed later.

OK - now leave a comment and go visit the other blogs!

Look What I've Made!

If you haven't downloaded the 3 FREE MDS downloads yet, what are you waiting for?  They are great! 

I had fun with them today.  

This first project is for an Advent Calendar I am going to make.  Sonny and I went to the Y and to lunch today and afterwards, he needed to go to Lowe's.  Well .... a new Hobby Lobby just opened right next door to Lowe's so he dropped me off there.  All their Christmas craft items were on sale for 50% off.  I found this cute Advent Calendar that I bought for about $5.  And that was before I saw the free download!  So I made little 2" squares with the "Day In December download and decorated each square.  The squares and the numbers are all from the free download.  Some of the elements used to decorate the squares are from it also; others are from various Christmas downloads that I have.  All I will have to do is just print these out onto card stock and cut out each square and adhere to the front of the little box!!  I'll share the finished product when I am done.

1-12 from A Day In December free download.

13-24 from A Day in December download

This next picture is a page I created using the free Enjoying Everything download featuring sweet little Jack IV, my great nephew.  I did a little recoloring, added the polka dot overlay and voila, a darling scrapbook page!

Enjoying Everything free download

 Next we have 2 pages I created with the final free download, A Split Second.  I used the pictures I took on our recent trip to the mountains for this two page spread.

Page 1 using A Split Second free download



Page 2 of A Split Second free download - pictures from Lake Lure

But that's not all .... More great deals!!
What: FREE downloads. 50% off ALL digital kits. Mega blogging on MyDigitalStudio.net all week!

When: October 29-November 5, 2012
Where:

Get your FREE downloads here (US/CAN).
Get your digital kits-ALL 50% off-here (US/CAN).

See project ideas and tips all week on MyDigitalStudio.net.  Share the digital love, and get even more in return! Tell your friends (and even your enemies) because if we get all the free items downloaded 18,000 times, we'll give a fourth one to everybody for FREE.

Post this button on your blogs and online pages to spread the word!

SALE - SALE - SALE!

DON'T FORGET!!!

15% OFF ALL STAMPS  TODAY (Monday) Only!!!!

Here are the details: Starting at 12:00 AM (MT) and ending at 11:50 PM (MT), almost every stamp we sell will be 15 percent off.

This means all stamps in the current catalogs including

•Background stamps
•Personalized name stamps
•Incentive stamp sets from the supply list
•Cookie press stamps
•Single-image stamps

This DOES NOT include
•Hostess sets
•Bundled stamp sets
•Digital stamp brush sets
Look through our catalog and let me know which sets you need for Holiday projects, or any sets that have been on your wish list. Now is the time to order them!

Ways to Order:

• Order Online at http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/sharonm/  (select Order)
• Or email or call me with your order and I will put it in for you

There is no minimum purchase, and no limit to the number of stamps you can order.

In addition to this GREAT news . . . there's MORE great news!

More Stamps Gone Single!! Whoo Hooo! Now there are even more stamps available in pilot program that goes though Jan 2 and NOT just words!!  (I have my eyes on that Christmas tree and the flower from Blooming With Kindness!!)

MISCELLANEOUS STAMPS #1    and    MISCELLANEOUS STAMPS #2  
 

ALSO, Oct. 29th – Nov. 5th, you can receive 3 FREE MDS DOWNLOADS, PLUS 50% off ALL MDS DIGITAL KITS! To order digital items, you must order from my online store. 

Neon Challenge

I am trying another Stampin' Up MDS challenge this week - wish me luck!  This week we are supposed to create something using bright, bright colors .... think Neon.  I found something similar to the page below doing a Google search and decided to create something similar using MDS.  I found the envelopes in the Limited Edition Kit but they didn't have a flap.  So, I created a flap using punches (square punch and Photo Corner) and filled them with color.

Here is the other one I did using a Pie Box Template from Unknown Blessings Kit.  I got leaves from a lot of different stamp sets - Autumn Days, French Foilage and Grateful Heart Thanksgiving.

Actually this is the original Thank You card looked like when I made it in September.  I just added some brighter colors to the one above so that it would meet the Neon challenge. It was pretty easy just to go in and recolor some of the elements.  That is one of the great changes to MDS2 that I love. 

Truthfully, I like the one below better!  What about you?

Monday Mailer - October

I have a couple more birthday cards to share with you.

from Joyce

Isn't this the cutest image?  I just love it!  This is from my good friend, Judy N.

This card is from my NC Demo group, made by Nancy Lewis

Now to my Monday Mailer.  This is the card I made this week and mailed to Pam and Jamie.  I used one of my favorite stamp sets, French Foilage.  Our color challenge this week was Raspberry Ripple, Sahara Sand, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight and Basic Gray.

I sponged a rectangle in the center of the card with Sahara Sand and stamped the leaves around the rectangle.  I cut one of the leaves out and popped it up. 

Before I mailed the card (but after I took the pictures!), I added a sentiment that was die cut with the Itty Bitty Banner die.

Supplies:
Cardstock:  Basic Gray, Naturals Ivory
Ink:  Daffodil, Sahara Sand, Basic Gray, Raspberry Ripple
Stamp:  French Foilage
Accessories:  Raspberry Ripple ribbon, Antique Brad

Birthday MDS2 Style

This is my card for the Paper Craft Crew this week.  I used the Splatter Tool and the Chevron Stripes.  So what do you think?  Would you like to receive this card for your birthday?

Check out the other creations from the Crew HERE!  Using the weekly card sketch to make a card is a great way to play with what supplies you have, and My Digital Studio allows you to see what it will look like!

Stay tuned for news regarding our "Grand Opening" for October 31st!   Please stop by often as we start to reveal some of the exciting news along with the official announcement of the Paper Craft Crew Grand Opening.  We will be revealing plans for Blog Candy, new challenges and more!  As part of the Grand Opening, each Design Team member participating in the sketch will be offering blog candy directly on their blog!

Now ... how about some other news about some FREE items???  What do you get when you combine Digital Scrapbooking Day and My Digital Studio? A week of FREE downloads and 50 percent off ALL digital kits!


Mark your calendar for October 29 to November 5 for Stampin' Up's week long Digital Scrapbooking Day celebration where you'll get:

» FREE digital downloads
» 50% off ALL digital kits
» Creative project ideas
» Digital project challenges

Stay tuned for information regarding the free downloads and other offers that Stampin' Up will be offering next week!

My Birthday Cards

I had a nice birthday .... pretty low key but when you get to a certain age, you really don't need all the bells and whistle to announce you are getting older!  My mom called me early this morning before I left the house to play bridge.  And Sonny had laid out my present from Ashley last night so I saw it first thing this morning.  She bought me my favorite cologne from Hawaii, Hawaiian Gardenia.  I bought it when she and I were in Hawaii many years ago and have been wanting more.  Well, she was able to order it from Amazon!  Who knew?!  When I got to bridge, my friends sang Happy Birthday to me.  I got lots of text, phone and facebook messages too.  Don't you just love the digital age?!  Sonny took me to dinner tonight.  I picked Bonefish Grill and had a yummy Parmesan Crusted Flounder.  Now, if my son would just call, it would be a perfect day.  My daughter in law said they were going to call, but so far, nothing.

Here are some of my birthday cards I received:

from my good friend Kathy - she made it herself with all her granddaughters craft things!

Beautiful from my talented sister, Marianne

from my college friend, Brenda

from my sweet daughter, Ashley

from my good friend, Sharon R.

from my butterfly lover friend, Tesa

I love how Tesa does the inside of her cards.  She types her saying for the inside and prints it out.

Love this little kitty!  from my good buddy, Sharon D.

from my dear hubby!

Tuesday I am headed to Johnson & Wales with a group.  We are going to tour the place and have lunch.  Newcomers has done this activity several times but I have never been able to go so I am looking forward to it.