How Short Life Is

Wow!  It's already Friday??  Where does time go?! 

I have been trying to wrap my mind around a tragic event that happened this week.  One of my son's high school friends committed suicide.  He went to a park and put a gun to his head.  What led up to this young man's death?  What demons was he fighting?  Why did he not get help?   I heard from another friend of my son's last night who is struggling to understand this tragedy also.  He and James had parted ways several years ago over a disagreement and now, he is realizing how short life can be. He is now trying to reach out to other friends who have become estranged (one being my son).  So maybe some good can come out of this tragedy.  We are reminded how short life really is at times like this, and how we are just passing through. So, all the people you haven't told you love lately, tell them, and live your days like you mean it.

I want to share with you the muslin bag that Joy did at club this week.  She decided to make the bag her own and stenciled her initial onto the bag.  I think it turned out really cute.

 

Also - SAVE THE DATE!!  I will be sending out info soon about the Christmas Card Stamp A Stack.  I will be finishing up the cards for the event this weekend.  I have one date so far - November 16 (Saturday).  We will also be picking a weekday evening which has not been determined yet.  This is always such a fun event.  You don't want to miss it if you live in this area!!

Here is one of the cards I made this week.  Will it make the cut?  Not sure  - what do you think?

Paper Craft MDS Card

It's time for another Paper Pals sketch challenge.   Again, I used My Digital Studio to create this fun Halloween card.

I used Candid Frames for the photo strip frames and inserted the Halloween images in the frames.  I used a strip of designer paper for my ribbon.  All in all, a pretty easy card this week.

Today was one of my stamp club days.  Joy was the only one who came today so we had a one-to-one stamping day.  A couple of the gals were out of town and another gal had a dr. apt and will be coming on Thursday.  But, Joy and I had fun.  After she finished the cards and muslin bag, she cut and stamped some leaves and letters so she can make a Fall plaque like the one HERE.  I can't wait to see her finished project!  She did her little muslin bag so cute.  Instead of making it for Halloween, she used the dauber and did red polka dots and did her initial (J) in the center.  I'll be sharing the picture I took of it later.  We came up with the idea that the little muslin bags would make a cute little tooth bag for the grandkids.

October Club Cards

This is my week for Stamp Club and we have a variety of cards to do.  First off, since October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, I thought it appropriate to do a card for that.  I lost my sister to breast cancer so the cause is near and dear to my heart.  This card is for you, Deb.

I made a heart mask from a window sheet and used the spritzer (filled with alcohol and pink ink refill) to lightly spritz the heart.

Since it is almost Halloween, a couple of Halloween projects are in order also.

This card uses Summer Starfruit, Wisteria Wonder and Tangerine Tango.  I stamped the candy from Halloween hello on the card in the different colors of ink.  I stamped a single stamp onto colored cardstock, cut it out and adhered it with dimensional tape.

I used the stencils from the holiday mini catalog that comes with the banner kit to color these muslin bags (also from the Holiday Catalog).   For the polka dot bag, I used a dauber to make the Pumpkin Pie dots.  For the other bag, I used the spritzer again filled with alcohol and Pumpkin Pie ink.  It was so easy!!  Won't these be cute filled with candy for the munchkins who come trick or treating at your house?

Our final card is an early Thanksgiving card.  I CASEd this card from the wonderful Jan Tink.  I used the DSP, Sweater Weather and sponged all the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.  I used Crystal Effects to glaze the acorns.  The ribbon and button are both retired.  I used a marker to draw a faux buttonhole.

So .... would you like to join my club??  I have a couple of gals who are long distance members.  I would love to have more!

Pleasant Poppies

Here is a card I made quite some time ago but I don't think I have shared it yet.  The Top Note die is the first Sizzix die that Stampin' Up offered us.  I don't even remember when - probably 3-4 years ago.  I remember thinking I didn't need a Big Shot and dies!  HA!!  Was I wrong!  I don't think many of us make cards anymore without using that great machine!  It has definitely taken card making to another level. 

 

The base of the card is Very Vanilla, run through the Polka Dot embossing folder and adhered to the Marina Mist card.  The Very Vanilla piece is also trimmed at the bottom with Edgelits Finishing Touch.  I cut a little more than half of the Top Note from Marina Mist and another one from Very Vanilla.   I stamped the poppy flowers (Pleasant Poppies) in black and used markers to color the flowers.  I trimmed the Very Vanilla on the dotted lines around the edges, glued it to the Marina Mist Top Note and adhered the whole thing to the top of  my card.  The wide pink grosgrain ribbon is retired but I thought it looked great on this card.  What do you think?

 

 

 

Sonny and I went to the movies Saturday and saw Captain Phillips with Tom Hanks.  If you get a chance, GO see this movie!!  It was so good.  I was crying at the end - and even saw tears in Sonny's eyes which I am sure he would deny.  The movie is based on the true story of the 2009 hijacking of The Alabama (a cargo ship) by Somali pirates.  The film focuses on the relationship between the Alabama's commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips, and the Somali pirate captain, Muse, who takes him hostage.  

 

Good news for Sunday ..... my STEELERS won their first game of the season!!  I know it is week 6, but it was good to have a win against the NY Jets.  Our ex-neighbors (in Gig Harbor) weren't very happy since Joe is a big Jets fan, but hey, I was happy!!  Plus, I picked the Steelers to win in the football pool!!

Gorgeous Grunge Gift Card

If you like deals, check out the Clearance section.  New items were added today.  Just click on the clearance tab at the top of my blog to check them out.

I have a great little gift card for you to make and it's so easy!! 

I used the Sizzix Scallop Square die (retired) to cut 2 scalloped squares with Modern Medley DSP.  I used red liner tape around all the edges and taped them together.  On the top, I cut off a couple of inches and used a brad to attach the cut off piece to the other part of the scallop square making an opening to insert the gift card. 
Use the Bowz Die and make a bow (I used Polka Dot DSP).  Attach the bow to the front of the scallop (on the top part).  I cut a couple of flowers from the Flower Sizzix Die and stamped them with Gorgeous Grunge and made flowers and leaves to attach to the bow.

Stampin' Up has a contest where you could design the next stamp set for the company!   

• Participate in stamp set design challenges by drawing and submitting your original artwork
• Help choose new stamp sets by voting on submissions
• Post comments and interact with others in the community
• Earn badges for your activity in the community

SU will produce and sell one or more stamp sets from among the top-voted submissions in each challenge. Plus there are fabulous prizes for top designs. 

If this is something you are interested in, click here for more information.
So far, there have been 2 stamp sets designed in the "In With You" challenge.

SPREAD THE JOY

and the newest set - MONSTERMANIACS STAMP SET

I just love the saying in the Spread the Joy set and will be ordering it real soon.

Paper Craft Challenge

I made my digital card this week for the Paper Craft Crew challenge in time this week!  We had a pretty simple sketch this time so it was a quick card to make (once I made up my mind what to do!!)

Last night we had an early little birthday celebration.  I got 10 free tickets to the Comedy Club at Galway Hooker restaurant so we invited some of our friends and family to go.  The comedian was really funny.  We had a couple of comedians that opened for the main gal that were just ok.  But the main act was really funny.  We all had a good time plus a great dinner!

Today we went out on the boat with the Catawban group.  I thought it would be really cold since the temps have been the low 70s this week.  But the sun was really warm and I was wishing I had on short sleeves instead of long!  But it was fun.  I made some kettle corn and it was a big hit!  I had to make two batches because I ate about half of the first batch while I was making it!!  I got the recipe this weekend from a gal at the quarterly.  She said the secret to making it is to use a Whirly Pop popcorn popper.  I happened to have one that was given to me many years ago so I dug it out today.  It was so easy!  Here is the recipe if you are interested:

1/2 C Oil
2/3 C Popcorn
1/3 C Sugar (regular white granulated)
Heat oil in Whirly Popper w/3 kernels.  Once they pop, add the popcorn and sugar.  Turn the Whirly Pop handle continuously until done.  The handle will get hard to turn when it is done.  Take it off the heat so it does not burn.  Dump into a bowl; let cool 1-2 minutes; add salt to taste.  Don't add salt while cooking - it will ruin it.

You can get a Whirly Popper at Bed & Bath and use your coupon.  I have seen them there before.

Christmas Projects

Monday night Marianne and I went to Allison's house in Concord for her demo meeting.  What fun!  Allison had prepared three projects for us to make; we had a show and tell; and we did a holiday card swap.  Here are the projects we made last night:

Cute notebook with bow made with Bow Maker

Wiper Card - the message (in white -merry Christmas) pops up when card is opened

Santa using Purse Die

I know I talk about my daughter a lot on my blog.  But I also have a son who lives in Arizona with his wife and family.   I just don't get to see them very much.  They recently had an anniversary and a vacation.  While on vacation in Disney, they dressed up and "did the town."  Darcie posted this picture on her blog of the two of them.   Handsome man and beautiful gal!

Weekly Deals!

Surprise!  Starting today, Stampin’ Up! has begun to feature a “Weekly Deal” in the Online Store.  Select items will be discounted for just a week while supplies last.  Even demonstrators won’t know which items are being discounted until Tuesday morning when we wake up, wipe our eyes and immediately log in to see what this week’s deal is.  The items this week appear to be 25% off, but I don’t know if that will be the case every week.

WEEKLY DEALS ARE HERE

 

Here’s the fun part – the items are listed at their regular price.  When you add them to your cart, they show up at the discounted price.  This is your chance to get some great deals!

ALSO - don't forget - today is DIGITAL DOWNLOAD day.  New downloads for MDS HERE.  My favorite this week is the 2014 12x12 calendar - some great DSP in there.

And a Good Time was Had By All

What a fun weekend I had.  Marianne and I left Mooresville Friday morning and headed to Shallotte in her brand new card!  We stopped along the way and did a little shopping and ended up at Lake Waccamaw in time for an early dinner at Dale's Seafood.

After eating, we headed to Shallotte, checked into our motel and went to the high school to work on 23 shoeboxes.  We got all of them done but each other's by midnight.  There were some great cards and I got a lot of new ideas.  Saturday we headed back to the school for quarterly.  Several of us demonstrations teaching projects to the group.  Here is the first card we made that Nancy Carr had for us:

Isn't it great??  It's really a lot easier than it looks.

We had door prizes all during the day.  I won a beautiful fall plaque.  It was on the "show and tell" table earlier in the day and I had taken a picture so I could try and make it at home.  Now I don't have to.

When the Quarterly was over, Marianne and I went to Sunset Beach with one of the gals from Wilmington, Penny.  There was a festival going on with a great beach band playing.  We wandered around the festival looking at the different booths and then found a few seats in the shade to listen to the band until they pulled us up to dance in the conga line!!

We popped in to a Mexican restaurant and had a margarita and got to know each other better.  From there we drove to the beach to put our toes in the sand and see the awesome sunset.  After all, we were at Sunset Beach!!



Isn't it cool how the camera did the reflection of the sunset in the marsh?

Marianne, me and Penny

It was getting to be dinner time and Marianne and I still hadn't decided where we were going to stay for the night.  We drove to Calabash and had some great seafood.  We were going to find a hotel in North Myrtle but it turned out to be bikers weekend and the hotels were full.  So we drove back to Shallotte and stayed at the hotel we had stayed in the previous night.  This morning after breakfast, we hit the road for home.  We stopped at Goody's in Wadesboro so I could get some new shoes (2 pair actually!)  On the way to Shallotte we stopped there and Marianne bought 2 pairs - it was "buy one, get one free".  I used all my will power and did not even try them on.  But I weakened on the way home!  Driving along, we saw a "Peaches and Cream" ice cream shop.  Marianne made a U-turn to get back to that!!  It was delicious - home made peach ice cream!!  Plus, it was also a little roadside produce stand with apples from the mountains and muscadine grapes, my favorite! 

It was a great weekend!

Truly Grateful for NC Demo Quarterly

I am headed to my teenage "stomping grounds" tomorrow with Marianne.  We are going to a NC SU Demo Quarterly meeting in Shallotte.  But, on our way, we will be stopping by Lake Waccamaw which is less than an hour's drive from Shallotte.  Our family went to Lake Waccamaw for two weeks every summer with my grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins .... and our maid who was like part of our family.  Oh the tales I could tell of my "coming of age" at Lake Waccamaw!  My oldest cousin, Landon, taught me all about smoking, boys, sneaking out of the house at midnight, boys, plucking my eyebrows, boys, etc. etc.!!  We had such good times.  I met a boy there when I was in high school and we were quite serious and had a relationship through my college years off and on.  Who knows what the future would have held if he had not moved to California!!  Not that I am not grateful and in love with my husband (even after 40 years!!) but don't you ever wonder - if some little detail had changed, how different your life could have been???

Our family had some sad news today.  My Aunt Carol passed away this afternoon.  She has been struggling with dementia for several years.  My cousin, Candy, who lives in Mooresville had her at her home for a long time until it just got too much for her.  So her sister, Jane, who lives in Raleigh has had her for almost a year.  She went to a Hospice facility on Monday and we knew the end was near.  Candy and her brother, Bobby, went to see her last weekend.  And today Candy took her daughter, Alex, to Raleigh one last time.   Alex posted the most touching tribute to her Facebook page this evening.  "Today at 3:30pm I stayed by my sweet Grandmommy's side and watched as she drifted off to heaven. I'm so glad God let me see her in time to say goodbye. I remember when I was a little girl, she would lay with me at night until I would fall asleep, and I'm so thankful I could do the same for her at her last moment of life. I will always love you Grandmommy ♡ RIP My beautiful angel."


Anyway, I have been furiously getting prepared for the Quarterly.  I am doing a presentation on Saturday and teaching them to make a tag booklet with shipping tags and the envelope punch board.  I'll be sharing my book soon.  I also organized the card swap and will share my Perfect Blend hybrid card with you later.  Marianne is in charge of the Christmas tag swap and I made a snowman tag (later share also).  Friday night we will be doing a shoebox swap with 23 people participating.  That's a lot of cards to make in one evening!  But it will be fun!  Here is my shoebox card using Truly Grateful.  I really like how it turned out.  I used Summer Starfruit for the base and Cajun Craze for the layer.  I stamped the background stamp onto the Cajun with Cajun Craze ink.  I die cut the Chocolate Chip label and a label from Naturals cardstock.  On the Naturals cardstock, I sponged Summer Starfruit, Cajun Craze and Crumb Cake ink.  On top of that I stamped the wheat.  I punched 2 small holes and threaded some strings from the burlap ribbon in them.  On top I stamped the acorn and adhered it with dimensionals. 

I''ve been working on my new computer today - love how fast it is!  But I think I may have to download all the elements I have bought over the years for MDS which will take me a little bit of time!  I'm hoping there is an easy solution to that but I will tackle that problem when I return.

OK - gotta go pack for my trip.  Have a great weekend!!  I probably won't be able to post again until Sunday.

MDS News

I got my new computer installed tonight and boy, is it super fast!  Guess I didn't realize how slow my old one was.  Now I just have to get my files organized and tidy up my desktop.

 Lots of news for My Digital Studio.  Several months ago, with one of the periodical updates, SU did away with the tool bar that was at the top of the page when you were creating in MDS.  Many of us were really upset by this and complained and complained and (did I mention?) we complained!!  Well, you know that squeaky wheel?  It got greased this week.   SU updated the software with some fixes.  One of the enhancements was a new customizable toolbar. That's right! You can now select which options you want to appear at the top of your screen in MDS.  Just go to View>Customize Toolbar or right-click on the toolbar itself and add or remove options.   I am super excited about this!

Are you as addicted to Pinterest as I am and many others that I know?  I have found such great ideas there.  Well, Stampin' Up now has a new Pinterest page—dedicated to all things My Digital Studio!  They are filling it up with lots of inspiration.  So go on, start repinning to your heart's content. 
Follow them at Pinterest.com/mydigitalstudio

Stampin' Up has come up with shaped postcards for MDS.  Just update your software, and you'll have access to these new shape options—perfect for wedding invitations, birth announcements, holiday cards, or every day greetings.
After you update the software, you can open up a 5" x 7" or 7" x 5" postcard, then go to View > Bleed Areas and choose either of the new options: Artisan Shaped Postcard or Scallop Shaped Postcard. Once you are ready to order your shaped postcard, just go to Project > Order > Card. The bleed area that you selected while designing your card will be the default option in the ordering process. Want to check out the other shape? No problem, just use the drop down and change it.
Don't forget, our postcards are double-sided, so we'll print on the back for you too. You'll also notice a new bleed area in your menu so that you can design your card with the end result in mind. Then, when you're ready to order, just select the shape you want in the ordering options.

Cards start at $2.25 US/$2.75 CAN and regular bulk discounts apply. Click here (US/CAN) for more information.   So go on, shape up those postcards.

The new downloads this month are cool too! 


Very Merry Tags

Snowy Soiree Ensemble

Christmas Collectibles

Holly Jolly Greetings Ensemble

Tailgating Ensemble

Ornament Punch


 

Chalk Talk Box

I received this cute Kleenex holder from my upline, Carol.  Carol used the Chalk Talk stamp set and embossed it in white. 

Kleenex holder opened

Carol sent one of these to each of her first line down-lines.  So they wouldn't get "smooshed" in the mail, Carol put each one of them in Jiffy cornbread mix box - perfect fit!  I don't know who she contacted, but someone from Jiffy sent her enough (unused) empty boxes for her to mail all the holders in.  This was evidently a big deal - they don't allow people to use their boxes for this type of thing normally.  So, Carol sent each of us a stamped envelope addressed to the Jiffy manager so we could send him a thank you.  So, next time you need a special box or packaging, try contacting Jiffy, Pillsbury, Kraft, etc.

I am getting a new computer this week and I am excited!  My nephew, Derek, is building me a computer.  I hope to get it on Wednesday!  My computer has just gotten so slow.  Guess there's no shame - I've had it about 6 years which I guess is pretty long for a computer. 

Cookie Monster

I have been working 24-7 on my projects for Quarterly next weekend as well as on calendar pages for my upcoming Calendar workshop.  I will be having the Calendar workshop this Tuesday.  If you live in the Sherrills Ford / Mooresville area, you are welcome to attend.  I have a few seats left.  Just let me know so I will have a packet ready for you.

I also had a few birthday cards to make.  This one is for a cute little boy who will be turning one and who likes cookies!


. 

 

This was such an easy card to make.  I used the Scallop Circle Sizzix die to make the card and Circle Dies for the mouth (in black), eyes and cookie.  I used the eraser end of a pencil dipped into Chocolate Chip ink for the "chocolate chips."

Sammie found a new viewing spot to keep her eye on me today.  The past couple of days she has been whining and acting like she wanted to get on top of my shelving unit where I keep my stamps, dies, etc.  So today I put her up there.  She loved it and learned how to get up and down by herself.  So, that is where she spent most of the day watching my every move!

I Freakin' Love You!

I received a sweet thank you card this week from Ashley.

 

She used the stamp set, Really Good Greetings and the Naturals White card stock.  Don't you just love it?

NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCED TODAY:

The Everyday Occasions Card making Kit was developed with the new customer in mind. It is intended to introduce--by way of a simple, fun experience at a great price--the arts of stamping and card making to people who have not yet experienced the joy of Stampin' Up! products. Why go to the store when a birthday, graduation, wedding or even a time for expressing gratitude comes up? The Everyday Occasions Card making Kit puts cards for all of those events right at your customers' fingertips, and best of all, they'll be handmade! The kit contains everything necessary (minus adhesive and scissors) to create 20 beautiful cards for almost any occasion, and it comes in a beautiful box to store them in.

But even those of us who are not new customers can use this kit to quickly make a card when you need one fast!  And you can always use your bling and other things you have in your stash to bling up the card.

This kit is:

1. Easy
2. Great for new card makers and experienced – EVERYONE
3. Includes 7 piece stamp set, block, ink spot, dimnensionals, bakers twine, all pre-cut materials and envelopes
4. Quality card stock and tags
5. Love island indigo and basic gray inks and they are the two colors included
6. Visual tips and tricks brochure
7. Silver glimmer paper and cute clips are part of the kit – I love these products.
8. It would make a great gift for a new card maker - think Christmas for your granddaughter, neighbor, daughter or son, etc.

Check out the flier HERE.

ALSO .... if you haven't gotten the great Envelope Punch Board yet, you may have to wait a bit on it. The supply is running low.  Stampin' Up has had an overwhelmingly positive response to the new Envelope Punch Board--so much so that that they have nearly sold through the supply weeks sooner than they anticipated! SU has already taken steps to restock the inventory, but the new supply will not arrive in the Distribution Center until mid-October. They anticipate that the Envelope Punch Boards will be placed on backorder in the next few days. 

Paper Pals Sketch

This week's Paper Pal Sketch was an easy one.  I used the digital kit, Follow Your Bliss.  I really like the color combo in this kit.  There are some great cards this week.  Make sure to check them out here.

I went out to lunch today with the Newcomers Out to Lunch Bunch.  We went to Jeffrey's in Mooresville and I had a delicious meal of shrimp and grits.  If you are not southern, you probably are saying "what??"  I was not familiar with the dish growing up but since I have moved back to NC, I have discovered it.  I think the first time I had shrimp and grits was visiting Ashley when she lived in DC.  We went to a soul food restaurant for her birthday and Ashley ordered them.  Since then, I have had them several times and they are always prepared a bit differently.  Today's had shrimp, Andouille sausage, and spices with yummy buttery grits.  It was delicious!  After lunch I headed over to the Department of Motor Vehicles to take my driver's test.  I passed and didn't have to wait too long.  The only "hiccup" was that since I hadn't planned on going to DEA today, I didn't have my checkbook and they don't take credit cards  - only cash or check.  There was a lady there getting her license renewed also who had been at lunch with me and she told me it would be $20.  Well, wouldn't you know it, I had $19!!  So she lent me a dollar.  When I finished the test (only had to do vision and signs), the man told me it would be $32!  Oops!  Guess I'm "young" enough that I get more than 5 years worth of renewal (it's $4 per year).   So I had to leave and go to the bank and get cash; then go back to pay and have my picture taken.  I should have my new license in a couple of weeks.  Yay! 

September Stamp Club

I think it is going to be a long football season for the Steelers this year!  I just finished watching them get beat AGAIN.  They are now 3-0 for the season - no wins!!  Isn't that crazy??  I can't ever remember a start to the season like this one.  Sonny will be hard to live with this winter.

I had Stamp Club last week and we made some great cards and learned a new technique.

We made this card using the Faux Cloissone Technique.  I did this technique years ago and forgot about it until we made Belinda's card in the shoebox swap a couple of weeks ago.  I thought it would be a fun thing to do with my club gals.  They loved it!  The flower is from Secret Garden so we used the die to cut it out instead of having to cut it free hand.  The butterfly is cut with the die from Backyard Basics.  To do the technique:

• ·       Select a colorful page from a glossy magazine.
• ·       Rub your Embossing Buddy over the part of the magazine page you want to use.
• ·       Ink the Secret Garden flower stamp with Versamark ink and stamp on the magazine page.
• ·       Pour Gold Embossing Powder over your image.   Tap off excess powder.  Use the heat gun & emboss the gold powder.

 

 This card uses the Peekaboo Sizzix die.  I really have not used this die as much as I should have.  I just forget about it.  But it is so easy to use and makes such a cute card.  The stamp set is Halloween Hello. 

This card turned out so pretty!  I used Natural Composition DSP and rubbed white ink over the DSP with a dauber.  Then I wiped the ink off the flowers with a paper towels.  It's like the ink resist technique.  The stamp set is from Serene Silhouettes.

 This was my favorite card!  I used Shimmery White cardstock and just did a color wash with my Aqua Brush.  You just have to be careful and not get the card stock too wet.  First we used painters tape and taped the edges of the card stock.  I squeezed my ink pads to get ink in the lid to paint with.  I used Soft Sky for the top half; next Marina Mist; and finally Soft Saffon and a little bit of Baked Brown Sugar for the sand.  Then stamp the birds and sentiment.  I love this stamp set!