Simply Sent Birthday Cards

How do you like my new blog header and background paper?  Just screams summer time!!  I made it using My Digital Studio .... so easy!

I am really getting frustrated with doctors!  When we took Mom back for her surgery check up last week, the surgeon did the MRI and said all was well with the incision area but it looked like their was narrowing at the S-1 vertebra area.  So, he recommended we go back to the Pain Mgmt doc for another injection.  We tried to call that doctor on Friday but their office was closed.  Today they called Mom and had her scheduled for JULY 16!!!  Please - another month???  This is unacceptable.  I feel like Mom is their dart board and they are just pitching darts hoping to hit the target eventually.  So, tomorrow I am taking her to her general doctor to see what his recommendations are.  I am getting really fed up with getting the run around.  You would think the surgeon would be trying to do everything he could since he didn't look at her first MRI for a week and then discovered the blood clot.  Sounds like a case for a lawsuit to me.

I have been trying to use up some of my retired items.  I had a Simply Sent card kit that I bought during Saleabration so thought I would dress them up a bit.  Plus, I needed a few birthday cards.  These three all went in the mail this week to friends.

Published!

 "Congratulations on having your art published in Catch Up Issue!  We are grateful you chose to share your creativity with us and that we have had the chance to showcase your work. We hope you are enjoying your time in the spotlight!  As a published artist, you will be mailed a complimentary issue of this publication.  Please allow until the 15^th of this month for the delivery of your magazine."

I received the above in an e-mail May 7 but as of yet I have not received my magazine.  So, I do not even know which card was featured in the magazine.  I sent several cards to Take Ten magazine at least 6 months ago or more.  I have had cards chosen to be published in these magazines before but it is real hit and miss whether they notify me or not.  Several times I have been leafing through the magazine only to come across one of my cards!  Surprise!!  So if any of you have the latest Catch Up issue from Stampington & Co., please check for me.

Speaking of magazines .....

I received my July Stampin' Success Magazine from my mailman a few days ago.  And, this month, guess what was included with our exclusive demo monthly magazine—the new Holiday Catalog!  EEEEEeeeee! 

I'm barely getting started with my Annual Catalog goodies and they're already tempting me with holiday stamping treats!  Whoop, whoop, whooooop...OVERLOAD!!!!!

Talk About Too Cool Stuff!  While I'm not able to share specific details quite yet, let me tell you that you will absolutely LOVE this new Holiday Catalog!  Stampin' Up! really pulled out all the stops this time!

It's a 40-page catalog, that's a full 8-1/2" x 11" size and it's jam-packed with tons of AWESOME new Christmas stamps, papers, accents, dies and some very uniquely, unexpected items!  You'll also find a nice selection of new Halloween, Thanksgiving and even Hanukkah items!  Truly something for everybody—cardmakers, scrapbookers, kids, casual stampers, digital designers, holiday party-throwers, and creative gift-givers!

You're Gonna Want Need Some Holiday Hostess Dollars!  I know you're gonna have a HUGE wishlist with this Holiday Catalog, but having a workshop or private class will help you earn Hostess Dollars to get more bang for your buck!   Contact me to get your event on the calendar on the date you want! 

Get Your FREE Holiday Catalog—If you've ordered from me in the past year, you'll automatically be getting a copy of the Holiday Catalog mailed to you in late-July.  If you'd like a FREE Holiday Catalog, simply place an order by e-mail or at my online store and I'll make sure you get one as soon as they are available.  You can also get a FREE catalog when you attend any of my stamping events. 

Holiday Catalog items will be available for purchase on August 1.

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Fathers Day to all those great fathers out there!  I am lucky to have a great father living in my house.  He has been a great father to both of our children - daughter, Ashley and son, Jeffrey.  I was blessed to have two fathers in my life.  I grew up with my step-father, Lee Burke, who was a great father to all us kids.  I later got to know my birth father, Bill Edwards.  Unfortunately, neither of them are alive today.  But I know they still look down on me and watch over me and my kids.

Here are the two Father's Day cards I made this week.  The first one I made for my son who has 4 children that keep him busy.  I am sure he is a great father to all of them. I used The Open Sea for the card and the retired Nautical DSP.

 This is the card I made for Sonny.  I got up this morning and fixed him a good breakfast and had the card ready at his seat at the table.  I think we will be going out later on the boat now that I feel better.  Yesterday I had a bit of Vertigo.  I get that every so often but don't think I have been bothered by it in several years.  I took a pill which made me sleepy all day so I didn't get a lot accomplished yesterday!  Luckily, I remembered I had this "Old Guys Rule" DSP stashed away in time to use it for this card!  He has a tee like this that Ashley gave him so the card is only fitting!

Here's a sweet poem I saw on the internet and thought it was so appropriate for today.

THE LITTLE CHAP WHO FOLLOWS ME

 A careful man I ought to be,
A little fellow follows me,
I do not dare to go astray
For fear he'll go the self same way.

I cannot once escape his eyes,
Whate'er he sees me do, he tries;
Like me, he says, he's going to be,
The little chap who follows me.

He thinks that I am good and fine,
Believes in every word of mine
The base in me he must not see,
The little chap who follows me.

I must remember as I go,
Through summer's fun and winter's snow,
In building for the years to be
The little chap who follows me!

More Fabric Projects

I have been working on getting my projects ready for Stamp Club next week.  Late in the afternoon, Sonny and I went out on the boat and enjoyed a nice dinner at one of the restaurants on the lake.  There are only 3-4 restaurants near us on the lake and it is always hard to find a place to dock the boat.  Each place only has 8-10 boat slips so it's always a guessing game whether we will find a spot or not where we want to eat.  Tonight we ended up with our second choice but it turned out ok.  I had a delicious Shrimp and Grits meal!!  Ashley called us while we were at the restaurant to tell us her latest news.  Not so good news as it turned out.  She broke her big toe doing Yoga Thursday night.  (I knew there was a reason I didn't like to exercise - it's dangerous!)  I thought when you broke your toes, there was nothing you could do except tape them together.  Well, not so with your big toe.  She is in a walking cast for a month!  Luckily, it is a removable cast so she can get in her pool to get relief from the Texas sun.  Poor baby - but I doubt this will slow her down too much.

Here are a few more projects using Stampin' Up's fabric:

Accessories for Memory Keeper


Memory Keeper



• Soft Suede polka dot grosgrain ribbon
• Linen thread
• 5/8" Jumbo brads
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Lattice Bigz die
• Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die
• 18" x 18" artist canvas
• Background fabric (2/3 yard)
• Push pins
• Thumbtacks

•  Instructions
• Adhere background fabric to canvas.
• Die cut lattice shapes from fabric using Big Shot and Lattice Bigz die. Adhere to fabric in rows.
• Adhere Soft Suede polka dot grosgrain ribbon to fabric in crisscross pattern. Attach 5/8" Jumbo brads where ribbon intersects. Adhere Soft Suede polka dot grosgrain ribbon around outside edges of canvas.
• Die cut six large and six small butterflies using Big Shot and Beautiful Butterflies Bigz die. Create double-sided butterflies by adhering butterflies together, resulting in three large and three small double-sided butterflies. Tie linen thread around the middle leaving two long ends for antennae. Attach butterflies to canvas using push pins.

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Quilt Square

 Accessories for Quilt Block

• Sizzix Big Shot
• 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• Background fabric (two 10" x 10" squares)
• 10" x 10" square 100% cotton batting
• Ric-rac (6")
• Sewing machine and thread

 Instructions

1. Die cut four pieces of fabric using Big Shot and 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die. Round off hard edges.
2. Die cut two large scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die.
3. Die cut one small scallop circle using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die.
4. Insert cotton batting between two squares of background fabric and sew together using sewing machine and thread.
5. Sew four flower petals (from 5-Point 3D Star Bigz die) to square. Fold large scallop circle in half and adhere to bottom of flower petals.
6. Fold small scallop circle in half, then fold over part way to create one gather. Adhere to bottom of flower using sewing machine and thread.
7. Adhere ric-rac stem to square using sewing machine and thread.
8. Create leaf by cutting large scallop circle in half, then folding inner edge, and sewing each half on square.
9. Wash and dry to give shabby-chic look.

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Here are pictures of a couple of other items made with SU's fabric.  I just don't have the instructions for them!

TABLE RUNNER

REALLY CUTE BAGS / PURSES!

Stampin' Up Fabric

Stampin' Up has really expanded their fabric selection in the new catalog. You don't have to be a seamstress--or even like to sew--to enjoy using Designer Fabric! The colors and patterns in the Designer Fabrics are designed to coordinate perfectly with Stampin' Up! inks, card stock, Designer Series Paper, and other accessories, and are perfect for adding a stylish touch to traditional paper projects. If you do enjoy sewing, however, the beauty and high quality of Designer Fabric, available in an extra-wide fat quarter (18" x 26"), makes it perfect for use in quilting, clothing, home décor, or any other project you can think of.

 Since SU has retired the wide ribbons, I think the fabric will work great for a wider ribbon.  Just tear or cut it into strips and you will have a widerfabric ribbon and it will also match the DSP!  Give it a try.  But there are also a lot of other things you can do with the beautiful fabric.  Check out the projects below and be creative!  My favorite is the last one - the onesie outfit.  Wish I knew someone who was having a baby girl!!!  

PONY TAIL HOLDER

1. Die cut 10 large scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Cut off eight of the scallops from each scallop circle. Gather together across the flat side about 1/4" from edge, gathering all ten circles on the same double-thread. Tie off.
2. Die cut 10 small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Gather the circles across three of the scallops on the same double-thread. Tie off.
3. To cover Corduroy button, die cut a small scallop circle, then cut off all scallops. Gather the fabric around the edge, place button in the middle, then gather up threads and tie off.
4. Attach ponytail elastic to back, then sew through all layers of fabric (including fabric around button), so fabric layers are connected to elastic.

Accessories

• Corduroy button
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• Fabric
• Needle and thread
• Ponytail elastic

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1. Die cut 10 large scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Cut off eight of the scallops from each scallop circle. Gather together across the flat side about 1/4" from edge, gathering all 10 circles on the same double-thread. Tie off.
2. Die cut eight small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Gather the circles across three of the scallops on the same double-thread. Tie off.



HEADBAND

3. Die cut four small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Fold circles in half, then in half again. Gather together across the bottom, gathering all four circles on the same double-thread. Tie off.
4. Layer scallop circles and sew together.
5. Attach Corduroy button through center.
6. Die cut small scallop circle using Big Shot and Scallop Circles #2 Bigz die. Adhere to bottom of layered fabric pieces.
7. Cut two strips of fabric and adhere over headband to secure scallop circle flower to headband.

Accessories

• Corduroy button
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• Fabric
• Needle and thread
• Headband

 ***********************
 Instructions

ONSIE

1. Die cut 12 pennants using Big Shot and Pennant Bigz XL die. Gather and adhere to 1" elastic using sewing machine and thread.
2. Die cut seven small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die. Fold over five scallops and adhere to collar of onesie using sewing machine and thread.
3.  Die cut 10 small scallop circles using Big Shot and Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die. Gather the circles across three of the scallops on the same double-thread. Tie off.
4. To create ribbon flowerette, tie a knot in the end of Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon, then tie a new knot every three inches. Gather the ribbon in between each knot.
5. Adhere ribbon to flower, then sew entire piece to onesie.
6. Wash and dry to give shabby-chic look.

Accessories

• Pretty in Pink taffeta ribbon
• Sizzix Big Shot
• Pennant Bigz XL die
• Scallop Circle #2 Bigz die
• 1" wide elastic
• Sewing machine and thread
• Baby onesie
• Fabric

Fathers Day Card

Saturday my nephew, Harrison, graduated from Mooresville High School.  The next day he took his first airplane ride!  The family took a vacation to Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas and who knows from there!  I've been following their progress as they post on Facebook.  Isn't modern technology wonderful?!!  At his graduation party, there was more food than any of us could eat and this beautiful cake.  His friend, Sean's grandmother made the cake with both Sean & Harrison's names on it.  I think this friend is the only one who is allowed to call him Harry!  My mom told him that when he was born, Marianne told her she better not ever call him Harry .... his name was Harrison!  That's all any of us have ever called him so imagine our surprise to see Harry on the cake!  It was a yummy cake - one layer, strawberry and the bottom layer, chocolate.

Marianne and Harrison

I have a guest designer today, my sister Marianne.  She made this Father's Day card and asked me to mail it while she was gone.  Isn't it great?  She used the retired DSP, Mocha Morning and several punches.  She ran it through the Big Shot with the dotted embossing folder before adhering it to the front of the card.

Happy Father's Day

Sammie sure missed me while I was gone and has not let me forget it either!  She has certainly come out of myher shell in the past few months since I've had her.  She doesn't like to see me working without giving her attention and makes sure she lays right on the keyboard or the table where I am working for me to pet her.  Or her favorite thing is to bring me one of her many plastic drinking straws that she has scattered all over the house and play with her.  In the picture below, she is looking down at her straw - who will get it .... her or me?

Hanging out on my desk

Here is another place she likes to hang out!  It's pretty scary to me but doesn't seem to bother her.

hanging out on the bannister

Hanging out on my chair

Bright Blooms Sketch Challenge 43

It's time for the Wednesday Stamping Queens Sketch Challenge #43!  This week we had a great sketch to work with.  There are a lot of options for this sketch - make a pocket card, tuck a tag in .... etc. 

I have been working hard for a few days getting all my downloads on My Digital Studio up to date.  I printed out a list of ALL the downloads to date and have been highlighting the downloads that I have purchased.  Yesterday I went through the list and highlighted a bunch of downloads that I want to get in the future.  I ended up buying about $40 worth of new downloads yesterday so I just had to use one of them.  The flowers in the card below are from Tuesday's newest downloads.  You can see the newest downloads HERE.   Every Tuesday Stampin' Up releases new downloads.  You can view them all by clicking on the Digital tab above (in my blog title). 

I just love these flowers - called Bright Blooms.  They are pretty large and I just resized them (and copied and pasted them) onto the green scallop circle.

Items I used for the MDS card are:

Cardstock:  So Saffron, Melon Mambo, Lucky Limeade DSP, Flirtatious (yellow strip)
Punches:  Scallop Punch (filled with green); Scallop Trim Punch
Accessories:  Bright Blooms, Pearls
Stamp:  Best of Everything

I received some new SU goodies yesterday but I haven't had time to play with them.  We went out to dinner with friends last night.  We went to an Italian restaurant in Cornelius and had a yummy meal although I have enough Baked Ziti to serve a couple more nights!  Why do they give you so much?  Just lower the price and give me a normal amount of food!  When we got to the restaurant, Sonny & I noticed a new bar in the same area called Paddy's Pour House.  It had shamrocks on the sign so we assumed it was an Irish bar.  After dinner, we convinced our friends to go with us to check it out.  Well .... it will not make our Top Ten list!  I am sure we stuck out like a sore thumb - everyone in there was probably in their 20s, it was very loud, and didn't even have any of our Irish beverages on tap.  Too bad but we have seen a sign for a new Irish bar that will be opening in Mooresville soon and we are waiting to check it out.

I am going to be a travel agent on the side!  Our friends that we had dinner with are waiting for their passports to arrive.  They want to take a trip to Seattle and the Vancouver area and wanted our input.  They convinced me to plan it for them since we know about the area.  I don't know much about Vancouver but I suggested they spend a few days in Seattle, take the ferry to the San Juan Islands and stay at a bed and breakfast on one of the islands (something I wish we had done when we lived there) and then get on the ferry and head on over to Victoria.  Victoria was our favorite Canadian destination when we lived in Washington.  It is such a quaint little town.

Anchorage - MDS pages

Thought you might enjoy my MDS scrapbook pages from our visit in Anchorage.  We flew into and out of Anchorage.  If you click on the pages, you can view them and read the journaling.  I usually have a hard time with journaling on my scrapbook pages but I think that is because I usually wait too late and it is difficult to remember all the details.  I'm trying not to let that happen this time!

 

Telescoping Open Sea

I'm a little late with this card technique.  I think this was a featured technique on Splitcoast Stampers about six months ago.  I never made one of them but decided it was a good technique for this nautical card. It was a lot easier than I thought.   I made this card for my nephew for his birthday .... a little bit late, but hey, better late than never!

The colors I used are Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White along with a retired Nautical DSP.  I'm so glad this stamp set was included in the new SU catalog.  It is so great for male cards.  Here are the directions to make a telescoping card if you are so inclined.

We had a busy weekend.  Friday night we enjoyed dinner at Prickley Pear in Mooresville to celebrate our friend, Bob's birthday.  He and Sharon were visiting Marianne for the weekend for graduation.  Saturday we attended the Mooresville High School graduation ceremonies and watched my nephew, Harrison graduate.  Where have the years gone?  He will be going to Central Piedmont in the fall.  After the ceremony, Marianne had a party for him at mom's club house.  It was fun.  Today, Sonny and I went out on the boat.  It was my first time on the boat all season!

Derek, Harrison, me & Sonny

New SU Ink Pads are great!

The NEW Stampin' Up! Firm Foam Ink pads are great! They change your stamping experience for the better. Here's what they look like (plus check out a quick video by Shannon West from the Stampin' Up! home office - great information!)

I think you are going to love these new Stampin' Pads! Just look at all the exciting benefits listed below:


•Provide better ink coverage for your stamps!
•Light-tap stamping produces flawless images!
•Pad stays juicier for longer resulting in better ink pad longevity!

In addition, our new Stampin' Pads:

•Have a crisply printed, glossy label on the top of the pad that is easier to read and that will not fade or chip off!
•Come with color name labels in all four languages (English, Spanish, French, and German)-just choose your language, peel it off the back, and add it to the side of the pad for easy identification!
•Use the same patented flip-top case design that stores the inking surface upside down, so the pad surface stays moist!
•Are available in all colors, including our exclusive In Colors!

NOTE:  Five ink colors have undergone formula changes to improve functionality and color stability with the new firm foam pads. These colors are:

•Basic Black
•Basic Gray
•Marina Mist
•Perfect Plum
•Tempting Turquoise

All five colors of the reformulated inks have been fully tested and approved. While using the new ink formula in the old Stampin' Pads is fine, we do not recommend using the old ink formula in the new firm foam pads.

Additional features you will love:

•The firm foam is nice and flat and will not become wavy.
•The firm foam material does not imprint on the stamp images like the felt pad sometimes did. However, because the firm foam material is a foam base material, the stamp image can momentarily leave an imprint on the pad, which can transfer to a second stamped image. By inking your stamp on different areas of the pad or waiting momentarily for the ink to rise back to the top, you can easily avoid this situation.
•The firm foam material is soft and has a nice bounce to it. It’s not hard like the felt is.
•The ink lay-down (how the ink is absorbed into the card stock) is even, not blotchy, and dries quickly. It has an increased opacity and stamps solid images beautifully.

Here is Shannon's video: