Vivid Vases

Well, we are still waiting for the BIG storm!!  We got nothing today where I live.  I think Charlotte got an inch or two which was mostly melted by late afternoon.  But our big storm (named PAX) is supposed to hit tomorrow. (When did they start naming winter storms???)  The prediction is for heavy accumulation of snow, sleet and freezing rain Wednesday.  By heavy, the prediction is for 8-12 inches.  I can't imagine us having that much but guess that is why they are calling it "the storm of the century."  Seeing will be believing!!  Charlotte even had a press conference today about the storm!!  The predicted storm has already messed up my plans.  First thing this morning I got a call from my dentist to reschedule Wednesday's cleaning.  Shortly after that call, I got the call from my opthamologist canceling my cataract surgery that was scheduled for Thursday.  I've been rescheduled for next Tuesday which was actually my stamp club day but I am going to reschedule them in order to get this surgery done!  I guess I will be doing some stamping the next couple of days.

I love the single stamp in the Occasions catalog, Vivid Vases. It's a sweet little stamp ideal for quick and pretty cards. Here are two cards I made using the stamp.

 For this one, I used the watercolor "blob" stamp from Hello Watercolor stamp set (one of my favorites from the Occasions catty) in Strawberry Slush for the background. You could also achieve a similar look by using the clear blocks.  I used different stamps on the vases, cut them out and glued them on - popping a few of them up with dimensionals and leaving a few of them flat.  I added a couple of pearls for accent.

On this card, I paper pieced the vases by stamping them onto DSP, cutting them out and adhering them to the vases I had stamped onto the white card stock.  I used the Naturals Ribbon on the side although I think I would like to try and die that ribbon lightly.  I dry embossed a few dashes down the side of the Wisteria Wonder card.

Happy Watercoloring

I've been playing around with the Happy Watercolor set from the Occasions catalog.  It is such a great set.  There is also Designer Series Paper that is gorgeous.  I have not used any of it yet - just drooled over the papers!  You can create a beautiful card with this set that looks like you have watercolored it.  This is such an easy, yet elegant card that you can put together in 5-10 minutes.

Products used:
Card Stock:  Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding
Ink:  Strawberry Slush, Pistachio Pudding, Crushed Curry, Momento Black Ink
Stamp:  Happy Watercolor

Following along the same layout, I created another watercolor card.  Using the watercolor "blob" stamp makes it easy to look like you have brushed paint on watercolor paper.  For this card I used different colors but the kept the card the same (Pistachio Pudding).  I also used a couple of floral stamp sets - Secret Garden stamp and framelits and Petal Parade stamp and punch.  I embossed the flowers in white and popped them up with dimensionals.

Supplies:

Cardstock:  Whisper White, Pistachio Pudding, Pool Party, Cantelope

Ink:  Pool Party, Cantelope, Pistachio Pudding, Versanark

Stamp:  Happy Watercolor, Secret Garden, Petal parade

A winter storm watch is in effect for my area this week.  It is supposed to start snowing tomorrow with not much accumulation but another front will be coming in tomorrow night and Charlotte is predicted to have about 3" by Wednesday.  I know, I know - 3" doesn't sound like much but believe me, it can cripple this area!  I am supposed to take my sister and my mom to the doctor tomorrow.  We are just going to "wait and see"!!  Wednesday I am supposed to go to the dentist and Thursday is my cataract surgery so not a good time for this winter storm!!

Merge Like a Zip!

Hope your weekend was a good one.  As I am typing this, I am watching the Beatles special.  Wow!  It is great.  Hard to believe it was 50 years ago that they made their American debut on Ed Sullivan.  I remember sitting on the floor at my grandmother's house watching them on tv.   The Beatles belong to our lives I think because not only do they mean so much to us now but they meant so much to us during our youth.  Tonight hearing so many great bands and singers sing their songs was just amazing.

Want to see a few more of my New Zealand pictures?  Here are a few of the signs we saw that were interesting.

We didn't drink many sodas while there!!

A trundler is the grocery cart!

Don't YIELD - GIVE WAY!!

These were the cutest signs.  They were all over the North Island.

Other highway signs with the owl that we saw were:

• Wise Drivers Drive Sober
• Speed Kills (in this one, the kiwi has his hand over his eye)
• Never Drive Tired
• Never Drive Drugged
• NVR Txt N Dvr
• Foggy?  Slow Down
• Wise Drivers Belt Up

Building Block Love You More

I took my sister to the hospital this morning for her surgery.  Don't know why they have you come to the hospital so early just to sit and wait.  We had to be there at 8:15 for a 10:50 surgery.  I think we went back to the pre-op room around 9:30 where they prepped her for surgery.  They rolled her out pretty much on time.  I returned to the waiting room, took a trip to the restroom and got a beverage and within a few minutes, the doctor came out to say they were done.  The surgery lasted about 15 minutes!  Pretty quick to cut open the foot, insert a screw in the bone and sew it back up.  We left the hospital around 1, stopped at Arby's and got some sandwiches to go and then back home.  She opted not to use crutches, feeling more comfortable using Mom's walker.  She's going to develop some arm strength in the next few weeks that's for sure!  All in all, I think she is doing well - wasn't in any pain when I left her this afternoon.

Sunrise this morning - I don't get to see this too often!!

Checking out Splitcoast Stampers used to part of my daily routine.  In my earlier stamping days, Splitcoast was our answer to Pinterest.  It's still a great site and has some good challenges.  My favorite was always the color challenge.  Nowadays I get the weekly newsletter from Splitcoast with a project tutorial.  I usually have good intentions for doing them but don't always get it done.  Well, this week I did!  This week's challenge was to make a Building Block Card.  (Here is the link to the tutorial.)  This was a fun card to make.

I used the Valentine stamp set, Love You More and the DSP stack (from occasions catalog).  I love this stack of paper!

Say It Your Way!

With our personalized stamps you can create a cool address label or even use it for everything from marking your territory on books or other belongings to having a fun way to give a personal touch to gifts and goodies. Here are just a few customization ideas (for you or for the perfect gift):

• Thank You
• Address Stamp
• From the Classroom
• From the Kitchen
• Made with Love
• This Book Belongs to
• From the Desk of
• Save the Date

Coordinates with the 1-3/8″ Circle Punch (item 119860). Clear Block B (item 117147) recommended. Purchase separately. Available in photopolymer only.


Circle Monogram Stamp - $23.95

I've had a busy week but I have had a bit of time to stamp.  Monday I played bridge - didn't do so great but I had a good time and it was good to play again after a couple of months off.  Monday night Marianne and I went to a fellow demonstrator's house in Concord and made a really cute project that I will be sharing soon.  Tuesday I was at home most of the day and had fun doing some stamping.  Tuesday night Marianne and I went to her son's house and took a friend of ours who has a cleaning service.  Derek and three of his friends are renting a house and need someone to come in and clean for them.  So we went out to dinner together and then took Robin to their home so she could give them a cleaning estimate.  Don't know about you, but I wouldn't want to be cleaning a house where four boys live!!  Wednesday I had my Newcomers meeting and went out to lunch with some of the gals afterwards.  Tomorrow I am taking my sister, Angela, to the hospital.  She broke her foot on Tuesday -fractured the bone that runs from the little toe down the side.  The doctor advised her to have the surgery or it would not heal properly and would bother her the rest of her life.  I have to have her at the hospital at 8:15 for a 10:50 surgery!!  I'll be taking a few things with me to keep me entertained while waiting.

Here are a few more shoebox cards.  These use the Petite Petals stamp and punch from the Occasions catalog.

Petite Petals and Peekaboo Frames Bigz Die

Peekaboo Frames open

Petite Petals (Occasions catty)

Happy Watercolor with Petite Petals

Shoebox Swap Cards

A few more of the Shoebox Swap cards to share -

An easy Valentine using punches and/or Heart framelits

Starburst Sayings was the theme of the day I think!

Starburst Sayings!

Another Starburst Sayings!

Love You to the Moon

Hope your weekend was a good one like mine was.  Saturday my two downlines (Marianne and Debbie) and I went to a Shoebox Swap at another demo's home in Conover.  There were 14 of us there and we made some great cards.  I got so many good ideas for stamp sets in the Occasions and Sale-a-Bration catalog.  I will be posting them in the next week. 

These are the cards that Marianne and Debbie made.

Marianne - Vivid Vases from Occasions catty

I just love the saying "Love You to the Moon and Back."  I haven't decided if I'll get this stamp set but I do love this particular stamp for it's saying.  

Debbie - Love You to the Moon = Occasions catalog



After the Stamp-a-Stack, we met the family for Angela's birthday dinner at Sagebrush in Mooresville. 


Sunday I did a little house cleaning in my stamp room.  I worked on a few projects that I have had for a long time and just decided to put them together.  Not sure what I will do with them but they are made anyway!  Sonny and I watched the Super Bowl.  I was sure surprised with how badly Denver played.  I thought it would be a close game with the winner being determined in the last few minutes.  Boy, was I surprised!  I was pulling for the Seahawks even though I picked Denver to win in our football poll.  Saw a stat that said Denver has now lost more Super Bowls than any other team in history.   I didn't even win any of the Super Squares and had some good numbers.  I wasn't very impressed with the commercials this year.  Loved seeing the Budweiser and Coke commercials and my man, Bob Dylan in a commercial.  Lots of car companies this year.

Thought this was cute - with the white Bronco (representing Denver) being chased by the Seahawks!  Reminiscent of the O J Simpson chase many years ago.





2014 Calendar

Before Christmas, I made several calendars using My Digital Studio.  One of the gals I made one of the calendars for asked me to make another one for her sister.  I decided to use stamps and paper to make this one instead of MDS.  Most of the stamp sets that I used are retired.  She really loved it and is taking it to her sister in Florida next week.

Button Buddies Stamp

Love You More stamp & Hearts A Flutter

Owl Punch

Single Stamp (All Ears???) and Fringe Scissors

Retired Daisy Die and Butterfly Die

Whale Sizzlit

No Stamping - just Patterned Paper

Perfectly Preserved

Wetlands

The More the Merrier

No Stamps - 5 Flower, 1" Circle and 2 3/8" punches 

Holiday Lineup

If you are interested in buying a calendar similar to this one, let me know.  I sell the calendar plus a wooden display to hang it on for $20.

See Ya Later Alligator - Paper Craft Challenge #78

I tried to post last night but our internet was soooo slow!  Don't know if it's the weather causing it or not.  I just reset our internet connection and hope that will solve the problem.

So, it started snowing yesterday around 1:00 pm and didn't stop until after dinner time.  It was a fine light snow and only got about 1-2" accumulation.  I had an eye dr. appointment this morning at 9:30 and was a little worried about driving.  As it turned out, all Sonny's buddies "wimped" out this morning on going shooting so he was able to take me, plus I called and got the appointment moved to later in the morning.  Actually after driving to town, I believe I could have done it.  (I do NOT drive in snow or ice!!  I've had about 3 car accidents in my life and 2 were on iced over bridges!)  My eye doctor finally agreed with me that I needed cataract surgery!!  This has been an on-going issue with him and me for about 6 months.  I am scheduled for the surgery on Feb. 13 and I can't wait!  I hate having trouble seeing.  I can only imagine how bad it is for my mom who is legally blind with Retinosa Pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease.  After the eye doctor, Sonny and I went to Corrine's for breakfast and ran into two of our Pittsburgh buddies who had just gotten there so we all had lunch together.  It was fun and such a coincidence as I was next going to one of the gals' house to drop off the calendar I had made for her to give to her sister when she goes to Florida in a couple of weeks.  (I'll be posting pictures of the calendar tomorrow.)

I have not participated in the Paper Craft Crew Challenge since early December so it was fun to design my card in MDS last night and post it for the challenge.  I used items from the new Occasions Catalog (DSP) and a stamp set from Sale-a-Bration.

The Paper Craft Crew design team has come up with some fun card samples using this week's card sketch.  Go HERE to check out the rest of the cards.  You may click any of the photos to see a larger image, and you may also click the name under the photo to go to the designers blog for more information on their creation.

• POSTING END TIME:  If you'd like to be considered as one of our Featured Artisans, please be sure to link your project by February 4, 2014 at 11:55 PM EST
• VOTING:  Voting on submissions starts on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at 11:55 PM EST.  Voting ends on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at 11:55 PM EST.

SOCIAL NETWORKING and UPDATES…  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.   Don't forget to sign up for email updates if you haven't done so!  

GUEST DESIGNER OPPORTUNITY…  Each time you participate "adds up" and may earn you an invitation to be a guest designer for a future challenge!  How cool is that…  Also, the more participation by our readers increases the exposure for everyone from participants to the design team to Stampin' Up!  To be eligible as a guest designer, you MUST participate in no less than 5 consecutive sketches AND be able to create a card that is created using 100% Stampin' Up! products. 

BLOG CANDY…  The Paper Craft Crew periodically offers BLOG CANDY!  You will never know when the Blog Candy will show up.   We have to keep you on your toes and coming back for more!  NOTE: shipping of blog candy within the United States is free, unfortunately, we must ask our international winners to pay for shipping on any blog candy they may win.

Sale-A-Bration Time!

Woooo Hoooo!  Sale-a-Bration is finally here.  

For those of you who are not familiar with Sale-a-Bration, it’s Stampin’ Up!’s annual event when customers are able to earn really great, exclusive products for every $50 you spend.  That’s not all, though!  You can earn additional hostess rewards for large purchases or hostess parties.  
About the Sale-a-Bration brochure:  Stampin’ Up! mixed things up a bit with this brochure.  The Free Products start on page 12 in this book.  On the pages before the Free Products, Stampin’ Up! has gathered some super-great bundles with different themes that allow you to buy a whole collection of great products with just one product number – and each bundle is just over $50, so you earn a free product with each.  You don’t have to buy from these bundles, but they sure are a helpful suggestion, right?

Let’s all sale-a-brate!  Woooo hoooo!

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Cowboy Kid

I actually did some stamping this weekend!  It has been a long time it seems since I have done anything in my stamp room.  I made a few cards and worked on a calendar that I have been commissioned to do.  One of the cards I made, I put aside to let the Crystal Effects dry.  But, do you think I can find that card this morning?  I have looked everywhere!  I must have put it in a safe place OR it has gotten mixed up with some paper or something and who knows where it is!  I'll give it a day or two and perhaps it will show up!  Maybe I had gremlins during the night and Sammie didn't catch them stealing the card!!

Here is one of the cards I made.  It is for my nephew's little boy, Jack IV - who they call IV.  He will be 2 next week and will be welcoming a baby brother soon.  Katrina is due any time now.  Hoping he won't be born on IV's birthday though!  They are hoping she won't go into labor until after IV's party on Sunday.

This card uses the Retired Stamp, Cowboy Kid.  This stamp has always been one of my favorites for little boys birthday cards.  Don't think I will ever get rid of it.  I just think the little cowboy is so stinkin' cute!!

I stamped the image onto a square of white card stock and sponged brown and yellow around the image.  Then I tore the edges of the square.  I used Copics to color the image (Can't wait for SU's Blendabilities!)  I mounted the stamped square on a piece of brown woodgrain paper and tore the edges of it.  I stamped a piece of red (5 1/4" x 4") with another retired stamp - Woodgrain Background using Crumb Cake ink.  I mounted the whole thing on Crumb Cake card stock.  The star is punched with a star punch (another retired punch).  I stamped "Howdy" on a piece of SU's Naturals DSP.

I have been steadily trying to identify my New Zealand pictures - using dates and what we wore in the pictures to catagorize them.  The hardest thing is all the lake pictures.  We visited several beautiful lakes either on our drive and stopping at roadside scenic vistas or when we actually stayed in a town with a lake.  The water is most of them was the bluest I have ever seen - actually turquoise from the glacier run-off.  Thought I'd share a few lake pictures.