I WON!!!!!!!

Remember my post a couple of days ago entitled, "Hope for a Cure" and the project that I created for the contest? I won!!!! While it was fun just to create the project, it's never a bad thing to actually win, particularly if it seems that you never win anything! So . . . now you can uncross your fingers and stop holding your breath. What's that? You weren't doing those things?

SMASHIN' BOTTLE CAPS ON HALLOWEEN

Today is so dreary, and it has looked like the same time (o'clock) ALL DAY LONG! I feel sorry for the little goblins who have to trek through wet grass, roads, and sidewalks to get their treats this evening, which is sure to be a foggy one. I suppose the fog will add ambiance, though. I've been smashin' bottle caps today with the Big Shot--something I had not tried yet with this particular machine. A few years ago, I used another manual die cutter to do that, but I think the Big Shot did just as well! To tell you the truth, new, unused bottle caps work best! Choosing a blue card stock to compliment Stampin' Up!'s Brushed Silver and, at the same time, coordinate with the blue glitter was more difficult than I expected. I ended up using Bordering Blue card stock, and I used the coordinating marker to color the white stripe in the ribbon. I can't believe how velvety it looks! Even though the blues (glitter and Bordering Blue) don't match, the glittered bottle cap takes center stage, which is exactly what I wanted. I used two Stampin' Up! stamp sets on this card . . . "Warm Words" and "Sweet Centers." Just look at that gorgeous glitter in the close-up photo!

ORNAMENTAL ORNAMENTS

Can I say that I just love this card? A couple of weeks ago, I used Stampin' Up!'s "Ornament" punch with "Holiday Lounge" designer paper with the intention of layering the punches similar to how they are on this card. I kept pushing the little ornaments out of the way, though, until last night when I was cleaning off my desk and found them. This wasn't exactly the placement that I had in mind for them, but I think it turned out really nice. This is a very simple card to make, but it has pizzazz. The sentiment is from "Holiday Best," a Level 1 hostess set in the current catalog.

BRAIN CELL MUTINY

Have you ever done something wrong and, after you discovered the error of your ways, you wondered HOW you didn't realize it sooner? This tile is my example of brain cell mutiny! I absolutely KNOW that Craft ink should be used on tiles, so why did I use Stampin' Up!'s Classic ink . . . again and again? I suppose I was just having too much fun and anxious to finish the tile. The only problem is that the tile would have remained in an unfinished state if I hadn't covered the wet ink with Stampin' Up!'s Glassy Glaze and popped it in the oven for a while. I had another tile that I'd also stamped with Classic ink, and I finally cleaned it with alcohol, so at least the tile can be stamped again. I could have taken a picture that didn't show so much of the gloss, but I wanted you to see how pretty the Champagne Mist shimmer paint looks on the flower centers and edges of the petals. I love that stuff!!!! Even though a hot pot might melt the Glassy Glaze embossing, I don't think this tile is a total waste . . . it looks very nice propped on a frame stand (or whatever you call those things). This 6x6 tile would make a really nice Christmas gift. I could just tie some ribbon around it, make a tag, and call it done!

"FRIENDS 24-7" . . . MY DIGITAL STUDIO STYLE

Check out the designer paper, re-sized Curly Label punches, stitching, brads, jumbo eyelet, and ribbon on this card! It was all created using Stampin' Up!'s brand new "My Digital Studio" software! I am having a lot of fun designing with this program . . . it's addictive!

HOPE FOR A CURE

Feast your eyes upon this project that I created for a contest. For a while now, I've had a note stuck between the keys of my keyboard to remind me of the contest, but today was THE day to get it done. The problem was having no idea of what to make. It had to be something pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, and this meant that I had to inventory all of my schtuff to decide what I wanted to use. Stampin' Up! products used to create this project include Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom, and Chocolate Chip card stock, "Medallion" background stamp, "Wonderful Words II" (retired) stamp set, Champagne Mist shimmer paint, Scallop Circle punch, hemp twine, Big Shot, slit punch, Heart to Heart punch, Stampin' Sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, and Very Vanilla jumbo brad. ETA: There's been a little confusion about this project, so I've added a new picture with a view of the side so you can see that it's a box with a handle. ;-) The colored line around the edge of pictures sometimes can be misleading. Sorry about that.

THE GIRL'S BEEN WORKIN'!

In case you were wondering why I haven't posted anything in the last day or so, I've been B-U-S-Y! Stampin' Up! has offered a "My Digital Studio" certification program to demonstrators for a month, I suppose, but I forgot all about it . . . until I was reminded that the completion deadline is 10/31. So began the challenge to prove to myself that OH, YES I CAN meet that deadline, and said challenge got underway around late-thirty Sunday night. You can say that I met the deadline with days to spare, although I still have to get some of my projects printed by Stampin' Up!'s professional printing service. I still have two more projects to complete (have to start them first), but the main requirements have been met. What is "My Digital Studio?" It's a digital paper-crafting solution. This description (mantra) has been drilled into my head as the trainer repeated it at the beginning of each webinar! MDS is a software program that has many Stampin' Up! products (stamp sets, designer paper, punches, embellishments, etc.) pre-loaded for your use in designing cards, scrapbook pages, CALENDARS, etc. and it even has a multimedia component which, at the moment, is a bit over my head. I still have a lot to learn about using the program, but I have learned enough to know that it's pretty dang awesome! Especially when you include BOTH of the CDs during the installation process. I found bows and knots for my ribbon after installing disk 2! The card that I've posted today is one of my digital creations, and I LOVE it! Just wait until you see the inside--I spruced it up, too! One of the best things about the program is being able to design with products that I don't own, plus the fact that I didn't make a mess in my stamp room during the creation of this card. No, the mess was already here! Please take the time to let me know what you think about this card. I'm very excited about MDS and look forward to sharing more about it. I'll end by saying that it does far more than I know . . . literally!

CHECK OUT THE MINI LIBRARY CLIP!

Just wanted to share this card and envelope that I made this afternoon. There are a few fun Stampin' Up! products used on this card (Chocolate Chip and Naturals Ivory card stock, "Define Your Life" stamp set, Chocolate Chip 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, and mini library clip). Although the card and envelope were created with an electronic cutter, I wanted to share this project since it shows a cute idea for the mini library clips, which are on sale with Stampin' Up! through this weekend. These clips are so small, making them a perfect embellishment to cards and other stamped projects, and they are designed to have a nice tight grip to keep them securely in place! BE SURE TO ORDER YOURS WHILE THE PRICE IS LOW! Details about the sale of these clips is in the top right corner of my blog, and you can also find more information and place an order HERE. The clips are available in two sizes and are packaged with assorted colors.

CIRCLES OF THANKS

I needed a "thank you" card this evening and discovered that I seldom use thankful sentiments unless I'm making a card that I need to send. In looking through my stash of cards, I found one that Kathryn, a fellow demo, had sent to me as a swap and decided to use her design with a couple of ever-so-slight modifications. Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Pacific Point (retired) ink, ribbon, and card stock, Whisper White card stock, and "Circle Circus" stamps. Just look at the texture in that card stock! I don't have any textured card stock in the current In Colors (I don't think), but I must order some!

HAPHAZARDLY "MOVING CIRCLE"

So I've seen pictures and read instructions. I've even re-read instructions, and (not to toot my own horn) I'm quite skilled at creating projects from instructions, many without pictures! For some reason, I am having the same issue with my moving circle cards--the brad isn't securely holding the two circles in place. I wonder if it's because I keep doing the same wrong thing. Ha! This is actually my second attempt at a finished card, and it is NOT perfect--close, but not perfect. This is probably my last attempt at creating a moving circle card, and that's why

I wanted to go ahead and share it. It's a fun idea for an interactive card, and I really like my idea of using snowflakes on the top circle and a snowman on the bottom circle. Deciding how to decorate the two circles is kind of challenging! If you try one of these cards, show me your success so I can celebrate with you! ;-) ETA: Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Brocade Blue and Whisper White card stock, "Flowers" brads, Round Tab punch, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aqua Painter, Blender Pen, markers, Scallop Circles die & Big Shot, "Snow Buddies" and "Snow Swirled" stamp sets, Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Brocade Blue and Night of Navy ink, and a Stampin' Sponge.

"FRIENDS 24-7" EASY POCKET CARD

I needed to make a card earlier this week, and I can honestly say that when you need a quick card . . . think POCKET! Once the pocket has been made, you just cut the insert to fit. For this card, I used Stampin' Up!'s "Friends 24-7" stamp set. It lends itself nicely to a well-rounded design because a couple of the images in this set can be used as the focal point or to create a filler/background. When I look at a stamp set, one of the first things that I look for is how versatile the images can be, and this one is a winner! Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Always Artichoke, Naturals Ivory, and Soft Suede card stock, Always Artichoke and Soft Suede ink, Stampin' Sponges, Vintage Brads, "Stem Sayings" stamp set, Round Tab and Eyelet Border punches, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

PINWHEEL ON A PEDESTAL

OMG! This was SUCH a fun card to make, and I think it would be even more fun to receive! I love the fact that the focal point really does take center stage--not only by being a fabulous pinwheel, but by having the capability to be propped as if on a pedestal. I've known this fun fold (in the past) to be called a pedestal design, but it's being called an easel card today. Call it what you will, but it's definitely fun! I used Barb M's pinwheel instructions, but I decided to curl a corner on each square and like the look! Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include "Holiday Lounge" designer paper, Jumbo Snowflake punch, Sahara Sand, Whisper White, and Taken with Teal card stock, Whisper White Satin and Kraft Taffeta ribbon, silver brad, mat pack, 1-1/4" Square and Wide Oval punches, "Christmas Punch" stamp set, and Stampin' Dimensionals.

"HOME FOR CHRISTMAS" HALF CUT

This card was a project at my class last Friday where I taught the "half cut" technique, which is a very interesting and fun way to use two sets of Stampin' Up! dies . . . the "Curly Label Movers & Shapers" and the "Holiday Windows" magnetic. The card itself is a Z-fold but, when you place it on the ornament-shaped die, you only cut half of the ornament shape so that it folds out from the Z. Really, really neat! If you visit my blog often, then you already know that I thoroughly enjoy learning die tricks! You can't tell from the picture, but I used a Champagne Mist shimmer spray on the red punched ornament (love, love, love my shimmery mist/spray!). The stamp sets used on this Naturals Ivory card are "Snow Swirled" and "Home for Christmas." This card also features Stampin' Up!'s Jumbo Snowflake punch and a rhinestone brad. And . . . YES . . . this is definitely a card that you can make multiples of without a lot of time and effort.

CREATING WITH STENCILS

In gearing up for this year's Holiday Extravaganza, Stampin' Up! shared some project samples with Demonstrators recently, and one of those samples used the Vintage Ornaments stencils. I've had the "Vintage Ornaments I" stencils for a while and have thoroughly enjoyed creating with them. This card, which is a bit smaller than the normal A2 size, demonstrates masking with the stencils, and it was a very quick and easy project! Of course, you can never go wrong when using Soft Suede and Rich Razzleberry. I used the Frost White shimmer paint for the detailing on the Razzleberry ornament, topped off with a rhinestone brad. The only other added visuals are the pierced photo corner and the flowing sentiment, which is from the "Four the Holidays" stamp set. Card stock colors used are Soft Suede, Kraft, and Pale Plum. Other Stampin' Up! products used include the mat pack, paper piercing tool, stampin' sponges, Stampin' Dimensionals, Photo Corner punch, and dotted grosgrain ribbon.

HOLIDAY APERTURE & FUN FOLD

Although simplistic in design, this card still has a wow factor, don't you think? It's quite a lot of area to decorate, and I tried to dress it up without going overboard. Since the diamond-shaped aperture was rather large, the die-cut bird fit perfectly and has plenty of room to spin around. Best of all, this card folds flat and fits inside a standard A2 envelope. Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include: Whisper White and Real Red card stock, craft knife and self-healing mat from the mat pack, Ornament punch, Holiday Windows Magnetic Dies (bird), Finial Press embossing folder, ribbon, "Christmas Cocoa" designer paper, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Gray ink, and sentiments from "Home for Christmas" and "Snow Swirled" stamp sets.

FRIENDS 24-7

This stamp set has been on my wish list for what seems like a long time, and I finally bought it! I think the images in this "Friends 24-7" stamp set will be very versatile, similar to Stampin' Up!'s other "nature-ish" sets. And it's easy to work with--gotta love that! For this card, I used Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip card stock, Very Vanilla Craft ink, "Kind Thoughts Brocade" stencil, Vanilla embossing powder, Vanilla brads and taffeta ribbon, and three of Stampin' Up!'s oval punches. I also used the Scallop Square punch, but it's mostly covered up by the ribbon. The mat pack and piercing tool came in handy for punching the holes for the brads! Definitely had a fun and easy time making this card.

3D TREE & GIFTS

At my class last night, my guests got to make a 3D tree. A day or so before the class, I made this white tree just so I could make sure I remembered the assembly process, but I just got around to decorating it today. Surprisingly, the 3D tree looks intimidating, but it's really not difficult! I used Stampin' Up!'s "Holiday Lounge" designer paper to decorate the tree and gift boxes. Love, love, love this designer paper! Other Stampin' Up! products used include Whisper White and Taken with Teal card stock, assorted ribbon, "Tree Decorations" die, and the "Swirly" decorative strip die. I misted the finished tree with a shimmer mist that I concocted using Stampin' Up!'s "Champagne Mist" shimmer paint, which I love!

HOLIDAY TREAT BOX

Have you seen the Treat Boxes in the Stampin' Up! catalog? These boxes are a very generous size and, in addition to being perfect for a variety of gifts, I think they'd be great for giving an edible treat to friends, family, neighbors, etc. Best of all, they don't require a lot of--or any--decorating! They are designed with the a swiss dot pattern and scallop edge on the closing flap, and the body of the box is a neat, non-gender stripe. These boxes are even self-closing, and you can't ask for much more than that! My box is decorated with Stampin' Up!'s "Tree Trimmings" and "Four the Holidays" stamp sets, along with ribbon and a rhinestone brad. Easy peasy!

PAPER TREE

Now how cute is this little tree? To create it, I used one of the patterned papers from Stampin' Up!'s "Merry Moments" series, a little piece of 1/4" Real Red grosgrain ribbon, a bead, hot glue, skewer, and the one part of the project that took the most time (trying to find) . . . a spool of thread to use as a tree stand. Since I don't sew, it didn't matter to me whether the spool had thread on it, which it did . . . an ugly green that totally clashed with my pretty green tree. I just covered it with some Stampin' Up! 5/8" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon. That may seem blasphemous to those of you who sew, but I truly have no use for the Kelly Green thread, but it sure makes a perfect tree stand!

IT'S A SNEAK PEEK!

Oh boy! This is going to be too fun (I think). Pictured here is a portion of the prototype that I worked on this morning for window valances in the stamp room. When I got it all mapped out, I showed it to Chadrick, and he wanted to know if we were so poor that our window treatments now have to be made from paper. Ha! All that's left to do is choose fabric and embellishments, but I already have ideas for that. This is going to be so much fun!!!! I've got an email in to my mother and sister and am waiting to find out which one of them wants the honor of sewing this project for me. Aren't they the lucky ones????? I hope I hear back from them soon. Ha!

RUDOLPH "FANCY FAVOR"

Isn't this the cutest little Rudolph???? I saw one similar (without eyelashes), and decided that I must make one. It's actually a perfect addition to the treat bag, which was created with Stampin' Up!'s "Fancy Favor" die. I just love that die! Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this cute treat include "Merry Moments" designer paper, "Four the Holidays" stamp set, Chocolate Chip ink, white gel pen, vintage brads (on the sides, securing the handle) and the following punches: Jumbo Snowflake, Wide Oval, Word Window, 1/4" Circle, Modern Label, and 1/2" Circle.

FALL STUFF

Just wanted to share a really cute and easy 3D pumpkin card that I made this morning. I used Stampin' Up!'s "Night & Day" designer paper, Pumpkin Pie 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Oval, Word Window, Eyelet Border, and Modern Label punches, and Handsome Hunter and Pumpkin Pie card stock. The other picture I'm sharing is the Fall arrangement that I put together for my porch. It's so festive! I had thought that I wouldn't even bother with Fall, but I couldn't help myself. There

are too many beautiful choices in the stores right now. Hope you're having a Fallerrific day!

WHO WOULDN'T WANNA BE ME?

I'm so happy to see the sun today!!!! I looked out on the patio and saw some of last year's mums, which I obviously have been planning (for almost a year now) to dispose of. Amazingly, some of them are coming back to life, through the skeletal remains of what they used to be. About two weeks ago, Chadrick had his BB gun outside and actually shot the first flower that sprung from the plant in this picture (boys will be boys forever), but it has a will to just keep growing! Who would have thought that my dead mums would be the brightest thing in the yard today? The song that came to my mind this morning is by Keith Urban, and I think this coming-to-life-again mum would be singing it, too:

And the sun is shinin'
This road keeps windin
'Through the prettiest country
From Georgia to Tennessee
And I got the one I love beside me
My troubles behind me
I'm alive and I'm free
Who wouldn't wanna be me?

Have a FANTABULOUS day!!!
ETA: You can hear the song HERE (and you can enjoy seeing Keith Urban, too!)

EASY HOLIDAY TREAT

You've heard it before . . . while clearing my desk, I uncovered a strip here, a piece there, an unused die cut pushed in the corner . . . which led to grabbing a stamp set off the shelf, an ink pad and marker off the caddy, a length of gold cord (which I had just put in the drawer), a mini candy bar that I forgot I had . . . throw them all together, and this cute holiday treat is the end result. I love it! This is truly a great project for scraps, and no one will know that you didn't spend a lot of time choosing the perfect paper for their treat. Ha!

GLITTERY BIRTHDAY WISHES

This Thursday is Aunt Betty's birthday, and this is the card that I made for her. I actually had a different card ready to mail, but I just wasn't in love with it. So, after trying again, I came up with this one. It has a matching envelope, which you can see a portion of on the bottom right side of the picture. Stampin' Up! products used include the dotted ribbon, floral brad, tag punches, and stamped birthday sentiment.

KEEPSAKE BOX

This is a project that I have really wanted to try, but I haven't had the one product that I need. I still don't have it, but I improvised. To decorate the top of the box, I first sponged the entire top surface with Soft Suede ink and then positioned the "Kind Thoughts Brocade" stencil on the lid. I applied an embossed icing product on top of the stencil, gave it some time to dry, and then sponged Soft Suede and Bermuda Bay ink randomly on the lid. After a while, I decided to brush some Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint on a few areas of the raised design, but that wasn't enough . . .I just had to spray the lid with the shimmer mist that I mixed a couple of weeks ago. I don't think that was a good idea. It didn't ruin anything; however, the embossed "icing" doesn't seem to want to dry/harden now. I used Stampin' Up!'s gorgeous "Thoroughly Modern" designer paper to decorate the edge of the lid and the box, and I used the Crop-a-Dile to punch holes for the clear rhinestone brads. For the stamped tag, I used Stampin' Up!'s "Dreams du Jour" stamp set, which was inked with the In Color markers. That sentiment seems very appropriate for my keepsake box! All in all, I love this box, and I love the stencil! If you haven't paid much attention to Stampin' Up!'s stencils, I encourage you to do so. Not only can they be used to decorate "things," they can also be used with ink on your cards, scrapbook pages, album covers, journals, walls, etc.! What are you waiting for? Hop on over to my web site, choose a stencil (or two), and place an order with me.

RIBBON CANDY

What a fun use of Stampin' Up!'s 1-1/4" Striped Grosgrain ribbon!!!! If you enjoy making ornaments for your tree . . . or for others . . . this just might be the ornament for you this year! With a few beads and basic jewelry-making tools, you can whip these up in no time! It took me a while to locate my beading supplies (since I re-organized my room not too long ago), but this was a very quick project! If I can find an inexpensive white tree this year, I want to decorate it for my stamp room using jewel-colored ornaments, which I bought today. I could put some ribbon candy ornaments on the tree and, possibly, leave off the green balls. I can just hear my husband now if he sees a new tree in the house. He fusses EVERY year about how full our attic is with trees and threatens to get rid of all but one. I wonder how he could possibly choose which one to keep as they were each selected with a different theme in mind.

CREATIVE USE FOR ORNAMENT PUNCH

I just love demo groups because they're chockful of ideas--more than I could ever get around to trying! I would love to take credit for the discovery of using the Ornament punch to create fish, but it wasn't my idea. Several punches were used to create this card . . . Modern Label, Scallop Oval, Large Oval, and Heart to Heart. Other Stampin' Up! products used include "Inspired by Nature" and "FYI" stamp sets, Always Artichoke, Basic Gray, Sahara Sand, and Whisper White card stock, Kraft taffeta ribbon, Stampin' Dimensionals, white gel pen, and Nouveau Chic designer paper. This paper worked really nice for the fish, don't you think? The "seaweed" in the foreground was hand-cut, but I used the grassy image from "Inspired for Nature" to create the look of seaweed in the background. I think a murky color to mimic water would have kept my fish from appearing to be swimming on a lawn or maybe I just needed less green on the card. Hindsight is 20/20!

ANOTHER FALL PROJECT

A very talented stamper named Mary Jo shared a project where she used Stampin' Up!'s Ornament punch and "Sweet Centers" stamp set to create a cute hot air balloon, and I just had to make one for myself. The Ornament shapes really are great for this project! Card stock colors used are Always Artichoke, Sahara Sand, Ruby Red, and Whisper White. Other Stampin' Up! products used include the Scallop Edge punch, Soft Suede and Bashful Blue ink, Ruby Red brad, "Autumn Traditions" designer paper, and Scallop Circle punch (to create the clouds).

ADORABLE SCARECROW!

Wanna make a super cute and not-so-time-consuming Fall card? Give this one a try! I can't take credit for the creative use of punches to create the scarecrow . . . I think it was LeeAnn Greff who used several Stampin' Up! punches to create his face, hat, arms, and overalls. For my scarecrow, I used Stampin' Up!'s beautiful "Autumn Traditions" designer paper and 1-1/4" Circle, Scallop Square, Horizontal Slot, Word Window, Small Tag, Trio Flower, Wide Oval, Modern Label, and 3/4" square punches. Stamp sets used were "Inspired by Nature" and "Smarty Pants." Card stock colors used were More Mustard, Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, and Creamy Caramel. Other Stampin' Up! products used include Stampin' Dimensionals, Ruby Red brad, Linen Thread, and (retired) More Mustard 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon.

BIFOCALS

I went to pick up my new glasses today. This is actually the second time I picked them up. I had a progressive lens Rx the first time and didn't care for it, so the doctor's office had the lens swapped for bifocals. I can already tell that I'm going to like these MUCH better because I don't have to constantly turn and tilt my head to find the teensy weensy reader which, in the first prescription, might have been hard to find on the tip of my pinky! Even though the doctor's office apparently perceived me as one of "those" patients, I'm very pleased with how quickly they went into action to make me happy. I'm especially pleased that this change didn't cost a thing! Don't you just LOVE excellent customer service???? Now . . . about the pink hearts on the temple . . . when I selected this frame, all I saw was the pretty silver, which appeared to have some kind of design. It wasn't until a couple of weeks later, when I just happened to move my handy dandy magnifying glass by my glasses (hanging idle and useless on a paper tray), that I noticed pink hearts!!!! WTH?!? I had never noticed the pink hearts, hence the reason for getting glasses. In my defense, one of the girls in the doctor's office had selected some frames for me to try, and this was one of them . . . one that I happened to like best, with the shiny silver thing at the temple. And the pink hearts that a sight-challenged person might never notice unless she examines them under a microscope . . . or a magnifying glass. Some people wear their heart on their sleeve. I wear mine (all of them) on my "temple." I can't blame you for wanting to see the Pepto Bismol-colored hearts the next time you see me with my glasses, but try not to stare. Why, oh why, do the hearts have to be this ugly pink?

LATTICE 4-STEP GLITTER PROJECT

I decided tonight to pull an idea out of my head and put it in my hands. I've actually tried a two-step glitter project before, but I've never taken on quite a challenge as this one. After I cut a piece of Stampin' Up!'s "Sticky Pages" using the "Lattice" die and Big Shot machine, I held it in my hands and thought, "What should I peel first and which pieces should I pull out?" This really took some thinking! And then I had to select glitter colors! All in all, it turned out pretty much according to plan. Let me say it like this:

I had an idea that wouldn't go away,

so I got out the glitter and started to play.

Now there's glitter in my eyes and on my nose;

All over my thighs, and between my toes;

My knuckles sparkle and so do my elbows,

and I'm sure there's glitter where glitter shouldn't go!

The glitter cloth helps to clean up nicely,

should I use it on me . . . not once, but twicely?

Could this be a class project endeavor?

Certainly! I'll present it on the 12th of NEVER!!!!

~ © 2009 Regina Andari

In all seriousness, I think everyone should try this type project; however, I recommend a less intricate design to work with. Now that the messy part is done, I look forward to seeing how I'll end up using this glittered beauty to complete an actual project! IF YOU CLICK ON THE PICTURE, A LARGER ONE WILL OPEN SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE KIND OF SPARKLE THAT I'M WEARING! ;-)

AWESOME TRICK OF THE DIE

Sizzix dies are fun to use, but they're even more fun when you "trick" them, as I call it, and get more and/or different uses than intended. For my 3D butterfly, I used Stampin' Up!'s "Beautiful Butterflies" die. The red butterfly on the back and the small red and white butterfly on the front (cut from flocked "Christmas Cocoa" designer paper) were cut from the die in the usual manner. The white butterflies, which were embossed with the new "Petals a Plenty" embossing folder, were the result of a "trick" of the die. The large white butterfly was cut first, and then I placed it on the die again to cut the smaller butterfly wings out of it--it's actually one butterfly, attached at the center, with two sets and sizes of wings. How cool is that????? I attached my 3D butterflies to a box cut from the "Fancy Favor" die and placed an "Eyelet Border" punched strip along the bottom. Easy peasy really quick project! Seriously, this project took 10 minutes or less, and that includes the time to select card stock!

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

This may seem like an odd picture/collage to be sharing today, but I was looking at my new grass (pictured here . . . with some fallen leaves and tire tracks from the mower) and thought that I haven't seen grass like this in a long time. It's not that I'm a grass enthusiast or anything, but my grandparents used to have what I thought was Heavenly grass . . . it was a dewy shade of green and very soft, unlike any I had ever stepped on. You know how religious pictures (in churches, on bulletins, etc.) used to have that clean, pure, soft "everything's beautiful and perfect" look--unlike anything found on earth? I'm talking about grass like that. My grandparents, during my early childhood, lived in a two-story house on a hill that was at the end of a long driveway that had its own bridge over a creek (aka "crick"). I used to be scared to ride over the bridge because it had no sides. The creek that flowed beneath wasn't deep enough to cause a drowning if the car had fallen over, but I was a child and didn't think of that. The creek did get deep at times, though, and made the driveway impassable! Maybe that's what I thought of, afraid the creek would suddenly swell when we were on the bridge. Since I am writing about my grandparent's old house, I thought I'd share a picture that came from that house. It now hangs over my mantle, and it is a treasure! My grandmother says it's worth nothing and the frame will probably fall apart (it's not in mint condition), but this picture is one of my earliest memories of that house and my family, and it is a priceless treasure to me. This picture is in the background of some pictures taken before my mother and daddy were married and when I was a baby and during so many Christmases celebrated there, so it's very near and dear to me . . . and quite old (not saying that I'm old . . . the picture is). Shortly after we bought our house, mamaw said I could take this picture off her wall if I wanted it and hang it in my house. "If" I wanted it????????? In a heartbeat!!!!! I knew just where I wanted to hang it! It hasn't moved since we moved in, but it moves me all the time.

"EVERYTHING"

It seems like a long time ago that I added a link to the "Everything" skit, but I just watched it again. It seems that no matter how many times I watch that video, I end up reaching for a tissue. It's just sooooooo moving!!! If you haven't watched it in a while, or ever, scroll down to the "Internet Places of Interest" section in the right sidebar and watch it.

3D TREE ON A BOX

This project has been in my head, and it's now ready to decorate. I went ahead and stamped the lid, but I don't have the Tree Decorations die yet and will have to wait until next week to decorate the tree. Personally, I think this project turned out great--even better than I had imagined! The challenge was to stamp the "Bearing Gifts" image so that it could be seen from under the tree, and I now know that it needs to be stamped closer to the scalloped edge. Wouldn't this make a really special gift for a really special person? I just love it! I'll be sure to post a picture after I decorate the tree!