REMEMBERING MAMAW C

Today I'm sharing a layout that I designed two months ago for my scrapbook club because it features a picture which includes my mamaw C who passed away yesterday morning.  On page one, my sister and I share the spotlight in a rare photo with both sets of grandparents, and mamaw C is on the left.  Following is what I posted on Facebook yesterday:

     She was a sweet woman--a gentle soul--and when she laughed, it was almost like a mischievous giggle.  She was a great cook, and her sweet tea was to die for.  She let me eat from the sugar bowl that she kept on the table, and she didn't mind if I stole a biscuit, still steaming-hot from the oven.  I later learned to appreciate that she wouldn't let me try that cocoa-looking stuff that she'd pour into the round metal lid and then pour behind her lip.  Her memories left her too soon and, this morning, she left us.  I know that Heaven and my mamaw are celebrating on this day.



"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" . . . ANOTHER SCRAPLING

Today's MISM project is truly a snappy one, and it's also a scrapling . . . a card created from a scrap that I pulled out of the box of cut card stock that needs to be sorted and filed.  Stampin' Up! products used include Early Espresso, Pool Party, and Very Vanilla card stock, "Pennant Parade" stamp set, "Spice Cake" designer paper, and pearl jewels.  For the die-cut shapes, I used some Spellbinders' and Tim Holtz dies.  Don't you just love scraplings?  They put scraps to good use, and there is no right or wrong way to use them.  I think it's fun to create cards that aren't the standard size.  This reminds me that when I was first introduced to Stampin' Up! at a workshop, I thought the cards we made were quite small.  I was used to store-bought cards, which seem huge to me now, but it didn't take long for me to fall in love with the standard A2 card . . . and look at me now . . . you never know what size card might get dropped in the mail.  

VINTAGE "SEWING ROOM" CARD

My sister had a birthday this past Tuesday, and this is the card that I made for her.  Somehow, I just know that it will find a permanent place in her sewing room.  My sweet niece, Haley, gave me the "Sewing Room" die for my birthday that I used to cut the dressform and thread spool.  Card stock wasn't going to be sturdy enough for this card, so I cut two additional shapes from thin chipboard and adhered the Early Espresso die-cuts to them.  The two pieces are adhered at the top with adhesive, and I created a score line on the front piece so the card would open easily.  Stampin' Up! products that I used include crochet trim, Jewelry Tag punch, "Pennant Parade" stamp set, hemp twine, linen thread, and designer button.

JULIE'S "FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" GIFT PROJECT

Today it's Julie's turn to share a Freestyle Fridays project with us, and it appears that she has created a neat little gift of nail files.  If you're like me, you really enjoy stamped gift ideas--especially this time of year--and Julie does a great job with these.  It amazes me sometimes how she can come home from a long day at work and create some type of gift that's needed ASAP.  I hope that you will join me in visiting Julie's blog to see and learn more about her project, and I know that she would appreciate it if we would take a few seconds to leave a comment. 

Since the holidays have officially begun, it seemed like the perfect time to change my blog banner to reflect the Christmas season. Of course, I used Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio to create the design and hope you like it!  DON'T FORGET . . . Stampin' Up! has kicked off the holiday season with an Online Extravaganza.  If you haven't already checked it out, you can do so HERE.  Any time is a great time to purchase My Digital Studio, but you can purchase the Express version (downloadable) from my web site during the Online Extravaganza and receive the Express Booster Pack FREE!!!  The booster pack, combined with My Digital Studio Express, would give you the same content as the $79.95 version that comes with installation CDs.

"MOCHA MORNING" HOLIDAY ENSEMBLE

This project ensemble was designed for the Christmas session of Stampin' Fun and Friends, a subscription site for stamped project ideas and tutorials.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this holiday framed art, as well as the coordinating tag and greeting card, include:  Mocha Morning Specialty designer paper, "Welcome Christmas" stamp set, antique brad, black satin ribbon, "Hand-Penned Holidays" digital stamp set, Sizzix Serif Essentials alphabet dies, Sizzix Two Tags die, Scallop Edge border punch, Wide Oval punch, and linen thread.  I used My Digital Studio and the "Music Notes" digital stamp brush set to create the borders for the framed art and the bottom of the tag.

TRYING FRAMELITS AND STAMP-EMBOSS SETS

The first card that I'm sharing today was created with a Sizzix "stamp and emboss" set that I recently purchased.  I used Stampin' Up! markers to ink the stamp and then used the coordinating embossing folder to emboss the stamped image.  Sponging Soft Suede ink on the embossed image added definition and depth.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Itty Bitty Shapes punches (small heart), pearl jewels, "Short & Sweet" stamp set, oval punches, and dotted grosgrain ribbon.  For the second card, I used the Sizzix "Chandelier" stamps and coordinating Framelits dies.  It was nice to be able to try Framelits dies because Stampin' Up! will be offering some of them early next year, and I know now that they are going to be AWESOME!  My little card features a sentiment from "Teeny Tiny Wishes" stamp set, Wisteria Wonder card stock, designer button, linen thread, and a punched eyelet border.  To see a larger view of either of these cards, just click on the pictures.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY" . . . BOXED AND BORDERED

Today's MISM project is another easy box--4" square, 2" deep.  I had created the stamped snowflake topper to use for a card, but it ended up laying on my desk waiting for a place to call home.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this box include Soft Suede, Not Quite Navy, and Whisper White card stock, Snowflake punch, Dazzling Diamonds glitter (on the punched snowflakes), "Short & Sweet" and "Snow Swirled" stamp sets, linen thread, pearl jewels, 5/8" silver brad (topped with pearl jewels), and Lace Ribbon Border punch.  Not Quite Navy is one of Stampin' Up!'s older colors and, for several years, I hardly used it; however, I have taken quite a liking to it, maybe because it is a striking compliment to a favorite of mine, Soft Suede.

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY

For quite some time, my husband and son have  wanted me to have a new camera, but I have resisted.  The camera that I have used for years has a neat little dock that sits on my desk, and it seems that cameras with docks have become extinct.  I know that technology keeps pushing us forward, which is supposed to be a good thing, but I loved my little dock!  My guys decided to go ahead and purchase a new camera for me--this red beauty--and gave it to me early when I had an issue with my beloved (scratched and dented) outdated camera.  So far, I like this one a lot!  There's so much to learn, but you'll see what kind of pictures it takes with my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" project tomorrow.  ;-)  I used Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio to "holiday up" the photo.  I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday, and be sure to visit me tomorrow!

THE UN-STRIPED STRIPED CAKE

Tuesday is my sister's birthday, so I made and decorated a cake for us to share with our stampin' friends at class tonight.  My mind's design for this cake was much prettier than the one Renee is holding (I had planned to make a striped cake with super smooth frosting).  In a rush to get it decorated today, it turned out okay.  Most importantly, it was quite tasty.  Once again, the frosting was a challenge, particularly after I "cut the round" off of the top layer which left the soft, moist crumbs exposed.  Those crumbs had quite a happy time mixing in with the frosting.  Argh!!!!  Class was fun tonight!  Have I mentioned that I have the BEST stampin' friends/customers?!?!  I can speak for Renee when I say that we enjoy them so much!!!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" . . . A FALL WEDDING CARD

Last week, Julie shared a Peach Parfait wedding card that she made for a co-worker, and she challenged me to design a wedding card this week using Fall colors .  Fortunately, Stampin' Up! has this gorgeous "Spice Cake" designer paper, which was perfect for my little flowers.  To create the flowers, I punched five circles for each flower, misted them with water, crumpled and then unfolded them, shaped them in a crumpled fashion, and left them to dry.  Once dry, I stacked them, pierced a hole in the center, and inserted a brad to hold them together.  Other Stampin' Up! products used to create my gate fold card include Simply Scored scoring tool, More Mustard, Pool Party, and Very Vanilla card stock, Early Espresso and Pool Party ink, "Word Play" stamp set, circle punches, rhinestone jewel, "Vintage Wallpaper" embossing folder, and satin ribbon.  At first, I thought it would be challenging to create a Fall wedding card, trying to stay away from leaves in tones of rust and brown, but I think this card turned out okay and with just a touch of elegance.  Thank you, Julie, for yet another fun mission!

SPARKLY RETRO ORNAMENTS

Just wanted to share a fun and quick card that I made a couple of weeks ago.  Stampin' Up! products used to create this card include Dazzling Details, satin ribbon, ink (Lucky Limeade, Pacific Point, and Calypso Coral), card stock (Whisper White, Calypso Coral, and Lucky Limeade), Scallop Edge border punch, and Houndstooth embossing folder.  I used the Cricut Expression to cut the sentiment label.  I love this color combo . . . it's so cheery, in a tropical kind of way.

"MAKE-IT-SNAPPY-MONDAY"

Today's MISM project is a cute little gift box, which is a perfect fit for the four ink pens inside.  My sister needed a "Secret Sister" gift for a co-worker, so I whipped up this box for her.  For the box, I started with a 4" x 8" piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock, scored at 1" on all four sides, and I used a 3" x 7" piece of Old Olive card stock, scored at 1/2" on all four sides, for the lid.  If you don't have a box maker tool to use, you'll have to tweak the scoring for the lid just a tad so that it will fit nicely over the top of the box.  I used a piece of "Letters to Santa" designer paper to decorate the lid, sponged Soft Suede ink along the edges, and the Old Olive striped grosgrain ribbon was the perfect finishing touch.  All supplies used to create and decorate this box (with the exception of the box maker tool) are from Stampin' Up!.

3D COUNTDOWN CALENDARS

My 3D Countdown Calendar

Last night, I had a 3D Countdown Calendar class with some great friends!  They each completed the decoration of the 3D calendars, which required a LOT of thought as to which designer papers to use and which little drawer to place them on.  I was amazed at how different each person's project turned out--they were all gorgeous works of art--and I wanted to share the photos with my blog visitors.  Remember . . . click on the photos if you'd like to open a larger view.

  Amber's Calendar



  Arlene's Calendar

  Joanne's Calendar

  Jane's Calendar

  Renee's Calendar

Each of these ladies took home another 3D Countdown Calendar (or two or three), so they're going to re-live the fun of decorating this project!  Thank you, ladies, for a fun evening!

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS" . . . A PEACHY BRIDE

It's time for Freestyle Fridays, and Julie has a Fall wedding card to share with us today.  If someone told me that a shade of orange was their chosen color for a wedding, I'm not sure that I'd know where to begin to make a card for them, but Julie chose a soft, feminine theme with Peach Parfait, complete with swirls and bling.  Great job, Julie!  Be sure to visit Julie's blog today to learn more about her card, and leave a comment while you're there.  We love to hear from our visitors!

REMEMBERING ELIZABETH

Last year, I posted about my grandmother's sweet friend and quilting buddy, Elizabeth, who died from cancer.  Elizabeth loved African Violets and, after her death, her husband shared some of them with my mother and grandmother.  My mother gave one to me, and I have been so amazed that I have kept this one not only alive, but looking so healthy!  This plant is the first thing that I see when my eyes open each day, and I decided this morning that I would take a picture of it to share with my grandmother and Elizabeth's husband.  They will each be receiving a card like this one. 

MY BIRTHDAY CAKE

If you're thinking that my birthday cake looks a lot like a Halloween cake, you're right.  I made it for a Halloween family get-together/party and didn't know that it was going to be a surprise birthday party for me.  When my mother mentioned having the party and that we'd all dress in costume, I wanted to make the cake so I could get more practice.  How many birthday cakes have you made for yourself?  Ha!  This cake turned out to be quite a challenge.  I ended up baking a total of 5 layers, but two of them didn't turn out well, and I ended up using the best two of the five layers for my cake.  Now you know why I needed the practice.  I used the Cricut Cake machine to cut the decorations--the witch, crow, and letters were cut from Wilton Sugar Sheets, and the tombstones were cut from gum paste--all edible product.  As you can tell from the black specks on the cake, I originally had black tombstones but changed to the purplish-gray ones.  The cake didn't end up looking exactly as I had wanted, but it was delicious!  In case you're wondering, the small white cake with the witch on it is supposed to be a full moon.  ;-) 

SHORT & SWEET . . . HAVE A SEAT

It's time for my "Make-It-Snappy-Monday" project, and I must say that I really like this card!  I have had my eye on the "Have a Seat" stamp set since I first saw it in the current Stampin' Up! catalog, but I was never sure that I'd really have a use for it.  I finally added it to an order, and I do not regret it!  Quite honestly, I'm loving it.  It's perfect for something simple and sweet, as is evidenced by this card.  The other stamp set that I finally talked myself into buying is "Short & Sweet," which I used for the sentiment and tiny cupcake.  Other Stampin' Up! products used on this card include oval punches, 3/4" circle punch, "Finial Press" embossing folder, retired gingham ribbon, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White, and Basic Black card stock, and markers to color the cupcake and create the "doodle'd" border.  If you sometimes find yourself staring blankly at your stacks of stamp sets when you need something quick and sweet, I highly recommend both of the sets that I used on this card.  Have a wonderful week!

DIGITAL DESIGNS FEATURING "FREE" DIGITAL DOWNLOADS

Last night, as I was thinking of heading to bed, I got sucked into My Digital Studio, playing with the FREE downloads from Stampin' Up!  I could hardly hold my eyes open, but I was having too much fun.  This card features a large Scallop Square punch, filled with one of the "Beau Chateau" designer paper patterns, and I used a different pattern for the Curly Label shape which features an image from the "Christmas Lodge" stamp set.  Notice the digital tape that appears to be holding the "memories" shape to the card?  That's from "Delightful Digital Tape," one of Stampin' Up!'s FREE downloads!  After the image was printed, I cut around the scallop edges, sponged them with Soft Suede ink, and then adhered the design to Soft Suede card stock, which was adhered to the Marina Mist card.  My second card features the Top Note shape filled with a pattern from the "Spice Cake" designer paper.  On top of this shape, I used a gorgeous image from "Day of Gratitude" stamp set, which I layered several times and used "drop-shadows" in Crumb Cake and Pool Party colors.  Notice the Pool Party ruffled ribbon?  It's from Stampin' Up!'s FREE "Delight in the Day" embellishment kit!  The sentiment on this card is from "Fundamental Phrases" stamp brush set, and the other digital items are the antique brad, jewelry tag punch, and More Mustard grosgrain ribbon.  Once this design was printed, I used the actual Sizzix Top Note die to cut it, sponged the edges with Soft Suede ink, adhered the die-cut layer to a piece of Very Vanilla card stock which was embossed with the Square Lattice embossing folder, and then adhered that layer to the More Mustard card.  What a quick, quick, quick card this was to make!  If I had been thinking clearly instead of working through sleepy eyes, I would have used a real antique brad instead of the digital one, but it's all good.  Are you having fun with the free downloads this weekend????

THAT SWEET JULIE

On Thursday, as I headed out to visit my parents and grandmother, I checked the mailbox, which was full since I hadn't checked it for two days.  I had to stop for gas and, while waiting for the fill-up, I looked through the mountain of mail and noticed a fat envelope from Julie.  That sweet friend of mine sent me this beautiful card--complete with dimension, texture, shimmer, and glitter--and a Lady Antebellum CD!!!  I was so excited that she had done such a sweet thing for me and equally excited to have something new to listen to all the way to Mocksville!  Stampin' Up! has opened the door to many forms of happiness for me, but the friendships are the BEST.  I was excited to get the card from Julie before I even saw the CD, so take it from me . . . if you ever think that a card just doesn't seem like "enough" to send to someone, think again.  A card tells someone that you were thinking of them and that they are special to you.  Make someone's day and send a card!  Thank you, Julie, again for making my day!

"HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS" GIFT BOX

In celebration of their four-day "Digital Scrapbooking Celebration," Stampin' Up! is giving FREE digital downloads to use with My Digital Studio.  All you will have to do is answer a quick survey, and you can get all of the details HERE.  I used images from the "Home for the Holidays" embellishment kit to decorate the box pictured in this post--easy peasy!  You'll find all of the details about My Digital Studio and how to order it HERE.  It really is an easy program to use, and you'll LOVE being able to design with the same beautiful Stampin' Up! images and colors with which you've already grown to love.  Of course, you can always send project designs to be professionally printed by Stampin' Up!, but I'm usually in a hurry to use my designs and print them from home.  And now for a moment of truth . . . when Stampin' Up! first unveiled My Digital Studio to demonstrators, I resisted the product wholeheartedly because I thought that it went totally against everything that--in my humble opinion-- represented what the company was all about.  It didn't take long for me to realize that My Digital Studio is yet another tool with which to create, and I have let some of my digital designs totally carry a project or just enhance it.  There are times when I purchase only the digital form of a product (punch, designer paper, stamp set, accessory, etc.), but there are many products for which I own the actual product AND the digital version.  It is awesome, and I {heart} My Digital Studio! 

"FREESTYLE FRIDAYS"

It's hard to believe that another Friday has rolled around, and it has rolled us into a new month, as well!  With her creatively blinged "Forever Young" project last week, Julie issued a mission for me to create a "Forever Young" project this week, complete with bling.  I normally think of bling as anything that sparkles; however, this Fall design didn't really need sparkle, so I used pearls instead.  Since I don't have the actual stamp set, I used Stampin' Up!'s My Digital Studio to design my card and the "thank you" sentiment.  For the tree image, I layered several images with a drop-shadow effect, and the Elegant Eggplant leaf also has a drop-shadow, as do each of the four layered color panels.  When I work with a digital design, I like to give it the illusion of as much depth as possible, and drop-shadow is my "go to" tool.  The finishing touch to my printed design was the velvet ribbon.  It may be a bit "heavy" for this project, but it is so gorgeous and adds a touch of warmth and elegance.  If you're ready to jump on the My Digital Studio bandwagon with me, just go HERE to order!  Since Saturday is "Digital Scrapbooking Day", Stampin' Up! will offer FREE digital downloads this weekend!  You don't want to miss that!

"CHRISTMAS JINGLE" GATE FOLD

I've been designing cards for an upcoming stamp-a-stack, and this is one of the rejects.  It wasn't rejected because I don't like it . . . there's just no actual stamping on it.  Obviously, I wasn't sure what I was going to design when I started this one; the only thing I knew was that I wanted a gate fold.  Stampin' Up! digital products used to create this card include My Digital Studio, of course, Chocolate Chip scallop edge dotted ribbon, and the Christmas Jingle designer kit.  To the printed digital design, I added Real Red taffeta ribbon and a 3-heart punched border using one of the Itty Bitty Shapes punches.  The only thing left to do is add a layer of card stock inside the card for the greeting and signature.