Earlier this week, I needed a birthday card to send to a special lady. For WEEKS, I had been telling myself, "Don't forget to mail Jane a birthday card." And what did I do? I forgot to mail it . . . on time. [heavy sigh] This card is 3" x 6" . . . love this size . . . and it features a two-color glitter technique. The flower is from Stampin' Up!'s "Sticky Cut Sweet," which has 12x12 sheets of double-sided adhesive die-cut shapes that are ready to glitter. I love these things! The sentiment is from the "Flight of the Butterfly" stamp set, and I think it made a perfect stem! Other Stampin' Up! products used include Rose Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, and Certainly Celery card stock, Eyelet Border punch, 1/4" Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon and, of course, the beautiful glitter! Jane, I hope your special day was just that . . . special!
Friday, August 28, 2009
EYELET AND GLITTER
Earlier this week, I needed a birthday card to send to a special lady. For WEEKS, I had been telling myself, "Don't forget to mail Jane a birthday card." And what did I do? I forgot to mail it . . . on time. [heavy sigh] This card is 3" x 6" . . . love this size . . . and it features a two-color glitter technique. The flower is from Stampin' Up!'s "Sticky Cut Sweet," which has 12x12 sheets of double-sided adhesive die-cut shapes that are ready to glitter. I love these things! The sentiment is from the "Flight of the Butterfly" stamp set, and I think it made a perfect stem! Other Stampin' Up! products used include Rose Red, Whisper White, Basic Black, and Certainly Celery card stock, Eyelet Border punch, 1/4" Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon and, of course, the beautiful glitter! Jane, I hope your special day was just that . . . special!SIMPLE SILHOUETTE
On Sunday, I taught a Cricut Expression class (which was a lot of fun), and this was the "make-&-take" . . . a card and envelope . . . all cut with the Cricut! I had my grandmother in mind when I designed this card for my class and, on Monday, I sealed the envelope and sent it on its way to her!Monday, August 24, 2009
THE TREE MAN COMETH
This is the view from my front porch . . . a view that's already looking very different. For a few years, I have wanted this area cleaned out because the trees just kept growing, of course, and
the limbs got lower and fuller. Each Fall, we have been inundated with a deluge of falling, messy leaves! The shade has been wonderful, but what I think I will miss the most is the privacy. At the time of this writing, they've only cut branches from one of the trees and--already--I feel so . . . exposed . . . like my clothes have been ripped off! Ack! This is going to take some getting used to! Along the side of the driveway, they'll be cutting down another slew of trees and as much as I won't miss the falling leaves, I am TRULY, deeply, madly going to miss my privacy. It's not that I have anything to hide, but our lot is probably the only one in our neighborhood where the house can barely be seen from the road and there have been times when I've loved that. That's what I'm used to, and I wonder how long it will take for me to get used to the ne
w look. You've heard the saying, "Be careful what you wish for." My mind has been made up so many times and, without hesitation, I have wished the trees were gone. Why am I now having second thoughts? I just know my husband will want to put me in chipper if, after a while, I say, "Honey, I've been thinking . . . lets plant a couple of fast-growing trees." I'm really afraid that I'm going to say that, but I'll try to hold off until I've had a chance to get used to the new look. ETA: My yard after the tree removal. All total, 19 trees left the property!
the limbs got lower and fuller. Each Fall, we have been inundated with a deluge of falling, messy leaves! The shade has been wonderful, but what I think I will miss the most is the privacy. At the time of this writing, they've only cut branches from one of the trees and--already--I feel so . . . exposed . . . like my clothes have been ripped off! Ack! This is going to take some getting used to! Along the side of the driveway, they'll be cutting down another slew of trees and as much as I won't miss the falling leaves, I am TRULY, deeply, madly going to miss my privacy. It's not that I have anything to hide, but our lot is probably the only one in our neighborhood where the house can barely be seen from the road and there have been times when I've loved that. That's what I'm used to, and I wonder how long it will take for me to get used to the ne
w look. You've heard the saying, "Be careful what you wish for." My mind has been made up so many times and, without hesitation, I have wished the trees were gone. Why am I now having second thoughts? I just know my husband will want to put me in chipper if, after a while, I say, "Honey, I've been thinking . . . lets plant a couple of fast-growing trees." I'm really afraid that I'm going to say that, but I'll try to hold off until I've had a chance to get used to the new look. ETA: My yard after the tree removal. All total, 19 trees left the property!Friday, August 21, 2009
A CHILD'S YEAR
I know this project isn't a real "WOW!", but I haven't quite decided what to do with it. My first 
thought was to frame it for my niece to put in her son's room. He's still a wee little fellow . . . too young to fish . . . but his daddy and grandfather both love fishing, so I'm sure he'll spend some time learning the ropes. Ha! That's a cute pun for this project! The fishing boy image is from one of ProvoCraft's new Cricut cartridges, "A Child's Year." Mine just came today, and I couldn't go to bed without taking it for a spin. After I cut the image, I didn't like the color of card stock that I had used, so I sponged ink on it. By the time I decided which paper to use, the color I'd sponged on wasn't quite rig
ht so there must be four different colors of ink on the fishing boy. In the end, I decided to use a sanding block to lighten him up. Oh . . . I almost forgot . . . the knot is supposed to be a Clinch knot. I searched the 'net for fishing knots, and this was one of them. I hope I did it right!
thought was to frame it for my niece to put in her son's room. He's still a wee little fellow . . . too young to fish . . . but his daddy and grandfather both love fishing, so I'm sure he'll spend some time learning the ropes. Ha! That's a cute pun for this project! The fishing boy image is from one of ProvoCraft's new Cricut cartridges, "A Child's Year." Mine just came today, and I couldn't go to bed without taking it for a spin. After I cut the image, I didn't like the color of card stock that I had used, so I sponged ink on it. By the time I decided which paper to use, the color I'd sponged on wasn't quite rig
ht so there must be four different colors of ink on the fishing boy. In the end, I decided to use a sanding block to lighten him up. Oh . . . I almost forgot . . . the knot is supposed to be a Clinch knot. I searched the 'net for fishing knots, and this was one of them. I hope I did it right!Thursday, August 20, 2009
CUTE, CUTE BEAR!!!!
I've been clearing out a lot of stuff from the stamp room this week and haven't had any fun stamping time, but I found this card during the clean up. It must have been a year ago when my sister helped me decide just how to create this one, and I LOVE it!!!! Isn't the bear just as cute as he can be . . . afraid of the mosquito? I like how the raccoon looks like he'd be rolling his eyes if he could. The two Stampin' Up! stamp sets used to create this card are Under the Stars and Lovely as a Tree.
Monday, August 17, 2009
PUNCH STORAGE . . . MOVING THINGS AROUND (AGAIN)
Went to Ikea on Saturday, and left a few $$$ there but felt that I TOTALLY got my money's 
worth! For some time, I have been thinking of an alternate way to store my punches and this is the idea that I kept coming back to. It's actually quite similar to the way I had my punches before, but they're all in one place now--and within reach. I kind of hated to give such a large parcel of real estate to the punches, but I use these things all the time so they've earned their new home. These "rails" were only $2 or $3 each, and I think the baskets were $2ish also. Pretty cheap fix, huh? My next order of business is to tame the clutter in this room. It seems that I do that often, but why does it keep coming back???? I'm beginning to think that the problem here is me!
worth! For some time, I have been thinking of an alternate way to store my punches and this is the idea that I kept coming back to. It's actually quite similar to the way I had my punches before, but they're all in one place now--and within reach. I kind of hated to give such a large parcel of real estate to the punches, but I use these things all the time so they've earned their new home. These "rails" were only $2 or $3 each, and I think the baskets were $2ish also. Pretty cheap fix, huh? My next order of business is to tame the clutter in this room. It seems that I do that often, but why does it keep coming back???? I'm beginning to think that the problem here is me!EARLY BIRD
I couldn't think of a title for this post, so I chose "Early Bird" because there's a bird on the card 
and because it's almost 3:40 a.m. That may be why I can't think. Anyway . . . I am so pleased with this card! My plan was to make the bird house, but that was all I set out to do. I reached into my basket of die cuts and found the lattice and leaves ready to use, but they weren't enough. That's when I remembered this brand new Sizzlit die, "Merry Details" (Holiday mini catalog) that has a cute bird--and he's the perfect size! SU products used to create this card include: Brocade Blue, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, and Old Olive card stock, Texturz Plate (Distressed), Sizzix dies (Little Leaves, Merry Details, Lattice), Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Designer Label, Photo Corner, and Heart to Heart punches, Soft Suede and Rich Razzleberry inks, Stampin' Sponges, and "FYI" stamp set.
and because it's almost 3:40 a.m. That may be why I can't think. Anyway . . . I am so pleased with this card! My plan was to make the bird house, but that was all I set out to do. I reached into my basket of die cuts and found the lattice and leaves ready to use, but they weren't enough. That's when I remembered this brand new Sizzlit die, "Merry Details" (Holiday mini catalog) that has a cute bird--and he's the perfect size! SU products used to create this card include: Brocade Blue, Soft Suede, Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, and Old Olive card stock, Texturz Plate (Distressed), Sizzix dies (Little Leaves, Merry Details, Lattice), Large Oval, Scallop Oval, Designer Label, Photo Corner, and Heart to Heart punches, Soft Suede and Rich Razzleberry inks, Stampin' Sponges, and "FYI" stamp set.Sunday, August 16, 2009
ARE YOU THINKING AHEAD TO CHRISTMAS, TOO?
I know it seems really early to work on holiday projects, but I have to. I have classes to plan, 
but I also need to get started on my personal holiday cards. I'm determined to not be working on them at the last minute! Today I wanted to "play" with the "Holiday Lounge" designer paper because I LOVE it!!!!!!!! Trust me . . . the catalog does not give this paper collection its due justice! This photo isn't very good, either! The colors in the paper are Taken with Teal and Sahara Sand, and I like the way it prompts me to use non-traditional colors--colors that I don't often use. I really like the simplicity of this design. Surprisingly, there isn't any stamping on this card! Besides the designer paper, I used two new Sizzix dies and silver elastic cord (found in SU's Holiday mini catalog) and a clear rhinestone brad to complete this 4.25" square card. Yes, I'm still stuck on square cards! Heads up . . . if you already own a Big Shot, this would be an inexpensive and quick design for your holiday cards. All you need is Whisper White, Taken with Teal, and Sahara Sand card stock, "Holiday Lounge" designer paper, a pack of clear rhinestone brads, and the two dies. Assuming you already have the card stock and envelopes, the other products will cost a mere $43.30 (excluding shipping and tax), and you'll be all set to make more holiday cards than you probably need!
but I also need to get started on my personal holiday cards. I'm determined to not be working on them at the last minute! Today I wanted to "play" with the "Holiday Lounge" designer paper because I LOVE it!!!!!!!! Trust me . . . the catalog does not give this paper collection its due justice! This photo isn't very good, either! The colors in the paper are Taken with Teal and Sahara Sand, and I like the way it prompts me to use non-traditional colors--colors that I don't often use. I really like the simplicity of this design. Surprisingly, there isn't any stamping on this card! Besides the designer paper, I used two new Sizzix dies and silver elastic cord (found in SU's Holiday mini catalog) and a clear rhinestone brad to complete this 4.25" square card. Yes, I'm still stuck on square cards! Heads up . . . if you already own a Big Shot, this would be an inexpensive and quick design for your holiday cards. All you need is Whisper White, Taken with Teal, and Sahara Sand card stock, "Holiday Lounge" designer paper, a pack of clear rhinestone brads, and the two dies. Assuming you already have the card stock and envelopes, the other products will cost a mere $43.30 (excluding shipping and tax), and you'll be all set to make more holiday cards than you probably need!Wednesday, August 12, 2009
EVERY NOW & THEN, A CLEVER THOUGHT FALLS UPON ME
And today was one of those days! I have to tell you that I just LOVE this little project! It was so super easy to make! Now . . . if you have a Big Shot, I urge you to consider purchasing the Fancy Favor XL die. While it's true that I'm a gadget ho and love me some die-cuttin' stuff, the Fancy 
Favor die is really and truly a great one! You can assemble it as a box (as I've done here) or as a bag w/a closed top, and it's a very generous size! It's hard to tell from the picture, but I used the Manhattan Flower embossing folder on my box to give it a little tactile umph. The clever thought that I had today was to use the Ornament punch (from the Holiday mini catalog) to create the flower and leaves that embellish my bag. I also brushed the edges of the petals with Frost White Shimmer Paint (another Holiday mini product), and the flower center is a Pop-Up Glue Dot that I sprinkled with chunky glitter. And let me tell you . . . those glue dots are STICKY! I think they'd hold a kicking and screaming kid to a wall (teachers, resist the temptation to try this!!). Other SU products used on this project are: Holiday Best stamp set; Boho Blossoms, Scallop Oval, 1-3/8" Circle, 1/16" Circle, and Wide Oval punches; Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Always Artichoke, Kraft, and Pretty in Pink card stock; and hemp twine.
Favor die is really and truly a great one! You can assemble it as a box (as I've done here) or as a bag w/a closed top, and it's a very generous size! It's hard to tell from the picture, but I used the Manhattan Flower embossing folder on my box to give it a little tactile umph. The clever thought that I had today was to use the Ornament punch (from the Holiday mini catalog) to create the flower and leaves that embellish my bag. I also brushed the edges of the petals with Frost White Shimmer Paint (another Holiday mini product), and the flower center is a Pop-Up Glue Dot that I sprinkled with chunky glitter. And let me tell you . . . those glue dots are STICKY! I think they'd hold a kicking and screaming kid to a wall (teachers, resist the temptation to try this!!). Other SU products used on this project are: Holiday Best stamp set; Boho Blossoms, Scallop Oval, 1-3/8" Circle, 1/16" Circle, and Wide Oval punches; Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry, Always Artichoke, Kraft, and Pretty in Pink card stock; and hemp twine.Sunday, August 9, 2009
THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY (FOR NOW)
This layout was designed for my scrapbook club's second workshop; however, since it was early July, I opted for a patriotic layout instead. This one became quite a challenge because I had originally used a stamp set in early June that didn't make it to SU's new catalog. So . . . I had to re-create some elements and do away with the stamped images. I still love this layout and may use it for the September workshop but, chances are, I'll get a wild hair and do something else. This project features some really fun SU products . . . punched flowers, Circle Scissor Plus (for the circles that fill the tree), chipboard, scallop edge punch, die cut leaves and letters, linen thread, buttons, and that adorable jumbo grommet! While there is space at the bottom of the second page for hand-written journaling, I placed the leaves by each photo mat for the purpose of recording specific identifying information, if desired. I had a lot of fun working on this layout, although it's one of the most "fussy" that I've designed. Watch out, scrapbook club members . . . you just might end up doing this one after all!
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