GLITTERED GRAPES

Last Friday, I went on a shopping trip with my mother, grandmother, and sister and had a blast! I didn't spend a lot of money, but I did pick up a few new things to play with . . . of course! To create this card, I used all SU card stock (Elegant Eggplant, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, and Brushed Copper). The grape wreath image was created with a brass stencil. I adhered the stencil to the card stock with removable tape and then used a stencil brush to apply Shiva Artist's Paintstik colors. These are sticks of oil paint that resemble fat crayons. Having never used them before, I only purchased a set of three minis. The brown vine on the wreath was colored with a blender pen and Stampin' Pastels since I didn't have a brown paintstik. The embossed Elegant Eggplant card stock was created with a Cuttlebug embossing folder, and I lightly brushed a Copper Encore Metallic ink pad over it. Other SU products used include copper brads, "Boho Backgrounds" stamp set, and (retired) copper cord.

BELATED EASTER CARD

I love, love, love my Cricut!!!! Just before Easter, I was trying to make a card similar to this one for Chadrick (minus the big flower), but I was having trouble with the notebook that the Cricut is connected to. I finally got to work with this design tonight, though. SU products used to create this card include Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, and Whisper White card stock, 2-Way Glue, Rhinestone Brad, Crimper, and Die Cut Blooms, which is a brand new product offered in the "Occasions" mini catalog. The blooms come in several colors and sizes, and they're cut from textured card stock. They're adorable and ever-so-easy to work with, and you get a BUNCH of die cut pieces that allow you many options for creating a variety of flowers--definitely a valuable addition to your stamping and paper craft supplies!

POCKET CARD

This pocket card was made from SU's pre-scored Wild Wasabi card stock promotion that's in effect through April 30th. I used the brand new "Afternoon Tea" designer paper and "A Light unto my Path" stamp set. The stamped image was colored with a blender pen and chalk, and I used Crystal Effects on the "water."

"A PERFECT DAY" RUB-ONS

Just one more post, and then I'm heading to bed! Do you ever sit down to make a card--usually because you need to get one in the mail--and you REALLY want it to be something simple? Well, this is "that" kind of card! The textured/embossed background was made earlier today with a Fiskars texture plate and the Big Shot, and then I used a Stampin' Spot to lightly color the background with red ink. The flowers were created with the 5-Petal Flower punch and the Boho Blossoms Punch. The flower centers, the red flower in the center of the card, and the ribbon are decorated with rub-ons from the "A Perfect Day" pack of rub-ons available in the "Occasions" mini catalog.

ON THE FLY

Love this stamp set! This card was made for a family friend who will be 80 y/o next week. I don't know whether he enjoys fishing, but I hope he enjoys the card. SU products used include: Kraft, Brocade Blue, and Night of Navy card stock, eyelets, Crop-a-Dile, Watercolor Pencils, Aqua Painter, Cutter Kit (distressing tool), Stampin' Dimensionals, and Black StazOn ink. I used a Fiskars texture plate and the Big Shot to create the embossed background. The birthday greeting was stamped on a transparency sheet.

"GOD BLESS THE PARENTS WHO DRUGGED US"

Yesterday, in our local "rag" of a newspaper, I read this interesting editorial and thought you might enjoy it, too. As a parent, I know that I should do more "drugging." Following is the article:

The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county, and he asked me a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?" I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young . . . I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather. I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me. I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flowerbeds and cockleburs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed. Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place. God bless the parents who drugged us!

That's me and my daddy in the picture. Fortunately, he seems pleased with me. And we didn't have a woodshed!

AGED METAL

The swirly background on this card was created with origami paper, a Cuttlebug embossing folder, and black StazOn ink for an aged metal look. The flowers were punched with one of Martha Stewart's punches. It pained me to put a dime in her pocket, but I really liked the flower! All card stock, the gingham ribbon, and the stamped sentiment are from SU.

EASTER WINDOW BOX

One last Easter project, okay? This one was a bear to photograph, but I finally got ONE decent picture!

TOOTHY BUNNIES

I'm looking forward to Sunday because my family will be coming to celebrate Easter! I always enjoy having them at my house, and we always have a fun time! I like to have little treats for them, and these are the Easter treats! Loved making the bunny faces, although their teeth could have been a bit shorter. Ha! I wrapped designer paper around Hershey's candy bars and adhered the bunny faces that were made from a variety of punches. Happy Easter, everyone!

CUTE "BIRTHDAY WHIMSY" SAMPLE

For those of you who selected "Birthday Whimsy" as one of your free SAB products, this sample is for you! The "So Many Scallops" SAB stamp set was used on this card, too! I don't know the person who made this card, but her name is Wanda and she lives in Minnesota, I think. I really liked the card design, mostly because of the clever "frosting" on the cake. I think I'll print a copy of this card and put it with the stamp set so I can remember this quick technique! Thought you might like it, too! The card stock colors are Groovy Guava and Chocolate Chip, and I'm fairly certain the designer papers are from Fall Flowers and Afternoon Tea.