taking unwanted leave

Recovering from a bad fall, and not quite up to making cards yet--hopefully soon!  I AM enjoying all of your new creations, however!

I'm off to see the world.....

I interrupt my card making to let you know that I'm on my way to the Mexican Rivera for a week on a cruise with three ports of call.  I've been there at least five times, but always enjoy the ship, visiting the towns, and just relaxing.

This is a small group this time--my daughter Tammy, by brother and his wife, and me.  We'll have a great time.  We're all game players, so I know we will be having fun with that.  I always have books to read along, and Tammy and I are both in different Bible Studies, so we will have to carve out daily time to work on that so we don't fall behind.  I enjoy sitting by one of the huge windows in any of the lounges and just drinking in the greatness of the ocean when we are on the high seas.  Those times alone are wonderful for reflecting, praying and praising!!


Thanks to all of you who have been praying specifically for my back to hold up.  It has and it is!!  I'm praising the Lord for that!!  I'm really looking forward to the sunshine, not cooking any meals, and having all of my temporal needs met--even having my room cleaned daily and my bed made for me!!  Awwwww--I tell you, its the life!!!  : )

Two years ago for Thanksgiving we did this same cruise, only with our kids and the grandchildren and we had a great time.  I will leave you with a few scenes from same area, 2007!

I'll miss visiting your sites!  Until later.......

just a card

Today I made six of these cards for my card rack at the crafter's mall.

Sorry, this one is a little fuzzy.

These are made with SU cardstock--Melon Mango and River Rock.
The stamp set is Garden Silouettes.
Ribbon from the ribbon box.
The words are from different sets.

Molly's Mini Scrapbook

 The gift box with the book nestled inside.

We have a little folded 6 x 6 scrapbook that we like to make for special occasions.  My granddaughter, Molly, wanted to make a special one for her parents' 19th wedding anniversary.  She started it in August and yesterday, Saturday, she came over to finish it.  The pictures do not do it justice.  She wanted it all in black and white with a little pale yellow for contrast.  We took the pictures with my camera, from  my scrapbook from 1990, and sent them to the drugstore on line, asked them to make them black and white, and two hours later they were ready to pick up!  What a day and age in which we live!!

The 'innards' are pretty full, so we have a fairly stuffed little book!!

The ribbon is untied and we are ready to explore the book.

This book has lots of little 'nooks and crannies' which makes it fun!

Here we have the backsides of the two flaps on the top

and the first full page.

At this point each page opens to reveal several more pages.

 

Yes, the young man with the wild wooly hair is my son, Jonathan...

and his best friend, as well as my three nephews.

Molly did the words, scriptures, and poems on the computer.

These two little doors open for more pics inside.

Here's the book somewhat unfolded, but it goes back together again

a easily as can be.

Here are two more little doors to open!

She had places to stick pictures in--the children came

much later.  I'm not sure why she wanted their pics in the wedding album!

Here is the same view with the pictures pulled out of their little pocket.

 

This shows a full page with the little 'doors' opened.

If you are still here, thanks for letting me share Molly's creativity with you.  I thought it was lovely for a little 14 years old to think up.  When she presented the ideas to me, I wasn't sure how the black and white pictures would look, but it turned out well.  Her Daddy will be overwhelmed with this book.  It doesn't take much to reduce him to tears!  I wish I could be a little mouse in the corner when she gives it to them!

Daisies, etc.

Several weeks ago, I cased these cards from Renee. I liked their simplicity, so ordered the large daisy from D.R.S designs because it is so bold and big. The polka dot daisy came from a package of clear stamps from Inadinkado, which I purchased at Craft Warehouse.

The papers and inks on both cards are from SU and the verse above is from a SU set of verses.

The verbiage is computer generated. The color is from SU water crayons which I used to paint the flowers. I also used some SU pens. I have part of a flower on the inside, as on the envelope.

I used to have a poster in my classroom which pertained to the kids' artwork. It said, "Make it Big, Bold, Bright, and Bump the edges and spill over the sides," which is what I did with the daisies. They spilled over the side!!

(I have to add that I did not allow them to draw with pencils, crayons only, and then outline in black. We had marvelous primary art work which was a delight to behold!) ....but I'm digressing!

Monday's Set

The DP is from Basic Grey.
I used the swiss dot folder in the cuddle bug for the white.
Martha Stuart punch for inside card.
SU stamp set--Garden Silhouettes
Verse from Heart and Soul Rubber Stamps

A Busy Saturday

Here are three new sets I made on Saturday. The pictures aren't too great, as I didn't take two of them out of their see-through bags for the pics!

The two fall cards are from images from DAISIE CO.

They are a combination of these sets below:

"Harvest - Scarecrows and Gardens"
"Autumn Angel"
"A Time to Give Thanks"
"Autumn Brews"

The last one has a Verve stamp, Basic Gray companion papers, Cuddle bug circle and scallops

I've Been Busy

I've been making cards like crazy to fill up this display rack for a sale in a little crafter's mall in my town. I haven't made anything new, but have been busy reproducing some I've already made. I am trying to have at least eight of each one that I am putting in the rack, and there are sixteen spaces on the rack...so I haven't had time to do anything very exciting......but I'm keeping busy!!

Hope to be back soon with something exciting after I get this rack filled!

One Sheet Wonder

This past week I had fun with a 'one sheet wonder project'.
I used a sheet of Basic Grey for my sheet I cut into pieces, and chose a companion page
to add to the cards for some interest.

My card stock is SU , Riding Hood Red and Taken with teal.
I used various stamps and bling.
Most cards have some 3D mounting on them.
Enjoy! I did have fun making these!

At the Beach, and Something from Summer Vacation

These two challenges, At the Beach, by Cute Card Thursday and Something from Summer Vacation requested b yStamp Something Fridays were similiar enough to use this card for both of them.

The card stock is from SU, Riding Hood Red, and the DP is Basic Grey. The stars are bling, and the bare feet are from my first order of charms which I am loving! The little guy is a SU stamp. from Jose, one of my friends from England. She sent me some stamped images some time ago...and I thought this one was just perfect for this card. The picture is mounted on 3D tape which doesn't show very well in the picture.

I colored it with water color pencils. It is on very interesting water color paper with texture which I have not seen in the states. It was fun to work on.

Altho I did not go to the beach this summer for vacation, always in my mind's eye I am drawn back in memory to my blond little boy who loved to dig on the beach over forty years ago.

This card is one of the ten cards from a "One Page Wonder" I have been making the last few days.

More Baroque Motifs

I've been on a roll with this SU stamp set, Baroque Motifs. I have loved this color combination--Riding Hood Red and Pacific Point. I'm very low on cards, so I'm cranking these out to build up my supply.

Tomorrow will be using same set, only using SU River Rock and SU Buckaroo Blue card stock.

Friday Sketchers and The Pink Elephant

This week I am entering two challenges that I have not entered before. The sketch is from Friday Sketchers and the 1-2-3 directions are from The Pink Elephant. Both of these are new to me, but their examples are sure great on their blogs!


DP is from Stampin' Up
SU stamp, Baroque stamping set
CS is SU Pacific Point and Riding Hood Red
3D tape for two large circles.

Inside of card

Enjoy! I liked this challenge very much. I have been 'into' this stamp set for a few days, trying to see how many ways I could use it

Company from Holland!

For over a year, I have had a cyber friend, Jenny, from Scrapbook Paradise, who lives in Holland. They have been in the US for a summer vacation and since Oregon was on their agenda, we arranged to meet!

Last Tuesday, Jenny and her family came to visit me. It was lovely to meet....and it felt so warm and embracing right from the moment I opened the door. There were hugs all around, and then a good visit together in the living room. Jenny is a tiny little thing, and her husband, Peter, is very tall, as is their oldest son, Bjorn. Twelve year old Ingmar is a big boy also, and so friendly. They are just a darling family.

I was most impressed with the love this family has for one another, and the genuine kindness they display to one another. Peter is a "hands on" dad which always warms my heart....and they all smile all the time! It was a privilege for me to be able to meet them!

After lunch Peter and the boys left, and Jenny and I got down to business in my craft room. We did have such a wonderful visit. She showed me some folds for a book, a heart book idea, and in general I learned lots from her. I have always admired her many little scrapbooks that she does.

I feel like I have known her always--the visiting was so easy, the exchange of ideas fun, and it was simply a deep pleasure to finally meet Jenny and her wonderful family. I feel I have been blessed!

Thank you Jenny, Peter and boys for making the effort to come visit this granny. You made my week!!

God speed as you return home tomorrow!

Two Challeges in One--My Time to Craft and Truly Scrumptious

Truly Scrumptious has a great sketch this week and they have asked for beads. I used rhinestones and pearls, hope that is okay!

My Time to Craft is asking for "Floral Frenzy" on their card.

Here it is! It was sure fun to make, as I love pinks and posies!

Papers--SU Rose Red and Pretty in Pink
DP Basic Grey, Euphoria
Flowers--from my drawer of goodies
Greeting is computer generated
SU punch for greeting
On 3D tape
Roses from DAISIE digital company, set is Cottage Roses

Inside of card

I don't know who penned this message,
but I received it on one of my birthday cards with no author name

I ran the roses through at 50% color intensity as I am writing my note on that side.

Card and Envelope

Enjoy!

Saturday add on--
I enjoyed this card so much, that I made another birthday card for the week-end, using a different paper from the same Basic Grey book. I do like this sketch so much!

Envelope (doesn't need mailing)

Out to Lunch!

Today I am going to one of my friend's for lunch. She is a stamping gal too, so I can't take my usual hostess gift of 6-8 cards done up as a gift.....so the next thing was to do a little white bag and put in some samples of bling, which my friend hasn't had the courage to try yet...so hopefully she'll enjoy. The bag is made with K and Co papers and accessories--a couple of SU punches and some ribbons from the box=simple, but fun!

A Saturday Project

I recently celebrated my 77th birthday and found when I went to write my "thank yous" that I was totally out of those notes.....so I found a simple idea in my last SU catalog and made a few to get over this "emergency".

Paper is SU Very Vanilla
Ink is SU Choc Chip and Old Olive
Stamps are from three sets:
Baroque Motifs
Simple Sayings II
Seeing Spots

Flower centers are from my bling drawer, and ribbon from my Michael's stash.

Happy Birthday, Jonathan!!

Its July birthday time again!
It is like yesterday that I received word that I, a single woman, would be allowed to adopt a baby! I was the eighth woman in Oregon allowed to adopt. At that time, only two states allowed single adoptions.
I am blessed! He has always been my special gift from God. Now 44, he is a Daddy, husband, pastor and beautiful violinist!

Papers
SU Pacific Point
SU Designer Papers

Stamp is from Penny Black
(I used this stamp before and posted it, but someone else asked me for the card and I never got it to Jonathan...so this year, same stamp, but different card.)

Buttons from Craft Warehouse
If you are asking why I used mustard buttons, I'm asking the same thing, but I wanted a contrast and thought it tied in with the browns of the violin!

Inside of card

Stickers on the inside are from my sticker stash--didn't quite know what to do with the inside.
The corner is from a set of four dies made for the cuttlebug.
The poem is "The Touch of the Master's Hand".

The Touch of the Master's Hand

"Twas battered and scared, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar - now who"ll make it two _
Two dollars, and who"ll make it three?

"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three". . . but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody,pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bidden for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow;
"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two?
Two thousand - and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice
And going - and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand -
What changed its worth?" The man replied:
"The touch of the masters hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and torn with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd.
Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He's going once, and going twice -
He's going - and almost gone!
But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the MASTER'S hand.
~Myra B. Welch

I think I'm back...and with a Father's Day card!

Remember this shower card invite???



Well here he is!
three hours old
Born 6/19/09

















...and here is the card I made for his Daddy, my nephew.

inside
The verbage is from a poem called "What is a boy?

A boy is a magical creature -- you can lock him out of your workshop,
but you can't lock him out of your heart.
You can get him out of your study, but you can't get him out of your mind.
Might as well give up -- he is your captor,
your jailer, your boss, and your master --
a freckled-faced, pint-sized, cat-chasing,
bundle of noise. But when you come home at night
with only shattered pieces of your hopes and dreams,
he can mend them like new with two magic words,
"Hi Dad!"


Recently, I received a wonderful little package of House Mouse stamped card stock from Judy at Prairie Wildflower Paper crafts.
This is the first one I have used and I need practice with my water coloring, but I thought the big bunny with the baby was just totally appropriate for this card!

I used some red, white and blue DP that I have had for a long time. The bling came from a sack of tiny, tiny buttons I got at Craft Warehouse. The greeting is computer generated, as is the inside writing. I used a Martha Stuart punch for the edging, and the picture and frame are from my nesties.

Enjoy!

Progress is slow, but sure!

The hanging pots are purchased and hung on the porch with care...
The sitting pots are all planted and dispersed around the yard and patio. This one is a sample. I will have to retake this picture in one month and we'll all enjoy how nature will have grown it!
This hanging wall planter is one of my favorites. Here it is close-up!
My craft room is slowly, but surely getting done. I do run across things I forgot I had, so I have had to stop and make things along the way.

Below is a box for cards I made for a friend's birthday.

I am having a birthday luncheon for her today so have the box by her place at the table.

Time Out!

My craft room needs revamping and I am going to spend a few days getting it in order again. I'm going to purge some stamps.

Time to get my bedding plants out.

Mr. Sun has decided to visit us here in rainy Portland!
I have retirement cards, birthday cards, and graduation cards to get made this week.

So...........altho I won't be posting, I will be enjoying your creations daily.
I love, love, love visiting your blogs and seeing all the creativity that flows!!

Even when I don't leave comments, I have been there!!

Have a great week and I hope I am as productive as I should be to get these projects finished!!

Shower Time

Some weeks ago I posted a shower invitation and the day is finally here. Tonight I hurriedly put together a card. I used pictures from the wrapping paper for the circles which are on 3D dots.



My gift is books. I picked out the following, which were favorites of my grandchildren.

Good Nite Moon
(It has the stuffed bunny with it).
Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?
Pat the Bunny,
(I had that for my own baby)
Runaway Bunny
Peek a Boo, I love you

I am thrilled there is another baby to read with!!

Scrapbox Fun

This week I decided to make some cards from the scrapbox! It is full of odds and ends of DP, half made cards, etc. I'm sure you all have one too!

I had a huge mess before it was over, as I didn't clean up between cards.

Sketches by Tamara (Thursdays)

Tonight I needed a quick card and Tamara's sketch was just the thing. The card is white cardstock, so doesn't show up as well as a color. I scanned it in as I am in a hurry.

(inside)

The stamp set greeting comes from SU's "So Very".
The two green papers are from SU.
The scallops are cut from a SU punch, as are the corners.
The DP is from pcCrafters, as is the picture.

Simple, yet it will do for the task at hand--writing a loving note to a broken-hearted grandson whose beautiful Golden Lab had to be put to sleep today.

I liked it well enough to make three more for my stash of cards

Papertake Weekly Challenge

Papertake Weekly had a nice sketch this week, so I tried it. It got a little busy before it was completed. (maybe too many patterns!) It does not look straight, but it is! I don't know how to keep the card from looking distorted if it is standing up when I take the picture. Any hints would be appreciated!!



I used papers and some graphics from an animal set from Daisie Company. I also used a stamp from SU "Wild About You". The solid papers are from SU and are Green Galore and Summer Sun. I stamped the envelopes with the lion to coordinate. The 'gems' are from my stash drawer.
The message is computer generated and the lion is mounted on 3D tape.

Inside of card

Back of card
Both the inside and the back of the card are much brighter. I did them on the scanner and it doesn't ever give a true color to the cards.

Finished finally!

After being down for a week with a bad back (the story of my life!) yesterday I felt well enough to finally finish my baby shower invites! I was getting a little stressed over getting them in the mail.

This morning I got the last of the gluing finished, and now need to put them in their envelopes and to the post office tomorrow to see if there are any pretty stamps with something blue!! They are dry, so had better get them totally ready. (some are already in their envelopes) These were very work intensive, with a lot of cutting, pasting, putting together, etc.

I hope to be able to do some challenges this week. I have missed some wonderful sketches being down.

See you soon!

Easter Goodies

These little bags are run off from a set from Daisie Company. I added a front picture, ran them off, cut and scored them, pasted, put in some ribbon....and they were done--all ready for some goodies.
The toppers on the cellophane bags come from a website full of stuff to run off, recipes, ideas for crafts, etc. It is Happybird's Crafting Haven.

Better viewed if you double click on the picture.

Something Easter

Stamp Something issued a challenge for Easter cards. I had a SU set I had never used so did this card.

The stamp set was from SU--Refuge and Strength
Papers are also from SU--not quite navy and green galore
The DP I've had for a long time
The verse and greeting are computer generated, and the pearls are from my stash drawer, as well as the flowers.

Happy Easter!

A Shower Invitation

This is the shower invite I came up with for a shower coming up in May that I am giving with the help of two of my nieces. I'm going to use three smaller buttons in place of the two bigger buttons.

Inside of the card with the details of the shower.

These graphics are from Daisie Company. Gina Jane Baby Boy Kit.
I used two circle punches from SU, as well as Bashful Blue from SU for the paper.
The striped paper is from the Baby Boy Kit.
Ribbons and buttons are from my stash.
I also used 3D tape for the baby and the circle invite.

Now I have to complete 22 of them.
I'm cutting everything and will have piles for my assenbly line!

Thanks for stopping by.

Finished!!

The taxes are filed, Spring Break is over, the beds are all changed after company, clean up is done and I am ready to make cards!! I hope I come up with some creative ideas. I am thinking that I am going to go back to some of my favorite SU sets and do some simple cards to build up my card stash. I am also giving a baby shower and will be making invites to that as well as party favors, etc. so there is enough to keep me busy for a while.

Hope to be back very soon.

Income Tax Time!!

I have to put away my stamping for a while. Its time to use my workspace for all of my tax stuff.
When I get that ready to take to the accountant, then its Spring Break!

My family is coming for a few nights, so that is always an excuse to do some cooking, baking some goodies, etc. We shall be doing some day trips together which is always fun. We DO have the most beautiful scenery here in Oregon....and its always fun to find an excuse to visit the Columbia River Gorge, The Fish Hatchery, our beautiful Mt. Hood, see the many falls as we drive, and get in some good luches at some famous eating spots!

So............for the next little while I will be otherwise occupied--I do have many card projects I need to get done....so I shall return!!

Oh! One more thing! My Daphne is blooming by my front door and it is the most glorious smell! When the Daphne starts blooming, it means Spring is just around the corner!!

Cute Card Thursday--Wine and Dine, Food and Drink

Food and Drink is the challenge from Cute Card Thursday,
I chose having a spot of tea or coffee. I had some new stamps with the words, so made two cards for this challenge, as I was anxious to try them out.

Card One

Card 2

These both have 3D tape to lift them from background. It doesn't show in picture.

Card One
The card stock is SU Gable Green and Pixie Pink. The pictures and images are from three clip art sets from PC Crafters. The verse is from a new company I've discovered called Heart and Soul Rubber stamping. Her unmounted stamps are very reasonable.

Card Two
The card stock is from SU Black. The DP is from a little 6 x 6 Basic Grey book called euphoria. I used the papers for the background paper, the scallops and the inside. I am making eight of these cards and will use the different papers together, as they all seem to go well together. The cup is from pcCrafters and the verbage stamp is from Heart and Soul. On the inside I used a Martha Stuart punch for the edging and of course my 'nesties' for the ovals.

Thanks for stopping by.

Ooh, La La challenge--stripes

A card with stripes is requested by Ooh, La La Creations this week in their challenge. I'm barely getting in under the wire. I've been trying SU's 'Upsy Daisy' stamp set in the last two weeks, which is the stamp set used on this card.

Inside of card (above)

SU Brocade Blue is the color of the paper and the ink. Also Night of Navy ink was used on the flowers. The back ground papers came from a book I've had a long time. The pearlized red pearls came from my bling drawer. The ribbon I have had around for ages.

Thanks for stopping by.

My Time To Craft Challenge--HATS

Today's challenge from My Time to Craft asked for something with hats. I had this new image set from pcCrafters called Friendship. I hadn't used it, so when I saw the ladies had on some nice hats, I decided it would be perfect for this challenge.

Inside of card

The front image is on 3D tape. The card stock is from SU and is Gable Green and Pixie Pink. The flowers and button are from my drawer. I used nesties for cutting and the rest is all from the Friendship set, including the DP on the front background.

Thanks for stopping by.

some quick notes

I always make four of each card that I make and use them for gifts. After several invites out to dinner, and taking a little tied bundle of cards to each hostess, I needed to get some cards back into my card stash, so I put this one together from Summer Seashore Graphics from PC Crafters clip art.

inside

back page

The card is SU blush blossom with SU close to cocoa as the mounting card stock.
The message is computer generated.

Sorry that the pictures are dark. I have to learn more about the camera and still pictures!!

Thanks for stopping by.

DARING CARD MAKERS--THINK ROUND

Today's card is for Daring Card Maker's challenge. I had this big stamp sitting on my work table wondering what in the world I was going to do with it..and along came this challenge. As I was working on this card, I decided it would be for my sweet, very bright, grandson, Nick, who, altho bound to a wheelchair, has a mind that soars like the wind. He has just received his semester grades, which are wonderful! The card is a little girlie looking, but he won't mind--He's used to my cards!!


The card is SU pink passion, as well as the ink.
The DP is from 'Berry Sweet' book by K & Company.
The flower is from Prisma.
The bling is from my drawer. I don't keep track of who makes them.
The stamp is one of four that I ordered out of a catalog last year.
The 'Awesome" is from 'Heart and Soul Rubber Stamps". The gal sells them mounted or just the rubber stamp, which is very cheap. She has lots of scriptures on rubber stamps.

Thanks for stopping by.

Sketches by Tamara

Tamara's sketch from last Thursday is below. I've had the stamp for quite some time, so wanted to try it and this sketch proved to work out well.




The two stamps are from SU 'Upsy Daisy'. The DP is also from SU. The cardstock and ink are 'Cranberry Crisp'. The bling is from my drawer and the picture is mounted on 3-D tape. The corner punches are from SU.

The color in real life is quite a bit more "alive" looking. It is not dull, as it appears in the pictures.

Enjoy!

Roses

I needed some quick thank you cards, so used 'Cottage Roses' from the Daisy Company. The round circle is 3D.

Batter Up

I've been making some baseball cards for a project I am working on. I used "batter Up' from pcCrafters. My photography needs help, but you will get the idea! : )

envelopes

Free Downloads plus a Challenge

I learned of this website, Funky Fairies Challenge Site, which sells down loadable papers and things, PLUS, they have some free downloads. Below are two of the things I downloaded right off the website and put together from some examples on the site. I thought they were pretty cute. The little pillow box just goes together so easily by scoring the lines right on the print out.

You have to scout around for the free downloads. They are on a second blog that you click on on the right hand side of the first page you come to.

I think you will enjoy looking at what they have. They downloaded easily, with no problems, and I hope to go back there to shop when I have time.

Here they are.

Spring is Coming!

A friend is retiring, so I made a set of cards for her. My images were from pcCrafters and DAISY company. They are a mixture from several sets. I used SU papers, and the bling was from my 'goodie' drawers. Much of my inspiration for this set comes from Machomama, who introduced me to pcCrafters...and has showcased many cards using their designs.

The black brads are the same size on the above card! Also the watering can is on raised 3D tape.

The inside has a smaller image of the front and a verse from the Psalms on top. I did the envelopes this time. When I stamp I always do that, but this was a bit trickier, as I don't know how to run smaller envelopes through my printer, so I temporarily glued the envelope to a sheet with the image on it, and ran it through to get the image on the envelope. (I'm sure you've all used that trick.)

Enjoy!!

One Lone Card

Tomorrow I am going to a wedding shower. I had to leave my big project and get a card made. I fiddled around with it and came up with this. I used Summer Garden and More Love from
pcCrafter, some flowers from my flower box, and the hearts are in a box of mixed colored hearts from Michals. SU paper and punches. The heart centers on the flowers are from a self stick group of heart. (I do not know why this is all underlined--I couldn't get rid of it)

This is the inside with a computer generated message. I also added the 100th Psalm.

The back is below.

Dahlia folds

My good friend, Jo, sent me these two pictures tonight to show me what she had been doing. Since I haven't anything of my own, I will share these, as I thought they were just lovely!! She has just purchased her CuddleBug and received her first sets of nesties. As you can see, she is having fun. She is in the middle of making sets of cards to send to her relatives in Italy and wanted cards that did not require any verbage on them. I am assuming that one of these will go into each set.

Enjoy!

40 thank you cards

I just finished 40 thank you cards for my two surrogate grandsons, who, by the way, DO write thank you notes! (They are well-trained!) I had to think hard and deep to make them without any girlie embellishments on the cards!!

SU stamp sets, Set Sail and Circle of Friendship--paper is 'not quite navy'

SU 'real red' paper, punches and stamp set from a birthday set

SU stamp set, Classic Pickup--SU 'gray' and 'black papers, and DP I've had for a while

Image from snowman set from PC Crafters--color drops from The Robin's Nest

SU designer paper, and stamp from an acrylic set

SU stamp, Classic Pickups, with SU designer paper

...and then the question was what to put them in???? I tried several different things, and decided to just make some deep boxes to hold each boys' cards.

Here are the boxes! They are going to work splendidly!

Snowed In!!

For many days we hunkered down under the blanket of an unusual, very cold storm here in the Northwest! I was picked up on Christmas Eve by my nephew with a four wheel drive, chained pick-up and went with them to my sister's home, where we were joined by all of her family and my son and family from Salem area. Even tho I have been inside for 19(!) days, with the exception of two outings, I didn't do nearly as much with my stamping as I had hoped to do.

I did make another jar, only instead of covering mints, I filled it with kisses and put the snowmen around the four sides of the jar, as well as the lid. It looks festive and fun!

Then I made these little packages below. They have been on many SU blogs, so I decided they would make a great little extra tuck-in for some of my people.

My daughter had a fondue party before Christmas and had made one of these folders for each of her nine guests. She had them sitting on their plates, all different, and they were thrilled with her thoughtfulness. I think they make great little gifts for any occasion.

Trust you all had a splendid holiday. Happy New Year!!

I hope to have more to post as I am making two of my grandsons, twenty thank you cards each. (They always use notebook paper)

A Few Gifts Finished

Finally, I've completed a few small tuck-in gifts. This idea was part of an email which I received from a SU demonstrator. She used a round jar, and when I couldn't find any, I settled for the little square jars. Since I had some SU bags around, I made some baggies, also. The candy is York peppermint patties covered with rounds cut by SU punches.

Excuses!

Sorry, I haven't posted anything new. I'm out of commission for the past eight days....and haven't done one creative thing, altho I have gobs of things I still need to make before Christmas. Oh well, it will get done!

The images are from a Christmas grouping from PC Crafters

Cards for Gift Boxes

I have finished my sets of cards for my Hispanic cleaning ladies. All I have to do now is box them and wrap these to give them on Tuesday. It feels good to have one big project finished.

I will be out of commission for several days recovering from mouth surgery, so I feel doubly blessed to have these finished and ready to go.


I also learned that I get much truer color if I take my pictures in the kitchen--perhaps it is having an over head light, rather than a table light.

And here they are, packaged and ready for gifting tomorrow..

Hearts

Cute Card Thursday has a 'heart challenge' this week. I have some new graphics from Daisy Company that I was thrilled to play with a bit. I'm making five boxes of cards for my Hispanic cleaning ladies who come once a month. They seem to love my cards and always check out my office to see what is going on in here! Only one of them speaks English, so I computer generated the greeting in Spanish on the other four.

inside

The DP is from a Glitter Mat Stack. The cardstock is from Michaels. I used two different sets of nestabilities. The snowman and backing are on 3D foam tape.

The inside is on white paper, altho it looks pink.

Thanks for stopping by.

No Patterned Paper!!

Penny Black Saturday Stamping would like examples not using patterned papers...so here is mine.

inside

Penny Black Stamps
From The Heart
"Toadily"

Stampin' Up Papers
pale plum
pretty in pink
certainly celery
green galore

Inks
same as papers

Cuddlebug folder for embossing and swirlies are from a die cut (didn't write the name on it)

Flowers are from my flower drawer and centers from the 'bling' drawer.

Inside stamp is from Craft Warehouse.

Paper Folding

OOh La La had a challenge this week of using folded paper on a card. Mine is a pattern that I learned 3-4 years ago and have enjoyed the cards I have made with it. It is time consuming, so I don't make them too often.

This is SU 'barely banana" paper as well as 'river rock' paper. The SU stamp set is Wild About You. The folding is easy and I have a picture to go with my directions. (below)

You need 5 different paper patterns, cut into 1 in x 2 inches. Fold those in half, open back up and fold the corners down to make the triangle pictured above. You need to cut an opening in the front of your card with an Exacto knife or your cutter. Do not make it bigger than your
template or the papers won't fit. Gently tape your template to the front of the card and turn it over. Tape your number 1 pattern where they belong. Tape to back of card, not to your template. After you have all of your little papers taped down, turn it over, gently remove the template from the front of the card, and mount it on your folded card. For #5, I usually just put a square there and sometimes stamp a flower in the square, put a button, or something cute for the center.

Here's another one using just three colors, plus what is in the center. I was going to pull it apart so you could see the back side, but it is glued too tightly to dismantle. It will look messy, but it is all covered, once you mount the the front onto your card.