Simply Said.... Thank You

Now that I am officially done with Christmas cards I am thinking of Thank You cards. Actually I am thinking of Valentines, but that will wait til next week!

For this card I used Purely Pomegranate, Certainly Celery and Cameo Coral. I stamped the flower and outline images on the pomegranate cs. I then stamped the flower and outline images on the coral cs and adhered it to the card. I wanted something else on the card and was not sure what. So I pulled out (and dusted off) the decorative scissors! I had a peice of celery cs that I cut and taped to the bottom.

I stamped the flower image on white cs and colored with my pens. I mounted that to coral and celery cs and used my corner rounder to finish the edges. Also you can not tell, but I did use my sakura jelly pen on the main image for a little sparkle.

The saying is at the top and I just stapled a staple thru the peice to add something to it.

Hope you all enjoy!

Thank U

Ok, it's time to set aside the Christmas stamps and trade them in for some Thank you stamps. It's the time of year when we show appreciation for everyone else's generosity. I've always made a point to have my DD send out thank you's. From the time she was old enough to sign and "X" to the card she's shown appreciation to others. So that brings me to this next card. I also wanted to do a sketch challenge from SCS. This one is from the SC154 that you can find here.

I manage a group on MSN and our next swap is "thank you" cards ~ so I thought that I'd kill 2 birds with one stone (again).

This card is made with Certainly Celery, Elegant Eggplant and Pretty in Pink SU! papers. The BG paper is some that I've received in a stack from a RAK.

I stamped the "U" from Technique Tuesday's Big Timberline lower case letters and the "thank" is from Fancy Pants Pollen Dust set. I stamped those in Elegant Eggplant and sponged Eggplant Envy around that panel.

The sentiment "for you" is from SU! All Year Cheer I. I stamped that on a 1" circle punch peice and layered that on to a 1 1/4" peice then on a punched peice from the Designer Label Punch.

I also added a length of ribbon and made a photo corner with a button brad to place on top.

I hope to get some stuff done today, so keep checking back for more to see... Have a great day!

Gift Bags & Purse

Well, first I'd like to say these are awesome! I don't mean the workmanship-I mean the bags themselves. I love the fact that I am able to make a card, or alter something and then give it out in a matching bag. How cool is that???

For the candies in the tin that I made for my BIL's GF ~ I made a matching bag to put them in. I was rummaging around on SCS and came across a gift bag that Bensarmom made. You've got to check it out!!! Anyway, I just made a little change to it and voila! It's done.

I used the paper from the Dashing collection. I just love that paper, but I'm afraid that after Christmas it will not be of much use, although I could save it for next year. But then I'm sure that there will be something else next year that I'll love....

Then I wanted to make a bag for my BIL's gift. We are not actually giving gifts out, but I still want to hand something to everyone who comes over for dinner. My BIL is actually kinda girly. In the way that he decorates. I love it! And he actually saves every card that I've made him! Now that makes a girl feel good! So, knowing this, you have to understand that when I make something for him it actually has to be just right.

So, I made a 2,5,7,10 box ~ but it was not the right size.

Instead I took out a sheet of 12 x 12 paper (from the walmart stack) and scored it at 2 6/8", 5 6/8", 8 6/8" and 11 6/8". I then turned it a 1/4 turn and scored it at 3 and 9 1/2". Then I just assembled the box as you normally would. I think it turned out ok. Ok enough to pass the BIL test ;o) I also gave him a Hershey's big 1/2 pound bar to go alone with it.

Well, I hope that it passes the test.

And I hope that you all have a very safe and happy holiday ~ I'm not sure I'll be back on til after the Christmas holiday, so if I'm not I'm sending you all well wishes from my family to yours. Happy holidays~~~

Christmas Place Cards

I've been wanting to sit down and make some place cards for Christmas dinner. I had an idea in my head what I wanted to make ~ but that just would not come out! So I ended up with these instead.

I used good old Frosty again. I just love that set! I stamped him, colored him with pencils and cut him out. I then cut out peices of my Heidi Grace DP. I just love that paper. It is the Shimmer Glitter paper in Dots and Stripes that I got on clearence from my LSS. I cut out peices of Not Quite Navy for the name peice. On that I used my Making Memories rub on letters in Heidi.

I then stamped the snowflake from Frosty in Ballet Blue and punched it out with my 1 3/8" circle punch. I attached that to the backside. On the snowflake I touched it up with my Waterfall Stickles glitter, and on the band of Frosty's hat. Also on the bottom of Frosty I used the Frosted Lace Stickles to add the look of snow.

Everyone always takes them home, so I have to make more each year ~ but that's ok. It keeps the brain juices flowin.

Have a great day!

Dashing Candy Tin

Well, remember yesterday when I said I needed to make a card for my BIL's girlfriend ~ well, I made a candy tin too!

Well, being "frugal" that I am ~ I purchased the mini Hershey candy bars instead of the nuggets. I did not want all that candy left around anyway. I new that it would not all fit in the conatiner. There are 18 of the regular mini bars in this container. I covered them all with the Dashing DP from SU! and reversed it to make the band for the top of the container. I then took another peice of the paper from the Dashing set and punched a scallop tag and I used my 1 3/8" circle punch on a peice of Real Red to make the name tag. I used a length of ribbon I had ~ actually from a present given to me ~ to tie it up. All done.

I wanted to be able to hand her something when she comes over for dinner. It's the 1st time we will meet and I want her to feel welcome.

Enough for now ~ hope you enjoy!

I took the challenge

I took the challenge on SCS DCP1207 to make a card with penquins, nothing blue (that was the hard part for me!) and something sparkly! So, I did it. I needed to make yet another card for my BIL's new girlfriend I found out is coming to dinner.

So, here goes:

Penquins, Check. No Blue, Check. Something sparkly, Check!

By gosh, I think I did it!

I used Purely Pomegranate, Chocolate Chip, Pink Passion and Pixie Pink papers. The background I stamped the swirls from the Frosty set (cant resist that set) and so is the snowflake, and the penguins are from Darcies.

I used pink fun flock on the hats, and the marshmellow is crystal stickles. I also used silver EP on the snowflake. In the center of the snowflake I added a rhinestone brad for a little more sparkle. The ribbon is Chocolate Chip satin ribbon from SU!.
Hope you like.

Ok, so I lied....

Yuppers, yes-uh huh. I thought for sure that my last Christmas card was made for 2007 and it wasn't. I forgot to make 2 cards for my DD's "other mother" and grandma. For her BFF's family. Bad, Bad Joani!

So of course I had to shoot one out for them with my new Frosty set. And I think that I may use him somehow tomorrow too. I am making a wrapper for a HUGE candy bar and place cards for Christmas dinner..... hmmm. the ideas are coming. Not to mention that it is also used for SC153 on SCS

Ok, off to the card.

I used Brocade Blue and a white linen CS that I purchased at my LSS. I also used the blue with silver polka dot BG paper that I got at Big Lots! 25 sheets for only $1.00!!! I felt so bad because it was almost a steal!!

I stamped Frosty in black ink and colored him in with pencils and gamsol. I layered him on Brocade Blue cs that I sponged with Brilliant Blue. I then stamped the images on the back two panels with a metallic ink pad that I got at Joann's a few years ago. It was a pack of 20 ink pads for $20.00 and I used a 50% off coupon. How cool was that???

I layered those on to silver cs and placed on the card. The main image of Frosty is placed on the card with pop dots.

Hope you like... TFL :-)

A Dear Thank You

And another sketch for you to try...

I wanted to make a Thank You card for Beate on SCS. And not just super cool, but she has one of the most inspiring minds. I almost did not make a card for her. I sometimes feel that I am not "up to par" with the likes of most. But I went for it and thought "be like Nike". That is one of my catch phrases...

And this is also a sample for the next sketch that I want to post ~ two birds with one stone... :-)

Anyway,

The card CS that I used was Pink Passion, Pixie Pink and Chocolate Chip. I also used the polka dots from the Au Chocolat collection. That is my most favorite paper. The little pink strip down the side is from a 6 x 6 paper pack that I purchased years ago, it is by Memory Box.

I stamped the Thank you in Pink Passion and sponged around that panel with Close to Cocoa.

I also "made" the photo corners on my own. I just can not see spending money on a punch when I can just make it myself. I made them with Pink Passion and Au Chocolat scraps. So simple. I just cut a 1" square and slice it down the middle cross-ways. Then I cut out the middle with a pair of snips and Voila!! Easy photo corner.

On the bottom left I just used my SU! scallop punch, the 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" punches and the word window punch. The saying is from "feathered friends" stamped in Pink Passion also.
I hope that you like it. If you want to send me your sketches I will be more than happy to post them on my blog.

Have a great day!!!

Happy New Year!

Just getting past Christmas, not far past ~ but past it to say the least.

I was thinking of something that would make me think of New Years. Well, I did not have a chamagne bottle so wine will have to do... The wine bottle and glass stamp is from Ann-ticipations and the saying is from Hero Arts.

I stamped the bottle and glass in black ink and colored it in with pencils and gamsol. I guess by now you all know that I love gamsol and pencils. I think it's my favorite method of coloring...

Anyway, I sponged Brilliant Blue around the edges and I layered that on to silver CS. Then I layered that on to dark blue linen that I had got from my LSS in California.

For the saying I used my Stamp-a-ma-jig and broke the words apart so they would fit. I stamped them with Brocade Blue and sponged Brilliant Blue around that panel as well. I layered them as I did the image panel.

I used a peice of BG paper that I got from a stack at Walmart to layer the panels on. I used my corner punch from All Night Media on that and layred that on to the same dark blue CS as on the panel.

I hope you like the change from Christmas to New Year's!!! Let me know.

ok, my LAST Christmas card.

Ok, I seem to be finding more and more reasons to make Christmas cards this year. This card I HAD to make. I just got my new Frosty set from SU! I can not beleive that they are discontinuing it!

This card I used Chocolate Chip and Brocade Blue CS with the BG paper from Paper Salon. That blue is my new favorite right now!!

I stamped Frosty and colored what there was in with pencils and gamsol. I sponged around the edge with Brilliant Blue and mounted that to Chocolate Chip paper. I punched the corners with my notch punch.

The snowflake is stamped in Ballet Blue and puched it out with my 1 3/8" punch and layered that on to the reverse side of the Paper Salon paper. I sponged around the edge in Close to Cocoa and layered that on to a circle I cut with my Colozzle. I tied a silver bow to make it look like more like an ornament. I also highlighted the snowflake with waterfall Stickles and put glitter around frosty's body.

I hope you like it! I'm off for now ~ got to get ready for a doctor appointment, but I hope to get more done for you all to see this week. Stay tuned :)

I've gone UM...

Ok, I thought about it for a few years. Every time I'd pick up a stamp I'd think "Should I??" Whenever I'd get a new set, I thought about it. Then finally one day I did it!! I went unmounted. Ok, it took more than one day ~ it took me about a week or so. But I do not regret it. Not for a minute! I went from a bookshelf completely full to just 7 boxes! I have almost 300 sets and it was so worth it. If not for the space now, just for the ease.

So, all that said I thought that I'd post some pictures of how I did it (since I just got the set Frosty that's being discontinued).

So here goes. First things first though. I went to Blockhead Stamps and purchased the thin EZ Mount. They are actually the cheapest that I've found, and when you spend so much money they send you little "freebies" with your order. You'll want a cutting mat, a SHARP exacto blade and a pair of nice snips.

The first thing that you want to do is pull the rubber off of the mounting cushion that it is on. This is very easy on new stamps. I have found that one some of the hostess sets (with the purple or blue rubber) it is a little stickier. In that case you just want to "rub" the sticky residue off with your thumb. It is a bit of a chore, but you want to make sure that the rubber is free of all gunk before you re-mount it.

If they are an older set then put it in the microwave for 20 seconds and pull the rubber free from the wood block. I also remove the index sticker at this time too. I place them on the clamshell box lid that I remove from the rest of the box.

This is what it looks like when you remove all the mounting cushion and place the index stickers on the front of the lid.

I then carefully cut each image out and trim around them. The very first set I UM I did not do this step. If you dont it's not a problem, but you are wasting a lot of EZ thin mount if you don't.

Once they are trimmed you will place them on the EZ thin mount. Place that on your cutting mat and carefully cut around them with your exacto knife. It is important to keep your blade in an up and down position. If you do not, you may undercut the thin mount and that's not a good thing. What I do is actually hold my blade up and down and move the images around. This helps me from not undercutting the cushion.

Once you have cut out all of the images, you store them on the underside of the lid. There is a little "lip" that is actually the same size as the mounting.

I then place all my UM stamps in photo boxes. The little "tab" on the lid helps to flip thru the sets to see which one I want to pick out.

I hope that this helps you if you are thinking about unmounting your stamps. Like I said I thought for years about doing this and did'nt. I wish I had earlier not just for the ease and convenience ~ but I would of had a lot less sets to do at once!

I do know that there are people who are concerned about the value of an unmounted set vs. a wood mounted set. I am not sure of this. I do know that I am not going to sell any of my sets. Once I buy one I plan to keep it. If you are planning on selling your sets I would first check around and see what prices they are selling for first. I also have not UM any of my alphabet sets. I'm not sure if it is just being lazy or what (???!!?) but I just don't prefer to UM those. I actually like to use those mounted on the wood.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me and I will try to be of help.

**Edit** I've been asked a few times where I had purchased the box seen in the picture. I did purchase it over a year ago at Paper Wishes however when I did a search I did not find it. I'm sorry ~ but just to let you know, all my other boxes used were purchased at Michael's and they are different sizes to fit the different size stamp sets.

**2nd Edit 09/07/2008** I just received the current issue of Paper Wishes and the pink box was in there. If you can't find it just toss me an e-mail and I can send you the catty number or link to it.

Secret Santa Christmas

Well, yesterday I was a little busy. We had our family's secret santa Christmas. Ever yyear we do this because the family is so big we'd all go broke buying for each other. We pretty much live within a 1/2 hour of each other, but we really don't see each other that much. Everyone is on different schedules that it is hard to get together ~ one nephew we have not seen since last year!

I just thought that I'd share a picture or two with you all. If I have not mentioned it yet, have a very safe, happy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Frosty

You can't help but love this little guy. And why is he on the discontinued list?!?

I made this card for our realtor who helped us move into our place last year. She is really a sweet lady.


I of course used the SU! set Frosty. I stamped him in black ink and colored him in with pencils and gamsol. If any of you notice, that is my favorite method of coloring!

I sponged around him with Brilliant Blue ink, used my notch punch and layered that on to a peice of Chocolate Chip. I then stamped the snowflake in Ballet Blue ink, attached that to a peice of the BG paper (by Paper Salon) that was turned over and then on to a peice of Chocolate Chip paper. I sponged Close to Cocoa around that image. I made a bow and attached a rhinestone brad to make it look more like an ornament.


This was all mounted on to the Brocade Blue card that I layered with Paper Salon BG paper (which I am totally in l♥ve with!!!) that I used the notch punch again on and Chocolate Chip paper.


On Frosty I outlined with glitter and the snowflake I used waterfall colored Stickles. I think that it actually took me longer to write out this recipie than it did to make the actual card!


Have a great day, and tomorrow I think that I may post a tutorial on how I unmounted my stamps ~ just in case anyone would like to take a peek....

Born to Ride

Ok, not me. Not born to ride. I love motorcycles. I love to see them, and watch them be ridden. I even think that bike riders have a bad reputation too. There is so many kind hearted bikers out there. But they are not for me to ride. Thanks to my ex scaring me half to death I'll keep my feet under 4 wheels.

But enough of that. I had to use this set for my 2nd attempt at Reverse Spotlighting. I thought that it would make a great card for a guy's birthday and will keep it in my "stash".

I used my Born to Ride set. I stamped the images with black ink on the orange and tan panels. I then punched out 3/4" and 1" holes. I just thought that 2 different sizes would be a little different. The BG paper was actually a peice that was given to me - it's by EK Success and it's their Harley Davidson paper.

I stamped the saying "just for you" from the Tags & More set and placed 3 copper eyelets in the upper right corner. The lower left corner has a peice of velvet ribbon around it. Ok, I had to add some "girly" to it :)

On the Move

I thought that I'd make a card using Beate's great tutorial on SCS. It is called Reverse Spotlighting. Beate is a great "teacher" and if you have a minute, please check out her blog.

Now, this is the very first time I've done this ~ and I am not too sure that I like this card. I used the set On the Move. A set I've had for a while and it has never touched ink! **gasp!**

To fill in the bare spots on the card I used Fresh Fillers with Pink Passion ink. Now, if a set ever gets a lot of ink it's that one! I just love the little swirls and the little flowers... The telephone I stamped in black ink on the tan CS and Pink Passion. I cut out the Pink Passion phones and used that to mount behind the tan. I layered that panel on to Certainly Celery which was layered on to Chocolate Chip CS. I added the silver eyelet in the bottom corner and the peices of ribbon to each corner.

It's my first try. It's not what I wanted it to look like, but I was in a hurry and thought that as long as I got the feel of doing the card I'd do better next time...

I'm a sista...

Ok, as most of you know - there is a Sisterhood out there... The Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers. And yes, I've decided to test the waters. I really want this whole blogging experience to work for me. I want to meet people who share what I have a passion for, maybe meet people who live nearby. Swap ideas, cards and projects with others. I don't make cards for a profit (who knows ~ maybe someday) but I make them to share with other people. I'm hoping that joining the "sista's" will help with that.

Now, I am supposed to tell you all a little bit about myself. Well, it's a story I'll tell ya!!

I was born and raised in a small town in California where I made the 5,000th person. It's now grown to over 145,000!! I like to say that was 25 years ago (I've been 25 for at 13 years now). A little over 2 years ago I packed up, sold my home, moved to Kentucky and got married to my wonderful hubby. No, no. I was not a mail order bride :-) I've known him most of my life, he moved here first....

I am a SAHM of a beautiful 15 year old girl who is the most precious gift I've ever received. I am fortunate to be able to stay at home all day and just create. My mother lives with us (I packed her up and she came too) and we have a sun room that is bright and cheery and we turn on the tunes and just stamp to our hearts content!!

Now, if you have not and would like to join our happy group - please feel free to. We are all here to support each other and make some new friends then jump right in. I think that there is plenty of space left. Just go to the Sisterhood of Blogging Stampers here.

I've been tagged by Gabby!!!

Gabby at Confessions of a Stamper tagged me!!! **Ack! ** Tell 7 things about me? Like what? I dont know..
Well, here goes:

1. I'm computer addicted. I use the excuse (all day long) I've gotta go potty and then jump on the computer. My Mom's caught on ~ she says "see you in an hour".

2. I like cold pizza or cold leftover tacos for breakfast. Come to think of it, I'm hungry!

3. I don't always answer the phone when it's my SIL. **shame on me** but she talks FOREVER, and I hate the phone.

4. I don't hear very well and I use it to my advantage. I "pretend" not to hear people calling me downstairs/upstairs so I don't have to go upstairs/downstairs.

5. I secretly l♥ve Vin Deisel. Ok, I know he is soooo yesterday ~ but he's hot hot hot!!!

6. I take a shower each day with hubby even though I love taking baths alone. (Maybe T-M-I but I'm supposed to be sharing) ;-)

7. I have mild OCD. I HAVE to do things in multiples of 2 or even numbers (so this is awkward to only do 7 - but it's my 2nd post of the day....)

There. Now I will tag:

Roxy - Stamping with Roxy
Patty-Patty's Stampin Spot
Marybeth-Stampin Space
Angie-Chic n' Scratch

Have a great day! I'm not going anywhere today ~ all I did was run around yesterday and I'm beat! Today is crafting day all day. And since it's doing nothing but rain I don't want to go anyplace... Have a great day!

Hugs,
Joani

Christmas Survey

I just thought that you all would like another survey, this one's stricktly holiday.
I copied it from Sherri's I love Flip Flops blog. Check it out!!! It's on my fav's!!!
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate, unless the egg nog is spiked :-)
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? They are always wrapped. Even the ones from the dog...
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Actually white and purple!!
4. Do you hang mistletoe? No
5. When do you put up your decorations? Normally the 1st week in December.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish? My DH's fudge
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? Opening that 1st present before bed.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I don't remember. I just remember telling the other kids there was no Santa.... Boy, did I get in trouble!
9. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With all purple and gold ornaments. OH! and candy canes.
10. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love it, but not to drive in.
11. Can you ice skate? Never tried
12. Do you remember your favorite gift? No, not really. They are all important
13. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family.
14. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Mom's pies.
15. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Taking a drive to look at decorations with hot chocolate.
16. What tops your tree? An angel
17. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Most definitely giving
18. What is your favorite Christmas Song? White Christmas
19. Candy Canes? Oh yeah. Old fashion peppermint.

Post this on your blog and fill in your own answers! Please don't post your answers here, put them on YOUR blog.

A Merry Little Christmas

Have yourself a merry little Christmas.....
I needed to make a few extra cards to keep on hand. You know, just in case one you get a card in the mail and "ooops! I forgot to send that person a card" or for the neighbor, or the gift given that you've forgot to buy for. I think you've all been there and know what I'm talking about...

So that brings me to this card.
I made a couple of them for the "ooops, I forgot that person" card - and please dont be offended if you receive this. It's just we are all overwhelmed this time of year ~ remember the card was made with love.... ;)

Anyway, on and on I go....
The card base is Glorious Green. I stamped the santa and the plate of cookies in black and colored them with pencils and Gamsol (once again ~ I love this stuff!!!). I used my white gel pen to color in Santa's beard and white fun flock on his hat. I sponged the edges with real red ink and layered those on to real red CS. I placed those on a peice of BG paper from a stack from Walmart. I used a notch punch around the edge and used the last bit of my gold to wrap around the edges. I added a little red bow (ribbon also from Walmart) in the lower right corner just to add a bit more color. I then used pop dots to adhere it to the card.

I hope that you enjoy this card. And remember, if you receive it ~ love made it.... ;-)

Christmas RAK's

I wanted to share with you all couple of RAK's that I've received from some friends I've met thru SCS and on line.

The one on the left is from Marji (or Tiggersmom on SCS).

The one on the left is from Tina -akjuda on SCS (or at Chic n Scratch's blog).

Thank you ladies for your kind words and wonderful cards!!!

My Blue Penguins

Another card down. I'm trying to put away the Christmas stamps and they keep popping back out! I made these for my DD to give to her teachers for the holiday. I wanted something that was quick and simple and this was it.

I used "Sleigh full of toys" and my stamp a ma jig to place the penquin just right.

I stamped the image in black ink and colored it in with pencils and gamsol. I'm telling ya, if you've never used it you have to try it! I love coloring with pencils and this stuff is like working with magic!

Anyway, I used brocade blue, bordering blue, DK blue linen and a BG paper from a stack from Walmart to mount the image on to. In the picture it is hard to see, but on the presents and the stars on the sled I used my Sakura glitter pen. I also used SU! brilliant blue pen to make the "ribbon" on the presents.

I hope her teachers will like them!

SC1 Sample

I'm sorry that it took so long to post a sample for the SC1 sketch that I posted. This holiday season has come so fast. And it is almost Christmas day!!!

This was actually a quick card that I made for the sample. I plan to make another hopefully today or tomorrow. I would like to get some shopping done today because we are getting some storms coming in and I really don't like to drive in the weather...

For this card I used "Holiday Hedgehogs". I stamped the small hedgie and punched him out with my 1 1/4" circle punch. I mounted that on to a peice of scrap green with a 1 3/8" circle punch. I layered those peices on to a peice of Glorious Green CD that I stamped the holly on with Glorious Green ink. (I think that I'm seeing a pattern here>!?)

I then mounted that on to a peice of candy cane paper that I got in a stack from Walmart that I had tied a peice of ribbon on (ribbon also from Walmart). That was all mounted on to a Real Red card.

Stay tuned for more samples. I hope to get another sketch posted, but I'd like to know if the sketches help. If anyone would like to see something more or less, please let me know....

Southern Lights

The pictures are a little fuzzy, but I still wanted to share...

The other night we went to what they call here The Southern Lights. It is a beautiful show of lights that you drive thru at the Kentucky Horse Park. You stay in your car, tune the radio in and just drive. To be honest I am not sure how long or far it is but we were in the car for a long time.

You drive thru the park and there are displays all over. You are not allowed to stop the car so the pictures that I took while in the car did not really turn out. These pictures are when we got out to go inside and see the diplays and take a walk to the petting zoo. I think that I am the only one who like's that part! I saw my first real up close porcupine this year!! Ok, I am sort of an animal geek!

I just thought that you'd enjoy them. It is sort of a tradition with us now.

It's all in the bag, baby!

My first attempt at the double pocket bag from SCS. They are actually super easy to make!! If you'd like the directions click here to go to SCS for step by step easy to follow directions...

I wanted to make a cute little bag for my DD's brag books that I made, and I even adjusted the directions a bit ~ but they are still too small to make. Maybe I need the Martha Stewart 18" paper instead? Hey, shopping trip is in order :)

The paper that I used was purchased in a pack at Big Lots for only $1.00!!! It is Frances Meyer. The ribbon is just plain white organdy ribbon (that for some reason I have ooodles and ooodles of). And I do not have a slit punch, so I used my 1/4" hole punch - next time I might add an eyelet to it also just for extra stability.

So I guess I will have to find another purpose for this bag (it won't be too hard, it's Christmas!!)

Enough for now. I plan to post more later today ~ like an example for the sketch that I made the other day. Tell me if you liked it? If you'd like to see more in the future?? Any feedback would be appreciated.

Just Braggin...

Brag Book that is!! This is what I've been working on. I made these cute little brag books to go with the lip gloss holders that I made for my DD to pass out to her friends. I got the completely simple directions over at Stamping with Roxy. They are actually very easy to do. I did tweek them just a tad to fit my clear envies I had. And one other thing. After I punched the holes and before attaching the eyelets I put those page reinforcements on each envelope. Just to help reimforce them.

For the base of the book I used pink passion and Chocolate Chip paper from SU! To decorate the book I used the HUGE flower from Heidi Swap. I ordered the wrong ones when I ordered and just kept them. They will last forever and they have come in handy a couple of times. The top cover and insert sheet inside is stamped with Autumn Leaves swirls in Close to Cocoa, Pixie Pink and Pink Passion inks. I also used my Making Memories rub on alphabet to personalize the books for each girl. For the flowers I used the 1 3/8", 1 1/4", 1". 3/4" and scallop punches from SU! along with my Marvy Giga Scallop punch.

Another thing that we are going to do is each person who is getting one I will add a picture on the first page of my DD and that friend. They are super easy and quick to make. Hope you enjoy! TFL ;-)

Pucker Up Baby!!!

Ok, I must admit ~ I am a lover of pink and brown, but my DD just loves it. She wants her room painted pink and brown, complete with polka dots. Well, I'm not ready for that. But til then this will have to do.

I made these little lip balm holders for my DD to pass out at school. I found the directions on SCS, thanks to Renee O and her wonderful directions. Of course everything I do never turns out at good as I've seen ~ or like I want it to be. But I am pretty satisfied with these.

The stamps I used on the holder were all from the Fresh Fillers set. The initials are from Technique Tuesday's Big Timberline lowercase letter tall set. A first time using that set I might add. I've wanted to use it for some time now. The paper I used was also from SU! Don't ya just love the Au Chocolate paper?? I save it and never use it ~ so I had to blow the dust off it this time :) The ribbon is from Walmart, and the lip balm I actually got on sale at Kohl's - 10 for only $2.00!!!

I hope that you enjoy. I'm off to finish the "books" that I'm making to go with these... I'll post more later.

Here's a sketch for ya...

Well, seeing that I've hit almost 1000 posts I thought that I'd post a sketch. I am brand new at this so please be kind ;-)

If you'd like to make a card and e-mail it to me I'd be more than happy to post it on my blog.

Happy creating.

Christmas Goodies

Christmas Goodies.... I am very happy with the way that these turned out. I am always doing something for my DD to hand out at each holiday. I've done this since she was in Kindergarten (and now she's in H.S.) I even asked her to run for class President so I could make all those little campaign goodies (yes, she said NO!). Anyway, I say little treat bags over at Angie's Chic n' Scratch blog (another of my fav's that I visit everyday) and thought those would be cute to give out. Totally forgetting I already bought 20 lip glosses to make lip gloss holders (yes, hopefully those will be done today. )

Since my tubby is put away with all my misc. Christmas stamps I pulled out the trusty SU! stamps. One of my all time favorites is the Polar Bears set. So I stamped him and colored him while watching TV (can't go wrong there ~ spending family time too) and layered it to Real Red CS. Yesterday I went to the store to buy some hot chocolate to complete the bags. In them I put the hot chocolate, marshmellows, a candy cane, a mint reception stick (love love love those....) and the ornaments and paper clips that I made below.

I hope that the kids will like them. I'm sure they will. Well, I've got some more running around today for Christmas, but then I will get to work on those lip gloss holders ~ hopefully to post tomorrow...

Fancy Pants

I'm the luckiest girl, in the whole wide-wide world.... Isn't that how the song goes? The LSS here in town has a "sale" every 2nd Wednesday of the month. They accept a current month Micheal's coupon. The store does not really sell too many stamps, however I've had my eye on this wonderful set from Fancy Pants. It was $39.99. Well, I could not justify spending that much money on stamps, even if there are 43 stamps in the set. Well, with trusty coupon in hand I got it!!! I was so excited. And you know what I've done? Nothing! I brought it home, had to touch it! Had to pick the peices off the sheet. But to stamp with it? Nope. It's been almost a month and I have not inked one stamp ~ til yesterday :)

I needed to make a card for 2 friends who are undergoing some surgery's - today and next week. So, I pulled out my "Fancy Pants" and went to town. Well, I am the type of cardmaker that likes to make cards with layers so this one was kind of out of the box for me.

I used SU! CS in (Bashful??) Blue and Chocolate Chip. The ink is Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip. Close to Cocoa and Creamy Caramel. I stamped random images on the card and then I stamped the big flower and little flower with versamark and used UTEE to make them shiney.... I attached those two flowers with the jewel brad (found at a local flea market - 60 for only $2.00!!!) and placed that on the card with pop dots. The sentiment in the lower right corner is from Sincere Salutations and it is stamped in Chocolate Chip.

Leave me a comment if you like it! Like I said, it is out of my nature to make a card with no real layers.

TTFN! Have a great day!!!

So Very....

Hello all! I wanted to post a pic of one of the cards that I created yesterday. I made it for a friend who has helped me a lot (I'm sure you know who you are...). I just wanted to give her some uplifting words.

This card was made with SU! (Bashful??) Blue CS. I added the Heidi Grace rub-ons (I just love rub ons. I've really only used the letter's til this card). I stamped "so very" and "blessed" in Chocolate Chip and mounted that to Paper Salon's DP and Chocolate Chip CS. It is hard to tell by the picture, but I did sponge Bashful Blue ink around the so very panel.

I then added the little rub-ons to each side of the word "blessed" and all done!!! I hope to get this off to her today ~ I need to un-freeze the mailbox door first...

Sleigh full of toys

A dear friend of mine and member of my MSN group, Cards Made by Hand (catchy title, huh??) Bobbie asked if we would send a card to her Grandson who is in the service ~ and of course I jumped at the chance. I've wanted to do that for a long time and just have'nt. So here is the card that I whipped up for him.

I used the set Sleigh Full of Toys, Real Red and Wild Wasabi CS and Dashing DP. The ribbon was in the little spool I purchased from Walmart and the image was colored in with my pencils and Gamsol.

I hope that you all enjoy it!!! If you are interested in sending a card let me know! The troops do love getting cards, it helps take their minds off of things for a bit and makes them just a little less homesick at the holiday.

Post it Note Holder

I'm sure that many of you have made these already, but they are quick and easy and I thought that I'd post a tut on how I made mine.

First you want to cut the base at 7 3/4" by 3 1/7".

This is what will hold the post it notes.

Then score the paper at 3 1/8", 3 1/2", 6 3/4" and 7 1/8".

At this time you will cut a square of pattern paper (I used the *yummy* Dashing by SU! I'm gonna buy more before it goes away....) for the front cover. I also added a peice of ribbon before adhering the DP down.

I then cut a thin strip for the front flap.

Place adhesive on the back of the post it notes and place in the holder.

Add a peice of velcro to the flap and lid and TA-DA!!! All done.

These are super easy and FAST to make. They are the perfect stocking stuffers too. I think that I will make a few for my DD's teachers...

Hopefully I did not confuse anyone. I am very good at knowing what to say in my head, but when I want to explain it ~ it does not come out right.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Otherwise, leave me a note and tell me if you like it!!! TTFN! Hugs~Joani

Very, Very Sneaky....

Every year I heard the same old thing "Oooh, I have more presents than you" or "I have another one under the tree". This was with my daughter and her father (my ex). So, I started to get sneaky. For everyone in the house I made a tag. It was just a random image that I put on the present. It may or may not have anything to do with the person. The first year my DD's father was a raggety ann doll. Everyone thought that it was for my DD. So that way only I know until the day it's time to open presents who that gift is for. It keeps them guessing, and it also keeps them from picking up the presents and shaking them (especially my hubby who ALWAYS seems to guess what's in the package no matter what).

It's just a fun little game that I made up. I promise to post more later today....

Christmas Swag

I just thought that I'd post a picture (and sorry, it's not the best of pictures~it just wont come out) of a banner pennant that I made Saturday night. We have this very ugly short wall in the living room that has the breaker panel in it (I don't know why they put it in the living room???) and I wanted to cover it up.

The black BG paper is some that I purchased a very long time ago. I must of bought 50 sheets of it, because it's lasted me close to 10 years!

I cut the triangles out of the BG paper. I adheared them to SU! Real Red. I then cut out the letters with my Cricut machine base camp cartridge in Real Red on 2". I then cut out the shadow in Glorious Green. I adheared them to the pennant with my Xyron. I punched holes in the banner at the top middle and bottom and set eyelets so the ribbon wont rip thru the paper. I'd like to be able to save this to use again. I used some white organdy ribbon and the bows were made with green grosgrain ribbon that I purchased at Walmart. I hope that you like it ~ they are simply easy to make....

Enjoy.... Have a nice evening...

Just a taste....

Here's a little sample of something that you may of seen in my SCS gallery.

I stamped the image (All Night Media) in black ink and colored it with colored pencils and Gamsol. I used a gelly roll pen on his beard (sorry ~ pic does not show it) and fun flock on his hat. I also used stickles red for the polka dots on his hat.I stamped "naughty or nice" (unknown) all over the card in versamark. I punched out the image with my Giga punch and layered it onto a circle of black CS cut with my colozzle. I layered that onto BG paper from American Traditional designs and added ribbon accents to the layer before placing on the card.

I hope that "keeps" you til I come back with more to post... As always, TFL :-)

Away in the Manger

Good Morning all! I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend, as wonderful as I did. The decorations are finally up and presents (not all) are wrapped and under the tree...

I want to post some pictures of it, and I will later. The ones that I have are a little fuzzy. I do have a picture of the manger my Mom put up. My Father made this many, many years ago for her. She used to put it up every year, and has not for a couple of years since we've moved here. When my DH was pulling out the Christmas stuff, I thought "we just need to make room for it". It's sitting on a table that my DH made for me (for my Cricket and sewing machine) so it's a little smaller than what she's used to ~ but at least it's up....

I've also got to get the pictures loaded into my machine of my current projects, but hopefully I will be able to do that later today ~ maybe even tomorrow. It's bill paying day, and I've got a few errands to run...

Thanks for looking, stay tuned - I'll be back.....