Happy T.G.I.F!!!

Thank goodness!! This week's been a long and slow one for sure! It seems like last weekend was years ago. I just want to sleep in tomorrow and stay under my warm blankets.


It started snowing this morning when hubby left for work ~ here it is almost 10:30am and it's still coming down. Not as much, but it's still snow. I'm so afraid that our trees are going to snap. It's so sad to see the trees snap, break and fall. They take so long to grow and look so nice ~ it's a shame.


Well with the weather the way it's been I had nothing else to do but craft. Ok, yes I did ~ but shhhhhhh, don't tell Ü


The first thing that I made yesterday was a little card with another Darcie's stamp. I'm sure that I've used this before, but here's another take on it.

The base card is Pink Pirouette layered with some DP. The DP does not have any maker on it, sorry. I added a piece of pink polka dot ribbon (that happens to match) along the seam of the two papers. I colored the image with my watercolors, sponged some Pink Passion ink around it and layered it on to a piece of Pixie Pink and some Purely Pomegranate that I scalloped the edges.

I stamped the bath brush and soap and colored them in with my pencils and gamsol. I cut them out and placed them on the card. I then took the sentiment and inked the word "soaping" with Real Red ink and stamped that on white cs, sponged some Pink Passion ink around that panel and layered that on to a scrap of Purely Pomegranate. I placed that on the card with pop dots. I finished the card off with some Fruit Punch stickles on the bubbles and a couple of flowers and a button. I think that it is kinda cute. All the stamps are from Darcie's.

Here's another stamp that you may or may not of seen me use. I use this every Valentine's day. I just love it, it's simple. Of course I just used the last of this paper. I've had this paper for years and I'm sure that I'll never find it again ~ but hopefully I'll find something close.

The base card is Chocolate Chip and I layered a piece of Creamy Caramel that was run thru the CB. I took the two pieces of DP from Frances Meyer and layered them on to a piece of Pink Pirouette. I then stamped the image from Embossing Arts Co. (who's gone out of business, sorry) and colored it with my markers. I sponged some Close to Cocoa ink around that panel and layered it on to a piece of Close to Cocoa and Pink Pirouette cs before I added the image panel to the front of the card. Then I knew that it needed something else so I punched out a candy from the DP with my 1" circle punch and layered that on to a piece of Creamy Caramel punched with the 1 1/4" circle punch. The 1 3/8" circle punch is Pink Pirouette and the scallop circle is Chocolate Chip, and I used my paper piercer to make the holes in the scallop.

I just love that stamp. Since I am showing something that is no longer available - I know, not too nice ~ if you really feel the need to have this stamped image just e-mail me and I can stamp a few for you! It's the least I can do Ü

I think that I've mentioned to you that my SIL is starting to (finally) get into making cards. After 3 1/2 years of watching she's finally taken the leap. Ahhhh, I've infected another ~ he he he.... Years ago my dear friend Janet infected me. With the cute little bunny box she made for Easter with the M & M's. I vowed to infect as many as I could too!! It's only right...

Anyway, she pretty much has to start from scratch. Like we all did. She had given me this baby food jar that my niece had left last time she was visiting. I thought it was perfect for her for little flowers and such. I jsut decorated it up and filled it with some flowers for her. I think that she'll like it. Every time I go out there I bring something new for her to play with. I've got a whole drawer full of different pattern scissors. Heck, they are all dusty from not being used in years ~ so she's getting some of those too...

Well - that's enough for today. I'm off to make a calendar for my purse - something cute I had seen on Julie's Paper Pleasing Ideas. If you haven't been there you really need to take a peek. She's such a talent!

Have a great day!
Hugs,

Joani

Good (cold, snowy) morning everyone!

Brrrr. It's been a little chilly here the past couple of days. We've been hit by a storm. Actually this is our first real snow since we've been here. It's snowed a little here and there, but this is the actual first bit of weather we've had.

Yesterday hubby came home from work because 1/2 the plant didn't show up again and there was no work so he came home. To his amazement there was no TV!! It really was not too bad without the TV because we've got movies to watch, it's just listening to the news on the radio was no fun. With the TV we can re-wind if we missed something. And of course I was moving from the front window to the back one to catch a glimpse of what was going on. There's been some houses on the street around us that have lost their trees, they've broken off or fallen. I'm worried about our huge weeping willow out back. It keeps leaning farther and farther over. Then of course we put in some Italian Cypress trees 2 years ago, we paid to get the larger ones ~ they are even leaning over. I hate to see the trees break, it takes so long for them to grow.

Well enough of that jibber jabber... Wanna see a card?

I'm still working on Valentine's cards. Just got a few more to make. I've had a piece of this paper from Darcie's for a long time and I've been wanting to use it. I keep it on the table next to me in case something pops into my head, and it finally did!

The paper is from Darcie's and I got it a long time ago from a show. I kept looking at it thinking that I wanted to do something with it and finally remembered that I had this cookie stamp. And of course, brown and pink ~ I think the perfect color combo ~ so voila! the card!!

The base card is Pink Pirouette that I layered with Chocolate Chip (of course!) and a piece of the Darcie's DP. I then took a piece of Chocolate Chip cs and used the Martha Stewart lace border punch along the bottom edge. I stamped 3 chocolate chip cookies from Ann-ticipations in Close to Cocoa ink, and highlighted the chips with my Chocolate Chip pen. I cut them out, sponged Close to Cocoa ink around the edges and layered them on to the Chocolate Chip panel. I added a length of brown and pink ribbon at the top of the panel.

I then stamped the sentiment from SU! Oh So Sweet set in Close to Cocoa ink and used my Pink Passion and Garden Green pens to color the little flower. I sponged Close to Cocoa ink around that panel and layered it on to a pieces of Pink Pirouette and Chocolate Chip scraps. I used pop dots to adhere to the card. The word "Valentine" is also a Darcie's stamp. I stamped that in Chocolate Chip and sponged Close to Cocoa around the edges, layered that on to a piece of Chocolate Chip scrap and adhered that to the card.

You can see the inside of the card at the bottom. I sponged Close to Cocoa ink around the edges, and added a piece of DP that I used the Martha punch on. I stamped the chocolate chips from the Oh So Sweet set in Chocolate Chip and the sentiment from Whipper Snapper that I shaded in with Close to Cocoa and Pink Passion ink.

I love this card. I may have to give it to myself Ü

That's all for today. I hope you like it!!

Have a great (warm and safe) day!
Hugs,

Joani

More awards for me? Shucks Ü

Boy, some of you've been busy with the awarding.... I've been bad at thanking and posting my awards.

First of all I want to thank Susie over at Die Cut Dreams for this first award. If you've not been there, please go ~ go NOW!! She has the most awesome books. She is a superb papercrafter!!

Another award I've received is from Mary over at My Cardz, My Passion. Talk about a great color-er (that's a funny term that my Mom and I used to say when I was little). She's got some great stuff on there ~ take a peek.

And the last award that I received was from sweet Carmen from Carmen's Creative Chatter. She is so sweet, The Spreader of Love award. I've not seen that one yet ~ and I love it!! Thank you Carmen. Take a peek at what Carmen's been up to. I love her birthday calendar ~ it's something that I think I need to case Ü

So thank you all for the awards. Now, in one swoop I'm going to award these to others. It's so difficult to award people, I love everyones blogs. When I first started a blog I was actually terrified. I thought that no one would look at my blog. But I guess I was wrong. I love ALL of my internet friends. Many I have become very close friends with - and I've met a fair share of them in person too! It's kinda cool to be able to see a face behind the keyboard. So enough of that - here I go!

1. MaryBeth over at her Stampin' Space. All her creations are so very pretty, I think almost delicate. Way to go MaryBeth!!



2. Linsey at Outside the Lines. Her creations always make my jaw drop!



3. Marsha, a fellow TAC Angel over at Stamping down South. Her Tilda creations are simply adorable!! Take a look-sie!



4. Barb at FosterDesignHouse. A fellow TAC Angel also, but also a lover of Halloween, too! How does she come up with all these ideas? She's so creative!!



5. And last but not least Tracy, a blogging sister from Stamping All Seasons. Her blog is always chuck full of creativity! Beleive me, take a look for yourself!

Thanks for the awards. I could sit here all day and another and another to send these awards to, but I would not get anything done!

Have a great day!
Hugs,

Joani

Snowy, snowy Tuesday

Good snowy morning to you! Can you guess what the weather's doing here? Yup, snowing. It started last night. We've been getting snow, rain, freezing rain and sleet since last night. Just about all the schools are closed again today. The news report said that there is over 421 school and business closings. Hubby was in hopes that they'd call work too, but they didn't. While it's so pretty to look at I'm just glad that I don't have to go out in it.

Thank you everyone for the kind comments about my Mom. The doctor called yesterday with the test results. It looks like Mom's been having a series of small strokes. Isn't there sign's of this? Don't you think we would of been able to notice that? Sure, she's forgetful, but we thought that was just age. They said diet will help - not that she does not eat right now. She has a bad gall bladder that they can't take out because of her lungs. They said she wont make it thru surgery - but other than that they've told her to take aspirin every day. I just watch her close.

Ok, enough of the bad. Let's get to something good, ok.

Betty stopped by last week for a play day. Of course we chatted quite a bit, then we went out to eat. But when we got back I got to stamp some of these images that Betty brought. This is a SU! set that I don't have and of course I had to ink it up. It's called Listen with the Heart.

The base card is Riding Hood Red. I layered on a piece of DCWV white then another piece of Riding Hood Red that I stamped the swirls from my Fancy Pants-Pollen Dust Collection with white and black ink and added a length of red organdy ribbon. The image and sentiment panels I stamped with Real Red and added a piece of vellum over the top with small eyelets and I was done!

We received a phone call this weekend that my cousin passed away. He was quite sick for some time and he was waiting to hear back, he was in need of a lung transplant. I wanted to make a card for his wife letting her know that I was thinking of her. I did not want to make a sympathy card because I know from experience that sometimes even though they are to let the person know that you are sorry for their loss, it can make you even more sad. I just wanted her to know that I was thinking of her, so that brought me to this card.

Of course one of my favorite sets of paper is the Bella Rose collection from SU! I think that it is so pretty, and it matched the stamp that I wanted to use on the card.

The stamp is from PSX (one of my first from 1992). I stamped it on watercolor paper and used my watercolor crayons to color in the image. The base card is Basic Black layered with Pink Pirouette and Bella Rose DP. The image panel is also layered with Basic Black and Pink Pirouette and I sponged some Purely Pomegranate ink around that layer. I tied a length of white organdy ribbon around the base panels before adhering it to the card. The sentiment panel is actually a boo-boo. I was going to use my Fancy Pants Pollen Dust set instead of the Bella Rose paper and I did not like how it turned out so it went to the scrap pile ~ then I pulled it out for this piece. I stamped the sentiment "Thinking of You" in Purely Pomegranate over the scrap piece and paper peirced it before attaching it to the Basic Black panel. I also sponged some Purely Pomegranate ink around that layer also. When the card was put together I thought that it needed something so I added a little bit of "bling" to it with my Sakura gel pen. I hope that it brightens her day.

That's all I have for today. I hope to see you again tomorrow!
Have a great day!!
Hugs,

Joani

Howdy Ho Everybody!

Sorry I've been MIA for a few days. My Mom had her appointment for some testing, we're waiting on results ~ and I've been playing lumberjack. Hubby and I went to my SIL's again to help out. She lives on property and she can't take care of everything herself. We were playing lumberjack. She has a fireplace that she burns (which I miss) and she needs wood. Sure, we should of done this last summer, but things just get in the way sometimes.

So now I'm back. Nothing in the upcoming near future (fingers crossed) so I should be free to stamp! Wanna see somethings I've been working on?? Good, because I've got things to show you!!

I've been in a cupcake mood lately, so I thought that I'd make a cupcake card. The base card is Pink Pirouette layered with some Pixie Pink and some DP from Paper Salon. I took my Marvy Scallop Punch and punched out some Pink Passion paper and used my paper piercer to poke the holes in the scallops. I then cut a circle of Pink Pirouette with my coluzzle and punched the image out with my Marvy Scallop Punch and used my paper piercer on that layer too. Before I adhered the image panel, Hey There Cupcake from Perfectly Clear Stamps, I sponged some Pixie Pink ink around that layer.

I took two different sizes of ribbon and added them to the card towards the bottom. Over that I added a scallop circle that I punched out of Purely Pomegranate, paper pierced it and added a 1 3/8" circle of Pink Passion paper that I stamped "Valentine" from Darcies in Real Red ink. Once everything was put in place I added some stickles here and there for a touch of glitter and I was done.

You know I get confused sometimes with the Marvy Punches. Since we just got our CB (I know, I'm behind the times!!) we don't own any of the Nesties yet. We do have quite a few of the Marvy Punches. I did find on the Internet on the Marvy site a great tool to print off that helps with the punches. It's their punching guide. I don't know if any of you would like it or not, but if you would click here and it will take you to the site. I think it's a great way to stay organized. Or at least try to Ü

Wanna see another cupcake creation? Sure ya do Ü

Told you I've been in a cupcake mood. My DD bought me this adorable cupcake stand for Christmas. It holds 13 cupcakes ~ weird number, and of course I'm like Mr. Monk, my numbers have to be even - 2 or 4 cards at a time, etc.... ooops my train de-railed-where was I.

Oh, that's right. Cupcakes. I belong to Paper Craft Planet and there is a BIA group. Well, I made this for their Valentines contest. I know, it does not scream Valentines, but I like it!!

I cut the whole image out of this chipboard stuff I have and covered it with Mod Podge and Chocolate Chip paper. Then I cut out the chipboard stuff (something that hubby brought home) and adhered some DCWV pink paper with Mod Podge. I hand cut (yes, hand cut because I'm a glutton for punishment) white sheets of paper for the inside. I sponged some Real Red ink around the papers edges, added some rub on's to the pages, and stamped the saying from the Hey Three Cupcake set and the inside was done.

For the outside I took my BIA and punched all the holes for the inside and covers, added the wire, added the beads to the front with Diamond Glaze, and added ribbons to the wire. I took my Chocolate Chip marker and drew the lines for the "paper" cupcake cup to the front. I glued some pink rick rack with a charm on the front - see, there is something Valentine - and a little flower to the top of the charm and I was complete. I think it's cute. Of course I'm not going to use it *GASP!* I just want it to sit on my desk and look pretty Ü

Well, I think that's all for today. I've got to go do laundry or something to make it look like I did something other than sit on the computer all day!

I'll be back tomorrow, so have a great day!
Hugs,

Joani

A bit of info

I just noticed as I was writing the last post that blogger is having an outage today at 4:00pm. So if you can not log on, post or read anything in blogger this may have something to do with it. It's nice to know in advance for a change.

On another note:

I am still looking for people to sign up for my Stamper's 6 group. I have a group that will be finishing up in February and was hoping to have another round start just after that. Are you willing?

If you become a member of my Stamper's 6 group you will be guaranteed to be a hostess for one of those 6 months. Just promise to spend at least $20.00 in merchandise for a total of 6 months and one of those months you will be the hostess and receive the benefits. You will receive at least a Level One hostess set, a free GWP stamp and one item in the catalogue for 1/2 off. Just think, you can get a scor-pal (if you don't have one) or a Bind-It-All for 1/2 off! That's a HUGE savings!! Anything in the catty is 1/2 off!!! And not to mention when you are "hostess" you will receive goodies from me Ü

So what do you say? Sounds like fun? Of course it is!! And $20.00 buys quite a bit!! The Angel Company has wonderful quality products at reasonable prices!!

If your interested, please shoot me a comment and I'll get back to you!

Hugs,
Joani

My turn at the tutorial

It seems that some of you enjoyed the video that I found for you to look at. I will try to find more interesting things for you to look at. I don't have a camera, so I cant make a video for you. But I'll look around to find things to share....

I wanted to show you my version on the tutorial. Basically it is the video tutorial and the SCS sketch challenge 212 for the week. Might as well kill two birds......

I used my little cupig from Whipper Snapper again. This is one of two that were together for a SOTM once. I just love them!! They are the ones I grab first when making my Valentines cards.

The base card is Pink Pirouette. I layered the card with Purely Pomegranate and Heidi Grace DP. I used Mel's label templates (Thanks so much Mel!!) for the top note dies. I cut a medium one out of the Pink Pirouette and a large one out of the Heidi Grace DP and added a brad at each side. For the "medallion" I use Pixie Pink and Basic Black.

The 3rd layer is just Pink Pirouette and Purely Pomegranate that I cut an inch wide and made an arrow point to it. I water colored the piggy and I added some stickles around the white because to me it looked a little plain without something. Once that was done I punched a scallop circle out with my Marvy punch, sponged some Pink Passion ink around the circle and layered the medallion on to that. The sketch called for an oval at the bottom so I used my coluzzle to cut out the ovals from white and black paper. I stamped the word "cupig" with Real Red ink and sponged some Pink Passion ink around that layer, I added a scrap of ribbon behind that before adding it to the Basic Black layer. I added two more brads to that and I was complete.

It looks more complicated than what it really was. It really took no time to do this card. Sometimes things look more complicated than what they are. Of course writing it out seems to sound more complicated than it is too. I know what I'm saying but the words don't come out on the keyboard like I want them too!

Another card that I made was with one of my daughters Darcie stamps. Well, she does not use them, so I think of it as conditioning the rubber Ü

This image is from Darcie's. I stamped her and water colored the image. The base card is Real Red. I layered it with Pink Pirouette and some DP from Li'l Davis Designs. I then cut a piece of the Real Red and used Martha Stewarts border punch along the bottom and then layered that on to a piece of Pink Pirouette and added two heart brads to each side. On the image panel I sponged some Real Red ink before layering it on to a piece of Real Red and I was done. Quick and easy!!

Well, I must go now. Betty is coming over for a fun day and she should be here any time!

Have a great day!
Hugs,

Joani

Love Blooms

Good Morning Everyone!


How's today for you so far? Here, good. The weather is supposed to warm up a bit. Were going to be in the high 20's today. Brrrrrrrrr...... Actually Friday were going to be 50 so they say. But then starting the weekend and beginning of next week we've got snow coming in. Once again, so they say. Sometimes I think that I can predict the weather better. Yeah, my back hurts - It's going to be cold. he he he......

After dinner last night I inked up a new stamp I got on the 1/2 price special. Ok, funny story. I placed an order because a few people wanted a couple of things on the special so I thought I'd order something too. A couple of set's I've wanted but thought I'd wait. So I wrote everything down and placed the order. The stamps came in and they were not what I thought I ordered. I ordered something someone else wanted - I placed their order twice. So now I've got to place another order (oh darn) to get what I wanted.... Silly me.


So here's the card.

This set is called Love Blooms T3025 and it's only $6.49 right now Ü (hint hint.....)

The base card is Real Red. All other papers are DCWV Love & Wedding DP. I stamped the tree with Real Red and Chocolate Chip ink, and if you look close you can see that I added a red heart brad in among the hearts on the tree. I sponged some Pink Passion ink around the image panel and layered it on to a piece of pink paper. I made the layers for the card and wrapped some velvet ribbon around it before adhering to the card. The image panel is added with pop dots. I stamped the word Valentine with Real Red ink on a piece of scrap and added it to the lower corner of the card and I was done.

Now I'm off to create something today. It's still fairly early and maybe I'll get something done.

Have a great day!!
Hugs,

Joani

You Tube Video

I was crusin' You Tube a bit ago and saw this video and had to share it with all of you! It is so cool!! I love my coluzzle ~ now my Mom she won't use it, and I know others too. But I love it! It sure beats having a moving box full of punches -and cheaper too.

Take a peek. If you'd like to go to her blog it's over at My Creative Ramlings and it's a mish-mash of all creative things - a true artist.



Hugs,
Joani

I'm sorry if....

I'm sorry if I've not shown any new posts of crafts things lately. I've been a bit pre-occupied the past few days.

I've received a couple of e-mails saying that I've had a couple of subscribers unsubscribe because the content was no longer relevant. I take that as "not crafty". But I will be showing some things in a couple of days - promise.

I know that I've been off the crafting mode, but I've had some issues come up - that I mentioned - and I have not had time to make anything. I've wanted to, but life has stepped in. Today I had to take Mom to the doctor for a follow up. They said that she needs to go in for some more tests. We will be doing that this Friday. So just keep her in your prayers, I'd appreciate it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ooooh, and don't forget!! You still have a little more time if you'd like to order some Angel Company stamps at the 1/2 off price. Heck, where can you get good quality stamps - 1/2 OFF??

Spec-TAC-ular Savings!

January 6th - January 26th, 2009
Start the new year with a fresh, new, never-before-offered promotion by The Angel Company™! From January 6-26, Choose ANY T-coded merchandise in the Fall/Winter Inspiration Book & Catalogue for 50% off the regular retail price!!! Whether you choose 1 set or 20, each and every T-coded stamp set that you choose is half-price! Begin 2009 with a fresh, new stash of the stamp sets that have been on your wish list!

Now off to finish some more laundry and hopefully make at least one card Ü

Hugs,
Joani

Thanks everyone for the kind comments ~ and some awards!!

Thanks everyone for the kind comments that you left about my Mom. She is doing ok, really. And it makes her smile when I tell her how many people are sending their thoughts and prayers. She'd kill me if she knew I said anything, but she is 75 and I just worry about her. She is pretty much all the family I have left. I have cousins, of which only a few I've met. And most of them are all over the states. But she's all I've got and I plan to keep her as long as I can Ü

And it's amazing. How many of you actually read blogs? I think a lot that I write and I am just doing it for my own satisfaction, but it seems that a lot of you actually read what I have to say. I'm that way. When I look at peoples blogs, I actually read what they have to say. I mean, I am taking time to go to their blog to look at it, and they are taking time to keep it up ~ so why not read it. I don't pop in just to look at their cards - I want to read it. But then I am a reader anyway. It makes me feel like I am getting to know the person. Am I rambling? Sorry....

Enough. I thought that I'd show you some awards that I received...

These awards were given to me by Liv. How sweet of her!

The first thing to do is to mention 5 things I'm addicted to ~ oh, that's hard (only 5):

1. Stamping. I MUST do something every day or I get cranky Ü
2. Pepsi. Actually Cherry Pepsi. That's another daily habit that I've HAVE to kick. It's just so hard....
3. The computer. But if I wasn't I would not have so many friends ;-)
4. My hunter's socks. My hubby bought me some hunters socks for Christmas and I am so addicted to them. I wear them all the time! I love them, they are so comfy....
5. Cookies. I'm a lover of cookies. As Betty ~ every time she's here I've got warm cookies for her...

Now the hard part. To pick out 5 people to give these to. That's hard because I love everyones blogs. There is a little bit of something everywhere that keeps me coming back.

1. Barb - Her cards are always so pretty. There is quite a few of her cards that I've got saved, and will not share :-)
2. Nicola - One gal who always puts a smile on my face with her kind comments.
3. Julie - One special gal - who knows what life is like with a teenage daughter.
4. Gabby - Because she helped me into the world of blogging! And because she ROCKS!
5. Toni - Who introduced me into the wonderful world of TAC!

Now I'm off to do something, even if it's not right!

Hugs,
Joani

When it rains it pours...

Yesterday was a (not) so perfect start to a 4 day weekend for us. Hubby was off Friday and he's off Monday. The weather's not supposed to be nice - it's freezing cold and it's supposed to snow tonight, tomorrow and Monday.

Yesterday we got up a little late, and hubby made some breakfast. While we were cleaning up Mom called to me and asked me to help her sit down. She gets these spells where she gets dizzy and her eye's kinda get funny. So I helped her to the chair. After a few minutes she claimed she was ok, but I could tell something was still wrong. I told her to call her doctor because it was Friday and if something happened Saturday I'm sure that she would have a harder time getting a hold of her. She told her to go to ER. So we did.

I was a little nervous because Mom is all I have left. My Father passed away many years ago, and it's just us. I have cousins, they are kind of all scattered around the states ~ but it's just Mom and I. They did a lot of tests on her. It was not her heart, or what we might of feared a stroke. So we came home. She kinda took it easy the rest of the day. And yes, she's fine today.

Well I was planning on doing some grocery shopping Friday, but that plan did not work out - so off to Walmart we went this morning. Ok - now I'm about to tell you all something that IS very EMBARRASSING. As we enter the parking lot I see all the cars and start complaining about how crowded they are and how much I did not want to be there. There is two other stores in town but Walmart is by far the cheaper of the three. So here I am complaining - Danielle telling me she loves it there (all her friends like to hang out there) and I find a fairly close parking spot, all by luck ~ well not really.

I get out of the car and I felt something on my head. I look up, no - the tree was empty. But I feel the top of my head and yup, bird poop! Yes, it disgusted me. But all I could do was laugh. It was all kind of ironic. Me, complaining about being there and then that happens. I think - what next? Do I even want to ask? Well tomorrow we are cutting wood again for Ricky's sis so I can't wait to see what's in store for me then!

Of course after that happening Danielle wants to get her hair cut. So we left Walmart and on the way home I take her to get it cut. While she's in there I duck into Big Lots next door to see if they have any new stamping supplies. Oh yeah! I did score with a bunch of rub-on's for only $2.00. But poor Danielle. When she came in to meet us I wanted to cry! She had the most beautiful long hair and they cut it so short. She did not want it as short as they cut it. I never trust hairdressers. They always seem to cut my hair shorter than I want it too. I just looked at her, and I think she knew I was sad. I told her that when she turns 18 she can shave it off and dye her scalp blue if she wants - but til then she cant mess with it Ü We got home and she cried. She said they kept cutting it - she told them not too short. I do have to say that I feel so bad for her, but thank goodness that her hair really grows fast. Then again maybe it's karma for her laughing at my bird poop head, and then calling all her friends to tell them about it???

Ok - enough of that. I'm sorry for the long post, but I thought that I'd share a little bit of my life there.

Now, how about something creative?

One of my favorite sets for Valentines is SU! Happy Heart Day. I just love that little elephant! You really can do a lot with him. This card, I must say is a little busy. When I made it I thought that it was kinda cute ~ but now that I look at it, I'm not sure.

The base card is Real Red. I layered it with a piece of Pretty in Pink that I ran thru the CB with the swirls folder, Chocolate Chip and some Paper Salon DP's. I sponged some Real Red ink around the Pretty in Pink layer. The image I stamped on white cs and colored in with my markers - but I stamped it again on the DP and paper pieced it on to the white cs with some pop dots. I took the sentiment and stamped it with Real Red ink and added a couple of black eyelets next to it and added it to the card. The flowers have some stickles on them, it's just hard to tell in the picture.

Do ya like it? Be honest.

I suppose I better get going - and make dinner. I hope that you all have a wonderful rest of the weekend.

Hugs,
Joani

We have a winner!!

We have a winner!! The winner of my blog candy is:

bumblebee creations has left a new comment on your post "Told ya I was giving away candy!!": Hi! Thank you for the opportunity to win such yummy candy!! That is a lot of hits on your blog! WOW! I have added a link to my blog.

Posted by bumblebee creations to Cards Made By Hand at January 10, 2009 9:34:00 PM EST

If you will please email me with your snail mail address I will get your goodies off to you in the mail! You will have 48 hours to contact me with your address. If I don't hear from you, in all fairness I will have to pick another winner.

Thank you everyone for playing!! I should be holding another blog candy really soon!!

Have a great day!
Hugs,

Joani

Howdy shoppers Ü

I will be finishing up my round of stampers who are in my Stamper's 6 group and I was wondering if any of you would like to participate in the next round?

What a Stamper's 6 group is - basically 6 people who all promise to purchase at least $20.00 of The Angel Company product for 6 months, and each take turns at being a hostess. When it is your month as hostess - you will get the benefits of getting at least a Level 1 hostess set, a free Gift with Purchase stamp from me and at least one 1/2 off item out of the catty! It could be a stamp set or a Bind it All or heck, even a scor-pal.

If you are interested, please shoot me an e-mail or submit a comment to this post!

Ok, NOW it's Thursday!

My goodness, at least I've got the day right ~ that's a start!! But yesterday did prove to be a good day. I was busy as a bee.....

Wanna see? But first you've got to listen to my babble, but it wont take long - PROMISE!

1. My dear friend Betty has some SU! set's for sale - take a peek HERE.
   
2. Don't forget to sign up for my yummy blog candy. Tonight ends the sign up, and tomorrow I will be picking a winner - so don't lose your chance!
   
3. Spec-TAC-ular Savings Promotion!! From January 6-26, Choose ANY T-coded merchandise in the Fall/Winter Inspiration Book & Catalogue for 50% off the regular retail price!!! Whether you choose 1 set or 20, each and every T-coded stamp set that you choose is half-price! Begin 2009 with a fresh, new stash of the stamp sets that have been on your wish list! You can e-mail me with your order Ü

That was not too painful was it??? Now are you ready to see what I've been up to? Ok, here goes....

Remember the other day when I mentioned the site I found called Making Mini Scrapbooks (which I have linked on my sidebar)? Well I had printed off the Christmas Card Tracker that she had. OMGoodness, years ago I had one that I bought from Current and loved it. I generally use pencil on things like this and address books ~ and mine was used over and over again. Years beyond what it was made for. So you've got to know when I found this site I was so excited!! So I made one yesterday for my cousin Dolly and myself.

For Dolly's I used all TAC paper, called Mulberry Meadow. I thought that it was pretty. I used a few different punches, added rick rack and ribbon, buttons, rub-on's and a few primas. I think that it turned out kinda nice, don't you?

Then I made mine.

(The last image I accidently deleted and for some reason Blogger wont let me re-post it. Sorry!)

On mine I used all SU! DP. I love apples, I have that theme in my kitchen ~ and of course I've saved the paper forever so it was time to use it! I added rick rack, ribbons, buttons and some rub-on's from Marcella K - that by the way I thought worked perfect with the colors.

Lately when I make things like this - or sometimes even cards, I like to use my glue gun to add flowers or buttons. It's fast, and the glue gun is low temp so it does not wrinkle the paper. That way I know they stay put. There is nothing worse than getting a card that has things that fell off of it.

Ok, I've got one more thing to show you. I made a little album for family photos. I guess I was on a Bind-It-All album making kick yesterday!

More of the same. SU! DP, ribbon, buttons, flowers.... The sentiment was done on the computer. The covers on all of the albums are this thin cardboard like stuff that hubby brought home from work. I cover both sides with paper, but I use my Mod Podge to adhere it. I love that stuff!! Once it's dry it because harder so the covers are stiff. Of course I had to sit on it while it was drying to keep it flat...

Today was a long post, yes. So thank you for sticking it out with me. I better go and do something constructive now, huh?

Here's to wishing you a great (and warm) day!
Hugs,
Joani

Happy hump day!

Yes, it's Wednesday - I have to keep telling myself that. This morning I said to Mom "Can you believe it's Thursday already?" and of course she said "No, because it's not". Where are my days going. Heck, where is my mind going. I can remember back when I worked full time. I always new the days and date. Now, I never know what day it is!!

I wanted to show you a little something I made last night. My DD came home from school and said that she needed a "book" for something they are doing in school, of course she needed it for today. She said to make it basic ~ and I looked at her. She said "I know Mom, you know what to do".

She is reading a book for school and they need to make a picture book of certain events in the book and she wanted hers to look like an actual photo book. So here's what I did.

I used all SU! paper. I glued some rick-rack and buttons on and used my Cricut Base Camp cartridge to cut out the letters. It really did not take but a few minutes. I've got some white cs inside for her to draw or create the pictures she wants to add. She liked it, so I guess I'm happy!

I do have another Valentine card that I made that I want to show you but for some reason now blogger will not let me add any images. Well, I will try again later.

AND DONT FORGET: If you want to get signed up for my blog candy please do so. Tomorrow is the cut off date and I will be picking a winner on Friday. So, make sure you get signed up.

Have a great day!
Hugs,
Joani

You've got to check this out!

I thought that I'd post a great site that I've found. I was, actually I am still looking for a printable address book. I want to make an address book for my cousin, however I can not find any pages to print out for it. I'd like something smaller, and simple. But I can not find anything anyplace. Well, in my surfing today I found a site I love. It's called making-mini-scrapbooks.com and there are some great ideas on there. I found some printable pages for a Christmas card tracker. I used to have one of those years ago and I used the heck out of it. Needless to say I am making one for now! I promise to show you when I'm finished with it.

Right now I'm working on a little book for Danielle. She needs a book for a school project and asked if I could make it ~ but of course! I'll show that to you tomorrow.

I just had to pop on and let you know about the site. I contacted Debi - who runs it because of something I had seen and she got back to me really quick! So, what are you waiting for - go take a peek!

Have a great evening!
Hugs,
Joani

Good Morning Everybody!

Good morning! Hope your day's going well. It was supposed to snow last night and this morning and Danielle thought that she was going to have a snow day ~ but Mother Nature played a trick on her! No snow. Of course they say that our temps are going to drop today - I think into the teens, and there is still a chance. But she's already gone to school.

This will be a quick post today too. I've got to get to work on a project I am making for my cousin. I want to make some type of book for her - I just don't know what yet.

So, how about a card?

And first let me say sorry for the fuzzy picture. Either my eye's are playing tricks or I need a new camera. Maybe Danielle will let me use the one I got her for Christmas? HA! That would be a no.

The image is from ALota Rubber Stamps. I used to buy their images from stamp shows in California, they are kinda fun! The base card is Pixie Pink and I layered that with Chocolate Chip and some DP from Paper Salon. I colored the image with pencils and gamsol and sponged Pink Passion ink around the edges. There is stickles on the hearts to make it "pop" a little bit. I added a length of ribbon before I adhered the computer generated sentiment and I was complete.

How long has it been since I made a shaker card? My goodness, I think forever!! Nothing went right with this card. I knew what I wanted, but it just would not work! I think that I punched paper after paper and made my scrap stack GROW.

The base card is Real Red. I layered it with Pink Piroquette that I stamped with TAC's Little Curls in Real Red ink. The circle scallop punch I stamped with a stamp from TAC's I Remember When... with white ink. I used my coluzzle to cut out the center piece and added a piece of acetate to the cut out. Behind the layer I added my foam tape to keep the confetti inside the circle. I added a length of ribbon that I found on clearance from Big Lots at Christmas - look how it matches the swirls, kinda cool huh? The sentiment is from TAC's Soul Kisses set stamped in black ink on Real Red cs attached to Basic Black.

Well, that's it for today. I will come up with something to show you tomorrow!

Have a great day!
Hugs,

Joani

Here's my turn at my sketch

Howdy everyone!


Today I'm kinda lost a little. My hubby went back to work today ~ after being off for almost a month. The plant had a shutdown since before Christmas and he's been home. I like it when he's home. But after being in a routine with him for the past month, today feels weird. I suppose I should do something useful. I'm in the process of making some cards, but I thought that I'd take a break and show you what I did with my sketch.

The stamp is once again from Darcie's. Those little bears are adorable! I miss going to the shows and seeing them there!

The base card is Pixie Pink that I layered with Rose Red, Pretty in Pink and some DP from Heidi Grace. I stamped the image and colored it in with my watercolors, sponged some Pink Passion ink around that panel, then layered it on to Rose Red. For the top sentiment panel I used my SU! Scallop Circle punch, the designer label punch and the tab punch. I punched the edges with my slot punch and looped some ribbon around it, then secured it with crystal brads. Once everything was in place I added some stickles to the soap bubbles and I was done.

Sorry for the short post today ~ but I've got to look like I've done something today Ü And don't forget, I still have a few days left of my blog candy. I've added a T.A.C. set to the mix also!!

Have a great day!
Hugs,

Joani

Wanna sketch?

I thought that I would post a sketch for you today. Something to try, maybe while hubby watches the game on TV? That's if you don't watch it with him... I'd love to see what you come up with, if you do leave me a comment so I can check it out!
Have a great rest of the day!
Hugs,

Joani

My Open Heart

I thought that I'd share with you the little book that I made with my BIA the other day. Actually the other night. I joined the BIA group over at Paper Craft Planet and they had a challenge to make something for Valentines day. Well, hell-o! What do you think of when you think Valentines, hearts right?


When I first sat down to make this little book I started with a template to cut the hearts by hand. Ok, that was crazy I thought!! So I looked at my Cricut carts and noticed that I had a heart on the George and Basic Shapes one. How perfect was that! That's just crazy cutting them all by hand!!

So after a few attempts at sizing, I cut out the inner hearts at 4 1/2" and the cover hearts at 5".


Hubby brought home this cardboard stuff. Ok, I don't know what to call it, but it is kinda like cardboard, kinda like chipboard, kinda like coasters. If that does not explain it Ü But seriously, I used that for the front and back covers. When I added the paper to the covers with Mod Podge em pretty sturdy. I covered them with paper from DCWV and the Cloud 9 DP. I added some ink around the edge and some rub-ons. I added some rick rack and buttons to the cover also. The "I ♥ You" was cut out with my George cart too - I added some stickles to the ♥ to give it a little sparkle. I tied some ribbons around the wires to add a little more pretty to it!

This is just one of the 15 pages that I added inside. I alternated Pixie Pink ink and Real Red ink around the outside edges of the inner pages. However on each right hand page I added a little rub on to jazz it up a bit. I thought that it turned out kinda cute, if I do say so myself!

Does it inspire you to make something? If it does leave me a comment and I'd love to take a peek!

Have a great rest of your day!
Hugs,
Joani

More of Happy Heart Day!

Howdy everyone! I thought I'd pop in for a bit. I've been busy with family life lately so I'm sorry for not being around much. There was just a few things that I had to take care of.

I've also been busy on the crafting front too. Do you want to see what I've been up to? Of course you do, or you would not be here.


First of all I have to apologize for the fuzzy picture. I'm not sure if I moved the camera or what, but it looks a little fuzzy to me. But at least you can still get it, right.

I used the Happy ♥ Day set for this card. The base card is Pink Pirouette layered with Baja Breeze ans DP from Heidi Grace. I stamped the image and colored it with my watercolors, and punched it out with my oval punch. I sponged some Pixie Pink ink around the layer and adhered it to a piece of Pixie Pink cs. I then cut carefully around the edge with my decorative edge scissors before I placed it on the card. You can not see it to well (once again, sorry) but I added a dot to each little scallop. I then took pieces of Baja Breeze and Pink Pirouette paper and scalloped the bottom edge. I layered them kinda catty-whompas (yes, I use this word often IRL) and added a piece of rick rack to it. When I placed it on the card I added some dots to the Baja Breeze layer. I thought it still needed something so I added some primas with crystal brads and stickles to the card and I was finished.

Generally when I stamp an image to color I stamp it twice, sometimes 4 times. I am used to making at least 2 or 4 cards of the same. Unless I am making a card for someone for their birthday or I'm thinking about them. Then it's just one ~ because it's special. I had stamped this image twice. The first one I punched out with my oval punch, and there was not enough room on the paper to punch the oval twice, so I cut it out in a rectangle. I did pretty well, because I used my rectangle colluzle to cut out the Pink Pirouette layer - then I added that to a piece of Basic Black.

The base card is Pink Pirouette layered with Cloud 9 DP and a piece of Basic Black that was run thru the CB. I added some lace and ribbon to the middle before laying down the image panel with pop dots. I made some photo corners and before I cut them I punched them with my Friskars corner punch. I kinda wanted the same effect as the lace. I added some stickles to the image and I was done!

And don't forget my blog candy! I've got a few people so far ~ but there has to be more that want a chance!! Go for it! Heck, it's free!

Have a great weekend!
Hugs,

Joani

Happy Birthday Mom!

I thought that I'd give you all a little peek at the card that I made Mom for her birthday today. I had to make it of course with her in the same room, but she did not see it. We always craft together and we really never pay attention to each other until one of us says "oops".

Mom is kinda a "flowery" type person so I pulled out the SU! set Time Well Spent. I love that set!!! The base card is Chocolate Chip that I layered with a piece of Heidi Grace DP. I added some of the Top Note die cuts that my dear friend Mary Beth over at Stampin Space sent me. Actually she sent me the buttons, striped grosgrain ribbon and designer brad. I did not want to "waste" them so I've been saving them and I'm glad that I did!!

I colored the flowers with my watercolors and added some stickles to give them a little pop. I punched a piece of the DP scrap with my scallop circle punch and the circle with my 1 3/8" circle punch. I stamped one of the flowers from the set and colored it in with watercolors and my SU! markers, sponged some Old Olive ink around it and added stickles to it. I used pop dots to adhere it to the card. I glued down the buttons and brad and stamped the sentiment from Hero Arts in Old Olive ink and I was complete. I think that she will like it, don't you?

Well enough for today. When someone in our house has a birthday that person gets to pick out what they want for dinner ~ if they want to go out or stay in ~ and what type of cake they want. Well Mom wants meatloaf (I make a pretty good meatloaf) and chocolate cake. So, I've got to get busy.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!
Hugs,

Joani

How's a little Valentine for you??

Hi everyone. Sorry it took so long today to post, I've been with hubby all day cutting wood. My SIL has a fireplace and she uses it mostly in the winter for heat - and she's about out of wood, so today was wood cutting day. Since hubby and I get along well (my ex and I did not work well together) I don't mind spending the day with him.

Really quick, I've got to tell you this... It still amazes me how the weather can change so quickly out here. We were cutting wood and I thought that I saw something. I was not sure if it was rain or snow or what (I didn't have my glasses on) so I held out my hand. I thought it was hail, so I said to hubby "look. look" holding out my hand. He just looked at me like I was stupid. Then I noticed it was sleet. There were "rocks" all over me. It looked just like rock salt. I told him again "look" and he really must of thought I was demented or something because he looked at me and said "Foxy Loxy, Foxy Loxy the sky is falling". I snorted, I thought that was so funny. He later said "you looked like you'd never seen sleet before". Ok, you had to be there I guess.

Enough of the jabbering.... On to my creation.

This is one of two of my all time favorite stamps for Valentines day. It is from Whipper Snapper and I bought it a LONG time ago. I used the sketch challenge from SCS, it was SC204.

The base card is Pretty in Pink. I layered it with papers from Heidi Grace, Real Red and Basic Black. I added some sheer ribbon, primas and crystal brads to bling it up a little. The Real Red paper was run thru my cuttlebug with the swirls folder. I colored that little guy with my pencils and gamsol and accented the heart with my SU! markers. I also sponged some Pink Passion ink around the image panel before I adhered it to the card. Lately I've been jazzing up the insides of the cards too. I really never did before, but I figured it's part of the card ~ why not. So I stamped the sentiment (that came with the stamp) inside and used a piece of scrap paper that I had cut off and I was done!

When I purchased the Hogs and Kisses stamp it came with the sentiment and this one. Now, I know that Whipper Snapper has this stamp still for sale, but not the other one or the sentiment stamp ~ at least I did not see them on line. I used another SCS sketch SC209 for this card.

The base card is Real Red. I layered it with Pretty in Pink, Basic Black and some DP from Cloud 9. The Pretty in Pink paper I ran thru the cuttlebug. I added a photo corner that I made and some sheer ribbon. If you notice the Basic Black panel behind the image panel, I actually used a pair of scissors that never see the light of day. I have a whole drawer full of scissors that I never use! I sponged some Real Red ink around the image panel also.

Well - that's all I've got for you today. I've got a couple of errands to run tomorrow (hopefully morning!) and then I will be at it again. I just love Valentines day! It's so much fun to make things for.

Don't forget about my blog candy giveaway. I have a TAC stamp set that I'm adding to the pot! So I hope you all sign up for it!

Have a great evening!
Hugs,
Joani

From January 1st - 31st you can purchase this ©Mabelle R.O.™ vintage stamp set that has been released from the TAC™ archives for a limited time only! Use this set to get a head start on those flowery, fun spring projects.

And don't forget the promotion. You can purchase any T-coded stamp from the book at 1/2 off!! That's 1/2 off the already great prices that TAC has on their stamps already. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Told ya I was giving away candy!!

Blog Candy!!

I told you that I was going to be giving away some blog candy. I've hit the 35,000 mark (I'm still in shock over that) and I wanted to thank you all for the kind comments and remarks that you've left for me over this past year.

Wow, I have decided to give away some blog candy for all of my visitors!! The best reason for having it is that I just would love to give away something to all of you visiting my blog!! This is a big thank you to you all!! To enter the lottery you have to do some small things first of course:

1. Post a comment on your blog telling everyone about my blog candy and put a link to this post!
2. Write a comment in this post before midnight EST, 15th January, telling me that you have done this!!!

I will keep this open until January 15th and draw (by random.org) on Friday January 16th.

Oh, and do you want to see what it is I'm giving away? Of course you do... And it won't be all ~ I will be adding to it as time goes by.

So what are you waiting for? Leave your comment Ü

Hugs,
Joani

What's in the Barnyard?

I purchased a set from TAC a while back called Barnyard Birthday. I just love cows, anything cow ~ and this set I knew was for me. Well of course it was put aside to make Christmas cards, but now that I'm done with Christmas I am ready to make some other cards and use some different sets.

I was in need of some birthday cards and this set popped out!

Are they just the cutest little guy's you've seen? Of course when I was making it I kept saying "How mow brown cow". Ok, I admit I'm a little dorky!!

The base card is Cameo Coral. I layered it with some paper from my FAVORITE TAC collection, Catelyn. I colored the images with my watercolors and sponged some Garden Green around the outer edges of the panels. A little ribbon and a couple of flowers and I was done in a flash.

Today I was on a cleaning kick. From the ceilings to the floors! Whew, good thing that does not happen too often, I could of hurt myself Ü But tomorrow I'm going to make valentines cards all day!! I want to get ahead for once.

Hope you all have a great rest of your day!

Hugs,
Joani

Real quick....

I'm just popping in really quick to post a fast morrning hello ~ and to let you know that since I've hit 35,000 hits on my blog I will be posting some blog candy. I've not done that in a long time, and I'm waaaaaaay overdue!

So check back later to see what it is. OH! And did you notice the announcement I made last night about The Angel Company and their 1/2 off promo? Talk about a deal!!! Now's the time to use that extra $$$ you might of got for Christmas Ü

Hugs,
Joani