Please know, I'm still here...

Please know that I am still here everyone.  I had a few e-mails asking if everything is alright, and I wanted to let you all know that it is.

I've actually been working the past few weeks and it's pooped me out too much to even be on the computer.  But now I'm no longer employed and I'm dealing with Christmas.  Can you believe "the card lady" is actually late with her Christmas cards?  I can say that they are all made, but they are not filled out yet.  That's something that I want to do today. 

So ~ please know that all is well, and I will be back here after the holidays with much more crafting.  There is always crafting to be done...  And of course the next major holiday is Valentines, can you believe it??  Where the heck is the time going??

Have a safe and happy holiday!!  And a super great day!

My Apron Box

Good Saturday morning everyone!  I hope that Thanksgiving found you well and your back ready to create, I am.  I told you the other day that I was going to post another recipie box and here it is.  I thought that it was cute, and with the new yummy colors that Stampin' Up! has you can create one too!

The base box is Cherry Cobbler and I covered it with paper from the Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack. I inked one of the cuppy cakes from the Cupcake wheel and colored it in with my markers then punched it out with my 1 1/4" circle punch, adhered it to a 1 3/8" circle punched piece in Cherry Cobbler and then to a scallop circle punched piece out of Chocolate Chip card stock. The ribbon that I used was 5/8" satin ribbon.

I stamped the recipe cards with my "From the Kitchen of" stamp set on to white card stock then I adhered them to a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock. I know that it is using more card stock than needed, but I thought that the extra piece would make it a little more stable and I think that it looks nice. The last card that you see pictured is a little kitchen prayer that was in my Mother's cookbook that I thought was nice ~ I added Cherry Cobbler card stock to the back of that one so I can tell that it is different from the others.

I was thinking of offering this as a kit complete with instructions, what do you think? I think that it is perfect for those holiday cookie exchanges - or the holiday pot luck's that we all have at work. If you are interested just leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.  This is all I have for you today. I know that I will be working next week so I won't be on the computer til late in the day - but I will be getting back to you all.  If you would like to check out my Stampin' Up! blog HERE you can see that I have all the links for you to the products that I used.

 Have a super great weekend! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to pop in and send Thanksgiving wishes across the miles!  I wish all the best for you today and always.  May your day be full of family and friends and may your plates be full of turkey!

From my home to yours, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Apron Boxes

I told you that I'd be back to show you some of the things that I was working on - so here I go.  This is something that I made a couple of weeks ago and I posted it at the bazaar - I'm thinking of holding a class on this.  It would be perfect to do for the holiday season when people are having cookie exchanges, don't you think??

It is a little apron box.  The box is hard to see in the back because of the ribbon, but it's there.  It coordinates with the stamp From the Kitchen of set.  I was thinking of making these up as a class kit and also by mail ~ but that I will post on my other blog. 

Tomorrow I hope to show you another one of these with the recipe cards so make sure to come back and check those out. 

Have a super great evening!!

You've got to take a peek...

You've got to take a peek at my Stampin' Up blog for the current AMAZING specials that are going on right now.  They've got products on sale up to 50% off ~ and this is not part of the clearance rack, this is the current product from the current catalog and mini!!  Run, run quick!!

What I've been up to...

I've really been busy, really.  I've been preparing for a holiday bazaar that I commited to doing ~ So I've not been slacking off.  As a matter of fact, I have lots to show you - just not now.  The bazaar is this Saturday, and if you happen to be in the area stop in ~ I'd love to meet you!!

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, November 20

10am- 4pm

@ Grace Christian Church  1648 Lexington Rd  Georgetown, KY 40324

VENDORS, FOOD, & DOOR PRIZES!!!

OVER 25 vendors some of them including:

Between Friends

Sugar Mama’s Cupcakes

Tastefully Simple

31 Gifts

Celebrating Home

Lia Sophia

Scentsy Candles

Jewelry by the Spoonful

UpperCase Living

Tupperware

Savvy Stitiches

Creative Memories

Herbal Life

Pampered Chef

MANY, MANY MORE!

I will take a break this weekend and starting Monday I will be back with photos of the goodies that I've been making!  Have a super great weekend!

I told you I'd be here ~ here I am!

I told you I'd be here with something to post and I am ~ and so early.  Well, early for me anyway!  Are you ready for some Fall cards?  That's what I've got to show you.  This year I've made a few cards for some of Danielle's old teachers who used to buy cards from me and I want to share them with you.  I won't bore you with any chit chat today, just all business Ü

Now you might need a double take on these first two cards - no they are not identical, they are just alike.

The base card is Kraft that I layered with some DP from my Provocraft Americana Patchwork collection.  The image is a digi image from Karen's Doodles that I printed and colored in with my pencils and gamsol.  I used markers here and there for little touches.  I cut the image out with my oval nestie and then cut out a scallop oval nestie to layer behind the image.  Before I placed the image panel down I took a piece of scrap Kraft card stock and added a length of ribbon to it and added it to the center of the paper.  Once the image panel was added I picked out some primas and some eyelet/brads and added them with glue dots around the panel.  Once everything was in place I added some stickles for a little glitter here and there and I was complete.  The next card is basically the same with just a different image from Karen's Doodles. 

This image was also printed and colored with pencils and gamsol.  I generally print the image out then hit it with the heat gun for a minute to make sure that the printer ink does not get all muttled up when using the gamsol.  I've not had any trouble with the images that way.

Some of you who've been follower's for who have come to my blog for a while may remember this image.  I've had this stamp for years and years - it is probably one of the first stamps I purchased.  It is an image from D.O.T.S. (yes, it's that old!) who is now called Close To My Heart.  I just love this image, it's very "Fall-y".  The base card is Real Red that I layered with Creamy Caramel and some DP from Paper Pizzaz. If you notice that the orange layer kind of looks a little like wood grain?  That paper did not have a maker on it ~ but I sponged some Close to Cocoa ink around that layer before adding it to the card. 

I stamped the image and colored it with my pencils and gamsol then cut the image out and adhered it with pop dots to the card.  I had a couple of the Chocolate Chip swirls on my desk left over from another project and I added those to the corners for a little fun. 

I hope that you enjoyed these cards today, and that they inspire you to create something Fall-like.  As I look out the window today I see all the Fall colors and it's so pretty.  Even though I'm a little busy I just might take the pooch for a walk, it's a beautiful day!  Not too long before the cold Winter will be upon us.

Have a super great day! 

I'll be back...

I've been a little tied up the past day or two and I promise that either tonight late, or tomorrow I will be back with something creative to post.  I promise!

Wanna take a peek at my Aviary?

Do ya wanna take a peek?  Then let's go to my other blog, Joani's Cards Made by Hand, Too.

I hope to see you over there.  Stop back by tomorrow and see what else I've got cookin'!

Have a super great evening.

Peek at Santa's Drawer's

I thought that I'd give you a little peek at what I've posted over at my Stampin' Up! blog.  I've made Santa's Drawers...

They were really easy to make, really.

Have a super great evening!

How's a little Fall for ya?

As promised yesterday, or very early this morning, I would post some Fall cards for you.  Well, here they are.

As you know Fall is my favorite time of year and I love all the colors on this card.  The image is a digi image from Meljen's Designs that I colored with my pencils, gamsol and accented with my markers and gel pens.  The base card is More Mustard that I layered with Really Rust, Creamy Caramel and some DP by Paper Pizzaz.  I stamped the leaves from an old Stampin' Up! set called Happy Fall Ya'll in Really Rust, Pumpkin Pie and Ruby Red inks and lightly colored them in with my pencils then I applied Versamark and UTEE to them.  I did this process about 3 times, let them cool then cracked them.  The image panel and the one behind it are cut out with my small scallop rectangle nesties and my large rectangle nestie.   

This next card just cracks me up!  Evey time I see this turkey he makes me laugh!  If I was a turkey I'd probably be doing the same thing he is, but with a huge sign too!  This is a very old stamp, one of my first that I purchased years ago.  He is from Stamps by Judith and yes, he is still available!  He is stamp number R-30 and the sentiment is H-111 just in case you'd like to know.  The base card is Chocolate Chip that I layered with Basic Black and more DP by Paper Pizzaz.  I stamped the image and colored it with pencils, gamsol and markers.  As I layered the card I added a length of black ribbon down to add a little to the card besides just paper.  The sentiment you can see is one stamp that I stamped and cut into two separate panels.  Actually for a lot of layers the card went pretty quickly.

Not too much yakety yack today - I'm sure that your happy for that Ü  But I will be back tomorrow with more for you.  Have a super great rest of your day!!

A special from me...

Take a peek over at my Stampin' Up blog and see the special that I just posted.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Blog Candy

Hello again ~ I just wanted to post a little note to let you know that Barbara Diane has some awesome blog candy up for grabs.  Go to her blog Barbara's World of Whimcees and leave her a comment - heck, become a follower.  Whimcees, I can say that's the perfect word for her blog.  I love everything she makes ~ she is a true crafter.

Told ya I'd post something...

I told you yesterday that I was going to post something, so here I am...  Ok, a little late, but I'm here.

I thought that I'd show you the rest of the Halloween cards that I made.  Even though they are Halloween you can still get inspiration from them.  Take a peek at the sketch and the tools used to make them.  I find inspiration in almost anything.

This card used the sets Best Fiends and Web Wishes. 

This card I also used the set called Best Fiends.  Love the paper, it's the new Concord Crush ~ very purply! 

My goodness ~ I got a little carried away with this one didn't I?  This has a few sets and a jumbo wheel.  I forgot to write down the deets darn it.  I just wanted to create a little Halloween scene.  I think I nailed that one, don't you?  

I just have to show you poor little Dixie.  We have "rules" here on trick or treating.  They schedule the times for the kiddos to go out and trick or treat.  This year it was actually Saturday the 30th from 5:00pm to 8:00pm.  Last Halloween Dixie was very young and very tiny so there was not much that I could do to her as far as dressing up.  Poor thing, with those ears...  We have a little joke around here about her ears.  One night she was peeking out the window after we went to bed - all we could see was her outline and those ears.  So we've kind of given her the nick name of "Bat Girl" because from behind she looks just like her.  So I dressed her up in a cape and she did not like it ~ she went to the dining room and laid down.  I felt so bad for her that I took off her cape - but she's still Bat Girl.

Now tell me, does she not look like Bat Girl??

I hope to be back tomorrow to show you some Fall things.  It sure feels like the Fall has arrived.  I had to turn the heater on in the craft room tonight.

Have a super great day!

Take a peek if you will...

Good Monday Evening everyone ~ I thought that I'd pop in and let you know what I've been up to.  I've been working on my new Stampin' Up! blog.

I believe that I mentioned it before that I am keeping this blog, however I can not promote my SU! business on this blog.  All the technicals and such...  But if you will take a peek over there I'd appreciate it.  You can find it HERE or copy and paste this link in your browser:  http://joaniscardsmadebyhandtoo.blogspot.com/

I've got all the up to date links and such on my other blog.  I'd appreciate it if you became a follower there, too.  Then your sure to get all the up to date and in the know information Ü

Have a great evening!  And I'll be back tomorrow with a new post of something I've created for you!

I've done it now...

I've done it now! My dear Betty has finally talked me into it. I signed up with Stampin' Up just today and she is going to be my wonderful upline.

As most of you know, I've been stamping and scrapping for over 12 years now and I would say that 90% of my supplies have always been from Stampin' Up. All of their products are of great quality and I stand behind them 100%.

I wanted to post a message to let you all know that I am now a Stampin' Up demonstrator (something that I should of done years ago!) and if there is anything that I can do for you please don't hesitate to ask.

In the next few days to a week I will be adding a blog that is strickly for Stampin' Up and taking names of anyone who would like to hold a workshop, a catalogue party or who would like to be a part of a stamper's 6 group. In the meantime you can take a peek over at my site or if you'd like to take a look at what there is to offer you can view my shop here.  I will keep this blog up and running - however all my Stampin' Up goodies and such as well as a link to my online ordering will be on the other blog.

I hope that you can support me in this new adventure! I hope to be doing this for a long time!

Only 4 more days...

Woo-Hoo!  Only 4 more days til Halloween!  Yippie skippy!!  It is a little different out here though.  When we were in California Halloween would last until late into the night.  You'd have those little ghosts and goblins - and the big ones too - knocking on your door close til midnight.  Out here it is a little organized.  This year Halloween and trick or treating will be Saturday the 30th and it is between the hours of 5:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  I kinda like the fact that we know we won't be up and down to the door all night, but I will miss seeing all the little goblins.  And poor Danielle.  She's not doing so well with being 18.  She wants to dress up and go out herself Ü  I told her that was one of the disadvantages of growing older.  I think that my love for Halloween rubbed off on her...  he he he...

I have a couple of cards to show you, ready?

The base card is Basic Black that I layered with Almost Amethyst and Lavender Lace.  I stamped the image from Best Fiends and colored it in with my pencils, gamsol and markers.  I then sponged some Perfect Plum ink around the image before layering it on to a piece of Basic Black paper.  I took a 1" strip of Basic Black paper and used my white gel pen to make the "eyes" so they kind of look spooky, like they are floating.  I also accented the spiders eyes in the back ground.  A little ribbon and I was complete.

 This card was a quick one.  The base is Basic Black that I layered with Tangerine Tango, Lavender Lace and some old DP from SU!  I stamped Dracula from Best Fiends with Black ink and just colored in the "booquet", his tie and eyes with markers then layered it onto Basic Black and Tangerine Tango.  I took a "bite" out of the image panel with my scallop circle punch as I did with the card base and layers.  I also accented th eyes of the bats on the background with my white gel pen.  I stamped the sentiment from Just Between Fiends on Basic Black with versamark and embossed it with silver embossing powder then layered it on to a piece of Tangerine Tango card stock.  I took a strip of DP from SU! (sorry, it's very old and I can't remember the name of it) and added it to the front behind the image and sentiment panel - it's the same as the piece that I layered inside the card.  You can see it from the "bite" that is taken out of the lower right corner of the card.  I chomped that out with my scallop circle punch, and then I was complete.

I think that this card turned out cute.  It was an easy one to make "assembly line" style.

I've got a couple more Halloween cards to show you, but they will have to wait until tomorrow!  Have a super great evening!

A little Bugaboo for you...

Good afternoon all my blogging friends!  I'm taking a break from the beautiful day to share with you a card that I made yesterday.  I've been a little hooked lately by the digi stamp bug - and I needed to make another special card for Halloween and this is what I came up with.

I was out and about in blog land and stopped in to Bugaboo Stamps and found this cutie!  She is part of their Halloween brats set.  She reminds me of a much younger me (he he he...).  I made the card 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.  The base card is Tangerine Tango that I layered with Green Galore and Almost Amethyst.  The DP is from My Minds Eye and SU!  I printed out the image and heat set it with my heat gun then colored the image in with my pencils and gamsol.  I used my picket fence punch from Martha Stewart nesties to create the base behind the image.  I then wanted something in the bottom corner so I cut out the flourish with my Storybook cartridge and glued that in the bottom right corner.  I stamped the leaves and pumpkin out from SU! Happy Fall Ya'll set, colored them with pencils and gamsol and adhered them over the flourish.  I added a little stitching with my Pumpkin Pie marker around the image panel then gave it a spritz of shimmer with my Shimmer Mist and I was done.

You can kind of see the shimmer a little in this picture...

So that's all I've got for you today.  Hope to see you back here Monday for more.  Who knows what it will be Ü  Have a super great weekend!

Another Magnolia

Yes, I'm hooked.  Isn't it terrible when you see something and you just can't get enough.  I just love all these little images ~ they are adorable.  I admit when I first saw them I really didn't care for them - then that's all I saw everywhere and they grew on me.  So now you wanna see my take on Sitting Alva?  Here goes...

When I first saw her it screamed "Christmas" to me - that's why the red and green...  The base card is Cherry Cobbler that I layered with some Handsome Hunter.  The DP I used was from Oriental Trading.  I colored the image in with my pencils and gamsol and added some accents with my markers.  If you click on the picture (and make sure that you click on your back button to come back) you can see that on her had I added some white fun flock for a little texture.  I cut the panels behind her out with my Labels Nine and small Scallop Oval nesties.  The sentiment in the corner is from CTMH that I stamped with Handsome Hunter ink and cut out with my oval nestie.  Along the side I punched a border with my SU scallop trim border punch in Handsome Hunter and tied a bow that I made with some organdy red ribbon.  I secured the bow with a piece of linen thread and a button and I was complete.  This card measures 5" x 5".

So, you like??  I hope that it inspires you in some way. 

That's all I have for now ~ If I don't see you back here tomorrow have a super great Fall weekend!

Blog Candy Alert!

I just thought that you'd all like to know that Really Reasonable Ribbon is giving away some awesome blog candy.  Go take a peek if you have not already!

Now who wouldn't want to win this!!  Go quick!!  But be sure to come back Ü

Magnolia Monday ~ on Tuesday? RRR10

Ok, I've been bitten by the Magnolia bug.  Yup.  I just love those images.  At first I really did not care too much for them - but now, I love them.  And no, I don't own any yet, but I hope to soon.  I was blessed with a dear friend who sent me a bunch of the stamped images.  So you wanna see what I came up with?  I'm sorry that I don't have all the info for these cards, but here goes.

This card is 5" x 5" and I can tell you that the base card is Tangerine Tango and that I layered it with some old DP that did not list where it was from.  I used my Martha Stewart punch and some ribbon.  The bat's are from The Angel Company and the set is called Spooktacular.  I colored the image with my pencils and gamsol and used my markers here and there for some highlights.  The circles are cut out with my coluzzle and I added a bit of doodles to the purple layer.

The base card is Green Galore that I layered with some DP from My Minds Eye and other various papers.  I colored her in with my pencils and gamsol and my markers.  The cauldron and sentiment is from SU! an old set called Haunting Halloween that I also colored with my pencils and gamsol.  I added some ribbon and a cool button and that was it.  This card is also 5" x 5".

I hope that you like them and that they inspire you.  Sorry for the short post today - but I'll have more for you tomorrow, promise!  Have a super great day!

**Edited to add:  Thanks to True for letting me know about Really Reasonable Ribbon's Ramblings challenge.  I entered this card into their challenge RRR10 - go take a peek.

Cards and Cuppy Cakes

Ready for a card and some cuppy cakes? 

I was fishing around my tubby the other day and this stamp jumped out at me.  I have a tubby that holds pretty much most of my Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas stamps.  I'll show you a picture later ~ it's one that I only open once a year.  Anyway, I've really been into the easel cards lately and this image said or screamed EASEL to me.

The deet's are downstairs right now, I'll post them later.  But I can tell you that the image stamp is from Penny Black and the sentiment and bat are from Whipper Snapper.  Cute, huh?

Here is an up close version.  I'm a little disappointed that you cant see all the sparkle that I did on these in the picture.  Sitting in front of the TV is not one of my favorite things to do, I only have a few shows that I watch.  So sometimes I'll stamp some images and sit and color them at night while we are all watching TV.  These I worked on for a couple of nights.  I colored them and I then outlined them with sparkly gel pens.  The did turn out cute IRL. 

Now I want to show you the cuppy cakes that I made for a SCS gathering we went to last weekend.  We get together every few months or so and swap cards, it's so much fun.  This time our group was a little smaller, I guess there was too many other things going on that weekend.  We used to just order pizza but then we had a thought to all bring something and that's so much fun!  So here is what I brought this time, cuppy cakes of course!!

I found a recipe on line that I had to try, it was over at Stampin' Stressaway with Carole Anne.  Might I say that these are NO WAY as beautiful as the ones she made.  I followed her recipe to the letter and let's say that they were a disaster.  When Ricky came home from work he saw them on the counter and said they looked like chicken pot pies.  They grew huge and filled the top of the cupcake sheet, then they sunk in the middle.  I know that it was something that I did, but what I don't know.  I'm new at the cuppy cake thing.  BUT they did taste really good, like sugar cookies.  So Carole Anne if you can please tell me your secret ~ I would love to make those again ~ the correct way Ü 

And the tops.  Well they are not as pretty as hers by any means, but like I said, I'm new to this.  I only have a few tips right now so I had to work with what I have.

So that's all for today.  I hope to show you more tomorrow ~ see you then.  And have a super great day!

Just some random rambling's...

As I sit here thinking it is still morning and looking at the clock only to notice that it is officially afternoon I am writing this post.  I'm sorry for the lack of posting lately, but life's been in the way.  First of all hubby's hours were switched from day's on 1st shift to night's on 2nd shift.  I am not a night person.  I like to go to bed early, well not actually early ~ between 10 and 11:00 pm and maybe read for a while.  With hubby coming home just before 3:00 am is really putting a cramp in my style.  I try really hard to stay up and wait for him but the last hour or so is too hard.  Not last night though thanks to little Ms. Danielle.  She got me hooked on that show Hoarders and I guess there was a marathon yesterday because when Ricky came home I was sitting on the couch watching it.  I can not believe how people can let that happen to themselves, but I know that it is a sickness.

And then another thing happened, I've been picked for jury duty.  It's something that I've always wanted to do ~ but is there ever a "good" time for it?  Yes, I know it is my civic duty.  Other than having to juggle everyones work schedules with the car I am looking forward to it.

I have some other news too!  I won blog candy!  I was shocked when I received the email.  Me, a winner of blog candy!!  The blog candy that I listed on my last post from Vicki at Stamp Smiles - I won it!!  Woo-Hoo!!  Thank you once again Vicki, you made my day (week, month.....)!

I have also received an award from two separate people.  Gale from Dreams on the Coast and Barbara from Barbara's World of Whimcee's ~ thank you both ~ You are both so kind. 

So now it is my turn to nominate others who have inspired me...

1. Keersten over at The Purple Palace.  She is one who has inspired me for years with her creativity.  I can honestly say that I've kept just about every card that she's ever sent to me ~ she is a talent.
2. Von over at Messy Me.  Her style is so different from mine that it just interests me.  I've had the pleasure to swap cards & ATC's with her in the past and I can say that I've been one happy recipient.
3. Beth over at Blooming Where I'm Planted.  I was lucky enough to meet Beth a year or so ago at a gathering we attended from SCS.  She is such a talented paper crafter - one who I like to CASE every now and again. 
4. Barbara over at Foster House Design.  I found her thru the Paper Wings site, her being a fellow TAC Angel.  Her creations are AMAZING!  And she is a fellow lover of anything Halloween Ü
5. Nicola over at Gorillamama Greats.  Nic is another wonderful lady who I've had the pleasure to swap with.  Not only does she make wonderful cards but her blog is also filled with other crafty items too!

There is so many to mention that I have not - and I am sorry but this post is already very long!  If I've been to your site and left a comment it is because I love your work and you've inspired me in one way or another so please consider yourself a part of this award.  There is so many people to mention, but just not enough time. 

I hope to be back a little later with a post of something that I've created, so please come back. 

Have a super great day!

Looksie at Vicki's Candy

Vicki over at Stamp Smiles is giving away some blog candy ~ take a peek HERE.  But don't forget to come back here Ü

Happy World Card Making Day

There is so much going on this weekend here in Kentucky.  Not only did the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games begin but we also have the Festival of the Horse going on here in town this weekend.  It goes on every year and to me it signals the beginning of the Fall season.  As most of you all know Fall is my favorite time of the year.  Sweater and sweatshirt weather, starting to pull out the holiday decorations, apple cider, hay rides, pumpkins, changing leaves, cooler nights ~ just family time in general.

And in honor of World Card Making Day I thought that I would share with you come of the cards that I have been making and have made.  Once again there are a few of them and I don't have the lists of what I had used but if you'd like to know just drop me a line and I can tell you.

Now, what do you have to show for World Card Making Day?  I'd love to see, just leave me a comment with a link so I can take a peek to.

Have a super great day!!

For the love of scrappin' x2

Thank you everyone for the sweet comments and emails about my last set of pages ~ that's so kind.  It makes me think that the album will be cherished.  Now, ready for the last of the pages?  Of course, that's why your here...

I have an appointment tomorrow so I'm not sure if I will be able to post here or not.  If not I will try to on Friday!  Have a great day and thanks for looking Ü