Howdy!

I have just a minute to stop in and post - and I thought that I'd share with you some scrap pages that I worked on.  I need to start doing another prom scrapbook for Danielle.  Finally I went to the store and printed out some to work with.  However it is just some of the over 300 that were taken.  Yes, 300+ pictures!  So here we go:

 Yup, where does the time go?  I so wish that I had that little girl back ~ and doing it all over again, well, that really was not a problem.  I was one of the lucky ones.  She never came home with purple hair (ok, I did once) and she was never in trouble (knock on wood that keeps up!!) so yes, I would do it all over again.  But it is also nice to see what a young lady she's grown into.

Ok, enough of the jibber jabber - I've got a few things to do.  But please make sure that you pop on over to my other blog Joani's Cards Made by Hand, Too! and see what a great special Stampin' Up! has going on right now. 

More crafty and creativeness later, promise!

Pennant Parade

Hello everyone!  Just wanted to pop in and let you know that I've got something new posted over on my other blog Joani's Cards Made by Hand, Too!  If you'd like to know all the deet's pop on over!

Have a wonderful and hopefully cool weekend!

Apron Box Tutorial

I thought that I would pop in here and let everyone know that I posted the tutorial for the Apron Box that I made over on my other blog Joani's Cards Made by Hand, too HERE.  Or if at any time you can look back on past tutorials  if you click on the tutorial tab at the top of my blog.

I have a workshop scheduled for tomorrow so be sure to come back Monday and take a peek at what we did.

Have a super great day!

bzzz bzzz bzzz...

How about some more bee's in  your bonnet?  I've got a few more cards to show you that I made with the Just Buzzin' By stamp set.  Ready?  Here we go...

 Like I mentioned yesterday if there is anything that I used in these cards that you'd like to know what it is, just leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.  I did not keep track of what I used to list here - but I pretty much know what it is or where it is so I can let you know.

Back to work...  I should have your tutorial for you in the next couple of days for the apron box.  So stay tuned...  Have a great day!

Just Buzzin By...

Howdy everyone and happy Monday!  I thought that I'd post a little of what I've been working on.  Hubby was home all last week with the annual summer plant shutdown so it was a little crazy around here.  When he's home everything get's all out of whack, I don't even know what day it is!  So between getting up late, painting around the house, yard work, running around town and fishing (yes, fishing) I made a few cards.  When Joyce was here I was lucky enough to stamp off some images from the Just Buzzing By stamp set ~ and I finally made some cards.  Wanna see?  Here we go...

I really did not keep track of what was what ~ but if there is something that you like or want to know what's what just ask and I'll look it up for you.  I think that I pretty much used my watercolors on everything, with a little ink here and there to accent the picture. 

Let me tell you too ~ I am finally sitting down to do a tutorial for the apron box that I posted last year.  I've had a few of you ask me for a tutorial for it and I am in the process of doing that and I'll get it to you later this week.

Hope you have a happy week and once again, Happy Stamping!!

If you are a lover of Stampin' Up!® You must see...

First I'd like to say that I am very sorry for the lack of posting.  I know that I've said it before, but I will say it again - and I mean it, that I am sorry.  I'm sure that you all can understand that life just get's in the way sometimes.  I love to blog, as you can see.  I've had my blog for a few years now and I have all the intention of having it for many more - as long as you all keep reading.

I've had company from out of state (HI Joyce, miss you already!!) and just general life happenings and going on's.  I think that my mojo is back and I plan to post more regularly.  I have been working in the craft room I've just not taken pictures...  But I will, promise.

Now on another note...  Let's get down to business...  I've got a really great post on my other blog, Joani's Cards Made by Hand, too!  Lot's of changes lately with the new Idea Book and Catalog going live a few days ago and I'd love to show you the special.  So just pop on over there and take a peek! 

More to come in the next day or two...  Until then, happy stamping!!

For the grad...

Hello everyone.  I thought that I'd pop in here for a little while and show you the card that Danielle asked me to make for her boyfriend's graduation this past weekend.

Her boyfriend graduated this past Saturday and now is out in the world.  I asked him what he is going to do now and he said "nothing".  Um, nothing??  Wrong answer!  He does have a good job now, and he was promoted to manager a while ago ~ but life is to uncertain and things could change in an instant.  School, school, school...  That is what he needs to do.  But all I can do is preach I guess.

The card is actually 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" square.  I used Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler and white card stock.  I made the little tassle from some of the thread that Mom makes her butterflies and flowers from.  The stamp set is actually from Clear Dollar Stamps that I purchased a long time ago.  Graduation and St. Patrick's day stamps are always hard for me to find.  Anyway - I made this card to look a little like a gown and cap. 

I gave it to Danielle to give to him and I get "This is not our gown colors".  I told her that I would make it reflecting the school colors.  For some reason her school colors are red, white and black.  Their graduation gowns are blue?  I don't understand that...  but oh well.

I thought that I'd share it will you all in case you are in need of a grad card.

I'm off to the craft room.  I'll be back tomorrow with more to share...  And remember, if you are in need of anything Stampin' Up! take a peek over at my other blog Joani's Cards Made by Hand, Too.  Have a great afternoon!

Elements of style

Good Saturday Morning and Happy National Donut Day to you all!  Today I think is my Mom's favorite day.  For some reason she's been hooked on donuts lately and today is a fitting day for her.  I told her that I'd take her to the bakery this morning but she said no she bought a box yesterday at the store ~ I think it was because she wanted to sleep in.  Me however, I was up at 6:00 this morning and hubby and I had a little time to ourselves.  We went fishing.  This weekend is free fishing weekend here in Kentucky and we thought we'd take our chance at it.  I caught 2 fish, 1 turtle and countless crawdads.  The turtle I named Tony and the 1st crawdad was Carl.  And yes, they all went back into the water.  Of course after I've watched the marathon last weekend of River Monsters I was a little leary of reeling in the line.  But we enjoyed ourselves - time we don't get too much alone together.

I'm sure that your tired of the blah blah blah, huh?  How about getting down to a card?  Ok, let's go...

This past Wednesday I noticed on SCS that the tutorial was for a center step card.  Well I did complete one back in February with a set of gals who I met - they are a great bunch.  I never posted it so better late than never I say!

The base card is Chocolate Chip that I layered with Certainly Celery and Rose Red.  The images are stamped from the Elements of Style stamp set - this is one of my GO TO stamp sets.  I just love it, and it's so versatile you can use it for so much. 

See the card up close, I sprayed it with glimmer mist.  I also used some of the Frost White Shimmer paint from SU! to highlight certain areas. 

With a card front so pretty I had to finish off the inside too. I used my Little Leaves sizzlits to cut out the leaves and my Beautiful Wings die to cut out the butterflies.   

So what do you think?  Pretty, huh?  I think that it is a very feminine card.

So that's what I have for you today.  I need to go make a graduation card ~ Danielle's boyfriend is graduating today.  I got roped into it because Danielle had to work.  She's funny, I think that sometimes she takes advantage of the situation.  It's "hey Mom, it's so-and-so's birthday I need a card".  Not "can you make a card?"  Hmmm, maybe I should charge her??

Have a great day everyone!

If you are fond of...

If you are fond of Stampin' Up! you must head on over to my Cards Made by Hand, Too blog and see what's up. 

I've got a few cards in the camera ready to go - I hope to pop in tomorrow and show you what I've been up to!

Have a great day!

Just poppin' in for a little post

Howdy everyone.  I'm here typing from rainy, dreary then sunny and hot again Kentucky.  They have a saying out here that if you don't like the weather wait 15 minutes because it will change.  And trust me, it is so true!!

I wanted to post a picture of a card that I made a while back when Betty came over.  I think that the sample we used to make the card was one of the swap cards that she got from Leadership when she went back in January.  I guess you can say that I'm not on the ball.  I just found this one in my camera ~ looks like the old camera needs some spring cleaning too!

We just had to make a couple of little tweaks to it because we did not have all the supplies.  The base card is Basic Black that we layered with white and some Cherry Cobbler card stock.  We ran the Cherry Cobbler thru the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  We stamped the main image from the Notably Ornate stamp set on to white cardstock and cut out around the frame - before adhering the frame down I distressed the edges of the Basic Black with my craft knife.  I stamped the bird in Cherry Cobbler on to white cardstock, cut it out and pop dotted it on to the card ~ I also added a little pearl for the eye.  The sentiment is stamped on to white cardstock with black ink then punched out with my modern label punch.  I layered that on to a piece of Cherry Cobbler that was cut out with the same punch - I just cut it in the middle and tapered it on the to the white piece before adding all that to a Basic Black piece that I punched out with my large oval punch.  I added some old lace to the corners and I was complete.

I hope that you enjoyed this card and that it inspired you.  I can tell you that I love this set.  When I first saw it in the catty I thought "hmmph".  But of course Betty had to bring the set over and once my little hands touched the rubber I was hooked.  You know, she does that to me often.  Brings set's over and once I look at them I've got to get them.  I just wish that I lived closer to Stampin' Up!  I'd drive over whenever the shopping bug bit me.

Hope you all have a super great day!

Oh where do I start??

**This is not card related - but me and a little blah, blah, blah of what's been going on in my life**

I don't even know where I need to begin...  I can not say sorry enough for my lack of posting.  There has been so much of life that has been going on around here that I just have not posted.

Yes, I was sick for a while.  I could not begin to tell you what it was.  Just when I started to feel better it happened again.  Pretty much since February I was down and out.  Then I had to get cards together for a shoebox swap that I joined in on.  This time there was only a few of us, not the general 18 that we normally have so that was nice.

With the earthquake that took place in Japan recently as you all know it has also had an effect on us here in the states.  My husband works at the Toyota plant and they have had an altered work schedule because of parts.  So for the whole month of May he has only been working 3 day weeks.  I'm sure that most of you can understand that when your used to working 5 day weeks and used to getting over time that is a big blow to the wallet.  I've been having to do some "creative accounting" with our checkbook.

There was Mother's Day.  It was a beautiful day here as far as the weather goes.  We took a trip to the park in town.  Danielle had to work in the evening, but we spent time together in the morning. I'll have to take a picture of the card that I made for Mom.

Then I had Danielle's birthday.  For years I tried to get her to have a party and invite all of her friends and she did not want to.  Out of the blue this year she decides that she wants a party and it had to be zebra themed.  She did pretty much put the party on for herself as far as searching the internet for anything zebra.

I did make her cake - although it was not how I planned it.  I used fondant which I've never used before.  It did not turn out too bad, but it was not how I planned it.  Being the card maker in the family I had a brilliant thought.  I thought that after I rolled out the fondant I could take my cuttlebug embossing folder and press it into the fondant to make the zebra pattern then it would be a snap to decorate.  Well yes, it did work.  But by the time I got the fondant on the cake from touching it I kind of worked the pattern out.  So needless to say she got pink and black flowers instead of a zebra pattern on the cake.  She still liked it so I was happy! 

This is Danielle and her boyfriend, Tyler.  They did have a little "break" this past winter for a bit - but they've been together for almost 2 years now.  Don't they make a cute couple?

And the posse.  Danielle (and I) are very lucky that she has a wonderful set of friends that have their heads on right.  I just love them!

And last but not least ~ we are a one car family, and yes... the car died. 

So as you can see that's why I've not been around for a while.  Just life happening around me, us, my family.  I will be back.  For a while I had not wanted to step foot into the craft room - but now I feel the urge to create so I DO PROMISE that I will be back in the next week or so.  Promise, promise.  And if you'd like to take a peek over at my Stampin' Up! blog I have posted the latest specials that Stampin' Up! has to offer.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

I am still here ~ and with a post too!!

Amazing, huh?? I've had an eventful week. This week I was working for a few days and I kinda lost track of time. I had originally planned to get up early (OK, early for me - noon for you) and post on my poor neglected blog. Of course that did not happen ~ so here I am today!

I wanted to show you a post of some things that were made at a get together I went to just before I started to get sick. I met a great bunch of ladies and I was fortunate enough that they included me in their circle. The first time we got together I am not kidding, I was there all day long!! We only made 3 things, but we just gabbed and gabbed like we all knew each other our whole lives. I clicked with them and I'm so thankful for that.

Here is a picture of all the items that we made.  An easel card an a regular card and a little envelope scrapbook, the envelope scrapbook is very easy to make ~ and look at the different but great ways the ladies all decorated theirs! 

Here are one of the cards that the ladies made. We used Crumb Cake for the base and accented it with Melon Mambo and some great DP called Springtime Vintage. I just love that stuff!! I so need to stock up on it before it's gone. Look at the stamp set that we used. It is called Baby Blossoms and it goes perfect with the Decorative Label Punch.

If you are interested in any of these items or in the projects themselves and would like more details just shoot me an e-mail - even if you'd just like to chat, I'm up for that. You can also find all these items available at my online store.

On another note, thank you all for being patient with me during my little break. I am still having some issues with sleep & breathing. My voice, well, I'm not sure that I will ever get it back - I squeak a lot. But that's probably music to my families ears *Ü*

Let me explain...

I can not say how sorry I am for being such a terrible blogger lately.  My last post on February 7th I mentioned that I went to the doctor, well it was more like the E.R. ~ and I did get some medicine.  At that time I was told I had a "virus".  Well in cleaning out my purse the other day looking for something I happened upon the papers that they gave me at check out.  I didn't even look at them, terrible of me.  I'm normally on top of things like that.  The paper work had said that I had an Upper Respitory Infection.  I've really not had a voice for over a month (and those of you who know me personally, I know that your giggling about that right now) this awful cough and my throat hurts I guess from trying to talk and coughing.

Sunday I woke up and my breathing was pretty bad, to the point that I was scared.  You see, I don't have insurance and I don't have a family doctor.  My Mother did get me an appointment with her doctor but that was not until Monday afternoon.  I woke Ricky up and off we went to the E.R. again. They gave me a breathing treatment and sent me home with some more prescriptions.  They want me to keep the appointment with Mom's doctor but to reschedule it for later in the week to give the drugs a while to work.

He did mention that I may need to see an Ear Nose and Throat Doctor.  I felt that it was headed in that direction, but what part of 'no insurance' did they not get.  So right now I am not allowed to talk at all and get plenty of rest.  That parts killing me, yes!!  I have a lot of ideas in my head right now that I want to get out on paper...  And of course the thought of the bills coming in is enough not to let me rest.  Thank goodness for the cough syrup with codeine! (he he he...)

But please know that I am still here - I am just not up to par right now.  But I hope to be back soon to show you lots and lots of paper crafts.  Just remember you can always look things up - I still have enough reading on my blog for the past couple of years to keep you entertained.  Thanks everyone for your patience Ü

Please understand...

I am just popping in here for a minute to let you all know that I am still alive and kicking, barely.  The end of last week I seem to of come down with a nasty bug of some sort.  Today I finally did go to the doctor and he gave me some medicine.  They said that I should be feeling better in the next couple of days.

I just wanted to post so you all knew that I was still here - just hanging on for now.  Once I'm back up I will post some new things for you to see.  Thank you everyone for sticking with me.

Shabby Chic Valentine...

Ok, more shabby than chic??  I like to think of it as recycling Ü 
There is some paper that Stampin' Up! has right now, First Edition Specialty paper and Newsprint Designer Paper that seems to be really popular.  Well, as you can see I don't have that paper (yet) and I had to improvise.  I grabbed am old copy of our local newspaper and cut it up to make these cards for Danielle to give to her co-workers for Valentines day.

I kinda added my own little touch to it with the "local news" addition... he he he...  So you ready for the details?  The base card is Real Red that I layered with some Pink Passion paper that I ran thru my cuttlebug with the mini hearts folder.  I then cut a panel of the paper up and layered it on to a piece of Real Red card stock.  I added a piece of Springtime Vintage paper (from the Occasions Mini) that I used my scallop trim border punch and added some old lace and some yummy Rose Red seam binding tape to the top.  I stamped the heart(Be my Valentine) in Real Red ink and again on a scrap with Rich Razzleberry ink and added that to the top of the heart.  I pop dotted that layer to the card.  I've wanted to use my hat pins for a long time so I added those with a few beads and pearls to the card ~ they can be a little bulky since they are not being mailed. 

I also stamped the envelope with my old Loving Hearts set in Real Red ink.  You've got to show the envie some love too...

See it up close, pretty huh??  You think it's more shabby than chic?  Let me know.  Does it make you want to create something??  I hope so ~ and if it does share your link with me and I'll stop by and show you some love!

I hope that where you are your safe and snuggly warm.  It's freezing here!!  Have a super great evening!

Pop on over...

Hello everyone ~ I just thought that I'd post a little message to let you know you've got to pop on over to my SU! blog and see what all the buzz is about.

You don't want to miss it!!

A little peek...

I just thought that you might like to see a little peek at what I've posted over on my Stampin' Up! blog ~ Cards Made by Hand, too!

Have a great evening!!

Valentine Candies to go...

I think that I've mentioned it before, but I was kind of sad when Danielle graduated because now I don't have an excuse to make little things for the holidays for her to give out to her friends.  I guess now I'll have to wait (hopefully a VERY LONG time) so I can make things for the grandkids to pass out.  But she did ask me to make something for her friends at work - so WOO-HOO!! I still get to make things.

We decided on making some little nugget boxes to fill, so to work I went!

They hold 6 of the Hershey nugget's in each.  I made them out of Basic Black card stock and decorated them with Cherry Cobbler and Whisper White.  I used my Curly Label punch for the tag and stamped the heart from SU! discontinued Loving Heart's set in Real Red to add to the tag.  I made my own reinforcement you can say.  I took my 1/4" circle punch and punched out a piece of Real Red card stock then over the top of that I punched a hole with my 1/2" circle punch.  I like to use a reinforcement when I am using ribbon - it helps not to rip or tear the paper.  I then threaded some red organdy ribbon and a piece of black 1/4" grosgrain ribbon to tie it together.  It is hard to see but I stamped on the white card stock with an old background stamp from Art Impressions T2357 with Encore Gold ink.  It's hard to see in the picture, I'm sorry. 

That's what I've been working on, what about you??  I've got to get to work so I can show you something else tomorrow Ü  Have a super great evening!

Corsage Box Tutorial

Ok everyone, I've got the tutorial for the corsage box posted on my Stampin' Up! blog if you want to take a peek ~ it can be found if you click on the picture or HERE.  At anytime it is listed up top of my blog under the TUTORIALS tab.  Have a great day everyone!

What I'm doing right now...

I just wanted to let you all know that right now I am working on a tutorial for corsage box. I had few people ask for directions so I thought I'd work one up for you all. All that said make sure to come back tomorrow to see.

Have a great evening!

Another Corsage Box

I thought that I'd pop in and show you another Flower Box or Corsage Box that I did.  This one is really girly though - for the girly girl.

All pink and purple-y...  Very spring like too - see, no Christmas or Winter colors here.  I'm finished with those for a while. 

You can see my shadow in the clear overlay on the box top, sorry... 

This might even make a nice gift for a co-worker or friend for Easter too.  

Now a little sneaky peeky at what I will post tomorrow. 

Have a nice evening!

Easel Flower in a Box?

Yes, that's what I said ~ Easel Flower in a box, or Corsage Box.  I love fresh flowers but they fade so fast.  So how would you like to give a flower that never dies?  That's what I've got here.  An easel card with a flower topper all wrapped up in a box ready to give as a gift.

All wrapped up and pretty.

 See the little pearl in the center, nice touch huh?

It was truly easy to do, and fast.  This would adapt perfect to make a Valentine also.  Hmmm, maybe that will be my next project.

Oh, and please if you will don't forget to pop on over to my Stampin' Up blog and see what great things are going on there too.  You can get there if you click HERE or any time at the top of this blog just click on the "My Stampin Up blog" button.

Have a super great evening!

Good afternoon everyone!

I thought that for todays post I would post some of the cards that I made for Thanksgiving and Christmas that I did not get a chance to post.  Just a few.  I know that the holidays are over but I was in hopes that you will be inspired by the card sketches and not the theme or holiday.

These are just the Christmas Cards.  Here's the Thanksgiving/Fall cards...

Have a great afternoon everyone!  I'll be back tomorrow with a little project to share Ü

Howdy Peoples!

It's been so long that I think that I forgot how to post a card Ü
I hope that all of you had a wonderful and safe holiday ~ and that you've had a happy and healthy New Year. 

Not to bore you all with my life, this will be short-promise...  The end of November beginning of December I went to work for a few weeks.  Then the holidays came and it was a good thing that I already had an over abundance of Christmas cards made because I had no time what-so-ever to make any to send out.  As a matter of fact I think that maybe some of the recipients got them a day or two late.  Then to top it off I had/still have jury duty.  That is until the end of January.  Trying to schedule getting 3 people to work with one vehicle, all different shifts - the holidays and holiday shopping, jury duty, car breaking down, doctor appointments, Mom's birthday and snow.  It's not been too fun.  I guess you can see why I've had no intention of crafting or blogging.

But now I'm back and ready to create!  I am so in need of some new Valentine stamps.  I've had the same ones for years - oh, I love them - but I'm sure that the people who receive them are probably tired of getting the same each year.  Just poking around the internet and looking around on SCS I am so ready to put away the winter crafts and get going with Valentines and Spring.

So enough of all that.  I have a dear friend Rita who was ever so kind as to send me an adorable Magnolia stamp.  This is the 2nd time that she's done this for me - and I appreciate her so much.  So of course I had to make up a card with that stamp to show you.  So, are you ready?  Here goes:

This is Jam Tilda that I colored with my pencils and gamsol.  I added a little here and there with my markers. The suit case is actually an unmounted stamp that I've had for years that I purchased at a show.  it is from Yvonne Albritton Designs. The base card is Cherry Cobbler that I layered with some Early Espresso that I ran thru the cuttlebug with my swiss dots folder.  I also added a piece of Regal Rose card stock and used my Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder and cut it out with my Spellbinders Labels 9 die.  The DP is actually from last year that I had left over from a SU! pack.  I added a length of felt ribbon that I had left from Christmas and a little stickles and I was complete.

Now I hope to get back into the groove of crafting and card making.  I don't use my craft room in the winter time, so I haul everything into the dining area.  It's a little bit of a hassle, but I deal with it.  So now I'm off to go craft something that I'll be back here tomorrow to share with you.  And don't forget to check my Stampin' Up! regularly for all my specials and promos.  I'll be updating that soon as well.

Thank you all for hanging in there with me ~ I appreciate it!