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!

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!!