How do you do...

Good afternoon everyone!  I hope that today finds you well.  Talk about the crazy weather that we are having ~ one day it's beautiful, the next it's dreary and drizzly.  No wonder my poor daughter's nose and throat are causing her havoc!!  And I've got tulips shooting up from the ground.  I hope that the last bit of snow didn't harm them ~ I love my tulips!!

I want to show you a quick post for a card that I made recently.  It was made with the SU! Easter Blossoms set.  I think that it is a retired set in case you are wondering...

I was looking around the craft room the other day and found some old doily's.  And the first thought was this stamp set ~ it just screamed dainty and petite so I used them.  I sent this card off to a special sister of mine, I hope she likes it :)

 

Jan and I are planning and prepping for our Open House on April 6th.  I hope that if you are in the area you can attend, and if your not - please send us well wishes.  I am nervous and excited all at the same time!!

Enough for today - I've got to get off the computer and start working on some Easter treats!!  Have a great evening!!

(And remember, you can always click on a picture to view it larger ~ just remember to come back for more!!)

Well it looks like it's time!  Jan's basement is ready for classes.  We would love to have you.  We are planning an Open House on Saturday April 6th from 10am to 4pm in Georgetown, KY. We will have Make and Takes, snacks and inspiration!  We would love to introduce ourselves to the stamping and scrapping community.  If you could make it just give us a shout out at either my email or Jan's janice5440@hotmail.com  We would love to have you!

A Little More Love

Keeping with the Valentine theme, here's a little more love to show you!

I'm not sure who this stamp is by - it was a friends that I used.  I can tell you that the sentiment stamp on the inside is by Whipper Snapper.

I colored this little guy with my prisma pencils and gamsol.  I layered it on to a a Real Red piece of cardstock and another white piece.  I ran the Real Red background piece thru my Big Shot with the hearts embossing folder and layered it on to a white card base.  If you click on the picture to bring it up larger you can see his nose.  I used Glossy Accents on it to make it shine and stand out a little.

I would also like to take this time to let you know that my friend Jan has started a blog.  If you are into scrapbooking at all or paper piecing you MUST check out her blog, Making My Memories.  Now mind you it was just started, but you've got to check back often because she is very talented and her creations are wonderful!!

I hope that you enjoyed my card and it inspired you!  Have a super great weekend!!  Be back soon :)

A Little Valentine

From me to you!  I've been working on some Valentine's that I need to get in the mail ~ but I remembered to take pictures first!

I just love the line of stamps by Art Impressions.  Some of the ladies they have SO remind me of Mom, Joyce and I.  We could get ourselves into some pretty crazy situations and it's almost like someone followed us around with a camera :)  Actually when I went to Scrapfest last year I met the ladies of Art Impressions.  They were so down to earth and nice.

I just love to make easel cards, they are also so fun to display.  I'm still not sure but I may give this one to hubby for Valentine's Day!

 

I do want to say sorry for all my pictures in advance.  My lovely daughter spilled soda on my camera and I've had to use hers.  Of course hers is a lot newer than mine, but I just can't get the hang of it.  My old camera was just perfect.  So once again in advance, sorry.

 

I hope to be back tomorrow to post some more pictures for you!  Have a nice evening!

Happy Nat'l Handwriting Day!

What a perfect day to send a card out to your favorite or two!!  I think that with technology we are too busy these days to send handwritten items any more.  I know I enjoy getting a personal note in the mail ~ sure beats the alternative (bills!!).

So today I thought that I'd share a scrap layout that I did for the design team call at Treasure Box. I can say that I was a little bummed not to be picked, but hey - that's ok. Maybe next time. So here goes...

I love that moose!  He's adorable!!  And it kind of got me into the Valentine's making mood.  I'll share some cards I've been working on tomorrow!!  Have a great evening...

My New Craft Room!

It was a long time in the making that's for sure ~ but I wanted to share some pictures of my new craft room.  I've moved into the house from the sun room, which let me tell you is kind of nice.  I don't have all the nice daylight but I do have heat and air :) and after last night with the temperature of 10 degrees I'm very thankful!!

I do have some more things to do with the room.  I want to add some lettering to the walls and hang up a few things.  I have a really cool project that I need hubby to work with me on for one of the walls but that probably won't happen til spring or summer.  So ready?  Take a peek!!

 This is what you see as you walk into the room.  This is my craft area and this wall has my punches on curtain rods.  No, they are not the ones from Ikea - I wanted those...  But our Ikea is a little over an hour away and at the time I was in too much of a hurry to put things up ;) 

 This area to the left is Danielle's area.  I know it is smaller but she is really not in here all the time with me. 

 I have NO idea why the camera took a picture and it came out yellow like that around the window!  The room is actually a mint green.  It's very pale in color, pretty.  But yellow?  Hmmm...  Think this is a reason for a new camera...

 This is some of the storage I have.  I've got all of my unmounted stamps on the top shelf in those five boxes.  The shelf right below that is all my SU! clear stamp sets (they are behind the pictures that I forgot to take down).  The middle shelf has 12x12 paper in the Iris containers and the loose 12x12 paper is what I use for paper piecing, that's off to the left each in it's own envelope put away in a Cropper Hopper file rack.  The fourth shelf has SU! wood stamp sets and the last shelf has all the rest of my 12x12 paper.  Holiday, solids, SU! DSP collections...  It was the heavy stuff I needed to put on the bottom.

You can also peek in the closet and see my wood drawer cabinet.  That holds all my loose wood stamps.  I've got one of my old Iris carts with pens (sharpies, dot pens...), post it's, clear stamps, office supplies (stapler, postage stamps, address labels), 3D embellies and a tubby with envelopes.  I've also got boxes on the closet shelf with little pieces and parts, small punches, chipboard, scissors and little items that I don't use all the time.  I've got my brass stencils, glitter and light box up there and my Bind It All and Carl Tozzicle and binding rings I don't use nearly enough.  Yes, that's a step ladder too!  With all the shelves my hubby put in there are a few items on the top shelves that I can not reach.  I call it vertically challenged!

Last but not least, and yes I am very OCD.  The filing cabinet in my room has alterables and such but the middle two drawers are filled with my 8 1/2 x 11 paper.  Oh but not just put in hanging folders mind you.  If you click on the picture you will see.  I've got each color labeled and if it is retired or in the current catty.  I also have the RGB code in case I need to print out something in that specific color.  It also allows me to keep the scraps together with the paper and it helps me to see how much I have of a specific color and if I need to order more.

No my room is not done by any means.  The work areas were made with counter tops that we purchased at Lowe's.  We will have another little piece that needs to be made.  If you see to the left of the closet there is a black Iris cart.  That has by glue and tape, hot glue gun, label maker...  all the items I do use and they really didn't take up a whole box to fill.  I've got my paper shredder next to it and my scrap books (in progress) on top of it.  Hubby still has a counter top that he is going to make me a table right there.  I'm going to put my Big Shot on it and a shelf above it for my dies and embossing folders.  He made the tables and put up all the shelves for me.  He painted the legs to match the room too! 

I'm so very happy with my room and I'm glad that you stopped by today to take a peek!  If you have any questions don't hesitate to leave a comment and I'll get back to you!!  See you tomorrow :)

Happy Monday

Howdy!  I am popping in to post an actual picture of something I've made ~ can you believe it??  It's been way too long and I've needed to get back into the swing of things so here I go!

What a perfect time to get back into it to with Valentine's Day just around the corner.  Which is hard to believe since it seems like yesterday was just Christmas.  Whew!  Time flies.  So enough said, let's get to posting...

This card I made with my trusty old "Cupig" stamp.  It is a Whipper Snapper stamp that I've had for years and I faithfully use it each year, I just love that little guy!!  Really, who can't smile when they open a card with him on the front? 

and this, my new passion (thanks a lot Jan!) is paper piecing.  A friend of mine introduced me to the wonderful world of paper piecing.  I can say that it has consumed a bit of my time.  These lovely little bears (and people, and pets, and things) have made themselves right at home in a few scrap books that I've completed and continue to work on.  You just may see a fair share of piecing on here if you don't mind.  This card, an easel card I made for my entry to the Treasure Box design team.  No, I didn't make it but I can always try again in the future, right? 

 

Well, that's it for my post today.  I hope to be back tomorrow to share with you some more Valentine creations ~ and maybe a scrap page or two!

Hello!

Hello everyone!!
I wanted to pop in and let you know that I'm here!  I've been busy making valentines and doing a bit of scrapbooking.  Paper piecing actually.  I have to get Danielle's camera out since she "accidentally" spilled soda on mine...  So I will be posting some pictures in a few days. 

I do have a new craft area.  As some of you know I had my craft area in the sun room off the dining area.  Well now I have an actually room upstairs in the house.  It is freshly painted, and bright and new!  Hubby and I went to Lowe's and purchased some counter tops and he made craft desks for us.  He also put up shelves around the room!  I will post those pictures too!  Everything has a place and is in it's place (except right now...  things are all over with my valentines in the process!!).

So I'm here.  I'll be posting some pictures in the next few days!  Take care - and see you back here soon!!

I am still here, really!

No your eyes are not playing games with you ~ you are not seeing things...  It's me, and I'm finally posting.

I wanted to explain how life took a huge detour for me this past year.  Last year we found out that my Mom had early onset dementia and then a couple of weeks later we found out that she had cancer, actually her appointment with the oncologist was on my birthday - very crappy day I might add.  So this past year has been full of doctors, nurses, hospitals, medicine's, chemo appointments...  And Mom lost her battle in August when she was called home to be with Dad.  It's been 16 years since they were together so I'm sure that it was a wonderful reunion for them.

The past few months I've been kinda lost, had my moments and I've cried a lot. Yes, the holidays have been awful.  I had my Mom for 43 years and her being gone so close to the holidays has not been fun.  Mom was a wonderful baker and I SO wish that I would of paid more attention to her when she was in the kitchen.  I guess I just always felt that she would be there I didn't have to.  I do have one tidbit of bittersweet news.  Without getting into a huge story (and if you remember I am good at that!) I have been in touch with a sister who never knew I existed.  We've talked and we've been in touch thru facebook and chat often ~ and we will actually meet in the spring.  You do not know what it means to me.  To of known about a sibling all my life and then to actually be in touch.  But only after Mom passed away. 

April of this year we also lost our dear friend Joyce.  I know that you remember me talking about her and when she visits us each year.  It was very sudden and such a shock.  We were all worried about Mom and then to get news of Joyce.  To have them both not here with us is terrible.

(This is Mom and Joyce and was taken in May 2011 the last time Joyce visited us.  Yes, we were at Olive Garden doing one of our favorite pastimes - eating!!)

So dear friends, this is why I've been out of touch.  My life has been a huge sort of ups and downs for over a year now.  But I can tell you that my hubby has made me a craft room that I am so happy about and it's been enough time that I need to get back to it!!  I've got a few things cooking...  and I'll be back after the first of the year.  I've really missed posting - blogging was a part of life that I enjoyed and I need to get back to it.  I also have a new passion with paper piecing.  Yes, a friend of mine, Jan has introduced me to paper piecing.  I could kill her for getting me into yet another obsession - but crafting has been such a big part of my life and it's time to get back to it.

With that being said I will be back soon - don't count me out :)  I hope that your Christmas holiday was a good one and that the New Year will bring you nothing but health and happiness!!

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!