A Birthday Card For The Brother In Law.

My Brother In Law will have a birthday this week, so I needed to make him a card. While doing this I realized two things. The first is that I don't have many "manly" stamp sets. And, secondly it is hard for me to make my brother in law a card!

I decided to use the Loads Of Love stamp set. I used some DSP from a retired 6 by 6 sampler. And, used new ribbon from the Ribbon Originals ribbon set. I love this Not Quite Navy ribbon.

I used to really love the small grosgrain ribbon. That was before I started using all of the different wide ribbon. Now, my 1/4 inch ribbon just sits!

Have a good day!

A Christmas Swap Card.

This month our challenge for the SUDEMOONLY swap was Christmas cards. I guess it is time that we all get into the spirit and figure out what we will be using for our Christmas cards. This card was sent to me by Teresa Gray. She used the Good Cheer Christmas set. It is is hard to see in the photo, but Teresa stamped the image on shimmery white cardstock. She colored in the images nice and lightly. It looks terrific!

Thanks for sharing Teresa. My cards went out in yesterdays mail. So, I will post mine on Sunday! I can't wait to show you!

Have a great day!

A Card From Kirsten!

Here is a cute card that my swap partner on SUDEMMONLY sent to me! I just love these little bears! She also used the DSP from the mini Pawsitively Prints that goes along with the Build A Bear items.

Kirsten used my favorite punches with one of my favorite sets Teeny Tiny Wishes. And, I ecspecially love how she used Crystal Effects to give the shoes an extra shine! What a fabulous idea!

Thanks for sharing Kirsten!

A Quickie Man Card.

A friend of the family had a birthday yesterday. I hadn't used this set in a while, so I pulled it out. Clearly it is quite simple. I stamped the images in Basic Black and colored them in with my markers!

Quick, simple and straight to the point!

Peace Within.

Well, hello there! I certainly haven't posted in a full week! What kind of excuses would you like to hear from me? Well, I have two that will tell it all. First, I was sick with the flu. I don't think that I have ever been so sick in my life. So, obviously that cut into my stamping time. It actually cut into everything! It was tough! And, secondly any of the stamping that I have had the opportunity to do is for a partner swap that I am doing for SUDEMOONLY.

I can't wait to show you the things that I have created! I am so proud of myself. And, as soon as my partner receives her package I can begin showing you what I did for her! There is a lot that is going into that box, that I would love to keep! I have also created a super cool Christmas Tri-fold card that I am also in love with! But, those too will be mailed this week. So, after they are received I will post that too!

This card that I am posting today was made by my mother in law for our anniversary. She used the Peace Within stamp set. When the catalog came out and I saw this set, I knew right off that my mother in law would own it soon! She didn't prove me wrong!

Well, I have some amuntion to say that I will be posting on a regular basis this week. Hopefully, you all hadn't given up on me!

Enjoy your day!

A Card Front By Jessica.

Last week, my downline Jessica came to my workshop. She brought me this card front that she had done for a recent swap.

She used the Autumn Splendor set from the Holiday Mini catalog. She simply embossed the leaves and then cut them out. She also used the Wood Grain background set, which I hadn't seen before.

I love the simplicity of this card. Yet the detail and depth is amazing! Thanks for sharing!

Another Gift of the Earth.

This is a card that we made at last weeks workshop. I had wanted to use this set because it is featured in the Holiday Mini. We stamped the image in Chocolate Chip and used our markers to color it in.

I used a jumbo eyelet. After I set the eyelet, I punched another hole just to the right of the eyelet. Then I looped the ribbon through. I put the looped end of ribbon up through the eyelet and then the tails through the hole next to the eyelet. I put the tails through the loop and just folded them over.

We have our first snow on the ground this morning! In case you don't realize it, it is only the middle of October. We are expected to get some more snow this weekend. I am hoping that it gets it out of its system and then we won't have any more snow until January!

My Second Offering!

This is the second tri-shutter card that I made. Again, I am not too sure about the large flower on the front. But, it works!

I used Rich Razzleberry and Razzleberry Lemonade DSP for this one. The large flower is from the Pretties kit. I added a build a brad to the center to add a "little more."

The leaves are made with a sizzlit and the Big Shot. Such a great investment! Just $5.50 for the sizzlit and it can be added to so many cards. I find myself reaching for it a lot!

I have made one more of these cards, but you are going to have to wait until my partner receives her box after Halloween. The card that I am sending her is my favorite so far! It is much more my style! I can't wait to show you!

My New Favorite Project!

This is a tri-shutter card. I have admired these for a while and thought "there is no way that I can do that!" Well, guess what. Sometimes what we need is a nice strong shove out of the box. That is exactly what I got and I am thrilled!

I am doing a swap box through SUDEMOONLY and my partner had wanted to see one of these cards. So, I went to SCS and looked for a tutorial on how exactly to make one.


That is where it all began. Scoring, folding, cutting and more cutting! And, then to the embellishing. What fun!

This was my first attempt at the card. I have been enjoying the embellishing. The one thing that I have a hard time with is the big main embellishment on the front of the card. I am not into the large "gaudy" type embellishments. But, I thought that maybe this flower die would work.




This is what the card looks like when it is all folded closed. This is a really fun project. And, not at all hard to do! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask! They can be embellished more or less as desired!

Have a great day!

My Sketch Challenge.

Here is the card that I sent to the other participants for this months swap. I do not usually do "sketches." I usually sit down and piece something together, so this was good for me to do.

I was fairly pleased with my card. Until I received the others! And, then I decided that my card is just a little too plain. Or, maybe it is just a little plain compared to what I would normally come up with.

Anyway, there you have it! Stay tuned tomorrow to view a very cool project that I just learned how to do!

The Last Sketch Card, Until I Show You Mine.

This card was made by Janice McWilliams. I loved how she used Soft Suede with Melon Mambo. I always enjoy pinks and browns together. I have never seen one of these jumbo brads in real life and they certainly do add to the card!

Thanks for sending me the card, Janice!

Sketch Challenge Continued.

This card was sent by Cyndi Willis. She used many of my favorite things on her card! Pocket Silhouttes is one of my favorite sets. It is so versatile, I am grabbing it all of the time. She also used the Modern Label punch. Who can live without this punch? I have a hard time not using it on every card that I make. The textured paper is such a simple way to add detail to any project. The more that I use it, the more that I love it!

Thanks for sharing Cyndi!

The Next Swap Card!

This swap card was made by Suzanne Rhyne. She did a fabulous job, both on the card and adding to my order for tomorrow nights workshop! She used several items that are now available in our Holiday Mini Catalog. The ribbon is from the Mistletoe Ribbon Originals, The Ornament Punch, Delightful Decorartions stamp set and the Silver Elastic Cord.

When I first saw this stamp set Delightful Decorations, I thought that I could do without it. And, who needs another punch? Well, with this card combined with some other neat ideas that I have seen convinced me that I had better order both of them!

I love how Suzanne combined a couple of stamp sets that go together so well! I am hoping to use part of this card as inspiration for my Christmas cards this year. But, I have had several ideas so we will have to see what I decide on!

Thanks Suzanne for a great card!

The SUDEMOONLY September swaps are here!

This month our swap theme was a sketch. It became very clear to me that sketches are hard for me to do. These cards that I received were beautiful!

This first card is from Debra Booe. She is a very talented stamper that apparently loves this bird! She has done some wonderful stuff with this bird.

Thanks for stopping in!

A Beautiful Sight!

On Saturday, as I was looking out the window while doing dishes I noticed this beautiful butterfly feeding off of the zinnias. After watching him for a while I thought that I should go out and try to snap a picture or two. I didn't realize that this would be such a difficult task.

As I was watching from the kitchen he seemed to sit still. But, when I got out there and next to him he wasn't going to sit still for even a second. I did manage to get a couple pictures of him!

Thanks for checking in!

How Long Have I Been Gone?

Geepers, I missed a couple of days checking in with you all! Life has been pretty crazy and my quiet time on the computer is limited at best.

Here is a quick card that I made for my Aunt and Uncles anniversary this week. After I colored the image the very vanilla looked very stark. So, I took a sponge and sponged on some yellow ink. Then I used my spritzing tool and spritzed some brown on it. In real life the yellow is much more subdue than it appears in this picture. I didn't have time to retake the picture, so this is what we have to deal with!

I will try to be more consistent in posting! Thanks for stopping by!

Ryan's Giraffe Cake.

Ryan turned a couple of weeks ago. He has always enjoyed giraffes. Well, after our visit to the State Fair, he asked if he could have a giraffe on his birthday cake. Let me begin by saying that I am not a professional cake decorator. But, over the years the boys have asked for many different things on their birthday cakes. I have been able to pull them off. So, this task was no different. After so searching on the internet, I thought I could do this. Ryan was pleased with the results and that is what matters to me!

One problem we had is that when I went to grab the birthday candles we had none! So, we used a votive! That didn't bother Ryan either, it just looks a little odd!

Well have a good day!