Graduation CBC #66

This is not my usual style card and I almost didn't play again this time. However I remembered that I had a Graduation Paper Kit from Creative Memories that I had bought to use in my kids' albums because their school colors are black & gold. I looked through it and found some stickers I could use with the paper to make a card. The cs is Stampin'Up as is the congratulations stamp from the Congrats set. I used Korin's sketch from this week's Sweet'n Sassy Stamps
Sweet Stop Challenge. Unfortunately I don't have any graduation stamps so I went in this direction with the challenge. Have you joined the Creative Belli Challenges yet? If not take a look and join the fun!

The Potting Shed: my demo design

I wanted to focus on the retiring IN-COLORS'08-'09 and also the current Occasions Mini, so I chose Kiwi Kiss for my base color coordinating it with the Walk in the Park DSP. My stamps are from Scene in the Garden colored with Watercolor Pencils on Natural Ivory cs, sentiment from Soft Summer in Creamy Caramel also used in edging and sponging. I chose brass brads for detail. This is the first time using the Colored Pencils and I like the softness and textured they provide. This was a fun card to make!

Cupcake Craft Challenge #41

This weeks challenge has been 2 shapes/2 colors on Cupcake Craft, so here I am squeaking in under the deadline I hope. This design came from my up-line Denise and I really like the simplicity of the clean lines. The flower was cut from the SU Big Shot Flower, Daisies2. Three sizes & colors done in one cut, love that! Colors are Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Basic Black. the white layer is scalloped with the SU Eyelet Border punch and black ribbon is added to finish the card. No verse or sentiment is added as I haven't decided how I will use this card. Very quick, clean and simple to make.

Never Forget

This is one of Sweet'nSassy Stamps Digi stamps that we were able to download when joining the Stampin' Out Alzheimer's Fundraising Event this week. This is my first attempt with digi stamps and chose SU Vellum card stock to print on. I then used ink and blender pens to color the flowers. I did notice that the black printer ink ran into some of the ink when coloring so the effect is not quite the way I wanted it to look. I chose SU Bella Birds dsp and Pink Pirouette cs to mount the vellum image and sentiment. Finished with sheer ribbon. There is still time to join the group of stampers who have made a donation to the Alzheimer's Fund, you can use the link on my blog. Please make a difference by donating!

While the idea is to send a card to someone suffering with Alzheimer's or a family member, I am sending this to the family of a long time friend who just passed away from a long battle with cancer. Though we haven't seen each other since I moved almost 5 yrs. ago, I remember her as being a woman of strength for her family, friends and community. She freely gave of her time to the Ladies' Aux. of the Volunteer Fire Dept, the schools while her children were growing up, to Church activities and wherever she was needed. Almost a year ago she lost her oldest son to a sudden massive heart attack dealing with this horrible loss while battling the disease that took her life. Now she is at peace and home with the Lord.

Many blessings to all of you!

Memorial Day Weekend Thoughts

My good friend Teresa has posted Blog Candy with a twist. In commenting she would like everyone to tell what plans they have for the Memorial Day Weekend. My plans are always low-key because I try to remember the meaning of why we celebrate this holiday. Having just honored our active duty service men and women with Armed Forces Day, thoughts now turn to those who have given service to our country during war time. This is what I wrote on Teresa's blog.



As always on Memorial Day weekend, I honor the memory of those who gave their lives in service to our country in war time and in peace. Being born during WWII several of the kids I went to school with had lost dads. Then as a young adult, I saw friends off to Viet Nam never to return, their names forever etched in The Wall. The brave men and women who have given the greatest sacrifice to our country deserve our rememberance and gratitude as do those who continue to serve today. With active military service family members, their welfare and dedication is always in my thoughts and prayers.

On a personal note, I will be helping with an SU Stamp Camp on Sunday afternoon at my upline's. She is a retired Army veteran.

Whatever your plans are for the weekend, be sure to fly the American Flag, attend a memorial service and thank God for those who gave us the freedoms we enjoy today!

My Dear Mother

Today I have no new cards to post, haven't had time the last few days! Today I will give a memorial to my mother, who passed from this world to the arms of Jesus on June 14, 2003.
My mother was born in 1916, raised by a twice widowed mother who came from a strict German background, graduated from high school at 16 and worked in a 5&10 where she met my dad whom she married in 1936. Together they began a relationship that spanned decades of caring, dedication to Christ and raising a family. Always active in church work, my dad studied for the ministry when I was in high school. When he was ordained, he and my mother embarked on a new phase in their lives, serving the Lord together. When my dad passed away my mother continued to witness, pray for others and lend a listening ear to many. Her example of being a Christian was known by all who knew her. To us, her family, she gave advice, love, forgiveness, strength and her never ending faith. To her many friends who called her "MOM", she offered her generous spirit! Her greatest legacy to me was her wonderful relationship with God which saw her through many difficult times and poor health in her last years. So today as we honor and remember our mothers and all the women who make a difference in our lives, may I wish you all a wonderful day of celebration! Hugs and blessing!

Ellie's 1st real design!

Today Ellie's elementary school had Kindergarten registration so she had no school. I decided we needed some one on one time together so she is spending the day with me. One of the things we have done is make a Mother's Day card for her mom, my dd. She wanted roses and that's what she got! Ellie age 6 1/2 stamped this herself placing the roses and butterflies where she wanted them. I am amazed at how well she designed this! I only had to help her get started with the stickles. Ellie has made many cards but not something like this, I know Sue will treasure it. We are trying to make her Mother's Day a pleasant one with her DH out to sea. I am so proud of how much this little girl has grown in the past year.Looks like another stamping family member!

Friday morning: I'd like to thank all of you for the kind words to Ellie about her card. I'll show her next time she comes over, she will be so happy! Her artistic talent comes from her dad who when he has the time, has done wonderful drawings.
Have a beautiful and blessed day!

Paper Blooms Challenge #5 and CBCC #36

I made this card for my very dear friend Denise who is my mentor. She introduced me the joy of creating cards. She has two Cocker Spaniels who are her "babies", so Casey and Pepper are going to give her a Special One of a Kind Mother's Day card! I designed the card with the China pattern inspiration piece for Paper Blooms' Wednesday Challenge. I chose SU Raspberry Tart (just love the colors!) and River Rock cs. I made paper lace and ribbon which I covered in a sheer Dusty Rose organza ribbon from Michael's The Prima flowers blend in the color the center being a Rose Dew Drop from Robin's Nest. Vanilla Hardware, frames the Designer Label stamp and punch from SU. The Raspberry Tart paper has Kiwi stems, but I really like the balance of the River Rock with the dsp better.
Having just seen Courtney's challenge to use flowers anywhere on your card, I thought "gee I just did that." So here is my entry for your challenge Courtney!

Black and Linen Floral

Last Thursday's SCS Ways to Use challenge was to use basic black as the dominant color on your card, so I knew exactly what I wanted to do. I chose the black and linen floral print from the DCWV La Creme matstock pad that was a gift to me. There are some very interesting patterns included and also some flocked patterns, out of my comfort zone but I have to reach out every so often to try something different! That said I tried to be careful to keep the rest simple. I chose the Happy Mother's Day from SNSS Special Women stamped on the solid linen matting it on solid black. The only trim is a French Vanilla SU brad and two tiny black butterflies punched from Creative Memories Meadow punch. On the inside flap of the tri-fold card I added a few linen butterflies and continued them under the linen paper on which I stamped the sentiment. I will be sending this to my friend who gave me the paper. Oh yes, I used a Martha Stewart lace edge punch to scallop the bottom of the paper. This friend has not been feeling up to par for several months so I'd like to tell her how special she is to me on Mother's Day. She runs a day care and has nurtured many little ones over the years. We met through scrapbooking and became fast friends.

I just found my list of challenges for last week and realize that because I used a large brad, this can be entered in the Creative Belli Challenge #64. You were to use a large brad or jumbo eyelet.

Women to Women Sharing Jesus

Are you looking for devotionals and messages from our sister stampers, writers and crafters? There is a new site I was invited to join and I invite all of you to join also. No challenges here, just Christian women writing meaningful stories about their relationship with Jesus Christ. You may know some of the team from their blogs. Grace is one of the team members. You'll find some of your friends have already joined the group. Please take a look and consider becoming a follower. WTWSJ There is also a link on my sidebar.
Blessings,