Albums + Cards = Blessings

Becca is 16 today!

2009-08-29T13:59:00.003-04:00

Today is my oldest granddaughter's 16th birthday and we have been celebrating since yesterday. Ed and I took the whole family to Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge restaurant. For those of you living in the DC area, the Clyde's group is well known for excellent dining. This one is housed in a log lodge reminiscent of the Adirondack Mountains. There are several rooms decorated in various outdoor themes (ex. hunting, fishing, English hunt etc.), an interesting decor for sure. There were 9 of us with reservations for 5:30, the parking was already filled and lining both sides of the Preserve street. In addition to us there was my son Mark, his son C.J., daughter Sue, son-in-law Sam, their kids Ellie & Roman as well as their daughter Becca who was the birthday girl. We had a wonderful dinner, excellent food and service and a good time together. This was a priceless rare time when we can all be together.
The card I made for Becca was made for a Stamp Camp with my up-line Denise. We used Summer Sun, Tempting Turquoise, Passion Pink, Whisper White and black cardstock all SU. We also under-lined the SU Lattice die with designer paper and trimmed it with a button brad made with the dsp and shapes left from the die cut Lattice.
Today continues Becca's celebrating with a trip to Six Flags to see a favorite band, her new blackberry and other gifts from the family. She is also supposed to get her learner's permit in the next few weeks......Oh how I remember being 16, almost 50 yrs ago, having fun, doing things with friends...so tame by today's standards but with the same dreams of driving. My heart is so full of love for this very special child, my 1st grandchild whom I helped to care for for her first six years. She & her mom came to live with us when she was 2 1/2 so we became very close. I'll close by saying Happy, Happy Birthday Becca!

Post SU convention meeting & swap

2009-08-17T14:32:00.003-04:00

I attended a Post Convention information sharing, swap and fun time that my up-line Denise held over the weekend. She was the only one who attended convention and had much to share with her up-line, in-lines and down-lines. Only 8 of us were able to be there, one coming all the way from West Point, NY to visit with those she met at last year's convention. Denise had notes prepared for us to go over, her convention swaps which were all terrific, cards for us to make, samples to show of her 'make & take' and a gift for each of us . We all brought food (of course!) and swaps to share. Seeing all the fabulous swaps she brought back gave us lots of great ideas. It's so much fun to see how each person makes such creative cards.
This card was my swap for the meeting. I was running out of time so I had to make a quick and easy card which this was except for a few smeared silver places where the ink wasn't quite dry. I had wanted to do silver embossing, but didn't want to clean up the mess before leaving for the evening. I love the new ornament punch that I had just gotten for the Holiday mini pre-order! I used it with Ruby Red cs and put one of the new Icicle Rub-ons in the middle accented with a clear rhinestone brad. (A note of warning about the silver rub-ons: if your hands are the least bit warm DO NOT rest them on any of the images while cutting etc. they came off on my hand...I'm sure that's my own fault, but they are too expensive to waste) I stamped the center ornament with the So Many Scallops stamp in Siver Metallic ink which I also used to accent the circle ornament with a new stamp from Serene Snowflakes (Mini catty)on Christmas Cocoa dsp also from the mini. I mounted the 2 punched ornaments with dimensionals and made the hangers with a siver ink pen. My base was Night of Navy cs.

We all had a great time sharing together, meeting a few new women and having a lots of laughs. Just goes to show that you are never too old for a Slumber Party and you never outgrow making new friends.

Sweet Stop Sketch with limited supplies!

2009-08-10T07:40:00.003-04:00

Once again I combined challenges using the Sweet Stop Sketch for Saturday with the Limited Supplies challenge on SCS which called for using only colors that had food in the title. The sketch uses a long card so I used a Groovy Guava long note from SU pairing it with Barely Banana, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. I chose the SNS set Chocoholic for the image and sentiment. The cake is marbled and glazed with Crystal Effects (which isn't picked up by my scanner) to make the icing shine.

Recent Challenges

2009-08-08T17:02:00.006-04:00

Trying to catch up on my posting, so this first card is for three challenges on Splitcoast Stmapers. I combined the CAS25 sketch with the CAS26 stitching (faux or real) and the color challenge this week to use Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom and Close to Cocoa. The Blush cs is the case with paper ribbon trim from the Basic Grey Urban Prairie Collection print. I stamped the Happy Birthday from SU's So Many Scallops and punched it out with the scallop punch. I used a larger Marvy punch to mount it on and used the Close to Cocoa marker to make my faux stitching on the Celery cs. Another quick and easy card.

Last week's color challenge 229 on Splitcoast Stampers was to use Certainly Celery, Pixie Pink and Apricot Appeal. I found all these colors in this pretty print from Basic Grey's Urban Prairie Collection which made this card an easy one. A little scalloping edge trim for the ribbon and it was done. The sentiment in from SU's The Best is Yet set.

Congratulations Teresa!

2009-08-02T18:27:00.005-04:00

Today's Featured Stamper on SCS is none other than my dear friend Teresa. The card I CASED was done in pink, so did mine in blue and used the other snowman image from SNSS Snow Friends designed by Korin Sutherland. I chose SU Night of Navy for the base, layering with Bashful Blue and dsp. I heat embossed the image in silver, colored the hat in Bashful Blue and used Dazzling Diamond glitter for snow. This didn't show up on my scanning as it does in real life. I found this ribbon from Oriental Trading in my stash deciding to use it because of it's shimmering qualities. The sentiment is stamped in Silver Encore ink which also was used to edge the Navy scallop layer. I used the CB Swirl folder to emboss the white panel.
Teresa, this has been your day, I hope you have enjoyed it!

My mojo was inspired by an apron!

2009-08-01T16:22:00.004-04:00

Today's Inspiration Challenge on SCS is to be inspired by the aprons or other items on Heavenly Hostess so I chose Nouveau which is black velvet lace over fushia satin substituting Real Red cardstock instead of the fushia. Since I hadn't done the Monday Mojo 97 challenge yet I went with that sketch. I had a piece of black fillegree in my scrap folder so I knew it would be the black velvet overlay. I used SU Rub-ons for the sentiment & image and Silver Style Hodgepodge Hardware for accent. No stamps were used and only a little ink to make the dots.
I hope everyone has a good weekend. Blessings to all!

Circle of Friends Award from Becky

2009-07-30T09:18:00.002-04:00

I am touched and honor to receive this Circle of Friends Award from my dear friend Becky It is she who inspires me with her devotion to God and her wonderful creativity.
I have the honor to pass this on to some of my friends although I cannot begin to list all the wonderful ladies I have met here and who I consider my friends. Even if your name is not listed you know who you are and can pick up this award also.
Ceal
Linda
Teresa
Ann
Jackie

To pick up the Circle of Friends Blog Award:

Cut and paste the award logo and use it on your own blog.
Nominate at least 5 other bloggers you feel have become part of your circle of friends.
Link to your nominees, within your blog post and include these instructions on how to pick up the award in your blog post.
To show your appreciation to the person who gave you the award, link back to their blog. Finally, comment on the recipient’s blogs, to let them know they've received the award.

Christmas in July challenges

2009-07-29T16:26:00.004-04:00

I am combining the SNSS Christmas in July challenge with Korin Sutherlands' sketch from the Sweet Stop challenge for the week of July 25th. I chose the SNSS set called Christmas Poinsettias designed by Chris Dickinson.
y card stock is SU Riding Hood Red as is the ink. My patterned paper is from the Basic Grey Wassail collection, scallop and oval punches are SU and Stickles for trim and sparkle. I also cut out the wreath and mounted it on the dark red layer for more emphasis. It's hard to believe we are in the second half of yet another year. While I am not at all ready to think about cold weather and the Holidays, I guess it doesn't hurt to get creative juices flowing to think about Christmas cards. This is my 2nd one in a week, but I still can't get into the mood to make them yet...Thanks for looking and I hope you like me are enjoying wearing summer clothes and thinking summer thoughts!

Happy Friend x 2

2009-07-24T12:18:00.004-04:00

This week's color challenge on SCS is to use Not Quite Navy, Pretty in Pink and Really Rust. The Navy and Pink were easy but adding the Rust made me think this out. Paper Blooms Challenge for July 15, was to use animals which made me think of the elephant for both challenges. The card is pretty simple using the NQN base, patterned paper and pink to layer and color the image. The little bit of Rust comes in the flower leave, grass and sponging on the white paper. A rust rhinestone accents the butterfly. This stamp set Happy Heart Day always makes me smile. All paper and ink is Stampin'Up. This card is for all of you my friends! Love ya!

In the Pink!

2009-07-22T11:50:00.002-04:00

Wow, I can't believe I have a card ready for this week's Belli Challenge! I made this as a CASE of a friends card but as the rules are, I changed several things including the addition of tiny flowers and placement of the sentiment and butterfly. The Belli Challenge is to use metal tags on your card. I used SU's Styled Vanilla Hodgepodge Hardware, I just love the creamy color! My stamps are the swirls from Baroque Motifs as a background using the new Mellon Mango ink on Vanilla cs. I added some tiny flowers using Pretty in Pink ink which was also used for the butterfly base to which Mellon Mango was used to "kiss" the stamps together to make a pattern. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes, cs is textured Mellon Mango with dotted ribbon trim, butterfly is from Flight of the Butterfly raised with dimensionals and accented with a clear gemstone brad. I know I would be feel better receiving a cheerful card like this if I were the recipient, just love the colors!

Sweet Stop Sketch

2009-07-21T16:17:00.005-04:00

The challenge on Sweet Stop this week has a spin; it must be a Christmas card made with the sketch. I am really having a hard time getting my brain to work in Christmas card mode. Last week's Ways to Use challenge on SCS also was a Christmas theme, so here is my entry for that as well. I chose part of SNS set Christmas Cheer designed by Korin Sutherland. I stamped the stocking image on watercolor paper and colored the ball, kitty and gift but pieced the stocking in SU patterned paper. I used Stickles in Gold for the gift ribbon and Frosted Lace for the stocking edging, also white gel pen for stiching. The card stock is SU Riding Hood Red, Wassail by Basic Grey which I also used in combination with the SU dsp to make paper ribbon for trim. I mounted the cut out image with dimensionals, sponged the Whisper White embossed Swiss Dots (CB folder) with R.H. Red and scalloped the with the SU lace punch, added Goldenberry Dew Drops (Robins Nest) on the bottom and a medallion sticker I bought at Michaels.

Award from Linda

2009-07-20T15:28:00.002-04:00

Thank you so much Linda for this award. If any of you aren't yet familiar with Linda's wonderful creations, please check out her blog She has so many lovely cards and projects. Wait until you see the photos of her craft room, wow!!
I'd like to pass this award on all of you who read and comment on my blog. It means so much to me to know that you have taken the time to do so. I hope you will feel free to pick up the award for yourself. You all have Beautiful Blogs and have so much to contribute to your sister stampers.
Have a wonderful day!
Big hugs!

Saturday's Stamp Camp at Ruth Murphy's

2009-07-20T13:09:00.004-04:00

I attended Ruth Murphy's Stamp Camp with another demo friend at which we made some terrific cards. This is the 1st and is made using the brand new Autumn Days stamp which makes a super masculine card! Ruth's design called for Crushed Curry cs for the base, Soft Suede printed in the same ink using the new Woodgrain background stamp, masking of the sky to reveal the blazing sun and and stamping the pheasant only once but using three colors on the stamp. First I stamped in Crushed Curry, then the feet & bottom in Soft Suede and finishing him in Dusty Durango. I love the effect all this gave. I did have some trouble using the daubers for the sky and ground; I haven't mastered a light touch with them. I much prefer sponging! Everyone's card was slightly different, making each one our own interpretation. I have done this with the next cards as well.

This card I call Blazing Roses. Ruth chose the cs and ink colors, but we took it from there as to how deep we wanted the roses to be. The Manhattan Flower embossing folder created the image on Shimmer paper. Turning it to the indented side, I first brayered in YoYo Yellow, then Pink Passion and finally Only Orange giving it an unusual color and leaving the outline white. I then cut the flowers out, stamped some leaves from A Rose is a Rose in Always Artichoke, cut them out and glued all to the orange cs layer then mounted on the Pink Passion base. The card is finished with a sentiment from Oval All layered onto a scallop layer of Pink Passion. I had a lot of fun with this card!

These are only two of the 5 cards we made. I'll post others soon. Thanks for looking.

CBC#69 and SCS WT227

2009-07-20T12:52:00.004-04:00

I'm finally getting some cards finished and posted....seems like there is always something taking up my time these days.....I thought summer was supposed to be simple and lazy....but I don't find it that way...too much to do!
I did make this card last week and it qualifies for the Creative Belli Challenge which was to use texture on the card. My texture is the wide twill tape on which I stamped the floral image and also Crystal Effects which I dotted on the tree leaves. The Ways to Use challenge on SCS is to use 2 of the same items on your card, so I did the with the tiny flower accents. My stamp set is SU Thoughts and Prayers from the new 2009-2010 SU Idea Book and Catalog. I used Basic Brown, Rich Razzleberry & Ivory cs and ink & Always Artichoke ink.

Lovely Oak

2009-06-26T17:02:00.004-04:00

Today's SCS Limited Supplies Challenge is to choose from the A'La Carte Menu of the items you want to use formaking your masculine card. I chose the following: Menu #1 (2)non-floral nature theme; Menu #2 (2) greens & browns; Menu #3 (1) ribbon & brads but no bows. I used the oak from SU's Lovely as a Tree and sentiment from Congrats. My card base is Certainly Celery in a 5" square card. On that I mounted the wonderful textured diagonal brown stripes from To the Nines Specialty paper, also two cream brads and Mellow Moss ribbon. My oak is stamped three times using the Stamp-a-ma-jig first in Certainly Celery, then just the base in Close to Cocoa and the leaves in Mellow Moss for variation. The word Congratulations is stamped in Close to Cocoa. I sponged Mellow Moss lightly on the stamped paper to soften the look.

Four in One !

2009-06-25T19:56:00.004-04:00

I combined 4 challenges in making this card. First I took the Mojo92 Sketch and used the Paper Blooms challenge to use something that inspires me which is the many bright flowers of summer. Next I took the SCS Color Challenge to build my card using the colors of Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point and Summer Sun which also worked for the Ways to Use challenge today which calls for bright bold colors. these challenges all seemed to come together in this card. My cs is SU Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Summer Sun & Whisper White. The floral print is from DCWV Blossoms & Butterflies & I used Pacific Point ink with the verse from SU's God's Blessings. The flowers were made with the SU Flower punch, the ribbon is something I had in my stash and the butterfly sticker was mounted on the Sun cs, cut out and adhered with a dimensional. I have been trying to broaden my color palette by using brighter colors and this did just that! Thanks for looking.

Stars & Stripes for Belli # 68

2009-06-24T17:13:00.003-04:00

Today's Belli Challenge is to create a card with a Patriotic theme. This is an interpretation of the American flag using a backgound of deep red with raised silver stars & dots. The stripes are cut from strips of antique looking Early American style paper, blue paper with white dots, a star punched from Natural SU card stock and a red button for accent. The button and star punch are SU. No stamps or ink were used to make this card. A friend supplied the patterned paper, the maker unknown to me.

Red, White & Blue Super Hero!

2009-06-24T16:41:00.003-04:00

This week's SweetStopSketch challenge is to make a card with the sketch and also the added twist of using red, white and blue. I used SNSS set Super Hero to make a birthday card. My card stock is Night of Navy, Whisper White and Real Red patterned paper all SU as well as the ink and markers in Brilliant Blue and Real Red. I added white gel pen accent dots.

Home Sweet Home Father's Day

2009-06-17T14:50:00.008-04:00

The current Belli Challenge combines the Sweet Stop Sketch #7 and a Father's Day card. I decided to use the house from SNSS "Home Sweet Home" set. The house is colored with SU Watercolor Pencils and mounted on Naturals cs which also form the base. The accent paper is from the SU "To the Nines Specialty" collection and Kraft patterned paper. The 'Family' brad is from Oriental Trading, brown ribbon: JoAnn's(gift), printed twill tape: Michael's and Happy Father's Day stamp: SNSS "Cool Dude". I wanted to go with a different look on this card since my husband really likes being at home. This card also meets the challenge at Paper Blooms to make a Father's Day card for a man of influence in your life.

CAS 19 Flower Power

2009-06-15T13:03:00.002-04:00

Today's CAS challenge on SCS is to make a card based on Natasha's pink blooms so I chose to use a simple floral paper with only 2 floral brads to accent. I really like the simplicity of the design and how quickly this came together. I rarely think to use only paper and now stamps. Will have to try this more often.

Father's Day Golfer

2009-06-15T08:52:00.005-04:00

This card for my son is my entry for the Cupcake Craft Challenge to make a Father's Day card. These are retiring colors from SU, Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss and Riding Hood Red. The base is Chocolate Chip the stamp set is And Many Mower from the Occasions catalog. I used their design and sketch but made a card, not a bag. I udes Blender pens to color the image, cut it out and mounted it on the Kiwi. Ribbon and a green brad complete the card. Another quick card!

Blogger award from Grace

2009-06-06T19:18:00.006-04:00

Thank you Gracefor giving me this award. Your blog is amazing and I feel honored to be given the award by you!

There are a few requirements to accepting the Honest Scrap Award and they are as follows:

1. I must thank the person who gave me the award and list their blog and link and

2. I must list 10 honest things about myself.

I have had to think about the answers to this, thus the reason for not posting before.

Here goes:
1. Have lived in Maryland for all but 13 years of my life, so I consider MD my home state.
2. Have never dyed my hair, it's all my own color.
3. Went to the movies weekly as a teen, haven't been in years and that was a Disney movie with my
granddaughter.
4. First microwave in 1986, nervous about it, now can't live without one!
5. Have eaten many words..esp. "I'll never do that"!
6. Enjoy traveling, favorite places CA. and Germany.
7. Had no idea I would enjoy paper crafts until 4 yrs. ago.
8. Was part of a Friendship Youth group of the M.Y.F. Wyoming Conf.(PA.) to Puerto Rico 1959 and used a 35mm. camera for the 1st time.
9. Take God's word seriously: forgiving over & over, turning the cheek and never hold a grudge.
10.Love family heirlooms that have been passed to me, they are priceless items of family history.

Now I pass this award on to all of you who visit my blog and write such wonderful words of encouragement. I feel blessed to be in the company of all of you very creative friends.

Pacific Point Butterfly

2009-06-04T08:34:00.002-04:00

The CAS challenge is based on beach towels and bags this week, so I chose a towel called Framed Border in Cosmic Blue and White. My colors are Pacific Point Blue and Whisper White. This is a design of my friend Denise used in Stamp Camp. Stamp set is SU Simple Friendship with the butterfly stamped once on the cs and then again, cut out and mounted for a raised effect. Clean, Simple and Fun!

Ecclesiastes 3:1

2009-06-03T18:41:00.004-04:00

The verse I chose for this card is from the Encouragement stamp set by Sweet'n Sassy stamps. We often think of this verse when their is a death, but it tells us that God has a purpose for all that happens to us, that He will see us through and give us courage for the trial.
The sketch I used is again from this week's Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge along with a color combo from Christian Paper Craft Magazine to use Basic Black, Kraft and Soft Sky or Baja Breeze. The card stock is Stampin'Up, the flowers were a gift from a friend & the brads are SU as is the eyelet punch. Thank you for stopping by. Blessings!

My 1st MOJO card

2009-06-02T21:59:00.005-04:00

Decided to give MOJO Monday sketch a try along with SCS color challenge using retiring IN-Colors Kiwi Kiss, Red Riding Hood and Tangerine Tango. This was certainly not a color combo I would choose but gave it a try. I used retiring SU Bella Rose and Walk in the Park dsp on the tangerine base, then mounted stamped cut out butterflies with dimensionals. Stamp sets are Oval All and Great Friend. This is definitely not in my comfort zone but I am trying to do new things. What do you think?