Monkey's come a'bearing gifts....

Who doesn't love a sock monkey? Especially one bearing gifts? I had a lot of fun with this one as I finally played with my flock that I received from my secret sister. I have never used it before and it took a while for me to finally decide to break it out and just try it already! I love it!!! It's used on his hat. I so love this set and girls, you will be seeing this little guy a lot more!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

O Christmas Tree...

I did end up getting the O Christmas Tree Die last month. And to tell the truth it was a bit intimidating, but I did manage to make a few cards with it. After a few cards it is not so bad, just time consuming. The fun part is decorating! Not only did I use the tree ornamants, but I added some faux pearls. I do highly recommend using sticky strip for the whole card!

Opened card...
Front of card.

Shimmery Tree

Loving the shimmer paints and all you can do with them. Like mixing it up and making your own shimmer mist spray. I know it's hard to tell on this card, but I sprayed it on the grey cardstock and made it "shimmery"! Then I stamped the tree in whisper white craft ink. Love the look it gives here. Trust me it's a lot prettier in person.

Santa, Trees, & Snowmen oh my!

Ok, this is a pretty much totally CASE'd card, but I don't remember from who. I look at tons of cards then I go and make the ones that really stick in my mind. But I do have to say this is a really cute card and I used it for my Therapy Card Nite class and the girls loved it!!! This was probably one of the simpler ones we made.

Note Holder "how to..."

I have had many request for the Note Holder instructions so here they are along with some picture to give that visual "understanding". (this is how I have to "see" how to prepare pieces).

NOTE HOLDER

Cut one piece of light chipboard (I used cereal boxes) to 2 7/8" x 2 7/8" and score along the long side at 2"

Cut another piece of light chipboard to 9 3/4" x 4" and score at 3/4", 3 3/8", 6 1/4", and 8 7/8" on the long side. Score the short side at 2". Next cut out the 2 side pieces and cut up to the score lines in the middle as shown. Then punch with your small tag punch. Using sticky strip fold together and you will notice that the "back" is missing. This is where your first piece of chipboard comes in. Finally, decorate your note cube. (you will need DSP measuring 2"x 12" to go around the cube)

Enjoy! Please post to me and let me know when you make one that I may come and see it!!!

Note Holders w/ Pens...

Here are the Note Holders w/ matching pens I made for the craft fair earlier this month! Next year I will remember to cut them out to the size of post it notes so that they are easily refillable! Just wished I would of thought of that beforehand. Would of saved me a lot of paper cutting! And who else noticed...I am still using up OLD SU DSP!!! Can anyone tell me which is the oldest and from what pack it is from?

You can NEVER have enough SHOES!!!

I know it's been a while since I posted, but I hope these might make up for it a little! I was in a craft show this past weekend and these are just some of what I took. The shoe template came from "SimpleDreams" and I made them into my "Shoes & Toes" for the fair! I just love them!!! They are really fun to make and are a great gift for that one who has the shoe fetish. I know you know one! I do! You really can't have too many shoes!!!

3-D Pumpkin

Saw this on pumpkin on square-headed stampers blog and loved it!!! So I made a card of my own using her pumpkin pattern. I tried to use a lot of earthy tones and I loved the words on every other splice of the pumpkin. Really easy card with a few extra twists. Ripped edges, direct to paper are the ones that really stand out on here.

STAMPS: En Francis, Embrace Life
INKS: Chocolate Chip
PAPERS: Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie
ACCESSORIES: Scallop Circle Punch

Fall Leaves

I cased the layout of this card because I really liked it (sorry I can't remember who). I just did it in this years Stampin' Up! In Colors. It is a simple card that says fall all over it! I love the fall because of the changing leaves and I am one of those that LOVES the smell of burning leaves. Fall is such a neat season with all the earthy colors and smells it just makes you want to be outside!

STAMPS: Falling Leaves, Holiday Best
INKS: Rich Razzelberry, Crushed Curry, Soft Suede, Dusty Durango
PAPERS: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, White, Rich Razzelberry
ACCESSORIES: Taupe Grosgrain (retired), Scallop Edge Punch

"Scare"Crow

Here is one of the cards we did for Therapy Card Nite. I've been seeing the cards like this made with this set. It was great to show the girls another way to think out of the box with this set. I tried it on white and it didn't look quite right, but when I put it on the more mustard it looked alot better. See, color can make all the difference!

STAMPS: Pick a Petal
INKS: Not Quite Navy, Pumpkin Pie, Basic Black, Real Red & Pumpkin Pie markers
PAPERS: More Mustard, Close to Cocoa

My "Create"-ive Book

Yeah! After trying to upload this one here all day I ended up having to retake and re-uploading (if that is even a word) to get it to come out right!!! Never thought I needed a sketch book until I realized how often I am sketching something out on random pieces of paper that are laying all over my room!!! After seeing one of these on a fellow bloggers blog, I decided to make one myself to carry around with me. I also made one for my secret sis which I hope has come in handy for her too! And hey, who doesn't love these Razzelberry Lemonade Papers??? And I am sooo loving my Big Shot which I used to cut out c-r-e-a-t-e with the Go Go Boots Die!!! If you don't have a sketch book I do suggest that you get one soon or you may end up like me with lots of pieces of paper laying around your room with sketchs on them!!!

PAPERS: Razzelberry Lemonade DSP, Rich Razzelberry
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Go Go Boots Die, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, stapler, copy paper for inside

Praying for you...

My grandmother had her 2nd hip replacement last month and is still recouperating. I've made her up another card with the Thought's & Prayers set I finally got! (this is a card I sketched in my "Create"-ive Book I made recently which will be posted soon) I like coloring our stamps with the markers and this is a great set to do that with as you can see (barely) with the tree. I finished it off with some of SU's older ribbons that I still have some of.

STAMPS: Thoughts & Prayers
INKS: Close to Cocoa & Green Galore markers, Bashful Blue
PAPERS: Kraft, Bashful Blue, White
ACCESSORIES: So Saffron grosgrain, Lt. Blue gingham

"D" Circle Box

Love this box I made using the Scallop Circle Die for the Big Shot. This one I made the other week when I spent the day with Jamie. She showed me how to make it so that when mine came in I would be able to do it! I love it! This is so cute and easy and makes a good "gift" box for any occasion. I put a "D" on top of mine as I plan on giving it to my sister Dena. I do think this may be an upcoming stamp camp. I can't wait!!!

PAPERS:Parisian Breeze DSP (retired)

ACCESSORIES: Scallop Circle Die, Serif Essentials Alphabet Die, Big Shot, Double-sided Tac Sheet, Glitter, Chipboard

Paper Piecing Technique

Here was a simple technique we did using the new Build a Bear stamps. We did the paper piecing technique where we stamped the bears on white and then stamped them on colored card stock to cut their clothes out and piece them on. Other than having to cut alot this is a super easy technique to do. I think the girls had more fun getting to stamp with the Build a Bears stamps than anything with this one!

STAMPS: Beary Best Friends, Beary Nice Wishes
INKS: Basic Black
PAPERS: White, Certainly Celery, Brocade Blue, Yo Yo Yellow
ACCESSORIES: Watercolor Pencils, blue ribbon(non-SU), sissors

Shaving Cream Technique

One of my favorite techniques I learned to do years ago is this one. I've done it a few times over the years for Therapy Card Nite, but guess I never realized how many new girls have come along. Only a few remember doing this technique, but for the new ones it was another "wow" to them!!! Once again it is a technique that uses our ink refills so the girls learned a couple of ways to use them. I think that in itself "wowed" them. It's fun when you can find more than one use for something so simple that it gets overlooked most of the time. To add a little something more to the card, we put some shaker eyes on and glittered the wings up. Once again, this technique allows each card to come out differently. I love all the different patterns that come out of this technique and the way the colors start to blend together after laying a few down in the shaving cream.


STAMPS: Bugs & Kisses
INKS: Pale Plum, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom (ink refills)
PAPERS: White, Certainly Celery, Blush Blossom
ACCESSORIES: Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Certainly Celery Grosgrain, Stampin' Dimensionals, Shaving Cream, Small Shaky Eyes,

Watercolor Crayon Technique

OK, honestly, after having these crayons for over a year just so that I could try this technique myself, it took me having a technique nite for Therapy Card Nite to finally do it! And boy do I love it!!! It took a few trial & error plays, but I finally got it figured out! I am definitly going to need more solid stamps just so I can do this some more!!! The girls were just as "wowed" with this technique as I was when I first saw it years ago!!! I am just sorry it took me so long to finally have the gumption to do it! What took me so long???

I love this technique so much that I want to do a Watercolor Crayon Swap. Anyone interested?

STAMPS: Inspired by Nature
INKS: Basic Black
PAPERS: White
ACCESSORIES: Bold Bright Watercolor Crayons, Mist bottle

Baby Wipe Technique

Did some new techniques with the girls for Therapy Card Nite. Not only new to them, but me as well. There's been a few techniques that I've wanted to try and what better way to try them than to have a Technique Nite with the girls to get myself to finally try them.

So this one is my Baby Wipe Technique card. The girls really got a kick out of this. Not only as a technique, but to learn another use for our ink refills! I really like how this set did with this technique. So did the girls. It was fun to see the different looks of everyones cards. No two the same with this technique!

STAMPS: Pick a Petal, Wonderful Words (retired)
INKS: Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow, Brilliant Blue (all refills)
PAPERS: Brilliant Blue, White, Yo Yo Yellow
ACCESSORIES: Tag Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch, Baby Wipes,

Red Bird in Green

I decided to make a simple card by limiting myself to 1 stamp pad & 3 markers from the same color family. I tried a few times to do this card with the watercolor crayons, but the design is a little to delicate to come out right. Atleast for me. I really like this hostess set with the fine delicate details of the birds wing. This is a set I will be playing with for a while. I decided on making the bird red, as I have been seeing alot of cardinals (the birds not the baseball players) lately. I love cardinals and blue jays. I love the way the light hits them and plays on their colors making them more vibrant. To me, birds are a joy to watch!

STAMPS: Wings of Friendship
INKS: Green Galore, Real Red, Yo Yo Yellow
PAPERS: Gable Green, Green Galore, White
ACCESSORIES: Eyelet Border Punch, Corner Rounder, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon

Razzelberry Lemonade Scrapbook Purse 2

Here is another take on the Razzelberry Lemonade Scrapbook Purses that I am making for my Stamp Camp this month! These papers are so neat and yummy! I love the patterns and colors combinations!!! Don't you just love how the papers coordinate so well with each other to the point that you don't have to guess what goes together!!! I am liking these so much that I do believe I am going to make a few for the Christmas Craft show that I am in! What mom or grandmother wouldn't like to have one of these filled with pictures of the kids/family from the year??? Or what friend wouldn't love to have one of her own to put pictures in???



STAMPS: Make it Count (retired)
INKS: Rich Razzelberry, Crushed Curry
PAPERS: Close to Cocoa, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Razzelberry Lemonade DSP
ACCESSORIES: Eyelet Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, So Saffron Ribbon, Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware (retired), Velcro Tabs

Razzelberry Lemonade Scrapbook Purse 1

YEAH!!! I think I finally figured out my upload problem so I should be back in business!!! Anyway, this is one of the samples of my Scrapbook Purse Stamp Camp for this month. We will be using In Colors and the Razzelberry Lemonade DSP. This is one (like the title says) of 2 samples I made. I am really liking this paper. Not to mention the In Colors this year. But who doesn't? This is part of my 4 months of Christmas Stamp Camps. It's hard to believe that Christmas is 3 1/2 months away!!! Time to start Christmas shopping!

STAMPS: Eastern Blooms, Make it Count (retired)
INKS: Rich Razzelberry, Soft Suede, Melon Mambo
PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Rich Razzelberry, Melon Mambo, Razzelberry Lemonade DSP
ACCESSORIES: Scallop Edge Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Corner Rounder, Vanilla Hodgepodge, Velcro Tabs

FOOTBALL SPINNER

Well girls, we all know what time of year it is: ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL??? I've been toying with the idea of a football spinner card since I got the Just Football set from my Big Sis last "Secret Sister" round. And today, of all days, as I am scanning some blogs, I come across someone (squareheadedstamper) who posted some cute halloween spinner cards and that was it! I had to make my card. So to all you wives, moms, and girlfriends of football fans and/or players, of which I am, I salute you during this season!

Chicago Bear Fans

Burlington High School Grayhound Player

STAMPS: Just Football

INKS: Soft Suede

PAPERS: Kraft, Green Galore, Yo Yo Yellow, Chocolate Chip, White

ACCESSORIES: Dimemsionals, Pennies

Sweet Summer

Finally!!! I've gotten one picture downloaded fully! I finally made some of the popcycle cards I've seen around. I really think this would work good doing a scratch-n-sniff. Just think of all the smells you could do with this!!! I think I may just have to make some up! Well, it has been a wonderful summer, I guess if you can call it that here in Iowa! We really had more of a spring straight to fall season this year. I hope that does not mean that we are in for a COLD COLD winter. Although I am looking forward to sledding and ice skating this year! Well, here is to the end of summer!


STAMPS: Tart & Tangy
INKS: Real Red, Green Galore
PAPERS: Real Red, White
ACCESSORIES: Corner Rounder Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Popcycle stick

Problems....

I've been having alot of problems uploading pictures onto my blog. They seem to be chopped up when I upload them as you can tell from the previous pictures. Please be patient with me as I try to figure out what I am doing wrong. Thanks.

Chalkboard Daisies

Alright, I know that not all of this picture came out, but in my defense I do have to say I've tried downloading this card tons of times over the course of 4 days! I finally just gave up and hope you can picture the rest of it on your own. This is another one of my "New School Colors" Therapy Card Nite cards. The bottom portion that you can not see is the rest of the scallop oval/oval punch which says: Thank You for your friendship. As you can see, there is a piece of ribbon that is underneath it and then there is about an inch of the card left to the bottom. So all you bloggers, do you ever struggle with downloading your pictures? I really like this technique. It is pretty much the same as poppin' pastels! Which is what I may do for next months technique nite theme of Therapy Card Nite!

STAMPS: Upsy Daisy

INKS: Versa Mark

PAPERS: Kraft, Basic Black, White

ACCESSORIES: Scallop Oval Punch, Oval Punch, Ribbon from SAB ribbon bundle, Stampin' Pastels

Butterfly Flowers

My theme for Therapy Card Nite this month was New School Colors. I use a play on words for themes sometimes, so this month was a combo of school cards and In Colors. This card, although for some reason came out kinda dark, was made with all In Colors. I am really liking our new In Colors this year! I am ready for my 3rd pack already and it's only August! The girls are really getting a kick out of playing with the Big Shot also. How did we get along without this tool for so long???

STAMPS: Flight of the Butterfly
INKS: Melon Mambo, Rich Razzelberry, Dusty Durango, Green Galore
PAPERS: Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Top Note Die

Back to School!

Wow! I can't believe August has come and almost gone already! This month has gone by fast and now school has started. My youngest started high school today. I can hardly believe it. It seems like yesterday he was starting kindergarten, now he is a freshman. It's just like the song "Don't blink". How true it is. Anyway, this is a card I did based off of the backpacks I've seen made. I thought this would make a cute card. So I just took the front of the pack and made it into a card. My girls got a big kick out of this non stamping card. Just some bending, punching, and wa-la it's done!

PAPERS: Rich Razzelberry, Melon Mambo, White
ACCESSORIES; Corner Rounder, Large Star Punch, Star Punch, Score Blade

Secret Sister Goodies....

Just finished a round of Secret Sisters with Splitcoaststampers and these are the goodies I made my lil' sister. Going off what she shared about herself and her likes, I decorated containers and boxes that held her gifts. I am really liking the new Razzleberry Lemonade DSP. Oh my goodness, the new In Colors are sooo yummy!!! I made the box at the bottom of the picture here for the Extreme Skateboard set I got her. Now that I have the knack down for making boxes of different sizes I've noticed I've been making them alot now.


For this package of Caramel flavored Hot Chocolate, I cased a template from Jamie and used the flowered Crused Curry & Dusty Durango DSP for the body and the Soft Suede Top Note Die Cut for the topper. I also used a stamp from last years SAB Yummy set and embossed it.



Here I decorated a pringles can and filled it with Caramel filled Ghiridelli Chocolates. Once again I used Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and the Eastern Blooms stamp set. I really enjoy making these cans as you can fill them up with just about anything.

She said she loved "baked goods" candle scents so I got her a baked cookies candle and decorated a holder with one of last years Rub-on sets called Love and Happiness and topped it off with the wide Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon.

STAMPS: Yummy (retired), Eastern Blooms

INKS: Very Vanilla, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry

PAPERS: Razzleberry Lemonade DSP, Soft Suede, Melon Mambo

ACCESSORIES: Tangerine Grosgrain Ribbon, Wide Chocolate Chip Grosgrain, Love & Happiness Rub-Ons (retired), Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun

Big Shot Die Pack give-away by Stampin Addicts

I am sooo loving my Big Shot and Stampin Addicts has just pushed my love a little more. What a great way to add to my collection not only for myself , but to share with the girls I stamp with to keep their interest peaked in the Big Shot. They are giving away a Big Shot Die Pack as part of the Stampin' Up! summer give away. All you have to do is make a post on your own blog about what they are doing and your entered in to win!!!

Go here to check out Stampin Addicts:

http://www.stampinaddicts.com/sa-blog-contest-win-a-big-shot-die-pack.html

You Rock

As soon as I saw this stamp I knew what I wanted to do with it. I made the background using the Razzelberry Lemonade DSP and cut it and staggered it to give it that "rockin'" look. I also used the direct to paper technique to make the background on the Crushed Curry. The Jumbled Alphabet came in very handy on this card too. And yes, the edges are distressed and edged with Rich Razzelberry! I hope my son enjoys this card.

STAMPS: Extreme Guitar, Jumble Alphabet
INKS: Basic Black, Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, Rich Razzelberry
PAPERS: Crushed Curry, Razzelberry Lemonade DSP

Summertime dress!

I am so in love with this die to make this dress!!! I was at a friends house (Jamie's) and got to use this die and it is now at the top of my list of things to get!!! I cut out alot of the scalloped circles using, of course, my retired DSP's. I let the girls at Card Nite choose one and cut it out to make this dress card this month! I have been using my Big Shot some how every month and the girls are really loving it!

STAMPS:Sweet Little Sentiments
INKS: Basic Black
PAPERS: Very Vanilla, Spring Flowers DSP, Cameo Coral, So Saffron
ACCESSORIES: Circle Scallop Die, Big Shot, Round Tab Punch, Small Flower Punch (non-SU), white ribbon (non-SU)

Bustin' Out!

As promised, here is the other "half" of the previous card. A few girls that they modestly covered their bottoms had very skimpy tops!!! Never the less they were creative in how they made their tops work. They made them into strapless tops since the "straps" in no way long enough. They did take one "strap" and fold it over the middle where the top comes together to give it a little hold and to make it look like that is how it was meant to be. One even said she was going to make cleavage on hers when she got home!!! I do think this will be one of our regular summer cards since the girls loved them so much. Oh yeah, the middle says "It's the little things that make life Big!"

STAMPS:Happy Harmony
INKS: Basic Black
PAPERS: White, Blush Blossom, Rainbow Sherbert DSP
ACCESSORIES: Word Window Punch

Bottoms Up!

Here is another card from this months Summertime Fun Card Nite. All the girls got a BIG kick out of this card. Not only for this card, but for the saying inside. "Dreams come a size too big so we can grow into them." This of course is the first half of the card as I explained to the girls, but not everyone picked it up right away. Some made sure their bottoms were covered pretty well, but by the next card were wishing they would of skimped just a little more. "Butt" all in all, they got a big laugh with the cards. Stay tuned to see the other half to this card.


STAMPS: Happy Harmony (inside)
INKS: Basic Black
PAPERS: White, Blush Blossoms, Rainbow Sherbert DSP

Birthday Wishes

Here is the "birthday card" for my monthly Card Nite. I try to make sure that one card is specifically a birthday card. Most of the cards I prep are open ended so that they can make them into the card/s they need for the month. I used 3 punches with this card and I am hoping that the girls are not getting "punched" out!!! LOL
STAMPS: Sock Monkey, Sincere Salutations
INKS: Basic Black
PAPERS: Brilliant Blue, Yo Yo Yellow, Real Red, White
ACCESSORIES: Watercolor Pencils, Scalloped Square Punch, Scalloped Edge Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch

Retired "hi"

Well, this was to be the card that I was going to share at our demo meeting last month, but due to busy summer schedules it was cancelled. So kind of "late" to share it this month, but I can share it here. I meant to post this earlier this month, but that darn ol summer schedule.....
Anyway, this is made from all retired sets and papers. I am really missing this DSP as I think it ended up being one of my favorites "last" year.

STAMPS: Doodle This, Big Deal Alphabet (favorite)
INKS: Close to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red
PAPERS: Pink Piroutte, Candy Lane DSP
ACCESSORIES: Taupe Grosgrain, 2-way Glue, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

6x6 Scrap Page of Me

The final project from the Hostess Appreciation Dinner was a 6x6 Scrapbook Page. I encouraged the girls to try making a few scrap pages of themselves. We all know how easy it is to leave ourselves out of scrapbooking because we are so into scrapping everyone & everything else that we forget about us. Well, I am going to try scrapping me once in a while and I know the girls were encouraged by seeing this page done of myself and not just hearing me tell them to scrap themselves. So we'll see. I'll ask how many have started a page on themselves next month. I know when others look at these books down the line it would be nice to know a little of the person who put so much time into making them. Regardless about how I feel about scrapping myself. Someone's gotta do it!!!



STAMPS: Jumbled Alphabet

INKS: Dusty Durango

PAPERS: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, Rich Razzleberry

ACCESSORIES: 1 1/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1/2" Circle Punch

Scalloped Envelope Box

Here is another project we made at my Hostess Appreciation Dinner the other night. I've seen these boxes around and decided to give my hand a try at it. Since the Bermuda Bay ink pads are having issues at the moment, I decided to make it the main color of the box. Each of the projects were made with the In Colors so the girls could really get the feel for them. They really liked this project.



STAMPS: Embrace Life

INKS: Black Staz On, Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, Rich Razzleberry

PAPERS: Bermuda Bay, White

ACCESSORIES: Blender Pens, Sponge, Taupe Grosgrain, Big Shot, Scallop Envelope Die

Corner Bookmark

As you know this past week I held a Hostess Appreciation Dinner for all the girls that hosted a workshop over this past year. Along with the dinner, we ooo'd & ahhh'd over the new catty and made a few projects using the new In Colors. In this months Stampin' Success they showed how to make a corner bookmark and I just had to show my girls! They loved it! It took a little practice on making the scalloped edge come out right on the corner, but after a few tries on scrap paper they got it. Here is the sample of what they made.





STAMPS: Love you Much


INKS: Melon Mambo


PAPERS: Rich Razzleberry, Crushed Curry, White


ACCESSORIES: Scalloped Edge Punch, Heart to Heart Punch

Hostess Drawing Gift

After seeing the video SU put out on making bigger boxes, I decided to make a box for the stamp set I gave away at my Hostess Appreciation Dinner last night. As you know, I am trying to use my retired DSP so what better use than to use it as the cover for my box! I just measured my stamp set and figured out the box accordingly. No mistakes or redos!!! Got it the first time. I was so happy! And the winner really loved the box. Almost as much as the set inside!!!


STAMPS: Business Memos
INKS: Taken with Teal
PAPERS: 12x12 Old Olive, Petals & Paisleys DSP
ACCESSORIES: Sponge, Mellow Moss Grosgrain

Tribute to the Red, White, & Blue

***HAPPY 4th of JULY***

Can you believe it is July already?!! The year is half over already. Time to start on the Christmas lists!!! (seriously, not to mention cards too!) Anyway, here is my goodbye tribute to the '09 In Colors and The Free and the Brave stamp set. Sad to see this set go.


STAMPS: The Free and the Brave
INKS: Pacific Point, Riding Hood Red
PAPERS: Real Red, Brilliant Blue, White
ACCESSORIES: Big Shot, Top Note Die, Real Red Grosgrain, Blue Grosgrain(not SU), stapler

Another Father's Day Shirt

Here is another version of a Father's Day Shirt that I made. This one actually went to my husband as he is the polo shirt kind of guy. The dress shirt went to my dad. I love how easy this shirt is to make. I see this coming up for a male birthday card for Card Nite soon. I know that these are not SU buttons, but I have a HUGE tin full of buttons given to me by my grandmother when she moved. She knew that I love making cards and projects and that I recycle alot. When she was younger she worked at the (now gone) local button factory here in Burlington. Needless to say, I have more buttons now than I "ALMOST" know what to do with. I do cherish the buttons because they are grandma's and that makes them hard to use. What if I run out??? Some of them are made from oyster shells, not something they do alot of anymore. But I know I have more than enough to last a while. So here's to digging in to buttons!

STAMPS: 0
INK: 0
PAPER: White, DSP Prints Pack (retired)
ACCESSORIES: Buttons (priceless)

Dad's Shirt

Can't remember who I cased this layout from. But did this card for Card Nite for Father's Day. Everyone loved it. So thanks for putting this card out there to be cased!


STAMPS: Linen BG
INKS: Bordering Blue
PAPERS: Bordering Blue, Real Red, White
ACCESSORIES: Small Tag Punch, White Gel Pen

Scrapbook Purse

Got this template from "Stampin' by the Bay" who altered it from Jan Tink's scallop purse. This is the first time I've tried making one and I love how it turned out. Like I've been saying, I am trying to use up all my older, retired stuff. It's been hard, but I am really enjoying making all of these neat things I've been wanting to do. I really missed this paper as it was one of my favorites. I got 2-3 packs of it in both the pink and the blue. I am down to the last pack of each now. I do think this will be an upcoming Stamp Camp soon. Of course it will be made with current papers.

STAMPS: Echos of Kindness, Make it Count (retired)

INKS: Chocolate Chip

PAPERS: So Saffron, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Spring Flowers DSP

ACCESSORIES: Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Lg. Oval Punch, Round Tab Punch, Scallop Edge Punch, Chocolate Chip Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder Punch, Photo Corners Punch, So Saffron Polly Twill Ribbon, Mellow Moss Grosgrain Ribbon, Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware, CAD, Silver Brads

Matchbook Scrapbook

Alright, I know this is not SU only, but I am really trying to use the stuff I already have had for a long time. I found this BasicGrey Matchbook to put together years ago and it has just sat here. Well, I finally pulled it out to put it together the other night. I am giving this to my sister this weekend as a "congratulations" gift. I am so proud of her. She has come a long way to get where she is today. She has missed out on a lot, but is so ready to make up for it. So I made this with pictures of mostly of things we did last year that she missed.

I added "family" and the flower to the cover to give it that little something.

These are school pictures of 2 of her boys. I honestly thought they were this past years school pics and then found out yesterday that they are the year from the year before. (No one else caught it when I showed it to them.)

This one is a picture of the Mississippi River when it flooded here last year. The boys are standing on the road the leads to the freeway and the bridge! This flood surpassed the flood of 1993. You know, the one that is only suppose to happen once every 500 years! LOL Boy, talk about time flying! I knew I was getting older, but man I must of really fell asleep. Funny, I thought I'd age more! LOL

This is a picture of all the boys (my sisiters and I had ALL BOYS) minus one. Every year I make cookies and the boys don their santa hats and frost cookies. I missed when they were younger and called it painting cookies. And the other picture is our Christmas Day picture after opening presents.

The saying is: Our children are watching us live, and what we are shouts louder than anything we can say.