Bev Ann's Mixed Bag

Pencil Sketches = Relaxation

2012-01-29T22:23:00.000-06:00

I love to cover every piece of paper with a little drawing on it. If I sit down I've got a pen and paper in my hand, well, pencil and paper - I can be in a meeting, church, in front of the TV and I begin to draw. Now these aren't drawing that will ever make me rich, but they shut down my thoughts! I can listen better, I hear things differently because I'm just moving my pencil around in the most relaxing manner and my brain can relax. My mom and daughter knit! Other friends sew and I guess that's really more productive, but it's not for me. I don't end the time with something to frame or even give as a gift, but I have a collection of some pretty interesting little drawings.

Sitting in church last week I drew a small picture of most of the sermon - a fish, a net (not a very good net, looked more like a serpent) a palm tree, Jesus feet, some little stick people holding hands and a phone. Bill didn't go to church last week (sick) and when I got home I could tell him the entire sermon by looking at my little drawings. Now without my interpretation he probably would have been lost, but for me it brought it back to life. Most of the time it's a flower and they probably all look a lot alike, but I enjoy each one.

And, oh, the phone - it represented hearing Jesus call on my life! Don't worry, Bill was surprised by that one too. The main message, Jesus called the fisherman, they dropped their nets (immediately), left their boat behind and followed him! They joined in community and began to spread the word! How many times have we said, "I'll just hold on to my net", rather than listen to His call?

Now back to drawing, it's my happy place and I encourage everyone to find that place. That place where the business of life can just shut down and you can be still and maybe even here His voice.

Looking Forward and Preserving Memories

2012-01-28T10:10:00.001-06:00

I have so many treasures! My mom was 36 when I was adopted and she had wanted a baby girl for a long time and so everything was a special treasure for her. She was dedicated to writing everything down in my baby book including what I got for Christmas, at least through the first six years! She also saved my toys and clothes, especial my dolls and doll clothes and now I'm the one with these things in my home. I love these things and the memories they hold, but it's time to think about the future.

This adorable little vintage circus themed table was under the tree on my second Christmas. Just looking at it I'm filled with memories of tea parties and coloring books and for 60+ years, it's in pretty good shape. I'm like my mom and I don't like to let go of things (surprise to those of you who know me) but it's time. So I've decided to make a memory book. I've got my mom's award winning quilts, my toys, my dolls and their clothes, my first day of school (Kindergarten and First Grade) dresses and so much more, including a baby bed and kitchen cabinet that my Dad made and I want to be the one to see them go to other homes, so I will take pictures and write notes and make a wonderful book and my treasures will move on to other loving homes.

Bev Ann's Mixed Bag - K-T Antique Mall

So soon this little table and chairs will be the first of my childhood things to move to my store in Katy and or Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/bevannsmixedbag.

I will post more fun memories here as I move them into the book and out of the house! If you have any questions about the items I post, please leave me a comment or email me directly. I would love to visit about their history and, of course, they can always become your treasures before they even go to my shop.

I would love to hear about your special memories, so be sure to comment or email me - I know you have great things to share!

Watercolor Flowers and Lavender Scented Paper

2012-01-27T11:08:00.001-06:00

Good Morning! I love Fridays - I thought I might need to take my car in for service today, but no appointment available until Monday morning, so I get to play! I want to share some of my newest cards and or card fronts. I used to stamp all of my cards and I still do occasionally, but mostly I now draw and watercolor them.

I've recently become the worst card sender ever and I really must change back to the sender extraordinaire. With this in mind I've begun to watercolor some card fronts so I will have them ready to go when Facebook or my calendar suddenly remind me of a birthday! For those of you who didn't get a card recently, I'm sorry! Hopefully, next year you'll be at the top of my list!

Just this week I've completed several and mailed them and I'm going to share them today before I go up and start to play.

The one on the right is my go to hibiscus. I've painted a lot of other flowers, but always seem to go back to my comfort zone! I did two different ones this week and forgot to take a picture of one so only the recipient gets to see it. I'm really good about snapping pix, but occasionally one gets away from me. That's ok - after all, I'm painting to share, not to keep. And that's the problem with my stamped cards. I have boxes of cards I stamped and never sent. I must do something with them, any ideas?

This card on the left I made for a new friend in Minnesota. I met Sue online in one of my stamping groups. She was looking for a stamp set and I happened to have it and now it's hers. I included this card in her package along with a couple of my bookmarks.

I have been explaining to her that my direction in cards has changed and that's why I'm selling so many of my stamp sets, so thought I should give her a real example.

And this leads to my last two pictures. The one on the left is the front made out of my own freshly made paper and die cut with the Top Note die from Stampin' Up! using the Sizzix BigShot. The picture on the right includes still another handmade paper. The lavender colored paper backing the picture actually includes lavender buds in it and has such a nice scent. Sure wish you could scratch and sniff! This card is for a very special cousin who shares my love for creating. I started my paper making while she was visiting and we talked about making paper with lavender buds, so only right that she should receive the first card using this paper. I was really pleased with how easy it was to use this paper for drawing. It's a different texture from my usual watercolor paper, but worked like a dream and making lavender scented paper is so easy! I hope she enjoys the fruit of my labor.

Those of you who know me personally, know I could sit here and talk for ever, but that doesn't get pictures on paper, so I'm closing and heading up to my studio, pulling out some paint and paper.

Oh, by the way, I've changed my Etsy shop name to BevAnn's Mixed Bag - the link is www.etsy.com/shop/bevannsmixedbag. I did this for consistency, now my blog, my FB Page, my physical shop in Katy and now my Etsy shop all have the same name! Right now the Etsy shop is mostly stamp sets, but keep it on your list and check back often as I add more vintage items and some of my art cards, bookmarks and maybe even a foot or two!

Now, I'm really gone - later,

Rainy Day

2012-01-25T14:20:00.001-06:00

Back side yard - trees are about to float!

I love my life! And that's even when it doesn't go as expected! My sweet husband had a cold over the weekend and then last night I felt kind of lousy, so thought I would sleep in this morning and nip this possible cold in the bud. Sleeping in, to me, means, get up fix our breakfast and send him off to work and then my little dog, Jack, and I go back to bed. Well, that's just what we did this morning - we were back in bed by about 6:30 and then the emergency weather radio went off! And then it went off again, and again, and well, you know the rest. I just finally got up and watched it rain. I can thankfully say that we got lots of rain and our back field and then our front yard were full of water (most of it's gone or at least receded now) but we didn't have the severe wind and no tornadoes, so a little rain just seems fine to me! But, sleeping in just didn't happen!

As I walked around the house this morning looking out the windows, I paused by a shelf and looked at some of the small stones I've painted. I don't know about you, but ever since I was a little girl I have loved rocks! I still love all rocks, large and small, but now I seem to focus on stones that have been tumbled around in a river and are now smooth so I can paint on them. Most of these are just the right size for a paper weight and have a single flower on them, but now I seem to have a magnet in my eye that spots rocks shaped like feet!

My foot rocks never
come as "feet" rocks, I mean like a somewhat matching pair, but I see feet (singular) every where! And I paint toes, and toenails in pretty colors and sometimes add a flip flop and I must admit, some of them look like they just might hurt and I'm glad I don't have to walk on them. Heehee! But I love to paint them. So as I paused and looked at the ones I have done right now and I suddenly was engulfed by just how much I love to paint! Once again, I'm reminded that I need to concentrate on what I love! I love to paint! I love watercolors, and acrylics. I love painting on stones, on wood, on paper and fabric! You notice I didn't mention canvas, well, I've done it, but it's just not me!

For those of you who have followed my Obedience Stones blog you know that I began with a very simple flower on a round stepping stone fresh from my garden. My flowers are still simple, but they give me such joy. In my case, it's the journey, not the destination that makes me happy! I love how many stones tell me what they should be! For one, it just screamed that it had to be a pear and a pear it became. Most of them just say paint me! I actually have a stone somewhere, I'll have to find it, that looked to me exactly like a sheep! I've never painted it, it looks good just like it is, but maybe someday I'll embellish it too.

One little stone said I'm Mary and baby Jesus and soon it was my interpretation of just that. I love that God has given us so many canvases to fill. I went down to the rock (stone) yard down the highway from us and ask if I could pick out some to paint. They looked at me like I was crazy but sent me back into a heavenly area to find my treasures. I'm so blessed to find joy in such simple things!

And so, I'm going to do just that - I'm going to go do a few watercolors for some card fronts. Later, I will post some I've made recently and hopefully some I do today. I also need nome more bookmarks, so that's got to be added to my agenda too. Oh, my goodness, so much to paint and so little thyme!

Now, you tell me - what do you love to do?

Play Day

2012-01-22T07:39:00.000-06:00

What a wonderful Saturday spent mostly in my craft room. I began the day working on a jigsaw puzzle, OK, so that's not really creative, but it was relaxing. And then I headed up to my craft room, I mean studio (sounds so much more grown up) and began to play.

I already posted my first project, a small watercolor in my art journal. My next was another small watercolor, this time for a card front.

I practiced free motion sewing and quickly learned that I need lots of practice if I'm ever going to complete a small quilt project. I want to make some wall hangings, but believe me it may be next Christmas before I've mastered this and can actually do something I would be willing to show!

And then I decided to make another felt iPad cover. I made one several months ago after my iPad slipped out of my arms and shattered! Real bummer by the way! :-(

This is the beginning, some solid felt and beautiful wool roving and my fabulous needle felting machine. The next picture is of roving and embellishments to add to cover

And now the final pictures and I'm pleased.

Love the butterfly and all of the sparkle. Unfortunately the sparkle doesn't really show up well in the pictures, but there's lot of it! I especially like the three crystals for the butterfly body. These are so much fun to make and easy too!

I can't remember when I've had an entire day that I could spend playing with my crafty stuff. It was so nice to just do and not feel like I was rushed. We all need those days and I'm so thankful Saturday was mine.

Here's hoping this inspires you to take a day and enjoy creating!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fuchsia - A One Color Painting

2012-01-21T12:21:00.001-06:00

Late last year I got a really cool sketch book. Now I didn't understand how soft or textured the paper was, I just knew I loved the texture of the cover and that the paper wasn't typical. It was handmade with ragged edges and I loved it.

Love this cover - textured paper!

The first sketch I used markers and the paper was just too soft and allowed very intense colors (no picture). I used a few more pages with watercolors and they were better. I added a couple of drawings I'd done on other medium with brads and then today as I wondered what to do I picked up the book, flipped to a new page and with my Pitt artist pen I sketched a flower. I then picked out my Derwent Inktense Fuchsia (0700) pencil and decided to see if I could do the entire painting with just one pencil. Here is my finished page!

love how the heavy texture of the paper helped give dimension to the flower and shading with the one color and some white space worked.

Hope you enjoy my experiment in color.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A Paper Kind of Day

2012-01-17T18:23:00.000-06:00

I just love this paper making thing I'm into right now. I love using scraps and almost never knowing for sure what the finished paper will look like.

Would be kind of hard to make a set of matching papers, but who wants matching papers? Not me! However, I made a solid yellow (see right) and I know how I made it, so I guess if if I ever wanted more than one sheet of yellow, that one I can do! :) but mostly I just love throwing some scraps in the blender and being surprised.

So today I started with a white base, but, being the "imperfectionst" (my word) that I am, I didn't bother to rinse out the blender and there was some red pulp residue in it, so I quickly had pink. I poured it into the mold and then swirled some blue and green pulp around in the pink pulp and water and pulled it out to drain.

This is one side and this is the other and both of these pictures are when the paper is wet!

So another surprise when it dried. Can you believe how they change? The color becomes so much lighter and sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't.

With this one I prefer the lighter color and I love how different the sides are, but yesterday trying to make a dark red, lighter wasn't the look I wanted. Oh, well a pretty pink was born.

Quickly changing gears I did a quick watercolor for the front of a card for a friend. I have so many friends going through major trials right now, that I really need to do about four more, but that will have to come later tonight.

So with this I will close my post, make the card and get it ready to mail and get back to paper making and flower painting after dinner. My sweet husband is having dinner out and so that means a quick something for me and back to fun!

See you soon with more surprises.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Moose You So Much

2012-01-15T22:51:00.001-06:00

Moose You So Much - available now

What a couple of days! I'm learning that working in a store is hard work whether it's physical or virtual! I've been filling up my little booth in KT Antiques in Katy, TX and my Etsy store. One is filled with collectibles and the other has one collectible (Charlie Tuna) and rubber stamp sets. I have plans for much more, but right now I'm concentrating on the rubber stamps.

As I try to make some much needed space in my craft room, I'm sorting through my Stampin' Up! stamp sets and placing them for sale in my Etsy Store. I listed the first of the sets on Friday and sold one on Saturday - very exciting! Now just about another 100 and I'll have some room. :)

If you would like to check out my Etsy Store - my shop name is Bev Ann's Attic, of course, when you see it there, it's all together, so here's the link, BevAnnsAttic.

I just have about 12 items listed right now, but will be adding more each day, just as I also fill up my store in Katy.

And during all of this, I'm also trying to make some paper, sew a stitch or two and paint on fabric and garden stones. Hopefully, I'll have some fun things to post soon. Hope you're just as busy, but with more time to craft. Check back soon to see what I'm up to next and encourage me by commenting below and telling me what you're up to. What's going on with you in this new year?

Later,

Handmade Paper

2012-01-12T20:14:00.000-06:00

Handmade paper - so much fun and so many possibilities! I have wanted to make paper forever. I have saved scraps from my cards and have lots of other scrap paper - how cool is it that this can be used to make all sorts of new paper.

On Facebook I follow such a fun young woman. You can check out her blog by clicking here. Mel specializes in mixed media ATC's, but the other day she posted a picture of a sheet of handmade paper that she made from Christmas gift wrap. I had to know how! I commented on her post and she quickly forwarded me a link for a kit for making paper. I ordered it that very day and began my paper making.

I love anything that allows you to succeed on your first try and making paper is just that easy. Don't misunderstand me, there's much to learn to make different papers and to make them well, but I do promise that you can make a piece of paper on your first try!

My first piece is a little thick. You know the philosophy, if one is good then three or four is better. Well, never mind the directions, I used as much paper as I wanted to make my pulp and I learned a lesson. Yes, I made a new sheet of paper, but it's not what I want to make all of the time. Success with room to improve. But, don't think for a minute that I learned that lesson on the first piece, no I have three or four very thick pieces. I will use them for something, (great for die cut machine) but finally I have reduced the amount of pulp and am liking my paper even more. I guess all thicknesses have a place.

I have made colored pulp to add to my white or light colored pulp and have it ready to go. I've learned that you can add a minor ingredient and make acid free paper, perfect for scrapbooking. I'm planning to add some lavender buds to some paper, they say it retains it's scent and I'll let you know if that's true, probably as soon as tomorrow.

In the first couple of days I experimented with flower petals and leaves, see example on left. Today, it was just seeing the subtle change in color by using white or cream color base pulp. I want to learn recipes so that I can make multiple sheets of the same (close to the same) color to use for invitations, table decorations etc. All I know right now is that it's just way too much fun and the cost is negligible! After all, who doesn't have scrap paper - no more shredding, no more landfill, just a very green hobby.

Come see what I make tomorrow!

Awakening!

2011-12-15T08:21:00.002-06:00

Have you ever really, really enjoyed something only to wake up one morning and know it's over! I'm not talking relationship here - I'm talking hobby. Sometimes I think we take a path, not because it's our life path, but because it's taking us somewhere we never dreamed we would go.

About six years ago, well actually closer to seven, I was invited to a "card" club. That night I said please don't ever invite me to one of these again, but about a year later I had begun to pay attention to craft shows and scrapbooking and decided I wanted a second look. My friend Martha's daughter held these card making events and she was a blast. She made everything seem easy and exciting and I was in, in big time!

For about a year I attended her events and then I finally began to hold my own and I made some of the most precious friends. Women I would never have known without stamping. Some I already knew from church, but only casually and our friendships grew. Some found me online and I treasure them so much. We shared monthly gatherings and so much more. We learned about each other's families, work and went through illness and some hard times, a new baby for one and a wedding for another. What wonderful memories.

The fun loving, talented young woman who got me hooked, well she changed directions and left the stamping world behind and now I find like her I'm heading off in another direction, too. She moved into digital scrapbooking ( still does this ) and quilting and her enthusiasm is still very contagious. I follow her blog and she makes me want to sew like a crazy woman, something I haven't done for close to 40 years and then it wasn't really for fun.

I don't know if I'll ever quilt, but I have moved to painting on fabric as well as my stones. I'm having a blast watercoloring flowers on bookmarks and note cards and have done pink and teal ribbons to raise awareness for breast and ovarian cancer. What I've awakened to, finally the title comes into play, is that there are things I really love to do and stamping isn't at the top of my list, but I'n not sure I would be close to where I am now in painting, sewing, needle felting, etc. if Sally hadn't hooked me on rubber stamping.

I do know my life wouldn't be as rich without Sally, Megan, Anna, Crystal, Macy, Martha, Sarah, Kathleen, Melissa, Loretta, Brenda and more! Thank you ladies for a fun time and I look forward to sharing life with you for many years to come!

And without a doubt check out Sally's blog, you will find inspiration, patterns, tutorials and motivation to follow your dream.

New Adventures

2011-12-14T13:58:00.001-06:00

This has been an adventurous week! Once again I said, "Oh, I can do that!" and so it all began. Our home owners association has a Christmas Decorating
contest and we wanted new winner signs for the yards. Thus, the I can do that, never mind that I never had!!!! And so the adventure began.

This was something I had wanted to do for years. Learn to use a jigsaw and make wood figures, of course, I always thought they would be for my yard, but not the case. My sweet husband helped me get the materials and off I went. I drew my patterns, cut them out and painted them. I even decorated the tree with garland. And so I survived my new adventure and even look forward to making some things for my yard. My dad would be so proud!!!

These were my two favorites. I will post the others later.

Now on to making beanbags!

Later, Bev Ann

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On a Creative Roll!

2011-10-03T14:09:00.001-05:00

I have had a real dry spell, both in making cards and painting my flowers, but today it seems to be broken. I've done both!

I love these tiny little paintings. Just 1-1/2 x 2" watercolors are tiny indeed, but this leaves room to do layers and still stamp a sentiment!

Here are three I made as I tried different colors and layouts. I really like the one where I used the decorative label punch.

Finding this card layout using watercolor, stamping and punching is going to help me build up my stash of cards.

Hope this inspires you to get stamping and discover new ideas.

Enjoy,
Bev Ann

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Thank You

2011-10-03T12:25:00.001-05:00

Just finished this thank you card. A dear friend gave Bill and I a wonderful bottle of wine for our 25th anniversary (Sat) and I wanted to say thanks, so I watercolored the small flower and framed it using my new designer frame embossing folder from Stampin' Up!

Enjoy,
Bev Ann

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

It's a Mac

2011-09-19T18:05:00.000-05:00

I've been having some issues with my Dell for a while and so I've crossed over to the world of a MacBook Pro! I never thought I'd want one, but guess what - it's wonderful. Of course, I had already begun the switch, first with an iPhone and then my iPad this summer, so it wasn't really a hard decision. Now I'm Apple all the way.

But, even with my small Apple devices, I'm having a bit of a learning curve and will take advantage of all of the training Apple offers. Next week I'll go in for a lesson on photographs and based on how long it took me to import one today to this blog, I need the class! But, I got it done!

I've been having a blast painting flowers and veggies on bookmarks and note cards. This is a recent bookmark. I just love sunflowers, they make me happy in my garden and when I paint them, so this is the first one I shall post. I just completed 16 bookmarks last week for my Bible Study group - so there are many more pictures to come. I've been experimenting for several months now with all sorts of little paintings, so I'll be sharing a lot over the next few weeks.

I have way too many things I want to do and way too little time, but as I move to mixed media, silk paper and machine needle felting I hope you will enjoy the journey with me.

And the icing on the cake, the Houston Quilt Show begins in just a little over a month!!!!! Can you tell I'm excited? I can't wait to see the new ideas I will have when it's over, not to mention the new craft materials that will find their way into my work space. The only bummer is that I won't have my daughter here this year to shop with me. The two of us together are very dangerous in a "craft" environment, so maybe I'll do less damage this year, but I sure won't have as much fun!

Time to go create (dinner) so I'll say adios and see you again soon.

Things They are a Changin'

2011-09-09T23:29:00.001-05:00

Today I changed the look of my blog and gave it a new name. These changes were necessary as my focus has moved in a different direction.

I still use my stamps and am still a Stampin' Up demo, at least this quarter, but that's no longer my focus. I'm now what they call a hobby demo. I've begun to do a lot of watercoloring and am making bookmarks and note cards and enjoying it ever so much.

In 2006 I began painting for the first time. I began with round garden stepping stones, painting a variety of flowers on them and they were quite a success. You can see my stones on my Obedience Stones blog. I still paint the garden stones, but my focus is on watercolors and so many other things such as making silk paper and needle felting, that I changed the blog.

I will be posting again, but now rather than the focus on cards, one day you'll see some bookmarks, another some note cards or just the watercolors waiting to be used on a card. Other days mixed media projects, or silk paper will fill the blog.

I hope you will enjoy the new look and the new focus (or lack there of) as much as I am! It's fun to wake up and try something new each day. So as the title says, "things they are a changin' "- hope you'll stick with me and enjoy the ride.

See you again soon.

Gracie Mae Cat - Memorial Stone

2011-04-10T21:54:00.002-05:00

Well, I'm back! We have had a very peaceful day beginning with church this morning and working in the garden and yard this afternoon. I decided that I would get back to creating, but I chose to work on the stone for my cat Gracie Mae. Gracie died in March and I buried her out near the garage and placed one of my painted stepping stones to mark her grave. I knew I wanted to paint a special stone for her but have just kept putting it off, but today I knew it was the day to paint.

Its' funny a lot of people seem to think that painting is really easy for me and in ways it is, but I start and stop and redo all the time. So I sketched what I thought I wanted to paint on the stone. I use chalk and it is my best friend as it wipes off after everything is completed or when I need to make changes. I drew flowers around the top and wrote in her name, etc. and began to paint. This would be picture #1 and I didn't like the flowers and so I painted over it and began again with just three flowers to the side, not planned out, I just like the way the three left looked and so I completed painting them and began on Gracie's name. After I finished her name I realized I did the a and e completely different in Mae than in Gracie, so out came the green paint. Now I have it correct and so I called it complete.

However, now that I'm looking at the pictures (still a little chalk to remove tomorrow) I think I would like to have it say Gracie Mae Cat and have the dates smaller, so you know the drill! Out comes the green paint and I begin again. So now the secret is out - I use more green paint than any other color! :-)

I'm showing pictures from start to finish (almost finish) tonight. If I make other changes I'll post them later, but I thought it would be fun to see a work in progress.

So, I'm back to creating and now Day 97 is complete and soon I'll have all 100 done. Then, I will post, but I will also feel free to skip a day or two - but not yet, it's back to completing the challenge.

I just started to say see you tomorrow and add the pictures and I accidentally hit post! So for those of you who get email updates, you will have two and this one will be the complete one with pictures. Sorry for the inconvenience. Hope you enjoy - see you tomorrow.

Work in Progress

2011-04-09T23:13:00.000-05:00

Wow, what a day! We filled our day taking care of the details of planning Virginia's funeral service and making phone calls. That is such a hard thing to do and it certainly reminds you of how much time can pass between visits with family and friends.

I'm beginning to work on a photo display and a digital scrapbook page for the visitation on Tuesday. So my regular posts here will begin again following Virginia's service Tuesday.

I want to thank thosee who have left comments offering prayer and condolances.

See everyone again in a few days.

Saying Goodbye to Virginia

2011-04-08T22:35:00.000-05:00

Virginia and Bill, Sr. (1940's)

Ladies, forgive me for leaving my creating and posting 100 day challenge behind tonight. It's day 97, but I will have to go a few days beyond to complete my 100 days, as my mother-in-law died tonight around 6:30 and to honor her and my husband I'm not spending time in my craft room. Bill needs me with him and so I'm posting, but not creating.

We will be busy for the next few days preparing to say goodbye to a very special lady. The feelings are very raw right now and the shock is still very much a part of our being and so I will be back as soon as it fits with our schedule and complete my 100 days. Until then, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Virginia is in a much better place, but we are left here without her and so healing for us must take place.

Rest in Peace, Virginia, you will be missed.

The Countdown to Day 100!

2011-04-07T22:21:00.001-05:00

I had someone do a very nice thing for me this week and so I made a special card (gift card holder) and am filling it with a Starbucks card to say thanks. This is the first time I've made this holder and I'm really pleased. It's easy peasy to make the wallet style holder; however, I would do a different front next time. Adding the little pearls and punching out all of these tiny tags took way more time than I had to give, but it got done and it's a special gift, so I'm OK with the added work. I saw a card on page 130 and have wanted to copy it for a long time. Finally I've done it, but as I said it was more work than I expected. I still and will probably make it again sometime. I definitely will make the holder. If you would like the dimensions and directions for the card holder, please just leave a comment or email me.

For now, I'm headed to bed. Hope you enjoy! See you tomorrow for Day 97!

Life is a Matter of Moments - Day 95!

2011-04-06T23:23:00.072-05:00

I can hardly believe it - Day 95 of my blog challenge! I can't believe I set myself up for this unbelievable challenge and I can't believe I'm this close to completing it. Tonight was a real struggle, after three really easy days. It has surprised me at how this has happened throughout this challenge. The easy days make me feel like I can keep on going, but with a night like tonight I don't even want to finish the challenge. But I will, God willing, I will make something and post for the next 5 days and then celebrate and put my stamps and paper away for a few days.

Actually I have a new venture ahead of me and so my posts will be much more sporadic following April 11.

But on to tonight's card. I found something to case on page 194 of our current IBC. I changed it up in several ways and then used the sentiment "Life is a Matter of Moments." I love this set "Under the Stars" it has the cutest stamps, but for tonight I chose five, the bear and the smore to feature, along with the skeeter, skeeter spray and bedroll. The colors are Pear Pizzaz, Always Artichoke and Confetti White. I cut out the skeeter and the smore to add interest. I used a blender pen and markers to do the coloring.

I love smores and so now I'll be heading to bed thinking of chocolate, grahams and marshmallows - I just bet I'll have very pleasant dreams. Enjoy and I'll see you tomorrow!

Spring Flowers

2011-04-05T22:36:00.008-05:00

Last night I made a flower card and I've done it again tonight!. I think because it's spring I want to celebrate all of the flowers that are popping up every where I look. I live out in the country and my yard is filled with a wide variety of wildflowers (aka weeds). To me they're all pretty. A long time ago I ask my landscaper if something was a weed and he responded with the question, "Do you like it?" When I replied that I did in fact like it, he said then it's not a weed! I laughed, but now I know he was telling me the truth.

But on to tonight's card. At this late time in my 100 day challenge I'm looking for inspiration and have discovered that the best way to come up with a card is to look through the IBC (Idea Book and Catalog), find a card I like and CASE (Copy and Selectively Edit) it. And so once again tonight that's just what I did and the card I used as my inspiration can be found on page 155.

I used Crumb Cake for the base card and the two layers are Confetti White and Baja Breeze. The flower is cut with the Big Shot using the Island Floral Die in poppy Parade, DSP Pack Hostess set in Poppy Parade, Old Olive and Whisper White with a Baja Breeze center. The brad is retired, but we currently have others that would fill the bill. I stamped the sentiment from Upsy Daisy and used the scallop oval punch and sponged the edges to make it jump off the front. This was another really quick and easy card. Our catalog really is an Idea Book - I would be in real trouble on Day 94 without it's inspiration. Pull yours out, whether it's a current one or five years old. You can always change up the colors and stamp sets to make it current. On this card I changed the sentiment set, colors and brad. I made it my card and used what I had on hand, now it's you're turn.

Hope you enjoy! See you tomorrow for Day 95....

Flower Folds

2011-04-04T22:08:00.001-05:00

Tonight's card is a each to make card with some real impact. I used my Big Shot and the Flower Folds Bigz die to cut out the flower. I used the two smallest flowers and punched a 3/4" and 1" circle for the flower center. The button is from the SAB catalog, Ice Cream Parlor - a great little package of bright colored flower shaped buttons. The stem is simply a thin strip of paper and the leaves were punched using the two-step bird punch. I think these are intended to be wings, but I think they make great leaves.
I used some embroidery thread to tie the button.

The sentiment is from Word Play - I love how they tuned sick into "ick." Card stock is Pear Pizzaz, Always Artichoke and Melon Mambo. Ink is Always Artichoke. Inspiration from page 208 in the IBC.

Hope you enjoy! See you tomorrow.

Look Who's Turning...

2011-04-03T21:53:00.000-05:00

I just love this Look Who's Turning set, but tonight I just used the numbers and the sentiment, not the adorable little animals. This card was just calling out for a cupcake. Ok, the card wasn't but I sure wanted one and this was my only option! :-)

I actually saw this idea in the back of the catalog using the Big Bold Cupcakes sizzlit. I have the sizzlit set, but chose to use the Big Bold Cupcake stamp set. I know it's retired, but I still love it and use it quite often. After stamping it, I cut the two cupcake pieces out with scissors.

I love how you can stamp all of the numbers and then highlight the one that applies, but if you need an age that's more than 9, you can do that too. So for tonight, I made a little boy card using bashful blue as my card color. Hope you enjoy.

Happy I Do Day

2011-04-02T23:37:00.000-05:00

Tonight's card was fun, fast and easy. I found a card on page 214 of the current Idea Book and Catalog and decided to case (copy and selectively edit) it. I had a busy day and so fast and easy sounded so good and so I grabbed some Blushing Bride card stock, cut it and embossed one half. Stamped the sentiment from Word Play with Early Expresso ink on Very Vanilla card stock and punched it out with the 1 3/4 circle punch. I used the Victoria crochet trim to tie around the top and attached the sentiment with linen thread. As I said this was fun, fast and soooo easy and I think it's a very elegant card. You could change the sentiment and use the design for many different cards. Hope you enjoy and are inspired to pull out your catalog and case a card.

And so, I'm off to bed - got to get up early for church.

Lavender (Devotion)

2011-04-01T21:19:00.001-05:00

Tonight's card is made using the Herb Expression stamp set. Each of the four herb stamps has the herb name and it's meaning i.e. lavender (devotion) and a corresponding sentiment. I love herbs, but I have not used this set all that much. Tonight I used markers to color the stamps and left off the name adding flower pots to add interest. I used my brayer to color the back ground. Card stock colors are Perfect Plum, Elegant Eggplant and Pear Pizzaz.

I was inspired to use the lavender stamp as I have my first bud on my lavender plant in the garden. I just found it this morning, so this seemed to be the right way to celebrate this new flower. I, also, have three tomatoes on a plant, but no stamp, so my excitement for that is expressed in this little note.

I can't believe this is Day 90 of my 100 day challenge! I have to admit this really has been a challenge and I look forward to taking a wee break soon from this daily creating. There are some things I need to make in multiple and just haven't had the time, so that will be first on my free time schedule. But for now, I have nine more days before the big celebration.

Enjoy and I'll see you tomorrow.

Easter Wishes - Stepped Up

2011-03-31T22:08:00.012-05:00

Yesterday I made an Easter Card and I liked it and it would be great for mailing, but I told you I would step it up into a little fancier card and so tonight all of the ingredients are the same except for a flower and pearl on the cross, a small butterfly and a ribbon.

As a reminder here's the one from last night.

And now for tonight's version! Both are great cards, this just shows you that you can keep going on a card and change it's look to a fancier card.

Give it a try sometime - when you think your card's completed - see what else you could add to step it up a level.

See you tomorrow!

Easter Wishes

2011-03-30T22:14:00.001-05:00

Easter is really late this year, or I would be way behind schedule on my Easter cards! This is one of my ideas, but I have several others up my sleve, so I won't stop here. Another demonstrator shows how you can make a really prety card and then add to it and make it better,a nd then even add more and make it really great. I was really happy with this card until I saw it on the computer screen and then it looked very plain, so I think I may follow the step it up plan and work on this card or one like it for the next several nights and see what we end up with - it may even make the cut to be my Easter card..

I used Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and the same DSP as last night, Cottage Wall. It is retired, but there's a paper out there that would be just as pretty. I made the cross with the lattice die and the Big Shot and Easter Wishes comes from the All Holidays set, raised from the card with dimensionals after punching with the Curly Label.

Enjoy and come back tomorrow to see what I do to take this card a step up.

God's Blessings

2011-03-29T21:46:00.001-05:00

Tonight's card goes back to one of my favorite designs - the Joy Fold card. Card stock is Whisper White, Old Olive and Rich Razzleberry and the DSP (designer series paper) is Cottage Wall from the 2009-2010 catalog and retired, but it was one of my favorites. I love pulling out some of these old papers and falling in love with them all over again. The stamp sets are God's Blessings and On Your Birthday. I used the Decorative label punch and the three circle punches 1/2", 3/4" and 1".

Now I just need someone with a birthday! While I'm checking my calendar, why don't you pull out some paper and make a card! Have fun and I'll see you tomorrow.

Fun Flowers

2011-03-28T22:00:00.000-05:00

I just love the new Designer Big Buttons in the Mini Occasions Catalog. These are in the set called Sweet Stitches. I used Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango and Daffodil Delight, but the set also includes Chocolate Chip. I used taffeta ribbon to make the flower centers. The holes are large enough to allow the ribbon to easily pass through. Buttons come four each of three designs for a total of 48 buttons. At 8.95, these are just great buttons!

I drew the stems and leaves with a marker and used the brayer to add the grass at the bottom. Card stock colors are Bashful Blue, Melon Mambo, Pear Pizzaz and Daffodil Delight. The sentiment is Stampin' Up!, but I think it may be retired. I simply don't have the energy tonight to run back upstairs to find the set name. I will add it tomorrow after I make my next card. I will post it at the end of tomorrow's post, so if you need to know be sure to read to the bottom tomorrow.

This was really fun and something different.

See you tomorrow!

Embrace Life

2011-03-27T20:35:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it! It really is Day 85 of my 100 day challenge - believe me I am as shocked as you are that I've really created and posted something for 85 consecutive days! It's really a great feeling, for a couple of reasons, #1 I've stuck to something, even on days I didn't think I could do it, but I did and #2 I only have 15 more days!!!!!!! I will certainly continue to post, but I won't guarantee it will be every day. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I know I've got some other things that I really need to concentrate on, but this has been a challenging and fun ride.

I used Greenhouse Garden and cased a card from last year's catalog, but I think my real inspiration came from Bill and I working in the garden all weekend. We filled in two more beds with dirt, I got my potatoes planted and just general spring garden stuff. We have bluebonnets this year for the first time at our new house, so it's nice to be outside and today was especially beautiful with a cool breeze and light clouds!

Today's card base is Rich Razzleberry, with Pear Pizzaz and Whisper White layers. The ribbon is Rich Razzleberry 3/8" taffeta, the sentiment is from the set Embrace Life (seems obvious) and DSP is from this year's catalog. Hope you enjoy and that this card encourages you to stamp and garden!

See you tomorrow! Happy Crafting -

Beary Best Friends

2011-03-26T21:13:00.009-05:00

Some time ago Stampin' Up! began a joint venture

with Build A Bear and the first stamp set was Beary Best Friends. Not many of the ladies in my stamp club were of the age for Build A Bear to be of interest and so I held off getting the set and then those cute little bears stole my heart when I began to see samples out on the net, so I ordered it and then like way too many others once it arrived I didn't have a use for it and so it joined my other sets on the shelf and was soon forgotten. I saw it tonight and thought it's past time these two little bears jump out of their box and appear on a card and so here they are. A cute little boy bear giving a gift to a sweet little girl bear - maybe his sister, maybe his little girlfriend, that part of the story we will just have to guess about! And so I close with this card "just for you."

See you tomorrow for Day 85 of my 100 day blog challenge!

Wish Big

2011-03-25T22:10:00.001-05:00

No body says Happy Birthday like Sock Monkey! In this case he's surrounded by an extra party hat and multiple packages plus a cupcake in his hand. I love the sentiment "Wish Big" from Word Play. I think that's what he's doing here - Wishing Big and telling you to do the same! This will be a fun card to send that someone for their for their special day.

One of the best things about Sock Monkey is he comes with so many accessories, with even new ones in our current catalog. He's a very versatile monkey, ready to help you celebrate almost every occasion!

Enjoy - See you tomorrow!

Merci

2011-03-24T21:06:00.028-05:00

I have a very special friend who loves Paris! Actually I have several friends who love Paris, but one in particular made me laugh so much this week on a day I felt so lousy! We did it all by text and laughed like crazy women. I have had a much tougher time with this last surgery and as my mom always said (many others too) "laughter is the best medicine and so after an hour with her I was much improved. And so I made a special thank you to her using my Chic Boutique set - particularly the Merci and the Eiffel Tower.

And so to her I say Merci and to all a good night!

A Simple Hello

2011-03-23T20:56:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, creating is made up of looking at things you have laying around and combining them to make a finished product. That is exactly what I did today. I'm sure you remember the card that just wouldn't come together a few nights ago - you know the one with the sock monkey, a bird, a turtle, a dog and a cat and still no really completed card! Well, today I saw the background card and thought it would make a really neat note card, all by itself with just a simple "hello." And so today's card was complete with just a quick stamping of hello and punching it out with an oval punch. This set is rough type and unfortunately it is retired. I really like it and so it will continue to be used by me - if you want to do a similar card you can use any alpha set to create the hello.

So that's it for tonight - see you tomorrow.

Bundle of Love

2011-03-22T22:45:00.001-05:00

Tonight I made a tag for a baby gift. I used Baja Breeze for my tag and, but any color could be used to change for the particular baby. I made the hanger our of some wire that SU used to sell. The little onesie is from the Baby Tees wheel and the Bundle of Love is from the set Baby Bundle, both are in the 2010-11 Catalog and Idea Book on page 79 along with the tag I cased.

The back could be used for a greeting, to and from or maybe even as a shower invite with the date, time, etc. a stamp that is included in Baby Bundle.

Hope you enjoyed tonight's creation. See you tomorrow.

Chocolate Bunny and Easter Eggs

2011-03-21T22:13:00.000-05:00

Good Evening,

Tonight's post will be very quick as I need to get back to the couch after making a quick card and posting. Surgery went very well today and hopefully we'll move on to the next treatment soon, but for now here comes one of my favorite stamps from last year. I know it's retired, but not in my life. I've always loved Chocolate Bunnies - got one every year as a child and this stamp brings back wonderful memories.

A couple of nights ago I posted a card I made with the Big Shot and the large scallop circle. By folding a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 card and sliding it down on the scallop allowed for the fold. I got the idea that night by picking up a blank card I had on my work table. I started to use it and had stamped the grass when I decided to change the color paper and so tonight to speed up the process I used it tonight. I stamped a chocolate bunny and some eggs (Nature Walk), added them to the card and the sentiment "Every day holds the possibility of a miracle. -Elizabeth David. This makes several cute children's Easter cards in a row and tomorrow, I'll try to head in a different direction. (no promises, but I'll try- BIG smile) Unfortunately, the Chocolate Rabbit stamp and the Kiwi Kiss (card stock) are both retired products, but all the rest is current.

And so now I close and head back to resting. Hope you enjoy the card and I'll see you tomorrow.

Happy Easter from Sock "Rabbit"

2011-03-20T21:28:00.001-05:00

This is a fun Easter card with the Sock Monkey in disguise. He's got his Easter Bunny ears on and his basket of eggs, but under all of that he's still Sock Monkey!

Tomorrow is surgery day and Bill worked my fingers to the bone (heehee) today moving rocks and making flower beds and so my card is about all there is to this post.

I will return tomorrow with another card. Have a great night and happy stamping.

Thank EWE

2011-03-19T20:34:00.001-05:00

This will be a very short post. I'm having surgery again Monday so we've been busy trying to get work done around the yard and house. It's not that it's that disabling, but I can't lift my arm that high for a while and so I'm exhausted. I painted my hubby's office in his new garage "Manland". I still have more to do tomorrow, but got a good start on it today. We're driving into town tomorrow after church to pick up some things left behind in the garden shed and garden, so tomorrow will be busy too. So enjoy my card and I'll be back tomorrow with another something!

Tonight I decided to make a special thank you and it's for a friend who loves sheep - so this card was easy and fun to make. I love these sheep and I'm so thankful for my friend, Deb reminding me that I hadn't made one in a long time. Well, I'm back into them now and who knows when I'll get my fill and stop again. I just hope there's always going to be someone to remind me to start making them again.

I love that they can be used in place of the common you. So Thank EWE Sally for your precious gift and Deb for reminding me how much I love making sheep.

Until tomorrow - I'm off to bed early tonight! (Smile)

Believe in Miracles

2011-03-18T21:31:00.001-05:00

Last night I used my set A Good Egg for the first time and I couldn't resist using it again today. This time I made three little chicks with three color shells, but had the chicks a different color and used the sentiment "Believe in Miracles." The background paper is from the Sale-a-bration catalog (ends 3/31) The sentiment is not SU, but is a stamp I've had in my stash for a long time and it just fit this bunch of mixed up chicks.

Enjoy - have a good weekend and I hope you find some time to stamp, paint, sew or whatever you enjoy.

Day 76

You Crack Me Up!

2011-03-17T22:20:00.002-05:00

Do you have a friend that makes you laugh? There are some people in my life that just being with them is fun and laughter is so spontaneous. Well, I made today's card thinking about them and how much joy they've added to my life.

The set I used is one that I wanted as soon as I saw my first Stampin' Up! catalog - A Good Egg. I waited a long time to get it and then I've never used it. But tonight as I looked through the catalog for inspiration I saw this set and thought it will never be right for me at Easter, but it sure makes me think of people that "crack me up" and so here's my card. I used one of my favorite in colors for this year - Poppy Parade and whisper white. I stamped the broken egg part twice on DSP (hostess level 1 set) and then cut them out. I stamped the egg on whisper white after coloring the outline with markers and cut it out. The rest is pretty self explanatory.

Now, will I send this to just one of my laughing buddies or will I make a bunch of them and cover my bases. After all I don't want to hurt any feelings and I'm blessed with a number of very funny friends! I think I'll take the pressure off and just add this one to my stash!

St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-16T22:55:00.001-05:00

Tomorrow is the day we all wear green and if we're not Irish, we pretend for a day we are. We drink green beer (most of us don't, but some do) and Chicago actually dyes the river green for the day! If we forget to wear green we're subject to being pinched! All in all it's a day for fun and frivolity! In the spirit of the holiday I made a card that is meant for each of you. My inspiration came from a quick trip to Walmart, where they were selling shamrock plants. Really cute plants, with little white flowers, but instead of buying one I thought of my card for tonight. And so here it is - Garden Green and Whisper White. The shamrocks are small hearts, vase is the ornament and the sentiment is punched out with the word window and layered on the modern label. Ribbon is whisper white taffeta.

I hope each of you has a great day - and enjoy your card.

Day 74

Sock Monkey or not?

2011-03-15T22:32:00.001-05:00

What a night! I'm telling you I've thought every thought and looked at every stamp set and tried a dozen different things and I really don't have much to show you, except that this doesn't always come very easily. And tonight that's an understatement. The first thing I did was make a sock monkey and cut it out. I wanted to use the stamp thanks a bunch from the same set and so I stamped and colored bananas and cut them out. I needed a background and then I decided I didn't like the colors on this monkey, so I set him and his bananas aside.

But I then had the idea to do a background using my brayer, so I cut a mask and began to "bray." I liked my background and added the grass and then the real trouble began.

I stamped and cut out a turtle, but didn't really like it.

Then I stamped and cut out a bird, but didn't really like it.

Then I stamped a pheasant and cut it out and, well, you know I really didn't like it.

So I pulled out the sets C is for Cat and D is for Dog and tried them, alone and together and you guessed it, I really didn't like them either.

Finally I put the Sock Monkey and his bananas on the the card and there we are! I didn't glue him down, so at this point, who knows how this card will turn out! I've created and created, but really don't have anything finished, but it's day 73 and I've posted all of my possibilities and can't wait now until Day 74 - it's got to be better!

What I want everyone to learn from this is, that everyone has stampers block at some point - you just keep trying and then you put everything away and come back another day!

Happy Stamping,

Bring on the Cake

2011-03-14T21:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday 2 Ewe! Actually on my card you see the sheep, it's not spelled out! I love this set Bring on the Cake and a big reason is a love this outlined stamp so I can fill in the colors. I used Basic Black Craft Ink after I used the embossing buddy and clear embossing powder. This gives a cool look and it makes it easier to color in the letters. I did use the #2 from the Best Friends #s (retired) and the ribbon retired last year.,but the party hat is from Sock Monkey (he was kind enough to loan it out) and the sheep of course is from the Scallop Circle and Five Petal Flower punches. I used the Shimmery White card stock for the sheep, after all it is her birthday and she would want to be dressed up! (smile)

Card Stock for card is Marina Mist, Whisper White and Pacific Point. I used Crumb Cake to sponge along sheep edges and Melon Mambo, Regal Rose and Pacific Point markers to color in BIRTHDAY! A fun card for a fun young friend.

See you tomorrow, Happy Stamping -

Day 73

Eat Chocolate

2011-03-13T19:34:00.002-05:00

Today's post features one of my favorite things; however, compared to my mom I don't like it at all. My mom was the consumate chocoholic! She loved all sweets, but, she never passed up a piece of chocolate. I miss her and I dedicate this card to her memory. Mom has been gone now for nearly a year - I'm sure chocolate sales have suffered dramatically!

This is the new Eat Chocolate stamp set from the Mini Occasions catalog - sales from this catalog endApril 30, so you still have time to add this fun set to your collections. It has four stamps - I used two for this card. I stamped the background paper with the so much CHOCOLATE so little time stamp with Early Expresso. I stamped off on scrap paper before stamping on the Whisper White. Card stock is Crumb Cake, Early Expresso and Whisper White. Ribbon is Early Expresso 3/8" Taffeta. I used the corner rounder punch for the corners. Fun card - now I've got to go find some chocolate - I think I have some kisses in a bowl downstairs - so off I go - have a great chocolate filled evening.

Happy Stamping,

Day 71

Sheep Bookmarks

2011-03-12T22:39:00.000-06:00

What a great day - couldn't ask for more perfect weather! Bill and I had another busy day finishing our fence. We enlarged the fenced part of our back yard, last week we dug the post holes and set the posts and this week we added the pickets. Painting it white is now in my future, but for right now I'm just thrilled to have it up.

We have 2.5 acres and I would love to have sheep, but not in our future for more than one reason! And so tonight I made some little sheep for my Day 70 creation. Actually a friend ask me the other day when I was going to make some more sheep, she really missed seeing them. I thought about it and it's been a long time since I made any. I've been trying to come up with an idea for a bookmark and tonight this just popped into my mind and I made several.

After showing them to Bill, it occurred to me that you could do them in pink or blue, change the sentiment and make a cute tag for a baby gift. Or I guess mix the colors and they could be used for any gift, but for me they're bookmarks.

The card stock, punches and ribbons are all Stampin' Up! The scripture sentiment comes from a set that no longer has any identifying mfg.'s name.

Got to go - don't forget to change your clocks!

Happy Stamping,

Bluebonnet Beds

2011-03-11T21:30:00.000-06:00

Today ends a week of early rising and lots of gardening! I spent two days this week cleaning out beds at our old house as we prepare to sell it. Spring is always a time of major cutting back of grasses and cleaning out beds, but with two houses it has taken on a life of it's own.

Earlier this week I posted pictures of my work in Bellaire as my creation and tonight I'm doing something similar. The bluebonnets we planted a number of years ago come back every year and they're beautiful right now. They always seem to bloom earlier than the ones out in the countryside. They say they will be sparse this year because of the drought, but in the city with regular watering this year they are beautiful. Many of the them were growing in the grass that needed to be cut and so I dug them up and transplanted them to beds at our new house.

I don't know if they'll grow and survive out here, but I'm hoping they will and so tonight you get to see the beds I planted. I will keep you updated on the bluebonnet progress.

This is the end of very long week and so I close with a wish that everyone will have a fun and restful weekend. See you tomorrow with some crafty little something!

Day 69

Happy Birthday

2011-03-10T21:11:00.000-06:00

I made a birthday card for a very special friend - I would love to tell you more about it, but I'm not even sure the name of the stamp set(s). I could run back upstairs to find out, but I'm really to tired and I think you can see that it's a very happy little card. Every woman loves flowers and I hope these will be pleasing to her.

I've had a long week, working in the yard(s) and tomorrow is going to be another busy day and so for tonight - I say good night! Tomorrow is another day and we'll see what I can create.

Happy Stamping,

Day 68

St. Patrick's Day a Week Early!

2011-03-09T21:31:00.000-06:00

Good Evening,

I made 40 little candy covers tonight! I made these little mint covers with our new single stamp for St. Patrick's Day featured in the Mini Occasions Catalog. I'm going to hand them out at Bible Study tomorrow as we're not meeting next week because of Spring Break, so as the title says a week early. I turned them into little sandwiches. The bottom piece is Garden Green and the top is Whisper White with Garden Green ink for stamping. Very quick and easy, punched out with the 1 3/4" circle punch and a nice little treat.

And so this is my creation and post for day 67 of 100 in this challenge. I can only wonder if I will continue with this daily blog when the challenge is complete! I will tell you I finished my yard at our house in town today and I didn't want to make something tonight. I just wanted to go to bed, but I just can't break this chain and so up the stairs I went to make this - I realize that accountability really does make us keep on keeping on!

See you tomorrow - Happy Stamping,

Create a Cupcake

2011-03-08T21:19:00.006-06:00

It's nice to be back in the craftroom. I did do a few things in the yard here and I'll be back in Bellaire tomorrow finishing up the yard, but tonight I was with stamps, paper and punches!

I received my new Create a Cupcake stamp set and along with the Build a Cupcake Punch that arrived last Friday I made a fun Joy Fold Card. I seem to be on a Joy Fold Car roll recently, funny since I hadn't made one in over a year. That just seems to be the way I work, but let's move on. I love this sentiment - It'snot about how many candles you blow out but how manhy cupcakes you get!

This card uses even more new items - I've already listed two, the stamp set and the punch, but there's also the DSP from the SAB catalog. It's called Ice Cream Parlor and comes with paper and stickers (free when you place a $50 order, but just until March 31). There are two more new elements, the first is the giant button in Melon Mambo and the second is the Happy Birthday stamped in side from Bring on the Cake. The card stocks are Baja Breezee, Melon Mambo and Whisper White. I colored the candles with markers.

I loved covering the front with candles...and then filling the inside with cupcakes!

This was a really fun card to make - the punch made it super simple and I loved how this DSP looked like icing with sprinkles. I hope you enjoy and if you're like me, you're now craving a cupcake!

Happy Stamping,

Creations come in all different ways!

2011-03-07T19:53:00.002-06:00

I would love to go upstairs and make a card or something, but I'm not sure I could make it up the stairs, and so I'm going to feature a totally different type of creation.

Bed behind fence!

I got up this morning and headed into Bellaire to our old house to do yard work! Our yard guys will be there on Wednesday, but the grasses and some of the other plants need my loving touch. Our house is for sale in town or it will be again soon after all of the repairs/upgrades are completed and so it's time to get that yard in shape. Actually, I'm a month behind schedule. I always try to cut back the grasses by the middle of February, but for those of you who follow this blog, you know I've had a pretty busy February and so it got done today, March 7.

Big bed ready for cleanup!

A really dear friend met me at the house at nine this morning and we started in on the bed behind the fence. I wish I had taken a good before picture, but I can tell you there was dead lantana, rosemary and grasses and we cleaned it all out before she had to take off. I then moved to the back yard (inside the fence) and there was a lot of brown stuff! So many things had really died back because of our recent freeze and so I began clipping.

Big bed nearly complete!

And so, my creation for today is cleaned out flower beds. I still have much to go and will be there all day Wednesday with the yard guys finishing up this spring clean up, but for now I'm just pleased with what I got done today. The best part of this is that while I was working I was surrounded by the bluebonnets that have begun to bloom in town. We have a few out here in the country, but nothing like in town. They will only get better over the next couple of weeks as I saw lots of tiny little buds. I love this time of the year and will really miss this yard when the house sells, but for now I have the best of both worlds - in town and in the country - twice the work, but twice the pleasure.

So now, I'm going to review my Bible study for tomorrow. I get to go to leadership on Tuesday for the first time in a month! That means I get to lead my class on Thursday! (Smile) Finally a week that feels normal! Hope they stay that way.

So tomorrow, I'll be back to creating in my craftroom, at least that's the plan. Tune in tomorrow to see what's up next.

Nature Walk

2011-03-06T21:19:00.002-06:00

Good Sunday Evening,

I had an amazing day beginning with church and ending with dinner with long time friends. The middle was filled with lots of very hard work, but we accomplished so much it turned out to be a very, very good day.

Tonight when I sat down to make a card I first decided I wanted to make another Joy Fold Card and then I started looking at stamps. I just received a box Friday from Stampin' Up and so I chose Nature Walk. I have avoided this set for a long time, but finally gave in and I'm so glad. Every stamp in the set is fabulous, but tonight I wanted to use the bird and birdcage as my main stamps, but ended up adding in the plant and the bee and the no. 147. When I'm making a Joy Fold card I use DSP, but I didn't have one that really looked good with these stamps so I decided to make my own. I chose Whisper White as the background paper and began to stamp using Crumb Cake. I stamped off on each stamp for the paper, except for the birdcage and even stamped it off on some of the parts. I guess I could have make a large piece and then cut it, but I chose to cut my paper to size and then stamp them. Finally I stamped the bird using Early Espresso and colored it in with the Crumb Cake and Peach Parfait markers. I chose Early Espresso and Crumb Cake as my two card stocks. The inside sentiment was from the set Word Play, but any stamp could work. I really enjoyed making the paper, but I will admit that it wasn't all done with the first try! Sometimes, not even the second, but still great fun and I love that it's my design. This set made doing this so easy - just great stamps.

So, enjoy and pull out some stamps and make some paper!

Day 64 of 100

So Many Candles

2011-03-05T20:40:00.001-06:00

I had a visit from Mr. Brown yesterday and got some brand new Stampin' Up! goodies. I love making birthday cards and the Mini Occasions catalog has a great birthday set, called Bring on the Cake. It has thirteen fun stamps - so I used the one so many Candles so little Cake. This set has a wonderful cake covered with lots of candles, but I used the one along with the little candles from Slice of Life, the Level 1 hostess set in the Mini catalog. I used a small rhinestone and three buttons as embellishments. The buttons are from the SAB Ribbon and Button Pack and the DSP is part of the DSP and Quick Accents Pack also offered in the SAB - These items are free when you purchase $50 in product, but this special ends 3/31, so get yours ordered soon. The card stocks are Daffodil Delight, Pacific Point, Melon Mambo and Very Vanilla. I used various stampin' write markers to color the cake and the Decorative Label Punch for the sentiment.

I hope you enjoy this card as much as I enjoyed making it. I love new stuff - just gets the creative juices flowing.

Happy Stamping,

Happy Birthday Melanie

2011-03-04T23:15:00.001-06:00

Nothing like making and posting a card on your blog before you place it in the mail, but I believe this young lady will forgive me. After all, she's already forgiven me for nearly missing her big day. So I wish Melanie a big Happy Birthday today (I also called her) and her card can say it all over again in a few days! Nothing like keeping a celebration alive.

I decided that I wanted to draw a flower myself, and so I used our water color paper and markers and did just that. I love drawing flowers and haven't been doing it much - maybe this will revive my painting. You know you've got to start somewhere. I used Tangerine Tango for the card and used the new set Nature Walk from the Mini Occasion catalog. I used the butterfly and the bee. The ribbon is Tangerine Tango, but long ago retired. The flower is layered on Tangerine Tango and Early Expresso. I used the Word Window and Modern Label for the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

So once again, Happy Birthday Mel and many, many more!

Happy Stamping,

Friend to Friend

2011-03-03T22:50:00.000-06:00

Today's card uses the simple sentiment friend to friend from Teeny Tiny Wishes and flowers from Awash With Flowers. I used markers to color the stamps and the butterflies were punched with the Embosslit Beautiful Wings . Papers are Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzaz, Whisper White and Pirouette Pink. The sentiment is punched with the Modern Label and tied on with the 1/8" Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Little Boy

2011-03-02T21:23:00.000-06:00

Ths is Day 60 of my 100 day blog challenge! I just can't believe I've stuck to this! I've learned a lot about crafting under duress! (laugh) Actually, this has been an amazing exercise in perserverence and has challenged me in lots of ways, but on to today's card.

I have a darling little friend who will be turning one in April and so I just thought I'd make him a card. I used the SAB Punch Bunch set, Sock Monkey, and Look Who's Turning. The set Look Who'sTurning has some really cute little animal stamps, but I just love this owl so I just used the sentiment from the set. I pulled out some stars from an old on board set, colored them with a marker and outlined them with a silver ziggy pen. I used my Sizzix Alphabet Simple Numbers Dies to punch out the 1. The Crumb Cake circle was cut with the new 3 1/2" circle die, the branches were punched from the Two Step Bird X-Lg Punch and the owl was punched out with the two step owl punch. Card base is Baja Breeze as is the DSP, however, the DSP is retired. Once again, I have to use what I've got - so you will see retired items, but there's always something current that you can use instead. So this will be little Hunter's card and I hope he will like it! Of course, with almost another month to go there may be still something else made for him - he's so cool he probably deserves several cards from his grand - ma- ma!

Until tomorrow - happy stamping!

Day 60

FRIEND. GOOD.

2011-03-01T20:14:00.002-06:00

I have been so surrounded by friends today that I just had to make this card. I know they're blue and pink, but it's really two girlfriends! One has a pearl and one a rhinestone and they're having a gabfest - I know this to be true because they told me! The stamp is from the set Smart Pants and the owls are from the SAB Punch Bunch. Of course, our owl punch fits perfectly.

It's been a long day for me, so I'm headed to bed - hug a friend - it will make you both feel great!

Later,

Day 59

Elements of Style

2011-02-28T22:34:00.000-06:00

This is a quick post tonight - so much to do and so little time!

I made a special birthday card for a friend using Elements of Style. I used the stained glass technique, coloring the flowers with markers after stamping on vellum. I embellished each corner with a pearl and tied on a white taffeta bow. Card stock is Blushing Bride and DSP is from the level 1 hostess set. An elegant card for an elegant friend.

FYI, I have started a new blog to follow my breast cancer journey - http://www.bevannvictory.blogspot.com/ - so I won't be adding info. on this blog. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Day 58

A Slice of Life

2011-02-27T20:20:00.000-06:00

A Slice of Life is the level one hostess set in the Occasion Mini Catalog. It's full of fun stamps covering all the areas of our life. I will be using several of them over the next couple of weeks, but my first is this precious vase of flowers. I stamped the design on watercolor paper and used markers with an aqua pen to color the petals, stems and vase. I used the Designer Series Paper Pack from the 2010-11 catalog - it is also a level 1 hostess product choice. I love these stripes in Blushing Bride. I stamped the sentiment Thinking of You on Whisper White and punched it out with the scallop oval punch. I did a background punched with the extra large oval, flipping over the striped DSP to use the opposite side. That is one of the best things about Stampin' Up! DSP is that it's double sided allowing for so many special effects. I tied some Whisper White taffeta ribbon around the card and tied a bow! The end.

A simple, but refreshing card - Enjoy!

Cupcake Quilt

2011-02-26T22:34:00.005-06:00

Today was a day filled with sunshine, surprises in the garden (strawberries) and a little creating in the craft room! I cleaned out flower beds, pulled up all the old garden plants and found so many things that either didn't freeze or have chosen to begtin again from the roots. I also started my little greenhouses for tomato and pepper plants. I decided to try a few seeds this year and see if I can grow my own plants. Of course, I may have started that a little late, so I'll also sow some right into the ground in a few weeks.

Now to the creating! I saw a friend's post on FB this a.m. and it was for a tutorial for a small quilt. I thought, wow, could I do that with paper - so I gave it a try. I may try some more of these little quilt pieces - fun and it really is a change of pace. I made mine on a 4"square and used 1" and 1/2" square punches. The cupcake started from a stamp set and I just cut it down to fit in my square. The button on top for a cherry was cut using an embosslit. Not near as cute as the quilted one, but it was fun to make and can now be added to a regular size card with a birthday or other greeting. You can see the quilted piece by going to www.crossstitchdramaqueen@blogspot.com.

Keep your eyes open there's inspiration every where. Happy Stamping,

Smarty Pants

2011-02-25T21:18:00.001-06:00

Tonight I decided to pull out a brand new stamp set, "Button Button" from the Occasions Mini Catalog and an older set "Smarty Pants." Button, Button has 17 different button stamps and so I picked out a few and stamped them on Whisper White with Melon Mambo. I punched out photo corners and cut two strips of paper, one white embossed with the polka dot embossing folder, the other in basic black. I added a strip of our new fun pompom trim and stamped a black and white button. I added two small pearls and placed them over the buttonholes. I chose this sentiment to point out the one and only black and white button - reminding myself and all of you that's it's always OK to be different, to be yourself! This was punched out with the decorative label punch.

This closeup is to show the tiny little pompom trim - this trim comes in three colors and is available in the mini cattie, until April 30. Don't miss out on this fun embellishment. You can call me to place an order, or go directly to my Stampin' Up website. Don't forget this is still Sale-a-bration time of year - so you can choose a free stamp set, embellishment package or more with every $50 you spend.

Unlike last night where everything happened easy, peasy - tonight's card was work! You just never know - but I like the end result and so here you go -- enjoy and come back tomorrow to see what happens next!

Happy Stamping,

Day 55

C is for Cat

2011-02-24T20:12:00.002-06:00

I took one day off from stamping and made my journal cover last night. I thought I might take several days off and do some painting or some other crafts, but tonight when I headed up to my craft room I had an entire card jump into my mind and before I knew it, it was done!

This almost never happens to me, I mean never! I usually have to think about a stamp set and then play with paper, colors, sentiment etc. etc. etc. Making cards is often very stressful for me and although I love doing it, it certainly doesn't usually come very easy. I have found that during this blog challenge ideas have some times come more quickly, but not like tonight!

I walked in and new I wanted to make this card layout. I haven't made this type of card in a long time, but I saw a picture on my computer yesterday and I guess it just stayed in my mind. I thought about papers and I don't have many current DSPs so I chose the Newsprint design, pulled out Basic Black and Very Vanilla card stock and knew it had to be "C is for Cat".

I no longer had the dimensions for cutting the layers fors this card, but that came to me and I cut the papers without even looking up the information and they fit!

The only thing I wasn't sure of was what I wanted on the front with the cat and then suddenly I remembered I had an embossing folder of cattails! I know it isn't a Stampin' Up! folder, but I couldn't resist the cat with the cattails and so the card was now designed and complete. I love it! It's probably one of my most unusual cards. I may have to send it to myself so I can keep it. Heehee! It's like a days break just gave me a renewed spirit and I didn't play it safe or over think what I was doing. I just had fun!!!!

Hope you enjoy - can't wait to see what comes next.

Happy Stamping,

Journal of Hope

2011-02-23T21:19:00.003-06:00

I met two fabulous women at the International Quilt Show in Houston this November. Judy lives in Virginia and Liz is in Colorado and both are mixed media artists. I took a class with Judy and I learned to make silk paper from Liz. Both women inspired me a lot, encouraging me to try new things. I got all of the silk pieces I needed to make some paper and then added all sorts of fun things I had in my stash drawers. Mixed media taught me that I had saved all these crazy things for a reason and that was a great feeling. Liz had made a journal front with a piece of silk paper and it was featured in one of her books. I look at it often and think, I've just got to do this and today was the day.

And I needed a break from stamping cards - I've made a lot of different cards in the past 50 days or so and this was just what I needed. The journal is from Stampin' Up - It's the 5x5 Art Journal shown on page 185 in the catalog. I used a piece of Poppy Parade to cover the front first after punching holes along the side with the Spiral Border Punch, pg. 201, $15.95. I then cut the silk paper to fit the front including adding some between the spirals. The punch and the paper cutter did not work with this so I used our snips and glued it down with book binding glue. The card stock gave the silk paper a finished look a it shows through a few of the thinner areas. It was just the right color to highlight the color in my silk paper.

I embellished the front with pieces I've had in my stash for a long time. Keep Life Simple, and Hope in two different styles. Hope was silver and the threads in the paper were gold, so I used a gold pen to make it gold. The feather is actually made into the paper, but makes a great embellie. I wove the ribbon through the wire and tied a bow. This is Rose Red grosgrain ribbon, some left over from a prior year - it is now retired. And that's it - my first silk paper journal cover and I'm very pleased. All that's left now is for me to sketch some flowers, write some notes and fill my book with my praises, joys, concerns and prayers.

Hope you enjoyed this diversion from cards and stamping. Stamping will return soon, maybe even tomorrow - tune in and see what appears next.

Happy Stamping, sewing, quilting, paper making or whatever else fills you with joy!

Day 53

Google - a very good tool, but only if we use it!

2011-02-22T23:41:00.000-06:00

In my earlier post, I used a stamp that quoted Ralph Blum and I commented that I didn't know who he was and maybe I should have googled him. Well, yes, maybe I should have,as he seems to be more of a new age follower than I could have ever imagined.

So, in this post I just want to claim God's ability to use anything for good! I saw this quote as calmness is the result of gratitude and results in joy! All of this I have learned from my study of God's Word. Life without gratitude is a failure to see the gifts He gives us each day, especially the gift of eternal life with Him. Calmness would be a natural result of this gratitude, who isn't calm when they realize how much God loves us, resulting in an outlandish joy! And, so I stand by my use of the quote, I just wish I hadn't had to use the author's name, but then that wouldn't be honest and would go against what God calls me to be. God is good and He goes before me in all things! Since He knew who the author was before I quoted him, I can only believe He (God) had a plan for me to write this post! Now, that's amazing.

So enjoy my post and fill your life with gratitude and joy.

His, Bev

Calmness, Gratitude and Joy

2011-02-22T22:57:00.001-06:00

This is a day filled with calmness, gratitude and an amazing joy! Prayers have been answered and I got the best news ever this morning. Many of you have been following my blog and know that I was diagnosed with breast cancer following a mammogram and biopsy in January. God has gone before me in ways I could not imagine and has given me a calmness and peace that defies understanding. He has brought new friends in and brought old friends back and I have never felt more love and I am filled with gratitude to such a loving God. So that covers calmness and gratitude and now for joy! The tests all came back good! The lymph node was clear and the cancer had not spread into the tissue! So what that means to me is no chemo, just radiation and frequent checkups! Praise God!

The one thing I would like to add to this is no one wants to go through chemo, but if that had been the outcome, I would still be praising God for traveling this journey with me! Nothing would have changed except the treatment - I am thankful for the outcome, but I'm also thankful for all of the wonderful things that have come out of this journey - I will never be the same and that is a very, very good thing.

Now, after all of that, you will understand my card for tonight. I don't know who Ralph H Blum is, perhaps I should have googled him, but I love this quote. "There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy." -Ralph H. Blum This is a retired set, the milk bottles and quote are both from the same hostess set I used last night, "Country Morning." The embossing folder is RAYS, by Tim Holtz, the papers are Daffodil Delight, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler and watercolor. I used a variety of markers and the aqua painter for coloring.

Hope you enjoyed - just like I said last night - pull out some old sets and use them! They'll be like new - oh that's right - for me this set was new I hadn't used it until last night! What an idiot! Great set, guess I was just waiting for the right time!

Happy Stamping and thanks again for the prayers,

Day 52

Peace Within - Possibility of a Miracle

2011-02-21T20:59:00.001-06:00

If you've been following my blog, you know I've been doing a daily countdown, but today I've hit Day 51 and have decided not to number the blogs in the title any more. You will know if I miss a day and I hope that won't happen, but I want the focus to be on creation and not a countdown!

Today my thoughts are on miracles and so I pulled two sets for my card. Peace Within is a set I used constantly when I first got it, but it's been hidden away for a long time and Country Morning is a hostess set I earned 2009/10 but never used until today.

We live in the country, but we don't have chickens, nor do any of our neighbors. I wish someone did, but as it is our mornings are pretty quiet except for the sound of my windchimes. I really like this set and so now that it's out I'm sure you'll see more, even though it's a retired set. The "miracle" sentiment I used is what came from Peace Within, but Country Morning has a great sentiment too, but just wasn't what I wanted for today's card - with the miracle of that little chick!

I will list all of the supplies below, but note that you will need to substitute on stamp and slide, unless you have them from years past. I'm sure you have retired items too and I hope my using them will encourage you to get into your stash and use it! When I packed up my stamping supplies to move I realized I could stamp daily (8 hrs. a day) and not run out of stuff for probably my lifetime! However, I like new things just like you do, so I won't stop buying, but I am trying to use up the old too!

Supplies:

Stamps: Peace Within, Country Morning (Hostess 09/10 Retired)

Paper: Pear Pizzaz, Old Olive, Night of Navy, Watercolor

Ink: Basic Black, Old Olive and Misc. Markers with Watercolor Brush

Punches: Oval and Scallop Oval

Ribbon: Old Olive 3/8" Taffeta

Slide: Retired Hodge Podge Hardware

Embossing Folder - Woodgrain (Tim Holtz) - could use our woodgrain stamp for background

Now it's your turn, dig into your stash and make a card using some old and some new!

Happy Stamping,

Day 51

DAY 50 - 100 Day Blog Challenge!

2011-02-20T20:00:00.002-06:00

I can't believe it! I'm half way through the 100 day challenge. This came about after I signed up to do a 100 day moving intentionally challenge - well, I hate to admit this, but with all going on in my life I haven't completed the movement challenge, BUT I have kept up with the creating/blogging challenge I started on January 2. Last night I said I might celebrate with a cupcake, but I didn't make any so I guess it will be with a Pepsi and Kettle Corn! :) I hope everyone following my blog is encouraged by my daily posts and getting into the spirit of creativity!

Yesterday was a struggle for me creatively! I wanted to make bookmarks, but couldn't come up with an idea to save me, so the end result was the cupcakes and birthday wishes. Tonight I walked upstairs, entered my craft room and immediately I saw what I wanted to make and it was so easy, I made two!. It's interesting to me how all this stuff works - keeps me guessing that's for sure.

I used the same paper (DSP - Bella Rose) as last night, but ran it through an embossing folder and sanded it down to create a distressed look. The flower is from Awash with Flowers, colored with Pretty in Pink and Riding Hood Red stamped on Whisper White. The stem is Old Olive and Pear Pizzaz. Ribbon is Pretty in Pink 3/8" taffeta, tied through a Jumbo Eyelet (pewter). The sentiment is a scripture from a set I've had a very long time, brand unknown! I did use snail to attach the DSP to a piece of card stock to make a firmer piece, then added the white followed by eyelet and ribbon as a finishing touch.

Well, it's time for me to hit post and go celebrate - see you tomorrow. Happy Stamping!

Day 49 - Birthday Wishes

2011-02-19T21:52:00.001-06:00

I don't know about you, but I love cupcakes and I dreamed today of making a great big batch, decorating them with gooey icing and eating them all, well, one for Bill and the rest for me! :) But instead I made a cupcake card combining Itty Bitty Bits, On a Pedestal and So Happy for You. I stamped the pedestal stand three times, shortening the layer each time lining it up with the Stamp-a-ma-jig. I used markers to color the little cupcakes and punched them out using the circle from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch set. I used the embossing pen along with clear embossing powder to give a shine to the pedestal. The DSP is from a couple of years ago - Bella Rose. This was one of my favorite papers and I still have some, so it just seemed like the perfect fit for this card. The card stock is Riding Hood Red, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White. The decorative edge is made with the scallop trim edge punch.

Well, the card is made, the description is written and I just want to tell you that I'm still dreaming of making that big batch of cupcakes, covered with gooey icing and eating them all! Making this card really didn't take care of my cupcake craving, but it did pass enough time that I don't have time to make any now - so maybe, just maybe I'll make it past this craving!

See you tomorrow for Day 50! Wow, maybe that's a good reason to celebrate with a cupcake!!!!

Day 48 - An Experiment in Stamping

2011-02-18T18:20:00.001-06:00

I felt a little adventurous today and so I tried something totally new, for me that is! I had bought some stamps that were in a sheet to punch out and some of the little nooks and cranny pieces came out all by themselves in some very neat shapes. They had the same backing on them, so I saved them to make a collage! Today I pulled out one of my clear blocks and randomly placed the pieces on top. I tried to make a square but I just placed them, in no particular order. I took four markers out of my box (Bravo Burgundy, Rose Red, Regal Rose and Cherry Cobbler) and began to color - again no order just did it! Then I stamped it on an almost square piece of Whisper White card stock. I liked the look and it had come out even enough that I decided I would pull out a stamp from the new SAB set So Happy for You and stamp all around the card. I was pleased enough to continue! I added a Bravo Burgundy piece behind for a layer, added that to a Melon Mambo layer and after punching two slots and tying some white organza ribbon through I used snail to adhere the entire top to a Blushing Bride card!

Now I really like the way the card came out, but unless I make more right now, I'll never see this exact design again! Just think of the many variables with these little pieces of rubber. I can stamp these in any color or group of colors, punch out hearts, circles or even a butterfly! What fun to imagine the possibilities. I'm thinking there may even be a stained glass window in here some where. I will be playing with this for sure so you know you'll be seeing some other ideas soon. If you have any thoughts on this, please let me know - I would love to try some of your ideas too!

I'm almost to 50 consecutive posts, just a couple of more and I'll be halfway through my 100 day blog challenge. I don't know if I thought I could do this or not when I began this on January 2, but I'm finding I'm having fun! My husband now asks me every evening if I have my card made or my post done. It's become a part of my every day and is a great distraction to the other not so good stuff going on in my life. God is good and I believe my doing this challenge was indeed set in motion by a God that already knew what was coming my way. I love that I worship a God that has known me since before I was conceived and is never surprised by what comes my way. As I look back over the last month or so, I can see how He was going ahead of me years ago. I'm thankful for my God, my husband, daughter, granddaughter, friends and even crafting that are traveling this cancer journey with me!

Until tomorrow, Happy Stamping!

Day 47 - Thanks

2011-02-17T10:04:00.004-06:00

Thursday (Friday Eve) and what a day! Hard to believe that it was just Tuesday that I had surgery as today was almost back to normal. I went to

Bible Study this morning and it was so good to be in God's Word and with my good friends. I came home after my busy morning, ate a fabulous sandwich made with homemade bread (a special gift) and fell asleep for about four hours. Bill came home, we drove into Sealy for dinner and he took me to our Home Owners Assoc. meeting. I'm on the Board and they said I could miss, but just thought I really ought to be there and so off we went, me and my wonderful chauffeur! :)

Once I was back home I had to decide what card to make for today's creation and post. Yesterday my card was one I had made a while back and just added a sentiment and I then used it as a case for today's card. To case a card is to "copy and selectively edit" making a similar but different card. I've heard other ways of saying it, but that's what it boils down to, so I got busy. I pulled papers, one of which I hadn't used until tonight. I first pulled a piece of Poppy Parade and to choose a color to go with it, I turned to the catalog and the Designer Series Papers and that's where I found the paper "Summer Garden" which put Poppy Parade, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzaz and Peach Parfait together. There it was my two colors for today - Poppy Parade and Peach Parfait.

I really like using our clear blocks to make a background for a solid stamp. For this card I used the Size C clear block and the stamp on top came from Friends Never Fade. Just like last nights card, I stamped the background square with the lighter of the two colors and then the design. I also used this for my Christmas Cards with "Dasher". It's a quick and easy way of making a very decorative card. Much easier than it looks and allows you to get a lot of cards done in a short period of time. I actually made the first card so quickly I decided to make two tonight so I could show how different cards can look with just slight differences. So, on my first one I used the distressing tool on the white layer and sponged the edgtes. Using a 3/8" taffeta ribbon to tie around it and the sentiment at an angle.

The second card is made with the same colors, same size block and stamp, but I didn't distress the edges and cut a small strip of the Poppy Parade and placed it under a strip of the Victorian. And on this one I placed the sentiment square on the card rather than at an angle. The only other difference was the size of the oval I used for the sentiment. Very much alike and yet very different.

So, my cards are done for today! I think I will be making some more of these - maybe three or four of each in different color combinations - I have so many cards events coming up soon and I'll be ready for them all.

See you tomorrow,

Day 46 Thinking of You

2011-02-16T21:16:00.000-06:00

I've had a very good day and for that I'm very thankful. My surgery was on my right side so it's not as easy to stamp and punch as it will be in a few more days and so I'm using a card I made some time ago, just adding the sentiment today. I've said before that I often don't add sentiments until I'm ready to use a card, otherwise, I always have the wrong cards on hand. I don't know about you, but it seems to me that my card needs run in groups, i.e. get well, thank you, birthday etc. So I try to make a few cards that I can just add to and send, keeps me from those moments of panic.

I added the "Thinking of You" sentiment after using the scallop oval punch. A friend of mine just mentioned that too often we line everything up and the cards look stiff - so when adding this I placed it at an angle - she's right this added so much to the card! Hope you enjoy!

Happy Stamping,

Day 45 - Live, Laugh & Love

2011-02-15T19:59:00.001-06:00

Twenty seven years ago, just about midnight my sweet husband ask me to dance for the first time! We have always said this anniversary was the 15th - 16th, as we're not for sure whether it was just before midnight or just after, we just know that first dance led to 27 fabulous years. We didn't get married for another couple of years, but we have always celebrated our meeting as well as our wedding anniversary.

It seems like just yesterday in so many ways! It was the Saturday night of the barbecue cookoff at the Houston Rodeo and we met at the old "San Antonio Rose" dance hall. Our first date was the next day and we went to the cutting horse show! What wonderful memories! This year our celebration has been a little more quiet as my surgery was today, but we're together and that's what matters most to us.

And so my card tonight is the anniversary card I made for him! Here's to 27 more years!

Good night and Happy Stamping!

Day 44 Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T20:47:00.001-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! My post will be very quick - just a quick vintage Valentine posted just for you!

Hope you had a love filled day!

Happy Stamping - See you tomorrow!

Day 43 - Thanks So Much

2011-02-13T20:45:00.002-06:00

What a beautiful Sunday! We had 70 degrees and sunny skies - that's why I love Texas - cold one day 70 the next! You just can't beat a day like today. Bill and I worked out in the yard and got the rest of the rock work done around his building (Manland) and then took Jack (our Yorkie) with us on a drive in to town for a Dairy Queen, a stop at the post office and a tour of some back country roads. We saw the momma and now almost full grown baby zebra. I just love seeing these beautiful animals just a mile or so from our house. Today I think I overheard one of the cows say to another, "Those must be California cows!" :)

Now, on to my card for the day. On Day 37 I made almost this exact same card, but I made another one and changed just a few things and although they look similar, they are different. I love that you can design one card and then make a bunch of them changing them with ribbon, buttons, sentiment, punch or just color and have a fresh new card without rethinking the entire card. Now that's what keeps me going because I just don't have that many original thoughts!

I used Blushing Bride for the card, Night of Navy for he second layer and Very Vanilla for the flower background. I added a small flower along with the primary hydrangea from the set Because I Care. I added a piece of 3/8" White Taffeta ribbon and the sentiment, Thanks So Much, is from Sincere Salutations. I used the Decorative Label Punch, quickly becoming one of my favorite punches. Remember you can check out the original idea on the Day 37 post if you want to see the similarities.

Now, I'm headed off for a quick snack, watch the last of The Grammy Awards and go to bed. I've got a busy day ahead and I bet you do to, but don't let the business keep you from creating something.

Until tomorrow, Happy Stamping!

Day 42 - Friends are Flowers

2011-02-12T20:50:00.001-06:00

Well, here I am again! Seems like I just did this, oh that's right, I did! Well,

it's a great feeling to know that when I finish this post, I'm caught up. Hopefully, I can keep up for the remaining 58 days! Can you believe it, just 58 to go. I've actually enjoyed the accountability and the push to be creative. No ignoring that craft room these days!

So for today I used a really neat stamp set, "Friends Never Fade." I've had the set for awhile, but like usual I'm just getting around to really using it. Soon it will be a favorite and you'll get sick of it. But for now it's pretty new on my blog. I used Poppy Parade, Night of Navy and Whisper White. I didn't have any navy ribbon so I cut a piece of card stock and ran it through the Big Shot in the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, added some Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and called it embellished. See close up. This is a very patriotic colored card - perhaps it would be a good one for someone with a 4th of July birthday! :)

Well, it's Saturday night and I'm going to bed early - can't believe it's 8:26 and I'm almost ready to hit publish post! I'm reading a good book right now and think I deserve a couple of chapters before falling asleep. I hope everyone has had a great weekend and found time to create something! If not yet, you still have tomorrow - pull out some paper (or craft of your choice) and have fun.

Happy Stamping until tomorrow.

Day 41 - Craft Room is clean!

2011-02-12T20:16:00.000-06:00

My creation for Friday was in fact the clean and "neat" craft room I mentioned a couple of days ago! I took pictures and then I was so tired that I just went to bed. Today some friends came out for the day and so I'm just now posting yesterday's post, but I really think you will forgive me with everything that's going on. If not, I do forgive myself and will have another post for today and in my mind I will still be current on my 100 day challenge.

I do want to let you know that my surgeon appointment at MD Anderson went very well yesterday. I thank everyone for your prayers. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, 2/15, and I should be home early enough in the evening to get my post done! We'll see about that, but that's the plan. The plan is back to normal by Thursday, so I hope I will be able to be at my Bible Study on time and ready to share in God's Word. Please keep the prayers coming as we won't have the pathology report until my follow up visit.

Now for Craft Room pictures - The first one on the right is an overall shot of most of the room from the entry door. I was able to keep our kitchen table from our old house when we moved out here last year - so I have lots of room to work and about four of us can comfortably work at one time.

When I'm working by myself I keep more supplies readily available on the table, but I must admit I like working with others so much more! I like the encouragement and the ideas that flow. I love that four of us can make the same card and none look exactly alike. And most of all there's nothing like girl talk!

This second picture is of my wall of punches and ribbon. I must admit I like the newer punches for their storage, but obviously I just like punches. My ribbon is in a see through shoe holder. It's full, but unfortunately much of it's retired. I don't quit using it though - I grew up with the "waste not - want not" theory!

These two pictures show my wall of cabinets. I store my scrapbooking supplies in the bottom cabinets. The drawers hold my Big Shot cutting pads, etc. and the embosslits, embossing folders etc. If you look closely you can see my dies open shelves on the left hand side behind my Big Shot. The upper cabinets hold my stamp sets (both sides). They're in size and then alpha within the size; however, I'm seriously thinking about putting all of my sentiments together. I'm thinking about the best way to do this, so for now they'll stay like this. I do have all of my holiday stamps together on one shelf. My newer clear stamps are on the shelf in the middle, but I'm of space, so need to make adjustments there too. I do keep my retired sets in with the current, but I put a large red R on each box so I don't pull them for workshops. I also have my Big Shot, my cutter, creasing tool and other tools out ready for use. Stamp pads are at the end.

Ok, so that's my post for Day 41! Hope you enjoyed the tour - I'll show you my sewing/felting area, my paper storage and more of the mess another day! I appreciate your patience with me during this journey. In an hour or so Day 42 will be posted and I'll be caught up.

Happy Stamping!

Day 40 - Happiness Shared

2011-02-10T23:27:00.002-06:00

My post is late tonight as I had to make today's card in shifts. I had a very busy day beginning with Bible Study this morning and ending this evening with a date with my husband. We drove into town and went to a movie. We are not movie people, so this was a very special date. Bill did a relay run in Oregon called "Hood to the Coast" in 2007. Twelve people make up a team and they run a total of 197 miles from Mount Hood to the Oregon Coast. The movie we saw was "Hood to the Coast" which showed much of the run and featured four teams. It was really fun and a little bit familiar to me as we attended a wedding out there last summer and Bill took me on a scenic tour of the course. The best part was just going out for an evening and enjoying our time together - I loved listening to him reminiscing about the time they had - but he ended with once was enough for him!

Now all of this fun caused me to make part of my card in the afternoon and finish the rest up when we got home! So before it gets any later, here's today's card. I haven't added a sentiment to the front because I'm not exactly sure if it's going to be a birthday card or not, so you can look at it and just imagine how it should be used. I used the Happiness Shared stamp set. The paper is Pirouette Pink and Rich Razzleberry and watercolor paper. I colored the stamps with markers and filled in with watercolor brush and lighter color inks. The colors I used are Rich Razzleberry, Pirouette Pink, Pear Pizzaz and River Rock. I embossed the Rich Razzlebery textured paper with Elegant Bouquet embossing folder. I think it's a very elegant card.

Now, I'm headed off to bed. Doctor's appointment in the morning to determine treatment plan. Please keep us in your prayers as we take the next step in this journey of healing.

Happy Stamping, see you tomorrow!

Day 39 - Valentine Heart

2011-02-09T21:13:00.001-06:00

Yesterday my Valentine was very glitzy! I used the new glitter paper and filled the heart with candy! Today, I used one of our corner punches and made a very decorative card and filled the heart with little hearts. A very simple card, but makes quite an impact. No need to make a trap opening as the little paper hearts don't need to come out.

A simple and easy card, for a very cold day. I just don't deal with cold very well and today was cold. Cold makes me tired and shuts down my creative juices. I know warm weather is just around the corner, like this weekend, but I want it now!!!!!

Hopefully my creative urges will come flying back tomorrow when I come home from Bible Study and I'll really get into my craft room and make some fun new cards. On the other hand, my creation tomorrow may just be a really clean and neat craft room. Tune in tomorrow to see my post and see whether creating or cleaning wins! Pictures will be posted no matter which wins.

Stay warm, see you tomorrow!

His, Bev

Day 38 - Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-08T21:46:00.002-06:00

Hello and Happy Tuesday, Day 38 of my 100 day blog challenge!

This has been an amazing day for me, last week I told you that I had a biopsy following a mammogram that showed something suspicious. I received the news last night that it was in fact cancer and I must begin a time of planning and treatment. The good news is that it's caught very, very early and I'm surrounded by an amazing group of Godly friends. Prayers are flying upwards and my husband and I feel the peace that can only come from God. We have never felt the love of God more than we are feeling it right now. We know that He is going before us and we will see Him in every step along this journey. Miracles are already happening and I know they will continue. I will periodically catch you up on my progress and I'm planning on keeping up my blog challenge. Now, that's enough about me and my "stuff" so let's move on to " a day focusing on love"!

Valentine's Day - a time filled with words of love and the color red! My card today is made with the Movers and Shapers and the heart die. I also used the Top Note die to cut the red glitter paper featured in our Mini Occasions Catalog. The fun part is that the red glitter brads are an exact match. I used the heart shaped sweet centers cup filled with M&Ms. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched with the modern label.

I used the brads to allow the inside to open and let the candy out! The top brads on the front are glued down, but the ones on the bottom go all of the way through and can be opened to lift the inside paper up to release those little goodies. I cut a piece of decorative paper and made a crease across the top. I glued that down with red line tape and hen closed the brads at the bottom. I've tried a variety of ways to open and close the back so the card doesn't have to be destroyed and I think I may just like this way the best.

And, so for now, I am going to close and spend some time with my sweet hubby. I wish each of you a Happy Valentine's Day and hope you'll pull out some paper and make a card for your friends and loved ones.

Keep us in your prayers,

His,

Day 37 - Thinking of You

2011-02-07T21:05:00.001-06:00

Today's post will again be short and sweet. I'm working on a number of projects right now and so I scurried in and made a card with one of my favorite sets. I embossed the front of the card and then added the two other layers, plus the sentiment. I used Sincere Salutations and punched it out with the scallop oval. I sponged all of the layers with Pear Pizzaz. Paper is Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzaz and Whisper White. The flower is fron Because I Care.

I hope you enjoy the card and I'll see you tomorow.

Happy Stamping,

Birthday Wishes

2011-02-06T17:18:00.040-06:00

Well it's Super Bowl Sunday and so I'm headed to the craft room. That doesn't mean I won't watch the game as I have a TV in there and I wouldn't want to miss the commercials. I'm rooting for the Packers, but I learned a long time ago that whoever wins it will not change my life! So on to creating a card.

I've been using Awash with Flowers a lot lately, but I just love this set. It's funny because I owned it for a very, very long time before I ever opened the case, but I'm sure you've done that too. More times than I can count I've ordered sets thinking I couldn't wait for them to get here, only to find they just don't fit into my current style or something, so they wait their turn in the cabinet! I finally got this one out because one of my customers sent me a card and I really liked it, so out came the set! Thanks Jeannette for the inspiration!

I also pulled out an old set I haven't used in a long time, Inspired by Nature. I used the grasses to create my background and the largest flower from Awash with Flowers. The sentiment is from Sincere Salutations. I raised up two of the flowers with dimensionals, but although I had cut out all three flowers, I decided to adhere one flat on the paper. I punched out the sentiment with the Decorative Label Punch and raised it with dimensionals. I colored the flowers with Rose Red, Melon Mambo and Regal Rose markers. I colored the grass with a wide variety of green markers. All of this could be altered to change the look of your card and in fact no two cards will ever be exactly alike.

I'm really pleased with this look and this is an easy card to make a stack of so you have them ready to go. Just stamp your sentiment and punch it out when you know which one you need. I usually leave mine blank otherwise I have birthday cards when I need thank yous etc. etc. I also save the inside to either stamp or write a note.

May your favorite team win and I'll see you tomorrow!

Day 35 of 100 Day Blog Challenge! WooHoo!!!

2011-02-05T22:17:00.001-06:00

I am so excited! As you saw above it's day 35 - I'm more than 1/3 of the way through my 100 day blog challenge! When I started I thought this would probably be one of the most difficult things I ever did, but I'm loving it! Not only am I making more cards and other projects, but I'm finding that blogging daily is really quite fun. I still don't have many people reading or following me, but that doesn't seem to matter as much as it did, because I'm finding it's just fun to do. And when someone does comment it's very special.

And so I move on into today's card. I used two stamp sets today - Awash With Flowers and Sweet Little Sentiments (retired hostess set SS/09). I made a card similar to this just a couple of weeks ago with a vellum vase and Awash with Flowes, but I used an oval punch for that vase, and today I made the vase with the Ornament Punch with the bottom cut off. I also ran it through the Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and highlighting it with the Zig Painty silver paint. I like the Top Note as a backdrop for the vase and flowers. I rounded the corners of the Elegant Eggplant and also the corners of the card base on right side. I punched two small ovals of Elegant Eggplant to make the backing for the sentiment.

Supplies:

Stamps: Awash With Flowers, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Paper: Pirouette Pink, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White, Vellum

Embellishments: 1/8" WW Taffeta Ribbon

Markers: Concord Crush, Garden Green, Perfect Plum, Red Rose, Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry, Zig Painty (silver)

Other: Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Top Note Die, Ornament Punch, 3/4" x 15/16" oval punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Snail.

Although, these two cards were similar, I still achieved a very different look. I love how you can use so many of the same items and still get such different cards. Here's the first card, from Day 23 to show the differences.

This was a fun card to make and I just bet whoever receives it will enjoy receiving flowers in the mail.

See you tomorrow -

Happy Stamping,

Day 34 Embossed Vellum

2011-02-04T20:23:00.000-06:00

I've returned to an old favorite for today's card. Several years ago when embossing folders first came on the scene, we would emboss vellum and cover the front of a card. I loved the look, but just forgot about doing it until today.

I began with Old Olive card stock, cut to make a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2" card and cut a piece of vellum 4 1/4 x 5 1/2". I then cut a piece of DSP (designer series paper) 4 x 5 1/4". The DSP shows through the vellum just slightly adding a slight dimension. A brighter DSP might add more to the look. Try some different ones to get the look you want. I used snail to attach the DSP to the front of the card. I embossed the vellum using the Manhattan Flower embossing folder and followed by stamping Thinking of You on the front. I used classic ink, but because it was on the vellum it stayed wet long enough for me to add some embossing powder. I like the look of the embossed sentiment, just

a little added touch. I used snail along the left side of the vellum and attached it to the card front. A simple wrapping of ribbon around and tying a bow completes a very simple but elegant card.

Sometimes the old tricks are the best tricks! Pull out some paper and try something old or new today!

Happy Stamping,

Day 33 - Welcome Baby Follow Up

2011-02-03T16:03:00.015-06:00

Well we have had some cold weather here in South Texas, not in Chicago or Boston standards, but for us it's been cold. As I mentioned last night I was heading to bed early to read and not use excess electricity. We had rolling blackouts most of the day (yesterday) to prevent a major blackout from the increased power usage due to an ice storm in the Dallas area. This was statewide, and so about every hour and a half I lost power for about 15 minutes. Seems crazy to me but apparently it worked and today we're back to normal.

Well, normal, if we were always watching for snow and ice. You would think we would know by now that the weather here is unpredictable at best - so I'm not holding my breath for snow or ice. I am going to make some cards tonight and I just may feature some winter scenes to commemorate the closing of schools, the cancellation of Continental flights beginning at 3 PM today prior to even a flake falling! Oh, how I love Texas!!!! Actually, I do love Texas it's the weather "people" that drive me crazy! There just seems to be a hysteria in forecasting these days and with all of the equipment etc. I just don't know how they can get it so wrong, so often!

But enough of that weather stuff, let's move on to the details of last night's baby cards. I like these even better than the first one on Tuesday night, but you have to get started and then see how things evolve. Last night I used the Punch Bunch SAB set for this adorable blue owl! Is this cute or what? I used Bashful Blue Brads for the eyes. They are retired, but I still have a lot of them so I didn't have to improvise. I think this is a great baby boy card. I used the following punches : corner rounder, word window, modern label and the two-step owl. All of our punches can be found on pgs. 200-203 of the current IBC (Idea Book/Catalog). I would like to have had a Bashful Blue ribbon to use, but we don't have a current one and in order to keep this card current, I used the Marina Mist 3/8" taffeta. Paper colors were simply Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla.

My next card was one I thought could be used for those babies whose sex has not yet been determined or when you just don't want to use pink or blue. All of these cards are interchangeable both with the papers and the stamps. I used the Short & Sweet set for the sentiment and the little diaper pin. On this card I only used the corner rounder punch on the Very Vanilla layers, just to change up the look and give additional options when making these cards. The precious little rabbit and tree are both from Forest Friends.

One of the most fun parts of this last night was making the gift tags. When I made my first card I had made a regular size card 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 and then I decided I wanted to make a smaller card, so I cut off 1 1/2 " ending with a card 4 x 4 1/4" and a 1 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece (already folded) left over. That's when I decided that I could make gift tags. They are pretty self explanatory. I used the Modern Label to punch out the top and that can then be used for the bottom layer of the sentiment for the card. Then I simply stamped Welcome Baby through the slot. On the Daffodil tag I stamped Welcome Baby and punched it out and lined it up so it shows through the top. These could also be made separately without the card. I love the possibilities.

And so now Day 33 is in the books and I will begin a new project to post tomorrow. If we get the snow (big IF) then I will have lots of time tomorrow to craft!

Until tomorrow - get inky and create some fun cards.

Day 32 - Welcome Baby continued!

2011-02-02T21:22:00.000-06:00

This is going to make it as my shortest post ever! I have made baby cards again tonight and changed up the stamps from last night. I think I could make these forever, but at my age I don't need lots of baby cards - maybe I can make them and give sets to my younger friends? Now that's a thought - anyway, I'm going to post a picture of the two i made tonight a long with gift tags and tomorrow I will post more pictures, supply list, stamp information etc. etc. Tonight I'm headed to bed with a book so I can stay warm without using more than my share of electricity! For those of you who live in Texas you will know what I'm talking about and for those who don't I'll explain more about that tomorrow too. So now here are the cards and I'm off to bed.

See you tomorrow!

Day 31 - Welcome Baby

2011-02-01T21:51:00.005-06:00

A crazy, cold Tuesday!

Tuesdays are usually quiet days beginning with Bible Study at 9 am in Katy and then an afternoon at home, but today was different from beginning to end. First, we went to bed last night with temps around 65 and woke up this morning to around 40 with rain and wind at about 35mph. Living on a prairie allows wind to blow and blow and blow! I'm still not quite used to living in the country without houses and trees all around to break the wind. Normally, I could have stayed in bed until around 7, but no in a moment of craziness I had scheduled my little dog's teeth cleaning for 8 am and needed to have him in Bellaire by 7:30. What was I thinking? Even on a good day that would mean leaving home at around 6:30 - Yikes, I'm not an earlier riser and neither is my little dog. But this morning it was even worse - winds, rain and I would be following along with the storm not getting away from it so I left later than planned, but Jack got to the vet, I had time for a coffee and made it back to Katy for Bible Study on time! Note, I had to pick Jack up at 12:30 back in Bellaire and bring him back home. Seems like I spent a lot of time on windy roads today!

So it seemed like a real break to get to sit down tonight and make a card. I have babies on my mind these days, so I made another baby card. This one is made with current Stampin' Up! stamps and papers. I did use a corner chomper (non SU) and a Zig Painty (gold end) to paint the baby carriage. Papers are Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla. I used markers in the same colors for the tiny little diaper pins, remember those?

What I love about this card is that it can be made using Bashful Blue to replace the Pretty in Pink and change the ribbon and pink marker and you've got a boy card. It certainly is handy that most people know in advance, but in case someone doesn't then use So Saffron or Pear Pizzaz and you've got a neutral card that can be used for the "mystery" baby. I'm going to make those colors and will show them all together in tomorrows blog.

Oh, by the way the stamp sets are Fun and Fast Notes and Short and Sweet. The punches used for the sentiment are Word Window and Modern Label. The finished card size is 4 x 4 1/4 and is finished off with Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon and gold brad wheels.

Until tomorrow - stay warm!

Day 30 - Big Birthday Candle

2011-01-31T23:18:00.004-06:00

What a fun day! I got an email from a friend that suggested a blog for me to check out and that one led me to one after another. Finally I just had to stop, but oh, I saw some of the best blogs and projects galore. This has just made me want to stamp more and to dress my blog up with more pictures, so I'm going to start today and you can let me know what you think.

By the way, I had to go back and correct last night's blog title - I jumped ahead and made it Day 30, but it really was Day 29 and is now correct. I really wish I had started this on January 1, so my dates and days would have been the same, but now that we're heading into February it won't matter anyway!

Can you believe it tomorrow is February 1! Oh, my this year is already flying by and speaking of that I had the birthday of a special little "adopted" granddaughter sneak up on me. First of the month birthdays always seem to do that and so today I made my card really early so I could get it in the mail.

I used a very old and very retired stamp set for this card! I've kept a lot of my old sets and I still love them and feel like it's OK to use them. Many of you have old sets too and it's always nice to get them out - it's like visiting with an old friend. So here we go with today's card -

I used Pirouette Pink for the card base and Pretty in Pink for the first layer. I embossed this piece with Retro Circles an embossing folder (non SU). I added a third layer in Whisper White and I stamped the candle using markers so I could get the various colors. This is a two step stamp set for outlines and solids. I love the sentiment Make a Wish! I used a glitter pen to make the flame a little more exciting as you can see in the close up picture. If you would like exact dimensions or colors, please comment and I will see that you get them.

I had fun with the inside of the card too - I added a second piece of Pretty in Pink to stamp my sentiment and I used the Heart to Heart punch in the bottom left corner and then rather than waste the punched out hearts I used them on the inside left page. I always want to snap pictures of the insides, but I often have already added my note as I did today, but I'm going to show the pictures anyway, because I like the way it turned out.

The Happy Birthday is from the Big Birthday Candle set and the adorable sentiment is from It's Your Birthday, also retired.

I know I've used all retired stamp sets for this card, but you can still use the layout and the idea to use other sets or maybe you just happen to have these sets and will pull them out from the back and use them once again.

I just placed an order tonight, so I will be anxiously awaiting a new order from Stampin' Up!, including several SAB sets! So soon you will be seeing some brand new items along my old favorites.

If there's a set you would like for me to feature, let me know. If I have it I'll use it to create a card or project of some sort. Until tomorrow Happy Stamping -

Day 29 Embedded Embossing with Fun Flowers

2011-01-30T20:20:00.032-06:00

Good evening ladies,

I'm so excited to be posting so early tonight. I 've spent the better part of the afternoon organizing my DSP (designer series paper) from Stampin' Up! I've got enough to last me the rest of my life! And that's if I live to 100! Unfortunately, most of it is retired now, but you're going to be seeing it in various projects anyway - got to use it and you can always find a current paper similar to use in your projects. Maybe, just maybe you too have some paper stuck away and might be inspired to use yours too! Anyway, I had fun looking at all of the goodies, made a list of card stock and markers I need to order and played with some punches and dies.

Then I settled down and made a birthday card using a new technique. I learned about this technique from Gretchen Barron, a fabulously creative stamper. I follow her blog and I just loved this idea. You can see her creations at her blog: http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com/. She said she learned it from her upline and so this really is a fairly new technique. I love the look, as she said, "It almost looks like counted cross stitch." In my case it's as close as I will ever come!

Below you will find a list of measurements and supplies needed to complete this card. I used snail to adhere the layers and to make the embedded image - I used snail to adhere the leaves, the butterfly and the flower pieces to the old olive layer and ran it through the Big Shot in the square lattice embossing folder. Then I adhered it to the rest of the card and added the pearl and added the sentiment with dimensionals.

The card is 4 1/4 x 11 - folded making a standard size card 4 1/4 x 5 1/2". I used it in the horizontal rotation.
Layer one is 4 x 5 1/4"
Layer two is 3 3/4 x 5"

Supplies:

Paper: Rose Red, Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Pear Pizzaz, So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, DSP for flower
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Sizzlit: Little Leaves
Embosslit: Beautiful Wings
Die: Fun Flowers
Embossing Folder: Square Lattice
Big Shot
Punch: Scallop Oval, Oval Large
Jewels: Basic Pearls
Snail and Dimensionals

I hope you enjoy this new technique and give it a try. It's really quite easy and fun to make.

Have a great evening and see you tomorrow.

Day 28 - Happy Birthday One Cupcake at a Time

2011-01-29T22:03:00.001-06:00

This will be a quick post tonight - we had a very busy day at the Houston Marathon Expo and lunch with friends in from Chicago and Columbus. We ate at Jim Goode BBQ and got our fill of brisket and ribs, along with some jalapeno cheese bread and, of course, pecan pie!

All of this walking and eating left me tired, but when I arrived in my craft room to do today's project I had to take time to clean and organize. Making something everyday allows me to make quite a mess, so every couple of days I have to dig in and put everything back in it 's place. Once I had things in order I made a birthday card - using the Crazy for Cupcakes stamp set.

So let's get started with the card:

Measurements:
Card - 4 1/4 x 5 1/2
Marina Mist Layer - 4 x 5 1/4
Silver Layer - 3 5/8 x 5 1/8
Whisper White Layer - 3 1/8 x 4 5/8

I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to line up my cupcakes and stamped them with Basic Black on Whisper White paper. I used markers to color in the cupcakes and a Silver Zig Painty for the plates. The sentiment was stamped with Pacific Point.

Supplies:
Paper: Mambo Melon, Marina Mist, Silver, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Pacific Point
Markers: Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight, Bashful Blue, Pirouette Pink, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, River Rock
Stamp Sets: Crazy for Cupcakes, Sweet Little Sentiments (Hostess Level 1 SS 2009)

Hope this encouraged you to pull out some stamps, some markers and create a card!

Day 27 - Thank You

2011-01-28T21:27:00.000-06:00

Thank you is just what I need to say today. I've had a very quiet day, in fact, I can't remember such a lazy day. I've visited with friends on the phone, read some in my latest book Heaven and slept very, very late. What I did learn is that there's not much on TV during the day, at least not what I wanted to watch. Whatever happened to all of the craft programs that used to be on HGTV?

I did do some stamping and made two thank you cards. I had made a card like this a long time ago, in fact, I think we made it at club one month, but I changed up the colors and the buttons and had an all new look. This stamp set is so much fun, it's Punch Potpourri, Level 1 Hostess set. I punched out the butterflies and ran them through the Big Shot in the Petals-a-Plenty Embossing Folder.

All of the stamps in this set match punches, so there's no hand cutting. Gotta love that!

Hope you enjoy - it's early to bed for me - See you tomorrow.

Day 26 - A challenge on it's own!

2011-01-27T21:58:00.000-06:00

Day 26!

Today is a day that was filled with many blessings and some not such fun stuff. To start with the blessings, I did the devotion for Early Time at my CBS (Community Bible Study) group.

To tell this correctly I must back up - last Thursday I received that dreaded letter from the mammogram doctor - you know the one that says you need to come in for additional views. So on Friday we got it scheduled for the following Wednesday. As a woman you know that this just simply fills us with dread. On Saturday I saw an email from my leader that she desperately needed someone to do the devotion for the following week and so I said yes. That's not something I would normally jump on, but this time I did and what a blessing - I was so busy in the Word preparing for my devotion that I didn't have much time to think about testing or what my body might be doing. So yesterday I had the additional mammogram and ultra sound and they said they needed to do a needle biopsy and it was scheduled for(Thursday) this afternoon. I came home from the test and guess what I had on my mind? No it wasn't the biopsy it was the devotion. God is so good and now you can see why I started this with today was filled with blessings etc. etc.

The second blessing was that I did the devotion without incident and it seemed to bless a number of the ladies, so I praise God for that.

The third blessing was that two of my CBS sisters came to the hospital and prayed with me and waited for me to complete the biopsy and sat and relaxed and laughed with me after. Once again I sa, "God is so good, no He's GREAT!"

Blessing four, my sweet husband took me out for dinner and oh yes, the not such great stuff was the biopsy but even that wasn't near as bad as I expected and my doctor and nurse were incredible. So nice, patient, caring and efficient! So even the not so good was still a blessing. (I will let you know the outcome next week when I have the results)

Now that you've experienced my entire day with me I am going to share a card I made this week. I made one that I didn't post because I was sending it to a young friend and I didn't want her to see it here first. Since I really don't feel like making something tonight I'm going to use it (I'm sure this doesn't break my challenge under these circumstances.) I must admit it isn't a totally Stampin' Up card. I used some baby paper and a baby foot stamp from a local store, but the rest of supplies were Stampin' Up including some retired paper, Pixie Pink, Whisper White cardstock, Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon and the scallop square punch, Congratulations and inside sentiment are Stampin' Up. This is very unusual for me, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do! This card is congratulations on finding out it's a girl! There will be more when the little princess is born!

So thanks for listening to my girl story and tomorrow I'll hopefully be back with a new card and a new post after a day of taking it easy!

Till then - happy stamping.

Day 25 - Because I Care

2011-01-26T23:47:00.001-06:00

I've had an interesting few days and so I'm almost torn between continuing my 100 day challenge and having to say I need a break, but to stop seems just wrong so I'm going to try and keep on going. And so, I think today's card sort of sums it up: Because I Care

This is a very simple card,. I've been finding this challenge more and more difficult and I think it may be because I wasn't thinking about how great simple cards can me. This card may have been easy for me to make, but I think it would be a pleasant surprise to any friend who received it in their mail.

The list of supplies for this card is short: Because I Care stamp set, Watercolor paper along with Blushing Bride and Pear Pizzaz. I used Pear Pizzaz ink for the flower outline and sentiment. Markers for coloring the flower are Certainly Celery, Blushing Bride and Bashful Blue. I used a distressing tool on the edge of the watercolor paper and sponged the edges.

Pull out your stamps and make an easy card. You can make someone's day - it may be just what they need to lift their spirits. There really isn't anything like a handmade card.

See you tomorrow!

Day 24 - Whimsical Words

2011-01-25T23:19:00.000-06:00

A quick card made with vellum and the Manhattan Flower Embossing folder. The card base is Poppy Parade, the sentiment is from Whimsical Words (retired) and is stamped with Cherry Cobbler. The little bow is Real Red 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon.

Don't forget Sale-a-Bration began today! Earn a free stamp set with every $50 you spend through 3/31/11.

See you tomorrow.

Day 23 - Friend

2011-01-24T23:10:00.000-06:00

Attention: Tomorrow is the first day of Sale-a-Bration! This is one of Stampin' Up!'s biggest promotions and a favorite of customers and demos alike. All of us get a free stamp set for every $50 we spend between January 25 and March 31. Some of the stamp sets are unique to this promotion, but some are from the IBC - please let me know if you would like me to send you a brochure or check it out on line. You can call, text or email and order or place one on my SU website. One of the fun sets is Punch Bunch - I used the owl on my Who's 10 card a couple of days ago.

Now for Day 23! Amazing to you, even more amazing to me! Today was easy - I don't know why except that I knew I wanted to make a card for a special friend. I love flowers and so does she - so a bouquet seemed the perfect idea.

I love Poppy Parade and so that was an easy choice for one of the colors and Always Artichoke and Pear Pizzaz for the stems and leaves, so that was a natural for the card. Confetti White was used for the background paper.

The flowers were stamped with Awash with Flowers. I stamped the outline with Cherry Cobbler and the center with Poppy Parade on the card with the stems. Then I stamped the center again and cut them out mounted with them with dimensionals so they pop off the card.

I cut the large oval with sizzix clear die (not SU) and the vase with the extra large oval punch. I love how the vellum looks like frosted glass and lets the stems show through. I used some silver to edge the vase and give it some shape.

Friend is from With All My Heart and I used markers so I could have two colors and punched it with the scallop oval.

A fun and cheerful card - make one today and surprise a friend.

Happy Stamping.

Day 22 - Fun Flowers Embossed

2011-01-23T21:56:00.009-06:00

Today's card uses a variety of embossing folders and the newest die Fun Flowers to make a quick and easy but elegant card.

I cased this from Emma Fewkes, who cased it from still someone else. click here to see her beautiful inspiration. I love how we share in the paper craft arena and with just a few tweaks it becomes your own. I used Whisper White and Daffodil Delight as my color choices. I used five different embossing folders and a sponge to add the hint of daffodil to the white cardstock.

The orginal card was hearts, so if you don't have the fun flowers die, try another as most any die or even punch could work - give it a try! Case my case of her case - let's keep the case moving along.

Until tomorrow - Happy Stamping!

Day 21 - Be My Valentine

2011-01-22T20:53:00.000-06:00

Can you believe it? I'm even surprised, but then why did I take the challenge if I didn't think I would or could do it? Well, there's really is something about telling the world you're going to do something to keep you honest! I must say that now at the three week, 21 day post I really can't imagine not doing it. Now, when it comes to making a different card etc. everyday, that's a little more difficult. But even that is very stimulating and the one day I used a December card I was very disappointed in myself. I'm going to try to make it to the 100 days with only items I'm currently making.

Do not be surprised, however, to find that some painting or sewing or something else begins to pop up as like many of you I love a lot of different mediums. I would also love some comments. They can be good or bad or just tell me what you're doing, but I would like to know someone is reading my blog! This is sort of like radio, you just keep talking and have faith someone is listening.

For Day 21 I used the new Be My Valentine stamp. This is a single stamp on the last page of the Mini Occasions Catalog. I dressed it up with a few pearls from the jewels collection on pg. 188 of the 2010-11 IBC. For a mere $4.95 you get 150 pearls - 50 each of three different sizes.

I inked the size D clear block to make the Blushing Bride background behind the Valentine stamp - I love doing this because it gives an interesting background, solid but not, if you know what I mean. Every time you stamp it will be different. This works great with a solid stamp.

Supplies: All Stampin' Up except Corner Chomper

Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Blushing Bride, Whisper White
Ink: Blushing Bride, Cherry Cobbler
Ribbon: Petty in Pink Taffeta
Basic Pearls Jewels
Clear Block (D)
Crop a Dile Corner Chomper (Deco) (non SU item)

See you tomorrow!

Day 20 Birthday Wishes

2011-01-21T23:41:00.000-06:00

Once again I've used Elements of Style. This time it's with markers on watercolor paper and I really love the look and I enjoy the coloring. I distressed the edges of the watercolor paper, and did a light rub with Pear Pizzaz on the edges. A very simple, but very pretty birthday card.

Supplies:

Stamps: Occasional Quotes (Birthday Wishes), Elements of Style

Paper: Watercolor, Pear Pizzaz, Rose Red

Ribbon: Certainly Celery Taffeta

Punches: Oval and Scallop Oval

Markers: Rose Red, Pear Pizzaz, Pretty in Pink

Watercolor Pen

Now it's your turn - make a card, send a card, make someone smile!

Until tomorrow Happy Stampin:

Thursday Break

2011-01-20T23:35:00.000-06:00

I know I've committed to making something and posting everyday, but due to a very long and late Home Owners Assoc. meeting tonight I am posting, but I am posting something I made the end of December.

This is a birthday card I made for a friend after seeing a fun button card. I had to change it up significantly from the one I saw as I didn't have the stamp set, but I did have the buttons sizzlet. I used a dark pink embroidery thread and adhered it to the back of each button with snail. I used dimensionals with some of the buttons to make the layers. This was a fun card to make and you can use scraps for the buttons, all you need is the sizzlet and the Big Shot.

I do want to mention that there is a fabulous new button stamp set available in the new Mini Occasions catalog and a buttons embosslit.

Again, I apologise for using a card from the end of December,but I did keep up the posting. Maybe I'll try to make two things tomorrow - we'll see - stay tuned.

Happy Stamping,

Day 18 Birthday Owls

2011-01-19T23:11:00.000-06:00

Tonight I made a card for a young friend of ours and used the new owl stamp out of the Sale-a-bration catalog Punch Bunch. This cute little owl goes with the Two-Step Owl Punch and gives another alternative to punching out all of the individual pieces to make an owl.

I used the Timeless Type Sizzlet set to punch out the Who's 10 and U R (inside) and the Two-Step Bird Punch for the limbs. This was a quick and easy card - and the owl stamp (and four others that match various punches can be yours for free when you spend $50 during the Sale-a-bration catalog period of 1/25 - 3/31.

Supplies:

Stamp: Punch Bunch

Paper: Melon Mambo, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, Gold, Tempting Turq. (Retired)

Markers: Various (you can choose)

Punch: Two-Step Owl, Two-Step Bird

Sizzlets: Timeless Type

Distressing Tool (cutter kit)

Big Shot

Until tomorrow - have fun - make a card and make someone's day!

Day 17 - Flowers for a Friend

2011-01-18T23:38:00.002-06:00

I must admit that tonight was tough! The last few nights a design has come easy, but tonight I played for a long time before a card came forward that I wanted to make. I wanted to use this stamp and started with watercolor paper, but it just didn't look the way I wanted so I switched to velum and used the stained glass technique.

I love this technique, but haven't used it in a long time - good to get back to some old favorites.

Supplies:
Stamps: Elements of Style and Punch Bunch (sale-a-bration preview)
Paper: Pear Pizzaz, Blushing Bride, Whisper White, Vellum
Markers: Peach Parfait, Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Pirouette Pink, Pear Pizzaz
Punch: 1" circle
Ink: Pear Pizzaz, Craft Basic Black, Clear Embossing Powder

Pull out some paper and a favorite old stamp or technique and have fun.

See you tomorrow.

Day 16 - Awash With Flowers

2011-01-17T23:57:00.001-06:00

Here I am "thinking of you" with my Day 16 creation and post!

I hate to admit it, but this is the first time I've used this stamp set - Awash With Flowers arrived on the scene in July 2010 with the new catalog. I actually didn't order it until a friend sent me a card using this set and I was sold However, I'm just now using it, but I just bet it now will become a favorite. . This is a two-step stamp set, meaning you stamp the outlines of the flowers and the stems and then stamp the solid part of the flower over the lines. They won't meet up exactly and that gives the look of watercolors.

I cased the card in the catalog (pg. 98) for this card tonight, changing layout, colors and sentiment, but the idea for cutting out the flowers and raising them up with dimensionals belongs to another creative soul and I say thanks. Now it's your turn - have fun.

Supplies:

Paper, Blushing Bride, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip (Textured)

Stamps; Awash With Flowers and Bloomin' Beautiful (Retired) A great new bee is available in Nature Walk in the new mini catalog.

Ribbon: Pretty in Pink Taffeta

Punches: Oval and Scallop Oval

Markers:

Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum, Regal Rose, Melon Mambo, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango Always Artichoke and Pear Pizzaz. The bee is Craft Black with clear embossing powder and Delightful Daffodil.

After a cold rainy weekend this was a reminder that spring is just around the corner!

Happy Stampin'