Happy Holidays!

Happy Hello!  I know it's been awhile since I posted, but I had to check in with you all today and show you what I've been working on the last couple weeks.    My sister Judy, who lives in California, "special ordered" 50 handmade Christmas cards to send to her clients this holiday season.

As you can see, I kept it very simple, but did add a touch of distressing and stitching around the image.  This pinecone stamp is one of my favorites from the Stampin' Up! set ~ Autumn Days.  To get the two colors, I've used Stampin' Write markers and colored direct to the rubber.  It takes a little extra time, but the results are worth it.  Can you tell I added a touch of glitter to the pinecones also? 

This year, instead of getting her clients gifts, she has decided to make a donation to their local food bank.  These enclosure cards will let them know and hopefully it will be well received.  These were computer generated and printed on the same natural white cardstock as the greeting cards.

And here all all 50 of them packed up in a tote and ready to travel!  Yes!  I'm taking them to my sister in person!!  ♥   That's the BEST NEWS of all!   Tuesday is her birthday and we will all be flying into Las Vegas to celebrate her birthday and Thanksgiving at our daughter Katie's home.  I'm SO excited!

And that's not even all of it!!  On Saturday after Thanksgiving, we are leaving for a week on the BIG ISLAND of Hawaii.  Omg, pinch me!  This trip is an incredible GIFT from my daughter and sister.  I am SO very blessed. ♥    That's all for now, but when I return I will have even more exciting NEWS to share with you!

Oh, one last thing.  Since I'll be gone for a couple weeks, I'm going to remove the links to my "Stamp Sale".  I will update those pages and post them again after the holidays.  I've sold several and want to say THANK YOU to all of you who've helped me "simplify" my stamp collection.  I really do appreciate it!

Wishing you and your family a very blessed Thanksgiving! ♥

Quote for November:

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

Please check out my AUTUMN STAMP SALE!

GOOD MORNING, My Friends!

The past few weeks, I've been trying to simplify my stamp collection and want to find good homes for a few of the neglected ones.   Would you like to help me out?!  ; )

I've created four Autumn Stamp Sale pages here on my blog with photos of the stamps I have for sale and prices. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me.  Or, if you want to make an offer on the "whole job lot", I'm open to that too.  ; )  

Autumn Stamp Sale - Page 1

Autumn Stamp Sale - Page 2 

Autumn Stamp Sale - Page 3

Autumn Stamp Sale - Page 4

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Happy Stamping!

Quote for Today ~

"Rubber stamps have no calories"

{SSSC91} Peek a "BOO!"

Happy Halloween, My Friends!

You may think I've been hiding lately, but really I've just been taking a little "blog break" to tend to some other things.   I really do miss you and couldn't pass up an opportunity to share one of my favorite Halloween stamps today!   

 

So here it is, with this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch!  {sketch by Karen Giron of The Sweetest Thing!}  As you can see, I flipped it and I didn't use the oval shape.  I had my mind set on using this image since it took me forever to color it!  :)   This is a large stamp by Whipper Snapper Designs, Inc., appropriately titled Peek a "BOO".

I wanted to embellish it my card, but everything I tried took away from the image.  So I left it as is, except for that little piece of BOO ribbon!  What I did was cut a slit along the edge of the shutter and tucked the ribbon in and taped it down on the backside.   This is a preprinted Halloween ribbon from Making Memories that I've had in my stash forever, so it's about time that I found a use for it!  

This is a 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" card so you can tell how large the image is.   I've colored it with Copic Markers and cut it out along the edge.  It's backed with basic black cardstock and layered up on dimensionals.  The Halloween cobweb designer paper is from my "stash" too.  I thought it made a good backdrop for the image.

Here's Karen's sketch....

I really do love it with the oval and will have to try it again and follow directions!  Be sure to hop on over to her blog ~ The Sweetest Thing and click on the links to see her Sweet Sunday Stamper's FABulous creations! 

Just an FYI  . . .

I'm working on a major STAMP SALE!  I've already posted a few here on my blog, but there will be more to come, so stay tuned!   

As always, I love hearing from you and appreciate your comments and encouragement.  I know it takes time, which is precious to us all.     Thanks so much for stopping by and have a SPOOK-TACULAR HALLOWEEN!!

 Quote for Today ~

Eat, drink and be scary. ~Author Unknown

Autumn Anniversary!

Where did the past week go?!   The GOOD NEWS is that my back is feeling much better and I may even get a few things accomplished around the house today!   : )

I mentioned last Sunday that I had made a 40th Anniversary card for my sister and her hubby who celebrated it on 10-10-10!  Isn't that COOL?!   I took a few photos before giving it to them and wanted to share it with you too. . .

The base cardstock is textured Soft Suede and I've layered it with my new favorite red ~ Cherry Cobbler!  Of course, I just had to give it the little pinked heart border too.   The beautiful autumn leave designer paper is from a Tim Coffey pad by K & Company.  Ribbon by Basic Grey and the finishing touch is the pretty vintage brad by Stampin' Up!

The inside stamp is by Hero Arts. 

Thank you for hanging in there with me.  My mojo has been lacking lately, but I haven't totally given in yet! 

Your comments mean the world to me and it amazes me how faithful some of you are with staying in touch~!    Bless your hearts! ♥

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and Happy Stamping, my friends!

Quote for Today ~

A wedding anniversary is the celebration of love, trust, partnership, tolerance and tenacity. The order varies for any given year. ~Paul Sweeney

{SSSC88} Feelin' Down?

Happy 10-10-10, my Friends!

Sorry I've been missing in action all week, but I have not been feeling the best.  I've got a rib head out in my middle back (according to my chiropractor who "adjusted" me twice) and I've been having more headaches than usual too.  Ugh!   It's so frustrating because everything I want to do just aggravates it. 

Anyway, you didn't stop by to listen to me whine, so let's get to today's card!  : )  I've used the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge and made myself a card.  LOL!  Just kidding.   This is a digital image from Hambo Stamps.  When I first saw it on my friend Shuggy's blog ~ {Stamping's of the Shug}, it made me *smile*.  

I got a little carried away coloring this image, but it was fun.  I think you could make super simple black and white card with this and it would be just as effective.   Did you notice, I didn't do any stitching on this one?  It was hard to resist, but I did.   ; )    This is a standard size 4-1/4 x 5-1/2" card with "Crumb Cake" cardstock as the base.

the inside sentiment

I hope the weather in your corner of the world is as lovely as it is here in Nebraska.  It is simply GORGEOUS outside...the perfect autumn day!   Hubby and I went to the apple orchard earlier this afternoon and now I'm wishing I had taken some photos to share with you.  It's just one of my favorite thingss to do in the Fall.  

Don't you just love the date today...10-10-10 ?!   It's my sister and brother-in-law's 40th wedding anniversary and also her birthday.  I'll post the card I made for them tomorrow, or later in the week. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and do come back again soon, ok? 

Happy Stamping!

Quote for Today ~

If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want.  ~Elbert Hubbard

{SSSC87 & CC Act 50} Hot Doggie!

Hot Diggity Dog!  Two of my favorite challenges!

When I saw these beautiful fall colors for Stacey's Curtain Call Color Challenge, I immediately thought of creating an autumn leaf card.  But, as you can see, that didn't exactly happen.  I needed a thank you card and this cute little doggie was out on my stamping table wanting some love.  ♥

Today's terrific sketch is by Karen at The Sweetest Thing.  I turned it to make it work with my image and used the scalloped circle instead of the small square.

Hog Doggie stamp by Simply Stamped
a Romantic Dog stamp by Penny Black

the inside...using the same plaid designer paper as on the front.
Thanks for making me smile - Stampin' Up!

4-1/4" x 5-1/2" card...base is Crumb Cake
plaid designer paper by K & Company

It's hard to believe we're into October already!  This year is just flying by and it seems I have so many more card ideas and stamps than I have time!  Can you relate to that?!   Yes, I know you all can.   : )

Thanks so much for blogging by!  Have a wonderful week, my friends!

Quote for Today ~

My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet. ~Edith Wharton

Happy World Card Making Day! with "It's a Girl!"

Happy Happy World Card Making to all of YOU...

my dear blog readers!

This sweet little baby girl card was created especially for my boss and his wife who just had a beautiful baby girl named Madisyn Alexis.  Isn't that a pretty name?

I had fun coloring this cute image to coordinate with the pink plaid designer paper that has been in my stash for-ever!  I stamped several of these images a few years ago before giving away the stamp so I can't even tell you who made it, but the paper is by Bo Bunny Press. 

The card is a 5-1/4" square of regal rose.  The inside sentiment is another oldie stamp by PSX.  You may not be able to tell by the photos, but I've added some dazzling diamonds glitter to the flowers on the front and the stars inside.  It adds some sweet sparkle! ♥

Inside the card, I enclosed a Target gift card and this baby keepsake card...

First I had to go to the bank and get a roll of 2010 pennies because I didn't have one.  What is funny is that I got home and opened the roll and the only one that was 2010 was the one on top!  Oh well, I only needed one for this and the rest will spend.  : )    The "keepsake" stamp is one I got from a recent estate sale.  On the side of the stamp, it reads "copyright 2001 Peddler's Pack, Beaverton, OR".   I just Googled it, and was surprised to see they have a website!   How come I've never heard of them before?!

Back to how I created the enclosure card.... I punched the scalloped circle out of the white layer and attached a small piece of clear acetate to the back.  Then I punched the circle from the regal rose piece and did the same thing.  This way you can see the front and the backside of the penny.  Both pieces are then stitched together.  If I was to make another, I would figure out a way to finish the back so my stitching doesn't show. 

What are your plans for the weekend??  I hope you get a chance to stamp it up and celebrate World Card Making Day!   Enjoy!!

Quote for Today ~
Babies are such a nice way to start people. ~Don Herrold

{MTSC93} Dance ~ Sing ~ Live!

This is my card for Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge!

I'm not sure why, but this one did not come easy for me at all.   You would laugh if you knew how much time I spent on this simple card.  I started out with a Pure Innocence image, got it all colored with my Copic markers and then didn't think her dress color matched my designer paper..  The more I tried to "fix" it, the worse it got.  So, I got the brilliant idea to paper piece her dress!   Well, that didn't work either. : (

I was almost ready to throw in the towel when I thought mayble I could salvage it with this lovely stamp by Verve.  Added some sheer ribbon and a button and there you go!   Sheesh!

Here is Mercy's sketch for those of you who want to play along...we would ♥ to have you join us!

I can't wait to see what Mercy's Muses did with this sketch!

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner

Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict

Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes

Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly

Mercy Kerin ~ Lord Have Mercy {Queen Muse}

and our September Guest Muse...

Lori Tecler

from Inking Aloud!

It's getting very late and past my bedtime now.  Thanks for dropping by and do come back again soon!

Happy Stamping!

The Most Beautiful Autumn Wedding!

Five years ago on September 24th, 2005,

our son Andrew married the love of his life ~ Jami! ♥

Today I want to share the card I created especially for their 5th Anniversary...and along with my card I can't resist showing you a few of their wedding photos too!   They had the most BEAUTIFUL autumn wedding and I think you'll enjoy seeing these...

Our Family ~ Me, Katie, Jami, Andrew, Jim

Husband, Wife, Happy Life! ♥

Kiss the Groom now!

The Wedding Party

The inspiration for this card came from my sweet blog friend LeAnne Pugliese of Wee Inklings.  She came up with this awesome idea last year...to use the maple leaf and another stamp from the Stampin' Up Autumn Days set...and create a colorful fall wreath.  Ingenious, I tell you! 

For the inside, I stamped a sentiment from Hero Arts.  "Some moments are worth holding in your heart forever."   That is oh, so true!  ♥

Thanks so much for blogging by today!  I hope you've enjoyed my card and my little trip down memory lane.

Happy Stamping!

Quote for Today ~

Love one another and you will be happy. It's as simple and as difficult as that. ~Michael Leunig

{MTSC92} Happy Harmony

Happy Tuesday and time for Mercy's Sketch Challenge!

If you stopped by earlier today and wondered where my usual verbiage was, let me explain...

Blogger was dealing me fits last night, I had a migraine and simply gave up and went to bed.  That's the short version anyway... because I already typed a long explanation and told you all about my card, what stamp set I used,  how I made the scalloped edge and colored the flowers and *poof* it vanished again!    And along with that went all the links to Mercy's fabulous Muses! 

Let's try this again....here are Mercy's unbelievably creative Muses...

Ta-Da!

Cindy Haffner ~ Cindy Haffner's Corner

Jackie Pedro ~ The Scalloped Edge

Pam Varnell ~ The Stamping Addict

Julie Lacey ~ Stamps and Taxes

Jessica Diedrich ~ The Whimsical Butterfly

Mercy Kerin ~ Lord Have Mercy {Queen Muse}
and last, but certainly not least,

our September Guest Muse...

Lori Tecler

from Inking Aloud!

I'm making progress now...  above you'll see the inside of my card and another glimpse of the front with that vintage button tied on with linen thread.  I hope you like it, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.   Thanks so much for blogging by!

Happy Stamping!

Quote for Today ~

Stitch your stress away.