OH, MAN

I know - lame title for my post.  Sometimes it is just so hard to come up with a catchy title and today was no exception.  Today's card is intended to be masculine.  Sitting here as I type, I realize that maybe I missed the mark a little.  Well, I'll just have to work on it and get better with the manly man cards.  My card was inspired by this card created by Mercy Kerin.

That's it for me today.  I gotta run and get ready for church.  My sister-in-law, Ellen, is bringing her boyfriend over for a visit later today.  My husband and I met him briefly over Christmas.  It will be nice to actually sit down and get to know him better.

Supplies:  Stamps - Circle Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Sanded Background; Paper - Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Old Olive, Whisper White; Ink - Basic Gray, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, Old Oilve; Accessories - Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot Machine, 1/2" Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch,

1 3/4" Circle Punch (All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)

Purchase Stampin' Up! products 24/7 here!

WHOA, MAMBO!

And I do say, "Whoa!".  Any of you who are familiar with Stampin' Up!'s In Color Mambo Melon know that it is not this overpowering and fluorescent in real life.  Not sure what's up with this picture.  Oh well!  It's much better in person.  You'll just have to trust me : )  Today's card is an easel card.  I've seen them everywhere and you know me.  I had to get in on the action and make one of these buggers.  I must say they are easy to make and the finished project is impressive.  Here's a side view for you.  I've attached a brad in the center of the base so the front of the card stays propped up like an easel.  My card front was CASED from someone much more talented than myself.  I believe it was a card someone received as a swap at the Stampin' Up! Leadership Conference.  Unfortunately, I haven't been successful at finding the blog where I originally saw it.  If you know, please leave me a comment so that I can give credit where it is due.

Well, that's it for me.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!

ETA:  HERE'S THE LINK TO THE ORIGINAL CARD I CASED FOR MY CARD FRONT.  It was designed by Janet Moore. Thanks, Marilyn,  for helping me locate the link.

Stampin' Up! - Haitian Disaster Relief

Stampin' Up! - Haitian Disaster Relief: "Haitian Disaster Relief
On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope. You can help make a difference in the lives of those who continue to suffer from the effects of this earthquake by purchasing the I {Heart} Hearts stamp set.

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

Product Name Item # Price

I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount (block D recommended) 118571 $18.95

I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount 117010 $26.95"

If you would like to purchase this set, contact your Stampin' Up! Demonstrator.  If you don't have a demonstrator, I would be happy to purchase this set for you.  You can either shop online here or email me your order at l_burkitt@yahoo.com.

SMALL WONDER

Today's card was made for a co-worker and his wife who celebrated the birth of their second baby girl last week.  My co-worker's wife also happens to be my husband's cousin.  (Boy, that sounded confusing : )  Aren't small communities great?

I used the Pals Paper Arts PPA24 Simple Sketch Challenge for the layout of my card.  I really like this layout and can see myself using it over and over.  I did, however, struggle making this card.  You see, I don't tend to make very many cards where pink is the main focus.  I live in the testosterone sea at my house - even my dog is a boy!  So, I don't get an opportunity to make "girly" cards very often.  You know what I did discover?  I REALLY like making "girly" cards.  They're fun.  This was also the first time I used the new clear blocks and unmounted stamps from Stampin' Up!.  I LOVE THEM!  I was instantly addicted!

I'll be back later to post the supplies used for this card.  I can tell you that this little card is chocked full of new goodies from the new Stampin' Up! Occassions Mini Catalog! 

GOODNIGHT, JOHN BOY

Last week I attended funeral services for the kindest and most humble man I've ever met.  John was well known throughout my community and was a friend to many.  He was never quick to anger, never arrogant or boastful and most certainly never mean spirited.  His absence will be felt not only by his family, but also those who were fortunate enough to call him friend and acquaintance.  John fought the good fight for many years, but finally succumbed to cancer earlier this month.  I pray that God will comfort his family and bring them peace.  Goodnight, John Boy.  You will be missed. 

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  God be with you.

Supplies:  Stamps-Thoughts and Prayers; SU! Markers - Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Real Red; Paper - Kraft, Old Olive, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Old Olive Designs DSP; Accessories - Scallop Trim Punch, Circle Scissor Plus, Big Shot Machine, Scallop Circle #2 Die, Real Red Corduroy Button, Chocolate Chip 5/8" Grograin Ribbon, Vintage Brads, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

(All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted.)

This layout was inspired by the Mojo Monday Week 121 Sketch Challenge. 

LOOK WHOOOOO'S TURNING................

I made this card for my older brother, Greg.  Unfortunately, it will have to be a belated birthday card since it won't reach him until after his birthday.  Even though my brother will be turning............."44", I thought he might like this whimsical little owl.  I sure hope it brings a smile to his face.  I've seen cards using this punch owl on several blogs.  Most recently, I saw it on Julie's blog - Thoughts that Stick.  I'm not sure why, but I decided I had to try it too!  It came together very easily and was a "hoot" to make as well.

Today's card was inspired by Mercy Kerin's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #55 (MTSC55) and Crazy for Challenge's Challenge #19 (C4C19).  Here's a picture of Mercy's sketch challenge.  You can see I didn't follow it exactly.    My circle and owl just looked better offset.  I have really enjoyed breaking out my new goodies from Stampin' Up!'s new Occassions Mini catalog.  I haven't stamped in forever and it really was good for my soul : )  If you haven't checked out the new Occasions Mini or the Sale-A-Bration brochure, you can do so by clicking on the picture of them located on the upper left-hand side of my blog. 

Well, that's it for me today.  Thanks for peeking in on me.  I'm off to stamp some more and finally play with my new Stampin' Up! clear mount stamps and blocks.

Supplies:  Stamps - Look Who's Turning; Paper - SU!'s Sweet Pea DSP, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, Kraft, Whisper White, Basic Black; Ink - Chocolate Chip, SU!'s Chocolate Chip Marker; Accessories - Stamp-a-Ma-Jig, Buttons Latte, Playground Designer Buttons, White Signo Pen, Sponge Dauber, Circle Scissor Plus; Punches - 1 3/4" Circle, 3/4" Circle, 1/2" Circle, Large Oval,

1 1/4" Square, Round Tab, Heart to Heart, Scallop Circle

*All products Stampin' Up! unless noted*

FLOWER FOLD BROOCH

My goodness, I haven't posted in forever and a day.  I tend to get the New Year blahs each year and to be really honest I just get in a weird funk.  This year was no different.  However, over the Christmas holiday, I did create these Flower Fold brooches.  Stampin' Up!'s very own Shelli Gardner had a beautiful flower brooch on her sweater at the Cincinnati Stampin' Up! Regional and it was all the rage.  Of course, I had to see what the fuss was about.  Well...........I started making these little gems and now I'm addicted!  I've made close to a dozen brooches in about two weeks.  They are so super easy.  Just run material through the Big Shot using the Flower Fold die and plug in the handy dandy glue gun to assemble.

I just got my new goodies from the Occassions Mini and the Sale-A-Bration brochure yesterday.  I'll be breaking them in this weekend and hope to be posting my creations very soon.

Thanks for peeking in on me today.