IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN

Yes, can you believe it?  I finally found some time to stamp.  Let me tell you, it felt absolutely wonderful.  Now granted I'm a little rusty at it right now and the mojo isn't flowing so freely.  I'm hoping that will alleviate itself soon.  So, how many of you remember watching the Charlie Brown Halloween special about the Great Pumpkin?  I love all the holiday cartoons.  Yep, I still watch them.  I used the Stampin' Up! stamp sets Jack of All Trades and Lighthearted for the sentiment on my card.  I loved the Jack of All Trades set when I saw it in the catalog.  However, I really struggled to come up with a card using this very set.  Go figure!  Once again I think my card may have a bit of embellishment overload.  What can I say?  I was so excited to find some stamping time that I went a little overboard.

Thanks for peeking in on me this evening!

LIFE'S BUMPY ROAD

I know it's been a long time since my last post.  I just wanted to give you an update of what's been going on.  Many of you know that I've blogged about my father's illness.  He has esophageal cancer and he is struggling.  Radiation and chemotherapy treatments began on September 13th.  Unfortunately, these treatments have really knocked the wind out of Dad.  I live next door to my father and I'm constantly in a whirlwind between his house and mine.  Unfortunately, this hasn't left much time for me to spend in my craft room right now.  I really miss stamping, need to stamp and hope to stamp soon.  It's just not happening right now.


I hope you will be patient with my lack of posts during Dad's battle with cancer.  I'm not completely giving up on blogging.  However, you may notice my posts to be few and far between in the next couple of months.  I 'm truly sorry, but my father really needs me right now.  Thanks for understanding.

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE

I don't know why my blog posts have all been songs lately.  Probably because my brain is exhausted.  (Sigh!)  I made this card for a terrific friend of mine named Kim.  We were good buddies in college and recently reconnected through social networking.  I had the opportunity to visit Kim this summer after her mother passed away.  I hadn't seen her in almost 20 years, but she hadn't changed a bit.  She's a "what you see is what you get kind of gal."  That's what I love about her.  So, if you're reading this Kim, thank you for being you.

It's going to be a quick post for me this evening.  Tomorrow begins the five week treatment plan of chemo and radiation for Dad.  He's not been feeling very well lately and has had to have four days of IV fluids for dehydration.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!

Stamp Set:  Bold Blossom; Paper:  Cheerful Treat Hostess Designer Series Paper

YOU BELONG AMONG THE WILDFLOWERS

You belong somewhere you feel free...............Yes, I'm a Tom Petty fan.  I may even be dating myself a little with that song, huh?  Okay, so I noticed my card is having a little "wardrobe malfunction" in this picture.  Looks like I need to adhere the layers on the right side of the card a little better.  Okay, how many of you clicked on the picture to get a better look?  (Smile.)  Shoot fire!  I never noticed that until now.  Note to self:  fix it before it goes in the mail.

This card has a wallop of things going on.  Pearls, die cuts, piercing, paper piecing, watercoloring, sponging........You get the picture.  You should have seen the mess on my desk after making this one.

This is going to be a short post for me today.  I'm heading off to work and them to chemo education with Dad.  If you have any questions about the card, give me a shout.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!

FLY ME TO THE MOON

When I first opened the 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog, my eyes spied the Up, Up and Away stamp set right away.  The big, beautiful hot air balloons caught my attention.  Once, while traveling through the mountains of West Virginia, we were awestruck to see an array of gorgeous hot air balloons floating through the sky.  I can't recall the exact number of balloons, but I'm betting there were over two dozen.  The beautiful, vibrant colors made for an amazing sight. 

I have seen many beautiful cards using this stamp set with patterned paper for hills and the cupcake punch for clouds and I wanted to get in on the action.  Whoever came up with the idea of using the cupcake punch for clouds is one brilliant cookie!

Well, I'm going to sign off for today.  I'll be back next week with another project.  Next week is shaping up to be a very busy one.  My husband will be in Chicago on business.  I will be taking my father to several doctors' appointments.  I have an appointment with my dentist for a partial crown.  (I broke the back of my tooth off in May.  Lesson learned - quit clinching my teeth.)  And last but not least, my son is playing in his first high school golf match!  (Go, Connor!)  I'm really excited for him.  Thanks for peeking in on me!

If you live on the east coast, please be safe.  I've been following Irene's path on the local news channel.  It looks like she's rearing her nasty head. 

Recipe:  Stamps - Up, Up and Away, Trendy Trees (Sentiment); Paper - In Colors 2011-2013 DSP Patterns Stack, Poppy Parade, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight, Whisper White; Ink:  Poppy Parade, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Basic Brown; Accessories:  Border Punch

(non-SU!), Cupcake Punch, Crimper, Cutter Kit, Jewelry Tag Punch, Bakers Twine, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Poppy Parade 1/2" Poly Stitched Ribbon

CRAZY FOR CHALLENGES C4C101

Yes!!!!!  I actually took time to participate in an online challenge - on time!!!  Whoo Hooo!!!  Today, over at Crazy 4 Challenges, the challenge was to create a project using this bingo card.  I chose to go vertical and used brads, flowers and 2 or more designer papers.  (Kind of sounds like Jeopardy.  I'll take brads, flowers, and designer papers for $500, Alex.)                                                     

For some reason, I have been stuck on distressing my cards lately.  Don't ask me why.  I don't have a clue.  Perhaps, there is just something therapeutic about relieving stress through crumpling, sponging, tearing, etc.

This is going to be a short post for me.  I'll be back later to give you the supplies I used on my card.  I need to go get cleaned up.  One of my friends and I are headed to lunch and then a matinee showing of "The Help".  We both live in a testosterone sea and are in need of some "girl time".

Thanks for peeking in on me today!

FAITH IN NATURE

I've never really considered myself very good at coloring and shading images.  Honestly, I tend to shy away from open image stamp sets but I really am drawn to the stamp images in Stampin' Up!'s Faith in Nature hostess set.  This is my first attempt in inking up this set.  I sat down with my trusty Aqua Painter and my Stampin' Up! Watercolor Pencils.  Instead of filling my Aqua Painter with water, I used mineral spirits.  (A nice tip I learned from one of my customers.  Thanks, Dee!)  The mineral spirits work better for me.  Who knew???

I designed this card to be a masculine get well card.  I'm not sure why, but designing masculine cards always throws me for a little loop and creates a bit of a challenge for me.  Why is that???  I guess the challenge explains why I went a little "overboard" with the distressing elements of the card.  Sigh!

Believe it or not, I have quite a few more projects to share with you.  We're in the hurry up and wait stage of my father's battle with esophageal cancer and I have an immense amount of nervous energy right now.  I'm not sure how much time I'll have to create once his chemo and radiation treatments begin.  As I've said before, that's a part of the journey I'll have to wait to travel.  Thanks for all the kind words, encouragement and prayers you've said on his and my behalf. 

Thanks for peeking in on me and thanks for your patience during my father's illness.

Supplies: (All supplies are Stampin' Up! unless noted)  Stamps - Faith in Nature (Hostess set) and Sincere Salutations; Ink - Jet Black Stazon, Basic Gray Marker, Watercolor Pencils; Paper - Neutrals Collection Patterns DSP, Play Date DSP (retired), So Saffron, Very Vanilla, Watercolor Paper, Basic Black, Old Olive; Accessories - Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon, Antique Brad, Sponge Dauber, Color Spritzer, Cutter Kit

UPDATE ON MY DAD

It's been a while since my last post so I thought I'd give you an update.  We have learned that my father's cancer is contained to the esophagus and has not spread.  (Praise God!)  Dad has been continuing to slowly lose more weight so his surgeon took him off the liquid/soft diet restrictions.  Now Dad is eating just about everything but bread.  Unfortunately, the tumor is located at the base of the esophagus which makes some food difficult to pass through to the stomach.


Monday we will see Dad's oncologist.  I'm hoping we will learn a little more about his cancer and also find out what the chemo/radiation schedule will be.  I have done a little research on esophageal cancer and I can tell you I'm very scared for my father.  Please, please keep him in your prayers.


On a lighter note, I have been creating projects.  I've been so nervous and the time in my scrap nook has helped ease my nervousness some.  My husband, my blog photographer, has been taking pictures of my projects for me.  I'm hoping to get some of them posted very soon.


Thanks for peeking in on me today!

BUY 3 DSP, GET ONE DSP FREE!

 

During August, Stampin' Up! is offering their famous "Buy Three---Get One Free" Designer Series Paper Special. 

• Choose from a wide variety of designs and colors available in both the 2011 - 2012 and the Summer Mini!

122343 Nautical Expedition

122367 Paisley Petals

122357 Beau Château

122354 Pocketful of Posies

122355 Domestic Goddess

124339 Just Add Cake

122351 Frightful Sight

122352 Timeless Portrait

122350 Berry Blossoms

122342 Beyond the Garden

122359 Well Worn

122347 Nursery Nest

122349 Letters to Santa

122348 Big Top Birthday

• SPECIALTY Designer Series Paper and Hostess Designer Series Paper are not eligible for this promotion.
• There is no limit to the number of free packages you can earn.
• Hurry! The promotion ends August 31, at 11:50 PM Mountain Time.  You can shop Stampin' Up! on my website here.

LIFE TAKES OVER

Sometimes life takes us along journeys we'd much rather not travel.  Yesterday began that journey for my family and I.  After many months of complaining of acid reflux and a 23 pound weight loss for my father, we learned that he has esophageal cancer.  His local surgeon is not specialized in surgery of the esophagus and Dad has been referred to a surgeon in Columbus.  So we wait some more.  My brothers, sister and I are numb right now.  Fortunately, my father seems to be taking it the best.  In the meantime and all throughout this journey, we will place our faith in God and pray for understanding.

I'm not sure how often I'll be posting projects over the next several days and months.  That's part of the journey I'll have to wait to travel.  Perhaps my heart won't be into stamping.  Perhaps stamping will be my great escape.  I'm really not sure right now.  My heart is with my father and as my only living parent I feel it's important to spend time with him.  I hope you all understand.

I do have a couple of projects that I created earlier this month.  I just need to photograph and edit them.  Hopefully, I'll post them soon.

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  Have a very blessed weekend.

BREAKING IN THE NEW - IN COLORS THAT IS!

Just trying out my new Stampin' Up! goodies and trying out the new In Colors!  Yep, it's official.  I love them!  Sorry for the quick post today.  I have a very busy week ahead.

Wow!  I'm sorry for the quality of this picture.  It was taken at night and looks a little blurry.  Thanks for peeking in on me any way! 

BLOSSOMING FRIENDSHIP

I have to admit that when I'm a little out of practice with stamping I tend to CASe projects from other very talented stampers.  You know, just until the creative juices start coursing through my noggin again.  (Oh, who am I kidding?  I CASe a lot!)  While blog surfing for ideas, I came across this card by Dawn Griffith.  You'll definitely want to check out her blog and watch her videos.

Essentially, the only changes I made from Dawn's card are the color combination and the sentiment.  Why fix something that isn't broken?  Right??

Have you had a chance to drool over the all new 2011-2012 Stampin' Up! Idea Book and Catalog?  If you haven't done so, you must DO it!  You can view the new catalog by clicking on my link to the right of my blog.

I'll be back with an original card using the all new In Colors and a brand new hostess set.  I know it's shocking that I actually had a semi-original thought.  Please don't fall out of your chair as I would hate it if you hurt yourself.

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  If you're American, enjoy this July 4th holiday and be safe!  Don't forget to take a moment to remember the brave men and women who have fought for our freedom.

CASING THE OPEN SEA WITH A TWIST

I found the neatest card in the Splitcoast Stampers gallery by n2scrappin and was just itching to case it.  You can view her original card here.  I knew from the moment I saw it that I wanted to put my own "spin" on it so I decided to make this a tilt card of sorts.  I found directions for making this type of card in the resource section of Splitcoast Stampers.  Instead of just making the wheel tilt, I cut my hole a little bigger than the directions so the wheel could turn completely around to mimic the wheel of a real ship.

I used The Open Sea stamp set from the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog along with the sentiment from the Bring on the Cake stamp set.  I paired my image with the matching Nautical Expedition Designer Series Paper also in the mini catalog.  (You just have to love matching designer series paper and matching stamp sets.  It takes the guess work out every time!)

I know it's hard to tell from the picture to the left, but if you look really hard you can tell that the wheel turns.  Notice how my stamped image is off center?  I won't even tell you how long it took me to complete this card.  Let's just say that it took far more time than it should have.  It's been way too long since I've stamped and I am extremely rusty.  Despite the length of time it took to create this card I can honestly say I'm very pleased with it.  I intend to give it to my father-in-law for his upcoming birthday.  Let's hope he likes it!

Thanks for peeking in on me today and for being patient with me during my extremely long absence.  I do have more stamping creations to share with you so please stay tuned!

I STAMPED - REALLY!

I actually got to spend some time in my little craft nook over the weekend.  I had Friday off and I took advantage of the time to do some creating.  You see, my computer is located by my craft counter and my son likes to play an online game with my brother-in-law.  This creates a bit of a problem for us both.  The area is too small for us to be in the same space at the same time.  Most usually I give in and let him play his game.  Unfortunately, I don't get any stamping done.  We're currently working on a compromise.  I NEED to stamp!!! (Smile.)

Any way, I will be posting some of my creations in the very near future.  I think I've mentioned before that my husband is my photographer.  I just need to steal a moment of his time to have him photograph and edit my projects.  Thanks for hanging in there with me.

REORGANIZING, RESTRUCTURING AND MOVING ON

It's been forever since I posted an actual project.  Truth is, my creative zone had become a bit of a hot mess.  Every time I would sit down to create I was disgusted by my lack of organization.  It's amazing how clutter can wreck havoc on a person's creativity.  Enough was more than enough!  So I spent the weekend reorganizing my scrap area with hopes to crank out the projects very soon.  Besides, I have some new Stampin' Up! products that are just screaming for attention.  See you soon!

TIME TO SAY FAREWELL

It's official.  Stampin' Up!'s Last Chance list is out.  These items are available until June 30th or until supplies run out.  You can view the retiring products by clicking on these links.

Retiring stamp sets

Retiring Accessories

Retiring Definitely Decorative

To purchase any of these items, you can visit my Stampin' Up! website here.

CASING QBEE

I came across this cute card and tutorial created by Brenda Quintana and knew right then and there that I had to try it out for myself.  I must say that the process is a little time consuming but the end result is worth it.

This card has very little stamping, but is filled to the brim with punch art.  Every now and then I like to change things up and break out those punches.  Isn't it amazing the beautiful art you can produce from punches?

If you've been following my blog you know that I am trying to mail out more of my handmade cards.  This card is no exception.  I mailed it to my friend's, Kim's, mother whose lung cancer has spread to her liver.  What's worse is that Kim's mother, Roxanne, suffered a stroke on top of everything else a few weeks ago.  She is making some progress in regaining her strength.  However, her chemotherapy treatments have been put on hold for now.  I have to say after I sent Roxanne this card, I felt really good that I actually followed through with putting the card in the mail.  Imagine my suprise a few days later when I received a thank you card from Roxanne.  Her words of gratitude brought me to tears.  She said she remembered me from Kim's and my college graduation.  That was in 1992!

Sorry for the long post.  If you stayed with this post to the end you deserve a prize!  Thanks for peeking in on me today!

ETA:  I scheduled this post a little over a week ago.  I am sad to say that my dear friend's mom, Roxanne, lost her battle to cancer on Tuesday morning.  Please keep my friend, Kim, and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

MOTHER MAY I

One of the great advantages of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator is receiving the monthly publication of "Stampin' Success" in the mail.  This publication is full of business tips and techniques to help demonstrators grow their business.  I found this card in one of the Stampin' Success magazines and tried it for myself. 

 If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you will see a shimmery glow to the stamped panel of the card.  This technique is called "faux mother of pearl".  All you need is plastic wrap and some Stampin' Up! Frost White Shimmer Paint.  You simply place a small amount of the shimmer paint on a foam plate, wad up the plastic wrap and dab it in the shimmer paint.  Next you pounce the plastic wrap on your cardstock, let it dry and them stamp your image with Staz-on ink.  This technique adds a little elegance to your project.  Go ahead and try it today.  It's very easy to do and it'll make you say, "Wow!  Now that's pretty!"

Thanks for peeking in on me today.

EASTER BLESSINGS

Here's hoping you all are having a very blessed Easter this Sunday.

Thanks for peeking in on me today.  Sorry for the picture quality.  This card was photographed very late at night.  It's actually much nicer in real life.

EAT YOUR VEGGIES

I made these cute little Easter treats for my piano students using the Petal Cone die and my trusty Big Shot machine.  Oh, how I love that machine.

I try to make my piano students some kind of little treat during the holidays  just to let them know that I'm proud of their hard work.  I filled these carrots up with mini candy bars and fun size packets of Skittles.  These little treats came together very quickly.

Thanks for peeking in on me today!  Hope your week is going great!

HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL

This cute little basket is a project that was made in last month's class.  My basket was filled with little paper crinkly thingies, but I gave them to one of the gents in my class.  Yes, you read it right.  I had a young gentleman in my class last month.  He was so sweet.  I had dishes of jellybeans on my table for my guests munching enjoyment.  This young man took some of the jellybeans and put them in his basket because he wanted to give his basket to his little sister.  I gave him the filling out of my basket so his jellybeans wouldn't fall out of his basket.

I found the "easy peasy" directions for this basket on Angie Kennedy Juda's blog here and the instructions for the cute little bunny on Mary Fish's blog here.  Isn't the little bunny so adorable.

As I mentioned in Sunday's post, my computer is having problems and is on it's way to the shop.  I'm not sure how long I'll be without it so I'm scheduling my posts in advance.  I'm praying and hoping my posts publish as scheduled.  Thanks for peeking in on me today!

COMPUTER PROBLEMS

Ack!  (Or should I say "Hack".)  I do believe the dreaded virus has struck our household once again.  No, I don't mean my family personally.  It's our computer!  I am working on scheduling my posts while our computer is in the shop.  Hopefully, you won't even notice I'm gone.  I just hope our computer isn't out of commission for too long.  Sigh!

LIFE'S MOMENTS

Life truly is a matter of moments, isn't it?  It's amazing the twists and turns our lives take and to our amazement somehow we get through.  I'm sending this card to a retired co-worker who has sure had his share of ups and downs since his retirement.  I just want to remind him that his old co-workers have not forgotten him.  We even reminisce about the good old days, tell stories about him and even chuckle at some of the humorous "moments".

I used the Nature Walk stamp set and the Botanical Gazette Designer Series Paper on this card.  These items are available from the Occasions Mini Catalog now through April 30th. The sentiment is from the Elements of Style stamp set located in the Idea Book and Catalog.

It's a quick post for me today as I head out for work this dreary and soggy morning.  I'm looking forward to sunnier days ahead!  Thanks for peeking in on me!

OH, YOU'RE SEW SUITE!

Yes, I know the title to my post is lame.  It's hard coming up with catchy titles sometimes.  As you can see, I finally caught up with my husband to photograph some of my creations.  It's not that he won't do it, he's actually a very good sport.  It's just that I always think I'm going to take the pictures and then I wimp out and ask him.  (Nicely, of course.)

This card is one that was made in last month's card class.  I usually don't do many projects with bright colors, but I was very pleased with the color combinations in this card.  Plus, I really like the "Sew Suite" stamp set.  I avoided buying this set for a while, but I saw so many projects on the web using this set that I eventually broke down and bought it.  I'm so glad I did. 

I promised my co-worker last year that I would mail out more of my handmade cards.  So in keeping true to this promise I sent this card to an old college friend who's going through a bit of struggles right now.  I recently reconnected with her on Facebook after almost no communications for approximately 17 years. We just got busy living life and raising families.  I'm so glad to get to know her all over again and catch up on her life.  And, I swore I would never get a Facebook account.  All I can say is, "Never say never!"

I'LL BE BACK VERY SOON

Just wanted to post a quick note before heading off to work.  I'll be back very soon with some projects from my latest classes and cards I've made for friends.  I finally got pictures of my projects and uploaded them to my computer.  Thanks for your patience.

ON THE MEND

Just wanted to drop you all a quick note to say I'm feeling better.  I think I'm still fighting the sinus "crud", but I'm getting over it. Think positive, Lori!  I did spend some time in my craft room yesterday.  So, I'll have some new posts coming soon.

S{ICK }

Just wanted to pop in and let you know where I've been.  My son has been under the weather and now I seem to have caught the sinus "crud".  It has been going around my son's school and my office.  I was hoping to avoid it, but no luck.  I haven't been in my craft room either.  Hopefully, I'll feel better soon and get back to posting my projects.

Thanks for peeking in on me!  Have a great week and remember to wash those hands!

BUILD A BLOSSOM MOJO 179

My card today was inspired by the Mojo Monday's Week 179 Sketch.  Well, I guess I should say that it is "sorta" inspired by the sketch.  I exercised some liberty with the sketch.  But that's what it's all about, isn't it?  Sketches were designed to springboard our creativity.  Plus, I knew this sketch would be perfect to use with my Build a Blossom stamp set and punch.  I purchased this set about a month ago but hadn't taken the time to ink it up.  I must say that I'm pleased with the outcome. 

So, here's the story behind the card.  It was designed for a woman I've never met - Julie.  I truly hope she likes it.   I attend church services with her husband's cousin, Robin.  Robin had asked me if I would send Julie a card to cheer her up.  Currently, Julie is fighting breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy treatments.  I was told she really appreciates receiving cards and carries them with her to look at during her chemo treatments.  Can I let you in on a secret?  I've never designed and sent a card to someone I've never met.  Let me tell you, it feels really good.  For reasons I can't explain, I wanted this card to be a little special.  I really wanted to pay attention to detail.  I hope Julie knows that even though we've never met, I still hold her close in thoughts and prayers.  I just hope my card reflects that.

That's it for me today.  Thanks for peeking in on me!  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  I challenge you to bless a stranger with a handmade card.  Who knows?  You may just make his or her day.

FAST & FABULOUS FAUX SILK

I saw this technique on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator's website and decided to try it for myself.  I can't believe how easy it is to create this beautiful, soft effect.  The added texture over your stamped image just makes you want to reach out and touch it.  Every time I go into a store I can't help but reach out and touch the textures of the fabric and run my fingers over the fine details of jewelry.  I'm sure I drive the salespeople crazy but I can't help myself.  Do you do that too?

This is one of the cards the ladies in my Technique Lover's class created this past week.  I think the vintage look of this card was voted one of their favorites : ) It makes me happy to hear my customers say, "Oh, this is definitely my favorite project."  KWIM?

Here's a close up look at the distressed edges.  It kind of reminds me of vintage lace.  There's virtually little work to achieving this look.  Just take a 1" piece of cardstock and punch one side with Stampin' Up!'s eyelet border punch, run your cardstock through the crimper back and forth and use your bone folder to smooth out the crimping.  Don't run your bone folder over the crimped edge too much.  You'll still want to see some of the crimped detail.  (Using your bone folder will help break down the fibers in the cardstock.)  Next, use your fingernails to rough up the edges and after a short while the fibers in the cardstock will separate giving it a distressed look.

Thanks for peeking in on me today.  I really do enjoy when you stop by to visit me and your lovely comments put me over the moon happy!  Be sure to check back later this week.  I have a card to show you using the lastest Mojo Monday sketch challenge!

BUH-BYE WINTER

This is going to be the last "winter" project I post until later this year.  I'm am so "over" the winter season.  It seems a little strange to post this card when in reality we're experiencing 60 degree weather here in Ohio.  Oh, and guess who is loving it?  Me, of course.  Don't be jealous.  This is Ohio and the weather is subject to change at any given drop of a hat.  No complaining here though.  I'll take the beautiful weather even if it's only for a little while.  I think it gives a person the hope that spring is just around the corner.

I CASed this card from Michele Zindorf.  You can view her original card here.  You just have to love this brayer technique.  It looks so difficult to achieve, but with a little patience, a brayer and a post-it note or two, you can create a beautiful landscape in virtually no time.

SPRING FLING RETREAT

I have no projects to share with you tonight.  However, I just wanted to let all you scrapbook enthusiasts and paper crafters in on a great, affordable scrapbook retreat weekend.  I've attended this fun-filled retreat for the last two years and had an awesome time. 

WHAT:        Spring Scrapbook Fling - A Friday through Sunday weekend dedicated to scrapbooking and fellowship.  Make new friends or bring along your best buddy.
     
WHERE:       Scioto Hills Christian Camp
                    1009 Martin Road
                    Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694
                    www.sciotohills.com

WHEN:        May 13, 14 & 15, 2011

COST:        $85.00 per person includes:
***Room (2 nights - 2-3 people per room)
***Cropping available all hours - day or night
***Meals - Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner, and Sunday breakfast
***Snacks and beverages available while cropping


If you're interested in more information about this wonderful weekend scrapbook retreat, please feel free to contact me at l_burkitt@yahoo.com.  I'd be glad to share all the details with you along with the registration information.  I'm not affiliated with this retreat.  I'm just a guest that's had a blast the last two years I've attended.  This retreat is not sponsored by any company.  It's simply a group of people who gather together to share their love of scrapbooking and paper crafting.

SPINNER TREAT CUP CARD

As promised, here is one of the cards created during my class last week.  It's a treat holder using Stampin' Up!'s Sweet Treat Cups.  I saw a video tutorial for this type of card on the Stampin' Up! Demonstrator website.  The card shown in the video was a sunflower.  I tweaked my card a bit and came up with a Valentine themed card.

The circle stamped with "love you" is a wheel with a hole punched from the side of the circle.  It allows the recipient to get the candy out without tearing into the card.  Here's how it works.  Simply turn or "spin" the dial so that the punched out circle is exposed and.................................................

There you have it!  An easy way to get to the candy without destroying all the hard work you put into creating your beautiful card!  What a clever idea!  And, if for some reason, you pour one or two or three too many pieces of candy into the treat cup, you could just eat them!  No need to put the candy back in the bag.  Plus, after cleverly designing and assembling this card, you deserve your own treat!  That's all for me today.  I hope you have enjoyed this cute little Valentine project.  Thanks for peeking in on me.  Your visits mean so much!

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FLAMINGO LOVE FOR THE PAPER PLAYERS

I know I said I'd post cards from my last card class and I will.  The pictures have been uploaded to my computer and need some editing.  In the meantime, I thought I would show you a Valentine card I created this evening.  (Yes, I know - I'm NOT watching the Super Bowl. Gasp!)  The images are from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini set called Valentine Defined.  I've laid out my Valentine stamps on my craft space and have vowed not to use any other sets until I've used all my Valentine sets.  I'm so bad about impulsively buying holiday themed sets and (sigh) not using them.  Ugh!  Do any of you ever do that or am I the only one?  This card was created for the Paper Players Challenge this week.  The theme for this week is "Love is in the Air".  Would you like to play along?  You have until Friday, February 11th at 12:00 Midnight to play.  Check out the Paper Players challenges here.

Okay, so on to the card. 

I have to admit that just adhering my images to a "naked" piece of card stock scares me a bit at the moment.  I've been on a kick of embossing every card base I create lately.  So to calm my "embossing folder" withdrawal, I stamped the Bashful Blue card base with the heart flower do-hickeys (the long stems with the heart images at the tops) and then sponged around the edges.  (Sorry it looks gray instead of blue.  Night time photography during the winter is not such a good thing.)  I still think it's missing something though.

That's it for me this evening.  Thanks for peeking in on me.  Sorry for the long period of no posts.  I've got more posts ready to go.  So, please bare with me.....I'm baaaaaaaaaack!

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS

I'm very, very bad.  I received this Stylish Blogger Award some time ago.  The sad thing is that I don't remember who sent it to me.  Ugh!  Just one of the side effects that goes with getting older - so frustrating!

Anyway, I'm suppose to share 8 random things about myself and then pass this award on to 8 different people.  I'm not sure I could pick just 8 people, so feel free to scoop up this award for yourself.  Okay, here are 8 random facts about me.............

1. My favorite snack are Gummy Bears.  I absolutely love those little things but not all gummies are created equal.  Jelly Belly and Brach's make the best ones!
2. I play piano.  I've been playing for over 31 years, but I have an EXTREMELY hard time playing in public - major stage fright.  It makes me physically ill to play in public.  However, I have played piano for several weddings.  Go figure????
3. I'm the third of four siblings.  My little sister if fourteen years younger than me.  My brothers are twenty-one years and eighteen years older than her.  Despite the age difference, she's my best friend.
4. I live in a testosterone sea with my husband, son and dog.  Yes, even my dog is a boy.
5. I love vacation.  I don't have an itinerary when I'm on vacation.  I like to be spur of the moment and see where the days take me.  I think it's more adventuresome that way.
6. I'm an insomniac.  I average about 2-3 hours of sleep each night.
7. I'm a morning person.  I wake up around 5:15 a.m. on week days (work days).  Most weekends I wake up between 4:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.  I love having the wee hours of the morning to myself sipping on my half pot of coffee.
8. I'm only one of two women in my workplace.  I work for a County highway department and am surrounded by men - twenty-two of them to be exact.                           

Okay, that's some random facts about me.  I hope you enjoyed them.  I'm not a very exciting person.  (Smile!)

Have a great weekend and thanks for peeking in on me!  I'll be back soon with cards from my last card class.

BE BACK SOON..............

Wow, I've been gone for a very long time.  Yes, I could name a million reasons, but I'll save you this time.  I just got caught up in living life.  Well, that and my mojo took a trip far, far away from me.  No worries though!  It has come home and found me again.  (Smile!) The good news is that I have been creating for an upcoming class and once my classes are over this week I'll post the projects.  I've also received a Stylish Blog Award and will post the eight random things about me a little later on this week.

Thanks for peeking in on me!  Have a blessed Sunday!