cardsncraftsbyret

Bright Hopes-3 Different Cards

2011-12-31T05:19:00.000-04:00

Hi Stampers and Friends! Can you actually believe how quickly time is passing us by? It's literally flying!! I can remember when I was small, and I was complaining about how slow a school week went by...my Mom would say "You wait until you get older, it'll go by so fast you won't believe it". Ofcourse I just filed the info in the "ya,right" file and forgot about it...and guess what...she's right!!! Time flies like a bird!! Christmas has come and gone, it was a lovely day here. We are so blessed to have each other. It was a great day! And now...here it is...New Years Eve Day!! Wow, 2012 is well on it's way!! Happy New Year my friends! I hope it's happy, healthy, and prosperous.

Today I want to share with you a stamp set from Stampin Up! called "Bright Hopes". I'm featuring 3 different cards I made  with it.   (click on pics to enlarge them.) I sure hope this will inspire you to use your stamp sets in many different ways.  You get a little more bang out of your buck. ha!!!
For my first card, I used:
Real Red and Whisper White SU cardstock,
Lucky Limeaid and Real Red SU ink
SU Glitter "Dazzling Diamonds",
1 Real Red brad and
Whisper White SU 5/8ths inch satin ribbon.
I stamped 5 trees and cut 4 trees out by hand. I glued the 4 loose trees back to back twice, and glued them on top of the bottom tree. Isn't it cute? I hope you like it!

On to my second card, I used:
Hand Penned Holidays SU stamp set,
Whisper White and Bashful Blue SU cardstock,
Bashful Blue SU ink and Whisper White stazon ink,
White Stampin emboss powder,
1piece of sponge ,
Eyelet border punch,
Heat emboss tool,and lastly,
SU 5/8th's Bashful Blue Satin Ribbon.
I used the Emboss Resist Technique with the wreath, if you have any questions just let me know!

And lastly!!!   My third card using "Bright Hopes".
With this card I used:
Soft Suede, Certainly Celery and Whisper White
SU cardstock,
1 piece SU Designer Series Paper from my stash,
Soft Suede SU ink and
SU 5/8th Certainly Celery Satin Ribbon.
I stamped the wreath with 'soft suede' classis ink
and then I fussy cut it. (oh funnn) I then used
SU Dimensionals to raise up the wreath and put
the card together. I sure hope I inspired you all to use
stamps for more than "just one" card. Stamp and mix it up and have alot of fun! I've enjoyed stamping with you. It's New Year's eve, 2011. I hope whatever you choose to do tonigt, that you'll be with family and friends!! Live, laugh, love and be safe!!!    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! WELCOME 2012!!! May it be happy, healthy and prosperous for all of us.

Happy Stampin'!!!
Hugs,

Yay! A New Camera, Now I Can Start Posting Again!

2011-12-27T00:05:00.002-04:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Merry Christmas! I know we sure did. We had a lovely day together. We are so blessed. And guess what...I got my camera!! Hubby bought me a small Casio and I'm not sure yet what I think of it. I find it hard to not get a blurry picture with it. I think it's because it's small and not much to steady with. But we'll see, I'm sure I'll get use to it. I wasn't able to share any of the Christmas cards I've made this year, and I've decided that I will now, even though it's after now. I hope you will enjoy them., I'll space them out a bit for you.

Here we have Stampin Up's "Dasher". He always stamps up so beautifully. I added a little white touches to the antlers with a white gel pen. As you can see I used a Spellbinders Nestabilities, SU Blush Blossom and Chocolate Chip cardstock and ofcourse, SU Chocolate Chip satin ribbon. It's such a lovely ribbon to work with! I hope you enjoyed my card today, thanks for stopping in. Please leave me some love via comments, I love to hear from you, it makes blogging so much more fun!!

Have a super evening, and I'll be back tomorrow.
hugs,

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T22:32:00.005-04:00

Hello, stampers and friends! It's hard to believe that time has passed so quickly and here it is Christmas Eve, 2011. I still don't have a camera so I can start posting again, but I have gotten a hot tip from the North Pole, and hopefully Santa will be bringing one to me. hehe I sure hope so!!! I have lots of Christmas cards I want to share with you all. So everyone get your chores done, and settle done for a great sleep, and wake up refreshed on Christmas morning. I want to wish you all a wonderful Merry Christmas with your family and friends. Thank you all for your faith in me and for coming by as often as you do, and for your comments. I love blogging and you all make it so worthwhile. Be sure to stop by...I just know I'll get that camera!!! LOL Merrrrrry Christmas and I'm wishing you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Morning Cup in Certainly Celery

2011-09-19T23:45:00.003-03:00

Hi my faithful readers! I've finally returned to Nova Scotia and I'm able to blog again!! I had a marvelous time up in the Adirondack Mountains and truly treasure the extra time I was able to spend and share with my Mom. We've waited many years to be able to do this, and we finally made it happen, for TWO WHOLE MONTHS!!! Woooohooooo!We had a ball, we really did. We walked in the woods with Abbi, she had great fun, we shopped and shopped and...oh did I tell you...we shopped!!! hehe We also had invaluable time to talk, we laughed and cried about old times. It was so wonderful to be able to have time with her. I'm looking forward to doing it again, but this time, I'm bringing my own puter, so I can blog!!! LOLI'm sharing with you today the Morning Cup set from Stampin Up. I used alot of Certainly Celery, but am pretty happy with the results. I hope you like it. Feel free to comment and leave me some love! It makes my day!!I hope you all have had a good summer, I have a hard time resigning myself to the fact that it's over, and fall is here to stay a while. *sigh* I do love fall, but it sure was nice to have it summer!!!You all have a wonderful stampin week.hugs!

Update

2011-08-04T01:25:00.003-03:00

Hi Stampers and Friends,
Well things have not gone quite as planned. My Aunt is in the hospital with some heart difficulties, and my Mom is upset with it. I've decided I would stay another two weeks to be support for my Mom. My DH had to be back for work, so he's in Nova Scotia & I'm in New York State. Abbi is having a ball running and playing at the lake! I haven't had a spare moment to stamp, but sure will be glad to be back at it soon when I get home in a few weeks! I miss my friends & stampers. Keep those stamps ready to be inked!! hehe

Hugs to all, have a great week!!

Update from vacation

2011-07-27T13:01:00.003-03:00

Hi Everyone, I hope this find you all well. Things are going great here, and it will soon be time for us to be heading home, back to Nova Scotia for another year. I will miss my friends and family for sure, but we've had a great visit!! The weather has cooperated beautifully and DH has been able to get some fishing in, so he's real happy!

Look for me on Monday, I'll have a card posted then. Hope your month of July has been wonderful so far!!!

Hugs from Upstate New York!!!

Hello from Upstate New York

2011-07-16T23:37:00.002-03:00

Hi Everyone! I just thought I'd drop in and let you know we're vacationing. We're having a wonderful time visiting with my Mom and other family. The weather has been cooperating and it's been beautiful! Will be back home and stamping in about two weeks. Hope all is well with you all!!!

hugs!!!!

Friends Fur-ever card post

2011-06-27T21:03:00.003-03:00

Hi All, I hope this finds everyone having a good week. I borrowed this cute stamp set. It's just so sweet! I used Pretty in Pink cardstock for the card base. I watercolored the scotty dog, hearts and the chair. The dog and hearts are pop-dotted to stand out from the card. It was truly a joy to stamp with this set, it was just plain fun!!

We had a beautiful day here in the Maritimes and we're suppose to have another bright, sun shiney day tomorrow. Maybe summer is finally here! YAY!!!!

I hope you get a chance to stamp this week. Take care and have a great week!

hugs,
Ret

Fab Florets Watercolored

2011-06-24T07:53:00.002-03:00

Hi Everyone! Today I decided to pull out my Stampin Up Water Color Crayons and do some watercoloring on my Fab Florets stamp set. I'm sorry I'm using this set again, but I just love it!! I watercolored the flowers in More Mustard with Cajun Craze centers. I used some dazzling diamonds in the center as well. The leaves were colored with Always Artichoke and Old Olive. I used the polka dot embossing folder for the back drop of the flowers. I was going to add ribbon, but decided to just let this be a clean and simple card. I hope you like it.

I can't get over how quickly June is zooming by!! Time just doesn't sit still for anyone does it!! I hope you all have a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by!!

Take care and happy stamping!

hugs,
Ret

Great Friend in Pear Pizzazz

2011-06-23T07:18:00.009-03:00

Good day All!!! Happy June 23rd! Noooo, it has no signifigance, just thought I'd make you stop and wonder for a moment. hehe Guess I'm in one of those goofy moods today. LOL

I decided that I would make a card with Stampin Up's Great Friend stamp set that will be retiring soon. I really like this set, especially the butterfly so I'll be sad to see it go, but I'll still have it in my stash to play with when I want to.

For this card I used pear pizzazz, chocolate chip and very vanilla cardstocks. I stamped the leaves onto one of the pear peices. I also used the oval scallop frame die. After stamping the butterfly and cutting it out. I used silver wire and silver seed beads to make the body and antenna's on the butterfly, and added dazzling diamonds to the edges of it. I also used a white gel pen to add some trim. If you have any questions on what I used, feel free to ask.

I hope you like this card and that it will inspire you to pull out your Great Friend set and get stamping!! It looks a bit overcast out and it's hard to tell if the sun is going to break through or not. I sure hope so!! Have a great day all and I'll see you back here again, soon.

Fab Florets Birthday Card

2011-06-20T01:28:00.004-03:00

Good Monday morning, stampers! hehe Should good and monday morning really appear in the same sentence? LOL I doubt that many of us think so!! But I'm off track here, so back to the reason for this post. I needed a birthday card and I reached for Stampin Up's Fab Florets set. I love this set, you can't possibly make a "bad" card with it. You just can't! I stamped several of the image and cut them out, each showing a smaller portion of the flower, and then I simply layered them with a pop dot in between each and added a little Dazzling Diamonds to it. I'm happy with how the card came out and she was really happy to get it. I foresee more Fab Florets in my future! :) Yay!

With Sunday being Fathers Day, I reflected on lots of memories and sent a prayer off for my Dad. I sure do miss him, but know that he is in no pain, and is waiting for my Mom and I to join him one day. That thought brings me contentment, and that's worth an awful lot these days. I hope all the Dads had a nice day and all you Mom's and kids participated in celebrating the day with them. I hope the weather held out for it...It wasn't nice here until later in the afternoon, but then it was just beautiful. I hope you like my card and will send me some "luv" in your comments. :)

I will close for now. Hope you all have a wonderful beginning of the week and are able to play with your crafting...whatever that might be.

hugs,
Ret

P.S.== If anyone could tell me how I can take a picture and resize it without having the frame off center at the upper sides and top the way it is...I would love to be enlightened!!!!

Baroque Motif Cherish Card

2011-06-17T21:43:00.004-03:00

Hello All, I hope this finds everybody happy and enjoying the sunshine we had today.
I decided as long as I had Baroque Motif out, that I would do a non-sympathy card with it. I got a little carried away with the bling. I LOVE bling! I stamped
"cherish" on it and think this could even be used as a wedding card. I wanted to use up some of my retired colored cardstocks, and that's why I used the retired Apricot Appeal and retired Blush Blossom along with the current River Rock. Almost have used it all up now, so I'm glad of that. Will be glad to get some of the pretty new "in colors" in July.

Today was a really off day for me, so I feel like I really accomplished something with making a card. I'm off now to get some rest. I hope you like my card.

Take care all and have a good weekend.

hugs,
Ret

Vintage Vogue Clean and Simple

2011-06-16T07:03:00.006-03:00

Hi Readers,
Happy Thursday to you! Today I've done a "no frills" card. LOL I used Stampin Up's Vintage Vogue stamp set. I find myself reaching for that set once again, I seem to use it alot. It's such a pretty vintagey set. I just love it. My card base is Chocolate Chip with a pink c/s I had in my stash. I stamped the background, added layers and butterflies and waa-laaaaaaaaa(viola) done! The wings are not taped flat, they do flap! ;) LOL It's no fuss, no muss this time. Sometimes, simple is all you need.

Have you seen the new Stampin Up catalog? Oh my, it's to die for!! Personally, I think it's the best one I've ever seen. I don't know how they keep out doing themselves, but they do manage to, from some colored pages to just really beautiful product. It's really, really nice. Run, don't walk to your "favorite-ist" demonstrator and purchase your new 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog! You won't be sorry, believe me!!! There are sooooo many new beautiful stamp sets and products...oh my, oh myyyyy! hehehehe Oh, and don't forget...the catalog is something you will want to keep because the samples and idea's are just so wonderful.
Are you on your way to your Demo YET? hehehe

Ok, Ret, off your soap box. I'm such a fan of SU, can you tell? heeeee!

I am so hoping for a little glimpse of sunshine today and it looks like our little slice of Nova Scotia just might be a sunny, beautiful day! YAYYYYYYYYYY! I say it softly though, I don't want to scare the sun away, it's been so scarce so far this season.

Take care, my friends, and I do hope you're able to pull out your inks today and play a bit. I know I sure am going to! Thanks for stopping by, please don't forget to leave me a little love (comment) and let me know what ya think of todays project.

Hugs,

Ret

Baroque Motifs in Bravo Burgandy

2011-06-14T00:23:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone,

Did you ever notice that when you need a birthday card...then you need LOTS of them...if you need a sympathy card, it seems, I get lots of calls for them. And that's the trend right now for me, everyone is asking for Sympathy cards. That's not necassarily a good thing for someone...but I make whatever they ask me for. So please bear with me...I seem to be doing a bunch of them of late.

I wanted a card that was clean and simple, but pretty. I think it was much more defined without the glitter...the Burgandy was so deep and crisp. But I added the glitter, which I think looks fine on the card in real life, but in the pic, it looks like it wasn't stamped very clear...it's the glitter...trust me :)
LOL

Today was such a rainy dreary day that I had to turn the lights on in order to see what I was stamping. That's crazyyyyyyyy!!! It's mid June for crying out loud, we need more sunshine!! Poor Abbi, our Shih Tzu, just wants to sleep, sleep, sleep on days like this...doesn't want to play or anything. I know just how she feels, we definitely need sunshine!

My medical update: I am so proud of myself, I managed to get a load of wash done, some stampin done, got a beautiful pork roast done for supper and off to the Chiro for both DH and myself. Back home, watched a little TV and now I'm blogging. So I feel like I accomplished something for another day. Which is good, cuz it was just a week ago that I could hardly get out of my own way. I'm so happy that my body is reacting the way it's suppose to and I actually WANT to do something. woohooo! In all honesty though, I really, really am hoping for more energy, but I will take what I can get and be happy with it. It sure beats napping 20 times a day!! hehe

I hope I was able to inspire you to pick up your rubber and stamp something. Have a stampingly great week!

hugs,

Ret

Anniversary card for "My Stamping Studio"

2011-06-11T18:46:00.004-03:00

Happy Saturday, All! It just occured to me that I never posted the card I made for Kelly's anniversary card contest. It was the first anniversary for her stamping & scrapbooking store, "My Stamping Studio" in Windsor, Nova Scotia. If you haven't been there to check it out, you must go!! It's a lovely store with all the handy dandy items us cardmakers need, want and MUST HAVE!!! hehe

I used Stampin Up's Fancy Flower Punch for the flower on my card. I ran the paper thru my Big Shot with the Cuttlebug polka dot Embossing Folder, and the leaves and butterfly were sizzlets dies. I used a Martha Stewart punch for the trim along the bottom. I hope you like it!

Hubby is bbqing chicken with roasted onions and potatoes, yummmmmmmm!!! So I'm going to run for now. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and that you have a chance to get inky!!

Happy day,

I'm back and Peace Within

2011-06-09T21:57:00.008-03:00

Hi Cardmakers and friends! It's no secret that I've been struggling the the past 8 months with my health, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. I totally refuse to let it keep me down though, so here I am. My dear Hubby my Mom and my friends have stood beside me thru all of this and have kept me going, so thank you all for your support.
I have picked up my inks and stamps and managed to stamp between naps, LOL!!! I am praying and so hoping the tiredness will go away so I won't have to take all those naps, that I'll be able to stamp to my hearts content!!!

Today, I wanted to share with you a card I made with Stampin Up's "Peace Within" stamp set. When I was working on the card and now after it's done, it really does
make me feel "peace within"!! LOL So it's living up to it's title! I stamped and then colored it in with colored pencils, using the colored pencils and gamsol technique. I was happy with the soft look it gave me. I decided to do a sympathy card with it and used the "faux bow" technique, which I learned about on You Tube by DO Stamping With Dawn!! Give it a try, I know you'll love it!! I won't use it every time, but once in a while, it's just plain fun!! Please excuse pic of my card, the margin on the left hand side makes the card look lopsided, and then white appears on the right hand side and I don't know where that came from!!!! It happened in the resizing...sorry about that, but I don't know how to fix it!

I hope you've enjoyed this post and my card. Thanks so much for stopping by! Take care andddddddddd....

happy stampin,

Just an update...

2011-04-11T15:59:00.003-03:00

Hi everyone! I hope this finds everyone well and looking forward to spring! It's definitely sprung here in Nova Scotia and I'm so very happy! It seems so nice to see the crocus popping up. Oh I just love spring!!!

I've had several cards to share with you, but unfortunately for some reason, I can't download pictures from my camera. I don't know why, it tries, but it just runs and runs. I'm so disappointed, I'm going to keep trying. If anyone has any sggestions, I'm certainly open to try them. The camera takes the pictures fine, but it just won't download them. I even tried other programs, it just won't download. Just wanted to let you know what was going on, and why I haven't uploaded any cards.

I hope you have a wonderful week. I'll be back as soon as I can get some pics online.

Stampin hugs,

Forgetful Me :)

2011-03-13T14:16:00.003-03:00

Hi Folks, I bet most of you are shocked, seeing me post again so soon. hehe You can pick yourselves up off the floor now! LOL I'm really trying to be better about posting more often, really I am!!

I dug out this old stamp set, and I can't remember the name of it & the sticker has been torn off. So if you recognize this, by all means, leave a comment here or email me (retcudmore@live.com) and I'll add it here. Thanks!

Spring is almost here in Hants County, Nova Scotia! YAY!! Almost all the snow is gone, and a neighbor saw some Canadian Geese coming back. I'm longing to hear the
birds singing & wanting to see the crocus popping through the ground. I'm anxious to see my first robin!!! woohoooo, that will be a good day!!

I hope you enjoyed this card. This isn't my most favorite set, but thought that it should see some ink again! LOL

I hope you're having a wonderful Sunday! Hug someone and enjoy your day!

stampin hugs,

Vintage Vogue for Lorrie

2011-03-02T14:31:00.004-04:00

Hi Stampers & friends, I honestly do NOT know where the time goes! It's been a short but hard winter so far for mostly everyone, I guess. All I know is that I'll be awfully glad to see the birds return & the crocuses popping! What a wonderful thought!!

My longtime friend in Alabama, Lorrie, had open heart surgery in February and she's had alot of complications. So I decided to make a card to let her know I was thinking of her and praying for her. I used Stampin Up's Vintage Vogue stamp set. I used the emboss resist technique and I really like how it turned out. It's ok for me to post this now, cuz she's already recieved it!! LOL

There really isn't a whole lot of news to write about...I've not been feeling the bestest the past week and hope that passes REALLY QUICKLY!! I have a class on Saturday and don't really want to present it SICK! LOL I don't think they'd appreciate it, hehe!

I hope everyone is staying shoveled out and warm. Thanks for stopping by and I'll update again soon. Take care and happy stampin!!!!

hugs,

From the Heart Card and snowwwwwwww!

2011-01-10T15:21:00.027-04:00

Today I thought I'd do a fun post. A card and then some pics of what we woke up to Sunday morning. Ofcourse, also some pics of Abbi!LOL

Here's my first Valentine card this year. The flowers look like hearts, I think it's pretty. I borrowed this S U set, and the label wasn't on it, so I'm not positive of the name of it, but I'm calling it "from the heart". Hope I'm close! I used dazzling diamonds to add some sparkle.

This is what we woke up to Sunday morning. Look how big those flakes are!!! It was just beautiful!!

Abbi looking a bit bewildered with it all.

WHO YOU LOOKIN AT?! :)

She never moved from that same spot...then headed for the door...

All of a sudden she took off running flat out, headed for the door. Note the foot in mid air during her flight! Doesn't that look say "Get me out of this white stufffff!"!!!! hehe

Over the River!

2011-01-06T20:01:00.006-04:00

Hi there All! Happy New Year! Here we are, already 6 days into 2011! Is it just me or does it seem like our lives are just flying away? I can not believe how fast the days go by!! I hope everyone had lovely holidays. Now it's time to start stamping again and I decided now that we finally have a little snow, that I would use the old retired Stampin Up set, Over the River. I love this set, I never seem to tire of it. But, I always seem to make a scene out of it, therefore the cards all seem alike, next time I use it I'll have to do it differently. I didn't do anything different or special on it, just used Stamp n' Write markers on it with Dazzlin Diamonds. Pretty simple, but I had fun!

I'm still hobbling around trying to baby this foot and my shoulder, so sitting around and stampin suits me just fine! hehe I'm not sure what brought it on, but I've been doing alot of thinking about how I do things and for some reason, I always seem to wait to the last minute when it comes making specifically needed cards and even crafting for the fall craft shows. Do you know that I usually don't start my crafting until 2 or 3 weeks before the shows? WHATTTTTTTTT!!! AM I CRAZY??? I can hear you now! hehe

Uh, nooooooo, not crazy! I just always have loved the excitement, the pressure and the thrill of it all. Wellllllllllll, guess what! This year, I let me down. My body really had a hard time of it this fall, I had all I could do to keep up and it really took alot out of me.
Sooooooooooo...
wait for it....
drumroll....
double drumroll.....
I, Ret Callaghan Cudmore vow to play with crafts, or my stampin, each day (or close to) and will never be the last minute gal again! (I have to, I can't take it!!) LOL

Fibermyalgia has changed my ways, I have to concede! LOL Really, I'm okay with this, I'm happy about my decision. I'll be able to do a wider range of stamping now, and have more fun at it. And on days that I'm just too tired and have too much pain, I'll just back off a bit. So there, I said it. I PROMISE TO NO LONGER BE LAST MINUTE ANNIE!
Man, to admit that...it was hard!! hehe

Well, I hope I didn't bore you too much with my thoughts. Have a super evening and stamp away!!

Stampin hugs,

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T20:56:00.007-04:00

My goodness, a full month has gone by without a post. Not on purpose tho!! It's been a crazy December for alot of folks and I'm no exception. I was still making Christmas cards for my friends as of last night, can you believe it!!! I was fortunate enough to have a wonderful amount of Christmas card orders. I'm not complaining at all, mind you. It's a good predictament to be in. hehe

Tonight was a strange night for me, I went over to bring a card to the neighbors and they weren't home. It was light outside so I didn't take a flashlight, but it was dark inside the garage. I don't really know what happened, but I ended up face down on their door steps. Went to the ER, cuz I knew I had done someothing and sure enough...I broke my big toe!!! Whacked my knee, my forehead and ofcourse that shoulder that I've been having lazer treatment on for bursitis. arghhhhhhhhh!!! Leave it to me!!! LOL It could sure be alot worse, so I'm thankful that's all that happened. I think I'll stay home tomorrow!!! It's safer!! LOL

I wish you all a most wonderful Christmas!!! Enjoy your family and friends. Have a most Blessed Christmas! Here's some cards I've made, thought I would share them with you.

Merry Christmas and have a healthy and happy New Year!!!

hugs,

For my Family and American Friends

2010-11-25T14:56:00.004-04:00

I am thankful for my Family and all the cherished moments and love that comes with them. I'm also thankful for my friends, both old and new, near and far. You all mean so much to me. I'd also like to express how thankful I am for my blog readers!! You keep me going and you give me inspiration (Lord knows I need it!!!).

I hope you all are having a wonderful day today and eat some turkey for me!!!

Thanks for coming by, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

hugs,

A Few More

2010-11-20T00:05:00.008-04:00

Ok, I think I'm totally wreathed out!!! Here are 4 more and I'm done with them!! For some reason, I can't make a wreath sitting down. I don't really know why, I just can't, LOL. I feel like I'm a hundred years old right now, dang it!!! My back, hips, legs are having a fit from standing while making the wreaths, so I've called it quits!! I've added the pix and I hope you like them. Thanks so much for looking and leaving your comments. It's so much fun to read them and hear from people all over the world. It truly makes my day. Thanks tons!!!

Happy craftin'!!!

hugs,

Something different!

2010-11-19T12:22:00.008-04:00

Hi Folks,
Well yesterday I worked with something other than paper. I hope you don't mind me sharing with youi. They aren't perfect, but they are made with lots of love! LOL

Enjoy!! I'd love to hear what you think of this latest project, so please be sure and let me know. Take care my friends and have a wonderful Friday!

hugs,

I'm at it again!!!

2010-11-18T08:08:00.024-04:00

Hi All,

I think I may be flirting with insanity when it comes to these silly treat boxes!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOve making them!! I have a craft show Sunday at Kings Central and I got quite a late start creating. Sooooooooooooo I've been quite busy getting ready. As most of you know I have Fibro Myalgia with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I know quite a few of my card maker friends have this also, and I have to share something with you. I can't believe how just sitting and playing with paper and ink can exhaust a person so quickly. I swear, I play with this for a few hours and I find myself out like a light...right at my table...crashed!! My body just requires the rest and there's not a dang thing that I can do about it! LOL Do any of you find this the case with you as well? I must confess I never dreamed that doing this would take such a toll on the body, but I know it now!! None the less, I won't give up my paper crafting, I will just nap more often! hehe I do have to admit, I didn't help myself any waiting to the last minute and I DEFINITELY WILL NOT EVER DO THAT AGAIN!!!! (smile)

Ok, ok, on with it...(sorry I rambled a bit there). This time I used Stampin Up's Fancy Favor Box die. I am so happy to have these dies, they sure simplify my life! I found myself in a little bind, as I started putting the boxes together, I realized they just didn't look right. And after consulting a friend and paper crafter, I realized I really needed to add something to the front of the box so it didn't look so bare and unfinished. I just about panicked and I knew I wasn't going to have the time to ink, punch, glitter all the parts I needed. I went digging in my craft room and was I ever so happy to have found some pre-finished chip board pieces. So, YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS, I CHEATED!!!! I was so relieved to have an assortment of K and Company Christmas pieces. I also had some beautiful pre-made snowflakes(not sure what company made them as I had put them in a baggie, but I do know I got them at JoAnn Fabrics. I am proud to say I didn't TOTALLY cheat, hehe, I did make some some glittered snowflakes using my Stampin Up snowflake punch, and I put a rhinestone in the center of them.

I know this post is picture intensive, and I apologize, but I really wanted to share with you!! Hope I didn't bore you too much. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of these treat boxes. If you have anything to add about F/M, I'm certainly interested in reading it, I am always trying to find out more info about it.

I hope you all have a fulfilling crafting day! Keep smiling:)

hugs,

See what I've been up to....

2010-11-17T08:33:00.010-04:00

Hi Everyone!!! Hope it's a bright and beautiful day where you are today! Well, to say I haven't been bored is an understatement! heeeeee! My poor Dear Hubby feels like the house is being invaded by treat bags! LOL I can't take all the credit for these, Scotty actually cut out the diecuts for me with my Stampin Up Big Shot. I've been truly blessed to have his help. As you can see, I used assorted Christmas cardstock for these. This fall when we were in the States I was lucky enough to find these darling Christmas brads in a little Scrapbooking store in Tupper Lake, NY! I'm so glad I snatched them up, they certainly came in handy for this project.

I hope you like these and I also hope I've inspired you to try your hand at them. They are perfect for stocking stuffers or just a little "I thought of you" xmas treat. Please take a minute and drop me a comment and let me know what you think of them. I love reading what you have to say. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

hugs,

Christmas treat box

2010-11-09T23:11:00.004-04:00

Hi Stampers/Friends,
Hope everyone is having a great week and lots of stamping and crafting! I thought I'd share a snowflake take out box with you that I made. It's got snack size chocolate bars and some Werthers candies inside. I thought it came out kinda cute.
I hope you like it!!!

Have a great day!!!

Stamping hugs,

Entry to Flourishes Challenge

2010-11-05T08:19:00.007-03:00

Hi Stampers!! I Hope today is finding you happy and healthy! It's a very windy and rainy day here, a good day to stay in and stamp!! YESSSSSSSSSS!!!

I've decided to enter the Flourishes Warm Winter Wishes challenge found in their Newsletter. Check it out and enter, too, if you'd like!

For my entry I used medium blue and white cardstock from my local stamping store and
the stamp is Thomas Kinkade's Night Before Christmas. I used Scor-Tape double sided sheet adhesive and Glitter Ritz Microfine transparent blue hue glitter, and embellished with pearls.

I hope you enter the challenge and that you like my entry.

Take care my friends, and happy stampin'!!!

Stampin hugs,

Happy Halloween, Abbi style! LOL

2010-11-04T00:28:00.007-03:00

Abbi absolutely loves kids! She is such a sweetie. I dressed her up with a little
outfit I just picked up at Dollarama. The kids had a blast with Abbi and just loved it that she was greeting everyone all dressed up, too! LOL

I hope you enjoyed the pics of Abs.

Have a good night & happy stampin,

Christmas card class

2010-11-04T00:05:00.011-03:00

Hi All,
I just don't know where the time goes!!! It's totally flying by!! The last class I had was just a total blast! We had soooooo much FUN!!! Here are the cards we did with the exception of the last one...I just wanted to try and make it with a different color.

Here they are:

I had such fun with this image and card! It's an old retired set from Stampin Up called Snow Angels. I love this set!

This card was made with the Night Before Christmas Thomas Kinkade Stamp and Glitter Ritz micro fine glitter with a blue hue.. I'm sorry that the light didn't do the picture any favors. It's not really clear, it looks lovely in real life!

I used Delightful Decorations by Stampin Up for this card.

My favorite silly image this year. I got this at Michaels in the states this fall. It's such a fun image!!

This is another Thomas Kinkade stamp, Skaters Pond. This too was done with the Glitter Ritz microfine glitter with a green hue to it. Again the pic isn't the best, it's really gorgeous in person.

Here's just another version of the Kinkade stamp, but done in medium blue this time.

I hope you enjoy them. I'm going to close now, as I give another class in the morning. Sleep well, all!!!

Take care & happy stampin,

It's good to be back!

2010-10-10T02:03:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone,
I don't think I've ever had a summer that went by so fast and here it is the 10th of October already!!! What the heck?!! My Hubby got injured at work in the spring and was home for 2 months recuperating...that's partially why time flew by for me, we weren't able to go on vacation in July like we usually do, but it all worked out and in mid August we were able to spend 5 weeks with family and friends in my hometown in the states. My Mom and I really enjoyed our time together this year, we were busy, busy at some times and other times we were able to just visit and enjoy!! That was awesome! Scotty was able to go fishing with his buddy and and did some handy work around the camp for Mom. It was really a perfect 5 weeks!!!

And yes, I'm back to stamping and making cards and posting! I did miss it, but it was a bit out of my hands...if you know what I mean!!!

Here's a card I made with an old Stampin Up set...the label is work off and I can't remember the name of it. If anyone knows, please let me know so I can post it! Thanks!!

I hope you all have a good weekend, and to my Canadian friends and readers "Happy Thanksgiving"!! I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!

I hope you'll get a chance to stamp this weekend!

Stampin' hugs,

In honor of my friendly blog stalker in Brooklyn, NS (I luv ya!)

2010-10-08T22:55:00.010-03:00

Hi Everyone! Ok, stalker (you know who you are!)I'm back again and I will try my best to keep this up to date!! hehe Hopefully you'll like them and keep smiling!

Ok enough chit-chat, I'll get busy here...

This stamp set is called "Wings of Friendship", I think that bird is so pretty! Love the flourishes! I use alot of Stampin' Up stamps as you know, but will be digging into my other stamps soon, so for something different...stay tuned!!

I hope you all have a wonderful cardmaking day!!!
hugs,

Happy Moments

2010-06-06T16:46:00.006-03:00

Hi Stampers!! Hope this is finding you all well and happily stamping!! Today I'm posting my card made with Stampin Up's Happy Moments stamp set. It's a very simple and quickie card to make. (love that!!) LOL I started out with Chocolate Chip card stock and layered over that with a piece of Sweet pea dsp. Such pretty paper in that pack. I took a smaller piece of chocolate chip c/s and used the scallop punch across the bottom of it, and then used the mat pack and pierced the holes. As you can see I stamped the flower on whisper white c/s and added just a teeny bit of dazzling diamonds glitter to the center of each flower. I added the lucious Certainly Celery satin ribbon, which is just so beautiful and soft. I chose a verse out of "Only Ovals" and violaaaa, all done!

I hope you've had a chance to stamp a little this Sunday and also had a chance
to enjoy your family. See you at next post!! Take care all!

Happy stampin,

Style of Elements

2010-05-26T13:15:00.009-03:00

Hi Stampers! I'm so pleased with myself for getting back to posting. It's fun & I love being connected with my friends!

Today I'm showing my card that I made with Stampin Up's "Style of Elements" stamp set and the "All a Flutter" stamp. I used Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry & Pretty in Pink cardstock. I stamped the flowers in rich razzleberry ink and took the blender pen and pulled the color from the edges of the petals to color them in with the blender pen. I had not tried that before and it worked really, really well. If you haven't tried it, you must!!! It was fun & I love the effect!! I filled the leaves in with the mellow moss stampin'write marker. I made faux stitch lines with the white gel pen. I embossed the All a flutter butterfly with black embossing powder and colored it in with the markers. I used the lovely label & window punches to show the "thinking of you" from "Teeny Tiny Verses" stamp set, I used dimensionals to pop dot it and the butterfly. And ofcourse I highlighted the flowers with a little touch of Dazzling Diamonds! Gotta have that BLING!! hehe All products are by Stampin Up.

I hope you enjoy this post and card. I love, love, love your comments, so be sure to add them if you choose. I hope you're having a great stamping week!!

Take care & happy stampin,

Glad to be back and Simple Friendship

2010-05-22T22:34:00.010-03:00

Hello to my faithful friends, stampers and followers!!! I can't believe that the last day I posted was in February. I miss posting and reading comments from all of you!!! You really and truly do make my day, and that's why I'm back here. I do feel, however, like I owe you an explanation why I've been gone so long...but, I'm going to keep it short....(don't want to bore you too much, ya know!) In January I came down with a plain & simple common cold (or so I thought) and to my delight it only lasted a day and a half. But what I didn't know was...my body was invaded by some nasty little virus that still has not left me. Don't worry, I'm ok...it has just caused some complications with my COPD and for some reason, my fibromyalgia has been enraged and I literally was exhausted for 3 full months!!! I am a little better, but I'm still waiting to wake up some morning and feel like my old self again.

During this time, I have done a little stamping. How else would I still be sane, right?? hehe I want you to know that during all this, I have realized how much I miss blogging and how much I miss contact with all my readers and fellow stampers. So here I am gals....LET'S STAMP!!!!!

When thinking of things that we cherish so dearly, I find that simple friendship is right there near the top of the list. So today, I'm going to start with the "SIMPLE FRIENDSHIP" stamp set from Stampin Up! I love this set!

All products used were Stampin Up! As you can see, I primarily used Whisper White and Rich Razzleberry colors. I used dimensionals to pop-dot the butterfly, the 3 flowers and the friend medallion. For the background paper I used a piece from the Cottage Wall DSP. I've used Dazzling Diamonds to outline the beautiful butterfly, the centers of the 3 main flowers as well as the flowers in the medallion.I love how it came out! I hope you do too, please let me know what you think of it as I love to hear of your likes and dislikes.

Thanks for dropping in and rest assured, I'm back...you can't get rid of me! hehe I hope you'll forgive me for being gone so long and continue to check out my blog to see what I've been stamping.

Take care & happy stampin,

Of the Earth Black Magic Card

2010-02-23T20:54:00.003-04:00

Hi Stampers! Today I fiddled around with the "Black Magic Technique". Black magic is simply stamping your image in white craft ink on black cardstock. Then coloring your image with shimmery water color pencils (Stampin Up Watercolor Pencils worked perfectly). I understand that it requires you to use a white gel pen for accent on your image. I didn't do that...LOL I decided to add my white as faux stitching instead. That probably doesn't count!!!! hehe But that's what I wanted to do, so I guess I morphed the technique a bit.

Give it a try & add your own little twist to it, too. I think that's half the fun of stamping. I can tweek any technique or procedure to suit my own tastes. 100 people can stamp the same image and they will all look different...such fun!!

Have you been enjoying the Olympics? I am really enjoying them this year and I can root for both the USA and Canada and not show any favortism!! hehe Keeps me busy rooting for the two teams. LOL It has been fun, I must admit. I have such respect for the Athletes!!! I get tired just watching them!!

I hope you'll take a minute and leave me a comment. I love to hear what you have to say. Take care everyone and happy stampin!!!

hugs,

Tri-Shutter Birthday Card

2010-02-20T00:09:00.009-04:00

Hi Everyone,
My gosh, where does the time go? I can't believe it's been 2 weeks since I last posted. My apologies, doesn't seem possible!

I decided to try my hand at the tri-shutter card. It seemed so complicated to look at, but once you have the diagram, it's really not bad at all. I enjoyed making it and I think you will too!

Here's the recipe:
Cardstock: Old Olive, Razzleberry, Whisper White
Ink: Raszzleberry
DSP: Cottage Wall
Die: Beautiful Butterflies
Ribbon: Razzleberry polka dot
White Gel Pen
Clear Rhinestone Brad
Dazzling Diamonds glitter

I really hope you'll try this card. It's fun to make & what's so awesome about it is that it opens up & can be displayed very easily by the recipient.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I really appreciate it. Leave me some love in the form of comments, I always love that!!! :)

Take care & happy stamping,

Stamp Sets: Oval All & Birthday verse (can't remember what set it's in)

TOTAL COMPUTER CRASH

2010-02-04T17:15:00.004-04:00

Arghhhhhhhh! My computer died, totally. I've lost all the email addys I had. So if all of a sudden I seem gone, it's because I didn't get your email and don't have your addy. so please, if you're use to talking with me via email.... email me!!
I'm back up & running at crafty1ret@eastlink.ca

thanks much!!!

Sue Mac: I need you to email me with your addy. Give Woody a big hug for me!

Billie: Email me, I want to give you the dimensions for the other card.

Everyone take care & happy stampin!

Rough pic of Measurements for Stair Step Card

2010-01-24T17:19:00.007-04:00

Hi again!!! I'm back today with a very "rough" diagram of folding
directions for the Stair Step card. I had so many people ask for
the measurements that I thought I'd put it on here for you.

Now...remember...I said "rough"!!!! It sure is!!! I sat down with
my handy dandy ruler and it looked so pretty...but then I scanned it
and ohhhhhhhhh how rough and ugly it looks!!! I aplogize that it doesn't
look very professional, but you can see it and that's the main thing!!! hehe
I hope this helps, and if you have any questions, just send me a comment
or email and I'll help. :)

Here's the "rough" diagram:

Measurements are as follows
1 piece of 5 1/2" X 8 1/2" cardstock
Marks in diagram are:
On the 5 1/2" side score at 2" to 2 1/4"

solid fold line at 2 1/4" thru 7 1/4"
Happy stair-stepping!!! :)

on the 8 1/2" side score at 2 1/4", 4 1/4", 5 1/2", 6 1/2",and 7 1/4"

Clear as mud??? If so...just holler & I'll help you :)

Vintage Vogue in Razzleberry

2010-01-23T21:09:00.005-04:00

Hi there Stampers!!! Did ya miss me???!!! I told you I'd be back, I just wasn't quite sure when, but here I am. I think I'm back for good this time, atleast I'm hoping I will be!!

As you can see I have been working with Stampin Up's new Vintage Vogue. I don't have the set as yet, but a friend let me borrow it and I love it!!! There's something about this set...the softness of it, I think, that draws me in! I really love and enjoy this beautiful set.

I chose to to try something different that I've seen others making. It was easy and fun to do, it's call the Stair-step card. For some reason, I really thought this would be quite a challenge for me so I really put it off. I'm kind of embarrassed that I put it off so long, because it was quite easy to make and I definitely will be making more. The thing that I like about this card, is that the recipient is able to set this on a shelf or mantel and they don't have to "open" it to see the full card. It's really an attention getter. Everytime they look at the card, they'll think of you, the cardmaker and it will bring a smile to their face, I'm sure!

The recipe for the card is as follows:
Stamp set: Vintage Vogue
Cardstock: Pale Plum, Razzleberry & Whisper White
Inks: Pale Plum, Razzleberry, Old Olive and
Whisper White, Razzleberry Marker and White Gel pen
Misc:Amethyst gem brad, Dazzling Diamonds and
5/8th inch Old Olive Satin Ribbon

Thank you so much for stopping by and please be sure to send me some luv and leave a comment! I love hearing from everyone and you're all over the world! Amazing!! Let me know what you think of my cards! :)

Take care and happy stamping,

Happy New Year Everyone

2010-01-11T16:08:00.003-04:00

Hi All, I just wanted to drop a line & wish you all a wonderful
2010!! I'll be back with some art during the week. Take care &
Happy Stamping!!!

P.S.-thought I'd add a pic of Abbi with her xmas present that her Grammy sent her from New York!!! hehe

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T21:52:00.006-04:00

I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas day with your friends and/or family.
We had a nice Christmas, it was very quiet here, but even that can be magical on Christmas day!

I've got some Christmas cards I made within the past week or two and I wanted to share them with you. There's quite a few, so I'll just share the pics and if you have any questions, just leave a comment and I'll get back to you.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend and hopefully you'll get some time to stamp!
Once again, Merry Christmas! Take care!

stampin hugs,

I've been sooooooooooo busy!

2009-12-18T22:18:00.005-04:00

You probably have wondered where I've been the past few weeks. I've been right here, honest I have!!! I've been stampin my little heart out, in-between my relentness nap breaks. arghhhhhhhhhh! I'll be sharing with you some of the Christmas cards I've been making. I hope I don't bore you to death!!! LOL

Here's a fun card I made using Snow Buddies. Very easy! Used Old DSP for the background. This card just makes me smile. :)

Thanks so much for looking! I hope you're all having a fun holiday season! Christmas will be here in exactly 1 week!!!! woohooooooooooo!!!

Take care and happy stamping & wrapping!!!

stampin hugs,

OK!! I admit it! I'm a Michelle Zindorf wanna be!!

2009-12-18T21:53:00.009-04:00

Hi Stampers!! I know that you know all about Michelle Zindorf at Freedom In Creating! She's such a wonderful artist! If you haven't seen her work yet, then you MUST go to her blog...her work is fabulous!

I thought I'd try my hand at following her tutorials. I chose to work with Stampin Up's "Wandering Words" stamp set. I worked with the brayer and inks and this is what I came up with. It's not even close to her masterpieces, but I'm happy with it.
Let me know what you think. I used Whisper White cardstock, with Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy and Black inks. As you can see I also did some paper piercing to add to the border. I hope you like this! I sure had some fun making it!!! Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you're all enjoying the Holiday season!!!

Take care!!!

Happy stampin,

Away Dasher!!

2009-11-30T18:54:00.004-04:00

Hi Everyone! I just love this new Dasher stamp that Stampin Up now has. It's so easy to work with and goes with everything Christmas! This particular card is done in Stampin Up's Bravo Burgandy, Gold and Very Vanilla Cardstock.

I'm a little pressed for time at the moment, I'm in the middle of tons of Christmas card orders right at the moment, so I'm gonna run. They are not going very quickly when I have to break frquently due to my health (sigh)but I'm pluggin along the best that I can, and loving it!

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you like my version of "Dasher"!
Please feel free to leave a comment, I love reading them! Take care!

Stampin hugs,

A note to family & friends

2009-11-26T02:25:00.004-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my dear family and friends back home. Please know that you mean so very much to me and I'm so thankful for each and every one of you. I know we can't be together but please know that you're in my heart and in my thoughts.

To my online buddies, Happpppppppy Turkey Day!!! I'm very thankful for friends, family and online friends. You all mean the world to me. Have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving.

big hugs,

Season of Joy

2009-11-14T23:05:00.010-04:00

Hi All!! I've been busy with some card orders, but I wanted to post a card I did 2 weeks ago and forgot to post. I hope you're all having a good weekend. I LOVE weekends! DH doesn't work & I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn with him! YAY!! LOL I digress...back to stampin...

This time I dug out the Stampin Up! stamp set, Season of Joy. This was a very, very simple card. I think you'll like it, it can be done relatively quickly. All products are by Stampin Up! I started with a card base of Old Olive cardstock, followed with a layer of Chocolate Chip c/s. My next layer is a left over green printed paper from the Cast a Spell Designer Series Paper. (I love that they are double sided and so versatile!) I cut a strip of chocolate chip c/s and place it horizontily across the middle of the card. I used my White Gel Pen to add white lines on it. Next, I added a piece of last year's beautiful chocolate chip satin ribbon. I just loved that ribbon and was delighted that I had a little left!!
I added a square of whisper white c/s that I pierced along the outside edge of it.
Next I added a square of chocolate chip c/s. Lastly I stamped the focal point of the card on whisper white. The inks and markers I used were red, chocolate chip and old olive. On the close up I think you can see that I cut out and pop-dotted the three poinsettia's, the snowflake and the "and" sign. You can't see it, but I added glitter, Irridescent Ice, to the tree, snowflake and the centers of the flowers.

Thank you so much for coming to my BLOG and I do hope I've inspired you. Please take a few minutes and leave a comment if you like, I love hearing from you all.

And just to make you smile, I've added a couple pictures of my sweet Abbi girl taking a snooze. It was quite cool in the afternoon and she was shivering, so I put her sweater on her. Half an hour later here she is....just a snoozin and toasty warm!!! Enjoy!

I hope the rest of your weekend is good and I hope you have some time to yourself and that you get to stamp. Take care!!

Happy stampin,

It's Snowing Medallions!!

2009-11-03T07:42:00.006-04:00

Hi my friends! I hope you're all doing really well and getting good n' inky!! hehe
I got my seasonal flu shot today and I'm so happy that I did! I really can't afford to get sick!! I'm not able to get the H1N1 shot yet as they don't have enough right now. If I didn't have the COPD I don't think I'd even get it, but I sure don't want
to get pneumonia or worse, so I want that shot!!! LOL Ok OK, I'll stop talking and get back to the card!!! :)

Needless to say I used Stampin Up's Medallion stamp and the small snowflake from Season of Joy. I think it's so versatile,you can really do many things with it. All products I used on this are Stampin Up. The cardstock I used was whisper white, bordering blue, and night of navy with bordering blue and night of navy inks. I used white craft ink for the medallion and embossed with clear embossing powder. On the white card stock I sponged with light & heavy ink application. I did stamp tiny, tiny snowflakes, but I honestly can't remember what set it is from. I used a small night of navy brad.

I hope you are inspired to make some snowflake medallions of your own! Have a great stampin' weekend. Thanks for coming by and visiting a while! Take care!

Happy stampin,

Serene Snowflakes

2009-10-29T20:06:00.006-03:00

Hello Folks,
I AM BACK!! Wow, life took me away for a while, but I am back and glad to be. I'm struggling with Chronic Fatigue so please hang in there with me if I skip a day here and there. I have good and bad days, so that's the important part, I love good days!! Get those stamps inked up!!! I dove into Serene Snowflakes and this is what I came up with! I absolutely love this set! I think each snowflake is so pretty! I embossed the snowflake with white embossing powder. I used all Stampin Up products for this card as follows...

Stamp Set: SU Serene Snowflakes
Cardstock: Whisper White, Brocade Blue

Inks: Bordering Blue,Brocade Blue, Versa Mark Pad
White Embossing Powder
Ribbon: White Taffeta
Designer Brads:
Brad & Filigree
Tools: SU Heat Gun

so bad for not posting!

2009-10-04T22:00:00.004-03:00

hi all, I've been so bad, it's been a really busy summer and busier fall. My Mom has been with us for 3 weeks and it was wonderful. Things go back to normal tomorrow so I'll be back to stampin and posting this week!!! YAY!!!!

Will see you all here soon.

Thanks for being loyal and for dropping in!!! I really appreciate it!!!

Take care and have a wonderful nite.

Stampin hugs,
Ret

Some cards I've made lately...

2009-08-14T11:01:00.011-03:00

Hello my friends! My goodness, where the heck does the time go?? I know it flies, but I would like to know where it flies to, cuz I sure can't keep up with it!! It seems like I'm busy all the time, but I don't seem to be getting alot accomplished. Does anyone else have this problem? I sure hope I'm not alone!!! LOL

I have been so bad about posting, and I want to make it up to you today! YAYYYYY!
Today I'm going to treat you to a couple cards I've made lately. The first one is a pink and white Wedding card. It's made with Stampin Up's Kind and Caring Thoughts & Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets. I used Shimmery White and Piroette Pink cardstock and inks, along with cardstock vellum. I hope you like it.

My second card is also a wedding card. For this one I used Stampin Up's Heartfelt Thanks and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp sets. I used Whisper White and Basic Gray card stock. I embossed the flower with SU Silver embossing powder. I also used SU's white satin & sheer ribbon as well. I hope you enjoyed this one too. I love how it came out and hope you do too!

And lastly, this bright n' cheery card! I think these colors are to die for, you can't help but smile when you see them. The birds are from the Stampin Up stamp set called "The More, the Merrier". So cute!!! The paper is SU's Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Paper Series. Cute ribbon, huh? It's SU's Melon Mambo!! Such pretty colors. Let me know what you think of these three (3, count 'em!!) cards!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a wonderful stampin weekend!

Stampin hugs,

src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/264/183270AABFB466493001A8252023D066.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;" />

Sharing some vacation pics with you

2009-08-06T08:04:00.004-03:00

Hi folks! I just wanted to share a couple pics from vacation. The top pic is taken from my Moms camp, right from the living room. The lake is lovely and one of those that you can walk out halfway before you're up to your waist! Love it!!

The second pic is of little Abbi in her life vest. We took her out for a boat ride and she absolutely loved it and really enjoyed it. She was good as gold!! Can you tell she's my buddy?? hehe

We're home now and we're trying to get back into the swing of our normal routine. I miss my Mom! I miss the lake!!! With a little bit of luck, my Mom is planning on driving up in Sept to visit us. So, that is something to look forward to!!!

Thanks to all of you for being so patient about my blog while I was away. I'll start posting cards again really soon.

I hope you are all having a wonderful day!!! Happy stampin!!

Take care,

See what we've been up to?

2009-07-18T18:46:00.003-03:00

Hi all, first things first...no we weren't hurt. My Mom and I had gone shopping for the day and we had such a wonderful time together. We were a little late heading home, but it didn't matter. We were heading up the mountain and we both saw the deer jumping the guard rails, and there was nothing we could do...she landed right on the hood and slid up to my side of the windshield and then off. It's a good thing that Mom was going only 40, or it would of been alot worse. She was more worried about the deer than anything else. Unfortunately, the deer didn't make it.

We're fine, quite black and blue from the air bags when they deployed, but other than that, we did ok. Poor car didn't do that well, as you can see. Just thought I'd share what is going on with you all. Only 2 more weeks left of vacation, time does fly!!!

Hope everyone is doing well and getting lots of stamping done. Have a great weekend!

Happy stampin,

Hi from the Adirondack Mountains & Daisy Card

2009-07-13T17:24:00.003-03:00

Hi Stampers & Friends,
Hi from Lake Clear, NY!!! We have been here for a week now & we're really enjoying ourselves. I've had a good week visiting with my Mom & just enjoying feasting my eyes upon the lake & the mountains. It's beautiful here. I've been able to do a little hiking thru the woods with Abbi everyday. Even when my fibro tells me I shouldn't, I just can't pass up the opportunity. I just go slow and have been ok.
Abs loves running along the path. Deer, bunnies, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes and even an occasional bear pass along this path several timee a day, so there's lots of different smells for her to take note of. lol She's having a ball!!

I haven't had the opportunity to stamp, but I did bring some cards I made the week before we left, so I'll be sharing one of them with you today.

For this card, I've used all Stampin Up products. I started out with Chocolate Chip for my card base, adding a layer of Whisper White C/S and then a layer of Kiwi Kiss. I stamped the swirl from the Baroque Motif stamp set in Kiwi Kiss Ink. Then
I used my leftover Kiwi Kiss grosgrain ribbon for embellishment. I played with the Daisy die cut for the Big Shot and loved how it came out in Whisper White. I added Chocolate Chip ink, direct to paper on the Daisy and finished it off with a red button. I hope you like how this came out. It was very simple with FAB results!

Thanks so much for looking and if you like my card, please leave me a message, I'd love to know what you think!! I hope you're having a good Monday and able to get some stamping in!! I'll be touch, and don't forget, you can reach me by email at
retcudmore@hotmail.com

Happy Stampin,

It's Vacation Time!!!

2009-07-04T01:40:00.003-03:00

Hi Everyone! Happy 4th of July to you!! I hope you have a safe & fun holiday. We will be leaving in the morning for my hometown in Upstate New York, we'll be back in about 4 weeks! I know it seems like a long time, but I also know that it'll go fast!! I'll be in touch & will do some posting. I just wanted to let you know what was going on, cuz I won't be able to post as often as usual. I can be reached at my hotmail email addy which is: retcudmore@hotmail.com Would love to hear from you!

You all have a wonderful July!!! Take care & happy stamping!!

Stampin hugs,

Butterfly card for Kathy

2009-06-26T23:46:00.005-03:00

Hi Stampers! I hope you all had a great week and are getting ready to have a nice relaxful weekend. Tonight I'm sharing with you a card I made on Wednesday for a customer. She just loved it! I hope you do, too!!

Tis card was pretty simple and a fun card to do! I used the Big Shot butterfly & top note die. I used the verse from SU's "flight of the butterfly" stamp set.

The butterfly & background is made from the Parisian DSP. I just love that paper!! Beautiful!!! The topnote used Whisper White cardstock. The ribbon is also from SU.

Thank you all for stopping in and please be sure to jot down a comment & let me know what you think of this card. I appreciate you taking the time to stop in!!
Take Care & Happy Stamping!!

Stampin hugs,

Seasons of Friendship

2009-06-16T00:34:00.004-03:00

**UPDATED**

Hi All, here I am again and I am just baffled about where the time is going to!!!
I know I'm slower than most people, but geesch!!! I can't believe how busy life has been, it seems like the days just go by so fast and I don't get even near what I wanted to get done!!!

My apologies for not getting back to this post as quickly as I had hoped to. Here's the recipe for this A2 size card:

All products, Stamping Up

card stock: cool carribean, more mustard, whisper white

dsp:I no longer have the wrapper & the name of this dsp escapes me. arghhhh!!!

Inks: more mustard, pumpkin pie, really red, cool carribean, chocolate chip

Thank you all for your kind comments, I truly appreciate them!! I hope you're all having a wonderful week.

Take care & happy stamping!!

hugs,

*************************************************************************************

Hi Everyone, It's so good to be blogging again! Thank you for your emails, and thanks for missing me!! You sure know how to make me feel lots better. Ohhh all of a sudden I am tired, tired tired. I'll finish this post tomorrow!
Ret

A Pinch to Grow an Inch

2009-06-13T23:18:00.002-03:00

Hi Everyone!!! Wow, I'm on a roll...2 posts in a row!!! wooohoooo
This card highlights the stamp set "Crab and Company" by Stampin Up. This
is the cutest set! I watercolored this with SU Watercolor Crayons. I absolutely love them, and I always use them when I want to watercolor. If you don't have them already, I would highly recommend them, they're great!!

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I really appreciate it!

I hope you get a chance to stamp this weekend!! Take Care!

Stampin hugs,

Helloooooooo! and Onesie Card

2009-06-12T09:01:00.003-03:00

Hi Guys, guess what!!! I'm backkkkkkkk!! The past couple weeks have been weeks from you know where...but I've muttled thru them and have decided to put "life" up on the shelf for a while and get back to stamping and posting! Thank you all ever so much for hanging in here with me. It's just been one thing after the other. For starters, Hubby was realllllly sick for eleven, yup ELEVEN days!! arghhhhhhhhh!!!
But he's back to work now and feeling mucho better. Thank goodness!! and ofcourse it's been a couple weeks of "if it can go wrong, it will", but hopefully things are back to being normal and peaceful. I think I have some new gray hairs!!! YIKES!!!

Ok, on to my card...although it doesn't really look like it in the picture, the Onesie is made from Baja Breeze cardstock. I've tried everything, but I couldn't to get it to come out to the right color. So I guess we're stuck with this photo, I know you can picture it in Baja!! I used a Not Quite Navy SU marker and did some faux stitching. The cute little lion is from "Wild About You" stamp set from Stampin Up. Incidently, all products were by SU.

Thank you for sticking by me, you guys are truly wonderful! I'm glad to be back and
will be posting some more tomorrow. Take care & big hugs to you all.

Happy Stampin,

I'm still around!

2009-05-26T17:21:00.002-03:00

Today I don't have a card to share, so I'm sharing a pic of our Abbi with you.
I'm sorry I haven't been posting the past couple days. Life is getting in my way of stamping!!! arghhhhhhhhh! So much to do and as you know I've got Fibro, so it tends to slow me down. I promise I'll be back in the swing of things very very soon. Thanks for being faithful and stopping in, I really, really appreciate it.

Hello from Ab's!!! hehe Isn't she just the cutest lil Shih Tzu you've ever seen!!!?
hehe

Take care & happy stamping!

stampin hugs,

Happy Wishes

2009-05-20T22:36:00.005-03:00

Hi there Card Makers!!! I hope this finds everyone having a wonderful week. It's a short week for us here in Nova Scotia. Monday was a holiday and this coming weekend is the holiday for those in the US. Yay!!! This signifies the start of summer. YESSS! We love warmer weather!

Today I made a pretty quick card. I used a Hero Arts stamp this time called "Happy Wishes". All other products are Stampin Up products. I really liked this stamp, I thought it was pretty & light hearted!

I'll list my recipe here:

Card Stock: Pacific Point, Baja Breeze, Whisper White

Inks: Pacific Point and Baja Breeze

Ribbon: 5/8" Pacific Point Striped Grosgrain Ribbon

I layered my card stocks the way I wanted them and then I sponged the sides of the card with Pacific Point. I hope you like it. Thanks for stopping by. I'd appreciate it if you would leave me a comment and let me know what you think of it.
Have a super stampin Friday!

Stampin hugs,

Live Your Dreams

2009-05-16T15:14:00.010-03:00

I decided today would be a good day to dig out Stampin Up's Live your Dreams set.
What a cute little set this is! I won't go into alot of detail about layers and such, as it's pretty straight forward. I will, however, list what I used to make this card.

All Stampin Up Products

Stamp Set: Live Your Dreams

Card Stock: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum and Whisper White

Inks: Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Green Galore, Summer Sun

Brads: 3 gold mini brads

If you have any questions feel free to ask me. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. And for those in Canada, a wonderful LONG weekend! YAY!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by, please feel free to leave a comment. They always make my day!

Stampin hugs,

WOW...A Blog Award from Sharon Field

2009-05-13T21:18:00.004-03:00

I'm very happy to receive this award from Sharon Field at Created by You. It's called the "Lemonade Stand Award". This award is for showing great attitude and gratitude...thanks so much,Sharon!! What a nice award to receive!! Makes me blush!!

Now it’s my turn to share this fabulous and fun award with others who have visited my blog and shared their comments, great attitude, and gratitude.

I am awarding:

Vicki - The Queen of Comments! - Stamped Smiles

Pam - Stampin for the Soul

Beth - Nana's Memories and More

Shar - Ill Tempered Ink

Cheryl - Never Enough Stamps

Nancy - I Stamp

Dawn - Handcrafted by Dawn

Of course there are many more great comments left by others, far too many to list here. Thank you to all the great blog commenters. We all love you!!! You make us smile!

And now...the rules of the award!

To pick up the Lemonade Stand Award:
- Comment on this blog.- Copy the award and save to your computer, and then upload it to your blog.
- Nominate 5 to 10 blogs you feel show great attitude and gratitude.
- Link to your nominees within your blog post.
- Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received the award.
- Link back to the person who gave you the award to show your appreciation.

I AM BEING FEATURED

2009-05-11T08:05:00.001-03:00

I was so happy to hear that Shelly over at "I'm stuck on Stampin Up!" is featuring me today on her blog!! How cool is that!!?!! Please stop over to Shelly's blog and look thru her projects and leave her a comment. I'm sure you'll find lots of creativity and inspiration there!

Thanks for stopping in! If you have time to leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you! It makes my day!

I hope you have some time to stamp, have a greatttt week!

Take care.

Stampin hugs,

ARTFULLY ASIAN

2009-05-10T21:56:00.000-03:00

Hi All, I hope you all are having a wonderful Mother's Day!! Today I'm doing Artfully Asian in Ballet Blue. I started out with Not Quite Navy. Ballet Blue was my next layer and I applied the background stamp "French Script" in ballet blue. The next layer is Garden Green followed by Certainly Celery. I topped it off with Not Quite Navy and Ballet Blue. My last layer is Whisper White. I stamped the flower in Not Quite Navy and using Stampin Up Markers in the image with Ballet Blue and Old Olive. My bow finishes this off in Certainly Celery with a tag tied off in silver cord.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I always appreciate your comments and they always make my day!

Have a wonderful day and I hope you get a chance to do some stamping.
Take care.

Stampin hugs,

Doodle This Cute Lil Pink Gift Box

2009-05-10T01:55:00.007-03:00

Hi Everyone!! Today we're in the pink!! (and purple!) LOL I made this simple little box decoreated with Stampin Up's Doodle This stamp set. I used Shrinky Dink" to make the little Blessed tag. I'm really happy with the way this turned out. I hope you like it, too!!

Thanks for stopping in. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of it.

Have a great rest of the weekend and Happy Mom's Day to all the Mom's out there!

Happy Stamping!!!

Stampin hugs,

Artfully Asian meets Baroque Motifs

2009-05-08T22:45:00.007-03:00

Hi Everyone, I hope you don't mind that I'm on the "using retired stamps kick"! LOL
It just erks me to have all these beautiful stamps and not use them. So that's why you see a mixture of current and retired stamps. I just love inking them all up, can't let the oldies feel lonesome! heeeeee!

For this A2 standard size card I started out my card base with Chocolate Chip card stock. Incidently, all products used on this are from Stampin Up! I just love their products!! My next layer is Old Olive c/s. Then I cut my next layer from Almost Ivory c/s. I sponged the top half of it very, very, very lightly with Close to Cocoa ink. Just so I could see it, ever so lightly. I inked up my Brayer with Old Olive ink and I just brayered a quarter of the layer at the bottom of it. (I'm trying to give you all my steps here, so bear with me).

Next, I took 2 post-a-notes...I arranged them on my newly brayered part, so that the only thing I could see between the post-a-notes was a 1/4 wide line of the Old Olive ink. (still with me here? oh good, stick with me!) then I lightly sponged Creamy Caramel. Then I lifted my P-A-N and I had a perfectly straight line of darker green!! (phew!!) I put about an inch layer of Old Olive designer series patterns paper and adhered it.

Next, I took a sanding block and starting with the 1/4" line of Old Olive I lightly sanded the lower part of that layer. The only way I could get it to make lines the way I wanted it to was to hold it straight and kinda tap or bounce it in intervals to give a very lightly distressed look. I hope you know what I mean.

Take a deep breath, in and out...ok, now for my next step.... I stamped the large swirl from Baroque Motifs in Chocolate Chip. I added Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain
Ribbon. If you look closely you can see at the top, two lines of piercing. I added 3 black brads as well.

Now, on to the tag... I started out with a Chocolate Chip c/s base, with a layer of Mellow Moss, which I sponged really, really lightly with Close to Cocoa..again, just enough to show.

Yay, now we are at the very last layer! (I promise!!!) I stamped the flower from Artfully Asian in retired In-Color, Purely Pomagranite). My sentiment is in Chocolate Chip. I used direct-to-paper method with Creamy Caramel, and sponged around the edges. I had a black picture hanger hook which I attached with a black brad and embellished it with a small piece of Chocolate Chip ribbon. I attached the tag and I was done, done, DONE!!!!

As you can see after reading this, it wasn't hard, but it was a little time consuming!! If you stuck with me to the end and didn't stop reading, I thank you!!!
It was long, but I had people ask me for directions and I wanted to deliver them as clearly as I could. PHEWY!!!!!!! If I didn't make it clear enough though, just shoot me an email and I'll help you.

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!!Have a great Saturday!! I hope you get to do some stamping. Take care!

Stampin hugs,

Natural Beauty

2009-05-06T21:53:00.000-03:00

Hi Stampers, I hope each of you are having a great stampin week! It's been a busy week for me and life has a way of getting my stampin' off track! LOL

I decided to use Stampin Up's Natural Beauty stamp set. I know it's retired, but I decided to ink it up anyway!! All products are Stampin Up!. I used Old Olive card stock for my A2 size card base. Then I used the Fine Lace background stamp in Bravo Burgandy. My next layer is Bravo Burgandy c/s, followed by another layer of Old Olive. I stamped my main image in Black Stazon on watercolor paper.

Next, I took out my Water Color Crayons, which I absolutely love!!! I colored the flower in Orchid Opulence, and used different degrees of color to produce the shading, to make the flower look real. I colored the leaves, stem & flower background with Barely Bananna. I am happy with the way it turned out. I hope you like it and this inspires you to pull out a retired set & get it inky!!

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by. I hope you have a great rest of the week. Take care!

Stampin hugs,

LNS Bloggin' Stars!!

2009-05-06T20:24:00.002-03:00

HI Stampers!! I'm so proud to say I am a member of the Late Night Stampers Group, which is an wonderful source of support for stampers who love Stampin Up. I myself, am not a SU demo, but there alot of members who are. We share ideas, cards, techniques, etc. We also just talk about stamping in general. Everyone is so helpful and friendly, it so refreshing! I want to tell you about something special going on within the members of the group. Mary Jo Price has come up with a great plan that will help us support and inspire each other. There are "teams" of bloggers who have pledged to visit each others blogs regularly and leave comments.

You'll see over in the right column you will see my group and the blogs listed there. If you are looking for inspiration and fun, you are more than welcome to visit these blogs with me. It's fun to go blog hopping for inspiration! Thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to see you there!

Happy BLOG hopping!

Bud Basics with Buttons

2009-05-01T23:36:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone! I hope everybody had a super week! We are almost into the weekend again! Honestly I don't know where the time goes. It just flies for me!!

I dug out my retired set "Bud Basics" and decided to make another card with that.
I used retired papers that were given to me and unfortunately, it wasn't titled, so I
don't know what it is. Sorry about that.

I used some buttons, and did faux stitching with a white gel pen. I really enjoyed making this card. I like how it came out. I hope you do also.

Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate you taking the time!!!

Have a great weekend and I hope you get some stamping done.

Stampin hugs,

Touch of Nature in Toile

2009-04-29T22:48:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone! I needed to get some sympathy cards done this week. I decided to pull out my Stampin Up Touch of Nature stamp set. You can see my colors are strictly Very Vanilla and Basic Black. I did alot of masking with it, but I really like how it came out.

If you have any questions, just shoot me an email.

Thanks so much for stopping in!

Stampin hugs,

It's an addiction in So Saffron!!!

2009-04-28T00:03:00.003-03:00

Yup, that's it, I really do think I'm addicted to this Doodle This stamp set. I tried to resist, but I just couldn't do it. I had the cold sweats and the hiccups!!!
hehehe Isn't that surely a sign of Doodle This addiction?? Sorrry, I just couldn't resist teasing about it!! LOL

This was a card simply consisting of So Saffron and Chocolate Chip colors. I've decided I like the really full flower the best. I tried to keep this fairly clean and crisp. I'm pretty happy with the results. I wanted to add some glitz to it, but I thought it would take away from the clean and simple look.

Do let me know what you think of it, I really value your opinion! Thanks so much for stopping in.

Have a wonderful day filled with inky fingers and lots of stamps!!

Stampin hugs,

Stuck on Doodle This!!

2009-04-25T23:44:00.006-03:00

Hi Everyone, Happy Monday!! We had a most beautifully warm and sunny weekend here in Nova Scotia. For some reason, I seem to be a little stuck on Doodle This!! LOL I sure hope I'm not boring you with it! This time I decided to do something a little more elegant and this is what I came up with. The flower itself is stamped in Silver on Shimmery White cardstock. I used Vellum with Almost Amethyst c/s below it and A/A ink for the verse. The swirls are also stamped in silver. I know the colors look a little off in the photo, but it always seems to do that. I topped the card off with Dazzling Diamonds and a sheer white ribbon.

I hope you like this card. Thanks so much for dropping in to take a peek, I really
appreciate you taking the time. If you have time, please leave a comment as your comments always make my day!!

Have a good week and I hope you can get some stamping in!
Take care!

Happy Stampin,

Emboss Resist Touch of Nature Card

2009-04-25T00:29:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone! It's Friday, and I for one, am soooooooooo glad. I had a rough day today, didn't feel very good for most of it, but hopefully I'll feel super good tomorrow! (fingers crossed) lol

I thought I'd play around with some embossing powder today & decided I would do the emboss resist techie. I am a sucker for Stampin Up's Pale Plum and Perfect Plum. I used white embossing powder. Inks are Perfect Plum, Perfect Plum and White inks.

I love how this came out, and I hope you really like it. Have a super day tomorrow and enjoy some stamping! Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Happy Stampin,

Bud Basics in Real Red

2009-04-22T20:20:00.005-03:00

Hi Folks, I hope everyone is having a good week. It's been quite nasty here the past couple of days. So much rain it's sitting on top of the lawns and so windy I wouldn't of been surprised if we were missing some siding, which, thank goodness, we are not!!! So it was a perfect day to stay inside and stamp, stamp, stamp, which is exactly what I did. heeee!

I dug out another retired set that I haven't used in a long time. Stampin Ups Bud Basics. I always liked it, but for some reason after they retire, they tend to get pushed to the back. Well today, it's up front!!

I started my A-2 standard size card with a Real Red card stock base. The next layer is Garden Green. I then took my next layer of Very Vanilla and stamped the flowers and leaves in Basic Black. I did my 2-step stamping with Real Red, Garden Green and YoYo Yellow inks. I added my black dots and 1/4" Handsome Hunter ribbon. I placed my layer on top. I then made a small layer of Garden Green and Very Vanilla for my sentiment, which I stamped in Basic Black. It was a fun card to make. I hope you like it and that I inspired you to pull out some retired stamps and do some stamping.

Thanks very much for dropping in. I really appreciate your visits to my blog and your comments make my day!!

Take care and have a great rest of the week. Happy Stamping!!

Stampin hugs,

Doodle This in Chocolate

2009-04-22T19:42:00.006-03:00

Hi! I decided to do something a little different, so I made this 3" X 6". All products are Stampin Up. My card base is made of Bordering Blue cardstock. I know it doesn't look like bordering blue in the picture, but it was when I photographed it!!! Honest!!! LOL I made the next layer of Chocolate chip cardstock, with the next layer being Creamy Caramel. My last layer is Very Vanilla. I stamped the flower in Chocolate Chip, and Watercolored it in with Creamy Caramel and Bordering Blue water color crayons. I used lots of Dazzling Diamonds. I love bling!!! I added a Bordering Blue button. I used 1/4" Chocolate Chip grosgrain ribbon. I also did faux stitching with the Chocolate Chip Stampin Write Marker.

I hope you like the card and that I've inspired you to dig out your stamps and ink!!
Have fun! Thanks for stopping in and browsing through my blog. I appreciate your comments, they make my day!!

Take care and have a wonderful rest of the week! Happy Stampin!

Stampin Hugs,

Natural Beauty & Lovely as a Tree Card

2009-04-22T07:42:00.005-03:00

Hi there! Here I am again using another retired stamp. I'm so sorry, but I really love this set, it's an oldie, but a goodie!!! All products are Stampin Up, with the exception of the "with sympathy" stamp, that I got at Micahels 1.50 bin. I started out with Handsome Hunter for my card base, and stamped the Weathered background in the same HH color. The next layer is Creamy Caramel, followed with a layer of Very Vanilla, which I added an antiqued silver brad in each corner. I stamped the retired background stamp, Fine Lace, and also the ferns, in Handsome Hunter. Then, I added a large oval in Close to Cocoa. I then made a little smaller oval and stamped Lovely as a Tree in Close to Cocoa, I stamped my sentiments in Chocolate Chip.

Next, I watercolored the bird and branch, as well as the butterfly with my Aqua Brush and Watercolor Crayons. I love using them!! Andddddddd wa-laaaaaaaaa!!! A finished card!!

I like the way this came out. Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of it. I'm always interested in your opinion and thoughts. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate you taking the time. Take care and I hope you get a chance to stamp today.

Stampin hugs,

Bodacious Bouquet

2009-04-20T14:07:00.002-03:00

Good day my friends! I love the colors in my Bodacious Bouquet card. If you're wondering where all these odd Stampin Up colors are coming from....my stash!!! lol I've decided to use up some of the old "in-colors" that I've been hoarding. I hate to use it, cause then it'll be gone!!! horrors!!! LOL This was a very simple card to make. I started out with an old, old retired in-color for the base of my card, Cool Caribbean. My next layer was Certainly Celery, and then Rose Red. I stamped my flowers on Whisper White. I used SU markers to color my flowers. I used Rose Red,
Certainly Celery, So Saffron. Then I colored in with ink from my Cool Caribben stamp pad & aqua brush. Love how soft lookng it came out. I hope you like it too.

Thanks for stopping by, I really appreciate it!!! Have a wondeful stampin' day!!

stampin hugs,

Best Blossoms bloom again

2009-04-17T23:30:00.003-03:00

I know, I know....it's retired, but I just love this set and I think it deserves to get inked again! So it did get inky, and here's the result. I really love the different flowers in this set..it was so versatile. I hope they'll have something like this again.

All products are Stampin Up. I started out with my card base of Bashful Blue card stock. I stamped the Retired Elegant Lace Background Stamp in Bashful blue ink, altho for some reason in the picture it looks darker. My next layer was Certainly Celery c/s with the leaves stamped in Garden Green ink, kissed with Green Galore.
The last layer is Bravo Burgandy c/s layered with Whisper Whit c/s. I stamped the
flowers in Bravo Burgandy ink and leaves are stamped in Garden Green, kissed with Green Galore. I punched a 3/4" circle and halved it...slipping it onto this layer.
I punched a 1/8" hole in it and ran Bravo Burgandy Sheer ribbon thru it. I'm happy with the results. I really hope you like it, too!

I want to thank you for stopping in on my Blog, I really appreciate your comments and emails that I recieve, they really make my day, so thank you very much!!!
I hope I've inspired you to pull out an old set and ink it up, you'll never know
where your mojo will lead you!! hehe

Take care and have a wonderful weekend!! I hope you get a chance to get all inky!!
It's sooooooo much fun! My fingers are usually every color of the rainbow. hehe

Stamping hugs,

Doodle This in Chocolate

2009-04-16T21:08:00.002-03:00

Hi Everyone,
I hope this has been a good week for you and I hope you had a chance to do some stamping. I'm sorry I haven't posted in the past couple days. I've just not had a chance. Life just insisted on getting in the way!! LOL

Here's a card I made with Stampin! Up's Doodle This stamp set. I used Whisper White
and Retired Chocolate Chip Prints Designer papers. I used 1/4" Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon. I colored with SU markers, chocolate chip, certainly celery and pretty in pink. I used a green gem brad in the middle that I had kicking around.

I haven't used this set in a long time, so it was good to get it out again and ink it up!!

Thanks for stopping by, I hope I've inspired you to pull out a stamp set that you haven't used in a long time and get it all inky!! heee!

Take care & happy stampin!

Stampin hugs,

Best Blossoms, best blossoms!

2009-04-13T09:59:00.007-03:00

Hi All, I love this set! I got a bundle of stamps a few years ago from a cyber friend in California! I was so grateful, but none of them have their label on. I had no idea what this retired set was!! Nancy Riley from "I Stamp" blog recognized it!!! It's "Best Blossoms" I was so thankful for Nancy's "eagle eye"!!! (Thanks again, Nancy!)

Several people have asked mee if I had ued a crimper on my base car. no I didh't!
I actually made the lines with a roller. It's not by Stampin Up. It was just a real cheapy roller. It gave the "crimped" look.

My base card is made with Old Olive cardstock. I stamped the leaves on the base with White Craft Ink. I stamped off twice before stamping on the card. I also rolled the horizontal lines were made by stamping off with a line roller. I applied the line around the edges with the roller as well. I then cut a Rose Red layer and
a Very Vanilla layer. I stamped my flowers in Rose Red and my leaves. I wanted a soft look, so again, I stamped off about 3 times. I made a punch with the word window out of Old Olive and added a yellow mini-brad. Verse is from the Sincere Salutations. I hope you've enjoyed this. I like how it turned out.

Thanks so much for stopping by. It was really fun to make.

Take care and happy stamping!!!

Stampin hugs,

Bunny Hugs Polka Dots

2009-04-12T00:46:00.006-03:00

Happy Easter my friends! I hope you have a wonderful, blessed Easter. Thought I'd make up one last Bunny Hugs to put here on the blog. I used some old, retired SU Designer Series Paper.

Have a fantastic day!!

Stampin hugs,

Mini Easter Egg Carton

2009-04-10T16:38:00.004-03:00

Hi All, I made this little 'egg carton' for some mini eggs. I thought it was cute. I used a piece of acetate for the 'window'. I used a 1/2" hole punch to make a pocket for each egg to sit into. I hope you like it and that it will inspire you to give something like this a try. Have fun with your Easter projects.

I want to thank you all for bearing with me while I kept posting & posting my little Easter projects. Your comments and emails make everything I do here in my blog worthwhile. I appreciate each and everyone of you!!!! Thank you ever so much. Have a nice Easter, Everyone! Take care and thanks for stopping by!!

Stampin hugs,

A Good Egg Card and Basket

2009-04-10T01:34:00.006-03:00

Hi Bloggers! Time is flying by, it's almost Easter! Here's 2 more small projects I made with Stampin Up's A Good Egg stamp set. For some reason no matter how I moved the card or changed the lighting, I couldn't get rid of a glare, so please bare with me. It was such fun making the basket! I love the fluffy boa! hehe

I hope this has inspired you and given you some idea's. Enjoy!!
Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Take care and happy stamping!

Stampin hugs,

Snug as a bug in a rug...

2009-04-08T23:16:00.006-03:00

Hi! This time I'm not posting a card, but I don't think you'll mind.
It's one of those damp, rainy days. I have Patches coat, which I have no use for, so on yucky days, I let Abbi wear it. She loves it, even tho it's quite large on her! hehe It's like a soft, warm, fleecy blankie. She curled up in the dog bed during the day today & I saw her messing up the little blanket that's in it. When I looked at her she was sleeping. She opened one eye, as if to say...I'm snuggly warm, and don't you dare disturb me. hehe

She sure is a wonderful little dog. Anybody looking at this pic might just think she's a pampered pooch! naaaaaaaaaa! hehehehe

I hope you enjoyed seeing her today. Thanks for stopping in. I love to read your comments, you make my day!! Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Happy Stampin,

Bunny Hugs Card

2009-04-08T22:29:00.006-03:00

Hi Stampers,

I decided to dig out an old set "Bunny Hugs". I just think this little bunny is so cute. I end up using him every year, I can't help it. LOL This is a very simple card with some added bling. I stamped my bunny and colored it with SU markers.
I stamped an oval right over the bunny in Versamark Ink. I sprinkled SU's Irridenscent Ice Embossing Powder over it, and heat set it. I added my ribbon to the bottom. I like the jewely look it gives the bunny. I hope you like it too!

On the second card I watercolored the image and used some DSP to decorate the card.

I hope you're enjoying the Bunny hugs!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a 'bunny hug' of a day!!! hehe

Take care & happy stampin,

Bunny Hugs Chocolate Bunny Wrapper

2009-04-08T22:00:00.009-03:00

Hi All, Tonight I thought I'd showcase a wrapper I made for the little small bunnies that are usually 3 for a dollar at the dollar store. I thought it came out kind of cute. I'm not going to go thru all the dimensions here, because all the bunnies are different, and the chance of you getting the same exact one as I did, is pretty slim.

I love the little picture hanger I used as a "latch". Kinda makes it look like it's got it's own bunny "cupboard". heeeee! I used Stampin Up's retired "Bunny Hugs" stamp set. Just love this little bunny!!!

Thanks very much for stopping in! I hope this inspires you to make something different like this to give to a very happy recipient!

Take care and have a great day tomorrow and have fun stamping.

Stampin' hugs,

A Good Egg Card

2009-04-07T22:22:00.002-03:00

Hi Stampers, I decided I should get some Easter cards posted before Easter has come and gone!! Sooo, I decided to try and use up some of my retired cardstock and DSP.
I started this one with Groovy Guava c/s for the base. My next layer was Very Vanilla, and the next is Groovy Guava DSP. I used that also for the bottom of my chickies egg! I used So Saffron Patterns Paper for the egg. I watercolored the chick using my SU water color crayons. Have I mentioned that I love them?? hehe

I used the word window punch for an embellishment with a vanilla brad. I think this
chick is pretty cute, it makes me smile, so it must be! LOL

Thanks for taking the time and stopping by my blog. I hope you have a good day with some time for stamping! Take care!

Stamping hugs,

Seaside Sketches Girls

2009-04-06T23:43:00.010-03:00

Hi Readers, I think I'm longing for summer, and to help speed it up a bit, thought I'd do some seaside watercoloring. hehe I'm sorry that the picture didn't come out on the computer as it really is. It appears a little blurry, but when I get it to focus, the colors get so washed out. As it is now, the colors are deeper for the sand & the sky and the flesh...but you can get the general idea, I hope! I've used all Stampin Up products to make this A2 size card. I used Whisper White Card Stock for the Card base, with my next layer being Kraft C/S. I set that aside and stamped my image on watercolor paper with Black Stazon Ink. I painted with the WaterColor Crayons with an Aqua Painter Brush. I just love my W/C crayons to pieces!! So much fun. Ya know, it's kind of funny. I remember back to the days when I was a child with color books and crayons. I really did not have a fond love of it. I could take it or leave it, and from what I remember, I would just as soon leave it. hehe But, I do remember very clearly that my Mom would sit with me and color and she just loved it! She just loved to color. And now, I'm an adult and I love to color and watercolor...guess I'm normal?? hehe After coloring my image, I added an antique brass colored brad. I layered this onto Old Olive C/S added the 1/4" Chocolate Chip Grosgrain ribbon. I added this to my card base and waaalaaaaaaaaaa, it's done!

I want to thank you for stopping by today, I hope I was able to inspire you to try a little water coloring today! Have fun!!

Take care & happy stamping,

Upsy Daisy

2009-04-05T22:13:00.005-03:00

Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend and are off to a great start into the new week. I've got a pretty simple card today. I did a card made from the Stampin Up "Upsy Daisy" stamp set and designer papers. I started the card off with a Chocolate Chip base. and for my next layer I used a stripeed paper from SU's Hawaii Papaya Designer Series Paper. The bottom half of that layer is from SU's Kiwi Kiss Pattern DSP.

I stamped my main image on Whisper White cardstock in Kiwi Kiss ink. I added a half oval of Tangerine Tango cardstock, with a black eyelet in the middle of it. I used 5/8th" Grosgrain ribbon. I layered my image on Chocolate Chip c/s and set it aside.

I then took a strip of Chocolate Chip c/s and did faux stitching on it with the White Gel Pen. I attached the strip across the center of the card and applied my image layer.

I really like how clean and crisp this looks and it was quite simple and quick. I hope you like it and that I've inspired you to try something similar.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it. I love reading your comments, they really do make my day!!

Have a great week and I hope you get a chance to do some fun stamping!

Stampin Hugs,

Lovely As A Tree Again!

2009-04-03T22:54:00.010-03:00

Hi there, I'm sorry, but I just HAD to do it. After doing the soot tree, I just had to do a card with the same tree. I couldn't resist, I just couldn't...that stamp just kept saying "use me, use me". Sooooo.... see... I just HAD to!!

This time I used Black for my base card. Then I stamped the "Weathered" background stamp in Close to Cocoa Ink. My tree is stamped on Whisper White in Stazon Black.
Then I sponged Pumpkin Pie, More Mustard and Certainly Celery. I "thumped" with the point on my sponge Old Olive. I added a black brad, then layered onto Basic Black. I added my verse, and
that finished off this card. I really like the way it turned out. I hope you do too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope I've inspired you to do some stamping today.
Take care and have a delightful weekend!!

Happy Stampin,

Lovely As A Tree Soot Stamping

2009-04-01T22:14:00.007-03:00

Hey Everyone! Can you believe it, I'm posting again. I hope none of you have fainted. hehe I am really putting an effort into stamping more. Sometimes it gets put on the back burner, if you know what I mean, but I'm really trying not to do that. I love stamping so much and I find it so therapeutic! It just makes me feel good, so that's why I stamp!!

Anyhoooo I hope you've had a chance to stamp today, too. With this card I decided to do the Soot Technique. I used all Stampin Up products for this A-2 card. The technique instructions can be found in Technique Junkies in the Oct/Nov 2003Isuue of the Technique Junkies Newsletter.

I love this technique, I think it's fun. I used Glossy White card stock, then I sponged on More Mustard ink, and Certainly Celery, before sooting & stamping. After stampimg, I sprayed it with Krylon Fixative, and set it aside to dry. You'll be able to see a hint of color under the soot, when it's all finished.

Next I took More Mustard cardstock and layered it onto Black Cardstock. I then layered Really Rust and Black. I adhered the soot image to the Rust layer. My card base is Certainly Celery C/S, stamped with the retired Weathered background stamp in Basic Black ink.

I used the Black Marker for Faux Stitching and wrapped Copper thin elastic cord around my Image square. I positioned my squares and adhered them down; my card is finished. I'm happy with it. I think I'll have to do some more soot stamping real soon. I'd love to do a class with that technique sometime in the future.

I hope you've enjoyed this and will attempt to do some sooty stamping!! Thanks very much for stopping in today. Please tell me what you think of my card, I'd really love to know! Your comments make my day. Have a wonderful rest of the week, maybe get out your candle and stamping gear, and have some fun!!

Stampin Hugs,

Seaside Sketches

2009-03-30T21:27:00.008-03:00

Hi again! Today I'm posting a card I made using Seaside Sketches by Stampin Up. I was soooo sad to see them retire this set. It's so pretty and versatile. I used the boy image on watercolor paper, and mirror stamped it, in order to make it look like his reflection. I'm going to explain how to stamp a mirror image. I bought a blank piece of rubber, with no image on it, that I use solely for mirror images.
All you have to do to is simply stamp your image on the piece of blank rubber. Then take the image you just stamped onto the rubber and stamp it a little bit below your original image. That's it! It's very simple. If it's clear as mud, just email me and I'll explain it to you one on one.

Ok...so far, I've stamped my image and my mirror image reflection onto watercolor paper. I absolutely love to color with Stampin Up's Watercolor Crayons and an Aquabrush. They are so easy to work with and the colors are just so rich. I love it! It's really fun to do! I used Creamy Caramel, Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip, Taken With Teal, Close To Cocoa, and Rose Red. I set that aside to dry. I used Always Artichoke for my base card. for the front I stamped the Paisley Background stamp in Always Artichoke ink. My next layer is smaller and again I used the Always Artichoke. Then a layer of Chocolate Chip, with a torn bottom edge. I love that look! I added a copper brad in the left corner of that layer. Then I put my water color image on top, and taaaaaaa daaaaaaaaaaa! Finished! I like how it turned out, do you?

Thanks so very much for stopping by, please leave a comment and let me know what you think of this card. I really enjoy reading your comments and it always, always makes my day!! Take Care!

Happy Stampin,

Butterflies of Happiness Birthday Card

2009-03-29T18:51:00.015-03:00

Hiiii! Thanks so much for stopping in. This is a card I made for a very, very special friend, whose birthday was the day after mine. I didn't want to post this until I was sure she had recieved it by mail. She just loves butterflies and I hope this card made her day a little bit more special.

I decided to use a retired stamp set from Stampin Up's 2006 Winter Mini Catalog. It's called Butterflies of Happiness. I used one of the older techniques, "Sectioned Retiform" from the Technique Junkies Newsletter, the August/September 2004 issue. I hadn't done this technique in a long time, so it was fun,(and trying) to do it again! LOL It took me some time, but I really loved the results and I know She'll be thrilled with it! For the middle butterfly, I stamped it in Elegant Eggplant, Not Quite Navy, and Sage Shadow ink on vellum. I used a reserved amount of Dazzling Diamonds on the butterfly because I wanted the butterfly to be more noticeable than the glitter, if you know what I mean. I pop-dotted it, so it would be dimensional on the front of the card.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Please leave me a comment and let me know you were here. It always, always makes my day, to hear from my readers. You are why I do this! And I do love sharing with you. Stop by again, soon. I hope you get a chance to stamp today!

Stamping Hugs,

Twin baby girl card

2009-03-26T16:30:00.001-03:00

Hi All,
I hope everyone is having a super day! A friend of mine asked me to make her a Twin Baby Girls card for her friend who had just had twins. I was working on it, and I got up to tend to a roast I had in the crock pot. I had my mind on that card and what I was going to do next, and I walked over to the crock pot, grabbed the glass cover with my bare hands and OMG!!! OUCHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! I ended up with a horrible burn on my index finger and get this...on the underside of my thumb and palm. As we use to say when I was little "OUCHY KA WOW WOW!! hehe It did not take me long to forget my card and get let of that cover. Geesch!!!! Soooooo, I went back to card making and needless to say, it took me all night!! Silly woman!!!That's what pot holders are for!!!

Okie, back to this card. Do you like it? What do you think of it? For some reason I knew what I wanted, but I had a hard time getting it to work for me. I started with Stampin Up's Pink Piroette cardstock. I folded it into a quarter fold A-2 size card. Then I cut a piece of cardstock for my next layer, from a Nursery Mat-Pack I picked up last summer in JoAnns. You can't really tell in the pic, but the lines on the first layer are glittery and opalesscent. I thought it was pretty. Then I made a smaller layer in Pink Piro. Then I took a diecut that was a double crib. I loved it, so cute. It had little bows on the corner posts of the crib, so I put a teeny tiny pearl in the center of each bow. I felt like the empty pink space around the crib needed something. I didn't realize I had gotten pink ink on my finger & the next thing I knew, YUCK-O! All over my little empty pink space...arghhhhhhhhhh!
Soooooooooo I took the little pink lines and made tiny hand drawn hearts out of them. LOL It's not really what I had intended to do, but us stampers know that there's no such thing as a "mistake" in stamping. LOL We just stamp over it or...
make little pink hearts. hehe Ok, next I added a small white rectangle to the bottom left of the pink layer and I stamped "congratulations" on it. I then took sweet pink & white gingham ribbon & wrapped it around the 2nd & 3rd layer, went around one more time and criss-crossed it in the front and tied a bow. I set that aside.

The next thing I did was take a 1/4" paper punch and punched 5 holes out of pink, blue and yellow paper. I took some very, very, very thin silver wire & made teeny tiny jump rings and attached them to the 5 paper hole punches, and slid them onto a safety pin. I wrote on the circles "T W I N S" and attached the safety pin to the ribbon.

To me, the bottom of the card had lots going on, but the top had very little. I took the Round Tab punch and punch a tab out of Pink Piro and I took the Word Window Punch and punched Whisper White. I wrote "Tickled Pink" in Pink Passion then took the White Gel pen and made white dots on the Round Tab. I used some glue to glue them together, then I put 2 small white polka-dotted pink brads in the word window, and wrote X2 on the round tab. I attached them to the top of the card with pop dots for dimension and then, I put a sentiment inside... wa-laaaaaaaaa! Finished!

I really wish I had used just regular card stock for the first layer. Although it's babyish and I love the glitter, it is quite bulky and doesn't lay as well as it should. I'm happy with this one, but if I did it again, I would use something lighter, for a more delicate look.

I hope you like it and can use it for inspiration sometime. Thanks so much for taking the time to stop in, I really appreciate it. Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of it, hearing from you guys always makes my day. Take care and
have a great rest of the week. Hopefully you can get a little creative stamping time in!!

Stampin hugs,

Pocket Slide Card

2009-03-26T01:02:00.004-03:00

Firstly, I'd like to apologize for not posting in a week. That's bad, and I know it.
I hate to repeat myself, but I am soooo tired all the time, it's hard to get motivated to do anything. Isn't that awful? I try to push myself, but sometimes...I just tell myself to be quiet and stop pushing. LOL I've been so concerned that my FM was keeping me from getting good sleep. So I told the Dr. again that I couldn't go on like this much longer. To my surprise, she finally agreed with me and is setting me up with a CPAP machine, so I can get some decent sleep. She said it should make such a difference in the way I feel. I sure hope she's right...I can't stand to get much more fatigued than this. I'm looking forward to getting the machine, I think I have forgotten what "normal" feels like. I sure would love to feel normal again, and be able to stamp whenever I feel like it! Anyhooooo, I wandered...back to the card, Ret...

This is a card I made for a friend. I felt like doing something different, so I made a pocket slide card. The burgandy is the pocket and the card just slides into it. I made an A-2 card out of Mellow moss & cut it in half. I made a wrap for the card out of the burgandy. (I told you it was different!! Maybe you can help me...for the life of me, I can not remember the name of the Stampin Up set I used. LOL and I've been way too lazy to dig thru my stamps again to get the title. See all the faith I have in you?!! I know you'll help me!! hehe

When she gets this card, she'll probably think I've flipped, the green just slides right out of the burgandy & I wrote my sentiment & note right on there. Tricky, huh?
LOL

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by. I hope I inspired you to try something different today when making a card. You never know where our imagination will take us!!! Have fun!!

Happy Stampin,

Another Year

2009-03-18T18:54:00.012-03:00

Happy Birthday to Me! Another year older!! I think they say another year older and another year wiser. I don't know about the wiser...hehe I had a very nice day, it was a beautiful day out, sunny and sweater weather. I took off and went to Halifax to the Local Scrapbooking Stores. I did alot of window shopping, and alot of the things from CHA had started coming in, so it was really fun to see all the neat new stuff. I picked up some of the new Basic Grey Marakech & Porcelin papers. They are so pretty, and something fresh and new to play with. I was pleased with my purchase!

I came home and had some birthday calls from my Mom and family and friends in NY, so that was great! Scotty came home with a little cute birthday cake, I was really surprised!!! All in all it was a fantastic day!!

Maybe tomorrow I'll have a stampin day!! I hope everyone is doing well and has had a good week so far!!

hugs,

2009-03-17T00:14:00.003-03:00

I'm sorry this photgraphed so poorly :(

2009-03-16T21:46:00.017-03:00

Hi Everyone,
I sure hope everybody had a good day today! One of my best friends just
had a birthday and I made this card for her. You may recognize the layout I used, as it's from last Mondays "MOJO MONDAY" Challenge. I loved the layout and wanted to do it, but I didn't get it done for that particular week, lol. Have you ever gotten ready to stamp just to get stuck on your design? Do try MOJO MONDAY, it really helps to get your mojo going! hehe

I really love this bird cage stamp set by Basic Grey. Its part of the Porcelain - Clear Stamp Aviary collection. I'm quite disappointed in the way this photographed, but there's not a whole lot I can do about that! Most of the items I used are from Stampin Up, with the exception of the black shiny paper and the stamp set.

The finished card size is a 5 1/2" X 5 1/2" square. I used two main colors card stock, Perfect Plum and Pale Plum. On the Perfect Plum Square I stamped the background stamp "Bella Toile" in Perfect Plum ink. I cut all the c/s squares for layers and then I took a sheet of this scrumptious shiny paper that I had in my stash. I don't know who it's made by, but it sure is pretty! I cut my shiny black squares out and layered all of the squares together and I set them aside. The next thing I did was cut a circle out of Whisper White card stock and a piece of translucent light green vellum with a vine and glittery designs on it that was on my desk. I layered them together and stamped the bird cage on it, being careful not to let the stamp slide on the vellum. I stamped the little bird as well, and set aside. The next thing I did was to use my Marvy Giga Scallop Circle Punch on the shiny black paper. I layered the bird cage circles and the scallop together. I added four black mini brads to the right side of my bottom layer. I then positioned the top square layer onto the bottom one. I taped them together and added a piece of 1/4" black grosgrain ribbon. I added the layers to my card, then I took the scallop layer and positioned it to the left side of the card and voila, all finished.

As I said, I really love the bird cages in this set, and I'm not normally a bird cage person!! hehe I hope you like this, and as always, thanks so much for stopping by. For those of you who write comments, THANK YOU so much for taking the time to write to me, you all definitely make my day!!!

Have a great week and Happy Stamping,