LSC226

I was the challenge hostess on Splitcoast last Friday for the Limited Supplies Challenge. I always enjoy hostessing the challenges. It's really fun to see what people come up with.

Stamps: Sense of Time, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Soft Suede, True Thyme, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, River Rock
Accessories: Linen thread, hodgepodge hardware spiral clip, pop-up glue dots

Here are the "official" rules that I posted:

Ya know how when you order Chinese Take Out that you basically get to order a la carte?? Well, THAT’S what we are doing with today’s challenge. I am giving you three “menus” below, and your challenge is to pick one item from each menu, then combine them to make your card!!

Oh!! And before I forget . . . we are keeping to a “masculine” theme as well . . . cards for little guys, cards for big guys . . . let’s hear it for the boys!! No girly stuff!! (That would be lace borders, frilly ribbon, etc.)

Menu #1 – Images (just pick one item from each menu!)
1. Planes, Trains, & Automobiles – basically anything with locomotion (this would include boats, too!)
2. Non-floral Nature
3. Neutral Images (stuff that isn’t girly, for sure) . . . I used a clock . . .

Menu #2 – Color Schemes (are ya still with me, friends??)
1. Reds/Blues
2. Greens/Browns
3. Neutrals

Menu #3 – Embellishments (this is where it can get tricky!)
1. Ribbon & Brads OR Eyelets (tie masculine KNOTS instead of girly BOWS)
2. Diecuts/Punches & Embossing Folders/Texture Plates
3. Natural Fibers & Hardware

Stamps: Choo Choo, Right on Track wheel, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Brocade Blue, Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Brocade Blue, Brilliant Blue
Accessories: Spellbinders Large Classic Inverted Scalloped Circles (S4-194) and Standard Small Circles (S4-116), Large and Small Star Punches, Word Window Punch, Cuttlebug Traffic Jam and Tiny Bubbles embossing folders, pop-up glue dots

And these are the two cards I made as samples. Whaddya think?

Bright and Cheerful

I did each of these cards for a separate challenge on SCS this week . . .

This first one was for the color challenge - CC224. My first thought, honestly, was "NO WAY!" Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango and Summer Sun???/ Waaayyyy out of my comfort zone, that's for sure. But as I started to look at the samples in the gallery and kind of changed my mind . . . I usually don't do some of the really bright-brights together (although lately I have been having a "body snatchers" experience and changing my ways . . . kinda . . . sometimes . . . ;)

You will also notice that I have used this particular layout a couple of times this week. I always like how it comes out. I case myself all the time!! (Is that bad??)

Stamps: Kind and Caring Thoughts
Paper: Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Summer Sun, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, Whisper White, Garden Green
Accessories: Wide oval punch, eyelet border punch, dimensionals, white taffeta ribbon

Another crazy-bright card (this was for SC224 - LOVED this layout!) . . . and you will notice that this looks a LOT like the card I posted last week with the Circular Circus stamps. I switched the colors on the layers, but it is still kinda wild and crazy!! I wasn't ever going to buy this stamp set, either. But you know how it goes when you see samples on SCS . . . darn those enablers!!

Stamps: Cheep Talk
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Orchid Opulence, Old Olive, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive
Accessories: Top Note Bigz Die, small oval punch, white taffeta ribbon, pop-up glue dots

Fathers . . .

I always make four Father's Day cards . . . one for my own dad (which I shared with you on Father's Day last Sunday), one for my husband, one for my father in law and one for my GRANDfather in law (who is 99 years old, by the way!).

Here are the rest of the cards I created this year . . .

These first two were for my husband and father in law. I knew as soon as I saw this new "Autumn Days" set in SU catty preview that I was going to own it, since fall is my favorite time of year. I cased myself, too. The layout on this first card is one that I have used often with Pocket Silhouettes (and you will be seeing it on a card I am going to share with y'all in the next few days). It's so much fun to create some designer-type paper with the foliage waving in the wind!

I honestly think I got some sort of border punch mistake, too! I got this border punch from my local Michaels. I have been GEEKING OUT over the new-style border punches since I saw them all at last winter's CHA in Anaheim. I had NEVER seen this one before!! I have even forgotten what it is called now. I can't find it on the 'net AN'ywhere (not even on EK Success' website!). Methinks I should go buy them all out and sell the on eBay for a ZILLION dollars each!! Not sure what is going on here. I also remember that there was ANOTHER one I saw there that I had never seen before, Can't remember what it looks like, exactly, but I probably need to go back and buy it. I wonder if Mike's got a shipment of the new stuff coming out at summer CHA by mistake??? Probably not, but I can dream, can't I?? (I seem to recall that it was named something kinda Middle-Eastern-ish . . . like Taj Mahal or something!)

UPDATE: I DID A TON OF RESEARCH (INCLUDING CALLING EK SUCCESS . . . THEY HAD NO CLUE!) AND FOUND THAT DARN BORDER PUNCH! IT IS CALL "MOROCCO LACE" . . .

I gave this card to my father in law. He is an interior designer/landscaper/art connoisseur/furniture maker-designer (our family owns a custom furniture/interior design business). He has impeccable taste, so I am always nervous/apprehensive about the cards that I give to him. No pressure THERE, I can tell ya!! (Hey . . . I can't draw/paint! That is why I STAMP!!)

Once again, I used the "Autumn Days" set, but I shook the layout up (this is an old sketch challenge from SCS that I tweaked a bit - SC195). I am also loving the new Modern Label punch. I can tell that I am going to be using that little baby a LOT!! It's pretty much AWESOME! These new In Colors also rock my world . . . I am going to run out of them before I even know it! Sheesh!!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Soft Suede, True Thyme, Dusty Durango, Crushed Curry (on the second card), Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Soft Suede Polka Dot Grosgrain Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Designer Label Punch, EK Success UNKNOWN-AND-FORGOTTEN-NAME border punch ("Morocco Lace"), Spellbinders Large and Small Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities (S4-201 and S4-202), Cuttlebug Leafy Branch and Houndstooth embossing folders, 1 3/8" circle punch, paper piercing tool/mat, Pop-Up Glue Dots

Last, but certainly not LEAST . . . this is the card I made for our dear, sweet 99-year-old Opa. We are so blessed that he is still a part of our lives!! I still had the sewing machine and Print Pattern stamps out, after I had used them to create an argyle background on my dad's card. I decided to make a little panel to put on this one, using the Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder as a backdrop. A pretty non-complicated card, to be sure . . . thanks to my friend Kelly (Kelly H on SCS) for suggesting the color combo for me!!

Stamps: Print Pattern, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Baja Breeze, Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Whisper White
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Cuttlebug Argyle embossing folder, White Organza Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Modern Label Punch, Word Window Punch, Spellbinders Large Deckled Rectangle Nestabilities (S4-202), horizontal slot punch (to thread ribbon), paper piercing tool/mat, sewing machine, pop-up glue dots

More "In Color" Fun . . .

I am absolutely LOVING the new "In Colors" . . . every year I have sworn that I was NOT going to buy into them, but this year I am more hooked than EVER!! I think I am going to have to get an additional cupboard or something at some point to store all the stuff I keep getting . . . ink pads, reinkers, cardstock . . . it's going to take over my room!! YIKES!!

Anyway, I made a discovery last week that makes me happy . . . or is it sad??? Soft Suede is a couple of shades darker than True Thyme, which is several shades darker, but basically the same color, as River Rock. The three of them look FANTASTIC together, don't you think??? I am happy because I have found such an awesome color combo, but said that two of the colors are unavailable any more! What's a girl to do when she runs out?? Suffer, I guess . . .

I did both of these cards for WT223 - to use text/script as part of your card. This was actually the SECOND card I did (the first one is below). I can't remember the last time I actually "redid" a card . . . same colors, stamps, etc. . . . and just changed the layout. I liked the first one so much that I just decided to do a second one. So here ya have "In Colors" from THREE different years all working together. I'm not sure if it would be a GOOD thing for SU to just offer all the colors all the time or not. Since we are already up to 24 "in Colors" from the past four years, it would be hard to keep up with them AND the regular SU colors. Maybe they should replace a few . . . like, who REALLY uses Gable Green or YoYo Yellow??? Seriously!! But I digress . . .

Stamps: Kind and Caring Thoughts, French Script
Paper: Soft Suede, True Thyme, River Rock, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Suede, True Thyme, River Rock
Accessories: Eyelet border punch, wide oval punch, curvy label punch, soft suede polka dot ribbon, paper piercing tool/mat, pop-up glue dots

Here is another "wildly bright" combo I did last week for LSC225 - to incorporate a "foreign" phrase/word stamp. I don't really think I own more than a couple of 'em, so this is what I came up with. I used the Curvy Label punch, cut in half and layered. I like how this looks. I think I may just have to use it again! (Sadly, this card got spilled on and had to end up in the garbage . . . sigh . . . HATE it when that happens! At least I got a picture of it BEFORE it bit the dust!)

Stamps: Circle Circus, Merci
Paper: Old Olive, Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Whisper White
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Melon Mambo, Old Olive
Accessories: 1 3/4", 1 1/4", wide oval, large and small oval punches, scallop circle punch (for corners), curvy label punch, rich razzleberry polkadot ribbon, pop-up glue dots, paper piercing tool and mat, ice (clear) rhinestone brad

I am amazed at myself that all THREE of these cards are SUO (Stampin' Up Only). I don't always find it easy to do that, as I seem to have WAY more products that I can contain myself from using!!

I still have a bit more catching up to do as far as what I have to share with you, so come back again soon!

Have a sunny day,wherever you are!!

#95 and #96 . . .

I have been making a LOT of cards this past week, and I am a bit behind in sharing them with you. Here are the last couple of butterflies I made . . .

This first one I did last Wednesday for SC233. Loved the sketch, but not sure how I feel about this card. My daughter says she quite likes it, but the jury is still out on it for me. I had envisioned something else totally when I started, and was running late for work and just feel like I kinda rushed it to completion. Sigh . . . we can't always love EVERYTHING we make, right?? And lucky for me that I ordered the Bermuda Bay ink pad before SU starting having issues with quality control!!

Stamps: Razzle Dazzle
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Melon Mambo, Bermuda Bay, Pink Pirouette, Basic Black
Accessories: Black grosgrain ribbon, Cricut Storybook cartridge (for butterfly), pearl stickers, glue dots

This second card, however, I do quite like. I did it yesterday for TLC226 - Faux Denim. Basically, you big a medium color of blue cardstock, use the coordinating ink pad and just rub the ink pad directly onto the cardstock, going back and forth, from end to end. Then, take a darker color and do the same. Finally, do it a third time with white craft ink. Turn the cardstock 1/4 turn and repeat the process. It is really actually kinda cool, but it did leave me with a very BLUE white craft ink pad!!

Stamps: Pocket Fun, Paisley bg, Martha Stewart butterflies, Everyday Flexible Phrases
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Barely Banana, Bordering Blue, More Mustard
Ink: Whisper White, Basic Black craft, Bordering Blue, Night of Navy
Accessories: EK Success Zig Zag border punch, brass brads, paper piercing tool/mat, pop-up glue dots

So, that officially makes these butterflies #95 and #96 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge (see the link and slideshow to the right for more info on that). I can't believe I only have EIGHT more to go!!

I have several more cards to share with you this week, so stay tuned over the next few days and I will try to catch up!!

Dear Dad . . .

I woke up this morning and the weather reflected exactly how I felt . . . dark, gray, with a sky full of tears.

As I look out the window now, the sun is peeking through patches of blue sky . . . reminding me that no matter how sad I feel without you today, the sun WILL shine, the birds WILL sing and we WILL be together again.

I love and miss you.

Happy Father's Day

Your loving daughter,

Wendy :)

Stamps: Print Pattern, Teeny Tiny Wishes, Short & Sweet
Ink: Soft Suede
Paper: Soft Suede, True Thyme, River Rock, Riding Hood Red, Ruby, Red, Very Vanilla
Accessories: Sewing machine, 3-heart punch, large and small oval punches, Spellbinders Small and Large Deckled Rectangles (S4-201 and S4-202), EK Success Zig Zag border punch, Cuttlebug "You" embossing folder, vanilla organza ribbon, pop-up glue dots

Tour De Freaks!!!

I can't tell you how excited I am to be participating in the very FIRST "Tour De Freaks" Blog Hop. For those of you unfamiliar, the "Control Freaks" is a group of VERY talented women who have been swapping cards with one another for the past several years. I am still not quite sure how I got invited to be in this group (the stars were shining on me, I suppose!), but when we do a swap we get AWESOME samples to share!! (You notice our name? It kinda says it all!)

Anyway, we thought it would be fun to showcase some of our favorite retiring sets/accessories before the catalog goes away for good at the end of June. This first card I am highlighting features one of the most GORGEOUS sets I think Stampin' Up has EVER produced. I also think it has been highly underrated and underused . . . Beautiful Borders. I have created some of my most FAVORITE cards with this set. I also am LOVING this Bella Bleu designer series paper (and I am more than THRILLED that it made the crossover into THIS year's catalog - huzzah!)!! This was a quick and simple card, which makes me like it even more!!

Stamps: Beautiful Borders
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Kraft, Very Vanilla, Bella Bleu dsp
Accessories: Small, Large and Scalloped Oval Punches, Kraft Taffeta Ribbon, Kraft Corduroy Button Brad, glue dots, pop-up glue dots

Moving on . . . this is also one of my faves . . . (and of course it has a BUTTERFLY!). This is honestly one of the most lovely butterfly images that I own (and for those of you who have been following my blog for the past two years, you know that is saying a LOT!!). I have seen this stamped on a variety of different colors of cardstock and colored. I think it looks terrific every single time!!

Stamps: God's Beauty
Ink: Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Basic Black
Paper: Old Olive, Perfect Plum, Pale Plum, Whisper White
Accessories: Paper Piercing tool/mat, pop-up glue dots

Here's a fun little gift idea using the "Sweet Sampler" set and some clear plastic vials I got from (dare I mention another company in an all-SU post? Forgot to mention that the Freaks are SU purists when it comes to swapping!) Papertrey. Ain't they just the cutest?? And I filled 'em with one of my favorite treats . . . Jelly Belly's . . . hard to resist those little dudes.

Stamps: Sweet Sampler
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White
Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White
Accessories: Horizontal Slot Punch, Scallop Border Bunch, Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Black Gingham ribbon, clear plastic vials (Papertrey), glue dots, pop-up glue dots


And last, but not least, I am making a confession here . . . this is one of the cards I submitted for the (GULP) Stampin' Up Artisan Award, or as I like to call it, "The Kicked-to-the-Curb Club." (I actually thought it would be cool to make a blog called kickedtothecurb.blogspot.com where those of us, um, "losers" could post our UN-winning projects, but I digress . . . ) I almost wasn't going to share any of the projects I made for it with you 'cause I was too sad that I didn't get picked (as I thought my projects were MUI fabulous-o!!). Anyway, this card kind of cheats when it comes to the Freaks Blog Hop because not every stamp set I used for it is retiring. "Big Bold Birthday" is definitely on it's way out. It really is a fun set. Makes great projects . . . however . . .

The Jumbo Outline Alphabet I used on the inside for the pop-up message is NOT going anywhere soon (which makes me happy 'cause I use this baby ALL the time). I thought that this card was pretty ingenious, actually . . . don't you think it would make a TERRIFIC Bigz Die? Couldn't you just see the inside saying stuff like "Smile" and "Thank You" . . . they could make a LOT of sets to coordinate with it. And with a diecut this thing would be MUCH easier to produce that it was for me with a ruler, bone folder and utility knife. Sheesh!! (Not to mention that it is going to take extra postage to mail . . . this puppy is THICK when it is closed!!)

Stamps: Big Bold Birthday, Jumbo Outline Alphabet
Paper: Brocade Blue, Night of Navy, So Saffron, Barely Banana, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Real Red, Night of Navy. So Saffron, Brocade Blue
Accessories: Black Hemp Twine, Read Red ½” Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, 1 ¼” Circle Punch, Pop-Up Glue Dots, Mini Glue Dots

Hope you have enjoyed perusing my "Ode to Retiring Stuff" . . . click below for the next stop on the hop . . . http://melanieschulenberg.blogspot.com/2009/06/introducing-tour-de-freaks.html! You're gonna LOVE what she has to share!!

Mixin' It Up!

As I have been browsing and perusing the new Stampin' Up catalog (sorry . . . ducking from all you non-demos who have not seen it yet!), I am falling in love with the new In Colors! I swear, I don't think that there is a clunker in the batch!!! They are all SOOOOO love-er-ly!!! And I LOVE it when there is a GREAT combo you can use to mix up both OLD and NEW colors!!

My FAVORITE combo that I had seen in the catty was this . . . Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive and (GASP!!) Orchid Opulence!! WHAT??!!?? Orchid Opulence??? Could it be TRUE??? The SAME Orchid Opulence for which I STILL own the original package I bought nearly FOUR years ago??? The SAME Orchid Opulence that I usually only use at HALLOWEEN when I need SOMETHING to color the inside of Dracula's cape???? The SAME Orchid Opulence that virtually sits, unused, all year long??? YUP!! That is the one!! I honestly thing that they have had NUMEROUS meetings at SU about Orchid Opulence!! "What on EARTH are we going to DO with all of this STUFF?? Our inventory hasn't rotated completely on this in over SIX years!" The reply??? "I know! I know!! Let's make a color combo with a new In Color that they just CAN'T resist using good ol' O-O! THEN we can get this inventory movin'!!"

I know that I am going to be using this combo a BUNCH this year!! (It is hard to really appreciate how smashing this looks from this photo, too! It really is striking. I made this card for my darling son, Devan, who has just about NINE weeks left before we can go over to Germany and pick him up!!! Hooray!! After nearly two years!! I can scarcely believe it!! He will be turning 21 next Wednesday. Hope he enjoys a card WITHOUT a butterfly on it!! (I couldn't resist using some new SU preview stamps, either!! There are some GREAT new stamps coming out this year . . . and I am SOOO happy that they have gone back to one big catalog per year!!)

Be SURE to come back TOMORROW at 10:00 a.m. MST for the FIRST EVER "Control Freaks Blog Hop!" It's going to be INCREDIBLE and you wouldn't want to miss it!!!

Hugs and Happy Friday!!

Stamps:: Circular Circus, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Orchid Opulence
Paper: Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive Orchid Opulence, Whisper White
Accessories: 1 3/4", 1 3/8" and 3/4"" circle punches, Modern Label punch, small oval punch, Curvy Label punch (I cut the punched piece in half and spread it out behind the circles in the middle) jumbo eyelet, Top Note die, Rich Razzleberry polka dot grosgrain ribbon

Eat Your Heart Out, Jackson Pollock!!

I have tried MULTIPLE times over the years to do the "polished stone" technique. You know the one I mean? You use a piece of glossy white cardstock and dab it with cotton balls that have been dipped in alcohol and various colors of reinkers? I have NEVER come up with a single piece that I liked or would even consider using on anything I made. When I saw Lynn's TLC on SCS Monday (TLC225), I was DETERMINED to make something cool!! It was basically the same idea, but instead of cotton balls, you used a piece of toilet paper (the same one over and over for each color of paint), and instead of reinkers we were using acrylic paint.

I spent forEVUH searching the storage room for the paint . . . my kids use it a lot and don't always put it back where it "belongs" . . . imagine that! When I finally found it, I discovered that most of the paints were either dried up or used up. There wasn't much of a selection at ALL. Mostly neutrals - black, brown, navy blue and yellow. VERY little to choose from.

I only made one attempt at this and kinda like how it turned out, but it DOES remind me of Jackson Pollock (and gave me a whole new appreciation for his creativity . . . how FUN would it be to drizzle paint on a larger-than-life-sized canvas???). Anywho . . . this is officially butterfly #94 in my "Follow the Butterflies" challenge, too. (There is a link to an explanation and a slideshow of all of the butterfly cards on the sidebar to the right of this blog entry.)

So, there ya have it. I'll just bet that Mr. Pollock didn't EVER get to use Glimmer Mist!!! :)

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, MS Butterflies
Paper: Basic Black, Barely Banana, Real Red, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black (classic and craft), lt. yellow, dk. yellow and black acrylic paint
Accessories: Marvy jumbo scalloped oval punch and extra large oval punch, black polka dot organza ribbon by May Arts, Pearl Glimmer Mist, word window punch, pop-up glue dots, toilet paper

Just thought I'd give y'all a "head's up," too!! Please join me THIS SATURDAY for the FIRST EVER "TOUR DE FREAKS!" This will be an AWESOME Blog Hop with some of the members of the "Control Freaks" Swap Group . . . we ARE pretty amazing, if I do say so myself!!

Dragonfly Path . . .

I love the combo of elements on this card. I found this scrumptious paper made by DCWV (actually, it is from one of those GIANT paper pad/stack things . . . which I almost NEVER buy, but couldn't resist on this one!! It was on sale . . . and I hate to admit that I actually bought two other different ones as well). This paper is from the "La Creme" collection. It is felted and elegant and GAWgeous!!!

I also got to use some of my most favorite Spellbinders dies (as I am now the proud owner of more than I can count, thanks to being on the Design Team for over a year!).

I didn't have any large black brads, so I cheated. I took one that I had, dipped it in black craft ink, then clear embossed it. Voila!! Just what this little card needed!! It all came together very quickly, making this actually very easy and fast to put together.

I hate Mondays . . . I wish I could stay home and stamp all day, since I actually cleaned up my stamp room yesterday. But, alas, it is not to be, so I will just have to get my act together and get movin'!!

Have a great day, everyone!!

Stamps: Word Collection by Stamp Oasis
Ink: Basic Black Craft and Classic
Paper: Basic Black, Very Vanilla, DCWV La Creme
Accessories: Spellbinders Classic Frame (S5-102) and Bugs dies (S4-008), Stickles, black organza ribbon, pop-up glue dots, large brad, clear embossing powder

Butterflies are BACK!!

It has been many moons since I stamped at "official" Follow the Butterflies card!! Last time I did any was when I was in Phoenix visiting Karen (imastampin). I have one more to do to be caught back up . . . this makes FTB Card #93 . . . (if you don't have any clue what I am talking about, see the link and the slideshow on the sidebar to the right . . .)

I also combined SC232 (had to squeeze those little squares behind the image to make it fit the sketch!) and LSC224 - using blues and neutrals PLUS a brad, some ribbon AND paper piercing. Judy made us all work hard this week for the LSC!!

I have been doing nothing but BIG projects lately, so it was fun to stamp just a single card . . . I seem to be missing my mojo and may have to work a bit to get it back!!

Have a great weekend, friends!!

Stamps: Music Expressions, Symphony jumbo wheel
Paper: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy, Sahara Sand
Ink: Not Quite Navy
Accessories: Spellbinders Mega Curved Rectangles (S5-006), paper piercing tool/mat, Not Quite Navy brad, kraft taffeta ribbon, pop-up glue dots, glue dots

More Weddings!!

I am in SERIOUS need of a vacation!! Man, oh man! The past two weeks have been a little too intense for me . . . I think I am totally DONE with hospitals, drama and deadlines!! Sheesh!!

Again, I can't say thank you enough for all of the lovely, heartfelt and sweet thoughts and prayers you have sent my way. My appreciation to everyone cannot even be measured. You have made an extremely difficult time a bit easier and my heavy burdens a bit lighter . . . hugs to everyone for your love and support!

Here is where I have been the past several days . . . my niece is getting married on July 12. I had promised her that I would have the invitations to her by last weekend, but since I had a few too many obstacles beyond my control, I just didn't get to it. Here are the invites that I actually mailed off TODAY (at the cost of $41 for express service! Sheesh . . . again!).

I got the idea for this particular layout from Corinne Somerville - aka Roxy (oddly enough, we BOTH ended up making 75 . . . any more than that and I would have gone OUT of my MIND!!).

Corinne's Wedding Announcements

The base piece is 8 1/2" x 10 1/2". It is scored along the 10 1/2" side at 4" and 8". The little pocket on the inside is 8 1/2" x 3". I marked a point in the center and drew lines from the outer corners to meet in the middle, then cut the "v-shape" with some paper snips.

My niece was THRILLED with how these came out. She is especially excited to have something totally unique, unlike anything else she has ever seen anyone else use. I am just excited to be finished with them. Maybe NOW I can stamp something fun with my new SU goodies (LOVE the new "In Colors" by the way . . .)

Here's how they look all packed up in the box ready for mailing . . . now I am planning to take a much needed rest (like, possibly for the next 8 hours). Thanks for lookin' and thanks again from your kinds words and friendship!!

Stamps: Touch of Nature, Small Letter Set by JustRite Stampers, Special Occasions Deluxe Kit by JustRite Stampers
Paper: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White
Ink: Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Spellbinders Scalloped Circle and Classic Circle Large/Small Nestabilities (S4-124 and S4-114), Cuttlebug Leafy Branch embossing folder, EK Success Zig Zag Border Punch, brown polka dot organza ribbon, pop-up glue dots, sponge, 1 3/8" circle punch, Scor-Bug, paper distressing tool

Thanks & Grads

You all have NO idea how your comments on my blog over the past several days have helped me through one of the most difficult weeks of my life! I have a Blackberry, you see, and as I was running around making funeral arrangements and picking up various family members at the airport and such, my Blackberry would ping me every single time another lovely comment was posted here. Those comments were such a HUGE lift . . . a true blessing. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

As if my dad's passing and funeral weren't ENOUGH, my darling daughter had an appendicitis attack while we were at his viewing. I spent the entire night on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning in the Emergency Room at the children's hospital with her. As her symptoms were atypical, they were testing her ALL night long (after we had waited in the waiting room for over THREE hours!)! By the time they had actually determined that it WAS appendicitis, it was 5:30 a.m. (we got there at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday night). She didn't get into surgery until just after 9:00 a.m. By the time she got out of recovery it was approximately 10:30 a.m. My wonderful sister in law came and did the "mom fill in" for me while I rushed home, got cleaned up and drove out to my dad's funeral (I had been up for about 30 hours at this point). Did I mention that I was speaking at the funeral, too? By the time we had the funeral, drove to the graveside service, drove back to the church for a dinner provided by the church members then came home, changed clothes and went back to the hospital it was about 7:00 p.m. It took a while to get settled in . . . we had several visitors and the nurse had to hook my daughter up for the night. When did I get to bed? About 10:45 p.m. . . . a mere 41 hours since I had gotten up the day before!! I will NEVER use the term "exhausted" lightly again!!

Here is the graduation announcement I made for my son. Being cheap . . . I mean FRUGAL . . . I decided it would be better to make our OWN announcements instead of having to pay Jostens to make them for us! Here is what I came up with . . .

I did the "West High School - Class of 2009" medallion using WordArt in MS Word. The panther was something I scanned that is actually the icon that the school uses.

For the inside, I just created the photo panel and graduation info using Word Perfect (I don't usually use MS Word - actually, I kinda HATE the program, but I DO like the WordArt feature). I was pretty proud of this, too, because I took the photo on the left and the photo in the middle. LOVE how they turned out! I ended up making about 60 of these babies!! Watercolor paper is so much fun to work with. I'm just sad I couldn't run it through my printer. It is waaayyyy too thick!!

Stamps: None!
Paper: Watercolor, Whisper White, Basic Black, Real Red
Ink: Printer ink
Accessories: Spellbinders Small Classic Circle Nestabilities (S4-116) and Large Labels (S4-168), 1 3/8" circle punch

Again . . . thanks, dear friends! You have brightened my days and lightened my burdens . . . HUGS to you ALL!