I Did It Again!!

I would be LYING if I said that all of the crafty goodies I had were made by Stampin' Up (but ... to be FAIR ... the largest portion of them are!!). I feel the "guilt" going on from time to time (as I seem to have this week) about all the lovely things I have that go neglected and unused ...

Which brings me to this card ... I hafta admit that I went shopping with my BFF, Cheryl, TWICE yesterday ... once we went to one store (during her lunch break), and then we went to another (after she got off work). I bought this non-SU punch ... we had seen a card on Pinterest that used it and KNEW we had to grab our coupons and GO! So we did ...

Which brings me to the OTHER punch I used on here that has been neglected for some time ... the maple leaf. When I first started papercrafting I was HEAVY into decorative scissors (c'mon, admit it ... you got a box FULL of those babies in the back of your closet!) AND paper punches. I have a whole Craftsman toolbox FULL of those babies ... and they haven't seen the light of day for quite some time. So I caved and brought them out. Boy, do I have GOOD taste!! There are some BEAUTIES in there!!

So, that is my confession ... as JanTink would call it, I have committed rubbahdultery ... but not really ... since I didn't use non-SU stamps at ALL ... just punches. So there!!

Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Paper: Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry, Basic Gray
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Martha Stewart Garden Trellis Punch, Family Treasures Maple Leaf Punch, Large (Wide) Oval Punch, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Early Espresso, Rich Razzleberry and Basic Gray Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Pearl Basics

Christmas Gift Card Holders

Merry Christmas, Friends!!! I have a couple of little gift card holders to share with you. I found myself in need of a couple of these on December 23. Soooo, despite the fact that I was running around like a proverbial chicken-with-my-head-cut-off, I was happy that I had a chance to sit down for a bit and create something.

And I am also really happy that this gave me an excuse to use my layered poinsettia die one more time (that's TWICE in the week since I got it!. I was a little hesitant to put gold smooch on these red leaves, but I really love how they turned out!!

I was able to squeeze two gift cards on the inside ...

Stamps: Petitie Pairs
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP (retired)
Ink: Always Artichoke, Gold Smooch
Accessories: Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia Die, Martha Stewart Fir Branch Punch, Corner Rounder, Word Window Punch, Simply Scored, Pearl Basics, Velcro Dot



I have probably had this little Cuttlebug embossing/cut tree for at LEAST four years. And it has NEVER seen the light of day ... I KNEW when I got it that I was goon NEED It at some point, so I was very happy that I had it on hand!! PHEW!!! Instead of closing this gift card holder with a Velcro dot, I decided a belly band was in order ...

I didn't even ATTEMPT to try to match colors to this crazy-over-the-top-too-bright iTunes card for my nephew ... at least it's KINDA red ...

Stamps: Small Script
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Early Espresso, Merry Moments DSP (retired)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Cuttlebug Christmas Trees Die, Decorator Label Punch, Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Medium Oval Punch, Early Espresso Quilted Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Word Window Punch, Simply Scored

These gift card holders were created by using a 4.25" x 10" piece of cardstock scored along the 10" side at 3", 4", 5" and 8" ...

Here's wishing you the happiest of holidays. May your new year be blessed with continued love and time with family and friends!! Now, it's time to get up and see what Santa brought!!

Holly Berry Noel

In the hustle and bustle to get things done, I made this card with a new little background stamp/embossing folder I got yesterday ... It is so cool how the embossing folder outlines the images from the background stamp, don'tcha think?

I seriously need to get some sleep!! So many projects, so little time!! (Went to bed at 12:30 a.m. and woke up at 3:46 a.m. ... decided not to fight the wheels in my head and just got up to finish some things.) I finished some cookbooks for my kids (pretty sure they are not gonna read this, so I feel safe in posting it), made five pair of PJ pants, setup and loaded a Kindle for a friend, and did a couple of loads of laundry ... I think I need a nap!!

Soooo excited that my brother and sister-in-law are flying in late tonight ... hope I can get all my wrapping done before then!!

The elves are gonna be up late tonight!!

Stamps: Sizzix/Hero Arts Holly Background Stamp
Paper: Sahara Sand, Very Vanilla, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler, Brushed Gold
Ink: Sahara Sand, Garden Green, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: Sizzix/Hero Arts Holly Textured Impressions Folder, Martha Stewart Holly Punch, Large and Small Oval Punches, Gold Elastic Cord, Cherry Cobbler Dazzling Details, Gold and Illuminate Smooch

Bring On the Butterflies!!

For many of you, the fact that I have a "thing" about butterflies is no secret. And for those of you who don't really know that ... check out the link on my sidebar to the right (the one that says "for details ....). I just love 'em!!

WIth that in mind, I have a couple of cards to share ... and a sad little story. First off is this crazy spend-way-too-much-time-with a-Stamp-a-Ma-Jig card. Even when I use a 'Jig I can STILL screw it up!! (Those butterflies are DEFINITELY strategically placed so as to hide my GOOFS!!) I seem to also have a "thing" lately for Crumb Cake (aka Kraft) cardstock. It pretty much goes well with EVERYthing!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases, Baroque Motifs
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Poppy Parade, Indigo Island, Wild Wasabi, Concord Crush, Melon Mambo
Accessories: Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Itty Bitty Circle Punch, Rhinestone Stickers, Whisper White Satin/Organza Ribbon, Square Nestabilities, Pop-Up Glue Dots

And this one is an exercise in layers ... I've been seeing a lot of similar types of cards floating around for the past few months ... I REALLY like this idea. In fact, I just may hafta try it again!!

Stamps: Fabulous Phrases
Paper: Perfect Plum, Marina Mist, Pink Pirouette, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP
Ink: Perfect Plum
Accessories: MS Double Loops Border Punch, EK Success Diamond Lace and Dotted Wave Edger Punches, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die, Little Leaves Sizzlets Die, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Pearl Stickers

And now ... my sad story. As you can see, I use the Beautiful Wings Embosslits die ... a LOT!! Well, while I (well, actually my daughter) was cutting out some butterflies for the class I did last weekend, the die fell on the floor. Now, mind you, my floor is fully carpeted. Guess what?? The die just plain ol' BROKE!! Right at the hinges!! Do you KNOW how hard it is to use an Embosslits die in a Big Shot when the two sides are not physically connected??? Good thing my daughter was almost done!!

The good news to this story is that I called Stampin' Up on Tuesday and another one should be arriving here today ... YAY!! MORE butterflies!!

Weekend is almost here ... DOUBLE yay!! This has been a long week ... my mom spent about a day and a half in the hospital (no worries, she is back home recovering and resting), which means that I ALSO spent a day and a half in the hospital. Sooo happy that we live close enough together that I am able to help her out when she needs it!!

Cherish Your Mother's Today ...

I am sooo blessed to have my mother in my life ... so many of my friends have already lost their mothers. I can't imagine a world without her in it ... or my mother in law, for that matter. She is so NOT the "wicked mother in law" ... kind, sweet and loving in every way. Both women are such beautiful examples of everything right in the world. I couldn't feel more lucky.

I made my moms these cards for Mother's Day. After having completed one, I realized I needed to run to the local scrapbook store to acquire another pearly-blingy sticker thing. Arrived there only to discover that they had used every single stinkin' one like the one I wanted for some kits for a class they were doing. What the heck???? Why didn't they SAVE me one???

Soooo....I had to readapt the design a little to work with the second pearly-blingy sticker thing I bought (and I can't for the life of me remember who made this second one ... I threw the packaging away and have already emptied the little garbage can in my craft room ... not gonna go dig through the big trash can outside, either!)!

I am also soooo grateful to be a mom myself ... my kids are the biggest challenge, yet the biggest blessings I could ever imagine. Motherhood has been the greatest thing I have ever attempted to do ... love you, Devan, Garrett and Amelia!!

And if you missed it, here a link to a tutorial I did on how to make those big paper roses:

Paper Punched Flowers Tutorial

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, Paisley Prints DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler
Accessories: 1" Square Punch, Large Oval Punch, Elegant Lines, Elegant Bouquet and Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folders, Fancy Flower Punch, Rolled Roses Die by My Favorite Things, Zva Creative Pearly-Blingy Sticker Thing (and a second one by unknown company), Cherry Gingham Ribbon, Double Loop Border/Corner Punches by Martha Stewart

Jingle-Jangle-Jingle

Okay, so I guess the Christmas Bug has officially bitten me!! I did a BUNCH of Christmas shopping last Saturday (and I have to admit I have been listening to Christmas music since Halloween) AND I was able to come out of my Mojo Funk long enough to make this Christmas-y card!!

This came as an inspiration from my dear friend, Kittie Caracciolo (aka Kittie747 on SCS). I totally {{{heart}}} her card!! Here it is:

Kittie's Christmas Wreath

I swear that little MS branch punch is brilliant!! It looks good no matter WHAT ya do with it!! (Wish Stampin' Up made one!!)

Stay tuned this week ... I have a BOATload of stamp sets for sale ... Bargain Basement prices, too!! (Gotta make room for MORE!)

Happy Monday!

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Deck the Halls DSP
Ink: Always Artichoke
Accessories: Always Artichoke and Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Pearl Stickers (colored with Cherry Cobbler marker), Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, MS Branch Punch, Paper Piercing Tool/Mat

Mojo No-Go ...

I have been trying for DAYS to make a card. I actually tried THREE separate times yesterday to do something ... NO GO! I felt like I had COMPLETELY lost my mojo ... kinda like FOREVER!!

Today's challenge on SCS was for this color combo - Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise and Whisper White. There was a "dessert" option to add a butterfly. Well, y'all KNOW how I feel about BUTTERFLIES, so I feel like someone has unlocked the Prison Cell and let me out (even if it is only temporary ... which I HOPE it isn't!!).

This card is pretty ironic because there is SNOW all over the place outside. I'm already colder than I wanna be, and we STILL have MONTHS and MONTHS to go ... sigh ...

Stamps: Butterfly Prints, Autumn Days, Great Friend
Paper: Whisper White, Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Poppy Parade, Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black
Accessories: Martha Stewart Double Loop Border Punch, Finial Press Textured Impressions Folder, Nestabilities Rectangles, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Butterfly Punch, Dimensionals

A Favorite ...

This is from a stamp sheet I bought from ISC just over a year ago. How sad is it that it hasn't seen ink until now?

I love how peaceful these trees make me feel. There is something to be said about the serenity of fresh snow in a tree-filled area. LOVE that!

Stamps: Sketch of Nature by ISC
Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Ruby Red
Ink: Basic Black, Barely Banana, Apricot Appeal, Pumpkin Pie, Ruby Red, Versamark, White craft, white gel pen
Accessories: Martha Stewart Lattice border punch, black polka dot organza ribbon, white embossing powder

And don't forget to come back tomorrow for the Control Freaks Blog Tour!!! You won't wanna miss it!!

I'm Baaaa..aaaaack!

Sheesh!! What a month!! I have been running like my pants were on fire since Thanksgiving - rushing from one project right into the next! This is my latest (and hopefully LAST) big project for a while - the wedding favors I did for my friend and her daughter for her daughter's wedding. I made 300 of these little babies!! I thought I was going to lose my mind!!!


The worst part? When I was down to what I thought was the "end" - tying the ribbons onto the boxes - it took me EIGHT stinkin' hours!!! EIGHT!!! I nearly lost my mind!!! I am soooooo glad to have these out of the way!!


I think I am going to start stamping some things that don't require me to run around for a bit (famous last words!). We DO have a new release coming out this week for Innovative Stamp Creations AND there is the next Control Freaks Blog Tour coming on the 20th. I hate to admit that I have spent the better part of the last two days decompressing and watching episodes of Grey's Anatomy online (how embarrassing!!). My brain has officially turned to mush!!

Stamps: None!
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White
Ink: HP Printer
Accessories: Bigz XL Matchbox die, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirl embossing folder, Martha Stewart Snowflake punch, rhinestones, 1/4" circle punch, wide oval punch, 5/8" Whisper White satin ribbon

Happy New Year!

Wowza!! I can't believe it has been OVER a week since I have posted anything here!! Too much to do and not enough time to do it all, I guess. I think today I am going to read a book and take a nap!!

I actually thought about stamping something "just for fun" today, too!! Here is what I came up with. I hosted the LSC on SCS this morning as a last-minute fill-in kinda person (LSC253). I chose to do a "Happy New Year" card in every way ... the challenge was three-fold" (1) "Happy" - stamp the card in 15 minutes or less (which, of course, is happy 'cause it means you will have time leftover to stamp ANOTHER card); (2) "New" - use something you got during the holidays that is fun and "new" to play with (in my case I used the Cuttlebug snowflake border embossing folder I got in a bundle pack); and (3) "Year" - the card needed to be something commemorating an annual-type event - like a birthday, anniversary, or even New Year's> And that is pretty much it!!

I have a mountain of laundry, mountains of messes to clean in my craft room and a MOUNTAIN of books to read ... which is just what I think I will do!!



Stamps: Holidays & Wishes
Paper: Brushed Gold, Whisper White
Ink: Gold Encore
Accessories: Cuttlebug Snowflakes embossing folder, Martha Stewart snowflake punch, half pearls (SU), gold organza ribbon (Papertrey)




And ... by the way ... my daughter LOVED her Raggedy Ann's makeover!!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

With only 4 days left 'til Christmas (YIKES!), I am sure that I am like many of you ... rushing, rushing, rushing to try and get everything done!! (Not sure if it's gonna happen, but I AM making progress!!).

Yesterday was NUTSO!! Our family (immediate and extended) was heavily involved in doing music for not ONE but TWO different church meetings (both turned out great!). I made cookie dough for 60 dozen cookies; I packaged gifts for 24 girls and leaders that I teach and work with at church; had a meeting AFTER all the church meetings we went to; made dinner on the fly as we had company over (one of the girls I teach at church is doing a training program with Ballet West and lives alone - she is a senior in high school - we had her over for dinner and ended up using her as slave labor so we could BAKE the cookies I had made the dough for in the morning - don't worry, though, her family was due to come in from Texas late last night); as I mentioned, we BAKED 60 dozen cookies; I made tags for said cookies using my Cricut (at least THAT turned out relatively easy!); I packaged up, be-ribboned and tagged 59 bags of cookies (the last dozen cookies were eaten by my family ... along with the "mutant" cookies that were broken). Oh! And I forgot to mention that I finished making a dress for Raggedy Ann. That is a VERY crazy story ... I will tell you about it next time. I collapsed into bed around midnight, and here I am ... UP ... again ... getting ready to start another crazy day!! WHEW!!!

So ... that brings me to this card ... I used this as a sample for the Limited Supply Challenge I hostessed on SCS last Friday (LSC251). I called the challenge "Silver and Gold Decorations ..." The idea was to create a card or some other sort of lovely project that featured some sort of decoration in - you got it - either silver or gold (or both!). I love making little 3" x 3" cards ... they are so cute!

So there ya have it! Guess I gotta get back to the grindstone! I will be VERY glad when Friday is here and I can finally get some sleep!!

Happy Holidays!!

Stamps: Delightful Decorations
Paper: Brushed Silver, Whisper White, Handsome Hunter
Ink: Silver Encore
Accessories: Ornament Punch, Movers & Shapers Ornament Die, Martha Stewart Branch Punch, Doodlebug Jewel Stickers, Cuttlebug Christmas Ornaments embossing folder, silver embossing powder, silver cord, pop-up glue dots, white organza ribbon

More of the Same Colors!...

I liked the colors I used on my last post so well that I decided to make ANOTHER Christmas card with them (and, as I mentioned before, they WERE for a color challenge - CC248). There are also some layout similarities, but I also am loving the new SU scallop trim corner punch and couldn't resist using IT again, either!!

I just got these Quickutz embossing folders a couple of days ago, so I was really excited to put them to use. And, once again, I used the pinecone from Autumn Days with the Martha Stewart branch punch ... just LOVE how they look together!!

Today I decided that it would be a good idea for me to make a list of all the things I would LIKE to get done before Christmas (maybe that way I can actually REMEMBER what they all are, instead of letting them swim around inside of my brain where they seem to be colliding with one another all the time!)!!

Hope you have a great day and get LOTS of things accomplished on your own "to-do" lists!!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Small Script
Paper: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry, Barely Banana
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Rich Razzleberry
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Martha Stewart Branch Punch, Large and Small Oval Punches, Quickutz Retro Diamonds and Christmas Embossing Folders, Doodlebug Sticker Jewels (Cotton Candy), Pop-Up Glue Dots

Piney Greetings

Well, I finally feel like I'm starting to get a bit of a grip on the Christmas season! The tree, lights and decorations are FINALLY up (the boxes were all over the place as I had started to put it up the day after Thanksgiving - which was the day Mom went into the hospital)!

A little update ... Mom came home last Wednesday, but she is gonna be wiped out for about a month (hopefully it won't be longer than that). I also ended up in the ER with my brother last Tuesday night (he had blood pressure through the roof!)!! Also, my husband had a small car accident on Thursday night and had some sinus surgery on Friday!!! I think I have had more than my share of hospitals and doctors this year!! I am SURE next year will be better!! (At least I plan on willing it to be that way!) Thanks so much for all the lovely comments, e-mails and well wishes! I really appreciate you!!

Sooooo, this is the first card I have been able to do "just for fun" in AGES!! I needed to do something to unwind and get myself in a Christmas-y mood! I also have about a bazillion Christmas cards to make (I am part-way done working on them, but I don't expect to be done 'til at least next weekend ... or later ... I really am not stressing about it this year!).

I got inspired to do this card from my good friend, Kathy Ostvig. You can see her beautiful works of art here. It also just, oddly enough, happens to fit in with this week's color challenge over on SCS (CC248). I hadn't even SEEN it ... in fact I added this comment the day AFTER I originally posted this card here ... WEIRD!!

I am TOTALLY LOVING the new Scallop Trim Corner punch from Stampin' Up (this is a bit of a sneaky peek ... these will be available in the Occasions Mini on January 5th!!). It also incorporates the Scallop Trim Border punch, which will be available for FREE if ya earn it during Sale-a-Bration!! I got my new stuff last Friday, but haven't had much time to play with anything ... yet!! I'm hoping to change that this week!!

Stamps: Autumn Days, Sincere Salutations, Yuletide Christmas
Paper: Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry, Barely Banana, Whisper White
Ink: Always Artichoke, Rich Razzleberry, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner Punch, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Petals a Plenty impressions folder, Whisper White satin/organza ribbon, Martha Stewart branch punch, pop-up glue dots

Ta-ta for now!!