Sidetracked

Last post for a while....

2011-09-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

Well, school has begun! Actually, it began for me August 8th, when they let us into our new building to begin unpacking. That's the last time I actually had not a school thought in my head. Oh well, I guess I can't just make pretty things ALL the time. Plus, I've got to pay the bills somehow. Anyway, this is the most recent thing I have created, and I must say, it was not very creative; that's just paper, there's hardly anything embellishing or creative on it. It will probably be a very long time before you see anything from me again. :( This is the big fat binder that I'll be using to keep all the important information on my students. I'm figuring the bright, pretty colors will remind me of how beautiful spring and summer are.

Well, I've got a TON of work to do, so good-bye for now.

steno pads and book marks

2011-08-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

This first picture is 50 bookmarks to go with the binders, for the staff. I think something needs to be on the top, but 50 of them is quite time consuming.

These two steno pads are for the principal and assistant principal.

This is one of my favorite papers from the Beyond the Garden paper pack.

It was tough to find a match for this paper, but I found some really, really old paper that was in my stash.

I like these colors. Ruby red was one of my favorites...

Two more beautiful papers. One is from the Pocket Full of Posies paper pack. I love the designs and am having a hard time parting with it (something I've GOT to get over!).

Well, that's what I've been up to for the past week (and school stuff of course....)

Hopefully I'll get at least one more post in before school starts.

Pencil and Pen Holders

2011-08-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

I've been busy the last couple days making these pencil and pen holders for the teachers with whom I'll be co-teaching. The desks we have at the new building don't have drawers to hold pencils and pens and such. So, I thought I'd turn some old coffee cans into pencil and pen holders. Obviously these first two are for the males.

This one I started a while ago, but never got around to finishing.

This one is made from the same paper as the next one, But I sponged craft ink all over it to make it "dirtier."

This is a cigar box that I covered to match the pencil pen holder (for my desk). I hate that there are no drawers on the desks! Hopefull this box will hold the "other stuff" I usually put in the drawer of my desk.

Here's the inside view of the box. (This really was an old, nasty cigar box!)

That's all for today :)

My Banner

2011-08-17T13:43:00.000-07:00

This is the banner that I made for my classroom window. It's a little more frilly than the plain one I made for the office. Sorry about the bad picture, there are no lights on in the hall, and they haven't installed my blinds yet. I've been spending so much time at school, I've barely done any fun things with paper (except the banners). I think I'm pretty close to done setting up, so I can get back to relaxation mode before it's gone....

It has started....

2011-08-13T06:14:00.000-07:00

Well, since they let us into the school to begin setting up the classrooms, I've already been slacking in the craftroom. Not to worry, though. I have lots on new stuff to play with and it calls me every time I come home. I have almost all my stuff moved back to school, and nearly everything put away, so I think next week I can focus on decorating. So, the banner I have been working on for my window is nearly finished, and next I'll start working on my bulletin boards. But for now, I have a wedding shower card to share. I liked the layout of the other card I made with the lace ribbon border, so I went with a variation of that, but not quite as simple. You can't see it in the picture, but the yellow layer is stamped all over with the dotted heart from the I {heart} hearts stamp set, in white craft ink. You can hardly see it in real life either because of the embossed dots on that layer. However, it looks great and I'm pleased with how it turned out

That's all for today.

2011-08-08T06:19:00.000-07:00

This is what else I've been up to for many days. I made these pages to go in the front of a binder for the staff at my school.

Yep, 50 of them.....

I also made this banner. Not sure if I'm done though. It's kind of plain, but maybe that's good for school?? I'm thinking of maybe putting the patriot mascot somewhere?

That's all for today. We get to get into the building today, so it's off to Parker Middle School for me.... yep, PMS!

Still Using Leftover Parts

2011-08-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

I'm still plugging away at my pile of unfinished projects and "parts." I had many daisies leftover from 3 years ago when I made shower gifts for my sister-in-law's baby shower. Well, last month was Lexi's 2nd birthday! I just couldn't pitch the daisies, so I made these cards:

I couldn't decide which ribbon I liked better, the retired SU! purely pomegranate or the satin mauve I had in my stash. So, I made one of each :)

Also, used up some of the retired DSP from the hostess 6x6 packs. I really am going to miss those in the hostess section.

I have another big project to post later when it's done.

Lace Ribbon Border Punch

2011-08-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

I ordered this punch on my last order, and haven't used it until now. You see, I had a deal with myself; I wouldn't put in another order until I used all my new stuff at least once. It was time for me to put in an order, so I had to follow through on my deal with myself. I was not used to using this punch, so I had a hard time at first; it's meant to be used on the table and I usually use my punches upside-down in my hand. I love that it is such a simple thing and yet makes the card look so classy. This card literally took me 10 minutes to make! It would be even quicker (and still looks good) without the dotted layer.

Using up more leftovers

2011-08-01T06:08:00.001-07:00

This first one was the original card and the rest are the remakes.

I thought I used old olive ink on this, but obviously it was wild wasabi since the old olive doesn't look so good.

I think the one above was too busy, I like this one a little more.

I think I like the cherry cobbler ink that I used in the two cards above, more than I like the ridinghood red used below.

This was a free set from SAB, I think it's the 2nd time I've used it. YIKES! It even has coordinating paper. What am I waiting for?? Oh, I know..... the NEW stuff!! LOL!!

I still have many more unfinished projects I'm trying to clear out, but that's all for today.

Eastern Blooms

2011-07-31T12:47:00.001-07:00

This one is a remake of the one below it.

I think I made this one two years ago for a class, and had some leftovers still sitting around.....

No more leftovers from that card :)

Thank you inexpensively

2011-07-30T07:30:00.000-07:00

These cards are FAST and economical. On a 4 x 5 1/4 layer of whisper white cardstock, I sponged a faux layer using a punch as a template, then stamped the image directly on it. I then adhered the layer to the card and viola, a quick, cute and inexpensive thank you appears before your very eyes. They cost 26.5 cents a piece and take about two minutes to make . If you eliminate the layer on top of the card you can lower your cost to 21.25 cents each (but I think it adds a nice touch). Very economical if you have 250 thank you cards to make!! You could even do this with Christmas cards to cut the cost; that way you can send more cards!

On to another project.....

Two things

2011-07-28T13:31:00.001-07:00

The first item is a sign that a friend asked me to make for her wedding. It will be in a 5x7 picture frame and will be set up on a table which I believe is a "candy bar." I made the butterflies from vellum and put them on a transparency that can be adhered to the outside of the picture frame. The background DSP is from MDS and is one of the first ones they came out with on MDS called My Sweet Pea, which is, coincidentally her e-mail user name. The letters are cut with my electronic cutting device. Now that it's done, I wish I would have moved the "by you" part a little to the left. Oh well hindsight is 20-20. Her colors are aqua and red, which I had a hard time visualizing looking good together, but I think they really do look great.

This is a card that I had misplaced and just found this morning as I was cleaning out my old baskets of unfinished projects (or should I say rearranging the unfinished projects). It was actually finished, but in the unfinished basket. I really like this set called Fabulous Florets. It will be easy to make my own DSP with this (of course after I use up all my Beyond the Garden DSP). I used my re-inkers to dye the paper flowers to match.

That's all for today.

Bummed about my summer beauty

2011-07-26T10:23:00.001-07:00

These things are huge!

I've waited all summer for these flowers to bloom. This year they had more buds on them than they ever had; which was obviously too much for this one!

Here's a close-up. I had been watching them and every day they looked closer to "bloom day." Finally, on Saturday it looked like one more day and I'd have flowers. Then Sunday they arrived! Sunday night however, the weight was too much and it bent over!

The only thing left to do was cut it off and put it in a vase. The vase must stay outside, though. They are quite aromatic. So much in fact, that the entire lower floor of the house smelled like them. So.... outside is where they must stay.

I can't believe how tall they are! This is the other one. It is nearly 5 feet tall!! I weaved a twig in between the lattice on the deck, to give this one support; just in case.....

My Peeps

2011-07-25T08:27:00.000-07:00

I've been working on this cute little 6x6 album for my neice. I forgot to take a picture of the cover. It has die cut letters that say, "MY PEEPS" and an elastic closure that has one of those cutle little scallop circle flowes that looks like a carnation. I was finally able to get it done and delivered it to her yesterday. Here she is on the first page, and a peek at the other pages inside. The last page is blank because I did not have a picture of the other family members. Also, I left the scalled punch outs blank so my sister-in-law can write the names of the people on them in the language that my neice uses for them.

It's pretty plain and simple, but I'm glad it's done and delivered :)

Teacher Card

2011-07-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

This was inspired by Kelly Lunceford. Even though mine is "plain" compared to hers, I like it just the same. Not sure where she got her stamp from, or if it is one, but I just printed the focal point from the computer. As you can see I've been enjoying my Webster's DSP.

MINE:

KELLY'S:

Another quickie

2011-07-22T10:45:00.000-07:00

I saved a picture of a very similar card a long time ago and have no idea who to give credit to. Sorry who ever you are, and thanks! I thought I'd use some of my latest Webster's DSP (an old dictionary) and a very old stamp, I think it was a hostess set called Garden Collage. I loved it then, and still do. I just don't use it enough! The thing that took me the longest on this card was finding the stamp!

Christmas is coming....

2011-07-21T09:30:00.001-07:00

.... faster than we realize. It's only 5 months and 4 days away, so I'd better get busy on the cards! Here's my start:

This one is not an SU! stamp, but I love it. I bought it when I missed out on the City of David stamp set. It was REALLY quick.

I love dasher, but didn't purchase him last year. I'm sure many of my Christmas cards this year will feature him. I also used the doily set for the background on the green, but since it's so dark it's tough to notice. I embossed him with craft ink, then used a clear embossing powder with glitter in it. I like how it turned out, but wish I would have added a sheer ribbon down the strip of red.

Thanks for looking :)

A real oldie

2011-07-17T12:52:00.000-07:00

The flower on this one was stamped with one of my first Stampin Up! stamp sets; Delight in Life. It was free, well not really...... here I am thousands of dollars later; sucked in by the "free" sale-a-bration stamp set! Am I sorry I did it? NO WAY! And I'm looking forward to more "free" sets in the future :)

Boy was that tough....

2011-07-16T14:15:00.000-07:00

This was CASEd from Marisa of Rosemary Reflections, who may also be known as whiterockmama on SCS. It took me FOREVER to get the scalloped trim border done. this was the first time I had used the scalloped trim corner punch in tandem with the border. What a task that was!! Now I think I have it figured out, so next time it shouldn't take me an hour to do the mat. I changed things up from marisa's card a tiny bit. I like the brighter pink that she used (in addition to her brighter and much more clear photo). Also, I'm so NOT good at bows, so mine got a knot.

This is Marisa's card. I was having a tough time with the scalloped edge, so decided to use the scalloped trim. I don't know which one is more difficult. This will be a tough one to do with my pals on Monday.

Thanks Marisa!

Celebrate you....

2011-07-15T15:54:00.000-07:00

....from Party Hearty will sure be missed around here.

2011-07-13T14:03:00.000-07:00

Another card kit. Simple and the images are already colored to ccordinate with the DSP. These are not glued down; I guess that's what makes it the "kit" part. I've included a myriad of sentiments for each one so when there is an occasion all that needs to be done is choose the appropriate saying. And, again- the DSP is two sided so there are many options.

I'm working on a lengthy project I'll share when I finish. Ta-ta for now.

Shower card

2011-07-10T06:14:00.000-07:00

Thank you Patty Bennett! I found this lovely gift card holder shower card on her website and CASE'd everything but the colors (which are close) and the sentiment. She does beautiful work; almost as nice as Lynn Weiss.

I had to put the sentiment on the top half of the inside, but it still works :)

I also did something I've not seen anyone else do; emboss the envelope. It turned out great!

It was a little tricky opening the envelope at first, but once it was open there were no problems.

Yay me and a card

2011-07-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

Don't know if you can tell or not, but the frosting is popped up with dimensionals.

Now for the yay me part. I got a couple new cabinets for my craft room. Before I had book shelves and everything was exposed. It looked messy. I thought I had a picture from before, but I can't seem to locate it. Now that I have the cabinets (almost) everything is out of sight and organized. My desk area looks the same. The drawers on the right pull out to a three and a half foot long work station. I just wish the desk was white instead of the whitewashed wood so that it would match. The safe is for my most prized stamps. Just kidding, my husband had to have a spot for his gun safe.

This corner is where I keep everything I use regularly. The drawers on the left are my punches, the square cabinets are the dies for the big shot, cartridges for the cricut and embossing folders. And, of course the inks are right there as well.

The two large cabinets in the middle are the new ones. It looks like it's only one cabinet, because I had my husband put the openings together, but it's really two separate cabinets. I keep my paper in one (yes, bad me... it's nearly full). In the other one, I keep the embellishments, ribbon, pictures to be scrapped, project boxes with layouts in progress and other crafting tools. The one on the end with the white handles, I've had for a while. That's where the beloved stamps are kept.

I'm so happy to have these cabinets. Having everything behind closed doors makes it feel so much neater and organized. It's kind of like having a new room! And, to top it off I have room for the scrapbooks on top of the cabinets now :)

Cupcake Birthday

2011-07-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

Not much for today.....

...but I'm working on more.

A few cards

2011-07-06T06:07:00.000-07:00

This first card is a thank-you for a friend that always throws an awesome 4th of July party; fireworks and all. It was CASE'd from SCS mamamostamps.

I made a few of these just because I love that flower and leaf stem from the Apple Blossoms hostess set.

So sad to see the Party Hearty set go. The celebrate you sentiment was perfect for graduations as well as birthdays. Darn, it was one of my favorites!

These are all going to be in a "card kit." With DSP being two sided, there are so many choices....

That's all for now. Maybe later I'll have another post of some more cards for a "kit."

The star of the show

2011-07-05T07:50:00.001-07:00

My adorable little neice. Two years old, I can't believe it!

Old and New

2011-06-30T10:30:00.001-07:00

First the new.... my neice's 2nd birthday is today! This is the birthday card and gift bag I made for her.

Now the old, as I was cleaning out my husband's side of the "paperwork cabinet," I found that he still had the anniversary card that I made for him. Quick, simple and to the point.

That's all for today ;)

Two Cards

2011-06-25T09:14:00.000-07:00

I have two cards to share today. This first one I made for a colleague who was transferred to another school. It was CASE'd from SCS sharonstamps. I love the new Fabulous Florets stamp set and the Beyond the Garden DSP. I just have to "let myself" use it.

This one is a graduation card for a friend's step-son. It is the same card that I made a couple years ago as a birthday card. I used the Great Grads MDS digital stamps for the images instead of the birthday one. It was super quick because I had the stuff already cut out as a card kit. I love it when I can make a card in under ten minutes :)

short & sweet- got to go....

One more thing from before....

2011-06-22T05:58:00.001-07:00

Well, it appears that I am getting really bad at remembering to take pictures of my creations. Last April my mom and I got together and made a couple cards using the bargello technique. I took a picture of the cards she made, but never took one of my own!

This was Father's Day. I got a picture of mom and Harv, but not the card I made. Maybe I should keep my camera on my desk.

I really did do a lot more over the past year. My goal: TAKE MORE PICTURES!

More stuff from the year

2011-06-15T05:25:00.000-07:00

I loved this card layout; simple, quick and cute. I think it was CASE'd from the mini catalog? or maybe it was SCS?

These are some Christmas tags and a thank-you. I made a bunch of these-fun! Love that owl!!

This was a birthday card for a colleague with a New Year birthday. I wanted to make it "New Year's-ish." The color inspiration came from an article in a magazine, and I had already used a sililar layout for a masculine card. I wish I would have known about the inlaid technique back then; it would have been perfect for that.

I'm back...... and what I've been up to

2011-06-13T04:37:00.000-07:00

Ahhhh, summer...... finally! It looks like the weather is now going to begin cooperating with the season just in time for the start of summer vacation. However there are times when inclement weather isn't bad. Not that I like rainy, gray days, but I was grateful for them the last couple weeks of school. You see, when the weather is dreary, the kids are down. I guess when the weather's bad, it's like summer isn't really here. However, when the weather is good, it hell trying to get the kids to do anything.

Anyway back to the fun stuff! I have my new catalog, and a cute set of stamps called Delicate Doilies that I'll be using the next couple of days. I'll show those samples later on. Today, I have some cards that I made through the year, but never had time to post.
The first thing I have to share are the altered steno pads that I made for some of the staff at my school.

This is just a little note card set that I made using the 2010-2011 level 2 hostess set, Apple Blossoms. At first I didn't think I needed this set but, hellloooo, what was I thinking? There's an apple in it. What teacher doesn't NEED a stamp set that has an apple in it? Not to mention the cutest flower and leaf stem.

Some fall themed cards.....

I love that little owl!

That's all for now :)

Holiday Lineup

2010-08-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

This set is so darn cute! I know everytime I post a Christmas card I say that this is going to be the main Christmas card I send this year and I keep changing my mind, but this might really be it. I love the line of snowmen. Actually, I just love Christmas snowmen, but this one is exceptionally cute. I CASE'd the catalog on this one.

I've been working on some things for school, and a scrapbook page, oh, and a gift for my neice that I'll share later this week. For now, enjoy the heat; it'll be gone before you know it!!

A Pile of Cards

2010-08-22T09:32:00.000-07:00

Well, I got some new stuff and have spent a little bit of time playing with it. The first set I played with is Apple Blossom. When I saw it in the catalog I didn't think I wanted it, but, after seeing all the super cute cards other stampers made, my mind changed (as it often does). Sometimes it's hard for me to see the potential of a stamp until I see it in action. This is one of those times. I didn't do much with it so far, but at least I got a start.

The next 2 cards were in my to be finished pile. Since I really want to pare down that pile I got those out of the way. They're a little plain, but at least they are out of the pile!

This one is also fall themed for my husband's aunt, the alpaca farmer. I made her a few of them.

The next new set I got is Just Believe. I only made one card using this set. I vowed to use up some of my old DSP, so I thought this would work. My inspiration for this card came from SCS stamper girlydecou. I really like these colors together.

I HAD to get that cute little owl punch. I made a bunch of the little cuties, but only made one card with them. I also made a paper clip, but gave it away before I snapped the picture. Aren't those little things just adorable?

Kimberly Lampone of Stamp, Scrap and Get Kreative, made a masculine card very similar (almost identical) to this, and I thought it was so plain and simple I had to make one too.

I also bought the Blossom party die. Loved this card made by SCS stamper eschader, so I had to CASE it almost exactly.

Finally I made some Christmas cards too. This first one is almost exactly the same as some that I made last year, but I used a star from a set of clear stamps I have. Sorry about the lighting on this one. I'm not sure what happened?

I have wanted the Holiday Lineup set for a while now, and finally broke down and got it. Every year I tell myself that I don't need any more Christmas stamps! It seems like my ears can't hear that voice in my head and when it comes time to put the order in, I have to do it. I love these little guys! All of them are so cute!

I've had these sets for a while, but need to use up some of that paper! I'm not really one to use more that one patterned paper on a card, but I saw a few cards on SCS that did dots and stripes. I thought it looked pretty good, so I gave it a shot. IMy inspiration for the layout came from Ann Schach. I had to try out my new dotted scallop ribbon border punch. I think they came out pretty good. This is another one that is cheap to make- no embellishments other than paper!

Well, that's it for now. One more week of realxation before it's time to start getting my mind back into the school mode.

Until next time...... make every day the best day of your life!

More Christmas

2010-08-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

Not much to say, just 3 more Christmas cards for this year's mailing. I'm thinking that this first one may end up going out to the most people. It was definitely quick and easy.

This one was totally CASE'd from someone. Unfortunately the picture I saved did not have an author attached. So, whoever you are I loved this entire design!

That's all for now. I've been starting to play with my new stuff, so I'll have some of that to share soon.

A page and a card

2010-08-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

I only have 2 things to share for this week. First, a scrapbook page that I have put off doing for 8 months. The death of my mother-in-law was a tough time for all of us. I think I found the right paper (the pussy willow paper from summertime splendor in Stampin' Up's My Digital Studio) for her memorial page. I know the picture is kind of tiny, but click on it enlarge if you want.

The second thing is a Christmas card CASE'd from the catalog. Mine's a little different, but I like it just the same. I have to start Christmas cards in the summer because I send out about 80 of them and making that many during the school year AND having time to make other fun things just doesn't happen.

The weather here in Michigan is absolutely perfect this weekend! Enjoy!

A Birthday Page and more

2010-07-31T08:47:00.000-07:00

My husband loves taking pictures of sunsets. This is his latest:

I finally got the pictures of my neice's birthday scrapped. Now that I'm done, I still think it needs something on the top with the banner. After I took the picture and put in in my photo album, I realized I didn't put a string to hold up the pennants. I guess they are just floating! LOL. I also think I'm going to punch out some of the embosslit butterflies and put them up there as well. I've decided the next two punches SU! should come out with are a pennant (boy were these time consuming to make!) and a balloon. Balloons would look cute on top with the pennant, but I'm not cutting them out, so butterflies will have to do.

Another hydrangea card. Still loving the pumpkin pie, daffoldil and old olive color combo.....

As I was cleaning out my unfinished project box, I found some scraps from a notecard set I made last year. So, I figured I'd better get them taken care of too.

Lastly, some plain and simple cards using up some card kits I had from last year. This first one is almost identical to one I made last July (that's when I made the card kits), but the rest are fresh from this year.

Well, I still have a ton of unfinished projects to clear out of the box. So the next post will probably be those.

See you next time!

A couple of CASE's

2010-07-24T18:35:00.000-07:00

I've been able to squeeze in a little stampin time this week, and this is what I came up with:
Thought I'd use up some of those hostess pattern packs I have stockpiled! (gotta slim down if Im going to fit anything new in this tiny room). Funny, when I got God's Beauty, I didn't really care for it that much, but now I really like it. Too bad it's retired!

Used the new Watercolor Trio on these:

This is a CASE of the invitation the artisan award winners at Stampin Up! got. I CASE'd it from Renee from Stamp Staduim's blog. Obviously mine is much different!

This layout was inspired by atsamom from SCS. She used the ballon image from Crazy for Cupcakes. I thought this would be a cute set of notecards to give.

Well, that's it for this week. See ya next week :)

The last 2 weeks

2010-07-20T11:15:00.000-07:00

Well, so much for a post a week. I've missed 2 weeks already. The good thing is that we went on a vacation! Our destination was a cottage on Burt Lake. We had a great time. Here was the view from our living room:

My sweet little neice had her first birthday on June 30th. I posted the card I made her, but thought I'd post a picture as well. Isn't she adorable!?!

We have a couple of these lilies in our yard. They are so huge. Every year I can't believe how big the booms are. they are literally bigger than my outstretched hand! As I looked around them, I saw this cute little baby tree frog. I've seen more baby treee frogs this year than ever before.

Check out the size of this tiny little thing! I'm assuming that must be his poop in front of him (sorry I didn't edit that out), it seems huge in comparison to him (or her). He's been there for 3 days now- in the same exact spot.

The next 5 cards were inspired by SCS'r "froglegs." I know I also saw this same color combination with the same stamp set in one of the blogs that are in my favorites, but can't seem to remember which. Since I don't have the Apple Blossoms hostess set, I chose to use the retired set, Wonderful You. I really like these colors together. It gives me a very calm relaxed feeling. (had to take advantage of those baja blue corduroy buttons in the clearance rack for only $3.99. How did that happen that they have something in the clearance rack that still matches the current colors? I'm happy!

I'm bummed the whimsical words set didn't make it to the new catty. I thought that set was perfect for all occasion cards!

Typed the sentiment for this one on the computer since I don't have Apple blossoms. I really like the sentiment (and the set). Who knows, i may end up with it after all......

My husband's aunt has an alpaca farm, so I figured I'd make one featuring this stamp. She is planning a farm event in the fall, so you will probably see more cards featuring this stamp.

With 2 more graduation parties coming up next weekend, I figured I'd better get a couple of those ready as well, so here they are:

I love the level 1 hostess set, Because I Care. I can see that this is a set I'll be going back to again and again. (sentiment by Cricut)

love the color combo on this one- saw it somewhere....

Here is one of the lay-outs I was working on before my vacation. (Thanks for the title idea, Lynn) We had a Killdeer that had a nest of eggs in the driveway and a robin in the bush. It was fun to watch the eggs hatch into babies and see them become independent. Sorry about the bad photo, scrapbook layouts are not my friend in photography....

lastly a card for a friend who threw a 4th of July party. Unfortunately my husband and I were not feeling too great, so we were not able to make it. I ended up changing the sentiment to so sorry (we couldn't make it), rather than a note of thanks....

Well, that covers the last 2 weeks, I should have another post at the end of the week :)

Seeya!

The Nine Weeks of Summer Have Begun

2010-06-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

My summer vacation is finally here! Nine weeks of no alarm clock, no bells, no bickering kids, no parent phone calls, not a single paper to grade, and sandals instead of "sensible" shoes! The classroom is all packed up, the books are all put away and the scrappin stuff is out. My goal for the next nine weeks is to enjoy every bit of summer, post at least once a week and to catch up on the scrappin'! Here's my post for June (boy was it a busy month):

A set of all occasion cards using the watercolor trio set. The Design and colors were CASEd from Karen Graff (but of course a little has changed on each of them) I've been loving these three colors together: old olive, daffoldil delight and pumpkin pie....

a couple of bookmarks to go with the cards...

A couple more cards using the same colors and vintage vogue stamp set (don't know where I saw this one, but I remember the strip was the DSP Greenhouse Gala and the image was friends are flowers that never fade, in my inspiration card):

A Father's Day card for my dear step-dad (don't know where I saw this lay-out).

A birthday card for a very good friend (totally CASED except for the DSP, from Nancy Riley)

This was a birthday card for my SIL. It is totally CASED from SCS scrappystamper 62. However, scrappy stamper did a whole lotof distressing. I think I might need to get the Zutter Distrezz tool, so I can do all that distressing!

Lastly, is a birthday card for my sweet little niece's birthday. She is the most adorable little girl i have ever laid eyes on. Her card is a variation of a step card. I made it into a card holder. the step portion of the card actually holds the birthday card. It looks a little crooked, but that's because it's sitting on a bit of a tilt.

This is the side view, you can see how the card sits in the step.

Here is the card holder without the card.

And finally, the card itself. I know it looks a little bare on the bottom, but it there is anything in that portion, it's covered up by the gifts on the card holder. I've debated on what to do there. I thought of adding some gifts, then they would blend in with the others, but that didn't look too good. So, I think I'm sticking with the plain and simple look.

Anyway, that's my stuff for June!

I was able to go over to my friend, Lynn's, house yesterday to do some scrapping, so I got a start on a couple pages for my scrapbook. Hopefully I'll be able to share those this weekend.

A birthday and some graduation cards

2010-05-24T15:15:00.001-07:00

Maybe it's a record...... three posts in one month while school is still in session??? What's up with that!?! It must be stres.........s........s....sssss...ss.s.s.s...... taking its toll on me. I just can't look at another paper, essay, test, IEP, MET, grade, worksheet B, etc., aaaahhhhhh!!!!! you get the picture! Speaking of pictures..... (sigh of relief)....

First, my BIL's birthday card..... I wish I would have made a couple of these! I must say I love this card, but it's a total CASE of someone, as are the rest as well, just wish I remembered who. Problem is, I save a pic and typically don't save the credits, then when it's time to make the card, I don't know who to give the credit to; BAD ME! I need to get better at that!! The stamp, Big Pieces, is retired, but I love it for masculine cards and layouts! I hope the new catalog brings us some more versatile sets like this (and Circle Circus).

Now, a few graduation cards I made. One picture didn't quite turn out like I wanted; I clicked the save before I was really ready to save, so that one is not included....

Saw this saying somewhere and loved it!

I used the digital stamp for these- much cheaper and you can size it, plus you get a 2fer! Go Graduate and Happy Grad together for only $5.95- can't beat that! The only problem is that if you want to watercolor, you have the issue of the running black ink..... unless you use copics to color :)

After all that work, I took 'em to school to make a little money, every little bit helps!

Until next time....

enjoy it all!

Coaster for the Super

2010-05-17T14:36:00.000-07:00

I know, it's hard to believe, but I'm postin a second time this month. Our district finally got a new superintendent! It's been about a year that we've been without one. At our building, we wanted to give him some sort of welcome gift so that he would remember us, and I was asked to make him a coaster; so this is it. Honestly, these things are soooo quick and easy to make! I don't have many masculine staps, but thought this one would be just right. It's a little smaller on the actual tile than I'd like it to be, but when the pickins' are slim, you have to use what you have. I think it took me a total of 10 minutes to make this, cork and all. To get the leaves green I used a green sharpie, then went over it lightly with the brown staz on pad when I stamped it. I made him a box and stamped some tissue paper to put in the box as well, and that took WAY longer to make than the coaster. I hope it serves its purpose!

A Whole Lotta Stuff

2010-05-09T11:49:00.000-07:00

Well, I have a lot of stuff to share that I have not posted. Most of it I'm sure I CASE'd from someone, but I don't remember who, so whoever you are, thanks! This first one is a design I saw at the Megameet. The original card is much different than this one....

This one has a pop-up inside made with acetate.

These were some Easter treats; I just love that mini milk carton!

A tri-fold....

Thank-you's for Jeanne's funeral visitors and donations. This was certainly not my typical, but it was nice and easy enough to make a lot of.

Simple and uses my favorite set, Pocket Silhouettes.

I left room at the bottom for a sentiment when I need it, rather than putting it on now.

Again, I'll put the sentiment on later.

This was super simple and fast; maybe 3 minutes total!

As was this as well....

Well, that's it. I wish i would have remembered to take pictures of everything I've done, so I had more to share. See ya next time!

It's about time!

2009-12-13T07:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally got some stamping time in! I had done nothing since the end of August, until I finally found some time after Thanksgiving to get busy with Christmas cards. Here they are:

This one is a design I used last year. I really like the simplicity of it.

I tried this one with a stamped background and an embossed one. I like the embossed one best.

There is a transparency in the little window of this one. You just can't see it in the photo.

A very simple card!

This one was made/designed at the last minute. It turned out to be one of my favorites.

You just cant go wrong with the simple elegance of the medallion....

It's hard to see, but I used the stardust gel pen on the snowflakes.

Another super simple one. I used the paisley background, but it's tough to see.

Another super simple one.

Can't get much simpler than just using die cuts!

This is the inside of the photo card shown below.

Here's the front. Another one of my favorites.

And now for my favorite..... the tri shutter card. Not bad for my first attempt! It's hard to tell, but the snowmen are glittered, and the corners that all look like they have brads, are actually rhinestones.

Now, I just have to get them addressed and mailed! Hopefully I'll be able to get some more stamping time in soon. All work and no stamping make Rachel a dull girl..... darn job! It always gets in the way of the fun stuff.

Oldies

2009-08-30T04:58:00.000-07:00

I've gone through the old cards I've made that are still sitting in my "stash" and picked out some to go in the "for sale" basket. The first three are such a simple design, and so easy to make.

This next one I made a bundle of for some gifts, and I didn't end up using them all. So, they went into the stash too.

I remember when I made this one, I was making a bunch of birthday cards, again for a gift, and I saw the exact card on SCS. I remember thinking, "I have that paper, that cardstock and that stamp set, I can duplicate it exactly." So, I did. It was about this time last summer, and I was loving those colors. Thank to whoever made the original!

I think I did the same thing on this one with the exception of the sentiment. I love the blue and black together. You can't see it very well, but I also stamped with versamark on the panel in the middle.

As for the baptism cards, I'm going with the one with the little angel charm on it, my aunt Alida took the one with the embossed dots, and my aunt Gerry is going to take one of the other three. I'm not sure which she'll choose, but my guess is the one with the cross on it. We'll see....

Baptism cards

2009-08-29T08:01:00.001-07:00

In addition to uor beautiful neice, Alexi, who was born this summer, we also get to enjoy a second cousin as well! My husband's cousin, Angie, and her husband Dennis, had a little girl just about a month and a half before my neice was born. Corinne will be baptized tomorrow, so of course I had to make some baptism cards. This is something I had none of in my "stash" of cards. I figured I might as well make a few, that way I could add them to my collection that will be for sale. I'm not sure which one I'll be giving yet. I love the image on this firt card. It's from SU!'s Holy Triptych set. It's in the Christmas section, but I thought it was a good one to use for a baptism as well. I also thought that the SU! Baroque Motifs image was perfect for this as well, so I used it on all 5 of the cards. The sentiment is from Verve.

I liked this sentiment the best, but they were all pretty fitting. All 5 cards are 6 1/2 X 5 so that made it tough to use the embossing folders, but I found a way; just don't look under the ribbon ;)

This sentiment is from the So Very set, that was an SU! SAB set a few years ago. I thought it worked perfectly on this card. I clear embossed the Baroque Motifs image, then added the flowers and rhinestones. I wish I would have used smaller rhinestones (which I found in my rhinestone drawer after I was finished). Oh well, I think it still looks good.

This image and sentiment are also from Verve. This scripture is also one of my favorites.

This is the one I'm leaning toward not just because I think that little angle is so cute, but I like the pink flowers on the clear embossed image. The sentiment again is from Verve.

I'm giving my aunt first choice of cards (since it's her granddaughter), so next post I;ll let you know which one I ended up giving.

Using some of the stash

2009-08-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

Well, I spent half the day in my classroom today (if that doesn't wreck a good day I don't know what does) and that didn't leave much time for stamping. I did however, manage to make a couple more cards when i got home. Iused up a little bit of the paper I have that matches the clear stamps from yesterday.

I love that flower pattern. I wish it came in some earth tones.

This was out of the same pack.

Well, that's all I have today. Tomorrow I plan to go through my card stash to add to my for sale collection. If I find anything worthy of posting, I'll share those.

And more cards....

2009-08-26T10:22:00.001-07:00

I've been feeling guilty about not using the new sets that I've recently purchsed (because I've been making my new list !), so I thought I'd better use at least one of them. I made a slew of cards using this layout.

This is another set of clear stamps that I bought 2 summers ago. This is the first time it got some ink! Yikes! I bought it because it matched some papers I bought, and I liked the sayings that were in it. So, far I haven't used any of the sayings and I've been hoarding the paper; a habit I'm really trying to break. I think tomorrow will bring a try at that.

This is a very simple layout that I CASE'd from someone on SCS (don't know who). After the first one I decided I liked it better with the dots.

Another leftover stamped image....

again....

Well, I've got to go. I'm going to visit a friend I haven't seen in about 15 years or more :)

Cards, cards, cards

2009-08-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

I've just been in a card making mood lately. I know I should be finishing up the scrapbook pages that I have started, but I really like the instant gratification of cardmaking. I made a few of each design, as I have been doing with many of the cards I've made lately, because my aunt (in-law) will be going to a farm event and is willing to sell my wares :) The more I have to sell, the better! She raises alpacas and has been making alpaca socks, which are super warm but also super expensive. Despite the cost, she's been selling lots of them. Hopefully she'll sell lots of my cards as well. This first card was totally CASE'd except for the cuttlebugged background. Of cousre I can't remember where I saw it, but I love it.

This is one of those stamped images I had sitting around, and hadn't done anything with. So since I had the fall colors out, I just went with it.

This layout was CASE'd (from SCS'r Mrs. Mac), but I changed the images to pocket silhouettes (I love that set) and changed the colors. I really like this layout.

I wish I would have used a different image on this one. It seems rather blah....

This one turned out to be one of my favorites. I like the colors, and the layout. CASE'd the layout, and changed very little other than the colors and the image.

The next six cards came from more leftover stamped images that had never been put to use. I tried to get out of the fall scene (making me depressed because of back-to-school)

Finally, this last one is a set that I have hardly used at all. They're clear stamps and I've found that I only like using them with craft ink rather than classic. The classic usually comes out blotchy looking.

I have a few more that I need to finish up, before I share them.

Until later....

I've lost my mojo....

2009-08-18T10:42:00.000-07:00

Well, it's taken me 4 days to get this layout to this stage. I'm just not happy with it, but I guess they don't ALL have to make me happy. Right now I'm just glad it's to a point where I can put it in the book. I couldn't find anything I had to match, I didn't have enough of the colors i needed to do what I wanted, the little animals were too tough to cut out, and lastly, the sizzlets alpha dies that I used were really tough to use with the paper I had (it was really thick) and I didn't get them on straight! I can't believe it took this long to do this. Oh well, enough complaining!! I have 3 more weeks before my job starts cutting into my fun time. So, I guess a bad layout is better than no layout :)

Beautiful Babies

2009-08-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

This summer brought the birth of two beautiful baby girls into our family; my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim and Cheri, welcomed Alexi Sheridan into their family, and my cousin-in-laws, Angie and Dennis, welcomed Corinne Rose into their family. Both little girls are absolutely adorable. So, last weekend my husband's aunt came over and I introduced her to the world of scrapbooking. What fun we had. These two pages are the result of a fun evening together. Hopefully, she will come over often and share scrapping time with me.

This week I plan to scrap the pictures of the showers. Hopefully I'll get them uploaded a little sooner that this was.

A couple more Christmas cards

2009-08-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

These are the last 2 cards we'll be doing on Wednesday. I couldn't decide if I liked the embossed background better or the stamped background. I think I may try embossing the stamped one. Also, I think it needs something on the stripe- maybe some dew drops across the red stripe? maybe something a little bigger?

I think I like the poisettias better than the snowflakes. Maybe with a silver embossed sentiment the second one would look better, but I still think I like the all red.

That's all for now. Maybe more tomorrow...

Mini book

2009-08-05T06:27:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking I'm safe posting this now since I'm going to see my SIL and little neice this afternoon. I was thinking that with a new baby it's got to be so hard to find any time to scrap anything, so I made this little album for her to show off a few pictures.

My mom gave me some chipboard, so I just had to tun it into a little album. This was only my second time using my bind it all. I bought it in August of 2007. Yikes! I really need to use the things I buy more often than I do.

Thanks for looking :)

Feeling a little rusty....

2009-08-03T16:04:00.000-07:00

Today, I felt the need to create something in a rust color. Since my aunt has an alpaca farm, and is often going to farm events, I thought I should try to continue creating cards that feature this cute alpaca stamp she has. I figure some of those farmers must need cards, so hopefully I can sell some at the next event she goes to. Anyway, here are my two for today.

I also found this 10 minute card layout on SCS (exactly CASE'D from Cathy Rose) and had to use it, since I was feeling so "rusty." I love the simple design, and it features one of my favorite stamps from the pocket silhouettes set. I love that set because it is so versatile, especially this one.

Until next time...

More Christmas Cards

2009-08-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is a CASE on one of my own cards from a couple osts ago. My mom gave me the idea and I love it. This is such an easy card that I think it will most likely be about half of the Christmas cards I send. (love those cuttlebug folders!)

This was CASED from SCS'r Barb Mann. Another simple one!

I don't remeber where I saw this layout (I'm sure it was SCS somewhere though). I like it, but the trees are way too tiny to color neatly. Don't think I'll be using this one.

This one was CASED from SCS'r Chanteuse. I liked it so much I made more with a different image (to sell at a farm event).

I still have my other project ready to post, but have to give it before I post it!

I REALLY need to get busy on the scrapping! My excuse has been that I haven't taken many pictures, but still, I should scrap what I have. Before you know it, school will be back in session and my new excuse will be that I don't have time. Hopefully next week I'll get on that. With my new little neice growing like a weed, I'd better get some pics before she's all grown up. So far all my pics have been scavenged from facebook (and the couple my SIL e-mailed)! She's just over a month now. I can't believe how fast time is going by.

Well, I'd better scoot. We're off to the LCWCC picnic (free food and beer; can't beat that).

What have I been doing?

2009-07-24T16:05:00.000-07:00

This is a card I made for a "true friend" who led me down the stamping path. It was actually a thank you card. You see many years ago, when she became a demonstrator, I booked the first demo with her. I was a brand new stamper and mistakenly didn't order the Lovely as a Tree set when it was HALF OFF! What was I thinking? So, later on I realized I missed out on that "tree"mendous deal (pun intended) and have never been able to justify buying it (since I could have gotten it for half off). I always figured that when it retired, I would spring for it, and I have been surprised that it has stayed off the retired list for so long. Anyway, it just so happened that she ended up with 2 of that set, and knowing that I've always wanted it but could never justify paying full price for it, she gave her spare to me. Now, THAT is what I call a true friend. She could have easily sold it on EBAY, but chose to enable my addiction (which I have of course already indulged in, and am eternally grateful ) rather than make a personal profit. So anyway, that's the story of this card....

So, Christmas is coming sooner than you (I) think!!! It always seems to creep up on me, so I try to be ready at least with cards. Every year, from at least July through October, I try to make 10 Christmas cards a month. Then in November, I finish the task. Usually during July, I have a some stampin' friends come over and make cards with me. This year, since I am now a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I am going to offer a Christmas card class to a few of my friends. So, I have been trying to come up with a some ideas for the class and this is what I came up with so far. The snowman is from a retired set (but of course you could use one that is current), and the rest of the stamps are from the Season of Joy set.

Yes, I actually like the Bermuda Bay. I saw this layout and color combination somewhere, and I really like it.

I lked it so much I used it again!

As always, this season is chock full of graduation parties. Normally, I make a different card for all the parties we go to, but this year, it seems that the parties we were able to attend, all graduated from Howell High School. So, I made the same card for all of them. This picture shows the minute changes in the card (only differing in the image in the lower right hand corner).

I have another project I've been working on that I can't share right now, so next time I'll be sure to post that as well.

Enjoy your weekend!

A few more

2009-07-17T07:04:00.000-07:00

This first card is a total case from someone on SCS. I'm so bad at giving credit to the exact person, I need to get better at that! I had to use my Echoes of Kindness set, because I got it as a hostess set just as the old catalog was ending. and never used it. I love these colors together. I'm so going to miss Ridinghood red.

A very simple masculine card..

And finally another very simple masculine card. CASED from darhm on SCS (wrote that one down ;) I love that Autumn days set. It's very versatile. I can see where I will be able to use it as a christmas set as well as a fall set.

Thanks for looking :)

The last couple weeks

2009-07-10T13:15:00.000-07:00

I've been kind of busy for the past couple of weeks, so I haven't posted anything, but that doesn't mean I haven't been doing anything. The best news: my brother-in-law and sister-in-law had a baby! Alexi Sheridan Veilleux is the most adorable little girl I've ever seen. That little girl is definitely going to be spoiled!
During the last couple weeks, my mother-in-law was also in the hospital, so we've been a little busy. However, I'm never too busy to be working on something. The first card I've been working on is a multiple purpose card.

Obviously a masculine birthday card....

And another masculine birthday. I'm a little unhappy with how light the ink looks on the sentiment. I thought really rust would have been perfect. I should have gone with chocolate chip....

Generic birthday....

Another generic birthday...

I love the simplicity of the next three cards.

Finally, the trendy tree card. I love this set, but have hardly used it.

Well, that's all I have to share for now. I still haven't come up with any creativity for the Red Line cards yet. I just have a very basic card not worth sharing. I'm now thinking of doing a postcard that I can scan and have the post office mail out. (more economical)

enjoy your day~

Just Parfect....

2009-06-28T08:07:00.000-07:00

I only have a couple things to share today. First, my uncle had heart surgery recently, and he's really big into golfing, so I thought this card would be "parfect" for him. Inside it says "wishing you a parfect recovery."

I'm still working on the Red Line grand opening cards, so I don't have those ready to share, but I did make a checkbook cover.

Well, the clouds have all gone away and it's going to be another beautiful day here in Howell. I feel the need to get outside and enjoy it, since the weather man is predicting that it's going to be only in the upper 60's next week.

Buh-bye!

Birthday Cards

2009-06-24T16:33:00.000-07:00

Yep, I got some birthday cards done. I CASE'd this first one from Sam.2001 on SCS who CASE'd it from Jplapcfos. The others just evolved from little snippets that I've seen.

These can be used for anything, not just birthdays.

That's all I have to share for now. I'm working on some "Grand Opening" cards for Red Line. We've got a busy schedule on our hands for the next few days, so I don't think they'll be ready to share for a while.

Getting down to business...

2009-06-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

June is one of my favorite months. It's filled with birthdays and best of all, school ends for a few months. It's a time for me to do some scrapping or stamping and kick back and relax-usually.

This year it seems that I have had no time for the relaxing part. Since my husband recently lost his job at GM, we have decided to start a business of our own; Red Line Performance, LLC. This has consumed nearly all my spare time (of course I put aside a little time for browsing the new catalog). Jerry is the brains behind the garage, and it turns out that I need to be the brains behind all the "other stuff." I didn't realize how much "other stuff" there is, nor did I realize this would consume as much of my time as it does. I'm a teacher by trade, and have never even begun to (or wanted to begin to) sink my teeth into the business or financial aspects of life, but it looks like I will be. To top it off, since we are starting the business at our home, Jerry is here everyday instead of off at work. This means that he can monitor my deliveries from Stampin Up! He hasn't said much so far since I only had one delivery, but who knows what the future may hold....
Anyway, I have made some time over the past few weeks to make some birthday cards (all work and no play makes Rach a dull girl). Since I had some birthday cards to send and I plan to do a birthday card class in a few weeks, I thought this would be a good start. Hopefully I'll get a few more cards done later on this week when I visit my friend, Lynn (http://lwdesigns.blogspot.com/). She gives me great inspiration.

So, here is what I've done so far. The first is a card and little gift bag for Lynn. Her birthday was June 6. The rest are cards for other people and a cute little box.

The little tag slides out from the pocket...

This box is just the right size for all that mail and "other stuff" that keeps stacking up on my desk. I'm still trying to decide what to put in the circle.... I'm planning to squeeze in some card time later, so hopefully I'll have more to share tomorrow.

Cute Little Flip Book

2009-06-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

If this isn't the easiest, cutest thing to make, I don't know what is. I don't know what got into me on Sunday night. After dinner I went into my little room for a while to surf Splitcoast for some ideas, and I came across a flip book. The one I saw was very simple, but it gave me some inspiration. So, I decided to try one out. I used some old scrapbook paper that I've had sitting around here for about 4 years now (just in case it didn't turn out I didn't want to waste any of my beloved SU! paper), and, not to toot my own horn, but, the little book turned out super cute. The best thing was it was super fast and easy to do. This is what it looks like from the front.

This is the center back cover (it's open, so the ribbon you see is normally wrapped around the book).

This is what it looks like when you open the cover. It's a tri-fold book, so this is the left side of the book when it's open and the other back cover (the back of the right side).

Next is the view of the whole book open (with all the flips closed).

This is the left side with just the gate fold flips open.

This is the next flip on the left side (where you flip the center up).

This is the right side with the gate folds open.

And the right side center flip up.

This first center flip open. (Sorry, I forgot to crop the picture first).

And finally, this is the second center flip open.

Well, like I said, it was pretty fast so do. I started Sunday night around 7:00, worked until about midnight and finished in the morning. All in all I think it took about 7 hours, but that was designing the pages and deciding on flips and stuff. The most time consuming part was deciding on the layouts for the pages. Now that I have it figured out, I'll bet the next one will only take about 4 hours. pretty cute little gift, ay? I can't wait to do another one now that I know I won't be wasting the beloved paper!

Well, that's all I can share for now. I have a couple birthday cards that I've been dying to post, but can't until the recipients see them. Maybe next week.

This is June?

2009-06-11T05:45:00.000-07:00

I thought June is supposed to be warm? Today it's going to be cloudy, rainy and only supposed to maybe get to 70 degrees, if we're lucky. What is going on? All this cold, cloudy, rainy weather is supposed to be during the school year and go away on the last day! Oh well, I guess it's another excuse to be in my stampin room and have some indoor fun.

Well, here's a cute little 2-5-7-10 box that I made. I used the window word punch to make hinges so you can open the little card on the front.

Ta ta for now....

School's Out!

2009-06-09T14:50:00.000-07:00

WooHoo! School is finally out, and I am sooo excited! This means I can get out my toys and play all the time without that horrid interruption of having to go to work! I have only one card to share right now, and it is another card I made for my SIL's baby shower (I went to two of them). For this shower did not bring any hand made gifts, but did make this cute card. It is nearly a total CASE from SCS'er Sassiangel. I adored it when I first saw it months ago, and have been waiting for the opportunity to use the design. I just love those cute little babies in the Baby Firsts set. Too bad it's retired...

Well, I have a list of things to do tonight, so I can begin my SUMMER VACATION tomorrow morning!!! WOO HOO! I have three reasons for becoming a teacher: June, July and August!

The Rest of the Stuff

2009-06-04T13:59:00.000-07:00

Here it is, the project I've been working on for such a very long time; my very first quilt. My sister-in-law is about to have a baby girl, and it is for her. They live on the lake, so I thought this would be perfect for the boat trips. I was so worried that it was not going to turn out good, since it was my first one, but by the time I got to the last little fishy, I had the technique down. Here's a close up of one little fishy. Not to toot my own horn, but, I think I did a pretty good job!

I made her a couple cards for the shower, (one for each gift). this one incorporates some of the fabric from the border of the quilt.

I got inspiration for this one from mt very good friend, Lynn. You can see her talent at http://lwdesigns.blogspot.com/ . She's the one who introduced me to stamping and Stampin Up! I hope to one day become as creative and talented as she is.

For the baby shower, I also made a little 6X6 scrapbook that has a page per month for the first year of my sweet little niece's life. While I was doing it, I worked with a colleague who had never scrapped before, on one for her grand-daughter. I think I may have shown her how simple it really is, and inspired her to do it again. I hope so. For me, it is therapy after a trying day in 6th grade!

This was the January page, and darn it, I forgot to take a picture after I colored it.

February

I forgot to take a picture of the cute little Easter page (shoot!). The next few can be any month the mother-to-be chooses.

Obviously, October, November and December follow.

This is one of the party favors I made for the shower. Each guest took one of them, and a gift from the basket of prizes. I also made enough of these so that I could give one to each of my esteemed colleagues at school, as an end of the year token of appreciation. Teaching special education can be challenging, and I'm lucky to work with a gorup of people who make life at school easy (or at least tolerable)!

Well, thats all for now, so toodle-ooo!

More stuff!

2009-05-27T13:18:00.001-07:00

I'm back! I have a little bit of time, so I thought I'd share a few more things I've been working on.

The first is a sympathy card for the family of a dear staff member who recently passed. Grandma, as as she was called, worked for our school for more years than many of us
can remember. She will always be in our hearts.

This was an anniversary card for my brother and sister-in-law.

This is a set of cards that will be one of the gifts for my sister-in-law's baby shower. I totally CASE'd this from Amy Celona

This is another set of cards for the shower that I also CASE'd, but can't remeber who I got it

from. Whoever you are, Thanks!

These coasters will also be shower gifts.

This card was just for the fun of it! Actually, I was dying to use this cool new circle cutter tool I got from the Great lakes MegaMeet. You can see the tool here: http://www.heartfeltcreations.us/results.php?keywords=circle+cutter
It works like a compass, only instead of a pencil, it's a cutting blade.

Finally, this card is for a colleague that I know won't see my blog. I'll still have more to share before the shower on Sunday (and a couple that will have to wait until after (so the new mom doesn't see them).

It's about time....

2009-05-23T07:41:00.000-07:00

It's not that I haven't done anything creative, it's just that I've been so busy creating I haven't had time to post. Since we have this beautiful 3 day weekend ahead of us, I figure I have an extra day, so today I'll share some of the stuff I"ve been working on before May is over and I miss my monthly post. It looks like it's going to be a beautiful weekend, so I don't plan on spending much time indoors! I actually have a lot to share, but I'm going to save the other part for another day. I need to get outside...

This is a card I made for my brother-in-law.

My husband is starting his own business, so I made this little steno pad for him to keep track of his daily activities.

This is for the son of a colleague, and the rst of the cards I made are for door prizes at my sister-in-law's upcoming baby shower. I have plenty more of those to share, but as I said, I want to go outside so they'll have to wait.

Until next time.....

a few things to share

2009-04-13T12:35:00.000-07:00

I think I've decided a once a month post is all I'll be able to manage. I was really hoping that I'd be able to make it once a week, but apparently not. My thought was, that if I had this looming over me every weekend, it would force me to create more often. Well, it didn't work. So It looks like I'll be saving up what I've done, to share in one occasional post. So here it is: Jerry and I celebrated our anniversary, so of course I have those cards to share. He made me a garage version card! How sweet was that? I also made him one of course. I was inspired by someone from splitcoast, but I don't remember who. I didn't have the stamp that inspired me, so I used clip art from google images, which worked out fine.

Next was a 40th birthday party for a co-worker of Jerry's. I made him this card: (inside it says "You're screwed.")

I've been seeing so many cute cards made with the Good Egg set, that I really wanted to make some cards using that cute little chick and egg image. I knew my sister-in-law's sister had the set, so I asked to borrow it. This is what I made from that:

Finally, I went to my friend Lynn's house for some much needed scrapbooking and was able to complete a Christmas scrapbook page and an Easter one. Unfortuntely, I neglected to take Easter pictures this year (drat), so I guess I have next year's page already done! I'll post it next year when I add the pictures! But anyway, here is the Christmas page, and since I was already inspired and ready to go, I also completed my New Year's Eve page as well when I got home.

That's all for now. I've been working on some door prizes for my sister-in-law's baby shower, so I'll have that to share next time ;)

Thoughts and Prayers gets some ink

2009-03-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

It seems like as soon as I think life is going to slow down a little, I actually start getting bogged down even more. I guess I should quit thinking and start doing more stamping! Either that or start lowering my standards at work so I can have more time to myself.

Over the past few weeks a couple of my friends have lost family members, so I had to make some sympathy cards. I love the Thoughts And Prayers set and took the opportunity to put some ink on it. Hopefully I will be using it for more than sympathy cards. This first one, I couldn't decide if I liked better with or without ribbon, so I did one of each. I figured this way I have a spare, since often it seems that you need three within a short span of time. Hopefully I won't need it! I totally CASED it from mfleig on SCS. She used the Parisian Breeze Designer paper, and since I didn't have that, I dug through my non-SU paper and found some that is nearly identical, imagine that!

I liked this one better, but wished I would have used brown ribbon instead of the organdy. But, since my resolution was to use what I have, this is what came out of the box. I used some SU designer papers from Bali breeze and Brocade Backgrounds, working in another resolution; to stop hoarding the paper......

Well, I'd best get busy on the pile of work that's waiting for me. I have a plan for some Easter cards, so hopefully on next post I'll have gotten to that.

Spring break is coming up and I've decided I WILL get busy in my stamping room, no matter what else is on my plate!

Busy

2009-03-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy lately, that I have not had time to post. I'll share few things I've done over the past couple weeks, but I only have little time for chatter.

This is a prediction card. I have a cousin-in-law who is pregnant, and she did not share the sex of the baby. I think it's a boy, so this is the card I made for her shower.

I've been dying to use these papers and these stamps, so I did. they are for no particular reason, but I'm sure I'll find someone who will appreciate receiving them.

I want spring! This was one of those days when I just had to have something springy going on.

A card for a colleague....

A gift for another colleague....

A couple of my colleagues gave me a wonderful gift; the Urban Oasis DP, matching ribbon and matching brads. What thoughtful people they are! So, I had to bust into the paper right away to make them a thank you. I just couldn't resist, so I totally CASE'd this from melissa-aggie on scs. Thanks Melissa! I absolutely love the Splitcoast Stampers website. I could spend (and often do) hours there.

I was in such a hurry I didn't even fix this picture before I posted it. Sorry about the tile taking up so much of the photo. This was last fall. A few friends went to the Mission Point Peninsula and did the tour of the wineries. The plan was to do the whole Lelanau (did I spell that right?)Peninsula, but we didn't get past Mission Point. It was a blast!

Go to go do my chores.... ugh!

Finally

2009-02-21T08:21:00.001-08:00

Well, I've been feeling pretty bad for the last weeek or so (some sort of virus that attacked me), and I'm quite disappointed in myself. First, for not posting for 2 consecutive weekends and second for not meeting my annual goal of finishing last year's scrapbook by 2/14. I actaully did work on some projects, but just didn't post them. Here's the stuff from 2 weekends ago: It was the beginning of SAB and my wonderful demo had a make and take bash at her home.
This was what we made. I love the texture plates!

All week I had been working on this next project for a friend. I cased it from a bunch of SCS posters, so i can't give a single person credit, but I guess it it most similar to the one posted by amherstamper. I love the way it turned out, but it really took a long time to make.
.

I was able to get a little scrapping in the following weekend, but that's when I started coming down with the dreaded virus. This layout was a baby shower for a collegue who adopted a baby from China.

In addition to the scrapping, I had to make a couple valentines since it was Valentine's Day. Hubby and I are trying to save money, so we did not go all out for that holiday. I just made him a super simple little package for some candy and made a few of the same card for my other valentine's. I forgot to snap some pics of the cute little Ghiradelli boxes for my colleagues for Valentine's Day.

Well, that's all from the last couple weeks. I also made a cute little chocolate bar and card Thursday, for another colleague's birthday, but forgot to snap a shot before I gave it away, It was adorable and she loved it. It was a Dove dark chocolate "Beautiful" bar. They are chock full of nutrients to help keep your skin in tip top shape. Hey, it works for my excuse to eat one!

I guess I better get busy on some stuff to post for this weekend. I have a pile of papers to grade, an IEP to write and 3 more events to scrap from last year. In addition there are 2 birtdays next week, so tata for now....

Not much going on

2009-02-01T09:21:00.000-08:00

Well, I had a really tough time getting motivated to do anything this weekend. I did manage to get a couple things done though. The first is a card and gift for a collegue. Inside the package there are a couple of stamps. The next is that darling little box on Splitcoast's tutorial for this week (I think I'll make a bunch of these for Valentine's Day). I tucked the flap in instead of leaving it on the outside. The last is my winter blues! I thought the flowers would pull me out of my unmotivated blah weekend. It didn't work. I'm still feeling like doing not much of anything. Oh well, it happens to us all sometime. Hopefully next weekend will be more productive. I still have 5 more events to scrap for last year's album, so I hope I get my mojo back! Valentine's Day is only 2 weeks away and I think we may head up north for that weekend so that doesn't leave me much time to reach my goal of being done!

Working on the resolutions....

2009-01-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

Well I was able to spend a fair amount of time working on my 2008 scrapbook. I also used up some old half done pages and elements that never quite found a home. The first is a birthday party for a darling boy named Ryan, the next is Christmas Eve with my parents the third is "cookie party" with some friends (it's all about the cookies...not) and the 4th is my nephew's birthday. Even though his birthday is in January, and it isn't for the 2008 scrapbook, it still counts for my resoultion because I used up some stuff that I already had started...kind of....

I also made a card and chocolate gift for a friend and a very basic masculine card. So all in all I feel like I got a lot done.....even housework ;)

Another Party Hearty Card

2009-01-18T07:33:00.000-08:00

What luck! It's been so cold that school was called off on Friday due to the extreme cold temperatures. I really needed the time because it's the end of the quarter and I have 7th grade mystery stories to grade. What torture! Once that was finished, I rewarded myself with some time in my little room. My nephew's birthday celebration is today, so I needed a card for him. This is what I came up with. The inside (below) has a space on the top for a gift card (the perfect gift for any 20 year old).

After I finished with that, my husband and I decided to ride the snowmobiles up to the local bar for dinner. It snowed all day yesterday, so the back roads were just perfect for riding. As a matter of fact, the roads were so bad we probably could have ridden down D-19 and not hit the cement! Anyway, we had a good time and a good meal. Hopefully the roads are better today since we have to drive about 45 minutes (in good weather) to the celebration.

This weekend also brought the last stamp club meeting :( I will certainly miss that monthly gathering. Lynn, our Stampin Up demo, always has such gorgeous projects for us to create. She is truly quite a talented woman! You can visit her blog and see for yourself at http://lwdesigns.blogspot.com/ Below is a picture of the projects I created.They are a little less embellished than hers, as I did not do as much piercing on the valentine and didn't make my background on the butterfly card as vibrant as hers. But they don't all have to look exactly the same! I'm looking forward to going to her Sale-a-bration/New Catalog Kick Off party on February 1st. Since we will no longer be having our monthly stamp club meetings, I guess that's how I'll get my February fix!

Hopefully I'll have something new to share next weekend!

Productive Weekend

2009-01-11T12:17:00.001-08:00

Well, it has been a productive weekend. I was able to not only get the Friday layout done, but also did these 2 very simple pretty much unembellished layouts, as well. If I wasn't as far behind as I am in the 2008 scrapbook, I'd do a lot more embellishing, but at this point I'm looking at quantity rather than quality. I can always go back and add to it when (or if) the inspiration hits me. Sometimes I may see someone else's page months later and realize that what they did would be perfect for a page I had previously done. So, I guess you can call them works in progress. Anyway, I'm happy with them for now (that's because the pictures are finally in the scrapbook instead of still trapped inside my computer). The first was a really fun night at my husband's uncle's birthday party. We went to Genetti's Hole-in-the-Wall in downtown Northville, where they have a great family style dinner and an interactive show afterward. My DH was chosen to play the part of Elvis. It was hilarious! I had no idea Elvis was still alive.....

I also had time to make these two cards. The second one was totally CASE'd from smartblonde_2000 on SCS (except for the DP).

I hope next weekend is just as productive!

Scrappin' Days are Here to Stay (or so it seems)

2009-01-09T20:51:00.000-08:00

Finally I have some time to come here and share what I've done this week. Scrapbooking is usually my passion, but lately it seems that I'm "all scrapped out" and yet I'm just beginning. Let me explain: For Christmas/birthday gifts I made a scrapbook of my husband's parents, as children, for him, his brother, his two nephews and his mom. Yep, that's five scrapbooks! It's been a long journey making them and trying to collect the photos. I was scrambling to get them done in time for Christmas, but I managed to do it (yay!). So....... each year it seems that the new year comes in and my own scrapbook is nowhere near complete, no matter what the recent undertaking has been. So lately my annual New Year's resolution has been to get last year's scrapbook completed by Valentine's Day. That means it's back to the scrappin table. Usually I scrap according to the pictures I have, but this time I have so many that I just did a layout and figured I'd add thie pictures later (probably Friday 2/13). Here's what I got done this week.

Ta ta for now....

The Beginning

2009-01-02T05:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I have finally succumbed to yet one more thing to suck up my time-this blog! Don't ask me why I did it. Pehaps it was so I don't feel the need to KEEP every one of my creations, perhaps as an outlet for my need to share my thoughts and ideas, or it could even be the beginning of a new way to make money? Whatever the reason, I hope it doesn't become an obsession! Sometimes that happens to me; at first I think I'm just going to dabble a little bit, but then before I know it I'm bordering on obsession. Anyway, here I go!