Country Roads Stamping

Marvelous Monday

Marvelous Monday - I recently spoke with someone who was telling me about their Marvelous Monday event and that stuck in my brain.  We rarely think of Monday as a marvelous day - more of Mundane Monday or Mopey Monday because we have to return to work - but frankly, I look forward to Mondays because I love my job :)  Sorry for the rest of you.  so I'll try to bring a little sunshine in for those of you that dread Mondays!  Thanks for once again, making the kind comments on Saturday with Steve.  I figured you'd all be tired of the romping around the hills here, and I checked the posts and I have to talk to Wilda about not liking maple syrup!  Oh my.  However, she did like the honey. 

Over the week-end I had a class here for Valentine's and I'll share some of those tomorrow and a couple of my teammates were here working on projects.  I'll be sharing those later this week also.  However, today - we must stay on track!  Eeek. 

Here's a very simple valentine that I worked on last week.  While it is difficult to tell, I ran the designer paper (retired paper that I love) through an embossing folder with a bit of ink but you really can't see the ink, then added the XOs and the hearts.  Easy card to duplicate, ofcourse you need the sizzlit alphabet to make it really easy - but then we know who you can contact if you don't have those, correct?  I also used the cute little heart border punch at the top.  I used to pull my hair out working with this punch until I realized the punch I had was off centered - once I got a new punch - super easy to do. 

Yesterday was a tough day - my daughters have agreed to run a race with me on June 2, a 5K in Iowa.  Many of you already know that I used to be a runner, ran lots of races, 10 milers, 10Ks, 5 Ks.  I love running.  However, I developed heel spurs and had to stop.  So now all my running is done on an eliptical.  So I started training specifically on the eliptical last week to up my mileage and prepare.  Sunday afternoon I thought I'd head out to the local park where I used to run all the time to take a try with the shoes on the ground.  sigh.  I got to realize how old I am and that I must work harder to run with these young chicks of mine!  I made 2 miles yesterday, but I'll not be sharing the time it took because my oldest daughter comes here regularly and don't want her to start relaxing too much!  So the next couple of months will be grueling to say the least.  However, I have learned that anything worth having is worth working hard for.  Without a doubt, one of the Saturdays with Steve will include me huffing and puffing somewhere on a training route with Steve taking pictures, while he leisurely bikes along with me.  I figured if I posted this here - it would be very public and keep me highly motivated to train.  Yesterday was rough, but the fact that I'm able to be up and moving today - is a good thing, so I'll hold that thought close today.  So have a great Monday and see you back tomorrow.  Thanks for popping in. 

Fantastic Friday

Friday is so fantastic in many ways - end of the work week (for most) time for sleeping in (for some!) and some free time to get things done (I wish!) but today it is Fantastic Friday because I literally stumbled on something on my way home from York last week.  I stopped at Michael's just to look at their jewelry line  and picture frames - let's face it, they don't really have anything I NEED in paper products!  While looking there I found these really cute plain gold earring forms - I only bought one pack, which was stupid stupid stupid.  I wish I had bought 3 or 4 packages so I could have made these for my entire team - but just never dreamed they would turn out this cute. 

 
Look at these little guys - aren't they cute?  These were made using our Candy Cane and Holly Jolly Holiday designer paper - I'm not much of one for jewelry - but I can guarantee that I will be wearing these.  To make these I simply punched a hole in the designer paper that matched the opening in the earring, which was about a 3/4" circle - then I punched a 1" circle around that - sort of off centering the punching so that the circle opening fit with the earring - then I dipped the paper in modge podge (you could use a glue paste) and slapped it on the earring - smoothing it out - Once that dried I coated it with our Crystal Effects to give it a smooth, glossy finish. These would be so cute in any of our designer papers - I stopped at the other craft store in our area yesterday while we were out but there were none like this to use .  Sorry about that teammates - these would have been really cute to give as gifts.  If you can't see them clear enough simply click on the picture - I forgot that I had adjusted the size to share this with the Remarkable group I am in and since everyone knows how slow my internet is - I didn't want to change back to fix this.  I was just thinking that I have a white bracelent somewhere I could probably cover with modge podge and designer paper to match also - hmmmm, must go see if I can find that bracelet. 

I did survive the day yesterday - but it was quite long - we did some Christmas shopping but I'm not close to being done and I positively hate shopping anymore.  House is still only partically decorated and my cards are 3/4 of the way done.  However, it looks as if the weather may give me a quite day Sunday and Monday - joy joy.  I'd rather have a busy day than more snow.  I'm going to cling to the hope that the weather man will be wrong again.  I have all kinds of big news going on here that I'm really excited about - but going to hold off on that to be sure every follows through.  Today I will be helping Miss Stephanie with her Christmas cards and then prepping for Miss Felicia's party tomorrow - here's hoping the weather holds until we can get everyone home safely from Genia's! Hope you all have a fun week-end.

The Bees Have it!

WEll, over the next two weeks you will probably see several bee cards - like it or not - I'm stockpiling Christmas cards - but just don't want to start a lot of them in October!  My husband has requested that I make a dozen bee cards for a door prize for the bee banquet in November so I'm now on a mission to get those completed for him.  Here's the first one:

 
Well, once again I pulled out the Autumn Spice designer paper and ran it through the Top Note twice to get the funny square shape. Stamped the hive from Just Buzzin by on the More mustard cardstock and mounted it up on dimensionals.  I used Well worn for the background stamp and then ran it through the big shot with the lattice folder.  Then simply cut the words up to go down the side.  If the bees in that set were really cute - I would have added them - but instead, I just left it as is.  Used matching dsp on the inside of the card - these will have to be finished up on the inside as well as matching envelopes.  Anyway, as I complete different ones I'll throw them up here - and then a  box to put them in.  Since I don't know if a man or woman will win these - I'll have to do a good variety that are masculine, as well as feminine in design. 

Those of us here in the east enjoyed a beautiful week-end - daytime temps were nice and comfortable and then the evenings were cool - wonderfully cool!!!  Great week-end for getting a lot done around the outside of the house.  Hopefully the final mowing of the yard.  Lots of leaf raking.  Steve has begun his final count down this week - Friday is his last day.  He can hardly wait.  We have a busy week planned and those of you that have already sent in your cards - thanks - I'm hanging on to them until his final work day, then I'll get them out for him.  If you haven't mailed one in - you still have time to do so!!! Have a great day!

Christmas Tree with Sizzix

Big Day today - another one of those photo tutorials and I'm really making it a goal to get out my video camera and once hubby retires - I will do a video - it may not be until Christmas time - but eventually I will get one done!!! Here's the card I'll be showing you how to make today:

 
I saw this idea in one of the Paper Crafts magazines and figured it would be easily done using our Bigz XL Die - Tasteful Trim - page 17 of the Holiday mini Item # 120893.  There are so many uses for this die and while this worked great for paper - it would work just as well using fabric. Now - how I did this:

First take a square of cardstock - (I used  a 4 3/4" inch square), pieces cut from designer paper, I used our Jolly Holiday designer paper and ofcourse our Tasteful Trim die:(using the scallop edge strip)

 
Next - you fold that square piece of paper in half - doesn't matter that your fold line will be there - you are going to cover that up:

 
Then mark the top of the fold and the bottom corner - note the little marks to see where you are scoring from corner to corner

 
Cut out this pyramid

 
Now the fun begins!  Cut out several of the strips from the die cut - and you'll see which one it is - I totally forgot to take a picture of this step - oops!

 
Then adhere the layers to the triangle, trimming them at the edges.

 
When you have all the layers done - simply flip it over to the back side and trim it even with the sides using either a paper cutter or scissors.

 
When you have it all trimmed - it will look like this - then simply mount it to your card front, add a ribbon and you will be finished!

 
Whew!  it really does move along quickly - and I have all kinds of thoughts on where to take this with fabric - must see about getting some things done!!!!  Thanks for coming by and give this a try yourself!

Gratitude

Well, I was going to hold off and put this card up on Friday but it is my favorite - so it is going up today instead.

Lots of new items on this - First off the designer paper, which I've already had up here - I love this paper - Autumn Spice and it just has the look of fall and yes, yes, I know you are hanging onto summer, but it is slowly drifting over the horizon!!!  Then the stamped images are from Day of Gratitude - I colored the leaves with old olive and cajun craze markers and then stamped them.  Then the two new punches.  and left over scraps that I simply wrapped around the paper piercing tool and curled.  Almost forgot - a little piece of Early espresso ribbon wrapped around there too.  Since so many of you are still wanting summer to stay - guess I won't mail this out to anyone . . . . . :0)  I'll just keep this for myself then. 

Final stamp camp of the month this evening. Preparing for Grandson #3 to come for a visit now - this place just always seems to be hopping.  Have a great day.   

Monday Doldrums

Oops and double oops - I was enjoying a much needed wee bit of down time and suddenly realized I'd not posted my blog yet!  Ackkk.  So up I hopped to get the picture loaded and entry typed.  The past three days have been a little "heavy" for me in that I've been dealing with life and death matters - so it has been a little draining.  Ofcourse, this is not what each of you come here to hear about so I must move on and quit rambling!!!

Here's my little buddy, the owl and looky looky - my favorite colors - now, I'll hear some grousing about this - but let's face it - it is near the end of August - Fall is coming!  Woohoo!! Cooler temperatures, beautiful leaves on trees, no more lawn to mow - oh yes - Fall is coming!!!

Now you really can't see this on this card but there is a lot of glimmer mist on this card and I've just about used mine all up - must order some more - just love the look it leaves on a card - and there is a tiny piece of the new dsp from the Holiday mini - I love love the fall colored dsp in there - along with nearly everything else that is in there!!!  This little guy looks like I feel this morning - can't get the eye balls opened and focused!!!!  The card base is in Early espresso, then More mustard layer and then Cajun Craze.  Stamp sets used are Hello Again - Season of Friendship and Day of Gratitude.  The Designer paper is called Autumn spice.  Nearly every card I have ready for this week is with a fall look - these are my favorite colors to work with and bless my friend Penny's heart for asking for fall cards!!!!

Well, off and running - lots to do today - busy busy week. 
 

Friends Furever

Whew - fighting the weather today - was fighting it last night too - just not meant to get anything up and running on here I believe.  So patience is just not one of my virtues!!

This morning's post uses a new set called Friends  Fur-ever.  I've also paired this with Elegant Soiree designer paper which I doubt was ever designed to be paired with a dog!  The colors are the same ones that I've come to love lately - marina mist and chocolate chip.

I also used the lattice folder again to give the Early Espression piece some texture - I even snuck in some soft suede in this.  Now look at the gray piece behind "Friends for the long haul"  That's actually the owl punch - I just cut off the pointed ends and overlapped the pieces - I was going for the look of a bone - but that just didn't happen!  Well, since it appears that I have signal enough to get this posted, I'd better stop and get this sent!!!  

Flores Suaves

Well, the title of this page is the name of the stamp set that I used yesterday - no, I cannot pronounce it correctly and I have no idea what that means - but I sure do like the stamp set!!!  It is from our spanish catalog and I've looked at it longingly for over a year now but figured I would never use the spanish words - then realized I used French Script all the time - so why couldn't I use the spanish phrase also - a big plus for all of you butterfly lovers - this has a butterfly in it and I actually LIKE the butterfly in this set!  another big plus - it has a bee!!! ofcourse I purchase nearly every stamp I see with bees.

Now, since you could not guess what it was yesterday - unless someone guessed after I prepare this for posting - I'm putting another card up here today - this one uses Tempting Turquoise cardstock and the new Island Oasis designer paper in the Summer Mini - I actually stamped the flower image and colored it on white cardstock - then stamped it again on vellum in stayz on and overlaid it over the painted image.  Then I stamped the bee on the vellum and re-stamped just his wings and cut them out so that they were three dimensional.  I cut out the lattice die cut out of old olive cardstock and popped out a couple of the diamonds to add as accents - pretty simple card that went together quickly - believe it or not.  Here it is:

Well, yesterday I did one of those marathon days where I had two different classes going - one in the afternoon and another one in the evening - everything went well and the cards looked really nice when everyone was finished!  Even Scrapbooking pages!!!  Maybe today it will be a little cooler and I can actually venture out of the basement area!!! Have a great day and thanks for coming by!

Wednesday-middle of the week!

Whew - already moving through the month, as well as the week!  My mother always told me that the older I got the faster time would move - dear me - by the time I reach 60 I'm going to need handle bars along the walls to hang on the way time is moving!!!  What a great day yesterday - little warm - but a shower to wash everything off and then cleared for the afternoon - I've had two stamp camps back to back and all I wish for is a little more cool air when we are there stamping!!!!

Today - an unusual card for many reasons:

First thing - do any of you actually know what stamp set this is from?  Curious?  My friend, Laurie Krauss recently did a card using this same set and I didn't have this set so I ordered it - it isn't new - it's been around for at least a year and yes, it is current - obviously this is a little tricky.  Check out the background?  How crazy is that?  It is made using the curly label punch.  It isn't real hard, but can be a little tricky getting the squares in the right place!  As I look at this, I either needed to photograph this on black or should have added an additional layer of black as the base card - didn't think about that when I took the picture - gee - there are a boat load of things to remember for these silly little pictures!!!! the designer paper I used is ofcourse, Nouveau Chic - retiring soon.

 So this card probably gets the pick of the week for most unusual card that I'm throwing up here.  Ofcourse there are still two more days - what's left could even be stranger!!!  Thanks for the comments and have a super day!!! 

End of the week and another peek

Well, I am rather late today with my post - actually post the day of - however we had a trip to WEbster County and it was rather late by the time we returned home - so I just decided to wait until this morning to do my posting - the old fashioned way!  While my class ladies were here the other night I was working on thank you cards - something I seem to be doing nearly every other day!  They were all commenting about them so I decided to put them here today, as well as a larger card that I made with the same product.

Once again I've used the new designer paper - this paper is so bright and cheery and the little bird stamp is a new hostess stamp.  Ofcourse, these are my favorite color combinations - this uses our new color daffodil delight and the others are ones you are familiar with - Old Olive, dusty durango, always artichoke and even pumpkin pie on one of them.  This paper is called Greenhouse Gala - and it was featured on my blog yesterday and all of you did really well guessing the new product. 

Well, I have lots to get doing today - before it rains again!!!  Have a great week-end.