Birthday Girl

Hard to believe our little Princess is 8. If you know her, then you are WELL AWARE of her love for the cupcake! In fact, I think her nickname should BE "Cupcake" instead of Carly. My friend Debbie tells a GREAT story about the time she took Carly to her son's school with her on the day that happened to be his bday and she was passing out cupcakes to all the kids. Carly's eyes followed each cupcake longingly as she PATIENTLY waited her turn to be served. HA! sounds about right.

Of course, Cupcake need a cupcake card. And I've been wanting to try making a Spinner Card for a while now, and it seemed the PERFECT occasion. Turns out, they are pretty easy and fun to make. Instructions are on Splitcoaststampers under the resource tab. Yup, that glittery cupcake SPINS. You should have seen her face when it MOVED! Hilarious.

Patterned paper from a little stack from DCWV (die cuts with a view). Cupcake stamp from the dollar bin at Michael's... covered with clear lacquer, then sprinkled with glittery snow glitter. The cherry on top was made Stickles.

Yes, she tried to eat it. Cupcake. Told ya.

Advent Calendar

If you follow our family blog, then you know that Advent is a big deal to us. I made this Advent calendar for our nephew, Eli. His Mama fancies herself a baker (actually, WE fancy her a baker!) so making it on a cookie sheet seemed like the PERFECT idea for their calendar! This idea is not original to me, someone over at Splitcoaststampers.com came up with it, and I'm a copier.

The watch boxes can be found at Michael's or JoAnns in the wedding favors section. I put magnets on the back of them, but I'm going to have to replace them because they are falling off... I think they weren't strong enough once you put something in the boxes because of the background paper I put on the inside of the cookie sheet... lesson learned. (the REAL lesson was, "don't-give-your-magnet-roll-to-Ryan-to-use-at-school) Paper is from K&Company.... ribbons from Michael's.... and the number stamps are a hodge-podge of every number stamp I own, all mixed together. Clever, huh?!

When I was over Rochel's today, I see she has displayed the calendar beside her Famous Refrigerator (a place of honor, really). Which is really handy since she put the tins that were already used onto the frig. Hmmm, turns out SHE'S pretty clever, too!

Nuts for the Squirrel

Love this set from TAC... inside says "I missed your birthday". Paper from K&Company... Platinum stickles on the scallops. That's all...

Under the Weather?

I'm back! Well, never went anywhere, just never post any cards! Ugh. I do take pictures of everything I make (because my memory is so very bad) so I will try to post... mostly so my mom can see what I do instead of watching her grandchildren. And cleaning.

A month or so ago, my friend THOUGHT she had the swine flu. Doesn't EVERYONE think they have it when they THINK their throat hurts, MIGHT have a fever, PERHAPS a headache?! It's getting out of control. But she was really sick. For Real. Not just THOUGHT she might be.... and since these are some of my favorite stamps to use (sadly Farm Fever is now retired! Boo on you, SU!) I couldn't resist... plus, it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up.

Inside view... you know, since there was extra paper sitting on my desk, thought I'd use it up! I would have made one of these for our little nephew, also afflicted with the dreaded swine fever, but he got well much too quickly for his very slow aunt. Sorry, Caleb... but REALLY glad you bounced back so quickly! And glad you are better too... BETSY!

SU kraft and chocolate chip cardstock

SU button

SU Farm Fever stamps

TAC Rustic Chic patterned paper

Post It Notes

Idea NOT original to me.... yes, I'm a copy-cat and I'm OK with that. I look at other card makers blogs to see what THEY are making and when I see something I like, I copy their picture into a file for later re-creating. Isn't that blogs are for? To get ideas and INSPIRATION? I visit my brother-in-law's blog for dinner tricks all the time.

Anyways, we recently became members of BJ's Wholesale Club, which is where I purchased 18 packs of Post It Notes (you know, telling Ryan I was going to make all his co-workers Christmas presents with them...) and hoped fiercely that these came out cute. I'd recommend you buy ONE single pack, just to be sure. It just seems smarter:) Although, I will be making many of these, they were fun and easy. Plus, who doesn't need a Post It Note?

2 chipboard coasters, which my friend Betsy and I bought together in bulk last year... cover with your favorite paper. I just used double sided tape and that worked pretty well. Sand off the corners... Here's a HINT: Go ahead and put the binding on NOW (at least 5/8") with the Bind It All. I did not, and had to remove my embellishment because then the already-thick-chipboard didn't fit in the machine. THEN add your stuff to the front...

That bunny stamp is theangelcompany, and one that I got from my Grab Bag... I think it is so very cute! And the "sentiment" is off the SU! Jumbo Roller that I took apart last spring... Nestabilities Label One for the paper that it is all mounted on... and the patterned paper is from a paper pad from Michael's, by Amanda Blu (Mohawk Lane).

Here's how the inside looks, but you get it, right?? :)

And finally, because I know where it is... the LINK to the blog I enjoy for ideas. Rats... I forgot to stamp each paper inside. I will have to remember that for next time because that is cute. As you can see, the more Post It Notes you add, the larger diameter Bind It All wire you need...

Photography at it's Finest

Remember when I eluded to THIS card back in June? You know, when my sister's birthday is celebrated by the OTHER members of my family. I chose to celebrate in August, when I finally sent her the gift I purchased for her in March. Great planning. In my defense, she did mention the week before her birthday that she could use some Thank You cards, and I happily got-to making them for her... IMMEDIATELY. Then the box sat on the side couch in the living room for the remainder of the summer, until we were getting ready for vacation and Ryan said, "Hey, do you want me to mail this?" Oh, THAT. Yes, that would be a very good idea.

I made this card from a "leftover" picture I had from our Sister Trip to Savannah, July 2008. For Christmas last year, I made each of my sisters and my mom a mini-album to remember our very fun trip by. I loved making those albums and poring over the pictures... it just brought a bunch of really great memories flooding back. Made me happy. I was hoping to inspire my darling sister in the same way, when she looked at her birthday card. You know, in August, even though her bday is June. Admittedly, it's the 29th, so I'm certain that is like ALMOST July, so August really isn't THAT bad.

I kind of really enjoyed this look, even though it's NON-STAMPING... so when I went on vacation this summer to the INCREDIBLE Oregon Coast and Amazing Alaska, I took over 3000 pictures, which will "end up" on some cards, too! Promise not to make 3000 posts about THAT:)

Oh, and the post title is NOT in celebration of my fine photography (actually, there's a very good chance that TRACY took that picture, anyways! HA!)... Ryan's youngest sister RANDEE now has a photography website, and you know, she's pretty talented. So click and visit... there's a permanent link on our family blog, too!

Happy Birthday, Laurie!

Whhhoooooo R YOOOOOOOOuuuuuuu?

I feel like I need to reintroduce myself to my card blog. But since there are only a select few who cherish their time here, and you all know WHO I am, I will refrain. But seriously? It's been a while...

Pretty happy to have time to make a few things again (read: the kids are back in school). I have a few things to share, it's just a matter of whether they make it to the blog or not. My mom's living in a foreign land, so I guess if she's going to see what I'm up to, it BETTER make it here, right? (Hi Mom... How are the filafels?)

Right... the card. My sweet friend/co-worker/mother-of-my-God-child, Ashlie, had surgery last month and this card was for her... I say WAS because, of course, I already gave it to her. It would be so silly to post a card here before it makes it to the person, right? Ok, I will post some tomorrow before they get to their intended seeing how you don't care so much. ANYWAYS, The Co-Workers and I (mostly them) made a goodie basket for Ashlie and this is the card that went along with it... with a clever greeting inside "From Owl of Us". Before you think I'M that clever, it's a stamp set (or two, I should say) from theangelcompany: "be square", and "what a hoot", respectively. This card also features the much loved and now retired paper from SU! (Parisian Breeze, and Baja Breeze). The "Feel better" stamp is TAC and also now retired, a hostess set. Hey, I'm not trying to SELL this stuff, just show you, right?

And lastly, the funky shaped card is due to the fact that I made it to fit the cool envelope I had (business sized)... and because several people were going to be signing it. HOWEVER, I forgot to bring it into work in time for said people to sign, so it got the very formal "Love, Inpatient Nursing" jot at the bottom. Really. It's the thought that counts, and how many times does Ashlie need to read our creative re-wording of "Hope you are feeling better... get back here soon because we are tired of working for you"? I'm just saying.

*Sigh* I've missed this place.

Make your own Stamp Cleaner

Remember THIS post? Well, as promised, I tried it out!! Of course, it took me a while to finally do it, but I sure am glad I did!

IT WORKS GREAT!

And ends up being VERY CHEAP.

If you know me AT ALL, you know I can't follow a recipe. That's why I leave the baking up to Rochel... This "recipe" was no exception. Notice that you are supposed to use "distilled water" and I used "purified"... worked the same. And because I purposefully used the wrong stuff (I had purified water on hand - don't ask - so I wanted to use it up), I actually did an internet search to find out the difference. You will be happy to know that the official anwer of that is: "not much". Apparently you CAN'T use tap water because there might be minerals in it that would defeat the purpose of the cleanser, and after time, it will get murky. So, distilled or purified are fine. No minerals.

ANYWAYS... Here's how cheap it is. The baby wash I actually had left over from Carly (so, 7 year old baby wash that you find at your mother's house is ok), so I'm going to call that "free". The glycerin was $2.99 and I have enough left over for another "batch" of cleaner. And the purified water was $0.25 at Publix, on sale. NOW you know why I bought it. I'm turning into my mother. So, for about $1.66, I made the same amount you can get from Stampin Up for almost $9. I think. Sounds about right. I put it in my old Stampin' Up sprayer bottle, and the above bottle holds the other portion of it, plus ANOTHER bottle I made... I made a double batch, you know, feeling all optimistic.

And it works really good... At first I thought it was too soapy, but turns out, that was just my scrubber pad... I had just washed it out and didn't rinse really well. Shocking. According to accounts online, this also conditions stamps, if you are all worried about that.

A word about the glycerin. If you can't find it out in with the general medicines in the pharmacy, ask the pharmacist. I got it at Target and it was behind the counter with the pharmacist. Dangerous stuff, glycerin. I think it might could be cheaper at Walmart...

There you have it!

Anniversary

Just a quick card to share... the anniversary card I made my parents, in MAY. Since I didn't have to mail it, I tried my hand at a 5x5 sized card. They spent so much time in Israel with British People that they fancy themselves Tea Drinkers now. Until they got back home to their Keurig single cup coffee maker.

But the card... patterned paper from Making Memories, Cardstock from SU!, metal tag from STAPLES (hi Dean... sure that you are reading)... teapot stamp from theangelcompany (and inside stamp, too) and the "Happy Anniversary" is an oldie-but-goodie from Michael's Dollar Bin. Ribbon randomly purchased at Michael's... and they are scraps.




And finally, a shout out to my parents: Thanks for staying married and loving each other. I find it very wonderful that you raised 4 kids and are able to sit back at the end of child rearing and enjoy EACH OTHER so much. I have long thought that the best gift you can give your kids is to love their father (well, mother if we are talking about the Dad)... so thanks for leading by example. LOVE YOU BOTH!!!

Random Cards #3

More cards using ONE 8x8 piece of Cosmo Cricket paper... This one uses a stamp set from Stampendous (clear stamps) that my sister sent to me! (Thanks, Laurie!) and I stamped "happy birthday" on the inside of it using a Michael's Dollar stamp that I dismembered. Yikes! That sounds harsh. Ummm, Cut Apart and Remounted On Cling Foam. Oh! and Stickles in the corner... because they were sitting on my desk and I figured, Why Not? That ribbon was probably just laying there, too.






Buttons I happened to have in my stash... and the "Be comforted" stamp is from theangelcompany, and I obtained it in my Grab Bag purchase.





Rick-Rack ribbon, but not sure where it's from (really full of GREAT comments here, huh?!) and the "Adore You" label came with that Cosmo Cricket accessories set that I have still not returned to my mother. Hey, apparently I am still using it.






The "thank you" chipboard is from The Still Not Returned Set, and the stamp "for making my day", is theangelcompany... from a hostess set, if I'm not mistaken. Which I could be. Really, just look at the cards and don't try to copy anything EXACTLY because the information I have given is, I'm quite certain, completely wrong. But, if you are so inclined, feel free to contact me and I will be happy to find out FOR REAL. My phone's going to be ringing off the hook now.

Random Cards #2

A set of cards made with (What else?) ONE piece 8x8 Cosmo Cricket patterned paper.... and a little Basic Grey leftover from another project.  The "Kindred Spirits" stamp is from the SU jumbo wheel stamp "Friendly Words" that I took off the roller and hacked up.  Apparently I enjoy cutting stamps all up and remounting them onto cling foam.  *sigh*  

Proof-Positive for Betsy that I DO make mistakes...  she will get all happy about that... really should NOT have stamped this sentiment over the darkest corner of the card as you can not easily read it unless you look REALLY closely, and that's not EASY.  Anyways, Lesson Learned: do not try to stamp on cards when you get off a really busy 12 hour night shift.  Sleep first.  Another stamp from the now unmounted roller.

Yup... more from the roller and you got it, the Flip Side of the Cosmo Paper at the top... oh, the paper flowers are CC also, from a kit my Mom gave me.  Ha, I don't think she GAVE it to me, so much as said, "Make me something with this"... which I did, but I'm guessing she meant either Make Something With ALL Of It, or Give Me Back The LeftOvers of My 4,000 Piece Accessory Set.  What do you think?  Ok, ok... the paper is from that kit, too.

Last one, which in my opinion, is really stretching the One Piece of Paper Bank.  Blah.  If you get this in the mail from me, do NOT take it personally.  Hey Mom!  I made you a card with that Cosmo Cricket kit!!!!  HAHAHAHAHAAHHA.... ok, not funny.  

Father's Day

Celebrating Father's Day today!  This is the card I made for my Dad... His 3 favorite little girls!  I've made a few cards recently with pictures, and will post more later ~ after Laurie's Birthday *wink*wink*.  Anyways, here's the inside of this card...

My poor brother... growing up in a house with 3 obnoxious sisters!  Who hogged the bathroom... you know, all of us in there at once and him waiting, oh so patiently, on the stairs outside for his turn... which came about an hour later.  *sigh*  He has his own bathroom now!  

Ryan wanted me to be sure and post the card Carly made for him... 

I made a card for Ryan, too... but it's in his book as a handy bookmark.  No way am I moving it lest I lose his place.  Yikes.  Really thankful for such a GREAT Dad for my crazy little kids!  Also not pictured is the card I made for my Father-in-Law... Ryan and the kids are going to hand deliver it this week when they visit the family in Michigan.  

One last card... my Dad's birthday was on Thursday, and here is the card I made for him.  We had already given him his present (we all chipped in money towards his new camera) so that's why there is an old fashioned camera on the tag.  LOVE the Tim Holtz stamps and am planning on going to his website where I hear there are tutorials on distressing paper, among other things... the "man" is from his line, which is now available at Michael's.  This paper is from  K&Company.

Hope you had a great day, thinking about a great DAD!

Random cards #1

I am not great about getting my cards on here, so I'm going to try making "Random Card Posts" and see how that goes...  These were all made using ONE piece of 8x8 patterned paper (Cosmo Cricket - of course - "Get Happy") and coordinating SU cardstock. 

This card does not have any "sentiment" stamped on it... I figured I'd add one on when I'm ready to use this card, you know, depending on what I need... 

This card has "Love Life Live" ribbon on it that Laurie got for me from that great craft store, Old Navy.  For Real.  

Last one...  Not one scrap of Cosmo Cricket paper was wasted, which makes me so happy.  I know, it's an illness.  

Have a great day!

Just for Laurie

HA! If you know my sister, then you are well aware that she is NUTS about SQUIRRELS. She talks to them. Yup, it's true.

I'm so EXCITED to see that theangelcompany has created a special SOTM (stamp of the month) just for her! Not available until AUGUST (I can HARDLY wait that long!), this set can be yours for $12.95 with any $30 purchase. Laurie, I will be sending you one FREE as soon as I can. Plus, I'm going to need this one myself...

He's a pretty cute squirrel, huh??!

Use it, or Lose it...

I went to Michael's last Sunday to pick up ONE item (Blue's Clues stickers...) and of course, came out with 3.  Items.  It occurred to me (for the 500th time) that I tend to purchase crafting items and conveniently tuck them away once I'm home and NOT use them.  Until I rediscover them 5 years later.  In a bin.  So, I made a new rule:  Use it.  Immediately.  You know, or Lose it.  ha!  

These are my 3 purchases... Chloe's Closet Gem stickers from Making Memories.  On clearance, and a MUST have since I had the paper and various other items in the line.  Blue's Clues stickers, which was my original reason for going... needed them for a birthday card for my God-daughter, Emily.  Blue velvet ribbon with brown stitching.... love the colors and it was also on sale.  

I used the Gems on these cards which will be used for "end of the year" teacher cards.  Chloe's Closet paper and a little Nestabilities action!

Next... The birthday card for Emily.  She had a Blue's Clue's party and of course, I had no such stamp.  Stickers come in handy afterall!  I am going to have to explore this option further as I have TONS of stickers.  

Lastly, the card featuring the velvet ribbon.  When I bought this, I was thinking that it would look good with this ribbon charm I already had in my stash (probably purchased 5 years ago!).  I also used paper that was randomly left on my desk.  It actually all matches, even though in the picture the ribbon color looks a little off.

I'm going to have to stick to this new rule.... I had a lot of fun using my treasures right away!

Oh Baby! #10

My mom thinks my mother-in-law is the luckiest woman alive!  She just got her 10th GrandBaby last month!  That's 10 in as many years (Ben's her oldest and he's 10).  Here's her newest, and OUR adorable nephew!  Ryan's "little brother", Rick, and his wife, Kristi, welcomed their 4th child in April. These are the birth announcements I made for them. 

I made 25 in my usual "traditional way"... you know, cards!  I used SU! specialty paper, Parisian Breeze.  It's textured and really heavy cardstock.  I ran out while making this project, and I think I am going to have to reorder!  Pretty colors.  Kraft and baja breeze cardstock, and the Martha Stewart doily lace edge punch that I'm such a fan of!  Here's the inside:

And since I am such a fan of www.picnik.com I thought I'd have some fun making a digital announcement, as well:

I got these printed at Sam's and mounted them on some cardstock so Kristi could mail them out, too.  

So happy this precious baby is here safely!  Can't wait to meet him in person!

School's ALMOST out!

Well, another school year, almost done! Certainly, there are THREE people in my household who are THRILLED about this... and ONE person and THREE cats who are Not-So-Thrilled. Not so sure I'm ready for LOUD days, but I guess I could go for trips to the beach, Adventure Island, and Ryan-Available-For-EXTRA-Housework.... (he does NOT read my blog, so I believe I am out of luck). ANYWAYS... I made this card for my sister, Tracy, a few months ago. Tracy - also happy school is almost out! This was supposed to cheer her up and let her know I was thinking of her and praying for her during her very-annoying school year.

SHOCKING, I know, but that would be Cosmo Cricket paper (Jack's World) you are feasting your eyes on! Also, the tree is a cardstock sticker, also, from the Cricket. I sewed buttons on. That's the only sewing I can handle. Here's the inside:

The "hang in there" stamp is a treasure from the Michael's dollar bin a couple of years back... I stamped it on the paper, then stamped it on ivory paper and cut out the box only and taped it on.

Let me INSPIRE you to encourage someone today! You know, with a lovely card:)

Par-tea

I've decided it isn't JUST Rochel who can talk me into doing anything for them, it's Sister-In-Law's in General.  Well, and probably Sisters.  Although,  I prefer to drop the "in-law" part for these girls, anyways.   That makes a whole group of Sisters.  Who-talk-me-into-projects.  Which I don't mind.  

Especially since we don't live close, I was THRILLED for the opportunity to be a "part" of our neice, Chloe's birthday party in some way.  These are invitations I made for her 3rd birthday Tea Party.  She has cute little teacups that are purple, yellow, orange, and green polka dots for all her friends to use at the bash.  We love these kids just as much as the 19 pound pumpkin who lives down the street, so it's really nice to get to do something so simple for them.

ANYWAYS, SU cardstock in Wild Wasabi, and Vintage Violet (I have a serious amount of this shade leftover from Rochel's wedding!!) and, of course, COSMO CRICKET patterened paper from the new Snorkel line (ha!  there are SUPPOSED to be fish with it!), and metal tags from STAPLES (that's for you, Dean... I know you are getting card-making ideas from my blog).  The teapot is from theangelcompany and teacup inside is SU!  Both are "random" (makes me happy) stamps that are actually party give-a-ways.

Here's the angel herself... but this picture is from last spring when her sister was born.  She gets cuter everyday!

Happy Birthday, Chloe!

Celebrating FOUR

In case you haven't heard...

Ben had a little good news today. So, his Card Making Mama HAD to make, what else, a card to celebrate. Once I did NOT make a birthday card for Ryan and he actually commented on it, you know, somewhere along the lines of "you make cards for everyone else? But not me?". Since then, I make cards for the boys-who-could-usually-care-less. We are celebrating tonight, too... dinner out, ice cream, late night Wii championship. There's no school tomorrow, so that helps!

For Christmas, Ryan's mom gave me some much loved Cosmo Cricket paper, which I much love. She said that when she ordered it, they threw in this "not-Cosmo-Cricket paper" that she thought I could definately use for my boys. It's from the "Hello Space Boy" line from Valerie Foster, Cosmic Chaos. Yup, definately came in handy! I cut one of the images out with my Oval Nestabilities and then cut out some SU! cardstock (blue brocade) to mount it on, and while I was laying it out to tape down, it fell sideways and I thought it kind of looked like a space monster eye, and a new idea was born. Add on the tag with the very-important-number-4 and a little ribbon, and it's done!

The inside is stamped with a Michael's dollar bin stamp that says "Way to go" with some stars... we are really proud of Ben!

Artsy Feline

You have to know I'm a Cat Lover... well, I am more of a Cat Tolerator, while Carly is the Cat Lover... That's what I tell myself every day when I am surrounded by the 3 felines I have allowed to invade our home. Miggy is old as the hills and going blind, Elfy is a crybaby who insists on sitting ON me every chance Carly isn't sitting still (which is NEVER) and Cassidy... well, he's our only Cool Cat because he ONLY likes BEN and leaves the rest of us alone... he's gray, and all cats I color are gray because of this... more than you wanted to hear?


Anyways... every Mother of a Cat Lover needs to have in their stamping arsenal a fine collection of feline stamps to entertain their small Cat Lover. I have indulged my girl with yet another fun set, from, who else, TAC. This card will be an "end-of-the-year" card for the Art Teacher, who we all really love. Since my husband (the Librarian) is considered a "specials teacher", we try our hardest NOT to forget the Specials Teacher's in our end of the year and Christmas well-wishing.


stamps: TAC, felinefabulous
paper: Cosmo Cricket (more girl friday), SU cardstock pink pirouette, old olive
other: circle and scallop nestablilities, martha stewart border punch (doily lace), prima flower, rhinestone brad from target dollar spot.

Dreamin' bout BUGS!

My kids will tell you that when they are off to college, Mama's gettin' a bug. As in, Car. We are unclear on the color (one would think I'd want red, but I am partial to the light blue one, too)... Big VW fan, and I had to "settle" on the more "child friendly" Jetta a few years ago. Love that car, too. ANYWAYS.... theangelcompany retired a stamp set a couple of years ago called groovybug that I REALLY wanted to get, but really only wanted it for one stamp, so hard to justify (as if one can EVER justify the purchase of rubber stamps! ha!). They are running a special right now where you can get a bag of random stamps that might be from retired sets, or currents sets. I figured, why not? THRILLED that my bag included THE BUG STAMP!!!! If you aren't aware of how I feel about RANDOM things, let me tell you, this made me smile for a while!

paper: Cosmo Cricket - girl friday paper (of course! Perfect stamp, perfect paper), SU cardstock (icky sage shadow)

stamps: TAC groovybug, TAC awittlebug (also in the bag of fun)

ribbon: SU old olive grosgrain

other: oval nestabilities

It is also important to note that after PAYING for my kids non-negotiable college education, I'm certain this car IS really just a dream... but what a fun one!

OH! And YES, Tracy, Carly DID punch me when she looked at my card, screaming in that giggly voice, "Punch Bug No Return!" THANK YOU so much for teaching my children that "game". Hmmm, another reason to stick with the Jetta... no injuries.

Make some Stamp Cleaner

Ok, I haven't TRIED this out yet, but I'm going to! I've been trying to find out how the make your own stamp cleaner since I'm kind of tired from buying it from Stampin' Up!... you know, for over $8 a bottle. Yes, I know you can clean your stamps with baby wipes, but honestly, never cared for that method. So, here's the recipe, as posted on www.splitcoaststampers.com (ever go there?!?!? It's a fun website!)

2 Tablespoons glycerin (in the Rx dept.)
8 oz. distilled water
1 teaspoon baby wash

It sure would have been nice if I had TRIED it before I posted, but REALLY I needed somewhere to put the recipe until I get all the stuff... for some reason our word processor takes WAY TOO LONG to load on our crazy computer.

Umm, Rochel? Can I "borrow" some baby wash?!?!

Ok... I will post my results.... eventually.

Carly's Challenge

One day, I thought it would be fun to let CARLY challenge ME in my cardmaking skills. I let her pick out a stamp set and a piece of patterned paper and I created this card for her. You have to know that the girl loves CATS! I love this set from theangelcompany... a MUST HAVE set for any Mama of a girlie-girl. The "Delight" stamp is actually from Stampin'Up! (now retired)... but it was originally a background stamp with about 30 other words, and it just wasn't working for me in that format, so I cut the whole thing up and now use it all the time, individually. The patterned paper is from Die Cuts with a View paper pad from JoAnn's (Old World... I've actually gone through a whole pad of this stuff, and had to buy another!). Cardstock from SU!

I did make Carly her own card, but for her's, I add some glittery stickles-dots in the bottom left corner of the cat image... the girl needed some BLING! They didn't really look that great, but Little Miss LOVED it and I think THAT might be why she told me it was a "very good card". Ahhhh, approval!

Going out in JOY...

My sister, Mrs. Townsend, asked me to make some cards that she can send to each of her students at the end of the year... This is what I came up with! And since my friend gave me her "Turtles" chocolate tin and it just happend to "match" and fit the cards, I made a box for them to go in... Tracy's kindergarten class is called "KC"... The paper is new from Stampin'Up!, Candy Lane double sided and cardstock is SU, too... STILL enjoying the CuttleBug and Nestabilities, label one. The "circle" of letters that reads "Mrs. Townsend..." is from JustRite Stampers.

The butterfly punch is from Martha Stewart's line at Michael's... and the ribbon charm (above) is Making Memories, letter stamps (above) are from theangelcompany...

.... I think my favorite part is the envelope:

... it seemed appropriate for kids going forward with their lives, etc... plus, our kids school has this "end-of-fifth-grade" tradition of the Clap Out. Last day of elementary school, the 5th graders parade from their classroom outside while everyone else is "clapping them out" and they are all crying. Hysterically. And yes, Ryan thinks this is REALLY funny. So, I'm CERTAIN, my sister will be the "trees of the field" on the last day of school.

... has it been a while since you've read Isaiah 55? It had been for me and I'm glad I took the time to check it out... you can certainly read the whole chapter, but you might start in verse 8, Tracy! Yup, there's a "reason" Chase is in your class!