pretty card....

So today...on December 30...in Minnesota, it's raining.  I guess stranger things have happened, but really...rain...with the snow on the ground?!  Oh well, moving on...I haven't posted a card lately.  So I thought I participate in Splitcoaststampers.com sketch challenge.  I have been in a funk with the whole card making thing.  And I'm not sure I'm still not in that funk.  This card isn't anything fancy, but it felt great to stamp after such a long break.  Hope you like the creation.

RECIPE (supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)

Stamp Set: Lots of Thoughts

Ink: Always Artichoke and Tim Holtz's Distress Ink Pad (Vintage Photo)

Cardstock: Basic Grey's Olivia with SU! whisper white cardstock

That Little Something: SU! felt flower, Cuttlebug 2x2 Stamp die cut and Crystal Stickers 3mm Clear Clare (little rhinestones)

That Little Helper: Sewing machine, stapler


Sketch:

Hello...from a full tummy!

Good Morning, I have survived the Thanksgiving feast.  Yesterday was the first of several days during the holiday season that my stomach will hate me.  Yes, it's true...I don't need to feed myself until I'm too full, but the food is sooooo good.  Today, I will have leftovers...YUMMY!  
Any ho, I've been working on my Simply Live cross stitch project.  I think I've made some progress.  But it's not perfect, I've noticed there's a mistake with the green flower and some objects around it.  I counted wrong...So I'll have to check it out...later...or not!
Hope you had a great Thanksgiving...and even a better Black Friday to all the shoppers.
Tomorrow I'm thinking about making some christmas cards...I'm excited to play with my stamps.

  

Before and After...

As I mentioned in my previous post, I would have the Heart cross stitch completed.  So here it is:  Take a close look at the craftsmanship and the detail of this project. Beautiful work! 
BEFORE:

AFTER:

I didn't do so good, did I?  Instead, I started a different project, which needs to be completed by Christmas.  I thought I should get it started this weekend, if there is any hope of its completion for my Hudak Secret Santa.  I feel in love with it at Stitchville USA, so when I purchased the kit I made sure I purchased enough linen for myself.  It uses Valdani floss which is amazing to work with.  I think it will be beautiful!

Pattern: Simply Live by Primitive Needle
Floss: Valdani
Linen: 36 ct. something


Thanks for stopping by!

An early birthday gift for me...

My sewing buddy wasn't feeling well today, so I had a day off from it.  Instead, I went to Stitchville USA to spend some time browsing.  My birthday is coming up; so I thought I would treat myself.  However, I did start on my christmas list.  I'm stitching the Simply Love from The Primitive Needle for my Secret Santa on the Hudak side; the Valdani threads are this project...so p-r-e-t-t-y.  I can't wait to start it...AFTER I get the Hearts project completed.  Check it out...I'm hoping to have it completed by this weekend.  We'll see if I'm able to get it completed...stay tuned.


(side note: OMG!! I got hooked up with my Oregonian peep on Skype...and I cried.  Seriously, what a dork I am...I was soooo happy to see her!! I received some of her creative juices via Skype, so I'll probably start some Christmas cards to sell on Esty.com.  Check out my esty link.)

I'm not sure where the buttons go...the pattern doesn't say where to place them. Could get interesting!  I'll keep you posted.

a little something different...

Good Afternoon, I thought I would go with something a little different. Here's a pattern my hubby got me while we visited the Czech/Slovak Museum in Cedar Rapids, IA last year.
I've been wanting to work on some cross stitch projects, but just haven't made the time.
I'm surprised I remembered how to stitch; I haven't cross-stitched for more than 10 years or so.  I must admit this little project was a nice change in things.  I would like incorporate different things other than just cards into my blog, I hope you don't mind.  


Within the next couple of weeks, I would like to visit Stitchville USA (a nice stitch shop) to start collecting BlackBird Design's Anniversaries of the Heart.  I'll keep you posted on the field trip.  Until then, here's my latest project which I have finished.


Cloth: 22 Count
Floss: Weeks Dye Works Color Iris


Oh ya, Oregon peep: I tried to call you today.  Call me when you can...Love you!

good morning...

good morning, everyone; i'm kinda (really) excited for today.  I have nothing planned...oh, I need to fill the bird feeders, clip the coupons and call my Oregonian peep, but that's it.  Guess, what room you are going to find me in after this posting...okay time is up...C-O-R-R-E-C-T!!...my craft room to make some cards or something.  I'll post what ever I started or finished towards the end of the day.


See ya!  :-)

I suck...

Good Morning, I'm here to report that I suck as my Oregonian peep's best friend.  Her birthday was September 12...and I'm just getting to completing her birthday gift. 


Life has been too crazy for me lately!!  Living in the midwest, winter is the time to rest (at least for me)...and let me tell you, I could use some rest!  


Here are some more of the cards I've created for her.  Hey, Oregonian peep check your email...(hopefully, if I did it right) you'll find a PaperTreyInk gift certificate.  Enjoy...I know you like their paper, ribbon and such.


I love you a ton!!

weak start to my week long celebration...

Well, it has been a weak start to my week long celebration.  It's Wednesday; and this is my second posting.  I was hoping today's posting would be my fourth, but it is what it is.  I'm going to have to make up for lost time.... 

All the cards I've created for this week are being sent to my Oregonian Peep as part of her birthday gift from me; as many of you know, she's a Stampin' Up Demonstrator.  My card designs vary from her designs, so I thought it would be cool to send her some of the cards I've created.  This way she's able to add them to her collection for card parties and such.  I hope she will like them!!

RECIPE (supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)

Stamp Set: A Cute Christmas
Ink: Baja Breeze

Cardstock: Candy Cane Christmas Specialty Designer Paper, Baja Breeze and Blushing Bride Cardstock

That Little Something: Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon

That Little Helper: Sewing machine

Kicking off a week long celebration...

Hello everyone! Today kicks off a week long celebration of my best friend's (Oregonian peep) birthday! She has been my friend since I was a sophomore (and she was a freshman) in high school. I am so thankful for her! I couldn't get a card done for this posting, but she'll have a whole weeks posting devoted to her.  I know she'll cut me some slack...(I hope).


Oh, I thought it would be cute to include a picture of her, so here it is:


Okay, the real story, I wanted to include a picture of her when she was younger, but the stupid printer/scanner pooped out on me.  As a result, I needed to find a quick replacement image...and the angel image is what I found.  It represents how much she means to me!  And here's the poem to go with it:


What is a Friend?


What is a friend? I will tell you
It is a person with whom you dare
to be yourself.  Your soul can be naked
with him. He seems to ask of you
to put on nothing, only to be what you
are.  He does not want you to be
better or worse.  What you are with 
him, you feel as a prisoner feels
who has been declared innocent.  You
do not have to be on your guard.
You can say what you think, so long as it
is genuinely you. He understand
those contradictions in your nature that
lead others to misjudge you.
With him you breathe freely. You can
avow your little vanities and envies
and hates and vicious sparks, you mean-
nesses and absurdities and, in opening
them up to him, they are lost, dissolved on
the white ocean of his loyalty.


He understands. You do not have to be
careful. You can abuse him,
neglect him, tolerate him. Best of all,
you can keep still with him. It
makes no matter. He likes you - he is
like fire that purges to the bone.
He understands. He understands.
You can weep with him, sin with him,
laugh with him, pray with him.
Through it all - and underneath - he sees,
knows and loves you.  A friend?
What is a friend? Just one, I repeat,
with whom you dare to be yourself.


--C. Raymond Beran

Mojo on a Tuesday...

Good Evening, I created this card for a friend who has a fractured jaw which has resulted in his jaw being wired shut. Hope he likes it...Get well soon!

RECIPE (supplies used by Stampin' Up! unless noted)

Stamp Set: Stampin' Around Jumbo Texture, French Foliage, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Versamagic (Hint of Pesto), Tim Holtz's Distressed Ink (Antique Linen) 

Cardstock: SU! Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla cardstock, and To The Nines Specialty Paper

That Little Something: Twine, Photo Corner Punch

That Little Helper: Nestabilities, 1 3/8" and 1 1/4" pouch

Not always the brightest star...

Yep, the not-so-bright star, that's me!  So I will admit I was very excited to hear my Oregonian peep was hosting the Ways To Use It Challenge on SCS for last week.  Perhaps I was too excited because I misread the DIRECTIONS and didn't figure it out until I had finished designing the card.


So here's my story...
I read the instructions, clearly, stating to use VERSAMARK! Yep, OKAY I can do that, right? All I need is get some Versamark inks?!  So I went shopping at my local craft store to get some Versamark inks.  The packaging says VersaMagic Chalk Inks; yep, that's what I need...nope because for some reason, I had it my head the two mediums were the same.


So basically, I've just designed a card with my own directions and then camouflage the whole ordeal by linking it to the challenge.  So enjoy, the card...and sorry my {favorite} Oregonian peep!

RECIPE (supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)

Stamp Set: Teahouse background stamp
Ink: Tim Holtz's Distressed Ink-Antique Linen and Versamagic Aloe Vera

Cardstock: Graphics 45 Le' Romantique designer paper; Sage Shadow, Groovy Guava and Very Vanilla Cardstock

That Little Something: Pretty Button, Groovy Gauva ribbon

That Little Helper: Nothing special

So long Tim's cast of 5 weeks...

Yep, today is the day! My hubby's cast of 5 LONG weeks will be removed! Although he dreads he will have another cast put on until the two bolts in his foot is taken out.  He is still have happy for the little things and looking forward to walking on his own two feet!

Here's my card for the Splitcoaststamper's Sketch Challenge; I love how this card turned out.  The stamp sets are perfect and colors worked well together.  Some day soon you might find this card on Esty.com...it's in the works.

 Thanks for visiting my blog!  Have a great day!

RECIPE (supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)

Stamp Set: Morning Cup and Favorite Thoughts
Ink: Tim Holtz's Distressed Ink- Peeled Paint

Cardstock: Designer paper from my Oregonian peep; Always Artichoke and Very Vanilla Cardstock

That Little Something: Felt looking flower brad

That Little Helper: Nothing special

getting the mojo juices flowing...

It has been some time since i've last posting anything; life has been extremely busy for me and my craft room has not been the source of inspiration for me. 

As a result, in the last couple days, my craft room has seen an overall.  I got some book shelves to assist in organization which freed me up to get rid of some bulky items like a table and such.  I'll share some pics later this week.  I feel like I can breath in the room; here's my first creation since transformation.  I participated in Mojo Monday 152 sketch challenge:


 Feels great to be able to post on my blog; thank you for visiting!

RECIPE (supplies are SU! unless otherwise noted)

Stamp Set: Elements of Style
Ink: Retired Taken with Teal

Cardstock: Autumn Meadows Designer Series Paper, Taken with Teal and Very Vanilla Cardstock

That Little Something: Vanilla Ribbon

That Little Helper: Scallop Punch and Nestabilites