Shout Out To Sheetload!

I found this INCREDIBLE e-zine called "SheetLoad Of Cards" that supplies a card sketch each month with the option to make just one card, or a bunch of cards using the same sketch!  It's so cool!!!  And each month there is the opportunity to win free product by submitting your take on their sketch!  So not only do you get a really cool card (or a whole set of them!), you can get a really cool stamp set as well!  How can you lose???

Check out their current May '09 issue!  I think you will really like it!  And if you make a card(s) using their sketch, be sure to let me see it, too!  I will definitely be referencing SheetLoad when planning for card workshops!

Taylored Expressions Sketch 66 - Wisdom

I LOVE Taylored Expressions Weekly Card Sketch Challenges!!!  Last night I was in the "crafty" mood, and needed a card, so I used the latest TE sketch below:

Here is what I came up with.  I'm really happy with how this one turned out!

The butterfly punches are popped up with their wings bent to give it some depth.  I also popped up the center block:


(sorry for the "foam" view on the butterfly!)


I really like this card.  I have not done a whole lot of embossing in the past because I always got little specks all over the place.  UGH!  Then I bought one of those little powder pouches.  They help alot, but not completely.  It helps to remove the oils from the paper you're embossing on, which will limit the amount of stray specks.  Maybe after I use this technique more often, I will get better at it...I don't know if it is something that can be helped, tho.  If anyone has any ideas on how to remove those little stray specks, please share your knowledge!!!!  :)

Next on the agenda ~ Mother's Day cards!  I'm waiting until the Mojo Monday sketch comes out tomorrow to see if it's one I can work with...need to get them done tomorrow night so I can get one mailed out to Mom in Colorado!  Maybe this time I won't be late.  There is always hope!

Card Recipe:  Stamp:  CTMH Wisdom; Papers: Far East Mat Stack by DCWV, Archiver's, & stash; Martha Stewart butterfly punch; gemstones and metal dots.

Parent's Anniversary Card

Ok - I think it's safe to post the card I made for my parent's anniversary now!  They should have received it either today or yesterday...and if not....Mom, ACT SURPRISED!  :)

I bought this paper with my mom specifically in mind because one of my mom's favorite color combinations is blue and yellow.  I found the Love Birds stamp at Michael's a few weeks ago, knowing that I would be using it soon!  A bargin for $1!!!

The white circle is popped up with foam dots:

Sorry the color isn't real great...still learning how to use my new camera!  The 2 full-size shots are closest to the actual color.

Recipe:  Paper:  Close To My Heart Alpine, Twilight, Creme Brule, White; Ink: CTMH Twilight; Stamp: Michael's; Border Punch: Martha Stuart; misc embellishments

Whiff of Joy Summer Kit and Candy!

I LOVE Whiff of Joy stamps! Love LOVE LOVE them!!!

Before they open their inventory up for ordering, they always have a kit available for pre-ordering. Guaranteed they will be FANTASTIC! But you have to hurry for your pre-order as it closes on Monday, May 4th (sorry for the delay)!

Check out their website by clicking here:

2 Quick cards I made last night for my nephew's birthday (twins). They turned 15 last week. I have a hard enough time making guys cards, let alone TEEN guy cards!!! But I think each of these fit them.


This one is for Jeshua. He's artsy and really crazy-fun! Used paper from my stash and the Retro Pups (I think that's what it's called) from TAC. Before I realized what I was doing, I taped the white dog onto the gray...I should have rounded the corners on that. Oh well. I don't think he will notice!






This card is for Tatum. He plays guitar, of course. I put the yellow star on the image paper before picking my paper, so I had to go with yellow as an accent. I think it's ok. I like the brads to jazz it up a bit.






I made a card for my parents' anniversary, which is tomorrow (4/29), but since my mom subscribes to my blog I'm not posting it yet. I will in a couple days....

"HI MOM!" :) You guys have fun today and know I love you and am thinking of you!!!

My Weekend Project - Graduation Invitations

My oldest daughter is graduating from high school in one short month! I didn't realize how close it was until last weekend - where does the time go?!

This weekend I worked on her announcements/invitations. I was hoping to find a punch to do the front label, but had no luck. So I printed it off the computer, which was probably better for time reasons. This was the first time I've really used my Big Bite punch for the ribbon...boy, did it ever make it quick & easy! It might possibly become one of my favorite tools!

I decided to combine the announcement with the open house invitation. I know a lot of our family from outside the state will not be able to come, but for simplicity sake I just left them all the same. Who knows...maybe someone will surprise us and show up for the party! Wouldn't that be nice! I'm so glad my parents and brother will be able to come from Colorado!


Well, that's all I have to share for now. I'm off to the basement to work on some more cards that need sending soon. Will post them later.

Orthodox Pascha

This post does not have much to do with paper crafting, but in a round-about way it is about crafting of some sort....

This week is Holy Week for Eastern Orthodox Christians. Yesterday we celebrated Great & Holy Friday (Good Friday) - the crucifiction and burial of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Tonight at 11:30PM we will be starting the celebration of Pascha (Passover), the Glorious Resurrection of Christ.

It is Orthodox tradition to exchange red eggs at Pascha. The egg is a universal symbol of life, and the color red serves to remind us of the precious blood of Christ that was shed on the cross for the salvation of all.

I found this information on a blog regarding the origination of the red eggs: "There exists a tradition which makes Mary Magdalene to be the originator of the custom of using red eggs on Easter day. After the ascension of our Saviour, Mary Magdalene went to Rome to preach the Gospel and, appearing before the Emporer Tiberius, she offered him a red egg, saying: 'CHRIST IS RISEN....' Learning about this offering...the early Christians imitated her, presenting each other with eggs. Hence, eggs began to be used by Christians in the earliest centuries as a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ and of the regeneration of Christians for a new and a better life."

Yesterday, on Great & Holy Friday, I made a batch of Pascha eggs:




And tonight after the celebration of The Divine Liturgy of Pascha, we will join our church family in the breaking of the lenten fast with the eating of the blessed eggs, and proclaiming with all of heaven and earth....

CHRIST IS RISEN!!!!

LET US GLORIFY HIM!!!!

You can find more information on The Orthodox Church on the St Matthew Orthodox Church's website.

Hubby's B-day Card

My wonderful husband's 41st birthday is this Wednesday so I threw together a card for him tonight. Considering the fact that I didn't have much time or energy to make it (not feeling 100%), it didn't turn out too bad!

I bought the chipboard pieces last weekend at the Dollar Store. Front's a bit cheese-y, but not too bad. Hopefully he doesn't think it's too girly with the flower on it! Oh well....I like it! :) Hope you do, too!

Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge

Today I needed to make a sympathy card for a friend who lost their mother last night. I decided to use the sketch provided by Taylored Expressions for their Cupcake Challenge #61.

Here is Taylor's sketch:

Here is my card:

I used my K&Co "Ancestry" papers again - LOVE them! The sentiment is printed off my computer. Our Daily Bread Designs has a new stamp set which includes this sentiment, and I'm planning on getting it sometime in the near future. But since I needed something for this card now, so I decided I would just print it for now.

Alzheimer's Assoc Fund Drive w/Jen Tapler

As I was checking out some of the blogs I've been following, I came accross the perfect way to put this card that I made a few weeks ago to good use!

Jen Tapler is asking all talented card crafters out there to help in her efforts to raise money for a cause that is very close to her heart; her dad is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Jen is collecting donated cards which she will be selling on-line and she will be donating the procedes to the Alzheimer's Association. All who participate are entered in a drawing for blog candy worth over $250!! Will you help, too???

Click here for more information on the Alzheimer's Association.

For more details on how to participate in this worthy cause, and be entered in the drawing for some yummy candy, check out Jen's blog:
http://jentapler.blogspot.com/2009/03/blogoversary-challenge-big-blog-candy.html

Here's my card:

Card Recipe:

Paper: K&Co's "Ancestry" line; CTMH; old book

Stamps: The Angel Co's "Be Still" set

Flowers: Paper Studio

Punches: Fiskars (flower); Marth Stewart (border)

Nestabilities long classic rectangle & scalloped rectangle

Charm, brad, spacer, lace & ribbon: from my stash

Whiff of Joy BLOG CANDY!!!

I LOVE WHIFF OF JOY STAMPS!!!! They are just adorable! http://www.whiffofjoy.com/

And you can win some for free, along with lots more yummy candy! Check out Jacqui's blog, Cat's Whiskers: http://jacqui47.blogspot.com/ for more information on how you can win!

BLOG HOP FOR STAMPS!

Jessica Knutsen is hosting a blog hop with the opportunity to win FREE stamps! Check it out! I LOVE the "Blessings" set which was previewed on Tuesday, and "Slow And Steady" is adorable! I'm anxious to see what comes out next!

All you have to do is "hop" on over to the blog of each of the Trendsetters design team, admire their BEAUTIFUL handiwork, leave a comment, then leave a comment on Jessica's blog. The hop is open until Saturday at 12AM, so don't delay!

You can find the links to the Trendsetters design team's individual blogs on Jessica's blog:
http://jessica-thereshegoes.blogspot.com/

2 Sketches 4 U Card - Nature

I've been cleaning my scrap room this weekend and I finally got my table clean enough to play some tonight! I was able to use my new Nestabilities die cuts for this card sketch - I LOVE Nestabilities!

The sketch below is from 2 Sketches 4U blog:
http://2sketches4you.blogspot.com/



I used mostly scraps to make this card, so the only product I know for sure is the stamp set, which I just bought, from TAC. You can't see it too well in the picture, but the sentiment portion is popped off the scalloped frame, and dry embossed around the edges.

Hope you all had a LOVE-ly Valentine's Day!

February Stamp of the Month - Easter Eggs!

D1340 February: Easter Eggs(Set of 20) $22.95

An amazing collection of designer eggs, complete with an adorable Easter verse. Eggsactly what you need for a happy holiday! Available February 1–28, 2009 only.2" × 2" (Y1003)

With a minimum qualifying purchase, get your Stamp of the Month at a great discount or FREE!

http://www.closetomyheart.com/stamp_of_the_month.aspx

Contact me to place your order!

Close To My Heart 25th Anniversary!

Let The Good Times Roll!

Close To My Heart is celebrating an anniversary in 2009—but you get the gifts! That’s right—our founder and CEO Jeanette Lynton marks 25 years as a leader and innovator in the stamping business, and to celebrate, we’re giving all our stamp purchasers a fabulous gift! When you spend $25 in My Acrylix® stamps (K-size customized, Stamp of the Month, and any discounted retired sets excluded), you’ll receive a totally cool, custom-designed B-size stamp set, appropriately titled “Good Times.” It’s a celebration-themed set, with a variety of fun party icons and sentiments like “let’s party” and “hip hip hooray” that are oh, so versatile. Everyone will want one—or more!