3 Birthday Cards

I really like this paper! It's from the Garden Party slab by DCWV. Can you see the sparkles? Love the vibrant colors!

Popped up the center piece (a great $1 stamp find!) for depth & added glitter & gems:
I decided to use some scrap CTMH paper for this card. Classic colors for a classic image, I think! I got this stamp from the dollar bin as well:


Now for something on the more masculine side:

Papers & ink from CTMH; Stamp from Savoir Faire

Hope you all are enjoying the warm weather that is finally here! I was beginning to wonder if we were going to have a summer this year or not. At least things are nice and green now with all the rain we've been getting ~ there is always a silver lining, right!

Father's Day & Birthday Cards

A couple Father's Day Cards to post today. This one will be going to my DH's dad:

And this one will go to my dad cuz he's into cars:

I liked that paper so much that I made my brother's birthday card with it, too! Added some blue as a contrast color:
The paper is 2-sided, so I will be adding the sentiment on a different piece of cardstock on the inside.
I have 2 more birthday's coming up this month...I think...maybe more. So will be posting again soon!

A New Episode of Art & Soul with CTMH TV

Another great episode of Art & Soul is now available—and it celebrates the family memories, vacations, holidays, and other events that make summer such a perfect season! This video segment focuses on the fun techniques of faux tearing; stamping in white to add extra elegance and texture to your projects; and working with glitter.

What’s more, Jeanette Lynton sings the praises of giving yourself permission to re-scrapbook your “magic moments,” creating different and exciting new directions for each layout.

Be sure to join us for this sparkling, summery episode of Art & Soul! You’ll find it under CTMH TV on the CTMH home page.

EEEK! There's A Mouse in the House!!!!

But these mice won't tear up your paper and make a mess in your house!  Aren't these stamps the cutest!  This card is for my daughter's birthday - she love critters!  The inside of the card says, "You make life fun!" - which she does!

This card is for my niece's birthday, who was born 2 days before my daughter!  She loves bright colors and polka dots....this card just about covers both!

Graduation Cards

This year there are 4 other kids besides my daughter that I know that are graduating.  So, as I was sitting here tonight anxious for my parents to arrive tomorrow from Colorado, I decided to make graduation cards to pass the time.  I used a sketch from Taylored Expressions...I think I posted a card using this sketch before...I like it!

I was wanting to try out my new JustRight Stampers - that's the words on the round part.  Very nifty little gadget!  I would like to get more of these!  I punched out the circle and used the old fashioned compass and scissors to cut the black circle.  Another thing on my wishlist: Nestabilities circles and scalloped circles!!!  No guessing games to right size or messed up edges then!!!

Brianna is graduating on Tuesday, and we are having her party on Monday (Memorial Day) afternoon.  Getting a little nervous about that cuz I decided to make the food myself instead of catering.  WHAT WAS I THINKING!!!  Actually, it will save us a penny or two, I believe....one must do what one must!  I'm sure it will all be fine.  After all, Mom will be here, along with lots of other helpers, to help me keep my sanity!  I am praying for nice weather as I'm not sure how many people my little house can handle...  Either way, it will be an exciting and memorable weekend/week!!!  I'm so proud of my girl!  :)

Today's Rummage Finds

My daughter, who is graduating from high school the end of this month, is moving toMarshfield this summer to start college classes this fall.  So today we went to a village-wide rummage sale in Wrightstown with my friend, Suzanne.  We had a SUPER time!!!!  I was afraid we were going to be rained on all day, but  God blessed us with a perfect day for sale-ing!  YEAH!!!!  

WOW!!! Did we ever find the deals!!!  I think the only major thing Brianna needs now is chairs for her FREE kitchen table...THAT'S RIGHT ~ FREE!!!!  Can't beat that!  We stumbled across a lady that was cleaning out her garage (we thought she was having a sale) earlier today, and when we passed by her house later, she had the table (along with another FABULOUS find that I will be posting later!) at the end of her drive way with a "FREE" sign on it.  We struggled for awhile trying to figure out how to get it in the van...but eventually, thanks to the advise of our pastor, who is also Brianna's boyfriends dad, we took the legs off the table and everything worked fine!  You should have seen our van!  Brianna had to sit with us in the front it was so full!

I did manage to find a few goodies myself, and only spent less than $20!  COOL!  Here's some of what I got:

The cherry set is for my other daughter ~ she loves cherries!  I have needed some new curtains for our bedroom ever since I shrunk the ones hanging now (oops!) - PERFECT!  The white box will be a great addition to my "NEW" scraproom (premiering this fall, God willing!).  My friend, Kim is always looking for planters for the jungle in our office!  And I just liked the plate - hey, there's roses on it!!!  Couldn't pass it up for .75!  I also got a magazine rack, also for my scraproom, and some canning jars.

I will post a picture of my FREEBIE later.....IT IS AWESOME!!!!  Now just to figure out where I'm going to put it!  That will be the challenge!  But it's worth it!  (curious yet???)  tee hee!  :)

Mojo Monday - Mother's Day

For some reason the Mojo Monday Sketch that was sent on Monday morning was the sketch that was posted for the previous week...I thought it looked familiar!  And I didn't know until I was getting ready to link my card to their blog that I had done the wrong sketch!  oh well...there is always next month to try to win the loot!  I still had fun making the card and I really like how it turned out!

Here is the sketch:

I did our Mother's Day cards using this sketch.  Here is what I came up with:

I don't know how many pictures I took of this card, and how many different lighting variations - felt like 100's!  But I just couldn't get the colors to turn out right.  The pink cardstock is CTMH's Blush, which is a slightly brighter baby pink.  But you really can't tell from these pictures.  The closest to the true color is the top 2 pictures.  

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

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!