Jewelbug's spot

challenge card

2011-10-30T21:22:00.003-04:00

This card was made for a co-worker who needed a first birthday for a little boy. I followed a sketch that was part of our bi-monthly challenges.

Ryan's birthday card

2011-09-05T20:32:00.002-04:00

Ryan turns 11 tomorrow - have no idea what to get the little bugger - he has everything & more - will probably give him some good old cash .....

recent cards

2011-09-05T10:32:00.003-04:00

It's been a while since I've posted anything on my blog - here are some cards I made recently for loved one's birthdays.

Happy birthday!!

2011-05-30T18:53:00.002-04:00

I've been terrible about keeping my blog updated...but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy creating - just not the best about posting....

here is a card I made for a challenge - tons of birthday cards are needed!!

Summer fun!!

2011-05-30T18:32:00.002-04:00

Here is a card I made for a challenge - love this stamp from The Greeting Farm. Background paper is DCVW summer stack from a couple of years ago...the pool water is more DCWV - some of the very first stacks purchased...the wahsu tape on the right hand side is from The Greeting Farm also. She is colored with Copics (except her hair - that was colored with SU markers).

FROSTED

2011-01-16T21:50:00.003-05:00

Once I found this paper this layout flew together quick as anything - I only wasted half an hour locating this paper - it was some of the first I bought from QVC back in the day when they still had craft shows....huge mistake on their part - the money I spent -ohevy- I don't want to even think about it!! The letters were cut using Alphalicious and then I outlined them with a black marker and then popped them off the page using pop dots.

I found the prettiest snowflake brads at Hobby Lobby and used one to accent the letter O.

bust buds

2011-01-16T21:42:00.004-05:00

Kaytlyn and Caira are best buds - and do so much together from sleepovers to band, basketball, soccer and softball This paper is Cosmo Cricket - I really liked the critters.

baby shower banner

2011-01-16T21:34:00.002-05:00

This is a banner I made using my latest (and greatest) Cricut cart - Alphalicious - this is so verstile!! This is for a baby shower my niece Sierra is hosting for a co-worker. I have to find some ribbon to link them together - what I picked out earlier was too short.....

Challenging....

2011-01-16T13:47:00.005-05:00

Danielle is the challenge host for this month and has come up with some real doozies! I love them and am dying to try them all but I have limited crafting time this weekend. Here are my entries in the Love category:

This layout is of my niece Stephanie's wedding - (I lifted the pix from Facebook)

A close up of the ribbon and crocheted lace trims and the Maya Road crystal headed pins Iva gave me. Love these!!

And this is a digi stamp but I have so many I'm not sure where I got it....I just know that it's lovely and perfect for this simple page.

A gate way Valentine's Day card - not sure who will be the recipient of this card yet but I really like the way it came out.

Inside of the card

Stella

2010-10-31T20:39:00.003-04:00

Meet Stella from TGF~~ Isn't she sweet? I made this card for my 'sister' Sarah to accompany a Elfster gift I made for her- however I did not take a photo of the gift as I made very early one morning (at 4AM) when I could not sleep. Thankfully the sleeping issue has gotten much better - now I just need to find more time to create!! The buttons are from SU!, the paper was scraps I had laying around and the sentiment is a stamp from M's dollar spot.

Charlie's birthday card

2010-10-31T20:32:00.002-04:00

It seems like forever since Ive posted anything - I have been very busy with situations in my life and have not had time to do create - I did manage to find time to throw this card together for my FIL 's birthday using some scraps from my stash, washi tape from TGF and the sentiment is a digi stamp from somewhere online, I punched it using a new punch from SU!

Nothing special but at least I made it!

an Anniversary card for my sister

2010-09-19T17:24:00.002-04:00

Here is a card I made for my sister Lisa's anniversary. I found the Digi stamp online from the blog Create with TLC. The kraft card is from Hobby Lobby, the papers are all DCVW Linen Closet collection and the twine is from PTI

more cards

2010-09-08T14:01:00.002-04:00

One of my co-worker's husband succumbed to cancer - I made this card for her.

This card was for Chuck's parents Anniversary in September; sadly it was their last as she lost her battle with cancer in December.

I think that I made this card to accompany my Fall Artist Trading Cards that I sent to Shawn as she was in charge of the swap. I used a TGF stamp - I believe this is Charlotte. She's so cool..

And I'm not sure if I made this card with anyone in mind - I think it was for Kaytlyn's birthday as I gave her an ITunes card as she is just now discovering her own musical tastes...thank God its NOT Justin Bieber!!

a card for Kim

2010-08-23T21:17:00.003-04:00

My sister in law Kim's birthday deserved a card with a sense of humor so when I came across this little lovely I knew she would appreciate this humorous image. This is the sentiment on the inside.....

A close up of the silver bangles and the glittery feathers in her boa

And look at this beauty's makeup - blush all over the face, blue eyeshadow and lipstick on her teeth and outside the lips - just like a real barfly would look - and take note of the hip pink streaks in her hair - yeah she's a real looker!!

LEAH @ ONE

2010-08-22T21:17:00.003-04:00

My niece's daughter (my great niece? grand niece?) turned one at the beginning of the month - isn't she just beautiful? Her birthday gala was Hawaiian themed hence the lei. She was sucking the juice out of the fruit salad and it was dribbling down her chin.

I need to photo shop the log out of this picture - it looks like she has some funky horns coming out of her head!

Fresh from a nap, Leah with her gramma Kim and great gramma Sally.

Would be a perfect picture if not for the Binky but still a beautiful subject!!

Busy busy!!

2010-08-10T19:42:00.003-04:00

I had a little procedure today at the doctor's office so I took the rest of the day off to recuperate and properly medicate myself so I would feel no pain as I am a huge wimp~ part of my "therapy" was to make some cards.

This little sweetie (Cupcake Anya) is for my niece Emily's daughter Leah's first birthday. I just love this image - it is perfect for birthdays!! I used some of that fun Washi tape from The Greeting Farm - this is from the Brown Coffert collection. LOVE IT!! So versatile and fun to play with!

This is Summer from The Greeting Farm (yes I almost have all of them!!). I made this card for my sister in law, Kathleen's birthday. The bow isn't really as crooked as it looks in this picture.

I popped Summer up off the card with some pop dots - the square button is from Stampin' Up! I backed it with some glittery paper.....I plan on entering this card in the Monday Mania challenge over on Club Anya.

for Shawn

2010-08-10T19:34:00.003-04:00

My poor "sister" Shawn needed some exploratory surgery today so I made her this incredibly witty, cute card!! I found this image and the sentiment from the blog - CREATE WITH TLC - she has several free digi stamps every day!!

I even used the Washi tape I picked up from TGF - if you are not familiar with this great stuff be sure to check out The Greeting Farm website and order yourself some!!

A new clock...

2010-08-08T20:55:00.004-04:00

My kitchen clock finally died so I created one that matched the border - was very easy to do- the hardest part was getting the face off without ruining my manicure.... here is a close up -

for Jenny's August package....

2010-08-08T20:36:00.002-04:00

My NSSS Jenny works in a pre-school and will start back to work soon - I thought that hand santizers were something she could really get some use out of so I altered a couple of them.

Here is close up of the bow I made - turned out okay...
Here is the other one - I ran out of ribbon on the bottom so I threw on a flower and some cute little orange buttons I bought at Michael's.

And this it card I whipped up for her - I used Rock Star Anya - she's really fun!!

Here is a close up of Anya - her pants are a neon lime green but they are not showing up very well in these photos.

A card for Gramma Lin

2010-08-08T20:34:00.003-04:00

My gramma Lin turned 94 on Saturday so I made her a card using this super cute digi stamp from TGF - its Cupcake Anya and my friend Rachel designed her.......isn's she adorable??

Get Well Steph!

2010-07-31T21:04:00.003-04:00

One of my 'sisters' is having surgery on Monday so I made this card for her - the owl is from Paisley and the printed paper is from Basic Grey. I love owls and had this one on hand so I thought it would be really cute for a get well card - the inside sentiment reads "or owl will be sad." Cute huh?

a birthday card and a spare

2010-07-31T20:49:00.004-04:00

This little tomboy is Audrey from The Greeting Farm. Isn't she the cutest??

I layered the star punched from the SU punch and then added a glittery star that I got some time ago and added a gold brad.

This card is for my brother in law that shares my birthday. He is really into fishing so I had to use the Fisherman Ian from TGF's Rock the Farm set.

Inside lookin' out....

2010-07-22T11:53:00.003-04:00

This layout is of Alley, she was laying in the bedroom window watching me while I was outside...she hates that I don't let her out unaccompanied but I'm still so nervous about her wandering off and getting lost or going into the road. These layered flowers are Primas for the first layer and some other paper flowers that I had laying around.

The papers are from My Mind's Eye. The trim is some that I received from Jenny, my NSSS. I stapled it to stay folded but didn't like the look of the staples after I was done so I covered it with some ribbon.

Here is a close up of the journaling.

back to scrapping

2010-07-22T11:21:00.004-04:00

Well, I finally got back to my favorite hobby ~ scrapping!

Here is a layout that I made of the various flowers that have blossomed this year, both wild and planted.

The subject of this layout is my newest love, Miss Alley Sunday - a stray I found while at work.

The black paper is from Magnolia Moon, the crocheted flowers are of my own making.

The journaling (hidden behind the picture) tells the story of how Alley became a family member.

Wedding Card for Kristina and Jason

2010-07-22T11:16:00.003-04:00

This was made for our friends' daughter Kristina who got married last week. I used a card from DCWV, the checked vellum is recycled from her wedding invitation, a stamped image that was given to me in an image swap, some aqua tulle and rhinestones to match.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Jason Tomei!!

a box for Jenny

2010-07-21T22:23:00.005-04:00

I altered this box from Michael's for my NSSS Jenny for her July package. This first picture is of the inside lid, the corner flourish is a rub-on. Here's a better picture of the inside.

The front of it, I used one of the crocheted flowers that I made earlier this year along with a button from PTI

Here is the top - the rub-on says " Dreams are whispers from your soul"

I filled it with some handmade brads (I used my I-topper but failed to take photos) and a bunch of stamped images of stamps from the TGF line that she wanted me to stamp for her.

Random cards

2010-07-21T22:09:00.003-04:00

Well, I finally figured out the posting issue....yay for me... so here are some stray cards I have made. This one was for my NSSS Jenny's July package - its PMS Bella!

This card was made for one of my "sisters" as well - Steph whom is my SU rep - I can't just send her a check without a handmade card!! I do not remember where I got this digi stamp as I have been collecting them lately....but thought it was really cute! And I think Steph has a thing for elephants.......

This card was made for my youngest "chick" Lindsey (her nickname is Froggy) - usually I go to the beach with her and her family for at least a week but this year I could not go because I had some surgery. I made her this card and enclosed $5 so that she would still be able to buy some ice cream from Aunt Jewel. Again, not sure where the digi stamp came from but it was perfect for her!

And this card was for her sister Kaytlyn - I gave her $5 for ice cream too!

more birthday cards....

2010-07-21T21:35:00.002-04:00

June is an extremely busy month for me for birthdays!!

This card was made for Lauraine, Chuck's mom - I used TGF's Hope & Grace "Peace" along with some new papers I got from DieCutsRUs.

This crazy card was made for Chuck's Aunt Josie - she's a bit eccentric herself so I thought it suited....the stamp was purchased from the stamping/scrapbooking Expo I attended earlier this spring - I fell in love with this wacky old woman - in fact we saw someone just like her at Hobby Lobby once!

Birthday cards

2010-07-21T21:25:00.001-04:00

This card was for my little brother Daniel's birthday. The stamp is from TGF, I believe his name is Paul from Roll Call collection.

This card was whipped up for a co-worker's birthday - its a Bella. I know, I forgot to color the boots.

This card was made for my branch manager, Angie's birthday. I used Country Anya from TGF. Can you tell I love these stamps??

some random cards

2010-07-21T21:15:00.000-04:00

I made these cards to have on hand - it always seems I never have any when I need one!

This stamp was purchased from a vendor at the Expo I went to earlier this summer.

This is Fleur Anya from TGF - I glittered her dress and the flowers in her hair.

This is Annika from TGF she is retired so I needed some assistance locating her - Thanks Rachel!!

Fathers Day cards....

2010-07-21T21:03:00.001-04:00

This card I made for my dad, he is supposed to be retired but still works on his neighbor's farm. Not sure where I got the digi stamp nor the papers, they have been around for a long time.

This card was for Chuck from the kitties; I used the digi stamp I won from TGF~Handyman Ian and some papers from the Recollections line from Michael's - this was the Autumn stack along with some square little bronze brads

This card was for Chuck's dad Charlie. Paper is from the DCWV Green stack.
Same digi stamp that I used for my dad's card as he is a farmer at heart too.

another graduation card

2010-07-21T20:55:00.000-04:00

For some reason I can not figure out how to post on the "new" blogger and I am not happy with it at all - so bear with me......one card at a time.

This card was made for a friend's daughter that had the nerve to grow up! I used the Graduation Anya stamp from TGF and some paper from DCWV and random ribbon in her school colors.

Graduation card...

2010-07-21T20:43:00.005-04:00

This graduation card was made for Chuck's cousin Joseph. I used a digital stamp and some DCWV paper and ribbon that I had laying around.

Savannah's birthday card

2010-07-21T20:35:00.000-04:00

This card was made for my niece Savannah, who is a goth princess - the stamp is from The Greeting Farm, not sure about the dotted paper nor the felt ribbon; the green glitter paper is from DCWV and the orange card candy where bought from Ebay. I did use my new daisy border punch from EK Success.

My first attempts at altering

2010-06-08T05:34:00.003-04:00

I knew that I wanted to make a card for my niece's birthday with the TGF stamps but my problem was that none of them looked like her so I borrowed a page out of my friend Rachel's book of creativity and altered the stamped images to make it look more like Sierra. I used the body from Rock the Farm, the head from Sassy Suzi and modified her hairdo by cutting off the longer pieces in the back and added some short flips from Gigi. Close up you can see that I need to perfect my trimming but I think it was pretty good for a first time.

Since Sierra is a "farmer" herself I wanted to depict her TGF image correctly; therefore two "donkeys" (I only had horse stamps) to represent Abigail and Jezebel, her momma and daughter miniature donkeys and the over large pig, Morgan.

Since I had left over parts from my stamping experiment I whipped up a birthday card for my Aunt Lessie whose birthday is this week also.

I used the head from the Rock the Farm (my Aunt does NOT have pigtails nor does she wear flowered hats...yet) and the body from Gigi.

I think she came out pretty cute and did not take nearly as long as Sierra's card. Hopefully they will both like them!

Don't Look Jen!

2010-05-31T18:29:00.003-04:00

This card is for my NSSS JennyK's May package that will be mailed out tomorrow....just a tad late... I used the TGF stamp - Ebony - and paper from the new DCWV summer stack, card candy and the stitching is with my Pixie sewing machine. I glittered her skull and hairband -

a close up of the stitching....a hint for those of you that may want to try sewing directly on your paper - adhere the paper where you will NOT be stitching - this works for 2 reasons - the adhesive will gunk up the needle and it will hold the paper where you want it.

Meet Thursday

2010-05-31T18:20:00.005-04:00

Meet Thursday! Isn't she cute? She is one of the newest stamps I have gifted myself from The Greeting Farm which is my absolute favorite new place for stamps.
I made this card for my niece Madison's 8th birthday (8 going on 22)....I even customized it by hand drawing the star on Thursday's top! The pp is DCVW newest summer stack - I used Nesties and some random ribbon along with the card candy that I found on EBay.

Here is a close up of the coloring - I really need to watch some Copic videos but at this point I only own 4 Copics so ...no rush yet!

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T10:34:00.002-04:00

Today is Mother's Day and I was disappointed to not receive a handmade card from the cats this year......but the day is not over so maybe I will get a surprise.
I made this card for Chuck to give his mom, this is one of the digi stamps that I won from TGF.... Chipmunks Gather. The sentiment is from SU! The background paper is Paper Crate, the ribbon is of unknown origin.I

This card was made for my Mom - the stamp is from TGF - Hope from Hope & Grace. The paper is Cosmo Cricket, the tulle was picked up from the fabric department at Wal-Mart - it has a sheen to it. The sentiment is from SU! and the palest green rhinestones from M's. The white heart brad is from Oriental Trading Company.

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers of human and fur babies!!

recent cards

2010-05-09T10:08:00.003-04:00

I can not remember the last time I scrapped something! All I seem to be doing lately is make cards.....here are my latest creations

I made this one for my NSSS Jenny's son, Isaiah's birthday - made with left over pieces from a Cosmo Cricket kit

Made this one to have on hand - the stamp is Gigi from TGF, all the paper is from my scraps, ribbon was something I found at M's last year and the black bling is something I picked up at the Expo I went to last month with my sister Lisa and friend Christina.

Here is a close up of the sentiment

and this is what happens when you run something thru the Cuddlebug AFTER you adhere dimensional items..i.e...rhinestones....it flattened them like a pancake so her earrings are much larger than I was going for...

This was a sympathy card I made for a co-worker whose Mom passed away.

And this one was made for Wanda, one of Chuck's friends wife whose mom also passed away. This was a free digital stamp I found online.

Last Sunday was Halle's first communion - here is the card I made for her. The stamp was something I borrowed from my sister Lisa - I used Dazzling Diamonds on it to bling it up as Halle's loves everything that glitters. The gold paper is from SU!

Thanks for looking!

presents for Madison & Isaiah

2010-05-01T21:40:00.003-04:00

My NSSS JennyK has two great kids, Isaiah who is turning 5 on May 5th and a daughter Madison whom is 11. I wanted to make them something so I picked up humongous initials at Joann's - the base is paper mache. Isaiah's room is decorated with construction vehicles so I searched high and low for paper - only found one single sheet at a Michael's in Latham with my MB friend Tini and real life sister Lisa. The shovels and hard hats are cuts from Everyday Paper Dolls which I borrowed from my sister Lisa. Yes there is a cart that I do NOT have!!

Madison is a girly girl - loves bling and her room is painted orange - even though her mother is wanting to change the color to something more "normal" - so I chose some paper that had orange in it - this is My Minds Eye -

I added black rhinestone swirls and some rhinestones and circles that I picked up at Michael's on the same trip where I found the construction paper.

I really like how they both turned out and Jenn said that the kids both loved them and after all, that is all that counts.

Bridal shower card

2010-05-01T21:24:00.006-04:00

Today I went to a bridal shower for a friend's daughter - she was in the Girl Scout Troop that I worked with - man do I feel old! She looks wonderful - all grown up and such a sweet young lady - yep I'm even talking like an old lady.

Regardless of my tottering age, I can still make a mean card - this bride stamp is from DeNami Designs - looks a lot like a Bella to me but they call her Mimi. The patterned paper is from the Luxury Stack from DCWV, the blue is from the Linen Closet mat stack. I used the oval scalloped nesties; the Sparkle sentiment is from SU! - I used Diamond Dust from SU! on the Sparkle and on the bouquet, flowers in her hair and the veil.

This is the sentiment I printed off the computer - I used the Label 3 Nesties. The patterned paper is also from the Linen Closet DCWV stack.

Altered comp notebooks

2010-04-25T10:42:00.003-04:00

I altered these composition notebooks that I picked up last fall while they were 25 cents at Wal-mart - these will be sold at a open house to raise funds for Relay for Life.

I used papers from DCWV and thickers, Alphabet soups and felt letters.

a birthday card for Halle

2010-04-25T10:10:00.002-04:00

I recently won some digital stamps from one of my FAVORITE stamp companies, The Greeting Farm. I used Pinto Pony to make a birthday card for Chuck's niece Halle who is turning 8 and she has a thing for "yee-haas"(AKA ponies/horses).

I used DCWV patterned papers, the orange is from the summer stack (last year's) and the geometric is from Nana's kids (I think)...Nesties Label 2 and some ribbon from my ever expanding stash. The Happy Birthday stamp was picked up several years ago at the dollar spot at Target.

I glittered the yeehaa's spots and the bluebird's wings and used glossy accents on the mane then tucked a flower behind her ear for some dimension.

cards, cards and more cards

2010-04-25T09:27:00.004-04:00

I've been busy using some of my new stamps and making cards - these first 5 are cards that I owed one of my sisters since February! They finally went postal on Wednesday so she should have them shortly - I left it the insides blank so she can use them as she wishes. This first one is Sassy Suzi from The Greeting Farm - the striped background paper is Basic Grey and the purple is from Oriental Trading Company. I used Nesties Label Four and glittered the "fur" on Suzi's coat. The purple accent is something I picked up at Hobby Lobby on clearance.

This card is my favorite - random ribbon, Making Memories paper and a SU! stamp -a Hostess Level 1 set "Country Morning". Nesties Label 2 was used as well.

This stamp is one that I bought when I was on vacation last year - not sure what company makes it. The paper is SU! (Razzleberry Lemonade collection) and a bit of pom pom trim I picked up at Joann's. I also used Nesties Label 4.

This stamp is from SU! (Because of You), the papers are from DCWV, nesties Label 3 and the orange accent is from Hobby Lobby.

This is another stamp from the Country Morning SU! hostess set - the peach polka-dot paper is PaperCrate, the brown is Making Memories, twill ribbon from SU! and Nesties Label 3.

This card I made for Shawn, one of my "sisters" to accompany a goodie package I sent her. This stamp is hilarious - when I first saw it I thought of me and my sisters shopping. We usually don't get this dressed up to shop but we do have the chins! The paper is SU! (Razzleberry Lemonade) bling is from Michael's (they are gold even though they look black in this picture).

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!!

2010-04-16T21:23:00.005-04:00

I am so excited!! My friend Rachel turned me on the to The Greeting Farm website - I LOVE these stamps!! And oh my, the creativity and talent on the design team and on Club Anya's blog - outstanding!
Anyhoo, I won four digi images today!! That totally makes my day, my WEEK!!

I can not say that I have never won anything....that's how Rachel and I "met" - she was offering a RAK on the Cricut message board and I was chosen... and we have been buds ever since! Now we just have to meet face to face!

If you have never wandered over to The Greeting Farm - I strongly encourage you to check them out....its a wonderfully creative place http://www.thegreetingfarm.com

baby shower decorations

2010-04-15T20:36:00.003-04:00

My niece Sierra asked me to make some decorations for a baby shower for her co-worker Vickie. As the gender of the baby is a surprise to most she requested that I make the decorations in green and yellow. I used the New Arrival cricut cart for all these and threw a couple dabs of stickles here and there.

The booties were a little more time consuming as I chose to thread the ribbon and tie the bows - Alley had to help me unravel the ribbon - I never thought I was going to get a crafting partner when I brought her home!

latest creations

2010-04-13T21:03:00.003-04:00

This is the pink piggy party invitation that Halle wanted me to make.....I used my brand spanking new Create-A-Critter cricut cart - I think they came out pretty cute

This is the baby banner I made for my niece's co- workers baby shower- used A Child's Year cricut cart

This is Chuck's birthday card - love the new SU! happy birthday stamp - really clean and crisp!

And here is the birthday card I made for my dad (yes they are both really into John Deere tractors). On dad's card I used the Martha Stewart fence punch (its sideways).

updated Alley pix

2010-04-13T20:47:00.002-04:00

Alley decided that she wanted to get to know my E - she's so inquisitive! and yes, those little piles of cuts ended up on the floor......

Here she is looking like an angel.......too bad she wasn't!!

She LOVES to watch TV - she was watching American Pickers with daddy and Uncle Roy.

This is one of my favorites of her so far - the sun had risen about an hour earlier and the eastern light coming through the window was beautiful

the bluebird of happiness

2010-04-13T20:21:00.003-04:00

This sweet little bird was sitting outside on a branch one Sunday morning - made me feel good to see him sitting there - hopefully Alley will not see him as she is quite the hunter and can jump really high and can sort of fly through the air herself.....

Easter Cards

2010-04-13T20:10:00.002-04:00

I made some Easter cards a couple of weeks ago but have not had time to upload them here. This one I made for my mom - totally lifted the idea for using a vintage Easter image from my sister Lisa - thanks sis!! This one was for my Mother in Law - used another image from the Internet.

And this one was for Kaytlyn - I used a stamped image that I got in an image swap and some scraps... the triangles and the rectangular ones are BG.

spring time wreath

2010-04-01T21:18:00.005-04:00

I got the inspiration for this wreath from a fellow blogger:
http://hollyscharmedlife.blogspot.com/2009/11/deck-doors.html

Here is my version that I made for my NSSS JennyK for her March package. It was a tad more time consuming than I had planned - its base is a Styrofoam wreath wrapped with ribbon. Then I hot glued the hand made paper flowers to the ribbon covered wreath. I added a wired ribbon to finish it off and a ribbon for a hanger. Here is a close up of the flowers - the papers are from a collection from Making Memories and glittered with silver stickles. The center of the flowers are those marbly things you would put in the bottom of a vase - super sized skittles for those of us who bought into that craze! I backed them with some co-ordinating paper from Daisy D's.

Another shot of the flowers.

And the ribbon. I really loved the results ( I only tore it apart twice!!)

I think I'm addicted....

2010-03-28T19:05:00.002-04:00

to The Greeting Farm stamps!! I love these little things...they are so adorable! This is Hope & Grace - Laundry. I'm not sure of where I got the patterned papers - they were in the scrap collection. The skittles were hand dyed...I believe these are Red Pepper. I used the usual lone Copic for her skin and a combo of SU!, Bic and Sharpie markers for the rest.

Here is a closer look at the coloring. I am no where talented at this - it's a major miracle that I can stay inside the lines. and here is another attempt to embrace my handwriting....for some reason this looks NOTHING like my usual hen scratch!

Introducing Alley Sunday

2010-03-27T21:14:00.004-04:00

This is our newest family member, Alley Sunday Landers. She showed up one day at work, in the alley behind the office. She was pregnant and homeless and she reminds me so much of Shadow that I could not let her have the kittens outside. So after two days of feeding her and letting her sneak into my office I decided that she needed to go to the local shelter. I thought I was doing a good thing for her. Unbeknownst to me I was more attached than I could ever imagine - I cried like a baby when I dropped her off at the SPCA. I could not even drive home- I had to sit in the parking lot until the sobbing was done....the director of the SPCA is a friend of one of my co-workers so she told me that I could have her after she had her kittens. I knew in my heart that I wanted her to help fill the void that was left after Shadow's death and Purrsha really needed someone to love while we were gone all day. Alley fit the bill.
Now the hard part was talking Chuck into letting me bring her home. He fought it tooth and nail telling me that if I brought the cat home that I could find my own shelter somewhere else. I didn't let that stop me! I bombarded him with photos of Alley and finally told him that I was bringing her home and he had no choice. So, after a week at the SPCA where her kittens were aborted (she wasn't that far along I was told) she was fixed and gotten all her shots and a micro chip in case she gets lost, it was time to bring her home. She is a very loving cat and cuddly with her humans. However, she and Purrsha still have to come to terms. We usually awake to a screaming ball of fur rolling down the hall way....not what I envisioned at all. Everyone tells me that they will settle in and they may - meanwhile the current situation is NOT working for me. Today was a good day; no fights that I was aware of. Purrsha is choosing to stay in the basement on the ratty old couch - which is better than hiding behind the couch or under the bed.

I named her Alley after where she was discovered, Sunday after Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman's daughter Sunday Rose; Alley calmed down on the long ride home when listening to his music.

She sleeps through the night snuggled between Chuck and myself spread out on her back with her little kitty arms over her head....She is content with her new home.

birthday cards for Emily and Jennifer

2010-03-27T20:41:00.005-04:00

My sister in law Jennifer's birthday was this week so I made her this Bella Birthday card. The patterned paper is Basic Grey with some random ribbon scrap that was on my desk. This card was for my co-worker Emily's birthday, also this week. The background papers are Basic Grey, some random stray ribbon, some skittles and the stamp is from TGF - its Sassy Suzi! This little chick looks the most like Em- brown highlighted hair with a funky blunt cut. And her fav color is purple

Here's a close up of the coloring - I used my SU!, Bic and Sharpie markers.

Megan

2010-03-07T20:44:00.002-05:00

Megan is a Wild Sprout from The Greeting Farm - I really really love these cuties!
The floral background paper is from DCWV not sure what stack; the peach polka dots is Paper Crate. Megan was colored with a combination of SU!, Bic and Sharpie markers.
I am trying to embrace my own handwriting so, instead of using a stamp I wrote the "hello" myself. I can live with it.

Blingabella~

2010-03-07T20:30:00.003-05:00

Here is the card I made for my friend and previous co-worker Barb - she recently got engaged and we are meeting up with a bunch of other co-workers to celebrate. I hope she is not adverse to the color purple.... Here is a close up of my faux bow and some of the faux stitching (used an old tracing wheel that old time sewing people used). I used scraps from my stash so I'm not sure of the origins.....the embossed scalloped heart is from Stampin' Up! ~ I just got it this week. The "sparkle" sentiment is also SU! Here is a close-up of the tiara and her sparkly dress~I think Barbie has a dress just like this!!

Flapper Anya

2010-03-07T19:59:00.003-05:00

Meet Flapper Anya! She is from The Greeting Farm.

I made this card for my co-worker and friend Pat. I stickled her headband, shoes, feather and the fringe on her dress. She was colored with SU!, Bic and Sharpie markers. I did have to chalk her blush as I couldn't get a marker to look soft.

The background papers were from a set I picked up from Target several years ago - I'm thinking that it is Making Memories.

Gigi

2010-03-07T19:40:00.003-05:00

Here is Gigi - a super sweet stamp from The Greeting Farm. My friend Rachel turned me on to these adorable characters.
I honestly do not know the manufacturer of any of the printed papers- there all came out of my scrap stash.
The "friend" stamp is from SU!, a set that I got years ago during Sale-a-bration.
I used my Pixie sewing machine that Chuck bought me for last Christmas; as you can see, I can not sew a straight line.
I used the Cuttlebug for the solid blue scrap; the Swiss Dots folder is one of my favorites.
I also used some of the card candy that I got off E Bay for the corners and the center of the flower on her headband.
Gigi was colored with a combination of SU!, Bic and Sharpie markers.
I think she turned out pretty cute!!

Hoo loves U baby?

2010-02-28T21:05:00.003-05:00

This card is too cute if I must say so myself!! I hand cut the tree from some kraft paper that was used as packing material for something I bought ages ago; the owls and the mushrooms are STICKERS! that I picked up at Hobby Lobby. The background paper is from the Autumn Recollections collection that M's carried this past fall.

Just wanted to say....

2010-02-28T20:56:00.004-05:00

I had some upsetting news this past week - my supervisor from my last job (17 years ago) is battling breast cancer. This news was devastating to me - she is only a year older than me and is so vivacious and full of life; we were very close while we worked together and have kept in touch over the years. I have not talked to her since hearing the news but have been told by one of her co-workers that she has a positive attitude and has recently completed her first round of chemo. Hopefully the treatment will work and she will be back to work and back to being herself.

I made this card to let her know that I am thinking about her. I used the Martha Stewart double loop border punch, random ribbon and my brand new stamp, Talkalotta Bella since Karen and I usually talk each other's ears off when we do connect.

Karen - please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers! Kick ass girl!

Made during my all day online crop

2010-02-28T19:34:00.007-05:00

For my online crop we had a bingo card with challenges to complete - this card fulfilled the pop dots challenge. The patterned paper is from DCWV - the one for baby girls {sorry I don't remember the correct name}. The solid papers are SU! barely banana and certainly celery which I ran through the cuttlebug using the swiss dots embossing folder, one of my all time favs.

Not sure of the brand of the ribbon but I know I bought it at Inky Fingers when they were closing! The yellow and pink flat back adhesive pearls were bought at M's - their Recollections brand.

The Stamp is from The Greeting Farm, Hope and Grace Snuggle
The border punch is Fiskars Lace. I used SU! markers to color the image.

The following card fulfilled the "try a new technique" challenge. I used my brand spanking new Martha Stewart Score Board - {on a side note RUN - don't walk to your nearest M's and purchase this tool - it's only $19.99 (cheaper if you use a coupon) and is very user friendly}.

The bunny is a stamp from M's $1 bin (gotta love that place), the paper is from K&Co, the button is PaperTreyInk. I used my Label One Nesties to cut and emboss the base for the bunny which I colored with Crayola pencils. The little Easter egg is from the package I received from sister Vera - M's Recollections.

The only thing I do not like about this card is that I don't think the button is enough to keep the card closed. I tried to reinforce it today and managed to rip the paper. I think the fault lies with the card stock I used; PaperTreyInk card stock is very thick and sturdy which is usually a very good thing but in this case I think a thinner stock would have worked better.

I made this card for my sister in law Mary whose birthday is next week. The usual Bella, random unknown patterned paper {I just know that I have had it for eons}. I finally used some tulle on a card - have seen several gorgeous examples from my MB sister IvaR.

Here is a detailed look at my coloring - all done with SU! markers except for the flesh tone which I used my lone Copic.

Here is a close up the rhinestone-y ribbon slide I used to accent the tulle. This card completed the "BLING" challenge.

This sweet little Easter card was really easy to make - the patterned paper is from an ancient DCWV spring stack, the bunny and the sentiment are both from the $1 bins at M's, American Crafts ribbon and card candy. I used the Label one Nesties. This was made to fulfill the "animal" challenge.

My friend Rachel (hi!!) turned me one to these cute little paper accents - card candy - for some unknown reason they can only be found overseas!??? These I found on EBay and are much smaller than the ones she uses on her beautiful cards but they turned out to be the right size for this spot on the card.

This card completed the challenge to use scallops. I used my Nesties - absolutely love these and can not imagine NOT using them when ever I get the chance. Random sheer ribbon, a Bella (surprise) Basic Grey background and patterned paper from the Lemonade collection.were used. The "Sparkle" sentiment is from SU!

This card was made for a BIG FAT LIAR! One of my clients tried to tell me that she was no longer involved with this person whom had a very bad driving record (I'm in the insurance business) and requested repeatedly that I remove him from her policy (after she found out the extent of his tickets). Long story short- several weeks ago the local Fire Dept (she's a member) put up a huge sign congratulating her on her engagement to him!! Guess they got back together once her policy cancelled. ... (please insert scarasm here).

I am sending her this card with a picture of the sign enclosed ..........

This is the lone Layout that I made during my crop. Friday was a beautiful day but there was a ban on all unnecessary travel for the county that I work in so the regional manager sent us home. I decided to make a snowman - the snow was perfectly packy. I used my gloves and a scarf that I had knit for myself several years ago, Dove chocolate foil wrapped hearts for eyes and buttons, a shriveled carrot for his nose and Chuck's John Deere hat. I think he was pretty cute - he has since gone the way of most snowmen; first he fell backwards and now is part of the lawn.

I used the cutest chocolate colored pom pom trim - I should have uploaded a close up. You certainly can not tell from this picture but I stickled the green snowflakes. The paper is from K&Co and there is a pink striped twill ribbon on top and underneath the pom poms. For the title I used thickers I had purchased from QVC.

It was a long and productive day for me - I was online from 5AM to 9PM with breaks for meals and housework!

All day online crop

2010-02-28T19:03:00.004-05:00

My online "sisters" from the Cricut MB had an all day online crop yesterday (2/26/10). As part of our fun we were assigned a sister to send a small gift - mine was to go to Sarah aka Cuttergirl.

I made this "magazine rack" resized to hold greeting cards (5 A2 cards with envelopes fit perfectly) however I had no cards on hand so I sent this on so that she would have it in time for the crop along with some baby girl rub-ons (she had a sweet princess Attleigh Jane earlier this month). I told her that she would be getting another package in the coming weeks as I plan on sending her the cards. This was made from double sided MME paper - I do not know what colllection but I know that I purchased this from QVC in the old days when they actually had craft days. The flower is made out of 2 primas layered with a Making Memories brad. I used little rhinestones from M's $1 spot for accents on the upper rim and in the centers of some of the flowers. I made this card for her as a congratulations on the recent expansion of her family. I am not sure of the origins of the patterned paper or the rosebud ribbon but they really did match much better in real life - the colors are off in this picture. The border punch is Fiskars Apron Lace. The stamped image is a Bella from this summer's image swap.

Recent cards

2010-02-28T18:33:00.008-05:00

This is a card I made for my friend Rachel using one of the Bellas I received in an image swap this summer, DCWV patterned paper (both) random ribbon and a handmade crocheted flower.

Here is a close up of the crocheted flower - I need to make more of these - gave away too many! and here is some detail of the inking I did on the edges - green then black.

This card was for Rachel's daughter, Brooklyn - this was extremely easy to throw together as the paper was already printed with all the glittery cupcakes, cute butterflies and the cute critters- the paper was from the Naughty but Nice 6x6 paper stack by Smirk - I was talked into purchasing this paper while on vacation in CT this past summer - imagine that - someone enabling me?? Who'd a thunk it?

I added the chipboard "B" after I inked it an appropriate shade of PINK then distressed and added the little butterfly and the card candy in the corners. TA DA done!

I inked the little butterfly also - it came from the American Girls punch that Rachel enabled me to buy.. thanks Rach!

This card was made for Rachel's little man, Westin who was turning 2 - where has the time gone? He was just a newborn!

I used George cricut cart and cut the 2 three times out of chipboard (was trying out the deep cut blade my niece bought me for Christmas) then covered with orange DCWV glitter paper. The background paper is also DCWV - I think its from Animal Crackers?...

I even broke out the Dyno label maker for this card and some sheer orange ribbon to accent the corner.

trying to catch up on my postings...

2010-02-21T16:35:00.006-05:00

This is my first attempt to create with The Greeting Farm stamps - I really like these guys.....this is Hugh NOT Edward as I thought when I made the card. My BFF Karen is a newly converted Twilight fan - so I used a quote from the book for her birthday greeting. I am not a good colorist; only own one Copic which I used for his face; used a combination of Bic, Sharpies and Stampin' Up! markers for the rest.

I used the new Herringbone (I think) cuttlebug folder on the background and some really narrow ribbon from Walmart.

This card I made for my NSSS Jenny for her February package - this image was from an image swap,background paper is from DCWV, Nana's Kids stack (I think),the orange and the lime green are from random DCWV glitter stacks and some purple grosgrain ribbon, hand dyed skittles and some little white baby prima blossoms. I even used my brand new Nesties, label one.

{This is supposed to be me and Jenny}

A simple birthday card

2010-02-21T16:31:00.003-05:00

I made this card for my brother in law Dave's birthday using a stamped image I received in a swap, some DCWV paper (from the Green Stack) and some dotted orange ribbon. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Flowers, flowers and more flowers

2010-01-24T19:09:00.006-05:00

I'm a sucker for flowers of any kind... real flowers, felt flowers, paper flowers, crocheted flowers....since its the middle of winter I have to wait for spring for the real flowers and I've already shown you the felt flowers I created (posted back on March 15, 2009), so know I will show you my paper flowers.

This is one that is SO easy - I just love it...but I don't think I will use it on any pages as it is very bulky - so it will probably end up on something altered. I added some glimmer mist to this one - I made it from regular ol' copy paper.
Those crazy chicks over at My Little Shoebox have a great (and fun) tutorial that you can watch ... and be patient...its at the very end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UpAKetnM9c&feature=player_embedded

This lovely specimen is something else I found on my online wanderings.... I found this over at the Pink Paislee website... for some reason I can not get the link to post but the website pinkpaislee.com and the post is from October 2009 wacky wednesday ...I'll keep looking until I can get it for you. If you are really dying for it - email me at jewel@twcny.rr.com and I will get it for you!

And here are my creations... using cream colored cotton yarn. I can't follow instructions so I just made my own version. Someday I will post a tutorial I promise!! The bigger one in the center was made using a larger crochet hook.

Then to dress them up a bit I sprayed them with glimmer mist.

This weeks creations

2010-01-17T19:32:00.004-05:00

This past week marked my return to work after being out for my gall bladder surgery. I tried to make the most of the Monday that I had off before going back to work on Tuesday.

Chuck's sister Donna had a birthday so I whipped up a card for her - a Bella that I received in am image swap, the blue polka dotted paper is MME I believe, Red Riding Hood SU! paper and grosgrain ribbon. Brads made with the ITop (still loving this tool) and the sentiment was from a set of clear stamps I picked up at M's ages ago on clearance.

One of my 'sisters" on the Cricut message board really liked the pretties I had made last week so I whipped up some to send to her. I made about 10 of them - didn't want to bore anyone with photos of all of them so I picked out a few to show off.

this one I used felt to make a brad - had to do it twice to get all the stray ends under where they belong.

pretties

2010-01-09T16:44:00.004-05:00

I made these pretties the other day when I was trying to decide what to do for my next layout.... for this one I used scraps of Stampin' Up! paper - I do not remember the name but I know that I bought about 4 sets of it as I was afraid that I would run out! I threw in a layer of tulle doubled up to soften it up a little. And I finally used my ITOP that my sister Lisa bought me :o) I LOVE THIS TOOL!!

This pretty was made with some old trim that I had sitting around, I threaded it on some floss and gathered it to make a circle, then did the same thing with the pink trim and then used a super duty really big sticky glue dot to hold the two together; then I reinforced it by stitching them together around the glue dot then I added a paper flower from my stash. This will look very pretty on a page.

This one is made with the same collection of the SU paper - I dampened it by spritzing it with water than wadding it up into a ball and basically taking out all my aggression on that paper ball! Then I cut out some circles (if you can call them that) and again used my ITop for the brad in the middle. I love this tool so much I bought a jumbo pack of brad refills from Oh My Crafts!

This one is my favorite - it looks so rumbled and beat up - I really like the effect of the crumbled paper - this paper was what was left over from Jenny's accordion folder. The button is from PaperTreyInk.

I really enjoyed making these and love the results!! Thanks for looking - and fell free to comment!

Cards from Paisley

2010-01-09T16:15:00.005-05:00

On Thanksgiving evening I met up with my sisters and Niece and we went to Michael's for their great sale. I bought myself lots of goodies that night including the new Cricut Cartridge, Paisley.
I made this thank you card for my niece Sierra who helped me during my recovery from gall bladder surgery two days before Christmas. She has a wiener dog, Levi Button, so when I saw this image on the cart I knew I that it would be perfect. I used the Swiss cheese border punch from EKSuccess.

This card was also made from the Paisley cart - my new NSSS Jenny loves owls as much as I do so when I found out it was her birthday I had to make her a card with the cutest owl image. The paper for this card is Basic Grey Lemonade collection.

another accordion folder

2010-01-09T16:02:00.003-05:00

I made this one for my new NSSS JennyK for our first package - we decided to alter something each month rather than send each other stuff we have no room for. This paper is from K&Co - not sure of what collection but I do know that I've had it for several years.

The ribbon is PaperTreyInk - really love the quality of their products. This flower on the tag was hand colored with cats eye chalk inks.

This is a view of the first two pockets

and this is the rear view

I love these flowers - I got them from Michael's in a little clear paint can in the bridal department - they cost approximately $5 for at least 1000 flowers - I believe that they are supposed to be treated like confetti and tossed on a table.

full of joy

2010-01-06T19:38:00.007-05:00

This layout was very labor intensive. I did not have the right shade of paper with the pre-punched holes so I "made" my own - then spent most of the morning doing the stitching and cutting the petals. (click on the pictures to enlarge - sorry).
I then spend about 30 minutes getting this lace ruffled just right.

This lace flower was much quicker - I really like the results

Here is a close up of the stitching.

thanks for looking!

I'm on a roll

2010-01-03T20:37:00.004-05:00

For the second day in a row I've completed a layout - but with my sweet subject how could I NOT?? This layout is of my mom and her first great grand baby Leah. The title is a play on words as mom is Leah's great grandmother and she's a GREAT gramma to all of her grandchildren.

The background paper is from Oriental Trading Company, the lettering, both hearts and the heart borders are from the cricut cartridge Lyrical Letters (fast becoming a favorite) the journaling tag and the title tag are from Accent Essentials - that shape is why I wanted this cart so much - Thank you SO much for getting it for me Rachel!!

2 Cute Critters

2010-01-02T16:00:00.002-05:00

Here it is - my first layout of the year 2010 - these two cute critters are my nephew Jeffery and his niece Leah. I finally got the excuse to use my Stampin' Up! set, Forest Friends which co-ordinated with this paper really well, matted then inked around the edges with cat's eye dark brown chalk ink.
And there are owls on the paper, my favorite.

A close up on the journaling for which I used the journaling spot stamps (Autumn Leaves) that my new NSSS JennyK sent me the other day. I used 3 (count 'em 1..2..3..) Cricut carts for this layout - A Child's Year for the red scalloped title background which I popped with pop dots to well..pop....

...the title is cut from Lyrical Letters and the heart is from Plantin Schoolbook. I also used American Craft Premium ribbon - Green Ruffles, hand dyed skittles and the paper is "woodland friends" from The Paper Studio.

All in all I am quite proud of my accomplishment - I've had this floating around in my head for a couple days now and finally got the time to put it down on paper.

Happy 2010!

2010-01-01T17:59:00.002-05:00

Today is the first day of 2010.

I don't make resolutions as I never keep them. However I do set goals.

Goals for 2010:

Complete at least 52 Layouts - this means making time for ME.

Read at least 52 books - I reached this goal for 2009 and am very proud of myself. I managed this by taking a book with me everywhere I went, many long hours soaking in the tub and actually reading at the beach rather than keeping one eye on all the kids, doing a continual head count (none of them are mine!) and one eye out for surfer boy. ;).

I also would like to keep a running total on the number of cards I make as well as the altered items I create.

And last but not least - I will attempt to update my blog weekly.

Here's to a Happy and Healthy 2010!!

Birthday Rolodex

2009-12-26T13:18:00.008-05:00

Lovely isn't it?

This year for girl's Christmas we decided on only making one gift and we would do a grab bag so whatever we made would have to work for any of the 5 of us. I spent tons of time trying to think of something that would be unique and easy to make as well as suitable for a tomboy (my niece Sierra is not into girly things even though we tease her constantly that we are going to make her something pink and lacy!). I finally found over on Split Coast Stampers a birthday Rolodex. What a great gift idea! Unbeknownst to me - the hardest part of this entire project was finding the raw materials - Rolodex's are fairly pricey and hard to come by!!

I made the monthly card a tad bigger than the cards that would be used to keep track of the birthdays, rounded the corners and then punched the card using a business card punch that I found at the office supply store where I found the mini Rolodex (for under $10 -which was one of the requirements of the swap) and then inked the edges to enhance the distressed, aged look.

Once I had the idea and the Rolodex the next hardest part was figuring out what paper to use - could not be too girly - so I finally settled on a Cosmo Cricket TSV from QVC that I just HAD TO HAVE back in the day - you know, when QVC still had Scrapbooking shows??? Does your memory go back that far?

It was doubled sided and already mostly distressed, a look that I really like.

I used the dollar clear stamps that I had picked up at M's with all the months on them - Studio G's I believe - have no idea what series they were from - just know that like most of my supplies, I had to have them! I then used the oval scallop punch from SU (thanks mom!) to punch out the months, inked the edges with dark brown cat's eye chalk ink and then cut out a larger scalloped oval using my Nesties with co-ordinating paper and inked those edges as well then glued onto the cards I had made from the doubled sided CC paper.

This shows that the month card is slightly larger than the cards which will list the name and date of the birthday person - there is also plenty of room on the back of the card for an address.

I really love how simple and quick these went together and plan on making lots more for friends and family for next year. I will start on these soon as I have managed to find some Rolodexs at my local Wal-mart and have even found a supplier online that is not too expensive.

all dressed up......

2009-12-26T13:03:00.002-05:00

I did what I could for her....she was lovingly decorated and before the deadline. Not the usual pretty tree but this was not the usual Christmas~ I had my gall bladder removed on the 23rd so I was done with my shopping and decorating and preparing for the holiday whether I wanted to be or not! Everything worked out fine - my surgery was a success and I had lots of help at home with the last minute things that needed to still get done - my niece Sierra was my in house nurse for the first 36 hours of my recovery and Chuck has been wonderful as well.

We postponed Christmas Eve with the chicks but my sweet Kaytlyn called me to wish me a Merry Christmas and to tell me that she missed me as this was the first Christmas Eve that we did not spend together. She even told me that she didnt think that she had been good enough to get everything on her list from Santa - it was so funny! I told her that honesty counted towards being good so I was sure that Santa would bring her lots of good presents.

I did manage to join both of our families for the holiday - it was good to see everyone; even my brother and nephew from out of town made it for the gathering. My niece Madison was sick so she and her parents stayed home which really worked out well - I dont think I could handle being sick with these incisions!

I am so thankful for having a wonderful caring group of family and friends. I hope everyone is as blessed as I am.

the saddest Christmas tree

2009-12-18T20:58:00.003-05:00

yes we paid twenty five dollars for this beauty......she's short, she's fat and TOPLESS! I don't think that this will be one of the beautiful trees that we've had.........usually we go for the not perfect ones, but this is just crazy!!

and more cards

2009-11-25T14:41:00.002-05:00

It seems that all the crafting I do anymore is card making! I really enjoy the creating process and love the final results in most cases but I have to find time to scrap!! but first I have to do my Christmas cards....ugh.

This first card is a get well card for a friend's niece that recently had brain surgery. The inside says "HOPPING YOU ARE FEELING BETTER!" This one I rejuvinated from a card that was made during a stamp camp several years ago. The hair gel that looks like water had dried up so I peeled off the layers and squeezed a dollop of hair gel into a little baggy and ta-da! usuable card. This accompanied a package of goodies I sent out to Avra from my NSSS group on the Cricut messageboard. Shh - dont tell her that I posted it here!

This was my sister Lisa's birthday card - papers are from Cosmo Cricket, scalloped oval is a SU! punch and the buttons and flowers were things that were just hanging out waiting to be used. The ribbon is PaperTreyInk - love there stuff!

This is the birthday card I made for my brother Michael. Too bad I didn't make it in time for him to get for his birthday....I was late as usual. Paper is Basic Grey, stamp is ...I dont remember!

Thank you card

2009-11-22T11:52:00.005-05:00

My niece Sierra is the best person I know. She is such a caring sweet girl. She takes such good care of everyone around her. When my furbaby Shadow died suddenly, she rearranged her plans for her day off to come to my house and help me through what was the first in a long line of utterly miserable days. I grieve him still as he was my best friend, my constant companion for the past 15 years and the reason I came home most days. Some days have been unbearable with the sorrow I feel and others breeze by without a single tear, only a sweet memory of the cuddliest cat God ever made.

I made her this card as a thank you for being there for me when I needed a shoulder to cry on and someone to try and distract me from my loss. She is really the best!

i used glossy accents on the bubbles and cut out four layers of the piggy on the right to add dimension to the card.

It took me several hours to get everything colored (old fashioned Crayola pencils) and layered. I loved the results.

An assortment of cards

2009-11-22T11:47:00.003-05:00

This card was made for Chuck's cousin Adam and his wife Amanda - they welcomed their second child, a girl, on October 27th.

This card was made for my co-worker Pat who had knee surgery recently.

This card was for my co-worker Vickie's birthday.

And this was my friend Rachel's birthday card.

mini altered notebook

2009-11-22T11:41:00.002-05:00

I made this mini altered notebook for my sister Susan's birthday - dotted paper was from a stack from HL the striped paper was a scrap from a K&Co stack that my NSSS Sara gave me earlier this year. The bella is colored with various markers, SU, Bic & Sharpie.

Happy Birthday to my oldest sister Susan!

2009-11-05T15:28:00.003-05:00

Today my sister Susan is 49....poor thing! I made her this card using a stamp set from SU! the glitter background paper is from the Fun in the Sun Glitter Stack by DCWV.

HAPPY BIRHTDAY SUSER!!

my lastest creations

2009-11-05T14:52:00.008-05:00

Once again I signed up for the Cards For Soldiers challenge - this time the challenge was to use scraps from our stash and make birthday cards This card was made with Cosmo Cricket paper and embellishments -
I used newly purchased Martha Stewart double loop corner punch

Cosmo Cricket again

more Cosmo Cricket

This is my favorite - swiss dot Bazzill background paper and a Tilda image.

SU stamp and background paper; MS punch

Love this little hedgehog - its from a SU set that I picked up at a garage sale this summer for $5.

Used my nesties for the scalloped ovals and my SU photo corner punch.

SU stamp set; scalloped round nesties

SU stamp set; DCWV adhesive cardstock and DCWV Fun in the Sun summer stack.

SU stamp set, unknown origin of background paper; MS Doily Lace deep

edge punch - its new too and I am lovin' it!

This was a stamped image from a swap; scallop round nesties and DCWV background paper

more of the Cosmo Cricket - really not my style but it came in a pack from QVC

this is another image from the swap - really cute- unknown paper...scalloped oval nesties

Cosmo Cricket

another hedgie...scalloped oval nesties

Published!!

2009-10-28T18:47:00.006-04:00

A dream has come true - I am finally published! Not the great American novel that I dreamt of when I was younger but actually published!
One of the insurance companies that I do business with sent out an email earlier this year asking for submissions of photos of the great state of NY -I submitted six photos of various scenery from throughout the year and they chose 2 of them for the 2010 calendar!! I was so excited! And, as a bonus I got a great Erie & Niagara canvas tote(that's the company), 5 copies of the calendar and a wonderful digital photo picture frame with the prize winning photos pre loaded! I am so excited!!

This photo was taken as I was walking back to the house from the mailbox at the end of my driveway one snowy day in March....they chose it to highlight the month of December.

This photo was taken out of the truck window as we drove down this bumpy dirt road - Chuck doesnt seem to understand the need to stop when I ask him to so that I can take a quality photo! Lucky for me this photo turned out great!!

feel better Lainey!!

2009-10-17T20:36:00.004-04:00

One of my sisters on the Cricut MB recently had surgery on her hip - I made this card for her.
The Tilda was part of an image swap I believe -colored with plain ol' Crayola pencils, DCWV card, DCWV patterned paper was from the Fun in the sun summer stack (I think - not sure as I used scraps!) the stamp was one of those $1 I have to pick up each time I see them at M's or J's - not sure of the manufacturer or the series. close up of the popped sentiment

a card for Charlie

2009-10-17T20:22:00.003-04:00

this card was made for Chuck's dad's birthday. I could not find a farm stamp that wasnt childish so I found this image in a SU catalog and scanned it then printed it and added a little color.
I used my cuttlebug for the orange Co-Ordinations layer; the kraft paper is something I found in a package that was mailed to me...reuse, recycle, reduce!!

OWL CARDS

2009-10-16T21:54:00.005-04:00

Anyone that knows me well knows that I have a "thing" for owls for reasons that are unknown even to me! This post is dedicated to owl cards that I have either received or made ...
This first one was made for me by my NSSS Sara57Marie - obviously a birthday card....

and this is another one she made me - I love her cards - our likes are so similar - we usually alwayspick the same paper lines for our stash - the only difference is she uses hers!

This card I made for one of my "sisters" Daphne as a thank you for joining me in making Halloween cards for the CFS challenge in September.

and this cutie was created by me for one of my other NSSS - Tini as she joined me and Daphne in doing the CFS challenge too that month.

and yet some more cards....

2009-10-16T21:37:00.008-04:00

I've been really busy making cards lately - havent had time to scrap in ages! Here are the last of the Christmas cards I made for the CFS challenge this past weekend. I know that they are appreciated by the soldiers so I will be making more this weekend!

I was very proud of myself for NOT buying anything new for these cards, used scraps of paper that I had left over from past projects or from a christmas mat stack I re-discovered in my stash and about 3 sheets of stickers that I just HAD to buy several years ago and then never used because I dont use stickers !!! BUT THEY WERE REALLY CUTE/LOVELY AND I NEEDED THEM!!

more Cards for Soliders......

2009-10-08T21:18:00.007-04:00

here are the the latest cards that I've made for the CFS Challenge...I'm trying to use up my scraps and other odds and ends that have sitting around for a while.

recipe for glimmery mist

2009-09-13T20:37:00.003-04:00

Take any pump style hair spray (got mine at Dollar Store) - pour into a mini mister bottle ( I got mine at Walmart for 97 cents in the toiletries aisle - by the trial sizes) fill the rest of the bottle with water. Add a 1/8 teaspoon of perfect pearls or pearl ex (I used gold) and about 10 drops of re-inker in the color of your choice. (Stampin Up is what I used). Shake well. Spray onto item you want to color - let dry, usually overnight - may help it along w/ a blow dryer on low.

Variations - I have also heard that others have used alcohol inks instead of the re-inkers. Also others have substituted rubbing alcohol for the hair spray.
I figure any way you make it it has to be less expensive than the brand name which sells for around $7 for the same size!

Experiment and Enjoy.

Fresh

2009-09-11T20:29:00.003-04:00

Here is the latest LO I have made....my beautiful grand niece Leah.... a close up of the butterfly I made

a close up of the title - hand cut letters, inked then sanded down

homemade glimmer mist on flowers

I even used my Pixie!

the paper I used was Basic Grey - not sure of the collection but thought it was sophisticated yet suitable for a baby girl

more Halloween cards

2009-09-11T20:17:00.004-04:00

here are more Halloween cards - most of the paper is from DCWV stacks - if you want to know anything else - ask me!

I love them all but don't really know anyone to send them too so off to the soldiers they go!!

and still MORE cards!!

2009-09-11T20:01:00.003-04:00

I think I'm a card making machine lately - I haven't scrapped in ages but, man I have pumped out the cards. This first one is an anniversary card I made for my sister and brother in law. I used some lovely Anna Griffin ribbon that I was RAK'd. The background paper is Magnolia Moon (ran it thru the cuttlebug) with some non descript purple cardstock (also ran it thru the cuttlebug - Swiss Dots this time) the couple is a clear stamp - I think its an Inkadinkadoo. This card was created to accompany the 30 cards I made for the CFS challenge this month - I like to make a little Thank you card for Pat Sugg whom I mail my completed cards to . The background paper is DCWV summer fun in the sun glitter stack the bird is a clear stamp that someone got for me, I think it was my NSSS Sara. Anyhoo I colored with bic markers and threw on a couple acrylic flowers and dots as accents.

This card was for my brother in law Dan's birthday - paper is Cosmo Cricket. Really not my style paper and I would NOT have bought it but it came in a pack from the Q that I just had to have!

This is Lindsey's birthday card, not sure of the origin of the paper, the orange circle is Co'ordinations with a Snag 'Em stamp of a chick because, well, she's my littlest chick!!

And I made a matching gift bag....because I am that good of an Auntie!

Thanks for looking!

100 CARTS!!

2009-09-09T20:34:00.002-04:00

As most of you know I love the cricut from ProvoCraft (and the message board even more!)

In celebration of this great accomplishment they are giving away 100 cartridges over then next 5 weeks ...

Here is a link for the info for the 100th cart created...Winter Woodland...definitely on my wish list! Come join the fun!

http://www.cricut.com/shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?id=361&s=1&sc=2

more cards

2009-09-07T21:45:00.004-04:00

I made these two cards to thank my co-workers that covered for me while I was on my 2 week vacation.

This card was for Zack and Emily congratulating them on the birth of their baby girl, Leah. Zack commented that the ruffle was "like a curtain"....men just don't get it...

One of my NSSS Avra was having a rough time of things so we all sent her some cards to cheer her up.

This card was made from a recycled image from an old SU stamp camp - the original card had the dress on a green background- it was hideous... I like this subtle glimmer of the cream paper and ribbon much better... this card was for SarahL whom I drew as a winner when I hosted the weekly challenge.

I really enjoy making all these cards - just wish I didn't have to work so I would have more time to play!

Birthday cards

2009-09-07T21:13:00.004-04:00

The end of August and beginning of September is always a busy time for birthdays for me so I have been really busy making cards.

This is one for my sister in law Kim - I used a stamped image that I got in an image swap.

This was for Jane, used the cuttlebug for the background, some skittles and a house mouse stamped image from the swap. I colored with markers as I really can not figure out the copic or gamsol technique.

This card was for a friend of Chuck's whose daughters were throwing him a surprise birthday party...yep, he was 70. DCWV school stack paper, On Board chipboard from SU.

I can not figure out how to get my pictures in order yet...this is a close up of the star I made for Kaytlyn's 10th birthday... I punched the SU large star 5 times with white card stock, then 2 times with the glitter paper then layered...used MS gold glitter marker on the edges.

There is Kayt's card.... I used the K&Co paper that my NSSS Sara sent me.. the butterfly and puffy flowers are coordinating embellishments. The Happy Birthday cuttlebug embossing folder was used and I chalked in "Happy Birthday".

This is Ryan's birthday card, DCVW paper and the SU large star punch. The Celebrate in the white glittery circle is from a Studio G clear stamp set from Michael's, have no clue what series.

This was a quick card I threw together to accompany Kaytlyn's gift for her birthday party; yes its' her second card for the same birthday. You can't just give a present without a card! Specially when the recipient thinks "Aunt Juju makes the best cards!" I used Magnolia Moon background paper (the card is SU kraft card stock) and a stamp from Joann's.

This is Lindsey's card that accompanied her present (the girls had a dual birthday party this year - much easier on the adults!) - SU kraft card stock for the base, DCWV Nana's kids for the background, a chick die cut from Fancy Pants Kraft Kuts that I picked up on clearance, and the corners are a clear stamp, not sure where it came from or what manufacturer.

Halloween cards

2009-08-30T20:20:00.011-04:00

these cards were made for the Cards for Solider Challenge I used the Martha Stewart Halloween stack from last year for this card.

Here's the drippy goo border punch, a $1 stamp from M's; the background paper is from the DCVW Summer glitter stack.

DCVW paper from a Fall stack (not sure which year but not current), K&Co pumpkin border, MS embossed pumkpin border punch (last year). The Happy Halloween greeting is from Inkadinkadoo.

MS Halloween stack from last year; not sure where I got the ribbon from, just know that I've had it for a while...okay.... years!

MS halloween stack (last year) w/ fall colored glitter glue from M's (last year too). I'm trying to use my stash!! The greeting was from Target $1 bins last year.

DCWV background paper - again not sure what year but definitely NOT this year and some foam ghosts with white craft ink from SU on the edge...

I think this is my favorite.. the paper is from this year's Debbie Mumm holiday stack, some co-ordinations paper and the ghost is from M's (last year). The trick or treat stamp was from Target last year - $1 bins.

DCWV paper, last years glitter Halloween stack and Frankie is a dimensional sticker...I think k&C0 , last year also.

This paper is Debbie Mumm, border strip too, the corner is from a 6x6 DCWV stack from ages ago; the owl is MS Halloween stack from last year, the circle-y thingys are not brads but just dots...from a couple years ago from the $1 stuff from Joann's.

Debbie Mumm paper, and MS embellishment(last year).

MS background, DCWV silver glitter from the Glitter stack, BOO stamp from M's this year.

This year's K&Co pumpkin, ribbon from J's and the background paper is from the DCWV Glitter stack.

Debbie Mumm holiday stack and the pumpkin is a stamp, not sure but I think its Debbie Mumm as well.

Debbie Mumm paper, not sure if its this years or last,the skeleton is a snag em stamp from Imaginesense from last year.

baby Leah

2009-08-15T10:05:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to my niece Emily and her husband Zack on the birth of their first child, Leah Ruth. She finally made her appearance (after some subtle coaxing) on August 6th at 856 pm. She weighed in at 9 pounds and 14 ounces and was 21 inches long. Isnt she beautiful?

Scrapping at the Beach!!

2009-07-22T22:45:00.003-04:00

I'm at the beach in Old Lyme CT with my BFF and her family (all of them, parents, brothers, sisters - in -law, nephews, aunts and cousins) - this year I stayed for 2 weeks and am loving it! We have had beautiful weather and lots of photos ops....
Here is the only LO I did even though I brought enough supplies to fill a small store...my littlest chick Lindsey walking on the beach early one morning as we were looking for sea shells and sea glass in one of her 14 bathing suits (not a typo - she brought a different one for each day!)

recent cards

2009-07-12T07:42:00.004-04:00

Here are some cards I have made recently - really loving those Bellas! this is a graduation card for our old landlord's daughter - I can't believe that she is old enough to graduate already!

This one was for a friend of Chuck's daughter whom I've never met (explain to me why you have to invite everyone you know, even casually, to a high school graduation party?) but she did attend my high school alma mater so I knew what color the graduation gowns were - at least in my day...but wait the guys wore the blue ones and the girls wore white ones! oh well... it's not like she'll even appreciate the time or effort put in it - its all about the cash inside the card!

This was for a belated birthday card for a co-worker.

and this bella was a "going away/congrats on your new job" card for a co-worker.