Welcome Christmas ...

I was telling you yesterday that I spent last Friday with friends and when the day was done, we'd only made one card. Well, THIS beauty is the card. You might say, I get by with a little help from my friends. I took a few ideas and samples with me and when the day was over had a pretty little card for Christmas.

When the new SU! Idea Book and Catalog came out, Welcome Christmas was one of the first sets on my wish list. I love the old fashioned silhouette images in this set. And isn't the Cherry Cobbler cardstock rich and pretty? Do you like the distressed or antique look of the Very Vanilla cardstock? How did I do that? I'm so glad that you asked...before I ran my piece of Very Vanilla cardstock through my Big Shot, I inked up the raised side of the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder with Crumb Cake. The ink transferred to all but the images that raised. Clean up was a breeze...just a quick rinse in the sink.

I'd love to show you how.

Stampin' Up! supplies:
Stamp(s): Welcome Christmas
Card stock: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Very Vanilla
Ink: Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories: 2-1/2" Circle punch, 1-1/4" Early Espresso striped grosgrain ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Antique Brads, SNAIL, Dimensionals and the Big Shot

Regal Pocket Silhouettes

This past Friday I took the day off and spent it with my dear friends; Diane, Leisa and Cleo. We laughed, ate, celebrated the upcoming arrival of Diane's first grandbaby, laughed some more, ate some more... well, you get the picture. We had supplies to make a few projects but when the day was done we'd only made one card. It was a very good day.

The day did inspire me to get back in my craft room and create. Today's card uses a ribbon treatment that I just love. Diane used it on one of her cards and well, I had to buy both rolls of ribbon so that I could have one just like it. {*smile*} And I really like how the white scalloped frame pops the image from the page, don't you?

Hope today is a GREAT day. I'd love to see what you've made.

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up!
Stamp(s): Pocket Silhouettes
Card stock: Regal Rose, Whisper White, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz and Regal Rose DP (from Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Scallop Trim Corner and Border punches, 1/2" Stitched Poly Ribbon (Pear Pizzazz and Blushing Bride), Designer Buttons and Basic Pearls, SNAIL and Dimensionals

Congratulations and Best Wishes, Cissy

This card is to celebrate Cissy, who is getting married and moving to another state. Cissy leads our local health council and has been instrumental in providing resources for my local community, enabling people to lead healthier lives. Congratulations to you Cissy and Best Wishes!

I chose the colors for my card from this week's color challenge on Splitcoast Stampers. We were to use Riding Hood Red, Blushing Bride and Early Espresso. Have I mentioned that I think Early Espresso is the "new black"? it goes with everything. What a rich color.

My favorite embellishment has got to be the basic pearls and basic rhinestones from SU!. You get a sheet full of self adhesive pearls or rhinestones in several sizes. Did you see the rhinestone on the "I do"? Shiny like a new diamond.

Paper crafting helps bring balance in my life and I'd love to show you and your friends what YOU can create. Would you like to host a workshop?

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Word Play and I {Heart} Hearts
Card stock: Riding Hood Red, Early Espresso, Blushing Bride, Very Vanilla and Blushing Bride DP from the In Color DP (hostess)
Ink: Riding Hood Red and Early Espresso
Accessories:Heart to Heart punch, Scallop Trim Border punch, Scalloped Heart of Hearts Embosslit, Elegant Bouquet and Vintage Wallpaper embossing folders, Basic Rhinestones and Basic Pearls, 1/8" Early Espresso ribbon, SNAIL, Dimensionals, and the Big Shot

Thanks for stopping by!

Charming elements

This is a card that I shared at a recent workshop. I think that the embellishment is so different and I really like how it turned out. You can see some similar embellishments on page 123 of the new SU! Idea Book and Catalog (IBC). The samples in the IBC include a pretty antique brad in the center. Hmmmmm, I think I'm gonna have to try one of those, too.

I must say that my first attempt at this was a challenge. That is until I used what my friend, Lori calls "drippy glue" to hold it in place. The flower is made from a piece of Old Olive cardstock measuring 1-1/2" x 11". I scallop punched one long edge, scored in the dip of the scallop and folded it accordian style. I secured the ends together using Sticky Strip. Next I pulled the straight edge towards the center to form a circle. What a pretty scalloped flower that makes.

I was generous with the Multipurpose Liquid Glue applying it directly to the ribbon. I also lathered the back of the Early Espresso scallop circle. A new roll of SU! ribbon placed on top while it dried was the perfect amount of pressure to hold it all in place.

Can't wait to see what YOU can make using this adorable flower.

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up!
Stamps: Charming and Elements of Style
Card stock: Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, Old Olive and Whisper White
Ink: Early Espresso along with Old Olive, Marina Mist and Daffodil Delight markers
Accessories: 1-1/4" Early Espresso Striped Ribbon, Scallop Edge border punch, 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/8" Circle punch, SNAIL, Multipurpose Liquid Glue, Dimensionals and Sticky Strip

True Friends ...

that's what the gals over the Tennessee Senior Olympics have become to me. Having them around is what makes it easy to volunteer for the games. They are dedicated to the state's many senior athletes and run the event with a sincere love for it all. Did I mention that they are "huggers" like me? Love them.

A post it note holder is the third and final piece to their gift set. I guess I should tell you that each set was different. I used a different color palette for each set. Today's post is the post it note holder that I made for Christine. These are sooooo easy to make and the place to put your pencil is that extra touch I was looking for.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up!
Stamp: Simple Friendship
Card stock: Blushing Bride, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, Very Vanilla and In Color Designer Series Paper Pack (hostess)
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: 1-3/4" Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/8" and 1-1/4" Circle punches, Basic Pearls, SNAIL, Dimensionals and Sticky Strip

What would you do for Dove chocolate?

OMGosh, I should have known better than to take on a brand new blog project right before the event of the year...the 2010 Tennessee Senior Olympics. I have just returned from the most INSPIRING year yet. I witnessed state records broken, spent time with old and new friends and am encouraged to be more active myself. Watching these athletes is absolute proof that there is something to being active and healthy.

Today's post is the second piece of a three piece set that I made for the 3 ladies that orchestrate the TSO; Christine, Teresa and Traci. They are 3 of the kindest gals that you will ever meet and boy do they like to laugh! We all love Dove chocolates and I think this is an adorable way to present them.

All supplies used are from Stampin' Up!
Stamp: Vintage Vogue
Card stock: Baja Breeze, Pear Pizzazz, Whisper White and Greenhouse Gala DP
Ink: Early Espresso
Accessories: Top Note die, Big Shot, 2-3/8" Scallop Circle punch, 1-3/4" Circle punch, Medium (4x6) Cellophane bags, SNAIL, Dimensionals and Sticky Strip