This is a direct case from a card I got from a secret sister a couple years back. I kept the card in the hopes of using it one day. Bought the set and it sat there on the shelf patiently waiting for me to remember that it was there. Waiting, waiting... Can you believe this is the first time this poor set has seen ink? It was a great easy card, did up 8 of them while watching a new Christmas show on tv. My kids are officially over Christmas shows now. We usually love watching all the old classic and some of the new ones (but I've noticed they are all becoming 2 hour soap shows... boy meets girl, trouble, fix it and happy ending...hello! what about Christmas?) but this year, the kids just haven't been into it. Last night my teen whined about having to watch The Santa Claus....'but we saw it last year' , ah, yeah...we watch it about once a year. Ah well. Hope that you and yours are having a great holiday season.




Card deets: set Trees Three, cardstock used baroque burgundy or whatever the current one is, night of navy, inks: craft white/ silver embossing for seal, and versa mark, cranberry crisp ribbon.

The year of the Snowmen

This is another card that I cased. (if you know who...please let me know so I can give credit my poor brain is fried...I read through about 56 blogs daily and SCS). We went and did one of our Christmas traditions the other night.. driving around the area and looking at Christmas lights. Its so funny how some neighborhoods are Scrooges and others look like the yards have puked lights (and you wonder how much their power bill is) Everyone has their favorite yard they saw and we all have different opinions on what a decorated house is. (I've been fighting a losing battle on that front... my taste are a bit more conservative then the rest) I like the wreaths on the windows, clear lights...they like the vivid displays..the more the colorful the better and don't get me started about the blow ups. There is one house, we had to go past, because it doesn't matter what the season, they have blow ups for it..and not just a few...I think we counted around 48 in their yard (but we didn't have time to do an accurate count as we went by at 35mph) Anywho..hope you are enjoying your family traditions and having a great season!

Card deets: cardstock-old olive, real red, river rock, dashing dp, ink- black, markers real red and old olive, scallop punch, and dew drops Pointsietta

Christmas cards

Its official! I finished all my Christmas cards and mailed them out!! I'm so excited! This is the 1st year that I sent out all handmade ones. I always start out with then intention of sending out stamped cards and then never make enough and fall back on a boxed set for those unfortunate ones. ( I usually make it up to the "L" in the address book, so sorry to those of you who came after that letter all those years) But make a note...this day in history...something froze over..cause I got all my cards out and they are handstamped baby!!

Card deets: Real Red cardstock with Dashing dp, whispers white and old olive cardstock. Paper trey set, inks : palette, black brads, ticket corner punch, stickles, and pebble. Micheal's ribbon and hardware from a secret sister long ago.

Tagged

I was reading through my list of morning blogs and in doing so got tagged! So without further ado:

7 things about me.

1. I can shake my eyes. Don't know how I got that trait, but passed it on to my kids.
2. Have been through too many natural disasters: example, earthquake, drought, flood, volcanic eruption, blizzard, tornado...
3. I hate shoes and try to be barefoot as much as possible.
4. Took 4 years of spanish and cannot roll my r's..there is actually something wrong with my tongue that doesn't allow me to do that..had it tested and everything.
5. Love fall and winter.. would much rather be cold then hot.
6. Am a fanatic about what kind of pop I drink. Love pepsi and barely tolerate coke. Actually did a taste testing as a teen and was able to identify 7 different colas.
7. Am left hand in only writing and eating, do everything else right handed. Was told that as a child my Mom tried to force me to be right handed and being the contrary kid I was became left handed because of that.

If you are reading this...consider yourself tagged! And tell 7 things about you on your blog.

Look Ma, No Stamping!

Black Friday and I spent it on a plane coming home. There were so many neat ads that urged me to be there at 4am. NOT! I'm in no way shape or form a morning person. We had a great time visiting family and eating way too much. I did get to hit a couple of great scrap/stamp stores just before Thanksgiving. I'm so thankful for so many things: a great husband, wonderful children, good health, wonderful friends and so much more. I hope that y'all had a great Thanksgiving and wishes (even though its a day late) for a wonderful holiday season.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

And yes, it is! My blood is just not accustomed to these temps anymore. This was a very quick easy piece to do. There is no stamping involved! The center image is a premade tag that I picked up last year when everyone was clearing out Christmas crafts. I can't believe that tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Where did this year go to?

Cute Penguin

Here's a little Christmas card that I made really quick before we left for the holidays. I'm out visiting family on the west coast in the land of rubber stores and haven't made it to a single on yet.

Latte Tag

Here's a tag that I did a while back for those who joined in MFT swap. I actually found some coffee bean vellum that I had been hoarding to hold the tag. The brads are actually brown. This was a great swap with some very talented ladies!! I was floored at how fab their cards were.

Believe..

This one is a direct case from Nicole's blog except I didn't have the ribbon she used. And the green is a bit off. And the photo is a bit blury... I know it wasn't the Mai Tai's.. Lol. Just kidding.

Sketch

Actually participated in 2 SCS challenges in a row. I think something just froze over. I saw this layout for the challenge and thought...this is an easy one...I can do something before dinner. I think it took a total of 5 minutes. Love those quick easy cards!

Color Challenge

Woot! I finally got to sit down (well stand up) and do a color challenge yesterday on SCS. I liked how simple and easy this was and will probably make several more for Christmas. I'm a strange person...I hate making just one card. Seems a waste of my time. I usually make at least 4 of a card. I file one away as a template (if I like the card) and the other 3 to give/send away. Also when I make cards, I always stamp a coordinating envelope. I usually don't put the inside sentiment until I send the card. Hope you like it.

Less stampin part 2

The only part of this card that was stamped was the snowflake circle. This of course is another case (imitation is the most sincere form of flattery) but used rub-on sentiment, different stamped image and bling in the center of the snowflake. I realize that I'm not a person who makes those "wow" cards. I'm a caser ... Every once in a while I do have those moments when the light bulb comes on but unforunately they seem lately to be few and far between.

Christmas 3x3's

A wonderful Monday morning. Got up at the crack of oh..my...gosh and went to work. Done! Now I have the rest of the day to relax..sorta. These were some quick slap together cards I did with little or no stamping. They are great when you are in a pinch and need something fast! Just about everything except the base color is a sticker!! Of course I had to add bling to each card. (is there a 12 step program for this?)

Spin on Christmas

Wow! Its been a while. I didn't realize how long. Life in its fast pace picked up the day after Halloween. Its finally slowing down again for a while and I look forward to a calm peaceful Thanksgiving with my wonderful family.

In the few minutes that I get to peruse the web in the mornings (along with my epic large cup of coffee..no joking... I went into Michael's the other day and saw a ginormous cup.. only to realize it was a planter...thought I had found the perfect size) I found a great spinner christmas card that I just had to case. Its so cute..and so small! I love this size card!

"Fall" ing behind

Augh! The best made plans of mice and men. I had planned on getting some cards done this week. Want to get a head start on my Christmas cards. And also have 8 of those adorable boxes to make (have them about half done) for my kids bowling teams for Halloween. This is a card from ages ago that had been cased. My eldest daughter is coming over this weekend to stamp with me and get my Christmas cards jumpstarted.

MFT part 2

Here's the rest of them. Aren't they all fab!! Got lots of wonderful ideas and inspiration from all these ladies. Thanks to those who played! It was fun!

My Favorite Things Swap

I'm sharing the cards from the swap I hosted. They are all so wonderful and I'll have to come back and put names to cards. These ladies are so talented it just floored me!

All Scrapped Out!

Wow! What a weekend. I came, I saw, I scrapped... alot. I got 54 pages done this past weekend. I love the retreat center! You sleep in railroad cars that have been changed over to bunk beds.

I also got 2 wonderful cards from my big sis monday in the mail that I am sharing here. I also got all the MFT swapped out and mailed out..phew... I never realized what work it was. (1st SCS swap jitters, I guess)

Coffee, it should be a food group!

This is another card I did for my MFT swap. There is a side piece that you can't see as its helping hold the card upright. I was remembering the little coasters they put under your coffee cup when you went to a Denny's restaurant and that became the basis for this. This was a fun card to make. I'm a sucker for coffee stamps. Coffee is the first thing I do in the morning. I usually only drink one cup each morning, but be not dismayed, my coffee cup holds 6 cups of coffee. : ) Java, java, java!

Card details: Card stock used: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Brown DP from a couple mini mags ago and red polka dot scrap

Inks used: versa mark, close to cocoa and basic balk.

Quick and Easy

This was a quick and easy card I did. I know you can't tell it, but the spider has a clear pebble over it. I'm getting ready, ok, not really, I'm dragging my feet, for this weekend. Once a year a group of ladies get together for a weekend retreat of scrapbooking and networking. I'm finally rejoining the land of the scrapbooking sisterhood after 2 years out. I'm trying to get in the mood to scrapbook and know that once I get there, I will be able to crank those pages out. But as of right now...I'm more into stamping. I'm dreading getting everything packed. I have too much stuff. And no, I have never stamped in my scrapbooks. (insert shocked face here)

It all started with Sushi

Once upon a time a beautiful teenage girl became interested in all things Japanese. And to that end, she persuaded her mother to find her some new tastes to experience..namely Sushi. Please bear in mind that this teenager lived in remote area that was just discovering how wonderful coffee was. The mother, being the great lady that she was, found a place that had Sushi. But it would take some time to make. So they went out and browsed magazines in said store while they waited. (you haven't lived until you have heard a Japanese man swear with a southern accent) The teenager went immediately to the teen gossip rags, but the mother being more genteel found a stamping magazine hidden behind all the fashion plate magazines. She discovered a card that looked interesting that seemed to be something she could case...so she pulled out a piece of parchment: um, old receipt, and drew a rough sketch. That is the true account of how this simple card on the left came to be. Not satisfied, and looking slightly wide eyed with amount of mess she had made. She grab a can of unopened (gasp) primas that were begging to be used and created the 2nd card. And they all lived happily ever after.. The End

Calgon! Take me away!

Yup, having one of those days. Too many things to do, to little time, and too little umfph to do it with. Ah, to be sitting in the tub with a nice red wine..oh course, I would have to move the cat's food and water..clean and sanitize it...a shower is good. This is the card I made for my first hosted swap on SCS. All I can say is Wow! I got some awesome cards from some talented ladies!! On the plus side of getting umfph...I'm going to an all weekend scrapbook get away next weekend. I haven't touch scrapbooking in forever it seems and just keep getting farther and farther behind. So this week I need to get everything ready to go. I usually can crank out about 75 pages if I set it up right.

And the winner is.....

drumroll please....the envelope... ok..just kidding. The winner is:
pattyjo
Please drop me an email with your snail mail addy and I will get your fabulous blog candy win out to you! Thanks all for the wonderful comments

Eek!

Wow! I can't believe that tomorrow is October. This year has just whizzed by! I was playing around today. Finished up my cards for the MFT swap I am hosting and am trying to decide what to do about the Papertrey one. I just couldn't get enough people to sign up for that one. I know that alot of people love those stamp sets. Anywho, that is neither here nor there. I had some fall dp left over from last year when everyone was making those lovely nugget boxes and thought it would be good for a fall card..which as it went along sorta took on its own life and became a Halloween card. Silly thing. I can hardly wait until tomorrow to announce the winner for the blog candy. (check out previous post for details)

Blog Candy!!

My quiet little blog has hit 1500 hits. So I'm going to be offering blog candy! 2 rubber stamps and a roll of ribbon! Just leave a comment and Monday will have a random source pick a winner.

Secret Sister Wow

Got this awesome card from my secret sister. I love the chip board and the great detail! Ya gotta try this out (being/having a secret sister) if you have never done it. I love making stuff for my secret sister and getting cards from mine!!

Double vision

Same paper different stamped image...do not adjust your dial. I didn't realize this picture was so blurry until I uploaded it. I really need to read the instructions or get glassess. Shh.. I don't want glasses. Anywho..blinged the wreath with those red stickers and larger white ones on the edges. I'm really enjoying this set. I might actually get my Christmas cards done in time this year...now getting them addressed and out, well thats another story.

Tree bling

Here is the first of the cards I did this weekend. I got the new set from papertrey and had to start on christmas cards. I had these cute little (and I do mean little) stickers from stampendous that I used to make the cranberries a bit more blingy ( is that a word) Everything was easy, except those darn little stickers.

hm..its monday

Got some stamping done finally this weekend. Got my new Papertrey

stamps saturday and went to playing. Made some of these candy holders to give filled with treats for the kids bowling teams. These were super easy to make, I see thanksgiving and christmas treats going the same way... : )

Secret Sister

I got my first card from my new secret sister. I'm so love doing that program. If you don't know what a secret sister is, here is the link to more info. She made her own "background paper" using stamps. The saying stamp is "Hi there." I laughed when I saw it because that is my Mom's favorite saying.

We got back from our nieces' wedding. She was a radiant bride and we all had a great time. On a more personal note ... we finally got our dishwasher replaced!! Yes!! No more handwashing!

Oh, and I'm getting closer to 1500 hits. When I hit 1500 I will have give away some blog candy. I have a couple cute halloween stamps and ribbon to give away. I've been waiting patiently..so tell everyone you know to come look...just to get the counter up. :)

Eek

Ok, got out the boogy set and thought, hm, what can I do? I went through tons of blogs and the gallery at SCS, looked through my sketch book. Nothing really jumped out at me..I've been out of the groove for a while now. So just kinda winged it..not sure that I really like it. But it did prove that I did stamp today. (and yes..they are all sparkly..I need to hide the stickles from myself)

Few days later and a few dollars short

Ya ever wake up and realize you forgot what week it is? Not just a day off, but a week? lol This week seems to have fallen into that catagory. VSN was this weekend on SCS and I had lofty dreams of participating..craft room and surfaces cleaned up ready to go.. list checked and rechecked to make sure I had everything. Friday arrives..and company. No problem, I checked the challenges before I went to bed, made a note of the ones that I could try. Saturday exploded in a frenzy. Did I even get to see the challenges for Saturday..nope. So Sunday hit and I figured I'd find some time. Wrong again. Its now Tuesday and my poor stamps sit abondoned in their cushioned finery waiting for someone to put use to them. I'm sorry to say it probably won't happen this week either. We are heading out to Indiana for a nieces wedding and staying for a few days to visit family. Augh!! Where, when, how..where am I? Ok, so I'm done rambling.. I'm posting another card from eons ago. Actually made about 6 different sets of this using general sentiments and different colors. Gotta use up that paper somehow.

Copy cat change

So I was looking through the new uploads at SCS the other day, leaving remarks and marking cards that I wanted to try and came across a cute card.
I love how things can be changed around when you don't have all the materials to strictly case it exactly. Did I have the flower trio punch..nope, but had a punch from CM from years ago. Did I have the new paper.. nope, but again, had some paper from years back that worked. Did I have the right circle punch? Nope, so I turned the image sideways. Maybe this is not something exciting for you, but I love seeing a great idea and being able to do justice to it. I guess the little things in life do excite me.

As to the rest of life, we still don't have a dishwasher. Its so sad, I have just not had the time to go price them. As soon as we get back from math class today, I have to go into a frenzy of dishwashing and cleaning to get ready for the invasion today of preteens.

Autum revisted

Yup, I finally finished the wreath card. It took a totally different twist. I still have another one that I think is going to come out different. Sorry I didn't post yesterday..it was a day from beep. We had school to drive to then straight to doctor, finished school in car and then I had to go to work. Called home instructions on starting dinner, finished it when I got home and collapsed. Have a birthday party tomorrow..have I cleaned the house? made the cake...nope.

Augh!!

Labor day

For as long as I can remember, school started just after Labor Day. You had a built in warning system...long weekend..end to summer freedom. Now days I have to check the calendar to see what day in August we start on. We are actually on our 5th...did you see that 5th week of school! Anywho, yesterday after church and dish clean up, spent the day as a mushball on the puter. Bad me...didn't get any stamping done. Read alot of blogs, got lots of ideas, played online games...etc. So as a result I had to pull up another card that I had done many moons ago. With all the western boho look going on I pulled out an old favorite. Hope you have a great day off today!

Simple

I've been trying to use every stamp set this year as my resolution, but in the process have found myself (finally) using up my hoard of supplies. Would you believe I still have SU patterned paper from the mid 90's? Silly me. Well a beautiful weekend to hopefully get to stamp. I've got the mountains of laundry started and have to make a decision soon about a dishwasher. After 10 years of faithful service ours bit the dust. With nary a wimper, it decided one day it had had enough. My husband, being the wonderful Mr. Fix Anything that he is, took a look and declared it deceased! ( if he can't fix it..it is indeed done, the curtains have come down) Ok, time for more coffee and let me mull over my choices...

Last one..promise

Ok, so I had to show just one more from this set. My week went like this: work, teach school, work, teach school, run kids to different activities, dentist, pharmacy, work, teach school, laundry, dishes ( our dishwasher broke) after every meal, etc. Weekends are my time to hopefully stamp enough for the week to show, or set up several projects that only require a few moments here and there to finish. So I cheated this week (since I didn't make it upstairs to stamp much other than swaps) and showed y'all previously stamped cards.. this is in no way to be construed as 'used' cares or 2nd hand cards...no, these are ones there were lovingly crafted and never seen but a few lucky people who got one of these. (another point.. I don't make just one card...ever.. I usually set it up for multiples..usually 4) I am in awe of those who crank out those wonderful extraordinary cards! If I tried to do those, in my usual manner, I would never get anything else done. lol

Sally sells sea shells by the sea shore

Ok, so I'm not done with this set. Here's another card I did many moons ago.

O.o the wonderful brown truck delivered another box from SU! yesterday. Gonna mount me some more new rubbah! Woohoo! Oh wait, now I have to decided which set to use first..and what type of card. Augh!! And which of the new in colors to try out also. Double augh! And I really need to clean my house and make peppermint cheesecake for the company we are having tomorrow night. A moral dilemma: stamp or clean and cook. Wow, this is a toughfie...lol

Yesteryear 2

Here is another fall card that I'm sharing from the mists of time. Back before I had gamsol and a stump, before there was bling to put on everything, back when my collection was in the measly triple digits. Am I stamping now in the present? Yes, since I joined 3 swaps I have been a stamping blur everyday after we finish school. Can I show you? Alas no, excluding the one snowman which I posted 2 days ago, I have not remembered to take a picture of my swap cards, hence the older cards.

Yesteryear

Was looking through some of the cards I have done in years past and found this guy. The purple is deeper in real life. Someday I really need to read the manual for my camera. Anywho, another busy day. I joined another swap. Gads, I'm on a roll! Oh course, I don't join until I just about have the cards finished. The process goes like this: scan the open swaps, find one I like...make a prototype card..decide if I like it or not, if I do, make the others needed for the swap and then join the swap. Silly me.

Finally something to show

Gosh I love Fall! Was playing around with this.. I know, not the best, but it was quick and easy.

So as I was stamping, finally joined a few swaps ( and started a couple too). This is the card I'm sending for a winter swap. I used to swap all the time with a yahoo group I was with, but got out of the habit of doing it. Hm, wonder if I'm getting back in the groove again?