Oh Christmas Tree...

WOW!!! It's Wednesday already and it's the LAST day of September...which means it's OCTOBER ALREADY!!! The days sure do pass quickly!  Dang...it will be Christmas before we know it!

I have a FUN and QUICK project for you today!  It's a Christmas tree that I made with the Cutie Pie Thinlits!  I hope you LOVE IT!!!

Isn't this a GREAT treat box!  It goes together so quickly and was easy to decorate.  You don't even have to add the Hershey Nuggets tree stump if you don't want to!  

It's SIMPLE...SIMPLE...SIMPLE!  Just make the box (I used Mossy Meadow cardstock) and decorate it. I used Basic Pearls, Home for Christmas Designer Buttons, Home for Christmas Enamel Dots and Iced Rhinestones.  I should have added some Real Red Pompom Trim to the bow...but that's all I would change and I still can!  All that's left is to fill it with goodies...you do have to do that before you add the stump though!  

I hope you have time to give it a try!  

Have a WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY!  See ya tomorrow!

~Today's Thought~

Hearth and Home...Old Fashioned Christmas

Good morning friends!  I hope you had a WONDERFUL WEEKEND and I hope you found time to CREATE!  My weekend was full of FRIENDS and FUN!  I had a retreat...I LOVE my retreats!  It's such a delight to catch up with old friends and make new ones!  I am VERY BLESSED!

My card for you today is from my groups Facebook Hop last night!  Be sure to go to my facebook and you can see all of the other creations from the other gals!

Doesn't this just say OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS to you!  I was THRILLED with how it turned out!

I used the Brick Wall embossing folder for the background and the Hearth and Home framelit die for the window.  The "wallpaper" behind the tree is from the Merry Moments designer paper pack.  The tree is cut of Old Olive cardstock using the Perfect Pines Framelit dies (even the red ornaments).  The flower in the window box are punched with the Itty Bitty flower punch and the leaves are from the Bird Builder punch.  I added a star button from the Home From Christmas button set and I tied a bow with burlap twine.

You know me....I love to decorate the inside of my cards too!  A simple addition makes it a just that more special!

That's all I have for you today!  I'm headed to San Francisco today...YEP...to see the Giants! We have bleacher seats tonight and Arcade seats tomorrow night!  I'm very excited...we haven't been to a Giants game at all this season!  
I will be posting though...so be sure to check back in!  Have a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!  See ya tomorrow!

~Today's Thought~

More Halloween FUN!

Hi everyone...sorry I missed yesterday...I was grocery shopping for my upcoming retreat!  I have a quick share with you today...as I'm packing for the same retreat!  

This is another card we made in my September workshops.  It's similar to my September 8th card but I really wanted to use the new Black Glimmer paper so I changed it up a bit for my classes.  

I love the new Spider web doilies too...they are FABULOUS!!

I used the Howl-o-ween Treat stamp set and the Boo To You framelits.

The inside of the card is the same as the one from September 8th.  My ladies LOVED making this card.  One of them said the same thing I said..."I don't usually send Halloween cards...but now I think I might." That made me giggle and it made me feel good too!



So I'm off to finish getting ready! You have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND! Thanks for stopping by!

~Today's Thought~

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.

Albert Einstein

Just Aqua Paint It...

Good Morning Friends!  I'm sharing a quick project we made at my September workshops. It's a book mark made with Shimmery White cardstock.  You can also use the new Thick Whisper White cardstock!  This is such a simple gift to add with a good book for a friend, a loved one, a shut in and it's simple to make!

First you cut your piece of cardstock 2" X (your desired length) and punch the top to make it decorative.  I used the Scalloped Tag Topper. Next I used the Flowering Flourishes stamp set to stamp the design in VersaMark, covered it with White embossing powder and heat embossed it. I used my Aqua Painters to do a wash, coloring over the embossed images. The colors I used on this book mark are Lost Lagoon and Melon Mambo.  I also used my daubers to make the colors darker in spots.  You could do the entire project with daubers if you don't have the Aqua Painters.  Last, I inked around the edges with my dauber and Lost Lagoon Ink and tied some ribbon and sequins to the top using Linen Thread. You can stamp and decorate the back or you can just color the back and use the space to note what books you have read or a personal note.  I did use the Crazy About You stamp set to add JUST BE at the top in Memento black ink.

I'm off to work in the Soup Kitchen this morning...then out to my workshop to get ready for the weekend!  I hope you have a WONDERFUL day!  Thanks bunches for stopping by!

~Today's Thought~

Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.  Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.

Attributed to Groucho Marx

Wonderland

Hello...hello...hello!  Hope everyone is doing great this BEAUTIFUL Monday afternoon!  It's gonna be a busy week up my way...I have a scrapbooking retreat coming up this weekend and I'm VERY excited to see all my gals!  I have been so blessed to meet many wonderful ladies at my retreats...and some pretty cool husbands!  

I do have a card to share with you today!  It's my FIRST Christmas card of the season!  I made it with the Wonderland stamp set!  I LOVE tree stamps...yep...I'm hooked (it's kinda like Christmas themed scrapbooking paper...I just can't have enough...nor can resist buying it). These trees are STUNNING!  I love their simplicity and grandeur!  

This is an easy card to make...don't shy away from it!  Give it a try!  I simply cut my Very Vanilla to 3 3/4" X 5" and a smaller piece 1" X 3 1/4".  I applied just a bit of adhesive on the back of the small piece to attach it to the larger piece (to hold it in place) and stamped my image in Mossy Meadow ink. After stamping I matted the 1" X 3 1/4" piece of Very Vanilla onto a 1 1/4" X 3 1/2" piece of Basic Black cardstock.  My other layers are Basic Black 4" X 5 1/4" and a Soft Suede card base 4 1/4" X 11".  I tied a piece of Real Red 1/4" Cotton Ribbon at the bottom after I stamped the sentiment in Memento Black ink.  I attached the wooden snowflake (from the Snowflake Elements in the Holiday Catalog) with a piece of Linen Thread. 

Adding a wisp of pine needles and a pinecone was EASY because it was part of the Wonderland set.  I just colored it with my Mossy Meadow and Early Espresso markers. You know I love to add just that little special touch on the inside of my cards!  

Well....that's it for today!  The kiddos will be coming home from school soon and I have to get dinner going so I'll say goodbye for now!  See ya again tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by! 

~Today's Thought~

Kindness is just love with its workboots on!

Author Unknown

Today

It's the weekend!

Fall FUN!

Hello friends...HAPPY FRIDAY!!! I hope your day was great!  I've been missing in action for a couple of days!  I have NO EXCUSES...I just plumb forgot to blog!  You know those days when you get so busy with life that you wander around, trying to figure out what you need to do?  Well I've had a couple of days like that!  I do want to share a Fall card that we made in my workshops this month...I hope it inspires you to create this weekend!

I LOVE the new Happy Scenes stamp set! OH THE POSSIBILITIES!!! I also LOVE the new Hearth & Home Thinlits Dies.  Put them together and you get this fabulous card!  

First I ran a piece of 3 3/4" X 5" Pool Party cardstock through the Woodland embossing folder and inked the trees with Whisper White pigment ink.  Then I stamped the fall scene in Soft Suede and colored it in with Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive and Hello Honey markers.  I also sponged some sky with Bermuda Bay and grass with Old Olive.  I cut the window out in Early Espresso and attached it over the scene with dimensionals.  I tied a bow around the window with 1/4" Pear Pizzazz Cotton Ribbon and added a button to a leaf from the Into the Woods Elements.  I tied a piece of Linen Thread into a knot in the button for a rustic feel.  Pretty cute card don't you think!  I'm having FUN with this stamp set and the window, but I must admit that I was a bit crazy with the background.  I originally wanted to use the Brick Wall embossing folder but it drove me nuts because I wouldn't be looking out the window at fall scene and be looking at a brick wall....hence the trees!  

I kept the inside of the card simple so there is plenty of room for a note! I just used the same scene, but colored just what I wanted with a Early Espresso marker and colored it in!  BE SURE TO CLEAN THE STAMP REALLY WELL FIRST!  (ask me how I know this?)

I love how it turned out and my SU group is having a card shower for a fellow teammate battling ovarian cancer...so I think I'll send it her way!  Hopefully it will bring a smile to her face!

Well...that's all I have for ya today! Thanks for stopping by!

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!!!

~Today's Thought~

“Better days are coming.....

They are called Saturday and Sunday.”

BOO!!!

Hey there lovers of paper crafting!  How's your TUESDAY going!  Are you getting rain? It rained here yesterday and is suppose to rain again tomorrow!  Needless to say...IT IS THRILLING!!!

I had a workshop last night so I spent the morning cleaning up a bit and getting ready for another workshop I have tomorrow morning in Redding, but I did have time to play just a bit with another Halloween card!

I wanted to use my black glitter paper so badly and this is what I came up with!  I used the Softly Falling embossing folder on the piece of Perfect Plum cardstock for the background. Don't you just love those new Spider Web Doilies?  I sure do...and I love making ghosts using my Owl Builder punch. The BOO is from the Boo To You Framelits. The pumpkins are made with the 1 3/4" and 1" Circle punches.  Isn't it cute?  I don't usually give out Halloween cards...but I might just send this to someone!  I MUST stop HOARDING my cards! Actually...I really need to update my ETSY store!

You all know by now that I love decorating the inside of my card too!  I'm always sure to leave room to write something...but don't you just love opening a card to find another surprise!?!?

For the inside of this card I just added a scrap piece of the Spider Web Doilies, heat embossed a spider using the Howl-o-ween Treat stamp set and of course added another pumpkin!

That's it...CUTE...CUTE...CUTE!

Thank you for stopping by today! Have a wonderful rest of your day!

~Today's Thought~

Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.

Soren Kierkegaard

A Fall Thank-you!

Happy Monday friends!  I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your weekend!  
I have another fall card to share with you today.  Fall is my FAVORITE season and I just LOVE making FALL CREATIONS!  I hope you'll give it a try!!

This card is made with the Everything Eleanor and the Over the Rainbow stamp sets.  I stamped the background swirls in Old Olive. The washed color is Pumpkin Pie.  I inked it up, stamped it, stamped it again and stamped it one more time...WITHOUT RE-INKING! I made the pumpkin by punching 3 pieces of designer paper from the Brights Paper Pack with the Large Oval punch. The "thanks" came from the Expressions Natural Elements. I stacked an orange button on top of a brown button, tying them together with a piece of Linen Thread.  I inked the edges of the Very Vanilla cardstock as well as the wooden "thanks".  

I added some swirls to the inside using the Everything Eleanor stamp set and made another pumpkin using the 3/4" Circle punch.  I LOVE decorating the inside of a card almost as much as the front of the card!

I'll be back tomorrow so be sure to stop by to see what I've been up to! ENJOY the rest of your day!

~Today's Thought~

By all these lovely tokens September days are here, With summer's best of weather And autumn's best of cheer.

Helen Hunt Jackson

Seriously....

Remember this...

Halloween Treats

Good morning everyone!  IT'S FRIDAY...are you HAPPY???!!!  For a short week...it's sure been a long and BUSY week!  I'm sorry I missed posting yesterday!  A dear friend that has been traveling for months came over to visit and play in my workshop!  It was WONDERFUL to catch up and visit! Thanks for coming Karen...LOVE YA!

Because I missed yesterday...I have two projects to share with you that I created with my Square Pillow Box Thinlits Dies.  I have a retreat coming up and need goodies for my gals...and I am planning a Ten Treats No Tricks for Halloween class for next month...so I'm playing with some ideas!  I LOVE how they turned out...hope you do too!

To make this Frankenstein I simply cut the Square Pillow Box Thinlits in two colors...Old Olive and Basic Black.  You must cut two of each color for the front and the back.  For Frankie's hair I cut the black pieces in half (so you really can only cut one in the black, or you have enough to make two). After cutting it in half, I cut different sized triangles, by hand, so his hair is jagged.  The scars are from scrap pieces of Spider Web Doilies.  The plugs in his neck are cut with the Seasonal Frame Thinlits.  His eyes are made with the 3/4" Circle Punch and the 1/2" Circle Punch and his nose is the Large Oval Punch cut in half.  Isn't he CUTE!!

Next I have a Jack-O-Lantern for you....hope you like him!

To make this pumpkin cut two Square Pillow pieces in Tangelo Twist.  I then cut his eye using my 1" Square Punch...but only cutting triangles. His mouth was cut with the Extra-Large Oval punch.  I cut it in half and then used my 1"Square punch to cut notches in the top and bottom.  The stem is made with 1 1/4" Burlap Ribbon...folded in half and tied with Pear Pizzazz 1/4" Cotton Ribbon.  I added some leaves that I cut (and ink distressed) with the Leaflets Framelits. I also added some curled, thin strips of Pear Pizzazz cardstock!

These cute containers can hold a good amount of candy...or a gift card....what a FUN treat for a secret pal, or your kiddos...your grandkids, a neighbor...WHO WOULDN'T LIKE ONE?!!?

Well...that's it for today!  I'll be busy creating today and this weekend!  I have two workshops next week and lots of projects going through my head!  

Thanks so much for checking in each day!  I hope you are inspired to create when you stop by!  

~Today's Thought~

"Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they've started."

                                                                       David Allen

Among the Branches

Good morning everyone!  I hope life is treatin' ya well!  We had another fire start yesterday.  A truck was pulling a trailer, something was dragging and sparks started this one.  Highway 299 was shut down in both directions for a while.  My husband (and other linemen) had to go shut power off as a precaution.  It was close to town and homes so they got on it quickly...with helicopters and planes carrying water (which is pretty exciting to watch) and lots of land crews! Today...we are SAFE and PRAYING FOR RAIN...SOON...LOTS OF IT!!!!

I have another Halloween card for you today!  My brain is on overload with ideas...I MUST CREATE...I MUST CREATE...I MUST!!!!

For this card I used the Happy Haunting designer paper again.  I LOVE those little goblins!  I also made some of my own goblins with the Owl Builder punch, the Large Oval punch and a Scalloped Circle punch.  The sentiment is from the Among the Branches stamp set.  I heat embossed it with VersaMark and Black embossing powder.  This set has some really cute Autumn and Christmas stamps, I'll share it below.  The pumpkin is made with the Extra Large Oval punch and the other side of the Happy Haunting designer paper. (I was able to use scraps from yesterday! YIPPEE!!)

I KNOW you know this....don't forget to decorate the inside of your card!  I used a scrap piece of designer paper, made a pumpkin using the 1" Circle punch and another goblin with the Large Oval punch.  It really makes the card SPECIAL!!






Here's a look at the stamp set!  Isn't it FUN?

Item # 139823  $17.00 Photopolymer

Thanks so much for stopping by today!  I hope you're getting some ideas for the upcoming holidays! Soon we'll be doing some Christmas projects!  

~Today's Thought~

Dance like the photo’s not being tagged. Love like you’ve never been unfriended. Sing like nobody’s following. Share like you care. And do it all like it won’t end up on youtube!

Howl-o-ween Treat

Good Morning!  I hope you had a WONDERFUL....LONG...Labor Day weekend! Did you find any time to create?  I was visiting my mom this weekend in Modesto...we stayed in Oakdale.  It was a really enjoyable visit...we saw old friends that are dear to our hearts and were able to get some chores finished with family!

I promised I would move on to some Halloween creations this week.  I did not have a chance to create this weekend...so after I got the kids off to school I made this card using the Howl-o-ween Treat stamp set and the Boo To You framelits.

I think it turned out pretty cute!  I stamped the owl with Memento Black ink, colored in his beak and feathers with Hello Honey and added some Basic Rhinestones.  The hat was stamped in Wisteria Wonder in and then I added some stars cut from glimmer paper, using the Confetti Stars Border Punch and a hat band (which I just noticed I forgot to trim).  I made pumpkins using the Large Oval punch and 3/4" circle punch.  The leaves are from the Bird Builder punch.  The background paper is from he Happy Haunting Designer Series Paper Pack.  Don't you just LOVE the Spider Web Doilies! I can't wait to play with them some more!!


OF COURSE...I had to decorate the inside of my card!  I used the other piece of the doily that I used on the front and made another pumpkin with the Large

Oval punch with the Happy Haunting designer paper that I used on the front for the background.  

That's it for today!  I'm headed down the mountain to do some grocery shopping and deliver some Stampin' UP!  

I hope you'll join me again tomorrow! 

Have a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!!!

~Today's Thought~

LOVIN' FALL!

Hello EVERYONE!  I have a QUICK card to share today!  I'm heading to pick up kids for a dentist appointment and headed to Modesto!  I'm sorry...I was sidetracked by a friend in CRISIS this morning and don't have time to add the directions...but I will add them later!  I hope you enjoy the card and your long weekend!

I cut the leaf out and with the leaflit framelit and washed in ink.  To wash...drop several drops of ink to your craft mat, spray with water or rubbing alcohol and swirl. After it dried I stamped it with VersaMark , covered it with clear embossing powder and heat embossed it so it would be shiny.  I then it through the woodgrain embossing folder (this makes is very fragile...but beautiful!) The rest is pretty easy to figure out, but don't hesitate to shoot me a question.  SO SORRY to be in a hurry!   Have a FABULOUS WEEKEND!

~Today's Thought~

Happiness is like a butterfly.
The more you chase it, the more it eludes you.
But if you turn your attention to other things,
It comes and sits softly on your shoulder.
 - Henry David Thoreau

Awesomely Artistic Fall Card!

Hello!  Happy Thursday!  Are you excited about the long weekend coming up?  I hope you have something really FUN plans!  I'm headed to my moms for a visit and some grocery shopping!  I also hope to make it to our old home church on Sunday in Turlock!  Today though...I had to do payroll and pay bills at the office and getting around our little town was pretty crazy. Those of you who come to my retreats or just to visit...know that there is construction on the mountain...ALL SUMMER LONG. Now they are working in town too...in two different spots. They've had to put in new sidewalks to make them wheelchair/scooter compliant...by our elementary school...so the traffic is crazy for our little town of 3,500 people.  They are also putting in a round-about....right on the main street (which is also Highway 299)...people are so confused! My husband texted me to say don't come to town today...he had me worried...why..what happened..what am I gonna see???  He really was trying to save me a little bit of craziness...and guess what?  I listened...I didn't go to that side of town (which is all of 2 miles down the road)!  It's so FUNNY how we get use to driving in our little mountain town with now stoplight.  People are up in arms about the round-about!  I guess we'll just have wait and see!

I do have a card for you today...another FALL card (one more tomorrow and I'll get to work on Halloween creations!!

I used the background stamp from the Awesomely Artistic stamp set.  I LOVE this set! If you don't have it you could also use the Gorgeous Grunge stamp set (ANOTHER FAVORITE)!  I stamped it in Tangelo Twist and Hello Honey.  I used my Leaflit framelits to cut the Maple leaf from Typeset designer and the small leaf from Cajun Craze cardstock.  I also ran the small leaf through my Woodgrain embossing folder.  The sentiment is from the Happy Scenes stamp set that we used yesterday!  I added a button with a Early Espresso Candy Dot and some Linen Thread for detail!  The card itself is Very Vanilla on Very Vanilla.  I'm really liking that look!

I added just a bit to the inside of the card to make it fun and festive...but simple. You know me...I think it makes the card when you add something to the inside!

This is such a simple card to make...but I just LOVE how it turned out!  Take time to give it a try!  You can use any shaped framelit that you have...there are so many options!  

That's all I have for you today!  I hope to see you back tomorrow!!

~Today's Thought~

Just keep taking chances and having fun.

Garth Brooks

Happy Scenes

Hello!  I hope your day is going gorgeously!  We have BEAUTIFUL blue skies with a breeze...it's DELIGHTFUL! I'm loving this FALL like weather...and thus...

I have another FALL card for you today!

I created this card by stamping a 4" X 5 1/4" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock with the Hardwood stamp set and then cutting the maple leaf out with the Leaflit framelit.  I then inked the outside edges and leaf cutout edges with Early Espresso ink and my dauber.  On a 3 1/4" x 3 1/4" piece of Very Vanilla cardstock I stamped the fall scene from the Happy Scenes stamp set and colored it in with my Pumpkin Pie, Pear Pizzazz and Hello Honey markers.  I sponged the sky with Pool Party ink and the grass with Wild Wasabi ink. I then attached it to the back of the 4"x 5 1/4" piece of cardstock, with dimensionals, so that it would show through the cut maple leaf.  

I used a piece of Natural Chevron Striped 5/8" ribbon, tied a bow with Pumpkin Pie 1/4" Cotton Ribbon and added some Linen Thread with a Very Vintage designer button. I love this look...RUSTIC with a touch of ELEGANCE!

Inside the card I just stamped the little pumpkins from the stamp I used on the front from the Happy Scenes stamp set and colored them in.  I didn't add a sentiment so that I could use this card for any occasion! I hope you will give it a try!  This stamp set is ADORABLE!!!

Here's the stamp set...SO MANY POSSIBILITIES!

Happy Scenes Photopolymer Stamp Set

Item# 139821
Price:  $21.00



That's all I have for you today!  Don't forget the NEW HOLIDAY CATALOG IS LIVE!  I think I'll finish out the week with more FALL projects and start on Halloween next week....STAY TUNED!!!

THANKS BUNCHES FOR STOPPING BY!

~Today's Thought~

Holiday Catalog is LIVE!!! Holiday Swap Cards

Hello friends!  Are you having a TERRIFIC day?  I'm back in town after a weekend in Medford, Oregon.  My son had a baseball tournament at the U.S. Cellular ballpark.  It was a BEAUTIFUL place to play (and watch) baseball! We won two and lost two!  My son played 3rd base, 1st base, pitcher and right field...and got some GREAT hits!  His best was a triple hit out to left center...he had to slide into third to get the triple...and the joy on his face was INCREDIBLE!  I wish I had gotten a photo, but I was so excited...jumping up and down...that it never crossed my mind until it was over!  We also went to this groovy town called Jacksonville...an old mining town!  I just LOVED it!  I bought a new cookbook (because I LOVE cookbooks) and one of the gals that was published in it autographed her page! What could be better?!!

I ALMOST FORGOT TO TELL YOU....

THE HOLIDAY CATALOG IS LIVE!!!!

CLICK HERE!!!

Last week I shared a card that I made for a swap that I was participating in...a fall card...do you remember?  Today, I want to share the cards that I received with you.  I had to wait and make sure that the gals participating had received theirs so I wouldn't ruin the surprise!

This card was created by Trayce Bauer...a member of our team.  I love how she cut the circle partially out of the top layer.  The stamp set she used is Snow Place...along with the new Snow Friends Thinlits.

This card was created by Christine Derr...another member of our team.  I love that she made it a shaker card.  FUN! The stamp set she used is Sparkly Seasons.

This card was created by Diane Lethbridge...also a member of our team.  She cased this from the new Holiday Catalog....a great place to get ideas. I love this new stamp set...it's called Wonderland!

Janet Goshorn, a member of our team created this card using the Among the Branches stamp set and the Woodland embossing folder!  I LOVE the Spider Web Doily...all can be found in the new Holiday Catalog!




...and here is my swap card...one more time!  I created it with the Lighthearted Leaves stamp set.

Thanks bunches for stopping by today!  

See ya again tomorrow!!

~Today's Thought~

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” 
― Eleanor Roosevelt