I'm having trouble blogging this morning, so hopefully it all works out! This was an April Card Buffet project--can you guess who it's for???You're SO SMART! It's for my mom--the lover of blue and white. Who doesn't use the internet, so it's all good to show you in advance.I used my Serif Essentials Alphabet again--love that thing! So happy I bought it! The background for this one is from Urban Garden, and the letters are in Not Quite Navy. Some of the ladies made them in different colors, depending on what they (or their moms) liked!
Have a great day, and don't forget Mother's Day is coming up!
I participated in a Secret Sister swap recently, and this is one of the gifts I made for my secret sister! I love these cute little jars! I thought they'd be cute either as candy jars or filled with embellishments on a stamp table! I used the Flower Layers die to cut felt flowers to put on the tops. The buttons are Pacific Pointe Corduroy Buttons--love those things! The Saffron jar has gourmet jelly beans. The Pacific Point jar has almond M&Ms. The Riding Hood Red jar has decorated peppermint patties!
I want to make myself one of these sets!
Tonite is my April Club meeting! The hostess requested that we use something Big Shot, and of course, I immediately thought of the matchbox die! Love that thing!Here is my version of a matchbox "dresser."
We'll also be making a 3x3 card, with the tags that come with the matchboxes. I promise to upload measurements soon!****************Stamps: Matchbox MessagesPaper: Sweet Slumber Specialty DSP, Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Riding Hood RedInk: Riding Hood RedAccessories: Big Shot, Matchbox Die, Baja Breeze 5/8" striped grosgrain, 1/2" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, sticky strip, dimensionals
It's getting to be that time of year--graduation announcements start arriving in your mailbox. Who knew those darn kids would grow up so fast??? Here's the graduation card we're doing for Card Buffet next month--I like to keep the colors neutral, so that we don't step on any school color toes. LOL This year, my oldest daughter finishes high school {sniff, sniff} and one of her cousins does, too. And my oldest nephew finishes his master's degree. Where did the time go??? You can't really see it very well, but the Basic Gray layer is textured with the diamond pattern from the Texturz Plates. I'd like to imagine that the embossed "congrats" layered on the scallop square looks a bit like a mortarboard. Don't tell me if it's all in my imagination. Happy Graduation to one and all! *******************************Stamps: Say it with ScallopsPaper: Whisper White, Basic Gray, Basic BlackInk: Black CraftAccessories: Big Shot, Texturz Plates, Clear EP, 1 1/4" square punch, scallop square punch, gold elastic cord (I know, it's retired)
Meet Peso. The newest addition to our mini-farm.One of the sad realities of raising chickens is predators. Foxes (yes, we had a fox in the henhouse last year!), raccoons (three at once!), skunks, weasels--they're all looking for a free chicken dinner. Enter the guard goat. We used to have a pygmy goat, Clover, may-she-rest-in-peaceful-fields. Never did we lose a chicken when Clover was on patrol! But then Clover got old and died. And really, goats can be a pain. They're sneaky. So we went without a goat. And lost 24 chickens in one year. Soooo, this year, we found ourselves a new goat. Here are a couple pictures to give you a better idea of how big Peso is. He is nearly a year old, so this is as big as he gets. He's a Nigerian Dwarf goat--I think. Or a mix. LOL 
Jake (7) with Peso trying to eat his Crocs. 
Maddy (9) giving Peso a little luvSo Peso really isn't very scary. Unless you're trying to kill a chicken that don't belong to ya! I thought you might like an update about what else is growing at the homestead.
Danny (4) with Tip and Caramel
Caramel keeping my feet warm.
I was going to title this post Finally Friday, but apparently I've used that title before . . . LOL This is a 6x6 scrapbook page we made at club in March. I love the textured cardstock for scrapping. And you know how I'm currently obsessed with butterflies! ***********************************Stamps: Fifth Avenue FloralPaper: Whisper White, Baja Breeze Textured, Kiwi Kiss Textured, Cardstock VellumInk: Baja Breeze, Kiwi KissAccessories: SU Texture Plates, Beautiful Butterflies Die, Big Shot, White Taffeta Ribbon, Dimensionals
I love butterflies! Who doesn't, I guess! LOL I have butterfly bushes, and all kinds of other plants butterflies love, just to attract them to my yard and garden. These are the incentives I gave out this week at April's Card Buffet. While they aren't real, they will brighten up the front of my refrigerator!
I used Tombo Multi glue to adhere the DSP's to medium weight coasters. Then I die cut the butterflies using the fabamundo Beautiful Butterflies die in my Big Shot! Then I just glued the pieces together and attached a strong magnet to the back.
The images on this card are embossed with Chocolate Craft ink and clear embossing powder. I love the look of Chocolate embossing. Maybe it's just the chocolate, though. LOL Another Card Buffet card we'll be making this week! ******************************Stamps: Upsy DaisyPaper: Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Pink Flamingo DSPInk: Chocolate Chip CraftAccessories: Eyelet Border Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Clear EP, Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain, Earth Elements brads
I am just overwhelmed. In the midst of a day already given over to thanks, I am the blessed receiver of LisaBee's generosity, too. So many sweet, thoughtful touches to this final gift! First, the exquisite hand-blown glass flowers from Prague--Lisa was there on a mission a few months ago.
The eggs were filled with adorable buttons with rub-ons--how cute is that! And the three miniature cards are really magnetic bookmarks! They're perfect, and my kids already are trying to steal them! Lisa also included the Flower Burst Embosslit--one I had been wanting, but couldn't justify. Look at the beautiful card she made! The bottom of the "egg" opens up! And the basket itself will be *perfect* for displaying my card samples! I love the little ceramic plaque on it that reads, "Count Your Blessings." How did she know that orange jellybeans are my very favorite??? A whole package, just for me! And of course, chocolate is always welcome! LOL Lisa, thank you for giving me such special, insightful gifts! What a blessing to have you as a friend!
My secret sister really made my day! Look at all those yummy fleurettes!!!! And the new Saffron ribbon--you KNOW how I feel about Saffron!. And the so-yummy-I-can't-stop-petting-them Summer Sun corduroy buttons!
The 3x3 card--what an awesome design! I have that set and can't wait to make a 3x3 with it now! And the note was so sweet--just what I needed, as it turned out today. Thanks, secret sister! Can't wait to find out who you are tomorrow!
I am in a wonderful group of Secret Sisters, and today was the first day of my Easter package! Look at all the goodies! LOVE the coaster box, and look! She used the amazing Walk in the Park DSP, which I somehow thought I could resist and so I haven't ordered it yet! What was I thinking???? Well, she thought of everything, so I'll have chocolate to console me, at least! Thanks, Secret Sis!
I know what you're thinking. "We've already seen that card. Everybody in the free world has already made it." It's true. There's not an original bone in my body. LOL I've learned to deal with it. This is the beautiful set Fifth Avenue Floral. All the cool kids have it. All the cool kids have made cards better than this. And I don't care! *I* love it, and my mom's going to love it when she gets a stack of them for Mother's Day. Good thing she doesn't do the internet, isn't it?? I'd have no secrets at all! Another Card Buffet card for next week! Do you love that yummy White Organza ribbon, or what?? The catalog does NOT do it justice, that's for sure! If you need some, I can hook ya up! :-) **********************************Stamps: Fifth Avenue FloralPaper: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Whisper WhiteInk: Baja Breeze, Old Olive, Bravo Burgundy Accessories: White Organza Ribbon
I have another confession--I am afraid of techniques. I'd tell you the sad story of why I think I'm afraid, but I have to protect the identities of the guilty. Bwahahahaha! Now some of you will be wondering if it's YOU. And a few of you should! LOL Anyway, this is a fun, artsy technique called chalkboarding. It involves the pastels, which I don't use very often! They mostly just sit, lonely, on shelf above the stamp table. Sad, really. We'll be trying out chalkboarding at Card Buffet next week! If you're local, there is still time to sign up! ***********************************Stamps: Pretty Petals, Pretty AmazingPaper: Lavender Lace, Basic Black, Whisper White, Pretty in PinkInk: White CraftAccessories: Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch, Stampin Pastels
I have a weakness for cute little things. My 6 children are evidence of this weakness, as are my 4 kitties and 2 doggies. And my shoes. But I digress. The SA Sisters and I have developed a funny habit of needing 3x3 cards to go along with our full-sized card swaps. Who doesn't need a cute little card to tuck in a wedding gift or birthday present? (Umm, yeah, sure, I give them away . . . .Sure I do! {stands in front of all the boxes of swaps}) And I have a confession. I never liked Texture Plates in my Cuttlebug. But I ADORE them in my Big Shot! They work so much better for me! And textured vellum???? Dreamy! The sentiment--again from Oval All in the Occasions Mini--is stamped in Basic Black Craft ink and clear embossed. The whole card just reminds me of a classic tuxedo at a wedding! ****************************Stamps: Oval AllPaper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Cardstock VellumInk: Basic Black CraftAccessories: Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Vintage Brads, Big Shot, Texturz Plates (SU BG 1), Dimensionals
My SA Sisters and I have been busy again! This time, it's swaps from the Occasions Mini Catalog! Now available to order! Check out all the swaps in the Stampin Addicts Gallery!
This card uses the brand new Oval All set, which matches the *fabulous* new Scallop Oval Punch! I am powerless against any set that matches a punch, as you know, so this one was an easy choice for me! I stamped the Bella Toile BG in Versamark on Blush Blossom, then embossed with clear embossing powder. Then I used Sage Shadow Craft ink to stamp Bella Toile *again* on watercolor paper! Embossed that in clear, too. The sentiment is stamped in Chocolate Chip Craft ink, and embossed with clear EP on watercolor paper. Then I watercolored the image with Blush Blossom and Sage Shadow Classic ink and an Aquapainter. Punched it out with the Large Oval Punch, layered on the new Scallop Oval Punch, and then on the Wide Oval Punch! LOL All layers on this card are sponged with Chocolate Chip Classic ink. Many dimensionals gave their lives for this card, but I have great confidence that their sacrifice will be appreciated not only by you, my dear readers, but by my awesome Swap Sisters! It was a noble sacrifice! Right now, if you order $40 worth of Occasions Mini products, you can choose a free item from the Under $10 page (208) of the Spring Summer Catalog! *************************Stamps: Oval All, Belle Toile BGPaper: Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Blush Blossom, Watercolor paperInk: Versamark, Blush Blossom Classic, Chocolate Chip Craft and Classic, Sage Shadow Craft and ClassicAccessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Wide Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Vintage Brads, Stampin Sponge, Dimensionals
