Friday, December 24, 2010

Good Friday morning - Happy last day of 2010. What will the new year have in store for us? Do you make resolutions - I do not make resolutions in my personal life - I do make resolutions (probably there is a better word for what I do) in my crafting.

In 2010 - I decided I wanted to learn how to color better so if you look at my growing number of Copics - maybe I am getting better - or at least I have more colors to choose from - I have even used up certain color of Copics - I have not learned how to refill. Maybe I should learn how - it must be more economical.

So for 2011 - I don't want to make it too hard on myself -
* continue to learn how to color
* when I make a card for my personal use, to finish the inside at that time
* to continue to make cards for Operation Write Home

Do you have any crafting resolutions? Oh I forgot, I don't want to buy anything that is not an essential in the month of January - I can only buy adhesive or cardstock. I may have to go shopping today - I do have a gift certificate.

Oh I forgot to talk about the card I posted today - it is a card for Operation Write Home - the midweek challenge on their cardmaking blog Stars and Stamps is to make a "miss you card that is children oriented." My little animals are very child oriented - it was an image I found in my box of stamped images - I don't know who the manufacturer is. All supplies are old.

Happy new year - be safe - see you in 2011 - unless I get a card made today I need to post.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Good Tuesday evening - are you sure it wasn't Monday. We had a furlough day yesterday so it was a Monday on a Tuesday. Very busy day after being out of work for over a week - the next 30 days are a marathon for me at work.

Sunday I had a card making marathon working on a grouping of paper I had received at CHA several years ago. Tonight I am sharing 3 more of the 11 cards I made. I still have one grouping of paper to use. The cards are for Operation Write Home. I really should send out one more box to end the year and start at 0 for 2011. If you want to make cards for a worthwhile cause, OWH is such a good one - so many smiles are generated by one card. The card that keeps on giving.

Everyone have a wonderful evening. Big 10 basketball started tonight and the Badgers won - go Bucky - can't wait till the Rose Bowl this Saturday. Wisconsin versus TCU. Go Bucky.

Card details:
4.25 x 5.5
Paper: Piggy Tales
Stickers: SRM Stickers
Flowers: assorted companies - Prima, American Crafts
Scallop Die cut: Papertrey Ink

Monday, December 27, 2010

Good MOnday morning - I am happy to report I survived the holiday season - and once again I can return to card making - I had to clean up my area so we could eat at the tables I pile (excuse me - create on). I think I need a new year's resolution to put things away - that might last a week. Christmas day was a wonderful gathering of family - and granddogs - lots of good food and lots of leftovers. I return to work tomorrow so I think I may need to take some treats. I went no where yesterday -today I will venture out because I have company coming and they want to go shopping. I know we will be stopping at Hobby Lobby and Papa Murphy's for a pizza.

Well - yes today is Monday - so that means it is Oldie Moldie Monday - time to show some love for your old paper. It still makes beautiful cards. I had this grouping of paper from Piggy Tales - 6 x 6 samples of all their new collections one year which I got at CHA. It has been floating around my crafting area for years so I decided to start creating with it. I got 11 cards made yesterday - I have one more set to create with. All the cards are for Operation Write Home.

The first card is based on the weekly sketch at the Operation Write Home card blog - Stars and Stamps. Every Sunday they offer a new sketch to help your creative juices. With the holidays I did not get a chance to play - but yesterday - as you know - the paper came back out.

Well I need to go and get a few things done - the thought of returning to work tomorrow - very sad - now I can relax - the last two mornings I got up at my normal time - but at 7 I took at nap for 2 hours - it was very nice. Maybe over the New Year's week end I can continue this napping.

Everyone enjoy your Monday. Maybe I will buy myself a present today.

Card Details:
Size: 4.25 x 5.5
Paper: Piggy Tales
Stamps - I don't know - they were in my box already stamped and colored and who knows where the stamps are right now
Stickers: SRM Stickers
Sentiment stamp: Hero Arts
May Arts Twine
Spellbinders
Prima Flowers

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Good Thursday evening - I have been frantically working at getting ready for Christmas Day at my house - my family is coming for dinner so I am cooking and cleaning. Today I made my make ahead mashed potatoes and cooked a turkey - I only bought an 11 pound turkey because I was going to have ham also - boy that is not very much turkey - I have another one in the freezer - I wonder if I should cook that also - I guess I will have some leftovers then. I do need to go to the grocery store in the morning for some fresh produce but that is it - I actually have the bones from the turkey simmering on the stop top right now.

I made this card earlier in the week. Isn't he or she the cutest little monster (Go Team digi image at I Brake for Digis). I have an online friend returning to school and I wanted to encourage her - and I thought this guy would make her smile. I very lightly colored him with a grey copic marker but his shoes, pennant and hat are bold colors. I wanted to play off the great colors in the Crate Paper collection I used for the card. I dug through all my ribbon until I found this twill tape and it was the perfect finishing touch for the card. The button is a large button from American Crafts but I punched out a circle of coordinating patterned paper and added it to the center of the button.

Everyone have a wonderful holiday season - I will see you on the other side of Christmas - I can once again dig out my supplies and mess up where we are eating on Christmas day.

Card Details:
Size: 5 x 7
Digi image: I Brake for Digis colored with Copics
SRM Sticker
American Crafts Button
Twill tape: Michael's
Pop Dots

Monday, December 20, 2010

Good evening - did you think I would forget to post some cards for Oldie Moldie Monday - no - I would not - as I was cleaning up I actually found some stamped golf images so I used those on two cards and then dug out my football helmet stamp and made another card with the same paper - I even found this old sticker which was green so it matched perfectly. I have no idea who makes the paper - it was just some scraps I found.

I was having withdrawal from making cards for Operation Write Home - I have put most of my cardmaking supplies away but yesterday I made these cards and another card which I will post later in the week. Would you believe Operation Write Home received 750,000 cards already this year - wow - and the year has not finished yet - I wonder if they will make a million next year - I bet they will - the word is spreading about this great project and the joy it brings to so many people.

I am off work and am busily cleaning and cooking. I did my major grocery shopping today - boy it was busy. I hate to see what the stores will be like in a couple days.

Well it is time to go and do some more cleaning. Everyone have a good evening and stay safe. More snow falling here in Wisconsin. YUCK.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Good Thursday evening - BRRRRRRRRRRR - is it spring yet. Ok enough whining for this evening - come back again another day and I am sure there will be more whining.

Of course, the cold and snow is a good excuse to stay inside and create. Right now I am cleaning and clearing my play area because we have to eat Christmas dinner in my area so I do need to find the tabletops and floor - but when December 26 rolls around - I can bring my stuff out again and play. It will feel so good - and just think I will have all that clear area I can create in and mess up.

My card tonight features a digi image from I Brake for Digis - this image is called Hoot - he or she retails for $3.25. He or she actually has a tree attached to the branch on the image but I just wanted Hoot in my card so I took out my Spellbinders and cut down the tree. You can see just a wee bit of it on the edge of the circle. If you are interested in Hoot or any of the other great digi images at I Brake for Digis, pop over there and use this coupon code SAVE10BARB to receive 10% off your purchase. Digis are already a great value but who doesn't like a discount and just think you didn't have to scratch off anything to find out what your discount was.

Well everyone have a wonderful evening - I am going to go work on clearing out another spot in the dining area aka crafting area.

Card Details:
Size: 5 inch square
Cardbase: recycled cardstock
Digi Image: I Brake for Digis colored with Copics
Paper: Making Memories
Brads: Making Memories
Sticker: SRM Stickers
Lace: from my supplies (what a perfect match)

Tuesday, December 13, 2010

Good Tuesday morning – and may I stillsay BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR – actually I think I need to add some more RRRRR’s to that statement.

Here is the second card I made on Sunday are for my neighbors. If you wish to hear why the Raccoon – check out yesterday’s post.

The card is based on the sketch at Our Creative Corner. A very fun sketch. I could not find the brads I wanted to use – so I just colored some brads with a red copic – they turned out great (well I think they did). It is nice to know you can do things like that to get a perfect match.

Well it is time to get ready for work – potluck for the building today – I am making hot chicken sandwiches. Yum Yum. Everyone have a wonderful Monday and hope it is warm wherever you are located.

Card details:
Size: 4.5 x 6
Paper: Crate Paper
Die Cuts: Crate Paper
Stamp: Stampendous colored with Copics
SRM Stickers
May Arts twine
American Crafts button
Brads: Imginisce colored with Copics
Pop Dots

Monday, December 13, 2010

Good Monday morning – and may I say BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR – the wind chill is 9 below. I do hope my car starts. I ran my errands on Friday night and then I hibernated the remainder of the week end. I did accomplish a few things – I actually made a couple more Christmas cards, some gifts for this week are ready to go. I even made cookies – I did post the recipe yesterday if you are interested – Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate – pretty yummy.

The cards I made on Sunday are for my neighbors. I will share one today – come back on Tuesday to see the second one. They take very good care of me. Sunday morning Jeff cleared my sidewalk and driveway – I have more than they do but he very graciously cleans it out for me. I chose to use the raccoon from Stampendous for my cards for their cards. This summer, we discovered, I had a family of raccoons living under my deck. This was discovered while I was on vacation – and they took it upon themselves to try and evict the family from under the deck. I do wish I had been home to see everyone in action. I know the little image will make them all smile and bring back some warm memories from the summer.

Yes it is oldie moldie Monday – this paper isn’t that old – I think it may have been from last year’s Christmas collection from Crate Paper. I may have combined both of their Christmas collections in these two cards. Today’s card is based on the sketch at The Sweet Stop. This card opens from the left side – this card is for my backwards family – all of their cards open on the wrong side – the first card I made for them was done that way on accident – well now it is a tradition – thus they are the backwards family.

Everyone have a wonderful Monday and hope it is warm wherever you are located.

Card details:
Size: 4.5 x t
Paper: Crate Paper
Die Cuts: Crate Paper
Stamp: Stampendous colored with Copics
Sizzix Die Cut
SRM Stickers
May Arts twine

Sunday, December 12, 2010

I did make a couple cards but they are for "oldie moldie Monday" so drop back tomorrow. I did bake cookies though - and I don't often bake cookies anymore - unless I can put them in a pan and bake as pan cookies. Cookies demand TLC. It was a new recipe so I thought I would share it with you. It is from an add for Ocean Spray Craisins.

Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 6 ounch package Craisins (dried cranberries)
2/3 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks.

Drop by roundedteaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookied sheets. Bake for 10/12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool.

Makes Approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Inside

There is a song running around in my head as I made this card - I think Elvis may have sung it - "Blue Blue Christmas" - to be kind to all of you - I won't sing. It is not pretty - and something I avoid doing - well ok - I avoid doing around other people - of course - you sing when you are alone.

Hard to believe Christmas is so close - I still have some more holiday cards to make - I have some left in my basket but sometimes - none of them seem appropriate for the person you want to give them to. We will see if it happens - and then I thought it would be nice to give my hair stylist - 4 handmade cards - I probably have some but do I know where the coordinating paper is so I can finish the insides - no - so it is almost easier to make new cards.

I was giong to make a new recipe for dinner - well - it was suppose to go in the crock pot - so I guess tomorrow I will make it. I am sure I can find something to eat. We are in the midst of a storm - so far we have just had rain - but I am sure the snow is coming and then winds and bitter cold. Some parts of the state are under blizzard warnings. YUCK. I wonder what tomorrow will bring.

My card today is for a special young lady in my life. I asked her her favorite color and she said it was blue - so thus the blue card. Caardvarks (their last challenge - thanks for all the inspiration) is to make a monochromatic card. This is pretty monochromatic - or pretty blue. It is also the sketch at Unscripted Sketches. It is a combination of papers. I had bought the blue snowflake stickers at Michael's - they added just the perfect finishing touch to my card and of course, those foam snowflakes I found at Michael's. They just dress up so nicely with the addition of Stickles. I had some already Stickled (is that a word) but the glitter was pinkish so I had to Stickle some new ones with a Stickle that had a blue cast to it. I also paper pieced the cup.

Everyone have a wonderful evening - stay warm.

Card Details:

Size 5 x 7

Paper: Die Cuts With a View and Momenta

Stamp: Whipper Snapper Designs colored with Copics

Foam Snowflakes: Michael's

Snowflake die cut: Sizzix

Sentiment Sticker: SRM Stickers

Snowflake Stickers: Michael's

Ribbon: May Arts

Pop Dots

Inside Verse: Hero Arts

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Good Thursday morning – I have a thank you card to share with you today. JoAnn Fabrics had a contest this last fall called “Craft for a Cause.” Operation Write Home banded together to get the organization into the final three and we did it. It is amazing what you can do as a group. The final three were then voted on by the public - Operation Write Home won second place. For winning second place they received $25,000.

This thank you note is for JoAnn Fabrics. It is made with product from their stores. We have a super store in Madison that is great fun to shop at. In fact, I was there today and bought some holiday gifts.

Moxie Fab has a challenge for Thank You cards in celebration of their new magazine Card Creations so I am going to enter my card in that challenge.

Everyone have a wonderful day.

Card details:
Size: 4.25 x 5.5
Paper: Die Cuts With A View
Crepe Paper flower
Sizzix Die Cut
Stamp: The Paper Company
Ink: Colorbox Chalk Ink by Clearsnap
American Crafts button
May Arts twine

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Good Wednesday morning - I am going to go do my Christmas shopping today - I did not want to do it on the week end and looking ahead to work - this was about the only day I could take off. I only buy for 4 children so hopefully I will find some good stuff - I like to buy some clothing and something fun also. I buy for my Mom also - it is hard for a 92 year old to get out and do much shopping.

Have you noticed my cardmaking is slowing down - it always does over the holidays. Last night I spent the entire evening getting my Christmas cards ready to mail - one done - throw it in the basket - the basket is filling - I just have a few more to get done and that job will be finished. I know the post office hates to see me come in because each card needs to be handled individually. But I do believe I help keep them in business with my oversized, bulky cards.

Good news - Operation Write Home - won second place in the JoAnn Fabrics Craft for a Cause - $25,000 to help them with their worthwhile endeavors. I am very proud to play such a small part in this organization. Thank you JoAnn's - I guess today shopping - I should stop and buy something - I do need to send them a nice thank you card (of course - it should be handmade).

Today's card is for my niece Molly - it is pretty bad - when people put in their request for what they want on their cards - Molly wanted a dog on her card - so I had this wonderful digital image that Sandy Allnock - founder of Operation Write Home, had created. It worked great. Some fun paper and some great stickers and Molly will get her doggy birthday card. I did not put any Stickles on the card - shame on me - all little girls love glitter - there is a little piece of bling on the snowflake.

Moxie Fab is having a celebration for their new magazine Card Creations - and one of the categories is birthday cards - so I guess I will post this card in their challenge - I know it will make someone smile.

Well everyone have a wonderful day - wish me luck shopping.

Card Details:
Size 5 x 7
Image: Sandy Allnock
Paper: My Mind's Eye
Stickers: SRM Stickers
May Arts Ribbon
Bling - Canadian Dollar Store
Snowflake: Michael's

Monday, December 6, 2010

Good Monday morning – yes it is Oldie Moldie Monday. Time to show some love to some paper that has become well aged.

Amongst the holiday preparations – I have birthdays to celebrate also. I have a card to make this week for my niece Molly – I have the image and paper picked out – now color the image and make the card. Both my son in laws have December birthdays – but they usually get their cards late.

This card today is for one of my Ya Ya’s - my special group of friends –after we lost Shari this last year to breast cancer – has made our friendships even more important. Bert is the third Ya Ya to turn 60 – I will turn 60 next – but that is not until May. The other two are younger by several years so we won’t have to celebrate any more 60th birthday for a few years. Moxie Fab World is also celebrating their new magazine - Card Creations - and have a birthday challenge. This card fits perfectly into that challenge.

This image is from I Brake for Digis. I thought the chicken was hilarious wearing her little party hat. Add a touch of bling to her hat tassel and she is ready to party. If you want to purchase this lovely young chick – just pop over to I Brake for Digis. Remember if you decide to shop, you can use this coupon code SAVE10BARB to receive a discount. Everyone loves a savings and digis are so reasonable. $10 might buy one rubber stamp but you could get at least 3 digi stamps for that price and if you figure all the different sizes you can print the images in – you have a wonderful bargain.

I had to have this paper pad – and I think this is only the second card I have made out of it. It has glitter on it so I can’t use it for Operation Write Home cards. I love the colors so I don’t know why I have not created with it. Of course, I have quite the collection of 6 x 6 or 8 x 8 pads, so there is always something new to create with and the old paper gets forgotten.

Well I must go and get ready for work. Everyone enjoy your Monday.

Card Details:
Paper: My Mind's Eye
Stamp: I Brake for Digis colored with Copics
Ribbon: May Arts
Stickers: SRM Stickers
Bling: Canadian Dollar store

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Good Saturday evening. We had our first snow of the season - luckily it was not too heavy. I went to get my snowblower ready to go - filled the gas tank - primed the engine - went in the house - I know I need to prime the engine awhile before it will start. I started smelling gas - all the gas - drained out of the snowblower onto the garage floor. Yuck - it was not on my list of things to scrub the garage floor. My car probably reeks - I will have to move it outdoors tomorrow and open up the windows to air it out. Now I need to get the snowblower repaired. Not something I wanted to do.

I needed a gift card holder - so put together one - it is the challenge at Caardvarks - the challenge ends today. Boy I made it under the wire.

I am not too talky tonight - tired - had to shovel the sidewalk and driveway - but little Mr. Hunter - 9 year old neighbor - came over to help me shovel and then another neighbor showed up and helped and we had it done. It only cost me some hot cocoa.

Hopefully I will be able to find some time to create - I need to get Christmas cards in the mail and I need two birthday cards. Gotta get busy.

Size: 4.25 x 5.5
Patterned Paper: The Paper Loft
Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper
Inks: ColorBox® Fluid Chalk Ink by Clearsnap
Stamps: Stampers Anonymous – Teresa Collins
Trim: American Crafts
Treat bags: Target
Distressing Tool: Tonic
Pop Dots by All Night Media®

Tuesday,December 2, 2010

We are on the downward slide to the week end – but we have snow coming – so I guess that means time to get the snowblower gassed up and ready to go and pray it starts. I will get my stuff done on Thursday and Friday nights so I can stay at home and enjoy the snow.

I need to get my Christmas cards finished this week end and out the door. I need to clean up my crafting area. Maybe I will just keep out some paper and a few stamps, etc. to make some cards for Operation Write Home. Try to use up some of my paper. Of course, I will be making my cards using the wonderful images from I Brake for Digis. I already have them in my head – maybe that is why I have not been able to sleep at night.

I got this new stamp last week – sometimes I like to be a lazy stamper – one color stamping – no coloring. That is my definition of being a lazy stamper. I did try to add some red to the cardinal. Creative Corner has a challenge this week to use a tag on your card. I cut my tag using a Sizzix die. I was using paper from the Basic Grey holiday collection from last year but it was not coming together for me – I then went to this year’s collection and found the background paper. Enough color variation to make the background come to life. I believe the pretty brads are from Michael’s or from the dollar store in Canada. My personal shopper in Canada Ivanka finds the best stuff at her dollar stores.

Everyone have a wonderful day. I am heading to Hobby Lobby and the scrapbook store tonight - let me know if you need me to pick up anything for you - maybe I will stop at the liquor store also so I can relax and sip some wine over the week end and watch the snow fall.

Card Details:
Size: 4.25 x 5.5
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey
Stamp: Unity Stamp Color
Ink: Colorbox Chalk Ink by Clearsnap
May Arts Twine
Brads: Michaels

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Yeah it is Wednesday – hump day – I think I can make it to the end of the work week.

I do have some exciting news to share today. I am now part of the I Brake for Digis Design Team and today is my first day. If you check on the sidebar you will see all the members of the very talented design team. Stop by their blogs and see what wonderful creations they have to share with you.

I am fairly new to working with digis – but the versatility of being able to size them to fit the card you are making is a great bonus. How many times have you gone to make a card, and the rubber stamp you have is just too small or too large for what you want to do. With a digi, you can make it the size you need. I have to work on that though – I tend to make them too big and so everyone is getting a big card when I have been using my digi images. You can flip or rotate your images – you sure can not do that with a rubber stamp. I know I have lots to learn – but it will be fun with all the great images you can purchase on the I Brake for Digis site. Just think – no shipping costs. Have you ever ordered something – and the shipping cost was more than the item you ordered – so you had to order more to justify the cost of shopping or buy enough so you got free shipping. I see you all shaking your heads in agreement.

I even have a coupon code for you to use when you go shopping at I Brake for Digis. Use this code SAVE10BARB and you will receive a 10% discount on your order. I know I like to save money. Digis are inexpensive compared to rubber or acrylic stamps. If you have questions on how to use digis – many questions are answered on the Frequently Asked Questions page.

My card today is for a very special young lady for the holidays. Purple is her favorite color. I love being able to make my cards personal – cards that reflect the recipient’s favorite color or animal. The snowman on this card is so cute. I think we would all love to go play in the field with him. I think he would give Frosty a run for his money. He only costs $2.75 and you get an infinite number of sizes. I have him printed out in a smaller size – now to find the paper I want to use and color him to coordinate. You can find him on page 1 of the Holiday Stamps.

My new year resolution for 2010 was to learn how to color better. I have invested in many Copics and I think my coloring has improved. But I will keep coloring to try and make that part of my cardmaking better. I wonder what would be a good cardmaking resolution for this year - I don't make personal ones anymore - but crafting ones I will make - and I usually can accomplish those.

I invite you to visit the other team member’s blogs; check out the selection of digital stamps at I Brake for Digis – use that discount code – and have some fun. If you make a card using one of the digis – stop by and leave me a note so I can check it out. There is even a blog for I Brake for Digis – stop by often and see what the team is up to.

Everyone have a wonderful day. Hope there is some creativity in your day.

Card Details:
Size: 6 inch square
Digi stamp: I Brake for Digis colored with Copics
Paper: Cosmo Cricket
Sticker: SRM Stickers
Ribbon: from my supplies
Bling: from my supplies