PPA23 - Anything BUT A Card Challenge

Pals Paper Arts http://www.palspaperarts.com/ Is a site I just recently found. It is quickly becoming a favorite. Today's challenge was anything but a card. My granddaughter's birthday is in March and I decided to give her an acrylic photo frame with a scrapbook layout to hang on her wall. If anyone knows where you can get more of these frames.....PLEASE let me know. What is nice the layout will be easy to change, so Grammy can make new ones just for her and the old layout can go into her scrapbook.

The card stock is: Imaginisce Double Sided - Baby Powder - Oopsie Daisy. The pink card stock is from my stash.
The punch is: Martha Stewart Deep Edge Punch - Lattice Heart
Bridget's name was cut using my BossKut Gazelle
Bridget's photo frame was cut using a Sizzix Bigz Die - Extra Long -Album, Brackets.

This was a fun rainy day project. My hubby is fighting a cold and slept most of the day...I quietly played in my room.

Thank You Pals Paper Arts Challenge....I've finished a birthday project early! 2010 is looking good!

My Friend Dee Dee

Everyone.....Meet my friend Dee Dee....

I have a friend that is introduced as, "This is Dee Dee, she's been my friend since pre-school." It's true...however we were the parents of two pre-schoolers. not the actual pre-schoolers. Dee Dee and I have gone through lots together. We've cried together, supported each other emotionally and laughed together. We raised our kids together and when I re-married and moved away, I thought neither of us would survive being so far away.

Three years ago, Dee Dee moved to Colorado. Even though she lives over 1000 miles away we still find the time to visit, either by phone or by Skype, and on those special times she comes to northern California or I go to Colorado. Dee Dee is very talented. I have trouble painting a room, she thinks nothing of laying tile. I've always had such respect for her talents.

When Dee Dee comes to visit, we spend hours and hours scrapbooking or making cards. She goes home with what she's learned and creates master pieces that her grandkids will cherish for many, many years.

Yesterday Dee Dee told me about a gift she received for Christmas and that she was making a card for her sister, to say thank you. I asked her to share her card by sending me a photo. Below are the photos she sent. I'm so proud of her. She doesn't have a group of women to network with her. She works full time and spends much of her free time with her grandkids. Her free time is very limited...What she's learned she's learned by looking at things she likes and then expands on the ideas she's seen. I think she did a fantastic job on this card and I'm sure her sister will be thrilled when she sees it. I'm looking forward to when we can spend another long weekend playing with paper....Dee Dee, Thanks for sharing your work!
Once again....have a wonderful week.

Mojo Monday 119 - Valentine Card

http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/ Today I made a card for Mojo Monday - Week 119. This is one of my favorite challenges. I decided to make my honey's Valentine Card. Richard likes red and black. Knowing this made picking colors easy. My Spellbinder dies got a real workout. I used: Renaissance Hearts - Borderabilities. I also used the circles and rectangles, along with scallop versions of each. Finally....I used the hearts. I thought the card needed some bling, so glitter was added along with a heart gem. It's nice to be ready for Valentine's Day. I think I'll go make a Christmas card. I might actually be ready for Christmas 2010...

Have a wonderful week.

Playing With Martha Stewart

Ok....I wasn't exactly playing with Martha Stewart....I was playing with my new Martha Stewart Deep Edge Border Punch - Lattice Hearts. My card is a quarter fold and by layering, I was able to get 6 hearts on the front of the card. Without layering, I would have only had 4 hearts. The green card stock, the heart gem and the ribbon are all from my stash. The pink patterned card stock is from Imaginisce - Baby Powder - Oopsie Daisy. The sentiment is computer generated. I have a feeling my new punch is going to be used often.

I must say the past few days did not leave much time for playing in my studio. Today, after my son went back to the city, I went into my play room and spent the day with my toys. I love playing with paper!

Have a most wonderful week.

January Class

I wanted to post photos of the cards we will be making in the January class. at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique http://paradisescrapbookboutique.typepad.com/ The yellow floral card is my version of a card I saw in a past issue of Card Maker Magazine. I chose yellow for this card. BoBunny's Back to Basic A Gift of Love line, has many beautiful papers, any of which would have made a beautiful card. The gals taking this class will have many choices. They will be able to choose from 3 sentiments, and 5 colors of card stock. They will learn how easy it is to chalk the edges of the tissue paper and for those who don't know how to use the Spellbinder dies... this class will turn them into pros. Several months ago, I saw a card made by Keri Lee Sereika http://cardpositioningsystems.blogspot.com/ I liked the layout and the sentiment she used on this card and I packed it away in my mind for possible later use. I also liked her color choices. I used a border punch, and Spellbinder dies. The Cuttlebug embossing folder will also be something fun for those who have not had the joy of working with them. For those who already are familiar with the dies, it will be fun, because the results are always wonderful. I think this card will be fun for the girls to make and one they will make often.

Those who have become familiar with me through my classes, have figured out that I don't want to teach how to make one card. I want people to learn how to use the tools and make many cards. I do hope the girls bring their creations to class. I'd love to see them.

Off I go, it's time to think about heading toward the recliner to watch TV. Have a great evening.

Christmas Label

I'm not very good at making tags. I guess it's something I haven't had lots of practice making. I've been watching Sherry's blog and today I saw a tag that I really, really like. Check it out: http://sherrycheever.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/12/14/12-tags-of-christmas-tag-11-my-way/ My tag was inspired by Sherry. Our WW group made boxes and Post-It-Note holders as gifts for special people. It was decided that I would make a tag to be attached to one of the gifts. I must say it was a challenge, one that evolved from a Spellbinder Sleigh (double sided) with a hole to hold a ribbon for hanging. After looking at the tag for hours (ok maybe not constantly), I decided I needed more and my tag was born. I'm so glad I took the time to make my tag more than just the sleigh. I used Labels Eight to create the base, added ribbon, stickers and bling.....now when I sit and look at the label...I am very happy! I hope the intended gal will love it as much as I do.

For My 91 Year Young Aunt Izzie

I think one of the best reasons for sending Christmas letters or notes, are the many notes you receive back, and from most unexpected people. The above card and envelope were inspired by a letter I received from my cousin Sandy, written for her mom Izzie. Her letter sparked many memories of my childhood spending time with my Aunt Izzie and my Uncle Happy. Isn't that a great name for an Uncle?

I wanted to thank Sandy for taking the time to write and I needed a card that was not only quick, but "Summery" They live in Wisconsin and are beginning what usually is a long winter. Aunt Izzie is a gardener and I thought she'd enjoy receiving a bit of summer.

The paper is old from 2005. It's from Bo-Bunny Press and is named Shabb-A-Licious Blossoms. The green belt is from my scrap stash, the embossing is Tiny Bubbles from Cuttlebug. The belt buckle is a Spellbinder die called - Ladies Fashion Buckles, I haven't checked but it is probably retired. I love it. I use it often. The sentiment is an old Stampin Up stamp and is cut from a Spellbinder oval. The envelope is made from the same paper. All in all, the card and envelope took about 20 minutes to make.

Have a great day.....

Say Hello to Denise

While hopping around the internet this morning....I found a gal named Denise. She posted her 12-Step addiction to paper. I know that this applies to all my paper buddies....So I thought I would share. Here is the link: http://mamascroppingcollections.blogspot.com/ She posted on October 22, 2009. Enjoy!

In truth, my belief is...if one is good....two is better! If you show me a stick and a rubber band and you demonstrate 5 ways to use it....I'll buy all you have! I HAVE A SICKNESS! I do hope there is no cure!

Notice: Denise doesn't post very often....I'm guessing she's either shoppin...or croppin!

Paper Flowers

Hello, Hello, Hello,

I went to Paradise Scrapbook Boutique http://paradisescrapbookboutique.typepad.com/ I had an idea for my January card class. Karen has beautiful BoBunny card stock and I think they will be perfect for the Paper Flower card. I wanted to get this posted because I want the gals in my card class to know they are going to have choices.....You can make your card in any of the colors that remain available...so come early. You will be making the flower, bring the chalk to match the card stock you choose. The flower was made using my scalloped Nested Spellbinder die. If you are interested in purchasing that die, or any of the Spellbinder dies, let Karen know.

I'm off for a day with the girls. First it's Weight Watchers and then we are going to make the Christmas box I showed in an earlier post.

Have a great week! Stay warm!

Happy Birthday Edy

Edy is one of my most dear friends. She's been a person to laugh with, cry with and share my life with. We met, many years ago, while taking a calligraphy class at Michaels. I think it was one of those meant to be meetings. I'd never taken a class without going with a friend...this time I went alone and I sat next to this very special lady. We hit it off right away, and interestingly, we both live in the same small town and took the class in Chico CA, which is where we both were working at the time. Since that class we have been very close friends. Edy is a quilter and a very good one... getting better all the time. She loves flowers and she loves any fabric that has flowers. She also loves pastel colors. I tried to put all of that into this card. In addition....I added shiny because we both love shiny! So.....HAPPY BIRTHDAY EDY! The gift we share is friendship and may you live long and may we always share the gift of friendship.

Quick Handmade Gifts

Last Thursday Patti, Carolyn and I got together to brainstorm. We were trying to think of gifts to make that would be useful, quick to make and fun. The three of us own the Zutter Bind-It-All, so of course that became the tool of choice. I came home filled with ideas. It wasn't until yesterday that I put idea to action. I'm packing a box to ship to my over-seas family and I thought to fill the empty spaces I'd put these little books in. Each holds a 3x3 Post-It-Note pad. They are easy to re-fill. The little books are great ways to use up scraps. I used cereal boxes and shipping cartons to make the covers (cut 4x 3.5 inches) then covered them with scrap papers. I used my Spellbinder alphabet for the letters, cut from Fun Foam. The felt stickers are Woolies from BasicGrey. The chalks are from ColorBox. I bound them all using 1/2 inch Bind-It -All wires. These are definitely 20 minute projects.

I can't wait to see what the others have made. Hopefully they will let me take photos of them. I'll post the photos.....

Have a wonderful week!

Using Scraps

Can you believe it is already December, and the count down to Christmas has begun! I promise myself each year that I WILL be ready for Christmas. That I will plan and organize and prepare. I don't know what happens between January 1 and December 1, but somehow all of my promises go by the wayside and I am rushing to get ready. I think my main problem is that I am easily distracted by shiny objects. The attached card was not part of my plan for December, however, when I saw the challenge at Techno Stamper http://technostamper.blogspot.com/2009/11/monday-lunchtime-sketch-challenge-98.html I decided to play.

All the card stock used for this card are from my scrap bin. I love when I can make a card using something I've saved from another project. The stamp is from Stampin Up. She is the newest stamp in my collection. The button embellishments are also from Stampin Up. The are die cuts. The buttons were tied with gold thread and Dew Drops were added.

I hope you enjoyed the card I enjoyed making it. I wish you a wonderful day. If nothing shiny catches my eye....I may actually get my check book balanced!

I Love Boxes

I love boxes. I've been making boxes for gift cards for years. I started making the gift boxes when people wanted to purchase my cards for weddings. The cards were beautiful, but I felt an envelope just didn't make the card look like a gift. Years ago I purchased Aleene's Boxmaker. I've been using it ever since. It is anything but fancy, but it works for me.

Yesterday I saw many of the bloggers displaying boxes. I decided it was time to pull out the boxmaker and make one too. Before I show the card. Let me tell you about the Poinsettia. I embossed my cardstock using the Cuttlebug Holly Ribbons and Cuttlebug Mini Bubbles http://www.franticstamper.com/ I then cut and embossed using Spellbinder's Nested Poinsettias http://paradisescrapbookboutique.typepad.com/Gold Dew Drops http://www.7kidscollegefund.com/ were added to the center of the flower. I used a Gold Leafing Pen by Krylon. My buddy Carolyn turned me on to these pens.

I wish I could tell you about the patterned card stock. It didn't have anything written on the scrap pieces I used. If anyone knows anything about the cardstock...please share. The solid green I purchased from Paradise Scrapbook Boutique (see above link) The little snowman also was purchased there, along with the ribbon and red beads .

My friend Edy gave me all the package tags from their last year's Christmas gifts. The poinsettia on the front of the box is part of one of those tags. To keep the box flap closed I am using a flat magnet.

The gold snowflakes are from Class A Peels. I think I may have purchased them at Michaels. They are one of those items that you purchase and put them away for later use. I like how easy they are to fold on the edge of the box.

Finally, the inside of the box. I paper pieced scraps, and was lucky enough to find almost a full sheet and enough smaller scraps to keep things lined up. Inside the box I have 5 cards and 5 envelopes. The box would really hold twice as many.

So now you've seen about all there is to see. This box was fun to make. I'm really happy with the finished box.

Enjoy....Have a wonderful Sunday and a fantastic week.

Happy Thanksgiving

Good Morning,

I wanted to take a minute, before the gang wakes up, to say....Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. I am most thankful to have each and every one of you in my life. You've made the happy times happier, and the sad times bearable.

If I were a quilt, you'd be the important part that makes me, me.

Love and Happy Thanksgiving.

December Card Class

Good Morning,

As my husband would say....."I've been as busy as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs." This time of the year is always busy and to add to it, we are trying to finish a bathroom remodel before next Friday. My daughter and her honey are coming for a visit and I'm hoping the guest bathroom is ready. The last time we did a face lift, my husband was off on a hunting trip with the boys and my daughter and I decided to wall paper, replace a light and paint. It was fun and a memory for sure. I hate to tell you how long ago that was....Lets just say more than 10 years. It will be a beautiful room when complete....and I CAN'T WAIT!

The November card class at PSB http://paradisescrapbookboutique.typepad.com/ was sold out. We did two Christmas Easel cards. Everyone did a great job, I'm proud of them. It was fun to watch the facial expressions and then the smiles as the projects were completed. I've heard from several of the girls and they are creating the cards at home. That is, after all, the purpose of teaching. I'm very proud of those who are creating on their own. I can't wait to see what they've made. I took my camera....but guess what....I forgot to take any photos. Next time... I promise.

For December, I decided to create two birthday cards. It seems I'm always behind the 8 ball when it comes to birthdays. (I have 8 cards to make for December and January...goodness!) The first card is a shaker card. I always enjoyed making them and I thought maybe the girls would have a good time too. The second is an easel card. I patterned this one after a card I made for my daughter-in-law. Both cards were fun to make and I'm sure the gang will enjoy making them.

If I'm going to stay on my schedule for today....I'd best get moving. It's baking day today. Have a great weekend....

Let It Snow - Silver - Double The Pleasure

Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning. Since Monday, I'd been thinking about the card I wanted to make for Mojo Monday..... http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/2009/11/mojo-monday-111-contest.html

Here it is: The card went together very easily...however, when I went to the photo booth to take a picture....it was nightmare time. My new lights have a yellow tint...they aren't supposed to, but they sure do. So the photo looked awful. I then went to my outside photo booth and the photo was much better...I think shiny must be hard to photograph and this card is very shiny and shimmery....

Then I was reading Simply Southern Sandee's Blog and I saw the Our Daily Bread Challenge. I've never done this before, but I thought...hey, let's use this card for both...after all, there is a lot of shimmery on this card. Check out the Our Daily Bread Blog... http://ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Latest%20%20Challenge

Here's what I used to make the card. I started with a light gray linen card stock. I then layered with a very shiny metallic silver cardstock. I then found a beautiful silver vellum from the Paper Company. I embossed it using a Cuttlebug emossing folder, and I also cut and embossed it using the Cuttlebug snowflake. The sentiment is a Stampin Up rubber stamp which I stamped and then used Silver Super Sparkle embossing powder by Imprintz. And finally....silver Dew Drop accents.

Now that my Mojo is up and running....I'd best put some of it behind cleaning up my mess. Have a great day!

Standard Time and Post It Notes

My dogs are having a problem adjusting to Standard time. This morning at 4:45 everyone thought it was time to get up and go outside to go potty. Everyone but my husband. Long story short. I got up, put the puppies out and when they came inside, I gave them their cookies and hoped all would want to go back to bed. By the time they decided it would be a good idea, I'd made a small album to hold Post-It-Notes. Sorry the photo is so bad. I need another class on how to put three photos on one page....Amy....can you show me? I finished the album and went into the family room to find the dogs toasty warm and sleeping on the recliner.

Meet Baxter, Sydney and the old fella....Tucker.

I think tomorrow it should be Richard's turn to get up with the dogs. I'm off to bed. Have a great evening everyone.

Birthday Card For Linda

Margaret, a dear friend, asked if I would make her sister-in-law, Linda, a birthday card. Margaret said Linda's passion is music. I have several papers with musical notes, and after cutting up several... :-( and not being happy with any of them, I remembered a Graphic45 paper that I've been saving. This paper is from the 2008 Botanicabella Collection.

I love the colors, and there are musical notes for Linda. I chalked all the edges in browns, used a border punch, ribbon and bling to embellish the front of the card. I found a violin in my stash which was a perfect embellishment for this card. The sentiments were created on my computer.

I guess I'd best get busy....I want to start working on my Christmas House, and I need to do some organizing before I get started.

Have a wonderful day....see you soon.

Thinking Of You

Today I spent the day with my dog Tucker. My husband was in our guest bathroom pounding and tugging on walls as he started our remodel. Tucker doesn't do well with loud noises and to keep him from crying and shaking, I sat with him in my craft room. To make the best use of my time, I made a card for the weekend sketch challenge 104 at

http://beate.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2009/10/30/weekend-sketch-challenge-104/ Tucker helped...

For this card I used DCWV paper from the Rustic collection. The sentiment was made using my computer, and it was framed using one of my Spellbinder dies. The ribbon was tied using my Bow Easy and ribbon from my stash. The card size is 9x4.

I have to say when I looked at the sketch I thought it would be one I could get together quickly. I had a huge problem picking out the papers and I'd tried 3 combinations, from reds, to greens to pinks....when I came upon these browns everything finally went together. I used Color Box Chalk in Spiced Pumpkin on all the edges. The chalks brought the card to life.

I'm off to dinner with the neighbors. We are going to Happy Days, an Asian restaurant in our neighborhood. Until later....I hope you enjoy Tucker and my card.

Birthday Cards

As promised. Here are three of the birthday cards made for Virginia, by the gals. Good job, Carolyn, Patti and Rita....

I made another card using Flower Soft. I think I am addicted....

Off I go to bed. Tomorrow is a busy day. Have a great evening.

Good Morning....It's windy and cold here in Northern California. I think maybe Winter is on her way.

I finished the cards for the November Class at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique. Both cards are easel cards. I think the class will be amazed at how easy they are to make. If you want to take the class, I'd suggest contacting Karen. http://paradisescrapbookboutique.typepad.com/ The date for this class is: November 10th at 1:00 PM.

Today I'm off to play. A few of us are getting together to play with Flower Soft. I'm sure it will be a fun day for all of us.

I wish you all a wonderful day!

Bind-It-All

Many of you know I'm taking an on-line Bind-It-All class through www.mycreativeclassroom.com the above photo is of the project I completed today. I'm very happy with this project. The photos don't do the project justice. Nan (our instructor) had us make gate fold and split pages and they turned out better than I would have imagined. I am sooooo very glad that I signed up for the class.

Well....I'm off to bed, I've been at it since early morning....Take care and have a wonderful week.

Virginia's Birthday

Introductions.... Top Photo: The Birthday Girl Virginia! Bottom Photo: Back Row Left to Right: Patti and Rita Front Row Left to Right: Virginia, Carolyn and Me.

Yesterday we celebrated Virginia's Birthday. Today I decided to share two of the photos. I know the girls will all complain about putting their photo in my blog page, but hey...I love them all and I want to share Virginia's special day. We started with a lunch at the Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico. http://www.sierranevada.com/taproom/taproom.html Our husbands joined us (photo not included). The food was great the company greater!

We then went to Carolyn's for cake, gifts and visiting. Each of us made Virginia a special birthday card. Each card was beautiful. If I can get them away from Virginia, I'll post them next week.

I'm supposed to be getting ready to go to Chico to pick up tiles for our bathroom remodel... I guess I should get moving.

See you all next week. Enjoy your weekend. We've been told it'll be cooling down next week. So, enjoy what might be our last warm weekend.

Happy Birthday Karen

Good Morning,

This post is a bit late....I do want to say Happy Birthday Karen! To celebrate, a few of us got together and took Karen to lunch. Ok...more like we took lunch to Karen at our favorite place, PSB http://paradisescrapbookboutique.typepad.com/I'm not sure how "young" Karen is, but I think she is probably around 23 (Karen, am I your favorite?)

Karen's card was made using Sarah Milne's - Cape Town Table Bay Floral from Scenic Route Paper Company. I also used DCWV Classic Red Checks. The flower and the rhinestone embellishments are from Heidi Swapp. The sentiment is from my computer.

I love birthdays. Not because someone is gaining a year, but because each birthday marks another reason to celebrate the life of the celebrant. I firmly believe that the world changes at the birth of each person. I know my life has been made better by the births of my friends.

This week, I caught a nasty cold. I'm blaming my husband...though he's not buying it. I haven't felt this crummy for a long time. Thankfully I am almost over it. Let's hope this is the worst illness I'll run across during this entire cold/flu season....When I don't feel like making a card....I'm sick!

Adding another downer....one of the lights in my photo booth blew out. I had to order replacement bulbs. I've got to say.....I received them in less than a week. Gotta love the Internet!

Off I go for now. Today is Virginia's Birthday. I'll post her card later....

Have a great Friday....see you soon!

Talking With Santa

Good Morning....we are having our first winter storm....It's raining....pouring actually, and the wind has gone from windy to really, really windy! The weather man said that this is just the beginning of the storm and it will increase as the day goes on. Wouldn't you know it....my first class teaching at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique http://paradisescrapbookboutique.typepad.com/

If too many cancel, I'll ask Karen if I can re-teach this class at some point during the month.

Ok...Yesterday I spent the day with my favorite gals the SOS cropping group. We go PSB at around 10:30 and we stay until Karen throws us out...usually about 4:30. Everyone works on what ever we need to finish and my project was the card I posted above. I am really liking these easel cards. This one was made using BoBunny's a gift of love collection. I mounted the card stock on a brown linen base. The ribbon and buttons are from Karen's collection. Actually all items are from http://paradisescrapbookboutique.typepad.com/I'm very happy with how the card turned out. I think a card similar will be taught at my next class....anyone interested in taking that class?

Off I go....have a most wonderful day.

Easel Card - I Love It.

Before I begin....I want to thank Ron, my neighbor for getting me back on line. I decided to change my email password..who knew it could be so hard....After realizing that I don't speak the language of the computer....I put out an SOS and he came and I'm back up and running. Again, Thank you Ron!

I bought paper last week, and I wondered what I would make with it. I really love the old fashioned look. Well, after thinking about it, I came up with this Easel Card. I made it into a birthday card - my favorite card to make, next to Christmas. I love the 6x6 format and I saw an Easel Card that Becca made and displayed on her blog: http://www.amazingpapergrace.com/

This is what I used....The envelope is made from CCWV - classic Red Checks. I have a template for the 6x6 envelopes (Kreate-A-Lope, by http://www.greensneakers.com/ ) I think making an envelope to match your card makes the card that much more special. It's like adding wrapping paper to your gift.

The easel is made from a red linen card stock, and I also used a scrap of brown linen to make mattes for the front and inside. The front graphic is from Graphic45 - the Domestic Goddess line. The floral designed card stock is the back side of the graphic I used for the front. The silverware brad is by Creative Imaginations - Christine Adolph. When I bought them, I wondered what I would do with them.....they were perfect! Of course I used Spellbinders Rectangles for the matte on the sentiment. I'm beginning to think I can't make a card without adding something from Spellbinder. I did a free hand for my hand written note. And the sentiment was created on my computer.

Can you believe the card folds flat and fits into a 6x6 envelope? It was an easy card to make and I think it is beautiful.!

That's it for today. Tomorrow I'll be creating with my SOS group. It will be fun to see what everyone is working on.

Have a wonderful day.

Flower Soft - Lamp Post

Hello and Happy Weekend. This has been a busy one. I'm taking two classes through: http://www.mycreativeclassroom.com/ Can you believe....I also have homework! I haven't had homework in many a year. I'm taking the Bind-It-All 101, taught by Nan Paturzo. This is week one and I must say....it moves along. I've learned lots. Nan has put a lot of thought into her class and it shows. Carolyn came over and I shared my vast knowledge...ok, so maybe she helped me figure out why one of the punches wasn't working so well....but between our two brains...we figured it out!

I'm also taking a Watercolor using Tombow Markers class taught by Kim Teasdale. Homework here too.... this class has been lots of un and Kim is teaching me so much. I love my markers and she's making me love them more. I'd say it's about time I learned to use them.... I've had them since 1998! I must say, both classes are well worth the taking. If you've never taken an on-line class with My Creative Classroom.... I highly recommend them.

Today Brenda came for our monthly "play day". Brenda is one of those gals that creates cards that are master pieces. She painstakingly creates beautiful cards. Her cards are carefully planned and beautifully assembled. Sometimes I can see her gritting her teeth over colors I've chosen and how thrown together many of my cards are....when I finish making a card, she'll look at me and say, I never would have thought your card would turn out so well. I guess that's why we get along so well....we can tease each other and laugh at our peculiarities.

Ok...moving on.....today I created my card using Flower Soft. The graphic is also a Flower Soft graphic. I don't know if you can see it in the photo, but there is a thin line of gold around the graphic and around the plaid matte. This too is from Flower Soft and it is very easy to use. I was surprised at the ease of use. The strip is so thin and appears to be very delicate. It is pretty strong. The colors of Flower Soft I used are Polar White - Pale Green - Shamrock Green - Christmas Green and Russet Red. I also added Prisma Glitter. The sentiment was done using a Spellbinder tag... I'm happy with the card. I feel I'm still in learning mode using the Flower Soft. I'm loving the learning!

That's it for tonight. Have a wonderful weekend.

Let It Snow and The Cost Of Postage.

Good Morning,

It seems that lately a lot of conversation concerns the cost of mailing. With Christmas on the way, many people are making a list and checking it twice....not to see who is naughty or nice, but to see who might appreciate a handmade card, especially since it will probably require extra postage.

In the past month (or two) I participated in a blog challenge and I thought that card just might fit the bill....so, with a few modifications, I created the card above.

Now for the sad news: I have discovered that if you have anything other than a letter, you are going to pay more. Why? I really don't know. I've been to 3 different post offices and have gotten 3 different explanations. The men at my local post office know I make hand made cards. When I hand over the card they feel the envelope to see if they feel a bump of any kind...If they find one, they do the happy extra postage dance. If I go to another relatively local post office, they try to bend the envelope. If it doesn't have the consistency of a wet noodle....they do the happy postage dance. The third post office has a hard piece of plasticish material with a slot. If the envelope doesn't fit through the slot....you guessed it....happy extra postage dance. I then went to the web....the calculate postage section shows graphics. You pick which category you think your card fits into. My card happens to weigh 1.1 oz - if I say it is a letter the cost will be 61 cents. If I say the envelope does not bend it is now 81 cents. Keep in mind the size, the weight and the shape are the same. What's with that? I was told by a friend that she was told that the postal equipment for cancelling won't accept items that won't bend.

Ok, now, if I am standing in front of the postal clerk and I ask the postal clerk, who is being paid by the hour, or the week, to hand cancel my card....there is a charge for that. Tell me, why? I've already purchased the postage and I'm not wanting to break their cancelling machine....so I ask them to please hand cancel. With the rules in place....I think I should be paid for being considerate! Think of all the work I'm saving them. Now they don't have to clear out the machine!

I absolutely love my postal clerks and my mail carrier....I am sure they did not make the extra postage rule. It just amazes me that companies that provide a service believe it is necessary to charge for every little thing. Which brings to mind the airlines....If I book my own flight, and print my own boarding cards...I should charge the airline. And why is it If I carry on a suitcase it's free, but if it is stowed the bag in the belly of the plane...I pay? And here's a real gripe....People who don't want to pay the fee for the luggage, will drag their heavy bag through the narrow aisle, and not be able to find over-head storage....they have their bags taken by the flight attendant and they don't pay. What's with that? What ever happened to service?

I am climbing off my soap box and peddling my behind to the post office to mail a 1.1 oz letter/card/who knows what it will be!

See you later...come on over for coffee.....I won't even charge you for two lumps of sugar :-)

World Card Day

Good Morning...and Happy World Card Day (a day late) I wanted to get this card up on the actual day, but I goofed off a bit too much and never made it. I'm liking Flower Soft, can you tell. It's really easy to work with and drying time isn't too bad either. I'm learning as I go and gaining confidence too.

I used the Flower Soft Christmas Traditional Door, which has 6 doors in the package (3 green and 3 white). I used Flower Soft Vintage Christmas for the wreathe and trees, along with Polar White. It has just enough glitter to look like snow. I also used Graphic-45 - Christmas Past Collection - Let it Snow as the background and also as the inside. All of the items used , with the exception of the metallic gold and the ribbon were purchased from Paradise Scrapbook Boutique. She just received her shipment and it's going fast...so, if you're interested in purchasing, she will ship, just give her a call (530-876-8037).

Off I go, we are going to friends this morning and my honey is wondering what's taking me so long. Again, Happy World Card Day, Wishing you a wonderful Sunday and a fantastic week.

See you soon!

Why I Blog

Hello Again,

A friend asked me why I started a Blog page, and more specifically why I search blogs. I started looking at other artists blog pages because I wanted to see what people were doing, I also find them very inspiring and when my mojo is low....they get me up and moving.

My daughter got me going on my own blog page. I did this mostly to be able to display the projects I've created and reach out to other bloggers through Sketch Challenges. I must say I wasn't prepared for what happened when I started following blogs.

The first blog I followed is http://simplysouthernsandee.blogspot.com/ She has always been very encouraging and gave me "The Beautiful Blog" Award. What a boost to my ego that was.

Check out the other blogs I follow. I hope you'll find some you really enjoy. Let me know what they are....there's always time to follow more...

While checking out more blogs and I found out about Sketch Challenges. What better way to keep making cards. The card in this blog is from Mojo Monday Week 106 - want to play along? Here's the link: http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/ Another sketch challenge that I just found is: http://www.kgiron.blogspot.com/ I entered a card this week.

Through blogs, I can travel the world and never leave my studio. I've met great people, I've seen thousands of beautiful cards and scrapbook pages and I'm constantly inspired to try something new, to get out of my comfort zone and create. My daughter said she is so surprised that I never seem to tire of card making. Well now you know why.....Blogs keep me moving.

So....what did I use to create this card? Spellbinder dies. Cosmo Cricket - More Jolly by Golly card stock and an older Stampin Up rubber stamp. I also used a Krylon gold leaf pen. The ribbon is from my stash.

Happy Blogging...Happy Wednesday and Happy Creating.

See you soon!