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!