Cheap Wine and Small Diamonds

I just couldn't resist working with this Rubber Romance Diva. By the way, I am not affiliated with this company in any way! This Diva is Samantha, and doesn't she just have attitude? The saying is also from the Rubber Romance company. Thanks to Texas Jody Lynn, I finally figured out how to really showcase these divas. They need a little more room that a regular size card allows. The sentiment says Life is too short for cheap wine and small diamonds! Visit Jody's blog for some fantastic inspiration! She's a rock star to me!
Recipe
This is a 5 1/2 inch square card
Card Stock: Basic Black, Ruby Red, Vanilla, DP from Target
Ink: Basic Black, Ruby Red, SU Markers
Stamps: Rubber Romance Samantha and sentiment
Embellies: Sheer Black Ribbon, stickles, brads, rhinestone

Mama's Boy

Meet Mama's Boy. He was a gift from my two sons, and i just had to share this with you. My 19 and 16 year old sons asked me what i wanted for Christmas. I told them that what i really wanted was a long plane grater...you know the one that Martha and Rachel always use? So off they go to the Westchester Mall. They came back with all sorts of bags and boxes and made me leave the kitchen so I wouldn't see what they were coming in with. They had this big box covered with their jackets. I'm not allowed into the dinning room where they are wrapping their gifts...i kept trying to sneak a peek, but they had their sisters guarding the door. So this odd shaped box gets wrapped and put under the tree. I couldn't figure out for the life of me what it could be...it was big and it had a funny shape.
Christmas morning while we were exchanging gifts i just had to open this one first because the shape of the box had me so intrigued! When i opened the box it was a bear from Build a Bear workshop, and they dressed it so cute, and it even speaks...Merry Christmas Mom, love, John and Stephen. I started cracking up. I just pictured the two of them in the build a bear store running around picking out the skin, the heart, the stuffing. The worker made them close their eyes, kiss the heart and put it into the bear. Now these are two big guys. Both of them are over 6 foot tall, and the younger guy is like a bull in a china shop. he's huge. I just thought that it was so sweet of them! I wish that i had a video of them in the Build a Bear Store. how funny would that be? LOL!
My one daughter gave me a gift certificate for a mani and pedi, and my other daughter made me a beautiful pendant in jewelry class at school. And my husband was just so wonderful. he stuffed my stocking with the Rubber Romance Stamps and a check made out to Cruise One to pay off my balance for the cruise that i am going on next October with Gina K, Emmiebella and Michele...plus a whole bunch of wonderful cosmetics and creams from the Borghesse LIne. He knows i love to pamper myself that way, and since i started stamping...well let's just say that i haven't been into Bloomingdales in 2 years!
I'm going into my studio to work with another Rubber Romance Diva and then i have to make some thank you cards. I'll post when i've got the creative juices flowing!

Gossip Time

This is another stamp that i found in my stocking by Rubber Romance! It's called Gossip Time.
Recipe:
cardstock: choc chip, white, old olive, close to cocoa, basic gray Urban Couture
Stamps: Rubber Romance Gossip Time
Ink: SU markers
Embellies: stickles, prima crystal flower, SU ribbon, K&C Company purse sticker

Ally

This is Ally. She's a new Rubber Romance girl. I really love these images...

We had a terrific Christmas. The Sunday before Christmas, on the 23rd, i had my husbands family over. We were 38 people. It's my new tradition, and I've been doing it for the last 3 years. This way, there is no excuses as to why we all can't be together at the same time! It works out so well. The only glitch was that the Sunday before Christmas was actually the Sunday before Christmas! And on Christmas Eve i was celebrating with my side of the family at my house. So 38 people on Sunday, 19 on Monday and a mere 8 on Christmas day. I feel like someone beat me up. i'm exhausted...but i had a wonderful time celebrating all three days with family and friends!
As tired as i am, i just had to play with a new stamp that i found in my stocking! There were quite a few of them in my stocking so i expect in the next few days to be playing with these new girls.

Dresses and shoes

I am still making Christmas Cards.the cards below are not for Christmas! Yikes. My son is home from college and he was showing some of my cards to his friends. They have all asked me to make them each a card to give to their parents for Christmas. Isn't that sweet. One of his friends offered to pay me $10 for one card. I told him that i wouldn't charge him, he just had to do stuff for me. My daughter started laughing and said, Mom, you're always asking our friends to do things for you! LOL! and she's right!
I was trying to clean up my stamping room, it's a disaster and came accross a card that i cased from the SCS gallery. It was so long ago that i don't know who to give the credit to. It's pictured below.



I enjoyed working on the first card that i came up with this one. I got my inspiration from the card above and a dress form that i have. You can see the dress form in the background of the pictures of my mom, i think...



Recipe:
Stamps: In Style, Safari BG stamp
Card Stock: more mustard, black, glossy white
Ink: more mustard, basic black, real red, close to cocoa
Embellies: Black ribbon, Funky yarn
I sponged the glossy white with more mustard and close to cocoa until the paper was completely full of color. I then stamped the safari bg stamp in black over the sponged paper. I think that this technique is called frosting.
thanks for looking!

Our Family A.K.A The Elves

This is our family Christmas Card. We send out 300 cards every year so i did not make them...I ordered them! LOL! These are my 4 wonderful and delightful teenagers also know as the elves, taken this summer at Montauk Beach, New York.
From my Family to Yours! Have a Very Merry Christmas! and a Happy , Healthy New Year

Big Daddy

This is probably the last Christmas Card that i will be making for this year. I think that i've saved the best for last. This is for my husband, Steve, who I always call Big Daddy. He's the best! he's kind, considerate, very generous, a wonderful husband and an excellent father. He's the love of my life. I know that he will love this card. He's proud of what i do, and shows off my cards to everyone...

For the flowers, OMG, what a pain...i stamped 4 images, water colored and then used crystal effects on the main image. I then cut out the other 3 images, so that the leaves could move, and used crystal effects again on all the images. IRL the flowers have a 3 dimensional look. I'm very happy with this card and can't wait to give it to him on Christmas morning! Thanks for looking...gotta go back to the kitchen and start baking!

Recipe
Cardstock: Old Olive, River Rock, Purely Pom, white, and SU Holiday Harmony
Ink: Old Olive, Purely Pom, Basic Black
Stamps: Hero Arts Poinsetter, and Michaels Sentiment
Embellies: Gold Organza ribbon, gold cording, glittered berries, and leaves

Baby It's Cold Outside!

In between shopping and wrapping more gifts here's another card that i made with some of those new stamps that arrived last week. This one is called Baby It's Cold Outside from My Favorite Things. Isn't it cute? Do you think that i have a theme going on here with all the snowman stamps? LOL!

Recipe:
Stamps: Baby It's Cold Outside
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, White
Ink: Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Night of Navy
Embellies: glitter glue, Cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder, ribbon

The Elves were on strike

it's been a little while since i last posted anything, but i have to tell you that the elves were on strike...it took much negotiating to get them to work and i just wouldn't cross the picket line. the elves demands were not met and yet we were able to get them back to work...so far so good. The tree is up and decorated, the gifts are wrapped and under the tree...and the stockings are hung by the chimney with care.

Today we were all inside. the weather is miserable...ice storms...hate ice, but love snow! anyway, i got a chance to work on some things without being interrupted. I have 15 nieces and nephews and they are all getting cash this Christmas. The money will go right into these envies. Directions were posted for these in an earlier post. I just love this Michael's $1 Merry Christmas stamp and aren't the little stocking stickers so cute?

Recipe:

Real Red Card Stock, SU Dashing DP, Scallop punch, circle punches and stocking embellies.

I also got to work with a new stamp set that i had ordered, and finally set up my Janome Mini Sewing machine.

Isn't this snowman image adorable? The snowman is from Fire Cracker Designs...i have no affiliation to this company in any way...the stamps arrived very quickly. and i am very happy with the quality.

Recipe:

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Bashful blue, white, designer DP

Ink: Basic Black, bashful blue, night of navy, only orange

Stamps : Chin UP by Firecracker Designs

Embellies: May Arts Ribbon, glitter glue, and stranded faux pearls

There's still so much left to do and only so many days to do it. I'll try to post again before Christmas. If I don't get the chance let me say it now, Merry Christmas to all. xoxo

Blog Candy Winner

Hi everyone,

the lucky winner of the blog candy by random draw is #4!

Stampin' Meg said...
Good luck with the crafts fair. I am so sorry to hear about your friends hubby.

Please send me an email to Gabbie96@aol.com with your snail mail address so that i can mail out these goodies to you!

Holly Berry Snowman

He's so cute, isn't he? I'm in love with this stamp set, Let it Snow by Gina K. Designs. lol! so there's more to come for sure! I just had to share this one with you. thanks for looking!
Recipe:
Stamps...Gina K Designs, Let It Snow, SU Peaceful Wishes
Paper....cranberry crisp, true thyme, retired SU dp, white
Ink...black, ruby red, always artichoke, basheful blue
Embellies....dazzling diamonds, ribbon, paper clip swirl

My First Gina K design!

I'm so excited. Remember the other night when nothing was on tv and i went surfing on the Internet? well, my stamps are finally arriving! I still haven't played with my mini Janome sewing machine. I think i'm afraid of it! lol! anyway, here is a quick card that i made, in between addressing Christmas Cards and decorating my house....so much left to do....it'll get done... the elves should be here any day now. I had fun playing with this stamp set. It's called let it snow, by Gina K. I really want to play more tonight, but my daughter is being recognized tonight at an awards ceremony for Scholar Athletes! I'm so proud of her!

Recipe

Card stock : Bashful Blue, true thyme, black and confetti white. SU dp

Stamps: Let it Snow by Gina K Designs

Embellies: SU snowflake punch, May Arts Polka Dot Ribbon, Dazzling Diamonds, Stickles, black rhinestones, and glittered Christmas Tree pick, strand of pearls to make snowballs

Sympathy for a friend

Melissa, one of my SBS sisters has requested a RAK for her neighbor. This is such a hard time of the year to loose someone close to you. Here's the card I made.

I never include a recipe but thought i might start doing that so here it is:

Paper...Black, gray, Blue, glossy white

Ink...Gray

Stamp....Lovely as a tree

I used the cuttlebug script folder and then used the gray ink dtp. The image was stamped using the soot technique, which i found in the techniques section on SCS. Very cool technique.

Thanks for looking.

The Case of the Missing Christmas Tree

Hello! What a day it was yesterday! LMAO! My sister in law and I were doing a craft fair holiday boutique in New York City. It was hosted by a well know advertising agency in the "Village". You know how when you unload all your stuff from the car, you can make several trips in and out to where you're going, you know just walk in with the boxes in your arms...well not so in swanky NYC. The buildings have codes...so all of your product that you are selling must be discretely packed away in suitcases! LOL! NO hand trucks unless you use the freight elevator...and that can be around the block from the building entrance. We had about 20 sets of the tumbled marble coasters in one roll away bag, and we had all the cards and other stuff in two giant roll away bags. My sister in law made this gorgeous mini Christmas tree to sell. It was so pretty. that was not in a bag!

Ok here we go. we pull up to the building, unload mega bags, display stands, baskets and the christmas tree. The bag with the tiles comes out of the truck with a thud on my sil's foot. OUCH!She's limping and I am on watch by the bags while my sil parks the car, around the block. Ok now what to do....I have to move all these bags out of traffic, closer to the building by myself. I could have used three big men to help me move all this stuff. It took me three trips! My sil finally meets me, and we proceed up to the 7th floor....just getting into the elevator with everything was an amazing feat. I tripped over a bag and landed right on top of it...sprawled out...embarrassed....laughing! we get buzzed in and set everything up and i turn to my sil and say, where's the tree? OMG! WHERE'S THE TREE? The tree was gone...vanished into thin air...poof...
I wanted to cry, i know how hard she worked on the tree. she just laughed about it. She figured that somebody who really needed a tree for their apartment took it cause they REALLY needed it. I think someone got into a cab with it while my back was turned hauling our other luggage! That person better be on Santa's naughty list!

We laughed most of the day about that tree. Laughed even harder when my sil removed her boot and sock to see if she had a broken toe, and went into hysterics when we counted our loot! it wasn't even enough to cover our parking for the day!

No New Stamps Yet! But More Candy!

My new stamp sets have not arrived, and well i am so anxious to play with them...and it's not like i really have the time to play, i just want to.

Yesterday was spent with my friend Cathy whose husband has cancer...she is just hopeful that he will make it until January and that he will go peacefully. It is so sad. I cooked all day for her...it's what we Italians do!

Today I am spending with my sister in laws and my sister, and tomorrow I will be behind a table at a Craft Fair in New York City. I'm really excited about that. After the craft fair my husband is going to meet me and we're going to a famous restaurant called Delmonico's and then to see the tree!

I'll work on some projects this weekend and post them as soon as I can! Thanks to all of you for listening to me today.

Oh...and since i'm close to 2000 visits I've decided to give away some more Blog Candy. Got Primas? I do! Leave a comment and you may have some too. I'll pick a winner by random draw on Tuesday! Just wait to see what i do when i hit 5000! LOL!

Some new stamps are on their way!

I promised myself that i would hold off on ordering some new stamps, well just for a little while anyway, but then last night...there was nothing on the boob tube so i went searching. I ordered quite a few new stamp sets. i'll be posting as soon as they come in. I'll try to play with them and use my new toy....the Janome sew mini! Tomorrow night is the cocktail party over at MFT on SCS, and Friday Bella has a surprise for everyone...if you don't want to exhaust your wallet...stay away from the forums at SCS! There was so much more that i wanted to order...but does anyone else get annoyed when the shipping is like 1/2 the cost of what the order is?... why do they charge $4.95 to mail a set of acrylic stamps. doesn't make me want to make that purchase. YKWIM?

I've got a few very busy days coming up so i might not be posting for a few days. Tomorrow i am visiting with a friend whose husband has cancer and it doesn't look very good. I will be going over to see her, keep her company and make some meals for her and her daughter. Thursday I have a Holiday Luncheon ... that should be fun! and then Friday, I am in New York City....at a Craft Fair...trying to sell some stuff! LOL! Hopefully it'll be better than the last one! it's exhausting! Wish me luck, and thanks for looking and listening!

I'm Cheating!

I have been so tired lately...isn't this the most crazy time of the year? So much to do and very limited time to do it in. So i've decided to cheat! Yes, i said cheat! I found these gorgeous Christmas picks at Michael's the other day on sale! and thought to myself, these would make beautiful embellies on some Christmas cards. The picture is a little blurry...but irl it looks lovely. I have to make about 20 of these. I think that i will be sending them out to my family for our Christmas Brunch. Thanks for looking...more coming....i've just received my new toy and will try to play with it later on....what's my new toy...a Janome Mini!

And the winner is...

Ghost Whisperer and Moonlite aren't on tonight so here I go picking the blog candy winner. Thank you everyone for leaving a comment. and the winner is... #28
Lori J said...
Prima's are great. :0) It is very nice of you to offer this candy.
Lori J, please contact me by email, Gabbie96@aol.com and send me your address so that i can send you your primas!

Mudpie Munch

I just love these HM stamps. This is Mudpie Munch and I made up this card for my Goddaughter's birthday. I purchase all of my HM stamps from Dick. He's got the best prices! I have no affiliation in any way.

Tonight after my shows...gotta watch Ghost Whisperer, Moonlite, and Numbers...I'll draw a random number for my blog candy. So if you haven't left a comment...what are you waiting for? lol

***Thank you all for your good wishes for my step mother. I spoke to Maria last night and she sounds wonderful. She was up and walking and her spirits were high. And the best part was that she said she no longer had pain in her back! Amazing!***

Marlene's Birthday Card

I guess it's safe to post this now. The snoop should have left work

and hopefully she in on her way here! My baby sister is turning 45 on Saturday! OMG! I can't believe it. She's going to kill me if she reads this! LMAOROTF! My sister is my best friend. We talk to each other everyday and see each other almost every weekend. She's like a second mom to all my kids. Last year I bought her a puppy for her birthday. It was a surprise and she is totally in love with Miss Ruby. Ruby is a King Charles Cavalier and she is really adorable. So all my sis gets for her birthday this year is this card! I'm still paying for the dog! LOL! Maybe i'll just go buy Ruby a little treat!

She's coming over to my house today, Friday, after work so that she'll be here in the morning to help me at the craft fair, and it's her birthday...isn't she the best?!. She wants me to make her dinner. Her favorite dish is my Nona's pot roast, and i told her that that was not going to happen...Friday night is Pizza night! LOL! The pot roast is now simmering, smells delicious and is delicious! Here's the recipe...so easy. Enjoy!

Nona Veras' PotRoast
1 large hunk of meat ( i used a beef round bottom roast)

1 onion

1 carrot

1 stalk of celery

1 clove of garlic

1 bayleaf

pinch of rosemary

2 -3 porcini mushrooms (these are dried mushrooms and come in a small packette)

1 tbs butter

1 tbs olive oil

1 cup water

1/2 bottle of red wine

salt and pepper to taste

In a dutch oven heat up your olive oil and butter. Brown meat on all sides to sear.

In a food processor chop up your onion, celery, garlic and carrot so that it is fine. Put on top of your browned roast. Add the cup of water, and the half bottle of red wine. Add bayleaf and pinch of rosemary, salt and pepper, and the dried mushrooms. Stir everything. make sure that the roast is at least half covered with your "sauce". If there's not enough "sauce" add either more water or more wine...I usually add more wine! Cover it and let it simmer on top of your stove for 2 - 3 hours...until fork tender. Try it...if you like pot roast you're going to love this! Serve this with some mashed potatoes, or noodles...or gnocci...my mouth is watering right now thinking about it!

Designer Paper, Ribbon and Prima Flowers!

I made this card for my fathers wife, Maria. She is having surgery on her back on today. I know that she is very nervous about the procedure. ...she always loves the cards that i make and has saved all the cards i have ever sent her...even the very early ones...ugghhh...can you imagine? I'm shuddering! LOL! They live on the beach in Southern Florida and her living room is soft purple and sage green ...it's so beautiful...so i wanted to make something special for her using her colors. This is a little out of my comfort zone!

I searched through my DP and found this paper. It's from SU and I cannot remember the name of it, but it kinda came out with the carte postal stamp set and coordinated with that set. I bought it all, stamp set, wheel, and DP and never used any of it! I embellished the card with....but what else?... May Arts Ribbon and some lovely Prima Flowers. In the picture the sagie colored prima photographed almost blue. it's much softer and matches the sage shadow card stock irl.
I ended up liking the color combo so I also made a birthday card for my sister, Marlene. But I can't post it yet...she's always checking in on my blog when she is at work...she's so proud of me...lol...so i'll post it on Friday...in the late afternoon...after she's left work! She's such a snoop! Marlene, if you are reading this...gotcha! love you baby girl!

Thanks for looking! And don't forget to comment on the Blog Candy in the post below. Random draw on Friday!

Prima flower Jumbo Paper Clips and Binder Clips

***For those of you who have asked...the paper clips are Mega Paper Clips. I purchased them from Staples. They come 10 to a package and are priced $3.29. The Binder Clips are the large 2" come 12 to a package and are $3.99. ***

I thought that i would share these with you. My sister and law and I are selling at another Craft Fair this weekend. At the last show that we did I completely sold out of these. One woman purchased everything that i had. These are two easy items to make. It's amazing how Prima Flowers can dress up a simple Jumbo Paper Clip and a Binder Clip, both purchased at Staples.

For the jumbo binder clips you will need paper, ribbon, adhesive, and any embellies you want to use. I first cut a piece of paper 2" by 3 1/4". I used my anywhere glue from su to get it on the clip. Then i cut another piece of coordinating paper 1 3/4 " by 3 1/4" and placed it on top of the first piece of paper. I tied a piece of ribbon around the base of the binder clip, added more ribbon, and frayed some ribbon. I then punched out a scallop circle using SU's scallop punch, punched out another piece of coordinating paper using the 1 3/8" circle and then another piece of paper using the 1 1/4 " circle punch. I used a giant dimensional that i found at Michaels and attached it to the Binder Clip. So easy!

The Jumbo Paper Clip were just as easy to do. I layered Prima Flowers, punched out 2 1 1/4" circles using SU card stock , attached a brad and backed the flowers with one of the circle punches. To the back of the circle punch I added a dimensional. Then i just added the back, which consisted of another Prima Flower, the circle punch and another brad. I dressed it up with ribbon...and they are all done. My daughters love these. Hope you have fun making them!

Blog Candy

Wow...I'm almost at 1000 visits...thank you so much for taking the time visiting with me and leaving comments. I know that we all have very busy lives and the time you spend with me is appreciated. soooo...i've decided to give away some blog candy. I've got some lovely Prima Flowers to give away. Just post a comment and on this Friday i'll do a random drawing and post a winner.

Posting a link

*** I've been looking at this site and she has some wonderful images that you can copy and use to create your Holiday paper crafts. Starting on Dec 1st, you will be able to receive at least one image a day. Many of her images are vintage looking. I tried to open a box yesterday...and was scolded...you really should check this out. Enjoy!****
Rosella had this link on her blog. And I'm posting it here so that i can get the free downloads. Check it out. If you post this link you will also be able to get the free downloads. Now i don't have any idea what they are, but it's in time for Christmas and it's free. so why not!
http://countdown.tentwostudios.com/

Ho!Ho!Ho!

Is anyone else exhausted from this holiday? I am so tired and without any energy...and it's not from the cooking or the shopping, althought the Black Friday 4 am shopping trip had me all facockta...that's a story all in itself. All i can say is that i will never do it again!

My son came home from college. it was great to see him. he looks so handsome, omg! He is in his 2nd year attending Pepperdine University in Malibu, California and we live in New York. I don't know about you, but i'm the kind of mom who waits up for all the kiddies to come in at night. Well 3 am to us is like 12 midnight to him...so for 6 days i was waiting up for him to come in everynight...or should i say every morning! Exhausting! And then the clean up from the late night munchies...as much as i was thrilled that he was home i couldn't wait for him to go back and get out of my kitchen. lol! He went back yesterday, and yes Malibu was burning again. He couldn't get to his apartment! They evacuated his area and the Pacific Coast Highway was closed. Hopefully he had school today. You think he would call.....?

While waiting up one night i did sneak in a card. It's another $1 M's stamp. I used the dashing paper from SU and tied it up with a big red velvet ribbon. Hope you like it!

Time Well Spent

I have been procrastinating and doing everything but get ready for Thanksgiving tomorrow. I'm just not in the mood to cook so I decided to stamp!

I just had to do something with the new stamp set that i received from SU! I'm usually not into all the doodle stuff, but i'm liking this set, and after playing with it a little more i may even come to love this set! who knows. i decided to try using the flower and making it a little Christmasie. I used cranberry crisp, truely thyme, cool caribean, and white paper. The DP is from SU, now retired. I used the SU markers and dressed it up with some May Arts Polka Dot Sheer Ribbon. it's growing on me.

By the way, you may have noticed that i added a few things to my blog. I wanted to see what the top spot was all about and added it to see where i am ranked in the blogging world. I am now at 502! LOL! How funny is that! And after visiting some other blogs I decided to add some music. I'm still figuring that one out. I don't know how to get the music to just play without clicking on it...but while your reading this you might enjoy what i have on my playlist.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving....now I really should get into the kitchen and start preparing.

Carries' Here!

***I just noticed that the dp is upside down. Ugghhh!***

I didn't think that i would be able to sneak down to my little studio with everything that i have to do for Thanksgiving, but today i said the heck with it and decided to work with a stamp that i had been waiting on. Carrie arrived last week and she's just been hanging out on my desk waiting for me. She was purchased from http://www.eclecticpaperie.com/rurounru.html

With her in mind i purchased some Basic Gray DP, it's called Urban. This card is a regular size card and i think that she needs something a little bigger. For now, it will have to do. She really had me perplexed! I finally came up with something that i am happy with. She's such a cool dudette. I sponged the background a little bit, added some ribbon and prima flowers...and used some of the dp as a photo corner. Thanks for looking.

L

$1 Stamps

We all know how expensive this hobby can be, and with the Holidays right around the corner I went in search of a bargain. And where else do you go with a 40 % off coupon, but off to M's. I wasn't there to buy any stamps, promise...I actually went in to see if I could pick up some nice frames so i could frame some of the Stamps Happen Images....anyway, while waiting in line with a ton of baskets that were 90% off, and a handful of frames.... I spotted the bin of $1 Christmas Stamps. OMG! I dropped all my stuff and started stalking the bin. I found about 9 stamps that i just had to have, but hey, they were only $1! And I am so happy with my purchases! Here are the two cards that i worked on today. with the right dp and embellies you'd never know that these were from the $1 bin.

I used the Dashing Dp from SU. This paper is definitely one of my favorite things! All you need is some real red, old olive and very vanilla card stock, some ribbon and stickles and your ready to go! Santa and the Snowman were crystal effected and then sprinkled with dazzling diamonds. I also popped up both the snowman and the Santa and they can be removed very easily from the card front and can be hung on a tree as a decoration!

I'd also like to wish you a Very Happy Thanksgiving. My son is coming home from college tonight, and we'll be busy for the next few days getting ready for Turkey Day. Have a Great Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

The Birthday Invitation

Here's the update about the birthday invitations that i have been making. On Monday, as my sister in laws and I were making Chiccuciadada's ( the spelling isn't even close...they are Sicilian Fig Cookies) my one sister in law starts talking about her mom, and her birthday is coming up, and she needed to think about invitations...well , i just jumped right in and said, " I'll make them! How many do you need?!" and she said, "oh, about 25" and i said ok, i can do that. and she said, but i need to mail them out by Friday! and i swallowed hard. OK...I can still do this. (I just love her mother, and Paula is not just my sister in law, she's more like a real sister, ykwim?) Paula told me that her mother's favorite color is peach. So after making cookies all morning I drove home and started to think about what i could do. I wanted to make a pretty card, but they couldn't be too involved cause i didn't have alot of time to do them. (We live an hour away from each other, and my sil has 2 yr old twins so you can imagine what the schedules are like!) Peach kept ringing in my head. What does SU have that is peachy? Ahhh, Apricot Appeal. So I started cutting up paper for 26 cards, started stamping toille blossoms with groovy guava, started layering, cuttlebugged, glued, sponged and tied ribbon, and about 10- 12 hours later they were all done! My sil came over yesterday and with the twins and picked them up. She loved them...I hope her mom likes them. And Paula, if you read this....Hugs and Kisses. I love you!

He Jingles!

Well it's been awhile. I have been working on some invitations for my sister in law. More on that later...anyway i saw a color challenge on SCS and decided to give it a try. Here are the two cards that i made using Purely Pom, Creamy Caramel and Whisper White. The stamp i used is from Stamps Happen and is called Jolly Santa. Thanks for looking!

SBS

I found this wonderful thread on SCS...it's all about the sisterhood! of blogging that is!

Here's some stuff about me.

I've been married for 20 years and have a very supportive husband and 4 wonderful teenagers. I started stamping about a year and a half ago and haven't stopped. I am a hobby dem with SU.

Awhile ago on my 18th legal birthday it took me 5 hours to dig my car out of the snow so that i could legally have a cocktail. That spring i packed up my car and moved to Florida! I lived there for 8 years and had a really great time. I was modeling, catalog and runway and living large! I met my husband on a blind date arranged by our parents, moved back to New York and got married. the rest is history!

OK...here are the Sisterhood ?'s.

1. If you could have $100 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose?

Oh the embellies! Prima Flowers and May Arts Ribbon....my favorite things!

2. If you had to choose between using only stamps or ribbons, which would you choose?

Stamps!

3. If you knew how to do both awesme cards and layouts but could only do one for a whole year...which would you do?

Awesome cards!

4. Would you rather own a scrap booking store or have your own scraping room at home? You can't have both.

I'd rather be at home in a fabulous room of my own...out of the dungeon!

5. What is your current card making style or scrapbooking style?

this is pretty hard to answer since i'm still finding out so many things about stamping, and am still discovering my artistic side.

I am suppossed to tag 5 people to answer this...but since i am so new to this i don't really know 5 people who blog. I'm sure that in the near future after belonging to the sisterhood that will no longer be true.

Stamps Happen

Reading a thread on Splitcoast Stampers this morning I was inspired to take out my prismacolor pencils and gamasol. I haven't worked with them in a long time. I find that the finished product is so beautiful but also very time consumming. Lately all the things that i have been creating are for this craft fair that is this Saturday...and i haven't really taken the time to really work with something that i am definately not going to put on a table for sale.

Here are two cards that i made today. Both stamps are from Stamps Happen and were purchased from http://www.janlynn.com/. Lots of coloring and then sponging. I made these into cards but i am still thinking about matting them a little more and putting them into frames. As always, thanks for looking.

Ohh La La

The other day while i was stalking at TJ Max I found this really pretty shoe box. It was pink, black, white and vanilla and had the greatest print of shoes on it. I thought, wow, i could so make a card like this. So I came home and started thinking and realized that i didn't have a good shoe image to use. I have SU Steppin Style, but those images were too small, although they are great to stamp the envie!

I searched and found the perfect stamp to use and ordered it from http://www.janlynn.com/ it arrived in something like 3 days. So here are the projects that i worked on today, using my new stamp from Stamps Happen, Art in Motion, En Vogue Shoe. TFL!

a few more $ envies

here are a few more of the money envies made. Love that Outlaw paper from SU! The floral paper is one that I found at my local M's. tfl

Card Envelopes

I've been really busy. The craft fair that i have been getting ready for is this coming weekend. There is still so much left to do...and not enough time to do it all.

This is an easy and fun project to do. It's a card envelope...perfect size for that cash gift or for enclosing a check.

One sheet of 12 x 12 designer paper and 4 pieces of 8 1/2 x 11 card stock will make 4 envelopes.

First start by cutting your card stock so that it is 8" x 7 ". Place your paper so that the 8" is across the top in your paper cutter. Slide your paper to the right so that the end is at the 6 1/8 " and score...slide your paper to the right again so that the end of the paper is at the 3" line and score again. Set this aside.

cut your designer paper 6 3/4 " by 2 3/4 ". This will be your cover on your envelope. With adhesive place the designer paper onto your card stock so that it is on the end that is 3". Fold your card up so that the dp is on the outside and the smaller flap is on the inside. I used a 1 3/8" circle punch to make a notch on the smaller flap.

If you would like the inside of your card to have a finished look, but a piece of coordinating card stock 6 3/4 " x 2 3/4 " and stamp with a sentiment.

For the band around the envelope cut your card stock 7" x 1 3/8 ". Cut a piece of dp 7" x 1 1/4". with adhesive layer your dp on top of your card stock. This will be your band to go around the envelope. Fold your layered band around your card envelope so that both pieces meet in the front of the card. glue together. and then decorate...i used the SU scallop punch, 1 3/8 " circle punch and the 1 1/4" circle punch. Layered all the circles and then decorated the center with a prima flower and a brad. Use a dimentional to attach to the band. Slide the band onto the card and your done. Clear as mud! LOL! Thanks for looking.

And then Santa said....

Here's another version of the girlfriends on the bench. I'm starting to think Christmas! Thanks for looking! This stamp was purchased from EclecticPaperie.com

Girlfriends on a bench

I just got this stamp in the mail. I purchased this stamp from eclectic paperie....unmounted rubber romance. I've been waiting for this one and another named Carrie. Hopefully she'll arrive soon, she's a cowgirl and I can't wait to play with her! Getting back to the girlfriends... I always have a hard time with picking colors and this was no exception. I used the dp paper from SU ....au chocolate and worked around that. Enjoy! and thanks for looking!

Magical Reindeer Food

I know that i should be thinking of Halloween, but it's really not my favorite holiday...so i'm thinking about Christmas! These are Magical Reindeer Food Bags. They are so cute, don't you think? Not only are they cute but they were real easy to make.

Inside the decorated paper is a plastic bag filled with oatmeal, green, red, & gold glitter....all non toxic!

The first thing that i did was get out my jumbo wheel from SU called Swirling Stars. I covered an entire piece of 8 1/2 x 11 paper with the design. I put the paper on my paper cutter so that the top of the paper measured 8 1/2. I cut the paper in half...the long way at 4 1/4". Then I scored the paper, putting the paper in the long way, so that the 11 " is on the top I then scored the paper at 1 3/4, folded the flap and measured from the flap and scored again at 3 3/4....turned the paper around and scored again at 3 3/4. Then I folded on my scored lines, and had the flap in the front. I punched two holes on the inside and then matched up the holes, and with a pencil marked the holes on the outside flap. I pulled ribbon through from the inside, placed the bag of oatmeal on the inside of the bag, stapled it to the inside, and then pulled the ribbon through from the inside to the outside and attached the reindeer tag, made from the SU set Festive Favorites , with gold cording and then finished tieing up the ribbon. On the back of the bag I attached a little poem, it reads,

"Magical Reindeer Food....

Sprinkle on your lawn Christmas Eve night

The Moon will make it sparkle bright

As Santa's Reindeer fly and roam

This Food will guide them to your home..."

I know this is probably clear as mud....and thanks for looking...if you have any questions...just let me know!

Lorraine

some new stuff

I've been working on altering $1 notebooks and journals, and clipboards. These have been so much fun to do. There is also a packet that holds 6 coordinating cards. So easy...here are the directions!

Take a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper. Place paper in front of you so that the 11" side is on the top and bottom. Score paper so that it is equal on both sides. Open up paper and score 2" from the bottom of the 11". Measure 1" on each side of the scored line that is in the middle of the paper and make a diagonal cut up to the center score. Your cut should resemble an inverted V. Fold up...place cards and envelope on both sides of the packette. For the band I cut a 12" piece of designer paper 2" and another piece of coordinating paper 1" and layered. I wrapped the band loosley around the packette and used my anywhere glue stick to adhere the bands together, not on the packette. You want to be able to slide it off and on! I decorated the band with a little ribbon, and punched out some dp and a scallop and put it on top of the band. A very easy project! Thanks for looking!