MY LUV

I decided I needed to make a card for my awesome husband Tony. We have been living apart now since December and have only had a few very short visits in between. He moved out to CA to start his new practice and to supervise the building of our new home there while I remained (and still do until the end of Sept) in FL to let the kids finish the school year and to sell our house here. Well, I managed to get the kids taken care of but the house has still not sold. (if you know anyone looking for a house, I have one!!) So, it has been hard, but we have a great marriage (he is sooooo good to me) and I know that this will only make us stronger. I cannot WAIT to get out there and start this new chapter in our lives BUT I must sell the house and pack it up for the move across country before that happens. Anyway, I miss him terribly and so I decided to do a little card therapy (always works for me) and make him a card to let him know how very much I love and miss him! So, here it is! I used Groovy Guava for the base and the new designer paper Wanted - the mossy green is the flip side of the stripes and matches Mellow Moss Ink perfectly so that is what I used! The stamp sets are the Wild West Alphabet and the new Love and Joy out of the holiday mini. I also used my Marvy scalloped heat punch which I popped up on dimensionals, added some river rock ribbon, a matching button, and a copper brad to make it pop. I did paper pierce ( I seem to always do this because I can't sew and I love the effect!) and used the cross stitch on the smaller piece of paper which I outlined in Mellow Moss Marker. I rounded the corners of all the paper to gift it a softer look and I popped the U up on dimensionals after punching it out using my circle punch. Overall a very simple card, but it is supposed to be a card that says very Simply, LUV U! Have a great day everyone and thanks for stopping by to visit!

A THANK YOU FOR A FRIEND

This card I made for a friend who has been wonderful to me over the last few months of big changes in my life - she has kept me sane. She is an awesome person and I am so glad she came into my life. I know she reads my blog faithfully so I will not share her name, but she knows who she is - love ya girl! So, for this card I decided to use my True Friends Stamp Set - appropriate, isn't it?! I also used a few from the Wanted Stamp Set which is fast becoming a favorite! And, some more of the yummy new designer paper Apple Cider from SU! Cardstock is Real Rust and River Rock and the ribbon is chocolate chip. I also stamped the images in this color. Added some brads and done! Here it is - I hope she likes it!

ANOTHER CHALLENGE CARD

I decided that I better get busy on some of these challenge cards since I only have one number for Bingo - LOL! With the kids all gone, it has been nice to have some extra time to stamp so I am taking advantage of it! For this card, I decided to use my new stamp set Bronc Buster - yep, from Stampin Up! They have the greatest new sets in their new catalog - I can't seem to get enough of them! Anyway, I broke out the stamps and decided I wanted to make a square card since I really like the way these look. For the base I am using Groovy Guava from the new in-color paper collection - I love it! It is one of my ultimate favorite colors because I think it is so versatile! I added a piece of the designer paper Apple Cider from the Holiday Mini - simply yummy paper that I need more of! I stamped the images in chocolate chip onto the new in-color paper River Rock (another fave), and then cut three of the stars out, put a copper brad in the middle of each, and popped them up using dimensionals. I kind of off-centered them to make the stars draw out the flowers in the background paper. I added some small buttons to my main image and used the new photo corners punch and added a piece of chocolate chip and real rust paper with some brads. I thought this really added something to the whole card. I put a small dab of rust stickles on the main image star - I couldn't resist! I rounded the corners on all my paper and paper pierced and used faux stitching with the chocolate chip stampin write marker because, well, I love to.....Anyway, I digress.....here is the card, I really hope you enjoy it! I sure had fun making it! CYA tomorrow!

ONE CARD FOR TWO CHALLENGES!

Happy Tuesday! For those of you who know Barb over at Barb's card creations, you know she is hosting a Bingo game. Well, I have thoroughly enjoyed playing and seeing everyone's creations, and decided that I needed to contribute a card as well. BUT, then I cruised on over to Deb's (aka Stampingranny) blog and she is also hosting a challenge - one that requires a gate fold card! So, I decided I would do both in one! I have never made a gate fold card before, but I really do enjoy the look and it is always nice to try something different. Barb required the use of the new in-color paper from SU! so I decided that Blue Bayou would be my choice along with some Wild Wasabi. I also used the new specialty paper wintergreen because I really love the way it matches all the new in-colors so well. I enjoyed making this card and think I would like to make a few more of this style so stay tuned! I did add one element, which is the circle you see on the front - I popped it up on dimensionals so that you can actually close the front of the card. It really was fun to make! So, here it is!

Here is the recipe: (all products SU!)

Paper: Wild Wasabi, Old Olive, Blue Bayou, Wintergreen Specialty Paper

Stamps: True FriendAccessories: Old Olive and Blue Bayou Ink, Five Petal Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, One Inch Circle Punch, Dimensionals, Rhinestone Brads, Paper Piercer and Mat Stack, Liquid Glue, Dazzling Diamonds

TWO POSTS IN ONE DAY - OH MY!

I received my Make a Wish set from Gina and wanted to play with it so I decided to make a birthday card using Beate's weekend sketch challenge (okay, I altered it a bit) for my nephew who recently turned nine. I love this set for two reasons: one, it is pretty darn cute, and two, Gina donates money from each set bought to the Make a Wish Foundation. How awesome is that?! I am very impressed by what she does with her business to help out those who need it. I will always buy her stamps because of this. So, if you have not seen her blog, get over there, check it out, and order one!! (No, she does not know me, I just happen to really believe in what she is doing!) So, here is the card I made with this awesome set! I wish the picture had come out a little better; for some reason, the stickles are making it a little fuzzy so I will have to work on that next time. I don't think the pic does it justice, but I still like it and my nephew loved it - hey, when a nine year old gives you a positive endorsement, you know you must be on to something - LOL! Have a great night !
Recipe: (all products SU! except for the stamp set and the stickles)
Paper - blue bayou, old olive, wintergreen double sided specialty pack
Stamp Set - Make a Wish from Gina K Designs
Ink - Blue Bayou
Accessories - Paper piercer, Mat Stack, Stickles, Ticket Corner Punch, Small and Large Oval Punch, Brads, Stampin Dimensionals

A VARIATION OF BEATE'S SKETCH CHALLENGE

I just love the layout of Beate's weekend sketch challenge this week and have enjoyed playing around with it. This card is close to her challenge with just slight changes that I made. I am hooked on the square cards too - love the way I have more room to play with! I am happy with the way it turned out not only because I played with some of my favorite stamps BUT I got to use the new paper out of the holiday mini which is yummy! I have a feeling I will be using it a lot, especially since it goes so well with my old favorite chocolate chip! That is what I used for the base of this card - in fact, everything I used is Stampin Up! except for the rust stickles that I added to give it some pop! Here is the recipe - hope you all like it!
Recipe:
Paper - Chocolate chip, real rust, Designer double sided paper Apple Cider(holiday mini)
Stamp Set - True Friend(holiday mini)
Accessories -5 Petal Flower Punch, Ticket Corner Punch, Real Rust and Chocolate Chip Ink Pads, Fire Circle Rhinestone Brad, Vintage Brads, Stampin Dimensionals, Rust Stickles (non-SU!)

BEATE'S SKETCH CHALLENGE - AND A NICE GIRL NOMINATION

Yeah, I finally got to do Beate's sketch challenge - I had to miss the last couple because well, life got in the way - LOL! I have to say though, this one is my favorite so far - I really like this sketch! I used all SU! products and broke out one of my new holiday mini sets. I just love the Santa Claus and foresee a lot of stampin with this little guy in the near future! Anyway, here is my card. I hope you like it! Here is the recipe: (all products are SU!)

Cardstock: Rose Red, Dashing Designer Series, Whisper White
Stamps: Naughty or Nice
Ink Pads: Black Stazon, Rose Red
Accessories: Rose Red Brads, Liquid Glue, Dazzling Diamonds, Ticket Corner Punch, Stampin Write Black and Rose Red Markers, Word Window Punch

So, there you have it! Now, on to something that just tickled me pick - my bloggin' friend Barb so sweetly nominated me for the Nice Award! It really made my day! She is super sweet and wonderfully talented so get on over there and visit her blog - you will not be disappointed! And now, I have to nominate five stampers who I think are worthy of the Nice Award - gosh, just five?? I could name many many more. But, I have to follow the rules so here are my choices:
Kimberly because she has been such a terrific friend, cheerleader, and inspiration. She goes out of her way to help others, and is a great example of what kindness is all about!
Bev because goes out of her way to be nice and always has a kind word to say to others. She is truly a lovely person!
Laura because she is just the sweetest person! I love her friendly, heartfelt bloggin' posts and she is so helpful and pleasant! She is always so upbeat and she makes me smile.
Heather because she embodies the spirit of friendliness. She is very dedicated to her family and reminds me everyday how important that is.
Gina because she shows her giving spirit through actions that positively impact the lives of those of us less fortunate. I admire her very much!Well, like I said, I could go on and on but alas I can't - so those are my choices! I hope you all have a fabulous day and in keeping with the Nice Award, make someone smile today - you will be glad you did!