Wednesday, July 27, 2011

25th Anniversary Party

Hello everyone.  I just wanted to leave a quick note to let you know where I have been.  My husband and I traveled to Buffalo, NY, this past week to visit his family.  My wonderful Sister-in-love Julie, planned a 25th Wedding anniversary party for me and my husband to celebrate with all of his family.  It was wonderful.  Here is a couple pix:
This is me and my wonderful hubby of 25 years.  The veil and hat were my sister-in-love's idea.  Isn't it too cute!  I loved it.  Here is a pic of us with John's brother and his brother's wife Julie.
You can't tell they are brothers can you? lol!  We spent four wonderful days with them.  It was awesome.  Julie went to a lot of time and trouble to do this for us and we appreciate it so very much.  We were also blessed that all of his family who attended our first wedding party were in attendance this time.  John has a few uncles in their mid 80's.  Praise the Lord they were all there!

The actual wedding anniversary was Feb 14.  Yes, Valentine's Day.  The four of us (above) went to Cancun and celebrated.  That was way fun! 

So, I just wanted to let you know where I have been.  My next card project is going to be Thank you cards to send to everyone.  I'm sure they are going to be all the same for mass production!  Be on the look out!

Blessings to you all,
Terri

Monday, July 18, 2011

Mojo 200 Love & Care

Happy Monday everyone!  Today is Mojo time and here is a look at today's sketch:



Here is my card: (click on any pic to see it larger)


Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Love & Care (SU) Picasso quote(Dawn Houser)
Paper:    29th Street Market by My Mind's Eye
               Elegant Eggplant (SU), Very Vanilla (SU)
Ink:         Elegant Eggplant, Rich Razzleberry, 
               Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry (R)
Other:     Ribbon by American Crafts (no color stated)
               Dimensionals, Nestie circles
               Double Scallop punch (MS)
Technique Tips:
     -  The flower stamps were colored with SU markers directly onto the stamp. I mixed both of the purple colors on the petals.
     -  The patterned background paper has yellow mixed in with it, so I used the Crush Curry to lightly sponge both the quote and the flowers.   
     -   Dimensionals were placed under the quote layer.

That's pretty much it.  Eazy, Peazy!  How's your Mojo today?

Blessings,
Terri

Thursday, July 14, 2011

SC 341

A big first for me yesterday.  I made a card after 8:30 pm last night.  I can't believe it. Usually, I'm just way too tired for that, but my craft room was calling out to me.  I think it was all the inspiration I had yesterday.  A couple of my friends who also love to create cards, visited me yesterday and, of course, we talked about card making to include all the goodies: techniques, stamps, paper, etc.  I had a great time.  The card I made is for this week's Splitcoast Sketch challenge which you can find HERE
     Card Recipe:
     Stamps:  Fast and Fabulous, Itty, Bitty Backgrounds (this line edited 4:03 same day)
     Ink:         Poppy Parade SU marker 
                    Daffodil Delight SU marker, Black
     Paper:    Rock-a-Billy DSP (retired), black & white
     Other:    dimensionals
Technique Tips
     -  the only tip I have for this card is in using the dimensionals.  I added dimensionals to the top  layer because the other two layers were too thick for it to lay down properly.  By adding the dimensionals, it sits level over the other two layers.

That's it for me.  Have a wonderful Thursday.

Blessings,
Terri

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Casing Myself!

Good morning everyone.  To start off with anyone who has ever left me a comment and received an email notification "no such address", I have finally fixed the problem.  I didn't even know I had a problem until someone told me.  Thank you Tui!

My card for today is another Thank You card I made for my neighbor.
Here is my card:

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Autumn Days (this is one of my Favs!)
               Because I care (sentiment)
Paper:     Baja Breeze, Early Espresso, 
               Sweet Pea DSP (retd)
Ink:         Early Espresso
Other:     Square Lattice EF, dimensionals

The title of this post is "casing myself" because I used a sketch I had previously used when I made this card:
I remembered this layout and just knew that it would work for the pheasant stamp.  See, you don't have to reinvent the wheel.  At least I keep telling myself that, lol!
 
Technique Tips:
     -  I sponged around the center image so it didn't scream "WHITE"
     -  After looking at the end result, I think my sentiment should have been on white paper also.
     -  Instead of using ribbon, I just cut out more Early Espresso cardstock and used that for my ribbon.  Eazy Peazy!

That's it for me.  Hopefully, today, I'll be able to get started on my Splitcoast Sketch challenge.  I have something in mind!  And don't forget, please leave me a comment on my blog.  Not only do I enjoy reading them, but I'll definitely receive notification and you won't get a rejection email!

Blessings,
Terri

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Weekly Favorite

I am so excited and I just had to share with you.  Monday morning, I was looking through my email and I had received two email notifications from Splitcoast Stampers letting me know that someone had left a comment on one of the cards I had uploaded.  I went to SCS and took a look!  Whew! was I blown away.  There was not one, but there were two notifications that this card:
had been chosen as a weekly favorite in two categories:  Clean and Simple Favorites and the General all round Favorites!  I was in shock!  I still am.  This is the first recognition I have ever received for any of my cards.  I know I'm blowing my own whistle here, but I just can't help it!  I hope you don't mind!  If it ever happens again, I'll try not to be so excited, lol!

Blessings,
Terri

Mojo 199 On the Grow

The image I used on this card has been sitting on my craft table for weeks now.  I couldn't decide what paper to use or how to use it until yesterday's MOJO came out. Well, I still wasn't sure what paper I was going to use.  After looking through ALL of my paper, I finally decided.  I hope you like it.
Card Recipe:
Stamps:  On the Grow, Watercolor Trio (sentiement)
Paper:     from my local craft store
Ink:         various SU markers
Other:     Chantilly Lace (SU), pearls, dimensionals
               Spellbinders circles and scalloped circles
               sticky strip, MS punch
Technique Tips:
     - For watercoloring, I took my SU marker and scribbled on one of my clear acrylic blocks.  Then I took my watercolor marker, swabbed it in the ink on the block and colored.  It is easier to me than using the tops of the ink pads.  I also get the color lighter if necessary.
     -  I used dimensionals under both the picture and the sentiment.
     -  I used sticky strip and ruched the ribbon.
     -  The sketch suggested using a bow, but with my ribbon being ruched, the bow didn't look right, so I opted not to use it.

That's it for me!  Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Blessings,
Terri

Monday, July 11, 2011

Muffin Labels

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you had a great weekend.  I was busy all day Saturday.  A "labor of love" actually.  Yesterday was my and John's turn to bring snacks to our Sunday School class. No problem. I decided to make muffins.  So, I made 12 blueberry, 12 Banana nut, and 12 apple cinnamon.  All for a class of  13 but only ten of us were there.  I knew I was making way too many, but I decided to leave them in the office for the staff to snack on the next day.  The baking was the easy part.  The time consuming part was this:  (I'll explain all at the end of the pictures)
 
 
 
Tadah!  These are the labels I made for each muffin.  Was I crazy or what.  I punched 216 times!  144 circles, 36 scalloped circles and 36 holes for the ribbon! The only part of the labels I stamped was the apple.  The rest are computer generated.
Here is the recipe:
Stamps:      Apple from the now retired Tart n' Tangy.  
Ink:              Real Red and Old Olive
Computer:  banana, blueberries, verse.  The fruit are clips from
                   Microsoft clip art.
Paper:        Real Red from SU and the other colors are from
                   the craft store.
Ribbon:      1/8" white also cut 36 times :) and tied in a bow
Cellophane:   Green is all I had.  I probably got it for some 
                       other holiday; perhaps Christmas?  Torn 36 times. 
Whew! can you see why I was so pooped at the end?  But, I enjoyed doing it and as I said, it was a labor of love!  Now ask me when I'll be doing it again? lol!
Blessings,
Terri

Friday, July 8, 2011

SC340 Love Takes Wing

Yesterday, I started making my neighbor more thank you cards and I decided to use the sketch from Wednesday's Splitcoast SKETCH.  Here is what I came up with:

 I wish you could see it in person.  It looks soooo much better.  Since, I am giving this one away, I think I am going to have to make myself one, lol!
Card Recipe:
Stamps:  French Foliage (background)
               Great Friend (just retired, I don't really care, lol!)
Paper:     Marina Mist, Early Espresso
Ink:        Early Espresso 
Other:    Brads, naturals
Have a great weekend!
Blessings,
Terri

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Love Blooms

Whew, just now getting around to posting the second card that I spoke of.  I had to cut the grass today; it was getting wild.  After making the card from THIS POST, I had to give myself a break and make a clean and simple card.  Here it is:
The other card took so much of my energy, that I wasn't even in the mood to tackle anything with layers. 
Card Recipe:  (Eazy Peazy)
Stamps:   Bloom & Grow by Verve
Ink:          Pear Pizzazz, Pacific Point, Black
Paper:      White
I have to let you know, I actually sold some cards yesterday.  I wasn't even trying.  I had my neighbor over for lunch and she and her daughter bought four of my cards.  I thought they paid me way too much for them, so I am going to make her a few simple cards and give them to her.   It made my heart smile to know I had sold a few cards.  I have never even attempted to sell any of my cards.  I just make them and use them most of them.
I need to get started on making those cards now, so until we meet again!
Blessings,
Terri

Monday, July 4, 2011

SC339

Happy Fourth of July everyone.  I hope you are having a great time.  We have been chilling mostly.  We went to see the movie Larry Crowne; it was cute.  I just love Tom Hanks.  Of course, it took us longer to get to Fredericksburg. I-95 was a parking lot more so than usual.  This weekend I got two cards made.  The first one I will share with you today is for the Split Coast Stampers Sketch #339 (they even include the dimensions!)
 
Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Flower Fest, Curly Cute
Paper:    Pawsitively Prints (DSP), So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise
               Poppy Parade, Pear Pizzazz
Ink:         Tempting Turquoise
Other:    White embossing powder, Daffodil Delight Taffetta ribbon,
              dimensionals
This one was eazy, peazy!  No real stamping techniques for you!  Follow the link and get started on your own take of SC339!
Blessings,
Terri

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Authentique Paper

Edited:  8:13p.m. same day.  I just found a website for Authentique Paper.  Here is the link:  http://www.authentiquepaper.com/
Hi everyone,
I have some great news for you.  In a previous post found HERE  I told you about a new paper company I found called The Girls Paperie.  Well, I just found out today, that the originator of the The Girls Paperie, Margie Romne-Aslett has resigned from the company that produced this line and has now signed up with another company and is producing a NEW line called  Authentique Paper.  A link to the article can be found HERE
On that page, you will see some pictures of her new line which will be available within the next few weeks.  I was visiting my local scrapbook store where I found out this information.  They had one of the new Authentique Paper sets on hand and I got to look at it.  I just have to say, IT IS GORGEOUS!  I know you are going to like it too.  So, just jump over to the link and take a peek at the new designs and enjoy!
BTW,  if you live in and around Stafford, you can find this paper at Scrapdoodles in Fredericksburg. I might just bump into you :)
Blessings,
Terri

Friday, July 1, 2011

Vintage Memories

I am so excited for you to see this card.  For one, I am so proud of it.  I have never done anything like it and for the first time, I feel like Becca Feekan or Teneale Williams  WOW!  I mean, I feel like a real paper artist.  However, there is a caveat: I have not arrived to their status. I think this was just a fluke.  Fluke or not, I'll take it.  I hope you like it.  I have three views for you, the outside, a closeup, and the inside. (Click on any picture to see it larger)
 
Card Recipe: (all items SU unless stated otherwise)
Stamps:  EnFrancais Background, Elements  of Style,
               Flower of the Month (circa 2001!),
               Crackle BG stamp by Cherry Pie art stamps
               French Foliage
Paper:    Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, Melon Mombo
Ink:         Early Espresso, Crumbcake, 
               Various SU markers
Other:     Spellbinders Oval Nestabilities
               Spellbinders Parisian Accent dies
               Antique Brads
 I called this Vintage Memories because I like to think this is a card that was very old and it was in a some sort of fire.  The main focal point, the rose, could be the back of a watch pendant, a necklace pendant, or just a pin.  It has weathered and crackled with age and from the heat of the fire.
Anyway, sounds kind of romantic doesn't it?  I am definitely a romantic at heart!
By seeing all the above listed supplies, can you tell it took me a VERY long time to make this card.  I can't even begin to tell you where I came up with the idea for it.  It just came to me in bits and pieces.  I knew I wanted to do something extremely vintage which I have never done before.  I had just bought this crackle background stamp from Cherry Pie Art Stamps and I knew I wanted to use it.  I also needed a small, feminine flower and searched through my stamp catalog.  The Flower of the Month Stamp is old and I bought it from someone selling their old SU stamps.  This is the first time I have used any of them and I really like the way it turned out.
Technique Tips:
     -  Sponge, sponge, sponge.  That's how I got the edges of the melon mambo and the very vanilla to look like they had been burned.  I used the early espresso.  I also sponged the inside of the card and the accent on top of the oval.
     -  The accent on top  of the oval is actually part of a whole other accent piece.  You can see it HERE!  It's the circle with the accents at each end.  I just cut it in half and trimmed the edges so it fit behind the oval.
     -  I used a vintage brad to look like a watch fob or just another piece of the pin/pendant.
    -   I used the raindrops/teardrops from the French Foliage set to make it look like water damage.
     -  The EnFrancais background and the crackle background was stamped on the card stock after being stamped off once on scrap paper.  I actually used crumb cake ink for the crackle and stamped it directly over the already colored flower.  It is so light that you really can't see the lines running through the flower.  Even if you did, it would look like real cracks running through porcelain or such.
Whew!  I think that is all I can think of. If I forgot anything, you can email me and I'll be more than happy to answer your questions. 
I hope everyone has a great 4th of July!  Be safe!
Blessings to you all,
Terri