56 blessings!

Ashley reminded me the other day that I forgot to post the details from Operation Christmas Child. Check out their website here for more information regarding this ministry.

I was in charge of OCC at our church this year and we collected 56 boxes...that may not sound like a lot but we have a pretty small church. Ashley and I loaded them up in the Expedition and Mike and I delivered them to the drop off point. It is such a great feeling to know that 56 kids that would not have had any gifts for Christmas will now be blessed!

I am looking forward to next year! I know we will have even more.

I have lots of stamping projects on my to do list for today (I hope I can get to them, lol!). I always feel like I have to get all my "chores" done before I can start stamping...does anyone else feel like that? Maybe I will put stamping at the top of the list today...who cares if the bathrooms don't get cleaned*wink*

Have a super weekend, I will see you back here on Monday:o)

Spiral Bouquet...CASED!

Well I finally started my Christmas shopping...I have been so unmotivated this year (maybe because it has been in the high 80's here until last week, it just doesn't feel like Christmas). Hopefully now that I have officially started picking up gifts the ideas on what to get everyone will start flowing (I hope so, lol!)

I just received my Spiral Bouquet stamp set in the mail last week from Papertrey Ink while I was blog browsing over the weekend, I came across this card created by Jenn Del Muro. Her sketch was a little different, but I absolutely loved the colors and had to case it (copy and share everything)! Mind is a little different, since the main image was too big to lay it on an angle like hers.

Supplies: (all SU unless noted) Spiral Bouquet stamp set (Papertrey), Paisley/Hounds tooth (retired) background stamp; Really Rust/Certainly Celery/Whisper White/Chocolate Chip/Kraft CS; Really Rust/Chocolate Chip/ Certainly Celery ink; brown taffeta ribbon;large brad


Then I decided to use the same layout and change the colors and main flower image a bit. I think I am going to use this stamp set a lot, as well as this layout.
Have a Wonderful Thursday!

Supplies: (all SU unless noted) Spiral Bouquet stamp set (Papertrey); Plaid stamp set; Ruby Red/Cameo Coral/ Whisper White/Kraft CS; Ruby Red/Cameo Coral/Chocolate Chip ink; large brad

Still Thankful!

Well we just finished the rest of the turkey leftovers last night (I am always glad to finish that up). I don't think I want turkey for quite a while, lol!

Here is the card I sent out for Thanksgiving this year (sorry it's a little late...I forgot to upload the photo).

I really like the simplicity of this card, sometimes less is more!

Since I wanted the leaves in different colors, I colored the images with my markers then stamped.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE this new wide ribbon from SU!!!! It is Glorious (to quote Ashley).
Supplies: (all SU) Take Three stamp set; Chocolate Chip/Natural Ivory CS; Chocolate Chip Ink; Really Rust/More Mustard/Old Olive markers; wide grosgrain Chocolate Chip ribbon

I am on a (retired) roll...

Here is another card I made awhile back. I used 2 retired stamp sets, it does however, use the new SU in colors (which I love btw!). I really love this color scheme Blue Bayou, River Rock, Soft Sky and Purely Pomegranate.

I am on scalloped punch kick these days, I just love it! I have the Spellbinders Large scalloped circles and scalloped oval dies on my Christmas list this year. Just think of all the scalloped possibilities*wink*

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Supplies used: heart swirl (retired)/sassy saying (retired)/True Friend stamp sets, Blue Bayou/Soft Sky/River Rock/Purely Pomegranate/Whisper White card stock, Blue Bayou/Purely Pomegranate ink, Scallop Punch, white grosgrain ribbon

More Retired Paper

Happy Monday...I hope everyone had a restful holiday weekend. I did not get all the things completed that I had hoped too. Mike threw out his back on Friday morning, which axed the Christmas lights going up, the tree going up, the yard getting spruced up, etc (oh well, we had some nice together time watching lots of movies). Hopefully he is feeling better by the weekend, so we can tackle some of those projects. I did get a little stamping in, when I wasn't playing nurse.

I am on a mission...to use up my retired patterned paper. Here is another creation using lots of retired stamps, paper, colors.



This card uses one of my favorite sets, Petal Prints (retired). I love stamping the leaf image then re-stamping again without re-inking for a softer look.


Supplies used: French Script Bkgrd (retired) Petal Prints (retired), Warmest Regards (retired) Stamp sets, Chocolate Chip/Whisper White/Cranberry Crisp (retired)/Sahara Sand CS, Chocolate Chip/Cran Crisp ink, Designer Paper (retired), Chocolate Chip Grosgrain 1/4 in ribbon (retired).

Happy Hello...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a great day together as a family, it was very casual, but that is the way we like it. Mike and I started the day off with coffee on the couch watching TV, my favorite thing to do on my day off*wink* then Ashley came over and we got the potatoes peeled, the stuffing made, and some last minute touches for the big dinner. Mike, Josh and Nate decided to play Risk (Lord of the Rings version), so Ashley and I walked around Lakewood (4 mile walk), which made us feel better about the spinach artichoke dip we just wolfed down, lol! It was a gorgeous day (in the 80's), we ate at 5:30 then lit a fire in our chimenia (I think it is spelled that way), and all had some coffee and dessert. What a great way to end the day. I have so much to be thankful for!



Here is another card using more of my retired designer paper that I have been hoarding, lol! I am trying to use up some of my stash, so I can buy some of SU's new designer paper coming out in the Spring/Summer collection. I think the majority of my cards lately all have this new chocolate chip ribbon and the scalloped punch.

Have a great weekend!



supplies: Stamps Papertrey, Seeing Spots, Whisper White/Choc Chip CS, Choc Chip ink, Retired SU designer paper, Scallop punch, wide Choc Chip grosgrain ribbon, light blue brad (non SU)

Tea Tins (Part 2)

Here are the final three tea tin projects...

I used Stampin Up's Wanted Designer Paper. I really like this paper because it has a southwest feel to it*wink*

(being that I live in AZ and all).

*note: right now if you purchase 3 packages of SU designer paper you get a 4th package for free (just thought I would enable you)

The colors used here are Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla.

This next set

uses Stampin Up's Dashing designer paper, it matches very well with the Old Olive/Certainly Celery card stock.

colors used: Old Olive, Very Vanilla, Ruby Red.

I also posted this card a while back, and took my inspiration from it. I used up some of my retired SU designer paper (since I hoard my paper, I figured it is time to start using it...what am I saving it for?) because there is always more paper to buy, lol!

Colors used: Night of Navy, Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla

Well this is the last of my tin projects.

If you are interested in knowing where to purchase these tins so you can make some for yourself you can find them here or here.

I hope you have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Tea Tins

Well since the Nugget Tins that I needed were on back order, I decided to make these. I filled them with the same Hershey's Nuggets, (stamped with the Holiday Treats set by Papertrey Ink) to coordinate with each project. This one is Bravo Burgundy and Old Olive. I used some of my SU retired paper and the new Dashing paper around the tin.

*To adhere the paper to the tin I brushed it with some Modge Podge, I used my SU red sticky strip tap to hold the band on the tin, and popped up the scallop punch with a few SU dimensionals.

You may remember this card that I posted a while back using the Artfully Asian set from Stampin Up? I decided to use this card as my inspiration for this tin. Old Olive, Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip, and SU designer paper Fall Flowers.



This tin uses SU's retired designer paper (which is from last years catalog), I really liked this paper and was holding on to it (hoarding, lol!), It was time to cut it up and use it! colors used are Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss, Very Vanilla.



Check back tomorrow...for Part 2 of my Tea Tin projects! Have a great Wednesday (looking forward to a long weekend)!

Oh So Lovely Card....

Here is another card I made last week. I wasn't really sure if I liked this set very much, but now that I have been using it, I really like it. This card is made with SU's new in color collection, Blue Bayou and Wild Wasabi. I stamped the image onto Kraft CS with basic black ink, then colored the image in with my blender pen. I didn't have my new matching ribbon when I made this card, so I just used some white grosgrain and swiped it across the ink pad.


Notice the polka dot background stamp....I am really loving it! I have used it in most of my cards lately.

I don't know about you, but I am so looking forward to having next Thurs and Fri off...This year I am not having lots of Thanksgiving guests, just our family (plus Nate and Sharon, they are just considered part of the family), so the dinner will be relaxed and casual (right up my alley).
I am hopefully going to get caught up on some projects, and complete my fourth digi page from my Now Were Rockin' Class:o) it is a two page spread...maybe if I remember to take pictures on Thanksgiving I will scrap that...stay tuned!

Enjoy your weekend!




Supplies all SU: Oh So Lovely stamp set, Polka Dot bkgrd stamp, Blue Bayou CS/ink, White Craft ink, Basic Black ink, Kraft CS, Wild Wasabi CS, White Grosgrain Ribbon

busy, busy, busy

I haven't had much time to stamp these last two weeks...I am in charge of Operation Christmas Child at our church, and this Sunday is the final day for shoe boxes to be turned in. I have had so much fun preparing my shoe boxes! If you have never been apart of OCC, I urge you to do it! It is such an AWESOME ministry. So many children are blessed by this ministry, they don't just get a shoe box with little toys and trinkets, they learn about how much Jesus loves them!

I am also working on several projects for a friend of mine, and they have to be completed by Sunday. I will upload the pictures once I am finished and have time to tidy up my stamping room (it looks like a tornado went through it, lol!). I just cannot seem to stamp in an organized fashion. I try, but then everything just ends up all over the table, the floor, my chairs...oh well, it doesn't matter, since I am enjoying myself*wink*

So, since I didn't have any cards or recent scrap pages to show you, I thought I would post this one of Josh's high school graduation this past May. Here we are posing in front of Tomaso's restaurant (very yummy food I might add, as well as a pretty funny statue inside, lol!). My mom and Moe were able to come and visit, we had a lot of fun! doesn't Joshie look proud? I think he was just so happy to be finished with high school, lol!

Enjoy your Thursday!

another Papertrey card

I just love this little lady bug in the Papertrey stamp set Little Lady. And I used one of my favorite color combos...brown and pink. Whenever I am in the mood to stamp and I don't have a card to make for a specific event/person...I make thank you cards, that way I have a supply when I need one fast :o)

I hope you have a fabulous Wednesday! The weekend is almost
hear, Hooray!

Supplies used: Papertrey Little Lady stamp set, SU Whisper White/Chocolate Chip/Regal Rose CS, SU Choc Chip/Regal Rose ink, SU Designer paper (retired), Brown Ribbon (Michael's)

a just because card

this is one of my go to stamp sets when I need a just because card...It has such great sayings, and I really like the flower stamp.



The saying on this card is "It's the little things that make life Big"

this card is also out of my comfort zone...I usually stay with the more neutral or pastel color pallet...but I do like the color combo!



Notice the brown grosgrain ribbon...so yummy! I LOVE ribbon!!!! This is Stampin Up's new wider ribbon. You will definitely see a lot more cards posted using this ribbon, lol!



Supplies all SU (unless noted): Delight in Life stamp set (retired), French Script Bkgrd (retired), Cool Caribbean CS/ink (last years in color line), Chocolate Chip CS/ink, Whisper White CS, white brads non SU

I'm back in business baby!

Remember my post a while back on "character building"? when my craft room shelves pulled off the wall...well Mike put them back up for me (thanks honey!). Now they are secured with some major anchors, so they are there to stay. Mike didn't realize how heavy all my craft stuff was, now he knows*wink*

I am still in the process of putting everything back in its place, but thought I would snap a few photos of my progress. At least I have my table back so I can stamp away...ahhhh!

I thought I would include a photo of my punch storage (which keeps growing, lol!), I really like this system, since I can see all my punches. I purchased this spice unit from Lowes, I think I may be getting another one to go along side for my ever growing collection.

I just recently started storing my non SU ribbon in glass jars (wrapped on wooded clothes pins), I am also addicted to ribbon, lol! I am most likely going to have to buy some more jars so I can sort the ribbon by color. I think it looks so nice on the shelf like that:0)

Have a great day and

Happy Stamping!

Now Were Rockin' Week 2

Sorry this post is up kind of late, I overslept...(that is not like me), I am usually up very early on my day off.

Well I finished my week 2 layout...

I was pretty happy with it, I have to say this lesson was packed full of stuff I didn't know how to do and lots of PSE hot keys. I hope I can remember it all, since there were lots of great things I learned this week.

This layout is about Ashley and Josh's guinea pigs...I needed several pictures for the LO and I had recently taken a bunch of pictures last month of the kids outside in the back yard playing with the "gin's"

Check back next week for my week 3 layout:o)

Hope you have a wonderful day!

am I proud or what?

Ashley graduated this past May (1 year early, I might add), from Liberty University, with a bachelor's degree in Psychology (Magna Cum Laude). It was a bittersweet time, Jerry Falwell had passed away a few days before the graduation. The ceremony was preformed by his two sons, and they did a great job remembering Jerry and also making the commencement ceremony special for the grad's and their families.

She just got her diploma back from JoAnn's, where she had it professionally framed (thanks grammy for that!). I had to post a picture (note: it looks way better in real life)!

She is now in the process of working on her Master's Degree (through LU's online program). we are so proud of her achievements!

Hopefully when she is done, she can help her crazy OCD mom, lol!

Way to go Ashley!!!!!!!!

nugget tin

Remember a few posts ago, I had just gotten my goodies from Papertrey ink? Well this is what I came up with...It is actually cased from Nicole (owner of Papertrey), I tweaked it a bit. I used the stamp set Holiday Treats (which I think is a brilliant set!), she has included several stamps that are the same size as Avery mailing labels, which fit perfectly around a Hershey's nugget. I think that it is all in the packaging and who wouldn't love getting this little gift for the holidays? the Holiday Treat set also has several other stamps for packaging your very own holiday treats, and the circle shaped stamps fit perfectly with the Stampin'Up! punches.

Papertrey, Little Lady.

This card is made with the stamp set by Papertrey called little lady. I think this ladybug is really sweet.

I really like the stamps that they sell, they are acrylic and are stored in a cd case (they don't take up very much space at all). I used SU's new in colors, soft sky and groovy guava (I really like this color combo).

I hope you have a great Tuesday!

Origami Box

I love working with patterned paper, and I tend to "hoard" it. I am trying to overcome my paper hoarding and use up some of the Stampin Up!© paper I have purchased in the past.

While I was blog surfing the other day I saw this cute box that I had to try. It was so very easy and don't you think it is a nice way to package something? I am planning on making these for my Thanksgiving table one for each person, filled with something yummy of course. And I am sure I will make some Christmas ones too:0)

if you are like me and need visual directions...here is the blog with a video tutorial http://www.kwernerdesign.com/blog/ by Kristina Werner (note* it is about half way down the page)

Let me know if you give it a try.

bye, bye, Stampin' Up!©

Here is a thank you card I made last week, with one of my new stamp sets. It is for a couple in our church that gave Mike and I a gift card to Red Lobster, yummy!

As some of you may know, I have been a Stampin'Up!© Demonstrator for the past two years. I have really enjoyed getting to know the products (which I think are awesome, btw), and meeting many other SU demonstrators along my journey. I will be putting in my very last order on October 31st...I have decided to no longer be a demonstrator. I am not really holding classes any longer, and I would like to be able to use my craft allowance on other products (of course I can still order from my SIL Dawn). It is kind of sad in a way, but I know it will be ok! I have plenty of stuff to keep me busy for a very long time, lol!

Supplies: All SU! soft sky cs/ink, whisper white cs, polka dot bkgrd stamp, double stitched soft sky ribbon

Now Were Rockin'!

Here is my layout from lesson 1 (NWR class). I am really learning so much in Photoshop Elements, It is quite an extensive program. this picture is of Josh and his girlfriend Sharon getting ready for Josh's senior prom. He looked so nice in his tux...he cleans up pretty good...*wink*

I just watched the video for lesson 2, I hope I will get my layout completed before Sunday. Luckily I can go at my own pace. I will post my lesson 2 layout once I get it completed. So check back in a couple of days.


Check out Jessica Sprague's website/blog here she offers lots of classes for all levels. I highly recommend her classes, they are well put together and she is always there to help you if you get stuck.


Enjoy your day!