The Diane Diaries

How long as it been????

2009-10-07T14:56:00.003-05:00

It's been a long time. I still stamp but not has much as I used to so I haven't blogged that much. I also have become a facebook addict so that has also taken away from blogging. At any rate, I am going to try it again. Look for photo's of cards coming soon.

It's been a long time.....

2009-03-29T00:26:00.002-05:00

And I keep hoping I will get back to blogging. I now have time to stamp and create - - just need the motivation. I am now retired and have the time so hopefully, I will get in the mood to stamp and create and blog!

Just wanted you to know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T11:44:00.003-05:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted anything on my blog. I discovered facebook and have been spending a lot of time there and neglecting my blog. I am going to make a new years resolution to come back to posting on my blog. I have made a few cards in the past month so in the new year I will start posting more cards. I will try to blog weekly.

In the meantime, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Here's looking ahead to a fabulous 2009!

Happy Friday....

2008-11-14T07:59:00.000-05:00

I look forward to weekends! Always something to do now that Pat is off on weekends. I am posting a card I made for my monthly swap. I really had a creative block this month. I made this card very slowly, first coming up with the fold (it's a tri-fold which doesn't photograph very well), then I decided on the paper (two different designs to make the 10 cards - I only had one piece left of each), then after looking at it for several days I added the snowflakes. So here I am with a card and no stamping...I added the sentiment after looking at it another few days. There is also a nice sentiment on the inside (didn't photograph the inside). For a simple card, it took a while to make. I hope the swappers like the card. They are a pretty creative group!

Weekend plans include having dinner with high school friends of Pat's, Kerry's classes and rehearsals and Girl Scouts! We will be busy. I am now on facebook....if you are a friend, add me!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Trick or Treat

2008-10-31T09:58:00.003-05:00

Happy Halloween everyone. I know you haven't seen Penny recently on the blog so I thought I would share a photo of Penny in her Halloween Costume. Can you guess what she is???

Penny is recuperating from her spay this week. It's been difficult to get to relax. She wants to play but the vet said she should take it easy for a week. She won't be going trick or treating but she wanted to at least dress up for her first Halloween.

It's been a relatively quiet week based on how busy I have been lately. I am working the polls next week. It's going to be a long day. I have to be there at 5:30 a.m., which means I will have to get up around 4:15 a.m. I haven't seen that hour of the day in a very long time. To top it off, I stay until the polls are closed. I am going to be one tired chick on Wednesday.

Don't forget to get out and VOTE!!!

Caramel Apple Kits

2008-10-25T10:21:00.005-05:00

I love weekends! There is always something to look forward to. Now that Pat is finally off on weekends we not only get a lot done, we do things we haven't done in a long time....socialize. Meghan is home for the weekend. We had a wonderful dinner last night at home. Today we went out to breakfast. This afternoon we are having our family portrait taken at church . Tonight we are all going out to dinner on Meghan's last night (except for Kerry who has rehearsal).

Here is a little project that I make every Fall. It's a caramel apply kit. It contains about 9 caramels and a popsicle stick. There is a recipe card on front and a topper.

Here's a close-up of the topper. I was so happy to see the stamp - caramel apple kit - in the Spooky Treats II set from Papertrey Ink.

I made a few more cards for swaps that I will post soon.

I think it's been forever since I had blog candy. I will have to think about doing that next week. Check back!

Diane

Another busy week....

2008-10-20T11:10:00.002-05:00

Another busy week after a busy weekend. Patrick and I celebrated our 27th anniversary with a fabulous dinner at a wonderful restaurant. I had a night out with friends (buffet dinner and comedy) that was a lot of fun. It was homecoming weekend for Kerry - she had a wonderful time and looked beautiful in her new dress. This week I bowl on Monday (as usual), Dog Park Meeting on Tuesday and on Wednesday a fun night at bookclub. I think I have an idea for a costume (our book club hostess is having a prize for best costume). Then, I have to get ready for a weekend visitor...Meghan is coming home...yeah! We are having a family portrait done at church on Saturday.

Here is a card I made for a swap.

Another project

2008-10-08T07:06:00.000-05:00

Below is an altered plastic paperclip. I bought the paperclip at Target's Dollar Spot. I thought the orange one would be good for Halloween. The top of the paperclip holds a photo.

I went out to dinner on Monday (before bowling) to celebrate our friend Carol's birthday and then last night I had a dinner with friends in from Oregon last night - it was nice to see Michelle again after all these years. We do keep in touch but nothing beats seeing your friends in person. Michelle's husband Mike took a photo. If I get it this week I will update this post with the photo.

Tonight is Woman's club. I have a fun game planned for the ladies (which involves me blowing up 40 balloons).

Test Tube Candy

2008-10-06T07:36:00.001-05:00

I bought these great test tubes at Michaels. They are from Martha Stewart and they came four to a pack. Each tube held a cool glitter pen. I took out the pens, cleaned the tubes added some candy corn and decoration (including that cool fuzzy ribbon) for a Halloween treat!

It's Monday so that means bowling. My bowling average has gone down dramatically this season. Thankfully, it's strictly a fun league so there is no pressure. Looking forward to a fun night out with the girls!

Funny

2008-10-04T08:17:00.001-05:00

My friend Suzanne sent me this and I thought it was so funny...enjoy!

Paint Can

2008-09-30T07:02:00.000-05:00

Here is a paint can that I made for my Big Sis from the last round of DSS. We met halfway between our homes at a scrapbook store. We shopped, went out to lunch and then shopped some more. We had a wonderful time. I had to make her something nice to thank her for spoiling me in the DSS Secret Sister Round. I have had a lot of great big sis's but she really spoiled me rotten. I loved everything she sent and the beautiful cards that came weekly. I was very lucky.

Here is a photo of the Bee Can I made. I used Papertrey ink's Honey Bee Set and filled it with the polka dot ribbon, other craft supplies and a ton of Burt's Bees products.

Notice the chocolate Bee on the lid.

I made a smaller one for a coordinator swap I participated in (also filled with Burt's Bees products). I really love this Bee set.

Here you go Meghan......

2008-09-29T08:15:00.003-05:00

Meghan has been asking me for a new photo of Penny. Penny got her first haircut on the 24th and Meghan has been anxious to see a photo.

Here it is...

Have a nice day.

Book Club

2008-09-28T18:00:00.003-05:00

Book club was at my house last week. We read "The Next Thing On My List" by Jill Smolinski. We had a great time and were lucky enough to have the author join us via speaker phone. She was a lot of fun to talk to you. She asked us to send her our photo so she could add it to her web site. Here is the photo we sent and yes, she did add it to her web site.

You can visit the authors Web site here.

We all enjoyed the book and highly recommend it.

More Scenes from my yard...

2008-09-22T12:45:00.002-05:00

First a cute little frog on the stairs by the driveway.

Then these cute pair peeking out from the woods in the front.

Just another day in the neighborhood.

Front Page Story

2008-09-18T06:31:00.003-05:00

Park goes to the dogs. Here is the link to the article on the Dog Park.

Here is one of the photo's in the article. This is Penny and Ives:

Dog Park...

2008-09-17T16:18:00.006-05:00

I am on a committee to create a dog park in my town. We had our first meeting last night and the turnout was great! Anyway, I went to visit the proposed property today with some of the committee and we were accompanied by a photographer and a newspaper reporter covering the story. Penny will have her picture in the paper!! Penny and my friends lab, Ives were investigating the property and I think they liked it! Ives went for a swim in the river while Penny watched impressed with Ives swimming.

I'll post a link to the article once it is published in the paper.

Here are some more Halloween goodies I a made for my secret sis this round. There will be more on the way. As you can see, one is a tin filled with chocolate nuggets, one is a trident gum holder and finally some peppermint patties in a pouch. Again, I am loving the fuzzy ribbon from the ribbon share Jody had on Confessions of a Ribbon Addict. Unfortunately, I am now officially out of the pumpkin color fuzzy ribbon.

Halloween

2008-09-16T14:53:00.003-05:00

This is my monthly swap card. It's obviously for Halloween. I love the fuzzy ribbon which I bought from a Texasjodylynn ribbon share over on Confessions of a Ribbon Addict

I have some more halloween things to share that I made for my DSS on SCS.

A Single Cupcake Box

2008-09-14T21:36:00.006-05:00

I learn so much from SCS and from blogs. I made a single cupcake box for my secret sister (round 2) and I learned how to make it from TexasJodyLynn's website, Confessions of a Ribbon Addict. You can find the instructions for the box HERE

I cased Jody's and here is my version. I didn't put a cupcake in but I did put a necklace that I made as a gift plus a ton of craft goodies. It was her birthday and this was my birthday surprise. It was easier to make than I expected and it was a lot of fun to make. I want to make another one soon.

I thought you might also want to see a recent photo of Penny! She's so cute. She ate my good black summer shoe this week but she is just too cute to be mad at, don't you think? It is my fault anyway, for leaving it on the floor.

I made this for a friends birthday!

2008-09-12T07:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Belated Birthday Patty!

I have been stamping but I have also been making some jewelry including these two pieces. I gave the first one to my friend Patty for her birthday.

Here's a close-up

This is the second necklace I made (the same day). I am not sure who I am giving this one to yet...maybe my secret sister on DSS.

Here is a close-up:

Tomorrow I am meeting my Big Sis from Round 2 of DSS. I will post the gift I made for her after the meeting (it's stamped!)

Another backyard visitor...

2008-09-08T18:25:00.003-05:00

This one is cute.

I have been doing a little stamping. I will post something tomorrow.

Backyard Visitor....

2008-08-28T09:45:00.003-05:00

Look who stopped by this morning....

Yes, it's a Coyote. A little scary since I have a small puppy. I have to keep her on the leash since she would have definitely ran after the coyote to investigate.

OK, where have I been. Life does get crazy and I have taken a break. I am hoping to get back to crafting and blogging very soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Diane

Here's Penny....

2008-07-03T21:33:00.003-05:00

Isn't she cute?!? She is such a great puppy. We are really enjoying her. She is cute and smart!

Have a great 4th of July!

I said I would be back....

2008-06-30T10:25:00.006-05:00

and I am. Probably won't post daily but I am getting back into the swing of creating. While I wasn't stamping for the past few months, I was still buying stamps. I just love the Honey Bees set from Papertrey Ink. This is what I made using that set.

Isn't it a cute paint can. This is the small size paint can. I used black-eyed susan paper by colorblok (my favorite flower is black-eyed susans).

I also made a coordinating card. Here is the outside.

Here is the inside.

While you probably can't see it in the photo, I added some yellow stickles to the bee on top and it looks cute with the sparkle. I love my stickles!

PLUS! I also made a complete scrapbook (forgot to take photo's of a few pages before I sent it in the mail this morning) for my mother-in-law with photo's from her 80th birthday weekend. The scrapbook came out great (if I must say so myself). I sent it priority today - - I hope she likes it.

Penny is doing great. She graduated from the Petco Puppy School on Saturday (we are so proud of her!). I signed her up for another training course at a different place and we start on July 15th. Her newest trick is: BANG YOUR DEAD (she rolls on her back with her paws up in the air - - so cute). I am taking her for a day of beauty on Wednesday. I'll take pictures of her then and post. She is really cute and less than 6 pounds at 4 months so the Vet predicts she will likely be 12-13 pounds when full grown.

A lot of fun coming up. We have three summer birthdays, camps and vacations to look forward to. This will be a busy summer.

Thanks for looking!

I'll be back...

2008-06-17T19:16:00.002-05:00

I know it's been a long time. No details, but it's been a difficult few months. I haven't stamped in a few months but an anxious to start again.

As you probably know, Penny is home! She is 15 weeks tomorrow and weighs 5 lbs and 8 ounces. She is really cute and is pretty good (still has an accident every now and then). We go for puppy class every Saturday and have a trainer come to our house every two weeks to work with us. We are training her to hopefully be a therapy dog some day....visiting hospital and nursing homes. Right now she knows the following commands:

Sit

Down

Come

Stay (sort of)

Leave it (sort of - depending on what it is)

and today she finally got PAW - - I have been working with her for two weeks on this one.

We are not doing well with OFF but will continue to work on that one.

Next I am going to teach her roll-over.

Penny has been a lot of fun. I took her for a walk on the green tonight but all she really wanted to do was lay down on the grass and relax . . . I ended up carrying her (lol)...some walk.

Anyway, wanted you to know I was still here and will begin blogging again soon.

Another Playdate with Penny.....

2008-04-18T16:36:00.005-05:00

She has had her first set of shots and it's only 11 days till we can bring her home.

Isn't she cute....

Here's a photo of her playing tug of war with her brother. They found one of the girls headbands and had a great time playing with it (for hours).

Here's a photo of Penny napping with her brother.

We haven't even brought her home yet but we have over 140 photo's of her....she's not too spoiled.

Enjoy the photo's of our little girl....

With Sympathy...

2008-04-15T07:26:00.000-05:00

Here is another sympathy card.

Two and a half weeks until.....

2008-04-12T17:12:00.002-05:00

we bring Penny home. Kerry and I spent an hour and a half playing with her and her brothers and sisters. They are now seven lively, playful, funny puppies. They were so much fun. She's still not quite 3 lbs. She plays enthusiastically with toys and jumps and plays with the other puppies. She is not the smallest pup but is one of the smaller puppies and does a great job of holding her own with her bigger brothers and sisters.

Look how cute!!!

Cards will be coming soon...just picked up a new cupcake set...very cute.

Thank You To Karen

2008-04-08T06:29:00.003-05:00

My cousin Karen has been searching Local Craft Stores in Tennessee for Cuttlebug Embossing Folders for me. She found two of the folders I was looking for. I sent her this little thank you for her trouble. Having said that, Karen is a lot like me and being asked to look in local craft stores is hardly trouble...more of a delight. Anyway, THANK YOU Karen!

Here is a photo of some monogrammed notecards. (Karie - - oh no, here we go again! more monograms). This set uses the paisley embossing folder which Karen found for me. Karen should have these by now so that's why I posted the photo today.

BTW, I did finally find the Swiss Dots I have been looking for thanks to an ink-stains friend who helped me find a web site who still had them in stock....Thanks Sharon!

Gift Card Holder

2008-04-07T07:27:00.001-05:00

Here is a quick & easy gift card holder. No need to buy one in the stores, make it yourself! This one took about 10 minutes to make. Simply cut a piece of cardstock to 4 1/4" X 11". Then score 3" on both sides and right down the middle at 5 1/2". Fold the cardstock so that it forms a "W" shape. It will be easy to see where to put the adhesive. You will need to punch in the middle of card holder (where you put the actual gift card) and open up the rest of the way with a small scissor or craft knife. I used a 1 1/4" circle punch (half way). This one was pretty simple. As an afterthought I used my cuttlebug birthday embossing folder on the inside. Since that was an afterthought and I did it after the rest of the card was finished I thought I would ruin it but it came out perfect and added just the touch I needed.

Here is the finished card

Here is the card opened

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All together now....

2008-04-06T06:36:00.001-05:00

say AH!!!!

Isn't she adorable. Penny is now weighing in at a big 2 lbs. and 5 ozs. She is now so playful! We spent over an hour with her on Saturday and had a great time.

Here's the whole litter at feeding time.

Here she is again.

Last one...

2008-04-05T08:39:00.005-05:00

from this "series" of items I made. This is a package of 3X3 cards with envelopes, again using Berry Bliss Designer Paper and the Elzybells.

Here is the entire package I sent which includes everything I showed her plus some monogrammed notecards, a large Bridgewater Chocolate candy bar and assorted craft items (brads, primas, hardware, stickles, glue stick, ribbon glue, vellum envelopes etc.).

Hopefully, we will visit Penny today and have more photos.

Here we go again.....

2008-04-04T07:24:00.001-05:00

Only one more after this and then I will move on to something else. In the swap I did we had to include a decorated tin. This tin uses Pretty in Pink Cardstock, Berry Bliss Designer Paper and the Ellzybell images. Inside are Hershey chocolate sticks.

TGIF! Have a nice weekend everyone!

Yet Another Elzybell project...

2008-04-03T07:15:00.000-05:00

Here is a card. It is the first card I ever made using a challenge (meaning the layout was pre-designed).

Another Elzybell project

2008-04-02T07:19:00.001-05:00

Here is another gum holder using the Elzybell image that was sent to me. Very cute images. The paper is Berry Bliss.

Elzybells

2008-04-01T07:27:00.002-05:00

This week I am going to post some of the items that I made for a coordinator swap over at SCS DSS. We were suppose to use Bella or Elzybell stamps. I do not own any Elzybells so two nice coordinators sent me some images to use. I wasn't sure how that would work out but I really like the Elzybells images and I liked the items I made. The first one is a treat holder. In a tutorial I posted on this blog in January I used a scallop punch and inserted a heart candy. In this example I used a square punch (twice) and inserted a large trident gum.

Here is a photo of the gum holder open.

I'll post more of the items I created for this swap during the week. The receiver of the items seemed to like them (I'm glad)! I used Pretty in Pink card stock and Berry Bliss designer paper.

Penny

2008-03-31T06:16:00.001-05:00

Penny is growing....she weighed in at 1 lb and 12 oz's when we went to visit yesterday.

Here's her photo.

But of course.....

2008-03-30T10:21:00.000-05:00

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Green

You're green, the color of growth and vigor. Good-hearted and giving, you have a knack for finding and bringing out the best in people. Green is the most down-to-earth color in the spectrum — reliable and trustworthy. People know they can count on you to be around in times of need, since your concern for people is genuine and sincere. You take pride in being a good friend. For you, success is measured in terms of personal achievement and growth, not by status or position. Rare as emeralds, greens are wonderful, natural people. It truly is your color!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

TGIF....

2008-03-28T07:22:00.001-05:00

I love weekends and always feel a burst of energy on Fridays as I look forward to the weekend.

Here's another slit punch card. I made another version in an earlier post. My ink-stains friend,Michelle, made one for our monthly swap and I just had to try one. It was really different. This time I used an oval shape.

As a reminder, here is the tutorial from Stampin Inspirations by Maria.

Have a great weekend everyone. I "might" pop in with another card or Penny update over the weekend.

TIme For You

2008-03-27T06:54:00.000-05:00

Time For You is a SU stamp set from the current mini. I just love the bench and the bike. Here is a little something different. I have the bike on a pop-up dot (not sure if you can tell in the photo) so it looks like it is learning on the fence which I made with the SU word punch.

We are getting ready to bring Penny home (probably on May 4th). We bought some toys, a crate and a bed so far. I have also checked out and decided on a vet. I have also contacted a dog trainer to help us on the right path.

A Visit to Penny....

2008-03-25T18:08:00.000-05:00

Kerry and I went to visit Penny today. She is getting bigger and had her first taste of solid food today. Here is a new photo of Penny and Kerry.

Here is the whole litter taking a nap...

Happy Birthday Kerry!

2008-03-23T10:22:00.003-05:00

It's Kerry's birthday - Happy Birthday to Kerry!!! Kerry has wanted a dog in the worst way. We have been discussing it , looking at dogs and even applied to raise a puppy for guiding eyes. A friend of a friend just had a litter of cockapoos and we surprised Kerry last night after tap and took her over to pick out a puppy. She was shocked when she realized where we were going. She picked a beautiful apricot female puppy. The puppy is only 19 days old so while Kerry can go over and visit her anytime she wants, we can't take the puppy home till the weekend of May 3rd.

Here's Kerry and her new puppy Penny!

I bet you are glad it's not ....

2008-03-21T07:49:00.002-05:00

another monogram card. I am not done with them yet but thought you might want to see something different. One of my virtual friends,Michelle, made a great slit punch card for our monthly swap. It was so pretty. She shared with me a tutorial to learn how to make them. They are rather easy once you get the hang of it. Here is the tutorial from Stampin Inspirations by Maria. You simply use the SU slit punch (which I happened to have and never really used).

This is my first attempt at a card. It needs some work and some practice with the slit punch but I thought I would share it anyway.

And the winner is.....

2008-03-20T18:23:00.001-05:00

I loved all the cards submitted for ink-stains swap/challenge! As a reminder, I sent six stampers a base card and they had to come up with a design. They all did a marvelous job so you can imagine how hard it was to pick one card for a prize. My overall favorite was Marilyn's.

Marilyn, I created this card set for you for a prize. I hope you like it. It will be going into the mail this weekend. I made this set using the new papertreyink paper, ink and ribbon (and of course the papertryink monogram stamp set). The paper just arrived yesterday and I was anxious to try it. The ribbon is very nice. This is monochronmatic set using the Spring Moss colors.

Thank you to everyone for participating in the challenge! I would like to host another one if anyone is interested! Let me know.

Another Monogram...

2008-03-19T17:42:00.000-05:00

Here is one I made for a friend. It's a set of six cards with matching envelopes. It uses the Designer Paper from SU! called Berry Bliss. It's packaged in an acetate card box (thus the glare).

I had a wonderful day today. My friend, Vita, celebrated her 25th anniversary with our company today at a luncheon at a great restaurant. It was fun getting together with people I worked with years ago.

Cards Submitted for Challenge...

2008-03-18T07:41:00.005-05:00

Here are the cards from the Card Challenge I posted on Ink-Stains. Six wonderful stampers participated. Remember, I sent six stampers the same base card (see previous post for a photo of what the base card looked like). I asked them all to come up with a design for the card. Here are the wonderful creations they came up with. I love them all. Everyone came up with different and wonderful cards using the same base card. I am still trying to choose my favorite for a prize...this is tough!

This is Lori's Card:

This is Cindy's Card:

This is Cheryl's Card:

This is Marilyn's Card:

This is Sharon's Card:

This Is Fiona's Card:

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-17T07:02:00.001-05:00

I am making corned beef and cabbage tonight for dinner and I'll be wearing GREEN tonight at bowling. In fact, my bowling bowl is green so it will be perfect for today. As many of of you know my favorite color is green so today is a great day for me!

Here is a St. Pat card and a candy item I made for my Secret Sis over on SCS. She already received them (and now knows who I am) so it's safe to post.

Here is my card using the colors of the Irish Flag....

Here are some peppermint pattie treats using the SU Scallop punches!

Tomorrow, I am going to start posting photo's of the cards submitted to my card swap challenge where I supplied the base card. As a reminder, here is the base card that I sent out to 6 participants in the U.S. , Canada and Austraila. They sent me photo's of their finished creations and they are fabulous. I will share two photo's a day of these creations and pick my favorite throughout the week! It will not be easy since everyone did a great job.

And another one....

2008-03-14T07:17:00.000-05:00

OK, I'll try to come up with something else this weekend but I wanted to make a bunch of these for some folks on SCS. I made three of each with coordinating envelopes that I will send off in a package with some other items. I hope they like them.

TGIF!!!

Another Monogram...

2008-03-13T07:00:00.000-05:00

Here is another monogram card....more to come. I made several for a pay it forward thread on SCS.

Back to the monogram

2008-03-12T07:19:00.002-05:00

I really like making note card sets with a monogram. Here is one I made using Ginger Blossom Designer Paper, Ruby Red Textured paper, white ribbon and, of course, the Paper Trey Ink Monogram set. I like the way it turned out. I am going to make a few sets like these as soon as my order of Whisper White Cardstock arrives (today). This was my last sheet.

Same Card, Different Packaging...

2008-03-10T07:27:00.002-05:00

This is the same note card set I made for a friend but I packaged it differently. Just used a cellophane bag and a topper for this one. Got the idea because I had the additional piece prepared for the front of the card and then ran out of whisper white cardstock to make the cards...used the piece for a topper instead. New order of whisper white is due to arrive on Wednesday. Until then, I am glad I save my white (and all color) scraps. This has been a whisper white emergency weekend!!! I am saving this set for a future round of DSS over on SCS.

Dinner and bowling tonight with the girls!

Rain, rain, go away....

2008-03-09T12:42:00.005-05:00

It was torrential downpours all day and night yesterday. The wind took our trampoline flying to the other side of the yard where it now lays crumbled. Today is windy but at least the rain has stopped.

Here is one of the sets of note cards I made at the request of a friend. She is a teacher and needed cards for notes home, thank you notes, etc.

There are 10 in the box with coordinating envelopes.

Five are like this:

Five are like this:

And they are packaged like this:

Meghan went back home today and we miss her already. We had a nice weekend, even though it rained every minute of the weekend. Went out to lunch, dinner and then out to breakfast this morning before she left.

MISS YOU MEGGIE!

With or Without?????

2008-03-08T11:05:00.006-05:00

What do you think? I made a simple Happy Birthday card for a swap. After I made them all I decided to add the balloon from the stamp set to an extra card I would send to my DSS over on SCS.

Recipe:
Stamp Set: Birthday Whimsey (SU SAB set)
Cardstock: SU Soft Sky, Whisper White, Afternoon Tea Designer Paper
Ink: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip
Ribbon: Chocolate
Cuttlebug Happy Birthday Embossing Folder
SU Scallop punch to make the "icing" on the cake
Yellow Stickles for the flame
SU Twine (for the card with the balloon).
3D dots for the balloon

Sympathy Card

2008-03-07T07:41:00.001-05:00

Not a big fan of making Sympathy cards but I need one today so I pulled out the Happy Harmony Set which seems to work for so many cards.

We are expecting a lot of rain this weekend. The more exciting news is Meghan is coming home for the weekend. We are all looking forward to spending some time with her during her short visit.

I have been asked by two people to make note cards and thank you cards. I will show you over the weekend what I came up with.

Another version of the same card...

2008-03-06T19:19:00.000-05:00

All is well on the homefront. Busy at work, busy at home - same old, same old. Looking forward to Meghan coming home this weekend! See you soon MEGHAN!!!!

Another Day, Another Card

2008-03-05T06:45:00.000-05:00

Last years Sale-a-bration set, Happy Harmony, is still an often used set by me. It is so versatile. Here is a card I made last night using Chocolate Chip CS, Groovy Guava CS and Ginger Blossom Designer Paper. Add a few vintage brads, some polka dot sheer ribbon, some 3D dots and you have a card.

I made a few different versions of this card...I'll share more during the week.

Three for Tuesday!

2008-03-04T07:00:00.002-05:00

Here are versions of a previous card I posted. This time I used Ginger Blossoms Designer Paper from SU which I really like. I used a variety of card bases including Groovy Guava and Ruby Red. Again, I used the retired Looks Like Spring Flower Punch. The cards look so much nicer in person. You can't tell in the photos but the flowers pop-out and are not flat against the cardstock. Also, the front of the card is cut shorter to show the designer paper strip on the inside of the card - - makes for a difficult photo as the card does not stay closed.

Here's a closer look at one of the cards.

Bowling was fun...next week we are bowiing our friends on another team so it should be a fun night. Some of us are going out to dinner before bowling....something fun to look forward to!

Friendship Blooms (Again!)

2008-03-03T07:51:00.004-05:00

When I like a set, I do use it. I just love the sentiment on the Friendship Blooms sale-a-bration set. Like the the Level Three Hostess stamp set, Time Spent, I think I will use this one a lot.

It's basically a simple card using Groovy Guava, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Cardstock. The designer paper is Afternoon Tea from SU. I wish I had groovy Guava stitched ribbon but I don't. I used the Wild Wasabi ribbon instead. Easy card...took me about 10 minutes (or less) to make on Sunday evening.

You can't change the hand you are dealt

2008-03-02T19:52:00.003-05:00

just how you play the hand.

No card today, but if you haven't seen this lecture yet on YouTube, it's worth the time.

Copy & Paste the following into your browser.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

p.s. if someone knows how to add a YouTube video to a blog post, please email me.

Simple Card

2008-03-01T09:49:00.004-05:00

I really like the way this card turned out. It looks better in person than in the photo. I always have difficulty photographing cards that won't stay closed. On this card, the designer paper (from Basic Grey) along the right hand side is on the inside base of the card. I cut the front of the card to the right of the flowers. It makes a pretty card but it doesn't stay closed when standing up for a photo. I used a photo stand for the first time to try to get a better photo.

In this card I used an old, retired Looks Like Spring Punch from Stampin Up. When I first bought I thought I would use it all the time but never really used it. I'm glad I saved it (almost traded it)! Again, I used the SU Friendship Blooms set (just for the sentiment).

Happy Birthday....

2008-02-29T07:22:00.003-05:00

to all the Leap Year Babies, including my cousin Karen. Karen was invited to the Martha Stewart Show this week for a special on Leap Year Babies. The show airs today and I am looking forward to watching it and hopefully catching a glimpse of Karen. I'll have to DVR it and watch it tonight since today is a work day!

Happy Birthday Karen!

My Big Sis over on SCS (can't wait to find out who she is) sent me a Circle Card. Here it is:

It got me thinking that I usually make the same size/shape card over and over...the typical A2 card. I decided to make something a little different. I took out my Creative Memories Cutting System (which I love) and looked at the shapes I had. While cutting the shape, I broke my little red cutter which would have cut the size I wanted so I had to make it a little bigger. I realized it wouldn't fit my largest square envelope so I kept cutting it down and went to far. It changed the shape and now it will probably fit into my usual envelope.

Here is the shape I intended it to be:

Here is the card that it ended up being......I used the Friendship Blooms stamp set because I liked the sentiment. I also used Basic Grey DP.

Odd shape but still different than my usual.

Sometimes it takes a while....

2008-02-28T06:45:00.005-05:00

to complete a card. I had the base of this card sitting on my stamping desk for several weeks. I liked the basic grey paper and added it to a base of pretty in pink...then I couldn't decide what to do. I left it on my desk for a few weeks and every now and then would look over my stamp sets and see if anything would work with it. Last night I picked up TIME FOR YOU from the SU Occasions Mini. I really like the park bench from this set and I also liked the saying "Always Time for You". This is what I came up with.

Book Club was delicious last night! You might ask how a book club could be delicious.....you would know if you were in the Chicklit's Book Club! Our hostesses usually put on a delicious spread to accompany our book discussion and last night was no exception. Pat's husband Paul pulled together a wonderful assortment and no one went home hungry. We enjoyed marvelous pulled pork egg rolls, chicken saltimbuca and many desserts! Oh, and the book, I really liked it. Reactions to the book were mixed but as usual our discussion was lively. Many in the group did not like all the info given at the end. I won't say why here so I don't spoil the book for anyone who wants to read it. The discussion was shorter than usual but interesting.

I had contacted the author prior to our discussion and he was very nice. He is sending us bookplates for our books. They didn't arrive in time for our discussion but I know everyone will be happy to get them when they arrive. If you would like to visit the authors web site click Here! There is a great tour of the town of Woodstock, VA by the author and his daughter. They show the town that inspired the author in the setting of the book. One of the things that interested me was the Tower that Malcolm often visited when he was working through things. We talked a lot about it last night. Seeing the tower, for me, helped me understand why this was a good place for Malcolm to want to go to work things out in his mind. In many ways, Woodstock, VA reminds me of our small town.

Cindy raffled off a Book Lovers Calendar and we had fun looking through the books recommended on our birthdays. Book club, as usual, is always a wonderful time. What a great group of ladies!

Is it Spring yet?

2008-02-27T07:33:00.002-05:00

I am getting tired of cold and snow so I took out my Spring Solitude Stamp set. It was free from SU during their Sale-a-bration!

It's the second set I have used and I really like it! Here are cards (one with a sentiment and without to be added later) from this set. I used River Rock, Basic Black and Whisper White Cardstock. I used River Rock, Whisper White (craft) and Basic Black ink. I wanted to use white embossing powder on the flowers (instead of Whisper White Craft) but since I reorganized my craft stuff, I can't find it! I added some black and white polka dot ribbon that I must have received from a secret sister.

Book club is tonight and I really liked the book. It's called The Wednesday Letters. It was a quick and enjoyable read. The author is sending me bookplates for the Chicklits and I hope they arrive in time.

Note to Karie:

These two cards are actually #15 & 16 for the month of February. Karie on Ink-Stains had a challenge on her blog to create 14 cards or projects for the month of February. With this card I made the challenge. Karie, unfortunately is under the weather. I hope she feels better very quickly and is back on ink-stains! Karie - Get Well Soon!

Card with Photograph!

2008-02-26T07:09:00.001-05:00

I love this photograph. I can't believe I took it. It is of a lighthouse off of Provincetown, MA. I took it from a whale watching boat. It came out perfect and when printed it looks like a water color painting. I decided to enter the photo into our local Woman's Club Arts & Crafts Contest (along with a necklace and a card). I printed out an 8x10 for the contest and then printed out a dozen small prints to fit on a card. When I posted it over ink-stains (the photo) many of the ladies complimented the photo so I am sending them each a card with the photo. This card I added shells (real shells). I didn't do that on the cards I sent out because the shells would make it difficult to mail in a normal envelope. I have had these shells for years and always wanted to use them so I added them to this card. I really just wanted you to see the photo.

Karie, this is #13 one more to go for the challenge!

Another card....

2008-02-23T09:44:00.005-05:00

Here is a card I have been working on to enter into an Arts & Crafts contest for the Woman's Club. This won't be the entry afterall but I am going to try again tonight to make this card come out the way I want. I liked this one until I added the stickles to the layers of cake. I wanted it to be light and subtle but it came out thick and yucky. I have the right idea but I just have to get that glitter right. I think I will try real glitter instead of the stickles (and I love stickles). I also added pearl glue drops to the cake which came out a little too big. I need a lighter hand. The designer paper is from Basic Grey (and that was my last piece of this design). I will try another paper. I am also out of the Purely Pomergranate cardstick which I love to match with the Wild Wasabi. I am not placing an order for more until April 1st so I am going to have to come up with another color combination.

Off to another busy weekend. Tomorrow is Pat's birthday and we will go out to brunch or dinner (haven't decided yet).

The snow is clear from the driveway and walkways and it looks so pretty out there.

Have a nice weekend.

P.S. Karie, this is # 12 - - two more to go!

Your Turn!

2008-02-22T20:38:00.005-05:00

Over a year ago I thought I had a great design for a tri-fold card. I cut the paper, scored it, added some designer paper and then I just didn't know what to do. I made 14 of the card bases and I had hoped to use it for a swap but I never came up with anything I was happy with. I threw several attempts away. Anyway, I found them last night and made a half hearted attempt again to come up with something and have now given up. That's where some of my friends over at Ink-Stains come in. Today I put a challenge out there to try to come up with something with this base card. I have some takers. At this time I have:

Cheryl
Cindy
Sharon
Lori
Fiona
Marilyn

We are full! Thanks for joining the challenge. This is a global challenge with participants from the U.S., Canada and Australia.

Here is the front of the card (closed):

One side open:

Open all the way:

And I will see what they come up with. They will keep the cards but will send me a photo which I will post here. I am anxious to see what they come up with. I will award some kind of prize.

Here is my latest try at the card:

Thanks for taking on the challenge!

Karie, I am counting the last card here as #11 since I just stamped it yesterday. Three more to go.

Second Try...

2008-02-21T07:19:00.001-05:00

Here is my new and improved version of yesterdays card. I decided to use the MERCI sale-a-bration set from SU! I like this card better. I also added dew drops (the center of the butterflly). I ended up using this version of the card for my monthly swap.

Here is the front of the card....

Here is the card opened......

Nothing new IRL. I haven't started our February book yet and book club is next week. I am planning to start it tonight. The book is the Wednesday Letters. I contacted the author and he has said he will send our group autographed book plates. I hope they arrive on time.

Karie, this is card # 10 for your February challenge (4 cards / projects to go!)

More new stamps...

2008-02-20T07:27:00.001-05:00

Here is a card I made using SU's SO MANY SCALLOPS and SU Designer Paper called Afternoon Tea. I cased a fold that I received as a birthday card. In this card I used, for the first time, the Build A Brad from SU where I included the Afternoon Tea Designer Paper. The SO MANY SCALLOPS stamp set was free from SU (with purchase) from their Sale-a-bration catalog.

Here is the card closed...

Here is the card opened....

I actually am not crazy about the card but am re-working it and will post my new version tomorrow.

Karie: This is card number 9 for your February challenge

New Camera - New Stamps!

2008-02-19T07:21:00.004-05:00

I lost my camera at the Sweetheart Dance a few weekends ago. I really liked that small camera, it went everywhere with us. Having said that I was more disappointed in losing the great photo's I took that night than losing the actual camera. I knew I could replace the camera but I couldn't replace those photos of a fun night.

Anyway, I did buy a new camera...well, I didn't buy it actually, I used reward points! I now own a Canon Powershot A65. I am working with it but I think it will be a great camera with 12 MP and 6x optical zoom. It's a little bigger but I think the photo's will be great! Here is a photo of my new camera...

I also returned this weekend to a cute little stamp store I recently discovered. It's a 30 minute drive but definitely worth it. At this new store I discovered these cute little Memory Box Penguins. Here are a few cards using the Penguins At Play Clear Acrylic Stamp Set.

Here is a card to congratulate a Graduate.

Here is a penguin birthday card.

Karie: Here is project #7 & 8

This is great....

2008-02-14T00:13:00.006-05:00

Have you ever been to Grand Central Station? It's a beautiful train station in NYC. Anyway, here is a video of a prank that took place at Grand Central Station. It is so cool, you have to watch it. Click here to see the best prank ever

You will love it....enjoy!

I better get moving....

2008-02-12T19:14:00.000-05:00

I entered a challenge to complete 14 projects in February and I think I have only posted 3. Here is another sour cream container and some other odds and ends I made for a coordinator swap this month on SCS.

Karie, this is project 4, 5 & 6 (eight more to go!)

Great Birthday!

2008-02-10T09:05:00.001-05:00

After a rough week, I ended up having a great birthday weekend. Pat and I had tickets for my Woman's Club Sweetheart Ball. We go every year and of course, it is always around my birthday. This year we bought tickets but as it got closer I didn't really feel like going. I "thought" I just wanted to stay home and catch up on some sleep. Pat and my friends encouraged me to go and I am glad they did. I really had a wonderful time. It was a lot of fun to get dressed up and go out for dinner and dancing. We danced a good portion of the night away. I have really nice friends and we had a great table. It was fun to spend the night with Patty, Cindy & Belinda! The only disappointment is that I somehow left without my camera and some really great shots of the night. I am still hoping that someone picked it up and I will get it back. Having said that, the only photo I have to post is the formal photo taken that night. Here is a picture of Pat & I taken at the beginning of the night.

I'm looking forward to next year!

ONE .....

2008-02-06T20:53:00.000-05:00

singular sensation! We saw Chorus Line on Broadway last night. It was a wonderful night in NYC. We met my sister and her family for a nice leisurely dinner. Before the show, Kerry dropped off a letter to the star of the show introducing herself and letting her know this was her first broadway show. Kerry's dance teacher knows the performer and had called ahead so we could meet her backstage after the show. We saw a wonderful show and to our surprise, at the end of the show (from the stage) the star of the show thanked all the parents who took their children to Kids Night on Broadway and then mentioned that she received a lovely letter from a young lady at her first broadway play and wanted to find Kerry in the audience. We were in the third row so when Kerry raised her hand, she spotted her immediately. She said some nice things to Kerry from the stage. When we left the theater we went backstage and took a look around and then Kerry got autographs and had her picture taken with all the stars of the show.

Here are a few of the photo's from the night.

Here is Kerry with Charlotte D'Amboise who played the part of Cassie. This is backstage at the theater.

Here is Kerry with Bryan Knowton who played the part of Paul.

Here is Kerry and her cousin Jenny with Natalie Cortez who played the part of Diana.

Here is Kerry with Emily Fletcher who played Sheila

We have pictures with the other cast members but thought we would share a few.

Next week we are seeing Chicago!

Altered Canister

2008-02-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

I've been making matching items (same SU Designer Paper) that I will put together and send to a Secret Sister on SCS. You already saw the pull treat from yesterday, here is a canister made with an empty crystal light canister. It's filled with my Secret Sis's favorite candy.

Tonight Kerry and I are going on a fun adventure.....I'll tell you all about it tomorrow and will hopefully have pictures to post.

Have a great day!

P.S. Karie - this is project #3 for February **

** What's this all about? Karie is having a blog candy contest on her blog. You will be entered into a drawing for blog candy if you post 14 cards, projects, scrapbook pages (anything stamping) in February. Visit Karie's Blog HERE

Pull Treat Pouch

2008-02-04T07:10:00.000-05:00

Here is another item I made following a tutorial on SCS. The best part of this is the chocolate inside. It's a big bar of Bridgewater Chocolate which is my favorite!

When you pull on the ribbon, the treat comes out....

Note to Karie: This is project number 2 for February.

Sour Cream Containers

2008-02-01T07:55:00.000-05:00

The tutorial over on SCS on sour cream containers reminded me of how easy these are to make. I made a ton of them a few years ago. This is a little Valentine Sour Cream holder I made for a friend.

I meant to put the tag on the other side so the seam wouldn't show but I still like it. The paper is old, retired SU paper I found in my paper stash.

The Feb/March Project magazine has been posted over at Scor-Pal. Don't forget to visit and try some of the great projects. The Scor-pal makes paper crafting so easy!

Note to Karie: This is project #1 for February blog contest!

The Double Gate Fold Card...

2008-01-28T07:35:00.000-05:00

is so easy if you use the Scor-Pal. Directions are on the back of the packaging. Simply align your 12 " x 5 1/2" cardstock across the Scor-pal. Score a 2", 4", 8" and 10". Accordion fold each side and close as in a standard gate fold card. Here is a card I came up with. I used the SU Stamp Set Baroque Motifs and the coordinating SU Designer Paper. I also covered a chipboard die-cut in SU Designer paper. I made it into an anniversary card.

Inside of the card...

I have a lot going on and won't be able to post regularly or even have the time to create cards or projects. I will in the near future post a tutorial on making the double chocolate or tea bag holders (one things settle down).

Tea Bag / Chocolate Holders

2008-01-16T19:01:00.000-05:00

Here are a few tea bag / chocolate holders. The first one is a single. It holds one tea bag (in this project) or it could hold one square chocolate. The second project (is one I have had on my blog previously) is a double tea bag or in this project chocolate holder.

The designer paper on both projects is from Basic Grey.

The paper is SU Certainly Celery and Almost Amythyst. The Designer Paper is from Basic Grey. The Ribbon is SU Certainly Celery.

The second project is the double holder. The Designer Paper is from Basic Grey. The Outside is made with SU Lavender Lace and Taken With Teal. The Ribbon is from a wonderful SU Friend Heidi. She has an on-line store at Pink Hedge Hog Paper Crafts. Be sure to visit Heidi for a wide selection of ribbon, brads and eyelets.

Never Too Soon For Valentines...

2008-01-15T19:24:00.000-05:00

Here is a square Valentine card. I think this is my first square card. I had square envelopes for a long time and thought I would use them for Valentines Day.

The original card did not have a heart candy - - it simply had a pink heart punch out showing through the heart punched on the outside of the card. Not sure if I like it with the candy...might just be the candy is too big and need something flatter.

I used Pretty In Pink Paper (ink and Paper), Whisper White Paper, Taffeta Pink Ribbon, a heart punch (I bought from Gina K) and my cuttlebug hearts embossing folder.

I made them in red and pink.

Enjoy!

Snow Day!

2008-01-14T07:07:00.000-05:00

We got snow overnight. No school today for the kids but it's still a work day for me.

Here is another Faux Silk I made yesterday (following the tutorial on SCS). I used another SU in-color, Blue Bayou. First time I opened this ink pad or used this cardstock. It matched nicely with some new Basic Grey paper I bought.

Faux Silk Sunday

2008-01-13T13:27:00.000-05:00

As I was putting away some Christmas wrapping paper I noticed tissue which reminded me that this weeks tutorial over on SCS is on Faux Silk. I wanted to try it but couldn't decide on what stamp set to use. I thought I would use SU Best Blossom but couldn't find it (I know it's here somewhere) so I looked at sets I have had a long time but have never used. I found the French Flair background stamp sitting there unmounted and thought it might work. I came up with two cards more or less the same using SU purely pomegranate and some Basic Grey Designer Paper.

We are expecting 8-14 inches of snow tomorrow. Kerry is already expecting no school and I'm resting up to clear the driveway.

Today Was Use A New Stamp Set Day....

2008-01-12T22:16:00.001-05:00

or use a stamp set I have had for a while and never used. I picked Paper Trey Ink's Green Thumb Set. I have had it for a long time but have never used it.

I just love the new SU in-colors and used two for this card....purely pomegranate and wild wasabi. In addition, I used Whisper White Cardstock the horizontal slot punch (which was wonderful for the ribbon) and wild wasabi double-stitched ribbon. Of course, I added stickles for sparkle - - I think I add stickles to everything.

Here is the front of the card:

Here is the inside of the card:

Hope you like this card. I used it for a papertrey swap.

More Candy Holders...

2008-01-11T06:47:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more versions of the Valentine Candy Holder. I used the same set on all but imagine the possibilities. It's quick and easy and makes a cute gift. Would also make a cute Valentine Card for children to bring to school or give to teachers.

A Candy Holder for Valentines Day

2008-01-09T07:37:00.000-05:00

Looking for an easy item to make for Valentines Day (or any day). This is a cute little candy holder. I did not create the idea of the candy holder, I received one in a swap and hung on to it. I pulled it out the other day and thought it would make a nice valentine holder so I made one. I adjusted the measurements so I could use my scor-pal (which made it very easy and quick to make). Since so many of my friends loved this, I decided to put together a quick tutorial to show you how to make it.

First things first. The supply list:

1 piece of cardstock for the frame measuring 4 1/4 x 10 inches
1 piece of designer paper for mat (if desired)
1 piece of white cardstock for stamping (if desired)
Markers
Inkpad
Cutter
Scor-pal or scoring tool
Adhesive
Stamps
Embellishments (I used ribbon, stickles, dimensionals, glue dots, etc)
Scissors
Candy piece

Using your paper trimmer, cut cardstock to measure 4 1/4" x 10 "

Take your piece of cardstock that you are going to use as the frame and score-it at 3", 3 1/2", 6 1/2" , and 7". I used a scor-pal but you can use any scoring tool you have. The scor-pal does make it easier since you don't have to move the paper.

I used an ink that is the same color as the cardstock to stamp a background. I used SU Pretty in Pink for both the cardstock frame and background ink. I stamped on the middle of the inside of the frame (where the chocolate will be placed) and the bottom fold of the front (that will fold up and cover the chocolate).

Next take your scallop punch (or another punch you would like to use) and punch out the center of the last frame in your cardstock (this will fold up over your candy).

This is what it looks like after it is punched.

Next take you piece of white cardstock and stamp your main image. I choose the "friend" sentiment from the SU Time Well Spent Set. It is a level 3 hostess set. Demo's received this set for free. When I first received it I thought, "oh, this is o.k." but really didn't think it was my style. Having said that I have used it over and over and love the sentiments that come with it.

Once stamped, color if necessary (I used my pretty in pink marker to color in FRIENDS). Cut to desired size.

I then added some ribbon as an embellishment.

Mat your image to a piece of designer paper. I choose Basic Grey Designer Paper from their Perhaps Line.

Take some left over designer paper and stamp (in black ink) a coordinating image.

Carefully cut out the image

I used a dimensional to attach the image to the main image. It makes the image pop-up (a nice touch). Here is the front of the project put together.

Finally add the candy with a glue dot

I also added some stickles to the front of the project (I used pink)(

Here is the finished project. I made a ton and will post other versions the rest of this week.

Why don't you make one and let me know how it turns out. I hope you enjoyed my first tutorial.

Fancy Fold Card

2008-01-08T07:49:00.000-05:00

Here's a little fancy fold card that I made. The stamp set is the SU Polka Dots & Paisley. The designer paper is also the matching SU Polka Dots & Paisley.

Here is a photo of the card closed.

Here is a photo of the card opened.

Bowling was fun last night...followed by some ice cream at Friendly's.

I have some more items I made. Since I organized my stamp space and work area I find it a lot easier to sit down and create. Organization is a wonderful thing.

Have a great day everyone.

Fun Weekend!

2008-01-07T07:49:00.000-05:00

Fun weekend! With his new job, Pat is now home evening and weekends. Having said that, I was off with the girls on Sunday. I have to get used to Pat being around on the weekends! Well anyway, on Sunday I met up with the women I used to work with. We have decided to meet quarterly. We met at Jeanne's and had a nice time eating, talking and eating some more. It was good to see everyone.

This is a little project I put together over the weekend. It's a little "purse" with two pockets for the little 3x3 cards, It was fun to make. This project was all SU!

I have some more items made but I have to take some pictures.

Bowling tonight!

First Project of the New Year!

2008-01-04T19:29:00.000-05:00

For Christmas, I received a Zutter Bind-it-All. It's a machine to bind (with coils) projects such as journals. I am going to post my first try at using it but as you will see, I need more practice. This is a Birthday Calendar that I made and binded. It's my first attempt at using the bind-it-all. I don't like where I put the hole on the calendar (with my crop-o-dile) and will have to adjust that next time around. The hole is suppose to be for you to hang the calendar on the wall. I think the coils are a little too big for this project - I used the 1/2 inch coils. I will practice and post an improved Birthday calendar soon.

The first photo is of the calendar. I used cardboard for the covers (which I covered with Designer Paper).

The second photo shows one of the months to write birthdays. I made the inside sheets in a WORD DOC. If anyone wants a copy of the word doc, just email me and I will send to you.

Happy New Year!

I'll have to check but I think my one year Blog-aversary is coming up this month. Plus I am now over 5000 hits so it will soon be time for blog candy. As soon as I make a good Birthday Calendar I will have a blog candy post and give away the calendar. I'll keep you posted!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-01T01:02:00.000-05:00

Wishing you all a happy new year! We had a fun time....bowling...yes I said bowling. The bowling alley had a New Years Eve Party and every lane was full. We had a wonderful time. We bowled two regular games and then decided to bowl one game with "fun frames". One frame was bowling "granny" style (using both hands to roll the bowl), the next frame was bowl like Fred Flinestone (on our tippy toes), the next frame was to bowl with your opposite hand, then we "kicked" - really pushed with our foot - the ball down the lane; there's more, then we stood at the foul line backwards and rolled the ball through our legs; then we did slow motion bowling. The funniest frame was when Pat and Paul started on one lane and criss-crossed to the others lane....funny! As you can imagine, our scores were not that high that game.

Here are some photo's from the night.

Here is Kerry Ann and Jessica doing the backward, through the legs shot.

I will start making cards again soon. Secret Sister is starting up as well as my monthly swap.

Notebook and matching pen...

2007-12-09T19:33:00.000-05:00

I love these little notebooks. They are so easy to make and the matching RSVP pen takes about a minute! This was made with SU Designer paper and the new level three SU Hostess set called Time Well Spent.

We had a wonderful time at book club this past week. We laughed all night long. Not even going to try to explain how much fun we had as you really had to be there to understand how much fun we had.

This is a fun group of ladies and I enjoy the time I spend with them. Imagine a book club that gets sixteen women every month! It must e fun!

Here's a picture of me laughing at my holiday grab bag gift. You had to be there to understand why this was so funny.

Here is me with my Holiday grab bag ..... you had to be there to understand why this was so funny!

Only 70 something more hits until I have 5000 hits on this blog...amazing. I will have to do something special when it hits 5000.

Another Diane Original....

2007-12-05T06:48:00.000-05:00

Great day yesterday. Had a wonderful time at Jeanne's luncheon at the casino. Congratulations again to Jeanne on her retirement. I got home just in time (or just a little late) for my last jewelry class of session two. Here is what I made.

Thanks Julie for another great night!

Tonight is book club...I have about an hour more I need to sit down and finish the book. Looking forward to a fun night at book club. Tonight is our Holiday party which is always fun!

High Score - 216!

2007-12-03T22:25:00.001-05:00

It was exciting! I told Kerry I was going to bowl a 200 when I left the house but I tell her that every week. I never actually bowl a 200. Tonight was different, I actually bowled over 200 AND I also got a 7-9 split. All in all it was a great night at bowling.

Suzanne, on our team, also bowled her highest game tonight!

I hope my luck continues tomorrow at the casino!

Happy Monday....

2007-12-03T06:46:00.000-05:00

Another great week ahead. Here's what I worked on this weekend. I think I am getting better at making the stationery/note cards. Here are some note cards.

I made this one for a friend I sit with while we wait for our daughters to finish voice class. She has been knitting while we talk and made me a very nice (and warm) green scarf (I'm wearing it in the hiking photo). We both love green. I made her the following note cards. I hope she likes them.

This is how I packaged them.

Tomorrow I am going to the casino for a friends retirement luncheon. I made these for her.

Jeanne, I hope you like these!

And this is how I packaged this set.

Busy week ahead. Besides work, I have bowling tonight, tomorrow all day at the casino and tomorrow night at jewelry class. It's good to be busy.

Survived the hike...

2007-12-01T12:45:00.000-05:00

We met at 9:30 a.m. and it was cold and windy. Seven of us hiked the beautiful state park called Lovers' Leap. It was a nice morning. When the hike was almost done we enjoyed some bagels. I would definately do it again.

Lovers' Leap is a beautiful state park and like most Lovers' Leaps across the U.S. (and there are many) there is Legend. According to local legend, this was the spot where a young Native American girl, distraught over love, threw herself in o the rushing water below

Here's some photo's of the scenery.

Now going shopping! Enjoy the weekend everyone.

Diane

And the winner is.....

2007-11-30T23:43:00.000-05:00

ELAINE and

Elaine said...
I am an e or a p!! I hope that works for you!! :) Great card ideas!

Elaine, please email me your mailing address and let me know if you want an "E" or "P" Monogram. I'll make it this weekend and get it into the mail for you next week.

Girls Night Out was Fun! The Woman's Expo (btw, woman's expo is code for SHOPPING) was great. There were a lot of vendors. After the expo, we went out to dinner to Wrinkles (I mean The Hearth). We had a wonderful night out with good friends.

Tomorrow morning is the hike I signed up for. It is suppose to be so cold tomorrow morning too..can you tell I am trying to wiggle out of this.

Another Monogram Set

2007-11-30T07:00:00.000-05:00

This is monogram stationery. This set is for a winner of my November DSS Challenge on SCS. I really liked the way it came out. As you can see, I added a monogram at the top of the stationery using the new papertrey ink monogram set. At the bottom of the stationery I added a strip of SU Designer Paper (following the tutorial in Nicole's, of paper trey ink) blog. You can reach her blog from www.papertreyink.com. I also added the same designer paper to the envelopes (a nice touch and also from the tutorial). Finally, I made an envelope seal with the monogram as well (also from the tutorial)

Here is how I packaged the set. Not the way I had wanted to (didn't want to fold the stationery) but I didn't have a long enough bag to put the stationery in. In the end, I realized that they paper would have to be folded to fit in the envelope anyway so it all worked out fine.

I will be making more of these sets.

Tonight is GIRLS NIGHT OUT! Looking forward to it. The women on my bowling team are going to a woman's expo and then out to dinner. I'll let you know about the night tomorrow (if I make it back from a 2 mile hike I signed up for on Saturday morning..that's right a hike, with the women's club).

Tea & Chocolate

2007-11-29T22:06:00.000-05:00

More gifts created for my DSS Group Challenge on SCS. Here are tea and chocolate holders. Cute and easy to make. Each holds two tea bags or two chocolates.

Monogram Sets - Blog Candy

2007-11-28T22:56:00.000-05:00

I created the following monogram sets (note cards with matching envelopes) using the new papertreyink monogram set and monogram border set. I am still having a heck of a time getting used to clear stamps but you can't say I am not trying. It is purely coincidence that the initials on these monogram sets match myself and my two daughters, they are not for us (sorry Meghan and Kerry). They are prizes for a DSS challenge over on SCS. I made some of these plus some other things that I will post tomorrow for prizes.

Here are the sets.

I have packaged the sets (three note cards and three envelopes) in a clear box. I think it looks nice! (not sure if you can see the box in the photo with the glare of the acetate).

Tell me what you think of the monogram sets and if you leave a comment I will make one for a random winner (hopefully, your name won't start with a "S". I really don't like the "S" in this papertrey monogram set. Post a comment here by Friday, November 30th at 6:00 p.m. eastern and I will randomly draw a winner.

Thanks for looking.

What do you think of my latest....

2007-11-27T22:35:00.001-05:00

Tonight's class was working with swarovski crystals. The colors were gorgeous and it was so hard to choose. I finally decided on brown, clear and green with some sterling silver spacers. I really like the way the set came out. Here is the necklace, the bracelet and the earrings.

Everyone's swarovski crystal sets were so nice....visit Julie's blog to see everyone's creations. You can visit Julie's blog by clicking here.

Finally...cards!

2007-11-25T20:53:00.000-05:00

I couldn't let you think I took a whole week off from work and didn't stamp at all now could I? I have been playing with my papertreyink stamps. I have to tell you that I have been having a hard time with the clear stamps. I am very used to wood and rubber. I love the paper trey images and I hope with my practice I will be able to create nice cards with them. Here are my first attempts with Papertreyink clear stamps.

The first card uses the Piece of Cake set. I used SU cardstock and ink in pink passion, barely banana and glorious green.

The next set of cards are 3x3 gift cards. I used SU Cardstock and Designer Paper and some pink unidentified designer paper. I also used colorbox chalk ink.

My final card of the week is a note card (no layers) using the Little Lady set. I used colorbox pigment ink on the Ladybug card.

Back to work....I am really not looking forward to that. I will be off again Christmas week plus I have one day left I am saving for my friends retirement dinner at the casino.

Busy week ahead...bowling on Monday, Jewelry class on Tuesday and Girls Night Out on Friday!

I have to get back to making cards.....

2007-11-24T10:15:00.000-05:00

I've been off all week and I only made one card the whole time.....What, you wonder could I have been doing for a whole week if I wasn't making cards at least some of the time. I had a great week. My husband and I were both off and we were on a cleaning frenzy (and painting). We got so much done this week, it feels terrific. I also reorganized all my stamping / scrapbooking supplies and work area. It will be so much easier now to make cards in my own work area (instead of stamping on the dining room table or coffee table in the family room). We also had some fun during the week. In addition to my Monday night bowling league and my Tuesday Jewelry class, Pat and I went out to dinner & bowling one night & had a delicious Thanksgiving.

We stopped by my sisters to see my family on Thanksgiving. Stayed for a little over an hour and had appetizers (my sister makes a great guacamole and mexican shrimp - - BTW, I still need that shrimp recipe if you are reading this). Then we went to my brother in laws and had Thanksgiving dinner. A fun day and even though we didn't get home till 10:00 p.m. I still got up and went shopping on Black Friday. I didn't really get much but just felt like I should get up and go. I was out of the house by 5:00 A.M. and was home at 8:00 a.m. hitting three stores. At 10:00 a.m. Meghan, Kerry and I went bowling with my friend Patty and her daughter Jessica (a special after Thanksgiving glo bowling). That afternoon, Pat, Kerry and I went to the movies to see Enchanted. It was a cute movie and we all enjoyed it.

One of the stores I went to in the a.m. was Michaels. I had a coupon for 25% your entire order so I went to buy some beads and materials to make a necklace (to practice what I had learned). I didn't see much in beads that I liked but I did buy three strands of a blue demin like bead and some sterling silver findings. This is what I made:

Meghan liked this bracelet (different spacers than the one above) so I gave it to her.

So, I guess I have been a good jewelry student since I was able to make these three projects on my own. The simple necklaces and bracelets are pretty easy (if you can come up with a design - - that's the hard part) but the other projects that are more involved (i.e, earrings, pendants, etc) will require more instruction and practice.

Finally, after a heated game of UNO we called it a night! All in all a great weekend. Two more days till I have to go back to work...I realized, that if I didn't work full time I could still really keep busy everyday (but I would miss that paycheck).

Hope you all had a great Holiday weekend.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T09:53:00.001-05:00

To my family, friends and everyone who takes a few moments out their day to read my blog.

I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving spent with family and friends. Be safe, relax and be happy (and thankful)!

Love,
Diane