Male Circles?

I saw this layout on a card sampler pack that Sylvia M. was donating to the St. Mary Crop & Shop - (THANKS Sylvia!) and thought - "What a great masculine layout!" I was having a bad day yesterday, and needed to channel my mood - so I stamped! This really is the best therapy - and in my opinion - much cheaper and more fun than a therapist!
The first card (Yes, a verse CAN be your focal piece!) uses: Stamp Set: It's Your Birthday. Card Stock: Sage Shadow, So Saffron, Really Rust, Night of Navy & Very Vanilla. Ink: Night of Navy. Accessories: Coluzzle, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Crafters Tool Kit for paper piercing, Rich Regal Eyelets, Crop-a-Dile, Corner Rounder Punch.
The second card I wanted to be more kid friendly - so I changed up the colors and the focal piece. Stamp Sets: It's Your Birthday, All About You & Rough Edges Mini Alphabet. Card Stock: Glorious Green, Brillliant blue, Summer Sun & Whisper White. Ink: Brilliant Blue and White Craft. Accessories: Corner Rounder Punch, 1 3/8" Circle Punch, Coluzzle, 1/16" Hand Punch, Bold Brights Brads.

Life is Like a Box of Stamps...

In honor of World CardMaking Day on October 6th - ALL Simply Sent Card Kits are 20% off from October 4 - 8th! Woohoo!! A demo friend's blog labeled this as "Better than Chocolate?" Maybe as good as chocolate! heehee Here's one example - including what the *inside* of the Kits looks like. (A BIG thanks to Kelly S. for letting me 'borrow' these pics!) You can view all the current Simply Scrappin' Kits at www.stampinup.com or on pages 12-14 of the Fall-Winter Collection 2007 idea book and catalog. Think Christmas and Birthday Gifts - order TODAY!

Apple Cider and a True Friend

I found these Fall lovelies on a fellow Sudsoler's site - as you can see by the watermark - they are done by Pam Downs. These cards use the Holiday Collection Mini stamp set True Friend, as well as the Apple Cider Double Sided Designer Series paper in the same mini - and Prints Double Sided Designer Paper in Almost Amethyst. I LOVE Pam's use of the Photo Corners Punch on the "thank You" card. And how about the cool fold on the True Friend card? The half circle with the rectangle focal pice is where this beautiful card opens! You have until November 30th to order these lovelies - but you need to order them NOW so you can make cards like this for Fall andThanksgiving! Contact me today to order your supplies for cards like these.

Feelin' Punchy!

Most of you already know how versatile SU! punches are. What?! You haven't tried SU! punches for your projects? Oh my, oh my! Well- no time like the present to get PUNCHY!
This year, Stampin' Up! has made it even easier for you to create fabulous projects in no time at all by using our coordinating punches, stamp sets and Designer Series papers. Following is a list of SOME of the Stampin' Up! punches that coordinate with our stamp sets - Enjoy!

Scallop Circle Punch: In the Spotlight, Glorious Garlands, Punch Pals, Double-Line Doodles, Wanted
Tag Punches: Perfect Presentation, All About Occasions, Flakey Friends, Punch Pals, Be Happy, Tagger's Dozen, Bundled in Love, Business Boosters
Designer Label Punch: Party Punch, Punch Pals, Labelicious
Round Tab Punch: Party Punch, Office Accoutrement, Totally Tabs
1" Circle Punch: Sending Happy Thoughts kit, Perfect Presentation, Glorious Garlands, The Snowflake Spot, Perennial Favorites, Holiday Blitz, Double-Line Doodles, Polka Dots & Petals, Create a Coupon, Genuine Articles, Business Boosters, Calendar Cues
1 ¼" and/or 1 3/8" Circle Punch: Simple Delights Simply Sent kit, Perfect Presentation, Batty For You, Holiday Tag Team, Sparkling Sayings, Be Happy, Figures of Speech, Double-Line Doodles, Polka Dots & Petals, Big Flowers, Stamp of Authenticity, Carte Postale, Think Happy Thoughts, Big Pieces, Seeing Spots, So Happy, Dots Are Hot, Brocade Basics, Labelicious, Genuine Articles, Circle of Friendship, It's All Good, Sporting
½" and/or ¾" Circle Punch: In the Spotlight, Holiday Tag Team, Glorious Garlands, Cold Play, Snow Flurries, Merry Merry, Punch Pals, Forever in My Heart, Holiday Blitz, Double-Line Doodles, Sweet Thing, Wanted, Star Struck, Little Flowers, Little Pieces, Please Come, Dot Spot background, Alphabits, Art by Design
1 ¼" and/or 1 3/8" Square Punch: Simple Delights Simply Sent kit, Perfect Presentation, Forever in My Heart, Sealed With a Kiss, Be Happy, Figures of Speech, Tagger's Dozen, Sweet Thing, Office Accoutrement, Stamp of Authenticity, Carte Postale, Glad Tidings, It's All Good, Art by Design, Sporting, Business Boosters, It's a Date
¾" Square Punch: Punch Pals, Calendar Cues
Large Oval Punch: I did it, many of the word sets
Star Punch: Wanted, Starstruck, Sporting, Wild West Alphabet
5-Petal Flower Punch: In the Spotlight, Be Happy, Priceless, Simply Said, Looks Like Spring, Heartfelt Thanks, Ginormous Flowers, Office Accoutrement
Snow Blossom Punch: In the Spotlight, Simple Snowman, Wondrous Gift, Snowflake Spot, Merry Merry, Snow Flurries, Punch Pals, Snowfall
Spring Flower Bouquet Punch: Looks Like Spring
Three for You Punch: Three Thoughts Simply Sent Kit, Punch Pals, Take Three, Three for You Punch Box
Word Window Punch: So Many Sayings, Block Party, Boatloads of Love, Fun & Fast Notes, Take Three, Everything Baby, Short & Sweet, Happy Everything, Wonderful Favorites, Warm Words, All Holidays, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Amazing to Zany, Fundamental Phrases

Quinn Michael's Peace Rose - Second Bloom!

A second bloom! Woohoo! I finally did some checking on Peace Roses, and found that they usually begin blooming mid-May and can bloom through November!! depending the location. Apparently, the trick for us non-gardeners will be to keep our plant alive through the Winter. As you'll see by scrolling down, this bloom began with delicate color but didn't stay that way. We all eagerly await the twin blooms that are "protecting" this bloom - you'll see what I mean in the next picture.

Quinn Michael's Peace Rose - Blooming in Color

After being thrilled to see this second bloom - we were even more excited to see this rose blooming in such a beautiful yellow color with a delicate pink edge on one side (hard to see in this bottom pic but it is there). Can you see the twin blooms on either side of this second bloom? Hopefully I'll have more pics to share soon!

Quinn Michael's Peace Rose - In Full Bloom

This is the second full, lovely bloom. Interesting that it's earlier yellow color faded out, but the pink edge remains, only lighter in color.

Rehearsal Dinner Invitation

Is he not just the CUTEST big guy? This is the Rehearsal Dinner invitation for my niece's wedding coming up in Ocotber. You saw the bridal shower invite I did and posted in July or August. I also posted the 4 cards we made into favor packets, along with a Hershey Kiss holder.

The bride & groom and the platter lid are heat embossed in silver. I watercolored using a Stampin' Write and Aquapainter - and my most favorite part is the Silver Brad coat buttons! The wording will be printed directly onto the Taken with Teal.

Stamp sets: Voila & Voila To Go. CS: Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal & Naturals White. Ink: Classic Brown & Versamark; Stampin' Write in Taken with Teal. Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy, Paper Snips, 1/16" hand punch, Silver Brads & Aquapainter.

Sprained Ankle

Wow - I haven't posted since 9/11 - well, this time it would be because I sprained my ankle on 9/12! I was just trying to go for a bike ride with my 2 year old. Never made the ride, cuz I missed the step in the garage and landed on top of my bent over left ankle. At least I can still drive, but my house looks like, weeeellllll....... dear hubby has made valiant efforts to try to fill my proverbial shoes, and he's done well, he's just not me! I was going to try to stamp up some embellishments for my ever-so-stylish compression boot. Then at least it would look gaudy and not just BIG and BLACK. :) But alas - I was told to lay on the couch with my foot up as much as possible, and just like after giving birth to all my children - I listened and did what I was told - I have not usually had a problem following "be a couch potato" orders. (heehee) Today, I received the also ever-so-lovely compression sock to wear WITH the boot - oh, double joy!!

So - that's my excuse for this past week and a half - anyone buy it?! If that didn't work - how about at least feeling sorry for me that I have to sit back and watch this beautiful weather go by when I could be out enjoying it bike-riding with my son. Please? By the time my ankle gets the okay to resume exercise as such, I just "know" the weather will be much colder and breezier and I won't want to go riding then.

Hey - maybe I'll get some stamping play time?

True Freedom

In Honor and Memory of ALL the Victims of the Sept. 11th terrorist attack on the United States of America - please join the Smith family in prayer:

Dear Lord, we misunderstand freedom
believing that it is the ability to
do whatever we want.
Help us always to remember that freedom,
true freedom, is being able to do
what we ought to do.
That freedom, true freedom,
is not indulging our every want and whim,
but instead is the ability to
rise above any desires
that are wrong, disordered, dangerous
or excessive.
Give us your Grace always to remember
that true freedom makes us the people
You wish us to be,
that true freedom brings us closer to You,
and reshapes our world
in the likeness of Your Kingdom. Amen.
(Taken from Liturgical Publications Church Bulletin July 2007, Author not stated.)

We pray for the repose of the souls of the faithful departed, and for the comfort and peace of those struggling with their loss. Holy Mary, Queen of Peace and Patron of the United States - Pray for Us.

Happy Birthday to my DH!!

Happy Birthday Steve! He claims it is 39 FOREVER - I say he is very silly! Age shmage - I laugh in the fac eof age - HA, hahaha HA! :)

The problem with saving an image rather than printing it out? I am WAY less likely to remember where I found it to give credit where credit is due! Which means - I CASE'd this idea - tweaking it to include all the colors of billiard balls. WE don't have a pool table YET - but it is on the Wish List for when we expand our home - that and a hot tub!

Stamp Set: Sincere Salutations. CS: Basic Black, Garden Green, Yo-Yo Yellow, Real Red, Brilliant Blue, Glorious Green, Only Orange, Bravo Burgundy, Elegant Eggplant, Creamy Caramel & Whisper White. Ink: Basic Black. Accessories: 1/2" Circle Punch, White Signo Gel Pen, Table Top Paper Cutter to cut thin strip for cue stick & Stampin' Write in Basic Black.

Sketch/Layout Versatility

I am LOVIN" this color combination! Okay - I admit I am loving ALL of the color combinations SU! put together using the 2007/08 In Colors - this one happens to be Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Real Red & Chocolate Chip - with the focal piece stamped on Confetti White. (Contact me if you'd like me to email you this chart - so many outstanding combos I would never have ventured far enough outside my creative box to even visualize, much less actually try! Another great reason to be an SU! Demonstrator - all the resources to expand your creativity.)

What I LOVE about sketches or layouts (whichever you prefer to call them) is their versatility. I designed the card first, and loved how it turned out so much, that I wanted to alter the notebooks to match. I could make scrapbook pages from the same sketch/layout too if I needed to. Remember - you are rarely limited by the size of shape of you project! Find a favorite sketch/layout - and give it a try on another project. I am positive you will be surprise yourself - and you will have expanded your creativity a little more too!

I made these for Marriage Encounter Team friends. The card was for their Deeper Weekend, and the Altered Composition Notebooks (I made a pair of them for their dialoguing) for a gift after their Deeper Weekend. A lighthouses is the main symbol this Weekend. This lighthouse comes from the retired stamp set - Coast to Coast. I also used the Linen Background Stamp, a non-SU! Marriage Encounter symbol stamp, and the word "Enjoy!" comes from another retired stamp set Everyday Expressions. Inks were Classic Soft Sky and Blue Bayou. Accessories included Bordering Blue eyelets, Double Circle Punch (perfect spacing of two eyelets every time!), the 1/16" hand punch and the Crafters Tool Kit (for paper piercing around the top, left corner on the Choclate Chip strip of cardstock.)

Quinn Michael's Peace Rose

Most of you won't know this...we found out just before Easter that we had miscarried our 4th child some weeks previous to then. We never find out the gender of our babies, so we chose a neutral first name - Quinn. Michael was chosen for St. Michael the Archangel - whose prayer we learned as a family in honor of our family member in Heaven. Marriage Encounter friends of ours gave a Peace Rose bush in honor of our child, which we planted in the front yard. We are not gardners by any means. I am always amazed that flowers I buy and eventually get planted, survive without being watered for so long and the weeds that grow up again! This little rose bush remained unplanted for a long time too. When finally planted, it was in a too shallow hole (which we've finally built up with more dirt a couple of months later! See, not gardners!) I know nothing about rose bushes and when they bloom, so had no idea if we would get a bloom(s) this year or not.

We were all presently surprised to find Quinn Michael's Peace Rose in first bloom when we got back from a camping trip on August 14th. The first pic is of the bloom as we found it. The next pic is of the Smith siblings, with the Peace Rose proxying for Quinn. The last pic is Quinn's rose in full bloom. Thanks Ed & Becky for this beautiful reminder of the blessing of our family member! Steve & I feel grateful to have co-created with God, another soul to serve praise, glorify and serve Him. We are blessed to have a family member in Heaven praying to get us all there - a task a little less daunting because of Quinn Michael's prayers for us.

Thank You to all who prayed for us, and continue to pray for us still. If you are reading this for the first time - please join us in prayer for healing for all those who have lost a child through miscarriage, after birth or to abortion, and for an end to abortion.

Happy BOOglie to You!

Let's get our Halloween juices flowing - especially with the Fall Frenzy Promotion Stampin' UP! is offering with some cute Halloween & Fall sets at 30% off with a $30 order! Contact me or check out http://www.stampinup.com/ for specific Fall Frenzy info (it will be out in my email newsletter too, when I get it done and sent!)

Both of these projects were created using the Booglie Eyes Stamp Set. The card was CASE'd from a Convention Swap that was shared on SUDSOL (no name was given). Also uses All Holidays, Background Basics, Word Window Punch on Glossy White, Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Green Galore & Lovely Lilac Card Stock. Images colored in using the Aquapainter and Stampin' Writes in colors matching the CS, plus YoYo Yellow for the eyes. There is a Booglie Eyes spider stamped inside above the "Happy Halloween". Don't you just LOVE the 'film strip' idea? It's the NEW SU! Spiral Punch! This punch is AWESOME! It has a built-in guide so your punches are perfectly lined up without eyeballing it! I thought it would be fun to put a verse on the inside about "Hope you win an Oscar for your costume this year!" or "Have you met my fiends, Oscar, Tony and Grammy?" What cute sayings can you think of for this adorable design? Post them in the comment section for all to enjoy!

The Popcorn Slider (can use hot chocolate too!) was designed by Tina Moore - it would make a perfect Halloween treat for your school classes, teachers and any other special trick-or-treaters in your life. The holder itself is just a half sheet of card stock! The One Sheet Wonder Technique, and Stampin' Around Wheels are PERFECT for these fast treat holders that work for party favors too!

Book a Halloween Stampin' Party with ME and we'll do projects just like these!

Happy September!

Celebrate September with a delightful mix of Stampin' Up! Ink Colors - like this Dare to Be Fabulous card by Michelle Ide. The Wild Wasabi and Purely Pomegranate say Summer is not completely over, while the River Rock and Groovy Guava hint towards a bright and lush beginning to Fall. The Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon slipped through a couple of Slot Punch holes is the perfect accessory to complete the lusciousness of the Fabulous Flowers & Itty Bitty Backgrounds Stamp Sets. Want to make these yourself? Contact me for the Dare to Be Fabulous Supply Shopping List.