Halloween treat

I have some cards I made for the LSS. Here are a couple of them. The others I will have to retake. Even though I had the flash off, the stickers are lighted as though it reflected a flash.

State Meet woes

Our second fastest runner has broken his ankle!! The school has been needing a new track for some time now I guess and they finally got the vote to get one. Sooo...the kids are out running and there was a hole in the asphalt where the fork lift went into and JJ hit is and twisted his ankle. Everyone was hoping he would be ok, but after going to the dr. found out it's broken. This is tough on the guys as they had a good chance to place at state. They all seem to be cool with it and will still be going to do their best. The meet is tomorrow, so I will post some Halloween stuff I've been working on in the next post.

classes I'm doing

Auntie T asked me what classes I am teaching at the LSS for the Christmas promotion.
The first one is the snowman bookmark with matching card & envelope (I didn't get the envelope scanned with the picture as I thought of it afterward. I just added adhesive to the outside of the flap and adhered to the red polka dot paper to make it match-then brushed the edges of the envelope -front and back- with blue ink)
The other classes I am teaching is a mini coaster album (Beate did a tutorial for this on SCS you can click on resources to see it. I did mine different as I didn't want the accordian spine to show on the back side of each page. I will do a tutorial for this after my class), altered jar (I have some of these posted in a previous post), purse album (like the one I offered for blog candy, but in different papers), paperbag album (like the one I posted for sale, but had no offers-hope the class fills up) and a money envelope and matching card.
I will post these as I get them finished, but won't be posting the instructions until after each class.

1st day of Public School

We homeschooled Benjamin from K-8th grade and sent him to public school for the first time last year. Here is the page chronicling that.

We are State Bound!!

WOOHOO!! The boys got second at Districts!! -not sure how as they had the highest points they've ever had-but so happy for them!
Benjamin didn't do so good, but somehow his points helped us get second. After he ran, I could tell he was upset and worried he might have hurt the team's chances, but the coach was wonderful and told him not to worry. (he even didn't know if we qualified-said it will be really close) He told Benjamin that he was young and we still had a young team-that it wasn't his fault he was hurt a few weeks a go and there is always "next year". (he is a WONDERFUL coach!!) It was so nerve wrecking as they told the points of the teams starting with the bottom and working up. When they said 4th place I dug my fingers into Bruce's shoulder thinking they were going to say "Broken Bow" (top 3 teams qualify for state). Was so shocked when they didn't and didn't even say us for 3rd! Everyone was screaming and cheering when we were mentioned for 2nd (knew we didn't get first as Minden has a guy named Al who runs like the wind and looks like he could run forever and never get tired!-fun guy to watch run).
Anyway, so excited and Benjamin has another week to get back into shape after not running for 2.5 weeks. Will be exciting to see how the boys do at state. The girls are rated #1 and got first at the meet. Will be an exciting day next Friday!!

Okay, now I gotta get off and get some items made for classes I will be teaching in November for the local LSS's "12 Weeks of Christmas" promotion. Also have some cards and challenges I need to get done too. Got a cloudy, misty, cool (cold to the guys) day to work inside. But first I will post another page from Benjamin's scrapbook in the next post.

Snowman card & bookmark class

The local LSS is having "12 weeks until Christmas" classes. I will be teaching a few and this is the first one I will be teaching next week. It is a matching card and bookmark. The snowman's head on the bookmark slips over the page of your book. (kinda like the flower one I posted earlier)

The card will fit into a regular envy (3.75" x 6 3/8"). If you live close by I hope you will come and take the class. It is Thursday, Oct 18th at 6:30 pm.

On the Mend

I promised I would show some pages from Benjamin's scrapbook. I am a simple scrapper so this may not be much to some, but in order for me to get caught up and stay caught up, simple is what I have to do.

This is the first page in his high school scrapbook. He missed the first day of school (his very first day of public school!!) because he had to have his appendix out two days before.

Paper is Adorn it by Carolee's Creations-Lined Chalkboard

CS is Bazzil (red) , SU!'s Basic Grey (LOVE that color), and beige-unknown

Letters cut with Cricut, photo corners cut with SU! ribbon by SU & brads by Karen Foster

Blog candy winner

#13
Debbie!!!!! I've missed you! I too LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Fall! I love the gorgeous autumn colors mostly, I love the cooler air (I'm in Arizona now so the cooler temp is the best!!) I was married in the fall (Oct. 5) I love that my baby boy was born in the fall (Nov 14). I love warm, cozy comfort food - I love Thanksgiving. I loved Indiana in the fall (I sooo miss Indiana). I love scrapbooking fall pictures cuz I get to use those beautiful fall pattern papers that are out. Oh, and Halloween too....love Halloween cuz I love taking my kids trick or treating. Ok...I guess enough about what I love about fall. I'm glad to be able to catch up with you through your blog. Hugs,Paula Wade

Paula, I need your address. I had my son draw a number (still can't figure out that random.org site). Just e-mail me your addy and I will get some goodies sent along with this album to you. I haven't *talked* to you in *forever*. So glad you found my blog.

Blog Candy time extended

I wasn't even thinking when I posted that I would draw a number for the blog candy today at noon. I won't be home at noon!! Today is districts for x-country in North Platte and we are leaving in a little bit to attend.
It is a very exciting day as we have a really good chance at qualifying for state in both the boys' and girls' team!! The girls are rated #1 and the boys are rated #5, but we plan to surprise them and qualify for state. (have to be in the top 3 to do that)
The coach didn't let Benjamin run in SWC (southwest conference) last week because he needed his time today. He hasn't run (competitively) in almost 3 weeks, so I hope he does well today. We won't get home til later tonite so I will draw a name in the morning.

Blog Candy time

edited: finally I was able to upload the album (see below).

I have been so busy lately with hosting a crop and then attending one this past weekend (wonderful time had by all!!), that I missed noticing I have over 20,000 hits! Wow! How did that happen?

This past weekend when I attended the scrapbook retreat I did some serious thinking while cropping (well part of the time anyway Ü). I really want to spend more time scrapbooking and making papercrafts and less time on the internet (which takes ALOT of time since we have dial up!!), so I decided to drop from some groups I'm in. I also want to give more time to my blog sharing not only the items I make, but using it as a type of diary for friends and family too. So I have dropped from the groups as of this morning and hope that gives me more time doing the things I want to do. I have also been working on some design team submissions and hope some day that someone out there likes my work enough to ask me to join. Ü

Okay, back to the blog candy. I love fall and taught this fall purse album at my crop. I will also include some other fun fall items (not sure yet what they are Ü) with this purse album. What do you have to do to enter? Tell me your favorite thing about fall. As you probably have heard me say repeatedly, I LOVE fall! I love everything about it! The cooler weather, the sights (gorgeous colors start to show now), the smells (cider, pumpkin, s'more's over a fire), the sounds (crispy leaves beneath my feet-got to kick in some at the camp this weekend Ü)-cheers at ball games and x-country meets, and the tastes-soups, chowders, cider, and anything pumpkin. Ü Those are just a *few* of my favorite things, what are yours? Leave me a post by Thursday noon CST and I will pick a number randomly for the winner.

Here it is closed:
and opened: (there are 3 colors for the inside; green, rust and yellow)

Paper Bag Album

for sale!! I had someone ask me if I sell any of the projects I post. I guess if they weren't for anyone in particular and I still have them, just e-mail me and I will make a deal with you. So here is an item that IS for sale. This fun paperbag album is ready for you to add pictures to. I have considered trying to sell items like this on E-bay, but that just seems like too much work. So I am going to try it somewhat like E-bay. The beginning bid is $19.95. Since I will be gone all weekend, you can all post bids here until Monday, 12:00 noon CST. The last bid by that time will be the winning bid. I will then contact you for your mailing address and give you mine for you to send payment to. I will only accept money orders (unless you live here and I know you Ü). Shipping will be $4.60. I will mail it priority in a protected bag. So without further ado, here is the album...

Every page has sewing on it and is distressed with dark brown ink. The papers used are high quality acid free papers ready for you to add your favorite pictures to. On the tag on the front you can add a picture, monogram or saying. If you would like a monogram added with coordinating paper, I will do this for you for no extra cost. (you can click on each picture for a larger view) page 1 has a pull out tag that you can add more pictures to or journaling.

Here is a view with the tag pulled out.pages 3 & 4...pages 5 & 6...pages 7 & 8... on page 7 you can untie the ribbon to add journaling or more pictures inside and page 8 with the tag removed from the pocket pages 9 & 10with the tag lifted out of the pocket on page 10 here is a picture of the 3 tabbed inserts. The backs also have coordinating patterned paper and stitching.

Ugly card (?)

I joined a secret sister group on SCS and we were to make a card with the hostesses least favorite color (cameo coral) and our little sis's (the person I am suppose to send things to) least favorite (yellow). Nothing is harder for me than to make an ugly card and send it. I don't like wasting my time and supplies on something that is *suppose* to be *ugly*. So I did everything I could to make this a non-ugly card, but still using the colors I was suppose to use. I really do like how it turned out and hope my little sis does too. I stamped the petals, cut them out, sponged the edges with cameo and then again with saffron.

Supplies:

CS: SU! cameo coral, white, so saffron

Ink: cameo coral & so saffron

Stamps: paisley background & Pick a Petal

other: brads-lg one is Spare Parts, small ones -JoAnn Fabrics; cameo piece is embossed w/ paisly design-embossed a bunch of pieces when I stayed w/ my SIL and I don't know the company.

Going pink for October

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I have been affected by this cancer through family and friends. The first being grandma who was diagnosed over 10 yrs ago. She was a survivor and my hero. Grandma's cancer is what got us into rubberstamping. Grandma was very creative and after her masectomy it was very hard for her to do much with her arm and seemed to be going thru depression. I had just learned about rubber stamping and showed it to her. She didn't think she would be able to stamp an image, so I asked her if she thought she could color. She said she did and I stamped a BUNCH of images for her. We colored them together and made them into cards. Then I hooked my aunt and we started meeting once a month to make cards and the rest is history. Ü

10/5 Blog Challenge

I am posting a day early as I will be packing to head off for Maranatha's Scrapbook crop this weekend. Alissa and I will be leaving around noon and meeting Teresa, Deanna (who said I WAS going Ü) and Amy. Last year just as I was getting into it, it was time to go!! Here is the last page I made which falls into this week's category: Orange and Black I am hoping to finish this 6 x 6 album (this is only page two!!) and get caught up on Benjamin's high school album. The boys & I love going to Pumpkin Patches and I have so many pictures of our favorite The Scarecrow Patch that I wanted to make an album just for that.

Supplies used:

paper-Bazzil and unknown patterned

ribbon: Wal-Mart

pumpkin: Cricut-Doodle Charms

other: eyelets-unknown (just asked around to see if anyone had any TINY black eyelets and a gal let me have two-wish I could find these somewhere!), ink for distressing and cheeks on pumpkin

I'm still here and update on Benjamin

WOW! Time sure does fly by fast!! I can't believe it's October already. I am loving the cooler nights though and the trees turning colors. I even got to kick thru some leaves last nite-one of my favorite fall things to do. Ü

I apologize for neglecting my blog and posting. I have rec'd e-mails asking if I'm ok and how Benjamin is doing. For those who don't know, he was hurt at the Kearney meet. He has Morton's Neuroma and thankfully it was caught early. After physical therapy and orthotics in his shoes, he is running without pain, but the coach chose to keep him out of the Southwest Conference today to be SURE. Districts are next week and Benjamin still qualifies even though he won't run today. I am sad to not be able to see him run, but thankful as it was going to be a 8 hr round trip to see him run 18-19ish minutes!! He will still go with the team, but just won't run. The coach is needing his points in districts for us to hopefully qualify for state and didn't want to take a chance of him being hurt today or he would be done for the rest of the season. Benjamin is being pretty cool about it. I am so proud of him and how well he has been doing.

I will be leaving tomorrow to scrap with some friends thru Sunday. I am hoping to get quite a bit done and have some scrap blog fodder to share when I get back! Ü I will show you a page that I did last fall at the same crop in the next post as it qualifies for this week's blog challenge. Ü

9-21 Friday Challenge

I have not been able to get on my blog so this is a day late. "Embossing" was this week's challenge. This could be with embossing powder, dry embossing with templates or any other kind of technique for an embossed image. Stamped image is by Inky Antics, embossed image is Cuttlebug.

Don't forget to click on the members on the left to see what the other gals did for this challenge.

Thank you

for all the comments and e-mails I rec'd with notes of encouragement after grandma died. I've been in a funk, but gotta get moving, because I have a crop I host twice a year and the fall one is next weekend! I'm not ready for the classes I'm going to teach and need to get busy.
I have so many wonderful memories of grandma. With the exception of 15 months when I lived in Michigan (and they came to see me), I have never lived more than 30 miles from her and grandpa. (which is now, but growing up it was around 15 miles)
I wrote a tribute and read it at the funeral (ok, cried thru most, but can't believe I actually was able to do it!). Growing up we would get to stay 1-2 weeks at grandpa and grandma's farm and she taught me so much-sewing, knitting, crocheting, cooking, baking, and whatever the current popular craft was at the time. When I graduated from high school, we took ceramic classes together on Thursday nites. We painted sooooo many figurines! We even took a Hummel© ceramic class. I gave all of mine as gifts and wish I had at least ONE to show for all the painting we did! Ü
Here is the tribute that I wrote. After reading it, it seemed sooooo short! But to tell everything about grandma would be to still be there reading.
As some of us worked on the memory board for grandma and later here at the funeral home, we talked of our memories of her and here is just a very few we wanted to share…

When we decorated the funeral home, we wanted it in such a way so that when you all walked in here it clearly said GRANDMA! The pictures indicate the love grandma had for each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren, the afghans you see are the ones she made for each grandchild and great grandchild. She also made each of us a quilt. Grandma loved to keep her hands busy and loved crafting of all kinds. I remember going to grandma’s farm every summer and being taught to sew, knit, crochet, cook, bake, and crafts of all kinds. I’m sure that Nancy and Susan were taught the same things as well.

Even though grandma taught me most of what I know, I was able to teach her rubberstamping. Karen, Grandma & I would get together once a month to make cards and papercraft gifts. When they could, Susan, Nancy, Alissa, mom and Cathy would join us. Many of us and others have been blessed to receive a handmade card from grandma. She had a chest of drawers FULL of cards she had made.

The “B” word-BORED was NEVER allowed! That was one of the worse words you could ever let grandma hear you say. When we stayed with her, she always had activities for us (and the great grandchildren too) to do. She made even chores seem like fun. If she ever heard you say “bored”, she would say “only a boring person is bored” and then would tell you that there is “ALWAYS something to do and you should never be bored”.

We remember taking turns staying with grandma and grandpa in the summer and going to Omaha in their truck when they sold cattle. It was the highlight of our summer as we got to stay in a motel, ride the elevator and escalator at the mall. Grandma would pack a sack full of goodies and every town we went through, she would give us something from the sack-a piece of candy, a little toy to play with or a picture to color.

After grandpa and grandma moved to the nursing home, she still would never be “bored”. She crocheted blankets for dad and Karen, made doll blankets for the great grand daughters and started making baby hats to be given to the babies born in the hospital. A couple of weeks ago when I visited her, she was so excited because she got to see a hat on a baby and a nurse took a picture of the baby with one of grandma’s hats. She loved getting visitors and told me recently how blessed they were because so many of us lived close by and could visit often. She felt bad for those in the nursing home who had no one to visit them.

Grandma and grandpa’s eyes would lighten up especially when the great grandkids would visit. Grandma would always ask about them, what they were doing, how they were doing in school and sports and even got to see some of them perform or play.

Grandma loved jelly beans and I don’t think there was ever a time that there wasn’t a jar or candy dish no matter where they lived that there wasn’t jelly beans that she would share with us, except….Jelly Bellys! Grandma loved those and would hoard them and those she didn’t share. I bought grandma 8 bags of them for her birthday. She took a pair of scissors and snipped the corner just enough so they would come out one at a time and offered me one. And I do mean ONE. She then shook 5 or six in her hand and slipped the bag behind her. I did learn that she did share a couple with Trevor when he went to visit, because they were “just his size” and learned just today that she shared several with Nancy because “no one would know”.

As we talked about Monday, we all agreed that it was a miracle from God. Monday was grandpa and grandma’s 69th wedding anniversary. Most of us were able to come and celebrate the evening with them. The first thing grandma said to me was that she got to put a hat on a baby. She was so excited and her face was beaming. Many times when we visit them, grandpa doesn’t know us or even grandma and when he talks we can rarely understand his mumblings. But that night, not only did he recognize some of us, acknowledge that he knew it was their anniversary, but he talked clearly. He even joked and laughed with us. As I was feeding grandpa cake and ice cream, I mentioned to grandma that grandpa was doing really well. She said “yes, I am so thankful that he is like this today”. Then grandpa asked me when he was going to get another bite as I was holding the spoon full of ice cream and talking to grandma and not paying attention to him. If you all know grandpa you know how much he likes his ice cream!

So on Monday, most of us have a wonderful memory of grandma laughing and having a good time with her loved ones and grandma received a wonderful time with the man she loved for over 69 years.

As we were looking through Grandma’s things for something to share at the funeral, we found her Bible and a diary. Another memory I have is grandma always writing something in her diary every night. She might just write what the temp was, what they did, or who visited. She always wrote, “I did this, Cline did this, or we did this”. But the last entry was Monday night and it was written completely different. It was as though she knew it was her last entry, because it was written to us the family…

“Sept 10, 2007
Saturday, September 10th sixty nine years ago your dad & mom, grandpa & grandma, great grandpa & grandma were married in a trailer home of a minister in Taylor, Nebr. A Church of God minister married us. I had a navy dress trimmed in lace and grandpa had a charcoal suit. When we got to Taylor and to the court house to get our marriage license we couldn’t get a marriage license because I was just 17. I had to be 18 by law so I was 5 months short. We had to drive back to Gates and have my parents Carl & Antonia Squier sign a paper that they consented to our marriage so by 2:00 after having a lunch with Kenneth & Alice Lemon we were married and headed back to Sargent. We stopped in Sargent to get some candy bars in case we were shivered and no candy bars to give out. Then we went to Allen Millsap’s to do their chores for them. They went to Minnesota for Irma to see Dr. Ford about a health problem she had. So we stayed at their place to do chores. We fixed our supper at their place and stayed at their place several days till they got back, then moved into Ford Place that Merlin’s moved out of.
Sunday it rained most of the day. We and the Millsap family all went to my parent’s place East of Gates for dinner. We (Cline & I) went back to Allen’s place to do chores and stay over night.
Monday after chores we helped Merlin and Fern, Jimmy & Dona Kay move to a place they bought in Somerford. We had a bed dresser (chest) set and a kerosene stove but didn’t like it so Sears took it back and we got wood. Cline’s dad gave us a big Aladdin lamp and my parents gave us a set of dishes."

This picture was taken Monday nite when we celebrated g'ma and g'pa's anniversary. I love you grandma and will miss you so much!

very sad...

Yesterday I took Benjamin to meet the bus at my brother's and as I was leaving my brother waved me down and said the hospital had called dad to say gr'ma was unresponsive (gr'ma was in a nursing home connected to the hospital). I told him to call Bruce and let him know I was going on to the hospital. By the time I got there, gr'ma had already passed away. They are saying it was a massive stroke.
I was in town most of the day and will be gone today for Benjamin's meet and then tomorrow, cousins are going to get together to make a memory board. Funeral is Saturday. I won't be on line for a few days.
I have wonderful wonderful memories of gr'ma and will share some of them with you all later.

WANTED

inside says: "to wish you a happy birthday"

Help! I am scaring myself here!!!!!! Anyone who knows me knows I am soooooo NOT a western person! I do NOT like country music and have never liked any thing western and now I am ordering western stamps, western paper from Cosmo Cricket and SU! and loving the western look. *gasp* I think it may be because it's also shabby chic looking which I do LOVE! Anyway here's my cowboy! Ü Had to add a little sewing to give an even more distressed look. I stamped him in basic grey ink (for a softer look with watercoloring) Not fond of the turquoise jeans (thought I was grabbing not quite navy). In my defense I am blaming Beate and Debbie Olson Ü for the sudden interest in *western* stamped art! Ü (be sure to ck their blogs for some AWESOME cards with a western flair).

Supply list:
stamps: Inky Antics
paper/cs, brads, watercolor crayons, inkpad: SU!
watercolor paper: unknown
other: sewing machine

Friday Blog Challenge #11

challenge: use the layout on page 12 of the Holiday Mini (star card)

This challenge was much easier for me. I needed a thank you card to get in the mail today and had this idea in my head. It pretty much came out like I was thinking.

supply list:

Stamp set: True Friend by SU! I stamped the "thank u" and then with a q-tip took the ink off of the brackets

papers by SU!, Karen Foster, Basic Grey and newsprint paper unknown-came in a paper pack I got once and had never used

ink & jute: SU!

metal stars had prongs on them: unknown

large star: cut with Cricut using George cartridge @ 3.5". I cut 3 of scrap cardstock and one of the Basic Grey to immulate chipboard.

Cool Bookmark idea

I got this idea from here. Thank you Mary Jo for sharing this fun project. I love to read and can never have enough bookmarks. Ü I made mine different because I didn't have the scallop punch or the big eyelets. So I cut the flower on blackout option from the Cricut using the George cartridge. I cut 3 from white cardstock at 2.5" and 1 from the patterned paper. Instead of holding it together with an eyelet, I used a jumbo brad by Heidi Swapp. The patterned paper for the large flower is from the Cutie Pie paper kit by SU! Also from SU!, I used the canvas stamp, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip ink and for the little flower under the brown brad I used Big Flowers stamp set.

I am always needing fun quick *craft* ideas for our ladies group at church once a month. I think this will be fun to do at one of the meetings.

Here is a view of the bookmark on a page in a book to show you how it works.

Friday's Blogger Challenge

was to use the layout in the current SU! catalog on page 92, the train. This was sooo hard for me as I do not like that card! (understatement here Ü)Here is what I came up with...I used new papers from SU!. The "happy" is cut with Cricut cartridge Stamped. Be sure to ck out what the others gals did. You can find their blogs on the left.

Raggedy Doll

I was "talking" to Anna via blogging/e-mail. Her post here reminded me of all the craft shows I used to do. Unfortunately, I only have one doll to show for all those years of work! This gal is definitely time worn! Kinda like I feel sometimes. LOL! The fabrics were tea granules-dyed and then hung on the line to give it a more shabby look. I also tea dyed an old doily and used an old button. You can't see it in the picture, but she also has a patch on her dress and bloomers. The lighting isn't too good today, but here is a pic of her and here is where she sits in my antique cupboard. You can see that I also like old things...spools, books, blocks (still need a "b" and "e" to finish spelling out my name), glasses, doilies (the top doily gr'ma made), toys, etc as well as Boyd Bears © (thank you Gloria Ü)

Too Funny!

If you are a mom and you've EVER taken kids to the store, you just gotta read this...this is just too funny! Be sure to not be eating or drinking at the computer when you read this or you WILL spew on the screen. I laughed sooo hard!

Get Punchy Friday Blog Challenge

For this week we were to use punches. This week has been very busy with cross country and Benjamin's birthday, parent meetings, etc that I am pulling a card from the archives. WOOHOO! Benjamin made varsity. They took the best times from the top 10 and he was 3rd. His first meet is next Thursday.

This card was using scraps and the 3 flower punch from SU! Be sure to check what the other gals did. You can find there blogs from the list on the left side.

Blogger's Challenge #8

This week's challenge was "Inspiration". We were to find something that inspires us-clothing, magazine ad, color, anything-and design a card.

I came across this ad in a Family Circle magazine and the colors intrigued me. I would never have thought to put these colors together and I love the combo! I will definitely be using these together again! The colors I used were SU!'s Old Olive, Cool Caribbean (retired), So Saffron, and Really Rust. I added the black brads for the black shown in the photo. I used Paisley on the rust and Canvas on the olive to represent the textures in the photo. On the pillow on the chair there is a rick rack edging, so made that look in caribbean with photo corners. Here is a look at the back of my card to see how I lined them up. (you can also see what I first tried on the rust and decided I didn't like it so went with the paisley Ü)

Be sure to click on the gals on the left under blogger's challenge and see what inspired them this week.

Inky True Friend

The background for this card was made using 3 different Inky Antic clear stamp sets. The verse and photo corners are SU!

Blogger's Challenge for 8/3

I was on "vacation", so wasn't able to get this one done last Friday. Even though it's late, I really wanted to do it as it was my suggestion AND I love this layout. The challenge was to use the card on page 165 in the current SU! catalog as a sketch challenge. I knew I wanted to do flowers. I really wanted to make it just like the photo but with different colors, but didn't have any metal edged circle tag. So I went with a different direction. The green flower is on the ribbon instead of the brads. I like things in uneven numbers and the 2 flowers bothered me. (insert rolling eyes)

I used SU!'s Spring Flowers designer paper and Big Blooms stamp set which is also retired. Oh yeah the "wish" is retired too. The brads are from JoAnn Fabrics. Unfortunately, it comes in a set of brown, lavendar and green and I am using up all the browns! Ü Anyway I think on another post I mentioned how much I enjoy sewing on CS. The flower image has dots in a circular pattern on the inside of the flower, so I french-knotted them in embroidery floss (from my cross stitch days) to match the ink. Sponged all the edges with Chocolate Chip ink, added the ribbon that I rec'd from some blog candy I won awhile back.

You all probably know/do this, but in case there is someone who doesn't, here is an easy way to get a nice "knot" with ribbon...

1. attach ribbon to the back of your card with adhesive (note: do NOT add adhesive to the front. I also make card fronts and then add them to white cardstock from Wal-Mart to save money on the colored cs/patterned paper)

2. Cut a piece of ribbon 3.5" - 4" (depending on how long you want the "tails" and slip through the ribbon attached to the card

3. Tie into a knot and trim the ends.

In Memory of Kim

This is a bag I made for the Fillmore County Relay For Life in memory of my friend Kim who lost her battle to cancer on Christmas last year. There is a second pic of the bag on the track. Bags are made by people who donate to the ACS in honor or memory of someone. You then get to decorate your bag and they line them up around the track at the high school. They put candles in them and light them at nite to walk by (7 pm to 7 am). I wasn't able to stay to see the bag lit (that's why there are holes punched in it).

SU! Party cards

As mentioned in the previous post I went to a SU! party with a friend of Vicki's. I think it's been about 4 years since I've been to an actual party!! (I've been to a workshop, but not a party) These are the 3 cards that we made. Of course I had to "grunge" everything to make it my own. Ü It was fun using new products from SU! and using stamp sets that I don't own.

This first card is 3" x 6". It is to fit the long envelopes that I don't have. I wish she would have given us an envelope to stamp to go with it, but I'm sure the idea was to buy them Ü I'm just going to put it in a regular envy that you mail your cks/bills in. This was my least favorite card of the 3. We stamped the white panel first with green using a leaf wheel and then rolled over it w/ rose red using a flower wheel. I rolled over the punched flower cuz I thought it was too plain and "grunged" all the edges. If I were doing this myself I would sponge the edges, but didn't have my sponges with me, so just used the edge of the ink pad.

For this next card we were only to put glitter on four spots on the butterfly, but I put it on all the white circles and the dots at the end of the antennae. The gal mounts all her stamps at the bottom of the wood block. That was kinda weird for me as I like mine center mounted so I don't "rock" the block. I don't like that the verse is crooked, but I do like the card. We used new SU! in colors Purely Pomegranate and Blue Bayou. For the white doodling, she just showed to add dots, but I added a few dashes as well. I think I am going to stamp a different saying a cover up the crooked one. Ü

This is my FAVORITE!! If you know me at all, you know why...favorite colors and favorite time of year...FALL!!! Ü For this card I again added the "grunging", ribbon and pop dots behind the leaf panel. I don't have any of these sets/stamps and loved making this card! I will DEFINITELY be getting some of those big eyelets! I can see using these in boys' scrapbooks.

I'm Home

The boys & I took my nephew home (2.5 hr drive one way) Thursday morning and stayed til Saturday afternoon. The boys had a lot of fun. A friend of my SIL's came over Thursday nite to stamp/scrap, but we ended up sharing ideas and visiting til 11 pm, so met again the next day to actually do something. I still didn't get much done, but got lots of ideas.
My SIL was busy working on the walk for a cure (for the American Cancer Society). People decorate white bags for a loved one that is going thru cancer or has lost the battle to cancer. They line these up around the track at the high school and people are on teams and walk from 7 pm to 7 am (Sat/Sun). They put candles inside and light them so that they glow at nite. I wish I could have seen this, but we needed to get home. I made one for my friend Kim that I will post tomorrow.
On Saturday, I went to a SU! party. It was lots of fun. Been a LONG time since I've been to a SU! party!! We made 3 cards that I will post tomorrow. Trying to get caught up on my e-mails now.