2016 Calendar - April to June

Yes, I actually made 20 of these little paintings!  In August of 2015 I went to our local scrapbook show sponsored by CKC.  I've gone every year for the past 5 or 6 years.  The first few years I took classes - participated in swaps, etc.  Now because it takes place during the first 2 days of our school year, I just go to the vendor fair.

As I turned a corner around the vendor booths, I was met with a HUGE impressionist type painting of a basket with flowers.  (I LOVE LOVE LOVE the impressionist paintings!)  Of course, I had to watch a demonstration!  Since I already watercolor, the demonstrator gave me a bit of an advanced look at the technique.  I was HOOKED!  I love it so much - it ended up on the April calendar!
They are Art Impressions stamps, and though the company does all kinds of different stamp styles, this watercolor is by far my favorite!

The May wreath comes from something I saw on Pinterest.  I used the Martha Stewart branch punch so much, I recognized it right away!  Here's a flower wreath with some pretty pink flowers and bow for Mother's Day.

June was another difficult month for an idea this year - what to do?  School's out - Father's Day....  Dad's won!  I saw this cut on one of my new Cricut Cartridges.  Pen work, and some inking and details make this pretty cute!

Secret Garden Peek-a-Boo

This stamp set is called Secret Garden...  it's one of my new favorites.

Two main colors on this card, Pear Pizzazz, and Strawberry Slush with just a little white thrown in where it was needed.
The brown scallop behind the flower is Baked Brown Sugar.

 The flowers took some time - the base flower is whole, but the top flower was cut apart at its petals, reassembled, and the center added to lift the petals even more.

 I like these cards - the inside is already complete - just write your message.  It's like 2 for 1!  :)

I hope you enjoy these.  They're pretty cute!

Christmas in July 25

 July 25th.  It's now exactly 5 months to Christmas! 

True, I have a little Christmas every month with the Christmas card challenge, but I'm having lots of fun with this challenge I've set for myself - Christmas in July.

I had a different card planned for today, but since it was the 25th, I decided to make a Christmas tree.  It just seemed appropriate.

For the tree base, I used two triangles cut from the Perfect Pennant die and layered them to get the height I wanted, then the Lace Ribbon punch for the side borders.

You probably recognize how I made the tree...  it's pieces cut from the MS branch punch and layered... layered... layered!  I use this technique every year on the calendar project.

At the top of the tree, there's a triple bow, and star.  The tree lights come from the Cricut cartridge Christmas Cheer.  I usually cut MANY of these and store them in a baggie.  They are covered with Stickles as is the star.

Gotta love the Christmas trees!
Please enjoy.

Easter Cards 2013

 This stamp set is called Everybunny, and the wheel is Every Egg.

Truthfully, I didn't really consider this set for quite awhile when the catalog came out, but after looking at it and thinking of possibilities, I jumped in and ordered both.

The technique is called a Stair Step Card, and uses a Martha Stewart grass punch, as well as my Spectrum Noir markers.  LOTS of Spectrum Noir markers, as you will see. :)

The two bunnies and hot air balloons weren't so daunting, but when I stamped and started on the egg border, I almost didn't finish it - it took me 3 1/2 days of work to get all the egg borders colored.  On top of that, I fussy cut each one.  Just a comment about that - I really do love how the alcohol markers blend!  They give such pretty effects.

Why so daunting?  I made 7 of these cards for family members.  They went out in the mail this past week, so they should have arrived by now.

 The sentiment, Happy Easter is actually on the back - it just didn't quite fit on the front of the card! :)

Every Egg border (including the two individual eggs-cut off to fit card front)
HB1,2,3; CT1,2,3; CR1,2,8; PP1,2,4; TB1,2; LG1,2,3,4; TN1,2; and BT1,2.

The boy bunny:  TB1,2,6; CT1,2 LY1,3; LG2,3,4; HB1,2,3; BT1; PP1,2; and IG1
The girl bunny:  TN2,3; LY1,3; PP1,2; LG2,3; and BP 1
Hot Air Balloon:  HB1,2,3; PP1,2; TN1,2; LG1,2; PP2,3; BT3,4.

Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

2013 CD Case Calendars - September/October

 The fall of the year begins with September where I grew up, and we used to go apple picking almost every year.  It might have been a lot of work, but it was awesome having fresh crispy apples to munch on the way home!

 I used Stampin' Up as well as Kitchen Sink Stamps on this page - fall leaves and apples just seem to go hand in hand.  We've used this leaf technique before, and it is so impressive in person!

I still can't quite figure out why the October calendar always turns out so cool.... must be Halloween.  There are so many different images and icons to pick from.... I especially had fun with the two ghosts in the graveyard.  It's a Cricut cut, with an orange circle on the back, and a 1/4 inch circle glittered to look like the moon in the distance.  Of course, I had to include a Halloween kitty!


Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

2013 CD Case Calendars - January/February

 In a series of 6 posts are the 2013 calendars I make yearly with Mom.  It's a great bonding project as well as stretching my skills a little and always trying to come up with some new ideas.

I hope you enjoy them.

 Even if it doesn't snow in January, it sure seems cold enough that we should be able to enjoy the snow as well as dealing with the SUPER cold temperatures!

 I used a different heart design this year - the last 2 years I used the vertical hearts I like so much and decided to go with something different.  I hope you like it!



Please leave a comment. Thanks so much!

2012 Christmas Card Challenge - September!!

 

 Labor Day has just passed, and here we are, most of us are back in school already, and some are just starting up the school year 2012-2013.  Hopefully your year is GREAT!

The Christmas Card Challenge Theme for September is:  SHAPE Cards!

I thought of making it a Christmas Tree Shaped card, BUT there are so many awesome Christmas shapes out there, why limit your imagination!!??  Trees, Stockings, Gingerbread Men, Lights, Ornaments, OH I could got on FOREVER! :)

HERE is a link to the original post with all the rules.  

In short, make 6 cards based on the theme, link them here using the Linky at the bottom of the post by midnight on the 20th and get your friends and family to vote for your card creations!  Winners are announced on the 25th of the month, and I send out a prize package for your time and effort in participating.

Here are my shape cards for the month, with a link to a video tutorial on how to make them.

HERE is a link to the video from a Stampin' Up Demo, Melissa Stout who first posted this.  I watched it and LOVED it!  As you can see, my cards are a little different, but that's the fun!  CASE it, and make it your own.

As you can see, my cards are a little different from the video.  I forgot the peppermint candy, but will add it before I send them out.
I used DCWV patterened paper from one of their Christmas Stacks, and used Martha Stewart border punches in addition to my Stampin' Up punches.  The star was made with the new punch pack, and coordinating stamp set.

I hope you like the cards this month, I like them even more in person than on the video, and I LOVE that video!  Melissa did a fantastic job!

Remember to get your card creations entered in the Linky on/before September 20th at midnight, CST!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Halloween Kitty! Meow, Meow, MEEOOOOOOWWWWW

My Mother-In-Law is all of a sudden really crazy for anything Halloween - doesn't matter what time of year it is, she is always looking for Halloween items - trinkets, Kitties, etc.  You name it! :)

I saw this stamp in the new catalog, and put it right on my list.  In addition to loving kitties myself, I knew I'd use this for a super-cute card somehow, someway.

I was looking around online, and saw a version of this card, and knew I'd CASE it!

The kitty was stamped on white cardstock, embossed with black powder and heated, and then LIGHTLY - very very lightly, sponged to get the background color.  I tried stamping on gray, and then embossing, but the color was much too dark for my liking.

The background is white cardstock as well, but sponged!!!  Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie, Tangerine Tango, and Rich Razzleberry make that amazing evening sunset color.  I also used the new framelits for the Happy Halloween banner, and Martha Stewart's fence border punch for a kitty perch.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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2012 CD Case Calendars - My Annual Project/Gifts

These 3 months are among some of my favorites.

I don't know how October always ended up being the most elaborate in the past... it's not even my favorite holiday, but I have some awesome Cricut Carts with very cool Halloween things so that's how they got so busy. This year I wanted to keep it simpler... and it still turned out pretty cool! (IMHO) I found these adorable Cancer Ribbons at Michael's, and decided to include them on the October design. Did you notice that the spiderweb has black flecks on it?



I bought this Happy Thanksgiving stamp many years ago, and "lost" it! I searched everywhere for it, and finally remembered where I'd put it. Now I am always sure to keep it near, it's so SO pretty! I love the calligraphy type work on it.


This design took me over a week to complete. Mom and Dad had already left to go back home, and I needed to get these finished. I cut some striped Christmas paper I had for "wallpaper" behind the tree, and then made the fireplace. That's what took all the time! I then embossed and inked them and used the month for the fireplace grate. The stockings are Stampin' Up ink and punch in Brilliant Blue/Daffodil Delight, Riding Hood Red/Glorious Green, and Glorious Green, Riding Hood Red. Even with the fireplace design, I still had to include the Christmas tree! They were cut in half, and placed on the edge then the branches, lights, and stickles to finish.


I hope you've enjoyed the 4 posts including this year's 2012 calendars!

I'm already working on the designs for 2013!!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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2012 CD Case Calendars - My Annual Project/Gifts

Here are the next 3 months. Why am I posting them in 3 month increments? Experience. At the beginning, I would post all 12 months in one, and the labels section doesn't allow for as many characters as I needed, so I've broken them up into different sections, and don't have that problem any more.

I wanted to add some more flash to my July design this year, so I got out my Stand and Salute cart and found fireworks!!! We used the Cuttlebug and embossed the USA piece, and I added blue stickles to the country cut-out. It's only cut in white, and the red background shows through nicely for the red stripes. :)



I went crazy this summer over this color combination! I was playing one of my Facebook games, and came upon this color combo. LOVE it!!!
Turquoise, Yellow, Purple, Melon, and Peach. My dear friend Melissa LOVES the pineapple drink, so here it is!!! LOVE it in these colors!


Martha Stewart leaf punch makes up the border for September, and I found this stamp set from Stampin' Up on ebay. I watercolored them and inked the edges of the Decorator's Label punch. LOVE the falling leaves!


The last 3 months will post tomorrow morning! They are my favorites of all 12!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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2012 CD Case Calendars - My Annual Project/Gifts

Here are the next 3 months for the 2012 calendars.

I like to use the small Studio G stamps I got a few years ago to highlight the holidays in each month.

I also used the Ultimate Crafter's Companion to make the double bows on the April calendar, and Mom used it to tie the bows we put on the June calendar.



I really LOVE the Walk in My Garden cart. I use it so often and love the larger flowers as a single focus.


Here we used vellum to cut the flower pieces and stickles to highlight the flower center.


I am posting the next 3 months this afternoon!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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2012 CD Case Calendars - My Annual Project/Gifts

Here are the first 3 months of the CD case 2012 calendars.

This is the project Mom and I do together every year. When they come to visit after Thanksgiving, among all the other "stuff" we do the week they visit, we put together these calendars as gifts for family and friends. I like to think of it as a gift that "gives" all year 'round. I also have some very special people that I don't see as often as I'd like that receive these as special gifts because of my eternal gratitude for something they did, or their continuing friendship.

I use lots of Cricut Cartridges on these calendars every year as well as lots of my Martha Stewart punches and Stampin' Up ink, punches.



I use the vertical hearts cut from the Love Struck cartridge every year. I look at all the different designs, and always end up coming back to this one. It's a favorite!!!


I lent out one of my Cricut carts I wanted to use for this, so I found some stamps I'd bought on our travels, and used some very cute stickers I found. They shine and sparkle very nicely in the sunlight!


Stay tuned for the next 3 months tomorrow morning!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Birthday Cards and more...

Happy Birthday Mom!!!
Yes, a little late, but I will be seeing her soon, so I told her she had to wait for her cards... but it will be well-worth her waiting!! :)

The inspiration for this card came again from Jeannie Phillips. She's an amazing card designer from Alabama - and had some beautiful card designs on her blog.
All the background papers and cardstock are from Stampin' Up. I do love the Martha Stewart punch that makes grass!! Perfect for a flower pot base. :) The flower cut is from Walk in My Garden.



Stampin' Up has come with some new (AWESOME) punches!!! The center flowers here are from the Triple Blossom Punch. I used Daffodil Delight and Concord Crush for my colors... I do love purple and yellow together!! The ribbon is also 5/8" satin in Daffodil Delight. Rhinestones seemed the perfect addition for the flower centers.



Your comments are always appreciated!

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Father's Day, 2011

Our upline Stampin' Up Demo Kathy had this card for us at our May Stamp Club... it was SO SO CUTE! I was "done" for the night before this optional card came up, so I got the measurements and put some together this week.
When I got home, and looked at Splitcoast, I found the version Kathy used as her inspiration... but felt that it was WAY too busy!! The one Kathy came up with was MUCH better... and I just added the grass from my MS punch.

I know my sister will be thrilled with this when she sees it... she LOVES the heat embossing and the shiny surface it gives! :)

Your comments are always appreciated!

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2 Parties in One Day!!!

TWO parties in one day!! I think that's more than we've gone to in the past year! :)

The first one was a 2 year old's birthday party, which his Mama commissioned this banner. I used the Winter Woodlands cartridge for the lettering, ran them upside down through my Xyron, used my new (thank goodness I ordered it!) black Cosmo Stampin' Up glitter for each letter, then ran them back through the Xyron again to adhere to the banner. It wasn't difficult by far, but time consuming! WHEW!

Why these particular colors?? The party was themed for kids (obviously) with one of Ryker's favorite cartoons... Yo Gabba Gabba. After Shawnda showed me the characters, I tried to match the background papers to the characters.

:) Definitely worth it. She's a great friend that really appreciates my 'stuff'!!



Here's a closeup of one of the letters... the glitter showed up pretty well!!


Ryker's Momma is crazy for cupcakes... so here's the card I made for his 2nd birthday. It's from the Create a Critter cartridge.

I'm so excited to say that I FINALLY found a Happy Birthday cut on the Cricut I really like! I'll be using this one often, for sure!!


So later in the afternoon, we attended my husband's boss's Retirement Party. It was very well put together, and I was happy to finally meet him! Every time I went to the office, he was either busy on the phone or not there. They had a great PowerPoint over his years of service, and though I only had a hint that he liked to fish, I found out at the party that he REALLY LOVES to go fishing!!! This card turned out just perfectly!!!



After finally figuring out the Easel card technique, I really like it! It's a card, but also a nice display to look at!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Birthday Card for my Sister!

My sister Gail's birthday is at the very beginning of January,
and since I now have the opportunity to order Stampin' Up sets
early as a demonstrator, I fell in LOVE with this Build a Blossom set
and punch.

I know it's absolutely going to be my go-to stamp set for lots of occasions,
and even scrapbooks!!!

Can you tell her favorite color is purple?? It always has been purple, and she tells me all her desk accessories and things at her office are purple too! :)


I stamped the base of the flower in Lovely Lilac, and then Elegant Eggplant for the top layer of the 2 Step Stamping. I also used the Teeny Tiny wishes set (LOVE that one too!) for the sentiment on the front.
The pink flowers are stamped in Pink Pirouette, and Pretty in Pink for the top layer. The center of the flower is my go-to color, More Mustard.
The leaves were stamped in Certainly Celery and Wild Wasabi.

This is the inside view of the card.


You can order this stamp set from my Stampin' Up website starting January 4th, 2011, or contact me to order! Click on Shop Now at the top to browse products and place your order!


Your comments are always appreciated!

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2011 Calendars; Part 2 of 3 - and a Blog Hop!!

Here are the next 4 months...

I actually struggled with May the most! It's my very favorite month, but the 'page' just didn't look right. After adding some details, it ended up looking just fine!!!


The Happy Mother's Day Cut is from the Mother's Day cart, and Designer's Calendar cart for the May cut... We used the Martha Stewart Butterfly punch and a double bow to tie all the colors together. Can you see the daffodils in the background?


June definitely means Father's Day!! Three carts used on this page! Designer's Calendar, Wild Card, and Handy Man from the Cricut Lites. I didn't use my white pen as I meant to on the Happy Father's Day - there just wasn't time. Next time!!!


The July calendar used only 2 carts, but LOTS of techniques!! I used Designer's Calendar and Independence Day carts for the cuts, a double bow, and the color spritzer from Stampin' Up to spray red and blue speckles on the Freedom cut. We also used red stickles to highlight some of the hearts on the USA cut. Can you see the stars on the background??


August... Ah, summer!! How we look forward to the summer, and the swimming pool! As a kid we LIVED in our neighbor's swimming pool... what great memories!!
The August cut came from Designer's Calendar. The pool and Splish Splash came from the H2O Lite cart. I also used my Spellbinders Nesties to cut the background out of blue sparkle cardstock. No holidays in August to highlight, so a sun stamp right at the beginning!! Can you see the 'waves' in the background?

More info. on our Blog Hop on the 17th! It's COMING!

Click below on the Lime Light blog link to see Gracie's post about our upcoming event!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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More One-Sheet-Wonders for Mom's Stationery Box!

Good Morning!
Yes, it's really crazy-early, but I just couldn't sleep, and was here on the computer, so I thought I'd post some of the pictures I've been too busy lately to get on the blog.


This is the last set of the OSW cards I made with my Mom while she was here.


This set comes from the few days they were here on their way back from their month-long Arizona trip.




Please enjoy! There are LOTS of pictures!!

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