One Sheet Wonders - Thank You Cards

We just finished up our state testing this week, and had many volunteers from the community come to help us monitor testing in each of the classrooms. I made these
cards to send as Thank You cards. They gave up part of their day (or in some cases many days) to help us out at the school. These were just a small token to show how grateful we were that they could help us out.

Our principal, the other test coordinator and I each wrote a small note of thanks in the cards, and I delivered them Friday... and have just a few more to deliver this week.
















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Teacher of the Week April 18 - 22, 2011

I generally don't talk much about my job/career here on my craft blog, but I wanted to share this. It's a great pat on the back we really need... especially since we found out just yesterday that our school is one of 14 that is being closed in the district I work in. What will happen to us?? I don't know. Ya veremos, like my husband always says. :)

Teacher of the Week is something our principal began this year... it's been really GREAT! Each week, the TOW gets their name on the MB in our lounge, and we get to write comments about that particular colleague.

This week was my week as Teacher of the Week. I loved all the comments so much! They mean very much to me - I really try to be a resource of ideas and materials for the teachers on my campus... and help the kids as much as I possibly can.

Click the picture for a screen-sized view.


Your comments are always appreciated!

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2 Special Cards; Confirmation & Sympathy

I had these two cards pending in addition to some other projects I'm working on... and had to get them out in the mail!

My cousin's wife was just confirmed this past Sunday, and this is the card I sent.


here's the inside view. I embossed both crosses with black embossing powder. The cross on the front got some color added with my SU markers, and the cross on the inside was ornate enough to need no other embellishments.


My dear friend from High School's mother died recently, and I made this card for her. Lots of pastel marker work, some Stickles highlights, and some pretty purples finished out this card for her.





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Stampin Up Club Cards - February 2011 and Tax Free Stamp Camp!

The first two cards are from our February Stamp Club meeting! I had these on my work table and just HAD to show them off!! Kathy does such a great job with techniques and tips and tricks for us!! THANKS, Kathy!!

Gotta LOVE SU's bird punch... it's so versatile!


This is a fantastic technique... Color Resist!


Now for the Tax Free Spring Stamp Camp!

We met this past Friday night, April 15th... for a GREAT night of fun, stamping, and projects!!

Isn't this bunny absolutely adorable? He was lots of fun to put together, and makes an adorable basket for small candy!


We used the Blossoms Punch for this card - Dogwood flowers! The browns and greens are perfect together for this pretty, pretty card!


This milk carton is cut from a Big Shot die - with thick window sheets!


And now... last but not least! A Spring Banner! Here you see mine on the wall in my Cricut (Craft) room. Patterned paper, pastel solids, letters, and pink ribbon.... what a pretty project!



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"Hankie, the Hamburger Beggar"

So my husband decided he wanted hamburgers from McDonald's instead of Fuddruckers (as I suggested earlier).... so he made a quick burger run, and we sat down to watch the newest Harry Potter movie.

Hank smelled the food, and just HAD to investigate!

"Hamburgers are bad for kitties!"


Hank wasn't dissuaded so quickly!!! He was really ready to pounce for a bite of my husband's burger!!!

"HEY! I told you! Hamburgers are BAD for kitties!!"

and finally, Hankie gave up... poor kitty!



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Birthday Cards

Here are two birthday cards I made recently.

I've been having a good time taking 'old' stamps, and using them with new punches! It seems to give them new life, and makes the cards more interesting.

I'm also LOVING the new ribbon technique! Tying bows on cards doesn't always fit with the style, but running this line of ribbon really adds something elegant to the card. I find myself using it QUITE often! Plus, you can use those small ends that can't be tied into bows, and don't fit around the card bases! :) What a great way NOT to waste the ribbon!!


I really LOVE my Kitchen Sink roses stamps! They fit perfectly for any occasion!


Your comments are always appreciated!

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Waterfall Video from the Smoky Mountains

I took this video of one of the many, MANY waterfalls we saw while in the Smoky Mountains.

I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS, AND THE WATERFALLS!


I have LOTS of pictures of our trip on the next post... keep scrolling!
Thanks!


Your comments are always appreciated!

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Spring Break 2011 - Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee!

We spent the week of Spring Break 2011 in Gatlinburg, Sevierville (Severe ville) and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee which are all right in the Smoky Mountains!
I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS!!!!

Here's a view of the outside of our timeshare... the property was gorgeous!!!

Here's the view off our back porch... look down, there's a stream!

Here' the inside view of our cabin in the woods. All the modern conveniences, but SO beautiful in the mountains!!!
I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS!!!!!

Here's my husband... we drove through here every day... even in the spring with the trees just starting to get their leaves, it was SO pretty!!

The Great Smoky Mountains. It had rained that morning, and we canceled plans to go into N. Carolina - but instead drove up to Clingman's Dome that day. It was TOO foggy to see anything!!!

OH, the waterfalls!!!! The were everywhere! Driving along the road it was a surprise to look over, and there was a waterfall just back in a little recessed area.

This is a place called "The Sinks". It's very dangerous, so no swimming! It was a really amazing place for listening to the water, and taking pictures. Why is it called The Sinks? Because on the left, where the water drains from the stream, there's a huge hole... a meander, and then the stream makes a 90 degree turn!

Another view of The Sinks...

OH! Another waterfall!
I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS!! AND WATERFALLS!!! :)

I walked a long distance for this one down the road... it was WAY back, and this is even a telephoto shot!
I LOVE WATERFALLS!




I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS!!! (Have I said that yet??)

Here we are, trying to get to Clingman's Dome - it was closed! The first day we drove up, we found out that it was closed... but couldn't see anything because of the fog. The 2nd time we drove up, we found out that it was closed until March 31st!!! We were too early! :(


This is a picture of Cades Cove. It's an 11 mile drive right in the midst of the Smokies...

He never moved!!! We took the picture, and drove past him... and a family drove right near and took a picture with the kids in the foreground...


Well, here I am! One of the FEW pictures I like of myself....
I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS!!!!!

We spent one day in N. Carolina at the Biltmore... what an AMAZING place! It was totally worth it... Thanks to Dad for allowing me to have his Audio tour! It wouldn't have been the same without it!!!
You can see my parents in this picture... the are walking towards the mansion/castle.. in a blue coat, and brown/white vest.

Here they are! Mom wanted to go to this restaurant called Bullfish. Food was GREAT! Service was FANTASTIC!!

I'm so happy they are able to come with us on our trips.


Your comments are always appreciated!

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The Liebster Blog Award!!

The Liebster Blog award is given to bring new blogs to light. It's a great way to share blogs that might not otherwise be seen or ones you want to share with others.

As a recipient you must share the love and pay it forward by:

1. Creating a post where you blog about the Liebster award & reveal your 3 - 5 blog picks.
2. Let them know you chose them
3. Copy & paste the blog award on your blog
4. Have faith that your followers will rally & show their crafty love back out to those you awarded
5. Have fun !

I am pleased to honor 3 - 5 others to bring awareness to other wonderful blogs!

1. Sonya at Appel Quilling Garden
2. Shirley at Okieladybug's Scrap N' More
3.Mary at Kreates Kards

Please check these sites out and give them some love. Their blogs are full of creativity and talent. Thank you all for sharing this talent and giving me inspiration.

Sue V.

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Branson Regional Stampin' Up Swap Card!

This is the swap card I made for today's Stampin' Up Regional Event in Branson, MO! I ended up with 53 of them! I can't wait to see what the other demonstrators have for swapping!

I used two stamp sets, and only 4 inks for this card!
Stamp Sets:
Awash with Flowers
Thanks for Caring (2011 Occasions Mini)
Ink:
Concord Crush
Regal Rose
Wild Wasabi marker for the leaves
Going Grey for the flowers.
Punches/Dies:
Sizzix Embossing Folder; Framed Tulips
Sizzix Top Note Die
Decorative Label Punch
Ribbon:
Victoria Crochet Trim 5/8 "
Stampin' Dimensionals
Glue Dots

The flowers are stamped with the Concord Crush and Regal Rose inks, and the Sympathy piece punched with the Decorative Label is double inked with both colors.

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Five Question Friday!! - February 18, 2011

1. Have you worn the same outfit more than one day in a row?
Yes, I have. 1. Only when the clothes are clean, and 2. Only when I'm doing something completely different from the day before. :)

2. If you had to choose any LARGE city to live in, which would it be?
HOUSTON, TX!! I lived there for 2 years, 2004 to 2006, and LOVED it! So many activities... Broadway shows, top restaurants, AWESOME Chinese food, lots of cultural activities, and the traffic, but that never bothered me. :)

3. Fly or drive with the kids on vacation?
Drive! When I was a kid, we always drove for vacations, and now, though we have no kids of our own, we still drive everywhere in the states.

4. What is your idea of "spring cleaning"?
Hmmmmm 1. Clean all the windows; inside and out (one story house). 2. Wipe down all the blinds with a weak bleach solution. 3. Run the Kirby with the shampoo attachments around the areas that need some deep cleaning. 4. Sort through boxes and make donations to Goodwill - get rid of things we haven't used/don't need. 5. Vacuum the mattresses.

5. What is the best book you have ever read?
The Mummy by Anne Rice I can't tell you the number of times I've read this book.
Wait Til Helen Comes - a children's book I always read to my classes... it's a ghost story, and they LOVE it!

Your comments are always appreciated!
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Two Requested Baby Cards

Hey there!! Here I am, still snowbound in Okielandia!! SO many days with schools closed, and I'm just happily playing around my craft room.

When Mom was here in December with our yearly calendar project, she had a chance to look through some of the cards we made during club this year, and LOVED the quilted card. Click HERE for the link to the original card. Not so strange that she'd love it since her thing is making actual quilts (and winning awards for them).

Since she had a shower to attend in April, she requested one card of each.. a girl and a boy card. With Sale-A-Bration going on, I was able to get the baby bear stamp set free, and found some very pretty pink shaded and blue shaded papers in the catalog. I also got the Welcome Baby tag as part of another Sale-A-Bration set!

I love it when a plan comes together!!! LOL

SO, here are my 2 cards, with views of the insides as well.

I used Pretty in Pink cardstock, Lap of Luxury DSP, White Organza ribbon for the bow, the Top Note Die, and the stamp from the Punch Bunch set in the Sale-A-Bration catalog. I also embossed the edges of the card with Framed Tulips. Both cards carry this detail; The Top Note quilt piece was embossed with the Swiss Dots folder, Going Grey marker to make stitches, and Champagne Mist to make the quilted piece sparkle.


The inside of the card is a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock clipped on the corners with the Scallop trip border and inked with Pretty in Pink. The bear is colored in pinks and burnished in Creamy Caramel(ret.) and Close to Cocoa(ret.).


Here's the boy card - very similar to the girl card, except with Pacific Point cardstock, Blueberry Crisp DSP, white satin ribbon colored with Pacific Point ink.


Since it was a card for a little boy, I made it a little less fussy - the bear is colored with shades of blues, and burnished with the same colors as above.

I'm not really into the Build-a-Bear anything... but I saw this stamp set, and knew with all the babies coming up, this would be just perfect in cards!!!

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Sympathy Card

I found out this afternoon that a lady that did me a great favor many years ago passed this past Saturday.

I put this card together for her son and daughter-in-law. They were high school classmates I see infrequently, and I wanted them to know how much I appreciated her gift to me.



inside the folded over Top-Note die, I wrote a message for my classmates.


SO many details on this card! I used two Sympathy stamp sets from Stampin' Up, the Build-a-Blossom stamp set from SU, Diamond Stickles, a damask embossing folder (Sizzix), the Top Note die from SU, and an old corner punch I've had for quite a long time.

Ink colors used: Concord Crush, Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, More Mustard, Tangerine Tango.
Markers: Barely Banana, Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst, Apricot Appeal.
Cardstock: Very Vanilla, Almost Amethyst, Concord Crush, and a SU envelope

Your comments are always appreciated!

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Cards for Soldiers 1/8 to 1/28

The theme for this Cards for Soldiers was 'Scrap your Stash'... with blues, greens, and purples since we already finished and got our Valentine's cards out.

I have these finished, but since we're snowbound here, I'm not sure when they'll get in the mail! They'll go out as soon as possible for sure!!

I really LOVE the happy birthday cut, and the cupcake just went perfectly with the background papers I had, so here again we have similar cards.






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Stampin' Up Club Cards - January 2011!

Even though I've now become a Stampin' Up demonstrator, my upline Kathy is still allowing me to come to the monthly club. YAY!! She's always got great ideas for us... and we have a great time!

Here are the cards we made for January. New fun stamp sets, and lots of great techniques!

Click on her name to email her and find out about GREAT Stampin' Up deals and product!





Your comments are always appreciated!

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