Merry Christmas

My days have been full of preparations for Christmas and time spent with friends and family. My prayer for each of you is that you and your family have a blessed Christmas and that you enjoy the warmth of love and friendship.

Sneak Peek

My DH gave me a wireless router for Christmas and one of the tests was to see if I could connect to the internet in my CP (Craft Palace). These pictures are a testimony that I can. I am a very happy camper now because I won't have to take things back and forth when I want to share with all of you.

I must say here and now, that I have the most wonderful husband in the world. We have been married for 42 years and he is always surprising me in small and big ways. He lets me know each day that he loves me. And he spoils me very, very often.

Now for some sneak peeks from the new Occasions Mini and SAB. My friend Terry came over the other night and we created into the wee hours. Here are some of the results of my efforts.

Christmas SAS part 2

These are the rest of the cards I made for the SAS. They are resting on the cute little Christmas mouse I found at our local hospital gift shop.

Although it doesn't show clearly in the picture, I sponged some ink around the edges of the silver glimmer circle to add a bit more zing to the card.

Christmas SAS

Todays offerings are from a Christmas SAS I prepared for. My back went out on the day of the event so we made these on Monday night at our monthly Club. We had a nice evening and Kathy had lots of Christmas treats for us to enjoy. 

Our group has been together for over 2 years and it is led by my up-line, Kim Becker. We always enjoy our time together. 

Demo Christmas Gift

This picture shows the three finished balls surrounded by light green tulle on a silver charger.  

These next two pictures show how I wrapped the gift for presentation. I used some of the pink tulle I had used in the pink ball to wrap around the charger. The idea being the person who received the gift could use the pink or the green tulle under the balls to change the appearance. I think these colors will work for Christmas, Valentines Day, and Easter.

TFL...Michelle

Christmas Gift Sneak Peek

Tomorrow is our demo meeting Christmas Party and each year we have an exchange. Today I thought I would share a couple of sneak peeks of the gift I will be taking.

I am still working on one more which is smaller. After tomorrow I will show you the entire gift, but I want to tease you just a bit today. TFL.

Another day in my life

I was at WalMart buying a bag of Purina dog chow for my dogs , in the check-out line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog. Why else would I be buying dog chow, RIGHT ??? So on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again, and that I probably shouldn't, because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in intensive care, with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms. I told her that it was essentially a Perfect Diet and all you do is load your pockets with Purina Nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended up in intensive care, because the dog food poisoned me. I told her no, I stepped off a curb to sniff a poodle's butt and a car hit me. I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack he was laughing so hard. Now that you've read it I have to confess, I copied it from someone else.. share and make someone else smile today :)

Here's your sign.

I don't normally share stories like this on my blog....however, I am laughing so hard that tears are rolling down my cheeks and my sides hurt. I know this time of year is filled with fun and laughter for most, but it can also have it's struggles too. So I thought I would share it in hopes it makes you laugh and brightens your day.

Cheers!!! Michelle

Red & White

I would like to share one of my Christmas cards with you today. I have been seeing lots of red and white decorations this year and decided to make a card to go with what I am seeing in the market place.

Quarter Fold Card

I saw a number of quarter fold cards online at Splitcoaststampers and decided I would give it a try. I had a good time making the card and I am sure I will make more of them in the future. I can think of several stamp sets that will work well to tell a story on the front of the card. Artistic Etchings, Timeless Treasures, Homegrown, Lean on Me, and Morning Cup come to mind right away. Hope you enjoy this one.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope you and your family all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. May peace fill your home and your time together be blessed.

Christmas Card Time

 This is the card I made for our demo meeting swap this month.

 This card was one of the make & takes from our monthly demo meeting. The original card used the striped side of the DSP, but I decided to use this side of the paper because I only wanted the red and blue colors. I think this combination gives the card an "icy" look.

I have wanted to make a center step card for some time but just couldn't get it together. Kim taught us how to make one at our Stamp Club this month. Her secret is cutting the center lines first, then scoring the card. This hint makes the card much easier to do.

My Favorite Time of the Year

I love this time of year. Time to get ready for the holidays, warm smells in the house, decorating, and making Christmas cards. I have been to several SAS's in the last couple of weeks and had a great time with friends and family. The SAS I went to yesterday had a card contest associated with it, so I thought I would share my card entry with you today. TFL

Meet Grandpa Frank N. Stein

On Saturday I went to a Halloween event at my friend Shirley Su's house. We all had a great time doing make 'n takes. One of them was the goodie bag in this picture. I forgot to put Frank's nose on before I drew the mouth, so he looks like he has his dentures out.  He also has an eyelid problem on the left side. But I think his skin is quite taunt for his age, don't you? We laughed every time we looked at him, so I wanted to share him with you. Hope he brings a smile to your face, too.

Thanks for a fun evening Shirley.

The little trick or treat box was another one of the make 'n takes.

Fall is in the air

Fall has arrived in the Northwest and it is one of my favorite times of the year. I like the changing leaves, the bit of chill in the air, and the beginning of the holiday season. In the Fall I pull out all my cozy velvet clothes, my pumpkin and spicy candles; stock up on flavored cocoas and holiday creamers; review my soup and stew recipes. I make regular trips to Starbuck's for Pumpkin Spice Latte's and I am on the lookout for all things pumpkin.

My creative side turns to Fall and Christmas colors for my paper crafts. Marina Mist and Pool Party aren't usually colors I use for Fall, but this year I am pulling them out to combine with brown. I used Pool Party and Soft Suede for this card and I like the combination. I think sponging the Soft Suede around the edge of the Pool Party warmed it up. TFL.

Sunday in the CP

It has been another long stretch without time in the CP, but today I made up for it. I had a wonderful time  relaxing and playing with my stamps. I would say it is a wonderful way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon.

I got the directions for this card from Dawn. It is fun to make and I know my friends will enjoy receiving it. Thanks for stopping by.

Here is the link to Dawn's video for making these cards: http://dawnsstampingthoughts.typepad.com/dawns_stampin_studio/2011/09/dawns-2011-founders-circle-swaps-video-.html

WOYWW Sept 14

It has been a very busy few weeks for me. Today I finally had time to play in the CP...just in time for WOYWW.

This is what I was up to today:

My 42d Anniversary

No cards today, but I thought I would share the view from my CP office. These are the flowers my husband got me for our anniversary. He had the florist deliver them to the CP (craft palace.) They make me smile.

WOYWW Aug 24

I am not much of a Halloween person, but I have several friends who list it among one of their favorite holidays. So, in the interest of sharing with friends, and you know who you are, I am sharing these pics for my workspace Wednesday. Hope you enjoy.

 I have to thank Angie Juda for this idea. She posted this fun Hershey's kiss holder on her blog today with a link to the tutorial. It is fun to make.

First SAS

Here are the rest of the cards from my first Stamp-A-Stack. I gave my Mom the actual cards last night and she was very happy. We chuckle over the fact that she was ready to take them right out the door when she saw them. I have to watch her closely. Ha ha.

These cards are more bright and feminine and I had a good time designing them. I am trying to use more of the Big Shot dies that I have on my shelf so that I am taking advantage of the items I have. For me, it is so easy to just use the new things,  but I want to get better at using a broad selection. Now that I have committed that thought to the blog it will encourage me to remember to actually do it. TFL

My First SAS

Today I thought I would share a couple of the cards we made at my first Stamp-A-Stack. My Mom liked them so much she was ready to take them home with her yesterday. (She wasn't able to attend the event.) I had to ask her to wait until I took pictures of them first. She encourages me. Thanks Mom.

I wanted to include a couple of masculine cards and I think these fit the bill. I lined the inside of the card with Very Vanilla to make it easier to write a little note.

The other cards are more feminine and I will show those to you later. TFL

Well Behaved Women

I like our punches for making flowers because they are easy and fast. However, some times I like to cut the flowers out with scissors. I find it relaxing and I like the challenge of getting an even line around the card. (I have friends who will tell you they think I am nuts.) Just one of my quirks.

The recipe for today's card is:
Paper: Just Add Cake DSP, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black, and Wicker White
Ink: Wild Wasabi, Peach Parfait, and Poppy Parade
Stamps: Favorite Thoughts and Raining Flowers
Accessories: Peach Parfait Poly Ribbon

Well Worn Greetings

Well Worn DSP is now one of my favorite papers. ( I am such a fickle person when it comes to DSP.) But I like this paper because I think it works well for all types of cards. Is gender neutral an option? Ha ha.
The recipe for theses cards includes:
Paper: Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy, & Well Worn DSP
Ink: Rich Razzleberry
Stamp Set: Swirls & Curls Verses
Accessories: Cherry Cobbler Scallop Dots Ribbon, Lace Ribbon Border Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Punch, and Regal Buttons

Thanks So Much

Button Buddies on Parade

I like the Button Buddies stamp set, it just makes me smile. 

For this card I used the following items:

Stamps: Button Buddies & Whimsical Words (ret.)

Ink: Soft Suede & Not Quite Navy

Paper: Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy & Well Worn DSP

Accessories: Vintage Trinkets, Neutral Buttons &
 Bakers Twine

Hope you enjoy the card.

A la Card Monkey - Salt & Pepper

I haven't played at A la Card Monkey for awhile, so I decided to make a card for this weeks challenge. The challenge this week is Salt & Pepper. I started to giggle as soon as I saw it. Why, you may ask? Well, because the pepper I use has pink peppercorns in it. Taking a page out of Shirley Su's book, I decided to include some pink pepper on my card. He he. Thanks for looking.

Here is the link to the Al a Card Monkey site: http://alacardmonkey.blogspot.com/

Faith in Nature

Here are two cards using the Faith in Nature stamp set.

 For this card I used the following:
Paper: Well Worn DSP, Crumb Cake, Lucky Limeade, and Very Vanilla
Ink: Calypso Coral and Lucky Limeade
Accessories: Calypso Coral ribbon, Vintage Trinkets, and Crystal Affects

The ingredients for this card include:
Paper: Calypso Coral, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, and Paisley Petals DSP
Ink: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, and Early Espresso
Accessories: Calypso Coral Ruffled Ribbon and Crystal Affects

WOYWW July 20

For today's posting I wanted to focus on my little tool storage bin. I bought a 6X6 metal box at the dollar store and thought it was too plain for a stamper. he he. I wove some retired 5/8" striped ribbon through the slats to dress it up and think it turned out well.

One of the comments from my last WOYWW post was a question about how much stuff goes off the back of my crafting table. I tend to "nest" when I craft and tend to work within the space of my grid paper. I have been able to set up my space so everything is within reach and most of the time I can keep everything on the table. I have dropped a couple of things but, for the most part, have kept things within the paper grid boundaries. Thanks for asking the question.

Island Indigo Pool Party & Calypso Coral

I really like the new in colors and this is one of my favorite combinations. I made these before I started noting the items I used for each card, so today is a look see only. TFL and hope you have a wonderful weekend.