Sorry So long...

Here I go.... apologizing yet again.

Life has kept me exceedingly busy so I haven't done much stamping, scrapping, or paper crafting lately.

The local extension agent asked me if I could come up with some type of project for Easter. One of my Stampin Up customers had asked about creating an easel card, so I went online and searched out a template for an easel card mounted on a box. Once I had the template for that, the rest was "play" for me.

I had purchased a stamp in the $1 bin at a craft store last year of a chick with a large oval head. I was inspired to use it as a model for my own punch art chick.



The chick is created with several of the Stampin Up punches: Owl Builder, Extra Large Oval, 1 inch circle, 5 petal flower, and Heart to Heart, I added some stamped flowers, a punched blossom, a stamped greeting, some extra ribbon I had lieing around, and a single brad.



I can't wait to show her the finished box all filled with tiny Easter treats!

Christmas is Coming.......

Yes, indeed......... Christmas is coming, whether we are ready for it or not.
The air here in Kentucky has finally begun to cool down from the steamy summer temps, my daughter has begun singing Christmas carols, and I am preparing cards for Christmas stamp a stack events.

I'm trying something a bit different this year. Since I have gotten such an early start, I thought I would actually create 2 different sets of cards: one in green and red, and one in blues and white. That way people can choose to create either set or BOTH. There's plenty of time!

I have my red and green set ready. All 3 cards feature heat embossing. It really isn't that difficult, so don't be afraid to try!



Card one features an embossed greeting layered over a stamped image, along with a crisp white ribbon.



Card two features a heat embossed poinsettia that has added dimension thanks to dimensionals below it.



Card three has a heat embossed image that has been colored in with our wonderful markers!

I hope that these card designs have tempted you to at least think about the upcoming holiday season, if not jump right in and begin creating.

Too Long....

It has been way too long since I've posted anything.

I don't have much of an excuse, except to say that life has just kept me swamped. To be honest, it's even affecting my Stampin Up business. I haven't had time to do workshops, so I've been my own best customer for a while now.

I've decided that I'm just going to have to begin using my materials more for some personal projects and posting those. Hopefully, life will slow down and I will be able to do more "business" type stuff soon.

I did take a few minutes yesterday to create some things for a National Scrapbooking Day challenge. One of those things was a card; I figured I would post it. It's pretty simple, but I really like it.



I've been dieing to try out that Bold Blossom stamp set and I REALLY like it! I added a greeting from Bring on the Cake and some ribbon that I had lieing around in my SU scrap pile. Like I said, it's pretty simple, but I think it's cute.

Hoping that I will be back with other creations soon.

A Simple Little Card

I haven't gotten much "fun time" lately, but I did take a few minutes to create this thank you card for a friend.

The Crumbcake cardstock was embossed in the Framed Tulip embossing folder. Scraps of various Stampin Up papers formed the faux quilted background.

Had Some Scrap Time Today

We got just enough snow this morning to have a day off from school. I spent my free time in my scrap room. I scrapped this two-page spread featuring my daughter and some of that great Stampin Up paper.



My daughter had sewn some great pajamas as part of a 4H project and got to mannequin model them during the state fair. It was so funny to watch her sitting there, trying to keep a straight face while her friends circled around her trying to get her to laugh!

I featured the Celebrations designer series paper and some SU red gingham ribbon on this layout. I also used the GREAT red glitter paper to create some stars. After all, my daughter was definitely a star in my eyes!

Another Valentine Project

I've been participating in the Challenge Masters blog hop this weekend. We were asked to create a love based project. I happened to remember that I had purchased one of those plain $1 frames from the hobby store several months ago. I dug it out and created this:



I started by using Mod Podge to attach a square of Love Patterns paper. I used Soft Suede and Cherry Cobbler inks to give a "shabby" look to the the outer frame edges and the heart cutout. I stamped the heart strings from Valentine Defined, as well as the word "love" all using Cherry Cobbler ink. I sprinkled the background with the small heart from Filled With Love and finished it off with the quote from Word Play. I spray sealed the whole thing with a clear acrylic glossy spray.

Those two smiling faces that you see? Those are my two children. Kari won 3rd place in language arts yesterday at the high school academic meet and Keenan won 3rd place in arts & humanities. I'm so proud of them both!

A Valentine Inspired

Before I show you my latest Valentine's Day project I must give credit to the origin of it. I was cruising the web the other day, looking at some of my favorite blogs, when I came across this post by Lynn Put. Knowing that I teach in the Owsley County schools and that our mascot is, of course, the OWL, I HAD to try my hand at creating my own version of this card and treat holder.

Here is what I came up with:



Cute, huh? I think they are adorable. Thanks Lynn, for the idea!