A Heart Like His

Congratulations Jenny

2010-10-21T06:54:00.000-07:00

An egagement congratulations card for a young lady I've known for 30 years... in fact her mom & dad were in my wedding many years ago! I'm so excited for Jenny and Randy. This card was made with Purely Pomegranite paper (SU) and the Fifth Avenue Floral stamp set and embossing folder. (also from Stampin Up!) The large rose image is stamped on the Pomegranite paper repeatedly, and then a piece of vellum is run through the "Big Shot" machine and layered onto the top of the cardstock, with ribbon added along the edge to cover the area where the vellum was attached. (This card is CASED from a card made at Jami's house a while back at one of her club nights.)

Catching up on Birthdays

2010-10-14T14:42:00.000-07:00

You can never have enough Birthday Cards, right? I'm filling up my stash, plus making some to give to a family member, so here's what I've been working on. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this beautiful paper and the colors. The designer paper is from "American Crafts" and it's called "Amplified." I used SU Lavender Lace, Melon Mambo, Cool Carribean, and Purely Pomegranite for the cardstock and colored the images with both Copic markers and SU markers.

Stamp Set: Crazy for Cupcakes (SU!)

Stamp Set: Pun Fun (SU!)

Stamp Set: Time for You (SU!)

TESC131 Halloween Kitty Card

2010-10-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Here's this week's contribution to the Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge... something I almost always MAKE but hardly ever get uploaded in time! Love this little pumpkin/ kitty image, even though I have no idea where it came from. It was given to me in a big box of stamps that someone was getting rid of (can you even imagine!?)
It is colored with Copic Markers and it features the "Paper Tole" technique. The pumpkin is stamped 3 times, and them "bumped up" twice... once for the whole pumpkin and once just for the lid of the pumpkin. Hopefully you can see that in the image below. The paper is from Imaginesence. Love the bright colors!

Sending my Daughter Off To College with Handmade Pieces of my Heart

2010-09-28T16:50:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago, my daughter left for college (Azusa Pacific, which is about 40 minutes away). Even though it's not THAT FAR from home, I wanted her to have a few items that would be helpful, but mostly to let her know that I am there with her, that I'm thinking about her, missing her and praying for her.

Here are a few of the items:

A mini pail to put quarters in for the washer/ dryer in the dorm; an acrylic photo frame to hold a sticky note pad, and a prayer journal. Her colors of her dorm items are Lime Green, Turquoise Blue, and Brown.

Discover Your Wings Dear Friends!

2010-06-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

For my dear Friends Mike & Kim who just left California a few days ago to move to Texas. We've been friends for more than 25 years, and it just won't ever be the same without them here as a part of our church and my life. They were such amazing servants of God over the years, but mostly, they were and always will be forever friends. I can't wait to go visit them in Wylie and see where God has placed them for the next part of their journey. Missing you guys so much! Praying you are getting settled and are already seeing God's faithfulness in your new home.

Card (for Taylor's Challenge #TESC118) uses Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive and Vellum Cardstock (SU!) Chocolate Chip and So Saffron Ink, the paper piercer and matt pack, DCWV Retro Prints paper, the Big Shot Top Note Die from SU!, and the Fiskars Border Punch. The stamp set is called "Discover Your Wings" from Taylored Expressions. The lace trim is also from TE. LOVE THAT TRIM! Reminds me of all the little dresses my mom made for all my sisters and I when we were growing up.

Graduation Card Mania

2010-06-07T17:23:00.000-07:00

Because my daughter is graduating from High School this year, that means so are many of her friends. And also, because I have been the children's pastor at FBCOL for 10+ years now, I've known this group of kids since 2nd grade, so they are "my kids" too! I've enjoyed praying for them and watching them grow up to love and serve Christ, and I'm super excited to see them move into the big, scary, crazy world to impact the Kingdom of God is amazing ways!
Here are some of the cards I've been working on this week for this group of kids.

This card is for Taylor's sketch challenge, TESC116; It uses the Stampin Up Set "Fun and Fast Notes" which I still LOVE. I wish you could see the ribbon loopy thing made with the black grossgrain ribbon. It turned out really cool. The paper used is Riding Hood Red, Basic Gray, and Black (Because it's for a Lakewood High Graduate, duh!) The scalloped circle is cut with nestabilities, and the image is colored with copic markers, and a silver metallic pen. The circle/ star images are punches with rhinestone brads in the center of each one. This one is for a guy at our church/ Emily's school, so I was pleased with the masculine look, in spite of the little bling... because after all, every graduate is a STAR, right?

The next three cards all use Taylored Expressions stamps, "Oh the Places You Go!" I knew I was going to need a ton of Graduation Stamps this year, so it was a wise investment for me.

Senior Picture Sneak Peek!

2010-05-15T09:25:00.000-07:00

If you've been looking for the most amazing photographer in the whole world, look no longer.
Here is a sneak peek at Emily's senior pictures taken by our sweet friend Kristin Eldridge. These literally took my breath away and made my eyes well up with tears the second I saw them, so I don't know what's going to happen when I see the rest of them! Please click on each picture to see a bigger version of it on Kristin's twitter sight. You'll be blown away by the colors! And oh yeah, by the way, that's Emily with dark hair. Shocking and striking isn't it!

We spent about 90 minutes with Kristin at Seal Beach Pier on Thursday afternoon (that's when Kristin says the lighting is best) and Kristin took 5 million pictures and I'm supposed to pick ONE to send out with Emily's Graduation Announcements. Ha! These 2 pictures were posted on Twitter, with a link to post them on your website, so here they are.

Please check out Kristin's BLOG..... you'll be amazed! www.kristineldridge.com Thanks Kristin. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.... or maybe not.

Cards & Photos to prove what a busy month it's been!

2010-05-10T17:26:00.001-07:00

This has been the busiest month ever! My daughter's 18th Birthday.

We had a HUGE party at Monte Verde park with about 75 kids, a DJ and a Taco Man... and celebrated with her best friend HALEIGH, who's 18th birthday was the day after Emily's.
Here's the CARD I made her for her birthday....

Her starring role as "Belle" in Beauty and the Beast at Lakewood High School! The thrill of a lifetime!

Fun events at church.

Mother's Day! Choosing/ deciding on a college for Emily for the fall (Azusa Pacific was the choice) Prom Dress shopping and preparation for summer... whew! Was all that in the past month! Yes!

Here are some cards and photos to prove it!

Mike's Birthday Card (using Taylored Expressions).

You're a Classic

2010-03-08T15:04:00.000-08:00

Masculine card and gift for a friend's birthday. The cars are from "A Proper Gentleman" collection from Graphic 45. Great selection of "guy" papers including old cars, old clothing, etc. Here's the entire collection: http://g45papers.com/product-apg.php

Here's the bag I made for some cookies.... super easy!

I Love It When This Happens!

2010-02-09T22:29:00.001-08:00

I've had some good stamping time the past week or so.... and I even had time t straighten up my desk area. After grabbing up some fun new items at CHA, it was fun to get some stamping time. Here are a few things to share with you. The Sewing card was made for a very sweet family at church, the Streelmans, who are sadly moving to Portland. I am in LOVE with their 2 little girls Becca and Natalie and am so sad to see them go. Karen was one of our brand new helpers in Children's Choir and it was so fun getting to know their family and getting to serve alongside of them at church. The good news is, it's always good to have friends who live in fun places so we can go visit them! Card Details: Kraft card base, retired designer paper, sewing machine, buttons, Oval Punch, Scalloped Oval Punch, Puns from the Past SU Stamp Set (stamped in Chocolate Chip Ink), Twill ribbon, twine from Paper Trey Ink, Pirourette Pink SU cardstock for the scalloped oval and some old buttons from my stash.

The Polka Dot Thank You card was super easy but super fun. It's just a bunch of "Bold Bright" circles punched with my various circle punches, and glued to white cardstock. The bottom of the front panel was cut with wiggley scissors, and then the words "Thank You" from the retired SU stamp set called "Wonderful Words" was stamped on the back inside of the card so it shows when you close the card. I made a bunch of these to keep on hand because they were so fun and so easy.

Thanks for looking!

So Very Blessed

2010-01-02T20:45:00.001-08:00

Made this card yesterday for a very special guy. My daughter has been shopping for her first car for a while, and 2 people at our church helped us in the search. First our pastor found a great car on Craig's List (a 2001 Accura Integra) and then my friend Dave went with us to take a look at it, drive it around, look under the hood, etc. He said it was a good deal. After we scraped together our money, we went back and got the car! Her very first car. She is on cloud nine. (She's 17 1/2 and has had her license for 6 months and during that time, she and I have been sharing my van and I've been driving her to school and work.) After we got the car home, Dave (he collects and restores antique cars) decided to bless Emily by going one step further... taking the car home with him for 2 days and sanding and repainting the scratched up bumpers. They look brand new and now the car that we paid $3350 for, looks like we should have paid $5500 for it! So obviously, Dave needed a special card to know how much we appreciate him.

This old SU set, called "So Very" did the trick. The paper is from a brand new matt stack from DCWV that I got for my birthday (thanks Michelle) called Glitter Sweet Stack. It also uses Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel paper, same colors of ink, and a little snippet of ribbon, button and twine (copied from PaperTreyInk website); with some distressing around the edges of the paper layers. Oval punches and bronze colored brads finish the little details.

Thanks for looking. Pictures of Emily in her new car will be coming soon!!!!!

Clipboard Carnival

2010-01-02T12:43:00.000-08:00

These are the first altered clipboards I've ever done and they were so fun. They are for some special ladies in my life, and I hope they love them as much as I loved making them for them. It was fun picking out various designer paper to fit their personalities and their office spaces. The paper is "mod podged" onto the clipboards. Ribbon added to the top, a pad of sticky notes included, some fun clips, a small piece of coarkboard, and a small calendar. The corkboard was a sheet of 18 x 24 corkboard from Joanns that I cut into small pieces and just adhered to the clipboard with tacky tape. The small calendar was the biggest challenge. I typed it in "word" and then just kept adjusting the margins, font size, etc . Not fun but I didn't have time to shop for any or order any online (like smart people would do.) My only "wish" is that I could find some "shallow" thumb tacks for the corkboard. The corkboard is very thin and a regular thumb tack is too deep. Or I should have layered (doubled) the corkboard on top of itself to make it thicker. Live and learn.

Enjoy!

Hot Cocoa for Christmas

2009-12-29T21:45:00.001-08:00

For my sister Susie and her hubby Rick for Christmas.... who doesn't need more chocolate! Adapted from a Starbucks frappuccino 4 pack, designer paper, ribbon, punches, and my beloved "Karen Foster Snap stamps" for the lettering. The jars contain: Hot cocoa powder, mini marshmallows, red hots (cinnamon), and Christmas colored M & M's.

A couple of cards that have been hiding in my camera

2009-09-21T15:36:00.000-07:00

What happens when it's too hot to go into your stamp room and then you also can't find the cord that you use to upload pictures from your camera to your blog? It means you don't post anything for a very long time. I finally found my camera cord yesterday, (darn those kids!) so here are a few cards from the past few months.

This card is for my new friend Lilly, who just turned 4. Her dad is my "boss" and one of our new pastors at church, and Lilly's mom is a new friend that I really love hanging out with! Lilly is fun and smart and adorable, has blond hair and loves looking cute, so I made this card with my brand new "Cricuit" machine for her for her birthday. :)

This card was made for Karra and Craig for their engagement. I've known Karra for 10 years, and have watched her grow up from high schooler, to college student to young adult, from being my kids first babysitter here in California, to one of my day camp counselors, then one of my day camp directors, to now having her own classroom as a teacher.... and now I get to help celebrate her marriage to a great guy named Craig! This card is made on Basic Gray cardstock, with printed vellum on top of it. The black strip is punched with the Martha Stewart eyelet punch, then I added some rhinestones,buttons, and a few different kinds of ribbon. Congratulations you two! I am so happy for you!

And finally, this card is for my friend Chuck that lives in Atlanta. He and his wife (Pam my very best friend!) share the same birthday!!! I didn't have a guy card that looked like Chuck's personality, so I thought this goofy pair of monkeys said it all. The DP is called "East Coast Prep" from Stampin up! and the cardstock is More Mustard, Riding Hood Red, and Tempting Turquoise. The sentiment is a separate stamp, but made to coordinate. Cool huh! I think I'll get lots of use out of these 2 stamps. (From Stampendous!)

Happy STamping... hope you don't lose your camera card anytime soon. It's not a good thing!

TECC70

2009-06-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

A fun layout for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge #70! Uses one of my standby favorite sets: All About U and one of the newer sets from saleabration. Colors are Bashful Blue and Celery. Twine is from PaperTreyInk.

Parisian Quilt Card

2009-05-27T07:42:00.001-07:00

First of all, let me share something with you that was NOT made by me... a beautiful gorgeous, quilt given to me by a wonderful family at my church.

This was a thank you gift for working these past few years with their son in my children's choir program, our Wed. night club program, etc. They wanted to express their appreciation for my time and love. Wow! I was/am overwhelmed! I have made one quilt in my life, when I was in my 20's, and it didn't turn out too well. I was proud of it, but it was far from perfection. So I know how much time and energy this took. When I make cards for people, or small handmade paper-crafting gifts like photo frames, candy tins, etc, they might take 1-2 hours per item... 3 at the most, but a QUILT? Seriously? I can't even imagine how much time this took. Here's another view... every square is DIFFERENT! How amazing is that?

So now, here's my card, made with the Quilter's Sampler set from PaperTreyInk , which has been on my wish list for a very long time. I kept wavering back and forth, waiting for the wallet to cooperate. Well, obviously, when I received this quilt, I knew I had to have this set to make a thank you card, right? I know quite a few quilters, so I know I will get a lot of use out of this set. I also got the additional phrases, called "Quilters Sampler Sentiments," and boy, oh boy, are there a ton of sentiments in these 2 sets.

The base of the card is Kraft cardstock from Stampin Up, then a layer of Parisian Breeze designer paper. The quilt images are stamped on Vanilla paper, and then layered onto Baja Breeze, and colored with a combination of Copic makers and SU markers. Some piercing, some faux stitching, and a button (tied with PaperTreyInk's new rustic twine!) completes the project. I'm anxious to get this into the mail to this sweet family... and even though my card didn't take as many hours to make as their wonderful gift to me, it is still filled with love and appreciation!

A couple of challenge cards

2009-05-25T21:59:00.000-07:00

Emily was away this weekend on a Carnival Cruise with her choir group (Madrigals) to Catalina (supposedly to Mexico, but that didn't happen!) so I had a very quiet house... TOO QUIET actually... but at least I was able to squeeze in a little stamping time. Here are two challenge cards: The Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge card and the "Sketch for You To Try" card.

Here is TECC69:

The base of the card is "Lovely Lilac" followed by a layer of Green Galore, and then the FUN paper from DCWV called "Nana's Kids." It's already covered with sparkle and texture, so it really packs a punch! This is for a couple at church who is expecting their first baby, and they don't know the sex of the baby yet, so I was going for "gender neutral." The buggy is colored with an SU marker, then highlighted with a glaze pen, some Tiny Twinkles from the Taylored Expressions store, & some blue star buttons. The green dotted ribbon adds some finishing fun!

The next card is for "A Sketch for You To Try" from iheart2stamp.com. This is the first time I've posted to this sketch, so I'm so happy that I had some extra time this weekend to play along. The "trick" was to do something unique with the right hand edge of the card, so I decided to use pearls along that edge and make this into a wedding card. I also used by brand new background stamp from StampinUp! called "Bella Toile." The BG is stamped once on white paper and once on Pink Pirouette paper, and then the layers are "matched up" and adhered on top of each other. The cake stamp is from "Fun and Fast Notes." (SU!) one of my favorite sets. There are also mini pearls on the scalloped oval punch (marvy), some glitter pen and stickles on the cake image, and a stick on flower (I think I got it at Big Lots.)

Hope you all had a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend! (even if it didn't include a Carnival Cruise!)

Dearest Friend

2009-05-22T17:11:00.000-07:00

Here's a simple card using the new SU set "Forest Friends" from the Spring Mini. The deer is stamped with Sahara Sand, (I think the first time I've used this stamp pad) and one of the individual stamps from the back of the caty! It says, "So Glad You Are One of My Dearest Friends." A special family just recently got laid off (the dad) and I am really hurting for them, so this is just to give them a little extra encouragement. Thanks for stopping by!

Chocolate Sky!!!

2009-05-20T08:32:00.000-07:00

Wouldn't that be awesome? (Remember the song, "If all the snowflakes were Hershey Bars and Milkshakes?") This is for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge, TECC68. Here's the original post so you can see the sketch first hand. It's a great sketch, and fun to work with. I love this beautiful loopy flower stamp from Stampendous, and thought it would be perfect for the circle image in the sketch. The paper used is Chocolate Chip, Vanilla, Soft Sky, and Baja Breeze. The chocolate layer is clear embossed using chocolate chip craft ink (SU!) and the Filigree Background Stamp (retired SU). Several layers are pierced and the scalloped Baja Breeze layer is made with a corner rounder.

Make it a Grande

2009-05-18T21:50:00.000-07:00

As soon as I saw this new set "A Little Caffeine Set" from Just Rite Stampers I had to have it! I usually wait a long time and think about my stamp purchases for a while before jumping in, but not this one! I ran right over to Taylored Expressions and got me some adorable coffee stamps! I put some ink on it right away, even though I didn't have the right size of wooden mount. So what did I make? A gift card holder for a Starbucks card, of course!

I used Chocolate Chip and Groovy Guava paper, along with Vanilla from SU! The Designer Paper is called "Paisley & Petals" from SEI. A super simple layout, with just a few simple additions: ribbon, scalloped punch, corner elements, and scalloped scissors (for the circle around the main image on front of card. ) I'm really looking forward to getting ink on the rest of the images in this set!

Prom Night

2009-05-08T22:35:00.000-07:00

My daughter Emily is off to the prom tonight at the Disneyland Hotel with a friend from her Madrigal singing group, Scott. A huge group of her friends met at one of the girls' house to catch the limo/bus thing. Biggest thing I've ever seen! Emily found her dress on clearance at Windsor, and I was very proud of her for being such a good shopper. My mom took it in (because it was way too big) and I added the sequin trim. But by the time you add Limo, dinner, prom tickets, flowers, shoes, nails, hair, spray tan, jewelry, and photo's (and whatever else I'm forgetting), and oh yeah, did I mention HAIR??? it's still a very expensive evening and more than most of us spend on a family vacation or a month's worth of groceries! It's crazy! But they sure looked beautiful and I'm sure they are having a blast.

Fabulous Riding Rood Friend! TECC65

2009-04-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

Another Cupcake Challenge from Taylored Expessions (TECC65) using Riding Hood Red, and Pink Pirouette. What are we gonna do when those colors retire in a few short months? I love them paired with the Bella Rose paper. This card also used the "Friendly Words" jumbo wheel, and the new set "Oval All" and scalloped oval punch. There is a double layer of the scallop border, the one underneath is "Riding Hood Red" and the one on top with the "Friendly Words" wheel using R.H.R. ink. The final touches: Pink Pirouette ribbon, and some paper piercing in the corners. Thanks for another fabulous sketch Taylor! This week was so full of birthday celebrations, preparation for our children's choir musical at church (which happens next Sunday, May 3, which I direct), and a potluck dinner for single moms, that I wasn't sure I was going to be able to squeeze in some stamping time or not..... Yeah for stamping! A weekend without stamping is never a good weekend! I just wish the weekend could be longer, don't you???

Happy Birthday Sweet Emily

2009-04-24T19:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my daughter Emily's 17th Birthday! For those of you who know Emily, you know what a delight she is. She is beautiful both inside and out, she is helpful, kind, passionate about life, music, theater, dance, math :) Spanish, coffee, Chipotle, Jesus, her friends, her friends, and her friends! I had a blast planning some special surprises for her birthday, and loved making her this card. She LOVES the beach, just learned to surf over spring break, has a teal and beach "theme" in her bedroom, so I loved how all this came together. (Starting with the scrapbook sticker from Tall Mouse.) The base of the card is a full sheet of 8 1/2 x 11 "Lovely Lilac", then layered with Tempting Turquoise, and Whisper White. The blue hawaiin paper is called "Aloha Chic" from Star Fish & Dreams. The Happy Birthday sticker is from "Me & My Big Ideas" and it is layered on top of an oval cut from Yo Yo Yellow, and then layered on Lovely Lilac. This is the first time I've tried putting gems all around an oval scallop like this, but I've seen Taylor and Jami do it all the time, so I had to try it.

Not fun! I tried both self stick jewels and tiny taylor twinkles, but not having really good tweezers made it quite a challenge! Three flowers were stamped with the flower from "Do The Hula" (retired SU!) using Lovely Lilac, Tempting Turquoise, and Cool Caribbean Ink, cut out and mounted with dimentionals, and highlighted with a stardust pen. Some bright turquoise ribbon adds the finishing touch!

Here are a few more birthday pictures... I surprised her at school at lunch time with pizza for her and her friends and some giant balloons. She was pretty surprised at the balloons, and because she got to carry them around with her the rest of the afternoon at school, she said everyone wished her a happy birthday for the rest of the day, even people she didn't know! Bonus happiness!

This picture needs a tiny bit of explanation. No, she doesn't still play with dolls, but next week, she is starring as "Sharpay" in High School Musical at her school, Lakewood High School. (May 1,2,7,9 if you're interested!) So my little neice Grace, who is 4 years old, thought Emily should have a SHARPAY DOLL, complete with a singing microphone. Of course, I agree! That's my mom next to Emily last night at PF Changs, where we had a very yummy dinner before rushing over to Disneyland for a quick visit. It was a full, and very fun day. Happy Birthday Sweet Em! You are an amazing young lady, and I couldn't be more proud to be your mom!

Two "Challenging Cards"

2009-04-18T08:03:00.000-07:00

Since Emily was on Spring Break this past week, I took a few days off myself, and in between driving her to her friends' houses, or shopping for "Sharpay" outfits for her upcoming show "High School Musical," and some major house cleaning (I guess you'd call it reorganizing) I was actually able to do some "Splitcoast Challenges!" I haven't been able to do those in a long time!

The first one was the color challenge.... CC214.... Bordering Blue, So Saffron, and Pink Piriouette). When I laid all 3 colors out on my desk, they made me think "Baby Card."

The background of the card is stamped with the dots and daisy background stamp, using pink pirouette ink. The scallop is made with the fiskars "Threading Water" border punch, and the saffron layer is scalloped on the edge with scalloped scissors, and then "poked" with a paper piercer. The giraffe is stamped double and popped up with tiny pieces of foam tape, and tied around "her" neck with pink gingham. Three little buttons from my huge collection of buttons and some saffron grossgrain ribbon add the finishing touches.

Deets: Cardstock (all SU!) Pink Pirouette, So Saffron, Bordering Blue, Whisper White, Threading Water Punch and scalloped scissors (Fiskars), Buttons, floss (DMC) Saffron Grossgrain Ribbon (SU!) Paper Piercer, Dimentionals, Pink Gingham Ribbon.

The next challenge was the "Sketch Challenge" (SC224)

This was a little difficult because I couldn't find a large/ tall image that would fit the layout exactly, so I turned it on its side. The 2 stripes in the layout are "mimicked" with the saffron layer covered with the black ribbon layer. Black and Saffron are great together, don't you agree? The bird is a RUB-ON! Cool, huh! It's a little hard to photograph though.
The deets: Black and Saffron Cardstock (SU), Saffron Designer Paper, BasicGrey Periphery Rub-ons, Ticket Corner punch, black micron pen, dimentionals, silver heart charm, black organdy ribbon, saffron colored yarn.

When did these kids become grownups?

2009-04-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

Here is the picture I took of Stephen and Emily
right before we left for church last Sunday (Easter/ April 12). What is amazing is that less than a year ago, Emily was about 6 inches taller than Stephen. For those of you who have known Stephen his whole life, or at least most of it, can attest to the fact that he has drastically changed in appearance! Stephen had to leave to go back to Indiana right after church on Sunday, so we didn't have a very traditional day (didn't do a lunch or anything... in fact, Stephen and I ate California Pizza Kitchen at the airport and Emily at Pick Up Stix with her girlfriend Sharday!)

Church was amazing and glorious, our choir and orchestra was phenominal, Brent presented the gospel so powerfully, and it was so great to be in church with my kids and my mom. I hated to see Stephen leave again, but summer will be here before we know it and he'll be back again! :)

A Word From Romans 12

2009-04-17T20:36:00.000-07:00

This is my card for this week's Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge. This is a great layout for so many images. I had this sheet of flowers already water colored with the set "In Full Bloom" (on Very Vanilla paper... which turns out YUMMY!) The colors used are Saffron, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip, and Vanilla cardstock (SU!) and Regal Rose DP. The flowers and bees are outlined in glaze pen, the edges of the Bible Verse are distressed with the edge of my scissors, and then a piece of Saffron ribbon is attached with a silver swirl clip. This is such a simple, yet profound verse of Scripture. I've had my share of hardships and afflictions in life, but nothing compared to many other friends I know. And obviously nothing compared to the people Paul was writing this letter to when he penned these words through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. But this verse gives such basic instructions... by JOYFUL in hope, PATIENT in affliction, and FAITHFUL in prayer. If we did those 3 simple things each day, I think our lives would be transormed! :)

Happy Easter!

2009-04-11T10:52:00.000-07:00

I needed to make a few Easter Card yesterday, so I was happy to see Taylor's quick, easy, and simple layout featured this week on Taylored Expressions. This is Cupcake Challenge #63. Where has the time gone??? The image is from a RAK I received from Joy and Daisy at eclecticPaperie. I think it's from Stampendous. Isn't that the sweetest little bunny? The DP (from DCWV) provided the inspiration for all the colors I used: Certain Celery, Bashful Blue, Regal Rose, and Lovely Lilac. The blue twill is from Taylor's store, and the coloring is done mostly with markers, and a little bit of aquapainters. The buttons are from my big stash of buttons. I also added a little bit of Sakura Glaze pen to the flowers and Stardust pen to the border around the image.

We're on our way to our Youth Pastor's wedding this afternoon which is being held at the Japanese Gardens at Long Beach State. I'll be back later to share the wedding card I made for he and his bride. In the meantime, have a wonderful Easter weekend! He Is Risen! He Is Risen Indeed!!!!!

Pomegranate Wish

2009-04-05T14:27:00.000-07:00

This is probably the quickest easiest card I've ever made... or at least in a very long time. It helps when you are provide with the sketch, (Thanks to Taylor and her weekly Cupcake Sketch Challenge!) and helps even more when you are using a little bit (or a lot) of designer paper. I've had this beautiful "Making Memories" paper, called "Maddi Paisley" for a very long time because I'm always drawn to peaches and corals... I loved the fact that it looked so great with Purly Pomegranate (an 08 in-color from SU!), plus it looked like it was MADE to go with Groovy Guava. The "Whimsey" wheel is wheeled with Groovy Guava ink onto the G.G. layer, and then the designer paper is mounted onto P.P. squares. Isn't that yummy?

The butterfly from "Garden Whimsey" is stamped twice, cut out once with a coluzzle, and then just the butterfly is cut out with scissors and mounted on top of the first butterfly with the wings bent up just a tiny little bit. I also tried something new for the scallops around the butterfly circle. I refuse to buy "nestabilities" and other big "wish list" items until I'm out of debt for a large expense I had to make last year, so I keep playing around with things I already have to get the same look. This is the corner rounder punch used to go all the way around the pomegranate layer to get the scalloped look. A little time consuming, and not "perfect" but hey, it's a handmade one of a kind piece of art, right???

Final details: Star Dust Stickles, white brads, "Small Script" stamp in the corner, paper pierceing "swirly thing" in the upper right hand corner (I drew it on a piece of paper and then pierced on top of that as my pattern onto the Groovy Guava layer), and glaze pen on the butterfly antaenna.

Here's one more card that doesn't need much explanation... just that is uses DCWV "Nana's Kids" Paper that I am in love with!

Lovin Me Some Baja Breeze

2009-04-03T18:34:00.000-07:00

Baja Breeze (from SU!) is such a peaceful, warm, relaxing color... and since I can't go to Baja in person, I'll just have to stick to using it on my cards! Cardstock is Baja Breeze and Basic Gray. This flower stamp is from Stampendous; and it is water colored with an aquapainter using Baja Breeze stamp pad. The circles are cut with a coluzzle, and the scalloped edge around the flower image and the oval image at the bottom are cut by hand with scalloped fiskars scissons. The thank you image (rub on) and the designer paper are both from the SU "Hand Drawn Bundle." And for the finishing touches: 2 prima flowers, a rhinestone brad, some basic gray ribbon (from Fabric Barn) some paper piercing around the edge of the cirlce image, and some Taylor's Tiny Twinkles in the middle of the flower. (Click here for a link to Taylor's Store.) Thanks for stopping by today for a look. My son just arrived this morning for his Spring Break visit, so I'm looking forward to hanging out with him this week (not to mention a few days off work!) I'm sure I'll get some stamping in somehow! Have a great weekend!

Boatloads of Love

2009-03-28T09:27:00.000-07:00

I've been having a lot of fun with "Boatloads of Love" the past few days. I started out with the smaller (one boat) image and then when I went to put it on the card, I wanted to use the sentiment "I'm pulling for you." to send to my friend Mike who just lost his job after 10+ years at Disneyland, and I realized that that sentiment didn't make much sense with just the one boat, so I started over with the 2 boats hooked together. That obviously led to a much bigger card/ layout so that card grew to a full size 8 1/2 x 5 1/2 size card (1 piece of cardstock folded in half.

The one image card turned into Taylor's Cupcake Sketch: TECC61, (www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com) using Real Red and Bordering Blue and Bordering Blue designer paper from the Saleabration Set. The main image is stamped with black craft ink and embossed with black embossing powder (both cards) which made coloring so much easier and makes it really POP when you see it. This card is also part of the Stamp Simply #80 challenge "Let's Forget the Rules" http://notimetostamp.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/ Take a close look and you'll notice: white gel pen dots around the red cardstock, white gel pen doodles on the scalloped circle punch, black faux stitching on the main image, crystal effects on the water and the life preservers, silver pen on the anchor, and a stipe of white ribbon to add to the "nautical" look. I love that bordering blue color. I don't use it nearly enough and I love the way it looks with red and white!

The larger card uses Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and More Mustard Cardstock, East Coast Prep designer paper. The "I'm pulling for you" sentiment is punched out with the circle punch, and mounted on the round tab punch on the side of the stamped image. There is also paper piercing around the turquoise layer, silver brads in the corners, and some red and turquoise ribbon. The main image has crystal effects on the water and life savers on the side of the boat, some silver pen on the anchor, paper piecing on the heart inside the 2nd boat and the puffs of smoke coming out of the smokestack are double stamped and mounted on tiny little pieces of dimentionals. I don't think I've ever worked so long on 2 cards as I did these, but I had so much FUN!

Cards for Kristin

2009-03-27T22:23:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, our very sweet, wonderful, talented pastor's wife, and friend, Kristin, took some amazing photos of my daughter Emily for her headshots she needed for an audition. Here is a link to Kristin's blog and the post with Emily's pictures. (Look for the Feb. 22 and the Feb. 24 posts... several amazing pictures of Emily in both posts) http://kristineldridge.com/blog/?p=1043

I've been wanting to do something extra special for Kristin, so I decided to make her a set of notecards that she can hopefully use when corresponding with her clients. There are 6 cards and even though they all use Wild Wasabi and Not Quite Navy Cardstock, along with Porcelain Prints Designer Series Paper, they are each individually unique. Each card also uses the monogram from "Just Right Stampers."

Now I just need to go out and find some ivory colored envelopes before packaging up the whole set so I can give them to her on Sunday. I'll be back tomorrow to share some fun cards I made with "Boatloads of Love." I've had a bad sore throat for a few days, and have missed a lot of work, but I sure have enjoyed my stamping time!

Here's What Happens

2009-03-26T11:06:00.000-07:00

.... when you combine a sore throat, a few sick days home from work, and a big box of brand new supplies from Stamp Club (I'm in Jami's once a month Stamp Club and it was my turn to earn the hostess rewards... can you say SCORE!?!?) All that equals a bunch of new cards!

Here's what I've been working on..

Card #1: from the Level 3 Hostess set called "Hand Drawn Bundle" which comes with adorable paper, 4 stamps, and 2 huge sheets of rub-ons. I love it! Super easy to create! I think this would be something good to pack when you're going on a trip and want to take some stamping fun with you, since the paper and stamps and rubons already match. Just throw in a few stamp pads and some Riding Hood Red and Baja Breeze and White cardstock, and you've got yourself a party!.

Card #2 also uses Riding Hood Red cardstock and the Designer Paper: "Bella Rose." Another new toy I got in my order was the Jumbo Wheel called "Friendly Words." Isn't it cool? The little Thank You stamp is a single stamp from page 208 of the caty, which you can actually get for FREE right now if you spend $40 from the new occassions mini. I used my Marvy Square Scalloped punch, and since I didn't have multiple sizes of this punch, I just layered the Kiwi square's underneath the Riding Hood Red Square.

Card #3 uses a set I've been craving for a long time: Garden Whimsey. The card is CASED from a card we did at Jami's Club last year and I've been hanging on to it ever since. Here's Jami's original: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/648273?cat=500&ppuser=5896&perpage=96

Mine uses Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, and Wild Wasabi paper as well as some More Mustard Ink, and East Coast Prep Paper (retired) and Wild Wasabi striped ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by.... time to go back and dig a little deeper in that magical box. Stop back tomorrow for a look at a beautiful set of cards I made for a wonderful friend. Have a great day!

Elegant Wedding Shower

2009-03-24T21:03:00.000-07:00

My friends at work and I are giving a bridal shower next week for our Youth Pastor's Bride-to-be, Lauren. We're going with a red rose theme... elegant and classic. Here are the invitations and the wedding dress favors.

The invitations are made with SU Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, and vellum, as well as the rose paper from "The Paper Factory." The scalloped trim is made from a pearlized shimmery paper from Michaels, punched with the Martha Stewart lace punch. The beautiful red swirly ribbon is from the TayloredExpressions store! I love it... it adds just the elegance I was looking for. The Bible verse, I Corinthians 13 is from the SU set, "Elegant Inspirations." This is a pocket card and the actual invitation was printed on regular white cardstock, front and back, and then the corners were rounded with the corner rounder, with a black sheer ribbon on the top, attached through a round 1" circle folded over the top.

The wedding dress favors are also from Taylor's store... they come flat, and I found them quite easy to stamp on and fold up. I used some swirly stamps I believe I got at Michael's, with Real Red ink and more of the swirly red ribbon. Inside the dresses are a few pieces of Dove Chocolate. Then I folded in the side and attached them together with a dimentional. I'll be sure to post some photos in a few days of the shower, so you can see the whole thing all put together. My friend Michelle is doing the flower centerpieces, so it's going to be gorgeous!

(Basic) Grey Whale

2009-03-21T13:33:00.001-07:00

It was fun to get out this set for use in Taylor's Challenge this week (TECC60)... Pun Fun from SU! Whale was stamped in black staz-on, then water colored. The papers are "Two Scoops" from Basic Grey, and the cardstock is Wild Wasabi, Bordering Blue, and Not Quite Navy. Marvy punches are used for the focal image, some dark gray ribbon, some blue-ish gray brads, and a few small hole punches around the scalloped image. Love these colors together, don't you! Thanks for stopping by. I'm headed off to my nephew's 4th Birthday party this afternoon. ROAR! I'll be back tomorrow to share a dinosaur card I made for him for his "Roar... Josh is turning four party!"

Treasure Box

2009-03-19T21:27:00.000-07:00

From the tutorial that Jenn Balcer and Lynn in St. Louis posted on Splitcoast a few weeks ago. The only problem I had was getting the piece of cardstock to feed through my printer, but other than that, it was pretty easy. The DP is from Die Cuts with a View and the stamped image is "Merci" from Stampin Up! The twill ribbon is from TayloredExpressions. It's super easy. Try it! The butterfly is cut out, bent a little bit and glued on with sticky strip. The butterfly, heart and flower also have lots of "stickles" on them, as well as a row of stickle dots around the front scalloped piece. I wanted to pick up on the sparkle patterns in the DP.

Here is the link for the pattern and instructions, by "Lynn in St. Louis" on Splitcoast. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419606

A Little Punchy!

2009-03-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Here's something simple but fun for you today. A card made with almost all PUNCHES.... Circle punches of several sizes, scalloped circle punch, and oval punch. The "Just Because" sentiment is from"My Favorite Things." I love the fonts they use on their stamps! The background on the Gable Green layer is a wheel stamp called "Kindness." Youa could totally change up the feel of this card by using soft pastels, all black and white, etc. A fun card for kids to make too! Happy St. Patricks Day... watch out for all that green beer!

Thanks a Latte!

2009-03-07T10:50:00.000-08:00

I love making coffee cards and sending them to my many friends who LOVE their coffee or tea. So when I sat down late last night to look for some images to play with for Taylor's sketch this week, these coffee cups from My Favorite Things just practically stamped themselves! I used watercolor paper, brown stazon, and an aquapainter and ink from the stamp pad lids of: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, and Pixie Pink.

The Designer Paper is "Sweet Always" from SU! and the twill ribbon is from TayloredExpressions store. I've also added some "Queen & Co." brads in the corners. Here's a closer view to show the watercoloring. Thanks Taylor for a super fun sketch! I'm hoping to find a little more time this weekend to make another one... I have some ladybugs just waiting to come out and play!

It's Classic!

2009-02-28T20:20:00.001-08:00

For a special guy's birthday, and for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. (TECC57)

Check out http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/ for the original challenge and instructions.

This card uses "River Rock" "Cranberry Crisp" and "Mellow Moss" cardstock. The image (can't remember the stamp set, I borrowed it from Jami a long time ago and stamped a bunch of images and saved them) is stamped with black craft ink and embossed. Then water colored with an aquapainter. There is also crystal effects on the windshield of the car, and silver pen on the bumper and hubcaps. The designer paper is from Chatterbox.
A few more details: buttons, stitching on the sewing machine, ticket corner punch and the "Happy Birthday" sentiment from All Holidays Stamp Set (SU!)
The inside of the card says.... "Timeless.... Ageless.... Classic... all the things you are, and all the things I love about you! Happy Birthday!"

Rub ons are so much fun!

2009-02-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

Here are a few cards I made with some fun rub ons I got from Joy and Daisey at eclecticPaperie!

This first one is Rose Red and Coral paper from SU, accented with black of course, and Raspberry Twist DP.

The 2nd one is a unique combination of Pomegranite and Caribbean and Chocolate paper!

Enjoy these new cards!

2009-02-15T20:43:00.000-08:00

Here are a few cards from recent days.

The 2 blue cards use the new SU set "Puns from the Past," the first set in the new caty that I just "had to have!"

Friendship and Cheesecake... Life Is Good!

2009-02-09T18:01:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday I had lunch with 3 friends from High School. That may not sound very unusual to most people, but it is for me. We've been out of high school 32 years, and for the past 29 of those years, I have not kept up with any of the 3 ladies that I had lunch with. But the Lord reconnected us and I'm so glad He did. We had a class reunion 2 years ago, but 2 of these gals, Isabel and Laura weren't able to come, so I haven't seen them in a long time. I don't think I've seen Laura since High School, or maybe the 10 year reunion. Isn't is amazing that you can live relatively close to someone and not see them for that many years? We met at Cheesecake Factory in Brea because it was fairly central for all 4 of us... Rancho Cucamongo, Irvine, Norwalk, and me in Lakewood. Great food, yummy cheesecake, and wonderful laughter, tears, and a sweet time of reflecting on all God has done and is doing in our lives. My hope is that God continues to allow me to reconnect with the people from my past in order to be an encouragement to them, as they are to me.

From left to right that's me, Laura (Calderon) Isabel (Pina) and Cyndy (Porraz). 50 (or close to it for some of us!) and fabulous, don't you think???!!!!!

Answers to our Christmas Quiz!!

2009-02-02T22:48:00.000-08:00

Some of you might have actually taken our "Christmas Quiz" in our Christmas letter and might want to know the answers! Well here they are!

Took tap lessons to dance in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Emily: Millie show in Jan 09 just ending last week)
Grew about 6 inches (Stephen)
Got a job as a Day Camp Counselor (Emily)
Went to San Francisco for birthday to see Phantom of the Opera with wonderful friends (Carol: December 08... thanks Jimmy and Jorge!)
Took Driver's Ed (both Stephen and Emily)
Got Driver's Permit (Emily)
Bought a bike, a laptop computer, an I-touch, and loves anything and everything electronic! (Stephen)
Moved into a new office (Carol.... just down the hall from my old office, but fun to have a chance to paint and redecorate!)
Starred as "Marty Maraschino" in Grease! (Emily: May 08)
Got a new Pastor and a new Boss (Carol.... our new pastor is Brent Eldridge, who I've known since he was in elementary school, and my new boss is Dave Friese, who I've known since 1982 when we were both "assistants" at Lakewood.)
Got braces off (Emily)
Champion WOW player (Stephen)
Still serving at FBCOL as Children's Ministries Pastor (me!)
Got a job making delicious salads at Paradise Bakery (Stephen)
Tutors Math after school (Emily)
Began the 11th grade (Both Stephen and Emily)
Starred in Godspell and sang the amazing solo "Oh Bless the Lord My Soul." (Emily: Jan. 08)
Made several 100 handmade cards (Carol)
Had tonsils out a few days before Christmas (Emily... she's doing great... thanks to everyone who prayed for her)
Getting braces off in a few weeks (Stephen... any day now hopefully!)
Turned 16 (Emily)
Turned 17 (Stephen)
Growing and learning many things from God (all of us.... me for sure in a super big way!)
Danced and sang in the musical "Annie Get Your Gun" (Emily: June 08)
Moved to Indiana in March (Stephen)
Joined Weight Watchers.... so far so good (Carol .... 15 pounds gone so far)
Saw 7 movies in a 5 day period when cousin Andrew came to visit because it was cheap and about the only thing to do in Indiana (Stephen)
Time to start thinking about colleges (Stephen and Emily)

God bless you this coming yea! We look forward to seeing what God has in store for all of us this year.

Thank you gift for Special Friends

2008-12-30T08:12:00.000-08:00

I can't believe I haven't posted anything for over a month. I just get so frustrated with uploading with my camera that I'd rather not even try. But I do have lots of cards and projects from the past few weeks, so here goes... Here's a Hostess Gift I took to special friends in San Jose who treated me to a very special birthday a few weeks ago.

This is an envelope box that I altered to be a notecard box. Just covered it with saffron designer paper, added some embellishments, twill, ribbon, and stamped the word NOTES on vanilla cardstock, and that was it!

It is filled with 16 notecards... all the same design, but in different colors. I copied this card design from a card I receive in SWAP that Jami hosted a year ago and it caught my eye so much that I have copied it many times. Simple and elegant and easy to change for any occassion. Each flower is cut out (yes!) an highlighted with the stardust pen.

Congratulations Josh and Patty

2008-11-12T08:04:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I attended a beautiful wedding at our church of two sweet friends, Josh and Patty. They've been dating about 4-5 years, and have been engaged almost one year so this was a long awaited day! Patty has 3 kids that I've had the pleasure of teaching, loving, and hanging out with as their children's pastor (and one of them is my daughter's friend) so this was a celebratory day for all 5 of them. The wedding was gorgeous, and very special. Here is the card I made a few weeks ago for them. Lots of sparkles!

The cardstock colors are Pixie Pink, Groovy Guava, So Saffron, and shimmer white. The main image is stamped in Stazon, colored with the aquapainter and the groovy guava ink for the cake, and then the total image is embossed with Irridescent Ice. I added lots of little rhinestones all over the cake, and used some glaze pen on some of the flowers. The "Happy For You" sentiment is from the Fancy Flexible Phrases set (retired) and punched with the 2 oval punches, and then cut with scalloped scissors around the outer layer (Guava). The background card is wheeled with the Baroque Wheel. The flowers are from the Fabulous Flowers set. Some ribbon and some punches, and there it is! I had a lot of fun making this card. I love it when I'm able to spend 2 or 3 days on a card and can come back to it to add to it slowly, instead of rushing to get it out the door :)

Have a fun day!

Cupcake Challenge Card

2008-11-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

Just a quick post to show the card I made this weekend for the Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge Card (#41) I found this "Me and My Big Ideas" paper at the big Joanne's in Buena Park and new it would make some FUN birthday cards! The rick rack is from a big stash I actually bought from "Oriental Trading!" Imagine That!

The main image is stamped on Shimmer White with black craft ink (SU) and embossed with detail clear, then colored with stampin up markers. The cardstock is Pixie Pink and Ballet Blue, with purple brads in the corners. There is also crystal accents on the cherries. I think that's about it! Happy Monday. Hope you all have a great week.

My Mom's Birthday

2008-11-01T21:59:00.000-07:00

Last week my wonderful mom had a birthday, and as it happened, Stephen was here visiting as well, so of course, what a great opportunity for a family get together. Have I said it lately that I love my family? Taco Salad, birthday presents, kids playing, yummy dessert, and lots of laughter!

Here's my sister Debbie, and the love of her life Rod (who also happens to be her husband.) They are ALWAYS smiling and laughing together! I love that about them! Deb has a unique ability to encourage and speak love and healing into my life.

Sweet little Grace, who is 4 years old now, loves her cousin Emily!

Here are the boys having fun and being silly! They both love their Grandma! (And not just because she spoils them!)

Hope you had a wonderful birthday mom... Many happy and healthy more!

TECC37 Challenge Card

2008-10-11T07:48:00.000-07:00

I couldn't wait to share this week's submission for Taylored Expressions Cupcake Challenge. I was leafing through one of the new scrapbook magazines this past week, and there was a section of a bunch of cute cards that had interesting "openings." I decided to give it a try with this week's sketch. You can see the original sketch at http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/

My card has 2 circles on the bottom half, opening downwards, and the bird circle and twill ribbon circle open upward, with a piece of velcro holding the whole thing shut. Cardstock is Green Galore, Gable Green, and Regal Rose. Stamp set is Pun Fun and Itty Bitty Basics, and DP is Basic Gray and Making Memories. The "Celebrate" sentiment is from a $1.00 clear acrylic stamp from WalMart. The twill is all from Taylored Expressions. I love each one of those colors, and I was so happy when they all matched so well with that Basic Gray paper. The bird is outlined with the Stardust pen, and finally, there is some pink FUN FLOCK on the bird wings and tail, purchased from EclecticPaperie!

Birthday Fun for Brenda!

2008-10-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun making this special "ensemble" for my sweet friend Brenda for her birthday this week. I really enjoy it when I am able to work on a project over a longer period of time and come back to it for a few days instead of rushing through something (and then thinking of how I wish I would have done something differently after it's finished.) This is one of those flavored coffee tins, covered in paper and rick rack. The little worm and flower are done with shrinky dinks! (Shrink Art?) The paper on the card and the tin are from American Crafts.

The paper on the gift bag are from the "Porcelain Prints" DP pack from SU, retired last year, and is paired with "Wild Wasabi" and Rose Red. The little oval label at the top of the bag are surrounded by little 1/2 inch circle punches. I wanted it to kind of look like a flower, but I didn't have a scalloped punch that would work, so I invented my own scallopes! Thanks for looking!

A New Spin on TECC36

2008-10-03T18:02:00.000-07:00

This week's Taylored Expressions cupcake challenge layout (http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/) immediately made me think of a spinner card. I'm not exactly sure why, but when I saw that circle shape on a diagonal, I just HAD to make a spinner! Since it had been a long time since I had made one, I went back to the SCS tutorial and it was just like riding a bike. Quite easy, and it all came back to me. Just make your "slot" before putting the whole card together, put a dimentional in between 2 pennies, then another dimentional on top of the "top" penny with your image that you want to spin, and then insert that spinning penny mechanism into your slot, and then finish your card. You also have to remember to attach your top layer to the bottom layer with a thick layer of dimentionals, too, in order to give the pennies room to "move." Here's the complete SCS tutorial: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/ee/index.php/resources/tutorials/spinner_card/

The DP is from Die Cuts with a View Retro pack (I don't think I'll ever run out of that pad.) along with SU Old Olive and Cool Caribbean. The soccer ball stamp is from a retired SU set called "Sporting Goods." Some white brads in the upper corner, and some white gel pen faux stitching, as well as the word "SCORE" stamped with snap-stamps finish it up. I think the green stripe layer needs something added to it, perhaps the name of the person I'm giving the card to, or the name of their soccer team if they're on a team.... Like "Go Eagles!" Thanks for looking. Have a great weekend!

I'll be back tomorrow to share a 5x7 camping card for a special friend's birthday.

Jami Swap Cinderella Card

2008-09-30T07:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday! Here is the card I made for Jami's SWAP a few weeks ago. All the other cards were so amazing, I get very intimidated when I participate with the "giants" of SU stampers. Thanks ladies for all the amazing creations. This set is called "Humor in High Heels." The requirements were to use the "bella" color combination of Chocolate Chip, Saffron, Riding Hood Red and Pink Piriouette. The Shoe and Pillow image is stamped on "shimmer white" from SU, then I added some "Dazzling Diamonds" on the pillow and Crystal Effects on the shoe. The chocolate chip base layer is "faux embossed" using a 1/2 inch circle punch. I also punched an oval in the top layer, then stamped the sentiment on the inside layer of saffron. The scalloped saffron layer is made with the slit punch, and some chocolate grosgrain and silver cord added as finishing touches. It looks like I need to go back and take a different picture using a lighter background! I'll get right on that! Thanks for stopping by!

Batty for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge!

2008-09-29T07:31:00.000-07:00

Here is my entry for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge. I finished this on Friday, but it took me a while to upload. It was fun to get in some extended stamping time on Thursday and Friday. The little bat is from the SU Set "Batty For You" and the Happy Halloween Sentiment is from SU's All Year Cheer which is retired. There are 5 punches used on this card: 1" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, 1 3/8" circle punch, Ticket/ Label punch, and scalloped square punch. (Marvy) I could not live without my punches!!! The paper is from Reminiscense on a base of Only Orange, and Green Galore, with some Eggplant too! Hope you had some stamping time this past weekend too!

And speaking of Taylor, my Just Rite Stamper set that I ordered from Taylored Expressions Store a few days ago arrived on my doorstep in record time, and I tore that box open even before I put my purse down, pulled out all the goodies, and started playing. These are for my daughter to use as thank you notes. She was so excited! Thanks Taylor for getting my new toys to me so quickly. Although I definitely didn't get much housework done this weekend!

The (Hollywood Bowl) Hills Are Live!

2008-09-21T07:26:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness, you won't believe what I did with my friend Vivian the other night. On Friday night, Vivian invited me to go to the Sound Of Music Sing-a-long with a few of her former co-workers. I love musicals, and Rogers and Hammerstein, so I thought it would be fun. I had no idea it would also be hysterical! Evidently, there is a whole "cult following" of people who attend this event every year, and we've been missing out! People arrived in costumes (nuns, Austrian folk dancers, "brown paper packages tied up with string," "musical notes" (Do-Re-Mi, etc.) and my favorite, the TREES full of LITTLE CHILDREN. People must spend all year watching the movie to get ideas.

Once the movie started, it was a full on "contact sport." People in the audience were instructed to not only sing along, but hold up various props, (which we received in goodie bags as we entered the bowl.) make noices, hoot and holler, scream at the bad guys, and even bark like a dog when the character "Rolf" appeared! Vivian and I were cracking up the whole time, because we had no idea what was happening. We LOST it when people whipped out their flashlights and started pointing them at the screen during the scene when the nazi's were searching for the Von Trapps in the graveyard. My favorite part? 15,000 people popping their "New Year's Eve Champaign Bottle Poppers" at the moment that Captain Von Trapp and Maria had their first kiss! Oh my goodness! Next time we'll be more prepared! Thanks Vivian for inviting me!

Over the Top

2008-09-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

I needed a bunch of BOY cards for the young boys at church, and since I hadn't used these SU! images in quite a while, I thought they'd be a fun adventure. This the set called "Over the Top." Pretty cool to be able to stamp one image, (chocolate chip craft ink) sprinkle some clear embossing on it, mat it on some cardstock, and call it a day. The DP is from DCWV and the cardstock is Garden Green and Bashful Blue. The TAB is punched from SU and is stamped with the sentiment from PaperTreyInk. (Faux Ribbon Set). The brown tabs at the top and bottom are some leftover scraps I had on my desk from a previous project, and completed with "screw" brads. "Let 'er rip!"

Wild Color Combo

2008-09-09T19:27:00.000-07:00

I had this set "Fabulous Flowers" (SU!) out on my desk and had only been playing with the extra large bloom, so I wanted to challenge myself to do something with the smaller stamps in the set. Hanging on my bulletin board is an old post from Jenn Balcer about unique "bright" color combos, which is where I found this color combo: Groovy Guava, Blush Blossom, Pixie Pink, and Saffron. The base of the card is Blush Blossom, and the flowers are stamped on Vanilla cardstock. The sentiment "Thinking of You" is from the hostess set: "For A Friend." The scalloped piece across the middle is made with the Threading Water Stamp (Fiskars) in Blush. I think I should go back and add some sparkles to the centers of the flowers, and do something to the sentiment piece in the middle and maybe add some brads to the corners. Super Simple Card.

This next card is from the "Pun Fun" set. The kitty is colored with a "mustard" marker, and then matted onto mustard and chocolote chip cardstock. The patterned paper is from the DCWV Retro prints pack. Add some mustard ribbon, and the sentiment "Thank You" from Wonderful Words (SU!) across the bottom, and wa-la!

Well, Emily is back in school, and already has huge, heavy textbooks with homework I don't understand at all, and she's already been to the doctor for strep throat. Boy was she sick over the weekend! Antibiotics are amazing! Two days later, and she's a new person again. Next week is her audition for "Thoroughly Modern Millie" at Biola, so we need her healthy and whole! Looks like it's going to be another busy, busy year (with lots of me driving again, since she doesn't have her drivers license yet.) Phooey! Hope the beginning of the new school year has been great for you so far. Have a great week!

Fabulous Pink Flowers

2008-09-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

Two cards this morning with the SU set "Fabulous Flowers" I have seen such gorgeous cards with this set and although I wasn't drawn to this set in the catalog, it was a swap card I received last year that sent me over the edge. The card above is Rose Red base, wheeled with the Baroque wheel in versemark ink, then layered with Pretty in Pink and a piece of the pretty in pink DP from last year's hostess awards. The flower is stamped 3 times, in Pretty in Pink, and then Regal Rose is brushed on the edges of some of the petals (before stamping) with a sponge dauber. There is a rhinestone brad in the center. The pink dots on the sides are just hole punches! The sentiment is from a favorite set from a few years ago, "Mixed Greetings."

The next card is also made with Fabulous Flowers, also stamped 3 times, but this time using Regal Rose ink, with Rose Red sponged on the edges. The base of the card is Regal Rose, and the 2 designs of DP are also from the same hostess pack used above. There is a brown strip of cardstock across the middle with 2 rows of paper piercing. The sentiment "Dare to be Fabulous" is stamped in Chocolate Craft ink, (SU) and then embossed with "Detail Clear Embossing Powder." I'm looking forward to playing with this flower set even more and getting a little more creative with it, as well as experimenting with various colors of ink. Thanks for looking. Have a great weekend! Now that all the political speeches are over for a while, it's time to get outside and get some work done around my house!

Change of A-Dress Card for TECC31

2008-08-30T09:48:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I have been able to play Taylor's Cupcake Challenge (www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com) 2 weeks in a row. Maybe having Fridays as my day off now (instead of Mondays) is not such a bad thing afterall. I can get used to this! Jami let me borrow her new set "Humor in High Heels" this week so I can make SWAP cards for her upcoming new caty swap, so since this set was sitting out on my desk and I've been playing around with different color combinations for the swap (my job is to use the new bella colors, so this card definitely won't be my swap card), here we go....The card base is Basic Gray, then layered with DCWV Textured white, and then the DP of the pink houndstooth is from Creative imaginations; art warehouse; studio barn. It is also used to paper-piece the dress. The main image and the sentiment image are both stamped in SU Basic Gray ink on shimmer white paper. There is a small layer of Pretty in Pink, and then the Scalloped layer is Basic Gray again, but this time, stamped in Versemark with the SU Paisley BG stamp, and heat embossed. Thanks Jami for reminding us this week about that fun technique. The sentiment is layed onto a piece of "coaster" chipboard and popped up with foam tape. The buckle is something I've had in my stash for quite a while, probably from Michael's. The little button brads carry out the "fabric" theme (they are silver and white, even though some of them look black in the picture), as does the pink twill ribbon I bought from Taylored Expressions and a little snip of white organdy ribbon. An extremely fun card to make, and super fun sketch with so many possibilities. The only problem I see would be making "Change of address" cards in mass quantity to send to people if you really WERE moving... LOL... this would definitely not be the card to make. Maybe to congratulate someone on a new job, or something like that. Thanks for looking, and as usual, thanks Taylor for a fantastic challenge!

Being Prepared through Trials

2008-08-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

Friends....I have had a difficult few weeks and some very painful circumstances enter my life in recent days (work stuff), causing me to fall on my knees in prayer and in tears on more than one occassion and cry out to God and ask many questions. I was reading Psalm 54 this morning....(I've been studying the life of David through Beth Moore's book "A Heart Like His"..... now you know where I got the name of my blog!) and even though David wrote this Psalm in response to being attacked by his enemies, and that was not the situation in my case, I was still in awe at the application God boldly shouted out to me. Here are the poignent words of Psalm 54.

"Save me O God by your name, vindicate me by your might. Hear my prayer o God; listen to the words of my mouth. Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life... men without regard for God. Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me. Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them. I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes."

And then this is what Beth Moore's commentary said about this passage: "We often want to be called of God, then ushered painlessly into a position of service and honor, miraculously possessing the character our callings require. God doesn't work that way. Our appointments are not about glamour. They're about glory. God's Glory. God often works the same sequence in us that He worked in David:
1. He calls us.
2. He prepares us.
3. He uses us.
4. He prepares us some more.
5. He uses us some more.

The tricky thing about God's preparation is how He prepares us... even through trials. We find ourselves saying, "I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I never would have expected this." Painless or painful, enjoyable or distasteful, God always works to prepare us to serve Him, but He rarely prepares us in ways we expect. Why must we experience such preparation? Because any work we've grown accustomed to is usually a work completed. As soon as we've learned one lesson, He brings another. He will continue to work in us until we see His face, because that's the ultimate moment for which He's preparing! "

I'm so thankful that God loves me enough to allow trials into my life that cause me to stop and strive to become more like Christ. That He wants my life to reflect His Glory more than my own selfish ambition and nature. I know I'm so far from that place, and I can't wait to see where the journey takes me.

Thank You to My Awesome Day Camp Counselors!

2008-08-25T19:49:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was our last day of our 9 week summer program at church... 8 weeks of Day Camp and 1 week of Sports Camp. I had 18 amazing counselors this summer who worked so hard and did such a fantastic job of caring for the sweet children who came. I took some of them out to dinner Friday night (to a fun place called Friscos in Long Beach, where the waitresses wear roller skates!) and for the ones who weren't able to come, I made these gift card holders to send them a thank you (probably Jamba Juice in honor of the hot summer that we had!) The inside says, "Now that summer is over, Go RELAX!"

Set used is "Sparkling Summer" retired from Stampin up!

I hope you are able to squeeze in a LITTLE MORE relaxing this week before the end of summer. Give your kids some extra hugs, extra attention, and have some special one on one time in spite of the busy-ness of shopping and preparation for school! Have a good one!

East Coast Wasabi Cupcake!

2008-08-24T17:58:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to finally get to play along with Taylor's http://www.tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/ Cupcake Challenge this week. (TECCC30) After that small earthquake we had a few weeks ago, I was putting off cleaning up my stamp room and finding my desk, but I finally had some free time last night and today to play along. The color combination is Wasabi, Real Red, and Tempting Turquoise, using shimmer white for the main cupcake image. The bottom layer of the card is Textured Wasabi... I love that stuff, and I've sure been guilty of "hoarding it." The stamp set is "Hey There Cupcake" from Stampendous (bought from eclecticPaperie), and one of the stamps from "Itty Bitty Backgrounds" is used on the Tempting Turquoise layer to tie it into the "dot" theme. The designer paper is "East Coast Prep" just retired from Stampin Up! The cupcake liner is paper pieced, and the Stampin Up word window punch is also used to punch through the DP paper to stamp "Happy Birthday" on the Real Red layer. And finally, a splash of WildWasabi striped ribbon on the bottom, some star dust stickles on the cupcake and stardust pen on the candle flames, some white brads, white pen touch opaque pen for the faux stitching, and there you go! A preppy, simple birthday card fit for a family member, male or female, or a special friend! Hope you have had a relaxing fun weekend. GO USA!!! 110 medals. Oh My Goodness. That's amazing!

Kitchen Shower Set

2008-08-21T21:02:00.001-07:00

Here are a few items I made for my neice Lauren for her wedding shower. I was the hostess for the shower so I got to make these fun invitations from Crafty Secrets Kitchen Classics set (borrowed from Jami... thanks!) and the gorgeous "Honey Pie" paper from Cosmo Cricket. The Cardstock is Saffron, Ruby Red, and Mellow Moss from Stampin Up, and the large oval punch, then trimmed with decorative scissors around the Ruby Red oval. I was going for a vintage kitchen look and this paper and this stamp set was just what I was looking for. The shower was decorated with all of my grandmothers old kitchen items (her old cookie jar, coffee grinder, and even all her old fashioned embroidered tea towels. The table is covered with my grandma's old tableclothes. I'm not sure if my 22 year old Neice "got it" or thought it was cool at all, but the rest of us "oldies but goodies" loved it! :)

And finally, here is the recipe tin I made for her. I sent each guest a blank recipe card with their invitation, and they brought them to the shower to put in the tin. This is the first recipe tin I've made and it was much fun!

The little chef guy is stamped with Crafty Secret's "Little Chef" and the paper is from DCWV retro pack, and then wrapped in twill which is stamped with the words "FAVORITE RECIPES" and covered with LOTS of mod podge!

Busy Summer

2008-08-20T07:43:00.000-07:00

Well obviously, I haven't been posting much this summer. In spite of time by myself while both kids were in Indiana, I just couldn't find the time to sit at the computer... not only was it too hot in my house, but I also had an unexpected trip to Indiana myself in the middle of summer. I took my nephew Andrew with me to visit Stephen, and also got to visit Emily too. The 4 of us had a great time together for a few days.

Young adults... oh my goodness. When did that happen???
Stephen had summer school during the mornings, and he also has a part time job at a sandwich shop called "Paradise Bakery" so while he was busy, Emily, Andrew and I either went to the movies, went shopping at the new shopping center where Stephen works... gorgeous!.... or drove around and saw the sights. :0 Look how TALL Stephen has gotten! He has caught up with ME, and is almost caught up with Emily. That is amazing to me, due to the fact that because of his birth mother being very tiny, we never quite knew how tall he might get. He is very excited about that as you can imagine.

One more picture of Stephen and Emily NOT KILLING EACH OTHER. We were having ice cream at a yummy place and sitting outside and they were goofing around, and I was trying to get a nice picture of both of them at the same time. Good Luck with That! I call this their "model" picture...

More to come soon.....

Annie Get Your Gun Fun!

2008-07-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

Annie Get Your Gun at Biola Youth Theater June 11-21 was a blast. Emily carried such a busy schedule during May and June, we were afraid she wouldn't really be able to enjoy the show, but once that curtain went up, she was the epitome of professionalism and charm. She has such a great smile when she's up on stage. I am always so proud of her. Here are some photo's taken back stage in between scenes and also after the show was over. You can see some tears being shed because of the seniors who graduated out of the BYT program. I spent most of the shows backstage helping with costume changes, but I also got to see both casts perform.

Here are all the dancers (they had 6 or 7 costume changes during the show.... whew! It was crazy back stage! Can you say febreeze!?) along with "Dolly" "Winnie" and "Nellie" some of the main characters.

This is Emily and her good friend Ashley in their ballroom scene gowns. Wow, can my baby girl kick up her heals!
This is Emily with her friend Josh who played "Frank Butler." What a sweetie. He also played Jesus in Godspell. So talented! Since he's one of the Seniors, this was their last show together. Now it's time to shift gears to the fall show, "Thoroughly Modern Millie," which means tap lessons over the summer! Hopefully by then, Emily will have her driver's license so she can driver herself to some of the rehearsals!

Sneaking up to Montrose

2008-06-03T06:37:00.000-07:00

I tried to surprise my friend Mike Saturday night with a trip up to Montrose to see our buddies Byron, Darrin and Darrin's wife Kathy, and their 3 kids. (Byron's wife Brenda was out of town.)

I say "Tried" because after getting a little turned around (i.e. lost) with our directions I had to tell Mike where we were going so he could help us get there relatively on time. We were trying to get to Montrose Church in time for the 6:30 service, where Byron leads worship and Darrin is the Associate Pastor, but were were about 10 minutes late, so we missed most of the worship set. Bummer. We still had a wonderful time, and after the service, headed over to Glendale to a very fun outdoor plaza shopping center "extravaganza" place called "Americana." Gorgeous place! Tones of shops and restaurants, all in a big square with fountains, statues, and even a playground for the kids! Dinner, laughing, great conversation, jazz music in the background, beautiful atmosphere... doesn't get much better than that!!!!!

It was so great to see some of my favorite kids in the world, Megan, Kevin and Connor, and love on them for the evening, and get caught up with my sweet friend Kathy. And P.S... it was hysterical to watch Mike giving Byron lighting advice inside their worship center... Mike just can't help himself! I think he does this in his sleep! It was a super fun way to spend a Saturday evening!

Coffee... My Favorite Thing

2008-05-27T08:47:00.000-07:00

Wanted to share some cards with you made with "My Favorite Things" set called "Hot Stuff." I have several coffee and/ or tea sets, and I'm always looking for just the right one! I love this one because of the cute cups/ mugs, and the sentiments! The brown polka dot card says "Coffee and Friends" on the outside, and "The Perfect Blend" on the inside. The1 3/8" holes are punched through the DP, and then another set of holes is punched with the smaller punch (1 1/4") is punched through a layer of chocolate paper and then lined up underneath. That was tricky. The mugs are stamped directly onto the vanilla layer, which is also scalloped with scalloped scissors, and watercolored with ink from the lids of stamp pads and the aquapainter, before being attached to the chocolate card base.

Next is a double fold card. It opens UP with the main coffee image, and then it also opens DOWN, to reveal a large writing space. You could also include a coffee gift card very easily. The caramel shadow around the image is made with 4 post it notes attached around the edge of the white layer and then colored with markers. Have a great week!

Stamping Like Crazy

2008-05-26T00:06:00.000-07:00

Last week when it was SOOO hot here in SoCal, I took a little table into my own bedroom, where I had an air conditioner, to stamp where it was cool. Well, it's now freezing cold outside, but that table is still in my room! I've been busy with several new stamp sets: Wild About You (Stampin Up!), Hot Stuff ( My Favorite Things) and Small Fruit (Stampendous). Life is Good!

Lakewood High School's Grease

2008-05-25T08:02:00.000-07:00

I forgot to post some pictures of Emily in GREASE at Lakewood High School a few weeks ago. It was the last weekend of April and the first weekend of May. In between the first 2 shows and the 2nd 2 shows, I flew to Atlanta for the Orange Conference and BACK, so I was able to squeeze it all in and still see her opening night, and closing night. Of course, she was fabulous and had the best time ever. She really made some good friends through the experience too. Emily had the part of MARTY MARASCHINO.... remember her? The one with all the boyfriends in the Marines? Sang "Freddy My Love"...

She is a born NATURAL on stage... so confident, so happy, so talented!
I love this picture of her Grandma Scheevel and her 2 cousins Jessica and Kayla who came to see her show on opening night! Four Blond Beauties! The four of them have a very special bond, and I'm so glad we all live close enough to each other to spend time together.

Now we're in the all the final rehearsals, set up, costume fittings, load in, etc. for "Annie Get Your Gun" at Biola Youth Theater, which opens June 11 and runs through June 21. She's pretty tired already!

For my Fantastic Mom

2008-05-12T20:54:00.000-07:00

Here is the mother's day card I made for my mom... I made it a few weeks ago when I first got this new set from the Occassions Mini, but thought I'd better wait to post it til after she opened it. Don't you just LOVE this Berry Bliss Paper? I know I sure do. And I'm so glad I bought this pomagranate ribbon at Christmas time. The set is "Time for You" and the baskets of flowers are from the bicycle in the set and are popped up with dimentionals. Happy Mother's Day Mom... I'm so lucky to have you as a mom... I don't know what we would do without you.

Georgia on My Mind

2008-05-11T08:16:00.000-07:00

Heidi (one of my assistants who leads our KidStuf program at church) and I went to Atlanta a few weeks ago to attend the "Orange" conference, sponsored by ReThink and Northpoint Community Church (Andy Stanley's church). It was an amazing conference. I will have more about it on my other blog: http://www.lakewoodkidconnection.blogspot.com/ But after the conference, I was able to stay a few extra days to visit old friends from when I used to live in Georgia. It was a bitter sweet time. I have such a mix of memories from Georgia. My kids were born there. I was involved in ministry at 3 amazing churches: Piedmont, Woodstock, and Faith Community, and have dear friends from each of those 3 churches to this day. But it is also where my marriage disolved and I began the journey of single mom-hood, and much of my energy during the last 2 years of living there was spent on that journey. But life moves on no matter where we are, and going back to Atlanta occassionally is good for me. It shows me that God is still faithful, that He is on His throne, that He took care of me THEN and continues to take care of me now. All the kids I had in my ministry then are all grown up and getting married and having kids of their own, so it's a great reminder of why I do what I do.

Me and Pam... the most amazing friend in the world. She was also Emily's 4 year old preschool teacher! (We met when we were both teachers at Woodstock Baptist Preschool.) This is taken upstairs in her new house in her CRAFT ROOM/ office, counseling room, quilting room, former home school classroom. It's bigger than my kitchen and FULL of fun stuff. I could live in this room for a long time and be very happy!

This is Connie McLemore, me and Terri Nordine. It's hard to believe that they were among there very first people and friends I ever met in Georgia, way back in 1988, and we continue to be great friends and have such a wonderful time when we get together (every 3 or 4 years!) This is taken at a Lebonese restaurant in Marietta, where Terri likes to hang out, and she also painted the Mediterranean scene behind us! Terri serves on the staff of "Middle East Bible Outreach" (http://www.mebo.org/) and I admire her heart for reaching the lost in an area of the world that is in so much turmoil! We all have teenagers that used to be babies together, so it's so fun to compare notes about our kids when we get together. We had grape leaves, hummus and baklava together... how great is that!?

And finally, this is Jim and Denine Wolden and their daughter Elena. They are actually OLD friends from California (I first met Denine when she was still Denine Plant back in 1982 when I first came to work at FBCOL.) Jim and Denine moved to Acworth Georgia 4 years ago, after I had already moved BACK to California. Small world isn't it... that they would end up just one town over from where I used to live so I could come and visit them whenever I was in town. They always open up their home to me when I'm in town and Elena gets SO excited! Elena, thanks so much for the wonderful saxaphone concert. You are amazing! Keep up the good work. Jim and Denine, thanks for dinner and for taking such good care of me, and making sure that I got back to the airport safely and on time! I love my Georgia family. I only wish they would come to California once in a while to visit us here!

What a Girl Wants

2008-04-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

My sweet "baby girl" turned 16 yesterday! It was a special day and a special week for many reasons... not only is she growing into an amazing young woman of God who loves people, cares about integrity, and works very hard at everything she does, but it was also an important day because it was a lightbulb moment for me personally. Emily woke me up at 5:45 a.m. fully dressed, make up and hair done, and asked if she could go out to breakfast with her girlfriends from school! What... who am I... remember me? The woman who gave birth to you...right? The woman who hands you money at every turn, drives you all over southern california at your heart's desire, and comes to every event, every concert, every play, musical, etc. to cheer you on... How did I all of a sudden become "chopped liver?" Emily left for the day to go out to breakfast with her friends, go to school, and then go to Grease rehearsal right after school.... so I didn't see her the whole day until about 9:30 p.m. Very strange birthday. (for me!) She had a fun day with her friends, and I had to come to the cold realization that she is pulling away, that her friends are way more important to her than her family/ parents!

One of the most revealing moments of this wonderful occassion was her birthday list. It gives a humorous, yet enlightening glimpse into the mind, heart, and priorities of a 16 year old girl. It borders on childhood and womanhood at the same time. Here's a little peek:

*Classic Ipod

*Acrylic Nails

*Highlights (for her hair)

*Berret (you know, the hat kind)

*Sun Dresses

*Earrings (big)

*Silver Stiletos

*Hollister jacket

*Lap top (computer)

*purses in general

*mica bella powder

*vans tennis shoes

*new phone/ iphone

*prom dress

*belly button ring

Doesn't that last one just totally crack you up... and take you by surprise!? I love it!

Easter Fun with the Family

2008-04-12T07:43:00.001-07:00

Finally figured some things out on my camera... my problem is I am very forgetful, so I have to keep learning the same thing over and over again. Anyway, here are some family Easter pictures. I think there were 35 of us at my sister Dyan's house in Thousand Oaks. So many kids that we had to have TWO Egg Hunts... one for the Little Kids (here's Ellie, Josh, and Grace) .....

And one for the BIG kids (from left to right, staring into the bright sun, are Sammy, Maddie, Jakob, Luis, and Giovani.)
A few more sweet pictures of our "babies" ( I love this picture of Josh with his bag on his head... that was the only one where he was looking into the camera "sort of".... tee hee! )

We also celebrated SEVEN family birthdays while we were all together... here are the "big people"... nephew Giovani, Dawn (who was my flower girl in my wedding in 1986 and now she's 22!!) my sister in law Carolyn, her little boy Josh (the big THREE!), Audrey, my nephew's wife, her little boy Derrik, and.............

Little Katie... my niece Nicole's baby girl, who turned ONE!

Wow, what a wondeful DAY we all had together!

Got Scraps?

2008-03-14T07:46:00.000-07:00

Just a few quick cards with some yummy paper called "Two Scoops" by Basic Grey. The shaker card is one of my favorite designs, that I've used several times. The Happy Birthday tag shape stamp is from the original Tag set from SU! (remember how we were all so fanatical about those TAGS and that tag punch when it first came out?) The cardstock is Rose Red and Wild Wasabi and the flower stamped all over the wasabi is from the All about U Set. Ribbon and Rick rack from Michaels. The little dots inside the shaker window are just dots from one of my hole punches in various colors.

The base of the thank you card is Pretty in Pink and it's stamped with white craft ink with the Paisley stamp. The other card stock colors used are Celery, Wasabi, Rose Red, Regal Rose, and White. Wow, I didn't realize I kind of got out of control with all those scraps. There are holes punched in the bottom of the scalloped layer, stitches drawn on both cards with a signo white gel pen, and edges sponged in white on the Thank you card. Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Camera problems. I'm headed out to a funeral today of a high school girlfriend, so I'm hoping to have time later this weekend to post some memories and pictures of my friend CHRIS. Have a good weekend.

Refuge and Strength

2008-02-29T07:47:00.000-08:00

I've been playing around with this set called "Refuge and Strength" in an attempt to find something for the "Shoebox Swap" at Southern California Stampmania V coming up in April. This once a year stamping event is such a blast... a whole day of stamping, meeting new friends, eating, winning prizes, and more stamping. I always come home with dozens of great cards to drool over! We all bring a card for 10 other people to make, put all the supplies in a box, hence the name "shoebox swap." I'm still playing around with colors and patterned paper, so I'm not revealing any secrets yet, and we need to use only current products, so I still need to order some NEW STUFF (oh darn!) but here are a few cards to brighten your day. As the sentiments on the cards say: "Each day of life is a precious gift from God" (Charles Spurgeon) and "God is, and all is well." (John Whittier) AMEN to both of those sentiments today. As I still try to figure out how to deal with the changes in our family regarding my son's new school situation (basically it's a combination of home schooling and independent study, which is causing a lot of pressure on me and a lot of begging, coersing, reminding, and a lot more involvement for me to help him get his assignments finished each week) I need reminding constantly that God is still on the throne of my life, He is Sovereign, He loves me, my son and my daughter, and will never leave us or forsake us. No matter what the circumstances! I try to remember not to focus on the present, but to keep my eye on the future..... the eternal perspective. God Bless You Today and remember that HE LOVES YOU!

Spring Time Cards!

2008-02-19T08:56:00.000-08:00

This little sheet of scrapbook paper was calling out to me to make some spring time cards. I love the colors in it (Celery, Almost Amethyst, Rose shades, Olive, Saffrons and Banana shades, etc.) and also love the fact that it LOOKS textured, even though it's not.

Here are 2 fun cards I made... the first with CRAB AND CO. from Stampin Up! I made the circle with my coluzzle because I needed it to be almost 3 inches in diameter and I don't have a circle punch that big! That meant cutting the scalloped circle by hand using scalloped scissors.

The next card is using a stamped image by Stampendous that Joy from eclecticPaperie sent me! Stampendous makes such adorable spring images. There are little stick on rhinestones on the word window punch in the corner, and on the "S". The word BLESS YOU is made with the little tiny snap stamps. The image is colored with markers, the scalloped edge is cut with the "cloud" decorative scissors, and there is a piece of apricot grossgrain ribbon (Stampin Up!)

All the cardstock for both cards is SU! (Amethyst, Banana, Celery, & Apricot)

Valentine's Day Purses

2008-02-12T21:25:00.001-08:00

I have 10 ladies in my office at work that I care about very deeply. Working at a church is a wonderful blessing. We can laugh together, cry together, hold hands and pray together, have lunch, shop, STAMP, and serve God together. It doesn't get much better than that! I usually try to make them something for holidays like a card, a bag of candy with a stamped topper on it, or something like that. When we made these little purses at Jami's club night a few months ago, I knew they would be perfect for valentine's day for "my ladies!" Here's a link to Jami's bag: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/761728?cat=500&ppuser=5896

I made 10 of these, 2 in each type of paper. Glad I started very early! They were more time consuming than I thought they would be. There are a few bags of M & M's inside each purse! Can't have a purse without chocolate inside!

Jami Swap

2008-02-02T18:03:00.000-08:00

My friend Jami recently hosted a swap to feature the new stamp sets in the new Stampin Up! spring 08 catalog. I was fortunate to be invited to join in. A swap means everyone makes the same number of cards and swap with each other, so we end up with gorgeous, unique cards from other talented stampers, using sets that we may not have, to give us ideas and inspiration. I am always AMAZED whenever I am involved in a swap... and my reaction is usually, "How did she come up with that?" (In a very good way.) Here are my two swap cards, for 2 different rounds. Round one, using the stamp set Pun Fun was just a general swap using new stamp sets. My colors are chocolate chip and celery, and it also features the oval punches from Marvy, ribbon from Michaels, and the word window punch from SU!

My second card was to feature black as an accent. This was very difficult for me, because I am very limited in my current Stampin Up Stamp sets and designer paper, and all the supplies were supposed to be current. Here is what I came up with, also using the same stamp set, Pun Fun, and the colors Pink Passion, Pixie Pink, and black. I also used the stamp sets "Itty Bitty Backgrounds" and "Paisley" as well as the photo corner punch, silver brads, the Stamp-a-majig to get the words "Love You a Latte" exactly in the right place, and the 1/16" hole punch to make little holes in the scallop. The image is popped up on dimentionals with the little pieces of ribbon taped to the underside.

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Hip Hippo Ray!

2008-01-29T21:07:00.000-08:00

I love these colors together. Cool Caribbean, Saffron, and Chocolate Chip! And I really love this ribbon I found last week at Michaels that matches Cool Caribbean! It's made by American Crafts. Hopefully, you can see how delicate and shiny it is, with little white dots all over it. The hippo is from the new set Pun Fun, and he is stamped in Black Classic ink, and colored in with Saffron, Celery, Pink, and Turquoise markers on whisper white paper. The edges of the main image are sponged with saffron ink, mounted on saffron paper, then mounted again on Chocolate Chip. The corners of the chocolate chip are trimmed with the ticket corner punch and then the whole thing is mounted with dimentionals on the criss cross cut designer paper, retired from SU. The coolest thing I like about this card is that it is folded along the left edge and is closed on the right side with a piece of velcro, under a circle punch, like a tab. The button is sewn on top with linen thread.

I had 2 sets of swap cards due to Jami this week which was way more of a challenge than I thought it would be. All the materials had to be Stampin Up, and most of my sets are retired, so therein lay the challenge! I will post my cards next week after I receive the swap cards back from Jami. I'm sure I'll be blown away by all the other fabulous cards from everyone else. Hope you have a great week!

A Star is Born

2008-01-19T13:24:00.000-08:00

Here are a few pictures of Godspell at Biola Youth Theater... the Central Park Cast... January 2008!

Notice the girl's hair in the lower right corner.... The cast is made up of "skaters," "punkers," "emo's" "preppies" etc.... as if Jesus were to come back today in 2008... who would his disciples be... who would He seek out... .who would decide to follow Him?

Here is Emily "bringing her gift to the alter" and Jesus telling her to leave her gift (a shoe) at the altar and go make peace with her "brother!"

And here she is "in jail" after her "brother" turned her in!

And of course, the highlight of the show, Emily singing "Oh, Bless the Lord My Soul." What a blessing it has been to watch her blossom and grow during this experience. She is so at home on the stage, I am in awe. She has made wonderful lasting godly friendships, she has learned to listen to instructors trying to help her grow in her art, and she has had the privilege of seeing God honor the desires of her heart as she has allowed Christ to work in and through her. Tonight is the last show, and we have about 25 people coming to see her from our family and church. I'm sure there will be some tears shed as the show closes and all these kids go their separate ways.

New Rubber!

2008-01-16T23:10:00.001-08:00

Finally got my hands on my new rubber... Pun Fun! Thanks Jami for breaking that box open for me! Here is the deput card from the set... it was SOOO hard to decide which stamp to use first. This paper is from Making Memories. I love to buy coordinating papers from the same designer at the same time. This card is also for Color Challenge 149: Stampin Up Rose Red, Sage Shadow, and Apricot Appeal. The lamb is stamped on confetti white and then sponged with Sage Shadow around the edge to softn the paper. A few snips of ribbon, the ticket corner punch, scallop scissors and paper piercer complete this super simple cards. Thanks for looking!

Hedgehog Happiness!

2008-01-15T08:40:00.000-08:00

I just love this little guy! I was lucky enough to find this set at a garage sale a few years ago, long after this Stampin Up! set had been retired, and I'm so glad I snatched him up. This card is for my special friend Michelle. Her birthday was Friday, but unfortunately, she was VERY SICK with a terrible flu on her birthday, so we haven't celebrated yet. This card uses my favorite paper from DCWV... retro prints, as well as Cameo Coral, Wild Wasabi, Ruby Red, and Vanilla Paper. Hedgehog is stamped with Brown Staz on, and then colored with markers and an aquapainter. The scallopes are cut with decorative scissors. The little tab that says "My Friend" is from the set "Polka Dot Posies" because it was sitting out on my desk leftover from the card you see below. The ribbon is from Michaels. I was pleasantly surprised to see how it matched.

The second card uses the same paper, and has 4 different designs of paper that all coordinate. Isn't that awesome. Makes it so much easier to find coordinating rprints. The stamp set is "Polka Dot Posies" and the flower is stamped in Ruby Red, Cameo Coral and Old Olive (oops, I was supposed to used WildWasabi to match the paper, but I forgot!) The edges of the stamped image are sponged with cameo coral, to soften the white paper. Then it is layered on Cameo Coral and Ruby Red, trimmed with scalloped scissors, and "poked" with the paper piercer. The My Friend tag once again is from the same set. I LOVE POLKA DOT POSIES... it's a keeper!

Have a sunny and wonderful day.

My daugter gets her braces off today, so I'm excited to post some pictures of her tonight! Woo Hoo!

Time for a Challenge

2008-01-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

Had some fun this week trying to get caught up on some Splitcoast Challenges. Nothing too difficult, but lots of fun to try different color combinations and new sketches.

The first one is a great color combination using Eggplant, Wild Wasabi and Saffron (all Stampin Up) and is also a new sketch challenge. The stamp sets used are Sweet Treats for the main image, Itty Bitty Backgrounds for the eggplant layer, Swirl Style wheel for the saffron layer, and Warmest Regards for the sentiment. The cake is colored with markers. Embelishments include the word window punch tab, a green rhinestone brad, gold glitter on the candles, Glaze pen on the cake, and Crystal Effects on the cake stand

Here's a fun card to brighten someone's day, using Color combination 147 (Taken with Teal, Celery, and Real Red). The stamp set is called "Very Punny" the frogs are colored with a celery marker, and then the sentiment is stamped separately in teal, and punched out with Taken with Teal ink. The red scalloped layer is made with the slit punch, and the little holes are made with the smallest hole punch. There is also faux stitching and red brads around the edges, and red gingham and silver cord are the final touches. This will be for my daughter's smashing success in Godspell, which opens tonight for her cast. My friend Mike and I will be there in the 2nd row smiling from ear to ear, and probably shedding a few tears of pride and joy!

And The Curtain Goes Up

2008-01-08T23:25:00.000-08:00

Well, after 15 weeks of rehearsals, 8 all day Saturday marathons of painting props, sewing costumes, running lines, practicing dance steps, almost ruining her voice, many voice lessons, tons of fun meeting new friends, staying up late driving home (50 miles per rehearsal... up and back, up and back), the killer week is here. Last night, Emily was at Biola til 11:00; tonight was a stay at home, do homework and eat one last home cooked meal together, and then tomorrow night, we have dress rehearsal, and the show opens on Thursday. I say "we" because I'm doing makeup tomorrow night, and then learning how to "ush" (that's what ushers do, right?) while she's rehearsing. Oh yeah, and we had to run out this afternoon after work and buy a few more things for her costume! It's been a challenging road for her, but she is looking forward to the show opening. I am amazed at her dedication, her ability to develop her talent and skills in the area of singing and dancing (I thought you either "had it" or you didn't... but she has worked very hard at becomming great!), and all during this time, she has maintained almost perfect grades at school, sung in 2 other singing groups, been involved in lots of church things, etc.
Break a Leg, Em! (Why in the world do we say that????) I can't wait to post some photo's, but that will be a while, because we're not allowed to take pictures during the shows, we'll have to wait until the professional photographer gives us the pictures he takes. Every cast member has to take a big BOX to keep all their stuff in during the shows... make up, hair stuff, costume changes, snacks, water, etc. It's called their SHOW BOX. Emily had one a long time ago, but since this is her first show back in California, she needed a new box. Most of the kids write the names of the shows they've been in somewhere on the box, and it becomes sort of a souvenier. I wanted to make Em some kind of special name plate to put on the top of her box, so this is what developed. It's my first time to make a "name plate" using my new alphabet, Letterpress. She really liked it, even though I could tell she still wants to add to it some of her own personality.

It uses Saffron, Vintage Violet, and Celery Paper, and Making Memories "Cheeky/ Abby Words" scrapbook paper as the base, and then adds a bunch of vellum sentiments, brads, swirl clips, etc. The whole thing is about 12 x 9, and is slipped inside a 12 x 12 scrapbook album page protector, then trimmed to size, to tape on the top of the rubbermaid box so it doesn't get wet or ruined. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out, even though I was trying to keep it as flat as possible, so I wasn't able to add any RIBBON.... Please keep Emily in your prayers the next few days if you remember, as well as the rest of the cast.... this is an amazing and powerful musical, and I'm sure Satan would desire to attack these precious teenagers, discourage them, cause illness to them, etc. to prevent the GOSPELL from being heard by hundreds these next 2 weeks. Thank you so much.

One Sheet Wonder

2008-01-07T15:27:00.000-08:00

These are my "One Sheet Wonder" cards we started at Jami's club night this past Friday. We made 3 cards at her house, and then I brought the rest of my sheet home and had fun over the weekend making 4 more cards. Seven cards out of one sheet of stamped cardstock. The base cardstock was Vanilla and using the Stampin Up inks: Artichoke, Eggplant, Pumpkin, Rose Red, and Amethyst, and the stamp sets: A Beautiful Thing, Carte Postale, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Happy Harmony, Fancy Flexible Phrases, the Baroque Wheel, and a set from The Angel Company that I can't remember the name of, but it's something like "Girly Girl." (If anyone knows, please let me know!)

Here is a close up of one of the cards we started at Jami's house and then I added a special little tag to it when I got home. It uses both Stampin Up Circle Punches (1 1/4 & 1 3/8) and both Stampin Up Oval punches layered on top of each other, and then 2 brads added on top. The next card I've highlighted shows a few added pieces of ribbon, some brads and some corner stickers on the main sentiment image. Feel free to visit my splitcoast gallery (located on the sidebar) to see each card up close. Also, see Jami's blog for all the original details: www.jami.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com It's back to work for me tomorrow after about 9 days off, so I'm a little sad about that. I've greatly enjoyed not feeling the pressure of getting up and getting out the door in such a rush every morning, and I can tell my back, my neck, my knees, and all the other parts of my body that have arthitis, have enjoyed the break too! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

Family Christmas Photos

2008-01-03T16:53:00.000-08:00

For those of you who know my family, and know how huge it is, I thought this would be a good place to post some family photos from Christmas. It's always such a blessing for all of us to be together. The Lord has truly knit our hearts together, and in His Sovereignty, has called each of us to be His child. That is the best feeling, to know that we will be together throughout eternity.

My neice Grace, Susie's 3 1/2 year old, on Christmas day. The next picture is Susie's husband Rick, who had just returned from Kuwait 2 days before Christmas, and their son Andrew. Andrew is 16, the same age as Stephen, and he and Stephen are pretty much inseparable. Their dog Bubba is an important part of their family too.

Here you can see my mom, who's still running circles around the rest of us as she travels, takescare of her house and huge yard, sees movies, broadway shows, and concerts several times a week, plus helps Susie, Dennis, and I with anything we need from her. Also you see Lindsey, Susie's oldest daughter, who is busy working full time these days, and next to her is Susie, still juggling four kids on her own while Rick is overseas, age 22 down to age 3 and still works part time. I have no idea how she does it.

I love this cute picturefrom Thanksgiving Day of my sister Dyan holding Gracie and Ellie. Ellie is Dennis and Carolyn's 5 year old, and she loves taking "care" of Josh her little brother, and Grace, when the 3 of them are together. It's cool how the neices and nephews came in spurts, so each group of them have others their own age to hang out with and grow up with. Dyan is the oldest of my siblings, and she loves spoiling all her nieces and nephews.

And here's another one from Thanksgiving.... Grace, Ellie and Josh wearing their turkey hats they made with Aunt Carolyn (Dennis' wife, the school teacher). As you can tell, I've pretty much quit taking pictures of GROWN UPS at our family gatherings, opting for the much cuter little ones. I'll have to try to take some pictures of us grown ups at our next get together.

Stamping Fun

2008-01-02T18:36:00.000-08:00

Had a chance to spend some relaxing time stamping today, since I'm on vacation this week while my kids are home from school. Here are 2 birthday cards, both using some designer/ scrapbook paper as their backdrop. That sure is the easy and fun way to go when you're looking for a color scheme for a card... just go through your pile of scrapbook paper and find something you want to work with. The first one is made with the stamp "Blooming with Happiness" a very fun and feminine set. The colors used are Cool Caribbean, Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip, and a little Old Olive to pick up the colors in the paper. This pad of paper is my favorite "go to" paper... its "Retro Prints Mat STack" from DCWV purchased at Joanne's. The background is stamped with the wheel "Kindness" but you might not be able to see it. The flowers on the cake as well as the candles are highlighted with the Sakura Gelly Roll Stardust Pen. The little round tag at the bottom is called "Riveting" and is stamped in Turquoise, and then punched with the 2 circle punches: 1 1/4 and 1 3/8. What would I do without those 2 punches??? Enjoy.

This next card is for my sister Debbie. I'm trying to get caught up on some Sketch Challenges from "Splitcoast Stampers" (http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/) and this was an easy sketch for this card. I just got "Letterpress Alphabet" a few weeks ago from the retirement list and this is the first time using it. It has so many possibilities. I had fun checking out the gallery! The colors used are Groovy Guava, Rose Red, Vanilla, and the green is a textured cardstock from Brazill. Love the color. I wish Stampin Up had this color. The DP is from "Making Memories" and it's called Cheeky Abby Flower. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this DP. I love all the fun colors in it. The small Happy Birthday sentiment is from the set called "Warmest Regards." I tried punching it out with the word window punch as well as both oval punches, but all three were too small, so I had to make my own oval. I trimmed the sentiment to a small rectangle, and then rounded the corners with a corner rounder. I really really wish Stampin Up would make a larger "Word Window Punch" don't you? Scalloped scissors in a few places, and the ticket corner punch, a silver swirl clip, and a piece of ribbon complete this simple card. Thanks for looking!

Garden Journal

2008-01-02T08:10:00.000-08:00

My mom is an avid gardener. Spends time in her huge yard every day tending to her plants and flowers. She is 77 years old, and still does most of her own yard work, including mowing and edging, (because she doesn't like the way the gardeners do it when she hires someone to do it for her.) She is amazing (and so is her yard)! This is a gardening journal that I covered and embellished for one of her Christmas gifts. It was $1.00 at Target and inside in helps you keep track of what you've planted, where, what brand of seeds, when to fertilize, etc. The lettering stamps are called Whimsical, and they are retired from Stampin Up. The main image is actually 2 stamps side by side (one of them masked and the other one stamped overlapping it.) It's called "Long Time Friend" and it is also retired, stamped in Chocolate Chip craft ink, dried with the heat gun, and then colored with markers. The binding of the journal is covered with twill tape, held on with the double sided sticky stuff! Whether your new year's resolutions include gardening, getting organized, loosing weight, or whatever it is you feel compeled to work on this year, I pray you meet all your goals successfully!

WHAT ARE YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS?

A very Merry Late Christmas

2007-12-31T22:24:00.000-08:00

Well, my kids got home from their dad's yesterday, after many hours of airplanes, layovers, and waiting for luggage. They were very tired (I could tell by the grouchyness) but we had a few presents to open, including stockings, and I wanted us to have at least 1 nice meal together before they scattered in different directions on New Year's Eve and the days that follow as Emily prepares for Godspell.

Here's Emily opening her much awaited Blake Lewis (American Idol!) CD and new CD holder, since the CD holder that only held 50 cd's was waaaay too small!! PS... aren't her new glass adorable!

And, believe it or not, a very nice picture of Stephen being calm and normal... his main gift this year was a laptop case and laptop cooling fan, but he opened those before he went to Indiana, so yesterday, he only had this book to open. Not too exciting, but it's a phenominal Star Wars "Vault" book.. full of actual tickets, programs, pieces of film, and all kinds of memorabilia. If you're a Star Wars van, it's a must have!

I love this picture of the two of them together... again, it doesn't happen very often, and as the years go by, and we all get so busy, I treasure these all together moments more and more, especially if they're getting along! LOL I know before I blink too many more times, they'll be leaving for college, or moving away, or getting married, etc.

And speaking of getting married (no it's not ME!) my neice Lauren got engaged a few days before Christmas, and her fiance Steve made his debut at our family gatherings over the holidays. He survived all the family "grilling" that we have traditionally put all the men who have tried to make their way into our family. He did quite well. Congratulations Lauren (or LOLO, as she was called as a baby, because her sister Lindsey couldn't say "Lauren") and Steve! I see some stamped wedding stuff in my near future! Woo Hoo!

The Reason For the Season

2007-12-29T07:30:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to share with you a few more of the Christmas cards I made this year. When I realized I needed about 10 more cards to send, I needed something very simple. I bought this little baby Jesus stamp a long time ago, (he is stamped on shimmer white with black staz on and colored with markers) and I don't think I've ever actually made anything with it. Shame on me. Isn't he cute? I rarely use Not Quite Navy, and wouldn't normally have thought of this color combo for a Christmas card, but this DP from DCWV glitter posies pad looked great with Not Quite Navy Paper, and a touch of Saffron. Of course, it includes the new round scalloped punch from Stampin Up, a MUST HAVE for everyone! The little Peace word stamp is from last year's holiday mini, and it is stamped on white shimmer also, and punched with the word window punch. A touch of white ribbon and wa-la!

My last group of cards this year was modeled after a card we made at Jami's club night, called a "Hot Card". The name doesn't really tell you exactly what to do... but it is such a great technique.

You stamp on plain white tissue paper, then crumple the paper up into a little ball, then smooth it out, and layer it on top of a piece of plastic wrap, then put that on top of plain white cardstock.

Cover the whole thing with parchment paper/ freezer paper, and then iron the whole thing. You'll probably end of up with plastic paper sticking out around the edges, but just trim the edges and make your card. I actually did a whole sheet of snowflakes and then made that into 4 cards. The Peace sentiment is from PaperTreyInk's "Snowflake Serenade" set... one of my all time favorite Christmas sets! Add some ribbon and a little sparkle from a glitter pen, and you have a simple, yet elegant card.

Today is my last day by myself before my kids come home tomorrow, and I had high hopes of stamping, and shopping, but I have a horrible headache, I think from an oncoming sinus infection or cold, so I think I'll go back to bed! Have a safe, healthy, yummy, and fun New Year, whatever your plans are!

What a Team!

2007-12-27T08:17:00.000-08:00

The biggest part of my life, besides my kids, is the time I spend with these 3 ladies in my office and in my ministry at Lakewood Family Church in Long Beach, California. I love these ladies with all my heart, and I know God has placed each of them in my life for different reasons.

From left to right you see: Heidi, our "Creative Program Director" (she runs our Sunday morning KIDSTUF production for elementary kids... including drama, music, Bible, and all kinds of crazy fun)... then Michelle, our "Early Childhood Director" who works very hard at keeping everything safe, fun, and enriching for our Babies through Kindergarteners, plus juggles all the volunteers that staff that area of ministry, then ME, then Kelli, our Secretary, who does anything and everything we need her to do. Between the 4 of us we have 9 children which keeps us all hopping, and also gives us a huge passion for making sure the families of our church and our community know and love Jesus. This picture was taken on Sunday, Dec. 23 at our SNOW DAY at church... 5 tons of snow shredded and blown right on our playground, for kids and families to play in. It was a "BLAST".... get it?

Wishing You Joy

2007-12-26T23:06:00.000-08:00

I hope you've been having a wonderful time, surrounded by family and friends the past few weeks as you have been celebrating this special time of year. My kids left on Christmas eve morning, after rushing to get lots of suitcases and presents packed, and even finding time for them to each open one gift. They are in Indiana with their dad, stepmom, and stepbrother and stepsister until the 30th but right before they left, we snapped this picture in front of our tiny tree... so tiny that you can't even see it in this picture!

Whenever they're gone, I have very mixed feelings. I enjoy the time to myself, because that doesn't happen very often, and it gives me a chance to do some "deep cleaning" in their bedrooms :) and go to the movies with friends, but I also get a little depressed when they're gone. It causes me to reflect on lonliness, and the events that lead to me becoming a single mom. All my sisters and my brother, plus all the spouses and lots of the neices and nephews got together this afternoon and evening at my sister's in Thousand Oaks, so it was really good to be together with my wonderful family, even though my kids weren't there.

We will celebrate a little more Christmas when they return on Sunday. In the meantime, I know I have so much to be thankful for, and one of those things is the opportunity to spend time with the Lord, worshiping Him, and having extra time this week to spend in His word. I'm praying that I will take advantage of those gifts from Him! "Thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift!"

Christmas by Candlelight

2007-12-02T22:37:00.000-08:00

My daughter's madrigal group from Lakewood High School was privileged to sing this evening at Disneyland's Candlelight Procession and Ceremony. It was amazing. I have seen this show one other time about 7 years ago, but back then it was done "back" in the pavillion near "It's a Small World." Now it's done on the steps of the train station and everyone STANDS on main street to watch. There were 700 singers from various church and school choirs, all wearing robes carrying candles, singing the beautiful hymns we all know and love about our wonderful Savior's birth. Jane Seymour was the narrator, and read the Luke 2 Christmas passage so elloquently, surrounded by the singers, bell ringers, full orchestra and even 7 buglers, standing all the way on TOP of the train station. That was my favorite part! This was Emily's first chance to sing the Hallelujah Chorus, something I think EVERYONE should learn to do in their lifetime. She had a great time, but boy is she exhausted. It was fun to see her sing and such a wonderful magical place, along with my sister, my mom, my mom's friend, my son, and my nephew. We even had a few wonderful friends stop by to watch her sing too. What a great way to start off the month of December! I hope I can keep this Christmas message in my heart and mind throughout the coming month as life becomes a little frazzled in the days and weeks ahead.

Snowflake Joy

2007-11-29T20:09:00.001-08:00

Here is that long awaited card from Snowflake Serenade, a beautiful set from PaperTreyInk. It's a fantastic set, and the 3 snowflakes are gorgeous. This card just uses the small and medium size snowflakes. I hope you can see how pretty they are. The background piece is Blue Bayou cardstock, and the snowflakes are stamped in versemark, then embossed with clear detail embossing powder. The White panel is Soft Sky ink snowflakes stamped on Stampin Up Whisper White, then matted on top of a soft sky panel which is pierced with the paper piercer matt pack. The sentiment "Wishing you Joy" is actually 2 different stamps but put together at the same time on my acrylic block. I don't have any blue bayou ink yet, so I used Buckaroo Blue, one of last year's "In Colors" and it looks just fine. For the finishing touches, I traced the JOY word with the sakura stardust pen, stamped another snowflake on soft sky and punched it out with the 1 3/8 circle, and highlighted that circle with more stardust pen, and some fine lace stickles, added some ribbon and silver cord, and then added a tag that says "Happy Holidays", which I traced with the sakura glaze pen. This card took DAYS, way longer than most cards I do, because I just couldn't quite get the layout that I was happy with. Thanks for looking! It's almost time for Grey's Anatomy, so it's time to snuggle up on the couch and turn off the phones! :) Yeah.... tomorrow's Friday, although I have such a busy weekend ahead, it really won't seem like Friday until my day off on MONDAY.

Hi Again Crayon Resist

2007-11-26T15:26:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've done a crayon resist card, but Jami did one a few weeks ago and reminded me to get my little piece of broken white crayon out that I have in my stamping stash!

It's so easy, but so fun. It doesn't show up very much on this card, but it's very subtle. This is the large flower from the set "Mixed Bouquet" stamped in black classic ink on glossy white paper, then highlighted with the white crayon. Then I used a sponge dauber to "paint" the flower with short round strokes of ink: Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue and Wild Wasabi. I was trying to follow last week's color combination challenge, but ended up adding the bashful blue to pull out some of the blue color from the DP. The ribbon isn't actually TIED, but it's looped around in and out of 2 holes and pulled until the ends are even. A fun alternative to tying a bow. The small saying at the bottom corner is from "Simply Said." Thanks for stopping by today.

I just got my Snowflake Serenade stamps from PaperTreyInk in the mail Saturday, so I'm excited to get some cards done to share with you in the next day or two. Thanks for stopping by!

HOW MANY OF YOU SAW A GREAT MOVIE OVER THE THANKSGIVING WEEKEND? We saw "Enchanted" with 10 Scheevel girl cousins, nieces, aunts, grandma, etc. What a fun day! Then after dinner we wanted "Hairspray" so it was a good movie day! What movies have you seen and tell me whether or not you liked them....

Saying Thank You

2007-11-23T11:03:00.000-08:00

A dear friend of mine is having back surgery next week, and she will be laid up for 6-8 weeks. She is always the person who comes to the aid of everyone she knows... taking food, taking people to the hospital, or just lending a listening ear when needed. It's going to be very hard for her to let other people HELP HER for a change. As I was trying to think of ways to help her, and thinking about all the many people who will want to bless her and help her as a thank you for all the ways she has helped others, I thought that perhaps she might need a bunch of thank you cards as she is recuperating. So I'm making her a set of 10-12 cards, and will put them in a clear banded box from PaperTreyInk. (http://www.papertreyink.com/w.papertreyink.com/ )

Here are a few of the cards. Several of them feature my favorite paper from a little mat stack I bought last year from "Die Cuts with a View." It's called Retro Prints, and it's a stack of 162 4.5 x 6.5 papers in awesome colors and prints, that not only coordinate with each other, but also with many Stampin Up colors. I love using this mat stack. This card also uses Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa and Tempting Turquoise Cardstock, my brand new scalloped circle punch from Stampin Up, and 2 adorable little turquoise and white brads from Queen & Co. The turquoise starburst is stamped in craft ink onto SHIMMER WHITE paper and then popped up on with a piece of foam tape. The strip of close to cocoa is crimped with a paper crimper, (something I hardly ever use anymore!) This was a very simple but fun card to make.

This next card was fun also. It uses a very old set I bought at a garage sale, called "Oh My Word." (It was a hostess set way back.) The flower pot says "Thank You" all over it, and it is stamped in Old Olive ink, then it is cut out using a marvy oval punch (the pink one). The scallop is punched from Old Olive Paper using the scalloped marvy giga punch. (the purple one.) For some extra fun, I punched a window into the chocolate layer and the DP layer, to stamp the words "From the Heart" (from the set "Simply Said" and colored with an Old Olive Marker) onto the bottom base layer of the card, which is "Soft Sky." I also used the stamp-a-ma-jig for this to get the right allighnment, stamped the words, and then put the papers on top. There is a slit punched in the side of the oval and a piece of wide brown gingham ribbon tied to the side for some extra fun.

And finally, here's one more for today... I had this image sent to me and I've been hanging onto it for a long time. It's from the set "Doodle This" from last year's Stampin Up Spring Mini. It is layered onto Saffron, then the DP Petals and Paisleys. This paper has great colors in it. To fit with the thank you set theme, I added a little circle that says "Thank You" (from the set "Fancy Flexible Phrases") and punched that with 2 different sizes of circle punches. You also might notice a little part of the big flower is cut around. This technique is called "Out of the Box" and it just adds a little extra interest to your image and in my case, it helped make the image FIT better. I need to try this technique more. It can be a lot of fun.

Well, I have SO much to be thankful for, and making these cards for my sweet friend Lori, really helped remind me of all the wonderful people God has placed in my life who minister to me, pray for me, come to my rescue when I need them. Hope you enjoy the rest of your Thanksgiving Weekend. Here's a question for you...

Did you go out shopping on Black Friday?

Are you DONE with your holiday shopping?

Have you STARTED your holiday shopping?

I'd love to hear from you.

Sweet Friendship

2007-11-21T23:11:00.000-08:00

Last night I hosted a dinner party at my house for 3 wonderful, sweet, amazing girlfriends from HIGH SCHOOL. We just had our 30th class reunion a few weeks ago, and one of my best friends, Judy, couldn't attend because she lives so far away. Because she was in town for Thanksgiving, I decided to host a mini reunion in her honor. I had originally invited 10-12 people, but it ended up only being 4 of us... so we had lots of time to gossip (nice gossip... really!), laugh, while we tried to remember who dated whom, who broke who's heart, what we wore to the prom, why we did or didn't make the cheerleading squad, etc.

Here is a picture of the four of us last night... Becky, me, Linda, and Judy. I didn't meet these girls until jr. high, because I went to a different elementary school than they did, but I sure am glad God placed them in my life! Judy and I were flag twirlers together, I helped introduce her to her husband Jimmy Carter (no lie!) and also to Jesus. I was in her wedding 25 years ago (ouch!) and she is one of only 3 or 4 people that I remained close to when I moved to Atlanta for 12 years. Linda introduced me to my very first boyfriend... Danny S... he was her next door neighbor. Boy, did I fall fast and hard! Becky and I were also in cheerleading together and also worked very hard in CSF together... making teriyaki chicken skewers for scholarship funds until our fingers were frozen. I LOVE YOU GIRLS! God is so good to allow us to spend time with people who bless our lives, even though life has taken us on many different paths!

The Basket Challenge

2007-11-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, Splitcoast (www.splitcoaststampers.com) has been giving us a daily challenge this past weeks to make various holiday/ Christmas decorations. I thought I would love each challenge because I love giving handmade gifts to my family and friends, and these challenges would give me some new creative ideas to try, plus the motivation to get them done before December gets here. Well, I haven't done as many as I thought I would, mostly because the challenges have involved materials that I didn't have on hand. That has been a little frustrating, so I'm hoping this coming week there will be some challenges that actually use things I have in my huge stockpile of craft supplies!

This basket was one of the challenges early this past week, and since it only involved cardstock, designer paper, eyelets and ribbon, I could actually get it done. Here are the instructions in case any of you missed them!

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/treat_box/

Let me warn you that I had a little trouble getting the corner fold correct. At first I folded the corners in the wrong direction and had to redo the folds, but luckily that was before the designer paper was added, so I don't think you can tell. This is going to be filled with candy and given to a co-worker for her birthday next week, so she can keep in on her desk throughout the holidays. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

Tomorrow is our church's 60th birthday celebration, and all my children from church are singing in the morning service, plus my drama team is doing a hilarious skit, and then we're having birthday cake and bouncers after church, so it will be an exciting day! I better get to bed!

Godspell at Biola

2007-11-10T20:31:00.000-08:00

My daughter and I spent the day today working hard on her upcoming production of Godspell at Biola Youth Theater. If you aren't familiar with Biola, it a Christian University in Southern California (where I graduated from) that was origianally called "Bible Institute of Los Angeles" (thus the acronym BIOLA) and was started in 1907. (Wow!) About 15 years ago, they began a program to teach theater and music to home school kids, which eventually turned into "Biola Youth Theater." It is an AMAZING program that allows kids to participate in community theater in a safe, well supervised, moral environment, and teaches them Christian principles while they learn to sing, dance, and act! This is my daughter's third production, and she was fortunate this time to earn a LEAD in Godspell, as Joanna... Joanna is the disciple that sings "Oh Bless the Lord My Soul." I am amazed at her dancing and singing abilities..... and so thrilled that she is meeting wonderful friends in the process. Of course, I secretly hope she'll want to attend Biola in a few years when she gets ready to choose a college, but she's determined to move farther away... like New York! Let's hope and pray she realizes that musical theater majors don't make any money, and that she'll also choose to pursue her passion and gift for MATH so she can EAT while she performs on Broadway! If you want to see Godspell on stage at Biola, I would strongly recommend it! The shows are Jan. 10 - 12, and also Jan. 17-19 and you can get tickets by calling (562) 906-4574, or www.youth.biola.edu/byt

Blessings for a New Home

2007-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

This is a special card for my former mother-in-law to send her blessings for her new home. She lost her hustband, my father in law and my kids' sweet "poppa" on Aug. 13, and in the midst of her grief and trying to cope with all the changes in her life, she had to sell their home and move to a smaller place. They were married for 48 years and she hardly ever left his side. She didn't work outside the home, and they were involved in their kids lives, traveled together extensively, sang in church choirs together, and opened their home to hundreds of guests in various capacities. Even though I'm divorced from her son, we still try to keep in touch and get together as often as possible for the sake of my 2 kids. It was a privilege to be in their home and help minister to her and the other family members right up until the end of Poppa's life, and even on the day he passed away, as well as the memorial service, where hundreds gathered to pay tribute and celebrate a man's faithful walk through life.

This card is made using the "Long Notes" from StampinUp! It's the first time I've used the package I bought a long time ago. The color is saffron, and it also uses Not Quite Navy, Blue Bayou, and Vanilla Paper. The inks are: Not Quite Navy, and Saffron. The stamp sets used are Neighborhood Jumbo Wheel (isn't it adorable? It's actually even LONGER than I used here. I cut one of the houses off.) and also "Fancy Flexible Phrases." Then I used a 1" and 1 1/4 " circle punch, Spanish Moss Grossgrain Ribbon, Aquapainter and markers for coloring the houses, the Double Line Stitch Plaid wheel on the base of the card, and a scrap of DP from Stampin Up! Thanks for letting me share a little bit of our family's story. If you think of it from time to time, please pray for my mother in law as she makes the huge life changing adjustment to starting life over at age 70 without her sweetheart. Thanks!

Wednesday Morning Joy

2007-11-07T09:24:00.000-08:00

Just a few quick cards participating in Splitcoast color challenge. The top folded card uses Big on Christmas and Christmas Chatter, and the oval punches down in the corner. When it's open there is a large place for a photograph or a long Christmas note! The colors used are Cool Carribbean, Chocolate Chip, and Celery, to reflect the colors in the designer paper. I think the little tab of celery dotted ribbon leads the recipient to open the card up and peek inside. The main image is colored with markers, and highlighted with a silver gel pen and the sakura stardust pen, and then softened with a little Soft Sky ink on a dauber around the edges so it wouldn't look so white. There are 2 bold brads.

The next card is for the Color Challenge on Splitcoast which comes out every Tuesday (or Monday night if we're lucky!) Since I still had this fun paper out on my desk, it was fun to discover that Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi and Ruby Red (all StampinUp!) matched beautifully. The snowman image is from Stampendous. The snowflakes are stamped in soft sky and white craft ink. The snowman is painted using the soft sky pad rubbed onto a CD and the aquapainter, the scarf done in Ruby Red and Garden Green (which is a good match for Wild Wasabi since WW doesn't come in a marker) and then some of the snowballs as well as the word JOY are covered with a glue pen and dazzling diamonds. A pretty quick card. It would be easy to mass produce if you need to make a lot of holiday cards.

Well, it's Wednesday which means a very long day with KID U at church tonight, plus Emily has a voice lesson in Garden Grove, so a lot of running back and forth as usual. I sure have mixed feelings about letting my kids get their licenses and drive. A lot less running around for me, but impossible to think about buying a car or paying for more insurance and gas!

A Pocket full of Christmas Wishes

2007-11-06T18:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's challenge on "Splitcoast Stampers" (http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/) was to make a horizontal pocket card. They are incredibly easy to make. You just fold a 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 piece of cardstock in half like you are making a regular card, then fold one "lip" down about 1 inch, or whatever you'd like, and decorate as desired. Then make a single layer card to go inside the pocket for your greeting or photo, etc. A fun way to use designer papers. Also a great way to enclose a gift card! This card uses two papers from "Paper Adventures" called "Enchanted Christmas Sweets" and "Enchanted Christmas Stripes." It has pretty sparkles all throughout it. The candy ribbon is from Michaels (a little bobbin spool) and I've had it for about 2 years waiting for the right time to use it. The tag on the front of the card is from StampinUp, Too Terrific Tags, and the Round circle at the top is from "Riveting." The sentiment on the inside of the card is from Stampendous and it's called "Wishes Come True." It's one of my favorite sentiments to use on the inside of my Christmas Cards. The cardstock used includes Real Red, Wild Wasabi and Yo Yo Yellow, all from StampinUp!

My dauther the Nerd!

2007-11-05T13:23:00.000-08:00

I couldn't resist showing you this picture of my dauther Emily on Halloween! She and her best friend Melina, decided to dress up like Nerds, (which was great, cuz it was only a $5.00 costume!) She even won the contest at church at the Youth Group Costume Party! Emily is the one on the right.