Beautiful Girls!

I made this canvas wall hanging for my brother-in-law Russell and sister-in-law Tracy for Christmas. Their daughters' beauty made this a pretty easy win-win project! I used 5"x7" canvas (2) which I painted with acrylics and distressed with antiquing inks. To this I stamped designs using versamark ink then embossed with copper embossing powder. I did their initials with chipboard which I also embossed. I found a beautiful copper hinge to connect the 2 pictures and used ribbon to hang it from. I am so glad that they loved it! But like I said, what's not to love when you look at those beautiful faces!!!

Happy New Year 2008!

I made this cute little chipboard calendar to sit on my daughter Ericas'desk at work. I saw this really cool tutorial on Splitcoast by Beate (she rocks with tutorials!) so I had to try it out. I basically used (2) pieces of 4" by 4" chipboard which I covered with designer paper (both sides). Then I printed out a little calendar (2&3/4" square) from a place online. This I mounted to 2 pieces of cardstock each a little bit bigger than the last. I used brads to hold the calendar and cardstock together, then mounted all to one of the pieces of covered chipboard. I used the other piece of chipboard to place a family pic that we just had done and a little word embellishment and then used my crop-adile to punch holes in both pieces of chipboard, add ribbon, and voila! If you need further info on how make one of your own, please e-mail me and I would be happy to share!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We will be making a new start to our new year and are quite excited to be returning home to our family and friends..."There's no place like home" is really very true to two boys who are very much missing their home in WNY!

Joy to the World!

It is only five days until Christmas, and I don't think everything will be ready! I am working everyday up until Christmas day, so it doesn't leave a lot of time to finish things at home... But; you know what? It doesn't really matter if everything is just perfect(or at least how I think it should be). The important thing about this holiday is the birth of Jesus and how we can celebrate Him! So... I am ready!
On a lighter note, check out my grandson August wearing Jim's clothes hamper on his head! Boy did we ever have fun with him! Family makes every day a holiday!
Sorry, I haven't posted any cards, etc lately but everything that I have been doing these last few weeks are xmas presents and I don't want anyone to see them on here before they open them up on Christmas!

CHRISTMAS IS NEARING!

Hi to all,
I just got back from the post office where I mailed all my cards and packages! Thank goodness that is done... Now I just have to finish up the gifts for home and do my baking. I already had made peanut butter fudge, but... it was found by my family and is now non existent! At least I know they love it! I guess I will have to make another batch! Here are some of the different cards that I made to send to friends and family. One of them might be yours! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Isabella's Birthday

Isabella, my granddaughter turned 6 today! It seems like it was only last year that she was born! I really don't know how time can slip away from us so quickly... Now she has a younger brother who will turn 3 at the end of this month!! Isabella had a birthday party at school for all her classmates today. Her Dad brought in pizza, soda, and cupcakes for everyone! Then Bella passed out the goodie bags. Can you remember getting those goodie bags at parties when you were younger? I used to look forward to them because coming from a large family didn't leave any room for "extras" when I was growing up. Goodie bags were a special treat with me savoring each treat for days... That's kind of how I think of every one of my days as I get older. I savor each day and am thankful for all that I have and for every day that I can share with those I love! How about you?

Meander Album

I saw this cool tutorial on SCS for an album that is made with 1 piece of 12" x 12" paper,
2 chipboard coasters, and 4 pieces of designer paper, and I knew I had to try to make it... Well... Here it is; and I have to say I am pleased with the results! This is a cute little book that has pockets for journaling and pages for pics, etc. It measures 3 1/2" by 3 1/2 "

Happy Thanksgiving

Here are some of the pictures from our "Turkey" day gathering. The day was beautiful and the kids had a lot of fun with all the leaves that need to be raked!

Heat Wave anyone?!

I made this card for a friend who is turning 50! I cased the look of the
card from "Splitcoast " (http:www.splitcoasters.com/ga...p'ppuser=10116) from a card I viewed there, changing the papers, stamps, words, etc. Oh what fun it is to make cards for friends and family!

Christmas is Coming...

This is my first Christmas card of the year! I didn't start out to do one, but this is what I ended up with! The paper is Bayou Blue and the designer paper is My Mind's Eye. I used paint samples to stamp the Santa Claus on and to back it! I used color chalk gray to ink the edges of the designer paper. The wording was a gift from my daughter Erica from last year! The snowflakes were added on with pop dots ( I had them left over from an old project I did about 4 years ago!) Good thing I have "Packinsons" disease! I think it turned out great! What do you think?

Happy Birthday...

I made this card for my sister Marcia's birthday... I hope she likes it! I love the blues and greens in this card. I used my favorite stamp set "Be Happy" which you should recognize from my earlier "Happy Fall Y'all" card.

Viva Las Vegas

I just got back from Las Vegas where I deposited all my money... Well, maybe not all of it! I had a blast and got to spend a day with my family out there. I had a great visit with my sister Lynda and niece Jen, nephew Bob and got to see my great nephew Alex! This card was made for my friend Jayme whom I also spent time with. Her and her husband Tom chauffered my girlfriend Cheryl, her daughter Shannon and me around. I know she loves penguins, so I hope she'll love this card. Not a lot of stamping... I used my Cricut to make the penguins, and free handed the mountains. Enjoy!

File Folder Album

Isn't this just the cutest! I made this album from a file folder, just like the ones we all use to keep our tax returns in! Isn't this a better use for that folder? The inside view has pockets so you can insert pictures, ticket stubs, journaling cards or whatever you wish. I still have to place the "subject matter" on the tab yet. I am just trying to decide what I want to use the album for... Only 1 Stampin Up stamp was used , lots of cardstock, ribbon, stickers and different embellishments.
I hope you like it! You may see it at your home soon!

Greenville, South Carolina Trip

Family pictures from our fun day! Aren't August
and Isabella getting so grown up looking?












These pictures don't even begin to capture how beautiful this spot
was... The sun was shining, it was a warm October day with lots of beautiful greenery(something we've been lacking in Charlotte lately with the drought), flowers and happy smiling families!
Thanks for sharing our day with us! I promise to put more of my cards, etc. on next!

Greenville, South Carolina

We took a day trip to check out Greenville, SC. There is a beautiful park right downtown on the Reedy river! It was wonderful and we did some exploring! Lots of paths and green spaces, lots of nooks and crannies for the kids to find! We really liked Greenville!

For The Birds...

I made this card to send to my sister who lives in Las Vegas (lucky her!). But maybe not so lucky... She fell and broke her femur and now has to be in a wheelchair for at least eight weeks! The inside of card says, "Thinking of you". I used the faux postage technique on this card. The background designer paper is from Paper Pizazz . I did 3 layers of solid cardstock (SU of course!) and I used the tab punch for the tab on top of the card. Stampin' Up stamp from the "Just Puny" set. SU inks were used to stamp and dab on around the yellow layer for added depth.

I am mailing it tomorrow. I hope she likes it...

Happy Halloween!

Birthday Dreams

I just love the blues and greens together...they make me feel so soothed... I used my scalloped punch and a nice colored jewel to finish off the punched out "enjoy your day". All stamps from Stampin Up.

You've Gotta Have Friends...

I made this card with just the right friend in mind... I hope she likes it!
French Script stamp and blossoms from SU. Wonderful friend from Mike's and the glittery "F" from the dollar spot at Target.

I'm On A Roll!

This was one of my first Autumn cards. I bought the background paper at Hobby Lobby and knew it was coming home to make a fall card! Doesn't it just "scream" Fall! The stamp set and papers and inks are all SU. The stamp set is "Give Thanks". And I do ... For my family's health, love, and closeness! Thanks for looking!

Happy Fall Y'all!

This card was one of my first attempts for a fall card that didn't use fall stamps!
SU stamp set "Be Happy" was used. SU papers real rust and mellow moss. Real rust and chocolate chip inks. I used some old paper I had hanging around for the background. I also used the stampin' around jumbo wheel with "rough texture". I am pretty happy with the results. I cased the layout from someone on splitcoast. (I don't remember who, but will add their name after I go back to splitcoast and check.)