Hot Chocolate Holder

Here is the last craft project we did last week. We covered hot chocolate envelopes with paper, wrapped a wide piece of ribbon around the middle, adhered this cute stamped image (mounted on a scallop circle to match) and done! It was clean and easy, the best kind of project :) It sure has gotten cold lately, so it's a great time to open one of these or give it to someone. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Poinsettia Christmas Card

I thought a Christmas card would be a nice project for our crafty Ladies Night. So, I pulled out some Designer paper and decided to pair it with one of my favorite stamp sets. I love A Flower For All Seasons. This image is perfect for Christmas and I think goes well with the paper. I matched the markers to the colors used in the paper and used some old olive ribbon from last year's Sleigh Bell ribbon pack.

Making all of these Christmas projects has been so much fun and definitely helping me get in the mood for Christmas. Now, I just need to come up with about 2 or 3 more Christmas card designs so I can send the cards out!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Great Little Gift Bag

I found these little paper gift bags (red and white) in the clearance section of one of my favorite stores (honestly don't remember which one!). I've been hanging on to them for about a year or two! Well, I found the right paper to match and decided it would be another one of my crafty Ladies Night projects. The gals had a choice of white or red bags. We stamped the snowman image on white cardstock using Baja Breeze ink. We then punched out the image and then mounted on another punched piece of either Old Olive or Chocolate Chip cardstock. We also had a choice of either Chocolate Chip or White 5/8" grossgrain ribbon. I think this will make a great little gift bag. I'm participating in a Secret Santa exchange at work and I think this will be the bag I use. Now, I just need to find a gift! LOL :)

Thanks for looking!

Reese's Slider Box

I found these giant Reese's cups at Walmart for 25 cents! I knew I could make a nice little box out of them. This past Friday night, I hosted a crafty Ladies Night with my neighborhood friends. This is one of four projects we did. I used the same DSP for the slider piece (piece that slides in) as the outside box piece. We put them together, and tied the chocolate chip ribbon around it. We then stamped this perfect little saying in chocolate chip and punched it out with the scallop square punch. We layered it on a larger scallop square punch of the DSP and adhered it to the box. It's just a shame I'm allergic to peanuts and can't enjoy this one myself!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

You know Dasher...

I love this stamp and decided to break it in this weekend! I love this Christmas designer paper and when I started making the card, I saw the back side and decided to make 2 cards! I used Soft Suede ink and cardstock. I also used Real Red cardstock. I was finally able to use some of the ribbon from the special Christmas ribbon pack from a year or two ago. I love ribbon! Anyway, here they are. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

The Christmas Cards Have Started!

What a great weekend last weekend. I had some orders to fullfill, so I got in some good stamping/crafting time! I started to make some Christmas cards. Here is the first one I made. I ran some white cardstock through a snowflake Cuttlebug folder (can't find my new SU! snowflake folder I ordered!) through the Big Shot. Next, I spritzed it with some Silver Shimmer Paint mixed with alcohol. Then, I mounted it on Navy cardstock, tied the Navy ribbon, added some SU! bling and viola - done! I thought about adding some words, but I think it would take away from the simple elegance of the card. So, I'll stamp some Christmas greetings on the inside :) Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Birthday Cards!

I received some beautiful, hand-stamped birthday cards from fellow SULD's and I just have to share them! I really appreciate them and the work that went into each.

First, I received this cute little Japanese Girl card from my friend Debbie Williams. Her sister-in-law actually drew the image and her sister had it made into a stamp. Isn't it awesome? So kawaii (cute!) I love the colors and background paper Debbie used on it.

The next card I recevied was from Michelle Arthur. She's one of the most creative hobby demonstrators I know. Look at the detail on this card!!!! I can't imagine how long this must have taken; look how many different stamps and cut out flowers, and bling! Michelle, this card is "to die for" gorgeous! To see more of Michelle's awesome creativity, please check out her blog here.

The next card I received was from my sister, Debbie Naylor. Isn't this card just beautiful??? I love, love, love it. She knows me well :) I love everything about it from the colors to the glitter, to the bow, to the pearl bling! Eventhough it is shouting my age, I'm going to put it up on my card board because it is just so pretty! Please check out Debbie's extraordinary talents on her blog here.

I received this next card from Sherri Gough. I love that medallion and have just never used mine yet! I love this card so much that I'm going to have to CASE it! It has a subtle elegance that I just love. I'm not a big lover of sponged edges, but it totally works on this card! Check out Sherri's blog here.

Thank you so much, Ladies! I had an awesome birthday and loved the cards I received.

Another Craft Show Weekend!

If you are looking to do some Christmas shopping, head on over to the Centreville United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 13, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. I'll be selling there and would love to see you! Thanks and hope to see you there!

6400 Old Centreville Road
Centreville, VA 20121

Craft Show This Saturday (11/6)

I'm doing a local craft show this weekend. If you are in the Northern Virginia area, please stop by, say "Hi", do some holiday shopping, etc! I'd love to see you :)

Community of Faith United Methodist Church
13224 Franklin Farm Rd.
Herndon, VA

Saturday, November 6, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Thanks!

Happy Name Day, Dimitrios!

Today is St. Dimitrios' Name Day - so, to all the Dimitrioses out there, Happy Name Day! This shout out is especially for my wonderful husband :) Happy Name Day - love you!

I made a couple cards because I couldn't decide which Fluffles image to use and which Taylored Expressions sketch design to use. The only thing I did know was that I wanted to use the Manchester DSP - it's very masculine in colors and they are surprisingly current colors even though the DSP is retired.

I colored the Fluffles images using the colors from the DSP: Baja Breeze, Always Artichoke, and Crumb Cake. I added a couple more colors for the flowers. I also used some buttons, brads, and some punches as well. I had to accessorize, but was careful not to use my beloved ribbons ;)

Anyway, thanks for looking and have a great day too!

Meowy Halloween

Look what my sister gave me! Isn't this the cutest little Halloween treat box? She gave it to me last weekend and I just had to post. I love the glittery mask on this kitty and all with punches - so purrrfect!

For more info. on this adorable little box, hop on over to her blog here. TFL!

Hoppy Birthday

I love this little image - it makes me hoppy :) When I did the last craft show, I had some ladies ask for frog and turtle images. I found this Penny Black image and it was so cute, I had to get it. I used the Diva Coffee Break Designs color challenge #196 and Stampin Royalty sketch challenge to make this card. I am really liking the new SU! In Colors (pear pizzazz and concord crush). Since I always need birthday cards, I decided to make this one a birthday. I used SU! stamps Burst Into Bloom and Party Punch for background and sentiment. I also added a couple pearls to the cut out flowers.

Thanks for looking and have a hoppy day!

Not done, but almost!

I started this card for the Mojo Monday (#149) sketch and the colourQ (#43) challenges, but somehow never quite finished it! But, I like it this way and will add a sentiment when I find the right person and occassion to use it :)

I have a hard time with the round cards, so I tend to stick to the square and rectangular cards. I love the ribbon accents and I didn't make a bow for once!

I love the pearl accents that everyone is using now. It just adds the right touch to so many things!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Sweet Sketch

Good morning! I had made some cards a while ago, but my computer was being updated and you know how it goes ;)

I made this card using the Sweet Sunday Sketch (SSSC87) found on this blog. I love the sketch and can't wait to make more cards with it. I didn't even stamp on this one....love DSP! I used my still favorite Cottage Wall while I wait for new inventory :)

Have a great day and week! Thanks for looking.

Wow - What An Honor!

My sister, Debbie Naylor, honored me with a Beautiful Blogger Award! How awesome is that? Well, coming from someone I truly love and love her work, it's very awesome! Thank you, Debbie!

Now, it's my turn to name 7 things about me and then pass on this award to others!

1) I work at the National Museum of Natural History.

2) I love Hawaii and want to retire there some day.

3) I love my furry babies: 2 cats and 1 rabbit.

4) I hate to be hot; if I'm hungry and hot, watch out! It's a deadly combination :)

5) I like to drink coffee in the morning and tea in the evening.

6) I'm obsessed with Family Feud on Facebook!

7) I could live in flip flops all year long, no matter what the temperature!

OK, on to awarding others that inspire me:

1) Michelle Arthur

2) Nancy Dawson

3) Beverly Cole

4) Sisters In Stamping

I know there is a huge list of others that inspire me, but it is a huge list. Plus, I can't put my sister down!

Thanks for dropping by and I promise to craft this weekend in order to have posts for next week! I'm closing out a fiscal year at work, so it has been too crazy to get anything else done. Have a great rest of the week!

Instant Coffee Holders

I got a couple instant coffee "sticks" and decided to make some holders for them. I'll see if they sell at the craft show. If so, I'll make more! They were quick and easy, thanks to my new coffee/tea cup wheel and some coffee stamps! I used different brown paper (green for the decaf one) and went to work. This was the first one I made. After this one, I ended up scoring the paper a little differently to account for the width of the coffee stick.

Thanks for looking and have a great day! As one of my stamps states, "With enough coffee, I could rule the world!" I love that one ;)

Halloween Swap...From 2 Years Ago!

I made this card for a Fall/Halloween Swap I participated in 2 years ago. I thought it was good card to post because I didn't have a blog back then and because embossing folders are so popular now. I took my brayer and used white craft ink to ink up the raised side of the embossing folder. I then carefully laid my piece of cardstock in the folder and ran it through my Big Shot. I let it dry and then punched a small whole in the center of the web. I used a piece of silver cording to "tie" the spider to the web. I stamped the spider, punched him out, and attached to the other end of the silver cording. I do miss that dog tag punch though! I still use it a lot - so many words fit nicely in it :) I believe the sentiment is from the set Witching You a Haunting Halloween. I stamped the inside with the rest of the phrase. The embossing folder was then easy to wash up in the sink with soap and warm water. Anyway, thanks for looking and have an awesome day!

My Christmas Swap

I joined a Christmas Swap and here is the card I made. I love this set, Gifts of Christmas. I love the dove image, but the poinsettia stamp makes a wonderful background stamp. I used Garden Green, Real Red, and Very Vanilla. This card is pretty plain compared to my usual style, but I like it :) Thanks for looking!

Back and Refreshed!

Aloha! I'm back and refreshed. Nothing like a vacation to get you back on the right track... Here are some pics from Maui: scenic point off of the Hana Hwy, sunset pic, and sunrise from Mt. Haleakala. There was just beauty no matter where you looked... Thanks for letting me share!

The Nicest Things...No Bunny!

I decided to make a card using this sketch. I thought The Nicest Things set would be a good one to use with it. This set isn't really my style, but I had to buy it because of that one image - the bunny in the flower pot. All who know me know I love bunnies and have had pet house rabbits for almost two decades now. Anyway, I had an idea in my head. Well, you know how that goes! It just didn't work out! I stamped the little girls and colored them in. The image of the girls was larger than I anticipated, so by the time I put down the different pieces of cardstock, I couldn't fit the bunny! I'll have to use that image on another card... I also used the Color Throwdown #106 challenge for this. I think these are great colors together. I have really come to love and appreciate Crumb Cake (Kraft). I'm so happy to have the ink pad and marker now too :)

To embellish, I used some cute little chocolate chip brads that I thought worked well with this card. I also used a chocolate chip and certainly celery button, tied together with a thin strip of soft sky cardstock. I "tied" the whole thing together with some chocolate chip satin ribbon (love the satin ribbon!!!)

Anyway, here's my card and my take on the challenges. Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Bold Colors Never Fade...

I missed the colorQ (#46) deadline of yesterday, but that's okay. I still had fun playing along. These were some bold colors and it was a challenge! I do love the new cherry cobbler and daffodil delight colors together.

I also used the Sweet Sunday Sketch (#81) for this card. It is a simple layout, but I really like it.

I pulled out my new favorite set Friends Never Fade. I stamped the daffodil cardstock with one of the stamps and for the center image. I also stamped the matching image in wild wasabi. I cut both pieces out, centered the daffodil piece, and used dazzling diamonds in the center. Dazzling diamonds really does add the perfect amount of sparkle to any project. I just seem to make a mess when using it!

For other embellishments, I used some baja breeze ribbon for the strip and I used one of the punches to punch out little flowers in daffodil and baja breeze. I centered little rhinestones on each. I love the bling!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend and here's to a nice week for all! Thanks for looking :)

Original Shirt Card

Happy Sunday! I am so ready for another day of productive stamping and crafting. I'm going like mad to make things for Fall craft shows. In between, I'm trying to make some cards to send and to post!

I did want to post this card I made in the Fall of 2008. It was for my group's monthly swap. The theme was "Masculine" and that is when I first made the little shirts. At the time, the In Colors were Pacific Point and Riding Hood Red. So, I used them with Chocolate Chip to put this card together. I really like this card and when I gave one to my Father-In-Law, he loved it! He always dresses up, no matter what day, no matter what occasion :)

TFL and have a great day!

Feeling the Tropics!

I love this Island Oasis paper. It has a bunch of great colors and patterns.

I have been wanting to make a paper bow for ages and downloaded the tutorial from Splitcoast a long time ago, but never got around to trying it. My sister's SU! group got together this month and their project was making a paper bow, thanks to Jen Phillips. Since I live 3 hours away, I don't get to attend. But, I love seeing what they've done via Debbie's blog and talking to her about the meeting. It sounds like they had some kind of fun :)

They inspired me to break out my instructions and get to work. While looking through my instruction sheets, I found the one for the man's shirt. I've made a card with this before - but it was before I started blogging. I'll have to take a picture and post it later. Anyway, I've been wanting to do some Hawaiian shirts and I'm going to make flower leis for them later.

My husband and I will be celebrating our 15 year anniversary in Maui next month. These projects are helping me get ready (I'm already there in my mind!) Won't this bow be cute on a gift I bring back for friends and family?

OK, I've rambled long enough - have a great weekend everyone!

Thanks, Kim!

My friend, Kim, is a Graphic Designer. She recently designed a logo for my husband. She wouldn't let us pay her, so I went to a store I know she likes and got her a gift card. :)

I've used this gift card holder die before and really like it. Since Kim has black cats, I found this paper and decided to use it for the holder. Unfortunately, I ran the paper through the Big Shot and the cats are upside down on the outside. They are right side up on the inside. I guess they have to be upside down on one side - no getting around it. But, I should have had them right side up on the outside. Live and learn while you create....

I assembled the holder and used a piece of crushed curry on the inside to stamp the Elegant Thank You. I also used the Lovely Letters "K" stamp for the outside.

I adhered a piece of black satin ribbon (love the satin ribbons!) around the whole outside. It looked a little sloppy where I had to slip the piece of ribbon in the back, so I punched out a cat from remains of the die cut piece of paper, and covered it.

I'm so sleepy this morning that I doubt I'm making any sense! Sorry if this is confusing...

Have a great day!

Get Well, George!

My friends' uncle recently had back surgery. So, I wanted to send a card. In this day of electronic mail, I think it is so important that we continue to send cards. I think it is so nice to receive one in the mail. It always makes my day, so I hope it makes others' days too!

Anyway, I made this card for him. I used my Circle Circus stamp set and stamped a whole sheet of white, using last year's In Colors. I then used In Color card stock and matching ribbon. I really like doing this because you can make so many cards with one stamped sheet. Plus, depending on the color of cardstock and accessories, you can really set a tone. I think the suede color helped make this one a little more masculine. Well, I hope so because that is what I was going for.

Here's to a full recovery for George!

Thanks for looking and have a great day!

Aloha!

Finally, I found a weekend to stamp! What a great weekend to do it too. It's been rainy and such a great weekend to stay in, listen to good 80's music, and stamp away! I've been very productive. I managed to finish two upcoming swaps, participate in a sketch challenge, made a Get Well card, and started making things for the Fall craft shows. Ahhh - it doesn't get much better than that!

Here is the card I made using the sketch from Stamp TV. My SU! group has weekend challenges and this is the sketch challenge that Sherri (Hi!) chose. I love it!

I decided to use the Tropical Party set and matching DSP for this card. I have so many birthdays coming, so decided to make it a bday card.

Thanks for looking and have a great rest of your weekend!