City of David - Wow!

all images SU! © 1995-2006

I refer to projects that inspire me as WOW! projects. This card is a definite Wow! It is made by SU demo Cathy Millen with the City of David stamp set. Cathy used a piece of cardboard or chipboard with a 3" circle cutout as a template. The template protected the card while she sponged, stamped, watercolored and embossed the ornament. Isn't that an amazing effect? I love it! {wish I had that set now!!}

two quick cards today

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Good morning everyone! I'm posting two quick cards today ... it's going to be one of those very busy days! The first card uses the Merry stamp set - quick and cute - and I love the non-traditional colors! Did you notice the clear button tied on with ribbons?

The second card uses a Tree for All Seasons. Another great set for year round projects. Torn edges mimic the snow. The SU! Signo Gel pen was used to draw the wavy lines. Nice card!

snow?

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Snow Flurries! Not in our neck of the woods ... it's staying in the mid-60's all this week. But we can pretend by making cards with snow flakes on them. Just for fun here is a website with photographs of real snow crystals, taken with an electron microscope camera.

Click: SnowCrystals.com

There are some lovely snow crystals in the gallery. It's totally amazing how God's creations can be so beautiful and unique.

continuing w/ our Christmas ideas ...

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Now back to Christmas! I'll continue to post ideas for the holidays for the next week or so. The idea above, using Cold Play and Bold Snowflakes wheel, works for a photo card or scrapbook page.

If you haven't started making Christmas cards yet, you still have time. In one day you can knock out a dozen or more cards. Why not have a card party? Invite over a few good friends, have each bring a snack and you serve hot chocolate! Everyone works on their cards and has plenty of chocolate and girl time. Mission accomplished! I'd be there in a minute!

This card uses Sketch It - one of the most versatile stamp sets in the SU! catalog. It is truly a year-round stamp set. The stamp works for a wreath, or a flower ...

all images SU! © 1995-2006

This final card is simple, simple, simple. Just cut 2 triangles from patterned paper to make the trees, a few cardstock strips, hemp, eyelets and a stamped greeting -- ta da! You're done.

yum-o

To borrow a phrase from the perky Rachel Ray --

our Thanksgiving was definitely yum-o!

This year was the first time we've hosted the official meal. That meant a lot of cleaning and painting (refer to post below), but it was great to think of 2006 as the first year of a tradition for our family. We've always gone to the grandparent's homes for Thanksgiving, but now it is our turn. And, I began thinking of the years ahead when our kids will be coming home w/ their families ... and well, it makes me a bit sentimental, yet proud. I am glad to begin this tradition w/ my children -- it is a passing of the torch from one generation to the next. And, one day, it will be my children's turn to host the holiday meals at their homes. sniff ...


Here are a few pictures of the day ... actually, I almost forgot to take any pictures so you will not see the star of the show, Mr. Tom Turkey. And, oh how I wish I had gotten a photo of the pumpkin celebration cake cousin Stacey made. Wow, was it gorgeous and delicious!

too much food ... is that really possible?

hubby enjoying his 2nd helping ... ok, maybe 3rd!

playing tag in the front yard ... running off all those calories?

new paint

New paint makes anything look nice! My husband is such a dear to paint for me ... I hate to paint. Since I really wanted the painting finished before Thanksgiving, he has been spending his weekends painting rooms for me. The most drastic change was in our dinning room. I'll show you the before/during/after photos. {just a side note ... if you click on the photo above you can see my little 13 year old couch potato watching tv as daddy paints away, lol!}

BEFORE

The room was sponge painted w/ a stenciled border -- loved it when I first did it, but am so tired of it now -- I wanted a big change, and so, my daughter and I picked out a lovely beige paint. Now, if you really know me ... you know that I don't have any beige walls in my house! Seriously, beige was my last color choice ... until I saw the chestnut glaze ...

DURING

Wow - what a change it is! I really love it, but when I was first putting on the glaze ... it scared me! I worried that I had made a terrible mistake. Brown? What was I thinking?? But it turned out nice. Take a look and let me know what you think:

AFTER

Finally, as a fun touch I altered a M monogram {for our last name} from Hobby Lobby to coordinate with and help decorate our freshly painted walls. I used designer papers, hodgepodge hardware, twill, ribbon, and inks from Stampin' Up! to complete the project.

The rest of the painting was just a fresh coat for the walls in our front room and the bathroom trim. No color changes there, so I'll spare you any photos. It's really unspectacular {is that a word?}.

Solemn Stillness

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Time for stillness and reflection after such a busy holiday weekend. We had a great Thanksgiving at our house {for the very first time}. In all we had 14 people and it was great talking over lunch, watching football, and spending time with relatives we don't see that often except in passing.

I know some of you spent many hours shopping for great holiday gifts during the tax free weekend. Sorry to say, I didn't score anything! Of course, it's hard to find a bargain when I'm sitting in my favorite comfy chair ... my husband calls it my "nest". I did get some cleaning done, and went through some old magazines. I really wanted to do some scrapbooking, but it wasn't to be! I was able to make 11 more Christmas cards, so I think I'm almost done! Now I have to find my list and check it twice!

Happy Stampin' ...

Enjoy the day! Spend time with family ...

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude. ~E.P. Powell

City of David

all images SU! © 1995-2006

City of David stamp set. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, A Savior, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

oopsie!

all images SU! © 1995-2006

I didn't mean to leave you hanging yesterday! I started cleaning up from the big paint job over the weekend and never got around to checking my emails, blog, etc. Sorry! Today, I'll post two cards and hope that will make up for leaving you alone yesterday, lol!!

Looks like I have snow on my mind! The first card is made with Holiday Tag Team - an adorable set that works for cards or gift tags ... or scrapbook pages. The second card uses It's Snow Time. A really cute set of snowmen and their antics! What I love about snowmen is that they work for projects all winter long - not just during the holidays!

Peaceful Christmas

all images SU! ©1995-2006

Lovely as a Tree is a set that works year-round. This image is stamped with white craft ink on a paint chip. You can emboss the ink with embossing glitter if you want more shine. There is a sheet of torn vellum behind the main image.

Festive Holidays

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Another Festive Favorites card -- I think I should have ordered this set!

Tag!

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Today is Tag Day! Everyone needs tags for Christmas gifts, right? So, here are a few tag ideas that are simple, easy and quick to make. I apologize for the poor quality of this picture. I think I scanned it last year just before a stamp club meeting. The Santa is on an Altoid tin container, and all the smaller tags fit inside. Some are glittered, som open like a small gift card, while others are just a plain tag. Add a ribbon and you're done!

all images SU! © 1995-2006

This mug is from Dollar Tree. Perfect for use with my favorite Snowflakes stamp set. I made the coordinating tag, pen and mini composition book as a gift. Great for teachers!

A Merry Little Christmas to you

all images SU! © 1995-2006 all images SU! © 1995-2006

I couldn't make up my mind this morning on just one card, so I decided to post them all!

• The top card, A Merry Little Christmas, is colored with watercolor crayons for a beautiful scene. Did you notice how the back of the little boy's head sticks out slightly over the mat? That is a small detail that really adds interest.
• Happiest of Holidays is next w/ red berries punched out of the stamped image allowing the red cardstock underneath to show through - a very neat idea for layering ... and much easier than punching and gluing on the tiny dots!
• The last card, made with It's Snow Time, has snowballs made from pom-poms - adorable! You could also use Liquid Applique for the snowballs if you have any left over from last year.

As you are making your holiday cards, email a picture to me and I will post them here. I'd love to see what you are doing for the holidays - and if you have taken any ideas from these posts and made them your own!

Tags so Much!

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Tags So Much is a Hostess set that is for all occasions. This set works along with our exclusive Tag Punch. Be on the lookout for a new tag punch for layering in the coming Winter mini catalog!!

2'fer

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Today is a 2'fer ... two cards for one day, lol!! Ok, so I'm not very funny ... but hey, at least you get an extra card today!

The first card is made with the set Heavenly Peace. Wonderful set, perfect for Christmas. The second card uses the ever-famous Snowflakes set plus Merry Messages. Nice. I am surprised by how much I like the non-traditional colors of the brown cards as well. Very classic, yet understated.

I hope you are enjoying all the cards. It's been a nice challenge for me to find a card for every day. Those of you who know me, know I am not organized in any way ... so to be consistent is really challenging!

I think that I shall never see

all images SU! © 1995-2006

... a poem as lovely as a tree. That's the poem that comes to mind when I look at this card. This is a definite WOW card in my book. Monochromatic w/ just the right touch of shimmer! Lovely is true! I may have found the card to make for the remainder of my Christmas stack.

Remember, you can email me a request for a holiday stamp set and I will do my best to find some examples for you. Use what you already have at home ... then you can buy more after the holidays during SAB!!
happy stampin'
Susan

Heavenly Peace to You

all images SU!© 1995-2006

SU demo Wendy Stewart graciously gave permission to post these cards on my blog. She has done a beautiful job coloring each card, and I was WOW'ed by them as soon as I saw them. Notice that two of the cards are pocket cards ... nice! Wendy has a website too ... visit her at http://weastewart.ca/ to see more of her beautiful creations.

Personal update: My mother is home, and enjoying it. She's still in pain, but so glad to be in her own home and living on her own schedule again. Thank you for all the prayers, and keep 'em coming. She is still using a walker and not as spry as before her fall. She also has another surgery ahead on her thyroid. Hugs to everyone who has been praying!!!

Stamps and Papers and Embossing, Oh My!

all images SU! © 1995-2006

This card uses the Christmas Designer paper available now. By using a patterned paper, you create the illusion of depth and add interest to your card or project. Since the patterned paper on this card is used in strips, you can easily create many cards from one 12x12 sheet. Wonderfully conservative!

Solemn Stillness

all images SU© 1995-2006

Solemn Stillness is a beautiful set that can be used in many different ways. I love the effect of multiple trees on the bottom of this card.

In other news: Stamp Club meets tonight ... don't miss out!

See you : )

More Christmas : )

all images by SU! © 1995-2006

More cards for you! Happy {early} Holidays! CLICK on each card to see larger image.

Peace, Love & Hope to you

all images SU! © 1995-2006

Peace, Hope and Love -- isn't that a wonderful sentiment to send with your Christmas wishes? And, I love the blue, so ... peaceful!

Happy Stampin' today!!

Festive Favorites

all images SU! © 1995-2006

I love this reindeer tag! It is the finishing touch on this holiday card, don't you think?
The set used is Festive Favorites and the sentiment is from Sincere Salutations. Adorable ... and festive!

Joy Wreath

images by SU!© 1995-2006

Guess what stamps make this wreath?? Snowflakes! Did you guess correctly?Isn't that a cool way to use a stamp set for something totally different?

On another note, we finished painting the dinning area. After glazing yesterday, I realized the woodwork, in addition to being old and worn, didn't really go w/ the paint colors {too similar} so I restained the woodwork and trim. It made a huge difference, at least to me! Now, I'd like to replace the light over the table ... have you ever read the book If You Give a Mouse a Cookie?? That's me! I'll post some photos soon, just in case you want to see.

Loads of Joy!

images by SU! © 1995-2006

It's time to begin making your cards, if you plan to send out handmade ones. Making a few cards each week will lighten the load and keep the task manageable -- especially for the unorganized like me!

I'm going to try and post Christmas card ideas regularly over the next few weeks to share ideas with you. So far I have 31 cards made and ready to send. I have a lot more to do, but I'm well on my way to getting them all done. My biggest problem is deciding which stamp sets to use. I want to use them all!! I probably have more Christmas sets than any other category!

If you have a specific set you'd like to see ideas for email me and let me know. I'll find some ideas and post them here -- and I can email ideas back to you as well.

HA!

Ha, ha! Two posts in one day -- fooled ya didn't I???

Well, actually, I had the time, so I thought ... Why not?

This is a scrapbook page I made using Club Scrap supplies {yummie, club scrap}. It is my youngest son playing at my brother's. We had Easter lunch w/ him, and his yard is more like a park than a yard. This is where I grew up and I spent many, many hours playing in and around this creek. I miss living in the country!! I'd move back in a second. Hope you like the layout.

dance, dance, dance

I spent yesteray at a clogging competition. It was fun, but our team didn't do so well. I must add that the competition was stiff! Like I told my daughter, your team won't get better if you don't dance with people better than you ... that was supposed to console her after placing third in one dance and not placing at all in the other. All in all, I thought they did fine. And, it's good to not always be the winner, kwim?

My dear hubby stayed home to paint for me! He painted our dinning area {I hesitate to call it a "room" since there are only 3 walls!} I had originally picked out a terra cotta color for the walls, but then at the last minute, I went w/ a tan paint and chesnut glaze. I haven't had time to do the glazing yet ... that's on my chore list for this week. Gotta finish before my stampin' posse comes over on Friday.

We're also having to redo our bathroom floors. I'd love to say we're getting tile, but alas, no. However it will be nice to have a new floor down, a leaky toilet fixed {finally} and no soft spots around the tub/shower areas. That is also going on this week -- along w/ the painting -- stamp club -- and my mother coming home from rehab.

It's going to be a very busy week around the house. Maybe I'll get a few pictures posted if I don't have a nervous breakdown first {LOL - just kidding!!}

nerdy?

I am doing a happy dance today! See the new slide show in the side bar -- I actually feel giddy! Does that make me a total nerd? Ok, don't answer.

On another note ... and I don't want to scare anyone ... my college boy won the costume contest at school yesterday. I'll post his picture below -- WARNING -- this is not the typical photo post on my blog! But since he won, and the prize was cash {what better prize for a college kid?}, I felt it necessary to include his photo ... as a Cowboy Zombie.