A Valentine Card

Valentine's Day is in ONE MONTH!!! Wow!

Not sure if you are like me or not, but I have some favorite stamp sets that I continually wrack my brain trying to incorporate those images in as much as possible. This stamp set (Hand in Hand by Melanie Muenchinger) is one of those sets! I just love the possibilities - and I'm a total fan!

Since the Valentine card here speaks friendship that Vinny & I shared first in our relationships - almost 20 years ago! I love the way it turned out!

{{{Recipe}}}

Stamp set: Hand in Hand by Melanie Muenchinger, Gina K Stamps

CS: Real Red by Stampin' Up

Patterend Paper: My Minds Eye

White Ink Pad: VersaMagic Chalk Ink to highlight the scalloped heart punch (Marvy Uchida)

Black Ink Pad: Momento Tuxedo Black

Dimensional Foam dots/red checked ribbon via Walmart/Glue Dots

Where there is love, there is God also. ~ Leo Tolstoy ~

Babies, babies, everywhere....2 Projects!

Good Morning Everybody - Babies, babies, everywhere....

I have 2 great projects to share with you - and it's all about the BELLY!!! Yup, I am going to be a new Auntie! My sister is pregnant with baby #3 - and her third GIRL!!! Since this baby was a surprise, it was pretty unanimous that we (a few of her relatives + me) throw her a baby shower!

Project #1
Here is my inspiration for the invite - I am a subscriber to many blogs and this one is just lovely! Click here for Melstampz.blogspot.com - what a great idea but the inspiration was just what I needed for my invites. Of course, I had to tweak my version!

So, here is my version! Do you like it? I hope my sister loves it! They were really fun and easy to make! I must give credit to Templates by Chia - houseofstirfry.com/chia for the FREE template. I did have to play around with getting the cutting just right since I placed the template on the fold of the "shoulders." The tiny heart is a punch I purchased at the dollar bins @ Target. Then, I squeezed a layer of pink Stickles over the heart for a touch of sweet and sparkle!

I have a couple of tips to share: #1 - I went to Walmart and purchased the sew-on snaps for $1.67 - CHEAPPP!!! I did have to play with the bottom of the template to create the snap-flap. But it fit perfectly on a 8.5X11" Solar White white cardstock. I really loved the way it turned out!

Here is a side shot - just so you can see how it opens.

The stitches took some playing with since I did not want to run 30 of these baby onesies through my sewing machine.

Ahhh, Copic markers to the rescue! The E40 Brick White marker worked it's magic and gave me the right amount of shadow and white color for me to make my hand stitches! I really think this gave the onesie it's POP!

Project #2

Since we are on the Baby Theme, funny that a friend of my sister's (same one mentioned above) friend just had a Baby Boy!

For this card I used stamps from The Angel Company (Everyday Events - Elephant & For Baby stamps). The cardstock is Bordering Blue by Stampin' Up, patterned paper from My Mind's Eye, Copic & Spica markers, Crystal Lacquer, light blue organza ribbon from Jo-Ann Stores, a roll of small shipper's twine (source unknown), blue rhinestone sticker from Me & My Big Idea.Here is a close-up of the elephant! I love the way the Crystal Lacquer gives it dimension even when I used foam tape dots for a real 3-D look. If you can see, I used my Burnt Umber ink from Palette Hybrid Ink to edge my papers for a small finishing! You can really see the Silver Spica Marker I used for the "metal" looking wheels!

"A baby is an angel whose wings decrease as his legs increase” ~Author Unknown www.thinkexist.com

Thanks for stopping by...have a great day!

Leftover Christmas Cards...

Leftovers anyone? Some of my Christmas Cards never made it into the blog - so I wanted to give them credit as darn cute!!! 2 Stamp Companies that I love - Unity and Amuse Art Stamps (among a few others sprinkled here and there)!

Card #1 - Unity Poinsettia Card
The cardstock is from SU, but the patterned paper is one of those scrap peices that is from "source unknown" - like from the land of misfit toys! Oh well, I'd love to give the patterned paisley paper credit, but it's simply not known. I absolutely {{{love}}} the ivory & burgundy mix!

Burgundy ink was from Palette Hybrid Inks, Bordeaux. Gold embossing powder looks elegant on the burgundy CS!

Gold wire ribbon was a little tricky! Wire sort of throws me AND my glue dots could be felt through the ribbon. I rubbed the sticky ribbon with a white eraser to dull the sticky. Rhinestone stickers (Walmart) came in handy for the Poinsettia flower center! Love the twinkle!

Card #2 - Country Snowflake Card
I cannot take credit for the idea for this card. Here is the blog, Alli Miles Card Metaphors, I saw this original card from and I was so inspired by it, that I tried my hand at it! White chalk ink by VersaMagic was used for the background snowflakes (The Angel Company Stamps).

Red, white and kraft cardstock all from Stampin' Up. The embossing folder is Provo Craft for Cuttlebug. The button is from DCVW that was sown with white floss by DMC.

Here is the close-up of the snowflake - the recycling-feel-good-warm-fuzzy you feel when you use the leftovers from using your scraps!!!

I am a ribbon NUT! This is a fun "bow" that is really folding into a loop, glue dots to close the loop, another glue dot to smash the loop into a flattened oval, then another small scrap of ribbon to go around the center of the flat oval. Adhere that bow to your ribbon running the width of the card. Ribbon: Bazzill.

Ink: Burnt Umber by Palette Hybrid Ink.

Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind. --Valentine Davies (Miracle on 34th Street)

Screen Door Framed

Hi everyone,

I made this framed Screen Door home decor thingy for gifts and a few for the craft show at my church. I really love the way they turned out. Hopefully I can get them on my Etsy store soon...if you don't see them, please email me and let me know if I can make one for you or someone you know would love one as well

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I found some really nice frames at the dollar store - not those cheapy ones that feel flimsy in your hands. You know the kind... These had some sturdiness to them. My Screen Door template has more than just the card application. More ideas to come, I have more in my little noggin I swear!!!

Thanks for stopping by...Have a wonderful day!

Recipe: My Screen Door template/dollar store frame/cardstock Stampin' Up/Momento Tuxedo Black ink/Stamps from The Angel Company/brads misc. source/ribbon: Walmart.

Puppy Birthday Card

Howdy y'all!

I am posting this card in honor of my 5 year old neice. She is a real hoot! I am telling you the truth, she's the silliest kid I've EVER known! She loves puppies, actually, my sister and I think she may have some canine-like tendancies - somewhat like what Spiderman having spider-like tendancies!!! She plays "dog" and she follows her dog around like she is its sibling!

But what gives me the biggest kick is that she likes to play "hillbilly." I mean no disrespect to anyone out there, but when my sister told me this story over the phone one day, I almost pee'd my pants! Her adorable little 5 year old came downstairs crying because her sister and their other playmates would not play with her. When my sister questioned her about what "hillbilly" was she quite simply said, "you put all the hairclips in your hair and you talk real funny, Mom!" I'd love to know where she picked up that doozy!!!

Here is her birthday card! She oohhed and aaahhhed when she saw the puppies of course! Do you have a funny kid story?

I had to share the following song that just speaks to me and hopefully speaks to you...and the dog lover and God lover in your life!

Click this link in case the video doesn't upload here on my post! I promise you will LOVE this sweet song! Thank you Ms. Wendy Francisco for this sweet song of love!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY



Recipe: The Angel Company Stamps/Copic Markers/Palette Hybrid Ink/Bazzill Gingham Ribbon/Provo Craft Embossing Folder/Stampin' Up Cardstock.


"Truly wonderful the mind of a child is." YODA, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Elzybell's Handmade Gift Certificate

Hi everyone,


Doing some catching up on my postings!


Here is a few gift certificates I made for my sister who is a Nail Tech. One of her customers wanted to give a mani/pedi combo as a gift this Christmas. She called me (she always does) and asks me to make up "something." My sister is going to put the dollar amount on her services, and I get some advertising.... Nice deal, huh? She {{{LOVED}}} them, and I hope her client loved them as well..... I think they turned out pretty cute! What do you think?

Recipe:

Inky Antics & Elzybells/Stampin' UP Markers/Copic & Spica Markers/Stampin' UP cardstock/envelopes misc. source/Palette Hybrid Ink.

"One can get just as much exultation in losing oneself in a little thing as in a big thing. It is nice to think how one can be recklessly lost in a daisy!" Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Christmas Paper Cones

Hi bloggers,

I know it's been a while since my last post. But I am catching up as we speak! I've been so busy, hasn't everyone been? But my creativity has been EXPLODING lately! I am totally excited about these Paper Cones I made for Christmas Day dinner.

My sister--in-law and brother-in-law are hosting dinner this year and she asked me to make some type of place card...well, I could not just do one of those little rectangles with names on them. I went a little over and above on these, but I couldn't help myself! These paper cones template was found here. Originally these cones are to have interlocking hearts for closure on the cone, but I cut mine off. This gave me the ability to close the put the names of my family on each cone. Of course, I filled them with peppermints for a quick after dinner aid to digestion. In Italian-American culture we call this "agita" and who doesn't need a little digestion aids when homemade ravioli's or manicotti is served! Yum, cannot wait for dinner!

Hope my sis-in-law likes these, and I was so honored to be asked! Thanks for looking!

It's hard to see, sorry, but there are some beads (one red, one silver) that I used to place as a bead-tassle on the tip of the cone. My sweet Grandma Mary had a great collection of costume jewelry that I grabbed a few years ago. Do you grab things and say to yourself that they might work for "something?" I scotch-taped them inside the cone just before I assembled the cone with Totally Tacky Tape by Provo Craft!

They are all packed up to be included in the truck with all the presents for Christmas Day with the family! I love practical gifts that work double duty - one its a name card for each person's plate and two, it's an ornament for remembrance for this year! Love that!!!

Recipe: Cone template here/cardstock Stampin' Up/Marvy Clever Lever Snowflake punch, scalloped square punch/Martha Stewart snowflake border punch/small branch punch/buttons from DCWV/rhinestone stickers misc. source/Gold and Silver glitter paper Hobby Lobby 12X12 sheet for snowflake punch/red cording ribbon & silver ribbon from Hobby Lobby/Gold & Silver pigment ink pens from Hobby Lobby/beads for bottom of cone recycled beads.

I want to lead the Victorian life, surrounded by exquisite clutter. Freddie Mercury http://www.brainyquote.com/

More Screen Door Card Samples

{{{Remember if you want to win some Blog Candy from my post "Screen Door Tutorial & Blog Candy in Celebration" you can leave me a comment (see rules in last post) here on this post as well!!! Good luck!}}}

So, I've been working on a few cards from my new stamp sets from The Angel Company. I {{{LOVE}}} one of their designers Mabelle - I met her during a stamping conference a few years ago while being a "hobbyist" demonstrator for TAC. Such a sweetie!!! I am really grateful for Mabelle's artwork - she not only inspires me, but her art is the sweetest of all! Enjoy the following Mabelle stamps from The Angel Company! Thanks for looking!

Isn't she the sweetest little girl? Remember all the sentiments can be read thru the screen door!!!

For all cards above: Supplies used: Stamps: The Angel Company Fall Harvest Set R2033 and Cheery Thoughts R2043/Cardstock: Stampin' UP, Georgia Pacific, Bazzill & HOTP/Ink: Palette Hybrid Burnt Umber & Momento Tuxedo Black/Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Argyle Pattern/Copic Markers/Screen Door Card Template by Michelle's Inky Fingers (see Etsy store on left sidebar)/Brads: unknown sources.

Mabelle's Studio link to Whimsy and Stars Studio - very cool website!

"Art washes from the soul the dust of everyday life." ~Pablo Picasso: Quotes about Art

OWH Bloghop & Blog Candy!!!

ETA: Blog Candy Contest is now CLOSED, as of Nov. 16 1:30 pm CST. Thanks to all who played along!

My 2 Cards for OWH Bloghop:

Welcome!!! Can you believe 75 stops (as of this post) on the bloghop tour for OWH?!??! How fun is this? November is such a great month for expressing your gratefulness!

I am thankful for the ability to enjoy my {{{free}}} life. Why? Because we have an amazing group of people who give their time and talent and life to ensure we all enjoy our freedom. Who are these people? Our military! Taking time to thank them is not only an honor, but using our talents to thank them is the least we can do for such people who give SO much more!!! So, I took a serious inventory of my stash - and donated over 200 cards to OWH in September - and proud to do so!!! This time my "Any Hero" cards only number 12, but my prayer is that 12 hearts be touched that someone in the U.S. cares and is truly grateful, eh hem, little ol' me!!!

So without further adeu, let's see the "Any Hero" cards - - and scroll down for my daughter's card, too!

Number 1 - (made 8 of these):

Here is what I usually like to write in my "Any Hero" cards - simple and to the point:

Number 2 (made 4 of these): Now my daughter's card. Sarina turns 6 on the 19th and she already has such a giving spirit! I just {{{had}}} to post this card - in her own handwriting!!! Isn't it sweet?

{{{Sources - Stamps: The Angel Company - set: Retired Quilt Flag T540/Cardstock: Stampin' Up/Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black & Palette Burnt Umber/Ribbon & Brad: unknown sources/Coloring: Copic Markers & Spica Markers/Embossing Folder: Stars by ProvoCraft for Cuttlebug}}}

Now for some Blog Candy:

Leave me a comment and one lucky winner will receive my Screen Door Card kit!!! See the left sidebar a picture of my Screend Door card.

With this kit you will be able to make one the A2 size Screen Door card + the chipboard template. The kit contains: instructions, card stock A2 card, a screen door cutout, a piece of vinyl screening, a brad, - and the template that allows you to continue to make these great cards for all of your friends and family for years to come! Good luck! Winner announced Monday, November 16!

Your next stop,

CLICK here>>>> Kelly @ The Weekend Stamper

Kelly is so cool; she's a military Wife & Mom of 2 (working outside her home as well as running a Stampin' Up home biz all from Bavaria, Germany! Wow, another hero - if you look around, God has placed them everywhere!!! Enjoy her great cards!!!

Have fun on the bloghop!!!

No One Diets on Thanksgiving. What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving? ~Erma Bombeck source: www.quotes.about.com