Birthday Simplicity Test Card!

I made this card with Ming's upcoming workshop in mind because of it's simplicity. Meaning, I like to do at least one very simple yet catchy card and one a bit more challenging. This one incorporates the Hugs & Wishes and Time Well Spent stamp sets from SU. The paper is also all SU. I'm still not sure if I'm finished with this one yet. I may add some dazzling diamonds to the butterfly. And, because I don't have all that many SU markers I used my SU colored pencils where you see colored sections.

With Sympathy.

The wife of a business aquaintenance to Brian passed away suddenly this weekend in Florida. So I made this card last night to send to him. I actually did have an opportunity to meet the husband last July and he was such a delight talking with. He spoke very highly of his wife and family and his eyes sparkled when he did. So although I don't know him too well, he touched me as a very good person.

All but the brads are SU products. Yet the stamped image is retired.

Thinking of You!

I made this card last night for a colleague's father. He had surgery in July and just came home in December. Unfortunately for his family and friends his time for this world is not long. I had the opportunity to meet him in July when I notarized his will. And, then earlier this month I went by the house to notarize another updated will and visit with him. He is such a wonderful man and it weighs heavy on my heart about his situation.

I took inspiration for this card from the new SU catalog.

Pregnancy Congratulations!

So, I think it's safe to post here that my dear friends and the first couple I performed a marriage ceremony for are expecting. Yes, I'm a marriage commissioner for the State of Virginia. But it's primarily reserved for those who are very dear to me. Anyway, I performed the marriage of Elizabeth and Scott in October 04 at Ming and Ray's place overlooking the Mattaponi River. And, now this August they will be blessed with the arrival of their first child. Ming and Ray had a fabulous dinner for them and Brian and me this past Saturday night, so I made this card to take to them. I was pleased and I think they were as well. I could not be happier for them.

Valentine Bella!

I got my Stamping Bella order last week and was able to get a valentine card made with it last night.

Mini Schnauzer Babies!

Even though they are two now, they are still my babies. And, I think they are beautiful. Even more so when they are freshly groomed like they were last Friday. Brian got a picture of them as soon as I got home Friday with their bows still on them.

Bliss!

I just can't get enough of the Berry Bliss DP I got from SU. So much so that I'll most likely have to order more of it. It's perfect for so many types of cards. And, I've made one that I can't quite show yet until I've gotten a watermark. Yep, I like it that much and want to claim it as totally mine if possible. I've had the idea in my head for a while and finally got to get it made last night. I've never seen one like it anywhere. I want to post it badly, but really would feel better with a watermark. I'm waiting to hear back from Freckled Fun for information and templates. In the meantime, I hope you'll enjoy these. The first one is a different variation of the previous post. I really am having a good time with the SU So Many Scallops set.

Berry Blissful Birthday!

Do I ever love Stampin Up's Berry Bliss paper!! Here is a card I made using one of their Sale-A-Bration sets, So Many Scallops. Love that too. Everything on the card is SU except the button brads. I think I got those at my LCS. Oh, and so everyone can get their laughs in now and all at once, yes I've decided I want to go to the Stampin Up Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah in July this year. It's their 20th year Anniversary, so I really don't want to miss it. I've tentatively reserved my room and am going to keep checking on flight prices. I'm pumped big time! Ming so would like to go as well, but it's only for SU Demonstrators. I wish she could go too though.

Thanks!

My computer had been giving me a fit lately. It would not let me find my "E" drive. Meaning I would not be able to burn CD's or load software. I tried several fixes on my own but to no avail. So I was asking my IT guy at work if he had any suggestions because the computer MD would take over a week to get to it and the diagnosis alone would cost $140. So, he so graciously offered to take a look at it for me if I brought it in. I did and he had it fixed in about an hour. Had something to do with the registry. He saved me so much time and energy I just had to make a thank you card and give it to him.

Rubber Stamp Tapestry!

OMG, do I love Rubber Stamp Tapestry. And, they have excellent service. I order in the beginning of the week and usually have the items in a day or two. As you can see, the two cards have the same stamps just a different layout. Ming and I agreed to hold a Valentines Card swap on the 2nd at my house and either both or one of these will be one that I contribute. The possibilities are endless with this set. You get 5 little dauber style stamps and they list the coordinating inks if you want to make what they show on their site. Can you say EASY PEASY?

Not So Cocoa!

So the "cocoa" is not so "cocoa", it's more Chocolate; which I love actually. I've got a bit of touching up to do tonight and hopefully I'll be done. Oh, and putting the covers on the outlets. The white board seems to have turned out nicely, but I think it could stand one more coat though. However, the instructions for that stuff say you need to use it quickly after combining the two liquids together. So, I'm not sure if it's still good to use. I'll find out tonight. And, of course, Ming is the queen of cutting in, but painters tape helps out a lot for those of us with not such a steady hand any more. Anyway, once I've hung curtains and pictures, put the furniture back in place, I'll take another picture and post.

Seeing Green!

I got my winter project started yesterday. Painting the front office room in my house. It was Man in the Moon Yellow and now it's Moss. And, I'm going to color block the back wall cocoa to match the new window treatments that will be going up as well. All of this was started when I got my new SU Catalog. I was thinking it would look more like the color of the room on page 8 of the catalog, but it's darker. Although, I like it a lot. The white square on the left wall is being reserved for a White Board. I wanted a Black Board Paint but the store only had the White Board paint. So that's what it will be.

Pura Vida! Costa Rica!

Make a slideshow - it's easy!

Some pictures from Costa Rica! I have way more, but can only post a small hand at this time. Enjoy!

Ribbon Stash!

OMG, does Ben Franklin have the market cornered in Richmond with regard to ribbon. So much in fact that I spent over $13 for about 12 yards of it. But isn't it so pretty? With Valentines just around the corner I can see this stash getting used up quickly.

Inkadinkado Thank You!

While in the Ben Franklin store yesterday looking for ribbon, I finally broke down and bought this stamp. I have eyed it for so long now and I hadn't bought anything for a while, so I caved. I like it a lot. The paper used is from various in my collection. The ink is from Color Box.

Beautiful Birthday!

I have a subscription to Paper Crafts magazine, and I love it! Nichole Heady from PaperTrey Ink is one of the contributors to the publication and I think she is so talented. Well, one of her cards was published in this months issue and I CASED it. Because I own the Beautiful Blooms set that PaperTrey Ink sells it was fairly easy for me to do. Most of the paper and ink used are from SU though. But the white CS is from PaperTrey Ink. And, the ribbon is from some I bought from Ben Franklin's yesterday. They have some fabulous ribbon. Just wish they sold it by the spool like Michael's does. And, for the first time in 4 years I got my sewing machine out and stitched the card. I like it a lot and Brian thought it was way cool too. Guess I'll have to do that a bit more. Plus, I have an embroidery machine too. Hmm.....I think 08 will be a year for me to get more creative.

A New Year; A New Card-Finally!

I finally got up enough energy to make a card on Sunday, but had much trouble with my computer to get it posted. Brian is going to help me clean up my computer at which time I'll take it to the Computer MD for further assessment. We got back from Costa Rica in the early hours of Friday morning and boy was I exhausted. I'll post some pictures from that trip very soon. In the meantime enjoy the card. The card stock and Vellum are from SU. I used my Zig Painty Pen for the small letters on the pink hearts.