Blog Candy!

Testing, testing....this is only a test.....are you out there? As promised, here is my first blog candy event! Why is this a test? I'm trying to get a good read on how many people actually read my blog, and if the "subscribe by email" function works. This first "candy" give-away is restricted to those in the Stafford area (if you are close enough to come for class, you are eligible to enter). I'll do an non-restricted one in the future. The candy is a new, unmounted set called Bitty Basics. Here's what you have to do to win:

*Leave a comment describing how many of these images you think you could use on one card or scrapping page;
or (for those of you who have had difficulty in leaving comments on the blog)
*Send me an email describing the same.

That's it! I will put the names of all the entrants on slips of paper and have an impartial person (Byron, the kids, my neighbor at the bus stop) draw a winner! Enter by Thursday March 5. I'll announce the winner here on the blog on Friday, March 6. Good luck!

Birthday Time!

Happy Birthday to me! Yes, it is that time again (we won't discuss the number!). Just as at Christmas, one of the things I enjoy most is seeing an envelope addressed to me in the mailbox. Tracy was the first this year (she even beat my mother)-- her Fishy Friends crayon resist card is just too cute, but now Russell is mad at me because I sold that set when it retired. I think I can hook him up with some images, though! Heidi was next, using one of my favorite (retired) SAB sets, Send a Celebration. I laughed at the inside sentiment:

FRIEND. GOOD. -Frankenstein

She knows that is the ONE stamp I like from Smarty Pants!

My annual SAB Birthday Bash was last night and today! It may seem funny that I throw myself a party, but it ensures a delicious dessert ( Pampered Chef's Cappucino Mousse Trifle), and that I have fun stamping with some of my favorite people. What better birthday present could I give myself (besides of course all the dies for the Big Shot that I have so far resisted, LOL!).

Birthday card #1 featured Botanical Blooms, a SAB selection this year. That's Raspberry Tart designer paper adding style to a very easy card. The flowers were colored (Pretty in Pink and Rose Red), then painted with Crystal Effects for that shiny raised effect. This one will go to my mom --she gets all my best efforts. Why? because one year I sent her a card I hadn't stamped. My upline (the incomparable Mary Hall) had sent me a GORGEOUS card, and pressed for time, I used it for Mom's birthday. Oh my heavens, the comments on that card. No, not that I didn't stamp it-- she didn't know! But she has NEVER EVER complimented one of my cards so lavishly. I learned my lesson, but I am still trying to top that beautiful card. One day I will get there!

This is the masculine card, using Crazy for Cupcakes. Simple coloring with an aqua painter, and Dazzling Diamonds to make that frosting full of sparkle. Now that I have this cupcake set, I'm looking longingly at all the others........

See why my BS die collection is growing? This is the fastest card I think I have ever done! The Top Notes die provides an elegant setting for the embossed flowers (the die cuts them too!). I knew I would end up with a leaf die. I don't mind cutting at all--except for leaves and stems. This is so much easier! The sentiment is from Elegant Cheer. Love that font!

Finally, a whimsical dragonfly made from elements in the Pretties Kit: a hatpin, bugle beads, and pearls. The wings are petals from Pick a Petal -- his head and antenna are a rhinestone brad! Bella Toile in Bashful Blue creates an oh-so-soft background for him.

What's that? You'd like to RSVP for next year's bash already? Not a problem, I will put you on the list (LOL).

More Valentines

Yep, more Valentines! I was laughing at myself, because I had plans to do much more elaborate packaging, but push came to shove and I quickly reached for the cello bags again. The Ghirardellis fit perfectly in the 3 1/2" wide bags. I love those chocolates, and I was sure to fix those first, otherwise the chocolate might have--ahem!--disappeared. I was the lucky recipient of this Valentine's treat! Do you recognize the style? Yes, Audrey again! This little foldover box held the only Valentine chocolate I did receive (Byron was respecting the diet, which is probably a good thing but boy was I glad to have a little something). It held a delicious chocolate graham cracker coated in semi-sweet chocolate and sprinkled with candy cinnamon hearts. I hurried to photograph it so I could eat it! Thanks so much Audrey, I think I'll base my Easter candy treats on this box.

Don't forget my big Birthday Bash next week! Two sessions, Tuesday evening at 7 or Wednesday morning at 9:30. Each $25 purchase (pre s/h, tax, and yes, you can email orders to me and still be eligible) nets you one raffle ticket for the hostess benefits (assumes we reach $150 in sales) and another for door prizes. Normally I ask for birthday cards (it is my birthday, after all!) but this year, with every card with envelope that you bring to send to a deployed service member, you'll get an extra door prize raffle ticket. RSVPs by Sat at 5pm please!

Cello bags to the rescue again!

I always keep SU!'s cello bags stocked downstairs. This morning is a good example why! Last night, Byron and I took the kids to see Bedtime Stories at the base theatre (great movie! all four of us enjoyed it. Nice to have some family time, too). On the way back, we stopped at Giant to pick up a potted plant as a Valentine's gift for Russell's Sunday School teacher. This morning, I somewhat belatedly remembered that Molly has teachers too! FOUR of them! I guess I should explain that Molly is now in MIDDLE SCHOOL Sunday School, held in the dungeon--I mean basement-- of the Ministry Center. I'm not allowed down there ("MOTH-ER! Some one might SEE you!") so as I have no interaction with the teaching team at all, it is kind of easy to forget about them! I whipped up four candy bags with toppers in maybe 10 minutes. These are the small 3 X 5 cello bags (you can see them on page 157 of the catalog, 50 for $3.95) stuffed with a snack-size Hershey bar, 4 Hershey's miniatures, and 3 Reese's peanut butter cups. Topper is a 3 1/2 X 4 piece of DSP (last year's Dashing, so I used up some more of my hoard! yea!). The heart is from Best Wishes and More, and to be honest, I can't remember which set the sentiment came from! These went together so quickly that I just may do the same for Russell to give his teachers (and the specials teachers, and the nurse, etc) at GES. We like to say thanks! (You have met my kids, right? 'Nuff said!).

Some friends and I got together to craft yesterday. We had such a good time! I concentrated on Valentines. I love A Happy Heart. It really is very versatile, with whimsical, elegant, and playful stamps all in the same set! I particularly like this dandelion image losing hearts in the wind. I CASE'd the main image for this card from LyndaLee28's on SCS, but added ribbon, a scalloped greeting, and different DSP. Drum roll please-- these are addressed, stamped, and waiting in the mailbox as I type this! Now that I have patted myself on the back, I guess I should confess I was supposed to be scrapbooking yesterday but wasn't organized enough to be ready for it!! My friend Audrey is so creative-- and so generous. She makes and donates gift card holders for our church's Gift Card Ministry-- you buy the card through the church, and a portion of the proceeds benefits the Building Fund. Last week she described a punched flower to me and knew from the befuddled expression on my face that I just wasn't getting it. Last night at class she handed me this gift card holder, with the flower on it. All I could say was "WOW" (followed pretty quickly by, "Can I put that on my blog? LOL!). Most of you have the tool to make this flower in your stamp room right now! To make this flower, Audrey punched 3 Scallop Circles. She then cut every other petal, which makes the petals resemble little hearts (so appropriate for this time of year!), layered them, added smaller punched flower (I'm guessing the Spring Bouquet punch) to the center, anchored with a heart brad. Some green punched hearts serve as leaves. She even made her own strip of DSP by striping the bottom of the tag. Beautiful, Audrey!

Time to USE my stash!

Confession time! I am such a hoarder. I hoard ribbon. Designer papers. Embellishments. I'm not exactly sure why I carefully tuck away all my treasures....surely I had projects in mind when I bought them? Today, I looked at all the In-Color ribbon-- In-Color 2007-2008, thank you-- and decided it was time for action. This ribbon is too pretty not to use, as is the designer paper (yep, almost 2 full packs of that Afternoon Tea DSP sitting in my stash). Plus, if I don't hurry, my In-Color inkpads will dry out and I won't be able to use this! I desperately need to send some thank yous (you know who you are, and THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE!). I have seen so many simple, elegant cards lately on SCS and some blogs I find myself on. I was inspired! Thinking back, I didn't CASE anyone's cards, but I am pleased with some of these.
Petal Pizzazz, Wild Wasabi paper, Groovy Guava and Soft Sky inks.

Yes, those are the teeny-tiny Ice rhinestone brads as the flower centers.

The "thanks" is from the new set "Thank You Kindly," page 133 in the catalog. I love the font!

Joy Fold cards with Fun and Fast Notes, another set I should use more often.

The butterflies are from Dreams du Jour-- the Afternoon Tea DSP has chocolate butterflies on the paper, I thought this complimented them. The flower is from Wild Roses-- and I managed it without my Stamp-A-Ma-Jig (yea me!) because I couldn't find it (not so yea me).

I stamped this for Byron shortly after the club met last time, and have kept it hidden until now. You'll recognize (of course!) the Top Notes die, cut in half, to serve as a base for the red embossed hearts from A Happy Heart and Best Wishes and More (sentiment: Hugs and Wishes). Have you stamped your Valentine's yet? Better get cracking!