What is Hot Fudge?

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I hardly remember what hot fudge is. I have been living the healthy life with huge changes in thinking, diet and exercise for about ten years now. I've never felt better and I'm more healthy than ever!

But, I still think this great image on a 2004 Stampin' Up stamp is hilarious. I got the stamp at a used stamp sale years ago and haven't been able to part with it. Because the image is the star, I've kept the card simple with (an equally old) embossing folder by Cuttlebug and some Copic coloring. Makes me smile.....

Sure hope you are having a good week. I'm off to treat on some healthy popcorn. Thanks for the visit!

I'm Obsessed!

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

Yes, I am - with Impression Obsession products and (as you know) mermaids! I love some of the new products that have from Impression Obsession, especially some of the sentiments, and will use some on future projects. Today I decided to combine some of my favorites for an ocean-inspired birthday card to submit for the current challenge at  the IO Blog.

I'm not sure what the name of this type of card is (half gate-fold?) but I haven't made one in a long time and thought it would be perfect to highlight this delightful mermaid.

Impression Obsession products I used are the mermaid by Lindsay Ostrom D19179 which I colored with Copic Pens, Wishes stamp set MC657, and my all-time favorite shell die set, DIE 077-W. I added an embossing folder by Darice and an older heart punch from Stampin Up and lots of Wink of Stella for sparkle.

Isn't she swimingly adorable? Hope you are having a great weekend. Thanks for the visit,

Glamping

Hi, bloggin' buddies!
I have a thing for vintage trailers. I love to see how owners decorate them and set up for show.

When I saw this Fusion Challenge (I am new to this site/challenge) I knew that I had to join in and have some fun.



While I love the colors and the sketch, I elected to go with the photo as my inspiration. I watercolored this sweet camper from Stamping' Up and added lots of accessories. The banner is from Simon Says Stamp ("Folded Banner") and the sentiment is from Lawn Fawn. The perfect patterned paper is from an Authentique pad called "Adventure".

Although it has been an unusually hot one, I always hate to see the end of summer, with its long days and cooler nights, coming to an end. A trip in this baby would cap it all off with style!

Thanks for the visit and happy trails,

More Foxy Friends!

Happy weekend, Bloggin' Buddies!

Last month I posted a card I had made with Stamping' Up's "Foxy Friends" set and punch.

Do think foxes are the only possibility here?! No way! There are lots of ways to make all kinds of critters with this set.

Here is a set of cards I made for a dear friend showing the versatility of this set. I love them all!

Speech bubbles are from Lawn Fawn; tree branch is Paper Smooches.

Hope you are having a wonderful weekend - it really feels like summer is on the way.

Thanks for the visit,

Feeling Foxy

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Happy Memorial Day weekend. Let's not forget what it's all about and take a few moments to honor those who gave their lives and fought to keep this country free and great.

This critter card was a fun one - lots of layers and dimension! I don't use a great deal of Stampin Up products, but some of their designs are just so dang cute and it is great the way their papers and inks (and ribbon, pens, etc) are all color-coordinated.

This happy fellow is from the "Foxy Friends" set and matching punch which I bought from my friend Dottie. There are so many possibilities for different critters with this set - I will share more soon. I also used Stampin Up paper, designer paper, and Calypso Coral ink.

I get this amazing woodgrain paper from my LSS, the Paper Garden Boutique in Sacramento.

The speech bubble and matching die is from Lawn Fawn.

I made this card to thank the couple who put together our hiking group's getaway trip to Cannon Beach, OR. We just returned (we added some side trips) and it was simply amazing! We love Oregon.

Have a great day and thanks for the visit!

Feeling Slightly Crabby

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I haven't posted in quite awhile - lots going on (most of it good!).

I just finished a project that is simply too cute

not to share. A group of us (we call ourselves the Crusty Crab Club) gets together every year to attend a crab feed and this year I made some favors and the centerpieces.


These little treat bags, which contain 4 Hershey's Nuggets, were fun to make and pretty easy. I love the results. I used an adorable Elizabeth Craft die and some beautiful Stamping Up Designer Series Papers. The result is just too dang cute!

As it turns out, these were completed just in time for the current challenge at the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog which is all about treat bags and boxes. You've got plenty of time to play along.

Thanks for the visit! Have a super-great week,

Foxy Friends

Hi, Bloggin' Buddies!

I almost NEVER see a project on YouTube (or anywhere else) and follow the instructions to make the project. I'd rather view the technique or the idea and make a project of my own; with my own tweeks and reflective of my own style.

But when I saw these adorable little guys (they hold Hershey's Kisses!), I just couldn't help myself and I put them together just as the video showed. I was only going to make the fox, but when I got started....well. They are so stinkin' cute I can hardly stand it.

I bought the "Foxy Friends" Bundle from my friend and Stampin' Up Demonstrator, Dottie Macken. I used Calypso Coral paper and ink on the fox, Memento Fog on the raccoon and Versa Mark Onyx Black on the skunk.

These guys do take a little time and there are lots of tiny pieces, but I think they are so worth it. They could quite easily be mass-produced for a party (maybe I need to host one!).

Have a great weekend and thanks so much for your visit,

Caffine Craziness!

Hello Bloggin' Buddies!

Happy First Day of Summer~

I have long been a fan of what I call "Collage Cards" - cards with lots of layers and pieces. I just haven't been too good at making them.

The current challenge at the Paper Smooches Blog is "Layers" - it inspired me to give it a go. As you can see, I dug out LOTS of my Paper Smooches products ("Cyber Cafe" stamps and "Stitched Flourishes", "Birthday Words", "Coffee & Tea", "Notebook Basic", "Band Aids" and "Space" Wise Dies) to produce the layers on this coffee-themed card. Plus, there is washi tape (Stamping' Up), vellum, gold foil paper, a vintage doily and some funky gold cord from my stash.

This is also headed to the Summer Coffee Lovers Blog Hop. After all it IS the first day of summer today. I have been inspired by this blog but have never played along.

Okay, I did go a little crazy, but that is what caffeine does to me!

Thanks for the visit,

SaveSave

Bowl of Cherries

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

Today I have a card I made with the cutest ever stamp set from Stampin' Up called "Giggle Greetings" I got this from my friend and SU Demonstrator, Dottie Macken. There are four different images in the set and they are just ripe for watercoloring - I used my Zig Clean Color Markers and an aqua brush.

To add to the "homespun" look I used a stitched die from Simon Says Stamp, some vintage patterned papers, a doily and some twine (all from my stash).


For quite awhile I resisted getting these markers because I had several different watercoloring mediums, but I must say that I totally love them. The brushes are good quality and the colors are so vibrant. I also like that they are so portable. You can purchase them individually to see if they are something you like.

Hope you are having a great week - thanks for the visit!

Little Thank Yous

Hello, blogging Buddies!

Every year I make several small sets of thank you cards for my friends and family. I am not sure of the correct name of the size of these cards, but they are called RSVP cards and are smaller than A2.

This year I have used a Stampin' Up set called "Pretty Thankful" that I purchased from my friend and demonstrator Dottie Macken.

For the first card I used patterned paper and some twine with several ink colors. The second also features patterned paper and a tiny bow from a die by Paper Smooches. The third uses a background stamp by Hero Arts, watercolor, doily piece and gold thread. I like that they are all different, yet they clearly are a set. I used my envelope punch to make a container for each set.

I am so glad to have these done early, as Christmas is just around the corner.

Thanks for the visit - hope all is well.

No Lines to Stay Within!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

My quest to loosen up a little and not be so controlled in my designs continues. I recently took a class at my LSS (The Stamp Art Shoppe in Roseville, CA) where we learned to watercolor with Distress markers and Wink of Stella pens with "lifeless" stamping. Very fun, but also tricky.

I have been practicing. This card uses a beautiful stamp (perhaps a Magnolia?) by Impression Obsession. The flower was done with a Scattered Straw Distress marker and the Wink of Stella (clear) provided the liquid for the watercoloring. The background is a Bundled Sage marker used with a water brush for a soft watercolor finish.

The mat color is a dark green - it is increasingly difficult to find some natural light for photos this time of year. The sentiment is an older one from Hero Arts and I double-punched it out with a punch from Stamping Up.

This is going into the current Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge which is "Thinking of You".  And, in keeping with Jennifer McGuire's current campaign to "Share Handmade Kindness", this is going into the mail to someone special tomorrow.

Thanks so much for the visit outside of my comfort zone and have a great day!

Share Handmade Kindness

Hello, Blogging Buddies!

It is really feeling like fall here today and - yes! - we finally have some much-needed rain.

Have you heard about the great things going on at Jennifer McGuire's new blog? It is called "Share Handmade Kindness". She is encouraging us all to share what we love and what we make. That is what I love about paper crafting - it is so easy to mail or give something that shows you care. Folks always ask me if I sell my work, but my response is always that I'd rather share it with those who appreciate it. This week Jennifer wants us to share with friends and family - so easy!

I mass-produced (something I don't usually do) some special little favors for Thanksgiving. I made enough for our family gathering. I also made enough to share the ladies in my neighborhood. It was a joy. They are filled with some dark chocolate (for health!) and mints.

The dies are Sizzix and Spellbinders and I used a Paper Smooches stamp set. The ribbon is from Stamping Up.

I am also going to post this in the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge, "Anything Goes". Check it out and play along!

Thanks for the visit and thanks to Jennifer for this sweet inspiration.

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

Hello, Bloggin' Buddies!

I wasn't going to make any Easter cards this year (for many reasons.....), but when I got this great layered flower stamp set from Stampin' Up I knew that I had to pair it with my MISTI (Most Incredible Stamping Tool Invented) to see what might happen.

Incredible.  I made four of these cards in no time. Many companies are making these fun layered flower stamp sets and, while I have never been much on floral designs, I am so taken by the great look they achieve.

This post is short because there is so much going on - all good!

Wishing you a blessed Easter and/or a lovely Spring! Thanks for the visit.

It's Heart Time!

Dear Bloggin' Buddies:

I love hearts! And, it is that time of year - yay! My cards have been made, mailed and received, so I can now share some with you. I had so much fun making them this year.

This adorable guy is from a new set from Stampin' Up - such sweet critters! I got this set from my friend Dottie, who was also the recipient of this card. I changed his banner into a string of shimmery hearts and used the "stacked shape die technique" featured by Jennifer McGuire.

The stitched heart dies are from Memory Box and the sentiment is a die from the Wet Paint collection by Paper Trey Ink. Love it all!

Happy Heart Week and thanks for the visit!

Dancing Santas

Hello, dear blogging buddies!

You all know how hubby and I love to ZUMBA, right? We go to classes several times a week and get our hearts and spirits going.

When I saw this stamp set in the Stampin' Up Catalog, I just had to get it. The images are super-cute. What a total kick!

I made these cards for our ZUMBA teachers, for a couple of our ZUMBA class pals and for my silly brother.

There are several different dancing Santas in the set. I picked three of them and stamped them in a dancing group using the masking technique. After I colored them with Copics I attached them to some wood-grain textured card stock with a "wobbler" to give them some real dancin' action.

The sentiment on the front is using a "chalkboard" technique and the paper is some from my stash - can one have too much holiday paper?

We are enjoying the holiday festivities. Last night we went by bus to a nearby town for a "Cornish Christmas" event - very charming with lots of great music, unique vendors, decorations and yummy food. A little rain, but that didn't dampen our spirits.

Our house looks adorable - I wasn't sure how well our Christmas decorations would look in the new house, but they are great! We have more plans for fun with family and friends - it just doesn't get much better!

I sure hope your pre-holiday days are full of love and joy! Thanks for the visit,

Snowflake

Hello, dear bloggin' buddies!

This year it seems that snowflakes are very popular because of the movie "Frozen" (which I haven't seen). I have always loved snowflakes - but not the real ones! We moved from Pennsylvania when I was a child, and I have not been interested in real snowflakes since!

This is probably my favorite card of the season! I love the soft colors and the unique tri-fold design, the delicate texture (I had to buy this embossing folder) and just the right touch of sparkle.

I made it in my card-making class right here where we live. Yep, that is the one taught by my new friend, the amazing Dottie. She is so talented, patient and kind. She is also a Stampin' Up demonstrator, so check out her site. All products used here are Stampin' Up.

I sent this card to a special card-making friend (check out her blog, Escape to Stamping) I met right here online and she has received it, so I can post it now.

Thanks for the visit and I hope you have a wonderful day as the Christmas countdown continues.

Another Thanksgiving Card!

Happy Tuesday bloggers!

This is one of the three designs I made for Thanksgiving cards this year. We send/deliver quite a number and I don't like mass-producing too many of one design.

 Actually, for the cards of this design that went to our neighbors (hand-delivered) I made this into a cute shaker card with an assortment of fall-colored beads and sequins behind the leaf. Very cute and fun! The weather wasn't cooperating then, so I couldn't take a photo of them.

This gold-embossed sentiment is an old one from Stampin Up that I got at a used stamp sale. The leaf die is also an old one, from Cuttlebug.

I am trying to remember to use embossing folders more often - I have a huge collection and they add so much, especially on a flat card. This one is from Sizzix.

Things are getting busy around here. I love seeing the families of the neighbors arriving with all of their goodies and love. We will be packing up our car tomorrow. What a joyous time of sharing!

Take care and thanks for the visit!

A Thanksgiving Card

Hello, friends!

It has been awhile since I have posted. Life happens and it is all good. We are so happy in our new home and our new community - so much to do and learn, great places to explore and everyone is so nice and friendly. Happy times.

I am sharing with you to day a card that we made in our card class here in Sun City Lincoln Hills. I have been taking the class for a couple of months now and I really enjoy it. Our teacher, Dottie, is a total doll and such an inspiration. She has so many tricks to teach even this old cardmaking dog.

This, as is everything in our class, is made with Stampin' Up products. I don't have much experience with them, but I love how all the products are color-coordinated. It takes lots of the guesswork out of designing.

Thanks for the visit. I imagine that all my US friends are busy getting ready for the holiday - my favorite of the entire year.

Take good care and enjoy!

Princess Power?!

Now, as you can well imagine, I am not a big proponent of princesses. But our little niece loves them and, well.....we love her.

So, while I was looking at a pile of trash on my desk I was inspired by Cath at Moxie Fab World who has challenged us to look creatively at our cast-offs with her "Don't Throw it Away" challenge. I had opened a new Lifestyle Craft die and realized that the plastic bubble was perfect for a shaker card. When was the last time I even thought about making a shaker card? Years ago! - It used to be so popular but it is now quite dated. I know that this design is not an award-winner, but the little one will love it. I used and old (2004) Stampin' Up Set, "Pretty Princess" (eeek! It almost hurts just to say that phrase!). I wish the shaker box photographed better - it has a magic wand with little sequin stars, seed beads and glitter.

The inside was fun to color with my Copic pens and I added a big sequin star for pop.