One last post for 2011. First of all, I want to wish each and every one of you a Happy, Healthy New Year. Hopefully the economy will rebound and we'll all be better off.
When I posted my "Twelve Days of Christmas" card, I had mentioned that I should have taken a close-up of my most favorite; the puppy in the boot. Well, I took another picture so I could get a close-up.
I've also mentioned before that I'm learning to color with Copic markers and I think the coloring, especially on the boot, came out really great. No, I'm not trying to brag and there is PLENTY of room for improvement, but I'm getting there and I love the challenge.
One last card from 2011. If you can believe this, one day last spring, I was at the local car-wash and, while waiting for my car, I browsed the card section and found a card that I simply loved. (I still have the original as a sample.) So I bought it, and this card is my rendition. I've sent this one to several of my Red Hat friends.
I colored the hat red on the ones I sent out; much more appropriate, don't you think? And the little black "purse" is a charm that "dangles"; just can't see it in the picture.
Well this is it for 2011. I wonder what the crafting world will bring us in 2012... When you think, "what else can there be?" there always seems to be a whole lot more.
Have a safe New Year's Eve and see you all next year.
Today's cards are the final two that we received that were handmade. All of these cards were/are just priceless. I just love receiving them.
I'm on my way to join our scrapbooking/cardmaking group at our club house. We had no plans for anything special, but I think I'll bring some "plans" I copied for making multi-fold cards. I think they are so unique.
The weatherman predicted a freeze for last night, but thankfully, we didn't get one. My hubby was concerned for our fruit trees. The bitter cold winters of the last three years have not been kind to them. We lost a tangerine tree a couple of years ago. The grapefruit and starting to taste really good now and we should be getting some oranges soon.
The last card is from my daughter and, if you watch her blog, "The Simple Crafter", you may have seen it. She does marvelous work. Unfortunately, we get to see her only a couple of times a year as she live up in CT. I wish we loved closer together.
Well, that's it for today, folks. Gotta run. You all have a great day and keep safe.
Good morning everyone. The temperature got all the way down to 47 degrees last night and the high today might reach 70. This is more like it. Can you believe that we had to turn on the AC on Christmas day?
Not a whole lot happening right now. I'm "practicing" coloring with my copic markers and have signed up for a class in January. I love coloring/painting; just not very good at it, but I'm learning.
As promised, here are some more of the handmade cards we received at Christmas. I have saved every one of the cards made by my friends since we started making cards; it's fun to look back and see how much improvement has been made. Most of us switched from scrapbooking to card-making. Some of us still do both. I'm hoping that a group of ladies will start meeting again once a month so that I can get back to my scrapbooking. But that's another subject for another day.
Here's some more cards...
I still have a couple more to share but will save them for another day. You all have a great day and, until next time, stay safe.
The restful time between Christmas and New Years. At least for me. One of the bennies of being retired.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I know mine was. My wonderful hubby got me an iPAD that I'd been wanting and I've been playing with it. I think I need to go on line and down-load the manual. I also have a friend who said she will help me with it. Now, if my grand-kids were here, they surely could show Grandma.
I thought I'd share with you all the Christmas cards we received that were made by my fellow card-makers. They are all so beautiful. Those that look at my blog will be happy to see that their cards have been published.
Here are a few of the cards and next time, I'll share some more.
I'm already looking forward to the next round of making Christmas cards. They are such fun to make. Until next time, my friends, stay safe.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE. It's finally here! Christmas Eve. After today, we can all relax and enjoy family, friends, good company and good food. I'm really looking forward to having my friends over tomorrow to enjoy our Christmas dinner with. I already miss my family, but we will talk. Wish they could all come down here and enjoy the warm weather. (Thank heaven for the dear friends we make in our retirement community.)
Anyway, I told you yesterday about the lovely cactus I see from my window as I sit here and "blog". I forgot to take pictures yesterday, but went out this morning and took some. Here's a couple that I took.
You'd think we lived in Arizona instead of Florida. What a great view. They also have a holly bush that has berries on it. So Christmas(y).
Lastly, this was my favorite card to make this year. I hope you all enjoy it.
He's just too cute! The stamp set is from "Sweet 'n Sassy" stamps. Once again, have a wonderful day today and tomorrow and stay safe and healthy.
Can you feel it? The excitement... the joy... it's in the air. Have you been naughty or nice? Last minute preps to do. So much left to do and so little time. We've had a year to prepare. Can you believe it? And now we're down to the wire.
I'm looking out my window at the neighbors house and seeing the most beautiful huge cactus nearly in full bloom. I must get out there today and take a picture to share. It is gorgeous.
I just love the image on today's card. It makes me want to be back in NH in the woods enjoying life by a fire. Well... only for a minute. I'll take my life down here in FL any day.
Enjoy the day and stay safe.
Just three more days 'til the big day. I'll miss seeing my grandkids opening their gifts this year, but we saw them at Thanksgiving. From what I see on the tele, it appears that most of the east coast will not have a white Christmas this year. It just doesn't seem the same with no snow. Ideally, it would snow on Christmas Eve. Now, back when I was a child....
My little "Scrappy Marguerite's" group is meeting this morning to do some crafting. We meet most every Thursday at our club and scrapbook or make cards, have lunch and then play domino's in the afternoon. (I may have told you this already.) I think I'll just do some practicing with my copics. I really should get back to my scrapbooks; I'm so far behind!
Today's card was an afterthought. I thought I was finished making Christmas cards for this year but saw a sample and just had to try it. I'm saving my most favorite card to show you on Christmas Eve, but this one was so easy and fast.
I've packed away all my Christmas stamps, papers, etc. I think before I send this card out next year, I should put a sentiment on the front. The "ornaments" were made using the 1/2", 3/4" and 1" circle punches.
You all have a wonderful day and stay safe.
Can you believe that the temperature got down to only 59 degrees last night? I thought it was on the warm side when I awoke this morning. I'm not complaining, mind you, but I wouldn't mind if it were a little colder. It would seem more like Christmas.
Not much going on right now. I have baking to do, but it's a little soon yet. I don't want to serve stale food on Christmas... LOL.
There is a bird in today's card, but no calling birds. Have a wonderful day and stay safe.
It's getting closer and closer. Are you all frazzled and harried? All I have to prepare for is a dinner with a few guests. Not a whole lot I can do this early in the week. I am getting the table set a little at a time and I keep thinking of things I should do. Anywayyyy.....
I told you about the cute polar bear stamp set I received with my UK papercrafting magazine? Well, this is the card I made using a couple of the stamps.
The glitter cardstock is from Stampin' Up. The paper is from the DCWV mat stack I told you about. Isn't this a sweet stamp?
Yesterday I spent the afternoon and evening with a dear friend. We did some stamping and then a little coloring with the watercolor pencils and then decided to do some practicing with the copic markers. (I absolutely love the copic's). It's like 2nd childhood; coloring and cutting. What fun.
I thought I'd show you a picture of the mantle on my fireplace. Nothing elaborate or special except for the stockings ("hanging by the chimney with care"). Three of the four were cut out of felt using Stampin' Up's "Bigz L Holiday Stocking" die and decorated with some of their felt embellishments. I had made a total of five felt stockings (they are gift card holders) but sent two of them to my granddaughters with gift cards in them.
I guess I should have taken a closer picture, but you can see how cute they came out. (It seems "cute" is the word of the day.)
That's it for today. You all have a wonderful day, stay safe and check in tomorrow.
Good morning. We have a chilly start for the day but it's supposed to warm up nicely and then stay about 10 degrees warmer then normal right through Christmas.
First of all, I want to apologize for yesterdays title. My daughter pointed out to me that it's seven swans a-swimming. I must confess that I had to google the 12 days of Christmas song to get all the "activities" (LOL), but when I put in yesterdays title, I must have dropped my eyes.
Yesterday was a really quiet day. Had to run a couple of errands and then I just had make a couple more Christmas cards. I forgot to take pictures to show you the one with the polar bear but perhaps tomorrow.
Today's card is another snowman. I guess snowmen were popular this year; I know I had a grand ole time doing the cards.
Have a wonderful day and I'll be back tomorrow.
Good morning! It feels a tiny bit more like the Christmas season this morning. The temperature got down to 48 degrees. Feels really nice. Of course, I was out only long enough to pick up the Sunday paper.
The mall trip went really well yesterday, but we were disappointed that there was NO tree in the atrium. Just a huge bungy-jumping "thing". I must say that there were 3 young people jumping and they looked to be having a blast. The only thing I purchased was from a specialty shop and it was a jar of Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip. It is delicious, but... I purchased it to serve with ham on Christmas. Honey Mustard and ham really go together very well.
We stopped at Joann's and I picked up a small matstack called The Winter Magic by DCWV, all blue's. (Like I need more paper! LOL) But I just might have to make one more card using this paper and using the cutest polar bear stamp set ever. I subscribe to a papercraft magazine that is from the UK and included in each issue is a lovely free item. This issue had the stamp set.
No swans in today's card but there is a horse. Enjoy your day and see you tomorrow. Stay safe!
Only seven (7) more shopping days 'til Christmas, folks. Can you believe how fast the time is going?
Yesterday I decided to pick up my craft room and pack away ALL of my Christmas stamps, papers and embellishments. I have an "art-bin" container that I keep all the paper, etc. in, so I cleaned it out. Well, what do I find but rub-ons, stickers, K & Co. stickers, metallic cardstock, brads, flowers, you name it. Wouldn't you think I would have looked through the "stuff" before now? OK... not too bright. So, I was talking with one of my card-making friends and we decided that we're going to start making Christmas cards in July in 2012. And I'm going to use just the supplies I have on hand. (There sure are plenty of them!) I also have stamps that I haven't used yet. I'm already looking forward the the next round.
Today a friend and I are off to the mall to see how it looks all adorned for Christmas. In fact, I haven't been to the mall in months. Of course, there is a Michaels and a Joann's in the immediate vicinity, and a short distance away is a Hobby Lobby. All we need is an AC Moore and we'd be in crafters heaven.
There are no maids a-milking in today's card but there are some cute penguins.
You all have a wonderful day, stay safe and I'll be back tomorrow.
Good morning everyone. Another lovely day here in Florida. Today is the day I finish decorating. Wouldn't you think I would be done by now? Oh, well. All in good time. I did take a picture of my little tree last evening, and then discovered this morning that I forgot to turn the lights off when I went to bed. 'Tis the season to get "rattle-brained" I guess. Here's a picture of my tree.
I told you it was little.... it's in the window in my dining room. I watched a couple of Hallmark Christmas movies last evening. (I just love their Christmas shows.) Anyway, seeing all that snow with all the lights was kinda nostalgic for me. Then again, I don't have to bundle and drive on slippery roads. I'm really happy right here in FL.
Today's card has a different look that I really like. I'll probably be using this as a sample for other types of cards during the year. Of course I saw it on-line but that was a couple of months ago, at least.
The card size is 8 1/4" x 4 1/4" and scored at 2 3/4". Hope you like it. Until tomorrow, enjoy your day and keep safe.
Of course, you won't see any lord's a leaping here. I should have thought of the 12 days of Christmas before I started this. Wouldn't it be fun to make cards representing all of the 12 days? Hmmm....
Good morning followers. Another unseasonably nice day in Florida. I swear, this is the warmest December I've experienced since moving here 11 years ago. (Of course, the memory "ain't" what it used to be.)
I met my goal yesterday and got my little tree up and lighted. I'll try taking a picture of it this evening. It looks better with the lights on.
Last evening our scrapbooking/cardmaking group met for our monthly class with our wonderful Stampin' Up demonstrator. (We alternate homes and hostesses each month.) What a lovely time we had. We made a cute card and our hostess had sooo many snacks. It was a great celebration of our sisterhood. Our demonstrator said we reminded her of the Golden Girls. Not a bad comparison. We all have a wonderful time together.
Today's card was made using the skaters from Stampin' Ups "Winter Post" set. We used this stamp last evening, but this is not the card that we made. Hope you like it.
Have a wonderful day and I'll be looking for you tomorrow. Keep safe.
The countdown continues. Cards have been mailed, gifts ready for wrapping and then off to either the Post Office or UPS store. Haven't decided which.
Today's project is to get my little tree set up and decorate as much as I can with what I have. Just maybe I'll take a picture of my little tree. I had to get another set of lights for it yesterday; one set was blown out.
I can't believe the weather so far this December. Balmy, to say the least. I believe it's the warmest December we've had since I've been in FL. Quite a bit above normal, so I hear.
Today's card is another bird card. I got the idea from one of the blog's I watch but of course, I don't remember which one. I really like the unique way of using Stampin' Up's "top note" die.
The card base was cut at 8 1/2" by 4 1/4" and scored at 4 1/4". When I placed the "top note" on the base, I used an envelope to measure by so that it would fit.
Have a wonderful day and catch you later. Stay safe and healthy.
Hear those drums? Don't you know there's just 12 days 'til Christmas? I've yet to decorate my house - not that I have that much left to decorate with. Since we spend most of our Christmas's up north, I've given away most of my decorations. But I still have some left and need to get to work.
Today is my annual Christmas luncheon with my book club. I joined the book club shortly after moving into Wellington, 10 years ago, and met some lovely ladies. I joined to meet people and also to broaden my reading scope. I had my favorite authors, but have come to love other authors, too.
Today's card is a gift card holder that can also be just a regular card, depending on where it's scored.
I loved the idea of this card. Cut a piece of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock to 4 1/4 x 11 and score at 1 1/2" and again at 7". Fold on the score lines and adhere the bottom part with strong adhesive. After punching a strip to make the border, I trimmed it to 1 1/2" and adhered it to the top part of the card.
To make just a regular card, just score it at 5 1/2" and add the border about 2" from the bottom.
Thanks for checking in. Have a great day.
Can you believe it? Only 13 days left 'til Christmas. It's in the air! Hustle and bustle everywhere. I'm off today to mail my cards and run a few errands. Hopefully, I'll post at least one card a day 'til Christmas Eve. This is the card I picked for today. Since I colored this girl, I have learned so much more about coloring with copics. Stay tuned and you surely will see an improvement.
Until next time, keep safe.
I cannot believe it has been six weeks since my last post. I was going to do so much better. But here I am, (oh, my gosh!) just 15 days 'til Christmas!
We went north to our daughter's in Connecticut for Thanksgiving and were gone nearly two weeks. That's like a two week "time-out" from holiday preparations, but the time was so very enjoyable!
Just came back from a most wonderful luncheon hosted by my Stampin' Up demonstrator and her friend, another demonstrator. We made two delightful projects and had a lovely lunch. They had tables set up outside on a semi-open patio and they were decorated so pretty, but because of cool temps and lots of rain, we ended up eating inside.
I've two choices of what I want to do with the rest of the afternoon; finish up my Christmas cards by putting in the sentiments, or curled up reading a good book from my Kindle. (Love my kindle.)
Here's one of the cards that I'll be sending out next week. In the meantime, stay safe and have a great day.
It's a cloudy, warm morning here if Florida. We've been watching the weather and keeping in touch with family in CT and NH. They are preparing for a major Nor'easter, anywhere from 4" to 10" of snow. Way too early for winter to begin. However, with snow in the forecast, it made me think of Christmas and making a card.
I saw some designer paper in a local stamp store and one of the papers reminded me of newsprint. That reminded me of a card I had made recently, stamping and coloring a hydrangea directly onto the newsprint. So here's another version of that card made into a Christmas card.
Until next time, stay safe, healthy and warm.
Another year has passed and here we are, Halloween once again. Where does the time go?
We've been having some lovely fall weather recently. In fact, yesterday morning as we were eating breakfast and watching the Today Show, I saw that the temperature was the same in NYC as here in central Florida. Now THAT doesn't happen often.
We went "camping" this past weekend; not very far from home, to be sure. The weather was in the 40's at night and upper 60's during the day. It was a little disappointing as the pool was locked and they had no internet service. I always bring plenty of projects to work on, but I missed my internet. (Whine) Of course, when we came home, it started warming up.
Our little card making group has already started making Christmas cards, trying to get ahead for a change. I still have a few Thanksgiving cards to make and in the meantime, I made a few Halloween cards for the children in the family and thought I'd share with you.
The first "card" is the same format as my last posting with the fairies. In fact, I made this card before that one. I tried showing the back as well but it didn't show too well. That is some orange glitter in the Trick or Treat shaker box.
The next card was made using Stampin' Up's products. I just love the "Sweet Treat Cups". Of course, I had to watch a video - again - to get it right. The first time I made one of these cards, I didn't have a pull tab and the card had to be torn to get at the candy. The fence with the birds is done using a Martha Stewart punch.
That's it for today. Until next time, have a great day and keep safe and healthy.
Hi to all who read this blog. I really thought I'd be back sooner, but "stuff" happens and then I get lazy. I never did get to Tarpon Springs and that wonderful Greek food I was so looking forward too. Got sick but am fully recovered now.
A friend recently showed me how to make a wonderful folding card. She had made a Halloween card for her great grandson and was just too too cute. She was kind enough to show me and some friends how easy it was to make. I did make a couple of Halloween cards, but I want to show you the birthday card I made for my granddaughter's step-daughter who is turning six next week. I had such fun making it. Below are several different views of the card.
The first view is the front of the card and shows how it opens.
The next two views show the four inside panels.
The last two views show the reverse side of the folding card.
There is a lot of diamond glitter on the wings and cake; it just doesn't show that well. I think a little six year old will like this, don't you?
Until next time, keep safe and healthy.
Well here we are folks, fall has arrived once again, but you'd never know it here in Florida. Temps around 90 degrees and dew point at 74. Hot and steamy.
My daughter and her hubby arrive tomorrow to stay at our timeshare on St. Pete Beach. But don't feel too bad; they only have a tiny two bedroom on the 2nd floor with a deck that overlooks the Gulf of Mexico. I can't wait to see them!!
I'm taking a dear friend out for her annual birthday lunch tomorrow. (We swap off; she takes me out when it's my birthday.) We finally decided where to go and will be making a day of it. We're going to Tarpon Springs where the sponge docks are, eating Greek food and then doing some shopping. We'll probably stop at a few craft stores before the day is over. Below is the card I made for her this year. I did a humorous one this time - I usually do a flowery one. (We both like coloring flowers.) Would love to see some comments on it.
Isn't she the greatest?
Until next time, you all have a wonderful weekend and stay safe.
It's another weekend upon us and a significant one for everyone. All of the news is filled with the events covering the 10th anniversary of 9-11. September 11th is also my son-in-laws birthday. Happy Birthday, Barry.
I thought I'd share another card that I recently made. I had purchased the tea cup stamp at "Stampfest" in Clearwater FL last February. At the same booth I purchased the saying that's inside the card. I didn't photo the inside but you might enjoy the sentiment.. it goes
Tea pot is on, the cups are waiting,
Favorite chairs anticipating,
No matter what I have to do,
My friend there's always time for you.
It just says it all, doesn't it? Hope you like the card.
If you are in the neighborhood, stop in for a cup of tea. Have a wonderful weekend and stay safe.
It's been a couple of rainy days in the south land. Fortunately, we didn't get any of the hurricane or tropical storm winds here. However, a gust of wind did topple a palm tree in our yard yesterday. Hubby said it appeared that a lot of damage had been done to the palms from freezes we've had for the past 3 years. There is another palm that needs watching.
We also had some power outages today; phones, cable, internet. Just noticed that the cable is back. Woo hoo. Anywayyy, I took the opportunity to stamp a card that I'd been wanting to make since seeing one using newsprint paper. I just love the way it came out.
I stamped the image with versamark and then embiossed it in black. I then colored it using watercolor pencils and a blender pen.
Below I wanted to show you some cards I made using EK Success "Tinkerbell" Disney Fairies clear stamps. I used the same sketch for all of them, as you can see, but changed the colors somewhat. Cute! I have 2 little girls that I can use these cards with.
What fun making these cards. I have a couple more cards that I've made recently, but will save them for another day. In the meantime, keep smiling and have a lovely day.
Well folks, it sure has been awhile since my last post. In fact, it was three months ago today.
It's been HOT here in Florida this summer. We took a break at the end of June and drove north. Visited our daughter and son-in-law in CT and then on to NH to visit son and family and to celebrate the 4th of July.
Had a small family reunion at my husband's brothers house the day before the 4th. What a great time we had catching up with family, nieces and nephews. The following day we went to a parade then had a "cookout" at our son's. Daughter and hubby were able to attend, also.
I was quite busy all spring and summer making cards, knitting baby sweater sets, and crocheting crib blankets for out 1st Annual Craft Show here in our development. What a lot of talented people live in here. The Show was 10 days ago and I was really happy with the results. Hopefully we have another next year. Here's a couple of pictures from the fair...
I took a few days off from crafting after the show but now it's time to make some more cards. Must replace some of my stash. Below is a card I just finished using a stamp set from Stampin' Up called Harvest Home. I love the ones I can "color".
I got the idea for the next card from a new magazine subscription I have called "Cardmaking and Papercraft". This magazine is from the UK and it has some marvelous examples and ideas in it. The problem I have is the measurements are in mm and prices are in pounds. Oh, well, I still get so much from this magazine.
Another stamp from Stampin' Up was used for this card. It's from the Happy Harmony set. I just used versamark on the inside for a little deco.
Guess I've rambled on enough for now. I have more ideas for cards, so I should be updating this blog a little more regularly. In the meantime, you all have a wonderful rest of the week and a great weekend.
