KICK IT UP A NOTCH.....

Unfortunately, I needed sympathy cards for 2 family members at the same time recently. It just so happened that the theme for the months Litlle Debbie swap was "Sympathy Cards". So, I guess I got 3 birds with one design. This was my first attempt:

Now, while this was a perfectly good card --- clean and simple --- I could not help but think something else was needed. So, to add some texture, I tore the edges of the Chocolate Chip layer. I also stamped the small flower from the same stamp set using Versamark on the background (Crumble Cake/Kraft) layer. You can't really tell from my "amazing" pictures, but on the second one, while I still colored the bloom in Marina Mist, I thumped it with the Night of Navy marker to give it a little more depth. The stamp set is the Level 1 Hostess Set Because I Care. What a gorgeous image, don't you think? The coloring was done directly on the stamp with my SU! markers and stamped onto Whisper White cardstock. After wrapping that layer with a piece of Marina Mist ribbon, I layered it onto the Chocolate Chip and then onto the Crumb Cake base. Here is the second card, with all of those changes:

Those few small changes really made a difference, didn't they? But it still kept the card simple (something I think is important when it comes to sympathy cards --- that "calming" colors) and flat enough to mail without padding and extra postage.

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

YOU GOTTA SEE THE BABY.....

Does anyone remember that episode of Sienfeld? I only watched the show a couple of times and that was one of them. The mom kept saying they had to see the baby and then the baby turned out to be really ugly (or so they said, because they never showed us the baby). Anyway, I have never seen an ugly baby myself. But I digress......

I actually got to make a card for a baby shower. It is a nice break from the birthday and sympathy rut I seem to be in. This card was for a friend's daughter who is expecting a little boy. I have made the onsie cards before --- they are so cute, yet so easy. This one was stepped up a notch because of a card I saw here. But this project did not go off without a hitch. I had completed my first try and was stamping the sentiment inside, when I got black Stazon on the front of it. I was so..... mad (the dots were me counting to five so I wouldn't say a bad word). But all's well that ends well, I like the second try much better. And here it is.......

I used a retired SU! DSP called East Coast Prep. The froggie is from the retired set Very Punny. You can tell this outfit was made in China --- the neck cutout wasn't centered as well as I would have liked with the bib straps. But I think it turned out pretty good.

And the baby was born on Wednesday (I think) and everyone is doing well. So....

Congratulations to Jill and Gary

and

Welcome to the World, Michael Thomas

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.........

A long time since I have completed a scrapbook layout, that is. This one started with an e-mail from my friend and upline, Debbie Naylor, telling our SU! group about a new on-line community that focuses on scrapbooking. It is called Soul Scrappers and it is a group of very talented ladies. Well, at least I think it is all ladies. Anyway, one of the ladies issued a challenge that started with a quote - "If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.". She was taking 20 people to participate and, if you signed up, you would all be getting the same products to be used in your layout. Of course, you would not know what you had to work with until your envelope arrived. Free products to do something I love with --- what could be more fun. I signed up as quick as a wink!!! I was so excited when my envelope arrived. I got brads, dew drops, paper flowers, ribbon, stickers, a transparency, some stamped boot prints, a paper clip and a tag. Phew!!! I think that is everything. You could combine these with anything you wanted, but you had to use most, if not all, of the items sent. What was even better was that the ribbon was from SU!, so I was able to match products with what I have plenty of. Here is what I ended up with..........

I am partial to 2 page layouts. This is mostly because I take a bunch of pictures of my kids and love every one of them. These pictures are from a trip to Myrtle Beach in 2005. And, yes, I am way behind. Man, those were the days......

Here are closer views of each page and you can click on each one for an even larger view:

I really enjoyed doing this challenge and hope to do many more in the future. It is a good way to kick start your scrapping mojo.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!!!!

AND THE AWARD GOES TO............

ME!!!!!! My friend, Cindy, awarded me with this Beautiful Blogger Award. Now I have to pass along 7 things about myself. Hhhhhmmmmm........

1. I am a soccer mom to my two kids.

2. And, yes, I drive the soccer mom van.

3. People seem to be surprised that, at my age, I do not color my hair. Yet.

4. I have done many crafts, from cross-stitching to ceramics to sewing to scrapbooking and card-making.

5. I have a perfectionist trait, so most projects take me 2 to 3 times longer than it should.

6. I am severely color matching challenged. (I love the new SU! color coach!!!!)

7. Although you wouldn't know it from meeting me, I am actually a 5'-9" model with a gorgeous burnette mane of hair and legs that stretch up to there. Okay, maybe not, but a girl can dream can't she.....

Now, as per the rules, I am to pass this award onto others that inspire me. There are oh so many, but I am going to narrow it down. Also, I can't name Cindy, but you should really check out her blog here.

1. Mary Fish

2. Diana Gibbs

3. Debbie Naylor

4. Beverly Cole

5. Lori Subosits

6. Sandy Hancock

7. Lynn Pratt

Thanks, again, Cindy!!!! I hope to have some of my recent projects posted soon.............