Happy Grandparents' Day (Yesterday)

Happy Grandparents' Day (yesterday)! The occasion snuck up on me, so yesterday morning before church I whipped out a pair of these cards. They were so much fun to make! When I saw this week's sketch over at Card Positioning Systems, I had to give it a try.


I used several of my Word Puzzle sets for all the images on the card. (I cannot believe that they are being retired! Should have known that would happen since I now have all 12 of them! Seriously, they are the most awesome set of monthly stamps ever.) "Happy" came from the March set, "Grandparent's Day" and the focal sentiment are from the September set, and the heart and "Love U" border are from the February set. My color palette came from the Notebook collection: Colonial White cardstock, Blush, Hollyhock, and Crystal Blue ink for the stamping, and Bamboo and Desert Sand for the distressing. Have I told you how much I love our new buttons?!? Not as much as I love the girls' grandparents, but still! We love you, Grammie & Grumps and BJ!

BTW, this card measures 8"x3.5", which makes it perfect to mail in a business envelope. It's sometimes hard in my bitty town to find envelopes in the size you need (though now that Wal-Mart has arrived I guess it won't be the problem it used to be).

10th Birthday Layout (#37)

These photos from Ansley's 10th birthday always make me smile! The one of the two girls is one of my favorites, and the two of her blowing out the candles are just precious! Check out her Grandmother in the background. I'm not sure who was having more fun!

My layout is based on the Rhapsody sketch from Wishes.

The cake, sentiment, and balloons are all from the Everyday Celebration card kit stamp set (available only through the end of the month). Can you see the prisma glitter on the candle flames?

I also used the Celebrate sentiment from my Cupcake Sprinkles stamp set and the invitation stamp from my Party Invitation stamp set.

I love making these "birthday candles." I used my Boutique Numbers stamp set and then the "flame" is a petal stamp from the Friendship Blessings set. The flames also have a touch of prisma glitter for extra sparkle. These are so much fun on kids' birthday cards!

The layout & cards at left can be found on p. 8 of the new Autumn/Winter '09 Idea Book. The Jingle paper pack that I used is this year's must-have holiday paper pack! For the birthday layout, I just used papers that were festive without screaming Christmas or winter. The colors I used are Tulip, Creme Brulee, and Blush. I also pulled out a little Blush and Creme Brulee ribbon for accents.

Attention All Sports Fans

It's official! Longaberger now carries Team Spirit baskets for ALL 32 NFL teams, complete with the official NFL team logos! Go, team, go!

We are adding college teams often, so ask me about your favorite. I'm hoping that we add the Georgia Bulldogs soon since my mother-in-law is a big fan. Don't worry, Dad, they're not MY favorite! ;) I can already get the Bulldogs' black & red combo, but I'm holding out a bit longer for the team logo too.

We also carry 21 color combos for your local sports teams. Contact me about your school colors. Wouldn't a basket sale make a great team fundraiser? I would be happy to work with you to help raise money for your team.

Remembering 9/11

Watch Alan Jackson sing his beautiful song, "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning?" (Just click on the title.)

Grace Workshop

I am so excited about this month's workshop! Whether you're a scrapbooker or a cardmaker (or both), there's something for you!


On Saturday, 9/26, at 1:00 we will create two gorgeous two-page 12"x12" layouts with the new Grace paper pack and exclusive Grace workshop flourishes stamp set, and at 3:00 we'll create a set of cards! The best part is that you can do either scrapbooking or cardmaking, or both! Read on to find out more...

Here are my two layouts. (They will both look much better once my pictures arrive later this week.)





Next is my set of six cards.



Then, after creating all this artwork, I still have materials left over so I created four more cards. (There's still more materials left, but I wanted to show you all the possiblities so far.)

By now, I'm sure that you're awed, amazed, and wondering how I was able to create all this. First, I have to thank Close To My Heart for designing this beautiful workshop. They are truly making my creative process (and yours) faster, simpler, easier. If you'd like to learn more, just click HERE. Thanks!

Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #16

With a touch of fall in the air, I couldn't resist trying out the Raspberry Suite Color Challenge #16. (You can see the other creations with this color challenge by clicking on the link.)

My card features the September stamp of the month, Treasures. I've seen cards similar to this on several blogs, and I fell in love with the beauty of its simplicity. To meet the color challenge, I began with a Colonial White 8"x3.5" top-fold card base. On the 7.5"x3" Colonial White main panel, I heat embossed the flower image and seeds with white embossing powder, then stamped the saying in Chocolate. I sponged Honey across the card panel, keeping the center lighter. (Wipe off the embossed image with a kleenex to remove the colored ink it resists.) I sponged the edges with Desert Sand to give the card depth and finished the edges by distressing with Chocolate. A Colonial White Bigger Brad gave this simple card just a touch of dimension. I mounted the main panel on a piece of Chocolate cardstock after I used my corner rounder (w/o the guard) to created the scalloped border. (All materials from Close To My Heart.) Thanks for looking!

Mojo Monday #103

Every Monday, Mojo Monday posts a sketch challenge to try. Here's my take on this week's sketch.

And here's the sketch itself:

The new Grace paper pack from Close To My Heart is so pretty! It's beginning to feel a bit like fall here, so I couldn't resist. Can you believe that all four patterned designs come from two sheets of paper? The back of the floral and the Twilight pieces are Honey colored. The sentiment is from the September stamp of the month, Treasures. All the materials I used are leftover scraps from the Grace kit of the month (more details to be posted this week). Also, come back tomorrow if you'd like a little tutorial on those pretty pleats.

Holidays

Happy Labor Day! While you're enjoying your day, here's a countdown to the upcoming holidays:

55 days to Halloween,

80 days to Thanksgiving,

109 days to Christmas, and

158 days to Valentine's Day

Fabulous Friday

My husband took this picture for me yesterday morning. (This one is my favorite of the 5-6 he took.) He came in from walking Shadow to tell me how gorgeous the sunrise was over the lake and even got the camera. He can be such a sweetie! Click on the picture if you want to see the ducks.

I hope that you have a fabulous Friday before the long weekend! Take a deep breath and relax...

More Treasures

Each of these cards, using the September stamp of the month Treasures, is its own little treasure! I am fortunate each month to participate in a stamp of the month swap in my unit. (In a swap, you make x number of identical items- in this case 8- for that many different items back.) Our requirement this month was to use Treasures and the new Sweet Home paper pack.









Bridget's soft card reminds me so much of the end of summer, how the flowers fade, brown, and dry beautifully.

Can you believe how creatively Pamala used the "thank you" stamp to create the flower petals?

Can you see Taralyn's bling? This little 3"x3" card is the sweetest.

Camy uses some ink-credible distressing techniques on her card. I love that little peek-a-boo corner. The soft wispy blue flower behind the sentiment is lovely.

Chris used liquid glass to highlight "sunshine." The dandelion seeds float across the middle and show up well in "real life."

Isn't Tonya's emerging color technique beautiful? She is a very precise cutter. I doubt I could have cut out those images so well!

Carla's card reminds me how nice a "haphazard" card can look. I am such a linear person, and this lovely card is one of the reasons I love to swap. I would have never come up with something like this, and doesn't it work beautifully?

September Stamp of the Month BLOG HOP and Tuesday Tutorial

Welcome to another Close To My Heart Blog Hop! (I hope you're not sick of these yet; I love 'em!!!) If you came from Laurie's blog, you're hopping right along. This hop is showcasing the beautiful September stamp of the month, Treasures. This set of 13 includes two large and two small flower images (the largest and smallest on my card), a flower stem, a small heart, and seven sentiments The sentiments are You are my sunshine; Make a wish...; thank you; trust your heart; It is when you give of yourself that you truly give; Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves; and the winds of change bring treasures unknown... embrace change. Three of these sentiments are in whimsical shapes. From here, hop on to Carol's blog (but leave me a comment before you go please)!

My card is loosely based on the Wishes sketch "Simple Statement." I just had to use the dandelion stamps and the "Make a wish..." sentiment because when my daughter was little, she called dandelions "wishes." (That still makes me smile.) I used the new Sweet Home paper pack with Heavenly Blue and Garnet inks. The white card base was too stark, so I sponged it with Heavenly Blue, stamped a few of the dandelion "puffs" randomly on the base, and distressed it with the Edge Distresser.

Can you see the sparkle on my focal image? I mixed equal parts white embossing powder and prisma glitter to create a bit of dazzle. Here's how you heat emboss:
1. Stamp image with embossing ink or Versamark ink. (The powder will cover the image completely with these inks; regular ink doesn't hold the embossing powder as well.)
2. Pour embossing powder onto image. (It will stick to the stamped images.) Tap or brush off any excess. (I keep a small watercolor paintbrush with my embossing supplies to brush off any stray powder.)

3. I like to hold my paper with a wooden clothespin to protect my fingers. Be sure you don't touch the powdered image though.

3. Crank up your heat tool and then point it at the powdered image. You can heat from the top or from the bottom. (If I have excess powder, I like to blast the powder from the front.)

4. Watch carefully and like magic the powder will begin to melt. Keep moving that heat tool around so you don't scorch your paper. You'll know when it's done!

I finished off my card with Heavenly Blue ribbon stapled onto the sentiment, a croteched flower from the White Daisy Mini Medley collection attached with a Heavenly Blue brad, and a Heavenly Blue button (from the Spring button collection).

If you've read this far, thanks for sticking with me! LOL Be sure to continue on the September stamp of the month blog hop to Carol's blog. If you get lost or have to hop off, you can always come back here to my earlier post that lists each participant. Thanks again for stopping by and for hopping along with us! Come back tomorrow to see the gorgeous creations my swappers made. Thanks!

September Stamp of the Month BLOG HOP Participants

Here is the complete list of Close To My Heart consultants participating in the September stamp of the month blog hop. Feel free to hop on and off as time allows!

Jena DeVries
http://www.livelovelaughscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Nona Davenport
http://www.nonapearl.blogspot.com/
Katy Donaldson
http://www.scrappinkaty.blogspot.com/
Cibele Glazer
http://www.flowerfoot.blogspot.com/
Laura Dame
http://www.thecroppersconnection.blogspot.com/
Lori Leng
http://www.pinkcloudscrappers.blogspot.com/
Jamia Bankhead
http://www.papermadnessinc.blogspot.com/
Melissa Laverty
http://www.fancymelissa.blogspot.com/
Pamela OConnor
http://www.cherishyourmemories.blogspot.com/
Sheila Bennett
http://sheila-bennett.blogspot.com/
Adeline E. Brill
http://adeline-brill.blogspot.com/
Wendy Kessler
http://www.myscrapbookingblog.com/
Beth Naumann
http://www.bethscreativeblock.blogspot.com/
Barbra Otten
http://barbraotten.blogspot.com/
Terrie Dodd
http://www.my-life-in-real-time.blogspot.com/
Judy Burger
http://makingtimeformemories.blogspot.com/
Jessica Booth
http://jessicabooth.blogspot.com/
Leisa Hubley
http://www.bigredscraps.blogspot.com/
Helen Onulak
http://www.hookedonstamping.com/
Debra Van Patten
http://memoriesoftheheartbydeb.blogspot.com/
Juli Clark
http://www.thestampteacher.blogspot.com/
Sarita Schraeder
http://www.blessedscrapper.blogspot.com/
Michelle Robinson
http://www.amaizenbluelady.typepad.com/
Maricar Harris
http://www.maricarharris.blogspot.com/
Antoinette Herrin
http://www.godblessyourart.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Androlewicz
http://bowlofstamps.blogspot.com/
Cindy Leek
http://www.paperspadsandpictures.blogspot.com/
Dawn Heuft
http://www.stamptildawn.blogspot.com/
Barbara Harris
http://www.paper-creations117.blogspot.com/
Alanna Moses
http://www.damoses.blogspot.com/
Laurie Levnik
http://www.creationsbylaurie.blogspot.com/
Tanya David
http://www.scramperscorner.blogspot.com/
Karen Norman
http://www.gettinscrappywithit.blogspot.com/
Jan Moxey
http://scrapandstamp4ever.blogspot.com/
Tammy Lea Pinchard
http://mycreativeclubhouse.blogspot.com/
Paige Dolecki
http://www.paigespaperparadise.blogspot.com/
Kelly Triggs
http://www.stampinallday.blogspot.com/
Sherry Thompson
http://www.picturespatternsandpaper.blogspot.com/
Deb Young
http://www.scrapbookczar.blogspot.com/
Nancy Ball
http://www.ballisticdesign.blogspot.com/
Chris Shouse
http://www.houseostamps.wordpress.com/
Dawn Ross
http://www.iamahappystamper.blogspot.com/
Brae Montgomery
http://thebrae-er.blogspot.com/
Laurie R Newton
http://scrapsfromthebeach.blogspot.com/
Haley Dyer
http://www.inkyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Carol Taggio
http://craftycarol55.blogspot.com/
Amy McVey
http://www.clearlystamping.blogspot.com/
Carla Ironside
http://www.carlacreates.blogspot.com/
Jen Rubio
http://www.jenrubio.blogspot.com/
Kristie Horness-Herdener
http://www.goofyscrapper.blogspot.com/
Jill Lucas
http://scrapwench.blogspot.com/
Wanda Riley
http://www.creatingwithwanda.blogspot.com/
Miranda Kurz
http://www.scrampinwithmiranda.com/
Jody Gustafson
http://www.cre8nmemories.blogspot.com/
Susan Brooks
http://www.stampingintheopen.blogspot.com/
Kami Welter
http://www.scrappin4memories.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Patrick
http://www.roxybonds-scrappin.blogspot.com/
Julia Menssen
http://www.ralphandjulia.blogspot.com/
Shannon Pelletier
http://www.mycolorfulworldinvt.blogspot.com/
Linda Shewchuk
http://www.awesomememories.blogspot.com/
Brenda Harmless
http://keepsakeswithheart.blogspot.com/
Donni Alvarenga
http://www.donniscreativetherapy.blogspot.com/
Traci Godbee
http://createwithtraci.blogspot.com/
Pam Klassen
http://eimmap.blogspot.com/
Lori Miller
http://www.clearlyfromtheheart.blogspot.com/
Kimberly Smith
http://verykimberry.blogspot.com/
Caren Goldsein
http://www.scrappycaren.blogspot.com/

Misty Jackson
http://www.misstscraps.blogspot.com/