Ginger Blossom Gift Set

I've had these tins for a while and finally put them to use!

I've really been loving this Ginger Blossom DSP and will be very sad to see it go. It's become a favorite of mine. But, I'm certain that Stampin' UP! will come up with another new favorite for me!!

Anyway, I thought these two pieces would make a great set. The smaller circle tin has a clear top which I put a RubOn that reads "A small thing done in great LOVE is a great thing". Perfect saying for a tiny container! And I lined the bottom with the DP. There are even a couple rhinestones on the lid to add a bit of bling. And the tin is wrapped in double-stitched Groovy Guava ribbon.

The coordinating piece is a CD tin. On the front I used some RainDrops to add a touch to the flowers, one of which is ChipBoard. And it says "You make me smile" which is perfect for what is inside.....

Inside is a mini-album! There is a place on the inside of the lid for a photo and the other side has an accordion style album that pulls out with places for 8 more photos (front and back). I used the new scallop punch on the inside of the lid and even some Prima flowers on the album part.

This DP is perfect for cutting out the larger flowers to use as an accent. I didn't do an ounce of stamping on this set! The CD tin is closed with a tie of the Groovy Guava double-stitched ribbon.

Monochromatic Woods

Over the years I've spotted some pretty amazing monochromatic cards on SCS and so as I pondered the retiring of our current in-colors....I went back to the first set of in-colors that I loved so much and forget to use.....so I thought using True Thyme in a monochromatic setting would be fun. You know using one color is really a challenge?? It's so very tempting to throw in another color, but I held back...with all my might :)

I used Iridescent Ice on the leaves and the ground to give it a shimmer of morning dew. Also, the background leaves are iced as well.

And to go along with the ice, the Styled Silver HodgePodge was perfect. Brings out the shimmer in a classy way.

Sets: Lovely As A Tree, Small Script
Paper: True Thyme, Confetti White
Accessories: True Thyme Classic Ink, True Thyme Stitched Ribbon, Styled Silver HP, Iridescent Ice EP, 3/8" Corner Rounder, Small Oval Punch, Sponge

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

Today is my big day! Last year I was half way to 70, this year it's one step closer! Does that mean it's all down hill from here? Do I get to just coast?

We celebrated on Sunday and my hubby and daughter spoiled me!

She made me a beautiful card. She goes onto SCS and gets her idea and then puts it to work. So, I don't know if I should give credit to anyone for the card idea...but isn't it beautiful??!!!

She was in charge of making my cake, CHOCOLATE all the way!!!! She even shaved chocolate on the top of the cake....here is my beautiful girl!

Hubby wasn't left out....he made me dinner: Baked Haddock and all the fiixngs! It was yummy!!! He also got me the new monitor that I'm using right now!!! I went from a 15" screen to a beautiful 19" screen!!! I can be on the computer from across the room!!! Either that...or he knew my 'old' eyes would work better on this one, lol.

He also surprised me with these flowers! And surprisingly enough my kittie hasn't spotted them! I've put them on the top of the bookshelf and usually he's staring and trying to figure a way to get to his 'salad', but not this time. So, we've been able to leave them out to enjoy.

So, Happy Birthday to me. Next year I'll have another in my arms celebrating with me! Now it's off to the beach!!!

In Sympathy

My sister-in-law's grandfather passed away earlier in the month. He was such a sweet man. A veteran of the US Military. Loved by so many and will be greatly missed.

This is the card that I made for her.

It's never easy to say good-bye. My niece is taking it hard. My father passed away last August and another of her great-grandfather's passed not to long before that. She's feeling the loss and holding on tight to my sister-in-law's father now, since she understands that he's the only Papa she has now. She'll be 6 in September. The hearts of the little are big!

Stamp Set: Long-Time Friend, Warmest Regards
Paper: Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Really Rust (Textured), Whisper White, Apple Cider DP
Accessories: StazOn, Koh-I-Noor pencils, Navy Grosgrain, Vintage Brads

Happy Anniversary

My older brother and his wife celebrated their anniversary last week and this is the card that I sent to them.

I don't usually go towards the Bold Brights, but what I did was start with the coloring of the images with the Koh-I-Noor pencils and they just started to come out so nice and vibrant. So, that lead to the bright colors over all. And it seemed so fun once I was completed with it!

I used the CuttleBug for the background, it's great to have an image that doesn't add another color, but yet adds texture. I also used Stickles on the flowers, my first time! They are great for adding that touch of sparkle! I also Crystal Effected parts of each of the images.

Sets: Time Well Spent, All Year Cheer III
Paper: Pixie Pink, Orchid Opulence, Gable Green
Accessories: Koh-I-Noor Pencils with OMS, Stickles, Rhinestones, Light Orchid Grosgrain, Crystal Effects and Cuttlebug.

Welcome Baby

I went to a baby shower on July 4th for a friend who's having her 'C' section today! So, I wanted to make sure that I welcomed the new bundle on his day of birth!! Congratulations to the proud parents!!!!

I finally bought a bottle of Primas! I've been oooohing and aaaahing over everyone's for so long, and I went into Michaels with a coupon and bought some :) I think I'll go back each week!!

I just love this little bunny. He's one of my favorites for when I do anything baby.

Sets: A New Little Someone, Riveting
Paper: Prints Pack, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White
Ink: Brown StazOn, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa
Accessories: Koh-I-Noor pencils, OMS, Sponge, Build A Brad, Bashful Blue Taffeta, Apricot Appeal Grosgrain, Primas, Stick Rhinestones, Coluzzle, 1 1/4" 1 3/8" 1/2" circle punches.

Relaxing By The Shore

I made this card for a friends birthday. We live near the beach and I just love this calm look. I found this set at a yard sale last summer and hadn't used it yet, so it was time I put it to good use ;)

I am having fun with the Koh-I-Noor pencils and the mineral spirits. They give it such a nice look.

I stamped the chair and lady separately and lifted them up on dimensionals just at the edge of the oval.

Set: Sketches, Summer by the Sea, by The Sea Wheel
Cardstock: River Rock, Bashful Blue, Whisper White
Ink: StazOn Black, Creamy Caramel...and I used the Koh-I-Noor Pencils w/OMS
Accessories: Pewter HP, Non-SU Ribbon, Coluzzle

Happy Independence Day!!!

Happy Birthday America!!!

You are beautiful!

View this link: Why I Love America

Enjoy your day!!

It's a B-O-Y!!!!

Yesterday was the long awaited ultra sound day!

I had lunch with friends the day before and they suggested drinking caffeine prior to the appointment so that the baby would move and make it easier to see the sex....well, the baby was very wiggly...I don't usually drink caffeine, so I think it made the little tyke a bit high, lol.

Bo and Chelsea went with me and the tech was great. She showed us everything, way more then I ever wanted to know, lol. We saw the baby's heart, kidneys, bladder...you name it, she pointed it out to us.

Then came the looksie.....and there he was in all his glory, our little boy! Didn't take much searching to see that, lol.

We are thrilled at the news. Chelsea would rather it be a sister and has sworn to never change the diaper, but I'm sure that all this will change over time. She adores her BOY cousin and didn't let anyone hold him his first Christmas, so I'm sure she'll grow to adore her little brother too.

His name will be Garrett William. Garrett is a good Irish name and also a town in Texas, which is where Bo comes from, so it fits all the bills.....we've had the name tucked away for a number of years now, so it was about time we pulled it out. And the middle name is actually Bo's first name.

He'll arrive the week before Thanksgiving. All looks good and they say he's measuring at 13oz right now.