7 gypsies tray

I have to say that the first few times I saw these trays I wasn't impressed.  I am not a huge fan of shabby chic and tons of embellishments.  Something caught my eye when Archivers did a contest and I decided to give it a try.  I used my coupon and decided it would make a cute holiday decoration/gift.  My mom loved it and added her own touches to a few of the spaces.  The glass work you see is done by my dad.  He is an amazing artist in glass and has a small side business making everything from windows to fused plates and ornaments.  He even makes memorial stepping stones for folks whose beloved animals have gone to heaven.

Most of the pictures are of my son (his initial is N) but there is one of me.  The DSP is retired but gave us the color combo of baja breeze and riding hood red.  The stamp set of the little boy and dog is from My Favorite Things.  The snowmen are from SU.  The ornament punch and bird punch are also both SU as is the season's greetings sentiment at the top.  I can definitely see myself doing some more of these in the future.

welcome to the world

In the last 2 weeks I've found myself needing not one but two welcome baby cards.  The perfect excuse for buying a new stamp set...right.  This is from the set My how you've grown by http://www.mftstamps.com/.  It is a great set with many wonderful sentiments including a line from the children's book Love You For Always by Robert Munsch.  I remember our pediatric nursing instructor reading the book to our class and bringing 40 college students to tears.The color combination is baja breeze, so saffron and poppy parade.  The DSP is from the pack pay date by stampin up.  The buttons are from and MRF die with one additional "real" button per group.  The layout is courtesy of the MFT sketch challenge. So two birds with one stone...card for friend and challenge entry.

Thank you so much for coming back to visit me on my blog.  I am really close to 2000 hits.  Come back tomorrow and I'll share the Christmas project I gave my mom.

Be my fortunate Valentine

How stinkin' cute are these!  I found the idea on SCS at http://kendrawietstock.blogspot.com/2011/01/your-fortune-is-full-of-love.html.  Today my mom and I hauled out the sewing machine and in no time flat had 15+ of these beauties.  Most will be going to her church youth group kids that range in age kindergarten to high school.  You need felt, fabric, the big shot with the large scallop circle die and a sewing machine.  My mom is going to type a bible verse with a love concept on paper and put in them.  They will be packaged in the smaller opaque box (got at Michael's) and two Valentine pencils from a pack in the dollar spot at target will be tied to it to look like chop sticks.  Thanks so much for looking.  Hope this inspires you as well.

baby blanket project

This is the most recent blanket I've completed.  It is for my college friend Christine who just had her third baby boy!  I had a girl blanket in the hopper but when the little guy was born I needed to whip up a boy one quick!  This is probably the fastest I've ever done one (around 5 days at a couple hours a day).  It is from the lion brand yarn website and is called bird's nest.  It uses natural choice which is an organic cotton.  The pattern is really simple as it is just one huge granny square.  I will definitely make this pattern again but with different yarn.  I did not make it quite as large as the pattern called for but I was running short on yarn and knew I couldn't make it around without going to Michael's to buy more yarn.  So...what do I do with a fair amount left over....make a hat.  This pattern is wonderful and I have used it several times.  Please leave a comment if you want the link to the pattern.  Thanks for looking!  Maybe my friend will send me a picture of baby with the blanket :)

Punch Storage

I am so excited to have my new punch storage unit.  I really am a sucker for punches and if there is a stamp set that goes with it then I "got to have it".  I had been storing my punches..wait let me restate that...my SU punches in two drawers that are part of a rolling cart that also holds paper. (I also have a tine shoebox container full of punches that I use less often). Anyway I was running out of room and wanted them to be more accessible.  I had seen many ideas on Splitcoast Stampers.  If you haven't seen it they have a category under "special collections" called "stamping spaces".  If you want craft room envy or to feel better that you are not the worst ribbon hoarder in the world I really recommend it.
On Monday We finally had the time and energy (after a flu bout) to go to Lowes and get the supplies.  If you would like any measurements or cost details please leave a comment.  It took a couple hours and then painting over 2 days but we got it hung up last night and it is fabulous.  The top 2 rows will be for the new style punches.  There is an extra board under the rack to hold them.  Thank goodness there is still room to grow.

Thanks for looking!

My favorite things challenge

This is the first time I've participated in a challenge.  It's a great way to create your own card but in a sense it is a CASE since you don't have to come up with the layout as well.  My favorite things stamp company is offering a weekly (every Wednesday) sketch challenge.  The winner receives money towards a purchase of their stamps so what a great incentive to try.   I only have 4 of their sets but I hope to expand that in the future.  This one is called Who's that harvesting Girl.  If you haven't seen the Who's that girl line it is great because you never have to worry about coloring a face or hair.  These stamps are great for paper piecing.  I used some SU blueberry crisp and the rest is with copic markers.  The paper is all from cosmo cricket garden variety.  The ribbon was some .99 stuff I got at HL and just doubled up the gingham ribbon.  Thanks for looking.  In the next few days I'll have a great project to share.  My DH (darling husband) has spent his holiday building me an organization rack for my punches.  I'll be painting and hanging it this week.  Can't wait.

Hugs and Kisses

Here is the first Valentine I've made so far.  The stamp set is Love you much and the idea originally came from http://stampstadium.blogspot.com/.  It uses the 2 tags die which I really love.  the DSP is from last year but it is still on the SU clearance rack for a steal.

The base is pretty in pink with a layer of regal rose then the DSP.  The tag base and the ribbon are melon mambo.  The ribbon is now retired but melon mambo did join the regular line up of SU colors.  we added some sparkle using dazzling diamonds and dimension on the scallop circle punch. Also there is some bling added.  The sentiment is from teeny tiny wishes.  Thanks for looking.

wild birthday

This is the birthday card I made for our son's third birthday.  He loves dinosaurs and I have had this Quick Cutz die for a while now but this is the first time I've used it.  The background paper is from Basic Grey (archaic).  the dinosaur is made from old olive with scraps of SU DSP ( woodland and sweet and sour) for the spots.  I think he looks too cute to be extinct. 

Happy New Year

I guess it's too late to say I resolve to blog more.  That is a goal of mine but the holidays were of course busy and then came a flu/cold bug to my house that we are now just getting over.  I have two cards I want to show you over the next few days.  One is a valentine and the other is a kid's thank you.  My son's 3rd birthday was on Dec 12th and if I can find that card I'll post it as well.  For today I hope you enjoy my new seasonal blog header.  I love greeting card kids and it is on my wish list when sale-a-bration starts in a few weeks.  Tomorrow I plan on taking a trip to Archivers and I have to get my hands on the Tim holtz rosette die.

Of course the most exciting news happened late last night when my alma mater Auburn University won the BCS National Championship.  War Eagle!

The Auburn Creed
I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn.  Therefore, I believe in work, hard work.
I believe in education, which gives me the knowledge to work wisely and trains my mind and my hands to work skillfully.
I believe in honesty and truthfulness, without which I cannot win the respect and confidence of my fellow men.
I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body and a spirit that is not afraid, and in clean sports to develop these qualities.
I believe in obedience to law because it protects the rights of all.
I believe in the human touch, which cultivates sympathy with my fellow men and mutual helpfulness and brings happiness to all.
I believe in my Country, because it is a land of freedom and because it is my own home, and that I can best serve that country by "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with my God"
And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it.