So I'm finally taking a moment to blog today.  I've been doing a little bit of stamping.  Not as much as I'd like to do, but I suppose a little is better then none.  The cards I have to share today are from my Stampin' Club.  These ladies keep me motivated to create projects I hope they'll love.  In February we talked about using acetate and all the neat things you could do with it which prompted March's make and takes.  I was really happy with how they came out and I enjoyed seeing their excitement as they put them together.  The first two were made during our Get Together and the other is one a promised to post.

                                             

My apologies for the blurriness, may camera was not being very cooperative.  This technique is very messy so only attempt it if you wish to "sparkle" the rest of the day, possibly into the days that follow as well.  Using Stampin' Up's Doodle Thisstamp set when stamped the large flower with Black Staz On ink onto the acetate.  It dries quickly, but be careful because it may want to slide away from you when you stamp onto the acetate.  Then using SU! Crystal Effects  or any other liquid clear drying glue apply it onto the image where you want your glitter to adhere.  Because we used multiple colors, we'd apply a little CE to one area, sprinkle it with glitter and then go back with the CE to another area.  The glitter from SU! as well.  I found it takes at least 30 minutes to dry, if not more, so don't plan this as a quick card.  Once it does dry we adhered it with a Pop Up Glue Dot to give it some dimension.   The rest of the card was made using SU! supplies: Cardstock:  Whisper White, Basic Black,  Bashful Blue, Hostess Pattern Pack Designer Series.   Stamp Set:  Heard from the Heart.   Tools:  Paper Piercing, Scallop Edge punch.

                                                

I really like the elegant look acetate creates when used as the main base of a card.  Again, using all Stampin' Up! products with the exception of the Staz on it was simple to make a pretty card perfect for a special occasion.  Stamp set:  Baroque Motifs.  Inks:  Staz On Opaque White (found at Stampin' Memories), Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal.  Cardstock:  Always Artichoke, Whisper White  Ribbon:  Sale-a-Bration Ribbon Bundle in Certainly Celery.   Other:  Filigree Brad and Dimensionals.

                                            

We didn't make this card during our Get Together, but I shared it with the ladies as another fun technique to do with acetate that I had seen on Splitcoaststampers.  All products are from Stampin' Up! with the exception of the brown ribbon that I had picked up at Michaels.  Using More Mustard ink I stamped the Upsy Daisyimage on More Mustard cardstock.  Then using the Staz On white I stamped the image again on the acetate.  When the acetate was placed over the More Mustard I was sure to place the white image slightly lower then the mustard image to create that shadow effect.  Of course it's a little hard to see the shadow created because I struggle to not be part of the shadow as well on the card.  I used a strip of DS tape along the bottom of the acetate to stick to the mustard piece, needless to say why the brown ribbon is where it is, it's concealing my DS tape.  Cardstock: More Mustard, Real Red, Chocolate Chip, Hostess Designer Series Pattern Paper Pack,  Whisper White.  Stamp Set:  Upsy Daisy.

Well thanks for stopping by and for being patient with my posting.  I'm so happy to be a part of so many things in my community and in my children's lives, but it requires me to sometimes put to the side other things, one being my stamping.  Take care and maybe in a day or two I can post again and even share an unrelated stamping activity...maple syrup.  Another new adventure in our home, we tapped trees for the first time and are actually creating maple syrup...yummy!!  Enjoy the rest of your day!

So I hope this finds you all well and enjoying your Sunday.  We're actually just relaxing, no adventures today, just staying home.  I hope you all had a very nice Valentine's Day.  Our day was a busy one.  First we picked up our Girl Scout cookies for my troop, then rushed over to watch Nick test out of his purple belt to his blue belt for karate, rushed back home to sort the cookies so my Daisies and their families could pick up the cookies...phew...once my hubby was home I went for a much needed run to help me unwind a bit.  Of course despite my telling Chris to not worry about flowers and a fancy dinner, he stayed traditional and did just that.  Sweetly I was told "it was the least he could do".  So I was lucky enough to have him arrive home with a dozen red roses anda wonderful evening planned.  We went to dinner at the Granite Bar & Restaurant in Concord.  If you're in the area looking for delicious food and a relaxing evening this is the place.  It's perfect for those special occasions.

We try to do something special for the kids too.  Emily has been wanting her ears pierced so badly, but I had so many problems as a kid with my ears pierced that I hesitate to have hers done.  I happened to be in the mall and stop at Claire's (it's a girls boutique of sorts) and found some super cute clip on earrings I knew would make the perfect gift...plus they were on sale...always an added bonus.  Nick is so into his Nintendo DS and has been saving his money to buy a Star Wars game that I knew that would fit the bill.  Now of course I had to make something for them as well.  Around Valentine's Day Target the last few years has had these super cute plain mailboxes (lots of blogs have shown them) and so this year I finally picked some up knowing I'd do something with them for the kids.  So long story short, that's what I have to share with you today.

                                           

                                        

I was so happy with how it came out and she loves it too.

                                          

As you can see they are perfect to fit little gifts inside, these are the earrings and inside was a couple packs of gum and a medium sized Hersey Kiss.   Using lots of Super Sticky Tape this was a fun and relatively simple project.  Ribbon:  Stampin' Up! Burgundy grosgrain   DP:  Cloud 9 Design by Fiskars So In Love and Be Loved Stripes  Embellishments:  K&Company Smitten Chipboard and a punch from Martha Stewart (the dolly like design).

                                          

                                       

This is the box I made for Nick.  He too liked it, he also commented about likely the note I included on the bottom (just a little message from me).

                                        

Like Emily's his had gum and chocolate, but instead had the manual for the DS game.   These mailboxes are small so I couldn't fit the game box inside and instead just included the manual.  Again I used lots of Sticky Strip Tape and DP: Studio 8 Paper Company Wishful Thinking  Embellishments:  Making Memories Eyelet Charm and Glitter Clears  Ribbon:  Stampin' Up!  Blue Bayou Double Stitched ribbon.

LOL...I'm realizing in this photo you can see where I took the picture...Yes that's my washing machine.  LOL, not usually where I take my pictures, but I was trying to take quick ones, away from the kids, where they wouldn't see.

Well that's it for now, there's talk behind me that we may be heading out to do some sledding.  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

Hi Everyone.  I hope this finds you well.  We seem to be battling a 24 hour stomach bug in my home.  It started with Nick and now poor little Emily has it.  I feel so bad when the kids are sick like that, it makes me almost feel helpless, I wish I could just make it go away for them.  I also feel bad because she was so excited to go to school today and hand out her Valentine's to her friends and teachers.  We had gotten the super cute Pink Cat Studios Lilly & Billy Sweethearts Stamp set to make Valentines with.  These two are so cute and it reminds me of innocent young love.

The first project is for her teacher.  I great little box I made using a template from Lauren.  She is so creative when it comes to wrapping up the littlest of things, it gives something simple that extra special touch.  So we made 4, the kids each have a teacher and teacher's assistant in the classroom and they don't like to leave anyone out.  We filled the boxes with 10 Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate squares.  Super simple, super inexpensive and a nice "thinking of you" gift.

                                                  

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Whisper White  DP:  Smitten by K&Company  Stamp Set: Lilly & Billy Sweethearts by Pink Cat Studios and Little Pieces by Stampin' Up!  Other:  Copic Markers, Spellbinders Nestabilities, Ribbon from Michaels, Ghirardelli Chocs found at Target.

I had so much fun coloring in these images with my copics while the kids were coloring, I felt like a little kid too.  This was a fun, cute card I made using another image from the Lilly & Billy Sweetheart set. 

                                         

My son Nicholas got red in the checks when he chose this image for a "girl" friend...that's why I labeled it Innocent Love.  I'd love to be a fly on the wall today when he hands out his valentines :)  I personally might give this to my hubby.  We might not be "young" love, but there are still times I get the butterflies.  I know...."aaawww"...LOL.

Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Whisper White and Pretty in Pink  DP: Smitten K&Company  Stamp Set:  Pink Cat Studio Lilly & Billy Sweethearts  Other:   Smitten K&Company Chipboard, Making Memories Jumbo Blossom Daisy Red, Pink Ribbon retired from Stampin' Up!, Copic Markers, Dimensionals.

Thank you very much for stopping by.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your day!

Hi Everyone.  Sorry I haven't posted in a while.  I haven't had a lot of time to just sit and play around with my stamps.  Though it's winter and we've got snow of the ground here in NH, it's also time to start getting ready for the upcoming baseball/softball season for the kids in my town, so I've been busy helping get things in place with that.  For those of you who know baseball and softball we decided to leave Little League and have joined up with  Babe Ruth Cal Ripken so there's been a lot of work to get things in place to assure the season starts off smoothly.  This is my second year with our town's Athletic Association and I really enjoy being able to help.   But, that's a whole other story and blog for that matter so let's get back to cards and stamping.

Most of my stamping has been on an as needed basis and the need lately has seemed birthday cards for Nick and Emily.  Though I usually encourage them to make their own cards, we've had a couple parties come up that they just don't want to, which I can understand.  So this card was made for Nick's friend, one of the times he asked me to make one for him.

                              

I was very happy with how this card came out because as usual we had everything ready to go, but the card and had a super busy day...haircuts, karate, cousins birthday party in southern NH and friends birthday party after in central NH.  I needed to put together something quick and easy.  I do find sometimes I work better under pressure.  I think for me it helps if I don't have time to think and dwell about a project because then I find I get very picky.   The longest thing about making this card was waiting for the Stickles Lime Green and Liquid Pearls White Opal to dry.  Something to ponder though...why is it with all the cards I make does it seem I never have a card to use?  Do any of you have that problem?  I have a card keeper filled with cards, but for some reason half the time there isn't a card in there I want to use.  My hubby always says I make more work for myself then needed, that there's nothing wrong with the cards I've made.  I can't figure it out.

Materials:  Stamp Set: SU Crazy for Cupcakes, Cardstock: SU Old Olive, Night of Navy, Whisper White, Designer Paper: sorry I forgot the name, but did find it at Scrappin Soul Sisters, Inks:  Memento Tuxedo Black and Copic Markers.

Lastly, I'd like to send a big thank you to my stamping friend Mary.  Mary recieved a blog award from Keri of Pink Lemonade and had to pass the award on to her favorite blogs.  Well I'm honored to say that I was one of Mary's recipients of the award.

 

Now I'm suppose to pass the award onto my favorite blogs, how to choose there are so many.  Though I haven't stamped with any of these woman I know I enjoy visiting their blogs from time to time to see their great work.

Betsy

Leslie

Taylor

Tracy

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

                                           

                                 

Hi Everyone.  I wanted to share two cards I made this weekend while stamping with Nick and Emily.  Now I know in my last post I talked about not buying any new items and using what I already have, but I folded when the kids and I visited Stamping Memories.  Stamping Memories is a stamping and scrapbooking store in Belmont, NH.  It use to be in Laconia, in a super small location.  Now I enjoyed visiting the store in the past location, they always had wonderful items, but their new location is so much larger and roomier.  They were having their Grand Opening this weekend so the kids and I decided to go check it out.  Since they enjoying stamping almost as much as I do, I let them each choose a stamp set.  I thought it would be neat to see what they pick and I thought it would give me the chance to play with something new. 

Nick chose Stampscapes Lakeside Cabin and Paddlers.  I also used Lovely as a Tree by Stampin' Up!

                                     

I love this stamp and I'm glad Nick chose it.   It reminds me of our past summer vacation on a pond in Maine coming back from being out kayaking (even though their in a canoe).   I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo Black and colored it in using my Copics (which Stamping Memories has a ton of colors) Colorless Blender, E11, E57, C-3, YG95, B93, C-7, BG10, E33, YR23, E37, GG96, B45, YG67, R37.  The cardstock is from Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip.  I added some twine and mounted the image onto the card with dimensionals.

Emily chose Hero Art's 3 Japanese Dolls stamp set.  Super cute, so Emily!

                                     

Though these girls are super cute, I don't know that I would have chose it to purchase.  So I'm glad she did, I'm sure this set will be fun to use.  I colored the girls with my Copics C-3, Y15, R22, R20, YG00, RV17, YR61, YG11, YG03.  The cardstock is from Stampin' Up! Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White.  The DP I found at Stamping Memories Brooke Floral by Making Memories.  The flower embellishments are by Hero Arts Sparkling Gems Sm Blossoms and the scallop rectangle was made using by Spellbinder Classic Scallop Rectangle another purchase from Stamping Memories.

So if your a NH resident or in the Lakes Region area, it's worth the trip to stop by Stamping Memories and see the new store, they are all really excited about it.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

Hi Everyone.  I'm back and excited to share the remaining 6 months of the calendar I had made for my Mom and Dad.

                         

This was our fantastic summer vacation when we spent the week on Lower Wilson Pond, just miles from Moosehead Lake in Maine.  We rented a wonderful log cabin that had fabulous amenities and water access so the kids could swim, fish and we could kayak.  The silly shoes they're dancing in were from their Memere, who made a care package of fun things they could use while on vacation.  I used the Simply Scrappin' Kit Out and About.

                       

This month captured some fun pictures from my brother's wedding this summer of my family (top left), my son and daughter and his daughter (center) and then Emily, Nick (my two), Cierra (his daughter) and Lexi (his step-daughter).  It was so cute to see the kids all dressed up.  His two girls were in the wedding, witnesses for their mom and dad.

                       

I was very happy how this page came out, I really like the simplicity of it.  I used So Saffron, River Rock and Choc. chip cardstock.  Stamp set:  Country Blessings and River Rock Double Stitch ribbon.  These pictures were from our day of apple picking at Meadow Ledge Farms in Loudon, NH.

                      

Cardstock: Ruby Red and Simply Scrappin' Kit At Home.  Pumpkin picking, Halloween and Beech Hill Farm are all captured on this page.

                     

Simply Scrappin' Kit Primary Colors helped me complete this month with photos of our family, including Maggie and a great one of Nick and Emily performing some rock n roll.

                     

Simply Scrappin' Sparkling Holiday, probably the oldest scrappin' kit I had was a fun way to end the calendar.

The other thing that ended up being great for me about doing this calendar is that I was able to use up supplies I already had.  I didn't buy anything new to make this calendar.  That is one of my goals that I am carrying over from mid last year, to use what I already have for scrappin' and stampin' supplies.  I have so much stuff, that honestly sometimes I forget about some of the paper, embellishments or ribbons I have until I'm looking for something else.  Another goal is to also get better organized because to me there is nothing more frustrating then looking for something, finding something else and thinking how perfect it would have been for a project I've just completed.

Well thank you very much for stopping by.  I'm off to take care of my sick little boy, home from school today with a fever and sore throat, poor guy.  Take care and enjoy the rest of your day.

Hi Everyone.  Today I wanted to show the photos I took of the 12x12 scrapbook calendar I made for my mom and dad.  It's something I've tried to make every year for them because they enjoy it so much.  All materials are from Stampin' Up! , unless otherwise noted, and what is nice about their calendar is that it is perforated so once the month is over they can remove the page and add it to their scrapbook.  The first year I made the calendar for them I also gave with it a 12x12 blank scrapbook.  Come to think of it, they may be due for a new scrapbook...just thinking out loud, I'll have to check.  What I also like about making the calendar is that it reminds me how much I do enjoying scrapbooking and it pushes me to try to create some pages for my own family albums.

                           

Stamp Set: Papertrey Ink 2008 Holiday Tag Collection and DP is something I found at Scrappin' Soul Sisters, I'm not sure who it's by, sorry.  Bashful Blue classic ink and Letterpress Alphabet (all months use this set)  Of course the page uses photos of the kids and Maggie.  In the top right photo Maggie is actually riding on the sled with the kids, quite a cute sight to see when she jumps on for a turn.

                          

Stamp Set: Snow Swirled.  Inks:  Real Red and Silver.  Snowshoeing is a favorite winter past-time of ours and in two photos we are at Lincoln Woods just east of Loon Mt in Lincoln, NH.  The upper right was from last Christmas when we visited Santa's Village in Jefferson, NH...so magical.

                       

Inks:  Rose Red.  Cardstock:  Rose Red and DP that I found at Scrappin' Soul Sisters (again my apologies for not remember the name).  Tinkerbell and the butterflies are stickers I found at Michaels.  These photos are from Emily's 5th birthday last year.  The theme was Fairies and she was so cute in her little fairy outfit.  We made silk flower crowns for all the little girls.  As they entered our little fairy princess presented each friend with a crown.

                      

Another item by SU! that I found made creating this calendar super quick was by using their Simply Scrappin' kits.  The kits come with DP, solid cardstock, die cut adhesive sticker and ideas.  This one is no longer available Simply Scrappin' Kit Creative License.  These pictures capture my little runners and niece who participated in last years Kids Fun Run at the Great Bay Half Marathon that I ran last year.

                       

Simply Scrappin' Kit Friends and Flowersanother one no longer available, but it worked out great that I had it and was able to quickly and easily put this page together.  More running, this is the 5k at Redhook Brewery in Newington, NH that's held every Memorial Day weekend, lots of fun and the kids don't mind coming because they have a Kids Fun Run as well.  I have to say that even if you're not a runner, look for Kids Fun Runs in your area.  They are so much fun for the kids that participate and some are more elaborate then others.  The two I talked about on this post had t-shirts, bib #s, and ribbons.  There were refreshments after to replenish the tired runners and their little feet, "just like your races Mommy", is what I hear.  What these little events teach the kids though, is that it is important to get out and move and when they do it, they can have lots of fun too.  Just a little plug to promote healthy kids.

                      

Simply Scrappin' Kit Island Blossoms worked perfectly with the kid's bathing suits and ocean water.  These pictures capture a wonderful day at the ocean with my two children and niece.  I can almost hear the waves and feel the warmth of the sun.  Maybe more so today since it's a snowy, sleet and freezing rain kind of day here in NH.

Well since there's no school today, due to the weather, and the kids are getting restless from quiet time, I'm going to stop here and hopefully get back soon to post the remaining 6 months.  Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your day.

               

Hi Everyone and Happy New Year!  Sorry I haven't posted in so long.  Kudos to those bloggers that can keep up with the craft, blogs and other daily activities, I don't know how they do it.  With the holidays I was so busy creating, shopping, wrapping, celebrating... (like many of you) that I just couldn't post.  However, with the holidays already behind us I'm hoping to get back into a routine of regularly posting.

I thought today I'd share a few of the things that kept me away from the computer.  The first were goodies baskets and such that we made for Emily and Nick's teachers and other school personnel.

                                                                           

For their classroom teachers and assistants we package up homemade biscotti, spiced pecans, chocolate pretzel sticks, hot chocolate and a candle.

                                   

The mouse candy cane was for classmates a cute project I had from Martha Stewart's 2007 Holiday Magazine.  I also tried to save tin cans and Starbuck's bottles to package items in.  For all my packaging and cards I used SU! Snow Swirled and Papertrey Ink Holiday Treats.  Inks were SU! Wild Wasabi and Red Riding Hood.  For a little sparkle I added Stickles and the ribbon was from Michael's Holiday collections and SU! Wild Wasabi ribbon.

                            

So here it was, already to be brought to school.  I was known as Nick and Emily's elf, helping them as they hand delivered their gifts.

The next item is my Christmas cards this year.  I'm proud to say that I did not order any new paper and decided to use Christmas paper I already had.  I'm trying really hard to not impulsively buy pretty paper I see or stamp sets when I know very well that I have a bunch already in stock in my stamping pantry.

                   

                    

                   

All the materials are from  SU!  I used Snow Swirled stamp set, Always Artichoke, Gold, Old Olive, Handsome Hunter, Silver, Copper Inks.  EP gold, silver, copper.  White, Real Red Cardstock.  For extra sparkle on the trees I used my Stickles.  The picture, which I always like including one of the kids, was taken at Diana's Bath just outside of North Conway, NH.  It's a beautiful short easy hike to a cascade of numerous waterfalls, especially pretty in the winter with snow and ice.  The card design itself is a Stair Fold cardthat I had seen on a few blogs as well as Splitcoaststampers.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.  I hope to post in the next day or two the 12x12 scrapbook calendar I made for my Mom and Dad for Christmas.  Bye for now!