Happy New Year!

Hi everyone,

Just a quick post to wish you a Happy New Year!  There is no way I would have let today go by without a post, after all, it’s the last day of 2010.  Some may say, "Thank God it's over," and others are sad to see it end.

I'm anticipating 2011 will be an exciting year and I have set some personal goals for myself.  I am also looking forward to sharing my creations with you.  Thank you for a great year of blogging.

Wishing all of my wonderful friends a happy and healthy New Year!  May it be the best yet!

Shutterfly Stamped Artwork Photo Book

Today I would like to share with you a Shutterfly 8" x 8" photo book I created about a month ago as a Christmas gift.  I had received an email with a discount coupon from Shutterfly which I just couldn't pass up!

Originally, I thought I would use a themed template, but once I realized how easy the software was to navigate I decided to create my own backgrounds to compliment my stamped artwork.  This book consists of 28 pages and has nature quotes on every other page to correspond with each photo.

I must say the process, delivery time, and final product from Shutterfly are all top notch!

Here are some pictures of the finished book.

Have you created a Shutterfly photo book?  If so, I would love for you to share your thoughts and/or tips by commenting on this post.

Thank you for coming to visit me.  Have a great day!

Christmas Gift Tags Tin

These are the Christmas gift tags I made for my sister-in-law and thought this nugget tin would be perfect to keep them in.  The big question was how many tags do I make?  Some people said 10 others said 15.  Well, I actually made 26 tags using my Tags til Christmas and Tags for All stamp sets.

The ornament tags I stamped on the back using the To:/From: stamp from the Peaceful Season set.

Gift Tags Recipe:

Stamps:  Tags til Christmas, Tags for All, Peaceful Season, Delightful Decorations, To You & Yours
Paper:  Whisper White, Rich Razzleberry, Handsome Hunter, Brocade Blue, Night of Navy
Ink:  Garden Green, Brocade Blue, Handsome Hunter, Rich Razzleberry, Concord Crush, Regal Rose, Basic Black, Chocolate Chip Marker, Iridescent Ice EP, Silver EP
Accessories:  5/8" Satin Ribbon in Opal Gray, Metallic Eyelets, SU Silver & Gold Cording, Star Dust Stickles, Decorative Label Punch, Ornament Punch, Nesties Small & Large Classic Rectangles, Nesties Small & Large Classic Scalloped Rectangles, Nesties Classic Scalloped Circles, Lots of Tags Die
Techniques:  Embossing

Drummer Boy

This is the Christmas card I made for my husband.  I have had this drummer boy stamp and was waiting for the right moment to use it.  The sentiment on the inside is from Quietfire Design.  I just love these calligraphy stamps. 

The drummer boy was stamped in StazOn Black then colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol.  I sponged the outer edges with Brilliance Pearlescent Beige & ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Flourishes Drummer Boy, Quietfire Design, SU Christmas Classics

Paper:  Mars, Brushed Gold, Memory Box Spiceberry Designer Paper, Old Olive, Shimmery White, Very Vanilla
Ink:  StazOn Black; Prismacolor Pencils with Gamsol; Sponging - Brilliance Pearlescent Beige & ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown; Sentiment - VersaMark with Gold EP; Holly - Old Olive & Cherry Cobbler Markers; Inside Sponging - Distressed Antique Linen & ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown
Accessories:  Gold Spica Pen, Glaze Pen, Recollections Metallic Green Brads, Nesties Large & Small Long Rectangles 
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging

2010 Heirloom Ornaments

These are some of the Christmas cards I sent to immediate family.  I would have loved to post them earlier, but I didn’t want to ruin the surprise for them.  As you can see, I used the same layout for all three cards, but mixed up the colors a bit.  Personally, I like the pink/beige card the best.

All this week I will be posting some of the “goodies” I’ve made.  I would love for you to stop back and visit me!

Ornament Card #1

Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs Ornaments, Blessed Christmas, Christmas Blessings

Paper:  Cranberry, DCWV The Mariposa Matstack Glittered Paper, Memory Box Mistletoe Paper, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Ink:  VersaMark with Gold EP; Mellow Moss Marker, Pretty in Pink Marker, Regal Rose, Cherry Cobbler & Bravo Burgundy applied with a Blender Pen; Sponging - Distressed Antique Linen
Accessories:  1/2" Chantilly Crochet Ribbon, Kaiser Pearls in Latte, Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament Die #4, Labels Seventeen #6 
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging, Blender Pen

Ornament Card #2
Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs Ornaments, Blessed Christmas, Christmas Blessings
Paper:  Hemlock, DCWV The Mariposa Matstack Glittered Paper, BoBunny Noel Ornaments Paper, Whisper White, Very Vanilla
Ink:  VersaMark with Gold EP; Mellow Moss Marker, Pretty in Pink Marker, Regal Rose, Cherry Cobbler & Bravo Burgundy applied with a Blender Pen; Sponging - Distressed Antique Linen
Accessories:  1/2" Chantilly Crochet Ribbon, Basic Grey Opaline Pearls in Grass, Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament Die #4, Labels Seventeen #6
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging, Blender Pen

Ornament Card #3
Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs Ornaments, Blessed Christmas, Christmas Blessings
Paper:  The Paper Company Glacial Blue, Perfect Plum, BoBunny Snowy Serenade Winter Night Paper, Whisper White
Ink:  VersaMark with Gold EP; Mellow Moss Marker, Bashful Blue Marker, Brocade Blue & Perfect Plum applied with a Blender Pen; Sponging - Distressed Antique Linen
Accessories:  Sheer Purple Ribbon, Kaiser Pearls in Lavender, Spellbinders 2010 Heirloom Ornament Die #4, Labels Seventeen #6
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging, Blender Pen

Buon Natale!

I would like to take a few minutes to wish my family, friends and followers a blessed Christmas!

Christmas is a time for reflection, the traditions we share and memories of the past year.

Happiness ...

     The simplest joy -

     The greatest gift -

     My wish for you this holiday season.

Believe Poinsettia Collage

I just love this new stamp from Memory Box!  Poinsettia stamps seem to be everywhere this holiday season.  I really like how this card shimmers.  The Bridesmaid Specialty Paper was sponged with Cherry Cobbler which really make those silver swirls stand out.

The poinsettia was created with Prismacolor pencils and Gamsol.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Memory Box Believe Poinsettia Collage

Paper:  Shimmery White, Bridesmaid Specialty Paper, Cherry Cobbler
Ink:  Prismacolor Pencils; Sponging - ColorBox Frost White & Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Swarovski Austrian Crystals in Amethyst, Gamsol
Techniques:  Sponging

Christmas Angel

Today I would like to share with you my beautiful Christmas angel.  Isn’t she just precious? This is one of those cards you make and don’t want to give up; however, she is going to a wonderful home so I am happy about that.

The angel was stamped in StazOn Black then colored with Prismacolor pencils and blended with Gamsol.  I sponged the outer edges with Brilliance Pearlescent Beige & ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown.

The pretty glitter paper is from BoBunny and I thought I would pull the burgundy color as my accent.

The gold metallic bow was created with my Bow-Easy.  If you don’t have one already, I would highly recommend adding it to your craft supplies.  Perfect bows every time – I just love it!

The verse on the inside is from the Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Blessing set.  It is stamped in VersaMark with gold embossing powder.

I would like to share this poem with you.

"Angels Are Friends"

Angels are all around me

Some I cannot see
Always near or by my side
Gently helping to be my guide.
When life's obstacles get in my way
Arms reach out to push them away.
As the tears roll down my face
An Angel is here with a warm embrace.
For the times I cannot endure
Rest at ease for I have a cure
The heavens above, so kindly sends,
No need for wings, my "Angels Are Friends"

Card Recipe:
Stamps:  Stamps Happen, Inc. Celestial Angel, Our Daily Bread Designs Christmas Blessings
Paper:  Linen Natural White, Bravo Burgundy, BoBunny Snowy Serenade Overture, Shimmery White, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Prismacolor Pencils with Gamsol; Sponging - Brilliance Pearlescent Beige & ColorBox Chalk Creamy Brown; Sentiment - VersaMark with Gold EP; Mellow Moss Marker
Accessories:  1/4" Metallic Gold Ribbon, Nesties
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging
Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4"

Merry Christmas in Gold

I have to admit this card was a little tricky with the ribbon, but I like the way it came together.  

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Holidays & Wishes

Paper:  Cream Luster, Brushed Gold, Anna Griffin Holiday Traditions Designer Paper, Very Vanilla
Ink:  VersaMark with Gold Embossing Powder
Accessories:  Gold Organdy Ribbon, Nesties Labels Fourteen, Nesties Large Classic Circles
Techniques:  Embossing

Vintage Ornaments

This card reminds me of the Victorian Christmas ornaments I have on my tree.  I added crystal effects to them so they really do look like glass bulbs.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Stampers Anonymous Mini Holidays (CMS 066), SU Joy, Flourishes v.2 by Rhonna Farrer

Paper:  Cream Luster, Chocolate Chip, Brushed Gold, Very Vanilla, Background by The Graphics Fairy
Ink:  VersaMark with Gold EP; Ornament #1 - Evergreen & Burgundy Shimmerz Paint; Ornament #2 - Tickle Me Turquoise & Sugar Plum Shimmerz Paint; Sentiment - Chocolate Chip; Flourish - Creamy Caramel; Sponging - Brilliance Pearlescent Beige & Creamy Caramel
Accessories:  Crystal Effects, SU Gold Cording, Scallop Trim Border Punch, Nesties Classic Long Rectangles

Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging

"Stylish" Blog Award

Last week I received the “Stylish Blogger Award” from the very stylish Pam at Wacky Whippet Stamper.  I also received it from Karin at KarinsArtScrap.  Thank you Pam & Karin for this wonderful award and I am very happy to have received it.

The rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 8 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award to bloggers you have recently discovered.

The eight things I would like to share with you are:

1. I was born and raised in New York.
2. I only drink flavored coffee.
3. I have one sibling.
4. My sense of direction is terrible and I try to avoid all highways.
5. Purple is my favorite color - at least for the moment.
6. When I invest in something it is all or nothing ... guess that explains the five million stamps I have ... lol.
7. My favorite thing to wear is a dress and/or skirt.
8. When venturing out for lunch I love Panera Bread.

Now for the fun part!  Here are the blogs (and the amazing ladies behind them) that I am passing on the “Stylish Blogger Award” to:

Kristie - Kristi's Paper Creations
Rita - Rita's Little Corner
Alissa - Starry Nights Studio
Sarah - Something Special
Juanita - Stampin Twilight Mom
Kim - Paper Perfect Designs

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

C is for Cat Sympathy

This card was made for my friend Kari.  Her beloved kitty Ditto passed away recently.  My heart goes out to her family.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  C is for Cat, Stampscapes Sedge Filler

Paper:  Desert Storm, Cajun Craze, Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Rich Razzleberry, Dusty Durango, Old Olive
Accessories:  Spica Pen in Orange, Icon Yellow Rhinestone, Designer Label Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch
Techniques:  Embossing, Sponging

"Attitude" Blog Award

Wow - I can’t believe I have received a second blog award!  This one was graciously given to me by Michelle at Michelle’s Wacky World.  Thank you so much Michelle for selecting me!

The rules for receiving this award:

1. Thank the person that passed it to you.

2. Copy the award to your blog.
3. Share three unknown (or little known) facts about yourself.
4. Pass the award to 5 others.

The three things I would like to share with you are:

1. I am left-handed and my husband is also left-handed.  Perhaps this makes us more compatible … lol!
2. I am up by 4:00 a.m. every day to do my blogging and visit each of you.
3. In the spring and summer I love to garden and you can see some of the pictures of my gardens on my right sidebar.

The wonderful blogs with a little extra “attitude” that I would like to pass this award to are:

Jodi – Jodi’s Card Creations
Dana – Dana’s Inspirations
Rebekka – A Diamond in the Rough
Karen – Feline Creative
Dani - Paulette's Papers

Please know it was extremely difficult to pick five as I have met so many wonderful ladies through my blogging and/or SCS.  I think everyone deserves the “Attitude” award!

Thank you again Michelle.

O Christmas Tree

Well, our Christmas tree has been up for about a week now and is decorated in a Victorian theme.  It usually takes us all day to trim this 9 foot tree while we listen to Christmas music.  My husband always takes care of the lights and the beads so please tell him what a great job he did!

CAS96 - Lovely As A Tree

I thought I could use a few more CAS cards with the holidays coming up.  They are so much easier to mail!

So here is my submission for Monday's CAS challenge over at SCS.  Thank you Jen!

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Lovely As A Tree, Four the Holidays

Paper:  Hemlock, Brushed Gold, Whisper White
Ink:  VersaMark with Gold Embossing Powder, Handsome Hunter
Accessories:  1/4" Metallic Gold Ribbon, Bow-Easy
Techniques:

Bells & Boughs

The new Deck the Halls Designer Paper by Stampin' Up is so pretty I didn't want to cut it up!

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Bells & Boughs, Papertrey Ink Believe

Paper:  Cream Luster, Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler, Deck the Halls Designer Paper, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla
Ink:  Early Espresso, StazOn Black, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler
Accessories:  Opaline Chocolate Pearls, Nesties Labels Eight, Nesties Labels Five, Nesties Small Classic Scalloped Ovals, Nesties Large Classic Ovals
Techniques:  Blender Pen
Card Size:  4 1/2" x 6 1/4"

Mini Holidays

The background and calendar for this card were created by sponging ColorBox Frost White onto Whisper White paper then adding Distressed Broken China & Faded Jeans.  I then inked up the music stamp with Distressed Black Soot by lightly swiping over the stamp.  Lastly, I sponged SU Frost White Shimmer Paint all over the background and calendar.

The reindeer was stamped in StazOn Black on Shimmery White paper then sponged with Handsome Hunter.  I used my hobby blade to cut it out then added the clear rhinestones.

The card still needed something so I added the snowflake brad.  Sure wish you could see how pretty the background is, but I just couldn't get a good picture of it.

Card Recipe:

Stamps:  Stampers Anonymous Mini Holidays (CMS 066), Festive Sounds (CMS 048)

Paper:  Sage Shadow, Handsome Hunter Very Vanilla, Shimmery White
Ink:  ColorBox Frost White, Distressed Broken China, Faded Jeans, Distressed Black Soot, StazOn Black, Handsome Hunter
Accessories:  SU Frost White Shimmer Paint, Kaiser Clear Rhinestones, Snowflake Brad, Edge Distresser, Hobby Blade, Nesties Large Classic Rectangles
Techniques:  Sponging, Embossing