Talented Friends

Last night my husband and I had the pleasure of entertaining friends whom we've known for many years but have seen very little of over the past few.  We spent lots of time catching up on mutal old friends and acquaintances, family, and what's happening now.  All together a truly delightful evening!

Another aspect of the evening that was amazing for me, is that when my friend Greer arrived, she brought a wonderful present that was truly special for me.  You see, Greer is also a card maker, only hers are made with photographs instead of stamps and paper. She is a remarkable photographer and these are such  awesome cards hightlighting some of the animals she saw on her trip to Africa. that I thought I would share them with you.  Enjoy!

Here's a montage of the cards Greer gave me.  They are all so beautiful!

This little fellow just captured my heart.  Loved the way she mounted these on a Very Vanilla cardstock and the scalloped edge just sets off the picture.

Greer shared a story about these elephants and the hours long ritual behind this photo.  You see these elephants were related but hadn't seen each other in a long time and were catching up.  Sounds like Greer and me! 

An Elegant Birthday Card

My wonderful friend Margo celebrated her birthday at the end of January and I wanted to make a simple but elegant birthday card for her.

As I'm working with limited supplies here I chose a 2 color theme for my cardstock and ink.

I used Really Rust cardstock layered with Whisper White, and stamped the images from the Just Believe (116948/120453 CM) in Really Rust ink.  For texture and interest I used two of Stampin' Ups! great textured impressions plates - Elegant Impressions (119277) and Textured Lattice (119976).  Dimensionals add height to the flowered circles and basic rhinestones add a little bit of glitz.

Inside of the card - finished version had basic rhinestones mounted  on the flowers.  See middle inset.

Today Is My Birthday!!!!

Just a note to say a big, big thank you to all of you wonderful cardmaking and scrapbooking women who have taken the time to send me cards and warm wishes over the net. What a wonderful day it's been.  The sun is shining, it's 70+ degrees and I don't have to do anything today, except what I want.  My husband gave me some beautiful earings and is taking me to dinner (what a sweetie).  My dog gave me wet kisses when I woke up this morning and told me with big tail wags how much he loves me too!  Life is grand and I thank you all once again for sharing with me!!!

Oh, in case you've been wondering, I haven't been posting over the past couple of weeks mainly because we've had company staying with us. Unfortunately our tiny tin palace just isn't big enough for guests and stamping stuff too!  Besides, in our multipurpose "less is more world", the guest room also makes do as my little stamping haven. And, since I'm a late night stamper (after everyone's bedded down for the night), I don't think my company would have appreciated me barging in!  Oh well, all that's changed................... it's a new week, the company is gone, the laundry is done, the floors are swept and the dust has been sent flying.  So watch out girls cause I'm revving up the MOJO again!!!!  Have a great day!

Two Awards in One and Randomness

 
One of the really great things that Stampin' Up has done for it's many demonstrators is to provide us with a group site called Stampin' Connection.  It's through this site that I've met so many great demos and shared so many things from project samples to blog threads.  What a fun place this is! 

One of the great gals I met on this site is Dale Morin, a great paper crafter and shares her creations on her blog Dale's Designs.  I often visit her site to check out her latest post and so tonight when I visited I was happy to see she had received the Stylish Blogger Award.  Then when I read down to the end of the post I was absolutely surprised and delighted to see she'd included me in her list of recipients who deserve this award too!  Whoo!! Hoo!! Dale, thank you so much.  Please pop by her blog Dale's Designs and check out all her great offerings.  She's one talented lady.  

And speaking of talented ladies, I was also checking on Morgan's blog Stamp Cravings http://stampcravings.blogspot.com/ tonight and almost fell over because she also selected me to receive the same award.  What a double whammy in one night! Make sure you check out Morgan's work it's stunning. Morgan that was so terrific of you! 

As part of receiving this award the recipient must share 8 random things about themselves and then pass the award along to 8 other deserving bloggers!  So,  here are my random things:


1. I’m a recipe junky. I don’t necessarily like to make the recipes I collect and oogle over; although I’m pretty sure I’m a capable enough cook that I can actually turn out a creation or two…………. Move over Pioneer Woman (not).


2. I’m a poet although unpublished. I love rhyming words and wrapping my thoughts around what I visualize and hear. One day I’ll share them, but for now they are private.

3. My favourite pass time is probably day dreaming. Sitting in the warm sun and dreaming about what I can, might and will do is so satisfying.

4. My favourite beverage of all time is pure and simple black coffee………….. man I love the Java.

5. I will have been married to the man I love with all my heart and soul, for 42 years in another hour and a half. I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with him with no regrets. We share this famous anniversary date with Robbie Burns.

6. My favourite sound is “nothing”. I love quietness.

7. Before I became a paper crafter I was a “stitcher”, and oh man did I love to stitch. I did every form of embroidery and needlework and loved it. I would spend endless hours cross stitching and made some beautiful creations, most of which I gave away.

8. I have never minded doing dishes (my sister thinks otherwise). The simple fact is the warm water is soothing, the time spent doing a simple chore is rewarding, and when the kitchen sparkles after everything is done, I’m truly satisfied.

The following lovely paper crafters are also so deserving of this award.  Please visit their fantastic sites, believe me they are worth it! 

1. Andrea Gideon http://stampinlab.blogspot.com/   
2.  Sherri Barron  http://sherribarron.typepad.com
3. Julie Gearinger  http://stampingwithjuliegearinger.blogspot.com/
4. Yolanda Cook  http://yolanda-tryingtobecreative.blogspot.com/
5. Pauline from Calgary Alberta  http://thepursuitofstampiness.blogspot.com/
6. Maureen Rauchfuss http://www.crazystampinglady.blogspot.com/
7. Kim Jenkins  http://jenkins-journal.blogspot.com
8.  Debbie Martin http://www.cleverandcute.blogspot.com/


Happy Stamping Everyone! 

Just Hours Away - SALE-A-BRATION IS COMING YOUR WAY!!!!

That's right it's count down to Sale-A-Bration and it's only hours away.  Hope you're as excited as I am!

I couldn't pass up this opportunity to show you one last beautiful sneak peak...............isn't this card beautiful.  It was created by the very talented Sherri Barron and posted on her fabulous blog, Fun to Stamp with Sherri.  This baroque style stamp is aptly called "Bliss" and can be found on page 10 of the SAB catalogue. 

Along with this posting you will find some additional sneak peaks on Sherri's blog and these were created by the incredible Amy Ward.  Check out both these sites, and you'll be impressed I'm sure.

Sale-A-Bration Count Down - only 2 more days!! Whoo Hoo!

With only two days to go until the Sale-A-Bration 2011 cattie is released I thought I would make good on my promise to share some more sneak peaks of great projects made with some of the Sale-A-Bration free products and accessories.  So without further ado I'm going to give you the link for Pamela Ledue's great blog "Stamp It With Love".  I've been following Pam's blog for a while now and I can assure you she really does Stamp It With Love..............she has so many great creations on her blog!  Here is one of the sneaks that Pamela has showcased and I'm sure you'll agree it is really sweet:

Check out the other samples she has posted and leave her a comment to let her know how great they are, and that you've come from my blog, I'm sure she'll appreciate it! 

Count Down to Sale-A-Bration - Only 5 Days To Go

Thought I'd share another sneak peak at one of the wonderful stamp sets that Stampin' Up is offering in the upcoming Sale-A-Bration 2011 catalogue.  This card by Karla Anders is just tooooo cute!  She's made it using a set called "Punch Bunch" and features what I'm sure will be a very popular Sale-A-Bration stamp.   Just click on this link and you can check out her blog Work of Heart, it's awesome.  You can also join Karla and her friends Rachel Yurkanin, Deb Naylor, and Jacquie Craig at their Sisters in Stamping blog (a site dedicated to showcasing Stampin' Up samples) where you'll see other awesome cards made with the six stamp sets featured in the Sale-A-Bration catalogue.  I know you're going to fall in love with them too!