Fun Hospitality!

During my stay in California, I traveled south, making two separate visits to my sister-in-law, who lives in Carmichael.  She graciously provides a comfortable place to stay while there, and I must tell you, she is an excellent cook!  Because she is always so welcoming, I want to let her know how much I enjoy her company, and I always look forward to seeing her.  A little side attraction is that I get to spend time with her grandsons who are often in her company.  As I have no grandchildren of my own but worked around young elementary-age children until I retired, I find them delightful and full of fun.  Each has their own personality and sense of humor, bringing laughter and smiles to me.  I hope she enjoys this card I made for her:

It is fitting that I give my sister, Heidi Gonzales, credit (www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com), as I lifted her idea from a card class she taught back in January 2011.  I used the same papers plus an additional pattern, enlarged my card, and made it square.  I added sewing stitches to several layers, and also popped on a bright turquoise pearlized button to liven up the flower.  I think it turned out very appealing!

A Yen to See New Vistas!

I'm finally BACK home!  It was certainly a longer vacation/ visit to California than expected!  My plan was to head home right after Mother's Day, but about that time, my husband surprised me with the decision to head south himself.  So, we extended our stay almost two week to makes visits to his family and some friends in the Sacramento area, as well as mine in Redding.  He was also able to accomplish my mother's honey do list.  He was a big help, replacing electric switches and replacing worn-out fan controllers and even her battery in her car, which decided to fail while he was there!  

Toward the end of my planned visit, I began thinking of summer coming and wanting to take a vacation to see scenery other than my regular stomping grounds in Washington or California.  I'm thinking that is what made the Tim Holtz Texture Fades Eiffel Tower embossing folder by Sizzix so attractive!  

I bought a 4-card making kit from the Rock, Paper Scissor store in Redding with one of the four cards a "bare bones" set of three papers:  a cream card base,  a piece of black card stock, and the straw-colored embossed card stock.  The challenge was to make and embellish it to your own liking. . .no sample or ideas provided.  I looked at the papers included and decided it would be very plain without something more even if I tried cutting and layering the papers into different sizes. It needed some color and pattern added to liven it up and some ribbon and embellishments were a must.  I tossed the cream card base and decided on an Antique Gold instead.  I also decided to enlarge the card size just a bit; it ended of 5" x 6-1/4."  I kept the black card stock to use as one of the background mats and added a black/ gold pattern from the Graphic 45 Birdsong collection.  I tried a little black sponging on the embossed piece to help bring out the Eiffel Tower/ Paris patterns.  This was my final design that I came up with.

After making this card and because I have a daughter-in-law who loves everything "Paris," I decided I needed to purchase this embossing folder for myself.  Now, that took a bit of doing to actually acquire it!  It took up over five visits to the Redding JoAnns store, who normally have it in stock,  and two visits to other stores in different towns.  Several weeks into this wanting to make this purchase, and after much conversation and questioning on my part, I finally found out they actually had not ordered more to re-stock.  It was not clear if that was intentional or not.  The "cards" remained on the wall as though they were in stock, but to get one, you actually needed to do a special order.  This information was finally forthcoming on my fourth visit after lots of questions!  The entire process took over four weeks!  I'm determined if nothing else. . .like a dog with a bone!  I will certainly treasure this embossing folder. . .it turned out to be a whole lot of trouble! (As you can probably tell. . . there is a lot more to the story.)

Recipe:  Papers: Bazzill Starburst, Blackbird, Straw; Graphic 45 Birdsong Joy Luck (back). Extras:  Sizzix TH Eiffel Tower Emb. Folder; Recollections Black pearls, Fleur de lis; Memento Tuxedo Black Ink (sponging/ distressing); Trims: 1" black lace, 3/8" gold sheer/ satin edge ribbon, 1/4" Black satin/ Metallic Gold edge ribbon.

Mother's Day!

I was able to be in California to celebrate Mother's Day with my Mom and my sister, Heidi.  We had a lovely early dinner out with the three of us and my sister's husband.  Mom and I finished off the evening playing Mexican Train, and I actually won!  My mother is a master at most card and board games so to actually win is certainly a novelty!  But, win or lose, we don't care, we just enjoy the camaraderie of playing the game and gabbing as we go.

While we were in Mt. Shasta on our family crop retreat-vacation in April, I brought my "To Do" stash along. . .it could keep me busy for several weeks for sure!  I had joined Becca Feeken's Amazing Paper Grace monthly kit group back in September 2012.  I had kits from the beginning through February that I had not even started on ~ shame on me.  I was determined to catch up and finish some, and I did.  My mother fell in love with one I was making while there.  I had no intention of giving it to her, because I would not make one in front of her that she could see if I was actually going to give to her.  She kept "oohing and aahing" because she REALLY loved it, so I decided after the fact, that it would be her Mother's Day card.  I generated a computer verse to fit the inside diamond created by another set of filigree die cuts like those that grace the front.  

This was a lovely design that Becca Feeken came up with as one of the four projects in the October 2012 kit.  This card was quite a challenge because the dies are so intricate and there were 12 of them to deal with!!  They did not cut or punch out unless you used wax paper on each die cut.  That little trick certainly helps a LOT!

I apologize for the picture focus.  I did not have my scanner in California, so I resorted to taking a picture with my cell phone.  It is not one of the "new" phones with all the bells and whistles; thus, the pictures are not the best, but I think you get the general idea of how pretty this card really is.

A note to my dear readers and friends:  I will be out of commission for a bit as I make my return travels to home in Washington.  Then, I will have loads of stuff to sort, unpack, and put away, not to mention, oodles of stuff to catch up on of those mundane chores of everyday life: laundry, house cleaning, yard work, etc.  See you when I get back to catching up with my blog.

Recipe: Amazing Grace kit, Neenah White Cardstock 80#, Spellbinder dies, Button w-round pearl center, pearl stick pin, flat-bottom pearls, Prima mini roses, white seam binding ribbon, Beeca Feeken bowmaker.

Sister-in-Law Birthdays Begin for 2013!

I have a total of seven sister-in-laws!  I'm sure someone else on the planet has me beat, but that's a lot to be sure.  Their birthdays start in May and go through October; therefore, there will always be at least one sister-in-law birthday card for each month for six months of the year!  I never have the excuse that I have no birthday card to make that is for sure.  I only have one brother, so only one of the seven falls on my side of the family...the other six belong to my husband's side of the family!  

My first sister-in-law birthday card to start off each year is in May and is for my brother's wife, Diane.  This year, I made her a "flower" card, featuring a stamp that allows the two-step stamping technique.  I then cut the completed stamped image out with a Spellbinder Label die, and finally, I sponged its surface lightly around the edges before removing the Spellbinders die.  I love the white edge this leaves around the sponged image, almost making it a frame.  I hope Diane liked her card.

Recipe:  SU Stamp: Flower Fancy (ret.), SU Cardstock: Whisper White, Not Quite Navy, Baja Breeze.  Pattern: scrap. SU Ink: Marine Mist, Garden Green, Baja Breeze (sponging).  Spellbinder die: Labels Three. Ribbons: 3/4" White ruffled organza, 3/8" Marine Mist satin-edge organza. Turquoise rhinestones.

Brother Mike's Birthday!

At the beginning of May, my brother, Mike celebrated another birthday!  I was so busy visiting with Mom that the time got away from me and our planned visit to celebrate with him snuck up on me!  I had to delve into my stash to come up with a card really quick!  

I made this card several years ago in a class taught by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (her blog: mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com) with an emphasis on learning to color images with woodless-colored pencils and paper-piecing (Ed's umbrella is paper-pieced and the rest of him is colored).  I thought these stamps were so darn cute.  I'm glad I had a chance to given "Ed, the umbrella man" away to someone who would appreciate him.

Family Scrapping Retreat #2

If you follow my blog, you know that I make two long trips to California to visit my mother and my sister in Redding, California.  Of course since I am a "wuss" when it comes to hot weather (over 80 degrees), I try to make my trips in the early spring and fall each year!  My purpose is not only to catch up and have fun doing "girl" stuff, but to spend time making papercrafts with my two favorite ladies.  

I think that we have established a family tradition, in that we like to take a trip away together to do all of the above.  With that in mind, we decided the Mt. Shasta area would be our destination and picked "Cold Creek Cabin" for our lodging.  Everything about the house was perfect, except I would have like to be out a little further out in the "country," as we only 4 blocks from the downtown area.  The woodsy pictures were a bit deceiving with its little creek in the backyard.  I included a few pictures of our little house, which I'd like to pick up and move to the actual woods a mile or so outside Mt. Shasta City (a little town of about 3,400 people).

But, we did have a week full of fun cropping, staying up all hours, sleeping in, shopping at local boutiques, going to the movies, playing Mexican Train, laughing, and just plain gabbing!  We even enjoyed some eventful weather with heavy winds stirring the old-growth cedars surrounding the house and a day or two of light snow that didn't really have a chance to stick with the sun peeping in and out!

For My Wonderful Daughter!

My lovely daughter, who is diligently studying to be an R.N.,  celebrates her birthday in April.  She has wonderful style and absolutely loves umbrellas and goulashes.  I made up this little card for her birthday, taking special care as I won't be there to celebrate with her and will miss having time with her on her special day!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up Whisper White cardstock, BoBunny Double Dot Cool Mint, Bazzill Swiss Dot Cornmeal, Doodlebug Flower Box (woodgrain/ flowers), Core'dinations White Glove Glitter, DCWV Shimmer pad (sun). Dies/ stamps:  MFT-Sunshine, Papertrey-Scattered Showers. EK Scalloped Scallop punch. SU stamp: Bootiful Occasions. SU-Chocolate Chip ink, 5/8" satin ribbon. Technique: Paper piecing. 

My Last Easter "Must Do" Card!

I think this will be my final card this year with an Easter theme.  I have made all the necessary ones and gotten those off in the mailed or sealed and ready for delivery on Easter Sunday.  I actually got a few extras done and sent to old friends just to touch base and say "Hi!"  And, I still have more ideas roaming around in my mind as I look over my stash.  But, I must move on to birthday cards needed that will be coming up in April.  Cardmaking is a great hobby, there's always another occasion and a need for one more card! 

I've really enjoyed making my Easter cards this year and still being able to stick to my goal to use everything I already had on-hand.  A good feeling indeed

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstock: Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Gumball Green, Real Red Core'dinations.  Patterns:  Creative Imaginations Samantha Walker Eggs and Stripe. Stamps: Wacky Wishes. Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy. Papertrey die: Picket Fence. EK punch: 1" Scallop Circle and Standard hole punch.  Creatology Felt bunny and foam leaves (Michael's). Bazzill .75 Bachelor Flower. Jolee Yellow Verbena.  Karen Foster Scrapper's Floss. Ribbon from stash. Signature multi-hue thread/ teals to green (Joann's). 

Easter Peeps!

More using up my stash!  The four little chicks on this cards were pretty plain as they came in the package.  I gave them each a cracked shells so just their heads were peeping up and out!  Then, I joined them up with the chick paper from my stash. . .added a little trim, a little ribbon and a sentiment and voila. . .not a bad looking card.  I think it turned out kind of cute.  I have somebody in mind for this one, hope they like it!

Recipe:  Cardstock: Stampin'Up Baja Breeze, Whisper White, JoAnn's Multi-pack blues. Pattern: Moxie Easter Doodle, DCWV Carte Postale pad (egg shells). Sentiment: Computer-generated.  Dies: Spellbinders Petite Scallop Ovals/ Petite Ovals, Grand Scallop Ovals (inside).  Punches: EK 1-1/4" square, Stampin'Up Scallop Square, EK 3/8" Ribbon Slot Edger, Stampin'Up Scallop Trim. Recollections chicks. JoAnn's 1/4" loop ribbon.

Easter Pastels

I've had this Easter paper in my stash for several years.  It is all aqua and white, metallic and glittery Easter eggs in a variety of designs, but the paper won't lay flat and curls...very strangely.  I had an idea of making a monochromatic card cutting out the eggs and filling a basket with them.  I ran across this card the other day on Pinterest by Heather Klump of a woven basket full of colored eggs...it was just what I'd been thinking of, but was struggling with how to make a basket large enough to hold my eggs.  I'd seen several other basket ideas, but this one fit my mind's eye to a tee.  I thank Heather and hope she doesn't mind that I cased her idea, and elaborated upon it.  Here is what I came up with.

Recipe: Cardstocks: White/blue Coredinations; Stampin' Up Whisper White, Baja Breeze. Pattern: Reiminisce Happy Easter Egg Art. Stamp: SU Delightful Dozen. Ink: SU Baja Breeze. Extras:  SU Clouds Emboss Folder. SU Modern Label punch.  Lt. safe burlap (JoAnns). Ribbon from stash. Becca's Bow Maker. Scotch 1/4" Tape Glider. Redline tape, mini Glue Dots. Scrapbook Scotch tape. 

Easter Cards Are on the Home Stretch!

As I mentioned earlier, my goal is to design my Easter cards this year around using up stickers and dimensionals that have been hanging around in my stash for several years now.  This card is really all about that!  I used parts from several different packages and put them together in an Easter scene.  I loved the bunny painting the egg that is the main feature of the card.  I used my Copic markers to re-color several things.  Since this card is for my oldest son, Mr. Rabbit got a new color on his coat (previously pink) and darker buttons.  I wanted to bring in some brown, so I used that on his collar.  One of the grass-hidden eggs was light pink, so it became magenta, etc.  I think he will like his card.

Recipe:  Cardstock:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip (Stampin' Up); Pattern: Pinecone Press Plaid, Cloudy Sky (unknown/ Joann's). Stamp: Delightful Dozen (Stampin' Up). Ink: Memento Bamboo Leaves. Stampin' Up Pearls (colored with Copics. Stampin' Up Certainly Celery 5/8" satin ribbon, Brown grosgrain stitched ribbon (Michal's).  Jolee's stickers:  Picket Fence, Painting Rabbit, plus various others. Tools: Stampin' Up Clouds Embossing Folder. Dies: Die-namics Grass border. Stampin' Up Modern Label punch. SU Beautiful Wings Embosslit (Sizzilit). Scotch foam tape. Scotch 1/4" tape glider, mini Glue Dots.

Easter Cards. . .Reaching the Halfway Point!

My goal yesterday was to finish my mother's Easter card, because it is my last card that needs to be mailed, and I did it!  Yah!  Now, I have four left!  I actually finished four cards in three days, except for the inside verse and embellishments, though the two I had to mail are totally done and off in the mail!  But the most time-consuming part is done.

My fourth card, I made with my son and his wife in mind. I had an idea in my head that I wanted to do a card using a chocolate Easter bunny, but I didn't have one.  If you know me at all, you know that won't stop me. . .so looking in my embellishment stash. . .  I found glittery foam bunnies in different sitting configurations, but they were all bright turquoise, dark lavender, or hot pink.  Of course, that wouldn't do, but an idea sprang to mind.  What if. . .I colored the lavender one, which was sitting in a chocolate Easter bunny stance, making him dark brown.  First I tried my Early Expresso stamp pad, daubing him, but it didn't cover sufficiently.  Next, with fear in my heart, I tried a dark brown Copic marker, using the broad tip, which I never use to color.  The brown that match Early Expresso was really too dark, so he turned out darker than I envisioned, but he was no longer purple! ( I'm actually not sure anything lighter would have covered the purple.)  The bunnies were originally glittery, and he remained that way, but for some reason now the glitter had a greenish cast to it.  I found some paper that went very well with his new color, and here is their card.  I hope they likes it. . .it's kind of dark for traditional Easter colors, but I think they are very rich.  From a purple rabbit to this. . .I'm very satisfied!

Recipe:  Cardstock: So Saffron,  Basic Black (Stampin' Up); Fern (Cordeinations). Patterns: Origins (Basic Grey). Extras: Ribbon: 5/8" satin + 3/8" green/gold metallic (Michaels), Chestnut Road Cat Eye,  Glitter Foam Rabbits ($ Store), Prima roses, Glue Dots, 3-D Foam tape, Redline tape, Scotch tape glider.  Tools:  Spellbinders Grand Labels One, Labels LG, Labels SM. Leaves: Bird punch (Stampin' Up).

Mom's Easter Card is Hatched!

I finished my Mom's card, and I must say, I really liked making this card.  I started with wanting to use up my little furry chick from my stash.  The idea of the chick hatching came from a card I saw on Stampin' Connections last year by Carolyn Beam.  I borrowed the idea, and embellished from there.  Thank you Carolyn.

I used lots of "gotta' make it work ideas" that I had never done before, though I'm sure cardmakers with many years of experience probably have and know a better way to do it.  Following is a list of some of new things tried.

I don't have an egg-shaped die, so I tried using ovals, and though more symmetrical than some eggs, I think it worked.   I used two embossing folders on the same paper: one for the sky and one at the bottom so it wouldn't be so plain.  Finally, the ribbon wasn't the way I wanted it, so I colored in the white parts with Copic markers to match the Midnight Muse cardstock on the trim.  After all that, following is my Mom's card!

Recipe:  Cardstock:  Pool Party, Whisper White, Midnight Muse (Stampin' Up); Patterns: Prima Madeline Collection, Webster's Pages Your Life, My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose Hazel, Kaisercraft Bonjour Collection.  Stamp: Delightful Dozen (Stampin' Up).  Ink: Stampin' Up Baja Breeze, Pool Party .  Recollection aqua petite pearls.  Stampin' Up Midnight Muse Satin Stitched ribbon.  Chestnut Roan Cat Eye.  Tools: Spellbinders Ovals SM; Lifestyles Pinked Squares.  Stampin' Up Embossing Folders: Clouds, Perfect Polka Dots.  EK Double Crochet Lace punch.  Stampin' Up Modern Label punch.  SU Beautiful Butterflies Embosslit (Sizzilit).  Scotch foam tape. Scotch 1/4" tape glider, mini Glue Dots.

Easter's Coming!

It's well past time to begin my Easter cards!  I've been telling myself that I'm getting my creative juices flowing organizing my Pinterest board. . .LOL!  That can certainly be an addiction.  At least, I did try to focus on Easter, so I have to pat myself on my back for at least squashing my desire to do other things that I wanted to do on Pinterest. 

 

This past Thursday was finally the day!  I pulled out my stash of Easter papers and embellishments and opened the Art Bin box.  After looking them over, I decided I really needed to use the stickers and dimensionals I've been collecting for several years rather than work with my stamps or digital images.  I actually finished my first card Thursday, and I'm putting it in the mail today!  It will be traveling across the United States to my daughter in West Virginia.

Recipe:  Stampin' Up  Cardstock: Whisper White, Marine Mist, Summer Starfruit. Michaels: Stripe.  SU stamp: Delightful Dozen.  Ink: Memento Coca Brown.  Recollection pearls, SU Gumball Green Stitched Satin ribbon, Recollections Puffy Chicks, Chestnut Road Cat Eye.  Tools: Lace Circles, Lace Rectangles (Lifestyles). Scallop Trim Border punch (SU). 

My second card was made with my second daughter in mind.  She is very appreciative of my cards, and has purchased two shadow-box picture frames that she uses to change-out the cards to match the holiday or season we are currently in.  The only catch is: I must make the cards 5-1/2" x 5-1/2" to fit the matting in the box.  With that in mind, here is the card I made for Jackie!

Recipe:  Stamp: Everybunny (Stampin' Up) colored w-Copic markers.  Papers: Echo Park Style Essentials Dk. Teal Flourish, Recollections Aqua Dot.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black.  Recollection pearls, BoBunny Dot ribbon.  Tools: EK Lattice Chain LG punch. Lifestyles Lace Rectangles die (used inside).

I think I'm on a roll now!  I have a total of five more "must make" cards, therefore, I have to keep my nose to the grindstone everyday!  My next card will be for my Mom since it also has to be mailed, but at least not across the country!

More Get Well Wishes!!!

My long-time friend, Marlene, is still fighting her battle with her back and recovery from numerous surgeries.  I wanted to send her a fresh batch of get well wishes, so out came my stash of kits to complete the card below.  As most of you know by now, I always love my sister's cards and wonderful creative ideas (Heidi Gonzales - www.mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  This kit was one I got from her over two years ago.  My only change to the original design was to enlarge it a bit and change the sentiment to fit a get well card.  And, I, of course, composed and poem and decorated the inside. 

 Get well soon, Marlene!