Heartfelt Thanks Magnet

I haven't forgotten my promise of Blog Candy...I'll try to get it together by the end of the week and post the winner! Thanks to all of those who left comments.

I'm still busy getting ready for my Stamp Camp and workshops this week. Here is an oldie, but goodie that I did at a Heartfelt Thanks Stamp Camp a while ago.

These lucite magnets were free with some 3x5 lucite frames I purchased. I used the frames for calendars, but thought these clear magnets could be used on a stamping project, too.

I stamped the flower and stem with Versamark on Whisper White and colored/shaded with Pastels. I overstamped Joy in Basic Black. Then I tore the white and sponged with Apricot Appeal, layered and tore the Apricot Appeal Layer and finally layered it on a Regal Rose layer. I just slid the cardstock between the two layers of lucite plastic. Then I ran a strip of Sticky Strip all around the edges and dipped it into clear micro beads! The magnet was already on the back. Fun and easy project at almost NO cost! Just the kind I like!

I'm BACKKKKKKKK!

Woohoo! I am back from a fabulous week long vacation to Hilton Head Island. We had absolutely fantastic weather last week...high 70s, low 80s...PERFECT! We went shelling, toured the Island, ate wonderful seafood, took a side trip up to Charleston for the day, relaxed at the beach and pool and woke up every morning to the sound of the waves crashing against the beach. The condo had a wonderful full view of the ocean from every room! Absolutely GORGEOUS...

I just had to show you this picture I took with my new Canon SI3 camera...I received the camera for Christmas, but hadn't taken time to learn how to use it. This trip was my first trip using it. The picture is taken at sunset in Harbor Town at Sea Pines in HHI using the Zoom feature. I think this picture is so striking!

Can you believe I didn't pick up a stamp or stamp magazine or anything else stamp related for a week??? I don't know the last time that happened. Well...actually, I take that back. I did find a stamp/scrap store on Monday that I had to visit. It was absolutely packed with stamps and supplies. Of course, with my DH looking over my shoulder, I only had a few minutes. I did pick up some crystal Stickles...can't seem to find them in any stores around me. Wish I'd have had more time (and no DH with me) to explore this awesome store some more!

This week is SO busy. I have to prepare for my regular Stamp Club meeting, a workshop AND my assignments for Technique Junkies upcoming newsletter are due! I will try REAL hard to get the Blog Candy I promised put together this week...I loved your comments and want to check out some of the places you've all said are your favorite vacation spots.

One of my stamping girlfriends emailed me (hi Annette) with a tempting offer to meet her in Orlando coming up in a few weeks... I'm working on my DH to let me go. Would love to see her AND hang out with just the gals...

Sympathy cards

I'm SO excited! We are headed to the beach for a few days. Sorry you won't be hearing from me for a while. Just to make sure you keep checking back, I'll be offering up some Blog Candy...but I'm not saying WHEN I'll be back! lol! Leave me a comment telling me your favorite vacation spot! I'll randomly select someone from those comments!

In addition to the all-occasion cards I made my MIL last week, I made up a batch of Sympathy cards. These came together really quickly, but yet I think they look great! Those Cuttlebug embossing folders are wonderful and so FAST...I'm HOPING that Stampin' Up! will offer something like them...wouldn't that be COOL in exclusive designs? For these, I embossed on Apricot Appeal cardstock, then lightly rubbed Marigold Morning over top to highlight the raised areas. Again, I used my Marvy Circle and Scallop punches...they are just too easy. Happy Harmony didn't get much use from me during Sell-A-Bration, but I am using it now! Wish that set (all the SAB sets!) would be in the new catty! I really liked them this year and don't want to stop using them! I used markers on the flowers in order to get the different colors...started with Apricot Appeal and added a little More Mustard, the stems are Garden Green.

Sets: Happy Harmony, Warmest Regards
C/S: Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Marigold Morning
Inks: Marigold Morning, Basic Black (Apricot Appeal, More Mustard, Garden Green markers)
Other: Cuttlebug embossing folders, Marvy Circle and Scallop Circle punches

Yeah! I was SO happy about the American Idol results last night! A little shocking that Blake was in the bottom 3 this time...guess I need to vote more for him. I think he's my favorite guy on the show and Jordon is DEFINITELY my overall winner favorite! What an awesome voice for being only 17 years old! Even if she doesn't win...I'm sure she'll be getting a singing contract and we'll be hearing more from her!

Artifacts meets Office Accoutrement

Gorgeous day here in Ohio...not warm, but sunny; makes me think that maybe spring will show its face again. We've had very cool/cold weather lately. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Here is another scrap pieces card! I'm so happy to be using up some of these that have been sitting in my scrap basket. This week's SCS card challenge was the inspiration for my layout. The two Artifacts stars I had already embossed with copper and used most of them on another project. The background was stamped previously using the argyle stamp from Looks Like Spring and I cut it into panels. The base card is actually Bashful Blue and I used Certainly Celery Craft Ink on direct-to-paper to streak it...also a previous swap card leftover. The top panel is Certainly Celery and I rubbed Bashful Blue Craft ink over it, then topped it with the Canvas BG stamp, then added the Memo, Birthday and Posted stamps. To add a little bling, I used the Round Tab Punch (love it!) and some copper brads. I think it turned out to be a nice masculine birthday day...I'll save it for my dad's birthday in June!

Sets: Artifacts, Looks Like Spring, Office Accoutrement, Canvas BG, It's Your Birthday

C/S: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Not Quite Navy

Ink: Versamark, Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Craft Bashful Blue, Craft Certainly Celery

Other: Copper mini brads, Round Tab Punch, 1/16" circle punch, Classy Copper Embossing powder, Ticket Corner punch

Well, I'm anxiously awaiting the results of American Idol tonight. Once again, I'm advocating "you know who" to FINALLY leave...we'll see!

Unfrogettable!

Again, I am using up some of the scraps laying around on my stamping table. The Unfrogettable frog, punched circle and piece of brayered Au Chocolat paper were already done. I simply combined them all together along with a scrap piece of Apricot ribbon. I love that you can change the color of the Au Chocolat paper by applying markers or brayering on color over the cream! What a great idea!

Sets: Unfrogettable, Itty Bitty Backgrounds, Canvas BG
C/S: Certainly Celery, Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst, Very Vanilla, Au Chocolat paper
Inks: Basic Brown
Other: Watercolor crayons, Aqua Painter, Apricot Grosgrain ribbon, 1-1/4 circle punch, 1/8" circle punch, Celery brad

Tonight is another episode of American Idol! Yeah! I love it when it gets down to the last few weeks...all the singers seem to sing SO well! I've finally picked a couple favorites and will be voting for them from now on...it was HARD this year! Oh, and House is on tonight, too!

Use those scraps!

I spent part of Sunday evening sorting thru all my cardstock scraps that had piled up by my cutter. Now they are sorted and placed into plastic sleeves according to each color, then filed alphabetically in a huge 3 ring binder. I like having one sleeve for each color, but I did notice that I had a LOT of certain color pieces. I also found several pieces of designer paper like this one! This was in last Summer's mini catalog, and it is still one of my favorites.

I spent today trying to use up some of the scraps on my desk...you know, those stamped and colored images, but discarded on the original design. I also experimented with layout that SCS posted for Virtual Stamp Night...I wish I had a circle punch just about 1/4 inch smaller than this one, but it looks ok. And, I wanted to see if I could use Stampin' Up!'s All in a Row set to make faux ribbon like Nichole Heady's tutorial. I didn't have a lot of time to play, but I do think it turned out to look like argyle ribbon, don't you? This set, Love Ya Bunches, hasn't been inked up in a while, so I pulled it out to use.

Sets: Love Ya Bunches, All in a Row

C/S: Bashful Blue, Blush Blossom, Whisper White, Petal Patch Designer Paper (retired)

Inks: Basic Brown, Certainly Celery (Bashful Blue, Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery markers)

Other: Marvy Circle Punch, dimensionals

One Sheet Wonder Stack of cards

I used the Stampin' Up! OSW template from the latest Stampin' Success magazine (a great idea magazine that SU sends to Demos.) It uses one sheet of 12x12 designer paper and cardstock to make a stack of 16 cards! My MIL was wanting some everyday cards and I finally finished them using this template! You can dress them up with some ribbon, brads or whatever you want to add a little bling. Great project! I think I'll have to do this as a Class soon!

Sets: Polka Dots & Paisley, Warmest Regards, Greeting Galore, It's Your Birthday

C/S: Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Regal Rose, Whisper White, Petals & Paisley's designer paper

Inks: Old Olive, Taken with Teal, Regal Rose, basic Black

Other: Olive narrow organdy ribbon, 1/8 circle punch, Rose Grosgrain ribbon

Another Sketch challenge card

Was anyone else disappointed that Grey's Anatomy really wasn't "new" last night? I liked the flashback to the past episodes, but I want NEW stuff! Thank goodness next week will be brand new...hopefully they will have all new episodes through May sweeps.

I wanted to show you an adaption of the Card Sketch challenge I posted yesterday...just changed up a little bit! Mr. Crab wasn't on my first order from the Spring Mini, but I sure like him! This card will be for my nephew's birthday.

I was also able to use my new Cuttlebug embossing folder on the background. I had a gift certificate burning a hole in my wallet and a 50% off coupon, so decided to go ahead and splurge on the Cuttlebug...it is a great little machine! I'm amazed how much depth and texture you get from the folders. I also used my Marvy circle and scallop punches...love them, too! Mr. Crab just fit!

Set: Crab & Company

C/S: Cool Caribbean, Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Whisper White, Taken w/Teal

Inks: Black Stazon, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Taken w/Teal

Other: Cutter Kit, Blender Pen, Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon, Mosaic Embossing folder, Marvy circle and scallop punches

OK...back to getting ready for my Stamp Camp on Sunday. I have 5 out of 6 things designed and cut, the last one is giving me fits! lol!

Thursday Card Sketch Challenge

I thought it would be fun to issue a weekly Card Sketch Challenge to you! I used this sketch in the Doodle This card below that I made for my parent's anniversary! Leave me a comment with a link to where your card is uploaded...I'd love to see what you do!

Have fun!

Doodle This Anniversary card

I'm feeling SO much better today. The migraine of the past two days is gone. Nothing I was taking was helping.

My parents are celebrating their 48th Wedding Anniversary today so I quickly made up this card for them. I think in today's world, that is truly a remarkable accomplishment. Both of them just retired and are keeping busier than they did when they were working!

Did you notice that I pulled out some old decorative scissors to cut out the flowers? Those scissors seem to be making a comeback...glad I held on to mine. I also like the fullness of doubling this flower...seems I make them that way 99% of the time. I used several different sets in this card, but I'm happy with how it turned out. I know my parents will like it.

Sets: Doodle This, Doodle That, Polka Dots & Paisley, Warm Words

C/S: Rose Red, Certainly Celery, Barely Banana, Very Vanilla

Inks: Rose Red, Stazon Black, Certainly Celery

Other: Button, Black Gingham ribbon, Decorative scissors, Blender Pen, Dimensionals

Favorite Father's Day card

OK...I'm feeling a little better so I thought I'd take a minute and post one of my favorite Father's Day cards.

The little boy image is stamped on cardstock vellum with Black Stazon, then I turned it over and colored the back with markers. Adhere a 1" strip of base color (Bashful Blue folded in half) around the top edge of the vellum and adhere to the base card of Bashful Blue. The strip of cardstock hides the adhesive. I tore the bottom of the vellum. Then I sponged the Bashful Blue background with Craft White to resemble clouds. I stamped Happy Father's Day in the "sand" with Chocolate Chip. The "sand" is Creamy Caramel that I crumpled, tore and highlighted the edges with Creamy Caramel ink. Adhere the sand to the bottom of the Bashful Blue cardstock and under the Vellum flap so it appears the little boy is sitting on sand.

This card reminds of my little boys playing in the sand when we'd go to Sandestin for spring break...

Set: Summer by the Sea, AYC II

C/S: Cardstock Vellum, Creamy Caramel, Bashful Blue

Inks: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Stazon Black

Markers: Gable Green, Creamy Caramel, Brocade Blue, Chocolate Chip

Sorry!

Sorry that I'm MIA...I've had a migraine for two days now. I'm sure it is weather related...it has been raining (and pouring!) for two days. Hopefully I'll be back on my feet tomorrow!

Finally! My swap card

Well...I hope you found it worth the wait! lo! Here is the card I finally decided to do for the Control Freaks swap. I mailed off all 24 cards on Saturday...whew! I absolutely love swapping with these gals, but I always stress about it! Silly, huh? I switched out to Cameo Coral vs. Pixie Pink...seemed to work better for me.

Set: Simply Said, Warm Words
C/S: Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Whisper White
Inks: Cameo Coral, Basic Black, Certainly Celery
Markers: Cameo Coral, Certainly Celery
White Gel pen, Celery Grosgrain ribbon
Paper Piercer and mat

Today my friend Rachel came over and played! (Hi, Rachel!) I worked on the cards for my MIL that I didn't get done and I started on an idea for another swap card that is due shortly. I'll try to finish that project tonight! Take care! Have a great evening.

Swap Reject #3

I hope you had a nice Easter. We had 10 people over for a nice ham, Delmonica potatoes (a new recipe that was excellent!), green beans, fresh fruit, and a couple salads. For dessert, my mom made her FAMOUS Carrot Cake! Oh...it is SO wonderful! It has been a favorite recipe since I was little and she'd make it for our birthdays. We haven't had it for many years; but it was definitely the highlight of my day! (In fact, there are a couple slices left!)

I liked this card! It was ALMOST the "chosen" one for the Control Freaks swap. But, I decided against it. I can't say why...just didn't make it!

Sets: Simply Said, Warm Words, Canvas BG
C/S: Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery, Basic Black, Whisper White
Inks: Craft Black, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery (Pixie Pink marker)
Other: Detail Black EP, Black grosgrain, Ticket Corner punch, White gel pen, Oval Coluzzle (for oval mask), Round Tab punch

Have a good evening. New episodes of Extreme Makeover Home Edition and Desperate Housewives tonight!

Reject Card Swap #2

OK...here is idea #2 for the Control Freaks Please Don't Go swap. I wanted to use some Rebecca paper, and the new Spiral and Round Tab punches. I liked this card except for the brown layer looked too brown on top of the Rebecca paper. Just not enough contrast. I'd rather have had a bright pink ribbon to tie around the white stamped piece, too, but didn't want to have to dye a bunch of white ribbon pink. So...this swap wasn't selected. Stay tuned for my third try! lol!

Set: Simply Said, Warm Words
C/S: Pixie Pink, Close to Cocoa, Whisper White, Rebecca paper
Inks: Basic Brown, Pixie Pink marker
Other: White gel pen, Round Tab punch, Spiral punch, Taupe grosgrain ribbon

Have a very Happy Easter! I'm having 10 people over for a late lunch. Don't know when I'll have time to post...probably later in the evening!

Reject Swap Card #1

Remember yesterday (actually the day before since I'm so late posting tonight) I mentioned that I was working on some Please Don't Go swaps for the Control Freaks group? My chosen set is Simply Said. Well, it took me 4 tries until I got what felt like the right one. Watch my Blog over the next few days and let me know if you think I made the right choice. I'll post one (or maybe two) a day. (Of course...it is too late to change my mind, cause the cards are all finished and will go out in the mail tomorrow!) lol!

This is the one first I worked on. Nice...but not wow. Other than ribbon, I really couldn't figure out how to add any more embellishments. The cut-out flower is covered in Irridescent Ice, so that added a little bling, but just not quite right...it isn't what I had pictured in my head. Then I decided that I didn't want to use one of the In-Colors in case the Simply Said set made it into the new catty...my swap participants wouldn't be able to show it since it used a retired color.

Set: Simply Said
C/S: Basic Black, Whisper White, Caribbean Cool
Inks: Basic Black, Caribbean Cool, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Versamark
Other: Apricot grosgrain ribbon, Irridescent Ice EP, 1/8 circle punch

Have a wonderful Easter!

Easter card!

Ugh...have you ever had a day where NOTHING you are designing or stamping is coming out right? I'm working on a swap for the Control Freaks called "Please Don't Go" and I'm using Simply Said. I just can't seem to put something different together. I was using alphabets...but I like using Craft ink with them and I don't have the color I wanted. Then the scrapbook paper I used (Rebecca) was just too funky looking with the flowers. And, our pink ribbons just didn't look right with the Pixie Pink...and Taupe was just too brown looking on the overall card! I ended up scrapping the card and will start fresh tomorrow.

So...on a good note. Here is the Easter card I made this year! Everyone should have received it by now, so I feel safe about posting it. I liked the thought of Marshmallow Peeps, so I made each bunny in a Peep color. They were a little time-consuming to cut three out for each card, but I did it while watching TV, so it wasn't too bad.The front of the card says "Easter wishes" and the inside says "to some of my favorite peeps" that I typed up on the computer. I thought it was fun. Here are the details...enjoy!

Set: Bunny Hugs, Polka Dots & Paisley

C/S: Pretty in Pink, Barely Banana, Lavender Lace, Whisper White, Au Chocolat paper

Inks: Basic Brown, Pretty in Pink

Other: Small oval punch, Slit punch, 1/16 circle punch, mini brad, Pink grosgrain ribbon

Did you know there is a entire website devoted to Peeps? They have recipes and everything! Check it out here: http://www.marshmallowpeeps.com/

Chocolate Bunnies...yummmm!

Today I have been working on a couple cards for submission to a national magazine...sorry, I can't share them with you. I was pleased with them and know you'd like them! In addition, my MIL has been asking for more cards to refill her Card tin. Since I will see her on Easter Sunday, I felt I needed to get that project done. But, if I give her a stack of cards, I also need to make my mom a stack of cards. So, now I've doubled my workload to get them done! lol! Oh well...a labor of love! Tomorrow everyone should have received their Easter card, so I'll post it here.

My upline, Candy, had this card available for us to do as a Make & Take at the recent weekend stamping retreat! I'm thinking she said it was a CASE from SCS, but I couldn't find the original creator. If it is yours...drop me a line and I'll give you the credit! I just think he is TOO adorable. I love the Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink combo. My flowers at the bottom came out a little crooked...but, hey...it was 1:00 AM in the morning when I made this so forgive me!

Set: Bunny Hugs
C/S: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Craft
Other: Pink gingham ribbon, spiral clip, sponge and dimensionals

Anyone on here watch American Idol? I'm anxious to see who gets voted off tonight. I know who I WANT to see get voted off...and he should have been gone weeks ago in my opinion! Can you guess? I'm pleased that most of them are really growing and singing better and better each week! A few absolutely send chills down my spine when I hear them!

A fun Name Game!

Looking at the meaning of my name, you'd think being double "neat" would mean my stamping studio was clean! NOT! It looks like a tornado went thru it! What is sad, I just cleaned and organized it a couple weeks ago when I returned from my stamping retreat weekend!

What Connie Means

C is for Cheesy O is for Outrageous N is for Neat N is for Neat I is for Intelligent E is for Expressive

What Does Your Name Mean?

Polka Dots & Paisley

I still am enjoying this set, even though the March special is over! It is so versatile and the paisleys are SO fun. This was another Stamp Camp project we made last month. The original idea came from a card that used oval punches for the petals. Lots of goodies on this card! First, it opens on the left...I like those more unexpected folds. I used the paper piercing tool and then the faux stitches in the Old Olive color. The stem of the flower is the Word Window Punch. Plus I used pieces of the Petals & Paisleys double-sided paper! The scallop edge is made from the Slit punch by linking the punches together! Easy as pie...

Set: Polka Dots & Paisley

C/S: Marigold Morning, Old Olive, So Saffron, Taken with Teal, Whisper White

Inks: Marigold Morning (Old Olive and Taken with Teal markers)

Other: Word Window punch, 3/4 circle punch, Apricot grosgrain ribbon, dimensionals, Slit punch, Paper piercer and mat

Sounds like cold weather is headed back to the Ohio area....brrrr. Thunderstorms are headed our way. I've already gotten used to the 70 degree weather! Tomorrow will be a good day to stay in. I have my Control Freak swaps to design and make...all 24 of them!

Desk Calendar

Sorry I am SO late getting this posted tonight! I spent most of the day running around trying to find the special cat litter my spoiled cat uses. I think they must have discontinued it. I did find one bag, but they wanted DOUBLE the normal price for it! Yikes! So...my dear Bleach is going to have to get used to some new stuff! lol!

This afternoon I worked on Easter cards...can't show them yet as I'm sure there are a few who will receive one that peek in on my Blog. Plus, I worked on a Birthday card...again, can't show it until she receives it! So...I'm posting my Desk Calendar.

Every year I take off the faux leather from a desk calendar and recover it with Stampin' Up! papers! This year I used the awesome Loves Me paper in the past Winter Mini along with the Polka Dot & Paisley stamp set Stampin' Up! gave as a Christmas present to its demonstrators. A little faux stitching, some chipboard, ribbon...all the GOOD stuff! It cheers me up to see it every day...and it keeps me organized!

Sets: Polka Dot & Paisley, Big Deal Alphabet
C/S: Taken With Teal, Regal Rose, Loves Me Paper
Inks: Whisper White, Taken With Teal
Other: White gel pen, Flower Chipboard, Circle punch, Ribbon, Paper Piercing tool and mat

Oh...and I made a new white Watermark today! I use my Black one the most, but wanted a lighter one. I like how this one turned out!

NEW April Stampin' Up! Specials

Wow! Stampin' Up! is offering TWO specials in April for customers! Check them out!

Say it With Stamps -- 20% off select greeting stamps!
http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/7787.asp

Fun, Friends & Free Stamps -- 2 free NEW 2007 catalog hostess sets when you sign up with Stampin' Up! (One Level 2 and one Level 3)
http://www.stampinup.com/us/enu/7843.asp

Check out the above links and my Stampin' Up! website for more information!

A Weekend Challenge

One of my groups had a weekend challenge to dust off a set we hadn't used in a while (ever?) and post a card using it. Well, I don't think I ever inked up this Fashion Statement hostess set after I received it and mounted it last year.

I wanted to make a stack of cards for my sister-in-law, Mary Beth, who just was diagnosed with breast cancer in early March. She had a mastectomy and now is undergoing chemo. Round 2 was on Friday, so I took over dinner to her house on Saturday. These are the Thank You cards I made for her to use. I know you can always use them when people are so good about helping out. Mary Beth has a great sense of humor and is always talking about her "boobs" being left all over the house. This stamp just seemed to fit!

Set: Fashion Statement

Inks: Basic Black, Regal Rose marker

C/S: Whisper White, Reminence polka-dot paper, Basic Black

Other: Mega Square Scallop punch

Please put her in your prayers!