Beginnings and Endings

Here it is New Year's Eve!  And guess where I'm spending it?  I have managed to hack into the Penny Black Blog and took it over for today!  Be sure to check out my blog post here.

New Year's Eve is a good time to talk about beginnings and endings. 

April 14, 2013 marked a beginning for me.  That is the day I received an email from Jill Foster inviting me to join their first ever "Stamp Squad".  This card is the one I made for the Penny Black blog the day I was introduced. 

4309L Singer's Muse; 4308K Field of Poppies; 30-173 Charms

That was the beginning and here I am at the ending.  They say "all good things must come to an end", and this has truly been a good thing!  I have been encouraged and inspired by my fellow stamp squad members Penny, Lin, Greta and Rosemary.  Jill Foster and Elizabeth Allan have continued to be excited, enthusiastic and encouraging about my work.  I have learned so much from these very talented ladies, not all of it stamping related!!  Penny Black headquarters has been very generous in providing stamps and dies for us to play with.  I thank them all for an amazing experience.

And here is the ending:  my last card as a member of the Stamp Squad.


Retro Pattern 40-086; Free Flight 30-117

Tomorrow is the beginning of a new year.  I wish for all of you a year filled with good beginnings and many happy endings.  Happy New Year!!

Evie and Grandma

Oh, how I miss this little one already!!  The butterfly rocker (from Zulilly) was a huge success.  Evie received so many presents and I was so glad to know she liked the rocker from Grandma and Grandpa! 

Evie is an amazing baby!  She was diagnosed with a pretty serious ear infection just before we arrived, but you would never have known it.  She enjoys life to the fullest.  She does not waste time fussing or crying.  She loves whoever is holding her; eats for whoever is feeding her; and smiles at every one and every thing! 

We all thanked Scott and Sara for hosting the family for Christmas, but most of all, we thanked them for Evie ... it was like getting a new dolly for Christmas.  The downside was that we all had to share. 

We arrived home Friday afternoon and after a few minutes of panic at the airport because the car keys had been lost in my purse,  we drove directly to pick up Cooper.  While he greeted us wildly, we know he misses his two doggy pals.  We do play with him, but it just isn't the same!!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!  I love spending time with my adult kids.. they have turned into such interesting and fun people.    Thanks for your visit.

Peace on Earth ... Penny Black

I wish all of you a Christmas filled with all those things that make Christmas so special!  Take time to contemplate this incredible Gift! 

Merry Christmas!  God bless us every one!!

Evie's Christmas present ...

This is a Mo Manning digital image that I colored with Copics and fussy cut and mounted on a tag. I used distress inks on the tag; a HA music stamp and a Penny Black Christmas tree stamp on the tag. I added store bought lace and a flower hand crocheted by my friend Sallly. Some glittery wooden stars, some twine and I am happy with the result. This tag is more than a CASE of the sample on the Mo Manning Digital Penicl site; it is almost a copy! I fell in love with the image when I first saw it and thought of Evelyn Rose and her first Christmas. This is just a small gift from Grandma; her big gift was sent to her house weeks ago!!

Jolly Friends by Penny Black

Who can resist a snowman? This is an image from Penny Black's transparent set Jolly Friends. I've colored him with copics and matted the image with traditional red and green. The sentiment is from the transparent set Yuletide Greetings. I used only the last two words in order to fit.

Only a few last minute tasks to finish. They involve the kitchen, so have been put off to the last minute! How come when I melt chocolate chips the chocolate gets onto everything?? And it really shows up on the white cupboards.

Hope this last week before Christmas finds you doing what you need to do and some of what you want to do!

Christmas is Coming!!

What could be merrier than red and white polka dots, a banner of hearts and a little hedgie singing carols!

This little guy is from Penny Black's transparent set "The Wonder". I've colored him with Copics, mounted him on a circle and added another circle for the sentiment. Jill Foster has a way with circles which I haven't quite mastered, obviously!

Started and finished my shopping this afternoon. Left to do: sending cards, mailing a couple of packages and baking some goodies to take to Wisconsin. I'm feeling pretty optimistic at this point!

Enjoy this time of preparation, if you can. Christmas seems to come and go so quickly. Thanks for your visit!!

Build a Snowman by Penny Black

If one snowperson is good, two is better!! When you have Penny Black's Build a Snowman set, there are endless possibilities.
I stamped two snowpeople using a masking technique and embossed with clear embossing powder. I made appropriate hats for each, cut everything out and created a snow scene just for them. I added Joy from Penny Black's creative die set Love and Joy. I sprayed the finished card with Perfect Pearls and sorry to say, the pigment looks a little like smudges in the photo. Love the sheen in real life!
Had a great weekend in Atlanta.  Granddaughter Lauren's Cheer Sport team came in first I their division and topped it off with the Grand Championship for the highest score of the day!  It is amazing to see hundreds of teams and thousands of young girls (and boys) performing their routines with such precision and excitement.  Scary for grandparents to watch, though. 

Christmas is coming!!  It doesn't seem to matter how early I start ... I am always playing catchup at the end! 

Merry Christmas!!!

Who needs anything else for Christmas??  Evie is almost 6 months old!!!

Merry!

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This sweetie is one of the images from the Penny Black Transparent set Love at Christmas. She is probably lighting the way for Santa!

I used Copics to color the image and stitched the matting together. There's some glitter glue and sequins for some sparkle. And "merry" has been cut with Penny Black's Creative die Love and Joy.

We will be traveling to Georgia this weekend. First to Hawkinsville, Georgia to be present when my grand nephew Michael receives the key to the new home built for him by Homes for Heroes. You may remember that Michael was a Marine and lost his legs in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.

From there we travel to Atlanta where my daughter from Minneapolis will join the Atlanta son and family and us for a visit and to see Lauren's competitive cheer performance. Seriously, it is hard to believe what those young girls can achieve!! And sometimes it is hard for this grandma to watch!!

Cooper will be at Doggie Vaycay having a good time with his friend Deuce. We are so delighted to have found a place where he is treated like family; so much easier to leave him than at a kennel.

Have a great weekend!! We are experiencing crazy warm weather today ... should cool off by Saturday. It is hard to know what to pack!!

Snowlight by Penny Black

Sometimes a girl just doesn't have time to create an interesting background. So she reaches for her patterned paper instead and stamps and embosses right on top of it. And then she matts with silvery glittery paper and puts on some red heart gems and calls it finished! Quick and easy and beautiful .. Penny Black did the real work ... love this snowflake Christmas tree!

Our tree was up before Christmas and also includes little red hearts for decoration.

The holiday season is in full swing! We travel to Atlanta to visit with our Atlanta grandkids and parents and our daughter who is flying in from Minneapolis. Hope we have warm weather for her visit!

Thanks for your visit today .. happy Cyber Monday.

Purple Onion Designs

Purple Onion Designs, a photo by judkajudy on Flickr.

I've used six of the latest images drawn by Stacey Yakula for Purple Onion Designs. I enjoy coloring with pencils on kraft , especially if you can add some white accents!

Thanksgiving is packed away and Christmas is now the theme in my home. I just finished purging and organizing my closet, and I hope Santa notices. Even if he doesn't, I feel better!

I may pop in at a store or two this afternoon. I love seeing and being with people during this time of year.

Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

I know .. the blog post title says Happy Thanksgiving and the card says "Christmas".  But a wish for peace is good for Thanksgiving, too.  Here in the United States we are celebrating a day to be grateful for our blessings, usually with a traditional feast of turkey and trimmings.  It is also the day that marks the official holiday shopping season, with some stores opening in the evening instead of waiting for "black Friday". 

 

The card was made by stamping Penny Black's Flourish Holly image and embossing with clear.  I then embossed using a heart Cuttlebug folder.  I thought the pearls and metallic gems added even more texture and I just couldn't stop until I tied a ribbon around it all!

 

May your Thanksgiving day be one spent with friends and family enjoying the blessings we have so abundantly. 

 

Your visits are on my gratitude list.  Thank you so much for stopping by.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Joy of the Christmas Season

 

This tree and the sentiment are a cling set from Hero Arts. I stamped the image with green ink and embossed with clear, a tried and true technique and a favorite. I stitched the image to a gold glossy matt and mounted on a green notecard, also from Hero Arts.

I am entering this card in Hero Art's challenge "favorite things." I have used my favorites of stitching, glitter glue, embossing powder and those birds that I have had since 2007!

Cleaning is done; dog is clean and fluff dried and supper is in the oven!! It's been a productive day! Tomorrow I cook for the holiday.

Still very rainy and cold here. It would be easy to hang out in the gloomies, but a few comments on my blog and photostream and an amazing email this morning have made it a very sunny day in my world.

Thanks for the visit!!

Christmas ATC

It's been a while since I entered a challenge at the Hero Arts blog. The current holiday challenge offers several options and I have chosen the "favorite things" option.

ATC's are a favorite thing of mine, as well as embossed resist, distress inks and these holiday birds (Holiday Dove LL213). Sequins are a new favorite thing and I've included a few of those, too. Stitching on my cards is a very favorite thing!! The holly is a Hero Arts cling stamp as is the sentiment.

I love putting as much detail as I can onto the small space of an ATC.

Cold, windy and dreary day here ... even the golfers conceded to the weather. This is a busy week for families in the U.S. Thanksgiving is on Thursday.

Thanks for stopping by!

Snowlight by Penny Black

 

 

I used Penny Black's slapstick stamp "Snowlight" to stamp and heat emboss in white onto patterned paper.  The sentiment is stamped and embossed onto vellum with the edges tucked between the layers.  This stamp can be used in so many ways and makes "mass production" easy.  I added the little red hearts for a pop of color.

For the first time ever I have put up our tree before Thanksgiving.  I didn't mean to.  I wanted the decorations brought down from the attic so when it was time I could just get to it.  Well, one thing lead to another and before I knew it, the tree was up on the 19th of November ... a new record!  And coincidentally, I have little red hearts scattered among the branches.  I think I am making up for last year when we didn't decorate for Christmas because we would be in Wisconsin. 

 

The rest of the house is still in Thanksgiving mode .... I love being an adult and having the power to put the tree up when the mood strikes!

 

I have made many Christmas cards this year; hope I realize it doesn't count until you mail them!!

 

Have a great weekend and thanks for your visit.

Look who stopped by!!

Evelyn Rose is now 5 months old!!  And the joy of the family!!  She is the sweetest natured baby ever!!  The daycare teachers love her smiles and don't mind that she doesn't nap ... she is too busy watching everything that goes on.   Her favorite song is Old MacDonald!!  Brings a big smile every time!!  We will see Evie for Christmas!! 

Couldn't resist ... thanks for your visit!

Penny Black Plays with Designed to Color

 

 

 The Penny Black Stamp Squad is playing along this week at the Designed to Color blog.  Every day this week a Penny Black Stamp Squad member will be featured on the Penny Black blog.  Today is my day!  

Copics used:  Head and snowflakes on breast BG72; Legs:  E35; Leaves G11 and G05; Body and tail E84, E11 and YG03; Wing and breast E02, E11, E93, R01 and R02; Beak YR27

I've chosen an image from Penny Black's T for Transparent set Christmas Harmony.  I stamped the image with black VersaFine ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  I then had fun choosing Copic marker colors to give the bird a "tapestry" look.  I cut the scalloped circle using a Nestie die and mounted it on patterned paper that had been run through a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Couldn't stop there ... had to add the ribbon and bow for a really festive Christmas look.

 

Hope you will take the time to check out the Designed to Color blog here.  There are examples of amazing coloring by their Design Team.  And of course, I hope you will follow the Penny Black blog all week to see what the Stamp Squad has done.

 

 

Purple Onion Designs

These little guys are from the new Winter Wishes series by Stacey Yakula for Purple Onion Designs. Left to right, it's Icicle, Birch and Cedar. I used the Simon Says Stamp three square die and popped each cutie into their own little space. The silvery bg paper adds strength to the snow flake embossed card base. I colored the images with Copics and fussy cut them.

As usual, I am surprised at how quickly the holidays are approaching!! Even though we will be with family in Wisconsin for Christmas, this year I feel the need to decorate and put up a tree. I missed being part of the hustle and bustle last Christmas.

Rainy, dreary but warm day here ... good day for playing with paper! Thanks for your visit.

Christmas Harmony by Penny Black

I've stamped the wreath image from the Penny Black set Christmas Harmony and colored it with copics.  I then fussy cut it, added some glitter to the bow and placed it on the window die cut.  That silver paper in the window is very sparkly in real life.



Here's a close up of the glittery ribbon.  This was an easy card to assemble and makes a strong Christmas statement with the dimension of the window popped up on the red dotted paper.

It is only six weeks until Christmas!!  Less than two weeks until Thanksgiving.  Time to get serious about the holidays; they don't happen by themselves.  Baby Evie's Christmas present has been shipped; first things first!

Hope your weekend includes some time to play with your stamps, ink and paper.  There is a Leonardo da Vinci exhibit at the Space and Rocket Center here in Huntsville that is on our to do list this weekend.  Hope it happens! 

Thanks for stopping by!

Snowy Trio by Stacey Yakula for Purple Onion Designs

I know, I know ... this is a duet, not a trio.  But I wanted to add the lamp post diecut and the card just got too crowded.  So I sent the third little snow musician to a different street corner.  Artistic license, you know!

I fell in love with Stacey Yakula's art work the first time I saw it.  This is her second Christmas designing stamps for Purple Onion Designs.  I must give a shout out to Michelle, the owner of POD for the lovely surprise in the package when my stamps arrived.  Tucked in with my stamps was three one dollar bills ... the postage came to less than she charged and she refunded the difference!!  That is customer service plus!!

The clouds are cut from a Lawn Fawn die and the lamp post is from Poppy Stamps, Inc. 

I hope this brought a smile ... the images in this release were irresistible and I need to ink up more of them before the season is over.  Thanks for stopping by. 

Tea Time

I have loved the three Mo Manning images included in Penny Black's transparent t-time set and finally set aside the Christmas and autumn-themed cards to ink up this cutie.

She is colored with Copics and fussy cut.  I pop dotted her and the tea set onto some Prima paper that I've been hoarding.  Added several layers of matting, to pick up the colors in her outfit. 

Sometimes we just need to take a break!!  The Mo Manning images always make me smile!   I've decided to enter this card in the Penny Black & More challenge blog because the theme is "anything goes".  I've lurked over there long enough ... I love the work I see there every month!  Here's the link.

It is Veteran's Day; a time to be grateful for all those who wore the uniform of our country and served in any of the armed forces.  My Dad was a career Army man; my husband served in the Air Force and my son was a Navy man for four years.  And I pay special tribute to my great nephew Michael, who has made a new life for himself after suffering the loss of both legs in Afghanistan.  Thank you to all who served and are serving.

CasOlogy "Brown" Challenge

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The cue word at CasOlogy this week is "brown". Brown is not usually a color I would use at Christmas, but I have to admit I like this!!

The three wise men image is a $1.00 stamp from Michael's. The sentiment is from a Penny Black set. I embossed the brown card base with a Cuttlebug embossing folder.  Added a bit of bling to the star.  There is still time to enter the challenge; just click here.
This card would be lovely in more traditional Christmas colors also and could be mailed for standard postage. Always a plus!!

Dreary, cool day here. We cheered ourselves up with a bit of retail therapy ... had to use the discount coupons that arrived in the mail.

Have a great weekend, however you spend it!

Penny Black Stamp Squad Blog Hop

The Penny Black Stamp Squad is celebrating the Fan Favorites event with a  blog hop!!  Greta, Lin, Penny, Rosemary and I are glad you are hopping with us!

 

Hope you spy your personal favorites along the way.  I am the first stop after the Penny Black blog, so you are in the right place at the right time.

 

I made my first card  using the woodblock stamp Give Us a Kiss.  I love all of Penny Black's stamps, but the cute ones are especially fun to work with.  I stamped the bear and bird in black and then clear embossed.  Colored the image with Copics.  I then ran my cardstock through my Big Shot with a mini embossing folder of snowflakes.  I couldn't resist adding some sparkle with glitter glue.   An added bonus:  this is a one-layer card, easy to mail with no extra postage necessary. 

 

 

I was having so much fun with these fan favorite stamps, I had to make a second card.  I used two cling stamps:  Harmony for the background and then the Amaryllis image.  I stamped the background with VersaMark and then heat embossed with white.  I rubbed distress ink over the white embossed image.  I colored the flower and pot with Copics, and then fussy cut the image.  I created the layers with white and solid colored card stock as well as a piece of the embossed background.  I added glossy accents to the pot and a gem to the center of the flower.

Hope you've had a fun week of choosing and purchasing fan favorite stamps!  If you haven't decided yet, I hope the cards you see today will help you make up your mind!

 

My incredibly talented stamp squad sister Greta is your next stop on the hop!   You're going to love what you see on her blog GG Creations!

Penny Black Stamp Club Member Special Offer

 

 

One last reminder that tomorrow is the day!!  All Penny Black Stamp Club Members will receive an email with a link to start shopping Penny Black's Fan Favorite stamps at a discounted price.  If you haven't signed up yet, just go here.  I've had fun playing with some of these stamps.  Here's another card I made:



 

Sometimes I take myself into a "zone" and after stamping an image I enjoy paper piecing.  This sweetie's outfit is entirely paper pieced.  The image is from a slapstick (cling) Penny Black stamp called Decorate the Season 40-028.  The sentiment is included in this set.  She's paper pieced and fussy cut and mounted on a wonky rectangle Nestie and then to a polka dotted card base.    She makes me smile.  The fan favorites incude elegant, cute, and floral images.  Don't miss out.  Become a Club Member here.  See you tomorrow for something special .... be sure to stop by after you use your link for shopping!

So what are you waiting for?

 

 

Really, if you haven't become a Penny Black Club Member yet why are you waiting?  Club membership will bring you an email on November 8th linking you to the Fan Favorite stamps that will be offered at a discount.  It's quick and easy; just go here.

 



This card was made using two of the Fan Favorite stamps:


I stamped the cling background stamp Harmony 40-170 on white cardstock and embossed with white.  The doves and sentiment are from the transparent set Peace and Joy30-203.  The "stars" are diecuts with a clear dew drop added. 

So, what ARE you waiting for?  Become a Club Member here.  Another sample card tomorrow!!

Fan Favorites Offer from Penny Black

In case you missed the announcement from Penny Black yesterday and/or didn't see my blog post, there's exciting news from Penny Black.  As you can see from the graphic above, you will be given a link to start shopping from fan favorites at a discounted price on NOVEMBER 8th.  All you have to do is become a
Penny Black Club Member here.  You will receive an email with your link to the shopping on November 8th.

Here's a card I made using two of the stamps that will be available on Friday:


I stamped the snowman using a woodblock stamp Happy Soul 4106K and colored a few details.  I cut the image out with a circle Nestie and mounted it on a cling background stamp Jolly Chant 40-250.  I love black and white with a touch of red.  This would be an easy card to make in quantity. 

Don't miss out .... sign up for your club membership here.  And come back tomorrow for another sneak preview!

Exciting News from Penny Black!

 

Penny Black is opening the vaults and offering many of their previous best sellers to Penny Black Club Members at DISCOUNTED PRICES!  How does it work?  Just sign up to be a Club Member and on FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8, you will receive an email with a link to start shopping.  It's that easy!!

  

 

 

I was privileged to play with some of the stamps that will be offered and had fun creating this cute Christmas card.  The stamp is from a transparent set, Christmas Outdoors 30-125.  I began with the snowflake paper from the Madison collection, placed under a sheet of vellum.  I stamped, embossed and colored the image and fussy cut it and added it to the card.  Little red gems for ornaments on the antlers, and of course, the nose add a little texture and color.  Couldn't resist the glitter glue on the ice!

 

I will be posting sample cards all week so you can see some of the stamps being offered by Penny Black.  Remember, this special offer is only for Penny Black Stamp Club Members.  Be sure to become a member here so you don't miss out!  Your link to shopping will arrive by email on November 8th. 

 

See you tomorrow!!

Warm Wishes

I am working on non-Christmas cards but in the meantime, enjoy this poinsettia image by Penny Black.  This woodblock stamp is called Warm Wishes.  I'm not sure if any of those petals were supposed to be green, but I like the break from all the red and white.  I embossed the Nestie diecut circle and mounted it onto white cardstock that had been trimmed with the polka dot paper strips.

I do enjoy seeing Christmas cards in non-traditional colors, but there is something about the red, white and green combo that says "Christmas". 

We had a total of 10 little kiddles for trick or treat last night.  Unfortunately, it was rainy and windy and not good weather for the little ones to be out.  I have lots of candy left over!!  Not a good thing.  Especially when you are married to a man who thinks that an apple is a good dessert.  (Plain, no caramel).

Hope you are enjoying your weekend.  Take time to play.  Thank you for your visit and especially thank you for all the comments on Baby Evie's photo yesterday.  I just couldn't resist posting that adorable photo!!  I'd think she was adorable even if she wasn't my grandchild.  We are so blessed.

Happy Halloween!!

 

Evelyn Rose wishes everyone a Happy Halloween!!

 

Her other, very talented, Grandma made the Raggedy Ann costume!

Penny Black Pumpkins

One of the joys of our recent visit to Wisconsin was seeing the beautiful color as the leaves were turning.  Those crisp and cool (cold?) nights make for great Fall color!!  I love this slapstick (cling) stamp by Penny Black because the simple images allow for embellishments.  And who doesn't love embellishment?

I colored the scene with Copics, used a Nestie die to cut out the shape and mounted it all on some Doodlebug paper.  The die cut leaves are from my friend Sally.  That's a wooden conversation bubble with the sentiment.

Our family is once again working out plans for the holidays.  When plane tickets are involved you have to start early!!  I have been blessed to visit family in Wisconsin three times already this year.  Little Evelyn Rose has been the main attraction!.

We are enjoying moderate temperatures finally!  Weather went from hot to very cool and now it's perfect ... in the seventies!  Have to restock my Halloween candy supply today ... someone taste-tested a little too much!!  Thanks for stopping by! 

Penny Black and Pop 'n Cut Penguins

Kelly Booth is the master of Pop 'n Cut cards!  I've watched her become more and more creative with the Pop 'n Cut dies and I admit to being very jealous of her ability to make these darling cards!

Several months ago I used a coupon and purchased the "starter" Pop 'n Cut platform and die.  I haven't been able to find the "insert" dies locally and set the whole project aside.  Can you imagine my surprise and delight when I arrived home from our trip to find a large box from Kelly containing Pop 'n Cut dies and some embossing folders that she was ready to share!!  No more excuses; time to practice up!

I love this double sided green and red cardstock that I found at a local discount store; just perfect to make the base card.  The scallopy border is a Sizzix die; the "Merry" is a creative die from Penny Black.  While the front of a Pop 'n Cut card is necessary, the fun begins when you open it!



And this is what is inside!  Little penguins from Penny Black's transparent set Whooo's Wishing.


Aren't these penguins adorable all in a bunch!!  I actually turned the card upside down to make that label a platform for the penguin!

I don't know about you, but these cards make me smile big!  And they force me to spend more time and work a bit more slowly than I do when making regular cards. 

Big thank you's to Kelly for sharing her dies!  How I wish I could spend time with her and absorb some of what she knows!!

Happy Sunday!!  We are due for a warming trend next week.  It's been downright penguin-like chilly!!

I appreciate your visit.

Robin's Wish

 

Robin's Wish is a Penny Black cling stamp, released this year. I love the "country" look of the bird stamped in brown Memento ink with a touch of red gems for berries. Of course, I love adding a red gingham bow any chance I get.

The trip is behind us; we are finally back into our routine and adjusting to the slower and quieter pace!

Our chore for the day was to renew our drivers' licenses. With feelings of dread we entered the DMV office and lo!!! No one in line to renew drivers' licenses!!! Has that ever happened? In your whole life?? Zippitty doo da!! We were done in ten minutes or less!!

Our temperatures have dropped and it is a beautiful, sunny, crisp day.

I am not done with Fall or Thanksgiving cards; stay tuned. And thanks so much for your visit and your lovely comments.

Evelyn Rose is Baptized

I think I will let the photos speak for themselves today.  Evelyn Rose was baptized on
 October 20, 2013, an event shared with a host of friends and family.  While we enjoyed many other events during our ten day trip, witnessing Evie's baptism was the reason we traveled so far!  It was a joy for me to be there with our adult kids, everyone looking pretty sharp!

Evie being dressed in the dress her mom wore for her baptism.  Evie's great grandma made it.

 

The reason we all gathered.

 

Proud Mom and Dad, Scott and Sara.

 

Grandma, Grandpa and Evelyn Rose

Evelyn Rose with her two grandma's.

This is our blended family.