Tool Time

 I have been working diligently at stocking up on some craft sale items for September

and I loved this little TOOL BOX I found by Valerie Moody.  

She made the Tool Box by using the TWO TAGS DIE and the BIG SHOT.  

I checked my stock and I had some brand new pencils on hand to use for the handles.  

I found some coffee flavored candies at the Office Supply Store of all places and thought 

it would be the perfect guy treat.  I know how much my husband enjoys his cup of 

coffee in the morning and I know there are others out there that REALLY 

enjoy their coffee.  I thought it was a perfect mix.

As I was putting these all together I thought this same design would make a cute cradle

I wonder if I could do that??

You Betcha!!

I put the wood grain on the Shimmer White card stock using Versa Mark and Clear EP. 

I think the back ground stamp still had a little color residue on it from stamping 

all the tool boxes and it gave a slight color to the wood grain 

which I love how it came out.

A half of a large Scalloped Circle Die made a lovely cradle topper.

I enlisted the aid of my sister who sews and literally saves every little scrap 

to help me out with some lace.  She had a whole drawer for me to choose from.  

I decided to go with this ecru colored double lace and hot 

glued it around the cradle.  The rockers are 3" Circles

 

I had some leftover baby blue ribbon from the local craft store that says "It's a Boy!!" 

and thought it would work perfectly for the cradle. 

Brads hold the cradle topper on so that it is movable (not stationary)

I'm thinking this will make a cute Baby Shower Favor or perhaps I will put a gift card

in it for the next baby shower I go to.

When Carla came to play she wanted to make a cradle too.  I love the lace she chose

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Moving Forward - Wedding Week!

Today is the beginning of WEDDING WEEK as our son, Joey, is getting married on Saturday.  

I knew my week was going to be beyond BUSY so the posts for this week are all being 

pre-posted so that I don't need to worry about my blog all week.

So for today I will show you a couple cards that we made at the June Stamp A Stack Class

 Inspired by: Mary Fish

I just love this cute little frog!!

 And thanks to Rachel who let me borrow her stamp set!!

Help us make a difference
Purchase this Stamp Set: MOVING FORWARD
126320 $19.95 128394 Wood Mount

126322 $14.95 128237 Clear Mount

And Stampin' Up! will donate $3 to Ronald McDonald House 

Together, we have contributed
over $1,000,000 to RMHC.
Learn more ways to help: visit
www.stampinup.com/giving.
Stampin’ Up! donates time and
money to support Ronald McDonald
House Charities®. Purchase this
year’s exclusive RMHC® stamp set
and we’ll donate $3 to RMHC.
Ronald McDonald House Charities
help support families with children who have serious illnesses.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

RHSSC #47

 Sketch Challenge Time!!

This is what we had to work with this week...

And this is my take on it...

I must say this card gave me the fits. It simply started because I was looking for a stamp that I could use as an example of how to use your Blender Pen $9.95 102845 so I could show it to the gals in my down line.  When I came across this stamp set called  

LAYERED LABELS #127070 $33.95 (W) or #127072 $25.95 (C) 

I thought it would be great to give it a try.  I liked how the Old Olive of the main stamped image turned out using the Blender Pen, and I knew I wanted to pop up the center using different colored inks to give the card dimensions, but if you only knew how many times I stamped this trying to get a color combo that I could work with.
so I went to my Color Coach (imagine me slapping my head and saying "duh")
 $14.95 120148 English only, 

 Add cards to your Color Coach.

2011–2013 In Color Cards $2.50 124886 English only

new 2012–2014 In Color Cards $2.50 126890 English only, 

and it made a much easier combo choice. I chose to use Regal Rose and Soft Suede along with the Old Olive. By adding the Finial Press Embossing Folder (retired) to the card front it really helped, and although you cannot see it in the photo I added Champagne Shimmer Paint #116806 $5.95 with a Sponge Dauber $10.95 102892  to the raised areas.
The little "Thanks" stamp is from the stamp set
PERFECT PUNCHES #117022 $24.95 (W) #120516 $17.95 (C).  
 By using the new 

Apothecary Accents Framelits
4 dies (largest: 4-7/8" x 2-3/4"). Designed to cut
images from World Treasures Stamp Set (p. 98)
and Layered Labels Stamp Set (p. 103).
$24.95 127003

I was able to not only cut out the stamped image but I could also make the back ground border for it.

I was glad that Marlane and Nancy wanted to join in on the fun again so

Click HERE to see what they and the other gals did with this Sketch Challenge

When Carla and I spend time together this past week I had her work on a Sketch
Challenge for today.  I really love what she came up with and the fact that she
combined the challenge with a need to send an Engagement card to her niece.

Super Card, Carla! I Love It!

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Love and Sympathy

This past week my dear friend, Carla, had to say good-bye to her dear Mother In Law.  

It is always so hard to loose someone we love but it is a joy to know that we 

will see them again. 1 Thess. 4:13-14.  Carla is in my down line and we have 

become dear, dear friends. I was privileged to spend a little time with her this past 

week.  This is the card that I made for Carla and her hubby, Loren, that was 

inspired by Jan Waters

Sharing in Your Sorrow!

Our Prayers Are With You!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Happy Smurf Birthday

Today is my Dad's 86th Birthday!!

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

My dad has always liked the Smurfs from way back when they were popular the first time.  He collected several of the cute figures, and when the movie came out recently we made sure we went to see it.  So when I saw this punch art Smurf by Angela Carter I had to give it a try for my Dad.

Angela did not list all the punches that she used, but since I LOVE Punch Art I figured I could figure it out.  So here is the list of Punches that I used to create this Papa Smurf

Small Oval (retired) - hat, feet

Large Oval - Body

Build A Blossom - hat, head, beard, arms

Itty Bitty Punch Pack Circle - nose

Owl Builder - Eyes

Stamp Set: Bring On The Cake

INK: Versa Mark (with White Embossing Powder)

Accessories: White Gel Pen, Dimensionals

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have A Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

The Open Sea

Starting tomorrow in Grand Haven, MI - only 30 minutes from our home,

is the start of the annual Coast Guard Festival.

They have waterfront activities, along with the entire city that

is hopping with a variety of activities for all ages and preferences. 

Click HERE to see the Coast Guard Festival Site

If you are looking for something FUN to do and you are in our area

this is a great spot to be.  It goes through August 4th.

So in the spirit of the Coast Guard Festival I thought I would 

share this card I made that was inspired/CASED by France Martin

MENU:

SS: The Open Sea

CS: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Basic Black

INK: Black, Crumb Cake

PUNCHES: 1 1/4" Circle, 1 3/8" Circle

Tools and Accessories: 3" and 3 1/2" Circle Dies, Big Shot,

Black Brads, Sponge, Spinner Brads (sorry, they are retired), Dimensionals

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

HELLO!!

When I saw this card idea by Jackie Topa I knew I needed to CASE it 

because it is so bright and it makes me smile.   

This card highlights the three sizes of the alphabet dies.  

The large HI in Tangerine Tango is from the retired SERIF ESSENTIALS 

ALPHABET DIE, the Daffodil Delight in upper and lower case are from the 

retired TIMELESS TYPE JR ALPHABET SIZZLITS and the 

Tempting Turquoise HELLO is from the NEW TYPESET ALPHABET.  

It seems to be the perfect size, and yet I love the other sizes as well.  

I don't plan to sell my retired dies for a very long time because I find myself 

going back to them, especially the TIMELESS TYPE JR ALPHABET.  

Thanks to Glenda who let me cut the Tempting Turquoise letters out from her 

dies because I don't have them (yet).  

The background on Tempting Turquoise has a variety of sizes of circles 

and ovals to make a cool background.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Sympathy

Seems kind of strange to combine the Stamp Set REASON TO SMILE with a 

Sympathy card, but look how pretty this turned out.  

Inspired by Christine Blain from Australia, 

the Flowers from REASON TO SMILE are stamped over 

the background stamp EN FRANCAIS. 

Colors used are Rich Razzleberry, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla

This is one of the cards that we made in the July Stamp A Stack Class.

Don't miss out on a chance to get this set for yourself.  

It is only going to be available in July

And how can you turn down a $5.00 stamp set?

Check out the details...

Remember you can get it too for only
$5.00 with a $50 order.  Contact me to place an order or click HERE
to go directly to my site and place the order for yourself.
After you reach your minimum $50 order type in one of these
product numbers to get your $5.00 stamp set

Reason To Smile Wood-Mount Set #131274 $5.00

Reason To Smile Clear-Mount Set #131275  $5.00

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

 Christi

Pin It Now!

More REASON TO SMILE

I would hate for you to miss out on purchasing this sweet stamp set for only $5.00 during the month of July so I will be posting several times to show you how beautiful and versatile this stamp set is. 

Not only does it make beautiful cards...

(inspired by Carol Walsh)

See how cute it dresses up this petite purse...

(inspired by Erin Gonzoles)

Here are the details how you can get this set for yourself

Make a purchase of $50 or more before Shipping and Tax and you can purchase this set for only $5.00!  If you are using my online site HERE to place your order once you hit the over $50 required amount, just put in the product number of your choice.

Reason To Smile Wood-Mount Set #131274 $5.00

Reason To Smile Clear-Mount Set #131275  $5.00

Or you can contact me and I would be happy to place the order for you!!

If you take advantage of this great deal you may also choose one of the cards that I am featuring on my blog using the REASON TO SMILE stamp set.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have A Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

RHSSC #46 + Lucky Leftovers

Sketch Challenge Time!!

This is what we had to work with this week... 

 

And this is my take on it

Inside:

I'm kind of liking this combining a sketch challenge and using my "Lucky Leftovers"

I made some Pillow Boxes (sorry couldn't find the photo) for a craft sale last year 

that had the little bowl of cherries on them, so I took the ones that didn't sell

and put them in my "Lucky Leftover" basket.  It caught my eye right away when 

deciding what to add to the front of my Sketch Challenge card, so I trimmed around it and 

popped it on.  I teamed it up with the sentiment from JUST BELIEVE and on the 

inside I used the phrase from A WORD FOR YOU. Added a little cherry from the 

Build a Cupcake Punch and Voila`  All done!

Click HERE to see what the other gals did with this sketch challenge

I had a special treat this past week.  Marlane, one of the gals in my down line invited

me to her home to see her crafting room. WOW! what a nice Craft Room!!
Indy decided to keep us company - isn't he cute!!

 Nancy, Marlane's brand new recruit was there as well
and we got started on some sketch challenges.
I told them that I would post them on my blog.

 Nancy

Marlane
I am happy to be able to post them here for you to see
I think they did a great job for their first time participating in the Red Hot Stampers
Sketch Challenge

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Halloween?

A quick post to show you one more Craft Sale Entry

I found these supplies all cut out, left over from a Big Shot Class

so I thought I would get a jump start on some Halloween themed treats

for the Craft Sales coming up.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

It All Started When...

 It all started when Gracie said "Gramma, can I craft?"  

Gracie wanted to make "Celebration Invitations" for her stuffed friends

Curious George, Perdy (101 Dalmations), Eleanor (Chipmunk), and Molly.

Molly?  Not quite sure, but it's one of Gracie's favorites and she just 

couldn't leave Molly out of the "celebration."

 After the invitations were finished Gracie asked if each of her "friends" could have a Purse.

What kind of Gramma would I be if I said "no" -
"of course your friends can each have a Purse!"

Front left - we cut the flap off because Curious George didn't need a purse, his is a basket.

We punched bananas from Daffodil Delight for George's basket,
along with some Real Red 1/2" circle "apples".
One purse holds pink butterflies,
one holds yellow smiley faces and the last one holds red hearts.

Gracie was very precise about what each friend would like to find inside their purse/basket.

I think her imagination was running overtime.

Julie said she couldn't get Gracie to go to be at night because
she HAD to have the party TODAY!!

 Tyler was interested in the Floating Re-Inkers Technique I was doing on my flowers so I let him pick out the colors and he filled them all in.  All I did was the heat embossing.

Look what a simple yet pretty card these flowers made...

Next on the agenda Tyler asks me if I have any NINJA stamps - ummm - NO

But I did have a NINJA punch art tutorial by Jan Tinklenberg

Let's give it a try...

 

after a ton of punches and paper scraps we have a NINJA!!

Great job, Tyler!!

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Just a Note

My 13 year old Niece, Dria (Alexandria), recently spent time at the Word Of Life Camp in New York where she participated in the Teens Involved Competition.  Dria is quite the piano player and wanted to give it a try even though she knew she would be one of the youngest ones in her age category.  We were thrilled to see when they posted on Face Book that Dria had taken second place!!  We are so proud of her!  I have had this card idea sitting around by Elizabeth Sanders and I figured NOW was the perfect time to make it up and send to Dria congratulating her on her good job.

Once again I loved it so much I wanted to make more.

Our sweet daughter in law, Jessica, plays the piano and 

I asked her if she would like some note cards like these 

to have on hand to send out, and "SURE!!" 

So... I made more...

(this is only 1/2 of them)

 

I think I will be using some of these for thank you notes for Talent Night this year!

They are a great way to use up those pesky small scrap pieces of card stock

that you accumulate because you don't have the heart to throw anything out.

You can bet I will be making more of these!!

The Sentiment was computer generated and punched with the 

Decorative Label Punch $16.95 #120907

Piano keys were punched with the 

Word Window Punch $15.95 #119857

and I used some of my retired

Real Red 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon to tie around.  

I think the 5/8" Satin Ribbon would be pretty too,

but thought it best to use up the retired stuff first.

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

More Reasons To Smile

I promised to show you some more samples from the Promotional Stamp Set called 

REASON TO SMILE, so here they are...

MENU: 

SS: Reason to Smile, Apothecary Art

CS: Sahara Sand, WW, So Saffron, Polka Dot Designer Paper Pack

INK: Soft Suede, So Saffron

PUNCHES: Word Window, 1/4" hand held Circle

Accessories: Finishing Touches Edgelits $9.95 #127010, Dimensionals

So Saffron Taffeta Ribbon, Delicate Designs folders $9.95 #127010

Inspired By: Debbie Henderson

MENU:

SS: Reason To Smile. Create A Cup Cake

CS: Daffodil Delight, WW, Soft Suede, Floral District DSP, 

(retired) Attic Boutique DSP

INK: Soft Suede, Daffodil Delight

Accessories: Scallop Circle Die #2, 3" Circle Die, Paper Piercer and Mat, 

Basic Pearls, Dimensionals, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding, 

Adorning Accents Edgelits $9.95 #125595

Inspired By: Vicki Burdick

Do you like my double bow?  You can purchase the Double D Bow maker 

from my buddy Dean Calkins by clicking on his mom's blog site HERE.

Remember you can get this stamp set by placing a $50.00 order 

with me during the month of July. 

Click HERE to go directly to my on line site.  

Once your order gets to $50.00 place one of these product numbers 

in the order spot to get this stamp set for only $5.00 

Reason To Smile Wood-Mount Set #131274 $5.00

Reason To Smile Clear-Mount Set #131275  $5.00

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have A Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Reason To Smile

Need a Reason To Smile??

This cute stamp set is yours for only $5.00 with a $50.00 purchase 

during the month of July. 

I made up several samples for the ladies to see at classes this month 

and just to sweeten the deal, whoever purchases this stamp set will also 

receive one of the sample cards that I made up.

You can get in on this special too.  

If you place a $50 order (before Shipping and Handling and Tax) in my on line site

(Click HERE to go directly there), 

I will mail you one of the sample cards that I made as well.
These are the product numbers you will need to know to get your $5.00 stamp set

Reason To Smile Wood-Mount Set #131274 $5.00

Reason To Smile Clear-Mount Set #131275  $5.00

And here are a couple samples...

Sweet and Simple

Tune in tomorrow to see more samples

MENU:

SS: Reason To Smile, Perfectly Penned, Easy Events

CS & Ink: Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler, WW

CS & Ink: Soft Suede, Raspberry Ripple, WW, Summer Starfruit

Punches: 2 1/2" Circle, Large Oval, Scallop Oval

Accessories: 3" Circle Die, Dimensionals

Both Cards Inspired By: Carol Walsh

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have A Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Apothecary Sympathy

Last week we attended the funeral of one of our "Senior Saints" at our church, the mother to our Pastors wife.  What a blessing that even though she had been failing for a while now, she was able to get out to church one last time.  I sat right across the aisle from her and she sang with all the fervor she could muster.  Just four days later she was singing in heaven.  

What a blessed memory.  

This is one of the Sympathy cards that I sent out to family members.

 MENU:

SS: Apothecary Arts, Loving Thoughts

CS: Wisteria Wonder, WW, Elegant Eggplant, Retired DSP

INK: Staz On Black, Wisteria Wonder, Wild Wasabi

Accessories: Labels Framelits, Wisteria Wonder Ruffled Ribbon, 

Dimensionals, Blender Pen, Scallop Edge Punch

Inspired By: Ronda Wade

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Blessed Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!

RHSSC #45 - Monkey Boy!!

Sketch Challenge Time!!!

This is what we had to work with this week...

And here is my take on it...

Okay, now I have to tell you a story...

Our Grandson, Tyler, lately has been making funny Monkey Faces which always makes us laugh so I told him that I would make a monkey card and feature him on my blog doing his monkey face.

So here is my inspiration...

 Monkey Bars

 Even Grampa got in on the Monkey Fun!

When I told Tyler I would make a card I really didn't have anything special in mind, but I knew that I had some Punch Art ideas that I could rely on for the monkey, 

now for the layout...

A Sketch Challenge!  Perfect!  

I was thrilled to see I had one to use for Tyler's monkey card.

I really thought it looked a bit bare so I tried adding some words

 I chose to use the retired stamp set SMARTY PANTS for the words

First I tried the Decorative Label Punch $16.95 #120907

 Then I found this "Lucky Leftover" in my folder of Whisper White card stock

 Designer Frames Folders
2 folders to emboss frames (ea. 4-1/2" x 2-7/8").
Oval shape coordinates with Extra-Large Oval
Punch (p. 184).
$8.95 123130

I like this better, the Tangerine Tango isn't so overwhelming

Then I tried adding a little Linen Thread to make it look like a sign or something

Which version do you like the best?  I would be interested to know.

OH!  By The Way... Stampin' Up! now is going to sell Google Eyes

Coming Soon in the Holiday Catalog available August 1st!!

(Just call this a 'preview')

The little bananas were made by punching 1" circles from Daffodil Delight card stock and coloring the ends and making the strip down the middle with a Chocolate Chip Marker.

I thought this card turned out so cute I would make some more.  The Designer Paper is retired so I thought I might as well use up the full 12x12 sheet.  This time I had help from...

Tyler!!  the Monkey Boy himself!!
He did a great job!

Thanks For Stopping By!

Have a Fun Day!!

Christi

Pin It Now!