Sweet Saturday

When Dale and I do craft sales we have found that wearing an apron is super handy for keeping the money at hand as well as our phone, etc. I was wearing a full apron that my friend Becky made for me a few years back, but the "full" part was kind of in the way.  Besides, that one doubles as a 'working around the kitchen' apron and was getting rather "used" looking.  Dale was wearing his trusty Gemmen's hardware tool pouch but was wishing for something with his business name on it. Friend Jackie to the rescue! She has an embroidery type machine just like Becky and I asked if she would be willing to make us some apron pouches.  "You bet!" She even went shopping with me for the pattern and fabric.  She sure didn't waste any time either.  We absolutely love them.

She was so sweet, that when she delivered them to us she had a large candy bar in the pocket all dolled up with hearts and ribbon.  By the time I got to taking the picture that night, Dale had already devoured half of his candy bar!  I'm saving mine for a very special treat some day.

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Thank You From The Bottom of My Heart

These cards were special orders for my friend who is in medical training and she wanted so special cards for the gals in her class who have been instrumental in helping her as well as the teachers who are a great encouragement to her.  My Digital Studio and Google Search to the rescue!!

She was thrilled! and I was glad to have a chance to play with My Digital Studio again.
Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Zoo Review

Today is the first birthday of a special little guy.  Caden is the baby to one of our missionary families at church, and our small fellowship "life group" have adopted them as "our" missionary family.  I see to it that they each get birthday cards so it was fun to make a special card for Caden's first birthday.  I was inspired by Melissa Davies but changed it up from a baby shower card to a first birthday card. Of course having a cute baby elephant from the ZOO BABIES stamp set sure made it EXTRA cute!

Here are the supplies that I used for this card

Pistachio Pudding 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$6.95

Pistachio Pudding Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

$8.50

Zoo Babies Wood Stamp Set

$27.95

Zoo Babies Clear Stamp Set

$19.95

Marina Mist Classic Stampin' Pad

$5.95

Word Bubbles Framelits Die

$24.95

Itty Bitty Accents Punch Pack

$16.95

Stampin' Dimensionals

$3.95

Stamping Sponges

$3.50

Tuxedo Black Memento Ink Pad

$5.95

Fringe Scissors

$9.95

Table by StampinBuddy. Try it FREE.

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Happy Retirement

This is another one of the cards that we made this month at Card Club.  My theme for the night was to take ideas straight from the catalog so the gals will realize what a great resource that the Stampin' Up! Catalogs are.  This card can be found on page 42 of the Occasions Catalog.  I changed it up by NOT adding the & using the Alphanumeric Mold and Simply Pressed Clay (found on page 32) and keeping it a bit more simple

 The card was sitting on my workstation when my cousin popped in to ask if I could make her a retirement card and she loved how pretty it was and that it would be perfect for the gal she was gifting.  Since I do not have a Retirement stamp that would fit I used my computer and WORD to print out the words then I added a couple flowers using the same stamp and some markers to ink up only the area I wanted.

She also needed a retirement card for her pastor who was retiring (husband and wife are getting these cards) she mentioned that he loved tools so I used one from a Punch Art class.  Changed up the words from a Thank You to a Retirement.  I used some brads that looked like screws that I found at the local hobby store.  I sure hope they like them.

Want to know what I used on card number 1?  Here you go 

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Here are the supplies I used to make the Punch Art Card

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Painted Petals

This is a card that we made at this months card club.  It is taken directly from the Occasions Catalog on page 18.  One of my stamping gals asked me if I knew how this pretty card was made and I tried to figure it out, I ended up calling Stampin' Up! and they were so very gracious to search out the gal who made that card for the catalog and helped us to put it together.  so go ahead - use your Stampin' Up! catalog for a great reference of ideas in your card making!!

A WOW card that is super simple
Here are the supplies that I used to make this card

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi

Pin It Now!

My Cup of Tea

I saw this cute bookmark on Stampin' Connection and since we had made this tea pot at one of our Punch Art Classes it was easy to recreate the teapot on this book mark.  One of the gals that comes to my classes is a Romance Novelist so I changed up the words to read "Romance is my cup of tea".

the original demonstrator that I got the tea pot punch art from is Ellen Kempkers.
I love finding things that delight and surprise my friends.
Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Sentimental Sunday

Gracie and Gramma spent some time making her Valentine's cards for the kids at school.  I have been doing this with Tyler and Gracie right from the start.  I may have missed a few years in the beginning but I know Julie is thankful that I enjoy doing this with them and I appreciate the special bonding time I have with them.  Tyler is too old to bring Valentines to school, but at least I have Gracie for a couple more years.  Tyler actually asked for one of Gramma's Valentine cards to give to his 'girl'! I felt extremely honored.
This years Valentines were found as a download on Pinterest.

First we had to "stamp" little monster blotches using a large Pom Pom and Acrylic Paint.  Gracie chose a bright pink for the girls, and a blue for the boys.

The next time Gracie came she added legs, arms, a mouth and Googly Eyes plus the To & From names.  I was impressed how she stuck with it.  She even did all the cutting.  They truly were made only by her,

and I think she was happy with the out come...  The Valentine says "I only have EYES for you!"  She loved it that some of the googly eyes had eyelashes.

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Sweet Saturday

This is a cake that I made for a 10 year old birthday boy!  The family is one of my former families from my Child Care days, but Kevin was never in my care because his mom decided to go into the Child Care business herself.  It was nice having someone to bounce things off when we were up for inspection or when we needed to take first-aid or CPR classes.  I was thankful to be able to make this cake for Kevin's 10th birthday!

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

From the Herd

This week was Card Club Week!  We meet the third Monday of each month and I am extremely thankful for the ladies that have committed to come to this class each month.  One of the sweet gals in Card Club has been EXTREMELY sick and has had to bow out of the class.  Normally I would not allow this, but this is an unavoidable situation so I agreed to place an order on her behalf so my hostess does not miss out.  I made up this card using the FROM THE HERD stamp set so all the ladies could sign it when they came and I would mail it out to her.  I used a layout from Diana Gibbs and the color combo from France Martin and came up with this one...

I think this animals are so darn cute, don't you!
Hope this card brightened her day!
Here are the products that I used on this card

Built for Free Using: My Stampin Blog

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi

Pin It Now!

Construction has begun

My hubby promised me that when we got home from Florida he would start the construction in my craft room for the storage area under the stairway.  I thought I had a picture of the huge cluttery mess I had under there just waiting for this day - BUT - you know me, I forgot to double check, therefore no BEFORE picture to compare it to.  This is the space that is under construction

The box you see contains the drawer glides for the cabinets that Dale is building.  This space is pretty deep - 40" to be exact.  You will see how we utilize every inch the best way possible as we progress in the construction.  This will be no quick project because my hubby has a full time job at the church as well as his thriving Soap, Candle, Lotions and more business on the side.  I will need to be extremely patient.  Did I ever tell you how talented this man is?! Well, now you know!!
all the items on this table and the metal rack were all tucked under the stairway, plus I have a BIG pile hidden in his tool room, but you DON'T want to see the mess in there.

I shifted my work station a little bit to make room for construction.  You may remember it from a post way back when Dale made it for me.  Oh, yes he did!! We designed it after a kitchen island, but it is much bigger.  (6' 4" x 2' 9").  It is actually clean, believe it or not! Normally it is stacked with projects in the making, but we hosted a dinner down here for our prayer group from church (13 people), and I had to make a good impression.

The sides were designed just deep enough to hold my 31 File Totes.  This is how we came up with the width of the workstation.

It has shelves like this on both sides.  You can see my little mover cushions under the corners because this puppy is HEA - VY!!
Day one and the cabinet is in the making

Only one bump to his forehead when one of the boards fell against him.  (no stitches but a couple pretty good gashes), seems like we can't have construction without an injury.
Well, check back each week to see the progress he makes.  When he is all done (yea, there is one more project after this one) I will do a video so you can see it all.
Thanks for stopping by!
Christi

Pin It Now!

Up!

This is a card (inspired by LeeAnn Greff) that I made as a thank you for the lovely couple that we rented the double wide mobile home from when we went to Florida.  We became fast friends, and now we look forward to them coming home from Florida so we can spend more time with them. They were very gracious hosts and it made our time in Florida extra special.

I think this idea reminds me of the cute movie UP! but it also made me think about our home away from home and that is why I chose this one to send to them.  I used the stamp set HOLIDAY HOME (from the Holiday Catalog last fall) and the "thank you" is from LOTUS BLOSSOM, (the set you can get for FREE with a $50 purchase during Sale a bration).  Want to know how to make to little ends on the balloons?  Those are the feet from the OWL BUILDER PUNCH! SWEET!

Thanks for stopping by!

Christi

Pin It Now!

Donations Please

Last Friday night our youth group put on their annual EVENING OF AMORE`.  This is a fund raiser night for the teens to earn money to support their summer mission trips.  I love to see how the church enjoys supporting them in this way and it is such a fun evening out.  They ask for donations big and small, so I usually donate a variety of cards.  This year I made several boxes of cards using the Lotus Blossom Stamp Set.  Did you remember that you can get this stamp set FREE with your $50 purchase during the Sale a bration period?  Click HERE to start shopping.  Sale a bration ends March 31st, so don't wait - there are a LOT of great products that you can get for FREE.

I was inspired by Brenda Quintana and her tutorial on the box dimensions.  It worked out perfectly.

Another 2 boxes held these cards using the Painted Blooms Designer Paper

Dale donated 3 gift baskets of soaps, lotions and candles.  I can tell you these were a BIG hit.  I am so proud of him and his new found business.  Of course I forgot to take a picture of those - sorry about that! You can see more of his products HERE.

What a fun night! The kids did a skit which "roasted" the Office Staff at church.  They sure did capture the personalities of each staff  member - of course I got the biggest chuckle out of the one who played Dale.  Here he is with a mop (the kid is wearing Dale's coat, so when they asked for it he knew something was up)

 Here he is with a bar of Hawaiian soap - now Dale thinks he needs to come up with a Hawaiian theme soap line.

 They did a Hawaiian style "Hula with the Stars" skit - so cute! The lucky adult participants did NOT know that they were going to be called up on stage to dance.  This one is our Pastor Larry - so funny! Great attitude! He has become a wonderful friend to us.

 This is Tutu Hughes (Tutu means grandmother in Hawaiian) the mother to our Director of Student Ministries.  She and her hubby (and 2 sons) came from Seattle Washington to be with us that night!  She did all the cooking and I tell you what - it was fantastic!! Authentic Hawaiian food prepared by a Hawaiian!!  She was/is a professional hula dancer with years of experience.  She did a little teaching of the Hula that night and then closed out our night with a beautiful farewell hula dance just for us! We felt extremely honored.

 Beautiful - just beautiful!

 Thanks for stopping by!
Christi

Pin It Now!

Guest Stampers

Check out this beautiful card that one of my stampin' gals (Linda K) made for me for Valentine's Day!  Isn't it gorgeous!  A few of the gals went in together to add a NICE gift card to a local restaurant for Dale and I too!  THIS is why I do Stampin' Up!  It is because of all the wonderful ladies that I have met and continue to meet.  NOT for the gift cards!, but because when you do something you love and share that with others your own heart is blessed!

Thank you ladies - we will enjoy a special night out because of your generosity!
Here is another Valentine card I received from another one of my Stampin' Friends, Carla V, I just love this one too! Butterflies always make me think of Spring!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Christi Pin It Now!

Sentimental Sunday

Last Sunday we were invited to join Jeff and Jessica at their church for Sawyer's Baby Dedication. We just love this little guy and we pray for him each day, dedicating him to the Lord, and dedicating ourselves to serve as leaders to this little guy that he might one day know Jesus as his Savior.  Sawyer was all eyes with Gramma standing next to him in church

 Left to right - Dale and I, Jess and Jeff with Sawyer, Pastor Kelly in the back, Jess's mom & dad, and Her grandparents.  Julie was in the pew to take the pictures!  Thanks Auntie Julie!

 Sawyer kept pulling off his socks while Pastor was talking - so cute

 Now he's got one in his mouth!

 After church we enjoyed a yummy lunch at Olive Garden. Mommy is smart to bring along a book to keep Sawyer occupied while we wait for our table.

 He is sitting up to the table in a booster chair now, but that didn't last long because he was getting very tired so mommy held him and he fell fast asleep while we ate. (of course I forgot to get a picture of that)  I remember the days when I spent my meals holding a little one!  Kind of miss those days!

Thanks for sharing in our special day!

Christi

Pin It Now!