When you want to send flowers...

...but can't see the point in spending a minimum of $50! The following card looks so complicated but isn't at all! I apologize for the awful pictures...I haven't quite gotten my 'photo area' re-set up after the last quicky clean-up for a party. See I do most of my crafting on the dining room table...and when holidays come around (way too often) I have to quick clean off the table so we can actually use it...you know for EATING!

Anyway, I procrastinated again...I know shock! So I was up until 4AM the day before my son's PreSchool graduation (when did 'graduations' from EVERYTHING become the norm). I had the 'gifts' for many, many months and just had to make a card...and I had this Flower Pot card in mind. I knew it would be perfect.

Now you may be asking...4AM...no way I'm NOT making that card...but really it wasn't the card. The cards came together quickly...very quickly...it was covering the boxes and DH distracting me. Not 'that' distracting...really we've been married 6 years and have two kids...no he put on "The Terminator" my favorite movie! If I had all the pieces prepped and ready it would've been perfect craft assembly material...however I procrastinated...so I had nothing. Which meant I sat like a lummox watching a movie I've seen 100 times and then FINALLY started crafting around midnight...isn't that how it always works?

So back to the cards...I found the tutorial here (thank you Stephanie). But being 'thrifty' aka cheap, I didn't want to cut into 12X12 cardstock for a mere 1/2 inch...so I cut my cards using 8.5 X 11 cardstock...and got three per sheet...YAY! Just in case you want to do the same...here are the scoring measurements I used.

Cut cardstock 3-1/2″ x 8 1/2″. Score in landscape position at 3 1/2″ and 7". Which leaves 1 1/2" left...which is the foldover...a little shorter but just fine!

Now the first thing you may ask "Is where DID she get that COOL cardstock!", I mean is it marbled, stamped that way...well I may be that good (I am)...but nope it is designer paper...you know you buy that stack (shut up we all have) and have all that leftover UGLY paper...well this is the 'ugly' paper...looks like terra cotta doesn't it! Remember my cheap comment well I use plain white cardstock and then cover with DSP...in this case DCWV STack 3 (yea I STILL have some of that). I cut a 3.5" square piece and a 1.5" X 3.5" strip.

I was very tired so while I think if I make these again...I would add some 'fun' on the front...these were perfect for a 1AM effort! I also per Dawn Griffith (follow this link for a GREAT video), closed them with glue instead of ribbon...but note I ONLY glued the top bit and left the bottom unglued to make it easier to get the card in and out...this way you can be 'less' than perfect with glue and not have a wonderful pot with no way to get those flowers in!!

I used the Sizzix Flowers Layers #3 to make the flowers...they are one layer (really I would do more layers next time...) with a Sizzix Sizlets Button center. Best part, I used up some scraps to make these...awesome! I would love to try a 5 layer flower set! Inside of the card I wrote (didn't have time to layout on printer...remember 2AM now!!!)..."Thanks for helping me Grow!" and made DS and DD write their name. So all in all...it took me about 1.5 hours to make 6.

So why was I up until 4AM...well....
Take a look at these deceptively simple 'altered' boxes...OMG they were a complete time sink! I swear it would've taken LESS time to make the stinkin' boxes and re-package the pre-bought jewelry...sigh.

But I liked that final outcome. And I am finally getting smart...I packaged the cards in a Clear Envelope from Clearbags.com...so I got oohs and ahhs...from the other mothers AND the teachers! Hey I need that kind of recognition...afterall I was so mentally deficient I lost my keys in the church and drank my coffee (that DH went and got for me...Luv U honey) without sugar...I was half done before I noticed!


Supplies:

• Cardstock: White (Walmart); DCWV Spring Stack and Stack III;
• Tools: Fiskars Threading Water; Sizzix Flower Layers #3 and Sizzlits Buttons Round
  

Don't stop now...here are some really cool alterations I REALLY liked...because NO ONE should ever throw THIS card away!

Flower Pot Album from SCS JeanFB
Flower Pot with Stand from SCS kraftyaunt or mtgchic

Little Guy BD...

We had a BD to goto this weekend...a "NO GIFTS" party, but well I ignored that...sorry but that is the Italian in me...MUST bring something. They call it "Una Pensiera"...the little thought...I always found it amusing that the concept of bringing a thoughtful gift was in the feminine.

So I bought a simple Romper and then decided it looked like NOTHING in the typical gift bag scenario. So I decided, what the heck...I have to make a card and why not a box to match!

The initial idea was to match the box with the coloring on the outfit...but well I got the box finished and realized outfit choice #1 didn't fit...so I went to alternate outfit...which fit beautifully!
The box was made out of an 8.5" square of red cardstock...scored at 2" on all sides. It finished at a lovely 4.5" square box. The top was a little more involved but WELL worth it! I used a white cardstock square cut to 6 5/8" and scored 1" all around...the original instructions called for 6 3/4" square but that made a badly fitting lid and looked weird! So there we have it...this lid fit perfectly and after I punched it with my Fiskars Threading Water border punch...it looked all Fancy Smancy.

I decorated the top with believe it or not turquoise construction paper I got in a HUGE pack from Costco...this is the most beautiful color I wish I could find it in cardstock! The scrap of patterned paper was from the DCWV Stack 6 (I am SOO pathetic I actually bought two of these...I mean I liked...but really I didn't need two).

I ran the Paper through my Swiss Dots Folder which gave it some much needed texture so the stamped sentiment from The Angel Company "Tag Tidbits" stood up a bit. Looking at this picture I really wished I had put it on dimensionals AND not stamped Happy Birthday so that box could be reused.
The card is a 4.25" square that fits in the top of the box on top of the gift...see no need for a envelope! I mixed and matched quite a few things...my stamp table is a mess so pretty much EVERYTHING I own is within reach...sometimes that is a good thing.

I stamped the birthday sentiment at the very bottom using a dirty Angel Company "One liners" so that Palette Reflection Blue is a little muddied...but is actually works. I used a random alphabet (I think it was part of a Costco stamping kit) and Palette Reflection Blue to stamp the BD boys name then filled in the blank space with a flourish from the PTI Simply Stationery Set. Another larger flourish from the left hand corner is from The Angel Company's Curls and Swirls Set. Finally the sentiment is set on another strip of designer paper with a scrap of that Turquoise Construction paper, Swiss Dotted!

Another strip of 3/4" by 4" paper was used to decorate the inside with the sentiment stamped in the middle.

Box Supplies:

• Stamps: TAC Tag Tidbits, Circle Sampler
• Ink: Pallette Noir, Reflection Blue
• Cardstock: White (Walmart); Paper Company Primary Red; DCWV Stack 6; Costco Construction Paper Pack Turquoise
• Tools: Fiskars Threading Water Border Punch; Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Card Supplies:

• Stamps: TAC Tag Tidbits, One Liners; Curlz and Swirls; PTI Simpley Stationery; Random Alphabet
  Ink: Pallette Noir, Reflection Blue
  Cardstock: White (Walmart); Paper Company Primary Red; DCWV Stack 6; Costco Construction Paper Pack Turquoise
  Tools: Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Simple and Clean

We've been very lucky this year and have already visited Florida, Myrtle Beach and are taking off for Massachusetts next month. Very lucky to travel, but well not so good for crafting. The good news is that between making thoughtful thank you notes for friends (for taking care of things here) and the fact that we have had several nice sunny days...I've actually been crafting again.

I seriously apologize for the pink backgrounds...my 'white' set-up was cannibalized to make cards...LOL. So I just grabbed the first plain piece of something to take photos of before I gave out the gifts!

I've been seriously stuck in no-mojo land, but when I saw these simple and creative creations by Nicole Heady I had an idea for a set of cards to gift. To me these colors are so FALL...but well when you come back from Florida and the sun and sunshine...to everything gray and bleak...it really felt like fall here.

This is the set of four cards...green and yellow...packaged in one of those trusty clear boxes...if you haven't found out about clearbags.com...YOU need to go there!

I tried to make them simple...and they might even be too simple. The base is a 4.25X4.25 white cardstock card and the earthy green layer is a cuttlebugged with Textile. I think this is my #1 CB folder...it works for any style. I then used my MM handheld Notch punch (I don't have a SU! slit punch) and frankly I probably prefer this because I can put my slot ANYWHERE I want it! And finished off my little semi circle area with Offray Iridescent White ribbon and a Lavender button from Oriental Trading Company (I got a button pack a long while ago...first time I'm using it...so cathartic).

The sentiment is a TAC sentiment "One Liners" and is finished off with a Black Brad.

This card is pretty much the same as the green card except I used a black button...and a different sentiment from the same TAC set. I think they fit very well with the size of this card! I included a set of 4 in each plastic case...mostly because with the buttons that is all that would fit!

My initial idea was to make two of each color until I realized that they wouldn't fit and well purple was my friend Shelby's favorite color and I wasn't even making a set for her...but she was SOO in my thoughts that day I just started designing for her. Hmm...she reads my blog I better go gather up the extras and make her 'her set' now...LOL.

So I realized that the green/yellow sets were probably the preferred colors for the people that I needed to thank!

But I needed a BD card that coordinated with the Princess Coloring Book I made here. So I used my pre-cute purple supplies and cuttlebugged it with the Swiss Dots folder (#2 Folder for me!) and a lavender button and purple scrappers floss! And viola...quick and easy BD card. The sentiment is a mix...the "Happy B-day!" is from TAC Tag Tidbits and the Princess is from...my Target Princess Stamp Set.

Oh yeah...I just want to make one observation...when I first started stamping I bought a bunch of the thinner Paper Company Cardstock before 'gasp' I knew better! It is WAY too thin to use as a card base although I'm sure people do...BUT it is REALLY awesome to cuttlebug and/or layer because it doesn't add a lot of weight. It can be a bit of a challenge to coordinate the colors sometimes but well that is part of the fun for me...

Card Supplies:

• Stamps: TAC Tag Tidbits; TAC One Liners; Target Disney Princess
• Ink: Palette Noir
• Cardstock: White (Walmart); Paper Company Vintage Green and Yellow, Primary Purple
• Accessories: Offray White Irradescent Ribbon; Oriental Trading Company Box of Buttons Neutral and Bright; TAC Scrappers Floss - Beige; TAC Scrappers Floss - Dark Purple
• Tools: MM Punch Kit; Cuttlebug Embossing Folders Textile and Swiss Dots

Krazy for Kaleidacolor Kards

I have a few Birthdays coming up, so I made some colorful cards (during my scrapbooking marathon). I have wanted to use the Kaleidacolor Pad with this stamp since it came out in the Angel Company Catalog. I do however have to mention this stamp is called Partridge...whatever...it looks like a peacock so that is what I consider it!

Finally I earned this hostess set and was so excited to finally put ink to stamp! This card has alot of wow factor but not too much work. I used the Spectrum Kaleidacolor Pad and one stamp...easy peasy. I then did the same thing with the sentiment from the TAC Swirly Sayings.

One little Kaleidacolor tip...when inking the stamp, move it slightly side to side to completely ink it otherwise you get edges and sometimes white space between each color. Yes it muddies your pad a bit but well all in the name of art.

The card bases are this gorgeous 110lb cardstock that I scored when my local paper store went out of business. I got a REAM of cardstock for $15 A REAM...Yes I was doing the happy dance that day.

Didn't have lemons...

...to make into lemonade, but I had paper scraps from my prior project and the flower is born!

I haven't had alot of time to talk about what I've been making...but I do want to share it! Check out my other projects to see the materials as recently I've been using up one sheet at a time!




I didn't put sentiments on these cards because I'm not sure what I will use them for...so I decided to wait.

Origami Flowers Oh My

I decided to play around with some paper folding this weekend. I saw some really cute flowers made out of folded circles so decided I would give it a go...I got a going and just couldn't stop. These flowers are just SO much fun to make!

The first project was a card...using the folded flowers. I took the blue cardstock and sponged around the edges using Palette Starry Night ink, then I took a scrap of green cardstock and cut down the 1/2" strip to make grass (I wish our lawn looked this good). The flower was actually pretty easy to make, but of course folding all the little circles was time consuming and then I decided I didn't like the white edges against the pink polka dot paper...so I sponged Palette Belle Rose on each exposed edge to add depth. The pink polka dot paper is from DCWV Stack 5. Then came the fun assembly...I gathered 3 petals and glued them together using a third green petal (made out of a slightly smaller plain circle). I then glued the whole shebang onto the blue cardstock and handstamped "Happy Mother's Day" with Palette Noir ink using my trusty TAC Trendy Greetings. Then I made another one!



Now I couldn't stop right there...I needed a pretty gift to GIVE along with my card. So I whipped up some nuggets in DCWV grass paper and the same polka dot paper. The belly band was made out of the same pastel blue but the flower was made using smaller plain (cuz I don't have a smaller scallop circle punch) to fit on the belly band.

Now all I need to do is gather up all the scraps and make a paper bracelet, earrings or a necklace! Yay!

Cupid Poop

I decided to do a Cupid version of the Poop Card...I think it came out really well. the Cupid Stamp was a Target $ Spot stamp...and was graciously given to me by one of the ladies at the All Night Scrap! How kind was that! So of course a couple of these cards NEED to go to her.

I had planned to give her a card or two there...brought my Cuttlebug to emboss the paper and everything...but didn't realize that the lady that brought the Sizzix...didn't have a converter on it. Totally missed that...oh well...it is still in plenty of time for Valentine's Day!

Now about the card itself...the sentiment on the front is a custom stamp...that was ordered on-line at The Angel Company. Inside I printed "Cupid Poop" onto cardstock...and put these adorable heart shaped mint candies inside of a little cello bag. Don't they look perfect against the embossed heart background!

Funny that I actually regretted purchasing this particular CB folder...wasn't sure it was worth it...but then of course I fell in love with it!

Fab Collab Friendship Pack - Part two

The second card in the Friendship Fab Collab Pack was made by Mrs Dragon? What Dragon's you say...all I see are flowers. Well aside from this very unique and distinctive flower card she also makes hand illustrated dragons.

This card is very simple, a handcut and layered flower with a sewn button center. I love the stamped definition of Friendship under the flower...just wonderful. Below I have a close-up of the flower so you can see the beauty in slight imperfection!

Fab Collab Friendyship Pack

EtsyGreetings is a dynamic group of handmade card makers...visit the blog for inspiration!! Each day a new greeting card maker is featured! So many styles and types to choose from.

As part of a promotion, we did a card swap and plan to offer this fabulous collaboration in our stores! A neat way of giving a shopper a very nice selection of styles.

This card made by Chromatica is a gorgeous 5X7 cream card covered with pink and green designer paper...and an amazing punched design in the center all backed by different color bits of paper to create the multi-color design. Friendship is handstamped in red. This card reminds my of the Pennsylvania Dutch style!

I'm going on a Mission...

For anyone that has a preschool toddler they know the rest of this song...by heart! For those of you who don't...it is the Little Einsteins theme song. My son is an absolute LE fan...and wanted that as his BD them this year...however, Disney hasn't really released any 'theme' items. So off I went searching and I came up with this card...isn't it awesome!!!

I have no idea what you call it...Pull-It Pop-up? Well, you pull the sides and the inside pops out of the top...it is TOTALLY amazing! I mean I had to make a couple extra because once I showed it to my son...he NEEDED one...and I have two kids so she NEEDED one too. You know how that goes...when they are this age...that NEED is like the end of the world.

As for the actual stamping, I used VersaMark and the TAC Harlequin to make the subtle triangle background on the outside. The main sentiment "You're invited" is a G Company $1 stamp from Michaels...can you believe that.

I am starting to like the clear stamps now that I know how to use them. They take a much lighter hand and it REALLY helps to use a rubber eraser when they are new to take off the oily residue so that the ink sticks to them. The bicycle is TAC Birthday Blessings colored in with Watercolor pencils (didn't bother to blend). I basically used either Palette L'Amor Red or Prussian Blue here...to distress and to stamp the sentiment.

I just can't tell you how much I LOVE the concept of this card...definitely a lot of wow factor for the time put in! I also think it makes the most wonderful invitations for the preschool set...if my kids (4 and 2) are an example, they spent a couple of hours playing with this card...well until my son took it apart to see how it worked (I'm pretty sure he is going to be an engineer).

Thanks so much for looking!
Lisa.

Fair Awards...I won...in more ways than one

I finally have had it out with my camera and it has relinquished my pictures!!! Now the scanner is giving me trouble...bright shocking green comes out pastel and cream cardstock a weird sort of gray...but that is neither here nor there. Here are the results from my fair entries...my first ever.

I picked up my items from the fairgounds!

Blue Flower Card...1st place in the Rubber Stamped Card division

Blue Snowflake Box...2nd place in Rubber Stamped 3D (okay the item that won this...and Grand Champ of the division...was a multi-layered stamped and embossed poinsettia...four of them mounted on a board to represent the seasons...so I was very proud of my 2nd).

Black flower Card...5th place in Cards non-rubber stamped. I was surprised by this...several people gasped when they saw it while I was waiting on-line...but then again this particular category was packed with entries. Perhaps because it was ATC size it had less impact.

Magnolia Paper Jewelry...5th place...again a packed category and while my jewelry is fun and trendy it really can't compete with fine jewelry and metalwork! So I was happy to place in the ribbons at all.

Bloomin' Babies!!!

I saw this card posted today on SCS by kimr and I just had to try it...well CASE it blatantly. This has got to be the CUTEST little card ever. The only decision I still need to make is whether I put a little sentiment inside or not.

Details, details...I used my Cuttlebug Bloom Dots again, which to me just SCREAMS Babies and Easter...can't wait to do one with a little bunny on the bib. I used my Super Jumbo Scallop Circle that I just got in the mail from PaperTrey...love them, they have all the scallop punches AND offer free shipping on them...what more could you want! I stamped this little flower from the TAC For All Seasons Set, a truly must have set...and very versatile. I've used it all week and haven't gotten a card that even looks similar! It has a little stamp (which all perfectly fit inside a 1" circle) for pretty much any occasion all year, even the start of school (an apple). So after I stamped my flower and watercolored it, I punched the bib then used my circle punch to make the neckline...finally I embellished with a little pink bow. And most importantly here is a link to the template!!!

The lace peeking out of the sleeves is just white cardstock scraps punched with the scallop punch again. The onesie snaps are made using MM pastel green mini brads. What else can be said about this card...other than it is freakin' adorable!!! The inside I just traced the pattern onto white cardstock again and cut inside the lines.

Hope you enjoyed this!

Lisa.

I'm stuck in Valentine mode...

I'm supposed to be working on some Christmas, Halloween and Thanksgiving creations...ie Fall, but I'm not willing to give up on summer yet. I've also been in an incredibly mushy mood...so I'm still making my husband little cards. This latest card was inspired by my husband being really great this week. I got a MAJOR sinus migraine and was flat on the couch...the cleaning lady was coming. She hasn't been here in like 4-5 weeks, which means I don't exactly have the house up to "her standards"...sad but true...I clean for my cleaning lady. And boy does she make my house look great!

Anyway...my husband did everything, including a load of sheets...and picked up everything that needed sorting and gave it to me on the couch...where I sorted.

So this card was inspired by him...well and the fact that I wanted to try out a bunch of 3X3 cards...using the TAC For All Seasons set. Well then my friend Gwen at StampwithGwen uploaded this super simple template on how to make 3X3 envelopes. So LOTS of inspiration here!



Using Gwen's template, I fashioned the envelope in about 5 seconds flat. Gwen is amazing in that she can take complicated things...and make them soo, soo simple. She has just started blogging and let me tell you her blog is definitely worth a peruse...her stuff is REALLy good. So the envelope...all you need to do is cut a 3 1/4" cardstock square place it in the center of the 5" square paper...score, cut notches and viola! 3x3 envelope!!! I used a sheet of my DCWV Spring Stack...it is fall and I'm finally starting to use my Spring stack...I have some serious paper issues.



Now for the card...I used Heritage red paper and my Textile Cuttlebug Embossing folder to make it more interesting (hey I was playing)...I just love the embossing...makes any paper look good. I punched a scallop square and stamped with Palette Noir the heart image. I used the "love" sentiment from the Be Authentic LE version...this smaller version is AWESOME! I am so glad I was lucky enough to get one (Gwen got it for me). I used the larger version all the time...so I know this one will be on the top of the heap as well.

Anyway, thanks for reading and happy crafting!

Big Apology

I am soo sorry...my camera had a little breakdown and the pictures I took of the final product all assembled were terrible. And it is on its way to Italy to be a gift...sigh. I do plan to make a couple more of these...they are addictive so at some point I WILL have a picture of the actual 'Star' part...but on a positive note...I entered a few of my things in the county fair. I know County Fair...sounds kind of hokey...but I have been volunteering at this fair for over 12 years...mostly in the 4-H Horse Department...I run the horse show and pre-kids, did Performance Levels (tests) and whatever else needed doing. Now I've relaxed into a nice middle...I organize the Horse Show entries, record the results on the day and grade their written tests...yes we have the only Horse Show that has a written exam...ha, ha.

As for the rest of the fair I have ALWAYS wanted to enter something...but I would plan too late, completely forget to go down there on the entry days (some days I've even been there...but forgot my stuff). So this year I was absolutely determined!!! My son was at my parents for the week "on vacation"...see dear Sweet Bella Rose is now two and a holy terror. He needs to get away...sometimes I wish I could go with him. Ha, Ha, Ha. Anyway Bella and I headed down and stood on line, filled out the paperwork and waved the entries goodbye...at least until Sunday when I could go check and see what I won!!

...and I won a 1st and 2nd place!!! I also won two 5ths in very crowded categories...now being competitive I was a little disappointed, but in reality I did very well considering the competition and that it was my FIRST time.

So which do you think was 1st...2nd?

Magnolia Jewelry
Monochromatic Blue Flower Card

Black and White Flowers Card

2-5-7-10 Christmas Box

Details about this project coming up!

Babies, Babies, Babies!!!

Well I've been DYING to share this card with everyone...I am really proud of it. As always, my best work comes out when I make a card with someone in mind. This card is for my very good friend, that was having twins...but they found out it is actually only one...a really, really strong one! So great news for her and her family. I'm telling you...makes me want another one.

But onto the card...it is a compilation of a few designs...Beate's card on SCS a few weeks ago and my friend Gwen's Anniversary Card from a stamp camp many moons ago...well at least the diagonal concept! I really heart my cuttlebug and got this embossing folder Bloom Dots...which reminds me of Easter and all things Spring. The embossed panels were accented with Brilliance Moonlight White and cut on an angle.

This Baby set Special Delivery ($11.95 for 10 images) from TAC is adorable...every image is cute! I watercolored the babies using a Dove Blender and my AquaColor Crayons (I have the 48 ct. set...otherwise you don't have enough colors...and with TAC you can get it 1/2 price with $100 purchase...and no I don't sell TAC, I just REALLY love the company and affordability of the stamps). Watercoloring is still a challenge for me...but I'm getting better at it. Leaving white space is the key! I used the Creative Memories Circle Maker (which exactly fits the images)...stamp and color then flip and punch.

I used the slot punch to make holes for the ribbon and taped the back to stabilize things before gluing down.

Supplies:
White Cardstock
Special Delivery Stamp Set
Palette Noir
AquaColor Crayons
Dove Blender
Cuttlebug Blooms and Dots A2 Embossing Folder

Birthday's Birthdays Everywhere

I've had several birthdays recently...and I ACTUALLY sent out the cards...so impressed with myself! Here are a few rushed BD cards...they were bright and fun. I was just playing with some paper...not sure if I like these results or not...but thought I would post them as I haven't really been stamping lately.

Can you tell I totally *heart* my cuttlebug embossing folders? I can't seem to stop using them. I used the Happy Birthday Embossing folder, some patterned paper from DCWV Stack 3...my Giga scallop punch...Love my punch! And a TAC GWP Happy Birthday stamp. Pretty simple, but I think they look okay.

Some upcoming things are, a Card Holder that SANDY1955 from SCS was kind enough to share the instructions to. And the absolutely cutest Baby Card for my friend that is having a baby...and I can't post it until she gets it! So some good stuff coming up!

A very sad day for me....

a good family friend from my childhood died. Now he was 80 and lived life to the fullest so although I'm sad...I know he is happy. How can I explain Galba...he was a dreamer that pulled you into his dreams...even the biggest cynic couldn't help but see the dream. He was a friend of my dads...his family lived in NYState and worked in NJ where I grew up. We very occasionally saw each other...once a year the Easter Dinner at Germana's an Italian Restaurant in NY State...yes every year we all (the NJ Italians) would travel 2 hours to Upstate NY to eat a wonderful Pasqua dinner at Germana's. In between courses was dancing to a band with an accordion...us kids would run wild outside feeding grass to the chickens, climbing trees and playing ping pong. It was where I learned to waltz...myself and my 'NYState friend' Michelle would practice in the ladies room, so we could get it right before going outside and trying it out in 'public'. Where does Galba and his family fit into all this? Well Ricky his son played the accordion in the band...and Galba owned a farm a few miles away...as a complete farm/animal nut I would occasionally have the opportunity to hang out with the Manganini's. It was heaven...they had pigs, grapes, chickens and a horse. Their daughter, Marlene used to let me sit on her horse...and Ricky patiently let me help out with all the chores...I loved it. They even had hunting dogs, a German Shorthaired pointer...Max and Toby an springer spaniel...that would fetch rocks for hours...okay until Galba would tell me not to throw rocks because it would chip their teeth...oops! What did I know...I grew-up 30 minutes outside NYC!!!

Galba was my buddy...we would walk, go to the pond...and he would always snooze in the afternoon...begging me to massage his tired shoulders (cuz he worked so hard)! Wherever he was, it was fun. When Germana's closed down, he built an addition onto his garage/workshop and began serving meals on his farm...afterall, how hard could it be. He already made wine, all his own salami, proscuitto and capricolla (handy when you raise pigs) Everyone thought he was crazy...but he built the classiest place...a European showpiece, with GREAT homemade food...and I mean they make the pasta that gets formed into the tortellini, and the broth and well everything...alot of work but an amazing dinner...the best one outside of Italy. He got his brother a famous painter to paint some murals in the dining area...even a nude...which horrified a few people, but Galba stuck to his guns (and it is beautiful). He hand cut the wood for the balcony to resemble the Tyrol Houses from Italy as well as a gorgeous wood bar...no detail was missed.

It is so sad to see him pass, but at least I am lucky, I get to visit Magnanini Winery, drink the wines Galba envisioned (but his son worked hard to bring to life) and see his ghost around the dining hall in all those touches that were just him! If you are ever in NYState...you should definitely make a trip...and eat the food.

Magnanin Winery
Walkill, NY


And now finally for the card...not sure which one I'll send...I truly hate making sympathy cards and unfortunately it shows.

Which do you like the better?

The Brown Roses Card or The Black Roses Card

Baby Boom!!!

Okay it seems like today I found out everyone is having babies...except me. Don't worry I'm not even trying, but somehow when I see or hear about a precious little one...I want another! But as my husband says...the two we have are enough...and one more means we are outnumbered ;-). He does have a really good point. I see all these women with 5-6 kids and wonder how the heck they do it!! I mean my kids are awesome...but they are very, very active! My son can hike for 3 hours without blinking (he's 3) and my daughter...well Bella doesn't hike...but I have yet to see her walk anywhere...she is always at a constant jog...for hours. The only thing that saves her is the fact that she is a GOOD sleeper...by the time it is bedtime at night...I'm about done. I don't know how I would handle it if she kept waking up, or was a pain about going down...but not her...you put her in the crib and don't hear from her until the next morning...she has been this way since about 4 weeks old. I know I'm lucky...but then again she keeps me on my toes all day.

So my friend just had a precious baby girl! My other friend had a successful IVF and is pregnant with twins...so happy for her. And my final friend is having a baby girl in October! So in honor of all these babies...and yes they all happened yesterday...I made a few baby cards. I've actually had them cut out for awhile, but finally assembled them last night. I made both a pink and a blue, because I'm sure someone is going to call me up soon and let me know they are having a boy!!

Pink Giraffe Card:

Guess how I made the cute little design on the main image...a circle punch. I used the punch to clip off just a little bit...note it is easiest to do the white sheet, then glue down then do the mat sheet.

Stamps: Wild Animals LE; TAC All Occasions
Paper: PC Pastel Pink
Ink: Palette Belle Rose
Accessories: Cuttlebug Divine Swirls; circle punch

Blue Giraffe Card:

Stamps: Wild Animals LE; TAC All Occasions
Paper: PC Pastel Blue
Ink: Palette Starry Night
Accessories: Cuttlebug Divine Swirls; circle punch

Little Love Notes

Well I've been bitten by the ATC bug...I really liked the 3X3s but these are even MORE fun!

My husband has been working a lot lately and traveling...so I've been missing...and not JUST for evening kid duty ;-)

I plan to sneak them into his briefcase or lunch...and funny part he NEVER reads this blog so I don't even have to worry about spoiling the surprise!

So the Red Roses Love You was made with DCWV Stack 3 Rose paper and the sentiment is PaperTrey Faux Ribbon. I tried to do the paper piercing...but it moved and my line was crooked, well taking a creative opportunity I decided to unearth my Majestic Scissors...and cut around it.

The Tri-Color friend was inspired by a card on SCS...I had this SU! stamp that was solid...so decided to use my Kaleidacolor Caribbean Sea stamp pad...I LOVE these spectrum pads...so bright and fun. I used the Friend circle stamp as well...which looks like I hand colored each circle...but no it was just the ink pad! The paper is from my trusty DCWV Stack 3...boy do I use it alot (okay it is on top...and I'm trying to be less of a paper hoarder). The sentiment "miss you" is from TAC and came in a grab bag so I have NO idea what set it is from...it is stamped in Palette Noir.

Love Letters

As you know my husband has been working a lot lately...he has gone to NYC twice this week for meetings. So the following cards were inspired by thinking about him. I think I am going to make a few ATC size and start hiding them in his stuff. I started with the Anniversary Card using my NEW Scallop Circle...so excited I finally have one. I ordered the scallop punches and the "love you forever" acrylic stamps from PaperTrey....they even offered free shipping! These cards are pretty simple...the red rose paper is the one from DCWV Stack 3, white and black cardstock is from TAC. The Happy Anniversary stamp is stamped in Palette Noir and is from the TAC Trendy Greetings set.

The new thing I need to emphasize is the paper punching...now I know there are a TON of templates around and what not, but frankly I'm cheap...I didn't want to spend money on something I may or may not use. I also tend to like the geometric accents (ie all straight line grid type things).

So what did I use you ask...Plastic Canvas...you know the stuff that people use to make tacky yarn tissue boxes and those cute ornaments that you squeeze and out pops the candy? Best party...you can cut it to whatever size/shape you need and a huge sheet is like $0.99.