TRIPLE EMBOSSED MASKED BACKGROUND

Well how about that for a Title!?!?  Okay, I have wanted to do a "double" embossed card for ages, but the technique just wasn't clicking in my head (no surprise there).  Finally, after my 3rd different video, it clicked in my head.  So yesterday for my RubberQueen meeting swap, I decided, "Hey, now that the light-bulb went off and I understand this technique, why not do a "triple-embossed" swap card.  The card was very simple, it took me a lot longer to figure out the correct depth I needed for my shims (I think all Big Shots have a different pressure when rolling your embossing folders through them).  So after taking about 2 hours making all kinds of shims (for different types of embossing folders), it took about 5 minutes to do the actual card.  You can see Sage Kimble's video HERE on how to do double-embossing.  Thank you so much Sage for your great video and making "double-embossing" understandable for even people with a burned out light bulb!!  Here is my card:


Yes, this card is very, very plain!!!  I knew that and tried to add a ribbon or some other embellishment, but every time I did, it took away from the focus of the card -- which was the embossed flower.  So just use your imagination on what it what look like with an embellishment.  For the triple embossing I used the Tulip, Oval Designer Frame, and Flower Garden Embossing Folders.  I also used the Masking Technique (for a frame around the outside and oval in the middle) before stamping the background with the new Parlor Prints Background Stamp.

 

This was one of our Make'n Takes at Ronda's RubberQueen meeting last night:  a telescope snowman card.  I can't believe this is the first time I have made one -- so very cute!!  This is actually one I made this morning because the one I made last night looked like I was drunk (his mouth and eyes -- LOL).

 

Here it is all opened up.



I just had to show you my yearling buck standing right outside my studio door one morning.  It is not unusual for deer to be out there, but it is the first time I have gotten a good picture of a buck.  The sun was starting to go down for the evening -- usually they are here during the morning.  Click on the picture for a larger view -- he had all this fuzzy stuff on his antlers that I couldn't capture with my camera.


I received some awesome swap cards last night, and will be sharing some of those in my next update.

Until next time,
Sandi

"I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness. . . . -- Joshua 2:12
"Help me make the most of all You've given me, Lord." -- Rick Hamlin

BODACIOUS BIRDHOUSES

Well here it is, another week since I have posted!  Seems like this is becoming a habit no matter how hard I try to update more frequently.  I have worked in my studio every day this week (including this morning), and it seems like I am getting nowhere.  I only have a week left and my granddaughter Holly, who is my official paid assistant now, will be going back to school.  So I have been working her rear off this week.  At first she refused to get paid for it, but after I explained that I would just have to pay somebody else and told her how much work she would be doing she finally relented.  Thank goodness because I was feeling a little guilty after she helped me mount around 20 stamp sets one day last week.  She has found out that she will never, ever make another flower again.  She said there were just too many steps (and you know how picky and detailed I can get -- LOL).  But she has learned tons of things, is very opinionated (like me), and has an attitude like me so we get along just fine.  She did tell me to make sure I didn't tell her mom (Tricia) that she has fun every day she comes over here, as her mom thinks it is like a punishment and/or chaperon for her.  She is old enough at 16 to watch herself, but doesn't always make good choices when she is left on her own.  So she gets to do her favorite things when she is here:  swimming; learning to stamp, sew, and cook; and go antique hunting with me.  We have been having a blast this summer!!  (Another reason I haven't been stamping as much.)

Now on the other hand, I have been working non-stop this whole week on "one" WOW project for Ronda Wade's upcoming Creative Convention (along with Holly's help).  I did take a break for a couple of hours on Tuesday to make something for Ronda's Appreciation Event WOW table.  I wanted to make these as soon as I saw it on Patty Bennett's blog.  It was an Origami birdhouse, made by Myra Shaw, for Patty's Luv2Stamp Group.  I thought it looked hard to make when I saw Myra's video (check it out HERE).  But after making my first one, I couldn't believe how easy it was and helped Holly make two more.  Here is what I ended up with:


Isn't it just the cutest!!!  I used the Beau Chateau Designer Series Paper for this, along with the Bird Punch.



Holly made this one and the next one, using the Berry Blossoms Designer Series Paper.



Didn't she do a great job!!!



While Holly was making her 2 birdhouses, I made the inside cards for the sentiment.  It just tucks right inside the birdhouse!!



This beautiful card was sent to me from my friend Linda Tarolli so I took it with me for the WOW table.  Everybody loved how she popped up the punched flowers.

 

And finally, here is a card Holly made (in her free time -- LOL).  She picked out her own stamps and did her own design so I didn't see it until she was done.  Yes, it is a discontinued stamp but the sentiment is a sneak peek from the new Holiday Mini Catalog.  I wish there wasn't an age limit on recruiting as I would be signing up Holly as a demonstrator today if I could!!! 

Okay, it is back to work for me.  No rest today as I have a couple things left on my "to do" list yet!!

Enjoy your weekend -- it is beautiful here!!
Sandi

"And He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in his paths. . . ."  --  Micah 4:2
"How foolish I am, Lord, to think I know the way.  Thank you for finding me whenever I'm lost.  Amen."  -- Phyllis Hobe

REMEMBER WHEN: HAVE A SEAT

Hello Everybody!

Having a great day today!  We finally have all of the house and outdoor electrical problems fixed from the lightening that struck on August 3 -- what a relief!!  I could have actually stayed in my PJs today, as I was pretty sure I was not going to have any visitors (aka:  repairmen).  But I didn't, so guess it will be next Thursday before I might have a chance to stamp in my PJs all day.

I have been in mourning since Wednesday.  I am grieving the loss of our two 30+ year-old Blue Spruce trees in our front yard that grew on both sides of the walk up to our front door.  My husband planted these trees before we finished building our house, so they have really been "part of the family."  I normally always go out and sit on the front porch when I first get up in the morning and have my first cup of coffee (my 2nd cup is when I am surfing blogs).  I always watch the birds flying into their nests, the pigeons making a mess (yuk), and say my morning prayers every morning from that spot.  Now I go out there and there is NOTHING!!!  Its just me and the hummingbirds now -- all the other birds got mad and left.  So yesterday I decided it would make me feel better if I made a sympathy card for myself and that is what I did.  Plus, I wanted to get my "Remember When" cards out for this month and decided this would work for those cards also.  The first thing that came to my mind was a card I had seen on Michelle Zindorf's blog almost a year ago -- I loved it the instant I saw it.  (Who doesn't love all her cards!!).  So I did a "total" CASE of her card (well somewhat -- I will never be a Michelle Zindorf).  And here is my sympathy card to myself:


Please excuse the picture -- the colors are much brighter in person.  Darn camera is not working!!  Supplies used:  Have A Seat and Thoughts and Prayers Stamp Sets; River Rock, Basic Black, and Whisper White Card Stock; River Rock, Sahara Sand, Basic Black, and Early Espresso Classic Ink; Sahara Sand and Crumb Cake Markers; Sponges; and Post-It Notes (Masking Technique).

 

I just changed the sentiment (using Elements in Style Stamp) on this version to send out as part of my "Remember When" project.

Thank you Michelle for letting me CASE your card.  I thought it was perfect for my loss of 2 magnificant trees.  In case you don't "get it" -- the empty 2-seat chair represents my two trees and the "starkness" of the room represents the emptyness left.  I hope you like.

I will create a two-page album sample using the above card for my next blog update, as part of my  "Remember When Card Versatility" project (go to my July post if you missed the information).  I also started creating projects for a presentation at Ronda Wade's Creative Convention coming up next month (yes Tami, it takes me 2-months to prepare projects -- and I don't want to hear one giggle from you!).  I can't show any of these until after the Convention, but I got the best compliment in the whole world the other day from my dear husband on the first project I completed.  He told me it was the best piece of art he has ever seen of mine.  Now I know, that statement can have a double meaning (think about it) -- but I decided it was a compliment and a big one because my husband doesn't throw them out very often.  So really, am I not the "Queen for the Day"???  Don't worry, I'm not going to spoil my glory by telling you which one it is when I finally post my pictures, as beauty is after all in the eye of the beholder.  Also, I don't want to hear any "what was he thinking" from anybody -- LOL. 

Until next time, thanks for stopping by and have a great day!! Sandi

"A word of encouragement does wonders!" -- Proverbs 12:25
"In the hustle and bustle of daily living, it's so easy, Lord, to take one another for granted.  Help me to remember that appreciation and words of encouragement do indeed work wonders, especially to my children."  -- Fay Angus

ELIZABETH

Hello my stamping friends!!

Yep, I'm back for the day (or at least right this moment).  What a "ride" this last month has been.  You already heard my "corn blasting story" and the need to remove everything from my house to clean out the "corn dust particles" in my last post.  Worked right up to the moment my brother arrived from New Mexico (last Monday) for a family reunion picnic day at at my place last Wednesday.  Two of my out-of-town sisters arrived the night before (last Tuesday), and all was going great until 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday (yep, the big day when everybody else was going to arrive). 

At 2:30 a.m., I'm asleep with my sister out on our back porch couches when I was awoken by a big explosion and a flash of white light.  I thought the windows (which cover all 3 walls on the porch) were blown up and my sister was sleeping right next to them.  Woke her up with my scream to ask if she was okay and she thought I was crazy and just dreaming (I just don't know why people don't believe me).  There were no lights and it was pitch dark, so I assumed that the storm had knocked out our power.  I lay back down and started thinking, "why is the generator running and we still don't have any lights???"  So woke my sister back up and she just said, "yep, that is strange, now go back to sleep."  So I go outdoors to make sure it was the generator I am hearing, yep!!  Go back in and trip over a bunch of stuff getting to my husband to wake up and he looks at me and says, "just go back to sleep, you are dreaming."  Okay, so I say to myself, "I must be really going crazy."  Next thing I know my husband must have thought about it and realized the generator was running, but we had no power and he got up and went outside.  He turned the generator off and told me there was nothing he could do until morning so we all went back to bed.  Got up the next morning, and walk out to the living room in my p.j.'s to see our electrician standing there (thank goodness, he has seen me in my p.j.'s before -- that is another long story).  So let me cut to the chase:  Our house was hit by lightening, or I should say the big Oak tree next to the pond was hit, traveled to the outdoor light and pond well pump (blew both of those up); traveled up to the back of the house into my basement studio, then over to the main power box where our power surge protector was (blew that up -- but saved us from tons more damage). 

Ended up we started the picnic at 4 p.m., and had an awesome time with the family swimming and playing games (awesome food).  They all left the next day (Thursday) except my brother who left yesterday.  It was really great visiting with all of them and the kids, grandkids had a great time.  As far as our damages; I still have no phone service (fried the outside phone box), our electrician is digging the ground right now to lay new wire to our pond well and outdoor light and plugs to our pond; 2 out of 6 TV's were fried; satillite dish, hotwater box, underground dog fence, 2 circuit breakers, wall plugs, and many electric wires were fried.  But the Lord blessed us all by not having our house catch on fire or hitting anybody with lightening.  Plus He showered us with memories and good times to last for a long time.  What more can anyone ask for, thank you Lord!!!  However, if anybody would like to come over and kidnap me I will pay them a couple of hundred to get me away from all the workmen coming every day.

So that is my story for today (and I'm stickin to it).  I just know you were expecting a long post today because it has been over a week since I last posted.  You also know that every day in my life has "excitement" in it -- so thank goodness I only told you about the major "excitement"  -- trust me there was a lot more.

And of course, I need to reward you for reading this far (I hope), so here is a picture of a card I made to put with a gift for my Postmaster.  She went above and beyond the call for me this week tracking a package.  You don't find good customer service much any more, so when I do, I like to acknowledge with a thank you.  Nothing fancy, just a quick card and some gift cards in a box to let her know she is appreciated.

You can hardly see in this picture (unless you click to enlarge), but I used one of the new embossing folders that will be in the Holiday Mini coming out September 1.  So you are getting a sneek peek of the oval frame in the Textured Impressions Designer Frames (what a deal, you get two embossing folders).  Also used:  Elizabeth Stamp Set and my Personalized Stamp Set; Poppy Parade Card Stock and Stiched Poly Ribbon; and Paper Patterns In-Color Designer Series Paper Pack.

It was so simple, but looked so sweet when done -- hope you like.

Until next time,
Sandi
"And in Your name, I will lift up my hands." -- Psalm 63:4
Lord, thank you for watching over my family and blessing us with beautiful memories of times spent together.  Create in me a contagious joy as I ride the unexpected turbulence of my days.

ESTABLISHED ELEGANCE

This is your lucky day!!!  Because I goofed off and went swimming in the pond all day yesterday, I am way behind on my schedule with tons of things to get done yet before my family gets here, so this is going to be short.  In the process of cleaning up my studio this morning, I realized I had a scrap left over from my post the last time, so made another card before I took care of the materials.  (At least that was my excuse.)  So forgive the pattern because it is very close to my larger, long card before.  Just used different stamps.  Here is what I came up with:

The base of this card is Crumb Cake Card Stock, with the stamped panel also on Crumb Cake layered on Close to Navy, with a strip of punched Riding Hood Red Card Stock.  The other panel is from the Well Worn Designer Series Paper (that was my left over from card before -- LOL -- my excuse to make a card this morning instead of working).  I used the new Fancy Fan Letterpress Plate, inked with Very Vanilla Craft Ink.  The panel is stamped with the  Notable Ornate and new Established Elegance Stamp Sets.  Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Distressing (Blue) Ink were used to color.

So there you have it, hope you like.  I see there are around 10 people down in the pond, and here I am stuck in the house cleaning and baking.  Oh well, I will play all next week.

Until next time,
Sandi
"Make me to know thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths."  -- Psalm 25:4
"Heavenly Father, when a new path seems too steep for me, help me pause and listen for Your voice telling me whether to go ahead."  -- Mary Brown

TIMELESS TREASURES

Good Evening Everybody!!
I took the day off today from Spring cleaning (there is a method to my madness, just don't ask) to get my fingers inky.  I was surprised when my granddaughter called early this morning to ask if she could come over to scrapbook and swim.  Well, being as I already knew I was taking the day off, I told her to get herself over here so we could get started.  She scrapbooked when she was younger, but is really starting from scratch almost because she is using the "best" product now.  So yes, she had to be shown how to use SU's big cutter, Color Coach, and a few of their other tools.  Before I was introduced to Stampin' Up, I already owned tons of product from that "other" company that doesn't sell stamps.  However, I can't even get her to use it (and she used to love it) because none of the colors coordinate, they didn't have ribbon or any accessories, and after stamping cards with me for a couple of years she absolutely refuses to use "those stickers" from that company (I don't blame her, I wouldn't either -- no comparison with a piece of real rubber).  I just look at all those thousands of dollars I spent on product from the other company (which at the time I thought was the best) and shake my head.  The only thing I will use it for now is when the little ones come over and they want to "play" with crafts.  Long story short, she ended up doing a beautiful 2-page spread with awesome Stampin' Up product, learned a lot, and was very happy.

So back to my original plan to create a card to update my sorry blog (don't worry, I will get back on a schedule again sometime).  I didn't actually get to "really" work on it until after dinner because all I got done when my granddaughter was here was make decisions on my color scheme, designer paper, and stamp set.  The layout of this card was inspired from a card my BFF sent me for my birthday.  I actually saw it when I was at her house in Arizona last November, loved it, and asked her to send it to me for my birthday (only good friends can do that you know).  So this is what I came up with, and I hope you love it as much as I do:

All Stampin' Up Product Used:  Timeless Treasures and Notable Ornate Stamp Sets; Textured Basic Black, Crumb Cake, and Night of Navy Card Stock; Mocha Morning Speciality, First Edition Speciality, and Well Worn Designer Series Papers; Vintage Ink Distressing Essentials; Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Neutrals Button Collection; and Victoria 5/8" Crochet Trim Ribbon.

This was a fun card to make and I am so in love with the Mocha Morning Speciality Designer Paper.  The flocking makes it look so rich, and of course, I love all vintage-looking designer paper!!!

Until next time,
Sandi
"And lead us not into temptation, but deliever us from evil. . . ." -- Matthew 6:13
"Lord, You bore the agony of the Cross for us.  Have mercy on all who are in pain." -- Mark Collins

REMEMBER WHEN: SUNNY FUN

Wow, I cannot believe it has been 2 weeks since I last posted.  Talk about setting a record!!!  The last two weeks have flown by -- busy, busy, busy.  I did manage to get in a Scrapbook event the last week of June, put in some orders, and finally get a chance to stamp for myself a couple of times this week (very short times). 

This last week has been a "week in a dust bowl."  Usually every Spring we have something major done to our house to either update or just repair.  Well early in March we contracted with a company in Wisconsin to come and restore our log house.  Specifically to remove all the layers of paint to restore it back to its original log finish.  No problem right?  They come in, do their job, and it is done.  Ha, ha the joke was on us; or me, specifically.  My husband failed to mention to me that they would be "corn blasting" -- notice I did not say "water blasting" -- to remove the paint.  And you know me -- the ditsy blond that I'm not -- I just figured that was a term they used in Wisconsin for water blasting.  The 1st day I pulled my drapes so they couldn't spy in and didn't notice much, only that it was really noisy and seemed like it was foggy in the house (of course my husband said it was in my head).  The 2nd day I decided to go downstairs to my studio to get away from the noise so I closed the patio doors to our 4-season porch because they were blasting the back of the house.  Well I came up when my husband got home and opened the patio doors to go out on the porch and about had a heart attack.  The entire room, going the length of our house was covered in a thick layer of corn dust!!  I mean EVERYTHING!!!  What is in the room:  bookshelves loaded with books, DVDs, family videos, my sewing machine that was open, another antique sewing machine, TV, satellite dish, DVD player, speakers, tons of toys for little kids, 2 couches, table and chairs, popcorn maker, 5 quilts (it gets cold out there and the kids like to snuggle when watching TV), and lots of do-dads.  I wanted to just close the door and hope the whole porch would fall in.  That is when I found out 2 major things:  "corn blasting" means fine-ground corn is used with the water blaster; and more important, "four-season room" means it is not well-insulated!!!  Four hours later we had most of the top layer done but I will still have to take everything out again when they are done (hopefully in another week).  The other rooms just need a good sweeping and waxing; along with washing all the bedding, curtains, etc.  Now you know why I have not been around -- shouldn't even be here tonight, but a girl has to take a break.  Plus the workers left to go home to their families until Monday, then they will be back.  They really needed a break because they were here every morning at 7:30 or before and worked 12 hours every day with only a couple of 15 minute breaks. 

MORAL OF THE STORY:  "Corn Blasting" means exactly like it sounds!!

See what happens when I don't blog for 2 weeks -- you get a novel!!  But I do have a couple of samples to show you.  I completed my first set of cards to send out for my "Remember When" series.  I talked about this in my June 12 blog.  I used a card kit from Stampin' Up when they were offering their "grab bags."  Some of the product is discontinued but I added current product to finish the card and album pages.  The last pictures are my album pages I made with my card as an embellishment when scrapbooking (Card Versatility).


The cards feature the Summer Fun and Word Play Stamp Sets.

 

Same card kid just different design.

 


Card Versatility:  My album pages (12 x 12) using one of the cards for an embellishment and the new Just Add Cake Designer Series Paper.  I also used some discontinued Vintage Letters Rub-Ons.  (Click on the picture to enlarge).



Close-up of left page.

 

Close up of right page.

I have one spot left to receive my Remember When cards, so leave me a comment and tell me why you would like to receive them, and I will pick a winner.  (You might want to make sure your go back and read the first post so you have an idea of what I hope individuals will do with the cards.) 

Until Next Time,
Sandi

"The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches." -- Psalm 104:12
"Thank you, God for teachers who open our eyes to the beauty at our feet and the glory in the skies."  --  Fred Bauer