ADVENTURE BOUND FATHER'S DAY

Well I'm finally getting around to making some cute origami necktie cards, which Tamie Ackerson demonstrated at our last RubberQueen meeting.  When she was showing the folds she kept saying how easy it was, as I was furiously writing notes on all the measurements and folds.  So I was astonished after I did my first one and saw how easy it was.  So then I couldn't stop making them!

If you haven't purchased the Adventure Bound Designer Series Paper Pack, you really should get this before it's gone on June 2 (it is not in the new catalog).  I have used it in so many different projects.  It is especially nice for those masculine cards and I see a lot of possibilities for Project Life panels.  These are some of the designs I picked from the paper stack:

Until next time,
Sandi

"In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness."

-- Psalm 31:1

EPIC DAY: THE STORY OF HAZEL

It was an epic day for me -- I finally pulled out my "This and That Epic Day Album" I started at retreat in April.  Geez, I had all intentions of having it done by now -- I'm sure my granddaughter is wondering what is taking me so long (you would think she would know me better by now -- Rome was not built in a day folks!).  My granddaughter has a "little" attitude like I do (aka, "picky").  Her request was for a "vintage" look and "DO NOT" add pictures.  Well, being as I have more than an attitude than she does -- it just isn't going to happen.  I can handle the "vintage" part (my favorite style); but I found out today there is no way I can do this album without adding pictures.  Everybody else can do this, but my artistic ability does not include visualizing a page layout without the picture.  I have seen Ronda make close to a hundred albums -- and she never uses pictures when creating -- but this gal needs all the help she can get.  You will notice lots of discontinued Stampin' Up product in these pictures (after all, isn't that why we "hoard" our favorite product?).  I wonder how many of you will notice a certain product from years ago that I wish Stampin' Up! would bring back?

The pictures I want I these pages are not developed yet (and I see I forgot to tape down on of the corners).

I only put a tiny bit of snail adhesive on the back of all the pictures so she still has the option to change them out (she has so many more pictures than I do).

Until next time,
Sandi

"Fear not, I will help you."  --  Isaiah 41:13

MOTHER'S LOVE

Well now that Mother's Day is over, I can show you what I made for my daughters to celebrate how proud I am for being such awesome mother's to my grandchildren.  A lot of people might think it is weird that I give my daughters a card on Mother's Day, but they experience the same trials and joy that I do as their mother -- so why not honor them on their special day?  And I do the same for my granddaughters that are moms -- so we celebrate a lot on this day as it is so special for all of us (of course, we have a lot of "we survived" stories to tell)!!

This year I fell in love with samples that Ronda Wade displayed at our last RubberQueen meeting.  They used the same stamp set, Mother's Love, that I had already picked as the one I wanted to use, so I CASEd her samples.  If you don't have this set, I'm telling you that you need to buy it before the end of the month because it will be discontinued -- it is beautiful and doesn't have to be used as a Mother's Day card.  These were so beautiful in person, and the girls loved them:  

Love the Blackberry Bliss card stock with Sahara Sand!!  This uses the Mother's Love Stamp Set and Something Borrowed Designer Series Paper.



Inside of Card (flowers on envelope are from the Beautiful Bunch Stamp Set).

This is a pocket card (using the Beautiful Bunch Stamp Set), which I also gave them because I wanted to write a personal note inside to keep in their scrapbook albums.

The inside of the pocket card before I added my personal note.

Until next time,
Sandi

"For with God nothing shall be impossible."  --  Luke 1:37

MAY RUBBERQUEEN MEETING

Another awesome RubberQueen meeting this month.  Ronda's theme was "masculine" for her make'n takes and our swap cards.  I really got a lot of ideas for future masculine cards and a sweet, sweet CASE from Ronda for Mother's Day (sorry can't show it today because I don't want to ruin the surprise).  Demonstrators also have the opportunity each month to share projects they are using for their classes; and they really outdid themselves this month. Here are a few pictures:

This was on the WOW table, not sure who did it, but love the Blackberry Bliss!!

Another WOW table card.

One of my favorites on the WOW table, loved this one for masculine card (I always have such a hard time doing masculine).

 



This was my swap card using By the Tide Stamp Set (so glad this set is being carried over another year!).

Hope you all have a beautiful Mother's Day!!

Until next time,
Sandi

"Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever." --  2 Chronicles 20:21

CREATIVE RETREAT

I'm finally caught up after getting back from Creative Retreat so I can post a few pictures of some make'n takes and my swap card from the last RubberQueen meeting.  And yes, I have been busy on a new album for my newest great-granddaughter, Hazel Ann (pictures soon).  My grand-daughter asked if I would make her an album like I did last year for my great-grandson, so how could I saw "no"???  I had such a fun time at retreat, my laugh-lines on my face dug a deeper tunnel because I laughed so much with my friends and family.  I have attended all of Ronda Wade's retreats for the last 7-8 years (approx. 16) and she never ceases to amaze me with what she has in store for all of us (gift bags with SU product, pillow gifts, awesome make'n takes, creative classes, and always a surprise or two).  Today I am showing these cute note cards featuring Stampin' Up's! Sweet Dreams Washi Tape and Note Cards with Envelopes.  I wish my pictures captured how cute these are in person:

This was my swap card for the April RubberQueen meeting, featuring the Butterfly Basics Stamp Set, Typeset Designer Series Paper, and Burlap Ribbon.

Until next time,
Sandi

"Thanks be unto God for His gifts." --  2 Corinthians 9:15

STAMPIN' UP PROJECT LIFE MEETS FAITH

Hello my crafty friends!!  No I didn’t take a vacation, I’m just enjoying life!!  I thought I would share something close to my heart today.  Many of you visiting today probably already know, and perhaps are doing, the inspiring Twenty-One Day Devotional Series, created by Ronda Wade and Julie Salva.  These ladies are not only Stampin’ Up demonstrators, but Christians who came together to share their love of crafting and serving God.  Julie is also a POWERFUL and well-known Christian Speaker who has a way of helping you see God’s word through practical Biblical teachings and brings me so much joy every time I listen to her or visit her blog (check it out, you will understand why I say this!!).  Ronda and Julie also have a Facebook group dedicated to Creating For Christ. 

Anyway, I am just a little over halfway through the 21 days of videos, but wanted to share my beautiful Project Life Album, using the Little Moments Project Life Kit (pages designed by Ronda).  Everybody knows how much I love to “scrapbook” so I truly am grateful that I can journal my Christian journey and other mementoes I have collected over the years depicting my faith to document my faith for generations to come.  Here are a few of my pages:

 

Ronda provided a video of how to put our book together, which I used for the "core" of the pages along with her pre-printed scripture verses and then I added my own details to make it "mine."  For a better view of this cover and inside pages below, be sure to use your mouse to right-click on the picture and select either "open in new tab" or "open in new window."

 

Yes, I also included some of my favorite Christian poems through the years.

So this is what I call a "memory keeper" vs. my traditional scrapbook pages -- but they both share my precious moments in life for future generations!!

 

Until next time,

Sandi

 

"The Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations."  --  Psalm 100:5

 

BUILD A BOUQUET FLOWER KIT AND MORE!!

Do you know how hard it is to craft when you are finally seeing and feeling sunshine in months???  Here in Michigan the snow is finally starting to melt and I'm seeing patches of green in the yard -- YIPPIE!!!  But nothing compares to going outside without 4 layers of sweatshirts and coats on (and sometimes I wrap in a blanket).  So I decided to celebrate the coming of spring with finalizing my Build a Bouquet Project Kit from Stampin' Up.  I started this at retreat a couple of weeks ago (did a whopping 4 flowers) and pulled it back out this last weekend to work on it.  Of course I did some of my flowers a little different, just because I wanted it to be "mine."  But all in all, I loved the end result.  However, buyers beware:  this is not a kit that you will sit down and finish in a couple of hours (unless your name is Tamie Ackerson).  But that is okay for me, as I never finish a project in a couple of hours -- did Picasso?  It actually took me longer to decorate my flower pot than it did to assemble the flowers (that's a whole story in itself -- let's just say, on the 4th layer I finally was satisfied).  And now that I am finished, I'm so glad I got the coordinating stamp set and Big Shot Bouquet Bigz L Die so I can make more.  So here is my finished bouquet and flower pot:

Well after doing 3 different layers of designs on this metal can, I finally liked my 4th layer using the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper; and for the tag, I used the matching Painted Petals Stamp Set with the tag, ribbon, and twine included in the Build a Bouquet Project Kit.  I wanted to use this designer paper right from the get-go, but I was going through one of those, "I love it so much I can't give it up" moods.  In the end, I knew this is what I wanted and nothing else was going to "work" for me so just clinched my teeth (and cried a little) as I glued it on the can -- now I'm happy!!

This was my name tag/card sitting on my table when I went to Retreat.

One of our make'n takes we did at Retreat.

Pillow gift from Ronda Wade and Jenny Peterson at Retreat (filled with a package of the new Itty Bitty Accents Epoxy Stickers).

Another make'n take with a birthday card inside the pocket.

Until next time,
Sandi

"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand saying unto thee, Fear not; I will keep thee." 

-- Isaiah 41:13