Thanks Grandma!

So here I am again apologizing for my absence from the blogging world.   And yet again I'll say something about "trying to do better"....especially for those of you, my faithful friends, who have expressed that you miss stamping with me and seeing what I'm up to.   I will do my best.

I have been absent because, honestly, I haven't been stamping!   The winter and spring were crazy busy...my husband, who is head of Music at his school, was helping to run a musical....my kids were busy....I was busy....

Excuses.  I know!

In any case, after months away from stamping I started again this week.  A lot of the stuff I've made, I've already passed along to others before taking a picture.  But I captured today's card before it gets put in the mail.

My daughter and I just spent a lovely day with my mother-in-law while the boys were away doing their thing.  A neighbour of ours was selling a little pink bike and, very generously, "grandma" bought the bike for L.  She LOVES it and spent the afternoon going up and down in front of the house.

Almost immediately, an idea began to form in my mind for a thank you card.  I remembered that "Sheltering Trees" has a bicycle stamp in it and the tree itself works so well because the leaves are gorgeous here right now.

Here's what came of the idea:

Cute, eh!

I hope (but won't promise) that I'll be back again soon!

Keep stamping!!!!

Falling Leaves

Aah, autumn.  I love fall!  Well, I love all the seasons in their own way but I do have a particular fondness for fall.  I really enjoy going for long walks through the woods and crunching through leaves.  One of my fondest memories was walking home from university through the woods along Medway creek in London.  It was a gorgeous walk and my then friend (now husband) and I enjoyed many walks home from school on fall days.  That seems like a long time ago now.

In tribute to the fall colours I pulled out my trusty "Day of Gratitude" set to create this next card.  This is another one that I did for my Make and Take this week (we do four cards at each Make and Take) and again, I wanted it to be simple and accessible for anyone.

Isnt' it pretty?!  I simply stamped the leaves randomly in 4 colours that remind me of fall; More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler and Lucky Limeade.  Pretty soon the leaves will be brilliant and it will be Thanksgiving here in my part of the world.   I think this will be a perfect card to give to my mom to thank her for the yummy dinner she will be making : )

I stamped the sentiment in Early Espresso and then punched it out using my Decorative Label punch.  Then I used my cool new "Stampin' Pierce Mat" to pierce the holes around the sentiment.  Stampin' Up! really does think of everything!  Check out the new piercing mats on p.181 of the main catalogue and the holiday one on p. 30 of the Holiday catalogue.

I'm working on another card with a similar theme for my upcoming Techniques class (there is still room in it....contact me for details)....so stay tuned for a variation on a theme.

Happy Stamping!

Medallion for the Monkeys

Well, here I am again, entering a Monkey Challenge at the very last minute.  I think what happens is I get all inspired by the weekly sketch and then think about it rather than actually doing something about it.  Story of my life : )  In this case, however, I am really glad I waited because I was also really inspired by a friend's card that I saw on Tuesday evening.  In fact, I basically copied her idea and added a couple of elements to fit the sketch.  So thanks, DF, for the great idea!

Here's the sketch from A la Card Monkey:

Here is my version:




Spice Cake Medallion

I just love the medallion in the centre of big medallion.  I decided to go back to my Spice Cake DSP tonight for 2 reasons: 1.  I promised my faithful friends that I wouldn't do all Christmas cards at my Make and Take next week and 2. While I'm sad to see it go, I have to move on to the new and exciting product coming out in the new Occasions Mini in January and my crafting space can't take too many more "left overs". 

Here's a close-up of the medallion which, by the way, are super easy to make using the Simply Scored tool!

Medallion close-up

So pretty, if I do say so myself.  I finished it off with a Vintage Brad.  Here are the particulars:

Papers:  Pear Pizazz, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla card stock, Spice Cake Designer Series Paper
Stamp Sets: Day of Gratitude, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink:  Pear Pizazz and Soft Suede
Ribbon and Embellishments:  Chantilly Lace, Spice Cake Fabric, Neutrals Brad, Vintage Brads
Tools: Simply Scored, Mat Pack and Paper Piercer, Modern Label Punch
Other info:  I used TONS of sticky strip/pages to adhere the fabric, ribbon and medallion.

I'm excited to take this idea and run....stayed tuned for a Christmas version.

Happy Stamping!