Thursday, April 28, 2011

A Fun Evening

Tonight was my first night attending a meeting of local Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  I met a lot of new people and had a great time.  We did a Make & Take which taught me how to use the magnetic sheets and how to utilized metal sheets in my creativity.  We had a card swap and I received several beautiful cards.  One of those attending has a birthday on Sunday.  The card I designed for her is the first one featured below.  I used the Four Frames and Teeny Tiny Wishes stamps.  For my card for the swap, I used the Fabulous Florets stamp set.  Now it's off to bed as my little man will be here early tomorrow.

Blessings from Marsha


Monday, April 25, 2011

Define Your Life

This afternoon while Aiden was napping, I sat down to play.  I wanted to make another set of boxed cards to add to the Gift Boutique display.  What you see below, on the left, is the top for the box lid.  On the right is the card itself.  Define Your Life is the only stamp set used and each card has a different saying stamped on it.  There are ten cards to this set.  Now it's time to make the box.  I don't have enough Cajun Craze for the base so I've decided to use Early Espresso for the entire box.  It will match the brad I placed in the center of the flower.  It's all in a day's work.  :-)


Blessings from Marsha

Define Your Life


Sunday, April 24, 2011

Gate Fold Card

This is a card I made Thursday but I made a boo boo when stamping the inside of the card.  I layed it aside and just could not figure out how to fix it.  During a very enjoyable phone conversation with Jean, I took a photo and emailed it to her.  She suggested that I stamp the flowers, cut them out and cover up the boo boos.  What a brilliant idea!  I never would have thought of that one.  My idea was to stamp it again on new card stock and add another layer and make a really bulky card.  :-)  Jean's idea was such an easy fix.  I really like the way it looks.  Thanks, Jean, for your expert input.

I used the new Four Frames and Fabulous Florets stamp sets.  They are two of my new favorites.  These are two of the new stamp sets that will be featured in the new Idea Book & Catalog for 2010/2011.  I can't wait to see the other surprises that will be available!

It has been a long day but beautiful day spent with my youngest son and his family.  Dinner was delicious.  I am so blessed!

Blessings from Marsha
Four Frames Birthday


Friday, April 22, 2011

Two New Canvases

The other night I prepared three photo transfer canvases.  Today I was able to get two of them done with the exception of any embellishments I may choose to place on them.  I think they turned out rather well.  The one titled 'Iced Beauty' is the picture that KatheD shared with us after an ice storm came through her area.  She was gracious enough to give me permission to use her photo.  Thank you, Kathe.

The second one, 'Spring Blossoms 2010', was taken while waiting to go through the drive through at Culver's.  The bushes were so full that the limbs were bending with the weight of all the blossoms.  I always carry my camera with me so I snapped a couple of photos while waiting my turn to order.

Tonight I need to work on the card for a swap that is coming up on the 28th.  It's a local group that gets together and this will be my first time meeting with them.  I want to make a really "GREAT" card.  Pray I do a good job.  :-)

Blessings from Marsha

Iced Beauty

  
Spring Blossoms 2010

So Beautiful!

Tuesday, April 19, my nephew, Nathan, was married at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.  I was able to watch the ceremony online last night and I cried.  He is the last of my nephews to marry.  While on facebook this morning, I saw pictures that his new wife, Brooke, had posted so I pirated a couple of them to post here.  Her dress was absolutely gorgeous!  The first picture is of my nephew (isn't he a handsome one!).  The second is the happy couple.  I wish them all the best.

Blessings from Marsha


Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tattered Florals

Today was spent simply lounging around.  It was a rainy, gloomy and cold day.  I didn't have my little grandson so it was a quiet day as well.  I didn't spend a lot of time on the computer but did find a card that I liked well enough to CASE.  It is called a gate fold card.  You'll see the front of the card as well as the interior.  I tried my hand at some water coloring.  It went well but I am ordering the water color paper to make it an easier project. 

LeeAnn Greff was the inspiration behind tonight's creativity.  You can find hers on Stampin' Connection if you'd like to see the beautiful card she designed.  Below you will find my take on it.

Blessings from Marsha


Monday, April 18, 2011

I'm So Excited!

A friend and fellow Llama, Kathryn Ricks, gave me a Stylish Blogger Award.

  
Along with the award came a list of things that I must do.  First, and foremost, I need to thank Kath for giving me this award.   Thank you, Kath, you made my day. 

Second was to provide a link back to her blog.  You can find her blog at http://kath-allthatscrap.blogspot.com.  Be sure to take time to visit her blog.  It is fantastic!

Third, I need to share eight things about myself.  Hmm?  Let me see if I can come up with eight.

1.     I’m the mother of three grown sons.
2.     Each of my boys was born in different states.
3.     I have twelve grandchildren.
4.     My oldest grandchild is 20.
5.     My youngest grandchild is 17 months.
6.     I’m addicted to coffee.
7.     I’m addicted to stamping.
8.     I’m a writer and poet.

Fourth is to pass this award to other worthy bloggers.  While there are so many to choose from, the following are those I have chosen. I have been trying to place the award on their blogs but have not had any success.  Hopefully, they will see this and know that I enjoy their blogs.

Blessings from Marsha


Sunday, April 17, 2011

Pretty Postage Thanks

Well, wouldn't you know I would just have to make another card this evening..  It's a different take on the previous card.  Instead of leaving it vertical, I tipped it horizontal and made it just a tiny bit smaller.  Of course, that is because I initially cut the card stock wrong so improvised a new size.  I think it worked!  :-)  Anything blue gets my vote.  Now I'm going to look through the catalog and decide what colors to order next.  I'm thinking it's time for a color change.  There is just so much to choose from.  It's definitely a challenge.

Blessings from Marsha

Unique!

This morning, while waiting for Mom and Dad to come pick up their little men, I decided to see what I could come up with regarding the latest challenge issued from the Water Cooler Llamas.  I rather like what I did but that could be because I'm biased.  :-)  Below is what I designed.  Now I'm going to try another one using strictly Summer Mini product. 

Blessings from Marsha

Saturday, April 16, 2011

The Joys of Grandmahood!

Tonight I have two very handsome young men spending the night.  Zac, 6 and Nic, 4 are taking a much deserved break from Mom and Dad.  It's always so much fun to have them visit but it does cut into the creativity.  I am most definitely not complaining and when I have more advanced notice, I plan activities they can do like making a card for their parents.  The request to have them stay with me came just yesterday.  I was already commited to helping with a women's conference at my church so there just wasn't any time to plan for their visit.

We ordered in pizza, which they love and know exactly what they want.  While eating pizza, they watched a movie followed by another movie followed by another movie that had to cut off so they will go to sleep.  It is way past their bedtime.  I do hope they sleep late in the morning.

So, there are no new creations to share tonight.  I haven't had a chance to take pictures of them but will do so in the days to come.  Now this grandmother is off the get some rest so she can keep up with the re-energized little men tomorrow.

Blessings from Marsha

Monday, April 11, 2011

Boxed Card Set

Some friends and I share a booth at a local craft boutique.  This Boxed Card Set is one of the new items I'll be putting in the display.  I love the way the box turned out.  Included in the set are twelve cards and envelopes.  I used a stamp from the Bliss set and clear embossed the image.  I just learned to do this technique when I met with my upline a couple of weeks ago.  It's so much fun to watch the transformation.

Blessings from Marsha

Sunday, April 10, 2011

A Fun Day At The Cafe!

Three new ladies joined me today for Club.  We made four cards and one bookmark.  A couple of the designs were inspired by others but changed so they are not exact copies.  We had a good time and I'm already looking forward to next month's Club.


Now it's time to tuck down with teddy and get some much needed rest.  It's been a great weekend and I'm looking forward to the coming week.

Blessings from Marsha





Friday, April 8, 2011

Who's Got The Button?

I've been having fun with my scraps of card stock.  I don't waste any of it.  It's surprising how many times I'll need a small piece of card stock and what do you know, there it is in the Scrap Box!  For this card, I took scrap card stock and punched shapes using my various punches.

Blessings from Marsha

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Flowers Of Many Colors

The only good thing about not being able to sleep, is it gives you a chance to play and be creative.  Last night was one of those nights for me.  So, I glued a bunch of different scraps of card stock to a background (which is not highly visible), then ran it through the Big Shot to get the flowers from this really neat die.  Below is the final product.

Now I'm off to finish up chores before I feed Aiden his lunch.  Once he's down for his nap, I get to sit and play again.  I have so many ideas floating around in my head.  :-)

Blessings from Marsha

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Playing Is So Much Fun!

Today has been a most relaxing and productive day.  I've done a little of this and a little of that and still managed to design four new cards.  With Mother's Day and Father's Day approaching, I thought of things my own would have liked.  Tomorrow, during Aiden's nap time, I'm going to focus on Easter cards for my family and friends.  I'll be sure to share them when they are done.

Blessings from Marsha




Sunday, April 3, 2011

Today's Creative Endeavors

It's going to be a short note this night.  I'm tired and I want to go 'tuck down with teddy.'  It's been a long day.  I wanted to try something different but I'm not sure I really like.  So, here are the two cards I designed this morning while listening to a friend and my son talk algebra!  Ugh!  I will never claim to be a math genius.  :-)

Blessings from Marsha


Saturday, April 2, 2011

It was a fantastic day!

Today was gorgeous!  Sunshine, warm temperatures and lunch with friends at Joe's Crab Shack.  The staff even sang happy birthday to me while expecting me to spin a hula hoop.  I tried but could only get one spin before it wound up around my ankles.  It was great!

Upon returning home after lunch, I spent the afternoon designing two new cards.  Again, I stepped out of my element and used green and orange.  I tend to gravitate towards blues of any kind.  It was fun to see what I could come up with.  The new Four Frames stamp set and Decorative Label Punch are so much fun to use.

Now it's time to call it a night.  I have another busy day planned for tomorrow.  I have guests coming in the morning, a bi-weekly obligation at church and then, it's off to have dinner with another friend at On The Border.  That will be the last of the birthday celebration.  It's been a really good birthday time for me this year.

Oh, before I go, I just have to share this with you.  Last night I was at my youngest son's house for supper.  We had yummy Papa Murphy's Pizza.  They even had cake, with candles to blow out, and ice cream.  It's been years since I've had cake and ice cream for my birthday.  It was nice.  Anyway, my grandson Zac, who is six, picked out the cake. He did good since it was all chocolate and Grandma loves chocolate.  He was particularly proud of the frosting.  When he brought it to the table he pointed out that the frosting looked like chocolate worms.  Funny thing, the way it had been applied did look like worms.  He thought that was too cool.

Blessings from Marsha