Exciting Summer

My son, Patrick paid us a visit yesterday on his way to the Piscah National Forest near Asheville, NC. He will be doing trail maintenance in the forest for his summer job. After his two week training, he is pumped about this opportunity! At 23, I think he has found something that he will enjoy doing for a living. Now, I have to admit that the Mom in me doesn't much like to think of my son on a search and rescue team, but it is an honorable profession. Patrick has always wanted to help others. This will allow him to do that in the extreme way! My little hot shop skate boarder has grown up

Now, on to my paper crafts. I wanted to show a card that I made a while ago, but have never posted. I actually sold this one and will have to depart with it tomorrow. This was my first attempt with the Greenhouse Garden set from Stampin' Up. I must admit that I totally cased this card, but it is so lovely! Hope you enjoy seeing it!

Memorial Day weekend has begun with a trial 5k walk to prepare for the real thing on June 12 when I will be walking for the cure in honor of my friend, Cynthia Groff. She and her family are so special to me. Her cancer has become active again recently and her doctors don't give her much more time. I count it an honor to walk for her.

Water Water Everywhere!

We had so much rain this past weekend, how fitting that I would choose to play with my Watercolor Trio set from SU! Oh my word--this is an awesome set. The possibilities are endless! I actually cased this set but don't have the original artist handy. Aren't they lovely?

The dp is retired Porcelain Prints. I have to admit that this project didn't put a dent in my stash. Hope you enjoy looking as much as I did making!

Happy Monday to everyone!

Graduation Time

It is that time of year again. Seems like we get a graduation or wedding announcement every other day! We have a very special young lady who helps on our church bus and she is graduating from high school on Tuesday. I made this set to give to her at her graduation party. I plan to stuff the drawers of the little dresser with money, candy and jewelry.



I used one of my favorite stamp sets--Upsy Daisy. The card base and the matchbox dresser are Pacific Point. I used Riding Hood Red to match the non-SU designer paper. Hope you like the set! I know Amy will!

Stampin' Ups Color Renovation

Stampin' Up has thrown out some out dated colors and added fresh new ones to their color families and I think you will agree that the change is awesome! New catalogs will be available on July 1, but here is a sneak peek of what is to come!

Click Here to see the Color Renovation Chart

Yet Another Gift Bag!

You would think that I was tired of making these cute little bags, but, think again. My den is full of them! Mother's Day gave me some good sales and now I am concentrating on Graduation themed gift ensembles. But, before I post any of those, I had to let you see this one. Isn't it gorgeous? This would make a great bridal shower, wedding or birthday package. It just looks so summery to me.

This is a very busy weekend for my family. Robin is in the wedding of one of her high school friends who happens to be our Pastor's daughter. We are friends with the family so have been involved in many of the events throughout the week. Today is my main responsibility of cutting the wedding cake! We have a rather large church, so I will be very busy! David gets the clean up detail. I am just glad they are having a coffee bar!

That is all for today. Have a wonderful, blessed Saturday!

One of my friends at church has a daughter turning 16 in June. I made this ensemble for her. Isn't it the cutest thing! Now she wants me to make her a fabric tote using black with pink polka dots. I am glad that I like pink!

These little gift bags are sooooo much fun to make. I can't wait to get off my real job so I can run home and create!

Thanks for looking!

My newest favorite thing

I have been having so much fun lately making gift bag ensembles. I want to share one with you today. But before I do that I want to give credit to Heather Klump who gave me the idea in the first place. Here is a link to her beautiful gift set: http://www.stampinconnection.com/photo/vintage-bella-bag?context=user

Now, here is one of the first ones that I made:

Don't you just love this paper! I have received so many requests for the instructions for this bag that I decided to post them here just to make it a little easier.

Start by making a box. Cut your cardstock 8 1/2 x 7 and score at 1 1/2 on all four sides. Cut one slit in each corner of the cardstock and form your box. I use sticky strip on the tabs to make the box a little more secure.

Next, cut two strips of DP 6 x 10 1/2. These will make the sides of your bag. Again, I use sticky strip to adhere the sides to the box. Now you can add the bottom strip by cutting two strips of cardstock 1 1/2 x 10 1/2. Use your choice of punch to decorate the edge. I tried several ways of forming the closure, but this seems to work the best. I cut two top note pieces and folded in half. They are secured in place with a corduroy button on both sides. Next, I used my cropodile to place two large grommetts on each side. I cut two pieces of ribbon 13 inches and threaded through the grommets and tied to make the handles. To close, I cut a piece of satin ribbon long enough to go under the button on the back of the bag, across the top and under the button on the front and then tie in a bow. Easy Schmeezy! I will post some more samples later. Hope you will try one of these, but BEWARE! They are addicting!