Pretty Umbrella for the Rain

The umbrella pattern made me think of those pretty paper 'flowers' I see on the blogs and have been wanting to try. I used a kraft card base, matted with a gold shimmer paper and CTMH Moonstruck blue cardstock, used a little Liquid Glass to hold a gold brad in the center of the 'flower'. It makes an elegant card.

The second card has such gorgeous colors in the paper. I matted the design with CTMH Blush and Baby Pink cardstock, put it on an Outdoor Denim card base. The sparkle bling are green (hard to see in the photo), and pick up the leafy green.

My winter break is speeding away...still have school work I must get done...and another big dinner here to prepare... but am so loving the opportunity to be in the stamp 'cave.'

a "Perfect Day" for a birthday!

Happy '65' to my dear friend! ME and I met in '79...wow. Well, I plan to fill the little box with some instant Starbucks packets and a Starbucks gift card. I got this idea and directions from Pam Jarrett, a CTMH consultant. I did alter the dimensions a little bit because my Score Pal doesn't have 1/16" grooves-- the drawer measures 3 1/8" square and so you could also use it to give a few cute 3x3 cards. The sides are 1 1/4" high. You make the drawer and then use a cardstock 'wrap' to enclose it and add another cardstock piece for the 'card' on top.

products used: CTMH Perfect Day papers and Stickease; Juniper cardstock, Tulip ink, pewter brad embellishment; Signature stamp from Papertrey, grosgrain ribbon from the stash.

MoJo Monday 170 Thinking of You

My paper stash has some of the most beautiful papers from Japan and Korea - gifts from my son who lives and works in Japan, and a student at my school who moved here from Korea. She has gone on to university now, but her gift continues to give me fun and pleasure.

I've used a very softly colored paper for this MoJo sketch and paired it with kraft paper and naturals CTMH (retired). I think it might have used a darker matt and rounded corners...so I'll make another and see which one looks best.

This is a great sketch for making the pretty paper the focus.

OLW33 Challenge

Well, true to form...it's last Wednesday's challenge....tomorrow I can see another one, and perhaps have a speedier turn-around.

I feel like a split personality with my cards. I adore the clean and simple, one layer cards I see on blogs of some very talented people. But when I make one it just doesn't have the same great look. I will keep working on it.

The challenge was to create a one layer card with an image of furniture or a household item. Close To My Hearts Welcome Home set was a perfect go-to. Stamped on CTMH textured White Daisy.

Take Note!

This beautiful design template and the notepads themselves are both from Papertrey. The template was designed by Nicole Heady and can be found at http://nicholeheady.typepad.com/capture_the_moment/2010/01/introducing-daily-designs-sentiments.html

I made a few adjustments to the pen holder piece since it was originally designed for a pencil. The Pentel RSVP pen is slightly larger, but has the delightful feature of being able to open it and insert matching paper!

Products used are mainly from Close To My Heart: papers -Magnifique+Silouette(retired) + Mistletoe; Pacifica, New England Ivy, Cranberry, Black,Chocolate, and Colonial White cardstock; chocolate ribbon, Mistletoe embllishment assortment, and Basic craft buttons. MS* punches and some other papers from my Dog stash collection :)

Jingle Foot Gift

Some pretty fun making presents! Found this cute cupcake idea on the blogs, made a matchbook cover for a foot cream packet, added a bow to a pumice stone....voila! a present. I'll put this in a clear bag and tie it up with a bow.

I am SO EXCITED!!! to be on school break. I got started very late on my gifts, but it feels great to be playing with my things in the 'card cave' this morning.

products used: Jingle paper from CTMH; stamp set CTMH Snowflake Kisses; Tulip and Juniper inks CTMH; CTMH white Bitty brads; others: punches, Krimper, ribbon, pom-pom + socks.

Snowman Won 2nd place from Bugaboo!

I was thrilled to have my card chosen . . . and even happier to win some images from Bugaboo!

You'll see them later this week when I get to play.

Jingle Bells Snowman

Gorgeous cards showcased on Taylored Expressions today, paired with a darling Snowman from Bugaboo Stamps, inspired me today. The idea for using punched circles on the bottom of the card came from Jodie's card. The gold metallic pen provides a bit of sparkle. It is time to start writing some of my cards or they won't make it for Christmas!

http://www.bugaboostamps.com/ has some wonderful digitals just released. I bought several today, and once I've finished Christmas projects I'm going to have fun using them. Hurray for the weekend.

Giftcard holder

You know life is good when you can stamp for a while in the evening during the work week!

I cleaned up my little stamp cave - it's cozy up there, and it felt like Sant'a workshop :)

The design for this sweet gift holder is Tresa Black's genius. My photos don't do it justice. It's such a pretty thing! All it needs is the gift tucked inside....

Hope you are having a bright and merry evening.

products used are all CTMH unles noted otherwise: cocoa and Colonial white cardstock, New England Ivy and Cranberry inks, distressed with Chocolate ink; Twas the Night Before Christmas stamp set (retired); Mistletoe paper collection and flower brad from the coordinating Accents package; EK border punch; vanilla grosgrain ribbon from my stash of ribbons.

Girly!

This card is a CASE (Copy And Steal Everything) from Lucy Abrams. I left off a large butterfly, and changed papers/colors. I now think that perhaps this card needs something...so I may play around a do another one after I cut the remainder of the papers for a card workshop tomorrow.

The rain is falling - a very very pleasant sound in my attic workshop. Gotta' love the northwest :)

products used: CTMH Topstitch papers, Kraft cardstock, CTMH paper blossoms and brad, Papertrey Ink signature greetings stamp, CTMH Chocolate ink, punch SU!, CTMH corner rounder, bling from stash.

Cheerful Thanks

This was inspired by a card from Papercrafts magazine.

The CTMH Mistletoe paper has been delightful to work with! Every paper is useful - the collection has bright, crisp, vintage ...all in one package.

This card uses the 'other' side of the green music paper. I matted it with black and placed it on a bamboo card base. The paper flower is made from some scraps of Silouette paper set that was a favorite also.

Tomorrow back to cut for Christmas cards!

Hope your Monday was a good one. Mine had its ups and downs. Down=computer had corrupted files and would not open this morning. So teaching was a bit different from planned...sometimes I wonder why I make plans when so many things happen each day to disrupt them! lol Up=the dear technology man came from the district and took it away, fixed it and brought it back this afternoon. Rare to have them understand how crucial they are to normal function. Speedy repair is a rare and marvelous thing :)

products used: CTMH: bamboo and black cardstock, black ink. Colonial white button, and waxy flax, Flutter and Card Chatter -Thank You stamp sets, Silouette and Mistletoe papers. Other - satin ribbon from ? ? (I'm a ribbon junky and buy them everywhere!) and black crystal sparkles.

Plenty for Twenty

Close To My Heart is having an incredible December offer! For any order of product from the catalog totalling $20 or more (before tax and shipping), you will receive a D size set of My Acrylix stamps. The company picks a set and sends it along with your order. No tax or shipping charges apply. You don't pick the set - it's a FREE surprise.

You can order on my secure web-site:

http://denahughes.myctmh.com/

Merry and Bright

This is such cheerful, bright paper. It is from the CTMH Mistletoe collection. I made this a while ago, and did not post it. I've used two sizes of Martha Stewart snowflake punches. The snowflake punched out of the front is inside the card along with a greeting. The fancy brad (CTMH) is the only embellishment.

I want so much to be stamping tonight, but have still not finished school work. :( Reading and preparing the next unit for the advanced placement government class has taken longer than I thought it would. I was also distracted for a while by an amazing program about the secret service and the Kennedy assassination. So my love for history won out tonight. Tomorrow belongs to paper and ink!

Heart 2 Heart Thank You Challenge

Many things to be thankful for this season, and reasons to have some pretty thank you cards to send. This week has been busy, and I have finally had a chance to do some stamping.

Isn't it funny how reluctant I can be to cut some of my favorite paper? Afraid to use it up, I guess. I've also been hoarding the pewter flourishes. These thin metal embellishments come with adhesive and are so beautiful. The package has 13 shapes for a bargain $4.95!

I've made this 5X5"card from the richly colored CTMH Olivia paper, which I have folded. This makes good use of the gorgeous colors of the double-sided designer paper.

Thank you for stopping in - hope you are enjoying this holdiday weekend.

Dena

products used: My Refelctions Olivia pp; New England Ivy texutred, bamboo and barn red cs; Sunset and barn red inks, Foundry Flourishes (Z1331); cocoa ribbon; (D1361) Thank You stamp set.

Birthdays + A Gift Card

Just needing a break from Christmas things today. Lots of those still to do, but it was play time for a bit this afternoon.

The gift card is a very quick one inspired by Tresa Black. The inside has a pocket to hold a gift card. It can fit in a 31/2 X 5" envelope. I used CTMH paper from the Aspen pack and some of their blooms also - the large one is Colonial White and the smaller one a Creme Brulee. The brad makes it special. I punched a 1/2" piece of Aspen paper and attched it to the brad and then placed the clear button on top. I got mine from SU! but saw them at Michaels also.

The birthday card is a standard 41/4 X 51/2/, made using CTMH Perfect Day background paper, Juniper and Colonial White cardstock. I made the flower using four 1 1/2" scalloped punched pieces of the paper, ink distressed the edges, and gathered them with a Colonial White brad. I put a flat-backed pearl in the center of the brad. The punched border edge is a Martha Stewart punch.

Must start dinner now. The boys are coming for a sleep over, and we will be making little apple pies! They love to bake.

Snowfriends

and inside:

This one has some clear sparkle on the snowflakes and at Eggbert's feet - not showing well in the photo-

The 50% of sale at Bugaboo stamps got me! They have so many adorable images. I love playing with the sizes of the digitals, and coloring. I paper-pieced the hats on these two cards of Eggbert. Both use CTMH heart papers ( Aspen and Jingle) and their coordinating markers, a Colonial White button and some Creme Brulee ribbon.

There is a darling dog image waiting...but I must grade papers now. I am trying to stay ahead of the wave (more like tsunami!) of papers generated by six classes.

It has been a wonderful weekend of relaxation, crafting and housework. Made a cake, pot roast smelling good, sheets clean, vac + dusted....life is good.

It has been a delightful surprise to see new followers and comments here. Thank you so much! I am glad to be back posting so I appreciate your encouragement.

Dena

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Out of Shape!

Shape cards are fun. I loved making aprons last summer, and will be making some Christmas apron cards soon. But for this week's H2H challenge, I thought I'd try a mitten. I used My Reflection Jingle papers, White Daisy cardstock, a little Juniper cs, and tulip ink on a cute little round stamp from the Just for the Holidays set (all CTMH). Some Martha Stewart punched snowflakes, glittery Stickles, and a tiny bell add a little sparkle. Makes me wish for a little snow...

Caught a bug?

and inside:

Fortunately, I haven't. But plenty of folks at school have caught a bug.

All things came together today - I needed get well cards, saw a challenge on a favorite blog (http://www.thespottedchick.blogspot.com/), and found a 50% off sale at Bugaboo stamps - the best digital stamp source.

So here is my get well - bugaboo challenge!

I paper pieced the bow.

Hope you are well and enjoying a restful weekend.

products used: Kraft paper, Animal Cookies paper (CTMH), chocolate cardstock (CTMH), Bugaboo digital, black mini brad

Christmas Workshop

This card uses one of the prettiest papers from the CTMH mistletoe collection, and the shimmery ribbon from the Creative Basics set.
This card uses CTMH Creative Basics paper and 'Timber' stamp set.

Quick card - love my punches! I saw a 'popped' wreath on someone's blog and had to try one with CTMH 'Festive Frills' and 'Holiday Commentary' stamps.

This card is similar to one Vicki Wizniuk posted a while back - with some different papers. The coolest idea was to stamp the tree with a snowflake. I used Indian Corn Blue ink and matted the embossed white daisy on Sweet Home background paper.

Oh, how lovely Friday is! I left school, and after a trip to Michael's and Costco (armed with new punches, ribbon, adhesive and lots of coffee) I rushed home to paper play. The school papers are still in the car. I supposed I'll have to pull them out and grade tests . . . later.

Hope you will enjoy your weekend. I look forward to making these with good friends, and having the grandsons for a sleepover Saturday.

Dena

Sleigh bells ring....

There are too many choices for Christmas! So many paper sand stamps to choose from .

I am very happy to have traditional colors return to the Close to My Heart assortment. Christmas begs for glitter and ribbons, but they don't mail well, so I'm trying to find ways to have flat sparkle... that sounds strange.

The first card uses an image from CTMH reitred set 'Victorian Christmas,' and a new metallic marker. Got that great idea from Susan at http://www.simplicitybylateblossom.blogspot.com/ - this is the best-ever blog. She not only makes stunning cards, she gives delightful comments and good directions.

The next card (also a design from Susan) uses a new CTMH sentiment set, 'Everlasting Life.'

Snowman is what's left after tearing apart at least three attempts.

The last card is made from Mistletoe Creative Basics paper set - a fabulous deal of coordinating two-sided papers and yards of matching ribbon. The stamp set used is the Mistletoe Workshop set. The card says NOEL inside.

I took a break for dinner and Jeopardy. I'm headed back up to the stampin' cave :)

Birthdays and buttons

I so wanted to be able to make lots of things today. The list was long. I had fun, but it was slow going . . .

The birthday card on top and "Dude you rock' card I did myself - finally got the mojo going. I used up some cut scraps from Halloween Hooligans. This will go off in the mail to my brother tomorrow.

The next card is a close copy of one on Aaron Brown's blog last week. She did a week of pink cards raising funds for breast cancer research. I changed the embossing and added some different charms and fibers, but the design is hers. CTMH bamboo, white daisy, baby pink, some circles puched out of Precious Paisley for the flower( long retired from my CTMH stash), and lots of bottons, pearls and a charm.

The falling leaves card is another close copy of one on Kathy Carlson's blog. I didn't have the same leaves and I changed the sentiment, but again, it was such a great card, I had to have one!

And last, I bought this gorgeous striped ribbon from Stampin Up! last summer, and have been waiting for inspiration. The card looks really elegant and soft.

I have Christmas cards up next. Still working on them, and wishing I could play all night.

Holidays!!

Today is Halloween. I so enjoyed playing with CTMH Hooligans. I have a few little ones left and will use them for children's birthday cards.

Which holiday is your favorite? Mine is really Thanksgiving. I adore autumn and all the colors, foods and ideas....today I raked leaves for 35 minutes and they were so beautiful, I felt bad putting them in the yard waste container. They are an especially brilliant red this year.

That said, I do love my Christmas Santas that Mom painted and all the fun of making little gifts...

I am having fun planning the Christmas stamp projects. Pictures tomorrow.

Happy Haunting!! I'm off to walk the neighborhood with my little goblin grandsons :)

Dena

I'm back . . .

It has been an incredibly busy fall. This year school has taken over my life! The students are wonderful - just teaching new subjects (Civics and advanced placement U.S. Government & Politics) and using new textbooks for the U.S. History classes has pushed my time to the limit.

I am enjoying the civics and government much to my surprise. The seniors are delightful - though I've been warned that they don't last much after spring break :>)

Anyhow, there hasn't been much time to sleep or stamp. I had a workshop earlier in October, but didn't post the cards. So that's what you see here.

Thanks for coming back! I promise to post more often again. And please vote on Tuesday.

Dena

I'm working on Christmas workshop now, and hope to have something fun to show later this week.