Operation Write Home Memorial Day Blog Hop!

This weekend is a long one for those of us in the states, (or on overseas military bases). I know we are planning on BBQing, hanging out with friends, and of course sleeping in late. Unfortunately for many that is all Memorial Day is about. For those of us in the military though, this three day weekend comes at a much higher price. I know, I for one, am having a difficult time this Memorial day as it will be the last weekend before my husband heads downrange yet again. I joined the blog hop, so I could hopefully show others exactly what this day is truly about. Please take the time to join me in thanking our military families for making what for some is the ultimate sacrifice.

Now, on to the cards. We were asked to make a missing you card, but with my husband's deployment so close, I couldn't bear to even think about how much I will be missing him. Instead I chose a thank-you theme for all the soldiers who have given so much in order to guarantee I can have my freedom.

This card was relatively easy to do....but I think it has a pretty big impact. To get the multi-colored background, simply use versamark and a stamp or wheel to put your images on white card stock. Cover the images with clear embossing powder and then heat. Once the embossing powder is set and the card stock has cooled, sponge the ink colors of your choice over the images. It really is that simple!
Finally, I made one more card. Imagine, if you will, that it has been sent to you from one of our fallen. While BBQ's, Graduation and Vacation are all important, it is truly a time to remember this weekend. So take a quick minute and definitely REMEMBER those that gave their lives for our country.

Now, to see even more great cards and projects, check out My VC Rocker Friend Barbara. I'm sure you'll be just as delighted by her contribution as I am!!! http://www.theloveofstamping.com/

Summer Time!!!

It's time for the Funky Friday Challenge!!! Today's challenge was theme inspiration....basically make a summer card. I have to admit, I think my mojo is on hietus, so this was the best I could come up with. I'm sure you can do much better than I did, so join us over at the Cornwall Crafty Stamper Challenge Blog. I can't wait to see what you come up with!

I made you wait long enough

Do you remember a LOOONG time ago (Ok actually just a month and a half) I showed you this picture and refused to tell you what was in the box? I thought you might remember that. I just realized that I never actually showed you what was in the box. Well, back then I was asked to create something special for our Honorary Queens on the Royal Blog Tour. The RBT Team thought it would be nice to recognize their contribution of time and talent to the event. After much discussion we decided a charm would be perfect. So, I set out making several different inserts for the charms, and the entire team voted. Some of the rejects were......
But the winner was....... And here is what the final product looked like. Hopefully by now everyone has received theirs, and I didn't spoil anyone's surprise. I just was so darn proud of myself I had to share!

Park Avenue Patterns

Ok, I admit it. I actually bought this stamp set for the ornaments for Christmas. But. since it is currently May and I promised myself I would use it, I came up with this card instead. It isn't bad, but I can't say it is my favorite. Anyone out in Blog land have any suggestions on how to improve it?

The Black Eyed Frogs???

Ok, back to my resolution to use all my Idea book and catalog stamp sets first. Here is a cute one called Hoppy for You. Believe it or not this set has been on my wish list since last July. Oh well, he is finally mine! (MUWAHHHAHAHA!!) I saw this card over on splitcoast, and had to give it a try (and of course my own spin). I had it almost completely done when the frog's eyes in the center smeared a little. I was so angry. Don't you hate it when you get something almost perfect and then screw it up at the end? Oh well, I'm just telling everyone that the center frog fought the fly and lost.

Kyle's Harley

Ok, I know, I just said I wasn't going to use my Summer Mini stamps until I had used all the rest, but I couldn't help myself. I saw the Motorcycle set and had to get it. No, I am not a closet biker babe, but I had the perfect use for it. My brother has always been a huge Harley fan. He owns stock in it (Ok, I bought it for him. You think he was going to do something even remotely cool like that? :) ) and he even named his dog after them. But, unfortunately, he doesn't own one. Well now, thanks to his loving sister and Stampin' Up! he can have one on his birthday card. Ok, his birthday isn't until August, but I told you I couldn't wait! What do you think? Will he like it?

NEW STUFF!!!

Ok, many of you know that I had to post pone my Summer Mini order until after we recovered from our extended stay in Cyprus. Let me just tell you. it about killed me to do that. I saw all these wonderful projects online using the new stamp sets and accessories, and I couldn't recreate them. I was finally able to order my items, and let me tell you, it ended up being a bigger order than even I thought I would put together. Not only did I order items from the Summer Mini, but I also bought some stamp sets I had been eying out of the Idea Book and Catalog. Every year I wait until the stamp sets are almost retired before I buy them, well this year I decided to be pro active and just buy what I wanted before the retired list came out! I promised myself I would use them all before I started in on the Summer Mini stuff, so as I mounted my sets, I used them to make a card. Today's card was made using the Pendant Park stamp set. I love these little squirrels sitting on the bench. How did I manage to resist this for so long. Anyway, this little card is already winging it's way towards it's new home......in Canada!!! I've also decided that I am going to start mailing the cards I make, instead of just letting them sit around and collect dust. If you want one of my cards, drop me an email with your address....you never know. You may be the next lucky one!

My final Vacation Pages

I know, your tired of my vacation aren't you....Well after almost an extra two weeks we were too. We spent the last 11 days at a new hotel (several in the local area, including the one we were staying at took advantage of the volcano by raising their rates) doing nothing but swimming, playing with the hotel cat Avanti, and catching lizards. It was relaxing, but it was definitely time to go home!

You may notice that none of these pages have stamps on them. That is another cool feature of MDS, you can use any digital image as the background for your page. I used my own photos and those found on the internet as backgrounds on these three pages.

Funky Friday Ugly Cat Challenge

Ok, I'm sure some of you won't think of this as an ugly cat, but personally, I think it is pretty ugly. This picture was the inspiration for our color challenge this week. I think the Cat has Pink Passion, Kraft, and Very Vanilla, so that is what I based my card on.
I was lucky enough to be inspired by Ilina Crouse and her All a Flutter card here. Unfortunately using the Presto Paper wasn't an option since they don't have it in the UK as of yet. So, I decided to make my own background paper. It was really easy. I just used Versamark and the Baroque Wheel to make the design on my Very Vanilla Cardstock. I then embossed it with clear embossing powder and once it was cool, sponged Pink Passion ink over the top. Rub off the excess with a tissue and Voila! Your very own Presto Paper. I have to admit, I am pretty darn proud of myself for this one! From Ugly Cat to Beautiful Butterfly.....what more could you ask for!

My favorite page

Are you tired of our vacation yet? Well at this point, we were suppose to go home. Unfortunately a little volcano in Iceland had other plans for us. Our vacation became extended. I wanted to document the event in MDS, but since we couldn't see anything in Cyprus but blue skies, I didn't have any pictures. My good friend Punch Art came to the rescue. MDS is awesome for creating virtual punch art. You can layer and layer and layer to your hearts content. While this isn't the best punch art I've ever done, I'm pretty impressed with my volcano. What about you?

LNS Challenge 71

One thing that has always amazed me about Stampin' Up! and paper crafting in general is the fact that not only can you make cards and Scrapbook pages, but you can also create great decorating items. This week over on Late Night Stampers our challenge was to make some type of home decor using our crafting supplies. Since I had already made a bunch of paper roses for the blog hop over the weekend, I thought I would try and incorporate one of them into my project. I thought it might make a pretty napkin ring. I had made these before for the fall, but thought I might need a few more for summer. I love the way the rose and the Lattice Die turned into such an elegant looking decor piece. It still needed a little something, so the Beautiful wings Embosslit to the rescue. Voila' a napkin ring fit for a princess! What do you think?

ED Challenge for LNS

Every week the Late Night Stampers have an Easy and Demonstratable Challenge. Basically these are quick and easy cards that work well for workshops and to teach customers. This weeks challenge is sponging. I decided to use the Fine Flourishes stamp and do the emboss resist technique. Basically you emboss white on white and then sponge over the top. I used three colors to sponge, bashful blue, Brocade blue, and Night of Navy. I have to admit, I really love the way this card turned out!

The Final Stop on the Fun Bus

Our last, and longest, stop on George's Fun Bus was a beautiful little cove right off of George's Island (different George of course!). The water here was crystal clear and we parked the bus and got out for a swim. We BBQ off the back of the bus and stayed for hours. Once the dinner was done, we all joined in for a round of Karaoke. Katie and Matt even sang solos! All in all it was a wonderful day.

Another BAB card for the LNS Challenge

Well, I finally got around to trying my hand at a different Build a Bear card for the Late Night Stampers Challenge. I have to admit, I like this one much better. I realize the colors are pretty bright, but I'm trying to use up some of my retiring colors before July. I think the close to cocoa helps tone down the Yo Yo Yellow and Pink Passion. What about you?

VC Rocks Blog Hop

For the past two years I have been priviledged to be part of the Yahoo Group Virtual Convention (VC) Rocks. This group only runs during the Summer, and is a great place to hang out if you are unable to go to convention. You are able to participate in classes, make n takes, swaps, get a virtual roomie, and everything else that you may feel you are missing by not attending convention. This year, we are having several blog hops as well.
So, Welcome to the first ever VC Rocks Blog Hop.

Below you will see my project. It is rainy and gray here in Germany, so I was hoping by utilizing some of the brighter colors I could coax a little sun out of the sky. If you would like to create this card, the tutorial is listed below.

You will need everything pictured here as well as two way glue, snail, and Stazon black ink.
If you can't read the measurements, click the picture to make it larger.
Using Summer Sun, sponge small spots onto the Bride DSP.
Fill in all remaining white areas with Only Orange.
Buff off extra colors with a tissue.
To make the Rose, run scrap cardstock over the edge of a desk to break up fibers. Continue until cardstock bends easily.
Punch 3 Large Fancy Flowers.
Sponge edges with Only Orange.
Cut flowers into the pieces shown below.
Put glue on the right side and layer the petal from the left to make a cone shape in the three largest pieces.
On the smallest piece, roll the sides into the middle.
On the two petal piece, roll the top of the left side petal down.
Then flip over and roll the opposite sides into a cone shape.
Cut the points off all cones so the pieces will fit together easily.
Put the smallest into the second smallest and continue until all pieces are glued inside each other.
Using Black Stazon, stamp a butterfly from the All A flutter single stamp. Glue rose onto upper left corner. You are finished!

Hope you enjoyed the card, and let me know if you decide to try one for yourself!

To Continue on to the next stop of the hop visit Kimm.