And the Winner Is...

Diane of Diane's Designs--Congrats! Check out Diane's blog when you get a chance. She does great work! (Click on link at right.)

Easy Card!

This card couldn't have been easier! I found the saying in my stash of pre-stamped images, already punched out. When I saw this designer paper in one of my Basic Grey Paper Pads (Lilykate) I cut it to size, made the slit around the goose's beak and mounted it on the green cardstock. Then I edged the oval with green ink, added blue the dots with a marker and slipped the oval into the slit. After adding the brad and lining the envelope, I had a quickie new card!

Does this count as a bird card for the SCS challenge???

Martha Stewart Punch a Hit!

I'm just lovin' this Zig Zag Martha Stewart punch. Not only does it cut, but also embosses.

Here are two cards I made yesterday. The chicks will go to someone for a birthday. Unfortunately, I needed to make the purple one for a sympathy card which will go out today.

Easy peasy...

Great Saves!

Here are two cards that required correcting for various defects. Both cards are done with the Hero Arts Patterned Butterflies (set of 4.)

The orange butterfly card started out with a miss-punched scallop, covered up by one of the butterflies. Then I stamped the greeting on the bottom, not realizing that it said happy "bird-day"--duh... So I covered up the word with a letter B for butterfly!

The blue butterfly card was even more complicated! First, I punched the bottom edge too high above the blue strip on the inside, so I had to attach an extra strip of blue beneath the top flap.

Then, I inked the bottom edge in dark blue, but when I laid it down, the ink was touching the blue underneath and left a faint mark across the bottom. So I got out my sewing stitches stamp and covered that up.

Next, I tied the blue check ribbon around and snipped the ends just right; but when I opened up the card, I discovered the ribbon was twisted on the inside. So I tied a piece of embroidery floss in a bow to make it look intentional. I think it looks better that way actually! (The message inside came out fine, but the scanner made it look uneven.)

Last, but not least, I stamped the word "celebrate" across the front. Can you see where I had to fill in with a pen?

Just goes to show that there are lots of ways to save a card! (BTW, all the blues match better than it looks here.)

A CHALLENGE FOR YOU!

Actually, I could use some help!

Here's the scoop: I just became an instructor for card crafting at my local AC Moore.

Here's what I've come up with so far: for the first class, they'll do "Versatile Versamark" making 3 cards with Versamark ink techniques (shown here.) I plan to do a follow-up class using Versamark again for more advanced techniques.

Here's the problem: since I can only use what they sell in the store (no exceptions!) and students have to pay for materials, the cards have to be kept very simple. This store sells no Stickles, self-stick crystal embellishments or plain white cardstock in bulk (I buy mine at Walmart--obviously a no-no for the class.)

Here's the challenge: create a card appropriate for all levels using simple designs. Keep in mind that I need to keep supplies to a minimum so they can afford the class!

Here's how: post your card on your blog and send me the link in your comment below.

Here's the reward: I will choose a winner at random from all your comments to receive a $10 gift card from AC Moore! I'm going to have one of my Wednesday stamping buddies pick the winning number from all those who respond.

Here's the deadline: Midnight (Eastern time) July 1st

Thanks for your ideas!

For Stampaholics Over 50

For those of you who expressed interest in learning more about Silver Stampers:

Silver Stampers is a wonderful, caring group of card makers from all across the country. I've been a member since 2002 and have made many new friends through the mail as we exchange birthday and holiday (or whatever) cards!

For more information, some card samples of our members and the person to contact should you wish to join, simply click on the Silver Stamper link to the right. You'll be glad you did--if you're "mature" enough, that is!

White on White Challenge

...and a challenge it was! There's still time to join in until June 15th, so click on Stampin' Granny's site (at right) for further details.

For the background, I used my Cuttlebug directly on the card front. Then I dry embossed the flower, added Stickles in the center and mounted it to the card (over the ribbon) with pop dots. For a little bit of bling, I added a clear crystal in the lower right corner.

Enjoy!

Successful Workshop

Last Saturday, Joyce, Lucienne, Ruth and Joan each made six cards using my Cuttlebug machine for some interesting embossed backgrounds. After proudly displaying their creations for the camera, Joan took another picture with me in it.

It was a good way to spend a hot and humid afternoon with air conditioning and lots of iced tea!

I've Been Tagged--Again!

At first I thought this was a "duplicate" tag, but the questions are slightly different. Here goes:

1. Ten years ago I was a star on Broadway and had my own TV show (gotcha!) Actually, I did do some Broadway tunes with an accompanist at local nursing homes for several years on a volunteer basis.

2. Five things on my "to do list": clean house in the morning before it gets too hot (there's a severe heat/humidity warning for tomorrow and Tuesday); go to Bible study on Tuesday morning; stamp here with friends on Wed.; visit my sister and parents on Long Island Thursday through Saturday this week; and plan a nice Fathers Day celebration for my husband.

3. My favorite snacks are (top 3 from a list of hundreds!): ice cream, cookies, and of course, chocolate!

4. If I were a millionaire, I wouldn't do anything differently than I do now except that I would enjoy having more to share!

5. Places I've lived: I grew up on the north shore of Long Island and married someone from the south shore. When our son was 2, we moved to Hawthorne, New Jersey. From there, we inched our way west all the way to northwestern New Jersey, where we are now--we were originally aiming for Montana!

For more on our adventures here in our little corner of New Jersey, check out my blog (at right) for Fox Mountain.

Now it's your turn! Here are the five bloggers (at right) I've tagged:

Toni at Inky Fingers
Amy G
Diane's Designs
Rochelle
Vivlyn Designs

Please post the answers to these 5 questions on your blogs so we can all get to know you better! Then choose 5 others to do the same! Meanwhile, the rest of us can click on the list at right to visit your blogs. TFS!