MOTHERS CLASS IN ACTION!

Although several moms were missing, the rest of us were still having a good time making cards. We look forward to a good turn out for our last meeting next week!

Designer Paper Inspiration

Sometimes it's just the paper that gets me going! This one had so many possibilities, it was hard to decide which colors to use.

The paper "ribbon" was made by using a Fiskar's punch on both sides of a narrow strip.

Mothers Class --2-step stamping

Here are two cards you hope you never have to use, but they are good to have on hand. They are very easy to do, and the Mothers Class will be making one of each. Then we'll use the rose design for a Mothers'Day card by switching to a different sentiment.

Flower Soft -- First Try

Well, the jury is still out on this one. I'm not sure I like using this new product, but I'll keep experimenting. Of course, I have enough left in the jar for at least another 500 cards! (Plus 3 more jars of other colors.)

Welcome Elliot

Our new grandson has arrived, and we all enjoyed meeting him in person. Our trip to Prague could not have been better! We had perfect weather all week, the three older cousins had a wonderful time together, and we adults got to see and do a lot!

(More about Prague below.)

Blessing for Elliot

Since my sister and Dad couldn't be in Prague for the baptism, I copied the blessing onto light cardstock, added some dry embossing for embellishment and mounted it on blue cardstock as a keepsake for each of them. (Click on photo to enlarge.)

From Allentown to Prague

My, what a difference one week can make--Allentown on the 4th and Prague on the 11th!

We just got back from 5 glorious days in Prague visiting with my daughter and her family. The Lord was gracious in providing picture perfect, warm weather for our entire stay. The highlight of this visit was meeting our new grandson, Elliot, and witnessing his baptism at a growing church in the midst of an atheistic city.

My daughter commissioned me to make 30 birth announcements, which I delivered when we got there (although I had to finish the last 10 while there.) Of course, I never got around to making a copy for this blog...duh...

From an artistic standpoint, Prague is an inspiring city. There is architecture of every kind, spires everywhere, bridges, statues, texture in cobblestones and metro walls, outdoor markets and much, much more. The weather was sunny and warm, not a wisp of a cloud, unusual for this time of year. Flowers and trees were in bloom, suggesting to me that I need to try my new Flower Soft as soon as this jet lag wears off!

It's time for floral cards inspired by things that made an impression on me during my visit to Prague! Stay tuned...

Allentown Stamp Show--2009

Today was the day we wait all year for. We started out at 8 am and arrived as the doors opened, bubbling with expectation -- and we were NOT disappointed! I drove Cyndy, Elaine and Joan in my car; and Evelyn drove Linda. It's so much more fun with a group, especially when we split up and meet again for lunch. Then, it's "Show and Tell" when we share all our finds before heading back out on the floor.

Some stampers/scrappers take this stamp show very seriously, as evidenced by the carts some of them brought to wheel around their purchases. Not a bad idea; but we made trips out to the car to lighten our tote bags.

Shown here are just a few of the many card samples on display at the various booths. The first one shown was at the Flower Soft table, where I purchased 4 jars: Ivory, Christmas Green, Lavender and Nut Brown--can't wait to use them! I picture using the green for leaves and stems, the brown for black-eyed susans, the lavender for flower spikes and the ivory for snow or dandelions. I'm sure there'll be lots of other uses... (Ignore the demonstrator's lunch...)

The next photo was taken at Denami Designs, where they had tons of cards on display. I especially liked the one with the torn edge. Many of them had lots of glitter. One technique I often forget to use is repeat stamping--using the same image 2 or 3 times across a card. I'll have to work on that...

Skip down to the next post for more photos!

Stamp Show, Continued

Since I'm still learning how to stamp scenes, I took a picture of a deer scene that really looked beautiful. I especially like the way they carried the grassy scenery and deer into the foreground. I hope to CASE it one of these days!

The last photo had some ideas to use with the Cuttlebug I already own. Just click on the images for further detail.

After 5 hours of walking on concrete, we headed for home. I was exhausted by the time we got back (around 5:00) but it was well worth it! We all had a wonderful day, spent too much (over budget, of course) and saw a lot of gorgeous cards. Can't wait for the next show in 2010!

Don't Let Your Age Bug You!

Although I've used the Bug Builder set from SU for children's cards, they're also great for my Silver Stamper friends. The word stamp is from Hambo Stamps and is the perfect complement to any bug stamp.

After cutting out these adorable bugs, I popped them out with SU dimensionals. Golden gems are added for bling, on the bugs and for a row of three below. Black Stickles were used on their heads.