MOTHERS CLASS CHRISTMAS CARD

This should be an easy card to do in class.  First, we'll stamp the image in Versamark and gold emboss it.  Then with just red and green markers, we'll color in the word and the holly leaves, mount it on a green panel and attach it to the card base with dimensionals.

This is the original card I came up with but later modified it a bit to improve the scale.  The card base is a side fold, and the stamped panel is cut smaller.  I also rounded the bottom right corners of all three layers instead of using the diagonal strips.  One strand of red embroidery floss is wrapped around the left side of the top panel with a small bow at the top, allowing the image to stand out more. 

For the inside, we'll be stamping "Wishing you all the blessings of this happy, holy season."

Mothers Class Cards

This Christmas card is a great way to use up some scraps.  Using a hexagon die, I brought a batch of pre-cut hexagons to class for this simple card..  I got the idea from Kim Singdahlson's blog, September 8th post.  Be sure to visit her HERE!

The Fall card was very easy to duplicate also.  The leaves were inked on a Kaleidacolor pad, fussy cut and mounted on the card front with ds tape.  Twine was wrapped around the panel before mounting to the card.


TIP:  When wrapping twine or ribbon around a panel, start with a small piece of ds tape on the back to hold it in place while you tie it on the front.  Most of the time, it will be looser on the front than you'd like.  Just turn it over, snip the twine or ribbon and tape it down again with regular Scotch tape.  Then adhere the panel to the card.  Easy!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

When I walked into the dining room earlier, something caught my eye.  It was Jenny!  She had climbed into the gift bag on a chair and was quite happy with herself. 

BACK FROM MY BIRTHDAY TRIP

Just got back this morning from an overnight birthday trip with Rick to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut.  The weather was just perfect for walking around outside and watching the sailboats go by.  Our room at the Steamboat Inn was delightful, except that the bed was a bit scary being 4 feet high!  Dinner at the local pub down the street was wonderful.  We even got home in time this morning to get all the garbage out for pickup as the truck was making its way toward our street.  Even though we were only gone a total of 30 hrs., the cats were delighted to see us back so they could go out.

I'm looking forward to getting some cards done later on today before "Stamping Withdrawal" sets in!

FINALLY BACK IN THE TOWER!

To bring you up to date, here's what's been happening since my last post:

First, I was able to "erase" the damage to my car on my own with a spray bottle of Orange Blast and a paper towel.  All that's left is a tiny scratch or two that need some touch-up paint.  This is after 2 estimates of $1200 and $1400 from the collision repair shops--what a rip-off.  No wonder our insurance rates are so high.  I also saved the $500 we would have had to pay as our deductible--that's a LOT of stamps!

Sunday (the 8th) we were able to get to church, and I'm so glad we didn't miss it.  We usually go to the early service, so we don't often get to hear the choir.  They sang four times during the early service, which was just beautiful; and the sermon was outstanding.  It felt really good to be back after missing 4 in a row because of my fall and being on vacation.

Speaking of vacation, here are a couple of pictures:  The first sunrise from our bedroom windows and the pool the next day.  The house was very comfortable for all 10 of us, and we already reserved it again for next year!

Back at home, we are having a new heating and A/C system installed, so the house was "invaded" by workmen for the week.  We still have one more installation to go, and then we can get back to normal.  

BUT, the "fun" really started Thursday night with a line of violent storms that came through and knocked out power for two days.  Thankfully, the generator enabled the workmen that were here to keep going the next day.  We had heat overnight on Friday, and we could see a huge improvement over the old system!  Saturday we still ran the generator (on and off) all day, but went to our daughter's house for a hot dinner and some laughs.  By the time we got home, the power had come back on.  Yesterday was bright and sunny in the 70's with no wind, so I was able to sit on the deck with the Sunday Times crossword and enjoy the weather one more day before it gets too cold.

Stamping has resumed, so check out my next post! (below)

FOUR MORE PASTOR CARDS

Autumn is in the air, as you can see by these designs.  (Please click to enlarge!)

The green one was pretty straight forward and took very little time to make.  The red leaf one was also quick to do, using a piece of dsp from my stash.  The other two took a lot longer.

The "faith" card started out with the letters mounted individually over the leaf pattern on another card front; but I couldn't get it to work.  After scrapping the original card I intended, I came up with this one using the negative strip and a piece of neutral background paper with a lined texture to it.  The orange leaf is from a set with the matching dies by Papertrey Ink.  After using some matching embroidery floss to highlight the verse,  I like how it turned out.

The striped cardfront was even more of a design challenge, but I also like the way it finally turned out after fussing with it for over an hour.  The verse on that card was curled to give it some depth, attached with ds tape on the left side only.

Thanks for stopping by!

BACK FROM VACATION...

...AND STILL CATCHING UP...

We had a wonderful time at the beach house we rented on the Outer Banks of NC for the week of Aug. 25.  All ten of us went; and the grandkids had a ball going from surf to pool to hot tub and back again each day!  Can't wait to do it again next year.

Meanwhile, after resting on Labor Day from the 9-hour drive, I drove the 100 miles (each way) to visit my 96-year old Dad who is still doing amazingly well.  Unfortunately, I had a minor accident on the way home from there, so I've been busy getting repair estimates for the scrapes on my car.  No injuries, thankfully.

Stop by later for vacation pictures!  Hope to be stamping again soon...