Who Moved my CHEESE???

OK, I'm cracking myself up right now, but I'm taking full advantage of it because my kids tell me that I'm the only one who thinks I'm funny...

This morning, I decided to finish a card from the images I've been coloring. I did so and got the bright idea to make the hat and cheese and tail pop off the page.  I printed the image again and colored them. I had a lot of my coloring stuff upstairs, but I needed to get downstairs to make the card.  Somewhere, somehow, when I got downstairs to the Card Castle, I didn't have my cheese! I searched everywhere (except for the place where it was, evidently) for about an hour looking for my cheese. --this is where the funny title and laughing at myself come in.  Anyway, I finally gave up, printed another image, and went back upstairs to color it, only to find the original cheese about 2 inches from where it was when I thought I picked it up to bring downstairs...  Am I the only one this crazy stuff happens to???

And in another cheesy incident. I made my Sunshine Casserole for breakfast this morning, well last night actually--  and I realized something.  Get ready-- here is another freebie for you... When you have other cooks in the house, you really should check your inventory before you plan to cook a recipe. That way when you're out you can grab the ingredients from the grocery store! There you have it... for free. I used to know exactly what was in my fridge, but lately, my daughter has been on a Macaroni and Cheese kick.  She uses the "recipe" she learned from me which I learned from my momma. I didn't realize that she'd used  all the cheese I had. There was no way I was going back out in the icy roads last night so I had to improvise for the top layer.  I used Cheddar Cheese soup in place of the Shredded Cheddar...  Yeah, next time I'll go to the store...

OK, enough cheddar, I mean enough chatter... ( I just want to point out that I channeled Monica for a second there... LOL)  Sorry, I'm in a silly mood and I'm still cracking myself up!!!

On to the importante....  the  reason we're here... the inspiration for this whole  cheesy post. ;) Here are some details and close-ups of the card at the top.

The image is a digital Hambo. I've been experimenting with Copics. so I colored several of these babies.  As I mentioned, I printed and colored and printed again, just slightly larger, just for style.   From this second printing, I cut the cap, the cheese, and the tail. The extra chef's hat and cheese wedge were attached with Pop Dots.

 I don't do much coloring with markers, so I didn't buy a whole lot of Copics.  My color selection is very limited. I have a very light lavender color and this dark purple.  I started coloring and realized I wouldn't be able to shade the dark purple.  For depth,  where the jacket overlaps, I need one side lighter or darker. Since I couldn't go darker, I used the colorless blender to pull the color  off the paper and lighten it up just a little.
I think you can see it in the picture below.
The last thing I wanted to mention is the computer generated words.  I probably have several stamps that say something similar, but I wasn't in the mood or frame of mind to look for it. Somebody's craft space needs organizing, but I'm not mentioning names here, ok?

So, for a special person who deserves sparkly cheese on their chocolate iced cupcake... voila! the perfect card!

FYI: this card is note card size (5 1/2 x 4 1/4)

I'm also including a photo of several of the images I colored.  I imagine a marathon card making session in my near future.  All of them were colored with my limited collection of Copics except for the bottom purple-y one-- that was done with colored pencils.  Out of time for now...  Be blessed.  

Wedding Programs etc...

Good Morning, friends.

I am trying my hardest not to be upset that I'm not in Philadelphia attending the wedding of my very dear friend. I'm sure I'll see lots of pictures and I'm even counting on seeing the video when I go to Philly in June. But truly, that's not much of a consolation right now. Needless to say, I am very disappointed. I'm not going to get into why I didn't get to go. Let's just say there was a big misunderstanding and leave it at that.

So, here I sit in Georgia (instead of Philadelphia). Since I'm here (and not there) I thought now would be a good time to show you what has kept me busy for so long.

Be

fore I go any further, let me acknowledge the creator of this design. I completely copied this idea from Holly Craft.

She is abundantly talented and I am always amazed by her work. If you go to her blog, Today's Creations, you will see exactly what I mean. If you are looking for more wedding ideas, this link will take you to the search I did for wedding on her blog. You've got to see the invitations at the bottom of the page.

Here are a few of the pictures I took before shipping everything out. There are several more in my gallery on Flickr. I will also be putting up instructions for the individual projects in my gallery.

Christmas Light

I'm sending this link to the Salt Challenge. The challenge last week was "light".

This is a photo of the sunset from taken from my deck in MI. I changed it with my photo editing software and added the wording. The Baby Jesus image in the little tag and the star pattern on the background are stamps by Biblical Impressions.

Graduation Memory Books

Here is another thing that has kept me busy over the last week. The Graduation Memory book. I made one of these books for my graduate and during her party/open house one of her friends asked me to make her one too. These books were used during the Graduation Open house, or can be used before and after. There is room for a photo and contact information as well as a space for a special memory and well wishes. One person gets to fill out the two facing pages. I did all this on the computer using images from the internet and photo editing software. Although I bought a Bind it All with this book in mind, I haven't had a chance to play with it. I did both books with the Rollabind Punch. I intend to re-bind my daughter's with the Bind it All once we get settled.

Announcements: Postal!

We got them done today and in the mail so fast that I didn't get good photos. I need to print a few more anyway, so I'll take pictures then. This was another example of my driving myself insane because I have to make everything. I wanted to get them in the mail the first week in May. I really do have great intentions. I won't bore you with my Murphy's Law story. The point is they are postal now!

She's going to kill me if she sees this. (smile) But she was a BIG help!

Purple, Purple Everywhere!

I made a change to my profile because Tulip hunting season is over. This is the time of year I love it here because even riding down the road is a pleasurable event.

They are everywhere. I am going to take my camera with me when I go out today and so that I can get a few more pictures.


I don't know if you noticed, but I worked on my banner over the weekend and made a few changes to it. I just tweeked what I already had up there. Actually, I had to completely start over because of the way I saved it the first time. The idea was the same. I added more pictures too. I think I'm satisfied with it now. I love how the crown turned out. The crown is just one of the images I had drawn for my stamp line.
By the way, in case you're interested, Blessings Rubber Stamps is just on the back burner, not totally forgotten. (smile) I've temporarily put it on hold because my real life jumped in and monopolized my time over the past few months.

What Cancer Cannot Do...

I made this card for my sister and brother in law. He was recently diagnosed with cancer. I searched to find the right words to say, and there just are none. Please pray for them.
I asked on the Gingerwood board for opinions about which type of card would be better-- thinking of you or praying for you? Several ladies told me that this poem gave then comfort and strength. Jo emailed this to me. I was also given the names of two websites that have this poem on a stamp. Verses Rubber Stamps.com and Catholic Rubber Stamps. ( Same poem, different fonts) I may order it, but I wanted to hurry and get this card done so I just computer generated the words.

Everyday chit chat:
I could use a little boredom right now. That's what my Mom's Attitude Sign says today.
We had the realtor's tour today, so the house had to be perfect. (Remember the cartoons where someone would knit while someone else is unknitting the same item from the other end. That's what it's like trying to keep the house clean with this bunch.) I'm so tired, I could go to bed right now, but we have a 5th grade band concert tonight. My ink cartridges came for my printer from Dell so I can finish the graduation invitation/announcements I started printing last week. I had the Stampin Up party with my Michigan friends last night, (here) and we made the best cards. I took pictures of the friends and the step by step of one card, but I still have to take pictures of the actual finished cards. I'll put it in tomorrow's post. Until then, I think I'll get a power nap to hold me ov..... zzzzzzzzz

Mother's Day Cards 2007

I love it when a design plan comes together even better in real life than the plan in my head. This design also justified my having so many similar stamps. I actually felt bad recently and didn't purchase a Happy Mother's Day stamp I wanted, because I already have a few Happy Mother's Day stamps in my collection. Anyway none of the stamps I had would fit in the space allowed for the sentiment of that magnificent card design that was in my head, so I had to do it on the computer.

Topiary trees stamp = SU, Printed paper= Basic Grey, Chocolate Chip card stock= SU, Flowers = Prima, Brad= Spare Parts

many thanks!

You are probably tired of seeing thank you cards made with photos so I promise this is the last set for awhile! ...at least for a couple days... (wink)


Again, I used the same "sketch" just different photos and paper. These cards are for my Michigan stamping friends and the photo is cropped down from the photo I took of the flowers they sent me.
I actually used all the " Martha" flower stickers from the first pack and had to go back for another pack. The more I think about it, these are a good buy, even w/o a coupon. I don't know where I bought this paper, but it has been in my file cabinet for as long as I've had the cabinet.

You've Blessed My Life

This card was designed for Karen. She sent me a bouquet of purple tulips after my miscarriage a few weeks ago. We've been friends for 10 years now and we've seen each other through a lot of trials. Say a prayer for her family? Her husband is sick and it is a tough time for them all.

I used the photo of her tulips to make several cards. I used the same basic design as the Floral Photo Thank You cards from last week.

Tulip Photo, by Jacki Jones(wink), Paper by Provo Craft.

Here are a couple more variations.

I did several variations that I'll eventually get uploaded into my gallery. The scroll pattern used in the background of these cards is by Impression Obsession.

IPod card

I looked back at my 360 blog from last year and I don't think I showed you this card then. I mentioned this Ipod card in response to a very flattering comment on yesterday's post from Sharon in NE.

My sister bought my graduating senior an IPod. She deserved a very special card so I made this one on the computer. I took the 'not so good' photo of them as soon as they returned from the store.

I do try to make thank you card reflect the gift given when possible. Unfortunately, sometimes that delays the whole thank you process, but hopefully it's worth the wait. (I always acknowledge the giver immediately with a phone call.)

Tweeked Floral Photo Thank You

I don't know if it was seeing it enlarged on the computer screen or what, but little things that bothered me before I blogged about this card turn into big things... Anyway, I fixed it and now I love it. I trimmed down the yellow layer and added the brown behind it. I also added a little more brown to the flower. .

While I had the stuff out I made a couple more. Now I have to go back to Michaels to get more Martha flowers! Sigh...

Floral Photo Thank You Cards and more..

Edited at the bottom:

on the Martha stuff. After thinking about it, maybe the prices aren't that much different. I bought those dimensional stickers for $4.99. The sheet measured approximately 6 x 9. The Jolee's stickers of this type average around $3.99 and those sheets are half this size.



The sticker used on this card is one of the Martha Stewart stickers I bought last night. I colored it using a paint brush and ink from and SU Barely Banana reinker mixed water. I darkened the center of the flower with ink from a Brilliance Coffee Bean reinker. Of course I mixed more wash than I needed to color the flower so I painted the excess on off white cardstock and used it as the background. The photo was taken of the flowers sent to me/us by the coworkers at my husband's job. This is the thank you card I'm sending to them.

I also have cards made from the flowers my local friends sent to me, but since they read this blog, I'll wait on showing you the pictures until they get their cards.

ETA: Here is a link to Martha Stewart line online. Martha Stewart Crafts
I realize that opinions and taste will differ. I like the stuff. If nobody else likes it and it doesn't sell, I'll go and buy everything on clearance! LOL! ;)

Programs, Note Cards, and Thank You Cards

Busy day, but I'm done! I designed and printed 100 programs, 30 thank you notes and 30 personalized note cards.

Program front(left), back( right), and inside( top).

I made 30 Thank You cards and then decided to make 30 more personal note cards in case she runs out.



I made note cards in 4 different colors.

Great Minds Think Alike!

First things first: I'm fine, physically. My ultrasound this afternoon confirmed that I won't need any further procedures. Grieving and healing will take place in it's own perfect time. Thanks for your concern. And thanks again to all who are praying for me. Prayers are much needed and appreciated here...
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. from 2 Corinthians.
Second: Things are right on schedule with the relocation. The house is on the market as of Saturday. One concern I have is that I have to figure out a way to keep my office neat. My office/ stamping room is the first room you see as you enter our front door. yikes. I am not a neat crafter. Ideas and papers fly all over this room. I guess I am going to have to try....
Third: To the contest winners. I will get the prizes in the mail on Wednesday for sure. I have to go out tomorrow for mailing envelopes. I am amazed that I don't even have three that I can recycle!? That means I need to do some ordering or something ;) .
And now---The cards...

Last week while I was resting and watching movies, my Basic Grey order came from The Stamping Studio. Since I couldn't get up to make cards, I flipped through the booklet looking at all the pretty patterns getting all kinds of ideas. The Stella Ruby paper has collaged sewing pattern designs and it immediately put this stamp set in mind. This is one of the ideas I got from the paper.

I stamped the image three times-- once on white cardstock and twice on different sections of the Basic Grey pattern paper. I trimmed the dresses from the pattern paper and glued them to the white cardstock image. The ladies were quickly colored in with a Prismacolor Peach Beige pencil.

And as I checked on my friends out in blogland yesterday, I realized that Mrs. C had the same idea. Like my title says " Great Minds Think Alike"


Stamps: (Pattern for Friendship) SU
Ink: SU Basic Brown, Fresco Medici Marble
Paper: Basic Grey Stella Ruby 6 x 6 pad
Other: Ticket Corner Punch, Notched Corner Punch, Buttons ( Bazzill) Tape Measure (scanned and altered* on the computer).
*This started off as a blue tape measure. I scanned it and used a sepia filter on it.

Let's get together...

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah!

I took this photo at night so that you can see the linen cardstock. It was totally washed out in the daylight photo. But I included the daylight photo also so that you can see the detail of the light blue strip. The sentiment is computer generated. I have been looking for a stamp with this sentiment for a while. I've seen on some other blogs that one of those $1 stamps at Michaels says "Let's get together" in a cute font. Too bad the Michaels near me doesn't have them anymore. I don't make invitations very often, so for now, I'll just print them out on the computer.
This card came about because I was looking for an excuse to use this cute coffee cup stamp. I ran into a friend in the grocery store the other day and when she asked about my surgery, and I had to tell her why I didn't have it. We chatted for a while and before we parted, she mentioned that she wanted to get together with me for coffee. That is what we did last time we got together, but I had to let her know that coffee is out of the question for me now. Those were the days, before I finally gave up coffee. Sigh.... I know I am allergic to coffee because I haven't had that rash since I quit drinking it. That is in addition to all the medical advice I was constantly getting about giving it up. Not to worry, I finally trusted God enough for my "addiction" and he took it away from me. And then with my current condition, even the thought of smelling coffee makes me want to....( you know). Anyway, I'm going to send this card to her this week and hopefully we can get together for pancakes or something.
After I made the first one, I made another w/o the NO sign just because. The light blue strip was done with reinkers and a compressed sponge on glossy cardstock. The "to go" coffee cup is a Hambo stamp. They were colored with Prismacolor pencils. The NO sign was done using 1/4 and 1/2 inch circle punches.

Birthday Cards

I'm mailing out two birthday cards on Tuesday. That will mean for once, my aunt will get her birthday card on time! I always think about her April Fool's Day birthday way ahead and still I don't get a card in the mail on time. Well, this year, she may actually receive it before her birthday. Let's hope the USPS does their part!
This first card was made a few years ago, maybe 2004? Ideally, I like to make a new card especially the occasion, but that's where I usually mess up. My goal this year is to get it there so I went to my stash when I remembered, instead of trying to schedule time to make the card. Anyway, I took photo of my hydrangeas in my front yard in GA. (I miss that yard.) This particular one was printed on vellum and trimmed out leaving about a 1/8 inch border. I used the Xyron 510 to apply adhesive to back of the vellum photo. Happy Birthday was printed in several fonts on white cardstock in purple ink. I layered the vellum over the cardstock and trimmed the cardstock to fit the photo. All that was layered on a large paint chip and then a layer of white cardstock which was torn around the paint chip. The purple cardstock is Bazzill. The finished size of this card is 5 x 7.

My cousin's, BD isn't until early May, but with my track record, I need to mail it now while I'm thinking about it. For the Golf card: happy birthday by Stampola, 3D stickers by Jolee , and word window punch.

The Mini Photo Book

Originally posted on yahoo 360 on Saturday March 11, 2006



I made 20 mini books for the cheerleaders and coaches. Similar concept to the Zoom Album in that there are twelve pages(of pictures) from one 801/2 x 11 folded sheet. I made up my own template and printed on an 8 1/2 x 11 matte brochure paper. I am almost finished, I don't have much time before we need to leave for State Finals. They are celebrating afterwards. I am hoping to have the books done by then.



Chart for the Mini Book



Instructions for the Mini Book

I'll get you started. You need 12 pictures approx 2 1/2 inch square. I used Microsoft Digital Imagine Pro 9. You can use any software that will allow you to create a canvas (11 x 8.5 landscape) and rotate images. Any imaging or scrapbooking software would work.


Evenly space the 12 photos on the canvas. I had more space between the photos and less on each of the outer edges, because my printer automatically creates a border with the print margins. Bottom row left to right: page 1, 2, 3, 4, middle row will be upside down and backwards left to right: pages 8, 7, 6, 5. Top row will be right side up and 9,10,11,12 .


Crease (or score) between all pictures. Starting on the crease just above page one, cut until you reach the last intersection. Starting on the top right side cut the line between 5 and 12 stopping at the last intersection. See green dots to start and red dots to stop on the chart above.
Start with page one and fold with the creases. I added the adhesive to the back just before starting to fold. Starting with the back of page one, I put adhesive on every other one and the last one. I hope this makes sense. I have to go. You have plenty of time to do 20 books. I did 20 in two days.
One more thing before I go. I cut the cover out of very heavy cardstock! 6 1/2 x 3 1/8. I score it at 3 1/8 from each end so that you get a 1/4 inch "spine" on the book.
Finished book is 3 1/8 square.

Added for clarification: Your first fold will be a valley fold. Page one and two should face each other. The back of the first page and the back of the last page will be stuck to the front and back covers.