Ready for the New Year

Is it really going to be a New Year - 2023??? Where has this year gone.  Lots of newsworthy stories, weather, and family issues to deal with.  As for the family issues hubby had his last surgery December 13 and it is a SUCCESS!!!  He is a new man - and wonder why the doctors didn't do this procedure to begin with.  But being a nurse and having worked in case management for a while I know insurance makes you jump through all kinds of hoops - but I think he finally jumped through the right hoop.  

I have a few chemo buddies and a senior man which I have had for well over a year.  Here are the New Years cards I mailed out today.

This image was a Gerda Steiner free digi image and I had a lot of fun coloring it. 

This is a Spellbinders die that I got "on sale" at HL and it just sort of jumped in my basket!!!  I can see a lot of uses for this die and have order a word set to go with this set.  For my New Years card I stamped and embossed "it's a new year" in gold and cut out gold numbers 2023.  I kept it simple with just an envelope with a gold flap  The detail on this set is amazing and has a lot of pieces I did not use (yet).  This is one I think I will be happy to have in my collection.  

I have a young man (11 years old) as a chemo buddy and today I got a photo Christmas card from his mom which showed the family.  It is the small things in life that make me happy.  I was so happy to see the young man who is dealing with chemo - and he is smiling.

Being kind, merciful  and giving is one of my New Years resolution.  No it is not losing weight, swearing off chocolate or coffee, or sending more cards.  This one resolution I plan on doing on a daily basis, and hopefully will bring  a smile to someone else. One more resolution is to use my NBUS (never before used stuff) in my basket before I order "new" stuff.  Now this one is going to be a bit harder to keep.  God has given me the ability to still use my hands (and mind) in making cards - and I want to continue to do so for a "long" time.  

2022 is over and 2023 is just a few days away. Be the Best you can Be.   

Shadow Box 2022

 I didn't realize it had been 6 weeks since I have posted - can I use the excuse "been busy".  Getting Christmas cards made, addressed and in the mail.  Hubby has had yet another surgery, and just in general life.

But I do have to share our Christmas shadow box - there are 9 paper crafters and we each made 1 square design times 9 and then shared with everyone so we would each have 9 different designs.  I love my shadow box - having it sitting on my bar.  I tried several different 12 x 12 papers to mount the squares on - finally choose the red with snowflakes.  I think it is quite a feat for 9 people to make 9 different squares and there are no two alike.  

We are exchanging winter themed cards next month and I am looking forward to seeing what everyone does with their design. 

Fall Cards

 Two more cards I have made for my fall collection to send at Thanksgiving.  

I am really liking the blue gingham pumpkins - again from Stampin Up - and the gatefold leaves card is from Amuse stamps.  I have always loved this. 

I send a lot of Thanksgiving cards - not only to my chemo buddies but to friends and family as well.  Then it is time to start sending out the Christmas cards. 

Camper Card

 I have had a chemo angel assignment for a year now - he is a teen boy - and Make a Wish got him a camper so he could go hunting with his dad.  I made him a card to go with his package which was a pair of warm hunting socks and Butterfinger candy bars (his favorites).  This is the card I made to include in his box. 

All stamps/supplies from StampinUP.  I think he will like his goodie box.  Next week I will send a box  of goodies to make S/mores - .  

Season of Thanks

 Where oh where does the time go - being retired I should have more time but that is not the way it works.  But I did get some time to work on a few fall cards over the weekend.  

Both of these cards used "retired" SU sets - but...I usually keep most of my stamps even if they are retired or non longer available.  I love the first card with the variety of colors on the plaid DP.  On my second card I used two different leaf dies - no stamping except for the sentiment.  I matched the leaf colors with the fill in under the leaves and then a small twine bow.  Easy easy.  

I send out a lot of fall/Thanksgiving cards so I think I finally have enough for this year.  I love making fall cards - and our leaves in the woods behind our house are turning such pretty colors. 

 We live on top of a hill - and coming up the road into our subdivision is so pretty right now.  Love what Mother Nature does this time of the year.  What a beautiful picture she paints. 

New Die

 I have been seeing cards using this die Christmas Bubble Spotty Die all over Pinterest and FB.  Well I really "needed" to add this to my collection and what fun I have had playing with my new die.  

All three of these cards were 5 minute cards - using the die then a punch.  My favorite is the Snowflake Card - using an Amuse Die that I kept from long ago.  I love that you can use this die with both solid as well as pattern paper as in the Boo Cat.  I also made a fall one using a leaf die but I have already sent that one to a friend without taking a picture.  If you need a card in a hurry this is the die.  

Sweet Little One

 This is for a dear friends new grandson.  For this card I used Elephant Parade stamps and Hippo Happiness dies both from Stampin Up.  I love this stamp set and have had a lot of fun using it.  Colored the elephant using copics, shaded the tub with some distress ink.  The sunshine rays layer used StampinUp stamp as well.  Just makes a happy card especially for a new baby. 

I put an Amazon gift card as my gift for the new baby.  I also completed the card with stamping an envelope to match.  

Welcome to the world sweet baby.  

Hippo Happiness Make a Splash

 I have been having a lot of fun with this set Hippo Happiness from StampinUP, although it is no longer available.  I had just made a baby card with another set and I thought oh the hippo would work out well for this.  

Can be used for another baby card or a "toddler" birthday card.  The sentiment and the splash die cut  Make a Splash I have had for a long time and it came with a magazine I bought.  Fun card to make. 

Happy Birthday Balloons

 I recently got this balloon die from Simon Says Stamps - (plus a nice birthday gift coupon from them as well).  A couple of weeks ago our four musketeers crafting group got together each of us bring a shoe box project to share.  This was the one I shared.  I cut 10 different colors of glitter paper for the balloons - and it was like a puzzle to fit them all in the correct place.  

 I think I will get more than one or two uses from this die.  I also got some sticky paper from Simon Says and that worked real well for the balloon dies as well as the balloons.  

I am enjoying playing with NBUS (never before used stuff), and will hopefully be posting more frequently on my blog.  

Pet Sympathy Card

 I really need to make a few of these up when I have to make a pet sympathy card - they are hard to make when the pet crosses the rainbow bridge.  Our dear friends dog crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday.  

This card was in my "cards to case file" on Pinterest and I thought it was very simple and meaningful.  I blended oxide distress inks for the rainbow - then sprayed with my distress water bottle giving a nice fine mist.  The sentiment inside was also one I had in my files 

makes me cry when I read it.  So I hope the card is a comfort to my friend during this sad time for her. 

Happy Birthday

 I have to share my birthday cards from my talented crafted and great friends.  I celebrated birthday all week - lunches, crafting get togethers, lunch with hubby, Happy Birthday singing from grandkids.  

I broke them up in three groups so I could get them all in. 

BD card on the left is a tuxedo card from one of my friends Donna - she said she really struggled with it (in fact had to have her hubby Steve help!!!).  Middle card is from Patti - triple diamond card with special beautiful envelope, and the far right card is from Cheryl - lots of die cuts and fancy framing.  

Far right card is from my friend Sally (also my upline with Stampin Up), middle card is from Diana and far left card is from my adopted Mother - (Donna's mom) she is 91 and does beautiful work.  I hope I can still do this at 91.

This last card is from Donna - yes I got two from her.  Love shaker cards - and glitter.  This card depicts Donna and I crafting - Donna is on the left and I am on the right.  Great match - she even colored the hair to match our hair color.  

What a great birthday I had - who can guess what birthday it was?  Ok my friends who know you can't divulge.  

Hippest Hippo

 I have "most" of my Cinderella chores for the day done - so I am going to play while hubby watches the ball game.  I have had this set from StampinUP since salebration started and I placed my first order but this weekend is the first time I have had any spare time just to play.  The first card is done in purples - which is a pretty simple layout.

Used a bit of vellum behind the circles.  This will go to great grand daughter - as it has love you a TON sentiment.  The next one I did in pinks

This is going to a friend who just finished 20+ radiation treatments for her cancer.  She surely deserves something to make her feel like she has accomplished something.  I need to adjust the tight rope (black and white bakers twine) so her foot is on the twine.  I think I can do this without taking it apart - at least I hope so.  This set comes complete with dies - so many accessories - love the glitter sunglasses and umbrella.  

Off to make two hippo boy cards for the two boy great grands.  

Benefits of a Friend

 Where oh where has the summer gone - I was looking through my fall stamps thinking I need to get them out - but still having fun making summer cards.  In fact I think summer cards are my favorite to make.  Well except Christmas.  Here are two cards that I made from Unity images.  I stayed all night with my dear friend Donna when my hubby had surgery June 30th.  His surgery was in St. Charles MO. and Donna lives about 15 minutes from the hospital so it worked out perfect.  She had just won two Unity stamps so she "shared" with me.  Love both of these stamps and they have already been sent out.  

Love this image - colored with copics die cut with SU and I had a crocheted flower that  one of my home patients made for me when I had her for nursing home care.  She made me several in different colors and I still have just a few left.  

 The second image is also a Unity stamp that Donna won - sunflowers.  This went together so quickly as I had this lovely sunflower paper.  I colored the flowers with distress oxide and a water brush.  Quick and easy.  

Thank you Donna for sharing.  

P.S. Hubby is "finally" doing well after his surgery, was a rough three and a half weeks complicated by an infection.  But he has turned the corner and is well on the road to being completely "normal" again.  Especially his mood. LOL

Hello Summer/Flamingo

 Oh talk about hot - I think we are going to top 100 today - staying inside this afternoon. 

This week for my female chemo buddies I made "Flamingo" cards as I was sending them as my giftie a flamingo tea towel/or socks with flamingo.  I try to coordinate a card to go along with the giftie I send them weekly.  I don't always succeed but it is fun to find a image to match the gift I send them.  For my women it is easy - but for my man - well that is a bit harder to come up with.  I usually don't make many masculine cards - but I have made a few and I keep those in a separate folder.  I have a 16 year old chemo buddy - male and a 75 year old male senior buddy. I have been doing this for well over 15+ years and I get so much happiness in my heart.  This week here are the cards I send my female buddies.  

 

I made these cards with an older set from Amuse Studio - (from TAC I went with The Amuse Company a direct sales), and I have kept several of the stamps that I acquired as a demonstrator.  I am currently a Stampin Up demonstrator - and yes I am my best customer.  Lets just call it like it is - I LOVE rubber stamps.  

I especially love the stamps that have the dies that can be purchased separately but I don't limit myself to just SU.  I make a lot of my own gifties to send to my chemo/senior buddies - always looking for that special little something to include in their weekly note and card.  I currently have a female buddy and I made her 6 thank you cards - with envelopes including the stamp that she can use to send out for her personal use. 

Stay inside where it is cool - this too will pass!!!

  

National Ice Cream Day

 Has it really been three weeks since I posted???  Well...has been a busy three weeks.  First my friend Patti and I had our first in person stamping class since Covid.   We had a great turnout so great that we divided the class into two days.  We had 18 students and 9 pick up kits.  (I will show the class cards at a post this week.)

Second - hubby had surgery - overnight stay in the hospital - and has had a really rough two weeks of recovery.  I think we have called the doctor almost everyday with a new issue to deal with.  Currently dealing with an infection so is on a coarse of 2 weeks of antibiotics. I'm hoping he is on the right track now and each day will be a bit better.  He is usually a fast healer and doesn't complain of pain but this surgery got him down.  

So today is National Ice Cream Day - July 17.   I made up my ice cream base yesterday and will make the ice cream today.  We have a countertop ice cream maker that makes one quart - perfect size.  Our favorite homemade is coffee toffee.  

Here is my card to celebrate - I made 3 of these and will send to my chemo buddies this week along with a DQ gift card.  

I used a retired SU set - along with a scrap of DP that goes with the stamp set.  I wish I could still get the paper but... I stamped the envelope as well with ice cream cones.  I think my chemo buddies will enjoy their creamy treat.  

Happy Birthday

 Last Wednesday our stamping group of 4 (we are the 4 musketeers vs the 3 musketeers)  got together to celebrate Sally's birthday.  We made it a surprise trip - she knew we were going someplace but she didn't know where.  We have a darling boutique/ craft store in Bonne Terre (about 12 miles north of Farmington).  It is called the Fancy Crow and it has a little bit of everything and the owner is a delight.  

We then went for pizza/salad at   also in Bonne Terre - wonderful pizza and the price is beyond right.  One of our musketeers Cheryl lives in Bonne so after lunch we went back to her house for cake.  Is this not beautiful.  

Cheryl had it made - and it was not only beautiful but delicious as well.  And then Cheryl send the remaining left over cake home with us.  (The best part).

Here is the birthday card I made for Sally.

It is a cascading fold card - cased from Dawns Stamping Thoughts video.  Well I said some not so nice words before I finally got it figured out.  I had to work from the completed card back to the basic card.  I don't think it was Dawn - but more me getting it all to come together.  I love the final result.  I used Stampin.up Sending Smiles I like the final end result.  I enjoy cards that you can set on a shelf or desk and display.  Happy Birthday Sally

One more birthday to celebrate - MINE!!!  That will be in August.  

Hedgehog Happiness

 I have been enjoying this set from Stampin Up - Hedgehog Happiness.  The hedgehog uses a punch to punch out the image.  

I like the colors I used on the hedgehog better than I did on the last hedge card I made.  Then the little birdie offering him a cute flower.  I also love the sentiment.  Mounted on orange gingham paper, a white scallop die and tied together with some cute orange and white ribbon from my massive collection of ribbons.  

I usually send at least 4 chemo cards out a week and I think this one will brighten a person going through chemo days.  

Congrats Grad

 My hubby's great nieces (twins) graduated from high school this year - how did the time go so quickly.  Their party is this weekend - so I made 2 cards alike BUT different.  Their school colors are green and gold.

I borrowed my supplies from a friend Patti and I have already given them back to her so I don't know who made the dies, stencils, etc.  One card I did the Congrats in gold, and the second card I did just the opposite.  Love the grad hat stencil which I stenciled on with a dk green distress oxide ink.  I have used the die of the grads celebrating before - guess I really should get this one for my collection but it is nice to be able to borrow and exchange with friends.  

Put a couple of crisp GREEN bills in the cards and ready to go to the party.

Happy Hedge Hog

 I love whimsy - just about anything whimsy including this cute Happy Hedge Hog by Stampin Up.  

This little guy was punched out - punch has two separate pieces, the entire hedge hog and the top half of him.  Colored him up with some copics - (made my next one lighter in color).  The clouds are punched out with a cloud punch and cloud paper that came with another set of papers, but works perfect for this.  

This one was mailed midweek to a new chemo buddy that I just recently got assigned.  I'm hoping it will bring a smile - as well as her introduction to her chemo angel - ME.  

Fortune Crane Happy Anniversary

 We have some very dear sweet friends that will be celebrating their anniversary anniversary.  When I saw the Crane set from SU I knew this image was for them.  Such a beautiful collection of designer papers and in this fun fold I got to showcase several of the patterns.  I am thinking they will both enjoy their card - and in fact I'm thinking about getting her the set/dies before they are retired.  This set is simply her style and I know she would use it.  

A little handwritten note inside and card is in the mail.  

Fun Girls Craft Evening

 Two cards left to share with you from a couple of weeks ago when we had an overnight craft evening at my house.  We had not gotten together since before Covid so it was a special time.  The two cards I am sharing today are from Donna and I love both of these cards.  One is very CAS 

Love the ombre stenciling - then just the simple sentiment double layered.  These are so easy and fun and quick to make.  And it does pack a punch.  This card went in the mail this week to a chemo buddy.  

The next card was a fun fold card - I love fun folds - and this is a variation on a Wfold card.  I have done a variation on a W fold but love this idea as well.  

These images are from a retired SU set - one that I will keep in my retired stack as I love the lady bug images.  So glad we were able to get together and be creative after a long hiatus.  I'm keeping this for a pattern then I will mail it on once I make another one. 

Happy Birthday

 One of my Chemo Buddy has a Birthday coming up this week so here is the card I sent and inside I put a Dairy Queen gift card so they could go get some ice cream.  

I bought the ice cream cone punch from SU while it was on clearance - I think it was under $5 - I had some ice cream cone paper in my stash - two sided so I punched the waffle cone out of the backside and the ice cream from a polished cardstock again from my stash.  I had some cute little hearts in two sizes so I used the larger heart (as my cherry) on the ice cream and die cut happy birthday.  

Happy Birthday sweet lady - keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.  

Kindergarten Graduation

 Great grandson Carter is celebrated  his graduation from kindergarten this past weekend.  His Mom home schools him as well as his older sister and younger brother.  I am so proud of her and the kids as she has done an amazing job as a teacher and the kids have been great students.  Here is the card I made him:

using Lawn Fawn Color my World stamp set and die.  This was so much fun to put together.  Enclosed a little "green" inside his card for his accomplishments. 

and here is his last day of school and his graduation invitation picture. 

I know you will do well in first grade.  

Girls Overnight Crafting Marathon

 Last week two St. Louis friends came down for an overnight crafting marathon session - so much fun.  Here are the two cards Diane brought to share:   

Both of these cards use new sets from the StampinUp 2022-2023 catalog.  I think I am going to have to have both sets.  

More Fun Cards

 Two friends from the St. Louis area (really St. Charles, MO.) came down last week for an overnight girls stamping and crafting marathon.  We had not gotten together since pre-Covid so it was quite a treat.  We each did two make-n-takes and below are mine.  

This one used the  SU New Horizons paper and stamp/die set.  This paper stands alone in card making - and Donna discovered there was enough left over to make a bookmark to go with the card.  A card and a giftie.  

Both of these cards are from SU - love how the marble paper coordinates with the cardstock and the coloring blends.  This is a faux stepcard - so much fun to make.  

Lawn Fawn Platform Card

 OK - is this not the cutest??? We have a group of 4 crafters that get together quite often, so last week we got together to make this card.     This is Lawn Fawn's new platform die and wild adventure card.  This came in a kit done up by a crafting  friend, Ruth Petsel.  There were 5 cards in the kit but this one was by far my favorite.  Thank you Ruth for "enabling" me yet again.  Of course I had to have the set of 2 dies.  I already had several Lawn Fawn sets that will work with this die.  

There are several videos out there as well as samples for ideas.  I have watched one this afternoon - so plan on cutting my pieces out and putting it together as I watch the video again.  So much fun.  It folds flat for mailing in a regular A2 envelope - I'm thinking there will be extra postage but...this is a giftie in itself.  Go to Lawn Fawn platform cards in Pinterest and check out all the samples.  

New Horizons SU Papers

 A couple of weeks ago our little group of four got together to celebrate another spring birthday - Happy Birthday Patti.  It was a surprise - and I kept thinking she wasn't going to come as she had a cold with sniffles, and lethargy so I finally told her she had to come help me figure out a card I wanted to make.  So with a bit of reluctance she came - we had banners, balloons, and a special lunch - homemade vegetable soup, crackers with peanut butter/honey, a homemade cake and my DH made homemade ice cream.  Did we take pictures - NO - totally forgot but did take pictures of one of the card we made compliments of Sally  and Paper Pumpkin.  

I just love not only the Paper Pumpkin kit using the New Horizons, but the paper as well as the stamp set and dies.  I will have pictures of Cheryl's cards in a couple of days.  

I am so glad we all live close enough that we can get together often and exchange ideas as well as enjoy our friendships.