NOUVEAU NATURE'S NEST

.... you can check ot the inside of my card below!

Hey everyone!

I am so sorry I have been missing for the past few days, but the ocean has been calling me and I just had to be there. It is so calming and soul altering. I needed it! I am so disappointed I no longer live on the cove but, you never know when I might again. I can pray now can't I!

Work is a dream because I get to see the sea everyday I am there. Besides gaining a few pounds from testing all the cupcakes LIFE IS GOOD! My son had a great write up in the weekly paper about the new store and I am very proud! Here is the link if you care to check out the story. OTHERWISE let's get talking about the card you just saw eh!

I am so thrilled with all of the GORGEOUS NEW DESIGNER SERIES PAPERS from Stampin' Up this year. I believe it is the first time EVAH (NewEngland accent there) that I have wanted every one! I have already shown you Kaleidoscope and here I am featuring Nouveau Chic. YUMMY! I also made another "manly" card, incorporating the New stamp set Nature's Nest and the DSP The Write Stuff. I love it, and hope you will too! Need it now? Just click on the links to order! Have a great weekend and I will see you all on Monday for Paper Cuts!

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ORDERING INFO:

NATURES NEST 113826 $22.95

The Write Stuff 115674 $11.95

Nouveau Chic 115670 $ 9.95

Kaleidoscope 115680 $ 9.95

ORDER HERE

MY FAVORITE CARD and the WINNER of the MARKERS

WELL, I must say that was the most fun I have had in a long while.
Reading all your kind and sweet comments was heartwarming to me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending me best wishes, and I appreciate your support.
I absolutely without a doubt loved seeing what you thought would be my favorite card....and to be honest each time I opened your emails it was like a Christmas Present! I loved seeing your picks, and you were right they were some of my favorites BUT!!!!!.... my all time favorite was this ALWAYS card that I did on June 26, 2008. It will ALWAYS be my favorite because, I put a lot of elements, and expression into it. I think it was the first time I had used this many layers. It was definitely the first time I water colored on vellum, and dyed a ribbon. I just love the stark beauty of the black embossed bird with the white accent too! So, now you know which card is my fave! Thanks for playing, make sure to check out the cards you all picked in the collage below. I must say Quiet Stillness seemed to be your favorite, being picked more than any other of my cards! I wish you all happy stamping times. ~Donna

AND THE WINNER IS................... Bina Parik! Thanks Bina for visiting. Please email me so I can send out the Stamp and Write Markers to you. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

HERE ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE PICKS!

ALSO check out the winner of my FIRST CHALLENGE! I chose Regina's card as my favorite submission. Her card inspired me becasue of the depth in coloration she acheived on the leaves. A single layer card is quite difficult but these two entries show what can be done when challenged. Thank you girls for playing. Hugs~Donna

MORE KALEIDOSCOPE IDEAS

OKAY!

Here are two more items using the NEW Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper! You can order it conveniently right here. Anyway, this particular piece is absolutely stunning as a gift bag don't you agree? The peacock is so elegant and you can add a ribbon just a little bit differently by using it as an accent around his neck! The NEW IN COLORS are brighter than what I am used to but I am finding them quite exciting, especially when I have used them in a collage of new and old colors!

I have also made a funky, fun card using a cut out butterfly from this paper series. I lined the inside of the envelope to make it a beautiful coordinating set! There are so many great images you will certainly love trying out new ideas, like cutting out one flower to use for an accent on the envelope too! ENJOY!!!!~Donna

NEW CATALOG IDEAS

Oh boy am I loving the new Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper

from Stampin Up! Want some too! Well, you may order it right here if you wish! It is just $9.95 for 12 double sided sheets of 12" x 12" paper.

This bag is just as cute as can be, won't you agree. I added some latte flower buttons and accented them in the center with a piece of paper from this designer series too! Certainly Celery goes perfectly with this combination so I used that ribbon for the bag handle. One other little detail, I folded the top edge over and adhered it closed, then I used the eyelet punch to make a scalloped edge for the bag. So easy and it adds so much! I'll be back in a bit with two more items!~Donna

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ORDERING INFO:

~Kaleidoscope Paper 115680 $9.95

~Button Latte 114333 $7.95

~Certainly Celery

Ribbon 109050 $7.95

PAPER CUTS ...missing

SORRY! No PAPER CUTS this week, I am away for the 4th of July holiday.

See you next time!

I HOPE YOU ARE WORKING ON MY NEW

BUTTERNUT SAGE CHALLENGE!

You can catch the submitted cards here just scroll down to the bottom of the post.

I will be picking the winner personally...it is not a random drawing!

You have until midnight tonight to enter your card!

Come back later to see what I made using the NEW

Stampin' Up DSP Paper

KALEIDOSCOPE

it is definitely my

NEW FAVORITE PAPER!!!!

BUTTERNUTSAGE CHALLENGE #1

TODAY I HAVE A CHALLENGE FOR "YOU".

This will not be a regular feature on my blog but, I thought you may like an idea to try! PLUS, I will pick my favorite card for a prize, so you may want to enter!

Please check below to see the cards that entered!

I love doing challenges for the simple reason they make me think outside of my box and comfort zone. As you can gather from visiting me I love elegant refined cards. I find them the easiest for me to do and I just fall into the creation aspect of doing them. On the other hand I find it extremely difficult to do a more graghic style such as that of Kristina Werner, or the beyond belief creativity of Sankari Wexler or even the clean style like that of Kerin Sylvester, without having to case them exactly.

SO, by doing challenges each week,that I have found on other creative blogs , I learn to use other materials, and layouts that stretch my ability to roam outside my limits.

Today I want to stretch yours. Are you ready? Looking at my card sample above it might be dificultto figure out what the challenge is, but it is very simple. The challenge is to use nothing but ink and stamps. NO EMBELLISHMENTS, NO LAYERS, NO RIBBON...NOTHING but ink and stamps!

Here I took a spray bottle from my laundry room and spritzed my paper (the NEW RICH RAZZLEBERRY) with bleach. It was a surpirse to see Barely Banana emerge beneath the depth of color! I used textured paper to add more interest and stamped my images in BASIC BLACK.

Now go see what you can do,

post your card in my comment section to this post, leaving a link that is direct. I am very excited to see what you are inspired to create! I'll be giving away a prize for my FAVORITE!!!!! I won't leave the choosing up to the RANDOM INTERGER EITHER, instead I'll let my heart pick!!!! Challenge ends at midnight on Monday July 6th, so hurry and go make me your sample!.

CHALLENGE RULES!

1. Stay within the parameters of the challenge

2. Link your card to my comment section for this post...direct links only so I can click and view ( I am lazy)

3. Be sure your comment is able to return to you when I click on your name so I can award my prize

( if your name appears in color the link works)

Shannon's Card
Regina's Card

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND

WELL! The 4th of July is just around the corner and although here in New England it does not feel like summer yet, we WILL be celebrating! This year I have the great fortune to go back to Plymouth on the 4th of July to be right up close and personal on the water front enjoying the festivities from the window of Cupcake Charlie's! Yes, I will be working but when you get to look at the ocean for the entire shift how can you complain! One of the fun activities this year will be the SAIL of PLYMOUTH! The Tall Ships will be in port. They are just so majestic. I am in awe when I watch them set sail. I hope you all have plans to CELEBRATE our great nation this upcoming weekend, and if you are near the waterfront in Plymouth, Massachusetts come visit me at Cupcake Charlie's!

Now for the card! This was done for the Mojo Monday Sketch, it is just simple layering and I did a cute frame using the square scallop punch from Stampin' Up! Just punch twice out of the rectangle cardstock to make a rectangle frame! I did not have a 4th of July sentiment so I wrote my own! Enjoy!~Donna

PAPER CUTS #25

Good Monday to you all!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. My son opened for a new cupcake shop in Plymouth Massachusetts this weekend, so if you come to see that big historic rock stop on by, we are just down he street and next to the Weather Vane Restaurant. PLUS! you can see "ME"!!!!! Yup I'll be working there too! So don't be shy come on by they are yummy!

Well, I made this card to try out another stamp in the Autumn Days stamp set. It will be available on Wednesday so if you'd like you can order it right here! I love being able to water color this image, doesn't it remind you of an old Currier and Ives print! I purposefully left the background untouched except for the hue of color so the pheasant would stand out. I love expirementing with the Stamp and Write Markers and blender pens and the aqua pen for depth and detail. Play with yours to improve your skills at shading. Remember too, you have until July 7th to enter my giveaway for a whole set of Stampin' Write Markers!

Now! Go visit my PAPER CUTS for all the dimensions needed to make this card! Enjoy!

REQUEST GRANTED!

I have received some requests to post the instruction on how to make this FRAME FOLD so here you go! ENJOY!



Take a square piece of cardstock. It doesn't matter how big as long as it is square and fits you card front.
Next fold it in half and then in half again to make a cube

Open it up flat in front of you

Take each corner and fold it into the center

Then take the corner again and fold it back to the edge of the square.

DONE! ENJOY!!!

ABC "T' is for TWO TONE

Well, you have all certainly entertained me
and surprised me over the last day with 1000 views and lots of comments. THANK YOU!!!! I must say there is a trend in what "you" feel is my favorite card! LOL! I do love the ones you have picked and will announce my favorite on the 7th of July so keep playing. In the meantime I have a card for you.

This card I made for the ABC challenge "T" is for two toned. I am not sure if it is exactly what they are looking for but, I tired ("tried" as the case may be, although tired was probably more accurate!) . At first I was experimenting with an idea in my head that just didn't work out on paper and this is what transpired. SOmetimes
( so what was I typing did I mean so or sometimes) I don't like when that happens but, other times you end up with something very inexpected (unexpected or inexplicable, you choose!) REMEMBER those fun finger thingys we made when we were kids that had numbers on the outside and nice or fresh little sayings on the inside? Well this is sort of like that. It makes a great frame around an image without adding any bulk! You don't even need a bow. WHAT NO BOW! Not very often LOL!!!Anyway I hope it inspires you to do something crazy on your cards. Enjoy!~Donna

Wondering about all those baja highlighted words. I am using a new computer while mine is in the shop and the keys are off just a bit from where my fingers naturally go, so typo's everywhere! I am also playing witha brand new photo editing program (for me that is) and YIKES I have no idea what I am doing. Have a great weekend!

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ORDER INFO: ORDER HERE

AUTUMN DAYS available July 1st 115452 $23.95
SINCERE SALUTATIONS 115068 $23.95

FREE SET OF STAMPIN' WRITE MARKERS HERE!!!!!!!

Good morning sunshine!
I love that song, and I love every morning when I start up my computer to see if you all came to visit! Well, you never disappoint me, and have made my journey through blogland my creative exersice for each and every day. TOMORROW IS MY BLOGAVERSARY and I have a prize for you. It is because of all of you, all 100,000 of you! WOW! One year and 99,983 clicks on my blog at this exact moment. So, 100,000 is not a stretch! Therefore it is my fervent desire to let each and everyone of you know how much I appreciate your support. So here is a squeeze of appreciation.
Now, I know this isn't the prettiest, or the most witty or the most informative stamping blog out there but it is "ours"! I say ours because if you didn't come then I wouldn't blog! SO, to commemorate this MILESTONE, I am going to give away a present! But, first I need to thank a few people.

All the hits in this first year began with this lovely girl.....

SANKARI WEGMAN Sankari was my very first blogging pal, she sent me a lovely comment the first day I posted a challenge over at Kristina Werner's Color Inspiration! She has been there almost every week since! So let me say thank you to my dearest Sankari for ALL the wonderful words you send me, and thank you too for the lovely blogaversary gift. I love using it! I am so taken with your sincere support and generosity.

TRAVELINGMAMA (Tina) has been a shining star on my blog roll as well. I check her out daily and watch her little family grow and watch to see where she has been and where she is going! I love her spunkiness, and her sweet remarks to me. She too, was there to comment on the very first day I posted when I created a card for Kristina's challenge. Thank you Tina!

KRISTINA WERNER is one of the most inspirational people I have met blogging. I enjoy her blog daily! I must admit without her and her Color Inspiration, most of you would not have met me. Her Color Inspirations each week make us all grow in ways we would never try on our own. Sometimes the challenges are more difficult than other times but, they are always fun and inspiring.
Thank you Kristina for all you do for all of us, and for inspiring me. Lastly, I would like to thank

MR. LINKY! I am in love with Mr Linky because he makes it so easy for me to meet so many of YOU! I can click on your name and be at your place lickity split! I have seen some things that make me gasp, in a good way of course :) , and I love all the creative, inspiring, supportive, and heartgiving blogs out there! Thank you Mr Linky for sharing these creative people with me.

I have so many of you I would like to thank it feels like I am doing an acceptance speech at the Academy Awards...yup now I know how they feel about not wanting to leave anyone out! SO, with a resounding THANK YOU!!!! Yup I meant "you" I thank you for a wonderful year, and I hope to make my second year better than the first, and I hope you will continue to stop by!

So are you ready? Okay! Let's get going! DRUM ROLL PLEASE........... "here is your chance to win a fabulous surprise......leave a comment about why you liked a particular card I made. If you have chosen my favorite card from the past year (yup I have a favorite) then......you will be entered with all the other commenters for that one card into a drawing for my special prize! ONE winner will be chosen from that group to receive the super duper prize! If your comment elicits tears, all that much better! LOL! So, go on and hunt my favorite card down! Leave a comment under that card, and wait to see the results! The prize is..... a brand new set of
Stamp and Write Markers from Stampin UP!!!!! The winner will be announced on July 7th, 2009! Good luck everyone and have fun! ENJOY! ~ ooops almost forgot! Want a hint? Okay I am game....HINT: my favorite card was not posted in the months of April, May, or June 2009!

KWerner Color Inspiration MASCULINE CARD

Hey everyone! Sometimes it is difficult to come up with masculine cards.....but
here I have used the NEW Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! called AUTUMN DAYS! It has some great images and I really like this pine cone one. I stamped the image on an embossed card layer using the embossing plates for the Big Shot and then I stamped the image again three times on scrap paper in basic gray. Next, I cut out the images from the scrap paper three times making the image a bit smaller each time. Then I used dimensionals to layer them over the card image making it all 3D! I even used some ribbon that I frayed as the pine bows. The card is really simple except for these embellishments and the brads. I hope you'll try it, and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

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order info: please order here

AUTUMN DAYS SET (available July 1) 115452 $25.95

CIRCLE FIRE BRADS 109110 $10.95

DIMENSIONALS 104430 $ 3.95

PAPER CUTS # 24

BON VOYAGE BAJA BREEZE!!!!

Like the gossemer wings of the fleeting butterfly in God's Beauty, or the sundried evaporation of a River Rock, Baja Breeze is windswept into the light of other colors, and dimensions. It is time to say goodbye to yet another Stampin' Up! In Color. It will only be here until June 30th so if you LOVE IT like I have this past year grab it now before it is too late!

I have used Baja Breeze with the Embrace Life stamp set in a very simple stamped card. So let's use it as this week's PAPER CUTS and create a soft Bon Voyage card!

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ORDER INFO: click here to order

BAJA BREEZE 8 1/2 x 11 Card Stock 111352 $ 5.50

RIBBON ORIGINALS valet 114318 $ 12.95

EMBRACE LIFE STAMP SET 114958 $ 25.95

From Flip Flop to Sandal

OK you know how when

the water color roses were first introduced you just had to make them over and over, well that is how I feel about this adorable card. Yesterday I made it a bit Bohemian and called it a flip flop, but today I decided to make it for a pretend dream evening and will call it a sandal! If I had one place to be tonight for an event this would be it. I know it isn't a real event but, I love Grant's Park in Chicago, and would like to be wisked there today, to spend a romantic weekend with my hubby! I think it is my favorite all time city to visit, and I know it is his! Oh dreams are great aren't they, and sometimes they even come true. I hope you enjoy this version of yesterdays card hmmmmmm....I could enter this into a challenge right! LOL!!!!! Have a good weekend everyone, and HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all the men we love!

FLIP FLOP CARD! WOW!!!!

OH MY GOODNESS is this the cutest invite you have seen for Summertime Fun!!!! It fits into a standard business envelope or you can make a custom envie to match like I have done here! I had so much fun making this card that I want to have a party just to send it out! LOL! How about that bling on the sandle strap WOW SO CUTE! LOL I am giggling as I write this post becasue I love it so much.

I made the card for the Color Throw Down and ABC Challenge "s" is for summer and it got to be a bigger wow than even I expected. I hope you will enjoy it and try one for yourself. You can get the template in my store here

DVD Butterfly

Well, this was a lot of fun!!!!
I was reading my comments and clicking on your blogs this weekend when I came across this neat technique by Jillene Jacobsen in FL! WOW thanks Jillene, it was so much fun! Basically you use glossy white cardstock, clear embossing powder, an ink pad, and your everyday household iron to make an awesome background paper in a matt finish! I then used my BIG SHOT, boy I love that little gem and cut out a butterfly from an old DVD! WOW who would have thunk LOL!!!! Put it all together and it makes a great anniversary or wedding card! The shine of the DVD adds just enough BLING!!!!! One last time for God's Beauty. See you soon~

BUTTERFLY~~~FLY AWAY

Good day everyone! I have a lot of pictures for you today!
One of the saddest times for me is when my Favorite Stamp Sets are put away for retirement. This year the set I will miss most is GOD'S BEAUTY! The Butterfly in this set is so easy to stamp and color and ALWAYS makes a WOW card. I have embossed it, vellumed it, shined it, dulled it, painted it and sprinkled it with glitter and last night was no exception. As a send off I had the girls take their sets (each one got one to take home) and make cards with it. I designed the first two and my dear friend Kerin made the best card ever using this set and we CASED her design! THEN I HAD THE GIRLS MAKE THEIR OWN!!!!!!

I cut out the paper pieces and gave them ribbon and the option to use anything in my stamp room to create their butterfly card. WOW did they impress me. In less than 15 minutes they all created extraordinary results! TAKE A LOOK!!!!!!!!

I couldn;t resist posting a picture of my grand daughter either. OH TO HAVE THOSE LIPS AT 56!!!!!!!!! Enjoy the gallery today! ~Donna

this is Kerin's card creation that we cased.

a sampling of all the new creations the girl's made

last night's class participants

their art gallery

WOW what a cool ribbon idea!

GET YOUR NEW PAPER SHARES OVER THERE ------------->

FIRST FATHERS DAY

click on the pic to read the poem
Hey everyone!
I am part of a group of girls whom have been together since the first day of school back in 1959! WOAH that felt odd to type. I don't think I know of any other group of school children who have remained friends and have regular outings for as long as we have. Anyway, we went to a Catholic Parochial School and were taunted by the kids that went to public school. We were called "fairies" and we called them "publics" LOL. Well, we have now graduated to the golden girls but, we still refer to ourselves as the St Mary's Fairies! To us it is endearing. This week we were together and had lots of laughs. After catching up on what was new, one of the "fairies" who is a fashion designer, and fabulous artist ( hi Cathy) looked at my blog and thought I may enjoy this poem. I immediately thought FIRST FATHERS DAY CARD and went to work to make one. I hope you'll enjoy it! REMEMBER there is nothing wrong with using your computer once and a while for sentiments!!!!! Just click on the picture to read the entire poem, and to see the front of the card. Have a great day!

ANIMAL CRACKER BOX!

I was inspired by LodiChick over in SCS to make this adorably clever little animal cracker box! She used the same paper and made a flip top box. I converted her idea and made it a lid box and used the Stampin UP! twill for the handle. Almost like the real thing!!!!! What a cute birthday favor this would make too.......enjoy!

PAPER CUTS #23 ANIMAL STORIES

This week I used the NEW stamp set Animal Stories

for the Paper Cuts recipe but, you may substitute any stamp you like just like I did with the monogram set Lovely Letters! One of the fun things I did with this week's card was to emboss the ribbon with my swirl and scribble sizzlet on my Big Shot! It finishes the project with even more detail! I have two samples for you to see doing that little trick! I hope you'll try it for yourself! So go on over to PAPER CUTS for all the instructions and have a great day! ~Donna

ordering info:

Animal Stories available here after July 1st $15.95

Eyelet Border Punch available here $15.95

Autumn Days available here after July 1st $23.95

Scallop Square available here $15.95

1 3/8 circle punch available here $15.95

1 1/4 circle punch available here $15.95

KWERNER COLOR INSPIRATION

Goodmorning!!! 4:30 a.m. not sleepy tonight

every so often I am up round the clock and tonight was one of those nights. I can't say why it happens but by the time I look at the clock it is just not worth going to bed! I read a lot of your blogs and visited NieNie's as well. She sounds so good, and has been talking more about the plane crash in detail. This week was remarkable in so far as she let us see a glimpse of her face. She is amazing. Full of grace and strength and courage. I hope you have been following her story. It is very uplifting and I even think it will change the way you feel about life! Anyway, after I read about her day, and her sister's trip to London, I made this card for Kwerners Color Challenge! She has not done a color inspiration challenge in a while and I missed it!

SO here is my card!

The stamp is from the new set called Animal Stories! Hmmmmmm? JUST LIKE I transformed Pick a Petal into a grumpy old man way back when, I transformed the jungle giraffe into Nessy the Loch Ness Monster. Isn't he adorable!!!!! I used the stamp a majig to make his humps perfect, and made his tail with the mane from the giraffe! LOL!!!! I added a white gel pen for the sea foam on the waves, that were created with the swirl die and Big Shot, then I finished it up with glitter for the reflective ocean sea spray! Use your imagination and see what fun ideas you come up with!!!! Enjoy~Donna

Belli Challenge #67

Hey everybody!
How is your day going? Here in the Norhtheast it has been cloudy for the past few days but mild, so there isn't much to complain about. Well, except for the fact that my new car got keyed last night while we were at a restaurant. Just one of life's annoyances. Sometimes I wonder just how civilized we have become. Enough about that how about a card?

This was done for the Creative Belli Challenge this week. It was a sketch challenge this time with an extra instruction that it had to be a Fathers Day Card. It seems like I have made a few this year LOL!!!!! Anyway...here is my take on the challenge...I have been trying to use up all my DSP before the new SU catty is released to the public! Have a great day and enjoy! ~Donna

QUILTS....how frienships are pieced together

Last week

I was on Cape Cod with a friend I hadn't seen in many years. Prior to my visit with her she had been to my home and seen my stamping room and all my cards! She went home inspired to create! Now it was not card making but quilt making instead. This card is for her to thank her for a lovely stay on the cape. I made the quilt pattern by cutting 1 1/2" strips and positioning them on grid paper in a quilt pattern. After I adhere the strips to the grid paper I cut the design into a 6" x 10" piece of paper and ran it through my Big Shot with my TOP NOTE DIE. I hope you enjoy it.~Donna

Fathers Day Card

Fathers Day is just around the corner,

and I didn't want to wait until the last moment to make my husband a fathers day card so I did one this morning. My favorite colors of the Spring 2009 season are retiring from Stampin' Up and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to use them for one last time in a male oriented card. Here I used Baja Breeze DSP with Sahara Sand, and Basic Black accents to create a subtle card of roses and flowers but with a manly undertone. I decided to write on the banner in my own handwriting for a more personal touch, it is always a nice thing to do especially if you do not have just the right sentiment in a stamp set.

ORDER INFORMATION: place your order here

Urban Oasis 113978 $9.95

God's Beauty hostess set 2009

PAPER CUTS #22 LOTS OF BOTS

Here is an easy peasy Paper Cuts!
I love the computer code stamped on ribbon to make it less frilly. You know I need to use ribbon, right! Then, you can also make your own designer paper by stamping an image all over it like I did with the nuts and bolts! This set is going to inspire lots of fun and creativity!
SO ENJOY!

ordering info:
you can buy it there------> Beginning July 1st Lots Of Bots 115293

PUNCHED LION CARD

I have seen a lot of animals and other cuties being made using Stampin' Up! punches.
Well, I had to get in on the act too! My grandson will be turning six in a few weeks, and I think he will love the sweet face of this lion. I used the key tag punch, 1 3/4 circle punch, large oval punc, 3/4 punch and five petal flower punch to make this card. Why not get your punches out and see what you can come up with!

IN COLOR COMBO COMPARISSON

Hey everyone!

Well you must have some new stuff by now and are just loving the new colors I'll bet. Here are some fun color combos for you to think about using togehter with your ink, markers and papers! You can also see the subtle variation from our standard colors and the NEW In Colors! I have used Soft Suede (my new favoritest color) in a monotone card, but how much fun would it be to do a monotone of it in each color series! I just love the simplicity of it. Enjoy!~have a great weekend and I will see you on Monday!

NEW IN COLOR retiring stamp sets and Raspberry Suite

My heart is always sad

to see stamp sets leave our catalog even when my head knows we need to make room for SOME FUN NEW SETS!These two sets are some of my favorites. I will keep them for my own use when they are gone because they are so "my style".

Today I use them with the new IN COLOR Soft Suede. It is an awesome color and the delicate lines of the butterfly and scroll sentiment make the card look so rich. It is really going to be one of my favorite colors this year.

ALREADY you can see how SOft Suede lends itself to different styles. The Animal Stories makes it earthy and warm, and you can see some samples of that below. However, the more elegant stamps sets make the color look sophisticated! Isn't this just so much fun!!!!

I was looking around in blogland this morning and thought I would do an interpretation of the Raspberry Suite Challenge here. I hope you like it! Enjoy~Donna

2 more Stampin' UP! SNEAK PEEKS

In these samples

I am featuring less stamping and more color!!!! The new In Colors from Stampin' Up! are fun and festive! Yesterday I featured the more subdued collection but here, you can see by pairing the NEW In Colors with Cameo Coral the colors become festive! You can see the ease in which Rich Razzleberry and Melon Manbo blend to accent Cameo Coral. The ribbons are delicious and I know you are going to want each and every one! Enjoy...see you back here soon~Donna

STAMPIN UP ROBOTS

WELL I am finding these robots rather cute!

Here is another one from the set

Lots Of Bots!

be sure to scroll down to see samples from Animal Stories and Tall Tales DSP!

ENJOY!

STAMPIN UP SNEAK PEEK LOTS OF BOTS

Good Morning!

Here is a new Stamp Set for STAMPIN UP called " Lots Of Bots". Now Robots are not my favorite kind of thing unless they are holding flowers which this one is!!!! It is rather cute for an apology to a "macho" teenager, who was for at least this time was "right" and needs an apology! I used a little old fashioned cassett tape to spruce it up and punched holes from the Double Rectangle Punch to make it a bit more tekky. If you are old like me then this makes sense. If you are young, then I probably didn't spell the words correctly. I AM A STAMPER FOR HEAVEN SAKE! LOL!!!!! Anyway have fun with your new sets and stop by later for more goodies!!!~Donna

ANIMAL STORIES in safari colors

Hi everybody! I had fun using the DSP from my sneak peek order today. The crushed curry pairs beautifully with barely banana and old olive. It reminds me of the Animal Kingdom Lodge at Disney World! Just so warm and rich!

I hope you are enjoying the peeks, there is a little note of clarification below for all of you who have been asking~Donna

* Stampin' Up Demonstrators MAY NOT POST IMAGES, CONTENTS, INFORMATION FROM OR ANY OTHER MATTER IN THE NEW 2009~2010 IDEA and CATALOG on their website,blog or any othe means of electronic transmission until JULY 1st with the exception of items in the sneak peek.

THE MORE THE MERRIER!

CELEBRATE THE SUMMER WITH THIS LEVEL THREE HOSTESS SET!!!!!!!!
Seems like today is The More The Merrier for samples huh!!!! Well, here is just one of the hostess sets that you'll use year round in class and at workshops so make sure you get yours with the discount before too long! Enjoy~

TALL TALES DSP

The new DSP Tall Tales from Stampin' Up!
makes an adorable gift bag. This year is full of fun DSP. It is great for layering on your cards, use it for making gift bags, and add it to your scrap pages for immediate WOW!!!!

I have been asked about the dimensions for this bag so here they are. Take a piece of 12 x 12 DSP and score each vertical side at 1 1/2" then score the bottom at 1 1/2" and the top at 1". Fold the top over to make a cuff. Then fold the sides in on each piece of DSP. Adhere the sides together using sticky strip to make a crips edged bag. Turn the bag upside down and fold the bottom in like you were wrapping a present and adhere the bottom closed as well with sticky strip. Your finished bag is 9 inches wide by 9 1/2" tall. Have fun!

STAMPIN'UP! Animal Stories

HEY EVERYONE!!!!! Well, my new Stampin' Up sets arrived this morning!
OH MY WHAT FUN!!!!! This set is called Animal Stories. If you don not want to see the new things that are in the SNEAK PREVIEW then close my blog because starting today I will be posting lots of new sets! Want to see the whole card? Then scroll down! Enjoy...>~Donna

In this card I used the new set Animal Stories and a NEW word set called Teeny Tiny Wishes! I love them both and the animals in the Animal Stories are so delightful and very very cute!!! I wish the background paper was as luscious in the picture as it is in real life. My goodness, I LOVE IT!!!! It is so rich and hmmmmmmmm "rich". It is called Soft Suede! Then check out that new ribbon too! Wooohooo....polka dots in all the IN COLORS! Want to know what else! I received my new catty this morning too! All I can say is save your pennies!!!!!! It is sooooooooooooo awesome....with a brand new never before seen item!!!! WOW!!!!!!!! Come on back later I'll be posting stuff all day!

PAPER and RIBBON SHARES

ARE YOU LIKE ME

and

NEED

EVERY LAST ONE OF THE NEW DESIGNER SERIES PAPERS

and

IN COLOR RIBBONS?

Well, you can get it all for just a

FRACTION OF THE COST

when you join my Designer Series Paper and Ribbon Shares Group!!!!

FOR JUST

$30.00 all inclusive

(no extra shipping or tax)

YOU WILL RECEIVE

18 different sets (6"x6"piece of each pattern)of

Designer Series Papers

INCLUDING

THE WRITE STUFF*

You Can Get 3 yards of each of the

6 NEW IN COLOR POLKA DOT RIBBONS

TOO!!!!!!

for an additional

$15.00

Click on the button above to order

(no order is submitted until you click submit on the next page, so feel free to browse)

Orders will be shipped on July 7th if ordered before June 30th otherwise allow 14 days for shipping. This offer may expire after June 30th.

*other demonstrator offers may not include the paper THE WRITE STUFF.

I will include this set with a sampling of the journal box, however it will not be a full 6"x6" due to the nature of the design.

PAPER CUTS # 21

Happy JUNE everyone

I hope you enjoyed your weekend. I know I did, the weather was great. We worked in the yard and had some down time too! I am looking forward to this week and the Stampin' Up! Sneak Peak. I hope you are as excited as I am....wooooohooooo!!!!!

Are you ready to spend some time looking at the new sets? Well, the countdown has begun! It is only a few short weeks until we see the new catty! Keep checking in here for some of the new items to be revealed in sneak peak cards at the end of the week! For now though, here is this week's Paper Cuts! I first stamped some images on black paper and embossed them in Whisper White! Then I layered them to the front of the card and added some ribbon and a sentiment. WOW so Easy! Go over to Paper Cuts on my side bar to see all the instructions and measurements! I'll see you later on. Have a great day!~Donna

Cupcake Challenge #70 WOW!

Hi everyone!
I am back from a trip to Cape Cod and and decided to do this week's Cupcake Challenge because I ate an awful lot of cupcakes while I was down the cape. I am TOO embarrassed to say how many, but can we all chant yummmmmmmmmmmmmm. Oh my they were delicious. Anyway, here is the card I made for Taylored expressions, and I have it sitting in front of the new brief case I am featuring today in my BOXES, Etc. Doesn't the brief case make the cutest envelope and gift card holder! You can check out the directions by searching for briefcase in my search box on my banner, or by clicking here. Enjoy, your weekend and why not try to make one of these briefcases for yourself!

BRIEF CASE! WOW!

FATHER'S DAY is just around the corner, so wouldn't it be fun to make something special? Whether it looks like a brand new attorney's valet or dad's work worn leather briefcase, you can make one just for him!

Why not try to make this version to hold, not work but fun gift cards and a beautiful hand made greeting card! The three divided compartments will easily fit, a gift card and standard sized greeting card, and still have room for a personal note or game tickets! I have searched the internet, and googled high and low and have not seen anything like this! So, I guess it might even be an original! I have all the

PDF step by step instructions for this cutie, for sale in my BOXES, ETC section over on my sidebar. You can order just the instructions with full color pictures, or you may order the entire kit fully cut and scored, with brads inserted, and buttons included, by clicking on the buy now button below! All you'll need to do it assemble it! You choose which way you'd like to order it.

Why not try it out! OH, and just another thought, this also makes a cute little graduation gift card holder, for that special guy who is just starting out ! So, you can forget about handing out a common envelope. When you present a gift in this cool little briefcase you'll be a hit! ENJOY!

CLICK BUY NOW ONLY IF YOU WANT THE ENTIRE KIT;

OTHERWISE CLICK PDF ABOVE

CAPE COD

Hey everyone!

I am off to Cape Cod for a few days to spend some time with an old friend of mine who is here on vacation. I will be computer quiet for a couple of days, but wanted to say hello. Here is a card I did practicing some shadowing and shading techniques. I have a tutorial on another quick way to color this particular stamp set Bloomim' Beautiful check it out when you have the time. Until later enjoy your day! ~Donna

MOJO MONDAY #88

Hey everyone!
I got up early today 5:30 am, to see my Son and daughter in law off to work. They have just moved back home from NC and are staying with us for a bit while they are looking for a new home to buy. They came home to Massachusletts to open a NEW CUPCAKE CHARLIE'S cupcake shop. It is the second store for my brother, and Mike and Katie will be running the one that will open on the Plymouth waterfront (you know...the place where the Mayflower, pilgrims and that famous rock are) for the Fourth of July with the hopes of buying it when they get settled! So, for all of you in the area, or coming to visit this summer, be sure to look them up...and tell them I sent you......YUMMY!
Now, because I was up early I decided to stay up, and let hubby sleep in on the holiday. With the free time I decided to make a card for Mojo Monday. I took some pictures just before a thunderstorm yesterday when the lighting was all weird and gray, and this color combo reminded me of that. Even in the dark of the impending storm there are bursts of bright spring colors. That became my inspiration for this card sample. I hope you enjoy it! here is the link for Cupcake Charlie's.

PAPER CUTS # 20

PAPER CUTS is here, and so is summer. Well, not officially but I always think summer starts on Memorial Day Weekend so.....

let's think take it easy time and outside fun time. That means less stamping time......BUT! You can be ready in a snap and here is how. You don't have to re invent the wheel each time you go to make a card, you can take one of your favorite card layouts, or one of my Paper Cuts Layouts and just change the colors and themes.

Here I have shown you three cards that all look different but all use the same layout. Try it, you'll have less stress then having to come up with a brand new design each time you make a card! ENJOY!

Rasberry Suite Color Challenge

I had a free day today so I sat down and did a color challenge. I have had this folder for quite some time and just haven't played with it yet. So I thought, with peonies being in season this would work nicely, after all the rose looks full and plump like the peonies! Hope you are having a great weekend enjoy!~Donna

GRADUATION and ABC challenge "O" is for orderly

Hey everyone!!!! Please scroll down to the colored text to read about the card if you don't want to read about what I have been doing!

I am sorry I have been quiet this week, but I loved the tulip card from my last post, and decided to let it sit for a bit. I have really been enjoying my garden with the peonies, lilacs and now irises blooming in glorious form! I always think my garden look it's best in spring.

I have been watching the robins and mourning doves sit on their nests, and I waited patiently for the fledglings to leave! Last night the mourning doves took a venture outside into the big world. I will miss their heads popping up each time I open my back door! They made a nest in a protected part of my gutter this year. I have a Craftsman Bungalow with deep overhangs and it was perfect for them to set up house there!

The robins on the other hand had a sad ending. I was educated on how nature takes it's course. I wanted to intervene in this instance, but I knew it was frutile. The other day I heard a lot of commotion in the front yard where the robins had made a nest in my beautiful white pear tree. It was in full bloom and the sounds of birds chirping outside my widow gave way to screaching. So, I had to investigate. I looked out of my window just at the same time a red tailed hawk was swooping down to snatch the fledglings out of the nest for his own babies to feed. It was so sad to see the mother and father robins fretful for their young. All those days sitting on the eggs and caring for the new hatchlings gone. Now it was over, all in a quick moment. I understand the circle of life but, it is difficult to watch. Life goes on however, and those robins have made a new nest in my spruce tree and are now sitting on more eggs! I can't wait to watch the next brood hatch! So, as you can see I have taken a break from stamping to enjoy the spring! I am reenergized and am ready to make some more cards! SO.......

NOW FOR A CARD!!!!

Here is a graduation card I made for the ABC Challenge "o" is for orderly. I used simple block layering, with symmetry. I cut a piece of black card stock to make the mortar board and added some frayed ribbon for a tassel! If you look closely the mortar board has the straight lines of the block layering and the ribbon on the top layer mimics the ribbon tassel for symmetry! The card is simple but has some pizzaz. If you don't have the right sentiment then write your own! It doesn't need to be perfect as you can see here, just personal! I hope it will inspire you to make a card for graduating friends too! Enjoy!

BUNNIES and TULIPS

TODAY I am doing two challenges......
the two cards use the color inspiration from KwernerDesigns which are Baja Breeze, So Saffron, More Mustard, Sahara Sand and Whisper White. I then created a second card for someone who asked me to be in their challenge. It uses a recipe of NO STAMPS....3 BUTTONS....CARDSTOCK.....RIBBON.... FlOWER SOFT or FLOCK....but because I am a SU demonstrator I needed to use my own creation that I described here and put it on the stamens!....and a SENTIMENT! It was a difficult card to conjure up until I remembered a card I received from my friend Kerin and then it all came together pretty easily! Enjoy!~Donna

PAPER CUTS #19

Here I have
a simple, and quick, yet elegant card for that sincere occassion that comes up. Add a sentiment of your desire and you are good to go. Please check out the directions and cuts at PAPER CUTS! Enjoy~Donna

MORE CHALLENGES!

Today I made another box....

This is a cute little gift box that can be used for jewelry, or a gift card, and of course chocolate! I will be posting directions for this box, over in the side bar under BOXES, Etc. in the next few weeks. So keep watching for them! Enjoy~Donna

Take on CINDY LAWRENCE sunbeams

This week my style has shifted from soft and elegant to primative and bright! Go figure! LOL! I just go with what is coming and sometimes even I am surprised!

Here I did a card from inspiration that I got when I checked out Cindy Lawrence's blog this morning! She used some DSP that had sun beams in it so I decided to make my own! Love it! Then I incorporated the card into the Cuttlebug Spot Challenge and here is what I came up with. I used the DSP from SU called SWEET SLUMBER SPECIALTY it has clouds so it set the stage for my stamping a sunrise scene! I used the brayer technique that Michelle Zindorf is a master at, and added some punched paper to make curtains. The little wild flowers are merely white gel pen dots and the birds are just random marker "v's" Enjoy!~Donna

CHALLENGES CHALLENGES!

Well it seems that there are a lot more challenges out there now a days, and a new one almost weekly, but here I am doing one for Creative Belli. This week it was a color challenge using Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Cameo Coral and I used the neutrals white and black. See what you can come up with, and go visit them!

Enjoy your day~Donna

IT'S CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK

DO you LOVE childrens BOOKS!!!

please check this site out for a friend of mine who is adopting their

little girl from Ethiopia!

The sales of these books helps Danielle in making the

trip a little more affordable

SO IF YOU

are in need of good quality, and family value

books for your children

visit! <-------right there!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIRST BORN

Today is my first born's birthday. It doesn't seem possible that 32 years ago I was holding my new baby girl. WOW how time just flies by in a blink. So a little hooplah for my girl.

Lisa is and always was the spark in our family. She is bright, caring, driven, pretty, and everything a parent could want in a child. The thing that strikes me the most about her is how she has made me smile over the years. Like the time in second grade when she was chosen to give a reading in church becasue she was always so self assured. That first time led to her becoming a lector in her teen years, a public speaker and recruiter for her college, an eloquent elugizer for her three grandparents, and now a team leader in her current job. She has been a camp counselor, a flight attendant, an elementary school teacher and now her most important role as a loving and devoted mom! That is not to say she isn't a tough little cookie once and a while but, like any tough cookie when you dip it into the warmth of sweetened tea there is nothing that will compare!

So, to honor Lisa today I made a snappy bright card just like her, and I would like to say......"I wish you the very best birthday girlie! Enjoy your special day! I love you! ~mom"

FASHION FOWARD.....NEVER ENOUGH SHOES

I have had this wheel

for a long time and wanted to use it, but have not found the time until today. When I saw the sketch challenge at Paper stamps glitter I knew this is what I wanted to do! I embossed the shoes and purse in Black Embossing powder so they look like patent leather, and then I layered them in these luscious girly colors!!!!! It makes such a diva birthday card doesn't it?!!!! Hope you like it! See you again soon! ~Donna

PAPER CUTS #18

Today's Paper Cut

is easy and fresh! I stopped by to see Nancy the other day because she was so generously featuring me on her web site. She has some awesome tutorials listed there so be sure to check her out! Now click the link for this week's card!

"M" is for Metallic Merry Christmas!!!

I know it is a bit early but....let's take a break from spring for a second!!!!!
When I saw todays ABC challenge "M: is for metal I immediately thought bling and Christmas shine!!!! LOOK!!!!! The daisy 2 die from Stampin' Up is going to make some AWESOME Christmas cards isn't it!!!!! I am very excited! Enjoy!

Color Inspiration #51

This card is the same layout, but with a different color scheme as the beautiful metallic one above!

It is amazing how the same card can look and feel so different just by using different colors and embellishments. That's why when you find a layout you LOVE use it!!!!!!! Here the colors are for Kristina Werner's color inspiration....enjoy!~Donna

It's My Birthday!!!!

Hey everyone!
Today is my birthday and I have been playing all day doing exactly what I wanted to do! I made a card just for me! It's exactly what I felt like today. I love May and all the NEW things that the month of May brings. One of my favorite things to do besides make cards is garden and decorate! So, today I made a card showing off the fun of gardening, when great surprises like hummingbirds appear! And I made a collage (my very first!) on my blog of some of my black accents in my house! The hook in my stamping room, the flower pot crane in my pantry, the frame around an old Carter Ink print that is the same as the one I had over my bed when I was five, the knob of my pot filler, pictures of all the babies in the family, and my antique office phone!
I absolutely love black as an accent! Black makes everything POP! I used it in the card I made today first, by doing the image in black embossing powder! By embossing them first, when I colored the images in they seemed to come alive! Of course I had to add some fine glitter to the hummingbird to show off his brilliant feathers! I finished it all by adding matt after matt of alternating color and black! I hope you like it. Enjoy! ~Donna

NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS TITLE &*(*!@^^&$#%#$&%

Oh my goodness! ALERT I NEED YOUR LINK!
I am sitting here in shock. I am surprisingly calm. Calm, because I believe the enormity of what I have done has not sunk in yet. WHAT*&*&%^%$&$ I have just single handedly in a flash deleted all, not some, not a few, not one but ALL of my favorite places. YIKES!
That means you! YOU my buddies! You are poofed into cyberspace, and I feel like I have lost my tether! My poor kitty thinks I have lost my mind...he is bewildered.
I am so frantic, yes it is beginning to set in right now. I am feeling tears well up under my eyelids, and I know it will be only moments before I am totally unconsolable.
WHERE ARE YOU!
I do not even know the address of my upline Kerin...see no link! Kerin send me a link please! And you guys too! Sankari, Sylvia, Dori, Kristy, Karen, Kristin, Kristina, Annie B, Sue, Lorraine! LORRAINE I just found you and now you are gone! Jeanna, Bev, Jen, Steph, Jennifer, Anthonette, Angie, DEBBIE, Doreen, Abi, Zapha, Bette, Betty, Savitri, Nora, Nancy, Lyn, Lori, Michelle, Patti, Regina, Rhonda, Robin, Brooke, Linda, Rose, Julie, Barbara, Chloe, CeeCee, Tina, Kathryn, Carol, Tracy, Stacey, Brit, Rachel, Amber, Terri, Alicia, Mary, Kara, Shannon, Odette, Winter, Amy, oh I know I am leaving some of you out, but my brain is in freeze mode so PLEASE HELP!!! SEND ME YOUR LINK TO YOUR BLOG SO I CAN PUT IT BACK WHERE IT BELONGS! HELP!!!!! RIGHT DOWN THERE UNDER COMMENTS SO I CAN CLICK IT

PAPER CUTS will return Next Week!BUT for today! MAY EXTRAVAGANZA highlights!

Hey everyone! Well, we had the best time today starting at 10:00 am. The girls or "MAY DIVA'S" arrived with coffee in tow and after a quick danish they headed down to my stamp room to pick up their goody bags. These were chock full of supplies they would need to make their projects and lots of fun gifts and surprises, the first of which were lime green beads to wear! They were diva's after all!

The cards were left blank with black scallop circles intentionally, and the girls made sentiments that can be added at a later time, whenever a card is needed! SEE!!!!
They started the morning off making 11 cards, they had no idea that it was the beginning of a super fun Stationary Gift Box. They decorated the boxes and loaded them up with bows and sentiments in cute little 2" x 2" clear top tins, that fit snuggly into the box! Things were good. Then it was back to the dining room for lunch and door prizes. Each recipient received three door prizes from DSP, to Crystal Effects, to Ribbon and lots of other cool accessories. We had a number pull for each guest and they got to pick out a brand new stamp set to take home. The next project was a framed piece that we embossed with the new Stampin' Up! embossing folders and they antiqued it with a sponge. They added an embossed black butterfly and framed it all up for a special friend.

Lastly, I passed out "Kool Ade" pitchers and we used the big shot to cut out vinyl and added it to the front of the pitcher and etched the design on them. Some of the girls used stars for a Fourth of July theme, and others used pinwheels to look like lemon slices for lemonaide and still others used a swirl or flowers! Each one came out beautiful and the girls were so excited with the results. In fact after each project I would hear "this is my favorite project" LOL! Each one became their favorite! After a last treat of cupcakes from Cupcake Charlies, we had a Yankee Swap. Some of the prizes for that were a crop-a-dile, stamp a majig, crimper and lots more. 4:00 came too soon and the day came to an end........now for the planning to begin for NEXT YEAR!!!!!!! When all was quiet I sat down at my computer to read my mail. I too received a surprise ........chills went up my spine when I received a personal email from NieNie! :) ..."you made my day Nie! Thanks...and hugs"~Donna

$1500 INSPIRATION!

The first picture is

a MiuMiu Purse that sells for $1500. Why not put a nice gift card in the Stampin' Up version for mom this year and let her pick her own present!

I used the same box template for this purse as the purse that was posted earlier this week. Then I decorated it differently! Oh what fun! HEY! Before you run off, say hello down there in my comments section won't you, I get lonely not hearing from you! THANKS!

TECHNIQUES: Water Color Wash & Pencil Shavings and BELLI CHALLENGE

Hi everyone!
Today I have two cards with two different techniques. Both are simple layouts to showcase the tecnique I used. This first one with the bee, uses leftover pencil shavings from an electric pencil sharpener! I have seen a lot of cards recently that have used Flower Soft as an embellishment. I love it but, being a Stampin' Up Demonstrator we do not carry that product. So, like my frosting conterfeit for liquid applique, I needed to come up with something for Flower Soft too! I took the shavings from my pencil sharpener, added a little ink, let them dry and voila! Now, you can see all the little hairs on this furry little bee! Now you have a FREE and GREEN dimensional embellishment in EVERY SU color you can imagine! They will match perfectly all of the SU inks and papers, and look great! I know the camera is not fabulous but, you can get the idea, and it is certainly easy enough to try for yourself! I used this card for the Belli Challenge too!

On this card I practiced the new water coloring technique that has been floating around (no pun intended) on blogs this week using the Manhattan Roses.

Here I took the honey pot from "Just Buzzin' By" and used it as my vase. Then I embossed the image with clear embossing powder to create water ripples. Next, I sprayed the shimmery white paper with water until it was soaked and added a little Bashful Blue and Baja Breeze ink to it. It looks fab in real life, but because of the subtlety of the water, the glass vase and the shimmery paper it was difficult to get all the elements in one picture to look great. It's just another idea on how to use the water color wash! Enjoy! ~Donna

If I could Save Time In A Bottle........April Morning

Goodmorning everyone!

I don't have a card for you this morning but, I do have a story that I'd like to share instead. I was asked by Jeanna at Stamp Time Somewhere to be in her card swap for April. I gladly accepted and signed up to make cards for two stamp sets, to be delivered to her by April 15th. This past weekend April 25th I received a package with the surprise swaps inside. It was just like Christmas! The ladies in this swap are awesome, and really put out some extraordinary work. You guys should take a peek and sign up for the May Swap! Moving on......

After I opened all my cards I wrote to each lady to thank them. Then one of those AWESOME God moments happened! Do you ever get them? You know the kind where it just is uncanny that the puzzle pieces should come together and finally make a picture, to your complete amazement none the less! Well, that is what happened to me and Lorraine-Castellon Rowe!

Here is how it happened.....

When I wrote to each lady, I checked out her blog if she had one, and glanced at where she came from. Lorraine's address caught my attention immediately, and threw me back to when I was 12. Um yes it was in the 60's LOL!!! Lorraine was sending in her swaps from Fremont California. Now, being on the East Coast most people do not know where that is, but it was my first big trip destination away from home. It was clear across the USA on TWA, and it lasted for two weeks with an elderly grandmother who could not speak English very well. Can you imagine, poor little 'ole me across the world, or so it seemed from my mom and dad and 4 other siblings, with a grandmother who only spoke Portuguese. YIKES! Trauma!

Anyway, we went to Fremont California to see some other elderly friends of my grandmother, whom did not speak English either. Lucky for me there were grandchildren involved and they were my age! So, after two weeks we became fast friends, as 12 year old's do. I think it was pure survival for me! ADAPT! My surroundings consisted of strange accents where they said HORSE instead of HOSS, and made fun of the way I talked...you know that great Boston accent will catch you every time! There were mountains, REAL mountains, and endless meadows filled with wild horses and yes a stinky, smelly pickle factory! Man they are awful! I can still conjure up that stink some 40+ years later. Okay, Okay so.....

This is where my story winds up. I wrote to Lorraine, and told her I had stayed on Osgood Rd in Fremont CA when I was a little girl, and asked if she knew where it was. She wrote me a wonderful letter telling me yes, she knew exactly where Osgood Rd was. Then she proceeded to tell me how she had never known about the pickle factory until APRIL 22, 2009. That day she drove past the area where it once thrived, with a friend. He told her how his grandfather used to work there. It is just a broken wall of bricks and broken windows now she said...... just old and worn out. She got goosebumps when my note arrived a day or so later in her mailbox, asking her about the pickle factory on Osgood Road! I relished the rest of her letter and felt like I should journal my thoughts even if you guys are bored LOL! It hit both of us that we were spiritually in the same place that week, in this big world...... and we had never met! I don't have a personal blog, just this one so you are my captive audience. Isn't it amazing to finally know when two paths have crossed miles away! God is very humerous! It is funny how life takes some wonderful turns. How could I have ever known all those years ago that I would be back on Osgood Rd through the story of a Stampin' Up demonstrator today! What a fabulous experience I have had to be part of the Stampin' Up Demonstrator community. I have met the most energetic, fun loving, creative bunch of souls from all corners of this earth, and am so grateful for each and everyone of you who come to visit me here on my blog. Lorraine, thank you for that note! It was special enough to want to make me write today.

As for you my blog friends, I wish for a surprise gift of a finished circle in life for each and everyone of you! Thank you for stopping in. Enjoy THIS day! ~ Donna

MOTHERS DAY BURST

This card is for my daughter for Mother's Day.

She is a great mom of two little ones and deserves some recognition form her own mom "me", just to let her know what a great mom she is. Anyway, she sees a lot of flowery and soft cards in my classes, so I decided to make something a little more young and upbeat! I love the shimmery edge created by layering the Scallop Circle from the Stampin' Up die cut, with a dvd! You can even use that as the theme and add a DVD or CD gift as well! I then stamped the inside of the card and used my own handwriting for the "with love" sentiment!

I hope this will get you thinking! What a perfect graduation card this would make too! LAYER the Daisy Die from SU and use the recipients school colors for the card! How much fun is that? ENJOY!~Donna

A BIG THANK YOU to Kristina Werner

SEE HOW TO MAKE THIS CUTE PURSE..... if you need box base instructions you can get them here.....OTHERWISE just watch the video to see the technique for this cute little wristlet! Check out my side bar for all your needs.

First of all I would like to congratulate

Kristina Werner for reaching 50 fabulous weeks of COLOR CHALLENGES and doing them just for all of us! It is a time consuming undertaking and she has been more than gracious to do it for us! Remember she picks her favorite top 20 and does not use a random interger! That is a feat in itself. SO KRISTINA here is a round of applause for you, and a great big THANK YOU!

I wanted to make something 3d for the big 50 event so, I chose this cute little purse that is all over the web and filled it with 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" note cards. I made my own envies in red to finish off the requirements! I embossed the little purse in a faux leather and added hodge podge hardware to the strap to make it look authentic! So much fun! Last, but not least I embossed the brad in white craft ink so as not to be disqualified from the challenge! We could use no other colors besides white, red, yellow and turquoise LOL!!!! So here you go I hope you have fun with your entry too! Have a great week everyone. Hugs~Donna

PAPER CUTS #17

This weekend was so gorgeous here in New England,

that my mind drifted away to the anticipation of June and time spent by the ocean. That is what inspired some of the design for Paper Cuts today! I actually got the layout idea from Mary Fish, the Waves from Andrea Walford! So, along with the theme this card is a conglomeration of inspiration!

Don't have just the right sentiment? Then, do what I did and write your own. Your handwriting will make your card that more personal and the words are endless!

I hope this is how you create, especially when you are in a funk. Take "some" ideas from "many" to make something your own, or in this case CASE a paper cuts! You can see all the cuts and instructions by clicking on PAPER CUTS. Enjoy~Donna

SPRING BULBS

Hey and happy Friday to you!

For those here in New England I bet you are very anxious for the lovely weather that is coming our way for the weekend! I know I am, and I will be out in the yard working on my perenial gardens! It is such a great day to open up the windows and let some fresh air in! For those of you wondering about my critters(termites) they have been quietly laid to rest! I see very little activity and either I am used to the smell of little bodies or they are gone! OKAY, so let's continue to the card. I made this for a challenge today at Stamp Something. The theme was showers or flowers and it is too sunny here for showers, so I chose flowers. I used my new die "FLOWER DAISIES #2" from Stampin' Up and made the big 3d flowers. Then, I used an oval punch to create a vase. I loved taking the gel pen to the designer paper and adding some highlights. It worked great to make white flowers on the Very Vanilla card stock too! Add a few brads and some dimensionals and you've got a fun card! hope you like it. Enjoy your weekend! I'll see you Monday for a new PAPER CUTS! hugs~Donna