Age is Just A Number

Today is my husband's birthday, one of those big number (half a decade) birthdays, so I pulled out my favorite AMuse set, Eat Cake, and a few of my other favorites (I just got the SU! Chevron border punch) and this is what I came up with:

Paper & Eat Cake stamp set: Amuse Studio, chevron border punch: SU! Number background: Deadbeat Designs

 

The number background is from Deadbeat Designs, another favorite of mine. I got this stamp at the retreat I did earlier this year.

I gave him the card along with the canvas I created at the retreat. The saying on that project -- Home. The nicest word there is. -- is especially fitting for this year, since we bought a house (and are spending a lot of time and effort on it.)

Happy Stamping!
Christina

Cards for Special Occasions!

From a special birthday to an out-of-the ordinary thank you to an adventurous congratulations/farewell/good luck and sincere sympathy for the loss of a nephew, August was a busy month of events worthy of a hand-stamped card!

A congratulations & farewell card for a friend I will OWLways miss! I love the way the quiet Hexagon background and the stardust finishing spray (AMuse Studio) add visual interest without taking away from my owl (SU!) and saying (The Stamps of Life). I had so many things to say in this card -- for a colleague undertaking a major adventure with a library position in Doha, Qatar -- that there are sentiments on all 4 panels of this card, with a very personal one (from Winnie the Pooh) on the back.

One of the month's Spotlight sets put to good use thanking some friends for a favor "above and beyond." I love how easy this set is to use, and again the understated hexagon background and stardust finishing spray really added the right finishing touch to make this card far from plain, as simple as it is.

I LOVE the coordinating colors of AMuse Studio -- here Mermaid -- and I love the Eat Cake set, which was meant for chalkboard art, but works well in a variety of colors. This card helped celebrate a very special friend that I don't get to see often enough!

 

A Stampin'Up set on Mermaid paper and ink, for a time when there really aren't many words.

 

The hexagon background is one one of the September Spotlight sets -- I think I will use it on some cards I'm making this weekend. Not only is it "on trend," it's a lot of fun, and very versatile!

Don't forget the holiday catalog is out and Holiday Hoopla is on NOW -- with increased hostess benefits starting with a $250 order/workshop. Let me know if I can help you get free stuff!

I'm nearly finished assembling a Summer 2013 mini-album that was last week's free cut on the Cricut Craft Room software -- I'll share that next (and hopefully I'll have my husband's birthday card done to share -- since tomorrow is the big day!) But, until then,

Happy Stamping!
Christina

The last couple of months have been unbelievably full, with the return of students, the end of basketball season for my son, a business trip to Dallas, and, of course, the "big move!"

Unfortunately, I have had the opportunity to make more sympathy and get well (from a serious illness/surgery) cards already this year than I do most years! Fortunately I've also gotten some birthday and thank you cards out, as well! I already posted the silver lining card I made for my Dean, but here are some of the other cards I've managed to squeeze in:



A dear friend lost her father in January



An administrator at my son's school suffered a massive stroke -- this card is appropriate because he is known for being FUN!

The screenprint background on the butterflies really tie this card together

 

A quick thank you for our realtor on the day of closing

 

Happy birthday to my cousin -- I love the versatility of the marvelous marigolds set!

 

Washi tape madness for a friend far away!

Thanks for letting me share my recent projects -- seeing them again makes me eager to finish unpacking the craft room. I've already found some really great things that I'd forgotten about -- I wonder what else is in those boxes?!

Happy stamping!
Christina

In My Thoughts

My cousin and her husband recently moved to Texas (the DFW area) from San Jose, California and are having a tough time getting settled. I got a couple of SU! single stamps in my hostess order this month and was able to combine the lovely saying stamp with gorgeous A|S paper to get a card out this week to let her know I am thinking about her, and wishing them both all the best!

In addition, today is the 88th birthday of an online friend's dad. He's been having some health issues and is currently in a rehab therapy center, so friends from all over sent him birthday greetings to bring a smile to his sweet face. He lives on the East Coast so I wanted to send a little Texas charm his way:

I only wish you could see the finish on the tag -- I used A|S Finishing Spray and it really adds a special touch. The stamps are a combination of Deadbeat Designs and a retired A|S set

My husband and son are camping with the Scouts this weekend, so my goal is to finish and mail a few Thanksgiving cards today. I will admit, though, that goal is competing with a strong desire to go out and enjoy this beautiful weather! Hmmm, perhaps the cards can go out on Monday . . .

Happy stamping,
Christina

Owl Grown Up!

This week my son turned 14. I make a good number of owl cards -- because I think they are so cute -- to the point that my son has picked up on the owl sayings, so I simply had to incorporate that into his birthday card!

The background is from the You Rock stamp set from A|Muse, the owl punch from SU! and saying from the Stamps of Life.

I recently started adding googlie eyes on occasion -- I love the added movement and the expression they give to the owls.

We let him choose a restaurant for his birthday dinner, but we ate so much that none of us was up for birthday cake after! He was happy with his presents, -- most had a music theme (from CDs to headphones and a mixing board) so you might want to be happy you don't live next door to us as he continues to explore (and experiment with) his love of music!

Happy stamping!
Christina

October Stamping

A friend from work got married earlier this month, and this is the card I made for the happy couple:

Simple elegance: one of my favorite cuttlebug folders with a sentiment from Essential Sentiments in grape, and vanilla pearls, on Vanilla c/s

As a gift to the couple I offered my husband's photography, and they took us up for the rehearsal and dinner. The couple was married in the chapel on campus -- and it would be difficult to find a more beautiful place.

I also had to get a card out to my dad's wife, and my mom for their birthdays (a couple of days apart):

A cheery card for my dad's wife -- using some bright leftovers from a SU! class I took this Spring. I think I mailed my mom's before photographing it -- oops!

I have a dear friend -- who moved about an hour away (closer than she had been) and I *still* don't get to see nearly enough-- with a birthday next week and this is the card I am sticking in the mail to her today:

Touches of pink, and bits of brown -- I love the way the A|Muse Vintage Labels with the matching stamp allow me to coordinate! The inside sentiment simply says " You're one of my nicest thoughts."

And finally, to be caught up, here is the card I made for next Friday's baby shower at work:

A sweet baby boy card for a nice colleague and his wife, expecting their first in time for Thanksgiving! I love the mix of A|Muse vintage labels dies, gingham paper, stamp set AND a found item -- a tag off some pants I recently bought! The front says "welcome, little one."

I also attended a SU! Christmas Stamp Camp this month for some ideas, and I may post those when I have re-interpreted them into Cricut and A|Muse, which is what I am planning to do. BUT, I'll probably work on the small gifts for my work friends next -- October is nearly over, so Halloween goodies have to be a priority!! I can't let them down after years of special treats in their mailbox, right?!?

Happy Stamping,
Christina

Farewell, Dora

Today is the last day for a friend at work -- we have changed the contract on our housekeeping services and my library may never look as good as it has the last 3 years, since Dora kept it so well. Although she won't be at work every day I will  still see her (since I've recently introduced her to stamping) so instead of goodbye I wanted to thank her for all she's done.

Cardstock: A Muse & SU! Various dies (including the lovely cut & embossing on Vintage Labels 1 from a Muse -- a fun feature that is fairly new to me), and a cuttlebug folder

Happy stamping,
Christina

Greeting Card Box

This week was the Dean of my school's birthday, so I made a box of cards for her. A colleague and I usually stamp her a set of cards, but I decided that it would be convenient to have a box to put them in.

Box of Cards for Dr. J. Box: CTMH, Paper: SU!

Some of the cards I included . . .

Maybe by Christmas Break I can make her a set of dividers for the box  . . .

Happy Stamping,
Christina

Hoot Hoot Hooray!

This week my friend unexpectedly* received the Teacher of the Year award, so I made her a quick card:

Inside: Owl that hard work paid off!

(*unexpected only because this is her first year AND she teaches math (bleh) to first year students -- so for her to beat out the rest of the faculty means there was an overwhelming student response in her favor!)

I love how this came out -- and how quick it was. I have 2 owl sets and this Stampin' Up! owl punch, and can't wait to add the set from A*Muse to my (growing) owl collection . . .

It's owl good!
Christina

Sympathy Card

We lost a dear friend yesterday and I made a simple but heartfelt card for one of her daughters.

Rest in peace, Helen, we have been blessed to know you and your family!

Christina