Here's the card.....

Blogger is acting up....not sure why this wouldn't load last night, but it worked today. I need to plan a meal for dinner. Does anyone have a yummy recipe they can share right away? I want something warm/hot for dinner! :)

Have a great Sunday and Happy March!! :)

hugs,
Elaine

QVC item....

I ordered an item from QVC's craft day last month. It was a product that Lisa Bearnson has put her name on, and I thought I'd share today.

The kit is called, "Make an Impression - Embossing Kit". I think it came to a total of $26 or $27 with shipping and tax. There are 23 shape templates, a stylus, and a booklet of tips and tricks. They are made of acrylic. It all stores very neatly in a dandy long rectangular box. If I had seen it in person at the store I probably would not have bought it for this price. The acrylic isn't a thick piece of acrylic, but rather like the stiff acrylic packaging that we all have a terrible time opening.

Cute designs though! Some of them were 'warped' and don't lay flat. For that reason, I MAY send it back -- because it's the swirls that are warped...they're probably the best ones, right??

Here's the card:
(for some strange reason I can't add the card right now, so I will post and then try to edit in order to add it)....

Have a great evening!

Hugs,
Elaine

What do YOU do with fibers? Here's what Dannette did!

I am stumped as to why I was so enamoured with fibers. Now I have tons of fibers and don't know what to use them on. This card was my attempt to use some...mind you there's about a thousand times more than this in my stash...it will probably need to find a new home soon.

Dannette Ruger apparently knows how to use fibers the RIGHT WAY! She sent me a darling Bella RAK using fibers AND bling! - it's adorable! Thank you so much, Dannette!! Isn't that little flufffy pom-pom made of fibers cute?? It fits the pajama & slippers theme just right!




I hope you're all having a great weekend! I plan to get out and wash the car again this weekend because it's already so covered in a layer of dusty/residue from the rains yesterday.

Take care everyone!

hugs,
Elaine

Double Whammy Friday

Woke up yesterday with a bit of a sticky feeling in my left eye. Dang. I think I picked up conjunctivitis from my old boss who was visiting at work. He made a point of not touching people, but I know it's highly contagious, so I made sure to wash up right away. Got it anyhow! And, not in one, but apparently in both. UGH! Topping that off, it's now raining! It started out sunny and gorgeous in Seattle ....but is drizzly and wet and cold now. It's been a while since it's rained, and I knew it was only a matter of time since I washed the car!!!

What is everyone up to this weekend? Anyone in Seattle area doing the Northwest Paper Chase? My friend Debbie and I spent ALL day Saturday (last weekend) going from one store to another - having the absolute best time ever!!! Her father recently passed away and we had wanted to get together for a while. The weather cooperated, and so we were off as soon as she was finished with work. I think we hit a dozen stores...and tried to also hit one last stamp store in West Seattle -- 25 miles away from where we started...and they closed 10 minutes before we got there :( Talk about a big bummer! Thank goodness we were both almost broke by that time.

I'll be posting some pics with my new goodies...in fact, here is one of the cards that I made using some of the new goodies...so I'm feeling good that I've bought stuff that I will actually USE and not just "Collect"!

Happy Friday!!
From the rainy and wet Emerald City~

P.S. Has anyone tried the new Honey Iced Latte from Starbucks?? We got it the other day when they first came out....OMG!!! I love it!!! It was yucky at first but then I took another sip and fell in love!!!

New Card Share

Time for a Wedding Card Share! This is another card for Terry's scavenger hunt package. The image is quite old - by Denami. But I loved it enough to buy it in three sizes! And this is probably the first time any of them has been used! LOL!

The vines & buds were drawn on with a micron pigma marker and colored and glittered.

The wedding bells & greeting are from a clear stamp set that I think came from Joann's. Those little white pearls on the corner took me forever to find. And did you see the tiny little pearls on the bell clanger things too? They're soooo little!

Cardstock is Bazzill, papertrey white, and SU Ballet Blue.

Have a great night everyone, I'm off to bed 'early'....

hugs,
Elaine

Another card to share.

This is one of the cards I did for my buddy Terry G. We were doing a Scavenger hunt swap where each week we make an assigned card for our buddy. At the end of 6 weeks, she gets the cards and maybe a treat or something fun!! I don't think she comes to my blog. There aren't a lot of people that do, so I think I am pretty safe sharing this with you! :)

I should have used some of my new May Arts yellow Ric Rac *DARN!*

Ok, the next card swap that I do you'll be seeing lots of May Arts ribbon! LOL

Base is barely banana (again, my lack of photography skills is showing...that doesn't look banana, does it?) Then the patterned papers and the blue are from Joann's dollar packages of scrapbooking stuff. I bought it to make some baby boy things (mini album/frame/whatever) for a co-worker who had a grandson recently - I think there is still enough for some fun projects, this card used such a small amount. And you can't beat 4 sheets of paper for a buck!! The stamp is from A-Muse; Greeting is Micheal's $1 bin, and there is some pretty yellow ribbon with white printed flowers from Impress Rubber stamps - It was expensive by my standards - over a buck a yard and it's only 1/4" wide!

Have a great evening, everyone! I bet it rains tomorrow - I washed the car today....sorry Seattleites!

That GORGEOUS Ribbon has arrived :)

I am soooo glad I had the day off work today! I was able to take some pictures of the May Arts Ribbons that UPS JUST dropped off!

Some are BRAND NEW (the pink stripes and the blue stripes). Others I have ordered, and re-ordered many times...(the tried and true favorites!)

I thought the velvet ric rac in these soft colors would be nice to have for Easter, and other Springtime projects.

The blue and green ribbons are perfect for baby boy projects, and the pink/greens are perfect for my girly and Bella stamps!!



Have a great day everyone!

From Sunny in Seattle....
Elaine


I'll post the widths and other info a little later. I'm on my way to pick up dd from her sleep-over.



14 years ago on this day we lost our 1st daughter, a darling baby girl named Cezanne Marie.
Happy Birthday dear Baby Cezanne!

Tubbby ...an old card that was never blogged about...

I think there are a lot of cards that I don't put on my blog. Mostly because ....well, there's no good reason except I'm lazy. Here's a card that was done last year I think. The image came from my friend Ruthann, and I'm not sure who it's by. If YOU know, please tell me - I think it's adorable and would love to look for it to add to my collection!

Gina K Challenges fromSunday night

I didn't get to upload on Sunday, but they're in now - my versions of the Gina K. challenges.

EMGKD28 is the kitty Challenge from Erica - the card base is actually a really pretty light blue - baby blue even. But it does not photograph true to it's color in our dark NW weather...gray skies and all....

JBGKD28 challenge is the Red card with "Girl in the car" presented by Julie. My first set of Gina K stamps are on their way so I had to use other stamps on these challenges.

CKGKD28 is the purplish/seashell challenge from Cammie - This is a really old SU set paired with a Michael's $1 greeting. Click on it and the details really show up!

Have a great day everyone!

If you get a moment, go and check out Craft Critique! They've updated today!
http://www.craftcritique.com/

-Elaine

Challenges are hard for me...but at least I used my stamps and stash!

Party Time!

CHA Party time, that is!

Craft Critique is a blog that regularly provides reviews and coverage of products that scrappers and stampers want, use, or covet. There are guest reviews, and regular reporters who share their knowledge and opinons. Starting today, they've announced there is some great blog candy from CHA ....YOU have a chance to win if you go and leave a comment on the post....check back each day because it will be sure to include lots of great news that we can look forward to! (and plan to budget $$ for later this season!).

Without further adieu, here is the link:
http://www.craftcritique.com/2008/02/lets-get-this-party-started.html

Enjoy your Sunday!!

Windy is the word in Seattle....very windy and gusty.
Take care!

May Arts Ribbon will be here in 2 weeks!!!! YAY!!!

I am sooooo excited!! The May Arts ribbon was ordered Tuesday! Do you want to know now what I will have or wait until it's here?

Yipppeeee!!!I also have some 'other' news to share that has to do with May Arts....hmmmm....I wonder what it could be..... What do you think it is? Take a guess and tell me what you think the good news is! (no fair if you are one of the people that I told yesterday when I first found out)....

Well, along with the good news, I have some bad news too....my friend/co-worker that dropped me off so I could get the ribbon got a big bad ticket. She is not familiar with the part of the city where the Seattle Convention & Trade center is located. It's on a tricky street, and I told her to be careful getting on the freeway to head home...I know she didn't understand what I was talking about, because she went the way I told her NOT to go....and got a ticket for $320....for getting on the freeway - Express Lanes - Carpool Only.... wahhhhhhhh.

Since she would never have been in that part of the city had it not been for me, I felt obligated to pay for her ticket....that means I will be broke for a while.....especially after also ordering ribbon!! DANG IT! She tried to explain to the Seattle Police that she did not know it was a carpool ONLY on-ramp...He said, "I hear that about 20 times a day." In other words, "Save your breath, Blondie, I've heard that before."

Let's end this post on a happier note...here's a picture of the 6x6 scrapbook pages that we made at the Stampin Up meeting Saturday and a couple of Lizzie Anne Cupcake cards!

I've been in LOVE with cupcakes ever since Lizzie told me about New York Cupcake at Bellevue Square. That was one month ago. Since then I have had 22 cupcakes....hmmm...you do the math. If you see a big balloon going by soon, it is likely ME! LOL I have to get the sugar thing under control. Are you good at avoiding sweets? I'm NOT!

Have a lovely evening everyone. Weather tonight is very gusty - and a bit cool. and of course wet. It's always wet. Slugs like it. I don't like slugs. Blech. Time to end this entry!
Hugs,
Elaineabella

Is velvet ribbon still 'in'??

I was at the gift show yesterday and am SOOOOOO tempted to order velvet ribbons! But they remind me of winter - and though they are great (PERFECT, I mean) for Valentine's cards, they don't seem like Spring-time embellishments (at least not to me). So, I am trying to decide if I want to go with an order of VELVET ribbon in all the colors or if I should stick with my original plan of the beautiful shimmery irridescent duo colors....or the beautiful stripes??


Also if you have a preference on width, what would you get? There is 1/4" or 3/8" or 1/2" and finally, 5/8" -- I tend to stick with 1/4" & 3/8" most (but not all) of the time.

What type and widths do YOU think is best? What is used most?

Have a great evening. It's really cold out (think 'threatening to snow cold', and 'wet' - I bet icy will be a better description in the morning though). What's the weather like where you're at? Hope you all stay dry and warm!

Hugs,
Elaine

Friday Goodies from A-Muse Art Stamps in Greenwood, WA (Seattle)

Lookie!! I went to A-Muse to pick up some stamps for Donna on Friday (her blog is Ruby Slippers) - she lives in Eastern WA and though I've never met her in person, I've known her through the internet for at least 5 or 6 years. While shopping for her there, I couldn't resist the new Elzybells & Saltbox stamps! I only had time to grab a few, and then a few Valentine stamps, and then the rhinestone hearts at the counter....geez...see what happens when you have money to shop but no time? Mish mash assortment and no thought put into it!

I don't think the robber is new, but boy was there a cute card on display!! I wish I had brought the camera but I'll try to make my own version soon and share it! I picked up the Saltbox clear stamps but forgot to pull them out of the bag...what a bargain at only 7.75!! Can't wait to play with everything, but this weekend is pretty busy...I may have to wait until next weekend. :( Don't forget to check back! I'm planning to order May Arts from the show on Sunday!

We've got chilly weather but it's not raining, not windy and not snowing!
Have a great day!

Bella's getting heavy!

She's getting heavy because all of the metal embellishments and layers. I bet it takes two if not three stamps to mail these....

Projects!

These great projects were in the display area at the SU meeting that I attended today. It was held by my 5th upline, Denise Jorgensen, and her husband Iner + some of their downline. The meeting was fun, and it was nice to see some sideline gals and meet new ladies too!!

My upline, Annika Umbinetti is to the left, and Jill, my sideline, is to the right. I didn't make any swaps, but two ladies were nice and offered them to me because I liked their cards so much! :) Have a little peek at these fun ideas.

I'll be heading off to the Seattle Gift Show tomorrow. Hopefully won't spend too much though!! ACK!! I didn't order the May Arts Ribbon last time....I might just get some this time. It's been a WHILE since I've placed an order with them! We'll see......

I know there are at least six of you who were interested last time, and I'm betting there could be others too...so stay tuned!

hugs,
Elaine

You're the best __________ what?

Well I made the card but can't decide what to put on the little tagboard piece! Someone help give me some ideas!

Trying to see if this makes a difference.

I used the photo editor thing and want to see if the photo shows up with less 'darkness'....can you tell a difference between this and the first picture?

Sugar Nellie Card

Hey everyone! How's the weather where you're at? Here in WA it is still cool (but not freezing, at least not at the moment!). We had flurries of snow yesterday afternoon while I was at the hairdresser getting rid of some pesky gray stuff!

Anyhow, I wanted to share one of my latest favorite stamp lines. I ordered these quite some time ago and just have not had time to photograph them when there is enough light! The ones that I really liked went out as 'Thank you' cards earlier this month. This one was left...I love it even though it is still sitting here waiting to be mailed!

The Sugar Nellie site is here: www.sugarnellie.com
They also have a blog: http://sugarnellie.blogspot.com/
And if you want to buy them, go here: http://www.funkykits.co.uk/catalog/

They take a little longer because they come from overseas, but they are so worth the wait! The images are gray unmounted rubber. I just add some doublestick tape or EZ mount and they're ready to use!

This card is made with all SU Cardstock - Real Red, Bashful Blue, and Whisper White. Ink was the Adirondack Pitch Black; Image colored in with Copics; greeting is from SU, and so is the stamped flower. The tiny red spotted brad is from Queen & Company. Ribbon is Michael's but I think it could be sold by my favorite ribbon company, May Arts!

Stay warm! My honey is on the way home with a spiced caramel apple cider topped with lots of whipped cream and caramel!! I can't wait to sip!!!

A new Favorite Blog to add!

Ok, I have been a bad blogger...actually probably just a lazy blogger. I had the best of intentions, but when it's rainy outside and your home / lighting is so dark you can't get a decent picture, it's just easier to wait until the next sunny day to post something, know what I mean?

Anyway, back to the title. I found an incredibly talented lady today, whose projects I absolutely ADORE!! Check out her place: http://brownpaperpackaging.blogspot.com/
The two latest projects that she shows are just so dang cute!! I can't stand it!! I want to be her and have her talent!! I posted a comment to her that I need her to teach me how to do what she does! Or start teaching classes so I can take them and make cute stuff like that too!! Ahhhh...

Oh, and in case any of you are in the Seattle/Redmond area, Rubber Soul in Redmond is closing up....I was out there today and bought a GREAT BIG shopping bag FULL of goodies!!! They were already quite low in stock on many items, so I missed out a little, but I'm happy that I got a bunch of new things to play with!

And you know how everyone's posting a "WORD" for the year? I don't have one. I cannot think of a word right now that I feel would be good for me, so I'm putting it off, but still hoping it will hit me. Let's hope tomorrow is a sunnier day so I can get some pictures taken!! It's still dark when I get home from work otherwise I would have put something up by now!

Have a great Saturday evening everyone! Hope you're all staying warm, dry and near your stamps or crafts!

Almost forgot to show my PIF...

A couple days before Christmas I got my Pay it forward and LOVE it! I will have to get some pics and then do my own Pay it forward!! :) I hope to get the pictures up later today~!

Last pictures of that mini tag scrapbook...I promise!

Can you tell that I really was in love with this project?

Here's a view of all the pages of the mini scrapbook. The end 'tabs' each had names/nicknames of their friends when the book was complete. I used white rub on letters and it showed up nicely on the dark chipboard pieces.

I also included some Grungeboard (they didn't like the cute little skull piece though, so I had to take it off...it was on the blue folder page that is now blank on the outside).

The last page shown here has clear snowflakes that are really buttons from the craft store - colored with Copic markers and topped with gems.

Have a great evening! It sure feels like Sunday to me know that I have to go back to work tomorrow - yuck. I might be sick. My stomach has been bothering me...seriously!!

I neglected to finish posting the rest of the mini scrapbook made from Creative Cafe tags last year, so I will share it now whether you want to see it or not! LOL

I got the letters on the front using Queen & Co. Alphabettys - I love them, but sadly found out they're now all sold out at the place I bought them before :(

The shaped rhinestone bling just does not photograph well - it's so pretty and sparkly in real life! The KL over on the little tag are Maddie's friend's initials.

The brown tag is stamped with chalk ink and embellished with snowflake grosgrain ribbon, a Martha Stewart felt snowflake, chipboard, patterned paper from the Costco big pack by Wild Asparagus, some chipboard, glitter and more bling. Notice on the next picture the close up of the little acrylic charm that says "Frosty". We put a picture of the girls making their SNOWMAN on this page - it was sooooo dang cute!!

Next is a page with more felt snowflakes. This had the girls outside in the snow - talking. Because they have to talk about their private things outside - and look cute just in case any boys happen to go by - they will be seen.....yeah, right...not on my watch! I chase those boys away! LOL

Then the other page is a pocket for the Friendship tag.

I don't think I can load more than 5 pics at a time, so I have to set up another entry in a moment. Thanks for taking time to peek! I hope your New Year's Day has been wonderful!!

hugs,
Elaine

New cards for 2008

I made these last night when I was working on the challenges at Splitcoast for Jacksonbelle's challenges. I always seem to get sidetracked though - ended up smooshing the party hat, so that won't be seen here, and made a couple of other cards! I even used my Stickles that I bought earlier this year! I hope the Cricut will come out of the box (bought in 2006, mind you, and it is still sealed in the box). Gotta get more use out of my schtuff this year!

Hope you all had an enjoyable New Year's Eve and Wishing you all the best for 2008!

Hugs,
Elaine

Happy New Year!!

We're home with our kids for the first time in many, many years!! Jacksonbelle had a challenge over at Splitcoast, so it was high time that I participate! There are many layers of stamping on the glossy white background, and the glasses are shown on TAPE (which is why they appear backwards from the actual image in the SU catalog).

The ink is Bashful Blue, Paper Pallet Noir, and Copic colored ribbon. The challenge was to make a black and blue card. This is mine. Not quite what I wanted, but I don't have time to make a new one for the midnight hour!! Happy New Year everyone!

It's a cold evening, but no snow in sight right now :(

Orders from We R Memory Keepers!

WOW!!! OMG! I put in a really big order a couple weeks ago for the We R Memory Keepers sale....they carry the big square tins in copper, pewter, vintage brass, and silver finish. It's a box of accessory findings (very much like the Hodgepodge Hardware sets that Stampin Up sells). I got my huge order today, and inside, instead of one 'box', I got a cardboard BOX full of hoddgepodge boxes!! - I think they made a mistake! I will have to write back to see what they want me to do with the extras. Maybe they will say KEEP EM and give them as blog candy! LOL I hope so!! Anyway, I was thrilled to know the order arrived. One of the other items was short, but I suppose I can live with that especially if they say to keep the extra tins!!! Happy Monday everyone!!

-It was pouring rain this morning - just dumping buckets! it's supposed to be that way all week long! U.G.H.

Here's a peek at a new project

I'm working on this little mini tag scrapbook for my daughter's best friend. She is a real sweetheart and my kid wanted something special for her...well this is all we could afford that was special - and I love how it turned out!

The pictures will be added tomorrow and the photos don't show the initials/names/or pictures. Her mom prefers not to have her pictures on anything on the internet, so I have to honor her wish for privacy.

Anyhow, it's made with a Creative Cafe extra large tag in beige. Torn paper is edged with sky blue chalk ink, then touched with glitter. Each round tag is attached, spelling out "SNOW" and has some sort of BLING on it from stars to squares, hearts or round bling...it's there - the girls at this age seem to love bling almost as much as I do! The transparent blue snowflake in the upper right is a transparent button that I colored with Copic marker and topped with a rhinestone. Snowflake ribbon and the paper are from Ebay. The entire book is held together with a cream colored Binder ring in a pretty cream color from 7 Gypsies. More tomorrow. I'm heading off to bed. It's been wet and rainy all weekend!! Hope there is no more flooding tomorrow!

Have you seen these???

I hope you're all having a great weekend! I did a lot of online stamp shopping today. I've been admiring these little cuties for several months now, and just recently they became available here, but they always seem to be sold out so I wouldn't be able to get the big batch that I want. Check out Sugar Nellie here:

http://sugarnellie.blogspot.com/

And tell me which ones you like! I of course want the newest ones, and several that are out. So far I am at 16L pounds - I don't know exactly what the converts to in dollars, but once those other images get back into stock, I can order them all at once and have some fun! :)

Has anyone else ordered from here besides Jan Tink? I think she's the only one that I've seen with them on her blog. Darn - I bet she bought them all up!

It's chilly out tonight - we may even get some snow on Sunday!
Take Care!

Elaine

It was really raining here in Seattle!! and a funny for you...

I've not had time to stamp or create lately, and need batteries again. Until I get out and pick them up, no pics :( BUT there is THIS funny that you have to watch!! Make sure there are no Santa believers in the room though...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmQDt7jVdXQ


We had tremendous rainfall and flooding earlier in the week. The road behind our house had been closed until today because of a mudslide. We're in an area where there are steep hills and cliffs (they always close the one called "suicide" when it snows, so you know it's steep). I drove through because it's the normal way that I go to work, and I forgot it had been closed off. It was a muddy, sandy, rocky mess! The mudslide looked bad. Trees also fell. The one thing that changed when it was all wet -- there was little or no traffic on the way to work! Yay!

Take care everyone! I hear now, that we may have more snow on Sunday in this area!

A chance to get Card Creations .....

from another blog!

Check it out!
http://continuingtocreate.blogspot.com/

Is it cold where you live? It's freezin in Seattle!! Sunny but freezin cold I tell you!! I spent a long time scraping not frost, but ICE off my windshield this morning - ugh!! I like scraping frost...not ice! The pattern of ice on the car was pretty though....too bad it had to melt so quickly once the car heated up!

I will work on posting soon....there are some scrapbooks in the works...little mini ones. They are my favorite kind to make because I can finish them quickly! What are your favorite projects to work on?

Check HERE for more very LIKEABLE pictures of wintery fantasy!!!
http://glitterandgrunge.com/kimhar.html