Stampin! with Jaydee

Love - Happy Anniversary Pam and John

Hi Everyone.  Happy Wednesday.  Hope you are all having a great week so far.

Tonight's card uses a variation on the embossed resist technique. I stamped the image for the background, underneath the sentiment,  using pearlized acrylic paint,which I applied and then dried using my heatgun.  Once it was dry, all that was needed was some ink over the top of it, just like normal embossed resit.  I used normal Whisper White card stock instead of the glossy, as I really wanted the glossy effect to be on the stamped image.  Once it was completed, I realized it was too bright a color, I really should have used Blushing Bride, so softened it using my age old trick with vellum!

I absolutely love this sentiment.... it was perfect for the card that I needed.  This card is dedicated to our dearest friends Pam and John who celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this week!  I remember them when they were a young couple madly in love.  How quickly time passes, but they are still madly in love.

Here's looking at you kids :-)

On a personal note:

I promised you a quick update on the house.   Well, we drove up the road and saw that there was a crane in "our cul de sac".  Oh.... yeah.... oh... yeah.... PROGRESS!!!!!   Here's the picture I took

Isn't that progress amazing... I mean all the walls are up and the roof was being trussed as we arrived.  We sat and watched them hoist up the roof trusses.  

This is all wonderful, right?  Really wonderful?   you can hear the BUT coming, right?

Yep... it was the next door house.  No progress on ours.  No.  nothing!  Well, not quite true, they did lay the concrete in the basement.  So, for this week, we have to live vicariously through the excitement of watching our neighbor's house being built.  They were a couple of weeks ahead of us and great progress has certainly been made in the last two weeks and we know that our house will soon be at this point.  Maybe about 3 weeks!

Tomorrow I will share a quick video that I took whilst we were at OUR house.

As always, thank you so much for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  You know that your visits and your comments mean a great deal to me.

Warm hugs and prayers for those of you who need a little lift tonight.  

Jaydee

Paper Players #76 - Ann's Color Challenge and on the 11th day of Christmas, Jaydee gave to me

Hi Everyone.  Happy Saturday night.

Across at the Paper Players this week, the fabulous Ann has a gorgeous color challenge for us.  In fact, I was so inspired by the challenge that I made 3 cards using the same colors today!

Isn't that a yummy color scheme.  The gold, vanilla and cherry.   Oh, yes, it's a rich and luscious color challenge.   I bet you all know what type of card I created?   Christmas?  I mean, seriously, these are gorgeous Christmas colors, right?

Well.... let's see.... :-)

Nope...... I really wanted to do something different - even though I was oh....oh...oh... so tempted to create a Christmas card.  I decided that these colors also worked beautifully for a love themed card.  I also wanted to keep the design really clean and simple.

All I needed was Stampin' Up!'s Valentine Defined, a jelly roll pen, some gorgeous SU metallic card stock and some gold embossing ink.

Stampin' Supplies:

• Card stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Metallic Gold Specialty Paper
• Stamps: Valentine Defined
• Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Encore Gold
• Accessories:  Basic Pearls (can you see them?), Jelly Roll pen.  I stamped the heart flowers and then went over the flower and petals with a jelly roller to give it a little sparkle and glimmer

The Players will be taking a well earned break for a couple of weeks.  It has been another amazing year and we thank you all for playing along.  We hope that you will play along with us over the next two weeks.  Yep, you have two weeks to load up your creations using this wonderful color scheme.

Buzbee Watch

Now... some of you may be wondering what Buzbee has been up to?  Well, I have to let you in on a secret.  I found him with  his hand in the jary.  Stealing cookies?  Stealing candies?  Getting cat treats for Bailey?  Nope... He was helping me pull names out of the jar.  Why?  Well, I was running my 12th day of Christmas and Jaydee gave to me challenge last night.......   the winner?

Doris D - who suggested that Buzbee may be visiting the Christmas tree and getting up to mischief soon.  Doris, please email me your address so that I can send you your brand new jar of Mica flakes.

Now.... Buzbee has been a very busy boy today.  I caught him inside - and outside - the house.  He was up to all sorts of mischief.  In fact, he was a very buzeee boy!  Finally, as I sat at my crafting table, warbling away to the Christmas channel on the radio, I realized that he had been very, very, quiet for a while.  I decided to go looking for him - and what did I see?

Poor little thing... he had such a tiring day getting into all sorts of mischief that you suggested yesterday, that I found him, stretched out on a spare bed, fast asleep.  I woke him up and he was so pleased to see me... you can see that cos he's smiling!  Now, if only I could wake up that chirpy in the morning!  Buzbee asked me to thank you all for giving him permission to get up to no good :-)

So.... on the 11th day of Christmas, what is Jaydee going to give to you?   Mmmmm.... Up for grabs tonight -

SILVER GLIMMER PAPER

Yep.... If more than 10 people leave a message on this blog post.... then one lucky blog message leaver will be drawn from the jar by Buzbee.  What do you have to do to be in the running to earn yourself one fabulous pack of silver glimmer paper?

Leave me a message telling us all what your favorite Christmas/Holiday song is.  It can be a hymn, it can be classical, it can be anything that has meaning to you.  Oh,  yeah... and one other little thing... tell us why it has such meaning for you.  Then, if more than 10 people leave a message on this blog post, Buzbee will draw a name on Monday and I will post the winner's name here on Monday night.  So.. leave a message telling us your favorite holiday song - and why it is your favorite.

I'll start you off.  My favorite Christmas carol is Silent Night.  Why?  Well, my mother used to sing it to me.  She had a beautiful voice and I still think of her everytime I hear it.

My favorite Christmas song?  I'll be Home for Christmas.  In a time when so many of us live away from our families, including us, it is a song that always makes me think of home.

As always, thank you so much for spending a little time in my area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits are always much appreciated.

Have a wonderful Sunday.  Warm hugs and prayers to those of you who need a little lift.

Hugs

Jaydee

Happy Anniversary - Something to Celebrate

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday.

I hope you are all having a great week so far.  I know... I know... I said I was going to take tonight off... I'm going to take Tuesday off instead! :-)

I saw the challenge across at casestudychallenge this week and was inspired to create an anniversary card. There were a couple of things that really inspired me about the card.  Firstly, the theme.  Secondly, the large floral element.  Thirdly, distressing/vintage.

I decided that I would do the ribbon flower technique and mix it with the Tulip Frame Embossing Folder and some DSP.  A little distressing on the tulip folder gave me the vintage/distressing that I wanted, without going too far out of my comfort zone.  I cut a couple of leaves with my little sizzlit, marked them up.  Added a couple of cherubs and butterflies - and here is what I came up with:

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!

• Card stock:  Very Vanilla, Old Olive
• Stramps:  "Happy Anniversary" sentiment is from the "Something to Celebrate" set.  The cherubs and butterflies are from the "Clearly for You" set.  The Something to Celebrate set is one of the Sale-A-Bration sets for 2011.  It's free with a $50 order!  I love free.... and I love this set!
• Accessories:  Little Leaves Sizzlit die, Pretty in Pink grosgrain ribbon, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder.  Decorative Label Punch.  Basic Pearls
• Inks:  Old Olive classic ink.  Tea stain from the distressing kit
• DSP:  Subtles Patterns Pack

I used the Tea Stain distressing ink from the distressing kit to stamp the cherubs, the butterflies and also to distress the edges of embossed area of the embossing folder.  I carried that through and did a slight coloration on the tag, too, just to take the brightness off the Very Vanilla.  I think it's a beautifully soft anniversary card and love the color scheme.   To adhere the rose I used lots of glue and also mini glue dots to place the petals where I wanted them secured.

On a personal note.... Spring is definitely on her way.  I can feel it.  There is a little warmth to the sun, the snow is sloooooowly starting to melt, little by little.  The birds are really singing up a storm.  So... I think I am safe in saying that Spring will soon be here!  I am so envious of Adelle and Rach who keep telling me about their wonderful temperatures and how they are getting out into their garden to do things!  Just a few more weeks.  Then we will be able to welcome the migrating birds back, and see the wonderful renewal of Mother Nature as she awakens from her slumber.  Can't wait!!!!!

Continued prayers for Missy and for those of you who need a little lift - or a warm hug.

Have a fabulous Tuesday, everyone.  I'll be back on Wednesday!

Hugs

Jaydee

Iridescent Ice Heart

Hi Everyone.

Happy Wednesday night.  I hope you are all having a great week so far.

I have a couple of things for you tonight.  Firstly, I found a new challenge site.  Tiffany Guam has started a challenge on Sundays.  I saw this challenge this last Sunday  and thought... ah.... mmmm... that might make a nice and clean valentine card.  I wanted to make a heart card and really focus on just the heart.  Of course, I had to bling it up a little.... and Lou and I are the opposites of each other... so I thought... one blingy side to the heart and one matt side.... anyway - this is what I came up with

I used Cherry Cobbler and Very Vanilla card stock.  The heart was punched for the XL Heart Punch.  I then used the negative space from the punched heart to sponge a heart on the envelope. 

I used Versamark on one side of the heart and some Iridescent Ice embossing powder and my heat gun.  Voila - a heart with two distinctly different halves... that make up one heart!  Quite appropriate I thought :-)

I loved the card and was really inspired by the sketch.

Now.... You might remember me asking everyone what they were doing for Valentine.  Linda left us this comment letting us know what she was planning. 

I'm going to my book club, spending the night with good friends generating great conversation. This month we're each 'selling' a book that we've read in the past month.

I then asked which book Linda would be "selling".  Here was Linda's response:

I'm 'selling' "An Inconvenient Elephant" by Judy Reene Singer, given to me by my daughter and son-in-law for Christmas. I spent two years in Thailand and fell in love with elephants there. There were two that sometimes camped with their mahouts (caretakers) in the field across from my apartment. Since there was no more teak logging work for the elephants, their mahouts would often bring them into the cities and take them around to outdoor restaurants. They would sell you sugar cane to feed to the animals.

I haven't read the book - but need to go check it out.  It got me to thinking though.... I am thrilled that logging was stopped in Thailand, but it did leave many, many elephants and their mahouts without jobs and without a purpose.  This struck a chord with me several years ago when I read an article about how these magnificent animals who, without a "job", were now being abused or put into circuses.  You can read a little introduction to the story of the painting elephants right here.  Right here.... you can see a painting by one of those elephants

Couple of things about this painting....

• it's in our dining room and, one a bright summer day, when the sun is lowering in the sky, the sun shines through our kitchen into the dining room and hits this painting.  It in turn lights up the entire dining room with a wonderful happy glow.  It wasn't intended that way, it just happened that way.   Also, I can see this painting from my desk and it makes me happy.  
• When we went to have it framed, I insisited it be framed in glass.  The woman at the art shop kept insisting it should go in a frame.  I told her that the Elephant had gone off the paper and I for sure wasn't going to frame it if she had gone off the paper... yep... she thought I was nuts.  She would not believe that it was painted by an elephant.

So, Linda, thank you for reminding me of my painting and for giving me an excuse to showcase it!

Prayers tonight for Rose, Adelle, Germaine.  For those affected by the floods - more floods coming - and fires in Oz.

Have a fabulous Thursday everyone.

Hugs

Jaydee

P.S. Linda - please could you send me your snail mail address to jaydeestamping@charter.net - I have a little something I want to send you

I Heart Hearts - Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day!

I needed to make a card for Lou - in fact I made him two.  For this one, I decided to use the color challenge across at Stacey's and the fabulous sketch across at Stamping411.  I promised myself that there would be no ribbons, no pearls, no flim flam, no feminine elements...... oh.. how difficult that was :-) 

Generally, somehow, I have no idea how, I miss off a color when creating a card using Stacey's fabulous combos.... this time, I didn't!  I checked it twice :-)   I did change two things about the sketch - I didn't add the ribbon and the sentiment.  I also took the patterned panel across the whole page.  Both pics are hotlinked, so you can just click on the pics and it will take you to the challenge sites.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, taking the sketch and the color challenges, here's one of my Valentine's for my honey!

 I was very pleased with the way it came out.  I haven't given this one to Lou yet... I hope he likes it!

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!

• Card stock:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler (textured and plain), Crumb Cake
• Stamps:  I Heart Hearts
• Inks:  Cherry Cobbler, Real Red
• Tools:  Versamark, clear embossing powder (for the middle heart)
• DSP:  Rich Regals Patterns Pack

From my stamping space and my I Heart Hearts Stamp set, Happy Valentine's Day, everyone.  I hope you had a wonderful day spent doing the things you loved.  Whether it's spending the night spoiling yourself with a candlelit bath or a good book;  getting together with friends at a book club and sharing good times; an intimate dinner with your hubby after putting the children to bed; dinner with friends at a poular restaurant; celebrating another day after 55 years; spending time with your children... whatever you do... I hope it is filled with love and pleasure.

Hugs

Jaydee

 

 

Valentine Defined - in Red

Hi Everyone

OK.. ... I promise, this is the last Valentine Defined card for a while!  When I made the pretty in pink one that I showcased last night, I also made a luscious red one, too.  I have played around with so much Cherry Cobbler recently, that it was wonderful to go back to Real Red.

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Real Red (textured)
• Stamps:  Valentine Defined
• Accessories:  Real Red Satin Ribbon, Glimmer Brads - Brights
• Tools:  Oval nestabilities (non-SU), Oval Punch

I love the smooth red satin against the textured card stock.  I know I MAY have said this before, but I really am loving this stamp set :-)

Now, I am always thrilled when you tell me that you are going to CASE one of my cards.  It is so flattering.  I love it even more when I receive photographs of the projects you made.  I hope Beverly won't mind, but she sent me this photograph.  She had taken my Awash with Flowers card and a few with different sentiments.  That's the great thing about a card you like, you can make several at a time and just change up the sentiment.  So, Beverly, thanks so much for honoring me by CASEING.

Here's what Beverly created:

Prayers tonight for Rose, Adelle, Erin, Jan A, Germaine.  For those still being affected by the floods and fires in Oz.

Have a fabulous Saturday, everyone.  I really hope you get time to do the things you love, with those you love

Hugs

Jaydee

Paper Players Challenge # 33 and Blog Hop Candy Winner!

Hi Everyone

Happy Saturday night.  I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend.

I did get some time in my stamping space today.  Luckily - cos I was way behind on making my card for the Paper Players Challenge this week.  Lesley has assigned a great theme for us this week. 

Before we get to the challenge card though, I have a winner to announce for the Paper Players Bog Hop Candy!  Mmm.... thats beginning to sound like a song... How did that go... well... let's go for the children's version, shall we? 

There's a little white horse you can ride of course

You can jump so high you can touch the sky

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains.

Now... after that little diversion... sometimes I do wonder about my mind:-)

BLOG CANDY WINNER...... the requirements for the blog candy winner were pretty simple.  All you had to do was pop along to each of the blog hop stops and leave a little love.  A random generator tool generated..... well, a random number :-)  I then compared that number against the comments on my blog post and then checked each of the blog hop stops to make sure that the winner had left a little love.  In this case, LYNN had done exactly that!  So, congratulations

LYNN FRYE

Lynn, please send me an email with your snail mail address and I will get your Silhouette Sentiments stamp set and Basic Pearls in the mail to you.  Thanks to all of you who stopped by our blog - we really appreciated each visit.

Now, on to tonight's card.  I really wanted to use the new set that is in the New Occasions Mini that just arrived.  I love this set... it's so cool.  In fact, I made 4 cards with this set today.  Now, for my long time blog readers, this card will come as a bit of a surprise.   NO RIBBON.  NO PEARLS!  Nope... not a little bit of ribbon, nor one single solitary little pearl! :-)

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up!

• Card stock:    Basic Gray, Real Red, Whisper White
• Stamp set:  Valentine Defined (121941 wood, 123057 clear
• DSP:  Love Impressions (121780), Glimmer Paper (121790)
• Ink:  Real Red, Basic Gray Stampin' Write markers, Real Red Classic Ink
• Tools:  Oval Punch, Stampin Dimensionals

On a personal note: 

I'm hoping to get a little more time in my stamping space tomorrow.  I have some more ideas for the Valentine Defined set! 

Thank you to all of you who send warm thoughts or prayers the way of those on our prayer list.  You guys must be doing something right! :-)  I heard today that Maria's tests had come back negative. This is wonderful news.  Congrats, Maria.  Continued prayers though for Rose, Adelle, Germaine and for those affected by the floods in Australia.

So, what will you all be doing whilst the Super Bowl is on.  I know what Cherie will be doing.... watching the Packers.  What about the rest of you?  Why not leave me a comment and let me know whether you will be watching the football, shopping, stamping - or doing something else altogether.  Me?  Errr... no super bowl watching.  I'll be stamping... I'm hoping that is the case.  I might have to work, but am hoping that I don't!

Have a wonderful Sunday, however you chose to spend it!

Hugs

Jaydee

 

To bow, or not to bow - that is always the question!

Hi everyone.  Happy Monday night.

My thanks to all of you who visited my blog on the Paper Players blog hop - and for those of you who continued on the hop to the other players.  It was a truly fun experience for me and I am so appreciative of all of your visits and all of your comments.  It really does mean a great deal to me!  So - many, many thanks!

I managed to get a little play time in my stamping space this weekend.  Those of you who visit my blog regularly know that I have a few new year goals.  I'm doing better with some than others!  :-)  One of my goals is to use different color combos.  Consequently, I find myself being drawn to color challenges that have colors that I never use, hardly use, or would never generally put together!  I am also trying to join the color challenges with sketch challenges to push myself even further.

This weekend I saw the BOW challenge across at the Pals  and when I made the first version of my card tonight, using Flores Suaves, I looked at my finished card and thought about the Pals challenge to use bows.  Sometimes, a bow really does make a card. 

I used the initial colors from the 4craftychicks challenge (very vanilla, chocolate chip, crumb cake, wild wasabi), but decided to throw a spanner in my works and add cherry cobbler to make it a little more outside my comfort zone!

I saw the sketch across at waltzingmouse and as the Pals challenge had really made me think about using bows and that I needed to put one on my card -  decided it fits the Pals challenge, too.

So, what do you all think?  To bow, or not to bow?  What's your vote?

Here's the initial version.

Here's the final version.

A couple of things I like about the card.  1) The texture on the bow and the texture on the Cherry Cobbler paper work really well together.  2) The light Crumb Cake of the background stamp.  (unfortunately it didn't come out too well on the pic!)   3) the different size layers on the focal point.  I really wanted a very small border of the Wild Wasabi and then graduated out very slightly with the Crumb Cake and the Chocolate Chip.  4) I am loving the Basic Pearls - being able to color them any color I want saves me heaps of money on colored pearls.

Card recipe:

• Card Stock:  Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip, Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
• Stamp:  Flores Suaves, Tiny Tags
• Accessories:  Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon
• Tools:  Copic markers. Tag Punch. Paper Snips. 

On a personal note:

It was a really good weekend.  I didn't work at all this weekend, so had some time to catch up on some sleep.  In fact I slept in on Saturday until 10am. I never do that!  As I went to bed at midnight, that means I got a full 10 hours of sleep.  Very interrupted sleep, but sleep none the less!    Lou got home Saturday afternoon and it was good to have him home.  I also got some crafting time in, some house cleaning time.. so all round a good weekend.

Prayers tonight for Rose, Adelle, Maria and Germaine.  For those of you who need a little lift, or a virtual hug.

Have a fabulous Tuesday everyone.

Hugs

Jaydee

The Paper Players First Blog Hop - and Challenge 32 - Anything Goes - and Blog Candy

Hi Everyone. 

 

Happy Sunday!I'm thrilled that you have popped in to visit me on the Paper Players Blog Hop.   
If I am the first stop on your trip around the Paper Players blogs, don't forget to visit the other players and check out their fabulous creations.  Some of them also have blog candy for you!

 

 

I have two projects to share with you.  A 3-D item and a co-ordinating card.  Both of these projects use items from the new Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog. 

BLOG HOP STOPS

Before I share my projects with you, let me list the blog hop members.  You can click on any of their names to go directly to their blog.  

• Anne-Marie Hile
• Ann Schach
• Jeanne Kupsch
• Julie Gearinger
• LeAnne Pugliese
• Lesley Croghan
• Marlene Peters
• Nance Leedy

PAPER PLAYERS CHALLENGE #32

Also, don't forget to join the Paper Players Challenge #32 this week.  It's an Anything Goes challenge.  Yep... anything - a 3D project, a card, a scrapbook page.  You are welcome to use ANY brand of crafting supplies.  We love seeing them all!  All that we ask is that you create a new project for the challenge and put a link on your blog post or social media site back to our challenge post.  Link up your creation.  You are done!  We really hope you join us.

BLOG CANDY

My blog candy for you is a brand new, unmounted hostess set from the current catalog - Silhouette Sentiments.  Along with that is a brand new packet of the fabulous Basic Pearls. You can check out each of these fabulous prizes on the Stampin' Up! website.  All you have to do is click HERE to view the Silhouette Sentiments set and click HERE for the Basic Pearls.  You can't buy the Silhouette Sentiments, the only way you can normally get this set of 8 stamps is buy hosting a workshop valued at $150 or more.

How can you be entered in to win this fabulous blog candy?  Simple, all you have to do is visit each one of the blog hop posts on each of the stops and leave a comment.  That's it.  Visit 9 blogs, look at the 9 amazing projects made just for this blog hop and leave a comment on each of the blog hop blog posts (including mine!)  I will then draw a name at random and do a quick check that the winner left a comment on each blog.  I will cover the cost of the goodies and shipping and handling to anywhere in the US.

Here's my 3D project for you.

 

I decided that I really needed a card to tie into this and used some of the same supplies to create this clean and simple card.  Now, the great think about this XOXO set, is that it is perfect for Valentines Day, anniversary - or any time you just want to tell someone you love them!  It's also perfect for either gender.  A very versatile set.   As for the Glimmer Paper - LOVE THIS!!!!

   

Project recipes - all ingredients from Stampin' Up! - all item page numbers refer to the new occasions mini.  Clicking on the highlighted items will take you straight to the Stampin' Up! website where you can see all the details of the individual products.

3D Project:

• Card stock:  Real Red, Whisper White, Glimmer Paper (121790 - page 7)
• DSP: Love Impressions (121780 - page 7)
• Stamp Set:  XOXO (121909 wood mount, 121973 clear mount) - page 6
• Decor Blocks (set of 4 blocks 116829 
• Ribbon:  1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain ribbon (119768)
• Tools:  Paper and card stock were adhered using Sticky Strip.  The XOXO large heart was cut out using the Full Heart Punch (119883).  The small hearts were punched using the Small Heart Punch (117193).  Vinyl letters - from retired Christmas set

Here's a close view of the side of the blocks, showing the Love Impressions DSP

 Here's a closeup of the Glimmer Brad, Glimmer Paper, the key trinket - and the fabulous background stamp.  I love the Glimmer Paper and Glimmer Brads together. 

The key is just the perfect touch with this sentiment.  If you want to read the story of why keys have special meaning for me, you can pop along to this post.

CARD RECIPE:

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Real Red, Glimmer Paper (121790 - page 7)
• Stamps:  XOXO (121973 clear mount, 121909 wood mount - page 6)
• Wheel:  Language of Love (122069 - page 9)
• Accessories:  Key  - Trinket Keys (121892 - page 24), Glimmer Brads Brights (121006 - page 31)
• Tools:  Stampin' Around Wheel Guide (104834)

That's all folks!!! :-)

Don't forget to hop on to the rest of the players to check out their phenomenal projects.

  Click on the thumbnail to visit your next stop on the hop - Jeannie

Click on this thumbnail if you want to go to the start of the blog hop

Click on this thumbnail if you want to go back to the previous stop on the hop - Ann

 

Don't forget to visit all the stops and leave a comment to be eligible to win the fabulous stamp set and Basic Pearls I have on offer for you!

Thank you for your visit!

Hugs

Jaydee

I Heart Hearts and Blog Hop Alert

Hi Everyone.

Happy Friday Night.... oh... yeah.... jaydee is doing the happy dance.... yep... me... dancing... kicking up my heels, whistling, swinging my umbrella... you know.. the whole happy dance bit.  why?  well... IT'S FRIDAY!!!!! and, my hubby is on his way home!  On top of that, I got to make 3 cards today!  So, all round, a jolly good day!

Before we get on to tonight's card - a quick heads up.  The Paper Players are having their first ever BLOG HOP starting on Sunday.  A brand new challenge will be revealed and the Paper Players have gone all out for you this week.  Some of the Players are even offering up blog candy.  So, don't forget to check back in on Sunday for all the fun.

For tonight's card I used the inspiration across at the moxie tuesday trigger and I tied that together with the fabulous layout at cleanandsimplestamping.  Now, those gorgeous fudge hearts at the trigger are making me really hungry.  I don't normally use a lot of pink, but I thought about the cleanandsimple layout and decided that gradations of color would work really well with the trigger, and the layout.

All I needed was 4 different shades of pink card stock, a little versamark, some iridescent ice embossing powder, some gorgeous ribbon - and away I went.

Here's what I came up with.  I must tell you, I like it.  I really do!  What do y'all think?

   

This card could make me fall in love with pink! :-)

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Blushing Bride
• Inks:  Rose Red
• Stamp set:  I {Heart} Hearts. Sentiment  i love you, Wordsworth
• Ribbon:  Rose Red Seam Binding Ribbon
• Tools:  Versamark, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Stampin Dimensionals

I cut the stripes to 1 x 2 1/2" and stuck them on to a piece of Whisper White cut at 4" x 2 1/2".  Once all the pieces were adhered, I trimmed the edges and applied the versamark and the embossing powder.  I then stamped the sentiment and adhered the panel to the card base using Stampin' Dimensionals.

Quick, easy and, I think, very effective.  In fact, I made another card using exactly the same layout.  You will see that later this coming week.

On a personal note:

I calculated that I had worked 72 hours this week - before I had even begun work today!  No wonder I was blown by the time I got to 2pm this afternoon.  I was completely exhausted mentally and couldn't do any more.  The only thing I could do is come down to my stamping space and wonder which stamps to apply to card stock!  Some time spent stamping was exactly what I needed.

Mind you, this week could have been worse.  I was supposed to be traveling to New York this week.  Well, in fact, I did.  Except, I didn't quite make it.  I got up at 5am on Wednesday to leave home at 7am to catch a 10am flight.  I caught the shuttle to Minneapolis, checked in, went through security.  Oh... mmm.. well, I actually had a full body pat down at security.  Not sure if you have had one of these recently, but no more wanding.  It's all hands on deck!  What was the cause of this full body pat down?  Ah. Well.  The underwire in my bra apparently set off the security sensor. 

After I finally got through security and it was determined that my bra underwire was of no threat to the airline crew or passengers, I was allowed to carry on my way.  I got to the gate with 10 minutes to spare.  I decided to pick up my messages on my cellphone.  Message from the meeting organizer...." if you haven't gotten on the plane yet, don't!  Major storm in NY."  Well, that was great, except they were calling my flight for boarding.  In fact, they were boarding first class passengers.  We waited for the guys up in the nice comfy front seats to get on the plane and waited....and waited... and waited... and waited... Mmmm.. something going on here, I said to myself!   Yep, about 7 minutes later they advised us that the flight had been cancelled and they were deboarding the passengers that had boarded.  I didn't waste a second, I turned on my heels and ran out of the building as fast as my legs would allow.  Luckily security don't stop me on the way out, so me and my underwire bra were allowed to leave the building unmolested.   I ran back to the shuttle station and was back home by 1pm.  Yippee!

Don't forget to check in for the Paper Players challenge this week.  My post will be later than normal tomorrow night, cos I don't want to post at my normal time and spoil all the fun!  So, my post will be scheduled to post in the early hours of Sunday morning instead of the usual time of around 9.30 pm Saturday night.

I was thrilled to hear that Madiba had been released from hospital and allowed to return home today.  But continued prayers for Mandela anyway for a full recovery.  Prayers also for Rose, Adelle, Maria, Germaine.  Warm thoughts and prayers to those of you who need a little lift tonight.

Have a fabulous Saturday everyone

Hugs

Jaydee

Simply the Best - for my honey

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday.

I was really sorry to say ciao to my honey this weekend.  We managed to get a whole month together without him leaving town.  I am so used to him being gone so much, that I had forgotten how great it is to have him home for a period. 

I saw this great sketch from the operators across at stamping411 and decided it was the perfect sketch to make a card for my honey.  Before I show you the card though, I wanted to say a big thank you to the operators for chosing this card as one of their picks this past weekend.  I never, ever get tired of how wonderful it feels when a challenge card is picked as a fav.  I also owe a lot to the operators, as they were amazingly supportive of me when I first started blogging and entering challenges.  I always tried to play along with them as I really enjoyed their challenges and they are such a great group of talented ladies.  If you haven't played along with them recently, pop along to the website and make sure you check out this week's challenge.

So... why did my honey deserve a card?  Well, he really is pretty amazing.  I know I don't tell him that often enough, but he really is.  Not only is he the most handsome man on the planet... well... errr...maybe after George Clooney :-)!  He also tries to take such good care of me.  This weekend before he left, he ran around trying to make sure that everything he had to do was done, that he got my stamping spage ready for me to organize.  Filled up the car with petrol, just in case I needed to drive anywhere.  He fed the animals and the birds outside so that I could enjoy them at the feeder's whilst he was away and so many other little things that often go unappreciated.

It's hard to believe that we have been together for 16 years.  And you know what?  I still go weak at the knees when I see him when he comes home and he still makes my heart go pitter patter.  Now, all say..... aaaaaahhhhhh :-)

So, Lou - this one is for you.  Because... you simply are the best.

 
Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White, Glimmer Paper (from the new mini)
• Sentiment:  Simply You (non-SU)
• Accessories:  Basic Grey Satin Ribbon
• Tools:  Heart Punch

On a personal note.

It has been madness around here these last few days.  I worked long hours last week.  I worked Saturday.  Sunday, I started working at 9am and finished at 11.45pm.  yep.  that was 9am to 11.45pm!  Then, I was on a conference call again at 6am this morning!  Consequently, absolutely no stamping was done at all yesterday!  Needless to say, my stamping space is no closer to being organized either :-)

And, on that note, I need to go feed the pussycats.  It's almost 8pm and they haven't been fed yet and I haven't had dinner!

Prayers tonight for Rose, Adelle, Maria, Vickie, Germaine.  Those affected by the flooding in Australia and Brazil.

Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone

Hugs

Jaydee

Word Play - Valentine

Hi Everyone.  Happy Mondy night.  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend.

Me?  I had a great weekend, but today was not one of my better days.  Sometimes, work just gets to you and today was one of those days!

One of my new year resolutions - or goals, as Rach will rightly call them, was to push my envelope creatively.  Color challenges do that for me.  And... really... that's a good thing!  I saw the challenge across at colordare.  Poppy Parade, So Saffron and Very Vanilla.  Now, many of my blog regulars will know that it is VERY rare that you see Poppy Parade on my blog - and a little less rare to see So Saffron.  They are both fantastic colors.  They are bright and fresh and very much on trend.  However, they aren't my go to colors.  Imagine my surprise when I found that I actually enjoyed playing with these colors and that they took me way outside of my comfort zone.

Then, I went looking for a sketch challenge.  I visited the talented team across at stamping411 and they have this really versatile sketch challenge this week.  You can see that instead of using two different DSPs for the background layer, I chose to do the bottom half of the card embossed and leave the top half in the natural state card stock.  I also decided to change out the square and put hearts in their place.  It's a really cool sketch and I have plans to use it again this week.

You know the drill, pop along to both of these fabulous sites and check out the wonderful design team inspiration and submission cards.  I know you will find something that inspires you to play along or case.

I decided to play with the Valentine/love theme using these different colors.  One of my other new year gols?  Use some of the products that I have bought and never get enough love.  Therefore, I brought out the Word Play set and the Hearts Sizzlits die set.

Here's what I came up with - another card with lots of "white space" - except, in this case, it's poppy parade space :-)

 

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted:

• Card stock:  Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Poppy Parad
• Stamps:  Word Play (120651 clear, 120308 wood)
• Accessories:  Subtles buttons (1129745).  Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder (117335), Hearts Set Sizzliets 4-pack dies (113488).  Large hearts nesties (non SU).  Hemp twin (100982)
• Inks:  Poppy Parade

On a personal note:  a couple more shout outs tonight - carrying on the theme from last night.  It's amazing where my blog friends are located.  Some are local here in the mid-west. Some are across the border in Canada, some are across the Atlantic - and then there are those across the Pacific.  the one great thing about the internet, it really does make the world feel so much smaller with so many amazing people out there.  Shout outs tonight for the following amazing ladies:  Terri, Ann, Doris, Germaine, Jan A,  and Germaine.  Ladies who are close and some that are in other continents.  Regardless of where they are - I appreciate them all.    More shout outs to you wonderful bloggers tomorrow night.

Prayers tonight for Rose.  For Mary Jo who goes in for her operation tomorrow.  Adelle, Maria, Vickie, Germaine and Pri.  Brien is doing so much better, so is being taken of our prayer list.  Thanks to those who added him to your prayer list.

Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone and, as always, thank you for your visit.

Hugs

Jaydee 

My life is so special because you are in it and feel good Friday

Hi Everyone.

Happy Friday.  I do have a feel good story for you today.  Courtesy of Rach.  In fact, Rach posted this wonderful story on her blog today, so I am just going to link you directly to it.  What struck me about it?  Well, hands up those of you who can remember being 8.  yep... see me waving... that's me... I remember being 8.  I remember it being an awkward age.  An age where I was not quite comfortable with myself.  An age where it was easy to feel embarrassed.  What I loved about this story?... that a group of people came together to make an 8 year old little girl overcome her shock and embarrassment at a crucial moment singing the National Anthem of the USA.  Rach, thanks for bringing us this story via your blog.  You can go read the story and watch the video RIGHT HERE.

I have another Valentine/love/anniversary card for you today.  I was really in the mood for Valentine cards this past week, and I was certainly in the mood for clean and simple.

I don't know about you, but I never seem to have enough sentiments. When I buy non-SU stamps, they are generally sentiment stamps and that's what I used on the card tonight.

I also brought out my itty bitty buttons and my gold elastic cord.  I couldn't resist matching the gold elastic cord to some Metallic Gold card stock and some Cherry Cobbler.  I swear, Stampin' Up! created the perfect color when they introduced Cherry Cobbler.

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted.

• Card stock:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Gold Metallic
• Hearts:  Scalloped Heart of Hearts embosslit die (for the first heart)(117332), Full Heart Extra Large Punch (for the gold heart) (119883), nesties hearts for the Cherry Cobbler heart
• Accessories:  Bitty Buttons (118761), gold elastic cord (retired)
• Stamps:  Heartfelt Basics (non SU)

On a personal note:

I promised you a couple of last shots of the Yorkshire Dales.  You can check last night's post for the details on the Yorkshire Dales and a couple more photographs.

The Dales are famous for their sheep.  I tried to capture a good shot and it was pretty tough.  Here is one lonely sheep in the meadow:

I loved this next shot.  The stone walls are so typical of this part of England.  Not only that, they are built without any mortar at all.  Stonewall building is really a dying art form.

It's a pretty remote place, and farmhouses don't appear very often.  I loved this view.  This photo was taken in color - although you wouldn't believe it. I loved the textures created by the natural landscape, the low lying grasses, the wall and the relief of the backdrop.

 

At the end of our drive, just before we stopped for tea and English scones, we came across the Ribblehead viaduct. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed our photos from the spectacular Yorkshire Dales.  I still have some more pics to share with you from our cruise in November, and I promise I will share those in the next week.

In the meantime, prayers for Rose, Adelle, Maria, Vickie, Germaine and Pri.  For those in Australia and Brazil affected by the floods and landslides.  For those of you who need a little lift today.

As always, thank you to all of you for your visit and your comments.  they mean a great deal to me.

Hugs

Jaydee

Love You Much in red and white

Hi Everyone.

Happy Thursday night.  Tomorrow is Friday... oh, yeah!

I saw the challenge across at Palspaperarts this week.  It has this ethereal picture of a lady in red - click on the link to check it out,  The bright red, the texture of the clouds, the horizontal strips of the red ribbons were the things that struck me the most.  Don't forget to pop along to the pals and check out the fabulous design team and submission cards.

Here's what I came up with:

 

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Real Red
• Stamp:  Love you Much (113756)
• Accessories:  Red embossing powder (non SU), Real Red striped grosgrain ribbon (119768), gold stretch cord (retired), DSP (retired), Brights Designer buttons (119747)

I love the fact that the hearts on the paper echo the larger heart.  I really felt that this card didn't need any words.  I think the repetition of the hearts is the sentiment.  I also like the fact that the gold cord plays off the gold on the DSP.  

Which brings me to a question.... what do you think about cards without sentiments? 

On a personal note.

I have a couple more photographs from our last trip into the UK.  On our way back to Manchester to catch our flight, I took Lou on a drive around the very western edge of the Yorkshire Dales.  As many of you know, I am crazy about animals, so you will not be surprised to hear that I read all of the books written by James Herriot (born James Alfred Wight).  He wrote some amazing books outlining his live in the Yorkshire Dales and his expolits as a veterinarian and detailed a transitional time in England.  He loved the Dales and the North York Moors, as do I. 

Lou and I were lucky to be there at a time when a light dusting of snow had coated the hills and dales.  It really was beautiful.

I'm going to make these pics small - just run your cursor over them and you can enlarge them.

I love this first shot.  In case you were thinking this isn't in the middle of nowhere.  This picture is taken of the parking lot.  Yep, those holes containing water, are actually in the parking lot!  I loved the higher dales in the background with the snow, the middle fields in green, and the grey, watery ponds in the parking lot.  You can see just a little hint of sky in the clouds.

As we went over the dale - literally we came across the start of the snow.  I just love this next shot

We drove another mile or so and the snow was heavier.  The sky was incredible.  We couldn't stop the car as there are double yellow lines on the side of the road, so I had to take this shot out of the front windscreen.

Why do I love this shot so much?  Well, look at the wind in the road and then look at the break in the clouds on the right hand side of the pic - they echo each other!  Also, I am always in love with sunshine when it sneaks through breaks in the clouds.  There is always something mystical, spiritual and lyrical about it.

I have a few more shots.  If you are interested in seeing them, leave me a comment and I will add them to my post tomorrow.

Rose is recovering from her treatment and is trying to keep upbeat.  She really is amazing.  I really am blessed to have known her for so many decades.  The same applies to Pam.  I first met Pam on spring day when I was not quite 7 years old when my parents moved into the house next door.  It's been a wonderful almost 50 years of friendship.  One that I will be eternally grateful for.

Prayers tonight for Rose, Adelle, Vickie, Maria, Brien, Germaine and Pri.  Also for those of you who need a little lift today.

As always, thank you for your visits and thank you for your comments.

Hugs

Jaydee

One Layer Valentine

Hi Everyone.

Happy Wednesday.  Hope you are all having a great week.

Sometimes, I just need to go back to my clean and simple roots.  Sometimes, I force myself to create a one layer card.  I really find one layer cards challenging.  What colors to use.  What stamps to use.  Where to position the elements.  It should be so simple to create a one layer card.  But I find it really tough.

A little while ago I found some amazing sentiment stamps from Wordsworth.  Tonight's card uses one of those sentiment stamps.  I thought it was perfect for Valentine.  It could work just as well for anniversary cards, too.

Isn't that quote just fabulous?

I'll be back tomorrow with another card and some more pics of our trip!

Prayers tonight for Rose, Adelle, Maria, Vickie, Brien, Germaine, Pri.  As Jan reminded me, I should also include prayers for all those affected by the terrible flooding in Australia

Have a fabulous Thursday everyone

Hugs

Jaydee 

Love you much with envie!

Hi Everyone.  Happy Monday night.

I hope you all had a great day.  For me, well it was my first day back at work.  'nuff said :-)

When I was in my stamping space this weekend, I checked out some challenges.  Always a great way to try to get my mojo back after a break.  I noticed a great sketch across at Friday mashup and a challenge at justusgirls to line your envelope to match the card you make for the challenge.  So, I combined both challenges and decided to make a Valentine's card.  Yep, another one!  I couldn't wait to pull out the fabulous glitter paper again, as well as the DSP from the new occasions mini.  This was perfect, cos the Fridaymashup challenge had a twist - bring on the bling!  I think the glitter paper and the silver pearls constitute bling! :-)

Here's what I came up with:

I went one step further and did the inside, too!

This card is neither too masculine nor too feminine and the DSP is perfect for both genders.  The sketch was great to work with and the envelope challenge really forced me to think about something I generally pretty much ignore!  Don't forget to pop along to both the sites and check out the design team inspiration and submission cards.  I know you will find something to inspire you.

Card recipe - all ingredients Stampin' Up! unless otherwise noted

• Card stock:  Whisper White, Basic Grey, Glimmer Paper (121790)
• DSP:  Love Impressions DSP (121780)
• Stamps:  Love you Much (113756), Hodgepodge Happiness (circle in my thoughts 24 7) (120570 (c) and 117141 (w)
• Ink:  Real Red, Basic Grey
• Accessories:  Silver pearls (non SU)

On a personal note:

I promised to share a couple of pictures with you from our recent trip.  I will split them over three posts to show pictures of the three different regions we visited in the UK.  The first picture is one of my favorites.  It shows the bridge across the Ladybower Reservoir in Derbyshire.  It was taken fairly early in the morning and the lake was like glass.   Now, for you history buffs - especially world war II history buffs, this reservoir has great significance.  Anyone see the film :"Dambusters"?  Well, during world war II before the bombing of some of the major dams in Germany, the Lancaster bombers practiced dropping the bombs using the Ladybower reservoir.  In fact, filming for film took place at Ladybower reservoir in 1954.  So, it's pretty famous.  It's also positioned in one of the most beautiful parts of the UK.  I know I am pretty biased, but the Peak District National Park is just fabulous.  It's where my soul feels at peace.  It's also where I want my ashes scattered.

So, enough of the history lesson, here's my pic.

You will notice that the gray sky (normal for a winter's day in England - reflects perfectly in the water of the reservoir.  The bridge is perfectly captured in the glass-like surface of the water.

Prayers tonight for Rose, Adelle, Brien, Vickie, Maria, Germaine and Pri.

As always, my grateful thanks to all of you for visiting.  I really appreciated those of you who left feedback on my card for John.  It made me feel really good, especially as I was a little worried about it.  My thanks also to those of you who are making a card to help Sue reach her goal to celebrate John's 90th birthday.

Have a fabulous Tuesday everyone

Hugs

Jaydee

XOXO - sneak peek

Hi Everyone.  Happy Tuesday night.

I am so sorry I was unable to post last night.  It was a chaotic night both at home and at work.  We had another 7 inches of snow yesterday and were expecting the delivery of our new furniture for the family room.  The poor guys making the delivery were supposed to be here at about 12.30.  They finally got here at 7.44pm!  They still had another two deliveries to go, including one in Wisconsin!  I felt so, so sorry for them.  Anyway, I ended up working until 7.30 and, as Lou was out clearing our neighbor's driveways, I was tied up with the delivery guys and doing all those things that need doing at night.  Consequently, I missed posting to my blog!

Tonight, I have a sneak preview for you of a wonderful new set - and also some great new card stock.

In the new mini is a set called XOXO.  I love it.  For this card I used the background stamp - which I stamped using Versamark and then used red embossing powder on it.  That gave me the shiny XOXOXOXO that you can see.  I used the circle punch to punch out a piece to lie over the wonderful new glittery card stock!  I LOVE this stuff.  In fact, I love it so much, that I used it on two cards this weekend!  

I then stamped the LOVE stamp, also from the same set, using Real Red ink and punched it out with a circle punch.  I used Crystal Effects to stick the heart shaped button over where the "o" should be.  A little Real Red satin ribbon and some pearls - and voila.

I used a sketch challenge layout - and I cannot remember which one!!!!! - but I love the layout anyway!

I was really happy with the result.  It has just the right amount of bling with the card stock and the embossed layer, then the satin smoothness of the ribbon and the pearls and the added interest with the heart shaped button.  It's a really cool new set and I look forward to showing you some more samples.

NOW... I have to share with you the two CASED cards from my CASE challenge for a cause for you.  Can't remember what it is about and think you might want to help - check this post  

Well, Sue, Rach and Cam have CASED me.  As is often the case (if you will excuse the pun!) the CASE is better than the original. 

Here's the card that Sue CASED (on the left) and the card that she made on the right.  You can see the inspiration, the three, the sketch, the ribbon, the scallop border,  but she completely made it her own and I love it!

You can click on Sue's gorgeous card to go to her blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, Rach decided to CASE my sunshine card.   My card is on the left - and the fabulous card that Rach made is on the right.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I loved the crips black border and the dots on the page.  Rach also centered her medallion, whereas I had offset mine.  She also used a single rhinestone to great effect.  It's a wonderful card!

Then, Cam used one of my favorite colors for her inspiration.  Y'all know that Cherry Cobbler has become one of my favorite go to colors.  Cam made her fabulous Christmas cards using this same color this year.  I am hoping that Cam will upload the card to her gallery on SCS so that I can share it with you.

Brenda, Cherie and Bethany are also going to CASE me so that we can collect some cards to send to Robin (aka the sky angel) to send to the troops that she has adopted.  If you would like to join us, we would love to have you play.  You know that I will appreciate it, Robin, who works so hard for her troops will appreciate it, as will the troops who receive the card you donate! 

As Rach's wonderful daughter told Fr. Pete at church the other night when he asked  the kiddos about Christmas, what made it special.  Lil (who is 5) was raising her hand, about to dance out of her shoes, wanting to answer. Her answer? "The most important part about Christmas is the giving." The congregation melted on the spot, Fr. Pete said, "There you have it, folks, from the mouth of the littlest one up here," and everyone applauded.  And there you have it folks, from the mouths of babes.... that's why I'm doing this CASE me idea - not because of my ego - but because it is a way that we can give to someone else.  Someone who is far away from their families, their children, mothers, brothers, sisters, fathers, spiritual home.... someone who will appreciate one little card that says thank you... or that they can send to a love one.  So, Rach and Lily, thank you for reminding us all!  You are an inspiration to us all. (You can read Rach's full post on her blog and see a gorgeous picture of Lil herself here)

Prayers tonight for Rose, Germaine, Pri, Adelle (still thinking about you all, my friend).  Lesley and Rach who I know are both still grieving.  For those of you who need a little lift at this time of year.

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone.  Back tomorrow with another card!

Hugs

Jaydee

 

Take a Spin - Anniversary - sneak peek

Hi Everyone.

Very quick post for you tonight.  I just got back from spending the evening with 3 of my most favorite people.  Brenda, Cherie and Bethany!

Tonight's card uses the Take a Spin set from the new occasions mini.  I really do love this set.  I decided to pair it with the DSP from the new occasions mini, too.  I love the colors from the new papers.  I also love that this card is neither masculine nor femine and could be used for both.

I decided to make the spinner circle look as though the Anniversary part moved and also stamped it in red.  I raised it using Stampin' Dimensionals.

I paired the spinner hand with a red glimmer brad to match the red glimmer paper.  Also new in the occasions mini.  So, a couple of different sneak peeks for you tonight.

On a personal note.

OK.  I did it.  I really did it.  I broke down on my way to dinner and stopped by the mall to buy myself a coat!  Yep, you gotta know that I have finally gotten cold for me to do that!  Of course, it made me late for my very important date, but at least I didn't freeze on my way from the parking lot to the restaurant and back.  I needed a warm winter coat and decided getting into my car tonight that my pea coat really just wasn't cutting it!

Prayers tonight for:  Rose, Germaine, Pri, Adelle, Lesley and Rach.  I hear that Arthur is on the road to recovery which is wonderful!

Have a fabulous Saturday evening.

Hugs

Jaydee

Sneak Peek - Cobbler Quotes

Hi Everyone.

Very quick post for you tonight.  The Clean and Simple challenge on splitcoast was to create a CAS card that highlighted the sentiment.  With the new sentiments from the Occasional Quotes - level 3 hostess set, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  And what color I wanted to use! :-)

I love - if you will excuse the pun - this sentiment.  It's great for outside a card like this, or inside a card.  It's versatile for anniversary, wedding or valentine cards.

   


The picture is looking really odd.  So I am going to have to come back and republish it from my other pc.  mmmm.... very peculiar..... mmm tried fixing it... not sure if it looks any better:-)

Anyway, you can see that I used Cherry Cobbler - love this red and Whisper White.  I stamped the background with the En Francais background stamp in Versamark and then used the polka dot heart from the I Heart Heart set, which has made it from the Spring Mini into the 2010/2011 IB&C.  I inked up the heart with my Cherry Cobbler ink and did the same with the sentiment.

Prayers for a few of you tonight, Trish and Germaine continue to be on the prayer list and prayers also to Lynn and Beth.

We finally managed to sit on our deck tonight.  It was cold this morning, hot and humid this afternoon and cool again this evening.  But still beautiful enough to sit outside and enjoy our new space.  Tomorrow we are off to buy the accoutrement and start to dress it up a little.    We can't wait.  The wildlife is already starting to appreciate the new deck.  I went to make tea this afternoon and found a baby rabbit - and I mean he was a leeeeeetle thing, sniffing around the chair.  The new steps are wide and not very high, which means its easy for the little critters to get on and off the deck. 

I also got to watch the last 20 minutes of South Africa playing Mexico in the opening match of the world cup of soccer tonight.  Africa is a truly amazing continent, and the country of South Africa a truly amazing place.  It is a country of contradictions, incredible natural beauty, home of the most beautiful city in the world (Cape Town, in case you were wondering :-)) and some of the friendliest people you will ever meet.  The South Africans are very easy to laughter and I am so pleased that the World Cup could come to inject needed funds into the country.  How sad for Mandela though that his great-granddaughter was killed in a motor accident yesterday.  My heart goes out to Madiba.  He certainly would have been very proud of South Africa's team today.  If you have never seen the movie Invictus, I'd recommend it.  It is a true story of how Mandela took one of the emblems of white supremacy - the rugby Springboks and made them a symbol of South African unity.  A truly amazing man.

Before I go - a shout out tonight to Chris in Calgary, who sent me the sweetest email.  Thank you, Chris - and welcome to the blog family.

Now.... I have one final thing for you tonight... oh boy.... this is really worth clicking to another link for.  I found this card by Diane in the UK as I looked at a couple of cards on a challenge site.  You HAVE to see this card.  It truly is a masterpiece.  Here's Diane's Decoupage Flowers in a Vase card.  I don't know Diane, but I think she may appreciate a little love in her comment box if you love the card as much as I do. :-)  Let me know what you thought of it.

Don't forget - its the Paper Players second challenge on Sunday.  Lesley will be announcing the winner of challenge number 1 on Sunday, too.

As always, thank you so much for spending time in my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits and your support are much appreciated. 

Hugs to you all
Jaydee

Tart and Tangy - Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Hi Everyone

Happy Valentine Night.  Tonight's card uses Tart and Tangy and was the second of the Valentine's I made for Lou.  Strawberries are a big deal for us.. it's a long story!  So, this was the perfect card. I had made another strawberry Valentine and Beth - welcome back Beth... so glad that your Dad is on the mend! - had suggested using chocolate.  It was a great suggestion and I kept that in the back of my mind for my Valentine card.

So, this one is for my darling Lou!

I used the sketch from the splitcoaststampers challenge number 267 this week.  The only change I made to the sketch was to turn it horizontal instead of vertical.  Now.... I might tell you that this card took me for ever to get right.  I first had it on a real red background with the vanilla and polka dot paper from the scrapping kit - Christmas Jingle.  I didn't like that... I then took the polka dot off... I still didn't like that.  I then couldn't make up my mind which color to use for the matt.  I had olive and red.  I had red and brown.  here's what my space looked like at one stage.  The mess on my cutting pad reflected the complete mess that was going on in my little brain!  What you don't see is the rest of the mess I created on the other side of my Mac!

As you can see, my punch got a lot of use yesterday!

Here's what the strawberries looked like with Real Red and Old Olive

OK... so discard that... lets try Real Red and Chocolate Chip

I played around like this for about 20 minutes!!! No kidding.  Finally a brain wave.....

Ah!  Ah! I can now make this clean and simple and get the effect I wanted....  Finalmente! as the Italian's would say!

 

Now... it looks like chocolate covered strawberries with Vanilla Ice Cream!  After my ah! ah! moment, I couldn't work out why I hadn't thought of this in the beginning.  I let the sketch lead me down the path of using DSP when I really didn't need to.  I added interest to the back of the strawberries by using textured paper for the matts and then running the Vanilla matt through my Big Shot with the Polka Dot folder- although you can't see it on this picture, I really did run it through the big shot!!  You can almost see the dots a little better on the top of the matt - top right hand corner.  I wanted them to mimic the dots in the strawberries.... here's a closeup for you.

Card recipe - FINAL card recipe..... :-)

• Very Vanilla and Real Red card stock
• Tart and Tangy stamp set (111514), "love you" from the Short and Sweet sentiment (115060)
• Stampin' Up! Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder from the new mini - (117335)
• Real Red, Old Olive and Chocolate Chip markers
• Clear embossing powder

I inked up the stamp using my markers.  The leaves in Old Olive and the strawberry in Real Red at the top and Chocolate Chip on the bottom.  I then cut around them with my paper snips and stamped my Versamark pad over them.  I left enough white space to be able to hold the paper.  I dipped them into the embossing powder and then used my heat gun to set the embossing powder.  I then cut around them with my paper snips and set them on top of their matts with stampin dimensionals.

I used my Stamp-a-Ma-Jig to ensure perfect placement of the sentiment.

I also used my Perfect Layers tool to create my matts.

So... tonight is the big night..... Tonight is the night that the winners get drawn - by my able four-pawed and handsome assistant Bilbo Baggins.  Two winners will be drawn tonight. The winner of the blog candy comment draw...... and.... the winner of the BIG SHOT - or equivalent value in SU! product provided by yours truly.  Several of you participated in my card drive - and I am so grateful to those of you who did.

So, Adelle, Cam, Beth, Lynn, Hazel, Kelli and Yvonne - you are all in the draw for tonight.  I am so excited to do the draw... but even more so, am so excited that we collected so many cards for hugsandhope and fromourhearts.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow for the two draws!

Hugs

Jaydee

 

Ever After Valentine

Hi Everyone.  Happy Valentine's Day.

Tonight's card is dedicated to my darling hubby, whom I love dearly!  This Ever After card is one of the Valentine cards he will be receiving today!

I used the sketch challenge from stamping411 and the crazy4challenges challenge to make a predominantly red card in celebration of Valentine.  Why don't you click on the links and see inspiration cards from the talented design teams and participants!  I guarantee you will find lots to stimulate your creative juices.  You can see my other Ever After cards here

Card recipe:

• The base is metallic gold
• The next layer is Real Red.  I ran this layer through my Big Shot and used a texturz plate.  You can see the scroll detail if you look above the bow.  I'm still having trouble with my photo editing software and have downloaded a trial of another product and will try playing with that tomorrow! It's driving me crazy that it's washing out these rich lush colors! 
• I have a strip of the gorgeous paper from the Sending Love DSP pack that has hearts and glitter already on it :-)
• I stamped the heart from the Ever After set (113401) onto Very Vanilla using Real Red classic ink
• I attached the focal image onto a layer of Real Red using dimensionals.  I adhered this to the metallic gold using snail.
• I ran some of the fabulously rich and luscious satin Real Red Ribbon underneath the central image and around the back of the DSP and Real Red layers and adhered with snail.
• I stamped "4 you" and "love" from the Tiny Tags and punched them out with my Jewelry Tag punch. 
• I made the bow from the same Real Red satin ribbon and put 3 mini glue dots behind the bow.  I adhered the front of the tags to the glue dots behind the ribbon and then applied that to my card.

The gold of the card stock and the gold in the DSP look fabulous together and the Real Red ribbon and the DSP are just so rich..... I wish I could let you feel it and hold this card in your hand.  My photo really doesn't do it justice.

I hope you all have a day filled with love, laughter and get to spend quality time with those that you love the most.  Thank you for taking time in your day to visit my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits are always much appreciated.

Hugs

Jaydee

Love you Much - Purple Cosmo Glitter

Hi Everyone.  Happy Sunday night. 

I must say, I am VERY sorry the weekend is over this week!  I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, too.

Tonight's card features Love you Much (113756) stamp set - and is part of my clean and simple Valentine/Love set.  You can see my love/Valentine cards here.

I got to spend a fair amount of quality time in my stamping space today.  It was a good day to be down there with the fire on, my kittykats keeping me company and.... my darling Lou making cards to help the card drive!  Well, that was a first for us - stamping together!  He was actually amazing.  I had bought a couple of the simply sent kits, as I thought they would be good for the friends who were supposed to help me yesterday.  Neither of them had made cards before, so a simply sent kit is an ideal way to make great looking cards without being overwhelmed.  They also make great gifts.  Lou, chose to do the more difficult of the two.  He chose to do the It's About You kit (114585) and he did a great job.  I'm so grateful that he gave up time that he was going to spend riding his Bianchi and helped me out instead!  He's pretty amazing, really!

So, for tonight's card, I used the Love you Much "Love" stamp, Elegant Eggplant and Whisper White card stock and lots of purple fine cosmo glitter! 

You can see I made this BEFORE I CHANGED MY BLADE.... grrrrr.... I hate the furry edges of a dull blade!

So.... here's the recipe - quick, clean and simple:

• Whisper White and Elegant Eggplant card stock
• Love you Much stamp
• Versamark marker
• Purple Fine Cosmo Glitter
• Teeny Tiny Wishes - "Happy Valentine's Day" sentiment

I hope you all have a fabulous Monday and thank you for visiting my little area of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits are always appreciated.  Have fun tomorrow - with those you love and, remember, send a card to someone - just because you can.

Jaydee

Heart Punch - Valentines

Hi Everyone, Happy Monday and welcome to Jaydee's SU stampin space!  I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas weekend.  I have to admit, Lou and I stayed up until 2a.m. this morning playing Mario Kart!  We were like a pair of children!  But it was great fun.

Today's card is for Kelli.  Kelli, like me, loves Valentine's Day.  Hey, I enjoy anything that gives me an excuse to make cards and other goodies :-)  I wanted something clean and simple - yet again!  This one is super easy to make and uses a layout that I used before for my Christmas parcel cards. 

 

 I was so happy with the end result and thought it was a great way to use some of my left over Christmas DSP from the Christmas Jingle scrapping kit.  This is a card that can be made in less than 10 minutes and be made in any color scheme that takes your fancy.

Here's what I used:

• Ruby Red and Very Vanilla card stock
• My Full Heart punch 
• White embossing powder
• Stem Sayings sentiment set.  This is such a versatile set!
• Red Riding Hood ribbon (sadly, retired)  However, you could take a piece of white organza ribbon and dye it Ruby Red - just as I did in my Love card

I did use my stylus to create an embossed line above and below the hearts.  This frames the hearts and also subtly divides the card into three - and you all know my rule of three's, right? :-)

This weekend I did get some very good playtime in my studio - well, yesterday I did.  For some reason my mojo went walkabout at the end of last week.  Even the simplest of cards just seemed so overwhelming and nothing, but nothing was right.  So, I took a couple of days off and didn't stamp and went back into my space yesterday.  It was better... still not back to my normal self... but at least I did manage to complete a couple of cards that I actually liked.  I just don't know why these spells occur, but now I understand what people mean when they say "writer's block" - except in my case it's carder's block!

 Your visits are always appreciated - as is your support.  Don't forget... blog candy still in play until midnight on December 31.  Bilbo Baggins will choose a winner and I will announce it on January 1 - along with the January 2010 blog candy alert.

I hope you have a fabulous Monday and... as always, thank you so much for visiting my little piece of the stamping blogosphere.  Your visits are always appreciated - as is your support.  

Peace and virtual hugs

Jaydee