My first "shaker card"...

I was brave enough to pick up a new tutorial and tackle it once and for all... in all actuality, I had a technique class to teach and wanted to play with something new!

So, here's the deal... the "box" (an oval-shaped box in this instance) on this card is enclosing some espresso grounds. And when you shake the card back and forth the goodies inside shake around too!





See?! Making the box is a bit of work - but such a fun product to play with once it's complete. You can even keep a "backup" card in your purse in case you need that afternoon jolt... ok, just kidding. But you know I had to go there...







Now, what else can I shake?!

some recent cards...

Last weekend we had a stamp class... and we got to play with these new clear mount stamp sets!

Everyone was so excited to play with new products! And we had a full house! A huge thank you to Kellye for opening your beautiful home (again) to let us get together and play!






Don't you love that chunky glitter on the bottom of the Valentine's Day card?! I don't know how it got there... it just jumped right up on that card stock and said "I'm not leaving!" What are you going to do?!

i love my new clear-mount stamps from SU!!!

They're beautifully slim... they're amazingly compact... they're just downright rad!



And I just got these in the mail... I have to admit... I never thought I'd convert to clear blocks for stamping.

And yet, here I am! I'm a convert...





Looking forward to showing them off at Saturday's workshop! Yippeeeeee.... yippee!

Two things...

1. Thank you cards went out this week...
2. I've fallen in love with this bird...




Isn't that bird just adorable?! Thank you to SU for selling this new punch to me. My life would be incomplete without it.







And thank you to SU for showing me this card template in a recent magazine... as you can tell, I put it right to work!



Even better, now that the holidays are behind me there is more time to hit the craft room. And that's what I like... new Pazzles machine, oh birthday present (from October), I can't wait to get back to you! Thank you for waiting for me...

how I love receiving Christmas cards!!!

Disclaimer: I cannot take credit for the artistic license used on these cards. I can however take credit for having some very creative friends who love to spend time making their Christmas cards (just like I do)... how lucky am I?!

So, I wanted to share the masterpieces that graced our mail box and our bookshelf this past holiday season. I love looking over all the work that went into these hand crafted gems. They all inspired me, to one extent or another...


This card inspired me to replace my broken Cuttlebug! HA! (I broke it several months ago by forcing something through those rollers that didn't have any business going through there. It's my own fault... and I'm embarrassed to admit it. But now it's out there for all the world to know... whatever!) How I love the embossing folder used here by my friend Kaye! Thank you for inspiring me...





I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this card... thanks Joanie! I love the different fold and and the bright colors! (Every year I promise myself I'm going to find a "different fold" for this year's card... and it just doesn't happen... maybe some time in the future...)





Suzi - these colors are stunning! Where did you get that designed card stock from ?! Is that DSP from SU?! What is it called?! Please tell me it's still an active product... 'cuz I need me some of it! So beautiful!



Kellye - I know just how long you worked on these cards... I was so thrilled to get this in the mail, FINALLY! HA! Love it! Don't you just want to kiss that snowman?!



Thank you, Cheryl! I didn't know you were a stamper! I can't wait to get to know you more... see what else we have in common!



Kay - thanks for sharing your beautiful card with us! I loved these colors... and the sparkle of the glitter on that paper. Simply gorgeous... how blessed I am to call you a prayer sister!



And from my Stampin' Up! upline, Natalie Travis! I know you make way more cards than I do... and you put soooo much work into each one of your cards. You're a pro! You're my hero... do you start these in July?!



I love the layers and the colors... and Lee made special note of it one afternoon: "Wow - this is an amazing card! Who made that?!"



So much detail... and I love the letter you include every year. Your kids are growing so fast! Simply amazing...



And this one?! Oh my! So much time and work went into the layers of this card. Sherri - these colors just jumped out at me before I could even get it all the way out of the envelope!



I mean look at each layer... she distressed the edges, the has two colors on those trees (was that with the watercolor crayons?!) and she dry embossed that strip on the side... wow... so many layers, so much work, so much love went into these cards! I'm so grateful to have received this card in the mail...



Thank you to my creative friends... you inspire me with every envelope! I love your crafty genius! Keep 'em coming!

A gift, for you...

The birds are chirping outside, the Rose Parade is getting ready to begin... and I'm watching an interview with Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger. I'm crying... and I'm wishing I was that gracious and eloquent. Maybe I'll work on that in this new year?!

In the meantime, I'll keep crafting and blogging...


I'm a tad more eloquent when I can take the time to write down my thoughts. So, inside these tags was a verse of exhortation for some ministry partners.

2 Timothy 1:7a "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God..."... this was the message inside the gift tag.



And inside the gift? A candle and candle holder... now you understand the reference to "flame"... right?



I'm so fortunate to serve along side a great group of ladies as we serve the women in our church... ladies, I learn from you every day! It's amazing to see this: we've all been given different gifts and have been brought together for "such a time as this"... thank you for your service... I am a blessed girl!

A box of memories and insights...

A group of my friends agreed it was time to write down a few thoughts for one of our inspirational friends. We each wrote our own personal note to this friend and tucked it away in one of these drawers...

It was a simple gift ... but one that was meant to leave a lasting impression.

Then we got together for dinner. She thought it was to celebrate her birthday - actually, it was to say 'thank you' to her...





We love you, Holly! Your encouragement, prayers and leadership has changed our lives. We look forward to continuing to learn from you more and more each day...