True's Gift Blog Candy

Trudy is giving away blog candy until the end of August. Go see for yourself at

www.truesgiftsfromtheheart.blogspot.com don't you love surprises?? Good Luck!!

Cindy

From Our Krafty House to Yours

Good Morning Friends! I have another Christmas card to share with you today. I have been on a roll with these type of cards because of the goal I have set for myself. I got another 6 done yesterday... making about 24 remaining to be made. It makes me feel very good!

I really liked this set last catalog and so ordered just before retiring. I love Kraft cardstock, reds and brown together. It looks so comfy homey together. What I am not so crazy about is that I took this pic outside under the patio table umbrella....the shadow is funky. And I am not so sure about that white oval sentiment. But, it was quick and easy and will ship well. What do you think?

Went out last night with one of my Husband's co-workers, Kevin. He has to come in once every 6 weeks or so to work here but, he works from home the rest of the time. So, it is always nice when he comes because we get into such deep conversations about life, religion and politics.....yes, I know...we should not talk about some of that stuff!

He is from New Jersey where he and his wife raise their 8 children....no he is not Octo-dad! They had 4 naturally and adopted a sibling group of 5 from somewhere in Russia. The sibiling group has had many mental issues to deal with because of the home they came from and the one son, who does not live at home, has severe mental issues. The family is not safe when that son is around. Anyway, Kevin and Christina do a heck of a job taking care of them all! And, btw, they go through 3 gallons of milk a day!

Well, hope you have a nice day today. Tomorrow we are heading to Chicago to celebrate my birthday. Did not want a party of any kind this year...it's just not the same without Dad!

Thanks for looking!
Cindy

• Stamps - To You And Yours
• Paper - SU Kraft, Whisper White and Chocolate Chip CS, Riding Hood Red DSP
• Ink - SU Riding Hood Red
• Accessories - SU Scallop Border Punch and Large Oval Punch, SU Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Fiskars Oval Cutter, Dimensionals

Merry Holiday Candles

Good Afternoon Friends! Just when you thought I was finished using Big Birthday Candle, I found another way to use it! My inspiration was the floral paper. And one of the complimentary colors was Garden Green.....this was the first time I used it in about 2 years! Guess it was time, huh?

It's difficult to see but the red patterned paper has glitter on it so, to compliment that I used Stickles on the candle flame. I am really lovin' this gradiated flame, if I don't say so myself!!

Thanks for taking the time to look at my creation. Hope your summer is going great and that you are not too hot and bothered!

Cindy

• Stamps - SU Big Birthday Candle, Lots Of Thoughts
• Paper - SU Garden Green, Basic Black and Whisper White CS, DCWV DP
• Ink - Ranger Archival Ink, SU Real Red, Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie
• Accessories - MS Scallop Border Punch, SU Scallop Circle Punch, SU Grosgrain Ribbon, Gold Stickles

Christmas Card Assortment

Good Morning! I wanted to share with you some ideas for easy cards. Last year I took a Big Picture Scrapbooking class with Kolette Hall. The class was wonderful and so was Kolette. I have some pictures of my class creations on my SCS Gallery if you care to take a look (Mosaic Christmas Frame, Acrylic Frame, Family Word Books and Page Protector Calendar). These cards are from 2008, BTW.

However, I did not post these cards, don't know why, just did not. But, what I wanted to tell you was that I have these sentiments in a PDF file that I can share with you. If you let me know your e-mail I can send them to you.....there are 4 colors!!

As you can see there are loads of variety and ways to use up ordinary papers and supplies...look at that Merry Christmas with the little bird....isn't that cute?! And I used SU and 7Gypsies papers and retired In-Color ribbon. Well.....you let me know if I can help you make your Christmas cards easier....okay?

Yesterday, I met one of my friends, Gillian, at the DeMenil House....it was in one of my earlier posts for a book signing about the Lemp Mansion, which is situated right next door. It was wonderful to hear Stephen Walker talk about the interesting Lemp family. They were one of the early brewing families in this part of the country.

They must have had some mental illness in their family tree because 3 of them committed suicide in that house. Now the house is haunted by several ghosts, one of them is a dog!

Patrons have reported all sorts of strange noises, sightings and occurances as the house is now a Bed and Breakfast and Restaurant. Yes, people do come and stay there simply because it is haunted!!

Just to let you know...I do believe in the paranormal....someday, I will tell you my stories!!

It was a nice day and being with my friend was a great way to spend Sunday! Take care and have a great week!
Cindy

Stamps - SU Short & Sweet
Paper - Assorted SU and 7Gypsies, SU Cardstock
Ink- Ranger Archival Black Ink
Accessories - Dimensionals, Asst. Ribbons and buttons, SU Corner Rounder Punch, Bunny Tails Springs, Brads and eyelets, Computer Generated Sentiments

We Three Snowmen

Good Morning! Can you believe it, I am posting 3 days in a row!! Me either!! Well, I had been making a bunch of Christmas cards and I am finally getting around to posting them. So...Enjoy!

Wayne and I spent the day yesterday working in our gardens. We took out a small retaining wall on in one of our shade gardens and replaced it with new brick. What a back-breaking job!! The left over brick will be the back of another garden.

When we moved into our house, our first together, there was nothing. Save for 2 trees and a very sloped yard with a chain link fence. Now we have several gardens and it is a place where we spend much time in the summer. I hope you have a place to enjoy your summer even if it is hot and humid, you still need a place to relax and watch the world go by. Some day soon I will post my garden pics.

Thanks for looking! Make it a great Sunday!!
Cindy

• Stamps - PSX, Judith, Short & Sweet
• Paper - SU Soft Sky and Whisper White CS, Soft Sky DSP
• Ink - Ranger Archival Ink, SU Whisper White Craft
• Accessories - Prismacolor Pencils, Stickles, SU Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon, Stampabilities Paper Clip

2009 Christmas Spruce

Merry Christmas in July!! I hope that all of you are starting to put your thinking caps on about what will take place in 6 months??!! Well I have been as you can see. I have about 30 or so cards remaining to make by Nov. 1.

I generally make 3-5 of each design, that way I have lots to choose from and I don't get too bored with the same design.
I have a couple of sets still to use and I am looking for a great religious stamp. I think I found one in the new mini coming up starting Sept. 1. I saw it at my Demo's house the other day.....I drooled all over that mini....sorry Dina.

I have quite a few friends and family that really appreciate a card with the holy famly, nativity, etc. But, in the past few years, I have not found one that was not "cutsie". Is anyone else having that problem? I love Stampin' Up! but, I think they are lacking in this area.....in general.

Any way, this was fun to make. I used the paper and ribbon as my inspiration....hint...curlys on the ribbon tie into the garland on the tree! And I am really lovin' how the addition of a couple of black layers makes the other colors pop. Super easy and quick....and no bulky embellies to mail!

Hope you have a great day. Thanks for looking too!
Cindy

• Stamps - Fun & Fast Notes
• Paper - SU Old Olive, Basic Black, Real Red and Whisper White, DCWV DP
• Ink - Ranger Archival Ink
• Accessories - Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil, Blending Stumps, Stickles, Ribbon (michael's)
  

Christmas in July

I have been working on my Christmas cards for this year for quite a few months. I waited until the last minute last year and it was awful hurrying like I did. So, I set my goal of 80 to be finished by November 1. That way I could get them all in the mail by December 1. I thought it was a doable plan!

I bought this set used from my Demo, Dina Lanzendorf not too long ago and am loving it. Guess you could tell with all the cards a few days ago!!

Well this one I cased from Jan Tink, have I told you that she is so very funny, sarcastic humor and very creative....well I did now. Anyway, I wanted to use up some scraps. Dug through my stash of ribbon and found this metallic eyelash cord. I reverse masked the candle flame and used my index finger to get the gradiation of the flames. It was fun and only a bit time consuming!

Thanks for looking!!

Cindy

• Stamps - Big Birthday Candle, Many Merry Messages
• Paper - SU Real Red, Handsome Hunter and Whisper White, DCWV and Peebles DP
• Ink - Ranger Archival Black, SU Barely Banana, Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie
• Acessories - SU Square Scallop Punch, Paper Piercer, Silver Brads, Stamp-a-majig, Post-it-note, Metallic Cord

I Just Love You!

I just wanted to take the time to tell all of you who visit me, that I Love You! I appreciate that you read my rambling mind, the fact that I am opinionated (the political post, which I probably won't do again) and my issues with family. But, I especially love that you make such nice comments about my cards and crafts!

In the very near future, I will be posting for Blog Candy. Yes, I didn't think it was necessary but, have changed my mind. So, I have been shopping around for just the right mix of goodies!

Making this card is helping me reduce the amount of DP I have and use a set that I have not used yet. I see that all the time on B/S/T on SCS that folks have them unmounted and unused. But, when I bought this paper and set, I loved that it was whimsical looking, had flowers and a butterfly. It's difficult to see in the picture but, the butterfly has stickles on it.

BTW, I am selling some of my retired SU sets. I am trying to figure out a way to post them but, in the mean time you can go to cvansluys on SCS in the B/S/T thread to find my ad if you are interested.

Hope you have a great day!

• Stamps - I Just Love You
• Paper - SU Flowers for You DSP, Whisper White and Tempting Turquoise CS
• Ink - SU Regal Rose
• Accessories - SU Tempting Turquiose, Regal Rose, Old Olive and Lovely Lilac Markers, SU Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer, Dew Drops, Stickles
  

Make a Wish

Good Morning Friends! Yes, it has been awhile since I posted something but, it had been awhile since I made something. I think it's that thing that cardmakers talk about.....loosing your MoJo?

Don't how I lost it...maybe it's this sadness I have been feeling for so many things I cannot change in my life right now, maybe it is the lack of funds to buy something new to stamp with or maybe it is something entirely different, like gardening that takes so much time. At any rate, I needed to make some birthday cards last week and took a day to myself to make some.

I bought this set used from my Demo. I thought it would be pretty handy for some masculine cards or maybe even a christmas card. I perused the Big Birthday Candle set gallery and found 2 cards that I liked for the design just the way they were. The one to the left and the green and black near the bottom, both by HamiltonGal on SCS.

Designer Paper by 7Gypsies has always been one of my favorite lines. I bought this in a paper pack before last Christmas to work on a project, but realized that it would take too long for the time I had and be way over the amount I wanted to spend. So, I shelved the whole thing. But, when I was looking for some guy type paper I spotted it and thought...hmmm, this will be fine!

The 50th card I sent to my brother out in California. He and I were so close to each other for so many of our childhood years. Then when I went to high school, things between us changed. He got into some not so good relationships with "bad boys" and nothing I said made any difference. We spent many years not talking to each other...the last time I saw him was at our sisters wedding in 1993. He was starting a new relationship with a really good woman, Rose....I think she saw the good man that he really is. They are married now and happy.

Then when our Father passed away 2 months ago, we were thrown back together. We started talking again.....I told him life is too short to be mad any longer. So, we are trying to reconnect our relationship again. I am grateful that he has found peace in his heart and has forgiven himself for the wrongs he has done and is moving forward. As it should be.

The other cards are for future birthdays in the family....older niece, nephew and sister-in-law. They are not masterpieces but, I had fun making them and I hope the recipents will like them too. I really liked that I sponged the flame of the candle, that was fun!

Hope you have a great week! I appreciate you looking too!

7Gypsies card

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle, So Many Scallops

Paper - 7Gypsies Zanzibar DP, Sahara Sand and Basic Black CS

Ink - Ranger Archival Ink

Accessories - 1 3/4" circle punch

Make a Wish card

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle

Paper - Confetti White, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and So Saffron CS, SU Sweet Slumber Speciality DSP

Ink - SU Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze and More Mustard

Accessories - Paper Clip, Zig Marker and SU Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon

Birthdays are the Best

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle and It's Your Birthday

Paper - SU Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Whisper White and So Saffron CS, Washington Apple DSP

Ink- SU More Mustard, Ranger Archival Ink

Accessories - Paper Clip, Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Small and Large Tag Punches

Amethyst Happy Birthday

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle and It's Your Birthday

Paper - SU Almost Amethyst, Whisper White and So Saffron CS, SU Tea Party DSP

Ink - Ranger Archival Ink, SU Almost Amethyst and More Mustard

Accessories - Wide Ric Rack, Cotton Thread50th Birthday card

Stamps - Big Birthday Candle, So Very, Wonderful Favorites, Short Order Numbers

Paper - SU Basic Black and Kiwi Kiss, SU Rockabilly Speciality DSP

Ink - Ranger Archival Ink

Accessories - SU On Board Lots of Letters Chipboard, Zig Marker, Crystal effects

So Very Loved - Always

It has been nearly a month and a half since my Dad passed away. I think I am doing pretty good dealing with his not being at home when I go to see Mom. I keep expecting to see him sitting in his chair when I open the door. Mom is having a very difficult time dealing with it, which is to be expected since he was her life's partner. She has most of her grief when no one is at home. She was worried that she was crying too much but, I think as long as she is crying, that is a good thing.

Anyway, I decided to make a couple of cards to send to Lisa, my younger sister, Chris, my younger brother and Mom. I wanted to let them know how much I love them and to apologize if I said anything in grief that has caused them pain. I feel I did, don't remember what it was but, I can feel there is distance. I am hoping to say some kind words to 'mend fences'.

The Orange and White is for Mom. I cased this from Leigh Ann Baird off of SCS. I change it a bit but really liked the flowers on the panel. Wished the 'loved' showed up better. I used my markers to color the small prismas because I did not have the color I wanted.

The Blue and Kraft is for my sister, Lisa....she loves these colors. I cased this from Putri on SCS, I really like her style of cardmaking.

This one is for Chris, he lives out in Mid-coast California. He was not able to come home to visit with Dad prior to his passing away. But, he came for a week staying with Lisa and my BIL, John. He helped Mom do some repairs around the house that Dad just was not able to do. I think they had a good time catching up.

Thanks for looking and I hope that you have a great holiday weekend!!

Cindy

The supplies are in no particular order this time....sorry.

• Stamps - SU Embrace Life and So Very; Hero Arts Printers Type Alpha
• Ink - SU Tempting Teal, Chocolate Chip and Pumpkin Pie
• Paper - SU Bali Breeze, Parisian Breeze Speciality and Washington Apple DSP, Whisper White, Confetti White, Tempting Teal, River Rock, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Kraft, Blue Bayou and Textured Tempting Teal CS
• Accessories - SU Ribbons, Punches and Buttons (except for the brown one, it is from my collection of antiques), Unknown Blue ribbon, Making Memories Button Brads and Lil' Davis Chipboard