Huge Prima Blog Candy

Prima blog is going to reveal something really big. So in honor of that event, they are giving away candy. Look at this....worth about $100!! Go to their blog found here http://prima.typepad.com/ You have until tonight to enter.......hurry friends!!!

Valentine's Day at the Zoo and Hope Cards

Good Morning Friends! Yes, it has been a week since I last chatted with you. I have been busy, of course, working on my studies (first exam tomorrow), working on taxes, taking care of Clark's issues, always (big care plan meeting on Friday) and working on cleaning up my desk. Which means the parts and pieces of stamped cards that I never finished.

Oh, you know you borrowed a set and stamped off a bunch of images but, just ran out of time or lost interest in that project. Well, that is me (raising my hand) on both accounts. I have so many projects that I want to do or have in the works that I forget that I have other responsibilities that have greater priority.

Like on Valentine's Day, Wayne and I really had nothing planned except to spend the day with each other. Well, then you really can't spend time working on your crafts can you. It was a fun day spent a good portion in the frosty cold watching some of the penguins get to waddle out of their cages for a bit. This was the first time we had seen this. So, it was fun! The rest of the zoo animals were pretty much non-existent except for the ones in the heated houses. We are zoo members and love going and walking around one of the last free zoos in the country.

Then we went to Whole Foods for some dinner fixins. Made a couple of nice grilled steaks with baked potatoes, huge tossed salad and ice cream for dessert. We were stuffed....kind of looked like those penguins! LOL! I was such a pleasant day to just relax and not think about the other things in our lives for just a bit.

Wayne and I have been very fortunate that we have not had anyone in our family or known any friends that have had breast cancer. Known folks, including Dad, with other cancers. But, which ever form it is a terrible disease to have to suffer under. My thought is that you have to give up your will to God but, still fight the disease. I had Ovarian Cancer so long ago I can't even tell you how I felt at the time.

I was just 18 when I found out. I was stunned and really did not know what it all meant at the time. That was in 1976. And at that time the treatments were okay but, not like today. So, I agreed to have a total hysterectomy to save my life. It was tough for quite a few years dealing with that removal.....the loss of hormones and the never being able to have children. I think it weighed heavy on Dad for a long time (he told me this later).

Today, I am healthy and have an adopted son. I am grateful for each and everyday I wake in the morning and put my two feet on the ground. I know that there is hope of a brighter tomorrow for all of us......whether we face that disease or another one.

Thanks for looking at my cards (these will go into my stash and some will get donated) and listening to my story. I appreciate your loyality to my blog even with my absences. I hope you have a great day!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Hope Is
• Paper - SU Whisper White, Pretty in Pink CS, Basic Grey DP and SU DSP (retired), Creative Cafe Notecards
• Ink - SU Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink
• Accessories - SU Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon, MS Lacy Scallop Punch, Buttons

Anniversary Blog Candy Giveaway

Update.........And the winner is:

Larisa

Congratulations!! Please e-mail me at cvansluys@charter.net with your address so I can get these goodies out to you this week!

Thanks everyone who played! I enjoyed looking at your galleries and blogs too!

Cindy


This will stay at the top of the page until February 15. Scroll down for newer posts.

Good Afternoon Friends! Well, I told you I would give away some candy and here it is. I am celebrating my 1 year Anniversary in Blogland (which was at the end of January).

I am giving away all this to one lucky Follower. Here is what you need to do to win..
1-Put my candy on your blog with a link back here.
2-Become a follower if your not already.
3- And leave a comment here letting me know you have done so. If you do that you will have 2 chances to win, if you do not have a blog you still have a chance to win...blog or not!! You have until February 15th to enter!

This is what you will win:
K & Co Greenhouse DP pack
K & Co Greenhouse Phrases & Icons Chipboard
K & C0 Greenhouse Embossed Stickers
Clear Scraps Friendship Stamps
Making Memories Gem Pin Findings
Making Memories Flower Pin Findings
3-Studio 18 Rhinestone Packs
9 ft. roll Ribbon
Spare Parts Alpha Buttons
Daisy D's Green Metal Photo Corners
Teresa Collins Journaling Spotz
Handcrocheted Flowers and Trims to Match

Good Luck!
Cindy

Check out all the other blog candy on my sidebar!!!!

House Mouse Valentine for Wayne

Happy Valentine's Day Friends! Here at last is the card I made for my husband, Wayne. I am really trying not to buy any more stamp sets for awhile as we are nearly debt free.....and that excites us!! I love this stamp for Anniversaries and Love cards! In fact, if I am going to used a stamp that is whimsical, this is the type I will use.

Wayne loved it, in fact, he chuckled when he saw the inside. I screwed up, I had a stamp that said 'to my' and did not use it. So, I scratched out 'a' and wrote 'my'. Oh well, he knows me and it's okay!

The coloring was with inkpads and blender pen. The brads were just plain metal and needed jazzing up....so what if it's for a guy, a little bling never hurt anyone! Poured Crystal Effects over the top and dumped the glitter on. The result was just enough sparkle.

Thanks for taking a look at my card today. Happy Crafting!!

Cindy

• Stamps - House Mouse, SU So Many Sayings, various sets for the inside sentiments
• Ink - Ranger Archival Black, SU Creamy Caramel, Blush Blossom, Basic Gray, Pretty in Pink, Bashful Blue Inks

Paper - SU Whisper White, Rose Red and Soft Suede CS, SU Throughly Modern DSP

Accessories - Stamp-a-majig, Unknown Brads, SU Crystal Effects, Pink Paislee Pixie Stix Glitter, Paper Piercer, SU Corner Rounder Punch, SU Soft Suede Grosgrain Ribbon, Glue Dots

Sorry for the screwy post.....just could not get it fixed to look nicer!!

Simple Chipboard Valentine

Okay....I have done my last chipboard heart card for awhile! This one was the last and I was loosing my mojo when I did it. I used a piece of crocheted trim I made a while back when I need something to do in front of the TV. Everything else is pretty straightforward except I used some Tsukineko Brilliance around the edges of the hearts for some shimmer.

Today is a lazy day....well sort of. I have to clean up my crafting area a bit but, to me that is not really working. Then I want to get a Hawaiian shirt cut out for Wayne for his birthday next month. It will still be a bit cold for him to wear it for a few more months but, knowing him he might try to wear something underneath it!

Tomorrow I will post the card I made for Wayne.....no chipboard hearts! We are going to the Zoo to watch the Penguins waddle on the sidewalk near their exhibit. Then come home and make some French Onion Soup and Steak Dinner. I just might make that cheesecake I have been promising him for awhile now to top off our Valentine dinner.

Whatever you do today or tomorrow I hope it involves loving someone close to you! Happy Crafting!!

Cindy

• Stamps - My Sentiments Exactly!


• Paper - SU Very Vanilla and Riding Hood Red CS, SU Candy Lane DSP
  
• Ink - Tsukineko Brilliance Pearlescent Biege, SU Riding Hood Red


• Accessories - Rusty Pickle Chipboard, SU Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Crocheted Scalloped Trim, SU Scallop Border Punch, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Sanding Tools, Sponges

With All My Love & Lincoln's Birthday

Good Morning Friends!! Okay here is another chipboard heart. Pretty simple and easy to mail. The green circle is tinsel glitter from MS...funny how this came to be on my card. Bought some new glitter with my Michael's coupon to match the SU Bermuda Bay color. Opened the top and this was the inside liner to the bottle. So, I trimmed it down and used it. So you could say I recycled today!!

Not too much going on here expecting another snow storm this weekend. Though only about 2-4" which if we compare to New England's latest amounts, it's a dusting! St. Louis folks get all panicky....rushing out to the stores to milk, eggs and bread. I call them the French Toast people......Ha!

Last weekend I think you remember that Wayne and I were going to take a couple of days away and head to Springfield, Illinois? We wanted to go see the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (which I highly recommend) and his home. After the tour of his home we walked around the area and struck up a conversation with a National Park Service (they are in charge of the home and few blocks surrounding it) ranger. He was off duty but, answered our questions about the homes in this area and whether there was any record of the Lincoln's having interactions with the neighbors. He did not know.

Then we asked him about the color of the house. It turns out for the longest time it was painted white with green shutters. Then in the 80's preservationists started reading newspaper accounts from Lincoln's time period and found there were mentions of a sandy brown house with green shutters. They were also able, when they were doing restorations to the attic (during the Lincoln's time in the house lighting struck the house and they had a fire) the roof had to be raised a bit to do repairs to the roof. That's when they found a brick with the original paint still on it, not seen or touched by the elements for over 130 years. Interesting, huh? I love history!!


Hope you have a great day and good start to the weekend! Happy Crafting too!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU So Many Sayings
• Paper - SU Very Vanilla CS, K & Co Lovely and SU Welcome Friends DPs, Creative Cafe' Notecards
• Ink - Ranger's Archival Black
• Accessories - MS Tinsel Glitter, Dimensionals, SU Word Window Punch, SU Melon Mambo Grosgrain Ribbon, Hand crocheted Trim, SU and Rusty Pickle Chipboard, 2-Way Glue, Sanding Tools

Wild Raspberry Love Card

Good Morning Friends! I am still working with the chipboard hearts this week. Actually, I made these all in one day I am just now posting them in hopes of attracting more attention to my blog. I guess unless you are a demo for CTMH or SU or a designer for some company you are destined not to get many folks looking. It's a bit dissapointing but, that will not get me down in the dumps, I will just keep going.

I love this combination of colors together and the vintage feel. Whomever from these paper companies that design all these wonderful papers are truly brillant! I think that is something we cardmakers and scrapbookers take for granted.

I put this card on one of my Grandmother's quilts she made. My Grandmother, Mom's Mom, was not a quilter all her life, she learned late in life. In fact, she learned out of spite you could say. She was wanting a quilt to be made for my Mom and Dad when they got married nearly 54 years ago.

So, she went to the church in her area of Illinois that was doing that on a regular basis and was told that it was over a year wait. Grandma got mad and said she would just teach herself. Most folks at during that time knew how to sew already, it was the quilting that was different. This quilt is called Snowball because when you open it up, the white sections look like snowballs.

Thanks for looking and hope you have a very happy crafting day!!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Baroque Motifs, Stampabilities Sentiment
• Paper - SU Very Vanilla, K & Co Wild Raspberry DP
• Ink - Ranger Archival Black Ink, Tsukineko Brillance Pearlescent Biege
• Accessories - SU Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, SU Gold Cord, Unknown Rhinestone, Rusty Pickle Chipboard Hearts, Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Sanding Tools, Sponges

Ticket to Love

Good Frosty Morning! I have another Valentine to show you. Again, this one evolved from the chipboard hearts. I had the background paper but, did not really like the color together with the hearts....so, I used my Weathered and Linen Background stamps to soften. I also distressed the edges.

One of the things I like to do is collect things, you just never know when you are going to need them. I collect buttons and fasteners.....oh they can't be new ones. The older the better. This button, you can only see it when you click on the picture to get a closer view, is cut from an abalone shell. I love it!!

Hope you do too! Thanks always for looking at my creations, because I know time is always a factor in our lives nowdays! So, just know, I appreciate you......love you!!

Happy Crafting!!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Linen and Weathered Backgrounds (retired)
• Paper - SU Very Vanilla CS, SU SAB Welcome Neighbor DP, K & Co Lovely DP and Creative Cafe' Notecards
• Ink - SU Creamy Caramel
• Accessories - SU Distressing Tool, Rusty Pickle Chipboard, Button, SU Gold Cord, Unknown Ribbon and Trim, Tim Holtz Ticket

Valentine Cards

Good Morning Friends! I finally got around to posting my Valentine's cards. Not sure who this one will go to yet.......

All of the cards in the next few days will be using chipboard hearts. I have a huge stash of chipboard stuff and hearts were no exception. This one in particular was from Cosmo Cricket and has two holes in the center making it look like a big button. I toyed around with putting a ribbon through it and then thought the glitter would be better.

Cards like these take me a while to play around with I start with wanting to use up something....chipboard. Then wanted to play around with some SAB DP pack from SU...the heart paper and the rest just happens. I think this card from start to finish was 30 minutes. Not bad but, not one I would would want to go into mass production for.

Anyway, thanks for looking! Hope wherever you are in the world your day is sunny and bright!
Happy Crafting!!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Holiday Best - Hostess
• Paper - SU Whisper White, SU DSP - retired, SU SAB Neighbors DSP and Creative Cafe' Notecard
• Ink - SU Chocolate Chip
• Accessories - Cosmo Cricket Chipboard Heart, Unknown Doubleface Satin Ribbon, SU Gold Cord (retired), SU Button (retired), SU 1/4" Circle Punch, Glue Dots, MS White Chunky and Pink Tinsel Glitter, 2 Way Glue Pen

Don't forget to check my sidebar for Blog Candy giveaways!

Happy Monday!

No pictures or cards this morning, sorry. Wayne and I got back yesterday from our overnight in Springfield, Illinois then we had the Superbowl to watch. So, nothing got made or downloaded. And now I have to rush off to the doctor for my annual check up. I will post later!

Have a great day!
Cindy

Happy Saturday!

Good Morning Everyone! No card today.....didn't get a chance yesterday to make anything and today we are heading out of town for overnight. We have Marriott rewards points and have a free night to stay at one of their hotels. So, we are going to Springfield, Illinois to check out all the Lincoln stuff. I think last year was his 200th anniversary of his birth. See you when I get back!

Check out my sidebar as I have added some Blog Candy posts. Have a super weekend friends!
Cindy

Sweet Niece Apology

Good Morning Friends! Chilly and damp here expecting 3-6" of snowy mix later today and overnight. So, good to stay indoors and craft....well, clean and do laundry first!

Back in January I was spending the week in Wisconsin (mentioned in a previous post) taking my sister-in-law's 3 of 4 children to their schools. They live in a rural community and SIL and BIL decided that their public school just weren't meeting the kids needs. So, they decided to send the two little ones to a Charter school and the older one to a different HS. It was a great decision because the kids are just learning by leaps and bounds!! But, it is a 50 mile round trip from their house to the schools and back home!

So, with kids in tow we had some pleasant chatty mornings! But, one of those mornings I got carried away with making up silly names. The middle girl got very upset.....which I learned later.....over the name I gave her. In fact, she made a big deal of it in front of other family members when she decided to reveal it. I just smiled and said "no problem, from now on I will only call you Courtney" (her real name). But, I did not apologize to her. She's 9 and I think having issues with self-esteem so maybe that is wrapped up in all of this as well. So, this went to her along with a Valentine's care package (Valentine theme Magic Pillowcases, cookies, candy, art supplies, etc.) to the whole family. Probably in 10 years she won't remember a thing...at least I hope so!!

I dug out this set which is so whimsical and child friendly. I used a bunch of older things that just need using up. Like those felt flowers and that green paper lacy trim. Thanks for looking!

Happy Crafting!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU All in the Family, Family Accessories, Fundamental Phrases
• Ink - Ranger Archival Black Ink, SU Basic Gray
• Paper - SU Whisper White, Pink Passion, Gable Green CS and Colorbok DP
• Accessories - SU Felt Flowers (retired), SU Rhinestone Brads, SU Orchid Grosgrain Ribbon (retired), Unknown Paper Trim, Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil and Blending Stumps

Tender Friends Hello

I have been buying a lot of retired SU stamp sets lately. Not that I do not like what is in the new catalogs, I do! I just happen to think that some of the older sets deserve a second look. For instance this one, Tender Toile. Love this bunny and floral image. It just reminds me of the art work done in the mid-19th century.

Having done a lot of research on floral and gardening during that time period, I guess I am just hooked on it. I wondered, still do, whether flowers were grown and brought inside like we do or not. My research has shown me that flowers were not high priority during that time period and the only flowers brought indoors might have been something wild. Then it would have been pressed or used in a "water" or similar useage.

Anyway, I suppose this curiosity is one of the reasons why I am taking college courses again.....and in Horticulture no less. I love what I have learned so far and this semester is proving to be quite interesting as well. Taking a course on Soils this semester....no it's not called dirt!

Hope you have a nice day tomorrow. Thanks for coming to look!
Cindy

• Stamps - SU Tender Toile, Great Impressions Sentiment
• Paper - SU Whisper White, Basic Black, Kraft and Cool Caribbean CS
• Ink - SU Whisper White, Ranger Archival Ink
• Accessories - M's Ribbon and SU Silver Cord, Stamp-ama- jig

Happy Groundhog's Day!

Good Morning Friends! I think this is one of the silliest yet, neatest traditions that we have in this country. Don't you? I watched the movie Groundhog's Day over the weekend...silly!

Well, over the month that I did not post anything, I helped family mostly. Wayne and I had Christmas Eve day at our house. Clark was brought over by staff, Mom and brother, Louis, sister, Lisa and her husband, John, were all over. We watched our traditional Christmas movies, ate a lot and opened gifts, of course. I think everyone had a great time!

We drove on Christmas Day to Wayne's folks in Wisconsin.....nice drive, very cold! It's always good to be with them and my In-Laws are always grateful when we come for a nice long visit. We stayed until January 2. During that time we attended a Packer's Football game. That was only the second time I attened a professional football game and second time to an outdoor stadium! It was very cold and windy! Had a super time!!

Also during that time my In-Laws asked us to help out with farm chores while they were gone to a convention for County Fairs in the Dells mid January. Of course, we said yes. Well, that meant we had to come back in less than a week. But, hey, that's what you do when it's family right?

The other thing that we were going to do was take my sister-in-laws kids to school and take Brenda, Wayne's sister, to therapy 3 times a week too. Remember she had brain surgery just before Thanksgiving for a bleed on her brain stem? Well, everything went very well it just left her with some left side paralysis. So, I did the driving of family and Wayne did the farm chores (including milking a goat). We did have a lot of fun. And we sure do miss them all when we have to leave!

About the card.....I just found this retired set and bought it. I had always wanted it just never got around to getting it when it was in the catalogs. So I played with the "new set". Not sure that this card really needs the paper clip and twine...what do you think?

Later today, after I run errands, I will post my Blog Candy. Have a great day!
Happy Crafting!!
Cindy

• Stamps - Noble Deer
• Ink - Black Staz On
• Paper - SU Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Whisper White CS and retired SU DSP
• Accessories - Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil, Blending Stumps, SU Key Tag Punch and Lg. Oval Punch, Paperclip, Hemp Twine, Creative Cafe' Rub-ons

Your Friendship Warms My Heart!

Hello Friends! My goodness it has been a long winters slumber to say the least! I had been very overwhelmed with life for so long. Feeling down and frustrated with things with Clark, my sister-in-law, the holidays and the end of my college course. That I just needed a breather. Thanks for being patient with me.

Clark is doing much better now. The special under the skin pump is working great and he says he feels much better now. We found out last week that the director of the agency that is building a new home for Clark and 3 other men got the states approval for the budget, the house plans got re-configured and the piece of property is getting closed on this week. I am sure that the building with start very soon! So that is the highlight for the New Year so far! It has to get better from here!!

Hey this card was something I have wanted to do for sometime. The background is called Serendipity. You just tear little pieces of paper and start glueing them down. when you are finished, after drying, you can stamp over the top and use a thin coat of Mod Podge if you want. Then after drying again you can use it on your cards or scrapbooking projects.

Thanks for looking and Happy Crafting!!
Cindy

• Stamps - Espress Yourself
• Paper - SU River Rock, Terra Cotta, Very Vanilla CS and miscellaneous DP scraps
• Ink - SU Close to Cocoa
• Accessories - Crocheted flower, Miscellaneous Trim, K & Co Ribbon, Dimensionals, Prismacolor Pencils, Baby Oil and Blending Stumps

PS Tomorrow I will post the information on my Blog Candy!!