No Gustav!

Yep, no stamping for me...we're just trying to keep a good outlook on things here and of course, prepare for evacuation, if necessary. Katrina's anniversary is Friday and it is way too ironic that we're going through this again right now. I have faith that God's going to take control. Say a prayer for all of us here in New Orleans and South Louisiana...I'll post later when things calm down.

Inque Boutique Action...

Finally, finally, my new Silhouette Inque Boutique stamps have seen the light of day...and ink! I have had this set for a while now and made myself use them when I was playing around over the weekend. I started out with a rectangle on my nestabilities and then kept the frame on it to keep my 'border'. I stamped different colors of the Silhouettes set to match my Autumn Leaves Foof-a-la paper. I backed the image with a scalloped border of CTMH Blush. I used CTMH garden green organdy ribbon and added three clear dew drops to the bottom of the card (you can't see them too well on the small image but if you double click and blow it up, they're there!). Not sure I like the dew drops, but the card is pretty cute! I added a sentiment from my go-to Papertrey Faux Ribbon set. LOVE those sentiments, obviously!

You will be so proud of me--I sent out cards to over five people last week! Anyone that knows me will tell you I'm horrible at actually sending cards! But, I did it...it was heavy on my heart to tell those around me how much I cared about them and so I just did it! Go me, go me...can you hear me cheering myself on?! I challenge YOU to send out cards too--anyone else have the same problem that I do?

Friendship Cards

I made a couple of friendship cards with a new stamp I got a Hobby Lobby (brand is Stampabilities). I loved the quote and knew it would be a go to for alot of my generic friend cards.

I started off with some Autumn Leaves patterned paper my friend Robin gave me--yes, Robin, again! She really hooked me up for my birthday with some fabulous stuff, including tons of Olympics stuff! She is sooo good to me!
Anyway, the cards are pretty self explanatory. I used my nestabilities on both of them, including embossing my sentiment. It makes the card look so crisp I think when you do that. I added buttons to the bottom which really give it that last touch. So cute! On the one card I used my ticket corner punch for a little decorative touch to the corners. I used CTMH cocoa organdy ribbon on both.

How's everyone's week going? I am hoping to be sticking to my goal of going to the gym. I want to go every week day and I'm hoping that happens. I want nothing less than 4 times per week. I will be very upset with myself it it doesn't happen! If Michael Phelps can train every single day (including weekends and holidays) for over 5 years then I can force myself to do 45 minutes of cardio a day, right?!?! lol

Sketch Challenge

I know many people, including myself, missed Beate during the summer. I hope she had a good relaxing time--I know how it goes to need a break sometimes! I have never had a blog to participate in her sketch challenge before, but now I do, so here goes! For her Sketch Challenge #54, I started out with some fun paper from Foof-a-La (Autumn Leaves). My friend Robin gave me this great pack of papers and I took my inspiration from there! (Are you lovin' it, Robin?!?!)

It's pretty self explanatory and copies the sketch to the 't'! I used a sentiment from a CTMH stamp of the month set, D1187 For Every Occasion. I matted the sentiment with Blush cardstock and used my Fiskars punch to add a little bit of wow. I went with the pearls for a shabby chic look to match the paper. What do you think? I think I like it...the pearls are a lot, but I think it looks good.

I'm so SAD the Olympics end tonight...I wanted to get this post up so I could go check out the closing ceremonies. I guess you'll be back to seeing a lot of me since my Olympics break is over! Just to update you, Fay didn't really affect us too much so far. It's been REAL windy and rainy all day, but nothing too bad. We'll see how it goes overnight. I live on the water, so it's already windy and it's been like a Nascar wind tunnel through our buildings today! :)

Monogrammed Birthday Ensemble

One of my closest friends, and roommate from LSU's birthday was this past week. I wanted to get her something, but decided the best gift would be if I made her something. She likes all the things I make and appreciates them, which, as I'm sure most of you know, isn't always the case.

I started out with three sheets of coordinating paper from Hobby Lobby. I rarely buy 'cheap' patterned paper, but this sort of spoke to me and I'm glad I did! I'm not trying to be snobby, I just like a heavier paper and sometimes I get frustrated at the flimsiness of the cheap stuff.

Anyway, I knew I wanted to use my Papertrey Trojan monogram set, with the Borders and Corners set. It makes the cutest little scallop monograms that are perfect for notecards. I just used a standard cardstock base and then added a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of the patterned paper. I made a 1" strip of coordinating cardstock to 'ground' my scalloped monogram and then put the monogram in the center. I added a couple of brads to each side and it was the perfect finishing touch! Sarah isn't really bling bling, so this was great for her.

I added in a coordinating checkbook cover, notepad and pen, and card, which are all pretty self explanatory. I used my Papertrey Piece of Cake stamp set for the card. If you have questions, let me know...What do you think? I am thinking of making these sets for my family and friends for Christmas. I know they're pretty 'old' business in the paper craft community, but I really think everyone will like them. If you're a friend or relative reading this, pretend you didn't read this and be real surprised if I give it to you for Christmas, k? lol

Anyone have big plans for the weekend? We're on the Fay lookout this weekend, so I know it'll be pretty soggy here and hopefully, not too much flooding. Poor New Orleans gets a big thunderstorm and we're still flooded in the streets. Yuck! Hope all of you are high and dry...and cool!

I'm back...sort of!

My cousin was in town visiting for a while before she starts her first semester at LSU! We had a great time hanging out--of course, watching the Olympics and catching up on all of our favorite Bravo shows (any other Project Runway, Flipping Out and Shear Genius junkies out there?!) I am an LSU alumni, so needless to say, I'm excited for her and all the good things the new year is going to bring her.

I wanted to send her a special card to let her know I was thinking about her and missing her, of course! I started with some fab Amy Butler paper from Michael's. I love the mat packs of this paper--it's perfect for card makers. I used my Lockhart pencils stamp, that yes, Michelle sold me on! I colored it with some copics and added a little liquid glass (CTMH) to the bowl to give it a little pizazz! I used my Marvy scallop punch and added some Stickles dots to the scallops for some bling. Gotta have that! I used a piece of velvet ribbon I found on those wooden spools from Michael's and voila! I think she'll like it...I hope she does at least. Oh, and the sentiment at the bottom is from the Faux Ribbon Papertrey set. Here's a close up of the image.

Well, I'm sad--the Olympics are almost over, but, hey, I have thoroughly enjoyed myself. I think it was a well deserved couple of weeks 'off'! Sorry the pictures are funky--my camera is acting funny. Hopefully a new batter will do the trick and I'll have some better pics for you in future posts.

Oldie but goodie...Bella!

Well, I confess, this isn't a card I just made, but it is one that I thought came out too cute. So I figured since I am still on my Olympics stamping hiatus, I'd share!

I used my Cosmobella stamp and focused mainly on my fun patterned paper--don't know the manufacturer. I started by matching it with some Hollyhock, Chocolate and Sweet Leaf cardstock. I stamped the cutie 'Bella and then knew I wanted to use the $1 sentiment that I had picked up at Michael's. I couldn't find a good place to put the sentiment, so in the end, this is how it turned out! I like the end result...lots of sparkle, bling and I especially liked the layered Prima flowers with the rhinestone brad in the center. I gave this card to my roommate from college after she FINALLY got a degree...um, only five years after I got mine! lol

Whew, I just watched the end of the beach volleyball match and Ithe US men were making me a little nervous! I'm happy they pulled it out--3 and 0! Tonight's going to be a good time--girls individual gymnastics and of course, the one and only Michael Phelps going for another gold. I am super stoked! :)