Mindy's advent calendar

Hi all--I need to plug Mindy's blog so that you will go see her awesome advent calendar that she made. She is showing a page every day and I am so proud of her as each page is her own design. She is not like me who can't do anything without CASEing it. Mindy designed each page on her own and has hours of work in it. Please go check it out at http://craftersclubreadingpa.blogspot.com/ and leave her a comment. I know she would appreciate it. I am one proud mom!
Thanks for checking in.
I won blog candy for a tutorial on an ornament box from Andrea so as soon as I make it, I will post it. Looks like a very neat box.
Cheryl

Sorry for the absence

I am so sorry that I haven't posted. I really haven't been in the best of moods lately and have lacked creativity and the time to make anything. This has been a very difficult time for us as we lost my father-in-law in March, my stepfather in Sept. , my precious Abby in Oct, and now to top it off, my husband was one of the employees hit by the Nascar team layoffs. So here we are, 60 years old and living on unemployment. What a horrible year. I am trying so hard to use positive thinking and not feel sorry for myself. It is difficult. We will survive and be stronger for it, I am sure, but right now, it is hard.

So, with that being said, I will be working on my Christmas cards, some handmade gifts to give out and then will post the results on my blog. Please don't give up on me. I am so sorry that I haven't given you any eye candy in so long, but that will change. I am a fighter and usually a very optimistic and upbeat person.

I will be back.
Cheryl

Dreams du Jour-part 5

I have not had this much fun in a long time. This is the last card of the class and I wish it weren't over. I get such satisfaction from a completed card (even if it isn't perfect) and hope that whoever receives it gets as much. Mindy did a terrific job with the class and I am looking forward to many more. I wish more of you were in her area of Reading, PA and could take advantage of this. Maybe she will do a class by mail if anyone is interested. Contact me if you are interested in something like this. She would do an awesome job.
Thanks for looking in on me and following this creation. I had a ball.
Cheryl

Dreams du Jour-part4

Don't you just love the butterflies on this card? The one on the bottom corner is loaded with sparkle as it has dazzling diamonds on it. Who wouldn't love to get this card? What an awesome class.
Part 5 tomorrow.
Cheryl

Dreams du Jour-part 3

Here is the second card from the Dreams Du Jour class that Mindy taught. It uses the new scalloped square punch. I adore that Bella Rose DP. It is so pretty. Colored with the blender pen and classic inks.
Thanks for looking in--part 4 tomorrow.
Cheryl

Dreams du Jour-part 2

Here is the first card that I made. It is made with the new color Pink Piroutte and the Bella Rose DP. I love this. I think the chocolate chip just sets it off. the coloring is done with the classic inks and blender pen.
Tomorrow I will share the next card.
Thanks for looking in and thank you Mindy for such a great class.
Cheryl

Sorry

I made a mistake in posting part 5 now--it was scheduled to be posted on the 18th, but as you can see, it was done now. I am sorry but this way you got to see 2 of the cards today!!! I hope Blogger doesn't mess me up again. Thanks for understanding.
Cheryl

Dreams du Jour--part 1

Here is the closeup of the Dreams du Jour card holder box that I made in Mindy's class. I think it is very pretty. I will post individual photos of the cards in the next few days.
Thanks for looking in.
Cheryl

Camping at Banjo Creek

We spent the weekend at a campground not far from home and here is our site. It was a spectacular weekend and so relaxing. We enjoyed a campfire and dinner with friends and I even got time to actually clean the camper like I want. Here is Jerry waving to me from the front. I could just stay there longer. I love nature.
Thanks for reading.
Cheryl

Dreams du Jour

This is just a teaser to show you what I have been working on. Mindy has a class on making this box and cards with the Dreams du Jour stamp set from SU. Rather than show you the cards close up right now, I will show a few each day. This set is made from the new in colors and also the Bella Rose Designer paper (which I love!!). It has been such fun to make. So, I hope you will check back in to see the cards up close and personal!
Thanks for looking in on me.
Cheryl

Jerry's birthday

This was Jerry's big 60 birthday so I made him a card. Inside it says "You're not old, you're a classic!" I think he liked it. Now we are both 60 and that makes me happy. We had some friends in for dinner and had his favorite--boiled dinner with cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions, and smoked sausage, plus my friend made him a chocolate cake with white icing (which he requested) and peanut butter icing on half (which we girls wanted). It was a nice evening.
The stamps on this card were from Clear Dollar Stamps. They stamp so well and the price is right.
Thanks for looking in.
Cheryl

Nothing could be finer than to be in Carolina in the morning!!!!

Here is why I adore North Carolina. It just doesn't get any better than this. Our back yard this morning is just ablaze with color.
Thanks for looking in.
Cheryl

Counting my Blessings

I almost CASED this card directly from Debbie at Thinking Inking. I fell in love with her design and the colors are spectacular. I didn't have the exact colors she had so I substituted SU colors. She used all PTI cardstock. But I did have the stamp set First Fruits so could pretty much do it. I love how it turned out.
And I am counting my blessings as I got out Jerry's old camera and charged the battery and crossed my fingers and it worked!!!! So, I am back in business again. I still can't imagine how I lost my cute little camera but this is ok for now.
And today I feel better. I picked up Abby's ashes yesterday so it was a rough day for me, but today I feel that a veil of depression has been lifted and my mind is clear once more. It has been a rough time lately.
Thanks for checking in and I will be posting another card that I made for Jerry's birthday tomorrow. I think it is a cute one.
Thanks for checking in with me today. I am thankful.
Cheryl

I don't know what to title this post as I am just a mess!! Not only have I lost my precious dog Abby, but now I think I am losing my mind as well! I can not find my camera anywhere. I was ready to take a photo of a card I made today and couldn't find my camera. I have searched all afternoon. I can not imagine where it is. I am praying that it just turns up because what is a blog without a camera to take photos to post. With Jerry's lack of job security right now, I don't feel that I can just go out and buy a new camera so not sure what I am going to do. Anyhow, sorry I don't have photos for you. My card turned out pretty. I used First Fruits from Papertray ink. That is such a pretty set.
Hope to be back soon with photos.
Cheryl

Now some great news

Amongst all the sadness that I have had this week comes this very bright spot. Our son and his girlfriend got engaged and are planning a Dec. 27th wedding. We love our future DIL and can't be more thrilled. So, I got my head together and made this card for them to celebrate. Our son deserves happiness and I know they will have it together. Isn't it nice that when you are at a low point, that something happens to lift you up?

Thanks for reading.

Cheryl

Life goes on!

I thought if I waited a few days that I would be able to write this without tears in my eyes, but it just isn't happening. I had to have my precious Westie, Abby, put down on Wed. the 29th of Oct. It was by far the hardest thing I have had to do yet but I could see that she was beginning to be in pain and nothing could be done for her. The vet office met me with hugs and my sweet vet, Dr. Jones, was so compassionate. I feel so bad for others that have to do this, but as my vet said, "This is the most loving gesture that you have ever done for Abby." I take comfort in that. I will be receiving her ashes and they will stay with me. I miss her so much.
Thanks for reading.
Cheryl

Grandmothers for McCain

I have been following Susie at http://grandmothersformccain.blogspot.com/ and I really love what she says about John McCain. I have not been very vocal in the political arena but in this election, I am. Please go and check out Susie's blog and read what she has to say. It all makes perfect sense to me. Thank you Susie for voicing your opinions. And if you agree with Susie (or even if you don't) link back to her blog and you may win the book "My Dad, John McCain" which even if you aren't in favor for McCain, is a touching and sweet book.
Thanks for checking in.
Cheryl

Mary Anderson

I don't know how to find out but do any of you who read my blog have Mary Anderson's address? I really want to send her a card but can't find it anywhere and am just hoping that someone that reads mine, has it. Mary is such a precious person and got hurt and she needs to know that I am thinking about her. I hope someone can help me. Mary's blog "Its all about the journey" is amazing and I am really missing her.
Thanks so much and I will get back to posting some creations soon.
I have been away from home because my stepfather passed away unexpectedly so I have been in PA. Also I was at my daughters home helping her get ready for the open house to introduce folks to her Stampin' Up business. We had a ball creating cards and projects. What fun to craft with her. I would love it if you would check in on her blog at www.craftersclubreadingpa.blogspot.com Maybe you can see some of what we did!!! Also she is running a special on free shipping with a $75 order for the month of Oct. to hopefully jumpstart her business. That is a 10% savings which in these times is very helpful.
Thanks for checking in on me today and I am sorry to have been so absent.
Get well Mary if you are reading this.
Cheryl

A Little Pick up

Jerry and I have a camping friend who suffered a stroke about a month ago and needless to say, he is having a hard time staying "up", so I thought he could use a "little pick up." This SU set called Loads of Love is such a versatile set and I love everything about it. I used to have trouble masking and getting everything in the right place, but I am catching on. I hope this one never retires!
Thanks for checking in.
Cheryl

Another birthday card

Isn't this just the cutest card? Jen Young from Pieces of Me sent me this card as a part of JT's Birthday RAK club. I have toyed with buying this set, but there are other things that I buy and this gets put on the back burner. I sure do like it tho. Thank you Jen for helping to make my birthday special.
Thanks for checking in.
Cheryl

Hidden message slider card-boy edition

I thought our grandson could use a card to celebrate his first day of school and this is what I came up with. It is using a set from Inque boutique as well as the paper from that company. I love Inque Boutique stamps as their indexing makes them very easy to use and get good placement. this is a very cute card design and fun to make.
Thanks for checking in on me today.
Cheryl

Hidden message slider card

I made this cute card for my sister. The thinking of you message is hidden under the heart panel and you pull the tag on the right side to pull it out. It is made with the SU set Always. I CASED this from someone but can't remember who--if it is yours, let me know and I will give you credit. I should write these things down.
Thanks for checking in on me.
Cheryl

Butterfly Kisses

I cased this card from Sara Paschal. I stamped the butterfly twice--once on the cardstock and once on the vellum and I cut the velum out and layered it on top with a glue dot. I love the brown cardstock from SU. Of course I don't remember the name of it, but it is retired. I would love to buy some of the PTI cardstock with the butterflies on it.
Thanks for checking in on me today.
Cheryl

Our Daily Bread designs angel stamp

I won blog candy from Angie at www.quackingcreations.blogspot.com and it was this awesome angel stamp from Our Daily Bread. I stamped off one of the Lockhart Angel stamps under the sentiment. I am in love with angel stamps and can't have enough of them. This card is going to my sister who is recuperating from cervical surgery. I hope she likes it.
Thanks so much Angie for the wonderful blog candy.
Thanks for checking in on me today.
Cheryl

Paper quilted card

I have had such a good time making different cards with different techniques. I am actually quite adventurous even tho I never thought I was. I didn't finish this card off as I am not sure who I will send it to and what the occasion would be so the circle with the sentiment on it will go on the top circle. This was such a fun technique. I love the finished card and will make another one of these someday.
Thanks for checking in on me.
Cheryl

Stampin' Up website for Mindy

Mindy has already received her Stampin' Up website and has worked so hard at personalizing it. Please go check it out if you would. I would appreciate it very much. She is so excited and has so many ideas to make her club special and fun. The projects she has in mind to do will be unique and useful. I pray that this will be a success for her. Thank you all for your support of our daughter. Here is her link http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/craftersclubreading/mystory
Thanks for checking in on me today.
Cheryl

Try a new technique from Splitcoast

I can't remember what this technique is called but it used a piece of acetate, Lumiere, and reinkers. I only have a couple of reinkers and they are not SU, so I am not real happy with the color of this. I really wanted pink and it is lavender. I wish you could see the shine and also the embossing that I did with a cuttlebug folder. I think I will send this to my sister in law for her birthday. It is quite pretty in person even tho I don't care for the color.
Thanks for checking in.
Cheryl

Big Announcement

I am so happy for our daughter, Mindy. She has decided to come over to the "crafting" side of life and has joined Stampin' Up as a demo. She is very excited about hosting workshops in her home as well as having a club that meets monthly. That is how I got started in my stamping and it has really blessed my life. I told her that I would spread the word and I hope that those of you who read my blog will go visit her blog and wish her the best as well as if you are in Reading, PA or near to her or have an interest in a long-distance club, will consider joining her in her new venture. Thanks.
Here is the link to her blog. http://craftersclubreadingpa.blogspot.com/
Thanks for checking in and please tell Mindy that you heard about it from me!!!
Cheryl

Lunch money tin

Mindy had called and said that our grandson needed a way to keep his lunch money and bowling money while he was in school and had seen this altoid tin made into a little money tin. I said I would be more than happy to make one, so here is what I came up with. The stamp on the front is from Melanies stamp set "What's in your tin" that is available at Gina K designs. The little robot stamp is from Inque Boutique as well as the paper that I used. I couldn't figure out how to get the robot on the front and I didn't really have any "boy" stamps that would work, so here it is. Our grandson can print his name on it himself.
Thanks for checking in.
Cheryl

Corrected website

I made a mistake with Julies web address in the last post and wanted to make sure that I fixed it because her post is really worth looking at and seeing her pretty rose. It is certainly better than mine, but I am still happy with mine. Her website is www.paperpleasing.typepad.com and the link directly to the rose post is http://paperpleasing.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/07/anniversary-rose.html
Thank you Julie--sorry about the mistake.
Cheryl

Anniversary card

I needed to make an anniversary card for my parents and I had seen this beautiful paper rose on www.paperpleasingideas.typepad.com and fell in love with it. She had a great tutorial on how to do it and I followed it to a T so this is a complete CASE from Julie!! I really love how it turned out. I used Happy Anniversary from PTI, I think it was the papertrey set. I don't have many stamps for an anniversary.
Thanks for looking in on me today.
Cheryl

Camping at Willowtree Resort outside of Myrtle Beach

We spent the weekend at Willowtree Resort in Longs, SC which is just outside of Myrtle Beach, SC. This is our view from the rear of our camper. We had rented a site by the Lake and we had our own hot tub ( We didn't use but our son did). I do believe this is the nicest campground that we have ever been to. It was just about empty last weekend due to tropical storm Hanna coming thru but we were brave and stayed in the camper and as you can see, after the storm, it was well worth it as the weather was perfect.
This is what we love to do with our camper. We put the rear tail gate down and secure it as a deck. We decided to have dinner on the deck and here the dogs and I are waiting for Jerry to bring us our dinner. How perfect.
Here is our camper with Jerry stowing the jeep in the rear of it. It is always so sad to leave such a beautiful place. We do have 2 more trips to this campground planned. If you do RV, and you live within driving distance to this campground, I would have to highly recommend it.
Thanks for checking in on us.
Cheryl

Another faux silk

I made a couple different faux silk pieces and I really like this one the best. This is made from the stamp set "Roses in Winter" which is my all time favorite set and it is discontinued from SU. I am not sure that the green thanks punch piece goes with it, but all in all, I love this card. Thanks for checking in on me today.
Cheryl

Faux silk

I had to make a couple thank you cards for my birthday gifts and thought I would try a new technique so faux silk it was. I had this Serene Sunflower stamp set for the longest time and it had never seen ink, so it was time to use it as well as the punch box. I glittered the faux silk piece up for a little bling and off it went to my sister!!

Some personal stuff--our camper sits at Myrtle Beach waiting for us to arrive tonite so that we can go see Kenny Rogers at the Alabama Theater but it looks to me that Hanna is going to arrive and spoil our fun. I am not sure exactly what we will do but we may just pull the camper home tomorrow. I hate that we are wasting one of my husband's precious vacation days but it can't be helped. Please pray for our safety. Thanks.
Thank you for checking in on me.
Cheryl

Birthday cupcake

I saw this on a blog with instructions and just had to make it. If you like it to, go to http://inspirationaltechniquesandtutorials.blogspot.com/2008/08/cupcakes-yum.html
and have a go at it. It was such fun to make and I love the finished card. The problem is that it is too big for any envelopes that I have. I did read on a blog how someone made it smaller and I just can't find where I saved it. If you know who did it, please let me know. My thanks to Valita for this idea. (Don't you just love her name?) I have no idea who will get this card, but it is one of my favorites.
Thanks for checking in on me today. Finally had something to share that I made.
Cheryl

An old award

I got this award quite awhile ago from Jana at www.2worldswing.blogspot.com and didn't know how to do a link for this. Finally Wanda told me how to do it and it is easy so here is the award. I am very proud that Jana awarded me this as she is so talented and such a sweet person. And the best news of all is that she is going to have a baby!! So, stop by her blog and congratulate her, ok? Thanks giving me this award Jana. I appreciate it.

Cheryl

An award

I have been awarded an award by Wanda at My Creative Corner http://www.starlightstamper.com/ (maybe that was the old name of her blog) but go check her out if you aren't a groupy already. She does fantastic work and always has some neat project or tutorial. Thank you Wanda for giving me this award. I am honored that someone as famous as you has visited my little blog.

As for awarding others, I think I am one of the last to get this, but if you are reading my blog, then consider yourself awarded. I appreciate that you are here to read my words.

Thank you Wanda.

Cheryl

My sweet Abby

I know you are bored with my blog but I really wanted to introduce you to Abby, our 14 year old Westie. Abby has been quite sick this summer and I have been so frightened that we were going to have to put her down several times. Right now she seems to be holding her own. She is so sweet and I love her dearly. I have had a very hard time with her being sick. I don't know how I ever raised children.
This is Abby's favorite place to be--up high on the back of the sofa. She can't get up there by herself any longer, so I help her and she is happy on her perch.
I will take some photos of our little Gracie, shih-tzu/poodle mix who will be 3 next month. I thank God I have her. I love my doggies.
Thanks for checking in on me.
I promise, I will post some of the cards I have made. I love some of them for a change!!
Cheryl

I can't believe I'm 60!!

My bestest friend Cindy gave me these cupcakes and the candle for my birthday. The card is a riot. It is one of those ones that play songs and it is "Let the Sun Shine." She is so thoughtful.
I guess people like to rub it in when you turn 60 because my best friend from nursing school sent me a card with a big 6-0 on it and then this precious little angel. No one wants me to forget that I am 60 I guess. My body won't let me forget.
Thanks to you all, my friends.
Cheryl

I am so blessed

I just have to show you more of the great birthday cards that I received and give credit to these awesome stampers. The first card was made by Debbie Riches and it is such a happy, feel good card. I love the little bird. Thank you Debbie for putting a smile on my face.
I am a member of Splitcoaststampers Wish RAK group and this card came to me from Renae Crosby (luvtoembellish is her splitcoast name) and it just beautiful. It looks like she may have used rub on's on this card--I have never been brave enough to do that, but she has it down to a science. Thank you Renae. I appreciate being remembered.
Another Wish RAK friend, Judy (pianolady1026) sent me these goodies. The card is adorable and then she sent me a cuttlebugged piece of cardstock with the new pumpkin design. And to top it off, she sent a stamp set that would match this piece of cardstock with pumpkins. Can you see it? Awesome is all I can say. Thank you Judy. That was so sweet of you. I love the coloring on the card.
And then what can I say about my friend,Sara Paschal? Just look at this stunning card. It is drop dead gorgeous. Sara is spoiling me all the time. She even enclosed some word window punched phrases. Thank you sweet Sara.

I am going to make another post with some of the cute gifts that I received. Hope I haven't bored you too much, but I really wanted to show these great cards and maybe you will even get an idea from them.
Thanks for looking in.
Cheryl

More birthday cards

I feel so blessed to have gotten some very nice birthday cards--this one is from Angelina Lilavois (AAA's MOM is her splitcoast name) and her blog is www.angiesaspiringart.blogspot.com. I adore the colors she used. It is so fresh and happy. Thank you Angie.
Isn't this the prettiest card with the cuttlebugged background and the pretty flowers on it? I love it. This came from Mindy Young and is a Bloggers RAK card. Thank you so much Mindy.

I have some more cards to post but don't want to do too much in one day cause then it will be months before I post anything again--you know me!!! LOL

Thanks again for looking in.

Cheryl

Fresh Cuts

I needed to make an anniversary card for my dad and his wife and had never used the Fresh Cut note card and stamps from SU, so thought this would be a good chance. It seems to me that there are lots of ways to use this set with these cards. I love the soft colors. Can't remember what ink I used but it may be bordering blue. I hope they like it.
Thanks for looking in.
Cheryl

Masculine cards

We have a neighbor that we are very proud of. He got laid off from his job and decided he would get his GED so that he could better himself. His self confidence was very low and he didn't think he would ever be able to get through the classes. He persevered and after 2 months, he passed all of his tests. I am so very, very proud of this man. He graduates on Sept 2nd at the local community college and we plan to be there applauding him. He deserved a card make just for him to celebrate and this is what I came up with. It is the set "Take Pride" from TAC and the paper is from Creative Memories and SU. I am happy with the way it turned out.
While I had these papers out that appeared to be manish (!) I decided to make my dad a card as his birthday is Sept 17th. There just aren't many stamps that work for a man, but I had this "Ship Collage" stamp from TAC and the HB stamp from TAC(Free with $30, but is no longer available) and thought it would work perfectly. What you can't see is that I stamped it with Stazon black and then sprayed it pretty generously with silver glitzy mist that I had bought at a stamp show quite a while ago and never used. I was so impressed with Sara Paschal's use of her glittery mist that she made up and used that I thought I would try it. I think the ink would run if I used water based ink tho. Did I do right in using Stazon with this?
Sorry I haven't updated in so long. I really haven't felt all that great. I am having problems with the left side of my back (my right side that was operated on is wonderful) and can't bend and stand that good right now. I have an epidural injection scheduled for Wed. the 27th (what a birthday present!!!). Maybe I will have some relief and can be more prolific.

Thanks for checking in on me. I will say that I am keeping up with every one elses blogs tho.
Cheryl

Finally

Look at this pretty thank you card that our daughter sent us!!! I had to ask her where she bought such a pretty flower and she said that she made it. WOW!! While we were in Williamsburg, VA, she bought this Klutz book on cardmaking and it seems that the instructions to make this flower was in it. She did a fantastic job. This is the girl who I never expected would be interested in any type of craft project. She went to a yard sale and bought tons of stamping supplies and a sizzix machine, so sounds like she is hooked!
I love, love, love this card. It is from Jen's birthday RAK club and came to me all the way from Australia from Jane (www.scossiejane.blogspot.com). I checked out her blog and she sure makes some pretty projects. This card is so awesome. By the way, if you know how she did this pretty tag that says warm wishes, please let me know. It is so elegant. If you are reading this Jane, thank you so very much for sending me this card from so far away.
I will be back with some of my creations. I have made several cards lately--all of the cased, but I am happy with them nonetheless.
Cheryl

Camping in the NC mountains

This post is really more of a test as it has nothing to do with stamping. We just returned from a 5 day trip to the NC moutains and I wanted to show you a photo of our camper and the jeep that we haul in it. We stayed at Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge and Campground in Stehoah, NC and we were the only ones there without a bike! You would expect it would be a noisy and rowdy place but it was so peaceful and quiet with the friendliest people. I would say that if we spent any more time there that we would have wanted a motorcycle! We had the best prime rib dinner on Sat. night that they serve right there at the campground. We had no tv so really got out of touch. It was a very relaxing vacation. Jerry said that we put about 600 miles on the jeep driving the beautiful, curvy mountain roads. I will post some pretty pix of the scenery there.

And for eye candy!! LOL. Here I am, in all my chubby glory, standing at the visitor center at the Fontana Dam. The photo just doesn't show the glorious scenery. If anyone could possibly doubt the existence of God, all they need to do is visit this area and be amazed.

I will post more later. I need to get the house organized.

Cheryl