Poor Charlie

As I previously mentioned, I had a lazy weekend last week. Well, I was not the only one: Charlie, our dog like cat, took a long nap in the dryer of all places. I guess he liked the warmth of it once I took out the clothes. He didn't like being disturbed.

Cheap Talk

I have been having a lazy weekend but finally worked my way over to my card station. I had to case this card I saw on splitcoast: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1291075?si=cheap%20talk. I thought it was simple yet had a punch to it.

I am very excited to show off my new "card" holder. I saw this pattern on Anna Marie Horner's website and sent it to my very crafty aunt, and what do you know, she made me one!!! It was the best surprise I have had in a long time. She's so talented.

You can get the instructions for making one of your own on Anna Marie's website: http://annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2008/11/take-comfort-give-comfort.html

By the way, if anyone wants to take an enormous amount of time out of their life to teach me how to sew, I am ready, willing and not so able to learn :)

A Little Something!

I made this card for my good friend who just got back the land down under visiting her brother. She's making him a care package so I was happy to throw in a card for her to send with it! I never thought I would get used to the rub ons but they are absolutely addicting.

Hey Cupcake

I totally cased this card from my upline, Elizabeth Johnston who cased it from Nancy @ http://stampinat6213.blogspot.com/search/label/HAND%20DRAWN%20BUNDLE

At first I was not sure about these little rub ons from the Handrawn Bundle and the Handrawn DSP but Elizabeth and Nancy sure did. Carpe Diem! You can see Elizabeth's card here. http://stampingonthelakefront.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html

The recipe is as follow:

RECIPE Images: Loop to Loop Rub-Ons from Hand Drawn Bundle Paper: Hand Drawn DP, Baja Breeze, Riding Hood Red, Kiwi Kiss, and Whisper White CS Embellishments: Sorry guys, this ribbon is a Target ribbon! Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercing Tool and Stampin' Dimensionals;

I also don't have the Mat Pack template - it could be a great Christmas gift (in case you are reading this...)

For the Guys & Chicago News

This is a simple little retro card to say thanks to my brother. If I have not said it before, I love the Big Shot!!!

On another note, I heard some bad news today- US Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, will no longer be selling the best hot dogs ever, BEST KOSHER. Now, I don't know all the details of the "deal" that made this change, but as a White Sox fan who must have a Best Kosher at every game, I am somewhat miffed as to why the big guys did not give me advance warning of this change - like maybe last year so I could have had one last ceremonial Best Kosher topped with mustard & ketchup (I am from the South, we eat ketchup on hotdogs. Per hubby, this is a mortal sin, but I am taking my chances). Just for the record, Best Kosher will be replaced by Vienna Beef. See Sun Times article : http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/food/1475076,CST-NWS-hotdog13.article

Lastly, the iconic Chicago Sears Tower is getting a name change. Some European investment firm has received the naming rights. New name: Willis Tower. "Now, come on, watchu' talkin' about Willis" has become the most overused saying here in the City since this annoucement took place yesterday. I am not sure Chicagoans are going to adjust to this anytime soon. We'll see.

You're a Hoot

I love this little owl. He's so adorable. I knew I wanted to use Pacific Point cardstock tonight and I was determined to use this owl. I think he turned out quite cute. I have a friend that tells me what a "hoot" I am, but she's a hoot herself. I think this card is for her :) I even took my gel pen and wrote inside "you're a hoot." Enjoy.

So after staring at the Big Shot and all of my new SU Products for quite some time tonight, I finally attempted to make a card. I have to confess that it was quite hard to be creative since it was kind of like Christmas morning where you get so much new stuff that you have no idea what to start with first. Here's a look at my loot and my first Big Shoot card using the Top Note and Birds in Bloom dies. Can you tell that I am so ready for spring?

First things first, I have found the pocket card that I mentioned in the below post. Isn't it cute? The white gel pen is such a cheap, versatile and EASY tool to have on hand!!

IT'S HERE

Wow, the Big Shot has finally arrived. More to come, but I think this will be a bit overwhelming :) More to follow.....

Pocket Card

Here is a pocket card I made not too long ago. I was first introduced to the pocket card at my very first (and only) Stampin' Up party I hosted. My demonstrator, who recently moved back to California, Stephanie Leider, showed all the ladies how to make to this cute little card. I was looking for the card she helped everyone make but have been unsuccessful in finding it, but for the record, I know its here somewhere and I am on a mission to find it.

I am not sure where I found the "recipe" for this pocket card the second time around but I did find a link to a tutorial. I hope everyone can enjoy making this fun & easy card. http://www.stampingwithlori.com/Tips_Pages/Pocket.htm Also, of note, per UPS, my new SU order is expected to ship tomorrow. I cannot wait!

Gratitude in many ways

I recently met up with a long lost relative on Facebook and we have been emailing back and forth catching up on lost time. Well her and her family sent me a really nice gift and I was trying to come up with a set of cards for her to use as a little "thank you" for the thoughtfulness. I made a set of these, two of each card. After pondering what else I could send as a sign of gratitude, I have finally settled on a great gift - I am shipping them Deep Dish Pizza from Lou Malnati's. I just hope they enjoy it as much as Andy (the hubby) and I do.

Cleaning House

Since I recently became a Stampin' Up Demonstrator, I am trying to clean out my stampin' closet to get rid of some old, non SU, paper/ribbon that I rarely use anymore. (Also, I need to make room for the huge order I have coming in next week, but, shhhh...don't tell my husband).

Anyway, I was snooping around various blogs last night and saw this very sassy Criss Cross card on Mary's Stampinpretty.com Blog. She used her criss cross card as recipe card holder (which is a great idea). The creator behind this neat little card is Beate Johns. You can find the tutorial here: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/resources/tutorials/criss_cross_card/ I must say that I am not a stamper who measures. I cut and cut until I find the "right" size. I usually shy away from anything that involves measured precision. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy this was to make.

Biting the Bullet

So I am finally biting the bullet and starting my own blog. Really, I want to show off all of the cards a make. I have been looking at so many other people's blogs and seeing their wonderful card-making abilities that I thought I should have my own blog as well. I am so inspired by all of the Stampin' Up Demonstrators out there. I recently became a SU demonstrator and I am very excited about all the new items there are these days!!!

I will try to keep my blog dedicated to card making but I must confess, I get very passionate about things sometimes, especially everything that is going on in the world today. I will try to keep my rants to a minimum, if any, (smile). I am a bit nervous about putting myself out here for the world to see but here I go.