rainbowkreations

SAB "Hello"

2012-01-25T13:42:00.002-04:00

Hi Stampers!
Sale-A-Bration started yesterday! Today I have a card to share that uses lots of SAB "stuff"! Don't you just love it? :)
I needed a card today for a friend - to say a big thank you for letting her cake holder sit at my house for the past 2 months! Go Figure! I have seen her many times and have forgotten to return this to her! It will happen today! She brought it to us with a chocolate cake in it - I'm returning it to her with some cards in it! :)

The base CS is Pool Party ... not one of my fav colors (just b/c I like bold and bright colors!) but it works so well with this SAB DSP Everyday Enchantment! Gotta Loooooovvvvveeee this paper!
I made a "bow" using SAB ribbon from the Ribbon and Brad pack.... the ribbon is very thin - I saw this "bow" online the other day! The stamp set used is called Elementary Elegance - also a SAB item.

Two other little stamps in this set are the butterfly and the bird ... so I used them inside the card.

Now to put a packet of cards together for her and make my delivery!
Thanks for peeking in today!
Have a good one!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Olive, Eggplant, Plum, Wisteria ....

2012-01-20T10:09:00.001-04:00

Good Morning Stampers!
Old Man Winter finally decided to pay us a visit... I hope he doesn't stay around for too long! :)

As I was surfing around the stamper blogs I saw a card made with the grid technique ... but it was done differently than any I had ever done with this tech so I decided to give it a try. I'm not 100% liking the final product - only b/c the grid lines aren't distinct enough for me. See what you think....

I had no eggplant ribbon in my stash so had to create my own by inking up the white organza. I think all the stamps I used are retired stamps.... go figure!
Anyway - hope you enjoyed your peek today!
Stay warm and safe!
Hugs!!!
Ruthie

R U tired of the Blossom yet?

2012-01-17T10:37:00.001-04:00

Hey everyone!
Joy to you this morning!
Are you tired of seeing cards made with this new Mixed Bunch set and Blossom punch? I sure hope not cuz I have at least 2 more for you! LOL! Maybe I'll save one for a while - I have been working on some "other stuff" too...

Here is a thank you card ..... I'm just lovin' all the layers! :)
The brad in the center of the blossom is from a Sale-a-Bration item.... ribbon and brads! You're going to love SAB this year!

This is the inside of the card.....

Hopefully tomorrow I will have a post using another new set from the Mini! Stay tuned. Thanks so much for visiting!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Iridescent Embossing!

2012-01-13T08:56:00.001-04:00

Good Morning!
I hope you weathered the storm well! I was soooooo glad I was home and tucked in nice and warm with no reason to step outside! :) The delivery guy did arrive in the early afternoon so I have more new stuff to play with ... I'll show you what I've done with it over the next few days!

Here is a flower - stamped with VersaMark on Soft Suede CS, embossed with Iridescent Ice embossing powder and then punched out with the Blossom punch! Isn't this so pretty? I rarely use this embossing powder - don't know why that is! I'm lovin' it! And - I placed some pearls in the center of the flower.

Here is the card I made using this beautiful flower!

Have a wonderful day! I'll see you soon!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Masculine "love you" ???

2012-01-11T11:46:00.001-04:00

Hey!
Greetings on this beautiful day! I had a busy day yesterday - was out last night til around 11:30 p.m. - the sky was gorgeous with the full moon and stars! Oh my! The wonders of nature!

On to todays post - The ??? in the title are there because I was going for a masculine card - for my hubby - but somehow don't think I quite made it. What do you think? Would love to hear some comments on this one!

Again, I apologize for the lighting!
Have a wonderful day! Keep smiling and be happy!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Butterfly Thank You

2012-01-07T19:32:00.003-04:00

Hi there!
Did you enjoy the "spring" day we had today? Goodness - I even had the window open in my craft room! I was a busy gal today! Such fun!!! :)

Here is a card I made today using the Mixed Bunch set ... another butterfly with one of the blossoms and an antique brad. I saw this done by Mary Fish at Stampin` Pretty... I embossed the blossom with Tangerine Tango embossing powder, then cut it to form the butterfly... used my bone folder to give a slight curl to the `wings`.

Here is the inside...

I`m not too crazy with the color of these photos - (Tangerine Tango and Old Olive). I took my pictures in a different spot today ... ummmm. Guess I need to go back to the other spot...
See you next week!
HUGS -
Ruthie

Is it too early for a "LOVE" card????

2012-01-05T09:53:00.002-04:00

I hope it isn't too early - cuz - that's what I have today! A LOVE card using the Mixed Bunch again! Gotta say ... this is a great set! :)

Here is the card.... pretty basic; the sentiment is from the "I (Love) Love" wheel; the leaves are punched out with the large oval punch then shaped with scissors, scored, and inked.

A close-up of the flower from the stamp set and using the Blossom punch; as well as the triple doily punch...

I took two pieces of Organza ribbon - one a little shorter than the other - and held them together with an anitque brad; adhered to card with a glue dot.

A close-up of the inside... using the flower stamp to make the border and then sponged with Old Olive ink.

Thanks for peeking in today!!!!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Embossing, Punches, and more...

2012-01-03T09:58:00.001-04:00

Hi Everyone!
I'm having trouble getting started here so I am just going to dive right in! LOL! These 2 cards are thank you cards I made last week. Hope you enjoy....

For the background of both cards I stamped one of the images from "Four Frames" on some neutral CS; cut a piece the size I wanted and then dry embossed it. For this first card I used Black and White as my colors. I used 3 punches for the flower - Blossom, Doily Triple Layer, Boho Blossoms ... layered with dimensionals and placed a pearl in the center.... simple yet pretty!

Here is the inside - a place for me to write a personal note ...

This card is very similar to the first except the colors are Vanilla and Soft Suede (don't yah love that soft suede???); the ribbon is retired (SS with polka dots - I turned it over so the dots don't show).

Here is a close up of the flower....

Have a great day! Enjoy the sunshine or the snow - whichever wins out! LOL!

Flowers - and more...

2012-01-01T17:50:00.004-04:00

HEY!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well I had some fun in my craft room over the past few days. As I was surfing some card sites I learned how to make some paper flowers. This first one was made using 8 punched out pieces of DSP. I used the "Fancy Flower" punch. Take each piece and scrunch it together - this breaks down the fibers and makes it more pliable. Then "un-scrunch" and layer on top of each other - alternating the design; poke a hole in the center and use a brad to hold all 8 pieces together. Then - starting with the top layer and working layer by layer- scrunch each layer together again. The end result is a "fat flower" such as you see here. You would have difficulty putting a card with this flower on it into an envelope but you could add it to a gift or on top of a box or...... :0

This next flower was made by using black ink and stamping a blossom from the Mixed Bunch set (Occasions Mini) - onto Marina Mist CS. I then punched out these flowers using the Blossom punch from the Mini - then wet them til quite damp and scrunched each one together; laid them out to dry leaving them somewhat scrunched together. Once almost dry I poked a hole in the center and held them together with a brad - and adjusted the petals to my liking. Once the flower was dry I spritzed it with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch. See the "glittery look"? I then placed a pearl in the center with a glue dot.

This third flower is just like the second one except it is stamped with Marina Mist ink on the Marina Mist CS; then spritzed and a pearl added to the center.

Here is the card I made using the third flower - a simple thank you card.

I appreciate each and every one of you and thank you for stopping by today ...

I hope you enjoyed your peek and that you'll try your hand at flower making!

May your 2012 be filled with peace and joy and love!

Blessings and HUGS!

Ruthie

Mixed Bunch Butterfly

2011-12-29T15:50:00.001-04:00

Hey!
Have you recovered from all the Christmas activity? We had busy days here and then we travelled a couple of days to visit with family... took me til today to feel rested again. I have a card to show you today that is a sneak peek at a stamp set from the Occasions Mini that comes out as of January 4, 2012... and some DSP and ribbon from the Sale-A-Bration event which starts January 24th...

I used Poppy Parade as the main CS - love this color!

The butterfly is made by cutting one of the flowers in the stamp set into a butterfly shape... there is a card done similar to this in the Mini... I had to try it and quite like the result! I cut a shape from DSP to put behind the stamped image - and I curled the wings of the stamed image.

Here is the card ... Going to use this as a birthday card ... the sentiment comes from the set "Friendly Phrases" found in the '11-'12 IB&C

This is the inside - where I will write a personal note.

Thanks for visiting with me thru 2011 ...

Stay safe this New Year's Eve -

I'll see you in the New Year!

Blessings and HUGS!

Ruthie

Cor's Card!

2011-12-23T10:49:00.002-04:00

Good Morning!
Well! "What a difference a day makes" - were those words in a song or what???? Anyway they sure hold true today! The temp is at 0 C and it is snowing! Here is the proof of that!

But you didn't come here for a weather forecast!
Here is the card we received this year from Coralie - one of my downline.... she does great work. Love the stocking builder punch used to make these stockings! This punch will not be returning in the catalogue next year so if you want one you better order before the end of December - after that it will be gone!
Love this card ... I apologize for the photography - this picture does not do the card justice! :)

Have a Very Merry Christmas.... see you sometime after the big day!
Remember the "reason for the season" and may HE be at the center of your celebrations this year!
HUGS!
Ruthie

10 days later....

2011-12-22T08:40:00.003-04:00

Hey!
Can you believe this? The temp is 9 degrees C at the moment! We have been so spoiled - it is great for travelling: I spent a few days at my daughters; then she and Madi-Joy were here last weekend; today hubby and I are are on the road making deliveries of his Christmas turkeys; and hopefully we will return to daughters on Boxing Day. Maybe by now you have figured out the reason for me not posting for 10 days! :)

I am "Christmas Card making" depleted! Have been for a while... we began a Christmas Card Club at the end of August so by December I had had my fill! Yesterday I cleaned my craft room and put all the Christmas stuff away for another year and hauled out my NEW stuff... of course I began "playing" - How could I not? BUT - I have nothing to show you today. I definitely will return before the end of the year with some sneak peeks at the Mini and SAB items I have.

In the mean time here are a couple pics I took on the 13th of December ... the poor flowers and such don't know whether they should be resting for winter or getting ready to sprout! This weather can't be good for them!

Here is a Lily peeking thru the ground...

This one is looking down on a bunch of daffodils that give me great pleasure in the springtime! Can you see them?

And here is the Japanese Guinz shrub - not a leaf on it... beginning to bud!

Gotta run! Have a great day!
HUGS!!!!!

SnowBuddy Doodles

2011-12-12T09:41:00.001-04:00

Good Morning!
Can you believe this weather? Sure is great for travelling... I just went to the city and back this past weekend .... no worry about snow and such! Got to love that!!! :)
I have a couple SNOWBUDDY doodles to show you ... don't have the cards put together yet! :) I really need to buckle down this week and get my cards finished!

And - here is a DASHER doodle... I'm not real happy with this one - may be a little "too busy" for my liking!

Thanks for stopping by today! It is an amazing 6 degrees out there at 9:30 - have some places to go so I must get a move on! Have a great day!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Coral And Navy Christmas

2011-12-08T10:46:00.001-04:00

Good Morning!
Whoa! Is it ever windy out there!!!!! I'm some glad it isn't snowing!
I have a Christmas Card to show you today ... the colors are not the norm for Christmas but it works for me!
I used the retired slot punch to create slots for the ribbon to slide thru; used mica flakes at the base of the tree and glitter on the tree.

I have not made anymore Christmas cards (yet) - but I have been doodling and such.... so stay tuned ... I'm thinking that maybe we need to postpone Christmas by about one week so I can catch up! Being sick for a week or so put me behind! :(
oh well! It is what it is! Thanks for stopping by today - may today be a joyful one!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Snow Buddy - again!

2011-12-02T10:01:00.003-04:00

Hey!
Are you getting tired of seeing these "snowbuddy" guys yet? Not me! They are soooooo darn cute!
Making this a quick post as I am going out soon - the first time in 6 days! Still coughing like crazy but do feel some better.... that is a plus!

Don't yah love this guys yellow boots! :)

here is the inside of both cards - actually I made about six of this design - each with different DSP...

Thanks for stopping by -
Stay warm! Avoid the germs if you can! And keep smiling! :)
HUGS!
Ruthie

"Blue" Christmas

2011-12-01T09:31:00.004-04:00

Good Morning!
The sun is shining, it is 6 degrees C - AND - it is December 1st! Go Figure!!! Hubby has Christmas music playing on the TV - right now I'm listening to Elvis - thought this would be a good time to show you a "Blue Christmas Card" ...

This is a card we made at our last Christmas Card class - the Doily is versa marked and then embossed with white embossing powder .... LOVE IT!!!! After embossing we sponged layers of ink over the embossing. The little French Knot is made by tying a knot in a piece of ribbon and rather than using the flat part of the knot (which is what we usually do) we used the backside... pulled the ends of the ribbon thru a hole in the center of the doily and adhered them to the back of the CS. I saw this online somewhere weeks ago ... don't remember who to give credit to - but - "Girl you rock"!!! Love this and I know I'll be using this again and again... Enjoy!

The "Stamping French Knot" ...

Here is another "BLUE" card for you ... before I did any sponging I masked with a straight edge of scrap CS and sponged so that I would have a perfectly straight line to stamp the message under... I then sponged the hills and did a little light sponging for the sky; then stamped the image with Early Espresso. Don't you love this one? I do. It would look really nice with glitter added to it! Ummmm - next one!

Have a wonderful day!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Doodling!

2011-11-30T15:52:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone!
I'm feeling a little better today - after a terrible night! I had some crazy dreams all night long it seemed! Must have been all the cough medicine and tylenol in me! Made my head "sillier" than normal! :)

Anyway - prior to this whole episode I had cut some white CS at 3.5" X 3.5" with the intention of doing some doodling for some cards. I stamped a Stampin' Up! image on each piece and they sat on my table in front of the TV. Over the week - as I felt up to it - I did some doodling. I have been "doodling" for a couple years now but have never put one on a card that I can recall.You can check my archives for some samlpes and go to http://peaceinthepieces.blogspot.com/ for some other work I've done. One of my favorite "creative people" is Michelle Zindorf she has been doing this recently on a card now and then - you can check her site for some great work.
My cards have yet to be made - but here are some "doodle" samples of my own! I'll share the cards once I get them done.

This one is my favorite so far .... more b/c of the coloring than any other reason... (the photo does not do it justice)

I hope you enjoyed your peek here today - maybe you have been inspired to do a little "doodling" of your own!!! I hope so!

HUGS!!!
Ruthie

Guest Designer

2011-11-29T10:29:00.002-04:00

I apologize for being absent for so long.... it seems that life took over and then I have been sick for a week with a nasty chest cold ... hoping this all will pass very soon! :)
10 days ago I held the last Christmas Card Class of the year! One of the gals is an amazing card designer... she takes her own photos and uses them on her cards - I must get some pics to show you sometime!

Here are 2 cards she made using Stampin' Up sets...
This first one is using Bells and Boughs - one of my fav sets! White and Cherry Cobbler - soooo pretty!

This second card uses the Christmas Lodge set ... wouldn't you like to spend Christmas here? This is an easel card ... here it is closed -

and here it is open -

I love how she used the tree as a pop-up on the easel part of the card!

I hope you enjoyed your peek today! I am pretty sure I won't make it to the craft room to create today ... but I do have a couple cards to show you soon...
HUGS!
Ruthie

Check This Out!!!

2011-11-21T10:13:00.001-04:00

STAMPIN' UP!

OnLine Extravaganza

click here:

http://www.stampinup.com/ca/documents/Online_X_flyer_CA.pdf

Kindness Matters!

2011-11-11T11:10:00.001-04:00

Hi Dear Friends!
I trust you have taken some time this morning to pause in your day and REMEMBER the people who have given us the freedom that we sometimes so take for granted!

I just have a quick post for you this morning.... using that little set "Kindness Matters" ... I love this set! Today I paired it with Delicate Doilies and this is what I came up with. I used Poppy Parade and Crumb Cake ink and CS - I am liking these colors together! What about you?

Thanks for peeking today!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Lineup

2011-11-08T08:50:00.001-04:00

Good morning everyone!
What a beautiful day it is! The sun is shining brightly and the temp is around 10 degrees C .... Feels like spring!
I have been doing some "coloring" ... I like to stamp off some images and when hubby & I are sitting in front of the TV in the evening I color while he sleeps! LOL! Here are a couple cards I made using the Lineup stamp set...

Have a great day - enjoy this sunshine!
HUGS!
Ruthie

November.... How can that be!

2011-11-02T10:40:00.000-03:00

WOW!
Here it is - November 2nd already! I find that time is just flying by. I have not been in my craft room this week at all - had hubby's girls here for a couple days, had a funeral, and all that entails - so my mind has been elsewhere. But I do have a card I made a while back - don't think you've seen this one. It's pretty simple, using Dasher - I love this stamp - I hope they don't retire him anytime soon! I used some Chocolate Chip ribbon that was from a couple holiday minis ago! I glittered Dasher himself this time rather than just the antlers..... the colors here are not as vibrant as in "real life"! :) So- use you're imagination!

Now that I look at this again - I realize I should have done some shading under his feet to "ground" him!

Thanks for peeking in today! Looks like another nice day today ... gotta run to town for some groceries -
Keep smiling!
Many HUGS!!!!

FALL EXPO !

2011-10-28T11:23:00.001-03:00

FALL EXPO !

Saturday - November 5 /11

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Admission - $2.00

at the Lions Club

Parade St., Yarmouth

... make and takes, product for sale, stampin' fun, door prizes!

Razzleberry Beauty!

2011-10-26T16:11:00.001-03:00

Hi Everyone!
Hope you're having a great day!
I have spent most of my day in my craft room ... preparing for a Workshop and a Christmas Card Class -
I wanted to share with you this simple - but to me, beautiful - card ... using Beautiful Season! I used Rich Razzleberry, Very Vanilla, and Mocha - LOVE these colors together!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Diamond Fold Christmas

2011-10-24T08:56:00.001-03:00

Good Morning!
Whoa! It's chilly today... 3 degrees according to hubby. Furnace is on this morning, for sure.
I can't seem to get out of the Christmas Card mode.... guess that is because I have a couple more Christmas clubs booked so I just keep producing! :)

Here is a Diamond Fold card I made a week or so ago and neglected to show you! To make the fold you score a 4 x 12 inch piece of CS at 2" and 10". Turn it over and mark the midpoint (6") both top and bottom; take right side and fold on diagonal from top 6" mark to bottom 6" mark; then do left side. Turn 180 degrees and repeat these folds. You now have the middle diamond and the 2 ends - now fold together and voila!

The mat on the 1" circle is the first punch from the triple doily punch! I lightly colored the image with markers and blender pen. The small acorn image - stamped twice - is from the set "Lovely As A Tree".

Thanks for stopping by today!
I hope there is lots of sunshine whereever you are today!
HUGS!
Ruthie

COMMENTS???

2011-10-20T10:07:00.002-03:00

How is everyone this rainy morning? I am off on a 2-3 hour road trip this morning - taking a friend to see a doc in the Valley..... prayin' for journey mercies!

re COMMENTS - people are telling me that they are unable to leave comments on this blog!!!! HELP! I tried to fix and was unsuccessful!!!! any suggestions? email me..... thisistheday@ns.sympatico.ca

Thanks!

Beautiful Season - again!

2011-10-17T16:14:00.002-03:00

Hello Everyone!
We have had a gorgeous weekend and day today ... what a blessing that has been!
This is post # 496 for me on this blog! I'll probably forget to acknowledge # 500 so thought I'd better say something today! LOL! :) That is amazing.... what a journey this has been! I'm lovin' it!

So here is post #496 - another Beautiful Season. I tried an old technique for the background of the focal stamped image - take a clear block and ink it up with a light colored ink - in this case I used Bashful Blue; stamp it on white or vanilla CS (I used Whisper White) and then stamp your image on it in a darker ink (Pacific Point). I then lightly semi-colored the image with markers... cut it out - matted and popped on the card. I used a piece of the In Color DSP. The ruffled ribbon is done by placing a piece of sticky strip down and then taking a length of ribbon and scrunching and twisting as you go along the sticky strip... sooooo pretty!

Here is the ruffled ribbon - I probably used way more than necessary - this is very dense - but I like it! :)

I purposely used a block that was a bit smaller than the image so I could stamp off the border - thus cutting around the border with part of the image extending outward. You can see that the background is just a bit "muddy" rather than stark white! While I was playing I made some samples in other color combos ... I'll show them to you later this week!

Thanks for peeking in today! Love to have visitors!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Beautiful Season!

2011-10-13T13:03:00.001-03:00

Hi Everyone!
It is a beautiful season, isn't it? This Autumn with all it's color! As are all the seasons - in my mind anyway! This Stamp Set called Beautiful Season is a Christmas set - I love the little birds that come to my feeders all year long ... especially the little chickadee with his "chick-a-dee-dee-dee"! So here he is in all his glory! I attempted to make a "medallion" or "yo-yo" ... I have seen these made into hanging ornaments - maybe I'll give that a try next!
This is a 4 X 4 card ... Cherry Cobbler CS with a piece of Concord Crush stamped in the same ink using the leaves and berries from the larger stamp...

Here is a close up view of the yo-yo! Lightly colored with markers...

And the inside!

We have been without water since yesterday at 7 a.m. .... I woke up early yesterday and was in the shower as the water was diminishing! Thankfully I was able to finish my shower.... I sure would like to get in there again right now! I`m praying for this to be resolved SOON! Hubby is frustrated as he can`t seem to get the new pump to draw... if you are a praying person please pray for water for us! Thank you so much!!!

Thanks for stopping by today ... hope you enjoyed your peek!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Happy "I DO" Day

2011-10-12T08:49:00.001-03:00

Good Morning Fellow Stampers!
The sun is shining brightly here - I hope it is where you are as well! It's a beautiful Fall day ... and I'm still wearing my sandals! Not giving them up until the end of the month! However, we went to a hockey game the other night and I did have to put some socks and shoes on! :(

Tha gal that does my hair and nails - for years! - is getting married this weekend to her long-time beau! This is the card I made for them - using the Language of Friendship and the Frames! The DSP is from the Paper Stack 2010-2012 In Color found on page 186 of the IDB&C - concord crush.

Here is the inside of the card -

This was so much fun to make ... time consuming - but lots of fun! I am going to punch out some birds and flowers to have on hand for future cards.
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great day!
Keep smiling!
HUGS and Blessings!
Ruthie

Origami Christmas card

2011-10-11T09:54:00.002-03:00

Good Morning Stampers!
I hope all my Canadian friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Everything that was on our table came from within a 30 mile radius of us except for the cranberry sauce - and that only b/c I didn't have the time or inclination to make my own! How cool is that!
Here is a card for you that was made at our last Christmas Card class .... it is an origami fold - so easy to do using an 11" by 11" piece of DSP .... can be used for any occasion!

Here is the front - with the card closed...

This shows the "pocket" of the front diamond -

This shows the inner diamond

Here is the card partly open....

Check out http://wickedlywonderfulcreations.blogspot.com/ for excellent instructions for this project!

Remember to be thankful - all the time!

HUGS!

Ruthie

Language of Friendship

2011-10-07T15:45:00.001-03:00

HI!
It has been a while since I've been here - I apologize for that ... seems this past week was a busy one for me and I didn't make it to the crafting stuff ... along with the fact that the mojo was lacking! I received a couple new stamp sets the other day and today I decided to play! This has been a "free day" - no running around and time to just create!

This was a "tiddly" (is that a word?) card for me... but I quite enjoyed putting it together! The set "Language of Friendship" uses 2 coordinating punches ... Boho Blossoms and Bird Builder ... I punched out an extra branch, wing, and flower for this card. Also - I saw this idea for the ribbon on a site I visited this week - so had to give it a try! :) Oh yes! I also used one of the Designer Frames ... have I told you how much I love these? LOL! (probably every post since I received them!)

Thanks for stopping by today!
I will try to be more faithful in the future!
Blessings on yah!
Ruthie

Oval Snow Buddy!

2011-09-30T10:14:00.001-03:00

Hey!
Another gorgeous Fall day - and it is Friday!
Last evening I went to a Surprise Birthday Party for a friend who is turning 50.... of course, there were all the cracks about getting older and being "over the hill" etc! Hey - the 50s were awesome for me... now the 60s - still awesome but the ole bod is expressing wear and tear! It is all what you make it!!! and I choose to make it JOY! What an exciting party this was! The Mayor showed up bearing gifts beyond what anyone could imagine! Amazing!

NUFF said!
Here is my card for today... another snowman using the oval frame ... did I tell you I love these frames??? Well, I do!
Colored with S. Up! markers; and used a pearl for the snowball!

this is the inside -

I truly hope it is a long time yet before we see any snow ... but you gotta love these snowmen! :)
Have a wonderful day!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Christmas Squares

2011-09-28T10:26:00.000-03:00

Hey!
Are you thinking this is a new recipe? NOT!
I saw a Fall card made using scallop squares from DSP and decided to convert this to a Christmas card...
We made this the other day at Christmas Klub - did the technique "embedded embossing" before attaching to the CS ... I didn't think to do that here... will try it next time!

The group of gals that provides "cards for the troops" is working on Christmas cards to send to them ....here is the beginning of my contribution - very little dimensional use and not a lot of embellisment -

Wow! Another beautiful day! Enjoy the sunshine!!!!
HUGS!
Ruthie

MORE - Kindness Matters!

2011-09-27T08:46:00.001-03:00

Good Morning!
Looks like today is going to be another beauty! Yesterday was like a summer day! Gotta love that!
I made this card very quickly last night b/c I wanted to have it to show you first thing this morning....
It is for "Cindy's Color Challenge - 01" at http://joyfilledgrace.blogspot.com/
I love pinks and browns together with a little "yellow" thrown in ....I used Melon Mambo for the base CS with Chococlate Chip and So Saffron as the complimentary colors. The stamp set is "Kindness Matters" and I used the Oval Designer Frame .... I LOVE the 2 frames in this folder set! All Stampin' Up! product used here!

Here is the inside

After I finished this I thought that using Chocolate Chip as the base CS and the other 2 colors as complimentary ones would be pretty as well! Ummmmm - maybe I'll do that sometime today!

Have a wonderful day!
Stay focused!
Be creative!

HUGS!
Ruthie

KINDNESS MATTERS

2011-09-26T08:02:00.001-03:00

Good Morning Stampers!
On Saturday I told you I was just bursting to tell you something.... if you go to http://thisisthedayrejoice.com/ you will be able to read the full account of what has occurred in our lives lately.... I KNEW the surprise that was coming - it was soooooo hard not to share the news! The individuals who were gifting the wheeler to us had pulled me into the loop so that I could keep hubby around the place and available for when they arrived!

I received the Stampin' Up set "Kindness Matters" and decided to make a card for the gal who offered her wheeler to us ... How true these words are .... Kindness DOES matter! It makes such a difference to all involved!
Here's the card using one of the Designer Frames -

Stamped these butterflies in Wisteria! Don't yah love that color?

This is stamped in Elegant Eggplant!

and here is the inside!

Thanks for stopping by today!
I hope you have a day full of sunshine and blessings!
HUGS!
Ruthie

September Kreations Club

2011-09-24T11:20:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone!
Boy! Is it ever humid here! and raining!
I have a quick post - have Christmas Card Club happening here in about 2 hours - here are the cards we will be making this afternoon!

The bottom card with the diamond shape is a new-to-me fold that I will demo to the group - so they will make only one of this and it doesn't count towards the 10 they will go home with to add to their Christmas stash! BONUS!!! They love it and so do I!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend... I am bursting at the seams to share something but I just can't yet! GOD IS SOOOOOOOO GOOD! That's all I can say - but hey! that's enough!

Blessings on yah!
Ruthie

Designer Frames

2011-09-23T10:38:00.001-03:00

Good Morning Stampers!
I did get a chance to "play" a little yesterday ... only b/c I had to make a card for a special gal! :0 I used one of the "Designer Frames" found on page 218 in the IB&C - I've been seeing these everywhere so thought I would give them a try! And I used the stamp - "Leaves of a Tree" found in the Holiday Mini. The sentiment is a retired one but so appropriate for her as she enters into a new aspect of her journey with the Lord - which will be adventerous for sure! :)

Here is the frame with the sentiment inserted on a piece of Whisper White -

This is the card .... it speaks for itself!

Have a wonderful day! I hope you will not be overcome with busy-ness and that you find time to relax and enjoy all that is around you!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Embossed Trees

2011-09-22T08:52:00.001-03:00

Good Morning All!
It's a foggy one here!
I have a couple of Christmas cards for you this morning .... we will be making these at one of the Christmas Card classes -
This first one is all black and white.... using white embossing powder -

This second one uses gold embossing powder on the real red CS -

I received some new goodies from Stampin' Up! yesterday ... hope to get a chance to play today!
Have a great day .... stay focused on the tasks at hand - and think good thoughts!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Scallop Easel...

2011-09-15T09:24:00.000-03:00

Hi Stampers!
OoooHhhhhh! I see sunshine! That means another beauty of a day!
Here is a card I made last week and forgot to post earlier this week!
It is an easel card using the scallop die for the Big Shot (or CB) ... and I used the In Colors for this card. The butterfly and the sentiment stamp are both retired! (Just like me!) :)

Here it is closed -

And here it is open -

Have a wonderful day today! Stay healthy and happy!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Doily Field Flowers

2011-09-09T12:44:00.001-03:00

Good afternoon!
Just a quick post for you today... I had a Workshop last night and this is a sample of the "make and take".
This one is done in Whisper White, Marina Mist and Pacific Point. I stamped the doily stamps from Delicate Doilies in MM, stamped them off and then stamped them on the WW CS. We glittered the flower centers ( from Field Flowers) and doubled up on the ribbon.

Here is the inside -

This one is made using Whisper White, Elegant Eggplant, and Wisteria Wonder....

Inside of the Eggplant card -

Thanks for stopping by today - have a great weekend! See you all next week!
Blessings!
Ruthie

FALL is in the air!

2011-09-08T10:21:00.003-03:00

HI Everyone!
Boy! Yesterday was sure a FALL day around here! A couple days ago I took a friend to the Valley and we saw leaves turning color already! What's with that, anyway?
Well - I guess along that line - I have been thinking of the Fall leaves; and the Thanksgiving season which will be upon us (in Canada) in another month - and decided to haul out the Big Shot Die "Leaves #2". I cut out some colored leaves, ran them thru an embossing folder and made a couple cards!

For this first one I also used the stamp set - Lovely as A Tree - I stamped it in Early Espresso; and then second generation stamped it behind the first image.... creating the woodsy scene. I could have been more creative and sponged a sky and grass - but as you can see ... that didn't happen! :) I love these die-cut leaves but don't think to use them until Fall rolls around each year. The DSP is from the Mocha Morning combo!

here is the inside of this card -

The second card is pretty basic - used some punches for the circles and a piece of the scallopped dotted ribbon --- love this ribbon! It comes in so many colors! I used versamark ink and stamped leaves all over the card itself.

Thanks for visiting me today!

I hope you will come again!

Blessings and HUGS!

Ruthie

Sympathy -

2011-09-05T12:04:00.002-03:00

Hi Stampers!
Happy Labor Day!
For some of you that means getting back to a routine of lunches, school busses, homework, and such. For me it means ..... none of that! :) I can continue on my "retirement routine" - gotta love that!

I have a sympathy card for you today ... using DSP and the Summer Solstice stamp set... A dear lady whom I've known all my life has gone to be with the Lord. She certainly was "no ordinary person"! What a blessing she was to everyone who knew her. I was very fortunate to know her when I was a child ... in her Sunday School classes, then CGIT; running across her path as a nurse; and in later years we actually worked together in Nursing Education! Here is the card I have made for her family ....

Thanks for stopping by!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Summer Solstice

2011-09-02T11:46:00.003-03:00

Hi Stampers!
It's another gorgeous day out there!!!

I made a card this morning using the "new-to-me" set called Summer Solstice.... "Solstice" means the two times of the year when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator - about June 21 and December 22. Just thought I'd share that little piece of trivia with you this morning! :0

Here is the card... Used Lucky Limeade CS and some scaps that were sitting on my table. I versa marked the butterfly on this CS and glittered the center of the flowers. This actually started out as a "goof" - I stamped the Eggplant flower and one of the petals didn't get inked or stamed properly ... so I decided to cut it out, stamp a couple more flowers, and hide the goof! Gotta love that! :) All 3 flowers are popped.

On the inside I VersaMarked the butterfly on the CS and 2nd generation stamped it in LL ink on the Whisper White piece -

Here are the glittery flowers! Aren't they pretty?

Thanks for stopping by today!
I'm heading to town shortly - hoping to enjoy some of this sunshine!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

One Layer Doily...

2011-09-01T09:40:00.006-03:00

Happy September!
WOW! Where did July and August go? They just flew by! I don't know about you but I wait, with great anticipation, for the summer months to get here and then it seems that in the blink of an eye they have gone! And - as I get older - the months/years fly by faster! Makes me wonder if it was like this for my parents when they were my age - or is it just this fast-paced world we live in.

Well! Enough of that - you came here to see a card so .... here it is - a very simple one layer card. I don't usually make one layer cards... I like to layer and use dimensionals; use DSP and color! But I saw a card a while ago on a blog that is similar to this one - wish I remembered where so I could give the designer credit.
I used Whisper White CS; Pacific Point and Crumb Cake inks; generic bling.

Hope you enjoyed your peek today! Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the sunshine and make wonderful memories!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Snow Much Fun!

2011-08-31T09:18:00.003-03:00

Hey!
What a gorgeous day ... sure gives one hope that summer is around for a while longer!
However, I have two snowman cards for you! Go Figure!!!

It's pretty basic - we'll be making these (along with others) at the Christmas Card events I'm holding on the last Saturday of the next 3 months - if interested - give me a call!

Now - take your mind off of the cold and wet and snow - and relish in this awesome day!!!
Having company for lunch - maybe we'll even go for a walk on the beach later!

Blessings.....

TWISTED EASEL

2011-08-26T19:29:00.002-03:00

HEY!
What an awesome day this has been... so sunny and warm! Hard to believe there is a storm headed our way! I have made more pickles :) - "Bread and Butter" this time; and have spent some time preparing for Christmas Club which happens tomorrow.
In the mean time - I also had some MOJO hit me ... I made a Twisted Easel Card for tomorrows class ... in additon to what I had already planned! And then made a second one! SOOOOOO easy - love this card fold.

1. Cut a piece of CS at 4&1/4 X 9&3/4 inch
2. Score at 5&1/2 inches.
3. Take the 5&1/2 section and fold / score on the diagnoal.... this is what gives the twisted easel effect! :)

Here are my pics... I apologize for the shadows ... it is very sunny in my sunroom right now - Guess I need to find another place to take pics!
- Closed view -

- Open View:

- Side view:

- Back View:

Now for the second card - I made this one for a friend who is going thru tough time right now. In addition to the above mentioned cuts and scores, I cut a piece of CS 4&1/4 X 5&1/2 and attached it to the diagonal folded section. When closed this card looks like any other card of this size...

- Open view:

- this is a back view ...

Thanks for stopping by - I appreciate each and every one of you!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Bells & Boughs

2011-08-25T11:28:00.005-03:00

Hi everyone!
Here is a pic of the relish I made the other day - this is a recipe from my Mom. She has been gone now for 22 years - but never gone from my memory! In fact - I just had a phone conversation with someone and Mom and her sisters were part of the conversation ... Miss you, Mom!

4 months from today is Christmas Day - can you believe it?

I have a couple Christmas cards to show you today - using the Bells and Boughs set... we will be making these at our Christmas get together this Saturday. I used the Mocha Morning DSP for both cards; the second card uses Concord Crush as the card base.

Thanks for stopping in! I trust you are finding some time to be creative...
Have a wonderful day!
I'm off soon to get some groceries - gotta get some cukes for more pickles! Next year I need to grow my own cucumbers, I think!
HUGS!

Happy Birthday Flowers!

2011-08-23T10:14:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone...
Feels like Fall these past couple of days! I love Fall - but it has come upon us too soon for my liking!
Here is a card I made for a friend who turned 50 yesterday! A bunch of gals got together last week and had a little surprise party for her! And we pulled it off - She was surprised! Always so glad when that happens!

I used the Two Tags die and the Flower Burst die ... I had seen these flowers done this way on wee inklings blog http://weeinklings.blogpot.com/ ..... I love how they turned out! She's a Purple lover so the card had to have many shades of purple on it! LOL!

Hope you enjoyed your peek - have a great "rest of the day"!
Thanks for stopping by!
HUGS!

Christmas Medallions...

2011-08-22T09:46:00.002-03:00

Hey! Hope you all had a great weekend!
MY - the time is flying by ... won't be long now and the kids will be back in school.
On that note ... I have been making Christams Cards in preparation for some Christmas Card Making Events I'm planning - so I have two Christmas Cards to show you today. I made both of these using the Medallion Stamp; turned it into a Christmas wreath ...

Thanks for stopping by this morning.
Have a great day -
I am going to get some cukes ready for pickling tomorrow - I LOVE to make pickles!
Blessings and HUGS!

Wisteria Field Flowers

2011-08-15T10:36:00.004-03:00

Good Morning Stampers!
I thought the sun was going to shine but it seems rather "dull" out there right now!
Here is a card I made the other day with the set ---- bet you can't guess!!!!! Field Flowers!
I love this set! What's with that?
For this card I used Elegant Eggplant and Wisteria Wonder (2 step stampin') ... Did some scoring on the bottom of the card front; used some pretty rhinestones for bling!

Thanks for peeking in today! I appreciate you coming to my blog!
Sure would love to have some comments! Just sayin'! :0
Blessings and HUGS!

Field Flowers Cobbler

2011-08-12T09:36:00.002-03:00

Good Morning...

NO! this is not a new recipe - although I'm sure someone out there has made a cobbler out of edible flowers - it's just not me! LOL!

Is the fog going to lift? I sure hope so as I am "out the door" any moment to head to the beach for a picnic lunch!!! Going to Shag Harbor ... maybe it's not foggy there! :0

Here is a card I made with my new set "Field Flowers" - I have seen so many beautiful cards made with this set - this one is a copy, of sorts, of one I saw done in Black and White - it was very elegant. I decided to try the Cherry Cobbler with the White simply b/c I have the new dotted scallop ribbon in that color sitting on my craft table...

I know I will be showing you more cards from this set - I just have to stay home long enough to actually sit down and make them! :)

Have a wonderful day - foggy or not!
HUGS!

Clean & Simple Berry Blossoms X3 !

2011-08-09T11:03:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone ----
I hope you had an awesome weekend.... mine was good until Sunday at noon when I came down with a "BUG" of some sort that wiped me out and whipped me good! BUT - "this too shall pass" - and here I am on the other side of it! Thank You, Lord!

I had made these cards last Friday or Saturday when I had all the paper on my table ...
The first two are using the DSP as the focal point...
Card #1 -

I just LOOOOOOVE this ruffled ribbon. This was a scrap I had lying on the table - used to make a bow for the card.

Card #2 -

Card #3 -

I hope you enjoyed your peek here today... I appreciate you spending time with me! Thanks a bunch!
HUGS and Blessings -

Wisteria Wonder For You!

2011-08-05T12:19:00.004-03:00

Hi Everyone!
Happy Friday!
This is a day of rest and crafting for me.... had a busy week - need to regroup and get ready for the weekend - Farmer's Market, Church, friends, etc!!!

I sat down this morning to work on a project ... these papers were on my table - Berry Blossoms and the In Colors. I used a piece of the Wisteria Wonder for something else and then decided to make a card. Here it is! Love these colors!!! :) I used the Vintage Labels (retired SAB); 1 3/4" Scallop circle and 2 3/8" Scallop Circle ... really like how these two circles mat each other! Also used the Scallop Trim Border punch for the double border!
Enjoy!

Here is the very simple inside of this card!

Have a wonderful day! May it be filled with blessings!
(((( HUGS! ))))
Ruthie

DSP Sale! Christmas Club! Triple Treat Flower!

2011-08-02T10:45:00.006-03:00

Hey Everyone!
How did you like that Thunder and Lightening??? Awesome! Right now the sun is shining... Looks like it's going to be a beauty out there today!

NEWS FLASH ....
Stampin' Up! has a promotion for the month of August - when you purchase 3 DSP, you get another one FREE! Gotta love that! For those of you - like me - that love your DSP - this is a great deal!

CHRISTMAS CARD CLUB -
Interested in making 40 Christmas Cards between now and the end of November? Join my Christmas Card Club and we'll do just that! We will meet the last Saturday of each month (August thru November) and make 10 cards each day - for a total of 40. Cost is $25.00 per month which will be waived with a $40.00 order. Space is limited ....
Contact me for more info!!! email or call 749-1994

Triple Treat Flower ...
I love this flower - it is a single stamp - found on page 18 in the current catty .... price of $10.95...
Here is the card I made yesterday - Oh Oh! There is a plan for another one rolling around in my head right now!
I used Calypso Coral as the base color here and accented with Pacific Point! Don't you love the ruffled ribbon?

Here is the inside -

Thank you for stopping by today!
May this day be filled with many blessings from above!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge

2011-07-30T12:48:00.002-03:00

Good Saturday Afternoon!
Boy! It has been a rainy night and morning here! Seems to have stopped at the moment! But it won't clear enough for an outdoor wedding! So sorry about that Yvonne and Russell....

Madison's mom and dad arrived yesterday - and they all slept in this morning ... I have been awake since 5a.m.; reading at 6; up at 7.... Had to do something constructive so ... along came The Sweet Stop Sketch Challenge -

Here is my card for this challenge ... I used the set "Snow Much Fun" and DSP "Cheerful Treat".

Hubby is at the Farmer's Market this morning ... he is bringing fresh veggies with him when he comes home. I have a fresh free-range chicken ready for the oven and we will have "Hodge-Podge" along with it! Ummmm, Ummmm, Good!

Have a wonderful day!
Hope the sun is shinin' in your heart!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Retiring..... and Madi's Birthday Card!

2011-07-28T10:41:00.003-03:00

NO! Not me!!!
I have some sets that have retired - thought I'd post a list here.... if you wish to purchase anything from this list you can contact me by leaving a comment; sending an email; or calling me ...

1. Forest Friends and Wow Flowers - $15.00
2. Simply Said - $15.00
3. Priceless - $15.00
4. Heartfelt Thanks - $15.00
5. Sweet Summer - $10.00
6. Wagon Full of Fun - $10.00
7. Happy Together - $9.00
8. Pretty Petals (background stamp) - $10.00

We have had our grand daughter with us this week so not much stampin' going on here! :) We do have to make a birthday card today, though - heading out to a party this evening!
For now - I must go fold some clothes, empty the dishwasher .... you know how it goes! :)

Second post ....
This evening we are going to a birthday party for a 5 year old little girl who is visiting with her Grammie ... Here is the card that Madison made for her - she made this flower all by herself using Stampin' Up! CS and the oval punch! Oh yes, and the 1" circle punch... pretty awesome I think! We stamped and wrote our wishes inside...

Have a good day!
HUGS!
Ruthie

MOJO and cQc ...

2011-07-26T12:25:00.001-03:00

Hey!
Quick post for today - 2 challenges! (I think maybe I should have just stuck to one b/c I'm not real crazy about how this turned out).
However, "IT IS WHAT IT IS!" - seems to me these words have come out of my mouth a lot lately! I must take some time to reflect on their meaning! LOL!

Here is my card....

Our almost-9 granddaughter is here with us for a few days.... she has been keeping me busy! Maybe tonight I will try this sketch again .... with some fancy DSP!

Hope you're having a great day! We are off to visit one of her little friends and take a dip in a pool!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Berry Blossoms & Triple Treat Flower!

2011-07-19T12:24:00.001-03:00

Oh My Goodness!
Inspiration hit me all of a sudden and I had this card made!
The Triple Treat Flower has been sitting on my table since last week - I've been trying to think how to use it - and WHAM! there it was!
I used DSP from Berry Blossoms.....oooooohhh - love these new In Colors!
I made this card for a gal who has partnered up with another gal and today is the opening of PURE BLISS Salon and Spa ... I hope they will be very prosperous in this new venture!

Here is the card with lots of bling!

The Flower front on -

Side view of the flower so you can see how I punched it out and popped the peices! OH! I Love this!!

lastly - the inside!

Now to write a note and deliver it....
Have a wonderful day!
Keep smiling!
HUGS!
Ruthie

SNOWMEN - in July!

2011-07-18T12:14:00.003-03:00

Hey! How is today treating you?
I had a doctors appt at 2 this afternoon - rec'd a call at 1030 that he was unavailable today - so I decided to make a couple cards! Aren't you glad? I saw a couple sketch challenges I thought I might try - but - that didn't happen... seems I went down my own little track instead! That happens to me a lot it seems! :)

I used the new set... Snow Much Fun! Gotta love these snowmen! Also used the snowflakes from "Snow Swirled". This first card uses Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz CS... you also see a piece of old olive scallop dotted ribbon! Ooohhh - soooo nice! Now that I look at this I see that I didn't "ground" him... should have a shadow under his feet!

This one uses Pear Pizzazz and Poppy Parade - and as I look at this I think the ribbon should have been shorter.... and he needs to be grounded too! Oh well! Next time!

And - Last but not least - I just have to show you a picture of the pooch.... here he is on the couch soaking up some "down time" - Oh! the life of a spoiled dog! :)

Have a wonderful day!

Maybe I'll get to those sketches yet!

Blessings and HUGS!

Ruthie

PPA 102 - Masculine Birthday Card

2011-07-16T14:33:00.003-03:00

Good afternoon!

Another awesome day!

We are sooooooo blessed!

This morning I had "inspiration" hit me - and I created this card before I left for the Farmer's Market... here is the photo that PPA has given us this week and the goal is to use this to inspire us to create a summer card. Doesn't this look like an inviting place to sit and relax and read?

I am in need of a masculine birthday card and wanted to use one of my photos - this card is for my brother who lives not far from me behind a stand of trees.... if he lived where I do this is an example of the sunsets he would see. There is nothing like the majesty of a summer sunset to make me reflect on all the blessings that I have each day! I used the new In Colors and the Hostess stamp set - "Happiest Birthday Wishes".

Here is the inside - another stamp from the set and more doodling...

Thanks for stopping by today!

I trust you are enjoying this gorgeous day!

HUGS to you all!

Ruthie

Every Moment & cQc #93

2011-07-13T16:05:00.002-03:00

Good Afternoon!
What an awesome day this has been! So thankful for the glorious sunshine!
I decided to give this current ColorQ Challenge a try -

I used the flower from the stamp set "Every Moment" - I used the masking technique to get the 3 flowers to look this way... The only Real Red on the card is one of the flowers! Matted with Pear Pizzazz. I am liking the other 2 colors together - will use this combo again for sure! Everything is colored with markers/ink and blender pen...

Here is a close-up of the flowers - I popped the butterfly and "doodled" an edge!

Thanks for stopping by - hope you're having a great day!
Hugs and Blessings!
Ruthie

This, That, and the Other Thing!

2011-07-08T13:30:00.002-03:00

Good Afternoon!
I am having a "Play Day" in my craft room... It has been a loooong time since I just sat and made some cards just for me. It seems that my time lately has been taken up with Klub projects and Workshop preparation.
I needed to sit and do for me today. Ever had one of those days where you needed to "do just for you"? I know this will refresh and rejuvenate me!

So - I am using some Stampin' Up! supplies - some old, some new - and some "not S. Up!" supplies! :) And - I am using some of my photos as card fronts... this is the first time I have tried this and I am quite liking the end results.

Hope you enjoy!!!

Have a wonderful weekend - may you reflect on all those things in your life that are priceless!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Divas Sketch Challenge 143

2011-07-04T12:07:00.000-03:00

Good Afternoon....
Well! The morning flew by didn't it?
I should be in the kitchen (have chicken soup to make) - but - the stamping bug hit me and here I am!

I found this sketch on the Utah Divas International blog ... and it really caught me - so I had to do something with it.

Here is the card I made for this challenge - the main CS is Wisteria Wonder - at first I thought this was too "pastellie" for me - but it is growing on me! The accent CS is Pool Party - thought I would try these two together.... flowers are from "Fabulous Florets". I took the liberty of adding a sentiment on the front of the card - and VOILA! here it is.....

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope this day finds you at peace with your circumstances!
Blessings and HUGS!

V - Latch ...

2011-06-30T09:49:00.003-03:00

Good Morning Stampers!
I have not had much MoJo lately ....
so - this morning I have the final card that we did at our Klub last week.... again, this is a copy of one I saw somewhere on a stamping blog ---

We embossed 2 colors on the sentiment stamp...Wild Wasabi and Tangerine Tango .... I love these colors together! The stamp is a retiring stamp :(

Here are pictures of the way the CS was cut to make the V-Latch ... the outside piece was cut from the upper corner to a point approx 2 inches in from the edge;

The inner piece was cut from the lower corner to the same point.... making a V-Latch .... As we made this card there were many comments as to whether people would know how to open it... :)

Here is a pic of the card.... "latched" together!

Hope you enjoyed your peek here today!

Tomorrow is CANADA DAY! Take time to remember the freedoms we have in this beautiful country we live in!
Blessings on you all!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Saying Goodbye & Saying Hello!

2011-06-24T09:38:00.001-03:00

Good Morning Stampers....
I've been up for hours.... the fibro pain in my arms and legs awoke me early and there was nothing to it but to get up! This week has been a difficult one for this - guess you could call this "the thorn in my side".

Today I wanted to give you a couple more peeks at 2 retiring sets - and then a peek at some new colors!
This first set is called "A Flower For All Seasons" - it has been around quite a while and I am sad to see it go. It has 4 images ... one for each season - here are 2 cards I made a while ago using this set.

This next set is named "Happy Together" - it is a fun little whimiscal set! Here a 2 cards I made with this set ....

This next card is one we made at our Kreations Klub Night ... using a fold that has been around for a while but seems to have been resurrected in the past few weeks. I remember making 3 of these folded cards and adhering them together to make a mini scrapbook... haven't done that for a while! This card is made by folding an 8X8 inch piece of CS in half; turn and fold in half again; then make a diagonal fold. We used 3 of the new In Colors: Calypso Coral, Lucky Limeade, Wisteria Wonder; and a piece of DSP from "Cheerful Treat". The ribbon is tied when the card is closed... I didn't tie the bow for the picture :(

Untied -

Fully open -

Thanks for stopping by today -

Blessings and Hugs!

Ruthie

Retiring "birds" ...

2011-06-21T10:30:00.004-03:00

HEY! I hope the sun is shining where you are!

Just a quick post this morning.... still not ready for tonight's Klub ... so what else is new?
Those who know me - know how much I love my birds!!! :) Especially Mr. and Mrs. Cardinal! Who this year have brought their relatives to the Thousand Hills Farm Cafe! :) I now have feeders outside my craft window and at the other side of the house off the deck - there are times when I can hear the Cardinals singing and calling at both sites - such a blessing to me!!!

I thought I would share with you a couple of "retiring birds" ... A Cardinal Christmas and Friends 24-7 ... they are still available for purchase until June 30th; after that - gone!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a great one!
HUGS!

A Christmas Card... WHAT???

2011-06-20T11:23:00.001-03:00

You are probably thinking I've totally lost it! A Christmas Card! In June!!!!
Well - I had to give it a shot ... when I saw this DSP paper from the new catty this particular sheet reminded me of snowflakes - although I didn't use snowflakes on my card .... :)

I used Concord Crush as the base CS - this is one of the "old" In Colors which will be staying for another year. Stampin' Up has added 5 "new" In Colors to make a total of 10... you are going to love them! The DSP paper is from "Cheerful Treat" which is a Hostess item in the new Catalogue. The sentiment is from the set "Word Play" - a set with 12 various sentiment stamps.

The flower is a new technique I learned from Dawn at "DOstamping with Dawn" - http://dostamping.typepad.com/ This technique uses satin ribbon; once it is curled onto a sticky piece of CS it is then heated with heat tool and voila! I love it! Place a pearl in the center and you have a pretty - unique - flower. No two will ever be the same!

Here is a close up of the flower and the DSP....

This is a card we will be making in our Klub get-together tomorrow night...
I hope you have a wonderful sunny day!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Wisteria Sneak Peek!

2011-06-17T08:22:00.002-03:00

Good Morning!

The sun is shining!

And here is a "Sunny" card for you today! The card base is Wisteria Wonder - a new In Color ... the pieces are matted with Elegant Eggplant from the Regal Collection. The DSP is from "Cheerful Treat"; and the stamps are from "Posy Punch" - both the DSP and the stamps are Hostess benefits from the 2011-1012 Idea Book & Catalogue. Hey! It's time now to be thinking about a workshop for July .... call me and we'll set a date!

For the leaves I used the Bird Builder punch .... (the 3 tiny leaves are the bird wings). I used the Fancy Flower punch on the stamped flowers; a 1" punch for "Hello"; and the Large Oval punch for the "mat" behind "hello".

Thanks for peeking in this morning!

I hope you have a wonderful day - and weekend. Remember to hug the ones you love!

Blessings!

Ruthie

More Sympathy -

2011-06-15T12:58:00.002-03:00

Good ---- well! I guess it is Afternoon now!
Where did the morning go?

Yesterday - in the midst of making the cards I needed to make - I had to run to town to do some errands; and my Stampin' Up! preview order arrived... So for these 2 sympathy cards I used a new In Color ... "Pool Party" - when I first saw it I wasn't impressed b/c I like deep, vibrant colors - and this one is so soft... however, when paired with colors like Elegant Eggplant and Black it is great! I love the other new In Colors!!! And - I will be using this one again, for sure.

Take a peek - here are the cards I made - The stamped image is from Fabulous Florets (summer mini) - I heat embossed it with Wild Wasabi...
#1 -

#2 -

Inside -

What do you think? Do the Wild Wasabi, Eggplant etc ... work with Pool Party? I can't wait to see what other people do with this color...

Thanks for stopping by today - over the next few days I will have some sneak peeks of "stuff" from the new catty!
Enjoy your day - stay wise; stay safe; be crafty! :)

HUGS!
Ruthie

Three Little Words...

2011-06-14T10:49:00.003-03:00

Good Morning Stampers!

One of the blogs I check frequently is located at http://www.createwithconnieandmary.com/

They had a challenge the other day to use these 3 colors together:

Elegant Eggplant, Melon Mambo, and River Rock.

So I hauled out the cardstock and there it sat for the next 3 days. Finally, this morning, I put my mind to it and made a sympathy card using these 3 colors....

going to try them next with Daffodil Delight instead of the Melon - what do yah think?

I'll show you the end result! :)

I have 4 sympathy cards to make today ... I feel such sorrow for the families involved ...

For this card I used the sentiment from "Three Little Words" - which, by the way, is in the new catty... Mine arrived yesterday!!!! Been thru it about 4 times already and lovin' it! The inside sentiment is from "Thoughts and Prayers" which is still in the new catty as well.

Thanks for stopping by today...

Remember to hug your loved ones and tell them how special they are to you!

Blessings!

2nd part of this post!

Well! I did it!

I used Elegant Eggplant, Daffy Delight and River Rock - love this combo!

Here is another sympathy card -

Once again -

Thanks for peekin' in!

Hugs to you all!

Something Old And Something New......

2011-06-11T12:43:00.002-03:00

Hey!
What a day out there today!!!! We sure have been blessed with good stuff this week, aye?
Hubby is at the Market this morning - when he gets home and gets things settled on the farm we will head for the Valley to see family camping there this weekend.

In the meantime I made this great card... it was very "tiddly" to do ... I had seen one like this on a blog a long time ago; could not find any cutting dimensions for the angle so - I made my own template and went from there. As I was making this I decided I would give it to a special friend. She came for lunch yesterday and then we walked on the beach - what a delight it was to spend some quality time with her. She is a faithful prayer warrior and she holds me accountable! A true blessing to me!

Here is the front panel of the card.... used Garden Gala DSP (retiring soon) - the Butterfly and "Hello" are from sets found in the Summer Mini -

This is the next panel - Poppy Parade ribbon - and a place to write a note. The sentiment on the bottom is from "Simply Said" - also retiring....

This is the third panel - the sentiments are from "Delight in Life" - also retiring.... this is one set I will hang onto for sure!

Here is a photo of the card open.....

And here it is closed....

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Blessings and HUGS!

Ruthie

Last Chance 4 U...

2011-06-08T07:50:00.002-03:00

Good Morning Stampers!
Yesterday was an awesome day weather-wise.... someone had dropped off a BIG bunch of rhubarb for us ... so I cut it all up and made a couple dozen Rhubarb-Applesauce muffins; bagged up the rest for the freezer. Today I will make a Crisp for hubby. Of course, had laundry to do and the regular "stuff"; an acupuncture appointment - and - in the midst of all this I traded cars! Here's a pic of my little "green" bomb! It is a Manual transmission - haven't had one of these for 4 years and I'm lovin' it!

I'm going to see a guy today to look at decals for it .... gotta have some purple on it, don't yah know!

And then, last evening - we headed for town with the pooch and went for a walk!

Needless to say - I slept well last night!

It's so wonderful to see the sun shinin' again this morning! Gotta love that!
Here is a card I made using DSP and a stamp that will soon be gone - unavailable after June 31. I used Soft Suede as the neutral CS.

Inside ...

Off now to change the bed and get ready for the day! Have a great one! May it be filled with lots of laughter and sunshine!

HUGS,
Ruthie

Sunset Floret!

2011-06-06T03:00:00.002-03:00

Good Morning!
It is good to be back!
Have you checked out the Stampin' Up! website? Lots of stamps and accessories are retiring as of the end of June.... so this is "last chance" time! Give me a call if you see anything you want ordered before then!

Here is a card I did a while back ... a copy of one of Michelle Zindorf's - I love her brayering techniques! One of my dreams is to attend her classes some day!
I didn't have much success with my brayer so I sponged this card....

I used a gold pen to make a frame around the stamped image(hope you can make it out); and the punched doily is gold CS but it doesn't show up well in this picture.

Here's hoping the ole mojo returns real quick and that I get a few challenges done this week!
Have a great day - may it be filled with sunshine and flowers!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Taking a Break!!!

2011-05-19T11:37:00.002-03:00

Good morning everyone!
Wasn't the sun awesome yesterday??? Gotta love it!

Just wanted to tell you that I am taking a much needed break from bloggin' until June 6th (approx 2 and 1/2 weeks ) .... I will return then with renewed vigor and mojo I trust you will return as well!

Blessings on you all!

CASED!!!

2011-05-17T13:11:00.003-03:00

Hey!
I have a cased card to show you today... I saw this card on a blog a few days ago and loved the idea! You may see the cased card here - http://www.stetlerarts.blogspot.com/
Of course, I made the design my own by changing the colors and DSP ...

The CS is cut at 4.25 X 11 inches; I used three punches: a retired one for the mini flowers; two current ones - Fancy Flower Extra Large, the leaves are the wings from the Two-Step Bird punch. The flower is popped in the center of the card. The outer sentiment "Hello ..." is from the set Happy Greetings found in the Summer Mini. Gotta have a little bling - rhinestones! :)

Here you can see the popped flower....

and a simple inside --- with a sentiment from Herb Expressions stamp set

Enjoy your day - thanks for stopping by!

HUGS!

Ruthie

Tangerine Tango Embossing -

2011-05-13T14:57:00.003-03:00

HEY!
It's about time isn't it? I don't know where this week went! Are you enjoying the sunshine today? I was talking with someone this morning who said the forecast was 40% chance of rain for Saturday... I wondered why they don't say "60% chance of sunshine" - that sure would make the mood better, wouldn't it? :)

'Nuff said!
Here is my card for today.... I used the butterfly from Strength and Hope, the flowers and grass from Fabulous Florets. The butterfly and flower were embossed with the NEW colored embossing powder - Tangerine Tango! Had to add a little bling - pearls!

Here is the inside - lots of room to write an encouraging note to someone!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Enjoy the sun!
Have a great weekend!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Scraps and Such...

2011-05-10T11:49:00.004-03:00

Good Morning!
(Well, at least it is still morning as I write this! I don't know how the morning has gotten away from me so quickly!)

I decided to make a card this morning and I had a plan in my head as to how it would look.... let me tell you, this card is NOTHING like that plan! How does that happen? Does it ever happen to you?
First of all - my craft table is such a "mess" I guess I just picked from what was already in front of me instead of cleaning and planning!

Here is a picture I took right after I finished the card ... does your table ever get like this?

Here is the card I made... using DSP from the retired Occasions Mini ... I versamarked the large flower from the Fabulous Floret set (Summer Mini) on the Pink Pirouette CS; popped a sentiment from the set "Happy Greetings" (Summer Mini); Used the Fancy Flower punch to punch out the sentiment; Matted all with River Rock CS...

Now off to clean that table so I can get down to serious business :)
Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you have a good one!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

"Flower Garden"

2011-05-06T08:54:00.001-03:00

Hi All!
What a nice sunny day!!!!
A quick post for today as I have a pedicure planned for this afternoon ... and family arriving by supper time! :) Making a fish chowder for them! Better get on with it, aye?

Here is my card for today... using the "flower garden embossing folder". I inked it a bit to make it stand out.

A view of the inside....

Have a wonderful day!

HUGS!

Ruthie

FABULOUS!

2011-05-04T10:32:00.002-03:00

Good Morning everyone!
And a fabulous day it is!

Here is my card for today! Made with "Fabulous Florets" from the Summer Mini! I think this has to be a strong contender for my "favorties" list! So - settle in ... I will be making more cards using this same set over the next few days! I have family coming on Friday so there will be very little stampin' time on the weekend.... Of course, Madi always wants to make a card or two ---- girl after my own heart! :)

I used the Scor-Pal on the white background ... scored a frame around the whole piece ... hope you can make that out. Then I inked the flower and sentiment with Cherry Cobbler ink, and the green is Pear Pizzazz - OH! and more rhinestones! :)

Here is a view of the inside...

Thanks for stopping by today! I just took Teddie-boy to the groomers. If he lets me take a picture of him on his return I'll post it later!
Have a great day!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

We All Need A "Touch of Kindness" ...

2011-05-02T09:46:00.002-03:00

Good morning everyone!
What a beautiful day this is going to be!
Soooooooooooo good to see Mr. Sunshine!
For all you Canadians out there - I trust you will exercise your right and privilege to vote today! I'm on my way there very soon!

But First - here is another card using the Scallop and Doily Triple Layer Punches ... The sentiment is from the stamp set "Touch Of Kindness" which is found in the Summer Mini - which went LIVE yesterday!
Ummmmm - I've been using a lot of rhinestones lately.... wonder what that's all about!

Here is a close up of the "flower head" ...

Close up of the sentiment ...

and -
the inside....

Have a wonderful day ....
Keep a smile in your heart and on your face - no matter the outcome of todays election.
God is in control... we're not.
HUGS!
Ruthie

Last Call!

2011-04-30T11:40:00.001-03:00

Good Saturday Morning Everyone!

April 30th ... I don't know about you but I think time is going by much too fast for my liking! Where did April go, anyway? And - the Occassions Mini is on its last legs - so to speak - today being the last day you can order from it!

The Summer Mini goes LIVE tomorrow!

Thought I'd share with you a couple of my favs from the Occassions mini....

Here is the DSP - Springtime Vintage - I liked it so much I bought extra! :) And the Big Designer Buttons.... both of which I hope are in the next catalogue - which comes out in July.

Here is a card made using the Adornments and Buttons ... love these little flowers!

And another DSP card....

Thanks for stopping by today!

May this be a wonderful day for you!

HUGS!

Ruthie

Like a Gold Finch...

2011-04-29T10:21:00.003-03:00

Hi all!
Anyone who knows me well knows that I love the birds! They bring me such joy! The other afternoon a friend was over and the Gold Finches were flitting here and there - the air, trees, and the feeder seemed to be filled with yellow and black! How beautiful! Here is my creation based on these little birds! :)

The bird is from a retired set ... I used papers from the DSP package which will be available as of May 1st!; S. Up! Rhinestones and Ribbon... and I did a little "doodling" of my own.

This is the inside....

Hope you enjoyed your peek here today... thanks for stopping by!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Doily Triple Layer Punch Border

2011-04-27T10:21:00.001-03:00

Good Morning!
I hope everyone slept well last night ... I recall being awakened by rain just pelting down!!! but it lulled me back to sleep ... and that's a good thing! :)

As I peruse the net I have seen many borders using the Blossom Bouquet Triple Layer Punch - and since I didn't preorder that one I decided to have a go at using the punch I do have. Remember... they both - and much more - will be available as of May 1st - in the Summer Mini. I also used the DSP "Beyond the Garden".

The colors here don't do this card justice! It is so much brighter in real life ! :)
Have a wonderful day!
Keep a smile on your face and in your heart!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Happy Anniversary - to us!

2011-04-26T09:33:00.003-03:00

It is our 15th Anniversary today!

Where did the years go?

Kev's son - who has a Birthday today - was 10 when we got married ....

he is now a strappin' 6 foot something and 25....

The years have been good to us, I must say....

and I hope to celebrate another 15 + with this fellow!

Here is the card I made for hubby... it is pretty simple -
I had to restrain myself from "blinging" it up!
ha ha ha!

I wrote him a little love note here!!!

Have a wonderful day!
Blessings and Hugs!
Ruthie

Vanilla and Black!

2011-04-22T10:11:00.001-03:00

Hi Everyone!!!
It's a beautiful day out there today!!!
One of the Klub gals had this card for us to make the other night.... Thanks, Debbie!!! :)
Isn't it a beauty?

I love the "pop up" idea.... have seen it done but never attempted it myself.... really like the end result!
Have a wonderful Easter weekend.... He is alive!
Blessings!
Ruthie

April Kreations Klub...

2011-04-20T11:35:00.001-03:00

Good morning!
Just a quick post this morning to share with you the cards we made at Klub last night! We also had a quest share last night ... I'll show you that card tomorrow...
For now - here is a different take on a card... the actual "card" itself is attached to a bigger piece of CS... I liked this idea so decided to have a go at it! We did some "glittering" on this one but the pic doesn't do it justice!

This card uses the technique "embedded embossing" - everyone was quite taken with this technique...

Thanks for stopping by today...
Have a good one!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Another Sneak Peek!

2011-04-19T09:20:00.002-03:00

Good Morning all!
I have another sneak peek for you today!
On this card I used a Doily punchout! (featured in yesterdays post); DSP - "Beyond the Garden"; and an image from the stamp set "Touch of Kindness" - all found in the Summer Mini ... and available for purchase as of May 1st.

I used So Saffron as the base CS; Pacific Point to mat with; colored the image with markers and a blender pen ...

This is the inside of the card...

I have Kreations Klub here tonight..... must go do my final preparations for that!
Have a great day!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Summer Mini "Sneak Peek" ...

2011-04-18T20:25:00.002-03:00

Good morning!

What a time I had getting my last delivery from Stampin' Up! It had nothing to do with S. Up! ... had to do with the carrier making the delivery! I was beginning to think I would have to stand in the middle of the highway and flag them down as they went by! After lots of phone calls and frustration - it finally arrived and I have had two busy days since then. So, I don't have a sample card to show you .....
BUT -

I have the Doily Triple Layer Punch which is one of the two new triple punches in the Summer Mini ...available as of May 1st. I love this - can't wait to really sit and create with it!
These punches enable you to have 3 different punchouts from the one punch! You gotta love that!!! :) All you do is set the button on your desired end result and voila! How cool!

And here are what the punchouts look like....

Hope you enjoyed your brief sneak peek this morning... off for lunch with a friend soon... gotta run! No creating today - well! maybe tonight! Hopefully I'll have something to show you tomorrow!
Have a good one!

Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

The Nicest Things!

2011-04-13T15:50:00.003-03:00

Hey!
What are some of the "nicest things" in your life? One thing I love is Nature! and Color! Color anywhere.... a while ago I spent some time on the 'net' looking for colorful pictures that inspired me. Here is one I found... (I will share more with you in the future.) I would just love to have these colorful dishes in my kitchen!

Here is a card I made using these colors: Poppy Parade; Tempting Turquoise; Barely Banana; White. I used the stamps from "the nicest things" stamp set... when I received this set I wondered what I would do with this little bunny in the pot ... I colored the bunny and pot with a blender pen and S. Up! markers. I made a blank card and will write an encouraging note in it for someone. I trust the color and the note will brighten their day!

Here is the inside...

I am patiently - or not so patiently - waiting for my order to arrive from Stampin' Up! Usually the parcels arrive shortly after noontime amd here it is almost 4 o'clock. What's with that anyway? Can't wait to show you some sneak peeks from the Summer Mini...
For now - I must continue to wait - and wait - and wait....

Here is another of the "things" that bring me joy!

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs to you all!
Ruthie

UDI #31

2011-04-12T11:42:00.001-03:00

HI everyone!
The sun is trying to come out! WoooHooo! I have to run to town this afternoon - well! not "run" literally - you know what I mean! I've had my sandals on since last week - what about you? I'm lovin' that!

Here is a color challenge I ran across today ....

I didn't use any black; and I don't have any Bashful Blue so used a little Baja Breeze instead... added a little bling with the Stampin' Up! rhinestones. I took a 10" by 5&1/2" piece of CS and scored it at 4&1/2 inches to create the fold; giving me a 5&1/2" by 5&1/2" card ...

I used the one of the frames from the Four Frames stamp set and matted it ... used only 3 words from the sentiment in the Strength and Hope stamp set...

For the inside I stamped off the butterfly ... making this 3rd generation stamping...

Thanks for stopping by today!
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Fancy Fold...

2011-04-11T03:00:00.006-03:00

Good Morning everyone...
Hope you all had a good weekend.... I was away visting family!
Here is a card I cut out a while back and just finished the other day... it is rather "tiddly" (is that a word? ) to cut out... and I probably won't bother to do so again....
BUT - I do like the end result!
Hope you do too!

Here is a side view so you can see the cuts and folds - (not the best pic but I hope you get the idea)

This is the inside panel...

I just LOOOOOOVE this new paper that is part of the Spring is Blossoming promotion for April.... spend $25.00 on S. Up! product and you are able to purchase this paper and/or the stamp set Four Frames.... both will be avaible in the 2011-2012 catty but why would you want to wait til July to get your hands on such beautiful paper? LOL! :0

Have a great day!
HUGS!
Ruthie

My Take on Zindorf -

2011-04-08T03:00:00.028-03:00

Hi all!
One of my favorite blogs to visit is that of Michelle Zindorf... I call her the brayer queen! This is the link to her blog http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/
On April 5th, 2011 she had a card using the butterfly from the Strength and Hope set; and the grass from Inspired by Nature... I loved what she did so thought I would try my hand at doing a similar card... Here is my take on her card!

I sponged rather than using a brayer... just b/c I like to sponge!
I used Pear Pizzazz instead of Old Olive; I didn't sponge the Espresso ink all over the front as she did; and I used pearls as an embellishment.

Here is the inside of my card...

Thanks for peeking today!
Have a wonderful weekend ... and I'll see you back here next week!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Mojo - where did you go?

2011-04-07T15:15:00.001-03:00

Hi everyone!
This has been a very busy week for me... meetings, Bible Study, Small Group, doctor's appt.... this is the first time I've actually sat here and contemplated posting! Needless to say ... I have not stamped so far this week at all! I guess the mojo hasn't really left me .... just the time!
Here is a card I made a couple weeks ago using the Bliss set from Sale a Bration... hope you ,like it!
Right now I am going to clean off my stampin' table and get to work ... I have a couple of ideas rolling around in my head so I better get them created or I'll loose them! ha! ha! ha! My memory is short these days!

Have a wonderful day! Enjoy the sunshine!
The birds are singing and the peepers are peeping! wooo hooo!
Blessings and HUGS!
Ruthie

Stylish Blogger Award!

2011-04-04T09:57:00.003-03:00

Imagine my surprise when I received this award from Peg over at "Stamping Peg"! :)
Peg has also been awarded this award. Check out her blog here - http://stampinpeg.blogspot.com/

Thank you so much, Peg. I am feeling very honored this beautiful Monday Morning.

Upon receiving this award I must...

1. Thank the person who gave this award to me and link to their blog .... again - thanks so much, Peg!

2. Share 8 things about myself...

a. I am a Christian who loves the Lord with all my heart and soul and mind and strength!

b. I am married to my wonderful hubby - Kevin - we will soon be celebrating our 15th anniversary!

c. I have one daughter, a great son-in-law ... and a beautiful granddaughter who makes my heart smile!

d. I am retired from the nursing / education field after 35 years of work ... semi-retired as a Christian Counselor.

e. I have been a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator since 2006 and I LOVE pretty paper and lots of color!

f. I have an almost 2 year old Yorkie ... Teddie - who makes me laugh at his antics.

g. I recently acquired an eReader - the greatest thing since sliced bread! I love to read!

h. I am an amateur birdwatcher and photographer!

3. I am passing this award on to the following people whom I have recently discovered:

a. Frenchie - Stamp and Scrap with Frenchie - http://frenchiestamps.com/

b. Krystal - Krystal's Cards and More - http://krystalscardsandmore.blogspot.com/

c. Francie - Francie's Fancy - http://franciesfancy.blogspot.com/
d. Peggy - Artfull Journey - http://www.artfulljourney.com/

       e. Teneale - http://www.tenealewilliams.com/
       f.   Leanne - Wee inklings - http://weeinklings.blogspot.com/
       g. Jessica - iEmbellish - http://iembellish.blogspot.com/
       h. Heidi - RunningwScissorsStamper - http://runningwscissorsstamper.blogspot.com/

4. Leave a comment so they can pass along the recognition!

I hope you will get a chance today to visit all these blogs if they aren't already on your list. It amazes me that there are soooooooo many creative people out there in blogger land....

Have a wonderful day!
May it be filled with lots of sunshine and happiness!
HUGS!
Ruthie

Just A Simple Card

2011-04-03T16:48:00.002-03:00

Hi everyone....
I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Sunday! We had a wonderful time of worship this morning.... tonight we are attending a Gospel Concert put on by "Gold City"... you can check them out on YouTube ...
I'm really looking forward to that.

Here is a card I made the other day - just a simple card....

This is the inside....

Have a wonderful day - keep lookin' up!
Blessings and Hugs!

A Few Knots, a Punch, and More...

2011-03-29T03:00:00.002-03:00

Thursday (31st) addition:
Over at Pals Paper Arts this week (http://palspaperarts.com/) we are challenged to use our punches so I thought this post would fit that challenge...

Good Morning!
I have a lot to show you today... yesterday was a "fun day" in the craft room!
Here is the card I made ... using a knotted flower as an embellishment. I saw this on someone's blog yesterday and had to give it a try .... love making these flowers; each one is different. I'll tell you how to do it in a moment! :)

Inside the card...

Here is a close up of the flower .... see all the knots? Notice the mat the flower is popped on?

More flowers ...he..he..he! :o

Here is how the mat is made... take a simple scallop using the scallop punch...

Take a second punch - I used the 5 petal flower punch - Mary Fish from http://www.stampinpretty.com/ used the Star punch... punch out each scallop ... there is no rhyme nor reason to this - just do it! Gotta love that!

Here we are on the way to the end result!

Now - on to making the flowers. I wish I remembered where I saw this today.... I certainly give them all the credit... my brain just would never have conceived such a thing.

Take a piece of ribbon ... I used 24 inches - and tie knots in it - all along the ribbon - no format just don't pull them too tight.

Cut a cicle and cover it with sticky tape ... I used a 1&1/4 inch circle -

Starting in the center, begin to wind the ribbon around the circle making sure to stick it down as you go.

Here is the circle totally covered with the knotted ribbon

And now with an adornment in the center.... ready to use on another card!

Phew!
That was a lot of fun! Hope you enjoyed! And I hope you will try these new techniques!
Have a wonderful day!
I'm having company for lunch! Gotta go make some biscuits!
(((HUGS)))
Ruthie

3 X 3 Cards and Folder!

2011-03-28T11:30:00.004-03:00

Good Morning Everyone!
Hope you all had a great weekend and are ready to face another week! :)
This week takes us into April! How did that happen?
My daughter celebrates a birthday this coming weekend... 40 years old! (hope she's ok with me tellin' her age!) How can THAT be? I'm still only about 46!!! -------- I wish! :)

'Nuff said about that!

On to the reason I'm here. Somewhere online the other day I saw this little folder with four 3 X 3 cards in it and just had to make one! It is too cute ... such a nice thing to have on hand to give to someone when you visit them; or to just say "I'm thinking of you."

Here is the folder - held closed with a piece of Daffodil Delight ribbon -

Here it is open with the cards inside...

And here are the 3 X 3 cards I made to put in the folder - a great way to use up small pieces of DSP and such!

Hope you enjoyed your peek here today!
I have a Stampin' Up! order arriving this afternoon... gotta love that! New Stuff! :)
Have a great day!
Blessings and Hugs!
Ruthie

Curly Label Punch

2011-03-25T10:38:00.003-03:00

Good Morning all!
I do have a card to show you - but first.....
This fellow visited my feeders the other day! I believe he is a Downy Woodpecker - he has a very distinctive voice - like a click sound. It was his voice that caught my attention (I had the patio door open) and then, suddenly, he was on the railing of the deck looking at the feeder... he moved down the railing a little, then back up, and then landed on the feeder.... he was casing the joint! :) I ran for my camera hoping to get a picture... the next time he arrived he flew directly onto the feeder, grabbed a sunflower seed and took off for the tree.

Here he is - on the feeder having quickly grabbed a seed...

He flew to the tree... (see the seed in his beak?)

And here he is trying to get at the meat inside the shell!

I waited for him to come back but he proceeded to beat away at the tree trunk instead. Maybe he found that he doesn't like sunflower seeds.

'Nuff already!

Here is a card I made yesterday ...using the Curly Label Punch to make a decorative border.... line up the edge of the CS to the middle of the punch working your way along the CS ... and this is the finished product... so easy! Hope you'll give it a try!

Rich Razzleberry CS, ribbon & ink - also used Very Vanilla CS, and some DSP...

Here is a closeup of the border ...

Thanks for stopping by today!
Have a great weekend! Enjoy the sunshine!
(((HUGS)))
Ruthie

Scallop Punch Cross

2011-03-24T16:06:00.005-03:00

Good afternoon!
Having a great day here! Awoke to snow this morning but it is all gone now!
Spent a few minutes in my Downlines new craft room .... it's great! She showed me how to make this cross using the Scallop Trim Corner and Scallop Trim Border punches..... so easy - take a piece of printer paper; fold in half; fold approx 1 to 1&1/2 inches down from top and punch with corner punch; lift fold up and punch edge with edge punch and there you have it! A beautiful cross .... for Easter, Sympathy, Praying for you.....

I have a Workshop tonight and I will show them how to do this ...
Embossing the paper afterwards with your BigShot or CB makes the fold lines disappear!
Gotta love that!

Tomorrow I will show you how to do a decorative edge using a different punch.

Have a great evening!

Prints & SAB ...

2011-03-23T01:51:00.005-03:00

Hi Stampers!
Here it is - the middle of the week already! Of course, being retired and all - it makes little difference to me! LOL! I remember when I worked ... I always disliked Mondays; really liked Wednesdays; and LOVED Fridays!

Todays card uses the Paisley Prints (preview from 2011 Catty)

and the Bliss SAB stamp set.

Here is a view of the inside!

.
Have a wonderful day! Keep looking up! Stay strong!
(((HUGS)))