OPINIONS WANTED

Have you ever had an idea for a card in your head but just couldn't get it onto the paper? That's exactly what happened with this card. I wanted gentle elegance in muted warm earth tones - soft browns & tans, peaches, mossy greens - and THIS is where I ended up. Okay - NOT what I intended but still not displeased with the overall result. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS, "With or without the pearls in the corners?"

When making a card I usually choose my image first. Then I will choose the color to stamp it on and with depending on the "feel" I am going for. The next step is to color it - also keeping in my the overall feel and use for the card. Once colored I choose my carstock colors, and then play around with the layout until I get it just right. Then, when I'm satisfied to that point, I select the embellishments to coordinate with the layout and colors. My final step is to put it all together.

I didn't use any stamps on the outside of this card. I created the sentiment on the computer and added a clipart image to it in Photoshop. I printed it out onto light tan linen cardstock then colored it and trimmed it to the desired size. It is layered onto a piece of Chocolate Chip that has been embossed with the Textiles Cuttlebug folder. I originally chose Creamy Caramel as the card base color - but loved this ribbon so had to change the cardbase to More Mustard. Once I did that I then had to go back to the flower image and add a little More Mustard shading to make the colors harmonize.

The pin is a table skirt pin from the bridal section of Hobby Lobby to which I added a couple of small pearls and amber colored beads. Once I pushed the pin through the ribbon to hold the beads into place on the pin, I used wire cutters to cut the point of the pin off. This is very important so you remain on friendly terms with the person receiving the cards. No one likes to be surprised to find the end of a sharp pin in the fingers!!!!!

In closing I'd like to ask for prayer for a wonderful woman and good friend, Sarah Johnson. Her mother passed away unexpectedly yesterday and she, along with her siblings, will be making some very difficult decisions in the next few weeks regarding arrangements and settlement of the estate. Please take a moment or two as God brings her to mind, to pray for her and her family.

Thanks for visiting - and as always, remember to take a little time to play today.

Jill

SPELLBINDERS INTRODUCES "IMPRESSABILITIES"

The CHA (Craft Hobby Association) convention is going on out in sunny California right now and some of the lucky attendees have been sending photos and info out to those of us anxious to see some of the "soon to be" released products. So far my favorites are the releases from Spellbinders. In addition to some really neat die shapes this year (16 in all) they have added a product to their line called Impressabilities. The photo at right tells what you can do with them as well as shows some examples. Just another thing to add to my wish list!

I also found out that Stampin'Up! will be releasing embossing folders later in the year. Probably when the next catalog comes out in August.

The card that I'm sharing today is for my great-nephew, Zachary, who will turn one year old on February 6th (my wedding anniversary). I apologize for the softness of the image - I was a little shaky this morning and didn't have time before leaving for work to take another.

I used the same wonderful background paper that I used on Saturday's card. It is so bright and cheerful. The stamp set is Stampin'Up!'s Toy Box. I purchased it several years ago to use in my son's boyhood scrapbook but since I've only completed about 10 pages this set has been hidden away, unused, until now. To finish off the card I used border elements from Stampin'Up!'s Baby Boy Simply Scrappin' Kit, stamped the sentiment in Brilliant Blue, and added white brads to hold the orange border in place. Very simple, very quick to make and just right for a sweet little boy.

Thanks for visiting and remember to take a little time to play today. It's good for the soul.

Jill

A MILLION CHANCES TO WIN . . .

. . . not really a million - but there are lots of opportunities out in blog land to win some GREAT stamp n scrap prizes (known in blog land as "blog candy".) I will be adding links to my sidebar to the various blogs as I become aware of contests going on so make sure to check the sidebar for some seriously great candy. And don't think it's impossible to win - I won THREE different contests in December!!!!! and I'm the person that NEVER WINS ANYTHING!!!! Some of the sites ask that you add a link to your blog - but if you are not a blogger, leave a comment anyway and mention that you don't blog. Some of the ladies will be nice enough to let you play along anyway. Other blogs just ask for you to leave a comment to enter. Easy peasy!

I participated in a sketch/blogsite challenge yesterday - but don't LOVE the card - so I'm not posting it today. Instead I went back into my gallery and found a card I made in January 2006. At the time I created it, it was my favorite card I had ever made. Looking at it again today, it is still one that pleases me.

I used a now-retired Stampin'Up! stamp set called "HEAVEN SCENT". It is a very old-fashioned, elegant stamp set that I still own. I colored the stamp with markers in Orchid Opulence, Eggplant Envy, Mellow Moss and Always Artichoke then lightly spritzed with water before stamping the image on the vellum metal edge tag. The technique for the background is a faux linen technique in which I used Chocolate Chip and Creamy Caramel inks and then distressed and sponged the edge. I used another stamp from the same set and colored it, spritzed it with water then stamped the image twice without reinking. The ribbon was made with an old piece of Mulberry Spring Roll. To finish I used bronze cording to tie the metal edge tag to the ribbon.

Hope you enjoyed your visit today and don't forget to check out the blogs offering candy.

Jill

I'M GOING TO BE PUBLISHED!

Well - I guess you can call it that. A few weeks ago I posted a card I made using a Calla Lily from Rubbernecker.com. I sent a photo of it to the company email along with a note telling them how impressed I was with the quality of the stamp and the artwork of the designer. It is truly a GORGEOUS design. Last night when I pulled up my email - there was a note from Mr. Rubbernecker himself - Dave Miller - asking for permission to showcase my card next to the stamp set on his website! I was so excited - it's not quite like being published in a magazine - but I think it still counts. Oh - and of course I told him yes! The card is not posted yet but probably will be in the next day or so. He contacted me again this morning asking for me to resend the image for posting. I may be making a big deal of it - but I am so honored! You can see it at this link once it is posted: Rubbernecker.com.


Okay- so enough about that. Yesterday I told you to stop back today for a gift idea for the guitar players in your life. This is a altered guitar string box. Mine is empty but what a cool Valetine's gift to get. My son re-strung his guitar the other day and started to throw this little jem away! What!!!! There are endless possibilites for little tin cases - they should NEVER end up in the garbage.!!!!! I have also been told that empty cases like these are available online or at Scrapbook Stores (e.g. Archivers). So even if you don't know anyone that plays guitar you can still cover the tin and fill it with bling, candies, etc. or make a "Scrapbook in a Tin".




I originally placed these little Michael's gemstone in this one - but removed them to give as a doorprize drawing at my workshop yesterday. The tin was also given (empty) as a doorprize drawing.

I covered the top with a piece of Stampin'Up Afternoon Tea Designer Paper (retired) and stamped hearts from the new Sale-a-bration "Polka Dot Punches" set using Basic Brown ink onto So Saffron & Pretty in Pink cardstock. Because I don't yet own the heart punch, I cut-out each of the hearts and added coordinating button tied with twine. The bottom of the tin was covered in Close to Cocoa and stamped with my "handstamped for you" stamp.

Now that I have given the tin away and posted the photo here I wish I had made the twine from the center button hang further down onto the tin. Oh well - maybe next time!

Thanks for visiting and letting me share my exciting news.

Jill

HOW MANY FINGERS ARE YOU???

I found the sweetest little birthdady stamp at Hobby Lobby this week and of course I HAD to have it. But that's okay - it was 50% off so I got a deal! It is written in KidPrint and says "Happy Birthday. How many fingers are you?" Immediately I envisioned a card with hand prints on the front and found another stamp that had baby hands. I picked it up and carried it around the store with me but it was so "baby" and the card I wanted to make was for my 10 year old nephew. Then I came to the aisle with the little wooden cut-outs. One of them was this little hand - much better than the little baby's hand stamp.

My first thought was I would paint the wooden cut-out in bright colors in a kind of psychedelic pattern. My nephew would like that. But then decided to use the hand as a pattern so I could use it again and again. I used Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery and Brilliant Blue Cardstock then added a wonderful geometric print Designer Paper and felt star button tied with twine that I found at the local scrapbook store. To help the hand stand-out from the background I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder with a circle pattern to emboss the Certainly Celery Cardstock then added faux stitching with a white gel pen around the egde of the hand cut-out. The inside is stamped with the stamp from Hobby Lobby.

I loved the way this turned out - and I hope you enjoyed seeing it. Have a great day today and check back tomorrow for a Valentine gift idea for the guitar players in your life.

Jill

A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR YOU

I have a workshop on Saturday and wanted to make a Valentine themed door prize - and what is more "Valentine" than red heart candies?

I found this clear acrylic box at Hobby Lobby for whopping $2 and thought it was perfect! Because I couldn't fill the lid (the candy would go flying when the recipient removed the lid) I covered it with a piece of Holiday Treasures DP by creating a folded box then adhering the box to the outside of the lid. I really wanted to use the Bella Blossom Rose DP but I miscut my very last scrap of it so this was the next best thing.

The sentiment is from a new Sale-a-bration set called "YUMMY" . The set has 3 stamps (which I cut apart to make 6) and each one can be used to make a label for a special treat. One says "A little Yummy for your Tummy", another "With Love", and the one shown in the photo, "A little something for you". (Sale-a-bration begins February 1st).

This goes together very quickly, is fairly inexpensive and is cute enough that I'm not ashamed to give it as a gift. I think if I make another one I'll have the white scallops go all the way around the box, move the ribbon up just a little and add a heart button or wood piece to the ribbon knot. In fact, I think I'm going to add a heart brad to this one.

Box Lid dimensions: 2.25" x 2.25" x 1.5"

Dimensions for box top: 5.25" square scored at 1.5" on all sides.

Hope you enjoyed seeing what I made for you today. If you are coming to the workshop on Saturday, you just might be taking this home with you.

Thanks for visiting.

Jill

ROSES, PEARLS & CELERY

What on earth does celery have to do with the most elegant of jewels and flowers? The colors harmonize beautifully!

I found these beautiful celery colored pearlized brads and matching ribbon at Michaels this past weekend. I couldn't resist. The color is so sophisticated and soft and matches Stampin'Up!'s Certainly Celery cardstock perfectly. Of course I had no Designer Paper to coordinate with it so on my lunch hour I stopped into the local scrapbook store and found these gorgeous papers by Moda and BasicGrey. The rose is cut out from the BasicGrey "French Hen" DP and layered onto the Moda gentle striped DP. A scalloped border of whisper white is run behind a portion of the floral image and then layered onto a piece of Always Artichoke cardstock. I added the ribbon at an angle in the upper left corner, spaced the brads into each scallop, then adhered all the layers onto a 5x5 piece of Certainly Celery cardstock.

To finishe I added another floral cutout from the same BasicGrey piece of DP by popping it up on dimensionals to the ribbon, added stardust stickles to the flowers' highlights, then shaded around the cutout rose with Certainly Celery marker.

I love the result - these papers have such striking colors. It was definitely quicker than watercoloring the flower- but if you don't like to cut out images you might want to stick with a stamp and coloring! :)

Thanks for visiting today and remember to take a little time today to play.

Jill

OH HOW I LOVE "SPELLBINDERS"!!!!!!

I don't have a card to share with you today - but I do have some great news to share. Those of you with BigShots (Cuttlebugs or Wizards too!) will appreciate what I am about to tell you. Spellbinders - the makers of those wonderful Nestabilites die cuts - are soon to release 16 new diecut designs!!!!!!! There are several that I really like - but this particular one is toooooooo cool!


When I first saw it, it didn't appeal to me. I'm a card maker and I usually see things in 2-dimension - basically flat on a card. Then I saw THIS creation by Keri Lee Sereika. WOW!!!! This die is DEFINITELY at the top of my wish list now!


Some people are so creative - it just blows my mind what they can come up with! I would NEVER have thought to do that!


That's it for today. Go check out the Spellbinders blog for lots of other great ideas. They have some VERY talented people on their Design Team.


Jill

PINK TREATS

Here's another Valentine project - sourcream treat containers. Products used: Yummy Sale-a-brations & Boho Backgrounds sets, Berry Bliss and Pink Pirouette Designer Papers and Whisper White and Pretty in Pink cardstock from SU! Burgundy Linen cardstock from Hobby Lobby and Martha Stewart Scalloped Border, Marvy Heart Corner Punch (for border) a Marvy Heart Punch and a paper crimper.

The box was from Michael's and covered with DP and the candies are from Wally World. They are called "Cupid Corn". Cute huh????

This was my first time making the sour cream containers. How cute and easy! Even my son thought they were "pretty neat."

Thanks for looking.

Jill

VALENTINE CARD SWAP

It's red - I know. Sorry Sarah! but I just can't bring myself to use non-traditional colors for a valentine. I tried recently with the clown card - and well - let's just say I wasn't happy with the result (even though I posted it.)

My Stampin'Up upline and her downline are having our quarterly meeting on the 31st and it is our tradition to have a card swap using the newest products available to us at the time. This is the first time I've had a chance to participate in the 2 years I've been a demonstrator and this is the card I made.

It uses a new stamp set called "Polka Dot Punches" from the upcoming Sale-a-bration promotion as well as the floral stamp from Boho Backgrounds, the small heart from Small Sayings, and a sentiment from Holiday & Wishes. Stampin' Up is also releasing texture plates for use with the BigShot - and though I can't order them until the 19th I recreated the look of one by using the Cuttlebug Swiss Dots embossing folder. There is a slight difference in that the new SU! product will emboss clear to the edges of a 4.25x5.5 card whereas the Cuttlebug folders always leave a scant 1/8" bare along the edges.Hopefully no one will notice the difference at the swap. Cardstock is Whisper White, Basic Black and Pink Pirouette. Ink colors are Riding Hood Red and Stazon Jet Black. The black gingham ribbon is also from Stampin'Up!

And now that I am looking closely at the photo - I realized I forgot to sponge color around the edge of the heart on this one. It helps it pop away from the back-ground. Guess I'll be popping off a few hearts. Fortunately I only have 7 out of 25 cards finished so it won't take much time to fix that mistake!

Thanks for visiting today. I'll be working on some other Valentine projects in the next couple of weeks so check back often and see what I've learned.

Jill

VALENTINE BOX OF CHOCOLATES

Did the title of the blog post make you want to look? If I saw a blog mentioning chocolate you can bet I'd be racing right over to see what was up!

Today I want to share with you this wonderful Origami box with lid. The box without the lid finishes at 4" square by 2" deep - a perfect size to fill with decadent, rich chocolate Kisses for
Valentine's day. Just add the lid to keep the contents a surprise - because you have a kazillion possibilities to choose from to fill it.

I used a sheet of Designer Paper from SU! Bella Rose and a deep, rich Rose Red Cardstock to create the folded box. The heart is stamped with an image from "Gentler Times" (a favorite, retired SU! set) then cut-out and popped up on a square mat created with the Martha Stewart Scalloped Border Punch. Pink Ribbon, a Prima flower and a bit of pink bling add the finishing touches to this delightful little gift.


I also made a K.I.S.S. card (KEEP IT SIMPLE SISTER) to send to Pat Adam for the Cards 4 Kids program. I was looking at Hobby Lobby for Valentine images that I could use for kids and really wasn't overly impressed at the selection. Then I found a little sentiment stamp that simply reads "Be My Valentine" - of course then you know where that leads - I had to look for some bee stamps. I just bought a set coming out in the new SU! catalog that have adorable little bees in it - but I spotted these guys on the shelf and couldn't leave them bee-hind (okay - I'll stop with the bee puns). I colored them, matted them and then added a little stickles to the wings then adhered them to a piece of pink pirouette cardstock that I ran through the Cuttlebug Hearts Embossing Folder. The inside is stamped with the little greeting and VOILA! a sweet little card for some ill kiddo to send out for Valentine's Day.

If you are interested in making a few Valentine cards for the kiddos too, leave me a comment and I'll make sure to get the info out to you.

That's it for today - I know I said I was posting the third technique for my class today - but I decided to leave that one a secret for my class participants.

Have a great day - and if you live in my area - bundle up if you're going outside. It is a VERY chilly MINUS 14 today!

Jill

ALTERED ALCOHOL INK

I am anxiously awaiting the delivery of my new stamp sets (2 sale-a-bration sets) and catalogs. Stampin'Up tells me to expect delivery tomorrow - YAY!!!!! - so those of you coming to the techniques class on Monday will be the first to see the new products. I'm very excited about some of the sneak peeks I've seen - especially the new texture plates for use in the BigShot. I can't wait!!!!

In the meantime, I have been playing with some different techniques and ideas for Monday evenings class and decided to use the Altered Alcohol technique in just a bit of a different manner than I've seen most people do. Instead of using it as a background, I used it as the coloring for my main image - in this case punched hearts from glossy cardstock.

One of my class participants has an aversion to the color red - apparently she can literally become sick to her stomach if she stares at it for too long - but this is a valentine and I just couldn't steer clear of that color. I did try to to underplay it by making the vast majority of the card black & white. The sentiment is from Holidays & Wishes from Stampin'Up as is the ribbon. The little red gemstones were purchased at the local craft store.

Hope you enjoyed your visit today.

Back again tomorrow with technique number three.

Jill

TECHNIQUES CLASS FUN

I am offering a techniques class on the 3rd Monday evening of each month this year so I sat down to begin creating the samples for the first three techniques that the class participants will be learning.

This card was made using the Faux Cloissonne technique. After cutting the oval using a Nestabilities die, I applied Versamark pen to the outer edge and then embossed in gold to match the image. I didn't have gold brads (how can that be????) so I used antique brass brads and added gold stickles.

The background is embossed using a Cuttlebug Textile folder and BigShot. I was limited on ribbon choices for this project but his one worked well. It is difficult to see in the photo, but when the light hits the brads and gold embossing the ribbon matches perfectly.

Thanks for looking (and reading if you did!).

Jill

MOSS & CALLA LILLIES

I love this card! Maybe it's because it's calla lillies, or because it's muted, Old World tones, or maybe it almost monochromatic. Whatever it is I just love the way this turned out and it definitely more "me". I enjoy playing along with the various color challenges on differents websites & blogs but the cards I make in those challenges never satisfy me. (e.g. Tuesday's Valentine Clown).


I purchased this wonderful stamp from Stamp Oasis at Rubbernecker.com. I also purchased two other similar floral stamps that I now can't wait to play with. Don't be surprised if the next couple of posts show tulips or daisies!!!!


I stamped, colored and cutout the lillies then matted them on OldWorld DP I purchased at Hobby Lobby, Basic Black and Mellow Moss. The Mellow Moss card base was embossed using the CB Textile embossing folder. The ribbon is SU!Mellow Moss Taffeta.


Thanks for visiting today.
Jill

NEW CATALOG SNEAK PEEK

News from the Leadership Training going on right now in Orlando is trickling down through blogs and websites (complete with photos). Here's what I've seen and heard so far about the upcoming catalog: (These are spoilers so if you want to be surprised don't read any further.)

There are 11 pages of big shot items:-A manhattan flower type textured impressions die $7.95 that matches the 5th avenue floralstamp set

-bag w/ scalloped edge, very tiny-some sort of curly label

-rollodex type card

-butterfly (from the front cover of the current catalog)

-circles-oval scalloped frame

-flourishes

-birds & branches, long skinny

-sizzlet cupcakes

-embosslit flowers

-2 different texture plate packages - (produces an embossed effect like Cuttlebug embossing folders). There are 3 double sided plates in each package for $11.95.

Embellishments
hand crocheted flowers 12/9.95

new rubons
tiny flower brads, asst colors 32/$6.95

new desinger hardware 6/ $4.95
Jumbo brads in neutral assortments
Clear rhinestone brads! All by themselves instead of in a Pretties kit! 84 in a pack, 10.95
Corduroy buttons - gotta feel ‘em, so great! 6 colors sold individually, 3 sizes in each pack of 24
Bigger library clips
Organza is back! In white, narrow
New fine glitters in chocolate, olive, etc

Papers & Cardstock

13-14 new dps ( a really cool b&w polka dot!)

2 textured, cover-weight cardstocks called "to the nines" and "parisian breeze"

glossy dp called rockabilly (think skull stamp set from mini)

Tools
Cutterbee circle cutter with glass mat, very sturdy (can we throwout those Coluzzles???)
Lg. Heart Punch
Scalloped Eyelet Border Punch
3-Heart Punch

Stamp Sets
-Some cute L1 hostess sets: One is a little 4 stamp set about food. Another one has a pretty monarch butterfly.
-A Happy Heart from our current mini made it in here!
-A nice set for Independence Day
- 4 Christmas sets (this is the Sping/Summer catalog)
-A Tool set. A little whimisical but not too much, kinda manly, open line so you can color.
-A 50’s type coffee set - cute mugs ‘enjoy life, sip by sip’
-A french like set with a little poodle, shoes and a Coco Chanel quote about being classy and fabulous. There is a coordinating wheel with shoes and purses.
-A cute little quilt set ‘may your bobbin always be full’
-A bridal shower or wedding set - paisley cake and dress - hard to describe this one!
-A cute frog set with a little lily pad, fly, etc.
-A housewarming party set
-Baby shower invite set.
-Lots of Fairy tale type stamps and greetings - I see lots of scrapbook pages for Disney, etc…
-Man’s best friend - solid dogs, quirky, fire hydrant, weiner dog, scottie, chihuaha, and a bigger dog like a lab.
-Sporting set
-Surfing set - for boys or teens with surf board and wave
-Lots of birds. They are the new cupcakes.
-Ocean set- angel fish, seahorse - more realistic
-A realistic looking bare tree with accessories like a tire swing, bird, birdhouse….
-A few botanical sets - open lines to color and with veins, pretty. Goes well with lovely as a tree - same style.
- A bear set with canoe, jeep, bike - cartoony….like our current Under the Stars with the bear…same style
-Big manhatten flower that matches the Manhattan Decor Elements (vinyl wall things) with matching sizzix embossing die for this, too!
-A card game set of 3 that look like playing cards! a joker that says ‘you make me laugh’ and a king and a queen…. fun!
-A jumbo wheel with musical instruments! violin, flute, horns….with swirls and more - artsy. There is a matching set with a cello maybe? Same page as the Illuminations set - same style
-Greek column-ish set with roman sketches
-Another set similiar to Genuine Article…
Also 8 Individually sold stamps are great greetings and images that are only one stamp. 5.95-7.95

BIG Background stamps:
-a graffiti stamp with a style like Seriously or Too Cool
-stripes, solid and varying in size
not much new there since they added several Sizzix texture plates…

Greetings:
-a nice hope set ‘hope happens” and quotes about courage
-3 little words….-‘ I miss you’ and ‘ so very sorry’ You get the idea - set of 8
-A new announcement set: Save the date, You’re invited…very nice and classy
-New Alphabet - a varsity type one that looks just like the letters on a letterman’s jacket!

Decor Elements is fantastic! Trains, Dinosaurs, Fairytale Silhouettes, Trees, Birds - and more colors to choose from.

AND ANNOUNCING:
Digital Scrabooking
Coming out Later in the Year! Our own digital scrapbooking studio! Create more than just pages. Contains exclusive designs and colors and includes SU! designer papers and embellishments. Will be called My Digital Studio.

That's the scoop so far. I can't wait for my copy to arrive as what I've seen so far looks great!!!! I'll update you as I gather more info.

Jill

CARDS 4 KIDS

Today's card is one that I made to send off for CARDS 4 KIDS. This is a program being sponsored by Pat Adams to donate 1,000 Valentine cards to the children in the Children's Hospital of Michigan. Each child will receive several handmade cards to exchange with other children in the hospital, give to his/her medical care providers or to mail to family/friends for Valentine's day. If you are interested in participating check out the details on Pat's blog.

The sketch I used for the layout of the card can be found on the Mojo Monday blog. Every Monday there is a new sketch posted for the week which is helpful if you are having creator's block. You can also go back and look at previous sketches for inspiration. Make sure to visit the site this week as there is blog candy (stamps sets) to win.

The image I used for this card is called "HEART CLOWN" from Stamp Oasis. I chose cardstock from SU! to meet this weeks color challenge on SCS which is Garden Green, Brilliant Blue, and Pumpkin Pie. DP is also SU! from the Bella Rose pack. The image was stamped with Stazon Jet Black ink on 140lb. watercolor paper then colored with SU! markers and an aquapainter. Using SU! Markers in red, blue, green and orange I randomly stippled dots to the background. The balloon on the far left was cutout and popped up on a dimensional then Crystal Effects was applied to both balloons. I colored a portion of the sentiment from the SU! Holidays & Wishes stamp set in Ruby Red and stamped onto Whisper White then punched it out with the smallest oval punch. I added glittered brads and white dots around the borders to finish.

Thanks for visiting and have a great day. Don't forget to keep your New Year's Resolution - we're still in the first week of the new year!

Jill

REMEMBERING ROSEMARY

When my father sold his house a several years ago a wonderful widow woman named Rosemary moved in. She had been diagnosed with Parkinson's and her family wanted her close-by so they could help as the disease progressed. Rosemary was a delightful woman - generous and kind - and we became neighbors and friends. A few years passed and Rosemary needed more assistance than could be provided in her home and the open staircase to the basement was always a constant worry for her and her family, so she moved to an assisted living facility in our town. We saw her only once after her move because we let our busy lives interfere. Afterall, there are only 24 hrs in each day and it was difficult to fit in visits. Sadly, Rosemary passed away in November and because we were closed up in our houses, hibernating for winter, we did not find out until we tried to visit her at Christmas. My "busy-ness" interfered with making time for a very special person and I will always regret that. I had to learn this lesson the hard way and I hope I learned it well enough that I'm never again to busy for the people I care about.

I made this card to give to Rosemary's daughter and family. The stamp is one I purchased from Rubbnecker.com with some blogcandy bucks I won. (I apologize for the photo quality - I took the photo without my contacts in. BAD IDEA!!!!!)

The image was stamped in True Thyme ink on Whisper White cardstock, colored with watercolor pencils, markers and an aquapainter, and then cutout. The sentiment and small heart are from Stampin'Up as is the Top Notes Die Cut. I applied faux stitching to the Top Notes with a white gel pen along the perforations and also to the Old Olive Cardstock with the fine point end of a Basic Black marker using the plastic guide from Stampin'Up!'s Mat Pack. The leaves are touched with green stickles and the heart is covered with Crystal Effects.

I would like to share just ONE MORE CHRISTMAS CARD with you. I received this from my friend, Barb Blackwood. When Barb was deciding on how she wanted to design her card we discussed whether she should use shiny metallic silver or matte silver to create the layered snowflakes- I liked one, she liked the other. It was her husband, Jim, that came up with the perfect solution to use both to create these beautiful two-tone snowflakes!!! I wish the photo did them justice - they are GORGEOUS!!!

That's it for today. Make sure to check out the Stampin'Up! website for some great sales and your last chance to pick-up retiring accessories and stamp sets.

Jill

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Wishing you and yours a year filled with health, happiness and blessings.

2008 was a year filled to overflowing with both blessing and tragedy in our family. While I wish the painful, tragic and scary events hadn't happened, I am so very thankful that God is in control and continues to provide for me.

I am looking forward to 2009. I hope you are as well.

Happy New Year! Jill