I'M STILL HERE!

Hi Stampers!

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.....just a bit busy these days. Like I've said before, blogging is about the first thing to be eliminated from my schedule when life gets busy.

Last Thursday, we went with the kids to the Jr. High Group at church....they were having a "Boys Night Out" and a "Girls Night Out" and parents were encouraged to attend....so we did. Anyways, the girls stayed in the church's dining room and began to play some fun games.....like trying to eat an Oreo cookie without any hands after it had been placed on your forehead (yeah....not easy!). The boys on the other hand, went outside to play touch football in the parking lot.

Well, about an hour into the evening, I was called out by Steve....who told me that while he was playing, he had taken a fall! This wasn't just a scraped knee....we're talking a fall that required an emergency room visit. Long story short.....he has a separated shoulder and is going to be off work for 6 weeks!

So, with all that said.....that is why I have not been blogging. But he is getting better and adjusting (or rather resigning himself) to being at home....so I'm hoping to get to some stamping really soon!!

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!!

Blessings......Cindy

OWL CLASS CARD #3

Hey Stampers!

Thanks for popping in! We had a very relaxing and FUN weekend....the best part was that Steve had the weekend off!!!

On Saturday, we went to the annual Scottish Highland Games and Festival in a nearby town. We watch some Scottish competition.....which seemed to all involve throwing something big and heavy......there was stone throwing, hammer throwing, log throwing, ball and chain throwing (not sure exactly what this event was called, but the ball and chain sure looked heavy!), we watched some Scottish dancing competitions, listened to some Celtic musicians, and watched some Scottish military exercises where they shot guns and then shot a big gatling gun (this was Andy's favorite part)....Here's Andy by the gatling gun

Here's the soldiers as they marched out for their exhibition....

We had a great time just walking around and looking at everything.

Ok, now to stamping!

I wanted to share with you the third project that we will be making at my Owl Punch Class on October 4th. This card was inspired by a card by Kari that I saw on Stampin' Connection....it is a website for Stampin' Up! demonstrators to post their work....it has become my absolute FAVORITE site to go to for inspiration.

I started with a 1/2 sheet of Bashful Blue card stock and then took a 1/4 sheet of Soft Suede card stock and cut parts of it off to make the branch. Then using Whisper White craft ink I used the Woodgrain background stamp to make the tree. While the tree was drying, on scrap I punched the template for the sky.....I used the scalloped circle and the scalloped oval punches....then using a sponge dauber just sponged the sky, moving the templates around where ever I wanted a cloud. Using the two-step bird punch, I punched out just the leaves. Then I popped their entire tree up with dimensionals. I assembled my owl (he's on dimensionals too) and stamped my sentiment using the Thankful For set and that was it!

I didn't take a picture of the inside.....but I sponged more clouds on inside and used the "you, you, you" from the Three Little Words stamp set. I love how it turned out!!!

I'll leave you with a sweet picture of the kittens......I now think they believe the fountain to be their bunk beds.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

OWL CLASS CARD #2

Hi Stampers,

I'm back to show you another card that we will be making at my upcoming Owl Punch Class on October 4th.

I'm not sure what the problem is but my camera doesn't seem to want to focus today.....so I apologize for the blurry picture!!! Technology is such a love/hate thing....I love it when it works right but just hate it when it doesn't!!!

Anyways.....here is another card that we will be making. I was frustrated with my camera so I didn't take a picture of the insert....but there is nothing else on it except the words at the top.

These little owls can just take on a "personality" depending on how you position the eyes and whether or not you give them eyelids. I could just play ALL DAY....but I don't think my family would go for that too well :-)

Well, I better stop playing and starting getting some work done around here.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

OWL CLASS CARD #1

Hi Stampers,

Today I spent the morning with my friend and fellow demonstrator, Gloria, where I was able to put together an entire 6x6 scrapbook album in about 1-1/2 hours! I wanted her to show me how she did it, because I want to offer a class where you could do the same! I was even thinking of making mine a Christmas album! Wouldn't it be great to already have an album all made and ready for your Christmas pictures?!

Then this evening, I made a sample card for my upcoming Owl Punch Class on October 4th. At the class we will be making 4 projects using the new Owl Punch.....cost is only $25 and it includes all materials and the PUNCH!! Deadline for signing up for this class is Sept. 27th.

Well, here is one card that we will be making......

These owls are just tooo cute!!!

Now before I close....I just HAD to show you the most darling picture of the kittens. If you'll remember our cat, who we thought was deceased, had SIX kittens! They are now 5 weeks old and so adorable it makes me crazy!! Anyways....we have a small fountain on our patio that doesn't have water in it right now....well the kittens have begun playing in it. Here they are.....I guess they got tuckered out and decided to just take a nap.

Shhhh.....don't wake them!

I just love them!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

BIG SHOT CARD

Hi Stampers!

Well, I'm back and it didn't take a week ;-)

I'm back sharing the second card that we will be making on Monday.....the one that I cased from Mary Fish. She is a FANTASTIC stamper and one of my favorites.

Anyways.....I pretty much totally cased her card except instead of using So Saffron I used Daffodil Delight.....and I changed a couple of other super small things. So easy and yet so GREAT! I just LOVE cards like this one.....quick, easy, and CUTE!

The card is all Whisper White, except for the flower which was die cut using the Big Shot and the Flower Folds Bigz xl die with Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, and Daffodil Delight card stock. The button is from the Designer Buttons Brights....these buttons are a WONDERFUL bargain!!! I threaded a very thin piece of card stock through the holes of the button and adhered it using mini glue dots.....instead of tying a knot.

The sentiment is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes stamp set.....and I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to make sure it was placed properly.

Well, that's it for me today.....I'll be back soon to show you the swap I made for Monday.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

SEPTEMBER'S FREE STAMP SET

Hi Stampers!

I wanted to make a quick post and let you know what this month's FREE STAMP SET is.

This month's set is "GREETING CARD KIDS"!!!

It is one of the most adorable sets.....and can be used all year round.

So get to shoppin' and maybe you will win this set for FREE!!

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!!

Blessings......Cindy

GETTING READY FOR CLUB ~ SPOOKY!!!

Hi Stampers!

It seems like just yesterday that I posted, but alas, it's been a WEEK! I think things are beginning to settle down around here....although Steve has been working like crazy trying to clear a space for his new garage that should be being built in about a month or so. Here he is whackin' away our shrubs that line the front part of our property....

It looks pretty bare now.....I'm so use to seeing the shrubs and the tree......and not the ugly propane tank....it was hidden behind some shrubs. Apparently it is also slated to be moved.

I never considered myself a "tree hugger", but I did get a bit sad when he had to chop down one of our trees :-( But he told me it would be hard to park the cars in the new garage if that tree was right in the middle of it....so here is all that is left......poor ol' stumpy!

Now really!!! Who doesn't LOVE a workin' man??!!.....I know that I do!!!

OK, well enough drooling over rugged workin' men.....let's get down to some stampin'!! :-)

This coming Monday is my monthly stamp club.....and since October is right around the corner, I thought I would make a Halloween card. I recently bought the Greeting Card Kids stamp set....which I must say is ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE!!!!.....and had to use it because I LOVE it so much. The kids are so cute!!! So, here is the card that we will be making this coming Monday....

Isn't she adorable?!

I started with a Tangerine Tango base and layered that with a piece of Certainly Celery DSP and Elegant Eggplant card stock that I embossed with the Big Shot using the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder. I watercolored her by using my Aqua Painter and reinkers, but I also used markers for the small areas....and a Blush Blossom marker for her skin.

I also used the stamp set Wicked Cool for the spider web and the "Spooky".....this is another set that I can't wait to use again!!! It's very cute!!!

I finished it off by using 5/8" Black satin ribbon and the new Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch to add a layer at the bottom of the card....which I apologize didn't photograph very well.

Tomorrow I will share a card that I totally cased from Mary Fish :-) It will be the other card that we will make on Monday.....it is a Big Shot creation!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

SORRY I'VE BEEN AWOL

Hi Stampers!

Sorry I have been absent! But blogging seems to be the first thing to get cut out of my schedule when life begins to get too busy. Since I last posted.....the kids have recovered from their pneumonia and have finally got caught up on their school work, Steve and I made a QUICK trip to southern Utah to take his mom back to meet his brother so she can make arrangements to move out here with us permanently....bro lives in Colorado (Utah was half way), our cat once again had a batch of the most adorable kittens in the world (more about that later), and we have begun the process of remodeling our home by converting our existing garage into a mother-in-law set up and building a new garage. So, WHEW! it's actually nice to be able to sit down, relax, and blog a bit.

I've also been working on a project for the women in our church to do at their "Creative Corner". Later this month they will be making a Greeting Card Organizer (or a Recipe or Photo Box). Since probably most of the women who will attend are not stampers....I tried to make this as simple and easy as possible. Here is a picture of the front of the box.....it's sitting on it's lid.

Also, since some women may not be into cards (image that!) I wanted to show them sample titles for their box.....they can just replace the word "Cards" with whatever they wish depending on how they think they will use it.

I also made dividers for the inside...6 total

I also made a card to match the box but I will show you that on another day.

I wanted to let you know that I used DSP that I purchased from Stampin' Up!'s Clearance Rack. If you haven't checked out the Clearance Rack....you better!!! SU is updating it frequently and you can find some GREAT DEALS!!! Either go to my right side bar and click on the Clearance Rack Icon or click HERE to go to my SU website and click on "Shop".

Ok, now about the kittens. We live in the country and so we keep a few outdoor cats around to keep the mice and other critters from taking up residence in our home. The Mama kitty VANISHED a few months ago and so we just thought she was gone for good....well 3 weeks ago she showed up VERY PREGNANT. She must have come home to have her brood. Well, long story short.....she had 6 adorable kittens. Here's a picture that I took this morning of 3 of them all cuddled up together...

Aren't they just ADORABLE??!!

It's photos like this that makes me wish I had a REALLY GOOD camera.

Well, that's it for me today....

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy