CINDY'S INKLINGS

BE MINE, VALENTINE

2012-01-26T15:12:00.000-08:00

OK....here's the second card that we made on Monday at my monthly stamp club. It is a simple card....but I LOVE it!!

I'm absolutely LOVING the new Edgelits that came out in the Occasions Mini catalog....along with the coordinating stamp set Apothecary Art.

The sentiment is from the cute a la carte stamp Candy Conversations.

I colored the image using markers....I used Blush Blossom for the flowers and Certainly Celery for the leaves. I stamped it using Crumb Cake classic ink.

THANKS for popping in!!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

I LOVE YOU MOM!!

2012-01-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom! So I told you I was gonna hack your account and make a blog post and you didn't seem to care so yeah..

ANYWAYSS I love you with all my heart.. I want you to know that no matter the situtation I love you more than anything(: We've gone through soo much and even through the ups and the downs I love you. I know when Im in one of my moods Im a jerk and a snot(i don't think i spelled that right but..whatevss) but you have almost always been there for me..ALMOST, sometimes your in one of them too at the same time. but yeah I love you and I know i say stuff that is mean and Im sorry I don't mean any of that. So yeah I love you ALOT!!<3<3

Love your amazing daughter..

Madison(:

A CHEERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2012-01-22T18:35:00.000-08:00

Today I'm sharing with you a card that we are going to be making tomorrow at my monthly stamp club. It was inspired by a card that I saw online. The original card was a Make-n-Take from the Stampin' Up! leadership conference that just took place in San Antonio, TX...and it was so cute I just had to case it!

I changed it up just a tad....what do you think?

It think it turned out adorable.....I was ready for some spring colors too.

I'll be back later in the week to show you the second card that we will be making....it's a Valentine.

Well, that's it for me today.....I have some cleaning up to do in my stamp studio so that it's presentable for my ladies.....creativity sure can be messy :-)

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

Hugs, Cindy

First Day of HOME SCHOOL

2012-01-17T21:37:00.001-08:00

Sorry I have been so hit and miss in my posts....but aside from health issues, we've also been getting enrolled and all set up for our children to "attend" online high school at home. We are VERY EXCITED (and equally scared!) about this. We home schooled them up to 6th grade and then put them in school.....and are now bringing them home again. Today was their first day! I think it will be GREAT!!! I'm excited for them.

I plan on trying to get into my stamp studio and getting some stamping done....but there just hasn't been time. Maybe tomorrow ;-)

Until next time, find some time for stamping (I know I'm going to try)

Hugs, Cindy

SWEET HAPPY BIRTHDAY

2012-01-13T19:29:00.001-08:00

Today's card is one that I made using the new Framelits and Edgelits from Stampin' Up! They are GREAT!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE them!! The image is from the new Apothecary Art stamp set that is new in the Occasions Mini catalog.

I think this card is so sweet looking.

Here's the card closed.....I put a piece of Very Vanilla on the inside to highlight the edge.....

Here's an up close of the image.....I used markers to color it....

Well, that's it for me today.

Our children are at a church retreat until Saturday night....my husband is in his garage with a friend taking the stereo out of the boat.....so I'm going to spend a quiet night stamping!!! Yeah for me!!!

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!

Hugs, Cindy

NEW OCCASIONS MINI

2012-01-09T15:48:00.001-08:00

Even though I'm a few days late.....here it is!!!

There are so many NEW and WONDERFUL products!!!

The 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog!!

Click HERE to view the catalog online.

Still working at getting back into a daily routine after the holidays and all the other stuff that has been happening around here.

I'm hoping to get around to stamping on Wednesday.....today I was at the dentist being tortured by the dental hygenist and tomorrow starts the spring session of my Bible study.

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

Hugs, Cindy

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2012-01-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and are looking forward to another year!

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!

Hugs, Cindy

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2011-12-25T06:58:00.000-08:00

I hope you all have a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Hugs, Cindy

ANOTHER GIFT TIN

2011-12-22T10:04:00.000-08:00

Here's another simple (and cute) gift tin....

These are PERFECT for gift cards!!!

Again, projects like this are perfect for those scraps that you have laying around!

The tins that I'm using for the retired tins that SU sold in groups of 5. Now I'm wishing that I had bought a whole LOT MORE of them!!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

GIFT TIN AND CARD

2011-12-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

I've been busy getting all those last minutes gifts ready for Christmas.....and lately I have been working on gift tins. Today I'm sharing with you a tin and card that I made for some friends of ours. Both are VERY SIMPLE....but I think SUPER CUTE!!!

Projects like these are GREAT ways to use retired DSP and other supplies....I really liked this paper that is a few years old.

Here's a picture of both the tin and card...

Here's a close up of the card.....

Here's the tin....

I have made a few of these and will take pictures and post them individually.

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

Hugs, Cindy

BRRRRRRR!!!

2011-12-19T20:47:00.000-08:00

Brrrrr!!!

It has been really cold lately.....at least cold for California...lows around 30 degrees.

So cold that our dog and cats have been snuggling up together to keep warm in the garage! We have a couple of blankets for Jesse to cuddle up in on the couch that is in the garage.

Here's a picture of our sweet dog Jesse cozied up with one of our cats...

Here's a close up of their sweet faces......

Aren't they just the cutest???!!!

I'll be back with a stamped project tomorrow!

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

Hugs, Cindy

SIMPLE CHRISTMAS TREE

2011-12-16T06:19:00.000-08:00

Today I'm sharing with you the second card that we made at my monthly stamp club that was held last Monday.

It is very cute, very simple, Christmas tree! The tree is made using the mid sized pennant from the new Pennant Die for the always fabulous Big Shot.

I also used the Delicate Dots embossing folder for the card's front. I used the small circle from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack for the red glimmer paper, then I used the large oval punch to make slices from the silver glimmer paper. I punched the star using the retired small star punch and the trunk is just a 1/2" piece of Early Espresso. I stamped the Curly Cute sentiment in Real Red on Very Vanilla card stock and used the corner rounder punch for the corners. So easy....but I LOVE this card!!! I am going to make more of these to send out this year.

Here is a peek at the inside....

I used the pennant punch for the tree and a scrap of Early Espresso for the trunk....they are mounted on a piece of Very Vanilla.

Well, that's it for me today.....have a GREAT Christmas season and THANKS for visiting!!

Until next time....find some time for stampin!!

Hugs, Cindy

CLEARANCE RACK BLITZ

2011-12-15T08:04:00.001-08:00

Here's Christmas shopping made EASY for yourself or the crafter in your life.

Plus, everybody LOVES a sale!!

Take a look at the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack....they've added TONS of super cool stuff!!

(Click on the image to view the Clearance Rack)

Be sure that when you do place an order to designate me as your demonstrator so that you get the "Preferred Price".

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

Hugs, Cindy

UPDATED TREAT HOLDER

2011-12-13T12:05:00.001-08:00

I already shared with you the treat holder that I made for my Bible study group.....but when I got them all done, I just felt like they needed something......so I added a little bit of bling....a small red gem! Now I think they look just right!

Here's the updated version....

Here's what it looked like BEFORE.....

Here's a picture of all the treats....

Leave me a comment and let me know which one you prefer :-)

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

Hugs, Cindy

TREAT HOLDER

2011-12-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

The last couple of days, I have been trying to get all prepared for Christmas. I try to get everything done a week or so before Christmas so that when Christmas rolls around, I can just enjoy the time. Doesn't always work out that way....but it's looking good for this year, despite some of the hectic going ons around here.

Today I'm sharing with you Christmas treats that I made for my Bible study group....they are simple, but cute. They are stuffed with a scrumptious Ghiradelli chocolate and tied with some Cherry Cobbler Baker's twine. I also used up some of last year's Christmas DSP.....I loved this paper and was sorry to see it go.

We are having some friends over tonight for some soup, salad, and bread.....so that's it for me today.

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

Hugs, Cindy

PUNCHED SANTA TOPPER

2011-12-08T06:53:00.000-08:00

Today I'm sharing with you some punched Santas that I made to put on the top of treats for my stamp club gals. It is pretty much just like the Santa in this post....but without the mini jingle bell.

Here they all are.......

Here's an unfortunately blurry picture of the entire treat.....

I filled them with mint M&M's.....they are sure YUMMY! I felt like the regular M&M's were too small and the peanut ones were too big....but these were just right!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MADISON

2011-12-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was Madison's 14th birthday.....I can hardly believe it!!! Seems like just yesterday that she was 4.....how quick 10 years go by!! She is growing into a wonderful young woman.

The reason I'm late in acknowledging her birthday....is yesterday Steve had surgery on his foot (he is recovering comfortably now....yesterday he was in quite a bit of pain).

We actually celebrated Madison's birthday last weekend. We all went to Red Robin and ate the MOST DELICIOUS hamburgers along with an onion ring tower. Then they she and her BFF and Andy and another friend went to Skywalk Trampoline Arena and spent an hour bouncing off the walls....literally! They all had a great time!

Here's a couple of pictures that capture the "real" Madison...

Here's a picture of her with her bosom buddy, kindred spirit, BFF, etc....

Aren't they ADORABLE!!!!

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!

Hugs, Cindy

PUNCH SNOWMAN

2011-11-30T20:18:00.001-08:00

Today's card was cased from a fellow demonstrator named Sandra Green Compton.....I saw her card on the demonstrator only site Stampin' Connection.

I LOVE how the card turned out!!

The snowman is made with punches.....except for his nose, which I cut from a scrap of Pumpkin Pie and the snowflake which I cut with the Big Shot using the Northern Frost die.

I used the dots from the Create a Cupcake stamp set for the snowy background....I think it looks perfect!

It's hard to see in the picture, but I put some Iridescent Ice on the torn edge of the Whisper White paper....it's really sparkly in person!

I'm also still playing with my Sweet Press Cookie Stamps.....here is a cookie that's ready to be baked where I cut out just the snowflake....they're small so they look like silver dollar cookies.

I finally was able to take a picture of a BAKED cookie.....they get eaten pretty quick around here!

I am really pleased with the detail that remains even after baking.....they are going to make a GREAT addition to the goodies that we give away each Christmas.

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

Hugs, Cindy

ADVENT CALENDAR

2011-11-28T06:41:00.000-08:00

Today I'm sharing with you an Advent Calendar that I made using the Two Tags Die and the 25 & Counting stamp set from the Holiday Mini. I used a variety of current and retired DSP for the tags and then decorated each tag.

Here's a picture of the entire Advent Calendar....

I mounted all the tags on a 1/4" thick piece of plywood that was cut 16" x 14-1/2".....my son sanded and then spray painted it white. Then Steve hammered in some "U" shaped tacks so that I could tie on each tag. I LOVE how it all came together.

Here's a few close up pictures of some of the tags.....

Inside each of the tags is a task for our family to complete together.

Here's a couple of the tasks that we will be completing....

Some other tasks include decorating the tree (of course!), making "real" hot cocoa, reading the Christmas story in the gospels, watching a Christmas movie....and a bunch of other FUN Christmas activities. I'm really looking forward to this!!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2011-11-24T06:31:00.000-08:00

May all of you have a most blessed Thanksgiving!!!

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!

Hugs, Cindy

COOKIE STAMPS

2011-11-22T18:41:00.001-08:00

The other day, I received my new Cookie Stamp from Stampin' Up! Gosh....as if stamping on paper wasn't good enough....now I can stamp on FOOD too!!!

I LOVED it!!! It was pretty tasty too :-)

I just used the Sugared Shortbread recipe that came with my Cookie Stamp......and I think they turned out wonderfully!

Here's is the dough rolled in a ball....

Here is how they looked after I "stamped" them....

Here's a closer look.....

I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the finished product because my family ate them as fast as I could take them out of the oven! The baked cookies looked pretty much the same as before they were baked....except a bit larger and puffier.

I have a TERRIFIC rolled sugar cookie recipe that I am anxious to try with my new stamps. I think once Thanksgiving is over....I am going to experiment with that recipe. But overall, I just love these new cookie stamps. I'm looking forward to new stamp designs that are sure to come!

Just in case you are wondering what the Cookie Stamps look like....here's a picture....

Until next time, find some time for stamping (on paper or food)!!!

Hugs, Cindy

PUNCHED PUMPKIN TREATS

2011-11-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

Today I am sharing with you the treats that I made for my Tuesday morning Bible study group. They are very simple....but I think they turned out pretty cute.

Here is a close up of the bag topper....

I used our small cellophane bags and filled them with pumpkin candies....here's the entire goodie bag....

I love how they all looked in the basket....

Life has been extraordinarily hectic in our home....and stamping (even when there isn't much stamping involved...like on these pumpkins) is such good "therapy" for me. It allows me to relax and gives me a sense of accomplishment.

Until next time, find some time for stamping!!

Hugs, Cindy

FIELD FLOWERS THANKS

2011-11-07T09:09:00.000-08:00

Here is the other card that my club will be making this month.

I'm totally stuck on the color Early Espresso! I didn't really care for it when it first came out...but it has really grown on me. Early Espresso is like "dark chocolate" .....where Chocolate Chip is the "milk chocolate" of SU colors. All so yummy!!

Here's some details.....card's base and layer is Early Espresso, DSP is First Edition, other layer is More Mustard. Inks are More Mustard, Early Espresso, Old Olive. Also used Early Espresso baker's twine.

Until next time, find some time for stamping!

Hugs, Cindy

PS: Steve is having surgery tomorrow....so please keep him in your prayers.

GIVE THANKS

2011-11-05T20:53:00.001-07:00

Today's card is one that my stampin' friends are going to be making at our stamp club this month. I saw a card similar to this one on a stamping website.....which I changed up just a bit.

I made the circles by using the masking technique. I punched a circle from a scrap, making a template, and then sponged the middle circle, then masking off the center circle with the punched piece, I put the punched template on each side and sponged the other 2 circles.

I love fall and the cooler weather.....and I love making cards in the colors of the autumn season. Cooler weather also get me in a cooking mood....which my family certainly enjoys!

Here's some details......card's base is Early Espresso, punched edges are More Mustard, the circles are sponged with More Mustard, Cherry Cobbler, and Daffodil Delight, ink is Early Espresso.

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

Hugs, Cindy

BABY GIRL BOOTIES

2011-10-12T16:32:00.001-07:00

I've been wanting to make a baby card using the new Stocking Building Punch and Stitched Stockings stamp set....so here is a quick card that I made today.....

The only thing I'm not very happy with is the trim on top of the insert....Darn it!!! I didn't centered the border punch very well....so the ends aren't even. Of course, that is where my eye goes each time I look at this card :-o

Oh well.....now don't you go starin' at the trim either!

Here's a close up of the booties....

Colors used were Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery.

This card was super easy....and quick!....which is always good for me!

Well, now I need to find somebody to send this card to.....I'll have to keep my eyes open for a new baby girl!

Well, thanks for dropping in.

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

Hugs, Cindy

SPOOKY TREATS

2011-10-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

Today my monthly Stamp Club meets for a great time of visiting and stamping. This spring and summer I took a short hiatus from hosting it....so I am really looking forward to getting together with this great group of women!

Because I was so excited about seeing them again.....I made each of them a little Halloween treat. I made toppers for the new 1"x8" cellophane treat bags....I stuffed each one with a black licorice.

Here's a close up.....

Here's the entire thing.....almost....

Have a great week and THANKS for visiting!!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

WICKED COOL

2011-10-07T08:20:00.000-07:00

Today I'm going to share with you a fun Halloween card. I'm not a big Halloween fan....but I do enjoy some Halloween in small doses.

The card features a cool punch art cauldron.....which was perfect for cookin' up some witch's brew!

The punches used were the extra large oval, word window, jewelry tag, 3/4" circle punch, and a good ol' regular hole punch (not sure what size that is).

The base is Pumpkin Pie and the DSP is some Night and Day DSP that I ordered from the Clearance Rack....click HERE to see some GREAT items marked down at least 60%!!

I think things are beginning to level out here at home.....truth be told....I don't think I could take much more of sicknesses and casts! Other than Steve and Andy being in their matching casts....Madison is pretty much over her mono. The upside of mono is that bedtime is now welcomed by her and she's usually in bed asleep long before her bedtime :-)

Well...that's it for me.

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

Hugs, Cindy

SUNFLOWER

2011-10-05T06:17:00.000-07:00

Today's card was inspired from a sample I saw in the current Idea Book & Catalog.

The Stampin' Up! catalog is truly a treasure trove of ideas! I believe that each stamp set has at least one sample featured in the catalog. So, no matter what current set you have.....you can draw inspiration from what you find in the catalog.

Also, each 2 page spread has a color theme as well. So, if you ever get stumped on what colors to use....which is common for me....you can just flip through and find a color combo that strikes your fancy. Pretty cool!!!

Like I said....today's card was inspired by one I saw in the catalog. It's main image is the new Sunflower background stamp....which I LOVE!!!

The middle circle was made with the 1-3/4" circle punch. I inked up the Sunflower stamp with one of my favorite colors, Chocolate Chip, and punched out the middle. The sentiment is from the Field Flowers set....it is punched with the 1" circle...which I sponged with Chocolate Chip.

The little accent flower was made using the Boho Blossom punch and flower from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack...I use this little punch LOTS!!! And the middle is a Daffodil Delight brad.

Simple....yet pretty!! I really like how it turned out.

Well...THANKS for visiting.....and leave me a comment to let me know that you popped by!

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

Hugs, Cindy

FIELD FLOWERS

2011-10-04T07:48:00.000-07:00

The other day I finally ordered the Field Flowers stamp set.....I have been wanting that set for awhile and, Yeah! I finally ordered it!!! So, of course, I had to immediately ink it up and make a card!

I really like how it turned out!!

I haven't spent this much time cutting out in awhile, it was actually a bit therapeutic :-)

The colors are Elegant Eggplant (I just LOVE this color!), Always Artichoke, More Mustard, and then I used some retired DSP.

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

Hugs, Cindy

HAND-PENNED HOLIDAY PUMPKIN

2011-10-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

Today's card was a quickie that I made the other afternoon. It's a very simple card....which I love simple....but I also think it turned out very cute.

For an added touch.....I embossed the background with the Elegant Lines embossing folder.

The sentiment is from the new Hand-Penned Holidays stamp set that is in the Holiday Mini. I LOVE this set....it is beautiful and elegant.

One of these days I need to make an elegant card....I'm not very good at elegant or shabby chic. Gosh! there's another reason I need to stamp more :-)

THANKS for visiting!! Leave me a comment to let me know you dropped by....anybody who blogs....LOVES comments!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

STAMPIN' UP! PROMOTIONS!!!

2011-10-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

There are some pretty cool promotions from Stampin' Up!

I hardly know where to begin!!

Of course, they all began on October 1....

I'll start with an

OFFER TO DIE FOR!!!!

If you've been looking for an opportunity to do what you love, while getting a 20 discount on your favorite products, now is the perfect time! During October, you'll get a FREE Big Shot when you join the Stampin' Up! family as a demonstrator.*

Boy, if I wasn't already a demonstrator I'd be signing up to get me one of these babies!!

Plus, who doesn't like FREE!!!

Use the Big Shot die-cutting machine and Stampin' Up!'s exclusive dies** to create uniquely beautiful projects in a flash.

In addition, the new-demonstrator Starter Kit--a steal at just $175--contains over $345 worth of stamp sets, card stock, ink, accessories, and business supplies-everything you need to start your new business.

There are so many benefits of being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, including

A 20 percent product discount!
A free monthly issue of Stampin' Up!'s demonstrator-only magazine, Stampin' Success!
Sneak peeks at brand-new products!
Invitations to exclusive Stampin' Up! events!
Regular get-togethers to stamp!
Free access to an online community of 30,000+ crafters/stampers and creative artists, as well as 160,000+ project samples!
Plus, access to an exclusive video and training for your new Big Shot!

Don't miss this BIG deal! Contact your demonstrator today to learn how you can take advantage of this great opportunity and get your FREE Big Shot!

*Or up to $100 in FREE Stampin' Up! products

**Big Shot dies sold separately

This next promotion is simply sweet too!!

Buy two Simply Sent Kits and get a FREE coordinating stamp set! Our Simply Sent Kits are the ideal choice for the beginning crafter. The card kits offer a variety of basic themes, so it's easy to create cards for any occasion.

Both of these promotions are for the month of October ONLY!!

Now here's a delicious offer!!!

Stampin' Up! is introducing their brand new line of cookie stamps!

As if stamping on paper wasn't good enough :-) now we can stamp on food!!!

With the easy-to-use cookie stamps, you can create beautiful, hand-stamped cookies in a flash. Just make your favorite shortbread cookie dough (or one of the 2 included recipes) and stamp away! The stamp images are completely food-safe and child-friendly. Click HERE for more details.

Well....that should give you enough to think about for today.

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

Hugs, Cindy

SPOOKY MUMMY

2011-10-01T09:02:00.000-07:00

The other day I spent a couple of hours in the late afternoon having some fun and RELAXING....all while stamping. And with this being the first day of October.....I thought I should post something Halloween!

I've seen many different versions of this mummy....and wanted to try one myself.

Isn't he cute??!!

I stamped Basic Black card stock with the spider web from Wicked cool with White craft ink. I tore strips of Whisper White and then sponged the edges with Basic Gray ink and glued them to a 1/4 sheet of card stock...which I then ran through my Big Shot using the Top Note die. Then I sponged the edges of that. I stamped "Spooky" with Basic Black ink and the web I stamped with Basic Gray. Punched it out with the large oval and layer that with the scalloped oval punch. The eyes are 1" circles, sponged with gray, and the black pupils are punched with the 3/4" circle.....I then just tucked them in the layers of mummy wrap.

I know that I keep saying this....but this card is another good way to use up scraps of Whisper White paper.

THANKS for stopping by.

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

Hugs, Cindy

PUNCHED PUMPKIN

2011-09-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

My stamping desk has been covered with all kinds of different paper.....all from projects that I've been working on or have recently finished. Well...with October right around the corner, I thought I would use some of those pieces and make a card....

The papers are quite a hodge-podge of current and retired stuff....but this card could very easily be re-done using all the super cute current DSP.

With all the craziness around here.....I can lose myself for hours in my stamp studio just playing around. It is so FUN for me to just stamp and punch and glue and tie and cut and stamp and etc....you get the idea :-)

THANKS for visiting!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

IT'S GETTING CRAZIER!!!

2011-09-27T16:14:00.001-07:00

I just have a quick post today.

Yesterday Steve went to the doctor's because his foot had REALLY been hurting him when he walked....and he has a very high threshold of pain too. So, after awhile he calls and tells me that he's getting an x-ray, MRI, and having some lab work done....which, alarmed me a bit at first. Later that afternoon he calls to tell me that he's getting a CAST!! They found out that he has a severe case of tendonitis and he has to keep his foot immobilized. They gave him a walking boot....but he needs to keep off it as much as possible.

So here's a picture of my "twins"......

Here's their matching casts.....

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

Hugs, Cindy

ANOTHER PUNCH STOCKING CARD

2011-09-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

I just can't get enough of the Stocking Punch! I LOVE it!!

I have seen so many cute cards made using it....and I can't seem to quit making cards myself :-)

Here's the latest......

I should have a pretty good stock pile of Christmas cards by the time December rolls around!

Thanks for visiting!!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

SUPER CUTE PUNCH SANTA TOPPER!

2011-09-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

Today's project is sooo cute!!!

I saw this cute snowman on fellow demonstrator Patty Bennett's blog (click HERE to visit her blog)...who made this while at another demonstrator's home in Utah. Everything is the same as Patty's except that I changed the hat a bit....she had a pompom....I used another punched piece and added the mini jingle bell (NEW in the Holiday Mini.....sooo cute!!!)

The snowman is made entirely with punches.

The hat is made using the extra large oval....the piece holding the mini jingle bell is a "sliver" punched with the large oval, his face is the large oval, his beard is the ornament punch, his mustache is the wing from the bird builder punch, his eyes, nose and mouth are the eyes from the owl punch. I added Dazzling Diamonds using a 2-way glue pen.

I then attached him to the new 1x8 cello bags from the Holiday Mini....here's a picture of the entire thing.....

I love this little guy!!!

Well, that's it for me today and I'm looking forward to this weekend.

Madison is finally over her mono.....although I am restricting her activities so that she doesn't overdo it and have a relapse. Andy has adjusted to having a cast and is getting really good at hopping around on one foot.....he also can move pretty quick on crutches!

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

Hugs, Cindy

STOCKINGS HUNG BY THE CHIMNEY WITH CARE

2011-09-19T17:07:00.001-07:00

Today's card is a case (Copy And Share Everything) from a demonstrator named Jackie Topa. I made a few changes, but not very many.

I used the cuff of the Stocking Builder Punch to make the bricks....along with the toe of the punch on Red Glimmer paper for the flames. The fire is the wing punched from the Bird Builder Punch and then sponged with More Mustard.

The fireplace background is just a small piece of Basic Black card stock that I sponged with Whisper White Craft Ink so that it would look "smokey".

This card is a bit more time consuming that I usually make.....but it wasn't hard. And I definitely need to step up my stampin' game....I need to get back to trying new techniques and all that good stuff.

This card also allowed me to use my scraps.....I always like being able to use bits of card stock leftover from previous projects.

Well, thanks for visiting! I'm off to rustle up some grub for my family.

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

Hugs, Cindy

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS CARD THIS YEAR

2011-09-18T23:30:00.001-07:00

Hope you have had a relaxing and refreshing weekend. Today has been a nice refreshment from a busy week. I think that everybody is on the mend now.....Andy is all casted up, Madison is getting over her mono, and I think I'm rested up to face another week :-)

Although, I don't want to have another week like last week....Whew!! Makes me tired just thinking about it ;-)

Today's card is a CHRISTMAS CARD!!

I'm ready for the cooler weather to come.....and with it....the holidays! I love fall and I like winter.....but only mild California winters. I'm too big of a wimp to live where it REALLY gets COLD!

I used the new set, Stitched Stockings, which is in the Holiday Mini catalog (click HERE to view online). I love it and can't wait to make all kinds of cards with it....not just Christmas cards. I've seen it used for a birthday card and a baby card.....gotta love those versatile sets!

Well, that's it for me today. Thanks for poppin' in!!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

GIVE THANKS

2011-09-15T09:23:00.000-07:00

Today's card is another card that I did last Saturday.

I wanted to use Hand-Penned Holidays that I recently ordered from the Holiday Mini....I LOVE this set!! I'm looking forward to getting lots of use out of this one! I also used French Foliage again....which I think I will use bunches as well.

Well....that's it for me....more later.

Thanks for visiting!

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

Hugs, Cindy

BROKEN ANKLE

2011-09-13T22:49:00.001-07:00

Last weekend was our church's high school retreat.....which Madison was too sick to go to because of her mono. Andy went and was having a great time until he "hurt" his ankle on Saturday afternoon playing some weird game where the kids put boxes on their heads while crashing into each other on a huge sheet of plastic that was covered with slippery soap.

It wasn't hurting bad enough for him to want to come home....so he stayed for the rest of the retreat. When he got home he was limping....but his ankle wasn't swollen or bruised....just tender requiring him to limp. So, the next morning we told him to "suck it up" and shoved him out the door for school on Monday. When he got home he said that his ankle was making "clicking" sounds. Well, I didn't really like the sound of that....so I made him a doctor's appointment just to make sure there wasn't anything really serious going on with his ankle. I took him in on Tuesday afternoon.

At first the doctor didn't really think it was broken either because of the lack of swelling, etc....but wanted to have an x-ray taken just to be on the safe side.....he thought it might just be sprained and got him a pair of crutches to use. We had the x-ray and went back to the doctor's....who informed us that Andy was going to need a bit more than a pair of crutches!

He did in fact... BREAK HIS ANKLE!!!

Major "mom guilt" at this point.

So...Andy is now in a cast for at least 6 weeks!!

WHAT A TROOPER!!!

I think he's going to milk this one for all it's worth!

Until next time....be a better mom than me while stamping :-D

Hugs, Cindy

FRENCH FOLIAGE

2011-09-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

Today's card is one that I made last Saturday while stamping with my friend Jamie.

It was inspired by a card by Carrie Sampsel that I saw on Stampin' Connection.....a demonstrator only website where I get most of my inspiration.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the stamp set French Foliage....perfect for any autumn card.

After not stamping regularly for a couple of months....it is taking me a bit to get back into the creative swing of things. It's easy to forget how much fun stamping is.....I love it!!!

Well, that's it for me today.......Thanks for visiting!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

REMEMBERING 9/11

2011-09-11T07:42:00.000-07:00

I remember that day.

I remember feeling indescribable sadness and shock at what my eyes were seeing.

Let's remember those who lost their lives in the horrible tragedy of 9/11, the families who lost a loved one that awful day, and the survivors who live with the memories.

Let's honor those who bravely serve our country and keep us safe.

And let us remember what a truly great nation we have.

STOCKING PUNCH CARD

2011-09-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend was suppose to be a quiet weekend of stamping for me....but sometimes things don't always work out like you plan. Steve was working and the kids were going to our church's high school retreat....which meant I would be "free" Friday evening and all day Saturday.

Well, Madison has been battling being sick for over a week now....we had her at the doctor's on Thursday and he was pretty sure she had mono. He had her tested for strep throat since she had a bad sore throat....but that was just to rule it out. When that did come back negative...we went in again on Friday so she could have a blood test to confirm mono. The results are not in....but long story short...she has been on the coach for 3 days now. Very weak and tired....and other classic symptoms of mono. She was VERY disappointed about not being able to go this weekend. I feel terrible for her.

Also, she is on the tennis team at school....and with her being so tired it has been really hard for her play and make it through practices, which are every day after school for a couple of hours. Anyways....we're praying that this will not hang on for much longer since this is going on the second week of her feeling crummy.

But yesterday I did spent the afternoon with my friend Jamie.....she scrapbooked and I stamped. It was GREAT!! Very relaxing and refreshing!

Here is one of the cards that I made yesterday....not a lot of stamping but I just had to use the new Stocking Builder Punch that is in the Holiday Mini....that was the main reason I even made this card :-D

The card is VERY VERY simple....pretty much ridiculously simple, but I like it. What do you think?

I used Red Glimmer paper.....which really jazzes up anything.

But because I am a cheapo....here is what I did before I adhered it...

I punched out a couple of stockings!

I just couldn't bear "wasting" all that paper in the middle ;-)

Well...it's late and I need to get to bed.

THANKS for visiting!!

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

Hugs, Cindy

BAD SMOOCH!

2011-09-07T07:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, today I'm going to show you a card that was going together pretty good until......I smooched it :-(

I hadn't used my Smooched Spritz in a while and thought that this card.....which I might add was inspired by a card I saw in the current Idea Book & Catalog....just needed a little something. Well, it got a bit more than a little something.....my Log Cabin Smooch Spritz (which I love) just went crazy wild on over my card. Maybe it was mad at me for not using him since probably last Christmas....I don't know. Anyways....here's the card....

Here's a close up of just how much it got "smooched"....

Oh well.....I guess that is just how it goes sometimes. Still good fun!

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

Hugs, Cindy

WISH BIG

2011-09-06T11:42:00.000-07:00

Today I am sharing with you a birthday card that I cased from Karen (her blog is: Live, Laugh, and Stamp with Karen). I love Karen's work and copy her often....Thanks Karen for all the inspiration!

This card went together so easily!!! It is definitely mine kinda card! Also, it is a great way to use up small scraps of DSP.....I used some retired DSP for this one. Another thing, the flames are made using the wing from the Bird Builder Punch....always good to have multiple uses for the punches!!

So that the flames looked like flames....I used my 2-Way Glue Pen to put some Dazzling Diamonds on them....here's a close-up.....

Quick cards are always fun!

Tomorrow I will be back with a boo boo to share with you ;-)

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

Hugs, Cindy

2011 HOLIDAY MINI

2011-09-05T08:58:00.001-07:00

I'm a few days late....but on September 1st......the

NEW HOLIDAY MINI CATALOG

came out and it is chuck FULL of some wonderful new stamp sets and goodies!!

Click HERE to view an online copy.

I can't list all the goodies that I'm drooling over...since that includes most of what is in the mini, but the ones that are on the top of my "must have" list include:

Stocking Builder Punch

Stitched Stockings stamp set

Hand-Penned Holidays stamp set

Well, that's it for me today....Hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing, and refreshing Labor Day!

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

Hugs, Cindy

PS: I changed my blog layout again....I LOVE this one! The previous "new" one just wasn't doing it for me :-) Let me know what you think of this one...Thanks!

STAMPING STUDIO

2011-09-03T15:37:00.001-07:00

Even though we remodeled my stamping room over a year ago.....I realized that I never posted pictures of the finished product.

Since I just cleaned it all up today I thought I had better get some pictures while it still looks like this. So, before you see the pictures.....know that it NEVER EVER is this clean! I usually have something going on my desk.

This first picture is when you first step into the room....the doorway, which opens up from my dining room, is in the corner on a slanted wall. This is the view when you walk in.....the entire room measures about 11'x22'....

These cabinets are on the opposite side of my stamping desk. The boxes in the middle hold all my paper. There is a west window and if I leave my paper out...it fades terribly! The white boxes hold full sheets by color family, the green ones have scraps by color family and the black ones hold 12"x12" sheets, DSP, DSP scraps, and one box is for miscellaneous non-SU paper scraps.

Here is what is inside one of the cabinets....I have all my current stamp sets organized alphabetically.....and the other cabinets are crammed full of other good "stuff".

Here is a close up of where I do all my stamping.....Again, this area is NEVER this clean!! But it sure feels good to see it all spiffed up.

I should add that my husband has a corner of the room for the family "office".....so I share with him. He also has one cabinet to call his own. He keeps accusing me of trying to root him out...but that's so not true. I like it when he's in there doing his thing and I'm doing my thing.....makes for wedded bliss :-)

All the furnishings are from Ikea.....a store that I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE!! Good thing the closest Ikea is about a 3 hour drive or I might be tempted to spend too much money there or move into their store :-)

Well, there is a "tour" of my stamp studio....I LOVE my space and I LOVE to spend time in there just "playing"!

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

Hugs, Cindy

RETRO-FITTED CARD

2011-08-31T16:02:00.000-07:00

Today I retro-fitted a card that I had originally made as a baby shower invite.....I had a couple of them laying around and thought "What the heck!". Anyway, today my aunt-in-law asked me for a couple of birthday cards for her grandchildren. One is a toddler and the other is about 10.

Unfortunately my camera is having some technical issues.....I think it has been dropped one too many times. It will focus sometimes and then other times it acts like the lens is jammed. All that to say...I couldn't get a nice clear picture of the toddler's card. So, sorry for the bad pic.....but here it is a bit blurry.....

With the older grandson's card.....I was able to use some retired DSP and retired Quick Accents that I had laying around.

I was really sorry when they retired the Extreme stamps....they have come in really handy for boys. I don't have very many "boy" and "manly" stamps....Yeah....I need to get me some of those! Just another reason I "have" to have more stamps....right?? :-)

Well, gotta go. We have had out of town company for over 2 weeks now....with a couple of days break in between. Tonight we are going out to dinner....yeah! no cooking for me!!

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

Hugs ~ Cindy

BUTTON BUDDIES

2011-08-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Today I am sharing with you a card that I cased from a demonstrator named Donna.

I changed it up just a bit...but it is virtually the same card.

After I put the card together I realized that the sentiment was not centered which bugged me....so I added some small punch pack flowers. Here's the two cards.....the first one with without the flowers....

here's with the flowers.....

I thought the flowers offset the sentiment a bit.

Not totally happy with how it turned out.....but not too bad for a quick card!

I have been trying to stamp some each day.....so I'm happy with the fact that I even made this card :-)

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

Hugs, Cindy

NEW BLOG LOOK

2011-08-23T14:05:00.001-07:00

Hey!

So, what do you think of my new blog look?

I decided that if I was going to keep blogging...then I need to spiff up the ol' blog some.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

Thanks for visiting!

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

Hugs, Cindy

INSPIRED BY NATURE AND MY FRIEND KAREN

2011-08-22T14:12:00.000-07:00

Today's card is TOTALLY inspired by my friend, fellow Stampin' Up! demonstrator, and upline Karen Angel (click HERE to go to her blog Angelic Impressions).

I love the relaxed "feeling" of this card.....plus it's clean and simple! The only change I made to her card was in the sentiment and I added the linen thread at the bottom. THANKS Karen for the GREAT work and the inspiration!!!

The card's base is Pacific Point....with a torn piece of Whisper White. The inks I used were Pacific Point and Old Olive which were sponged on. The grass is from the Inspired by Nature set....LOVE that set!!!

Thanks for visiting!!!

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

2011-08-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

I can hardly believe that TODAY is the first day of school for my children....and it's HIGH school!!! I'm excited for them.....but they are growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!

The best part of the first day of school for me is the ROUTINE! I am so ready to be back into a pretty steady routine.....this summer has been pretty wild so I am ready to let the dust settle.

Here's a picture of them right before they left for school.....they were only a bit nervous!

Well, gotta go.....I'll be back soon with a card.

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GWEN!!

2011-08-17T21:20:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post today......First, I want to wish my sister Gwen a

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Second, I have a prayer request.....today Steve and I are driving to the bay area to meet with a surgeon regarding his cancer. We are praying for a date in November....might as well take advantage of his time off work so that he can enjoy the holidays :-)

Well, that's it for me.....I need to run! Thanks for visiting!!!

I'll have a stamped project next time

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FROM SCRAPS

2011-08-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

Today I want to share with you a card that I saw on a website and had to case. It is clean and simple and was a snap to make! Plus, I made it all out of scraps!

The card's base is a piece of Crumb Cake that was already stamped with the Woodgrain background stamp. Then I pulled the Bashful Blue and Whisper White pieces from their scrap bins. The Designer Series Paper are also scraps that I found in my DSP scrap bin. I tied it all up with scraps of ribbon too!! Love it!! You can never have too many birthday cards or scraps laying round :-)

Well, that's it for me today......thanks for popping in!!

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

NATURE WALK AND A BROKEN TOE

2011-08-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

This week has gone by FAST!!! We have gone from busy to busier in our home. But before I go into that I will show you the card that I made today using the Nature Walk stamp set. I had bought this set and had never had a chance to ink it up....so I had some fun creating this card.....

I have really missed stamping.....it is so relaxing for me to just get lost in the pure joy of making a simple card. Ahhhh....I love stamping!!

OK.....here what's been going on......We picked Andy up at the airport last Thursday after he spent the summer in Canada, then Friday we went to the ski lake and spent the day just having FUN! Saturday we crashed at home, Sunday we went to church and then out to see "Rise of the Planets of the Apes"...which was fun, I LOVE corny movies like that :-).... and then out to dinner, Monday we were home doing laundry and just home stuff, Tuesday Madison and I went into town and did some back to school clothes shopping and ran some errands (shopping with a 13 year old is quite exhausting), Wednesday we went to the ski lake (again) with friends....which sometime while Steve was skiing he strained his back and has been hurting since then, Thursday mornings I work in a friend's office and then that afternoon we registered the kids for HIGH SCHOOL (I can hardly believe that!) and then that evening they went to youth group at church, Friday I finally went grocery shopping while the rest of the gang went AGAIN to the lake.....which is where it looks like Andy BROKE HIS TOE!!! He was paddling around in a paddle boat and somehow broke it....he's not even sure what happened. Here's a picture of it today....the swelling has gone WAY DOWN. Last night, his whole foot was swelled up.

But he's a trooper and has been taking advantage of having to sit with his foot up.....so he's been watching a bunch of TV....something he really didn't do all this summer.

So, that is the skinny around here. All in all it has been a busy but good week. I LOVE having my family together and just doing normal everyday things together. Life is good and I am thankful to the Lord for all the blessings that I have in this short life.

Thanks for dropping in and spending a few moments with me.

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

ANDY'S HOME!!!

2011-08-05T10:34:00.001-07:00

Hey!

ANDY'S HOME safe and sound!!! His homecoming was WONDERFUL!!! I think he has grown about 2 inches since he left.....it looks like his hair grew 2 inches as well :-D

He had quite a LONG day.....his flight left Victoria ok....but when he landed in San Francisco his flight to Fresno was delayed 3 HOURS! So, he was stuck in SF.....thankfully, he was able to borrow a phone and let us know. But like all 15 year old boys....he was hungry so I think he occupied himself with eating.

Wouldn't ya know it.....I took my camera to take pictures, but when I turned it on at the airport the battery was DEAD! Ahhhh!! So, I wasn't able to get any pictures of him right when we saw him :-( But, I have been charging the battery all night and today we are going to the lake and will get some pictures there.

Well, I gotta get going and get us packed up for the day.....

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

BIRTHDAY CARD FOR BFF

2011-08-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers!

Today is my daughter Madison's best friend's birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!!!

Here's a couple of pictures of Madison and Hannah.....aren't they just ADORABLE!!!!

Here they are being goofy....

Madison made Hannah this card.....isn't it CUTE!!!??

I just love it and think I'm going to have to case her on this one :-)

She used about three different stamp sets and I love how she just puts all those cheery colors together to make such a cute card. She's a really good little stamper when she puts her mind it it :-)

Well, our sweet Andy comes home tomorrow after spending the summer in Canada on Vancouver Island. Yippee!!! I am just busting to see his cute face and give him a massive, and I'm sure embarrassing, bear hug. We have all missed having him around....just isn't quite the same without him. But the experience of being away and working on our friend's farm will be priceless for him.....he was there a total of 7 weeks! He finally admitted last week that he was getting ready to come home. He's my little man and I love him to pieces!!! I'll be sure to take some pictures of his homecoming.

Thanks for taking the time to visit!!!

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

BUY 3 GET 1 FREE

2011-08-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers!

Just letting you know about a great promotion from Stampin' Up!

During the month of August if you purchase 3 packs of designer series paper.....you get a 4th for FREE!!

Click HERE to download the promotion details.

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

BIRTHDAY FANCY FLOWER

2011-08-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers!

Well, it's August 1st and I'm blogging......so I'm not going to go beyond that right now. Baby blogging steps is what I'm going to focus on :-)

Today I'm going to share with you the other card that I made this weekend.....another birthday card. I used the same stamps that I used in the other card.....except that I used only the 5 Petal Flower punch part of the Triple Treat Flower stamp....I had that left over from my other card.

I also used the same sentiment from the Happiest Birthday Wishes set.

You can't really tell from the picture, but I punched about 5-6 flowers out of The First Edition specialty paper using the Fancy Flower Punch and distressed them by wading them up real good, then I took my leftover Triple Treat Flower and punched out the middle layer and put them all together using an Antique Brad.

The base of the card is Very Vanilla and it is layered with a piece of Basic Black and Daffodil Delight which was embossed with the Framed Tulips embossing folder. The small flowers are punched using the flower from the Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack accented with a tiny pearl from the Basic Pearls.

I also wanted to highlight the flower more so I took a piece of folded Basic Black cardstock and punched it with the Decorative Label so that it made it twice as big and placed it behind the flower. I like how the card all came together.

Well, that's it for me today. I will try and get back in a couple of days with another card.

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

TRIPLE TREAT FLOWER BIRTHDAY

2011-07-31T13:45:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers!

I spent a delightful Saturday afternoon doing a bit of stamping.....something I haven't done in quite a while and miss terribly!!! Things have settled down somewhat around our home and so it has been easier to break away and have some fun.

I have had a couple of friends who have had birthdays recently and I wanted to make them cards.....I'm always looking for good "excuses" to stamp :-)

Anyway....here is one of the cards that I made using the new Triple Treat Flower stamp that is in the new 2011-2012 Idea Book & Catalog. What I love about this simple little stamp (it is one of the a la carte stamps for only 8.98) is that it utilizes 3 different punches....which allow you to use this stamp in a multitude of different looks. The punches used are the Fancy Flower, 5 Petal Flower, and the 1/2" circle punch. Punches make everything soooo EASY!!

I used the sentiment from the new Hostess set Happiest Birthday Wishes (bought with hostess dollars....$21 for the wood mount and $15 for clear).

The NEW and much IMPROVED hostess rewards are the BOMB!!! I LOVE how Stampin' Up! has given hostesses such great rewards and freedom to use those rewards.

Well, I have plans to once again be consistent in my blogging. It's so hard because when I get behind, it gets a bit overwhelming knowing where to start again. There have been, and are currently, some GREAT Stampin' Up! promotions, not to mention to the new catalog, that I've completely missed. But, I need to just pick up where I can and gradually get back in the swing of things. So, tomorrow starts a new month.....and I will just start from there!

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

GREAT STARTER KIT OFFER!

2011-07-20T22:41:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers!

Today I just wanted to let you know about a GREAT PROMOTION that Stampin' Up! is offering. They are offering the starter kit for just $99!!!

Contact me for more information!!!

Well, I sure am getting the stamping itch!! Just hasn't been much time for stamping and creativity.....I am going to have to crave out time for it!!!

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY!!!!

2011-07-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers!

As you know.....our son Andy is in Canada for the summer living and working with some friends of ours on their farm.

I sure do MISS him like crazy......and with him being there all summer.....we also miss celebrating his birthday. So, I made this card and sent him a small gift....we will do something fun when he gets home.

Here is the card that I made for him.....something fun, yet masculine.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDY!!!!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CATCHING UP - GRAD CARDS

2011-06-28T13:57:00.001-07:00

Hi Stampers!

So much has happened over the last few months I am not even sure where to begin. So, instead of stressing over whether or not I've covered everything.....I'll just highlight some of things that I can remember.

We finally built our garage......we had to postpone it a number of times due to rain, but it is finally up....not yet finished, but enough to put the cars and boat in.

After we built the garage......it came time for the kids to graduate from 8th grade!!! This is a very FUN time. We had a big party for them and they were both thrilled to finally have one of their dreams come true....they got new iPod touches!! Here they are with their dad....

Here's a picture of the cards that I made for each of them. I unfortunately forget the stamper who gave me the inspiration for these cards. They were fun and easy to make....

After their graduation, we went on vacation to the California Delta for some boating fun with some friends. The water was VERY COLD.....so I didn't get in all the way....just stuck my legs in while sitting on the swim deck. The kids and Steve went water skiing, wakeboardin. We also brought our towable....which I did that since you don't really get very wet and you don't have to jump in the water. Here's a few pictures of our week.

Our camp....

Andy water skiing under a bridge.....

Madison wake boarding....

Crammed in the boat.....

Riding in the tube.....

So, there ya go....some of the highlights.

Something else that has happened this summer that is not so happy, but very much impacting on our lives, is that my husband, Steve, was diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis for him is very good, but it still is very sobering. As Christians, we are trusting the Lord with confidence and asking for peace and wisdom as we educate ourselves and work through all that needs to be done, etc. I would be grateful if you would please pray for us as we go through this process.

Here's some pictures of him....this captures what he really looks like....

Here's my "Marlboro Man" version of Steve....

Everyone who has taken the time to get to really know him knows what a wonderful guy he is....I am so thankful to have him as my husband!!!

I just remembered one more biggie for this summer! Duh! How could I forget this?! Our son, Andy, is spending 7 weeks in Canada on Vancouver Island with some dear friends of ours who own a farm. He is living and helping them out with farm stuff.....he is having an absolute BLAST!!! Me, on the other hand, miss him everyday!!! Thank goodness for phones and Facebook!!!

Well, THANKS for hangin' in there with me!!! I will try and post some more of the stamping projects that I have done over the past few months....just be patient with me :-)

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CRAZY AROUND HERE!!

2011-03-24T09:09:00.001-07:00

Well, this is the first opportunity I have had in over a week to sit down and even think about blogging. As you know, my mother-in-law, who is 79 years old, lives with us. Well, last week she fell and as a result of the fall broke a rib and fractured a vertebrae....which is extremely painful. She was hospitalized for a week.....but not because of the broken bones....it was because of her heart.....which is what caused her to pass out and fall. Anyways, we have been trying to make her as comfortable as possible and keep all her medications straight. She is improving each day.

On top of all that.....on Monday my daughter complained of pain in her stomach....by Tuesday morning the pain had concentrated to her lower right side. I immediately think....appendix. Well I took her to her pediatrician on Tuesday morning and he thought the same thing....so he had us hustle over to the emergency room at the local children's hospital. So, Tuesday we spent almost the entire day waiting to find out if it was her appendix. Well, after blood tests and an ultrasound.....it was determined that it wasn't her appendix (yeah), but she had an ovarian cyst! We were told that these usually resolve on their own. She is doing good and is back in school.

So....that's what's been going on here! As far as stamping.....I did complete the matchbox die favors for our church's women's retreat this coming weekend. I took pictures and will post them shortly.....I still need to download them from my camera.

Thanks for visiting!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

AWOL.....& the NEW BOAT

2011-03-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers!

I know, I know.....once again I have fallen off the face of the blogging earth!

Each time I do, I feel awful!

I think about how I should take pictures of what I'm creating and then blog about it....but it just gets shoved to the back burner. So.....SORRY, please bear with me!!!

I have been working on making favors for our church's upcoming women's retreat.....they are similar to the Valentine's from this post, but I used sea shell images. I have quite a few of them to make.....so I will definitely take a picture of them when I get some done. I have made a sample and I'm in the process of putting them together in "assembly-line" fashion. So when I get my act together I will dig out my camera and take a few pictures.

I will share with you a couple of pictures of our "new" boat.....it's an older model MasterCraft. We had a boat almost exactly like this a few years ago.....we're pretty excited about this coming summer!!! We do LOTS of waterskiing on our waterski lake that has a slalom course....but we are looking forward to taking the boat out on a "real" lake and doing some tubing and wakeboarding. Slalom course skiers usually don't spend much time tubing......it's seen as a waste of "good" water ;-)

Although, we're trying to get Andy and Madison to get serious about waterskiing.....we tell them that skiing might be their ticket to a cheaper college education! There are still a few universities with waterski teams.

Here's the gang getting the boat ready to launch.....it was kinda chilly that day...but the sun warmed us up! We brought blankets just in case.

Here's a picture of the kids having our "Jenkins Family Traditional Picnic Lunch".....we ALWAYS have salami, Ritz crackers, cheese, and stuffed green olives.

YUMMY!!!

Well, I better get going......I will try and be back REALLY SOON because about a week or so ago, I was emailed that I was given a "Stylish Blogger" award....anyway, I need to read about what I need to do and thank those kind bloggers for thinking of me!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

PUNCH BUNCH SWAP CARD

2011-02-25T08:47:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers

Well, I'm back with my swap card. I almost feel a bit embarrassed to show you after Jamie's gorgeous card.....I definitely need to step up my stamping efforts :-o

What I did do on this card was look at the Color Coach and use the colors that it suggested for So Saffron.....So Saffron, Riding Hood Red and Soft Suede.

Then I wanted to use the new Sale-A-Bration set Punch Bunch.....which I LOVE! This set is FREE with a $50 purchase of SU goodies! Nothing hard at all about this card.....just get out your Big Shot and punches and....Viola! a card is done!

Well, I need to scoot.....Grandma has a dentist appointment and I still need to get myself ready to go to town.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

JAMIE'S SWAP CARD

2011-02-23T08:46:00.001-08:00

Hi Stampers!

Today I am going to share with you a card made by my friend Jamie as a swap card for February's stamp club. It's so lovely and elegant....I just LOVE it!!!

She used the Emboss Resist technique for the flowers......she also stamped faint background images which really gave it some depth. She used the Darling Dots embossing folder on the bottom portion of the card....once again, no card seems complete without something Big Shot-ed (that should be a new word ;-o)

This card is really stunning in person.....I wish I had a camera that did cards like this one justice.

Thanks Jamie!!! You did a PERFECT JOB on this card!!!

I will be back soon and share with you my swap card.....but don't get too excited.....this card is a HARD act to follow :-)

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

VIDEO FROM SHELLI-CEO OF STAMPIN' UP!

2011-02-16T08:31:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers,

Well, this will be a first on my blog....a VIDEO!

Shelli Gardner, CEO and co-founder of Stampin' Up! has made a video giving an overview of Stampin' Up!.....take a look.....

I'll be back in the next day or so with a stamped project.....but my son is home from school sick today, so I probably won't have much time to play.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

2011-02-14T15:58:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

FRENCH FOLIAGE

2011-02-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers,

Today I'm sharing with you a card that I made the other day using the now retired (sniff, sniff) French Foliage set.

I am so hoping that this set will be brought back in the new catalog which will come out July 1....but, I think the chances are pretty slim :-(

I wanted to make a card using the technique where you ink your clear block and then stamp a background with it....super easy and I LOVE the look! There seems to always be more than one way to use a stampin' tool!

Well....here's the card.....

The card's base is River Rock. I also used River Rock to stamp the background words and the block background. I stamped the sentiment and the leaf in black, along with the "splatter" marks.

Nothing hard about this card.....I'm considering using this as my second card for Stamp Club on Monday.

Well, that's it for me today.....I'm looking forward to a relaxing and fun weekend with my family. I think we are continuing our quest for a boat for my husband's birthday....might even include a shopping trip to Ikea!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

VALENTINE'S DEFINED

2011-02-08T15:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers,

I'm back today with one of the cards that we will be making on Monday at Stamp Club. I got the inspiration for this card from the demonstrator only site Stampin Connection. It uses the new cupcake punch as the pot for the flowers and the new set Valentine's Defined from the Occasions Mini catalog. It also used the new Tulip border embossing folder that is also in the Occasions Mini.

Well, I've gotta run and get some stuff done.....I think Steve and I are going to be heading over to Gilroy tomorrow to look at a boat for his birthday.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

VALENTINES

2011-02-04T15:32:00.001-08:00

Hey Stampers!

Sorry I have been a bit absent.......but we were having some major internet issues, which are now resolved. Also, have been busy getting my mother-in-law settled into life in California.....setting up doctor, dentist, DMV appointments and getting prescriptions refilled, etc. But I think now the bulk of all that stuff is done.....I had forgotten how much work is involved in relocating.

I am involved in a Tuesday morning Bible study at our church.....and so I made Valentine's for all the women in my group. They are VERY simple but cute. I have decided I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the new glimmer paper.....I'm thinking Stampin' Up! needs to come out with a bunch of other colors. I also love the matchbox die......I borrowed it from a friend of mine....just might have to put that baby on my wish list!

Here is the Valentine I made......

Each Matchbook is stuffed with 4 pieces of chocolate!

I made a bunch of them......here's a picture of the basket stuffed with Valentines!

Well, I gotta run.....this weekend is a busy one and I need to get out the door. Madison is going with the Jr High group from our church to a winter retreat and Steve and Andy are going to a gun range for a training day.

I just might have to stamp all day on Saturday so that I don't miss them all too much ;-)

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

FRENCH FOLIAGE THANK YOU

2011-01-19T11:26:00.000-08:00

The other day, I was in cleaning up my leftover supplies from stamp club and thought I would just use some up since they were all there just beggin' to be used.....I used all the same supplies that I used in this card.....I just changed the images and the ribbon and left off the brad.
This is what I came up with....

I LOVE the new seam binding ribbon....it's SO SOFT and easy to use.

Well, I need to run.....my stamp room is going to get painted today and I need to get in there and clean some stuff up. Yesterday it was all taped off with plastic covering everything so that the guy could texture over the parts of the wall that had been cut into etc. because of the remodel. So, hopefully after today we can push the cabinets back in place....they have been sitting in the middle of the room for almost 2 months.

I'll be back soon.....

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

MOVE IN DAY

2011-01-17T05:10:00.001-08:00

Well....the addition is FINALLY done and this weekend we were MOVIN' Grandma into her new digs!!! Yeah!!! I think we were ALL ready to have this thing done.....especially Grandma!!

First off....here is how our home has looked for the past few months.....

This is the family room....poor Andy has been "camping out" behind those bookcases and Grandma's belongings are in the right hand corner. It makes our house look like one of those homes they feature on the TV program "Hoarders".....yuck!!!

Now, here's our normally wonderful patio all junked up with building supplies and stuff that came out of the garage. Good thing Jesse, our lab, is so good natured.....she hasn't minded her patio being taken over by junk.

Here is where the garage is going.....which won't be built until Spring now since the ground is so wet and the cement truck can't drive in the back for fear of getting stuck!

OK, so that is a pretty good picture of how things have been.

NOW....here is what Grandma's digs look like....We are still waiting on window coverings, which are to be installed on Wednesday and a couple of other super minor things.

Here's her bath....She put a shower curtain up for now.....we had purchased the wrong shower doors and they are being special ordered....so they still will need to be installed.

When Grandpa was alive, he was an air traffic controller and so he and Grandma moved quite a bit because of his job.....and she said that every time they moved the coffee pot was the last thing out and the first thing in....so here is Grandma moving in her coffee pot first thing....

Next, the refrigerator was delivered......it's a cute little thing....just perfect for Grandma!!

Then came unpacking all the boxes.....Grandma worked and worked!!!

Movin' the big stuff in....

After a busy day of moving.....here's Grandma all snug in bed in her new home!!

And here is the family room.....not arranged....but cleared out!!!

Well....that's what has been shakin' around here!

Better get going.....thanks for poppin' in!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

Create of Cupcake

2011-01-11T14:33:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was my stamp club and instead of doing this card....we did this one!

It is CASEd from a Founder's Circle make-n-take that I found while snooping around online stalking blogs from some very talented stampers.

I LOVE this card!!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the stamp set AND the punch!!! It has become one of my favorites!!!

This card was SO EASY to make.....plus, I love the simplicity of this card.....two things that really attract me to certain cards. I don't go in for too busy of a card.....I love how other people can make them look beautiful....but my simple mind just can't take in all the stuff, especially if I try and reproduce it. I'll just have to stick with simple....and just every now and then take the plunge into busy :-)

We have some MAJOR GOOD NEWS today in regards to our remodel.....the county came out today to do their one last final inspection....and we PASSED!!! We don't need to make any revisions or anything.....so hopefully by the end of next week we will be done with all those pesky little details and then we'll move Grandma to her new space and allow the kids to have their rooms back. For the past couple of month or so, Andy has been living in a corner of our family room behind a couple of bookshelves.

My daughter has been home sick today. I can't blog long because I have a few things to get done before she wakes. She says it makes her "feel better" when I just sit by her.....so I try and do my running around the house while she's sleeping and then spend some time on the couch with her watching one of our favorite shows "Monk"....we just LOVE that kooky "Monk"!! She doesn't usually suffer in silence and definitely her misery loves company.....so I've got my work cut out for me when she's sick :-)

Better get going.....

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CATALOG CASE

2011-01-09T21:46:00.000-08:00

Today I'm sharing a card that we will be making tomorrow at Stamp Club. I was in need of some inspiration.....so I just CASEd another card from the Occasions Mini Catalog! Again, it's not exactly the same...but pretty close.

Colors used: So Saffron, River Rock, Very Vanilla and some retired DSP with those same colors.

I'm not real into the "vintage" look, but I like how this card turned out.....I've been trying to "stretch" myself when it comes to my stamping.

Well....I'm going to go....I've been wrestling with a cold today, so I think I'm going to turn in early and get some sleep!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

Here's the stamp set used for this card.....

Easter Blossoms

#121905 (wood mount) or 122057 (clear mount)

BIRTHDAY CARD

2011-01-06T18:39:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers!

Today I'm sharing with you a card that I CASEd from the New OCCASIONS MINI CATALOG....Of course, it's not exactly like the card, but close enough :-)

I LOVE the new Create a Cupcake stamp set....and it's coordinating punch!!! The combination of these two items will make whippin' up a quick birthday card a breeze!! Plus, they are just sooo cute!!!

I think that we will be making this card on Monday at my Stamp Club.....unless I make another card that I like just as well ;-)

Better go for now....

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

Here are some of the products that I used in making this card......

Create a Cupcake Stamp Set

#121915 (wood mount) or #121982 (clear mount)

Build a Cupcake Punch

#121807

SIMPLE FRENCH FOLIAGE BOOKMARK

2011-01-05T11:58:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers!

Here is the really simple, one layer bookmark that I stamped the other day. I sometimes forget that you don't HAVE to put layers on a stamped project to make it look good....the stamps themselves are beautiful enough to stand on their own. The French Foliage stamp set that was in the Holiday Mini is a perfect example of a set that doesn't need much to make it look GREAT!!!

All I did was stamp directly on a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock with a variety of colors (Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, More Mustard, Early Expresso and Basic Black.....so easy and I love how it turned out. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this set and am just crushed that it is not listed as one of the carryover sets.....I'm hoping though that SU will bring it back in the main catalog this coming July. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for that!!!

Don't forget about the 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon Bundles that I'm selling!!! Get all 7 colors for only $13.50 (shipping included) or $12.00 for those of you who are local. Just click on the "Buy Now" link below!!

Ribbon Bundles

Well, that it's for me today....Have a wonderful day!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

IT'S "OCCASIONS MINI" TIME!!

2011-01-04T11:24:00.001-08:00

Greetings Stamper Friends!

Well, the NEW Occasions Mini Catalog is here and ready to be ordered from!!!! It is PACKED FULL of FABULOUS NEW and BEAUTIFUL stamps sets and accessories!! These mini catalogs just keep getting better and better!!!

Click HERE to download your copy.

If you don't have a current Stampin' Up! demonstrator and need a copy of the Occasions Mini Catalog, please contact me and I will send you a copy.

Well, I am going to go into my stamping room and do some cleaning up....yesterday I stamped a bunch of bookmarks as my swap for January. I will take pictures of them and post them tomorrow.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

LAST DAY

2011-01-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

Good Morning Stampers!

Just a reminder that TODAY is the LAST DAY to order from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

Click HERE to go to my website or click on the Holiday Mini icon on the right side bar of my blog.

Soooo.....if there is something in there that you can't live without.....you still have today to order.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY NEW YEAR & NEW RIBBON BUNDLES FOR SALE

2011-01-01T14:21:00.000-08:00

Greetings Stampers!

I hope your Christmas and New Year's was WONDERFUL!!! We outfitted our family with a Wii for Christmas, so we have been "Wii-ing" quite a bit ;-) It is VERY FUN.....we had my extended family over on Christmas and had a few bowling tournaments. I made sure to get the Wii Fit, so I plan on getting in Wii fit this coming year.

Although, as much as I love the holidays, I am usually ready for things to get back to "normal"....although around here, "normal" has been a bit hard to find.....but it's getting there.

I haven't had any good time to stamp during this break, but I did order some ribbon and get it all cut and packaged up for some ribbon bundles that I'm putting up for sale today. Here is what my ribbon looked like after I cut it....it's sooo pretty!!!

Here it is all neatly packaged and ready to go....

You will get 2 yards of 7 different colors of the NEW 1/2" seam binding tape ribbons that are coming out in the Occasions Mini Catalog.

Colors: Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Pear Pizzazz, Rose Red, and Very Vanilla

I have 5 bundles ready to go today.....for those of you in town....you can either pay by PayPal or in person....for those out of town...just pay by PayPal and I will mail you your bundle(s) by first class mail.

Ribbon Bundles

As an update on the remodel.....we are nearing the end. All the major work is done....we now just need to get the finish plumbing in, all the trim work and lay the floor. Here is a picture of the kitchenette cabinets. I think they turned out really good.

Well, that is it for me today.....part of my New Year's goals are to be more consistent in my blogging :-)

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-24T09:00:00.000-08:00

★Merry★* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •

•。★Christmas★ 。* 。

° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚

˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛

˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜田田｜門｜ ˚

Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!!!

Hugs, Cindy

PS: I stole this cool typed house from my

blog friend Lesley in the UK....her blog is

Lesley's Bit of Everything

FILLED WITH LOVE PROMOTION

2010-12-22T07:16:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers,

I'm glad that somebody is thinking ahead.....and that somebody is Stampin' Up!

It's hard for me to think about Valentine's Day when Christmas isn't even here yet.....but hey, February will be here before ya know it!!

Speaking of Valentine's....Stampin' Up! is offering a "FILLED WITH LOVE BUNDLE"

From December 17 - January 24 you can get a FREE package of Bitty Buttons--a $.495 value--when you purchase an exclusive Filled With Love Bundle......here are the details.....

Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
Filled with Love Bundle Contains the Filled with Love Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124380	$32.90	124381	$26.90
Lleno de Amor Bundle Contains the Lleno de Amor Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124382	$32.90	124383	$26.90
Plein d'amour Bundle Contains the Plein d'amour Set* and Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack	124384	$32.90	124385	$26.90
Love Patterns Designer Series Paper Pack (non-bundled) 12 sheets total: three 12" x 12" sheets of two double-sided designs in Real Red and Pretty in Pink	124156	$9.95	---	---

*Featured on p. 43 of the 2010 Holiday Mini Catalog

After you have filled yourself with Christmas candy.....get FILLED WITH LOVE!

So, while you're sitting on the couch in your sweatpants after Christmas dinner, or even New Year's, you can be getting some Valentine's cards stamped and ready for the loved ones who are sitting next to you in their sweatpants! ;-)

As an update.....our room addition is ALMOST finished!! The electrician is here today hooking up all the lights, installing a ceiling fan, and all doing all the electrical finishing touches. The other day the bathroom floor tile was laid, now it just needs grouting. The next step is the kitchen cabinets and then the main room flooring....whew!

Can't wait for it to be DONE!!!

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

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CHRISTMAS ROSE ~ EASEL CARD

2010-12-15T07:07:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers,

I'm back today with an easel card that we made at Stamp Club on Monday. Jamie, a very talented stamper in my club, graciously taught how to make the card.....and then also gave us a lesson in watercoloring!! It was quite a treat!!

I should have taken a picture of Jamie's sample.....because it was WAY BETTER than the one I made, which is pictured here.

We stamped the Christmas Rose image on watercolor paper with StazOn ink and then watercolored it....we cut it out using some Nestabilities that she had brought and mounted it on some retired Handsome Hunter cardstock that I had and then used the scallop corner punch to add that "just right" touch.

This is an easel card.....so we put a piece of Handsome Hunter on the inside, along with a sentiment and there's the finished product.....

It turned out really nice!!! The "real life" cards are always so much better than what my camera is capable of portraying....but, gotta work with what I have!

This is the last day of school for the kids before Christmas vacation.....so, with that said.....I may or may not be back before Christmas.

If I'm not....have a

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Until next time,

find some time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

GIFT CARD HOLDERS

2010-12-13T22:40:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers!

Today I'm back with the other project that I worked on while my friend Michelle made her 6x6 Christmas albums last Friday. They are gift card holders for my nieces and nephews....I can't tell you exactly what's in them just in case they chance a peek at my blog.

I started with a 6x12 piece of cardstock.......they are over-sized gift card holders for a reason....but I can't tell you the reason until AFTER Christmas.

Anyways.....I scored one end at 2" and the other end at 5".

The 2" score mark was to make a pocket on the inside....so the holders are 6x5 when folded. Sorry this photo is bit blurry....I was probably in a hurry and didn't wait for my camera to focus ;-)

I made 2 different kinds.....and I just used some old Christmas paper that I had which worked out great.

I tied some bright red Christmas ribbon around the entire holder to keep it closed.

They were so EASY and fun to make.

Well, it's past my bedtime....so I better scoot off to bed.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CLUB SWAP

2010-12-10T23:05:00.001-08:00

Hey Stampers,

Today I spent a good portion of the day in my stamp room....stamping!!! I had a friend over so she could make a couple of Christmas 6x6 albums.....and while she was busy putting her albums together I busied myself working on making my swaps for my upcoming monthly Stamp club on Monday. I also made my neice's and nephews gift card holders too.....but I will show you those in another post.

I saw a card similar to this one on a blog or a stamper's website....but I can't remember where!!! So, I apologize that I can't give credit for this card's basic design.....but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the simplicity of this card and how good it turned out. I just used Whisper White and Marina Mist.

Then I got thinking.....other non-traditional colors might look good too....so here those cards are too.

The colors used here are Pacific Point, Soft Suede, Basic Black, and Always Artichoke. The Soft Suede one is the best of these....but I think they all turned out good. Let me know which one you like best!

I'll be back soon with the gift card holders!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADISON!!!

2010-12-05T21:41:00.001-08:00

Hi Stampers,

Today was a BUSY but a very DELIGHTFUL day.

Today was my daughter Madison's 13th birthday!!!

Her celebrations have actually been going on for days now....Friday she had a friend over from school. Saturday we picked up her very best friend Hannah. She and Madison spent the day together doing "girl stuff" and then they cooked us dinner (Orange chicken and chow mein), they even baked the birthday cake. Hannah spent the night, went to church with us, then after church, she had some church friends out to lunch with us.....then the girls went shopping for a few hours. She said it was her best birthday yet.....although I think she says that almost every year :-)

Here is how my "mind's eye" stills sees her......about 9......soooo CUTE!!!

And here is what she really looks like......so very BEAUTIFUL!!!

Well....I'm bushed! I'll be back soon with some stamping stuff.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CHRISTMAS TIN & TAGS

2010-12-03T09:24:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers!

I'm back! And today I am going to share with you the project that we're going to be doing on Monday at my Christmas Tags Class. We are going to use the Jolly Bingo Bits set and make one tag per stamp.....so a total of 24 tags!!!! I made them pretty simple so that we could get them all made in a reasonable amount of time. Then I bought a bunch of those tins from the Stampin' Up! Clearance Rack....it is PERFECT for storing the tags until they are put to use on Christmas presents!

Here's the tin.....

Here are pictures of the tags.....I think I pretty much got them all in the pictures

It's not too late to sign up....just let me know by Sunday so that I can have your supplies all cut and ready for you.

Cost for the class is only $10 with a $10 SU order (before shipping & tax).

If you live out of town and are interested in purchasing a kit for this tin and tags set.....I am selling them for $20, with FREE shipping (US only). For the kit, I will cut and punch what you need.....you will have to supply the stamping.

Well, that's it for me today.....have a GREAT day!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

CLUB CHRISTMAS CARD

2010-12-01T21:55:00.001-08:00

Hi Stampers!

It's me.....and it hasn't been a month since my last post!!! (ha ha) My day today was CRAZY, so this is going to be short and sweet.

I wanted to share with you the other card that we made at last month's Stamp Club....it is another Clean and Simple one. I am IN LOVE with the stamp set Contempo Christmas!!! It is a great little set!!

I jazzed up the ornament with rhinestones....I'm normally not very "blingy", but I really like how this turned out.

Well, that's it for me today......I'll be back SOON!!!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

LAST CHANCE FOR SOME GREAT SALES!!!

2010-11-30T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers!

This is the LAST day to take advantage of the GREAT SALES that Stampin' Up! is offering....

*50% off Starter Kits

*Online Spectacular ~ get cool stuff for up to 50% OFF!!!

And don't forget about the HOLIDAY BUNDLES that are also on sale until December 16th.

Some other GREAT news is that the Watercolor Crayons are now available to order...

Use the following item numbers to purchase your Watercolor Wonder Crayons:

120949 New Color Kit
119802 Subtles
119803 Regals
119804 Brights
119805 Neutrals

Even more great news.....the Fancy Flower and 2-1/2" circle punches are available to order on December 1!

All this.....just in time for Christmas!!!

I have every intention of trying to get back into the blogging mode.....I'll leave you with one of the cards that we made at our November stamp club....

This card represents what I'm wanting my life to be more like......clean and simple!!! :-)

THANKS for hanging in there with me and for continuing to drop in.....

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2010-11-25T07:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Stampers!

Just wanted to wish you all a very blessed

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Here is a Thanksgiving card that I recently made for a club swap card.

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

HOLIDAY TEA FAVOR & 50% OFF STARTER KIT

2010-11-19T10:56:00.001-08:00

Hi Stampers,

It's been awhile, but like I said before I have papercrafting and stamping.

Hey, Just wanted to remind you that until November 30th....the standard or digital starter kits are ON SALE FOR 50% OFF......only $87.50!!! Makes me want to become a demonstrator all over again.

Click HERE to visit my website.....if you want to join my team....my password is waterski

Our church recently held a women's Holiday Tea and as a hostess I wanted to provide some kind of favor for the women at my table. So, I made the following.....I think the fold is called a Japanese water cup....instead of water....I tucked an ornament inside.

I think they turned out very nice.....I made them very simply because I didn't want them to clash with the Christmas plates that I have that have poinsettias on them.

I have taken pictures of some cards that I've made for clubs, etc. and will work very hard to get back into routinely sharing those with you. Thanks for your patience and understanding during a very hectic time in our household.

Speaking of the hectic-ness.....construction is still continuing, so is all the tree trimming, digging, etc. My mother-in-law arrived yesterday to live with us permanently.....so we have a trailer to unload and the challenge of finding a place to store her belongs until her "space" is completed.

Here's Steve, who is scheduled to go back to work next week from his shoulder separation, pretending to be working hard.....I think he just wanted to climb the tree :-)

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

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy

WOW!!! SAVE 50% OFF STARTER KIT!!!

2010-11-11T18:28:00.000-08:00

Hey Stampers!

I know, I know.....I haven't been blogging!!! Even though I think about it, the last few weeks have just been jammed packed.....before I know it, the day is gone and I'm too tired!!!

We have been busy with the construction, we've gone out of town a couple of times, had our anniversary, I was down a couple of days not feeling well, I hosted a table for our church's annual Holiday Tea (and, of course, had to make the favors), Steve is still home healing from his separated shoulder, and then "life" just squeezes blogging right out the door....what can I say?!

Although, I'm happy to report, that I have been stamping!!! But....since I only have a few moments, I wanted to share some SUPER EXCITING NEWS!!!! In fact, is it

SIMPLY AMAZING!!!

Stampin' Up! is offering their standard or digital starter kits for 50% OFF!!!! No joke!!!

For 2 weeks only! You can purchase the Stampin Up starter kit for half price! New recruits can purchase the Standard or Digital + Starter Kits for only $87.50–that is

50 % off the regular price of $175 for over $310 worth of paper or digital crafting and business supplies!

You can purchase the Standard starter kit or the Digital starter kit both kits will be
50% off starting Nov 15th

Click HERE to view the flyer.

Click HERE to sign up or to learn more about being a demonstrator!!!

My password is: waterski

Well, unfortunately, that is all that I have time for right now. I will try and get to photographing some of the cards that I've made and get back on track with blogging......I actually miss it!!!

Until next time, find some
time for stamping!!
Blessings......Cindy

20% OFF BUNDLES!!

2010-10-19T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hi Stampers!

Today I wanted to share with you a GREAT deal that Stampin' Up is offering for the upcoming holidays. They are offering the following bundles for 20% OFF!!! Some items are in the Catalog and some are in the Holiday Mini Catalog....to see both of these catalogs, just click HERE to go to my business website and click on "Shop".

Also, click HERE to download the flyer.

That's it for today....I'll be back soon!!

Until next time, find some

time for stamping!!

Blessings......Cindy