I'M BACK & WITH A NEW CAMERA!!

Hey there!!! WOW! Where do I begin....it seems like so long ago since I last posted??

Well, first thing.....we purchased a new camera at the beginning of last week. I really like it....it's pink! So, now I'm back in business! I'm going to work at getting caught up and trying to remember what I've posted and what I haven't.

We bought the camera just in time to go out of town so that my husband could go to a water ski school and get some individual coaching/instruction. He is already an excellent skier, but like anything else....there's always room for improvement. Below is him skiing. Also, this ski "ranch" was close to an IKEA.....so we had fun browsing and looking at all their cool stuff!! It was all VERY relaxing and refreshing!
The place we went to was Sunset Ski Ranch.....and it was the "Disneyland" for water skiers. Absolutely beautiful grounds, dock, and cottage where we stayed. The owners/hosts are extremely gracious and accommodating. Soooo, if you EVER want to go on a water skiing vacation, they are the place to go!!! And they are not just for advanced skiers.....they told us that they teach lots of first time skiers too. We HIGHLY recommend them.

And now down to the real reason I even have this blog......I made baby shower invites for a gal in our church. They were easy and fun!!! I made a pocket card and printed the shower information onto cardstock from my computer.
I didn't really use any fancy techniques with this card....just some watercoloring using the Stampin' Pastels and an aqua painter, and I also sponged around the edges of the insert. I was able to use my Classic Squares, Large and Classic Scalloped Squares, Large Nestabilities that I recently got.....and which I LOVE!!!

THANKS so much for hanging in there and being patient with me. I'm looking forward to getting back into blog mode again.

For those of you who don't know....yesterday Stampin' Up!'s mini catalog went live. There are some adorable new things....namely the Build A Bear stamp sets and Big Shot dies. More on that and other great SU promotions tomorrow (or if you can't wait....click on the link above).

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

Card Ingredients:
Stamps: Teddy & Train, Nursery Necessities
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Blashful Blue
Paper: Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip (textured and regular), Whisper White
Accessories: Eyelet border punch, word window punch, modern label punch, horizontal slot punch, Crop-A-Dile, brown eyelets, 1/4" grosgrain blashful blue ribbon, Classic Squares, Large and Classic Scalloped Squares, Large Nestabilities, Stampin' pastels, aqua painter, light blue button, white crochet thread

GRADUATION GIFT CARD HOLDER

Yeah!!! It's Friday!!! It's also high school graduation for my nephew today!! Here's my handsome nephew's senior picture.....

Congrats Paul!!!

Well, knowing that my nephew LOVES to eat, giving him a gift card was easy!!! What's better than a bunch of double-doubles to satisfy a never-ending appetite??!! In-N-Out Burger was the perfect choice!!

Well, looking at that gift card just got me to thinkin'! So....after thinking about what I could do, I decided to scale down the traditional criss-cross card to gift card size. It worked GREAT!!! Somebody has probably thought of this before me, but since I don't know who, I'm feelin' like Mrs. Smarty Pants! :-D Here's the finished product......
Once again it's CAS!! I started with Kraft card stock (my new favorite!!!) and used Not Quite Navy DSP. The belly-band is kraft and fastened with a SU' Designer Hardware Hooray eyelet. The "Happy Graduation" is from the NEW Teeny Tiny Wishes coming out in the new catalog.

If you're interested here are the measurements......
Cut two pieces 7-1/2" x 2-3/4" and score each piece at 3-3/4"
Cut DSP 2-1/2" x 3-3/8" (cut in two diagonally)
Belly band is 5/8" x 8-1/2" and score at 3-1/4" and 7" (these measurements puts the seam to the side....you'll need to change the scoring if you want it in the middle)
Instructions are the same as a traditional criss-cross card. If you don't know the instructions, click here.

Well, I better get going. We've got Paul's graduation this evening and then his graduation party tomorrow afternoon at 2pm. Probably won't get too much of a chance to stamp this weekend....Until next time....Find some time for stamping!!!

Blessings, Cindy