Manners and More

I met the nicest boy at work today. He wants to be a veterinarian someday, so he came in to shadow the veterinarian to find out more about what it takes. He helped bathe some kittens that we are looking to adopt out. They got quite messy with their food and being so young with no momma cat, they had poopy butts. :) He didn't mind at all and got right in there to help. Other than pitching in to help out like that, what stuck out was his amazing manners!!! I was very impressed with him that when his cell phone rang he excused himself from our conversation and then answered the phone. When finished with his phone call he apologized for the interruption. When he left for the day he shook my hand and thanked me for the opportunity to shadow the vet there.
Ok. So this may not impress everyone but how about when I tell you he is only about 13 years old.

Thinking Of You

I redid this Thinking of You card with Always Artichoke and Ruby Red inks as well as Bordering Blue and Very Vanilla card stocks. I used Hodgepodge Hardware brads and stamped the Thinking of You in Sincere Salutations and used Pocket Silhouettes for the accent piece.

I like to keep it simple if it works!
Thanks for looking!

Praying For You

I was inspired for this card from a card we made at convention years ago. I used the Happiness background stamp to create the multiple sections by stamping them in different colors and then cutting them out. I used the Old Olive Flower Fusion accent under the Rose Red to give a hint of leaves. I also used Everyday Flexible Phrases stamp set, and Old Olive, Rose Red, So Saffron and Kraft inks and cards stocks.

I used the template from the Classy Brass template Punches Plus and punched out the detail behind the flowers on the circle.
Thanks for looking!

Card for Pastor Pam

Pastor Pam has been an intern at our church this past year. She gave me some great insight this past year. She has also become an unexpected friend!
I made her this simple little card with Cameo Coral and Ruby Red inks and Whisper White and Cameo Coral cardstocks. I used retired stamp sets: God's Blessings, Refuge and Strength, and Sincere Salutations. I used the large 1 3/8" square punch to cut my initial window then I just used my paper cutter to enlarge it to a triangle. No time for embellishments on this card!
Thanks for looking!

Updates

I've had quite a bit of changes in the last few months. I was in a car accident back in June (note rear axle), I am in the middle of changing jobs and recently attended my brother's wedding in Chicago.


Having supportive friends are so important in life. They can really help you through some tough things. I am very grateful for all of my great friends far and near. All their prayers have certainly carried me through much of this. When I started asking for people to pray for me I really felt much calmer and less worried and stressed out within days. Definitely more peaceful. (Here are only a few of my great supportive friends.)

I start my new job next week and I am really looking forward to doing different things.

This past week was great, spending time with family and friends. Of course it went by too fast but it was great to officially welcome Jade into our family.

She was a beautiful bride and her family was wonderful.

Barouque Motifs

I made a few thank you cards recently for some of my friends that helped me out. I had made this card awhile back in Barely Banana and Soft Sky (see here) and decided to try it with different colors. I used Pale Plum and Perfect Plum colors (inks and card stock) this time around. I again used the Fire Circle Brads (this time the pink since it was close enough in color to the Pale Plum). I also used the Scallop edge punch to create the scallops on the right side of the card. I also used either the Whisper White grosgrain or the Elegant Eggplant grosgrain ribbon. You can click on the picture to see it a little closer in detail.
Thanks for looking!

New Stampin' Up! Catalog 2009-2010

I finally got my new catalog the other day. I've had a chance to thumb through it once so far. I'm gonna go look at it again later tonight. I like the In Colors this year. It usually takes me a while to get used to them or love them, then by the time the year is almost over I think "why did I wait so long? I love these colors?" but this time I think I will have NO Problem!
I love the new personalized stamps, the birthday collections, the little tip bars, I love how each section starts with facing pages of the best of the collection! Speakin' of collections... the organization collection~ LOVE IT! I'm not saying I'll get organized with it, I'm just saying it'll look pretty and maybe like I'm organized. I also love the medallion background stamp. All of the beautifully coordinated kits will make it so easy to start stamping and make it look like you've been doing it for years. Even the under $10 stamps and and kits! What do you think?

A Soldier Matters

Killed in action the week before, the body of Sergeant First Class John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City , Georgia , just south of Atlanta , on June 11, 2009 . The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough, Georgia. A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time.
Nowadays one can be led to believe that America no longer respects honor and no longer honors sacrifice outside the military. Be it known that there are many places in this land where people still recognize the courage and impact of total self-sacrifice. Georgia remains one of those graceful places. The link below is a short travelogue of that day's remarkable and painful journey. But only watch this if you wish to have some of your faith in people restored. Please share widely.

Craft Room Organizing

I bought these daisies at a craft fair in Omaha a few years back, then I was disappointed I didn't get more. I went back the next year and the booth was there again! I bought a couple more. I haven't decided what to do with the other two because one is smaller so it wouldn't quite make a perfect pair. I used to have these two holding up a curtain in my old craft room in Omaha.
I was considering getting a towel rack for this purpose. But FINALLY got this idea. I could actually use another bar for more punches. I do like having them right there in front of me at my work area.

Wild About You - Kristina Werner Color Inspiration #54 Challenge

I made this little card for the Color Inspiration challenge #54 on Kristina's webpage. I used Soft Sky, Taken with Teal, Pumpkin Pie and Green Galore cardstocks and ink. I went with the Wild About You stamp set because I FINALLY got around to buying it and then it gets retired. Figures. I also put some Crystal Effects on the elephants ball and mounted it on a Stampin Dimensional for a little depth. I dotted some eyes with the Crystal Effects for fun. I used the scallop punch and the 1/2", 1 1/4" circle punches and the 1/2" square punch.
Thanks for looking!

Additional Stampin' Up! discount on purchases

I am offering a 20% discount on any purchase made with me, now through June 30th. My discount cut off time will be 9:00pm ET on Tuesday, June 30th if you want to submit an order with me.
Many discontinued products are already discounted 25-50% and this 20% discount will be in addition to that discount offered by Stampin' Up!. Click here for the list of discounted and discontinued products.
Email me for details or to place your order: srmoen1@aol.com.

My Brother's Birthday Card

This is another 3x6 card I made for my brother, I used yet another retired stamp set (yeah for me!) the Mostly Flowers (ret.) and Everyday Flexible Phrases (ret.) Stamp Sets and the Forever Flowers wheel (not retired). I used Night of Navy and Bordering Blue cardstocks and inks as well as Sahara Sand cardstock and Versa Mark ink.
Since he's a gardener I think this isn't too bad, rather classic instead of feminine. It's not a show stopper but its simple. Thanks for looking!

Mother's Day Card

This is a mini card that I made previously for Mother's Day for my Mother-in-law. It was 3x3 in finished size and I used the Polka Dots & Paisley (ret.) stamp set and Petals & Paisley (ret.) designer series paper. I also used Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose cardstock; Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose and Old Olive inks. I used the whisper white 1/4" grosgrain ribbon to tie it all up, it definitely wouldn't stay closed on it's own without the ribbon.

I included some extra pictures below to help show how it was made.


To make the card I cut a 3" x 9" piece of cs, scored it at 3" intervals and then on the end squares I scored it diagonally to create the turned out ends. I also used the hole punch tool in the Crafters Tool Kit to create the accent on the upper corner.

I must've CASED this from somewhere or someone. Maybe Stampin' Success because I know I didn't come up with this clever idea on my own.

Thanks for looking!

Birthday Card for June

I made a couple cards for birthdays this past week. This first one was for my husband's cousin's daughter :). I used the Very Punny, Rough Edges Alphabet, (both retired) and Itty Bitty Backgrounds stamp sets. For the little frog I went with Green Galore card stock and ink then "girlied" it up with Pink Passion cs and ink. I used my Stickles -Crystal to accent little dots from the Itty Bitty background stamp. I also used some Gable Green brads and filled them with the Stickles- it gave it the look of frog eyes as you can kinda see in the blurry side picture here. That was purely an accidental bonus.

Wanted Card

I made this card based on a 6x6 scrapbook page we made at convention a couple years ago. I liked it and thought Rick's cousin would like the western theme. I used the canvas background stamp and the Wanted stamp set.I used Chocolate Chip, Sahara Sand and Really Rust cardstocks and inks. I used the scallop circle, small star, 1/2" and 1/8" punch. I roughed up the all of the right sided edges of the card stock with the paper tools. And topped it off with a few copper brads. All Stampin' Up!

Birthday Fishes

I made this quick, little card for one of Rick's cousins, then thought it was not 'mature' enough. So I sent him something else, I didn't like that one as much but it was less childish-like.

I used Brilliant Blue, Gable Green and Whisper White inks and paper. I used the Pun Fun & Stars and Swirls stamp sets (both retired) and the 1 1/4 inch punch to punch out the little window on the front so that you could see the fish inside. Very simple and very easy little card.

ICE STORM 2009

On Monday night we got 2-3 inches of snow. It started raining on Tuesday during the day and most of the night there was freezing rain. We could hear tree branches breaking and crashing to the ground before we went to bed, and knew it would be bad by morning. We woke up Wednesday to almost an inch of ice on everything. By 10 am it started snowing again and we got another 1-2 inches of snow.
This tree fell while Rick was walking the dog, he was standing on the back patio when it came down. He's upset about that one- it was a good shade tree.








These trees are not nearly as bad as many that you could see throughout Louisville. Many look like weeping willows. The power is out at my work because of downed trees and power lines. There are 6-12 inch icicles on power lines.

It was sad to hear all the trees crashing all morning long. There has been no thawing. So everything is still in a frozen state. I tried to knock some ice or snow off a cedar tree bent over in the yard today and all it did was snap off the green 'needles'.








It's hard to see but there are actually 2 cedar trees that snapped in this photo. We lost about 4 trees in our yard but driving around you see trees on cars, on houses, and roads.
They said 125,000 people in Louisville are without power and it could take a week to get it all back on.
We were lucky again to not lose power, it flickered a few times but never went out.
The temps won't get above freezing for a few days.

Vintage Aprons on AngryChicken

I have been quietly, secretly obsessing over vintage aprons for some time now. I purchased the new Stampin' Up! Momento Mall apron and was thrilled about it. Then for Christmas my brother and his fiance got me an apron. They also got one for my brother Sylvestre, as well. My brother is making a funny face in this picture, we threw them on quickly for the picture. We were making Christmas dinner. I used the apron alot that weekend too.
Then we made a carrot cake and we decided to make an impromptu apron for my niece. I had some cute fabric and simply cut it out in the shape of an apron. No sewing and tied it on. It worked perfect. I washed it and will finish sewing the edges so she can have her apron. We made the cake with our aprons on but never took a picture of it with our aprons on - oh well - no biggie.
But here's the cake. Those are marzipan carrots and cream cheese frosting. It was delicious!










So I found this website. Angry Chicken, Tie One On- All things aprony.

I have to go now and spend some time on it. The Rhode Island Red chicken caught my eye. I want to live on a farm and have chickens again and farm fresh eggs. Someday...

Chavez Designs

I love her card from the challenge this week. So beautiful! See it here!

Color Inspiration Challenge- Kristina Werner

This is my card in natural daylight it looks so much better. I used Ruby Red, Pixie Pink, Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White cardstock and inks. I used the Beautiful Thing stamp set, 3 flower punch, 1 inch punch, 1/4 inch punch, scallop edge punch and Stylized Silver Hodgepodge Hardware. I also used Pixie Pink Print Pack (2008) Designer Series polka dot paper.

I used the rock and roll technique on two of the stamped images. On the large flower on the right, I stamped off twice to get the lighter shade of Ruby Red, I also used Crystal Stickles to accent, but its not picking that up very well.

Thanks for looking!

Caroline's Stamp Pad

Here's a nice little blog. I like her cards- beautifully done. Enjoy!


I did get a chance to make some cards in the last couple of days. I hope to get them posted in the next day or so.

Meanwhile have you checked out Stampinup.com lately? They're having an unheard of before: Inventory Blowout Sale! This is a great time to buy up some retired items you may have missed out on our ran out of and get a good deal on it.
While you're there you should also check out the retired list of stamps that will be saying goodbye on the 18th!

Decor Elements

Check out beautiful the Decor Elements line is!
I just ordered a couple for my home. 1 Christmas themed (for next year) and long stem silhouette. I love the tree and the fairy princess theme! If only I had a little girl...
I am also diggin' that flower finesse as a hostess gift. I also think that laundry sign maybe a good idea too. Hmmm
I currently have NOTHING on my walls and am very excited to continue deocorating my home!