I love Moo!

As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Cow's. I don't know why, I just love them.

One of my friends once commented "you must own every cow stamp ever made", well I don't think I own them all, but I'm sure trying. My favorite cow images are from Penny Black (as the picture above) and the sentiment fits perfectly. The card layout is very loosely based on a MojoMonday sketch week #102. I changed the layout to fit my black and red scheme.

Blog candy continues until Halloween. I hope you will join us then for an exciting drawing! See the picture on my last post for a picture of all of the goodies.

I enjoyed a quiet afternoon and made six of these adorable cards! I need to make six more in the red and black color scene for a swap on split coast.

Have a great evening! Stamp happy!

Happy Halloween! A picture of blog candy!

Top Blog candy

Bottom Halloween card

Hello fellow crafty people!

What a yucky nasty and rainy day. I practiced playing my violin this afternoon but it only lasted about 15 minutes. My hands ached. I need to start taking aspirin before playing.

Just remember the above blog candy lasts until Halloween. There are extra surprises not in the pictures.

OK, for today's card. It measures a standard 5 1/2" X 4 1/4" folded. Purple layer is 5 1/4" X 4". I used a PK Success punch and shrink plastic for the bats and the ghosts are a sizix retired die. Do you just love the green behind the focal image? It is dryer lint! (It is too funny but it is true).

Have a great evening! Stamp Happy!

Loretta Plays her violin

Happy Sunday!

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful day. I'm getting used to a new computer and my video camera, so excuse the typing in the background and the first time I played this through it was rough, it was much better the second time around. It is "Victory in Jesus" from the Baptist Hymnal.

Yesterday was not a good day. I spent some time in bed on drugs with an aching back. My sweet husband even went out and bought me a new heating pad. It was so nice. By early evening My back was much better and we enjoyed some time just watching TV and chatting.

I am busy today! I'll be starting laundry soon and I'm playing with my Cricut Gypsy. What a neat and fun little toy. I've already loaded my cartridges to the machine and am using it. I am still getting used to the features, but one of the great things about this is you can choose any font/image from any of the cartridges you own and you can cut it out with the criccut without the use of a design studio, juke box or even overlays. You just hook up the USB able and a few clicks and you've got your stuff done!

I'll give you a total review once I use the programs more.

Blog candy until October 31, 2009. So far two stamps sets you know about and now two new ones. Both from Hampton Arts, one is called Give Thanks and the other is Autumn is in the air. You may leave a comment any where on the blog for a chance to win. Enjoy the music. Just a reminder I have only been playing for about a year and a half after a nearly 10 year absence. I have started taking violin lessons and it is so terrific. I have a beautifully talented and patient teacher!

Have a wonderful Sunday. Stamp Happy!

Here it is on youtube, please remember I played it through twice, the second time is much better. But, I promiced I would upload the sound of my sweet violin,mistakes and all!

A challenge sketch card

Hello fellow stampers! I hope that today has found you warm and dry. It has been cold and raining here for over a week here in Maryland. I'm so glad to see bright sunny skies!

I am participating in a sketch challenge. Above is my offering. I admit once I saw the paper (which was provide to those who are doing this challenge) I knew exactly which stamps I wanted to use. I would only change the solid green panel and use a soft yellow saffron one on top. I used the saffron paper provided for the inside panel.

The stamps are from Stamping up as well as the card stock. I used Marvy markers and direct to rubber technique to stamp the images. The center focal image is enhanced by some vanilla hodge Podge hard wear. I used a sponge and certainly celery ink to soften up the starch vanilla piece. All in all I am pleased with the results.

Blog candy until October 31. Currently there are two stamp sets, and an altered item in the pot. Stamp Happy my friends!

Birthday Random act of Kindness cards

Hi fellow crafters!

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I am a member of the splitcoast stampers community. I love the groups, galleries and chat rooms there. I am also a member of the Birthday Random acts of kindness group.

Above are a couple of cards that will go postal to other BRAK members. I'm pretty excited that my idea worked out so well. I used a little spot lighting on the image and it really pops out very nicely.

Remember blog candy until Halloween.

On a more personal note, thank you to those who ask how my boys are. Craig is continuing to do well. He finishes up his technical school in a couple of weeks but is currently having car trouble. Poor kid, guess its time he "man's up" and learns to handle things on his own. He is waiting orders to come up to Andrews but like my husband says, its the needs of the Air Force and verbal orders are useless.

Chad turned 15 on Friday. He had the day off from school. No it was just how things worked out, we didn't "let" him stay home, he really had the day off. We did the official celebration at Don Pablo's a local mexican resturant, they made him wear this over sized hat and did their own version of "happy birthday". My step daughter also joined us and it was a really nice night. Chad got an extra surprise on the way home, we stopped by Duncan doughnuts and let him pick up a few doughnuts for breakfast this morning. The kid has had a go of the sweets this weekend. We feel it is only once a year you get to be spoiled for your birthday weekend!

Happy Stamping!

Some quick fun projects!

Hi stampers!

After successfully completing one altered clip board, I opted to do another. I purchased some 'white board' from an online store and half of this one is a dry erase board with a calendar, dry erase pen and shrink plastic push pins. I also used a junior legal pad so you can make a list and take it with!

These are not difficult, I think I spent more time waiting for the base color to dry than it took to alter the entire board. The back of the piece is finished off with white paint.

The card is a Penny Black image and inside the card it reads "what if the hokey pokey is what it is all about". Cute!

Blog candy runs until Halloween. Email me if you decide to put my blog link on your blog, remember that earns extra points! New goodies into the pot, ribbon, it will be a nice assortment. I do ask if you win, please post a picture to your blog and let me know about it so I may put a link to it from here.

Stamp happy! Hugs to all!

Loretta

My new du!

Hello my crafty friends, Today's post is totally self-serving. Several weeks ago, I decided that the massive hair had to be tamed down, it had gotten so long it was at the middle of my back and if I could get it to do anything other than live in a pony tail, it would rain and I'd look like Witch Hilda. So I made my appointment with Lana, my favorite hair dresser, discussed with hubby what I wanted to do (he likes to be informed even though the decision is mine) I found three styles I really liked, and one stood out. I printed off the picture and took it with me to the salon. Above is the new hair do! I love it, she put in great apricot highlights (yes they are really red but apricot is a nice name)! I simply put in some hot curlers, and off I go. Stays pretty much in place most of the day. Here is one for you, I went to a ladies tea at my church this afternoon and had my soon to be 15 year old take the pic, he did good! I also started taking private violin lessons four weeks ago, my teacher is great and I really enjoy playing. Even she is impressed with how quickly it is getting better! Thank you sweetheart! Speaking of sweethearts, my sweet hubby found out today the VA finally approved his disability. Which was really great news! Blog candy until Halloween, thee is another addition to our 'sweet' pot, it is another set of clear stamps, Christmas themed, since I want the winner to be surprised I'm not going to tell you the name of the set or take a picture. I'm such a tease! Please have a safe Holiday weekend. Stay tuned for more.

Stamp Happy and inky hugs everyone!

Halloween treats -- sure to please!

I honestly think I have come up with something a bit different. I used the blow pop lollipop's for the google eye monster project.

Cut three word window punches from black card stock. Cut off the stem of the sucker with a pair of sharp wire cutters. Leave the top on, it makes for great 'hair'. Tie a ribbon around the top portion.

Attach the lollipop with glue dots or red line tape circles. The eye is placed on top of a white card stock piece that red lines are drawn through. The eyelashes are fun fur.

I will try and shoot a video tomorrow to go with this project. If you would like the kit for this project, email me so I can send you my snail mail address. You'll need to send me a SASE with two postage stamps. I'll take care of the rest. Lollypop is not included.

Stamp Happy, blog candy until October 31st!

Hugs!

Altered Coaster and paper weight

Happy Stamping!

These wonderful projects

For Ms. Vivian

-- blog candy 1 st offering, more to come! Happy stamping to you all!

Today's card using a circle 6 stamp I purchased from my local craft store, it was $1.00 they had a very nice selection to choose from. I think I purchased 23 in total. Mostly fall and Halloween stamps, all very nice. My senior Ms. Vivian will enjoy this pretty card. It is made with the shaving cream back ground technique.

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It has been a wonderful day here. I have started five boo-buckets, I need to stamp some book marks and put a few pieces of chocolate and other candies in each. These are more treat than sweet. They contain a calendar, glow sticks, fun wind up toys and some other goodies.

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My husband has been smoking brisket and ribs all day. I'm starting to get SO hungry! It smells so wonderful. To top it off, he even smoked the beans, they are delicious! We are looking forward to having friends and family over to help us enjoy the wonderful meal.

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Remember blog candy the stamps are just a preview of what is to come, this is Halloween month. Stay tuned for this months stamp kit project. It is free, I send you the parts to make the project of the month. If you want more than one (say over 10) there is a small charge for materials but it will never exceed $10.00 unless you want a really big bulk. You can leave a comment any where on the blog, and if you link my blog to yours you get a total of six votes in the hat for every comment left. October 31 the candy will be drawn.

*** Stamp Happy my friends, blog you later!

Just a quick start to blog candy

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As promiced, blog candy starts today and ends on Halloween. October 31, 2009 for those who do not observe this festive time.

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Stay tuned for previews of the boo-bukets I am making for neighbors. Click here for a link for more details.

*** Last year I started with four large and five small boo-bukets. We have sixty six homes in our community and by the time Halloween rolled by, we had 3/4 of the homes with signs on the windows. It was so much fun.**** ***

This year I am focusing more on treat than sweet. With diabetes I am keeping these buckets on the low sugar side. **

Blog candy will increase as we play along. You may leave a comment any where on my blog. If you want 'extra' votes, put a link of my blog onto your blog and email me to let me know. I'll give you five additional votes for one comment = six votes!

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Stamp Happy!