Come Spring -- Please!

Hello my crafty friends! ** Have I mentioned lately that I am incrediblly tired of winter? My dear husband spent time yesterday and today with a pick axe and shovel cleaning off the remainder of the side walk on the side of the house. It is mostly solid ice and snow. It is just a mess. *** I am participating in this round of Devine Secret sisters and really needed a card that was bright colorful and reminded me of spring. Here is the recipe; ** 1. Standard card base in orange measures 5 1/2 X 4 1/4" folded. 2. Top yellow layer measures 5 1/4" X 2" and the patterned paper measures 5" X 1 3/4". 3. The bottom layer measures 3" X 2" amd the patterned paper measures 2 3/4' X 1 3/4" 4. The oval piece as well as the scalloped oval are nestabilities dies. The stamped image of flowers is from Inkadinka do and the sentiment is from Great impressions. ** Remember feel free to CASE my work, but chances are greater than not that this card as well as all those shown here have been submitted for publication in a nationally recognized magazine. ** Have a great remainder of your weekend. I am working on a gift for my Senior friend I hope to get postal this week. Take care and Stamp Happy!

Some pretty swap cards -- Craig's home!

Hello crafters!

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Sorry I've have not blogged in a few days, but you can see why above. Each of the three cards you see are for a floral swap on Splitcoast stampers. I made six of each card!

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Stamp Credits -- Sunflower card image is from Great impressions

-- little girl with flower image is from Whipper Snapper

-- duck is from Penny black

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For each of the cards I improvise a sketch challenge from my stash of sketches and other ideas and had a great time mixing and matching colors. The little girl card has a base of teal, I happen to notice that the sweater I was wearing that day was the same color.

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My oldest son Craig is home! He arrived yesterday afternoon and we celebrated last evening by watching a movie together as a family! Originally he was going to be stationed near by at Andrews Air force base. He found out yesterday he is going to be even closer to home at Ft. Meade!

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Feel free to CASE the card ideas, just remember they are my personal property and should not be re-created for publication or sell of any kind.

** Stamp happy, blog candy will start tomorrow, so stay tuned!

Best Friend Birthday Gift

The cute bath salt idea came from my stamping friend, Kathi, click her name for her blog and the recipe for mixing the salt with scent and color. I really love this idea. It is very economical and I scented the epson salt with fresh linen. I used one of my stamping up re-inkers (In blue) to color the salts. Since the ink is water based so it will wash off easily.

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The card that I am giving to her this year is currently published in Just Cards Birthdays, click the name for ordering information. I usually receive a complimentary issue of the magazine, but I have not received this one yet. I will most likely contact the publisher so they can send one to me.

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I used paper from bo-bunny press that coordinates. The package is wrapped in the paper and the little girl with the flower is a sizzix die gift card holder. Cut out and folded with the same paper. I knowthat the picture is not clear but the small wrapped box contains an altered arylic paper weight. I am also gift her two sheets of dog themed scrap paper for her use.

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Many of the projects for the gift are altered. I really have enjoyed my creative time in my craft area today! I guess I need to stop procrastinating and get my house work taken care of. I guess I shouldn't feel too guilty, I've done the laundry and balanced the check book!

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Have a great weekend. Stay warm, dry and Stamp Happy!

Loretta

Maryland girls Challenge card

Isn't she pretty? This adorable Whipper Snapper image. This precious set of sugar and spice stamps comes on cling mount foam in a CD storage box for easy storage and use. I really love the fun doll like quality of the image.

I have joined a swap on Splitcoast stampers for flowers, I plan to change up this sketch a little and insted of having the sentiment on the outside, I will either stamp or apply prima flowers to the card.

The recipe is simple, with most layers measuring 3" X 5 1/4" and 2" X 3 1/4" pretty simple really, easy to CASE. Just remember, if you case my work, please give me due credit. Many of the cards you see on my blog will soon be featured in major crafting periodicals.

The snow is beginning to finally melt. It was so nice to take a few minutes of time today and go to the post office. Now it is time to finish up my laundry and other household chores so I can have some guilt free stamping this weekend!

Stamp Happy, stay safe and warm!

Secret Sister first gift!

Hello Friends!

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This is the first round for 2010 and Divine Secret Sisters. My little sister will be receiving these two altered items along with some ribbon and other goodies in her first package.

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I felt really bad that I only was able to send out her first card for this round a few days ago. I am happy to report that we finally got shoveled out and much to my relief the streets are relatively clear.

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On a separate note, CHAD MADE THE HONOR ROLL again, with a 3.75 GPA. We couldn't be more proud of him. He gets to choose where we will be eating out to celebrate his great accomplishment.

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Both of today's projects where made using the new Sizzix scoreboard dies. Click on the word Sizzix to view the dies they currently have available. These are so nice. Very easy to fold and decorate.

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Stay safe and warm, and always "Stamp Happy".

Loretta answers your questions!

This is an inquiry I received on Splitcoast stampers.

I've modified the questions so I can protect the author's privacy and give these questions answers for everyone. Yes, I do infact get asked these questions frequently!

My Laurel, Maryland Shoe box swap card

Sorry the scan is a bit crooked, but I wanted to post my shoe box swap card. ** I spent most of the day preparing all of the materials. There is also detail inside the card with sponged edges and a sentiment. *** The base black card stock measures 5 1/2 X 4 1/4". The gray pieces measures at 5 1/4" X 4" the musical score measures 5 1/4" by 2". The black piece under the butterfly image measures 2 3/4" square and the white piece with the stamped butterfly measures 2 1/2" square. I embellished the card with beautiful white ribbon and clear dew drops. *** Inside their is white card stock that measures 5 1/4" X 4", and the sentiment is stamped in the center with a butterfly off to one side. I used my copic markers to accent the butterfly. This is not a difficult card to put together and I love the classic black and white with a touch of gray. *** We finally had plows come through our neighborhood last night and this morning. I am so thankful. Now I should be able to get out and about to run some errands and go to the post office and bank. *** Stay safe and warm, stamp happy my friends!

A new tag project and a picture of Craig and me! Lots of pictures!!! So much Fun!!!

Hi fellow crafter's and friends!

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As promised, here are a couple of pictures of Craig and I at the IP Casino in Mississippi.

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We stayed at the in Wingate by Wyndham hotel in D'Iberville. This area has certainly grown quickly. Within walking distance of our hotel there was a super Walmart, Wendy's, Chilli's, Ruby Tuesday, Subway and many more great places to enjoy a meal.

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The hotel had a wonderful whirlpool which we both enjoyed. I was in Mississippi for seven days all together and enjoyed the whirlpool facilities several times. I was certainly happy to find that our hotel had an in house public washer and dryer, especially since I had only packed enough clothing for about 3 days. I did break down and went shopping for a few new clothing items and one nice outfit. I really enjoyed my stay and the courteous service that I enjoyed.

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The tag book is based upon one done by a local stamping friend, Amanda.

I used some heavy chip board coasters to cut the tags using a retired Sizzix die "Super scallop tag". I also used my xyron 510 multi-purpose machine to apply adhesive to the cut tags. Then using some scraps of DCSW patterned paper, I cut the tags out and covered them. I also used a sanding block to sand the edges smooth.

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I then used some white craft paint and a dry brush to antique the edges of the tags. The patterned paper was over stamped using stamping up ink in rose romance and some stamps I purchased from the dollar bins at Michael's.

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This project will be going to my secret sister on Splitcoast stampers, I hope she will enjoy it. I hope you guys are doing well. We are still anticipating some substantial snow fall tomorrow. I hope that it holds off until late afternoon. As many of you know, I have started playing violin again and I really want to take a lesson tomorrow morning.

*** Stay safe and warm! Stamp Happy!

SNOW!!!! Lots of pictures!

Hello my friends;

These pictures where taken a few days ago outside of my home in Laurel, Maryland. These where taken over two snow days. The first snow was over 30" and the second snow was about 15". It is a bunch of snow and the forecast for Monday is for even more.

Most of this mess occurred while I was in Mississippi where the temps ranged about 56* during the day and for the most part it was bright and sunny. I went to visit my oldest son, Craig who is stationed at Keesler Air force base in Mississippi.

My flight home was cancelled four times and I finally made it back to Baltimore International Airport at 2:40 am. Arriving back at home around 3:40 am. The roads home are not in good condition. Most are not plowed very well and many are slick and hard to navigate.

To say the least, I have not done anything crafty all week. I am working on a birthday gift for my secret little sister and some cards for this group. I have such fun creating things for other people. It is so much fun.

Please stay safe and warm, I hope you enjoyed the pictures. Will post pictures of Craig and I soon. Hugs and Stamp Happy!