My baby is leaving for Europe

My son, Tj and his friend, Drew are leaving for a two month trip hiking through Europe tomorrow.  They are flying to Spain to begin their trip, then to Italy, France, Switzerland, and the final leg of their journey will land them in Germany at Octoberfest!  I wish I was going, although I don't know if I would like the "backpacking" thing at my age.  If I was 26, maybe I would consider it, but nah, not now.  I'm sad to see him leave because I'll miss him so much, and I'm happy that he has this wonderful opportunity to travel and see other parts of the world that are simply beautiful.  I've only been to Italy twice and loved every minute of it.  I would love to go to Germany, Switzerland and Ireland some day.  Maybe if I save my pennies, I will make it there.  But for now, I'm preparing myself for Tj's departure and keeping a big, giant smile on my face as I see him off.  Happy and safe travels, my sweet.  (yes, that is what I have called him since he was a baby).  And for once in my life, I hope these next 2 months fly by. 

Roomie Gift

One of my roomates at the 2012 SU convention, Cindy, made these cute journal books for us from designer series paper (dsp) and stamps.  Who would have known you could take a plain, black copy notebook and turn it into something so beautiful.  Didn't she do a wonderful job on this?  I love it so much, I don't want to use it.  LOL. 

Food from the Heart

I just had to post this picture.  I cut open a small, round watermelon for a picnic I was having, and if you look closely, you can see the shape of a heart in the watermelon.  Look close ... it is as perfect as perfect is.  What a surprise that was that I just had to take a picture because no one would ever believe it.  What do you think?

And speaking of picnics .. my husband Tom and I were invited to our neighbor's house for an after July 4th picnic and Diane made an out-of-this-world Caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella cheese, fresh tomato, fresh basil from her garden, and drizzled with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.  Oh my word, I could have eaten the whole tray.  Tom wanted me to take a picture of it so he could remember it.  LOL.  If you haven't guessed yet, he LOVES food.  Doesn't this look yummy?  Surrounding the Caprese salad is pepperoni stuffed with cheese.  Oh it's making me hungry again!!!  Diane is an awesome cook - I can't even tell you all the wonderful food she made for us.  We sure did feel special.  Check it out ...

Open House Make & Takes

Moving Forward Stamp Set.  I can't tell you enough how much I'm loving the cute bicycle!

Papillon Potpourri Stamp set using the elegant butterfly punch.  How cute is this???

The next two cards were made using the "Reason to Smile" stamp set.  I got the set for $5 as a July special for an order of $50 or more.  That sure gave me a reason to smile.  

So simple .. so cute.  These cards were super easy and we made them at my upline Jill's open house / retirement stamp sale.  They were so much fun making, and oh so fun walking out with 4 cute cards.

Holiday Catalog Cards

Scentsational Season stamp set was used for the yummy hot cocoa mug, Owl Occasions was used for the cute little Owl "Merry Christmas" card and the three little stockings card, and then the Googly Ghouls stamp set was used for the mummy card.  All cards were made from the Holiday Catalog 2012.  Four simple cards that have that WOW factor.  My upline, Jill, did these for a class for us.  Cute, Cute, Cute!

Cute Gift Boxes

Isn't this craft box adoreable?  It's made with comfort cafe dsp paper with a cute "happy birthday" flower and label on top.

This next box is made with patio party dsp.  I made the bow with strips of primrose petals card stock.  I added a little touch with the vintage faceted designer button on top.  Oh so cute if I must say so myself.  I'm just loving these gift boxes.  They are easy peasy to make!

Stained Glass

This is a card that my friend, Pam made for me.  The picture doesn't do it any justice at all, but the peacock is stamped and embossed on vellum, then marker was used to fill in the design on the back of the vellum.  What do you get ... a stained glass look.  It's really pretty.

Well, I think that's enough for tonight.  Can you tell I was a little "Post" happy?  I have a lot to do to get my blog up to par where I want it, especially designing a header.  That will come, so stay tuned.  I hope you will visit me often as I get better at this.  Thanks for stopping by.

Rachel's Graduation

My niece, Rachel, graduated from high school this year and this is the card I made for her.  I thought it turned out pretty cool.  I didn't have anything to make the tassel, so I ended up shredding some stampin up ribbon, and it didn't turn out bad at all.  I kind of like it, actually.  Rachel was the last to graduate from our family.  I can't believe my two are grown, and now my sister's two girls are adults too.  Where does the time go?

Birthday Card for Michelle

Well, this is one of those cards that just won't rotate itself the right way.  Bummer!  Anyway, this is the birthday card I made for my dear friend, Michelle who's birthday was earlier this month.  It turned out so cute.  I CASED the idea from someone on the Stampin Connection - sorry I didn't get the name.  But I changed up a few things and this is how it came out.  Pretty, isn't it?

Soft and Simple

This card is just like it sounds ... soft and simple.  I CASED the idea from a card I found on the Stampin Connection.  Isn't it sweet?  It's much better looking in person.

Linda's Bridal Favors

I made these cute bridal favor pillow boxes for my sister Linda's wedding.  She got married on the Spirit of Philadelphia this past June.  I added the gold wired string as a nautical touch.  Really loved the way they turned out.  Of course, I loaded them up with yummy butter mints. 

Megan's Bridal Shower Favors

I made 60 of these bridal favor boxes for Megan's bridal shower last September.  I just love the concord crush card stock.  I added a few touches with embossing folders and whala, a stinkin cute bridal favor box filled with yummy chocolate.  They were a huge hit!

Aileen & Josh's Anniversary Card

I made this card at the 2011 October Craft Retreat.  I thought it was so pretty and so easy to make.  I made this card for my daughter and son-in-law for their anniversary.  My friend loved it so much that she asked me to make a bunch of them so she could give them out for Mother's Day.  I was happy to make them, although, I used the Stampin Up Daisy Die for her flowers because I didn't have the die for the flowers I used in the picture above.  I just love making stuff with the Big Shot. 

Double Embossing Pumpkins

I just love this card so much.  I made this at a Craft Retreat last October.  I wish I could remember who I CASED this card from.  I got so many compliments on it and a bunch of women copied it as well.  Thank you to whomever made it.  If I find you, I'll make sure you get the credit.

Red Heart Valentine

I saw this card done in pink and it was so cute.  I created the heart using Real Red and used the Petals a Plenty and Dots embossing folders to give it a little dimension and interest.  It turned out great and I got a lot of compliments on it.  Easy peasy!

Christmas Mittens

This is a "Christmas in July" card we made at my upline, Jill Hilliard's house.  I love the mittens!

Sympathy for Ryan

This is a card I CASED but unfortunately couldn't remember who I cased it from.  My niece lost her husband after only 6 months of marriage this past May.  It was one of the saddest losses I've experienced in quite some time.  Ryan was a wonderful young man and we MISS him so much.  God rest his soul and keep him safe in Heaven!

Father's Day Card

My father's day card for dad!  He loved it and loves all the hand-made cards I make for him.  It's so nice to get compliments.  I can't remember who I CASED this card from, but it was perfect for my dad.

Summer Smoochie Thank You

I just love the summer smoochies paper and stamp set.  I CASED this card from Sandi MacIver.  If you haven't seen her beautiful creations, take a peek. 

A Thank You for Risa

This was a card that I made as a thank you to my dear friend, and co-worker, Risa.  She always helps me out and is always there for emotional support.  As Risa says, I am "Her Person", and she is Mine!  I CASED this card, but unfortunately, I cannot remember who made this pretty card.  The only thing I added was the "yellow" flowers. 

Chuck's Birthday Card

I saw an ice cream cone card that was created by Stasia Sloma that inspired me to create this one for my new brother-in-law, Chuck.  Isn't it yummy?  Makes me want to have a big, giant ice cream!!!

Linda's Wedding Card

I got my inspiration for my sister's wedding card from Kathy Schweinfurth.  I was happy with the result, and so was Linda.  My sister got married on June 24, 2012 on the Spirit of Philadelphia.  She and Chuck went on an Alaskan cruise for their honeymoon.  Oh what fun!

Beautiful Mother's Day Card

I CASED this card from Michelle G of mbgdesigns.  I just loved it. 

Nancy's Birthday Card 2012

A birthday card for my sister, Nancy.  I CASED this card from Judy Lynn Morton. 

My first SU convention 2012

Here's a picture of me after I just got my "BAG".  It was loaded with goodies and I couldn't wait to show it off!  This was my first SU convention!  I had a BLAST!  I'm going next year.  Are you???

My Upline, Jill Hilliard

This is a picture of the panel doing the "I Am Earning an Incentive Trip" presentation.  That's my upline, Jill Hilliard in the center. ( It's not the best picture, but the lighting prevented me from, getting a better shot.)  Jill's an awesome upline.  She won Founder's Circle and the trip to Fiji this year!  She knows how to "work it".  I'm really proud of her!  Go Jill!!!  L-R:  Teresa Giordano, Cynthia Millan, Jill Hilliard, and Meg Holland.

I Am...Stampin Up!

Ok, I just had to get a picture of me at the "Rock".  What a fun trip to Stampin Up's headquarters.  It's a beautiful and fun place to work.  I wonder if they have an opening for me????

My new friend, Amanda

Me and Amanda by the waterfall at SU's headquarters in Riverton, Utah.  She's so sweet and oh so cute!

My Roomies at 2012 SU Convention

This is Carolyn and Cindy, two of my roomies at the 2012 SU convention.  We are all happy to get our cute bags full of "fun" stamps and stuff.  I love freebies!

Chillin in the Creativity Room

This is a picture of Amanda, Lisa and Donna just chillin on one of the comfy chairs in the creativity room at the SU Headquarters in Riverton, Utah.  Don't they look relaxed and having fun?

Sunny Morning Chat Group

This is a picture of my new friends that I met at the 2012 Stampin Up Convention in Salt Lake City.  From L-R:  Robbie, Lisa, Tracy, Amanda, Donna and Laura Lynn.  Donna is THE "Butternut Sage".  I was so honored to meet her, let alone hang out with her and all of these wonderful women.  I'm so fortunate to have met them.  They've invited me to join them each morning in the Sunny Morning Chat group, so I get to talk to them every day, along with the other fabulous women I haven't met yet.  They're all so cute!!!

My 2012 Convention Swap

Here's my convention swap.  I made 50 of them and they went fast.  I came home with a lot of nice swaps.  Next year, I'm going for 100!

Now I got this one right.  I figured out how to get the picture rotated the correct way.  Hopefully it will be this easy next time ... if I remember what I did!  LOL.

Thanks for viewing my blog, and keep a look out for more posts.

Moving Forward Challenge

This is my first "Moving Forward" challenge.  It's from the new Moving Forward Stamp Set from Stampin Up that we got free at Convention 2012.  Isn't it cute?  $3 of the proceeds go directly to the Ronald McDonald House.

I tried to rotate this picture, but was having a hard time.  For some reason, I took the picture with my iPhone and it came over to my computer correctly, but won't post that way.  Better luck next time!!!  Thanks for you patience while I learn how to navigate my blog.

Designing my blog ... I hope to have it up and functioning soon.