Yet *ANOTHER* Bareback Card!?!?

Well, Mom actually ASKED for her stamp set back, so I had to make one last card with it. I had this cute patterned paper from the Wanted collection from Cosmo Cricket that I had gotten with this stamp in mind, so that is what I started with! Here are the supplies I used:

Cardstock:

Su! Cranberry Crisp

Su! Chocolate Chip

Su! Very Vanilla

Cosmo Cricket Wanted

Stamps:

Su! Bareback

Purple Onion Ornamentals

Purple Onion Lettera 32

Su! Canvas Background

Ink:

Su! Basic Brown

Tim Holtz Vintage Photo

Tim Holtz Antique Linen

Other:

Offray Ribbon

Bookplate/Brads

Ticket Corner Punch

Prismacolors/Sansador

Blending Stumps

**I sanded the bookplate with a sanding block to take some of the paint off and make it look worn.

Seeds of Kindness Set of 4

I wanted to be creative last night. But I didn't want a huge mess, and it was getting late. I went and pulled a few colors of cardstock, a set of my favorite stamps from SU!, and the basics like glue, paper trimmer, and some coordinating ink. My goal was to create a set of cards that coordinated, but were all different, without having to use a lot of embellishments, and extra thought! The set I used is SU!'s retired Seeds of Kindness. It is one of my favorite sets, and so fun to stamp! I also used Wonderful Words II on the bottom left example. For all these cards, I used Marigold Morning, Mellow Moss, and white cardstock. I used Marigold Morning, Summer Sun, Mellow Moss, and Going Gray Ink pads, and the only tools I used besides glue and my trimmer were a 1/4" hole punch, and SU!'s slit punch. The slit punch doubled as a ticket corner punch on the top left example. Just watch yourself, those little corners fly!! I used the traditional dandelion colors, but I have used this set many times, and it looks good in any color you stamp it in. I did 2 of each of these cards for a total of 8, and it took me probably an hour, in front of the TV. I just wanted to confirm the fact that is is possible to create some simple cards without having all the latest and greatest, and still have them look pretty. Now it is back to work, and I will only be able to *think* about stamping/scrapping, until some free time hits me again! Have a great day! --Keri

Wedding Day!!

Well, the wedding went off without a hitch on Friday night! Peter's sister got married, and the whole night was beautiful. I only managed to get a few pictures, but they are good ones, so I thought I would share them all.

Here is Peter and Shannon at the wedding. Hard to tell that they are siblings, huh?? She made a beautiful bride, and Peter was a proud big brother!

Here is the back of Shannon's dress..I loved the red accents. I was really a great touch. The lacing up the back was so pretty!

Here is the cake topper. Shannon's new hubby, Ray is the fire chief. We got the cake topper of EBay from a cake decorator's supply. So cute!!

Here is Peter with our niece, Shannon's daughter and maid of honor, Alyssa. She is Peter's God-daughter. She has grown up so fast! When Peter and I got married, she was a toddler! She has grown up into a beautiful young woman!

This is what I made them for a Wedding gift. A home made gift was requested, and I knew this would do the trick. My new brother in law is a Case mechanic, and this was a hard pill to swallow coming from a John Deere lover! I put my feelings aside for the sake of the wedding, and painted this tractor red. It turned out great, and they called this morning on the way to their honeymoon to tell me how much they loved it! Congrats to Ray and Shannon!

A Day in MY Life as a Paper Artist

My newest project is up and waiting to be viewed! A Day in the Life of a Paper Artist can be seen here: http://buzzandbloom.typepad.com/theatelier/2007/04/a_day_in_the_li.html

Here is a little sneak at what I did!

Bareback Card v.2

This is another card I made using the Bareback stamp set from Stampin' UP!. I really like this set, and even though this set is my Mom's, I think I may have to get one for myself if (when) it retires. I used a pre-made card base from one of those big packs you get at Joann's. It is hard to tell but it is a dark blue shade, and it is textured. The patterned paper is scraps I had leftover from a layout I did recently. I *think* the paper is from Paper Loft. I also used SU! Buckaroo Blue,Very Vanilla , and Chocolate Chip cardstock. Ink is Chocolate Chip, and Black Staz on. Brads are from Joann's Essentials.

Have a great day!

---Keri

Wedding Card...

Here is the wedding card I made for my sister-in-law's wedding this coming Friday night. Their wedding colors are red, black, and white.

I used SU!'s Roses in Winter, God Bless II, and Weathered. Cardstock is SU! Basic Black and Mellow Moss, GP White, and Doodlebug Red Bazzill. Inks include Jet Black Staz on, Ancient Page Charcoal, SU! Mellow Moss, True Thyme, and Real Red. I distressed the edges with the Mellow Moss Ink, and finished it off with a black satin ribbon. This is a whole sheet card, measuring 5.5x8.5 inches. Thanks for looking! --Keri

Two Different Sweets...

I have been MIA for a week! We got another snow storm last Sunday/Monday, and I was just too grumpy to post! But the snow is gone now, and it has been in the 70's, so it's all good! I thought I would share a few sweets with you. This is my cutie patootie niece Miriam Grace, or Meems, as I have dubbed her. She is now 4 months old, and such a sweet schmoopee! My brother and sister in law definitely are blessed, as is my whole family! You can surely expect to see the photo in a layout soon.

This is a card I made the other day, using SU!'s retired set, Sweet Treats. I love this birthday cake stamp! I used some patterned paper (I forget the brand) for a background. I used SU! Cool Caribbean, and Pink Passion Cardstock. I used Cool Caribbean, Pink Passion, and Yoyo Yellow inks to color the image, and even though you can't see it, I went over the candles and the pedestal with a clear Stardust pen. I topped it off with a spiral clip and a ribbon. I also used my new favorite, the distressing tool, to make the edges look all frayed. Happy Saturday!

--Keri--

A Little Senseless Chatter....

Here I sit, on the 13th of April, and it is snowing. A year ago, it was in the 70's, and it is barely 35 today! This is getting mildly depressing. We usually get the whole yard raked during April break...that is not happening this year! Our April break in almost done, and I have not even touched a rake! The daffodils are up about 4-5 inches, so I hope they withstand the forecasted NOREASTER they are calling for on Sunday!!
I did THE stupidest thing on Tuesday. I thought since I was off work that I would go help my Mom stock some shelves and pack some bags at the food shelf. We served 13 families that day! While leaving, I remembered that I had to talk to my Pastor's wife for a minute, and when I left their house, I somehow managed to not get my hand out of the door in time. I suffered a loss of three fingernails, two fake and one real. Ripped that ring finger nail right off, down to the cuticle. So here is my question. The acrylic overlay is still on it, and there is no way that is coming off..but it really hurts when I bump it. Will it come off the rest of the way by it's self, or will I have to cut it off?? Mind you, I did manage in all the chaos to pick up the two acrylic ones I knocked off, and glue em back on...there is vanity for ya!! So I may have a new nail by CHRISTMAS!! I am so clumsy!! Excuse any injury related typos, by the way!
Last but not least, my sister in law is getting married two weeks from tonight!! It is Peter's sister, she is two years older than me. But we all know what weddings mean..new outfit!!! Do you think with all my travels the other day, I could find something I liked?? NOPE! Nothing seemed to be my style, the right color, and since when does flab look twice as flabby in the changing room mirror?? I finally found some tan slacks, and a white shirt, and some brown sandals (that I can wear inside my snow boots!!) Then on to wedding hair. I have been coloring said hair with Natural Instincts 16RG Sedona Sunset for years, those darned grays! But lately the locks have gotten a little long and droopy. I have an appointment on Monday afternoon--nice when your best friend is a beautician!! But I have NO IDEA what to do with it. I know she won't cut it short, and I don't want it short, but I need some style to it. I have a few layers, but my hair has always been somewhere b/t straight and curly, and it is so limp and flat. Anyone got any good sites with hair style pics??
Well, I guess that is it for now. Sometimes I just need to get stuff out that Peter could care less about. You guys got it all this time round!! Have a good weekend! Love, Me!

Roses in Winter Stationery Folio

For my birthday, I got the cutest folio from Judy B. A friend of mine just celebrated a birthday on Monday--Happy Birthday, Lisa Renea!!!, so I decided to take the idea for the folio, and make one of my own to send to LR. I used Roses in Winter from SU! I have had the set since January, but had never used it. Boy was that stupid! I am loving this set!!

The folio starts out as a 10 3/4 x 9 inch piece of cardstock, stamped and embellished as you desire. As this was my first one, I stuck with the idea Judy had used on mine. Score the 10 3/4 side in half (5 3/8), and score the 9 inch side up 3 inches, for the flap. Before you adhere the flap with eyelets or brads, round the corners with a punch, to prevent the corner from sticking out due to the bulk of the envelopes and notecards. Stamp your notecards and envelopes to match, and tie a ribbon around the folio, and thread through the eyelets to tie a bow!

I used Roses in Winter from SU! I also used Barely Banana, Summer Sun, and Marigold Morning Inks, as well as Mellow Moss and Certainly Celery for the leaves, and Bashful Blue for the flowers. I used the Weathered background stamp from SU! on the folio before stamping the roses, and I love how it turned out! I stamped the sentiment from the set, and mounted it on Mellow Moss cardstock. Blue gingham ribbon is also from SU! I can see many more of these in my future! They would make great teacher gifts using Country Apple from SU! All credit for the project goes to SU! Independent Demonstrator Judy Bailey!

Fine Art ATC

As a member of an MSN group, we do mingles about once a month. This month the theme was fine art, which I knew literally nothing about! One artist I am familiar with and really enjoy is Norman Rockwell, so I went with him. When I found this picture while searching online, it immediately reminded me of my friend, Annie. Seemed like she was this kind of kid in school, and she has since confirmed my suspicions! I kept it very simple--using just cardstock, photo turns, and the alpha stamps are Purple Onion Designs. My mingle "go to" was Carolyn, but I sent one to Annie, too! They both enjoyed the ATC, and Annie took the ribbing well!

Hugs, Keri

Have A Blessed Easter, Everyone!

I hope everyone has a happy and Blessed Easter, and always remember the real meaning of the day!

SU! Bashful Blue and Barely Banana CS, GP White CS, SU! Bashful Blue, Barely Banana and Certainly Celery Ink, Ancient Page Black Ink.
SU! Weathered Background, Terrific Tulips, and Glorious Gift Stamp Sets.

My Baby Love

I am going crazy over my last scrapbook page!! Do you ever just take a picture, and you can't wait to scrap it? That is how it was with this one. I could not wait to get going on it! Every day when Cody gets home from school, he can't wait to see the girls I take care of. Reanna is always so glad to see him. I snapped this after school the other day. Cute, cute!!

The patterned paper is Crate Paper's Birdie Collection, as are the punch out letters. The chipboard swirls are Soho by Fancypants (loving these!!). I also used Tim Holtz's Antique Linen Distress Ink Pad, Uniball Signo White and Black gel pens, SU!'s Slit punch, Index Tab punch, and Certainly Celery CS, and Offray Spool and Dashes, Dots, and Checks ribbon. Rubber Stamp on tab is Purple Onion Designs, and brads are Making Memories.

Easter Eve

Happy day before Easter, everyone! I wanted to share one last minute cutie patootie I painted for Easter. I got the pattern from a mail order catalog called The Winfield Collection. She is my favorite Easter decoration. A lot of work, but totally worth it! Here are front and back views: the photos aren't the greatest, don't really know why, but I was too lazy to fix them...You get the idea!!

Easter Goodies

Here are a few things the make Easter, Easter at my house. The commercial side of Easter isn't as fun as it used to be when Cody was little. We don't even make Easter Eggs anymore! He is happy to get his basket and pig out. Of course, there is always the ton of treats he gets from both of his grandmothers! Someday, I wish we could have a sunny, 65 degree Easter. Doesn't look like that will happen again this year! It isn't even supposed to hit 40, and we got 2 inches of snow that is still on the ground from Thursday morning. No cute spring dresses to wear to church here....Slacks and a sweater all they way! So, I digress....Here is a shot of my Easter village--which I just managed to put up this week...I got most of it from LTD...I put it on a base of astroturf, and sprinkled teenie eggs and carrots all over the ground!

These are couple of hand painted bunny items I cut out and made a few years back. I got the patterms from a book I got at Michael's.

Beautiful Beautiful Brown Eyes

This is a layout I did for Buzz and Bloom. I have to say, this is one of my favorite layouts ever!! I based it on a great song of the same title, and actually got Peter and Cody to sit still for a sweet picture! Cody loves the song and thinks it is made just for him! It is on a bluegrass CD titled "Bona Fide" from the Gibson Brothers. Here is a link to the album where you can hear a snipit of the song. http://www.amazon.com/Bona-Fide-Gibson-Brothers/dp/B00008BRB0/ref=sr_1_9/103-4900708-3572661?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1175772910&sr=1-9

The chipboard letters are Tubby from Buzz and Bloom. Patterned paper is from Paper Loft. I used SU!'s new distressing tool from their cutter kit. It is essentially what used to be a thread trimmer for seamstresses. It frayed the edges beautifully! This is also the first time I used Bazzill scalloped shaped cardstock. I know I am way behind the times, but it literally takes things twice-three times as long to get to me up here!

Thanks for looking!

My Easter Wreath...

This is the wreath I made for my front door. It will be good for Easter, and spring in general. I took a cheap grapevine wreath and spray painted it white. It takes a while to get into all the nooks and crannies. I then splattered it with acrylic paints in traditional spring pastel colors. After it was dry, I tied little snips of ribbon in spring colors all over the wreath, and topped it off with a grosgrain bow! Now that I have done this one, my mind is racing over all the other cute ones I could do for different holidays! If you have any cute ideas/themes, share them, please!!

Monarch Squash Book

After I got the hang of the whole squash book thing, I knew I had the perfect theme for another one. As some of you may remember from one of my blog posts last summer, Cody and I had a little "monarch farm" going on in our house. I had taken pictures of the tiniest caterpillar, to the end result of the gorgeous mature butterfly preparing to take flight. Combine those pictures with some cool Doodlebug patterned paper in orange and black, and here you have it! The butterfly stamp is from Purple Onion Designs. Paper flowers are prima. I used matte Mod Podge, and Jet Black Staz-On ink. I even added a few pics to the back side of this album.

My Birthday Gifts!

I am so blessed to have found a very sweet and talented friend online, who spoiled me for my birthday with beautiful handmade gifts! Thanks, Judy Bailey! I appreciate your friendship very much, and you talent, too! She made me this beautiful altered journal. That SU! punch for notebook bindings has caught my eye! She also made the beaded pen to go along with it!

Judy also made me the cutest stationery set! It is such a simple idea, but packs such a punch! I love the stamps she used, too. This would be a great gift idea for RAK's, as well as shut ins, etc. And when you really think about it, this could literally be adapted to any theme! Cute, cute!

Here is a little something I did for my DT a while back. I used Cosmo Cricket's Wanted paper line, which I think I could use on every layout I do for the rest of my life and never get sick of it!! It is gorgeous! It is also my first attempt at printing on and using an inkjet tranparency. I used a few photo turns, as well as some chipboard corner flourishes from Buzz and Bloom! The journaling reads: Full of hope, full of wishes. So much promise, in my little man. I wonder what you are thinking about? Now is the time to dream. Reach for the starts, and they will be yours, my sweet boy!

SWAK-Sealed with a Kiss is another DT layout from a while ago..I used Buzz and Bloom's XXL Rustic Chipboard Alpha, and Buzz and Bloom's UM Garden Sketchbook and XXL Rustic Numbers sets. The patterned paper is KI Memories. I am such a pink junkie lately. And with two males in the house, I get few instances to use pink in my scrapbooking! I have really been *LOVING* to stamp directly oon the photo lately, too! I took the plunge on this one and did a teenie bit of hand journaling. Michelle--if you see this, you are the one who started my goal of hand journaling on every page! I am trying to shy away from computer journaling because of you!! Thanks!

Saps a Runnin'!

It is that time of year again! Here on the edge of the Adirondacks, March not only marks the first day of spring, but sugaring season. There are family sugarhouses in every town here in Upstate New York, including one just a mile down the road from our house! It is run by our long time neighbors and cousins, and they do it the old fashioned way. No pipelines on the trees, or fancy machines for boiling. Just a drill, some taps, and some buckets. A tractor with a tank on a trailer, and ALOT of muscle. Peter has been laid off for a couple of months now, and has been working tapping trees and sapping for over a week now. It is a tiring, but rewarding experience when you get done. And if you go, you are expected to help! No standing around allowed! I put together a little slideshow to show you what we have been enjoying up our way! Hope you like it!

Squash Book

I know I am behind the times on this one in a BIG way, just never got around to trying to make a squash book! To be perfectly honest, I am not good at spacial things like figuring out how something gets folded, so until I found the perfect tutorial, I didn't bother! My pastor's wife had seen an example of a squash book that my demo had at my last SU! workshop, and she has been thinking about it ever since! The ladies of the church came to me and asked if I would teach a craft class to them (as I have in the past, usually a simple card), and could I show them a squash book? Well, I taught myself in a hurry. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be, either! So I went to Michael's last week and got a bunch of supplies, and here is my first squash book-the official example for my class Friday night.

SNOW!!

I promise, this is the last time you will be hearing from me about this subject. While there is still 3 feet of the crappy stuff outside, the sun is shining, and 40's are forecasted for the entire week! This is a 12x12 I did for a contest on a scrapping website...The theme was " I could certainly live without..." I used Doodlebug Patterned paper, and Doodlebug Bazzill cardstock. I also used Buzz and Bloom Tubby XXL Chipboard letters, and the chipboard brackets are from Joann's. Rubons are CK, from Joann's. The hidden journaling reads:

" Every year I dread winter. As I get older, the more I hate winter! Being so far north, our winters usually last from October til April. There are many people in our very small town that don't see me for months because of my hibernation! I hate, no, loathe the cold and snow. I crave the smell of spring, and oh, that sound of the first robin!! No skiing, skating, or sledding for me! As far as I am concerned, winter should go home when Santa does. I anticipate the day when there will be no more piles of winter clothes and boots piled up all over the porch and kitchen, and when I can clean up the final wood stove/wood pile mess of the season?? I will dance in the streets! Clean, dry streets..Streets with no slush or snow! Streets with no salt or sand..Clean, wonderful SPRING! "

Bareback

Here is a little something I made using the SU! stamp set, Bareback. My mom owns the set, but I think I use it more than her! It is great for masculine cards, but also for younger girls, too! I used a base of SU! Cranberry Crisp Cardstock. I also used a strip of Cosmo Cricket "Wanted" patterned paper. **The whole Wanted line is divine!!!** I mounted the horse image on Cool Caribbean and Chocolate Chip cardstock, and frayed the edges with my distressing tool. Everything was stamped and distressed with SU! Chocolate Chip dye ink. I topped it off with some lovely flourish stamped images from Purple Onion Designs UM rubber stamps! These particular images were from the Ornamentals UM sheet. I also added a bit of twine and ribbon. Happy Saturday!

Is it over YET??

Most people who know me, know how much I detest winter. I would be the perfect candidate for hibernation. And in Upstate NY, winter starts in October, and ends in April. I am trying not to complain TOO much, because the first part of our winter was very mild, but -35 degree temps and feet upon feet of snow has got me feeling a bit cabin feverish. We got ANOTHER snowstorm last Friday, and I got some good pics on Saturday morning of the calm "after" the storm. I do live in a beautiful area, woods for as far as the eye can see. I must admit, as much as I hate the snow, Saturday morning was a beautiful sight! Here are a few pics so you can see what I get to see every day!

A tag, a peek, and a catch up!

Hey, everyone! Happy Monday....thought I would do a little catching up, on this freezing cold morning! Things seem to move in slow motion around here when it is as cold as it has been. -30 F. is just too cold...Luckily, we saw the low 20's for a while yesterday. It was like a heat wave! It is safe to say that I am deathly sick of this cold weather, and looking forward to spring flowers and the return of the American Robin! DH is still laid off, but getting some catching up done around here, as well as on the snow mobile! One more week of school for DS, and then he will have a week off. Mom needs a break, too! We are currently caring for my in law's dog, who happens to be be our dog's brother. My in laws visit family in Florida for a month or so every winter. Unfortunately, shortly after Shadow came to stay with us, he fell sick, and was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. We have been caring for him, and he is not in pain or suffering yet, so we are spoiling him rotten and giving him all our love. Things have been crazy!

I made a tag yesterday, using my new Big Blossom stamp from Stampin' Up!'s Sell-a-bration promotion. I visualized it going well with my Cool Cat set, and I was right! I love how it turned out. I used SU! Pink Passion ink and cardstock, black staz on ink, SU! Only orange ink, and highlighted with the Stardust Clear Glitter pen. I also used the new smaller SU! Tag Punch, along with the larger one I already had, and they layer perfectly. Two thumbs up for SU! giving us what we wanted with that slightly smaller punch!

I also completed another layout for Buzz and Bloom! Here is a sneak peek at the finished product. To see the whole layout, visit http://buzzandbloom.typepad.com/buzzandbloom/ !

Wanna sneak a peak??

Here is a little sneaker peeker at my latest creation! To see the whole thing, click on my new DT home http://buzzandbloom.typepad.com/buzzandbloom/ . I am in the company of some fabulous artists! It is such an honor! Thanks for peeking!

I am here!!

I am so sorry to be MIA for so long! I really have no excuse, except for life has a way of taking hold and changing things around! My husband got laid off a couple of weeks ago, which is a way of life in the construction/carpentry business this time of year, but knowing it is coming every year doesn't make it any better! So having him home has been a real adjustment, to say the least. He is keeping busy, though...It has also been VERY cold..a few mornings this week I have gotten up to -20 degree F temperatures. Given the location of my computer on the enclosed porch, I haven't wanted to do much online ANYTHING due to the freezing of my feet! Our porch can handle cold temps, but not quite that cold! So those are my "excuses" if you will...life took over...I will try to do better in the future! If I could get my husband started on some kind of project, maybe then I could sneak away and do some creating of my own! Glad to be back, keri

Miracle!

Okay, two for two. This layout is one of my all time favorites. The photo is my older brother, my son, and my niece, who is now 18 months old. I keep this photo by my computer!

Page of the Day...

I got to thinking yesterday, my scrapbook albums sit there looking all pretty, and It has been so long since I looked at many of them. I spent over an hour just sitting and looking at all my creations after that. It kinda makes me feel sick in the stomach, cause A.) I am SO BEHIND and B.) My baby is not a baby anymore! Seeing his innocent little face from 5 years ago, still a little tow head with chubby little baby cheeks made me so sad! Where did the time go? So I am going to try to make a point to share more layouts. I would like so say there would be one a day, but that is pushing it, so I will just leave it at a few a week. Chances are I will not remember where any of the products came from that I used, but maybe someone would like to see them!!

Further proof of my DS's non-baby status! It was all downhill from here! Now he is hunting, getting guns at Christmas presents, and thinks his mom is a pain in his rear half the time. TFL!

Buzz and Bloom Design Team

I am very excited to be able to tell you that Buzz and Bloom has asked me to stay on for another year on their Design Team! It is such an honor to be chosen and appreciated so much for my art. Thank you to everyone at Buzz and Bloom, and congratulations to the 11 other lucky ladies who will be hanging out this year. Buzz and Bloom is an Australian based rubber stamp company with their own line of unmounted rubber stamps, scrapbook albums, chipboards, and acrylic embellishments. You can check them out here, and take a look at our new Design Team! www.buzzandbloom.com.au