Summer Notes

What a luscious day today!!!  It definitely felt like summer.  The nice 70 degree, no humidity, blue sky kinda day.  Ahhhh.  It got me thinking it may be time to get some summer prep in order!

So to help get be prepared for all the summer fun, I whipped up this mini clipboard.  It seemed like a fun kinda way to get those beach lists, grill lists, pool party fun list and all that summer whatnot stuff ready. :)

Gonna post pics of the new 'do later.  Be prepared folks.  It's wicked short!!!

I Want Candy- For You!

I got a kit a lil' bit ago and I thought "It's been a while since I handed out goodies, maybe this is a sign!"

Thanks to my friend Jeff, I have a TON of fun shots to show you this candy.  Candy YOU could win. :)

This candy is from the American Crafts line Peachy Keen and comes with 3 embellishment packages.

There are16 papers all double sided and include many of the varnish finish papers.

So what do you have to do to get in on this sweet action?!?!?  Easy-peasy:
1. Become a follower (if you aren't already).
2. Post a pic of this candy on your sidebar with a link to this post.
3. Leave me a comment on this post so I can put your name in the drawing.
4. Do all of this by 11:59 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) on 21 June.

I'll post the winner on June 22nd.  That's my first day of Summer Vacation!!!  This blog is open to anyone, anywhere so jump in the pool. :)  If I get at least 50 folks entered, I'll add some other goodies to the pile!!!

Decoration Day

I thought I would take time to repost a couple creations from American holidays past...

I made this card last Memorial Day (deets here).

This one I made last July 4th-ish (deets here)

These are cards my students made last year to send to soldiers via Operation Write Home.  Which leads me to the reason for our long weekend here in America.  Not to be a downer, or stand on my soap box too much, but please remember to wear your red poppy and at 3 pm take a moment to says a quiet thanks for all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this day.  It doesn't matter what your feeling about war/guns/fighting.  Those soldiers were someone's baby boy or baby girl once upon a time and dared to go in harms way because they believed in standing up for those who could not stand for themselves.  They deserve to be remembered for that courage.

Love and hugs to all of you this Monday!  Stay tuned to see what this years students are making to send to Operation Write Home.

A Day in Portland (Maine that is!)

We spent yesterday in Portland with our friends Jeff (the one who takes awesome pictures) and Erin (the one who makes awesome Olives for Dinner).  

photo taken from 2 Note

We met the most wonderful gal at 2 Note!  2 Note is a perfumery that can't be missed if you are in Portland!!!

We, of course, hit my favorite kitchen place LeRoux Kitchen.  It's the same place as I mention and was inspired by in this post.  I'm looking away from the camera as if I was saying no pictures here, but really it was just that I didn't know Jeff was taking a picture! :)

We ate at Erin's favorite vegetarian restaurant Green Elephant.  Jeff took a pic of another bracelet I made like this one, but I promise to show pics of what we ate for lunch later this week. :)  It was Yummy!!!

It was a wonderful day and we met some great independent store owners that really reinforced our appreciation of "Mom and Pop" shops.  Please support those folks wherever you are.  They are what America is all about!

Bees 'n Veggies

I'm a little addicted to making these card sets!  They make such nice presents for teachers, hostess gifts, or a special thanks for someone's kind help.

Since it's Tuesday, it's Top Tip Tuesday Challenge Day and the theme we've challenged y'all with is to use multiple stamps on your creation.  Easy-peasy!  The stamps used here are from Inkadinkadoo (bee), MFT (the frame on the envies and package), and Amuse (sentiment).

This set went home with a gal pal who was looking for a belated birthday gift. :)  It was inspired by this set I made while waiting for June-like weather to come (I'm still waiting LOL!).

The die-cuts were made using PTI dies and MFT dies.  I adore both companies stamps and dies!!!!  I Stickled the bee wings with Tim Holtz rock candy Stickles.

All packaged and ready to go.  Hope the recipient adores this as much I did making it. :)

Don't forget to get your multi-stamped creation all ready and entered in the Top Tip Tuesday Challenge.  You could win:

 Stash Books

who is offering our featured tipper an amazing book:

 

Inspired to Sew by Bari J.

By Bari Ackerman | 128 pages

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3 images of your choice from Limited Runs - USE THEIR IMAGES 

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Pizzazz Aplenty is run by Judy Bennet, and she is offering this fabulous stack of goodies..

One package Assorted Stick Pins: Leaf, Heart, Button with buttonholes
One roll Organza Ribbon, 3/8" x 25-yards, Rosy Mauve with gold stripe
One package each of 3mm and 4mm Pale Green flatback Pearls
One package each of 3mm and 4mm Lavender flatback Pearls
One package 5mm Clear Rhinestones with a subtle glitter spray
One package Assorted Brass Charms: Scalloped, Heart, Open Flower, Cross
One package, 5 yards, Pale Gold Dream String
One package each of 3x5mm and 4x6mm White flatback Teardrop Pearls
One package Cat & Mouse theme Brads
One Gel Picker
Value $15.00

So hop over to TTT to check out Maggie's fabulous "kissing technique" tutorial and don't forget to let me know if you entered the TTT challenge!  I want to check out your creations!!!

I'm buzzing by these places with this creation:
Polka Doodles- Anything but a card (the memo pad and gift box)
Wee Memories- Stamp It!
Fussy and Fancy Challenge- 3 papers, 2 embellishments, 1 ribbon

Whooo Made That?

My friend Lisa made this card for me through a secret image swap at our Stamp Club (ours 'cause we're in it, not 'cause we run it. LOL!)  She put some deets about how she "did it" on her blog.  Check it out!

Lighting the way

I'd love to say I didn't post this week because I had heard about Blogger "having a fit" and dumping posts, but really I was just being a little slacker this week. LOL!  I was kinda productive in other ways though...

I made these Father's Day cards (no worries, none of these are going to my DFIL. hee-hee!)  I used Papertrey Ink dies to cut the edged kraft circles and Papertrey Ink stamps for the lantern and sentiment.  I'm a little fuzzy on if the background stamping I did with chalk ink was from a Technique Tuesday stamp or Hero Arts.  I took my cling stamps out of their packaging and put them in CD cases.  As a result, I'm in a pickle when it comes to figuring out the manufacturers.  Yikes!

I'm pretty sure the paper is old BG paper, but I tossed out all my "garbage" before I stopped to look at the label!!!  The bakers twine is Jillybean and I, of course, used Copics and memento ink for all the stamping and coloring. 

I'm lighting the way with these cards here:
colourQ- Challenge 84 yellow, olive, navy, kraft, white
My Mum's Craft Shop- To Die For
The Spotted Chick- Kraft
Stamp Something- Anything Goes
The Shabby Nest- Frugal Friday

Hope the water will begin to recede for all the folks who have been suffering from the Mississippi floods.  My fingers are crossed and my prayers go out for all our farmers who may have to be flooded to protect Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

On a lighter note, may you all have a weekend of family, friends, and fun!