Much Thanks~

For your kind get well wishes!

This girl can only lay around so long, it's just not in me to be a couch potato. This morning I trekked into our small backyard to see what flowers were blooming and to check out our fruit trees. We've lots of tangelos, grapefruit, oranges that we've been enjoying for a few weeks already, and a few lemons are ripe with many more forming. The flowers, except for the Birds of Paradise and Honeysuckle, are mostly hiding right now, except for this first bloom of one of the frilled Gerbera Daisies we have planted at the base of a honeysuckle plant. Enjoy this first hint of spring weather~

Have a wonderful weekend!
V.~

~Home Sweet Home~

Just a quick post to say that there is nothing like Home Sweet Home. I wasn't feeling well on Saturday and at Jay's insistence called the triage line for our doctor's office. After speaking to a nurse, was advised to head to urgent care. Urgent care sent me to the ER, who admitted me to the hospital. I came home last night, exhausted.

After a CT, 3 sonograms, lots of pricks and pokes, and nightly interruptions, I am back home. But it will be a couple weeks before I'm feeling up to snuff and posting.

For those who emailed me questions in my absence, I will get to your emails in time. Thanks for understanding.

Valerie~

Shuttered Thanks~

What better showcase for beautiful papers than a Tri-Shutter card. I was recently sent a sample pack of absolutely gorgeous papers from BoBunny, one of my very favorite paper lines, to create projects for Scor-Pal. As a thanks, I thought it would be fun to send them a Tri-Shutter card. I have to mention, the Tri Shutter card sample in the Scor-Pal CHA booth was the most photographed project; many people wanted directions on how to make it.

Directions may be found here on SCS:
Tri Shutter

I've used 2 new Our Craft Lounge sets for this card, currently available at eclectic paperie, among other places: Big Thanks and Spring Sketches

I love that the Thanks sentiment is big, thus the name, LOL, and is great for a focal point. I added the swirl from Spring Sketches to coordinate with the subtle swirls in the patterned paper.
The 3 small flowers are paper pieced using the flower from Big Thanks, a bit of piercing, ribbon and aqua brads complete the card.

Supplies not listed above:
Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Innocent Pink and Ivory
Patterned Paper: Sophie Bouquet, Sophie Stripe, Sophie Chic by BoBunny
Ink: Vivid! Coffee Bean by Clearsnap, Memento Angel Pink, Lilac Posies, New Sprout by Tsukineko
Other: Ribbon, Piercing tool and mat, Mini brads, Distressing tool, Dimensional foam

It's been rather quiet here at the craft table. It's not that Mo and Jo are gone, per se, as I can pull things together when I have to, it's just that the desire to create spontaneously is on vacation right now. Not sure why, but I've learned over the years to not push it too much when the mood vanishes and I really try to not read too much into it, so please bear with me during this dry spell. :)

V.~

Green Valley Falls~

About an hour east of our home is Cuyamaca State Park where there are several campgrounds and over a 100 miles of hiking trails. We spent the morning and early afternoon exploring the Green Valley Falls part of the park. It's been a trickle in recent times but I knew with all the rain we had a few weeks back, and snow in the upper levels, that the water would be flowing today. It was beautiful today, the weather in the mid 70's up there and we only came across 4 other people, so it was very quiet except for the sound of the water.

The main campground where you normally access the trail is closed until April, but we learned from a park ranger that we could hike in from a roadside parking area about a mile away to get to the trail-head of the falls. So that is what we did. Much of this area burned in the wildfires of 2004 and there is still evidence of burned trees, but so much has grown since then as you can see in the pictures.

On the way home we from Cuyamaca we always hit the farmer's market before leaving the mountain; today we came home with strawberry-rhubarb and peach-apricot jams plus the first crop of sweet corn.

Brett will be returning to this area next month for a week of 6th grade Outdoor Camp. He's going to the same camp that both Jay and I went to when we were in 6th grade, as well as Kyle and Morgan.

V.~

Bee My Valentine~

ETA:
A few people have emailed or asked where to get the cello bags used in this post. These were gifted to me, however, here is a link to similar items:

Cello Bags



Quick Valentine candy sleeves for Brett to hand out to a few of his teachers. Sleeves are scored down the middle, folded in half, sewed on one side, and half circle punched on each end. A simple stamped/punched tag tied around the sleeve and these were completed rather quickly. The longest part of this treat? Filling those skinny cellos! I filled 6, I have a friend who did an entire class of them (no thanks! LOL).

V.~

Stamps: Heartily Yours by Nina Brackett for GinaK Designs; Ink: Versafine Onyx Black;
Paper: SU! Cool Caribbean, Regal Rose, and Real Red;Patterned Paper: WeRMemory Keepers;
Other: Nestabilites Circle die, Oval Punch, Heart Punch, 1/8" circle punch, Pink grosgrain ribbon, White mini brad, 1"x 8" cello, M&M candies, Sewing machine

Webster's Pages Note Frames ~

Easy peasy lemon squeezy dry erase frames for notes.

We've been using one of these frames in our phone area of the kitchen and it's been an easy way to leave a note that someone called, jot down a quick reminder, or as Morgan does, leave a note for her dad that she has a late day at school and to not wake her up early. :)

It was time to update the one we've been using and to make one for a friend who helped out with Brett while I was away. Webster's Pages patterned paper is perfect for these frames, lots of open space to see the writing with beautiful borders that provide a bit of color and elegance.

No stamping at all here; a bit of Red Tag Alpha letters and a touch of sewing are all it needs to complete the frame. The frame on the left just needed a bit of simple wonky sewing as it has the border going all the way the left side, the other frame I put a paper trim with sewing on top to add a bit of subtle color where there was too much open space.

These 8" x 8" frames were purchased from Michaels a long time ago and I have no idea if they still stock them or not, but any frame will do. Just be sure that embellishments on your design are flat so the glass is level, or use a shadow box type frame that allows for embellishments. For me, because they get a lot of handling I keep the frame plain and un-embellished, as well. But you could embellish it if you choose, the possibilities are endless!

The longest part of this project, cleaning the glass and getting all the pesky strays out from under the glass! LOL

V.~

Jennifer asks.......

I have a question did you stamp over the tan ink with the black? on the Pirate Booty Valentine's Day treats.

Yes, I did these treats assembly line style. I stamped the boat first in tan, followed by the skull, the greeting and the diamond in black. The strip was adhered to the bottom and then the back was stamped before attaching the candy heart.

HTH!

V.~

Floral Dreams, a GK Blog Hop~

Tonight's Gina K Designs blog hop showcases 2 new sets: Gina K's Card Kit set Spring Florals and Dream Birds by Asela Hopkins. Below are a few cards I made using these 2 sets.

Spring Florals
"With Gratitude" Easel Card

Supplies:
Stamps: Spring Florals; Ink: Vivid! Coffee Bean, Memento Desert Sand; Paper: GK Pure Luxury Sweet Corn, Fresh Asparagus, Ivory; Patterned Paper: Le' Romantique by Graphic 45; Copics: YG95, YR21, 24, E97, 99, Y21, 26; Other: Nestabilities Oval and Scalloped Oval Dies, Oval punch, Butterfly punch, Button, Rhinestones, Hardware clip, Grosgrain ribbon, Dauber, Dimensional foam

Spring Florals
"Birthday Wishes" Spotlight

Supplies: Stamps: Spring Florals; Ink: Vivid! Coffee Bean, Memento Desert Sand; Paper: GK Pure Luxury Soft Sand, Moonlit Fog, Fresh Asparagus, Ivory; Patterned Paper: Capella by Basic Grey; Copics: YG95, W2, BG0000, Y21; Other: Nestabilities Oval and Scalloped Oval Dies, Oval punch, Butterfly punch, Circle punch, Threading Waters punch, Grosgrain ribbon, Rhinestones, Distressing tool, Dauber, Dimensional foam

Dream Birds
"To the Queen"

Supplies: Stamps: Dream Birds by Asela Hopkins; Ink: Gold Encore; Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Ivory, Brushed Gold (SU!); Patterned Paper: Webster's Pages, Other: Gold embossing powder, GK gold trimmed ribbon, Nestabilities Circle dies, Corner rounder, Gold mini brads, Dimensional foam

Dream Birds
"Stars"

Supplies: Dream Birds by Asela Hopkins; Ink: Vivid Cobblestone; Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Smokey Slate, Soft Sand; Patterned Paper: Fancy Pants; Other: Threading Waters punch, Circle punch, Corner rounder, Prismacolor colored pencils, 2 way glue, Loose glitter, Grosgrain ribbon, Sewing machine, Dimensional foam


Check in with each of these GinaK designers to see all the beautiful projects they've made with the two stamp sets previewed tonight!

Dream Birds Illustrator: Asela Hopkins
Spring Florals Illustrator: Gina Krupksy

Theresa Momber
Melanie Muenchinger
Nina Brackett
Carolyn King
Tami Mayberry
Cathy Tidwell
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Kurtis Amundson
Donna Baker
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Sankari Wegman
Valerie Stangle

For all things Gina K, be sure to visit the store at;
Gina K Designs

Happy Hoppin'!
v.~

Hope is Faith~

The Hope is Faith mini stamp set retails for $9.95. It was created to raise money for the Red Cross to help with the devastation in Haiti. $2.00 of every purchase of this stamp set will be sent directly to the Red Cross throughout the month of February.

As the first responders to disasters around the world, the Red Cross is there to help with the basic needs of these people who have suffered so much. By purchasing this mini set, you will help to make a difference to people who are desperate by supporting an organization that works tirelessly to feed, clothe, comfort and care for those in need.

Please visit Gina's blog for more information:

Hope is Faith Illustrator: Gina Krupksy

For even more inspiration, please visit the links below:
Jessica Fick
Melanie Muenchinger
Nina Brackett
Carolyn King
Tami Mayberry
Asela Hopkins
Cathy Tidwell
Lee Murphy
Lynn Mercurio
Kurtis Amundson
Donna Baker
Emily Giovanni
Erika Martin
Bev Gerard
Colleen Schaan
Suzanne Dean
Valerie Stangle

and you can visit the store at:
Gina K. Designs
to support this worthy cause!

Supply List:
Stamps: Hope is Faith; Ink: Vivid! Olive and Coffee Bean by Clearsnap, Memento Desert Sand by Tsukineko; Paper: Pure Luxury Green Apple, Fresh Asparagus, Chocolate Kiss, Vibrant Violet, Ivory; Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Kiosho Lily Child; Other: Gina K Autumn Button Assortment, Linen thread, Corner Rounder, Dauber, Dimensional foam

Pirate Booty~

Simple pirate Valentine candy cards for Brett's last school Valentine's party. He's off to middle school next year and class parties will stop. It makes me a little sad knowing these are the last class party valentines I'll ever make for my kids.

Super simple in execution and thrifty on size - I was able to get 16 ( 2-1/8" x 2-3/4" ) from a sheet of cardstock - I finished them in about an hour or so yesterday and they are ready for his class party next Friday. I had 2 prototypes ready when he got home from school; one a KH robot and this pirate option. He opted for the pirate one and chose the diamond image above "ahoy" instead of a heart.

Pirate stamps are from Kim Hughes Ahoy Matey- Pirates Set by CHF
"Happy Valentine's Day" by SU! "Brett" unknown
Ink: Vivid! Tuscan Tan, Brick, Versafine Onyx Black
Paper: Gina K Pure Luxury Kraft, Fancy Pants patterned paper strip

Happy Friday to you!
V.~

Par-fect Day~

Another OCL CHA release sneak peek set, Golfin' Gramps.

Stamps: Golfin' Gramps
Ink: Black
Paper: Neenah Solar White, Gina K Designs Pure Luxury Ocean Mist, Green Apple
Patterned Paper: My Mind's Eye
Copics: B00, B02, YG95, E31,E33, E50, E51, E53, E99, C1, C2, N1, N5, Black Multiliner for grass
Other: Modern Label punch, Word Window punch, Circle Nestabilities, Silver paperclip, Olive grosgrain, Turquoise wax thread, Dimensional foam

Additional sneak peeks of other CHA release sets may be seen at The Lounge.

V.~

Thinking of You ~

I was starting to think Mo and Jo stayed in Anaheim and maybe went to Disneyland or somewhere fun after I returned home last week; I just couldn't get back into the groove of things.

Today, I decided I'd better try and round them up by using a couple new OCL sets:
Nature's Notes and Dandy Days

Thinking of You
Wonky sewing fills up some of the negative space that was a bit too prominent on the focal image layer. I pulled the butterfly colors from the patterned paper.

Stamps: Nature's Notes
Ink: Black
Paper: SU! Pink Pirouette, Gina K Designs Pure Luxury Green Apple, Neenah Solar White
Patterned Paper: Basic Grey Green at Heart Collection
Copics: RV10, Y21, YR18
Other: Fiskar's Threading Waters Punch,Basic Grey button, Linen thread, Square punch (banner end) Sewing Machine, Dimensional foam

Dandy Days
This card is off to a friend who is having surgery at the end of the week. I "colored" the dandelions with a dauber and cantaloupe ink, highlighted with a cantaloupe marker. The stems on the focal image and border strip were loosely outlined with a pear tart marker.

Stamps: Dandy Days
Ink: Memento Black, Cantaloupe, Desert Sand
Markers: Memento Cantaloupe, Pear Tart
Paper: Neenah Natural White, Gina K. Designs Pure Luxury Sweet Corn, SU! Bermuda Bay
Patterned Paper: Graphic 45 On the Boardwalk
Other: Oval and Scalloped Oval Nestabilities dies, Saffron mini brads and eyelets (secures ribbon), Grosgrain ribbon, Sewing machine, Dauber

See The Lounge for more sneak peeks of the CHA new releases~

I have another OCL card to share tomorrow - it just didn't "go" with this post. I think my FIL is going to like it!

V.~