Card for Teacher

Before I get started. I'm elated because Laren Meader read my comment on her blog and checked my design using her fab templates. I was jumping up & down and my husband just didn't get how I could be so excited about some young girl visiting my blog. Ah, he just doesn't get it.

Well, it's back to finishing my clean and simple cards for my grandson's teacher. But I think this one is anything but simple. I've used Markie's Moms' technique here

http: //stampinwithmarkiesmom.blogspot.com/

She loves using dots around the borders and it is very effective on her cards. Don't know if dots do the same for mine, but I gamely tried. I used SU designer paper (current), my CB for the circle & frame, Papertrey for the base and non-descript ribbon, and the white Signo pens. I discovered a less expensive source for these than SU. I buy them in batches of 10. I like to gift them to stamper friends.

Tomorrow, it's the calendar pages. January and then the following months...one on each night. I have to be finished with these by the 15th and I still have to make some tags and lots more of Lauren's Keepsake boxes (see previous post). Whew! Christmas can be exhausting.

Oh, I'm also the first Twilight book. I just had to see what all the fuss was about and especially since Shelli has read it. I just finished reading Edgar Sawtelle...prolly not the smartest thing to do after putting my beloved Westie down. It was good, but not as good as Oprah said it would be. I wanted it to end differently. If you've read it, let me know what you thought of it.

Well, have a great Friday. Can't believe it's here already.

Hugs, Erica

Lauren Meader's Creation

I'm taking a bit of a break from my clean & simple cards here to show you a box template designed by Lauren Meader that can be directly printed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, so cutting and scoring are easy peasy . This was super easy and I plan on using to give milled soap & lotion in to at least 20 people.

It was too late to get a photo outdoors which is where I seem to have the easiest time getting true colors. Let me know what you think.

Lauren's blog. is here: http://laurenm.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/

MoJo's Still Workin'

Well, I went outside and photo'd that 3rd card. White cards absolutely cannot be scanned. I will do the others also outdoors if there is any light left.

Hmm, didn't get to the grocery yet. So what if there's a recession and I should be watching my pennies. Well, that's just it, it's only pennies. Who needs them?

And here's the last one for today, as the light of day is waning.

I've learned a lot today about photoshop...now if only I can retain some of it.

My MoJo is Workin'

The guests are gone and I'm in a bad way...gotta do some stampin and postin. Here I tried the Clean & Simple technique. There is a blog by that name and I will link it down the line. Here it is http://cleanandsimplestamping.blogspot.com/

The next 6 cards are white and they don't scan very well...there are always shadows, but you'll get the idea ( I hope). I'm still working on how to post from my camera. Sometimes I get it right and most times I just don't. I took this one outdoors with a cheapie mesh placement for the backdrop. I made these as a Christmas present for my grandson's teacher. I used Papertrey's Basic White for the base and ribbon for this one along with a retired SU set that I've always enjoyed. The bottom is dry-embossed with a Cuttlebug folder "strip" and the coloring was a mixed bag of SU markers, Bic markers and Sharpies. I think I own some of every coloring medium known to

man. Unfortunately, I'm a master of none. I'm looking forward to when Marianne from Copic http://ilikemarkers.blogspot.com/ visits the AZ Valley...she's scheduled in April '09.

On this card, I used a Michael's dollar stamp and a flower & sequin from JoAnns. Sometimes those $ stamps work and sometimes not. I find that the wood mounted ones are better made and therefore, work best for me. I own about 25 sets of the clear ones but find I don't often use them. I used my Nesties also. BTW, Julie HRR, http://papertrufflez.typepad.com/ is a super duper inspiration too. If you follow her blog, you'll recognize a card from she did this week that I've CASED. I think she's prolly on more blogs faves lists than anyone else!

So much to learn and soooo little time.

On the 3rd, I kept it real simple and believe me, I wanted to add more. Don't know if the scan is showing

score lines at the top (1 line) and bottom (2 scores), but they really set the card off. Again a $ dollar wood mounted stamp. I also put a little something inside each card...tiny flowers or leaves. I plan on decorating the envies too. Then I will make a box from one of the many templates on SU to hold them. I will post the rest later today. I've been at the PC for 6 hrs. and I gotta go shopping. It's senior grocery day here in Phoenix and we get a 10% discount. I know, it's not much but it offsets our high tax-rate of 8.25%.

OK, laptop must be tired...you're not gettin' the 3rd one right now. My poor baby is acting up and I really must get outta these PJs.

Have a blessed day everyone.

Erica

Draft

Draft Just trying this

What's New By You

Well, it seems that it's impossible for me to become a regular blogger. I spend more time reading other peoples' blogs when I should be writing my own. I'm also desperately trying to read some novels again. I used to be such a reader. I couldn't understand why I'd stopped...other than besides having a job. A friend told me that I read because I was a New Yorker. In other words, I had to use public transportation for at least 2 hrs. a day and well, what else do you do when you're on a noisy train or jostling bus (and you have a seat), you immerse yourself in a book. Sometimes, you put your ipod on and read too. I think she's right. I also don't think there were as many fun shows to choose from back in my NY days...some 12 yrs. ago.

So, I'm reading an Oprah pick. One she raved about....The Story of Edgar Sawtelle. It is good, but as good as O led me to think. It's one of those stories that plods along and then about halfway, gets real good. So I'm at that "good" part, and if I don't stamp every night, I may just finish in the next 2 wks.

So, I have begun my calendars for the jewel cases. I'm going to post each of them. Because I have a difficult time stamping the exact same image for eash of the 12 mos., I have changed them now and then. I'm also getting bored with the whole idea and so I'm cutting corners whenever I can. So, tell me what you think. If you have any questions on where to purchase the calendar pages, the jewel cases, stamps, measurements, please don't hesitate to ask me in my comments. You know I get so many (wink), I'll do my bestest to get back to you with answers.

But, TODAY, I have just one more card to share..... aw shucks, and one more after that.

Have a blessed rest of the week.

Erica

Weekend Post

Hi Everyone...I trust you're all enjoying your weekend. For me, it was clean-up. Sweeping, mopping, straightening up in general around the house, changing bedding, and I even cleaned up my craft room. It is looking good. I've organized the 3 projects I'm working on which will make it ever so much simpler to work when I'm ready.

I've just about completed my swap cards for my SU Demo group. I need to be done by Monday PM. I'll post that card Monday. For now, here's the card I sent to my pastor with a gift card for Pastor Appreciation Month (October). I used SU cardstock, really rust & choc. chip, & Pacific blue, SU stamps and a Quikutz scrolly die cut (my name for it), which works in my Cuttlebug with the right sandwich. I added leaves made with a Martha punch that I attempted to color, but I don't think it quite worked and a piece of twine in the corner

He is a young pastor with a relatively large membership of 2000. We meet in a high school (several services) until we finish building. That is coming along ever so slowly. Ahh well, everything in God's time, right.

Blessings,

Erica

Digital Photos of A Card

You know, I just now realized that I have some actual photos of some of my cards. They are in my file. I'm gonna upload them now and see if any look better than my scanned ones. If they do, then I really must master uploadingn from my camera.

I'm having a great week....how 'bout you?

I babysat my 2 grands practically 24/7 last week and was out of sorts because I didn't get to stamp. I have so many projects going on right now. I can't show them to you....not because some fab company is publishing me, or because I've been asked to be a guest designer, Ha Ha. Nope, cause I still can't upload from my digital camera w/o taking 4ever to figure it all out. So what you see is scanned and that eliminates some items that I'm rather proud of. But, if you keep pestering me and throwing compliments at me on what you do see, why I might just be spurred on to master it.

So, what am I making? Monthly calendar pages from http://amusenews@typepad.com for cd jewel cases. They have them too, very reasonably priced. I am making 14 for the ladies who I attend Bible Study class with. And Lauren Meader has joined Papertrey Ink and offers the most awesome templates that can be printed out on 8 1/2 x 11 ds or cardstock and then made into boxes which can then hold just anything you can think of. She gives you pages & pages of project sheets to get your mojo working. She also has created a cover that you can put your cd jewel case into. They are $5.00 each. But you can download them and then print them for the rest of your life. How's that for not having to worry about where your put that paper with template on it. So I am going to make them for my calendars and 12 of the boxes for my daughter to put "stocking stuffer" type stuff into for her office buds. Everything is coming out so beautiful. If you are thinking of any 3D projects for the holidays, I urge to get both. BTW, she will be giving us more of thes. I also made a cute little crossover box from Nichole Heady's blog.

I am not going to put links here, since so few bloggers are falling all over themselves trying to post comments and I struggle with links anyway. But if anyone needs me to, I will. However, I suspect that Lauren is well-known via SCS. She is unbelieveably talented and so young and pretty.

Well without further ado, here are two cards that I made when I need a break from my boxes, etc. I hope you like them. Mild criticism is appreciated. That cute little gal is an image I got in a swap. Used my cb folder, Nestibilities (luv them so) and new SU paper, some cute Michaels $ ribbon & Copics to color.

The second one used SU retired ds paper, SU stamp setNestibilities, a CB border, tiny pearls for the centers of the flowers and satin I got in a ribbon share.

Now remember, for those of you clamoring (sp?) to CASE my cards, just leave me a comment if you need more deets.

Hugs, Erica

MJ's Monday Lunchtime Sketch #40

MJ always puts her post up on Sunday so we can get a head start. Thanks MJ. But don't go tiring yourself out. Her sketch can be found here https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU1VAuv8EDYxSAr2dOKVxaO8W9YiPySXkpDuf8t4JcojOvmn54R9QI29jgOh_asRVXoDP9XnLYtdfAPCtW9HRey2iy7Npi_0b9y9Z3a7c4ERVDtz5CtzbuhXC4bcZbXhjwOWKPEhGl50/s1600-h/TSSC40.jpg

Well, I said there would be fewer words and more cards, so I got right to work and created this. My scanner doesn't do justice to my coloring which was done with copics. I can't wait for Marianne to come to Phoenix with ceritification classes.

I love this stamp by Inkadinkadoo. Clear stamps were used for the sentiment and the leaves on the circle, which is popped up.The paper is American Crafts. They make lovely designer papers, but I don't find them often. And I finally broke down and bought the Martha S. fern punch after staring at it every single time I walked into Walmart...and believe me that's a lot 'cause I go there everyday to check my blood pressure. I know what I said about less chatter, but I'm tickled that it seems the doc & I have finally hit on the right meds and I'm sailing along with no adverse effects. WHOOPIE! Just had to mention that.

Thanks for looking and enjoy the week.

Erica

I'm still playing around and double-checking myself & notes to be 100% certain that I understand this link thing. I will still have to practice linking MJ's sketches into my blog. I did it once, but that was kinda' a fluck. I need so much practice in order to retain things (hence my blog banner, huh?). I am pulling an old card (the one I got the most views on) in my gallery and trying to put it into my blog.
http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/489519?cat=500&ppuser=31227

Here's the sketch, but this didn't work the way I expected to be able to do it.

Whoopie...posting 2 days in a row

OK, I know it's late, but it's still the 13th here in AZ. Our weather has really cooled down and I'm reminded why we moved here. It will be lovely until January.

Here is my card for today. This is my attempt at a Michelle Zindorf design. She does the most amazing work with brayering and sponging and is kind enough to post tutes with every card. She has over 130 of them. Check it her blog out at http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/ . I'm not a big fan of brayering, but she makes it seem so simple. I hope to try some others in the future.

So, I used SU's "Upsy Daisy," for my image and a clear stamp from an un-remembered set. Lots of blues and my gel pen. I followed the tute and I do like the results. The sanner as usual probably doesn't do it justice.

Well, thanks for peeping my way.

Erica

It Looks Like Once a Month now

Well, I still struggle with posting, especially when it comes to pictures. I'm old and I have so much on my plate. There are only so many hours in the day. Frankly, I don't know how all the great bloggers/stampers do it with husbands, kids, and some with challenging aspects to their lives.

So, I'm on yet a 3rd med for my blood pressure in a very low dosage and this one doesn't seem to have any adverse affects on my body. I'm still coughing...supposedly from the lisinopril and I'm told it may take a while to dissapate. My little Westie is still hanging in there. Her kidneys are failing and I have to mop accidents up almost every day. That's a real bummer. The stuff gets into the grout between the tiles and I have to scrub and then because I'm paranoid, I spray Febreeze room spray all over.

Well, life goes on, huh? Here's my card which is for MJ's (Techno Stamper's) Sketch #39. I put this together in less than an hour. That's most unusual for me. I am not a fast stamper...even after 6 years. Creating doesn't coming easy, but with a sketch, half the battle is won.

So a big thank you to all (ha ha) who venture here today and Happy Columbus Day...I'm told this is not the politically correct greeting anylonger. How 'bout Happy Shopping Day instead.

Erica

TechnoStamper's Monday Lunchtime Sketch #35

Hi you folks out there in blogland....yes you the hundreds who visit me each day. (OK, so I am making this all up...it doesn't matter to me that no one ever comes to visit me.) I'm okay and you're okay. The Lord comes by every day and he's the best friend could ever have. So here's my answer to MJ's challenge for today. This is the first one that I've done on the first day it was posted. I had just the right papers and stamps and it was simple for even me. Her sketch is here

Here, I used ds papers from Provo Craft's Holiday Slab V and SU's red riding hood from their new In Colors. I stamped on scrap white using SU's Very Puny/sweet stuff, an older candy cane $ stamp from Michaels and a Katie & Co. Merry Christmas. I used CB circle die and Copics to color with a glitter pen on each dot...not sure it that's showing up. Of course, my Copic coloring is pretty unsensational. I'm waiting for Marianne to come to AZ and I will be the first one to sign up for her class.

Not much going on in my life these days. Just taking my meds, enjoying my dog who is somewhat improved but we know it won't be long. enjoying a few days of babysitting my adorable granddaughter and lifting friends and family up in prayer.

I pray that those unseen and seen will have a blessed week. Thanks for peeking at my card. I'm gonna make a few of these.

Erica

Here she is....reading her grandma's manual on her Dell laptop in hopes of explaining to Grandma exactly how this thing works and what kind of webcam she should get to add, so that she can make movies.

Here also is a card for your viewing pleasure.

It's All about the Discipline

Hi my few blogreaders. Thanks daughter for reading my stuff...I know you weren't crazy about the latest entry, but I am getting older and stuff is gonna' happen.
Not much to say today. I am babysitting for my oldest grandaughter several days a week and I am finding her a joy to be around. Her previous babysitter said she was bad. Hmmm, she's only 13 months old. How can she be "bad" at that age??? She is inquisitive, capable, strong minded and funny. How can these qualities equate to "bad". I think the babysitter was miffed because my daughter only wanted her services for 2 or 3 days instead of the 5 which would have given her more $$$. We all felt she was doing a great job with Melea, so this was odd. Hey, note the name. It's the same as Sen. Obama's daughter, however she spells it Malea. Our spelling is directly from the Bible. The name appears in Luke, Ch. 1 and is a ancestor in Jesus' lineage. Melea's aunt Dani gave her that name. We all love it. I am going to try to post a photo of my little Melea. If it doesn't take, then I'll post a card instead or if I feel really smart, I'll post both. Let's see what happens. In the meantime, thanks for reading my stuff. Oh, and find some very worthwhile reading about stamp addictions (actually, it's 10 tips on how to control what may become a stamping addiction), on this site http://melstampz.blogspot.com/2008/09/sneak-peak-my-top-ten-buying-info-that.html

I absolutely heart her blog...the woman is amazing. She obviously spends countless in her craft room as she turns out amazing tutes, art work, you name it.

UGH, More Medicine

Today was an emotional day for me. I have sworn not to get nuts about the convention. I've never done it before, so why now. Well, of course, there is an obvious reason if you know my ethnicity. Regardless of whether one is a Republican or Democrat, you can not help but understand what the candidacy of Barack Obama means to this country. I have been in tears because, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would live to see the day that a black man would be selected for this position. At this point, I don't doubt that he has a real chance to go all the way, but if he doesn't,. I, for one, will go to my grave more proud of what this country has done than I could ever imagine. I hope and pray that ALL Americans understand what a historic moment this is and then vote with their conscious.

Well, on top of all the convention hoopla, I had a routine Dr. appt., and my labs were not good. On top of the blood pressure meds I take, I have to take potassium meds as well. My kidneys are OK, but they could be better. It seems they may have been damaged unbeknownst to me some time ago and my hypertension probably went undiagnosed for some time. And there I was telling my husband how sorry I felt for him since I was the picture of health and didn't have to take any medicine. So I have to have a kidney ultrasound and we go from there. YUCK. At 59, I just feel I'm too young for this to be happening. And to top it off, I have to pay out of pocket because I haven't met my deductible yet, and probably won't this year. Oh there's more. I am having a crown put in on a molar in September and my deductible hasn't been met for that little ditty either.

Oh, and my precious little Westie is on 3 new meds and she is breathing much better, but just lays there like a lump. She is constipated, has hardly any appetite and is lethargic. Absolutley no quality of life. I let the vet talk me into keeping her alive for a while longer. But frankly, this ain't my idea of alive. I remember her tearing around my backyard with a toy while I tried valiently to catch her. Oh the sweet fun memories I have of her. Funny thing, though. My other dog, an older mut "Left on my doorstep by my DH," thinks she has to take care of her friend and alerts me if things don't seem right. She sits right by her...something she never did before, and whimpers when she thinks it's appropriate

Eat Ham

I'm just skipping right over Halloween, 'cuz it just not the done thing here in Fields' Landing...hmmm, I like that. I have loved Maria Bell's Happy Haunting card, on her blog, Stampin' Inspirations. See it here. http://stampininspirations.blogspot.com/2008/08/just-flying-by-card.html I turned my card around lengthwise. I wasn't able to use my sentiment in the same direction, 'cuz it was too big, but it really fit the image, so I put it sideways. I think it works. The All cs is SU...really rust, the new in-color kiwi, and marigold. DS is from American Crafts. The buckle is, none other than a Spellbinders die and the ribbon is a non-descript Michaels. I found this image by Inkadinkadoo at Hobby Lobby. There is one that says "Eat Beef" just in case for those non-pork appetites.
An easier way to get to Maria's blog from my site is to go directly from my bloglist on the side. I don't know why I can't seem to link properly, but I will someday I hope...really soon.
So it's back to watching the DMC on CNN. As an early on Hillary supporter, I'm eager to see how effectively she does her job. Gosh, there is the possibility of an assassination plot against Obama being foiled. YIKES, I hope and pray that nothing like this ever happens again.
Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Rough Days Ahead

Well, it is getting to the day when I'll have to put my beautiful sweet Westie down. She has been suffering from a genetic disease for the last 14 months. Life expectation is between 9-18 months. I don't think she can make the 18. But my family and I feel blessed that she has lived so well up until now. The vet says an infection will probably force us to make the decision. But she's strong, has a good attitude and appetite, so I think we will just end up making the decision based on how uncomfortable she appears. The disease causes extreme difficulty with breathing and it has come to the point that my other dog is looking at her and making little crying noises whenever her breathing is really labored. I'm afraid it will be this week. It never ceases to amaze me at how animals become family to us.

So here are 2 cards that I made this weekend. I am continuing to work on my Christmas cards. I "sewed" some beads on to the word which is a template from Bazzill Basics. The other is a kinda' case from a blog. I'm still not very good at getting the blogs into my posts. I have to work on that, but I hate to practice on my readers. WHOOPIE, I got 4 comments on my last blog.

I hope everyone has a good week this week. And don't stay up too late watching the convention, let me do that for ya' (smile).
.
Erica

TechnoStamper Sketch #31

Hi no one (well still no one has visited me even though it really is true that I really have gotten better at this. Anywho, here is my 2nd try at a challenge. I found this one very easy and I even tried some photo editing of the card, becuz' the card ds is quite dark. I don't think anyone did a Christmas card and I need to make about 45 this year. This is #5. I need to stop designing now and start actually producing en mass.

So this card is just some green cardstock, blue,white and 2 ds sheets from a pad from Joanne's. I stamped the blue piece with a snowflake from SU's very old Christmas Globe set. Would you believe that I first started getting SU sets, I didn't realize I should put the title sticker on the box. BIG DAH! Fortunately, I only mounted 2 sets w/o the title. Now that I am a demo, I don't take it for granted that customers know they are supposed to do this.

Well, I hope someone chances on this card. I am going to make my usual foray into uploading it onto TechnoStamper's blog and hope that I don't make a mess of it like I did the first sketch I did back in July. I have removed that awful mess (the card was awful too) from my blog. Next year, I will try to better utilize that cute stamp. BTW, the stamp used today is a Hampton Arts Stamp. I always loved their stamps...don't think they're still around.

Blessings, Erica

Cards...What Would I do Without Them?

Last night I was sick as a dog with indigestion. I fully realize that I cannot eat after 7PM, especially if it is rich and fatty food. No matter what projects I have goin', I've got to stop and cook at a decent time. Well, you must want to know what I made. It's no easy task to please my finicky husband. As he has aged and with his diabetes, he doesn't enjoy food as much as he used to. It's often a chore for me to come up with something he and I will enjoy. Sooo, I made stewed short ribs (boneless), white rice -- he won't eat brown which is so much healthier, string beans which I cooked in a little bacon fat. Then I pulled out a cake recipe from 10 yrs. ago I had never tried called 1-2-3-4 Cake with caramel icing. It was delish. The enire meal was delish. Hubby complimented me on it even though it was 8PM before we ate and 9:30 for the cake. I knew better as I have a 10 yr. history with heartburn and indigestion and IBS. My insides are messed up. I'm beating myself up because, my situation is so preventable. So tonite, we ate the leftovers, since I didn't get much sleep the nite before and hubby enjoyed it so much. This time, we ate at 6PM and I ate half as much food. I also took an antacid before I ate. I'm kind of leery of going to bed, but I have prayed about it and tomorrow/today, I'll behave.
So this card is one I put into a swap of images for Joan Switalski (Skicio on SCS). I decided to post a card with the image for her to see, but won't be linking it up until I know she has the image in her hands. I didn't give her my blog name, so she has no idea. I can't wait to see the images she sends me. There will be 7 different ones...or maybe its 14 since I signed up for 2 different images.
Swaps are fun, aren't they?
Later this week, I'm going to post about 10 cards that I plan on sending to "CardMaker" mag., This month they are collecting cards of encouragement to send to cancer survivors. I'm too broke these days to make contributons to worthy organizations, but I can contribute my cards. I will try to post a link at that time to their magazine. Remember, I'm very new at this link thing...not to mention blogging.
Thanks for reading and remember...Today Is the First Day...
Erica
P.S. If you want the deets on the card, leave a request in "Comments"

You Need Time

Well,I've been up all night. But I've mastered a whole bunch of things FINALLY!!
Had a fun day Yesterday with my stamping buddies and it looks like we've added another person to our group. Laura is on board for our swaps and our get-togethers. I've already posted my card for the swap. El challenged us to use the Spring Song set to create a card. Since she doesn't have a blog (she is a member of SCS and may post there), I want to post it here as well. So now that I'm not as bad at this as I was a week or so ago, I'm gonna go for it.

Hugs & Blessings to anyone who is brave enough to slog thru this blog.
Erica

Here are 2 cards

Once again I'm trying to properly post a couple of cards in the right format and in the right locationl. Let's see how I do.

Is there a geekblog trainer out there???

I so do not have a clue as to what I'm doing...and as soon as bloggers find out, they'll run as fast as they can away from me. Seriously, do blog educators exist who will come to my house and help me learn how to do this. It's all just too much for a senior citizen, I tell ya'. I posted a card, but as usual, it's too big. I'm gonna try one more time with a suggestion from one of my comments. I think she was just trying to be encouraging when she said my 4th of July card was cute. It sucks IMO.
Well, here we go and it's 4AM....I wanna go to bed and just try to get 4 hrs. of sleep...plezzzzz!!

Techno Stamper's Lunchtime Sketch #24

I am trying to learn how to blog, get my photos on my blog via scanner and link to the Techno Stampers blog all at the same time. Please be understanding...I'm so very New at this.

And so we begin.

I don't know how I'm gonna do this. OH, yes I do...with God's help I can do all things. I have sooo much to learn and my helper (excluding the Holy Spirt for now) is my transient super cool and talented daughter. OK, so she'll teach her PC illiterate mom whatever will stick in her 60ish mind and we'll all see what I do.

So I'd like to start by downloading some photos of cards I've made and some links to the many inspiring blogs I read. Here we gooooo....

Erica