Embossing over Embossing

 
Hi legionnaires...whew, almost let the week get away from me winthout a post. I have begun packing with a vengence. Our van purchase is coming along and we may have it as soon as the weekend. In that case, there will neither be packing or stamping :{ for a few days, as dh wants to cruise the highways & byways. It's been a while since he's been in any vehicle other than the medical transport service we've been obliged to use. We'll stay local until after the move, but then look out Branson and Las Vegas...they're first on the list!
So, here's my card. It's double embossed with two cuttlebug folders. It's not an origianl design, but I sure like it. I will have to see what other folder combos go well together. The base is a CTMH brown and the tag is a Nestie. The sentiment is SU. And a piece of CTMH ribbon ties finishes it off.
Gotta run and pack some more. Just got a call....the van will be here tomorrow.
Happy Friday everyone.
Hugs, Eric

Bigger & Better Things

 
Hi legionnaires...feelin' a bit less weird. And some of that has to do with taking a beginers Copic class this Saturday. There won't be any certification, but I have no desire to teach so I probably won't need it. Since there's no certy, the price of $30 is right up my alley. I just want to be proficient with the 30 or so markers I own. I will be with a stampin' friend and that will make it all the more fun.
One of the weird things that happened yesterday, was that a car salesman was supposed to bring a handicapped accessible vehicle to our home for us to consider buying. We felt fortunte to find this company since they would come to us. It's a real hassle for me to get dh into my old van by myself. He never showed up. After 3 hours of no phone call, I called his office and was told, "John is no longer with us." Me..what? Uh, did he get sick or somthing? I just spoke to him on Monday and we set this up. He sounded OK." Company..."Let's just say, he's moved on to bigger & better things." Sooo, I think John was unceremoniously fired! His name was given to me by another car dealer salesman who assured me that he was very knowledgeable and reliable. We talked several times on the phone. Weird, I tell ya. Anywho, a new salesman took our account and we did see the vehicle today and have put a "hold" as in cash down on it pending the success of our loan....and that's another weird story for another day.
And my card uses those Sizzix leaves again and for the first time I incorporated a crocheted flower from CTMH, and a button & flax bow. I used re-inkers and died it to match the chalk that is used on the Nestie oval. That's SU's plaid BG stamp behind the leaves. I love how I used just a piece as a mat. The larger mat is CB's victorian folder. The kind of zany font used in the sentiment is from a clear set called Printworks Clearly Defined and I'm not sure it works here, but I got tired of seeing it lying unused.
Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Middle of the Week...and I'm feelin' strange

Weird things have been happinin' to me legionnaires, but hey, that's life sometimes. As long as it's not exorsist, Fringe, "V" type stuff (Gosh I watch too much SciFi), it's all good.

Here's a card I made and designed my very own self too, I might add. Here's the deets.

I've had my Sizzix machine for years, but never could afford an alphabet. Well, I guess they're not as popular as they were, 'cause lo & behold, I walked into Joann's a few weeks ago, and they had three sets on the clearance table for $39.99. Yup, half-price and and I quick grabbed this one called "Cherish." I'm not crazy about it and I think it will see limited use, but there is an upper and lower case and I do kinda' like it. The leaf is a Sizzix die I used my coupon for last week. And the flower is felt and I made it with a CB die. Had to run it through a few times, but it came out fine. the center is a cute button with thin strips of paper used as thread. I like that touch...so much easier than dragging out the needle and attempting to thread same with failing eyesight. And, of course, the border is one of MS' most popular border punches. The paper is textured core'dinations. I don't see any other title on the sheets, so I'm not sure if it is a division of Bazzil's, but I've seen it used around the blogosphere. Once again, Joann's, 5 for $1.00. They had a great variety of colors and it has nice heft to it, so you can use it for a base. So, a great haul was had by all...corny, huh?

Here's hoping yours days are normal and your skies are blue.

Hugs & Blessings,

Erica

Those Fiskars Plates

So, legionnaires...good evening. A blogger reminded me how many of my Fiskar plates. I actually have...like 18 double-sided, so that makes 36. What a pain in the neck it was to use that knobby embossing tool to get a dry embossed look. Well, not for long, as Cuttlebugs came along and then Big Shot started making 'folders' too. And I hear, the illustrious Tim Holtz has some ready for us. These folders save my hands, 'cause I really love the look and am tickled we have so many to choose from. I don't think I'll ever stop collecting them. Soooo, here's the dots plate. The nice thing about Fiskars' plates is that they more than cover a card front. And from someone's blog, I found out that misting cardstock lightly with water (expecially true of SU cs), makes the embossing really pop. Fiskar plates are easy peasy to use with the right CB sandwich. And that's what I did here. I used all SU cs and my CTMH birthday stamp & sentiment. Don'tcha just love red and turquoise together. This is going in my mancards stack.

I hope the photo isn't too dim. I wiled away the day indoors and forgot about taking photos outdoors. That's why the background is so messy too.

Note to self...stop buying all things stamps and get one of those photo boxes and a tripod.

Hugs & Blessings,

Erica

Just One More

Hi legionnnaires. I hope you're having a great weekend. I am trying to get myself into the mode of packing as our short-sale process has begun. Miraculously, our neighbor right acorss the street, bought the house for their son and family. I'd say he's blessed for sure. I hope they love this house as much as we did for 14 years. I hope he takes care of my beautiful citrus trees. I'm thinking of returning under pretense of visiting his parents and getting some of the lemons. Oh, and I sure hope his wife doesn't mind living across the street from her MIL. Personally, that'd take a lot of prayer for me.
So, here's my card. It's another one of the sheets from the DCWV. At "No Time To Stamp",  here, I learned from Sharon in an earlier post, that this pad's paper is what is called flocked. Gotta love what you learn by reading blogs. And believe me, I sure read a lot of 'em. BTW, Sharon could use prayer right now due to illness in the family. So for those of you who have those lists, please add her on. So, there's the dp sheet with a silver metallic base and the sentiment is one I had hangin' around for years.
Well, off I go to get a little sunshine in with the dogs before it gets dark.
Erica 

Going With the Flow

Keeping in line with a card posted earlier, here is that scrumptious dp from DCWV. Ovals from a Nesties set; the chandelier stamp is a Michael's $ stamp, stamped in gold and embossed in gold and the sentiment is from SU. The base is CTMH's basic textured cs. Oh dear, I've nothing to write today. I wish I had a spiffy joke to tell, a la' Deb Neerman, but alas, nothin' is in my head, so just enjoy my card and move on to another blog. And oh, Deb, if you're reading this, could you send me your email address? I've been trying to send you one via your blog profile, but I can't seem to get through. I promise not to pester you...just wanted to mention a thing or two. Mine is Holfi1@msn.com. Now, please all you other legionnaires, please don't swamp me with emails about how you can't get through the day without reading my posts. BWAHH HAA HA!

A Friendly card

Here's #2 of the lot that I made recently. It's clean & simple doncha' think? The BG stamp is from Hero Arts and the sentiment is a clear stamp that I removed from the wrapping, so can't account forit. With my Scor-Pal, I scored a piece of cs and then added some ribbon and the Nestie shape. The teeny pearls add a little punch. The cs base is textured from SU. I am loving textured cs.
I got three new SU stamp sets today and I love the non-wood method of storing. They have really done an excellent job with the packaging. I wonder if they will ever consider selling the cases only? CTMH sells theirs like this. But they are pliable plastic. I'm so happy to see SU taking a stab at this more affordable and storable way of collecting.

Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Great Weekend Was Had by All

Hi legionnaires. I'm gonna be quick here. Had a great weekend with my stampin gal friends. I will have samples to show for our efforts.
Here is a card I made last week. I was on a total production whirlwind andmade about 20 cards. I was pleased with all of 'em, so I should be posting regularly for a bit.
Here, I've used the a piece from DCWV's La Creme matstock 6x6 pad as my focal point. Love that dp so much. Then I stamped one of my many scripture stamps and added a flower from Prima Flowers Spring Mix. These are such dainty flowers...a bit pricy, so I only get them with a coupon. Found these at Michaels. Oval Nesties were used for the ovals and Memento black ink for the sentiment. The card base is from CTMH texture basics.
So, I'm off to a good start of the week. Hope yours is too.
Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

What Title?

Why do we have to give a title to every post? I'm not a writer...though I did always get "A" in English and Lit classes. (had to toot my horn there, since I can't write worth a hill of beans now). Well, legionnaires, I just couldn't think of a title for this.
Here's a birthday card that's generic so I can add it to my stash for those emergency days when I need to mail one TODAY! The square stamp, I think is called a 'shadow' stamp and is quite old from Hero Arts. I think I have one from SU too, but it's a bit different. The leaves and sentiment are clear stamps for different sets I had hangin' around. The stitching is faux and is from CTMH. I am fairly certain that I've talked myself out of buying a sewing machine. Having only sewed when I took Home Ec. in another century, I would have quite a learning curve to master. I thought I might invest in one of those Singer Pixies in WAMA, however, after reading reviews, I discovered it's junk. Gina K recommends the Jenome (sp?), but I don't know if I see myself sewing that much on cards. So CTMH has this great solution It works for me.
Well, it's hump day...so hang in there for the weekend.
Hugs & Blessings,
Erica

Hope Your Easter Weekend was the Best

So legionnaires....I tried to post on Friday PM, but blogger wasn't cooperating and I was in a hurry. I had both dds's (grammer?) with me and their families. We were laughing, cooking and teasing each other other for the entire weekend. Eldest dd headed back to CA and was on the road just crossing into CA when the earthquake hit. She lives in Altadena which is a town near Pasadena. We're praying all is well as we were only able to reach her once on her cellphone.
Here is AZ, we felt it too. I thought it was my blood pressure going up or maybe my little home-made desk was caving in under the weight of my ginorous printer. I never thought it was an earthquake. My youngest dd knew right away and called me to see if I was alright. And I'm like, telling her I felt a little dizzy and maybe I better get to bed early tonight. Silly me! I know for sure, that CA is not for me. I don't do earthquakes, mudslides, floods, hurricanes or fires well at all. I live in AZ for many reasons and don't need tremors either, thank you.
On the card front, here is the last Easter card I'll show, though I have a few more. It's time to move on, don't ya' think? The stamp is a Michael's $ stamp and the border around the scalloped circle is DRS. I meant to get more of these, but forgot. Now, I think that there are a few other on-line companies that sell them too. The papers are from an old scrap pad that my dd gave me. Some bling, ribbon, button, floss, and coloring, plus hand-drawing finish off this card.
So now begins the long-haul w/o a holiday. When I was working, I used to hate this time of year...ya know, two months and no holiday can be a real drag to a career woman.
Enjoy Monday through Friday
Hugs & Blessings,
Erica