Ridiculously Addicted to Stamping!

Perfection Valentine Card

2010-02-03T13:22:00.001-08:00

Love Rocks! Valentine

2010-02-02T15:32:00.001-08:00

I used some of the Love Letters DP I had bought at Beverly's. I combined it with Purely Pomegranate, Rose Red and textured Basic Black card stock. The Stamps are Rough Edges Alphabet, Whimsical Alphabet and Angelic.

Romantic Love Valentine Card

2010-02-01T15:07:00.000-08:00

I went to Beverly's, our craft store near us, and bought a bunch of different craft supplies on sale. The scroll stamp is from Stampendous-"Mini Corners" and I bought it for .25 cents!! The card stock I used on this card was Bravo Burgandy, Rose Red and Old Olive. While shopping I picked up some new Valentine DP made by Little Yellow Bicycles. It is from the Love Letters collection.

Best of Cluck Recipe Card/Book

2010-01-27T18:05:00.001-08:00

I made this card/book for one of my very dear friends. She is leaving to go back to Japan in a couple of months. Her family is getting stationed there for 2-3 years. I LOVE to cook and every time she and her family come for a visit I make her a lot of yummy things! She has asked me for the recipes that I have made for her but I always get distracted and it never happens. So, I thought it would be special if she had all of the recipes from her visits in a little book. The inside holds six recipes. I will take more pictures of the inside pages when they are filled. The stamps I used were: Best of Cluck, Only Ovals and What's for Dinner. I used Basic Grey DP, Always Artichoke, Ruby Red and Glossy White card stock.

Asian Inspiration Card...

2010-01-26T13:33:00.000-08:00

I'm on an Asian Card kick! I love anything Asian! I've been wanting to use my Jolee Kimono set for some time now. Today I saw it sitting there and came up with this design. I had used my Infuse Basic Grey DP yesterday and saw the page of die cut flowers that came with it. It looked like it could be cut to resemble hair. So, what you see on my little kimono girl is one of the Infuse die cut flowers cut and placed on a circle punched circle face. I water colored a piece of watercolor paper and punched her face out of it. I stamped the cherry blossom stamp from Art of the Orient stamp set in Close to Cocoa and used my Stamp-a-majig to place them. Then I placed the Jolee's cherry blossom branch with the extra cherry blossoms over the stamped images. From the Kanji set, I used the Love Kanji symbol and left off the "love" and stamped it in Cameo Coral. The Japanese stamp that is stamped on top, in Night of Navy, is my own personal Japanese name stamp. With my blender pen I added a little Only Orange and blended the images together. My paper colors are Night of Navy, Bordering Blue, Cameo Coral and Glossy White card stock. The square of Cameo Coral, I rubbed the edges on my gold stamp pad then embossed it in gold EP. The Night of Navy background piece, I versa Marked the Chinese symbol in Art of the Orient stamp set all over and embossed it in clear EP. The center of my flowers is Diamond Stickles and I also added it to the headpiece and her fan. I had mini beads that were the right colors so I added them to the head piece and fan, also. Thanks for looking!

Wonderful Wings Thank You Card

2010-01-25T14:49:00.001-08:00

I still have some left over Yen, that has been laying around, from when we lived in Japan. I used a 1 Yen piece for the center of my card. It matched the center of my dragon fly I made with my SU Pretties kit and some silver leaf charms for his antennae. I used wire cutters to make the hat pin smaller, added my beads and crystal effect to secure the end cap. The paper I chose to make this card was my Basic Grey Infuse collection. A few of the papers looked somewhat Asian to me. The circles on the center paper looked like Japanese paper parasols. I popped the white pattern paper and the center flower up. Short & Sweet Thank you stamp was used on the chip board tag. The Dragon fly was cut from green embossed pattern paper. While living in Japan, my dear Japanese friends had a personalized stamp made for me. I was able to use it on the circle background piece. I LOVE my stamp and cherish it!!

Sublime All Aboard Card

2010-01-22T15:09:00.001-08:00

It was the first stamp set I saw, going into my stamping room, so I decided to use it. Right away it made me think of the many trips we took to Cass Scenic Railroad in WV. when I was a little girl with my family. I love that place! I was wondering what I would do with my Basic Grey Sublime DP that I had sitting around. I picked up my stamp set and then started going through all my DP. The Sublime paper just had all the colors I was used to seeing in the leaves when we took that train up the mountain. The beautiful cursive handwriting all over the paper made it look old. I used watercolor paper and Versa Marked my train image and embossed it in black. I started out using my grey chalks and then used my re-inkers to watercolor around the image. I used Creamy Caramel and River Rock. I had these metal trees I've been wanting to use on a card. I scratched them with an Exact-o knife to look like pine needles and added some applique for snow. I then went back in and colored them with Always Artichoke and black markers. I covered it with Crystal Effects. I was impatient and used my heat gun to hurry up the drying process of the crystal effects. It started to bubble a bit and shrink up but left a really nice texture on the tree. I also scratched the brads to match the tree. Here is a link to one of my favorite places in the world...

www.cassrailroad.com

Party Hearty Card

2010-01-21T16:02:00.000-08:00

For the month of February, I have three Birthdays I need to make cards for. This card was pretty fast! Not much stamping, just embossing. With the rub-ons I had used it was even faster. I liked the contrast of the Black up against the Apricot Appeal cardstock. I mixed in Cameo Coral, Glossy white, and Stampin'up! pattern papers.

Serene Sunflower Just Because

2010-01-20T17:30:00.000-08:00

I had a very busy day today, taking kids to the doctors, being my sons bus driver, and trying to clean my house in between it all. So, not much time to stamp today. It had been a long time since I had made a Love Note sized card. This card measures 3 x 3 inches. I was in the mood to make a card with bees and this color combination. I used the rub-ons from Stampin'Up!. The card stock is So Saffron, Glossy white and Basic Black.

My Pretty Peony

2010-01-19T18:22:00.000-08:00

It has been raining here for a couple of days now and the weather man says it is going to last till the end of the week. All this rain started me thinking of my flowers in my front yard. We hardly ever get rain here so, I can't complain. Actually, it was very cozy just being rained in all day in my house. I know the rain is going to help my flowers bloom beautifully when Spring comes around. Can't wait! Today I used my Pretty Peony stamp set and matched it with my Basic Grey Stella Ruby pattern papers. I cut the blue flower right out of my BG paper and used crystal effects over it. I glued some small green beads to the center and sprinkled iridescent ice EP over the top. The blue background paper has been cuttle bugged, sewn and embossed with iridescent ice EP. I stamped the small outlined peony on pattern paper in ruby red and then used a Stampamajig to place the versamarked peony stamp over the outline and clear embossed it. The wire is very thin black wire that I wrapped around the end of a paint brush and slid off. I had a sticky chip board vine that I covered in DP. Of coarse I had to add a little sparkle with my Diamond Stickles to finish it off.

Doodle This Girl Power!

2010-01-18T18:43:00.000-08:00

Right now the Hottest color trend in young girls fashion is the Black, White and Hot Pink Combination. Everywhere you look you see it mixed with peace signs or cartooned skulls. I was out shopping for my little girl and got inspired to make this card. I used the Doodle This stamp set along with my Girl Power set. For the background paper, I started out with a square of Textured Grey SU card stock that measured 5 1/8" x 5 1/8". I Embossed it first all over with the Pearl EP using the Doodle This swirl and again with the White EP. I placed a 5 1/8 x 5 1/8" square of paper vellum over my finished background square. I set my eyelets. Next, I cut my peace sign out of my Spellbound Black glitter pattern paper, embossing it with a small heart stamp in White EP, randomly all over. I added small silver stars with a glue pen, setting it on the background paper with dimensionals. I then punched all of my flowers out and Diamond Stickled some. I stacked them with mini glue dots, placing them on the peace sign. The Girl Power tag was made up of a silver metal tag, small pieces of card stock, Scraps of ribbon and a paper fastener to keep the ribbons secure. Here is a picture of my inspiration!

The Cat's Meow Valentine Card

2010-01-15T16:04:00.000-08:00

This Valentine card is for all the Kitty Lover's out there. As I started making the card I was thinking about what kitty's like, what they do and what they wear. Cat's like to play with yarn. I had some really cute yarn with tiny sequins sewn into it. I had a sticky letter "V" that I pushed into green mini beads that matched the card stock. I covered it in crystal effects to make sure all those little beads stayed put. It reminded me of the rug covered scratching posts. I had a mini jingle bell on very thin black wire I added to make his collar. In the picture the "V" and the card stock look like two different colors but they are the same. My camera just didn't want to cooperate with me today. My card stock colors I used are Real Red, Glossy White, Certainly Celery, Basic Black and red and white striped and green pattern papers. While in Japan I loved shopping at the Daiso (Dollar store). They always had the best accesories for making my cards. I found the little stars I used on this card in the manicure section of Daiso. They had tons of tiny fingernail decorations that were just the right size and ALWAYS the right price to add to my homemade cards. Toshiko, I couldn't help but think of you, Kyoko, you're beautiful cat and Japan :)

Quilted Angelic Valentine

2010-01-14T17:47:00.001-08:00

Friendship is...

the sort of Love

one can imagine

between Angels

I was in a Romantic kind of mood today. I wanted to do a Valentine card that was country and romantic with soft colors. So, I started thinking of quilts, roses and light pinks and greens. My Angelic set came to mind for the main art. I had a sheet of pattern paper that looked like a plain quilt with stitches. I used it for my background and cut a lot of little one inch squares of different pattern papers and glued them on, making sure you could still see the stitches in between. I pulled colors from my papers and colored my angels to match using my reinkers and a water color brush. I covered the angels in Cryslal effects and let it dry. Then I put Diamond Stickles on their wings. The Heart hardware just happened to fit right over the square metal frame. the holes matched up perfectly. My card measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

Friends Always Valentine Card

2010-01-13T16:14:00.000-08:00

You are my Friend...Always
Valentine's Day is right around the corner! I thought I should start working on some Valentine cards. :) I was playing around with my Always stamp set, which I absolutely love, and I came up with this Design. I was able to finally use my Only Ovals. It combined well with the Always. It is hard to see in the picture but I popped up some of the flowers on the heart and on the bird. I used Diamond Stickles on both images, also. The ribbon is actually Always Artichoke color but the photo made it look different. I added brushed silver brads to the corners and a cute flower charm with silver cording in the center of the bow. No embossing this time! Just stamped images and lots of Stickles. The colors are Ruby Red, Always Artichoke, Naturals Ivory, textured Sand card stock and Basic Grey and Stampin'Up! pattern papers. The card measures 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

Baroque Sweet Things

2010-01-12T16:21:00.000-08:00

I saw these colors used for a card in an old Stampin' Up! catalog and loved the way it looked together. I happened to have the Basic Grey brown/blue circle paper on hand. The circles matched exactly to the card stock I used. The colors for this card are Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery and Glossy White cardstock. I Glassy Glazed the Baroque Motifs stamp on the Soft Sky background along with the Cherish stamp. The Large flowers were made of punched flowers from cardstock and chip board flowers from Basic Grey. I just stacked them on top of eachother. I used silver brads in the centers to attach them together. I punched the hole in the center of the card with the circle scallop punch. The "Love You" stamp from Sweet Thing was stamped on Glossy White cardstock in Chocolate Chip and rubbed with Soft Sky and Certainly Celery inks.

Godspeed Retirement

2010-01-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

I have a friend who's husband has retired from the Marine Corps. We are next! Two more years for us and we will be back on the east coast somewhere. I made this card with Basic Grey pattern papers, True Thyme, Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip and River Rock card stock. I water colored the Godspeed image, aged the edges and glassy glazed over it. My glassy glaze had been mixed with a little white EP by accident when I was in Japan so, it comes out speckled with white flecks. I had forgotten about that and used it. As I was heating the glassy glaze I saw the white flecks starting to show and got worried. It actually looked pretty cool on this card. I really liked the effect. The card is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4". The brad I used had a square center so I cut a piece of Bashful Blue card stock and glued it in the middle then used crystal effect over it. It is a "GUY" card so I TRIED to keep it masculine and somewhat simple. :)

Welcome Home Card

2010-01-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Heartfelt Thanks

2010-01-07T12:22:00.000-08:00

Today I had a small break from little Leila while she was napping. I was able to make four of these "Heartfelt Thanks" Thank you cards. The thought I had for making these was for my friend Sarah. She had put my name down on a referral for housing and they are sending me a check for $250.00! It was so nice of her to think of me! It is the same papers I had used for my Mom & Dad's Anniversary card. I love that with a good design and a few changes you can have a completely different card! The stamps used on this card were Baroque Motifs, Heartfelt Thanks and Word on Word. The card's dimensions are 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

Apron Recipe Gift Books

2010-01-06T09:58:00.000-08:00

Here is a picture of the Christmas Mice the girls had made. :)

2010-01-05T18:00:00.000-08:00

I made these little Apron Recipe Gift Books for my daughter's "Cookin' Birthday Party." In each book there are five pockets. I put in the first pocket a friendship poem that I printed out from my computer on White card stock and adhered it to Real Red card stock from Stampin' Up!. The next four pockets had stamped recipe cards (What's for Dinner Stamp Set) with our recipes, we used at the party, written out on each card on alternating red and green card stock. The girls had made Sparkling Punch, Santa Sacks, Christmas Mice & . During the party I had taken a lot of pictures with Tiffy and the girls. With each girl I took one picture of just Tiffany and that girl. I had daddy print them out a little smaller than the size of the recipe cards. So, each book had a picture with Tiffy and the girl on the back of the friendship card and pics of the party on the rest of the backs of the recipe cards. We adhered them to the backs of the five cards. I also had slipped lollipops in the first pockets of each book. The girls took them home with them after the party was over along with white cotton chef hats filled with candy and tied with a matching ribbon.

Apron Recipe Gift Books

2010-01-05T17:52:00.000-08:00

I started out with 4x6 pieces of thin cardboard. The top of the Apron is 2 inches wide and the side of the Apron measures 2 3/4 inches. The pattern paper is made by Basic Grey. I glued the pattern paper onto the cardboard and cut it out as close to the edge as I could then sanded the edges and edged it with a gold Painty pen. I did the same to the back piece of the book, also. Next, I punched out the holes for the spiral wire on the front and back pieces of the book. The Real Red card stock on the front (3 3/8 x 2 1/4) has been scalloped at the bottom and cuttle bugged with the Snowflake plate. I used the "Backyard BBQ" stamp set for the front of the apron. The Green paper measures 2 x 2 and the white "What's Cookin'" paper is 1 7/8" x 1 7/8". I stamped the "What's Cookin" image onto the white paper and rubbed the edges of the White paper with green ink. The five pages/pockets in the book are very simple, they are 2 3/4" x 8" pieces of card stock folded in half lengthwise to measure 2 3/4" x 4". 1" x 4" strips of coordinating paper are placed on top of the pocket at the bottoms edge and stapled across the bottom three times. At this point you punch the holes out for the spiral wire. Repeat for next four pocket pieces. When all of the pockets are finished and the front and back pieces are done you align the holes up with each other and with needle nose pliers spiral your wire through the holes and bend the ends of the wire in. To make the recipe cards, cut 5 pieces 7" x 3 1/8" rectangles of card stock, 3 red and 2 green. Stamp 4 recipe cards on white paper with the "What's for Dinner" stamp set and cut out and adhere to the 7" x 3 1/8" pieces of card stock. I printed out the Friendship recipe card with a border. It says:

Friendship Recipe

Mix kind words and a smile,

A little Pinch of niceness,

Then stir it up awhile.

Now put it in the oven,

And make it nice and warm.

The way you know a Friendship

Should always grow and form.

Finishing touches: With the Snow Blossom punch, punch out three in green cardstock and with a small snowflake punch, punch out three in white card stock. I used mini pop dots to attach them together and to the card. I used stickles in the center of the snowflakes. You could leave it just like that or you can punch two holes at the top of the fronts and backs of the aprons and add large eyelets with 2- 6 1/2" pieces of ribbon to make the handles.

2010-01-05T17:50:00.000-08:00

My Christmas Cards for 2009

2010-01-04T19:15:00.000-08:00

I had received a Christmas card from my friend Megumi living in Japan and loved her layout! I used her Gate-card style and made my cards with Real Red, Bashful Blue and Brocade Blue card stock.

2010-01-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

My Mom & Dad's Anniversary Card

2010-01-03T18:12:00.000-08:00

I had bought these little paper Japanese kimonos while stationed in Japan. I intended on making this card last year for my parents Anniversary but, just got to it now. Their Anniversary was yesterday, January 5th. They have been married for 53 years!!! Wow! Thank You Mom & Dad for Blessing "US" with 53 years of marriage and being the BEST example that anyone could have had! God has made you into the evidence that you want to teach us!

The card details: The wooden Japanese heads were bought separately to go with the kimonos. I matched up my papers with the colors of the kimonos. The background behind the people was a scrap I had made previously with the Ink & Smash technique. Always keep your scrap papers! I had been playing around with the technique, trying out different colors, and it didn't work for that project but really worked well for this one! I have a Torii stamp I stamped in Versa Mark and stamped it on the Ink & Smash glossy paper and used Glassy Glaze over it. While still "wet" from the heat gun I sprinkled diamond dust over the top. The main flower patterned paper is Stampin'Up!'s Ginger Blossom and the circle paper is from Basic Grey. The circle paper was stamped with Art of the Orient-Kanji stamp in Brocade Blue ink. The card's dimensions are 51/4" x 51/4" and made with textured grey SU paper as the main top fold card. I used Bordering Blue and Ruby Red as the other layer colors. To "age" the patterned papers I rubbed chocolate chip and Brocade Blue on the edges. I used the Ginger Blossom patterned paper to make the paper beads and covered them with Crystal effects. I added a copper brad and tied a bow with the silver cording holding the paper beads. The Cherry Blossom punch was given to me as a gift and was bought in Japan. I punched nine flowers out of the Ink & Smash paper I had used to make the card face and added diamond stickles to the centers.

2010-01-03T18:11:00.000-08:00

Stamping Again!!

2009-11-30T17:12:00.000-08:00

Wow! It has been almost a year since I have posted anything on my blog. I am really missing stamping and am going to make a conscious effort to get back into it. I will post some of the projects I have planned for this holiday season. I have just purchased a New Snowflake Longaberger basket and can't wait to fill it with goodies for Christmas! Check back soon! It is good to be back!

Pear Butter

2009-11-30T14:16:00.000-08:00

I did some canning this year and made Pear Butter and Apple Butter to give out as gifts for Thanksgiving. The card is from my friend Kanetha a couple of years ago. Love her card!

Tiffany's Invitations to her Cooking Birthday Party!

2009-01-12T08:35:00.000-08:00

Tiffany will be turning 9 years old in December! I started making her invitations for her party today. She told me she really wanted to have another cooking party. I believe this will be her third! The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, that's for sure! I decided to use the "Accordion Tag Book" design. I used my Backyard BBQ set for the aprons and the oven mitt. The letters were from the Whimsical Alphabet Upper. The date and time stamp was from my bundled in love set.

While in Japan I had Bought online this cute little metal spatula cooking set. I used pop dots to secure them to the front of the card. The "Cookin' " came from the Backyard BBQ set. My paper is Real Red, Whisper White and Sage Shadow card stock. The patterned paper is from the Basic Grey Collection "Fruitcake."

Pumpkin Bread Recipe Book!

2008-11-08T11:08:00.000-08:00

Pumpkin Bread Recipe Book

I found these small 6x6 canvas boards at Beverley's for about $1.29 a piece. I am always looking for alternatives to the pricey chip boards that everyone is using to make books. It looked like it would cut well and make a great book. I picked up a bunch of them.

I cut one of the boards at 1 1/2 inches and left the second one alone.

I cut my pieces of paper that I will attach to the front and back of the boards. The 6x6 back board paper was cut at 7x7(Always Artichoke) and the two front boards that I cut will be covered with a piece of 2 1/2 x7(Always Artichoke) and the other 5 1/2x7(Pumpkin Pie).

I used my sticky tape close to the edge of my boards. I set the boards centered evenly on top of the paper with the tape facing up. I took the plastic red strip off the sticky tape and continued to wrap the edges up over each side and press onto the sticky tape. The corners are a little tricky and I should have taken pictures of the way I cut them. If you need help I will post a picture later of the corners.

I then cut the pieces that will cover the inside of the boards. Each piece measured 5 7/8x5 7/8 for the back inside board, 4 1/4x5 7/8 for the front inside board and 1 3/8x5 7/8 for the front inside side board.

I cut a piece of Pumpkin Pie card stock at 5 3/4x5 3/4 then a piece naturals ivory at 5 5/8x5 5/8 for the inside back piece of board. secure the pieces with sticky tape.

Secure a strip of sticky tape to the left side of the back inside board.

I used my computer to print out a picture and the recipe using the "Scrapbook factory"program. I printed it out onto Skilcraft ink jet transparency film. Cut the piece to measure the same as naturals ivory piece 5 5/8x5 5/8. It is going to be placed over the naturals ivory piece. Make sure the picture is off to the right and the picture measures 4 1/4x5 5/8.

Place another piece of sticky tape on the left side of your book on the transparency film. Start cutting your pieces of ribbon folding them and laying them onto the sticky tape.

I took my front side board piece and covered it with my piece of always artichoke card stock(2 1/2x7) secured it with sticky tape. Placed a piece of always artichoke card stock (1 3/8x5 7/8) on the back of this piece and secured with sticky tape. On top of the 1 3/8x5 7/8 piece I added two long pieces of sticky tape. I then turned the piece over and added it to the right side of my book. I cut a piece of Pumpkin pie card stock 1 3/8x5 7/8 and stamped it with the leaf stamp from Autumn Harvest in really rust, close to cocoa and more mustard ink. I centered it and secured it to the top of the left piece of my book.

Next I drilled out three holes on the left side of my book with my husbands drill!:o) I added the eyelets by placing a little crystal effects in the hole and pushing the eyelets in. Once it has dried just a little put your rings through the eyelets. This part is finished!

Now for the face: The right side of the front of your book- This piece measures 4 1/2x6 so you need a piece of Pumpkin pie card stock that measures 5 1/2x7. This you will wrap around the front and a 4 1/4x5 7/8 piece of pumpkin pie card stock you will attach to the inside of the board. You will need a 4 1/4x5 7/8 & 2 7/8x4 1/4 pieces of Always artichoke CS, 2 5/8x4 & 4x5 1/2 pieces of basic grey green patterned paper and a 3 3/4x5 1/4 & 2 3/8x 3 3/4 pieces of Naturals Ivory CS.

Center and Layer your largest piece of Always artichoke and tape down. Center and layer your largest piece of Basic Grey and tape down. Next, take your Naturals Ivory and stamp with the peaceful wishes berry branch around the edges in more mustard, really rust and close to cocoa, use your pastels to rub around edges and onto stamped images. Take the Versa Mark pad and cover the whole piece. Sprinkle iridescent ice over the piece and emboss. Now it is ready to be placed on top of the basic grey layer. Center small always artichoke piece on top of embossed piece and tape down with sticky tape. center and layer small basic grey piece and tape down. Take the small naturals ivory piece and stamp with the Autumn Harvest leaf stamp in more mustard, really rust and close to cocoa ink just at the top. Rub the leaf images with your pastels and Versa Mark the whole piece then emboss with iridescent ice. Tape piece to the small basic grey layer. Stamp pumpkins from Autumn Harvest onto Naturals ivory with basic black ink and color with watercolor crayons. Versa Mark image and sprinkle with glassy glaze. Emboss. Cut out pumpkins and place dimensionals behind images and place on to iridescent ice layer. Punch a tree out of the basic grey paper and add dimension with close to cocoa marker. Tape tree behind pumpkins. Add P monogram by doubling up on dimensionals place to the left on piece. Adding hinges: Make sure before you start screwing the hinges down that you place them where you want them and open and close the book to see if hinges are placed properly. Slide hinges under always artichoke layer on the right side of the book cover and screw in with a small screw driver. Screw the left side of the hinges down. And it is Finished!

Halloween Frankie!

2008-11-03T17:56:00.000-08:00

Frankenstein Treats!

I made these little boxes for my children's classes. They are holding orange boxes of Nerds. I used the "Hey Ghoul Friend" stamp set and the background stamp "Print Pattern." I used Old Olive card stock and naturals Ivory. I water colored Frankie with my water color pencils cut him out and placed dimensionals behind him.

Halloween Treats!

2008-11-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

Halloween Treats that were made for my children's class rooms. I don't think I ever posted them. Inside of the witch bag I used "Witch's Brew" candies.

This one was my favorite. I found the "Bag O' Blood" candy at the Oriental Trading Company online and used my Dracula stamp from Best Fiends. The saying is from Just between Fiends.

Haunted Spellbound

2008-11-01T22:40:00.000-07:00

I made this Halloween pouch with the Making Memories Spellbound papers. I used the Home is where the Haunt is and Batty for you stamp sets. This is my first time using the haunted house stamp and I have had it for so long! You score a piece of 12x4 1/2 card stock at 5 inches and again at 10 inches. You have two inches left over for the front flap. I have a bag of candy in the inside attached to the pouch with sticky tape. I used my scalloped punch and my 1 1/4 and 1 3/8 circle punches. The house and scull stamp were embossed in black EP. I doubled up on my dimensionals so the house really comes off the papers. When taping card stock or designer papers to glitter paper you need to use your sticky tape not double sided tape. It just won't hold.

Halloween Paint Can!

2008-10-31T10:31:00.007-07:00

Happy Halloween!

I found these cute little clear paint cans at a store near my home called "Beverley's." It is a great craft store! Personally, I like it better than Michael's. They were on sale for under $2.00 a piece. I used the Spellbound papers made by Making Memories. The patterns are: Glitter dot black, Polka dot stripe, Argyle and Glitter Crow. You can see them here:http://www.makingmemories.com/Products/detail/spellbound-paper
The ribbons I used for my can are here:http://www.makingmemories.com/Products/detail/spellbound-trims
and also I used some that I had already had on hand. I cut the bird's tail end out with an X-Acto knife so it pop's off the can and crafted a tag behind him. We had some Halloween candy that had bones for the sticks of the Lollipop's. The packages they were in matched the papers. When you are doing a project like this always pull colors from the packaging. It just makes everything look more professional. I believe the monogram metal "H" is also Making Memories. It was something I had already laying around and placed it over the first H on the clear acetate tag that said Happy Halloween.

My Daddy's Card

2008-10-19T17:07:00.009-07:00

I'm ba-aaaaack!! I finally went through my stamping boxes and unpacked them. I still do not know where I will put everything but I usually wind up on the floor stamping anyway. Until I get some shelves and a desk that is were I will be for now:o)

My father is turning 73 this month! He loves the fall so I wanted to make him a card that reflects the season. He is not a cutsie birthday card kind of guy:o) Daddy I hope you do not peek! I usually make Halloween cards with this set but wanted to see it in a different way. This is one of my favorite sets! I used iridescent ice on the background paper and the face of the card which I would normally use on winter cards. I really liked it on the fall card. I used chocolate chip and naturals Ivory card stock. Also, a Basic Grey green paper in my stash. I used the water color crayons and colored the pumpkins then glassy glazed them. The little metal leaves I had found at the 100 Yen store while I was living in Japan.

Our Home...

2008-06-21T19:06:00.004-07:00

This is the house we are scheduled to move into in a week. We were able to talk to the couple that live there. They were moving their household goods out when we stopped by. They let us take a look around the inside of the house. Very nice. The kids are so excited! No more hotel rooms!

Lover's Point Beach

2008-06-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

The Housing in Monterey for military families...

2008-06-15T19:09:00.013-07:00

This is the housing for Monterey, California. It is extremely nice! They even edge and mow the front yard for you. The grass is treated so it is so thick and green. In Iwakuni we didn't really have any grass and couldn't grow any either! We are still waiting to get into our home. Living out of hotels gets old fast. It should be soon though... hopefully. We rate a four bedroom home because of the size of our family. When we arrived they looked to see if there were any four bedroom homes available for us but all they had available were three bedrooms. And none of them are vacant yet. They said the soonest three bedroom would be ready by July 4th. I am not sure how that is going to work out for us with four children. Shelby is so much older than Tiffany that they really shouldn't share a room together. We are praying that a four bedroom comes available before we move into the three bedroom on the 4th. We need all the prayers we can get. Please, pray for us. Can't wait to get back to stamping!!! The pictures below are just four of the styles they have here.

Monterey Bay Aquarium!

2008-06-13T20:24:00.007-07:00

Carrow's for lunch then off to the Monterey Bay Aquarium!

Monterey Bay Area

2008-06-11T22:18:00.008-07:00

View of Lover's Point Beach

Old Fisherman's Wharf

Monterey Harbor

Sea Lions in the water

Our Journey Across America!

2008-06-05T22:30:00.008-07:00

California!

Utah

Wyoming

Colorado

Kansas

Pop-pop & Ms. Dottie's Berkeley Springs West Virginia House

2008-06-05T21:34:00.017-07:00

Tubing down the creek behind Pop-pop's house

PANORAMA VIEW

My Mother and Father with our family.

The Burke Boyz

Tina, David, Ronnie & Dawn. The kids.

Pop-Pop & Ms. Dotty

Our Family on picture day

Almost our whole family (Shelby wasn't there)

The Whole Family

Us Girls

Visit with my Mom & Dad!

2008-05-22T20:51:00.007-07:00

Me & My Mommy!

Her and her granddaughters

Grandpa Tutu out with us at the Ledo's pizza restaurant in Laurel.

Dad helped put the hitch on the van for our trip.

Lounging at Grandma & Grandpa Tutu's house.

East Coast Visit with Family!!!

2008-05-19T21:13:00.006-07:00

Welcome!

2008-05-18T19:53:00.002-07:00

Congratulations and Welcome, Jackie!
We are delighted that you have joined Stampin'Up! as a new demonstrator and teacher!
You are about to begin the most exciting adventure- your Stampin'Up! business! You will be learning new things, developing new skills, teaching creativity and most importantly developing amazing relationships with your customers. As your Supervisor I will do my best to help you become the most productive demonstrator you can be. I am looking forward to a long-term relationship and your success at Stampin'Up!

Sincerely,
Wendy Jo Burke
Stampin'Up Supervisor

Our mission statement:
To Love What We Do and Share What We Love,
As We Help Others Enjoy Creativity
And Worthwhile Accomplishments...
In This We Make a Difference!

2008-05-14T01:38:00.005-07:00

Yuu-chan's Birthday Party!

2008-05-14T01:27:00.002-07:00

Our last Bunko:o(

2008-05-02T05:07:00.000-07:00

Our last bunko with all of the girls! I think about 5 of us are leaving soon. We had "Ghetto Bunko" at Miriam's empty house.

Shidax Please!

2008-05-02T00:22:00.000-07:00

Karaoke at Shidax Please!Kayoko, Eiko, Megumi, Lilly and Me! They took me out to Shidax to karaoke. We had a great time! Thank you so much for lunch and Karaoke! I will miss you all more than you will ever know! XOXOXOXO

Kintaikyo Matsuri

2008-04-29T04:51:00.015-07:00

We walked on fire!

Today Melissa and I went to the Kintaikyo Bridge festival with her son Elijiah. It was a Japanese holiday today. We wanted to get there early so we could catch the fire walk ceremony at 9:10am. We watched the performance and was asked by one of the announcers if we wanted to do it, too. We decided we would try it! It was something we had never done before. I was a little nervous at first. I thought it would be very hot but it wasn't. Our feet were so black after walking over the ashes. We went to Kiko park and dipped our feet into the fountains to clean them. We had so much fun and we made a memory we will never forget!

During the fire walk ceremony, I called Eiko to join us. She met us at Kiko park, next to the Kintai bridge, to see the rest of the festival. Eiko and I stopped and did the tea ceremony together. It was 500 yen a person and they gave us a sweet and Macha and then we moved to the second area and had another type of tea and a sweet cracker. We had lunch at a restaurant near the bridge and then headed over to the Jyokamachi Flea Market.

Japanese Tea Ceremony

Melissa & Elijiah

The Fountains at Kiko Park

Kimono Costumed Parade

Taiko Drums

Maple City!

2008-04-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

Maple City Restaurant!

Atsuko and the rest of the cooking class members took me out for lunch at Maple city. It was my first time going there. Wow! It was so good and the restaurant was beautiful!

Thank you ladies for letting me teach you American cooking and I will truly never forget you and this experience you gave to me. Everyone of you has a place in my heart! It is hard for me to leave you and Japan but I will definitely keep in touch. I will miss all of you! XOXOXOXO

2008-04-25T05:16:00.000-07:00

Akari Restaurant

I met Kiriko at her house and she drove us to Hiroshima to Hondori street. Kayoko, Kazue, Mitsuki & Yoshie met us there, too! Thank you all for taking me to lunch! I will miss you sooooo much!!! XOXOXO

Kayoko & Kazue

Lemon-Spinach Chicken

2008-04-21T16:37:00.003-07:00

I thought I would share this with you. I just made this yesterday and really liked it. I doubled the recipe to fit my family but you don't have to.

2 (10 oz.) packages fresh spinach

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. freshly ground pepper

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

4 Tbsp. butter

1 cup chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine

2 tsp lemon zest

4 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

4 garlic cloves, minced

Garnish: halved grape tomatoes

Cook spinach in a lightly greased large skillet over med-high heat, stirring often, 2 minutes or until wilted. Transfer spinach to a bowl. Combine flour, salt and pepper in a shallow dish; dredge chicken in flour mixture. Melt butter in skillet; add chicken, and cook 4-5 min. on each side or until golden and done. Remove chicken from skillet, reserving drippings in skillet. Add chicken broth and next 4 ingredients to skillet, and bring to a boil, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes or until reduced by half. Stir in spinach, and cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Serve chicken over spinach mixture. Garnish, if desired.

2008-04-19T19:41:00.002-07:00

Our house is so empty! This is what our living room looks like now. It is a big difference from what it looked like before! Our loaner furniture is so uncomfortable! The Japanese movers were moving our household goods out and bringing in our loaner furniture when one of them had a chair in his hands and said "where would you like your luxury lounge chair?" He was serious. My husband says when he is sitting in our living room he feels like he is sitting in the lobby of our medical center on base.

Love Book Class!

2008-04-09T16:06:00.006-07:00

KumieAfter having our love book class I noticed I really didn't take photos of the actual book. I will try to borrow someone's and take page by page pictures. We used the Bo Bunny word Book "Love" and covered it in Infuse basic Grey paper. The papers have brown, olive green, warm pink, and ruby red in them. So beautiful! Everyone received a sheet of Infuse Die cut Shapes to use on their book.(they were flowers) I had many pages of sticky letters, that came with each set of Basic grey collection pack, that I never knew what to do with. We used them for the Amore page and also for the front of the book. The accessories were Rhinestone brads, large silver eyelets, silver rings to bind our books, Infuse buttons, and lots of ribbon! I chose the Baroque Motifs stamp set for this project.

Megumi

Eiko, Hideko & Kayoko

Melissa (she is new) & Me

2nd Love Book Class!

2008-04-06T16:00:00.002-07:00

Our 2nd love Book class will be held this Wednesday the 9th. It will have to be my last stamping class in Japan as I am preparing to move soon. See you soon!

Otake paper!

2008-04-05T06:11:00.005-07:00

To all our family and friends back home, we had our picture in the Otake newspaper! We had been invited by my friend Eiko to the Nagashi bina doll festival. In the picture we are getting ready to float our dolls on the river. What a special day and Eiko is such a special friend!

Here are some of the photographers other photos:

Bragging!

2008-04-04T17:08:00.007-07:00

Kiriko's Meander Book
Front Cover

pages 1 & 2

Pages 3 & 4

pages 5 & 6

pages 7 & 8

pages 9 & 10

pages 11 & 12

pages 13 & 14

The Pull-out pages of her book

Kiriko's book was made from the Meander book pattern. She made 2 of these little books for her daughter and her daughters best friend. She did an amazing job on her book!! So very interesting and full of detail!

Great work Kiriko!

Sew Springy!

2008-04-03T17:17:00.008-07:00

Our Sew Springy Garden Gate card!

Today they are learning a new technique, how to sew cards. I was inspired by a photo of a gate card in the Papercrafts magazine. I like the more realistic nature stamp sets instead of the whimsical style that they had in the magazine. So, I thought of my favorite retired spring stamp set "Feathered Hope." I found the hinges and garden signs at our base craft store. The sewing technique really makes a card look amazing. It's a great way to accent your card and give it more of a "handmade" look. Using the sewing machine makes it so fast and easy, too. Even a very simple card can be made to look stunning by just using the sewing technique. Everyone except Kumie hadn't used a sewing machine in a while so they were a little nervous at first. They all did a great job and their sewing lines were so straight! Our card measures 5x6 1/2"

Yuu-chan wanted mommy's card to have a lot more flowers!

Kayoko's cards

Megumi's cards

Eiko's cards

My card with additions

1st Love Book Class!

2008-03-31T00:48:00.001-07:00

We are having our 1st Love Book Class tomorrow at my home! See you soon!

3X3 "Fruity Love Notes" Class!

2008-03-28T00:24:00.004-07:00

We had our 3X3 Fruity Love Notes Class. Each of the ladies made eight mini cards with envelopes. We used the new "Summer Picnic" by Stampin'Up! designer series paper from the Occasions mini collection 2008 catalog. I love the new fruit stamps, Tart and Tangy and One Smart Cookie. They all work well together and match with the summer picnic paper perfectly! For our orange cards we used the "Scratch and Sniff" technique. You use 1 part orange cool-aid mix (sugarfree) with 2 parts clear embossing powder. It smells so good when you pull it out of the envelope! You can use apple flavored mix for the apple card, Cherry mix for the cherry card, strawberry mix for the strawberry card.

Supplies:

Whisper White card stock cut to 3x6"

Real Red card stock

Bashful Blue card stock

Pumpkin Pie card stock

Old Olive card stock

Love note envelopes

*New Summer picnic D.S. paper

*New poly-twill ribbon old olive

Grosgrain ribbon Real Red

Scallop punch

1 3/8" punch

1 1/4" punch

1/2" punch

Rhinestone brads

dimensionals

Stamp Sets:

Tart and Tangy

One Smart Cookie

Our Trip to Kyoto!

2008-03-19T06:20:00.010-07:00

Shelby & Keighley dressed as Maiko

(Apprentice Geisha) They had their makeup done and they dressed them up to take profesional photos.

The Imperial Palace grounds

Having Sushi at a restaurant in the Holiday Inn hotel in Kyoto
Famous oysters at Miyajima Island

The line for the oysters

Great breakfast at our hotel!

Ryoanji Temple

The Golden Pavilion

(Kinkakuji)

Having tea (Usucha) in the tea room on the Golden Pavilion grounds.

The sweet that they give you to eat with your tea.

It is made of azuki bean paste and is covered in wasanbon sugar.

Nagashi-Bina Doll Festival & Kagura Performance!

2008-03-09T04:18:00.039-07:00

Nagashi-bina doll festival is a Japanese traditional event to wash away the spirit of misfortune and to wish for their children health and happiness by floating Nagashi-bina dolls on the river.Hinamatsuri Song:
Akari o tsukemashou bonbori ni明かりをつけましょう　ぼんぼりにOhana o agemashou momo no hanaお花をあげましょう　桃の花Go-nin bayashi no fue taiko五人ばやしの　笛太鼓Kyo wa tanoshii Hinamatsuri今日は楽しいひな祭り

Let's light the lanterns. Let's set peach flowers. Five court musicians are playing flutes and drums. Today is a joyful Dolls' Festival!

Today we were invited, by my friend Eiko, to the Nagashi-bina doll festival. Two other women from the Iwakuni base also came with their children. When we arrived the first thing we did was to make our dolls. We dressed our Nagashi-Bina dolls in beautiful papers, painted their faces and placed them in a raft surrounded by fresh flowers. The one below is mine. We also wrote in hiragana on our boards.
Shelby, Kyoko & Tiffany holding their finished rafts Some of the finished rafts floating on the river. After all the rafts are placed in the water a few men will wade in the river and pull them out with a long bamboo stick with a hook on the end.

This river is right across the street from my friend Eiko's house. The area is so beautiful!
On the festival grounds, they were selling udon noodle and rice ball for lunch. The kids loved the free cotton candy! The large white tent is where everyone crafted their rafts.

Lilly missed the Hina doll festival but she was coming to the Kagura performance so Eiko made her a raft. When she went to dress the dolls for her, there wasn't any more beautiful papers left so she made hers out of an advertisement for different types of sushi! So cute and so creative!

Everyone took turns and knelt down on the pier and gently placed the rafts in the river.

Afterwards, you bow your head and say a prayer. There were a lot of photographers there taking pictures for the local papers. I hope I can get some copies of our pictures they had taken.

It is getting a little warmer the trees are starting to bloom!
Eiko took us out into her neighborhood and some of the families had their Hina doll collections on display for people to view. They would let us come in to their houses to take a look. This picture is of the biggest Hina doll collection I saw today. Very impressive!

We also stopped by the temple. Many steps to the top of where the temple was!
This picture was taken from the temple looking out over Eiko's neighborhood.
Shelby & Kyoko- Sweet Friends!

After the temple we met Lilly and went to the Kagura show at Kono Elementary school.

Kagura is a dance that has been performed on the main island of Japan, since ancient times. Eiko tells me it is a dance to "Thank the Gods for a bountiful harvest." The play is fast, full of singing and dancing, and is very exciting to see! I thought for a moment, as it started, how it looked very similar to American Indian dancing. The costumes were gorgeous and very colorful. Some of the Kagura performers, at one part of the show, ran down into the audience. It was quite surprising! The three musicians made up the core of the live music. The drummer on the right played a drum that is called, 太鼓"Taiko." One of my favorite things here in Japan.

Tutorial for Always Priceless Coupon Book

2008-03-05T21:11:00.008-08:00

Main Stamp Sets:
Always
Priceless
Create a coupon
Rough Edges Alphabet
Everyday Flexible Phrases

Secondary Stamp Sets I used:
(You can change any of these depending on what the coupon is for)
It's a girl Thing
Time for Fun
Going out in Style
Pretty Princess
Backyard BBQ

Also would be good:
Paris in the Spring
Haute Couture

Ink:
Real Red
Chocolate Chip
Soft Sky

Markers:
Yoyo Yellow
Real Red
Regal Rose

Supplies:
2 pieces of Acetate cut to 3 1/2" x 5"
4 pieces of Soft Sky card stock cut to 4 3/4" x 3 1/4"
1 piece of Real Red card stock cut to 3 1/4" x 10 1/2"
1 piece of Real Red card stock cut to 3 1/4" x 9 1/2"
3 pieces of Whisper White card stock cut to 3 1/8" x 9"
1" circle punch
Large oval punch
Corner Rounder
Ticket corner punch
Crystal Effects
Dimensional
Soft Sky Ribbon
Fibers
Brads
Star charms
Double sided tape
Perforating tool
"Pink Glass Mix" beads
Stickles
Romantic Red Glitter

Directions coming soon!

Eiko's Class for Kiriko!

2008-03-04T00:15:00.008-08:00

Kumie, Takako, and Kiriko

We had our class on our acetate coupon book. Everyone used a little different stamps for each of their coupons in the inside. They came up with some cute ideas to suit the people they were giving them to. Sorry Takako and Kumiko, I didn't get pictures of your books.

Kumie's Book

Toshiko's Book

Kiriko's Book

Always Priceless Coupon Book!

2008-03-02T20:11:00.006-08:00

This "Coupon Book" will be for Kiriko's class tomorrow. I wanted to show them an acetate book and the perforating tool. I was able to find sheets of acetate at our 100 Yen store awhile ago and knew I would find a reason to use them. They are very easy to cut with my large Fiskars paper cutter. The acetate pages measure 5" x 3 1/2" I decided to do an accordian style for the inside. The coupons are stamped on Whisper White paper and perforated so you can tear them out. I will post more information about my book and inside pictures soon!

Noritake China Outlet!

2008-03-01T05:12:00.010-08:00

Michelle, Cindy & Wendy Jo

We left for our ITT trip at 7:00 in the morning after getting our coffee and magazines at the Crossroads Mall. The trip took 5 and a half hours to get there! I think it was close to the Sasebo area. We brought some of our sappy girlie movies to watch while we traveled. We had a lot of fun talking and laughing with each other. The bus driver stopped once for a bathroom break and again to eat lunch. This is my meal on our way back when we stopped for dinner. Yum!!

I took pictures of the bridge that connects the two islands of Kyushu and Honshu (Where we live). I would have taken pictures of the outlet but I think we were all pretty shocked at the size. We had a different idea of what it would look like. It was extremely small. They allotted 3 hours for us to shop and I was thinking well, one would have been plenty! But, we found some pretty great deals on the china and came home very satisfied with our choices. I had bought a set of 15 bone china plates and a matching gravy boat and dish. The name of the pattern I purchased is the "Silver Palace." I looked up what each plate would cost normally and they are $51.00 each! And my gravy boat and tray $150.00! Wow! What a steal when my total came to 17,900 Yen (about $171.00 US dollars)! That is a whole lot better than $915.00. It makes me want to go back with more Yen!

My friends Cindy & Michelle

(They look like they could be sisters!)

Kiriko's class!

2008-02-28T04:11:00.004-08:00

As you can see we were sponging a lot today. I believe these cards are Kiriko's and Kumiko's. They are beautiful! Great job ladies! They also made the gift boxes but the pictures did not turn out. Everyone in my class today has a first name beginning with a "K." So, when giving out the metal letters, I only had one letter "K." In Japan, the popular thing to do when this happens is to play Jan-Ken-Pon (Rock-Paper-Scissors.) Kumiko won! My daughter was so young when we arrived here that she had never heard of Rock Paper Scissors. She learned through school, in her culture class, Jan-Ken-Pon. One of the many things she will take back from Japan that she will never forget. The paper that we used on our cards today are Apricot Appeal, Barely Banana,Whisper White and Basic Grey Sublime collection.
My Beautiful Friends!

(Kayoko and Kiriko)

Kayoko busy working on her card.

Silly Cyclist

2008-02-27T01:28:00.006-08:00

Life's a journey... Hmmm, I started thinking about our move and all of the things we have to do to get ready for it. We found out we will be moving to Monterey, California and working at the DLI school they have there. Bitter sweet news for me. I love Japan and all of my friends I have made here and am really going to miss them so much! On the other hand, California sounds exciting! I love new experiences, meeting new people and exploring new places. I am an adventurer at heart! Where we will be living, there are so many things to do and see that are pretty close to us. We want to take some trips with our children and see some of the national parks in the area. Sequoia national park is about 3 hours away. Now back to the less fun stuff. I am feeling like we are juggling here which made me think of my silly sealife octopus stamp with all his tentacles. Trying to make sure our dogs (2 golden retrievers)can fly home at the right time so they won't overheat. The airlines have rules about when they can fly and when they can't. They need crates(x-large crates) we had to order from the Internet for them to be able to fly. That means the kids have to get out of school early in May. We have a van that has been in storage while we have been in Japan for three years. It is in Baltimore Md. and we need to pick that up also. I guess we will be driving cross country with it to Monterey after finding time to visit with our families. We will be dropping our oldest daughter off with her Dad and traveling with our two large dogs, our 3 children and us in a mini van across the United States. If that doesn't sound like a Griswold adventure movie! So can you see where the idea for my card came from! I feel like the octopus with all his arms handling all the things that moving across the world throws at you. But, doing it with a smile, looking at life as an adventure! And, thanking God that He is giving us all of these awesome opportunities!

Priceless Blossom

2008-02-26T19:32:00.004-08:00

Feeling creative today. My big blossom flower has a black line on it because the Basic Grey paper that I used was made like that. I never really noticed it until I photographed it. For some reason it shows up way more in the photo. I stamped the blossom in Rose Red onto the basic grey paper and used micro beads with crystal effects to cover the whole flower. I got to use the new rub-ons from Stampi'Up!

Flowerlicious! (Bloom'n Art)

2008-02-25T23:10:00.008-08:00

These projects are for Kiriko's class this Thursday. I have used the Sublime collection from Basic Grey and a stamp set I have had forever but never used until now. It is called "In Full Bloom." The solid color papers I used are Apricot Appeal, Whisper White and Pretty in Pink. I rubbed the edges with a sponge dipped in Close to Cocoa ink. The little leaf charm and the silver rings are from the 100 Yen store. I used crystal effects and microbeads for the center of the flowers. Mini Mates stamp set for the "For You" saying. The stem of the flower is from the "Art of Life" stamp set. The background stamp is "Tres Chic" which I love! I had ordered some things from ISC and they sent me these cute little boxes! They are pictured next to the card. I had to do something with them! I decided I was going to make a matching "set" for my class.

Megumi's Starbook-Finished!!!

2008-02-21T22:48:00.005-08:00

Megumi came to my home today to finish her book. WOW! It turned out so great! Takumi, her son, looks so handsome in all of his baseball pictures. She brought his photos to me and I scanned them and cropped them to fit in her book. We left the photos the color they were instead of making them Black and white, it went well with the book. She used my "Sporting Goods" stamp set and stamped them in coordinating inks and cut them out of whisper white paper. The set has a cute baseball, glove and bat. She used the cut outs on each page to decorate the photos. Very nicely done Megumi!

Eiko's Birthday!

2008-02-20T21:30:00.004-08:00

Tanjobi Omedeto!

Today is Eiko-san's birthday and we met here at the lounge for lunch. Eiko, I hope you share this day with the people that you love. I wish for you that the next year will bring you a lot of good surprises and experiences and last but not least a hole lot of FUN. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Eiko!

Coming Soon...

2008-02-20T01:06:00.005-08:00

This is the sample of our Love Book Class we will be having soon! We will be using Basic Grey Infuse paper and Bo Bunny My Word chipboard Love books.

David's Birthday Party Invitations

2008-02-20T00:51:00.004-08:00

David's "Movie Night" Sleepover! Daddy made the invitations for his birthday party! If he knew I was telling you this he would deny it! I did give him a few suggestions and told him to use the "Time for Fun" stamp set. He did great! The bucket of popcorn stamp was perfect for the theme.

Valentine Cooking Class!

2008-02-19T23:58:00.008-08:00

Menu:

Salad

Caesar Salad

Main Course

Lover's Grilled Glazed Sirloin Steaks

Side Dishes

Twice Baked Potatoes

Sizzling Coconut Shrimp with

Pina Colada Dipping Sauce

Dessert

Lemon Passion Cake

coffee

Dulce De Leche

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-02-18T14:10:00.000-08:00

Starbook Class!

2008-02-15T04:08:00.011-08:00

Today we made a starbook from Kwerner designs. I had seen it on her blog and thought it was so cute! I knew I had to make one for myself. loved the paper she used and the stamp set "Stamp of Authenticity!" My theme for my book did not fit for everyone. I had made mine before our class to use as the example and it is for my mother. It says "My Grandchildren are cuter than yours..."on the cover. She has 7 Grandchildren and there are 7 pages in the book. It worked out perfectly for me! I asked each one of them to think of a theme for "their" book and we came up with many titles for each person. Megumi has one child and he plays baseball and loves it! So, Megumi's book says "My Baseball Boy." We used the "Sporting Goods" stamp set for her inside pages. Kazue has Twin girls and her's says "The Twins." Kumie made her book for all the camping trips she takes. It reads "Our Camping Days" so I pulled out my "Roughing It" and "Campout" stamp sets for her to use in her book. With each persons theme, I went and pulled the stamp sets that I thought would work well with each persons book. I changed a couple of things, I used solid colored cardstock for the "middle" 10 inch papers. Everyone used the stamp of authenticity for journalling in each book and used the "theme" stamps as decorations around the picture pages. I added my "embelishment" pieces to the sides of each page. They all turned out GREAT!

"Embelishments": I am not a simple girl by any means and I just couldn't leave my book so plain. I needed MORE details. I had went to the 100 Yen store and found rings, metal star beads and Paper "Clips" I don't really know what they are called, actually. I just played around with them and came up with this and attached them to the side of the book pages. It made a cute little inexpensive embelishment! Got to love those 100 Yen stores! Here is what it looks like:

To make your own Rub-ons ( The front part of the book that says "are cuter than yours...")use a transparency sheet in your printer and print out what you want to say. Make sure to flip it horizontally. Lay it on your work ink side down and rub it until you feel you have gotten most of the ink off the transparency sheet. Done!

Yoshie putting her book together.

Kazue with her Twins book.

Great Job Ladies! You are more creative than you think!

Valentine Gifts!

2008-02-13T17:34:00.004-08:00

I was up late last night till 2:42am. Yawn! making these Valentine gifts for my four children to take to school. The picture is of the gift I made for my youngest daughter's class. I made 70 total, some had the ladybug and some had the skater boy design. I was so excited when I found these Jolly Rancher "Rocks" bite size candy at our 7-day store. I loved the container. They had reduced them to 15 cents a piece! I paid $10.50 for all 70! I know In the past I have spent at least 20 dollars just on the paper valentine cards for all four kids. I saw that I had some little lady bugs laying around the craft room so I put them on top. I used the doodle this wheel, So Very stamp set and the Very Punny stamp set for the lady bug. Used a little stickles, scallop punch, 1 3/8 punch and the flower punch. In the morning Tiffany, my youngest daughter, woke up and was so excited after she saw what I had made for her class. She went and got a special bag for her Valentines. Carefully, she placed them in her bag. She showed them to everyone in the house. She carried them with her when she brushed her hair and then again when she went to brush her teeth and also when she ate her breakfast. I sent the kids with daddy for a ride to school because mommy needed some sleep! I was happy, it was finished, the gifts were on their way to be handed out to all their friends. Done! An hour later I didn't hear my husband come home and he scared me half to death! I said "What are you doing home so early?" He said "Tiffany forgot her Valentines!"

Pure Love! Twins Birth Announcement

2008-02-10T03:14:00.001-08:00

These are the Birth Announcements I designed for a customer who was having twin baby girls. She is a marine and didn't want her cards to be pink, so we decided on silver and white. She had taken some photos of the baby girls in the hospital and they had tubes coming out of their little noses and they were laying in the clear plastic bed the hospital uses. I knew I just couldn't put them on a card like that. I took the best picture she gave me and used photoshop elements to correct the photo. I removed the tubes and cropped out the bed they were laying in and it looked like a profesional photo! I was so proud of myself! The cards dimensions are 5 3/4" x 5 1/2". I used Whisper White cardstock, brushed silver and Basic Black. The font for the inside of my cards were French Script MS and Imprint MT Shadow. I embossed wonderful words in silver across the front top layer of vellum cardstock and in the inside on the two rattles from booties and buggies stamp set. I had cuttlebugged the white paper layer on the front of the card.

Valentine Cards!

2008-02-08T00:02:00.001-08:00

Supplies:
Stamp sets- Haute Couture, Mini Messages (Heart), Simple Circles(small circle)
Embossing powder- Clear, Glassy Glaze
Ribbon- Black and white polka-dot ribbon, organza Black and white polk-dot ribbon, Hot pink ribbon
Ink- Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Real Red, Versa Mark
Paper- Real red, Whisper white, Pixie pink, Basic Black, Glossy white
Glitter- Diamond stickles
Hardware- Pewter Brads
Punch- Scallop, 1 3/4" circle,

Working Hard!

Kumie, doing a great job!

Eiko

Kayoko

Hiroko

Megumi and Hideko

Flower Power!

2008-02-03T02:11:00.001-08:00

Believe it or not I was inspired by my night gown! I loved the colors together and all the different elements in the fabric. I used the letters of the word "flower" and stamped them around the card in Chocolate chip, Gable Green and Tempting turqouise. I used my favorite stamp set Baroque Motif and Mini Messages. The "Happy" title came from the So Very stamp set. I used irredescent ice and then Gassy Glaze over it. You can't see them very well but the small flowers on the hardware were punched out in Gable Green and then a top flower was punched out in vellum cardstock and set over the Gable Green flower.

Next Class- Eiko's Card Class!

2008-01-31T17:37:00.001-08:00

We will have Eiko's Card Class. See you all on Friday the 8th of February!

Keep'n Warm in Japan! Kiriko's Card Class

2008-01-27T22:37:00.000-08:00

I was creating two cards for my class tomorrow and was just thinking about how nice the weather has been lately. I couldn't stop thinking of spring. I had just taught a valentine class and was wondering what my next theme should be. I couldn't wait till spring so I can use all of my butterfly and flower stamp sets again but felt it was a little to early for that yet. It was really hard for me to not reach for them but I had just bought cold play and wanted to use it. I figured it is still January even though it hasn't felt like it, so cold play would be a good stamp set to use. I pulled it out and started to play around with it and noticed that it had a stamp in there that said "let it snow!" The song was stuck in my head the entire time I was creating the card. I happened to look up and glance out my window and it was SNOWING like crazy! We haven't had snow like that in a long time. It was beautiful! God must of heard me when I was singing "Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!" My children were able to run outside after school and make "two" snowmen as I was making mine inside my house! Cold play was the perfect stamp set to use for today.

My Class pictures:

Kiriko holding her card. Mitsuki, Your mother made some amazing cards today! We all miss you!

Kumiko's beautiful card!

Even Yuu Chan got into the stamping with us. She made her own little stamped book!

Yoshie was hard at work even though you can't see her cards. Great job!!

Lilly's "South of France" Cooking Class!

2008-01-23T16:00:00.001-08:00

Today Lilly had her first cooking class! She did Wonderfully! Lilly is taking over Elsa's position because Elsa has moved back to the United States. We all miss her so much! It is amazing that Elsa was able to find a friend that is french to take over for her right before she left. Today, Lilly taught our Japanese friends her South of France cooking style. Her Menu:

Appetizer

Aioli

(Garlic Sauce on Toasted Bread)

Entree

Tomates Farcies

(Stuffed Tomatoes)

Ratatouille

(Vegetable Stew)

Jasmine Rice

Dessert

Mousse au Chocolat

Beverage

Coffee

Next Class- Card Class!

2008-01-22T04:12:00.001-08:00

See you next week at Kiriko's Class on Tuesday, January 29th!

ABC Class! Valentine Photo Wallet

2008-01-22T01:31:00.004-08:00

Today we had our ABC Class. We made a "Photo Wallet" for Valentine's Day. There were a lot of details in this little booklet so it took some time to get it all done. With mine, I had printed out black and white photos of our four children and placed them in the center pages. Since there were only three center pages I put the girls together.
The stamp sets that were used for this project are: Mon Ami, It's a Girl Thing, Warm Words, Sweet Thing, Festive Four, I like your Style, So many Sayings, Time Well Spent and a Michael's Kiss stamp. Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, and Pretty in Pink card stock. Retired Stampin' Up! pattern paper. Real Red, Bashful Blue, Whisper White stamp pads. Sponge Daubers, Pewter hardware, Rhinestone Brads, Glassy Glaze, Silver EP, Ribbon, Dimensionals, Stapler, heart nail charms, corner rounder, Prima petals, flower punch.

Directions:
Paper Cutter
Scissors
Corner Rounder
Stamps
Ribbon
Ink
Sticky Strip™ adhesive
Bone Folder
One 4 ¼” X 12” piece of card stock for Wallet (Real Red) Scored at 3 1/4",
6 1/2", 10 1/8" and 10 3/8" and corners rounded.
Three 3” X 8” pieces of card stock for the Photo/Journal Covers Scored at 4" (Bashful Blue & Pretty in Pink) and corners rounded.
Three 3 3/4" X 2 3/4 " Real Red Journaling Inserts, corners rounded
Two 3 3/4" X 2 3/4" Pretty in pink Photo Layer, corner rounded
One 3 3/4" X 2 3/4" Pattern Paper Photo Layer, corners rounded
dimensions of smaller pieces below

Page one: Stamp your 3 3/4" X 2 3/4" Real Red piece with heart stamp from the I like your style stamp set in Whisper White ink. Stamp your 2 X2 1/2" Pretty in Pink piece with the same heart stamp in Whisper White also. Rub edges of your Whisper White 2 1/4" X 1 3/4" piece in Real Red ink. Sponge around edges with Bashful Blue. Stamp "Kiss" in Real Red and sprinkle Glassy Glaze over kiss. I embossed Kiss three times with the glaze. On Scrap piece of Whisper White stamp affection stamp from Mon Ami in Real Red. Cut heart out and rub edges in real red. Stamp "So many sayings" stamp in Real Red. Cut out the "Be mine hugs and kisses" part and glue to the back of pewter hardware. Layer and tape all of your finished pieces as shown. Cut your ribbon and fold tuck under the left side of the hardware lay hardware on the Piece and use your punch and punch your holes for the brads. Put your brads in and tape the finished piece to the wallet. Add your affection heart with dimensionals and your are done with page one!

Page Two:

Stamp your 2 3/4" X 3 3/4" Pretty in Pink piece with the "X" and "O" from the small alphabet set in Whisper White. Wrap Real Red ribbon around the piece and tape on the back. Adhere your Real Red 2 1/2" X 2 1/2" piece to the pretty in Pink. With your 2 3/8" X 2 3/8" Whisper White, Stamp Cherish stamp from the Warm Words set in Real Red. Adhere. Adhere a 2 1/4" X 1 3/4" Black and White photo to your Whisper White. Use a pop dot to affix your bow and add a bubble word. Adhere finished Photo piece to the wallet and your done with page 2!

Page Three:

Rub the edges of your 2 3/4" X 3 3/4" Pattern Paper with a sponge dipped in Real Red. Stamp Sweet! on the bottom left corner of your 3 3/8" X 2 3/8" Real Red piece from the stamp set Mini messages. Adhere your 1 7/8" X 2 1/4" photo to the right side of your Real Red Piece.The top heart is done by using glossy paper. I dropped Bashful Blue drops of ink on the glossy paper and placed a clear sheet of acrylic over the ink. Pull the plastic sheet off and let it dry. Stamp the Mon Ami stamp in versa mark and stamp on your dry finished glossy paper. Emboss with Silver EP.Cut out. Stamp the affection heart in silver ink and stamp image onto Bashful Blue card stock. Cut out. Rub edges into bashful Blue ink. Adhere the affection heart then use dimensionals to add glossy heart. Punch lower right corner with 1/16" punch and add Rhinestone brad. Adhere finished photo piece to Wallet and your done with page 3!

Page Four:

Stamp your 3 1/4" X 2 1/4" Whisper White with the It's a girl Thing stamp in Real Red. Rub edges in the Real Red ink. Adhere your 3 1/2" X 2 1/2" pattern paper to the stamped Whisper White piece. Place a Prima flower that has been colored with a real red marker and dried in the middle of the piece. With a flower punch, punch out a flower in Whisper White. Place on top of the Prima. Using a 1/16" punch, punch a hole through the papers and flowers. Add your Rhinestone brad. Adhere finished piece to the photo wallet and your done with page 4!

Page Five:

Stamp your 2 3/4" X 3 3/4" Real Red piece with "Time well spent" heart from that stamp set in Whisper White ink. Stamp your 2 1/4" X 2 1/2" Pretty in Pink piece with the heart stamp from I like your Style stamp set in Real Red ink. Wrap your ribbon around the piece and tape in the back. On a scrap piece of Whisper White stamp the valentine envelope from Festive Four stamp set in Real Red ink. Cut out. Stamp the Amour heart from Mon Ami stamp set in Real Red ink on a scrap piece of Whisper White. Cut out. Stamp the heart from Time Well Spent on Bashful Blue card stock and then stamp Love you from Sweet thing stamp set in the inside of the heart in Real Red. Cut out. The flower on the heart I used glassy glaze and stickles diamond glitter. The envelope I colored the hearts with Real Red, Bashful Blue and Pretty in Pink with Stampin write markers and added stickles to the red heart. Tape the pieces together as shown and add a bow. Your done with page 5!

Page Six:

Adhere your 2 3/4" X 3 3/4" Pretty in Pink card stock to your 2 1/2" X 3 3/8"pattern paper piece and tape your 2 1/4" X 3" Real Red on top. Adhere a 1 7/8" X 2 3/4" Photo and stamp Adorable on top of photo in Real Red ink. use the 1/16" punch and punch a hole in the upper right corner and add a brad tag. I stamped Love in Real Red and cut it out from the "so many sayings" stamp set. Adhere to tag brad and you are done with page 6!

The belt dimensions are:
One- 1 & 1/8” X 8 ½” strip of card stock for the Belt layer (Real Red)
One- 1 & 5/8” X 8 ½” strip of card stock for the Belt (Bashful Blue)

2 1/4" X 2 1/2" Bashful Blue card stock

2" X 2 1/4" Real Red card stock

Mon Ami "L" stamp, stamped in Real Red ink on Whisper White.Cut out. Versa mark the entire top of stamped image and add glassy glaze. I did this 3 times. Tape squares together. Use Sticky tape to attach heart to belt and belt pieces together. Staple ribbon pieces to right side of heart and your done!

Valentine Cards!

2008-01-19T19:04:00.001-08:00

Wow! All the things we've learned today! We made a country style card and a spring looking card, both were valentines.

The flower card was made with Rose Red, Pale Plum and Wild Wasabi. The patterened paper was by Basic Grey collection "Perhaps." We used a little diamond Stickles on our flower. Stampin' Up! Wild Wasabi ribbon, Pewter hardware, large and small oval punches, Rhinestone brads with backs cut off. "True love" comes from the stamp set Sweet Thing.

We were able to touch on a hand full of techniques. Here is what they were:

1. Split Negative Technique (Flower card)

2. Paper piercing (Hen Card)

3. masking (Both)

4. Reverse Stamping (Hen Card)

5. Sponging (Both)

They did wonderful work!

Our New Catalog is Here!

2008-01-19T18:56:00.000-08:00

Click on the link below to see our new Spring & Summer catalog!
http://catalogs.shoplocal.com/stampinup/index.aspx?pagename=shopmain&fsid=f954648f-70e0-4355-9210-06ba08451391&storeid=1038724&circularid=12339

Next Class-ABC Class!

2008-01-19T18:11:00.001-08:00

See you Tuesday, January 22nd!

My Christmas Cooking Class!

2007-12-19T06:43:00.000-08:00

Menu:

Bread

Parker House Herb Loaves

Soup

Corn & Crab Bisque

Entree

Garlic Prime Rib

Sides

Country Bacon & Carrots

Potato Shiitake Gratin

Dessert

Christmas Lava Cakes

Beverages

Old Virginia Orange Wassail

Eggnog

Christmas nursing home visit!

2007-12-19T05:18:00.001-08:00

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”- Matthew 25:40, NIV

Jennifer came over on Monday and brought all the items we were going to fill our bags with for the nursing home. We had put wash clothes, hand warmers and some snuggley socks in each bag for the elderly. We learned from our mistake last year, we had given them bags with pens, paper and Christmas cards. We noticed that a couple of them were trying to eat my Christmas cards! Our items in the bags were safer this year. Elsa joined in and helped stuff the bags with us. We stappled the toppers we had made with Megumi and Kumie to the top of the filled bags. They looked so cute! We must have put together over 120 bags. They gave them out today to the precious people at our Iwakuni community nursing home. One of our chaplains played the ukelele as they all sang Christmas songs! I heard they all had a wonderful time visiting again , holding hands and Connecting with our elderly Japanese friends. Last year it was an absolutely beautiful experience for me - quite possibly one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had in Japan. We visited two nursing homes last year. I sat, held hands, talked and looked into the eyes of every person I could. Some communicated with speaking some English but most didn't have to say a word. It was a squeeze of my hand, a tear from there eye, a lingering look, a hug that lasted longer than expected. It was a shared "feeling." I felt my entire body/heart just feel the presence/love of Christ - it was amazing. Far from being a “downer” experience, you come away with so much more than you came there with. It makes you want to continue to do all you can to help those that need it most in any way you can. I want to continue to show love to those who are in darkness, those who suffer, those who are lonely, etc.- just as Christ showed His love for me by bearing the sin of the world on the Cross. ><>

Elsa's Last Cooking Class-Theme "Autumn"

2007-12-08T04:38:00.000-08:00

Menu:

Bread

Onion twist bread

Entree

Stuffed Flank Steak

Sides

Mixed Vegetables

Parsley Gnocchi

Dessert

Cheese Cake

Beverage

Ginger Punch

Santa Class!

2007-12-07T00:20:00.003-08:00

Directions on making bows:

3" x 6" piece Double Sided Patterned Paper
Paper Cutter
Pop-Up Glue Dots
Adhesive
Brads
1/16" Circle Punch

Step By Step:

Step 1.Cut 8 strips of 1/2" x 3", 4 strips of 1/2" x 2 1/2", and 1 strip of 1/2" x 2". It's important to cut the 1/2" x 2" strip before cutting the 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips.

Step 2.Take 4 - 1/2" x 3" strips with pattern "A" face up and put adhesive on one end of each strip.Take the other 4 - 1/2" x 3" strips with pattern "B" face up and put adhesive on one end of each strip. Take the 4 - 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips with pattern "A" face up and put adhesive on one end of each strip. Take the 1/2" x 2" strip with pattern side "B" face up and put adhesive on one end.

Step 3. Wrap the 1/2" x 3" strips and the 1/2" x 2 1/2" strips.

Step 4. Wrap the 1/2" x 2" strip.

Step 5.Use the 1/16" circle punch to punch a whole at the bottom of each "cone".

Step 6.Use a brad and attach the "cone" together.

Step 7.Place a Pop-Dot in the center of each layer.

Step 8.Stack each layer by alternating patterns.

Your Turn!

Next class- Santa & Package Cards!

2007-12-06T04:11:00.001-08:00

Our next class is Friday, December 7th. See you then!

"Christmas Wishes" Meander Book!

2007-12-04T02:05:00.002-08:00

We made our "Christmas Wishes" meander books today! I was a little worried about the way the book is cut but everyone did it perfectly. The little book is made from ONE 12x12 piece of double sided patterned paper on the inside! The way it is cut and folded makes little pockets to put tags into. My books had the words Wish on one and Santa on the other. I wrote down some other ideas for words to put on the front and they liked them better. As you can see Noel was used and we had Peace on a couple. My book will be used for my families wish lists. I will put each member of my families picture on each page with all their "Christmas wishes" on the tags that are in the pockets. Try it!

Directions for Meander Book:

One 12" x 12" sheet of double sided patterned paper
Two 3 1/4" squares of patterned paper
Two 3 1/4" squares of cardboard
Cardstock to decorate and make tags
1 3/8 Circle punch for pockets
Paper cutter
Paper scoring tool

2-way glue pen

Pop-dots

Doublesided tape
Binding tool and spiral wire

Ribbon

Brads

small stapler
Stamps, Ink and Embellishments

Step-by-Step
Step 1
Score 12" x 12" paper at 3", 6" and 9".

Step 2
Turn paper 90 degrees and score again at 3", 6" and 9".

Step 3
Fold and unfold all score lines.

Step 4
Use scissors to cut paper as follows:

On the first vertical score at 3", cut from 3" all the way to 12".One the second vertical score at 6", cut from the bottom to 9".One the third score at 9", cut from 3" all the way to 12".Cut the first and last square off and discard.

Step 5
Start folding paper up from one of the sides with a missing square. Fold it up accordion style, stopping at the end of row.

Step 6
Tuck the accordian pages of the first row under the second row.

Step 7
Fold the second row accordion style like the first one.

Step 8
Tuck your accordion pages under the next row.

Step 9
Fold the third row accordion style.

Step 10
Fold pages under the last row.

Step 11
Now fold up the last row accordian style.

Step 12
For pocket pages, start by punching a half circle on the top of the middle page. Punch half circles on all pages to make pockets.

Step13

Punch holes in the side of the book pages for binding. I used a Carla Craft binding system punch.

Step 14

Add 2-way glue to the pages to make a pocket. Stay close to the edge with your glue. Glue pages together.You won't need glue on the side. It will be held together with the binding later.

Step 15

Stamp pages if needed.

Step 16

Tape 3 1/4" patterned paper to cardboard squares. Punch binding holes in the side of both of the covered cardboard squares.

Step 17
Stack front, back and pages the following way: Front cover face up, page pockets, back cover face down. Insert the spiral wire through the holes and bend ends.

Step 18
Cut tags for pockets. These were cut to 2 5/8" x 2 3/4" . Decorate the inside pages. Staple ribbon to top of pocket tags.

Step 19
Decorate front cover.

Step 20

Add ribbon ties to binding spiral wire.

Your Turn!

Directions to Envelope Book

2007-12-03T00:29:00.000-08:00

ENVELOPE BOOK

Supplies:

12x12 package of Simply Scrapin “Secret Garden” kit.

12x12 inch Cardboard

7 -10 matching envelopes (my envelopes measured 6 5/16 x 4 7/16)

Brads

Wild Wasabi Ribbon

Journal Pen

Sticky Strip adhesive

paper cutter or scissors

bone folder

Dimensionals

Patterned paper

Cut your cardboard in half to measure 2- 6x12 pieces. Score both of the cardboard pieces at 55/8 and 63/8 to make the spines of your book. Bend at score lines.

Cut one sheet of 12x12 Always Artichoke textured card stock from the kit in half to measure 2-6x12 pieces. Tape card stock to cardboard bending card stock as you tape to cardboard. Repeat for second piece of cardboard and card stock. Lay both pieces on your table and overlap the pieces, place your envelope in the center and close the card stock around envelope to see where you will need to tape the cardboard pieces together. My book's center back measured 6 7/16. Use your sticky strip tape and tape together. Cut 2 pieces of patterned paper 5 9/16 x 6 for the inside 1st page and last page. Cut a piece of textured Groovy Guava card stock 6 3/8 x 6 for middle page. Cut a piece of Old Olive textured card stock to measure 12x5 for your inside 1st page journal. Score the old olive piece at 3 15/16 and again at 8. Fold on score lines.

(In the process of writing the directions...I will be taking step by step pictures also.)

My other Envelope book-

Donna, Uriah & Grace's visit!

2007-12-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

Donna, Uriah and Grace came to stay with us for five days before Thanksgiving! We were all so excited to visit with them. I couldn't wait to see my friend and just sit and talk and have coffee together! The boys had a great time with Uriah and Tiffany with Grace. We are all looking forward to their return in December. These are some of the pictures I had taken at Asilomar beach while they were here. When the water was at low tide it left all the rocks exposed. On the rocks lived all sorts of diiferent sea creatures like the beautiful pink star fish above. The Aggragating anemones were the most fun for the kids! They were even brave enough to touch them. I thought it would sting us but it didn't. The top picture is when they are out of the water and the bottom picture is when they are under the water.

Grace was telling me how when you push on the anemoes they squirt water at you!

Thousands of muscles clustered on rocks.

Friends:o)AustinGraceThe sunset while we were there at Asilomar beach We had found this great little Japanese Sushi Restaurant called "Jugem." They had traditional and speciality sushi and sashimi! We were surprised to see they sold tempura, yakiniku and udon also. The boys have been missing their udon! I ordered the rainbow sushi and Donna had the salmon sushi. YUM!

Next Class-ABC Class!

2007-11-28T18:53:00.002-08:00

Next ABC class will be on Tuesday the 4th of December. We will be making a "Christmas Wishes Meander Book!"See you soon!

Kono Elementary School Festival!

2007-11-25T14:55:00.001-08:00

We were invited to go to the Kono Elementary School Festival on the 18Th of November, by my friend Eiko-San. Elsa and Lilly also went with their families. Eiko had told me that they had 8 Kimonos for the American women to try on. I couldn't wait, I hadn't tried one on in the whole two and a half years I have been living here. They let us wear them the whole time we were there. They chose a very beautiful light green Kimono for me. Even Shelby got to dress up! There are a lot of layers to the Kimono and it is very involved to put on. The Japanese ladies that dressed us were very experienced and fast and knew which ones would look best on us. They chose the perfect colors for each one of us. The Obi (sash) they wrap round your waist is my favorite part of the kimono. They can tie it to make many different designs like bows or drums.

The video is just a small part of the play the kids put on. They practice for this festival all year. Their costumes were very beautiful. I wish I had video taped the entire play! They were wonderful!!! After the play they had food for sale (udon noodle, rice ball, soda, coffee), crafts, and plants. To see more pictures of that day look at the side bar of my blog.