Bridget's Project and trade

 Is this not gorgeous or what???  Bridget brought all of us a CD tin to decorate and make into an album.

We put black decorative paper on the front and added a cool flourish die cut and added bling and rolled flowers to that.

 On the inside, we made little album pages to coordinate with the outside of the tin.  

I can't wait to make some more to give to family this Christmas.

Here is Bridget's trade.  It's just too cute....haven't seen this stamp before and it's just a FUN card.

More tomorrow......

Vicki's WAG project

WAG

 In case you have forgotten what WAG is, from my posting in years past, or you are new here and haven't heard me talk about it before.....it's an annual get together for gals that just want to get away from it all and spend the weekend stamping and learning new things.

It started out 10 years ago, as Western Angel Gathering....an annual get together for The Angel Company demonstrators (Angels) in the Pacific Northwest.  It served a good purpose for those that either couldn't go to the annual seminar each year or just wanted another venue in which to get together with other demonstrators, in the area, to share ideas.

Anyway, this was our 10th year of getting together.  TAC closed it's doors in 2011 and we decided to just keep getting together every September, anyway.

Since then, I changed the name to Weekend Away for the Girls....so we could keep the name WAG since that's how we all refer to it and how the hotel, that we stay at, knows us as.

So, here is Vicki's project.  What a stunning poinsettia card.  I think she used a die for the Poinsettia....but she had it all cut for us so that all we had to do was just put the card together.  Gotta love that!!!  Then, all we had to do was stamp the sentiment at the bottom.

And, here is her trade!!!  Oh I love butterflies!!!  I love the sentiment at the bottom of the card!!!  It is so true!!!!

. 

Have a great day!!!!

Hugs,
Char

Roses and butterfly card

This is the card that Candice brought for her WAG project.

We stamped Roses on the left side and then stamped a butterfly on a piece of cardstock and then also on a piece of acetate and then layered over it.

Then, we tied a big ribbon at the bottom.

Here is Candice's trade that she brought:

Isn't it cute???

Candle Christmas Card

One of the gals at WAG showed us how to make these fun Christmas cards using left over scraps of card stock.  She actually made little kits for each of us so that we could try our hand at it, if we chose to.  This was in addition to the trade and project that she brought.



Here is her trade:

And here is the project she brought for all of us to make:

Isn't it cute??   Lots of detail....and she had everything cut out and ready to put together!!!

Thanks Karen!!!

Hugs,
Char

Attutude

 This is a card that I made for a friend.  I haven't sent it to her, yet, but I am quite sure she doesn't follow my blog...so I think I am safe.

The inside is what she'll enjoy.  A friend had a stamp set with a verse that I just had to have....so she let me stamp several to use.

I sat down and made this card, using one of the stamps I had brought with me to WAG.

Here is what the inside says:

It's true.  I don't have

to be so sarcastic.

But the world has

given me so much

material to work with

and I wouldn't want 

to be wasteful...

Love this verse and I have a few others I am going to send cards to with that saying in it :-)

Have a great day!!!

Char

Daisies

One of my most favorite flowers is the Daisy.  Sunflowers, Daisies, or anything that resembles a Daisy just makes me happy!!!

So, when I received this beautiful card from Harriet, an online friend, I was totally happy that she remembered how much I love them.

Can you see the three little pearls at the left bottom?  Just a cool touch.  I love everything about this card!!!

Thanks Harriet!!!!

Hugs,
Char

More Birthday cards

I love Fall.....so how appropriate that I got Fall cards!!!  It's one of my most favorite times of the year.

This one was from Kay C.   I love how she used a leaf border on the card to set it off!

And, the next one was from Sandy C.
You can't see it in the photo, but she used a punch to punch out a leaf and has a piece of coordinating designer paper on the inside.  She also has pieces of 'Flower Soft" (?) added in spots on the front of the card, that really set it off.  I wished I had thought to take a photo of the inside of the card as she has the leaf that she punched out....adhered to the inside with Happy Birthday stamped on it.  And, there little acorns with happy faces.  Too cute!!!

 This card is from my friend, Jo.  Isn't it pretty!!!  She knows I love that lace doily from SU even though I haven't got around to buying it yet.

Anyway, I still have LOADS more cards to share....from my birthday, WAG and stamp class, yesterday....so stay tuned!!!

Hugs,

Char

Birthday card from Australia

This is a card I received from a long time friend, Gwen.  We started out years and years ago as pen pals.....and I eventually got to meet her a few years ago when she came to the US to visit family.

What a fun time we had those two days!!!

My dream is to be able to go to Australia, some day, and visit her!!!

Anyway, not sure if she made this card or purchased it, but the girl and dog are  layered.....and it's so cool!!!!
I love seeing other people's handiwork and love to share it so others can appreciate it, too.

Thanks Gwen!!!

Char

Lori's Project and Trade

 This is the project that Lori brought for us to make.  I love making these Waterfall cards.

This one was Halloween themed, but you can change up the stamps and designer papers to match any theme you want.  I have done Easter, Christmas and even birthday cards.

 Here is the inside.....cute ghost, spider and another image I didn't get a good photo of.

And, then this was Lori's trade.

I'll have more to share, tomorrow.

Char

Still sharing some birthday cards

 Since this has been an exceptionally busy month, I decided to just keep sharing the fabulous birthday cards that I received.

This one is from an online friend, Barbra Byrnes.  I was just flabbergasted at how beautiful it was.

Love the delicate edging all around the card.
I's even more beautiful up close and personal.

Barbra does classes near her home and if you happen to live in that area, check her out.  Here is her blog.

I would love to be hear enough to go to one of her classes, so if one of you do...let me know and tell her HI from Char!!

Have a great Sunday!!!

Hugs,
Char

Jamberry Nails

I just bit the bullet and joined Jamberry Nails.  NONE of my friends will believe it as they haven't even seen that I have grown nails.  The surprise will come in October.  

Here is the link to get to my website!!

http://charjwilson.jamberrynails.net

I am really new to this, but thought that if I was trying to grow my nails and keep them nice, I needed to have some sort of incentive.  I had gotten a sample from a friend to try, I decided to go whole hog and just jump in with both feet!!!

I am reallllllly new to all of it, haven't even received my kit yet but if you are interested in ordering, hosting a party or know of someone that might be interested....send me an e-mail.

This will in no way affect my sharing stamping ideas or tutorials.....just wanted to share with all of you.

Have a great day!!!

Hugs,

Char

WAG is over for another year

Well, W_A_G is over for yet another year.  We had a fantastic time!!!  There were so many awesome projects and trades and I can't pick my favorite....so I will just have to share them all over the next couple of weeks, bummer, huh?? :-)

Then, I'll be going to stamp class, this Saturday, so will get 10 more cool ideas.

Anyway, here is my shoe box project for WAG.  I made a Minion card.
I got the idea here.

It uses the Owl Punch from SU.  What fun....but lots of punching and fiddling....if you don't like 'fiddling'....this isn't the card for you....especially if you are making 12 of them.  But, I have it down to a science now.   If you have to make several of them, let me tell you, it's easier to just do all the punching right at the get go...and get it over with.  Then, you can take your time and put them together at will.

Basically, you will just need yellow, white, black and blue card stock.  I used Daffodil Yellow, Pacific Point (I think) and white from SU.   I also used a Happy Birthday embossing folder.

The instructions on the blog I gave you earlier, tell you to cut strips of black and you can do that but I just used the word window punch from SU and trimmed where necessary.

You will also need some googly eyes.  Just makes it more fun!!

I typed "You are one in a Minion" and printed it off on card stock for the sentiment for the inside.

Fun card!!!!

Have a great day!!!

Char

Monochromatic Birthday Card

Yep.....8 days later and still talking about my birthday....actually, I haven't had the time to make any cards as I was getting ready for WAG and also getting our Granddaughter ready to head off to college....so my birthday sort of came....and with it came cards.....and it helped fill in my days for my Blog!!!
Couldn't have worked out better.

So, today, I am sharing a card I received from an online friend, Joanne.
I love how she used all the same color family on the card.   It is such a beautiful card, in person.  I don't know if you can tell that she used two different embossing folders.  The layered piece that has the embossing on it.....is actually sponged.... and the ribbon border and ribbon were put on.....and then she layered it all on the card.

The top die cut was adhered with pop dots....and then a little circle on top of that and finally a smaller circle with a design on it.

Love it!!!

Treat yourself right!!

Well, today is not going to be about card making!!  It's about treating ourselves now and then.

Today, I'll be going to get my hair cut and my nails done.  Now....that doesn't seem too astounding....to most people....but if anyone, that really knows me, is reading this blog......they are going to re-read that comment about nails.

I am going to admit....I have been a nail biter since I can't remember when....and I just turned 67.

But, on August 1st....I had a mani-pedi. The gal that did my nails talked with me at great length as she was doing my nails.  Actually.....there wasn't a lot of nail to work with....so she just pretty much did the best she could.  My main goal was to get enough length so that she could give me Gels......as I was bound and determined to have fingernails for once in my life.

Then, I made an appointment for two weeks later.....because I felt if I was 'accountable' to someone.....it might work....and besides....I had to grow them out to be able to get gels.

Well, it worked.....I made it the two weeks.  Then, we discussed growing out my own...as opposed to having acrylics or gels.  She told me that anything like gels or acrylics are hard on your own nails.  She said that my nails were actually strong....and if I cared for them....I wouldn't need to get gels.

So, I agreed to wait...and went back in two more weeks....and she said they were doing great and getting stronger.

Now, mind you....I am NOT going to be going to get my nails done every two weeks....but just to get started growing them out....I decided I needed to.

So, today will be 3 weeks since I had my last appointment.....and they have improved so much!!!  I can't wait for her to see them!!

I don't want them super long...as I have never had long nails....and it would bug me.  But, I want them long enough to put nail polish on.....and be happy with how they look!!!

I am so excited....I have already bought nail polish remover, nail polish, a nail kit....and cuticle cream.  It's just insane.

For the past 3 years, I have been buying nail polish for my Granddaughter and she has a box full of it!!!  I want some of it BACK!!!! LOL

Not really, I am going to start my own collection!!

Wow....never ever say you are too old to do something.....and never give up on something you really want!!

My whole point is....take time for yourself...it might not be a hair cut and a manicure...maybe it's a spa treatment....or going to the book store and buying yourself a really good book.

I can't begin to tell you how good it made me feel to do this for myself.  I always thought I shouldn't spend money on myself....but hubby said..."if it makes you feel good....do it".

Have a great day!!!!

Char

Dandelion

This is such a delicate card......
I am seeing Dandelions all over the place anymore.....on different websites.  In real life, I hate the little buggers....as they take over a yard if you let them.  

But, on a card.....they are COOL!!!!  I even have a Dandelion set myself that I love to use.

As a kid....blowing the little 'thistles'?? off the Dandelion flower...and making a wish was so much fun.  Never thought about how much my Dad loved mowing the lawn and trying to RID our lawn of those things.....just thought it was naturally part of a lawn!!
And, actually, who is to say that it's not!!!  They have to have been made for some reason......maybe just for kids to wish on....huh??

Have a great day!!!

Hugs,
Char

Gotta love birthday jokes

Gotta love the birthday jokes....especially at my age!!  LOL

This one is from a friend that I met through The Angel Company and now comes to WAG (Weekend Away with the Girls) every year.

I love that cupcake embossing folder.....I'll have to search for it.  Too cute....and I love how she put glitter on some of the cupcakes.

Was very surprised to get a card in the mail from this gal.....but a FUN surprise....and so cute!!!  And, there has been a LOT of sun this year here on our side of Oregon.  Actually, I am sort of looking forward to the cooler temperatures that Fall usually brings.....but it's still been in the 80's .....but I won't complain....as soon it will dip into the teens....and we'll be scraping frost and ice from our windshields....and I'll actually have to wear a coat!!

Have a great day!!!
Char

Brown Eyed Susan card

Wow....when I got this card....that's what I said.

Gotta find some of those flowers, somewhere.  It was really an eye popping card with the stamped images behind the flower.

She sewed a button on the flower...and it sets it off so cute!!!


Thanks, Lynette!!!

Hugs,
Char

Happy Friday!!!

Isn't this a gorgeous card???  I received this from an online friend.

It is really beautiful inside and out.  I should have taken a photo of the inside, too.  She used the same designer paper and black and white card stock to line both sides of the inside of the card.  Then, she put white card stock on the right inside....and attached two corners punched out of the same background paper.

So delicate and pretty.....and will be up in my stamp room for along time!!!

This card is also from an online friend.  She stamped a flourish of some kind in dark lavender....and then punched out little butterflies......and one larger one at the top left.

The card opens from the middle....well, actually to the left of the middle!!!  Another card design I will have to CASE!!!

So pretty!!!

See ya tomorrow!!
Char

Happy Birthday, again

This card is from my older Sister.  I just had to share it......it's even prettier in person.

She used some sort of die....not sure which one....but it's really sparkly and fun!!

This was actually a little booklet from a friend of mine up in WA.  Love it!!!

But, it would be fun to make something like this with different poems and verses inside.

Another cute card with a bookmark from an online friend.  She filled it with confetti....and when I opened it....yep, you guessed it......all over my rug, that I had JUST vacuumed.....lol.

More shares, tomorrow.

Have a great day!!

Char

Let's not forget!!!

Please take a moment to remember those who lost their lives during 911.
Also for the brave people that stepped up to help out during this time.

Pray for our country!!!  

Busy month.....

Well, September has hit.....first Hubby's birthday on the 1st and then mine on the 9th.  I actually got to celebrate from Saturday, Sept 7th through my actual birthday. David brought me flowers on Saturday, bought a cheesecake and fixed dinner.  I wanted fried potatoes and eggs....believe it or not...so that's what he made.  We started on Saturday.....because we were all home together at one time.  Hey....I can celebrate all weekend....works for me :-)

Sunday, he made dinner again!!!  Pork nuggets, baked potato fries and ??....sheesh, I forgot...some sort of veggie.

Monday, my Granddaughter gave me my birthday gifts before we left to go to her foot doctor appointment and then took me out to breakfast and then we went shopping.  :-)

We had spaghetti for dinner, that night.....and cheesecake for dessert.  I received phone calls from family and friends,  FB messages and cards!!!  I felt truly blessed.

Here are a few cards that I received....I just have to share them...they are all so wonderful.  I'll share more over the next few days.....and then I will have projects to share from WAG......and then cards from Septembers SU class.  So, this month will be full of posts....as well as next month.

Here is the first card from my friend, Rita.

 Isn't it cute???  I love the layout of the card, too.  I am going to have to ask her for the dimensions of the card so I can CASE it.

Here is another card from my friend, Michelle who shares the same birthday as mine...although YOUNGER....lol.   I completely spaced sending her a card....so will surprise her later!!

More tomorrow!!!

Halloween is a comin

I received the card below from my friend, Rita Holmes.  Rita used Amuse Studio stamps, die cuts, card stock and designer paper.  Isn't it just the cutest card????  I love how she did it so that the top flap comes up (I should have taken a photo to show that).  The little ghost hides behind the scalloped circle.  And, under the flap, she stamped "Happy Haunting".  I just love Amuse's dotted and chevron card stock.

This set is in the new 2013 holiday catalog and inspiration guide.  It's on page 9.  Of course, if you don't have a catalog, you can always contact Rita or go to her website here.

Anyway, the stamp set is $16.99 and the die set is $10.99.  You don't have to use the same papers she did....but they sure are cute together.

We are taking our Granddaughter to the Pumpkin Patch in October and she is getting really excited and calls us more often than usual.  She just can hardly wait!!

So, I thought I would start sending her a card each week, building up to the day!!

I decided to use Rita's idea for my card.....seeing how I haven't ordered the stamp/die set yet, I had to use things I had around here. Believe it or not, I don't have a ghost stamp.  I rarely do Halloween cards except to send to my Granddaughters.  So, I used the Pumpkin Die set from Sizzix and then used stickers for his eyes and mouth and a ghost sticker and a Spooky sticker.

It's always fun to get a new card shape or layering idea.

Thanks Rita!!!

Have a great day!!!

Char

Christmas around the corner

I know it's just September but like I always tell my kids/grand kids....once September comes watch out because.... WHAM, it's December.

So, I decided to start on my Christmas cards, this year a little early.

Here is one that I made, the other day, trying to use up some dsp that I bought at a yard sale.

I used Cherry Cobbler and Wild Wasbi inks and Cherry Cobbler card stock.

I adhered the DSP onto a Cherry Cobbler card and then, I used the snowflakes embossing folder from Provo Craft and embossed a white piece of card stock and then sponged it with Wild Wasabi.

I punched out a scalloped circle from the white embossed card stock and layered it over the DSP that was layered to the card, so that the DSP showed through.

Then, I adhered a smaller scalloped circle in the middle with the coffee cup stamped on it.  You can't tell in the photo, but I added some glitter pen to the steam coming out of the cup....and added a tiny pearl to the middle of the snowflake.

I layered a strip of DSP between to the bottom of the card and adhered a white modern label punch stamped with Merry Christmas to a red modern label punch (which had been cut in half and layered so that it stuck out either end).  I added a pearl to each end of the label.

Hopefully, I can make a few cards, each week, we'll see how it goes.  I always have good intentions :-)

Have a great day!!!

Char

Something's Fishy

On one of the Yahoo stamp groups that I am on, we have an alphabet swap going on.  We are now on the letter G....but these were two cards done for the letter F.

The top card is from one of the gals on that group that sent to me.   I sent the bottom card to another gal.
What is funny is that they are similar in that they are both fish bowl cards....but neither of us had any clue that the other person was making a fish  card.                                                                  

It just goes to show how Great Minds Think Alike!!

I started an Alphabet swap on my yahoo group, too.  It is a lot of fun to try and come up with different ideas for the letters of the alphabet.  Some letters may prove to be much harder than others.

Anyway, I thought I would share!!

Have a Great day!!!

Char

Happy Birthday to my Hubby!!

Today, is my husband's 69th birthday.  All he wanted was for me to make this dessert that I had made back in January.  Of course, he won't just get this dessert but of course I WILL make it for him.

I'd say it's a cheesecake type dessert with apples/cranberries and an almond flour topping.

Here's the recipe should you decide you would like to try it.  It's really yummy!!

APPLE CRANBERRY CRUMBLE

Crust and Crumble topping:

3 C. almond Meal

1 stick butter, softened

1 C. Xylitol (or other sweetener equivalent to 1 cup of sugar)

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon molasses 

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Filling:

16 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

1/2 cup Xylitol (or other sweetener equivalent to 1/2 cup sugar)

1 Granny Smith apple (or other variety)

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup fresh cranberries

Preheat oven to 350º F.  In a large bowl, combine almond meal, butter, sweetener, cinnamon, molasses, vanilla and salt and mix.

Grease a 9 1/2" tart or pie pan.  Using approximately 1 cup of the almond meal mixture, form a thin bottom crust with your hands or a spoon.  In another bowl, combine cream cheese, eggs and sweetener and mix with spoon or mixer at low speed.  Pour into tart or pie pan.  Core apple and slice into very thin sections.  Arrange in circles around the edge of the cream cheese mixture, working inwards.  Distribute cranberries over top, then sprinkle cinnamon over entire mixture.  Gently layer remaining almond meal crumble evenly over top.  Bake for 30 minutes or until topping is lightly browned.

Hope you like it as much as he does.

Have a Great day!!!