The First Day of Summer

Here in my town it has felt like summer for quite a while. I took my camera out with me on errands to capture shots of this first day of summer.  Here is where I'd like to be today - on that bridge headed to the beach. I don't believe you can see that bridge too well in this photo reduced so, but it is there. This is looking at US 1 along the Inter-coastal.

     Still reeling from our exciting time at the StampFest on Saturday I have made my first card with some of our new goodies.  Last night DD and I played with some Smooches dropped in a bowl of water. This is one of the techniques we learned Saturday at the show. It is done with glossy card stock. The tips of the Smooch product is touched to the water and it floats. It can be swirled as desired. I used a new Tim Holtz embossing folder for the brick background with the purely pomegranate card stock. The tiny satin ribbon is probably from Joann's and everything else is from Stampin Up!

Working on cards lately

Seems Christmas is on the mind since the folks over at ScrapAttackScrapbooking.com is encouraging us to make Christmas cards for the troops. We are having a challenge every few days and here are #4 and #5.

Number 4 challenge was to make a snow person or use snow in some way - can you tell my snow person is looking up at the snowy sky? Then #5 was from a sketch given us.  I was looking around for inspiration for the colors to use. I use navy and red a lot and wanted to find something different. I hit on using the green and gold, since I wanted to emboss the flourish on the card anyway. This is my absolute new favorite perfume! I smelled this fragrance in the book but in person and on me IT IS FABULOUS. I love my Avon dear daughter!

Texture Boutique is mine now

More fun! I have been enjoying my new find - the Sizzix Texture Boutique. It looks like a pretty blue purse and is too adorable. I hadn't been ready for the Big Shot, even though I thought I really wanted one. But when I came across this deal I decided to go for it. For cutting I still have my Cricut anyway.

My friend brought over her collection of folders and DD and I had a fun time playing. I made one card so far using a leaf folder on a patterned green. I used the embossed piece as background for the new doe and fawn stamp I found at the same shop.
I'm playing around with adding ink to the embossed pieces. I have come up with a nice idea for an old house but haven't turned it into a card yet. I love the big rose one and want to work with it more. So far I haven't decided on a spot in my scrapbooking layouts yet, but I'm sure I will find a way. I'm open for suggestions, btw! lol

So here is a pic my DD took of me with my new toy.

Another St. Patrick's Day card

Here is another fun card I made last night. I wanted to use some glitter and so I got out the Heat and Stick jar of powder from Stampin' Up. I used VersaMark with a heart stamp to create the shamrock look then added the delicate green glitter. Now my stamp table will have an occasional sparkle surprise as it is impossible to recapture them all.
I used a marker on the shamrock part of the main stamp and repeatedly stamped a border. Since the "Go Green" sentiment reminds me of the theme of recycling, I thought it cute to add the pop top.


Next card is a photo card I made with an inspiring quote I found from Mother Teresa.
"Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness". I used a photo I had taken of candles and worked it u p in Adobe PhotoShop Elements. I cut the photo down a bit and matted it to white cardstock. Because it is on glossy photo paper it was hard to photograph without glare.

Etsy Shop Up

In the wee hours of this morning I put up some cards in my new Etsy Shop. It would be so fun to put these cards to good use and pick up a little cash to buy more supplies with. Getting up for church went better than I thought after such a late night at the computer.
I'm excited about the St. Patrick's Day card design I came up with - hope someone besides friend and DD like it too. The stamp (from Stampin' Up) seemed just right for this recycled pop top to be used as a buckle.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JoyAnnDesigns