All my "Get Well" cards...

 Here's all the "Get Well" cards I received when I returned to New Jersey from my emergency surgery ordeal while out in Ohio.  They are displayed on our mantel in New Jersey. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. There's nothing like snail mail to help with the healing. I'm STILL beaming... :)

I was so touched, I decided to pay it forward by sending each and everyone who sent me a card, a card in return.  I made eighteen of these.  I picked a couple "Fall" papers at Hobby Lobby and combined them with papers I already had and created this Starburst.  I stamped the "thoughtful" sentiment, added the burnt orange ribbon and bada bing, bada boom, ready to mail!!  These all went postal Thursday, Friday and Saturday of last week.  I think the majority have been received by now so I can "Go Live!" with this post... :)

 

This was relatively quick for me to do that I could easily do more for my final shipment of the year to Operation Write Home.  And with only recuperation time on my hands until the middle of November... well, my not?



Inspiration Challenge...

 Colleen gave us a challenge this weekend on Seongsook's Stampers to create an inspirational card for someone who could use some encouragement.  This first card, I was trying to keep with fall colors.  I used three different Marvy pens on the sentiment and then huffed on it to make the ink "wet" again before stamping.  I know someone I would really, really like to send this to... but I don't have her address.

 

This second card is the good ol' Starburst that I've taken completely circular.  I think the paper with the black printing in the lower left is a little too out of place in this card (didn't look that way until I photographed it).  Next time, I'll skip that piece... :)

 

So, here are two submissions for the challenge... time for more?  Who knows...



I am LOVING this...

 I saw a card featured this week on OWH that had a small rainbow colored starburst used as a kite.  As I was trying to figure out how that was done, I created this.  I LOVE this!  I mean I REALLY love this!  This is SOOO up my alley in the bright department...

 

These pieces, just like in the previous post, were already cut.  Since I really love making a starburst rainbow, that wasn't all that surprising to find this group of cut pieces.  I haven't however, ever done one vertically.  I made eight.  And even after I've made all these Starburst cards today, there are STILL pieces cut for more...

 

So now, I am up to 28 cards made in June using ONLY what I have in my studio... 



Look what I found...

I've been out of my studio for ten days!  TEN days!  Ou vey!  So, I'm playing catch-up on my personal challenge to make between 50 and 100 cards during the month of June, using only products that already exist in my studio.  I came across these starburst pieces already cut... HA!  Half the job was already done!  So, why not finish it.  I don't remember ever wanting to make only black and white starburst but apparently I was thinking something.  Who knows at this point! Anyway, I made four...

 

SO, for the month of June, I have made 20 cards using only products I already have.  I better get a move on, it's past the middle of the month... yikes!



It's Bloghop time!!

Happy Memorial Day!
Join me as we honor those who have fought for our freedoms...

All of my cards in this post will be used as fronts for "Any Hero" notes that I have to forward to OWH during this month of Military Appreciation.  This first set of cards is using paper from a 12" x 12" pad called "Americana" that I acquired at a Yard Sale for a mere $2.  Talk about score!  All the sheets were still in it and in perfect condition...

This second set of cards are ones I CASEd many moons ago, when Zack ran his campaign to have every student at Marblehead High School write an "Any Hero" note.  I loved it so much, I've made it many, many times since then.  I don't know where the digi is from so if anyone can fill me in, I'd be grateful...
Update:  Click HERE for the link to the digi, thank you Elsie B.

And of course, what's a Blog Hop without the trusty old Scrappy Background and Starburst.  This last set of cards used only scraps from my "Any Hero" box.  That includes previously stamped images, stickers and digis.  Once again, if you know where the "Star Spangled happiness... " digi is from, please enlighten me... :)

SO, why so many "Any Hero" fronts?  One of Zack's final assignments in his Communications class at Embry-Riddle this past semester was to give a Persuasive Argument.  Zack choose to persuade his audience on why they should write a note of encouragement to a deployed hero.  Three quarters of his class obliged.  Sandy, if you're reading this, you would have beamed.  Zack showed me the link of the "argument" and I could not be prouder!  It overwhelms me to know my passion is his passion...

Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day!  Enjoy your time... and remember our heroes, past and present.  To get back to the beginning of the Blog Hop, click HERE


Here comes the sun... little darling.

A few months ago, I had an overnight visit with Sherry in Ohio.  One of the things we experimented with was this starburst.  Sherry has some of the most wonderful pre-cut papers and I "borrowed" a few from her yellow and orange collection and brought them back to Jersey.  I made this shortly after I returned (minus the sun) and had it sitting on my shelf staring at me, day in and day out for the past three months.  I just couldn't decide what to put in the center.  As I was working on my Project Life last week, I stumbled across this embellishment from Creative Memories and it STRUCK me... it belongs in the center of this card!  I just love this, it makes me smile...



Another starburst...

 

So, while the rest of you are cooking up a storm and getting ready for your company tomorrow, I'm anxiously waiting for my husband to arrive from Ohio where he has been for the last week.  I can't sit still so I searched Pinterest and found a different version of my oh so favorite starburst to try.  LINK here...

 

The paper is from a 6"x 6" pad from My Mind's Eye called "lime twist".  The sentiment is one I stamped at Sherry's house while visiting her last week.  One of my favorites... hmmm, maybe I should buy it?

 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...



Under the wire...

 

I just finished my Christmas Card Challenge for August with three hours to spare (see side bar)... woo hoo!!  With all that's been going on this month in my personal life, this challenge took a back seat.  BUT, because I never quit... I had to get working FAST, before August disappeared. 

 

Using the new found knowledge that pads of paper are color coordinated, I took ALL of these from a 12" x 12" pad I purchased two Christmases ago after the holiday called Yuletide by K & Company.  The blingie thingy's are something Sherry sent me in a swap... they are pretty cool!   Sentiment is from a Stampin' Up set.

 

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Where have I been?

And did you miss me?  Zack, Ernie and I had the most EXCELLENT vacation in a cottage, on the beach, in Maine with my two brothers, their significant others and children the first week of July.  It has taken me this long (ten days) to recover.  I can't WAIT to do it again...

SO... back to crafting! 

I kinda just threw these together after CASEing one Sherry had sent me in an email.  The paper is all from K&Company's "Tim Coffey" collection.  I punched the flourish from the same paper.  I thought my bottom bordered piece was too tall so I added the ribbon and LOVED it!  The sentiment is from Sherry.  She and I have exchanged some sentiments to broaden our card making capabilities.  It's great to try new things... :)

A vintage request...

Of course I must have a post on my birthday!!  Making cards is my most favorite thing to do these days!  This card was created for the woman who has done my nails for the past 19 years.  She asked me to make her a "vintage" thank you card.  I had no idea where to start so what did I do?  I asked for advice from my favorite people... the ladies on the facebook page for Operation Write Home.  With their suggestions AND following the starburst tutorial on the Stars and Stamps blog, I came up with this.  The bottom piece and a couple "bursts" are from a paper bag she uses for merchandise that is sold at the Salon.  I was so pleased with the result.  I'd say this is the prettiest card I've ever made...

Playing around...

Following a tutorial on the Stars and Stripes blog on the OWH site, I came up with this...