My Patio

I've finally got my spring planting done, all the weeds pulled and the mulch put down. I'm so satisfied with the outcome that I want to share with all of you. Check out my beautiful patio.



This is my little sanctuary after a long day at work or on Saturday morning reading the paper and having a cup of coffee. It looks so lush and beautiful. I've even scrapbooked on the patio on warm summer days. I love being outside! Maybe I'll host one of my stamp-a-stack classes on the patio!!

Now you can picture me outside enjoying my patio with my dogs!

Linda

Co-Op

I belong to a produce co-op in my community. Every other week I purchase a basket of local produce for $23. Tonight I went to pick up my basket and I got there early enough to help them sort the produce. It was so much fun. The ladies that coordinate this co-op were so organized. I was very impressed. Look at all the stuff I got.


The only problem is that it's a little fruit heavy -- I'd rather have more vegetables than fruit but I'm learning to like the fruit.

If you live in the Alton/Godfrey, IL area, ask me about the co-op. You may want to join and get your own basket of fresh, local produce!!

Linda

The New Catalog is Coming!!!

Do you want to pre-order a 2010-2011 Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog? I will be putting in my order on May 31, so that I will receive the first shipment of catalogs that go out, they are scheduled to ship around June 18, so I should have them before the end of June.

You can begin ordering out of the new catalog at noon on July 1st, 2010. It is a whole 16 pages longer then before...how cool is that?

If you do not have a regular Demonstrator and you would like to pick one up at my stampin' studio, all you need to do is let me know you want one so I can reserve one for you. My email address is: stampcrazy2002@sbcglobal.net

I'm so excited -- I can't wait to see the new catalog!!

Linda

April Showers brings May Flowers!

Here are the cards we are making for my May Stamp-a-Stack classes. They all have beautiful flowers on them. May is such a pretty time for flowers. I'm a little late in planting flowers on my patio this year. I hope to get that done this weekend but right now it's raining so I decided to share some cards with flowers!!

One of my customers purchased two of the two-step stamp sets from last month's special and asked if I would like to borrow them and make cards for our class. Of course, what a great idea!!! On this card I used the Greenhouse Garden set. I totally CASEd the card here -- why mess with a good thing. I used a few of the retiring colors as a fond farewell -- I'm going to miss some of them.

Supplies: Greenhouse Garden stamp set; Almost Amethyst, Bashful Blue, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery and Basic Black Stampin' Pads; Whisper White , Apricot Appeal, Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery CS; White Taffeta Ribbon, Scallop Oval and Large Oval punches, Paper Piercing Tool and Stampin' Dimensionals.

The next card uses the Flower Fancy two-step stamp set. The inspiration for this card (okay, I just CASEd it) was found here.

Supplies: Flower Fancy and Warmest Regards (retired) stamp sets; Basic Brown and Not Quite Navy Stampin' Pads; Very Vanilla, Not Quite Navy CS and Bella Bleu DSP; Eyelet Border punch; Blender Pens, Sponge and Stampin' Dimensionals.

One of my favorite stamp sets in the new Summer Mini Catalog is Elements of Style. There is so much you can do with it. I've highlighted this stamp set at my classes this month with two different looks. The first is a beautiful black & white card using Whisper White cardstock and Stazon ink. (Note: SU Basic Black ink has an almost blue shade to it so for true black I used Stazon.) Check out Alison's blog to see where I got the idea. It is so classy - it would make a great wedding card!

Supplies: Elements of Style stamp set; Stazon Ink; Whisper White, Basic Black CS and Night & Day DSP (retired); Scallop Circle and Extra Large Flower punches; Black Satin Ribbon; Black Vintage Brad and Stampin' Dimensionals.

On my second card I colored in the flowers and used the new Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz. Can you see the shimmer??

I sponged the entire card in Chocolate Chip to give it that nice vintage look. I got the idea from Gretchen Barron. She is a very talented stamper and I like to follow her blog. Check it out. I think I may try making her pansies next month!

Here's the entire card. What do you think? Isn't it beautiful?

Supplies: Elements of Style stamp set; Stazon Ink, Mellow Moss, Old Olive and Rose Red Stampin' Pads; Whisper White, Mellow Moss, Chocolate Chip and Rose Red CS; Blender Pen; Scallop Circle and various other SU Circle punches, Corner Rounder punch; Chocolate Grosgrain Ribbon; Sponges and Stampin' Dimensionals.

That's all for now. It looks like it stopped raining. I'm putting on my rain boots and heading out to the patio for some weeding and planting. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by. Leave me a comment -- I'd love to hear from you.

Linda

A Special Pair

Check out this adorable anniversary card I received from my downline, Susan. Okay, I know it's not Stampin' Up! but I just love the saying -- "a special pair." She said she used a special stencil that she got at a scrapbook store. How clever!!

Thanks, Susan, you are so thoughtful!

Thanks for stopping in.

Linda

Where's my Mama?

Okay, I went away last weekend for Mother's Day. Here is a picture of one of my dogs, Luke, that I found when I was going through some old pictures. Even though I took this picture last fall (see the leaves), this is what he does when I'm not home. He just waits for me at the door. Isn't he the cutest? It's so nice to come home to my dogs -- they are the best welcoming group!!!

Any way, my daughter, Missy, lives near Madison, WI and since I live in St. Louis, MO one of us has to travel on Mother's Day. Many times we try to meet in the middle for a "girls weekend." Bloomington, IL is half way between Madison and St. Louis. We had a great time last weekend. Bloomington has a nice mall and great restaurants so we did a little shopping and a LOT of eating. Missy treated me most of the weekend but Sunday we went to a fantastic Mother's Day brunch at the Parke Hotel. Check out the desserts!!!

I think we sampled all of them!!! Here we are before eating -- afterwards they just rolled us out of the hotel, lol!!!


I hope all of you mothers out there had a wonderful Mother's Day.

Linda

Happy Anniveersary!

Today is my 15th wedding anniversary. I can't believe how quickly time flies. My sweet husband, Art, and I have known each other for 17 years!! The blessings I've received through being married to him are immeasurable -- his three children have given me the 7 most beautiful grandchildren ever!

Times may get tough, frustration and irritation may come and go but the bottom line is -- I love you, sweetie. Happy Anniversary!!

Girls in Caps!

I know it's been awhile since I've posted any of my card or scrapbook projects, but let me show you what I've been working on. I've now come back to crocheting. I was knitting this winter but I found this simple pattern for these adorable skull caps. Well, of course, I had to make some for my cutie putie granddaughters.

Here is 3 1/2 year old Grace wearing a cap made with "self-striping" cotton yarn. Isn't she adorable sitting on Grampy's lap?


Look at Guinevere (5 years old) with all her personality!! We had our own little "camera shoot" in the backyard. I can see her on America's Top Model some day (or it could be that I'm just a little biased and think she's too stinkin' cute, lol!!)

Thanks for taking time to stop by. Leave me a comment -- I'd love to hear from you!

Linda