Friendship Strips

I had a great time last week playing with the new TAC set Friendship Strips. If you look here you will see it used in a few cards using the limited edition set Just Dreamy, available only until Aug 15. I used the dotted line as an accent bar for the angel image, the diamond strip as a background on the bottom of a card, and the 4 lined strip as an overall background. I did make a few more but sent them away for a contest for TAC so I can not show them to you. But these images can be used for backgrounds, plaids, lines across the card, an accent and so much more. It is a very versatile set for sure!

The first cards I used the Hostess set The Morning Buzz . I placed the solid strip as an accent for the image. In the second one I used the solid strip in Burnt Umber and the 4 lined image in lavender to create a plaid on the bottom of the card. And then added the long word image on the top. I had this circle punched out with a second circle off center laying on my desk and decided to use it to accent the words 'good friend'. I stamped it repeatedly with the bold circle strip and added a ribbon bow.

My angel friend Heather Scott is also featuring this set right now on her blog so go check it out.

As a reminder that I am offering the Natalee Kit Class class next week and still have some openings if you are interested. Wed 8/13 from 1:30 or 6-8:30, on Sunday 8/17 from 2-4:30 or on Monday from 6-8:30. I have a few kits ready to go but please let me know soon so if I have to order more. Click here to see lots of pictures of it. It is a really neat class! Have a great day!! Blessings

Wine country & old friends

* Reminder to click on the pictures for a better view.

I have been blessed to have many different groups of friends. I made this little mini book to honor my great friends from high school. Yes, that was a long, long time ago, but we have stayed close all of these years. One of these friends I have been close to since 5 th grade when we took violin lessons together. We get together once a month (or more) for dinner, a show, a special trip, golf, or whatever. I have been blessed to have these woman in my life. We all know each other's history and stories and share our most inter parts with each other. We go through the good times and the bad times together, with support, prayers, laughs, wine (of course!) and fellowship. I hope that each of you have been blessed with friends like this.

Last summer we took a tour of two of the local vineyards and had so much fun! We learned how to drink different wines, how wine was made, and of course got to taste different types too! I will always remember the trip and our close ties to each other. This book puts the memories together for me in a special way.

It is basically a card, 4.25 x 5.5", that I added on some of my left over pieces from the Woodrowe kit from TAC. On the front and the inside top, I added a page that flips open. This allowed me to add four pictures on each section. Then the bottom inside of the card. I added one of the pockets. In the pockets from the kit and I put two pull out sections that I have pictures on each side. The left top two pictures are from the front of the book and the right two are from the inside top. Then the bottom left two pictures are from the pocket with the pull outs.

I decorated it with ribbons, tags and tabs from the kit, and stamps. This could be added to another larger page to add more pictures or used just as a mini book of one occasion like I am using it. On the pull out sections I stamped words on the pictures themselves with Noir Palette ink.

When you take the time to make a mini album you bring back all of the feelings and fun that are associated with the pictures you are using. Then every time you look at it or share it with a friends these same feelings and thoughts come back. So I really do hope all of you are keeping your memories alive and close to your heart by scraping them. The time I put into this book, maybe 2 hours, is nothing to the joy it will bring me. They have not seen it yet, but I will be sending them the link to my blog to read. Thanks you Carol, Ally, and Sherry for being an important and meaningful part of my life! I challenge each of you readers to share your thank yous to those who are close to you and your memories today. Blessings

Natalee Kit ... WOW!!

We made this new kit, Natalee, at seminar and I came home and finished it up. I think is is gorgeous!! It is a mantel accordion book and you can decorate both sides since it is made from 100# double sided paper. It has frames, pockets, and word plates in the kit with edges scored and ready to turn under and put in the book. These give the pages a 3D look. I will be teaching a class with this kit at my home in Aug. and and at Lakeland Community College in October. I added a lot of extra embellishments: ribbons, tags, punches, pull outs, Scrapper's Floss etc. It totally matches the Angelee SWIC so all of the papers, tags and embellishments from Angelee can be used with Natalee, too. I used our new Cardstock Strips in ivory, flowers and buttons from the new Audrey Embellishment Jar and some of the new punches! I stamped it with one of my new favorite sets, 'Always Remember' with Burnt Umber ink. It is so much more in real life!

Click here to see more pictures of this project. It will take you to my Flickr account. If you want to see a slideshow there is a button in the upper right corner. Enjoy your day!! Blessings

PS. If you are local I will have it at my Open house this Saturday from 1-5 in Mentor for you to see. Please RSVP so I know how many will be attending for the simple Make-n-takes I am preparing.

New creations

The last few days I have been busy, I but have tried to get a little creating done too. Thurs night and this morning I was on fire with all the new kits, papers and stamps! I am totally amazed these new kits! No .. I am not showing them today but will as soon as I get pictures taken. This first card is made with monochromatic card stock (p. 112) the blue greens. It really matches so many of our SWIC papers. Here I scored down each side of the darker color with my Scor-pal and then evenly punched holes with my Crop-a-dile in the middle. I love the look of the lighter color showing through. The tag is from out new line of Reese SWIC! The tags are gorgeous!! The stamps are from the new set 'Welcome Home'. A real quick and easy card with style! Click to enlarge for details

The second card is the same idea with a stripe of the darker monochromatic paper down the side put this time I used the Scor-pal and embossed two lines down each side and then the Crop-a-dile to emboss raised circles in the middle. I used the 'With Sympathy ' set for the words and another tag from the Reese SWIC. Don't they both have a clean and fresh look with the teals and brown colors! Enjoy your weekend. Blessings to all.

Linear Sentiments part 2

OK.. so it wasn't Blogger that was the problem yesterday .. my computer saved my scans as .tif instead of .jpg so it would not take the pictures. I am glad I figured it out!! Here is the dotted flower from 'Linear Sentiments', used as a background stamps in a light pink on beige card stock. The tag is from the new Kit Natalee, the dragonfly is from the new Level C Hostess set (which I love!!) and the word 'friendship' is from the new Level A Hostess set called 'Laughter'. The dotted flower looks quite different from yesterday's cards! Crystal Stickles is added for extra bling!

The second card used the dotted circle from the set done in a darker shade. I then stamped 'thank you' from 'Ordinary Greetings' in Burnt Umber inside each of the circles. I used the Scor-pal to add embossed lines on each side of the sentiment stripe. The flower at the top was punched out with one of our new flower punches from the scraps from the new circle kit Sydney. Oh, I added more Crystal Stickles!

The last card I again used the scrapes from the new circle kit Sydney for the curved corner. The main flower was stamped once and then twisted 90 degrees and stamped again without re-inking to have the dirty stamped and layered look. I put Crystal Stickles in all of the dots! It really shines.

This is a timeless and classic set that has so much potential! All of the cards I did are quick and easy and remember I did them on a filled stamping table too!! Today I finished cutting out all of my new sets, getting them in DVD cases and labeled, cleaned off my stamping table, organized my trades. They are great!! Lots of good ideas! If you want to see them and try the new stamps be sure to come to my Open House on July 12!! Blessings

It's Here!!!

Yes, the new Inspiration Book & Catalogue fall/winter 2008 for The Angel Company(TM) is here!! It has 35 new stamp sets some of which I feel are timeless and classic for all different occasions, sex, ages and events, 3 new different types of mini book kits, 4 new paper collections, and lots of new embellishments and tools. What I love about this new Inspiration Book (IB) is that we have a new icon 'Punch it' for sets that coordinate with our punches, five sketches that are shown in the beginning of the book and then numbered throughout the book to show you samples using them, and my favorite is the Inspiring ideas are throughout the book showing you pictures with directions on how to make different projects! This is a must have IB to keep for years for all the the ideas, inspiration, motivation, samples, projects, color combinations and clever ways to embellish and put things together. And I have saved the best for last .. it is only $5!! If you would like to see it on line and/or download it go here. I have them available now so let me know if you need one. I will be having my Open House on Saturday, July 12 from 1-5 at the Faith Lutheran Church in Mentor to show off the samples and trades I have brought home with me. Please RSVP by July 7!! But you do not have to wait till then to get the new IB ... e-mail me if you want it sooner and we will work it out. I hope to get some of my samples posted for you t his week. Blessings

Been so busy ....

The Stamp-a-Stack was a great success!! I think everyone there had a great time, made lots of cards and meant new stampers. I know I enjoyed myself. Remember if you missed it, I can still sent you the directions with scans of all 12 cards me made for $10. I got great feed back on the designs too! I tried to show everyone who to get the most out of beautiful decorative papers but still have a great design and look for their cards. E-mail me privately if you are interested.

As some of you know, my large bedroom and bath are being redone ... it is about time!! Rust shag carpet just does not make it anymore .. at least for me. I am getting the windows in today. I get the job of stain all of the woodwork! I feel like I can do something at least to make it feel like mine. I am so excited!! I even got the date to put down the carpet today and they told me they may be putting in the bathroom today if the large window doesn't cause them too much work. It is so heavy they have to have three guys here and take it up the outside of the house.

If you have not been aware of the great special TAC is putting on right now .... let me tell you. They are offering both of the new matchbook kits, Pemberley Bay and Rockin' Roxie ($8.95 each) and a new limited edition set Kindness ($19.95) show above for only $28.90! I know I took advantage of it. And my bonus to you is if you get this kit or have a TAC matchbook kit already which you have not put together yet. Bring it over to my house, with your pictures, and stamping supplies and we will make them together ... for free. Yes, a free class! Either Sunday June 1 or Monday June 2 from 3-8. You can come and go at any time and do not have to stay the total time. I just need to know who will be coming so please RSVP by Friday June 6. This offer is only good until June 16. Enjoy your day!! Blessings

Life is short

I made this card using the same technique I explained in the last post. The bottom tag was made with the negative of the tag from Hemingway SWIC and one of the papers. The top embellishment was made from my Pemberly Bay Matchbook Kit. These two compliment each other so well. I added one of our new swirls around the bottom tag with matching Hemingway eyelets. The set I used in 'Life is Sort', one of the new sets in TAC's 2008 Inspiration Book. It is also one of our Signature Series sets.

Let me know if you need a copy for yourself and if you will be attending my Open House on Jan 25. I am getting ready to fly to San Antonio tomorrow and wouldn't it be that we have great weather here in Cleveland!! We broke a 100 year old record for high temperature today at 65 degrees and that was at noon! Blessings

Sneak Peeks!!!!!!

Inspiration Book & Catalogue 2008!! It is beautiful, sophisticated, and I am trilled to show you some of the new products in TAC'sstylish!! And has some awesome new sets, papers and accessories! First let me tell you, I will be having my Open House on January 25, in Mentor, from 6-9:30, so let me know if you are coming. And if you just can not wait till then, call or e-mail me, I will get your new Inspiration Book to you sooner! They all came yesterday and are $5 each or free if you book a party, join a Buying Power Group, or order $50.

Here is on of our new Matchbook Kits, Pemberly Bay. It matches our Hemingway and new Amberley Garace Sore with It Collections. So the hardwear, ribbons and matching card stock all coordinate with this kit. The kit is double sided, 100# card stock, pre-cut and scored so all you have to do is punch it out and decorate! It took me less than 10 minutes to make this one ... but I have not decorated it yet since it is so beautiful I am not sure yet what I want my theme. The folded matchbook measures 7 1/4" wide and 4 1/2" tall, perfect for 4 x 6 pictures or wallets. It comes with 7 pages, pre-scored and punched for perfect alignment which are 4 x 6 3/4 inches. One side is printed and the other a rich multi-shaded solid. They are $8.95 each. There is another one called Rockin' Roxie which has the bolder oranges, yellow, purples, lime, blue and greens, which will be great for kids, summer, vacations and more.

Here are a few of the highlights of the new 2008 Inspiration Book:

• Two Matchbook kits - they are awesome!
• Large swirly word sets - Elegant Sentiments
• New This is boy, This is girl and This is family sets - these are great!
  
• Dated disk set - for putting dates on cards or pages
• Paper mini books in various sizes - 6 x 6, 4 x 6, 5 1/2 x 8 1/5 and 8 x 8
  
• Chipboard Coasters - Scalloped and come in round or square.
• Cardboard Recipe Box & Dividers - sounds awesome
• Metal Hardware kit -bookplates, hinges, buckles, ribbon loops
• Metal Alphabet Kit
• Scrap-O-Dex - like a roll-o-dex that has white sheets
• DCWV Chipboard Stacks
• Bind it All - for binding mini books
• Scor Pal - excellent for scoring all of your paper projects
  
• Scalloped Punches! Mega and giga circle and squares
• New Wedding word set and Rejoicing with You sets
  
• New bold sets - different styles and quick to use
  
• Signature Series Set - with inspirational words like: Life is short, G is for Gratitude, Faithbooking, BooKoo Blessings, and more. (My favorites!)
  

I will have more samples tomorrow for you and I am getting my newsletter together also .. hope it have it ready on the first! Enjoy your day! Blessings