Happy Birthday Jules

My good friend Julie has the same birthday as my sister who passed 8 years ago...seems like yesterday at times, while at other times it feels as if she's still just a phone call away.  So anyway!  Jules birthday was looming over head and I do so love her, but could she have picked different day to be born????!!! lol~  We went shopping a week before and we found this baking dish that matches her china!  What a find!  First, because it was her long ago retired pattern.  Secondly because it was a 9X13 baker??!!  As some of you know, I am the best shopper when it comes to finding that strange thing-a-ma-jig you once remembered from your grandmothers house in Oklahoma or where ever your grandmother's from!  I've gotten steals on Guardian Service Ware, long ago retired china, chairs, tables, hutches, jewelry, crystal, and even a chandelier! My designers eye provides me the ability to see the hidden gems in the mist of all the junk.

So I've had her gift, and her birthday came and went...I called her and wished her the best day and joked that I hadn't gotten her gift wrapped (I now have had the baker for 2 weeks! shame on me!)  She laughed and said to give it to her for Christmas..she's so funny and knows how hard that day is for me.

If I had to sum up Jules personality into one word it would be, well...I can't in one word!  But she's always singing a song with a smile on her face, and her bright blue eyes sparkling with love and laughter.  And she knows every word to every song you throw at her, but one.  One year, I got her!  You've seen those singing cards.  The ones that have songs from the 50's that are big band, and loud, and have got a beat that you can just picture yourself swing dancing to?  Well this card had the song "Your The Top" by Ethel Merman.  And she didn't know it!  Lucky me!  We had such a blast watching her memorize all the words...opening the card over and over again so she didn't miss a word!  And now Jules knows all the songs!

This card I made for Jules.  She's so 50's and her kitchen was yellow and blue for many years.  Every time I think of Jules, I think of a bright blue sky and the most sunny summer day, and sitting at her kitchen table chatting the morning away!

This is not an SU! snob card like my previous ones posted.  I say that in only the most endearing way!  And I can only say that because I was a SU! snob for many years.  I just needed to leap out of the SU! box and explore the great big world of paper crafts out there!  The stamps are Papertrey Ink, For the Graduate, and Hero Arts, Paisley.  Cardstock is SU! and I made the DSP rosette from a scrap 12x12 paper I had.  It's simple, but pretty I think!  And though I just made it, and Jules birthday was in April, I'm sure when I give it to her next week, she'll love it even though it's late!

So how late is too late to send a card?  Let me know your thoughts!

Winks & Wishes 

Christie

Happy May Day!

Ok, So I'm a little late with that!  Actually, I've been MIA for over a month now!  Wow how the time flies!  And I've been so busy!  Mother's Day, a Stamping event where I caught up with my friend Linda Hansen, and of course my J.O.B..  Well, so much to show, I'll just get started!

This is a card I created using STAMPIN' UP! ONLY stuff!  I know!  Can you believe it?!  And let me tell you, that was hard!  I haven't been a SU! snob for a while now, and it took some digging in my stash to find current stuff and not add some other products that weren't SU!.. But I did it!  And I did it THREE TIMES~! (gasp!  I know!:)

I love them both!  Don't just hate cutting things out?  I do!  But it does make all the difference!

So here's the recipe for the Butterfly card.
CS:  DSP Cottage Wall, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss, Orchid Opulence.
Inks:  Rich Razzelberry, Orchid Opulence.
Stamp Set: Great Friend.

Blue Card:
CS:  Bordering Blue,  Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Ballet Blue..
Inks:  Markers, same as card stock
Stamp:  Le Jardin Botanique  Embillies are buttons, & grosgrain ribbon, and the new SAB punch.

So you may be asking, where's the third card???  Never Fear!  It is HERE!

The colors are way off on this.  I'm not sure why...could it be the rainy day we are having in NI toying with my camera?  Most likely!  It is beautiful though.  I used the Hostess level 2 set Asian Artistry and used SU! Markers and inked up the stamp.  It is really pretty!  Guess you'll have to take my word for it! ;)

These cards were created for the Stampin event I went to in Crystal Lake.  It was such a good time!  I met several great people and learned some really cool techniques!  One of my favorite was when Beckie Cox showed us how to use a fork to tie a PERFECT bow!  And let me tell you!  IT was perfect!  Maybe I'll try my hand at making a video.....maybe .  I will definitely be showing how to make it at this months Stamp Camp!

This was the same event I got to catch up with my ol friend Linda.  I first met Linda at my first and sadly only SU! convention....  And I don't even remember how long ago that was!  She is such an inspiration to me!  It was fun chatting and seeing her since her surgery.  If you have ever considered gastric by pass surgery, I highly recommend you visit Linda's blog.  Sure there will be much more than just information on her surgery!  She is a crafter, mother, grandmother, friend, successful motivational speaker, friend, and wife...you could say she's one talented, busy lady!

Well, I have so much more I should share.  But this post shouldn't take 2 hours to read and enjoy!  You'll just have to check back tomorrow to see the pretty I made this morning!

Winks & Wishes!
Christie