Barb's Little Something Just for You!

100 people coming for lunch? Need favors? Not a problem! My talented friend Barb designed this favor using the top note die edged in Pumpkin Pie. She aqua painted an image from Window on the World and snipped it out. Next she stamped the sentiment, tucked in a snack size peppermint patty and tied it all up with a bow. And then she did it 99 more times! The tables will have centerpieces of Chinese lanterns - perfect match don't you think? I have such creative friends..........and such creative Pals..........check out fellow Pal Martha Stewart's blog for other clever ways to wrap candy. Meanwhile I'm wondering if there is room for 101 people at that luncheon........maybe if I make my own favor............

Stampin' Up At the Brunch.........

The Friends of the Gloversville Public Library hosted its annual brunch today to raise money for library renovations. As a member of the Friends and a part time library employee, I have been involved with this event for the past three years. And when I get involved it seems Stampin' Up gets involved. 125 name tags were made from old card catalog cards. I used Chocolate Chip Designer Paper, ink and ribbon on them.

We raffled off 27 baskets. I typed up the contents of each basket and mounted the list on Chocolate Chip Designer Paper. My friends Barb and Trina did a beautiful job of wrapping each basket for display.











Local artists donated some beautiful pieces for an art auction. Bios of each artist and nameplates were mounted on textured black and white cardstock. My tabletop SU paper cutter made this job easy!


No Stampin' Up in the centerpieces but I thought you might like to see one. We hollowed out old books and inserted a vase. Local garden club ladies filled them with flowers from their gardens. Each centerpiece was unique!

It was a great community event. Now it's time to relax for the evening - I was still working on name tags at midnight last night. Please tell me I am not the only one who does that!

Bittersweet.......PPA9.....

I love bittersweet so that is what I focused on after seeing the inspiration picture for this week's PPA Challenge. I layered So Saffron on Chocolate Chip and topped it with a lightly patterned piece from Autumn Traditions. Then I created my own bittersweet background using a branch from the Embrace Life set and flowers from Pocket Silhouettes. (Baby steps, Mike Funke, I'm taking baby steps!) About this time of year my dad would bring me a bundle of bittersweet he had gathered on one of his wanderings with the dog or from a fishing expedition. He'd grumble about having to go "all the way to the old stone quarry" or "a mile upstream" but he never returned empty handed. He's been gone six years and I still miss him. But I give thanks for all 81 years he was here...........bittersweet.......

Serene Halloween.....Mojo105......

I know, I know - it's from the Serene Snowflake Set but I am just not in winter mode yet. It's apple picking time where I live. Leaves are turning. Pumpkins and cornstalks are everywhere. I'm in Halloween mode! This snowflake has a definite attitude - it's a bit edgy - and easily switches seasons to become the focal point for my Mojo Monday Halloween card. Cast-A-Spell Designer Paper was layered over Kiwi Kiss. Bits of silver, two ribbons and a small rub-on in the corner completed the card. Wishing you a Serene Halloween.......now there's an oxymoron for you!

KISS.......PPA8.....

Keeping it simple works for me! This card was so simple that I almost feel guilty. The terrific skeleton is from the Twick or Tweet set. I popped him up on dimensionals then took a bite by using a punch. The kraft card base was wrapped with orange and black ribbon. Not even a bow to fuss with! That little dog would only tear it off anyway.....

Mojo 104 - Retro Style.......

There is something wonderfully retro about Holiday Lounge Designer Paper. Think Christmas with the Brady Bunch. I layered it on Whisper White and stamped snowflakes from The Snowflake Spot on SU's metal edge tags. The tags just add to that retro look! A few silver beads and my Mojo Monday card was complete. That was easy - now if I could just get that theme song out of my head.................

Back in Time to Play - PPA7......

Spent the past few days in Southern California and got back just in time to play this week's sketch challenge at Pals Paper Arts. So Saffron ribbon and paper is set against a background of Bella Birds Designer Paper on a base of Bordering Blue. Flowers from Eastern Expressions rub-ons were used instead of stamping. A Short and Sweet thank you stamp expresses the sentiment. It was wonderful to get in a few extra days of warm summer weather. And this card will be sent to the wonderful folks who took such good care of us while we were out there!

Serendipity - Mojo 103......

Serendipity - one of my favorite words! I added some Hodge Podge Hardware to a Serendipity sentiment, layered it over Cottage Wall Designer Paper, wrapped some razzleberry ribbon around it all and my Mojo Monday card was complete. Now I am off to spend a few days in California. My friend Karen invited me to go with her to visit her son and his family in their new home outside of LA. I told her I have one relative in California - an aunt whom I have not seen in almost 20 years - and I would love to visit her if possible. ( I know, I know California is a big state! ) Can you believe that Karen's son bought a house 4 miles from my aunt Nell? Serendipity!

Thank you Mrs. Calabash - wherever you are.....

When I was little, Jimmy Durante used to end his show by saying "Good Night Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are" and he would walk away in the spotlights with a tip of his hat. Today these sweet baby shower invitations are in the spotlight. My friend Pat and I roped our daughters into helping us and we had a great time putting them together last night. (Stamping is a social event!) The invites were cut out in So Saffron or Certainly Celery, embossed and trimmed with designer paper. This onesie design is everywhere and has been done in many ways - which brings me to Mrs. Calabash. Somewhere is the person who made the very first onesie card........so thank you, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are..........

A Little Bit Country...........PPA6

Since I am headed to a Toby Keith concert tonight in Saratoga I was feeling a little bit country. So when I began this week's Pals Paper Arts Challenge to use Crushed Curry, Ruby Red and Brocade Blue I kept that in mind. My stamping friend Trina had given me some images she had colored with aquapainters from a hostess set she earned last year. I snipped a flower pot from a larger scene and mounted it on a small piece of The Write Stuff Designer Specialty Paper. A thank you from the Oval All set sends the message. Crushed Curry ribbon looks terrific against the Brocade Blue background. A bit of silver, a ruby button and the card is good to go. I think I will be sending it to my cousin Cindy who got us great seats for tonight's show!

"How do you like me now?"
- Toby Keith

The Day After Report: Great show, 4th row seats, danced for 2 hours straight, going to sleep early tonight! "I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once, as I ever was!" - Toby Keith