Blondin Blogs

me and you - what a team!

2012-01-31T22:22:00.003-05:00

I learned this past Saturday that cardinal red is Jill's fav red - that's the basis of this red and white valentine card from CAM's make-'n-take. It's a nice bright red! I collect cardinals. It's something I originally started collecting for my Mom, as it's one of her fav birds. We're lucky to have some that regularly visit our bird feeders, but she spots them far and few between at her home. So, about 15 years ago I started picking her up on most Christmases. My sister got into the act too, and now every now and then Mom will stroll around the house counting all the cardinals she's amassed!

no deets today: all supplies were provided by CAM

a time to relax

2012-01-25T22:51:00.003-05:00

It's retirement time for a coworker and they're headed to the tropics to celebrate their first month of blissful retirement! I found a cute scrapbook with palm trees and was pleased to spot this last Jolee's boutique dimensional sticker when I went to a scrapbooking class this afternoon. I took it as a sign that it was meant to be!

stamps: n/a; paper: Be Blessed's Shalom DP, ColorMates' 2-color gold/ivory and textured coffee brown card stocks; ink: PC-generated sentiment; accessories: Jolee's boutique Florida dimensional stickers

life's truest happiness

2012-01-22T12:23:00.004-05:00

I'm usually okay (and oftentimes prefer) lots of white space, but Friday's card wasn't working for me. I cut it apart and tried again ... twice, as it so happens. The first time I centered the sentiment, but the last penguin I stamped was missing a foot and skateboard, so I stamped it again, thinking I'd not moved the stamp-a-ma-jig ... NOT! OK, trashed that one, as it turned out to be a double-vision card. On my 2nd redeux, I decided to stamp the sentiment off-center, which I liked more, but I also smudged the penguins a bit. Sorry 'bout that! And I'd intended to pop up the penguins' bodies, which I'd stamped on white, over the baker's twine, but it looked TOO popped up, so the twine's now running across them. Sigh ... that's it, tho' ... I'm DONE w this one. So everything doesn't always work out they way I'd like ... I can live w that!

stamps: Fiskars' Friends Forever Quotes, savvy stamps' winter set; paper: Paper Reflections' black, SU's Pretty in Pink, Whisper White card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink, SU's Cameo Coral, Old Olive, and Ruby Red markers; accessories: The Twinery's Blossom baker's twine; tools: EK Success' Stamp-a-ma-jig

CAM, you've done it again!

2012-01-21T23:47:00.001-05:00

On Saturdays you'll usually find me at CAM, participating in a make-'n-take project. They generally lead us in the making of a card or small 3D project, using supplies that they offer at a discounted rate to us that day. Once a month we work on a continuing project (last year it was a recipe book), and this year's is designed and presented by the lovely and talented Joyce. We're assembling a booklet of sorts, consisting of two-sided pocket pages in which we'll insert a tag and card themed for the month, all made from Basic Grey DP. And I LOVE Basic Grey DP! Count me in! We'll add a chip board cover and assemble them when we're done with all twelve months pocket pages. Here's today's pocket page project. Sweet, eh?!

No deets today; all supplies provided by CAM (where make-'n-takes are free to members, fee-based for others)

celebrate Penguin Awareness Day

2012-01-20T22:47:00.004-05:00

I couldn't let an important day such as today's slip by without marking it by the making of a card, now, could I?! And this KINDA counts as a Valentine's Day card, don't you agree? Tonite's is a quick post as it's bedtime but I'll drop in again tomorrow! Maybe with a "before" and "after" version ...

thank you for being you

2012-01-19T22:03:00.005-05:00

In an altered stamp camp project from some time in the past year, I switched this from landscape to portrait, removed additional white space, and mounted the remaining 3 flowers onto old olive card stock. There's another left over flower from the original design that I mounted on the inside of the card. These were interesting 2-part punches. We get to play with all the latest toys at stamp camps; it's half the fun of attending (the rest is getting together w my stamping buds for dinner and a crafty night out)!

no deets today; all supplies were provided in class

CCMC184 smooches

2012-01-17T22:36:00.001-05:00

I made tonite's card based on a card sketch from the kind folkes at the Create with Connie & Mary blog. This is a pretty literal take on their sketch down to the crumb cake and very vanilla card stocks. I chose to use cherry cobbler for the hearts, bar next to the sentiment, and scalloped border ... no surprise there! The hearts are each embossed using a collection of QuicKutz GooseBumpz embossing dies that I'd amassed over the years. It was quicker using them for these small hearts than it would've been to pull out my Cuttlebug and embossing folders.

stamps: A Muse Artstamps' Smooches; paper: SU's Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; tools: ek success' Dotted Scallop border and Marvy Uchida's Jumbo Heart punches, QuicKutz's daisy, diamond, polka dot, sunburst, and sunshine embossing dies

my Wordle valentine

2012-01-14T20:55:00.004-05:00

Since making this Blog Blast for Peace card last year, I'd fully intended to make Wordle a label on my blog and create a card for each holiday. Well, better late than never, right?! Here's my first one of 2012!

I created the card using Wordle's gnuolane free font and Kindled (w a little variation) color family on Staples' white and mounted it on SU's Cherry Cobbler card stocks. Easy peasy! I've not stamped an inside sentiment yet so deets are minimal.

Thanx for stopping by!

stamp camp fav

2012-01-13T23:15:00.001-05:00

This past Thursday was Stamp Camp w the lovely and talented Angie (Jarman - link on my sidebar) and here's my fav card ... tho' as usual, it was hard to choose! Cherry Cobbler is my fav red and I can't get enough of it lately! We used some of the new Edgelits Dies and Textured Impressions Embossing Folders from the latest occasions mini catty in this stamp camp. This card could end up being the card I give my DH, so we didn't have our usual "show-'n-tell" after I returned home.

My stamping buddies Pat, Kim, and I supp'd at El Cozumel - YUM! - before heading to make cards and I brought home just a sampling of my dinner, a chicken fajita wrap w/o the sour cream but with medium salsa instead. I gave up on dipping it and eating it as its intended s'wich, and dumped the contents into my plate, minus the sour cream but with addition of medium salsa, and ate as a salad. Great stuff. Great cards. Great evening out w my buds!

I Used To Believe

2012-01-12T06:43:00.004-05:00

I read a great post on The Lettered Cottage this a.m. about a site Layla ran across called I Used To Believe. It's a collection of funny and bizarre ideas that adults thought were true when they were children.

A sampling:
“Thunder is created because of the collision of clouds.” -Anonymous

“There is large factory in the largest city near my hometown that has an impressive smokestack. When I was little, I thought that the factory was where clouds came from.” -Anonymous

Want a fun trip down Memory Lane? Or to share one of yours? I just did!
My Mom used to set up our plastic bowling pin set in the long hallway in our house when it was storming, and when we heard thunder it was because an angel had bowled a strike (yeah, I believed her)! It was many years later I learned we bowled w the angels because she was frightened by storms.

CAM make-'n-take

2012-01-07T23:59:00.001-05:00

If you were in the Flint MI area today and happened to stop by Capture-a-Memory, you were in for a treat as the lovely and talented Jill led the group in the making of this cute card, one of two projects for the weekend's make-'n-take session (they're held most Saturdays from 12-2 p.m.)!

The DP's two-sided, providing you a choice in your "bags," and even the dollar store tissue was stinkin' cute - it included slightly raised Christmas sayings. The store sample looked like it was two thicknesses of the cord braided, but I chose the single strand. I've not decided on a sentiment yet and will wait 'til it's called upon for a card to do that! We were provided chipboard and DP cut into rectangles, small squares of tissue, cord, and card stock cut to size. Easy peasy to recreate ... I'll be making lots more of these cuties! Thanx, Jill!

no deets today as all materials were provided by Jill

It's January 4th, and you know what THAT means ...

2012-01-04T20:52:00.003-05:00

It's release day for SU's Occasions mini catalog! You can see it here (either click on the link of the word "here" or the catalog's picture).

I'm partial to the typewriter and the new valentine's sets. How 'bout you?

a year in review blog hop - blog candy winner

2012-01-04T20:30:00.004-05:00

Random.org selected #17 and Cheryl of She Stamps blog fame is the winner of coordinated set of DP, chipboard, rub-ons and more from the kind folkes at piggy tales (from their 5 little ducks collection), and a Rhonna Farrer scribble hearts and stars stamp set in time for Valentine's Day stamping.

Cheryl said...

Wonderful cards! I love your style. I adore the card from March - simply gorgeous.
Wishing you a year of health, happiness and creativity! Happy New Year!

Cheryl, contact me at sue dot blondin at gmail dot com providing me your snail mail address and I'll ship your goodies off to you as soon as possible (gotta get me an empty pizza box first)! And happy new year to you and yours!

have a beautiful day, Mom!

2012-01-02T20:56:00.007-05:00

We celebrated my Mom's b'day today at my sister Karen's house, and I realized that the paper I wrapped her present in matched my Cherry Cobbler card stock ... which was included in the great plaid used in the colorQ CQC116 challenge. I'd intended to make a plaid card using a new-to-me SU Perfect Plaid stamp set acquired recently so I made a card yesterday stamped on Crumb Cake, but decided this morning that the colors looked too muted so I made a plaid out of 1/4" strips of card stock. You can see a tiny bit of the prior card base below the card strip card. Want to know another thing I noticed as I stamped the inside sentiment? The font used in mftstamps' Framed Greetings set matches that used in the "Birthday hugs and wishes" stamp that's part of SU's Hugs & Wishes stamp set! How cool is that?!

stamps: mftstamps' Framed Greetings, PTI's Ripe Avocado, SU's Hugs & Wishes; paper: SU's Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Kiwi Kiss; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink, SU's Cherry Cobbler; accessories: SU's Cherry Cobbler seam binding; tools: mftstamps' Framed Greetings die and Cuttlebug

happy new year!

2011-12-31T19:09:00.001-05:00

(If you're here for the Year In Review Blog Hop, scroll down)

Top 10 Trendiest Stamp Sets of 2011

2011-12-31T18:55:00.002-05:00

(If you're here for the Year In Review Blog Hop, scroll down)

Oooh! A year end list that's stamp-related?! Here's the Top 10 Trendiest Stamp Sets of 2011 compliments of Moxie Fab World. Visit her blog to vote on your 3 favs ... there's blog candy involved!

Fun{tache}tic from The Craft's Meow

Wonderful World by Lizzie Anne Designs

Farm Fresh from Ippity by Unity

Road Trip from Papertrey Ink

Perfect Pennants by Gina K. Designs

Hey Girlfriend from Cosmo Cricket by Unity

Life is Good by Technique Tuesday

940140 by Ruby Violet from Prima

Clear to See from Lawn Fawn

Say Cheese from Maya Road

a year in review blog hop

2011-12-29T08:34:00.018-05:00

In keeping with the spirit of the season, Karin of With an "i" For Paper! blog fame has started a year in review blog hop to look back and high some of your favorite projects from the past year. Being the queen of lists, this was right up my alley, don't you know?! And so ... my fav cards of this year follow:

January - OWL37 meets CAS102 - Brrr!

February - Simply Sublime

March - Beautiful Day

April - Love is Just a Word ...

May - Welcome, Baby! (a case study)

June - Farewell to (Outgoing President) Stan & Angie

July - CTD151 Challenge

August - Dropping You A Line (oops! I'd never uploaded this one!)

September - For You, Friend

October - Black & White Challenge

November - Peace

December - Merry Christmas

This was a fun trip down Memory Lane! Hope you enjoyed today's post and the blog hop! There's blog candy involved, to one random commenter OR blog follower!

year end lists, part deux

2011-12-29T00:06:00.001-05:00

I just rec'd an e-mail containing yet another year end list ...

Top 10 Highest Grossing Movies of 2011:
1) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, 2) Transformers: Dark of the Moon, 3) The Twilight Sage: Breaking Dawn - Part 1, 4) The Hangover Part II, 5) Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, 6) Fast Five, 7) Cars 2, 8) Thor, 9) Rise of the Planet of the Apes, 10) Captain America: The First Avenger

More deets at MovieTickets by Martin Grove of ZAMM.com!

variations on a theme

2011-12-28T12:51:00.004-05:00

... an FTL170 sketch theme, that is! Needing a wedding anniversary card for this weekend, I checked into the recent sketches at Clean & Simple's Web site and remembered that I'd MEANT to make one for this sketch challenge, now past the entry deadline. No matter! I took a few liberties with their FTL170 sketch, flipping it and running the ribbon under rather than over the top card stock piece. I wanted to dry emboss to pop up the hearts for an entry into Lifestyle Crafts' I Made This contest. These are a few from my 2x2" embossing folders of Lifestyle Crafts' QuicKutz GooseBumpz embossing dies. I used to belong to a QuicKutz club at my local paper crafts store and have amassed quite the collection. Now we just have to get it delivered to my brother-in-law and his bride by Friday! Can do! The inside sentiment's PC-generated: "Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart." and the inside heart stamp is stamped off so it's more like a watermark.

stamps: studio g's series 26 outside sentiment, basic grey's inside heart, and PC-generated inside sentiment; paper: A1 Neenah Natural White, SU's Cherry Cobbler card stocks; ink: SU's Cherry Cobbler and PC-generated; accessories: SU's Cherry Cobbler quilted satin ribbon

Lifestyle Crafts' I Made This Contest

2011-12-28T12:45:00.003-05:00

Have you entered to win an iPad 2 yet? By participating in the I Made This Challenge, you could win an iPad 2! Upload a project to the community gallery by January 31 using at least one Lifestyle Crafts product and you could win the grand prize - a $1000 Lifestyle Crafts shopping spree, Canon 60D camera, Mac computer, and Canon Photo Printer! 'Nuff said?!

'I Made This' Enter to win an iPad2
'I Made This' challenge and ultimate giveaway

Jesus is the reason for the season

2011-12-27T22:54:00.001-05:00

top 10 lists of 2011

2011-12-26T23:47:00.003-05:00

I'm a list junkie ... always have been! So ... want to know what Internet users are searching for? The kind folkes at search-engine aggregator Dogpile make this process easy by combining results from Google, Yahoo, Bing and others to provide lists such as the following. Below are the top searches of 2011 (compliments of Website Magazine):

Top Ten Overall Searches:
1) Facebook, 2) YouTube, 3) NFL, 4) American Idol, 5) iPad, 6) iPhone, 7) Kim Kardashian, 8) Justin Bieber, 9) Casey Anthony trial, 10) Powerball

Top Ten Social Networking Sites:
1) Facebook, 2) YouTube, 3) Flickr, 4) Twitter, 5) LinkedIn, 6) MySpace, 7) Tagged, 8) Google +, 9) Meetup.com, 10) Orkut

Top Ten Online Diversions (at work):
1) Facebook, 2) YouTube, 3) eBay, 4) Craigslist, 5) Amazon, 6) TMZ, 7) Drudge Report, 8) Match.com, 9) Pogo, 10) Skype

Top Ten Retail Websites:
1) Walmart, 2) Home Depot, 3) Lowes, 4) Best Buy, 5) Sears, 6) Target, 7) Costco, 8) Kohls, 9) Staples, 10) Kmart

Top Ten Tech Gadgets:
1) iPad, 2) iPhone, 3) Xbox, 4) Kindle, 5) iPod Touch, 6) Nook, 7) Blackberry, 8) Touchpad, 9) PlayStation, 10) Android

Top Ten Online Games:
1) Angry Birds, 2) Webkinz, 3) Minecraft, 4) Mahjong, 5) Sudoku, 6) Runescape, 7) Farmville, 8) Solitaire, 9) Chess, 10) Poker

Top Ten News Stories:
1) Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, 2) Casey Anthony trial, 3) Hurricane Irene, 4) Occupy Wall Street, 5) Libya Battle of Tripoli/Muammar Gaddafi, 6) Royal Wedding, 7) Death of Steve Jobs, 8) Arizona/Gifford Shooting, 9) Death of Osama Bin Laden, 10) End of U.S. War in Iraq

Top Ten TV News and Talk Radio Shows:
1) CNN News, 2) FOX News, 3) Nancy Grace, 4) 60 Minutes, 5) The Howard Stern Show, 6) NBC Nightly News, 7) The Dave Ramsey Show, 8) Anderson Cooper 360, 9) The Daily Show, 10) The Rachel Maddow Show

Top Ten TV Shows:
1) American Idol, 2) Dancing with the Stars, 3) The Dr. Oz Show, 4) NCIS, 5) Glee, 6) Oprah, 7) The Today Show, 8) The Voice, 9) X Factor, 10) Big Brother

Top Ten Celebrities:
1) Kim Kardashian, 2) Justin Bieber, 3) Megan Fox, 4) Lady Gaga, 5) Katy Perry, 6) Charlie Sheen, 7) Selena Gomez, 8) Emma Watson, 9) Mila Kunis, 10) Adele

Top Ten Musicians:
1) Justin Bieber, 2) Lady Gaga, 3) Katy Perry, 4) Adele, 5) Miley Cyrus, 6) Taylor Swift, 7) Rihanna, 8) Amy Winehouse, 9) Nicki Minaj, 10) Eminem

merry Christmas, everyone!

2011-12-25T23:02:00.002-05:00

I'm relaxing w my sweetie after having had the family up for Christmas dinner, and wanted to share a pic of this year's tree. A good time was had by all.

dinner w friends

2011-12-24T16:25:00.004-05:00

I met up with friends for supper recently where we exchanged cards and gifts with each other. Two read my blog so I'd held off posting their cards 'til now. Here's Pat's one - she's all about pinks and I had this pretty DP with some non-traditional colors used in its Christmas trees ... perfect! And a perfect evening w friends!

stamps: SU's Christmas Greetings; paper: My Mind's Eye's be merry trim the tree DP, A1 neenah nat'l white, Su's regal rose card stocks; ink: Ranger's antique linen distress ink, SU's rose red; accessories: The Twinery's Pink Sorbet twine

peace on earth

2011-12-23T01:04:00.000-05:00

I purchased a couple new Memory Box dies recently and used the Country Landscape one for this card, currently winging its way to my eldest brother in Virginia. A simple card of two colors - white and navy. I've seen some awesome cards made from the die in the blogosphere recently as well. We got a tiny dusting of snow the past couple days but it's supposed to reach the 40's (Fahrenheit) on Christmas day so I don't imagine we'll be seeing a white Christmas tomorrow unless I pull out some old DVDs!

stamps: Technique Tuesday's AE Good Cheer, SU's Christmas Greetings (inside), Branch Out (snow); paper: SU's Shimmery White, Not Quite Navy card stocks; ink: SU's Whisper White, Not Quite Navy; tools: Memory Box's Country Landscape die w Cuttlebug

play date cafe #112

2011-12-22T22:42:00.007-05:00

After eats w some friends and exchanging presents, I returned home to neaten my PC desk, and this heidi swapp Christmas theme tape set was one of the things I'd left out, fully intending to make a Christmas card from it this year. So ... before putting it away, I made this quick card. THEN I started blog trolling and spotted this week's play date cafe PDCC112 inspiration and colorQ CQC116 challenges. Their colors look pretty darn close to my card, eh?! I still want to try my hand at a plaid using a new-to-me plaid stamp set I recently acquired!

stamps: SU's Christmas Greetings; paper: JoAnn's CraftEssentials' ivory A2 cards; ink: SU's Cherry Cobbler; accessories: heidi swapp's Christmas theme tapes

sweet sunday

2011-12-18T23:02:00.003-05:00

I used this week's sweet sunday SSSC148 sketch challenge for a baby card for a friend whose niece is expecting a baby girl soon. The pretty DPs are from SU's Candy Lane collection, a DP package that I've been hoarding ... I LOVE the soft pinks and mauve-browns of this collection. We've done the "tag team" approach to babies' births in the past ... Susan makes a baby bonnet from elegant hankies to go along with the poem I place inside the card. Today's card is a 4.25" square one, so that it'll still fit into a standard A2 sized envelope. And the sentiment's PC-generated: "When a new life joins the world, new love blooms in your heart!"

stamps: JudiKins' Baby's Hands & Feet; paper: SU's Candy Lane DP, vellum and Very Vanilla card stocks; ink: PTI's Sweet Blush; tools: Marvy Uchida's extra jumbo heart punch

S&CT's winter edition's available!

2011-12-03T00:16:00.000-05:00

hi folkes! just a quick note to let you know that the winter edition of Scrapbook & Cards Today mag is now available. You can EITHER download the digi version by clicking on the picture at left OR view the entire mag online - thanx, S&CT!

It's one of my fav scrapbook mags and Canada’s first FREE magazine dedicated to scrapbooking and card making. It showcases the latest techniques and products, presents interesting and easy-to-follow ideas and instructions, and displays beautiful photography and inspiring design. Try it, if you haven't already ~ you'll like it!

Leave a comment on their blog and you could be a lucky winner of the winter edition and some free Holiday Style from Bazzill Basic Paper!

happy b'day sue

2011-12-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

I got together with friends for eats and entertainment this weekend to celebrate Sue's birthday. Rather than a movie, this weekend we took in a craft show at the Davison High School. Afterward we headed to Lucky's, a local steakhouse - YUM! - where I had a filet with sweet potato, sauteed onion and mushrooms, and hot bread 'n butter. At the craft show I found a really cute black wool hat ('cuz those who know me will realize I NEEDED another hat, right?!) complete with black feathers and bling for decoration, and got a cute cedar birdhouse for my sweetie. This crafty lady covers hand-made cedar bird houses with peanut butter and asst'd seed, then adds a bit of "bling" - mine's got a sprig of wheat and red berries by the entry.

Sue's favorite color is blue. Isn't it great that I had this blue 'n crumb cake card saved aside for her? I made it at a recent Stamp Camp with the lovely and talented Angie Jarman ... there's one coming up this week, if you're in the Flint MI area - see my "sites I visit" links in my blog sidebar! No deets today, as they were all supplied in class.

just a little JGNC14 Christmas note

2011-11-27T22:35:00.004-05:00

I'm drawn to red & white Christmas cards, and this one uses mainly those colors within a 6x6" pad of DP I purchased recently, plus a cool coordinating Santa chipboard sticker. Red & white was a repeated theme in Jay Gee's Nook latest challenge post of a collection of related pictures, and one of the DPs reminded me of one of Angeline's cards that she used a couple of t'riffic Wplus9 Design Studio stamps on.

stamps: PTI's Signature Christmas; paper: Authentique's Wonder collection; ink: Ranger's black soot, pumice stone distress inks; tools: Paper Shapers' round tab punch; accessories: TPC Studio's Timeless Christmas chipboard stickers

It's Beginning to Look Like An SSSC144 Christmas

2011-11-26T11:09:00.006-05:00

Isn't this inspiration photo great?! I love the new Authentique striped patterned paper I got earlier this month; the reds and greens are just what was needed for PTI's blog hop inspiration challenge and I was pleased as all get out to see the darker reds in the DP matched my latest fav, SU's Cherry Cobbler! I've wanted to play with my number dies again, so I put that together with the latest Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge SSSC144 from the lovely and talented Karen Giron of the sweetest thing blog fame. Voila! Another Christmas card is ready! I prefer to not mass-produce but just play and make as many cards as I can for the holidays.

Sigh ... my DH shut down the PC last night when I had multiple tabs open for both challenges, and I figured that it was late so we called it a day, and I missed the deadline for the PTI challenge. Such is life!

stamps: Technique Tuesday 25 Moments (Nov 11 Studio AE); paper: Authentique's 6x6 Wonder Bundle Collection DP, A1's Neenah Natural White, SU's Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink, SU's Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive; accessories: SU's Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon

thankful for CFC29

2011-11-25T00:02:00.001-05:00

I saw a cute Thanksgiving-related Family Circus comic this morning where the son, Jeffy (methinks), says, "Oh boy! My tummy's 'bout to be very thankful!" I used to ask my sons to tell me what one thing they were thankful for after we did bedtime prayers. They're grown now but I hope they still pause to think about what they're thankful for, at least on Thanksgiving Day! It's not all about the dinner ... which was fantastic and I'm very grateful for, btw! grins ...

Today's card is based on CAS-ual Fridays' CFC29 sketch. I'm hooked on sketches, and these folkes are one of my go-to spots for them. I have this printable in both color and b&w, and had this one printed out already so it was a super quick card to pull together. The sentiment stamp's a new one from the kind folkes at Technique Tuesday.

stamps: Technique Tuesday's Give Thanks by Ali Edwards (studio AE's Oct 2011 stamp set of the month); paper: A1's Natural White, SU's Chocolate Chip card stocks; ink: SU's Chocolate Chip; accessories: Everything Creative's Giving Thanks printable

happy thanksgiving

2011-11-24T19:15:00.004-05:00

and happy b'day to my stampin' buddy Pat, as they both fall on the same day this year! I've been a slacker lately and didn't get cards for Thanksgiving made so sent some of my fav e-cards from the lovely and talented Jacquie Lawson's site.

But I digress ... today's card is based on Clean & Simple Stamping's FTL165 sketch. I had the DP in my stash and the sentiment and a couple of the leaves were from a new stamp set while another leaf is from an SU stamp set I got last year. Isn't it interesting how similar they are? The band of orange is from the reverse of this 2-sided DP, and I cut and popped up the largest of the leaves.

We're back home now, but spent a good part of this afternoon at my sister's home. We had a nice sit-down dinner consisting of turkey, stuffing, whole cranberry sauce, hash brown casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, cider, eggnog, and ambrosia fruit salad for dessert. Rumor had it that there was pumpkin pie and whipped cream as well, but I was stuffed! Everything was great, and my compliments to the chefs, not to mention great company too!

My usual custom is to watch Miracle on 34th Street on Thanksgiving and I've pulled out the b&w version of the 1947 movie to watch this evening. I have this movie in both b&w and colorized DVD versions (tho' I couldn't locate the colorized version today ... I prefer the 1947 b&w one), and have a 1994 version of the movie in color on VHS tape. My DH and I keep our DVDs in the living room, while the boys keep theirs in their own rooms; however, my eldest son keeps raiding our stash and we have to hunt down movies occasionally!

stamps: SU's Falling Leaves, There She Goes' Autumn; paper: Paper Loft's Autumn DP, Staples' white card stock; ink: SU's Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, and Really Rust

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

2011-11-24T00:03:00.000-05:00

By the United States in Congress assembled,
PROCLAMATION.

It being the indispensable duty of all nations, not only to offer up their supplications to Almighty God, the giver of all good, for His gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner, to give Him praise for His goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of His Providence in their behalf; therefore, the Unites States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of Divine goodness to these States in the course of the important conflict, in which they have been so long engaged, – the present happy and promising state of public affairs, and the events of the war in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils which is so necessary to the success of the public cause, – the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them, – the success of the arms of the United States and those of their allies, – and the acknowledgment of their Independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States; Do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe and request the several states to interpose their authority, in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF NOVEMBER next as a day of SOLEMN THANKSGIVING to GOD for all His mercies; and they do further recommend to all ranks to testify their gratitude to God for His goodness by a cheerful obedience to His laws and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

~ Done in Congress at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh.

picture credit: Norman Rockwell's Freedom from Want (a.ka. Thanksgiving Dinner, the third installment of Rockwell's famous Four Freedoms series)

I love a parade!

2011-11-21T23:15:00.005-05:00

Flint MI happenings ~ The 3rd Annual Flint DDA Holiday Festival is on Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will start at North Saginaw Street and 2nd Avenue, then go south down to South Saginaw Street and 4th Street. There will be Holiday lights, choirs, musical entertainment, marching bands from area schools, live reindeer, carriage rides and Santa will be on hand to pose for pictures with children.

Kettering University's crew has been hard at work on a float to participate in the parade. Last Friday the crew delivered styrofoam balls (mind you, 16" in circumference!) to departments, asking that those interested make ornaments for the tree on the float. Here's my contribution, a ribbon fold ornament. It took 36' of ribbon - in as close as I could get to our school colors, natch' - and about 400 straight pins. My DH cut the ribbon for me. Good thing, 'cuz we started on this right after supper and I'm just now finished, at 11:30 p.m.! Whew! These fingers are SORE!

celebrate this december day

2011-11-19T22:14:00.004-05:00

I finally succumbed to temptation and became a studio AE member at Technique Tuesday. This sentiment's from the November set, which is awesome and looks like it'd be great put to use if you're attempting one of her December Daily scrapbook projects. I'm not sure what I think of today's card ... I'll have to try a simpler version later on. Sometimes I have to repeat the mantra - keep it simple - and I didn't do that here, LOL! This one's based on Clean & Simple Stamping's FTL 167 sketch challenge.

stamps: AE's 25 Moments (Nov 11 Studio AE); paper: A1 Neenah Natural White, SU's Cherry Cobbler (LOVE that red!) and Chocolate Chip card stocks; ink: SU's Chocolate Chip; tools: Fiskar's Threading Water border punch, Cuttlebug w Cuttlebug's Snowflakes embossing folder, MFT's Let It Snowflake die-namic, and QuicKutz's No. 73 Number Set

how I spent my mini vac wk - pt 2

2011-11-17T13:41:00.006-05:00

I'm participating in a Mini Mystery Monday Project by the lovely and talented Laura Perin of Laura Perin Designs fame - available at her Two-Handed Stitcher blog. I've not stitched in ages, and when I spotted that she would be offering a mystery project, uploading a portion of the design's instructions on Mondays, it sucked me right in! I love Laura's needlepoint designs. In fact, when I went in search of my usual and customary needlework tools, in the bag WITH them was another of her designs ... so I should use some of my time off to pick up additional supplies for my NEXT project!

This pic represents two weeks' worth of instructions and I finished my last block this a.m. I kept pretty much to the colors she used - the watercolour and green perle, and switched the red perle and metallic ribbon. We'll see how I end up finishing it ... and whether I get it finished in time to add to this year's tree, LOL! We don't want to start talking about the amount of unfinished projects I have. Let's just say that I'll have plenty to keep me occupied when I decide to retire!

supplies: Caron's Watercolours in 047 camouflage, DMC's #5 perle cotton in 319 very dark pistachio green and 902 very dark garnet, and Rainbow Gallery's Fyre Werks FT15 old gold - all on an ecru #18 canvas (my camera seems to have over compensated as it looks white in the pic, don't you agree? ... next week I'll make sure to use natural light for my pic!)

how I spent my mini vac wk - pt 1

2011-11-16T23:48:00.001-05:00

Hi folkes! I took a few days off work this week, thinking I'd watch the President's Cup w my sweetie, and as I'd been pretty much on the go this past weekend (... but that's another post). I'd not realized that it would be on TV here starting at 9 p.m. EST, LOL, as it's being played in Melbourne Australia! We'll end up watching Day 1 on Thursday (it's being repeated on the Golf Channel from 9a-1:30p), and Day 2 will be telecast a bit earlier, from 7:30p-2a on Thursday. So much for my planning ahead, eh?!

I picked up a few new dies from Impress Rubber Stamps recently. This is the first one used for a Christmas card tho' it would make a nice masculine card as well, as my stampin' buddy Pat pointed out. As I ended up not watching golf, we got together for a bit. After lunching w friends, while she was borrowing my Zutter I put this quick card together. It'd be great for mass-produced Christmas cards as it was relatively simple and quick to make, but I've never been one for mass production. I just make cards as I see fit, and try to fit them to the receiver. This one struck us as peaceful, hence the sentiment. I wish I could capture just how beautiful that dark blue card stock is; you've gotta see it IRL - it's much more subtle than glitter card stock and is IMHO simply gorgeous!

stamps: StampingFreak's peace, PTI's Signature Christmas (inside) sentiments; ink: CTMH's Outdoor Denim; paper: PTI's Night Sky Shimmer, Staples' white card stocks; tools: Memory Box's Deer Trio die

stamp camp fav

2011-11-10T23:53:00.000-05:00

It was a tough call, as all the cards in the lovely and talented Angie's most recent Stamp Camp (see my sidebar's "Sites I Visit - Stampin' Up! - Angie J") were delish, but this is my personal fav! If you're in the Flint MI area, I highly recommend you check her out! Tell her Sue sent ya, and that she should pass on a finders' fee to me in the way of discounted stamps, LOL!

If I didn't already have another vendor's stocking and die already, this set would've come home with me in a heartbeat!

stamps: SU's Stitched Stockings, (dunno sentiment stamp); tools: SU's Stocking Builder Punch - both from holiday mini catty and available thru January 3, 2012

Awww ... missed it AGAIN!

2011-11-06T09:33:00.003-05:00

It ended with,
"What we're trying to say with this little rhyme, is ...
'We're returning to Standard Time.'"

I'm a fan of the CBS show Sunday Morning and I'd just broken away from my weekly Quicken updates on the PC to settle in to watch my favorite show. I KNEW they'd be commenting on the switch from daylight to standard time, but assumed as I'd missed the first half hour of the show, that I'd missed that portion. Last year I searched in vain for the cute ditty/rhyme they used to commemorate the occasion. Here I go again! I'll update this if I find it but assume I won't ... sigh ...

I'm not a regular reader of the paper and hadn't read yet that Andy Rooney passed away this past weekend. Here's a clip:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7387244n&tag=mncol;lst;3

This is Halloween

2011-10-31T00:15:00.001-04:00

autumn splendor

2011-10-30T13:54:00.006-04:00

This card's the result of a weekend outing where my stampin' buddy Pat and I took in a make- 'n-take at my fav local paper crafting store, Capture-a-Memory. The lovely and talented Jill led us in making a couple projects - today's card and a tube containing goodies w Halloween poem tag. Tho' it looks pretty brown in this picture, the card stock background is more like a dark cranberry, and the green sentiment is much darker IRL.

I loved the grunge stamp we used to "texturize" the card stock background using Versamark. The leaves were cut from multicolored DP using one of the store's vast die collection, distressed, then some glued onto chipboard, others placed directly on the card base. If you purchase paper there, you're welcome to use their dies, and if you're a member, you get not only access to some member-only dies but discounts on all product. Using the Ellison machine at my youngest son's school had been one of my fav parts of being his Homeroom Mom in elementary school.

very few deets today - all supplies provided and I was too lazy to ask about them

stamp: Kaisercraft Grunge

it's in the mail

2011-10-28T13:12:00.004-04:00

sometimes pictures don't do subjects justice. I remember thinking that when I camped at the Grand Canyon many moons ago; today's card is another example ... or it COULD be the photographer ... sigh ... anywho, the colors are soft and amazing IRL!

I took a vacation day today, and am sitting at my PC which is positioned at a back wall with a slider glass door next to me ... and that beautiful tree I took pics of earlier this week? this morning we had frost on the lawn and when the sun hit the trees, it was like watching Pigpen in a Charlie Brown special! the orange maple has since slowed and now only an occasional leaf is falling, but I expect the yellow one to be leafless by the end of the day.

I'm addressing Halloween cards and this one's in the mail today! It was from a class project at a local paper crafting store - Capture a Memory - from a year or two ago. sorry, no deets today; all supplies were provided to us in class. the bats were from a puffy ribbon strip and I've used them multiple times, cutting each bat apart separately to affix to cards.

I LOVE trees

2011-10-25T22:22:00.003-04:00

when we first moved into our current home it had four trees in the front yard - one pine no taller than our knees, one feathery-looking one, a crabapple near the road by our driveway, a decorative berry one just outside our kitchen window, and only one tree in the back ... a small maple that shed just enough shade to prop our kids' blow-up pool under. we've since added three more out back - all maples, but in varying colors. the original's dark yellow/brown, and we have a yellow, orange, and dark red. the dark red hasn't even begun to show signs of turning, but here's the orange one. the yellow one's next to it and the dark red one's behind it, just inside our fence. the original maple in the back is to the orange one's left. it's strange that, tho' it's the oldest of the trees, it's also the smallest. I'm so glad we added more trees out back. pretty, eh?!

autumn's my sister's favorite season. I like spring, summer, and fall equally!

thanx for stopping by!

trick or treat ...

2011-10-21T22:44:00.002-04:00

... give me something good to eat!

Another Halloween card today, this was made for a sketch challenge that I then lost the URL for! If you happen to know of the challenge, please let me know!

stamps: My Mind's Eye blackbird; paper: My Mind's Eye spooked, Pink Paislee Twilight & Eclipse DP and Postcards block, Paper Reflections black card stock; ink: Ranger black soot distress ink

frightful & delightful

2011-10-19T19:45:00.006-04:00

I'm a fan of Amuse's sentiment stamps and this one gets pulled out every Halloween. The darlin' witch is one of Mike's recent $1 stamps ... they offered lots of cute kids in this series, and I tried to limit myself to a half dozen, really I did! Yesterday's card was based on a challenge to not use orange anywhere; today's FSC38 challenge is to use orange and black.

stamps: Amuse Artstamps' frightful & delightful, Mike's craft smart witch; paper: Pink Paislee's Twilight Collection Eclipse, My Mind'e Eye's spooked black scribbles DP, ColorMates' dark terra-cotta, Paper Reflections' black, and Staples' white card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot and pumice stone distress ink, studio g's peachy chalk pigment ink

black and white and ...

2011-10-18T19:19:00.006-04:00

If you're a frequent visitor here, you know one of my fav color combos is black and white and a punch of color ... well, how 'bout a black and white Halloween card for this week's Cas-ual Fridays CFC24 challenge? It's actually to make a Halloween card without any orange, and this one fits that bill! I've made lots of seasonal cards with the main image and snowflakes or fall leaves or butterflies at the different angles but didn't know if I'd made one with bats! I had a hard time finding bats in my stash of stamps, however! I had plenty of stamps that included a bat or two in the background, but finally found this cluster of bats in an sei stamp set I'd picked up a couple years back at a Mega Meet. So ... for this simple card (think KISS - Keep It Simple, Silly) I first inked in Versamark, then distress ink, to ensure I got the necessary coverage over the textured card stock. Easy peasy!

stamps: mike's craft smart haunted house goodness, sei's eerie alley; paper: AC textured white, Paper Reflections' black card stocks; ink: Versamark, Ranger's black soot distress ink

edited 10/21/2011 to add: woot! woot! my card was selected for the VIP club at Cas-ual Fridays! thanx, ladies!

thinking of you

2011-10-17T23:48:00.000-04:00

I was in need of a sympathy card and Angie supplied the right elements in today's Stamp Camp for a masculine fall version. This is heading to our friend and former coworker whose wife recently passed away but would also make a beautiful Thanksgiving card as well.

No supplies today ... except that I know that we used Soft Suede, one of my favorite browns. I like the look of the stamped and embossed background too; don't you?!

Oh my, Moxie Fab!

2011-10-09T18:55:00.004-04:00

PaperCrafts is tied with BH&G's scrapbooks etc as my fav mags, and Cath Edvalson, PaperCrafts' trends editor, pulls together some of the most amazin' inspirational pics in her "Oh My Moxie Fab" posts. She did it again today with a fall pic from the Boston Commons which in turn inspired me to change my PC background pic ... to this pic at left! SWEET, eh?! Now go scope out Cath's pic!

It's my sister's fav season (mine are spring, summer, and fall), and I'm wondering how she did today in the walk she was in. Hi KAZ, if you're online!

halloween mojo

2011-10-09T17:29:00.005-04:00

I'm a fan of Mojo Mondays, and today's card uses the October 3rd sketch #209. I picked up the DP last year and the cute l'il frankie stamp from Mike's recently. I also picked up some Halloween goodies while there for my eldest son's classroom party later this month (hence the spider from one of the spidey rings). And you ready for some trivia? When I logged on to Blogger to upload today's post, the number of entries to date were 1031 (get it, 10/31?!), so it's oh SO appropriate to be uploading Halloween goodness today; don't you agree?!

stamps: Mike's craft smart l'il frankenstein; paper: My Mind's Eye blackbird neighborhood DP, ColorMates' Dark Morning Mist and Dark Terra-Cotta, Paper Reflections' black, SU's Kiwi Kiss, Orchid Opulence, River Rock, and Worldwin Papers' Midnight Surf card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; tools: EK Success' circle and scallop circle, Fiskar's postage stamp border punches; accessories: netting from bag used to hold spider rings, unknown black sparkly ribbon

on Macs and Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T20:43:00.002-04:00

Our first computer was a MacIntosh ... I know, I'm showing my years here ... purchased some time between '84-'85. I was the holdout in our family. My DH and I both worked on computers all day, at that time as programmers for GM, and I couldn't fathom coming home and working on one more. I remember my DH arguing his case ... I could do my golf league standings, and organize recipes and our holiday card list on it. Every time I already had a process I was fine with. I LIKE my roll top desk-look recipe file. I had this 1-pg list of Christmas card exchanges that I updated annually. I LIKE playing with the numbers on the standings. Eventually I "gave" and now guess who uses it most?! (grins)

I remember when Windows 95 was introduced and the media made SUCH a big deal about it, coming home and telling my DH, "Look honey, Mac'84!"

I'm looking forward to reading more about Jobs in his autobiography, now pushed forward to be released later this month. Rest in peace, Steve!

have a spooky night!

2011-10-01T18:24:00.003-04:00

My local scrapbooking shop, Capture A Memory, holds make-'n-takes every Saturday that are free to members and range between $2-5 for non-members. They offered a choice of one of a few versions of gift bags and small notecard for today's project. I have two boys, and figured I'd alter mine from a bag into another Halloween card, pictured at left.

I'm shocked to report that I couldn't find a bat image among my stamps, so I purchased some of the puffy bat ribbon to use against the moon.

Here's a couple of the cute sampling of bags offered today. They had all sorts of Halloween images already prepared from some of the shop's dies, which are plentiful, including the house I used, the Boo sentiment, cats, and witches riding brooms. It was fun. Thanx, Jill, for the cute offerings!

happy world card making day!

2011-10-01T18:09:00.003-04:00

Hi folkes, and happy World Card Making Day to you!

Deals and blog hops abound this weekend. I called ahead to make sure the planned make-'n-take was really taking place as my fav local scrapbooking store usually holds a weekend crop for the event.

I'll keep this short 'n sweet 'cuz I'm off to upload a card and check out other blogs ... then sit and read a BH&G special issue devoted to Halloween. AND I haven't made it outside yet for my walk. I'm trying to get in 10,000 steps daily M-F, and weekends I generally slack off. Have a t'riffic day and thanx for stopping by!

better than yesterday

2011-09-30T22:16:00.003-04:00

... and worse than tomorrow!

What a slacker I am! My stampin' buddy Pat recently had in/out surgery and I MEANT to get this card to her last weekend. I was out of card-sized envelopes, and by the time I gave up on the envelopes and just got it to her, she was well on her way to recovery! LOVIN' this DP, one of my latest purchases. And Thursday I stopped at JoAnn's and picked up another stash of cards/envelopes using a 50% off coupon!

stamps: SU's Ruff Day; paper: BasicGrey's Sweet Threads, Staples' White, SU's Chocolate Chip and Ruby Red card stocks; ink: SU's Chocolate Chip, Crumb Cake

movie night at the Blondin's

2011-09-29T23:53:00.000-04:00

I took a half day off work and after splitting a taco salad for lunch my DH and I went to see Contagion. We're both fans of Matt Damon (especially loved the Bourne series ... sigh ... wish there were more planned!) - don't you agree he's this generation's "every man," like Jimmy Stewart of yesteryear?!

Starring Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kate Winslet, it was played out in a docudrama style about first response activity when an outbreak is discovered. It's amazing how they tracked the victims' activity back to see when they were first exposed to the virus. And what'd we do after the movie? Went home and washed our hands! It was good ... but I still prefer romantic comedies ... I'd give it a 3.5/5!

happy b'day sue

2011-09-25T08:00:00.003-04:00

Black, white, and a splash of color is one of my fav color combinations, used on today's card for a buddy of mine. I'd recently picked up the friend BK stamp so masked that on a portion for the background (stamped off a couple times to make it faded), then added the sentiment and butterfly, inspired by Laurie's card.

stamps: Hero Arts' friend definition, SU's Great Friend; paper: AC white textured card stock; ink: Ranger's black soot distress, SU's Real Red

movie day at the Blondin's

2011-09-24T20:33:00.003-04:00

My movie buds and I saw The Help today. Starring Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Allison Janney, Octavia Spencer, and Emma Stone, w smaller parts played oh so greatly by Sissy Spacek and Cicely Tyson, it follows recent college graduate and aspiring author "Skeeter" Phelan during the civil rights movement of the 1960's as she decides to write a book detailing the African American maids' point of view on the White families they work for and their daily hardships.

I read the book first ... maybe if you intend to do both you should check the movie first?! They're both t'riffic and you'll laugh, cry, and laugh again. Have you seen it yet? GREAT cast.

happy b'day jim

2011-09-24T08:09:00.002-04:00

Can it really be more than 21 years since Jim H died?!
Sigh ... happy b'day, Jim!

S&CT fall issue's out ... check it out!

2011-09-23T22:42:00.003-04:00

hi folkes! just a quick note to let you know that the fall edition of Scrapbook & Cards Today mag is now available. You can EITHER download the digi version by clicking on the picture at left OR view the entire mag online - thanx, S&CT!

some time, some place?

2011-09-23T19:21:00.004-04:00

'nuff said!
don't you love Maxine?!

movie day at the Blondins

2011-09-18T22:25:00.003-04:00

My Mom and I took in this movie today during our visit, after a bit of weeding in the garden, relaxing in their back yard, and an EARLY supper. I usually dine weekdays, so eating before hitting a 6 p.m. show is unheard of for me ... but I knew I'd be wanting to start back home after the show, so that was the plan of the day.

And the movie? It was cute. Or was that Kinnear? Yeah, I think both! And tho' it was pretty formulaic, it still had a pretty nice cast - the leads were played by Sarah Jessica Parker, Pierce Brosnan, and Greg Kinnear, with smaller parts played by Kelsey Grammer and Jane Curtin - all of whom I like, so it was pleasant. Suffice to say it's about a list-maker who's dealing with the juggling act of balancing work and marriage and family.

I'd give it a 3 out of a possible 5 stars rating.

a day of remembrances

2011-09-11T09:01:00.004-04:00

The lovely and talented Jodie Mackrell of Bugaboo Digi Stamps (I'm a fan and love her Stella & Gus line) offers digi freebies every Friday and made this stamp in remembrance of 9-11 as a special tribute to the Police officers, First Responders, Firefighters, and Service men and women all over the world who work so hard to give us freedom and to keep us safe!. Thanx, Jodie!

first Halloween card of the season

2011-09-08T22:37:00.000-04:00

My fav card from September's Stamp Camp offerings ... and I know that I'd saved a link to a similar one I'd spotted in one of the blogs I follow but darn it, can't find it, so can't give proper credit! It's a small world out here in blog land, eh?! Reminds me of a saying ... "Life hasn't been the same since that house fell on my sister!" AND an earlier Halloween card I'd made a couple years ago. I'd intended to pull out my Stampendous mini witch shoes to make one of these this year, and now I have, thanx to the lovely and talented Angie Jarman!

no deets today - all supplies provided in class and I'm too lazy to go looking 'em up!

movie day at the Blondins

2011-09-03T18:00:00.004-04:00

Hi there! Long time, no see! I've been baaad and not created any cards lately, but DID take in another great movie this a.m. My movie buds and I went to a matinee of One Day today, and then stopped at Applebee's for soup, salad, and bread sticks afterward. I've liked Anne Hathaway for ages (Mia in Princess Diaries, Ella in Ella Enchanted, whoever in Devil Wears Prada, Jane Austen in Becoming Jane, the White Queen in Alice in Wonderland to name a few characters ...).

The movie visits friends Emma and Dexter on the anniversary of their one-night stand over a course of 20 years. Sometimes they're together, sometimes apart, sometimes involved in other relationships, sometimes alone. It was an interesting movie, and tho' I didn't like the Dexter character at the beginning, he grows on you. Or is it that he finally matures? Whatever, I'd recommend this one! And from what I've read of comments about how much better the book was than the previews lead folkes to think about the movie, methinks I'm adding that to my list of "Must Reads."

Thanx for stopping by! I hope to upload at least a card this weekend! See you again soon!

movie night at the Blondins

2011-08-27T23:47:00.000-04:00

The whole Blondin clan took in 3D Captain America, an event that doesn't happen all that often. When the kids became teens I pretty much resigned myself to only occasionally spotting them, during random trips to the kitchen, pretty much, or as my youngest generally greets me after work w "hey, what's for supper?" ... so imagine my surprise when both accepted our invite to the movies!

If you liked the retro style and feel of Iron Man, you're bound to like this one! I did; the boys all did, and my DH thanked me for talking him into going to the movies. My eldest and I are generally the movie fanatics in the household. They did a great job of adding 3D effects to this, and suffice to say it's no scene spoiler to say the young Steve Roberts is frustrated by being rejected for military service yet turns out to be the perfect candidate for some special scientific experiments that turn him into a powerful superhero.

Stay after the credits have finished ... as there's a preview of a group get-together movie in the works of multiple super hero characters. I hope Stan Lee and his family are making a mint on the movies, and are able to live comfortably on his new popularity.

I haven't been card-making lately ... been on a reading binge. Read The Help recently (plan to see the movie in a couple weeks w my movie buds), and am now reading Something Borrowed (have already seen that movie).

movie day at the Blondins

2011-08-21T21:35:00.005-04:00

I'm soooo bad; haven't posted much lately. And there be no card-making in the Blondin household this weekend either. I actually worked late Friday, then brought work home (ugh!), and Sunday played with my latest toy (a nook - finally broke down and got an eReader - but with an N2A microSD card to be able to multitask as an Android ... wish me luck here!) and broke away from that to see a movie w friends midday.

I'd suggested we see this one last month, but a couple of my recently retired friends now get to travel at whim and one was away when Crazy, Stupid, Love hit the local theaters. Both Sue's were back in town this weekend (yeah, 3 Sue's who hang together ... what are the chances of that, eh?!) so we got together today w Barb to take in the movie and eats afterward.

The movie was great, tho' I was a bit hesitant to suggest it as I wasn't a fan of 2010's Date Night. Starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Julianne Moore, and Emma Stone, with smaller yet significant parts played by Marisa Tomei and Kevin Bacon - all of whom I like - it was mainly about surviving a mid-life crisis in the marriage of the Carell and Moore characters. I won't spill the beans by saying anything more ... just go see it!

Seen any good movies lately? Please share! I downloaded my first book on the nook and have started reading The Help - probably another movie we'll see soon! ... and now, I'll return to reading! Hope you had a t'riffic weekend and thanx for stopping by!

get well NOW, Pat

2011-08-15T19:47:00.004-04:00

My stamping buddy Pat was out of commission this past weekend and unable to take in a gal's weekend outing w us, so today I dropped off a get well package, hoping she'd heed my message and get well RIGHT NOW, Pat (in case you're reading this)!

Today's card is a hybrid; I scanned in the bag and used that for background and cut out one of the flowers to attach to the outside sentiment.

stamps: n/a; paper: Staples' bright white, SU's Old Olive card stocks; ink: PC-generated

apple of my eye

2011-08-07T20:45:00.005-04:00

Here's a card incorporating my first attempt at coloring using Faber-Castell's Mix & Match Gelatos, which my stamping buddy Pat and I tried our hand at during a stop at one of the booths at this past weekend's Heirloom stamp show in Novi MI. They seemed the consistency and size of lipstick tubes, and we used them similar to how you'd use watercolor crayons. I used their green, red, and yellow for the apples in the picture. We used yellow and drew a few stripes across all three apples, then used red and green additionally in the two left-most apples and blended each of the apples using a paintbrush and water. We dabbed the paintbrush against the green gelato to pick up enough color to color in the leaf. Easy peasy! My colors are all rather muted and work for the current Embellish Mag color challenge when adding the kraft card base! And I had the sentiment at home in an inexpensive clear stamp set from Oriental Trading. I left the inside of the card blank to use for a note later.

Have you tried these gelatos yet? And what's your take on them?

stamps: Lockhart Stamp Co's pefect apples, Oriental Trading's fruit salad; paper: A1 Neenah white, Paper Reflections' black, SU's Crumb Cake card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink

CFC14 smile!

2011-08-07T18:01:00.009-04:00

Aren't daisies the friendliest flowers?!

I have a few different sized daisy punches and pulled them out to make today's card. It was a toss-up as I knew I was going for either Black-eyed Susans or Daisies - and daisies won out! The current CAS-ual Friday CFC14 challenge is to add glitter to your Clean And Simple project using an adhesive glue dot or strip. I used glue dots both to adhere the daisies to the background and to add the glitter, which was white, onto yellow circles that I'd punched from two hand-held circle punches.

The "smile" stamp's from the hand scripted set I got from a muse studio at Heirloom's Rubber Stamp & Paper Arts Festival in Novi MI this weekend. I went with a few friends for a gal's day out outing, and we coupled it with shopping at IKEA and lunch at TGIF's. YUMMY and nice day!

stamps: a muse studio's hand scripted; paper: Paper Paradise's black, Staples bright white, and SU's Summer Sun card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: Sulyn's glitter; tools: Family Treasures' mini daisy and McGill's daisy and circle punches, and glue dots

where do YOU find your inspiration?

2011-08-03T06:17:00.004-04:00

I found this list of 33 ways to stay creative on the Paper Craft Planet's blog and they found it on Kim Burmeister's blog ... and I thought I'd share it here w you! I couldn't find it on Kim's site so I've no idea if she wrote it or fetched it from some other blog ... but I'm curious ... do you think the rule 24 is not lined up on purpose. I'm just sayin' ...

Just up and checking the news before getting my day underway. A wind turbine farm's being erected in the Thumb area, expected to be up and operational by calendar year end. That makes me happy. Nothing like using renewable resources to create energy!

Thanx for stopping by and I hope you have a t'riffic day!

CAS124 shoes & friends

2011-07-31T22:02:00.004-04:00

My older brother was local visiting my Mom this past week and all four of us sibs got together near my sister's home as it's midway between my younger brother and Mom, who live within a couple miles of each other, and my home. Good suggestion! I'm pleased to report that my niece, who's recovering from injuries sustained in a car accident about a year ago, has started a new phase in her road to recovery by volunteering at the place she used to hostess at. It was nice to see all the regulars greeting her back!

After brunch with my sibs and Mom, it was time for Jac to get back on the road home to VA. Karen took me to her Zumba class, and afterward we stopped in at Scrap Tales, a local shop that's announced it's closing and I purchased this sentiment stamp (I knew I had multiple shoe stamps ... have others too, but the card was starting to get a bit crowded, LOL!). Then we headed next door to a consignment shop that's among the cluster of shops by Scrap Tales, where we both lucked out - Karen found 2 tops and I found one. There was a quilt shop there too, but that'll be another day trip! Nice day!

The new stamp's one of MSE's innie & outie line - the shorter phrase is intended for the outside of the card, and the longer portion for the inside of the card - but I liked using it all on the front of this card. The inside was just used for my note to my sister, and to return a few bookmarks she'd picked up at Scrap Tales that were in my bag and we forgot to sort our purchases before I headed for home. A long card was called for to return her stuff, you see, so today I stamped! And it's a bit of a stretch, but mainly one of my fav color combos - that of black, white, and a splash of color!

Thanks for dropping by!

stamps: A Muse Artstamps' golf shoe and slip-on, MSE's shoes & friends, SU's First in Fashion and Scene in a Garden; paper: Basic Grey's two scoops and s-e-i's Mimosa DP, Paper Reflections' black and Staples' white card stocks; inks: SU's Cherry Cobbler and Crumb Cake, Ranger's peeled paint distress stain and black soot distress ink

you are the best

2011-07-28T22:08:00.004-04:00

Today's thank you card is for this week's Tuesday Trigger: Squares to Cherish challenge over on the Moxie Fab World blog, inspired by the colors in the pictured quilt, below. These were the first three colors of distress stain that I'd purchased, just within the last couple of weeks too. Strange coincidence, eh?! They come in bottles with dauber applicators, so I just daubed some of each color on the stamp, spritzed it with water, and inked the card stock, then mounted and popped up the matted piece. Easy peasy!

A quick post tonight as it's after 10 p.m. and I'm sleepy. Thanx for stopping in, and I'll catch you later!

stamps: Hero Arts' Antique Brocade, Technique Tuesday's AE Smooch; paper: American Crafts' textured white and Paper Reflections' black card stocks; inks: Ranger's Distress Stain in broken china, dusty concord, and peeled paint

CPsketch123 anniversary wishes

2011-07-26T00:21:00.001-04:00

What?! Yet ANOTHER anniversary card?! Yep, my sister and I both wed in July and her wedding anniversary's about a week and a year before my own. She catches my blog's mirror posts on Facebook so I put off uploading her card here 'til it was safe to assume she'd received my card. I *love* PTI - especially their sets w matching dies (hey, that rhymes!) - and today's card uses my latest set, Garden Variety, based on Card Patterns' sketch 123. Yep, in case anyone asks you, I'm hooked on sketch challenges.

stamps: PTI's Garden Variety, MSE's Hand Written (inside sentiment); paper: Paper Reflections' black, Staples' bright white, and SU's Green Galore and Gable Green card stocks; ink: A1 watercolor and SU's Crushed Curry and Summer Sun markers, Ranger's pumice stone distress ink (my new fav grey); accessories: misc green ribbon lifted from my table favor at a recent wedding; tools: Cuttlebug w PTI Garden Variety, QuicKutz love dies

a literal take on CTD151

2011-07-25T00:01:00.000-04:00

A literal take, here's my card for this week's color throw down challenge, CTD151. I simply expanded the color challenge snippet, found a small butterfly punch from my stash, punched out butterflies, and assembled the card. The stamp's a used one I picked up recently (thanx, Tiff) and has over 20 sentiments in a mix of print and script - I love that style! I pick up most of my stamps used, usually annually when SU updates their catty!

It's headed to my favorite youngest brother, who went w my Mom and I to the movies today. It was a special treat for me, as I'd thought it was going to be just me 'n Mom for a gals' day out outing. He called us en route to suggest he pick up the tickets as he was already at the mall - in the Sears at the south end of the mall, whereas the movie theater's at the north end. I told Mom to let him know that I'd treat to eats afterward. After the movie (ok, yes ... I saw HP7:Pt2 AGAIN), we ended up heading to a local Fuddruckers for yummy burgers, and then went our separate ways. I live an hour and a half north of them, so I was homeward bound, and Mark took Mom out grocery shopping before bringing her back home. He lives a couple miles from Mom and is an absolute Godsend as he's the first line of support for her ... pays her bills, does her taxes, shovels the driveway, mows the yard, takes her grocery shopping, etc. Have I told you lately how appreciated you are, Mark? Love you!

stamps: Waltzing Mouse's Sweethearts; paper: Staples' bright white card stock; ink: PC-generated and Ranger's black soot distress ink; tools: Punch Bunch butterfly punch

an SC342 anniversary wish

2011-07-24T10:37:00.009-04:00

I made this to give to my DH while playing with a new-to-me PTI stamp set I'd recently acquired and SCS' SC342 sketch challenge. I love these colors together, but maybe it needs a bit more color?

stamps: PTI's Quilter's Sampler; paper: A1 Neenah Natural White, Paper Reflections' black, SU's Crumb Cake, Elegant Eggplant, Old Olive card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink and broken china, dusty concord, and peeled paint distress stains, SU's Crumb Cake; accessories: SU's Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon; tools: Cuttlebug w one of SU's Backgrounds 1 texturz plates

if friends were flowers ...

2011-07-23T21:25:00.003-04:00

... I'd pick you! Awwww ... cute, eh?! This is today's make-'n-take from the kind folkes at CAM (aka Capture-A-Memory, where I usually spend my midday Saturdays w my stampin' buddy Pat). It's sweet, and they usually have projects to showcase a particular technique or product. Today's featuring Martha's fringe scissors, which were used to make the grass in the card. Said product is usually offered at a discount on the days we use it for a make-'n-take. Today's sale also included the cute stamps used to make faces on the flowers and stamps used to make a 2nd card. The face stamps came in multiple styles and sizes - and were STINKIN' CUTE!

no deets today - as all products were provided by the shop.

Looky what I WON!

2011-07-22T13:47:00.002-04:00

I love the Northridge Publishing mags (even more so now, LOL!), and usually get mine using other big-craft-stores' 40% off coupons while at CAM - the place you'll find me on Saturdays for crafty goodness. Well, here's the post I just read via Facebook:

CreaTV: Northridge Publishing
Our July "Things We Love" winner is: Susan L Blondin. She wrote: "camping and s'mores - the two go hand in hand, don't they?!" Congratulations Susan!

And wanna see what I won? Check this out:

movie day at the Blondins

2011-07-21T18:55:00.003-04:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

My eldest and I took in a movie this morning. I was going to take the afternoon off for our haircut appointments, but decided to make a day of it and take in a movie. The final HP movie takes us from Dobby's burial to current day as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of discovering and destroying the Dark Lord's remaining Horcruxes. The majority of this last film covers a single day and includes the battle between Harry's and Voldemort's followers. As with the previous movies, there were things left out that or altered that I questioned ... this surprised me as I'd read so many reports of the directors SO closely following the book in this one ... but even with that, it was T'RIFFIC! We saw it in 3D and there was only one part that I thought was unnecessary (OK, maybe even a little cheesy, folkes) in the pensieve scene. I've gotta say, tho', if you loved the movie, yes, you should now read the book!

love. Love. LOVE the series, and I'm available should anyone locally want company to go see it again!

stamp camp fav

2011-07-21T18:21:00.004-04:00

It took a while before I could post my fav from this month's stamp camp. I was forewarned by two friends that they were sending cards to folkes who would see them on my Facebook mirror post, you see! This one should be to its intended recipient by now, so I'm figuring it should be safe to post today!

love. Love. LOVE this card; don't you?! When I grow up, I'd like to stamp like Angie!

no deets - all SU product provided in workshop

home, sweet home

2011-07-16T21:09:00.004-04:00

I'd ordered a few stamp sets this past week from Lizzie Anne Designs - so sad they're closing - and they sent me this cutie house, so I used it today. The inside sentiment's from Lizzie Anne too, and reads;

Every house where love abides
and friendship is a guest,
is surely home, and
home, sweet home
for there the heart can rest.

sweet, eh?!

stamps: Lizzie Anne's Wonderful World, unknown home stamp; paper: A1 Neenah Natural White, PTI's Ripe Avocado, SU's River Rock card stocks, Avalon's Fantasy DP; ink: Ranger's black soot, faded jeans, pumice stone distress inks; accessories: SU's Pear Pizzazz seam binding ribbon

like ZIG?

2011-07-16T08:37:00.004-04:00

If you're like me, you probably have some of these folkes' fine markers or pens already ... but WHOA! Check out this collection that they're offering as blog candy to one lucky winner!

Care to win their 48 piece ZIG Doodles Galore Collection? It contains 48 ZIG pens including ZIG Millennium sketching pens, ZIG Writers, ZIG Photo Signature and new Wink of Stella pens! Click on the picture at left SOON as one lucky winner will be picked at random on the 25th July and they'll announce it on the blog. GOOD LUCK!

SSD83 plant a seed

2011-07-10T22:43:00.003-04:00

Here's a CAS card using some daisies I'd picked up forever ago and never used ... and they're perfect for the SSD83 sketch challenge from the folkes at Skipping Stones Design, don't you agree?! I'm lovin' clean and simple lines lately. And don't you love daisies? Aren't they just the friendliest flowers (or have I watched You've Got Mail one too many times!)? Voila! Easy Peasy and a 2nd post for today, a rarity lately!

stamps: PTI's Garden Variety; paper: Paper Reflections black, SU's Old Olive, Staples' bright white card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: Martha Stewart's dimensional daisy stickers

FTL148 from my garden

2011-07-10T18:21:00.004-04:00

My latest PTI stamps got inky this weekend, this one following the FTL148 sketch from the gals at clean & simple stamping. I'm making today's a quick post as I'm getting ready to put on a late quick supper, do some weeding, and then watch a movie w my DH over supper. I've still got to get my afternoon walk in too ... sigh ... too much to do and too little time, y'know?!

stamps: PTI's Garden Variety; paper: Paper Reflections' black, SU's So Saffron, Staples' bright white card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink; accessories: Martha Stewart's dimensional daisy stickers, Mike's ribbon

belated greetings

2011-07-09T10:33:00.003-04:00

are birthdays better with balloons? I sure hope Joanne thinks so! today's card is a belated one, headed to a buddy of mine from (way) back in my college days! I sent her an eCard in a timely manner but I wanted to get an inky one to her too! I'm off now, headed to my fav walking path before CAM for today's make-'n-take!

stamps: Hero Arts' Bicycles, Heidi Grace's Winnefred St (inside sentiment), Karen's unnamed balloon; paper: Staples' bright white card stock; inks: SU's Bermuda Bay, Cameo Coral, Rich Razzleberry, and Summer Sun, and Tri-C watercolor markers, and Ranger's black soot distress ink

Zoe, the needle felted pom pom hedgehog

2011-07-07T08:50:00.000-04:00

Can you guess what critters my stamping buddy Kim likes by this picture?! Maybe hedgehogs? LOL! ... and Penny Black comes to my rescue with an adorable line of hedgehog stamps, some of which I've already given Kim as prior gifts.

I don't recall the name of the stamp set these images came from but had saved them for future "kim" cards. I cut apart one image from a card made earlier, used the rascal carrying the envelope for the "stamp" and the others on the front of another card. No deets today as all supplies were provided during a make-'n-take. Kim EXCELS at coloring with watercolor pencils and stubs.

Hope she enjoys her new pet!

happy Independence Day

2011-07-04T07:52:00.006-04:00

On this day in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress, calling for the American colonies to secede from Great Britain. Happy Independence Day to my American friends!

I'm challenged, in more ways than one, LOL! Today's card is a last-minute addition to celebrate an Independence Day challenge with the OCC gals and is based on this week's CPS225 sketch. For the OCC challenge, I chose to make a 4th of July-themed rather than a Christmas in July card but agree you can never start those Christmas cards too early. Another clean and simple masculine project using kraft, that's the subject of this week's CAS-ual Fridays CFC9 challenge. It's been a while since I participated in challenges of any kind tho'!

We have family coming in for a cookout later this afternoon, and it looks like the weather's going to be cooperating for us locally. I'm a big fireworks fan so this is a good thing! I'm up early and it's a mild 65 degrees F out so I'm enjoying having the slider door open so I can listen to the birds out back. I love quiet mornings before everyone gets up. Hope you and yours have a t'riffic 4th!

stamps: Saltbox Studio's SBS104, Stampendous' Hey There Cupcake (sparkler); paper: A1's Neenah Natural White, SU's Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, Not Quite Navy; inks: SU's Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake, More Mustard, Not Quite Navy, Soft Suede, and Summer Sun

if it's july ... tour de France

2011-07-03T18:15:00.006-04:00

My DH and I caught a bit of the Tour de France on TV today, and as my older brother follows the action, I thought my latest Hero Arts bike stamp s/be inked to commemorate the occasion! Inspired by the Father's Day card on p122 of the latest SU catty, I first stamped the bike and then added the background after wiping some of the ink away from the bk's center where the bike would be the focus (inspired by JillyJoy from this post). It'll be heading out to my brother to let him know he's being thought of, while most of my local family will be enjoying Blondin burgers and brats at my house tomorrow. Hope you're having a t'riffic weekend as well! If you're stamping and make a clean and simple masculine project using kraft, that's the subject of this week's CAS-ual Fridays CFC9 challenge.

stamps: Hero Arts' Bicycles, Friend Definition, Magical BK, Technique Tuesday's Good Cheer; paper: A1 Neenah's Natural White, SU's Close to Cocoa, Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Summer Sun card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink, SU's Crumb Cake, VersaMark

for the love birds

2011-07-02T17:31:00.007-04:00

I had the pleasure of a first for me this weekend - attending a wedding at the Pine Knob Mansion in Clarkston MI - for a stamping buddy's daughter. Her colors were dark brown with the bright pink and green at left. I helped with the wedding invites in exchange for a couple pieces of the card stock to use for my card to them! I used my invite in a mini album I gave to the bride for one of her shower gifts (why didn't I take a picture of THAT also, you ask?!).

Anywho, condensed from the Pine Knob Mansion web site comes the following:

Colonel Sidney Dunn Waldon, of Packard Motor Co and Cadillac Motor Co fame, was born in London, England in 1873, and came to the United States in 1893. He purchased 840 acres of land in Clarkston, Michigan in 1927 and hired H. A. O'Dell to design a home for him. The result was a 19 room English Manor residence located atop the highest point in Southeastern Michigan (elevation 1221 feet).

One of the most impressive rooms of the Mansion is the "Great Hall" with it's gracefully arched ceilings, and acoustically perfect design. It's East and West walls are comprised of ceiling to the floor arched windows offering magnificent views of the sunrise and sunset. The Colonel's library, which is still the library today, is located just off the main entrance. He imported materials from all over the world and employed European craftsman to complete much of the work. For example, the oak screen, wood paneling and stone fireplaces took almost three years to carve. These artisans also crafted the stained glass windows and arched ceilings.

Colonel Waldon passed away on January 20, 1945 at the age of 72. Today the mansion is available for corporate or private events, and Sunday brunches. Sounds like a nice "gals day out" outing for my sister, Mom, and me! I'd love to take a tour of the place!

Some pics of the mansion and grounds follow:

Back to the card deets!
stamps: Hero Arts Woodgrain Pattern, SU's Congrats; paper: unknown bright pink and green, SU's ~~Kraft~~ Crumb Cake, Staples' white card stocks; ink: SU's ~~Kraft~~ Crumb Cake, Old Olive, Soft Suede; tools: Cuttlebug w QuicKutz's bird, love birds dies (used bird on card, love birds on envelope)

an SU wish list

2011-07-01T11:39:00.005-04:00

hi folkes ... okay, here's my personal wish list from a first review of the latest SU catty ... just in case you were wondering, eh?! they're not all new ... and it's not in order of priority ... just in the order of where they appear in the latest Stampin' Up! catty! so, what's on YOUR list?

p35 - Sweet Season (sigh ... love that gingerbread sentiment)
p42 - Come to Bethlehem
p46 - I {heart} Hearts
p53 - Now You're Cookin'
p65 - Sweets for the Sweet *
p83 - Little Additions, Aviary
p102 - Season of Friendship
p103 - Best of Everything
p113 - Inspired by Nature
p123 - Every Moment
p145 - Texture
p148 - From the Kitchen of
p156 - Word Play, You're a Gem
p157 - Pursuit of Happiness
p166 - Many Merry Messages

* methinks my fav stamp set of the new catty is the Sweets for the Sweet set!

Cheryl's got blog candy

2011-07-01T10:45:00.003-04:00

Hi folkes ... quick post here. Cheryl's got blog candy, so click on the picture and visit her blog by July 31st, and tell her SueB sent ya!

kindness comes in many forms

2011-06-25T19:00:00.003-04:00

and, while we've just a few days remaining 'til the new catty will be available, here's a sneak peek at a new hostess set and ink color - they're Simply Soft and Calypso Coral, respectively. I'm itching to get to see the latest and greatest from Stampin' Up! How 'bout you?

A great 2-step flower stamp that may tempt me, I keep thinking I don't need any more flowers - how many can a person use, anyhow - but then another one grabs my attention. I'm a sucker for used stamp sets that demos sell this time of year, too, and must get my wish list together!

all SU product - stamps: Simply Soft, paper: First Edition DP, and Calypso Coral, Chocolate Chip, and Very Vanilla card stock; ink: Calypso Coral, Old Olive, and Soft Suede; accessories: Chocolate Chip 1/2" Scallop Dots ribbon; tools: scallop trim border

the a-z of me

2011-06-25T08:10:00.003-04:00

Dunno where I'd first spotted this post and image offhand, but thot it appropriate for today as I've no cards to share ... YET! Catch ya later this afternoon!

the a-z of me

A. Age: as old as my tongue and slightly older than my teeth (wait, that's a movie quote too!)

B. Bed size: queen

C. Chore you dislike: dishes, grocery-shopping, laundry ... are we talking alphabetically or by degrees of dislike here? does anybody really like chores?

D. Dogs: none currently (loved in my past - tippy, skippy, nugget, lady, tiger)

E. Essential start to your day: a heckova cup of amaretto-flavored coffee made by my DH

F. Favorite color: purple, closely followed by bright green, then yellow

G. Gold or silver: definitely gold - yellow golds

H. Height: 5'3"

I. Instruments you play(ed): tried my had at the kazoo, recorder, and tamborine (all quite unsuccessfully, I might add)

J. Job title: assistant to VP-Admin/Finance

K. Kids: 2

L. Live: mid-Michigan

M. Mom's name: Sylvia

N. Nicknames: Sue, Laurie (but only by my Dad)

O. Overnight hospital stays: 3

P. Pet peeves: negativity 'cept when it's ME complaining, mind you

Q. Quote from a movie: Look Doris, someday you're going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn't work. And when you do, don't overlook those lovely intangibles. You'll discover those are the only things that are worthwhile.

R. Righty or lefty: lefty

S. Siblings: yes, 3

T. Time you wake up: 3-ish and 6-ish

U. Underwear: what about it? currently wearing? no, I'm still in jammies.

V. Vegetables you don't like: pickles! (yuck! but cukes are fine ... does that count?)

W. What makes you run late: procrastination

X. X-rays you've had: bone density, mamogram, teeth

Y. Yummy food you make: Blondin burgers

Z. Zoo animal favorites: I'm a museum and zoo fanatic ... love 'em all!

So, now go post an a-z of YOU, and let me know when you've done it!

a long tall drink of water

2011-06-20T21:28:00.004-04:00

Inspired by Jennifer's 6/9 sympathy card post, this one's for today's (I know, shocker, eh?!) CAS124 Clean & Simple challenge. I'd picked up these couple stamps just a week ago and they hadn't been inked yet, and I thought the design would complement the skinny tall challenge. Mine's about 3x6" so it'll fit into a #6-3/4 envelope and is paired with a mini ali stamp set's sentiments on the outside and a studio g ditto set for the inside. Easy peasy and on it's way off to my Mom tomorrow!

I LOVE Queen Anne's Lace; I know, it's officially a weed, but it's so darn pretty! I'm thinking of planting some to border the south side of my house. My DH has trimmed the low evergreen we've had there for years and last year asked if I wouldn't mind him removing them. Well, he's removed MOST of it now, and I'm torn between daisies and Queen Anne's Lace for that spot. Should I add a poll?

stamps: ali's amazing, studio g's botanical, botanical background, best mom; paper: A1's Neenah Natural White, SU's Kiwi Kiss; ink: Ranger's black soot, faded jeans, pumice distress inks, SU's Kiwi Kiss

happy Father's Day!

2011-06-19T10:50:00.003-04:00

to all the Dads in my life ... my own (who's passed away), my DH, and to my brothers, uncles, and friends ... happy Father's Day! Hey, Jack's Pippin's dad, right?!

here's the card I made for my DH this year - my fav brewmeister. I have lots of coffee-related material that'll last me well into retirement years, I'm betting, LOL! May you never tire of this line, PB!

stamps: TPC Studio's Coffee Cake, studio g ditto's Lucky Guy (inside sentiment); paper: SU's Cherry Cobler and ~~Kraft~~ Crumb Cake, A1 Neenah Natural White card stocks; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink, SU's Cherry Cobler and ~~Kraft~~ Crumb Cake

showering you with wishes today

2011-06-18T23:41:00.000-04:00

a bridal shower card for a friend's daughter ... I scanned the photo album I picked up at a local art fair and used that for the 1-1/8" punches on the card's front. her colors are the bright pink, bright green, and brown. I used this past week's SCS Clean and Simple Cards CAS123 sketch challenge for the card's layout.

the inside reads:
wishing you
a wedding filled with romance,
a marriage filled with love,
and a lifetime filled with happiness.

thanx to blue mountain cards for the inside sentiment!

stamps: n/a; paper: American Crafts' textured white, SU's vellum card stocks; ink: PC-generated - dark brown for sentiments, scanned photo album for squares, SU's green galore

SB&CT's summer issue's available

2011-06-17T23:01:00.004-04:00

The summer edition of Scrapbook & Cards Today mag is now available. You can EITHER download the digi version by clicking on the picture at left OR view the entire mag online - thanx, S&CT!

farewell, Stan & Angie!

2011-06-17T18:15:00.004-04:00

Our university's president and first lady of these past 6 years is retiring this month and I was asked to make a card from his cabinet to mark the occasion. Mainly a collage of things that held special significance to them both, I enlisted the aid of my youngest son and provided him the images for the project. He worked on the collage while I worked on another project that I'll be posting later this weekend!

stamps: n/a; paper: AC Cardstock's white, SUs brilliant blue and summer sun (methinks); ink: PC-generated

jessy's b'day

2011-06-13T23:06:00.006-04:00

Long time, no see! My niece Jessy's nickname is kittie ... hence I'm always on the lookout for cute kitty stamps. I found this one at the Mega Meet held last month in Novi. It's one of 4 on a cube stamp, and I used another of the kitty images with the inside sentiment. And isn't that mouse adorable too? Another Mega Meet find, this time from Judith. I thought he looked like he could be carrying something heavy - in this case, a gift card and lighted candle - OR holding his hands up. Either way, he's sweating bullets 'cuz he's been spotted by the friendly kitty!

I'd uploaded this to Splitcoast as my blog mirror posts to Facebook and I didn't want the card spotted 'til after the birthday party, then forgot to post it here! I've been SUCH a slacker lately, I know! I DID get some stamping time in this weekend, but the cards are intended for Facebook buddies so they'll get uploaded here eventually ...

stamps: Inky Antics' kitty cube, Judith's mouse, studio g's happy birthday candle; paper: Staples; ink: Ranger's black soot distress ink, SU and Tri-C watercolor markers

out with the old

2011-06-01T22:55:00.002-04:00

In order to make room for all the new products coming in July, hundreds of SU stamp sets, accessories, and home décor products are retiring and available thru June 30 while supplies last!

Click on the picture to see the PDF detailing which stamps are retiring.

Blondin Blogs

me and you - what a team!

a time to relax

life's truest happiness

CAM, you've done it again!

celebrate Penguin Awareness Day

thank you for being you

CCMC184 smooches

my Wordle valentine

stamp camp fav

I Used To Believe

CAM make-'n-take

It's January 4th, and you know what THAT means ...

a year in review blog hop - blog candy winner

have a beautiful day, Mom!

happy new year!

Top 10 YouTube Videos of 2011

Top 10 Trendiest Stamp Sets of 2011

a year in review blog hop

year end lists, part deux

variations on a theme

Lifestyle Crafts' I Made This Contest

Jesus is the reason for the season

top 10 lists of 2011

merry Christmas, everyone!

dinner w friends

peace on earth

play date cafe #112

sweet sunday

S&CT's winter edition's available!

happy b'day sue

just a little JGNC14 Christmas note

It's Beginning to Look Like An SSSC144 Christmas

thankful for CFC29

happy thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

I love a parade!

celebrate this december day

how I spent my mini vac wk - pt 2

how I spent my mini vac wk - pt 1

stamp camp fav

Awww ... missed it AGAIN!

This is Halloween

autumn splendor

it's in the mail

I LOVE trees

trick or treat ...

frightful & delightful

black and white and ...

thinking of you

Oh my, Moxie Fab!

halloween mojo

on Macs and Steve Jobs

have a spooky night!

happy world card making day!

better than yesterday

movie night at the Blondin's

happy b'day sue

movie day at the Blondin's

happy b'day jim

S&CT fall issue's out ... check it out!

some time, some place?

movie day at the Blondins

a day of remembrances

first Halloween card of the season

movie day at the Blondins

movie night at the Blondins

movie day at the Blondins

get well NOW, Pat

apple of my eye

CFC14 smile!

where do YOU find your inspiration?

CAS124 shoes & friends

you are the best

CPsketch123 anniversary wishes

a literal take on CTD151

an SC342 anniversary wish

if friends were flowers ...

Looky what I WON!

CreaTV: Northridge Publishing Our July "Things We Love" winner is: Susan L Blondin. She wrote: "camping and s'mores - the two go hand in hand, don't they?!" Congratulations Susan!

CreaTV: Northridge Publishing
Our July "Things We Love" winner is: Susan L Blondin. She wrote: "camping and s'mores - the two go hand in hand, don't they?!" Congratulations Susan!