Mornin', Glory!

Morning Glories blooming from seed I planted in July

I've been staying indoors as our Indian Summer winds down. Temperatures were in the low 100's for days, but we got a reprieve this weekend. As usual, we can expect one last heat wave as October arrives but I'm looking forward to cooler weather and putting a blanket on the bed by the middle of the month.

A fire hydrant burst in our neighborhood! I was upstairs in my scrap room working on a layout when I happened to see the hubbub outside. Water was rushing over the curbs and sidewalks until the fire department and utility company arrived.

Here is the scrapbook page I was working on. 

I used puzzle pieces, a train punch, and dripped paint on this layout. 

I also used Making Memories Vintage Findings (school) which included the Report Card envelope and 1960's era book page.

 

Handyman brought in the Fall decor boxes, which are now sitting in the living room. I can't wait to dig through them! 

I try not to rush through the seasons, and have been pretty good at waiting until September is over before bringing out the pumpkins. I'll just enjoy these Morning Glories a while longer~

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You're Going To Love It

Mosaic Monday
The Chicken Chick
Fresh Cut Fridays

Some Girls Are Just Meant to Fly

A few weeks ago I won some 'candy' from a blog hop featuring Scrapmatts, and I decided to take a break from making greeting cards in order to create a 12" x 12" scrapbook page. Time flies, and it seems it's been awhile since I made a layout! College Girl provides ample photo ops for me and I am behind on scrapping some of my favorites.

On this page I did some border stitching and wrote

 If pictures say 1000 words, why do yours leave me speechless?  

 

This photo was taken as my daughter was leaving for Pref Day during her sorority's Fall Recruitment and she is wearing her kite necklace.  I used Kappa Alpha Theta symbolism: a kite, a punch to depict Pansies, and part of 1 Corinthians 13:13.

I also used Scrapmatts floral scroll, painted black, and the mini word 'admire'. College Girl is dedicated to her studies and I admire her well earned achievements.

During the past two weeks I have been cleaning house, Christmas shopping, toured a 100 year old home, visited Disneyland's Thor exhibit and still found time to walk. I am determined to get my daily walks, especially with the holidays on the horizon. Anyone started Christmas decorating? That's next on our agenda.

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Twirl and Take a Bow 
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Getting Punchy

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Robert Frost

I am so excited that it's finally Fall. Yahoo! It is my favorite time of year. Happy October - where the days begin to cool and more time is spent indoors with family. All I can think of is cinnamon apples, pumpkin biscotti, gorgeous boots, pretty scarves, hot pots of tea and decorating for the holidays. More reading, too, curled up on the sofa with kitties. Speaking of cats, our newest member of the family is adjusting well. 

 

Sleeping in his cardboard scratching cube

Yesterday he fell asleep draped across my foot as I worked on this 'Boo' card. Treasured Times has a new Challenge starting October 3. The guidelines for this month's challenge are:

•   use the color gold or mustard
•   use a punch
•   twist= use a spray ink or mist

I used Treasured Times Boo Witch Clear Stamp #515-S and Distress Inks. To fulfill the Challenge I used harlequin patterned card stock behind the witch which is mustard and orange. I also used three different punches on this greeting card. Can you spot where I used a corner punch, bat punch and house punch?  I did the twist! I used Perfect Pearls mist on the spiderweb and it glistens in the light. The spiders, jack-o-lantern and red star are adhered with foam to give them dimension.

Join us at Treasured Times: Make a card for autumn, use the Challenge guidelines, then upload your entry here. 

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf.

I am entering this card in the 2 Creative Chicks Halloween Challenge, which ends October 31!

 

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Share Your Cup 
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2 Creative Chicks 

Valentine Easel Card~

Treasured Times Stamps  sent me two stamps to craft with and I immediately set to work on making cards! I decided to make an easel style card with the Terrye French 'love' stamp. I used:

• white card stock
• K & Company floral die cut and acetate
• Perfect Pearls Mist on the clock die cut
• Tim Holtz Sizzix Alterations weathered clock
• heart eyelets, Crop A Dile and ribbon
• The Paper Studio Doodle Hearts embossing folder
• Distress Ink and Stickles
• Recollections super fine glitter in pink

I cut a piece of card stock 4 and 1/2 inches by 9 inches, and folded it in half.  Next, I folded the upper half back on itself at the midway point which was 2 and 1/4 inches by 4 and 1/2 inches- it looked like a letter 'Z' from the side.

 I decorated a 4 and 1/2 inch square piece of card stock with woven heart-embossed strips on pink matting. Then I layered the weathered clock die cut which was spritzed with Perfect Pearls Mist. I added the K & Company floral die cut, acetate butterfly and acetate sentiment. Lastly, I placed a fussy cut stamped Terrye French heart inside the clock. I stamped the heart with glue and sprinkled super fine glitter on the image.

 

If you look closely, you can see that I also added a strip of heart punched paper along the bottom front. I used a Martha Stewart border punch for this piece.

To give the card edge something to rest against so it stands open, I used my Crop A Dile to insert two heart shaped eyelets through which I tied ribbon.

 I will share my other card next time so I don't bombard you with photos! College Girl starts a new semester this week and has been getting ready to go back to the school routine - she cleaned out her closet, bought some shoes and spent some Christmas money on a Kate Spade bracelet which was on sale.

   
         

I love the positive message inside, don't you?

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Monday Funday at Uncommon Designs
Mosaic Monday at Dear Little Red House 


 

Spices and Tea

A fellow blogger, scrapbooker and thoughtful friend shared two photos with me that she knew I would like! Cindy  has been creating wedding pages since the recent nuptials of her son and his bride. Below is one her layouts. Stop by her blog to see more of her scrapbook pages.

CREATED and photographed by CINDY

Her son Greg took some wonderful photos of an outdoor market during his honeymoon in Istanbul and Cindy gave me permission to share them with you.

Look at all the tea! I see several I'd like to sample.

Can you imagine the aroma? Tea and spices of all varieties! I spot pepper grinders and small bundles of cinnamon too. I'd love to steep up some Jasmine 'pearls' (bottom, right) and watch them unfurl in the teapot before pouring the resulting tea into delicate china teacups or elegant clear glass beakers. These photos inspired me to make a card using rusts, peaches and greens~

I used~

• Colorbok Vintage Treasures 12"x12" paper
• Prima flower and leaf
• Celebrate It gold mesh ribbon from Michaels
• Martha Stewart edge punch
• Distress Ink by Ranger

 





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Made U Look, Made In a Day

Tea with Alice~

I have another pocket greeting card to share with you today, and a sweet cup! I just bought the Stampendous  set of Wonderland stamps and couldn't wait to try them out.

              *Cut patterned paper 6" by 11"

*Crease paper in 3 places from short side: at 4", 5 and 1/2", and 7". Then use circle punch to make two half-circle notches about 1/2" from long edge.

*Adhere notched peak back against upper 4" section in the center and sides. I sewed mine. Mat with coordinating paper, if desired. Decorate, embellish, punch edges and stamp.

*I stamped and fussy cut Alice and the clock. I used a Martha Stewart punch on the ends.

 *The small journaling oval is Anna Griffin, and the other small pieces are Girls Paperie. 

       *I found the teacup ribbon at Michaels! It comes in several colorways. I got one of each~ lol~ I wrapped the ribbon around the creased and matted paper, then glued these into a blank white card.

 Standard gift cards also fit in the pockets...perfect for Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Graduation. You could  leave the center open and slide a gift card in horizontally, too.

 I made room for a handwritten sentiment and best wishes on the journal spot next to Alice~

The front is also decorated. However, the card remains in the open position, as shown, when taken from the envelope...perfect for the receiver to enjoy your sentiment!

College Girl is studying for final exams and I am having a cup of Grace Rare Teas Winey Keemun with some dark chocolate. I have two bars to choose from. Which would you choose? Crystallized Ginger with 65% cocoa content, or cranberries and almonds  with 72% cocoa content?

How about a small piece of each? I have been known to eat a bar of 77% dark chocolate without sharing!lol The older I get the less sugar I prefer in my chocolate...guess I am a hard core chocolate fan!

As I nibble I enjoy the tea party scene on my cup~

                  The Mad Hatter looks happy!

              There are hearts on the handle~

Do you ever just pick up a piece of chocolate and inhale the scent? It's almost as good as eating it!

"This is the most curious tea party I've ever been to!"

 If you decide to make one of the pocket cards let me know so I can see it. I am entering my card in the Altered Alice Blog challenge~






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Get your Craft on Tuesday
Marthas Favorites 
Artful Affirmations 
Teacup Thursday with Miss Spenser 
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Delightsome Life 

Sending You Tea~

My thoughtful friend, Cindy, sent me an email letting me know about a cute creation posted on Cosmo Cricket's Facebook page. It was a teabag card! The minute I saw it I stopped what I was doing and started rummaging through paper scraps. Cosmo Cricket offers a template but I made my own version using measurements from two teabags. I had so much fun making the first one that I decided to make a second card and shoot a tutorial to share!

You will need~

• cardstock for the card, additional decorative paper optional
• glue
• string or ribbon to close
• circle punch
• something to decorate the front
• 2 teabags

I also used Verve Stamps, Distress ink, flowers, chipboard, Crop A Dile, adhesive paper tape, paint, printed Eiffel Tower image from Graphics Fairy, scallop edge scissors.



One piece of cardstock 6 & 1/2" wide x 5 & 3/4" high. I used Pink Paislee 



Fold bottom up 1 & 3/4" to form pocket. Then, 3/4" from outside edge, punch a shallow half-circle. Ink edges. Now is the time to adhere horizontal ribbon, if desired, across the back & above the pocket

 

Cut two pieces of cardstock 4"x 1"(save one for outside spine). Cut two pieces of decorative paper 2 & 3/4" x 3 & 3/4", ink edges and glue to inside back. Fold card in half, open, then glue narrow strip to interior center, overlapping it's edges on the decorative paper you just adhered.

                                  
I used adhesive paper tape along the folded bottom for reinforcement.(the tape was 1/2" wide, so 1/4" will be seen on the outside and inside bottom edges) The Tim Holtz  tissue paper tape would also work nicely. I tried just folding the bottom, and scoring then folding the bottom, but even using cardstock the crease was weak.

Remember~If you want to use ribbon and not have it show on the inside, place the ribbon horizontally above the notched edge and adhere the decorative paper and center spine over it, letting it extend beyond the card edges long enough to tie. You can also attach the ribbon/string on the outside, use another closure or go without! I used 2 different methods~



I used scallop edge scissors on the top, inked all edges, used glue dots to secure notched flap in place along sides and center..leave pocket open for teabags! See the paper tape along the bottom?



Here are the teabags nestled in their pockets...now to finish the front~ I did some stamping.



just for you




I used my Crop A Dile to set heart-shaped eyelets

 

I glued the second 4"x 1" piece to the outer spine

 Here is the first teabag card I made with graphic 45. This one ties with green ribbon. I also used a small printed image of the Eiffel Tower on the front, and edged the print with a tiny bit of pink Adirondack paint dabber called 'Rose'. 



This little card has a chipboard teapot covered in decorative paper, stamping, inking, punched corner pieces, a paper rose and a Studio K epoxy sticker.

 
                         
Sharing this post with How Sweet the Sound Pink Saturday