Well... Hello there!

Real Life, as it says on this card... Real life can be pretty hectic.  Real life can be stressful.  Real life can be more wonderful than words can express.
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I have been still making cards (and scrapbooking here and there).  I just have not been posting cards!  I know, I know... I have promised in previous posts that "now I am back" and "I promise to post more", but it gets to be, well, real life.
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So here is a card I made to send the boys' school photos in for a family member.
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Real Life.  Don't miss it!

Hi!

This card was made kind of on demand. A friend called to ask me if I would send a card to her daughter's class... and to do it in time to be there for their celebration of the 100th day of school. She said that I did not have to make it or be fancy... that they were mainly interested in getting cards from different places so that they could locate them on a map (kindergarten style). "Of course," she added, "I bet you will make a nice card anyway and she would love that!"

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So here is what I came up with... I tried to keep it bright and cheery and this was the first time using this stamp set that I purchased on a used stamp sale.

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I don't feel comfortable using such bright colors and if I were to make the card again I might color the smaller images differently... but I think this was alright.

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Coming soon... using up that scrap bin!!! Taking my odds and ends bits of paper and putting them to work!

Here I go...

I have gotten my Christmas cards all made! And I have actually gotten some other cards made JUST FOR FUN!!! (Haven't done that in a while!) I will get pictures of those up sometime soon... in the meanwhile I found one in the ol' archives to post for today.

This card was one of about ten (all the same) that I made for MOPS. I was to be a table leader for my local group, but changes in my son's education made it so that I could not participate last year. (MOPS is a great organization for stay-at-home-moms of toddlers. I would recommend every mom to check one out.) Anyway... these cards were made to be used as introduction cards for everyone at my table. Inside I had listed (printed out from the computer) my name, address and phone number... and some other little facts about me so that everyone at my table could know a little bit about me right away. I was so excited to be a discussion leader... oh well. Helping out my bigger little guy was first priority... and it was, of course, well worth it!

What I loved about the design of this card was using a new template and paper piercer to make the faux stitching along the red sheet of paper. New technique for me at the time and I love it still!!! (For those of you maybe unfamiliar with these tools... basically I pierced the paper with a pointy tool and the holes are perfectly spaced using a small plastic template. Then, I used a white pen to create the "stitching." It is a fun effect!)

So, a sunny "hello" to you all today!

Running Out!

This card is a direct adaptation from a sample in a Stampin' Up! catalog. I just love these colors together.








This is one stamp that I really like and use a lot to make elegant "thank you" notes. The handmade paper is a favorite, too. Someday (I have have all the tools) I hope to make paper myself... just need to find the time.







I am running out of photos from the archives of old cards I have made. I am going to have to get going on making some new cards! (Actually, I am always making cards here and there... I have just been bad lately about getting them done in time so that I remember to take photos of them before I give them out!)

I will be starting my Christmas cards soon (got the paper to make them just Tuesday night) and those will monopolize much of my time until they are done. I have a pattern all picked out and the assembly should be fairly quick to some cards I have made in the past. So, it should not be too bad. (It never REALLY is TOO BAD since it is doing something I love!!!)