Some of you may recall my post about 8 weeks ago when my dog, Kayla, was diagnosed with a disc problem in her lower spine.  Since then I have been watching her closely hoping to avoid pricey and risky surgery.  She has good days and not so good days but I'm glad I didn't rush to put her under the knife.  She has been a happy, active dog.  However... I have been a little concerned this week because she seems to have some difficulty getting up and doesn't seem to be so happy-go-lucky.  My husband thinks I'm blowing things out of proportion.  Could be, but I don't think so.  Kayla and I are together all day - and I mean all day.  I'm one of those people that takes my dog with me when ever and where ever I can.  We're a package deal, if you know what I mean.  If anyone was going to notice something wrong, don't you think it would be me?  Yea, I think so too.  I'm goin' with my gut instinct.  If things don't improve another vet visit may be in our near future.

So, speaking of vet visits, today's card was the card I sent our vet the last time we were there.  It was such a traumatic day, not only for Kayla but for me as well.  I am certain that vet has never seen such a crazed dog owner in all his career.  Let's just say I was a little...high maintenance.  I owed this man a thank you card or I was certain he would ask us not to return.  Hope he liked it - we haven't been in contact since!

Every knows that I love my SU stamps and accessories.  I truly am an SU junkie.  But, when I came across this stamp from Inky Antics, I had to have it.  This dog looks exactly like Kayla.  And, how appropriate with her paw in a bandage?  Some cards are just meant to be.  So, please excuse my slight diversion from my SU addiction.  Right now, I'm all about my pup.

I colored the image with my Prismacolor pencils and gamsol,  In fact, if you are new to this type of coloring or want to learn more about it, the Inky Antics website linked above has an instruction sheet you can download, or you can see it here.  It has awesome instructions.

My canine and I thank you for stopping by! 

Mary Ann (and Kayla too)

The first time I came across what I'm calling a DVD organizer is when I received one from my friend, Kelley, at the Stampin' Up! Leadership conference last January.  Within a couple of months, I was seeing them posted everywhere!  Apparently good ideas travel fast!  Once I found out where to get these tins, I had to order some too.  (For those of you who are interested, they can be found here).  The last time I checked, the cost of these tins were $1.22 each but they are shipped from Canada so the final cost will be close to $2 each (if you live in the US).  These make great gifts and are very easy to make.  The organizer to the left is the one Kelley gave me.

Here is the inside.

Here is what the inside of the tin looks like when you first get it.  The black insert on the right just pops out.

When I got my order, I made about a dozen of these and gave them to various friends and family.  Unfortunately, I only took a picture of a couple of them.

These two were made for my nieces.  The front was covered with designer series paper (it was current at the time I made them!) and I added chipboard letters for their initials.

For the inside, I changed things up a bit.  Instead of having just one pocket, I glued several envelopes together to create an accordion file.  The tab punch was used to add tabs on each of the envelopes for labeling purposes.  I was able to fit four envelopes in the tin.  Anymore than that made it difficult to close.

Here is a close-up of the envelopes:

As I mentioned above, I made a number of these.  Here is the inside of another one I did for my friend's daughter.  Instead of using the A2 envelopes, I changed the orientation and used smaller envelopes but added a calendar.

I hope you enjoyed today's project!  Email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Have a good weekend.

Mary Ann

I haven't been able to spend much time in my craft room this week with the exception of having to make a few birthday cards for some family members.  Time has simply not been my friend lately.  As a result, over the next few days I'm pulling out a few creations from the past to post so I can get caught up with some of my other stamping projects.

I made this card for our dear friends who had my husband and I over for a fabulous dinner.  This cute chef is from the stamp set, Voila.  I colored him with Aquapainters and watercolor crayons.  To make the argyle print on his pants, I used the masking technique and used the argyle stamp from the retired set, Looks like Spring.

It may be hard to see in the photo, but I also used Print Pattern background stamp on the turqouise card stock.  I also added a bit of paper piercing  in the corners for some added texture.  The "thank you" sentiment is from the retired set Fancy Flexible Phrases.  To finish the card off, I added black brads for buttons.

Check back this weekend to see the mini organizers I made for my nieces using a recycled DVD tin.

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary Ann

I look forward to Monday's knowing that a new sketch will be posted on the Poetic Artistry blog.  This is sketch number 34.   I'm still on this kick of trying to utilize stamps and accessories that haven't seen the light of day lately.  Wild Rose and Porcelain Prints designer series paper definitely fits the bill.  At least I'm using a set and accessory that is still current!

I'm a little short on time today.  I'm off to visit a friend in the hospital. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Mary Ann

There are a few colors within the Stampin' Up! color families that simply don't get a lot of use or "face time" with me.  Sage Shadow is one of those colors.  It's not that I don't like it or have some type of issue with it, I'm just not drawn to it.  So, when I decided to participate in this weeks Sketch Challenge on SCS, I felt it was time to pull out some of my neglected stamps and supplies.

For this week's sketch, I used the stamp set Wanted.  This is another one of those sets where the rubber rarely meets the ink.  I think I got this set at the Stampin' Up! convention last year and it was used for a couple of make-n-takes, but beyond that...nothin'. 

So, not only am I using neglected stamps, neglected paper, but neglected embellishments and designer paper too!  So neglected in fact, that the designer paper is now retired as are the star eyelets!

Is it possible I have too much "stuff"?  I had to actually open the package of designer paper to make this card and had nearly an entire canister of star eyelets.  Hmmm...the words "collector" and "pack rat" comes to mind.  I always have such good intentions to use these things when I buy them - I really do!  But, why is it that when I get my hands on that yummy designer paper, I'm too frugal to use it?  I don't get it!  I'm in my 6th year as a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I can honestly say that I have never (ever) used an entire pack of designer paper.  One day I'll have the guts to actually post a picture of the accumulation of designer series paper dating back to 2002.  For those of you who have been around over 5 years, do you remember the solid color, single-sided paper we used to sell?  Got it!  What about the single-sided background paper that had various designs and swirls on them?  Got it!  And I wonder why I'm running out of space in my craft room.

I'm off to see what else I can find.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Mary Ann

I'll admit it, I think Martha Stewart rocks.  I've been a fan for years.  I even wrote to her when she was in jail.  Yup, it's true, but I'll save that story for a different post.  I recognize she has a lot of help when it comes to producing her show and magazines, but you can't deny the fact that this woman knows more about "stuff" than any normal person should.  My husband has no interest in tuning in to the Martha Stewart show each day but you can be darned sure he would love it if I knew even a smidge of what she did - especially when it comes to cooking.  Since I can't watch her show each day, I recently subscribed to her magazine - Love it!  Even the ads are fun to look at!

While I was perusing my recently acquired magazine, I came across this ad and immediately loved the color combo.  (Isn't it funny how when we speak of colors some of us speak in terms of Stampin' Up! colors?  Instead of blue, it's Soft Sky or instead of green, it's Certain Celery.  Fortunately my family has become accustom to it). 

I used the ad as inspiration for today's card.  I used Soft Sky, Tempting Turquoise, Certain Celery, Old Olive, So Saffron and Whisper White.  I don't think I would have put these colors together otherwise.  I also used my favorite stamp set, Text and Texture.  And, for a little added dimension, I used my new paisley Cuttlebug embossing folder. 

For added inspiration, I used the sketch posted on the Poetic Artistry blog, sketch 33.  I just flipped the image to accomodate the sentiment. 

Here's my end result.  It's a 5.25" square card.  I ran a white craft pad over the paisely design to soften up, but it's hard to tell in the picture.

Since this was Martha inspired, perhaps the sentiment should read, "Life...it's a good thing".

~Mary Ann

I am so lucky to have two nieces that enjoy stamping.  The once or twice a year I get to see them usually results in a stamping marathon that can last into the early morning hours.  For years they have come to Florida for Spring Break, but this year their family trip took them to Mexico instead.  I really missed having them here. 

To keep them in the "stamping spirit", I assembled a care package of recently acquired Stampin' Up! stamps and a few new rub-ons and sent them to the girls.  While it wasn't the same as giving them in person, I knew they would enjoy the package just as much.  This is the card that accompanied all of the goodies.

The sentiment is from the stamp set called Text and Textures.  I love that set.  It's simple, yet versatile.  I finally opened my Flower Fusion Accents and Elements tin and adhered a quick felt flower to the front with a rhinestone brad.  While I'll admit it's not the most creative use of the flowers, I can at least say I've used it.  I'm not one of those naturally creative stampers so the fact that I opened the package was a big step for me :).  Besides, my nieces won't give a hoot about the card anyway.  It's all about the stamps...

Have a great day.

Mary Ann

I knew I was going to take a few days off from blogging during Spring Break, but I didn't realize it was going to be more than a week.  Apparently I was having too much fun!  It really was a great week.  Last  Wednesday my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary.  We went on a road trip to find the historic church we got married in and then went to the restaurant where our reception was held.  It was an awesome trip down memory lane.  Later in the week, my BFF and I had the opportunity to see friends that were in from out of town (Hi Vickie and Rose!).  Fun times - and pictures to prove it!

Yesterday was my monthly Stamp Camp.  We had such a good time.  Today's post showcases one of the 3-d items we made.  It's been referred to a basket bagalope because it's an adaptation of the original bagalope made from an envelope.  I've seen a number of variations of this, but this is my interpretation.  A big thanks to Cambria for sharing her talent and her tutorial.  You can view step-by-step instructions here.

As the tutorial indicates, this is an A-2 envelope (invitation size).  I kept the envelope plain knowing that the embellishments were going to come from the designer paper and the punches.  I used Stampin' Up's large and small star punch and Jersey Shore designer paper.  I love the colors.  It's been a long time since I brought out my Brilliant Blue cardstock, but I love it with this color combo.

I've attached a view from the back and side so you can get the "full effect". 

Here's the back.

Here's the side.

Thanks for stopping by. 

See you soon!

Mary Ann