My Brother's B-Day Card

Hello to my stamping friends!  Now that my kids have gone back to school, maybe things will slow down and I can find some time to stamp.  Although I retired on June 6th, the summer was so busy with my mom moving here and having both kids home from college that I still haven't yet experienced what it's like to be retired!  Today seemed calmer and I was able to sit down and stamp a birthday card for my brother Kelly.  I like the way it turned out.  Although this card is for my brother, I couldn't resist putting a rhinestone in the middle of that small medallion!  I don't think he'll mind......especially since I tucked a Starbucks gift card inside!

Recipe:

Paper:  Kraft (SU); Whisper White (SU); Orange Zest (PTI); Chocolate Chip DSP (SU)
Stamps:  Birthday Classics:  August (PTI); Banner Sentiments (PTI)
Inks:  Summer Sunrise (PTI); Orange Zest (PTI)
Miscellaneous:  Big Shot Machine (SU); Stampin' Dimensionals (SU); Rhinestone Jewel (SU); Banner Die (PTI); Embossing Folder (retired from PTI)

First Christmas Card of the Season!

I'm already in the mood to start making Christmas cards!  I'm eager to make Halloween and Thanksgiving cards, too, but I'm really itching to make some Christmas cards.  Here's the first one of the season for me.  There's no stamping, simply die cuts.  I'm in love with how easy it was to make this card!  I'll be making more of these!

Here's the recipe:  SU - Stampin' Up! or PTI - Papertrey, Inc.

Paper:  Whisper White (SU)
Stamps:  None
Inks:  None
Miscellaneous:  Corner Rounder (SU); Big Shot Machine; Peace Die (PTI); Snowflake Die (sorry, I've been purchasing so many things lately, I can't remember where this die came from, but any pretty snowflake die will do); Mini Glue Dots (SU); Pearl Jewel (SU)

A Beach House Vacation!

Greetings to you!  All last week my family spent a vacation at a beach house close to San Luis Pass in Texas.  It was absolutely gorgeous.  I spent my days sitting out on our huge porch just watching the beach.  My kids were on the beach boogy-boarding and throwing frisbees.  Although it was very hot, I was in the shade on the porch and there was a nice breeze that constantly whipped across it, making it feel nice and cool.  I found it extremely relaxing and now I am wanting to purchase a beach house so my husband and I can retire to the beach one of these days.  All that takes is LOTS of money.......that I don't have!  I'll have to figure something out and come up with a good plan!

This is Casa Flamingo, now one of my favorite places in the whole wide world.  I was sad when it was time to come home!  When you stand on the top balcony, you can see the beach for as far as you can see in both directions.  It was absolutely lovely.  Had such a great time, but now it's back to reality.  My college kids are getting ready to leave home again.  The end of summer is the pits, as far as I'm concerned, although I am looking forward to the upcoming holidays!

Stethoscope Card Update!

Greetings to my stamping friends!  Sorry I've been absent.  With my mom living in Katy now, I've been pretty busy.  We've had quite a few doctor appointments, and just taking care of all the things that need to be done when you move to a new city.  All is good, though!  My mom is settling in nicely.

I wanted to give you an update on the stethoscope cards I had mentioned before.  The doctor LOVED them and asked me to make them for her celebratory party to be held in Prague, Czechoslovakia soon, so I was very excited to do it!  She made color changes so that the celebratory card would mimic her business card, which will be mounted on the inside left of the card.  She will then write a personal note to each person on the inside right.  I had fun making them.  It keeps me stamping - something I love to do!

The left side of this card has a nice herringbone pattern embossed on it, which you can't see in the picture.  Wish I were a better photographer - that's something I'd like to work on!

Have a super weekend and TGIF!