Little Miss Bunny

I made this card for the Clear Dollar Stamps Guest Designer Challenge at http://clearlyistamp.typepad.com/my_weblog/cds-guest-designer-challenge/ . The theme is "pearls". I used the bunny from Spring Critters and the flowers from Thankful for you.

I thought Miss Bunny would like to wear some pink pearls, so she has a pink pearl necklace and earrings made from some 3-d paint. The images are stamped on Shimmering White paper, so the background has a pearly look to it. The images were stamped with Brilliance Black and then embossed. I used SU markers to color, but went over the bunny with some Lumiere for a more pearly look. Then I mixed Lumiere and Pearl-ex red/blue duo to give the flowers a pearl finish. I added little pearls in the centers of the flowers. I also used pearls as an accent on the corners. The pink embellishments are metal dots. Not pearls, but I thought they were pretty! LOL!

The words are stamped with Brilliance pink and then embossed.

I did some machine sewing on some of the pieces.

I used pop dots on the main image, the bunny, and the words.

The background paper is from Paper Studio's "So Sweet" mat stack. What a fun challenge!

Prayer Journal

I bought a stamp set called "Prayer Journal" from Clear Dollar Stamps (in my website list on the side) before Christmas. I have plans to create some prayer journals to sell online, but it's one of those things I would "get around to doing" but had not until last week. I had started this, but had not finished it. Well, last week I finally got to drive out to Lake Medina, outside of San Antonio, to deliver some Girl Scout cookies to my friend Carol. Carol is a cancer patient, but has defied all odds, by the grace of God, and is still alive one year after being sent home to die. She has had surgery and still has cancer, but takes each day as it comes. She is a joy to have as a friend. She is 75 years young and is a stamper! She's not able to get out to her studio as much now that she is sick, though.

I wanted to take something special to Carol. She is diabetic, and considering we were loading her up with GS cookies, I didn't want to take another sweet. I thought of a plant, but didn't know if that would be just right. Then I remembered the prayer journal set. I had stamped out some crosses, and had covered one journal. The colors are bright and cheerful, reminding me of Carol's personality. I knew I HAD to assemble this and take it to her.

Carol is such a sweetheart that she took us into her studio and blessed ME with a gift of some amazing stamping supplies! Markers and cardstock to add to my collection! I was so surprised and thrilled! THANK YOU CAROL!!!!

I'll be posting more about our visit and the beautiful area where Carol lives on my personal blog, www.chefmama.blogspot.com so be sure to stop by & see a picture of us soon!

A Clean Sweep

Do you love the idea of a Swiffer Sweeper? I especially love the concept of the Wet Mop Swiffer. It seemed like such a good idea to be able to just toss away the little sheets and not have to wring out the mop every few steps. Then reality hit and I realized that buying a box of those little sheets adds up! AND they don't hold up as well as I'd like them to. A friend of mine suggested making a reusable cover and sent me directions.

This is my Mop Cover for mops/brooms such as Swiffer. It just slides on. It has ridges to really scrub the floor. When one side gets dirty, turn it inside out and use the other side! Then toss it in the wash for next time.

I will be selling these for $5 a piece. That's less than a box of disposable covers! These will be available is several different colors. Feel free to contact me if you're interested in trying this out!

Note: I've been asked about the size of this & which type of sweeper it fits. This one fits my standard Swiffer Sweeper, 10" long by 4.5" wide. I can make them to fit any length and width. My mom suggested I make them long edge wrap around a bit like the ends, so I will be adding that to make these fit. They will shrink some when washed because they are 100% cotton, but will fit tight and stretch a bit during use.

Flutterby Butterfly

I absolutely love Clear Dollar Stamps (CDS). The stamps are very reasonably priced and the designs are really cute. If I had a million dollars I'd own all their stamps! I'd also have a huge house with a huge kitchen and a huge craft room! LOL! For now, I have a few of their sets. My latest acquisition is Heart Flutters. I "played" in a weekend color challenge this weekend with CDS at Paper Craft Planet. This is the card I created:
I used another set to create a card for someone who is moving in the next couple of months. I'm hoping she doesn't see this here before I have a chance to send it to her! This card uses a set that I find really funny and fun called, "Sometimes your the bug." I also used an "accessory" set called, "In the Bug." This friend likes pink. Um, yeah, I guess you figured that part out! LOL!
Working on some crochet projects to post. Until then, have a great day!