Sharing Goodness!

I think it's really something special when you find a source for supplies where your business is appreciated and you are treated like you matter.  A while back I said goodbye to a scrapbooking store in my area because my business was not appreciated, and the store owner didn't keep her promises.  And I won't be going back.  But for every one business that treats you like you don't matter, there are others out there waiting to take their place who do want your business, and appreciate you as a customer.

One example is an Etsy store that I stumbled upon last week.  It's called Bluebird Lane, and the 'shopkeeper' even lives in my home state of Georgia.  Anyway, she sells the most scrumptious seam binding and French gift tags, etc., that I just had to order a few things from her.  And they came today!

My first indication that this order was going to be something special should have been this . . .

 . . . the cute French stamp on the {blue} shipping label.  How cute is that?  Even though my package came from a couple of hours away from me, I immediately felt like I was somehow getting a package from France.  Then I opened the box, and found a cloud of shiny white tissue paper, and beneath the tissue paper was this . . .

A sweet little bundle, wrapped in more white tissue, with a gorgeous robins egg blue seam binding, and one of the cute French gift tags which she sells in the shop, a pretty 'Decadent Paperie' tag, complete with some bling, and a pink silk rosebud.  So pretty!!! 

When I took the bundle out of the box I really felt like I had a gift to open, so I untied the first little knot in the seam binding and released the Paperie tag, then the next knot released the birds nest gift tag and the rosebud, and the last knot revealed a greeting card and a sticker that was holding the tissue together.

Every step of opening the package was special, and that was part of what won Donna at Bluebird Lane a new customer.  Another part was that her communications on Etsy were quick and friendly, and that even though it was Christmas weekend, the package went out right away.

There was even a little freebie of a pack of her gift tags in the package.  Now, I don't know if she does that for everyone, but it was a special touch, as was the hand written note in reply to a conversation I sent her on Etsy.  She could have just replied to my communication, but instead she answered it in a hand written note.  Those little extra touches that mean so much!

But the number one reason I fell in love with this shop was the actual products!  Such yummy colors, fresh and bright and crisp, and even the yardage of seam binding I bought was presented in such a pretty manner, who could resist such sweetness!

I got five bundles of scrunched seam binding, in such gorgeous combinations as "Rainy Day in Paris Blues", "Creamsicle", "Grandmother's Lilac Bush", "Traditional Valentines", and "Blueberies, Cocoa and Cream".  And there were others that I didn't get, but now wish that I had!

Be looking for some new cards made using this scrumptious stuff soon, and if you are looking for gorgeous goodies with a French flair, please check out Donna at Bluebird Lane by clicking on the link, or the button in my right hand column.  You'll be glad you did!

Blessings folks!  Becky 

A Christmas To Remember

We had a wonderful Christmas!  Our Christmas Eve fondue dinner was wonderful, and it was so nice to be sitting in front of a fire in the fireplace, enjoying our tree's glittery lights and a good movie on the TV rather than being out in the messy night right outside our door!  And Christmas Day was wonderful, too.  Hubby and I slept a bit later than usual, got up and exchanged our gifts, then played a bit with our toys before getting ready to head to my Mom's house for our dinner.  My brother and both his sons were there, and as far as I heard, not one word of anger or fussing spewed forth, and that in itself was a Christmas miracle!

And the highlight of the day was my big gift from my hubby.  She's red, and I call her Rosie . . .

Excuse my grammar, but . . . 'Ain't she purty!'

Here she is opened up and in all her glory . . .

There were two cartridges in the box . . .

 . . . and he also gave me this one . . .

 . . . and I bought two as Christmas gifts to me from me!  One is here . . .

 . . . and here is the other one, ready to use . . .

I've been playing a bit, and here are my first few projects . . .

There's a kind of learning curve involved in making cards with the new toy.  I want to learn to merge my way of making cards with the new options that I have using the Cricut.   It's a whole new world of creating, and I'm excited about my card-making future!

I need to go do a few things around the house, so I'll talk to you later!  Blessings folks, Becky

The Last Christmas Projects . . .

Yes, this is my last Christmas projects of 2009.  And you know, it's about time!  Today I am sharing one card and one tag with you.  They are both made using papers from Fancy Pants 'Christmas Magic' collection.

I made this card for my Dad's cousin and his wife who every year make gift baskets for a whole lot of people.  They have fruit and nuts and even homemade baked goods.  For several years they have been giving these goodies to my parents, but this year they included me in the group, and I am so grateful!  I hope they like their card!

The card . . .

 . . . a few spotlight pics . . .

. . . and the products list . . .

Papers from Fancy Pants 'Christmas Magic' collection:

• 
  
  On The Tree
  
  
  
• 
  
  Christmas Magic Cards
  
  
  

Cardstock - Bazzill

Sentiment and ornament stamp from Walmart Christmas stamp set, using Versamark ink and Rangers 'Queens Gold' embossing powders, heat embossed

The scallopped tag was a gift from my friend Tish!  (Tish, if you read this, please e-mal me!!!)

The paper lace came from One Hundred Wishes - an incredible source that no longer sells ribbon, lace, etc.. 

The deep rose and ecru scrunched seam binding is frm Glitter Your World

The pearls are from Prima e. line of bling

Glittery bits are Stickles 'stardust'

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I made this tag while I still had the Christmas stuff out, and I was still in the creating mode.  It was made using the same paper products as above, with the addition of the Christmas Magic paper "Chestnus Roasting" and "Christmas Magic Strips".  Other additions are the shimmery organza ribbon, brass safety pin and bell, vintage lace from my stash, and the velvet ribbon from Glitter Your World.  I also used some Stickles 'icicle' on the sentiment.  Here it is . . .

I hope you've enjoyed these projects.  This will probably be my last post until after Christmas (although you never know!) so I want to take this opportunity to thank you for each time you visit, each comment, and especially for welcoming me back into the cardmaking community after my almost 10 month absence.  It is so good to be playing with paper again!   Christmas Blessings to you all, Becky

ICS # 47 Sketch and Daring Cardmakers 'New Beginnings'

Hi Folks!  I guess the pre-Christmas preparations are calming down a bit, and I've had the chance to make a few cards.  This first one is for two challenges in one!

Daring Card Makers (DCM) wanted a card about 'New Beginnings' such as a new year, new baby, new home, etc.

Inspirational Card Sketches challenge was sketch #47 as you can see below.

And here is my take on both challenges . . .

 . . . and a few spotlight pics . . .

 . . . and the product list . . .

Papers (base paper, strip across card, and flowers) are from Basic Grey 'lemonade' collection:

• 
  
  'saltwater taffy'
  
  
  
• 
  
  'picnic table'
  
  
  
• 
  
  'sun dress'
  
  
  

Journaling sheet/label is from Making Memories {note}worthy spiral notebook

Ribbon and buttons from stash.

Image from clipart software

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I would also like to share another card with you.  I actually made it for the Daring Cardmakers 'Going Dotty' challenge last week, but I didn't quite get it finished before the deadline.  The challenge was simply to use polka dots in the design of the card.  Here is my take on their challenge . . .

. . . and a few spotlight pics . . .

. . . and my products list . . .

Papers:

Bazzill cardstock

Floral and polka dot paper are both sides of Bo Bunny's Shabby Princess Collection 'Ella Enchanted'

Sentiment was stamped in black ink and heat embossed using Ranger black embossing powder

Stitching done on my sewing machine

Ribbon from my stash

White glittered flower, I believe, is Heidi Swapp, but not sure.  I used two flowers and cut two petals out of one and 'curled' it to give it more dimension.

Millinery flowers are from Glitter Your World

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Thanks for visiting!  I hope to have another project or two on here by tomorrow - the last of my 2009 Christmas projects.  Merry Christmas Everyone!!!  Becky

Busy Days!

Hello Everone!  I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while, but I've not been doing much cardmaking, just enjoying this wonderful Christmas season is much more important!  I have made a couple of craft projects, and you can check them out HERE on my other blog. 

I'll be in and out until Christmas, but after Chritmas is over, I'll be doing some serious cardmaking with the new Cricut Expression that is wrapped and under our tree!  Merry Christmas everyone!!!  Becky

Two Challenges in One - Cardvaarks and Card Patterns Sketch 44

I had so much fun working on this project! And the fact I was able to complete projects for two challenges in one card made it even better!

Cardvaarks challenge was to make a card using a digital element of some kind. For this card, the patterned papers, the journaling card, Mrs. Claus and the *JOY letters were all digital elements from a package I purchased from Sweet Shoppe Designs. The kit I used is Merry Kissmas by Melissa Bennett.

Card Patterns Sketch 44 was challenging, but I love a lot of textures and patterns, so it made for a really good card. Here is the sketch . . .





. . . and here is my take on the sketch . . .

. . . and here are some spotlight pictures . . .

Product List:

Background papers, lettering, journaling card and Mrs. Claus picture from Sweet Shoppe Designs - Merry Kissmas by Melissa Bennett

(The color on the letters wasn't bright enough for me so I inked them with versamark and heat embossed with Ranger clear embossing powder, then popped them up on foam dots.)

Velvet Ribbon from Glitter Your World etsy shop

Stickles 'Crystal'

Zig Zag stitching on machine

Vintage button from stash

Glittery tree - Dollar Tree

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Another Christmas card off the list, have you got yours in the mail yet? Thanks for visiting! Becky

MojoMonday Week 115 - Sketch Challenge

What a day it's been! About 8 am it was sleeting, by 9 am it was snowing, by 10:30 all precipitation had stopped, and now at 11:30 the sun is shining and the sky is mostly blue! It just goes to prove the old saying about living in Georgia: "If you don't like the weather in Georgia, just wait a minute . . . " meaning, it's sure to change soon! The temps are almost back up to 40 now, but tomorrow morning they are predicting low to mid 20's, so our first hard freeze of the season. All in all, a great time for cozying up in my studio/office with the girls and playing with paper!

I'm finally almost caught up on my challenges, and this one almost slipped through the cracks, but I found my printout of the sketch and got right on it. This is my first time participating in Mojo Monday. Here is the sketch . . .



. . . and here is my take on the sketch . . .





and here are some spotlight pictures . . .

Product List:

Cardstock - Bazzill

Patterned Paper - all are My Minds Eye 'The Merry Days of Christmas':

• Background - Gingerbread Lane
• Curvy label and Santa cutout - Old St. Nick
• Text - Under the Tree

Ink - Stampabilities 'Brown' pigment ink

Faux evergreen and berry from stash

Glitter on evergreen - Stickles 'Icicle'

Glitter on Santa Claus - Sulyn Industries 'Opal' Glitter Glue

Velvet Ribbon - One Hundred Wishes

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You know, with those low temps on their way, I think tomorrow morning calls for a fire in the fireplace, a cup of hot mulled cider and some fresh, homemade cranberry orange muffins, what do you think???

Thanks for visiting, Becky

Inspirational Card Sketch # 45

This was another tough one for me to get started on, but when I turned it 1/4 turn to the right, it all came together, and ended up being a very simple card. This sketch is from Inspirational Card Sketches #45

Here is the sketch . . .




. . . and here is my take on the sketch . . .



. . . and a few spotlight pictures . . .

Product List:

Patterned Paper - My Minds Eye 'the merry days of Christmas' - "Santa's Forest"; slightly distressed and inked with brown ink

Ornament Elements:

• Circle is Bazzill cardstock, cut with a Nesties plain circle cutter and embossed with Cuttlebug D'vine Swirls embossing folder,
• Gold top is made from some very old gold foil paper, cut freehand,
• Small tag from an office supply store, inked with brown ink and heat embossed with Ranger 'Queen's Gold' embossing powder. Small ornament stamp is from Holiday Clear Stamps - Walmart 2008,
• Gold jingle bell,
• Brown bakers twine

Velvet ribbon is from One Hundred Wishes

Buttons and scrap of lace are from my stash

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm off to stock up on some food for this 'snowstorm' they are predicting! (I'm laughing here! We just need some food, although we may see a random flake or two tomorrow morning early, but we rarely have a true snowstorm here in Georgia.)

Thanks so much for visiting!!! Becky