Clean & Simple

I made these cards for Sentimental Sundays challenge of clean & simple.  I used SU cardstock and the cuddlebug embossing plate to make these cards, I bought the two metal crosses at Cropshop's closeout for 10 cents and the rub-on sentiments for 10 cents.  The cards couldn't have been simpler to make and their going in my pile to OWH.  So far this month I have sent off 200 cards it's like my therapy to make these cards.  This last time I made cards for the soldiers to send to their children with the sentiment Miss you on it.

Have a wonderful weekend talk soon.

God Bless,

Jeanine

Is Fall ready coming?

I love the look of postage for cards and I made this quick easy card a week or so ago.  I just used one stamp for the background that I stamped in Versamark put on a scrap of DSP and then added my postage.  I used a mask to stamp the dark brown then stamped in green then once more with SU Summer Sun.  I added the dew drops and was done. 
Today I went to The Crop Shop in Chattanooga, it is closing its doors and everything in the store was either 5, 10 or 25 cents they had the shelves and all display shelves for sale.  It just breaks my heart to see someone with so much passion go out of business.  I did get $10.05 worth of stickers and paper mostly Suzie Zoo stickers.
Have a nice Saturday night I'll get back to stamping tomorrow since I haven't done any in about a week.

God Bless,

Jeanine

Happiness Always

I love love love this card it is from Fred She Says.  It comes in a full page and you cut it out and put it all together.  It is so beautiful I wish you could see the layers of it. 

Both cards were made off one sheet that I downloaded and I used Crystal Effects for the center of the flower.  I bought several colors and one night I sat down and cut them out while watching Big Brother on TV.  I have them in baggies to sort the colors but I think these are beautiful and can be used for absolutely any card.

Journal Time: All is going well, its been so beautiful in the mornings.  This morning it was 68 outside and I took a cup of coffee outdoor and read.  I love the mornings when its so quiet the birds are singing, its so calm.   I went to visit Mom today and she is doing fine she really adores Agnes the nurse & owner of Abby's Place.  I also think the world of Agnes & David, they are so kind to Mom and help her with everything.  The other day Agnes gave me a Mango to take home, it was the sweetest ever and I told them how I so appreciate them.  Today they insisted we go to the Asian Market where they buy them fresh each Tuesday.  Then they bought a case and refused to accept any money from me for the four mango's.  These people are so precious to me each visit I learn more and more about them.  They are from Africa and have been here 20 years, they have 4 children.  One is a lawyer in Geneva, Switzerland he's 27, their only daughter is 25 and a DRN or something like that, their second son 22 is studying to be a financial adviser and their youngest son is in med school.  Wow, to have 4 children who are so successful. They have raised some wonderful kids and are so grateful to God for their many blessings.  I'm so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life also.  God Bless,

Jeanine

Gingerbread love

Is this cute or what?  I used Copic's to color these darling gingerbread kids and my house.  I also used SU DSP, a Martha Stewart punch, pop up dots, and stickles for the snow on the roof and chimney.  The Gingerbread Set is from Deedee's digi's and you really should go check out all the digi's she has at:  http://www.deedeesdigis.blogspot.com/ you'll be quite surprised with all the new digi's.
I also started making cards today for OWH with my retired SU card stock, Thanksgiving and kids cards.   I cut them to A2 size, scored the fronts placed the colored images and put a rubber band around the 67 cards, tomorrow I will find scraps of DSP to add, glue them all up and I'll have another 100 to mail off.  But first I have to go and mow the yard and weedeat, so we'll see if I get it done or not.  Until tomorrow remember to 'Play it forward'.

God Bless,

Jeanine

Rainy Day Bear

Isn't he a cutie?  I figured with all the rain we've had lately I should color the bear with Copic's and make a card.  I used SU DSP and turquoise card stock and the ribbon is QVC self adhesive.  This is 'Rain or Shine' from Deedee's digi's and the little duck actually belongs with 'Popcorn Bear' Quick and simple card.

Journal Time: I know I've been quite sketchy lately with my blog and haven't been daily posting but I need to gather my thoughts and get my act together.  Mom is doing well, she like Agnes the nurse and enjoys the walks they take her on each day.  She says she doesn't know how long she will be able to stay there but will try it.  I thought she looked great and that well rested.  Now I'm going to get on with my life and start doing some traveling, touch base with old friends that I haven't seen in months even years.  I will still visit Mom every two to three days but I feel better about my decision and thank my brother for his support the past week.  I am still actively looking for a small RV and intend to start having yard sales within the next month.  I have stuff to do around the house before I put it up for sale but I'll be OK and move on with my life.

Remember 'Play it forward' each day do something special for someone be it a smile or a favor or even just a hug but do it!!

God Bless,

Jeanine

Butterfly Kisses

I love butterflies, I visit butterfly farms if I know there are any around (none here) but I did visit one in St. Martin while I was on a cruise with my precious daughter and her family.  I made this card with the Elegant Eggplant  SU card stock.  I used Sizzex texture paper to make my butterflies with the SU embosslit folder, Spellbinder ovals and my polka dot ribbon.   The sentiment is from SU Butterfly set.  These are just a few of the things I got when I put in my SU order last week.   I made this card and that's all, just not in the mood to make cards right now.

Journal Time: I'll name my special posts about my life Journal Time so that if you don't want to hear about my personal life you can quit reading when you see Journal Time.  I've been in a real funk for the past few days, I took Mom to Abbey's Place Monday afternoon.  We toured the home and Mom met the nurse Agnes and David the CNA.  She's blind but she can see shadows and she liked the house and the huge bright sunny 'Sunroom' full of comfy chairs and TV.   I thought all was well and she understood but all of a sudden she said 'Jean I think its time to go' and Agnes stepped in and told Mom she was staying while I did some errands.  They have called me twice a day since then to let me know Mom is doing well, sleeping well, getting along with the other patients and asking when I'm coming to pick her up.  It breaks my heart that she doesn't understand but yet I know that she is being well cared for and she is making friends with the others there.  Personally I've been home for the past three days, I'm out of RLS meds so I haven't been sleeping well at all.  I'm waiting for the med's to come from Caremark so I'm doing alot of walking since my legs are bugging me so bad.  I'm a little down in the dumps but I'll be OK, I'm strong.

God Bless,

Jeanine

Let it Snow!

Hello, it's late and I can't sleep so I decided to do a post.  This is a dollar digi from Deedee's Digi's and I couldn't agree more with Let it snow!  It's been in the high 90's as it has been all over but the humidity is the killer.  So working on these snowmen cards for the "Operation Write Home" group is suppose to sic me into believing its cool.  Well I used SU Real Red and green for my card with a SU plain border punch and some vellum.  I just picked up this snowflakes at Michael's in the clearance bin so they were perfect.  It's a quick and easy card and truthfully I made it last week.

Now onto the low down about my life.  I have done alot of praying and visiting my doctor and I've done tons of research, talked with my brother and decided its time I put Mom in a Assisted Living Center.  She really needs someone to be with her 24/7 to assist her with dressing, hair washing, bathing because she doesn't even know what your talking about when you ask her if she wants her hair washed.  She doesn't have a clue what food she is eating and she just doesn't communicate well.  I have HBP and plenty of problems with my back and hips so if I had to pick her up or move her I just couldn't do it.  We had an agreement that when it got to much she would go to a nursing home but she just doesn't comprehend my health and half the time she calls me 'the girl or hey girl'.  It breaks my heart but she will only be about 15 minutes away and I'll visit her at least 2-3 times a week.  I can pick her up anytime and take her to dinner or to my daughters so I think I can do it.   I just can't go to sleep tonight and my mind is going a mile a minute so I decided to post and get it off my chest.   I would appreciate prayers for Mom that she will like the place and that she will do well.   I'll be back in a couple of days I plan on taking a break and just relaxing for the next day or two alone.
God Bless,
Jeanine

Tri-Fold Card Tutorial

Well I will warn you there's 9 pictures altogether but I think each one will spell out exactly how to make this adorable Tri-Fold Card.

First off gather all the materials your need:

A 5 1/2 by 12 inch piece of cardstock

Scor-pal or other scoring tool

Pattern Paper (Mine is Tea Party by SU)

Ruler, Bone folder, Paper Cutter, Ruler, Glue, Images, Accessories.

Start by scoring your paper at 2, 4, 8 & 10 inches

Then very carefully measure in 1 1/2 inches from each side then cut with an exacto knife of cutter from the 2 inch score to the 10 inch score line.
                      
You want to fold the middle opposite of the outside folds. Use your bone folder to crease your fold (that is very important for crisp folds). Then comes the fun part decorating the card.

You can layer it all or just some of the sections but I included the section measurements. I usually leave the center where I put the Hawaiian flower for a big verse or where someone can write something in the card. I also use a large die cut for the front to cover the other sections.

On this card I used SU Tea Party DSP, and Digital images from 3 of Deedee's sets 'What's Shakin, Sweetest Flower and The Right

Flip Flop".  I used metal flowers, a purple button, a mini metal butterfly, a metal dog tag that says Love You, Prima flowers, brads and a scrap of cork board paper.

Embellish to your hearts content and have fun, layer as much or as little as you want just have fun. I also have used a piece of card stock 5 1/2 by 4 1/4 to stabilize the card placing it on the back of the card if it's the same color it won't show through or not!

Now I had a great time with this card, I loved decorating it and I loved showing all my friends how to make it.

If you enjoyed the tutorial leave a little comment so I know you enjoy it and I'll do more.  Now let's see what you can do.....

I dare you!

God Bless,

Jeanine

Let it SNOW!!!

I'm so tired of the hot, hot weather and if working with Snowmen can help than I'm all for it!  I loved this 'Nose's for Sale' from the first time I saw it last year and bought it right away.  I love snowmen and do lots of snowman cards for the soldiers at 'Operation Write Home'.  This card I made for Deedee's weekly challenge and its one of her digi's.  I used SU Pretty in Pink paper, stamped the snowdrops from SU background stamps in silver metallic, I colored the snow lady with Copic's then added the two ribbons and 'Best Wishes' from SU.  I used Dew drops and I was done.  But I couldn't stop there I had to use Deedee's dollar digi to make a cute inchies card.

I used SU card stock and DSP and mini gems in red and blue.  The versatility of digital image stamps just amaze me that you can make the image small or big have inchies or a big image for a 9 X 4 1/2 card or whatever you want.  I'm so blessed that Deedee chose me to be on her design team and that I've learned so much about digital images.   If you love the cards you can go to Deedee's website to learn how to use digital images also.  Much love,
Jeanine

Ladybug hugs Tri fold Shutter Card

Hi everyone sorry I haven't been posting lately, I've have company and health issues but all is well.  This card I made with the verse from Deedee's digi's called 'Ladybug hugs'. I just love the digital era that we're in and with this set you get so much. What I want to show you is how easy it is to make the card using the digi image as the focal point.

This wonderful set has two really great images and three verses and I love to make friend cards so this verse was perfect to make up as the main focal point on my card.

I just had to try this tri fold shutter card and its quite simple to make I think I'll do a tutorial on this in the next week or two. Until then I used SU card stock to make the card and K and Co. DSP, rhinestones, ribbon and decorative scissors. If you get a minute hop on over to www.Deedeesdigis.blogspot.com and look at all the sets Deedee has made. With all the versatility and unique sets available I'm sure you'll find one to fit your fancy.

Have a great day and check back in a bit for the tutorial.

God Bless,

Jeanine

Wishing you well!

I am so sorry I have not posted in almost a week I will explain later in the post but for now I'd like to talk about my card.  This is an image from Deedee's digi's called 'Wishing you well!'.  I used SU card stock Mellow Moss and DSP 'Welcome Neighbor' paper, black marker for the stitching and SU felt flowers.  I colored the wishing well with Copic's then used a exacto knife to cut out the image and pop it on the paper.  I thought it rather cool to cut out the top part of the well and be able to see through to the clouds.

My ranting:  For those of you that want to know whats going on in my life can continue here.  This will be my place to say what I need to too keep my sanity and let you know I'm still alive.  What started out to be an act of kindness when my Mother wanted to move to Tennessee to be by her family has turned into a nightmare.  My health is suffering because of taking care of Mom, she knows exactly the buttons to push to set me off.  She expects me to devote my life, my day to her by sitting with her, waiting on her an abandoning everything I have for her.   She has temper tantrums if I go downstairs and work in my studio, she'll go to her room and go to bed or slam the door over and over.  She sees people all over the house and she is angry because I tell her over and over there is no one here but her and myself.  She just gets so mad because I never believe her.  I'm at wits end what to do with her because a private nursing home won't deal with her this way.  Right now she's gone to bed, she's mad so she asked to go to bed, she doesn't see what this is doing to me heck I don't think my brother or daughter sees what its doing to me.  So what if I take 2 pills for HBP, 2 for triglyceride's and of coarse a anti-depressant.  I am so depressed, I can't get out of this funk I need to get away but how?  I pray and I've asked God to handle this, I really have given it up to him but in my blindness I don't see the signs.  I've even asked God to hit me upside the head to see the answers.  Instead of seeing the answer I've read the Bible, prayed and counted to ten hundreds of time and I'm still in the same place.  I feel like I'm in a vicious circle and I can't get out.  I'm sorry but I had to let it out.
God Bless,
Jeanine