Getting ready for colder weather

Today I went to my LSS's weekly Wednesday free crop with one goal:  to help shipper Dixie process OWH cards.  At the last minute I decided to take more than my tape gun and this is what happened.

The Stamps:  Hero Arts Sentiments & new Cling "Seasons" 

Ribbon & card stock: inexpensive and/or on sale

Ink: Staz-On Saddle Brown

Falling snow:  Uni-Ball White Gel Pen (best white pen in the universe)

Snow under the tree:  White Liquid Pearls

I'm trying to work myself up for Christmas cards but it just seems too early! I know for OWH, it's not too early at all, but we're still getting warm weather here so it's hard for me to get in the Christmas card mode. So this is my best shot at a "winter" card.

Side note:  I did managed to lend Shipper Dixie a hand with processing a few cards, too)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stars & Stamps Sunday Challenge #36

Wow!  I've actually completed a challenge the day it was issued and not right before it expired! Better yet, I'm excited I completed a weekly challenge!  Two in a row!  LOL

This week's S&S Sketch Challenge was provided by Paula.  You should definitely check out her handiwork at Handmade By Paula. Thank you, Paula, for the inspiration.

This is my take on the OWH sketch #36.  I need to practice my "stitching."  I've always loved how this looked, but I've never attempted it on anything until now.  My clock should have probably had "hands" but I couldn't decide what "time" I wanted it to be so I left it blank.  Perhaps a Hero will have a special time that they'd like to draw in themselves.

Patterned Paper: Basic Grey's "Granola"

Solid card stock: Bazzill

Clock Stamp: unknown

Sentiment Stamp: Hero Arts (set CL184)

Finally, time for crafting!

I have at last been reunited with my craft supplies and boy did I enjoy last night at my LSS!  Not only was it fun to actually be playing with paper and ink, it was wonderful to spend time with some very funny and creative women.


This card will actually work for 2 challenges! This first challenge is the Stars & Stamps Sketch Challenge #35. Thanks Renee for the sketch idea!

The second challenge is from In Style Stamps Blog. They hosted this challenge in honor of OWH's 2nd Birthday!

Here is my interpretation of the sketch. 

 Patterned paper: My Minds Eye So Sophie Collection, "Splendid Surroundings"

Card stock: Bazzill and inexpensive kraft paper
Sentiment: Borrowed from one of the funny, creative ladies

Bonjourno from Italy!

Hello fellow crafters!  This post is coming to you from the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Even though it has rained the last two days, its still quite lovely.

Our travels began in Rome. When we leave Amalfi we will continue back north to visit Florence before heading home.

At each of our stops, I've done what all of us crafters do and scouted to see if there was some sort of craft store.  Sadly, I've not found any so far.  Surely they are here, I just haven't found them yet. My husband did, however, find a working paper mill and museum in Amalfi.  The paper is still made by hand and sold to a variety of people, companies and Churches, all over Italy, including the Vatican.

Speaking of the Vatican, we were fortunate enough to take a private tour with a guide named, Serena.  Midway though our tour, we happened to cross paths with Serena's boss, Angelo.  He was giving a tour to another couple and said, "Hey, would you guys like a surprise?"  Of course we said "yes" so he proceeded to make a phone call and an employee of the Vatican showed up to usher us through a secured back gate to the Studio del Mosaico.  Here is where the Church's mosaics are restored and created. It was absolutely fascinating!

I'm off to my family blog to tell of the experience we had taking the cooking class from Mamma Agata.  I know my family can't wait for me to return and cook for them all that I've learned.  That post should be ready a little later today, so if you're interested, please feel free to to pop on over to Wendy's Party in a Box...

Ciao, Ciao for now!