My New Toy

I know it's not yet Christmas but I do have a new toy... an IPad and I love it! I am still learning how to use it and today I decided to download a free 'Journal' app. I am really bad about posting on my blog but I think I will add entries to my Journal on a regular basis.

One of the first apps I purchased was the "Martha Stewart Cookies" app. DH was just as excited about it as I was and he cooked a batch of Sugar Cookies directly after I purchased the app. I wish I had taken a picture of them... they were delish!

Praying for You

Just playing around with some of my dies and embossing folders and a stamp I purchased at Hobby Lobby last week while they were 50% off. I've got to find the time do ink up some of my SU stamps that I've had forever but never used.

In Agreement

I decided to mirror-image the Dove from the SU! Peaceful Season stamp set and title my card "In Agreement". To have "Peace on Earth" we have to be "In Agreement".

Caring Thoughts

I decided to tackle a couple of the challenges posted on SCS. I combined this week's color challenge (CC296) with the sketch challenge from a couple of weeks ago (SC295).

Welcome Christmas

Here are my 10 cards I made for the SCS CCC10 Christmas Card Challenge for October. I cased the card from page 15 of the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog.

Atlanta Brayer Workshop

I attended Michelle Zindorf's Atlanta Brayer Workshop this past Sunday and it was great. I've followed tutorials on her website but it's not the same as actually attending one of her workshops and getting first-hand instructions. My Christmas Card that I am posting is based on her tutorial for this card: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/2010/09/29/two-bucks-tutorial-364/

Card Recipe (All supplies are from Stampin' Up!):
Card Stock: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Baja Breeze
Inks: Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, White Gel Pen
Black Brads
Stamp Set: Come to Bethlehem

Image Panel: 4 1/4” x 3 1/4”
Card Base: Basic Black cut to 8 1/2” x 5 1/2”Scored in half at 4 1/4”
Panel #1 (Baja Breeze) 5 3/8” x 4 1/8”.
Panel #2 (Whisper White), 4 3/4” x 3 5/8”
Panel #3 (Crumb Cake), 4 3/8” x 3 3/8”
Panel #4 (Image Panel)
Photo Corners: Baja Breeze and Crumb Cake Card

SCS FS191

I don't mean to neglect my blog but I find that I don't take the time to be as creative as I can be. I decided to take part in the SCS Featured Stamper today and this is the card I cased: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1566157?&cat=500&ppuser=90084. Since this card was relatively easy to make, I'll probably make nine more for this month's Christmas Card Challenge.

Sweet Treat Birthday Wishes

My SIL loves Skittles so for his birthday I made him a card using the Sweet Treat Cups from Stampin' Up! He loved it...especially the Skittles. I even incorporated a part of the Skittles bag on the front of the card.

Card Stock: Real Red, Glossy White, Summer Sun
Ink: Real Red, Black Stazon

Casing Pam124

I love this stamp set and I plan to make a set of cards using it because it is so user friendly. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I will probably give it away as a door prize for my October SU! Workshop.

Here is a link to the card I cased: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1783513?&cat=19601.

Here is a link to my SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=84546

Because I Care

I let this stamp set sit on my shelf for months and now, after using it, I just can't seem to get enough of it. This is my submission for the 'FS188 die cut diva' challenge. Here is a link to her card: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/1595825?&cat=500&ppuser=114382Here.

Here is a link to my SCS Gallery: http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=84546

Sweet Treats Cup

I made/cased this card from a YouTube tutorial by Tammy White (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0R0o...eature=related). I didn't add a sentiment because this was a 'Test Drive' for me... I just wanted to see if I could make it and it was surprisingly easy. If I case this one again, I'll have to make provisions so that the recipient will be able to retrieve the candy without tearing up the card.

Now I'll have to try my hand at different variations using different stamps.

Gift Bags

It's time for my September submission for the SCS CCC10 September. Instead of Christmas Cards, I decided to make Gift Bags because I will need plenty for small gifts I will make this year.

Workshop Card

Here is the card I will teach at my next August workshop. Thanks to Dawn Griffin for her wonderful instructions.

Family

Happiness is spending time with my family.

We're Home

Our flight was late leaving Salt Lake City so we were after 11 p.m. arriving in Atlanta. It is so good to be home. The best part of unlocking the front door was hearing the alarm sound as we opened it, letting us know all went well while we were away.

Bless this house O Lord we pray...
Keep it safe by night and day.

Time to Go

Last day of vacation... time to go home. I've really enjoyed this week and am looking forward to next year's convention (July 13 - 16). Since our flight is not until 5:00 p.m. (Mountain time), we asked for a late check-out (1:00 p.m.).

SU! Convention - Day 6 (Saturday)

This is the final day of convention and the last session ends at 4:30 p.m. This is the first SU! Convention that I have attended and it has been great. I learned a few things that I will definitely implement in my workshops when I get home.

Time to start getting dressed. Main stage seating begins at 8:00 a.m. but these ladies are usually up and in line at 4:00 a.m. so that they can sit near the stage. I just want a seat and the back row is just fine with me. We've got the large screens to watch and it is almost like being on the front row (to me).

Last session is over. I took a group picture with Susan's group, (my SU! Up-Line), then headed back to the hotel to go on that carriage ride with DH. It was a really nice ride. Sorry I don't remember the driver's name but the horse's name is Jerry.

Tomorrow we go home.

SU! Convention - Day 5 (Friday)

I am really tired...Classes all day again for me. They did give us a break... we have no session tonight. Today's post will be a few photos taken by DH on his venture through the city. It only cost him $2.00 to ride the UTA Trax and that was his round-trip fare. You will see it and the train trax pictured below.

After today's convention session ended, DH and I wanted to take a carriage ride through the city but my camera battery died. We went back to the room to recharge it but by the time it was charged, it was really too late for the carriage ride so we placed on the agenda for tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, off to JB's Restaurant for Apple Pie a la mode... Delish! Really flaky pie crust. DH ate lunch at JB's earlier because this was "All-You-Can-Eat Fish" day today. I had my tired old boxed lunch at Convention.

SU! Convention - Day 4 (Thursday)

I didn't go back last night for the 'Flower Power' party. I was tired so DH and I stayed in. I knew today would be a full day. I had workshops all day while he toured the city and snapped pictures. My day did not end at 5... had to return for another session at 8 p.m. Really bummed out about that because I had planned and looked forward to enjoying the rehearsal of the Morman Tabernacle Choir.

I did have a short break before 8 p.m. so DH & I had dinner at the Garden Gate Restaurant. This restaurant is located on the top floor (10th) of the Joseph Smith Building. We had a window-side table and below is a picture of the view from our table. The scene looks a bit distorted because it was taken through the glass. The food was delicious. He had Lasagna, I had a Cajun Chicken Sandwich. It was too much to eat in one setting so we had leftovers for Friday's dinner.
After dinner, DH went to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in rehearsal.

JTS Photography - Day 4

Scenes DH enjoyed today

SU! Convention - Day 3 (Wednesday)

When DH and I entered Salt Palace, we were greeted by the hollow sounds of the wind chimes in the entryway. From there we went to the information booth where I picked up my bag of goodies (compliments of SU!) which included two stamp sets (I chose the clear mounts), a wheel, and a wood mount stamp... and the really bright, orange-colored bag (see photo below). The bag also included another complimentary copy of the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog and the Holiday Mini Catalog.



After getting my bag, DH and I headed downstairs to Memento Hall. After seeing the crowd, all I could say was "WOW" as I got into the longest line I've ever had occasion to get in. There were demonstrators everywhere... wall-to-wall, in line to enter Memento Hall as they made swaps. DH stayed in line with me and snapped a few pictures of the crowd for me.


When DH and I finally got into Memento Hall, I purchased a Laptop bag, a tote (for scrapbooking supplies), two SU! rulers, Saltwater Taffy, a 'Share What You Love' wood mount stamp set, 8 Recyclable bags (4 of two designs), a collapsible bag, a set of SU! pens, and a tee-shirt (not pictured).