Let me tell you a story...

This was just too good not to share!  My 7 yr. old granddaughter called today and asked:

"What are you doing (red flag warning!)?"
I said I was home keeping busy.
She asked "exactly where are you in the house" (2nd red flag warning!)
I told her I was in my craft room.
She said "good!" (3rd red flag!  and the race is on!)

Then the "why?" came out of my mouth.  I was laughing so hard at the end of this conversation, I almost couldn't walk straight.  It seems she's having a sleep-over and I "need" to make her 9 invitations. (Do you remember the birthday invitation hoopla?  Now you're getting it!).  She then proceeded to explain her desires for the invitation.  I would probably have a better chance at having a novel published than what she wants, but here goes:

How can anyone refuse this little face?

It has to have a radio on it with musical notes floating.  She also wants sleeping bags on it.  An afterthought was having feathers in the background (huh?).  You'll know why when you read her list.  She has an itinerary all planned for this.  She asked me if I had a pencil to write this down.  She said "write the word 'bring' and put two dots (that would be a colon) after it.  (This is when the laughing started in earnest -- I really was having trouble writing at this point.)  Bring:  bathing suit, clothes, shoes, pillow, sleeping bag and favorite stuffed animal.  Okay, that's taken care of until she said she wants a 'plan'.  I asked if she meant "itinerary".  Yes, whatever, she said.  So here's her itinerary (I think they're gonna be there for a week!):


1.  Spa
2.  Dance party
3.  Trivia
4.  Shoe hunt
5.  Stuffed animal party
6.  Cooking party
7.  Pool party
8.  Pillow fight (remember those feathers...?)
9.  Tattoo party
10.  Hide & Seek

So, I'd like you all to stay tuned to see what the invincible grandmother can come up with for this precocious 7 yr. old.  I should also tell you about her book report and you'll know what I'm up against.  She's in 2nd grade and she teaches kindergarten kids their phonics and sounds every day for about 20 minutes (getting the picture?).  Well she had to do a book report and she told the teacher she wanted to do James and the Giant Peach.  The teacher explained to her that it was a 5th grade book and it might be a little hard for her.  Lexi didn't see the problem with that and said she wanted to still do it.  The teacher gave in, Lexi read the book and did the book report and got -- A+!  I don't know what the grand scheme of things is for this little girl, but seeing her as President one day would not surprise me.

Just thought I'd share -- OR -- the ramblings of a proud grandmother!
Ciao for now.
Ciao Bella!

Step cards...

Hello all!  I've been a bit remiss in posting, so I thought I'd pop this one up here just because step cards are back again.  I did some of these cards a few years back and everyone enjoyed them.  Then, as in all things, they disappeared for a bit and now they are back with a vengeance.  So here's my take on two products actually.  I used Glubers and the step card technique.  I don't know what got into me, but I decided to use the yellow pages for my flower and this is how this silly little card evolved.  Quirky, huh?

It's hard to tell that it's a step card from the front, but you get the idea.  Wouldn't this be a fun card to send to a friend you haven't heard from in a long while?  So, the flower is made with yellow pages and a Gluber and then I made the center out of Dimensional Glue from Sparkle N Sprinkle and added black glitter to it.  I then cut up various parts of the phone book to embellish it.  (Bet you anything that's the part of the phone book I'll need -- have never used it, but Murphy's Law will surely step in!)

Ciao for now!

Ciao Bella!

YouTube video...

I'd like to share this great video that Sparkle N Sprinkle, specifically Rosie, put together on some of the cards I've done for them over the past year.  Rosie did an incredible job.  I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did (a little narcissism here).  Here's the link:  http://youtu.be/C4vAEdN5Bs0   
Ciao for now!
Ciao Bella!

A rose is a rose...

Hello there!  Have you heard about Paper Soft by Viva?  I fell in love with it the first time I saw it and am continually amazed at the looks you get from this wonderful product.  It has the look of chalk when applied, yet, YET! it's also embossable!  So to get things started a little early, I put a lovely rose corsage together for Mother's Day.  This rose would look just as pretty on a card and, in fact, you can present it just that way.  Pin it to a home made card and the intended recipient can unpin it and wear it!  Talk about wearable art.  Here's a look at what I'll be teaching this Saturday at the Scrapbook Cupboard from 1-3 p.m.

And here's another version and a different color of the same rose used on a card (this card will not be part of the class).  While I changed the flower up a bit  by using doilies for leaves, I think it would still have a nice impact for Mom, Sis, Friend, etc.

I hope you'll join me on Saturday!

Ciao for now.

Ciao Bella!

Viva Las Vegas! Oops! I mean Viva Gold!

I'm referring to this  wonderful product that has been around for quite a while, but has suddenly taken the stamping industry by storm.  Viva offers soooo many beautiful products from their Inka Gold, Pearl Pens, Paper Soft, Glitter glue, etc.  So many opportunities to expand one's horizons with different tools.  I'll be doing the following cards at the Scrapbook Cupboard Friday nite (I think there are a few openings left) and we will make these two streamlined cards to start out with.  Further down the road, I'm sure well get into more complex projects with Inka Gold.  Here's the first card:

If you click on the photo to enlarge, you'll really see the lovely sheen this product gives you.  I just love it!

In the second project I wanted to show how you can do a limited amount of blending.  The technique is the key ingredient here, so I kept the rest of the card clean and simple.  Adding a little glitter from Sparkle N Sprinkle didn't hurt either!  Gotta love that glitter -- it just adds so much to a project.

So, if you're around for Friday night, call the Scrapbook Cupboard and come join me from 7 to 9!

Ciao for now.

Ciao Bella!

Listen to the music...!

This is the only way you'd listen to any of my music!  I can't sing, don't dance too well, used to play the guitar... So, the next best (and quiet) thing is to create cards with a music theme.  These cards were done using a combination of two new sets released by Sparkle N Sprinkle.  The great thing about Sparkle N Sprinkle is that you can also purchase individual stamps if you don't need an entire set.  I don't know of any other company that does that.  You either purchase the set or not.  This is a great value added.  Go to their online catalog and check things out!

The card on the left utilizes two images from Set #427-Music Backgrounds (keyboard and sentiment) and two images from Set #424- Music Labels (G-clef and butterfly).  The card on the right utilizes the background music sheet image (love this one!) from Set #427 as well as the keyboard from the same set.  The piano is from Set #424.  I added a little glitter and some embossing powders and they were done!

Here are the two sets I'm talking about:

    This is set #427

  This is set #424

These are two really fun sets to play with.  I did an earlier post using the violin.  Enjoy!

Ciao for now.

Ciao Bella!