SILENT AUCTION PROJECTS

Hi everyone,

Well, I finally finished the two projects I am donating to the Summer Circle Theatre at Michigan State University for a silent auction.  The first is a 6x6 Photo Album with the completed pages I did at one of the Ronda Wade's Weekend Retreats.  I made up a few journal mats and included them inside the album and some extra page protectors.  I then added some wooden letters (that I have been hoarding forever!) which I colored with SU craft ink and put on 4 layers of Crystal Effects and used double sided tape to secure to the front of the album.  I also looked around in my stash and found this bird that SU sold a while back and the tree branch.  I also covered them with craft ink and finished them off with some more Crystal Effects, added the moving eye, and the buttons with twine for flowers. 

 

 

The next project entailed making 8-10 cards.  So I completed 12 cards (which I had previously done the front of card at different Ronda Wade functions) by finishing the inside with mat and sentiment.  I also put my Made By SU stamp on the back.  I ended up doing 6 birthdays (with 2 masculine), 2 sympathy, 2 get well, and 2 friend cards.  In between doing these, I also was working on rearranging my craft area.  I have to thank Maggie Peterson for how nice my area is getting.  Each week she has posted on her website great ideas for cleaning up the clutter.  I figure I have about 1-2 weeks and it will be done.  LOL, is it ever REALLY DONE!! 

 

 Below is the card holder I made to put the cards in.  My sister, Sandi, had a card holder on her blog that I was going to use but I found this pattern on someone else's blog ( will insert the name when I find it again) and it worked well for 12 cards and easier to carry.  Click on the picture and see what I did.

 

Okay, now that I have posted this I can go play solitaire or finish my book.  LOL  Thanks for looking and hope you leave a comment.

NEW Look at PaperCrafts by Lois

Well I finally decided to make the move and purchase new holders for ink pads, reinkers, markers, and new style punches.  It has taken me over a week and still have some stuff that I can't find a place for!  I guess you can say it is a work in progress. lol   Here are some pictures I took a few days ago:

for those of you that have not seen my craft area, I previously had book shelves/drawer where the printer and scanner are.  Now I have a bare wall-not for long.  Dick put up a painting we have (in storage)  that I really like (Montana Elk in the wild).

 

So for those who want to know the first picture shows my new display for all my essentials that before were scattered all over.  I want to eventually clear everything off my white table so I can have more room to design.  I did gain a lot of room in front of display case and both sides of computer.

 

Okay now I want to share a few more pictures I have of the projects I did for the Online Creative Convention last month.  My sister wants to see it sooo bad!!

 

8x8 scrapbook pages

 

mini photo album

good masculine card

loved doing these big butterflies

My favorite of all (be sure to check the

embossing folder)

This stamp set is so versitile.

 

Once again thanks to Ronda Wade and Maggie Patterson for the superb job in putting together this online convention.  Also like to thank each of the speakers for all the imput that was provided us.  Looking forward to next one in April.  Ronda also has a BIG BIRTHDAY BASH coming up.  Check out her out on facebook..

 

Okay that all, FOLKS!  Thanks for stopping by and be back soon.

 

 

 

Creative Retreat weekend (cont.)

Another day of being lazy.  Did read a whole book, which I haven't done in over 8 months.  The wind wasn't as bad today so was able to sit outside this afternoon and visit with some of the campers.  Didn't get chance to ride golf cart but it will be on my to do list for tomorrow.

Okay, now for some more memorable pictures from our retreat. Tonight I will be sharing pictures of  one of the classes that where offered.  Our first class was Friday evening, we made 12 cards (3 each of 4 designs) and a card holder box for them. (REMEMBER click on each photo to see more details)



It is hard to see in this picture but I wanted to show the sentiment on the inside. I love this fold and believe or not this is first time I have used this type of card fold. This would make a great workshop or make-n-take class showing all the different parts of the card. I will be making more of these.

This is a very beautiful sympathy card. Love this stamp set-can be used for several kinds of cards. The color combination is so serene and calming.

Now this card is growing on me.  I never think to use gray but with this daffodil ribbon and circle the color seems to pop out at you.  The flower stamp is one of my favorites.

The dotted embossing folder is what makes this card and don't you just love the flower.  Every one of these cards is real simple to make but so elegant to look at.  Thanks to Ronda and Tamie for coming up with these samples for us to duplicate.

Now you have to have a beautiful card box to hold all the great cards.  If you click on this photo you will be able to see how we used one of the border punches for the top cover.  I have had so many compliments on these cards and the holder that I could have sold several sets (I did sell 4 cards in one day).  Since I knew I wasn't going to be home to make any for awhile, I decided to sell them but kept at least one so I could duplicate.

Well gotta get outta here so come back tomorrow and I will show you the 12x12 scrapbook pages we did in a class.  Hope to see you soon.

Semi-Annual Creative Retreat

As most of you know by now, I went to Ronda Wade's Creative Weekend and had a blast.  Wanda & Tamie pampered all 62 of us for the long weekend. I wish I could come up with at least half of the creative projects they make for us. There was a huge banner in the lobby of the hotel welcoming all of us. The food was catered and very good. We had a special dessert Saturday night-waffle bowl filled with ice cream and cool toppings to choose. On Friday night we had these super delicious triangle creme filled doughnuts with Carmel on top. Glad I had my elastic jeans on. LOL. Ronda also sets up a table with candy and snacks and all the coffee or tea we want.

This is Tamie in her cool Coke Cola P.J.'s

I didn't get a picture of Ronda this time!  I can't believe that, sorry Ronda. I will now share with you some of the gifts we received from both of them.

Tag made for our Creative Retreat Bag. So Beautiful.

This flower, Tamie made, was in a small glass flower pot  filled with green M&M's.  Yummy.  Tamie also made really cool flowers to fill several vases around the room.  Wish I would have taken a picture of one of them. (Hint Tamie: can you send me one?)

SU has a new die for this tiny purse. Isn't it adorable? Inside was two samples spools of seam binding ribbons.

This matchbox (another die cut) had assorted buttons in it. Both this and the purse above were gifts we had on our chair each morning. Tamie and Ronda did a spectacular job making all these beautiful gifts for all 62 of us attending.

Tomorrow I will try (?) and show you the classes that were offered to us. I ended up going to all of them.  We have to prepay for these classes so Ronda & Tamie can get paper cut, ribbon, and embellishments. Everything is then individually packaged for each girl attending a particular class.

  Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow. Good night, Tamie

EVERYDAY ELEGANCE SIMPLY SENT KIT

Hi everyone,

Wow, what a change in the weather.  It is blowing snow outside and suppose to be real tricky driving in the morning.  I am suppose to go to a Salebration Kickoff from 10-3 tomorrow and if the roads are going to be bad, I may not venture out.  Any other weekend I would be sitting on my duff watching movies and just because I am getting my mojo back, I may have to cancel.  CRAP!!

Okay, this what I have been doing this past week.  On Tuesday, I joined my sister-in-law and her daughter for an afternoon of cardmaking.  We used the Simple Sent Everyday Elegance kit and completed about 5 of the 8 cards.  Below are pictures of how we added our own embellishments to the basic card.  It was a lot of fun and looking forward to another day of cardmaking.

My very favorite card is the one at the bottom left, with the one above it running a close second.  I can't wait to work on the Cherry Cobbler cards.

On Wednesday afternoon, I started working on the valentines for my 6 yr. old granddaughter's class. I used the SU glassine bags to put in a stick of strawberry licorice; made a topper and then attached a pencil to the outside.  Here is what the completed ones looked like.

This was very easy to do and wished Jenna could have helped as she loves making things with grandma.  Next year we will start making the valentines two weeks before Valentine's Day.

One Thursday afternoon, I made Kirsten's (age 10) valentines.  She didn't sound too happy that I was using twizzlers so I went to store and picked up several boxes of candy hearts, sorted them out, and then put into the SU bags.  I made a different topper for her's and also attached a pencil.  I was shy 4 bags so I used some very small SU bags (look like ziplock bags) and put some swizzlers (cut in half) and some of the candy hearts in the bag.  I may have time on Sunday to make each teacher a nice Valentine card for the girls to give them.  Here are the ones I made for Kirsten.

Well that is all for tonight.  I still have more cards to post but will have to share at later day.  Have a good evening and enjoy the beautiful weather wherever you are.

WHERE IS THE MICHIGAN SNOW?????

I don't know about you, but I am getting tired of these dreay days.  Many years ago when I was younger (okay quit laughing) we were sledding almost every day and went ice skating alot.  I tell my granddaughters how my sibblings and I would play in the snow almost every day after school (having snowball fights and building forts).  I wish my girls could experience that every year.  But as my sister, Sandi, said in her blog that's what we like about living in Michigan.  I decided that I better show you the christmas cards we received this past year.  Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Dick got some beautiful birthday cards also (BD week before Xmas).

Top Row: (L-R) Sandi (sister), My card,  Deb  (niece).

Bottom Row: Willie (SIL)  and Deb (niece). Are they not the cutiest!!



Top Row:  Bonnie (camping friend), Wilma (SIL), Sandi (sister)

Bottom Row: Kathleen (sister) and Tricia (niece)

Now I can pack all my Christmas cards, and my 3D items away until next December.

I sent in my Mini Catalog (Occassions) and Sell-A-Bration orders last night so now just have to sit back and wait.  No, that's not right, I AM going to start making some BD cards for birthdays this spring and summer.  Of course, I have to come up with something unique for two of my sisters. (they are SU demos!!)  I also have 2 scrapbooks pages to complete a challenge made by my sister, Sandi.  Don't give up on me yet Sandi. 

Okay, gotta get my supper started---see you next time.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

It is hard to believe that another year is over and new beginnings for all of us.  I usually don't make new year's resolutions as I never can keep them, however, this year I am going to make one that could be attainable! Get back into scrap booking and get some of my albums done and insert photos and journaling. WOW that might be tooo much. LOL  Anyway, I wanted to share with all of you some of the things I have been doing the past few months. 

First, these are the 3 money holders I made for my daughters and son-in-law.  I followed Sandi Dailey's tutorial (found here) for making these.  It is very easy to follow and I made these the night before we opened our gifts. Thanks Sandi.

Here are a few photos of our family Christmas,

Kirsten, Michelle, and Jenna

                      
                                         Don't you love Jenna's action photo?
                                           Jenna, Kellie (Mom) and Kirsten



Traditional Christmas cookies made by Jenna & Kirsten.

Next is a picture of each of their favorite gifts....


Kirsten in new coat that looks like a Bombers jacket.



Jenna with her Calico Critters Luxury Townhouse.  Grandma had to help put it together.  While she is away to Alabama for a week (with her dad to visit her other grandparents), I worked on putting all the decals on the tiny weeny objects. LOL

This is the gift that the granddaughters got for their mom.

She was so happy to get some new frying pans

so she can get rid of the scratched up old ones.

Well that is all for now.  The next time I will show you some of the cute cards I got.  Before I leave I wanted to show you a picture of the doll house that I finally completed.  It includes 2 real lights (the 2 rooms on the left) and a fireplace (top floor left) with a red light in it.  Jenna is sooo gonna love this.  I may have to bribe her to leave it here so we can play with it when she comes over. LOL

Wishing all my family and friends a Great New Year

and may God be with you every day.

Love from the Purcell's

MY CHRISTMAS PRESENT EARLY

Yep, you heard it hear first!  Some of you already know about this but didn't know when it was going to happen.... Our new 5th wheel was delivered to dealership on Friday and we went over within 1/2 hour to check it out. It has to be cleaned, washed and prepped before we can take possession on Wednesday.  Now wouldn't you know it-Mr Weatherman has predicted 3-4 inches of snow starting Tuesday night!  Those of you who know my husband, Dick, know that once the salt is put on the roads, his truck is parked in the garage until next spring. Keep your fingers crossed that if we get some snow that it is very light and no salt is put down!!!Yeah, I know, I am asking for a miracle.  But I wanted to see it in on our patio so I can go in and start arranging our belongings.  (Not really, I just want to have a RV party and celebrate with a few bubblies....)  Okay, I will shut up and show you some pictures:

This unit is 35 ft long with a total of 3 slides. It is made by Jayco. Now for the inside.

There is a slide on both sides of the dinnin/living room. Huge window in back and where the dinette table is.

See what I mean by the large windows.  That will be so nice when we camp on the lake shore. I love how the curtains are drapped at the top (now boxed in valances!).  The table has a leaf so the table will seat 5 very comfortably.

I took the pictures going from the back then going left around the unit.  This is another cool thing we both will enjoy on those cool mornings/evenings. Electric fireplace with 40" flat screen above the cabinet showing in the photo. (I didn't get a very good shot that included the TV). Inside the cabinet is the DVD-Stero AM/FM radio which is also wired so we can hear it outside thru speakers.

This is my cool pantry (pull out) and the stairs going up to bathroom (on left) and bedroom straight ahead. (Oh, I also have central vacumn cleaner!). On the left is the kitchen counter/sink and then

you can now see the whole kitchen.  I even have a window I can look out while cooking/doing dishes. In the next slide out you will see the stove (with microwave above it).  Next comes something else I really wanted:

My 12 ft. refrigerator/freezer. When you open the 2 doors at bottom the shelves go straight across so I will have lots of room for those big containers of baked beans and potatoe salad. (ooh that sounds so good right now!) In this photo you can see the stove and micro better.

Next to the refrigerator is the cool couch.  As many of you know, I have a problem with snoring so now I will have a nice BIG couch to sleep on. It pulls out to a queen bed and then you have to pump up the mattress (with a switch I believe). 

Now this is the bedroom with a KING bed.  I think now we will all be able to sleep in this bed. Sheena will be able to sleep without crowding us.  I know you are thinking why do we need this if I have to sleep on the couch?  Well I am hoping my breath rights will keep the noise down some. LOL

This is another feature I LOVE.  A walk-in closet.  Those shelves in the back will be great to store all my Stampin Up supplies and more!   We have lots of cupboards for storage in this and hopefully I won't have them all filled up! LOL

Well I am sure you are bored by now but I am so excited and had to share with my family and friends.  This is where Dick & I will be living from May thru Oct every year.  Life is sooo good right now.  Well I had better shut this down and get some shut eye. Geez, it is almost 1:30 already.  Thanks for stopping by and next time I will share some of my cards and stuff I have been making.  KEEP SMILING!!!!!

RAIN RAIN GO AWAY

Well, it is our last day here for our first 3 wk camping adventure this summer!!  The first two weeks I couldn't get online (the WiFi here SUCKS!) but this past Monday I got on but got so used to not using it I didn't go back on until last night and wouldn't you know it--it was down again.  I tried about an hour ago and the server was busy but I just kept hitting the do over key until I got a connection.  I was ready to update my blog when Dick said let's go for a walk so I left the computer on so I could stay connect and hoped I would still be on when we got back...YIPEE I am still connected.  So I will make this short.
We have been doing a few home improvements this past year.  One was getting central air which was put in last fall when we got a new furnace.  We didn't use the air then but the first time we used it this spring-it wasn't working right.  Someone came out and put in more freon and the Michigan weather changed so we didn't have any more hot weather until May (about the time we were getting ready to come here).  We turned it on again and guess what?  It wasn't working right again (very little cool air was coming out of registers).  So we had to call again and finally got someone to come out and REALLY check it.  We had to come home for the day but it was worth it to get it fixed.  The next time we had to go home was last Monday and we turned on the air and WOW it was wonderful.  Okay that was #1 improvement I wanted and the 2nd was just finished yesterday.  I have some pictures to share for those who know what our yard was like before.  We put in a 6 ft. redwood stockade fence down the side of our property.  It was something we have talked about in the past but it seemed something else always needed to be done first so we just put it on the back burner.  It really makes the back yard look so much bigger now.  (click on the photo to enlargen)

This is the fence we had before.

This is the NEW fence. We gained some property so that was a bonus.

 

This is the back side that everyone else can see from the road.  We decided this time we wanted the nice side facing the back yard. Now I can hang some planters up and decorate it if I want in the future.  This was put in during a steady rain shower yesterday so I didn't get to go outside and really check it out while standing in the back yard.  I know to some of you this isn't anything to get excited over but after having a wire fence for over 40 years I am so liking this.

Well, I am going to get out of here for now.  Next time I will show you some more items I am making for my craft show (June 25th in the campground).  Until next time, see yah.

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY- - - - -

I can't believe it.  This is our 3rd day of sunshine and great tempatures.  I have been partying since Thursday and I am sorry to say, but at midnight I turn back into that dull person again. LOL  If I had know it would be this much fun turning 67 I would have done it sooner!  My daughters, granddaughters, Dick's family and his best friend all came over for a cookout and to have fun.  I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.

My sister, Kathleen, is having computer hiccups so I told her I would post her B.D. card she made me so that my other sister, Sandi, can see it. Whew, that was a mouthful.  So below you will see some of the cards I received (I even got one from SU!).

This is Kathleen's card. It makes you think of sunshine, being at the beach and sipping on a nice cool drink.  Thanks Kathleen for the beautiful card.

This is the inside of her card

The card on the left is from my sister-in-law and her husband.  She is my best customer and I love how she can make a simple card look so great. The one on the right is from Sandi and yes, you have seen this on her blog.  It is so beautiful in real life. The layering and coloring is very professional.  Last photo below is a card I received from my husband and Sheena (our English Springer Spaniel). Yeah, even dogs love me. LOL

Notice the blue ribbon (looks just like our bashful blue) on Dick's card.  I asked him if he got into my stash and he said "what is a stash?"  LOL  I ain't gonna tell....  When you open the doggie one it plays the Happy Birthday song only in doggie language.  It is so cute to watch Sheena lick the card when the song is playing.  Okay, I have to shut down and get to bed. Back to normal tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by.