Auf Wiedersehen 2017 + Best Nine Photographs and Cards

Hello friends,

The days are long, but the years are short.  A quote that many young parents don't like.  They say you've forgotten what it's like to be jolted out of bed at 5:30 in the morning, a sink full of dishes, dinners to be made, budgets to adhere to, and the list goes on.  I haven't forgotten.  Tonight I'd like to look back on those long days:

• The long deployments, 
• endless meetings and travel, 
• one parent/teacher conferences, 
• staying to a budget split in two, 
• trips to the ER hoping the one hurt doesn't throw-up in the car.

But... life isn't a straight line.  Before we know it, children grow up, careers wind down, and retirement is on the horizon. How we'd love to do it all over again (I think).  This is the second year I have seen people show their "Best Nine"  So this is my take on it - with a few of my "Best Memories"

• Making 250 candy apples every fall for the elementary school carnival
• Fitting as many children as possible in a Volkswagan Super Beatle to take to T-Ball practice
• Folding down the back seat of the Volkswagan and making a palette while traveling across the states.
• Creating memories with a homemade Gingerbread house each Christmas
• Reading the Incredible Journey to both my children during a deployment

Now I'm in my autumn season.  Still active and enjoying the everyday struggles and joy.   Now I have time to cultivate the creative side of my personality.   On this last day of 2017, I would like to wish you dear readers a very Happy 2018, and share some of my favorite 2017 Best Nine photographs and cards.

Best Nine Cards for 2017

Last card for 2017

Best Nine 2017 Photographs - Lowcountry - Charleston, SC

Best Nine 2017 Photographs - Phoenix, Arizona

Best Nine 2017 Photographs - San Diego, CA

With temperatures across the United States in the negative numbers, I decided to create one last card for 2017 keeping in mind all of our friends who live in snow country!  We wish you a very happy, healthy New Year!    And to those young parents who lament the early years and what seem to be endless days - embrace it, enjoy it, live each day with meaning and purpose.  Take the time to create the things that make your heart sing!

May your home be blessed and your faith increased.

Sincerely,

Susie ~

Fa La La - Package Delivery!

I'm crazy in love with this guy!  I loved pairing the adorable Santa from MFTs Jingle All the Way with the new word die from Simon Says Stamp, Fa La La.  The Fa La La die is from the Making Spirits Bright collection has both the word and shadow in the set.  Again, to maximize my options I have paired several company products for this card.  Now that we're retired it really helps me stretch those crafting dollars.  The designer paper is from Lawn Fawn.  I had all the pieces cut and on my craft table so this card came together fast - perfect!   I had already cut several santa's and had them tucked into the cataloged stamp set.   It gave me the time to really enjoy a little Copic coloring.

Are you wondering how I added that sparkle to the photograph?  It's a filter from LINE camera and can be found in the APP store.   For those of us who just can't get enough sparkle and shine, this fills the bill without the mess.

Now go create something that makes your heart sing and puts a smile on your face!   And don't forget to check for a package delivery.  That santa is a sneaky guy (smiling).

Sincerely,

Susie ~

Geli Prints I Three Different Looks

Hi friends,

For all my friends who live in the 4 season zones -- I'm jealous (she smiles).  I have to admit that while the low country is beautiful, I do miss the cooler (notice I said cooler), weather of fall and winter.

Several weeks ago I created several cards using a Poppystamp die set called, Blooming Poinsettia, and a Memory Box die called, Circle tree.  The inspiration prompt was an envelope I found with several Geli Plate background designs I created several years ago (remember the Geli plate).  I didn't use them at the time but didn't want to throw them away either.  I'm so glad I put them away and had a chance to look at them again with fresh eyes.  I chose three background prints to cut the poinsettia's from and let the colors determine the design.   I hope you'll enjoy them.

The first print had a different shades of green, red, and white.  The flecks of white was part of the print.  It looked like snow to me, so I decided to pair it with the Memory Box die, called Circle Tree.  I applied a little glitter paste to the trees and did a watercolor snowy background wash.

I embossed the sentiments on both the green panel and the smaller strip of red then added some fun foam to the back and adhered it to the beautiful sliver sparkle paper.  I love how this winter scene turned out.  It satisfied my need for "cooler" weather (smiling).

Do you get inspiration from all the Christmas catalogs?  I snip, cut, and make notes - it's my form of a mood board (smiling). 

Twas the night before Christmas... 

This retro Santa image from Graphic 45 looks wonderful with the country plaid, kraft and green card stock doesn't it?  I added a little gold edging and some sequins to give it some pop.

And for the final card, a Geli print with beautiful golds, reds, and greens.  I stamped a lovely Christmas background from Hero Arts, Holiday Florals Bold Print and embossed it with antique gold embossing powder from Simon Says Stamp.  Both sentiments are from a new Simon Says Stamp, Stained Glass Greetings.   Three cards and three different looks using the Poppystamps Blooming Die, some Geli Print background panels and a little imagination.  I love it when I can use different products and stamp sets together.  And I especially love a happy find -- I'm so glad I saved those Geli prints.

Now go create something that makes your heart sing!
Sincerely,
Susie ~

Simon Says Stamp DieCember Reveal - Picture Book Hugging Penguin

Hey friends!

Today is December 1st, and the first day of Simon Says Stamp Die-Cember.  A month long fun event revealing new dies and the crafty and unique ways to use them for your handmade cards.  Examples of cards created with the new dies will be shown on all the social media sites as well as FB Live this afternoon!  Grab a hot beverage and join the Simon Says Stamp family as they share their love of paper crafting with great examples, tricks and tips.

I'm sharing one of the new Picture Book wafer dies, Hugging Penguin.  How cute is this guy?!  And, I learned a new trick on how to better place inlay dies (you might already know).  I'll share that in a moment.

I used Simon Says Stamp, Hearts Alive die, and cut out a background in sliver card stock (save those negative hearts), and then using black and white card stock, cut out my Hugging Penguin using the wafter thin die.  This die has 2 main body pieces, 2 little feet, eyes and mouth.  Here comes the trick (she smiles).   When putting the die cut images together start by laying the image face down and put a strip of scotch tape across the back.  Then flip the whole image over again and place a little glue in the eyes and mouth and inlay the pieces back in.  You can now put adhesive or dimension dots on the back without it coming apart - YAY!   This is a terrific idea when using inlayed word dies.  Just remember to keep all the little pieces.  Where did I hear about this?  Check out Kelly Latevola You and Your Big Dreams blog - brilliant idea!    I popped up the little penguin and placed one of the little hearts over his hands.

The fun part of all of this was using the new-to-me Tonic Crystal Glaze Nuvo to fill in all the hearts.  And creating little eyeballs (laughing).  I very carefully put a dot of the white Crystal Nuvo Drops in both eyes and then a tiny drop of black on top.  I wish I had had a little more courage and put a little larger black drop (next time).

The word sentiment, I LOVE YOU, is from the Simon Says Stamp Roses for You set, and cut from sliver card stock and backed on red card stock for a little shadow.

So there you go, a cute, simple, Valentine card using the newest die from the Simon Says Stamp DieCember reveal, Picture Book Hugging Penguin.   It just doesn't get any cuter!   Hey, it's time for the FB Live event - see you there!

Sincerely,

Susie ~