The Kindness of Others...

A few weeks ago I received a call from a customer who had a some questions about products in the store. Not at all unusual. It happens all the time. But this was different.
Her name is Ann. She is a very sweet lady, and we connected immediately. We shared a lot of stories with one another, laughing and chatting away! In the process of our visit I learned that in addition to card making Ann also teaches bookmaking classes. I have ALWAYS wanted to learn about bookmaking!!! Years ago I bought Yes Glue, an Awl, linen thread, and I already have a bone folder...all the tools of the trade. But that's as far as I ever got. (Now don't tell me that never happened to you.) So my curiosity about bookmaking spurred on the conversation even further. Now I was the one who had the questions for her!



Ann was scheduled to have shoulder surgery soon, but before her surgery she said she wanted to send me something...her most favorite book! She told me that she is of the age where she has realized that we all have something to share that could bring joy to others. And she wanted to share it with me.

I feel truly honored and privileged to have met Ann. She enriched my life in so many ways, and reminded me that we all should unselfishly share just a little bit more with others. I will treasure this special book forever, and remember her kindness fondly. Ah yes...the kindness of others!

This is a picture of the spine. Isn't it the most beautiful thing? It has 6 signatures, beautifully sewn and bound into this gorgeous binding.

I just had to share! Thanks for indulging me. And thanks to my friend Ann. She is truly an extraordinary lady. I am indeed blessed by so many of you. You know who you are. Thank you for the special meaning you bring to my life!

Christmas Cards

The Christmas party I was hosting was last night...so now that is done I can move on to the next pressing thing. Like Christmas shopping? I shudder to think how much I have yet to do. Can anybody else relate to that?

I wanted to share a few handmade cards I've received from some of my friends. The first is from my dear friend Carol of Our Little Inspirations . In fact, I think maybe I send her that Penny Black image. I LOVE this card with that awesome coloring...thanks Carol!

This card is from my good friend Joan Ervin of Stamping With A Passion . I am SO excited because I will finally get to meet Joan in person next month at CHA! I can't wait!!!

Last but not least is this adorable card from my friend Gabriella of Gabi with an Eye . She is always so supportive and leaves the sweetest comments on my blog. Thanks Gabriella!

Don't I have the nicest friends? :)

What a weekend!!!

Whew! I'm still trying to recover! LOL!

All the grands were here this weekend...and we were soooooooo busy! Lots to do, I tell ya! We played with the foamy sticky things, made shrinky dinks, swam in the pool, cooked on the grill, popped popcorn, put together puzzles, and a multitude of other things. They left late yesterday afternoon to go home, and I'm here to tell you I'm still whipped. Too much action for this old lady! LOL~



Yesterday morning VERY early before anyone else got up, Dylan (my 9 year-old grandson) and I were up and in my studio. Together, we made this little prayer book for him before they went to church. He was soooo excited about it. I thought of the idea the night before after everyone was asleep. I remembered these awesome bible verse stamps I bought from Julee at Verve a month or so ago. And I thought it would be just the perfect project for us this morning!


Each page is cut from a blue cardstock which measures 2.5" x 4". The white cardstock we stamped on was 1/8" smaller for layering. On the front cover we stamped the cross from Notes of Prayer with VersaMark Ink and embossed it with silver embossing powder.

Each of the pages was stamped with a different verse from the Plain Janes by Verve. I just love every one of them!

The book is held together with a blue brad in the corner. He didn't want ribbon. I get it. He's a boy! :-) The good thing is that we can add to it as I acquire more bible verse stamps. Maybe that means I should do some more shopping, huh?

Dylan was SO proud of his book. He took it to church with him to show off in his Sunday school class.


Thanks for stopping by. I will be back soon with something new. Until then...

Lots of Happy Mail!

I just HAD to share some of my recent RAKs with you! I tell ya...I have some of THE MOST awesome friends, don't I?

This gorgeous card is from my friend and DT member Carolyn King aka Cammie! The stamp set she used is Flourishes Nasturtiums . You can read the details of how she made this card on her blog post HERE . Thanks my friend...LOVE your card, LOVE your work, and I love you too! :-)

This is another Flourishes card. It's from my dear friend Carol . She used the Sweet Peas stamp set...and didn't she do it up right!!! You can read the details of her card on THIS BLOG POST . Thank you Carol. You are absolutely the sweetest, and this card is simply stunning!

This beautiful card was delivered in a matching envelope that is also handmade! Isn't it gorgeous? It was sent to me by my good friend Becca . I think the background paper is probably recycled from a calendar. How smart is that!

Thanks Becca...I will treasure this beautiful card and your kind words. You are the sweetest, and I have SO enjoyed getting to know you!

And this darling card is from none other than our very own Oodabug Charmaine . She makes the MOST adorable cards, has the sweetest disposition, and is always such a joy! And she's gonna be a momma again soon! Thanks, my friend! You really put a smile on my face with this card!

My thanks to each of you for stopping by! I will be back soon with something new.

RAKS from some of my favorite people!

Honestly, when I receive a handmade card in the mail, it TOTALLY makes my day! I wanted to share a few RAKS I've received recently from a few of my favorite people!



The first card is from my dear friend Carol! Isn't it gorgeous? Carol and her friend Heidi have started their own blog called Our Little Inspirations . Please be sure to check it out. Both of those ladies are so sweet...and SO talented!












The second card is from the one and only Silke Ledlow . Now I just KNOW you guys know her work. Everything she does is absolutely fabulous!!! Thanks, my friend. You are just the sweetest!!! And your card put a big smile on my face! :-)















This beautiful Thinking of You card is from my friend Barbara Edwards. I have known Barbara for many years. She is a wonderful stamper, and a SU! Demo. Thanks Barbara, I love your card, and your thoughtfulness in making it for me.









Last, but not least, is a card made for me by my sweet little grandson Christian. He just turned 7 years old, and he loves to stamp and color with me. He's such a little sweetie! :-)

Thanks for stopping by! I have a cute little card ready for you tomorrow night, so please stop by then.

Dylan's Butterfly

While the grands were here last weekend, Dylan (my 9 year old grandson) asked me to teach him to watercolor. He absolutely LOVES art, and he's so good at it!

He chose the stamp, the colors and the paper. The only thing I did was cut the ovals for him with my Nestabilities.

I thought he did such an awesome job on this that I wanted to share it with you. This is his VERY FIRST watercolored image. The child has potential, doesn't he? :-)





And just so you know what he looks like, this is his football picture. He's such a good boy and a GREAT big brother to his three younger siblings. Honestly, I couldn't be more proud!!!

I will be back tomorrow with something new AND the winner of the Dreamy Treats for the Stamper's Dream Dreamy Challenge. If you haven't submitted your entry you have until tomorrow. So get crackin'!

Thanks for indulging me. A "Mimi" just has to do these things sometimes. :-)

I get by with a little help from my friends...

I felt like using a song for my blog title like Shannan Teubner does in her posts. (BTW...I met Shannan at CHA, and she is SUCH a hoot!) The reason I felt that way is because the words are so appropriate for this post!

These are ALL RAKS I've received from my friends in the last couple of weeks! Don't I have the bestest friends? After my sons father passed away a couple of weeks ago I received so much love and encouragement, and these cards from my friends.

This adorable Sarah Kay card is from Denise Marzec aka Peanutbee! Now Denise knows just how much I love Sarah Kay images, and she really gave me a big smile with this one. Thanks, my friend...for all you do for me! I love ya! Truly, I do!






This gorgeous card is from my dear friend Carolyn King . I wish you could see how stunning this card is in real life! The paper she used has mica in it. I'm sure of it! It glistens and shimmers beautifully! There was a lot of work and love put into this card. I know it, and I will treasure it always. Thank you Cam....you know I love you! And your thoughtfulness truly touches my heart.




This beauty is from my good friend Carol. Now I have to tell you a few things about Carol. We "met" through my blog more than a year ago. She continued to leave encouraging messages on my blog posts, almost every single day. We have never met in person, but we seem to know each other so very well. I always know she's there for me whenever I need someone to listen, and I know she feels the same way.


Thank you Carol. You mean so much to me! I truly appreciate your friendship and your thoughtfulness.




This card is from the lovely Charmaine Ikach aka Charmwarm. Charmaine is truly one of the sweetest ladies I know. She's always there with encouragement and loving words. Her note inside truly touched me. Doesn't she make the MOST AWESOME cards? This one uses the Flourishes Strut Your Stuff clear stamp set.

Thanks, my friend. You truly ARE the best, in every way!




Last, but not least is a thank you card I received yesterday from Denise . I told you that she knows how much I love those Sarah Kay stamps. AND I ADORE her AWESOME work!!! Honestly, I don't think this girl has ever made a tanker in her LIFE! Everything she does is over-the-top fabulous!!! And besides that, she's a great gal, and my good friend. Thanks for that. It means so very much to me.

So you see...I DO get by with a little help from my friends! Thanks for indulging me. And thanks for stopping by.

Woo Hoo...Christmas Cards!

I was sooooo excited last night when I received my very first handmade Christmas cards in the mail! Isn't it wonderful to get happy mail?

The first one is from my friend Shirley. She has been a customer for many years, and she's always so sweet and thoughtful. She even remembers my birthday, and ALWAYS sends me a handmade birthday card. Now how sweet is that?

Thanks Shirley...I LOVE my card! :-)



The second card is from Barbara, who one of my customers. She bought this stamp from Stamper's Dream . The May Arts White Sheer Ribbon was a gift I included in her order, so she surprised me by using it on my card.

Thanks so much, Barbara! I love my card and your sweet note inside. I am truly touched by your thoughtfulness.

Don't I have the bestest customers? :-)

I know I haven't posted much this week, but it's been kinda crazy around here. I'm working on a card for tomorrow, so please be sure to stop back by.

Until then...

Sympathy Cards

A couple of weeks ago a friend asked me to make a few sympathy cards for him. As much as I do not like to make sympathy cards (who does?) it's sometimes necessary. Since he was in a hurry for them I had to make something quick and easy.

This card was made with Paper Inspirations Cat Tails rubber stamp. It's one of my favorites for masculine cards, but I think it worked well here too.

I colored on the rubber with my Tombow (water based) markers, spritzed with water using a JudiKins Extra Fine Mister , then stamped on Neenah Natural White cardstock. It was cut and embossed with my Petite Oval Nestabilities.

The background layer was textured with my Dotted Swiss Cuttlebug folder (currently out of stock). I used my ScorPal to make a couple of score lines, then stamped the sentiment from an old stamp that I use a lot. It's by Printworks.

You will notice that I stamped the cream colored envelope with the Cat Tails to match the card.


The second card was SUPER quick and easy. I let my Inque Boutique Memoirs designer paper do most of the work.

The sentiment is With Sympathy . I simply added a few Prima flowers, and a Kaiser Craft Pearl .

The cardstock is Stormy Prismatics .

To make it a little more special I lined the envelope with the same Memoirs paper. But did I remember to take a picture of that before I gave it to him? No.....

So, by now I hope all of you have heard the good news that Laurie , Ali and Urs are going home tomorrow. I have to tell you, I've been on Cloud 9 all day! You can catch up with all the news on the SCS Thread HERE . Please continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Thanks for stopping by. I will be back soon.

Until then...

RAK from a friend

This card is a RAK I received in the mail a couple of days ago from my friend Lynda Benden .

It was just so cute that I wanted to show it off, and to say THANK YOU to Lynda for the adorable card and the sweet note inside. It was so very thoughtful...and I am so appreciative.

I know this is short and sweet, but I'm home on my lunch hour. I've got to get a couple of packages wrapped for mailing then rush out the door to get back to work.

Thanks for stopping by!

RAKs Received!

Just a quick post tonight to share a couple of cards I've received from friends.

This gorgeous Valentine card is from my dear friend Carol. I love the black and red, and the way she used the silver cord around the scalloped circle. The word love in the center is actually a die cut. Wasn't it clever of her to use a white doily for the background?

Thanks so much, Carol. This is the only hand made Valentine I received this year! You are so super sweet and thoughtful. And it means a lot that you thought of me!


This card is from my good friend Jackie. She is always so sweet about sending me cards.

I love the way she used the Cuttlebug snowflakes embossing folder on the background paper. The doodling around the snowman is such a nice touch, as is the snowflakes brad. What a great card!

Thanks so much to both of you. I've had a particularly difficult week with a lot going on here. Your cards made things seem much brighter, and definitely put a big smile on my face!

Tonight I'm working on something new for you...so please be sure to check back tomorrow.

Until then...

I'm a lucky girl...

See what I got? I tell you, I have been grinning from ear to ear! It is such a rare occasion that I get handmade cards in the mail, and it totally makes me happy!

The first card is from my friend and Design Team member Tosh . I wish you could see this in real life. My photos never quite seem to capture the real beauty, because let's face it...I'm a crummy photographer!

The depth of color is absolutely exquisite. Tosh is famous for her talent for distressing, and I just happen to know first hand that she loves using the Ranger Distress inks. All the detail is simply magnificent. Did you know that she's the newest "Dirty Girl" on SCS?

The second card is from my dear friend (and DT member) Cammie . We haven't known each other very long, but somehow I feel as if I have known her forever. Don't you just love it when that happens?

I love the colors she used. I have probably never made a kraft colored card, because I'm afraid of it. Well, she certainly did it so beautifully here! The added touches of color in her flowers and the narrow black and white ribbon are the perfect compliments, don't you think?

I can assure you that these are two cards I will NEVER part with! They are very special to me, and in turn they made me "feel" special when I received them. Isn't it awesome that we have the power to make someone feel so special just by doing what we love?

So....let's do this. I encourage each of you to send at least one card this week to some unsuspecting soul. I can assure you it will make their day, just as these cards have made mine!

Don't forget to register for the Dreamy Treats! You can comment once on each post beginning with yesterday's. For those of you who check in regularly, that gives you additional opportunities to win.

Thanks for stopping by....more tomorrow.

Christmas Cards from Friends!

I wanted to share a few handmade Christmas cards that I've received from some of my friends.

This one is from my dear friend Carol in Pennsylvania. Isn't it just gorgeous? I've said before how much I love elegant cards, and this one truly is elegant and beautiful!

Thanks Carol...it warms my heart to receive this fabulous card from you. And the message inside was so, so sweet.


This adorable round card is from my Canadian friend Tinla. Isn't it precious? I love the Elzybells stamp, and the way she used her Nestabilities to cut and emboss the card and layers. Her coloring is flawless, and she added some Stickles to make it sparkle.

Beautiful job, Tinla! Thank you ever so much for your thoughtfulness and your sweet, sweet note inside. :-)



The gingerbread card is from my good friend Shirley in Shreveport. She is always so thoughtful to send me handmade cards for my birthday as well as other occasions. I don't receive as many handmade cards as you might think, and they always mean so much to me.

Thanks, Shirley for this sweet and adorable card! I absolutely love it!


And last, but not least is this card from my friend Sally, also in Shreveport. Sally's cards are always very unique and classy. She cuts out a lot of images, and does so with such precision.

Great card, Sally! Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness!

Now I'm going to make myself wrap some Christmas gifts. Honestly, I don't want to do it, but I must. I think time is running out, don't you?

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you all have a great Wednesday!

Monogrammed Cards

I have been busy working on gifts for Christmas, so I thought I would show you a monogrammed gift card set that I'm giving to a friend this week.

I made six cards using the same Anna Griffin paper, but changed each one just a bit so they would be a little different than the others. Don't ask me why I did that! It's one of those "seemed like the thing to do at the time" things.


The stamps used are all from Papertrey . I used the Ambassador Monogram alphabet and the Borders & Corners set. No, I don't sell them in my store. But I thought they were so fabulous that I ordered them for myself. I knew I would get my money's worth out of them. Actually, I already have! :-)

I found the Anna Griffin paper at Michael's. They have several styles, so I chose three different coordinating papers. The friend I made these for is about my age. We will just say she is "mature". So I wanted something fairly elegant, and not too trendy. Actually, elegant cards are my very favorite style.

I used my Nestabilities to cut and emboss the monogrammed letters and corresponding layers. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE the Nestabilities?

All the ribbon is from May Arts.


The envelopes are lined in one of the coordinating papers just to make it an extra special gift.

I sure hope she likes it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Monochromatic Flower - FS43

I LOVE Sunday's Featured Stamper challenge on Splitcoast. I just wish I had time to indulge myself in the challenges every day! Unfortunately, Sunday seems to be the only day I have time to play. If you haven't participated before, I strongly urge you to try it. You can find daily challenges on SCS HERE .

Today's featured stamper is RoseAnn, aka CuttersCallous on SCS. She has left so many sweet and thoughtful comments on my posts, and I was really happy to see that she was the featured stamper today. You can view her fabulous SCS gallery HERE .

The card I chose to case was something a bit different for me, which is what stretches our abilities and imagination. And as Martha would say, "That's a good thing!" I think it helps us grow and learn. You can see her card HERE . I used the same basic layout and color scheme, but changed all the stamps.

The main image is a Paper Inspirations stamp called Watercolor Flower Stem . I stamped it using Versafine Onyx Black ink on white cardstock. Then I overstamped the image with a splatter stamp using Versafine Smokey Gray ink. Please note that I inked the stamp, stamped off on scratch paper, then used the second generation stamping for the spatter dots. I wanted them to be light, and not overpowering.

The background stamp is Baroque Grain from Stamper's Anonymous. I love this stamp, and forget to use it! I stamped on gray cardstock using Versafine Smokey Gray ink.

I think the rest is pretty self explanatory. But if I left out something pertinent, please don't hesitate to email me.

Gotta run....I have much to do before I can call it a day. AND this is my favorite TV night. I need a life, don't I? LOL!

I have more for you tomorrow night, so please be sure to stop by.

Have a happy Monday! :-)

Calendars for the teachers...

You must indulge me. You know I don't do this much. Okay, I'm about to sound like every other grandmother in America, but my grandchildren are sooooooooo special! Really! LOL!

After dinner last night (and before) my 7 and 5 year old grandsons worked on these calendars for their teachers at school. I did a little of the stamping ahead of time, but I let them select stamps for most of the pages. They did all the coloring by themselves with no help from me.



The pages on the left were done by Christian, my sweet 5 year old, and the pages on the right were done by Dylan, my adorable 7 year old.

A couple of funny stories....Dylan wanted to use a stamp that was too large for the page. It was a turkey stamp for November. When I told him that it would be too big for the space he said, "Well Mimi, if we put a piece of paper over the numbers on the calendar then stamp, the ink won't get on the numbers." The child understands masking at age 7!!! How funny is that? LOL!





A little later Dylan brought me a puppy foot stamp that was very bold, not an outline stamp. He said, "I could use this on one of my pages, but we would have to color on the rubber with a marker." I HAD to laugh out loud! Of course, no one in the house got it but me. Obviously, we've had that lesson before! Too darned funny! He's going to be a Stampin' Kub for sure, isn't he?


I wanted you to see the front of each of their calendars when they were finished. They were soooooo proud of them, and I was too!

As they left to go home, calendars in hand, Dylan said, "I love my calendar, Mimi. It's so much fun to make things with you." Before a tear could drop from my eye, little Christian hugged me and said, "You're the best Mimi EVER!"

A good day, indeed! :-)

Stamping Friends!

This weekend I had some friends over to stamp, so I wanted to share the cards they brought for us to make.

Trisha designed this gorgeous card! The flower and butterfly stamp is from Stampin' Up, and the background is SU! Canvas.

I love the sentiment on this card. I have a friend who just lost her mother that I'm sending it to.

The second card was designed by my good friend Jackie. The stamp is from Stampendous. She bought it in my store, but I've sold out of it now.

It was stamped using VersaMark ink, then embossed with JudiKins Malachite embossing powder.

I think both cards are just gorgeous! Didn't they do a fabulous job on these? It's always fun for me to make cards designed by someone else.

Thanks Jackie & Trisha! I had so much fun! I can't wait until we can do it again!