Where does the time go....

I can't believe I haven't posted since August.  I had such good intentions to keep up with my blog and time just seems to pass me by before I know it.  In some cases, as with my dear husband Ronnie being in Afghanistan, I want the time to fly by so he can come home to us again.  But in other cases, I look back and realize that time ran out on the things I had hoped to do.  Visiting my Aunts & Uncles, cousins and friends is one of those things.

My Uncle Francis passed away today.  I hadn't seen him in years and I regret the time lost.  Even though I know I am much older, I still feel like that young girl that couldn't wait to visit my Aunt Dalene and Uncle Francis in Cedar Rapids for a week during the summer!  I always had so much fun and truth be told - usually got whatever I asked for.  :)  (Like wanting to go rollerskating even though my cousin Lorie was grounded - we got to go, of course!)   Unfortunately, when we were home for Christmas we didn't get a chance to see much of the extended family.  I had hoped a visit this summer would correct that.

In my mind, as crazy as it sounds, I still see my Aunts and Uncles as they age they were then.  I don't think of them as being older now, more fragile, less resilient.  Truth be told, I see my parents that way as well.  It's easier that way.  My parents are so full of life and hopefully I have many, MANY years before I have to feel the sorrow that a few of my cousins have had to feel.  I cannot imagine and I am in no way prepared to start.

If there is a silver lining, today's news got me back into my stamp studio.  I felt a great need to get inky fingers and create mindlessly, with no idea of where my journey would take me.  Earlier today I had visited an enormous flea market in Nashville and found a huge bundle of shipping tags that were calling my name.  I grabbed those, my Tim Holtz distress inks and started to play.  The tag below is the result of a couple hours of soul comforting creativity.

Before, a blank shipping tag...                                      and now......with a bit more soul.

My apologies for the poor pictures, but at least you can get an idea.  I will try to post a few close up pics tomorrow with some of the details of what supplies I used.  As many of you know I love my Ranger products and am very happy when I am smack dab in the middle of them and COVERED in all the colors!  :)

So with very stained finger and chamomile tea consumed, I bid you all good night....

May the wings of angels wrap around all tonight who have lost a loved one.....
          

I came across this design and I just had to CASE it!  I used the Tim Holtz 'Ornamental' Alterations Die.  This design will also work using the Stampin' Up! Top Note Die.  I have been having so much fun picking out papers to make more of these!  Oh - if you don't have either of these dies, but have the 'Storybook' Cricut Cartridge, you are in luck.  I was flipping through the handbook for that cartridge and found the shape along with a couple of others that might work!  

I used Stampin' Up! punches for the tab on the front of the actual card holder and the slots that hold the gift card (or in this case my Kinney's Card) in place.  Okay off to create more and play with my new 'Create a Critter' Cricut Catridge!

Happy Stamping Everyone!

Debi

New Cards, finally! :)

Okay here are a few new cards that I designed using some of my new (well new to me) cartridges. :) Hope you enjoy them. Happy Stamping!!
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This one uses the Paper Pups cartridge. I just love the brown and pink combination! :)



For this card I used the Serenade cartridge. I love the flourish design on the butterfly!



I had so much fun using the Stretch your Imagination cartrige for this birthday card. I also used the Textile Cuttlebug Embossing Folder for the white 'frosting' layer.



I was so excited to get the new Stand and Salute cartridge. With July 4th just around the corner I decided to make this card to not only celebrate our great nation's independence, but pay tribute as well to those who have made that possible. God Bless America, Land of the Free and.....

Back in the Saddle

Well, I have had quite a bit of time off from creating and from blogging. I think it's time that I get back into it as I have my craft room set up now in my new home. All my goodies are calling my name and I think I need to listen to them.

Hopefully I will have some cards to show you later today or tomorrow!

As promised....

Here are a couple of the cards we did last night in my One Page Wonder Class. We used a single sheet of double-sided designer paper from the Stampin' Up! collection - Raspberry Tart.

If you are interetsed in taking this class, you may comment here or email me at happilystamping@gmail.com

I hope you enjoy them.

Doors Close, Windows Open and Creativity Thrives....

I know it's been such a long time since I have posted, but hopefully I will start posting regularly now. As most of you know Dragonfly Rubber Stamps & Gifts has closed it's doors. This has been a very difficult time for me as I loved the store and all the people that I have met through it. I made wonderful friends and many of you have become like family to me. It's through your encouragement and inspiration that I am continuing to teach and design. I thank all of you for that. You may never know just how much.

Check back again this evening for a sneak peek at a One Page Wonder Class that I taught last night to some FABULOUS ladies! We had so much fun and I enjoyed designing the cards. See you later this evening! :)

One Page Wonderful...

While at Winterfest I taught one of my One Page Wonder classes. This is where we take one double-sided 12x12 printed paper, some coordinating cardstock, a few stamps and a couple of ink pads and create anywhere from 8 to 12 cards.

For this class I created the eight cards below using paper from KaiserCraft, Versafine Onyx Black Inkpad, Adirondack Stream Inkpad, the Cuttlebug and embellishments.

The ladies seemed to love the class...I hope you enjoy the cards as well.