Be Loyal to the Royal Within You

I serve in the Young Women's Presidency in my ward. One of the many perks of my church calling is that I get to make all of the birthday cards for the girls and other leaders as well as all of the invitations. This invitation is for our upcoming "Evening of Excellence". I wanted it to have a "Royal" feel to it to drive home the theme. I was really thrilled with how this one turned out.

*Note: After I took this picture, I sponged some Elegant Eggplant around the edges of the insert. It looks even better now! Only 29 more to make! WOOHOO!!!!


Recipe:
Stamps: Baroque Motifs, A Little Love (SU)
Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White Craft (SU) Black Staz-On, Silver (Color Box)
Cardstock: Lilac (Roberts), Elegant Eggplant (SU), White (Source Unknown) Green (Bazzill)
Ribbon: White Organdy (SU)
Punches: Round Tab (SU), Circle Scallop (SU)
Other: Dazzling Diamonds Embossing Powder (SU), Silver Stickles, Lilac Jewel (Doodlebug)
Inspiration: Julie Buhlers "Revamped Criss Cross Card"

I think, I think, I think it's INK!

I've actually been stamping the last few days, and oh it feels so nice! I love it when a good project comes together!

I've only been stamping for about 3 years now. I had tried it a few times and found myself easily bored and frustrated with it's seemingly 1 dimensional feel. I had a scrapbooking background....I thought in terms of layers, dimension, textures, story-telling. Each project had to convey an emotion. But then I met Stephani and all of a sudden stamping evoked smiles, excitement and almost a "high" everytime I completed a project. Well, 3 years later and a large investment of inks, stamps, paper, punches, MILES of various ribbons and a gazillion of various embellishments, I am HOOKED!

Here are a few of the projects that I've been working on the last few days:

The first is for FUN! I made it for my stamp club.


Recipe:
Stamps: Witchy Poo Feet, Spider (Michaels $1 stamps), Art of Life (SU), Karen Foster Snap Stamps
Cardstock: (Colored:Source Unknown)
Ribbon: Ofray
Ink: Lovely Lilac, Only Orange (SU), VersaMark and Black Staz-on
Other: Cuttlebug, Word Window Punch (SU) Sewing Machine (I ACTUALLY USED IT!!! LOL),
Diamond Stickles, Aqua Painter (SU), Dazzling Diamonds Embossing Powder (SU)

Now go have some Spooky Fun!!!!

I Love to See the Temple

.....I'm going there today......

I love days like today! Getting up and going to the temple....what a wonderful, peaceful way to start the day. My friend, Tamara & I left right after we put the kids on the bus and got home just as they were getting off the bus. Talk about perfect timing, 'eh?! We had the best time & I learned so much today. It was really a great day.

Oh! And a funny thing happened....we went into Ephriam to pick up Tamara's son and then went back into Manti for lunch at this burger joint. We're sitting there (and there were TONS of empty booths in the place, and a lady & her husband sat down to eat. A conversation ensued between her and I and somehow I found out that she was from Florida and knew a lady that I've known from an email list for approximately 8 years! What a small world it is! I keep thinking, "if we'd been a little later or earlier getting to the temple, if we'd eaten in Ephriam, if we'd done this different or that different, we wouldn't have met." I don't believe in coincidence and this certainly reaffirmed that for me today.

Tonight I helped the Young Women in my ward stamp up some cards for a "Grandma Party" they are having. We stamped up 25 cards in an hour! I was so impressed! We did it assembly-line style. And as it worked out.....every single girl had a job. I love it when that happens. Again....no coincidences!

And so, as I sign off tonight, there's only one way to put this day to bed.....with some lullabies to the kids, alone time with my hubby and plate of Chips Ahoy with a big ol' glass of milk! DUNKIN' TIME!!! *SLURP*

Best Wishes Card

Just thought I'd give you a little something to look at! Here is one of my favorite kinds of cards to make, it's called a pocket card. For those of you familiar with Stampin Up (SU) stamps, you will surely notice my obsession with Background (BG) Stamps! I think there are like 5 different ones used on this card alone! That's got to be some kind of record! LOL

Here's the recipe:
Cardstock: Bazzill, Roberts Crafts & SU
Stamps: French Script, Floral, Soft Swirls, Print Pattern, Linen BG's, Small Script
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Basic Black (SU) VersaMark
Punches: 1" circle, 1/16" hole punch, Corner Rouncer (SU) Fleur De Leis Corner Punch (Fiskars?)
Primas
Brads (Creating Keepsakes)
Ribbon Pink Organdy, Silver Cord (SU) Pink(Source Unknown)