What's in a Name... ???

No doubt you've heard all kinds of sayings about names... How important a good name is, how much better it is to have a good name than riches, etc... I've always had a "thing" about names. I've always wanted to be sure I spell others' names correctly (and that they spell mine correctly, too), always been interested in how people's names were chosen, what the name means in the original language, and so on...

So, I suppose it comes as no surprise that, now, I have a framed name picture hanging in my living room!!! LOL!!!

Remember all the stamped "name frames" that were REALLY popular a year or two ago? I sort of took that idea and built on it a little... Here's what it looks like and what I did:

My surname is now Japanese, thanks to my DH, and my maiden name was German! I like to tease him that our union represents the "axis" nations in WWII... Weird, but true! LOL!!! Never mind that we BOTH are citizens of the USA, and our families had been, as well, before WWII! LOL!!!

Anyway, wanting to create a piece of framed art based on our surname, I asked a dear friend, who is from Japan, to do our name in Japanese calligraphy (kanji) for me. She sweetly obliged and her work is featured in the top portion of the piece.

The other section of the piece spells out our name vertically, with each letter of our name as the first letter in a Bible scripture that means a lot to us. I tried to come up with scriptures that were representative of our family in some way, and here is the result (all from the KJV):

A -- As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, o God. Psalm 42:1

R -- Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice. Pilippians 4:4

I --It is God that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect. Psalm 18:32

M -- Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:1,2

A -- And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10

I printed the verses out on a transparency sheet, then backed it with a piece of brushed gold CS, attaching it with gold mini-brads.

After creating the art panel, my next step was to cover the mat with some washi paper that coordinates with my family room decor.

The frame with the filleted mat is actually one I picked up at Fred Meyer(?), with a different piece of art in it. I just liked the frame and, since the picture was on a great sale, I figured I could remove the original work and insert my own! I have to say, though, that installing the fillet back onto the newly-covered mat was a little tricky! There has to be a way to make it a little easier... I just haven't figured it out yet! LOL!!!

Anyway, I'm very pleased with the result!!! Hope you like my little experiment, too!

Blessings,

M.

Birthday Gift for a Nephew...

Happy Labor Day! I want to take a minute to remember all the hard-working members of American society and thank you for your contributions to the American way of life! We really DO live "the American Dream," for the most part, and the USA really IS the greatest country in the world -- thanks, in part, to our citizens and the hard work done to make it so! OK -- Enough blabbering about the good ol' USA! LOL!!!

I want to show you another project I made recently, for a nephew of mine. I didn't make the bag -- just the card to match it! He asked for a University of Utah hoodie for his birthday, so we obliged and got it for him, along with a U drawstring bag, for hauling around all of his sports equipment, etc. The funny thing is that he lives in Colorado, so it's funny sending him Utah stuff! Oh well... Guess he's a fan! LOL!!!

For those of you who do not know, the University of Utah is known around "these here parts" as "The U." Thus, on the card is the "Happy Birthday 2 U" pun that I just couldn't resist! LOL!!!

This card is made with all Stampin' Up! products...

Stamps: Happy Everything; Letterpress Numbers; All about U; Party Punch

Ink: Basic Black craft; Real Red classic

Paper: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White CS

Other: Forest Branches Cuttlebug folder; paper snips; dimensionals; bone folder (for distressing edges); 1-inch circle punch

It's pretty simple, so I'll spare you the detailed directions! LOL!!!

Anyway, happy birthday, Bret!!! Love ya!!!

Sympathy Card -- Psalm 23

Hey!

It's always hard to do sympathy cards, isn't it?!? Seems like it takes me a while to come up with something. However, it's nice when one has an inspiration source! I don't remember where I got the inspiration for this card, but I saw a great card made with the Psalm 23 stamp I used on this one, and knew I HAD to have the stamp!!! I love the script font and the oval shape!

I made this card for the mother of My DH's BEST FRIEND from forever ago... She and her husband were sheep ranchers, then cattle ranchers... But they've always had sheep! Seems kind of appropriate, eh?!? LOL!!!

Anyway, here it is:

And here is the recipe:

Stamps: Psalm 23 by Stampabilities; Lovely as a Tree by Stampin' Up!

Inks: Palette Noir hybrid; Creamy Caramel dye ink; various markers

Papers: Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel & white vellum CS

Other: Black detail embossing powder; vintage mini-brads; Moss organdy ribbon; Distressor tool; Sponge wedge

I colored the oak tree image by first inking it on the Creamy Caramel pd, then applying green and brown markers to different spots, direct to rubber. I stamped this in the middle of the vanilla panel, followed by the Psalm stamp in black. After it all dried, I used a sponge wedge, inked with Creamy Caramel, to create the oval of color around the tree, using the script image for a guide and leaving the center un-colored, to highlight the tree. Next, I distressed the panel edges with my distressor tool and sponged that with caramel as well.

After tying the moss ribbon around the panel and affixing the panel to the caramel base with mini-brads, I decided it needed a little something more. What to do? I finally decided to emboss the oak leaves on vellum card stock and color them on the reverse side, for a subtle touch of extra color. I cut the leaves out and affixed them to the vanilla panel using mini glue dots. Tah-dah! All done!! It's a pretty simple design, but I think it works...

Another Manly Man Gift

Hey -- am I on a roll, or what?!? LOL!!! This is several posts in a row... Amazing!!!

Here is another gift that I made for my DH's birthday. This one was from me and contains not one, but TWO gift cards. Here it is:

This was made from a CD holder that Daisy (eP) sent me. It's fabulous with those little pockets already made! Since it is white already, all I had to do was embellish it!

My inspiration was my husband's love of sports, particularly football. He played in high school and was a full-back. Never mind that he got his knee blown out all three years; he still loves the sport for some odd reason! LOL!!!

The colors were inspired by the designer papers I used.

Here is the recipe:

Stamps: Rough & Tumble (ret.); Lexicon of Love (ret.); It's Your Birthday (soon to be ret.)

Inks: Palette Noir hybrid

Papers: Basic Grey Urban Couture DP; Chocolate Chip CS; copy paper

Other: Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware (soon to be ret.); Chocolate & Cranberry grosgrain ribbon; Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelets; Tab punch; 1-inch circle punch

Urban Couture papers were adhered to both front and back covers.

The angled band was made from one of the tags in the Urban Couture packet. I just took another piece of the same paper and made another tag, a little longer, to attach to the wide end of the first tag and make a band. I placed both tags on Chocolate Chip CS, measured out 1/4-inch, and cut out the contrasting paper. This was attached to the CD holder with sticky tape I got from Taylor VanBruggen at a great price! After that, I attached jumbo eyelets at each end, for the tie.

Does it look football-ish?!? LOL!!! You know how the uniforms have all these ties and things on them, right? I was going for that look! LOL!!!

I knew I wanted the ball carrier guy from Rough & Tumble on the front, so I stamped him, colored him with watercolor crayons, and cut him out. The front needed just a little something else, so that's when I came up with the contrast panel to his side. I stamped that with the "Celebrate" sentiment, added the hardware to the top of the panel, and tied it off with cranberry grosgrain. Voila! The front was done!!!

I covered the inside of the holder in a similar manner as the outside, using various coordinating DPs, one for each section.

The sentiment was stamped on copy paper and adhered to the inside of the front panel.

After covering the white space, I needed to make little folders to hold the gift cards I'd be giving. The folder for right-hand side is square after being folded, and I attached the cute circle paper after punching it out with the tab punch. I made 2 tabs, so it would be easy to open the folder, and

offset them a little, placing the rear one a little lower than the front one.

The left-hand folder is also square, after folding it, but I decided to use a slightly different pull on it. Since it goes into the pocket with a circle-indent, I punched another half circle in the center front of the folder, to make a cohesive look. Then, I attached a jumbo eyelet in the back sid eof the folder, in the center of the punched circle area, so it would be "framed" by the punch. The last step was attaching a chocolate grosgrain ribbon to the eyelet, to help pull the folder out of the pocket. Done!

OKAY, now, I have a question for all of you bloggers out there! I seem to have trouble getting my paragraphs to be paragraphs... All my words are running together, regardless of how many spaces I put between paragraphs. What's up with that? Anyone have a solution for me? TIA!!!

Hugs & blessings,

M.

Surprise!!!

I was so thrilled the other day when I discovered some of my flowers were blooming! These are stargazer lilies -- one of my very faves -- partially because they are one of our wedding flowers! I just think they are so elegant...





Isn't it so cool to see different things blooming at various times of the year? This is one of the joys in my life... life's changes... the seasons... the different stages of maturity in my children... and in myself! Even though change can be stressful, it always brings with it some new blessings!

Like moving... Wow! Talk about changes... But won't it be great to see so many different cultures, plants, etc, where we are going?!? How fun!!!

Chatatcha later!

Manly Man Gift Holders!

So, when your dear husband (DH) has a birthday, what do you get him? If he's like MY DH, he already has pretty much everything he wants! So, the boys and I decided to give him some gift certificates this time, so he could just pick out what he likes.

Of course, once you decide on giving a gift certificate, then you need to decide how it should be presented to the recipient, right? So, here is what I came up with for us.

The first project is made from a CD holder (from eP -- eclectic Paperie). This was fairly simple to make... Just embellish top and inside front...

Recipe:
Stamps: So Cool; It's Your Birthday (soon to be ret.); Bold & Basic Greetings (ret.); Background Sampler (ret.); Sporting Goods (ret.)
Inks: Palette Noir (black hybrid ink), Sahara Sand
Papers: Basic Black, Sahara Sand & So Saffron CS; Spring Showers DSP (ret.)

Dotted paper was cut to fit the top of the lid. DUDE sentiment was stamped in Palette Noir ink, after taking a cotton swab to the unwanted areas (that is so cool sentiment & part of the circle, to make room for the birthday greeting). The Happy Birthday sentiment was stamped after DUDE... Stamped the diamond background image in stamped-off Sahara Sand, and distressed the panel with a distressing tool and DTP with more Sahara Sand. Layered this on Saffron panel, overlapping the black strip and the background paper. Added an origami "shirt" made with Spring Showers DP. Stamped the tee and ball on Very Vanilla CS, cut them out, and attached to the top!

Inside, I used more Spring Showers argyle paper inside the lid and topped that with another birthday sentiment, creating a space for a signature.

As you can see, the Sports Authority gift card fits perfectly inside! I just cut 3 pieces of packing foam to fit inside the base, so the card wouldn't slide around so much.

The second project, I will share with you tomorrow... Hope you like it!

Basic Grey Book Clips

Hi!

I mentioned in my last post that I'd share some more information on the bool clip blanks I used on that project... So, here is a photo of the Basic Grey Book Clips in their package.

I picked up these clips at a local scrapbooking store that was going out of business, and they had them in black, white, and pewter colors. I got them for a steal, so what's not to like about that?!? LOL!!!

Anyway, they come with pre-shaped, adhesive-backed chipboard that fits perfectly in the little "hollows" in the clips. All you have to do is to decorate the chipboard, peel off the adhesive covering on the back, and stick them down onto the clips!

I haven't seen any of these anywhere else, so I'm hoping I can find some more when I run out! LOL!

Also, I've been TAGGED by Katie! Her blog is listed on my blogroll, so go check out her fun stuff! For this tag, I'm supposed to list 7 random or unusual things about myself, and then tag 5 other bloggers.

Here are my facts (whether or not they are INTERESTING may be another story! LOL!!!):

1. I finally have a hobby room all my own!!! It was finished this past January, and I've been enjoying it so much!

2. I have a lot more crafting supplies than I thought I did, which I CONTINUE to discover as I keep trying to get everything into my new hobby room and keep finding more "stuff!!!"

3. I used to sew the majority of my clothes when I was in high school. I've just recently re-discovered the joys of sewing and started making other things, including a quilted hip bag for a good friend of mine!

4. I love to sing and if you were a fly on the wall in my house, you would find me humming or outright singing whenever I'm doing mindless chores!

5. But I CAN'T sing when I have to focus on something else (like posting on my blog), so right now, I'm not making music at all! LOL!

6. My favorite thing to do right now is to get a nice cup of something yummy to drink (almond latte', green tea latte', etc.), come down to my hobby room, laptop in hand, and putter with my stuff while periodically chatting online with friends or looking at cool projects on Splitcoast Stampers (SCS) or other favorite sites! This is what inspires me!

7. I don't know what I'm going to do without my hobby room, once we move to Singapore in Dec/Jan timeframe... Whaaaaa!!! But I have to say I'm looking forward to the expeience of living in another country!!!

OK... That's it for me, for now! I get to tag some others at this point! So, here they are:

Charmaine George -- http://charmainescafeink.blogspot.com/

Sharon Hebestreit -- http://doghasspots.blogspot.com/

I can't add anyone else to the list because the ones who know me have already beeen tagged! LOL!!! But, if these two post off this tag, you are sure to find out some interesting stuff from them!!! Hugs, ladies!!!

Wow! Have I been a slacking blogger, or what?!? My most humble apologies for letting the time get away from me like I have!!! But, I'm back in the saddle again (I hope!!!), so let me share some of my latest projects with you!

Today's project is a small gift set for a very special lady -- someone who has been fighting cancer for several years, and is now going back in for her fourth round of chemotherapy. Her husband works with my husband and Harry asked me to make a card for her... So, I found out what her favorite color is (red), set about to make a card, and got a tad carried away! LOL!!! Here is the set I made for her:

The set contains: a square card (5.5 x 5.5 in.) with a book clip embellishment; a small tin with a book clip inside; and a bookmark made from cardstock.

Here is the card by itself -- and a description of what I used to make it:

Papers: Basic Black & Whisper White CS from Stampin' Up! (SU!); Basic Grey's "Scarlett's Letter" 6 x 6 designer paper pad

Inks: SU!'s Real Red; Palette Hybrid Noir (black)

Stamps: SU!'s Petal Prints; Hope; So Many Sayings

Embellishments: SU!'s Cranberry grosgrain ribbon (ret.); Basic Grey's Book Clips in black

I used a hobby blade to cut around the white leaves on the BG paper, then slipped the stamped panel behind the leaf silhouette and added another stamped flower that I cut out separately.

I stamped the BG paper with the sentiment and applied it to the book clip's chipboard piece, sanded the edges, and inked them on the real red stamp pad. After tying the ribbon on the top of the clip, the card was done!

The gift tin is made from a business card holder I got from eclectic Paperie (one of my favorite online stores!!!). With such a nice base, I felt it unneccessary to add too much to it, so I simply added a CS/designer paper top, stamped with a simple sentiment, and embellished with flowers from the SU! Pretties Kit (one of which was dyed real red via the ink pad), a black mini-brad, and some "silk" leaves I had. Tied the whole thing up with some more cranberry grosgrain and the outside was complete!

The inside was simple, as well. The inside of the lid was lined with more designer paper (DP). I made a little folder from real red CS and yet more DP for the lining. I stamped "For You" on the front of the folder, added another book clip to the front flap, and the tin was complete. This tin isn't big enough to hold a gift card (I tried it!), but you could put money, a check, or another small item inside to surprise the reciepient.

Here is the bookmark. It is pretty simple, and I used the same CS and stamp set as on the card, adding only a sentiment from SU!'s Hope for Comfort set (ret.) and some black grosgrain as well.

The corners were shaped with the tag punch and I set a heart-shaped eyelet in the top of the bookmark with my Crop-a-dile.

Now, all I need to add is a gift certificate to a book store and, voila'! A gift of love for someone who could use a little cheer!

I hope you like it... More later on the book clips I used!

You've Got Mail!

Don't you just love these adorable "mail boxes" from the Target dollar spot? My good friend, Katie, picked up some and gave me one to play with!!! Here is my version... And it will be used to give a gift card to my SIL for her birthday this month!

I used SU!'s "Cerise" and Cosmo Cricket's "Dutch Girl" designer papers... They coordinated beautifully!

The ribbon is SU!'s retired "cranberry" grosgrain and the flowers were created with SU!'s punches.

The leaves on the side of the box were made with the 5-point flower punch, and I just cut 2 petals off and shaped the remaining 3.

The leaves on the front of the box were cut out of one of the Dutch Girl papers...

I hope she likes her gift!

YIKES!!!

OK... I am a total blog flake!!! Never mind that we didn't have internet access from Dec. 11 until last week... Never mind that we got some BIG news about our future the day after Christmas...

...I'm still a flake. Sorry for the ultra-long blog silence! I promise I'll be better about posting from here on out (barring anymore unforseen circumstances -- LOL!!!)!!!

Anyway, wanna know what's going on with us? We're going to be MOVING! Not to the next town... Not to the next state... Not even to the next country! We're moving to... SINGAPORE CITY, SINGAPORE!!! This summer!!! DOUBLE YIKES!!!

I never thought I'd have an opportunity to live overseas... Wow! I'm so blown away! Harry's company is building a new fabrication facility in Singapore, and he is on the start-up team! Did I say, "WOW!"??? Wow. Exciting and scary at the same time. Wow...

More later!

Hugs & blessings,

M.