God's Paintbrush

Sometimes, in the busyness of everyday life, it is easy to overlook the beauty that surrounds us.  Since my last few days have been filled and overflowing, I have been guilty of not taking the time to appreciate that beauty.  I've always had a fascination with clouds and have had the privilege of seeing many skies such as the one I'm sharing with you today.  God's beauty never ceases to amaze me.

Come Saturday, I'll be back sharing more of my creations with you.

Have You Checked Out The Clearance Rack Lately?

Don't forget to take a look.  Products are only available while supplies.  If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

In a Cleaning Frenzy

I took the advice someone left on this car window and have turned today into a 'clean me' kind of day.  My craft area is getting reorganized and my bedroom turned back into a bedroom.  If I don't do it now, it won't get done what with all I have coming up over the next few months.  Card swaps, vendor shows, classes and more.  I love being busy.

Now it's back to my cleaning frenzy.  I am determined to have it done by dinner time so I can spend the evening finishing up some projects and starting on some new ones.

Another Jake

Due to circumstances that needed my control, I didn't have time to get much designing done with actual ink and paper.  The next best thing is using My Digital Studio.  So, I decided to create another page with Jake's picture.  The colors I used are More Mustard, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, Very Vanilla, and Summer Starfruit.

Now that I've found my box of photos, I can't wait to get started making new scrapbook pages for them.  It's going to take a very long time as I have so many photos.  What I'm thinking is it will make a great winter project when weather turns cold and I look for ways to avoid going out.

I Have A New Grandbaby!

I'm not going to spend a lot of time talking about the little guy as I just met him for the first time on Saturday.  He has the sweetest personality and is a wonderful addition to the family!  So, without further commentary, let me introduce you to Jake, my new grandpuppy!

Isn't he adorable!  The page was created using My Digital Studio.  If you haven't tried it, you can download a free 30-day trial of the new MDS2.  Click the image in the sidebar to find out more.

My Day of Rest and Worship

If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them, Then I shall give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Leviticus 26:3-4

KJV

It's Party Time!

There are still a few dates left in my fall calendar so schedule your Stampin' Up!® Party today. 

Call or e-mail me the date that will work for you.

My Day of Rest and Worship

Great are the works of the Lord: They are studied by all who delight in them.  Splendid and majestic is His work; And His righteousness endures forever.  He has made His wonders to be remembered; The Lord is gracious and compassionate.

Psalms 111: 2-4

New American Standard Bible

Saturday Baking

From now until right before Christmas, I've turned my Saturdays into bake days.  Once upon a time I would make quick breads and candy once my boys were back in school.  These were given to friends and family right before Christmas.  I think it's time to revive that tradition.

I get all of the baking done and once the breads have cooled, I freeze them to keep them fresh until delivery.  When I'm ready for them, I 'unfreeze' them and give them a pretty package.  The candies can be frozen as well.  The breads are wrapped in colored cellophane and the candies are put into cute little boxes I've decorated.  Then, one loaf of bread and an assortment of the candies are put into a basket.  I usually assemble several baskets and spend a day delivering them.  So much fun.

Today's baking adventure was making cake pops.  They are easy to do but not something I will do again.  I'd rather bake a cake or make cookies.  So, here is how I did mine once the frustration set in.  :-)  Funny how I am so patient with making my cards and gifts but not with things like cake pops.

This was the first time I made them and I have all ready determined that I'm going to sell the cake pop machine.  If you are interested, let me know.

As you can see, the five in the back were done the 'correct' way.  The ones on the tray were done using the "Marsha is in a hurry' method.  And, don't get me wrong, I love to bake and it is not hard to make these little treats.  I just prefer making other things.

Crab Apple Demands Attention!

Oh yes, it's been that kind of a day!  As many of you know, I watch my youngest grandson during the week while Mom and Dad both work.  Mom dropped him off this morning and warned me that he was not having a good day.  She was so right.  He went down for more sleep when he got here but when he woke up, the drama began.  Needless to say I've not had a chance to do anything I had planned for today.  I'm so glad it is Friday and I have two days without my little power house.  I have lots of projects started so will have lots to share next week.  Here's a picture in honor of my one little crab apple.

Now's the Time to Join My Team

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Here's what you get when you join Stampin' Up!® in August.

• For just $99, choose up to $125 worth of brand-new products from the annual or holiday catalogs, for your completely customizable Starter Kit!
• Get a FREE Howl-o-ween project kit valued up to $60! 

Plus, when you join Stampin' Up!® as a demonstrator, you gain instant access to dozens of benefits, including:

• Sneak peeks of brand new products!
• Access to an exclusive 30,000+ member online stamping community!
• A monthly magazine filled with project ideas and tips for running your business!
• The opportunity to fuel your passion for Stampin' Up!® while getting a 20 percent discount on the products you love!
• Opportunities to make new friends who share your same passion!

Don't delay!  Contact me today!

Raspberry Ripple Birthday

Just time for a quick project made using My Digital Studio.  My little guy is being a handful today so I'm spending a lot of time with him.

I started a new project last night and will share that one with you tomorrow.  It's another card using the Baby Wipes Technique.  I'm kind of hooked on that at the moment.  Don't worry, it too shall pass and I'll be on to the next technique.

Grandsons Abound!

Today is another day spent with my three youngest grandsons.  At the moment, they are watching Angel Wars.  Even the two year old likes these.  Action, adventure and a good message.  Yes, you guessed it, they are quite the trio.  Never a dull moment.  I won't have time to do any creating today so I'm just going to enjoy the boys.  Have a great day everyone!

Read All About It

The llama hop is over.  My house is full of wild Indians.  It's been a make green monkeys and orange lions kind of day around here.  My seven year old and five year old grandsons are spending the night with me and we have been busy doing some crafty things they brought with them.  Please don't ask about the key chains that are suppose to look like dogs.  They are the saddest looking things I've ever seen.  Zac informed me that when Mom helped them make the last ones, they actually looked like the pictures.  When I asked him if she had helped him a lot, he said yes.  Grandma let them follow the picture for themselves.  It was a learning experience.  :-)

I've been trying to make up some new cards for an upcoming Birthday Extravaganza I'm planning.  It isn't easy when I'm having to glue tails on the dogs.  Since they will be here through all of tomorrow, it looks like I won't get a lot done of my own.

No complaints here.  I love spending the time with my grandchildren.

Fall-i-Days Llama Blog Hop

Hello and welcome to the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe.  You've reached your next stop on the Llama Fall-i-Days Blog Hop.  For my first card, I kept the design very clean and simple.  I love the Everything Eleanor Stamp Set from the Annual Catalog.  I paired it with the hello sentiment from the My Friend Stamp Set, embossed some flowers, cut them out and added a few pearls.  All the colors remind me of fall.

 
Stamp Set(s):  Everything Eleanor, My Friend; Ink(s):  Real Red; Card Stock:  Summer Starfruit, Real Red, Pumpkin Pie; Accessories & Tools:  Stampin' Emboss Powder Clear, Pearl Basic Jewels, Stampin' Dimensionals, Heat Tool

Autumn is my favorite time of the year and I love all the colors you find when the leaves are changing on the trees.  For this card I paired Soft Suede with More Mustard and added a touch of Always Artichoke.  Crinkled and crumpled, the More Mustard layer reminds me of leaves that have fallen to the ground and crackle under your feet.

Stamp Set(s):  Just Believe, Tiny Tags; Ink(s):  Soft Suede, Cajun Craze; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, More Mustard, Always Artichoke; Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot Die Cutting Machine, Perfect Pennants Bigz L Die, Little Leaves Sizzlits, 3/16" Neutrals Brads Crumb Cake, Mini Glue Dots

Thanks for visiting but now it's time to enjoy the rest of your journey through the llama pasture.

  

To go to Jackie Susnik's blog, just click the elm leaf on your left.

To return to Buffy Cooper's blog, click the acorn on your right.

If you'd like to return to the Llama home page, click the maple leaf below.

It's Almost A Miss!

Well, talk about a bust.  There was so much going on today that I actually forgot to post anything old or new.  So, I'm just going to share a couple of pictures I took of a storm front that moved in around 4 p.m. today.  Some towns to the east of here had winds up to 70 mph or more.  We needed the rain but not the horizontal kind.

Tomorrow will be another late post day because the llamas are hopping again.  Be sure to check back and see all the great llama projects.

My Grandchildren Scrapbook Page

Here is another page from the scrapbook I'm putting together of my grandchildren.  I have nine shown on this page.  Would you believe I have a twenty-one year old?  Well, I do.  I know, I find it hard to believe sometimes, too.  The scrapbook is one that has the layout done and all you do is add the pictures.  So easy and a quick way to get all my pictures in albums.  You can try the new MDS2, free, for 30 days.  Just go to my online store for more details.

It's a short post today as I'm working on my projects for our next Llama Blog Hop which starts this Thursday.  Stay turned for further details.

Daring Adventure in My Digital Studio

There is just time for a quick post today.  I have three young men to entertain.  The two older ones and I are going to play Yahtzee while the little one sits on Grandma's lap and rolls the dice for her.  I have a feeling we are going to be picking them up off the floor every time he has a turn. 

Here is the card I made using My Digital Studio (MDS).  I'm looking forward to upgrading my MDS soon.  I've seen some of the features of the new version and it will be so much fun to learn.

My Day of Rest and Worship

I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

KJV

Is It Over Yet?

For the past few days, I've not been all that I could be which means there has been limited time spent in my craft room.  This should give you an idea of just how blah I've felt.  I would gladly have shared this rock.  I'm giving myself the weekend off so, hopefully, come Monday, I'll have some new cards to share with you.

Thoughts and Prayers

In Memory of Robin Cosca

Soft Suede Get Well Soon

Again, I've been experimenting with techniques and scraps.  This one is a different take on the current popular triple time stamping technique.  Instead of centering everything, I off-centered to the left.  I know, it's just a wee bit off.  You'll just have to chalk that up to the photographer being a little off.

Stamp(s):  Reason to Smile, Delightful Dozen; Ink(s):  Primrose Petals, Soft Suede; Card Stock:  Soft Suede, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Pearl Basic Jewels

Yesterday, I posted a link to the new Holiday Catalog.  So, now that you've had a chance to see it, what do you think of it?

Holiday Catalog

The new Holiday Catalog is here and it's full of fantastic new stamp sets, holiday papers, punches and framelits.  Make this holiday season special with beautiful handmade cards and gifts.

If you don't have a copy of the new Holiday Catalog, e-mail me with you name and address.  I'll send one right out to you.