HE IS RISEN!!!

For Christians around the world, Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ...the cross is empty–He has risen, indeed! Death and despair have been replaced by love and hope.

I knew I wanted to pair these two images from Artful Legacy–the cross (AF112J) and the dragonfly (AG635C) the moment I saw them. But how to do them–and their symbolism-justice without taking away from that? Keep it simple. And simple meant white. I made a standard sized card base with one exception-I made the spine 1/4" rather than a simple fold so it would stand out just a bit from the back of the card and accommodate the "popped up" cross. For the outside, I embossed a slightly smaller white panel with a Cuttlebug embossing folder and attached it to the card front. I then used a large Marvy scallop punch to punch out the oval from both layers (I think I must be the only one in the stamping/scrapping world who doesn’t own Nestabilities!) I added a small strip that was punched with a Martha Stewart punch to the open (inside) of the card. I then stamped two images the cross using white Brilliance ink on chocolate Close to My Heart cardstock. I ran it through a Cuttlebug embossing folder and then, since CTMH cardstock has a white core, I distressed it by sanding, added pop-dots and twine to make it appear as two pieces of wood bound together. I then stamped the cross two more times-this time using hydrangea CTMH ink on white cardstock. I cut out one side of the stole from each image, used some Crystal Effects to give it a satiny (satiny) finish, and layered it (yes, with pop-dots, onto the cross. I attached this to the card base, centering it in the open oval. I then stamped the "peace" image (source unknown) and the AL dragonfly on the card base using hydrangea ink. I HAD to add the dragonfly–! I love them. As a believer, butterflies (and for me, dragonflies as well) symbolize new life in Christ-being born again and living anew. His resurrection and power therein. Two powerful symbols in one card. It speaks volumes without saying a word! This may sound a whole lot more difficult than it really was! The AL images are so wonderful to work with-crisp, clear stamping and great designs–that I think for me the hardest part is getting photographs that do them justice! I either have poor lighting (my husband no longer questions "backdrops", cards and cameras perched on the bathroom counter (the only place I have good light and then only on sunny days!) as I run back and forth checking my photography!), little black cat showing up in images just as I click or a myriad of other issues (dead camera batteries, etc). I hope to use these same images (the cross and dragonfly) and use some music sheets-The Old Rugged Cross seems quite appropriate–as background paper. Hmm...something to do on the next rainy day!

Have a Happy and Blessed Easter, everyone and, until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Easter Peeps---er, BUNNIES~!

First, I saw this stamp on e-bay and just couldn't resist! It was too cute! It is a Studio G and although Michael's carries them (check out their dollar bin), I have not seen it there. I can't imagine why?!!! Then, to go with it...I HAD to make the Peeps-er, BUNNIES-in a jar! I forget whose blog I originally saw this idea on--but I had to do it!!! If you go to Lisa's Workshop (see link below), you will find everything you need--even the cute little bunny tag on the inside that tells you how to bake them. My good friend, Theresa, loves Peeps almost as much as my late husband did. It doesn't seem right to not buy Peeps at Easter but, since they are filled with corn syrup and I am allergic to corn, well, I best avoid them. So when I saw this, Theresa immediately came to mind! It is rather easy to do--getting the 8 bunnies to fit along the inside of the jar and stay there until I could get the M&M's in was the hardest part. You definitely want to use either a wide mouth jar or have something like a long knife handy to help hold and smoosh them in.
I had been wanting to try this for sometime but didn't want to the bunnies to get stale, so I put it together Friday afternoon along with the card. I've been battling a migraine cycle for a week now--and, in my excitement to give this to Theresa yesterday when she came to teach me to use my Bind-It-All...I did not see...the brown ink blob on the green flowers (or I would have changed them out) or the fact that, even though I put the jar and card in a pretty matching green and white gingham bag with the bunny sentiment on the front (ok-so the bag was recycled and I used the stamp to cover up the sticker logo on the bag...!) --I never signed the card! Lol. Good thing Theresa knows I am sometimes ditsy and scatter-brained! She was so excited she probably didn't notice. She told me she had just joined the Peeps fan club and that Rita's (frozen ice) has Peep-flavored ice (for a limited time only-when she visits her sister next week-end, she's filling a cooler with it and bringing some home-!) so I guess the ink blob and unsigned card are insignificant!

For now, I am going to crash on the couch again before tackling the kitchen and laundry. Or maybe I will curl up in Dolly's room. I got her to come up and lay down with me earlier! She even rolled over on her back and closed her eyes and purred at me! She's extremely dainty but still very timid and shy.

Tomorrow I will have another project I finished yesterday (thanks to Theresa) so stay tuned. And of course on Wed. will be the Artful Legacy post. Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

www.lisasworkshop.blogspot.com/2009/04/peeps-in-a-jar-easter-smores.html

SOS: Crises in the craft room...

It's Saturday am. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, my daffodils are blooming. I have a cup of coffee and a black cat who curled up in my lap (his head is on my left wrist so I

am typing one-handed!) But...there are some crises in the craft room. First, everything in there seems to have exploded. There had to have been little gremlins that came in oh, about a month ago...and messed everything up. The work table is covered, the floor is covered, things are hanging out of drawers and shelves...it's a mess! And, if that weren't bad enough...it expanded to my kitchen table. Paper, glue stick, red line tape backing, ribbon, stamps galore...Big Shot, I-Top, Crop-a-Diles oh my! Absolutely no room to work! And, to top even THAT...I am out of ---oh Lord, it hurts me to even say it---I am out of POP-DOTS. That can't be. I am the OKI Stampqueen and I ALWAYS have Pop-Dots. Somewhere. But it seems those same horrid gremlins took the last of my stash. No wonder I have a headache and am in pain. There's not a Pop-Dot to be found.

All that said, I am "IN PROCESS" on a number of projects! I am making a countdown calendar for someone having a major meltdown...I have several Easter projects in the works...and then I have to do my Design Team project for this week's Artful Legacy post. Oh-and don't forget laundry. The House Fairy seems to be in cahoots with the gremlins...mess things up but don't clean it up! Humph. Hope the Easter Bunny has better goods! Theresa may come and play today and show me how to use my Bind It All (which I need to finish the calendar...) and I want to check out a cute watering can template on Split CoastbStampers we might try to make if she wants so I guess I have to at least clean off the table! I will post projects as I finish and/or give them away...so stay tuned. In the meantime, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

ps/don't you just love the candle centerpiece in the middle of the chaos?! lol!

One of my favorite things...

One of my all-time favorite Easter things wasn’t the baskets left by the Easter bunny (anybody else ever have a hard time eating the head off the chocolate bunny? I always saved that for last-for whatever reason, it bothered me!~), or the new spring toys I received (watering cans, shovel, bubbles, etc.)–it was the large egg formed from hard sugar that, when you peeked in the hole at the end, you saw a whole scene inside–bunnies, flowers, grass (Google "diorama Easter eggs if you have no clue what I am talking about!). It was a mini magical wonderland for me and I always loved looking at them over and over again. Unfortunately, not only have I not seen the "real deal" in years, but I doubt seriously they would survive in our hot, humid climate or with some of the critters that go along with that (palmetto bugs, to put it politely).
Alas, when I saw Artful Legacy’s Easter Collage Stamp (Ag 400 K), I couldn’t help but think, "Easter egg diorama!"-- or, in this case, "box". I had the parts and pieces in my mind, but it needed something and I wasn’t sure what. I consulted with Theresa, and she suggested using the cracked glass technique on the collage images. It gave them just enough tint to make it look almost vintage. In fact, I am thinking of going back and distressing (sanding) the edges of the box and panels to "age" the whole piece even more. I added the AL "Easter Blessings" sentiment (ALS 951 G ) around it and it just popped. Then I played with pieces for the inside. Again using the pop-up technique I used last week, I simply made a base,

attached my pop-up boxes from front to back and layered the images from the collage stamp onto the boxes. I added a flower fairy (after all, I am a real flower fairy—but that’s a whole ‘nother story! ; ) and an Easter Egg sentiment. Can anyone tell how I made my "grass"? Leave a comment and tell me what you think I used. I will post the answer next week! It was somewhat difficult to get a good photo of what it looks like from the "peep hole"! Didn’t think about that! It was fun to do—and I think I will make some more. Originally, I thought I might give this to my good friend, Theresa, who always decorates beautifully for every holiday but, um, I kinda fell in love with it...and, it is just the "prototype" after all...the next one would be MUCH better! Lol.
As a second project. I wanted to try stamping on a puzzle. This is something I’ve never done before and, coupled with the fact that the Easter mosaic stamp is so detailed, I really had some serious doubts. I was surprised when it stamped PERFECTLY on the first try! I knew the AL stamps stamped great, clear images on paper but to stamp so well on the cut, uneven and GLOSSY surface of the puzzle?! I’m hooked! I think this will go to my goddaughter as part of her Easter treats. Thanks for "hopping" by and, until next time, happy stamping and scrapping! Blessings, Sharon
Products used: Stamps: Artful Legacy (see post), For a Special Friend-Stampin’ Up; Flower fairy and Easter egg sentiment-Close to my Heart; Box, designer paper, ink-Close to My Heart; Ultra Thick Embossing Powder; Crayola Colored Pencils; Ribbon-Offray; Eyelets-Making Memories; Scallop punch-Martha Stewart; Pop Dots.

Sunday: Been Busy As a Bunny/Sneak Peek...

I've been busy as a bee---er, bunny---yesterday and today working on Wednesday's Design Team Project for Artful Legacy. Not the greatest picture, I know--but there's a reason and you'll understand when you see the whole project. I had a great time making this! All these parts and pieces are from ONE stamp-believe it or not. Check out their site---www.artfullegacyrubberstamps.com. You will be surprised at what the Easter Bunny might bring you!

On another note...Miss Dolly...is letting me pet her more and more and has gradually even lost interest that I am in the room with her! She goes off and plays with her toys, eats, or sits and grooms. A sure sign that she is being a "normal" kitty! I've even been able to put the drops in her eye without too much fuss. The "boys" are VERY anxious to meet her but that's still a little ways off.

I picked up Chinese for supper and my hubby is ringing the dinner bell! Stay tuned--more sneak peeks coming! Until next time, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon

Well, Hello "Dolly"....!

Sorry--I couldn't resist the title! Meet Miss "Dolly"! I cannot believe its been a week already since she came to live with us. She is a small, very timid little girl. It has taken this long for her to not run and hide when I come into the room she's staying in! And this picture looks like she is holding on to her catnip fish for dear life. A "teddy bear" of sorts! She will now let me pet her while she frantically paces and occasionally rubs and butts up against me. Don't make any sudden moves, try to pick her up or deviate too much from the same spot in the room! Introductions to the "boys" will certainly be awhile off although they have noses and paws under the door regularly and they talk to her quite a bit! Her left eye has some issues but she's onto my trick to put drops in it, so I am all the more anxious to get her acclimated to me at least. As I mentioned, she is tiny (she and Inky are probably about the same size...), VERY dainty-and actually walks on her tip-toes and "prances!" She lives up to the girly-girl image for sure! She LOVES to play so once she meets Ink, I am afraid my house won't be the same! Lol. Well, tomorrow Theresa and I go shopping for more goodies if I can stave off the migraine--and oh, dress shopping. The step-mother of the groom thing. I hate dress shopping...oh well...that's another day, Scarlett!

Don't forget to check out the Artful Legacy blog-www.artfullegacyrubberstamps.blogspot.com, as well as the post below this one for my Artful Legacy Card of the Week... Whatever else you do, happy stamping and scrapping. Blessings, Sharon