VC Rocks Blog Hop #1 2014

Happy Memorial Day, everyone - remember to be especially thankful this weekend to all the service men and women who make it possible for us to be free and live and worship as we want.    

It's here, it's here ... our first VC Rocks Blog Hop for 2014!!

You can start here or go to our website at http://vcrocks.blogspot.com/2014/05/MayBlogHop.html - there are links there for everyone playing along this holiday weekend. Last I looked, we have 15 stampers participating ... so lots and lots of great ideas ready to be CASEd - by you!

Our theme this month is using our Stampin' Up! tools or embellishments ... of course, you know my Mr. Big Shot is my favorite SU tool, but we are saving that for later this summer.  So, my thinking cap went on and I remembered seeing a project that I really wanted to make that, guess what, did not even involve Mr. Big Shot.  The gal who has this project on her website is Brenda Quintana and her wonderful creations can be found at QbeesQuest.com    I wish I would have found her before our latest Ladies' Day at church, but there's always next year as well as different uses all year long!! I am finding so many great ideas from her!

First I made her butterflies ... so addicting that I just wanted to make more and more.  You will see what I mean once you get started on them yourself!  I am not printing the directions here because Brenda did such a great job with pictures and all and she explains it all much better than I would.  Here's just 18 of the ones I have made so far ... like I said, addicting.  And it is also great for using up some of that Double Sided Designer Paper I tend to hoard.  

 

and here is a pix of just one butterfly so you can see it better .... I know it looks kinda difficult, but believe me, it really is not.  Her directions are great and precise - hey, if I can do it, everyone can!

I made a lot of different colors because, well, because I can!  Not sure what they will be used for (because I can't seem to stop playing), but am thinking I will put a few in my purse when I shop and pass them out to helpful salespeople, etc.  Kinda like an RAK (random act of kindness) from me to them. Next up for me? I think ... Brenda's flowers .... but the heart is so cute ... and the car ... and the baby buggy .... and ... and ... anyone know if there is a 5-step program to stop???  Do I even want to stop making these adorable hershey kisses holders??? And if I don't stop, where am I going to store all these cuties??????

So I suppose you want to know what Stampin' Up! tools I used for these butterflies???  I used my Stampin' Trimmer and Simply Scored ... and my Paper Snips ... that's it, and no adhesive needed either!  Just those basic tools and some DSP and Cardstock .. that's it.  And if you don't have the Simply Scored, you can use your Scoring Blade on your Trimmer.

Then I saw she had this super simple idea for Breast Cancer Awareness and I had to make a few of them too.  This ribbon is self explanatory to everyone who sees it, so it would be great to use for the many fund raisers, luncheons, etc. that groups do all the time.

 

Easy peasy ... these are so quick to make!  Maybe you have a use for them yourself ????? You could stamp on them or print your group info .... I only used my Trimmer and paper snips for this one along with a little Sticky Tape.  

I hope you enjoyed these projects this month - check back - I am going to try hard to post something every couple days ... I mean, it's not like I don't make lots of cards and other projects, I just forget to post them!  

As always, let me know if you want to place an order at any time.  You can reach me at stampershirley@gmail.com or during VC Rocks season, at vc.rocks.shirley@gmail.com 

Remember to go to our website at  http://vcrocks.blogspot.com/2014/05/MayBlogHop.html for a complete list and link of all hoppers this weekend ... believe me, you will have sooo much fun! 

Leave me a comment so I know you've been here, okay?  Thanx .... 

Have a blessed day and be creative, Shirley

What's Shirley been up to ....

Welcome to my little blog spot once again .... I thought I would share with you a card and some info about what is going on with me.  

So without further ado, here's my card for today ... 

 

Just a simple card that can be used for many occasions.  Supplies I used include: 

Stamp Set; Flower Shop

Cardstock: Whisper White and Cherry Cobbler

Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versamark

Accessories: Fancy Fan Embossing Folder and Big Shot , Pansy Punch, Clear Embossing Powder and Heat Tool, Snail Adhesive

I always have a box (or two) filled with cards made without a sentiment, ready to be used for whatever occasion arises.  For me, it works ... sometimes I make cards especially for certain people and sometimes I use these that I have made up ahead of time ... depending largely on my time and ambition and mental creativity.  Of course, I tend to copy lots of card ideas I find online and that I receive from swaps, changing colors and sentiments, etc. most of the time.

A lot of my friends on facebook and elsewhere have asked me what is going on with me the past year or so since I have not been active on my blog ... so I will tell you .... 

After about 18 months of suffering with sinus stuff and not feeling well at all, and the doctors either not knowing what to do, prescribing meds that I don't want to take or have in my body, or wanting to do surgery, I decided to listen to my daughters and some friends and give essential oils a try.  What a blessing they have been to me in several different ways!!  For one, I was having problems getting to sleep and staying asleep at night, and I found lavender oil has taken care of that for me!  Two, I have had a rash most of the time for about 4 years and several doctors didn't know what to do (except keep it clean and dry, etc, etc.), and I found tea tree oil is working wonders for me.  And about my sinuses, I have been using some oils and I have not had problems since.  Miracle of miracles!!  I am sooo happy.  In fact, I was so pleased with my successes that I decided to be a doTerra Consultant. There are many companies selling oils out there, but it is very important to be sure you are using pure oils, which I have investigated and most are not. 

If I can be of any help to you regarding doTerra oils, using oils for your home and family, please let me know ... mydoterra.shirley@gmail.com .... and as always, my Stampin' Up! email remains stampershirley@gmail.com  for any and all of your Stampin' Up! wants and needs.  

Life is good .. no, life is very good and God is Great!!

I pray you are having a great and blessed day, Shirley

Guess what ... VC Rocks is in full swing, so that means we will be having monthly blog-hops once again!! I can't believe how lazy I have been - I have not posted since last September!  Shame, shame, shame.

So, here is my blog post for today - Wednesday, May 21st .... we are having a blog hop this coming weekend, so come back for some awesome projects from my friends (and me!!)

I have been participating in a few swaps the past few months. What do I mean by a swap, you ask?  No, we don't swap children, or homes ... but cards!  I make a card for each participant and they do the same.  Today I will post the cards I made for the last one (I don't want to post the ones I just made since my friends have not received theirs yet, so will do last month's swap).

My first card uses one of my fave colors, Rich Razzleberry with Whisper White cardstock, Razzleberry ink and 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon. I stamped the flower from Blooming with Kindness using Razzlebery ink and filled in the color using my Blender Pen.  Then I added Dazzling Diamonds for shimmer.  Oh yes, the designer paper is our Brights Collection of Double Sided Paper (DSP).

For my second card, I needed a more masculine get-well card, so I picked up one of my staples, Simply Sketched. The cardstock is Soft Suede, Early Espresso and Very Vanilla. I love adding texture so I love using our Embossing Folders, in this case the Woodgrain.  I added a bit of color by sponging over the raised surface with Soft Suede ink.  I added a couple of brown brads too.

Let me know how you like these cards, okay?!!  And be sure to stop back this weekend for our VC Rocks Blog Hop.  Take care and God Bless, Shirley