My Son

Yesterday I posted a card…A Trio of Vases! I had a very productive weekend, and actually made seven cards. However, in light of Mother’s Day yesterday, I would like to reflect on my son, Brady. This was the first Mother’s Day that I spent without him, as he is attending Western Illinois University majoring in trumpet performance. We will have a belated celebration, since he returns home Thursday. However, he surprised me yesterday with a call.
Brady checks out my blog and is one of my greatest supporters. I just want him to know how proud I am to be “Brady’s Mom”. Brady and I share a special bond. This past summer I required fusion surgery on my back. Those of you who have had this type of surgery know how painful the recovery period is. Since my husband was unavailable to assist me during the day, the burden of nursing me back to health fell upon Brady’s shoulders. When his friends were enjoying their final days before the onset of college, Brady was house-bound with me…getting me out of bed, preparing breakfast and lunch, and making certain that I had my meds on time. He cleaned the house, mowed the lawn, and took care of the dog. My heart broke when he left for college and I could not accompany him to help him unpack and settle in.
Brady has had a great freshman year at WIU. He was a finalist in the School of Music’s Concerto Competition, and played his way into the Semi-finals of the National Trumpet Competition. He was named to the Dean’s List, as well. Yes, there are times that I wish that he would cut his hair and shave the scruffy beard that he has grown, but you know what…he has turned out to be a great kid…hair and beard included. He has set goals, and continues to achieve them. Hurry up, Thursday!
The photograph was taken by Buff Hottle, a well known photographer in this area. He certainly captured Brady’s personality! Thanks, Buff, for a photo I will cherish always. And…if you did not get a chance to view A Trio of Vases, please scroll down!
Have a great day….Ann

A Trio of Vases

Ever since Mary Fish posted an extraordinary card on her blog, Stampin’ Pretty that featured a vase made from an oval punch, I wanted to try the same technique. Therefore, armed with punches in hand, I created this trio of vases. What fun! Although the vases are different in size and shape, they are unified in color, incorporating patterns from three different Designer Series Papers. In honor of my Aunt Evelyn, a vase collector, I present to you “A Trio of Vases”.

  • Make a standard card base from Whisper White.

  • Mat the Rose Red Small Dot paper from the Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper collection onto Basic Black. Mat this onto the Whisper White card base.

  • Use the Wide Oval Punch on the Kiwi Kiss Figural paper from the Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper. Cut off the bottom and adhere it to the top of the base as viewed in the picture.

  • Repeat the process using the Large Oval Punch and the Kiwi Kiss Floral Paper from the Urban Garden Designer Paper collection. Tip: For variation, add the cut off section to the bottom of this vase.

  • Finally, punch a Scallop Square out of Gingham Kiwi Kiss from the Urban Oasis Designer Series Paper. Remove the bottom two scallops in order to provide a flat bottom on which to set the vase. I also added a snippet of Rose Red Paisley from the Raspberry Tart Designer Series Paper to add contrast.

  • Zip out three Little Leaves from a gray selection of Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper II using the Big Shot and the Stampin’ Up Little Leaves Sizzlits Die. Position them onto the Small Dot paper, trimming them to appropriate lengths. Adhere using Mini Glue Dots. Tip: Allow some of the leaves to overlap onto the Whisper White card base for depth.

  • Finally, place your vases. Tip: Adhere the Scallop Vase with a Stampin’ Dimensional

The nice thing about these plants is that they don’t require water!

A Note to All Mothers: May your Mother’s Day be filled with joy and happiness. Happy Mother’s Day!
Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!
Order Your Stampin’ Up! Supplies Now!
Designer Series Paper: Urban Garden (112042), Urban Oasis (113978), Raspberry Tart (113975), Designer Series Paper: Patterns Pack Designer Series Paper II (Hostess Gift 114325)
Card Stock: Basic Black (102851), Whisper White (100730)
Tools: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Stampin’ Up! Little Leaves Sizzlits Die (114511), Wide Oval Punch (112082), Large Oval Punch (107305), Scallop Square Punch (112081)
Adhesives: SNAIL Adhesive (104332), Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430), Mini Glue Dots (103683)

Suitable for Framing

Every year I write a poem which I give to my Senior students. This year I decided to take advantage of Stampin‘ Up!s beautiful Textured Card Stock and create a 6″ x 6″ page that is suitable for framing. Stampin‘ Up!s “Buy three…Get one free” promotion makes it possible for me to stock up on all of my favorite Designer Series Papers and 12″ x 12″ Textured Card Stocks! Today’s project also features the “Always in Bloom” standard Stampin‘ Around Wheel. Stampin‘ Around wheels can make your card and scrapbook designing a “snap”! Although I used an original poem as my focal point and school colors in my matting, you can substitute a stamped image or other memorabilia and colors of your choice.

  • Mat the image onto Handsome Hunter textured card stock.
  • Snap a Chocolate Chip Standard Cartridge into the Stampin‘ Around Handle. Next, snap the Always in Bloom wheel into place. Tip: Prime the stamp by rolling it over a piece of scrap paper.
  • Stamp a strip of Very Vanilla and attach this to the right hand side of the Handsome Hunter mat. Trim to length. Tip: Use the Stampin‘ Around Wheel Guide for a straight line every time!
  • Adhere to a background mat of Basic Black. And there you have it…Suitable for Framing!

Can you believe I had never used a Stampin‘ Around Wheel before? What a powerful weapon to have in your Stampin‘ Up! arsenal…Quick, easy and fun to use! With so many versatile designs, I know that I will be adding more to my collection!

Click here to access the Occasions Mini Catalog!

Order Your Stampin‘ Up! Supplies Now!

Stamp Sets: Always in Bloom Stampin‘ Around Wheel (113834)

Ink: Chocolate Chip Standard Ink Cartridge (102496)

Card Stock: Handsome Hunter 12″ x 12″ Textured Card Stock from the Rich Regals collection (108696), Basic Black (102851), Very Vanilla (101650)

Tools: Stampin‘ Around Handle (102971), Stampin‘ Around Wheel Guide (104834)