Perfect Blend

What is it about coffee? I have given-up soda, other sugary drinks and alcohol in my quest to live a healthier lifestyle; yet I lack the courage to give-up my coffee. I also know that I am not into it because of the caffeine. I don't buy fancy and expensive coffee from Starbucks or other Coffee places. I brew my own fancy coffee. The smell of a freshly brewed coffee simply awakens my senses and drinking it slowly is a ritual that I have been enjoying for most of my adult life. Some people start their days with yoga or go for a run (I don't understand why, haha), I have my coffee while the house is quiet and still asleep. I gather my thoughts, check my emails or simply just read. Growing up in the Philippines, I confess that my grandpa gave me sips of coffee when I was a little girl. This was one of my fondest memories of him. I remember him coming home from work in the afternoons to have his snack aka merienda. He'd smell of sweat and the sun, sit on his chair in our back patio wiping his perspiration with a white face towel that had a "Good Morning" printed in red ink on the edge of it which always hung on his neck. I'd sit on his lap and we'd share a tall glass of hot instant black coffee, often with a couple of bread rolls aka pandesal that I would tear small pieces of to dip in the coffee then eat. And on those many days when I'd tag along with him to work, we would have our merienda at the little shack of a store in the corner of the cemetery, always hot instant coffee. My grandpa did not drink his coffee in a cup or mug, it was in a tall jar of recycled Nescafe glass (as with most of our drinking glasses back then). He would always have the first sip to make sure it was not too hot for me. He loved me so and God knows I miss him every day of my life. So, to this moment each and every time I'd smell or drink coffee, I think of my grandpa and without fail be transported to those times when I was safe and happy in his arms. Sometimes I could still smell him and some mornings when everything is really silent, I could still hear the softness of his voice. Perhaps drinking coffee for me is more of a sentimental experience and the taste is just a plus. This card is for you, Grandpa - thank you for our many coffee memories.

I really love this Perfect Blend stamp set. It is very versatile and also a great set for masculine cards or coffee gift cards. I am glad it has been carried over to the brand new catalog.

 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Perfect Blend (W 130745 C 131392), Lovely Little Labels (W 13203 C 126262)
Paper: Card stocks in Early Espresso, Calypso Coral, Pool Party, Crumb Cake and Whisper White, Coredinations card stock in Gumball Green, Sweater Weather DSP
Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Early Espresso
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Frame Lits in Apothecary Accents (127003) and Ovals Collection (129381), Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder (117335), Little Labels Punch pack (126881), Tea Lace Paper Doilies (129399), Stampin' Sanding System (129367), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579)

Well that's all for now. Thank you for stopping by. 

World Treasures

This year, we are celebrating our 25th year here in United States. Perhaps it's mid-life crisis or just plain nostalgia, but lately I find myself looking back and sort of retracing my steps. Twenty five years, that is a long time, a life time to some people. I am amazed at how far I've traveled, and I mean that in a symbolic way - because I really am not much of a traveler. I guess, it's been more of a tumultuous journey...that now when I look around at my life and see nothing but goodness, I have this ever present angst that all of these will soon end.

A little over a week ago while waiting in line to check-in for a flight at the airport with my mom, I was approached by an older Filipina who reluctantly asked me if I was so and so's grand daughter. My immediate reaction was it was a scam. However, this woman knew both my grandparents and mentioned places and people I have vague memories of from my childhood. She said her mother was my grand father's cousin (I don't know how many times removed) and that my grandpa used to take me to their house when I was a little girl. She said she also came to ours often to visit. She recognized my mom and knew my dad. She mentioned relatives from back home that I have not seen in ages. She said she'd been looking at me and even told her husband that she thought she knew me and who I possibly could be. I told her she has an unbelievable memory to remember me when I have not lived in the Philippines for 25 years. I had goose bumps while this whole thing was going on, because it was almost oddly impossible and something I thought only happened in movies. Meeting her made me suddenly homesick. It made me a little sad when she said I looked like my grandma. How I wished I could call her that night to tell her about my encounter with a mysterious relative. We ended our meeting with a hug. I walked away shaking my head, things like this rarely happens and I was in awe. It made me wonder how much people really change. Haven't I? When I think of myself I still see me as a precarious young woman trying to make sense of the world. I could still see my very slender and charming self at clubs or college parties with friends. Regrettably, now at forty-something I feel I am no longer slender or charming, I have not stepped in a club in almost two decades and the saddest of all, I think I'm friendless. So, how's that for a bummer?

This is a step-up CASE from a swap I received from Convention two years ago.  I also changed the color combo.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: World Treasures (W 132100 C 126767)
Paper: Card stocks in Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Very Vanilla
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Real Red, Tempting Turquoise and Metallic Encore Gold Pad (132141)
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Apothecary Accents frame lits (127003), Heat Tool (129053), Embossing Powder in Gold (109129), Border punch (retired), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, everyone. Thank you for stopping by.

Fabulous Florets

Once a week, we go over to our mom's for dinner. It's nothing fancy, usually she cooks Filipino dish with rice or the guys would grill meat, fish and veggies. Our lives get too hectic, but we realize the importance of making time for family. It's something we all look forward to and we have been religiously doing since mom moved in town two years ago. It's such a treat to share a meal together, talking about life and laughing until our stomachs hurt. When we're done eating, we don't rush to leave - we still chat or we go out and sit in the backyard while the kids are playing...enjoying simple pleasures of spending time with loved ones. Often, when I sit back feeling the cool breeze on my face after such a good meal, I'd get this overwhelming feeling of peace and gratitude. I am so blessed.   

This stamp set, Fabulous Florets will be retired June 1st. It's one of my favorites and one of my go-to stamp sets whenever I want to color, be it with colored pencils, water color, crayons or markers. It's definitely a keeper.

I used sponge daubers to color the flowers then cut them out.

The flowers are heat embossed with black embossing powder.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Fabulous Florets (W 128574 C 123027 - retiring), Field Flowers (W128583 C 122762)
Paper: Card stocks in Melon Mambo, Basic Black, Whisper White and Lucky Limeade
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Lucky Limeade ad Melon Mambo, Versamark Pad (102283)
Tools & Accessories: Heat Tool (129053), Stampin' Emboss Powder in Black (109133), Eyelet Border punch (retired), Sponge Daubers (102892) Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Paper Snips (103579), Polka Dot Black Ribbon (retired)

Thank you so much for stopping by.

Mother's Day 2014

It's a very windy Mother's Day here in San Joaquin Valley. I want to wish all of you wonderful moms a very happy Mother's Day. Every day but particularly today, I am very grateful for my mom. She is not only an amazing mother, but a person who always go out of her way to help others. She is kind and generous to a fault. Indeed our lives are brighter and better because of her unwavering love. All my life, I've watched her fight every obstacles thrown at her, getting-up a little bit stronger and wiser each time. When other people comment that my sisters and I are doing well for ourselves, I am almost incline to respond how could we not do well, when we saw how our mother sacrificed so much to bring us to United States and make sure we'd get a chance at life. Thank you, mom for everything. You are one in a million.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set: My Mother (Wood 133080 Clear 133083)
Paper: Whisper White and Basic Black card stocks, Glimmer Paper in Red (121790), DSP - retired
Ink: Classic Stampin' pad in Real Red
Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Dress Up frame lits (130101), Ovals Collection frame lits (129381), 1 1/4" Circle punch (119861), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Stamping Sponges (101610)

That's all for now. Thank you for stopping by.

Mother's Day Post Card

I have had this Post Card stamp for months, but this was the very first time I used it. Thank goodness for Pinterest and how much ideas are available out there. I was able to put together this card from a few projects I saw there. One of the retired colors I miss a lot is More Mustard. It was my go to ink when it came to vintage/aging technique. So, I experimented and combined Soft Suede with So Saffron and I was pleased with the results.

Oh by the way, I have already seen SU's 2014/2015 catalog and have been looking at it every chance I get. My wish list is getting long. I am specially excited to try the Blendabilities markers to find out for myself how they compare to Copic markers.

Card Recipe

Stamp set(s): Postage Due (W 132064 C 126397), Post Card (W130366 C 130369), sentiment - retired
Paper: Card stocks in Always Artichoke, Soft Suede and Very Vanilla
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Soft Suede, Basic Black, So Saffron, Calypso Coral, Always Artichoke and Pool Party
Tools & Accessories: Stamping Sponges (101610), Postage Punch (122344), Distresing tool

Well, that's all I have for now. Have a fabulous week.

Flower Shop Bundle

I received a generous order via My Online Store this past week, thanks to the recent Free Shipping promotion. Admittedly, I don't get many online orders at all. Most of my customers come to my events/classes and place their orders through me. Perhaps partly because I do not advertise or solicit as much business as other demonstrators do. It's more of a hobby for me (at least for now) and the earnings (if I could even call it that) is just the icing on the cake to help me support it. It brings me joy - to craft and share my passion with the very few customers that I have. So, when I get an Anonymous online order (no matter the amount), I am completely ecstatic. Sadly, I couldn't send this person a thank you card because he/she indicated No Contact and did not create an online account. However, I put together this card to express my deepest appreciation. So, whoever you are, kind and generous stranger...thank you.

 

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Flower Shop Bundle (Wood 132727 Clear 132726 - purchase in a bundle to get 15% discount), En Francais Retiring (Wood 128562 Clear 127790), Petite Petals Bundle (Wood 134821 Clear 134822 - purchase in a bundle to get 15% discount), Lots of Thanks (Wood 129687 Clear 129690)

Paper: Card stocks in Elegant Eggplant, Wisteria Wonder and Whisper White

Ink: classic Stampin' pads in Elegant Eggplant and Wisteria Wonder

Tools & Accessories: Big Shot Die Cutting Machine (113439), Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003), Rhinestone Basic Jewels (119246), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430), White Satin ribbon

That's all for now, thank you for stopping by. 

Retired BNF Friday #27

Happy Friday, everyone! Well, in honor of Earth Day this past Tuesday I am sharing with you this masculine birthday card with trees on them. Time is running out before the 2012/2014 In Colors will be retired. Midnight Muse and Gumball Green combo? Very nice, right? Stampin' Up! published the retiring list this week and I was shocked at how much items are going to say farewell. I was sad, but not as much as how I normally would since I changed how I run my events/classes last year. Most of my gals are makers, so they just choose and pay for the cards they make. They don't care if I use current or retired items as long as the projects are nice.

Card Recipe

Stamp Set(s): Trendy Trees, Teeny Tiny Wishes (Wood 128748 Clear 127802)
Paper: Card stocks in Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Crumb Cake and Whisper White
Ink: Classic Stampin' pads in Early Espresso, Gumball Green and Midnight Muse
Tools & Accessories: 1 1/4", 1 3/8" square punches, Word Window (119857), Modern Label (126881) punches, 1/8" white taffeta ribbon, stampin' dimensionals (104430), brads

Well, that's all for now. Have a great weekend and thank you for stopping by.]