Happy World Card Making Day

I really couldn't let World Card Making day go by without posting something. The clean and simple (CAS) challenge at Caardvarks couldn't come at a better time for me as I did not have a lot of time to devote to stamping this week. Although I pretty much think most of my cards are rather simple I took it to the extreme with these two cards. If I needed to mass produce a set, this would definitely be the way to go. I used two different Cuttlebug embossing folders and then included some simple embellishments.  I almost added another color but I thought the red and white was actually quite striking.

Products: PTI and Bazzill cs, American Crafts dp, Making Memories foam sticker, Kaisercraft pearls, Cuttlebug embossing folders, May Arts ribbon

Now if you are only here for the projects, feel free to go now.  Stick around if you want to know what I've been up to lately.


I am devoting the fall to getting some things done around the house. Frankly, since the summer was long and so very hot, we neglected a lot of things. October is devoted to getting the house ready for winter and freshening up where time and money allows. The conundrum that is this crappy economy is that in past years we would pay to have some of these things done. By doing that, we are saving money yet we're hurting merchants and the self-employed by not paying them. We want to do our part in keeping the economy going but the reality is that we just do not have the money we use to have. My husband is retired and apparently so I am considering I can't find a job. This past week, we washed our windows both inside and out. I realize that a lot of people do that themselves but when you consider that some of our windows are 25 feet off the ground it's a bit more difficult for us. Don rigged up a high pressure hose and went to work. They aren't perfect but are definitely better. I cleaned inside, washing not only the windows but the wood blinds and the plantation shutters as well. I love our hardwoods - they are beautiful - but they can be a bit cold in the winter so we steamed cleaned a rug that we had taken up last summer when our little dog's kidneys were failing. We have one of those water based vacuum cleaners that also converts to a steam cleaner so a few more dollars saved there. I did have to buy a new rug pad but after pricing them here in town I went to overstock.com and found one for a lot cheaper, plus I had a free shipping coupon.

I am also finally organizing and purging my patterned paper. I've needed to do this forever. Other than a few pattern types I am organizing by manufacturer. By color was just too frustrating for me and I have a knack for remembering patterns associated with a manufacturer anyway. I'm totally embarrassed by the amount of it I own. And it's in four different places, in vertical Cropper Hoppers, pizza (shipping) boxes, in my storage closet and in an old folder type file. I have started with the paper in the vertical Cropper Hoppers, just doing one a time, then combining and moving around as I go. I am purging but I can already see that I need to take another look. I'm only doing this at night while watching television with Don. The downside to that is that he now knows just how much I have! I am about 75 percent done and hope to get it completed next week. 


So anyway, that is my very long story for why I haven't been posting as often as normal.  Do you have any special projects for the fall?  I'd love to hear about it!