April 2009 | Joan's Gardens

Let The Sun Shine

Thursday, April 30, 2009 Labels: Cards

This card was created for Sharon Johnson's Stamp Simply Challenge. You can read all about it by clicking here. While you are there, be sure to check out all the designers listed who are participating today!

Yellow is the today's color and I just love the Crafty Secret Cotton Scraps Sharon is selling. These Cotton Scraps make such a beautiful and easy card. I stitched it with my sewing machine to attach it to the card stock, but you can also use pinking scissors and adhesive for a different look.

Several colors were combined by pulling the colors out of the cotton scraps. I hope they blend as nice on your screen as they do IRL. The flying bird is from Crafty Secrets Bird Lovers Stamp Collection (one of my favorite sets) and I colored it using my Copic markers. I just received JustRite's new Tiny Words Stamp set and it was perfect to create the sentiment. Both are popped up with some Dimensionals.

Don't you just love that beautiful Silk ribbon that Sharon is selling? This is the first time I have had a chance to use it and if you haven't tried it, don't hesitate another minute. It just seems to flow and makes tying a bow so very easy! Hop on over to Sharon's Ribbon tab (at the top) and see all the gorgeous colors she has in stock.

May Arts Silk Ribbon----------------Sharon Johnson's Ribbon Store
Crafty Secrets Cotton Scraps-------Sharon Johnson's Store
Designer Paper-----------------------Cosmo Cricket Dapper Dan (shown below)
Stamp----------------------------------Bird Lovers by Crafty Secrets and Just Rite Tiny Words (featured next Monday)
Color-----------------------------------Copic Markers
Cardstock-----------------------------Neenah Paper and the yellow is from my stash
Dimensionals-------------------------Therm O Web
Glue Glider----------------------------Joan's Gardens

Redbud Tree

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Labels: Family Photos

As I looked at my kitchen window this morning I was greeted by this beautiful Redbud Tree.

What a joy it brings to me. I love spring and I love watching all the things come alive.

Spring always reminds me what a perfect plan God has for us. We are certainly counting on that that these days. No change with Mel yesterday, but lots of prayers are being said for her!

I hope to have some time soon to get some cards made. I am missing my creativity times, but

this time of year there is so much to do outside to get my gardens in shape. I divide things and sell perennials out by the road in the spring. My flowers are growing so fast that I must hurry and get that done. So, please bare with me until I get caught up some. But, they are calling for more rain, so I might just have to sit down to my craft table. (smile)

An Update on Melanie

Monday, April 27, 2009

Melanie Smith

I am getting several e-mails wanting to know how Mel is doing, so I wanted to give you a quick update. Thank you so much for your concern!

Mel (as we call her) was running a slight temperature which showed she had some kind of infection. The doctors first thought it was an over load of milk, and then last night the nurse said it was a staph infection in the blood. Today they say they aren't sure about the staph infection and that it might be from some congestion. So, they have decided not to make any changes other than give her an antibiotic for the infection, whatever it is. They are afraid if they reduce the breathing machine and let up on her meds that could cause the congestion to get worse.

Tom (her husband) has been diagnosed with a Stress disorder and has been sent to bed. I didn't understand how the poor man was doing it all and he finally felt the results of the last several weeks. What I didn't tell you was Tom's father died on Monday and was buried on Thursday before Griffin was born on Saturday. So the poor man is ready to collapse. Their family doctor recognized this and has given him something to help him sleep and get his strength back.

The good news is that there has been no additional bleeding. We are so thankful for that.
Friends and family have been wonderful, along with all of you who are praying. We just can't thank you enough.

Someone asked me if I was close to Mel and her family. Absolutely!!! Andy (her mother) has been like a sister, therefore her children all mean the world to me. This just tears me apart to see her in such condition. Thank goodness we know our Heavenly Father is in control and our prayer is for Him to be glorified through all of this.

Thank you again!

Deckled Spell Binder Dies

Sunday, April 26, 2009 Labels: All Store Items, Spellbinders

Large Mega Deckled Die
$21.95 plus shipping

Small Mega Deckled Rectangle Dies
Approximate Die Template Sizes:1) ⅜x1½"2) 1⅛x2½"3) 1⅜x3½"4) 2⅛x4½"5) 2⅜x5½"
$21.95 plus shipping

Large Deckled Rectangle Dies
Approximate Die Template Sizes: 1) ⅞x1⅛" 2) 1⅜x1¾" 3) 1⅞x2⅜" 4) 2⅜x3⅛" 5) 2⅞x3¾" $21.95 plus shipping

Small Deckled Rectangle Dies
Approximate Die Template Sizes: 1) ⅝x¾" 2) 1⅛x1½" 3) 1⅝x2⅛" 4) 2⅛x2¾" 5) 2⅝x3½"
$21.95 plus shipping

Spellbinders brings you a die template set of deckled rectangles. No more using those deckle-edge scissors or torn edge rulers…Ever try to match up those corners...nearly impossible. Well, now those troubles are over. This concentric set of 5 die templates is a must-own for card making, layout designing and home decor altering.

$21.95 each or $79.95 for all 4 sets shown above, plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase any of the above dies. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Flourish Accents

Labels: All Store Items, Spellbinders

This die template set of curvy flourishes awaits nearly any paper crafts project. The six die template set has 2 pairs of near mirrored images with just slight modifications. This gives many options for finding just the right image for a card, page or altered item. A wonderful addition to your set of favorite supplies.

$18.95 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this set. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Rectangular Wooden Stamper Set

Harmony Rectangular Stamper Set. (Set of Two Stampers)
Rectangular DIY Grid accepts all letters, numbers & symbolsImpression size 2 3/8 x 5 ½”Impression size 1 3/8 x 3 ½”
No fonts are included.
Do you ever find that you just don't have the right words to complete
your project? This set allows you to make your own sentences.
$18.95 plus shipping. (reg $19.95) Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this set of stampers.

Curlz Deluxe Kit

Curlz Letter Kit with Bonus Stamper includes:

Stamper

Three interchangeable designer borders

Three interchangeable designer centers

One 95 pt Curlz Alphabet Set with Symbols and Flourishes

Two 50 pt Curlz Font Set with letters, numbers and symbols

Stackable Type Storage Container

78 total characters!Sale $20.95 plus shipping. (reg $22.95)
Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this Curlz Deluxe Kit. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

10 Designer Centers and borders

Product Details:
10 Designer Borders
10 Designer Centers Fits Large Round Monogram Stampers
Fits 1 5/8" Wooden Stamper (not included)
$12.95 plus shipping (Reg $14.95)
Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this set. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

1 5/8 Wooden Stamper

Harmony Classic Circle I 1-5/8” (Blister Pack)
Wood Mount Only$7.95 each
Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this wooden stamper. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Cosmo Cricket Paper

Silly Sam

Mischevous Max

Jumping Jack

Handsome Henry

Dapper Dan

Cheerful Charllie

YOU CAN MIX AND MATCH ALL OF THE PAPERS SHOWN TODAY.
I am combining the papers in packages of a total of 6 sheets for $4.80 (80 cents each) plus shipping. You can mix and match however you want. Each paper has a coordinating color on the back which you can see in the photo. Remember, you can order as many sheets as you wish at 80 cents each, but a total of 6 must be ordered for $4.80. The combination of these papers are just awesome.

If you love creating vintage cards, then these papers are a must to have! Please e-mail me if you are interested in purchasing these papers and tell me which combination you would like to purchase. Total of 6 sheets are $4.80 plus shipping.

Southern Belle

This Southern Belle stamp set by Inkadinkado has 16 different stamps on it, including 3 sentiments. It set sells for $9.95 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this set.

Be sure and check out the card that Sharon Johnson did using this stamp set and you can see my card here. Please include your mailing address and your preferred method of payment. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Floral Garden

These stamps are rubber and repositional. Wow!!! They are great! This is Inkadinkado's new Wackytac repositionable adhesive---clings to clear acrylic blocks no matter how many times you use it. No glue or messy residue. Printed labels and contour-cut stamps allow for more precise placement of images. Stores easily on the enclosed backer sheet or in the Clear Boxes that I sell.The stamp set sells for $12.95.

Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this set of stamps. I will need your mailing address and your preferred payment plan. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal. Please check out my card where I used this stamp set. All comments will be welcomed!

Garden Delight

This beautiful stamp set from Inkadinkado sells for $9.95 plus shipping. It has 8 nice stamps and each one reminds me of spring.

Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this set. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Quick update

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Not much to share this morning about Mel, but one good bit of news is the cat scan results from yesterday showed there has been no additional bleeding. So, we were all thrilled with that report.
Mel is having another cat scan at this very minute. If by Monday, there isn't any additional bleeding, they will start reducing some of the sedation, to see what kind of response they can get from her. She developed a slight fever last night, but it broke on it's own, so the doctors were very please as they do not want to give her any more medication than necessary.

Thank you all for your prayers. I have relayed to the family how wonderful you all have been and all the prayers going up for Mel. We still need that miracle!!!

Thanks so much for the prayers

Friday, April 24, 2009

I thank each and everyone of you for your prayers. I wish I had good news to report this morning, but I don't. The doctors give us no hope and said all that can be done for Mel (Smith)
is to pray for her.

The bleeding is at/in/around the brain stem and there is nothing they can do to relieve the bleeding/swelling in that area. It is entirely up to her body (and our Lord) now. He said the next 72 hours are critical.

I spent the day at the hospital yesterday with the family and my heart just breaks. I can't thank
you all enough for your prayers and for passing the needed prayer on to your prayer chains.
I will update this when I know any more information.

Asking for Prayer

Thursday, April 23, 2009

We had very devastating news this morning. My 30 year old cousin had a baby on Saturday and this morning around 2:30 AM she had a brain hemorrhage. She is in an unconscious state at this time. She has a 2 year old daughter and a 4 year old son besides the new baby. When I talked with her Mother they were taking her for a MRI to determine the location of the hemorrhage.

I know there are many of you who believe in the power of prayer and I would like to ask each of you to pray for Mel. We are praying for a miracle with complete recovery.

I am very, very close with Mel and her family. This morning my heart is breaking for them. If you have a friends or family that you can pass this onto, we would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so very much.

Swarm Picture

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 Labels: Family Photos

Can't you tell how much fun we had at the Cricut Swarm on Saturday? These are the
3 friends that went with me and we had so much fun. Left to right, Colleen, Vickie, me and Breann, my neighbor. This picture was taken at the end of the day and we were getting ready to head for home.

Baby Camel

Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Labels: Family Photos

Did you know camels live in northern Indiana? Our neighbor down the road raises camels and it still is a thrill to see them when we pass by their house. On Wednesday as we passed by, I told Lily there weren't any new babies this year. Then on Sunday there they were when we went to pick up my Mom. How exciting!!!!

Did you know camels have white babies? I sure didn't! But, so far these camel's babies have been white, although they do get darker as they grow older. I think there are 8-10 camels now and they provide lots of entertainment for the neighborhood!
I thought you all might enjoy seeing the new baby!

I spent yesterday afternoon finish labeling all my stamp sets so that I can put them in my new storage drawers. Next I am going to do the same with all my Nesties.
Jon picked me up another storage cabinet, so I am good to go!

Today I am off to meet my daughter and 2 granddaughters for our annual spring shopping day.
How fun!!!! Have a great day and I hope it is warmer where you are because it is cold and rainy in Indiana!!!

Arch Lattice Punch

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Arched Lattice punch - $13.99 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this punch.

Be sure and check out Sharon Johnson's beautiful card where she used this great punch. Also, don't miss her ribbon sale simply by clicking on the Ribbon tab at the top of her blog.
You can also see my card where I used this wonderful punch.

Canada Shipping now available with Martha Stewart Punches.

Embossed Scroll Punch

This Martha Stewart Embossed Scroll Edge Punch is great for a delicate look. It is great for wedding and baby cards or any kind of card that you want to have a very delicate feeling. $13.99 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this punch. I accept Visa, Maser Card and PayPal.

Embossed Diamond Punch

Embossed Diamond Punch - $13.99 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this punch. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Embossed Scallop Punch

Another wonderful punch by Martha Stewart. You can create some beautiful designs with this punch. If you can't stop by the shop, please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this punch. $13.99 (reg $14.99) plus shipping. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Sweet Stuff

Sweet Stuff is a large set with 32 separate stamps! Isn't it amazing that so many stamps fit and they all stamp with so much detail. Plus, the 6 antique cookie cutters are die cut as 1 stamp but they can easily be cut apart. This versatile set can be used to create adorable cards as well as keepsake cookbooks, recipe cards, shopping lists, gift tags and a variety of sweet décor projects!

This set sells for $24.95 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this stamp set. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal

Garden Girls

Spring is here and it is time for those spring time cards. Crafty Secrets beautiful Garden
Girls stamp is a great set to use for any type of card.

This is a large set with 18 different stamps. $24.95 plus shipping. Please e-mail if you would
like to purchase this beautiful stamp set.

Home Sweet Home

Home Sweet Home is a large stamp set which has 22 separate stamps with a versatile mix of 4 art deco style houses, floral designs, a large old etched key, separate words and sentiments. The house designs have wonderful details in the flowers and cottage style architecture. They will be fun to play with and color or simply stamp the nostalgic designs. The words Greetings, Home, Sweet, Family, Love, and Friendship are all separate stamps that can be paired together and with the sentiments on this set.

This stamp set sells for $24.95 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this stamp set. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Clear Boxes

Great for stamps!

Great for Nesties

The clear 7.5x5x1/2 inch acrylic boxes are wonderful for storing your clear stamps and your Spellbinder dies. The new Nesties are now arriving and for some of them you are going to need longer storage than the CD cases. These are perfect! The boxes come in a set of 5 for $18.95 plus shipping. E-mail me today to place your order for these wonderful clear boxes.

Cricut Swarm

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending a Cricut Swarm (like a crop) in Shipshewana, Indiana. There were about 50 ladies who attended and it was such a fun day. Five of my

friends attended with me and that made it so very special. I met some very nice gals too.

This facility was fantastic! The room was huge and we each had half of an 8 foot wooden

table with great electrical hook ups. You would not believe the meals we had. First of all

when we arrived there was an abundance of rolls, juice and coffee. The at 11:30 they put

out a great "box" lunch consisting of a ham sandwich, chips, grapes and huge cookie. At 5:00 P.M. we were served this most delicious meal. We had a warm roll, salad with home made cream Italian dressing (we all wanted to lick our bowls clean), 2 large pieces of fried chicken, green beans and then this huge piece of carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. Everything was

yummy and we all were stuffed.

Now, don't ask me how much I got done yesterday? I think I love to talk too much. ha. I started out paper piecing 2 Minnie Mouse cards and then JoAnn loaned me her Tinkerbell cartridge, which I haven't purchased yet. So, I switched and started doing Tinkerbell. I didn't get her completed her either, because they had a card making contest and I had to stop and make a card for the contest.

Several gals were interested in how the Design Studio Software Program for the Cricut worked, so I was helping them with that. But, I learned last year that I don't go to the Swarms to accomplish much, but more to enjoy making new friends and gabbing.

Colleen and Vickie drove up from a couple hours south of me and spent the night with Jon and I.

This way they didn't have to get up before the crack of dawn to get up here. We enjoyed having them so very much and it made for a great time starting Friday night.

My New Stamp Storage

Thursday, April 16, 2009 Labels: Storage

I am dancing the happy dance tonight! I have been trying to find something to store my stamps in for several months and I finally found it! I have looked at several online office supply and container places, visited Staples and looked everywhere I went. Well, this week I found it at Lowe's. I would never have thought to look there, so it took me completely by surprise. And, the good news is it was less than $45.00.

It has 3 drawers and will fit under my 6 foot tables where I stamp. I can put 30 of my Clear Boxes cross ways and then behind those I will be able to keep my seasonal stamps. I still don't have all my stamps labeled yet and I don't want to put them in the drawers until I finish that
project. Now I am motivated to get them labeled.

I decided today that I am purchasing another one for my other table to store all my Nesties.
I am getting quite a collection of them, and they are taking up way to much room on my table.
So, the next time I get to town I will get another one.

This is exciting to me as I love being organized and I have felt totally unorganized lately because my stamps were not in any order. Now they are and that makes me happy!!!

Lily's Visit

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Labels: Family Photos

Lily is our Great-Granddaughter. She is 6 3/4 years old, so she says! Michigan's Spring Break was last week, so she spent 3 days with us. Oh what a blessing and we had such a good time. I started her stamping when she was about two, and it is her favorite thing to do. She made Easter cards, loves the Cricut, Cuttlebug and all my fun toys. She had the scuffed up nose before she came.

EASTER DAY

Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Labels: Family Photos

The kids have their own table for Easter Dinner.

We also have a young adult table and then the

adult table. I am sure thankful Lori has a large

room.

This picture is the girls after dinner and before

the Easter Egg Hunt. The boys were off having

fun, except for baby Dylan.

Our Easter was so special and so much fun. It

was great because we had a nice sunny day and

the little ones could play outside.

My daughter and husband are Foster Care Parents.

They have adopted 2 of the children and at this

time they have 6 Foster Children for a total

of 8 in their home. Then we have 5 Great Grandchildren,

so we had a total of 13 little ones (3 babies) Easter Day. Now, talk

about fun!!!!! What a blessing children are to us!!!

HARMONY CIRCLE II STAMPER BY JUSTRITE

Sunday, April 12, 2009

6 Interchangeable Borders
6 Interchangeable Centers
Includes 2-5/16" Wood Mount
14.95 Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this stamp set by JustRite.

Dahlia

Labels: All Store Items, Spellbinders

This set of Nestabilities die templates is the perfect concentric flower with 8 petals. The projects that will bloom out of this set are innumerable. Imagine layering the flowers to create a bouquet for a home décor project or a pin for Mother’s Day. Use the die cuts to frame photos or hold a stamped image. Beautiful!
Approximate Die Template Sizes: 1) ⅝" 2) 1¼" 3) 1⅞" 4) 2½" 5) 3¼" 6) 3⅞"

$21.95 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this set. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Large Octagon dies by Spellbinders

Labels: All Store Items, Spellbinders

Spellbinders continues to produce new shapes of famous Nestabilities Die Template Collection. Introducing the Octagon. There are so many ideas that pop into the creative mind with this shape: elegant, bold, funky, fun…it runs the gamut. Don’t “stop”, order a set today.
I have seen some dynamic cards done with this Large Octagon die.

Approximate Die Template Sizes:
1) ¾" diameter 2) 1¼" 3) 1¾" 4) 2¼" 5) 2¾" 6) 3¼" 7) 3¾"

$21.95 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase this set. I accept Visa, Master Card and PayPal.

Kaiser Sublime Papers

Sublime Paper by Kaiser

2 sided paper 6 sheets total for $5.40 plus shipping.You can mix and match the 3 different papers.Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase the papers.

Lime Green Striped Paper

Polka Dot Paper

Voque Paper

Matching brads for the 3 Lime Papers.$5.00 plus shipping. Please e-mail me if you would like to purchase these matching brads.

Please check out Sharon's beautiful card she did today using these papers. It is gorgeous!!!

Also, while you are there be sure to check out all the fantastic ribbons that she has for sale too!

Just go up to the top of her page and click on Stamp Simply Ribbon Sale.

Search This Blog

To Place an Order

Contact

Northern Indiana

Designer

Receive Email Updates

Blog Archive

All Blog Challenges

Items In My Store

Followers

About Me

Popular Posts

Subscribe To

Labels