Another Girl's Night Out - Another Success!

I have lots of pics to share from our January Girl's Night Out! It was a very successful night! We had a wonderful group of ladies! We shared lots of laughs, our creativity, and some yummy food and wine. We made some cute Valentine's cards, an adorable hand-made paper purse, and a lovely Spring note with a matching envelope made from designer paper. Now, I can make designer envelopes for all my cards, time permitting. We learned about liquid applique and flower soft, used the scor-pal, and learned even more about the versatility of Copic Art Markers. Of course, a beginner can come to any of our classes! We are always there to teach every step of the way! Thanks again to the hostess with the mostess, Miss Peggy! See ya next time, ladies!
Here I am, setting up and getting ready for the class.

Here I am working on punching out a very testy spellbinder die cut.

Some of the ladies working on cards.

This is my darling niece. I was so thrilled she was able to come.

An attentive audience.

We always learn so much, but mostly we come to relax and have fun!

Hearts on Fire 2

Here is the other card I made with the Hearts on Fire stamp set. At first, I wanted to do this at a make and take - but there are way too many steps. But if you have lots of spare time - I definitely recommend the layout. It is worth the extra steps.
This card is CASED from the January 2010 issue of CardMaker. In fact - I was at the grocery store a couple weeks ago and was browsing through this issue. When I saw this card - I knew I had to buy the magazine. I went home and promptly ordered this stamp set.
Tip: If you decide to make this card - cut your fancy scallop border FIRST. Then trim down paper to size after you have your scallop edge.

Supplies
Stamp Set: Verve, Hearts on Fire
Cardstock: Petal Pink (Archivers), Black, White Linen, Grey (Bazzill)
Rhinestones: Kaiser
Other: Flowersoft in Baby Pink and glue
Ribbon: Black Ribbon from Archivers
Cuttlebug Folder: Swiss Dots
Spellbinders: Fancy Scallop Pierceability Border

My "Hearts on Fire", Baby!

I've been stamping all day. My eyes are worn out! Shwew. It all started with the card I intended to create for our upcoming make and take (not pictured). It was super, super challenging, although I did complete it. I will post it tomorrow. Although beautiful...it just has too many steps for a make and take. I surely don't want the girls to leave frustrated! So, I went back to square one and spent the afternoon dreaming of a new card, making a few sketches here and there. I came up with this! What do you think? I hope you guys like it.

Supplies:
Stamp Set: Verve "Hearts on Fire"
Ink: Black Stazon
Die Cut: Nestabilities, Fleur De Lis (One of the Christmas presents for myself, hee, hee), Oval Nesties
Cardstock: White linen, Black, Petal Pink from the Paper Company
Cuttlebug Folder and Machine (can't remember the name of the folder, and really wish they'd print the name of the folder on the folder)
Other: Flower Soft in Baby Pink and Original Tacky Glue, Dimensionals, Pink Rhinestones from Kaiser

You're So Sweet - Valentine's Day Card

Here is my first Valentine's Day Card of the year. We will be doing this at our make and take (Girl's Night Out!) Thursday night. I just LOVED the simplicity of this card. It is one of my goals to try some simple cards this year - I truly believe they can be just as stunning as some of the cards with oodles of layers - just in a different way.

I came out of hibernation for just a bit today. Ah! Actually, I wish I was joking. ;-) The temps here in Kansas are just horribly cold - and we had a blizzard. There is much snow on the ground, so we've been staying inside. Eli has been home from school for 22 days. So momma is going a little stir crazy! It is really hard to get anything done with a new puppy and a little boy. I love them dearly, though! Below the supply list, you will see what my son did to his own hair today!!! He cut it himself!!! Oh my!!! I'm soooo embarrassed. Too funny. AND - we have a game in the morning and there is no time to go to the salon before the game. So, he'll just have to play the game with a silly hairdo!

Hopefully - there will be many more Valentine's Day Cards to come. My New Year's Resolution was to clean the craft room - so I really, really, really hope this will inspire my to create waaaaaay more in 2010!!!

This is a case from page 55 of Papercrafts magazine, Jan / Feb 2010. Although I did change the sentiment, stamp set, add the liquid applique, and the bling...it really looks very, very similar. Enjoy!

Supplies

Stamp sets: (latte stamp) Shirley's 2 Girls, Cream in my Latte; (sentiment) Verve, Delightful and Delicious

Cardstock: White Linen, Real Red, Creamy Caramel

Punch: Marth Stewart Doily Lace

Ink: Black Stazon, Tim Holtz Tea Dye, Real Red Stampin Write, White Liquid Applique

Ribbon: Archiver's Black and White check

Die Cut: Scalloped Circle Nestabilities

Other: Sponge, Blender Pen, Red Bling Kaiser, Dimensionals

Eli cut his own hair today!

Me and new puppy, Lukas, ringing in the New Year.

Next Class Scheduled!

Our next class / girl's night out will be on Thursday night, January 14th.

We will be teaching how to make beautiful home-made Valentine's Day Cards.

If you are interested, please email me.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Everyone! Here are two photos of Lukas, after he had his first bath and trim.

Wow - I didn't get much crafting done this Christmas. I've been working a lot with the new puppy. But, I'm excited about some upcoming Valentine's Day projects so please stay tuned.

Christas Gift to Me!

I was out doing some last-minute Christmas Shopping today, and stopped in Michael's. I decided to get myself a Christmas Gift - two Martha Stewart punches!

I thought it would be fun to ask you out there in blogland...did you buy yourself a fun paper crafting Christmas Gift this year?

Christmas Gift Tags

I hope you enjoy the two Christmas Gift Tags I made tonight. BOTH can be used 1 of 3 ways.
1) Ornament for your tree
2) Hang on a bottle of wine or bottle of sparkling cider to make a lovely Christmas gift.
3) Tape to a gift-wrapped box or gift bag, and use as a gift tag.
I'll post the supplies list tomorrow. I have to go work on my painting - due in class tomorrow.

See a new photo of Lukas the Dog below. I can't believe how much he grew in just one week! He is literally growing right before my eyes. I took this photo today. He loved his first snow. He saw it and started bouncing up and down - it was hilarious!

Snowman Card - made from punches

Hopefully, we will be making this one at our next Girl's Night Out (Make and Take)!
Well, I normally don't made cards assembled from punches (I usually use stamps) - but this one really caught my eye. It is a case from Creating Keepsakes magazine - although I did add the snowflakes on the banner, and I also changed a couple minor details, such as the stamp set (sentiment) and DSP. Well, this looks better in person. In my photo, it looks like the reds don't match. Well, in person, I didn't even notice - honestly! :D If I do say so myself - it is really cute in person.

Supplies:
Cardstock: S*E*I DSP (blue), ivory plain, ivory linen, brown linen, Riding Hood Red Stampin Up, Pumpin Pie Stampin Up for the nose
Punches: Martha Stewart Border Punch (down the sides), Martha Stewart Snowflake Punch, Marvy heart punch, SU Scallop Circle, 1 3/8 Circle, 1 3/4 Circle, Word Window Punch (hat), Key Tag Punch (hat), corner rounder punch
Other: Spellbinders Double Ended Tags, Cuttlebug Machine, Red Dew Drops, Dimensionals, small glue dots, glue pen, Red Stickles (on heart), tiny copper brads (Recollections)
Ink: Black Stazon
Stamp Set: Hampton Art Clear Stamps

Note: For the nose, I punched another snowflake out of orange cs, and cut the tip off. That is the nose.

New Puppy and an 8th Birthday!

First of all, I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving!
Wow! It has been QUITE THE WEEK at the Reusch home! Here is a photo of Eli getting ready for the KU/MU game. One of his birthday presents was attending the game today. Eli and daddy said it was one of the best games they have ever seen!
Here is a painting I did for my watercolor class. We FINALLY got to paint a flower! Yay! My favorite! I sat in the greenhouse and sketched. Then, I went home and painted it.
And, THIS is the biggest news of ALL! New Puppy! New Puppy! Our very first dog! I am 40, and have never owned a dog. His name is Lukas. He is just a doll! We got him yesterday, and he has already been such a joy! He is a standard poodle. He is like a big teddy bear! He is a real gentleman, too! Our cat doesn't know what to think, as expected, but he will be fine. He sleeps in the day, and comes out at night (the kitty). Well goodness, he was doing that anyway. :D Hope you enjoy our photos!