Genealogy Research....

  I have been doing genealogy research on my multiple family lines for many years now, most of my research has been done online at websites like Ancestry, Family Search, USGenweb are a few of the more popular sites that I have used. I have searched many other sites and spent many hours at it, not always with results. I still haven't answered the main question in our family....Are the family tales of Indian Blood really true? Family lore has it that a few greats back grandpa was full blooded Cherokee and Grandma was full blooded Crow, whether true or not I still do not have the answer. 

I have found a few other family members I didn't know about like grandpa had been in a previous relationship before he married grandma, I am unsure whether he was married or not that first time around, but I did find out that the aunt that I thought was my grandpa and grandma's foster daughter was more than likely his daughter from that previous relationship, at least the dates all fit. 

Lately I haven't been doing much research, but what I have been doing has been in the 1940 censuses know available free to search at Family Search, and available at Ancestry, along with all the US census records from 1790 through 1940, they will be available for free starting today through September 3rd, Labor day. To visit the censuses at Ancestry follow this link: ancestry.com/census

I have recently connected with a family member through the Find a Grave website. This was a great experience. I was doing some research on one of my Great-Grandfather's siblings (he had 16 of them of which 15 grew to adulthood)  and I found his grave site information on Find a Grave, I had previously researched this info here with no results on this particular family member, (that being said it does pay to return to previously searched sites and look up those names again as more info is constantly being added). The information had been submitted by a _Anderson, I just automatically assumed that this person was the son/grandson of the brother I was researching. It took me a couple of days to work up my courage to email this unknown Anderson, but I finally did and when I received an email back I found that the gentleman I was in contact with was another one of the 16 sibling's, a different brother to my G-Grandpa, son and that he had been trying to make contact with the children of the sibling I was researching at the time.

Well, I am going to have to end this here and come back to more genealogy research information again soon. I have to be at work soon and I really would rather stay home and work on cards and other projects. I signed up for a technique swap and  I am in the middle of working on that project and planning a few classes/ workshop projects. I can do the planning at work in between things, so we will see how productive I will be. 

Ihope you all enjoy this post, it is a bit long, sometimes I get carried away but I hope you will read through to the end.

DanicaA

Black & White with a Hint of Color Swap

This is a card that I did for a swap last March. It was a black and white/vanilla with a splash of color swap. I really like how this card turned out, very elegant. While the stamp set is no longer available you can use any sentiment in it's place.

There are many layers of here, I started with a base of Basic Black added a layer of Very Vanilla and another layer of Basic Black. I used a piece of scrap paper to glue my different paper layers together so I could run it through the big shot with the top note die. 

There is starting at the top very vanilla embossed with the vintage wallpaper embossing folder I used First edition DSP and silver glimmer paper that I colored with basic black ink, I used the scallop trim border punch on the top edge of both pieces. I added a piece of Basic Black embossed with the Houndstooth embossing folder. At the bottom I added another piece of the First Edition DSP. I then ran the layers through the big shot with the top note die added some Basic Black satin ribbon. The tag was created with the lots of tags die and the extra large oval punch, I embossed the saying with white embossing powder and glittered around the edge with red glitter and added a red brad to the center of my congrats stamp. Add a few pearls and the card is finished.

I hope you all enjoy!

DanicaA

Project Recipe: Basic Black, Very Vanilla Card stock, First Edition Designer Series Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper, Tagtastic Stamp Set,  Basic Black and Versamark Ink, White Embossing Powder, Big Shot, Houndstooth & Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Top Note & Lots of Tags Dies, Extra Large Oval Punch,  Basic Black Ribbon, Red Glitter, Real Red Brad 

Pinwheels

I hope you all enjoy!

DanicaA

Update and New Catalog

Wow! It has been a while since I last blogged, and I am feeling very guilty. Life has been absolutely crazy busy for me lately, but I have to blog today. I am so excited about the new Stampin' Up! Catalog and today I received the Holiday Catalog and it blew me away. 

If you haven't checked out the new catalog yet, Do So NOW!!! I was absolutely thrilled to see so many of the mini catalog stamp sets carry over, I think for the most part I had only purchased previously the ones that ended up carrying over.  There are so many new stamp sets and I am having a hard time choosing which ones to get first. I am definitely going for Postage Due (w-126395, c-126397) on page 108 I also want the Morning Post Alphabet (w-126590, c-126592) and the Travel Journal builder wheel (126937) on the same page.   Take a Ticket Wheel (126941)page 32, that coordinates with the Ticket Duo Punch (126883) page 182. More Framelits and coordinating stamp sets, Layered Labels (w-127070, c- 127072) page 103 coordinate with the Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003) page 191, Daydream Medallions (w-126465, c126467) page 117 coordinate with the Floral Frames Framelits (127012) page 191. A new butterfly set Papillon Potpourri (w-123757, c- 123759) page 115 and a matching punch Elegant butterfly (127526). I was disapointed when I saw that the butterfly sets and punch were on the retired list so I was very happy to see this set. I would definitely say this set is much more elegant. I love the Flowering Flourishes set (w-126365, c-126367) page 121. there are some lovely new background stamps Ex Libris (126600) page 128 & Pleasant Poppies (w-126480, c-129499) page 129. A lot of new greetings sets, I am not even sure where to start here as I could probably use almost all of them. New In Colors, Gumball green, Raspberry Ripple, Midnight Muse, Primrose Petals & Summer Starfruit. Some update to tools, a new larger sized Stampin' Scrub (126200) page 157, the heat tool has been re-done with 2 heat settings and a new sleek, slimmer design (129053) page 159,  a new paper cutter (126889) page 180, I really think this will be better, it isn't available quite yet but it is on my list of must have as soon as it is available. lots of lovely new DSP I am loving the Natural Composition Specialty DSP (126917) page 162, and haven't decided on any favorites yet on the rest of the designer series paper.Some lovely new Simply Scrappin' kits, my favorite is the Razzleberry Splash (126930) page 168. New Fabrics page 170, Ribbons page 172, the Vintage Faceted Designer Buttons (127555) page 176, look like they would be a lot of fun to use. We have quite a few new embossing folders in a new larger size Fancy Fans (127751), Chevron Folder (127749), Argyle Folder (127750) page 189, there is a new set of folders to coordinate with a new edgelit Decorative Designs folders (127023)& Large Scallop Edgelits (127019) page 190. Another new edgelit set is the Finishing Touches set (127010) page 190. Also new dies, Delicate Doilies Sizzlits L (126999) page 191, Oval Accents Bigz Clear (127005), Typeset Alphabet Bigz (127553) page 192. Also coming in late 2012 is MDS 2, with updates and some cool new features. 

There are so many new offerings that I think everyone will love. These are probaly all my top choices but there are so many things that if I keep going I will have to list the whole entire catalog and I would rather you go ahead and take a look. You can click the link at the left to see the catalog in PDF form or contact me to receive a catalog.

Okay long post today but I am really excited about this catalog year and am going to sit down and plan out some projects for the next while. So I hope to get back into the blogging mode and I may share some older projects for a little while so stay tuned.

I hope you all enjoy!

DanicaA

Thank You Card

I made this card with the intent to use Elegant Eggplant Card Stock (as I have never used this color previously) and a background of my own making. I wanted to create my own pattern paper, although when I stamped my background I messed up the nice clean stamped image. Normally I would turn over the card stock and try again, but I decided I really do like the shadowed effect I got. It works very well on this card.

I find that I tend to use the same stamp sets constantly and end up forgetting about the others. I am hoping to pull out those rarely used sets and either use them or let them go. With the Retired list out I may just let go of some of the sets that, while I liked, didn't really use. This next year I will be a little more selective as I did an

inventory and found that of my current sets not counting mini catalog items, and I have 35 sets and 24 are retiring. I'd better choose wisely this year, although with so many new sets maybe less will retire next year. I won't count on that but it is a thought.

Check out the retired list, and be sure to order your favorites before they are gone.

I hope you all enjoy!

DanicaA

Project Recipe: Card Stock: Elegant Eggplant, Night of Navy, Perfect Plum, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Elegant Eggplant

Stamps: En Francais, Bella Toile, Elegant Thank You
Dies: Adorning Accents Edglits, Lots of Tags

Accessories: Big Shot, Extra Large Oval Punch, 5/8" Organza Ribbon

Thinking of You ColourQ Challenge Card

The colors for this card were chosen from an old ColourQ challenge.

 I have decided that over time I would like to do a card for each of the colourq challenges. I am hoping that this will help me stretch my boundaries and enhance my skills

I made this card using two different techniques. I used the faux mother of pearl and faux tile techniques. To create the tile I used the simply score board and scored at one inch intervals vertically & horizontally.I then rubbed the ink into the grout lines to give my tile definition. I created the mother of pearl effect by using a small amount of Frost White Shimmer paint and saran wrap to dab the paint all over the paper. Once dry I then took my sponge daubers and ink Pool Party & Island Indigo to my paper and added the subtle shading that gives my tile its wonderful color.Although I do have to say that I stamped my image prior to creating my tile and mother of pearl finish. I used the large floral image from SAB set Fresh Vintage.

When I was creating my stamped saying image I totally messed up and ended up having to choose between starting with a fresh piece of whisper white or using the image sideways instead of centered the same direction as the larger label. I really wish I hadn't messed that up but choose to go ahead and use what I had rather than waste the paper.

I hope you all enjoy!

DanicaA

Project Recipe: 

Card Stock: 

122925 Calypso Coral  

122923 Pool Party

119686/124276 Early Espresso

100730/124302 Whisper White

102599 Glossy White 

Stamp Sets:

w 125115/c 125117 SAB Fresh Vintage

115068 Sincere Salutations

Inks:

122938 Pool Party

122937 Island Indigo

122939 Calypso Coral

101406 Jet Black StazOn

Accessories:

116854 Frost White Shimmer Paint

102892 Sponge Daubers

113439 Big Shot

125598 Labels Collection Framelits Die

127279 SAB Everyday Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack

122334 Simply Scored Scoring Tool

Sending Thanks Butterfly

Since my last post, I have been unwell & so busy that I have been unable to do as much blogging or really anything for the last few weeks. I haven't really been spending much time on my computer at all. As for crafting I have made a few items slowly over the same two week period that I will share with you here in the near future .For today's card I will start by sharing a card I made and started blogging about a couple of weeks ago. This post has been almost done, but not quite finished.

 This card was made using leftover pieces of card stock that I had tried a for me newer technique called Faux Mother of Pearl. I really like the look this gives to different elements. This technique is a fun, fabulous and elegant way to give a card added pizzazz.


I am keeping things short as I want to get this posted and I need to be at work in about an hour.

I hope you all enjoy!
DanicaA

Project Recipe: Elegant Eggplant, Basic Black, Whisper White & Glossy White Card Stock, Frost White Shimmer Paint, Elegant Eggplant, Perfect Plum & Basic Black Classic Stamp Pads, Four Frames & Petite Pairs Stamp Sets, Sponge Daubers, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Elegant Lines & stripes Textured Embossing Folders, Decorative Label Punch, Basic Pearls

Life....

has been very busy lately, for me. I haven't been able to do much posting in the last week and I know that the rest of March is going to be super busy, also. I have been able to finish a few projects that I am hoping to post this next week. I have joined a swap that I am trying to complete as soon as possible as I know that if I don't have it done within the next week, it will be impossible to finish. I have been taking my projects to work and working on them during my lunch, in the break room. You would be surprised how much you can get done in 30-45 minutes. Especially, if you have a game plan. 

We had snow on Thursday. I woke up in the morning and thought things were pretty cold, and that I needed to get up take a shower make my morning green smoothie, pack my lunch so I could be at work on time. I so didn't want to get out of bed. Anyway, I got up only to discover the power was out and I couldn't do most of the things I needed or wanted to do. It was very pretty outside though. I did have to scrape the snow off of the car. Coming home from work that night there was a slide on the road, Boy can that be scary. At least it was little and no one got hurt, which could easily happen around here as we have very curvy mountainous roads.

Have a great week and I will hope to post daily this week, and if not as much as possible.

I hope you all enjoy!

DanicaA

Quilted Top Note Purse

Well today's post has been sitting here on my desk waiting for me to finish the project and then type up. I have finally gotten to it, after almost a week. Life has been a bit busy lately.

My inspiration for today's project came from a fellow Demonstrator on Stampin' Connection, Michelle Yager. Stampin Connection is a site for demonstrators to share projects, ideas and discuss all things Stampin' Up! I really liked the look of her quilted top notes, so I thought I would give it a try. Here is my finished project.

I used the top note bigz die to create my front and back with card stock & chipboard. Two pieces of card stock and one piece of chipboard for each. on the two of the four pieces of card stock. To create the quilt I used my 1-1/4" square punch to punch out my designers series paper and then glued to a scrap piece of card stock. I then ran it through the big shot with my top note die and then trimmed around the edge at the scored line, this then allowed me to glue this piece as an insert on my front piece of Lucky Limeade card stock. I then repeated this step for the back of my purse. I added a box that I sized to the top note and made out of matching CS, I added the ribbon to the sides and then attached a brad to each side to cover up my ribbon holes.

Decorate the front how ever you wish and add some chocolate or pens & pencils and you have a cute little purse to give as a gift.

I hope you all enjoy!

DanicaA

Project Recipe: Lucky Limeade & Whisper White Card Stock, (SAB) Everyday Enchantment Designers Series Paper, Oval All Stamp Set, Basic Black Ink, Big Shot, Top Note & Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Dies,Lots of Tags Sizzlits Die, 1-1/4Square & Extra Large Oval Punch, (SAB) Calypso Coral Organdy Ribbon & Everyday Enchantment Brads

3x3 Note Card Purse

 Today's project is a cute little card purse, I made following the directions I found on Sandi's blog Another Chance. I had fun making this purse and think that they would make great gifts or even a craft fair item as you can create coordinating 3x3 mini cards to include along with envelopes. I changed my version of this purse a little bit. I was trying to use the dazzle glitter for the butterflies's bodies and when I set the purse down with out really thinking through what I was doing the dazzles dripped and I ended up having to come up with a new idea for the body. I used the word window punch and cut the punches down for the smaller butterflies. I don't think they turned out to well, but I tend to be picky in things like that when it comes to my own work.

My cards were made with coordinating card stock & designer series paper. I decided to keep them simple as I do want them to be able to fit inside the purse along with envelopes. 

I hope you all enjoy!

DanicaA

Product Recipe: Rose Red , Pumpkin Pie & Very Vanilla Card Stock, Sweet & Sour Designer Series Paper, Big Shot, Beautiful Butterflies Bigz Die, Four Frames, Petite Pairs & I{Heart} Heart Stamp Sets, Basic Black & Rose Red Stamp Pads, Curly Label, Heart & Decorative Label Punch, Rose Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Glimmer Brads, Basic Pearls & Basic Rhinestones