Sharing some happy mail!

Gosh, blog world is so fun... especially when your friends send a little love to your mail box! I have had a lot of cards sent my way this summer and I realized the other day, I have yet to share them here!! I thought I'd post them here so that you can be just as inspired as I am by these fabulous works of art!

This first one is just a creative genius at work! I keep telling Barb Schram that she is too talented for her own good! This card is actually a window card. You can't see it very well but the table and chairs are behind an acetate style shadow box and the "overhang" she created with decorative paper comes down over the "window!" Isn't that incredible?
I've held on to this one from Flourishes Owner, Sharon Doolittle because the set she used just was released last weekend (Cherries and Peaches)! Isn't her coloring AMAZING?

Speaking of amazing coloring, Christine Okken truly has a way with color and I admire her work immensely! I have to tell you, her artistic edge is even more impressive in person!

I got this beauty from Nancy Kirk (also an owner of Flourishes) and I loved how she created her background with color! Even after holding the card in my hands, I have no idea how she did it! Copics? Maybe. Watercolor? Hhhmmm... don't know! One thing I do know is... it is beautiful!

As many of you know, in mid-July, I hopped on an iron bird to meet up with some stamping buddies and we met up in Shipshewana, Indiana. Well, when we were there, we actually found this paper below that is the base of Darlene Pavlick's card! Isn't that hysterical! I thought it made up the cutest Thank You card! Thanks Dar!

This next card by my coloring buddy Denise Gooch has a funny story behind it! I open the card and see this beautiful wreath with my favorite shade of plum. I thought, 'With Kind Thoughts?' How sweet! What did I do to deserve this?
Then, I opened up the card and nearly threw it across the room! I screamed when I found this hopper inside (see photo below)! You see, I was telling Denise that our neighborhood has been literally overrun by grasshoppers. It's so gross! So, this was Miss Denise poking fun. After I nearly threw the card, I did laugh hysterically. Only Denise!

When Dee Jackson sent me this beauty, I couldn't believe the richness of her creation! She did this card using chalks and it is truly a stunning card not only in blog land but in real life! I wish she lived closer because I'd tell her to come over for a play date to show me how she made it!

Speaking of southern gals... Betty Wright mailed out this gorgeous card after she got her hands on some of the Copic collections that Flourishes put together. This card is just as beautiful and vibrant as Betty herself!

And last, but NEVER least is this java lovin' creation from my bud Janine Orchard. She is really my BFF in blog land! And, she knows my weakness--- COFFEEEE!! She is too sweet. Every now and then she'll send me some of the best beans ever for my afternoon coffee. So, this creation was very sweet!

I'm happy to say that each and every one of these creations is now on my inspiration wall....so I can look at these cards to help the creative juices flow!

Thank you ladies! You have no idea how much each and every one of your cards brightened my days! Thanks for stopping by! See you back here soon!

We're Back!

Hi all! Happy Monday! Hope you all had a restful and relaxing weekend. We made it back after the state bowling tourney and DS did well. He pretty much bowled his average - which is ok! Let's face it, his average is higher than any game I'll ever see! So, all in all it was a great experience!

Here he is... on his approach... ;-)

And, here is DH and DS just being goofy! Fun times!

Moving right along......when I got back, I had the cutest little gift from my bud Stacy Morgan. Isn't this the cutest thing? How on earth did she know my favorite candy is Butterfinger?? :-) The little clear box and tin were both full of the little candy bars! YUM!
Aren't these bunnies colored up so cute? I wish I knew who made these images! Maybe Stacy will let us know!
This clear box is just darling!

Here's a closer look at one of the bunnies!

THANKS STACY! You're the best!

Since we're less than a week away from Easter -- I just had to share Stacy's cute project because, I don't know about you, but I am always looking for those darling last minute projects!

Hope you all have a great start to you week! I'll see you all back here soon!

Holiday Wishes From Afar....

I know Christmas has come and gone but it's not too late I hope to share some happy mail I received last week. Oh my, the cards are too fabulous NOT to share! So, sit back and enjoy! Then, if you have some time - pay these fabulous stampers/cardmakers a visit. They are far too talented not to! :-) Thank you ladies! It's so nice to see your wonderful creativity in real life!

I can't tell you how much Leslie Miller's watercolor rocks even more in real life! She is one talented lady with a paint brush!

Latisha Yoast's card is one that dazzles beyond words! She stamped the Damask background stamp from Flourishes with a glue pad (I think) and then covered the whole thing with super sparkly glitter! Oh my! It's a light catcher!

This next card is from one of my new BFFs! Lovely Cutler is a Montana gal too and she is one talented photographer! That's why it's no surprise that a photo of her kiddos takes center stage with her Christmas card! I apologize for the glare -- no matter what I did I couldn't get rid of it! See... I need a photographer to take a picture of the card done by the photographer!

See that little pocket? Well, inside, Lovely stuck a photo of her Christmas cookies! Too cute! See?

Sheila Barthel is also a local gal! I joke with her that she is my SU "pusher!" LOL! I love how she used punches to create her little tree and then decked it out with brads for ornaments! Too cute!

Cindy Lawrence is another lady who knows how to make a stunning creation with some watercolor effects! This one is just so soft looking! The satin ribbon and pearls make this card to die for!

I LOVE this card from Lila Holgate! Oh my goodness -- the color combo, the way she used her nestie dies, the leaves from the bird's mouth with sparkly "berries"--- it's all Wow!

I think this one from Laura Fulcher is just too cute! Love that little Santa stamp... and the buckle? Darling! Just a fun card all the way around!

Speaking of fun.... isn't this card from Diane Lapointe with the sledding penguin just too cute? I love the embossed background and... of course all the bling! This one is also pretty darn sparkly! Gotta love that!

And last, but certainly not least is this stunner from Sharon Johnson! She has a way with creating simply elegant cards! Some dp, some gold accents, glitter glue and a lavish ribbon and bam... gorgeous card! I love how she does that each and every time!

Hope you enjoyed some of the happy mail too! I figure - why not share? It might help you spark an idea or see a stamp you have in a whole new light!

Until tomorrow!

And... the winner is!

......Nancy Littrell!


Oh my goodness! I was perusing all the fabulous links and I couldn't believe the creativity!!! There are tons of great ideas here in this list! I love Heather's Bread Box Template! And, Jacki's card portfolio is darling!!! It's perfect for teacher's gifts! The Poinsettia box is, well, to die for! And the Gift Bag and Pillow Boxes are too precious for words! Have fun surfing if you haven't already!


Nancy, email me at juliekoerber@bresnan.net and I will have your goodies shipped out to you soon!


Just A Little Something Links!


Decked Out Pail
Handcrafted Earrings
Boxed Mini Christmas Cards
Gift Bag And Pillow Boxes
Poinsettia Pouch
Joy To You Candle
Decorated Clear Boxes
Family Recipes
3 by 5 Notebooks
Bread Box Template
Handmade Pendants
Wine Themed Gift Set
Lil Santa Tote
Card Set Portfolio
Snowmen Wall Plaque
Christmas Box
Treat Cones
Nugget Box
Address Book
Little Gift Bag
Snowflake Marshmallow/Cocoa Tin
Poinsettia Box
Little Treat Box
Christmas Box with Tags
Christmas Gift Set
Sweet Christmas Treats
Gift Card Holder
Altered Steno Notebook


Before I go, I have a little show and tell for you all! My mail box has been very, very happy lately with beautiful Christmas cards from friends in blog land far and wide!!!

I got this beauty from Janine who hails from London, Ontario......
This pretty creation is from Diane, my bud in Timmins, Ontario

And this gorgeous card came from across the pond from my friend Penny from England!
Thank you! Thank YOU! THANK YOU! Gosh, you have no idea how fun it is to open mail knowing that something was made -- just for you! It's too special for words -- just like these three ladies!

Until tomorrow!

RAKs to share!

Oh my word - I was spoiled with lovely creations this week from some really talented folks in blog land!!! I can't even stand it! So, I thought I would share!

Viv Peters sent me this BEAUTIFUL card that she made with some Cotton Scraps from Crafty Secrets. She even sent me some fun holiday scraps to play with. Ok, first of all - off the charts thoughtful! Second, after you check out her card below, how could I possibly compete with that? It is gorgeous! I think I drooled on it!! :-) Click HERE to visit Viv's place!



My next show and tell is from the lovely Barb Schram. If you've never visited Barb's blog, you absolutely need to. Click HERE to check it out! I tell her all the time how stinkin' creative she is. Her creations make my jaw drop regularly! Not to mention, she's really funny and just a sweetie. It's been fun getting to know her since we are both on the Gina K. Guest DT. You can tell that by looking at her card! Isn't it too cute for words? She also sent THIS fun little gift for my kiddos! I tried to take a picture of it but it just didn't do it justice. Don't know why! So check it out on her blog! It's a fun idea for the little ones in your life -- especially in the summer! Thanks Barb!

The next creation came all the way north from Canada from my bud Diane! She not only made me a card but had matching accessories that came with the package. She nailed this one - it's not only beautiful - but she mentioned that she thought I would like it because I love the contrast of black and white in my cards. WOWZA! She's right! I love it! You can't tell in the picture, but she dabbed the centers of the flowers with liquid pearls. It just created such a lovely shimmer! The tin was even stuffed with some flower embellies and black rhinestones. Too cool!! Thanks Diane! You can visit Diane HERE!
And, last BUT NOT LEAST is a fun creation from my bud Janine! She was one of the first people I got to know here in blog land and I'm proud to call her a "sis" in our SBS5 group. She's got a fabulous eye for color and always creates cards with a unique flair. I'm actually not sure how to take this card though. A few months back she shared a story of how a number of years ago her house was overrun by lady bugs and it was so bad, she now hates ladybugs. What are you saying Janine?!?!? LOL! I still think it's a darling card!! :-) She also sent some fun clear stamps that I have already used! You can check out Janine's blog HERE!

Thanks so much ladies! You have no idea how much you brightened my day!! I'll be back late tonight with another Stamp Simply challenge! This one features one of my favorite colors!!