Martini Mittens

Most of the time volunteering has its perks. Husband John (AKA Poppy) and I volunteered last night to serve as ushers at the Orpheum Theatre for the annual Briar Cliff University Christmas Concert. (Okay - I volunteered us BOTH...but I knew he would LOVE to help...there was music involved and besides he used to be a Cliff Singer.) The Cliff Singers were amazing - and it was probably a thrill for them to sing with the Sioux City Orchestra.

I can't sing, can't carry a tune, can't harmonize, so I really appreciate vocal talent. Sure the acoustics at the Orpheum are phenomenal - but all those voices! A combination of the (large) university choir, a church choir, and a high school choir from Council Bluffs, IA - well it was very moving!

Because we were ushers we had to be there an hour ahead of time so we got to hear them practice. One of my 'peeps' saw us up on the the loge - and hollered - "Hi Nancy"...pretty soon almost the entire choir is waving and saying my name. Most of them know I've been 'under the weather' so they were surprised to see me there. I felt very loved and appreciated when they started waving. They are such great kids, oh I mean, young adults!


The challenge over at Stampin' B's was to feature a beverage. Okay - so most of the cards they have uploaded for inspiration are cocoa, coffee, tea... But I was thinking different kind of beverage...and a martini is just so ... vintage-movie-civilized.


Civilized Celebration~Base Card - PTI white
~My Mind's Eye 'Wild Asparagus' - I added the 'pimentos' to the 'olives' using an office paper punch and dotted each red with Crystal Effects
~Layer of black then white cardstock
~Layer of pale olive green - with left edge 'notebook' punched (Stampin' Up) and some smudging with Distress Ink - Peeled Paint
~Red cardstock folder tab and smudged with black ink and topped with pearlescent acrylic paint
~Sentiment is from Stampin' Up (Lexicon set) - Stamped on white - with red smudging - stamped with black - then Versapen and black embossing powder added to just the large font 'celebrate'
~Martini stamp - purchased long ago from the dollar bin at Michael's - olive and pimento filled in with gel glaze pen, glass filled in the Crystal effects - reflections added using Stickles

Challenge at Our Creative Corner was to feature snow... well we certainly have plenty of that outdoors for inspiration!

Wear Your Mittens!
~Base card - Pure Poppy PTI
~Layer of black cardstock
~Layer of design paper from Daisy D's Winter Fun Pad
~Glitter is sandwiched between the design paper and a layer of acetate
~Two rhinestone brads and two snowflake brads
~The mittens were stamped, topped with glue, glitter, and a snowflake (punch)



You can get up close with the card by clicking on the image.
All good wishes,
Nancy