STEP BACK IN TIME

Before I share my card for the day I want to remind you that it is DAY 6 of the SPELLBINDERS RELEASE PREVIEW: IN SPADES PENDANT & BORDERABILITIES. Don't be fooled by the name - this GORGEOUS soon to be released die set from Spellbinders has nothing to do with playing cards or what you normally might think of as a "spade". Instead, think elegant, regal, florentine - actually stop thinking at all and just click here to see what I'm talking about. Heidi Blankenship is the guest designer for this release and her card is GREAT!

And speaking of cards, I have one of my own to share with you today. It's NOT A NEW ONE!

I looked back through my archives and found one of my EARLY cards. I laughed - but you CAN'T!!!! Seriously, I found it eye-opening to look back on my early work and compare it to my current style. I have improved alot over the past 3 or 4 years and much of what I've learned can be credited to the best stamping site on the internet (in my opinion anyway) - SPLITCOASTSTAMPERS.

There are some VERY talented women (and gents too) on that site. Pop into their gallery and check out some of the awesome work being showcased. It's a great place to visit if you have creative block and need a card in a hurry. You can either copy the card exactly or use one for inspiration to get you started.

So - what do you think??? Isn't this one of the gawdiest cards you've EVER seen!!!! LOL! I pray I didn't actually send this to someone but I probably did. If it was YOU, please forgive me.

A couple of non-related things:

For those of you who have recently decided to live a healthier lifestyle (diet, exercise, etc) - BE CAREFUL! The weekend is a saboteur of good intentions. Be on your guard and plan ahead.

And to my friend waiting on medical results (you know who you are) - my thoughts AND prayers are with you. Tend to your thoughts and remember: He knows the plans He has for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm. (from the book of Jeremiah). Whatever the outcome, God is STILL in control and he loves you - as do I.

Until next time -
Happy Stamping!
Jill

SPELLBINDERS DAY 5 RELEASE

Hey girls - hope you've been following along with the Spellbinder's Blog and have seen the awesome new pendant and borderabilities dies they are releasing. Today is day 5 of the previews and they are showcasing the "LATTICE" pendant/borderabilities.

Aren't they great???? If you'd like too see a couple of samples made with this set and have a chance to win it, visit Sherri Cheever's blog. Her sample reminds me of the cutwork Jerri Kay Jimenez does on her cards (and you all know how much I admire her work!!!!)

Speaking of Jerri Kay - did you all see the beautiful Blueberry Cobbler recipe card and greeting card she recently posted. Absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! I hope she starts producing her own line of rubber stamps someday soon - her artwork is wonderful.

Nothing of my own to showcase today. Unfortunately with adding daily exercise to my schedule and trying to cook healthier meals I have less time in the evenings to "play". I hope to find a solution to that - but so far nothing comes to mind. How do all of you manage to fit in creative time??? I'd love it if you would share some ideas!

That's all for today. Don't forget to check out Sherri & Jerri's blogs. Too good to pass up.

Until next time -

Happy Stamping.

Jill

LOW CARB PIZZA RECIPE

So I did my water exercises last night at the health club. I ran in the water, swam a few laps, and did my leg and arm exercises - for an hour! I felt so good when I finished - like I really accomplished something - so to celebrate I ate 3/4 of a large Monical's pizza by myself!!!!! That is a whopping 33 points!!! I DID remove the bread on all but the first couple of pieces so I only exceeded my daily points by 22!!!! The REALLY awful thing is I could have made the cauliflower pizza crust with lowfat cheese, topped it with veggies and another cup of lowfat mozzarella and eaten the entire thing - crust and all - for only 18 points total! Well within my daily limit. THING TO REMEMBER: Plan ahead and cook for myself!


Here's the link to the LOWCARB CAULIFLOWER PIZZA CRUST. I would NEVER have thought to use cauliflower in this way if my niece hadn't mentioned it to me. She follows the Atkins Diet and has done very well - 23 lbs in 8 weeks. I use the Weight Watcher's point system for tracking but since I am a huge cheese lover I try to follow a lowcarb, high protein eating plan. This recipe was perfect for me. And not only can I use it to make pizza, but there's a recipe for "bread" stix AND lasagna too.

Check out the link and give the recipes a try. Once you do, let me know what YOU think.

Thanks for stopping by today. Hope you are having good day and that you get a little time to yourself to play.

Until next time,
Happy Stamping!
Jill

LEATHER & LEAVES

This is the final card for my technique's class on Sunday. I'm teaching the FAUX LEATHER, MISTED WATERCOLOR, and MASKING techniques with this card.

I got the idea for the image from the current Stampin'Up! catalog. They have a stamp in the Lexicon of Leaves set that is a leaf shaped like this on a scripted background. I loved the look - but like the versatility of having two separate stamps. I colored the leaf using SU! markers in shades of Real Rust, Ruby Red, Pumpkin Pie and Always Artichoke directly onto the rubber then lightly misted the rubber with water before stamping my image onto Very Vanilla cardstock. I stamped the image again on a scrap piece of paper, cut it out and laid it on top of the first image before stamping the script in Chocolate Chip ink over the top. (This is known as "MASKING".)


The background was created using the "FAUX LEATHER" technique. I covered a piece of white cardstock with small pieces of masking tape making sure to cover all exposed areas of the cardstock. I then sponged More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie and Chocolate Chip inks over the face of the cardstock and heat embossed with clear embossing powder. (NOTE: you do not have to add versamark because the tape is sticky holds the embossing powder.)


Once my background and image were completed, I layered the onto Real Rust and Chocolate Chip cardstock and added raffia and a leaf brad to finish. I love the look of the raffia with this technique. It adds just the right "rough" and masculine finish.


Thanks for visiting today. I hope you enjoyed the card and will try the techiques. If you do, please leave a comment with a link to your work of heart. I would love to see what you come up with.


Oh - and on a completely non-stamping note: I HAVE LOST 16 LBS IN JUST UNDER 6 WEEKS!!! I'm very happy about that - even though I wish I were shedding 16 lbs a week not 16 in 6.


Stay tuned tomorrow for an all veggie pizza crust recipe. Mmmmmm good!


Until then,
Happy Stamping.
Jill

FELINE INSPIRATION????

I finally had a Saturday at home this week - first time in a month - and am I ever enjoying it!!! The house is semi-clean (swept, dishes done, straightened up), DH is working in the yard and my son just left the house to visit friends. All is quiet except the distant hum of the lawn mower and an occasional bark from our dog. BLISS!!!! Guess I better type this quickly or I might fall asleep!

The inspiration for this card came from THIS CARD by CAT (aka:Catdidit on Splitcoaststampers). I loved the simplicity of her card and the color combination was stunning. Kraft, Pink, White & a touch of Yellow. I couldn't copy her card EXACTLY though, so I added a pink pirouette mat behind my image, changed the flower, embossed the background with a Cuttlebug Embossing folder and used cream instead of white. To create the handstitched stem & leaves, I first drew the design on paper then placed dots on the drawing where I wanted the stitches to begin and end. Then, using my piercing tool I punched the holes into my cardstock using the drawn image as my guide. I used a running backstitch with a tapestry needle and crochet thread. TIP: color & cutout the flower first so that you can position the flower on the punch guide to determine the correct placement for the design.

That's it for today! I'm off to have a bite to eat then back to my desk for card #3 of my techniques class.

Until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill

UNDER THE SEA

I am preparing for a technique's class to be held next weekend and thought I'd give the gel technique a try. I've seen the technique used to create water glasses, plastic bags, vases, etc. but my favorite way to use it is for an underwater aquatic life scene.

The shell, starfish & plant life stamp is from a June Stamp of the Month Club being offered by a local scrapbook store. The seahorse is from SU!Fishy Friends and the sentiment is SU!So Punny. All the images were colored with Prisma pencils. I found this polka-dot embossed designer paper at the same local scrapbook store and it was a PERFECT match for the new SU! In-color: Bermuda Bay. I added touches of Elegant Eggplant for visual contrast (ribbon and punched oval), dots using a white gel pen and 4 little purple gemstones to each corner to finish the card.

If you'd like to try making one of these cards you can find the directions HERE on Splitcoaststampers.

Have a great weekend and until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill

KNIGHTS, PEONIES & LIGHTHOUSES

What, you may be asking, do knights, peonies and lighthouses have in common? Nothing really except these are the images I used to create my father's day cards and one "just for fun" card at our "monthly" stamp n scrap. I use the term "monthly" VERY loosely as it seems to be more quarterly lately - but I hope to change that immediately. Our next one is scheduled in Peoria on July 25th from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and EVERYONE is welcome. You just have to R.S.V.P. so I can make sure we have enough room.

I had alot of fun Saturday. The company was great, the food delicious and I actually managed to get some projects finished. This first card I made uses a free clipart image from DOVER PUBLISHING which I printed from my computer onto 90# watercolor paper. The image is already shaded so all I did was to add variation in color with both silver and gold metallic Prisma pencils then lightly sponged the edges with Stampin'Up! Soft Suede. The background is Stampin'Up! Kraft cardstock embossed with the swiss dots Cuttlebug embossing folder. I chose the brass brads and the embossed dots because they reminded me of the rivets in the armor. This card is for my father - the inside reads: "You have always been my KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR. You were able to slay any dragon - whether it was a nightmare or a creepy little spider in my upstairs bedroom. I always was secure knowing you would keep me safe." Then I added a cutout of the same suit of armor to the inside. I like it's simplicity.

The second card is for my Father-in-Law and also uses Kraft cardstock. The Designer Paper is Parisian Breeze and is so soft and understated. Masculine on one side and feminine on the other - it's very versatile and unfortunately is retiring this month so if you like it all at you better stock up before the end of the month. I stamped the lighthouse image on kraft cardstock using Memento Brown Ink then colored the image with Prisma pencils. The ovals were cut using Nesties and then I handtrimmed the larger one to fit with a 1/8" border instead of the 1/4". (I don't have the second set of Nestabilities ovals so I have to hand trim. WHAT A PAIN!!!!) I'm hoping to find a stamp with the Happy Father's Day greeting - but if not the handprinted version will have to do.

The final card I made uses another free image from Dover Publishing and is colored with Prisma Pencils and blended with OMS (Odorless Mineral Spirits). I colored the peony first then was delighted to find that the colors perfectly matched the new In-Color: Melon Mambo. I'm lovin' this color!!! The Designer Paper is Razzleberry Lemonade (doesn't that name sound delicious?) and the border punches are both from the Martha Stewart line. A little Stardust Stickles to the center of the peony and 3 little pink rhinestones and just a little glitz and complete the card.

That's it for today. Hope you enjoyed your visit. I'm off to look through my new SU! catty (again) and begin building my wish list.

Until next time -

Happy Stamping!

Jill

ARE YOU READY FOR A QUICK PEEK???

It's just a quickie -
literally - as I only had 15 minutes to play with my new
Stampin'Up! product last night. Everything about the card is quick and easy - I just really wanted to showcase some of the new product coming out on July 1st.

The cardstock is from the new In-Colors - Crushed Curry, Melon Mambo, and Soft Suede. The Designer Paper is from the new set: Razzleberry Lemonade and the ribbon is Soft Suede. Don't you LOVE the polka dot ribbon - and it come's in ALL SIX IN-COLORS!

I colored a portion of this image

from one of the new hostess stamps (Wings of Friendship) using markers in Pretty in Pink, Rich Razzleberry and Soft Suede, turned the stamp sideways and stamped once onto whisper white cardstock (of course you don't have to turn the stamp - you could stamp and then turn the paper!!! DUH!). I then colored only the flower portion of the stamp 3 more times and randomly stamped in and around the image.

I used a second image from the set to add the flourish to the left side of the flower. The placement is a little off - can you believe I'm a Stampin'Up! demonstrator who doesn't own a Stampin-ma-jig??? Obviously that will be on my wish list now. The dots are stamped in Creamy Caramel with the Itty Bitty Backgrounds set and the edges are sponged in Soft Suede.

I have an entire "play-day" scheduled with some friends tomorrow - so hopefully by Monday I will have some other cards & projects to share.

Until then -

Happy Stamping!

Jill

NEW STAMPIN'UP! CATALOG

(If you're here for the card, scroll down).

My new catalog arrived today while I was at work and I could hardly wait to get home and look through it! So as soon as I walked in the door I grabbed the box and started unpacking then sat down in front of the computer to jot down my first reactions. Remember: these are MY opinions based on my personal tastes and color preferences - you may have a completely different reaction to the catalog and new product being offered.

NEW CATALOG REVIEW

FRONT COVER: Not my favorite color choices - but if you like yellow, turquoise and red together, you might like it.
I Love the New In-Colors
I Love that they have coordinating markers
I Love how they are displaying the Color Families
ALL the hostess sets are great.
If you "DO" Halloween you’re gonna love the new sets! Completely a different style than in the past.
A couple of nice, new Christmas stamps - santa & reindeer and a flourished dove
There is the sweetest little baby set “Teddy & Train” that I'll be buying as well as several new “MUST HAVE” sets in the “All Natural” Section.

I'm hoping the Designer Papers "grow" on me, but right now there were only 2 or 3 that jumped out at me. I DEFINITELY like "RAZZLEBERRY LEMONADE" an though it's not my style there is one called "Storybook ___ (something or other)" that has potential. I'm sure I'll be buying the In-Color Designer Papers. They are offered in ALL 6 of the colors.

There are 4 new punches, 2 New Embossing Folders and 2 New Texture Plates as well as several New BIGZ 3-D Dies.

They have also added some new organizing items.

I ordered some of the new In-Color ribbon. Great stuff - and I will probaby get it in all 6 colors. In addition I have the Razzleberry Lemonade DP, the In-color Markers and two new hostess sets so be on the lookout next week for some sneak peeks.

Now - for today's card. A friend of mine found this beautiful stamp at a garage sale and once i saw it I just had to stamp and color it.

I stamped the PSX image in Memento Black Ink on GinaK 80#Luxury White Cardstock and colored it with Koh-I-Noor Woodless Pencils. I did NOT use Odorless Mineral Spirits on this card because I wanted the pencil lines to add a hint of texture to the petals. Once colored, I sponged Bordering Blue ink over the entire surface of the card and Lavendar Lace ink to the edges. I applied just a touch of Stickles Stardust to each of the stamens and added Lavendar Dew Drops to finish.

I chose a very understated layout with minimal embellishments so the beauty of the irises wouldn't be overshadowed.

That's it for today. I hope you liked the card.

Thanks for visiting and until next time -

Happy Stamping.

Jill

I'M BLUE HERE IN THE BAYOU . . .

My goodness! I knew it had been a while since I had been able to get into my craftroom to play - but looking at my last post, it has been an entire week! Much too long!

I finally purchased the Morning Glory stamp from Stampin'Up! I've loved it from the first time I saw it in the catalog - but wouldn't purchase it because I have sooooo many floral stamp sets. I finally gave in and I'm glad I did. It has so many coloring possibilities and I can't wait to explore them all!

For this card I used Gina K 80# Luxury White cardstock. I inked my stamp in versamark and then in Memento Tuxedo black ink. Immediately after stamping I added clear detail embossing powder and embossed the image so my ink wouldn't bleed with the next step. (You could use black detail embossing powder and omit the black ink - but I didn't have any). After embossing I spritzed the paper with water until it began to curl. Using SU! ink pads in Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue and Always Artichoke as paint pallettes (if you don't know how to do this, simply squeeze the middle of the closed ink pad, applying firm pressure. Then open and use the ink on the LID.) I used an aqua painter to pick up color and set each one into the pooled water on the card stock. Once the image was dry, I used a Bashful Blue Marker to add shading in and around the flowers.

My cardstock colors are Blue Bayou, River Rock and Not Quite Navy. I LOVE THESE COLORS and am so disappointed that Stampin'Up! has retired them. I wish they would bring them back as part of another color family. The DP is also Bayou Blue from SU! The background behind the flowers was stamped with a script background in True Thyme (another retired In-Color) then sponged around the edge to give a distressed look to the card. A piece of ecru ribbon adds the finishing touch.

I created the second card while preparing for my techniques class. We will be learning two techniques this month: Offset Stamping and Paper Piecing, as well as learning how to use the Bow Easy to create beautiful bows (NOT shown in photo below! LOL!).


Cardstock Colors: Kraft, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Stamp Set: Thoughts and Prayers
DP: Unknown

Thanks for visiting. I hope you enjoyed the cards and that you will get out your toys and play a while today.

Until Next Time -
Happy Stamping!
Jill