We Have A Winner

We have a winner! I went random.org and it picked number 5! So Silvia Mabie, who has a blog called Mabie Stampin' is our winner.

stampinsilvia said...
Sweet! Thanks for the chance to win some candy...real candy even!!!I hope you Merry is Very!

Stampin Silvia

So Silvia send me your address and I will ship out your goodies!

Thanks for playing everyone. I hope to get some stamping done this weekend. Everyone around here has had a stomach bug. With three kiddos sick it is hard to stamp, or homeschool, or clean, or sleep... LOL. Okay, maybe I won't stamp. Maybe I will catch up on the house, lessons and laundry. We shall see. Have a great Saturday!

Christmas Blog Candy

Well, at 73 degrees, it does not feel like it is almost Christmas. But sure enough the calendar says it is less than 2 weeks away. So, in order to get me in the Christmas mood. I thought I would give away my first Christmas gift. So post a comment on this post and I will pick a winner Friday, December 14th. The winner of this gift will get some 2-4-6-8 boxes complete with chocolate inside, some Christmas ribbon from Michaels, some holiday $1 stamps also from Michaels, 10 sheets of Stampin' Up! (retired) Forest Foliage and some 6x6 printed paper that came from somewhere that slips my mind.

Merry Christmas,
Julie

Lovely Elephants

Okay, admit it.... you are surprised to see another post. Two days in a row! We are starting to get settled in and I have most of my stamping stuff unpacked and have been able to get my new space (in my bedroom UGGHH!) somewhat organized. Not so much that I can take pictures to share with you just yet but enough that I can stamp and find things easily enough.














Anyway, I stamped these little 3x3 cuties for the Demonstrator Challenge over on SCS. Every Monday is Demonstrable Cards. This weeks challenge was to make a Valentine card. I don't own any Valentine sets so I decided to use the Wild About You set. I think these would be perfect for the kiddos to hand out to all their friends.



I chose the colors with last years Loves Me Designer Series paper in mind. I just love it. You may notice that one elephant is darker than the other. That is because I stamped both of them without reinking. I also used scraps of white grosgrain. There is not a whole piece under these little guys but two separate pieces. This is a great way to use up your scraps and no one will know unless you tell them. I also used the Polka Dot Background on the lighter one to add some ummph... I think I like it better. Which do you like better?


Hope you are all having a great day.



Julie


Stamps: Wild About You, Holidays & Wishes, Polka Dot
Card Stock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise, Pretty in Pink
Ink: Basic Black, Pretty in Pink, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: White Grosgrain Ribbon

2-4-6-8 Box

This weekend we had a Christmas Dinner/Party at my church. We were each responsible for decorating a table. I made these 2-4-6-8 boxes to sit at each place setting at our table and filled them with candy.


I stamped each one with the holly leaves and berries from the Background Basics Set. Then I used a Real Red marker to color the berries. I stamped the tags and then threaded them onto red gingham ribbon that I tied around the "neck" of the bag to keep them closed.




Here is a closer look at one of them.












Stamps: Background Basics and Holidays & Wishes
Card Stock: Creamy Carmel, Real Red and Very Vanilla
Inks: True Thyme (retired in color '07)
Accessories: Real Red Stampin' Write Marker, and red gingham ribbon

Simply Scrappin' Card

This card was so simple. I used the Creative License Simply Scrapin' Kit. It made it so easy since everything is already coordinated in the kit. The only stamps I used were for the "U R". Too simple.

You can see the card I cased here.

Stamps: Rough Edges Alphabet

Paper: Pumpkin Pie Card Stock, Wild Wasabi Card Stock, Blue Bayou Card Stock, Printed Paper from Creative License SSK

Ink: Pumpkin Pie

Accessories: Die Cuts from Creative License SSK, Scallop Circle Punch and dimensionals

Tagged

My friend Kris over at Stamping for Sanity tagged me. I totally flaked out on the last round of tagging that circulated because we were in the midst of buying and selling houses. And while we are not all unpacked (I have not even seen my stamp stuff yet) we are in one place for now. That and the fact that this tag is a little different has spurred me to post a little walk down memory lane.

I will answer the question: What was I doing 10/20/30 years ago…Then, you answer this question on your blog or here in the comments section. Tag as many other bloggers as possible & have them link back to Relevant Blog (Mary DeMuth) who started this little social experiment! I went and looked at her blog and there is an additional question listed. So Kris go back and answer the last question!


Here are my answers:

10 years ago (1997): I was 24 years old. This was exactly one year before I met my wonderful Husband! I was still dating that Boy who I should have ran screaming from much sooner than I did. I was working for the Makita Corporation of America. I was unmarried and childless and had not yet accepted Jesus as my savior so I was doing lots of stuff that I should have never been doing

20 years ago (1987): I was 14, about to be 15. I was a freshman in high school. I cannot find my yearbooks because they are all packed up so I cannot remember what school I was at. I changed a lot around this time in my life. But I am fairly certain I was at Towers HS in DeKalb County GA. We had just moved to GA from Texas. I hated my mom for moving us and was being generally rebellious.

30 years ago (1977): I was 4 years old about to be 5, I do not remember a lot from my early childhood, but I do know I was living in Texas and I had a baby brother named Danny. My youngest brother was not yet on the way.

Additional question: What do you see yourself doing ten years from now? (2017) Ten years from now I will be in the middle of the teenage years with my two oldest and my youngest will be 11. I will have an additional child, a girl I hope. And she will be around 8 or younger. We will still be debt free and I will be making mucho bucks using all my wonderful crafting genius! (Oh my, I think JanTink rubbed off on me there a little. Maybe I should wait to read her blog until after I post from now on LOL !)


I'm going to tag so new (to me) blogs I have been reading lately...

Chrissy - Tales from the Carpool Lane

Tami - Mental-Pausing Stamper

Danielle - Fat Cat Stamper

Good News!!!

We are planning on closing on a new home this weekend! I cannot wait to have all of my stamping goodies out of storage and have a stamp space again!

An Unsent Card and Some Excuses

Oh my goodness! it has been so long since I posted on my blog. To my two faithful readers I am very sorry. We are currently looking for a house to buy. In the mean time, we are living with my in laws. We have been staying in their bonus room for almost six month (I have a family of five). Our previous home finally sold but we have not found a new one yet. Then three weeks ago my MIL had back surgery. So I have been helping to take care of her. Needless to say, I have not stamped.

So this card is a card I made for a family friend who had a baby. I made it before she had a beautiful little GIRL! She has three boys so I figured that the blue was a safe bet. My intention was to make matching pink and blue cards so I could send either one but I ran out of time. Instead she got a little note that said, "Congratulations" .... no stamping involved. I did however send her a great girly blanket from ...



Okay, enough rambling ... Onto the card.


This card was totally inspired by seewah over at {kindred spirits}. You can see her card right here. I did not have any SU! Kraft card stock so I used some similar paper that my hubby got for me. I love the look of the white craft ink on it. The sentiment says, " sweet little one" but it is hard to see in the photo. This card measures 4 1/4 " X 4 1/4"


Stamps: I'm Here and Hugs & Wishes
Inks: Craft White and Craft Bashful Blue
Paper: Bashful Blue and non SU! Kraft
Accessories: baby blue grosgrain, sponge and punch

Kick Stand Card

Last week Kirsten started featuring Kick Stand Cards. They were so cute that I thought I would try one out. I am not totally happy with this card. It feels like something is missing . I was looking for my Vintage Violet Stitched ribbon but cannot find it. It is probably pack up in a box in storage. (I SO want my own house!!) I did however find this cool paper. It was in a scrapbook kit that my daughter got for her birthday. I think it goes well with this image.




Stamps: Wild About You
Ink: Vintage Violet, Summer Sun and Pumpkin Pie
Paper: Westtrim PP Summer Sun, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White and Vintage Violet Card Stock
Accessories: Marvy Giga Square Scallop Punch

Sweet Butterflies

I finally got some stamping time in yesterday. I actually got 3 cards done. This is the first card I did. I fell in love with this card done by Jen Balcer. I loved the striped paper and the layout.

I used craft ink to stamp the butterflies and then sprinkled some Iridescent Ice embossing powder on top. After I embossed them they were all sparkling. The swirls are stamped with VersaMark and embossed with Iridescent Ice as well.

On another note, I have some exciting news. I am being published!!! One of my Dare to Be Darling cards was chosen to be in the January 2008 edition of Cards! How exciting is that! You will notice that I had to take it down for now. So only those with a good memory or who are in my swap group know which one it was. I just cannot believe that the first card I sent in got selected! I cannot wait to see it in print!

Have a great day! More cards tomorrow!

Stamps: Sweet Shapes and Hugs & Wishes
Paper: Shimmery White, Rose Red, Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi and Darling Doodles DSP
Ink: Craft Rose Red, VersaMark and Groovy Guava
Accessories: Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Wild Wasabi Stitched Grosgrain and pop dots

And the Winner is...

Sencie said...

Both of these cards are adorable!!!! I think my favorite new set is Bronc Buster, but there are tons of others I really like... and my fav set seems to change daily. lol My favorite new accessory right now is probably the new double stitched ribbon.

Sencie, send me your snail mail addy so I can send you some goodies!

Dare to Be Darling

There is a lot of talk over at SCS about everyone disliking this set. I however, love this set. It was on my short list. I just think it is so much fun.
This first card is a case of this card done by Kristina Werner (starofmay on SCS). I love so many of her creations. If you have not already done so you MUST check out her blog and SCS gallery.

The colors of this card are drawn from the coordinating paper, Darling Doodles. It is hard to see in this photo but I also used the Polka Dot background stamp.

Sets: Polka Dot and Dare to Be Darling
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Groovy Guava, Brocade Blue and VersaMark
Papers: Darling Doodles Paper, Whisper White, Rose Red and Brocade Blue Card Stock
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, dimensionals and Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain

This second card uses all the same things minus the Darling Doodles paper. I created this one for a swap I am participating in. Hope they like it. I am really loving this double stitched grosgrain. Too cute.


Sets: Polka Dot and Dare to Be Darling
Inks: Wild Wasabi, Rose Red, Groovy Guava, Brocade Blue and VersaMark
Papers: Whisper White, Rose Red and Brocade Blue Card Stock
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, dimensionals and Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Grosgrain and Circle Punches.


And if you read all this you deserve some blog goodies. So comment on this post and let me know what you favorite set and accessory is out of the new SU! catalog. I will randomly pick a winner on Friday, Aug. 10th and send the winner a surprise package.

Color Challenge Card

I created this card for the Color Combo Challenge over at Splitcoast. This weeks challenge combo was based on Basic Grey's Infuse paper. We had to use Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and Old Olive. I love these colors together!

I also love this stamp set, even if it is retired. I originally did not distress the layers but once I was done the card lacked something. So, I ran my scissors along the edges of all the layers. I like the final outcome.

Well, I finally past the 30,000 mark. So be looking gout for a blog gift giveaway at the beginning of next week.

Stamps: In Full Bloom and Hugs & Wishes
Inks: Timber Brown StazOn, Pretty in Pink, Old Olive
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Old Olive and Naturals White
Accessories: Dotted Ribbon and Aquapainter

Wild About Ribbon

I finally got the chance to stamp last night. I was having some trouble getting inspired so I decided to do a few challenges from SCS. Doing a few challenges is a great way to get your creative juices flowing.

The first challenge I did was the Way to Use It Challenge. This weeks challenge was to use ribbon on your card and if you use ribbon often; to use it in a different way. I use it all the time so I wanted to try doing something similar to this card created by amylou on SCS. The way she used the ribbon reminded me of patterned paper.

I also did the Color Challenge for this week. More on that later.

Stamps: Wild About You
Papers: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Rose Red and Whisper White
Ink: Almost Amethyst and Rose Red
Accessories: Rose and Celery markers, Sherbet Ribbon

New Catty

I get my pre-order case of Stampin' Up! Fall/Winter Collection tomorrow! I am so excited! I just had to tell someone!

On another note I am about to hit 30,000 on my counter. Be on the lookout for a Blog Gift!

Preview Swap

I finally got all my stamp stuff set up here at the in-laws. This is my first card since we got here over a month ago. I hope I will have more to share soon.

Stampin' Up! lets it's demos order sets from the upcoming catty every year. This year they also gave us 20% off of the preview sets! I ordered several sets, they were on sale after all and then I also got some of the new In Color papers and some new rhinestone brads. I made this card for a preview swap that I am in. I love this set as a wedding set.
I embossed the swirls and the word cherish. I also dipped the tag in VersaMark and embossed the edges. I love all the layers. I think the white really makes each layer pop.

Stamps: Baroque Motifs and Everyday Flexible Phrases
Card Stock: Blue Bayou, Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Whisper White
Ink: Not Quite Navy & VersaMark
Accessories: Sterling Silver Stampin’ Embossing Powder; Stampin’ Dimentionals; White Organdy ribbon; Silver Cord; Purse Boxes & Tags sheet

New Catty News!

Today the July Stampin' Success came online for all of us demos to see! It was chock full of new stuff from the upcoming catalog! Here is what I have found so far (with some help from the demos over at SCS).

New Stamp Sets:

• Build a Flower (sort of looks like Pick a Petal)
• Fundamental Phrases
• Ginormous Flowers
• Polka Dot background
• Sweet Sampler
• Think Happy Thoughts
• Wanted

New Papers:

• Certainly Celery Prints
• Cutie Pie
• Outlaw

New Ribbons:

• River Rock double-stitched grosgrain
• Soft Sky double-stitched grosgrain
• Wild Wasabi double-stitched grosgrain
• District Ribbon Originals
• Fairytale Ribbon Originals
• Jersey Ribbon Originals
• Sherbet Ribbon Originals
  
• Theater Ribbon Originals
• Chocolate Chip taffeta
• Chocolate Chip wide grosgrain
  

New Punches:

• Star punch
• Circle Scallop punch
  

Other New Stuff:

On Board Clipboards!!!

New product lines of coordinating sets, papers, and punches!

• Boho West (featured-- Wanted set, Outlaw paper, Star punch)
• Corner Office
• Tapestry

New Simply Scrappin' kits! Includes double-sided Designer Series Paper and Textured card stock .

• Winter Bright Simply Scrappin' Kit

New Simply Sent card kits! Will include supplies for 10-20 cards, depending on accessories and card sizes.

Pretties Kit!

• fabric flowers (that can be dyed to match)
• halfback pearls
• hatpins
• beads
• rhinestone brads

Also, if you have not seen the Preview Catty yet click here to see a few more things that were not mentioned in SS!

Tagged

I got tagged by Kris. Check out her blog, Stamping for Sanity.

The challenge is to answer the questions with one word answers! This will be hard...

Yourself: complex
Your Partner: simple
Your Hair: brown
Your Mother: difficult
Your Father : unknown
Your Favorite Item: couch
Your Dream Last Night: unmemorable
Your Favorite Drink: coffee
Your Dream Car: paid-off
Dream Home: big
The Room You Are In: bedroom
Your Fear: heights
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: here
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: family
You’re Not: all-together
One of Your Wish List Items: lasik
The Last Thing You Did: email
You Are Wearing: pjs
Your Favorite Weather: spring
Your Favorite Book: many
Last Thing You Ate: sausage
Your Life: upside down
Your Mood: content
Your Best Friend: Bobby
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: Breakfast
Your Car: Relay
What Are You Doing At The Moment: typing
Relationship Status: Married
What Is On Your TV: Dora
What Is The Weather Like: sunny
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: yesterday

My Swap Entry

This is the card I did for the Spring Bloggers Swap Group 3. I decided to use the set I got a the Regional Seminar in Atlanta. This set will be available in the upcoming catalog. This layout is what I call my 11Valerie11 layout. I stared with my Sarah Designer Series Paper. I knew I wanted to use it so I drew my colors from it. I stamped my stems first. I double stamped the one on the left to get a taller stem. I had to tape off one of the leaves while I inked up the stem the second time. After inking, I removed the tape and stamped. Then I stamped the blooms. Once on the white panel and once on white scraps. After coloring everything in I cut out the blooms on the scrap and mounted them on top of the other blooms using brads. I then embossed the sentiment (which is hard to see in the photo) using blue embossing powder. I finished the card off with some ribbon and paper piercing along the top of the card.

Stamps: Double-Line Doodles Inks: Brocade Blue, Certainly Celery, So Saffron and Versamark Paper: Brocade Blue, Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Whisper White, Sarah Designer Series Papers Accessories: Saffron Brads, Regal Embossing Stack (blue), paper piercer, Apricot grosgrain & blender pens

Two More

This colorful beauty was created by Donna Baker. This card is a slider card. When you pull the ribbon tab down the butterfly panel slides down and reveals a hidden message. Also, it is hard to see in the photo, but there is Dazzling Diamonds Glitter on the butterfly wings.





This card is the swap I received from Mimi. She creates some beautiful art. Be sure to stop by her blog, Stamps-a-latte Stamp Cafe. while there be sure to scroll down to see a sneak peek of the new In Colors to be released by Stampin'Up! in July. I love all the layers in her card. Thanks Mimi!

More Spring Swaps

This swap card came from Anna. I love this set. Anna masked off the frog and then stamped the mushroom to make the frog "sit" on the mushroom. It is hard to see but she put Crystal Effects on each heart in the background.











This card is the second card I received from Fairle. I love the dimension of this card. She cut out and adhered each flower petal individually. WOW!

Group 3 Blogger Swap

I was so excited when my harassment of Kirsten persuaded her to join the Blogger Only Springtime Swap. I began admiring her work several months ago and now she is practically famous! You must visit her blog, Confessions of a Naptime Stamper. Her work is incredible and she is a very nice person too. OK, enough gushing over Kirsten...on to her card.

This card was for the second group I was in. It was as Stampin' Up! only swap but we were not limited to the Spring Mini. Kirsten used a set from the Spring Mini anyways. I just love what she came up with. This girl is into details! I love the little sentiment "must stamp" that she put on. The date stamp in the corner was marked for the day that the swap was due. How clever!

Kirsten also let me lift all the photos of Group 3's swaps from her blog. Thanks girlie!


Stamps - Office Accoutrement, Rough Edges Alpha
Paper - Celery, Teal , Saffron , Whisper White , Notations PP
Ink - Sahara Sand, Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Celery, Teal, White Craft, Chocolate Marker
Accessories - Celery Grosgrain, Round Tab Punch, 1/8 and 1/16 Hand Punch, Saffron Brads, Dimensionals

Springtime Swaps

Isn't this card just perfect for spring? I love the colors and the sparkly flowers. They just scream spring to me. this card was created by Fairle Beaman Carroll. Be sure you drop by her blog, Stamping 101. Scroll down when you get there and check out her cute Spring Bouquet.

Stamp Set: Polka Dots & Paisleys
Card stock: Lavender Lace, Basic Black, Glossy
Inks: YoYo Yellow, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace
Accessories: Flower Punch, Glitter, Ribbon





This little cutie was created by Leslie Brown. I love her use of our new punches. She definitely has an eye for detail. You can find more of Leslie's work on her blog, Continuing to Create.

Stamps: Paisley and Polka Dots, Amazing to Zany
Card stock: Cool Caribbean, Regal Rose
Inks: Cool Caribbean, Cranberry Crisp
Accessories: Paper Piercing tools, Spiral round and Tab punches, ribbons, Designer papers

Another Group One Swap

Here is the swap card I received from Amber Porter. I absolutely love the clean look of her card. When I first saw some of the colors in this Designer Series Paper, I was unsure about this particular one. But Amber really pulled it off. I also love the touches of black that she added. Be sure to visit her blog, Ramblings of a Sassy Stamper.

Spring Blogger Swap

I recently participated in a Blogger Swap that featured Spring Mini sets. I immediately fell in love with this little invitation! This clever card was created by Chris Smith. You need to visit her blog! She has some gorgeous creations. I especially love the way she used the twill tape to make the strap! How cute!!! You can see more details over on her blog, from my inkpad to yours.

Stamps: Crab & Company, All Year Cheer II, Flannel Plaid
Paper: Ivory Naturals, Ruby Red
Inks: Buckaroo Blue, Black Stazon, Ruby Red, True Thyme, Night of Navy marker
Accessories: Twill tape, Ruby Red brads, 1/16" punch, Aqua Painter


Chris also graciously allowed me to lift all the photos from the swap from her blog. I was afraid I would never get all the pictures taken because of my move. THANKS CHRIS!

This second card was done by Michelle Laycock. I love the way she used the window punch and the Hodgepodge Hardware. Be sure to stop by her blog, Ink Artist. She has pages of inspiring artwork, she's been blogging for FOUR years!


Stamp Sets: Polka Dots & Paisley, Everyday Flexible Phrases, and Expressive Flexible Phrases
Paper: Very Vanilla, Night of Navy, Certainly Celery
Ink: Regal Rose, Night of Navy, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Word Window punch, Certainly Celery brad, Navy and Celery organdy ribbon, Celery grosgrain ribbon, Hardware, Dazzling Diamonds glitter

Ghosting

Funny thing happened yesterday. I got a sweet comment on this card from Melissa. She said that I had inspired her to do the crayon resist technique at her next class and gave me the link to her blog, Melissa's Moments. Imagine my surprise when I see her card! it looks very similar to the other card I did for my Stamp Club in April! Great minds think alike!

Here is the card I did. I used the ghosting technique. My club members were wanting to learn something that they could use their brayers with and this seemed to be a good place to start.

Stamps: Sincere Salutations & Petal Prints Ink: Jet Black StazOn and Rose Red Paper: Naturals White, Basic Black and Glossy White Accessories: Black Wide and White organdy ribbon & brayer

Spring Blogger Swap

I participated in the Spring Blogger Swap hosted by Sarah Moore recently. I received several gorgeous swaps back this week. So over the next few weeks I will be sharing them with you. I was in two groups. The first group had to create a card using a set from the Spring Mini Catalog and were only allowed to use SU! products.

This is the card I created. I was heavily inspired by this card over on Amy's blog Heartfelt Greetings. I loved the paper she used and wanted to recreate it using stamps. I was a little more complicated than I had anticipated, but I am happy with the results. To create the look, I used glossy paper. I stamped my images using StazOn ink and then used a white crayon to cover the entire area of each image and some of the area surrounding them. I then brayered on my turquoise ink and then buffed the card stock off. This left me with completely white images. I then colored in selected areas using my SU! markers. Be sure you let the piece dry between each color or you will get a mess. A complete tutorial for this technique can be found here. After finishing the focal panel I stamped dots on the top half of the yellow card base and then attached the red card stock and did some faux stitching around the edges. I tied on some turquoise ribbon, stamped a sentiment and then I layered my focal panel onto more card stock and added some red brads.

Stamps: Doodle That, Much Appreciated & Itty Bitty Backgrounds Inks: Craft White, Real Red, Jet Black Staz On & Tempting Turquoise Paper: Real Red, Glossy White, Whisper White & Yo Yo Yellow Accessories: White Singo Gel Pen, S! REal Red, Yoo Yo Yellow, Tempting Turquoise and Green Galore Markers, Paper Piercer, Red Brads,Turquoise Grosgrain, Brayer & White Crayon

Tagged

Kirsten over at Confessions of a Naptime Stamper tagged me TWICE! Once so that I can list my top 5 blogs and once to tell you 10 weird things about me. Most everyone has been tagged already so I am listing some blogs that I frequent that you may not have seen yet.

Belinda's Stamping Space

Inking Aloud

Kim's Basement Stamping

Stamping 101

Paula Ponders


And 10 weird things about me... well, weird is a strong word but I will play anyways.

1. I am a big crybaby! I even cry at commercials.
2. I only knew my husband for a month when we got engaged.
3. I only knew him 3 months when we got married.
4. I cannot stand for people to touch my belly button.
5. I love Disney music.
6. I am a very organized person, but my stamp room is a disaster.
7. When putting things in alphabetical order I often think in Spanish.
8. When packing up my house I assigned each room a color ( living room = green, kitchen = yellow etc.) and then put that color tape on the outside of the box.
9. I describe colors using Stampin' Up! names. Like, " she was wearing a Ballet Blue Shirt and a Pretty in Pink necklace."
10. I did not want kids when I was growing up. Now I have 3 and plan to homeschool them all.

Another Trifold

I just fell in love with these little trifold triangle cards. I decided to do one for my May Stamp Club. Here is the design I came up with. I used my Recollections Designer Series Paper and my Roses in Winter set. So pretty, in my opinion. On the inside I included a ivory piece of card stock to write a message to the recipient on.
Stamps: Roses in Winter Ink: Cranberry Crisp & Mellow Moss Paper: Cranberry Crisp, Mellow Moss & Naturals Ivory Card Stock, Recollections DSP Accessories: Wine Organdy Ribbon

TLC112

Monday's Technique Lovers Challenge was to do a Triangle Trifold Card. I had never done one of these so I headed over to Beate's tutorial. I love her step by step instructions. This was a very easy card to do and I just love how cute it is. I will most likely be teaching this at my next Stamp Club meeting.

On this card I was finally got to use the acrylic stamps that Asela sent to me. This was the first time I had used acrylics and they were definitely different. The jury is still out, I am unsure if I like using them or not.

Stamps: Micheal's Dolor Stamps Ink: Color Box Wisteria and Yellow Citrus Chalk Inks Paper: Whisper White, YoYo Yellow and Orchid Opulence Accessories: Orchid Stitched Grosgrain by Just Enough

I'm Back!!

Well, the house is on the market, it is painted and all non essential items are packed up and shipped out. The only things left are some minor repairs, cleaning out the basement and keeping my house clean enough for people to walk through. I did get to stamp recently. I had two swaps due and i will be showing you those latter this week. I also had my Stamp Club this past weekend. Here is the card we did.

This card features the Crayon Resist technique. I love the way this technique highlights an image. I also featured some of the In Color line since it will be retiring soon.

I hope to do some more stamping this week and get my stamp room somewhat cleaned up. We will see how that goes.

Stamps: Natural Beauty and Mini Mates Paper: Whisper White, Vintage Violet, Marigold Morning, and True Thyme Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Vintage Violet, Marigold Morning, and True Thyme Accessories: Thyme stitched grosgrain, white crayon and sponges

Retired Sets For Sale

As you know we will be moving soon. In an effort to keep the boxes to a minimum I am selling some of my retired sets that I never reach for anymore. A friend has listed them on eBay for me. (side note: Thank You so much, Tami. I would have never found the time to get these online.) So be sure and take a look HERE if you are looking for retired sets or if you just want to help me have less to pack (wink).

Another Secret Sister Card

Well, we put the house on the market this weekend. So needless to say, it has been crazy around here. I still have not done any stamping. I need to finish my Blogger Swaps, so I will stamp this week, only I can't show you. I hope to have something new to share soon.

In the meantime, here is another card I made for my Secret Sister a while back. The base is Pretty in Pink. I stamped the circle and flower from Sweet Shapes in pink on it then I highlighted them with my white gel pen. I then cut a strip from an embossed sheet of white. I highlighted the circles using a sponge dauber and pink ink. I tied on some pink dotted organdy and finished off with the word sweet (highlighted again) in the bottom corner.

Stamps: Sweet Shapes Inks: Pretty in Pink Card Stock: Pretty in Pink and Whisper White Accessories: Bloom Dots Embossing Folder by Provo Craft, White gel pen and Dotted organdy from Wal-Mart.

Blogger RAK

Kristen Soboloski sent me this beautiful RAK! It is my second card from the blogger RAK group. I love square cards and I love the Petal Prints set from Stampin' Up! Thank you so much for the card and all your lovely sentiments! You made my day. You can see more of Kristen's creations over on her blog, Artfully Inking.

I still have not stamped...AAARRRGGGHHH! I had wanted to participate in VSN this weekend over at SCS but I still have so much to do. We did get the yard ready for it's picture. Our real estate agent will be coming later this week to take photo. The hose should officially go on the market this weekend. I you wanna see the house you can stop by my family blog. The link is over on the right.

Blue Paisley

Sorry for the lack of blogging. We are getting ready to put our house on the market so I have been getting everything in order. I am not even close to being finished. I have not stamped in days. So I pulled up this card.

I sent this card to my Secret Sister months ago. She is not a demonstrator and did not have this set. I think the colors are Buckaroo Blue and Night of Navy but it has been so long that I am not totally sure. I also used my Singo Gel Pen to accent the paisleys.

Blogger RAKs

Yesterday I received my first Blogger RAK! This spring cutie came from Julie Brooks! I adore all the colors she used. I feel warm already! If you have not already seen Julie's Blog be sure to head over there and check out her great stuff!








And then today as if yesterday wasn't enough. I received these little cuties from Asela. She had shown them on her blog and was asking what type of ink to use. I mentioned that I did not know because I had yet to try any acrylic stamps and there was no Michael's in my town so I was out of luck. So she put them in an envelope and shipped them my way! How sweet is that! Thanks Ladies, I feel so loved!



Now I am off to stamp with these little guys!
Also, if you bog and want to get some great cards from other bloggers. You can sign up over at SCS in the RAK forum ( you must join) on this thread.

Welcome, Cora Cooper

My friend just had a new baby girl. My last too babies were boys so I excited to do something girly for a baby! I hope she likes it.

I started by using my Cuttlebug to do the swirls on the top portion of the card. I then used the side that had the swirls sunken in rather that the side that had raised swirls. I then stamped the hand with pink craft ink and embossed with iridescent ice embossing powder. Then I used the ticket corner punch on each corner and layered it onto some rose and pink card stock. the whole piece is popped up on dimensionals. I had wanted to pit the ribbon across the top of the patterned paper but the swirls do not reach the fold on the card and I wanted to cover that up. So instead I put a piece of pink card stock right above the paper. To finish it all off I stamped "Welcome, baby!". I just feels so girly! I love it.

Stamps: Tiny Talk & I'm Here Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White and Regal Rose Card Stock & Loves Me Designer Series Papers Inks: Basic Black and Craft Pretty in Pink Accessories: pink grosgrain ribbon, pink dotted organdy (Wal-mart), Iridescent Ice EP & Cuttlebug D'vine Swirl Embossing Folder

Atlanta Regionals Swap

So, went to the Atlanta Regionals this past Saturday and swapped this card. Only once I got home I realized that I had forgotten to take a picture of it and would not be able to share it with you all. But then as I was perusing the gallery I saw this card. I received it as a swap in Atlanta. So I sent Christy a little note begging that she have pity on me and take a photo for me. And She DID!!!! So now I am forever indebted to her! Please take a peak at her new blog, Stamps Scissors and Sippy Cups and give her some love!

This card was a lot of work but I love the end result. Since I was mass producing these I did things a little differently. First I stamped full 81/2 x 11 sheets of pink paper with the Paisleys. I used Timber Brown StazOn because it popped of the paper better than regular classic ink. Then while watching/listening to the TV I used my white gel pen to add a little highlight to the images. then I cut the full sheets into quarters and then cut the quarters in half. I mounted each one onto chocolate card stock. Then I took the base of the card and stamped the images down both sides and highlighted with the gel pen. Next I stamped the focal flower with pink craft ink and embossed it with iridescent ice embossing powder and then added the sentiment. I then stamped the words. Afterwards I added a little pick grosgrain. Then I took a sponge (that is now retired) and some chocolate ink and distressed everything including the ribbon. After everything was distressed I put it all together. the focal image is popped up on dimensionals.

In other news... I drew a winner for the Blog Gift. Thank you to everyone who commented. I read every single comment and visited the blogs if you have one. A very BIG thank you to Allison for sending so many people this way. Be sure to check Allison's Blog, Stampin' When I Can for frequent updates on where to find blog candy!

Stamps: Polka Dots and Paisley Inks: timber Brown StazOn, Chocolate Chip and Pretty in Pink Craft & Classic Paper: Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Accessories: Singo White Gel Pen, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder and Pink grosgrain ribbon.

BLOG GIFT - WE HAVE A WINNER

ETA: the winner is....

Kraftin' Kimmie said...

Two things about me...hmm??
1. I work at a library and
2. I can't wait for the new Harry Potter book!!

Please email with you address so that I can ship all the goodies to you!

Okay, so who is up for FREE Stuff? If you are then post a comment on this post and tell me two things about yourself. I will go first....

1. My favorite color is red
2. I will be moving to Georgia soon.

You can post a comment for the next 24 hours. So 3pm CST on Thursday, March 15 is the deadline!

This is the Retired SU! Furnished with Love Set NUM and three rolls of various American Crafts Ribbon.

Good Luck!

Featured Stamper Challenge

The Featured Stamper Challenges are quickly becoming my favorite! There are so many great stampers over at SCS that you cannot help but be inspired by them.

This weeks featured stamper is Toy. Her attention to detail never ceases to amazes me. And she always has so may layers, a look that I love! I chose this card of hers to CASE.

I participated in this sketch challenge so the layout was familiar, one that I really enjoyed and that was the reason I chose this particular card (I had to narrow it down somehow). I decided to play off the circle snowflakes in her card. I also kept her ribbon feature. To change it up and make it more mine, I changed the colors and left off the sentiment. I also did the Dazzling Diamond Dust technique on the focal image.

Stamps: Simple Shape Ink: VersaMark, Rose Red & Certainly Celery Paper: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Rose Red & Certainly Celery Accessories Sweet Shop ribbon, Hodgepodge Hardware, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder

Atlanta Regionals

This past weekend I attended the Atlanta Regional Seminar. I had a blast and met some great ladies. I went with a fellow demo who lives in the area. It was nice to have someone along that you already know. I was blessed to be able to sit at a table with some great ladies, Diane, Pam and Julia (waving)! I also met Kim Howard , fellow Splitcoast Stamper and blogger. I was glad to meet her because she lives in the area that we will be moving to in a few months.

This is one of the cards I created while I was there. They had a different design for us to do but it did not appeal to me so I made some adjustments. We all received a set, from the upcoming Fall/Winter Collection 2007, called Double-Line Doodles. It is a pretty cute set and I hope to get some cards made with it soon.

The picture is not a great one and my colors are a little off. The card base is actually More Mustard. The challenge here was to stay in these colors since it was all they had provided us with. I used a blender pen to color in the leaves and stem and markers to color in the flower.

On another note, I passed the 15,000 hit mark over the weekend! So, as a thank you to everyone for supporting me I will be having a little blog gift drawing later this week. I just need to decide what I am gonna give away and then I will post it. So keep your eyes open.

Stamps: Double-Line Doodles Ink: More Mustard, Old Olive & Tempting Turquoise Paper: Naturals White, More Mustard, Old Olive & Tempting Turquoise Accessories: Red Grosgrain, Red marker, blender pen & olive button

Color Challenge Bella

My wonderful Secret Sister sent me several Bella images. So today I decided to put them to use. I needed a birthday card for a fellow blogger and wanted to do the Color Challenge on SCS.

I started with my Flowahbella image. I watercolored the dress, hair, body and pot with my Aquapainter. then I used my markers on the flowers. The rose panel looked too plain so I added the little starburst image from Sweet Shapes. I also pooled some Celery ink under her feet to ground her a little. After layering everything and adding ribbon it still looked like something was missing. So I did what all the stampers I admire do.... I added coordinating brads. I finished it off by stamping "happy birthday".

Stamps: flowahbella by Stamping Bella, Birthday Cupcake (sentiment) by katie & co. and Sweet Shapes Inks: Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery & So Saffron Paper: Certainly Celery, Regal Rose, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Accessories: Saffron Brads, Saffron Grosgrain, Aqua Painter and Coordinating markers

Featured Stamper Challenge

Here is my entry for the Featured Stamper Challenge. This weeks Featured Stamper was atomicbutterfly. I absolutely LOVE her work. The hardest part of this challenge was to narrow down my favorites and decide which one to case. I finally settled on this card.

I kept her basic layout and the focal image the same. I changed the colors to match my AC ribbon and changed the sentiments to fit my needs. I also left off the brads, but that was an oversight on my part. I distressed my edges in the same way as the original. I love the way she curled the edges of the focal image. I also used Crystal Effects on my flower petals and popped up one of the leaves like she did. I think it really makes the card.

Stamps: In Full Bloom, Wonderful Words & All Year Cheer Inks: Ruby Red, Timber Brown StazOn, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel and Garden Green Paper: Whisper White, Ruby Red, Garden Green & Chocolate Chip Accessories: American Crafts Ribbon, Paper Piercer, Pop Dot, Aqua Painter & Crystal Effects

Spring Bags

This is the second project we did for my Stamp Club. I wanted to feature the double sided paper so I did a search on SCS and found a thread about different things you can make with the double sided papers. It led me to this tutorial done by Stampin' Mama.

I just love these little bags and think they will be great filled with Easter goodies. After making the bags I added a piece of cardstock, that I ran through my crimper, for a handle and added a little tag stamped with some spring flowers.

Stamps: Springtime Stems & All Year Cheer Inks: Cameo Coral, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip Paper: DS Spring Flowers, Chocolate chip and So Saffron Accessories: Gold Cord & Crimper

Stamp Club Card

I am so ready for spring. I hate the cold! In an effort to hurry spring along I decided to make a springy card for my Stamp Club.

I try to teach something new each month. This card features the Watercolor Wonder watercolor crayons and masking. This card is a case of a card done by Beate for the basic masking tutorial on SCS.

I simply stamped the three mushrooms then masked them off as shown in the tutorial and then stamped the flowers. I colored in the image in with the watercolor crayons and an aquapainter. I love the watercolor crayons because they let you blend color together easily. I blended three colors on the under side of the mushrooms. You can click on the picture to see it better. Then I mounted the stamped panel onto the chocolate and moss panels. I stamped the snail onto a scrap piece of paper and watercolored him and cut him out. I then popped him up on a dimensional. I used some Designer Series Paper behind the focal images and then a little chocolate grosgrain to accent. I stamped "hoppy birthday" and then added a little line to make it say "happy" since there are no hoppy creatures on the card.

Now I am off to cut paper! Have a great day!

Stamps: Unfrogettable Inks: Timber Brown StazOn Paper: DS Spring Flowers, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, Mellow Moss and Whisper White Accessories: Aquapainter, matching Watercolor Wonder crayons & Chocolate Grosgrain

Spring Mini Swap

Here is the first of my Spring Mini Swaps. I have a few more swaps that I am in but this one is due first. Sorry about the bad lighting but this has to go in the mail tomorrow.
I just love the Doodle sets in the Spring Mini. And as you can tell, I love these colors! I colored in each of the little doodles with markers! I must be insane! I will think very hard before doing this again...LOL! I also used a slit punch to create a scallops edge. The word friend is from the Wonderful Words set. I just used a marker and left off the end of the word. An idea I got from Taylor. Then I cut out one of the flowers, inserted a brad and popped it up on a dimensional. I am quite pleased with the final result. I hope everyone in the swap likes it.

Stamps: Doodle That & Wonderful Words
Inks: Timber Brown StazOn
Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip and Whisper White
Accessories: Tempting Turquoise, Cameo Coral & Certainly Celery Markers, Slit Punch, Paper Piercer & Turquoise Brad