No Time to Stamp!

Well, the best of intentions didn't pan out the last two nights. I had to work last night, and got home just in time to put the kids in bed. Tonight one thing led to another, and I never made it to my stamp room. Maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow.

This is a card I made earlier this year for my sister-in-law's birthday. It's one that I particularly like, so I thought I'd share it with you.

Flannel plaid is stamped on the base card before the paisleys. I used the white gel pen to add the dots to the paisleys (of course). Linen is stamped in apricot appeal under "Happy Birthday". The main image was distressed and then bravo burgundy was sponged on the edges. I used the paper piercing tool from the crafter's tool kit to finish off the corners of the artichoke layer. I decided to finish it off with the ribbon and aged brass hodgepodge hardware. I hope you like it.

Stamps: Flannel Plaid, Linen, Polka Dots & Paisley, Warmest Regards; Card Stock: Bravo Burgundy, Apricot Appeal, Always Artichoke; Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Apricot Appeal; Accessories: Markers, White Gel Pen, Hodgepodge Hardware, Burgundy & Apricot Grosgrain Ribbon, Crafter's Tool Kit, Sponge; Technique: Distressing

A Happy Hello

Whew...didn't know if I was actually gonna get one on tonight. I've had a busy evening of supervising Jessie painting (note one of her art pieces behind the card) and helping Kyle on his quest for 6,000,000 bolts in Star Wars Legos for PS2. I'm sure you'll be happy to know that the goal was accomplished and he has purchased the "x4" extra from the Mos Eisley Cantina. I know I'll sleep a little sounder tonight.

This is actually a Cami-style trifold card that I made with Teri on Sunday. I was looking to add a little something to it, so today's challenge of Levi Tab cards (TLC113) was perfect.

The card base is from Petals & Paisley DSP. I used the coluzzle to cut the old olive frame, the main image inside the card, and the opening to the front. This of course was a time for the stamp-a-ma-jig (I say that as if there's ever a time not to use the smj! Have I mentioned that it is one of the best accessories I've ever purchased?!). The image is colored in with markers and so saffron is sponged around the girls so it wasn't so stark white. This was a fun one to make.

Stamps: Pocket Fun, All Year Cheer I, Mini Mates; Card Stock: Petals & Paisley DSP, Whisper White, Old Olive; Ink: Basic Black, So Saffron; Accessories: Coluzzle, Markers, Slit Punch, 1/8" Circle Punch, Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Ticket Corner Punch, Sponge

Fun Weekend!

This was a fun weekend!! I had a bridal shower to go to on Saturday (the one I had made that tr-fold card for). Jessie (3) was very excited to go to an all girls party. But, she was very disappointed that we were going to cut the cake before we sang, so she started singing "Happy Birthday". A few other joined in, so we sang Jen "Happy Birthday" at her shower!

My sister-in-law came back with me and spent the night at our place. We had a great time crafting together ...between the bouts of playing Dora's house with Jessie and the "Getcha Game" with Kyle. I had to ask when it was my turn to play with Teri!

The kids went to bed fairly early so we made a few cards ourselves. I wish I would have taken a picture of the beautiful wedding card Teri made with my Terrific Tulips set...and she calls herself a novice! I'm posting a couple of cards I made last night. We also did triangle tri-fold cards, Cami's tri-fold card, nugget boxes, and sour cream containers.

Stamps: Print Pattern, Bundle of Joy, Warm Words; Card Stock: Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue, Ballet Blue, Watercolor; Ink: Versamark, Basic Black; Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Aquapainter, Blue Gingham Ribbon, Soft Subtles Buttons, White Gel Pen, Crafter's Tool Kit; Technique: Faux Stitching

I haven't had much chance to play with Very Punny, so I did up a quick one for fun. The red base is stamped with Canvas, although it doesn't show so well in the picture. The lady bug heads were stamped on white card stock, then cut out, and mounted.

Stamps: Canvas, Very Punny; Card Stock: Real Red, Basic Black, Confetti White; Ink: Basic Black; Accessories: Red Marker, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punches, Word Window Punch, Black Eyelets, Red Gingham Ribbon

Happy Friday!

Today's Limited Supply challenge was to make a birthday card with a cute bug or animal within 45 minutes. This was a super quick, super simple card. It took about 15 minutes.

The birthday cake is colored with markers, and yo-yo yellow is sponged around the candle flame. Pretty in Pink is sponged lightly around the elephant, but it doesn't show too well in the pic. The Riveting circle image is mounted on dimensionals to make it stand out a bit. I used a WWC and blender pen to create the shadow under the elephant. To get the cameo coral gift of the white card stock, I stamped it on a scrap piece of CS and then used the 1/2" circle punch. I thought the french blue ribbon was a good touch of color.

Stamps: Wild About You, Riveting; Card Stock: Cameo Coral, Pretty in Pink, Confetti White, Slumber Party DSP; Ink: Going Gray, Pretty in Pink, Yo-yo Yellow, Basic Black; Accessories: Markers, WWC, Blender Pen, Sponge, 1 3/8", 1 1/4", and 1/2" Circle Punches, Ticket Corner Punch, Dimensionals, French Blue Grosgrain

When Kyle got home from school he saw my card sitting near the computer, as I was just about to upload it here. He asked what it was for, and I explained the challenge to him. He got all excited and said he wanted to make a cute birthday card for the contest too. He picked out all the stamps himself. He said he wanted it to look like the penguin was holding the cake with his foot.

He colored all the stamps with his SU kids markers, huffed, and stamped. He said that's his favorite technique since he can put all the color where they are supposed to be. (When I offered him the black ink pad he said, "Mom, a penguin's beak is not black", and shook his head.

Thanks for checking out Kyle's Korner again!!

Forest Haze

Well, here it is! I really wasn't trying to build up suspense overnight, I just couldn't upload. So I thought I'd try again this morning before I went to work...tah dah! When we find a front row parking spot on a shopping trip Scott always says that the shopping gods are smiling down upon us and it will be a successful trip. If I can relate this working this morning to that(okay, I know it's a stretch) then maybe the stamping gods are smiling down upon me and I'll be able to do another challenge after work today! Hey...whatever works!

So, this is the card I made for the SCS Sketch Challenge 120 yesterday. I really like the layout. I think it's one that will be used a lot. I like trying to do masculine cards every now and again, because they seem to be a little more difficult to come up with. You know what I mean...it's easy to stamp a few flowers, add some purdy ribbon, and have a great feminine card.

I liked the idea of doing a scene for the main image, so I decided to go with one of my favorites...Lovey As a Tree. I love true thyme and chocolate chip together on a "guy" card, so those were my color choices. I used two different background stamps and matted the panels to break up the card base a bit. I've been on a distressing kick lately too so I distressed the panels before I mounted them on the chocolate chip. As I started to stamp off the trees (with chocolate chip on true thyme) I had the thought to make them hazy looking...like being up north, or on the farm, at dawn on a chilly morning. (Sorry for the over-dramatization there!) I sponged very vanilla around the trees and then sponged chocolate chip over the trees to darken them a bit. The haze aspect of the card is much better in real life...kinda loses something in the scan. I mounted the image on very vanilla card stock that I had spritzed with chocolate chip ink and then mounted that on chocolate chip. I wanted to finish it off with a little something (not too frilly) so I went with the natural hemp twine.

I like this one, and I hope you do too. Thanks for checking back in!

Stamps: Lovely As a Tree, Canvas, Weathered; Card Stock: True Thyme, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Sponges, Color Spritzer Tool, Chocolate Chip Marker, Hemp Twine

No Photo Tonight

Well, looks like there won't be a new card up tonight. I either can't get the blogger site or my computer to cooperate. Whatever it is, I can't get my card to upload. I'm bummed, because unlike yesterday, I was really happy about how the one that was supposed to be here turned out. I'll try again tomorrow. I don't even have any good tales to share tonight. Worked late. Late dinner. Kids to bed. Stamped my challenge card. Sat here trying to share the picture with you. That sums it up! I did order something fun today (he..he..he)!!

(not so) Cool Caribben

Today's color combo challenge on SCS listed two choices. I chose Cool Caribbean, Basic Black, and White. I thought I would give this a try because I rarely use Cool Caribbean (don't hate me!). In fact, I still have card stock from the first assortment pack I bought with the new catalog last July. To me these challenges are about about trying different things...(but I don't know that I'll be trying this one again!).

I stamped Paisley background on whisper white first, and then stamped French Script in black over it. I distressed the edge with my craft and rubber scissors. The flower is from In Full Bloom, stamped on glossy white with black Staz On. I then used the metallic resist technique (colored in with metallic pencils, brayered with cool caribbean, and then wiped off the excess). I crumbled a small piece of cool caribbean and then stamped the sentiment. The flower is cut out (obviously) and mounted with dimensionals.

Stamps: In Full Bloom, Paisley, French Script; Card Stock: Cool Caribbean, Whisper White, Glossy White, Basic Black; Ink: Cool Caribbean, Basic Black, Black Staz On; Accessories: Metallic Pencils, Foam Brayer, Hodgepodge Hardware, Black Grosgrain, White Gel Pen; Technique: Metallic Pencil Resist

Triangle Tri-fold Card

This post is extremely late in the day, but it still makes it! I actually have been stamping since about 2:30 this afternoon. My dear friend (and awesome downline) Devene came over this afternoon to stamp...she just left! We were getting ready for a fundraiser we have next week. Can I take a moment to say what an awesome day in my stamping world this was? First, the details for the SU Convention in Denver that Devene and I will be attending were released. Then I got the mail when I got home from my half day of work and found 1) my May Stampin' Success Magazine, and 2) an awesome package from my Dabbling Demo Secret Sister. (She's awesome!). And, minutes later Dev arrived to begin our stamp fest!

Today's challenge on SCS was to make a Triangle Tri-fold Card (TLC112). I had never attempted one before, but I certainly will again. I love it! The final product is so neat. This one is for a bridal shower I have this coming weekend.

The background paper is handmade (not by me!). It works wonderfully for this card. I used Terrific Tulips, which is retired, but still a favorite. Heat & stick powder was used to adhere dazzling diamonds to the darker portion of the petals. You can never have enough sparkle, right? I'm really pleased with how this one turned out. Thanks for looking!

Stamps: Terrific Tulips; Card Stock: Always Artichoke, Confetti White, Handmade Paper; Ink: Ruby Red, Always Artichoke; Accessories: Color Spritzer Tool, Ruby Red Marker, Heat & Stick Powder, Dazzling Diamonds, Olive Narrow Organdy Ribbon

More Butterflies

Well, my good intent to stamp something new today didn't come to fruition. But, nonetheless, we got a lot done around the house today. We bought a new computer desk and some storage cubes from Target for Kyle's room. Of course they're the kind that come in many many pieces with directions that don't seem to actually go with the product. So, there was the afternoon.

I can't wait for Kyle to see his new room. (He comes back from the farm tonight.) All his Star Wars toys...and boy, does he have Star Wars toys, are now all in his room. My family room no longer looks like a Jedi training center. My husband Scott doesn't want to leave Kyle's room now since he thinks it's the "coolest" room in the house. He said he wished our room was as cool. Keep dreaming young Skywalker!

Here is another card I stamped for the Inspiration Challenge 71 on SCS last night. I like how this one turned out. By the time I finished it I had to scan it since it was too dark in the house to get a decent picture. The scan kinda did some funky stuff to the colors. The ribbon is actually chocolate brown and does coordinate (unlike the eggplant look that it appears to be.

I used four different patterns of non-SU paper (shhh....don't tell Shelli!) for the background and each of the butterflies. The really rust tabs on the side have a suede look that I love. I followed the directions from Julie Buhler's awesome blog. The paper was spritzed with water, then crumbled, flattened back out, and sponged with really rust and chocolate chip. I felt like it needed a bit more texture in the end, so I frayed some grosgrain ribbon to put behind the hodgepodge hardware.

Stamps: Flitting By Jumbo Wheel, Warm Words, French Script; Card Stock: Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Really Rust; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust; Accessories: Hodgepodge Hardware, Word Window Punch, Grosgrain Ribbon; Techniques: Faux Suede, Frayed Ribbon

Saturday Inspiration Challenge

I made this card for the Saturday Inspiration Challenge (IC71) on SCS. The inspiration piece given was from a Fruit of the Loom ad. Looking through the posts, you can find all kinds of butterflies. Luckily I hadn't parted with my retired Sketch An Event set.

First I stamped the butterflies in versamark and then embossed with white embossing powder on vellum card stock. From the back I used the paper piercing tool to outline the wings where they were embossed. On the back of the vellum I colored the wings with watercolor wonder crayons first and then with metallic pencils. The bodies of the butterflies and the spots on the wings are colored on the back side also using a silver sharpie marker. The sentiment is stamped on the front using staz on.

The background for the vellum is a piece of whisper white card stock stamped with the fern from In Full Bloom using true thyme ink. I colored them in with metallic pencils. Eyelets were set, and then the piece was mounted on a true thyme layer. Finally I stamped the small butterflies from Beyond the Basics with bashful blue on the same color card stock. The last touch is a small blue gingham ribbon.

It's been fun being able to participate in these challenges the last couple of days! I usually don't get the time.

Stamps: Sketch An Event, In Full Bloom, All Year Cheer I, Beyond the Basics; Card Stock: Bashful Blue, True Thyme, Whisper White, Vellum; Ink: Versamark, Black Staz On, True Thyme, Bashful Blue; Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Metallic Pencils, Silver Sharpie Marker, Eyelets, Blue Gingham Ribbon; Techniques: Masking, Heat Embossing

TGIF!

Sorry I didn't make it on last night. I was working on our taxes (yes, we procrastina-ted this year...) and it took a lot longer than I anticipated.

It's Friday!! I took the day off work today ...LOVE my new job!! Jessie comes home this afternoon from Grandma and Papa's house. Kyle doesn't know it yet, but Grandma's going to surprise him, and pick him up from school to head out to the farm. All the talk of the kids going out there made me want to do this card.

Papa has a popcorn maker. The real kind. Like the ones at the movies (only smaller). And, he makes the best popcorn. The kids (including us big kids) love it. So, I guess this card is for him. It's hard to see in the photo, but I used the Canvas background stamp on the real red card. Five of the pieces of popcorn were stamped separately, cut out, and mounted on dimensionals. And, of course I had to fit it the white gel pen with the faux stitching. Heading off to my stamp room...one hour left of distraction free stamping!

Stamps: Canvas Background, Treat Yourself; Card Stock: Basic Black, Real Red, Whisper White; Ink: So Saffron, Real Red, Basic Black; Accessories: Dimensionals, Paper Piercing Tool, White Gel Pen, Black Vintage Brads, Ticket Corner Punch; Technique: Faux Stitching

Wild About Paisley

I told you I had a slight addiction to Polka Dots & Paisley's paisley stamp and the white gel pen!

I didn't have a chance to stamp at all last night. Jessie went to spend a few days with Grandma and Papa, so I thought I may get some things done. But, instead I ended up spending my evening as Will Turner trying to maneuver my way through Port Royal with Kyle as Jack Sparrow on his new PS2 game. Oh well, maybe tonight....or tomorrow if we're snowed in!

This was the card I made for Robbie's Birthday. (Those of you that know me already know that the card was really made for Devene.) I really liked the way it turned out. The paisleys are stamped with pumpkin pie ink in order to contrast a bit from the more mustard card stock. The faux linen is comprised of creamy caramel, more mustard, and pumpkin pie ink. As it was, I found my spool of mustard grosgrain to be missing. I substituted the hemp twine instead, and I'm glad I did. On a side note, my black grosgrain came missing about a week later. So, I asked Jessie (my 3 year-old) if she knew where mommy's ribbon went. She told me that she took it because she needed it. Of course she couldn't remember where she put it, and later told me, "Way way sorry mommy, looked everywhere, can't find it anywhere!". And, I still haven't found it!

Stamps: Wild About You, Polka Dots & Paisley, Viola; Card Stock: More Mustard, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Glossy White; Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel, More Mustard, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: White Gel Pen, Paper Piercing Tool, Hodgepodge Hardware, Tag Punch, Grosgrain Ribbon, Hemp Twine, Sandpaper, Sponges; Techniques: Faux Stitching, Faux Linen

Kyle's Korner too...

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Last week was my mother-in-law's birthday. Kyle, who is five years-old, asked if he could stamp a card to take to her. He loves making cards with me and is very careful with all the supplies. In fact, he told me, "Mom, I need to get my own bone folder. I need to make a new technique I saw that's really easy." (He likes to watch the Getting Started DVD from SU!) He also wants his own paper cutter. Sorry...I digress. Anyway, he picked out everything he wanted to use, including my metallic pencils and watercolor wonder crayons. The only help I gave him on this project was to tell him which way was up on the phrases. He was so proud of the card, and so was I.

I posted these pics on the demo forums of SCS last week, and he was really excited to see them on-line. He was especially excited when I read him all the kind comments left about his work. He had the biggest smile on his face! So, I decided to post them here as well. I can't wait to show him how good they look here too. I'll be sure to read him any comments that are left as well, so if you have a moment leave Kyle a word or two! Thanks!

Where is the sun?

Okay, I'm driving to work this morning, listening to the radio, and Bambi's mom decides to jump out of a ditch in front of me while I'm driving 70mph on a major freeway. A very narrow miss! But, it's Michigan, right? And then I hear, over my pounding heart, the "S" word during the weather report. And they're talking about potential accumulation of the "S" word on Wednesday with two storms that appear to be merging. It's Michigan, right? But, come on already!

So, I'm hoping that by posting this sunflower card, that I can forget for the moment that it's April and we're barely above freezing temperatures. This is an all occasion card that I made to be part of a card tin for Mother's Day (shhh, it's a surprise!). I hope everyone had a safe and pleasant holiday!

Stamps: Serene Sunflower, Autumn Leaf Prints; Card Stock: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Summer Sun, Recollections Designer Series Paper; Ink: So Saffron, Morning Marigold, Always Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, Basic Black; Accessories: Chocolate Chip Marker, Color Spritzer Tool, Grosgrain Ribbon

Happy Almost Easter

I have to admit that this is actually fun to do! Thanks for the great comments , I'm so glad you're liking the site!! And, I found that I made time last night to play around a bit in my stamp room to have some new ideas to post here.

This card ended up to be quite a hodgepodge of ideas. Probably hard to see it the picture, a couple of things that I like on this card are Dazzling Diamonds over the eggs themselves and the shadowing of "Happy Easter" with Whisper White Craft ink over Ballet Blue Classic. What in the world did I do before I found the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig?? I was able to do the shadow effect so quick, and exactly where I wanted it. It may be one of the greatest tools ever!

In case I can't get back on here tomorrow...Have a Great Easter Holiday!

Stamps: Paisley Background, Aida Cloth Background, Tag Time, All Year Cheer I; Card Stock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal; Ink: Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Whisper White, Apricot Appeal, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink; Accessories: Dazzling Diamonds, 1 3/8" Square Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, Buttons, Grosgrain Ribbon; Technique: Masking

Paisley Birthday

This is not the best photo, but I wanted to get something posted today that my technique club ladies haven't seen yet. I've taken quite a liking to the paisley stamp from Polka Dots & Paisley as a background. (And, the white gel pen, although I did refrain from breaking it out on this one.) This is just a quick layout/card I did the other day. It doesn't show in the photo, but the flowers all have a dot from the silver zig painty on them. Hopefully my computer will start cooperating with my memory card so I can upload some better pics.

Stamps: Polka Dots & Paisley, Sincere Salutations; Card Stock: Naturals White, Basic Black, Real Red; Ink: Whisper White Craft, Basic Black; Accessories: Zig Painty, eyelets, grosgrain ribbon

Here We Go...

Well, I've done it. I have a blog. Not sure how to get everything going on it yet; but, nonetheless, I have a blog.

First and foremost I have to thank my dear friend Denise for showing me how to use Corel PaintShopPo XI so I could design my own banner (without having to read the instructions on my own). Although only cosmetic, I really wanted to have the banner done first. And, you know what? I did it! Denise, I won't tell you how long it took me, but if you look at the time this was posted you'll have a good idea. You'll also notice that the title of this blog has been changed. I got a strange look and a, "mom, that's really a non-good name" from Kyle. And then after I finished designing the banner I had to figure out how to change the template to allow it to be posted. Let me tell you...that was an ordeal. Luckily one of the wonderful people from Splitcoast Stampers posted on a thread last week, and I was able to figure it out from there. (Thanks, Suzanne!) I'm really happy with how it turned out...look at me being all digital!

I'm really looking forward to keeping this blog updated. I hope that my customers and friends find it a fun place to visit, laugh, and get some ideas. But, for now it's late. I have a blog with a banner!!!