New Stamps & New Colors!

Woohooo for something new! The stamp set is actually my mom's (THANKS MOM!) but since the orders come to my house sometimes she lets me play with them first. Actually, she always lets me. I just don't always.

Originally this was going to be for Taylor's Cupcake sketch...but I missed. haha! When I saw how far off I was, I added the three brads and called it good. Its for Hunter anyway, he doesn't care if I followed a sketch. ;) Since he's taking his lunch to school I thought that at least once a week I could include a card for him. I think he'll like it a lot.

Ooo! Don't forget- this stamp set is 15% off until September 30. Its a super cute camping set, which I can always use!

Supplies: Stamps: Under The Stars Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel Paper: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White Accessories: Silver Brads, Blender Pens, Stamping Sponges, Tag Punch

I had to give you a card to look at today after so much family stuff lately. (and plenty more to come...!) Thanks for all the comments left about the look into my real life. I was laughing about the comments most of the afternoon, long after walking away from the computer. I'll have to share more glimpses! I know I'm not alone, but it sure feels like it when you're in the moment.

Oh! Something to take note of...I added a few new blogs to my side bar that are "awesome, helpful" blogs! I suggest taking a look because I've sure enjoyed browsing them. I like helpful hints!

The real world...

This card is also on Splitcoaststampers... Julee did a sketch challenge for her Meet the Verve Diva's thing. I made it for my dad since his birthday was this weekend. I love how it turned out, I think really nice for him...I just wish I'd either been willing to print up that little word circle or owned a stamp that worked for the concept!

Anyway, his fav color is yellow and fortunately this paper I'd chosen worked well with More Mustard! The book pattern comes from an SU pack a few years ago. Maybe it was called Heritage? Anyway, then, I hand-wrote the sentiment which I think works for my dad: "Age = Wisdom". I don't know that my dad cares about getting older, but maybe he does. And he loves to tell us kids that he knows everything. haha...

Supplies: Stamps: NONE! ~ Ink: More Mustard, Basic Black, Pen ~ Paper: Heritage DP, More Mustard, Basic Black, Whisper White ~ Accessories: Silver brads, Stamping Sponges, 1 3/8 inch circle punch

I read on Andrea's blog her thoughts on how we stamp-bloggers always (and only) tell the happy things going on. This is mostly true. For me, enough with the negativity...who wants to read my complaining every day? I don't! But also, I try to put together two or three posts in one sitting, so that, as she also says, blogging doesn't consume my entire life (just, um...half of it...). And there's no reason to hold on to the negative things and re-read them a couple days later. But today I could use the vent. So! If she (or you) would like some reality from my end of the world, here ya go! (or just skip over this! haha!!!)

Today (a different day from the day you are reading this) I was frustrated a LOT. My daughter was up waaaay too late last night and up too early this morning. She was emotional and tired and that gets very wearing. I had to go to the store, and it was a have-to trip because the kids' allergies are going crazy and we're out of the fabulous Benadryl fast melts. Um...I guess they don't make that anymore. They have these nice easy-dose things, but not for both kids. Or they have liquid which is pretty hard to get my kids to take. And the easy-dose is liquid anyway. Lovely. And the kicker is, they already did this to ME this year. I found a box of allergy med in our stash that actually worked for me this spring and when I went to buy more they had a "See our new formula!" label on it. Guess what? "New formula" doesn't work! So glad to know the allergy medicine industry is making it impossible for my family to find allergy relief. And you know what? The store didn't even have Peanut Butter MnM's. I also forgot to buy shoelaces.

And how come gas is still $3.91 here if in the next town up its down to $3.87? Don't get me wrong, our current price is better than it was a week ago, but still.

Then this afternoon I realized I didn't just miss sending out a couple of birthday cards on time, I missed FIVE. Aaaaahhhhh! The pressure!!!!!

And my son lost his homework. {insert rolling eyes here} I know school just started, I know he's still a little kid, but come on! He didn't find it in his backpack, so we drove back to school. Nope, not there either. He came up with a dozen exciting things that must have happened to it ("The janitor probably vacuumed it up. His sister lost it in the house. Or maybe she hid it. Maybe its stuck to the back of my other paper. Maybe it blew away when I was walking to the car........") and I tried hard to be patient and use this as a teaching moment to help him remember or learn to be responsible for his belongings. But I'm also realizing that if I want to know what is going on in that classroom and what my son's actual responsibilities are, I am going to have to walk in there and ask. I would expect SOME kind of information to have come home by now. When I was in high school we brought home notes the first from every single class. Have things changed THAT much? That my little boy is just s'post to pass on the info? Hmm.

But now we're going to go kick around his new soccer ball and blow off some steam...and I truly hope this is the last day to hit 100*. I'm tired of heat. Bring on Autumn!!! My FAVORITE!

Inspiration Challenge #20

This is my take on Beate's inspiration art. I liked the idea of a framed flower, but this is what happened. And I really like this one!

I stamped about half of the main image from Fresh Cuts onto watercolor paper, using my Old Olive Classic ink. (I usually use classic ink, but just incase you wanted to try this, it HAS to be classic) Then I used my Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip and More Mustard ink pads to watercolor with my blender pens. (I know, I know, I need to get an aquapainter...!) I think it turned out nice! I mounted it onto this scrap of Mustard card stock, which only covered half of the back, and I like that little touch. Then I sponged Mustard ink onto the edges that are on Mustard paper. I love it!

Supplies:

Stamps: Fresh Cuts ~

Inks: Old Olive, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Ruby Red~

Paper: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, More Mustard, Watercolor Paper ~

Accessories: Mat Pack, Wide Olive Grosgrain, Blender Pens, Neutral Buttons

I'm going to be very in and out the next five days but I have scheduled posts ready to go live! Happy (early!) Labor Day weekend!

A girly page

I literally just whipped this page up. I've had the pictures for a while now, laying on the Celery card stock waiting for me to come up with a plan. They had to be scrapped- it was just too cute how they took turns pushing each other on the swings!
I have this old set, Lively Little Ones, that the stamped girls come from. I managed to fit that one right on the scooter- which is great kuz these two girls ride around on their scooters a lot. With the other girl I taped off the jump rope to use as just an excited little girl. Our girls aren't quite into jumping rope yet.... But I did like that both the stamp girls are in dresses. My child isn't wearing a dress or skirt in these pictures but trust me, that wasn't her idea! LOL! Supplies: Stamps: Lively Little Ones, Taffy ABC ~ Ink: Basic Black, Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery ~ Paper: Certainly Celery, Whisper White ~ Accessories: Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Subtles Brads, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pens

One Amazing CASE!

CASE means CopyAndShareEverything ...and a couple other things that are similar. This card is darn close to case'd from a tutorial Beate did on Splitcoast. I tried to change up the images (tho I used the same set!) and follow Jen's sketch instead of Beate's exact card. Plus, Beate would never stamp a greeting crooked! haha! I didn't notice that til everything was glued down. ...sigh.... O well, its still purty! And yes, it uses the Blurred Vision Watercolor technique! Super easy, but I think it would look better in something besides yellow.... Supplies: Stamps: Pretty Amazing, Fresh Cuts ~ Ink: So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Real Red ~ Paper: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White ~ Accessories: Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, Blender Pens

Sketch and a funny

Here is my card for Taylor's Friday Cupcake challenge! I was going for elegant, not plain...I hope I succeeded! The hardest part of this card was pulling out my heat tool for the second time in 6 days! haha! I used the emboss-resist technique on the center image. I inked up the stamp with my Versamark, then embossed with Clear powder, then I sponged on Bravo Burgundy ink. I think it turned out well. I also clear embossed the words for an added touch. Its a little hard to tell in the photo, but the tipped square is Bravo Burgundy card stock and the mat for the image is Chocolate Chip card stock.

Supplies Used:

Stamps: Fresh Cuts ~

Ink: Bravo Burgundy, Versamark ~

Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip ~

Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Silver Brads, Chocolate Taffeta ribbon, Stamping Sponges

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A little more than a year ago the kids and I went to my cousin's wedding, about the same time my daughter got into the Princess movies. She has been close to obsessed with weddings and getting married ever since. She frequently asks who is married, if I got married to Daddy and if she can get married and tells people that when she's "big like H she's getting married"...which is NOT big enough!

So, the other day while eating lunch, she suddenly announces "Oh no! I didn't get married!!!" H and I look at each other with a smile and I said something about how she isn't old enough yet. She turns to her brother and says "But will you get married with me?" He answers with "No, we can't get married. You have to marry your boyfriend." She heaves a big, dramatic, pouty sigh and says "I don't WANT to marry my boyfriend! I want DADDY to marry me!" I join in with "but he married ME!" She gives a confused look and says "He did?!" .................yes dear, we've covered this a time or two......

Beate's Back!

Woooohooooo! She is the whole reason I started doing sketches and challenges!

So! This card uses her sketch (which she got from Jenn Balcer). I also took the colors from her inspiration piece earlier in the week. Haven't stamped much this week... So here is my autumny card!

I do like the card, tho I'm not so in love with the chocolate sponging on the circle piece. Oh well. Like the sentiment? I figured since I was using such autumny colors anyway, may as well ink up a stamp I never have used... haha!

Supplies: Stamps: Boho Backgrounds, Heartfelt Thanks, Holidays & Wishes ~ Ink: Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Old Olive ~ Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla ~ Accessories: Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Mat Pack, Neutral Buttons, Making Memories circle cutter thingy... ;)

Asian Sketch!

This is my take on Jen's Saturday Sketch. I'll tell ya, its been sitting here for 3 days with the stamped Mustard card stock sitting on the Eggplant...waiting for me to think of SOMETHING to put where she has the embellishment. This morning I decided I'd just do a simple tag. And I added the shot of red in the form of a Rhinestone Brad. It works. This fan stamp is another from Japan. Fun, huh? Supplies: Stamps: Unknown Fan, Summer By The Sea ~ Inks: Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard ~ Paper: Elegant Eggplant, More Mustard ~ Accessories: Tag Punch, Rhinestone Brads, Stamping Sponges, Dimensionals

Bunch o' pink flowers!

Here's another bright card. This one uses Julee's Mojo Monday sketch. I wanted to use the flower from Sock Monkey. I love this color combination!

Supplies: Stamps: Sock Monkey ~ Inks: Pixie Pink, Certainly Celery ~ Paper: Pixie Pink card stock, Certainly Celery Prints Paper, Yoyo Yellow card stock, Whisper White card stock ~ Accessories: 1 3/8 inch circle punch, Soft Subtles Brads

Lovey Sketch!

I think this turned out very nicely! And I gotta say, I LOVE that! So here's my take on Dawn's sketch for OCC's weekly challenge. What do you think?

I used my watercolor crayons and blender pens to color the image. I wanted to stick with earthy kind of colors but also keep it soft and romantic-ish. I also dyed the white ribbon with Creamy Caramel ink. Coming up with an appropriate embellishment was a challenge. I pictured maybe a moon or something... but then I thought that might be corny. I used this sweet cherry blossom punch (also from Japan!) for just a touch of accent. I'm debating putting another one to match in the opposite corner. I don't know... I like it tho!

Supplies: Stamps: Summer By the Sea ~ Paper: Creamy Caramel, Bordering Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White ~ Inks: Basic Gray, Buckaroo Blue (for sponging), Creamy Caramel ~ Accessories: Watercolor Crayons, Blender Pens, Sponge, White grosgrain ribbon, cherry blossom punch

Bright Sketch!

This is Lauren's Saturday sketch! I used some pretty bright colors, except for the lovely Baja Breeze. I also played with some tools I hardly ever pull out- clear embossing powder and my heat tool! I wanted to make the fish look wet. I also used the embossing on the words to make them stand out a little more. I don't know anything about these stamps other than they came from Japan! And that these are in a set. My gift from my mom's trip was scrapbook supplies and stamps. hee hee...! So you'll see more "foreign" products in the next little while...! :)

Supplies: Stamps: Sock Monkey, Unknown ~ Paper: Baja Breeze, Gable Green, Whisper White ~ Inks: Real Red, Tangerine Tango, Gable Green, Green Galore, Versamark ~ Accessories: Big square punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool~

Birthday Circles!

Taylor definitely issued a challenge for me with her weekly cupcake challenge... 9 circles on one card.... But I followed her sketch!

I had the circles already punched because I had waaay too many left over for a big scrapbook project. So I had to find something that would work for Brilliant Blue circles. The card is 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 Green Galore! I used three images and a word from Sock Monkey and colored them for a little boy's birthday card. The word is punched out with the Word Window Punch (naturally) and I added a little Green Galore button too. The hard part was cutting out the little images!

Autumn Colors

I had a few minutes today so I put this card together. I wanted to play with my Tangerine Tango ink since its the only new color I have yet.

The base is Tangerine and I stamped the flower trio across the bottom in Tangerine ink. I have a strip of Chocolate Chip and then So Saffron crossing the other way. I stamped the vine with Chocolate Chip ink to make it more like a branch. The butterflies are stamped in Tangerine ink onto So Saffron card stock and cut out. Then I just stamped the word in Chocolate ink. Fun and simple and perfect for Autumn!

I've been perusing the new catalog every spare second I can find and have come up with some fun workshop plans and some upcoming classes. I am really excited! With school starting back up I'll be able to offer classes in the mornings again, so that will work better for some of you.

Scrapbook Class #2

Here is the layout from my second scrapbook class. I guess not so much a layout as just what I did... hee hee. Since it's August I went with a campy theme. The wheel is now retired but everything else is still available! (There is a cuuute new campy stamp set and wheel tho! The new set is on the 15% off list thru September 30!) I stamped the title onto the widest of the Twill Tape. Craft ink would work better, but this works for me. I have six Artichoke buttons on the sides of that. Its layered onto a sheet of 8x11 Creamy Caramel, which is layered onto a 12x12 sheet of Always Artichoke. Then I have a wheeled strip of Mellow Moss card stock going across the bottom. For the Nature Hike wheel I used Chocolate Chip ink. I also cut out two of the signs for the top of this page, and have two Vanilla buttons here as well. The journaling will be done on the Vanilla square which is accented with another Artichoke button. Two more old pages done! Hooray! (this was Aug of '05)

Bright Buttons!

I'm back! I know, you didn't even know I was gone! That's just how crazy things have been, but pre-scheduled posts help a lot!

Today's card comes from Lauren's Saturday sketch. I tipped mine sideways tho. I liked the idea of buttons for those circles so you have to go with colors of buttons you have! I don't use these colors much so I had lots of Green Galore and Lovely Lilac! So those are the colors of paper and ink I used too! Turned out alright tho.

The brand new catalog will be up on the Stampin' Up! website today after noon! It is gorgeous! If you want a copy of your own just let me know!

Also, I need your $5 and RSVP for the card class listed on teh side. I just need to get the supplies ordered and here and there's going to be quite a rush on the company with the new catalog items! Yeay!

Graduating!

That's right, my son decided it was time he graduated to layered cards!!! This is cute. It's a big step...and I do believe it promises to be a headache for the remainder of my days! LOL!

He came in and asked to make a card for his uncle (my brother on a mission). Sure...why not? He browsed my stamp...disaster...for a few minutes, picked up this card and asked if he could make one just like it. Uhhh....maybe? He told me which colors he wanted for which pieces and chose a different animal from Pun Fun. And HERE is his creation!

It just cracks me up! I enjoy him stamping "with" me, it keeps him occupied and gives him a creative outlet and I can keep an eye on him....but now he wants to actually use my supplies...! *gasp!* ...but it makes me laugh too. He just knows he can do better than the standard half sheet of white paper. Good for him!

Funky Butterflies

I think the black and the bright colors make it "funky". The colors are kwerners fault! LOL!! But honestly, I played with these colors together before, tho I don't remember WHY and I couldn't get it to work then either. I think it would look pretty nice with the chalkboard technique but I don't have White craft ink here.

Soooo this is actually a re-do! I mentioned that I have a gallery on Splitcoast.... here's my original card...but I decided I didn't like it. So, I rearranged some items and have this. Still funky...still kinda weird... Oh well!

Maybe its just heavy on accessories! I have three Rhinestone square brads (two pink and one orange), two kinds of ribbon and a button. Hmm. Oh well, it will brighten some body's day! haha!

More butterflies!

In the Verve forum at Splitcoaststampers.com they are having a bunch of challenges to celebrate Julee's anniversary as a stamp company. (She is the creator of Mojo Monday sketches.) Anyway, random winners will get Verve stamps and she has some really adorable images and some fabulous words and phrases! This is one of the cards I made following her Anniversary sketch #3.

I'm in a bit of a monochromatic mood lately so these colors I think are pretty similar. I have Apricot Appeal for the base, and accents of More Mustard, with Very Vanilla for the neutral. I really liekd this sketch and I'm really happy with how this card turned out. Sort of a late summer/early fall color scheme.

Summertime......

means fun and HOT! What better way to combine these two elements than friends and a POOL???
So here is a pretty simple page for my son. I just have a Bashful Blue base, some more of that stripy paper (which surprisingly coordinates with that ball...!) a title (that you should pretend looks amazing like Linz's!..and it might, once I get a blue marker in my hand!) a cute stamped image repeating what the photos show and a journaling square for later! Cute, fast, fun!

Oh hey, scoot on over to Lori's blog for a fuuun thing! She's coordinating a swap that sounds great! You'll want to check that out!

Warm soup makes it better!

Or at least that's what my card says! (I actually don't care for most soups...just potato and tomato, and I HAVE to be in the mood for it!) I thought this was a cute kind of get-well thing. I used the latte mug image from Pun Fun and paired it with the closest thinking-of-you word I have! The layout comes from Jen's Saturday sketch. I thought it looked fun and quick, but it was a little more difficult that I'd anticipated.

I started by picking the pink dotty paper actually, and then needed something that would look nice with pink accents! So I have a Pretty in Pink base, a card front of Close to Cocoa, the side pieces are from the Hostess Paper Pkg, the main image is matted on Pretty in Pink card stock and I have Pink gingham ribbon going across the bottom. I stamped the images in Chocolate Chip, colored the hearts and "soup" with Watercolor Crayons.

Hopefully tomorrow I'll have caught up on sketches and challenges and all those fun things that keep me stamping!

Be Yourself!

Its a good motto! More people should live by it. Just think about that today...! This card comes from Lauren's Saturday Sketch! I used the stripey paper as my inspiration. It comes from the Martha Stewart pack I mentioned here. Its not exact, but pretty close to a handful of Stampin' Up! colors so that helps me! LOL! I have a Barely Banana base, and Certainly Celery half circles on the sides. The boy image and the words are stamped in Creamy Caramel to go with the beach-feel. I used Barely Banana brads and colored a tiny hint of pale blue on the boy's shirt. Its not quite what I pictured, but it's nice. Too bad the photo came out so yellow...!

Things are crazy for me this week (again?!) but I have posts scheduled and I am keeping the retiring accessories list updated. If my catalog comes you KNOW I'll be gushing...! LOL!

Tag...I'm it??

Yvette tells me she tagged me. I dunno HOW since I tagged her on May 22nd AND June 9th and left a comment telling her, and she hasn't done it, so there! LOL!!! But, here we go again! Let's see if I can think up some new fact-oids for ya!

The Rules A - Each person has to list 6 facts/habits about them. B - After part A, go to 6 people's blogs and leave a comment letting them know to read your blog, and that they have been tagged. C - List at the end of your posting who you have tagged.

1. I was going to announce that I am a klutz because I am still feeling the effects of falling down the stairs last week...but evidently I've already told you about that. Hmm, am I a proud klutz??

2. Ooo! I have a totally original one! When Princess Diaries came out (7 years ago?) my sister thought I looked just like Anne Hathaway. I thought, Well sure, straight dark hair, wears a red tshirt for a 'day' whatever. Then with Get Smart, BURT told me I look like her. Hmm....again, whatever. Then, S and I were watching the bonus features on Princess Diaries. It includes black and white footage of her audition tapes....Holy Cow! When she isn't looking at the camera she looks EXACTLY like I did at 15!!! WEIRD! (betcha didn't guess THAT!)

3. To explain something about that one, I wear a lot of red. When I get a red shirt, it usually becomes my favorite...to death!

4. I stay up WAAAAY too late. And I really don't like to be tired. I need to work on that!

5. I get a kick out of grocery shopping! I love bringing home 'new' food to eat, 'new' soaps to use, whatever. I also really like crossing things off the grocery list.

6. I eat waay too many of whatever treat I buy! Today's selection- cheap-o jelly belly's.

Now! This time I tag.... whoever hasn't done this one! LOL!

Popsicles!

I needed to make a variety of cards for a friend and I thought I'd try my hand at this one! I first saw this on Patty's blog and she gives credit to her upline, and I know others have tried this idea too. It is so stinkin' cute, who wouldn't want to make this? Plus, its easy!

Mine is a little different from Patty's, mainly because I was going from memory! I forgot about her cute ribbon trick and she used actual popsicle sticks...mine come from Creamy Caramel card stock and my Word Window punch! I made 4 from one sheet of Tangerine Tango (great color btw- perfect for summer and fall!) Three have Whisper White 'ice cream' and one has Very Vanilla! LOL! Two I stamped on the inside with Tangerine ink and two I stamped on the outside with Basic Gray ink. I think those words fit a food-themed card perfectly! And yes, I have a "home" in mind for all four cards! I used my Scallop Circle punch to do the 'bite' and then the corner rounder on the other side. My ice cream fillers don't match up as well as I'd like, but I am happy with the cards! So fun! And an excellent summer card!