Busy, Busy!

The card. Well, and me. I've been busy with life, but on the stamping side I'm busy coming up with specifics for my Christmas card class! Can't wait!

In the meantime, here is my busy card! I used the sketch from Amy on OCC. I started by looking for some DP and here's proof what a paper hoarder I am- is this like 3 or 4 years old?! Yep, it is! But I thought it was not too overpowering. I may have been wrong! hee hee! I wanted a third color to POP so I picked Cameo Coral. Used my favorite technique for this fun butterfly, and sponged some Barely Banana ink over the Vanilla pieces to make it work better with the DP.

I'm hoping to play with some more sketches today, but we'll see how that goes. Now its your turn to go make something fun! Supplies: Stamps: Priceless, Fresh Cuts Ink: Cameo Coral, Sage Shadow, Barely Banana Paper: Sage Shadow & Very Vanilla card stocks, In Full Bloom SS Kit Accessories: Mat Pack, Vanilla Grosgrain Ribbon, Soft Subtles Brads, Stamping Sponges

Another Day

Wanna know what that is a picture of? Books. That needed repaired. There are 22 and one that couldn't be fixed...can't find what used to be its cover. That's right, I just fixed twenty-two books that my children have ripped and torn. Definitely something to go on my resume- Professional Torn-Book Repairman. Some times its just exuberant turning of the page. Sometimes its both of them holding the same book and fighting about who gets to turn the page. Sometimes its a tasty book (instead of ya know, a good book...) Other times books are really just stepping stones as you cross the "water". Why do kids always pretend the carpet is water?? Anyway. That was tonight's task.

My kids actually really love books. Especially our boy- the most destructive. He has always loved books. When he was tiny I would lay on my back holding the book above us and read to him. When our girl was tiny, this was a typical scene....

Isn't that adorable? And those were the days I repaired a stack of books about once a month. I mean really, what is this all about?! Guess I looked bored...... LOL!

In other news, one of S's very favorite movies is Pride & Prejudice. (the Kiera Knightley one) She's always said "Miss Ah-liv-a-lip" instead of Miss Elizabeth, (which cracks me up!) but the other night, she was telling me about "Eee-liz-a-beff". (with concentration and emphasis on each sound) awww! My baby's growin' up!

Mosquitos!

As soon as I saw Beate's sketch for this weekend, I knew I wanted to have the card base be the patterned piece. I pulled out this set because its new and I hoped to use it. And I came up with a funny! ...which is just a tiny bit annoying because that was the OCC Challenge for last week. haha! O well....here's the card:

One thing I did a little differently today was dyed the ribbon two colors- one side is with Chocolate Chip and the other is Mellow Moss. You can't really tell, but it was fun to try that!

Supplies:

Stamps: Under The Stars, Sincere Salutations

Ink: Close to Cocoa, Mellow Moss

Paper: Mellow Moss, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla card stocks

Accessories: White grosgrain ribbon, Stamping Sponges (to dye the ribbon)

September 11

(photo courtesy: http://wallpapers.free-review.net/21__Usa_-_Flag.htm)

I wanted to say something, but I still don't know what. That was the most surreal day of my life.

Thank you to the many heroic people we heard so much about in the weeks that followed. My heart goes out to all of those who lost loved ones.

I AM Proud to be an American.

Relax...

Yes, we all need to sometimes. Or lots of times. Especially us mom's. This one anyway! *wink*

Eve had this great color challenge on her blog and I really wanted to play along. The colors to me seemed campy and its raining here and I love being in the mountains when it rains. (like, in a car or a rodent-free cabin, not like walking thru the mtns...!) So! I went for a soft, relaxing feel. I could totally relax in a *quiet* cabin, watching the rain and sipping hot cocoa!!! Let's go..!

The SU! colors I thought were closest to those she showed are Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla, Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip. The only thing I added was a touch of pink to the hearts on the mug. I did a lot of sponging to make it softer.

Supplies: Stamps: Boho Backgrounds, Pun Fun Ink: Chocolate Chip, Always Artichoke, Mellow Moss Paper: Mellow Moss, Creamy Caramel, Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla Accessories: Stamping Sponges, Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Blender Pens, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon

Inspiration #22

Yesterday Beate had the prettiest inspiration photo! It looked so calm and cool, like refreshing water. I think Baja Breeze is an excellent color of water so I had to use that, and I liked the white flowers and leafiness. I justified the chocolate chip with the wooden box! And here's what I made: Supplies: Stamps: Fresh Cuts Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip, Versamark Paper: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Whisper White Accessories: Mat Pack, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon

Little Lamb, Birthday & Thanksgiving!

In spite of working on other projects and having too much going on yesterday, I managed to get some stamping done last night!!! Hooray! LOL! Recently our friend's daughter was baptised and we had to miss it. I thought we could still send her a card so this is what I made, using Julee's Mojo Monday Sketch #52. I thought this lamb image was perfect for the occasion and took my card colors from the way I colored it. Somewhere I saw the lamb done in So Saffron, so that's what I did here. This is also a 4 1/4 square card.

Supplies: Stamps: Pun Fun, Warmest Regards Ink: Basic Gray, Baja Breeze Paper: Baja Breeze, Creamy Caramel, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White card stocks, So Saffron Prints DP Accessories: Watercolor Wonder Crayons, Blender Pens, Subtles Brads, Stamping Sponges, Pink Gingham Ribbon

I used Lauren's Saturday Sketch for the design behind my grandmother's birthday card. I totally cheated on that square focal point....I used my big square punch for the Pumpkin 'frame', and then used it to make reference points on the stamped paper, and then used my exacto knife to cut out the Vanilla piece with the flowers! (You get creative when you don't own all the fun tools- no second-larger square punch! LOL!)

Supplies: Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Sincere Salutations Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Close to Cocoa Paper: Old Olive, Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie & Very Vanilla card stocks Accessories: Big Square Punch, Old Olive wide grosgrain ribbon

My final card uses a cool technique I'd never tried! The sketch is from Jen's Saturday Sketch and the reason I thought of this particular technique (Joseph's Coat) is because Andrea just did a tutorial on her blog HERE. I had to take the modifications a step further because I also do not own the brayer. My mom does...! Anyway, so here's a fancy Thanksgiving card!

Supplies: Stamps: Lovely As A Tree, Holidays & Wishes, Canvas Ink: More Mustard, Tangerine Tango, Ruby Red Paper: More Mustard, Ruby Red, Glossy card stocks Accessories: Round Tab Punch (sides trimmed off!), Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware Kit, Stamping Sponges, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool

And just because inquiring minds want to know.... THIS is a heat tool.

You plug it in, heat it up for a few seconds and point at your embossing powder til it melts. Super cool technique!

Sketches!

Happy calm day with no where to go! Actually, we really did have somewhere to be, but Burt has a cold and a headache and my allergies are still crazy so we stayed home. Its ok, we're getting some rest and I got TWO cards made! (I'm even hoping to make some more...!)

First I have Beate's Weekend Sketch. It isn't quite what I had in my head, but it still turned out nice. For the tag, I stamped the words one by one and then sponged over the entire thing, and then used the direct-to-paper technique on the edges. Funny how springy it is with Christmas on my brain....

Supplies:

Stamps: Pick A Petal, Sock Monkey

Ink: Eggplant Envy, Certainly Celery

Paper: Certainly Celery, Pale Plum, Eggplant Envy, Whisper White card stocks

Accessories: Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Tag Punch, Spiral Punch, 1/4 inch circle punch, Soft Subtles Brads

And here is my retired-Christmas-y take on Taylor's Cupcake Sketch. As soon as I saw the sketch I thought of this old paper I had. Makes it fun, that's for sure! Anyway, Taylor has just released her own new stamp line and they are really cute! Click on her link to see them in action.

Supplies: Stamps: Holiday Tag Team Ink: Always Artichoke Paper: Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Real Red card stocks, All The Trimmings Simply Scrappin' Kit (retired!) Accessories: Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Circle Punch

Amazing how much you can accomplish on a sick day! LOL!

September Stamp News

I feel like I am waaay late, but really, its only the 5th.... But I only just sent out my monthly newsletter today, so I thought I'd post it as well, for anyone not on my email list.

The big news for September is that you can now order the Sizzix Big Shot thru Stampin' Up! Its a die-cut machine that can cut thru just about anything you can think of. I don't know about you, but I have debated between the Cricut and the Cuttlebug (from the craft store, not thru me...) and never could make up my mind. I've done a lot of reading and I'm really thinkin' this is the way to go! Right now Stampin' Up! has 10 exclusive dies, and we also carry 29 others! Information is in the soon-to-arrive Holiday Mini Catalog, and also online at http://www.stampinup.com/

The 15% off sale is still running on the select brand new stamps! I'm hoping to get some more of those stamps in my hot little hands, they are beautiful! I can't wait to play with them!

The mini starter kits are also still available until Sept. 30. Or you can buy the standard kit and choose a bonus free stamp set! Don't miss out on this chance to start your own business - it really is as fun as it looks!

Finally, I have a Christmas card class scheduled for Saturday, October 11th. This will be a Stamp-A-Stack which means I will have five card designs and you will make five of each design, for a total of 25 cards. The fee is $15 and required no later than September 30th. When you RSVP I will get you the directions.

Quick reminder- September is a club month, and your orders are due by Monday the 15th. Also, if you aren't in the club but would to place an order, I am closing my own workshop on the 8th, or I can add you to the club order on the 15th. Be sure and let me know if you'd like a copy of the new catalog. I still sell them for only $5 or they are yours to keep free, if you host!

And here's a bonus card just for reading! haha!

Two Workshops

With school going, I can now offer my morning and evening workshops and classes, which I think works better for a lot of people. However, that means I demonstrate twice as much... That's fine with me *wink* but I still like to mix it up a little.

So! Here are my two chalkboard technique cards:

Supplies: Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks ~ Inks: Whisper White Craft, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip ~ Paper: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Pink Pirouette ~ Accessories: Stampin' Pastels, Subtles brads, Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon

And here are my Fresh Cuts Notes. I just love these and not all of my customers have seen them, so I get to keep showing them off! I also really love how well Chocolate Chip goes with our new In Colors!

Supplies: Stamps: Fresh Cuts ~ Inks: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze ~ Paper: Fresh Cuts Notes, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze ~ Accessories: Chocolate Taffeta Ribbon, Whisper White Ribbon, Stamping Sponges (to dye ribbon), Button Bouquet

I did two other projects (one more per group) but one I really didn't like (poor girl who had to watch it-it was one that worked a lot better in my head.) and the other is a tag I will post when I get the gift ready to go with it. I would have demo'd that too, but I forgot to buy part of it. Sigh...I really like LISTS, you'd think I'd write everything I need on a list! haha...!

Anyway, if you weren't able to attend yesterday but you wanted to place an order, I plan to close the party Monday. Just get me your order and money by then! Thanks!

New Favorite Color Combination!

Since my new Baja Breeze ink pad arrived I HAD to play with it! I used Lauren's sketch which turned out to be super easy to make a plan for, but I thought up the piercing at the last second and that took some time. Mostly just because I'm a lazy stamper! haha! I think this turned out really nice tho.

And yes, this is my new favorite combo. Baja Breeze with brown! I've got some other projects in my head using the same combo, just had to wait for the ink to arrive! LOL!

Supplies: Stamps: Heartfelt Thanks, Sock Monkey Ink: Baja Breeze, Chocolate Chip Paper: Whisper White & Baja Breeze card stocks Accessories: Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon, Mat Pack, 1 3/8 inch square punch, Dimensionals

Nine Years Ago...

...Burt and I looked like this: ...and this!

Cute, huh?! Oh, I definitely think so. It was a BEAUTIFUL day and (aside from a fabulous migraine, blah!) the day was perfect.

When I was maybe 17, while visiting my grandmother, she asked if I had a boyfriend. I said no and funny enough she joked, rather sympathetically, that maybe I could order one out of the Sears catalog. Not many years later (haha!), I was working at Sears and met this 'cute boy' who worked 'upstairs'. And that's what I called him- the cute boy upstairs. He is five years older than I am, and Burt likes to interject here that I asked him out. Hey, if you want to date, you'd better ask! So I did! And he proposed! So here we are today...!

It's been a great nine years and I'm so happy to have spent them with him.

Incase you're worried *wink* I am not typing this up today, I am happily enjoying a day with my husband. Two and half days to be precise. Kids are enjoying time with grandparents and we are off relaxing and eating yummy restaurant food! Hooray!!!

Happy Anniversary Burt!!!!!!