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!!!!!!

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... ;)