paper... scissors... ROCK!

for sale with pics...

2011-04-25T12:37:00.001-04:00

I've been posting photos of all my sets for sale. Please feel free to wheel and deal! I'd love to see these gone and loved ASAP!
I will keep this list updated.

recycled smutt...

2010-09-09T22:05:00.002-04:00

I took this pic with my phone, so sorry it's not all that and a bag of chips... not that my pics ever are. LOL

This is my before pic... I am still working on it and I will post another pic tomorrow or the next day when it's all done. This is one of those projects where it just always seems to need one more thing. I just really wanted to share it cuz I love it :)

Onto the good stuff. I saw this tutorial... I'll share the link later or check it out in my SCS gallery. The link to that is on the right. I used one of those smutty trashy novels for my wreath. I can't tell you if it was a good story or not because frankly I never read that book. I don't even remember where it came from. I think it was a yard sale find with a box of Stephen King books. I am more of a James Patterson kinda gal now (though I admit to reading the Twilight series too.)

I edged all the sides of the book with a dark brown cats eye. It really adds definition to the pages. The tutorial used a painted edge. I can't be bothered with painting when I can just dab with an ink pad.

who me...

2010-09-05T15:01:00.003-04:00

I haven't been very crafty this summer, but with school starting I hope to get back on the ball! I am working really hard at organizing my craft room and that too has been helping with my creativity. So, maybe you will be seeing more of me these days... both of you!

Teachers are always requesting gel hand sanitizer and I thought it would be fun to deck these two out. Who am I kidding, I was cleaning up some projects from... well, I don't even want to tell you how long ago! and I didn't want to put the apple paper away so instead I whipped these two simple beauties out. The bottles are slightly tapered and that was the hardest part. These were easy peasy!

supplies
paper: DCWV
accessories: SU ribbon, DCWV stickers and unknown die cut letters

the office can...

2010-05-08T06:40:00.005-04:00

I made these tins for the teachers for teacher appreciation day. I like to call them an "office in a tin because it's got everything you need. A pen, a mechanical pencil, some post it notes, paperclips, binder clips, push pins and a mini roll of tape. These are great to carry in your purse or glove box in your car. Plus, they are purty.

I bought these tins a while ago. They are the size of an altoids box but they are plain silver and have never had food in them.

The other box is filled with pick goodies :)

supplies
paper: luxe designs sugar cookie, stampin up lovely flowers
accessories: may arts ribbon, su in color ribbon

doves in a bottle...

2010-05-07T06:28:00.002-04:00

These frap bottles are all decked out for teacher appreciation week. So far I've managed to give the teachers something handmade each day. I think they are enjoying getting handmade gifts. I gave these Dove chocolate filled bottles to them yesterday. They looked so yummy that my daughter was begging for a piece.

I was worried that the kids would break the bottles on the way to school but they managed to get them there without breakage.

supplies
paper: luxe designs sugar cookie, stampin up lovely flowers
accessories: may arts ribbon, su in color ribbon, heidi swapp bling

my boy...

2010-05-06T18:02:00.003-04:00

This is my boy. He's eight and loves mini golf so we celebrated with his classmates and friends by playing a round of mini golf. It was a beautiful day... the sky was much bluer than it looks in this photo :)

Happy birthday bud :)

get the sensation...

2010-05-06T06:37:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I posted a box book that I made for my son's teacher Miss O'Grady. This one was made for my daughter's teacher Mrs. Seuffert.

I wasn't in such a rush, so I managed to get a photo of this 'book" open. Inside these boxes are yummy York Peppermint Patties because that's her favorite :)

Do you like this paper? I sure hope so! You will be seeing more of it. It came from Tuesday Morning and I have a whole pack. Mrs. Seuffert will be getting a few projects made with this purty paper. So, I hope she likes it!

supplies
stamps: cloud 9 simple thoughts laughter
ink: chocolate chip
paper: luxe designs sugar cookie scarlet
accessories: vanilla hph, may arts ribbon

take 5...

2010-05-05T09:26:00.005-04:00

We are still appreciating our teachers. Yesterday, this is what I sent in for Miss O'Grady. She's really a sweet lady. She is substituting for our regular teacher, who is out on maternity leave. Miss O'Grady will be leaving us soon and I will miss her. She is new to teaching and I wish her luck in her career.

I whipped out this box book in no time with my Scor-Pal (love it!!). It's held together with a ribbon that was dyed with a Copic marker. It opens up and inside is a scene similar to this one in front. I didn't get it made in time for my son to take it to school *and* get a pic of the inside.

Inside the boxes are take5 candy bars. Yum :)

supplies
stamps: papertrey ink springtime doodles, mega mixed messages
ink: memento tux black
paper: dcwv nana's nursery baby boy, black scrap
accessories:may arts ribbon, copic markers, stickles

teacher appreciation week...

2010-05-01T20:47:00.006-04:00

I followed the tutorial on SCS to make this file folder legal pad holder. I really like these and I hope the teachers do too. I have one that I use when I go to conferences and other meetings at school or anywhere that I might need to take notes. Mine is well loved and it shows :)

These particular file folders had matching pens. I got a pack of three folders and a three pack of pens from the $ store, so I still had enough to make more :)

I made two of these today. The other one is slightly different. For this one, I secured it with a Basic Gray magnetic snap. The other one ties closed with the ribbon which loops around the entire booklet.

A final detail I added was a DCWV rub on placed on the pen. It's near the bottom and has the teacher's initial on it.
supplies
paper: dollar store file folders
accessories: cheapo ribbon that I got on clearance somewhere.

i have an amazing sister...

2010-04-21T02:02:00.003-04:00

Did you know that? I have three actually, but my sister Joanne has been home from work the last few days and I stopped by one day to keep her company. Not only did she make all these yummy flowers for me, but she taught me how to make them too! Some are five petal and some are six petal... I just might go all out and make some seven petal! Rebel! I still need practice. Mine aren't nearly as beautimus as these delights but they are usable.

Thanks Jo <3

whimsical smooches...

2010-04-12T09:18:00.003-04:00

So, a good friend sent me some chip shapes and demanded that I use them. Such a good friend. She knows I haven't been very creative lately and that I needed a kick in the pants. *love you Karen!*

So, I've had said chip for about a week... keeping in on top of the pile of clutter so as not to get lost but there was just no inspiration aside from the desire to use the chip... till I went to the Heirloom expo in Allentown, PA where I scored me some smooch SPRITZ.

So, I spritzed some wine berry smooch onto the embossed chip :) Sweet. Love. It! How nice of Heidi to include such a purty pattern on my heart for me. Easy peasy! Sure, I had bright pink finger tips when I was done, but it washed off remarkable easily. I was impressed! Since the wine berry wasn't spritzed too evenly I didn't want to over do it with the base and I thought my PTI dots would be a great compliment. The in-color rich razzleberry matches very well so I went with it.

I stamped the sentiment in Memento black and added the May Arts black satin ribbon to provide some contrast.

supplies
stamps: pti polka dot basics, su whimsical words
ink: su rich razzleberry, memento tuxedo black
paper: gina k pure lux white
accessories: may arts black stain ribbon, heidi swapp invisibles chipboard shapes

small wonder...

2010-02-27T13:19:00.004-05:00

My son's girlfriend is due to have their small wonder in a few weeks and she asked me to make her shower invitations. I use the word "asked" loosely, I don't think I had much of a choice in the matter. Not that I minded, I am always up for paper crafting and using up my hoarded stash :)

This is what I came up with. I chose these colors because they are her favorites for the baby.

Sorry the pic is dark. I lost my camera cable and had to take the pic on my phone.

Thanks Georgann... your stamping and embossing really, really helped! I owe you!

supplies
stamps:
ink: close to cocoa craft
paper: all stampin up certainly celery and close to cocoa dsp, natural white, certainly celery, chocolate chip , blush blossom, and barely banana
accessories: iridescent ice embossing powder, su edge punch, everyday paper dolls cricut cartridge, pretty in pink pastel

who? me? again???

2010-02-15T09:07:00.001-05:00

I know, right? Me... two days in a row. Don't worry. I don't have much else to share right now but I wanted to share these two together. I won't be bothering you everyday.

This for my son's second grade teacher and is also filled with yummy Ghirardelli chocolates. Sinful, I tell ya.

I used my SU border punch for this one. Went simpler after the fiasco with the other punch! Added the bling to kick it up a notch. I also used to new unmounted SU stamps. Finally, they got on the unmounted boat! Way to go SU!

supplies
stamps: su whimsical words
ink: night of navy
paper: american crafts a la carte gyro
accessories: su ivory grosgrain

hijacked...

2010-02-14T20:02:00.003-05:00

No, it's really just me. I just fell off the face of the earth for a while :) There was Christmas, then my daughters birthday in early January and she's in kindergarten now so it's kinda a big deal these days. And I am going to be a grandma.. yeah, I know. I'm not old enough but it seems no one told my boys that! Anyway, we're getting excited as Bryce will soon be here. Just a few more weeks if he decides to show up on time. Plus, I am ashamed to admit I was addicted to too many of those blasted facebook games. Yoville. That's it. I allow myself that one game. No Mafia Wars, no Cafe World, no Farmville... you get the picture. If you play look me up :)

So, I plan to get back into crafting and blogging again. Actually, I've been crafting. Any kind words of encouragement is appreciated :) Oh, and thanks to those who missed me. I really appreciate that.

Here's a little tote I made for my daughter to give to her kindergarten teacher. It's got a bag of Valentine Ghirardelli chocolates in there. Yup, the big one. She's that good. I just wish I knew school would be closed for three days due to the snow we have in the Northeast. I would have gotten them tomorrow when they are half price.

For this sweet tote, I pulled out my Scor-Pal. Love that thing! I just lined the candy box up with the lines on the Pal and went at it. I rarely follow directions and I just wing it quite often. I waste a LOT of paper that way, but I still have an abundance so I am generally OK with that. The mouse is from the DCWV stack and I cut her out with my craft knife. I added a little shimmer of cheapo glitter glue to her bow, and some red grosgrain (after Christmas clearance at Target, love it!) as a handle. The top of the bag was done with the EK success punches. My intent was to do both layers with the larger scallop but the punch had other ideas. It stuck on the cardstock and refused to give it up. An email to EK success solved that little problem, but not in time to finish the bag. If your punch gets stuck on cardstock, they say to toss it in the freezer to contract the metal then punch foil and wax paper. I knew the last part but the freezer idea was new to me. I hope that tip helps both of you :)

supplies
paper: dcwv farmer's market paper stack
accessories: red grosgrain, ek success punches

got swine flu...

2009-10-11T06:50:00.001-04:00

Don't blame my... my husband chose the title for this one! What a funny card to give someone with the swine flu though! He wants me to make more. Honestly, I hope I don't know anyone to give a swine flu get well card to.

This is a card I made for one of Beate's sketches. I love the inspiration I get from her blog and I am so glad she chose not to change it. I doubt that she reads my measly ole blog but Thanks Beate for creating such an awsome blog!

On to the card... The colors on the bedding aren't exactly what I wanted and it matches better in real life than it seems to here. I wish I wouldn't have chosen a pig to go on this patterned paper. I found it very limiting in choices of color for the image.
supplies
stamps: stampin up from a wish rak so i am not certain of the set
ink: basic black, copic markers
paper: stampin up blush blossom and very vanilla, k & company k-ology hannah
accessories: prima (burg) and american crafts paper flowers, mme button, may arts twine

ring around the snowman...

2009-10-05T10:53:00.001-04:00

I've always loved this image. I'm not really sure why I don't own it. LOL

I colored these guys with Copic markers and cut them out with my nesties layering on a nestie flower. I really like the wavy crazy look of that.

The card base and layers were done at CKC during the crop. I didn't stay long. It seems the CKC crops go down hill every year. I'd heard that the Friday night crop is better than the Saturday night crop so I scheduled that one but there's so many people there and it's so loud and the contests they do are so cheesy anymore! I'm not sure if I will be attending a crop next year. Seems a waste to pay for a crop that I leave half way through. I wish the vendor fair was open that late though! Hee hee ;p

supplies
ink: black colored with colored with copic markers
paper: sei christmas mint cocoa cluster, american crafts red textured, coredinations color core green
accessories: pti white organdy dotted ribbon, stash red organdy ribbon, nestabilities

tulips in winter...

2009-09-21T06:21:00.002-04:00

OK, so I haven't been stamping per se but I have been card making... and that's gotta count for something, right?

The base and layers on this one were done at the CKC crop with goodies I either bought there or brought there. My intention was to make all this years Christmas cards at the crop. That didn't happen.

I can't remember who makes this image but I think you can get it at all that scraps. It was a wish that I stole out of someone elses wish stash. Thanks G!
supplies
ink: black colored with colored with copic markers
paper: sei christmas winter song snow bubbles, american crafts red textured, coredinations color core green, my minds eye wild asparagus mint paisley striped, blue scrap from my stash
accessories: stampin up ribbon, glass gems

hanging angels...

2009-09-19T06:01:00.003-04:00

I was inspired by Beate's weekend sketch challenge (WSC97) but I rarely get time to create on the day challenges are published.

I stamped this Elzy months ago at Tracy Tripp's place. The same day I made that little birdie bind-it-all book. She's been sitting patiently on my french board all colored up and ready to go. Just waiting for a project especially for her. This was it!

supplies
stamps: elzybells
ink: basic black, stampin up old olive, copic markers
paper: stampin up old olive, k & company k-ology hannah
accessories: stampin up ribbon, fancy pants hat pin, nestabilities, stampin up rub on sentiment, sponge dauber

pool par-tay...

2009-09-08T18:45:00.005-04:00

The kids were invited to a birthday party last weekend and I made this card for the birthday girl. I started with a SFYTT sketch (lost the real keyword) but I forgot to add the shaped accent over the half circle... ooops! I don't think anyone noticed. No one has to know but me... well, and the three of you who read my blog (or at least look at the pictures.)

Beautiful Bella is colored with Copic Markers with a dab of Stickles on her eyes, dotted on the ribbons on her dress and was added to the hearts on the half circle.

Normally, I wouldn't put sage shadow with blush blossom and... uh.... ruby red? Yeah, ruby red! But I used a 6x6 stack I snagged at CKC for $2 and my original intent was to use another patterned paper from the stack on this as well and the green matched that other sheet perfectly. When all was ready to be glued I didn't like the other paper as much so I added the Stickles and kept the hearts. By the time I realized there wasn't any other green, the heart were already adhered. I do like those colors though. Good thing!
supplies
stamps: stamping bella
ink: memento black
paper:sassafrass sunshine lollipops, su sage shadow and blush blossom
accessories: ribbon from a mme kit from ckc, fruit punch stickles

a little birdie told me to get a...

2009-08-30T09:38:00.001-04:00

Bind it All. So, here it is... the book that started it all. Georgann and I went to my friend Tracy's house a while ago and we made these cute little books. Tracy rocks, and I am truly not as good of a friend as she is... I just have such a hard time getting back to people in a timely matter! It's not personal, really... so if any of you out there is waiting for a reply from me... give me a prod OK?

This was made with Tracy's stash of goodies, and I really can't remember it all. I know it's a Stampin' Up chipboard birdie, some May Arts, Stampin' Up and American Crafts ribbons (as well as others) I think the eyelet is WRMemories and the paper is also Stampin' Up.

Tracy, if you're reading this... love ya and I suck :(

how quickly they grow...

2009-08-29T12:17:00.006-04:00

It's hard to believe the cute pup we got just a few months ago has already grown into this monster! I had him at the vet this morning and he weighs 27.5 pounds already! Someone send him a memo... he thinks he's a lapdog. We expect him to grow to be about 80-100 lbs. WHAT was I thinking???

Bowzer has been going to puppy training classes and he's usually a pretty good pup. We've "bell trained" him so he rings a cow bell when he needs to go out, which is actually a lot less annoying than it sounds. He wasn't signaling us to take him out but this seemed to work great for him. That in itself is less annoying!

bees at gees...

2009-08-28T08:53:00.003-04:00

So, I've been fooling with a new watermark. I love images of butterflies and orange is my favorite color, so I wanted to incorporate that too. I'm kinda feeling like the orange is too bold though. What do you think?

I don't even know how long ago this was made! Georgann had recently ordered this stampset and I was playing around with it. I think because she was using it for a workshop. I oozed a little crystal effects on the honey creeping out of the honey pot.

supplies
stamps: stampin up just buzzin' by
ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers
paper: patterned paper by making memories, barely banana, old olive
accessories:crystal effects, ek success border punch

spotting bunnies...

2009-08-25T17:02:00.000-04:00

This patterned paper from Making Memories was dirt cheap at Tuesday Morning... remember my TM craze? I haven't been there in months! and my credit cards LOVE me for it! LOL

The image was colored with Copic markers and the scallop and circle was cut with my nesties. I used some Stampin' Up ribbon that hangs in front of my face and a cute SU button knotted with DMC floss. I hate nakkid buttons, don't you? I have to have something going through them. I don't think I'm a prude or anything... but a nakkid button?? ICK!!
supplies
stamps: stampin up serene spring
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: pti ripe avocodo, stampin' up cool caribbean, making memories patterned paper
accessories: stampin' up ribbon and button, dmc floss

bad blogger...

2009-08-21T16:46:00.004-04:00

Life has been crazy this summer but soon school is starting and it should settle down some. I hope to get to blog more regularly soon... at least once or twice a week! In the mean time, I will be publishing some things I made over the end of the school year and summer vacation.

This is a project I made with my bind it all for a teacher's gift. The thick felt coaster is from Michael's and they were four for a buck! It's backed with a plain white coaster and has white paper inside. The little gems are by Chatterbox and also from Michael's dollar spot. Ribbons are from my scrap box and are American Crafts, Stampin' Up, and other unknown brands... love using scraps!

a pup named bowzer....

2009-07-06T12:29:00.003-04:00

I know, I am crazy, right? Yup... I am. Meet Bowzer. He's two months old now and he's been around for about a week. He's a really good pup, but that could change by tomorrow. Today he started nipping at feet. But look at those eyes... who could stay mad?

tickled pink...

2009-06-08T04:06:00.001-04:00

My daughters teachers assistant loves pigs! I always have a hard time with her because I don't have that many pig stamps and I hate giving her the same ones time after time. SO I found this oldie but goodie that I hadn't used for her yet. WooHoo!

I stamped in pink on the note cards, then stamped in black on a scrap of ancient SU paper (gotta love using up scraps!) I cut each piggy out and plastered it over the pink image... leaving the pink tail and the pink sentiment.

After cutting out all those piggies, I decided to make things easier on myself. So, I snipped off the sentiment and stamped piggies onto each envelope in pink. No markers.

I made the little book with that white chip backer from a pack of su dsp and covered it with matching old su paper. I didn't like any of my fancy ribbons I have with this, so I went with plain old grosgrain on all spirals.

supplies
stamps: su very punny
ink: regal rose, memento black
paper: old su designer, pti white
accessories: bind it all (yes you really do need one!) ribbons, copic marker

a note for coffee lovers...

2009-06-06T21:06:00.004-04:00

I made these notes for my daughters teacher. She loves coffee. I wasn't sure what her favorite color is, so I used Cameo Coral and Blush Blossom because... well they're MY favorite colors! I love the feel of Paper Tray cardstock for note cards. They are so sturdy with a hint of texture. It just makes me want to write a note. I made some matching envelopes in case she wanted to mail them or just have a nice put together set :) Each note card was edged with a coordinating Copic Marker.

... and what set would be complete without a handy dandy notebook? I simply cover some coasters with chocolate paper, edged it with a paint dabber layered up an image and slapped it on. The sentiment is on the inside cover. She loved it!

supplies
stamps: pti warm happiness
ink: su cameo coral, blush blossom, chocolate chip,
paper: su cameo coral, blush blossom, chocolate chip, whisper white, pti white
accessories: assorted pti, su and scrap ribbons, adirondack acrylic paint dabber in salmon, copic marker, bind it all

romantic orange...

2009-05-27T22:01:00.001-04:00

This card was made especially for my new friend
Cheri. We don't get together enough. Cheri, Let's do lunch! Last time we did lunch I gave her this card to make her smile.

Since I made it about 6 weeks ago and forgot to post it, I don't remember a lot of the details. The flowers are Prima, the ovals are nesties, the coloring was with Copics, there's Stickles all over the place an su gem. That about says it :)

thanks for peeking!

~j

guess what i got...

2009-05-26T08:53:00.000-04:00

umm humm a bind it all! I've been wanting one forever. I spec'ed them out in stores online and in person. eP has lovely ones :D I was all ready to buy one when I found this used one on freecycle. Even came with coils! So here's the first lovely I made with it. It will be a teachers gift.

The cherries coaster came that way... I know how exciting that I didn't even have to cover it with paper. This sentiment reminded me of the saying "Life is like a bowl of cherries" so I knew it was going on here. I just wish I'd used red ink and a green scallop. Live and learn. It's not like I don't have three other teachers to make them for! I guess it's a good thing that when JoAnn's had these printed coasters 4/50c that I bought them all up! Each pack comes with two cherry and two red and white gingham. Too cute!

supplies
stamp: kolette hall
paper: american crafts red, georgia pacific white, joanns printed coasters
accessories: taylored expressions, making memories, stampin, up and michael's ribbons

remember me...

2009-05-25T19:55:00.004-04:00

... sure you do! I've just been so busy with school and all my other busy work that I have neglected my blog for what, a MONTH! I am so sorry! I hope you'll forgive me :) purty please?????

Here is something I worked on just after I went MIA. It's a box I got for half price at the stamp expo. I decorated it all up for Carefree Karen who now resides in Hawaii!

It was for my little give away months ago. Yeah, it took a while to get to her, but that was part of the rules! I hope all the goodies I stuff inside made it worth the wait. It's been so long, I really have no idea what I crammed into it.

There's little gems at the top of each scallop and I used the SU ribbons around it. I dabbed some Ranger acrylic paint on the edges (love those dabbers and I am so glad I got like ten different colors at the stamp expo!)

supplies
paper: stampin' up urban garden
accessories: stampin' up corduroy buttons and ribbon, michael's gems, martha stewart border punch, ranger acrylic paint dabber

my first ketto...

2009-04-12T07:40:00.001-04:00

Who doesn't love the new Ketto stamps over at Stamping Bella? They are all so cute it's so hard to pick just one! I was stamping some out to share with a friend :) and I decided to stamp a few out for myself too. She is on naturals white paper and colored with copic markers. I wasn't sure how the markers were going to work with the naturals paper but I was quite pleased. I hope you like it!

supplies
stamps: agnes ketto by stampiung bella, i forget who made the sentiment
ink: memento tuxedo black and righ cocoa, copic markers
paper: cool caribbean, close to cocoa, regal rose, naturals white, su patterned paper
accessories: su ribbon originals, frosted lace stickles, michael's gems

that's what he said...

2009-04-11T07:32:00.000-04:00

Another Inky Antics grab bag stamp. I told you I made out like a bandit, right? LOVE that grab bag!

I am not really a sentiment kinda gal, but I do love this one and I have been loving all the big sentiment stamps out there. I was super happy to see this one in the bag and had to use it right away.

The paper piercing was an after thought and I really think it was better before, but too late now.

supplies
stamps: inky antics life in years
ink: su tempting turquoise
paper: su basic gray, groovy guava, tempting turquoise, su patterned,
accessories: target club wed ribbon

happy day...

2009-04-10T07:24:00.000-04:00

It was a happy day when I stumbled upon this cute stamp by Inky Antics. Wanna guess where he's from? Yup. The grab bag! Isn't he adorable? I heart him. The scrap of paper was from my counter. I don't remember why it was out. LOL Yes, my counter is that messy!

supplies
stamps: inky antics flower chick
ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers
paper: su bashful blue, patterned paper
accessories: gem, su ribbon, su rub-on

their heads were rolling...

2009-04-09T09:24:00.000-04:00

First off, sorry this card is a little fuzzy. I've already sent it away and can't snap another one.

This card just cracks me up. The little sheep head rocks back and forth. There's a pendulum inside that makes it go back and forth. I made it for a shoe box swap I was in... what a mess! I did a lot of the work ahead of time but it still was crazy! Heads were upside down and rocking uncontrollably! I swear that heard had tourettes or something. This swap card might have been a flop but it sure was a lot of fun and we had a lot of laughs!

supplies
stamps: su rough texture wheel, gina k basket of kindness
ink: su bashful blue, memento tuxedo black
paper: su patterned paper, bashful blue, whisper white, basic black
accessories: pti twill, pink gems, su pewter buckle, lots of punches

boxy...

2009-04-07T03:40:00.000-04:00

This decked out prima essentials box is going off to Sara. One of my tagging friends. Isn't it fun? The image... well I won't even say it because you know where it's from and why I don't know anything about it or the white paper it was stamped on! Because Sara is such a sweetie, it's loaded with fun :)

I am sure you recognize this super cute american crafts a la mode paper :) ...love it! the green is on the reverse side. I don't know if I told you that before. I know, it just gets better! It matches almost perfectly with PTI ripe avocado.

supplies
stamps: stamping bella
ink: black
paper: su summer sun, pretty in pink and american crafts a la mode fondant
accessories: prima essentials box, martha stewart scallop punch, pti ribbon, copic markers

she's back...

2009-04-06T07:25:00.004-04:00

When I was a teen I loved striped pants and I decided she needed some so I pieced some on. I think they are fun. Plus, I had this paper left out from a special project I was working on. It's coming up in the next week or so.
I didn't have the color marker I wanted for her shirt, so I layered some blue and gray till I got the shade I liked. It goes pretty well with the DSP.
supplies
stamps: inky antics beverage girl
ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers
paper: su very vanilla and urban garden, pti ripe avocado
accessories: michael's gem, su ribbon

great minds...

2009-04-05T06:24:00.000-04:00

I so wanted this Inky Antics stamp but I allowed myself a very small budget for the stamp expo in Oaks, PA. So, I settled for the grab bag instead. Guess what was in the grab bag! YES!! I could hardly believe it! Isn't she sophisticated? I love her. You'll see, she will be back tomorrow!
supplies
stamps: inky antics beverage girl
ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers
paper: su so saffron, whisper white, making memories eliza
accessories: rob and bob studios felt and twill ribbon, michael's half pearls

what's the word, bird...

2009-04-04T09:03:00.006-04:00

This card was made for Beate's weekend sketch challenge. I really enjoyed the sketch this week and I am happy I got some time to play along. I got to play with some new embossing powders that I recemntly bought. That was so much fun because I don't usually use ep and one is this crazy weird clear/green color changing ep. Even though I didn't use it on this project afterall, it was fun to use and see what it did to the different papers I put it on.
supplies
stamps: inkadinkado sentiment, doodle factory pip and
ink: memento tuxedo black, copic markers
paper:su perfect and pale plum, very vanilla. and parisian breeze
accessories: su ribbon originals, michael's bridal flowers and half pearl, sparkle and sprinkle opaline cosmic opaque ep,

pocket invites...

2009-03-27T08:34:00.006-04:00

My friend and former upline asked me to make invitations for her daughter's birthday party. What an honor! The theme is American Girl tea party. Uh-oh! I don't have any tea themed stamps appropriate for a seven year old and I certainly don't have any American Girl stamps! American Girl stamps... there's something to think about. But back to the cards. For inspiration, I used a particular doll that the birthday girl is wishing for and she wears a beautiful floral dress. You can check out Chrissa here. Modeled after the top of the dress, I made a tri-fold pocket card. I used the EK Success scallop in place of the ric rac on Chrissa's dress. Instead of a flower, I added the star (American Girl's Logo) with a white line detail just inside hand drawn with my Inkssentials pen. A white Prima and a button finished it off. Sadly, I forget the manufacturer of the stamp I used. But I hope that I can find it and let you know.
I left the insert blank so she can print out the deets and adhere it to the inside card. The tab is also only attached in the back so that she can afix it over her printed card. I didn't want to do too much to the inside card because she wanted to print the details but I also didn't want to let it go plain, so I scalloped the bottom edge :) I hope the birthday girl likes her invites!
supplies
stamps: unknown
ink: pti ripe avocado
paper: american crafts a la carte minestrone, pti lavendar moon and ripe avocado, su riding hood red
accessories: pti ripe avocado grosgrain, white prima flower, inkssentials white gel pen, button, embroidery floss, ek success scallop punch, su round tab punch and large star punch

didja know i love orange...

2009-03-18T14:14:00.002-04:00

Monday my hubby and I celebrated our eighth wedding anniversary and he surprised me with this beautiful bunch. We are going to dinner on Friday. I don't know where yet, it's a surprise!
Now... if only the rest of outside was this colorful!

age is setting in...

2009-03-09T13:02:00.005-04:00

I really don't know how it happened... but I totally spaced out and forgot to upload this vsn card to my blog. I will be honest here. I was not looking forward to this challenge. I've never seen the movie Princess Bride and that is what this card was to be based on. We were to take a line from the movie (good thing they provided a bunch!) and make a card from one of the movie lines. After reading the challenge rules, I checked out the movie lines that were provided. I had this Starving Artistamps Doodle Factory set out from the chocolate challenge and I knew I had to make a card with it. Call it fate if you will... I won the challenge!! YAY!

This is where I got inspiration for my card:

Westley: I mean, if we only had a wheelbarrow, that would be something.

Inigo Montoya: Where we did we put that wheelbarrow the albino had?

Fezzik: Over the albino, I think.

Westley: Well, why didn't you list that among our assets in the first place?

supplies

stamps: starving artistamps doodlefactory cart, pti green thumb
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: su cool caribbean, apricot appeal, craft, georgia pacific 110# white
accessories: copic markers, prima flowers, ranger liquid pearls, marth stewart edge punch, su ribbon

new stuff...

2009-02-27T05:05:00.002-05:00

This vsn challenge was to use all new goodies! If you know me at all, you know I can't keep my hands off this stamp set! This American Crafts paper is from Tuesday Morning ($2 for 25 sheets) and I got it at the same time I got that yummy fondant paper.

I rock n rolled the leaves in celery and ruby classic ink, the trunk is black because the paper is black. I am not sure I like that but what are you gonna do? I wanted to use the colors from the paper.

supplies
stamps: su trendy trees, pti faux ribbon
ink: su certainly celery, ruby red and memento tuxedo black
paper: american crafts sixth avenue gramercy park, su basic black, georgia pacific white
accessories: su black organdy ribbon, star dust stickles

l...l...l...love....

2009-02-26T21:57:00.000-05:00

This vsn card is all about L's. Are you sick of VSN cards yet? LOL *snort*

This card has layers... letters... leaves... love... and (horizontal) lines

supplies
stamps: ctmh chocolate alphabet and boutique alphabet
ink: su baroque burgundy, soft sky
paper: american crafts sixth avenue gramercy park, su basic black, bazzil yellow
accessories: su canvas cuts

folded joy...

2009-02-26T05:05:00.006-05:00

How great are these google eyes on this PTI Wise Owl? *love it!* This patterned paper is by scrapworks... wanna guess where I got it? WooHoo for using up old stuff! I can't believe how into this vsn challenge I was. Of course I had to do it landscape... FUN!

supplies
stamps:pti Wise Owl
ink: su regal rose, baroque burgundy
paper: su cranberry crisp, regal rose, scrapworks patterned papers
accessories: su cranberry crisp stitched ribbon, sponge dauber, piercing template and tool, google eyes

inching along...

2009-02-25T17:21:00.000-05:00

Another VSN challenge. Inchies aren't my thing and I sure am glad that I have punches for the squares but I do like this sweet little 3x3 card :)

supplies
stamps: ginak basket of happiness
ink: memento tuxedo, su brocade blue
paper: su very vanilla, brocade blue, georgia pacific white
accessories: copic markers

an oldie but a goodie...

2009-02-25T05:05:00.000-05:00

This card was made for the *long lost love* vsn challenge on SCS. I really love this set, and I doubt I will ever part with it. I bought the Stampscapes Migrating Bird stamp specifically for use with this set.

I think this is the same lighthouse. It's where I pulled my colors from.
http://www.lighthouse.cc/portlandhead/index.html

supplies
stamps: stampscapes migrating bird, su coast to coast
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: brocade blue, basic black, soft sky dsp(?), georgia pacific white
accessories: su twill, copic markers, nestabilities

peeking into windows...

2009-02-24T17:35:00.000-05:00

This vsn challenge was to make a window or acetate card. I need to get some transparencies because the ones I have are junk! They are so thin and flimsy... ugh!

I really wish this little lad was a wee bit bigger. LOL And I also wish I remembered who made this stamp set! I am thinking Inkadinkado... hum....

supplies
stamps: you know, i forget.
ink: garden green, memento tuxedo black
paper: su dsp, pretty in pink
accessories: copic markers

daytime tv...

2009-02-24T07:10:00.001-05:00

Saturday's first VSN challenge is about what you're obsessed with. I don't know one paper crafter who isn't obsessed with everything that goes with it so I didn't want to go with that. That being said... Fine... I admit it... I watch soaps. Well, soap. I am a die hard Young & the Restless fan. I DVR every episode they air. That's four of the same episode every day... plus *all five* episode again on Saturday night. You just never know when the president will think whatever he has to say is more important than what Victor Newman is saying! If I am stamping when the soaps are on, I have to watch it again because I have to see every second! I told you I am obsessed!

supplies
stamps: studio g, ctmh classmate alphabet
ink: pti pure poppy, memento tuxedo
paper: su real red, su soft sky dsp, cheapo kraft
accessories: ribbon, michael's pearls, copic markers, staples

booted...

2009-02-23T17:16:00.000-05:00

For this VSN challenge we were to "take a stamp set you don’t like, and incorporate it into a lovely, luscious card". This set is bittersweet for me. It surely is one I *had to have* the very second it was released but aside from the strawberry stamps I just can't ever get it to work for me... and I really don't think this car was any exception. I don't *hate* it. I just don't like it!

supplies
stamps: pti green thumb
ink: su pretty in pink, pti ripe avocado
paper: pti ripe avocado, american crafts a la mode fondant
accessories: star dust stickles, su so saffron twill, michaels pearls

a little sketchy...

2009-02-23T05:21:00.002-05:00

Can you guess what this is? Did you say a VSN Sketch Challenge? If so, you're right! This red flower isn't really this fluorescent... it's more of a true red but I can't get it to photograph :(

supplies
stamps: pti faux ribbon
ink: pti ripe avocado, pretty in pink
paper: american crafts a la mode fondant, su pretty in pink, barely banana, georgia pacific white
accessories: primas, dmc floss, wooden button, nesties, sponge daubers, michael's pearl

split baby...

2009-02-22T19:44:00.000-05:00

This baby has an identity crisis! LOL Really, another VSN challenge here. This one is called split negative. Usually this is done with embossing but I played with my SU pastels. I don't think they've seen the light of day since the last time I've played in VSN... what like two years ago???

supplies
stamps: no idea who makes this kiddo
ink: versamark
paper: su certainly celery, so sarrfon, pink pirouette, soft sky, dcwv nanas nursery boy and girl
accessories: su pastels, sponge dauber

chocolate loving princess...

2009-02-22T07:25:00.002-05:00

Another VSN challenge. Good times. This challenge assigned a different color combination to chocolate varieties. We were to choose out favorite chocolate (Lindt milk for me please!) and use those colors. Fun!

I popped the heart up on a dimentional. The pearls on the princess were colored red with a copic.

supplies
stamps: ctmh classmate alphabet, starving artistamps princess winifred
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: su close to cocoa, real red, always amethyst, gp white
accessories: copic markers, michaels pearls, su ribbon, ms lace punch

vsn makes difficult cards easy...

2009-02-21T08:27:00.003-05:00

Last week a good friend's aunt lost her battle with cancer. It's always hard for anyone to make a sympathy card and I've been putting this one off too long but VSN to the rescue! I had this paper out because it's also from the scrapworks kit I was talking about yesterday. Isn't it purty? And I don't think I've put this stamp set down in the last three days! This challenge was to make a monochromatic card.

To get the textured look on the tree leaves, I first inked up and then patted my finger tip over the center of the image. You can use a cotton swab if you don't want to get your finger inky.

supplies
stamps: su trendy trees, warmest regards
ink: pti dark chocolate, berry sorbet
paper: pti berry sorbet, sweet blush, scrapworks ethan kate
accessories: pti satin ribbon, glitter glue, nesties

trendy thanks...

2009-02-20T05:05:00.001-05:00

Do you even want to know when this paper is from?? OMG! I think it was from CKC in 2006 or 2007! See this is what happened:

I signed up for a scrapworks class, and they "forgot" all their class materials! Found out later that they were bought out or whatever but all they did during the whole class was give away prizes (everyone got one). They promised that we'd all get our class stuff in the mail but I never did, so I called the number they gave us and about a week later I got a box loaded with goodies :D No class stuff but at least the class fee worth of junk so I was happy! Plus, how pretty is this paper??! And this wasn't the first time I'd cut into it like that Piggy Tales goodness yesterday.

I did up the inside nice and purty so I thought I'd show it too :)

supplies
stamps: trendy trees
ink: su old olive, summer sun and real rust, brilliance graphite black
paper: scrapworks ethan kate, dcwv yellow, pti ripe avocado, georgia pacific white
accessories: sponge dauber, glitter glue, pti ribbon, copic marker

big dreams...

2009-02-19T06:51:00.001-05:00

I got this paper last August at CKC and I am only now cutting into it. I just *had* to have in last summer though! The Piggy Tales booth had everything at fantastic prices though! Who could resist? You?? Ha!

I put liquid applique on the poof of smoke coming out of the rocket and the whole rocket is popped up on dimentionals. It's hard to see in the pic, and I am not very good at close up shots yet but the entire rocket is colored with glitter pens... very shimmery.

supplies
stamps: ctmh reach for the stars
ink: su real red, palette noir
paper: pti white, gina k white, piggy tales chicken little the sky is falling and henny penny, green scrap
accessories: liquid applique, decocolor glitter paint markers, nestabilities, martha stewart scallop punch, nesties

still...

2009-02-18T09:53:00.009-05:00

Yup... still making journals! I can't help it!

This one had a really ugly print on it, but because it was printed on kraft paper instead of something glossy like they usually are, I painted it with some black craft paint. I can't really say where the paint was from because I think it came in a kit... maybe it is by Making Memories. Anyway, I used the whole tube on this little book (woohoo something gone from my hoarding stash!) I can't even remember where or when I bought it. How sad is that?? This was for my son's teacher for his birthday. I made a matching card and it looked pretty much just like this so I am not uploading it. It's almost the same :)

supplies
stamps: su branch out, happiness is a journey
ink: brilliance graphite black, su close to cocoa, garden green, really rust
paper: su garden green, really rust
accessories: sponge daubers, notebook (yup, clearance at borders)

for beate's sketch...

2009-02-16T17:28:00.004-05:00

This is getting old, but this image was snagged from Georgann. YES! I did leave her some, I promise! I cut it out with my nestabilities dies, and I colored it with the same Copic markers I used the other day when I colored the other image. On this one, I used frosted lace stickles (I rarely use real stickles but I did today!).

To follow Beate's WSC68 sketch, I cut the circles with my coluzzle. The green bottom layer was scalloped with my SU corner rounder. I didn't decorate the inside yet, but I will :)

supplies
stamps: stamping bella
ink: black
paper: su so saffron, american crafts a la mode fondant
accessories: nestabilities, frosted lace stickles, mm paper flowers and brad

our nation's history...

2009-02-15T17:38:00.007-05:00

This weekend we spent some time at Historical Valley Forge National Park for some reenactment shows. If you're ever in the area, check out the park. It has amazingly beautiful views not to mention wonderful American History.

Here's some of the great performances we saw today:

Firing the muskets

marching in formation

preparing the cannon to fire (boy was that thing LOUD!)

giggling flowers...

2009-02-12T05:38:00.002-05:00

This image just makes me smile. It's sooo cute and girlie like my daughter. She tries to keep up with her brother, but she loves all things girl. She isn't into playing dolls and Barbies, she is mechanically inclined and plays with k'nex and her computer (and wii of course!) but she loves to draw and she also loves to do things to her hair (she really likes to braid it wet so it's curly and she already told me she wants to color it) and she loves to paint her fingernails. She also likes to dress up. Did I mention her love of stuffed animals (UGH!!!)

This Stamping Bella image was snagged from Georgann along with others, so I don't know much else about it. I colored her with copics. The sentiment is from faux ribbon by Paper Tray and it was stamped with su old olive classic ink. Oh, and the paper! The paper is by American Crafts, from the a la mode line and is from Tuesday Morning. I got a pack of 25 sheets for just $1.99! So since I have a large pack be prepared to see more of it (and the other two packs I bought).

supplies
stamps: stamping bella; paper tray faux ribbon
ink: unknown black, su old olive
paper: american crafts a la mode fondant
accessories: ribbon from my stash, copic markers as shown

still making notebooks...

2009-02-11T07:49:00.000-05:00

Can you tell I am having a ball making these notebooks? Love 'em!

I inked up Branch Out from SU for this one. I originally made this as a teachers gift, but I think it's going to my brother because we had a tire swing when we were kids and this book just makes me think of him... and that one time he fell on the picnic table swinging from it *snort*. I hope he likes it :)

supplies
stamps: su branch out
ink: pti dark chocolate, su garden green, sahara sand and basic black
paper: su whisper white, garden green, and basic black
accessories: another one of those great notebooks from borders!

another teacher's notebook...

2009-02-10T07:37:00.000-05:00

Last week I gave my daughter's teacher a piggy notebook. Well, she has two teachers and I didn't want the other teacher to feel left out. So this week the other teacher gets hers!

I was inspired to create this book simply by the stamp set. And with all the yummy birthday PTI goodies around lately I *had* to use my PTI inks, papers and ribbons. It started as a test to see how well the spring moss would look with the aqua mist. It's hard to see in the photo because of the shimmery stickles but the stamps was inked in spring moss and rock and rolled into the aqua mist ink. I really really like it. I didn't want too much shine, so I only glittered the aqua mist leaves... and it added just what I was looking for! I *LOVE* when that happens... like what, once a year! I didn't want the tree floating, so a squiggle with my copic YG63 grounded it.

supplies
stamps: su trendy trees
ink: pti spring moss, aqua mist and dark chocolate
paper: pti spring moss, aqua mist and dark chocolate
accessories: pti spring moss, aqua mist and dark chocolate ribbons, another clearance spiral notebook from borders, stickles, copic marker, sewing machine

cozy kids....

2009-02-09T16:57:00.006-05:00

My husband bought me a *slanket* for Christmas. The kids love it so today I am making one for each of them. If you don't know what a slanket is, it's similar to a *snuggli*. Pretty much, it's a blanket with sleeves. I used some SU purely pomegranate satin ribbon to edge it. I will add my son's tomorrow... I am still sewing that one!

digging these challenges...

2009-02-09T06:57:00.001-05:00

I have so been digging playing along with the challenges on SCS. I am totally going to have to play more often! Saturday is the inspiration challenge and I was inspired by this mug and some fun new things from Stampin' Up that Georgann brought me.

I covered the chip board birds in the SAB delicate dots paper. The ribbon is some long retired ribbon that's been in my stash since I was a demo! I stamped off to subdue the SU not quite navy ink a little.

supplies
stamps: pti faux ribbon
ink: su not quite navy
paper: su delicate dots, so saffron, bashful blue
accessories: su so tweet on board, making memories paper flowers, heidi swapp brad, googlie eyes, su beachfront ribbon originals

wear red...

2009-02-08T09:38:00.000-05:00

(Last) Friday was National Wear Red day so I decided it was finally time to finish up this card. I stamped and colored this to give to my friend who had heart surgery years ago. I didn't finish it till now so I will be sending this off to her soon :) Yay, one more thing off my french board!

I colored and stamped the shirt with my su markers in real red and basic black. Colored the ribbon with my Copic markers and went over it with my clear copic atyou spica marker. The real red panel was pierced with my ornare stencil and a red gem was placed in the center of the flower. The SU basic gray layer was scalloped with my Martha Stewart punch and smaller gems were placed over the small hole that remained from the punch.

supplies
stamps: melanie muenchinger for gina k. designs
ink: su real red, basic black
paper: pti white, su real red, basic black and basic gray
accessories: copic markers, michael's gems

a gift for you...

2009-02-06T16:38:00.004-05:00

I picked up this tag from a blogging friend Jorge... oh wait... it was Jen!. It sounded like a lot of fun :) so I am game. I hope you are too!

This game involves a few of my favorite things: handmade goods, creativity, and gift-giving. Here are the tagging instructions: The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1- I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2- What I create will be just for you.
3- It'll be done this year. (might be a little while)
4- You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleaning your face before a masque. I may draw or paint something. I may bake you something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!
5- I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must repost this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on your blog.

The first 5 people to do so, and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!

Feel free to tell me some of the things in life that inspire you & make you happy in your post :)

144 inklings...

2009-02-05T09:49:00.006-05:00

This weeks Inkling over at SCS was this fun crimped envelope card. I changed mine up a little from the sample and directions they have on Splitcoast. On the tutorial, the top portion slides over the bottom. Mine butts up. I needed the extra space for the long image. I also attached my insert to the top because I wanted it to slide out when you pulled the top off. I plan on doing another one following the directions next time ;)

So, I forget where I got these totally kewl shimmery envelopes. They have been in my stash forever because I *knew* I needed them... I just didn't know why till yesterday! I sponged the envelope with close to cocoa on the edges and it really gives a nice golden glow. I really really like it! I also covered the mugs with crystal effects because they were just too blah against the shimmery envelope. The ce really made them pop.

I can't wait to play with this technique again. It surely was a load of fun! Check out the link to SCS so you can give it a try too. I know you're gonna love it too!

supplies
stamps: flourishes coffee with friends
ink: su close to cocoa, palette noir and brilliance graphite black
paper: su close to cocoa, cameo coral, shimmery envelope
accessories: ornare template, piercing tool, may arts ribbon, crystal effects

thinking about gina...

2009-02-04T04:27:00.000-05:00

for Gina K.

supplies
stamps: winter foliage, say it with flowers
ink: mellow moss, old olive
paper: old olive, bordering blue very vanilla, vellum
accessories: brown machine stitching

smile piggy...

2009-02-03T06:45:00.002-05:00

My daughter's teacher loves pigs. I made this as an *end of year* present but I think I am going to give it to her tomorrow. Why wait when I know I am going to get suckered into giving the homeroom mom money as well. I also got her the cutest little piggy hat at Michael's :D
The notebook was leftover Christmas junk they had at Border's. I think it was about $1.25.
I hope she likes it.

supplies
stamps: cornish heritage farms
ink: memento tuxedo black
paper: stampin up rose red, barely banana and rose red dsp
accessories: copic markers, various ribbons (mostly may arts), metallic *smile* sticker by colorbok, paperchaise notebook

fabulously decisive...

2009-02-01T20:12:00.008-05:00

I snagged a bunch of wish images from my friend Georgann a while ago when I was at her place. This hippie chick was one of them and I love her. I have no idea about the white paper or ink.

supplies:
stamps: inky antics girly girls: coffee girl
ink: black
paper: ki memories, su soft sky
accessories: copic markers, K & Co sticker

challenged in a mouse kinda way...

2009-01-29T17:03:00.004-05:00

So, this card idea came from a lot of different places. I saw someone use this ribbon from Taylored Expressions on their blog and said "Hey, I have that!!" So I dug it out... and then remembered this stamp with Minnie sporting her red polka dot dress. I love polka dots and I wish I could pull them off like Minnie does... every time.
Then I remembered that the limited supplies challenge last week was a black card base.... hummmm.
I got this stamp from a freecycler who was getting rid of a bunch of stamping supplies. Most of the stamps and things I gave to my daughter for her personal stash. She isn't allowed to use my supplies without supervision but she can use hers whenever she wants. Usually she just gets a scrap of paper and covers it with stickers and glitter glue and calls it a day.
supplies:
stamps: disney, all night media
paper: stampin up basic black and real red, georgia pacific white
ink: memento tuxedo black
accessories: sentiment rub on by stampin up, dotted ribbon from taylored expressions, copic markers, glitter glue

so much fun...

2009-01-21T07:47:00.001-05:00

I had so much fun playing the featured stamper challenge on Sunday that I decided to feature my own stamper. I just recently met AJ (willosmama over at SCS) she is so sweet and a very talented stamper! I was lallygagging in her gallery and found this fun layout to CASE.

I used an extra layer of patterned paper and omitted the buttons, opting for a sentiment on one strip instead. I also went with a rectangle image over a circle one.

supplies:
stamps: amuse potted flower, pti green thumb
ink: su not quite navy, memento tuxedo black
paper: unknown card base, shangri-la by rhonna farrer for autumn leaves

challenged once again...

2009-01-20T07:54:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the Featured Stamper Challenge on SCS. Lori Craig was the chosen featured stamper and I selected this card of hers to CASE. She actually sewed all three panels on her card, and I used the faux sewing technique on only one of my panels. She used snowflakes on the left of her card, and I used a ribbon knot and a charm on the right. There's no stamping on this card (gasp!!) because I really wanted to focus on the giraffe image. This image was random through the patterned paper by Basic Gray, and the only image that would work was the one right in the middle of the page. So I had to chop right out of the center. I dabbed a bit of red glitter glue on some of the hearts in the paper. The ribbon is May Arts form an old Jody share. The silver charm is from a valentines kit I got at Target about fifty years ago.

supplies:
paper: su pink pirouette, basic gray sugared
accessories: red stickles, may arts ribbon

measure twice, cut once...

2009-01-19T10:13:00.005-05:00

This card was supposed to be for last weeks sketch challenge at Taylor's blog but I didn't measure correctly... who am I kidding, I didn't measure at ALL! LOL There's supposed to be three paper strips behind the main image panel but mine were too wide and already mounted onto the tangerine tango card stock. I decided that I'd try to work with what I had, and this is what I came up with. There are no mistakes, right?? I really do like the way this had turned out but I hope to get time to do the real sketch!

supplies:
ink: basic black
stamps: american artistamps. su sassy suzie
paper: cosmo cricket cogsmo, su tangerine tango, gina k 80# white
accessories: copic markers, su square eyelets, pink hedgehog hemp twine

new banner...

2009-01-18T17:07:00.003-05:00

I am still learning how to use Photoshop so bear with me, K? I wanted a more wintry theme. I think this one is more autumnal but I don't have a lot of digital stuff to play with. Plus, if you don't already know... orange is my favorite color... so expect to see if a lot! Let me know what you think about my banner :)

almost set...

2009-01-18T09:14:00.002-05:00

Last week I got a new PC and we've been working to get XP to run on it and make back up disks of Vista for Justin (Case). Well, this is my *first* blog entry on my new PC. There's till work to do... I need to copy over my fonts (my husband actually thinks that the 50ish that comes with the PC is enough!) and I need to copy over all my music. Last time I got a new PC there were issues with that, so I am going to rip everything from CD. I don't do any music downloading so I have everything and I am not too concerned about that.

Throwing another wrench into the mix was a trip to IKEA. My managed to drag my son along. It's almost an hour ride and I hate to drive alone. I wanted to make a home mad clip it up. Well, I decided after getting all my clip it up supplies that I'd look at the dent and scratch area. They had BRAND NEW base cabinets for $10 each. They only had the corner cabinets, so if you're thinking you're going to do your kitchen you'd be wrong. But if you're not going to put doors on, and you just want a base to get your counter top off your Crop In Style cubes then these are the perfect thing! I also have an old shelving unit that I want to demote to the garage. So I am getting pretty much a whole craft room/office overhaul :)

And I got some stamping in yesterday to boot! But I will share that with you later.

little notes...

2009-01-16T10:35:00.006-05:00

I am always rushing at the end of the school year trying to get things done, so this year I am determined that these note cards will be done by Valentines day!
I couldn't make these work with the lines stamped so what I did was stamped a clear transparency sheet, laid that on my makeshift light box (a desk lamp pointed up with my Cuttlebug B plate on it) and stamped the design. The edges of each card were colored with a not quite navy marker. I think it really makes really nice yet subtle edge. The last card in this set was done on different paper. I like it on the Gina K paper better. My goal is to make four sets with different patterns and a cute box for them to sit on the teachers desk.

I hope he likes them.

supplies
stamps: pti guide lines, ms flourished monograms, target alpha
ink: bashful blue, not quite navy
paper: gina K 80# pure luxury white
accessories: not quite navy marker

still inspired...

2009-01-15T06:44:00.002-05:00

Can you tell that I *really* love this sketch? LOL

I had two of these Riley images out the other day, so I colored one to match the ambrosia paper and this one to match my Making Memories paper that I got on clearance at Michael's. It was just $2.49 for a 6x6 pad of 48 sheets of card stock. There's only six different designs but that's OK because I really like the colors.

This card is 4.25x4.25. The inside has a square of the yellow lined card stock with old postage stamps printed along the top... so cute!

supplies:
stamps: hanna stamps
paper: mm passport, pink pirouette
accessories: copic markers, pink pirouette ribbon

a little note...

2009-01-14T08:00:00.001-05:00

After making my Riley card, I still had some scraps of the Basic Gray paper of my table, so I slapped together this little 3x3 note card. There was a clearance sale a few months ago on the Basic Gray paper pads and I bought a handful of them. I really like the way the colors work so well together. Oh, almost forgot... I colored the flower center and highlighted the bottom, near the stem with copics.

supplies:
paper: tangerine tango, su basic gray textured, basic gray ambrosia
ink: brilliance graphite black
stamps: embrace life
accessories: copic markers, su tangerine tango ribbon

ch-ch-ch-changes...

2009-01-14T07:54:00.003-05:00

Sorry my banner is so..... blah right now. I have a few new things coming up... I am working on a new banner but my PC crashed last night. I *hate* Microsoft! So, I couldn't finish it. I made a new little signature... I hope you like it. I am going to try to keep things fresh around here, so I am planning on new banners and signatures every few months. I hope you enjoy that part of my blog too :)

feeling inspired...

2009-01-13T08:59:00.002-05:00

I didn't really have time to stamp. There's just so much I need to do right now but I saw the CPS98 sketch on Cindy's blog the other day I had to try it. She put a little spin on the sketch and I did also, but I used different colors, different papers and a Riley I had in my WishRAK stash (love that group!) to create this 5.5x5.5 card. Riley was colored with my Copic markers. There's going to be a class semi-locally and I really, really want to go.

I decorated the inside with a strip of the orange paper and scalloped the top of a basic gray strip with a pair of decorative scissors

supplies:
stamps: Riley by Hanna Stamps
Paper: SU basic gray, SU very vanilla, Basic Gray ambrosia
accessories: copic markers, corner rounder, oval and scalloped oval nesties, some satin ribbon from the wrapping of my daughters birthday present that I colored gray with a copic marker

the monkeys are coming...

2009-01-12T08:00:00.001-05:00

My beautiful daughter just had her fifth birthday a few days ago and she wanted a sock monkey theme... so I made about 20 of these invites for her friends. The inside was printed on my 'puter and stamped with SU Sprinkles and the banana from Sock Monkey.

I have a bear Wilton's cake pan and I decorated it like the sock monkey on the invite. The pink is a whole lot darker than I wanted it to be but Abby didn't mind, so I went with it. It's been a long time since I did a cake like this and I forgot how fun it is.

supplies:

paper: pink pirouette, chocolate chip dsp, cheap textured vanilla from AC Moore

ink: basic brown, pti dark chocolate, summer sun, pretty in pink

stamps: sock monkey and accessories, sprinkles, i forget what set the *you're invited* sentiment is from, sorry

accessories: copic markers, stickles

bad blogger...

2009-01-11T22:07:00.003-05:00

I've been a bad blogger! Actually, I've been a bad stamper too. I've had nothing new to share. With the holidays, my daughters birthday and the Wii that we got for Christmas I just haven't had time to stamp!

My sister got me a Wii Fit and I've been pretty good about getting on it everyday. Today I was only able to find time to *play* for about twenty minutes but the last week it's been at least a half hour everyday. I always try to make sure that half hour counts and it's just games. I give the Fit two thumbs up and wish I would have started my fitness program on Christmas day instead of waiting for everyone to be back to work or school. If you have a Wii, I suggest getting a Wii Fit.

Tomorrow I will have a card for you :)

foof a la birdie...

2008-12-08T14:01:00.000-05:00

Are you sick of this little birdie yet?

supplies:

stamps: inkadinkado

ink: basic black, ruby red, sage shadow

paper: strathmore, foof a la, su ruby red, su handsome hunter

accessories: pti silver ribbon, su riding hood red ribbon, michael's bling, aquapainter, imaginisce rub-on

imaginisce bird...

2008-12-03T10:33:00.000-05:00

I love this paper by Imaginisce. It's more of that fabulous paper that Michelle sent me. I've almost used it all up now :( I guess it's a good thing I got an order of Scenic Route in!!

Since I just did a similar card, I won't bore you with the all details.

supplies:
stamps: inkadinkado
ink: basic black, ruby red, bashful blue
paper: su riding hood red, bliss blue (i know, i love it too!!!)imaginisce
accessories: imaginisce rub-on, michael's bling, aquapainter

chocolate covered bella...

2008-12-01T05:57:00.001-05:00

These are the stamps that kept me from completing my husbands cards. I had to use them. Really, there was no choice. They are stamped on very vanilla card stock in PTI dark chocolate and sponged with su chocolate chip. I wish I would have used whisper white instead of the vanilla because I stamped a bunch of these Bellas at the Ft Meade SBS. Thanks Tracy!! I have a few more, so I am going to do another one.

Bella is colored with my copic markers and the close to cocoa layer was edged with my Martha Stewart edge punch. The snowflake brad was a gift from my Big DSS at SCS... thanks Lisa!!

And look... I did the inside too!

supplies:
stamps: stamping bella, scenic route
ink: pti dark chocolate
paper: su close to cocoa, whisper white, very vanilla, riding hood red
accessories: riding hood red ribbon, k&co pewter snowflake, su rhinestone brad, martha stewart punch, copic markers, sponge dauber

paper candies...

2008-11-30T06:25:00.001-05:00

This is the first card I made with my blog candy win from Paper Addiction. The paper is so pretty, it was very hard for me to cut into it! The bird was stamped with basic black onto strathmore water color paper. I water colored with my aqua painter and reinker. I rubbed a blog candy sentiment onto the celery "window." I really like how it fits into the space, and plan to CASE this card a few times putting that sentiment into all of them. The bling is cheapo stuff from Michael's that came clear and was colored with a copic marker.

supplies:
stamps: inkadinkado
ink: basic black, ruby red, certainly celery
paper: su, strathmore, imaginisce
accessories: imaginisce rub-on, michael's bling, copic marker, su ribbon, aquapainter

the perfect tree...

2008-11-29T11:10:00.000-05:00

For the perfect Elzybells. These girls are so cute! I really love them. The image is from the generosity of the Wish RAK group.

I used my new nestabilities for the image on this one. I really want to get the set that resembles the top note die from stampin up, but they are always out of stock :( I do like this one too though :) I ran the red layer through my wizard with my swiss dots cuttlebug folder. I put it on backwards because the paper is white core and all the dots were white on the other side, and I didn't really care for that look.

supplies:
stamps: elzybells, su warmest regards
paper: DCWV
ink: ruby red craft
accessories: copic markers, ribbon from my stash, stickles, nesties

i've been feeling christmassey...

2008-11-28T21:03:00.004-05:00

It seems like it's been forever since I've stamped for fun. Today I decided I'd make some Christmas cards for my husband to give to some of his friends. A few times a year a group gets together and they hike along old rail lines and find all sorts of historical things. Most of these lines haven't even had a train on them in years... heck, some of them don't even have rail anymore LOL. But they have fun, they map it out, take pictures and see some really cool old stuff.

So, I decided today I'd make him a set of cards. I got most of it done too till I got sidetracked with some new rubber that I bought from Paper Addiction a few weeks ago. I really love this paper by Scenic Route (and it's on sale this weekend) and I wanted to try to CASE it with the matching stamp set. You will see that card soon. Back to the cards I made for my husband... The Elzybell is from Wish RAK. I colored her with with my Copic markers and added some stickles and liquid applique for dimension.

supplies:

stamps: elzybells

ink: copic markers

paper: dcwv

accessories: red ribbon from taylored expressions and the organdy is from my stash

so very honored...

2008-11-26T07:01:00.005-05:00

A few weeks ago I went to the Ft Meade SBS. It was such a great time stamping with so many lovely Splitcoast ladies. One talented stamper I always see there is Sara aka ChicagoGirl at SCS... she is so much silly fun! She gets right into all the action playing games and having a ball! You can't help but laugh and have a great time when you're near her. Sara has a great blog called Sara Stamps and she nominated me for my very first blog award! I am so honored and excited!! Thanks so much Sara!!

So, the rules of the award is to:
1. put the logo on your blog (if you choose)
2. put a link to the person that sent you the award
3. nominate 5 blogs
4. put links to their blogs
5. leave messages for your nominees

I would like to nominate the these super talented stampers... check them out when you get a chance, you won't be sorry!!

1 Michelle
2 Patty
3 Vicki
4 Karen even though she isnt blogging right now. She will be soon and well, she is super talented!!
5 Patricia

the third baby card...

2008-11-23T14:44:00.001-05:00

The final baby card. I hope you're not sick of them yet! LOL

This one was stamped on white and colored with copic markers and the outfit was pieced on. The little buttons are a little larger than I'd like but they were the smallest that I had and I really, really wanted to use some buttons!

The ribbon is from my stash, I think it was leftover from a SEI class I took at CKC. The scallop punch is by Martha Stewart... love her edge punches!!

supplies:
stamps: stampin' up sentiment and if you know the source of this baby, please let me know so i can list that :)
ink: palette noir, rose red
paper: DCWV patterned paper, SU whisper white, certain celery
accessories: buttons, copic markers, ms edge punch

another baby card...

2008-11-22T11:39:00.000-05:00

A few days ago I mentioned that a friend of mine had a baby girl. This is the second card that I made for her. Most of the details are the same. I wanted a similar look even though the cards are different.

supplies:

stamps: stampin up sentiment, if you know the source of this baby, please let me know so i can list that :)

ink: palette noir, rose red

paper: DCWV patterned paper, SU whisper white, certain celery

accessories: rhinestones, copic marker (for rosy cheeks), sponge daubers

a strawberry happy birthday...

2008-11-21T14:24:00.003-05:00

I love these Lockhart berries. They are so summery and fun and since it's snowing here, summery sounds good! The circles were cut with my Nesties. I cut the red circle out and put the main image into the center of the circle. It's a lot more centered than it looks here... that was from the funky angle I took the photo at. The center circle is popped up. A knot of twill on the front for texture. I like twill, but I don't use it as often as I'd like because it can get bulky on cards I intend to mail. So I usually only use it on cards I plan to hand deliver.

supplies:

stamps: lockhart

ink: basic black

paper: su real red, cool caribbean. apricot appeal, whisper white

accessories: twill, copic markers, circle nestabilities

oh baby!

2008-11-20T14:03:00.005-05:00

A friend of mine just had a sweet baby girl. I remember the days my little one was baby girl. Sometimes I miss those baby days... but most times I really enjoy her being a little girl. I know it will be the same for my friend as her angel grows.

For this card I stamped the baby image twice. Once onto blush blossom paper and once onto the DCWV flower paper. I trimmed out the entire image in blush and layered it onto the bard base, then cut out only the outfit on the flowery paper and added some rhinestones for the buttons. This card is one of three I am sending her, so the other two will be coming over the next few days.

supplies:
stamps: unknown. if you know the source of this baby, please let me know so i can list that :)
ink: palette noir, rose red
paper: DCWV patterned paper, SU whisper white, certain celery
accessories: rhinestones, copic marker (for rosy cheeks), sponge daubers

wanna know what's yummier than chocolate snowflakes?

2008-11-09T22:15:00.002-05:00

This delicious blog candy from Michelle Giraud. A few posts back, I mentioned the blog candy that she was offering over at twisted-chick creations. I can't believe she picked me! I've never won blog candy before... and it's surely not from the lack of trying. LOL The assortment she sent me left me wanting more! I wanted to put in an order the other day, but I'd left my credit card in the car and didn't want to go all the way out to the garage (it's just downstairs... yes, I am *that* lazy!) So, in the next few days when I can remember to bring my wallet in, I am planning a big order! I need the papers she used in her explosion box... and those chocolate snowflakes!

i've been neglectful...

2008-11-07T22:10:00.007-05:00

Sorry about that. I've been too busy to get much stamping time in! I am super excited though about the SBS in Ft Meade tomorrow though! A day full of stampin, stampin, stampin (and drivin')!! Oh, and I hear there's gonna be yummy handmade liquored up candies there too!! Ummmm. It's OK, I know you're jealous!

Onto my card...
A new friend of mine asked if I could make some Holiday invites for her to send to her family. I know there aren't super Christmassey, but I really think they reflect who she is. She just recently bought a log home, and installed brass switch plates with pine cones and branches hammered into them... they look just like the Peaceful Wishes OSW I did, only they are solid brass and not cranberry and thyme. I really hope she likes this design. And if not, I can always just put a new vellum layer on and stamp a wintry sentiment.

supplies:
stamps: su peaceful wishes, su
ink: su true thyme, cranberry crisp, encore gold
paper: su true thyme, cranberry crisp, unknown gold metallic and vellum

what could be yummier....

2008-10-30T14:18:00.003-04:00

than a CHOCOLATE snowflake? Anything Chocolate sounds delish to me!

Michelle (aka DD alum, flaxychick) has BLOG CANDY and some fabbo inspiration on her blog Twisted Chick Creations. Michelle has been an inspiration to me since I first saw her stuff on SCS... long long before I dared to post... or **gasp** even upload! LOL She creates adorable projects and is super creative... plus she has some fantastic stuff in her store Paper Addictions. I love how the stamps and papers match! .... now where's my credit card?

.... and did I mention she is having a sale???

my pretty...

2008-10-24T20:47:00.015-04:00

Patty (aka pattyb at SCS) sent a bunch of her friends some of these amazing witch images and sentiments she recently bought. I was fortunate enough to get some!! They are so much fun! I was a little grumpy yesterday... ever have one of those days? And coloring always helps. Often, I will pull some wish images from my stash and just color them. If I don't feel like making a card, I stuff it in my french board for finishing up on another day.
Back to my card... My friend Krys gave me this old pack of SU designer paper because... well let's face it K, you don't stamp! I started coloring this witch purple and remembered the paper, so I went with those colors. the main image is popped up with dimensionals.
I put some black studio g glitter glue on her boots as well as on the brads. I really like this glitter because it's not too glitzy but it sure is shimmery and purty!
I also spaced the brads a little funky.
supplies:
stamps: from pattyb... not really sure :)
ink: stazon colored with copics even though she told me not to :)
paper: pumpkin pie, basic black, old su dsp
accessories: black glitter glue from studio g, black brads

a challenge....

2008-10-23T12:56:00.005-04:00

For me! Anyone who knows me knows what a challenge it is for me to stay organized. I have been on a mission for a while now and I am taking baby steps... baby baby steps... to get my life more organized. I have been freecycling some of my clutter. If you have never freecycled, you've gotta check it out! I have been getting rid of household stuff... baby junk and VHS tapes. I am glad to get rid of things and know they are getting use and not going into a landfill.

Recently, I started putting shelves up in my craft room and I am determined to put things away and clear off the counters. I have so much junk that I just am not ready to part with. Storing it all neatly is really becoming a problem. But, I am determined.... so here's the first peek into my mess...

ETA: This very small corner of this room no longer looks like this... It's now covered in halloween projects that are supposed to disappear to school tomorrow with the kids. I am continuing to work on it though...

happy birthday mckinley...

2008-10-22T12:09:00.001-04:00

Another birthday party... I really need to have a handful of cards on hand for these occasions. Maybe after I get the Halloween, Christmas and teachers holiday gifts done... how many parties could there possibly be between now and January?
I got this set because Lauren made me do it. It was one of the great Target finds she is so famous for!
The castle was embossed with hologram highlights embossing powder. I wish I would have stamped it a little higher... oh well!! Cinderella is stamped on shimmer white and colored with copic markers.
supplies:
paper: SU
stamps: disney
ink: palette burnt umber, versamark
accessories: hologram highlights ep, copic markers

happy birthday lili...

2008-10-21T12:01:00.005-04:00

We had a birthday party to go to on Saturday, so I whipped this up for the birthday girl. I had this image all ready to go, so I ran the pink paper through my Wizard with my Cuttlebug folder. Since the paper was white core, I decided that I'd do a little sanding on it. I really like the way it looks, maybe some day I will pull out my coredinations and play with the embossing folders that those papers. I wanted a little more bling so I added the heidi swapp gems to the bottom but I thought it was too much, so I popped off every other one. Usually, I'd glue the popped ones down and not sure the strip, but they were already perfectly spaced and I was in a hurry.

supplies:

stamps: paper salon

paper: su and dcwv

ink: basic black

accessories: cuttlebug folder, stickles, nestabilities, ribbon scrap, sanding block, heidi swapp gems, copic markers