Whatcha Stamping Today?

Sleigh bells ring....

2011-12-01T06:38:00.001-08:00

...are ya listenin?

This is a fun card using the October stamp of the month set - Holiday Magic.

Colors are Cranberry, New England Ivy, and Cocoa.

Harvest of Memories

2011-11-22T06:44:00.001-08:00

Not a great picture...but love this pumpkin! The words "Harvest of Memories" is stamped in black in the lower right corner. Stamp set is CTMH's So Grateful...a new one this year.

Many Thanks

2011-11-04T21:22:00.000-07:00

Circle of Love

2011-02-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

This card was particularly fun to make because you just don't know how the stamped image will look until it's on the paper!

Circle of Love is a great stamp set and I adore this peacock image. I think it will be a go to set for a long time.... The paper on this card is from the Magnifique paper packet and I love this ribbon for this card...finishes it just right!

So, to stamp this image you will need your inks - I used Pacifica and Cocoa, and some sponge daubers. First ink the whole stamp with the Pacifica ink. Then stamp it off on some scratch paper. Lay the block on your table and grab your brown sponge dauber. Ink up the dauber with cocoa and then decide what areas you want to accent with the brown - reink dauber as necessary. Then go back to Pacifica and add a little darker blue here and there. You want to leave some of the lighter blue in some areas so that you have lots of good shading and blending. When you have it colored the way you like, stamp it and be amazed!! :)

I finished this card off with a strip of Magnifique paper and a knot of Colonial White ribbon. I used my daubers to add ink around the edges of the whole card and finally stamped the word Love in full-strength Pacifica.

I also made a "clean" copy of this card because I wasn't sure I liked the sponged edges after I did it. I think I like the second version better for this one.

Have fun with this technique! Thanks for stopping by today!

A Game of Love

2011-01-28T06:57:00.000-08:00

What a week! It's been hard to even find time to breathe this week! So, I decided this morning to TAKE some time to get a new card posted! :)

This is a fun new set from CTMH called A Game. I wasn't going to order it, but well....things happen!

The colors on this card are Tulip, Baby Pink and Black. Embellishments are Itty Bitty black brads. Fun and simple!

Here's a couple versions...so many fun possibilities. Besides this heart and X, there are several other small images to create your tic tac toe game.

Have a great Friday and a wonderful weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Find Your Style - Shoe

2011-01-20T07:04:00.001-08:00

Here's a shoe with Style! I love the way each of the images in this set has words within the image. Right along the heel of the shoe it says "grace." I love that!

The colors in this card are Smoothie and Pear. For some extra bling, I added bows of pretty-close-to-Pear ribbon and some sparkly adhesive flowers. I have inked the edges of the shoe panels by swiping them across my ink pad. The background panel of Smoothie cardstock has been stamped with the word Friend in Smoothie ink and I used an edge distresser and my scissors to rough up the edges. The green shoe has been popped up on foam tape - forgot to do that with the pink shoe so it is just adhered flat on the card.

More to come with this set...Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous, stylish, graceful day!

Find Your Style - Butterfly

2011-01-18T06:29:00.000-08:00

So, I went to work on my photos and realized that I hadn't installed my camera's software for editing, etc. Took me a while to figure that out, though....sad! Anyway, I have several cards to share over the next few days, and this is the first installment.

I used the CTMH Stamp of the Month set - Find Your Style. It is such a fun set to use! This butterfly was inked with 3 different colors. First I used Creme Brulee on the whole image, then rolled the edges of the butterfly in Juniper. Finally I rolled just the very edge in Cocoa and stamped it on my cardstock. The word "Soar" was added to the lower corner, also in Cocoa.

You can't see it very well in this photo, but the outer edges of the butterfly have also been clear embossed. After cleaning off the stamp, I rolled the edges of the stamp on my Versamark pad and stamped over the colored image. After sprinkling on clear embossing powder and heating it, the image has pretty sparkly edges. This technique is a really neat way to add a little sparkle and glitz!

The butterfly is layered on Cocoa cardstock, which is then layered on B&T from the Veranda paper packet. The last touch is a bow of Creme Brulee grosgrain ribbon.

Come back on Thursday for another card with Find Your Style...

Coming very soon!!

2011-01-17T11:57:00.001-08:00

I've got new projects to post....will take photos today and get first project posted tonight!

Edited to add: My darling daughter has been taking photos for me while I'm at work today...I'll be able to post tonight for sure!! :)

January Stamp of the Month

2011-01-12T12:32:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about this month's stamp of the month set! I just got mine and will be playing with it this week. I think it's going to be a lot of fun!!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T08:57:00.000-08:00

2011 - a new year full of possiblities. Last year, I chose a theme word for 2010 - that was change. Oh my gosh, was that ever appropriate! So many changes over the year - including switching from part-time to full-time work, a complete change in jobs but not workplace, the opportunity to sponsor a child through Compassion.com....

What a year! But now I am looking forward to the promise of this year. My new theme for this year is "no Procrastinating!" Procrastination is a lifelong habit that I want to get rid of. I am tired of living in last-minute stress and the chaos that comes from leaving things too long. I am also tired of not accomplishing the things that are important to me in a timely manner - or even at all! And I'm sad to see that my children have the same habits - my daughter would argue, because she is really good at working on large projects early....but she puts off things like practicing her saxophone and cleaning her room. So, I want to learn to organize my time better, organize my home better, and set up my stamping room so that there is no reason not to stamp, to take pics of my projects, and post them to my blog. I want to hold stamping classes in a calm and relaxed manner so that I can have fun with my guests instead of feeling exhausted at all the last minute work I had to do to get ready. I want to enjoy time with my family and friends without having to stress over the mess in my home or the lack of preparation for company. Lots to do, and it's time to get started!!

Here's to 2011! May it be a good year for all...with new and healthy habits to come!

What is your favorite style of stamp image?

2010-08-26T08:23:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've paid any attention to my blog. And I've been thinking lately about how for some of us, our stamping styles may change over time. Think about those very first cards you made....mine look pretty different now. How about yours?

I think part of that involves the changing industry. I know that when I started stamping 20 years ago, there was a lot out there.....but now, I'd have to say there's 10 times as much! It has truly amazed me over the years how people keep coming up with new and innovative techniques, supplies, tools, stamp designs.

When I first started I was all about the cutesy. And I loved images that I had to color in. First with markers, then I liked colored pencils....then chalk, then back to markers.... From there, I fell in love with solid images that required no additional coloring. Then I started adding coloring or details to the solid images. See what I mean?

I remember how I did all one layer cards - or only two layers. Now I like to have lots of papers, layers, embellishments.

And embellishments!! It used to be that eyelets were the thing for me. That was almost all I used...then ribbon, then buttons, then spiral clips.... Now I like brads of all colors, ribbon, fibers, and still sometimes the occassional eyelet. But look at all the new bling out there...sparkles, and pearls, and rub ons and almost anything else you can imagine!

What are your favorite embellisments or papers or stamps? How has that changed over the years?

Happy New Year

2010-01-08T06:29:00.000-08:00

It's been a while! Sigh....but I'm feeling energized with the new year and ready to get some stamping done! I took most of December off completely from the stamping world to enjoy Christmas with my family. But, this next week I'll be getting back into gear and working on some new projects for upcoming classes. Hurray!

So, tell me, what are your favorite stamping sites or blogs? I'm always looking for new inspiration whether it be sketches for fun cards, or new 3D type projects.

Happy New Year - hope this year is a great one for you!

Happy World Card Making Day

2009-10-03T06:15:00.000-07:00

Sadly, I cannot celebrate today...but I am going to the Cavalcade of Bands to watch my son march with his high school Marching Band. And my older son is home from college for the weekend so that's a bonus, too!

So, if you are having fun making cards today...add a little extra embellishment for me! And happy World Card Making Day!

Happy Holidays!

2009-09-25T06:03:00.000-07:00

Here's another early Christmas greeting. I am having a lot of fun making round cards - they are kind of a refreshing thing to do! Really changes the way you think about putting a card together!

I used Bird Basics for this one - it's so fun to create those little birds. I'm blanking on where the little branch came from....

The card was cut with my Coluzzle system and I used a corner rounder on the layered panels.

The sentiment is from "Say It In Style."

The ribbon at the top is a folded loop - meant to give the card a little bit of an ornament feel. And then for the finishing touch I used a Black fine tip pen to create a wiggly border around the card...it just needed something!!

Hope your Friday is fabulous! And if you make any round cards...leave me a note so I can go check them out! I'd love to see your ideas!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Just hangin' around...

2009-09-22T08:31:00.000-07:00

....til Christmas!

Here's a cute little elf to get you in the Christmas spirit! Yes, a little early, but I try to start doing at least one Christmas card a month for my workshops starting in late summer. That way, we have a few ready ahead of time!

The papers on this card are from the Aspen paper packet. This is a great set of papers!! Love the colors.

This great little elf, from the Merry Pursuits set, is colored in with CTMH markers (my daughter did the coloring!)

The colors are Twilight, Outdoor Denim, Bamboo, and Creme Brulee.

The front panel of the card has about 1-1/4" cut off the long side. Then the plaid B&T paper is centered on the back panel in that space that is left open. The image is stamped colored and layered on Bamboo cardstock, and then layered so that it overhangs the front panel of the card.

(All product is CTMH)

woohoo!

2009-09-18T21:41:00.000-07:00

I thought this card turned out pretty fun! These owls from the You're a Hoot set are so much fun. I used itty bitty black brads in the center of the eyes, that are also popped up on thin foam tape. And a white brad in the layered paper flowers.

Hope you enjoy this one...have a great weekend.

I'm worn out tonight from dropping my oldest son off at college for his freshman year. It's so much harder than I even imagined...but I am so proud of him and I know he will do well at college!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

you're a hoot!

2009-09-16T06:51:00.000-07:00

This little owl is such a fun image! He is stamped in Chocolate ink and his beak is colored in with a Sorbet marker. I also added Sorbet brads to his eyes, and then filled in the whites with liquid glass around the brads.

The branch was inked in Sweet Leaf and then rolled in Topiary. The edges are distressed by rubbing the edge of the cardstock over the stamp pad. I also used a corner punch on all the corners to stay with the round feeling.

The sentiment is stamped in topiary and layered on a piece of Topiary cardstock. The B&T is from the Emporium paper packet, and I added a couple of Chocolate brads around the sentiment.

The round card was cut using my Coluzzle system - which is sadly being discontinued. I love my Coluzzle and I'm sad to see it unavailable.

Hope your day is wonderful! Thanks for stopping by!

(All supplies are CTMH)

The end of the party...time to go...

2009-09-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

Here are the last few projects with "It's Your Day" and then I will get busy with this month's Stamp of the Month set!! LOL

I really enjoyed this set and can see it being used a LOT in the future, too!

I used papers from the Animal Crackers paper packet this time. Love these bold bright colors. On the left the cake is cut out and popped up on foam tape, along with the middle package on the right page.

Sweet and simple pages for celebrating a special day!

Colors are Holiday Red, Dutch Blue, Clover Meadow, Sunflower.

Here is a small card for the gift bag - same papers and colors, and the green gift is also popped up on this one.

Thanks for stopping by...hope your day is wonderful!

and the Party goes on...

2009-09-09T06:06:00.000-07:00

I still have a few more photos to share of projects with the August SOM - need to get started on September's!! LOL

Anyway, I used Sorbet and Citrus Leaf green for this card. The "flames" on the candles are Sunny Yellow.

For some extra pizzazz, I added Liquid Glass to the cake plate so that it's all shined up for the party! I stamped the Party circle in Sorbet on a piece of cardstock and then stamped the word "time!" over it in black. Then I cut the circle out and adhered it with a piece of foam tape.

The border along the bottom was made with the cake sections.

Party fun!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Not ready for summer to end....

2009-09-06T09:12:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about summer is all the fresh watermelon! The Summer Sweetness set is one of my favorites because of the watermelon images.

For this 4x4 square card I used Hollyhock, Juniper and Black.
I stamped the inside of the watermelon first with Hollyhock, added the solid part of the rind in Juniper, and then the detailed rind image and the seeds in black. I cut out the watermelon and layered it on my card.

The ribbon is just a small piece tied in a knot and adhered with a glue dot. I also added three Black Bitty Brads in the corner. The final touch was the sentiment below the brads in Black. (If I remember right the sentiment is from the Say It In Style set.)

(All supplies are CTMH - except for the ribbon, I think!!)

Celebration Ticket

2009-09-04T07:02:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not sure how it happened but August has ended...did you notice?? Anyway, this card is another sample from the August Stamp of the Month set It's Your Day. I had a lot of fun playing with this set - think it will be one that gets a lot of use in the future!

I used papers from Tinkerin for this card, and ink colors are Holiday Red, Clover Meadow, Sunflower, Sunny Yellow and Twilight.

For the ticket, I stamped the Celebrate image in Twilight on a 1" x 1.75" piece of Sunflower cardstock. Then I used my regular hole punch and snipped off the corners.

Hope your Friday is lovely! Thanks for stopping by!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Simply elegant...

2009-09-02T09:47:00.000-07:00

I love how this card turned out...simple to make, yet lovely.

I used Blush, Hollyhock, Chocolate, and New England Ivy for inks. The paper is from the That's Amore paper packet, and the stamp set is Aspiration.

I stamped the branch and flowers on a single piece of cardstock and then cut it into three one inch strips. Then, I attached a loop of green ribbon at the top of each strip with a Chocolate brad before attaching all three to a panel of Chocolate cardstock.

Hope you like it!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Party time variation...

2009-08-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a variation on the Party time! card. It involved cutting out all the packages and layering them a bit. I also tilted the sentiment square a little bit and moved the package to the other side.

I gave this card to my good friend and supervisor for his birthday.

Same colors, same papers as the other card.

(All supplies are CTMH)

Party time!

2009-08-30T08:29:00.000-07:00

Love this card! I used the Stamp of the Month set "It's Your Day" for this card, along with paper from the Tinkerin' paper packet.

Colors are Twilight, Holiday Red, Sunflower, Clover Meadow, and Sunny Yellow.

The package on the side of the sentiment square is popped up with some foam tape.

Had lots of fun with this!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Watercolor Alligator

2009-08-12T05:32:00.000-07:00

So this is the last card sample from my class for VC. This one was stamped in black and colored in with watercolor pencils. Starting with the lighter color first, then highlighted with a darker shade, you blend them together with the wet waterbrush. Easy, quick, and great results!

(All supplies CTMH)

Birthday wishes

2009-08-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

I just love these pigs! They are layered on Petal cardstock on a Blush card. I watercolored them with my waterbrush. the Happy Birthday sentiments is from the Happy Birthday stamp set, and I added 3 Sunny Yellow brads under it.

Have a great day!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Life is good!

2009-08-05T06:54:00.000-07:00

Here's another brayered card I created for my VC class. I still need some practice myself, but this was a lot of fun to do! The images were stamped and clear embossed. Then I made a mask for the hill and brayered on the green. After that, I used the reverse side of the mask to brayer the sky. I sponged darker coordinating colors around the edges and under the tree for a shadow (just doesn't show in the picture all that well.) Finally, I added my sentiment and layered the piece on my card. The card is 41/4" square.

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Brayered bandana card

2009-08-04T06:28:00.001-07:00

I've ended up taking most of the summer off from stamping and holding classes - didn't really mean to...just happened that way. But, I was involved in VC and this is one of the cards I made as a sample for that class.

I clear embossed the images from the You've Got Flair stamp set on White Daisy cardstock. Then, brayered over it with Holiday Red ink. The brayered panel was then layered on a card made from White Daisy Cardstock. The sentiment was stamped on a small piece and attached with H.Red brads. A red button was glue dotted to the center of the paper flower, and that was glue dotted to the card.

Fairly simple and quick! Enjoy!

(All supplies are from Close To My Heart - except the button)

Quick note

2009-06-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Not a lot to share today...I've been busy working on getting things ready for an online class for next month. It took a LOT longer than I though it would. I'll share those projects later - they are for VC 2009.

I am also going to be gone this next week. I'll be travelling to the Crow Reservation with a group of high school kids from my church to work and play with the kids on the res. It's an amazing time of service - those little kids have so much love to share that I find myself blessed even though we are going there to try to share some blessings with them!

Hope everyone has a great week...I'll start posting again after I get back!
Take care!

Fishin'

2009-06-06T06:42:00.000-07:00

The stamp set for this was a Stamp of the Month a couple months ago - World's Greatest Dad. Colors are Sweet Leaf, Cocoa, and Colonial White. I used my waterbrush for coloring the fish and the fishing creel. The grass is hand-drawn and sponged.

Gotta finish cleaning before the big graduation party today so this is a short and sweet post. Any questions? Let me know!
(All supplies are CTMH)

Happy flower

2009-06-04T06:35:00.000-07:00

This is a really bright card!! More so in real life than this picture shows!

Colors on this card are Sunflower, Clover Meadow, Black, and White Daisy. The papers are from the Animal Crackers paper packet. I used the With Love stamp set for this card. The words Happy everything are stamped randomly on the square White Daisy piece. The flower was stamped in Black on Sunflower cardstock and cut out. There is also a Clear button attached in the center with a glue dot. The flower is popped up on a piece of foam tape.

The final touch was the little piece of ribbon folded in half and added as a tag.

Hope everything in your day is happy today!
Thanks for stopping by!

(Everything except the ribbon is CTMH, ribbon unknown)

How I started stamping....

2009-06-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

I remember many years ago - about 19, I believe - I received a hand stamped card in a secret pal-type swap at work. I looked and looked at that card because I knew it was "different" but it took me a little while to figure out why. It was pretty and wonderful....and hand made! I'd never seen stamping like that and had no idea how it was done. So, when I found out who the maker was, I asked her about it. And now....she's my dear, dear friend so many years later!

She put together a beginner stamping class for a group of us from work and we met at her house one afternoon. I remember being so excited - I ran to the craft store to buy my very first stamp and a stamp pad to take with me to her house. It was just the beginning!!!! From that one stamp and that class.....I now have a room full of stamps and supplies, have been a CTMH consultant for 10 years this month, and still love it as much as that first afternoon!

It's so fun to share the cards I make and to teach others how to do it....I can't imagine ever stopping!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Soccer, anyone?

2009-06-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

Here's another fun card for the kids. I used the Stardust paper packet, textured Honey Cardstock, and White Daisy Cardstock. The boy and soccer ball are from Family Ties - Children. I used a sponge to create the "sky" and the grass is hand drawn with a CTMH marker and then sponged in. Used my CTMH markers for all the other coloring, too.

Have a happy and energetic day!
(All supplies are CTMH)

Baseball Birthday Boy

2009-05-31T18:29:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun card for the kids. I used the Family Ties - Children set for this card, as well as Happy Birthday. The B&T is from the Stardust paper packet. The cardstock at the bottom of the card is textured Honey CS. I also used Moonstruck and White Daisy cardstocks. The brads are white, the image was stamped in Chocolate and colored with CTMH markers. The grass was hand-drawn.

Have a great day!

3 x 3 thanks

2009-05-29T08:03:00.000-07:00

I made this little bitty card for a swap. I am quite pleased with the way it turned out.

I used the new Bella papers, a Pansy Purple Just Blooms flower from the Autumn Daisy collection, and Smokey Plum ink. The ovals were cut with the Coluzzle oval template.

So, hey, "thanks" for stopping by today!

On Confirmation, Graduation, and my baby going to middle school

2009-05-28T08:13:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe how fast our children grow. My darling daughter, and baby of the family, is finishing her last few days of elementary school. In the fall she will be in middle school - wow! I look at her and I see a beautiful young girl who is growing so quickly into a beautiful young lady.

My middle child who is 14, will be getting confirmed at church this weekend. He's been through four years of studies for this. Our Pastor showed me the powerpoint show he put together for the celebratory dinner on Friday night - all those kids have changed so much in the four years they've been together! Just amazing to see the changes - not only in their faith life, but also in their personal lives and growth.

My oldest, who just turned 18 a couple weeks ago, graduates from high school next weekend. I am completely dumbfounded....how can my sweet baby boy be a grown young man ready to go out on his own?? I am having such a hard time letting go and yet, I can see that he is ready and I have raised him well. He's going to do great!

It's such a bittersweet time right now. I love my kids so much and I want them to grow and flourish - but I wish it wasn't all happening so fast!

Hug your kids today, love them, and make sure they know it!!

Masculine birthday

2009-05-27T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a card I did for a workshop of masculine cards. I used Make it Count - love that set - and papers from the Sarsaparilla paper packet. Colors are Barn Red, Black, Desert Sand. Oh, and I used the Black Bitty Brads on the little tabs - those things are SO tiny and cute!!

One of my favorite things about this set is that you can make your clocks look different every time. There are a couple sets of hands, little gears, etc. Too fun!

Hope your day is blessed and happy! Thanks for stopping by!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Way to Go!!

2009-05-26T07:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun, small, square gift card. I have a son graduating from high school in a week and a half...sigh. So this card came out of thinking of that milestone in his life....

The circle images and arrow are from the Star Struck stamp set and the sentiment is from Say It In Style.

Colors are Moonstruck, Clover Meadow, Bamboo, and Desert Sand.

The fun papers are from the new Stardust paper packet.

(All supplies are CTMH)

Just Because

2009-05-25T08:01:00.000-07:00

I really liked the Mojo Monday sketch from a week...or maybe two...ago. So this is the card I made using it.

I used the set Whoo Loves You and paper from the new Bella paper packet. Colors are Sweet Leaf, Holly hock, and Desert Sand.

The owl is paper pieced just a little - he's stamped in Hollyhock on the card, and then stamped again in Sweet Leaf on a scrap piece of cardstock - tummy cut out and glued to the Hollyhock owl.

Hope you have a nice Memorial Day! Thanks for visiting!

(All Supplies CTMH)

Daughter designed....

2009-05-21T05:51:00.000-07:00

My 10 year old daughter designed this card - my only input was that I wanted to paper piece the dress and she took off from there. She chose the papers, the colors, everything - even drew a card sketch. We changed her initial design part-way through when we realized the tag was too long for the space she had (just flipped the card on it's side), but otherwise it's all hers! It was even a project for my monthly Create and Take class this week.

Colors are Vanilla Cream, Juniper, and Bubblegum. We stamped the girl from the Stamp of the Month set - Be Yourself - in black and then in Bubblegum ink on scrap cardstock, then adhered it over the black image. The tag has rounded corners with two small Juniper brads.

Just be yourself....everyone else is taken!!

(All Supplies are Close To My Heart)

Here it is...the first card in a LONG time!!!

2009-05-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Life is good....yep, that's my mantra today! Life is good!!

This is a new set called Treetops from CTMH and I LOVE it! The colors on this card are Heavenly Blue, Sweet Leaf, Buttercup, and Chocolate.

I stamped the trunks of the trees first, then added the treetops. For the center tree, I stamped it in Sweet Leaf on my panel, then in the other two colors on a scrap piece of White Daisy Cardstock. I cut them out in different sizes and layered them together, then attached this layered piece on top of the tree with a piece of foam tape.

The saying is stamped in chocolate on a small strip of cardstock. Then I added two buttons for the finishing touch.

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Time marches on....

2009-05-20T10:37:00.000-07:00

So I had a talk last night with a woman at work. We talked about discipline, working out, losing weight, discipline, wasting time, discipline.....and I've decided that I need to work on my self-discipline. I waste a lot of time doing nothing and talking myself out of doing something....sad.

Today I am going to make it a goal to get a whole bunch of cards photographed and at least one loaded on my blog. I am making it a goal to post at least three projects a week from now on. I am re-confirming my goal to finish the entire year's worth of the "His Holy Name" challenge - which I am woefully behind on at this point.

I am also setting goals for exercise and better nutrition for myself. I want to improve my fitness and health and I've been ignoring it for long enough.

So here I go! Off to change into workout clothes, find the camera and get going on these goals.

Hope you have a beautiful and blessed day! Thanks for visiting and reading my venting!!

Check it out...

2009-05-06T11:20:00.000-07:00

Click on the button on the right to see some great layouts at the CTMH Scrapbook and Share blog. There are some really nice pages there!

I'd win a BAD blogger award....

2009-04-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

....just can't seem to get everything done that I'd like, ya know? Look how long it's been since I posted last. Crazy. Life is!!

I've still been looking at everyone else's blogs...just ignoring my own. Hoping to change that!

The new CTMH catalog starts in a few days...there are some amazing, fun new products in it! Can't wait to share some with you.

Hope your day is full of sunshine and happy moments....

Whatcha stamping today?? Me, I'm going to be prepping projects for a workshop tomorrow.

Back from Camp

2009-03-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh, it was such a great week last week at Camp Wooten! The 5th graders were fabulous, the teachers were great and the food was wonderful! We had so much going on all week that I came home just exhausted - but happy! If your child's school doesn't have an Outdoor Education Program, they are really missing something! As soon as I upload pictures from my camera, I'll show you some of the things the kids learned and did. My daughter's cabin won an award for best Survival Shelter - too fun!

I also still have some projects to share and hope to get to that tomorrow when I have a day at home babysitting. I'm working long hours this week to try to make up some for a whole week off.

Hope everyone has a great day! Come back soon!

Update note

2009-03-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to post a quick update note....I'm leaving tomorrow for a one week camping trip with the 5th graders from my daughter's school. Should be quite an experience - the camp is covered in snow and the forecast doesn't look great! My bag is packed with lots of long underwear and wool socks!

I have some new projects to share but unfortunately that will have to wait until I get home from the camping trip. Just don't have time to get them uploaded before I leave.

Also, I no longer have a myCTMH website, so if you have any CTMH ordering needs please contact me through email and I will help you!

Hope you all have a blessed Sunday and a great week ahead!

Easter gift bag

2009-03-17T06:46:00.000-07:00

This little Easter gift bag was quick and easy to make. The handles are even paper, so it didn't take much in the way of extra supplies either.

I used the Easter Eggs SOTM for this one again. Colors are Blush, Sweet Leaf and Petal.

I made the grass by snipping little strips on a one inch strip of Sweet Leaf and then gently bending them down a little.

Thanks for visiting today!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Easter Eggs basket

2009-03-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

This box was a challenge a few weeks ago at SCS (check it out here.)
It was super easy to make and, really, a lot of fun, too!

I used the February Stamp of the Month set called Easter Eggs for this project. The colors of cardstock are Sunkiss Yellow, Heavenly Blue and White Daisy. I used Heavenly Blue, Crystal Blue, Sunkiss Yellow and Buttercup inks. I used my big Marvy scallop punch for the yellow circle and my coluzzle system to cut the inner circle.

The eggs are a two-stamp layer - the solid layer was stamped in the lighter colors, with the detail layer stamped over it in the darker colors.

A simple 1/2" strip of Key Lime cardstock over the bottom of the eggs is the grass. Final touches were a little ink distressing around the edge of the white circle, a knotted piece of white ribbon and a blue button layered on.

Ready for Easter goodies!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Kissed Hello

2009-03-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

This card uses a simple technique called stamp kissing. I used Cottage Floral, and the colors are Bubblegum, Watermelon and Citrus Leaf Green. I also used a small piece of old Bubblegum organdy ribbon.

The flowers on the main part of of the card are kissed - the dotted background stamp (from Spot On Backgrounds) is mounted on its own block and left uninked. The flower (from Cottage Floral) is inked in Watermelon ink. Then I stamped it onto the uninked background stamp, and stamped it onto my cardstock. You can see that I also did a few second generation prints as well. The leaves are stamped as is - no kissing.

For the flower on the sentiment panel I used the kiss-and-twist technique. So this time, I inked the flower in Bubblegum ink, and the spotted background in Watermelon ink. Then I stamped the flower onto the background stamp and gave it a little twist. The result is the fun blurred lines from some of the spots, and the dual color. I cut out and attached this flower with a piece of foam tape to give it some extra dimension.

The "Hello" sentiment is from Say it in Style and is stamped twice in Bubblegum and once in Watermelon ink.

Hope your day is bright and happy! Thanks for stopping by!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Flower bunny

2009-03-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

Here's another card with the sweet Bunny Love stamp set. Isn't she adorable with her little hat and bunch of daffodils?

I used Vineyard Berry cardstock behind her and the accent papers are from the Creative Basics Emportium paper packet. She is colored with CTMH markers - Twilight, Sweet Leaf, Baby Pink, Vineyard Berry and Sunkiss Yellow. I distressed the edges of the image panel with Cocoa ink - and the bunny is stamped in Cocoa as well. The ribbon is knotted around the lower portion of the panel and is the Vineyard Berry Grosgrain that comes in the Creative Basics packet.

Hope your day is sweet!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Looooong weekend!

2009-03-10T19:47:00.000-07:00

So, my daughter and I went to spend the weekend with my mother across the state. We left on Friday afternoon, planning to come back on Sunday. Well, we just got home late this afternoon - Tuesday!!! It snowed like crazy over the weekend at my mother's and on the mountain pass we had to come back over. My car's heater hasn't worked all winter and with snow and freezing temps I can't keep my windshield clear without heat. So we were pretty well stuck at my mom's until today when the pass was clear and travel was easier.

It was nice to have the extra time at mom's - she's getting ready to move and needs LOTS of help packing. But now I'm behind at work and everything else....agh!

So, no art post tonight, but I'll be back in the morning with a new card to share. Hope everyone's weekend was great!

Thanks for visiting!

Some bunny....

2009-03-06T06:48:00.000-08:00

This is one of my favorite new sets in the Spring CTMH idea book. It's called Bunny Love and has four bunnies and some accessory stamps. They are just so cute!!

For this card, I stamped the bunny in Cocoa ink and colored it in with my CTMH markers - Twilight, Sweet Leaf, Vineyard Berry, Crystal Blue and Baby Pink. He is stamped on Colonial White cardstock.

The papers are from the Creative Basics Emporium set - love the floral one!

The diamond was left loose - not glued down, just tied at the top with the ribbon - so it dangles around a bit.

Below is a close up of the sweet bunny.

Hope you enjoy him!

(All supplies are CTMH.)

Taffy Rose

2009-03-05T06:55:00.000-08:00

This is a really soft, pretty card. I used Taffy and Garden Green for colors. Cardstock is White Daisy, Taffy and Garden Green. I first cut the two colored strips to the size I wanted for the front of the card - and initially they were to be stuck right up next to each other, but when I started to put it all together I really liked it better with about a 1/8th inch gap between them.

I used a sanding block and sanded both pieces all over, paying special attention to the edges. Then I tied a small piece of Taffy organdy ribbon around the bottom of the GG piece.

For the rose, I stamped the outline detail image in Garden Green ink and colored in the leaves with the GG marker. Then I stamped the solid inside of the rose with Taffy ink, and sponged around the edges of the panel with Taffy as well.

The final step before putting it all together was to pierce holes in two corners for a faux stitched look.

Have a blessed day!

(All supplies are CTMH.)

miss you....

2009-03-04T06:18:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I made time for myself to sit and stamp and just play...not getting ready for a class, not because I had to, but just to play. Forgot what that felt like!!! It was wonderful and fun, and refreshing!!

I challenged myself to use stamps that were NOT Close To My Heart. I stamped for 8 years before becoming a CTMH Consultant and I have a pretty big collection of "other" stamps that haven't gotten much use in the last 10 years. So, I decided that I was going to play with some of those. (Don't get me wrong...I love my CTMH classes and stamps!!)

This was a delightful card to make - mostly because there was no time deadline or pressure to make it!

So, I stamped the fish bowl in black in on White Daisy cardstock and made mask for the bottom part. Then I stamped the sea plant twice with Topiary ink, and colored it in with a Citrus Leaf Green marker. I stamped the goldfish in Black ink and colored it in with a Sunflower marker and went over that with my waterbrush and ink from my Orange ink pad. He's really quite pretty up close. I used the two markers to make "gravel" at the bottom of the bowl and finished by using the waterbrush and inks to paint the bottom of the bowl a light orange to reflect the "countertop" underneath and also highlighted some areas of the bowl with Citrus Leaf Green.

I used a standard size card of Citrus Leaf Green cardstock and used a corner rounder on the top two corners to match the feel of the fish bowl. For the countertop, I used a strip of orange cardstock and dry embossed the lines into it at 1/4" apart. Then I sanded the entire piece and attached it to the bottom of the card. I also sanded around the edges of the card.

Finally, I attached the fishbowl and stamped "miss you..." in black ink at the top corner.

Love it! It'll be going out in the mail to a dear friend of mine I only get to see once every few years...hope she likes it!

Thanks for stopping by today, hope your day is blessed in many ways!

Supplies:
Cardstock - White Daisy, Citrus Leaf Green, Orange - CTMH
Inks - Black, Topiary, and Citrus Leaf Greeen, Sunflower markers - CTMH
Stamps: Goldfish - PSX, Sea plant - Stamps in Motion, Fishbowl - Rubber Stampede, sentiment - SU!

Basketball thank you

2009-03-03T17:16:00.000-08:00

I KNOW, I know! Two cards in one day! How cool is that??!! My daughter and I just finished this card a few minutes ago. Since my camera was still out I figured I'd go ahead and get the pictures! Sorry it's a little blurry - I took several, they all were....so I gave up.

Anyway, I folded a standard sized card and used my Coluzzle circle template to cut it into a round shape on the fold. My daughter helped draw the basketball lines and then I stamped the words in black ink. Stamps are from the Say It In Style set.

We go to my daughters end-of-season party tonight so she will give this to her coach!

Thanks for stopping by!

(Supplies are CTMH - Orange cardstock, Black ink and marker, Say It In Style stamps.)

Hello Flower

2009-03-03T10:49:00.000-08:00

I love how this card turned out! I used the Thoughts of You stamp set, as well as Say It In Style for the sentiment.

Colors are Tulip, Blush and Chocolate. The B&T paper is from the That's Amore kit. Love that stripe!

I used my paper piercer and accompanying pad to pierce holes down the side of the flower panel and also around three sides of the Blush cardstock in the background. I love the look that gives the finished project! I also sponged Tulip ink around the outer edges of the flower panel.

Hope your day is great!

(All supplies from CTMH)

Photos done!

2009-03-03T10:48:00.000-08:00

Yes!! I got some photos taken of recent artwork....so check out my next post, and stop by in the next few days for new posts!

Business as usual....

2009-03-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

I seem to stack up a pile of projects....then need the time to take pictures....then post in a clump of days until I run out and need to start over....this seems to be my pattern! So anyway, I am at the point of needing to take some pictures, which will hopefully happen today! So be watching in the next couple of days and I'll have some new artwork to share with you!

Hope all is well in your little corner of the world!

His Holy Name Challenge - 3

2009-02-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

The new pewter brads from CTMH were the perfect accent for this page for the His Holy Name Challenge. God's attribute #3 is Protector. The brads made me think of little shields.

I LOVE how this page turned out. Hope you enjoy it, too.

(All supplies CTMH)

His Holy Name Challenge - 2

2009-02-16T15:33:00.000-08:00

His Holy Name challenge can be found at SCS.

Challenge #2 - God's attribute - Sovereign.

For this page I used edge anchors and a little bit of Chocolate Grosgrain ribbon for embellishments. I also added some stamped elements from the Playful Petals stamp set in Chocolate ink.

Papers used are from the Life Delights paper packet and Chocolate, and Sweet Leaf cardstocks.

I printed the definition and verse from my computer.

Come back tomorrow for the third challenge piece. And I'm currently working on the fourth, so it'll be up later this week. (It took me WAAAAAAAY too long to get these photos done!!)

(All supplies used are CTMH)

Fun Birthday card

2009-02-14T07:44:00.000-08:00

I made this card last week for my brother-in-law. I used the Sarsparilla paper packet and the Star Struck stamp set for this card. I also used a dimensional elements letter "d" and covered it with one of the coordinating papers from the paper packet. I used the new files to distress the edges of the cardstock layered under the cut out stars and to clean off and distress the edges of the letter. I twined some hemp around the stars and glued it in place with a couple drops of liquid glass. I also sanded the top piece of old Bark cardstock and then inked the sanded places with the Barn Red ink and a sponge applicator. The stars were stamped in Barn Red and Black inks.

On the inside of the card I inked the sentiment in Barn Red and rolled the edges in black. The sentiment is from the Happy Birthday set (one of my favorites because it has Happy Birthday in a fun variety of fonts.) Then I added the stars and the circle image as accents.

(All supplies are CTMH)

Impression...

2009-02-11T06:26:00.000-08:00

I made this card a while ago for an annual swap I do with one of my class groups. I used the Coffee Stain stamp set, and the Notebook paper packet. Colors are Hollyhock, Crystal Blue, and Desert Sand. There's a little bitty Hollyhock button for accent.

Sorry about these last few pictures - don't know what happened to them - they looked fine when I was editing them....

Have a great Wednesday!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Valentine Calendar Cards

2009-02-10T06:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a calendar duo created for Valentine's day. The first is non-traditional colors - Petal, Twilight, Sweet Leaf. And the second is Holiday Red, Black and White.

Both cards use the stamp set Moments in Time, which was the January SOTM. I used Petal brads for accents on the first card, and Red Sparkles for the second card. The sentiments are from Say It In Style, and The Works Alphabet.

Thanks for visiting today!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Heart Key

2009-02-09T06:41:00.000-08:00

Here's another card using the special set, Key to My Heart. I love how this one turned out - colors are Tulip and Juniper. Papers are from the KTMH paper packet. It's really a fun set!

(All supplies are Close to My Heart)

CTMH Anniversary!

2009-02-07T10:20:00.000-08:00

This month is a special celebration for CTMH. When you spend $25 on My Acrylix stamps you can earn the Good Times stamp set used in these projects for FREE! You can check it out and see the stamp set image at my website - it's listed in my sidebar.

You hold the key....

2009-02-06T17:51:00.000-08:00

....to my heart!
This card was made with the special set that was available last month from CTMH for National Papercrafting Month - Key to My Heart. Such a fun set! The giant key was inked in Creme Brulee and rolled in Tulip. Then I stamped it on White Daisy cardstock and cut it out. The heart was stamped in Tulip, cut out and layered on Tulip cardstock. I pierced a hole through it and used a piece of red hemp to tie the heart to the key.

The card was made with White Daisy cardstock. I stamped the pretty flourish-y corner stamp in Creme Brulee, then used the Creme Brulee and Tulip stamp pads to distress the paper. I added a strip of cardstock from the Key to My Heart paper packet and a 1/2" strip of Creme Brulee cardstock. The key was attached with small pieces of foam tape and the heart was left free to dangle.

I stamped the sentiment from the set "You hold the key to my heart" on the inside of the card in Tulip ink.
Thanks for visiting today!

(All supplies - except the red hemp - are Close to My Heart.)

Two posts today....

2009-02-05T06:49:00.000-08:00

This card is such a fun size to make. Start with a 6x6 square of cardstock and fold it in half for a 3 x 6 card.

The colors in this card are Sorbet, Chocolate, and Vanilla Cream.
I used the new Aspirations stamp set and the Card Commentary set. The ribbon is a piece of Chocolate grosgrain.

I stamped the branch image first near the top of a piece of Vanilla Cream. Then added the flowers. I used my chocolate ink pad to add the distressing around the edges and here and there around the image panel. Then layered that on Sorbet cardstock and added it to the front of the card.

I used a 1" strip of Vanilla cream, stamped the word love in Chocolate ink, added the flower and layered that on a 1-1/4" strip of Chocolate cardstock. Then I tied a knot with the ribbon at one end, attached the strip at an angle and cut off the excess cardstock.

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Can I help??

2009-02-05T06:45:00.000-08:00

This is my silly kitty, Keiko...she was very interested in all my cards when I was taking photos yesterday. She really thought it would be a better idea if I took pictures of her. I know this because every time I got one set up to photograph I'd have to move her out of the way or set the camera just to the side of her so she wasn't in the picture.

Silly cat!

Valentine Matchbox

2009-02-04T10:31:00.000-08:00

This was my first try at making a matchbox - and it was a LOT of fun! I used the More to Adore papers and the All My Love stamp set for this sweet little box. Colors are Chocolate and Blush.
This box is just the right size for 3 Hershey's Nuggets. Fill it up and give it to someone you love!

(All Supplies are Close To My Heart)

Today's the day.....

2009-02-03T06:17:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to find time to photo all my newer projects and life has been so crazy! But today is the day! I'll be back later with some new cards I've done lately!

His Holy Name Challenge

2009-01-13T09:09:00.000-08:00

This is my first submission for the new challenge on Splitcoaststampers . We will be studying the attributes and names of God in this challenge. I'm really excited about it. So this is my first page...I will be keeping my challenge pages in a 6x6 Cocoa My Legacy Linen album from Close To My Heart. And I've decided to use the Life Delights paper packet throughout, as well.

New Idea Book from CTMH!

2009-01-07T07:09:00.000-08:00

Here's something fun to share! The new Spring Idea book is out at Close To My Heart! There is a ton of great new product .... you can check it out at my website (see link in my sidebar!)

And here is a photo of some of the new papers from the That's Amore scrapbooking kit! Love them!!!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-07T07:01:00.000-08:00

Hope 2009 has started off well for everyone! I am grateful to look out my window and NOT see snow right now. Don't know if we've seen the last of it or not, but we've definitely had plenty for this area! (LOL Give me a few days and I'll be missing it!)

My kids are back in school - with a full schedule of upcoming awards events, concerts, basketball practice, and playing in the Bomb Squad (their pep band) at games. It's a crazy life, but I'm just glad that this year we are only dealing with the events at two schools instead of three!!!

I am in a bit of a stamping funk...can't seem to get myself moving to the stamp room lately. I spent some time over the holidays cleaning up part of my stamp room. I think it is time to seriously clean it OUT and reorganize. Hopefully I can manage to make myself do that!

I have some classes coming up, though, so hopefully I will have some fun samples to share really soon.

In the mean time, if you have a favorite blog or website you like to go to for some stamping inspiration, will you share it with me? I'm always on the lookout for new ideas....

Happy stamping!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T13:37:00.000-08:00

I just wanted to take some time to wish everyone out there a very Merry Christmas. The rest of the day for me will involve church services, and gift-exchanging with my in-laws. Tomorrow is going to be filled with family and fun as we celebrate the birth of Jesus!

I'll be back after the new year with more stamping projects!

Happy 2009!!

Merry Gifts

2008-12-05T06:28:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun and quick 4" x 4" card. I made the card base from New England Ivy cardstock. Then cut a 1" x 4" strip of Creme Brulee cardstock. Using my paper trimmer and a stylus, I dry embossed two lines across the one inch strip, and then glued that to the center of my card.

On a 3" x 3" White Daisy piece of cardstock, I stamped the three gifts (from the December Word Puzzle set) in Cranberry, Creme Brulee, and New England Ivy, and then the words merry Christmas in black. At 1/2" from the top and bottom, I dry embossed lines across the white panel as well. Then glued that to the card front. Done!!

My picture doesn't do it justice, but it's a pretty, simple little card. I like the "cleanness" of it!

Hope your day is blessed today!

(Supplies are all Close To My Heart)

Merry and Bright

2008-12-04T06:23:00.000-08:00

This was a really simple card! I was inspired by a card I saw from a similar sketch. The B&T on the triple panels is a pretty and soft snowflake pattern from the Aspen Paper Packet. The sentiment circle is from the December Word Puzzle, along with the snowflake in the center.
All pieces are layered on Outdoor Denim cardstock and the card base is Twilight cardstock.

For a final touch, I added a white (although in the photo it doesn't look too white) snowflake button.

So....may your day be merry and bright! Thanks for stopping by!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Gift card Holder #2

2008-12-03T06:17:00.001-08:00

Here's another Gift Card Holder - this time using the Merry Pursuits stamp set and Aspen Paper Packet.

I love all the character in these little elves! This little snowman builder is colored with CTMH markers: Twilight, Outdoor Denim, Sorbet, and a touch of Baby Pink. I used my waterbrush to apply the shading to the snow with color picked up from my Twilight marker tip. And up in the corner, I added an Outdoor Denim button.

(All supplies are Close To My Heart.)

2008-12-02T20:12:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun gift card holder and card in one. I used the December Word Puzzle for this card. The ornaments on the front are stamped in Dutch Blue, Clover Meadow and Holiday Red inks. I drew the string and bow on each ornament with a black My Legacy marker. The saying is also stamped in Dutch Blue

The card is made with a 12" x 4" piece of cardstock that is scored at 4", 6" and 8". The middle section is then folded into the center of the card. Using scissors, I cut out a small slot in the fold of the pop-out center section. On the inside of this section, I glued the top and bottom edges, as well as along the folded edges at the back of the card - so that the holder portion is glued closed around the edges only.

I added a small panel on the front side of the card holder section with more ornaments, and the rest of the saying is stamped on the inside of the card.

Quick and easy! And perfect for your holiday gift giving.

No internet at home....

2008-12-01T10:28:00.000-08:00

I have several more holiday cards ready to share with you, but our internet at home has been down now for two days. I was told it was our computer, but I'm hearing from more and more people with the same provider that theirs is out as well.....so I'm thinking it's not my computer!

Anyway, I'm posting from work right now and hopefully we'll be back online at home soon so I can share some more photos!

Have a great Monday everyone!

Snowflake Wreath?

2008-11-29T08:04:00.000-08:00

I have seen several examples from last year and again this year in which a stamper used a snowflake to create a beautiful wreath. So, the other day when I was looking at my Feathery Flakes set, I thought, "I'm gonna try it! Can't be that hard!"

Well, my first attempt was a disaster - totally wrong snowflake. So I tried it with a small flake from that set - and look what I got!!! I love it!

I lightly traced a circle on my White Daisy cardstock and then stamped one ring of snowflakes all the way around the circle. Then I turned the flake, and stamped around again over and between the flakes in the first round. I did a few in second generation, too. (I erased the pencil circle with a good eraser.) I added "berries" by sticking on some red sparkles and a cranberry organdy ribbon at the top.

Lovely!

The wreath is stamped in Sweet Leaf ink and the wreath panel is layered on another panel of Sweet Leaf cardstock. The word Christmas is stamped in Cranberry ink.

Here is a close up of the wreath.

Hope you have a great weekend!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Merry Trees

2008-11-28T07:32:00.000-08:00

This is my version of the card made in the Art & Soul video on the CTMH website (click on the CTMH TV button.)
The card is made with a base of New England Ivy cardstock, a layer of pretty Evensong B&T that covers the entire card front. The main image panel is a two inch strip of NEI cardstock wrapped with a piece of Cranberry Grosgrain, and the trees from the December Word Puzzle set stamped in NEI ink on a 2" square of White Daisy. I used a Cranberry marker to color the ornaments on the center tree and a red sparkle for the top of the tree. Using a paper piercer, I poked faux stitching holes across the top and bottom edges and then attached this piece to the NEI strip.

The sentiment is from the same set, stamped in NEI on White Daisy and layered on NEI cardstock.

Of the cards I've made lately, this was my husband's favorite.

Have a great Black Friday!

(All supplies are CTMH)

Happy Thanksgiving and a Holiday Gift

2008-11-27T14:23:00.000-08:00

Wishing everyone a very happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a simple holiday card! The word "happy" is stamped in New England Ivy ink across the top of a standard size top-fold card.

The gift panel is created with a large panel of striped B&T from the Evensong Paper Packet, and the gift from a smaller piece of the New England Ivy swirl patterned paper from the same packet. I used Glue Dots to attach the ends of the ribbon to the back of the "gift" and then another glue dot to attach the bow. The ribbon is Cranberry grosgrain.

Finally, I stamped the word "HOLIDAYS" in Cranberry ink at the bottom of the card and placed New England Ivy brads on either side of the word. The sentiment words come from the December Word Puzzle stamp set.

Have a great day!

(All supplies Close To My Heart.)

Blog candy alert

2008-11-21T07:11:00.000-08:00

Go here and check out this blog candy! Cool!!

I really have been stamping up a storm....just haven't had time to get photos....hopefully today, but we'll see!!

Yes!

2008-11-18T22:24:00.000-08:00

Cards to come soon! I spent quite a bit of time today creating a variety of cards. Had a lot of fun, relaxed, and hopefully will get them photo'd tomorrow to share.

Have a good night, come back tomorrow!

Snow Trio

2008-11-15T08:20:00.000-08:00

All Decked Out is the stamp of the month set this month. It has everything you need to create your own stamped snowmen. Adorable!

I used the Aspen Paper Packet for this card, and colors are Creme Brulee, Outdoor Denim, Twilight, and Orange for the carrot nose.

The brads in the bottom shadowy corner are Twilight and Outdoor Denim.

I used the SC200 sketch from SCS for this fun card, too!

Hope you have a happy day!

Brads and ribbon are the embellisment winners!

2008-11-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

So according to my poll, it looks like brads and ribbons are the favorite embellishments out there! I find I tend to grab those two the most, myself. I used to use eyelets more, but I don't tend to pull out all the tools as often anymore. Thanks for participating in my poll!

Love is spoken here

2008-11-08T07:20:00.000-08:00

This is a card I made using the Treasure Life stamp of the month set from a couple months ago. I used the rolling technique to get the fall leaves in two colors. (Ink the whole stamp in one color, then roll the edges in another color. I stamped in first and second generation to fill up the whole white panel with layers of colors. Then I also sponged around the edges. Colors used are Sunflower, Juniper, and Barn Red.

I used the Word Window punch from SU! to make the oval cutout in the bottom. The sentiment is stamped on a one inch strip of cardstock that is glued to the bottom inside of the card, and also stamped with leaves.
(All supplies except the punch are CTMH, punch is from SU!)

Recipe quest

2008-11-04T06:57:00.000-08:00

Hello again!
Just thought I'd ask if any of you out there also have to cook for a child with food allergies? I have a 14 year-old son who is allergic to milk and eggs and mold (which amazingly takes all sorts of things out of our regular grocery shopping!!!) Anyway, we only found out about these allergies a year ago and I'm still struggling learning how to cook for him. The poor kid had to give up all his favorite foods!

I want to make him some cookies for the holidays.....so here's my question - do you have any good cookie recipes using no eggs (or egg replacer) and no milk (or subbing soy or almond or rice milk)? He can have soy milk and he likes almond milk. It just doesn't seem like all recipes work when you use these substitutes.

If you have a good recipe, would you be willing to share it with me?

Thanks so much!!

Fun new background!

2008-11-04T06:39:00.000-08:00

Nothing to post this morning, but I had fun looking through free backgrounds and choosing THIS one for my blog. Kinda fun to have a totally different look to the blog!

It is pouring down rain here in the Tri-Cities this morning. Have a lovely fall day wherever you are! And don't forget to vote today if you haven't already!

Gift Bag...in a box

2008-11-02T06:34:00.000-08:00

After seeing these delightful little bags....or boxes....bags in a box....all over the web lately, I had to give one a try. So here is my attempt. I used Evensong papers, New England Ivy and White Daisy cardstock, New England Ivy and Cranberry Inks, and the Annotations stamp of the month set for October.

(All supplies are Close To My Heart.)

SC199 - Happy pumpkin

2008-10-31T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is another sketch challenge I accomplished recently! It can be found here, at SCS, so check it out!

My card uses Orange, Clover Meadow, and Chocolate Cardstock. I stamped the pumpkin and the sentiment in Chocolate ink. The vine is stamped on the Clover Meadow cardstock in Clover Meadow ink. The Orange Organdy is old CTMH ribbon.

To color in the pumpkin, I broke out my almost forgotten soft chalks! It was fun to use them again!

The stamps are from the Harvest Memories, and Say It In Style stamp sets.

Have a happy PUMPKIN day!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Mojo Monday - Let it snow!

2008-10-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

Not the best picture - sorry about that....but I'm so excited! I decided this week that I am going to try to do at least 2 sketches from either SCS or other blogs each week. I loved the Mojo Monday sketch this week - and this card is what it inspired!!

I used paper from the Aspen paper packet, along with Outdoor Denim and White Daisy cardstocks. I stamped the images in Outdoor Denim ink and the snowflakes on the circle in Creme Brulee. I colored the elf image with my CTMH markers in Creme Brulee, Twilight, Outdoor Denim and Bamboo.

I don't have a small scallop circle punch so I cut two circles with my Coluzzle system. Then I used a pair of scallop scissors to cut around the larger blue circle - it wasn't very easy!!! And it's not toally even, but I think it looks ok!

Stamp sets used are Merry Pursuits and Christmas Scripts.

To snow or not to snow.....oh let it snow!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart)

Give Thanks for Fall!

2008-10-29T11:40:00.000-07:00

I really like this striped paper from the Enchanted Paper Packet - can you tell?

This card was quick and easy to make. I stamped the fall tree from the Four Seasons stamp set in Pansy Purple on a piece of White Daisy cardstock. The moon is a circle stamp from the Solo B stamp set - which is stamped in Sunflower ink. The tree is layered on a piece of Pansy Purple cardstock.

I also layered the piece of striped B&T paper on Pansy Purple. The sentiment is also stamped in Pansy Purple ink. Just below the sentiment are two White Daisy itty Bitty Brads. Love them - they are soo tiny! The card itself is Sunflower cardstock.

Hope you're having a good fall day!

(All Supplies are Close To My Heart)

New Poll Posted

2008-10-28T06:55:00.000-07:00

No artwork today...or at least not until later, maybe. I have some I need to photograph today - it's on my list of things to do!!!

But I did add a new poll on the right about embellishments. I'm curious - what is the favorite embellishment out there right now? You can choose more than one on the list, but if you choose "Other" please leave a comment and tell me what you like to use on your cards and pages!

Have a great day!!

Stamplifted NOEL

2008-10-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

You know, sometimes you see a card and you just HAVE to copy it. I saw the original for this card on our corporate artwork bulletin board and had to make one. Love it!!

I did use different paper than the original creator. This card has the blue pattern from the Notebook paper packet, Moonstruck cardstock and White Daisy cardstock.

Stamp sets used are Essential Alphabet, and Feathery Flakes.

This technique is so fun to do, too. It's called stamp-kissing. I inked the N EL with Crystal Blue ink. Then using the small snowflake, I inked it in Moonstruck and stamped it directly onto the letter stamps. (Note: you have to have a very steady hand for this because the stamps slide very easily!) Then I stamped the whole thing on a piece of white cardstock. Beautiful! I added the large snowflake for the O and stuck a White Daisy bigger brad through the center of it. NOEL got layered on a piece of Moonstruck which has the edges distressed a bit. The small snowflake on the blue Notebook B&T is stamped randomly in second generation. After putting it all together, I thought it needed just another little something, so I added the tiny layered snowflake image in the lower corner. Perfect!

Have a great day!

Sweet Angel

2008-10-25T21:26:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this little angel set - Angel Sent. The four little angels are so sweet. This little angel has a frame of Cranberry cardstock accented with a gold brad and a piece of New England Ivy organdy. The angel is stamped in black ink on White Daisy cs, and is colored with CTMH markers. I added a bit of prisma glitter to her wings and halo.

The card base is White Daisy cs, with a panel of B&T from the Evensong Paper Packet. I wasn't sure I liked this square pattern until I used it on this card. The sentiment is stamped in black and is layered on Garden Green cs. The sentiment is from the Peace on Earth set.

Hope your weekend is going great! Come visit again soon!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart.)

Here is a close up of the framed angel. The frame is set up on foam tape.

Feathery Flakes

2008-10-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

Every single time there's a new snowflake set I think...."I gotta have it!" Now sometimes, I manage to get past the temptation to buy, but not this time. I love this new set!! There are three different sizes of snowflakes in it and they are all gorgeous!

For this card I used Moonstruck, Crystal Blue and White Daisy cardstocks and Moonstruck and Crystal Blue inks. Some of the smaller flakes are stamped in second generation - although it's a little hard to tell in this picture.

The card is a gatefold and there is also a sentiment on the inside along the lines of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year with a couple of smaller flakes accenting.

The sentiments came from the Peace on Earth set, and the B&T on the right side of the card is from the Notebook paper pack. There is also a Moonstruck Bigger Brad in the center of the middle flake.

Stay warm where you are!! It's only 28 here this morning....brrr!!
(All supplies are Close To My Heart.)

Enchanted Harvest

2008-10-22T07:27:00.000-07:00

Loved this sketch when it was posted on Splitcoaststampers last week -SC198. So, I had to give it a try. The two B&T papers are from the Enchanted paper pack. Cardstocks used are White Daisy, Garden Green, and Pansy Purple. I used CTMH markers to color the image from the Give Thanks stamp set. The vine on the Garden Green strip is stamped with Garden Green ink in second generation and is from the Harvest Memories set.

(All supplies, except the square brads, are CTMH.)

Have a great day!!

Where does time go?

2008-10-22T06:36:00.000-07:00

I know this is an often asked question, but I am constantly amazed at how fast the days go by anymore. Suddenly my oldest child is a Senior in high school. I remember when I took him to his first day of Kindergarten...and how I cried all the way home. My middle child is a Freshman...he's supposed to still be in second grade!! How'd he get so tall? Taller than anyone else in the family. My baby, my daughter, is 10!! She's 10? My little girl is getting taller and beautiful and full of teenage ideas.

Not only that, but it's already almost the end of October?? How in the world did that happen? School just started yesterday, didn't it? Two and a half months.....wooosh.... Seems impossible that we are already staring another holiday season in the face! Don't get me wrong, this is my favorite time of year, but didn't we just have it? I turned 40 last December...and now all of a sudden December is just right around the corner and my next birthday is coming with it. What???

Well, I hope you all have a great day today. Thanks for "listening" to my rambling. I just looked at my kids and the calendar this morning, and felt really, really tired all of a sudden. Like life has been a virtual whirlwind and it's going by way too fast.

Thanks for visiting!

happy Fall

2008-10-21T06:20:00.000-07:00

This card is one of my favorite newest creations! It is a 4-1/4" square card of Olive cardstock. The red strip is a 1" x 4-1/4" strip of Barn Red cardstock. The tree is stamped in Cocoa ink on a piece of Colonial White cs an layered on Cocoa cs. I used CTMH markers - Sunflower, Barn Red, and Olive - to add some color to the leaves. The Olive Waxy Flax is attached using a pewter photo hanger (love those!) and the tag is a stamp from the Annotations Stamp of the Month. The word "happy" also came from the Annotations set, and the word "Fall" came from the Four Seasons set with the tree. The tag is stamped in Olive and Barn Red inks.

Happy Fall!

(All supplies are Close To My Heart.)