Inky Fingers, Paper Cuts, and a Glitter Mustache

ooohh...Shiny!

2011-08-01T19:26:00.000-04:00

I love that the Stampin Up Big Shot works on other elements besides cardstock. I can use the hand powered machine to cut fabric, paper, tin & aluminum, acrylic, and lots more. For today's card, I embossed a window sheet (transparency) with the new striped embossing folder.

It was so easy and so much fun! Window sheets are a nice way to add a layer with out the heaviness of paper. The stripes embossed are vertical (the lines running zig zagged horizontally are the reflections from my window blinds) and turn an otherwise boring card into a eye catching work of art.

good job! way to go! fantastic!

2011-07-26T11:10:00.000-04:00

Anyway you spin the card, and it really does spin, you'll be saying something great to the person you are giving it to.

What a fun stamp!

Lovin' the Banner Train

2011-07-23T11:04:00.001-04:00

I'm usually slow to hop on the train for a new trend.

And true to form, it took me a while to appreciate all the banners I have been seeing in the craft world recently. I've seen paper banners, fabric banners, sock banners, pine cone banners.....all kinds of banners (I made up the sock banner but wouldn't that be cute? A sock --clean of course--from each member of the family strung up across your fire place the night before some gift giving holiday? oh wait....we do that already don't we? Darn! I thought I was on to something unique!).

Stampin Up makes banner making incredily easy with a punch for paper crafting and a die for everything else (fabrics included). Oh the fun I'm going to have now that I love banners!

Layered Scallops

2011-07-22T10:59:00.000-04:00

When I first received the new Stampin Up 2011-2012 Idea Book, I was a little dismayed to see most of the 5/8" grosgrain ribbon had retired.

hmmm......how can I make a card with out 5/8" grosgrain ribbon?

I flipped through the catalog a few more minutes and realized layers of paper replaced ribbon on most of the sample cards. Interesting idea. And actually, as beautiful as 5/8" grosgrain ribbon is, those knots required extra postage when I mailed out my cards!

The layers of paper were usually in the form of multiple scallop edges like in my card today. See how I used the Scallop Border Trim punch on the Indigo Island paper, two pieces actually, and layered them to peek out beneath the Very Vanilla cardstock? Simple but resulting in a nice textured finish. And no extra postage for those layers!

Of course, I couldn't help but add a mini clear button so I ended up having to spend an extra 20 cents at the post office anyway, but buttons are always worth the extra postage. Kind of like icing on the cake is always worth the extra calories!

I'm back....a little rusty but enjoying crafting again

2011-07-19T12:53:00.000-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I held an open house to reintroduce myself to my stampers.

Seems like the six months I took off (for health and personal issues regarding one of my children) created a void in the lives of everyone around me. Well, maybe not a void. But, I did have quite a few stampers approach me and ask me if I'm going to have Stamp Class again.

And every time I went to the basement, my stamp area would whisper enticing words to me, promising rest and relaxation via paper and ink.

So, I put in a quick order to Stampin Up, purchased a few new colors and papers, and requested a box full of 2011-2012 catalogs. I set a date for an open house, invited some great ladies, and I am back in business!

This is the free card everyone made. I used some retiring products and some new colors.

The design is one that Dawn created for her blog. I love her style because it is so easy to duplicate and always looks nice.

forgotten wedding card

2010-11-22T06:50:00.000-05:00

This is the card that we forgot to bring with us when we went to a wedding a few weeks ago. I thought The Accountant had it. He thought I had it.

It was so strange to eat at the reception knowing that we forgot the card with the gift in it. Almost like we were stealing the food.

Is that strange or would you feel like that too?

For you vs. To you??

2010-11-19T17:20:00.000-05:00

I made this card to send to my teen age niece in Boston.

Originally, the Happy Birthday sentiment was not on there. It just said 4 U (for you) and was created to hold a gift card.

It looked a little boring so I added the Happy Birthday. Then, I realized it should have had 2 U (to you) as in Happy Birthday to You but I couldn't exchange the 4 with a 2 with out ruining the card.

I'm not sure a 15 year old cares though so it's OK.

Have a great weekend!

3rd and final card front from Musical Christmas Card class

2010-11-18T08:51:00.001-05:00

I enjoy the faces from this stamp set, Holiday Lineup. Cute little snowmen, endearing reindeer, and mischievous little elves, all lined up to wish you a Merry Christmas. Using the snowman stamp, I created this Rose Red, Bashful Blue, and Marina Mist Christmas card front for Stampin Up's musical Christmas card.

And here is today's last card for the Incredibly Overly Prompt Halloween cards for 2012 (maybe it wasn't so awful that I was late posting these):

And here is what was inside:

Finger update (because I know you care)....stitches are coming out soon. Unfortunately, the nerves must be growing back because I can feel some twinges of pain once in a while. Cutting papers is no problem but I've been getting the urge to sew again. I'm just not sure if I'm ready to pick up the rotary blade again.

Coffee wreath class---FREE

2010-11-17T06:30:00.002-05:00

I am so excited to show you this Coffee Filter Wreath! It is absolutely beautiful. And can you believe that it cost less than $3 to make and an hour of your time??

I'll be holding a FREE class November 29th at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. for anyone in my area that would like to come make this wreath. Bring your own yard of ribbon (I used the Marina Mist striped grosgrain ribbon from Stampin Up) and a plate of goodies to share and we'll have a blast constructing this.

I'll prebuy the materials for you--a 10 inch foam ring and white coffee filters from the dollar store, a pack of straight pins, and a hot glue gun. Just let me know asap if you're coming.

If you can't make the class but would like directions (super easy, I promise) let me know. If you would like to buy a wreath and claim that you made it yourself, I'll even ship one to you and let you take the credit. Just let me know by emailing me at aricjen@itwifi.net.

And here is today's Incredibly Overly Prompt Halloween project for 2012:

We made this treat box (actually called a mini pizza box--instructions can be found HERE) to hold these little critters:

The spiders are made using York Peppermint Patties (actually an off brand but just as yummy).

Incredibly Overly Prompt kinda sounds funny

2010-11-16T09:31:00.002-05:00

Here is another Incredibly Overly Prompt Halloween card for 2011:

And let me tell you, this mummy card was a LOT of fun to make! There was no wrong way to rip the card stock strips, sponging the edges was quick and easy, and those cute, slightly startled looking green eyes peeking out of the 'wrap' give it personality.

As promised, here is a current card to go along with the Incredibly Overly Prompt for 2011 card:

Part of my Musical Christmas Cards Class, this one fits right on the cover of a Stampin Up music card. I cut the base to be 1/8 inch smaller than the music card and it looks great. IRL (In Real Life), the tree is all sparkly with Dazzling Diamonds and looks real perty.

I'm still wearing the splint on my left pointer finger (rotary blade one, me zero). Typing is extremely time consuming as I hunt & peck on the keyboard and then backspace to correct all the spelling mistakes. I'm thinking of hiring The Accountant tomorrow to post on my blog and describe the day's card. Stay tuned to see if he'll do it....

greetings from the edge.....

2010-11-15T14:37:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to be blogging again!

A few of you may have noticed that I've been gone for a while....in fact, a few cards that I have yet to post are my Halloween cards from my October class. And here it is November 15th already!

I'd still like to show you the Halloween cards. I hope that is OK.

Can we please pretend that I'm not actually extremely over due but rather, incredibly overly prompt for Halloween 2011?!?

I'll even throw in a card from my current class so you'll forgive me for my tardiness.

The first picture is a card using the Stampin Up two-step owl punch in a creative way---upside down:

Cute little ghosts, huh?

This second picture is of a card that is part of my Musical Christmas Cards Class (being held today). We are making three card fronts that can be attached to musical cards (available from Stampin Up of course). The mittens are punched using the wide oval punch and the small oval punch (both from Stampin Up). I think the second mitten slipped from its original position....it looks a little too close to the other one. :)

This last picture is of my left hand and a clear quest for pity:

The rotary blade on the right ran over my left pointer finger while I was cutting fabric for sewing. That blade is sharp! I required SEVEN stitches. I'm actually glad I severed so many nerves...helps manage the pain. And you won't be seeing any more pictures with out the splint/bandage, too gross. I'll spare you that ugliness.

Typing is a little slow. Washing my hair is difficult. Dishes are out of the question. I was able to cut papers for today's Musical Christmas Cards Class though. I know my priorities.

Labor of Love---a non stampin post

2010-10-07T09:14:00.000-04:00

This is the latest sewing project I recently finished. Notice I did not say "this is the latest sewing project I've been working on". That would be because I don't always finish what I start--and let me tell you, potholders are a LOT harder to make than they look and now I don't know what to make for Christmas presents for my family (I can hear their cries of dismay, can you?).

Not finishing everything I start is no big surprise to anyone who knows me well.

This purse, however, took me an intense three FULL DAYS to make. Those ruffles were a ton of work but aren't they so beautiful?!?!? I love how this purse turned out.

It was sort of like childbirth because of the pain and laboring. Sweating and grumbling. And in the midst of it, I declared to anyone who'd listen that I would not ever be making another ruffle purse like this again. Ever.

But after a day of using it, carrying it, holding it, and loving it. I think I'm ready to do it again. I've already picked out the fabrics and can picture how the new one will look. I've even named it.

At the very end of the purse project, my beloved Mini Janome machine broke. I spent most of Sunday trying to fix it. I succeeded in fixing the misaligned gears only to cause another problem that I can't find a solution for.

So, I'm on the prowl for another machine. And now that Stampin Up is selling fabrics (in the mini catalog--have you seen them yet???), I'm quite sure I'll be having sewing classes to add to my stamp classes. And that means, Business Expense!!! I think I've worn down The Accountant with my justifications about how my Stampin Up business should foot the bill for a new machine. He's just so......legal though.

Either way, I've been doing some research. I'd love to hear if anyone out there has some suggestions. I'm looking for a mid price dependable machine that doesn't need to have many fancy stitches and extras (or maybe I do and just don't know it yet so you can tell me that too).

Please leave a comment if you have a machine that you wouldn't recommend also. It would help to know if I should stay away from certain features or brands or lines.

And before I go, here are some little easy-to-do and quick-to-complete key fobs that I made last week. The original pattern was for a smaller version that could hold a thumb drive or a tube of lipstick or a pack of gum. I enlarged it to hold my cell phone and then made a few extra.

Hey Bro!

2010-10-05T11:31:00.000-04:00

My older brother is the family comedian. His sarcasm and wit cause me to roll on the floor in laughter (especially his Facebook comments.....my word!). I'm so glad he's my friend--outside of FB too.

He's a great guy with a great family and I hope he enjoys a great birthday!

My card (his card) came from this week's mojo sketch:

While I was putting it together, it reminded me of this sign:

Which would be totally appropriate if I had thought about it before hand. He drives many hours for work and loves to race his Mustang. He's always on the road going somewhere.....If only I had Designer Paper made from a map! There's always next year........

You Make Me Smile

2010-10-01T10:48:00.000-04:00

For some reason, every time I see this card, I mentally start singing You Make My Smile, by Uncle Kracker.

If you have teenagers, or if you are a music junkie yourself, you'll know this song.

I tend to NOT keep up on the most recent selections of modern pop music so I may even be wrong about what is current and what is 'so five mintues ago, Mom' and You Make Me Smile might not even be popular anymore.

Seriously, you should see the playlists on my Ipod. It would probably make you laugh. Nowhere else in the world do Journey and Katy Perry coexist peacefully except in my personal playlist.

On to why you are here......This is the fourth card we made last week at Stamp Class. Yes, there was a little bit of cutting to do. And yes, I heard some grumbling. But everyone agreed that this card is a keeper. Or a sendable. Whether you choose to horde your cards or send them to someone else, either way, this one's a cutie.

23 punched ovals equal one very large sunflower

2010-09-30T08:06:00.001-04:00

For this card, I copied my own work from way back in April.

The flower is a little bigger, the ribbon is a little fuller, and the filling for the sunflower is actually popcorn I picked up at a popcorn specialty store that sells all sorts of different types of kernals.

To make this card last Monday at class, I instructed my stampers to punch out 23 ovals, brush the edges with chocolate chip, and snip the ends off before adhering the petals around the treat cup.

And depending on how closely you glued them together, my stampers needed less or a little more than 23 ovals.

I guess stamping isn't an exact science.

Here is the photo from the original:

Purse shaped cards are proven to fight duldrums

2010-09-29T09:05:00.001-04:00

These little purses are key-ute! And they were super easy to make with the Big Shot and the Top Note die. We also used the scallop frame die for the handles, the large oval for the clasp, and the word window punch for the sentiment.

And best of all, they fit into an invitation sized envelope. Wouldn't a card like this totally brighten your day if you found it in your mail box???

I'm also thinking they'd make great invitations for bridal showers, birthday parties, and thank you notes. Maybe even this year's Christmas cards!!!

But I'm probably biased because I have an extremely large collection of purses, totes, and bags ~~hiding~~ stored in my closet. I seriously love purses! Including my Dolce & Gabbana from New York City (which I grudgingly admit is probably a fake), three purses I've sewn myself, and a beautiful Purple Prada knock-off with matching purple wallet I bought at the flea market in Shipshewana IN.

faux tile

2010-09-28T07:22:00.001-04:00

CASing a card from the famous Jan Tink, I used the faux tile technique for this beautiful autumn card. It is also my Obligatory Masculine Male Card for September's stamp class.

This faux tile technique makes use of a Stampin Up brayer, three or four shades of inks, and a scoring blade or bone folder. The white 'grout' lines are score marks pressed into your cardstock prior to stamping (lightly) and braying (brayering?).

Library Animals on Sticks

2010-09-27T07:49:00.002-04:00

While I haven't been posting very often, that doesn't mean I haven't been busy crafting.

I had my class last Monday and prepared 4 amazing cards for each of the 20 stampers.

I have joined a few sewing classes and made some more purses.

I also have been busy with 4H projects and making crafts for my new job.

Speaking of my new job, which I absolutely love, I am still considered a 'newby' and am constantly learning the do's and don'ts of working in a library.

And some of those life lessons I have learned since I became a librarian (although technically, my name badge says Library Staff not librarian) include:

2 & 3 year olds have a very very very short attention span and LapTime story programs have to be exciting to keep their attention
Too much excitement at LapTime story programs cause the reader of the books (namely ME) to rapidly lose control of the whole group
2 & 3 year olds often have a pack mentality and gang up on the reader
never never ask for a single volunteer to hold a monkey puppet while singing 5 Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed -- a child not picked to be that single volunteer will quickly start crying and cause the other non-selected children to realize the trajedy and also start crying which results in the whole pack of 2 & 3 year olds to gang up on the reader
librarians have a wicked sense of humor and laugh often at the newby staff member who is still learning these life lessons.

Yes, there have been some mis-haps and humble moments. But I also bring some nice abilities and talents to the work place that my co-workers appreciate. Skills like being able to use my vast assortment of paper craft supplies to create crafts and props.

The Monkey face stick was used last week for our Monkey theme (books like What Time Is It Mr Crocodile, and Five Little Monkeys Up In A Tree, and If You're Happy and You Know It). The bear face is for this week coming up (the Bear theme includes books like Brown Bear Brown Bear, Is It A Bear?, and The Bear Went Up The Mountain).

To make these faces, I pulled out all sorts of circle and oval punches. And all shades of brown cardstock. And I used my Big Shot. A lot.

In two weeks, our theme is Duck. Time to get out the Daffodil Delight and the Whisper White cardstock. And brush up on my reading to preschoolers skills.

Family Vehicle

2010-09-26T18:47:00.000-04:00

I purchased the Stampin Up Decor Elements All In The Family some time ago and just decided to try them out on my vehicle.

We had some hot days this week but the forecast said it was supposed to cool down on Friday. I decided to wait till that day so the acrylic wouldn't melt in the hot sun. The directions don't actually say to not apply the Decor Elements in the direct sun but I wasn't taking any chances. Plus, I'd rather not sweat while I work so 60 degree temps were more appealing than 90 degrees (and yes, in Michigan, we do have those kind of extreme temps in a 24 hour period).

First, start with a very clean surface--this is tricky for my vehicle because we live on a dirt road and my black Acadia is rarely clean.....

And did you see I made myself a customized license plate??? I always wanted one of those and edited my photo in MS Paint so it would look like I had one. Thinking of my favorite hobbies, I had to decide between I STAMP or IHEARTCHOCOLATE or CAUTION: THIS VEHICLE STOPS AT ALL KOHLS. I went with the most important....

After I thoroughly cleaned the back window, I lined up the six images I had. I certainly did not want to mix up my family members and put them in the wrong order.

Applying the images was very easy (with the exception of a few eyes that didn't want to come off the paper and stick to my glass initally) and the whole process only took about 15 minutes.

Here is the finished image.

I love how the Father image has a tie! How did they know my husband, the accountant, wore one everyday? To be honest though, my 16 year old daughter is many inches taller than me and my second child, the 13 year old son, is too. But it could have been worse, I could have put the kids much closer together to make it look like they were all holding hands!

Mondays and celebrations

2010-09-13T13:19:00.000-04:00

To celebrate my first Monday home alone (because my kids are all at school), I mopped my downstairs bathroom & kitchen, washed three loads of laundry, and burned some toast.

The smell of burned toast is very over-powering....especially when it is burned to the point of flames coming out of the toaster. And boy does it linger. I burned it five hours ago and the smell is still in the air.

The smell is so nauseating that I was forced to go down to my work area in the basement and escape to the more pleasant smells of papers, inks, and stamp cleaner.

Which I was going to do anyway because I needed to make two more samples for my 4H class tomorrow.

I think the 4H group is all boys so they might appreciate more masculine type 12x12 samples.

There is something bizzare going on with my connection/and or computer this morning so I'm going to save and post before I lose everything. One burned out appliance on this sunny Monday is enough.......I'm not in the position to put flames out on my computer.

Wall Art with 4 H

2010-09-10T11:54:00.000-04:00

I'm scheduled to help a group of 4H kids next week make some Wall Art that they will submit in competition.

They bought 12x12 shadow boxes and frames and wanted to make something unique to put inside.

I jumped at the invitation to assist and told them I'd bring all my papers and punches and stamps and Big Shot and dies. And then I remembered how much that entails and I wished I had invited them over to my house instead of carting it all to the group.

They also asked me to bring samples of what we could do with a 12x12 frame.

After procrastinating for three weeks, I pulled everything out and starting playing today.

I decided that these are great custom gifts and I'm going to give all my nieces and nephews a frame for Christmas (don't worry Wesley, I have more than just pink papers and butterflies and I think you're gonna love yours).

to my dear daughter

2010-09-08T14:58:00.000-04:00

My daughter just started her junior year of high school. She is so much cooler than I ever was.

She recently (recently as in yesterday) passed her third party road test and can now legally drive. On her own. By herself. With out help from me. I'm still not sure how I like that idea, although, I'm pretty sure I know how The Accountant likes that idea (he doesn't).

It will be handy to send her for milk and bread when we're out. And it will be nice to have her drive herself to and from cross country practice. But I'll miss our ~~conversations~~ (actually conversations were pretty sparse because on most of our trips the only sound was the clicking of her cell phone as she texted!)and seeing her beautiful face in the seat next to me.

I keep reminding myself that this is a good thing. A step in the right direction toward adulthood. A neccessary step.

And it helps my prayer life.

My layout for today's card came from the Mojo Blog:

A card that is good enough to eat

2010-08-22T22:19:00.002-04:00

I saved showing you this card for last. Mostly because it was so much fun to make at class. And because it is totally different than I usually make.

Remember I promised to make at least one Man Card every month? Well, I qualified this card to be a Man Card (except one of my stampers said it isn't as much of a Man card as it is a Teen card. Ooops.)

We used a huge assortment of punches for this card. The wrapper for the hamburger (which is beef by the way and NOT venison--for the Accountant's benefit) is regular ol' wax paper from my kitchen cabinet.

We put the 'fries' through the crimper.

The plaid paper is from the Celebrations DSP.

And the speckles or sesame seeds on the hamburger bun is made using the Color Sprizer Tool (and a chocolate chip marker).

elegant medallion

2010-08-21T22:10:00.000-04:00

I fully intended to show you the cards we made at class last Monday long before now. It's just that this new job I started has thrown me for a loop. Not that the job is hard (librarian) or long (10 hours a week) or even physically taxing (although I have a whole new respect for librarians because it is way more involved than I thought it would be).

I guess after 17 years of being a stay at home mom who sets my own schedule and has only my kids to answer to, being gone during the day is exhausting!

I come home and want to nap. And have someone else make dinner. And have the Accountant rub my feet.

So......here is the third card we made in class. We used the background stamp Medallion. We cut out the center and popped it up on dimensionals. We used Soft Suede for the card base and Early Espresso ink.

Mr Owl breaks out of his shell

2010-08-20T22:07:00.000-04:00

So Mr Owl, the Accountant, and his free-bird wife, Mrs. Owl, are here again (HERE they were before) and this time, Mr Owl is doing something totally uncharacteristic of him, which has Mrs. Owl slightly stunned and not sure how to react.

Owl Accountants don't usually do something wild and crazy like this. Maybe when I made this card, I should have changed the birds around and put the pink vest on the top bird.

We made this card in class last Monday. I'm sure my stampers are going to grow weary of this owl punch because I plan on using it A LOT. It is so much fun to change their positions, vest colors, and eye expressions.

We also used the x-tra large bird punch to make the 'wings' on Mr Owl and to make the branch for Mrs. Owl to rest on.

sewn bunched ribbon

2010-08-17T21:37:00.000-04:00

This is my favorite kind of card: pink, girly, springy, ribbony, dainty, pearly......this kind is the easiest for me to make and I'd happily have all my class cards look like this every month.

But not everyone agrees. My stampers would complain and/or stop coming.

You may be wondering how we did that bunchy technique with the pink grosgrain ribbon. I saw it on somebody's card online but couldn't find the directions. I didn't even know what to call it in order to google it. (while I was searching though, I found some other really neat ideas to do with ribbon!) And I didn't want my stampers to have to use my mini sewing machine. It would just add a lot of time and frustration into the mix if I had them do that.

So, I cut 7-inch strips of the ribbon and ran a line of SNAIL adhesive down 2/3 of the back of each one. I glued the ribbon strips to a piece of scrap paper--bunching them up on themselves. I lined these strips of ribbon up neatly and ran the whole paper through my sewing machine in quick little lines of stitches. I tried this first with wax paper, thinking my stampers could just gently pull the bunched ribbon off but the paper was too slippery for my darling little Janome. Scrap paper from my printer worked just fine. I cut around each ribbon and they were ready for my ladies to use!

Wes is 7 now.

2010-08-16T12:28:00.000-04:00

My nephew, Wes, turned 7 over the weekend. His parents had a huge, no expense spared, party for him.

Including a bon fire:

Love ya, Bro!

Stamp Class is today--I'll show you our cards tomorrow! Fun!

Mr and Mrs Owl

2010-08-11T09:19:00.000-04:00

I believe the owl on the left, in the Pumpkin Pie vest, is an accoutant who met his lovely owl wife, pictured in the Tempting Turquoise vest, at a volleyball game when they were young owlettes.

He swooped her off her feet and amazed her with his math skills and logical thinking. Plus, his cute tail feathers gave her 16 year old owl heart an extra thump thump.

Even though they have very different personalities (she being a Free Bird and he being a Little Stuffed), they realize that birds of a feather flock together and owls mate for life.

And that is all I have to say today.

I start my new job--at our local library. I'm a little afraid that I'll forget to be quiet and that I'm wearing the wrong shoes.

I'll keep you updated.

My mommy loves me and thinks I'm special

2010-08-10T10:02:00.000-04:00

My Mom's birthday was last Friday. This is the card I made for her. We met on Saturday for her dinner celebration. It is always nice to be with my mom because, even though she has no personal interest in Stamping or paper crafting, she likes to see what I've made.

I love you, Mom!

I also made her a luggage tag.

I'm going to make all my family members luggage tags for their birthday. I noticed the general need for luggage tags when I was searching for my own lost luggage at the airport. I watched the carousel of luggage go around and around carrying luggage that all looked alike. We all had black wheeled bags! No distinguishing marks or tags. I started to panic when I realized I couldn't even remember the brand of my black bag. I started envisioning someone else picking up my black bag (because I had no luggage tag) and someone else seeing my personal items.

To make mom's tag, I used foam board, cardstock, and crystal effects. I was pleasantly surprised to see how well the Big Shot cut the foam board. I'll add that to the 101 things the Big Shot can handle!

toppling snowcone

2010-08-09T17:04:00.001-04:00

First of all, let me start with I can't believe it is August 9th already!! And yes, I yelled that. I didn't discover the date until I signed in to my blog to post today's card (sketch from Mojo) and my screen showed me.

I have absolutely NO idea where the beginning of August went. Or even where most of my summer has gone.

I'm having fun though, it isn't like every day has been dreary and dull and monotonous and the days are blurring into each other. Oh no. I've been traveling, swimming, reading, baking, cooking, sewing, etc, and the days are flying by.

The other thing I noticed when I signed on to blogger is that I haven't posted since last Monday. And that isn't good at all. I apologize. Probably, the next couple of weeks will be the same though, since the kids are almost ready to go back to school and we still have a hundred and one things to do yet this summer. We will just have to cram it all into the next three weeks. And my sitting at the computer is not one of those hundred and one things to accomplish.

I used the stamp set, Sweet Scoops, which available for only the rest of August. I also used Real Red, Pacific Point, and Pumpkin Pie cardstock along with Celebrations DP.

Here is the sketch:

New York inspires other good things too--you should see my Dolce & Gabbana bag!!

2010-08-02T10:50:00.002-04:00

After a few exciting days of vacation in New York City, a city that does not inspire hand crafted stamped cards but did inspire me to shop, I thought I'd start my stamping week off with a Mojo sketch.

It was a great way to get back into stamping and I love this sketch. I was able to use my new owl punch and the new adhesive pearls that SU carries. I also used Greenhouse Gala DP, real red, pear pizzazz, daffodil delight, and chocolate chip. I also used the new giant scallop circle punch. Love those new punches!!

Thanks for a great vacation NYC!!

Went for a walk around Central Park--didn't realize how big it is and ended up in this confusing street circle intersection. We were lost for a few brief scary moments.

I was this close to being on tv!

view from my plane window

'tea'rific

2010-07-29T08:34:00.001-04:00

When I first got my copy of the new Stampin Up catalog, I made a huge wish list of what I'd like to order. This set, Morning Cup, was one of the first sets I wrote down.

I don't know how much I'll be able to use this for classes and workshops, but personally, I see a whole lotta use for this set. I love tea! And I have a whole bunch of friends who drink it also. I can't wait to start planning christmas gifts based on gift bags full of tea and home made yummies and hand crafted cards.

We made this card last Monday for class. I was very happy with it although it was quite similar to another card we made in April:

But no one said anything so maybe no one noticed.

Make a Monster set

2010-07-27T08:24:00.002-04:00

This is my very favorite new Stampin UP set called, Make a Monster. It has three different monster bodies and 12 different eyes, mouths, horns, etc to make your own unique little monster.

With three boys of my own and all the little friends they have, birthday cards are going to be super easy with this set!

The 'planet' was made by punching two circles ( 2 3/8 " circle punch) out of Pacific Point. Then, using the crop a dile, I punched different sized holes out of one of the circles. I sponged Pacific Point ink on it, and then adhered it to the top of the second circle.

The white layer is punched with the spiral punch to give it some texture and interest.

This Make a Monster set comes in our new clear mount stamps or the old wooden stamps. You will definitely want the clear mount set so you can place it easier on your cardstock.

the Accountant's big day

2010-07-25T07:53:00.001-04:00

My husband, the Accountant, will be 40 tomorrow. I can't believe it either. I never thought I'd be married to a 40 year old!

I was looking for a sentiment that said "you're never too old to START to do goofy stuff." but I couldn't find one like that. He is .....ahem....rather straight-laced. But that is what I adore about him. He keeps me grounded.

Happy 40th Birthday Husband!!!!

lollipops card

2010-07-23T12:15:00.000-04:00

This is one of the cards we made in class, last Monday. We used the circle tree in the SU stamp set Trendy Trees, to make the lollipops for this card. We heat embossed them with white craft ink and white embossing powder. I saw a card in the new Stampin Up catalog that also used the Trendy Trees set this way. I love how it turned out!

We broke off matches to make the sticks for the lollipops--yes, we were playing with matches and it was ok--as long as we held the heat gun AWAY from the broken match heads laying on the table. Mini Glue Dots work best to hold the matches to the paper.

Colors of the lollipops are Pear Pizzazz, Peach Parfait, and Poppy Parade, which are the new In Colors this year in Stampin Up.

Next week, I'm venturing off to New York City (yes, you heard me correctly!!!!). I'm super excited. I've scheduled my posts to appear automatically so you'll be seeing the rest of the cards we made at class while I'm gone. I wanted to show you the cards this week but didn't have internet for three whole days. But it all works out, right? Because I'm sure I won't have much to share while I'm gone --stampin related anyway....

not sure what's going on with this card....

2010-07-17T20:36:00.000-04:00

So this card has been sitting on my desk for a few days......the layout is from a new sketch challenge (at least, new to me) found HERE:

Maybe it is my color choices, or the lighting, or my own mood, but it just isn't happening for me when I look at my card. I do know, however, that it is NOT the sketch. I think it is great!

The card is a little bit better in real life than in the picture but I'm not so sure what is going on with it.

I guess this happens sometimes......next Monday is my class and I'm very excited about those cards. I'll share one of them on Monday.

raise your arms in the air, little bear!

2010-07-14T18:12:00.000-04:00

Last week at this time, I was travelling with my baby sister in a 14 foot U-Haul. We were going 1,625 miles south to Key West, Florida, her new home.

Key West is amazingly different than Michigan, if you can believe it. The tropical foliage is wonderful! The wildlife is exotic! And the people all wear tiny little coconut shells for shirts everyday! Well, maybe that last statement isn't entirely true, but we DID we see a 70 year old guitar player donning coconut shells at the Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square....

The bear in today's card is from the Stampin Up set Under the Stars. I cut his/her arms off and switched them around so that they are up instead of down. The palm fronds are cut out from the Designer Paper, Island Oasis.

open house card

2010-07-13T09:04:00.015-04:00

I held an open house the first week of July, when the Stampin Up catalog first became available. These were the free cards that we made. We used the hostess level 1 set, Because I Care and soft suede and pink pirouette cardstock.

I also sold a whole bunch of my retiring inventory in order to make room for the huge order I knew I wanted to place.

The order was delivered today and I'm terribly excited and anxious to start ~~playing~~ working. My family won't miss me for the first couple of hours. It's when they get hungry that they start looking for me.

you, you, you

2010-07-12T11:51:00.000-04:00

I'm still anxiously waiting for my first big order of Stampin Up products (first from the newest catalog anyway) to be delivered. It should be here sometime today. In the meantime, I used a couple of new products I pre-ordered back in June.

The colors are summery and fun and are Tangerine Tango, Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, and Daffodil Delight.

Stamp set is Three Little Words and the embossing folder is Square Lattice.

I ~~stole~~ copied the layout from Mojo Monday:

Always on my mind

2010-06-28T12:35:00.000-04:00

Using my precious retiring Flamingo paper, I made a card for my amazing sister who will be moving far far away soon.

I love you Kelke!

obligatory masculine card

2010-06-26T09:22:00.000-04:00

We used the Stampin Up curly label punch to make this card at class on Monday. Night of Navy is punched out and layered on retiring Brocade Blue to make the design.

The small circles that the brads are on are made using the new tiny circle punch which will be available in the new Stampin Up catalog.

The fourth and final card we made for class was this card (posted previously here):

glittery sugar cone

2010-06-25T08:54:00.002-04:00

Today's card, one we made on Monday in class, features the stamp set, Sweet Scoops, from the Stampin Up Summer mini.

The blue cardstock is the retiring color, Brocade Blue.

The cone looks sugary and yummy because we adhered some dazzling diamonds to it. The two scoops of ice cream, which must be Blue Moon, are popped up on dimensionals.

The card idea comes from Mary's blog.

My oldest daughter landed her first job at our local Dairy Queen. She learned that making the perfect ice cream cone is more complicated than she thought. I debated the pros and cons of sharing a photo with you of her first cone. It resembles a certain.....ummmm......errrr......body part common to the male species. It is extremely hilarious but due to the 'nature' of the resemblence, I'll refrain from sharing (although I'm sure I could be persuaded to share if enough asked).

Having worked at McDonald's for a couple of years during high school, I agree that real life ice cream cones are difficult to perfect. I'll stick to stamping them.

sewing and hairbands and class cards with a dash of baseball championships

2010-06-24T10:41:00.001-04:00

I didn't realize how time consuming child raising, house work, two hobbies, teenage work schedules, and little league baseball could be. I wish I had a clone. The clone could do the boring stuff and I could enjoy the fun stuff more!

But I know everyone has hectic schedules too and, honestly, most of my activities are self inflicted so I need to stop my whining, right?

Today's card is one we made Monday for stamp class and is based on THIS layout. All of my cards for this month's class involved retiring products. The yellow base, Crushed Curry, is gone for good on June 30th as well as the stamp set, Best Wishes and More.

We also made melted satin flowers at class and I think my stampers enjoyed it immensely. I guess we all have a little bit of a fire bug in us!

I added half pearls from the Pretties Kit and glued my flowers to a headband:

As I referenced earlier, I'm enjoying another hobby at the moment-quilting! Here is a table runner I made yesterday at a Quilting class at a local quilt shop:

I recently purchased a new camera and am not very happy with it. That is another reason I haven't posted in a while--my old camera wasn't working and the new one is troublesome. In the Big World of camera options, my new one is probably considered amateurish and cheap (olympus fe). Does anyone have a suggestion for a different one? I just need the pictures to be clear and the camera easy to use and the price to be reasonable. Can anyone out there help??

All I have to say is Wow

2010-06-12T22:55:00.001-04:00

I just finished sorting all the new colors, the replacements colors, the In Colors for 2010-2012, and the returning In Colors from years ago that now make up Stampin Up's color collections.

All I can say is "Wow, I have some studying to do". And my brain isn't feeling so fresh and young lately so I'm not sure how long it will take me to learn it.

But since all I have is time this summer, I commit myself to studying the charts till I have it down. Between that and working on my tan while cleaning the pool, my June and July are quite full. Ahhhh....the good life.

So, after I sorted all the colors and put away my new inks and papers, I decided to pull out the retiring products and make a pile of what I'm keeping and what I'm selling (or using as prizes at my Christmas party for my Stampers in December). And what a giant pile that turned out to be!

One of the sets retiring is used in today's card, Garden Whimsy. And a pack of papers, Tea Party. And the color Almost Amethyst, that I used for the card base.

I made the card sort of 3D-ish:

and I found the card layout HERE:

Getting back into card making

2010-06-08T11:06:00.000-04:00

I picked up rubber and ink for the first time in about three weeks to make today's card.

And just like riding a bike, you don't forget technique or basic rules. But you may forget color combos, aqua painting and masking (you shouldn't attempt a 180 Barspin on your bike if you haven't ridden in 20 years should you??).

I'm using cameo coral, ruby red, and old olive cardstock (two of these colors are retiring at the end of the month). I also used a retiring set, embrace life. And I had to look up the color combo, brush up on my masking, and figure out how much or how little H2O to put in my aqua painter.

The layout is from Mojo Monday:

melted satin flowers

2010-06-04T17:25:00.000-04:00

I still haven't cleared all the fabric off my work table in order to get back to the hobby of cardmaking, so I thought I'd show you these cute (aka easy and cheap) flowers you can make with your Big Shot.

I bought a quarter yard of some poly-satin material at the fabric store pretty inexpensively--I think it was $2.99/yard.

Because the Big Shot can cut up to EIGHT layers of fabric at once, I folded my material up before I ran it through:

I used the Big Shot die called Circles #2. It cuts out 4 varying size circles:

It comes out like this:

And you end up with this:

Next, layer your circles. Use your paper piercer to poke a hole through the center of each flower and push a brad through it. I used two of each size circle but you can layer as many as you'd like:

Use your heat tool, a bone folder to hold your flower down (Do NOT use your fingers because the heat tool is very hot!). With in seconds, you'll see the material start to melt and curl. It is really quite fun, but then, I was always kind of a fire bug when I was younger:

I glued three flowers on to a hair clip. I also made pins and book markers with very large paper clips:

The flowers are beautiful and so much fun to make! I priced the pre made flowers at a craft store yesterday and the majority of them looked just like this and cost $3-$5! Each!

Imagine all the things you could decorate with these flowers--scarves, hats, notebooks, pillows, flip flops, magnets, anything!

The circles #2 die makes wonderful lollipop flowers also that are a-dor-a-ble:

I used fabric like felt and hand dyed wool to make these.

The circles #2 die is available through me if you'd like your own. I can make sure you have a Big Shot too. And you'll also need a heat tool. Just email me!

less sewing more cardstock

2010-06-01T10:53:00.000-04:00

While spending the last 5 days sewing and sewing and sewing (I can get a little obsessive with a new thing), my need for cards has grown. Thank you cards, get well cards, and two graduation cards.

So, the next few hours I'll be busy getting back to my first love--stamping.

While you wait for today's card, click HERE to see the recently released list of retiring Stampin Up stamps that we'll be saying goodbye to June 30th.

sweet little addition to The Bag

2010-05-29T10:09:00.001-04:00

I am now referring to my new tote as 'The Bag'. My kids know not to touch it or use it. The Accountant remembers to say nice things about it on a daily basis. And it is wrapped in tissue and placed in a locked box over night for safety. Ha ha. I kid. Sorta.

If you read yesterday's post you already know how proud I am of myself for making The Bag. From scratch. With my sewing machine. And no hot glue gun. 6 hours.

I am on such a roll that I kept my machine out and used some scraps and the Flower Folds Die, Scallop circles #2 Die, and Big Shot to make a quilted flower to attache to The Bag.

The quilted flowers are layered with a couple pieces of fabric and some really nice and soft 100% cotton batting from a quilt shop here in town. I cut both layers and the batting at the same time and then stitched (don't look too close) with my mini Janome.

Wow! I did it!

2010-05-28T07:41:00.001-04:00

I know pride is a terrible sin but this time, but I just can't stop admiring my work and being proud of what I accomplished. I can't even wipe the grin off my face 'cause I'm just so tickled!

Martha Stewart, you might want to watch out behind you. I'm giving you a run for your money.

Actually, I'd never catch up to Martha Stewart. This project would be something she could do in her sleep.

But for me, somone who never was very interested in sewing, this Savanna Bag project was huge. It took me all day (about 6 hours non stop). I actually used my sewing machine and NOT my hot glue gun!

Angie made a bag like this HERE, and she did a great video for it. I watched it completely first then would go back once in a while when I was at the next step.

The machine I used is a tiny little Janome mini but it worked great. A couple of times I thought it might not sew through some of the layers but it persevered just fine.

I used my Big Shot and the clear square scallop die to cut out the fabric. And let me tell you, it was so much easier to cut the fabric that way than to use my scissors!

Fabric Flowers

2010-05-27T13:19:00.000-04:00

Every magazine, clothing store, and tv show I've seen in the past couple of months are sporting these type of large fabric flowers on clothes, bags, jewelry and hair pieces. Have you noticed them lately too?

These three are made with the Stampin Up die, Flower Folds, and run through the Big Shot. I had seen a few videos on YouTube and couldn't wait to try it myself. Here is a good video to watch if you want to see the step by step directions: click HERE

Not being a sewer (I'm sure I mentioned that fact before), I had very little fabric or buttons or other embellishments in order to make these. But I do have sharp scissors and four children with a ton of clothes they don't wear anymore.

And actually, the picture does not do these flowers justice, even if they are made with discarded clothes. They are plump and pretty and look great. I'm re-cycling, re-using, and re-ducing!

I'm also working on another project which involves the Big Shot and the square scallop die. I'm stuck at a stage where I need Fusible Fleece. I've never worked with that before and I'm not sure where to get it. So, until I can get to a fabric store, I put that project aside and made these flowers.

Dad card

2010-05-22T18:36:00.000-04:00

This is another card we made last week at Stamp Class.

The measuring tapes are d's. And adding the 'a' makes the word 'dad'. You could also add a couple more d's and a 'y' for 'daddy'. Or the letters 'u' and 'e' for 'dude'.

If you don't like any of the d-words, you could flip the measuring tapes over and they become 'p's. You could add an 'o' and get 'pop' for a grandpa card.

The variations are endless once your brain gets going.....

We also used the Woodgrain back ground stamp--which is new to me. I'm so glad I bought it because I have a feeling it will be used quite often for the masculine cards.

Exclusive Sneak Peek

2010-05-20T09:47:00.001-04:00

Ok, maybe this isn't very exclusive or sneaky because hundreds of Stampin Up demonstrators prebought this new Awash with Flowers stamp set in March and thousands of Stampin Up customers received this set for free in April when they held a $400.00 Stampin Up workshop, and many of those stampers made beautiful cards and posted their pictures weeks and weeks ago on various blogs, but I'm still callin' this an exclusive sneak peek because this stamp set isn't technically available till July when the new catalog is released. (wow. Am I the queen of run on sentences or what??)

So, here is a sneak peek of the set Awash with Flowers. I ordered the clear mount set which was a very good idea since the outline of the flowers is one stamp and the filled-in colored part is another stamp. For each flower. This is called two step stamping. Just think how hard two step stamping used to be back in the olden days when we would only have wooden blocks to use. Wooden blocks are so much harder to line up so this set would have frustrated many stampers. But the clear mounts? aahhhh......so much easier. (see, I can write fragmented sentences also.)

The card is inspired by one of Jan Tink's designs. Thank you Jan. I used some of the retiring colors, pixie pink and green galore.

Vellum & the Big Shot

2010-05-19T07:48:00.002-04:00

I think we all agreed, at class Monday night, that Dry Embossed Vellum creates an amazingly elegant look.

And it couldn't have been easier (unless you purchased it that way which is pretty boring if you ask me) than running it through the Big Shot with an embossing folder (we used the Manhatten folder from Stampin Up).

tealight birthday cakes

2010-05-18T10:45:00.000-04:00

O What Fun! Yesterday was Stamp Class Day (a.k.a. Mom Runs Around Crazy-like Cleaning the House and We Can't Get Out Any Toys or Eat Dinner At Home Day as my children are more familiar with it)!

I love Stamp Class Day. I held two classes and both were full.

We used Vellum in the Big Shot, worked with flameless flickering tealights, and used a brand new stamp set that will be in the new catalog coming out in July.

We welcomed four new stampers to class, Ann brought yummy calorie free snacks, and my morning class watched me fall UP the stairs going to get us something to drink. (I'm so thankful my stampers are kind people. No one laughed or snickered at my clumsiness--at least not while I was still sprawled on the steps debating how I could gracefully get up.)

What I'm showing you today is a project found HERE. You can pick these flameless tealights at dollar stores and craft stores and WalMart quite cheaply. I won't go into detail on how to center the scallop circle on the top of the tealight because you can read it HERE. Let's just say we used the x-tra sharp Stampin Up Hobby Blade with out a major incident! I'm so proud of my ladies!

The matching card measures 3x3 and we used Cottage Wall DSP, Old Olive, and Rich Razzleberry Ribbon.

Niece's card

2010-05-14T17:29:00.001-04:00

The wonderful thing about making your own cards is that you can make your own cards! I know, it sounds redundant and repetitive but let me explain.

All the little girl cards I found were mostly birthday cards. And all the baptism cards I found didn't quite fit.
And all the 'religious' cards didn't explain my sentiments quite right. And so I made my own!

I used the All in the Family stamps and some Razzleberry Lemonade DSP and printed a Bible verse using cardstock and my computer.

Purple Butterfly

2010-05-13T07:11:00.002-04:00

I'm really enjoying the butterfly theme right now.....and added to a purple card just makes it all better!

paper roses

2010-05-12T08:48:00.000-04:00

I found this amazing idea to make paper roses online somewhere (sorry that I can't remember where but I know it was on more than a couple of websites) using the Stampin Up Ornament Punch.

I punched out about 15 ornaments/petals with basic white cardstock and sponged the edges with Real Red.

I curled the edges with a pencil and layered them on to a 1 3/4" scallop circle using SNAIL adhesive. Each layer of petals got tighter and tighter as I went.

The leaves are made using the Scallop Oval Punch and then folding the cardstock in half before running it through my crimper.

We are making these today at my Bible Study. It is the end of our year of meetings and I have been ~~threatening~~ promising them they that we'd do a craft on the last day.

Here is another picture of the rose on a different surface:

Butterfly Dies

2010-05-11T09:47:00.000-04:00

We had some construction going on in our basement for a few weeks that disrupted my stamping time. Drywall dust is not good for Stampin supplies so I covered my whole area with a sheet and had to walk away from it for a while. So, in the meantime, I had to use my free time for non important stuff like laundry and meal planning.

But once the drywall finished up, I went right to work planning classes and craft projects for various groups.

The first card, above, is a card we made at last month's class (I had forgotten to show you). We used the Beautiful Wings embosslit that was available in the Stampin Up Spring mini catalog. If you haven't ordered your Beautiful Wings embosslit, don't worry, it will be available in the next Big Book from Stampin Up.

Using that same embosslit, I helped 42 school kids make Mother's Day gifts for their moms last week:

And here is another project using the embosslit and the Big Butterfly die. We'll be making this butterfly wand at my local library for a Fancy Nancy party in a couple of weeks.

And, No, this cute 7 year old is not going to the Fancy Nancy party and was not excited to pose for this picture. I bribed him with much candy and t.v. time in order to get him to hold this wand for me.

Making a Custom Size Box

2010-04-26T14:16:00.000-04:00

I thought it would be a good day to show you how to make a simple box to fit any size notecards. It takes a little bit of measuring, a little bit of math, and a little bit of cardstock and adhesive.

First, measure whatever it is you'd like to put into your box. My envelopes are slightly bigger than my notecards so I'll measure the envelopes. The envelope measures 5 3/8" by 4 3/4". To make things simple I usually just round up to the nearest quarter inch so I'm calling these envelopes 5 3/4" by 4 3/4".

Second, you add a little bit to each side because you need sides on the box. To hold four notecards and four envelopes, I added 3/4" to each side making the amount of cardstock needed 7 1/4" by 6 1/4".

Still with me?

Now, use your bone folder and your paper trimmer to score 3/4" from all four sides.

Cut the lines on one side where your score marks intersect. Repeat this with all four corners.

You're only cutting a tiny bit to make a tab.

Put adhesive on these little tabs

Fold up your sides and adhere the corners, making a cute little box to hold your notecards.

The lid of the box is made the same exact way except you need to make sure your lid fits over your box. This means your starting square of cardstock needs to be about a quater of an inch bigger.

So, my starting piece of cardstock for the lid is 7 1/2" by 6 1/2".

I scored my lid 3/4" on each side, cut the lines where the score marks intersect (just like for the box) and then put the cardstock through my Big Shot with the Top Note die.

This Top Note die cuts out a shape in the middle of the cardstock like this:

Save the piece you just cut out because I'm sure you'll find a good use for it.

I put adhesive on the corner tabs, folded up my sides, and added a piece of square Window Sheets for the window on the lid.

And then tied it all with a Satin bow.

Hope you get the idea despite my poor photography. It is hard to work and take pictures at the same time.

Just remember, packaging can make or break a gift. A custom box dresses up a gift of simple notecards way better than any fancy shmancy gift bag or store bought container. Plus, you get to use those same math skills your third grader is learning.

Sweet Box O' Cards

2010-04-24T21:35:00.001-04:00

Once again I impressed myself with my box making abilities and made this box of cards for my sweet sister-in-law. Except that when I attempted to put the envelopes in, I realized I forgot the make the box big enough to accomodate them. I had measured the cards not realizing the envelopes were so much bigger.

And really, although I impressed myself, you really shouldn't be impressed much. Making a box is quite simple.

Just measure your cards and add an inch to the measurements. Score your ends and adhere. Maybe I'll do a quick photo tutorial tomorrow.

The only difference with this box is that I ran the lid (pre-glued) through the Big Shot with the Top Note die and added a Window Sheet to make a window. (I just convinced myself that tomorrow's post will definitely be a photo tutorial so you can see the lid going through the Big Shot.)

We will be making this box of cards at a library class that I'll be teaching in the area in a couple of weeks (there were 8 notecards inside the box for my SIL but there won't be that many for the library group).

And here is the card I included for my sister-in-law. Before I wrote in it and signed it, I decided, at the last minute, that her birthday card should remain blank so that she could use it for some one else if she wished.

Not a Latte Lover Myself....

2010-04-22T15:57:00.000-04:00

I'm more of a tea drinker but this card was fun and easy to make. I think all of this month's class cards (this is card #3) were easy and fun to make as most of the ladies were done in an hour.

I used Sahara Sand for the base of the card, Soft Suede for the scalloped edged square, and Ruby Red for the circle under the main image. Stamp set is Pun Fun.

On a side and personal note----I Love You Kelly! I hope you recover quickly from your accident and aren't too sore in the morning. I'm so glad you are ok, Sistah!

Get Well Soon--class card #2

2010-04-21T07:33:00.000-04:00

This is another card we made in class on Monday.

The colors are sweet and smooth together--Not Quite Navy, Blush Blossom, and Very Vanilla.

Butterflies for Spring--class card #1

2010-04-20T07:08:00.001-04:00

Bermuda Bay, Old Olive, and Melon Mambo. I wouldn't have picked these three colors together on my own but they look great on today's card. The color suggestion is from Stampin Up.

The butterfly is made using the butterfly die and the butterfly sizzlet and my Big Shot machine.

There are four layers to this butterfly--two layers of Bermuda Bay and two layers of Window Sheets (transparancies actually). Running the window sheets through the Big Shot with the sizzlet makes the most bone crushing sound but actually works out great and there is no damage to the sizzlet or the Big Shot. It is a sound you may not be expecting though, so if you try this at home, be prepared....

Charmed, I sure.

2010-04-19T14:07:00.000-04:00

One of the projects we are making today, in Stamp Class, requires no stamping whatsoever. My own mother and sister would love this project because it is quick and easy and requires no knowledge about cardstock, cute Stampin Up color names, or the ability (or inability) to ink up some rubber.

I'm calling it a scissor charm but I'm sure you could put this little cutie on a zipper pull, a key ring, or a backpack. Maybe even a cell phone, a shower curtain, or an oven mitt. I actually did put this charm on all those things just to try it. No matter where you put this charm, it is adorable.

The pack of felt flowers are from Stampin Up. I used the crop-a-dile to make the hole and to set the jumbo eyelet. I used red Sticky Tape to hold the layers together (and believe me, that tape works great with felt!)

I don't know what those circle clips are called but they fit inside the jumbo eyelets beautifully.

Birthday Card for Riley

2010-04-17T10:10:00.000-04:00

My niece, Riley, is celebrating her first birthday today. What an adorable age!

I loved this sketch so much that I used it again for today's card.

Just under the wire

2010-04-14T15:48:00.000-04:00

My seven year old son told me on Monday that he had been invited to a birthday party for a classmate. The party is today--Wednesday.

I asked him to please bring home the invitation so I could see the details (and also to verify that there really was a party and that it was actually parent sanctioned. These first graders plan get togethers all the time with out the parents' knowledge. What a surprise to pick up four extra kids from school some days!)

And of course, he forgot to bring home the invitation yesterday so I made a special trip to the school to get the invitation. He was correct, the party is today and the invitation is in the mom's handwriting so she must know about it. I raced home to find a present (I keep a stash of fun stuff for times like this) and to make a card.

This one went together pretty quickly using the new butterfly sizzlet and the Bold Cupcake dies.

My Country Home to Yours

2010-04-13T11:20:00.000-04:00

The sentiment on today's card is from the Bella's Bloom stamp set. I figured that if I'm sending you a greeting that says 'from our home to yours', my card better have a country feel to it. Hence the sunflower and the gingham ribbon.

And when I say 'country', I mean country. This was made obvious to me when we visited Chicago for Spring Break. Chicago was filled with people, tall buildings, sidewalks, people, street lights, traffic lights, people, stores, and restaraunts. The sounds of the city included horns, non stop rushing traffic, street preachers, trains, airplanes, sirens, shouts, bus announcements and air brakes, and accents.

Out here, I have a 500 foot long gravel driveway that approaches my house (which sets on 51 acres). Many times we have encountered and forced to stop for deer that are darting across the drive. We've also had near misses with raccoon families, rabbits, pheasants, and very large horrible snakes.

Just this morning we witnessed turkeys fighting in our back yard!

The sounds of the country are different too. This time of year the frogs in the swamp are very loud as well as the crickets in the summer and the pheasants crowing in the fall.

I loved Chicago but I love and prefer my country home.

Happy Together

2010-04-12T09:15:00.000-04:00

So, I came home from Chicago (Spring Break trip with the kiddos) to learn that Stampin Up is doing a renovation of sorts on their colors. If you haven't heard about it, click HERE and HERE for the details.

Not to sound too pretentious but I'm sure the CEO of Stampin Up tried to contact me but since I was out of town, she had to make that executive decision on her own. Note to self: give Shelly my cell phone number.

While I'm loving the idea of 4 different 'collections' instead of 4 families, and I'm loving the new colors and the arrangement, I'm also looking through my inventory and realizing that I have a whole lotta papers I won't be able to use in a few months.

Papers that I used on today's card as an example: Summer Sun & Glorious Green

But, on with the new, I say!

I'll be using a lot of the retiring papers in the next couple of months to make way for the glorious new stuff.

The sketch for today's card is from Mojo. I love her sketches as they help me immensely when designing a card after a few days off.

left my mojo in Chicago?

2010-04-09T13:44:00.000-04:00

I had to wade through a LOT of family photos of this week's Spring Break trip to Chicago to find this picture of today's card.

We had pictures of Union Station (because we took the train), our fancy shmancy hotel room (Palmer House Hilton--and boy did we ever feel like country bumpkins in the Big City there!!), and our visit to Shedd Aquarium.

I also had to sort through the pictures of our boys paying the bus fare (we don't have public transportation here and let me tell you, the good citizens of Chicago were very patient with me taking the time to snap photos and hold up their precise bus schedules like I did), a photo of our over flowing toilet in the hotel (hey--I take no blame for that, the plumber said it was a faulty valve!), and numerous pictures of us having fun in Millenium Park:

We had so much fun in the Windy City, that it has taken me days to recover and head down to my stampin room to get back to the business of stampin.

Good thing there was a great Mojo Sketch to jump start my creative juices:

As I close, I'd like to tell anyone from Chicago that I LOVE your city and plan to come back. I'll try to refrain from gawking so much at the tall buildings and running in front of your taxi cabs and Sir, I'll bring some extra money for you so you can eat. Promise. You were so nice to ask me like that and I hope your luck gets better. Poor soul.

d is for dog

2010-03-26T12:32:00.000-04:00

These are the Thank You notes for my 9 year old son to fill out for his recently acquired birthday presents.

He absolutely loves dogs and cats and all other animals so I'm sure he'll adore these.

I used the D is For Dog stamp set, available for FREE for a few more days from Stampin Up. The finished size is 4"x4", which I like to make since you can use a 12x12 paper with little waste.

I used Kraft, Creamy Carmel, and Rust.

Basket o' Cards

2010-03-25T07:00:00.004-04:00

I combined those cute little bird cards from yesterday's post with two more to make a basket for my kids' school's fundraiser--a silent auction. I'm debating whether to wrap the whole basket with cellophane (because I think cellophane makes everything better) or leave it loose so people can inspect the cards one by one.

The card on the left is made with retired SU papers Pacific Point, Kiwi Kiss, and Baja Blue and the DSP Muirfield. The card on the right is retired Riding Hood Red, Pink Pirouette, and Close to Cocoa (not retired) and the DSP Candy Lane.

Buttons are not off from The Accountant's shirt this time.

Just me again, being frugal as always

2010-03-24T05:03:00.001-04:00

Wow! Day #3 on the Kompenstampers Blog Tour.

I thought that I'd show you what to do with some of those Designer Series Papers that might not be 'in season' right now. For instance, today's card is made with the DSP Cast A Spell. Quite obviously Halloween paper, this pack is full of black and orange and skulls and spider designs.

Cast A Spell made some cute Halloween cards for about 2 weeks and then we put it aside, eagerly going on to the next Holiday-Thanksgiving (whose cards and projects lasted only about 1 week and then we were on to the Christmas stuff!).

Well, excuse me, but I'm not one to waste anything. From squeezing every drop of toothpaste out of the tube to using every scrap and every piece of cardstock. Especially the packs of DSP!

I found that some of those Cast A Spell papers covered these Stampin Up chipboard pieces quite well and didn't even look too Halloweeny.

These are how the chipboard pieces arrive:

Bare and gray and so very sad. But they are very easy to cover with paper.

I used Tombow Multi adhesive to glue the Cast A Spell paper to the chipboard and let it dry for a few hours. I cut around the chipboard with my paper snips but I didn't worry about getting too close or being too precise. At first.

The best tool to get close and in between all those chipboard pieces is your Hobby Blade:

After you've cut those chipboard shapes with your paper snips and then used the Hobby Blade to get as close as you can, grab a sanding block and smooth the edges. I always inadvertantly give my nails a quick buffing too, but that is ok because I'm waaaay too ~~cheap~~ busy to go get a real mani.

Then, use your covered chipboard to decorate your card front. I also used the Top Note die and a clear button that fell off The Accountant's shirt (does that bring to mind Clark Kent ripping of his shirt to become Superman to you too??).

And, if you really don't like the Cast A Spell DSP, here is another card using Kaleidascope DSP to cover chipboard:

Have a great day and don't forget to CLICK HERE FOR THE NEXT BLOG ON THE TOUR

Wasn't the First Day of Spring a Couple of Days Ago???

2010-03-23T04:43:00.001-04:00

Time to think Spring! It is easier to do if you look at today's card with all its bright colors.....Pink Passion, Green Galore, and Kaleidoscope DSP....instead of out your window. Unless you live anywhere south of Michigan, then, you might have some signs of Spring in real life nature.

I also used the Stampin Up sets Petal Pizzaz and Garden Whimsy and the Stampin Up colors Only Orange, Summer Sun, and Pixie Pink. With those names it sounds like we are skipping Spring and going straight for Summer!

I was inspired to make this looooong card (3.5 x 7 finished) by yesterday's Mojo Monday sketch:

Today is day #2 on our Klompenstampers Blog Tour. Have you checked out all the other blogs yet?

CLICK HERE FOR NEXT BLOG

Using the Big Shot for Felt

2010-03-22T05:33:00.019-04:00

Good Monday Morning! Welcome to the Klompen Stampers Blog Tour! If you are coming from the previous blog, Sheryl Dreyer's, that means you are going in the right direction. I'm blog number 3 out of 11 so don't forget to click on the icon at the end of today's post to continue on to the next blog, Yvonne Newborn's. Sorry! Link doesn't work on the icon....just click on her name at the bottom.

For today's project, I decided to try something I've never done before. Maybe not the smartest thing to do when so many people will be stopping in that have never read me before, but, I threw caution to the wind and let the scrap fall where it landed.

Lately, I've seen really cute projects online that involve the Big Shot, fabric, and a sewing machine. Some really talented ladies have made totes and purses and pillows and wedding dresses using our Stampin Up Dies.

And, since I have my own cute mini Janome sewing machine, I decided to try my hand at it.

I bought some Felt at a craft store and used a little photo album I've saved for a project such as this:

I knew I'd be making the covered album for my youngest's birthday so I picked bright colors that he'd appreciate.

I pulled my little sewing machine down from its high shelf and spent a few minutes admiring it. It is so cute and always does quite well sewing through one or two layers of cardstock:

I measured the photo album and cut the felt wide enough to accomodate it in its closed position. I was quite proud of myself for remembering to make that allowance. I cut more felt because I knew I was going to make pockets on the ends for the album covers to slip into. I double checked my measurements and did everything s-l-o-w-l-y because I tend, in my excitement over a fresh idea, to rush things and make mistakes.

I plugged in my cute little Janome, slid the the felt under the foot, and promptly learned you CAN NOT sew felt with the mini Janome. It can't grab the fabric in order to push it forward. Not believing my initial results, I tried it again and found it to be the same.

But maybe it was just me. Have I told you before that I am not a seamstress? I can not sew to save my life. If I had been Eve, in the garden of Eden, who, after she ate the forbidden fruit and realized she was naked and needed fig leaves sewn together to cover herself, I would still be naked and ashamed. I would have had to ask Adam to just duct tape it all together or get out his hot glue gun. Or stapler.

Which was what I figured I'd do. I could staple the felt together! I reasoned that my son would not be washing this album or wearing it so what was wrong with using the stapler??

I remembered to staple it inside out so I could hide the staples.

There was a little piece of the middle that stuck up so I just grabbed my Stampin Up Sticky Tape and taped it down:

The next step, after turning the album cover right side out and admiring my beautiful handiwork was to pick out which dies I had that would look great on a cover for a soon to be 7 year old.

I have the Beautiful Butterflies die, the Scallop Circle die, the Top Note, the Scalloped Envelope, and the Stars die. I chose the stars even though any of those would work.

Seriously, even though I am not a sewer, running that felt through the Big Shot with the die was easy and amazing! The die cut the felt beautifully!

I decided to push the limits and see if a sizzlet die could cut felt--and it could! Those are smaller and thinner dies but still did a fine job. I have the cupcake sizzlets which I added to the front of the album also.

Adhering the felt stars and cupcake to the cover was my last step.

I logged onto a craft website that showed me how to do a blanket stitch around felt shapes with embroidery floss. Which I attempted but gave up after it took me 2 hours to just sew the cupcake on. I glued on the stars with Stampin Up's Tombow multi purpose glue. They stayed on just fine after it all dried.

For a little extra sparkle, I sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds (Stampin Up's very fine glitter) over the whole thing.

While it's not a prize winner I'm sure, I actually enjoyed making this project and can't wait to give it to my son. And it the mean time, I've got a lot of years till my daughter marries which gives me time to practice with my Big Shot and my cute little Janome for her wedding dress.

http://ssc-yvonne.blogspot.com/

2010-03-19T16:07:00.000-04:00

I'm using Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper (usually we shorten that to DSP) for today's card but only sparingly. I love the color combo (real red, cameo coral, summer sun) and only have a few pieces left. I did re order it but it hasn't come in yet. Till it does, I'm very careful with what I have left. No mess ups allowed.

The card layout is from the Mojo Monday sketch challenge. It probably won't be my favorite layout of all times but it was fun and easy to use.

Stamps are Pick a Petal and Embrace Life

Like I promised yesterday

2010-03-18T10:38:00.000-04:00

Like I promised yesterday, here is the fourth and final card (but NOT the final project) we made for this month's Stamp Class. For this class, I tried using all the Free sets you can obtain during the Sale-a-bration period with Stampin Up (which runs through March 31). The stamp set on today's card is called Good Neighbor and has tiny little houses, roofs (or is it rooves?), trees, and clouds.

If you had the time and inclination-I had neither- you could probably make a darling little scenic card of a neighborhood to welcome a new neighbor to your hood.

At my house, we have no neighborhood. We live in the country and it is just me and the squirrels and rabbits and 50 acres of trees and fields. And occasionally a Kirby salesman. Who suckered me into thinking I needed one. But he gave me a good deal. Which was probably still too much.

<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>

two cards we made on Monday:

2010-03-17T20:22:00.001-04:00

This past Monday was my Stamp Class, I may have mentioned it a time or two. Here are two of the cards we made.

This first one was a fun and easy card to make. We used Flamingo paper and the Curly Label Punch for most of it.

Contrary to a few comments I heard at class, this was NOT supposed to be a Valentines Card. Just because there is a heart on it does not mean you can only give it to someone on February 14th! Come on people--you can feel and give the love at other times of the year too......(this is not directed at you unless you are my 9 year old son and/or my BFF Robin)

This Happy Birthday Tool Card is very very similar to one that Michelle made and showed on her blog. And I also made one similar to it HERE.

The past few days we have enjoyed brilliant sun and temps in the mid 60s. I am finding it very hard to stamp on days like this when they aren't normal for this time of year in Michigan. But I'll be back tomorrow to show you the last card we made in class. AND THEN, on Monday, the 22nd of March, I'm participating in a Blog Hop with some fellow stampers in my expanded group. We'll show you new and exciting work. We'll have icons you click on to get to the next participant. If you haven't seen one of these Blog Hops, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by the quality of work and the ease of hopping from one blog to the next on the list. And best of all--it is FREE entertainment! It'll be a nice way to spend your Monday morning.

Action Skateboard Card

2010-03-15T13:35:00.000-04:00

Action Skateboard Card: my use of amazingly descriptive words to illuminate my work must continually leave you on the edge of your seat.

Stamp Class today! I'm too busy stampin with my peeps to say much more.......

Blooper Cards

2010-03-11T09:18:00.000-05:00

You know how DVDs provide Extra Features at the end of the movie so you can view bloopers and gags and deleted scenes??

That is sort of what today's post is. Only, don't worry, this doesn't signify the 'end' of my blog. I'm just throwing these at you because I thought you might want to see them.

These are the cards I played with this week that didn't make the cut for my Stamp Class.

Wrong colors, or textures, or design. Multiple reasons. And even while I worked with these cards I could see they weren't coming together at all. But I finished them and gave them a chance. I even walked away for a few hours and came back to see them with a fresh eye. To no avail.

I guess not every card will be considered a work of art--for sure, not the majority of cards you will see from me, but it should be a card you like and a reflection of who you are. And these two just didn't do that.

And so, what do I do with cards like these that I don't want to give to anyone? I send them to that Great Place where all Not So Good Cards go.....into a scrap basket for my six year old to disassemble and cut and re glue and staple and tape and remake into a creation of his own. And he'll love it.

totally tool birthday card

2010-03-10T14:01:00.000-05:00

I had to take a quick picture of this card before I stuffed it into an envelope for my little brother's birthday (not so little--he turned 33 last week). That is why the picture is a little flat. But maybe you didn't notice because I'm not really known for superior photo taking skills in the first place.

I saw another stamper had made a card similar to this and it was her idea to run the More Mustard paper through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder. Turning the polka dotted cardstock upside down (or would it be backwards?), it looks like a peg board that a guy (or a tool using and collecting lady) might have in his tool area. In fact, I like this so much that we'll be making a card similar to this in March's Stamp Class on Monday.

And that is what I've been up to the past couple of days--making cards for Monday's Class. I'll have lots to show you in the next couple of days. Cards that we'll make and cards that I made that didn't quite make the cut for Class.

I've also been busy in court trying to get my ticket from my accident dismissed (to no avail--I lost), taking my little boys to the eye doctor (oh my! that was an experience! it was my youngest's first time visiting the eye doctor and you would have thought he was going to Disney World by how excited he was!), and spending time at physical therapy for my whiplash (maybe if I'd worn the neck brace to court the magistrate would have had more compassion on me?). Plus, my 15 year old daughter had some days off from school and she convinced me to ~~waste hours of my life I'll never get back~~ watch Pride and Prejudice with her. She is crazy about that movie, Mr Darcy.

I updated my blogspot settings to more easily upload pictures and post but for the life of me I can NOT find the spell check button now. Till then, please forgive any mistakes. Spelling was my favorite subject only till 3rd grade so any word with more than three sylables are probably misspelled.

Top Note Purse--filled with chocolate!

2010-03-05T07:49:00.002-05:00

What a cute little project! I found the measurements HERE and quickly put it together.

Everything is so much easier when you have a lot of 'tools of the trade' to work with! Seriously, it only took minutes.

Mini Milk Carton Holders--all the rage

2010-03-04T07:27:00.003-05:00

I searched incessantly today for a FREE tutorial online on how to make this milk carton holder. Almost every website I found sent me back to Becky Robert's blog where I could purchase her tutorial for $3.95.

I'm sure it is a great tutorial and probably worth more than her nominal fee of $3.95. But because I'm incredibly ~~cheap~~ ~~frugal~~ economical, I did NOT want to pay the fee.

That left me with one alternative. Figure out my own.

Which I did!!! I'm so proud of myself.

It is basically a box with an insert. So I measured the four milk cartons to find out how big the box had to be. Then I figured out how to make the insert/handle. Then I set to work decorating it.

I used Perfect Plum and Pale Plum to make the cartons. The holder is done with Basic Black cardstock. I also used the three flower punch, the large oval punch, the scallop oval punch, and the scallop edge punch. I stapled the milk cartons with a stapler and some black gingham ribbon. All the supplies are from Stampin Up.

I just forget to fill the cartons before I stapled them but no problem. I'll just find some small sort of candy to put in there and it won't matter.

Skateboard Thanks

2010-03-03T09:49:00.003-05:00

If you're looking for a simple Thank You card for your 13 year old son to send out, use these Stampin Up supplies:

bordering blue, more mustard, and sage shadow cardstock
extreme skateboard, thank you kindly, and sanded stamps
paper piercer, word window and modern label punch

Monday already?!

2010-03-01T08:44:00.003-05:00

Today's card is from the Mojo Sketch challenge:

I'd like to give credit where credit is due. I found the idea for the eyelet border flower (the flower in the center of my card) HERE. There is a video to watch on making it or you can just look at some pictures she has posted.

My Favorite 13 year old in the Whole World

2010-02-28T06:11:00.004-05:00

My oldest son, second-born child, and one of my favorites (I tell each of my kids that they are secretly my favorite) turns 13 years old today. Wow! How does that happen?

And look how handsome he is!

This is the look he gives me all the time....half exasperation and half reluctant admiration. All mixed up with extreme patience. Funny, I usually see this same exact expression on The Accountant's face when he looks at me!

For today's card I used the stamp sets Extreme Skateboard and Starring You (you can get both sets for FREE during Sale-a-bration--contact me) along with Old Olive, Basic Black, and More Mustard cardstock. The skater is embossed with clear powder and then I used the spritzer with different color markers to spray around him.

my full blessings

2010-02-26T09:48:00.002-05:00

This card takes only minutes to make. You have my full permission and blessing to copy it and make your own.

supplies: Fox & friends, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, circle punches, paper piercer, Hostess Pack (retired), twine

If only you could see the glitter on this one!

2010-02-24T12:03:00.002-05:00

Made from today's Splitcoast Stamper's sketch challenge, today's card uses Stampin Up's Sending Love specialty paper that has lots of glitter and sparkle.

We've all done it

2010-02-22T22:05:00.003-05:00

I'm sure we've all fibbed about our age at one time or another. Either adding years when we thought it mattered or subtracting a few.

My friend's birthday tomorrow is not really her 29th birthday. But she can pretend.

The layout is from Monday's sketch challenge here:

I used some clear number stamps from another company and printed out the 'again!' sentiment on my computer, trying to match the Glorious Green color as much as possible.

A whole lotta thanks

2010-02-20T07:29:00.002-05:00

A whole bunch of friends and family helped me during the past week while I spent days and days moaning and crying and trying to recover from my near death experience of totalling my car.

Friends who understood that my family still needed to eat and so they brought meals--delicious meals that my kids loved way more than the food I make them.

Friends who called to check on me to make sure I was ok and not taking too many of the medications the kind doctors at the E.R. sent me home with.

Friends who came to visit me and didn't care that I fell asleep during conversations or said things I wouldn't normally open up about (still feeling a little ashamed about that disclosure, Melissa).

Friends who dropped off a bunch of movies for me to watch during my convalescence.

Friends who helped me sort Stampin Up orders--forever grateful for that, Ann!

I realize I'm very blessed. Thank you!

supplies for this card: trendy trees stamp set, paper-glorious green, green galore, tempting turquoise, summer sun, punches-modern label, circle, word window, scallop edge, paper piercer

not a cry for pity--just sharing the facts

2010-02-19T13:01:00.003-05:00

Two things happened in the last week that have prevented me from posting.

1. First, I discovered that slush covered roads are about as dangerous as icy roads. I have lived in Michigan almost my entire life and have never had this happen. Because of slush, I crashed my car into a ditch and up against a few trees. The ditch is still there. The trees didn't even balk. The slush never cared. But my poor beautiful red Impala didn't survive. And my neck took a beating too. Before last Friday, I never realized how hard it is to stamp while wearing a neck brace! You can't.

But, I'm fine. Don't worry. I waited till I was positive I would be ok before I even told ya. My neck is on the mend, the headaches are less intense and soon I'm sure I'll be able to start stamping again. I'm not even taking anymore of those little white pills (doctor recommended, mind you)that send you into a pleasant state of oblivion. I'm on the hunt for a new vehicle and a good massage person.

AND....

2. My daughter took a road trip to Savannah GA with my mom and dad. Normally, a child's absence does not impede me from posting. But she took my memory card for my camera! Even if I did find a way to stamp while wearing a neck brace (the Accountant keeps calling it a collar which is so totally wrong), I would have had no way to photograph anything in order to upload it to my blog.

So please accept one or both of my reasons for the quietness of Inky Fingers, Paper Cuts, and a Glitter Mustache and catch up with me next week.

quickies you can give to your friends

2010-02-11T21:29:00.004-05:00

The 'i love you friend' is from the Stampin UP hostess level 1 set and fits perfectly inside the full heart punch. How cute is that?!?

if I send this to you, please don't ruin the card

2010-02-11T10:06:00.000-05:00

In order to get the M&Ms out, you'd have to tear the card apart. Would you really really want to do that?!?

love you much

2010-02-10T09:59:00.000-05:00

supplies: Melon Mambo, Blush Blossom, Regal Rose, melon mambo polka dot grosgrain, scallop envelope die, three hearts punch, regal rose DP from hostess paper pack 2, Well Scripted

Some of what we made yesterday

2010-02-09T09:50:00.002-05:00

Here are two of the five projects we worked on for Stamp Class.

This first one, I creatively call the Heart Pouch, is made using Stampin' Up's petal card die.

And this second Valentine's Day project was a card using the I {heart} hearts stamp set from the mini catalog and Sending Love specialty paper.

in the meantime....

2010-02-08T09:11:00.002-05:00

It is killing me to hold off on Monday's Mojo sketch this morning....especially when I checked out the website and I would have been FIRST!

But until I have more time, today's post will be this birthday card I made over the weekend for a friend's son who just turned 18. Notice there are no scallops or ribbons. This is totally a Man Card. Hard as they are for me to make, I do like how they turn out.

I added a whole layer of sparkly glittery clear 'frosting' to the cupcake and the camera picks it up quite nicely.

I {heart} easel cards

2010-02-02T07:00:00.000-05:00

I believe everyone should adore the color purple

2010-02-01T09:14:00.002-05:00

I'm not picky. Any shade of purple excites me. I often surround myself with purple--my cell phone, my purse, my bride's maids dresses 17 years ago, our bedroom in the farmhouse we lived in 5 years ago (much to the chagrin of The Accountant), the lovely lilacs and tulips and hyacinths that decorate my yard in the spring, and today's card.

My niece also loves purple so today's card, fashioned with this week's MojoMonday sketch, is hers. Having a February birthday isn't fun. It would come in second on the list of Worst Possible Months To Celebrate A Birthday (the first being, obviously, December because birthday presents wrapped in Christmas paper is so tacky).

I loved this card until I added the candles. I'm never sure how or where to put those. And the cupcake looked a little naked with out them. It might have been mistaken for a muffin instead of a cupcake. And we definitely couldn't have a plain ol' muffin on a birthday card!

The colors and papers I used today are: Orchid Opulence, Rich Razzleberry, Old Olive, and Cottage Wall DSP

Forgive me Grandfather

2010-01-29T13:59:00.003-05:00

My Grandpa's 80th birthday party was last Saturday. Can you be fashionably late sending a card or is that only something you can be when you actually show up?

My last post was the circle card from Mojo's sketch and today I used the square sketch. Only I didn't make it square. It is sort of 5x7. I think. Someone ran off with measuring tape.

Round--for a change

2010-01-25T09:51:00.002-05:00

I rarely make cards that aren't the basic four and a quarter by five and a half inches. Mainly because they fit best in my envelopes.

For an interesting start to my Monday, I decided to go round.

I used Orchip Opulence, Rich Razzleberry, Cottage Wall DSP, and the SU set Cheep Talk.

The layout is Mojo Monday's and can be found HERE.

color & sketch challenge

2010-01-20T10:53:00.000-05:00

The most amazing thing about today's card is not the wonderful color combo from splitcoast (Ruby Red, Bashful Blue, & Soft Suede) nor is it the awesome sketch (Mojo Monday). Or even the fact that I used a new-to-me-set from Stampin Up called Happy Together.

It is that there are shadows on the picture resulting from the sun that was shining through my kitchen window when I took the picture! The sun is so rarely seen in January in Michigan.