{Freckled Fun}

Closing Down the Blog:

2008-06-20T14:02:00.000-04:00

Please note that I will no longer be updating this blog. Due to circumstances beyond my control, Freckled Fun is no more. I have started a new blog/website. The explanation is on the new website.

Please join me at:

FreckledANDFun

http://www.freckledandfun.com
and
http://freckledandfun.blogspot.com

Kindergarten Keepsake

2008-06-17T08:27:00.006-04:00

I am a big proponent of spoiling my children's teachers. They do so much for my kids! I am the mom who collects money and photos at the end of the year for class gifts. I decided this year that I would make a scrapbook for the teacher. I have enough designer paper to decorate Saratoga county, so why not! You can't take it with you - you HAVE to use it, right?

This paper is from my Costco slab. I swear I will use one of my three slabs in full one day. Progress - this used several sheets. What I love about that slab is that there are a few pieces that coordinate so nicely! This paper from the cover is just so fun - it screams happy. Isabella's teacher is just that type: fun, loving, happy.

I took the 12x12 sheets and cut them into 6x6 squares. The covers (front and back) required a little more sturdiness, so I used a piece of chipboard and cut it down to a 6x6 square. I found the 12x12 chipboard on the back of a pack of Stampin' Up! designer paper. Check your designer paper packs - I am sure you have some chipboard SOMEWHERE in your stash!

Does anyone remember the Rubicoil rage (pre-bind it all) of a few years back? I jumped on the bandwagon and purchased enough coils to make a plethora of books. I should do a rubicoil class. Yeah, that's the ticket! So I have the Rubicoil (henceforth called Rubi). I punched the chipboard with the Rubi and created my base for the covers. Then carefully, I punched the designer paper, making sure that it was evenly placed in the Rubi. Sometimes you think you have the paper lined up in the Rubi and it is not fully in and you don't get a nice edge to your punching.

I butterbacked the front and back covers with a mixture of mono adhesive on the edges and scotch quick drying paper glue in the center. I placed the 6x6 designer paper back to back and adhered them together with mono adhesive. Thread the coil through the holes and pinch the end of the coils with a pair of pliers. The inside pages are held together nicely with the coil on one side, so focus your mono placement on the corners and edges so that the pages line up nicely. The font cover and back cover needed a little something more, so I carefully attached the book corners. I actually used my crop-a-dile to set them. Just pinch away with the crop-a-dile - easy peasy lemon squeezy!

I finished the front cover with a title, punched with a nestability die cut. I printed the wording up on my computer and then punched it out. I used the sakura stardust in teal to dot the scalloped border. I had some prima flowers in my stash which I held together with a brad and adhered to the front cover with some SU! dimensionals. They give some lift, but not too much lift! I took a green prima and snipped it apart with my paper snips and used a dab of scotch adhesive to place it under the flower. It kind of looks like a leaf, right? I used some fun ribbon (Mayarts/starlitstudio) in orange/white polka dot and teal/brown polkadot. Tell Cindy you need this ribbon! LOL!
The pages were so easy to throw together. I typed out the kids names and punched them with my SU! punches (some in oval, some in the designer label punch). The color of the paper inside is bold - but for some reason, everyone looked so good in orange. It coordinated SO nicely with the kids clothing. Seriously!

I typed out some fun poems (the 100 year poem, the Roots and Wings statement) and placed them in the front and back of the book.

We are presenting this to the teacher on Thursday at Kindergarten graduation.
My friend Bevie gave me this great idea about personalized chairs for the teacher.
This seemed like a stellar ideas, so I went to the Summer Section at the Tarjay. They have that Whim by Cynthia Rowley collection. (it was 50% off last week - this week 75% off!)
I grabbed the folding captains chairs in the green and blue stripes. On the back of the chair, I used my Sharpie Markers and wrote:
TEACHER OF THE YEAR
2007-2008
Kindergarten
Miss Morse
(I did this for all the teachers) They loved them!

What special things do you do for your kid's teachers?
Post a link in the comment section. I am always looking for new ideas.

New Photos....

2008-06-15T23:17:00.005-04:00

Waves Hello!
I got my hair cut yesterday!

Chop Chop!

Some days I just tell Jill to do what she wants - this time, I let her really go to town. We cropped the back really short and for the first time in years, I cannot do a ponytail at the pool. I like it, but it is going to take some getting used to!

Here is Todd with the Kiddos after church. The girls all dressed in the pink and sherbert colors. Todd and I were dressed in blue floral (Todd in his favorite Hawaiian shirt). I placed a nice blue Hawaiian shirt for Xavier to wear. I got out to the van in the morning heading to church and noticed a mini Michael Strahan look alike sitting in the second row car seat. Hmm. I swore I set out a blue Hawaiian shirt. Little stinker. Course Michael announced his retirement this week, so I suppose it was okay for him to wear the jersey. Mind you, he had it on with penny loafers. {spew} Anyone who has an independent thinker knows that if they are getting dressed on their own, don't pick a battle. Let them do what they want within reason.

So here is my man with his favorite six pack!

Happy Father's Day Honey

2008-06-14T14:12:00.003-04:00

Happy Father's Day to the Love of My Life!

{atop the eiffel tower}

What do you give to the man who has everything his little heart desires?

I just don't know - other than a beautiful hand made card.

I got Todd a beautiful black and white landscape painting of Paris for his office. I also got him American Idol for the Wii (they were out of Wii fit).

Most people wonder how I do it with six kids. There is only one piece of that puzzle - and that is Todd. He is the most incredible father you can imagine. His heart is huge and his love for me and the kids is so unending. He is my soulmate. Who else could oblige my addition to papercrafting without questioning that I need to do it (sometimes he questions it, but rarely).
Today he left me go get my hair done - we put the younger two down for naps and he took the rest of the kids to the pool. (He actually loves going to the pool with the kids).
I was able to have a few uninterrupted hours to create in my office.

One of the creations was a card for Todd.chocolate, real red, white & wasabi papers
black ink, su markers and aquapainter
papertrey ink stamp {father knows best}
ribbon, dimensionals (SU!)
sewing

This is also a FS71 card, based on Denise's card HERE

I didn't round the edges - I sewed around the card
changed the colors and stamp sets. I used Papertrey's Father Knows best and did some watercoloring.
I loved her double ribbon, but since it is a Father's day card, I kept it to one ribbon.
Love your cards Denise!

Happy Birthday Taylor

2008-06-14T13:50:00.006-04:00

Happy Birthday Taylor!

I met Taylor in real life this past April at SCSM5

(to give you an idea of how TALL and beautiful she is -- I am 5'6" and I think I was on my tippy toes.)
Every inch of Taylor oozes with elegance and grace (AND TALENT)

I had gone to So. Cal in October to surprise my sister for her 40th birthday. I thought I would have met Taylor that day, but Joy said something about her going to get pancakes at a gas station. I was confused...but I guess the girl likes her pancakes. This is the delicious food I am bringing to Taylor's party!

Here is my card for her!

I used Things Hanna would say and Perfect Package {Hanna Stamps}
black archival ink
kraft, black and white SU! paper
wild asparagus designer paper
SU! brads and dimensionals
May arts ribbon
the image was colored with reinkers and an aquapainter (bashful and amethyst)
Bling-i-fied with sakura stardust

This card is for FS71 (denidill)

I based it on Denise's card (HERE)

I changed: colors, stamp set, moved the layout around a little bit.
I moved the ribbon to the other side, put the sentiment on the bottom right corner. I loved the extra pop of black cardstock underneath. I put it under my designer paper and main image.

Changes: colors, stamp sets

If I lived in California - I would have a California car. Why? Because you can have the top down how many days a year (pretty much every day). Plus, if you ever get called to be in the Rose Parade, you can have a kewl ride to sit in the back and wave! I can see Taylor driving around in this car, big white scarf around her neck.
Here is my gift to you Taylor - but next time I am in Cali - we are going on a spin (Hwy 1)
I will bring my sunglasses - we can be two hot chickies in a red car!

Happy Birthday Girlfriend!

Stamp Sets For Sale

2008-06-14T08:28:00.004-04:00

I have several retired stamp sets (All Stampin' Up!) for sale

In no particular order

mini messages
wee wishes
simply the best
peace and comfort
love without end
noteable notes
oh my word
something to celebrate
garden blocks
small talk
angel faces
quick and cute
long stemmed

I also have several retired SU! idea book and catalogs

send me an email at freckledfun@gmail.com for prices and photos

A portion of all sales will benefit Hannah's Hope Fund

FS70: YLM

2008-06-07T22:26:00.002-04:00

Well, here is my rocket card. I am no rocket scientist! I started the card (below) and realized it was a case of FS67 (Dawn) in Cindy's gallery - so I had to go back to square one. So I chose this card:

based on Cindy's card: HERE.

I changed the background to wasabi, used the same cuttlebug folder (number collage), then used the same stamp set, just a different stamp. I colored in the rocket with copics and sakura stardust. Cindy had used an Amuse notecard atop the main card base, I used some old SU! designer paper. I cut it into a 3x3 square and then placed the main image atop it with dimensionals. The matted nestability is on navy cardstock. I used some mayarts ribbon and three mini baubles (adhered with a quickie glue pen). This was a fun card to case, Thank you Cindy!

Here is my boo boo card:

Ha! I goofed - I should have read her description more!~ This was the card I cased!
I started with a white 5x5 base, added some fun designer paper (mme/wa) and then a strip of rose red across the bottom. I used regal, then rose for the matting, then a nestabilitied turquoise mat, and the white main image. I stamped Happy Birthday from the new Kitchen Sink Stamp set Baseball. It is a great font, amazing versatile set - so I used that fun font for the card! Instead of the big flower, I used a button with a turqoise prima atop that. I added a mini bauble to the center of the flower. There was some fun ribbon I had in my stash, which had the turquoise and chocolate colors from the designer paper. I added that to the card, set the main image up on dimensionals and finished the card, only to realize it was a case of a case! DOH!

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supplies:

Card 1:
stamp: pun fun
paper: wasabi, whisper white, navy, su! dp

ink: black archival, copics, sakura
misc: nesties, dimensionals, ribbon (mayarts), baubles (mini)

Card 2:
stamps: baseball {kitchen sink stamps}
paper: tempting turqoise, regal rose, rose red, whisper white
ink: tempting turquoise
misc: ribbon, nestabilities, button, prima, baubles (mini), dimensionals.

A Shade Late....

2008-06-05T21:12:00.003-04:00

This was a real fun card to make. Look at this awesome pomegranate paper that I found in my Wild Asparagus pack from Costco. I swear I will never use all the sheets, but I am gonna die trying! This is a 5x5 card. Simple stamped image - some paper piecing and then the sentiment is printed on the computer. Black was used for the matting. Three black brads in the corner complete the design.

Stamp: Hanna Bookworm
Ink: Copics & archival black
Paper: WA/MME, whisper white, basic black
misc: dimensionals, brads

KSS: June Hailey's gift

2008-06-03T22:33:00.006-04:00

This past weekend, Bella had a birthday party. I like to give unique gifts along with the regular store bought goodie. I have a stash of these little piggies and I used some alcohol inks (Red Pepper (Tuscan Garden) and Wild Plum (Nature walk) {available at Eclectic Paperie - HERE
These inks are awesome - one of the best craft investments I have made. I was able to use those inks to create a mesh of color, not too red, not too magenta. I used the flowers from Hey Chick {Kitchen Sink Stamps}. I also used Mix It Up! Alphabet (also KSS) to stamp Hailey's name on the pig. I went over the sweet spots with a copic marker (on the chisel edge). I also went over the petals of the flower just slightly. I added random dots to the pig to give it some style. What pig doesn't look good in polkadots?

I made the card to match the pig, althought the dots in the designer paper are chocolate chip (as is the main card base). I used the close to cocoa ink for the Happy and Friend and the Birthday is Pixie Pink. I also used the flowers from Happy Birthday Cupcake {Kitchen Sink Stamps}
The nestabilites come in handy when creating a main image. I used the scalloped circle for the chocolate, and a plain circle for the Whisper white. A little wide SU! grossgrain ribbon and some dimensionals pop the sentiment right up on the card. Simple card - very fun. There is some small bling in the center of each flower (courtesy of my sakura stardust).
Check out all the new Kitchen Sink Stamp sets - now available at the Store!

One of a kind

2008-06-03T21:29:00.005-04:00

Life is so crazy. I wanted to run out tonight and just rush around with one child and instead I ended up taking all six of them with me to the mall. Why drag six children to the mall on a school night? Well, it was to see a photograph which Karen did at school which was selected for display in the District's gallery (in the mall). It was hotter than h-e-double toothpicks in the mall storefront where they had the art display. When we arrived (all six in tow), there was a chorus from one of the schools performing. As we approached the store, they started singing Edelweiss. Of course my children had to pipe in. Sophie at the top of her little lungs. It was at that moment, I knew that I was supposed to be there with ALL the kids. Enjoy ALL the kids. We admired Karens display and took a photo. Sophie had to be picked up because she wanted to lean against the display walls holding the artwork. I kept telling her that the wall would fall down, but she continued to lean against it. Eventually, Mom won and I picked the stubborn Sophie up in my arms. Then I lost, because Sophie in a hot, crowded storefront full of parents, art teachers and children is not an angel. She is a monster. And she wailed like a Monster....on a sugar high....

We made a quick exit, and rushed from the mall to the Girl Scout meeting. Karen went into the meeting, I put Flushed Away on DVD in the van and alphabetized all the contacts in my cell phone. I never get down time like that. I raced home, got the kids showered, bathed, teeth brushed, hair brushed, and then read them books....they were in bed by 9. Phew! Normally they are in bed at 7:30/8:00 (with the exception of Karen who lingers and reads until 8:30 or 9:00.)
I felt like the day was a whirlwind! We hit the new preschool and saw the classrooms where Xavier and Sophie will be going next fall. We went to the school a few times to drop off items. Some days, I look back on the day and I forget how I got from point A to point B. I really need to slow down...take some time....stop and smell the flowers. I love this shot. I took it in Monet's garden. Look at how beautiful these colors are! Take a moment - stop and look around you....enjoy your little moments.....

Hannah's Hope Fund

2008-06-03T16:54:00.002-04:00

I am participating in this fund raiser locally. If anyone is in the Capital District Area, please stop by this worth while event and help out Hannah! There is no cure for G.A.N and there is currently no funding for research. I spent Friday night with Miss Hannah at our PTA sponsored event and we gave 50% of our profits to Hannah's Hope Fund. Please take a moment to go to the website http://www.hannahshopefund.org and see if there is anything you can do to help.

Contact me if you would like to make a donation!

Hanna Sneak Peek - Anthony!!!

2008-06-03T06:46:00.002-04:00

This set is WAY cute! I was able to whip up these cards with my big Wild Asparagus pad of designer papers. I am slowing using them! (yay for me)

I made two cards with the Anthony set and the designer papers.

First card: Time to party!
This card is a 4.5x4.5 square. It is a white base and a square of designer paper. The watch is part of the Anthony set. I stamped it on the whisper white cardstock and colored it in with copics. I used a small adhesive bling in the center of the watch. The sentiment is printed on the computer - two brown brads on the side/corner rounder on the edge of the sentiment - a small bit of chocolate chip grossgrain ribbon tied in a simple knot.
This card reminds me of a funny story. Todd and I are not really worldly (or into fashion for that matter. I get most of my clothes at Kohl's and Target because I wear my clothes hard with the kids - most of the time I have spills and stains on my clothes - why go all out until they are a little bigger). We were enroute to our big France trip when Todd realized he forgot his watch. He wears a watch every day. I am not a watch person. When we got to our connection in JFK we had a few hours to wander, so we decided to grab him an inexpensive watch for the trip. We were wandering in the international terminal and I noticed a store with watches in the window. "How about this store?" I asked Todd. We went in (to Cartier) without any idea what to expect. I looked in the display case and noticed a very plain watch. I asked the sales person how much it was. $7,500. I only gasped a little. The man put on white gloves and asked if Todd wanted to try it on. We smiled, said thank you and left. We burst into a fit of laughter outside the store and never did get a watch for Todd. It did make a fun memory.
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This was a simple card as well! It is a 5x5 square card. The main image is stamped once on whisper white, once on chocolate chip. I made a nice dark suit for Anthony. I paper pieced it on him and then colored him with copics. Computer font for the sentiment. I sewed the ribbon on the card with a zigzag stitch.
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{supplies: Time to Party! and Happy Father's Day}
Stamp: Anthony {Hanna Stamps}
paper: whisper white, chocolate chip, Wild Asparagus designer paper
ink: archival black, copics
misc: brown brads,
(Time to party:)
chocolate ribbon, nestabilities, adhesive bling (peel and stick jewel),corner rounder, dimensionals
Happy Father's Day:
blue wide grossgrain ribbon, sewing

Meet Me in the Kitchen for a HUGE party!

2008-06-02T08:39:00.003-04:00

Not one, Not two, Not Three (hold on to your potholders ladies)....

EIGHT NEW RELEASES!!!

You saw the baseball set...

wait until you see the rest...

I will be showing you so much more throughout the week! If that isn't enough excitement, there is a Kitchen Sink Stamps Contest on the NEW blog!!! Stop by here to get all the details!!!

This month, Kitchen Sink welcomes a new guest designer, Lynn. (Hey Lynn!! {waves})
Here is her gallery on Splitcoast.

YOU HAVE GOT TO GO SEE THE CREWS CREATIONS!!!

Nicole Cook ~ Kitchen Sink Project of the Month!!

Becky Ohlers

Tracy Durcan

Tammy Hershberger

Dee Jackson

Erika Martin

Julie Masse

Lori Tecler

Jan Tinkleberg

KSS: June Baseball Card

2008-06-02T06:59:00.002-04:00

Raise your hand if you like baseball!
Raise your hand if you have a Grandpa, Dad, Brother, Son, Husband, Male Coworker.
Anyone still have their hands down.
Okay -I will see you tomorrow!

For the rest of you....here is the male set you are going to LOVE!
This baseball set by Kitchen Sink Stamps is awesome. Even in my spastic stamping, I managed to make this glove come to LIFE! Look at how real it is. It almost pops off the card. It is amazing (in a not so creepy, Steven King baseball glove coming to life and stalking you in the summertime kind of way).

I apologize in advance for the bad photo. My mom took my USB cord by mistake and I had to use my daughters digital camera. (Hi mom, did you take my USB cord? No It was a grey cord that I used to download your photos from your camera the other day. Oh! Let me check in the box. (Box? She returns a few moments later). Is it the XJ57P or the us7jg. I don't know Mom, it is a USB cord. The one with the big flat end and the smaller end. Yes Mom, that one. Is it yours? Nope. I think it is yours. Okay. Just bring it back the next time you come over.

Oh boy!
It will return soon!

In the meantime....
I have a few sheets of that Wasabi overstock paper from this past winter. Of course I needed it (rolls eyes) and it sits in my office taunting me. So I grabbed it and trimmed it off on one side. Then I sewed it up on the other side! That'll teach you about taunting a stamper!

The baseball glove was stamped in:
1. creamy caramel
2. close to cocoa
3. chocolate chip
4. basic grey
There are actually 4 steps to this baseball glove - but when you put it together - WOW!

I used my real red marker to make the stitching on the baseball. I used the nestabilities to create the circle - looks like a baseball to me. The sentiments (stamped here in archival black) come with the set - and there is a sentiment for EVERY guy in your life! Promise you that. Even it you only get the set for the sentiments - it is worth it. How many times have you struggled with masculine cards? This will put your MoJo back in place!

The bottom fold was bugging me, so I took a strip of real red and ran it through the CB folder and it covered that mass of wasabi on the bottom.

I promise you this card looks much better in real life!
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stamps:
Kitchen Sink Stamps: Baseball
Paper: Wasabi, Real Red, Whisper white
Ink: Basic black, caramel, cococa, chocolate chip, basic grey, real red
misc: nesties, sewing, cuttlebug swiss dots.

{Others} Lost in Space!

2008-06-01T22:51:00.003-04:00

Let me tell you - I worked hard on these projects - so for me to space on them (or have them lost in Cyberspace) - makes me want to kick myself in the kiester!

OUCH! (who kicked me?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here is the first Lostie!

Kraft paper is stamped with close to cocoa, creamy caramel and chocolate chip (adornments and backgrounds & borders). I used dimensionals to prop up the chocolate chip piece, then offset the creamy caramel just slightly. The sentiment is from never at a loss 4 words. The corners of the creamy caramel ere stamped with the swirl from backgrounds & borders. I placed the twill just underneath the chocolate chip and secured it with brads.
Such a simple card, great masculine card!
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This is adornments from KSS: a set that really took me out of my comfort zone. I saw it and knew that I could make some really cool stuff with it!

This is a mixture of Adornments & Never at a loss 4 words. There is a hint of backgrounds and borders (all Kitchen Sink Stamps). The paper is retired SU! desiger paper. I stamped the borders and Backgrounds on the saffron paper with creamy caramel ink. Then I wrapped a WIDE grossgrain ribbon around the card. I put an embossed ribbon atop that. The adornments is stamped with creamy caramel, then close to cocoa and chocolate chip. The key is river rock, olive and artichoke. Sentiment in Saffron and ruby. The edges of the main image were sponged with close to cocoa.

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This one is one I made last month. While blog surfing at Kristina Werner's blog, I saw her simple Mother's day card and loved how she used the circle punch to create the scalloped edge. HAD TO TRY IT!

I started with a 4.25x4.25 card base in sage. I stamped the dotted background with the stamp from backgrounds & borders. The main image is on whisper white with sage and close to cocoa inks. The small flowers are from the borders & backgrounds set (I reach for this set all the time!) and the sentiment is from Never at a loss 4 words (Kitchen Sink Stamps).

I punched the circles in white, then added some adhesive to the chocolate chip paper, then carefully added the circles, trimmed the edges. A little ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio) in white sheer polkadot and this card is ready to be sent to a sick friend!

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Phew!~

all stamp sets can be purchased at Kitchen Sink Stamps!

stay tuned all week for some real fun new stamps from KSS!

I am ready to swing for a HOMERUN on the first card!

Paige's frame: Lost in Space?

2008-06-01T22:26:00.004-04:00

I worked so hard on this gift to give to a friend when she had her baby. Somehow this beauty never made it to my blog. Here are the details:

I started with patterned paper (SU!). I covered an inexpensive wood frame with no glass cover. It was like a mini shadow box. I used the reverse side paper with my nestabilities to create a scalloped frame. Using scraps, I covered the inside of the inlay to cover any wood.

The font is actually a stamp set: Mix-it-Up alphabet from Kitchen Sink Stamps. It has several sizes of the font to play with. Mix and match to create your perfect sentiment, name, anything!
The butterfly is created with saffron paper, stamped with coral and guava inks, carefully trimmed and the wings snipped. I created two butterflies and layered them atop each other. I used adhesive just in the center of the top butterfly and bent the wings slighly upward. I added some glitter with a sakura stardust pen. It appears to be flying off the frame. A big piece of sheer organza ribbon in a soft pink on the bottom of the frame. (using my baby voice) - LOOK AT THE LITTLE SHOES! Could they be any cuter. My good friend Katie had a baby shower this year and those were no the invites. OF COURSE I SAVED THEM! Raise your hand if you would throw out cute baby shoe charms. LIAR! You know you would put them in your stash! I pat myself on the back for using them! {grin}
Here is Paige's frame:

Stamp Sets: Mix it up Alphabet, Hydrangea (Kitchen Sink Stamps)
Paper: designer paper (SU!), so saffron
Ink: archival black, groovy guava, coral
Misc: Frame (square - Michaels), sakura stardust, charm, ribbon, nestabilities

FS69: MMBC

2008-05-31T14:42:00.003-04:00

Maren is this week's featured stamper. I am sure that she will come as a new gallery to some of you - I know I have spotted her several times in challenges and was lucky enough to stumble across her gallery! I was wowed!

Here is her gallery!

Here is the card which I cased

Here is my version.

I did the Hanna Stamps design challenge (HSC19) for this card as well. HSC19 was using paper piecing *and* bling. I paper pieced the shirt/pants combo and the cute little mushrooms. I put bling on the smoke with a sakura stardust pen! Challenge completed!!!

The Featured Stamper challenge was fun! I took Maren's card and modified the look slightly. I started with a dark burgundy card base (DCWV), then I used patterned paper (my slab from Costco - the Wild Asparagus pack). I had velvet rick rack - so I used orange to pull from the colors in the patterned paper. I adhered that to the card, then used the nestability punch to create the scalloped rectangles in ruby red and whisper white cardstock. The sentiment was printed on the white cardstock prior to punching with the nestability punch. I made up the sentiment - don't know if anyone else has used this sentiment - it came to me when I was creating the card. I am so corny! Or should I say I am S'more corny than most stampers!

I paper pierced the shirt and mushrooms, then used my quickie glue pen to adhere the mushrooms and shirt/pants to the Riley. Copics were used to color in Riley and the fire. Then I used a sakura stardust clear to highlight the smoke (bling-ified!). Main image is on dimensionals!

Enjoy this week's Featured Stamper! I have so much stamping to do - new releases coming up! You are going to be on FRECKLED overload!

Some Local Excitement.....

2008-05-30T13:00:00.003-04:00

I was featured today in the local (Community News) paper in the Who? What? When? Where? Why? article of the week. It was a horrible photo - yuck! If you are checking here for the first time, welcome!

A few things the article did not mention:

1. I am still a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and I continue to do home parties. I am actually having a workshop at my home this coming week - so if you want to come stamp - email me! I place regular orders and offer exceptional specials above and beyond the Stampin' Up! monthly specials.

2. I am designing for Hanna Stamps! and Kitchen Sink Stamps! (those are the two design teams mentioned in the article). Check out their websites to see what FUN things they have to stamp with! Links are HANNA and KITCHEN SINK STAMPS! Another fun thing, my three year old Sophia is the name behind the girl moose stamps {Sophie G} on the Hanna Stamps! website. I was completely honored when Kristi Ferro, owner of Hanna Stamps! asked if she could name the girl moose after my Sophie G. The two women who own the stamp companies I design for are both so wonderful! I emailed them last week and asked them if they would be willing to help out with a local girl's fundraiser (it really touched my heart) and they were both willing to send me a box of free stuff for a local fundraiser. Maria and Kristi - on behalf of the Sames family - thank you! Please see the Hanna's Hope Fund website for more information on beautiful little Hanna and her fight with G.A.N. !

3. My husband, Todd is so wonderfully supportive of my passion for papercrafting. He knows that it makes me happy to create and he has given me the most amazing space to use to create my papercrafts. Now the blog banner and watermark business has enabled me to support my own habit!

4. I teach stamping at the local elementary school through the PTA sponsored winter afterschool program. I had SO much fun crafting with the kids and found that they enjoyed crafting (almost) as much as my friends. Any of my projects can be modified so that a child can work on it (supervised). One of the fun projects I did this past spring was go into the Kindergarten and help the kids make handstamped/inked necklaces. I spotted one of the necklaces on a mom at the school this morning!

If you are interested in seeing the Design Blog, click HERE

We have a tooth!!!

2008-05-27T07:22:00.002-04:00

On her ten month birthday, Genevieve got her first toofer.
I tried and tried to get a photo of it, but she kept sticking her little tongue in front of the tooth. Bella lost the same tooth the same week! Genevieve is now 10 months, crawling, starting to talk and eating everything in sight! I think she may need a haircut - she had some wild hair in these photos (most of the time it is up and out of her eyes).

What's Cook'n with your Kitchen Sink Stamps?

2008-05-26T21:20:00.003-04:00

I just put a quick link to the Kitchen Sink Stamps Contest at the bottom of my blog. This will take you directly to the contest rules! Stay tuned this week for Maria's sneak peeks on the KITCHEN SINK BLOG! I am just giddy over the new sets which Maria is releasing soon! I am sure you will adore every one of these sets!

Enjoy the sneak peeks!

FS68: Peanutbee

2008-05-24T22:14:00.004-04:00

This week's featured stamper is Denise (aka Peanutbee) on SCS

Here is Denise/Peanutbee's card

Changed stamp sets and colors

She was saffron, white and black, I used ivory, brown and celery.

I used brown brads instead of black

I changed the stamp set to Kitchen Sink Stamps (Never at a loss 4 words) {warmest wishes}

Instead of using punches and paper, I used stamps {Kitchen sink stamps - hydrangea}

I started with an 8x8 ivory base and scored at 4 inches.
I attached some wild asparagus/my minds eye brown paper, then a layer of celery MME/WA paper. I used the swirls from borders and backgrounds on the celery paper with celery ink. I used brown brads and the warmest wishes {never at a loss 4 words/Kitchen Sink Stamps}. I adhered those layers to the ivory cardstock. While Denise used punches, I decided that I could use my butterflies (solid and third step) from Hydrangea {Kitchen Sink Stamps}. The solid butterfly was stamped in chocolate chip ink on ivory, then the third step stamp was used with chocolate chip ink on a scrap of the celery colored wild asparagus paper. I trimmed the butteflies added some adhesive and placed them on the chocolate chip, then pulled up the wings. I used sakura stardust all over the wings to make them sparkle. I mounted the vanilla on the wild asparagus chocolate designer paper, used a dimensional to raise it up off the small strip of vanilla (which I adhered directly to the celery paper). There is my take on Denise's card!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: Never at a loss 4 words, backgrounds & borders, hydrangea {kitchen sink stamps}
ink: celery, chocolate chip {SU!}
paper: very vanilla, wild asparagus designer paper (celery, chocolate)
misc: dimensionals, brads, sakura stardust

Teacher Thank You Cards & gifts!

2008-05-22T08:01:00.005-04:00

Who else is the homeroom/class mom? I have been the class mom at preschool for the better part of the past 6 years. One of the things that I do at the end of the year is organize the class gift (usually a spa gift certificate) and get the photo album/scrapbook and cards ready. This year, because of the trip abroad, I was CRUNCHED for time. Really crunched! One mom took some photos of the kids class and printed them up for me (HUGE HELP).

Here are the goodies I came up with:

This is a large 5x7 card for the class to sign for the teachers. It is a white base with patterned paper. The sentiments are from Never at a loss 4 words by Kitchen Sink Stamps. I stamped the sentiment with chocolate chip ink on bashful blue paper. Ticket corner punched the corners of the blue, mounted it on chocolate chip paper, added bashful blue brads on all four corners. I used chocolate chip wide grosgrain ribbon (stampin' Up) to the card, added some bashful brads to the edges and then mounted the sentiment atop the ribbon with dimensionals. Such a simple card.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{supplies}
paper: whisper white, bashful blue, chocolate chip, wild asparagus/my minds eye dp
ink: chocolate chip
misc: brads (SU), dimensionals (SU), ribbon (SU), ticket corner punch (SU)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This other card is for the other preschool teacher. Again, started with a white 5x7 base, added a strip of designer paper to the side (green), then a strip of designer paper (flower) to the front of the card. I used a leftover scrap of the green designer paper for the main sentiment. Did you ever find yourself in a rut? Try stamping your main sentiment on something OTHER than white. It makes the card look so different! I mounted the green scrap (which I die cut with nestability scalloped oval) on a scalloped cut white piece. It is opposite what I would normally do, but I love the look! I used some brads (which didn't really match, so I colored them with my copic markers) on the two sides of the oval sentiment. Sentiment is from Kitchen Sink Stamps {never at a loss 4 words} I used some celery gg ribbon and tucked it around the designer paper and adhered it with some adhesive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{supplies}
stamps: Never at a loss 4 words {kitchen sink stamps}
paper: whisper white, wild asparagus/my minds eye
ink: always artichoke
misc: dimensionals (SU!), ribbon (SU!), brads (non su!), copics (to color brads), nestabilities

Finally, the coaster/chipboard books which I made for the teachers. It was a great help to have one of the moms take/print photos of the kids. I merely cut designer paper to 4x4 squares, corner rounded the edges and adhered it to the chipboard coasters. I used my crop-adile to punch a hole in the corner and tied a ribbon through. All the wording was printed on the computer. I used scalloped punches (mega and giga square) to punch out the cover page and it's coordinating mounting piece. The kids names (inside) the book were printed with the same font/color and merely mounted next to the photo. Each photo was cut down to a 2.5 x 2.5 inch square. The mom took them in front of a blooming spring bush, so the lush green color really looked nice (and universal) throughout the book. I used some scrap ribbon from my supply and finished the book!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
{supplies:}
paper: my minds eye/wild asparagus, perfect plum, whisper white
ink: computer font
misc: scalloped square punches (marvy), corner rounder, crop-a-dile, chipboard squares, ribbon

Sympathy Cards....

2008-05-19T22:40:00.002-04:00

I had to make some sympathy cards, which is never fun to do! :<

Kitchen Sink Stamps sets make it easy to make a simple, yet elegant cards for giving to people who have suffered a loss.

The blue card is a white base with patterned paper (wild asparagus) covering it. I used the swirls from backgrounds and borders with bashful blue ink. I stamped the sentiment in chocolate chip, used my nestabilities dies to punch the sentiment and chocolate chip layer. I attached the square brads to the two corners and placed the sentiment on the card with dimensionals. The ribbon (my new favorite from Mayarts/starlitstudio) is tied in a simple knot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
stamps: never at a loss 4 words, backgrounds & borders (Kitchen Sink Stamps)
paper: whisper white, chocolate chip, designer paper (MME/WA)
ink: chocolate chip, bashful blue
misc: dimensionals, ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio), brads (joannes)

The second card is also a white base, using coordinating MME/WA designer paper to cover the cardfront. I used simple green gingham ribbon around the card. The sentiment is stamped with black pallete noir. The butterflies are from the Hydragea stamp set from Kitchen Sink Stamps. I stamped the butterflies with regal rose, rose red and blank pallete noir on whisper white cardstock. I carefully trimmed them out, clipped the wings and folded the wings to give them the appearance of lifting off the card. I covered each butterfly with sakura stardust.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
stamps: hydrangea, never at a loss 4 words (Kitchen Sink Stamps)
paper: whisper white, wild asparagus/mme designer paper
ink: black pallete noir, regal rose, rose red
misc: sakura stardust, gingham ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio)

FS67: Dawnsing

2008-05-17T21:31:00.004-04:00

Check out Dawn's Gallery:

Dawnsing, aka, Dawn McVey is such a phenomenal stamper! Check out her gallery on SCS.
She is HOT (in an uberkewl stampin' kind of way).

Here is the card I cased: simple happy birthday.
This is my version:

It really *was* a simple card to make. SO simple. Great card to mass produce!
It allows me to showcase the beautiful stamp set from Kitchen Sink Stamps. The stamp set, Whole Family, will allow you to customize any card like this. I chose Happy Birthday, but this set has everyone in the WHOLE family (thus the name). Have a tough time with unique relatives in your life - this set has "step" which you can use to make the perfect card for your step mom, "God" which you can use to make cards for your Godson, and everything from Neice and Nephew, to Grandmother and Sister. It is really an awesome set! And the font is so elegant. It allows for the simplicity of the card to shine! Look at this simple card.
I started with celery, Added two pieces of designer paper *retired SU!*, and then rounded the corners on the blue designer paper. I stamped the sentiment, tied the big blue ribbon (is that not the BEST lookin' ribbon evah?) and I was done. HOW EASY IS THAT?
That is what I {heart} about Dawn's gallery. Elegant, clean, beautiful!

Play along on SCS!!

edited to add: the ribbon is Mayarts from Starlitstudio. It is 1.5 inch grossgrain. LOVE IT!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

supplies & whatnot..

paper: celery, su designer paper
ink: pallete noir black
stamp set: Kitchen Sink Stamps Whole Family
misc: corner rounder, ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio)

France Trip: Day One, Two.....

2008-05-14T21:36:00.006-04:00

Todd and I flew into Paris on Monday (we left Sunday, arrived early Monday morning). We then took the bullet train (200mph) to Lyon. We were shuttled to the boat (a river cruise boat) and we napped for a few hours (since we didn't sleep on the plane, we needed a power nap). We got up and started our whirlwind tour of France! Lyon was our first city to explore. It is beautiful. We went and saw the Bastille in Lyon (so gorg!!!).

Here is the view from that Bastille on the hill.

Todd and I in front of the cityscape....(we look tired, huh?)

Todd found some hot spots (grin) - Guiness and a hoochie bar! LOL!

From Lyon, we started to Cruise down the Rhone River aboard the River Royale. What a beautiful boat! And the food.....mmmm!
Our first stop was Vivers. It is a small village. Did you ever see the movie Chocolat? It was filmed in this village. It is so small - so quaint and beautiful.
We toured the city, then went to the cathedral in the center of the city. The local organist put on a performance of classical music on the organ at the church. Just simply amazing.
The trees in the village lining the streets were so kewl! We went to the Hotel DeVille (not Cruella's home - but the town center - village hall). The people of the village made us a luncheon of local fare (quiches, cheese, wine) and celebrated our arrival. It was so nice!

City center

Atop the village

Outside the cathedral...

those kewl trees
More pictures soon!

ooh la la

2008-05-12T06:18:00.003-04:00

Oh boy!!!
We are still in Paris and are finally able to get wifi access

I will be stateside tonight

France is/was amazing!!!

Hope to post pictures this week!

Going....going...gone.....

2008-05-02T22:27:00.003-04:00

I am taking a week plus break from blogging (unless I get a chance in France). Watch for two guest hostesses on the Featured Stamper Challenge. Enjoy the new Hanna Releases and I will share stories upon my return.

Happy Stamping!

Be sure to take some time and go through my blog roll on the side bar and visit some of my favorite blogs while I am gone.

I also just put some free blog bling on my design blog - a take on the Apple © icraze!

HSC15, PrismHSCC, WT164: Hey Sunshine

2008-05-01T20:25:00.003-04:00

Phew! That was a mouthful! I am almost tongue tied from rattling off those challenges which this card qualifies for. I am going to get carpel tunnel adding the links! LOL!

This is for tonights Color Challenge on Hanna Stamps Member Forum (keyword PrismHSCC:
Crab Apple Light (Pretty In Pink), Vibrant Teal (Tempting Turquoise), Rose Dark (Rose Red)), the WT164 (ways to use it: ruffles, pleats, crimps), and the new (not yet released) HSC15 - using multiple sets of Hanna and Riley. Phew!

So I grabbed a bunch of paper that matched the color challenge and threw it on my desk. I started with the pink base. I pleated up some rose red and then sewed across the center with a zig zag stitch (challenge completed). I saw this look on Julie Stainton's card on SCS today and LOVED it. So simple. I placed a layer of tempting turqoise under the top of the pleat. Then I went into my stash. I found this 12x12 piece of MME/WA and cut it down to 4x4. It had the rose red, the pink and the turquoise (plus a few other colors, which I decided to draw into my main image, but color challenge met). The nestability was punched out in rose red, then I stamped. I stamped the Riley (hammock) in black archival and then stamped it again on scrap paper. I trimmed the scrap and masked Riley/hammock. I used the sun from SPF50 (Hanna Stamps mini set, being released Friday, May 2 - TOMORROW). I peeled away the scrap and voila! Sun behind the trees. I colored in Riley and then the trees. My daughter Karen picked out the blue for the sky. We then stamped Riley again, trimmed him out and then adhered him with dimensionals. He looks like his is falling out of the hammock. That is totally ME - FALLING OUT OF THE HAMMOCK! I swear I have a super spaz Gene! LOL! Especially after a few cocktails like Riley is sipping. A pink drink with a wedge of grapefruit. Sounds tropical! I trimmed and color the coconuts and a palm leaf and then mounted those with dimensionals. I tied a pretty satin pink ribbon in a bow, mounted the main image slightly above it. I used two pink brads in the bottom corner and stamped Hey Sunshine (Things Hanna would say) with archival black. There is sakura on the sun and the sand as well as the yummy cocktail! (three stamp sets, third challenge met)

Well, what do you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna {things Hanna would say, SPF50}, Riley {hammock}
Paper: Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper white, MME/WA DP
Ink: archival black, copics
Misc: nestabilities, dimesionals, pink brads, sewing machine,
sakura stardust (clear & yellow), ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio)

Picture Day

2008-04-30T22:37:00.000-04:00

Picture day was last Friday.
Xavier allowed me to dress him up in the most adorable outfit!!!

there was several more photos, but the boy was acting crazy.
Note to self - no chocolate milk before pictures....he gets nutso!

Feeling Patriotic?

2008-04-30T22:25:00.004-04:00

Very simple card:

I started with a white card base and printed "Land of the Free and home of the brave" on the bottom. I scalloped the red layer with my corner rounder, added the blue layer to the white card, then placed the red scalloped layer atop the blue on the card. I randomly stamped the background with white craft ink. I tied a ribbon around the card. I stamped the main image on white with archival black, then colored it in with copics and sakura stardust (red and blue). Ticket corner punched the white, added red brads and adhered it to the navy layer. The main image is on dimensionals. I sponged the bottom of the card with real red ink.

This set will be available on Friday, May 2 at www.hannastamps.com!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: Hanna {patriotic}
ink: archival black, real red, copics, white craft
paper: real red, night of navy, white
misc: ribbon (Mayarts/starlitstudio), brads, ticket corner punch,
corner rounder, dimensionals, sakura stardust

Hanna Sneak Peek: Make a wish

2008-04-30T06:58:00.006-04:00

Are you ready for the beach? Bikini season? Believe me, with six kids, there is no way I am ever wearing a bikini again. I will say that I have been hitting the gym 4 times a week. YES! I take classes and my dedication has really paid off. I hope to continue this pace after my trip to France. I have all my dresses packed....I put on a little fashion show for Todd last night. A preview of our time in Paris....and he was impressed at the new me. Ahhhhhh...I digress. Back to bikini season and this new Hanna set {Fun in the sun}. I also used the set Things Hanna would say for the sentiment.

I am vowing to use all my supplies before I splurge on any new stuff unless I really need it.

I am using these DCWV cards which I am keeping on my desk until they are all gone. This one is almost marigold (remember that color from last year). It is such a pretty, creamy yellow. I stamped the shells and starfish from the new set Fun in the sun. I masked off a piece of white cardstock, stamped a single starfish and then colored that in with copics. I punched out the image with a square punch and doodled around the edge with a black gel pen. My friend Mish taught me this dot dash method of doodling which is very fun. You really cannot screw it up! It gives a nice frame to the image, don't you think? The starfish was covered with sakura stardust (clear) to give it some sparkle. I stamped the sentiment in the bottom corner with the archival black. I went back over the shells and the starfish and highlighted a little with the white gel pen (SU!) to give it some depth. Finally, the main image is mounted on a square black punched mat and attached to the card with dimensionals.

What do you think?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supplies:
stamps: Hanna {Fun in the sun, Things Hanna would say}
paper: DCWV base, basic black, whisper white
ink: ranger black archival, copics
misc: sakura stardust, black gel pen, white gel pen, dimensionals, square punches

***********************************************************************

Want to do a fun Challenge and have a chance to win a FREE Hanna Stamp Set? The Hanna Design Team was challenged to do a Color Challenge, they are going to make a card using Prism Paper, and one of the new stamps sets that will be released Thursday Evening. You can play along too!

Crab Apple Light (Pretty In Pink)
Vibrant Teal (Tempting Turquoise)
Rose Dark (Rose Red)

So my Challenge to you is to make a card using these colors or colors that are similar, and your favorite Hanna or Riley Stamps. Everyone who takes part in this challenge will have a chance to win one of the New Hanna Stamp Sets released Thursday Evening. --Please have your card upload by Thursday Evening 7 p.m. EST to SPLITCOAST STAMPERS. We will draw a name and announce the winner Thursday Evening May 1 st. during the release party. Party is 9pm EST. Be sure to stop by the Hanna Forum for the party!!!

Don't forget to put in PrismHSCC as your keyword on SCS. Do put a link in the comment section of this post so I can see your creation!!!

HSC14: Masculine Cards

2008-04-29T21:47:00.004-04:00

Sometimes a challenge is challenging, sometimes it is helpful. Vicki (Summerthyme studios) asked members of the design team to create a card with a masculine theme. It was my dad's birthday, so I decided to make a Dad card.

I started with a celery green textured card base from DCWV. I sewed on a strip of brocade blue with a running stitch. I used a fun piece of pattern paper (DCWV - I think) from my stash. I thought they looked like a fun plaid....kind of "golfy". I used a small strip of the leftover patterned paper to stamp Riley on. I trimmed out the "pants". I stamped Riley {golf Riley} again on whisper white. I used copics to color in Riley and the grass. I used the blue to create the sky. The golf ball is one of the Target pearls which I covered with white gel pen. The main image is punched with a nestability circle and then the brocade mat is also cut with a larger nestability circle. I ran that through the swiss dots embossing folder. Reminded me of a mini-golf ball (which is more along my alley). I attached the main image with dimensionals. Finally, the sentiments are from Papertrey ink (Pond life and Birthday basics), stamped in black archival.

Did I meet the challenge?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

supplies:
stamps: Hanna {golf Riley}, Papertrey Ink {pond life, birthday basics}
paper: DCWV green card base, brocade blue, whisper white, patterned paper.
ink: black (archival), copics
misc: sewing, dimensionals, white gel pen, target $ spot pearls, nestabilities, cuttlebug (swiss dots)

Signs of Spring....

2008-04-28T22:47:00.003-04:00

I think it might actually be spring in NY. Shhh! Don't say it too loud! I was out yesterday with baby Genevieve walking her around, admiring the sights of the new blossoms and the spring grass. This is just outside my office. It is a statue that Todd bought his mom for her birthday the year she passed. It was one of the few things which Todd and got from the house. I love having this in my garden, right ouside my stamping area.

The magnolia is just starting to blossom and open. I love this tree. We have a huge front yard, very little foliage in the front, so this tree stands out. I may have to get another!

Genevieve was NOT happy with the seating arrangement. She did NOT like the grass. I don't blame her - it was probably all prickly on her chubby legs. The outfit was what I was capturing. My sister Karen sent this to me 10 years ago for my daughter Karen. Each of my five girls was able to wear this outfit. One day I will compare each photo of them in the sailor suit. It is one of those outfits I treasure. The hat, the big polkadot bow. I hope to keep this for my girls to dress their kids in one day!

Not happy!

Sneak Peek Week!!!

2008-04-28T08:04:00.004-04:00

I try and think outside the box with these new stamp sets which I get to play with. The lastest one is Hanna's Garden set. It has some really fun images.

One thing I love about the clear stamps is the ability to manipulate them. I bent some of these carrots to give them a different look. Each carrot is stamped on whisper white with black pallete noir ink. I then colored them in with copics. The image was punched with a square punch. I layered it atop a square punched black piece of cardstock, then an orange piece of cardstock. I printed the sentiment on white cardstock. "Thanks a bunch" (get it - bunch of carrots). I used the edge of the square punch to create the v cut on the end. I layered it atop the black, then the orange, each time trimming a similar v with my paper snips. Finally, I mounted the main image to the card with dimensionals and adhered the sentiment with adhesive. The buttons were an afterthought. I had a bag of bright colored buttons from Joannes. I grabbed three orange buttons, used some making memories thread (no neked buttons here) and tied up a quick knot in each of them. They were attached with glue to the card.
I love the simple card and I cannot wait to give it to someone!

I love the small bits and pieces on the new Hanna sets. It allows the set to become much more versatile when you have images that are multi-purpose! Don't you think?
Oh, and don't forget:
Join me and the other design team members on the Hanna Stamps member forum of SCS for the release party Thursday 1st May at 9pm EST ....See some great preview peeks and participate in some fun prize challenges.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supplies:
stamps: Hanna {Garden Hanna}
paper: green card base (dcwv), only orange, basic black, whisper white
ink: black pallete noir, copics
misc: buttons (joannes), thread (making memories), square punches, dimensionals

Genevieve

2008-04-27T23:12:00.003-04:00

Genevieve looked so cute in her red polka dots the other day....

FS64: sf9erfan

2008-04-26T22:16:00.003-04:00

Here is the featured stamper for this week: Michelle, aka sf9erfan.

I actually made 2 cards. Why, because when I made the first one - I hated it. Then I made a second card. I hated that one too. I know I am my own worst critic. Maybe I am in a mo-jo -less slump. Maybe I am just in a funk!

On to the cards:

Card One was based on Michelle's card: HERE

The changes:
stamp sets, colors, ribbon, buttons

Michelle used pink and brown, I used celery and black. WOW I love that color combo. Michelle used Shades of Nature, I used Always. I love the new Kitchen Sink Stamp set "Whole Family". It let me make a custom sentiment which was perfect for this card. Here is my recipe: I started with a white base, then added a layer of basic black. Atop that layer, a piece of celery cardstock, which was dry pressure embossed with birds and swirls (Cuttlebug/epaperie). I sewed a black/celery layer together with my janome sew mini. The sentiment and the branch were stamped on the celery layer. The sentiment in basic black, the branch in old olive ink. I stamped the bird (always) with celery ink on whisper white and carefully trimmed it out, adhered it with dimensionals. The black ribbon (mayarts/Starlitstudio) is a beautiful embossed satin ribbon. I love using this ribbon, it makes my projects look so formal. The ribbon replaced the burlap string and my Target Dollar spot pearls replaced the buttons which Michelle used on her card. I used a little sakura stardust on the branch to bling it up!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Supplies:
stamps: whole family (Kitchen Sink Stamps), Always (SU)
paper: whisper white, basic black, certainly celery
ink: celery, black, old olive
misc: Black satin embossed ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio), dimensionals, T$S pearls,
cuttlebug folder (Birds & swirls/Eclectic Paperie), sewing machine (janome), sakura stardust
*************************************************************************************
Card two (because card one did not thrill me) was based on Michelle's card HERE

I changed the colors (from pink to lilac), the stamp set (I used Whole Family/KSS) and the ribbon (I used stitched black)

I started with a white card base, added a layer of black, then the purple (lovely lilac) layer. I used my stampin up Rub-ons from Sale-a-bration. Why not - I have TO USE THEM! Right? They are so easy and clean and fun to use! I rubbed those babies on - then stamped the sentiment (from Kitchen Sink Stamps - Whole Family). I used a white gel pen to add some dots and doodles here and there. A little bling here and there on the sentiment with my sakura stardust pen. The ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio) is a great black stitched edge. Then I used my new quickie glue pen (Eclectic Paperie) to adhere the purple baubles to the bottom corner. SUCH an easy card.

Who has two thumbs and is not happy with their card --- THIS GIRL!
(points to self with her two thumbs)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:

Stamp sets: Whole Family/Kitchen Sink Stamps
paper: whisper white, basic black, lovely lilac
ink: basic black
misc: SU! rub ons, Mayarts Ribbon/starlitstudio, SU! white gel pen, sakura stardust

My Mission

2008-04-25T23:34:00.003-04:00

My Friend Bevie {step away from my scissors} sent me this image with a mission - create a unique card using this image..
I have *NO* idea who makes this - I will find out though.

I used a real red base which was dry pressure embossed with the bloom dots cuttlebug folder. The image on white was colored in with copics. I scalloped punched it with my nestabilites and then punched a yo yo yellow scalloped rectangle with the nestabilities and mounted the image atop that. The green layer was embossed with the swiss dots folder. I get all my cuttlebug folders from Joy & Daisy at Eclectic Paperie. I get alot of my copics from them too. I have gotten some of my copics and my nestabilities from Ellen. She is awesome too! The ribbons are from Cindy (starlitstudio). I love to get my ribbons from Cindy! So the ribbons were attached to a paperclip - a red paperclip from my stash (target $ spot). The paperclip is attached to the side of the main image. The main image is raised on dimensionals, as is the green layer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:

stamp: unknown - gotta check with Bevie Pearl
paper: real red, white, yo yo yellow, green galore
ink: black
misc: cuttlebug (swiss dots, bloom dots), ribbons (may arts), paperclip, copics, dimensionals

Look Ma - No tooth!

2008-04-25T23:20:00.003-04:00

This tooth should have fallen out by itself weeks ago. I may have helped it along a little {eek!} She was really excited to show off her gap to her teacher and her sisters.....

All smiles once that tooth fell out!

Cannot wait to see what the toothfairy brings....

Chicken Pox

2008-04-25T23:13:00.003-04:00

Varicella dose one did not work - and we were one month shy of getting our booster dose....
DAG-NABIT!

She got a very MILD case of the pox - but it is the Pox!

Today, Sophie decided to get all dolled up in her sailor suit. All dressed up and no place to go (except outside in the back yard).

And why not eat some apples to get better.....

Now let's hope we keep this disease at bay......

Where in the world was Beth Silaika......

2008-04-22T07:59:00.007-04:00

HA! I'm no Matt Lauer...but I sure can sneak up on people. It seems as if every time I go to California, I am surprising *someone*. Todd had a due diligence conference in California (Aviara in San Diego) and was able to bring me along. He went out on Sunday for client meetings and we met at the Four Seasons on Wednesday. I was able to have a few days of pampering (And no diapers to change). NICE! Wednesday night, we had an amazing poolside dinner with the most delicious food! Thursday morning, I had a massage at the spa (divine!) and then we went sailing..ON THE AMERICA and the STARS & STRIPES. I felt so patriotic! Thursday evening, another FABULOUS dinner! We went on some client meetings Friday, then drove to Orange County to meet up with my sister. Saturday morning, I went to Southern California Stamp Mania V (*the* best event in So. Cal). I got to meet up with some friends, surprise some friends and have a Stampin' good time! We hopped the red eye home on Saturday night and arrived home Sunday morning!

Aviara - a view of the valley

bird of paradise (these are SO cool)

the gardens at Aviara are spectacular

The fountain outside the lobby

On the America

Todd and I on the Stars & Stripes (we got to turn the doohickey in the race)

I am really glad that I have been going to the gym. It was really hard to turn
that handle thing (ask Todd). It was a picture perfect day for sailing. 15 knot winds!

A big navy ship came really close to the boat while we were sailing. The
Stars & Stripes just glided through its wake. Pretty Kewl!

There were 6 groups of racers. We started out on the America and watched
two races. Then the last time, we got to race (against the Abracadabra). We lost by a hair.
The America is one of those beautiful wood sailing ships. Stunningly kept up by her owners.

Look at her, isn't she just beautiful?

The mast. It is amazing how much it costs to sail. They were telling us the cost of the
sails. WOW! To compete in a race for bragging rights is pretty pricey! (in the millions)

Here we are on the America (before the wind hit my hair). I nearly lost my new
Merrill hat. YIKES!

Val, Joy, me & Daisy at SCSMV
Val is one of my stamping IDOLS! And Joy & Daisy are the owners
of Eclectic Paperie. They are so wonderful to work with. Joy helps
organize this amazing event!
I surprised Val & Daisy!

I finally got to stamp with Val. Well, I got to lurk and watch Val stamp.
Check off another thing on my Stampin' To Do list!

This is the group of volunteers who make SCSMV run really smoothly!
You cannot imagine the hard work that goes into planning such an event.
I just showed up on Saturday morning and helped out a little bit. Jami, Emily and Joy
make this event AMAZING. There were door prizes, BIG PRIZE GIVEAWAYS,
make & takes and Shoebox swaps. There was even a HUGE basket filled for the
Ronald McDonald house. WOW!

Taylor (another one of my STAMPIN' IDOLS) was helping out
at the event. She worked at the Stampendous make & take table.
I was SO THRILLED to meet her. She is tall (I am 5'6" and NO I am not sitting down).
She is beautiful and kind....and she stamps like a ROCK STAR!
I was *so* glad to finally meet her.

Amanda Sewell and Leanne Yoho (I love to say that YOHO)
were both at SCSMV! Amanda DRIVES from Arizona. WOW! That is dedication.
These beautiful and talented (and sweet) ladies are both on the Hanna! design team with
me. Hi girls!

Todd came to pick me up just as we were trying to arrange the group shot with a timer and tripod. He was able to take the photo with 120 cheering women distracting him! LOL!
What a *FUN* event!

SCSMV in Video

2008-04-20T15:58:00.008-04:00

Enjoy
it is about 7 minutes long.....

Edited to add:
created with my Mac (Imovie)

music by Jack Johnson (upside down) & Michael Buble (alone)

FS63: Sparklegirl

2008-04-20T01:43:00.003-04:00

Gotta Board my flight -
this week's FS is Sparklegirl

I cannot say enough about this woman! What a phenomenal stamper.
I chose her card HERE

I changed the colors to celery, pink and apricot. I also used the cuttlebug, eliminated the hardware and added baubles. I used Essence of Love and trimmed out the butterflies and popped them up on dimensionals. I also used sakura stardust and a SU! white gel pen on the wings of the butterfly. I used SU! Essence of love as the stamp set and used Mayarts/Starlitstudio ribbon (sheer white polkadot).

Simple, self explanatory card, right?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: essence of love
paper: white (base), black, celery, pretty in pink, banana
ink: black pallete noir
misc: cuttlebug, baubles (black), dimensionals, sakura stardust, white gel pen
white mayarts/starlitstudio ribbon (polkadot)

Birthday Gift: Molly

2008-04-14T23:02:00.002-04:00

I am just a POSTING FOOL tonight - I am killing time, waiting for my BFF to release her newest colors and stamp sets over at Papertrey Ink.

This is Molly's birthday present.
I used SU! designer paper (retired) and saffron, marigold (retired) and banana paper. The headline alphabet is stamped in saffron (craft ink) on whisper white, mounted on banana paper and then drawn with a yellow sakura stardust pen. The flowers (prima) have a brad in the center and then the brad pierces through some sheer white ribbon. The brads (SU!) are saffron. I love layering Prima flowers. I get my flowers at Epap.
The name Molly is mounted on dimensionals. Very fun yellow frame for Bella to give to her friend for the Yellow party!

supplies:
stamps: letterpress alpha (SU!)
paper: SU! designer paper, banana, saffron, marigold, white
ink: saffron craft
misc: ribbon (may arts/sheer polkadot, yellow & white - starlitstudio)
frame, dimensionals, primas (eclecticpaperie), brads (SU), sakura stardust (yellow)

Birthday Card: Molly

2008-04-14T22:55:00.006-04:00

This was such a fun card to make. Look how Spring and Sunshiney it is!!!

Simple card. SIMPLE! I used the DCWV Box of Christmas cards {HA! I fooled them - this is a BOX O' Year Round Cards}. The yellow textured base gives the card some pizzaz! There is a scrap of patterned paper from SU! on the side, with a scalloped circle (nestabilities). A ribbon of sheer white polkadots with a hint of yellow sheer polkadots tied in the knot, is wrapped around the card. The butterfly (time well spent) is stamped in black, colored with copics and sakura stardust. The sentiment is from Papertrey ink (birthday basics).

supplies:
paper: white, su designer paper, yellow base (DCWV)
ink: archival black, copics
stamps: SU! Time well spent, birthday basics (sentiment, Papertrey ink)
misc: ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio)

monogram journals & notecards

2008-04-14T22:00:00.007-04:00

I taught a stamping class this past winter at the school. It was a 5 week course with K-5 grade students. It was really *SO* much fun to teach. It was a PTA sponsored/coordinated event which was to allow students in the school to experience some really fun new activities which they may not normally be exposed to. I taught stamping, my friend Mr. Twisty taught magic/balloon twisting, there was jewelry, clay art and bowling. All kinds of fun activities for the kids. I had 3 moms who came in and volunteered every week to help me out. I initially set my class number at 15 kids. I ended up having 28 sign up. You would be amazed at HOW wonderful these kids behaved. They were respectful and listened so intently. They were able to create wonderful projects in record amounts of time. Week one - 2 cards (in an hour). Week 2 - three cards. Week 3 - boxes (easter baskets) and bags. Week 4 - bookmarks (yes, we made 2 kinds of bookmarks - the paperclip ones with chipboard and regular bookmarks with patterned paper). Week 5 we made domino pins and washer necklaces (for mother's day)

Because I could not have done it alone, I felt the need to give my helpers wonderful presents for their presence! {heh heh} Each helper got a fabriano monogrammed notecard set. Each notecard had their first and last initial. I was able to do this (and make it look elegant) with the help of Kitchen Sink Stamps Mix it Up! alphabet

I used blue bayou and soft sky ink on the fabriano notecards. The gift card holder is a large fabriano card, folded back on one side to create a pocket. The brads hold the pocket together. A small bit of mayarts/starlitstudio ribbon is wrapped around the pocket. The ink is classic Blue Bayou and Soft Sky (Stampin' Up!). The prefolded Fabrianos (starlitstudio) are so easy to work with. They take the ink SO well and the matching envelopes are wonderful to stamp on. This is a great stamp set for all your monogrammed needs.

I also created journals for the moms who helped me out. There were pretty journals at the target dollar spot right before easter. They were soft sky and barely banana. I used a scalloped punch (Stampin' Up!) to create the base of the monogram attachment. I used blue bayou paper. The circle is punched with an SU! punch as well. The monogram is done in soft sky and blue bayou ink. I overlapped the letters to make them intertwine. FUN!

This in the yellow target journal which uses saffron paper, saffron ink and banana ink. Again, scalloped punch and circle punch, intertwined letters. What a great, simple and elegant gift to give. The moms were thrilled with their presents. I was thrilled with their presence!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Supplies ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stamp set: Mix it up! Alphabet {kitchen sink stamps}
{notecards}
paper: fabriano prefolded notecards & envelopes (starlitstudio) (plus a large one to make pocket)

ink: blue bayou, soft sky
misc: brads, mayarts ribbon/starlistudio

{journals}
paper: so saffron, blue bayou, whisper white
ink: saffron, banana, soft sky, blue bayou
misc: Journals (T$S), punches (scalloped circle, circle - SU!)

Tool Time {hands off my drill baby!}

2008-04-14T15:22:00.002-04:00

I have tools. I don't mean my sizzix, carl cutter & janome sew mini. Real tools, real tool box...I am the handy-person in the house. I build the bookshelves & those dreaded {some assembly required} items. I don't let Todd play with the tools too often. When I do, bad things happen. He was blessed with many gifts, but the ability to fix things is not one of them.

This card is one of those "box of cards" christmas card set from DCWV. The card is standard A2 size. It is a cross between gable and celery. It has a nice texture to it. I used a smidge (that is not too big, not too little) of designer paper from the costco pack. The pumpkin layer is raised on dimensionals, the whisper white layer is stamped with archival black. The Hanna is colored with copics. Her shirt is paper pierced and adhered with mono adhesive. A bit of ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio) tied in a simple knot. The sentiment is stamped with archival black directly on the designer paper. I stamped the sentiment prior to adhering the main image. The corners of the pumpkin layer and the white layer are punched with the ticket corner punch.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: Hanna! {tool time}
paper: whisper white, pumpkin pie, DCWV card base, WA/MME costco designer paper
ink: copics, black archival (ranger)
misc: dimensionals, ribbon (mayarts/startlitstudio)

Child Safe Home - tips for medicine....

2008-04-14T15:10:00.002-04:00

In addition to my post yesterday - as an afterthought, I felt the need to elaborate a little more on some of the lessons learned from our experience with Xavier last year.

Please take an extra second to make sure to lock up your medicines - especially tylenol and prescription drugs.
Make sure you give those child safety tops an EXTRA twist and check to make sure the lock is engaged.
Place your medicine in a locked cabinet and go through your medicine to make sure there are not any expired meds.
It only takes a moment for a child to get into something like cough medicine or pills.
Keep the phone number for poison control handy (written on a note on the inside of a cabinet). 1-800-222-1222
Use Mr. Yuck stickers - talk with your children about the danger of taking medicine themselves.
One thing we learned is to avoid those multi-symptom medicines (ie. tylenol cough). Treat each symptom separately - that will avoid overdosing.
If you suspect your child has ingested medicine - CALL 911 and bring the bottles with you to the hospital!

Order Poison Prevention Materials

Call to order stickers, magnets, brochures and other poison prevention materials. When you dial this number, your call will be routed to the local poison center that serves your area. Your local poison center will be happy to send you materials free of charge. All you have to do is call!

WOW! {life lessons}

2008-04-13T22:58:00.005-04:00

One year ago today, I nearly lost Xavier to an accidental overdose of cough medicine. I blogged about the ordeal and it was therapeutic and informative to my readers.

Today, I spent the day in a fog, having to wake at 4:30 am to take Todd to the airport to catch an early morning flight. I never went back to bed, instead bringing 5 out of 6 children to church at 8:30 am, then to Sunday school. It suddenly dawned on me that it was the 13th of April, and I felt the same sense of exhaustion and sadness last year. Why was I sad? I spent some of this evening (after putting the kids to bed), watching the story of a Carnegie Mellon Professor.

Did you ever watch something *so* moving that you know it would stick with you for years to come. Todd and I have watched a loved ones suffer through the horrors of cancer, namely pancreatic cancer. Nearly six years ago, we watched Pops {Todd's dad} deteriorate at a rapid pace. This past year, my Aunt Susie had successful surgery to remove tumors to her pancreas. The disease was caught early in my Aunt and I pray everyday that she is among the miracle cases of modern medicine.

This past week, on ABC, there was an amazing show which I caught a portion of. Thank God for the internet and the amazing ability to watch things you may have missed. This is truly a wonderful, heartwarming, tear-jerking story. Make sure your laptop is plugged in - grab a nice cuppa and a box of tissues. This link is truly awe inspiring.

ABC.com LINK TO A LAST LECTURE {the love story}

You can view the YouTube Video {achieving your childhood dreams} at that link.

It is hard to think that life is *so* fragile, but Randy's message about brick walls, living your dreams and, more importantly, applying his philosophy to your life is really something that EVERYONE should hear.

His family is in my prayers.

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand" - Randy Pausch

For more information on the Pancreatic Cancer Research foundation, click HERE

Award....

2008-04-13T06:40:00.007-04:00

This past Thursday I attended the Founder's Day dinner for our school district (one of the LARGEST districts in Upstate NY). I was honored at that dinner (yes, lil' ol' me) as a New York State Honorary Lifetime Member.

The New York State PTA Honorary Life Membership Award is given to individuals (not couples or groups) in recognition of superior dedication and distinguished service to children and youth in any or all of the following areas: home, school, community and place of worship. Nominees may be chosen from any area, are not required to be PTA members nor be well known beyond their own area of service.

I was nominated for our school for the award and was among an elite group of parents, teachers and staff from our school whom were also recognized with this award. The dinner was a great night out. Our PTA president said some really nice things about me (there was a resounding gasp! amongst the crowd when she mentioned the 6 kids - the oldest only in 4th grade).
I currently chair several PTA committees at the school and I teach in the winter after school enrichment program (Stamping). What a great honor it was to be recognized!
{just thought I would share this with my readers}

{Good} Kharmagirl

2008-04-12T21:43:00.002-04:00

Jodi (aka Kharmagirl) is this week's featured stamper on Splitcoast! I really enjoy her work. This week - I chose to take her TLC160 card and changed a lot, but kept the same look for some reason. I eliminated the button in the center of the circle, added brads and eliminated the big stitches. I did some real sewing, and used vellum instead of the reverse cuttlebug teachnique. I even changed the colors - she used creamy caramel and olive - I used river rock and guava. I love this card! I hope it brings me good Kharma! (does anyone watch Earl?)

Start with the river rock base. I put on a layer of guava - tacked a few pieces of mono on it, then sewed with my Janome Sew Mini (a zig zag stitch). The vellum with dry pressure embossed with the Birds & Swirls cuttlebug folder. I embossed some of the river rock as well and layered that on the bottom of the card. I punched the river rock circle with a nestability die (circle). I stamped with the think happy thoughts on the white (thanks so much and flower). I layered those with dimensionals. Brads were added to the corners of the card. The bird (always) was stamped with guava ink on whisper white cardstock. I trimmed the bird carefully and adhered it to the card with dimensionals.

Check out Jodi's gallery and then play along with this week's featured stamper challenge!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: always, think happy thoughts
paper: river rock, guava, vellum, whisper white
ink: guava, river rock
brads, sewing, nestability punch, circle punches, dimensionals
cuttlebug folder

Tool Time: Dad

2008-04-11T23:49:00.004-04:00

Here is a card I created with the new Hanna set, Tool Time. Very simple card. Kraft base, blue bayou paper, ink and SU! designer paper. Two brads in the corner - some corner rounded edges and you have a great card for your dad. The stickers are these cute cork stickers I found in the Target $ spot!

Happy Friday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: Hanna {tool time}
paper: SU! kraft, blue bayou, designer paper
ink: blue bayou
misc: antique brads, stickers (cork, Target $spot), corner rounder

Fun suit!

2008-04-10T00:04:00.004-04:00

Do I really need to elaborate on this....

Xavier got these clothes from a family friend. A whole bunch of dress up outfits for the girls and this one was included in the pile of red tulle and sequin dresses.
He looks like a cross between Elton John, Harry Potter and Mork From Ork.

I thought he looked handsome - wierd, but handsome!

See You Ladder

2008-04-09T23:36:00.002-04:00

I am *So* corny sometimes. I have to say though - I got this awesome "box of cards" by Die Cuts with a View at my Joanne's. It is one of the few things that the Clifton Park Joanne's has besides fabric. I grabbed it and thought I might use it some day. I find myself reaching for these fun colors - this is a Christmas box, but the colors are awesome! I started with this rose colored card. It is slightly textured, but not thick. I added a scrap of paper from my stash - I had these strips pre-cut from the stamping class I taught at the school this past month. The scalloped white shape was cut from whisper white cardstock with the nestabilities scalloped oval die. I stamped the ladder with Ranger archival black ink (image is from Hanna's Newest set: Tool Time.) The ladder is colored in with SU! markers (going grey, sahara sand), then outlined with B000 (copic). I added some sakura stardust on the ladder - because it is a metal ladder and it is supposed to sparkle {wink!} Main image is attached to the card with dimensionals. A sheer white polka dot ribbon across the strip of patterned paper and the design is complete.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: Hanna {tool time}, Papertrey ink {simple alphabet}
paper: DCWV (card, rose), whisper white, patterned paper {unknown}
ink: black (archival. Ranger), copics, SU! markers {going grey, sahara sand}
misc: dimensionals, ribbon {mayarts/starlitstudio}

Paper toile hydrangea

2008-04-09T14:27:00.004-04:00

Linda Duke did this amazing tutorial for a paper toile flower on Splitcoast a while back. I used some of her details to create this hydrangea card for my mom for Mother's day. I love it so much, I may just give it to her early for helping me out this weekend. I have a wedding to go to - had to call in the reinforcements! {grin}

I love hydrangea. They bring back a flood of memories for me - going to the New England coast in the summer with my family. I remember staring at the Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island, admiring the blossoming hydrangea bushes...or the big poofy blue flowers in bunches constrasting to the weathered shutter siding on the capes in Massachusetts. Can you smell the salt air? Mmmm, love those bushes! {note to self, call the landscaper to order some of those bushes for the yard!}

The card starts with ballet blue. This is one of my most UN-USED blues. Can you imagine - me and a blue that does not used a lot!?!?! I used the cuttlebug textile folder to create this beautiful background. The oval is cut with a nestability die. I stamped the urn directly on the white paper. First, going grey ink, then the next step is sahara sand. I used vintage violet next. I only did 3 out of the four steps available for the urn. I stamped the first image of the hygrangea on the white paper. Then on a separate sheet, I stamped the same hydrangea size {both in soft sky}. The next layer is bashful blue, followed by brocade blue and then finally ballet blue. The layers are carefully trimmed, then misted slightly with water and folded, distressed and crumpled. Set aside flower layers. I stamped the leaves directly on the white, then each leaf set gets stamped on scrap white paper. I went in order 1. river rock 2. certainly celery 3. old olive. The leaves are carefully trimmed, misted with water and then crumbled, distressed. I used my paper snips to carefully snip the edges of the leaves to make it resemble an actual leaf edge. I set the leaves aside. I stamped "mom" with ballet blue ink directly on the oval paper.
Now to assemble the flower. I placed the leaves on the oval first, adhered with a small amount of mono-adhesive on the inside, and then turned the edges of the leaves up, so that they were raised off the paper, yet still adhered. I attached the first flower layer the same way. A little bit of mono in the center, the edges turned up. The second flower layer is attached with a dimensional to make it pop off the page. I used the sakura stardust to add a glimmer of bling to the flower. I know they don't glitter in real life, but in my world they do {wink!}
An extra wide blue organza ribbon tied in a simple knot finalizes the design.

What color are your favorite hydrangea?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps {hydrangea, whole family}

paper: ballet blue, whisper white
ink: {flower} soft sky, bashful blue, brocade blue, ballet blue,
{leaves} river rock, certainly celery, old olive,
{urn} going grey, sahara sand, vintage violet

misc: blue ribbon, dimensionals, cuttlebug {textile}, sakura stardust

Toile Suitcase

2008-04-09T10:45:00.005-04:00

I had this scrap of 12x12 paper on my desk - it was this awesome smoky blue toile looking paper. It looked like one of those old cloth fabric suitcases (remember those - before EVERYONE AND THEIR BROTHER got a black rolling suitcase). I would love to have one of those when I travel so I can spot it amongst the black luggage on the conveyor belt. Speaking of which - I have to grab some ribbon for my suitcase so that I can distinguish my black bag from everyone elses. I am going on a quick trip next week with Todd. A surprise. He won't tell me where I am flying into - just that I need to pack. Hmmm. It's a business thing, so I will have some free time while he does his meetings. I wonder where we are going!?!?!?

This card started with a white 5x5 base - then I took the designer paper and sewed the blue paper right on the card. I used a random tight stitch and went around the card twice. I stamped Hanna on white cardstock and colored her with copics. I used greys to make it look like she was wearing a grey velvet sweatsuit. I have one of those for cold winter mornings. I don't think that I would ever wear it with flip flops though {grin}.
I stamped the image again on a scrap of the designer paper and trimmed out the suitcase.

The ribbon is a beautiful embossed black ribbon - very elegant. I doodled on the edges of the main image with a black gel pen and the stamped sentiment was swiped with a blue marker. The stamped images are attached with dimensionals to the card.

Any guesses to where I am going?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: Hanna {passport}
paper: white, black, designer paper (unknown source - aka my stash)
ink: black archival, copics, bashful blue marker
misc: black ribbon {mayarts/starlitstudio}, sewing machine, dimensionals

Kelly's frame

2008-04-06T08:20:00.004-04:00

Kelly's frame was made with soft sky paper, ruby red and blue bayou. I used letterpress alphabet for the letters (blue bayou ink on soft sky paper, then mounted on blue bayou paper). Each letter is mounted on dimensionals. The background is blue bayou ink (boho backgrounds - top and polkadots & paisley bottom). The butterfly is from essence of love. I stamped each butterfly twice. I trimmed them and placed the bottom layer directly on the ruby layer. I placed a small part of a dimensional on the first layer and then a second butterfly on the top. Each butterfly is covered in sakura stardust and sakura stardust blue to make the wings sparkle. The wings are bent slightly to make them pop off the page. Prima flowers have miniature pearls inside the center. The pearls are from the Target $ spot.
I vow to use my stash of supplies! {grin}
This frame will go with the matching journal.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
stamps: letterpress alphabet, essence of love, polkadots & paisley, boho backgrounds
paper: soft sky, blue bayou, ruby red
ink: blue bayou
misc: dimensionals, sakura stardust (clear and blue), primas, T$S pearls, frame

Kelly Journal

2008-04-06T08:08:00.004-04:00

The new Kitchen Sink Stamps are coming on the 7th of April. Here is a sneak peek of both sets. First - the 3 step Hydrangea. Hydrangea's are my favorite flowers. I love the blue ones {surprise, surprise}. I love this new set from Kitchen Sink stamps. I love watching how with each step, the flower comes to life. The butterfly just forms wings and details right before your eyes. It is truly amazing! I love it. There are several size flower blossoms to choose from in this set. There is also a few types of butterflies as well. You are going to love playing with it! Think of the possibilities. Pink Hydrangea, Purple Hydrangea, BLUE hydrangea. The butterflies can be changed to match your patterned paper. It will be *SO* versatile! I cannot wait to play more!
This journal was so easy to make. It is a gift for my daughter's friend. The scalloped punch circle (blue) and the shimmer white paper circle are attached directly to the journal. I drew from the stripes in the journal to make the sentiment. Celery, pretty in pink and blue bayou for the words "all your wishes". I thought a wish journal for a ten year old girl was a great idea.

my ink steps:
hydrangea: 1. soft sky 2. bashful blue 3. brocade blue 4. lovely lilac
leaves: 1. river rock 2. certainly celery
butterfly: 1. soft sky 2. blue bayou 3. basic black
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
supplies:
journal
stamps: kitchen sink stamps {3 step hydrangea, whole family}
paper: blue (generic), shimmer white
ink: soft sky, bashful blue, brocade blue, blue bayou, lovely lilac,
celery, river rock, pretty in pink, basic black

FS61: Mommylvs2stamp

2008-04-05T22:51:00.004-04:00

Before I get to this week's FS card, I want to mention a big {sobbing} congratulations to Her Royal Rubberness, Miss Julie Ebersole. She has decided to step down from her role at SCS as DT coordinator and work full time as a creative concept artist for Amuse. Jules - I am honored to call you my friend and I am in awe of your ability to be so level headed and fair! I also love your style and I am so glad you are pursuing your heart's desire.....
I hope whomever the powers that be at SCS choose will telepathically work with me and give me some ideas of the talent to be on the dirt pile {I swear that Jules comes to me in waves and I can pick em before she does!} OOOH! Maybe they will pick me next {snicker}

Off to the next Featured Stamper.....Miss Kristi Reynolds.
Kristi's cards {seen here in here gallery} are amazing. I chose this card to case. The colors just popped and I fell in love. I chose to change the colors to pink and brown. I musta used a bigger nestability circle because my BIG OL scalloped circle barely fit on the card. LOL! IMADORK! I had to eliminate the big eyelets and used some pearls in the corner.

I started with a pink base, used white craft ink with the Spring Solitude stamp set on the bottom. I used the open and solid flowers. I didn't want to dirty up my wheel with white craft. I am lazy on Saturday nights. Plus my desk is a pig sty! I digress. White on pink...yes...White ink on the pink base - then pink ink on the white strip with the boho backgrounds stamp set. I used white craft on the white circle with a sprinkle of iridescent ice embossing powder. The flowers just sparkle. IMADORK Twice - it was uberdifficult to stamp that pink bird on the top of the embossed sparkley flowers. {duh!}. I stamped the branch on close to cocoa paper and trimmed that out and attached it atop the circle, just under the bird. The sentiment is from Birthday basics {papertrey ink} in Pretty in pink ink.

I used a punch to put a hole in the white strip of paper and threaded the ribbon from the end through the hole and placed the main image above the punched hole to mask it. The main circle image is placed on the card with dimensionals. I added some of those Target scrapbooking pearls ($ spot) to the bottom corner.

Very simple case tonight - just changed the colors (added the sentiment).

Play along here

Have a great Sunday. Be sure to see the thread about sending your card to Faith or Frances. The thread is here. Faith {Markie's mom} and her mom are both going through some serious medical ailments and they would really benefit from some stamped sunshine! Thank you {in advance} for doing that for Faith and her mom!

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supplies:
stamps: spring solitude, boho backgrounds {SU!}, birthday basics {PTI}
Paper: whisper white, close to cocoa, pretty in pink {SU!}
Ink: white craft, close to cocoa, pretty in pink
misc: ribbon {mayarts/starlitstudio}, target pearls, nestabilities, ir. ice EP {su!}, dimensionals

Sorry!

2008-04-03T15:07:00.003-04:00

To all my faithful readers who comment - I *had* to add the comment verification to my posting. I am sorry to make you take the extra step to decipher those crazy letters and numbers in that little box, but I just posted an entry and had three visitors from foreign lands {izmir and cardiff} who leave me these HORRID link to some type online spam. I decided that they would likely not leave me these stupid things if I make them work for it - and thus, the comment verification is now enabled. Please don't stop leaving me feedback though - I love each and every comment! Darn spammers!

Brag Book

2008-04-03T12:13:00.005-04:00

Don't hate me! I am going to Paris in the Spring.
And Provence.

Todd and I will be taking a Rhone River cruise for the first few days and the remainder of the trip will be in Paris. I have never been to France. I don't know French. I will be the typical ignorant American with my Canon around my neck.....screeching with delight at the sight of the Touristy spots along the way. That will be me! Don't hate me French People! Don't hate me!

I have a brag book all ready for when I return from France. I made it this week with my new Hanna! stamp set {Passport}. I used the same papers which I used on my card earlier this week (It was a 12x12 sheet which was cut down for the card). This is a 6x6 Heidi Swapp Raw Chipboard photo album.

The papers were adhered to the front cover (front and back) with red sticky tape. I used my nestablities and raw chipboard to create the main image scalloped square. I adhered it with dimensionals. The tower was stamped twice, trimmed once - layered atop with dimensionals. I used SU! markers (going grey and bordering blue) to color the towers and the b000 copic to outline the tower. I used some fun ribbon (making memories) to bind the book - it unties so dirty little fingers can view the photos of Mommy and Daddy frolicking along the French Countryside. The Paris sentiment was created with the versatile Kitchen Sink Stamp set Mix it up Alphabet. I used the large P and the smallest a,r,i,s to make the word Paris. Chocolate chip ink atop the striped MME/WA paper. There are strips of bordering blue and close to cocoa paper cut with decorative scissors. I used these kewl pearl things that I picked up at the Target $ spot in their scrapping section. I adhered them to the two square scalloped stamped portions. Finally, I grabbed my sakura stardust pen and dolled up the Eiffel Tower. It's all bling blingy! Just the way I dream it will be!

EDITED TO ADD: Duh - very important....I removed the cover of the book - it was easy to slip it out. I took the designer paper and layed it down on the desk - design side down. I traced the small square holes with a pencil and then punched out the holes with an SU! square punch. The tiny one.

Don't hate me! I promise to share photos - and you can eat chocolate and drink wine while viewing my pictures. It will be just like we went together. You hate me, don't you! Don't worry, I haven't left yet - I am sure there will be room in my suitcase! {for my camera}

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Supplies:
stamps: Hanna {passport}, Kitchen Sink Stamps {mix it up alphabet}
paper: MME/WA dp, white, bordering blue, close to cocoa
ink: archival black, chocolate chip,
copic (b000), going grey (marker), bordering blue (marker)
misc: Making Memories ribbons, Heidi Swapp raw chipboard album (6x6), chipboard
nestabilities, dimensionals, sakura stardust,
punches (su small square & marvy scalloped squares)
Target $ spot pearls, decorative edge scissors

Imitation.....

2008-04-02T22:42:00.004-04:00

So many nights, I sit in the hall outside the laundry room and I fold the laundry. You can imagine with all the kids, I have lots of laundry to fold. Tonight I was folding one of the three loads and the kids took some of Todd's lounge wear and put it on. I have bought him all kids of funkay pants - He has Vote for Pedro, Spongebob "is there a doctor in the house because I ripped my pants!" and Horton Hears a Who. The kids decided to put on the lounge wear and bounce around the upstairs hallway. I heard over and over again...."I'm Daddy" and lots of giggling. Todd came upstairs and saw the ruckus and we were in stitches. It's so fun to watch the innocent play of children - dressing up in Daddy's clothes.

In similar fashion I have to say that I have met so many people through my blog and through one of my favorite websites SplitcoastStampers. Did you ever come to know someone online and know that they are going to be longtime friend. That is what my good friend D is like. Born to humble beginnings - in a hospital run by Benadictine Monks. She is a fellow stamper and is just hysterical! She owns a jaguar and has taken a cake decorating course with Martha at Kmarts. D has had a deep positive impact on my life. Let's just say, I am the person I am because of the "D". D may the force be with you. Happy birthday Girl!

Hey Sunshine!

2008-04-01T21:59:00.004-04:00

Every morning I wake the kids up I say "Hey Sunshine" or "Good Morning Sunshine". That is what I was thinking about while stamping with this great new set.

This is the Hanna passport set - I took the sun and the palm tree - colored them in with copics and then air brushed with a b000 copic marker. The sentiment is from Things Hanna Would Say. I used a yellow prefolded textured card from a pack I grabbed at Joanne's one day. I used a piece of only orange cardstock and some funkay ribbon in my stash atop the yellow card. The chocolate chip piece is punched with the Marvy punch, the main image punched with the smaller size scalloped punch from Marvy. The main image is on dimensionals. Simple and quick card. Very, very bright! {grin}

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supplies:

stamps: Hanna {passport, things Hanna would say}
paper: yellow textured card, only orange, chocolate chip, white
ink: archival black, copics
misc: scalloped square punches, copics, airbrush system, dimensionals, ribbon (target)

Merci Hanna!

2008-03-31T20:58:00.005-04:00

Did I mention Paris in the Spring? Yes - in a few short weeks, I will be heading across the pond with my man to Paris! Todd got me a GRAND gift for the trip - a pair of Bose headphones! Wooohooo! They will be amazing!!! So for the gift of the headphones and the BOMBALICIOUS trip to FRANCE - I made him this cute card.

I started with a white 5x5 base and then added close to cocoa, then bordering blue. The blue pattern paper is from the Costco MME/WA pack. The main image is stamped with Ranger black archival on white paper from SU!. I used my copics and SU! markers to color it. I also used the SU! markers going grey and bordering blue to color the Eiffel Tower (so that it did not smear with the copics). Then I used the nestabilities to cut the white oval and the close to cocoa oval. The close to cocoa ink with the merci (from the SAB Merci SU! set) is stamped on white SU! paper and punched with the small oval SU! punch. The next size SU! oval punch was used for the close to cocoa layer. I covered the Eiffel Tower with sakura stardust to make it sparkle. That is what I am hoping it will look like in real life! Finally, I tucked in a piece of ribbon in the bottom corner to give it an unusual look. Since it was going to Todd, I didn't want it to be too foo-foo - so the simple ruffled edge brown ribbon (MayArts/Starlitstudio) was enough. Main image on dimensionals. One month to Paris! Friday is the Hanna! Passport stamp set release. I am hoping to make a journal to share with you this week! What is your favorite French thing? I am thinking it will be a toss up between croissants and fondue....or maybe the fries {grin}
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Supplies:
Stamps: Hanna! {Passport}, Merci {SU!}
paper: SU! close to cocoa, white, bordering blue, MME/WA dp
ink: close to cocoa, archival black, copics,
going grey & bordering blue markers {SU} for coloring Eiffel Tower
misc: sakura stardust, dimensionals, SU! oval punches, nestabilities,
brown satin ruffled edge ribbon (Mayarts/Starlitstudio)

Sophie Stamps

2008-03-29T22:50:00.004-04:00

We are going through one of those manic toddler phases with Sophie. She no longer wants to nap, and at nearly 3 (in late May) - she really still *needs* to nap. I tell her she needs to recharge her batteries, but she would rather stay up all day - become a nasty little bear at 4:30 and intolerable at 5. One day this week, she calmly stamped with me (I gave her some paper and she chose inks on her own). I trained her to "clean between" - that's my motto. She would climb down from the chair, grab an ink pad, have me open it and say "First we must wash the stamp off". "Yes Sophie, clean the stamp." Her favorite color is purple. Clearly she was brainwashed by my friend QC when she met her in Milwaukee as a toddler. Sophie attended the regional Stampin' Up! convention one February. She had a blast hanging out with all my stamping friends. This is her in my studio/stamp room.

Sophie Stamps with eggplant ink.

She does a great job cleaning between ink colors

Now if only she could clean my office for me!

So we had a nice afternoon of stamping - but clearly she is a fan of the Irish girl on American Idol...because she decided to take some of her Disney markers and color her arms and legs. Kind of looks like tatoos. Unfortunately, not washable, despite an extra long bath.

FS60: ScrapnExtras

2008-03-29T21:30:00.003-04:00

Who doesn't love a good Scrapnextras gallery?
I really enjoy Laura's work! She has an amazingly clean look - everything cut and put together so precisely! So here is the card which I cased: THANK YOU CC158

Here is my card:
Spring Solitude Thank You

I truely simplified the design, but took the overall look of the card. I used different colors (celery, pretty in pink and apricot). I removed the ribbon from the design and kept the same stamp set. I started with celery cardstock and used the Spring Solitude set (SU!). I stamped the open flower in celery ink randomly at an angle going down the card. Then I used the bud stamp with white craft ink on the bottom (similar to what Laura did). I used a strip of apricot cardstock and stamped with white craft ink (the solid flower). Then I used a small strip of celery cardstock and ran it through my cuttlebug (yes...the swiss dots folder...so sue me -- I LOVE IT- get your own at Epap). The pretty in pink circle was cut with a marvy circle punch. Then I ran it through the swiss dots folder (stop laughing at me). I used the marvy punch to punch out the celery circle. I used celery for the branch and white craft for the bird. I also added a bit of highlight to the bird with the white SU! gel pen. It was sponged on the edge of the celery with the white craft ink pad (direct to paper - ala Pinefeather). It still *needed something*. You know what I mean - there was something missing - some bling or a lil' somethin' somethin'. Shuffle crap on desk and find the mini white prima flowers (Hello Spring) and the white pearls (from the Target Dollar spot - nods - YES! I said TARGET DOLLAR SPOT). So the tri-flower shazam on the top with pearls in the center completed the design. The main image is attached to the card with dimensionals. The apricot strip is slightly distressed on the edges. That's it - my take on Laura's card. Did you like my spring take on it?
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Supplies: (all SU! unless otherwise noted)
paper: celery, apricot, pretty in pink
ink: celery, white craft
stamps: Spring solitude
misc: scalloped circle and circle punch (marvy), dimensionals,
primas, pearls (target $ spot), white gel pen, cuttlebug (swiss dots)

Mish's Treasure Hunt.....

2008-03-27T21:37:00.006-04:00

My good friend Mish is celebrating her one year blog anniversary this month and is giving away lots of prizes. {Hollah Hollah for a Dollah} Today she's hosting a fun scavenger hunt and she's asked me to help her out. If you want to play along and be entered for the prize drawings, check out her blog HERE. There are 13 questions that you have to answer correctly. Mish has selected 13 of her blogging friends, including me, to each post one of the answers to her questions. So if you're playing along, you've come to the right place.

Let's talk Best Friends {aka BFF} One of my stamping Idols is Nichole Heady - I call her my BFF because of Mish. Mish was talking one day about her BFF {Becky Higgins} who, by the way is PREGNANT (CONGRATS BECKY)....I digress...I decided I also had to have a famous and beautiful BFF - so I chose Nichole Heady....she is WAY KEWL! I hope I haven't confused you. So the question is ..............

WHO IS MISH'S BFF? Answer: Becky Higgins

Here is a treasure....I have been playing with my camera settings lately - Here is a photo I took of Genevieve- this is in the TV mode - no flash - just natural light from the window.- she is 9 months old now...we took her to the doctor yesterday - 95% in weight, 75% in height! I dressed her up in this adorable outfit that I had from Xavier. It had a hat, shirt, jacket and pants -- all matching. It made her eyes just sparkle. I couldn't bear to part with it (in the "to my sister for future babies" pile to go in the attic).

what kind of settings have you found on your camera? Anything new?

Raise your hand if you thought it was ME who was pregnant again! Mish thought that would be funny....

Easter Photos

2008-03-26T21:37:00.004-04:00

Happy Easter! { a wee bit late}

Here they are -- all dolled up after church last Sunday.

Kristina Werner Color Inspiration # 3

2008-03-26T21:06:00.004-04:00

I love Kristina Werner's blog and the color inspiration which she comes up with to challenge her ~~stalkers~~ readers to think outside the box.

This week's color challenge:

pumpkin, rose red, orchid, black and white

Here is my entry for the CI3

I started with white, trimmed the edges with a corner rounder.

I followed up with a black layer, then the orchid on dimensionals, the pumpkin was punched with the scalloped circle punch and also raised on dimensionals. The sentiment & flower Think Happy Thoughts {SU!}. The main image is Riley cake {Hanna Stamps} stamped in archival black {Ranger} and colored with SU! markers and copics. I also put sakura stardust on the cake. I am guessing it is a sweet 16 cake. YES? I also cuttlebugged the rose red layer with the swiss dots folder {Eclectic Paperie}. It's my new fav! {nods}

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supplies:

stamps: Riley Cake {Hanna! Stamps}, Think Happy Thoughts {SU!}

paper: rose red, orchid opulence, pumpkin pie, basic black, whisper white

ink: archival black, orchid opulence, rose red, copics

misc: cuttlebug {swiss dots}, ribbon {may arts/starlitstudio}, dimensionals, sakura stardust, scalloped circle punch (SU), circle punch 1 3/8, corner rounder

FS59: Pickletree

2008-03-22T21:59:00.003-04:00

This week's Featured Stamper is Amy (SCS: Pickletree) - remind me to ask her about that name {grin}

I just adore her style - she has such fun, colorful creations in her gallery and on her blog.

I used THIS CARD as the basis for my card. I changed colors and stamp sets and did something different with my ribbon.

I started with my new PTI papers. I love the colors. I mixed Nichole's new colors with some of the SU! colors I had in my stash. So it is the Berry Sorbet & patterned paper from PTI, ruby red

and blush blossom from SU!

I stated with a berry base, then sewed on some blush blossom, added some ruby red. I used my circle punch to cut a half circle in the designer paper. I used the nestabilities circle to cut a circle a little smaller with the whisper white paper. I stamped the sentiment with the berry ink (papertrey). I love this set (Everyday blessings). What a perfect sentiment for tomorrow. Nothing is worth more than this day.
Easter is such an important day! I know many of my readers are spiritual and share that joy that Easter is such an gift that we should not take for granted. He is RISEN! He is RISEN INDEED! Alleluia!
I do have to share: Sophie actually listens in church. She heard our Pastor mention that during the Lenten season, you do not say Alleluia. The service is subdued and we rejoice together on Easter and sing praises and say Alleluia. The first week of Lent, Sophia said to me, "Mommy. I want to go to church and say Al-le-lu-li-la." {smirking}. I told her that we had to wait until Easter. So at night, I would hear her singing...Ahhhh-leeee-luulleeeee-ahhhh! Tomorrow is the day SOPHIE!
Back to the card:
I used the berry twill to form a cross and sewed the cross directly to the card. I used pearl self sticking dots on the four edges of the cross. Some sheer polka dot ribbon along the bottom. The main sentiment is raised on dimensionals.

So from Amy's card, I changed:
stamp set
papers
ribbon
{kept basic layout - really kewl circle cut out}
added sewing, pearl dots

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supplies:
stamps: PTI, everyday blessings
ink: PTI berry sorbet
paper: berry sorbet, PTI dp, ww, ruby red, blush blossom
misc: sewing, pearl adhesives, Mayarts ribbon, PTI twill, circle punch,
nestabilities (circle), dimensionals

Oh When The Saints, Go Marching In!

2008-03-21T22:04:00.004-04:00

Of course nothing could be as exciting as My Giants winning the Superbowl!
This could be the biggest local sports news since the Superbowl Winning Giants, the WORLD CHAMPION GIANTS beat those ~~undefeated~~ New Engalnd Patriots.
The Siena Saints of Loudenville, NY are in the big dance in Tampa, Florida.

Tonight they beat
Crushed
No, THEY
ANNIHILATED NUMBER 4 SEED Vanderbilt.
HOLY WOW!
Congrats Saints!
(my Dad is a big fan! BIG BIG!)
He's very excited!

Early Easter!!

2008-03-20T22:40:00.002-04:00

Thanks to my friend Janine who sent this to me. I was actually wondering why Easter was so EARLY this year. I bought the girls sweaters to wear to church. I forgot that I need to go out and get them white shoes. Stockings too. They need stockings. Maybe ear muffs too! {grin}

So for all of you wondering WHY IS EASTER THIS EARLY....here you go:

^{Easter is early this year. Easter is always the 1st Sunday after the 1st full moon after the Spring Equinox (which is Mar. 20). This dating of Easter is based on the lunar Calendar that Hebrew people used to identify Passover, which is why it moves around on the chuch Calendar. Based on the above information, Easter can actually be one day earlier (Mar. 22) that is rare.}

Here is Interesting Information:

This year is the earliest Easter any of us will ever see the rest of our lives! Only the most elderly of our population have ever seen it this early (95 years old or above.) None of us have ever, or will ever see it a day earlier!

Here Are The Facts:

The next time Easter will be this early, (Mar. 23) will be the year 2228 (220 years from now.) The last time it was this early was 1913. If you are 95 or older, you are the only people that were around for that! The next time it will be a day earlier, Mar. 22, will be in the year 2285 (277 years from now.) the last time it was on Mar. 22 was 1818.

So…… no one alive today has or will ever see it earlier than this year! Interesting!!

Hanna {Mikey}

2008-03-19T23:00:00.003-04:00

Meet Mikey

On March 21, Hanna's first guy set is being released. Mikey, which is a really fun set (think beer, chips and darts), is going to be HUGE! Here is my first card with this set.
I started with a chocolate chip base - added this designer paper (from my stash - DCWV). I sewed the designer paper right to the chocolate base. It is so easy with Janome. The main image is stamped on whisper white, colored with copics. The main image is mounted on ruby red to match the polka-dot in the designer paper. A simple ribbon (keeping with the polka-dot theme) is tied in a simple knot. The ribbon (mayarts) is from Starlitstudio. The sentiment is from Papertrey ink. It is from Out on a limb. A simple I love you. Isn't that what matters the most ... hearing I love you from your sweetie!

I can think of all kinds of possibilities with this set. Check out the other design team member's blogs for their creations. They are always blowing me away with their out of the box thinking!
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Supplies:
stamps: Mikey {Hanna}, PaperTrey Ink {out on a limb}
paper: chocolate chip, ruby red, whisper white, DCWV
ink: archival black
misc: copics, sewing, ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio)

Photo Shoot!

2008-03-19T22:43:00.006-04:00

Photos of the week:

The other day I grabbed the camera and took some pictures of Genevieve and Xavier. Xavier was all dressed up in his sweater and polo shirt...Evie had on a cute little hat...I love that the sun was beating through the sliding glass door in the kitchen (boy do we need some sunshine around here)...I think I captured their personalities...

What do you think? I may print some up and put them in the family room!

New: Signatures

2008-03-18T14:16:00.003-04:00

Do you want me to create a custom signature for your blog posts?

I can easily do it in any color with a little doodle or swirl. I will generate the HTML code for you as well!

This is a new service which I am going to offer:

Each signature will be $2.

Happy Stamping & Blogging!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-17T22:37:00.003-04:00

Although it is just one quarter (I am half Irish, half German) - they all have IRISH in them! They PROUDLY wore their green today!

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone!

Riley & Sophie G Sneek Peeks

2008-03-17T21:32:00.004-04:00

Here are a couple of sneek peeks of the Riley & Sophie G sets which are going to be released. Here is the first one - Riley Cake:

I started with a pink gatefold card which I embossed with the congrats folder. I used chocolate chip cardstock on the main image and whisper white cardstock. I stamped with archival ink and colored in with copics. There is sakura stardust on the cake. The ribbon is sheer polka dot (pink and brown) from Starlitstudio. This is a gate fold, so you untie the ribbon and the main image is attached to the left half of the card. Congrats (PTI- piece of cake) is stamped in pink ink.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ supplies: stamps: Riley {cake} (piece of cake/PTI - sentiment) ink: archival black, pretty in pink paper: pretty in pink, chocolate chip, whisper white misc: copics, sakura startdust, ticket corner punch, ribbon, congrats folder (CB)

Card two:

Wedding Riley/Sophie G

I started with a white base and dry pressure embossed it with the textile folder. I used blush blossom on the main image, then stamped the archival black on white cardstock. I sewed the white (main image) to the blush with my Janome Sew Mini. Then, I colored Riley and Sophie G in with copics. I used the Martha Stewart flower punch and an old (stash) 6 petal flower punch for the three flowers on the bottom. White/clear baubles in the center. Main image and the flowers are mounted on dimensionals. The ribbon is white grossgrain and then a sheer white polka dot ribbon over the top. Sentiment is stamped in archival black (SU! sentiment-retired).

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supplies: stamps: Riley {wedding}, SU! (small script} ink: archival black paper: blush blossom, white misc: sakura stardust, ribbon (white gg/sheer white polkadot - Mayarts - starlitstudio) sewing machine, dimensionals, flower punch (6 petal flower, Martha flower, baubles),
textile cb

Card 3:

Here is Riley in Hawaii -
catchin' a wave!
I started with pink passion paper and stamped the flower from Do the Hula (SU!) in pink passion. Then used a strip of orange and ran it through the swirl cb folder. Atop that, a strip of the gable green paper. The main image is a tempting turquoise layer, black layer then the white paper. The Riley is stamped with archival black and then colored with copics. The wave has some sakura turquoise pen on it to give the wave sparkle. The sentiment hang 10 is hand written.
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supplies:
stamps: Riley (surfboard), SU (Do the hula)
paper: pink passion, only orange, gable green, basic black, white, tempting turqoise
ink: pink passion, archival black
misc: cuttlebug (swirl), sakura stardust tq, dimensionals

So that is it! What do you think???? DO YOU LOVE THEM????
I adore them!

Be sure to stop by HANNA STAMPS for your Riley's starting TOMORROW!

Another Clip It Up Idea!!!

2008-03-15T22:35:00.002-04:00

Here is another clip it up idea (if you have limited space). I have this great hand made shelf. Dave made this for me - he is the guy who made built-ins, shelves, and cabinets in my office. I had some space and thought (as I wandered aimlessly throwing items in my cart at Target) - HEY - I can put a faux clip it up under my shelf. I got a tension rod ($4.99) to place under the shelf on the brackets (see photo).

ignore the mess, focus on the shelf and tension rod under it

While looking at tension rods, I turned around and spied these bad boys! They are Loft brand clips for hanging curtains. A loop with a clip attached! WOW! Saves me a step from getting the shower curtain rings and binder clips. These clips HOLD curtains, surely the can hold my crafts. These are nice small rings too - so they don't dangle low on the rod.

close up of the clips

I dangled some of my cards on the clips to see how it would work. It's wonderful. Now just to organize some of my things - and give me some space on my desk!

What do you think? Another easy idea for a clip it up organizer -- without using desk space!

FS58: BeckyTE

2008-03-15T22:01:00.004-04:00

I really like Becky's gallery. She has such an eclectic mix in her gallery - a variety of colors, styles , stamps and techniques. It makes my brain go on overdrive and think outside the box. I selected a simple card which she recently created (Leaping Lop)

Here are my changes: Colors (somewhat), Ribbon placement, stamp sets, rub-ons, & I sewed!!

I started with a pretty in pink base and placed the two pieces of designer paper on the pink base. I sewed the paper on the pink base with a zig zag stitch using my Janome Sew Mini. I love this machine. LOVE IT! It is so simple to use! SO SIMPLE! I sewed the middle of the two pieces as well (in lieu of the ribbon placement which Becky had used in her version). The bottom striped layer has the NEW SU! rub-ons (black) on it. I must admit, this was my first time using rub-ons. FIRST TIME! I was a RUB ON VIRGIN PEOPLE! It was SO SIMPLE! I can see myself using these over and over again! SO simple and fun!
The dog images (are they so CUTE) are stamped with archival black (ranger) on striped paper scraps, cut out and placed on the card with dimensionals. I added some copic shadows with an apricot marker. The small dog has a collar which I colored with a sakura pink gel pen. I used two ribbons, pink and pink sheer polkadot (may arts) to finalize the card. It was a quick card - the greatest time was sewing and trimming the dogs. HA! Trimming the dogs. I just crack myself up!
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Supplies:
stamps: Hanna (Large Breed, Small Breed)
paper: pretty in pink, DCWV
ink: archival black
misc: pink & sheer pink ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio), dimensionals,
sakura stardust (pink), copic marker, SU! rub-ons, janome sew mini

Quick Sneak Peeks!

2008-03-13T21:59:00.003-04:00

Here are my two final sneak peeks prior to the big releases tomorrow.

The first one is from the new Hanna set "Getting Physical" I used the ball and created a basketball for MARCH MADNESS! I sewed the brown paper on the kraft paper and then stamped the stars from the set randomly on the background. The ball was stamped twice, colored with copics, punched out with the circle punch and then run through the swiss dots folder. I layered one upon the other and applied a dimensional between them. I created the backboard and the hoop with black and white paper. I used the corner rounder and created the red box on the backboard with copics. The net is white, run through the diamonds in the rough folder and attached with dimensionals. I used a gold foil pen for the rim. The sentiment is from SU! (warmest wishes). I attached the paper after corner rounding the edges on one side.

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supplies:
stamps: Hanna! Getting Physical, Warmest Wishes (SU!)
paper: white, black, tan, brown (unknown source - my stash)
ink: bravo burgundy, archival black, copics
misc: Janome Sew Mini, dimensionals, copics, circle punch, corner rounder,
cuttlebug folders (diamonds in the rough, swiss dots)

Card Two:
This one was fun to make. Gosh this doggie reminds me of Mindaugas. I used real red paper and the swiss dots folder (Gosh I love that folder) for the background. The patterned paper is DCWV from my stash! The main image is from Hanna's new Large Breed set. The grass and dog are stamped with archival black on the white PTI paper (select) and then colored with copics. I used a little c1 grey inside the dog and then a light blue around it. The edges of the main sentiment were punched with the ticket corner punch. Main image applied with dimensionals. The ribbon is mayarts (starlitstudio) and the sentiment is computer generated Woof! Woof! Woof {thank you!} I punched the sentiment out with an oval punch from SU! and applied it with dimensionals to the card. Easy peasy card! What do you think?
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supplies:
stamps: Hanna! large breed
paper: real red, basic black, PTI select white, DCWV
ink: archival black (ranger), copics
misc: Mayarts ribbon, ticket corner punch, dimensionals, oval punch
cuttlebug (swiss dots)

Sneak Peek: Ruff Ruff!

2008-03-12T21:47:00.006-04:00

Are you a dog person or a cat person?

Me - I am a dog person. Before you Cat people drop me like a bad habit, let me explain. I am only because I am highly allergic to cats. I love cats and kittens, but I just cannot be around them. I get an INSTANT headache, then the itchies and sneezes. No fun. I wish I could be around them, so this resolves me to be a dog person. Todd and I had two dogs early in our marriage: Dalmatians named Mindaugas and Edelweiss. Trouble pronouncing them? LOL! WHY!?!?!? Aren't those common names? {grin}

Mindaugas was the first King of Lithuania and with Todd's heritage being from that neck of the woods....~~we decided~~ Todd chose to name Mindaugas. I got to name Edelweiss {remember that post with Sophie singing}. They were fondly called Min and Edel.

Well, All you DOG lovers and Cat Lovers will appreciate this set from Hanna Stamps! There are actually a few sets coming out this Friday (March 14). {Large Breed} & {Small Breed} in addition to Hanna's set {My Best Friend}.

I used large breed. Look at this little puppy dog (said in my baby talk voice). He's so cute!!! Cute little nose - puppy breath (actually, it's a big dog - BIG DAWG! BIG DAWG BREATH!) and he is resting in his sleeping basket A little wasabi colored blanket. A pumpkin colored basket. I used copics to color the dog (stamped the main image on papertrey ink white cardstock with ranger ink (archival black). The copics I used to color in the image - then I used the copic air brush system to spray the top of the card. I went a bit overboard. Sorry! It's blue! real blue.

The paper is from the costco pack (My Minds Eye/Wild Asparagus) - I swear they will bury me with that paper! There is so much of it - it lasts 4EVAH!

Sentiment is from Things Hanna Would Say.

This could be a great card for a friend going through a rough time. Woof!

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supplies:

paper: PTI (white), MME/WA designer paper, Pumpkin, Wasabi (textured)

ink: copics & ranger black

stamps: Hanna Stamps! {large breed, things Hanna would say}

misc: wasabi & river rock stitched ribbon, scalloped nestabilites, dimensionals, silver brads

A couch day......

2008-03-11T22:25:00.005-04:00

Most of today was spent on the couch....did you ever have a couch day?

my stomach is still not 100% normal...and goodness gracious did I miss my coffee today! It was not easy watching the little ones today without that jolt of java. I knew my tummy could not handle the harsh liquid without giving me grief...so I made it alone....sans coffee...
I am guessing that this stomach thing was not the flu - just an evil EVIL intestinal virus. YUCK! (did I mention EVIL?)

The kids were wonderful, must have sensed that mama was not well (could my lying on the couch have given it away?), but they did give me some real snickers. Xavier was teaching Sophie how to play Rock-Paper-Scissors. He showed her the hand moves....repeated the actions over and over...then they started to play. At the age of 2 (well, nearly 3), she is bright, but I don't think that she got the whole concept! Plus {snickers} she kept saying, "Rock, Xavier's sister shoot". (remember - we say his name with the soft X, like Zzzavier). I couldn't bear to correct her. It was the cutest thing. Then she shot scissors, Xavier shot rock. She looked at him and said, "My scissor cut your egg!"

Oh, the humanity!~

On to this card which I made using the "Hey chick!" stamp set from Kitchen Sink Stamps. It also uses "Never at a loss 4 words" (sentiment - hat's off to you!). The paper is the wasabi textured paper from SU!. I placed the sparkle designer paper (striped) on the front of the card, then I scalloped the edge of the wasabi with the SU! corner rounder and turned back the card edge and adhered it to the striped paper. I had a smidge of polkadot paper which I placed on the inside of the card, which is seen where the paper is folded back (edge).
There is a small piece of pink sheer polkadot ribbon (Mayarts/starlitstudio) tied in a simple knot on the folded back scalloped edge. Finally, the main image. I used the flowers (open and solid flowers) from the Hey Chick stamp set. I used apricot, regal rose and pretty in pink ink. Then the sentiment (never at a loss 4 words) was stamped in wasabi. The image was punched with scalloped square punch (marvy) and mounted on a piece of celery (also punched with the square scalloped punch). The sentiment is mounted to the card with dimensionals.

This card was made for one of the teacher's at the school - she volunteered her time to direct the play and run drama club. Card number two (for the other teacher) - tomorrow!

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Supplies:
paper: wasabi textured, shimmery white, celery (SU!), stripe & polkadot (DCWV)
ink: regal, pretty in pink, wasabi (SU)
stamps: Kitchen sink stamps (Hey Chick!, Never at a loss 4 words)
misc: ribbon (mayarts/starlitstudio), dimensionals, punches (marvy), su corner rounder

One word: FLU

2008-03-11T07:07:00.001-04:00

It hit me hard and I will post more when I can lift my head.

Gift Card Set, Fabriano Style

2008-03-09T23:02:00.006-04:00

I love Fabrianos. Cindy (starlitstudio) got me addicted to these beautiful italian notecards. There are three fabulous sizes - the smaller notecards, the amazingly fun square cards, and the larger cards.

This project incorporates the larger card and the smaller fabriano pre-folded notecards.

I used the new Kitchen Sink Stamps sets (Mix it up! alphabet and Hey Chick!) to create this gift set. I took the large fabriano card and folded down the one side about 3/4 an inch. I punched a hole in the edge of the cards on the folded down portion and put a pink brad in each hole to create a pocket. I stamped on the folded down portion and on the lower corner of the pocket. I wrappred ribbon arount the pocket and tied it in a knot. I placed the sheer polka dot ribbon atop the solid ribbon. The monogram is from the mix it up alphabet. There are 3 font sizes to choose from- which makes this set three times as versatile as most sets!

Each notecard is stamped with the largest font - then surrounded by flowers from the Hey Chick! stamp set (also from Kitchen sink stamps). I used regal rose and rose red inks on these cards and envelopes.

Simple, elegant.

There are two gift sets here - a J and an L set. I created them for the two teachers who ran Drama Club. Last Friday was the big Drama Club production, which Karen participated in. Flowers are nice -- but a gift set is personal, and I hope the teachers loved getting them as much as I loved making them.

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supplies:

paper: fabriano note cards (starlitstudio)

ink: regal rose, rose red (SU!)

ribbon (mayarts, SU!), brads (pink)

stamps: mix it up, hey chick (Kitchen sink stamps)

FS57: Parisotremba

2008-03-08T21:51:00.004-05:00

This week's Featured Stamper is PARISOTREMBA. Yes, her first name is Paris. I love that! Her gallery is amazing. I spied this card in her gallery and had to give it a go!

Here is my version:

I started out with a 4x9 card base in white. I dry pressure embossed it with swiss dots and then overlayed some wide grossgrain celery ribbon. A strip of designer paper is atop the ribbon. The bottom portion is celery paper with celery and white craft ink. The swirls are from Kitchen Sink Stamps (Borders & Backgrounds) and the flowers are from Hey Chick! That is the latest Kitchen Sink Stamp set release. I stamped initially in celery and then offset in white craft. The corners were punched with the SU! ticket corner punch and the bottom portion was adhered with dimensionals. The top designer piece of paper is from DCWV (nursery pack) - also ticket corner punched. I also adhered that to the card with dimensionals. There are baubles in the bottom corner of the celery (on the bottom part of the card. I matched that with some baubles on the four corners of the main image. The main image is the new alphabet set from Kitchen Sink Stamps (Mix it Up!). I {heart} this stamp set. The font is so elegant and with THREE (yes I said THREE) sizes of fonts to play with - the possibilities are amazing. I used the large font L and the smallest font OVE to form the word Love. The medium Y and the small OU. Those were stamped in celery ink on whisper white cardstock. The heart is from the Mix it up! stamp set - stamped in pretty in pink and apricot. Both the main image and it's mounted portion in celery are punched out with the marvy scalloped square punches.

It is similar to Paris' card because they both have the fun sentiment as the main image - just a different stamp set. I changed the colors, the stamp sets, and modified many items in the card. I kept the layout and AWESOME card size! Thanks for the inspiration Paris!

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Supplies:

stamps: Kitchen Sink Stamps (Mix it up! Backgrounds & Borders, Hey Chick!)

Paper: white, celery, designer (DCWV - nursery)

ink: celery, white craft, pretty in pink, apricot appeal

Misc: dimensionals, baubles, scalloped square punches, ticket corner punch, celery gg ribbon, swiss dots cuttlebug folder

Hey Chick!

2008-03-05T23:07:00.004-05:00

This is the latest stamp set from Kitchen Sink Stamps! It's called Hey Chick! Very fun....

Hold onto your hats peeps -- it is a FOUR step stamp set (well, some of the images are 4 step).

This particular chick is a four step image. The egg, three step.

Did you notice? I sewed...yes...I did! I sewed the two panels together forming a square, then sewed the square portion on the card base (white). I added the celery ribbon and baubles in the four corners. The main image was stamped on shimmer white paper. The inks are 1. banana 2. saffron 3. apricot and finally pumpkin (for the chick). The egg is blush and guava stamped off. Finally guava on the top. I used a white gel pen to doodle on the edges and portions of the images. I also used a sakura stardust pen to highlight portions of the image. I used a wash of bashful blue craft ink and water in my aquapainter to add some color and shadowing around the image. I punched the image out with a scalloped circle punch and adhered it to a circle scalloped punch piece of celery cardstock. I used the white gel pen to dot the scallops. Finally, I adhered the main image to the card with dimensionals.

I will be posting more cards with this set in the coming days! Stay tuned!

Who else sews on their cards?

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supplies:

stamps: Hey Chick (kitchen sink stamps)

ink: banana, saffron, apricot, pumpkin, blush, guava, bashful

paper: white, shimmer white, celery, dcwv designer paper

misc: celery gg ribbon (SU!), dimensionals, baubles,

white gel pen, sakura stardust, janome sew mini

marvy punches (scalloped circles - mega and giga)

Karen gets Crafty!

2008-03-04T21:30:00.002-05:00

One of the things that my kids love to do is use the supplies I have for crafting! My oldest, Karen, now in fourth grade...was given the assignment of learning more about Ben Franklin. She did the majority of the project in school, but we wanted to do something extra at home. Bookmarks are always a great thing to give to fourth graders -- so Karen planned a bookmark for her extra project. This is above and beyond what she needed to do -- and it took us quite some time to make 21 bookmarks. She wrote a little bit about Benjamin Franklin on the computer - his date of birth...death...and some of his inventions. Did you know he invented a musical instrument? He also founded the first firehouse and the first public lending library in America? Pretty neat. When one thinks of Ben Franklin, they undoubtedly think of two things. The hundred dollar bill and his famous kite flying incident. Karen and I thought that putting the key from Kitchen Sink Stamps Adornment stamp set on the other side of the bookmark . Karen actually stamped them all herself. She chose the colors and did the three step stamping. The first layer was taken with teal ink, then handsome hunter and finally the third layer was gold. Kitchen Sink Stamps labels their multi-step stamps (which I love) - in a way that allows even a young child to stamp perfectly. That, coupled with the versatility and ease of acrylics, makes these sets ideal for the beginning stamper. Karen took chipboard and cut it into diamond shapes (with the help of mom) and then adhered patterned paper to the shape to make it resemble a kite. She used the crop-a-dile to punch a hole in the bookmark and the "kite". Tied some gold cord between the two and added a ribbon "tail". She finally used a gold pen to string the hole in the bookmark to the key! Obviously we worked together on this project (which is a great bonding experience).

Have you ever used stamps in your kids school assignments?

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Supplies:

Stamps: Adornments (kitchen sink stamps)

Ink: taken with teal, handsome hunter (SU!), brilliance gold

Paper: generic teal and white cardstock

misc: chipboard, patterned paper, may arts ribbon, su gold cord, gold gel pen

Picture of the week

2008-03-04T09:59:00.003-05:00

I have been so busy - I keep forgetting to post the photo of the week. This one I took the other day when Sophie was playing hide and seek with Xavier. It got quiet. Real quiet. Todd and I did the room to room search. Apparently not napping is going to make you exhausted in the evening! Even the thrill of hiding from your big brother was not enough to keep her awake.

Winner: Blog-a-verssary Blog Candy

2008-03-04T09:34:00.001-05:00

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

Timestamp: 2008-03-04 14:35:28 UTC

The Winner of the Blog banner/matching watermark is Chelle!

Please email me Chelle to get going on your stuff!!!!

Chelle said...

congrats! i love your work! i just started blogging and have been thinking about what i want before i contacted you...so excited to work with you on my banner! i love all of your swirly banners, but the one that comes to mind as WOW work is the LUCKY CLUCKER...the fact that you had no graphics to work with so you drew it up, is fantastic! you are the best! chelle

Clip It - Clip it good!

2008-03-01T23:24:00.005-05:00

Have you seen the Clip It over at Joy & Daisy's store (Eclectic Paperie). I think this is a great holder, but my desk space is limited -- so I had to brainstorm. I was looking through a magazine and had one of those magic moments! I went to the local discount department store (Marshall's/Home Goods) and browsed through their clearance section and found this for $3. What a steal. See the bar. That is the key! I grabbed some shower curtain rings (5.99) and a box of small binder clips (.99) which I had in my stash of craft supplies. So for roughly $10 - I created my own wall clip it unit!

Here are the deets:

The wall unit was easy to find in the clearance section. I think it is some type of towel rack. You could use a towel bar or even a smaller window treatement rod.

I used shower curtain hangers -- these were silver, so I dyed them to match the unit with some Ranger Alcohol inks.

Binder clips are threaded through one side of the shower curtain clip and the other part of the binder clip is open. The binder clip is tight - this is a bag with about 25 pieces of chipboard. It's heavy. The binder clip easily holds the bag.

Shop around your local hardware store, office supply store or discount home goods store for storage ideas for your craft room -- you will be amazed at what you can come up with!

FS6: Petal Pushers

2008-03-01T22:39:00.004-05:00

This week's featured stamper is Mary, aka Petal Pusher.

She has an amazing growing gallery of wonderful creations!

The card which I created was based on Mary's card called Denim Blues {which was uberkewl}

CHANGES:

* colors

*eliminated flowers on the side - used ribbon

*added sentiment to main image

This card which I created started with a layer of blue bayou. I placed a layer of black, then a layer of soft sky -- pressure embossed with the new floral fantasy folder (Epaperie). I used Boho Backgrounds on shimmer white paper with bayou ink. I used black marker on the sentiment and punched it out with the word window punch and adhered it to the shimmer white paper. Blue bayou was sponged on the edges of the sentiment and the shimmer white portion. I mounted the shimmer white on black cardstock. Before adhering the main image, I placed a black ribbon and then a sheer polkadot blue ribbon around the side of the card. I threaded a small piece of blue bayou in the knot of the ribbon. The main image is the sunburst which I created last week and then LOST on my desk. GUESS WHAT I FOUND! LOL! It was stuck to the bottom of something. I popped that baby on the card and then added some baubles to the four corners.

The sunburst was created with Wasabi, Guava, Soft Sky and Blue bayou inks/papers and punched with Boho flower punch and Flower punch, as well as the scalloped punch. There is a bauble in the center of the sunburst and there is some sakura stardust on the top flower. The sunburst is adhered to the card with dimensionals.

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Supplies:

Paper: soft sky, blue bayou, groovy guava, wild wasabi, shimmer white, basic black (SU!)

ink: basic black, blue bayou, soft sky, groovy guava, wild wasabi (SU!)

Misc: su! punches (boho flower, flower, scalloped), baubles, daubers, dimensionals,

sakura stardust, black and sheer polka dot ribbon (Mayarts - Starlitstudio), SU! blue bayou stitched ribbon, cuttlebug floral fantasy (ececltic paperie)

Happy Blog-a-verssary To me!

2008-02-29T16:22:00.002-05:00

Freckled Fun Designs celebrated their FIRST Blog-a-verssary this past week. I am offering up BLOG CANDY in celebration of the past year of my Design Success. The winner will receive a custom blog banner - plus matching watermark. Just leave a comment as to the sample of the Freckled Fun Design watermark or blog banner which you enjoyed the most over the past year. That's it....winner will be selected on Sunday night. I will send the winner the graphics options and their web banner will be created -- just in time for Spring!

Happy Leap Day!

(does this make you leap with excitement?)

HSC6: ruby blush chocolate

2008-02-29T14:27:00.005-05:00

Well - life is full of challenges - and today I am the hostess for the Hanna Stamps! weekly challenge on Splitcoast Stampers Hanna Stamps! Member Company forum.

This is a color challenge - Ruby Red, Blush Blossom and Chocolate chip. There is a bonus...create a card with patterened paper which you created yourself! WOOOHOO!!

Here is my card:

I started with a white base. Then I took a piece of ruby red, slightly smaller than the white base. That leaves a nice white border around the card. ME LIKEY! I took the ruby red and dry pressure embossed it with Swiss Dots embossing folder (available at Epaperie). The bottom of the card is my "patterned paper". I used a piece of blush blossom cardstock and randomly stamped eggs, grass swooshes and more eggs (Hanna! springtime set) with ruby and chocolate chip ink. Then I used some ruby ink and daubered the edges of the blush paper. I adhered that to the card with dimensionals. I added some MayArts ribbon (Starlitstudio) and two white brads to the top of the card. The main image (lamb from Hanna Springtime) is stamped twice with chocolate chip ink. Once in blush blossom and colored with a white sharpie poster paint pen. I then stamped the face on whisper white, trimmed it out and put it over the top of the lamb image. Why?, do you ask. Well, because I schmeared the eyes with the poster paint and the lamb looked like it was being led to slaughter because of mad lamb disease. Can't have that. I used some blush ink to color the lambs face - and just adhered it to the body to make Mad Lamb back to it's sweet cuddly self. Works for me! Don't want the recipient of the card to get nightmares. I used my nestabilities to create the chocolate chip layer (see how it is all nice and embossed - ME LIKEY). The sentiment is from Hanna too (things Hanna would say). I am not sure why I chose that sentiment (you lead, I'll follow)....drums up all kinds of strange ideas...you lead me to slaughter? you lead me on the easter egg hunt? take me to your leader, nanu nanu --Mork from Ork! {I digress!} I stamped with ruby red and then I punched it with an oval punch (SU!) and then applied it to the card after daubering the edges and piercing the row of dots under the sentiment. Card is complete! What do you think!

Create your own Hanna Challenge card with my colors and put a link to your creation in my comment section! Thanks for looking (and playing along)....

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Supplies:

Paper: blush blossom, chocolate chip, ruby red, whisper white {stampin' up!)

Ink: ruby red, chocolate chip, blush blossom

Misc: ribbon (may arts/starlitstudio), cuttlebug folder (swiss dots/eclectic paperie), dimensionals (SU!), brads (starlitstudio), nestabilities (Ellen Hutson), oval punch (su!), sharpie poster paint pen (target)

Cheese Crackers.....

2008-02-27T08:49:00.003-05:00

Yesterday Sophie decided to help feed Genevieve. I love when she puts the spoon near Genevieve's mouth - both of them are opening their mouths in unison....And where did "Cheese Crackers" come from? Who are you callin' Cracker little lady? I also love that Genevieve is bouncing to the music!

Sophie feeds Genevieve

PTI:Beautiful Blessings

2008-02-26T22:26:00.003-05:00

I really {heart} this set. It is so elegant!

I made this card for my Aunt who was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. She had a successful operation last week and is returning home. I have to send down this hand written note from my daughter, Victoria. She drew this photo and wrote in her big second grade handwriting "Aunt Susie - get well soon - You are a Rock star - really you are! I love you! (she almost sounds a little like Randy Jackson - except she didn't throw in Dawg!)

On to the card:

Someone commented on my last papertrey ink card - wondering if I was joking if Nichole was my BFF. Um - just ask Mish Wooderson. She will give you the heads up! {smile}

I used a Fabriano notecard. These italian note cards are just wonderful for stamping. They are so elegant! I {heart} them! The cross is stamped with class ink (close to cocoa) and then I watercolored with the lid of the pad. It creates a light wash - leave some white space. Then go back over the area in spots to darken the image. I used a mellow moss wash around the cross. Then I paper pierced around the image - I saw this technique several places lately -- Lauren (Rockstar) Meader has been showcasing this lately on her creations. The sentiment is also close to cocoa. The ribbon is May Arts (starlitstudio). Very elegant -- love this. My BFF Nichole has a way with the stampin' world - she is amazing!!! What do you think? I hope Aunt Suzie loves it --

Super Seven?

2008-02-26T22:21:00.004-05:00

So Todd and I are thinking of adopting. After tonight, I am 100% sure of it! Sure we have a large family - but having another boy in the mix would be nice, don't you think? I especially would love one who can help take care of the kids....so here is my decision....David - you're adopted! Holy cow - I am a hopeless Idol addict. This kid has some PIPES on him.....Seriously, I think he is just the best - I loved the Australian, but SHAZAM - that David sang his heart out!

I better check with Todd to make sure we can really adopt him. He may not agree. LOL!

(I am just kidding people -- No adoptions in the near future)

Clomp! Clomp! Clomp!

2008-02-24T16:56:00.003-05:00

So I am on the phone with my friend Ellen, chatting away...thinking that my daughter Sophie is upstairs napping. All of a sudden I hear Clomp! Clomp! Clomp! on the hardwood floors. I know that Sophie is up to no good - I just got a closet system installed in her room and had to remove the shoe container and put it within her reach in a basket. She obviously helped herself to all the items which I had put away....shoes, tights, underpants. She selected an eclectic mix of colors and styles...none of which should really go together. She has on a patent leather shoe and a soft muted fabric shoe (both black) and the lovely Pippie Longstockings red and orange striped stockings. As an afterthought, why not add two pair of underpants atop the stockings.

Edited to add: I just changed her pull-up (because she is not potty-trained). Under the stockings...not one, not two....but THREE pair of underpants. At least if she tripped and landed on her kiester - she had extra padding! {rolls eyes}

Yo! Yo! It's MaryJo!

2008-02-23T22:14:00.005-05:00

Here is the card which I cased:

Here is a link to Mary Jo's Blog: Beauty Lies Within

What do I love about MJ's designs? Well, the beautiful intricate details.

On her blog she toot'ed the starbursts with the punches....I used the same technique but used a bauble instead of a page pebble.

The card is soft shy base. I used the kitchen sink stamps Playful Alphabet and the Stampin' Up! sets One of a kind and Boho Backgrounds. The wasabi layer was cut with decorative edge scissors and then a strip of guava was placed directly above the wasabi. I adhered the blue stitched ribbon across the guava. I used the stitched ribbon and blue sheer polka dot ribbon and just wrapped it around the stitched ribbon and tied it off.

The flower punch and scalloped flower punch along with the boho flower punch to create the sunbursts. It was quite simple once I followed MJ's directions. I used the sakura stardust on the top layer of both starbursts and then a light blue bauble for the center. I actually had to make two sunbursts since I made the card and realized that I didn't stamp the top layer. I took off the first sunburst I created and LOST IT in the mess of my stamp room. I had to recreate the sunburst and I KNOW that I am going to find the dang first one next week sometime! Geez Louise - I need to clean my desk! Anyone else do this? I do it all the time -I lose stamped items ALL THE TIME! LOL!

Shopping:

Paper: Stampin Up! (soft sky, blue bayou, groovy guava, wild wasabi)

Ink: Same as above

Punches: SU!, dimensionals, Sakura stardust, baubles, SU! stitched ribbon,

Mayarts ribbon (Starlitstudio)

Nichole - Papertrey - Wonderful

2008-02-21T23:36:00.005-05:00

Have I mentioned that my BFF, Nichole has this little stamp company -- Papertrey Ink. LOVE IT! Every month - my paypal account decreased dramatically. This month - I stamped right away because I had paper, ink, ribbon and STAMPS all from Nichole. LOVE THEM! OMG! LOVE THEM!

She had me at "gotta have it all"

Here is the first one - I love it -- love the elegant crosses - love the scriptures and sentiments. Love it! Nichole is just amazing -- MOVE OVER MARTHA -- THERE'S A NEW WOMAN ON TOP OF THE CRAFT INDUSTRY!

I used Nichole's new paper line -- designer paper, cardstock (love the weight) - ribbon and ink. Here is my card -- going to my aunt in Florida!

I used the little doo-hicky from the set in the scallops.

This is a green base - white layer - green designer paper -- all Nichole's line. The sentiment is in the blue - the doohickeys in the green. I used the satin blue ribbon, adhered the main image to the card with dimensionals. Four white brads in the corners. Simple, elegant, finished!

What do you think?

Hanna Springtime Preview Three

2008-02-21T23:20:00.002-05:00

Love this set!

This cad was made with a celery base -then I placed some regal rose across the middle of the card. Atop that, a layer of designer paper which uber-shimmers! I used the corner rounder to scallop the bottom of the designer paper. Two ovals - one in regal and one in white -- for the sentiment. Those are attached to the card with dimensionals. The main image is on shimmer white - archival black ink - colored in this happy hare with copics. Punched it out and then placed it on a scalloped apricot square. I used dimensionals to adhere the scalloped square piece as well. Some sheer pink polka-dot ribbon completes the design...

what to you think of this Hanna?

Love it!!!

Chocolate Bunny Nightmares!

2008-02-20T22:59:00.003-05:00

Someone sent me this email last year.... it had the two cartoon bunnies - one saying

"my butt hurts!" the other "What????"

I had to create my own version with the Hanna stamp set!

The card is a pretty in pink with the bloom dots cuttlebug embossing folder. I used a small piece of close to cocoa and sponged the edges with Close to cocoa ink. Then I used a scalloped oval piece of pretty in pink. The main image is shimmer white paper. With Hanna stamps you can see exactly where you are stamping - so you can stamp on a small piece of paper and confidently place it exactly where you want. I used a small scrap of paper to mask the bunny butt on the first rabbit and then the scrap to mask the ear of the other bunny. The bunnies were colored with copics. The sentiments are printed on white paper and then punched with the word window punch. There are two ribbons -- a satin pink ribbon and then a sheer pink/brown polka dot over the top.

I prefer to eat the ears first!

One more springtime Hanna sneak peek tomorrow!