Adventures without Air.......(air conditioning that is....)

It was so fun to read about the green things you've tried so far, and I'm so happy that so many of you are joining me on this green-adventure!  Great work everyone!

The lucky winner is  #9 who is Claudia! Claudia, I'm off to email you to get your contact information!  

So, here's my green information for this week.  I used to be the QUEEN of Air Conditioning.  We're lucky enough that the home we purchased eight years ago already had central air, and boy was it just so easy to flick the switch and cool things down.  

In fact, I have a good friend who bought a home last year without AC and I remember asking her "Oh you're kidding right? New home with no air? Are you going to install it?"  So, she got a good laugh this year that I decided I was only going to run the air this year on days we really NEEDED it.  

I'm happy to report that most days it stayed off entirely!! Some times, I turned it only only for my little one to take a nap. Let me say, I got real creative with shades and curtains and which windows were open to maximize a breeze.  When I did turn it on, I had it set to several degrees higher than I would have last summer.  Looking back, it was an icebox in here last summer.  I'm so glad to report that we saved literally HUNDREDS of dollars on our electricity this summer compared to past years.  I felt pretty good about conserving all that energy as well.

I'm hoping to do the same thing this fall and winter with the heat.  I'm going to put on a sweater rather than bump the heat up a degree or two.  Obviously, we can't do without the heat like we did without the AC, but I can commit to being more energy efficient with it.  Maybe I'll even justify a new sweater or two for myself!!

Today we're off for some outdoor adventures.  Hitting another local farm, Belkin Lookout Farm, where it is rumored we can already pick apples, we'll also visit their amazing produce stand for some tasty organic goodness, and visit with the animals! HOORAY!  And for a nature walk with the boys at Elm Bank  My sister has raved about this place for years, and now we're finally going.  Got to clean out my memory stick for some photos!

Have a great, green day!

Kickin' Back

This is a sample for My Favorite Things that I forgot to show you!  

This was one of the cards that we created at my most recent card class over at Right at Home.  I totally adore this paper from Collage Press.  

If the layout looks familiar, its because it is Kristina Werner inspired and was Splitcoast Sketch Challenge number 181

Kicking back and relaxing is exactly what I hope to do this weekend. We've got no big plans, and I love that!  

Next week, My Favorite Things has a release on Wednesday, and Gina K has a release on Friday! Looking forward to lots of sample making this weekend, and previews all next week!

Have a wonderful, and most importantly SAFE Holiday weekend, and hope you get to kick back and relax too!

Box o Birds

For the longest time, I've been loving this "Pretty Birds" set illustrated by Kim Hughes from Cornish Heritage Farms. I'm shocked that I'm only just now adding it to my "collection" (okay, I feel a little less guilty when I call it a collection.... that makes it seem a little less gluttonish to hoard all these stamps right??))

So finally I got a chance to buy it!  I've adored it for the longest time, I really just don't know what took me so long.....

I've also been meaning for ages to make one of those little boxes to hold an assortment of 3x3 notecards.   So what a perfect opportunity to pick up the stamps, and create a little box of notes.

All the fixings for this Box O' Birds will soon be available at Right at Home Scrapbooking! I'll be sure to post a link as soon as everything is available, it was just too cute not to share.

If you like the stamp set and live in the Greater Boston area, I'll also be teaching a class in the 

store on September 13th where we'll make five different cards with this set.  I had a lot of fun with all sorts of different papers and tools.  Can't wait to show you what I've been up to!!  Karen, you lurker, ((hugs)) I hope you'll be able to make it!

Girly and Fun

You may remember that I mentioned last week that one of my daycare clients was moving on to preschool this year.  

She's been such a joy to watch and like her Mommy and I, loves her art projects.

With that in mind, as a little going away present, I created this little altered tin for her and packed it with crayons, beads, a little card game and all sorts of treats for her.  

She had fun picking all the papers out of my embarassingly large stash of paper and then we colored the Lilly to look just like her.  

I can't wait to hear about her big first day of school! Hopefully she'll color me a picture!

I'm having such fun with my new Pink Cat Studio stamps.  They're so adorable.  I inked them up with my new Rock a Blocks, which are just perfect for either acrylic or unmounted rubber stamps.  I'll be sure to do a step by step on how they work in the next week if anyone is interested.  I've been really happy with the results.

Hoppy!

So happy I finally got some time to play with my new Billy stamps from Pink Cat Studio!  I picked up both Billy and the Accessories set because in my business, I always need kids birthday cards, and I knew these would be really fun for the kids.

And, um, fun for ME too!

My old room mate hosted a party for both her little guys this weekend. There were 48 little guests and their parents. That's right - forty eight! The kids had a truly fantastic time!  

Have you ever been to Pump It Up? Its fantastic.  If there's one near you, take your kids. If there isn't one near you, open one and make a fortune!!

This card uses the WeR Memory Keepers "White Out" collection paper.  I had a blast coloring this with my copic markers, and added lots of machine stitching. The sentiment was added to a set of Stampin Up tag punchouts.  

Have a Hoppy Day! (sorry for the pun, couldn't help myself!)

A Green Party - And a chance at Blog Candy!

Oh don't worry, I'm not here to talk politics!  I'm here to share about my son's birthday party last weekend!

We decided to have his party at Tangerini's a local farm where he attended summer camp.  The children enjoyed a beautiful day outside, including a hayride all around the property, past the giant sunflowers and out to the cornfields where the owner let each child take home eight ears of corn.  YUM! She then showed us that fresh off the stalk it is totally delicious raw (sounds terrible right? But boy was it tasty!!)  

The kids also got to play in the hay maze, chased the poor chickens around, visited with the goats and of course enjoyed cupcakes and ice cream.  

I wasn't able to go fully green at this party there were a few things I could have done a better job, but here's what I did:

1)  Made organic cupcakes and frosting from Cherrybrook Kitchens

2) Used cloth tablecloths that I happened to have at home already rather than buy those icky plastic ones from the party supply store

3) Didn't have balloon decorations 

4) Instead of the goodie bag stuff that kids usually come home with (ahem, junk that usually ends up in the trash, or candy the boys can't eat with their allergies....) I purchased each child a return trip to the farm for a hay ride, trip through the maze and a pumpkin this fall. 

5) I also hired a friend who makes custom cookies cook little piggy cookies for each child.  See these beautiful, and delicious cookies at Crowley Cookies.

6) Gave each child a reusable shopping bag to carry their fresh picked produce home in.

7) Everyone raved about their fresh picked corn they enjoyed for dinner that night!

What I could have done better...

1) I wish I had brought plates and real silverware from home.  I was lazy, and used paper products, which ended up in the trash.

2) Bought regular old juice boxes and ice cream --- I should have gone organic on those things, but I'll admit it, I was rushed and just hopped into a local store to get them.  Next year, to avoid allergy concerns, I'll make my own ice cream at home instead and buy organic juice for certain.

Now, how about some Blog Candy?  To participate here's what you've got to do...

1) Comment on this thread with one thing you've already done to be more green.

2) Post one thing that you know will do to be more green.

I'll collect comments to this post from now till next Sunday, September 7th. The winner will receive a string produce bag  (hey, it is a green post right??) and a hand stamped card (or two...) from me too.

Tote full of notes....

I wanted to share one of the projects from my class last night at Right at Home Scrapbooking!  This is a little project that I'd made for Kim for her birthday and then decided it would be fun to teach at the store as well.  I just love this paper from Scenic Route's Providence Collection, and thought it would be fun to pair with My Favorite Things Presents Chamomille.

This little tote is originally designed by Leslie Miller, you can find the instructions here on her gorgeous blog "Running with Scissors."  It holds four cards plus envelopes to match.

Be sure to hop on over to My Favorite Things to check out this months' specials. There are some really fantastic stamp sets available, and only while supplies last.  These sets will be limited edition while they last, then gone! So, be sure to pick the following items up if they're on "Your list!"

Baby First
Build a Bouquet
Bundles of Bouquets
Farm Friends
Hare for the Holidays
Hearts Galore
She's Having a Baby
My Favorite 48 pencil collection

I have some great news for anyone following along on my boys allergies... I met with the dean of students, school nurse and the kindergarten teacher. We're all on the same page, both Kindergarten classes will be nut free, epi pens are everywhere and I'm working on a list of safe snacks for birthday celebrations.  For our open house on Tuesday I'm going to bring in some of my son's favorite Soy Butter selections, and bake some safe goodies for everyone to taste! I'm thrilled!  Little guys new bracelet is due here today or Monday.  Feeling like maybe I can get some sleep again! Thanks to ALL of you for your support during this week, its been a rough one!

Remembering.....

I really, really tried to be good with this past month's release from Paper Trey Ink.  And I was doing okay, that is, till Lisa Johnson's "Remember" set was previewed.  

I tried, really I did.  But, as you can see, it didn't work.  All of the samples were just over the top (um, as usual) and this one was calling my name, and I don't mean quietly.

 I tried a technique I've seen before, but never tried on my own.  I took that kraft paper and totally crumpled it... several times, then flattened it out.  It took on the look of suede or leather... but the edges were all wonky and sticking out everywhere. So I stitched it all the way around, and then with my handy edge distresser, I roughed up all the edges.

The blooms were stamped directly to the paper, then colored. Then I stamped them all again, colored and trimmed them. Finally stamped, colored and trimmed the smaller bloom to add even more dimension.  

This was SO fun to work with.  I look forward to trying even more bloom combinations, this set has just SO many elements.  And the red paper and ribbon, yum - to die for!  

This card is headed home with my dayare client turned great friend and fellow sickly addicted stamper.  I can't even begin to imagine that the mom and her two little ones won't be tromping in with stories of the weekend on Monday morning.... just can't go there yet.

Still time to Celebrate!

This post is so late, but there are still a few more hours left to Celebrate MFT - heck, I celebrate this fantastic company way more than once a month!  (In fact, I'm teaching a My Favorite Things Card class tomorrow night at my local stamping store!!)

This card is both for Celebrate MFT Day and today's Sketch Challenge over on Splitcoast Stampers.  If you're not familiar with Celebrate MFT Day, its just a great excuse to pull out those My Favorite Things stamps and let them get all inky!

This is going to be a Thank You note for my eldest son's birthday party this past weekend, held at a local family farm!  I apologize to all of you that don't get this version of the card, but I think you'll see that it is possibly a wee bit complicated to make this 10 times!  Giggle.

The image was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then I masked it to sponge a background all around.  Sponging was done with the new Kiwi Kiss for the grass, and a combination of Bordering Blue and Whisper White ink for the sky. 

Hope you have a chance to put those MFT's to work today!  Don't forget to leave a comment on the thread with a link to your creation for a chance at a lucky random gift of $5 to the MFT site!

Too Cute to be Spooky

Am I ever in a funk this week?? It finally dawned on me that in addition to being in a mad panic about this allergy thing, that I'm simply anxious about the start of kindergarten next week!!

To make matters worse two of my cutie clients that I've been watching have their last day this week. One of them, I've been watching for nearly three years and is like the daughter I don't have....sniff....tears. I think its too much to process all at once.

You know its bad when you don't even have the energy to stamp. That's SO not me.

Luckily, I had a few cute cards tucked away from the weekend saved up.

These little cuties from the "Monster Squad" from My Favorite Things Presents are just too cute to be spooky. And besides, since I'm in the business of minding very small children, I don't usually let Halloween get too creepy! I adore watching them come in dressed up like little lady bugs, princesses, teddy bears etc. So sweet.

In fact, my kids like to bring out the costumes all year round. Just last week, my little guy was wearing a cowboy hat, and Lightning McQueen boots around target. I used to wonder why parents let their kids go out dressed like that... now, I know.

Have a great day!

Ahhhh Nuts! (giggle)

For anyone out there that may be following along on the allergy thing here's an update....

1)  I spoke with Mrs Meyers customer service today. They're fantastic.  However, they did say that their "plant based" products are in fact, in most cases, coconut based.  So that's out.

2)  I have a medic alert bracelet on order from Petite Baubles for my eldest before he heads to school. Shame on me, I should have done this long ago, and in fact had every intention of getting one, and the summer breezed on by.  Its being engraved today!

3)  I just ordered a slew of product from No Nuttin.  Granola bars, and some granola clusters. Good safe snacks at home or on the go.

4)  Found myself some new blogs to read from other Peanut Allergy families.  Will be adding a section in my sidebar for those.  

5)  Rewashing clothes and blankets and the like in some conventional detergent free of any dies or fragrances.  

6)  Read a truly fascinating post about a "treatment" that is in the works for Peanut Allergy kids. Wouldn't that be just truly amazing??  Based on a study currently going on at Duke University (go Duke!)  you can read a little more about it over here.

Making progress.....

Simple Pleasures

As much as I love summer, I will admit, that I'm sort of looking forward, albeit with a bit of nervous anticipation, to the fall.   So much going on...kindergarten for one child, the start of preschool for the other, new clients for me, a baby niece to be born.   

I'll miss the sun, and heading to the pool club, but a brisk walk with a sweater or fleece is pretty great too!  Picking apples...can't wait! YUM!

That being said, I took a little time to pull some autumnal paper from Scenic Route out of my stash, and set to work using Gina K's "Simple Pleasures" set.  This is the very first set that I purchased from Gina K, a little under one year ago!  I actually bought it for my tryout for the Guest Design team!  I had been inspired by so many lovely creations by Emily that I just had to have that stamp!

I was fortunate enough to make the Guest Design team for the spring, and I've been on the Senior Design team since mid May.  

And don't forget, now's your chance to become a guest designer for Gina K Designs.  Each month one designer will receive all of the following month's new release sets. This designer will participate in all of the Design Team events and get all the Design Team perks for the whole month that they are "In the Spotlight!" Be sure to check out this post on her blog for more details.  

feeling ungreen.....

Despite a wonderfully green birthday for my son yesterday - which was totally fabulous I will soon tell you all about... I'm feeling pretty "ungreen" today.

This week, we learned that my younger son has severe food allergies, including coconut (this is something my eldest was not allergic to) and guess what most "green" health and beauty aids, as well as household cleaners, dishwashing detergent, laundry detergent etc is made with.... coconut.

In addition to feeling horribly GUILTY that I've been coating him with coconut, I'm just so frustrated that I can't find things that are safe for both him, and the planet. Given the choice, I'm going to have to go ungreen to keep him safe.

It appears that a coconut allergy is rare. (Go figure) So I'm having a hard time finding research on this topic. Annoyed that our allergist can't meet with us till late October.

Off to continue my research. Luckily, I got several crafty projects in this morning, so I'll be back with things to post over the next few days.

Please pardon my grumpitude. I'll perk back up soon.

Want Ribbon? - SOLD!

I'm offering a Ribbon Share to my local Stampin Up customers and have one share available.

It will include the 1" Bashful Blue Double Stitched Ribbon (two yards), the 5/8 Striped Grosgrain Ribbons(3 yards each of 6 colors---the in colors...) and the Taffeta Ribbons (2 yards each of 9 colors).  

The price will be $28.88 USD and payable via PayPal.

I've only got one share available, please email me if you'd like to claim it!  basilefamily at comcast dot net (spelled out here that way so that spammers don't grab it, but you know how to enter it correctly - giggle!)

Thanks!!

**** edited to add **** thank you the last share is sold!  

Celebrating Summer

Have you noticed that I just adore stamping with this "Flowers for Daisy" set from Gina K Designs?  

Last week is the last before school starts for us.  I can't believe that for so many of you, school is already back in session!!  This red, white and yellow combination just feels very summery for me....

I created a frame with my oval nesties, and then popped up a second flower on top, for a little added dimension.  

The next week will be so crazy for me trying to get everything ready for new incoming clients for my business, getting a little one off to school and just wrapping up summer.  So I might be scarce the next week or so.

However, don't forget that today is the beginning of Gina K's "In the Spotlight" design team call! You can read more about it on this post on her blog.  I just can't WAIT to see who submits for this and watch all the fantastic work that I'm sure everyone will come up with.  

And, if you have been eyeing this stamp set, there's no time like the present to pick it up.  A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society until September 1st.   

Have a wonderful weekend!

Playing Around

I'm still playing with that Eastern Blooms from Stampin Up that I borrowed from my friend Barbara. Its just so pretty! Versatile too!  Since its one of the 15% off specials from Stampin Up, I wanted to show my girls a few different ways to put it to use.

So, here are two very, very different cards using the set.  They're streamlined from my usual layered-ness because I wanted to keep them Quick and Simple!

The first, is a straight silhouette.  It was strange for me to not stamp on light colored cardstock for my focal point, but its good to step out of your regular pattern now and again, isn't it?  

This actually came about a funny way.  I was going to just make a 3x3 notecard, then realized that it would be fun to just use it as the main panel that size. 

To limit my use of Designer Paper, and to put the "other" stamps in the set to use, I stamped the flower outline on a piece of kiwi kiss cardstock.  The new delicious ribbon would have been the perfect companion here, but hey, I've got plenty of this Chocolate Chip grosgrain to go around still.  Despite the fact that this is so out of my general style, I sort of like it.  It has a nice quiet feel to it, and as much as I try to deny it, um, fall is right around the corner. 

This second is just so totally opposite, light and girly.  I wanted to also show that this is a great stamp to put those Stampin Up markers to use.  Lots of my girls have purchased the markers, so I always like to point out stamps that are great for markering.  

I colored the blooms in first with my Regal Rose marker, then went back and carefully inked the branches with Close to Cocoa, then huffed away to re-wet the ink.  

I also used the branch as a silhouette on this card, I overstamped the corners of the designer paper, its hard to see here, but in real life, it is quite pretty.  Mmm but wouldn't that new Pink Pirouette ribbon be so sweet on this card??

Left to my own devices, I would have added a Nestie border to that center panel, or reached for my Janome and sewed all the edges, but I was a good girl, and just left the card Stampin Up Only. 

Guess I should decide which one we'll be making tonight at stamp club and get that paper cut. Any votes?

Today I'm busy cleaning up and getting prepared for the girls coming over tonight! Its always full of laughs!  If you're interested in any of the new Stampin Up stamps and don't already have yourself a Stampin Up Demonstrator, please feel free to email me!

Embracing Life

Thanks for all your support with yesterday's post.  I've got an appointment schedule at the allergist for the boys, and I'm busy going through the fridge and cabinets and household products removing "offending" products.  Phone calls placed to both schools and action plans in the works....will be spending some time on the FAAN (food allergy and anaphalaxis network) website later today to do more research.   

I was lucky enough to have a fellow Stampin Up demonstrator in town loan me one of her new stamp sets from convention! How FANTASTIC is that?  What a sweetheart. 

I wanted to add a card for my open house on Thursday with one of the new silhouette style stamps, and with the new in colors.  I've now made this too complex for an open house make and take, but thought I'd share it here and I'll have it on display Thursday night.  I'll go back and make a streamlined version for the make and take. 

The designer paper up top is the new Bella Rose designer paper, this is the Kiwi Kiss colored pattern.  The bottom cardstock is Pink Pirouette stamped with the branch also in the same color.

The popped up bloom was stamped in Pink Pirouette then clear embossed.  The sentiment "Embrace Life" is from the stamp set with that same name, stamped in Close to Cocoa.

Since I don't have any of that new delicious ribbon in yet, I covered the seam from the papers with some vanilla and kraft paper sewn together with my janome and then covered one side with a build a brad with the pink pirouette paper inside.

Now off to design a more group friendly card! Giggle.

grrrr.

Sad day for me today.  Found out that my younger son has even more food allergies than my eldest.  And, that my eldest son's allergies are getting worse, not better despite my best efforts to keep our house free of anything that might trigger a reaction.

Off to schedule doctors appointments, do some reading etc.  Sort of kills my mojo to stamp... be back hopefully soon.

If you have any advice on the subject, would love to hear it.

Its time for the NEW!!

I've been waiting for that new Stampin Up catalogue and all the luscious new paper and ribbon. As much as I loved the old (and have a closet full of stamps to prove it!) I just needed a fix of something totally new.  

Here's a quick card that I made with the Pink Pirouette Cardstock (my new favorite!!) and the Sweet Bella designer paper for my brand new baby cousin! 

I also picked up the scalloped edge punch last week so that the girls could play with it Thursday at my Open House.  I'm a sucker for scallops and man oh man does this make the job ever so much easier!  In fact, it was SO easy that I scalloped both the front and the back of the card for a little scalloped note.  Several 1/2 strips of the Sweet Bella designer paper was stitched - reminds me of a little baby blanket and finished off with a bow of Very Vanilla grosgrain ribbon.  

Stampin Up is offering some truly fantastic promotions that I wanted to share with all of you!

From August 11-September 30, enjoy a 15% discount on select brand-new, die-cut stamp sets from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog--no additional purchase necessary!

From August 11-October 11, potential recruits will have the option of becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator by purchasing one of three special mini Starter Kits* priced at $99.

If you have any interest in a catalogue, buying stamps, paper ink etc, or want to discuss why I love being a Stampin Up demonstrator and why you will too..... please don't hesitate to contact me!  

Hostessing a little party for "My Girls" on Thursday night, lots to do to get ready! But be back with more Stampin Up only soooon!

A chance at free stamps....

I'm running a contest over on the Gina K member company forum, and giving away a free stamp set to one lucky particpant.

Be sure to check it out over here.

Happy Stamping!

e-cation

I'm kicking back the next few days and enjoying a few days with my guys! Can't believe how quickly the summer is flying by!  I'm taking a little e-cation from blogging, blurfing and the like!

Be back Monday, relaxed, refreshed and hopefully I don't loose my mojo along the way....

Here are a few fantastic RAK's from friends.......

From Julie Masse - She sent me this super cute Cowgirl Sophia stamp set, and how sweet is this, a stamp that says "A little something!"    Julie is one of my very first blogging 

friends, and one of the nicest people you'll ever meet!  In addition to stamping, and being on two design teams, she is also homeschooling her children. I'm in awe of her!!  

This next card is from Charmaine. It is as bright and cheerful as her personality!  Due to my CRAZY summer schedule, I missed out on meeting her on her family trip to Massachusetts this summer.  Sniff Sniff. I'm always amazed at how much she can get done with real little ones at home! She has such a fun stammping style, and I love "visiting" Oodabug Alley each day to see what she's up to next!

This next one is

 from Carole who just makes me laugh.  She and I got to enjoy a delicious apple martini (or um two??) at CHA a few weeks ago.  That girl, as I've said on several occasions, has just such an eye for color and can pull off even the most difficult of color combinations!  Madly talented and I'm lucky to call her my friend!  

My last RAK today is from my (as my husband would say) real life friend Meri!  She's my college pal, bridesmaid and now fellow crafter!  She ran across this fun vintage vespa sticker and created this fun postcard for me.  It was SO thoughtful of her, and its sitting in my kitchen to cheer me each morning when I stumble down each morning groggy from late night stampin!

Girls, I'm so sorry that posting all these cards has been so delayed.....eeeeks. Bad friend.

Have a great few days everyone!

Its Almost Here!

Tonight's the night that five new stamps from My Favorite Things will be released.  This fun new set is another My Favorite Things Presents addition, this time from artist Stephanie Fizer titled "Monster Squad."  Isn't it just totally adorable??

You know what is SO fun about Halloween stamping? You can use the most totally loud color combinations and its perfect!  Unless you make brave color choices like my friend Carole, who always seems to pull it off, I'd never think to put orange, green, purple and yellow in a card, but this was so fun!  

I made this little haunted house all bright colors, green, orange purple with my copic markers, and then I went back over everything with my Pearlescent Watercolors. I just love the shimmery effect to make this little house pop off the page. 

The sentiment is stamped with white craft ink then embossed - it was punched out with my Stampin Up key tag punch.

For that fun bow, I tied a bow with two pieces of ribbon held together at the same time.  That polka dotted ribbon needed a little oomph to stand out well enough.  Speaking of that fun designer paper, its a new product that Kim will be adding to the My Favorite Things online store tonight!  There will be two packages of 6x6 designer paper available and ribbon to match!  Please hop on over to Kim's blog for all the details!  Including a really fun flap book that she created as well!

Don't forget, you can take a peek at all the Design Team previews over on the Splitcoast Gallery using the key word "MFTAUG08."  Sadly, I can't make it to the Launch Party tonight over on the Splitcoast Member Company forum --- but I hope that you'll pop in for a visit and be sure to fill me in on the scoop!!  Don't want to miss a thing!  Remember its from 9-11pm Eastern Time!

Lost?

This card is going to be for my husband with the sentiment "I'd be lost without you...." I'm tucking it away for a road trip we're taking this fall.  Let me just say, I am a terrible navigator.  And, I detest long car rides.  He on the other hand, would be perfectly happy to ride cross country, or all the way to Florida etc.  Loves it.

Thank goodness for a navigation system because I'm like Joey from Friends.  I need to get INTO the map to figure out where I'm going.

When I saw this fun stamp set What's Your Sign from My Favorite Things, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.  I stamped the signpost a few times, in different directions with Chocolate Pearlescent Brilliance ink onto watercolor paper and then let it dry.  Then the whole image is watercolored with my Stampin Up reinkers and  a water brush.  Still one of my very favorite techniques.

So much my favorite, that I had to use that same color palette for another watercolor with Nature Calls.  As long as I'm stocking up on guy cards, I thought this would be fun to have to tuck in his suitcase the next time he travels. 

Can you tell I'm having SO much fun with my MFT stamps this month!  I've got one more preview tomorrow!

Have a great day everyone!

Totally Wicked

People that aren't from New England probably have no idea what I'm talking about with "Totally Wicked."  I remember one of the first times I used that phrase at college, and a friend from Texas stopped dead in his tracks and said "What did you just say??" He was needless to say, very amused.

I'm from Boston, we talk funny I guess.  

When I made my first card with this stamp set which I shared earlier today, the idea of the Wicked Witch of the West came over me.  

Have you seen the musical Wicked?  Or read the book?  I just adore that story, and the musical was so wonderfully done.  If you're not familiar, it is the story of The Wizard of Oz from the witches point of view, because really, she's just terribly misunderstood!

While its very difficult to see here, the dress for Glinda is paper pieced with pink paper, the given a coat of shine with my sakura stardust pen and my aquapainter.  I paper pieced her dress a few times to add a few layers because she isn't really a plain dress girl.  Elphaba's dress is paper pieced with Basic Grey paper from SU and her green stockings to match with that lovely skin tone of hers!

The cobweb stamp from this set was just perfect for some spooky green cardstock , the card base is Basic Grey as well.

Does that ever happen to you that you come across an idea and you can't rest till you've finally put it down on paper.  This was nothing but fun for me....  Love that creative stress reliever!

If you haven't seen the show, it is a fun night out (I went with my mother and sister last year) and they're on national tour.  Check here to see if they're coming to a city near you!   Its Wicked Amazing!  (giggle. I couldn't help myself.....)

More Teasers Tomorrow!

MFT Monday Teasin' Time

My eldest son gets a huge smile out of the My Favorite Things stamps each month.  He always tries to guess what "Who's that Girl" will be this month, and boy did he ever get a chuckle when he saw that she's now "Totally Witchin"! 

Lucky me, I ended up with some of the new Cosmo Cricket Haunted paper.  I mean, really I'm totally not above some major sucking up, especially when it comes to Cosmo Cricket - I just LOVE that stuff!!  I was only too happy to help relieve them of any "extras" that they didn't want to have to pack up later that day!  

This is modified from Cindy Haffners fantastic sketch challenge this week.  I just used a square focal image instead of a circle, but I'll have one that plays along with the actual sketch tomorrow! Be sure to visit the My Favorite Things Member Company forum to play along!  

I actually did the inside of the card as well, I stitched the main panel to a kraft border, and then added the fun spider stamp and sentiment to the inside of the card. 

Hold onto your seats because My Favorite Things  is releasing FIVE new sets this Wednesday!!  The New Release Cocktail Party will be held Wednesday, August 6 from 9-11 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be some great new ribbon added to the store. 

If you're an MFT-aholic like me, be sure to look for "The Girl Who Wants It All special" for the The Aug Collection, which is one of each set being released, is $65. 

Head over to the MFT forum on www.splitcoaststampers.com to find out all the details and to find out how YOU can be the next MFT Guest Designer. 

Quick card details: 

 5 1/4 square card, bard base is SU Really Rust, Witchy Dresses and broom paper pieced from Cosmo Cricket Haunted Paper, Black Brads from Stampin Up, Copic Markers used for background, and any part of the witches that weren't paper pieced.  I actually used my grey prismacolor pencil over my black copic marker to help create shadow and just soften the harshness of the black marker.  A fun tip I learned from Colorin' Kate at CHA!  

Clean and Green

The notion of me being a domestic goddess is just simply laughable.  Especially after the disaster that grew around me as I stamped all those Dirty Dare challenges a few weeks ago. 

I just need Melanie to create a stamp for these t-shirts that reads "Queen of Clutter" that's me. I just like to keep things, not so good at throwing anything out! 

This paper was sent to me as part of a recent swap I organized on Splitcoast for the Gina K Member company forum.  Several of us sent out supply kits to other stampers.  I recieved the most GENEROUS assortment of paper, ribbon, buttons, fibers, and more paper to boot! This only just scratches the surface!  Thank you Laurie SO much.  I'll be posting more creations with my "supplied" materials, but this is my first so far.

So, why am I using this Domestic Goddess stamp for my Green Sunday post anyhow???  I've got a few recommendations on green household products that I happen to love.

The first, is Mrs Meyers cleaning products. I just love that these are safe for my kids, and for the environment too.  And, they do an absolutely amazing job at cleaning and making my home smell fresh!  The general purpose cleaner is such a great value too.  To refill my spray bottle takes only a capfull or so of cleaner, diluted with water.  I've been using that refill bottle for MONTHS without having to buy a new one.  Toilet cleaners usually have such a vile smelling, toxic odor, but the geranium scented toilet cleaner I love. It does a great job, without making my bathroom smell toxic in the process!  

Another thing that I really love are the dishwashing and clothes-washing products from Ecover. My youngest, just has some real nasty eczema, so I'm always looking for a scent free cleaner for our clothes that will get the job done, yet be easy on his skin.  Additionally, I want a phosphate free product so that I'm not contributing to increased algae bloom in the water supply.  I won't recreate the wheel here with all the scientific jargon as to why phosphate free cleaners are a good idea, but please see this article from treehugger.com for more information.

What are YOUR favorite green cleaners? Anyone have a product they'd like to share?  I was anxious to try the Method floor cleaner, but its made with walnut oil. Boooo.  I'm sure it cleanse well and gives the wood a great luster, but with a severe nut allergy in the house, I'll pass on that one.