Angelic Elzy

How about one more Elzy with Paperie card from my upcoming class at Right at Home?

This little class was so fun to design - the ribbon assortment is just fabulous and the paper is just cute, cute cute.  (I just picked up the blue and green version, so get ready....)

I have to say, it is quick to design when everything is all coordinated like this all matchy matchy..... 

I did mostly 4 1/4 square cards for this class, but I wanted to be able to get a nice bow onto this card (have you noticed my recent penchant for actual bows lately.... not just a knot?  I shudder to think what these poor bows would look like after a mailing... would the recipient know to fluff it back up... hmmm?) and the sentiment here is a little larger so I got to use a standard A2 card for this one.   

I did also streamline the design on all my designs for this class. There isn't a nestie in the bunch (GASP!) and I have only one diecut tag among all five of the cards.  I know, I can hardly believe it myself......

And take a peek a Sara's most recent tweak to my blog... do you see my new little animated signature down there.  aaaak, makes me smile!

Nuts. Its Halloween.

While children everywhere in the US are so excited about Halloween, call me a party pooper, but this holiday just scares the pants off of me.  I'm in denial.  

Since both my boys severe food allergies I simply loathe this holiday.  Come to think of it, I have an especially good reason to not enjoy Halloween.  It was three years ago when I learned, the hard way, as in oral swelling and a 911 call, that my eldest had a food allergy.  It was the day after Halloween, in fact, the night before, he ATE a peanut butter cup.  That was B.A.  - Before Allergies.

All week I've procrastinated buying candy.  I made three batches of cookies for tomorrow's "Harvest Celebration" in my son's kindergarten class so that I could be sure that everything is safe for him.  I've sent an email to the teacher to just verify that she's double checking everything that comes in from other parents.  I'm sure I'm pestering...but I'm a control freak where this is concerned.  Can't help it. Its my job.

Usually I pre-deliver candy to my neighbors for them to hand out to the boys.  I do it so that they can participate in trick or treating in a safe way.  This year, all week, my phone has been ringing from my wonderful neighbors who have been checking in to see what "Thing One" and "Thing Two" can have.  So thoughtful!  I love that they're all thinking of the boys safety.

We discussed with "Thing One" tonight that my husband will supervise candy selection at each house, and then we'll review all the candy at home.  We'll have a basket of safe options for him to switch out for anything that we decide is too risky.  

Spiderman and Batman are so very excited for the holiday and of course  I'll love watching them headed out in costume, but really I'll be so happy once they're home safe and snuggled in their beds.  

Sonoma Poppies

I hope you're not tired of this stamp set yet, because I'm still LOVING any excuse to put it to good use.

This is the Scenic Route Sonoma line of paper along with Paper Trey Ink's "Remember" stamp set.  This time, I stamped with Blush Blossom and Berry Sorbet and finished the card off with Spring Moss cardstock and Stampin Up's Very Vanilla ribbon.

I'm nearly out of hemp twine. EEKS.  I'm totally addicted to it.

I quickly put together a set of three of these for a recent card order.  Love using the stash.  Now only a billion sheets of other paper left to go.  

What's Up Wednesday - Hey Bossy!

Its What's Up Wednesday!  How did that happen again? Seems like I just wrote last week's What's Up Wednesday post....

Amber's going to laugh at me, because once again, I have not one, but TWO samples for the challenge.  I wanted to do one with the Splitcoast Color Challenge this week, which is "Tangerine Pixie Kisses" but just couldn't get it together with Chives considering that Emily used Pixie Pink!!  This fun and funky bathtub seemed like a better fit.  

The MFT What's Up Wednesday challenge this week is to Get Bossy!  (To all of you who cast embossing as your favorite technique for my blog candy last week -- I listened, so come on and play!!)  You can do heat embossing, dry embossing whatever you'd like, just emboss something on your card.  We were supposed to be working with Chives, but as you'll see, I messed up my own challenge for the color version and used "Chill Out" instead.  Just worked better for the color challenge.  The image was watercolored with my reinkers, and then I added white gel pen accents.  

In my opinion, you just can't go wrong with these Annie LaPoint images from My Favorite Things Presents.  They're so fun to color!  

So, since I'm a cheater and didn't use Chives, I have another one too. (Amber, zip it! LOL!)  This is the one that uses Chives along with some yummy October Afternoon paper.  For the Really Rust panel, I ran it through my cuttlebug after swiping the folder with my Really Rust ink for that "negative effect" on the embossing.  

On both cards, I heat embossed the image with black ink and clear embossing powder. Just love that extra detail - and it helps when coloring in the image too. There is literally a line you bump into to keep your details in place! Sweet!  

The image is colored with my Prismacolor pencils and blended with OMS and stumps.  The background of the oval was colored all the way out to the embossed edge with a very pale cream marker.  The embossed edge was left white for a little faux layering.

Speaking of nesties....that reminds me, another thing that is embossed on both these cards. Nesties.  Lots of times I skip the step of running my nesties through the machine again for that really deep embossing.  But, for both these cards I did use my tan embossing mat and a few extra pieces of cardstock to get that nice embossed edge on the cards.  Ahhh, I've got to stop being lazy with that because I love the effect.....

Hope you'll come to play along on the MFT Member Company Forum.  If you don't have Chives, feel free to play along with whatever you've got!  Just don't forget to be bossy! 

PC Gourmet

Today I have a really fun feature for you!  I'm always so excited each month when my Paper Crafts magazine arrives in my mailbox. I love to cozy up in my living room with a cup of tea and peruse all the beautiful creations! I'm always learning new things, picking up tips and tricks and I love to look for names I recognize from "blogland." 

So, when I was asked if I'd help spread the word about the new special issue titled PC Gourmet  I was of course so very excited! Its full of 110 recipes and coordinating projects.  

The magazine makes a wonderful gift to yourself, or a crafty friend.  And the items I've seen from the inside, oh YUM to both the eyes and the belly!  I'm certainly ordering myself a copy!!  

Just a note that today's tasty looking recipe and adorable tag to coordinate are not my creations, they are the work of Paper Crafts Pro Alisa Bangerter!

Once you've been tempted by Alisa's yummy recipe and sweet coordinated tag, you can order your very own copy HERE 

Cheesy Garlic Drop Biscuits

- by Alisa Bangerter

This is a perfect recipe to pull out if you are short on time because there is no rolling or cutting. The cheese and garlic add extra kick to a plain biscuit, and kids love them. They are the perfect accompaniment to serve with soups or stews, and are great served with a salad.

INGREDIENTS

2 c. flour

2 t

bsp. granulated sugar

4 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2/3 c. butter or margarine

1 1/2 c. grated cheddar cheese

1 1/4 c. milk

Chives (optional)

DIRECTIONS

Mix together dry ingredients. Cut in butter with pastry cutter until mixture is fine. Add cheese and mix well. Add milk and stir until just moistened. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. Sprinkle top with chopped dried or fresh chives if desired. Bake at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes.

And then look at this adorable tag that Alisa created to go along with her treat!  What a sweet way to package this up for a friend, or a festive table decoration if you're headed to, or hostessing a halloween party this week!

Enjoy Halloween Tag

Designer: Alisa Bangerter

SUPPLIES: Cardstock: (ivory) Dye ink: (Black) Stewart Superior Corp.; (Summer Sun) Stampin‚ Up! Specialty ink: (Mango Lemonade color wash) Stewart Superior Corp. Color medium: (black chalk) Craf-T Products Accents: (black brads) Making Memories; (chipboard bat, moon) Melissa Frances Fibers: (black striped ribbon) Pebbles Inc. Font: (Black Family) www.dafont.com Adhesive: (foam tape) Finished size: 3" x 4 1/2"

1 Make tag from cardstock. 2 Crumple tag and smooth out. Spray edges with color wash; let dry. Apply chalk. 3 Ink chipboard moon; let dry. Chalk edges and adhere. 4 Ink chipboard bat; let dry. Adhere with foam tape. 5 Print sentiment on cardstock; trim and tear edges. Chalk edges and adhere with foam tape. Attach brads. Attach ribbon with brad.

I mentioned last Friday how much I love that "Rouge" paper from Making Memories right? Well its the inspiration for my next class over at Right at Home.  Elzybells, Copics and Rouge Paper and Ribbon.  How Sweet!

If you're local, I'd love to have you join us!  All the details can be found here:  Right At Home: Elzybell's Sweetness

I picked up the Fiskar's Threading Water punch for this class and I just love that little scalloped edge complete with eyelets.  I thought it was just the perfect touch for Elzy's no?  

Is it wrong to love paper as much as I do??  What is your particular weakness? Paper? Stamps? Ribbon?  What can you just NOT pass up?   

Blog Candy Winner Announced!

Thank you all so very much for all the birthday well wishes!  Its been so great to watch your comments pour in over the last few days so hey...you guys should pop by more often, I love hearing from you all!! (wink...)  

Without further ado, the winner, as selected by random.org is Kitty Rodahl who said:

kitty rodahl said...

Happy Birthday! Hope your day is extra special and your year is great too!

I started stamping because I was drawn to the look heat embossing gave to cards. Love that shiny, raised look! I just started paper piecing. It somehow reminds me of cutting out paper dolls as a little girl and playing for hours with them

In fact, reading through all your comments, it seems that heat embossing was certainly your most beloved technique, followed closely behind with paper piecing and Copic markers. I do actually love the look of a heat embossed image, I should be better about doing it, I will admit to sometimes getting lazy and not wanting to pull out that heat gun!  Thanks for the reminder. 

Kitty, I'll be contacting you via email to get your snail mail address and your selection - I'll be back with a new card on Monday!  

Thanks so much everyone!!!

Love the stash...

Do you hoard things? Because, apparently I do, lots of things.  I purchased this stamp titled "Wedding Gown Circle" from Stamping Bella, I think the very day that Emily released it.  I nearly grabbed all the coordinating little circular images, but for once, I exercised *a little* restraint.

And then, this poor little sweet stamp sat there.  In line, in my generous "collection" of images.

But I knew I'd have occasion to need it.  And then the other day my mother called with a need for a bridal shower card. I was so excited, because I knew I had exactly the image I wanted.

Um, along with my very new most favorite paper collection.  Making Memories unveiled a monochromatic line of papers at CHA this summer in -- I think -- four different colors.  And, if you've been reading here a while, you'll know that I seriously ADORE monochromatic cards.  This palette is titled "Rouge" and is shades of sweet light pink and rose.  They're all lovely, and yikers, a set of coordinated ribbon to match.  Love-ly! (Can you hear me singing??)

However, now that I have the card finished, I hope the bride isn't offended that I made the dress very pale pink....  gasp!  The image is colored lightly with my copic markers, then hit with my glue pen and dazzling diamonds because, hey every bride needs some glitz (you should have seen my dress - fifteen (no lie) layers of tulle.  A total cinderella dress if you ever saw one. But hey, I'm a girly girl... you should know that by now.

Writing this from the comfort of the hospital where I'm awaiting the arrival of my new baby niece.  I might be scarce for a few days as I will be visiting with my sister, helping with cooking and probably one million loads of laundry, and um, that little birthday of mine to boot!

Have a fabulous weekend! I'll be back with the blog candy winner sometime Saturday evening!

I'm SO glad you all have come by to enter, be sure to say hi now and again okay... you lurkers!  Giggle.

Land Cruisin

I hope that you were able to drop by to visit at the Land Cruise last night on the Gina K Designs Forum.  I know that it made me feel a little less sorry for myself  that I'm home in the freezing cold this week while so many of my friends are setting sail - its always so fun to chat with my "Pretend Stamping Friends" from across the country - and ahem, even around the world!

For anyone that missed it, you'll have to head on over to the forum to find the LandCruiser Special - its a one day only savings offer, and you've only got till Midnight Tonight!

There are also three chances at free stamp sets valued at 19.95 or less.  All you need to do is enter one of the three challenges and winners will be picked at random!

Here's my sample for Cammie's Water Challenge. Its so cold here, I couldn't think beach, so I used one of my favorites, Simple Pleasures and covered that vase in Diamond Glaze.  

This second card is my sample for Donna's 1-2-3 challenge - it was a great way to kick up a one layer card.  You know I love that white space right!  

I used all accents of red to tie this together for a little pop.  I put diamond glaze on the apples (since it was out for the other challenge anyways...) and it gives those apples some shine!  

I wanted to badly to add another layer to the card to frame the oval, but since that would um, be cheating on the challenge, I took my BOOO Copic Marker and went in and colored in all around the image, leaving a white frame all around the border as sort of a "faux" other layer.  

I've got a sample for Erika's chipboard challenge which I'll post later today.....

Till then, hope you'll hop on over to the Gina K Member Company forum and jump in on the challenges and questions for your chance at free stamps!

Thirty Again - Blog Candy

Who wants to help me celebrate turning Thirty (that is, thirty again....my friends know how old I'll really be, but a lady never shares her real age right???)

I just received my comp copy of Card Creations Volume Six and its always just such a rush to see your work in print!  Even my kids yelled "That one is YOURS Mom!"  Ahhh well trained children.

I'm also going to offer up a $30 gift certificate to either Gina K Designs, or My Favorite Things to the winner as well as my extra copy of "Card Creations Volume Six".  The winner will be selected at random and will be announced the winner Saturday night so that the winner can celebrate with their little shopping spree on Sunday.  If your profile isn't linked up, be sure to include your email address so I can let you know if you are the winner!

Here's all you need to do to win... tell me your favorite technique.  Markers, watercoloring, embossing etc.  Give me the scoop!  (don't forget your email address so I can find you if you're the winner, I always feel badly when the prize gets redrawn because I can't FIND you!)

  

What's Up Wednesday and Land Cruisin'

What's Up? Its Wednesday! Which means a fun savings offer from MFT for What's Up Wednesday and its also the Land Cruise tonight for Gina K Designs!  I've been a wee bit busy, but its all good!!  

For today's What's Up Wednesday challenge, we're working with the three new Stephanie Fizer releases from My Favorite Things.  

You know how I love my snowmen right?  I couldn't wait to get them all pinked out! This uses Jen Del Muro's Sketch for You to Try and some fantabulous paper that I picked up at Paper Addiction from October Afternoon. YUM! 

The challenge part of this card is the glitter.  Would love to see your glittrified creations over on the MFT Forum.  Now the What's Up Wednesday deal ....here's the details, straight from the forum!

  

What's up this Wednesday??? A cool promo, that's what! 

Today through midnight Friday (10/24), all orders over $40 not only receive 

FREE US shipping, but also receive a $5 gift cert toward your next purchase!
That's right! All orders over $40 placed Wed through Fri will receive $5 off their next order!

You don't need to enter any special code, and the quantities aren't limited, so happy shopping!

As soon as Kim returns from the cruise on Monday, she will be sending the gift certificates out via email.

You can also pass 'em along for some early bird Holiday shopping!

----------------------------

I've been creating for the Gina K land cruise tonight, but wanted to share some Gina K love with you all today in preparation!!!

So until tonight....here's a sample for the Color Challenge on Splitcoast this week.  Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss and Chocolate Chip.  

Admittedly, I scratched my head a while on this one, and then pulled out my " Botanical Dreams" set from Gina K Designs as well as watercolor paper, reinkers and my designer prints stash o' paper and got to work.   

Remember there will be a landcruiser special announced at tonight's party!! Get that wish list ready in preparation for some SHOPPING!  You can join us on this thread from 7-10pm CST tonight!

Baby Favorites.... and Land Cruise Remider

My sister called in a panic a few weeks ago, she needed a baby shower card and was heading out the door in 15 minutes.  Lucky for me, it was a quiet Sunday morning and everyone at my house was still in PJ's.  I ran downstairs, grabbed by Gina K "How Sweet it Is" set and my nesties and got to work!

Its been a while since I'd pulled out this sweet set, but I always am so glad when I find an excuse to put it to good use.  I love paper piecing the sweet little baby bundle that the stork is carrying. 

Speaking of Gina K, I'm starting to feel sad that I'm not on that boat, but don't despair!  

Come join us for the Land Cruise Wednesday night from 7-10pm CST. There will be challenges, contest questions  - in all six chance to win free stamps.  AND there will be a savings offer a Landcruiser Special that you will NOT want to miss.  Hope you'll join us HERE.

Pillow Time

Don't you love anything you can make from scraps? I do because I've got loads of them.

This cute little pillow box, which is made with the help of one of the Big Shot dies that I picked up, came together in no joke, two minutes! Love that! Since I can cut four to five sheets of cardstock at a time with this baby mass production of these would be a snap!

I tucked a few little Dove candies in this one, (and gross, ate a ton of them sneakily this weekend... that's the one bad thing about making candy favors, is I eat the extras!)

Wouldn't they be quick and easy for a bowl full of favors for a dinner party, or a little something at each place setting.  All made from scraps from my card workshop the other night.

Running in two million directions today, lots to do lots to do, but wanted to share a little something with you.

I'm pondering what I'll do for a little Blog Candy later this week to celebrate my birthday the end of the week... stay tuned if you like free stuff!

Have a wonderful day and thanks for dropping by.

I've been poisoned... Pink Poisoned

While my normal style seems to be cutesy, I just couldn't help myself when I saw this fantastic pirate set titled "Best Mates" from Pink Poison.  I mean, I AM a mother to two young boys, after all.  

Then on a recent trip to the art store around the corner to pick up a birthday gift for a little friend, I of course, happened to notice that they now carry Copic markers. EEKS! And a few just happened to tag onto the birthday gifts for a friend.

This was exactly the image I needed to create a card for a friend of mine who's been having a rough time of it lately. She's also a stamper and crafter extraordinaire, and I knew she's appreciate this hip little piratesse and her crew.  

Off to play football with my little guy and procrastinate yardwork just a little bit longer.....

Not Cruising? Join us for the Gina K Designs Land Cruise

I was just feeling too sad for myself that I wasn't cruising with Gina, Emily and Nicole and those lucky stampers that are going.  So, a few of us on the Gina K Designs Team decided to host a "Land Cruise."

In typical fashion, Gina is just so unbelievably generous, and offered to give us lots of prizes to give away! We'll have challenges, contest questions, as well as a One Day Only Landcruiser Special that you won't want to miss.  It is a fantastic savings offer, available one day only.  Its the perfect opportunity to pick up some extras either for yourself, or as gifts for any stampers on your holiday list.  

In lieu of new previews, several of us on the DT will be making samples for the three challenges that evening so you'll have a little eye candy

  

So, land lovers, come party with the Design Team on Wednesday, October 22nd from 7-10pm CST (that's 8-11pm for me here in the East Coast!!!)  You can find all the details on this thread

I realized that I hadn't shared one of the cards that I'd made for the most recent launch over at Gina K Designs.  My friend Melanie has two new sets out this month, and you might know already, but I adore sunflowers. When I had my eldest son, my bestest girlfriends sent me a HUGE vase of them, and they were sooo beautiful.  So clearly, the first card I had to make with this beautifully illustrated set "A Year of Flowers" had to be the Sunflower.

I used a top note die as a fun little flap to the card, and then anchored the sunflower on top.  All the edges were faux stitched, and then I coated everything with loads and loads of distress ink, for a much more rustic look than I usually do.  Finished off with a few hemp tied buttons on the bottom left hand corner.  

The coordinating set "Say it With Flowers" is loaded with beautiful sentiments and quotes.  

Hope to see you at the Land Cruise party - if you're reading this and about to set sail on the REAL cruise, then have a frozen something for me --- okay?

Pretty Thanks.....

My aunt placed an order for several boxes of cards.  I filled out the last of the order with three of these thank you notes which I pulled together in record time as I kept the design straightforward.

There are still lots of extras, and many layers... but I didn't get fancy with stitching or complicated layers.  But, in the end, I like the combination of all the little details, and come on, who can't use a pretty thank you note now and again.

This paper is Scenic Route, and I remember drooling over this collection this summer at CHA.  In fact, as soon as I heard Right at Home had it in, I asked Lisa to please save me a package of it.  I drooled over it some more here at home, and finally was brave enough to cut in and use it.  I'm glad I did, but now sad that these beauties will get packed up and sent off.  I hope that they make the final recipient smile when they come out of an envelope at some point.  

For me, I guess that's the best part of this craft... when the card actually reaches its destination.  

Have a wonderful day and a great weekend!!

Edited to add:  Scenic Route Paper is from the Sonoma Line. YUM!  Check out this collection here. 

Thank you thank you!

As always, stamp night was a blast.  Although HEY, why didn't you all eat cupcakes, what am I going to do with them?  Is this diet sabotage or something?? But seriously, I love having a dedicated night to hang out with the girls, and they all seemed pretty happy with their card creations this evening.

Emily, thanks for sharing your friends with me!  Heck, they come bearing GIFTS and everything! Dana, I'm so sad you've got to leave so soon, I'll admit to being just so envious that you get to head to Bella Headquarters whenever you'd like.  Maybe you and Em and Nicky can just take a road trip  down here to visit Karen and I!!  Don't be a stranger, no lurking or I'll call you out!    

We got a christmas card for Colleen designed tonight and all the supplies on order.  Looks like I'd better figure out my own cards....

Already trying to figure out what we'll make next month!  And watch out girls, the rest of you are on camera next month!  

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!  To all you cruisers, have a frozen SOMETHING for me, and use that sunblock!  To anyone not cruising next week, I hope you'll join us for the Gina K Designs Land Cruise!!  Details to follow tomorrow.  I've still got lots to clean up tonight!!!

Two More Riding Hood Creations

I realized I never shared the final two cards for tonight's stamp club meeting.  I'm so excited for the girls to get here.  I'm busy this afternoon turning the playroom into stamp town.  Lucky for me I have small sized people who love to help with this job!

We always have a good laugh, and I love that my friends from all the different parts of my life (college, playgroup, fellow pre-k parents, neighbors and even Blog-readers!!!) all seem to hit if off so well! What can I say, I've got good taste in friends! Giggle!!

So, here are the last two cards we'll be making tonight.  One uses the "Punches Three" set and the wide oval punch along with some Bella Rose Designer paper (love that stuff!!)  

The other is a revision from a card you've seen me make here before.  I just went without all the quilting I'd done on my original sample for a cleaner and lets face it, just less time consuming creation!  Admittedly, we do as much (ahem, if not more....) talking than stamping, so I thought I'd make it easy!  

I was a total slacker and I didn't get my SU order placed early enough.  I'm going to be cutting right up to the last minute my kraft paper and dimensionals are arriving sometime today!! Eeks.  I've never done that before, and I apparently got stuck in a longer picking line than I'd noticed. Shame on me!!!

So, since clearly I {heart} Riding Hood Red and Pink Pirouette, what's YOUR new favorite in color?

Color Challenge, well Basically....and What's Up Wednesday Offer

Multi-tasking.  Um, sometimes it works for you, and sometimes not so much.  I was trying to do the Color Challenge this week, but only afterwards realized it was Pink Pirouette and Basic Black, not Basic GREY!! Whoops.

Carole is probably too busy to be reading over here, or else she'd call me a cheater.  But oh, well, I did TRY right?  Besides, I didn't want to make a black cat.... look how sweet they look in grey!

My poor Prismacolor Pencils have been taking a backseat to my Copics lately.  I pulled them out, picked the colors for this project and was just so pleased with how the final image came out.  I love the precise manner in which I can get into nooks and crannies without --whoops, ink moving into the wrong place. 

Don't get me wrong, I adore the vibrancy of my copics, but I'm still on that learning curve, and lets be honest, the things just don't always cooperate with me.  Hey, a girl needs a variety of tools right??  

You can find these sweet Peppermint Cats at My Favorite Things.  And guess what?  Kim is running a 48 hour special! Here are the details:

----------------------

Every order over $45 from Wednesday through midnight Friday (EST) gets to choose one of the retiring sets for FREE!

Simply add your selection to the comments section and we will take care of it! The sets you can choose from are:

Baby First
Build a Bouquet
Bundles of Bouquets
Farm Friends
Hare for the Holidays
Hearts Galore
She’s Having a Baby

It’s only for 48 hours though…

Who Loves it? I do I do!

If you're reading in a reader service, like google reader, then you haven't seen what has happened to my blog today!  I've been Tweaked and Designed!  Hope you'll pop by to see Sara's work, I'm so thrilled with the new design....  She totally gets my style and I'm so glad to see the design in action.  

More tweaks will be added including one of her famous signatures.... but I just couldn't wait for her to put up this sweet design.

So, who loves it? 

Shoeless Joe

Today, Michelle is hosting a "What's Up Wednesday Challenge"  This week, the girls are stamping with that fantastic new "Window Shopping" set but can you believe it, mine got eaten up in the mail! They've either been lost in the bottom of the mail truck, or my mailman's wife is using them.  

A new set is on the way to me that I just can't WAIT to get all inky.  

But till then, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to play with these sweet kittens from "Peppermint Cats" again.  

I missed out on last week's Try a New Technique Challenge to make a Mini Pizza Box (the original instructions are from my friend Jen) and they do come together so quickly!  While cleaning last week, I ran across a sizeable stash of this "Holiday Thyme" paper, now long since retired from Stampin Up.  

I'll be putting together several of these for teacher gifts for the holidays. And filling them with my very favorite sweet treat chocolate covered cranberries. YUM!  

Boards and Beams

I was literally THRILLED when Paper Trey announced the "Boards and Beams" set this summer.  My aunt is a mortgage broker and stocks up on my hand made cards so that she'll have one handy to send along to her clients upon the closure of the deal.   

While the coloring of the house is admittedly a wee bit time consuming, I just love the end result, and as I was catching up on my TiVo anyways......  

I spent the better portion of the evening the other night cranking out "house cards" to send along to her.  

For the second half of the batch, I used a Chocolate Chip card base, so I made sure to line the cards with ivory paper and then added a coordinating strip of designer paper to finish off the inside.  

I have to say, this set is just literally filled with options. A variety of sentiments, several little fence pieces, this sweet little tree...a row house, topiaries etc.  I think it is just so very very thoughtfully designed and lots of fun to play with.

Here's to a very wonderful day!

Double the Love

Oh how I love to make baby cards.  Really, when someone calls to say that they need a baby card, I quite literally move all other projects aside and get to play.

Imagine my excitement when my mom called the other day saying she needed a card for twin boys!  EEEKS!  

I had this sweet set from Paper Trey Ink out and handy for another little project of mine, but for the boys I wanted to use that adorable little baby head...twice!

I stamped the carriage once to the cardstock, then again to Stampin Up bashful blue patterns paper, then one more time to Bashful Blue cardstock and pieced the carriage together.

The little baby heads were stamped directly to the paper, and then stamped colored and popped up on dimensionals.  Lots of blue to celebrate the safe arrival of the twins.  The card was finished off with striped grosgrain ribbon, and the sweet sentiment "double the love" on a Cuttlebug Tiny tag die tied on with a bit of linen thread.

What is YOUR favorite type of card to make?

Clean and Simple Christmas Continues

Just a quick little post this morning.... busy weekend with the boys but have had this card to share and keep forgetting to post it.

Since you all seemed to like my Heartwarming Christmas cards, I wanted to share another clean card that has just one element kicked up a notch. 

This stamp set is Rupa's "The Magic of Christmas" over at Gina K Designs.  I immediately fell in love with these clear glass bulbs.  Next to my collection of snowman, I have many of these on my tree.  And, mostly red ones.  This luxurious ribbon is part of Gina's new ribbon assortment and you can see how a little can go a long way on your cards... 

The ornaments were colored in with my copic markers, and then I painted on a layer of Diamond Glaze to make the bulbs all shiny and glass like.  

Lord knows I have enough paper in my stash that I could have gone all crazy with the layers on this, but I loved letting those ornaments just really pop off the page.  

If I can get motivated today we're off to the farm to pick pumpkins and get some new fall photos of the boys.  

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Heartwarming Bag and Tag

I mentioned the bag and tag set we'd made during my Heartwarmers class over at Right at Home and one of you had asked to see the full item, so here goes......  

I apologize because these oversized objects, and by that, I mean anything larger than a card.... are hard for me to get a clean shot of. The background (ahem, my HOUSE!) always gets in the way.

The lighting in this picture is wonky, but the item now lives at the store, so I can't even try to take a new picture.

This is an ordinary kraft gift bag that the front has been embellished.  This charming designer paper is from Making Memories, and I just loved the richness of it.  All of the edges were sewn.  I brought in my Janome Sew Mini for the girls to play with during class, and I think they enjoyed it.  All the stitching for sure took some time, but it gives such a nice extra touch. 

For sure, my favorite part of the project is the little charm created by paper piecing the ornament in the Kim Hughes Heartwarmers Set, then tying it onto the twill tape with twine.  I know I shared this picture in my preview two weeks ago, but you'll have to humor me, this bag was one of my favorite things I've made in a while, and now it lives at the store. Sniff.  

Last but not least, there is a tag tied to the handle again with some twill tape, this time secured with a gingham ribbon, I've been adding that to everything lately.

What was especially fun was that the shop owners daughter was watching over us as we made our project.  Grabbed an extra bag from her mom, picked her own papers and put a bag together.  Her paper selection was so wonderful, that I had to go buy some (young-enabler/entrepreneur in the making!)  I had a blast showing her how to use the machine to stitch hers up... remember I have boys, I don't get to do that sort of stuff often!  

This bag was one of those things that I spent so much time on that I sure was sad to see it go.  Maybe I'll have to arrange a shopping trip to go visit it at the store.  

Top Note Die Questions Answered.....

Thanks for all your comments and questions on my Big Shot "Top Note Die."  Its been really fun to work with, I've got a new card to share with it in the next few days.  Till then I wanted to respond with a few answers to questions.  

The first question was how did I get the roughed up edge that had a dark chocolate layer behind it on this card.  Easy peasy.  I cut the die two times. Once with ivory and once with chocolate chip.  The beauty of this die is that I can cut both dies with one single pass through my machine!  The die makes a cut out, and also has a perforated line.  You can leave the die whole, use scissor to cut along the perforation line, but in this instance, I ripped all along the perforation line for a rugged look for my "man card."  If you wanted a cleaner edge, you could scissor cut.  Or, for a shabby feel, you could rip around the perforation then sand it, or use an edge distresser.  

Will the Dies work in a Cuttlebug. 

Good question and the answer is yes, and no.  My Top Note die and my Pillow Box die I use with my Cuttlebug, because I haven't yet saved enough for the Big Shot. Its on my list, but I need another workshop or two to save the money.  Since they are smaller than my Cuttlebug cutting plates, they work. 

I've heard it rumored that you can run the longer dies (such as the basket) through as well, but that you need two sets of plates and to end.  And I've heard that if it slips at all, you won't get it cleanly cut.  I'm saving the bigger dies for once I've purchased the machine to match.  But, depending on which dies you have, you can get by with your Cuttlebug.

Will the Dies work in a Sizzix machine?

Hm.. Not sure on this one, only because I don't have a Sizzix, and I don't like to recommend doing something that I haven't been able to test out for you. 

I did just go onto Splitcoast and found this amazing FAQ thread that has lots of helpful advice for the Big Shot.  

Any questions, please ask and I'll update this thread....

Clearly, I'm Falling

Today's thread on the MFT Member Company Forum is Oldies Plus Goodies.  We chose a recent customer card using "Falling For You" as inspiration. Inspired by her fun color palette, I pulled out my "Fall Flowers" paper from Stampin Up, which is now retired, but I still had a little bit in my stash.  

The inspiration card was fully acetate, but for my version, I used just an acetate front.  These acetate cards are fun to make, but sure hard to photograph.  I took about ten to get one clean shot!  

Hope you'll come join us for today's challenge.  You can use ANY MFT stamp just pull your inspiration from the customer sample.  One lucky winner will receive a $5 gift certificate to My Favorite Things.  Just be sure to upload your creation to Splitcoast Stampers galleries using the code "MFTOPG4" keywords for a chance to win.  

And remember, Amber and I are always looking for customer creations to use as inspiration pieces. You never know when one of YOUR MFT creations may be the sample of the week!

Okay, this is the funniest thing ever.  I nearly just fell off my chair looking at this picture of Gina.  

Read this post  from Gina K about sending off all the cruise goodies.

I'm so envious. 

However, very fun things in the works for those of us that can't go!

Joanne

Attempting to Sketch Poppies

If the layout here looks familiar, its because I "tried" Jen's Sketch for You To Try from two weeks ago.  I say I tried it because I really deviated from the sketch, as in I skipped an entire panel, but I just couldn't get it to work.

That being said, this is still very largely inspired by Jen's sketch.  That, and um, my total love for this set "Remember" which was illustrated by Lisa Johnson for Paper Trey Ink.

I've been on a tear mass producing again, but every once and a while, I need a little break from the repetition of mass production and treat myself to a little sketch work, or a a color challenge or something to just keep myself fresh, its a treat to just "play" a little.

Color combination here is Pure Poppy, Sweet Blush, Spring Moss and Kraft paper. It seems no matter how you mix up those Paper Trey colors, they just always look good!

Okay, back to work!!

Out on a Manly Limb

I've been having such fun playing with my Top Note die from Stampin Up.  I love that I can cut several dies all at once to streamline my mass production - I was easily able to run through five pieces of cardstock at once.  In fact, I had a nice sized card order that I cranked out in record time thanks to that little baby!!

I also love that it creates a nice focal point large enough for me to include both my main image and my sentiment too.  This time, I put it to work to create a card for my father for his birthday.

The background was created with my Houndstooth Backgrounder from Cornish Heritage farm, 

inked up with Adirondack ink in Hazelnut and then stamped on Close to Cocoa cardstock.  The stamp set, of course, is Paper Trey Ink's "Out on a Limb" which I think by now you know I totally adore!!  However, I was able to find a place to include this lovely quote as well.  Finished off with two manly buttons from my stash.

Gotta love my dad, he said it was a $40 card.  I think that means he liked it??  I won't even give thought to tallying how much the various supplies cost... but I will say that I've certainly got my money's worth out of this set.  I use it all the time.  Um, you've probably already noticed that huh?

Tangerine Scarecrow Kisses

This week's color challenge on Splitcoast was just the thing for my My Favorite Things "We're Not Scared" stamp.  

I can't believe I hadn't gotten him inky yet.  My children just LOVE this little creation and he's propped up on our mantlepiece this morning.

This not so scary scarecrow was colored in with a handful of copic markers.  I had totally forgotten I'd purchased this Kiwi Kiss prints paper from Stampin Up.  I thought that this checkered piece would compliment the scarecrow shirt.  

It is a beautiful day here in New England, I'm off for a walk for some fresh air with the kids.  Have a GREAT day!

By the way, I'll have another new MFT creation for you on Friday - this week is a customer inspiration sample, and I've got to get to work so that I've got a sample to share you.  Hope you'll come play - you never know when YOUR MFT creation will be the inspiration sample of the week.  Be sure to look for the thread on the Splitcoast Member Company Forum, Amber will be posting the thread late on Thursday night! 

Winter Foliage

With each release, Gina K Designs has a "One Free with Three" set. This month, the free set is "Winter Foliage." The illustrations in this set are just so lifelike and detailed. Really fun to work with, and in particular, I think this set is great for masculine cards. 

I really did my best to channel Kurtis with this set... I wanted something clean, and cozy feeling.  I selected my color palette based off of this scrap of ribbon from Making Memories.  The ribbon was a near perfect match to Kiwi Kiss and I used Close to Cocoa and Chocolate Chip for my main panel. 

I stamped the pinecone in both versamark and close to cocoa and then heat set it with embossing powder.  The sprigs of pine were colored with my Stampin Up Markers - I used Always Artichoke and Close to Cocoa markers for the job.

For me, it was hard to fight the urge to not add some designer paper, do some dry embossing or **something** to that layer of cocoa.  But once I committed to just maintaining that clean look, I was really glad I did.  I do sort of still want to go back and add snow to the pinecone, but if I mess it up, and then I'll be so annoyed.  So I'm just going to let it be..... or should I give it a try? 

Heartwarmers Continued

Here's another sample from my card class this past weekend with Cornish Heritage Farms Heartwarmers stamp set which I taught at Right At Home.  In the class, I wanted to focus on cards that were easily mass producible, so I streamlined...  You'll see that there are not as many layers as I'd make for my usual cards. 

I made up for the simplicity on these cards by going way into detail on the gift bag and tag. Slowed them down big time with lots of sewing and little details, but I think they liked the finished product.  

So, back to the cards, I wanted to stress that quick can still be cute-- right?? Our cards involved lots of paper piecing.

This particular card involved stamping the ornament a few times and cutting it out.  But even still, it was still faster I think that coloring and blending the ornament many times!  To jazz it up a notch, just stickle up that little heart, or add some Spica pen to it.

Here's two that didn't make the cut for the class, but they still fit the theme, so I thought I'd share them here.   Also, several of the girls at class purchased the stamp set, and I wanted them to have a few more ideas to go along with their new stamps!

You know I love white space cards....  this has just a dash of Scenic Route across the top, and some black scallops and grosgrain ribbon for a little pop. Again, stickle up those hearts, or add a little diamond glaze for some shine.  

Lastly, here's one more lotsa white card.  

I thought those trees were just so cute with patterned paper, and happened to have just a few scraps of Scenic Route Roxbury to get the job done.  We'd done them in class with solid green cardstock, but patterned paper is super fun too! 

Hope you have a great day, and thanks for dropping by!

DVD Tins - Altered Album

I showed just a sneek peek on Friday night of a little "something" I'd worked on for the Gina K launch last week.  One of the Gina's newest products are DVD tins.  In addition to being a great way to store the larger sets - they're also fantastic alterables!

I had seen a tutorial by Julie Buhler on Splitcoast a few weeks ago, and thought it was such a fun idea!  Enter my goodies from Gina K and it was a perfect excuse to put together a little photo tin that I'll fill with this years Christmas Memories!  I love that since it is made out of tin, it will be nice and durable since I (very affectionatley) am prone to calling my boys "Thing One" and "Thing Two."

This beautiful sleigh is from Rupa's latest set: The Magic of Christmas.  I stamped the image directly to my ivory cardstock then again to a piece of scrap paper.  I colored the sleigh with my R35 copic marker, then applied a coat of Diamond Glaze and let it dry overnight. 

I also used Gina K's new self adhesive rhinestones for the centers of some of the pointsettas on the designer paper I used.  The inside is a clear envelope album finished off with jumbo eyelets and a wide grosgrain bow.  

This was so easy and fun to make... I could see making lots of these for Christmas presents.  Hey, if you're on my shopping list, please disregard that comment and look really really surprised when you get one.. okay?

Have a GREAT day!

where's the green?

I'm so excited that so many of you have asked where the green posts are lately!  I do apologize, September was such an insane month - new daycare clients, two boys adjusting to new schools etc etc.  I'm sure many of you are breathing a sigh of relief that we successfully made it through the month, and everyone is adjusting well.....

I didn't feel that maybe I had all that much "new advice" for you on this adventure, but then some very good friends of mine had some ideas.  I'm going to put them on the hook to share! Till then, I do have just a little something green for you today.  I will admit, I do love my diet coke...  I've found it very hard to give up. And, I do have them now and again...  See, I'm not a fan of plain water.  And we used to have water delivery so I could get fizzy water to drink....  But then I didn't love having all those plastic bottles, even in my recycle bin. There had to be a better way.

Of course, I found it through my favorite Green Reading "Gorgeously Green." We bought the Soda Club and its so quick and easy to just fizz up my filtered water from the fridge into fizzy water.  Yes, the machine itself is an investment, but I feel good not having bottles collect up, and I LOVE not having to lug bottles of seltzer out of the grocery store.  Plus, the kids get a kick out of it, which is always a bonus.  When I went over to pull the link for Soda Club, I also was reminded that not buying it at the store also saves transportation of it from the factory, to the grocery store etc.  So, that makes it an even GREENER choice.

I'll be back with something green next week... today, my biggest assignment is to clean up my craft area.  Its a total and complete disaster (again.) However, with double launches this week and many client orders to fill, I've been working and working and not putting away.  Which, after a week of that, makes a big old mess.  

Have a great day everyone!

Happy World Cardmaking Day! Make a Card and Make a Difference

Gina K has the most amazing World Card Making Day event.  I hope that you'll join us to "Make a Card and Make a Difference."

You can read all the details on Gina's blog here: Make A Card and Make a Difference.

We will give you one entry for every card you send and you will be entered in a huge drawing for prizes galore. Deadline for receiving cards is October 30th. Winners will be announced on November 1st.

Here is what you could win!

1 $250 shopping spree at Gina K. Designs
1 Box of Copic Ciao makers of your choice
3 $50.00 Gift Certificates for Gina K. Designs stamps
5 Stamp sets

10 Opportunities to win! And if you send 20 cards, you get your name tossed in the pot 20 times!

Visit Gina's blog for all the details! 

Think Pink Friday

You may already be aware, but October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  In honor of that, Amber and I selected "Think Pink" from MFT as our Oldie Plus Goodie of the week.

We'd love for you to play along with us this week, and if you don't happen to already own this set, that's okay too... use whatever MFT you may already have in your "collection."  We'd just love to see you put those MFT's to good use!

The only catch this week is that you can't use designer paper.  For me, that's a big catch!

I've typed this post, and deleted it about twenty times.  All this subject makes me want to do is cry.  We all know someone affected, some of you reading may already be fighting this battle and many of us have experienced a loss from this terrible disease.  (crying again.)  Please, talk to your doctor about your risk factors, get your mammograms, if you're supposed to be having one... just go, please.  For information on low- or no cost mammography screening, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) at (888) 842-6355 or visit their Web site at www.cdc.gov.

For me, I'll turn 35 this month and I'll be asked by my doctors to go have "the big squeeze." I've been dreading it, but given the alternative...squeeze away.  

 

Don't forget.....

Tonight is Gina K's launch party over on the Splitcoast Member Company Forum.  

Six fantastic new sets, that gorgeous ribbon assortment and MORE all will be released for sale this evening.  

But before the items go live, hope you'll join us on the thread for contests, give-aways and lots of extra previews from the DT!

You can find us over here beginnin at 7PM Central Standard Time - that's 8pm EST for me!

Gina K Launch Party Thread

Running with Riding Hood Red

I have a few samples today using all Stampin Up product, and you might just notice a theme. All the cards are made with Riding Hood Red.  Its for an upcoming Stamp Class at my home (waves Hi girls!!)  

Hoping to show the girls various color options as they begin to think about their holiday cards.  And even if you don't plan to make all your holiday cards, its always nice to have a few already on hand. 

These are less layer intensive than my usual cards, going with a recent theme... quick can still be cute. 

This first one pairs my new favorite shade of Red with Baja Blue, Kraft and Ivory. Can you believe my total lack of designer paper??  I know, I was impressed myself.  Giggle.  Hard to see here, but the top layer of Baja Blue is stamped with the snowflake image repeatedly with versamark for a soft touch.  

I rarely do a "catalogue case" but I just adored the sample in the catalogue for "Big on Christmas" so I used it as a starting point.  I switched the size of the card, but kept many of the same elements.  I love how the bow here almost looks like a tie for Mr. Snow eh?

This card uses Bashful Blue, Whisper White and lots of dazzling diamonds on the lettering.  Many of my girls have the Many Marvelous Markers so this is a great card for them to put them to good use! 

My next card is a little redesign for club of something you've seen here before.  I pulled out my new favorite, Bella's Blossoms, and my Top Note die finally arrived! (Um, thanks Angie for pushing me over the edge, I love it!)  

We'll be making our own designer paper with background stamps, and demo'ing the Top Note die.  Its amazing. And yes, you need it.  If you don't already have a Stampin Up demonstrator, I'd be happy to set you up!  Now with online ordering, you can click click and have it shipped right to you.  Of course, I can always place an order for you if you'd prefer!  Just email me. ;-)

This month, my friend Karen (Em, do I have permission to call her my friend, if I give you the credit for introducing us?) is bringing her friend Dana (yes, girl, I'm calling you out you lurker... ;-) By the way, Em, can she be my friend too?  

Two more to design for class, neither of which are holiday cards.... One is a redesign of something you've seen before... just needs a little streamlining for workshop purposes, and one using the fun new "Punches Three" hostess set.  I'll be back with those two next week!

Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

check it out!

I've been keeping a little secret, but the Cat is finally out of the bag.... go over here to check it out!

Wintery Previews Part 2

I've been busy stamping away with the six new sets, plus fun new alterables, ribbon and embellishments from Gina K (I know, what a tease!!)  And today I've got two quick previews using Asela's new set titled "Christmas Blessings". 

The first one uses this beautiful little church scene.  I think it is so sweet - and notice that little snowman over there on the side!  

This was SUCH fun to color in with my copic markers.   Once everything was assembled and in place, with my quickie glue pen I put in a thin line of glue on the edges of the roof and the snow lines, then dusted it with Dazzling Diamonds.    The background is Soft Sky Designer prints paper from SU which I then ran through my cuttlebug.  

Oh Wild Wasabi and Soft Sky, how I've missed you. 

For the last several releases, I've also gotten into the habit of making at least one clean and simple card.  And this time, it was the pointsetta from this lovely set that caught my eye.  

In addition to snowmen, pointsettas just scream christmas to me, and it was a wonderful excuse to use a bit more of that luscious Pure Luxury Ribbon.  It coordinates just perfectly with Stampin Up's real red.  

Accidentally, I ran the cardstock through the cuttlebug embossing folder the wrong way, but then decided I actually really liked the debossed look here.  The sentiments in this set have such a lovely font, and with the deep red rubber, you get such a nice, guaranteed, even impression.  

I have another clean and simple card that I'm saving for the launch party.  I love this effect --  clean and simple can still be super cute.  And you know, I'm prone to mass production efforts, so that's key!

Don't miss Gina's blog today because she will, of course, have a sample with this set, as well as "Winter Foliage" the newest "Free with Three" set. You'll also find Design Team Samples today from:

Asela Hopkins

Jessica Flick

Emily Giovanni

Melanie Meunchinger

Carolyn King

Kurtis Amudson

as well as our two fantastic Spotlight Designers:

Cathy Tidwell

Lee Murphy

Happy "Blurfing" around, I know you'll just love what you find today! I'm off to check them out myself!!