Stampin' Up! Fox & Friends

It's been a tough mommy day today, so after my nap was spoiled by the cats I decided to go try stamping something.   Laila took a nice long nap so I was able to finish a card.  :)  I haven't stamped just for fun in ages!  I played along with the colors at colourQ and the theme at The Paper Players.  

   

I used some of the stack of retired DSP that my former demo had given me ages ago along with some of the awesome Core'dinations cardstock.  I just had to use my fox stamp from Fox & Friends.  He's so popular right now, huh?! 

My mom had my uncle fix up my old rocking chair that my papaw had given me when I was little.  It is so neat to see Laila sitting in it.  :)   She started climbing on the furniture today and oh my heavens am I a nervous wreck!   She needs a helmet and bubble wrap! 

Another Trio of Sketches

Last night I hosted a card class to say goodbye to a few retiring sets and designer paper.   I enjoyed my last set of cards that were all from the same sketch, so I went with that theme again.   :)   Here's the sketch we used from Pals Paper Arts:

I thought this was a fun one, but it sure did take a lot of punching!  I hope the ladies didn't end up with carpal tunnel after making 9 cards.  Here's our first card, the masculine version using Grunge Rock:

I'm really going to miss this set.  I bought it to challenge myself and fell in love with the fun images.   I always enjoy using it and to me, that's a sign of a great stamp set.  :)   We used a strip of the retiring Flirtatious DSP in Daffodil Delight.   I think that pattern was non-girly enough to work.   Ha!    Our next card was the feminine version of the card and my favorite of the three.   It was inspired by Deb's beautiful card that you can see here.  

This one uses more retiring designer paper, Paisley Petals.   It also uses a sentiment from Trendy Trees which is a new stamp set for me.  One of my demo BFFs was kind enough to gift it to me.  (Thanks, Mindy!).   I love the colors of this one!   I struggle to use River Rock sometimes, but it works great with Baja Breeze and Not Quite Navy.   Finally, here's our kids version of the card with a flipped version of the sketch:

Fox & Friends is the set that I'm most sad about losing.   Well, not losing because I will be keeping it, but not using it for classes I guess I should say.   It's my favorite set for kids and it has definitely earned it's keep over the past few years.   If I had to recommend one set that you should get before it's gone, it's this one!   I also used a small strip of another retiring dsp, Cheerful Treat.  It was a hostess choice this year and I got so much use out of it.  I just love the fun bright colors!   I hope you enjoyed the projects!   I want to do more of these, so you'll probably see quite a few sketch trios in the future.   

Just to update, my labs came back okay and I am NOT on bed rest nor do I have pre-eclampsia!   My blood pressure is still a little high and I have awful congestion/headache, aching ears, and a cough.  I'm hoping that will clear up soon as it's tiring to feel so yucky all day.   It's only 44 more days until our little girl is scheduled to be here!

Laila, but with some stamping!

My mom is visiting for the new few weeks and helping me do a few projects and LOTS of shopping!   Today we helped out my friend by putting together the favors for my shower.  I still can't believe it's next weekend.  I'm a bit nervous that nobody is going to show up, but if they don't, there's loads of chocolate in these guys.  I can drown my sorrows until I get sick of Hershey Miniatures!  They do feature some retiring products, the pillow box die and Fox & Friends.   I'm sure going to miss both of those, but I'm sure there will be something cute in the new catalog that I'll love too!

Before I sign off for the night, I wanted to get this off my chest. There's been quite a bit of uproar this week among demos that makes me sad.   After losing Eli, stamping kept me sane and truthfully, it probably kept me alive.   Signing up as a demonstrator allowed me to make some amazing friends from all over the world.   I enjoy chats with my friend Kathy from Australia, text Mindy and Marla, and email with all my design team buddies frequently.   I don't have a biological sister, but Stampin' Up! has given me lots of them that all share my love of creating.   While stamps and brads come and go, those relationships are enduring and make my life much happier.  

I'm not one to look on the positive normally, but I've learned what things are worth getting upset over and retiring supplies are pretty low on my list.  I know the economy is tough as I'm on a budget myself.   I also know that I buy way more than I need and the amount of retiring products that I have is a sign that I need to be more careful with my purchases and really use what I buy and only buy what I love.   Sometimes the lessons we need to learn in life come in a way that knocks the wind out of us, but we just have to rest for a minute and keep on trucking.   

Just for Fun

Believe it or not, I actually just stamped for fun today!  No design teams, no club cards, just FUN!   It was so nice to get to do that.   I feel like I'm always rushing around behind on things so I probably should have worked  ahead!   I think sometimes we just need to let ourselves do something that's not on our to-do list though.   I found this tutorial online and decided to try my hand at it.  Here's my first card:

I really enjoyed making it and think that technique is a great way to use up some of the designer paper I've been hoarding saving.  In fact, I had so much fun that I made a second one!  

My friend Jen Timko made a gorgeous flower from tissue paper on her Freshly Made Sketches card this week and as I was working on this, I caught a glimpse of some of that paper sitting on the shelf beside my desk.  Perfect, right?!  :)  

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!    I went and enjoyed some time with friends and puppies after I finished stamping and am now waiting on my Jason to get home from work...with a hamburger for me and Laila!  :)    

Stay tuned tomorrow for the list of stamps that will be retiring!

FM54: Ode to Beaker

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using "Your Favorite Muppet Color Combo".
2. Or Make a project " for kids".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a " Project for a Kid using your Favorite Muppet Colors".

Don't forget to tell us or Show us who your Favorite Muppet is!

Holly has the cutest challenge for everyone this week at The Friday Mashup!   With the rebirth of the Muppets, what better time to relive our childhood days and make a card using our favorite character?!    I chose to use my second (well, technically third) favorite, Beaker!   I didn't think Statler and Waldorf would make for a very fun kids card.  :)   I just love the Muppets.  Every time I think of them, I think of this video that Jason and I find ourselves singing a lot.  It's always a competition to start first and make the other person have to do Animal's part!  :)

I wasn't sure exactly what Stampin' Up! colors Beaker would translate to, but I settled on Blushing Bride, Peach Parfait, and Tangerine Tango. 

Do you think I got close?  LOL   After solving the hard part of colors, I decided to mash it up into a kids card using one of my favorites, Fox & Friends!   I had to sneak in my new stamp set too of course.  Next time you guys need to tell me I'm missing out on a "fabulous" set; why didn't I get it sooner?!   :)   

I hope you enjoyed my card for this week and will find some time to come play along with us! 

Inspiration Stamping

I found some really cute baby bedding on clearance at Target today and I went ahead and picked it up.   They didn't have all the pieces, so I will have to go check out the other Target near me tomorrow to see if they might!   I love gray and yellow together and had been thinking about that combination for the room.   I hope I didn't jinx myself by buying something so early.   

Anyway, I wanted to stamp a bit more today so I decided to go make a card inspired by the bedding!   I think it turned out really cute too.   

Stamps:  Fox & Friends, Petite Pairs

Ink:  Basic Gray

Paper:  Basic Gray, Whisper White (textured), So Saffron

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder, Designer Frames embossing folder, XL Oval punch, Basic Gray 3/8 taffeta ribbon (retired)

I'm not sure Jason is looking forward to all the painting, but at least it will just be one color this time!  I'm thinking gray walls and yellow curtains right now!  If anyone has any ideas for wall decor, please share!   I wanted to try and make a few things myself to put in there, but we'll see how that goes. I'm not very crafty with decor items.  I know I want to get a tree (vinyl wall art) to go on the wall behind the crib, but that's about all I've come up with so far.  

Before I go, isn't the matching mobile just adorable?  

FM33: Shabby Owl

So here is the "Mashup" Challenge :

1. Make a project using "Paper Rosettes".
2. Or Make a project using "the Sketch Above".
3. Or "Mash it Up" and create a "Project with the Sketch using Rosettes".

* Here are some tutorials on Paper Rosettes if you aren't sure how to make one.

*From a Border Punch

*From a strip of Pattern Paper

* PDF - instructions 

It's Friday, so time for another fun Friday Mashup challenge!   I'm sure you noticed that everything is NOT coming up rosettes on my card.  Guess who can't make a pretty rosette?    Yep...it is that same person who also has a few attempts in their trash.    I am officially THE WORST rosette maker in the world!  Well, I did get one to turn out, but of course it was the one on my practice paper.  lol    I don't like being defeated by paper (or in this case, GLUE!), so I'll keep working on them!

My friend Linda inspired me to finally use my designer frames embossing folder this week.  She says it looks like a turkey platter, but don't tell my owl!   The rest of the card was inspired by another good friend, Ann.    When I see where I am now in my paper crafting and on design teams, I do credit much of that back to her.  Just following her blog really pushed me to try harder to make better cards and do the challenges that I so enjoy.   You can see her influence here with the distressed layers and pearls!   :)    I picture this card being perfect for someone going for a shabby chic nursery; it has that look, right?   

Monkeys for The Paper Players

I needed more cards for kids, so I decided to pull out one of my favorite sets, Fox & Friends, and use it with this week's sketch from The Paper Players.   I added in a few things from my recent order and I think the old and new really worked great together on this card.   The Stripes embossing folder is great for just about any type of card and look at that super fun sentiment!  Isn't that the coolest font?  I love it!   

I also added in a special element, the number.   What's so special about a number you ask?   Well, that number symbolizes what I love about Stampin' Up! and being a demonstrator.    As some of you know, I was on the Creative Crew design team on Splitcoast Stampers during much of the summer.   I had the honor of working with some great ladies, but one of them became so much more.   Kathy from Stamping Still is now one of my great friends and I enjoy our emails so much.   She's all the way over in Australia, but that doesn't matter thanks to technology.   She has created some adorable cards that have the addition of numbers on them and I had once commented that I loved that special touch.   Unfortunately, I didn't have the dies needed to do that on my cards.   Well, one day I open my mailbox and guess what was in there?   A whole bag of numbers that she had cut for me and one of her beautiful cards!   I cried of course.   :)   That's why I love being a demonstrator.  It's not just about selling stamping supplies, it's all about the bonds of friendship.  

Now before I leave you, I'll share a picture from last night.   Someone totally took over my spot on the couch.     :)   He's such a silly boy!

Friday Mashup...a day late. :)

I almost took the day off from stamping, but I decided that I just couldn't break my streak. :) This card is for the Friday Mashup challenge to make a zoo themed card. Fox & Friends is PERFECT for that, so I inked up my favorite little monkey and started stamping!

You can find the challenge here: http://fridaymashup.blogspot.com/2011/03/come-to-zoo-with-us-mashup-37.html

Stamps: Fox & Friends, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Ink: Pacific Point, Real Red
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Pacific Point, Brights Designer Paper stack
Tools: circle punches

Try It Thursday: Bargello & Rolling Marbles

For my Thursday challenge, I decided to try out a couple of new techniques. The first one is called bargello and you can find a tutorial for it here.   

Stamps: All Holidays, Fox & Friends

Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Real Red, Greenhouse Gala designer paper

Acccessories: Pear Pizzazz ribbon

Another technique I tried today was the rolling marble background. Gotta love the messy techniques. :) 

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes, Fox & Friends
Ink: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy
Paper: Bashful Blue, Night of Navy, Whisper White
Accessories: Bashful Blue taffeta ribbon (ribbon)

Tools: Empty stamp container, marbles

Cards & Tags

Above are a couple of cards that I made for a very sweet friend who recently added a new little one to her family.  I love being able to match up my cards to my gift bags!   

I was recently asked to make up some bag tags for the consignment shop that carries some of my crafts.   Above are my first attempts.  They are kind of fun to make and I can't wait to work on more ideas!

Bookmarks

It feels like forever since I sat down and made a card and today is no different!  I tried this tutorial today and here is what I came up with.   They have to dry for a while so I can't embellish them with some ribbon until tomorrow.   I don't think I'll get all the glue off my hands before then either.  :)     Not sure if I love them yet, but they might grow on me.  :)  

Projects from the past few days....

 Sorry about the bad pictures.   I worked pretty much all of the daylight hours today and didn't have any sunlight to help with the photos.    How cute is this snowman Tic Tac holder?   Love it!

 I made up a couple of sets of my lunch box notes using Fox & Friends.   Can you imagine the look on a child's face when they open up their lunch box and find a cute card from mom or dad?    Priceless!   Having been though the loss of a child and looking at the prospect of not being a parent again,  I know how important it is that your child knows how loved and appreciated they are.   Be sure you take a minute to tell them today...and tomorrow...and every day!

Here are a couple more tea bag holders that I made up this week.   Very cute stocking stuffer or gift to go along with a gift card.  

Fancy favor boxes make adorable hostess gifts!   I filled this fall-themed one with some yummy chocolate!

September Class

These adorable lunch box notes are a fun and easy way to send a little love note in your child's lunch or backpack to brighten their day and let them know you are thinking about them. 

In this class, you will make 10 assorted cards and receive envelopes to go with them. If you haven't stamped before, this is a great class to get started! All supplies will be provided, but if you prefer an adhesive other than glue sticks, please bring it with you. Cost is $10 and includes light refreshments and a fun mom's night out. :) Please RSVP and submit payment at least 3 days before the event and specify boy/girl/neutral so I know the perfect cards to plan for you.

If you can't make the class but would like to purchase a set of completed cards, please contact me.

New Goodies!

I received a new box of goodies last week and here's the first card I made with some of them.   I didn't have the 3/4" circle punch, but we were asked to bring it to the fall regional, so on my order it went.    I decided to play around with it and here's what I came up with.    I used the Color Coach to get my color matches and started punching away.    Easy card, but cute for a kid's birthday card I think.   I LOVE the in-color ribbon!  

Stamps:  Upsy Daisy, Fox & Friends
Paper:  Pear Pizzazz, Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Pear Pizzazz
Accessories:  Pear Pizzazz ribbon, circle punch

Technique Tuesday: Poppin' Pastels

My goal is to try a new technique every Tuesday and this is what I did yesterday.   The technique is called Poppin' Pastels and I love some of the cards I've seen done with it.   This was the first time I'd even opened the box of Pastels and I had no idea how fun they could be!    I think I'll color the stems in with a marker and then do the chalks on the flowers if I use this stamp again.  It is rough to get those little lines in!

I've wanted to do a filmstrip card FOREVER and I finally did one this week.   I hope I can figure out some different things to put in the "picture" part and background because it is such a super cute idea!

Recipe:
Paper:  Pretty in Pink card stock (#100459), Basic Black card stock (#121045), Mambo Melon card stock (#115320)
Ink:  Mambo Melon classic ink (#115656), Pretty in Pink classic ink (#101301)
Stamps:  Fox and Friends (#118565), July Fourth (#120063)  (both in clear mount)
Accessories:   Pretty in Pink 1/4" grosgrain ribbon (#109032), Neutral brads (#119736)
Tools:  Spiral Border punch (#119872), Paper Piercing Tool (#116631), Mat Pack (#105826), SNAIL adhesive (#104332)