Stampin' Up! Indescribable Gift

It's Wednesday and time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.   Jen T. is our hostess this week and she definitely challenged the team.   I am amazed at what everyone came up with, so now I'm really looking forward to the gallery!  

I'm a bit obsessed with coloring this image lately, so hopefully you aren't getting sick of seeing it.  Such a gorgeous flower stamp.   If you haven't purchased it yet, do it!   

My mom made it around dinner time yesterday and they are already having a blast.  :)   It's so fun to see.   

Stampin' Up! Endless Birthday Wishes

Hello!!!!!   I finally got to stamp today!   Well, I HAD to stamp today because I'm not ready for my event tomorrow, but still...  It's been a long week with a sick toddler and not enough sleep.   I haven't made anything since Sunday.   Almost a week!  Yikes.   I was feeling a bit out of sorts, so I sorta CASEd myself with some new colors and embellishments.   We'll be making this at my class tomorrow.   Thanks to my buddies at Fab Friday for hte wonderful bright colors! 

It's a pretty simple card, just lots of stuff going on.  I love the new decorative masks and thought it would be fun to add some stars to my card base.   And SEQUINS!  LOVE sequins, especially in the In Colors.   I also used my Blendabilities to color the button to match my card.  Good stuff there! 

I seem to have a helper every time I try to take pictures now.  She did ohhh and ahh over my card, so I can't be mad at her.  She's had an awful cough all week.   She seems fine otherwise, but it gets worse at night and has been affecting her (and our) sleep.   She finally slept 13 hours last night, so I'm hoping she's a not-so-terrible-two toddler today.   Yesterday was just way too much and Jason and I were both at our wit's end.  I don't think toddler is going to be our shining parenting age for sure! 

Stampin' Up! Hedgehog Happiness

I had a little time to play around with my Copics again and I used this adorable hedgehog set.  I bought it after it retired because I just loved it so much.  Now that I have fun markers, it is seeing some new life!  :)   I want to enter it into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge since it is anything goes week!

Someone discovered the fun that awaits in the bathroom cabinets.  They are just perfect for peek-a-boo with mommy.  

My Paper Pumpkin for Dad

I was pretty short on time this week and behind (as always), so My Paper Pumpkin came in handy!   I really love how quickly the cards can be put together and mailed.   While I have a room full of supplies, I don't always have a day full of time to make a super fancy card.   I did change mine up just a bit from the example, but I saw a button on my desk and decided to add that.   Still easy peasy and quick!  I hope my dad likes it.  :)

One thing I've learned is that toddlers do NOT forget anything.   I told Laila we needed to vacuum up something in the corner of her room and she reminded me over and over until we did it.  I went in to get her from her nap and snapped this one as she was pointing and telling me to vacuum.   Silly girl.  

Stampin' Up! Flower Patch

I found a little stamping time today, so I decided to try out a couple of sets I got in my recent order from the new catalog.  Flower Patch is a fun set and it has matching framelits which make it so much easier to use.  No fussy cutting needed!  :)   The sentiment is from a great new set, And Many More.   It reminds me of Teeny Tiny Wishes which is one of my favorite sets of all time!

On Thursdays we get a box of veggies from a local farm and Laila loves to unpack the box.   She's learning what all the vegetables are, so I hope that will mean she's more likely to try them.   She asked Jason for a piece of lettuce tonight as he was eating salad, so yay for that.   She loves fruit, but we are still working to broaden her veggie choices.   Peas, corn, carrots, and mushrooms are her favorite right now.  

Clean & Simple Cards

I finally took a bit of time to work on some cards for the class I'm taking.  I did cheat a little as they aren't really one layer cards, but I kept messing up and had to go down to working on a panel that I could trim down after I finished.   It took a lot of attempts for me to get a plaid background that looked like this and it still needs a lot of work to look good.  Post It tape really helped out a lot and I think I'm on the right track!   It's definitely a process to do and if you aren't good at masking (like me), it will take some effort and practice.  I'm going to keep trying as I think it is a super fun look!

For my second card I tried graffiti stamping.  I didn't really have good stamps for this one, but I tried.  I did the inlaid die cutting again for my teacher die and then stamped around it.   Not my favorite card and again, more practice and some new stamps will be key! 

Peek-a-boo!

Freshly Made Feathers

It's time for a new sketch at Freshly Made Sketches!  Karren created this awesome one for us this week.  I think you can interpret it a few different ways and I'm hoping she doesn't mind what I did with it.  lol  Every time I see a project with feathers I think "Feathers?  Really?   I could never use feathers on a card."  Sounds like a challenge, huh?   When I saw the sketch I totally went right to the idea.  I had a file for my Cameo that I hadn't used yet and it totally worked for what I needed.   Yay!

Island Indigo and Pool Party is one of my most favorite color combinations of all time.  I love it.   I am such a blue girl when it comes to making cards.  My sentiment looked so, so wrong in the top corner (ask me how I know...made this card twice!) so I did move it to the bottom.   It just had to happen.

This is how I know she's mine.  Nosy.  lol  We've had a rough week again already.   I really struggle with her and it seems to be getting worse.  I think part of it is my mental state and part of is the insanity that is toddlers.  I am hoping my doctors have some ideas for the depression/anxiety that's going on.  Too bad I couldn't get appointments with either of them until April.   Not good, but what can you do?  

FMS104 So Many Thanks

Linda S created a fabulous sketch for Freshly Made Sketches this week.   I totally didn't do it justice, but I'm pinning it to use again once my mojo is back.  This week is one of those that just makes me want to hide in bed with a book.  Toddlers make that impossible of course.  This too shall pass...  repeat, repeat, repeat!

Stamps: So Many Thanks (photopolymer)

Ink:  Tangerine Tango

Paper:  Chocolate Chip, Tangerine Tango, Very Vanilla, Sweater Weather DSP

Accessories: Tangerine Tango baker's twine, Tangerine Tango button (retired)

We finally managed to get Laila's Hope Calendar pictures made on Monday!  Yay! She woke up grumpy, but she did okay for the pictures.  Well, she didn't want to sit still but she wasn't crying at least. We got a sneak peek and now I can't wait to see our proofs!  

Stampin' Up! Tag It

Today I wanted to share one of my scrapbook pages I made for the Convention displays.  When I started off as a paper crafter, I started doing my wedding album and my intent was to ONLY do that.   Well, 8 years and who knows how much money later, I'm still going.  lol   I actually don't like scrapbooking now though.  I feel like my pages are very unpolished and kinda ugly, so I tend to avoid it as much as possible.  This page is okay, but still doesn't have a polished, professional look to me.   Maybe I should practice more...   The picture is cute at least.  ;)

Happy Brrrthday!

I am still trying to catch up with the Hope You Can Cling to challenges.  This is yesterday's challenge from Patricia and here's her description of her challenge: Let's make humorous cards using stitching (hand, machine, or faux) as an embellishment.  Any type of humor is fine - jokes, puns, silliness, whatever makes you giggle! Just be sure to embellish your card with some sort of stitching. 

This was a bit difficult for me as I didn't really have anything that I thought of as silly.  After looking online for some funny animals or owl puns, I finally saw this card on Zazzle and thought I could do something with that idea.  I found a free wintery font and opened up My Digital Studio and got to work!   I printed off a sheet with the sentiment and the stitching and then added a punched out penguin and balloon.  Hopefully it's silly enough for the challenge!  

Stamps:  NONE

Ink:  (printer only)

Paper:  Island Indigo, Whisper White, Basic Black

Tools/Accessories:   My Digital Studio, Owl Builder punch, 3/4 circle punch, Dazzling Details

I can tell her daddy dressed her on this day because of the bow.  He thinks she looks cute in them so he'll usually try to find one that matches.   So much for my no bow rule!

Did you miss me? :)

What a week!  Jason went back to work on Thursday, so I got to experience my first days home alone with the baby.  It went great, but those 14-15 hour days are rough.  I was glad to have him back home today for sure.  I didn't find much time to stamp, but I started working on a card for the color challenge at Create with Connie & Mary last night and just finished it up tonight.  

A pretty simple card, but man it took me forever to make it.  My poor brain is just tired lately and to top that off, I fell last weekend and either bruised or broke my tailbone!   It hurts so bad to sit down so I've managed to get quite a bit of cleaning done around the house since that requires standing.  :)   First a rough pregnancy and now that...I'm most definitely feeling my age lately.   I'm going to need that Life Alert thing before you know it.  

Stamps:  Happy Hour

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, So Saffron

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Pool Party, Whisper White, 2011-2013 In Color DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Finishing Touches Edgelits, Chevron embossing folder, 1 3/8 square punch

I am just so in love with this little girl.   Here she is in her swaddle blanket aka baby straight jacket.  :)  

PPA120: Faux Linen Sketch

So lately I've been feeling pretty down and not really enjoying stamping as much as I usually do.  My cards are all feeling a bit plain and boring for me too.  Sad face, right?    Today I found myself a bit ahead of things, so I decided to sit down and do a challenge for fun.   I wanted to add a new technique into the mix as well.   I find that expanding my skills and trying new things a breath of fresh air, so I thought that might be just what I needed.   I decided to play along with the Pals Paper Arts sketch and to try the Faux Linen technique.   I haven't used my new Distressing Essentials kit very much yet, so it was a perfect time to put it to use!  

I used the Tea Stain ink on my image panel and I don't think it was quite dark enough to allow the linen texture to show up in my picture.  I know next time to go darker for that part, but I do like how the card turned out.  I seem to be drawn towards browns right now; maybe because of all the dead trees we have from the drought?   Or maybe cheery colors just aren't fitting my mood?   Either way, I do like mixing them up.  I never thought I'd be using Soft Suede as much as I have been!  It is a bit of an ugly color.  :)  All the panels are sponged to give them some depth and I pulled out my favorite retired ribbon, Early Espresso satin.  

Stamps:  Best Friends Forever, Nature Walk, En Francais

Ink:  Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Tea Stain distress ink

Paper:  Glossy White, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Neutrals Patterns DSP stack

Tools/Accessories:  Distressing Essentials kit, sponges, Early Espresso Satin ribbon

FMS7: Glitter Stocking

It's time for a new sketch from Freshly Made Sketches!   We have another wonderful featured designer, Sandra Azzopardi, joining us this week, so be sure to stop by her blog and say hello!   It actually took me a bit to find my card for this post!   I knew I'd be in Florida and tired from the trip, so I made my card quite a while ago.  I didn't want to have to stress about it when I got home and drive my poor husband crazy.   I would probably make something totally different now; I must have been in a traditional Christmas mood when I put this together.  :) 

Red and green galore!  I love the glitter paper; isn't it gorgeous?   I wish I could wrap myself in it!   I used a lot of the different patterns from the Brights designer series paper stack for this one.  I love that stuff!    I feel like I have used it so much and still have so much more left to work with!   I used some of my favorite embellishments, buttons, baker's twine, and mini jingle bells to add a fun, festive feel.   Hopefully I can stand to get it away with all those on there.  :)

Stamps:  none

Ink:  none

Paper:  Brights DSP stack, Red glitter paper, Old Olive, Real Red

Tools/Accessories:  Stocking builder punch, circle punches, Dotted Scallop Ribbon border punch, Brights buttons, Cherry Cobbler Baker's Twine, mini jingle bells

Be sure to check out what the rest of the design team made to inspire you this week!

Tui Nathan

Lesley Croghan

Linda Callahan

Jen Mitchell

Cindy Hall

Jen Timko

JAI 86: Just Add Snow

I was in a snowman kind of mood today, so decided to make a Christmas card using this week's Just Add Ink sketch.   The lovely snowflakes are from my new Northern Frost die that came in my order yesterday.  I love it already!  The different snowflakes are all so pretty.   I think it works perfectly with my Snow Much Fun stamp set.    Isn't he cute?  I added a bit of bling with some Dazzling Details and Basic Rhinestones.  (and of course you can't see my sparkly glitter, but it is there!   :)

Stamps:  Snow Much Fun
Ink:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Pumpkin Pie, Staz On Black
Paper:  Whisper White, Pool Party, Island Indigo
Tools/Accessories:  Big Shot, Northern Flurry embossing folder, Northern Frost sizzlit strip, Dazzling Details, Basic Rhinestones, blender pens

September Thank You Treats

I love my customers and I always like to include a little something in their orders to show my appreciation.  This month I used the 1 x 8 cello bags from the Holiday Mini to make these cute little candy treats.  Aren't they adorable?   You can make toppers for any occasion and customize them to work with the colors of your candy.   I can't wait to make some for Halloween, Fall, and Christmas!   Here I used my much neglected Funky Four set to make some playful treats.   :)  

Girls Night Out Club Card #1

This week I'll be starting up a new stamp club and I'm so excited about it!     I can't wait to have this fun group of ladies over for a night of stamping and snacking.  :)    This is the first card we'll be making.   My great friend Rebecca sent me a link to a card last night and asked about the technique used on it.   I was in my craft room, so I grabbed my supplies and went to work to figure it out.   It was fun to daub on the color and see how each leaf turned out.   It makes happy when my friends and customers ask questions; it lets me know they are using their supplies and enjoying some creative time.  

Stamps:  French Foliage
Ink:  Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, More Mustard
Paper:  First Edition designer paper, Cajun Craze, Early Espresso, More Mustard
Tools/Accessories:  Cutter Kit, sponge daubers, Big Shot, Square Lattice embossing folder, Early Espresso Baker's Twine

Happy Holiday Mini Day!

The Holiday Mini is LIVE!    Woo Hoo!    It is packed with so many awesome goodies for the upcoming holidays.   The best?   SIMPLY SCORED!!!    If you start to notice more 3-D items and/or cards with scoring on here, it's because I love using this great new tool.   I think you will as well, so contact me today to order yours or to set up a time to come try it out!   

There are so many other great products as well.    Halloween, yummy fall fabric and designer paper, and of course, TONS of Christmas including stamps, paper, Big Shot items, and my favorite?  STOCKINGS!    I knew the stocking die was a hit when my husband asked me to make a garland for our fireplace AND offered to help!   :o)    

So go check it out!  I'll be ordering later today, so call me if you need anything!  Remember you can order 24/7 on my website as well.  

Miscellaneous

I finally decided to redo and update my space at a local shop and I thought these candles might be a nice gift to add to my display.   Maybe they could give a teacher a break from receiving yet another apple thingy.   :)  

My next project was to add a few more packets to my Kids Card Kits. I made up three new ones with some old favorites, including my adorable sock monkey and crab.

Finally, I had a custom order for some bag tags.   I love making these so much.   They are quick and easy, but oh so adorable!  

Jason was nice and worked on making me a display to show off my bag tag samples.   I love it and can't wait to go hang them on there tomorrow!

Finally, be sure to check your orders very carefully.   I found a huge surprise in my last one!   :o)

Gotta love Bandit and his silly antics.  

It's time for club!

Thursday is such an exciting day!  Not only do I get to spend time with some of my great customers, but it is also the first day of the Holiday Mini catalog!  Are you excited??!!   I'm excited to show off some of the new products that Stampin' Up! is featuring in this fun new catalog!

Aren't those score lines lovely?    How exciting is it that in just 2 days, you can order your very own Simply Scored and make this card!?!   Score lines can add so much detail to a card while allowing it to remain flat and easy to stick in the mail with a regular stamp.  I did some sponging and color spritzing on my card to give it a more vintage, distressed look; Nature Walk is such a perfect set to show off that style. 

Even though it is still over one hundred degrees every day here in Texas, I think it is time to get started on some ideas for fall and the holidays we have coming up.   I love this card by Connie Babbert and was inspired to make my own pumpkins and ghost.   CUTE!   My husband always comments that I gravitate towards "cute" Halloween things rather than scary ones, but I'm okay with that.  Who doesn't like cute?  :o)

Now for the hard one...  The card is not hard, but coming up with Christmas ideas while wiping sweat from my brow sure was!    If anyone has cooler weather, please send it this way.   Last night I was so excited to see 88 as a high for later this week but it was back up to 92 today.   *sigh*   Between the heat and water restrictions, I think this is the worst summer ever.  Anyway, back to Christmas.   This card shows off yet another new product from the Holiday Mini.  Who doesn't LOVE stockings?!  And did you see the mini jingle bell?   Love, love, LOVE it!   I'm not a big fan of gifts, but I love filling stockings and grabbing mine off the fireplace on Christmas morning to see what goodies Jason has picked out for me.   There's just something about sticking your hand down in there to see what is next!  

I hope my club ladies will enjoy making these projects this month.   I do have a few spots open in my clubs, so let me know if you are interested and would like more details.  

Hot & Lazy

Sorry for the lack of posts lately.  I've worked on some cards for my design team and then totally got caught up in a book!   I love my Nook, but it can steal away much of my stamping time.   :)   I started reading The Lincoln Lawyer and couldn't put it down last night.   I think the battery finally died around 1:30am, so I had to come scramble to find the charger so that it would be ready to go when I woke up this morning.   After DH left for work at about 6:45, I started reading again and finished it.   I needed a nap after that of course. :)

Here are some of my bag tag samples that I made up this week.  I thought I'd add in a few designs and see if that would help my sales a bit.   I also did a couple custom sports ones and really liked them as well.  

With the temperature predicted to be 107 degrees today, there is not much going on here.   The kitties are all enjoying some good naps and I'm working on some ideas for next week's club cards.   I think I'm going to search for another book to read and then relax until DH gets home from work.  We have The Lincoln Lawyer here at home to watch, so that will be our together time later tonight.  I can't WAIT to watch it and hope it is as good as the book!

Bandit is enjoying some Stampin' Up! time today, as is his sister, Bella.   (They love to flatten out the brown packing paper and then nap on it).

Bailey likes to show off her petite figure by laying in the window.   She's the only one who actually fits there without a lot of extra hanging over the side.  :)

Hope all you folks on the East coast are staying safe!