Gold on gold

Hi stampers!  So I have a new favorite thing (I know, I know...I have a new favorite every few hours it seems) and it's the brushed gold card stock!  I have passed over this item in the catalog for YEARS!  But after seeing a few ideas with it a while back I decided to get some and wow-weee is it pretty!  It's funny, for years you wouldn't have caught me dead in any gold jewelry but gold is HOT the past few years and now I can't imagine not having any like some of my earrings or my rose gold watch :-)  Funny how we change and how things come and go isn't it?

Anyway, for my card today I thought it would be fun to do some gold embossing on the gold card stock and I have to say it is gorgeous!  It's a really pretty look because the EP is shiny and the cardstock is more matte.  Another reason I love this card stock is because it's matte and not overly sparkly.  It adds just the right touch a project needs!  I actually thought about doing something like this for one of my artisan projects but none of them made the cut....maybe next year ;-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Oh hello, my paper pumpkin welcome kit
Paper:  Very vanilla, pool party, pool party core'dinations, brushed gold
Ink:  Crumb cake, pool party, versa mark
Accessories:  Oval framelits, honeycomb embossing folder, sanding block, gold EP, flower trim, natural buttons, linen thread, SAB button pack (retired)

It's much prettier is real life!  This is also an old sketch from somewhere....I often get asked how I come up with my designs and I spend a lot of time looking at sketches on Pinterest as well as challenge blogs.  Most of them have a place where you can find past sketches and I really love that feature!  I can browse until I see one that suits my needs or one will just jump out at me!  Don't think you only have to use "current" challenges!

Speaking of artisan....I FINALLY got it all mailed off yesterday morning.  Wish me luck!  I have to admit that for some reason I just wasn't as into it this year...at least not for the past month or so.  I came out of the gate swinging but then lost momentum.  I'm sure there are a few reasons but my creativity has really come and gone in spurts this year.  A big part of it I think was that I had this super cool idea for a rug with the fabric and I'll be darned if SU didn't post the EXACT same thing on their new blog a few months ago.  Took the wind RIGHT out of my saisl!

I have to say though on Friday night as I sat down to do my final tweaks to everything and get my supply lists ready (which took for-ev-er due to technical issues with my new wireless printer...had to call in tech support AKA my hubby, lol) I did get a little more excited about it and a little more enthused about my projects.  And I already have an idea for an entry for next year, lol!  But at least it's done and now the waiting begins :-)

Wish me and all the other people who entered luck!!!! :-)

Happy stamping!

Back to the real world

Hi stampers!  I know, long time no see!  Sorry about that!  I was frantically finishing my Artisan projects over the weekend (which I still haven't mailed...I did buy a box yesterday though...progress) and getting ready to go to Atlanta Monday through Wednesday.

My hubby won an award at work and we got a little trip to the world HQ which was awesome...except that with all the good food they shoved at us I've gained back all the weight I lost in the past few weeks!  But who can pass up BBQ, key lime pie for dessert (at lunch no less, lol) and a 5 course meal????  But what was super cool was that they flew us there first class!  Um...I don't want to fly coach anymore, lol!  As I had to use the restroom and walk all the way to the back of the plane on the way home I was going "ewwww, I have to sit back HERE the next time I fly????"  LOL!  We also had a driver with our name on a sign when we got off the plane which was kind of super-star-ish, hahahaha!  I'll share more about the trip sometime with some pictures and I'm sure I'll scrap some of them soon too.

But it's back to the real world....where we have to figure out where and what to eat on our own or even *gasp* MAKE our own food and drive ourselves around :-)  Oh and then there's always that four letter word....WORK.....

The only bright spot in coming home was that my display stamper stuff was due to arrive.  So, I'm happy to say that I have my first card/project of 24 done as of last night!  Although I have to say I will probably wait until I get my new catalog order to do the majority of them since I'd like to use a few more new supplies.  But, if you don't hear from me much for a while you'll have to forgive me.  I've got to get the Artisan turned in, to work on my display stuff, and my work schedule will change for the summer and that always throws me for a loop for a while.  I've been meaning to blog ever since we got home but they kept us so busy that I've been super tired!!!!

Anyway now you know I wasn't just ignoring you :-)  Here's a card I made a week or two ago.  I really like the Soho subway paper and I thought this number print is perfect for birthdays!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Teeny tiny wishes, MPP welcome kit
Paper:  Island indigo, summer starfruit, baked brown sugar, crisp cantaloupe, soho subway DSP
Ink:  Baked brown sugar
Accessories:  Edgelits, buttons (can't remember the specific names of either of these things, sorry), linen thread

Hope you like it!  Time for reality....and work :-)

Happy stamping!

Fab Fri 18

Hi stampers!  Happy Friday!  I'm very happy it's the weekend...even though I've pretty much just sat around the house since my test on Wednesday, ha!  Maybe I can actually DO some things over the weekend....like finish my Artisan projects and get some laundry done and work out!  I'm feeling quite a bit better this evening and better than I was this morning.  I'm hoping I'll be in tip top shape to teach aerobics Saturday morning, eek!  Anyway, at least I was able to go to work this afternoon and not get stranded at the gas station thinking I was going to pass out :-)

And I got a whole season of Friday Night Lights under my belt while recovering so at least I had some eye candy and feel somewhat accomplished, lol!  I watched the show off and on when it was out but found it On Demand and I really missed out all those years!  It's a good show!!!!

So, I hope you have some time to play at Fab Friday this week.  From what I heard this challenge was...well...quite challenging for a lot of the DT.  But hang on before you blame me...it was suggested by one of them! :-)

I used a card I made last fall as inspiration because I thought the colors worked well!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Oh, hello
Paper:  Soft suede, poetry prints DSP stack
Ink:  Soft suede
Accessories:  Raspberry ripple stitched satin ribbon, linen thread, the new buttons that the name has escaped me and in my invalid condition I'm not traipsing to the craft room to look---LOL!

It felt good to stamp...that's how you know that I feel crummy....I'm off for almost two whole days and I don't stamp!!!!  Anyone else out there like that? :-)  Don't forget to CASE your own cards sometimes if you're stuck for an idea.  YOU are your best inspiration!!!!  And I have to say that I wasn't in love the the DSP stack (I only have it because we got it free at regionals) but I REALLY liked the way this card turned out.  Funny how that happens sometimes!

Now, head on over the Fab Friday site and check out the rest of the cards and play along!

Happy stamping!

Gee, thank you!

Hi stampers!  I just want say thank you for all the kind comments and thoughts and prayers about the test I had done today.  It wasn't pleasant but wasn't horrible like some people said (and it's never comforting when the doctor leads with and reminds you MULTIPLE times to take 800mg of ibuprofen, lol) and the results were normal so that's good!  I'm home resting now and hope to be back to my usual self/routine this afternoon :-)  But really, you guys are awesome!

So, here's a little thank you card from you to me :-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Mosaic madness, gee thanks
Paper:  Whisper white, Bermuda bay
Ink:  Melon mambo, daffodil delight, Bermuda bay
Accessories:  Mosaic embossing folder, mosaic punch, itty bitty punch pack, basic rhinestones

Not only does the mosaic punch coordinate with the mosaic madness set but the little four petal shape from the itty bitty punch pack goes with it too!  I love matching stamps and punches!  I love these colors too!  I based them loosely off the mosaic DSP since it's so bright!

Anyway, thank you guys again!  I have the best readers, fans, and friends!

Hugs and happy stamping!

HSS 159

Hi stampers!  Happy Tuesday!  I think it might just be a good week.  I got an email yesterday that I'd won a $500 gift card from Birchbox after entering a sweepstake a while back on FaceBook!  OHMYGOSH!  Seriously?  $500?????  I never expected to win and when I got the email I figured it would be like $25 or something, lol!  Anyway, I'm taking it a good sign for the week.  And I could use some good luck.  I'm having some medical stuff done tomorrow so if you wouldn't mind sending me some good vibes and prayers they would be appreciated.

Anyway onto the new challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  This week is a funky color challenge!

This color combo seemed very manly to me and I realized it coordinated so well with the pictures I'd taken of my new 12 week old cousin Karsen who we met this weekend.  So I used MDS to create this cute page!

See, cute right? :-)   I may be biased though.  He is such a happy baby.  He was fussing a little when we got to my aunt's while he was getting his diaper changed and my mom said it was the first time she's ever heard him cry, haha!  And I guess he doesn't nap too much but being the baby whisperer that I am he fell asleep...I could have held him all day by the way, lol....but I hope his mom and dad weren't too mad at me if he didn't sleep well that night.  He was too cute and cuddly to wake up :-)

Now, go check out all the bright and fun projects from the design team and play along!

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday - Make a wish

Hi stampers!  Happy Monday!  Here we go again with another week :-)

Today's mailable card is a case from our awesome demonstrator magazine.  I changed the image because I didn't have the stamp set they used (I know, I know...yes there are actually a FEW I don't have, lol) but I loved the card and the colors as soon as I saw Bermuda bay was coming back!

Stampin' Supplies
Stamps:  Make a wish
Paper:  Whisper white, Bermuda bay, daffodil delight, tangerine tango
Ink:  Bermuda bay, daffodil delight, tangerine tango, pear pizzazz markers
Accessories:  Stripes embossing folder, jewelry tag punch, white baker's twine

I'm kind of sad that punch is retiring now that I found this cool use for it!  And the sentiment is from the set, I just inked up the one word I wanted with my marker.

Hope you like it!  I've gotta run and take care of some kittens for a friend...after I kick the cute little puppy off my lap:-)

Happy stamping!

Sunday Funday...sort of

Hi stampers!  Sorry for no posts over the weekend but we were at our family farm without internet...for a while.  My handy hubby got the wireless from the "business" to work in the house, yay!  We are both really happy to be able to use the interwebz when we visit now AND for my step dad (and momma) to FINALLY be able to use the lap top we bought him for Christmas as it was intended....only took 6 months, lol!

Of course the whole weekend was nothing but dreary and rainy.  I swear it's been bad weather every time I've gone down there in 2013!  Snow one time and then lots of flooding last time and now flooding again!  Not fun at all when there are 80 acres to play with and we wanted to try out a new running trail in Effingham Saturday morning (and get a good workout in) but that didn't happen...too rainy.  Of course it was ok at dinner time...but I'd rather eat, lol!  And we did get to meet my 12 week old cousin Karsen so it was worth the trip just to get some baby cuddles.

Anyway, I'm home and sort of unpacked...the dog camped out on some of my stuff and she looks too comfy for me to disturb her.  So, I guess I should make it Sunday Funday and get in the stamp room and play!  We'll see if I make it off the couch :-)

I'll do a mailable post a day early I guess.  I whipped up this simple card not too long after the STL regional event.  I liked it so much I decided to add the ribbon.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Oh, hello
Paper:  Whisper white, primrose petals
Ink:  Bermuda bay, so saffron, primrose petals
Accessories:  Primrose petals stitched satin ribbon

Wish me luck on the funday :-)

Happy stamping!