Out of my comfort zone

Hi stampers!  I have a card today for you that is way out of my comfort zone!  I saw the Create with Connie & Mary color challenge this week and just wasn't interested.  I have a bad habit of glancing at challenges and dismissing them right away if I "don't like them."  And it's not that I didn't like these colors, they just didn't do anything for me right away so I moved on.  Well, I got to looking at them again last night while browsing the interwebz and decided that I should give it a try anyway.  I need to go outside of my comfort zone now and then.  And guess what?  I made TWO cards with this color combo:-)  How's that for out of the zone?

So here is the first one:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Friendly phrases
Paper:  Basic black, sahara sand, pool party
Ink:  basic black
Accessories:  Floral fusion die, in color polka dot brads

I was going to do a baby card but then I saw my floral fusion die sitting around and thought this might be the way to go.  I kept it clean and simple and channeled my friend Brandi and did some doodling (although she doodles way better than me, I want to be like her when I grow up!).  I also am in love with friendly phrases and think it works great with CAS cards and it gives them a whimsical touch. 

I did end up doing a baby boy card in this color combo as well and I'll share it soon!  I have to work late tonight but I have big stamping plans for this weekend!  It's my first weekend off in quite some time AND Saturday is World Card Making day so I'm hoping to spend a good portion of the weekend stamping!!!! I hope you can do the same!  If you're in town, call me and maybe we can stamp together!

Happy stamping!

Peek-a-boo!

Hi stampers!  How about a game of peek-a-boo?  It's not just for babies anymore....it's for stampers too....using the NEW PEEK-A-BOO die from the Holiday Mini (go ahead and click on the catalog over there to the right to start shopping!).  Check out the cuteness...... peek-a-boo:




I see you!  Hehe.  The little curly cut out with the flap is from the new peek-a-boo die and it has all kinds of shapes, each with a little door for a surprise inside!  I ran the black cardstock through my spider web embossing folder then took a sponge dauber and some shimmer paint to make it extra spooky!  We have so many ways to make things sparkle now, shimmer paint,smooch ink and sprays, dazzling details!!!  I love it!!!  The color combo uses more mustard instead of an orange and it works really well for Halloween I'm happy to say!  Inside I have the cute little cat from Out on a limb hanging out. 

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Wicked cool, out on a limb
Paper:  Basic black, whisper white, rich razzleberry, more mustard
Ink:  More mustard, basic black, early espresso
Accessories:  Peek-a-boo die, spider web embossing folder, circle and scallop circle punches, dazling details, silver shimmer paint, silver smooch ink

Here is the detail of the inside of the flap.  You can see I used the silver smooch ink around the edge of the shape.  I also added dazzling details to the cloud although it's hard to see in the picture.  I love that kitty cat's long tail!  Out on a limb has to be one of my favorite sets in the mini!  And this die is so fun, the possiblities are endless!  You can make all sorts of stuff....gift tags, advent and countdown calendars, cards....just all kinds of things!  Oh!  How cute would a shaker card be with this die????  I'll have to work on that!!!  Order yours today and let me know what you make with it!!!!

Happy stamping!

Ka-pow!!!!

Hi stampers!  I finally got to stamp Tuesday night, hooray!!!!  Let's hope I can keep it up, lol!  One of my fave demo friends, Carrie Gaskin, has started a new challenge blog and I love me some challenges!  You can check it out HERE.  She makes some wicked cool cards so I'm sure the challenges will be super cool!  I wanted to play in the first one but it didn't happen...I guess it just wasn't in the cards...get it cards, lol!

This week was a sketch challenge and I really liked the sketch when I saw it!

There are a lot of fun possibilities here!  And guess what!?!?!  I didn't make a Halloween card!  I know!  Aren't you just shocked????  Instead, I went for a Christmas theme since my Merry & Type set has been needing some lovin'.  I also went a bit nutty with the accessories.  I may have an embellishment addiction/problem.  I've been sitting here thinking I should have added more, like glimmer brads, lol!  The pictures aren't perfect as I had to take them at night but you'll get the idea:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Merry & type, pennant parade, distressed dots
Paper:  Whisper white, pear pizzazz, wild wasabi, real red
Ink:  Pear pizzazz, wild wasabi, real red
Accessories:  Frames embossing folders, holly berry buttons, real red taffeta ribbon, crochet thread, basic pearls and rhinestones, pennant punch, dazzling details

Whew, I told you I used a lot of accessories:-)  My goal in life is to USE all of the accessories (like buttons) I buy so I broke out my holly berry buttons from the mini.  They are really fun!

I really like the color combo and I tend to not use a lot of wasabi even though I like it.  I think I should break it out often for my Christmas cards and the same goes for the pear!  And you can see I'm still loving the distressed dots background, it's so fun!  All-in-all it's a pretty simple card and layout but it really packs a punch, KA-POW, LOL!!!!!!  You can see the detail of the tree a but better.  I used some pearls and dazzling diamonds on all the "garland" although the DD is hard to see in the photo.

Hope you enjoyed my card as much as I enjoyed making it!  And thanks for a fun challenge Carrie!  Keep em coming!

Happy stamping!

Spooky sunset

Hi stampers!  It's time for a new challenge over on Hand Stamped Sentiments.  The challenge this week is to make a Halloween inspired card. 

We all know I've been doing that for a while now, huh? :-)  I can't believe it's going to be October on Saturday!  I have been super busy with work this week and put in over 12 hours on Saturday alone so I was in a bit of a rush to get this card done so I kept it pretty simple.  I kept thinking it needed something more but I didn't want or have the time to over-do it:-)  I'm hoping to spend some quality time in the stamp room this week!  Maybe I can come up with some more stuff like this:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Dark & Dreary, netting, midnight musings wheel
Paper:  rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, cajun craze, whisper white, basic black
Ink:  Versamark, rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, cajun craze
Accessories:  clear and black embossing powders,  scalloped square duo die, raven lace trim

Lots of emobssing here.  I had seen someone use the midnight musings wheel to emboss a background and thought it looked so spooky!  So, I embossed it with clear EP and then I sponged over it with some rich razzleberry ink also.  The main image was also embossed but with black EP.  After letting it cool, I sponged with with all three colors of ink for a spooky sunset.  My scalloped edge was from the scalloped square duo die.  I had cut a square out to use in a different way but I didn't like the way it worked out!  Lots and lots of sponging here too to make it extra spooky!

Now go check out what the other design team members came up with and get to work on your own spooky (or cute) Halloween card:-)

Happy stamping!

Stampers Withdrawal

Hi stampers!  Sorry I haven't had much to share lately, I'm suffering from what's known as stampers withdrawal!  I've been sick/busy so I haven't got much done!  Maybe I can sneak in a little stamp therapy today.  I had planned to stamp some Thursday night but my mom and I went for a walk and grabbed some dinner since she was staying with me.  It was fun to just visit...stamping will always be there but she's not always around since she retired and moved away!  Plus we were running later than I thought we'd be and I'm not good at getting a late start when stamping!  She did help me pick out some paint colors for my new stamp studio....now I just have to make the final pick, it's SOOOO hard!  I think I have decided so I need to go buy the paint today since it's on sale!

I'm sad because I had a bunch of challenges I wanted to do this week but it's too late for most of them.  I still might use them as my inspiration though!  But, speaking of challenges, I still haven't posted any of my September Creative Crew challenges from over on Splitcoast Stampers!  One of them was a gift for my mom and I gave it to her Thursday so I guess today is a good day to share it!  I wasn't sure if she'd like it...she's kind of funny when it comes to stuff..she's a minimalist:-)  She also just really doesn't get my "crafty" stuff...she's the opposite of crafty, lol!  BUT, she loved it.  She even said she wanted to put it out on the counter in her new house which really surprised me!  She hates stuff sitting out, haha! 

 Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  From the kitchen of
Paper:  Domestic goddess DSP, baja breeze, calypso coral, so saffron, basic gray, whisper white
Ink:  Basic gray
Accessories:  Various punches, card keeper

I used one of the new card keepers from the Holiday Mini.  They come all flat and folded up so then you can cover them however you want and then assemble them.  I used the domestic goddess DSP since our challenge was to make a houseware type item or gift out of that DSP or those colors.  I also used from the kitchen of and my alphabet sizzlets to personalize the top!  I did coat it with modge podge when I was done so that it might be more durable and wipe clean since it will be used in the kitchen.  It make it look more finished I think too! 

Boo-hoo!

Hi stampers!  So I've been busy with work and then had a migraine on Monday so there has been NO stamping going on around here. Booooo-hooooo!  Always takes me a day or so to recover too so I pretty much camped out on the couch last night too.  My afternoon got cut short yesterday too, by having to take the poor doggie to the vet.  She had an abscessed gland in a bad place!  She's acting ok but kind of mopey so I'm kind of worried about her and she won't stop licking!  And her snout is long so the cone doesn't work...she can still, how should I say....reach around?  LOL!  Poor thing, I'm sure it hurt and is still uncomfortable now!  She's on antibiotics for TWO weeks!  I hope that we don't have to take her back in too as it wasn't cheap!!  And I just want her to feel better!  But, I'm hoping I can squeeze some in some stamping if my mojo cooperates tomorrow.  I had some challenges I wanted to do but I'm afraid I'll miss the due date on a few! 

Anyway, I didn't want you all to think I've forgotten about you so I'm here with a pretty picture.  And I'm not sure that I'll have the time to post for the next few days....Saturday I'll be working from 7am-9pm or later, yuck!!!  So, I don't think I posted this card already and if I have, sorry:-)  But I've had it made for quite a while...I try to save a few cards for posting emergencies like this:-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Spooky bingo bits, Bingo
Paper:  Very vanilla, rich razzleberry
Ink:  Basic black, rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, pumpkin pie
Accessories: Basic black ribbon, linen thread, dazzling details

I sort of used a card from the catalog as my inspiration for this one.  Hope you like it...I'm kind of on a fall/Halloween roll...you know how I am:-)  There are a few accents with dazzling diamonds although you can't see them well in the pic.  Time for bed so I can get up and have another crazy day tomorrow:-)

Happy stamping!

IMPRESSing

Hi stampers!  Happy Tuesday!  It's time to share another Hand Stamped Sentiments challenge with you today!  This week we want you to impress us!  Well, we want you to impress us every week (and you always do) but we literally want you to impress us this week by using any form of embossing on your project this week!  Embossing in any form is usually a pretty simple thing to do on a project yet it can add so much ummph!!!

For my card this week, I've done a combo of dry embossing using the big shot and heat embossing.  This technique is called double embossing and it's super cool!

 It's also very easy to do!  You just ink up your embossing folder with versamark (or you can use colored craft ink) and a brayer then run your folder through the big shot as usual.  Next, you dump your embossing powder over it and heat emboss as usual.  You end up with embossing powder on the de-bossed part of the paper (the part that's indented, not raised).  Very cool!  Just look:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Spooky bingo bits
Paper:  Whisper white, basic black, tangerine tango, rich razzleberry, brights DSP stack
Ink:  Basic black, rich razzleberry, versamark
Accessories:  Spider web embossing folder, pewter EP, circle and scallop circle punches, simply scored, basic black polka dot scalloped ribbon, dazzling details

And here's a final helpful hint:  You'll want to ink up the side of the folder that has the SU logo on it to get this look.  This is the new pewter embossing folder and it looks so cool and spooky on this card!  And notice I used Spooky Bingo bits again without the bingo stamp!  I love that they are made to go together AND that they stand on their own as well!

You'll have to forgive me for all the Halloween cards, you know I LOVE Halloween so there is a good chance that every single card I post until the end of October may be a H-ween card, lol!

As for the rest of the card, here is what I did:

• The tangerine tango base was distressed by taking my black ink pad directly to the paper.
• I used some sticky strip to ruffle up the basic black polka dot ribbon.
• I used my simply scored to create a medallion of razzleberry cardstock and then layered some punched peices to complete it.  I also sponged the edges with basic black ink and then edged the whole thing with dazzling diamonds!  The new DD makes edging medallions super easy instead of having to mess with glue and glitter

 The card looks super complicated but it really wasn't all that hard to make.  Now, head on over to HSS and impress us with some embossing of your own!!!!

Happy stamping!

Class reject

Hi stampers!  Today I have the poor little card that got rejected from my Fall Frenzy class on Saturday:-)  Now, don't get me wrong...I liked the card but it just wasn't class-worthy to me I guess.  Don't ask me why, I can't tell ya...I just know that I couldn't wait to get home from work on Wednesday and come up with something else, lol!  This card was replaced with the little witchy woman card from yesterday's post.  See, there isn't anything "wrong" with it:

Stampin' Supplies: 
Stamps:  Out on a limb, teeny tiny wishes, distressed dots
Paper:  Peach parfait, rich razzleberry, basic black, lucky limeade,  whisper white
Ink:  Basic black, rich razzleberry,  lucky limeade, peach parfait
Accessories:  2.5" circle punch, spider web embossing folder, basic black scalloped polka dot ribbon

Maybe it was the lack of accessories or bling?  Anyway, it's still a cute card and I didn't want that poor little owl to feel left out:-)

Happy stamping!

Fall Frenzy 2011

Hi stampers!  Yesterday was my Fall Frenzy class...actually the whole day was sort of a frenzy...well, scratch that...the whole WEEKEND was a frenzy, so the class was aptly named, lol!  I worked about 15 hours on Friday and then had to be back from about 8-noon on Saturday as well.  Then I had to work out still, shower, and get the house ready for the class!  My BFF came to the class too so we visited after class and then went to dinner with my hubby and out to listen to a band.  Yeesh!  As if that wasn't enough, we had to make a mad dash down to my mom's and back today to help her inspect her new house (which is awesome, I can't wait until we can paint and they can move in...minus the actual process of moving, yuck)!  She wanted a couple more pair of eyes which I think was a good idea!

 Thank goodness someone covered my class at the Y for me that I was supposed to teach or I'd have really been frenzied (is that even a word? LOL).  Figures my one Sunday a month to teach would fall on THIS weekend!  Next weekend isn't much better as there is an all day (like 7am-9pm) volleyball tournament I have to cover as well as a soccer game and football game with our cross town rivals!  It's always fun trying to be two places at once!  Maybe I'll be running around enough that I won't even miss my workout that day, lol!

Anyway, enough of my whining because it was all worth it as the class was a ton of fun!  Just look:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Out on a limb, teeny tiny wishes, woodgrain
Paper:  Whisper white, concord crush, lucky limeade, basic black, wisteria wonder, brights DSP stack
Ink:  Staz-on, concord crush, more mustard, lucky limeade, daffodil delight
Accessories:  2.5" circle punch, scalloped border punch, houndstooth embossing folder, basic black taffeta ribbon, glimmer brads

Isn't she a cute, witchy woman?  I borrowed this idea from fellow demo Mary Haugen (thanks Mary;-) and it was a last minute addition to the class.  I had made a card (I'll show you later) and just wasn't feeling it so on Wed night (my last night off to get anything ready for the class and get ALL of the materials prepped) I decided to switch things up and go with this card instead.  I really live on the edge, I tell ya! I love all the pattern and texture on this card and I think my class did too!

Next up:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Gently falling, grateful greetings
Paper:  Very vanilla, more mustard, soft suede, crumb cake, first edition DSP
Ink:  more mustard, soft suede
Accessories:  Pool party ruffled ribbon, scallop squares duo die, color spritzer tool, gold smooch spritz

I wanted a simple and easy yet gorgeous fall card and I think this one fit the bill just right!  We had fun spritzing with the smooch and I think everyone learned the farther away you spray, the better:-)  The clear blocks also make two step stamping so much easier since I don't have to pull out my stamp-a-majig tool all the time!

And finally (don't forget to check out my last post for the first project):

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Falling leaves
Paper:  Soft suede, pool party (textured), very vanilla
Ink:  Soft suede
Accessories:  Color spritzer tool, large tag punch, linen thread, spice cake fabric, spice cake designer buttons, linen embossing folder

How CUTE would these be as favors for Thanksgiving dinner????  They are sour cream containers and they are SO easy to make!  I'll try to do a video soon!  I'll try to make them the right way as we had a little mis-hap in assembly at class.  I'll blame it on my brain being fried with all the goin-on's of the weekend!  These were easy to dress up too with the tag and fabric and button!  And the best part is that there is a little candy bar in there!  No refrigeration necessary:-)

I hope you enjoyed the projects even if you couldn't be with us!  And I hope my class had as much fun as I did!  Stay tuned to see the "reject" card from class!  Happy stamping!

Fall Frenzy...sneak peek

Hi stampers!  I have a sneak peek of one of the FUN projects we are doing at my Fall Frenzy class tomorrow.  You're going to be SO SAD if you aren't coming once you see what you're missing out on:-)  We are doing a couple of cards and then a couple of extra special treats, one for Thanksgiving and then this one for Halloween:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Out on a limb, teeny tiny wishes
Paper:  Watercolor, chocolate chip
Accessories:  Dazzling diamonds, 2.5" circle punch, scallop punch, linen thread, old olive 5/8" taffeta ribbon, linen thread

EEK!  Isn't it CUTE!?!?!  Well except for the little moon where the marker and I had a slight disagreement...don't mind that part, I'm sure my students will do much better:-)  This cute little treat holder uses the new 1 x 8 cello bags to hold some yummy M&M's (which I'm hoping I still have enough for the class since the hubby will be home alone with them tonight and he KNOWS they are there...he has been warned).  Then, I just dressed the little bag up with a tag I made using some watercolor paper and the out on a limb stamp set.  It was so easy and so cute!  It would make a great class treat or party favor! On the detail picture you can see where I added some spooky dazzling details. 

Hope you enjoyed today's project....you should plan on coming to the next class so you don't miss out on the cute projects AND the chocolate;-)

Happy stamping!

Two for two

Hi stampers!  I'm back today with another entry for Freshly Made Sketches!  That makes two out of two since this week is their second ever challenge!  I'm really liking their sketches!  I'm a bit of a clean and simple stamper (who likes to embellish the heck out of stuff but the initial idea is simple) so I'm taking to this like a duck to water:-)  Quack quack, lol!

So, while at convention I said how I did NOT need the new Gently Falling set in the Holiday mini.  I didn't need any more leaves, I had French Foliage from last year (note to self:  get that fantabulous set out soon!) therefore I didn't need no more leaves!  I'm really trying to be good (ok, better) at not buying every single dang thing in the mini catalogs.  So I stayed strong....until a few weeks ago:-)  I kept seeing SUCH pretty things made with them and of course you all know I'm in LOVE with the spice cake paper...I want to marry it!  So, I broke down and got the gently falling set and I LOVE it!  Can I marry it too???  Just look at what you can do with it:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Gently falling, grateful greetings
Paper: Spice cake DSP, soft suede, very vanilla, pool party, more mustard
Ink:  Versamark, pool party, more mustard, soft suede
Accessories:  gold and pewter embossing powders

It just makes the most fabulous CAS cards!  Now, I did get a bit fancy-schmancy here.  I heat embossed the leaf with gold EP and then I did the sentiment with the new pewter EP for a little contrast.  And I'm loving the clear mount stamps because it makes two step stamping so much easier and I don't have to dig out my stamp-a-majg if I don't feel like it.  I sort of like the "messy" look where the outline stamp isn't quite perfect on the  solid image.  So, there you have it....I'm weak, weak minded and now you all know....my name is Mindy and I'm a rubber-a-holic!  :-)  Of course, there are worse things right?

That's it for me, time to go teach some turbokick at the Y!

Happy stamping!

Pillow talk

Hi stampers!  Now get your mind out of the gutter:-)  My title tonight is because my project uses the pillow box die....and the fact that it's late-ish and I'm tired!  I haven't been sleeping well for the past week or so.  Could have something to do with my hubby having poison ivy, I think he scratches in his sleep and tosses and turns and wakes me up.  Then we actually had some rain last night (and most of the day today which we NEED) and a bit of lighting and thunder which I should have seen coming since the dog freaked out at about 1:30 am....awesome:-)  I have GOT to order her one of those thundershirts - I hope it works!

Anyway, I sort of combined two ideas from SU for this project.  I loved the little goodie bags in the mini with the owl from Warmest Of Wishes, I'm guessing there are cookies in them....mmmmmm cookies!!!!  Well, I don't have any bags like that and there were some pillow boxes on display at convention with that set so I figured I could make that work just as well!  The idea behind these was to hand out to my neighbors to invite to my Fall Frenzy class which is this Saturday BUT life and work got in the way and I never got a big batch of them made or handed out....but I will....someday!  :-) 

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Warmest of wishes (hostess), Teeny tiny wishes
Paper:  Whisper white, crumb cake, old olive, daffodil delight
Ink:  Early espresso, basic black, pumpkin pie
Accessories:  circle and owl punches, pillow box die, chocolate;-)

Isn't it cute?  And the best part....it holds three of those little Hershey's Miniature chocolate bars...well mine may not hold any of the dark chocolate ones since I like those...most of them are gone, lol!  But really, these little do-dads make GREAT little favors.  How cool would these be to hand out as Halloween treats to a class or at a Halloween party?  It comes together really fast but don't do what I did and FORGET to stamp the sentiment before you assemble it:-)  I was able to fix it but will have to remember to stamp first next time!  Using a circle punch and the owl punch makes it super fast to make the moon and the owl too.  The "grass" is just a scrap, a great way to use up all those scraps!

Well it's about time for me to talk to MY pillow:-)  Happy stamping!

Shake it up!

Hi stampers!  It's Tuesday so head on over to Hand Stamped Sentiments and check out the latest challenge.  This week it's all about fall!

The weather has really cooled down here in the past few weeks so it's been feeling like fall for sure.  I love wearing shorts and comfy sweatshirts and it's been just the weather for that!  I can't wait for the leaves to change either, it's always so pretty!  I can't wait to look out of my mom's new house and look at the fall colors either.  Their new house is at the edge of a hill that overlooks the "bottom" as we call it and it's gorgeous any day but it's going to be amazing this fall!  Maybe I'll see some of these colors out of the window:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Warmest of wishes, distressed dots, teeny tiny wishes
Paper:  More mustard, pool party, soft suede, very vanilla
Ink:  More mustard, soft suede
Accessories:  Scallop and circle punches, shaker frames, window sheet, scallop trim border punch, linen embossing folder, pool party ruffled ribbon, champagne glass glitter

Well, I'll at least see the brown and gold...not sure about the blue:-)  I pulled the inspiration for this card from the Spice Cake DSP which I LOVE and I totally love the combo of soft suede, more mustard, and pool party!  And how fun is this card?  It's a shaker card made with the new shaker frames from the new holiday mini.  They make it super easy to make a shaker card; all you have to do it pick a shaker frame size and use the coordinating circle punch or die!  As soon as I saw them in the mini and then got this stamp set free at convention I knew I had to make a shaker card with it!

I kept the card pretty simple since I wanted the shaker to stand out. I did edge the wreath with gold smooch accent ink to set it off just a bit as it looked a bit too plain.  And I told you I was on a roll with the distressed dots background stamp I just got.  I love the distressed look of it!  The finishing detail is the pool party bow that I attached with a glue dot! 

Now it's your turn!  Click on over to HSS and see what else the design team came up with and then play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Bitty Boo!

Hi stampers!  I'm on a Halloween roll I tell ya!  After all, it is one of my favorite holidays.  I was just thinking today that I need to find a costume soon!  Yes, I know it's pretty early but that's just how I roll, lol!  Anyway, I tried to work on some challenges on my one day off yesterday and I got quite a few done (many that you've seen here already).  The last one on my (ever-growing) list was for the Paper Players color challenge.

I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do with this combo and I thought it was really pretty but I just couldn't get past Halloween:-)  I do however, think it would make fabulous cards for various themes so I'm going to have to write it down as a favorite color combo!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Spooky bingo bits
Paper:  Whisper white, basic gray
Ink:  Basic gray, old olive, rich razzleberry
Accessories:  Spider web embossing folder, circle punch, rich razzleberry polka dot ribbon (retired)

I used the Spooky Bingo bits here to show that you by NO MEANS need to use them with the bingo stamp!  They stand alone!!!!!  There are so many  fun images in that set...I had a hard time deciding which ones I wanted to use, lol!  I had to use some of my retired razzleberry ribbon too, I just had to!  I also rubbed my basic gray ink pad over the spider web and the edges of the card to make it pop a bit.  That's my favorite thing to do with that embossing folder, it gives it so much more dimension!

Ok, I'm off to TRY to stamp something tonight....I'm not feeling very motivated to do much of anything tonight, hehe.  We'll see how it goes!

Happy stamping!

Sunday Sketch

Hi stampers!  I know it's Monday but I feel like it should be Sunday since I had to work on Saturday.  I'm really starting to miss two-day weekends:-)  One day for stamping AND all the other stuff on the weekend to do list is just not enough!  But I suppose someone like me could NEVER get enough stamp time, hehe!  Oh well, only six more weeks of football left....then I get a couple of weeks until basketball starts...it just never ends, lol!  Basketball is a bit better though since I don't have to worry about the cold or rain or sunburn since it's indoors!  Anyway....

Today's card is my entry for the Sweet Sunday sketch challenge this week, since afterall today SHOULD be Sunday, hehe!  I thought this sketch was super cute, what do you think?

I had a lot of ideas for this one but I finally decided to dust off the cute little witch from greeting card kids.  I've also been wanting to use concord crush with more mustard (and ok, forgive me but I have been and am going to be using a LOT of mustard because 1-the spice cake DSP has given me a new found love for it and 2- I totally bought TWO packages of it by accident in my last order, haha).  I tend to forget about concord crush as it's one of my least favorite in colors but it's a good color for Halloween and I think it looks great with more mustard!  I needed a third color  so after much playing around with colors I settled on tangerine tango which is another color I don't utilize very often.  I think it's a nice departure from my go to pumpkin pie! Look:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Greeting card kids, teeny tiny wishes
Paper:  Watercolor, in color hostess DSP stack (retired), bright DSP stack, tangerine tango, more mustard, concord crush
Ink:  Staz-on, various for watercoloring
Accessories:  Aquapainter, in color glimmer brads, elegant eggplant polka dot scalloped ribbon, tasteful trim die

You'll have to forgive my use of some retired DSP but I didn't have any other concord DSP and I wanted to use the large polka dots!  I did add a few accents in other colors but within the same color family as my original color combo.  Often times I get caught up in making everything "match" as in my accessories have to be the same color as my card.  I totally spaced and thought I had the concord ribbon....um, I don't but I did have the eggplant polka dot ribbon and you know what, it worked!  Our colors all work so well with each other!  I don't have to be all "matchy matchy" for a card to look good, hehe!    I decided to use some peach parfait glimmer brads as well to incorporate another shade of orange.

I wasn't very happy with the card while I was making it but I think all of the fun patterns and shades actually turned out rather well in the end!  Thanks for a fun sketch!!!

Happy stamping!

Spooky shaker

Hi stampers...well I didn't get around to my patriotic card today but that's ok....grocery shopping and laundry had to be done if we wanted to eat and wear clean clothes this week!  But I did get a card done that I started on last night.  This one is for the Paper Pal Arts theme challenge this week....and the theme is Halloween!  We all know I LOVE Halloween so I love this time of year and working on Halloween cards and treats!  Too bad I polished off the Halloween M&M's I had the other night or I could make some treats up now, haha.  I should NOT buy them until the day I know I'm going to use them! 

Anyway I used the out on a limb set (which is one of my faves) to make a little shaker card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Out on a limb, wicked cool, netting, Halloween hang ups (wheel)
Paper:  More mustard, rich razzleberry, lucky limeade, basic black, whisper white
In:  More mustard, basic black, rich razzleberry, lucky limeade
Accessories:  Shaker frames, window sheets, spider web embossing folder, decorative label punch, circle punch, scallop circle punch, mica flakes, basic black polka dot scalloped ribbon, basic rhinestones (whew, that was a lot)

While I had good intentions the shaker kind of turned out like a cross between Halloween and Christmas, lol!  It was rather late when I started working on it and I don't think I was thinking straight as I used some of the new mica flakes in the shaker and it looks like snow, haha!  Oh well, it's still cute and sparkly!  I did get to use my Halloween hang up's wheel at the bottom..I had to break down and get that wheel as I just think it's stinking cute!  I added some spooky "eyes" to my sentiment too.

So Happy Halloween and Merry Christmas all in one card, lol! 

Happy stamping!

Snow much fun!

Hi stampers.  Before I begin this post I want to take a minute to remember all the victims, their families, and survivors of 9/11.  We will never forget the events of that terrible day or how all of our lives have been forever changed because of it.  God bless America!  This may sound kind of corny but I went for a run this morning and dedicated it to all those who suffered so much on that day.  I don't really enjoy running and I wanted to quit today but the discomfort I was in was nothing compared to what so many went through that day and for long after.    It just kind of brought a new perspective to my day today.  I may be back later today with a special card in remembrance if I get time to work on it.

On a happier note, today is my grandma's 90th birthday!  She has seen a lot of terrible things in this world in the pat 90 years but she has seen so many more WONDERFUL things as well!  We helped her celebrate yesterday and I hope she has a great day today!  It was fun to see her with her four great-grand kids....one day maybe she'll have a couple of more;-) Happy birthday Grandma, I love you!

And now back to your regularly scheduled post:-)  I have a card today using the colors from this week's Inkspiration's Color Challenge.  It was a bit out of my comfort zone as I probably would not have put these colors together on my own but they do work!

The colors immediately made me think of Christmas!!!  I've got to say though that great minds MUST think alike because as I was working on my card last night I clicked on over to the challenge site and saw that my good friend Rita had beat me to the punch and used Snow Much Fun for this challenge already:-)  I think her and I have the same stamping "personality" and I love all of the cards she makes!  It just made me laugh because all day long I had been thinking about this challenge and that set, hehe.  Anyway, here is what I came up with:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Snow much fun
Paper:  watercolor, whisper white, real red, old olive, marina mist
Ink:  stazon and various for watercoloring
Accessories:  old olive polka dot scalloped ribbon, dazzling details, basic rhinestones, lots of tags sizzlets, medium oval and modern label punches, snow burst embossing folder

I got this set WAAAAY back in June during pre-order time and I have NOT inked it up enough!  So I grabbed some watercolor paper and stamped the tall snowman (I'm jealous he's so tall, hehe) and the short little tree (it's like me, lol).  I did have to add a couple of extra colors in there to make him work but otherwise I stuck with the challenge colors.  I'm loving that new snow burst embossing folder too! It adds some great texture!  I'm also on a roll with the new polka dot background stamp from the main catalog.  I finally broke down and got it on Thursday and I can't stop using it:-)  I added the olive polka dot ribbon to tie in with the stamped dots but oh how I wish I had the marina mist ribbon, I have GOT to order that stuff!

As a finishing detail I have some dazzling details on the ornaments on the tree and then I layered some punches and a sizzix tag for my sentiment!

Thanks for stopping in today!  Happy stamping!

Simple scored = simply fabulous!

Hi stampers!  I have a new video for you today!  I've been waiting to show off the NEW SIMPLY SCORED scoring tool from SU!!!!!

Now, I never thought I needed a scoring tool (like SO many other stamp things/tools) and then I saw this GORGEOUS paper lolly wreath in the new Holiday Mini and yup, I totally needed a scoring tool....like YESTERDAY!  I don't really do a lot of scoring and fancy fold cards but NOW I just may have to start since the SS makes it so easy! 

It has a ton of great features which I won't bore you with in writing since it's all in the video.  I also have a quick tutorial on how to make the paper lollies as well.  Once I get the wreath all done I'll come back and post it.  Sadly, I've been busy with work so that doesn't leave much time for lolly-making:-)



Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!  You can get your very own Simply Scored by clicking the shop 24/7 button on the right.  You can also view stuff from the mini by clicking on the little mini catalog to the right!  You NEED to check it out if you haven't already!  AND if you'd like your very own copy just let me know!

Ok, I'm off to work on a challenge card and hopefully some other cards too after a LONG couple of days at work and my Gma's NINETIETH birthday party!  Happy stamping!

Freshly Made

Hi stampers!  Thanks to my good friend Rita, I found a BRAND new challenge blog!    It's called FRESHLY MADE SKETCHES and you should hop on over and check it out.  I'm always in need of sketches!  For me, it's often the hardest part of creating a card.  Colors are usually pretty easy but the design/sketch really trips me up sometimes.  I often feel like all of my cards begin to look the same and sketches are a good way to break out of a slump and try something new!  Of course I like this one because their theme is mainly  clean and simple which is very much my style 99% of the time!

This is the fourth and final card I made during my stamping blitz Wednesday night.  I wasn't in love with it but it's growing on me I think.  (I did make a boo boo in posting yesterday and accidentally posted in the wrong order...so if they read a bit funny that's why.  I'm not nuts but that's what happens when I stay up and blog way too late at night, lol!)  I will file this sketch away to use later though as I really liked it!  I better go pin it on Pintrest....and don't get me started on that....as if I needed another website to while away HOURS and hours!!! :-)  It is pretty nifty though!

Anyway, here it is:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Bright hopes
Paper:  Whisper white, island indigo, cherry cobbler, lucky limeade
Ink:  Versamark, lucky limeade
Accessories:  neutrals glimmer brads, basic rhinestones, silver embossing powder, northern frost decorative strip die, cherry cobbler ribbon, snow burst embossing folder

It's kind of bold and not quite traditional for a Christmas card BUT I think it works with this set!  I wanted to use the new embossing folder from the mini and the cherry cobbler quilted ribbon.  To tie it all together I also used a silver glimmer brad, rhinestones, and silver EP for the sentiment.  It's still clean and simple but with some shimmer and pizazz and little details like that really pull a card together and take it from ok to wow!  Thanks to the ladies at FMS, I had a lot of fun playing and can't wait for the next challenge!

Happy stamping!

Sweet sketch

Hi stampers!  I told ya I'd be back.  I really liked the Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge this week too!   I must have a thing for circles, look:

For this card, I knew I wanted to use some of the spice cake DSP and I've been planning to use the wreath image from the hostess set in the mini for the longest time!  So I inked it up and came up with this:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Warmest of wishes (hostess), grateful greetings, Bright blessings (wheel), woodgrain
Paper:  Spice cake DSP, soft suede, pool party, pear pizazz
Ink:  Pool party, versamark, markers (more mustard, pear pizazz, soft suede)
Accessories:  Scallop circle and circle punches, scallop border punch, smooch accent ink, basic pearls, 3" circle die, gold embossing powder

Again, lots of little details.  I used my woodgrain stamp on the soft suede circle to make it look like it was hung on a door or something.  I meant to add a bow or something but JUST realized I forgot, oops:-)  The sentiment was embossed with gold EP to make it stand out a bit more and it's hard to see but the open leaves have smooch accent ink on them for some extra sparkle.  Lastly, I didn't forget to use a wheel...I ALWAYS forget about them.  I SHOULD have used one on the card I showed you yesterday but like I said, I always forget!  Three little pearls on the top left and it was done!

Still more challenges to go....so I'll be back.  Happy stamping!

Subbing

Hi stampers!  Here's challenge number three for this week!  I also loved the color challenge over at the Colour Q.   Isn't it pretty?????

Now, I did have to do some subbing as I didn't have any orchid opulence which of course is an old color and I've moved on completely.  Yes, I still mourn for a few old colors occasionally but I've embraced the present, hehe.  And really, truth be told I'm not sure I EVER had any orchid.  I was NOT a fan but I have to say I like it here.  So, in place of the orchid I used wisteria wonder which I do like and is one of my favorite colors now!  I think it was a perfect substitute here!  I took a cue from my friend and DT member Renee who loves flowers and I came up with this:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Raining flowers, friendly phrases
Paper:  whisper white, pool party, lucky limeade, rich razzleberry, wisteria wonder
Ink:  wisteria wonder, rich razzleberry
Accessories:  blossom triple layer punch, boho blossom punch, in color polka dot brad, lucky limeade ruffled ribbon, houndstooth embossing folder

I guess I'm digging clean and simple lately!  I wanted to add more to all that white space up top but some things are best left alone!  Most of the time I only use white as a base for what I'm stamping or my main focal image.  I should start using it as more of a stand alone more often, it makes quite a statement!

The flower was made with the intention of the brad in the center and the ribbon looking like the stem/leaves and center of the flower, I like how they tied together so well.  I also love the new houndstooth embossing folder and keep forgetting to use it so here it is! Finally, I just LOVE those little sentiments from friendly phrases and the cute fonts so I just had to pull it out here!  Hope you liked it and hope the DT does too!

One more challenge for the week to go....happy stamping!

Challenge Palooza

Hi stampers!  I've been having stampers withdrawl as of late!!!  There wasn't a whole lot of stamp time this weekend so I've been itching to get into my studio.  Add the fact that I've been inspired by a TON of challenges this week and I was basically freaking out all day until I could STAMP!!!  I even had a list of what to do in what order since the challenges all close at different times, lol!  I got FOUR cards done tonight which is quite a feat!  Nevermind the load of laundry I got done too....ok, well washed and dried, I can put it all away tomorrow, hehe.  So you can look for a load of posts from me in the next few days...I'd like to post them all tonight but even with an energy drink ( I KNOW, I have GOT to stop drinking them) I'm fading fast now...didn't sleep well last night after eating some M&M's after work and having heart burn...who knew...M&M's????  But I'm feeling terrific now that I've got some stamping done (add to the fact that I stayed out of the candy tonight)! 

Anyway, I loved the Inkspirations Sketch Challenge this week and was happy that I got to play along tonight!  This sketch was so fun:

I think this may become a go-to sketch for me.  I have so many ideas for this sketch using different sets!  Can't wait to get my shaker frames from the UPS man tomorrow....too bad I have to work late tomorrow night, 12+ hours on Friday AND then on Saturday too....guess they will have to wait!

Anyway, I immediately thought of using out on a limb for this sketch and it turned out cute!  I've been waiting to use this little witchy woman!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Out on a limb, wicked cool, fang-tastic (retired)
Paper:  2011-2013 in color DSP, more mustard, elegant eggplant, whisper white, basic black
Ink:  Staz-on, craft white, more mustard, basic black, lucky limeade
Accessories:  2.5 inch circle punch, petal cone die, glimmer brads (neutral), dazzling details, elegant eggplant scalloped ribbon, white EP

Squeeee!!!  Isn't she cute????  I went a little polka dot crazy, I know.  I do have to say I love the elegant eggplant scalloped ribbon even if I'm not a huge fan of that color normally.  I thought the card looked a bit neked so I added some bats along each edge of the mustard.  Two finishing touches were to use some dazzling details on the clouds and I embossed the sentiment in white to make it pop and bring out the dots in the ribbon (and you'll have to excuse me for using a retired sentiment BUT it was just perfect here).  Oh, and don't forget my glimmer brad! 

See you soon with another challenge:-)  Happy stamping!

Clean and simple challenge

Hi stampers!  It's Tuesday which means it's time for a new challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  The challenge this week is to make a clean and simple card.

 I really like CAS cards but I find that making them is often a challenge for me....I tend to think that more is more on a card and just keep heaping things on:-)  BUT often times, less really can be more and CAS cards can be stunning!  I have to remember to keep that in mind while I'm stamping!  This is the reason I love challenges though, they push me out of my comfort zone and then it's easier for me to come up with something pretty, like this:

Stampin' Supplies:

Stamps:  Falling leaves, woodgrain

Paper:  Lucky limeade, very vanilla, rich razzleberry

Ink:  Lucky limeade, rich razzleberry, pumpkin pie

Accessories:  circle punch, dotted scallop border punch

I used a color combo for this card that I used last week and really liked for fall.  Normally, I like softer combos for autumn but I really liked this one, it's fun.  I think it also works well since the card design is so simple the colors can be a bit more bold without being overwhelming!  I also used a card I made with this same set a few weeks back as inspiration too.  This one is just a bit more simple.  I didn't even need a sentiment since one of the leaves already says "grateful". 

Now click on over and see what else the DT came up with and then play along and make a CAS card!

Easy event - wedding

Hi stampers, in honor of labor day here is an EASY card I made the other night.  It's one you can make without a lot of labor:-)  I told you we had a wedding on Saturday and I made a card AFTER a 12+ hour day of work at about 11 at night on Friday (so you KNOW it had to really actually be easy, lol) as I didn't know if I had a wedding card and it was more fun to make one than to actually look for one.  I had to laugh in the morning as my hubby kind of freaked out about not having a card when we woke up.  I just looked at him and said it was taken care of....and then he said "and that's why I married you."  :-)  Guess it was the fact that he'd never have to rush out to buy a card ever again that reeled him in, LOL!  He actually tells people that, hahaha!

I usually do more "elegant" wedding cards but I'd been itching to use the wedding stamp from easy events simply because it was cute.  Thinking back I wish I would have embossed the image with black as to be a bit more fancy but it still turned out well I think...what about you?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Easy events, tiny tags
Paper:  Whisper white, island indigo
Ink:  staz-on, island indigo, real red, lucky limeade
Accessories:  Jewelry punch, polka dot embossing folder, real red taffeta ribbon, crochet thread

The color combo of island indigo and real red is a bit out of the box for me but with all that white I wanted something striking.  I usually try to make a card in the wedding colors if I can but I wasn't sure what they were this time around.  I also realized I forgot to put some bling (either dazzling diamonds or dazzling details) on the heart but that's what happens when you stamp after that long at work and that late at night, haha.  I COULD have been home at 9:30 but I sent a kid to the ER so I had to go there to wait for him....BUT he never showed up...I was pretty mad since I had things I could have been doing at home and had to sit there waiting and then they didn't show up AND because he really needed an x-ray....guess we will see how that plays out tomorrow at practice!  Just a day in the life of an athletic trainer:-)  Anyway......

So that's my card and it was so easy!  And now also in honor of labor day I'm going to continue to do NOTHING and NOT labor....we DID go to the grocery store and I did take a nap so I've done SOMETHING today, lol!  And I do plan to go for a run since it's in the 60's here which is amazing and I do plan to stamp a little something tonight too....maybe ;-)  Hope you're enjoying whatever you're doing (or not doing) today!

Happy stamping and happy labor day!  Be sure to come back tomorrow for a new challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  Oh and I didn't forget about the SCS Creative Crew projects, I just didn't have as much down time as I thought I would at my mom's (which is always the case) since I was busy running around her new house deciding where furniture should go and what color to paint what and how to decorate and all that fun stuff!

Confuzzled

Hi stampers!  So I think I confused some people yesterday talking about football and soccer and sports.  We don't actually have kids yet BUT I work as an athletic trainer at a local high school so I'm actually busy with WORK and not kids or family:-)  But, busy is busy and on days like today with football games I work up to 16 or so hours.  Obviously not a lot of stamping time in there...however I did just make a wedding card since we have a wedding to go to um....tomorrow:-) 

On the days I do have time lately it seems that I've run out of mojo or been too tired, hate when that happens!  But I'm getting some cards made in fits and spurts anyway!  I can't imagine how little time I'll have when we finally DO have kids plus work, plus trying to fit working out in too!  I have to stamp and work out...they are just two of the basics of my life, hehe.  Feeling crummy now since I didn't get up and run this morning....but it was still dark out so I decided it was safer to stay in bed...that's what I told myself anyway;-)  But enough of my boo-hoo's.  Here is a quick card I made the other night:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Four frames, friendly phrases
Paper:  Calypso coral, whisper white, domestic goddess DSP
Ink:  Calypso coral, basic gray
Accesories:  Oval punch, decorative label punch, paper daisies, calypso coral ruffled ribbon, basic rhinestones

Isn't it cute???  It's actually inspired by a little card I saw at convention and I love the clean and simple yet cute design.  I wish I could get a whole pack of this pattern of paper from the domestic goddess line. I also love how the little frame is popped up and that sentiment is one of my new FAVE sets!  I guess it's just natural that a blabbermouth like myself would like sets with words and lots of fonts:-)  Here's the card I used for inspiration:

The colors are a bit off just from the lighting at convention.  Isn't it cute too!?!?  Maybe I should have done THIS for my wedding card!  I will need to make another version of this using the glitter like they did here too!  I love how this card shows how the domestic goddess line can be used for something else than just "homewares" type themed stuff.

Anyway, that's it...I'm done for after 13+ hours of work today.  I have to be up early to teach aerobics in the morning so I best get out of the stamp room and into bed!  See you soon!  Happy stamping!

Finding time...

to stamp is a real CHALLENGE!  Hi stampers!  Whew, it's busy around here with football and soccer in full swing, it's been hard for me to find the time to sit and stamp.  Or if I have the time I'm either too tired to actually do much other than flip channels or I haven't felt good.  I was all set to stamp my heart out last night but had some back pain so I ended up sitting/laying in funny positions all night to find some relief. Thankfully though, the pain was gone this morning although a headache had replaced it (it's always something, right) but I could teach my aerobics class. 

So I was determined to sit down and STAMP tonight (since I won't have a chance all weekend with a wedding and hanging out with my mom).  And not only did I stamp but I've cleaned up the kitchen AND done two loads of laundry!  Who-hoo!  I actually got three cards done too!  So not only have I been short on time lately but I've been feeling short on ideas/inspiration too.  So, what is a sure fire cure for that?  A challenge of course!  So I saw THIS challenge over on Create With Connie and Mary and knew it was the perfect place to start.  I had wanted to join in with the sketch challenge over there last week but ran out of time.  So, here is my entry for this week:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Wicked cool, spooky bingo bits
Paper:  Whisper white, rich razzleberry, pumpkin pie, lucky limeade
Ink:  Same
Accessories:  Frames embossing folder, spider web embossing folder, silver smooch spray and accent ink, circle punches, raven lace trim (retired)

Of course I had to do a Halloween card with this combo....we all know how much I love Halloween!  I think lucky limeade has replaced my beloved old olive, I just LOVE that color and it's PERFECT for Halloween.  I also broke out wicked cool from last year, I love those shoes!  The idea behind the embossed frame was to look like a vintage/antiqued picture frame so I sponged ink around the edge and then went around parts of it with the silver smooch accent ink.  It turned out pretty well I think, lookie:

I also sprayed the spider web panel with the silver smooch spray after rubbing my ink pad over the embossed parts.  I did use the lace trim from last year's  holiday mini as it just seemed like the perfect finishing touch.  I wish it would have stuck around, how cute would it be with the pick your poison suite this year????  The "boo" is from the spooky bingo bits and I just thought it was fun!

Ok, there ya go!  I'm happy I finally got some stamping in!  I think I get depressed when I don't get to stamp for a few days!!!!  I'm going to try to take some things along to work on this weekend although I'm not good at wanting to stamp if I don't have my whole stash at my disposal:-)  I'll also try to blog since I should have some time on my hands.  It was my debut on Splitcoat's Creative Crew (the SU only challenge team) today so I'm planning a HUGE post with all four of my projects!  You won't want to miss it!!!

Happy stamping!