Happy Halloween!

Hi stampers!  Happy Halloween!  I can't believe it's here already!  I got almost NOTHING done.  I don't have any candy, I didn't make any treats, and I barely made any cards let alone sent any!  And usually I LOVE Halloween but I just wasn't as into it this year.  Oh well.  We did go to our annual party this past weekend though and it was fun!  I was Snow White and hubby was Bane from the newer Batman movie. I think I'll go as an eskimo next year....it's always so cold by the end of October, lol!  I'm probably not going to dress up at work today:(  I'm at a different clinic now on Wednesday's and I don't know if many (if any) people will dress up and I just don't feel comfortable there.  Oh well...

Anyway, I got on a roll yesterday afternoon and cranked out a few more last minute Halloween cards...so I have THREE to share today!  I figured there isn't any point of saving them to share after the fact, ha!  And all three are a bit out of my usual style or comfort zone...at least I think so anyway....what do you think?

The first is using the Colour Q challenge this week.  It actually got me in the mood to do these last minute cards...so thanks!  I did sub the white for very vanilla since it's used in the DSP and I was planning on using some (even though I didn't in the end).

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Googly ghouls, border banter
Paper:  Very vanilla, basic black, tangerine tango
Ink:  Basic black, tangerine tango, daffodil delight, so saffron
Accessories:  Googlies

Next up is a card I made based of an old sketch from Freshly Made Sketches.  I was on a roll with the googly stamp set and I have a lot of this DSP left that I wanted to use....not to mention the ribbon....

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Googly ghouls, border banter, teeny tiny wishes
Paper:  Very vanilla, basic black, basic gray, howlstooth & scaringbone DSP
Ink:  Basic black, tangerine tango
Accessories:  Wide oval punch, googlies, sizzlit die

I really like the way it turned out although it is different for me!

And finally, I was looking over some cards I made last year and I wanted to dig out an old set....out on a limb.  So, I rounded out the night with this card using a sketch from Retrosketches that I couldn't seem to do anything with last week.

Sorry if I overwhelmed you today:-)  I hope you're still with me!  And I hope you have a very Happy Halloween and get lots of candy!  I'm going to try to stay away from the stuff...we'll see!!!

Happy stamping!  And spooking!!!!!

HSS 142

Hi stampers!  It's Tuesday and time for another challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  This week it's a game of TAG!

I went pretty straightforward on this one and made a gift tag for Christmas

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Make and mitten, more merry messages
Paper:  Whisper white, crumb cake, cherry cobbler, snow festival DSP
Ink:  Crumb cake, baja breeze, cherry cobbler, gumball green, primrose petals
Accessories:  Make a mitten builder punch, circle punch, white taffeta ribbon, two tags die, dazzling details, basic pearls

I usually try to make all my tags for my packages so now I'm ahead one!  I just love the two tags die! It makes perfect tags!  And it's hard to see in the photo but there are pearls across the cherry cobbler part of the mitten and dazzling details over the "cuff".

So tag, you're it!  Got check out the rest of the DT's projects and then make one of your own and link it up!

Happy stamping!

Case of the Mondays?

Hi stampers!  BIG news today!  So, if you're like me and have a bad case of the Monday's (and who doesn't want the weekend to last longer????) then this should help cheer you up a bit!  There's lots of exciting things going on at SU starting today!

First, almost ALL stamps are 15% off!  This includes single stamps and the new clear mount single stamps!  Wheels and stamps in part of a bundle are not eligible however.  But what a great deal!  So, if there are any stamps or sets you've had your eye on now is the time!!!!!

Also, this week kicks off Digital Scrapbooking week and they have some fantastic deals!  You can get any of our MDS kits discounted as well as FREE digital downloads!

Just click the shop 24/7 button to the right or click HERE to visit my store and start shopping!

We were gone out of town for a Halloween party this weekend so I didn't get any stamping done but I hope to have some pretty things for you to look at soon!

Happy shopping :-)

TGIF 05

Hi stampers!  Happy Friday!  Football's finally over which means for the first time in over 9 weeks I have a Friday night to myself!  Woo-hoo!!!!!  Which means Buffalo Wild Wings Friday date nights are back, yay!  We love going to BWW on Friday nights because it's easy to get a seat fast in the bar section (no waiting....did you know that?), I can eat pretty healthy there (IF I so choose, haha), and Jon can have a few frosty beverages.  We like that it's just a casual place that we don't have to wait forever to get in and we can watch sports (as if I don't get enough sports during the work week, ha).  Anyway I'm excited.  Now, in a few weeks I'm sure I'll be tired of it and we'll have to take a break and find a new spot for a bit but it will be nice to not scarf something down in my office or my car after taping a bunch of stinky feet and ankles, lol!

We don't eat there as much as Panera though!  Which no Panera October is still going strong!  I haven't keeled over yet from withdrawal!!!!  But, you can bet where I'll be for breakfast on November 1, lol!  I did have to talk Jon off the ledge the other night.  He wanted to go to dinner there.  He said dinner didn't count, lol!  I said he could go but I wasn't eating.  I said I wasn't going to have it for a month and I meant it:-)

Anyway...onto the good stuff....the new challenge at Fab Friday!  This week is a fun sketch:

I've been excited for this one for a while.  I loved this sketch when I created it and had a lot of ideas for it and I'll probably use it again!  I finally decided to use the holiday collection framelits which have been neglected since the man in brown dropped them off.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Teeny tiny wishes
Paper:  Whisper white, early espresso, cherry cobbler, lucky limeade, festival of prints DSP stack
Ink:  Early espresso, cherry cobbler, baja breeze, lucky limeade
Accessories:  Delicate doilies sizzlit, holiday collection framelits, 2.5" circle punch, merry mini punch pack, basic rhinestones

I have to say that this sketch really screams Christmas to me.  What about you?  And I did it again.....used whisper white when I meant to use very vanilla.  Oops!  But I'd already popped my tree up on the DSP so it was too late to fix it....but it looks ok. I'm probably the only one who'd ever notice, right?  And speaking of that tree, I thought it would be fun to use the negative image from the framelit and have some DSP showing through!  I just adhered the cut out on top of a circle punched from the DSP.  There are so many fun options for framelits!  And you all know I LOVE the festival of prints DSP stack!

Now, head on over the the Fab Friday site and check out the other fabulous projects and please play along with us!  We can't wait to see what you create!

Happy stamping!

Stamps Gone Single!

Hi stampers! I have exciting stamping news to share! I can't remember if I mentioned the test program for single stamps that SU rolled out a few weeks ago but they just added a bunch of new (some BRAND new never seen) stamps to the program!  Now, you can get some of your favorite stamps in sets individually!  So, if you have had your eye on some of these stamps, now is the time!  

Here are the two new flyers:

You can also get any of the sentiments from Word Play, Perfectly Penned, and Seasonal Sayings!

Here's some things to remember:

• You can find the stamp item numbers on the flyers.
• These won't be sent to you in our typical cases or packaging; they'll be packaged in cello bags. If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105).
• This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.
• The stamps won't come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you'll need to buy a block separately if you don't already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyers. 
• There's no limit on how many pieces you can buy.
• Remember that this is a pilot program, so take advantage of it while you can!

If you'd like to order just click the Shop 24/7 button over on the right!  OR you can just click HERE to start shopping! And feel free to contact me should you have any questions!  And be on the lookout for even MORE exciting news next week!  Here's a little sneak peek......on Monday most stamp sets will be discounted 15%!!!!  And this includes the single stamps so you may want to wait until Monday to order:-)

Happy stamping....and shopping;-)

Snow simple

Hi stampers!  I've had a couple of great days hanging out with my momma this week!  Monday was her 60th birthday (and I'll share her card and present at some point) and my hubby was out of town so she came to stay with me Monday and Tuesday!  Of course, I had to work so we didn't get to spend the whole time together but it was better than nothing.  So, I haven't got much stamping done with being at her house over the weekend and then hanging out with her this week but I'm hoping to change that tonight!

I did manage to make this card on Sunday after we came home.  It's pretty simple and it's based on a card that I made for the Splitcoast Stampers Dirty Dozen fan club gallery.  The card I made for the DD was fall themed and used leaves and as I was looking at it I thought it would make a good card with snowflakes too!  I won't be sharing that card....you need to be a member of the fan club to see it....so if you aren't then you should sign up:-)  It's a great way to give back to the SCS community and it's fun to see the gallery every month and play in the challenges!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Snowflake soiree
Paper:  Whisper white, soft suede, pool party
Ink:  Soft suede, pool party, midnight muse
Accessories:  Natural buttons, pool party baker's twine, basic rhinestones, apothecary accents framelits

It turned out great I think!  I think the color combo works out well for snowflakes as well even though it might not be traditional colors.  It's hard to see in the picture but the framed accent it popped up on dimensionals.  I like the white on white effect!  Well that's it for today!

Happy stamping!

HSS 141

Hi stampers!  Happy Tuesday!  It's time for another challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  This week is an inspiration photo and here it is:

Isn't it pretty?  I have to say the leaves here look about the same!  They are just gorgeous this year and I was lucky enough to be able to visit my mom on our farm this weekend where it is just so pretty!  Many times with football I miss the pretty fall leaves but not this year!  I'd heard the leaves wouldn't be pretty due to our drought but they have to be the most colorful I've seen in years!

The colors of the leaves and the apples (which are super pretty) are what I first noticed in this picture so I wanted to keep my card simple to focus on just the colors.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  French foliage, fabulous phrases
Paper: Whisper white
Ink:  Early espresso, pumpkin pie, summer starfruit, raspberry ripple
Accessories:  Natural buttons

I think the colors really stand out!  I just hand drew the little frame on with my early espresso marker and popped the main panel up on dimensionals.  I hope you like it!

Now go check out the rest of the team's designs!  And don't forget to play along!

Happy stamping!

Sweet Surprise!

Hi stampers (and sorry for the lateness of this post....I had autopost all set to go....but the best laid plans....of course I'm out of town so it took a bit of time to get interwebz) I have a big surprise today!  I'm the guest stamper at The Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge!  I was so surprised and excited when Karen emailed me, ohmygoodness!  I always love her sketches!

And this week's is fabulous!  Just look!

And I had so many ideas for it!  I had a hard time deciding what to do.  I will be using this one again for sure.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Snowflake soiree, mixed medley (hostess)
Paper:  Very vanilla, early espresso, cherry cobbler, island indigo, festival of prints DSP stack
Ink:  Early espresso, cherry cobbler, island indigo
Accessories:  1-1/4" scalloped circle punch, circle punches, argyle embossing folder, basic rhinestones

As I'm in a rush to get this posted I'll come back and edit the supplies later.  But I had to use the little hostess set we got at convention!  It worked perfectly for this card!  And of course I flipped the sketch because I like to mix it up:-)

Now make sure to play along with the challenge!  And you could be a guest stamper!  Squeeee!  So exciting!

Happy stamping!

TGIFAO

Hi stampers!  Say what????  TGIFAO?  What does that mean?  It means thank goodness it's Friday and  football's almost over!!!!!!  LOL!!!!  Tonight is the last game and I could not be more excited.  For one, it's getting COLD out there and I'll be happy when I don't have to stand outside in the cold and or rain everyday!  This season has probably been one of the best I've had in about seven years of doing this (but also the wettest, yick) because I have a pretty good group of kids and the coaches as well.  That always makes things easier and we are more competitive than we've been in past years too which makes working actually fun.....to see the kids having fun and doing well!  I haven't felt like I'm wasting my time this year because the kids are having fun and I am too!  But nonetheless I'm really happy the season is ending and I'll have less late nights and weekends for a while!  That means more stampy time!  Yay!  I made them black and white cookies (the school colors) last night and managed to stamp a bit too!

Before work, I came up with this card using the Paper Pal Arts sketch.  I kept it simple since I was shortish on time.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Frist Christmas
Paper:  Very vanilla, crumb cake, early espresso, festival of prints DSP stack
Ink:  Versamark, crumb cake, cherry cobbler
Accessories:  Finishing touches edgelits, pewter embossing powder

I hadn't inked this set up yet so I thought it was time.....now where can I find the time to ink up all the OTHER rubber I've got sitting here? :-)  Guess I'll find out after tonight, hehe!

Happy stamping!

Twitterpatted Christmas?

Hi stampers.  This may be a quick one as I'm writing this as I wait for my hubs to get home from a business trip....well I'm trying to wait up that is but I'm fading fast!  He was supposed to be home hours ago but the rainy weather grounded his flight so he is now driving from Chicago...fun times!

Anyway, I saw a card posted by a friend of mine the other day that used the twitterpatted DSP with watercolor winter and it was SO pretty!  And something I'd never thought of on my own I don't think.  So, she inspired this card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Watercolor winter, petite pairs
Paper:  Whisper white, bashful blue, riding hood red, twitterpatted DSP
Ink:  Riding hood red
Accessories:  Basic pearls, window frames framelits, petals-a-plenty embossing folder

I have to say I did fool around with it after I took the picture and added some dazzling details to the flowers and they are way prettier now!  As for the flowers, they were made my stamping off once with the more solid stamp and then full strength for the outline.

Happy stamping!

Spooky creepy crawly spider

Hi stampers.  This post is brought to you by the big, hairy, spooky, creepy, crawly spider that apparently took up residence on my basement stairs on Sunday.  I say apparently because I never saw him but was informed by my wonderful hubs on my last (of about a million) trip down to get the last load of laundry that he FINALLY took care of it while showing me how BIG he was with his hand.  Say what?  He'd been there ALL day and I never saw him?  ICK!  I think that may have freaked me out more than the actual spider...that I didn't see him!  I hate spiders!!!!!  And I went up and down those stairs a million times!  YUCK!!!

Anyway, Mr. Big Hairy spider inspired this card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Googly ghouls, border banter
Paper:  Very vanilla, basic black, tangerine tango, howlstooth & scaringbone DSP
Accessories:  Googlies

This guy isn't very spooky though.  He's pretty cute with his googly eyes.  I have to say I kind of look like him when I have my glasses on, hehe!  I used the border banter set because I finally broke down and got it (like I do with just about everything, ha).  As you can see, me and the stamp-a-majig had some minor disagreements:-)  The other card I made was better lined up but I ended up getting a smudge on it so I had to show the crooked one.  Whoops!

And you may notice that his little spider web thread is longer than it is on the actual stamp....well I just used a marker and a ruler to extend it.

Happy stamping!

HSS 140

Hi stampers!   It's Tuesday and time for a new challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  This week is inked embossing folders...at little messy but a lot of fun!

I really love the gingham paper in the orchard harvest DSP and I'm going to be sad when I run out...BUT, I realized I can make my own!  Yippie!  All it takes is some ink and the stripes embossing folder!

Super easy and super pretty!  Right?  Now head on over to the HSS blog and check out all the other awesome projects!  And don't forget to play along!

Happy stamping!

Going retro

Hi stampers!  I've spent most of the day holed up in my stamp studio without much to "show" for it.  Why?  Because I had to work on my Dirty Dozen entries for Splitcoast today and I can't show them on my blog for a while.  BUT, if you're a Fan Club member over on Splitcoast you can see them starting tomorrow!  :-)  If you're not a fan club member you should be!  In addition to being able to view the Dirty cards and challenges it's a great way to give back to all the wonderful people there that make the place so dang cool!  That's why I joined!  It was my way of saying thanks for all the hard work the moderators put in!

I did make one card for fun when I got up this morning to get the creative juices flowing.  I don't usually stamp early in the morning but since we are on a self-imposed hiatus from Panera this month I made some oatmeal and hot tea and sat down at my desk.  It wasn't quite as good as what I get at Panera but I can't stamp there so at least that's something:-)

I've been meaning to plat at Retro Sketches for a while now!  I saw one of their recent sketches in Pinterest and went to check out their challenge site!  Wow!  They have some awesome sketches!  I will be playing there often I think!  Just check this week's sketch out:

Seriously, how cute is that?  As SOON as I saw it I had the idea to use the ornaments from merry minis.  I just knew they would look super cute.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Merry minis, pennant parade
Paper:  Whisper white, crumb cake, primrose petals, gumball green
Ink:  White craft, soft suede, baja breeze, cherry cobbler,  primrose petals, gumball green
Accessories:  Cherry cobbler baker's twine, large scallop edgelit, merry minis punch pack, paper piercing pack, vintage faceted buttons, basic pearls and rhinestones

I pulled my colors from the snow festival DSP because I'd planned to try to work some of the DSP in...but that didn't quite happen.  I also used my paper piercing pack to poke holes for the "strings".  And I know I'm using the white craft ink sponging on crumb cake a lot but gosh, it's just perfect for Christmas and winter cards.  It looks so fresh and snowy!  I can't stop:-)

I doubt I'll be back tomorrow with a mailable card unless I can find something I've had saved away for a while or unless inspiration strikes late tonight.  But I'll be back on Tuesday for sure!  And hopefully often now since football is winding down, yay!  One more week:-)

Happy stamping!

Sketchy Saturday

Hi stampers!  I saw a great sketch at Create with Connie & Mary earlier this week but didn't get around to using it until it was too late to enter in the challenge.  But, since I love the sketch I wanted to use it anyway.

I loved the heart of Christmas stamp in the Holiday seasonal catalog and just had to have it but had I inked it up yet?????  :-)  I really like the fonts, the swirly things and the actual saying.  So I thought this was the perfect sketch for it!  I also just ordered another (as IF I needed it) festival of prints stack so I thought I better get to cutting into the one I already have!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Heart of Christmas
Paper:  Very vanilla, cherry cobbler, real red glimmer, festival of prints DSP
Ink:  Cherry cobbler
Accessories: None

I thought about stepping it up with some accessories but I really liked the card as is and the simplicity of it.  And this reminds me that I also need to case the sample in the catalog with this stamp.  I just love it! Hope you're enjoying your weekend!  It's my last weekend of football!  Yay!

Happy stamping!

Fab Friday 04

Hi stampers!  It's finally Friday!  Yay!  Too bad I have to work very late tonight and also tomorrow morning:-)  Is football over yet?????  One more week.....

But, at least it's time for our fourth challenge over at Fab Friday.  I can't believe we are at number four already!  It's been so much fun and I'm so happy to see so many wonderful projects!  This time it's a color challenge.

And here's the card I came up with:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Seasonal sayings, gently falling
Paper:  Very vanilla, summer starfruit, island indigo, comfort cafe DSP, summer smooches DSP, first edition DSP
Ink:  Summer starfruit, midnight muse, island indigo
Accessories:  Apothecary accents framelits, linen thread, vintage faceted buttons

I finally dusted off the my gently falling set.  I really love that one!  And I really love this sentiment from seasonal sayings too if you couldn't tell:-)

And there's a bit of a funny story about this one....the picture is actually not of a whole card but just of a card front because I had to cut my card front off the whole card.  Why you ask?  Well I made it the other night before "tv" time with my hubs and was trying to hurry and get it done so I could head down to the man cave to watch Castle.  When I came back up after, I picked up the card and saw that I had glued the main panel on the card upside down, lol!  Whoops!  So I lopped it off and I'll have to adhere it to another card base the RIGHT way:-)

Now go check out the rest of the samples and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Going batty

Hi stampers!  I FINALLY got my Halloween/fall decor up yesterday!  For some reason I'm just not as gung-ho for Halloween this year as I normally am.  Maybe it's because we missed the big H-ween party last year or maybe it's just because I've been busy.  It may also be due in part to the fact that the Seasonal Catalog comes out so early now that I kind of got my Halloween fix earlier and I'm onto Christmas now, ha! I did buy a couple of Hallmark ornaments last weekend, haha!  

In any case I have not made many Halloween cards this year.  I did manage to make one the other day though.  I just love this polka dot paper from the Howlstooth & scaringbone paper!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Googly ghouls
Paper:  Very vanilla, basic black, tangerine tango, howlstooth & scaring bone
Ink:  Basic black
Accessories:  Googlies

It's simple but cute.  The bats were pretty easy to cut out and I think they are funny looking.  Their little teeth make me laugh, lol!  And their big googlie eyes of course.  

And if I don't go batty from my work schedule this week, maybe I'll have a few more Halloween cards to share soon:-)

Happy stamping!

Feeling blue

Hi stampers.  I'm feeling blue today....well blue and green with this fabulous challenge over at the Friday Mashup.  

I just love the inspiration colors and the photo!  And I wanted to use the rectangles but I was in a rush to make a card before I had to go to work so I used squares instead because I didn't have to use math and could just use some punches:-)  It was just easy and quick.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Merry minis, more merry messages
Paper:  Whisper white, marina mist, pacific point, gumball green, lucky limeade
Ink:  Marina mist, pacific point, gumball green, lucky limeade
Accessories:  Postage stamp, square, merry minis punch pack punches, lacy brocade embossing folder, mini brads, silver flourish designer frames

I'm not thrilled with the way it turned out...looked different somehow in my head...but it's ok.  This is the second version though.  The first one I put on a marina mist card base and I really like the white better.  Oh and that reminds me...I've had some comments/questions about the ugly cards (or the ones that just don't work out or I don't like, hehe) I make and no....I don't blog them.  So, please don't think that every card I make is fabulous....because trust me, there are a lot of rejects.  I just don't let you see them:-)  That might be a fun feature though!  Kind of like mailable Monday....throwout Thursday?  LOL!

So, this card is why I'm feeling blue.  In all reality I'm feeling pretty good the past few days.  Maybe I'm finally out of the funk I've been in.  This is a busy week at work but football is almost over and then I get a small break.  I've finally gotten my act together and have been eating healthy and am enjoying working out again.  And speaking of working out....I have gotten a lot of comments about my active lifestyle, especially running and our struggles to have a baby.  While I do appreciate the kind words exercise is not the problem.  If you didn't know, I'm not only an athletic trainer but also have my Master's Degree in exercise physiology so I'm quite versed in the effects of exercise and the body.  Many runners have very low body fat and body fat helps control hormones.  My body fat is well within the normal range.  My levels were even normal when I was about 10 pounds lighter earlier this year!  And in all reality I'm NOT a super crazy runner.  I run a couple of times at most and not long distances and I'm pretty slow:-)    I plan on working out until the day I deliver as long as it's a healthy pregnancy.  Working out has may benefits both before the baby and while pregnant.  But without going into detail, exercise is not the issue.  So, like I said, while I do appreciate the encouragement the comments/emails about exercise were starting to upset me and there were a lot of them.  I struggled for a while as to address this or not but I had to get it out there.  

Happy stamping!

HSS 139

Hi stampers!  It's Tuesday...which means I have four straight days of late nights at work and a game on Saturday.....sigh....this working thing is really getting in the way of stamping, geez!  :-)  At least it also means it's time for a new challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments!  This week is a theme challenge and what else could we do but PUMPKINS!

Which is quite perfect since the hubby and I went to a BIG pumpkin patch this past weekend.  We actually went with my brother in law and his fiancé and her kids!  It was fun to go to a patch with kids and not just the two of us:-)

Stampin' Supplies:  MDS2

So, I came up with this quick scrapbook page with a cute picture that Jon snapped on his phone.  I just downloaded the fancy frames and this was the perfect time to use them!

And what's awesome is that with MDS2 you can re-color things.  This frame started out hot pink (I think) and I was able to change it to summer starfruit with just two clicks!  All you do is click recolor and pick the color you want!  You can also recolor DSP!  Awesome!  AND also, one of the new features that was just released (make sure to update your software if you haven't) was to be able to crop punches.  My pumpkins are a punch that I filled with DSP.  I then used another pumpkin punch in soft suede and cropped off all but the stem and lined them up....well tried...I see now that I did a bad job so please excuse that and I'll have to go back and fix it before I get this page printed:-)

Now head on over and see what the rest of the team came up with and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday - Make and Take

Hi stampers!  I hope everyone had a good weekend.  I kind of took yesterday off....at least from stamping/blogging.  I did go to church and still had to do the grocery shopping and laundry so it wasn't a complete waste of the day:-) I have a BUSY week at work coming up but I hope to get some stamping done anyway!

Today's card is actually one of the make and takes from Convention.  Sorry it's taken me so long to share it.  I have to say that really, it's one of the only projects I really liked this year.  Not that they weren't pretty but just not my style but I like this one.  And, I'm not a good convention stamper:-)  I only made a few of the projects AT convention and finished this one at home.  It's just too chaotic for me I guess and I'd rather run around and see my friends and look at all the project displays and stuff, ha!  You would think I'd want to STAMP at a stamping convention but no....not so much, lol!

So I made a few changes to this card after seeing a stepped up version from a friend:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Affection collection
Paper:  Whisper white, early espresso, primrose petals
Ink:  Early espresso, Daffodil delight, more mustard, primrose petals, midnight muse
Accessories:  basic rhinestones, small heart punch, scalloped border punch

The staple is actually colored because....well because it's all I have, ha!  Which is why I don't normally use staples on cards but in this case the color worked!  I also sponged the card base because it just needed something.  I wish I done some peircing as well like to the scalloped trim and to the corners of the main panel.  Oh well.  I think the staple and the small rhinestones would fit through the mail just fine.  I kind of forgot about the rhinestones when I started this post, lol!

Happy stamping!

A second sketch

Hi stampers!  Happy Saturday!  I finally have a weekend OFF!  No games to cover and no aerobics to teach!  I hope to find some time for stamping!  We have some fun stuff planned though so I'm not sure when I'll fit it in (darn)!  We are taking the (future) niece and nephew to the pumpkin patch and to the outlet malls nearby. An under armor store just opened and I can't wait to check it out!  I love me some UA stuff!  The kids at the school make fun of me because I have four or five logo hoodies I wear.  But they are soooooo warm!!!!  I also love their running gear!  Hoping I can find some deals!  

After making my card I shared yesterday I was inspired by the sketch so I made another card.  And I inked up a sentiment I had yet to use!  I was looking for a Thanksgiving stamp and couldn't find one since my old standby grateful greetings had been retired.  Then, I remembered this stamp from seasonal sayings. It was perfect!

Stampin' Supplies: 
Stamps:  Seasonal sayings
Paper:  Crumb cake, comfort cafe DSP
Ink:  Crumb cake
Accessories:  Midnight muse satin stitched ribbon, vintage faceted buttons, linen thread

I just LOVE the way it turned out.  I really didn't think I liked that stamp when I first saw it and the samples in the catalog really did nothing for me but I really like it now and can't wait to use it again!  

Happy Saturday and happy stamping!

Simple sketch

Hi stampers!  Quick post today (because again, I do these the night before and I need to get to bed, ha).  I really liked the sketch over at Try Stampin' On Tuesday this week so I played along and really like how it turned out!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps: Greetings of the season
Paper:  Crumb cake, festival of prints DSP stack
Ink:  Crumb cake, whisper white craft
Accessories:  Paper piercing pack

So simple but so striking I think!  I just love that pattern stack and this sketch!  I may have even made a few cards after this one using it!  Looking back, I think I could have added a few things to this card so maybe I'll have to have a re-do.  My mojo is starting to find it's way back to me.

That's it for today.  I edited a bunch of photos today so hopefully I can post often!

Happy stamping!

O Christmas Tree

Hi stampers!  I know, I know....another Christmas card....but I'm beat (as I'm writing this Wed night to post Thurs) so it's all I've got right now.  I did make a Halloween card that I'll share later and I hope to get more done this weekend.  I'm just not into Halloween for some reason this year which is odd for me.....I've got a bunch of design team projects to do too so we'll see what gets done.  I've got way too much going on these days it seems!  I'm even going to bed early for the second night in a row!

I cased this card a few weeks ago from our demo magazine and I love it!  It's so simple but so cute!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Greetings of the season
Paper:  Crumb cake, cherry cobbler, festival of prints DSP stack
Ink:  Early espresso
Accessories:  Basic rhinestones, circle punch

See, simple and cute!  I just love that DSP stack!  The corners were rounded by using a circle punch.  You just stick the corner in the punch with the punch upside down and it's like a corner rounder!  I think I shot a video of it...I'll have to look on my camera....sad I can't remember, huh?

Happy stamping!

You are....

amazing!  Hi stampers!  I just want to say how amazing....you...my readers are :-)  I appreciate ALL the comments and emails I receive but the messages in the past few days since I shared our struggle to have a baby have really touched me!  Thank you to everyone who has had a kind word to say and for your prayers!  I struggled if I should share this very personal issue or not and I have to say I'm glad I did.  The more people praying or at least sending good vibes the better, right?  Well, without going into too much detail things seem to be going in the right direction again today!  So thank you!

Now if I can just get motivated to stamp up a storm again!  I meant to stamp last night but never made it up off the couch after dinner.  Hopefully, I'll feel motivated tonight....after a run (hopefully NOT in the rain......) and dinner since I have to work late the next two nights!  Although, I do have a project in the works that I have GOT to get done!  I've been using MDS to make my mom a photo book for her 60th birthday which is coming up later this month!  I'll share bits and pieces of it after her birthday!  I need to clean/organize my stamp studio too.....it's a mess and kind of scary and that's probably part of why I don't want to come in here and stamp, ha!

So here is a card for all of you, my readers!

Stamps:
Stamps:  I am..., Alhambra
Paper:  Whisper white, primrose petals, subtles DSP stack
Ink:  River rock, primrose petals
Accessories:  Labels collection framelits, crumb cake seam binding

This is the super cool stamp set demos got at convention for attending all of our classes.  I love it but just don't ask me how many times I've actually used it:-)  I think I need to work on my bow tying skills though.....

Thank you again!

Happy stamping!

HSS 138

Hi stampers!  It's Tuesday and time for another challenge over at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  And that's just what this one was for me!  A challenge!  These aren't colors I would put together on my own.....

But I have to say they looked pretty good together in the end!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Teeny tiny wishes
Paper:  Very vanilla, early espresso, tangerine tango, orchard harvest, early espresso core'dinations
Ink:  Early espresso, tangerine tango, island indigo
Accessories:  Autumn accents die, woodgrain embossing folder, bronze buttons, linen thread

See, ok in the end!  I did a lot of sponging with the leaves and the brown ones use the core'dinations cardstock and I sanded them down a bit.

Now head on over and see what everyone else came up with!

And PS:  Thanks so much for all your comments and emails about my post yesterday.  It really means a lot to me that you all are thinking of us and we aren't alone in our struggles!

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday - Affection Collection

Hi stampers!  Well the weekend's over again and it's Monday.  I finally had the weekend "off" aside from teaching aerobics anyway and I kind of took a blogging break too, sorry!  I've really kind of been struggling lately to find balance in my life with so many things going on so stamping and blogging are sometimes getting pushed back...not away....just back a little so bear with me.  I really wanted to stamp this weekend...I mean stamp a LOT, like lock myself away and stamp but I just couldn't get into it much.  I'm also a little down because we've been trying for almost a year now for a baby and it's just not happened yet and I had a pretty bad day today.  It kind of weighs my stamp mojo down too.  So, if you've got some prayers or positive vibes around maybe you could send some our way.  Not to be depressing on a Monday but I wanted to let you in on what's been going on with me and the stamping and the blog and why I kind of disappear now and then:-)  Oh and we're also having a no-Panera October and I'm also not getting random gas station fountain diet cokes...SO if you see me go completely off the deep end...you'll know why;-)  We really do have an unhealthy addiction to Panera (I'm most sad about my weekend morning oatmeal).

Anyway, on to the good stuff.  I did manage to play in the color challenge over at Create With Connie & Mary.

I immediately thought of affection collection....the stamp set we got for free at convention from the Holiday catalog.  It's kind of edgy and grungy and I like it!  And hey....it's not a fall card but at least it's not Christmas, ha!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Affection collection, bitty banners
Paper:  Very vanilla, pink pirouette, baja breeze, cherry cobbler core'dinations, silver glimmer
Ink:  Pink pirouette, baja breeze, cherry cobbler
Accessories:  Lacy brocade embossing folder, sanding block, bitty banners and window frame framelits

I love how it turned out.  This stamp set is kind of a challenge for me.  I was able to make the make and take from convention with it (which I don't think I've shared still, lol) but aside from that I don't have a lot of ideas for it.  Hopefully I'll have more closer to Valentine's day!

Happy stamping!