Fab Friday 19

Hi stampers!  Sorry I've been quiet the past few days.  In the summer my schedule changes and I work all 40 of my hours in the clinic.  That's all fine and dandy as I get more weekends off (except for the next two of course, bummer) and more nights off but it sure messes with me for a bit while I get used to it.  So, aside from tonight I haven't stamped at all while I try to get in a routine.  I'm not very good with change......it always takes me a good couple of weeks or more to figure everything out including my workout schedule for the summer...that's still up in the air too :-)  I wish I got a summer break like all the people that actually work for the school....too bad I work for the hospital, lol!  It's really messing with my bed time and sleep too as I have to be at work quite a bit earlier in the summer...it's really hard to get used to going to bed much earlier....I feel like there are a lot of us adjusting to summer right now with kids out of school and what not so at least I'm in good company :-)

Anyway, Fab Friday is back this week with a sketch challenge!

We hope you enjoyed the week off!  I know the DT did and now they can come back recharged and knock your socks off ;-)  Make sure to check out all their stampy awesomeness!

Here is what I came up with after failing on my first attempt...I might share that some time but don't hold your breath ;-)

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Loving thoughts, my paper pumpkin welcome kit splatter stamp
Paper:  Very vanilla, crumb cake, first edition DSP
Ink:  Crumb cake, calypso coral, pool party
Accessories:  Pop up posies kit, in color polka dot brads

So this card is a farewell to quite a few of my favorite things that will be retired tomorrow (don't forget you can order from the new catalog AND the old one AND the spring mini all at the same time tomorrow at noon Mountain time).  I will really miss the pop up posies kit, it was so cute!  I'll also really miss the first edition DSP and those brads!  I've used a lot of both of them!  And I may have some stockpiled, lol!  And while I'm sad to see them go I'm super excited to get my hands on a bunch of new stuff!

On a side note, has anyone had any experience with a dog that has knocked it's teeth loose?  My poor little pup fell off her chair yesterday.  She seems ok except for that she knocked her four front bottom teeth a bit loose.  I called the vet and of course he wanted us to come in over the next few days (he's actually a doggy dentist...one of very few in the whole country) but who knows how much that will cost!  And she was eating just fine minutes after it happened (after she figured out she was ok and got over being embarrassed, lol).  Anyway, I know people's teeth will tighten back up so I'm assuming hers will too.  I think I'll just keep a close eye on her....but you guys always seem to know what to do....

Make sure to check out all the awesome DT samples and play along with us!

Happy stamping!

Tardy Tuesday

Hi stampers!  Seems this could be a regular post for me....Tardy Tuesday....when I miss the deadline for challenges, lol!  This is one I threw together pretty quick yesterday afternoon after a marathon session for display stamper projects.  It was nice to just stamp "for fun" for a while.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Mosaic madness, really good greetings
Paper:  Whisper white, coastal cabana, strawberry slush
Ink:  Coastal cabana, strawberry slush
Accessories:  Mosaic punch, mosaic EF, basic rhinestones

That's it, clean and simple...just a little late.  Oh well :-)

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday - Memorial Day Edition

Hi stampers!  Happy Memorial Day weekend!  A big thanks goes out to all our current and past soldiers and their families including my grandpa Bingamon and a few of my good friends!  I do wish my grandpa would have spoken about the war so we could all learn from his experience but I understand why he chose not to do so.  I appreciate the sacrifices all our soldiers and their families have made every day!

We were able to go to St. Louis this weekend for a little get away and with the CRAZY that this past month has been it was needed and totally fun!  Exhausting....but fun :-)  But now that we are home it's time to stamp...I've got my SB's iced mocha to get me started!  As soon as I show you this card:

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Oh hello
Paper:  Whisper white, sahara sand
Ink:  Sahara sand, pistachio pudding, crisp cantaloupe
Accessories:  Needlepoint border embossing folders

There I go with the SAMJ again....it really doesn't take that long :-)

Don't forget that you can get your hands on those new colors and all the other new catalog items on FRIDAY at noon!!!!  Yay!  It's like Christmas in....May this year!  The countdown is on!  Again, it starts at noon and you can get your stuff by clicking the shop 24/7 button over ----> there!

I hope YOU had a great holiday weekend!

Happy stamping!

You're drunk moon....

....go home!  Seriously!  I could tell it was going to be a full moon on Monday!  Yeesh!  Anyone else have a drunk moon week?????

Working in healthcare the crazy really comes out!  This week has been the worst one I remember in a long time...and that's saying something after the oh-so-fun fertility testing I had a few weeks ago!!!!  So, sorry I haven't posted!  I haven't forgotten about you but I haven't had either the time or energy to stamp or blog this week.  And I've been "working" on my display samples...which REALLY means browsing Pinterest for ideas and staring at my supplies.....

I'm going to be kicking myself soon for this but I'm waiting on a lot of them so I can get some more new supplies from the new catalog.  Don't forget you can order from the old and new catalog at noon next Friday!

I also had some super-stress over my Artisan entries.  They actually showed up at SU a day after the deadline.  The guy at the PO told me they would be delivered on Monday.....not Thursday.  But, I guess since it was priority and not express it's not a given.  Well, he could have TOLD me that when I explained that it HAD to be there by Wednesday.  Oy!  So, I've been in contact with SU and I don't have any definite answers but they THINK they will still accept my stuff since it was the PO's fault and not mine.  But rest assured UPS will be getting my business from now on!!!!!  No wonder the PO is in trouble!!!!   Anyway....I hope you're week has been better :-)


So, how about something fun (but kind of sad at the same time I guess)?  This is a card I think I've had done since right after last convention, haha!  I made a video with it but somehow never got around to editing it and everything...oh well.  I swear I'm going to get more organized ONE of these days;-)  But they showed us how to make a flower with circle punches and the pennant punch.  Basically you just insert the circle into the point of the pennant and punch making the little V.  Layer a few up and viola!  Really cute, huh?

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Distressed dots, pursuit of happiness
Paper:  Whisper white, daffodil delight, calypso coral, lucky limeade
Ink:  Daffodil delight, calypso coral, lucky limeade
Accessories:  Circle punches, flower punch, pennant punch, basic rhinestones

And it's a little sad because two of my very favorite things on this card are retiring in a few days!  Life just won't be the same without distressed dots and pursuit of happiness!  You can be that these are two things that will NOT be leaving my stamp room! Oh and add lucky limeade to the list!  Like my friend Rita texted me last night, who likes olive anymore???  :-)  Speaking of retired stuff......  If I can ever get my act together I need to have a little (or not so little) rubber rummage sale!!!!!!  Keep an eye out!

Ok, time to teach some turbo kick!  Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!  And go home moon, you're drunk!!!!!

Happy stamping!

HSS 160

Hi stampers!  Happy Tuesday!  I'm glad Monday is done and gone...it was not fun!  This post will be short as it's late as I pre-post this (Monday night) and storming...I don't sleep very well when it storms and the dog doesn't either which means I sleep even less :-/  She's got her thundershirt on but doesn't seem to be helping much this time around....

Anyway it's time for another fun challenge at Hand Stamped Sentiments.  This week it's a sketch!

And here is my card.  Simple but cute I think and makes a good masculine card!

Stamps:  Animal talk
Paper:  Whisper white, bermuda bay, lucky limeade, baked brown sugar
Ink:  Baked brown sugar
Accessories:  Ovals framelits, striped EF, honeycomb EF

Make sure to check out all the design team samples and play along with us!  We'd love to have you!

And here's hoping Tuesday is better than Monday!

Happy stamping!

Gold on gold

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy stamping!

Back to the real world

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy stamping!

Fab Fri 18

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy stamping!

Gee, thank you!

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

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

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

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

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

Hugs and happy stamping!

HSS 159

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

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

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

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

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

Happy stamping!

Mailable Monday - Make a wish

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

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

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

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

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

Happy stamping!

Sunday Funday...sort of

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

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

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

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

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

Wish me luck on the funday :-)

Happy stamping!

Cabana baby

Hi stampers!  Quick post before work today...I meant to do it last night but didn't end up doing ANYTHING:-)

Here is a simple card using the new label love set.  Remember that you can use the smallest scallop circle punch to punch out the circle in the baby stamp!  And again, I'm going to marry coastal cabana!  It's soooooo pretty and how perfect is it for a baby card????? My little baby medallion was inspired by a sample in the catalog.  It's full of great ideas!  I'll be sending them out next week!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Label love
Paper:  Whisper white, pear pizzazz, coastal cabana
Ink:  Daffodil delight, coastal cabana
Accessories:  1/4" daffodil delight taffeta ribbon, vintage trinkets, scallop circle punch, artisan label punch, baker's twine, needle point border embossing folder, lace tape

I suppose you could argue that the lace tape is kind of feminine for a a boy card but really I don't think a baby will care, hehe! And I think that this shade of blue (Tiffany blue anyone???) could totally work for a girl too!  Not all girls are pink girls, right?  Maybe I'll give this one to my cousins this weekend....although I won't get to see them since they will be working, only the baby.  I'm kind of sad about that....I miss my "little" over 6 foot tall cousin :-)  Although seeing him at 21 and with a baby makes me feel OOOLLLDDD!

Well time to go to the salt mine as my grandpa Bingamon would say....I thought he actually mined salt for an embarrassingly LONG time ;-)

Happy stamping!

More mosaic madness

Hi stampers!  Yep, I'm a woman obsessed.  You all know I've been obsessed with Oh, hello, right? Oh and then there's the paper pumpkin welcome kit stamp...... Well you can add mosaic madness to the list of my fixations!  I can't stop using it!  It's just so fun and modern and who doesn't love a stamp set that not only has a matching embossing folder but a punch too!?!?!

So, here is a really CAS card.  I think a lot of people have a hard time seeing sets like this with lots of pieces and parts for simple cards but it's easy!  Just plop a couple on your card and there ya go!

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  Oh, hello, mosaic madness, my paper pumpkin welcome kit
Paper:  Whisper white, crisp cantaloupe
Ink:  Sahara sand, crisp cantaloupe, coastal cabana
Accessories:  Mosaic punch, basic rhinestones

Guess I'm also obsessed with the new in colors!  I really do love them.  They look amazing with so many of our colors and with each other!  This color combo came straight from my scrap pile!  I tend to have a pile of scraps over by my paper cutter and I just throw all my scraps in a big pile (until it gets too big and drives me nuts then I put them away) but a lot of times when I look over I see great color combos!  So, these three colors were sitting together and they looked so pretty!  Don't forget to glance at your scraps if you're in need of a color combo!

Happy stamping!

Something new and different...

Hi stampers!  Ok, a quick break today from the new sneak peeks.  I did something a little different for a few reasons today.  First off, it's square...I need to make more different sized and shaped cards.  Next, like I said, it doesn't use any sneak peek items or new in colors, hehe!  That's all I seem to be using lately!  And third, it's really a different style card for me I think...and I LIKE it!  I hope you do too!

It's kind of fun and grungy which is totally "in" right now!  The splatters are very popular (and fun to do I might add) and so are distressed type images like the little bits of chevron you see.  That was pretty easy to do by simply inking up the stamp kind of helter-skelter with a sponge.  I didn't want it to have defined edges so I just did a few dabs here and there staying away from the edges of the stamp.

Stampin' Supplies:
Stamps:  April 2013 my paper pumpkin kit, wishes your way
Paper:  Whisper white, Bermuda bay, so saffron
Ink:  Bermuda bay, so saffron
Accessories: Ovals framelits, dotted scallop border punch, natural trim ribbon

Of course I had to use the "seriously" stamp from the April My Paper Pumpkin kit.  It's seriously cute!  Seriously!  :-)  I think they also need to make one that says, "seriously?"  I could really use the one with the question mark because I say that to my hubby all the time, LOL!!!!!!  ;-)

I used ink refill and shimmer paints with an aqua painter for the splatters.  Make sure to pick up some shimmer paint from my store before it runs out as it's retiring!!!!  And a little tip....make sure to cover your work space and anything you don't want splatters on when you do that ;-)

Happy stamping!