Always - Waxy Cuttlebug

OK, OK! I've heard from several of you that you are in withdrawal since I haven't published anything on my Blog in a few days. I know I thought I'd have time to do timeposts while I was gone, but it just didn't happen. We had a nice visit with our son and flew home last night. Today I left early this morning to travel a couple hours to Canton where I used to live and did a Stamp Camp. So...I just returned home about an hour ago. Beautiful day for a drive...the flowering trees are gorgeous.

Many of you know that I am on the Design Team for Technique Junkies newsletter. This is one of the techniques, Waxy Cuttlebug, that is in the current newsletter. I especially liked the colors I used and the Birds and Swirls background is really prominent! I used the retired Twist Spectrum pad on Glossy cardstock for the focal image and overstamped the bird with Black Stazon. The background colorblock colors are Gable Green, Almost Amethyst and So Saffron, with the base card of Taken With Teal. I used both the 5 petal flower punch and the BoHo Blossom punch with a mini brad in the center.

Need to go catch up on the hundreds of emails I have waiting...plus American Idol elimination is tonight!

Blogger's Challenge Week #44 - Color Challenge

OK...I know I say this almost every week, but doesn't it feel like time is speeding up? I can't believe another week has passed and it is time for the Blogger's Challenge again!

This week's challenge was to use the color combination of Brocade Blue, Certainly Celery, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip. I decided to do a variation of the Flap Fold card from June/July 2007 Technique Junkies online bonus newsletter. It is a fun card to make...I did our Christmas cards using this template last year.

My Bloomin' Beautiful set was sitting out from last night, so I decided to use it...such a pretty set! I stamped the flower pot with Black Stazon and water colored it with my Watercolor Crayons. I did a little zig zag faux stitch along the side of the printed Certainly Celery paper. I also pierced around the scallops of the Scallop Circle punch. Inside, I stamped some dotted circles from the Seeing Spots set in So Saffron for a little added texture. This card will go to my Mother in Law for Mother's Day! (Hope she isn't peeking here!)

I'll be gone for the next couple days...we are off to see our eldest son in Madison, WI. I'll try to line up some timed posts before I go, but I have a lot of stamping projects with due dates, so we'll see.

Had fun with my Stamper's Club group last night! I know Cynthia in particular "enjoyed" the glitter card we did!

Have a great weekend.

Lovely Letters

As soon as I saw this alphabet, Lovely Letters, in the new catalog, I knew it would be in my collection. So, even though I got it soon after Convention, this was the first time I've used it! I had something like this in mind when I got it, but just hadn't had time to do anything.

So...I get a phone call this morning from my DH (I'll let you choose the adjective!).

Him: "Hi honey, sweetie pie...what cha doing?"
Me: What do you need?
Him: Well, yesterday was Administrative Assistant Day and I didn't know so I didn't get anything for my Executive Assistant. Could you whip something up real quick for her? I need to take it into work with me tomorrow.
Me: You owe me BIG time

lol! Now...Stephanie is a sweetheart and she is SO good to my DH, so even though I have a TON of assignments needing done and I had a class tonight, I managed to put together this package of note cards for her.

Many thanks to Michelle Wooderson for the idea of the note cards. I love how they turned out AND they were so quick to put together. The words were printed off on my computer. I also lined the inside of the envelopes with the DSP. I made some envelope seals with her monogram and a little envelope from the DSP to hold the seals. A ribbon holds the mini envelope closed. The paper is Stampin' Up!'s Fall Flowers and I particularly LOVE this flower pattern in that package. It took a little less than 2 full 12x12 sheets to do it all. I tucked the 8 cards, envelopes and seals into the card box. I think she'll be pleased with her gift! Now I'm thinking I'll make these for Mother's Day and tuck a gift card inside, too!

Enjoy!

Full of Life

Did you ever have a day go missing? I tell ya...yesterday went by in a blur and I really don't know what I did! I wasn't even that BUSY...just tinkering around doing things. I can't believe I forgot to post! Oh well...

This is the card I made for my mom and dad's anniversary. They celebrated 49 years last week. Congratulations! I love the saying from Full of Life in the Spring mini and I used markers to highlight different words. Perfect for my parents who have been together and in love for so long. I used Jen Del Muro's sketch again...love it! The colors are Mellow Moss, Pale Plum and Very Vanilla. The Designer paper is from the retired Enchante package. The same designs can be found in the current catalog, with different colors, called Le Jardin. The ribbon is Very Vanilla Taffeta to give it an elegant touch and I used the trio of flowers from BoHo punch in all three colors with a silver brad in the center.

Enjoy!

Big Birthday Candle AND Billy Joel!

Sorry I stayed away all weekend! Saturday was busy with errands and Sunday...well, let me tell you what we did! We went to the Billy Joel Concert in town. Oh my! That man STILL has such a great voice! He played all his old (and my favorite!!) songs...finishing with Piano Man. His band was excellent...several saxes, two drummers, two electric guitar players. Billy Joel was in form...cracking jokes about how much older he was than the last time he was in Columbus, about his ex-wives and his loss/graying of hair. Because my husband's bank helped sponsor the event, we had seats 5 rows from the floor and to the side...within "spittin" distance as my hubby would say. We really had a great time! We saw him in concert about 18 years ago when he was touring with Elton John. Now THAT was a concert, too!

Well...on to the purpose why you stopped by, right? Here is the card that I made for the Control Freaks swap...we were to use any new set in the last catalog...thank goodness it was a small swap (18) because cutting out all those candles! Oh my! Patty Bennett gave me the inspiration for the fold. The base of the card is made with Pumpkin Pie cut 4 x 12 and scored at 4 and 8, then the center panel is scored diagonally (top left to bottom right) making an inside pocket when collapsed that holds a gift card or money. I used the fabulous Jersey Shore DSP paper on the front and inside (note to self...order MORE!). I cut 3 candles (Brilliant Blue, Pumpkin Pie and Wild Wasabi) and 3 flames (Summer Sun) for each card. On the flames, I sponged some pumpkin pie ink in the centers, covered with Tombow Multipurpose glue and then Dazzling Diamonds glitter. They SPARKLE so pretty! I stamped Make a Wish from the Big Birthday Candle set and I used the Happy Everything set for the inside with Basic Gray ink. This is a fun set to stamp!

This week I need to prepare for a couple upcoming classes AND get my schedule of classes worked out for NEXT month! I'm behind doing that...the weather has been nice and I think I have a little Spring Fever! lol!

Enjoy!

Blogger's Challenge Week #43 - Chipboard!

My thoughts for this challenge were to use up some of the scrap pieces of chipboard I have laying around. I used the large chipboard flowers that surround this center circle for my Tart & Tangy Camp, so I had a lot of these circles with the cut out flower shape left over. I really haven't seen that many ideas out there using them (however, I haven't really looked either!). But, this card idea sort of evolved as I went along.

So, here is my thinking process on making this card. I knew I wanted to use Ginger Blossoms paper (love the colors). So I started with the base of River Rock and played with the flower strip of DSP and the Ruby Red layer until I liked it. I love polka dots, so I originally cut 2" polka dot DSP squares...well those were too big to go across the card (duh!), so I cut them down to 1 3/4" squares. I originally had the Vanilla squares lined up evenly with the polka dot squares, but you couldn't see much of the cool polka dot DSP. So, I ended up turning the Vanilla squares on the diamond (those were cut with the larger 1 3/8" square punch). Finally, I stamped the flower from the Three for You Punch Box stamp set in the center using Cameo Coral ink and placed a Ruby Red mini brad. I colored my chipboard with Cameo Coral Craft Ink (yes...it came out dark!) and added Iridescent Ice EP and heat set! I love the sparkle that II EP adds. Last I added the Groovy Guava double-stitched ribbon across the flower DSP and used "Make a Wish" from the Big Birthday Candle set. I'm happy with how it turned out!

I can't believe it is Friday already! Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Today is supposed to be GORGEOUS here...mid to high 70s and sunny. Perfect!

Spring Solitude

Here is another sketch and color challenge that Mary, Lisa and I participated in last weekend! This card turned out to be one of my favorites! Lisa chose the colors from a pretty notecard she had received...Cameo Coral, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Summer Sun and Chocolate Chip. The sketch was from Amy Rysavy's site.

Spring Solitude is my favorite of the Hostess sets! I stamped the solid flower with White Craft ink on the tempting turquoise. I used markers for the bird and tree limb. I used the other stem on the Old Olive layer and rounded the corners. The Cameo Coral base card I used the Twill background stamp with Cameo Coral ink...I love the textured look with that stamp! Of course, I also used my 5 petal punch and the Bo Ho Blossoms punch. And, I love the narrow twill ribbon (comes in Chocolate Chip or Old Olive), it works great!

I've had a sinus migraine all day. Luckily it wasn't too bad...just more annoying than anything!

Essence of Love

I love the simplicity of this set, Essence of Love. It looks equally wonderful stamped in black on a colorful background...or using Versamark and pastels...or individually coloring the flowers with markers. Truly a very versatile set! This card was another one done during the sketch challenges with Mary and Lisa last weekend. (I'm sorry! I've forgotten where we found the sketch!)

I did the background by placing Summer Sun and Ballet Blue ink pads next to each other on the table...and using my brayer to ink both colors simultaneously. You need to make sure you are getting the center of the brayer inked well, too. Then I ran the brayer over glossy paper. I love the effect...a faux Spectrum pad! I stamped the flower image with Basic Black over the colored background. The Summer Sun layer has the background Posy stamped with Summer Sun! I love the look that background stamp gives, too!

American Idol results show tonight...it is certainly getting harder and harder to determine who leaves each week! They are all such awesome performers! Who is YOUR favorite?

Bronc Buster with Western Sky

Again another challenge card Lisa, Mary and I worked on over the past weekend. This challenge used Jen Del Muro's blog sketch with our requirement to use Designer Paper. I decided that I hadn't used Western Sky in a long time and I think it goes perfect with this stamp set. I pulled out some scraps (this sketch is PERFECT to use up scraps!) and matted them using Ruby Red. I stamped the Genuine stamp with Basic Black on Blue Bayou and colored in parts of the image with my Versamarker. Using the Versmarker this way is great for getting just a little darker shade of the background cardstock! Then I used my White Craft pad to sponge around the edges of the stamped image layer for a little added interest. I added some punched stars and pewter brads. Done! I'm very happy with the way this turned out!

This morning we had a little frost on the ground...I hope it doesn't hurt the beautiful spring flowers and buds that are just coming out! Spring is my most favorite time...seeing the bright green shoots coming out on the trees...the flowering crabs, rhododendrens, yellow forsythia and sunny daffodils! Beautiful time of year!

Big Birthday Candle

I spent some time on Friday and Saturday doing challenges with my friends, Mary and Lisa. Some challenges were sketches...some were sketches and color combos. This was one of the sketch and color combinations. We picked the colors from Kristina Werner's blog this week and the sketch from Mercy's blog. Taken with Teal, Tempting Turquoise, Old Olive, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla were the colors. I had already started on this card, when I realized I wouldn't be able to use yellow for the flame! So...I compromised by using Tombow Multipurpose glue and dazzling diamonds. In real life, it does sparkle and look like fire!

This was a cute sketch...I like the way it turned out. Big Birthday Candle if fun to use with designer papers...you can cut out so many fun designs for the base of the candles. The greeting is from It's Your Birthday, and I made it into a tag using the tag corner punch. A little added 5/8" chocolate chip ribbon adds a nice touch...along with the silver brads in the corners and on the top of the layer.

Tonight is TV night. I've been enjoying The Big Give and a new Desperate Housewives. My other favorite show, Grey's Anatomy, will be new next week! Can't wait!

Hope you have a great week!

Blogger's Challenge - Triangle box

This week's challenge was to create a triangle box. There are several different variations we saw when we started looking for patterns. Mine is a simple 4 x 8 square, scored in half and scored from the center of each short side to the side of the center crease...making a diamond. When you fold up the scores, the flaps are tucked over each other. I punched two holes in the top flaps and the ribbon keeps it closed.

I chose the Embrace Life stamp set and Ginger Blossoms DSP and Groovy Guava...I hadn't used either of them in a while. I stamped the long stem image randomly on my box with Groovy Guava. Then I adhere the triangle piece of DSP to the front. Stamped the large flower in black and used my sponge dauber to ink the center. I added a coordinating stripe of reverse red stripe DSP by the flower and a Rhinestone brad.

This is a fun little treat box! I'm glad we had this challenge so I pulled out my notes on how to make them!

Enjoy your Friday! Weekend here we come!

Embrace Life

My girlfriend, Mary and I did a couple challenges today. One used Beate's inspiration dress she found from J C Crew. The challenge was to use the colors or the pattern as inspired by the dress. Here is my take on it.

The simplicity of the dress and design made it much harder than I anticipated! I usually like to finish the challenges with Mary within 30-45 minutes. This one I ripped apart after 45 minutes and went a different direction! It just didn't come together easily. I do think my finished result has the nice clean lines like the dress...what do you think? Colors I used are Pumpkin Pie, Wild Wasabi, Bashful Blue, Whisper White and Apricot Appeal. I did use the Twill background on the top...it is just hard to see.

After showing you my studio yesterday, I did some rearranging. I went back to The Container Store and purchased some additional baskets for my ribbon. And, I found this great little cart for my punches to sit in next to my working desk! I'll take some pictures tomorrow after I get it put back together.

Several of you have asked for directions on making the little Tart & Tangy treat pouches. Here is the website I used: Pouch

Have a great evening. We are supposed to get thunderstorms tonight...but the last few days have really felt like spring. The trees are starting to bud out. However...that dreaded word "SNOW" is in the forecast for the weekend! Yuck!

My Stamp Studio

I've been promising several people that I share my stamping space! My husband built the wood shelves for me after Christmas. I pretty much have them filled with retired stamps the way I want. Still need to label the shelves according to how they are sorted. Lots of room to still add to them. One area I want to work on is the wire shelves on the opposite wall...I may put in some cabinets along that side. My work area is pretty clean in this picture...trust me, it doesn't look like this often! The black holders by my work area are tilt-down bins...I store a lot of my little things in them...sponge daubers, sanding blocks, adhesive, pop-dots, etc. I have all my paper, both 8 1/2 x 11 and 12x12 on paper racks, labeled with the color names.

My back wall holds a grid system (from The Container Store...love it!) and wire baskets filled with ribbon spools. I am running out of space, so will probably add another grid panel and more wire baskets. I love ribbon and have some of it hid away! lol! Behind one of the double doors where you enter, I have the small wood shelves (from Ikea) that hold my individual stamps.

The tables are in the center. I have set ups for 10 all the time, but can bring in another 7' foot table for more space. I also have a game table outside the double doors of this room that holds another 4-6 people when needed.

Hope you've enjoyed the peek into my Studio. Sorry the pictures are so wonky...Blogspot just doesn't like to line them up well!

Tart & Tangy favors

Oh my! Spring has made it to Central Ohio! The trees have started budding, the daffodils at the front of our subdivision are getting ready to BUST out and bloom! I'll have to make sure to take pictures this year...there are so many and they are gorgeous! Temps today were in the low 70s and tomorrow is supposed to be nice, too. Then we are in for some rain and cooler temps again thru the weekend. At least we've had a hint!

I made these favors for my Tart & Tangy Stamp Camp participants last weekend . They were a HIT! They are fairly small, I started with a 6x6 size sheet of Summer Picnic Designer Paper and then folded them into the pocket shape. I filled the small cello pages with Starburst fruit chews, tied them with our wonderful Striped Ribbon and they pretty much followed the same fruit flavors as the stamp set (cherry, orange, lemon)! Fun! My group had a fun time doing our projects, too. Don't want to show them yet...I still have another Camp scheduled at the end of this month doing the same projects! I love this paper and the bright colors you use with the Tart & Tangy stamp set. It really lifts my spirits. The circle punches and Scallop punch are just a PERFECT fit, too. (Stampin' Up! is finally getting caught up with the backorders on these...the last of mine just went out today!)

Come back tomorrow! I finally took some pictures of my Stamp Studio and the new shelving my hubby made me for Christmas! Hopefully they will give you some ideas for organizing your space.

Classic Backgrounds MVP

I had fun making this scrapbook page...pictures of my son, Ross, playing in the All-Star game his senior year of high school. His team went undefeated and (not to brag too much), he had one of his best games EVER! A grand slam! Of course, like most boys when around their friends, he didn't want me to take his picture...I surprised him with this shot, so it isn't the best lighting...but beggars can't be choosy!

This is one of the 12x12 scrapbook pages I did for Display Maker using the Classic Backgrounds stamp set. Funny, the minute I saw the set, these pictures and scrapbook page come to my mind. I cut the baseball round shape with my Coluzzle and hand pierced and drew the stitches. I made the spiral punch go down the side, and then the row of pierced faux stitching. I stamped the small stars background stamp in the corners, then cut out each of the red larger stars (I wasn't given the punch to use...bummer!) The alphabets are Well-Worn Alphabet and Schoolbook Serif Alphabet.

I don't do a lot of scrapbooking (cards and 3D items give me instant gratification)...but I do like it when a page comes together!

Enjoy the rest of the weekend...I have a group coming in for a Stamp Camp. The weather looks like it will be gorgeous today. Bet we will see a lot of golfers on the course!

Blogger's Challenge #41

Today's Blogger's challenge was to use the layout at the top of Page 65 in the Spring/Summer catalog. I had several scraps of East Coast Prep designer paper laying on my table, so I decided to pull something together using the colors in the polka dot paper. Flowers have those colors, so I grabbed my much neglected Stitched Exotics (one of the sets I received for making displays at Leadership). I've used it very little since I made all those samples. I stamped the large flower with More Mustard and Real Red craft ink and the Versamark/Soft Sky trick...then used Iridescent Ice to glitter and emboss the flowers. The leaves were stamped in Wild Wasabi. I placed green round Rhinestone brads in the center of each flower and popped them up with dimensionals. Added a greeting from Full of Life in the mini catalog in Basic Black, the DSP semi circle cut with the Coluzzle and the 5/8 Red Grosgrain ribbon. Voila!

Exciting night around here last night...the Ohio State Buckeyes won the NIT Basketball Tournament! Woohoo! Go BUCKS!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Essence of Love

This stamp set in the new Occasions mini caught my eye from the very first. Very unusual and unlike my normal style. I've really seen some striking cards, so I'm glad I gave in to the temptation to purchase it! This card is one of the challenges I completed with my friends Mary and Lisa. The challenge was to use this sketch and the colors of Blush Blossom , Groovy Guava, Wild Wasabi and So Saffron. I don't use a lot of Blush Blossom, so I was excited when Lisa mentioned this color combination!

It may be hard to see, but the small butterfly is stamped randomly over the Blush Blossom layer. The focal floral image is embossed with black. I stamped the cut-out butterfly between Happy & Birthday with Groovy Guava on Blush Blossom cardstock, then glittered it with Dazzling Diamonds. The printed paper is from Jersey Shore DSP.

American Idol results show is tonight! Again...wondering who will go. I just finished watching last night's show (since I had my Techniques Class), so now I have an idea of who I'd like to see go!

See you soon!

Classic Backgrounds

This was another one of the display items I made for Leadership Convention using Classic Backgrounds...a Tooth Fairy tin! I made the large star in the set into a Tooth Fairy's wand by embossing silver EP on Brushed Silver cardstock, then cut it out. I cut a sliver of Brushed Silver cardstock for the handle and tied a ribbon around it. I used the small flower background stamp with Whisper White craft over the Lovely Lilac cardstock and used the White Gel pen in the center of each flower to make them pop. I did faux stitching with the White Gel pen around the entire front of the tin. The inside looked too plain, so I used the same idea to cover the metal. The inside star is popped up with dimensionals and Wish Big was stamped on Whisper White and punched with the Word Window punch. It was a fun project to put together!

I'm waiting for my class members to get here tonight for the Technique Class. I'll be showing you a couple of the projects we made in the next couple days!

Happy stamping!