November Class Projects

I had my monthly class last night. My two customers and I had fun! :D We did two projects using SU double sided paper, (there is still a special going on!) and one card. The two projects don't even have any stamping! What was I thnking?? LOL!

I don't have a picture of the star project because I gave it to one of my gals that messed hers up. You can see the project here on Julie's blog. It is the six point star.

The second project was these cute ball ornaments. These are so stinkin' easy!! I have seen them several places on the web, but here is Emily's version. After you do the first one you can have these done in about 5 minutes, no joke! I used SU's scallop punch and some Apple Cider DS paper and some retired metalic thread.


For the last project, we did an acetate card. The directions for these can be found on SCS here. This is really an amazingly simple card to make. I purposefully didn't add any bulky embellishments so it wouldn't require extra postage. (No reason to hold up those Christmas cards by requiring you to stand in line to get the extra postage stamp or be returned because you didn't think to add the extra postage!)

Stamps: Holiday Tag Team, Ink: Staz-On White and Black, markers; Paper: Night of Navy, Ballet Blue, Glossy White; Accessories: Acetate, Scoring blade, Crafter's Tool Kit.

I'm up to three Christmas cards made now! I guess I'd better get those done pretty quick! ;)

Could It Be Christmas?

Yes, it has been a while since I posted. I didn't realize just how long. We were in Hawaii for a week. While David worked hard all week Troy and I played. ;) Now I am back and recovered, but of course Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow. Then our vacation in Cancun in a couple of weeks, then Christmas. Hmmm, when are my Christmas cards going to be made???? I guess I'd better get stampin'!

Here is one I made. I used Beate's sketch from this week-end's challenge and this is what I came up with. It is a tad bit simple, but hopefully not to simple. I don't like the way the colors scanned, they are a bit off. The deer and the Joy were some clear stamps from Archivers that are only $1.99. The crystals are some from Hero Arts that I also purchased from Archivers. I used Stickles on the two snowflakes.


Stamps: Unknown; Ink: Almost Artichoke, Chocolate Chip, CRAFT Basic Black; Paper: Almost Artichoke, Old World DCWV, Whisper White; Accessories: crimper, Stickles, crystals, pop dots, Marvy Giga Scallop.

Play Time

I had a little time to play yesterday since DS was sick and was listless instead of his usually rambunctious self! Oh yeah, and he willingly took a nap!! So after I picked up my jaw from the floor I got busy! I had this idea in my head after I did the Smooshed Cuttlebug awhile back. Instead of using a spectrum pad I just used a white CRAFT pad. I'm not sure if this constitutes a morph of the technique or not, I'm just proud that I was able to think a little outside the box! I did notice that I had a couple of spots on the embossing folder that didn't take ink as well as the rest. I'm hoping that if I clean it up real well that it will work better, perhaps there was just some type of oil from my fingers. I really liked how this turned out! I like that it is simple to do, but doesn't have that "I didn't know what else to do" look. I also like the feel of the embossed layer. I just may do this card for my Christmas cards this year! Wouldn't that be a hoot, to use my first Christmas card of the season?

Any ideas to dress it up a little bit more? I was thinking of using a corner punch (ticket perhaps?). But then I'd have to add some brads (Night of Navy or Brocade Blue perhaps?) Any ideas anyone? :D
Stamps: Frosty, Holiday Tag Team; Ink: CRAFT White, Silver Encore; Paper: Night of Navy, Silver, Brocade Blue; Accessories: CB embossing folder.

Just a quick share of my sick little boy. He NEVER wants to take a nap, so when he vonunteered to take a nap during quiet time I KNEW he really didn't feel well, (just in case the 103 temp wasn't enough!) Thankfully he is feeling better this afternoon. He missed two days of preK and has tomorrow off too so he should be FULL of energy on Thursday for his teacher!

Zee Fun is in Z Fold!

I decided to play along with Beate's week-end Sketch Challenge #25. The sketch is quite straightforward, the Challenge was that it had to be a Z Fold card. Beate's challenge can be found here. The sketch is here.

Now you might be wondering about my card. Well. . . . . . I made two! No I'm not an overachiever! (I don't think so anyway!) A friend/neighbor had her baby on Thursday (so she couldn't attend my monthly class - what an excuse, right!?) So I decided to make one of the cards for her and her family.

Stamps: A New Little Someone, Ink: Staz-On Black, various SU Markers; Paper: Regal Rose (inside), Rose Red, Pallet O'Prints, Old World Mat Stack (DCWV - purple DS).

This card I am planning on sending to my Distance Stampers Group. Yes, I have a few more of these to make! So I had better get started! LOL! Now, when I scanned this card, some of the Old Olive color washed out of the designer paper (left side), so it does coordinate better IRL.

Stamps: True Friend, Ink: Staz-On Black, Old Olive & Really Rust Markers, Paper: Old Olive (inside) Really Rust, Apple Cider DP. Accessories: Rhinestone Brads Ice.

In case you are wondering, I found the Z fold tutorial on the subscriber pages of Technique Junkies.

My Just One Card

I told you that I would post my Just One card that I swapped with Diane. Just One is a program that pairs up Technique Junkies for a one-on-one swap. You know how fun it is when you open up a grag bag to see what you got? Well, that is what it is like with the Just One card swap. You send off your card to your partner and see what you get in return. You don't know what technique you will be amazed at!

I had purchased some Opalite pads quite a while ago; I hadn't even removed the plastic wrap! I decided it was past time to use them! So I searched through the technique archives for a technique to use and found the Transparent Opalites. Because the Floral background stamp is so detailed I chose not to do any coloring on the back of the transparency and used the Opalites to provide all the color. I really like this technique because I feel it lends itself to a elegant card. Without further ado here is the card:

Click on the picture and you can get a closer look. You can almost see the shimmer from the Opalites. I think I really NEED some more of these Opalites!

Stamps: Floral, Warm Words; Ink: Staz-On Black, CRAFT Basic Black, OPALITES Orchid Ice, Glacier Blue, Cypress Frost; Paper: Garden Green, Ballet Blue, Basic Black; Accessories: Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Cuttlebug die, transparency, spray fixative.

If you haven't signed my guest book at the bottom please do! I love to "see" where everyone is visiting from! Thanks for visiting!

October's Class

My monthly class is tomorrow evening. I have one person attending, so for all of you not showing up on my doorstep here are a couple of pictures of the projects I have in store for her. I am using the Boho wheel on both projects. I love the idea of tying projects together to show versatility. These items would be great as a little thank you gift!

Here are both projects:

Yes, those are yummy nuggets of chocolate!! I love how the SU wheels fit so well on the regular Avery mailing labels. Decorating these nuggets is so easy! If I was having a Halloween party it would be easy to use a spooky wheel to decorate some and put in a bowl for consumption. Now, I probably wouldn't do a project like this to just drop into all those bags that come on Halloween evening! LOL! I do have a coffee group meeting that I am hosting in January and I think these nuggets just may be on the menu! ;)

Here is the card:
I was inspired by tbiryds' card on SCS. I just love Wild Wasabi!! I think I could use it on nearly every card I make! I have tried to restrain myself and used other colors, but you can count on the fact that I did lay down some Wild Wasabi just to see if it would work! LOL!

Check back tomorrow, I plan on posting the card I sent my Just One partner. She should have received her card by then so it should be safe to post it here. I'll share with you that I used the Transparent Opalites technique from June/July 2007's newsletter!

Playing with Attachment Sizes And Soldier Spanish Gold

I am trying to figure out how to make my attached photos a medium size so that when you click on them you can see the detail but not have to scroll a lot to see the entire card. Unfortunately, to do this I have to publish the posting and those that have subscribed will be notified by email. Well, I don't want to waste an e-mail or a posting so I thought I'd share a card I made for my sister using the Spanish Gold technqiue from Technique Junkies. It looks a lot like my other Spanish Gold picture (which is why I didn't post it before.)

Here is the picture saved at 75%:


Here is the picture saved at 50%:

ETA: I think I prefer the smaller version since I can see it without scrolling yet I can still see plenty of detail. I am using Firefox so I don't know if other browsers view it the same. Feel free to let me know which you prefer (and why). Thanks!

If you have read my blog you may already know that my sister is stationed in S. Korea. I am so very proud of her! She joined the Army as an "older" recruit in her mid 30's and made it through basic training and AIT (advanced training) even with a hip injury. Her husband and two children are here in the states while she serves at her first duty station. I can now say that my entire family is/are vets! My parents met while serving in the Navy. Although I am the eldest both my brothers joined the Army before I did. One on active duty the other in the National Guard. I joined first the Reserves while I went through ROTC and then was on active duty for over six years. Now Cori has joined! Yes, I am very proud of our family's military service.

Okay, enough blathering about my family!!!! I found the Soldier stamp at Hobby Lobby made by a company called Paper Inspirations. The mosaic background is from Starving Artists. The Spanish Gold technique is from the most recent TJ newsletters.

Diane's Just One Card

Each month Technique Junkies sign up for a "Just One"swap. You are paired up with someone and send them a card using one of the many Techniques from the TJ newsletters. This month I was paired with Diane and I received her card today!

Can you say "Wow!" She used two different techniques on her card. The flower uses the Marker Wash and the background uses the Cuttlebug Pearls technique. I love how she uses so many layers to add dimension. This is such a lovely card! Thank you so much Diane!

ETA: I changed the attachment so that it was a little smaller. When you click on the picture it should be larger but not fill the screen so much that you have to scroll across to see the entire picture. I hope this is better!

Ladybug Birthday

Well, we are going to a friend's daughter's birthday party this afternoon. Clancy and Troy are friends and play together when we visit Joe's Crab Shack every Tuesday for lunch. Clancy is turning three and likes ladybugs. She isn't a total girly-girl yet but does love purses and Dora. Anywho, this is the card I "whipped up" ( in about 1.5 hours) today! Sorry for that line along the top, my scanner put it there for some reason so just ignore it.


I searched and searched through all my (few) current stamp sets and all my (many) retired stamp sets for a particular ladybug. I guess that was one of the retiring stamp sets that I didn't buy! *eyeroll* I did find this little lady from the Very Punny Sell-A-Bration set and decided to omit the "bug me anytime" on the bottom of the stamp. I had intended to use OMS to blend my Pure Color pencils but then realized that I used my Basic Black marker so I could omit the words and I was afraid that the OMS would cause the ink to bleed. *sigh* I just keep telling myself that she is just three and won't criticize the card, (if she even looks at it!) I drew the dotted line to help fill some of the white space and give a sense of motion to help draw the eye down to the sentiment. I added the ribbon just to give it some foo-foo; don't all girls love ribbon???

Can you believe I have this done an HOUR before the party???? *beams* See, I didn't procrastinate AT ALL! ;)

Stamps: Very Punny; Ink: Basic Black marker, Rose Red; Paper: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Shimmery White; Accessories: Pink gingham ribbon, rectangle punch; Pure Color Pencils.

Make A Wish

Woo-hoo! Look at what I won from Sharon! If you haven't read her blog, you really must! She is a wonderful artist and super sweet gal! She was giving away a GinaK Make A Wish stamp set. I have wanted this stamp set, I just LOVE that wishing well!

She sent me this cute card with the stamp set. She just makes simple look soooo easy! I know I it would have taken me ages to come up with this design!

This is the card that I made up and sent her to thank her. I used my Pure Color Pencils and OMS. I used some of my Ranger Distress Inks around the well to age the cardstock. I used GinaK's technique of using two scalloped squares together to make a rectangle. (I used the Giga size and the well fit perfectly on two!)

Sharon, thank you so much for your generosity! I am sooo loving this stamp set! And GinaK, thanks for designing such a versatile stamp set!

Spanish Gold Sympathy

Yesterday we found out that a business acquaintance's wife died Saturday from breast cancer. We have known Chuck since 1999 when we moved and he became our property manager for our house in VA. David noticed an article on CNN that Congresswoman JoAnn Davis had passed away. I knew I needed to make a card for him. He has been such a wonderful property manager for us. His wife has visited soldiers overseas and was a wonderful person. My heart goes out to him. I can not begin to know the pain he must feel having lost his wife of 33 years. It is comforting to know that she is now free of the cancer and is resting with Christ now.

Since I needed a masculine card I decided to try a new technique from my Technique Junkies Newsletter called Spanish Gold. Personally, I think this card turned out awesome! I wanted simple and elegantly masculine and I think this fits the bill. It will be in the mail to Chuck tomorrow. I hope he will find some small comfort in knowing that people care.


Stamps: Lovely as a Tree; Ink: Basic Brown, Old Olive marker, various Distress Inks (Ranger), Brown & Gold acrylic paint; Paper: Basic Black, Copper, Whisper White; Accessories: sponges, stipple brush, copper brads (antiqued with Staz-On).

TJ Cuttlebug Pearls

Well, the new Technique Junkies newsletter has been unleashed upon the crafting world! Wow, what a great newsletter! I'm so glad that I FORCED myself to purchase that Cuttlebug (CB) a while back! I'm saving myself $$ now (since I already have it!) ;)

This card uses the Cuttlebug Pearls technique. The only stamping is the center flower from True Friend. If you are interested in this technique hop over to the TJ website and check out how you can get this incredible newsletter!

Stamps: True Friend; Ink: Staz-On Black; Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black; Accessories: Acetate, Pearl-Ex, Cuttlebug w/folder, Xyron.

Septembers Class Projects

The first project we did last night was this film strip card. This is a great "technique" for both cards and scrappages! Think of all those silly little pictures you take of your children, now you can use them in this way and be able to show more than a few without overwhelming your page. Of course, I didn't come up with this idea on my own. In fact, this card was inspired by Julia (the Queen of vintage!) here. This card is simpler than hers, but I wanted to focus on the faux filmstrip and not overwhelm on little details. I have found that if you keep it simple the novice stampers will not feel as overwhelmed and the more advanced stampers will be able to run with it. So I try to find one element to focus on for each project I teach.

For this card I used Choco Chip for the base and Apple Cider Designer Paper for two of the layers. I just LOVE the double sided papers! They just seem to simplify pulling elements together on your projects! I used the ticket corner punch on the DP layers and sponged the edges of those layers as well. Then I used my SU distresser and distressed the edges. The faux filmstrip layer is just a 5 x 2 3/8" basic black that I used the Spiral punch on each side. I used the 1 3/8" square punch to punch out the flowers and mounted them to the black. I found it much easier to do it this way than try to punch three squares perfectly straight (remember testing post, I'm a bit of a perfectionist!)

Card Recipe: Stamps: True Friend, Baroque Motifs; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, CRAFT Chocolate Chip (stamped flowers); Paper: Chocolate Chip, Basic Black, River Rock, Apple Cider DP, Accessories: Ticket corner punch, Spiral punch, sponge, Distress tool.

For the second project I showcased Faux Brads. I had been reading about faux brads on one of my yahoo groups, (Technique Junkies to be exact) but just wasn't interested too much. I am sorry that I don't remember the name of the person that shared this version of faux brads as I deleted the email. After all, real brads are soooo easy! Why fake it??? *eyeroll*

This is why! See that blank space to the left of the sentiment? It just looks off balance to me. By this time I had all the layers securely adhered down and trust me there would be no pulling these layers apart! So what is a gal to do??? Yes, you're right, faux brads to the rescue!


Here is the finished card:

So what do you think? Do the faux brads truly finish off this card?

Another reason to use faux brads is to cut down on the thickness of the card. With the new postal regulations those little backs on the brads can add to the thickness. I just paid an extra 17 cents today to mail a card to my brother because of the brads I had used. Oh well, he's worth it! ;)

Deets on this card: I used Linen b/g to add texture to the top portion of the base layer. I used the cool Boho Friend wheel with VersaMark for the background on the Wild Wasabi layer. The I stamped the flower from True friend and punched with the 1 1/4" circle punch, punched 1 3/8" of Basic Black and adhered together. Used a 1/16th" to add the (real) brad, then layered that to a scallop punched layer. I used two mini dots to attached the flower to the card because I was overlapping uneven layers (blue & green). I stamped the sentiment and attached the blue layer to the black layer then attached both to the green layer.

Okay on to the good details! How did I do those faux brads? I used my eyelet template from my Crafter's Tool Kit and placed on my card to see where I wanted my brads to be. I used the brush tip of my SU marker to color in the circles where I wanted my faux brads. Then without moving my template I used Crystal Effects (CE) to dab onto the circles. Gently remove the template and let the CE dry really well. (I let the card sit overnight before I scanned it.) Don't use too much CE or it will look a little goofy. I think I actually used a little too much. Also, clean up your template right away, CE is water soluble and will clean up easily, but you don't want to wait too long!

Stamps: True Friend, Linen; Ink: VersaMark, Ballet Blue, Night Of Navy Marker, CRAFT Basic Black; Paper: Ballet Blue, Wild Wasabi, Basic Black; Accessories: PUNCHES: 1 1/4", 1 3/8", 1/16" Scallop Circle, Crafter's Tool Kit, Crystal Effects, BB Brad.

ETA: Oops! I forgot to share where the inspiration for this card came from! PageMaps has a section now for cards. This layout is from one of their CardMaps, (bottom row, second from right.) What a great place for some quick inspiration!

Silly Personality Tests

Well Allison is always finding these cute tests. You get to find out about yourself after answering about 10 questions! LOL! Anyway, I thought these two were interesting.

What Classic Movie Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

Okay, so let me see if I got this right; I lead by example and morals are important to me (as I am a bit of a perfectionist) I put the needs of others ahead of myself. Hmmmm, does this sound like a mother to you???? :D

Okay, I will post the projects I taught at my class tonight tomorrow. I'm tuckered out right now.

GinaK Special

I'm going to go outside of my normal comfort zone and tell you what I think about Gina K. and her store, Stamping Freak. I think everyone has heard of GinaK by now, but if you haven't please check out her webstore, (is that a real word yet??)

Gina K is one of the most giving people I have ever "met" (okay, we've just met online!) She is donating 10% of purchases today to the September 11, 2001 Children's Fund. She even has some specials listed for today only! (ahh-hummm, those scallop oval doodles are pretty cool so I finally bought the set today!)

It amazes me that she can and is donating on top of donating! What do I mean? She is donating $7-8 from each set of Stamps for a Cause (to their respective causes) then another 10% t0 the Children's Fund. As I was mulling all this over (and surfing her webstore for what I couldn't live without and could justify to DH) the Scripture kept running through my head, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13.) In our present day here in America unless you are serving in the military or in a profession such as police or fireman you probably aren't in a position to drastically lay down your life on a regular basis. I believe that Gina has found a way to lay down her life, that is her financial life for others. Yes, she is selflessly giving more to help others in need. Please check out her store and help her make even more of a difference today!

Thank you Gina for all that you do!

I am going to try to find something special to do today to commemorate 9-11 in my own special way. Perhaps I can go through that box of cards that I have "on stand-by" that I never seem to use because I have to make something fresh and new for whatever it is that I need a card for, and send out some RAKs. They won't know it today, but in a few days I will (hopefully) have brightened someone's day!

True Cider Friend

Well, I had to come up with some name for this posting so I guess that will work! ;) Now that my son has started back at pre-school, hopefully I'll be able to get into a rhythm and have some more time for stamping! I forgot to grab the camera as he got on the preK bus today! *sigh*

I was playing with the new set True Friend from the Holiday Mini and this is what I came up with. I was inspired by this Christmas card by Paula. It was really a pretty simple card to put together. Believe it or not I didn't try to line up the wheeled background so it was pretty cool that it turned out like it did! I thought I'd send this to my "little" brother (Wade) serving in South Korea right now. Hmmmm, I do "owe" him a birthday card still! ;)

Stamps: True Friend, Boho Friends wheel; Ink: VersaMark (wheel), Sahara Sand; Paper: River Rock, Really Rust, Cider Designer Paper; Accessories: Antique brads, Horizontal punch, 1/16" hole punch, Corner rounder & Chocolate Chip Taffeta Ribbon.

August's Class Projects

I had my monthly Class yesterday, the day after I hosted aPampered Chef party. Whew! But at least I only had to clean the house once! ;)

The first project we did was this card using the Double Rainbow technique from Technique Junkies, (LOVE that newsletter!) I originally was making this for my Brother's birthday (he's stationed in Korea right now.) I showed it to my DH and he scrunched his nose and commented on it being really "orange". Hmmmm, well, the Pumpkin Patch Spectrum pad only has one orange, the other colors are Really Rust, Ruby Red, More Mustard and Old Olive. That doesn't seem like too much orange to me! Besides, look at all that black and green!!! *grrrr* *deep breath* So back to the drawing board for his card, but I still liked this card and the technique used so I used it for my class.

Stamps: With Gratitude; Ink: Pumpkin Patch Spectrum, White CRAFT, Basic Black, VersaMark; Paper: Green Galore, Basic Black, Glossy; Accessories: Brayer, Crop-A-Dile, Black eyelets, White Emboss Powder.

One of my regular customers is pregnant and due in a couple months and I had talked to her about doing a pocket card for birth announcements. I decided to do a pocket card this month to show her how easy they are. (Wouldn't you know she couldn't make it this month, but she came to my PC party and I showed her there.) ;)

Here is the inside layer pulled up so you can see. Perhaps I'll send this one to my brother, certainly I couldn't go wrong with green and blue could I?!

Stamps: On the Spot B/G, Seeing Spots, Little Pieces, Hugs and Wishes; Ink: Brilliant Blue, Certainly Celery, Old Olive (that little pieces circle punched out on the center of the blue circle); Paper: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Brilliant Blue; Accessories: Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain and Night of Navy 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Rounded Tab punch, 1/2" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Sticky Strip.

Help! What type of Flower is This????

I bought this today at the commissary (our military grocery store). It didn't have one of those plastic tabs that tell you what it is or how to take care of it. When the store rang it up it just said "lily". Well, it isn't like any other lily I have seen. I have tried to find a picture of it on the internet, but so far none of my "Purple Lily" searches is finding it. Please let me know if you recognize this lovely plant!

Talk About A Give Away!

5 Minutes for Mom is giving away a 37" Flat panel LCD HDTV! Heck, I don't even know what some of those letters stand for! ;) (Rest assured that David knows!) The TV is courtesy of Best Buy so you can check out the specs on the TV there. If you decide to check it out and enter, good luck! If not that's okay, better odds for me! ;)

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't usually pass on all those "forward this to 100 friends or else" kind of things. This looks real as I took a look around www.snoopes.com and didn't see anything about this so I am trying to win. Won't David be proud if I won a new TV??? ;) Okay, maybe not proud, but I doubt he'd complain!

I've been looking around the 5 Minutes for Mom blog and it does look interesting. A little of this and a little of that. It looks like I need more than 5 minutes there! LOL!

Double Rainbow Toy

I needed two birthday cards for young boys for the two parties we will attend tomorrow. One is turning 3 and the other 5. I've been wanting to try out the Double Rainbow technique from Technique Junkies newest newsletter. This was the result. I think that they turned out okay. I need to work on the technique a bit more as I plan on teaching this technique at this month's stamping class, (to be held on the 21st.)

Stamps: Toy Box, All Year Cheer II. Ink: Caribbean Sea Kaleidacolor, CRAFT White, VersaMark. Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Taken with Teal, Glossy White. Accessories: Ticket punch, 1/16th punch, silver brads, brayer, White EP.

Baby Card

Yesterday I needed a card and gift for DH to take to work today for a coworker's baby shower. They already know that they are having a boy, hence all the blue. I CASED this from SCS (Debra to be exact.) The double background idea came from this card.

I can hardly wait for DH to come home so I can ask him how she liked her card. We'll see if he paid any attention!

Stamps: Around the Block, All Year Cheer II, Print. Ink: Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Silver Encore. Paper: Whisper White, Shimmery White, Brilliant Blue. Accessories: HPH, silver cord, Large Tag punch, Perfect Layers.

I'm a number 1

I don't usually post these but this is just SO me! LOL!

I don't know if I have anything in common with other "number 1's" (how do they know these peoples' numbers anyway???) ;D

You Are 1: The Reformer

You're a responsible person - with a clear sense of right and wrong. High standards are important to you, and you do everything to meet them. You are your own worst critic, feeling ashamed if you're not perfect. You have uncompromising integrity, and people expect you to be fair. At Your Best: You are hopeful, honest, and inspiring. You bring out the best in humanity. At Your Worst: You are intolerant, judgmental, and picky. Your Fixation: Resentment (not so sure about this one though!) Your Primary Fear: Being corrupt. Your Primary Desire: To be good. Other Number 1's: Al Gore, Martha Stewart, Gandhi, Celene Dion, and Spock from Star Trek.

What Number Are You?

Burnished Love Notes

I wanted to make a couple of little thank you notes for a couple of customers that ordered last month AND I wanted to try out a new technique from the newest Technique Junkies newsletter. This is what I came up with!

These cards used some older Love Notes that I had on hand. I don't remember if they were Baroque Burgundy or the newer Bravo Burgundy. I layered the with Very Vanilla and used the Burnished Watercolors technique. I used my Key Tag punch for the Thanks layer(s) and just made the Almost Amethyst layer longer by pulling one end through the hole so it wouldn't get punched. I have seen this technique used with the word window punch and it works with this punch as well. I also added some Dazzling Diamonds using my 2 way glue pen on the flower centers.
I liked using these little Love Notes as the area of your work surface is smaller and can be filled easily. I made these up in short order even though I had never tried this technique out before. They are the perfect size to use as little thank you cards for hostess gifts (to go with that bottle of wine, etc.)

Stampin' Up!'s special this month offers a FREE set of textured Love Notes when you purchase a Three For You Punch Box. You get 30 Love Notes for free (a $12.95 value)! These Love Notes are exclusive to this special as Stampin' Up! does not offer Love Notes in textured cardstock! (And check out that Wild Wasabi Love Notes! I just LOVE this color!)

July Class Projects

Sorry it took me so long to get these posted. We did both of these projects at my monthly class LAST month! Oh my! Both were CASED from SCS demo gallery so I won't publish a link to the gallery since only Demos have access to that section of the gallery.

This first card was inspired by Amysings (click here to see her gallery at SCS). I changed up the colors, but otherwise it is her card. This uses the Three For You Punch Box that is a part of SU's special this month.

Stamps: Three For You, Baroque Motifs. Ink: Purely Pomegranite, More Mustard. Paper: So Saffron, Purely Pomegranate and Pallet O'Prints DP. Accessories: Three For You Punch, More Mustard Ribbon, coordinating brads.

This card was CASED from Rubberstampaholic (here is her gallery). I thought the colors were breathtaking so I left it pretty much as is except I used shimmery white c/s. I just love this Wild Wasabi In Color! The hardest part of this card was cutting out that little flower on the top layer, but that isn't even hard just a little time consuming if you are very particular (I wasn't!) As you can see in this photo, I like to add a little to the envelope to help the recepient know that what they are getting is special! (How many Hallmark cards come with their own coordinating envelopes???) ;)

Stamps: Baroque Motifs. Ink: Wild Wasabi, Basic Black. Paper: Basic Black, Wild Wasabi, Shimmery White. Accessories: Basic Black ribbon, Paper snips.

Rockin' Girl Blogger!

OMG! Dorinda has nominated me as a Rockin' Girl Blogger! That silly girl, she must have me confused with someone (anyone!) else! *blushing* Thank you Dorinda for being so sweet!

Dorinda found where all this started.

Now I must nominate five more Rockin' Girl Bloggers! This isn't easy you know! I have around 80 blogs in my Google Reader! Here are my nominations:

Lynn's Stamperosity

Paula Ponders

StampOwl's Studio

Laurie Ann's Stampin' Spots

Stampin' Terri

I just want to thank each one of you for sharing your incredible talent with the rest of us. I am so inspired by each of you!

Madras Cards

I went to begin typing this post and found that Blogger had locked my blog because it's "spam-prevention robots" thought it was a spam blog! Holy cow! Not only would I NOT know how to do that but I don't post often enough to be spam! LOL! So this post may be a couple of days late posting while they have a real person review my blog and make sure I'm not spamin'. At least I can write this now and post it when I get unlocked. *silver lining*

Now on to my cards! I went to bed last light thinking about what project I should do using my Baroque Motifs that I really, really want to use (but I'm having a block perhaps feeling intimidated by this set), but I did some up with this layout. It is basically the same card just a different background stamp and Old Olive on one and More Mustard on the other.

This version uses the Old Olive c/s as the base with the Old Olive brads, and Floral as the b/g of course. I am planning on sending this to my sister who is separated from her DH and kids while she serves her year in S. Korea. Thankfully, one of my brothers is also stationed there and they are literally minutes from each other. She is new to the Army and he has been in nearly 20 years and this is his 3rd (I'm pretty sure) tour to Korea. She fixes communication equipment in helicopters and he flies 'em! So it is really great that they are stationed together.


This version uses More Mustard c/s and brads and uses Fine Lace b/g. I'll put this in my "to be used" box for when I need something right now. :D

Now I need to get busy and figure out a project using that Baroque Motifs for my class on the 26th! *eyeroll*

Card Recipes: Brayered Madras Technique from Technique Junkies; Stamps: Floral or Fine Lace b/g; Ink: Basic Brown & Pumpkin Patch Spectrum; Paper: Glossy, Basic Black, Old Olive or More Mustard; Accessories: Brayer, Ticket Punch, 1/16 hole (to punch holes for the brads) and More Mustard or Old Olive brads.

I've Been TAGGED

Allie tagged me awhile back, but I was waiting to post something to make sure people didn't get notified just for a TAG post! ;)

So I have to post 7 random facts about myself. Hmmmm . . . . .

1. I have more retired stamp sets than current. *very sad*

2. I lived in Alaska for six years, (starting at age 15).

3. I left Alaska to move to Florida to attend Liberty Christian College, where I'd spend three years getting my associate degree.

4. After Florida I moved to Arizona to get my Bachlor's degree from Grand Canyon University. (see why I enjoy military life? Moving is no problem for me!)

5. I was born in May (Gemini baby) and really do seem to find many things interesting that shortly thereafter seem to loose interest in. That is why I think I love stamping so much, finish one project then move on to something totally different!

6. I met my DH while I was in the Army. He spotted me in a parade and I spotted him the next month at a professional luncheon. We met the next day at the Transportation Ball and that was just the beginning!

7. My favorite color is purple, always has been; even before Donny Osmond made it popular with his purple socks! (If you don't know about Donny Osmond and his purple socks just nod your head like you know what I'm talking about!) ;D

Since so many have already been tagged I won't search out any more. Please feel free to list 7 random facts about yourself and let me know so I can learn more about you!

CASE of Julie B.

DH told me about a promotion party for a friend and I offered to make him a card, then I opened my mouth and asked if he needed any more cards. Well, he took me up on the offer. I needed not one but two congrats cards, congratulating them on their upcoming promotions. Nope, I didn't need a nice flowery thanks cards or thinking of you card, but rather MEN cards! And these were military guys (Air Force), so I definitely needed masculine cards for them.

"So who do you ask when you don't know the way?" (Sorry, some Dora the Explorer humor.) Why to the Queen of Elegant Masculine cards of course! Oh, WHO is this queen? Why Julie at Paper Pleasing Ideas of course! If you have never visited her blog I strongly encourage to go go, run don't walk! Her blog is truly an inspiration to me.

So, do ya wanna see what I CASEd? :D


This is the first one I did. Julie's version can be found here. Leave it to Julie to find a way to take a lovely (I think feminine) set and make it masculine! I used Chocolate Chip c/s and ink and used a sheet of my Palette O'Prints double sided paper for the green layer. I used Old Olive CRAFT ink for the center medallion because I wanted a really good coverage. Just like Julie I cut it out and (after placing a vintage copper brad in the center) I used a pop dot to help give it some dimension.

Here is the second card I CASEd. You know, I've had this Lovely as a Tree for several years, but always forget to use it. I totally forgot that it even had this nice leaf stamp in the set! Well, not only did I CASE Julie, but I used her idea to use the Thump and Huff technique, (which can be found here) AND the Faux Background Technique (found here.)


I used Always Artichoke (just LOVE that color!) Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip. The brads are the diamonds from Vintage brads. I did distress the edges of the top Vanilla layer.

How did these cards go over? Well, they both were appreciative of receiving them and seemed genuinely impressed to receive handmade cards!

Chalk on Chalk Project

The second project that I did at my class last night was this Chalk on Chalk card. This technique is one that I learned from my Technique Junkies newsletter. I did CASE this card from Vada on the Technique Junkies technique webpage, which is password protected so you must be a member to view her gorgeous artwork.


I really think this looks better IRL as the color of the pastels just look better, (and doesn't look quite so sloppy!) The Wrought Iron Corner Slot punch is on Stampin' Up!'s accessory retirement list! I just love this punch, as I think it can really dress up a card.

If you haven't see a copy of SU's accessory retirement list just drop me an e-mail and I'll e-mail a copy to you. Some items are already not available, others are going fast. June 30th is the last day to order unless the supply is depleted first.

Supply List: Stamps: In Full Bloom, Cheery Chat; Ink: Vintage Violet, Elegant Eggplant, CRAFT Basic Black; Paper: Vintage Violet, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Detail Black Emboss Powder, Stampin' Pastels; Wrought Iron Corner Slot, Slit punch, Blender Pens.

Monthly Class Sneak Peek

Here is "one" of the projects for my class on Tuesday. It is actually a project making two cards. I figured it was almost as easy to make two cards since the background pieces require two pieces of c/s cut into four and only use two of those four per card. This project is almost a direct CASE of Jami's project here. I even loved the colors she chose, although I used Garden Green and Certainly Celery with the Basic Black.


Sorry that the pictures look crooked, they are on top of one of my Iris chests which is bowed in on top. *note to self: Iris chests are NOT extra storage areas*

I used the retiring stamp sets French Script and Cheesecloth (the Cheesecloth is a bit difficult to see on the Certainly Celery) and Petal Prints. After I stamped the backgrounds I used Craft Black and embossed with Crystal Clear emboss powder. Layered the top layers until I got down to the quarter pieces. I used just a smidgen of mono to help hold the pieces in place and once I had them in place I picked one piece up at a time to put a heavier layer of adhesive on it and carefully put it back in place.

TIP: I use my rubber brayer of roll over each layer to ensure that the card stock layers are really stuck to each other.

I really like these cards because they can be used for so many different occasions. They are good to have on hand for those "need it now" moments. :)

Now I need to put the ideas together for my second project! ;)

Has It Really Been. . . . .

So long since I have posted???? Oh my! I was surprised when I saw the date on my last posting. I have a couple of excuses (who doesn't????). I did make teacher gifts for Troy's teacher and assistant, which I will post below. But first I want to show you one of the best reasons for my absence.

This is my nephew Curtis. He just graduated high school! Congrats Curtis! Troy and I drove two days to visit and see Curtis graduate.


This is another reason we went. My brother Wade (on the right) is leaving soon for a year in S. Korea and my other brother Calvin (on the left) will deploy this summer to Iraq. My little sister couldn't make it because she was already in S. Korea! She and Wade will be in the same area, which will be nice for them so they won't be so alone. That is the worst thing about deploying is being separated from family. At least they will have each other!


Okay, now on to my teacher gifts. Altered clipboards! Here is the one I did for his teacher. I used my CB to die cut the letters. The clipboards I bought at Wal-Mart for less than $1 each. The patterned paper I bought at my local Archivers along with the bling in the center of the flowers. The grosgrain ribbon is Stampin' Up! I bought some Making Memories paint (love those Archiver's coupons!) that I used on the top portion of the board. I used Modge Podge on the paper to adhere it to the board then added several layers on top to seal everything. Added the primas on top and moved on to the matching cards. I used leftover designer paper on the card and my giga and mega scalloped ovals. I stamped "giggle" on the oval, what could be better for a pre-K teacher than giggle? LOL! I used my slit punch for the scalloped edge on the black layer. Taa-daa!

For Mrs. Sandy, the classroom assistant, I did everything the same way just changed up the colors.

Now for a funny story about these clipboards. I had all the supplies, but hadn't started because I didn't know which color to give to whom. So I thought I'd ask Ms. Sandy which color Mrs. May would prefer, pink or purple. Well wouldn't you know what came out of my mouth? "Mrs. Sandy, which color would Mrs. Sandy prefer, pink or purple??" She looked at me and asked why. I still hadn't caught on to my slip-up. "Oh just for a little something," I responded. She modestly responded that it didn't matter, and I finally realized my faux paux. I just left it at that. I wonder if I turned three shades of red when I realized what I had said, but I just tried to play it off like I meant to ask that way! LOL! We gave them their gifts on Troy's last day, which was two days early since we were leaving town to attend Cutris' graduation. They were both so
excited when they saw their gifts. They especially loved having their names on their boards!

Thanks for reading through all this! Have a wonderful day!

May's Class

May is here already! My class for this month will be on Tuesday evening the 15th at 6:30pm and Wednesday morning the 16th at 10am. I apologize to those that received an email with a date of the 17th. My DH is leaving town to attend a surprise birthday party for someone special to him and I think it would be best if the night before he leaves I'm not filling the house with stampin' women! ;)

I was working in my craft room last night. I have really wanted to try doing a Joy Fold card. I first saw this on Beate's website, and she recently posted a tutorial. I think this will be one of the cards we will make at my upcoming class. (So don't peek if you want to be surprised!)

*weak attempt to push pics down* ;)

This fold is really simple. I still want to put "something" in the lower left corner to help keep the top fold in place. I haven't decided whether to use a punch or stamp and cut out "something". Oh and the Sage Shaddow looks better IRL. I really like how this turned out. I think it looks good without the girls colored in, but I'm sure would look good colored in as well.

I left the inside blank rather than stamp something to provide a place to write. It would be simple to just not stamp on one of the flaps for writing space and stamp a word saying or pictures on the Vanilla layer. I may still doodle around the edges to help it not look so bare. I don't like my class projects to be too involved so I want to be cautious with this project and not go overboard.

I hope they enjoy it! :D

MIL Birthday

I started out experimenting tonight using my new Essential Glue Pad with some acrylic stamps I hadn't used before. Okay, I've only used my few acrylic stamps like once playing around! LOL! I wanted to use the glue pad with some flock I had using a rick-rac stamp. I didn't remember that the white SU flock would pretty much be clear when actually applied.

In order to see the flock I had to look at the card from the side. I went with it and put a black velvet ribbon between the two rows of flock. I continued to put my card together and after 5-10 minutes I noticed that the flock was coming off. So I brushed it all off and just continued. This is what I ended up with:

I am pretty happy with this. I wanted to use my Once Upon A Time Mat Stack I purchased from Michaels. I kept looking at this lovely paper and finally bit the bullet and bought the 4.5 x 6.5 pack (on sale.) I also used some of my prima stash. Well, I hope she enjoys this card!

Stamps: Sincere Salutations, Curvy Verses; Paper: Bashful Blue, Basic Black, DMWV's Once Upon a Time; Ink: Bashful Blue, Basic Black; Accessories: Giga & Mega Scallop oval punch, Ticket Corner punch, Black Velvet ribbon (from Archivers') and some Primas.