Child's Birthday and Son's Artwork

I've been super busy with my volunteer position, but had to take a break and make a card for a boy in my son's class, who's birthday party he was attending this week-end. So I was actually relieved to "have to" stamp this week-end! It is simple I know, but I let Troy pick out the stamps for me to use. He said his friend loves football and he picked the sentiment from my GinaK Make A Wish stamp set. He also said his friend's favorite color was red and Troy picked Ruby Red for the card.

Stamps: Good Sport (SU), Make A Wish (GinaK); Ink: Ruby Red, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip; Paper: Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip, Shimmery White; Accessories: Brads (pewter), sponge daubers, SAMJ.

Next up is Troy's artwork. (Humor me here, he doesn't want to stamp as much as he used to.) He was finally ready to make a card for his cousin that is living in S. Korea right now. My brother is active duty Army and his wife is an Army Civilian. They are both working in S. Korea for two years. Troy has a mind of his own so I must admit that I groaned a bit when I turned around and saw his "sunset". We had stamped the tree (ISC) and grass (A Muse). I CB these dinos and was trying to figure out what to do to "kick it up a notch" when I turned and saw that he had colored all this red to make a sunset. So we talked about sunsets and layering colors and how the sun is at the horizon when a sunset is happening. (He is only 5 and still learning all these little details! LOL!) So orange was added. Since we needed a horizon that was added with green marker (over the grass) then the blue beyond the sunset.

We put the dinos through my little Xyron and added Dazzling Diamonds, then Troy added them to his picture. The tall one is supposed to be eating leaves from the tree. I'll bet Betsy didn't envision that when she was designing this tree!

Stamps: Marvels of Nature (ISC), Hero Mail (A Muse, grass & Sentiment), Ink: Real Red, Green Galore, YoYo Yellow (Sun started out as a circle stamp from SU), Markers: Bashful Blue, Gable Green, Only Orange, Ruby Red, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: CB Dinos, Xyron, Dazzling Diamonds.

Thanks for your patience with my little guy. I'm a proud Mama!

Harlequin Thanks

I posted this card to the TJ yahoo group but forgot to post it here. I needed a thank you card to a luncheon I attended hosted by my Husband's senior rater. This gal is so very sweet so I wanted something nice AND I wanted to use my new Harlequin Flowers set.

I used an Alcohol Ink technique from Technique Junkies and came up with this. I liked it but I thought it needed something I just couldn't figure out what. BTW, I colored silver brads with a Copic marker to get the color.

After I sent out a distress call to the TJ group I went with the suggestion of adding a sentiment. The brads are holding a sheet of acetate in place and the "Tender Thoughts" is stamped on top.

Well, what do you think? Is it the right finishing touch?

Stamps: Harlequin Flowers, Natures Silhouette I (ISC), Ink: Staz-On Black, various alcohol inks (Ranger), Paper: Tempting Turquoise, Basic Black, Whisper White; Accessories: acetate, paint brush, brads, 1/16th hole punch, Copic marker to color brads.

I haven't stamped in ages until this week-end, and that really because I had to. I've been bogged down with finishing a project for the volunteer position for my Officer Spouses' Club. I'm nearly finished so I hope to be back stamping soon. I will post the quick little projects I worked on this week-end, (one of which is my son's work.)

Camo Knight

A quick note. I received my Tuxedo Black Memento ink pad from Pez-A-Doodle and had to try it out. I used it on both of these cards. Result? No smearing while I was using my COPIC markers! I like the blackness (as apposed to the purple tinge of some blacks.) and the coverage was really good, not splotchy or light. It worked great! This may just become my favorite black ink pad, replacing my Black Onxy by VersaFine. Now, on to the cards!

I really like this Camouflage technique! Troy was invited to a dual birthday party on Saturday. The party was for a boy and a girl, both live in our neighborhood. So I needed two cards. Since I had already this finished Camo background I used it with this new knight stamp set I have from Sweet & Sassy Stamps.

Stamps: Knight in Shining Armor (S&SS); Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento), Paper: Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Going Gray; Accessories: brads (SU), COPIC markers, bleach, cotton ball.

For the girl's card I reached for my Dreams & Dragons (SU). It is quick and simple. I love being able to use my Nestabilities to make quick layers.

Stamps: Dreams & Dragons (SU), Ink: Tuxedo Black (Memento); Paper: Pixie Pink, Whisper White; Accessories: Nestabilities, COPIC markers.

I just thought I'd take a moment to show a picture of my son today. He stayed home from school because his stomach hurt. Good thing I decided to go ahead and keep him home, he was sick. He very rarely ever gets sick like this. He asked to take a nap, but didn't want to go up to his room so I put the blanket over him, leaving a peeking hole so he could continue to watch TV. He didn't last too long before he was out. Hopefully, he'll be feeling a lot better in the morning.

ISC Tag

ISCC16 is to alter a tag using a Tim Holtz technique. Tim is sooo incredible talented and creative that I am always a bit intimidated to try one of his techniques. David is out of town for a couple of days so I charged ahead to distract myself. I decided to use this technique. He doesn't name his techniques so he just labels it July Technique Challenge. I know I've seen versions of this technique around, it is basically a resist technique. It is the first time that I have used my craft iron and melted the embossing powder from my c/s. I also used some grunge board! Orginally, I used the Ranger Archival ink BUT I just don't care for how it turned out so I used my SAMJ and restamped in Onxy Black and embossed to help the writing to stand out more. Much better! Without further adu:
Stamps: Natures Sillhouette I, Friendship, Marvels of Nature (ISC); Ink: VersaMark, Onxy Black (VersaFine); Paper: Whisper White; Accessories: Black Detail EP, packing paper (to use to lift the heated EP), grunge board, crackle paint; Color Wash: Eggplant, Bottle, Cranberry.

I wanted to try MJ's TechnoStamper's card sketch #40 and decided that my tag would be a perfect fit. I did make this card larger than my usual A2 to fit my tag. For the embellishment I used my CB and cut a butterfly from acetate and used one of the butterfly folder to emboss the butterfly. Then I colored the acetate with alcohol inks to match the colorwash sprays I used on the tag. I used a mini black brad to attach it to the tag. This type of work is so outside of my comfort zone. Now the question is, who do I send this to? :)

Stamps: Natures Sillhouette I, Friendship, Marvels of Nature (ISC); Ink: VersaMark, Onxy Black (VersaFine); Paper: Handsome Hunter, Wild Asperagus DP, Whisper White; Accessories: Black Detail EP, packing paper (to use to lift the heated EP), grunge board, crackle paint; Color Wash: Eggplant, Bottle, Cranberry, CB Butterfly die & folder, acetate, alcohol ink: Stream, Bottle, Wild Plum, mini black brad.

TJ Just One Shimmer Resist

I had made this for a TJ Just One swap. My partner has received her card so I thought I'd go ahead and post it. I really love this technique, it always seems to come out so elegant. Since it has been awhile (and I didn't write down the recipe) I'll have to try to remember everything. :)

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Baroque Motifs (SU); Ink: Groovy Guava, CRAFT White, Onxy Black (VersaFine); Paper: Goovy Guava, Basic Black, Appricot Appeal; Accessories: Perfect Pearls, spray bottle, pearls, Nestabilities, Ticket Courner punch (SU), Organdy & Grosgrain ribbons.

So Far Away Camo

I have had in mind to try this new TJ technique (called Camouflage) with this new stamp set So Far Away from Firecracker Designs by Pamela (FDP).  I saw this stamp and just fell in love with it.  The set has some wonderful sentiments that allow you to tailor your card many different ways.  Pamela is a Junkie as well and offers a special discount to TJ members, so I jumped on the wagon and bought this set.  Thanks Pamela!

The easy part was doing the technique and embossing the soldier stamp on the c/s.  I decided to layer onto Basic Black and again on Chocolate Chip.  Then was stumped.  Then I decided to go with the flow of the stamped image and round the corners at the top and I put the brass brads at the bottom corners.  Then I was really stumped because it just didn't look finished.  I decided to add the brass eyelets and then leave it alone! 

I have a friend who's husband recently left for a six month deployment.  I think I'll send this to him.

Stamps: So Far Away (FCD); Ink: CRAFT Basic Black, Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip; Paper: Basic Black, Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter; Accessories: bleach, Basic Black MARKER, CAD, 1/16th hole punch, brads, eyelets, Detail Black EP, heat gun, corner rounder (SU).

ISCC14

I kept thinking about this challenge. Not real sure what to do with it. The ISC challenge was to use this card sketch. She when I'm not sure what to do I just start surfing.

I was checking out the other cards submitted and saw Melanie's gorgeous card using patterned paper, thinking about the pads of paper that I have hardly touched (and feeling a bit guilty) I decided to find some to use here. I also checked out Chris' card using a stamp from Majestic Women. She did a wonderful job! As I was trying to figure out what stamp was the right size for my squares I kept coming back to this Friendship stamp. Thank you Melanie and Chris for the inspiration. This is what I came up with.


I stamped the swirl from Flair of Summer I onto the patterned paper. The black scalloped squares were punched using my Marvy Giga Scalloped Square punch, then I just cut two 2" squares from Brocade Blue c/s. The sentiment was printed on my computer using Fine Hand font. The embellishment was taken from my stash.

Stamps: Flair of Summer I & Friendship (both ISC); Ink: Black Onyx (VersaFine); Paper: Basic Black, Wild Asparagus (MME), Brocade Blue; Accessories: Giga Scallop Square punch, Rock the Kasbah (Imaginisce), Pop Up Glue Dot.

Melanie Made Me Do It. . . . (ISCC13)

Yes, it is true. I wasn't planning on participating in ISC's ISCC13. The challenge was to make 2-4 ATCs using a resist technique. My first ever ATC was for ISC's What Size is Your Art challenge. I did it and it was a challenge, but I'm just not an ATC kinda gal. This is where Melanie from Smartie-Artie comes in. She pushed (challenged) me to do it. *sigh* We've both been answering the call of ISC challenges and admiring each others work. I guess I just needed a little encouragement. Well, here are the results.

I'll start with this one. I did this one today, and it isn't my favorite. Perhaps it is the colors I chose. I do however LOVE this technique, Shimmering Resist. I did it the first time here. I did it another time for a 1-on-1 swap and haven't shown that card yet. This is a technique from the Aug/Sep TJ newsletter. What you can't see very well are the two butterflies under the sentiment. I used Pixie Pink to stamp them but the stamp wasn't very juicy and they faded a bit especially after the shimmer was applied. This purple is Marvelous Magenta that I pulled out from my DS's stash (where I put my unwanted c/s.) This shade seemed to work well with the butterflies since they have Groovy Guava shimmering over them. ;D

Stamps: Marvels of Nature, Artsy Victorian, Friendship (all ISC); Ink: CRAFT White & Pixie Pink, Basic Gray; Paper: Marvelous Magenta, Whisper White; Accessories: CB Vintage Dies, Shimmery Spray.

This next ATC is actually my favorite. Can you tell I had recently visited Michelle's blog? No brayer, but I did sponge all the ATC. The colors were also inspired by Michelle as I would probably never use Sage Shadow without prompting.

I guess this technique is just a plain o' Embossing Resist. I stamped the tree from Marvels of Nature using craft ink and clear embossed it. Then I masked all but the bottom and sponged Handsome Hunter for the grass. I reversed the mask then punched a circle (1 1/4") to act as a mask for the sun and sponged Bashful Blue everywhere. I then used Ballet Blue around the edges, then Brilliant Blue around the edges "careful to not cover all the Ballet Blue" (Did I sound like Michelle? Hehe!) I removed the sun mask and used the reverse mask (post it note with the circle punched out) to sponge on So Saffron and some smudges of More Mustard (you really can't see the MM.) I left it at that last night. (I had already ruined a couple other ATC's trying to figure the best way to get the sentiment over the tree and background.) This moring I had the ephifany I needed! I stamped the sentiment using Staz-On onto acetate and attatched the acetate to the ATC using these mini brads.


Stamps: Marvels of Nature (ISC); Ink: Bashful Blue, Ballet Blue, Brilliant Blue, Handsome Hunter, So Saffron, More Mustard, Black Staz-On, CRAFT: Sage Shadow & Creamy Carmel (tree trunk); Paper: Sage Shadow, Whisper White; Accessories: acetate, post it notes, 1/16" hole punch, mini brads, clear detail embossing powder.

Thank you Betsy from ISC for the blog challenges and thank you Melanie for the push!

Purple Dreams

Lorie issued a challenge to use this sketch from CPS (Card Positioning System) for some "Glory from Lorie". Here is the card I came up with. I know I've been using a lot of purple lately, but it is my favorite color. :)

I took a picture instead of scanning because it takes so long to dry and I wanted to upload this tonight. I'm not 100% satisfied with this but I think it will do to give to a non-stamping friend. :)

Stamps: Dreams du Jour & Fresh Cuts (SU); Ink: Elegant Eggplant CRAFT, Black Onyx (VersaFine); Paper: Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White; Accessories: Coluzzle, Scallop Circle Nestabilities; CB Argyle Folder.

Heart to Heart Thanks

I'm pretty sure everyone that is into paper craft blogs as seen Cammie's blog candy. Wow! Truly an amazing blog candy at that, $1,000 worth of crafting goodies! I think what Cammie is doing to honor her grandmother is such an incredible testament to her love for her grandmother.

Ever have one of those cards where you think you are all finished but when you see the card on your screen to upload somewhere you notice just how it isn't quite finished? Well, that was this card for me. Just to show you, here is the first scan.


That long layer is just polished stone technique. I hadn't done it in so long that I thought I'd use it here. Also, this is MJ's Techno Stamper's Sketch #36 for this week. What a great sketch! I just bought that CB folder at Hobby Lobby a week ago and was dying to use it. So as you can see, it is just okay. Nothing jumps out at you about this card.

First I added another layer of Not Quite Navy under the main layer, that helped a good bit. But that Polished layer still needed something. So I started looking through my silhouette stamps and came upon this one from ISC's Nature's Silhouette I. Because of the glossy cardstock I didn't get a perfect image (some of the silver showed through and I didn't like it that way) I used my Copic black marker and colored it in. Without further adu:


Stamps: Nature's Silhouette (ISC) So Many Sayings (SU); Ink: Black Staz-On, Basic Black Marker (sentiment), Soft Sky, Blue Bayou, Encoure Silver Refills; Paper: Not Quite Navy, Soft Sky, Glossy; Accessories: Large Oval Punch (SU), Birds & Swirls CB Folder.

ISCC12 Sketch Challenge

ISC is back to their challenges and this week's is a sketch challenge. I just love my new Artsy Victorian stamp set. The images are so large!

I used my black Copic to color the edges of these pearl brads, but they took awhile to dry and I'm afraid that as careful as I was I still ended up with a couple of smudges (on the white areas of course!) I used my white gel pen to try to cover them up but fear I only made them worse. I think it scanned blurry because of the thickness of the brads.

Those are pearl dew drop knock-offs next to the sentiment. I used my tag punch (SU) to cut the sides on the sentiment layer. Sorry, I don't remember whose blog I saw that on. I like how it is almost like an arrow pointing to the sentiment.

Stamps: Artsy Victorian, Flair of Summer (sentiment) both from ISC; Ink: Wild Wasabi, Lovely Lilac, Onyx Black (VersaFine); Paper: Wild Wasabi, Baic Black, Shimmery White; Accessories: pearl dew drops, Petite Pearls (Bazzill)

Beerafella

I was inspired by Jen Del Muro's blog to use one of my bellas for her card sketch.

Just a bit of personal info, my DH loves beer. Not just any beer mind you, microbrew type. I have been to more brew pubs around the world then I would ever have dreamed! The down side? I don't like beer. That being said I had to get this guy for my DH. I also got the sentiment, "they followed me home. . . " Yes, originally I thought that the sentiment went with my Stampingbella; but that sentiment goes so well with this guy too. I didn't scan the inside, but you would just see the sentiment stamped in black on the inside. Hubby has worked every day for the past three weeks (yes, you read that right, that's 21 days in a row.) Thanks to Gustuv and Ike, DH has been working to provide military support to the areas affected by those two hurricanes. Today is the last day of 24 hour operations, so tomorrow he goes back to work as normal. Nope, no day off to compensate just go back to work as normal. That's okay, he'd just get underfoot as I get Troy off to school. ;)

Okay, enough of my blathering!


I used the same designer paper that I used on my cowboy cards posted earlier. The stripes and the green are opposite sides of the same paper. Does the weathered wood give you the feel of standing on our back deck??? :) I thought the buttons a fitting masculine accessory. I even took the time to thread some linen thread through them to help give a polished look. I used my Copic markers (except for his hair since I don't own a dark brown.) I'm still working on my shading. I did get to use my colorless blender to fix a couple of spots I colored outside the lines, (as per Marianne's awesome guidance.)

Oh, and I thought I'd add; I got a nice smile from DH (after I explained that it was the beer that followed him home) rather than the deer in the headlights look. Perhaps he'll thank me properly later on! ;D

Stamps: Beerafella, Weathered (SU); Ink: Onxy Black (VersaFine), Chocolate Chip; Paper: Chocolate Chip, Outlaw dp (SU), Really Rust, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Copic markers, neutral buttons (SU), linen thread, corner punch (SU).

Cowboy Howdy!

Wow, two posts in one day! Something must be wrong with me! ;)

I have a nephew's birthday coming up soon and my DS has a birthday party to go to this week-end. So I need two little boy birthday cards. I have been wanting to use my Lizzie Anne Designs blog candy I won awhile back from Rose Ann. This cute little cowboy and this sentiment are just perfect for those boy cards that I struggle with!

It has been quite awhile since I have participated in one of MJ's TechnoStamper's sketch challenge, but here is my submission for #34.

There really isn't much mystery here. The designer paper is some old SU! Outlaw paper. I used my SU markers to color in the little guy. I used my SU distresser on the edges and sponged with Creamy Caramel. The strip under the sentiment is a "faux" ribbon, so in other words it is just a strip of Chocolate Chip cardstock cut about the width of SU grosgrain ribbon. I was afraid that real ribbon wouldn't look boyish enough. *eyeroll* The scallop rectangle is one of my Marvy punches that is soooo hard to punch I litterally have to step on it.

So overall it was pretty simple, but I like it. I need to work abit on my coloring. It has been sooo long since I've really colored anything. I did try to ground him a little and there is some shading on his hat . . . . .

Stamps: Cowboy, Howdy (both Lizzie Anne Designs); Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Outlaw DP; Accessories: SU Markers, rectagle scallop punch (Marvy), distresser (SU).

Purple Tapestry

I have a friend that agreed to be our OSC president. She is such a wonderful person to take on this huge task. She choose a purple butterfly for our symbol this year. I found a purple butterfly at the Garden Depot over the week-end and have been meaning to make a card to attach the butterfly to and give it to her.

I also wanted to take my tapestry stamp for a test drive. What a gorgeous stamp! It is huge! I had to trim some off the sides to fit on this card. I stamped it on vellum then attached the (mostly) trimmed vellum to the black layer. I used my paper piercer, foam sheet and my WONDERFUL Tim Holtz ruler to punch the holes for the brads. After I had the vellum attached I trimmed off the edges so it was layered perfectly.

It is difficult to read the sentiment. It is a stamp from SU! that reads, "It is extraordinary how extraordinary the ordinary person is. ~George Will" I thought it was appropriate for my extraordinary friend. For the sentiment I used purple Perfect Pearls. I used anti-static powder on the black layer and it left a little bit of residual that the scanner picked up on.

The black brads are Spare Parts by the Paper Studio and the "purple" brads are SU! silver Vintage brads that I colored with my V17 COPIC marker. I just love using those Copic markers to color my brads! BTW, I added those purple brads to help hold down the bottom portion of the vellum since it was curling up along the bottom edge. I liked it better before I added them, but I don't have any adhesive that I thought would stay invisible to hold the bottom down. I probably should have added some in the bottom corners, but I just didn't. I don't think she'll mind. :)

Stamps: Artsy Victorian (ISC), Quotes to Live By (SU!); Ink: Purple Twilight (Pigment, Ranger); Paper: Lavender Lace, Basic Black, vellum paper; Accessories: Perfect Pearls, brads, Tim Holtz ruler; anti-static powder, paper snips (SU!)

Shimmering Resist

I had spent time earlier today applying Aleene's Tack-it Over and Over to some stamps I had received months ago, (Stamp Francisco.) A little organizing can do creativity good! Seems like forever since I've had time to sit down and stamp something. In fact, it felt a bit strange at first. I had no idea what to do or what direction to go. So where did I turn for inspiration? To my latest TJ newsletter of course! ;)

I wanted something shimmery so I checked out the Shimmering Resist technique. I'm also so very late getting a birthday card to my brother. That is what inspired the sentiment, however I think this card will go to my sister. I'm not so sure my brother would appreciate the butterflies and flourishes on this card.


This card is really fascinating to look at. I love the shimmer, but the layers catch your eye as well. Would you believe that the main layer c/s started off as Pale Plum (Sentiment layer came from the same sheet of paper!)

It may be hard to tell, but the brads started as silver and I used my COPIC V17 to color them for a monochromatic feel to the card. They don't glitter as the scan appears.

I probably should have done some sponging on the sentiment layer, but I was afraid of covering some of the letters.

I used a homemade shimmer spray for the main layer, I also sprayed the black scallop; (I should have sprayed the flowers before I punched them.) I used Dusty Concord distress Ink for my shimmer spray. After I sprayed it on the Pale Plum it matched perfectly with my Lavender Lace!

Stamps: Flourishes, Swallowtail Butterfly (Stamp Franscisco) Define Your Life (SU); Ink: CRAFT Whisper White, Pale Plum, Onyx Black (VersaFine); Paper: Pale Plum, Lavender Lace, Basic Black; Accessories: silver brads, COPIC marker V17, Giga & Mega Scallop punch, Super Jumbo Oval punch, ThrioFlower Punch (SU), Dusty Concord Reinker (Ranger), Perfect Pearls.

Another ISC Challenge

Have you ever had a secret place that you loved? A place you wanted to keep to yourself?? Well, for me ISC blog is that place!  They have such wonderful challenges, they draw me in even when I should be doing something else! Like getting ready for our Officers Spouses' Club Welcome Tea on Wednesday! (I'm the Membership Chairperson; yikes, what was I thinking?!) ;) Anyway, I won some blog candy and got to go spend $25!! Okay I added one stamp set over that, but you should see what I got!!!

Tim Holtz Design Ruler (I haven't been able to find one of these locally!)
Batik Flower Background
Artsy Victorian (Wow! You should see the size of these stamps!)
And I added:
Marvels of Nature

 Thank you so much Betsy!  It was like being a child in a candy store for sure! There is still so much that I want from ISC! So I'd better keep up with these challenges right?! ;)

Well, here is my submission for ISCC10, What Size is Your Art?  Please keep in mind that I have NEVER done an ATC, Moo or Inchie before!

I like the idea of having these and using them on a card.  I started with Whisper White and stamped the Batik Flower background using River Rock, then I sprayed Glimmer Mist in Sunflower.  After they dried I stamped the bush silhouette from Flair of Summer in Old Olive.   I stamped "Enjoy" in Basic Gray.  Sponged the edges with Pumpkin Pie then just touched the edges with Creamy Caramel.  I loved how the Pumpkin kind of glowed.  I just added the olive ribbon and the pumpkin buttons.  Done! Now to use them on a card! LOL! 

Stamps: All stamps from ISC: Batik Flower b/g, Flair of Summer; Ink: River Rock, Old Olive, Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, Creamy Caramel; Paper: Whisper White; Accessories: sponge daubers, Olive ribbon, buttons, Mini dots.

Another Bandanna Congrats

I found out yesterday that a friend was selected for promotion. Well, I decided to make him a congrats card using the TJ Bandanna technique. Yes, I guess this is my favorite TJ technique, for right now at least! It does seem to work well for masculine cards so I guess that is why I gravitate toward it.

I decided to try to use the colors in the newest ACU (Army Combat Uniform) uniform, I should have used more green, but I am enough with the results. Of course this doesn't have the digital layout, but I wasn't that hard pressed to be precise. The colors are actually almost too light since it makes it difficult to see all the white dots. This is the card I finished last night.

Then this morning I woke up and realized that I used the incorrect rank for his promotion. This is Lieutenant Colonel instead of the "Full Bird" Colonel. Oops! Know anyone getting promoted to Lt. Colonel? I have a nice card for them. *eyeroll*

Stamps: Soldier (sentiment: Paper Inspirations), Rank (ImaginAir Designs); Ink: Shabby Shutters, Antique Linen, Old Paper (Distress Inks), Onyx Black (VersaFine); Paper: Garden Green, Whisper White; Accessories: Signo White gel pen, CAD, Eyelets (SU).

Another Mini-Book

As I mentioned in my last post I needed two of these little mini-albums. This one will go to my Grandmother. She allowed me to take her picture of my Dad in his sailor suit, taken when he was 18. She has never let anyone borrow this picture before, so huge on her part.

I used four clear envelops again so it holds eight pictures. I received my last order (as a demo) from Stampin' Up! so I felt I should use something!! Here I used the Dreams du Jour from the new catalog. I can see I'm going to love this set!

Stamps: Dreams du Jour (SU); Ink: Certainly Celery, Garden Green, Regal Rose, Onyx Black (VersaFine); Paper: Rose Red, Shimmery White; Accessories: CAD, jumbo eyelets; aqua pen, scallop edge punch (SU), scallop square punch (Marvy), clear envies, sponge/stiple brush.

Clear Envelop Mini-Book

By now you must realize that a) I like a challenge and b) I really like Innovative Stamp Creations Blog Challenges. :)

Their latest challenge (ISCC10) is to create a mini-book. I think Betsy must have been visiting here because I really needed to do this. Well, actually I need two. Now I have been motivated to make this easy Clear Envie mini-book. I have really been wanting to make one of these since I saw it on someone's blog several months ago.

This mini-book will go (once I pick-up some glossy photo paper and print some photos) to my Dad. His health continues to deteriorate and he is on oxygen constantly. Here is a picture of him and Troy during our visit recently.

I decided to use the new (and easy) Bandanna Technique from my TJ newsletter. I love this technique, it is so easy and really quite relaxing. Perhaps a little time consuming but not bad really. The stamp set is Nature's Silhouette I.

I also was able to use my NEW Scallop Edge Punch!! (Along the right edge.) I placed an order my last day as a demonstrator and ordered this punch along with a few stamp sets that I've really been wanting. :D

Here is a glimpse of the inside made of clear envelops. I recently found this tutorial on Dawn's blog. Mine is slightly different in that my back cover is about an inch or or so longer and folds over the front to make that brown flap that the top cover slides behind. (Make sense?) I only put 4 envies inside since I figured I could put photos front and back.

Thanks Bestsy and crew for the push and motivation to get this done for my Dad!

Stamps: Natures Silhouette I (ISC); Ink: Distress Ink: Fired Brick, Pine Needles, Faded Jeans; Staz-On Black; Paper: Whisper White, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Clear Envies, Nestabilites, Scallop Edge Punch (SU).

Dino Glow

I needed a card for a friend's son who is turning 4 today. Troy is at his birthday party now. *sigh* I thought that using my Dino-Mite set from SU (retired) would be a good choice. I also thought that it would look good using the Glowing Image technique from the current TJ newsletter.

Well, I started this last night and still spent a couple hours on it this morning! No the technique isn't difficult I just chose a bit much to have to mask and reverse mask! Also, I tried giving this a bit of Zindorf's brayering style which added time to the whole process. All this for a 4 y/o's birthday card! Oh, and my white CRAFT ink didn't want to dry! Even after I (tried) heat setting it.

This card is designed so that the Very Vanilla layer opens and is layered on the quartered sheet of Close to Cocoa. That is why there is a strange edge to the bottom, my c/s was buckled due to the heat gun.

Stamps: Dino-Mite (SU); Ink: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Ballet Blue, Night of Navy, So Saffron, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Creamy Caramel, CRAFT White; Paper: Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla; Accessories: Brayer, Signo gel pen, Post-It notes, COPIC G21 (grass), 1" Circle punch (sun).

Designer Tiled ISC

I was inspired to make this card by ISC's Challenge #9, Monochromatic Mania. It also uses a new TJ technique Designer Tiles.

I started off wanting to try out this new technique. Then I pulled some designer paper from my Far East Mat Pack (DCWV) that seemed to fall into the same color scheme (to meet the ISC requirements) and went from there. After I finished the top layer I looked at my Earth Elements to see what color fit the best and this Really Rust was perfect! I inked up the silhouette from Nature's Silhouettes I with CRAFT Really Rust. I'm so glad I used the craft because regular dye ink probably wouldn't have given enough coverage due to the texture of the designer paper. I matted the top layer onto a Really Rust with VersaMark on the edges to darken the c/s then layered that onto a folded layer of Really Rust. I cut the VersaMarked layer a tad bit small, but used it anyway. I really like how this turned out!


Stamps: Nature's Silhouettes I (ISC); Ink: VersaMark, CRAFT Really Rust; Paper: Really Rust, Whisper White, Far East Mat Pack (DCMV); Accessories: Xryon, Copper EP, heat gun.

My SU News

I just thought I would announce that I am no longer a Stampin' Up! demonstrator. I let my demonstratorship lapse. I still love SU, I just couldn't get my business going here in Illinois and got worn out doing monthly classes only to have one (maybe two) people show up.

At least I won't feel guilty using various other stamp companies! ;)

Bandanna Congrats

We had a promotion party to attend last night so I took the time to make a congrats card. The layout is from June's PageMaps. I really liked the TJ Bandanna technique and decided to give it a whirl. I can see how this technique might require some time for the dotting, but it was also fun and relaxing and once you get going it isn't too time consuming (or perhaps you're just having so much fun you don't realize it?) :)

I originally used Peeled Paint Distress Ink but I thought it looked like puke so I used Pine Needles over top to give more of a green. Fortunately, I think it saved it from the trash can! In future I'll use Pine Needles since it doesn't go on as dark as it looks on the cover of the pad and I think it will look even better without the Peeled Paint underneath. Tip for the day: test out your inks before you start!

The sentiment is actually computer generated. I can never seem to find a "congrats" sentiment or one that fits the space I need. The font is Armenian Serif.

I am sure that I'll be doing more cards using this technique!

Stamps: Baroque Motifs; Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Distress Inks: Broken China, Faded Jeans & Pine Needles; Paper: Basic Black, Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White; Accessories: White gel pen, black grosgrain ribbon, 1/16" hole punch and black brads.

Sorry if you received this multiple times, I was trying to 1) correct spelling and 2) correct paragraph spacing for easier reading.

Thank You

My next door neighbor is a medical doctor. A couple of weeks ago I sliced my finger at the knuckle (pointer finger, left hand) and I showed it to Hyatt and he told me it would need stitches. He'd have done it for me but didn't have a suture kit at home. The next week he did remove the stitches for me and has checked up on me about my finger. What an awesome neighbor!! I say all this because here is the thank you card that I made for Hyatt.

I won this Elvis image from Lori Craig's blog candy awhile back. (You have just got to check out her blog if you haven't already!) The image is from Cornish Heritage Farms' Elvis line. Thank you so much to both Lori and CHF! This image is so incredible that one of my girlfriends was amazed that it was a stamp!

I drove into St. Louis earlier this summer and stopped at The Ink Spot in Kirkwood, (awesome little stamp store!) There I purchased a couple of sayings to go with my Elvis Portrait. I only inked the first "thank you" for this diamond and inked the rest of the "thank you very much" for the inside. Can't you just hear Elvis' voice in your head saying that? LOL!

This stamp has been sitting on my computer desk since it arrived. I've wanted to use it but have been intimidated. What better way than a masculine thank you card?! The layout is from SCS SC184. I kept it simple. Okay, I wanted to add something but really couldn't think of anything bling related to add. What more do you need with that gorgeous face??? Yes, I {heart} Elvis! *sigh*

Stamps: Elvis portrait & Thank you very much (CHF); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine), Basic Black (SU Marker for sentiment); Paper: Bravo Burgundy, Whisper White, Victorian DP (SU); Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, various square punches.

ISCC8

Well, I have been itching to get back in the saddle again, so this is as good of a time as any. :) I have "tried" to come up with a card for ISC's Challenge #8, which is to use one of Tim Holtz's techniques. Well, I tried to use his March technique but I don't think Tim has to fear me! Ha! It really didn't turn out anything close to as good as his, but I really do like how it turned out. Lots of shimmer. I used SCSS185 for the card sketch.


It may be difficult to tell, but those side pearls are some cheap knock-offs I bought from my LSS. I used Dusty Concord refill with one of my Perfect Pearls to mix in the spritzer. Yes, I need more spritzers now. *sigh* Tim was right. I used Snow white paint dauber to stamp the small flower from Summer Flair but you really can't see it. My jet black archival ink didn't show up well over the spritz background so I used my Versafine Onyx Black instead and it shows the fine lines of this flower much better.

As I was trying to determine what embellishments to use I got some ink on my ds paper. The only way I could think to cover it was to ink the edges and distress. Here I am using distress inks and hadn't even thought to distress any part of the card! *eyeroll* So each layer except the strip is inked and two layers are distressed using my SU distresser. Add a bit of paper piercing and "wahla" (as my DS would say!)

Stamps: Summer Flair (ISC); Ink: Dusty Concord Distress Ink, Onyx Black (Versafine), Platinum Planet (Brilliance: Flourish on bottom layer), Snow White paint dauber; Paper: Lavender Lace, Pallet O'Prints, Very Vanilla (top layer) and Vintage Violet (SU: Strip); Accessories: Perfect Pearls, spritzer, sponge, SU distresser, pearls, micro dots adhesive.

Unmounted Rubber Mounting Option Review

I have been wanting to figure out a system for mounting all my unmounted (um) stamps that I have been accumulating. Up until recently I was leaving the trimmed stamps in the little bags that they arrived in with the image sheet. They were all in a drawer and I'd have to rummage through the drawer to see what I was looking for. My stamps using EZ mount were in a different area (on those acrylic photo frames.) And my acrylic stamps were in a completely different drawer. I didn't feel very organized and it was frustrating!

I tried some EZ mount, but didn't like trimming twice (cut the rubber then placed on the EZ mount so I wouldn't waste any EZ mount.) At $4.50 a sheet it adds up quickly.

Next I tried Tack N Peel, and the 4 x 6.5" sheet covered my largest block with a 1/2" strip left over. The stamps stuck without a problem, in fact it was VERY sticky. The Tack N Peel will loose it stickiness and get cloudy; then you need to clean it to restore it's stickiness. I did clean my block once because I got ink on the block and it cleaned up fine and the stickiness was intact. At $9.00 for a single 4 x 6.5" sheet I felt that it was just too expensive AND I still had a storage problem. (Anyone want to buy my 4x6" block with Tack N Peel on it??)

The next thing I tried was Aleene's Tack-it Over & Over. The Tack-It comes in a bottle the size of their Tacky Glue for around $3.99. Just squeeze some glue on the back of your um stamp and use a paint brush to cover the entire stamp. Leave it to dry, (it doesn't take too long.) Now you can mount your stamp to an acrylic block or to your preferred mounting system. NOTE: I first used a sharpie to write the manufacturer's name on the back of the stamp for future reference. I had no problem with the Tack-It smearing the name.

The Tack-It goes on milky looking, but dries clear. It is definitely sticky, but I am able to pull up the stamp from my storage sheet and mount on my acrylic without problem. I am also cleaning my stamp on the acrylic block then move the stamp back to my storage sheet. I haven't had any problems with the stickiness. Now I have heard that over time the stamp may loose it stickiness and you will have to clean it off and reapply, but doesn't seem like much of a problem to me. I have read that you can apply the Tack-It to the rubber before trimming your stamps. I prefer to trim then Tack!

I have not had any issues of poor stamped images due to not using any type of foam mounting. If you had a stamp that wasn't the best quality you could always use a piece of foam (I have fun foam I originally purchased for some activities for my DS) under your cardstock.

Pros:

• Cost effective

• Easy to us

• Allows storage options similar to EZ mount and acrylic stamps

Cons:

• I seriously can't think of any

My next post will be about my new um storage system.

Product Review: Stamp Keepers

Now that I have figured out how I will be using my um stamps I needed a system to store them. One that is thrifty is preferable. :) I stumbled upon the Inque Boutique website and saw the video for their Stamp Keepers. I also questioned one of my favorite stamping groups, Technique Junkies, for their storage ideas. It seemed one of the most popular ideas was to use three ring binders and some sort of storage mechanism (sheet protectors, laminated sheets, etc.)

So I started on my search to purchase some Stamp Keepers. I HATE to pay for shipping. So I set out to find a local store that had some Stamp Keepers. I came across the Checkered Cottage in Kirkwood, MO; a wonderful little store full of crafty items (and some wonderfully sweet owners). They didn't have any stamp keepers but could order some for me. Well, I picked up my keepers a few days ago and have opened them up and begun to play with them. ;)

First let me mention that these cost me $2.25 for each page and I bought four. My investment was $9 plus tax. The 2 1/2" three ringed binder I found in my stash. Because the Keepers are clear it is difficult to get a really good picture. Here is a photo of a Stamp Keeper.


Inque Boutique provides this description, "These sturdy, acid-free clamshell pages keep stamps neatly organized and at your fingertips. Made to fit into any standard 3-ring binder, they offer simple, compact storage & easy portability." My first thought was that the thickness of the pages is really nice for storing rubber which can get a bit heavy. This was really good news.

This next picture shows one of the Keepers open. The sheet on the left is the promotional sheet that came inside the clamshell. I'm not sure if you can see it clearly, but they come completely apart, no folded sides. Easy to open when they are in the binder. My thinking before I had these in hand is that I could use both sides to store stamps. As you will see soon, that isn't always possible.

Before I go on I will mention that on all four Keepers I had to use my Crop-A-Dile to modify the bottom hole to fit into my binder. In holding a Keeper next to another 3-ring binder I see that it isn't just a misalignment with this one binder. It wasn't really a difficult problem to fix just more of a small irritation.

This next picture shows all four Keepers being used. Because they are clear you can see down through them. I will pick up a package of tabbed pages to put in between the Keepers to help in seeing what is in/on the individual Keepers, as it can be confusing looking down through them. It will also allow me to note what company is being stored on which Keeper.


I mentioned that I purchased four of these Keepers. The first one I put See-D's stamps from Inque Boutique, (seen in the next photo.) Since these stamps are from the same company as the Keeper I figured these stamps would be ideal for the Keeper. Actually, I am least satisfied with storing these stamps. The stamps themselves don't stick as well and require being inside the clamshell so they don't get lost. You can see in the picture where a couple of the stamps slid down to the second set. See-D's are thin and fit nicely into the clamshell, but only one layer deep which means that you can only use one side of the Keeper to store stamps on. When I tried to put stamps on both sides of the Keeper it would not stay closed. After a day of photo taking and moving things around I am noticing that this Keeper doesn't want to stay completely closed along the bottom corner, (with the stamps only on one side inside the clamshell.) I expect to loose some stamps if I don't figure out a way to conveniently keep it closed.

This picture just shows the open Keeper with stamps that clung to the correct side. Stamps on the right weren't clinging. Perhaps it is just this one set, as the bottom set doesn't appear to be having problem falling off. This is more an issue of the stamps clinging rather than the Keeper itself.
The second Keeper has a background stamp from Cornish Heritage Farms that is mounted on EZ mount. I taped the promotional sheet inside the clamshell and mounted the stamp on the outside of the Keeper. Used this way you can store stamps on both sides of the Keeper allowing you to store twice as many stamps than if you only stored them inside the Keeper. Of course, when storing your stamps this way you want to ensure that they have a good stick which the EZ mount does. The EZ mount used on this stamp is the thicker one, and although I didn't try it I am pretty sure that it won't fit into the clamshell.

This next Keeper is storing my um rubber from I Brake For Stamps that I used Aleene's Tack-It Over & Over. I taped the promotional sheet inside the clamshell and then used it as a guide to stick the stamps on the outside. These stamps stick very well and I don't have any fear that they will fall off. (I would like to find this little missing butterfly, somehow lost her while I was cutting the rubber, no she didn't fall off.) I like being able to use both sides of the Keeper. I did not try to put the stamps on the inside since they stick so well and I will be able to get more use out of using both sides not to mention that it will be much easier to access the stamps this way. If there were sentiment stamps I'd probably mount the stamp next to the stamped image in order to read the sentiment easier rather than storing them inside the clamshell, exceptions might be a set of sentiments such as the next set.

Now in the fourth Keeper I have some of my acrylic stamps. (I'm sorry, I threw away the plastic they were in and don't know who's they are.) These were a bit trickier. I taped the sheet inside the clamshell but as I was sticking them to the outside I realized that they would have to be stuck on backwards over their image, thus making it difficult to read. So what I did instead was stick them inside the clamshell (back onto the plastic sheet that you would normally store them on.) Storing them this way will only allow me to store on one side (just like the See D's.) The acrylic stamps stuck without problem to the outside of the Keeper so with sets that aren't sentiments I'll probably stick them to the outside of the Keeper just as my rubber stamps are on the previous page.

Here is the open Keeper so you can see the acrylic stamps inside.

Pros:

• Sturdy pages
• Multi-use design (storing on the inside or outside of Keeper)
• Clear design allows you to store inside or outside of the Keeper
  

Cons:

• Improper alignment of bottom hole
• Cost ($2.25 per Keeper)
• Keepers that do not stay completely closed risks losing stamps stored inside
  

Bottom Line: I like the Stamp Keepers enough to use what I have and perhaps purchase a few more. Their biggest draw is the sturdiness of the pages to hold the weight of rubber stamps. However, I will be keeping my eyes open for similar storage options that are more cost effective.

ISCC6

Well, I am back from my vacation (yes, I did finally get packed) and life is good. My MIL arrived today and I'm getting ready for Troy's birthday party on Saturday. (Baked the McQueen cake tonight.)

I am attending a farewell tomorrow for a wonderful new friend. Her husband was supposed to retire, but the Air Force decided they needed him still so now they are off to new adventures. Here is the card I have made for her. She is a crafter so I really hope she enjoys this card!

This utilizes ISC' card sketch#6 and the colors for tomorrow's farewell (black, white and yellow for a queen bee.) Well, I don't have any ISC bees so these flowers will have to do for this card. (Hey Betsy, can you help me out with my lack of bee stamps? ;D )

I did CASE this from Lisa on ISC's blog, just scroll down a bit and you'll see her awesome card. Thank you Lisa for the inspiration!

The white layers are all shimmery white, which helps to add some pizazz. I did add a bit of dimension by using one pop dot under the bottom flower and two (one on top of the other) under the second to give a little more dimension. I may add some stickles but I'm not sure where. We'll see what it looks like in the morning. ;)


Stamps: Friendship & Nature Silhouettes I (ISC); Ink: Onyx Black (Versafine); Paper: Shimmery White & Basic Black (SU); Accessories: Nestabilities, Cuttlebug, paper snips (SU).

Starving Artistamps Blog Candy

You know I don't advertise others' blog candy often (if at all) but this one looks pretty juicy! Starving Artistamps (SA) is a wonderful company that I have purchased from several times (at one time they sold my friend Kristin's line of stamps.) Their stamps are great as well as their customer service!

Well, they are giving away a NEW Doodle Factory Tropics and TWO sheets of Tropic Sentiments! Scroll down to the second half of the posting to see the stamp sheets for this giveaway. What great images and some really awesome sentiments. If I had to only pick one I think it would be "You are treasured".

Click on the title of this posting and it should take you straight to SA's posting so you can check it out!

Why Am I Stamping Instead of Packing?

Yes, you read that right! My DS and I fly in the morning and I haven't finished packing yet! BUT. . . . today I received my FREE Innovative Stamp Creations stamp that I won on their blog and I looked at it longingly, thinking I wouldn't be able to play until I returned. Well, I HAD to have a Father's Day Card to take with me since we will be with DH all next week, vacationing in the beautiful State of Virginia (okay, its a commonweath, whatever that means! LOL!). That led me to stamping instead of packing.

I remembered the Techno Stamper's Sketch Challenge #21 and decided to use it to make DH's card. I also remembered ISC's color challenge AND I had two stamp sets I wanted to use. One from Artistic Outpost, My Knight and the other my brand spanking new Nature's Silhouette I from ISC. So, TWO cards were born!

First is DH's card using the knight.

This is just a quick card with no real embellishments. I did use my brand new Nestabilities rectangles that I bought at the Gateway Rubber Stamp Getaway this past week-end. Since this is going to a man and I know his appreciation level of hand made cards I didn't feel pressure to dress it up any more than I did.

Stamps: My Knight (Artistic Outpost); Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Basic Black Marker (SU), VersaMarker; Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Basic Black and Cool Caribbean; Accessories: Nestabilities Large Rectangle, Cuttlebug, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig.

Now for my next card using the Nature's Silhouette I I used the same sketch just changed up the stamps and used a larger Nestabilities rectangle, added some pearls (bought at Archivers) and distressed some of the edges. I did increase the size of the middle layers slightly, which allowed me to use the larger rectangle.


Stamps: Natures Silhouette I (ISC); Ink: Onyx Black (VersaFine), Basic Black Marker (SU); Paper: Wild Wasabi, Real Red, Basic Black and Cool Caribbean; Accessories: Nestabilities Large Rectangle, Cuttlebug, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, distresser (SU), Pearls.

Now off to pack I go!