Last Contraband for Awhile

Here is another sample I made using a recently purchased contraband stamp. This beautiful fairy was made by Lizzie Anne Designs. I saw it for the first time on Cambria's blog where she made this adorable tooty fairy box for her daughter. http://cambriaturnbow.blogspot.com/2007/10/lizzie-anne-tooth-fairy-tin.html As soon as I saw it I knew wanted to make some of these boxes for my three girls. I wish you could see how sparkly the fairy is...you just can't stamp a fairy without adding sparkle. I sent this card in for a contest they are having at Lizzie Anne Designs. I wasn't even paying attention to the date so I hope it gets there in time to be considered.

The card itself is really easy to make. The beautiful fairy is stamped on Watercolor Paper with Timber Brown Staz On and colored with my aquapainter. I added stickles to her crown, wand and skirt. I used my Cuttlebug embossing folder on the Soft Sky panel and used Stampin Up's largest circle punch to punch a circle out of the panel where I wanted the fairy to be shown. Then I used a piece of Groovy Guava and punched the same circle out. Next center your SU scallop punch over the Guava circle and punch. I used my white gel pen to trace the edges of the scallop circle and put little dots in the scallops. I adhered that to the Soft Sky panel. To do the grass I stamped an adorable flower that LAD enclosed for free when I ordered Fairy...so I don't know if it goes to a set or if it is a little individual thing, not sure but it was FREE so I really loved that! So, I stamped the flower randomly on Certainly Celery cardstock and then just freehand cut the hills. I sponged the Celery ink directly on the edges of the hills. I used my white gel pen to trace these little lines that are part of the flower stamp. I adhered the front hill on top of the bottom hill with dimensionals. Finally, I used Stampin' Up!'s Fancy Flexible Phrases and stamped "Wishes" in Timber Brown. I punched it out with the Word Window punch and added the pretty little diamond jewel.

Supplies used: Groovy Guava cs, ink, Soft Sky cs, ink, Timber Brown Staz On, Certainly Celery cs, ink, So Saffron ink, Creamy Caramel ink, Aquapainter, Fancy Flexible Phrases (SU!), Word Window Punch, SU! Scallop Punch, White Gel Pen, Cuttlebug, Fairy (Lizzie Anne Designs), Stickles

Elzybells!!!

If you know me at all, you know that I am a die hard SU snob! I don't buy any paper but theirs, no inks, no embellishments, NOTHING! I love our stuff, plus I can sell our stuff and as a stay at home mom with three girls I need to make some cash right?!?! So, it stands to reason that my money goes where I can earn money...investing in my business. I spend time on other stamping blogs and have been persuaded to buy just a couple (I think about 4) stamps from A Muse Artstamps because they are adorable, but yet, I have remained controlled...(did you see that Lorien? CONTROL....) Anyway, I saw stamps on this blog: http://elzybellsna.typepad.com/my_weblog/ the other day, and lost all control! I bought 4 stamps from them and I can't wait till they come out with more...Isn't this little girl adorable? She is called "Winter Girl". I also got "Girl With Sled" and you see the snowflake on the pink? YUP, it's from Elzybells...AND, so is the cute greeting that is on the tag, it says "Warm Winter Wishes". If I haven't personally directed you to their site, run there and check these cuties out. The other plus....wood mounted!!! YES! The trend in stamping is leaning toward acrylic stamps which I still haven't enjoyed and I will admit that some stamps I have considered, sitting on the fence to purchase, but the fact they are acrylic has stopped me. But these cuties are wood mounted. AHHHH, so, my goal is to flood the gals at Elzybells with cute samples and hope they beg me to be on a design team..who knows, it could happen right?

Supplies used: All Stampin' Up! (are you surprised?) and of course the Elzybells stamp!

SNEAK PEEK!

Don't you love free stuff? I attended Stampin' Up! regionals in Canada last month and after the event was over I received a free set in the mail. This set will be in the Spring/Summer Collection and I got a chance to make a card with it! Here is is! What do you think? This is an adorable set and I used my favorite designer paper with it, Fall Flowers. I love the mix of the Soft Sky, Really Rust and Olive. This set is called Enjoy Every Moment and has 11 stamps in it. Hopefully I will get a chance to play with it more later tonight. This particular card was made for Trish Kustra (scottsmom on SCS). She sent me a wonderful altered tin filled with ribbon, Peppermint Paties (one of my favorite chocolates!), a stamp set, some embellishments and a chipboard alphabet! She sent this to me because she said I am a great swap hostess! What an ego boost! I loved her treat so I wanted to send her something to say thanks...I hope she likes it!

Supplies Used: Soft Sky cs, ink, Olive cs, ink, Really Rust cs, ink, Fall Flowers paper, Olive Wide Grosgrain, Photo Corner punch, Earth Elements buttons, linen thread.

We All Gotta Have A Hobby

Some people may actually think it is weird that I spend my free time rubberstamping...why not sewing or knitting they may say....but hey, everyone has gotta have a hobby. Why not rubber stamping? My husband has several outdoorsy type of hobbies. He is not your typical hunting or fishing type of guy but rather gardening and bees. Yes, bees. He has sevearl honeybee hives in our backyard and several more at a friend's house down the road. He gets looks when people hear about the bees. Mainly looks that say, "Are you crazy?" But he loves it. Lately he has taken to removing honeybee nests from buildings. He has done 2 removals this summer so I thought I would share a photo of a bunch of bees that took up residence in an apartment building...amazing!

What is Bo-Ho Anyway?

If any of gals that were at our stamp club meeting last week see this post, they will be laughing...(waving a cyber hi! to Marcy, Pat, Tiffany, Kelly and Abby!) I LOVE, LOVE the set True Friends from the current mini catalog and especially LOVE this flower image. Isn't it sweet? I don't know what it is about it that grabs me but it is so sweet. But what I want to know is what is BoHo? Currently the BoHo style is very popular in paper crafting. This set has a BoHo feel but I don't know what it means to be Bo-Ho? Anyone else know?

I wish I could say this pocket card was all my idea, but it wasn't. I seem to be stuck in a CASE-it rut right now. We did a card just like this at Regionals in Canada a couple weeks ago. The only thing I changed was the image on the tag. The original card that Stampin' Up! designed used the {Thank U} image, which doesn't do it for me. So I used my favorite image in this set, the BoHo flower. I colored it with Stampin Write Markers and can say I adore the way this turned out. The colors were completely Stampin' Up!'s design and I love them together!!

Supplies: Kraft cardstock, Soft Sky cardstock and ink, Mellow Moss cardstock and ink, Red gingham ribbon, tag corner punch, Ruby Red brads, So Saffron cardstock, Stampin Dimensionals

Christmas Card Class #2

This is another sample from my Christmas Card class 2 weeks ago. It was the last one I created for this class. Usually the last card I design is my least favorite....you have gone through many color combos, layouts, stamp sets, etc. and you are tapped out creatively. Well, I loved this when I was finally done. I wasn't even planning on using this set but it seemed that my Cold Play set walked off and I couldn't locate it. So...this is was my final design for that class. I plan on using this design as some of my Christmas Cards this year.

Supplies: Snowflake Spot stamp set, Purely Pomegranate ink, card stock, Bashful Blue ink, card stock, Mellow Moss ink, card stock, ribbon. Versamark ink, heat tool, Irradescent Ice Embossing Powder, Crafter's Tool Kit, Photo Corner Punch.

Halloween is Coming

As a kid, I loved Halloween and I still think Halloween is fun for kids but it has become so adult the last several years. Many of the decorations are too scary for young kids. Did the adults that buy these things forget that this "holiday" is supposed to be for kids. My middle daughter wouldn't even go trick or treating last year because she was so freaked out by the yard decorations in the neighborhood we were trick or treating in. I don't think I have ever sent a Halloween card. But, I did enter a swap in which we were requested to make a simple Halloween card. This was my submission. Enjoy.

Supplies used: Pumpkin Pie card stock and ink, Black card stock,ink, grosgrain, Always Artichoke ink, linen thread, scallop circle punch, circle punch, Creepy Crawly Designer Series paper, paper piercer and template, black eyelet.

Fall...It's the HOTTEST Time of the Year?

Here in Grand Blanc, Michigan we have our air conditioning running today. It is over 90 today! I don't remember a time it was this warm in October. So, here is a fall"ish" sample for you to enjoy.

Supplies: Groovy Guava ink, cardstock, ribbon, Mellow Moss ink, cardstock, Ruby Red ink, cardstock, watercolor paper, brads, aquapainter, Give Thanks stamp set, Canvas background stamp, Vases in Vogue stamp set.

Christmas Card Class

This Saturday is my 3rd annual Christmas Card class. I love this class because I get to break out the Christmas CD's and Christmasy candles. I have 17 registered for this class. It should be fun!

Here is a card we are making. It uses Peaceful Wishes (my favorite holiday set), Hung Up On The Holidays and Fundamental Phrases. I really love this color combo...Kraft, Soft Sky and Mellow Moss. It is a different holiday combo but I just love it. It feels so cool and country at the same time. The main panel was stamped on Shimmery White cardstock. I wish it were a bit more shimmery. I think if you didn't know it was "Shimmery White" you wouldn't even notice. I'll have more samples from that class soon!

Big Week!

Ahhh, the sounds of fall....shhhh, can you hear that? At my house it is a bit quieter from the hours of 8:20 and 11:30. Megan and Kira went back to school last week. Megan started 3rd grade and Kira started Kindergarten. Megan has never really liked school but for the first time she seems excited. I don't know if it is the teacher or the fact that she can read and has been enjoying writing much more. She was going on and on one night about the fact that if she gets all her work done during the day she can have free time and she has chosen to spend her time writing stories. Our digital camera doesn't always work when I want it to so the first morning of school I used my 35 mm so I KNEW I would get some photos. So, no digital pic of Megan on her first day.

On Kira's first day I wanted just one digital pic so I could send it to daddy at work, so here she is in all her glory. She is definitely adjusting. She was so excited to start school but after the first day she said she didn't want to go back. Yesterday when I asked her how her morning was, she said that she didn't cry at all. We do "the Kissing Hand" each morning as the bus rolls up (have you ever read that book? Her teacher read it to them the first day of school and I had forgotten how great of a story that is for kids going away to school!)

And if all this weren't enough, as the girls were preparing to leave for school Brooke, our youngest who is 3 years old, decided she wanted to use the potty so that she could go to school too. She is doing so well! She has only had 2 accidents in 8 days and is wearing under ware at night with no accidents! So, next Wednesday I will drop her off at Tiny Tots (class at a church in town for 2 hours, one day a week)...SOOO, next Wednesday, the house will be completely quiet for 2 hours! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?!?!? I can't.

Didn't Get It....But Here's a Sample.

Well, I heard back regarding my first ever submission for that design team and I didn't get it. No big deal. I'm sure there were tons of incredible submissions and mine probably wasn't even on the table to be chosen from!

Here is another sample I sent in for their consideration. It is also a swap that I sent in for Jami's Holiday Mini Swap on SCS. This one was made with a set that is currently available from our Holiday Mini Catalog. The stamp set is called Naughty or Nice?

Another One for You Tandra!

HA! Thanks for asking me to post more stuff Tandra! Three posts so now I should be good for awhile! Actually I will have some stamping time this Sunday evening as my husband will take the two older girls to his folks to camp out in the yard and I will put the youngest to bed at 7:30, so maybe I will have more projects early this coming week....when 2 kids are in school!

Here is another that I submitted to Cornish Heritage Farms.....I LOVE this image by Stampin' Up! It screams fall and I LOVE fall, the smells, the chilly temps, the leaves. Michigan is a beautiful place to celebrate fall.

Supplies used: Give Thanks set, Fall Flowers paper, clear buttons, linen thread, Soft Sky card stock and ink, Linen background stamp, Everyday Flexible Phrases set, Groovy Guava card stock and ink, Going Grey ink, Black Staz On ink, Alway Artichoke card stock and ink, Reall Rust card stock and ink, aqua painter.

Simple Swap

I needed a quick but cute swap recently and I came up with this one using the new set Think Happy Thoughts. I love that it is a companion to one of my all time favs - Seeing Spots. I love this layout and it all went together really quickly. I may even do a version (try other colors) for my regionals swap. I loved the colors in the Cutie Pie paper that made up the journal below, maybe I'll go for that color combo. So, what do you think...if you were in a swap would you want this or would it hit the trash for being too simple?

Request for More...

I just assume no one reads this blog so I am terrible about updating....Tandra posted recently that I need to update more because she wants to see more. How sweet....someone reads this?!?!

Here is one I made for a Design Team Call. I have NEVER applied for a design team spot but Cornish Heritage Farms was having a design team call for people who have never been published and I fit into that category! Here is the altered project I submitted via e-mail.

This is one of Stampin' Up!'s On Board Journals. I used Cutie Pie Designer Paper, Bashful Blue card stock and ink, Rose Red card stock, Certainly Celery ink, Polka Dot background stamp, Polka Dots and Paisley stamp set (for greeting), Basics Outline jumbo wheel, Spiral punch, white gel pen, brads, ribbon.

This journal is where I am keeping track of all the cute pronunciations the girls have made or the cute things they have said. Things I don't want to forget. That is why I thought it was perfect to use the greeting from Polka Dots and Paisley for the cover.

I love the colors in the Cutie Pie Designer Paper. I also love that the Pomegranate Double Stitched Ribbon matches well enough for me to use it on this project. Did you notice the different "stitches" I did with my gel pen? Yes, I poked all those holes. Isn't is driving you crazy Lorien?

Just Like You - Again...

Can you tell I really like the Ronald McDonald House set? Here is another sample using this set as well as the new Fall Flowers paper (which I adore). It also uses the Photo Corner Punch - another winner in my book. I inked up the flower buds and the stems using my Stampin' Up! Stampin Write Markers and added a little bit of shine to them using Stickles. OOOOH, how I wish SU! sold Stickles...they are so much less messy than glue and glitter. This is a very simple layout. It was a reject for Jami's New Catty Swap (I rejected sending it in). You will see a few posts below which one won out. It is the one using the Fall Flowers paper, Priceless and the scallop circle punch. I liked both cards but I felt this was a bit too simple for the incredible stampers I was swapping with.

Suprise Baby!

Here is one I made a few weeks ago for a baby shower. A baby that is very much a suprise. A couple from church found themselves expecting. Their oldest child is around 14 and their youngest is maybe 13. They had decided they were done having babies long ago. BUT God had a different plan for them! Now they are expecting another daughter in the next 2 weeks or so.

This one was made with a retired hostess set from last year. The supplies used are: Blooming With Happiness, Simply Said, Curvy Verses, Chocolate Chip cardstock, Pretty In Pink cardstock, Certainly Celery cardstock, Marvy Scallop Square punch, slit punch, Pink Gingham Ribbon, Stardust Stickles, Certainly Celery, Regal Rose and Pretty in Pink Stampin Write Markers, White Gel Pen.

Class Sample

I am preparing for a class I have coming up and I took some time yesterday to sit down and come up with some prototypes. This is one that won out. I loved how it turned out. Simple lines, SO easy to duplicate but it has the right amount of elements to make it adorable. (Of course that is just my opinion.)

This one was made with the two new sets Pick a Petal and Fundamental Phrases. I haven't pulled this set out as much as I would have thought but whenever I do I am really pleased with the results. This also uses the new Photo Corner punch. How do I feel about the punch?? How did I live without it??? I have loved the look of photo corners for years but have never been able to make them myself. Now that this punch is here, life is so easy and it is such a cute element! Adding the eyelet just adds to it don't you think?

Other supplies used: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Pale Plum, Certainly Celery, Whisper White card stocks. Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Perfect Plum, Certainly Celery inks. Soft Subtles Eyelets, Canvas background stamp, 1/4" circle punch, Certainly Celery grosgrain ribbon, Oval Punch, Stamp a ma jig.

2007-2008 Ronald McDonald House Set

Every year Stampin' Up! produces a new stamp set that will contribute to the Ronald McDonald House. Whenever someone purchases the Ronald McDonald House set $2 from the sale will go directly to RMH. So far Stampin' Up! has donated over $600,000 and with the launch of this new set I have a feeling that number is going to go up quickly!

Just Like You was on my first order which is not typical for me of the RMH sets. I only own one of them because I haven't really felt the set was very versatile and they haven't been of my style, but when I saw this one I knew it was going to be making its way to my house!

This one took awhile to do because there were a couple places I needed to mask. I even pulled out my Stamp a ma jig which doesn't happen often, but I really needed to get the flowers placed "just so". When it was done I sat back and looked at it and thought, "hmmm, I don't know if this is doing it for me." But, I walked away, came back later and decided I really liked it. Funny how things happen like that!

I used the following supplies: Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Bashful Blue, Groovy Guava, So Saffron inks. Chocolate Chip, Certainly Celery, Groovy Guava, Whisper White card stock. So Saffron and Bashful Blue brads. Photo Corner punch. White Gel Pen. Groovy Guava Double Stitched Ribbon. Stamp sets: Polka Dot background, Just Like You, Canvas.

Lovin This New Catty~

WOW, I am lovin all the fresh new color combinations in the new catalog. I made this one for a swap I am in. We have to use some of the new patterned paper. As soon as I saw Fall Flowers I knew I had to have it. It is very similar to a pack of paper we had over a year ago. It made me so sad it never made it into the catalog. Anyway, this sample uses a color combo from that paper - Soft Sky, Really Rust, Always Artichoke and white. I used my new Scallop Circle Punch. LOVE THIS!!!! It is so cute and so many of our images work well with it. And, the large circle punch fits perfectly inside it. The focal image and the swirls in the background were made using Priceless. Love this set too! I paper pierced the edges of the artichoke card stock as well as the scallops. I used a bit of moss gingham ribbon and white grosgrain as well as an artichoke brad for the center of the flower. I am quite happy with how this one turned out.

Fun Hostess Set

Here is another sample for you...This one was made using one of the new Hostess sets from the new catalog. It is called In The Spotlight. Anyone who knows me knows that I own virtually all of the circle image stamp sets we have. Of course with the new catalog came 2 new sets that are circles; circle flowers. They are really cute but I think I can have restraint since there are so many other sets I love and several of the circle sets have flowers in them as well. I used Certainly Celery, Real Red and Bashful Blue card stock (I LOVE that color combo), of course I had to use the slit punch to make a scalloped border. I love scallops! I also used our soft subtles brads. The best thing about our colors is that Stampin' Up! makes it so easy to match accessories to card stock/ink! Of course I had to add ribbon too and doesn't it look so cute to mix grosgrain and gingham? I really like how this turned out and hope you do too!