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!

My First New Catty Order

My order should be here tomorrow! I can hardly stand it! What did I order you say? Well, here it is! Mind you that sales from my Open House were sooo good that I was able to roll all my earnings into the order and still get over $100 in free goodies!

The stamp sets I ordered are:

Punch Pals

Just Like You Priceless

Think Happy Thoughts

Fundamental Phrases

Polka Dot Background Stamp

Event Full (Hostess set)

In the Spotlight (Hostess set)

Vases in Vogue (Hostess set)

Punches I ordered are:

Photo Corners

Scallop Circle

1" Circle

Other Accessories:

Taffeta Chocolate Ribbon

Fall Flowers paper

Stack and Store Caddy

Double Stitched Groovy Guava Ribbon

Groovy Guava Prints Paper

Of course that is not all that is on my list either! There are still MANY things on my list!!! I'll share as I start crossing stuff off!

Double Line Doodles, Not So Dumb

OK, I will freely admit that this set has had me cursing several times over the last few weeks. This set, Double Line Doodles, is one that demonstrators received FREE at our regional events last year and we have had nearly a whole year to play with it. As my Open House dawned I was needing to create a make and take with it and I could not create anything that was amazing. I was so angry...I blamed the set itself, of course it couldn't be user error could it? (he, he, he) So anyway, my pal Lorien (she's great!) was making yet another swap for a different one I am hostessing and I LOVED how it turned out. I was lucky enough to get into a swap on Splitcoast that is hostessed by Jami and has some amazing swappers in it and I said I would use this set. I only said this one because it was one of the only new sets I knew I would own in time to participate. SO....after being so frustrated creating for my open house, I freaked out thinking---"I have to create something amazing to swap with amazing swappers and I can't! I just can't!" But then Lorien gave me her swaps with this set (click on her blog to the right and see her original card). I was inspired to use Doodle This with Double Line Doodles, to use white craft ink and to cut out the smaller flower and attach with a brad. I used Purely Pomegranate card stock and ink on this as well as Old Olive, Pretty in Pink, Black, the Word Window Punch, black gingham ribbon and Everyday Flexible Phrases. I am quite happy with how this turned out. My card is definitely different, but very much inspired by Lorien! Thanks pal!

New Catalog Open House

My New Catalog Open House was a success! I always enjoy having my best customers together stamping. There were over 14 people there and I think they had a good time. Here is a sample of one of the three make and takes they did. My plan at the New Catalog Open House is always to do simple cards that demonstrate a new set. New In Colors are always a plus too! I love this one done with Baroque Motifs. It uses Blue Bayou, Black and Soft Sky. The sentiment is from God's Blessings (a set from last year that is still currently available). I wish I could take credit for the layout but it was completely CASED! My pal Lorien came over and was making swaps for a swap I am hostessing. Her original was much more fancy, it had a silver brad in the center of each flower and also used white grosgrain ribbon. Our up-line, Tara, was visiting from Texas (she moved and left us just over 2 years ago). Tara was adapting Lorien's great sample and making it more simple. This is what she came up with and I loved it so we did it at my Open House. It is very simple yet very elegant don't you think?

Last One This Round

Here is the last ATC I did for this round of Taylor's Amuse swap. This one sat on my desk for a couple days - growing on me. I don't know what I was unsure about because now I really like it. At a workshop last week someone said it wasn't pretty at all because there was too much going on. Too much on the bottom and she didn't the color combo.

I used Petal's and Paisley paper again. The tiny scallop behind Seattle Girl is done with Stampin' Up!'s scallop scissors. They retired a couple years ago but I still have mine ready to go when I deem necessary!

Another Amuse Swap Sample

Here is another swap sample for the current Amuse ATC swap with Taylor. I snagged this elephant from Lisa Johnson when she was selling all her Amuse stamps. I got this little guy more because my youngest loves elephants and I know she will like using it. But I wanted to play with him too.

I used the Petals and Paisley Designer paper from Stampin' Up! as well as Tempting Turquoise and Old Olive card stock. The cute little turquoise gem is from JoAnn's. I'll share another sample with you tomorrow. I'll also be getting back to posting some samples made with some of my new Stampin' Up! goodies as soon as I can.

Amuse ATC Swap with Taylor

A couple of my favorite things combined into one event....Amuse Art Stamps, Taylor VanBruggen and swaps. Taylor's blog is linked to the right, if you haven't checked it out you need to and you need to subscribe so you can get updates whenever she posts to her blog. I love her work. She uses a mix of elements and also a mix of companies stamps. Usually I stick to blogs that use a majority of Stampin' Up! products but her's is worth my time.

http://www.amuseartstamps/, click here and prepare to spend some time looking at some fun and simple stamps. I spend a lot of time admiring other companies stamps but I don't spend much money on them because I save most of it for Stampin' Up! stuff. But, I have recently purchased some amuse after spending over a year really enjoying them.

I love swapping - when I know I will be getting good quality back. I know my stuff is not the best out there, but I do spend time and energy making sure my cuts are all straight, my colors look good together, layering, etc. so if I find a swap I think will have great players, I love to join in. Taylor has hostessed 2 Amuse ATC swaps and I was lucky enough to get 2 spots in each. Here is one from my first round with her. It uses the Amuse "Flower Girl" stamp. The dots in the background are from Technique Tuesday's Masterpieces of Paisley set. The scalloped strip was made with the slit punch and then tiny handheld circle punch was used to punch a little hole in the scallop. The rest of the supplies are all Stampin Up!

Another Petal Card

Here is another made with the new Pick-a-Petal set. I really like how this one turned out. It uses 3 of our New In-Colors for this year also. The colors used are Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, Purely Pomegrante and Mellow Moss. The cute little twinkle sticker in the middle of the flower and under the phrase is from Joann's. I found them on clearance for just 50 cents! They are so fun. The phrase "Hi There", is from a set from the Winter Mini Catalog, Fancy Flexible Phrases. Here's hoping that one makes it into the big catty. I use that set alot! A dear friend received this one in the mail this week...hope she liked it.

Sneak Peek

Here is a sample made with a set that will be in the new catalog. That catty will be available to customers on July 1. The stamp set is called Pick a Petal and the word that is stamped on the oval is from Warm Words. Each petal is seperate so you can stamp everything seperately. I used Close to Cocoa and Pretty in Pink as my card colors. Do you like the brad in the center. A little bit of bling ~ we are now going to be selling circle and square rhinestone brads in assortment packs! Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

Aren't these girls adorable? They are mine! We recently took part in a fundraiser that was done by our MOPS group. A photography studio came to church and took these black and whites and touched it up with a bit of color. The fun thing is that it cost just $10 and you got a 10x13 for that price. BUT, if you sold 15 sittings, you got a $150 package for free. Of course I sold the packages. This shot is the one that was done for the 10x13 and I plan to put it over the fireplace. I realized looking at this how much Kira (4) and Megan (8) look alike.

Anyway, this is what I made for my mother in law for Mother's Day. It is a cheap cardboard coaster (like the kinds you get at restaurants) which I covered with a sheet of Basic Grey's paper from their Blush Collection. I LOVE THIS COMPANY'S PAPER! I used Modge Podge to stick it on and then added my photo matted on Sage Shadow and Barely Banana. I used some pewter hardware and then added the flower in the corner (cut with my Cuttlebug). I stuck a magnet on back and was completely pleased when it was done. Hope she likes it!

7 Things About Myself???

YIKES! Lorien (http://stampsnmore.blogspot.com/) tagged me and now I have to tell you 7 things about myself! Plus, I have to tag 7 more stamping bloggers. The only problem with tagging 7 other is that most of them have already been tagged. Here are my 7 revealing facts: 1. I have a terrible sense of self esteem so that is part of why I don't post more samples on my blog. When I do post a photo of a project I stress that people will think, "You have got to be kidding me! Who did this? Her 4 year old?" 2. I am a complete computer idiot! I can't figure out how to add a counter to my blog (to see if anyone even reads it - do you hear that self esteem thing in there?), I can't figure out how to do a "hyper link" as Lorien calls it...complete idiot!

3. I have a major fear of snakes. I don't care how little they are, they freak me out. Last summer I was sitting on the porch and a snake slithered down the sidewalk right in front of me! It was my biggest nightmare come true! I curled up fetal position in my chair and started screaming for my husband. I then cried for 1/2 hour!

4. I am a stay at home mom now, but I did have aspirations to be a narchotics officer in L.A. at one point in my life! (I loved the show COPS.) I never did get a degree in Criminal Justice, the closest I have come is getting a Pre-Law degree and working as a legal secretary/paralegal.

5. I have 3 living daughters and one daughter who died inutero 4 weeks before she was due (Emma). Megan is 8, Kira is almost 5 and Brooke turns 3 in a couple weeks.

6. I've always wanted a horse. When I was little my aunt told me that whatever you pray for, God will answer. So I prayed for a horse till I was about 12. The funny thing was that we lived in a mobile home all while I was growing up (it was 12 feet wide by 60 feet long - very small house), our house was in a very small trailer park. No room for a barn so I used to tell my mom, when God gives us the horse it can live in the shed. I never got the horse.

7. My biggest desire is that I will be an incredible mother and when my girls are grown and parents of their own, they will be incredible mothers. I am far away from my own goal of being an incredible mother, but I try.

As for tagging 7 other bloggers, here goes....

1. Taylor Van....:http://tayloredexpressions.blogspot.com/

2. Anna Wholfart: http://inkastamp.blogspot.com/

3. Jen70: http://www.stamping-therapy.blogspot.com/

4. Emily Giovanni: http://emilygiovanni.com/

5. Cindy: http://imagine-dream-create.blogspot.com/

6. Kyla Maestas : http://kylamaestassweetwaterstampers.blogspot.com/

7. Kimmie at Kraftin Kimmie's Korner : http://kraftinkimmieskorner.blogspot.com/

Ghosting - Quite Cool!

Here is one done using the Ghosting technique. I'm not really good about trying new techniques. I prefer simple, add some fun ribbon or glitter or well placed brads and call it good. BUT, I have several stamp clubs that really desire learning new techniques. In February one of the gals wanted to learn Ghosting. I am glad she did! I love this technique.

First and foremost, please note you cannot purchase this stamp set any longer. This is Big Pieces, which was in the Winter Mini. (I'm sending out big telepathic vibes to Shelli beggin to have this set in the new catty).

To create this look you use glossy white cardstock. Stamp the circles with versa mark on the paper and then using your brayer you ink it up and brayer over the cardstock. The circles will begin appearing in white. Really neat!

To get the multi colored circle that is the focal point, just use Stampin' Up!'s incredible markers to color directly onto your stamp. Huff your hot breath on the stamp and off you go!