schwooo! by stampinangie

CFC #36: Forever

2012-01-25T19:47:00.003-06:00

Happy Wednesday! Anybody else trying to make it until Saturday at noon?! That's when my weekend will start, ha!

I've been trying to get this card uploaded for days now, schwooo! Finally made it! It's for the Casual Friday #36 Penguin Suit challenge, in honor of Penguin Awareness Day! I've never met any penguins, but I do love them, especially since the movie Happy Feet! :) You could only use black and white, not a speck of another color. I'm not sure mine is *simple* enough, but it is what it is, and I enjoyed making it! *wink*

Off to *perfect* my lessons for tomorrow and grade a few papers. Have a great evening and thanks for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: SU Basic Black and retired patterned paper.
Accessories: SU Heart Trio punch, Tulle Ribbon (Maya Road?), Maya Road chipboard "forever", SU chunky black glitter, 2-way glue pen, dimensionals.

My Sweetie!

2012-01-22T08:51:00.003-06:00

Happy Sunday! Hope you're having a great weekend! We are having some crazy warm weather in Texas, but I see some of you are having snow. I'm just a *teensy* bit jealous, shhhh, don't tell anyone!

Here is a card for My Sweetie! hee! hee! I can't remember where this "sweetie" chipboard piece came from, oops. It's one of those pieces that I almost used like two years ago, and it's been laying on a corner of my desk since then! ha! It reminds me of a surfboard!

I'm going to try to do a little bit of papercrafting today, wish me luck! School is KILLING me, but that's all I'm going to say about that! *wink* Have a great day! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Poppy Parade.
Accessories: 7 Gypsies fabric tape, sweetie chipboard unknown, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Cosmo Cricket black letter stickers, pink button, black and white twine, sewing machine.

Clean & Simple FTL172: Happy Valentine's Day

2012-01-15T16:42:00.006-06:00

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend! I got to spend a crafty day with friends yesterday, yay! We have a 3-day weekend with the MLK holiday, so grateful for that! I'll still be going in to work Monday, but at least I was able to take a little time off this weekend!

I've been making Valentine cards whenever I can spare a few minutes, so nice to be crafting a little! I sold 60 of my Christmas cards in a Dallas shop, so now I've been trying to make some Valentine cards for them. I made 3 last Sunday, then 3 more yesterday. It would probably help if I made 2 of each while I'm going. What do you guys do? One of each card or two at a time?

I used the Clean & Simple FTL172 sketch for this one. What a great sketch, right?! I can always count on them for a sketch that I can accomplish! I used some new Labels Collection die cuts from the new Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog. Oh my, that catalog is TOO good! I've placed one order, but I have another one ready to go! hee! hee!

I'll be back with more Valentine's Day cards soon! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes

Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, and My Mind's Eye Love Me patterned paper.

Ink: Cherry Cobbler.

Accessories: Labels Collection dies, Big Shot, Curly Label and Modern Label Punch, Blushing Bride ribbon, retired decorative brads & crochet flowers.

CPS1249: Celebrate!

2012-01-01T17:01:00.002-06:00

Happy New Year's to everyone! Hope your holidays were wonderful and you're having a wonderful New Year's Day!

I managed to squeak out one little card today using CPS 249 sketch and some of the Cosmo Upcycle line. This old girl is rusty! ha! I did manage to clean off all the school stuff from my stamping desk and am determined to leave it that way, we'll see how it goes! :) I have some new SU goodies and I WILL use them soon!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: SU Rose Red, Cosmo Upcycle patterned paper.
Accessories: SU Pear Pizazz Seam Binding and Twitterpated Designer Series Button, Cosmo Upcycle chipboard girl and label stickers.

Gratitude CQC#112

2011-11-27T15:28:00.004-06:00

Happy Sunday! Can't believe Thanksgiving break has gone by so quickly! I did get one card made, and I am seriously rusty!! I thought I'd share it anyway! :)

I used the Colour Q Challenge #112, looks like I missed the deadline for posting it on their site though, dang! Don't you love these fall colors?! At least I got one fall card made, now looks like it's time to start thinking about Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed time with family and friends! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Paisley Prints, Fabulous Phrases.
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Real Red, Whisper White.
Ink: Early Espresso, Pumpkin Pie.
Accessories: Daffodil Delight 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Modern Label Punch, Antique Brads, Red floss, paper piercer/needle.

Stampin' Up! Online Extravaganza!

2011-11-21T06:16:00.004-06:00

Happy Monday! It's especially happy because Stampin' Up! is starting it's Online Extravaganza! Click the box above or the red link to go to my website and see all the specials being offered online! Items are 20% - 60% off, and when you add them to your cart, you will see the sale price.

Two awesome specials today are for 24 hours only: the new Simply Scored and the Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps (I'm off to order that one for myself!).

Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any help! I'm on vacation this week and will be back later today with some stamped samples! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Classroom Tour!

2011-09-25T20:13:00.005-05:00

School is kicking my b*tt, argh, but I finally have pictures of my classroom to share! I actually got them a few weeks ago, but am just now getting time to post them. We have a new, rather complicated policy on taking pictures in our classrooms, but I'll spare you the details! :)

This is my classroom in our new building! These were taken before school started and before I was completely done, and I've already changed things (of course!), but you can get a feel for the space. I do love my room, and it's a good thing since I spend more time there than anywhere else! ha!

Love my pennants! I found the idea here. Around the whiteboard are these adorable teddy bear lights from Urban Outfitters, although they don't seem to be on their website anymore. They look so awesome turned on with the lights dimmed! The new Ikea red rug is super soft too, and the kids love it!

The plain black part in the next picture is my magnetic, chalkboard that I made for my old classroom. Now it looks more like this.

Next is this wall area, next to my Guided Reading table. Even though I teach math/science, all teachers teach one hour of Guided Reading, so I still need to have a space for reading strategies, etc. My green "bulletin boards" are twin flat sheets from Wal-Mart for $5, a Pinterest idea!

My Guided Reading table is to the left here, you can't see it, and these tables now hold the 6 student laptop computers. Nice! The two bulletin boards here now have Science posters on them covering things we've been studying...lab safety and the scientific method. Fun stuff! The blue bookcase is full of math manipulatives, games, etc that the students can play with. To the right is a blue locking cabinet for supplies and a restroom. You can barely see the super cute curtains to the left, also from Ikea.

This year our school is working to join the "No Excuses University" and really push college awareness. Every classroom "adopted" a university and ours is Texas A & M at Kingsville...the Javelinas! I cannot tell a lie...I Googled Texas colleges and picked my top 3 choices based on mascot colors! lol! I just couldn't risk purple or orange and brown!

Below is the favorite area of the kids...the library! I got the cool canopy thing at Ikea, it kind of inspired the whole room. I cleaned this old carpet the best I could, it's had 2 tough years already! ha!
Below is behavior stuff, class rules, class jobs, and not shown is a birthday cupcake graph poster we made the first week of school. The door is the entrance to the room.

This pic is by the front door entrance, there are two blue bookcases that hold lots of frequently used supplies. The silver box holds our classroom "clickers" to use with Smart Board software, very cool! You can kind of see the teddy bear lights better here, although they are not turned on. See the little white signholder for 99 cents from Ikea? It's going to hold something like this. So many ideas still, so little time!

Another view of the front:

Hope you enjoyed the classroom tour! Like I said, it's very different already (and much more full with walls covered!), so I guess I need to start the process of getting more photos taken!

Hopefully I will stamp again someday! In the meantime, thanks for stopping by! Hugs and happy everything!

CQC#101: Friendly Phrases

2011-09-10T19:32:00.003-05:00

Happy Saturday! Hope things are well in your world! Let's just say I'm glad this week is behind me and looking forward to a new one! ;-)

I loved the colors in the CQC#101 challenge this week, so decided to play along. I *really* heart Pool Party, and I found this little card had been stamped and abandoned, so what a perfect starting point!

Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Delicate Doilies, Friendly Phrases.
Cardstock: Pool Party, Whisper White.
Ink: Rich Razzleberry.
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry polka dot ribbon, Etsy crochet flower, Whisper White designer button, In Color polka dot brad, Corner Rounder.

CAS-ual Fridays #18: Forever Young

2011-09-05T20:17:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday and Labor Day! I'm so grateful for our long weekend and for the COOL weather in Dallas, finally! I got up to 69 degrees this morning, SO heavenly!!

I squeezed in time for one card today, yippee! The challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays is to create a project inspired by a book, and use the colors black, red, and white in honor of International Literacy Day on September 8th! Seriously, how could a teacher not participate?! :)

I used the SU set Forever Young, and my design is based on the book The Picture of Dorian Gray. I embossed the images using Versamark ink and black embossing powder, then fussy cut the little frame. A lot of sunlight in the picture, sorry about that!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Forever Young, Bring on the Cake.
Cardstock: Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, First Edition DSP.
Ink: Memento Black, Versamark.
Accessories: Black Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 5/8" Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Basic Black designer button, sewing machine, black thread.

It's a Wrap Holidays Sneak Peek

2011-08-27T14:45:00.003-05:00

Happy Saturday! I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend and all the East Coasters are staying safe!

I have one little card to share that I made for my Stampin' Up! upline, Jackie Ross. She's a wonderful career demo who was #9 Demonstrator of the Year last year! SU asked her to model a sample workshop at the Charlotte and Las Vegas regionals, so a few weeks ago, a few of her downline gathered at her house to make some samples for her to show during her presentation. What a fun day it was! I wish I could have gone to one of the events to see in her action, she truly is amazing!

I used the new It's a Wrap Holidays stamp set that will be in the new Holiday Mini catalog available September 1st. (You could do something very similar with the new It's a Wrap stamp set in the main catalog.) It's designed to stamp on labels to wrap around little Hershey's nuggets. I wanted to show another way to use the stamps, so I tried to make a ribbon/medallion thing.

I also used my favorite thing in the new holiday mini, jumbo buttons! They are called Spice Cake designer buttons, and they are SO cute! They come in Pool Party, More Mustard, Soft Suede, and Pear Pizazz. There are more cute buttons too, some decorative ones called Holly Berry Bouquet. Love, love!

On a non-stamping note, I survived my first week back to school, and I LOVE my class! I know we are going to have a great year! I'm trying not to panic thinking about getting them ready for the Texas STAAR test in spring, which is new and harder, but we'll get there. I wish the heat would let up on us, we had to have indoor recess all week, but they were super awesome. I spent the week without air-conditioning in the car, which was NOT super awesome!! Groan! But dh took it in today and got it fixed, schwooo!

Thanks so much for stopping by and (hopefully) not forgetting about me during my intermittent absences! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: It's a Wrap Holidays, Tiny Tags
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Crumb Cake, Garden Green, Frostwood Lodge DSP, Whisper White.
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso
Accessories: Big Shot, Perfect Polka Dots Embossing Folder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding ribbon, Cherry Cobbler 1 1/4" Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Jewelry Tag Punch, 3/4" and 1 1/4" Circle Punch.

Back to School!

2011-08-22T07:30:00.005-05:00

Happy Monday! It's officially the first day of school with the students! Can't wait to get started!

I made this simple little card for my 3rd grade teammates. I had much loftier ambitions for a cool project to give to them, but it didn't quite work out that way. I'm so excited for the new year and to be part of such a fabulous team! I moved to 3rd grade this year to teach math and science. I have a co-teacher who teaches English Language Arts and Social Studies, so we flip our 22 kids in the morning and afternoon. We've been working hard to get everything ready, and I hope to have pictures to share soon (new school policy on photographing, so bear with me!). I LOVE my new classroom so much, I can't wait to share it with y'all!

I'm hoping to come to some sort of *normal* schedule to allow for occasional stamping, soon, wish me luck! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Edited to add: That darling apple embossing folder is from Quickutz!

Get Well Wishes

2011-08-09T18:24:00.003-05:00

Happy Tuesday! Tomorrow is the big day...the first day of in-service at school. I've already spent several days in my classroom, unpacking and inventorying, it came along very slowly. Think I'm finally ready for the fun part. We get next Wednesday to work in our room, then Open House/Meet the Teacher on Thursday night. Hmmmm, why do I think I'll be up there all weekend?! :)

I finally finished up another card last night, one of my self-induced challenge cards, with left over parts from this card. (The Lucky You card below is another one.) I have parts for one more and it's sort of started, hopefully I can finish it soon! For this one, I used the SU Tasteful Trims die to make the big scallop pieces, then folded the top edge over. The little flowers are made from the scallop circles. There are lots of tutorials for theses, but here is one, wish I would have found it earlier, it's easier than how I did it! Hehe!

Okay, I'm off to play with my new SU pennant die and it's school related! Pics to follow! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Lucky You

2011-08-06T20:08:00.004-05:00

Happy Saturday! My last *official* weekend off before returning to school on Wednesday! Shocking! (Are you tired of hearing about this yet?! Feel free to tell me to stuff a sock in it!)

Here's a so-so card I have ready to share. *smile* Here's the back story...back in June I posted this retreat make and take card (and see below) that I designed for my friends to make. Well, they didn't all make it, so I had leftover parts for 3 more cards. I decided the other day to challenge myself and make 3 more different cards with the parts. I had a ton of those scallop circles because each flower on the original card required five. Anyway, the other 2 cards are almost finished, so I'll try to post those tomorrow, maybe it will make more sense then! :)

So, I finished up a rough floor plan for my classroom using the room planner on Thomasville's website (it's SO easy, anyone can use it!), because dh didn't really want to move the furniture 12 times until I figured out how I liked it. I guessed on some measurements, so it's not perfect, but it was close enough for us to use, with some minor tweaking, of course! Here it is, just for grins. Oh, and the big box in the corner is a restroom. For the first time ever, I'll have a restroom in my classroom. I guess it's good and bad...it will be super convenient, but it will require extensive training in proper use and maintenance! :)
I got about a dozen boxes/tubs unloaded before dh started losing interest, so I'm heading back up tomorrow afternoon to work some more. Yesterday my bff Lori was kind enough to accompany me to Ikea and we found the cutest stuff ever for the classroom. I'm super excited! She also accompanied me there my first year teaching. I didn't have my blog yet then, but you can see the rug she helped me pick then here. Ummm, it's long since been out of commission! ha! Rugs seem to last about 2 years, we'll see if my new one can make it longer!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Have a Wonderful Day!

2011-08-04T20:04:00.009-05:00

Happy Thursday! How's it going? Hot enough for you?! hahahahaha, what an original thought!

Wow, am I getting busy now that the "final last days until school starts countdown" has started! I have had this Pleasant Av card for a long time, but all it had was the grass, the street sign, and the sentiment. I could never decide what to put on the grass. So In the meantime, when I was working on the Great Stamp Room Overhaul of 2011, I found a tag swap thing with an Andes mint inside (old and ewwwww, from the looks of it, didn't try it! ha!) and this owl on the outside of it.

Lightbulb!

Rip the owl off that tag swap thing and plant him on the grass on Pleasant Av. And yes, I think it works, good enough! Between you and me, I have had that owl punch since it first came out brand new (was it last year's catalog?) and still never used it! Argh! But now it looks like I have! ha!

If you're still here after that long story, God bless ya! Here's another old card, kind of simple, but he seems to go with the other one.

Feel free to skip this teacher part if you like...

Now, my brand new campus was opened today and teachers could start moving stuff in! That's good...and bad...you know what I mean?! ha! But I was thrilled to start getting this huge pile out of my living/dining room. Two carloads later, it's looking much better!

Here are some pics of my brand new classroom, just the way it looked as I walked in, before I started hauling my own junk inside! You can see some pictures from last year here and here, and two years ago here.

Everything is so shiny and new! I'll keep you posted with after pictures, I have lots of ideas! Luckily, I don't need to buy many things (she says after a *little* trip to Target today!), but here's a rug I love, I just wish it came larger...it's only 4' x 6':
Lastly, I'm thinking of starting a teaching blog, unless someone can stop me...

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Paper Crafts Color Inspiration #7 Challenge

2011-08-02T19:47:00.002-05:00

Happy Tuesday! How's it going?!

I saw on Paper Crafts Connection tonight was the deadline for the Color Inspiration #7, and you know how I love a deadline to get me moving, ha! I found the spinner wheel from an old K & Company chipboard accents thing on my Clip It Up (yes, during the stamp room revamp, the Clip It Up is up again!) with the right colors, so I started with that. I did the flag pennant stitching with the Sew Easy Stitch Piercer, a little gift from my in-laws that I love now!!

I have to get up EARLY tomorrow for a math workshop in Fort Worth, aye yi yi! Wish me luck! I guess it's good practice for returning to work next Wednesday, lol! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Marigold Morning (retired), So Saffron.
Accessories: K and Company chipboard accent, We R Memory Keepers Sew Easy Stitch Piercer and floss.

Little Miss Sunshine

2011-07-31T19:18:00.003-05:00

Happy Sunday! Have you had a good weekend?! I had a fun Saturday night with some girlfriends seeing Crazy, Stupid Love and then hitting Borders today with dh to get some teacher stuff and use up a gift card before they closed up shop, so sad!

I have a quick little card to share that I made for my niece Emma (just realized I used part of the Emma's Shoppe collection by Crate Paper for this card, sweet serendipity!) when I returned home from Missouri last month. It never got sent, I know, I know, because it got a little smashed up and need to be renovated. So I just finished redoing it so I can send it out tomorrow! While working on the Great Stamp Room Overhaul of 2011 (it's almost done!), I made a small pile of cards that needed surgery. Has that ever happened to you?!

Okay, gotta keep moving! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Pattern Pieces
Cardstock: Pool Party
Ink: Pool Party
Accessories: Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe stickers and die-cut.

With Sympathy

2011-07-29T18:52:00.003-05:00

Happy Friday! Another week gone, can't believe the end of July is so close!

I've been working so hard in my stamp room the last couple of days...cleaning/organizing/purging...that I haven't had time to stamp. I think the end is near, and I should be able to take pictures to share soon. Yeah, I know I said that last year too, then never finished, ha! But I really think I'm going to make it this year! *smile*

One of the things I've been doing is going through MOUNDS of cards and trying to get them organized, plus prepare a lot of them for donation to Operation Write Home. I happened to come across this card that I made with my niece while home in Missouri last month. It was for a special friend, and clearly never got sent, but it will tomorrow. See why I needed to organize?! Although it's late, I hope it will still brighten her day and let her know that friends all over are praying and sending love for her and her family.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Little Red Wagon Challenge #91: Happy I Do Day

2011-07-27T19:00:00.005-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Two weeks from today I have to return to school, and I'm just letting you to know so you can start preparing yourself. *smile* I should probably start preparing myself too!

In the meantime, I whipped up this little card for my friend's wedding (and I'm late, doh!) using the new SU Forever Young set. Yes, a set with silhouettes, and beautiful matching paper to boot! To play along with the Little Red Wagon challenge #91, I heat embossed the clock with black embossing powder. I was going to add the couple's initials to the decorative label punch piece, but I ended up liking the little boy and girl silhouette images so much, I couldn't cover them up.

So I finally got my hair cut today, long overdue since the last cut on March 5. (Yes, I looked it up in my checkbook while waiting, ha!) She styled it straight and flatironed it, and now dh has been looking at me like I'm an alien, ha! No worries, it'll be messy and curly again in a day or two! Will I ever break down and buy a flatiron, hmmmm....

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Forever Young, Word Play
Cardstock: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla, Timeless Portrait & First Edition DSP.
Ink: Black, Versamark.
Accessories: Decorative Label Punch, Antique Brad, Heat Tool, Black Embossing Powder, 1 1/4" Black Striped Ribbon.

Clean & Simple FTL #150: Love & Peace

2011-07-26T19:14:00.003-05:00

Happy Tuesday! Y'all staying cool out there?! Nothing like 103 degrees outside and making a snowflake card, it's all in the head!

I loved the Clean and Simple FTL #150 sketch and thought it would be a great chance to use some of my rub-on stash for the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #12, so this is what I came up with. I forgot to take a picture of the inside, but it has a white insert with a rub-on sentiment and more snowflakes. I even made a matching envelope (like my friend Cindy always does!) with even more snowflake rub-ons! I'm feeling Pretty Good about using up some of my stash, hehe!

Stay cool, peeps! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, retired DSP.
Accessories: Baja Breeze snowflake, Glitter Brad, retired rub-ons, Snowflake Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Webster's Pages ribbon.

Tuesday Trigger: Many Mustaches

2011-07-25T19:37:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday!

I almost forgot I worked on this card last week for Cath's Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World! I had the scrap of yellow paper laying around and wanted to use up, plus I'm still trying to win people over to the *mustache* side! ha! I keep seeing the little mustaches on sticks so you can hold them up to your mouth, so I attached this one to a little wooden mini dowel rod...it just slides right out of the stitches! The stitches were inspired by the black buttons on the coat, then the vertical line of the numbers on the paper also followed the vertical lines of the jacket.

I need to get back in the stamp room, got way too involved in a 6 book series that I read last week. Now I'm so sad it's over, sigh. So it's time to stamp, right?! I'm always up for some challenges...

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Many Mustaches
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Basic Black, Just Add Cake DSP.
Ink: Versamark.
Accessories: Heat Tool, Black Embossing Powder, black thread, Thickers, Cosmo Cricket letter stickers.

Card Patterns 124: Happy Birthday

2011-07-22T11:27:00.006-05:00

Happy Friday! What a week, a lazy week, that is! hee! hee! I've stayed up until 5 am the last two nights reading books, yikes! That has to be my wake up time in just 2 1/2 more weeks! My poor husband, it is NOT going to be good! :)

Here's one more card I made during my virtual stamping session with Cindy, see here super cute card here, using the Card Patterns Sketch #24. I just love a long card, don't you? This card is 3 1/4" x 6 1/2", one of my favorite sizes, and SU has cute long envelopes that match. I first attempted making this an extra long card (like long business size, I forget what that ones called), but didn't like it, so shortened it up.

I used a super cute new sentiment set from SU called Perfectly Penned and some of my favorite retired paper. It's hard to see in the picture, but stamped the "Happy Birthday" in Real Red craft ink then embossed it with clear embossing powder. I need to get more colored embossing powder, but this worked for now. This card actually went postal to a dear friend for her, you guessed it, 32nd birthday. Hope she likes it!

On a side note, after Cindy and I stamped, we took pictures of our challenge cards and emailed them to each other. I took five pictures and this is the one I chose to edit and email:

I didn't even notice until Cindy emailed me back, I had an extra embellishment on the card! Yikes! Do you see it? So I chose the next best picture from my iPhoto library to edit and this was it:

Seriously?! What are the odds?! I've had this blog since May 2007 and almost 900 posts, but this was a first! (Plus, I think I need to check my glasses!) I guess this card is just super sweet or maybe since it's going to a super sweet friend...I know it's a stretch...ha!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Perfectly Penned
Cardstock: Old Olive, Sahara Sand, Play Date DSP.
Ink: Real Red Craft.
Accessories: Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Thickers.

Friday Mashup #15

2011-07-20T07:28:00.005-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Big day...humpday and I have plans to get out of the house, going a little stir crazy! ha!

I have another card to share from my virtual stamping challenge day with Cindy...see, I told you we got a lot done, ha! We used the Friday Mash Up Challenge #15, choosing to use both the sketch and the colors. I did flip the sketch, as you can see. Don't you love the new cameo paper from SU?! It just happened to match my new polka dot fabric so well!

Hope you have a great day and be careful in the heat...that's a note to self too, since I'm actually leaving the house today! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Early Espresso, Timeless Portrait DSP.
Accessories: Big Shot, Flower Folds Bigz XL Die, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, Linen Thread, Old Olive 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler button (retired), October Afternoon 5 & Dime Miscellany ticket, Janome Sew Mini.

Get your sunglasses ready...

2011-07-19T11:25:00.003-05:00

Happy Tuesday! I hope you read the title of the post and complied!

This *colorful* card uses the Clean and Simple FTL #149 and Dawn's Color Cue 16, which I love, I just think some white space would have been beneficial here! ha! Cindy and I used these challenges during our stamping session on Sunday, you can see hers here, it is beautiful! She encouraged me to go ahead and share this card, even if it was outside my normal comfort zone! heehee! Maybe I can find a nice, small child to mail this to! :)

Well, I should go do some housework now, but I may just pop into my stamp room for a quick minute! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Under the Big Top
Cardstock: Lucky Limeade, Tempting Turquoise, Rich Razzleberry, Whisper White, Big Top Birthday DSP.
Ink: Staz-On Black; Real Red, Tempting Turquoise, Lucky Limeade, Rich Razzleberry, and Going Gray markers.
Accessories: Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot ribbon, Star Punch, Big Shot, Polka Dot embossing folder, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Aquapainter.

Button Buddies: SU catalog copy challenge

2011-07-18T14:21:00.004-05:00

Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start! I'm on the final 3 week countdown of summer vacation, egads! But let's don't think about that right now...

Yesterday I was so lucky to get to spend the afternoon with my friend Cindy in Quebec! Not physically, unfortunately, but we had a virtual stamping get-together with Yahoo Chat and one-hour challenges. So much fun! We find we get a lot more done with one-hour limits and accountability...although I tend to go over 10 minutes or so occasionally, oops!

This card was for our first challenge...to copy the middle card on page 108 of the new Stampin' Up! catalog. We just changed up the stamps and color scheme. I also changed the rows of circles on the bottom part and used the Doily Triple Layer Punch. Because time was limited, I also copied the color scheme found on the Digital Content CD on page 14 of the catalog. Super simple, and it definitely makes me want to do some more catalog copying!

Enjoy your Monday, I find July 18th to be one of the BEST days ever! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Button Buddies; Up, Up, & Away ("miss you" sentiment).
Cardstock: So Saffron, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White.
Ink: Early Espresso, Cherry Cobbler.
Accessories: Baja Breeze Seam Binding, Doily Triple Layer Punch, Linen Thread, Paper Piercer/needle, stapler.

Button Buddies: Go Hog Wild!

2011-07-16T18:05:00.005-05:00

Happy Saturday! Hope you are enjoying your weekend!

Since I was missing all of the excitement of the last day of the SU Convention, I decided to use another one of my new sets, Button Buddies, to play along with the Color Throwdown #150. Aren't these colors so soft and sweet? This stamp set is super cute and going to be wildly popular (in my opinion!).

Somehow I ended up using 3 other stamp sets too: "Celebrate" came from Under the Big Top, hat came from Pennant Parade, and "go hog wild" from Family Reunion. Since I didn't have letter stickers from SU to use, I just inked up different letters from different words in Family Reunion and cut them out. Easy peasy.

Okay, off to spend some quality time with dh since he had to work all day. We just got a Wii yesterday (we are slowly joining the 21st century!), and I hear him playing tennis already...can't have him practicing and getting better than me! ha!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Button Buddies, Pennant Parade, Under the Big Top, Family Reunion.
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Taken with Teal, Whisper White.
Ink: Taken with Teal, Rose Red, Pink Pirouette (messed up-meant to use Pretty in Pink!).
Accessories: Pennant Punch, Pretty in Pink polka dot scallop ribbon, Linen Thread, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border Punch, Scallop Circle Punch, Pretty in Pink designer button, Certainly Celery Twill ribbon (retired).

Embellish Color Challenge: Nautical

2011-07-15T16:20:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday, I'm back!

Between working out and getting ready to go out with some friends, I squeaked in this Nautical card challenge from Embellish! Somehow this is one of those cards that just fell easily into place, schwooo! I needed that! *smile*

The "Y" card is from the ABC Sticker set from Cavillini & Co, a gift from my a friend. The little tin was the first thing I picked up and it happened to have a boat in it, so lucky! I was thinking I *probably* have a stamp with "bon voyage" on it, but do I know?! No. Sigh. I need a better sytem! So I used standby letter stickers.

If you're going on a cruise anytime soon, let me know. I have a card ready to send to you! *wink*

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Not Quite Navy, Early Espresso.
Accessories: Big Shot, Top Note die, Cuttlebug embossing folder, SU Cherry Cobbler extra large button, Linen Thread, SU fabric, Cavillini & Co ABC Stickers, Adornit letter stickers.

One Lucky Girl!

2011-07-15T13:13:00.005-05:00

Happy Friday!

I had to share what I was lucky enough to win and say thank you to Paula and Deb from One Lucky Day, because look what they sent me! I could NOT believe I won this yummy kit!

They have the kits available in their Etsy store too, and it all comes together to make this...and I happen to have one of these spinners that has been sitting empty and forlorn in my studio for some time now:

If you've never visited their blog, head over...be prepared to spend some time...for inspiration you won't believe! Here are a few of my all-time fave posts: bibliophile, Dear to the Heart, Chalk It Up, No. 2 Good Junk, and Valentine Gift.

Thank you, One Lucky Day, for making me One Lucky Girl!

Under the Big Top

2011-07-14T18:31:00.003-05:00

Happy Thursday!

I'm here with a card for the Colour Q Challenge #93. I'm afraid the card is not great, but what's done is done. *smile* This is what I get for trying to stamp while catching up on 7 DVRed episodes of Grey's Anatomy, and I'm sorry, but I'm on the one where Callie went through the windshield and she and the doctors are singing, NOT good! I guess I've been in denial, but I hear the "vroom! vroom!" as it has jumped the shark!

Back to the subject...I do love the colors in this challenge, so maybe I'll try again, ha! I used another new stamp set, Under the Big Top (and yes, I cut the sentiments apart from the main images!) and made this for a special little niece I know. I hope she likes it-she's not as tough a critic as I am!

What all is going on in your world? I'm feeling a little restless. (Please don't remind me that this is exactly how I wanted to feel when I was buried during the school year!) I started rearranging the kitchen cabinets to make room for some new dishes that are arriving tomorrow. I picked up some paint swatches last night and am *thinking* of repainting the living and dining room and hallways. I requested a teaching book at the library that's ready to pick up...all that young adult vampire/werewolf/fairy/angel reading was making me feel guilty I guess! hee! I definitely see some dilemmas brewing, so I'll be back for your opinion soon. Maybe on which paint swatch...

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Under the Big Top
Cardstock: Marina Mist, Peach Parfait, Real Red, Basic Black, Whisper White, Just Add Cake DSP.
Ink: Staz-On Black; Marina Mist, Real Red, and Peach Parfait markers.
Accessories: Aquapainter, Big Shot, Perfect Pennant Bigz Die, Circles Die, Real Red Grosgrain Ribbon, Certainly Celery Designer Button, black pearl floss.

Up, Up, and Away

2011-07-13T17:29:00.003-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Back with another swap card I gave my bff and downline Lori to take to the SU Convention and swap!

I used one of my fave new sets from the catalog: Up, Up, and Away. So cute! I love the circus set and paper that go with it too. The circus set involves coloring, we'll see if I'm brave enough to attempt it! Don't you LOVE the new Denim ribbon?! Swoon!

Here's a little tip for the paper peeking below the ribbon. I punched 1" circles, then tried lining them up perfectly. Took forever! And you know I'm a fast and lazy stamper. *smile* Since I was making 18 of these for swaps, I found this faster way (and humor me if this is obvious and I'm late to the game here, wouldn't be the first time, ha!): I cut a scrap of cardstock to 5/8", then used temporary adhesive on the back to hold it in place, and lastly, lined up my circles. So much faster! I attached the circles with mini glue dots, then adhered the star paper on top. Voila!

Side note: have you seen Bad Teacher?! SOOOO funny! I think my teacher friend and I were the only 2 out of 10 people in the theater laughing hysterically, so maybe you have to be a teacher, I don't know, but I loved it!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Up, Up, and Away
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Whisper White, Big Top Birthday DSP, Just Add Cake DSP.
Ink: Early Espresso.
Accessories: Denim Ribbon, Pewter Brad, 1" Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch.

Many Mustaches: Dilemma Resolved & Evolution of a Swap Card

2011-07-12T16:53:00.006-05:00

Thank you for all of your help with yesterday's dilemma! You guys had so many great ideas, things that never would have occurred to me, so thank you!! Without further ado, here is the dilemma resolved:

It was a tough choice, but I cut it apart and attached it to EZ Mount so I could use it on my clear blocks. Michelle gave me a great idea to cut it apart straight, so I could easily line it up again. It didn't exactly work straight since the images are curvy and I like the rubber trimmed super close; BUT she made me realize I could leave a little bit on the sides straight for easy line up and reattachment! Genius! It also dawned on me that this set is only $9.95, so I could sell some plasma and order another one if I really decided I wanted them all together again. hee! hee!

Below shows how they looked on the block after seeing some action. The first time I pressed too hard and got some extra black marks (not pressing too hard is always a challenge for me, ugh!). But I readjusted the pressure and it never happened again. I stamped about 15 times and stopped to clean off some of the black on the edges about half-way through. This shows after all the stamping was done:

Now, for some actual cards! I wanted to make some swaps for my bff and downline Lori to take to the SU convention (I'm not going, boo hoo!). We were supposed to work on some together, but I had to bail on her, so this helped assuage my guilt. Ha! I had about 2 hours this morning to mount/prepare this set, come up with a sample and make 12 cards. Pressure! Here's what I started with, but during the process (yes, all parts cut, stamped, and ready to assemble!), I decided it was too plain:

So I tried to add some brads to give it up some, umph or something:

Wasn't crazy about that either, sigh. So, I texted Lori to see if I could have 30 more minutes before meeting her and frantically trimmed the Kraft piece down, adhered it to a new Island Indigo piece, then restamped the "happy birthday dad" on a longer Lucky Limeade piece and added a brad! Schwooo! I made it! Are you feeling as stressed as I felt after all that?! ha! Here's the final:

If you're still with me after reading all this, pat yourself on the back! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Many Mustaches, Family Reunion, Woodgrain background.
Cardstock: Island Indigo, Lucky Limeade, Crumb Cake, Whisper White.
Ink: Black, Crumb Cake.
Accessories: Pewter Brad.

Dilemma: Many Mustaches

2011-07-11T11:53:00.003-05:00

Happy Monday!

Here's my dilemma...I received this fabulous new stamp set, Many Mustaches, last week and I want to use it today (NO, really, I do!), but I didn't realize it was all one stamp.

So, should I leave it as one stamp and mount it on the wood block?

Or separate it into 4 different mustache stamps?

I don't have 4 wood blocks...and no, I'm not going to go jigsaw that wood block into 4 pieces and lose a finger, trust me, I would lose a finger...but I could mount the red rubber onto EZ mount and use it on my clear blocks.

Keep in mind, I have a contraband mustache stamp set that has separate mustaches already that's really cute, but they are clear stamps, and my heart prefers red rubber stamps.

Hmmm, quite the dilemma, hence I come to you. (I read an interview with Hitchcock yesterday and he used the word hence. People don't use that word much anymore, hence DH and I have decided to start it up again. I read the definition at dictionary.com and I don't think I'm using it quite correctly, but please let me have my fun anyway!)

Please let me know your opinions, as soon as you can. I'll be back with more dilemmas, I've decided. No need to make so many decisions on my own. Some will involve decorating over the next few weeks, so start thinking about that, please.

Happy Birthday, Robyn!

2011-07-03T16:30:00.004-05:00

Happy lazy Sunday! :)

Here's a birthday card I made for my friend Robyn while on vacation using the Clean and Simple sketch #146. I was creating with my 8 eight year old niece Emma who thought it was pretty funny that she got 4 cards done in the time it took me to make one! ha! It was great fun anyway and something I wish I could do more than once or twice a year.

Another project...to go along with the birthday card...a special gift box to match. It holds a big bag of M & Ms and a gift card. It's so easy to make a custom size box around your gift (as long as it's not too big!), I really should do it more often.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Card Patterns 121

2011-06-29T11:22:00.004-05:00

Card patterns 121, a photo by stampinangie on Flickr.

Happy Wednesday!

I'm trying to post this from my iPad while on vacation in Missouri, we'll see if it works, ha!

I used Card Patterns sketch #121. The base is Kraft, the cupcake punch from SU, and some yummy fabric from Urban Arts and Crafts in Kansas City.

Hope everyone out there is well and enjoying summer! Hugs and happy stamping!

Clean & Simple FTL #145: Sew Glad We're Friends

2011-06-19T01:01:00.004-05:00

Happy Weekend! Hope it's been a great one for you so far!

I had a great day because in addition to doing laundry, I had a long-distance stamping challenge marathon with Cindy Major! That girl can stamp and perform with details galore under extreme time pressure! Unlike me, ha! But it was super fun, nonetheless!

Our first challenge was this Clean and Simple sketch #145 and we decided to use a retiring SU set. It was super fun and easy to work with. We gave ourselves about 37 minutes for this one, no problem! (I couldn't say that for later challenges, oops!).

I used Puns From the Past because it was still laying on my desk from yesterday! ha! I stamped the sewing machine in Chocolate Chip craft ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder, but it's kind of hard to tell in the photo.

Ta Ta for now! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Puns From the Past
Ink: Chocolate Chip craft and dye ink.
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Sweet Stitches DSP.
Accessories: Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, & Crumb Cake buttons, Linen Thread, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, sewing machine.

Baby Ava

2011-06-17T17:44:00.004-05:00

Happy Friday! What's up?! I've had a super fun day hanging out with some friends...lots of talking, a little lunch, a little shopping, a little stamping...what could be better than that?!

Here's a little card I made for my friend Vina who is expecting her first baby July 7th. She's having a baby girl, to be named, Ava. Is that so beautiful or what?! You may remember her wedding from August 2009 here. :) My goal is to now make her a set of baby thank you cards using the same basic design and materials. I will get it done! (Yes, that's me talking to myself in an open, public forum. Does that make me certifiable?!)

What are your plans for the weekend? Lots of Father's Day activities? I will be stamping all day Saturday (except for occasional laundry breaks, ugh!), so if you feel like doing some online challenges with me, shoot me an email! I need some pressure on me! ha!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Puns From the Past
Ink: Versamark
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Blushing Bride, Blushing Bride Patterns designer series paper.
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Perfect Pennants Bigz die (available July 1), Wilton white doily, Maya Road wooden button, Basic Grey letter stickers, Cappuccino baker's twine.

The Kraft Journal: Father's Day Challenge

2011-06-16T13:41:00.002-05:00

Happy Thursday! Did any Dallasites go the big parade downtown this morning for the Mavericks?! Sounded like great fun! I had a meeting at school from 8-12:00, so I didn't make it, but getting around the traffic was sure challenging! :)

Here's a Father's Day card I made yesterday using a challenge from the Kraft Journal blog: make a Father's Day card by using rub-ons to create your own, unique patterned paper look. Most of my rub-ons are pretty girly, but then I remembered these Hambly rub-ons I won as a prize one time. Even though they are probably designed to be "babyish" I tried to think of a way to make them work. We'll see what my dad thinks when he gets the card as to whether I accomplished it or not! ha! Here's the inside of the card:

Well, off to mail this card and pick Nick the dog from the groomers. We have vacation coming up, so he needs to look his best, you know! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Pennant Parade Guest Stamper: Lori Souter!

2011-06-15T10:28:00.003-05:00

Happy Wednesday! As I promised, I'm back with a couple of cards made by my bff and fellow Demo, Lori Souter!

She used the Pennant Parade stamp set, available in the new SU catalog on July 1, to make these darling ice cream cone cards! Aren't they the cutest?! I love the Crumb Cake background, especially the polka dots embossing folder used for a tone-on-tone background. It feels like sprinkles on the cones! Here's one with a different sentiment:

The Pennant Parade set comes with 4 pennant shapes, 6 greetings, a little flower pot, 1 star, and 1 asterisk thingy stamp. I think you're really going to like it when you see it! I have to say, since I've had a sneak peek at the new Stampin' Up! 2011-2012 catalog, I think it's really great and my wish list is longer than it's been in several years! Yay! I think, yay, but maybe it's not a good thing?! ha!

Enjoy your wonderful Wednesday! Thanks so much to Lori for these fabulous cards and to you for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Pennant Parade sneak peek

2011-06-14T19:31:00.002-05:00

Happy Tuesday! Hope your week is going well!

My friend and fellow demo Lori came over today to stamp (and help me find my mojo!) and we decided to copy this cute card from the Stampin' Success (magazine for SU demos). We used a set called Pennant Parades that will be in the new catalog on July 1. It's so cute! We decided to make matching envelopes too, but mine started going terribly wrong when I stamped the tree and pot badly and had to cover it up. It just went downhill from there! ha!

I'll be back tomorrow with a super cute ice cream cone card Lori made! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Pennant Parade.
Cardstock: So Saffron, Whisper White, Baja Breeze, Wild Wasabi, That Takes the Cake dsp.
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, So Saffron.
Accessories: Pennant Flag punch, Owl punch, Scallop Border Punch.

Retreat Make and Take

2011-06-11T19:18:00.003-05:00

Happy Saturday! Hope you're having a great weekend!

Thought I'd share a little make and take I whipped up for my friends to make at our retreat last month. Please don't look at how crooked that ribbon is, I just noticed it, ugh! I copied my friend Lori who was using some seam binding ribbon and pulling a ribbon in the center to gather it up. After that, I put down sticky strip adhesive and stuck it down on that. The flower is made of 4 scallop circles, folded into quarters, then attached onto another scallop circle.

I kind of tried to stamp today...sat there for a couple of hours...okay, I admit, watching tv too (my dvr is 95% full, come on!)...but nothing was coming! Ugh! Does that happen to anyone else after you've been away for awhile?! I will try again tomorrow, with the tv off, and some tunes playing. Wish me luck! *wink*

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Challenge Cards with Friends!

2011-06-07T07:11:00.004-05:00

Happy Tuesday! Hope everyone's week is off to a great start! I'm officially on summer vacation, whoo! hoo! I haven't got in my stamp room yet, mainly because it was inundated with boxes of teacher junk, ugh! But I've been working on consolidating, purging, organizing, and I'm almost finished, schwooo! My school is moving to a new building next year, so we had to bring home EVERYTHING we owned. I can't believe the amount of stuff I've acquired after only 5 years of teaching, scary! Reminds me of paper-crafting! ha!

In the meantime, here are the remaining challenge cards my friends and I made at our last retreat. As I mentioned before, the challenges started around 11:30 pm. For these two challenges, we had about 22 minutes and 17 minutes, although sometimes we (me included!) went over by a few minutes! :)

First up, the moustache cards, and believe me, most of the girls were not thrilled with this challenge! I gave them a pre-stamped moustache image, a black card base, piece of Wild Wasabi, and green/white baker's twine. *Please forgive the poor quality iPhone pictures!*

Here's mine:

April:

Beverly:

Lori:

Margaret:

Valerie:

Michelva:

Next up, the button cards. Everyone received a Chocolate Chip card base and a "button card" cut out from the SU Sweet Stitches designer series paper.

Mine:

Beverly:

Lori:

Margaret:

Michelva:

Traci:

Valerie:

I hope you enjoyed looking at our limited supplies challenge cards! I love how they all turn out so differently!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Sweet Baby Carriage

2011-05-29T18:09:00.002-05:00

Happy Sunday! Hope everyone is doing well!

Thought I would pop back in with a card I made at retreat last weekend. I tried to photograph some more cards, but my goodness, it was windy out there! Note to self: finally get or make a lightbox this summer vacation!

It seems like I always need baby cards and birthday cards the most, so I was determined to get a few made last weekend at the retreat. Good thing too, I'm going to need 2 baby cards for showers this week. There seems to be less demand for the hundreds of "hi" cards I make! ha! Maybe I just need to send them out and tell some people "hi!"

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: SU Basic Gray and patterned paper.
Accessories: Cosmo Cricket sticker letters, Crate Paper Emma's Shoppe die-cut, Etsy ribbon, Studio Calico tissue flower.

Play Date Cafe Challenge #82

2011-05-24T05:30:00.000-05:00

Why hello there! Long time, no see! I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying spring! Can I just say there are 8 days of school left?! I went on a much-needed retreat with friends last weekend, so nice!

Of course, I had to up our stress level by giving everyone a 30 minute card challenge at midnight! Ha! I used the colors from this week's Play Date Cafe Challenge #82...everyone got a Soft Suede card base, plus a piece of So Saffron, a floral circle, and a Baja Breeze seam binding ribbon. Here are the results, but excuse the poor quality photos taken with my phone!

My card:

Beverly's card:

Lori's card:

Margaret's card:

Michelva's card:

Tracy's card:

Valerie's card:

Fun, right?! I think they enjoyed it, although there was a fair amount of grumbling at me! lol! I'm seriously lucky they keep me around! Ta Ta for now! Hopefully I will be back soon with more cards from the retreat, as well as more challenge cards! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Just Passing the Time...

2011-03-29T05:15:00.003-05:00

Happy Tuesday! How is your week going so far?

Quick share...my attempt at a *circus* card for Paper Craft's last call...when I didn't reallly have any circus-related products! ha! Clearly, I wasn't really feeling the circus! I do love this image I found from the Graphics Fairy though. Later, after the deadline, I found even more cute circus images from her. Check her out, cute stuff!

Gotta roll, trying to head toward the treadmill, sigh. Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: digital image from The Graphics Fairy.
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Sassafrass Lass patterned paper.
Accessories: Brown/White baker's twine, Crate Paper sticker sentiment and border.

Play!

2011-03-27T13:44:00.004-05:00

Happy Sunday! This card seems to fit with yesterday's card, so I guess we'll call this weekend's theme: play! Even though I have done no playing whatsoever, ha!

This is a mini card, 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" using the Maya Road canvas triangle banners. Aren't they cute?! I was trying to use them in a non-traditional banner way, and since we had been studying shapes in 2nd grade, they just flew into a hexagon shape. Plus, we are always using spinners for different games (learning games, of course!), so that's where the "play" came in. For the different colors, I just rubbed the little canvas pieces right into the ink pads...very messy, resulting in inky fingers!

Okay, back to the grind! Hope you are enjoying your weekend! Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Woodgrain background.
Cardstock: Crumb Cake.
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Baja Breeze, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizazz, Wild Wasabi, Tangerine Tango, Rose Romance.
Accessories: Big Chocolate Chip button, Green/White baker's thread from the twinery, chipboard "play" from Crate Paper Neighborhood collection, Maya Road Canvas Flag Banners.

Wanna Play?

2011-03-26T09:55:00.003-05:00

Happy Saturday! Are you ready for your weekend?!

Here's a quick little no reason card I made just for fun during spring break. Really it was inspired by Jessica Witty after she blogged about mustaches (and yes, I did order that stamp set she featured, I'm calling her "pusher" now, ha!) and I decided I needed to use the cute little mustache in my stamp set from Kim Wilson.

I'm off to work on some projects now. I have a deadline looming over me that is filling me with panic and fear. Nice, huh?! Hope you have a great weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Kim Wilson
Ink: Memento Black
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Baja Breeze, Sassafrass patterned paper.
Accessories: SU Punches (XL Decorative Label, 1 3/8" Circle, 1 3/8" x 5/8" Oval), Vintage Brads, brown/white baker's twine, Adornit Letters from Carolee's Creations, Big Shot, Tim Holtz Bingo embossing folder, foam dimensionals.

You Mean the World 2 Me

2011-03-23T05:00:00.003-05:00

Happy Wednesday! Hope your week is going fine! Mine is kicking my b*tt! The kids have been awesome, I think it's just shifting back from the 9 hours of sleep per night last week to the 5 hours of sleep per night this week! Ugh! :)

I do have some more cards to share that luckily weren't picked up for the last Paper Crafts mag call! heeee! This was a color call challenge and I really loved these colors! It's fun (sometimes!) to challenge yourself with colors you don't normally put together, and I liked these a lot.

Hope you have a great Wednesday! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Stampin' Up! Word Play, Jenni Bowlin seal.
Ink: Versamark, SU Pacific Point.
Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, BBP Palo Verde.
Accessories: SU Tasteful Trims Die, Big Shot, May Arts ribbon, foam dimensionals.

Shabby Apple Giveaway WINNER!

2011-03-22T05:03:00.004-05:00


Ilene B. said...: the dress is adorable. Something my granddaughter might like! Thank you for a chance to win it! I am going to check out the site!
Ilene B.

Congrats to Ilene B.! Please email me with your info so I can pass it onto Shabby Apple!

Thanks for playing everyone!

Goodbye Spring Break...I will miss you!

2011-03-20T17:04:00.004-05:00

Sigh, it's true, Spring Break is coming to an end. Time to put away the crafty supplies and get out the school supplies and see what's going on this week. Thank you, Spring Break, you've been wonderful and I will miss you!

I *love* Heather's Totally Hues color challenges, and even if I didn't get this one done in time to join in, I still had to play with it! I need to start a file just of her color combos, she is magical with colors! I used the Stampin' Up! So Cute set, and we know I don't color *much*, but I do like coloring with my white craft ink and a blender pen, so hello bunny! I got this set free with my $50 order for Sale-A-Bration, and I LOVE how you can pick certain sets from the big catalog for free now!

Ta Ta for now and enjoy your Sunday evening! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: So Cute, Tiny Tags.
Ink: Staz-On Brown, Craft White, Tangerine Tango.
Cardstock: Bermuday Bay, Cool Caribbean, Tangerine Tango.
Accessories: So Saffron Grosgrain Ribbon, Blender Pens, Tangerine Tango Pom Poms, Big Shot, Dotted Embossing Folder.

PDCC#73: thanks so much

2011-03-19T09:43:00.002-05:00

Happy Saturday! Hope your weekend is off to a beautiful start!

Here's a quick share I made using the color inspiration from the Play Date Color Challenge #73. I thought the colors were so soft and pretty and some I don't normally use, so I gave it a go. And apparently they brought out my frilly side. *smile* The white ruffle trim is the edge I cut off of a grocery store doily. I put down some red line tape, then scrunched and stuck the doily edge down along the tape. Easy peasy!

I'm off to work on some deadline-looming projects that have me wondering what on earth I was thinking of, sigh. Wish me luck! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Don't forget to go to my blog post here and leave a comment to win a fabulous dress from Shabby Apple!

Recipe
Stamps: Tiny Tags
Ink: Memento Black
Cardstock: Rose Red, Always Apricot (retired), Springtime Vintage DSP.
Accessories: SU Rose Red Vintage Flower Adornment, Tiny Tags Punch, Linen Thread, Butterfly Bigz XL Die, Big Shot, plain chipboard (butterfly base), Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Pearl Jewel Accents; grocery store doily, Etsy ribbon.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T12:31:00.006-05:00

Happy Thursday and Happy St. Patrick's Day! Are you feeling all Irish?! I was while working on this card and playing the Celtic station on Pandora. I'm not sure if I have Irish in my genes, but I think I must because I love the music and I have red hair...right?!

Aren't these colors from the Colour Q challenge absolutely electric?! I started playing with them last night...and got nowhere so went to bed to read, hee! But when I got up this morning to stamp (at 8:22 patting myself on the back!), I wanted to work on a St. Patrick's Day card instead. After about, oh say 2 hours, of getting nowhere (again!), I realized these colors could work for my 'lil Irish card! (BTW, I blame the slack in production on the lack of Starbuckstion!)

Anywhoo (for dh, if he's reading!) back to the card. I probably have some St. Patrick's Day stamps somewhere but what's the likelihood of finding them? So I found this Lucky bingo card you can print here. (Since then, I found this shamrock that Kim Huges is sharing on Paper Crafts Connection, so I may have to do another!) I printed it on some retired SU Old Olive paper, added a doily (I think I'm the last paper crafter in the world to go buy and some doilies at the store, but I did it Monday night!), and some other junk and that was it. Plus five minutes trying to get that bow to not cover up part of LUCKY, grrrr.

I hope you have a safe and wonderful St. Pat's holiday! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Don't forget to go to my blog post here and leave a comment to win a fabulous dress from Shabby Apple!

Recipe
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Kiwi Kiss; Old Olive Prints DSP (retired), Cosmo Cricket Delovely yellow paper.
Stamps: SU Afterthoughts hostess set.
Ink: Basic Black.
Accessories: SU Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Ribbon, Linen Thread, Chocolate Chip big button, 1 3/4" circle punch; Wilton Doily, Caboose printable Bingo card.

CR84FN19: U R brilliant

2011-03-15T12:08:00.007-05:00

Happy Tuesday! How is everyone doing today?! I find spring break to be progressing nicely so far...

Here's the first card I made with my Maya Road light bulb set...a card made with a specific person in mind...a rarity for me! *smile* I love blues and grays, so when I saw this challenge from CR84FN, I had to play along! You still have time to join in!

Today I had *dedicated* to housecleaning, but I have to tell ya, it's not working out that way so far. Who thinks I can turn this thing around? Who has the faith in me? I'll let you know how it turns out tomorrow!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Don't forget to go to my blog post here
and leave a comment to win a fabulous dress
from Shabby Apple!

Eurkea!

2011-03-14T11:36:00.010-05:00

Happy Monday! Hope your week is off to a great start! With Spring Break, mine definitely is. I committed to a lot of projects this week, but that's usually good for me.

I did take a few minutes to stamp up this little card last night. When I saw that new light bulb set from Maya Road, I knew I had to have it! There is something so appealing about the lines of all those different light bulbs! There are 5 in the set, so I stuck them all on a clear block and started stamping. Easy peasy! Who will this card go to, for what occasion? I have no idea! ha! I'm waiting for the "eureka" moment!

Enjoy your Monday! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Don't forget to go to my blog post here and leave a comment to win a fabulous dress from Shabby Apple!

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2011-03-13T11:23:00.004-05:00

Who would like to win this stylish little Cortez dress?!

Shabby Apple has offered this dress free to one lucky winner through my blog! If you haven't visited Shappy Apple before, run over to their website and check them out, you won't be sorry! They have the cutest vintage inspired dresses for women, as well as maternity, fitness, swimwear, children's, and jewelry/accessories.

As an added bonus, Shabby Apple has offered to give all Schwooo readers an extra 10% discount off purchases, just use this coupon code: schwooo10off.

(I should note: they are not paying me to do this or anything like that! They just offered the free giveaway and discount to my readers, and I really liked their merchandise! *smile*)

Here are a few more of my favorites from their store:

All you have to do to be eligible to win the Cortez dress shown at the top of the post is leave a comment here, one per person.

The giveaway will remain open through Sunday, March 20 at midnight, CST.

I will draw a winner the morning of March 21 and post the results! Good luck!

Hey You! Hello! Howdy!

2011-03-09T18:22:00.005-06:00

Happy Wednesday evening! Hope you are having a great week! The weekend (and spring break for me!) are drawing near! It's a good thing too, I was barely holding it together when I left school last night! :)

If you submitted for Paper Crafts 2012 Go To Sketch issue, you may recognize this little card as using sketch #42. I think it's an awesome sketch, super easy and versatile, so I see myself using it again in the future. The paper piece across the bottom is actually from a promotional postcard announcing a new Studio Calico line, so I just cut the bottom off and used it! Pretty clever, I thought!

I was super proud of myself for making my own floral embellishment for this card. I used some old scrap fabric (from the pre-stamping crafty period) and followed the directions from this tutorial from Cosmo Cricket. I didn't have the Gluber product they show (although I have since acquired it, hee! hee!), so I just used some red-line tape stuck to a round piece of cardstock.

Okay, I better get busy. I have so much work to do I think I may cry. Ha! Ha! But not really! :) Thanks so much for coming by! Hugs and happy stamping!

OTWC #48: Cameo Girl

2011-03-07T05:10:00.003-06:00

Happy Monday! Meet the card that didn't want to be, ha! Ever have one of those cards that just didn't want to come together?!

I loved the colors from this OTWC#48 Challenge! Seriously, isn't that inspiration photo yummy? I started to use my new little silhouette girl from Kim Wilson's stamp set, but alas, she was gone! I had used her once and lost her! I did a major clean up several days ago, so I'm worried she may be gone forever. *sad face* I carried on with Kim's beautiful frame stamp embossed in white, then added a Maya Road chipboard cameo girl, also embossed in white.

Ack, I need to move it, move it! No more time for details! lol! Long day ahead...school, tutoring until 5, math night from 6-8, sigh. Caffeine, here I come!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Simply Silhouette from Kim Wilson.
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, So Saffron, Rose Red; Sweet Stitches DSP.
Acceessories: Rose Red Seam Ribbon & Vintage Flower Adornment, Maya Road Cameo Chipboard, Big Shot, PTI Large Scallop Die, Yellow Tulle.

exclusive...you...me

2011-03-05T09:47:00.003-06:00

Happy Saturday! Hope your weekend is off to a great start! I'm off to get a much needed haircut here in a bit. Thank heavens for Tracy, she can work magic!

The good news...I have some rejected Paper Crafts sketch cards so I have something to share! Whoo! Hoo! *smile* I worked last Sunday and made 6 cards, 2 of which got picked up (I think it helped that of the 6 sketches I used, none were in the top 10 of submitted sketches, better odds!), so I'm happy as a clam! That leaves 4 others I can share now. (See how I'm good at math like that? No wonder I'm a teacher!). Of course, two of them are Halloween. I don't know why I have a thing about making Halloween cards, they rarely get picked up! ha!

Anywhooo, (Have I mentioned my dh HATES that expression?! There's little I do wrong in his eyes, ha!, but saying this is one of them!), I used sketch 48 for this one. I do LOVE working with sketches! You can see all the sketches at Paper Crafts Connections, here. I had these adorable Pink Paislee pocket envelope things from a Studio Calico kit, I think, so I thought they would be perfect for the sketch. I paired it up with yummy new Stampin' Up! Sweet Stitches paper. I had that blank moment again where I thought: What am I going to do for a sentiment on the big, blank front of the envelope. I tried to pull "you me" to go along with the "exclusive buttons"...it was a stretch...as you can see...and rejected! ha!

Anywhooo, (again!) I better go get cleaned up. That's just one of those courteous things I do before I go sit in the hairstylist's chair. Hope you have a super fun Saturday! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: SU Crumb Cake, Sweet Stitches designer series paper.
Accessories: Pink Paislee Pocket Envelope, Adornit sticker letters from Carolee's Creations, SU big designer buttons and linen thread, Janome Sew mini and white thread.

Happy Birthday, Emma!

2011-03-03T19:50:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is the birthday of my sweet niece Emma! I am so blessed to be the aunt of such a special little girl...can't believe my luck! I sent her this card along with an American Girl gift card. Apparently she's amassing large quantities of them for a MAJOR purchase. I have to admit I've only been to their website, but maybe I'll have her take me to one of their stores in person over the summer. I hear from her daddy it's quite an experience! *smile*

I hope things are wonderful in your worlds out there! I know I've been MIA for awhile, trying to hang in there for one more week until spring break! After Friday, only 11 more weeks of school! Surely I can handle that, right? Right? Right?!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Stampin' Up! Pink Pirouette
Accessories: Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip Striped Ribbon & Linen Thread, Jenni Bowlin flower journaling card, American Craft cupcake, 1/16" punch, Carolee's Creations Adornit Sticker Letters.

Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 70: fashion buttons

2011-02-20T17:53:00.005-06:00

Happy Sunday evening! Once again I'm left with that feeling where did the weekend go?! How did I only get one card made the whole weekend?! Waaaahhhhh! :)

I loved the colors this week in Stacey's Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 70, so I just squeezed this card in and took a picture before the daylight was all gone! The 'fashion buttons' piece is from the Stampin' Up! Sweet Stitches DSP in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I put a little plain chipboard behind it to make it stronger, then I sewed some big buttons on top, super easy! I love all the "sewing themed" stuff lately but I never know what sentiment to put on the card?! Guess I'll just wait until I need a card and I can stamp a sentiment on the inside? Anything goes?

Well, off to finish a little bit of school stuff before the Amazing Race starts, whoo hoo! Anyone else excited?! And dh and I finally went and saw The King's Speech at a matinee yesterday, so good! It was our belated Valentine's Date!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe: all from Stampin' Up!
Cardstock: Whisper White, Sweet Stitches DSP.
Accessories: Sweet Stitches fabric, Tangerine Tango and Pear Pizazz Designer Big Buttons, Linen Thread, Dimensionals.

Valentine Treats

2011-02-18T05:09:00.003-06:00

Happy Friday! It's the most wonderful time...of the week!

Just a quick share of the Valentine treats I made for my students. The photo is not great, I took it with my phone at the last minute before passing them out, of course! ha! I also made them at the last moment, of course, on Sunday night, because that's just the way I do everything!

I was trying to find something fast to make and something that wouldn't make me cry when they threw it away and ate the candy part. I found this flower idea from Andrea Walford and thought it would be perfect, you can see it here. I changed the cookie centers to chocolate hearts and changed the dowels to pencils...something useful that they wouldn't throw away! :)

Hope you have a wonderful Friday! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Monkeying Around

2011-02-15T04:59:00.003-06:00

Happy Tuesday!

Here's a card I made and actually mailed, what a rarity for me! :)

A special dad I know, the dad of some special friends, has been in the hospital recently, so I custom made this card for him. He's one of the most fun dads ever, so he needed a fun get well card. I was too late to participate in Stacey's Curtain Call challenge #67, but I loved the colors and thought they would be good for a "guy" card.

Okay, guess I better get moving. I'll soon find out if the children are still in too much chocolate hyper mode or post sugar comatose state! ha! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Fox and Friends
Cardstock: Cajun Craze, Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Bashful Blue striped ribbon, Linen Thread, Corner Rounder, vintage button.

Valentine RAK!

2011-02-14T20:12:00.003-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just a quick pop-in to share this darling Valentine card that my dear friend Beverly sent me! Thank you, Beverly! I adore it!!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Valentine's Day! Getting through the entire day at school...and the Valentine's Day party at the end of the day...followed by tutoring after school...has pretty much destroyed me, so I'm calling it a day! ha! How's that for romantic! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

The Shabby Tea Room Challenge #48: Be Mine

2011-02-13T17:51:00.003-06:00

Happy Sunday! I really want to say, "Ack! Where has my weekend gone?!" *smile*

I only got a chance to make one card, so here we go! I loved this little photo from The Shabby Tea Room Challenge #48, isn't it sweet? I was reaching into my Kraft cardstock and I just happened to find this card base made with the pink and green patterned paper already attached with zig-zag stitching, score! I added a few goodies, and voila! Now, will I give this to my husband tomorrow for Valentine's Day or is it a little too frou-frou?! He likes clean and simple, so this card will probably get thrown into the card box for 'some other day'!

I did some shopping earlier for Valentine's Day party materials and goodies, so I'm off to work on those. Honestly, I don't usually do much for school parties since I'm kind of a slave driver, but my class this year is so amazing, I decided they needed some fun party time. They'll still be learning, of course, I'm not going totally crazy! ha! ha!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, retired SU patterned paper.
Accessories: SU pink ribbon (retired), Brown ribbon flower (Maya Road or Making Memories?), die-cut piece from the girls' paperie, American Crafts Thickers, October Afternoon green letter stickers, Jenni Bowlin stick pin, vintage cream lace flower.

Kiss Me...Yes or No

2011-02-11T05:09:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday! Can I get an "Awww, yeah?"!

This is one more card I made quite awhile back for a Valentine's Day pub call that didn't quite make the cut! hee! hee! I used the Kiss stamp from Unity, it's oh so sweet!

Hope you have a wonderful day! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Kiss from Unity.
Cardstock: Basic Black and Confetti Cream (? I think).
Ink: Ruby Red.
Accessories: SU: Scallop Border Punch, Metal Hardware, and Black Ribbon. Jenni Bowlin Valentine's Day ticket; Cosmo Tiny Alphabet letters; Big Shot, Dotted Embossing Folder.

Totally Hues Challenge #1: Sew Suite

2011-02-07T21:17:00.005-06:00

Happy Monday evening!

I just about jumped out of my chair with GLEE! when I saw the color queen Heather was starting a color challenge! Here is her very first one...Totally Hues Challenge #1...isn't it so yummy and fun?!

I used my new Sew Suite from the Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog, what a FAB stamp set! Everything is Stampin' Up!, but there are a few retired colors and items, shhhh, don't tell!

Okay, I should try to get a little more work done, but I am wiped out from returning to school today! It was hard to go back after our 4 inclement weather days last week! I was falling into *summer break* mode FAST! Plus, I got a new SU box of goodies today...it was supposed to be here Friday, adverse weather conditions, grrrr!...and I've been too tired to even open it. That's not right! ha! Maybe I'll just sip a little Diet Pepsi and try to pick that box cutter up...

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Marigold Morning & Bermuda Bay (retired), Chocolate Chip, Sweet Stitches designer series paper.
Ink: Chocolate Chip.
Accessories: Regal Rose 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Kiwi Kiss Striped Ribbon (retired), Designer Series Buttons, Sweet Stitches Fabric Brad, Tasteful Trims die, Big Shot, Chocolate Chip 1/4" ribbon (retired), Linen Thread.

Embellish Color Trend Challenge with Hearts

2011-02-06T13:38:00.003-06:00

Happy Sunday! Hope you're enjoying your weekend and maybe thawing out like we are here in Dallas!

I LOVED this recent challenge from Embellish...using these colors and hearts...in your design so I had to play along! Isn't the inspiration photo collage yummy?! I dug out an old favorite stamp set, Always, and inked up the heart in white craft ink, then heat embossed it with white embossing powder. It turned out so *pretty* on the pink!

Is everyone busy with Super Bowl festivities today?! Have fun and be safe! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Always
Cardstock: Baja Breeze, Crumb Cake, Pretty in Pink.
Ink: Craft White
Accessories: SU Winter White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, and Pear Pizazz Button; Pink/White Divine Twine; House of 3 Anthology collection tickets; Little Yellow Bicycle heart stick pins; Maya Road white flower, E2 Daily fabric tape.

CR84FN13: XOXO

2011-02-03T18:02:00.004-06:00

Happy Thursday! Spent another lovely snow day at home! So nice, yet dreading those make-up days! ha!

I saw this challenge on Amy's blog and loved the colors so I had to check it out over at CR84FN. There is something so yummy about turquoise, red, and chocolate! I had the idea the other day to use one of these red and white pipe cleaners to make a heart, so the timing was perfect with this challenge!

I picked these pipe cleaners...official name Candy Cane Chenille by Darice...at Paper Source at the Country Club Plaza on one of my recent trips to Kansas City, Missouri. My mother-in-law *peeked* in my bag at my assorted goodies and asked, "What are you going to do with these things?" My reply, "What?" She responded, "Do you have a project in mind for them?" Me, "Ummmmm, no." I loved that! A great comparison of how the crafty mind works vs. the rational one! I wish I was more rational sometimes!

Have a great evening! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise.
Accessories: SU Love Impressions Rub-ons & Chocolate Chip jumbo button, Darice Candy Cane Chenille pipe cleaners, Turquoise Divine Twine.

XO

2011-02-02T22:52:00.003-06:00

Happy Wednesday night!

I found this little card that was a Paper Crafts pub call reject for the Valentine's issue, so what a perfect time to share it now! :) The original photo was taken at night and so bad, but I took a new pic last weekend outside with better light. Of course, I still had the card since I don't really mail or give out cards, ugh! I am working on it this year though!

I used some girls paperie letters and paper and vintage lace. I think the little metal flower piece is from the Dear Lizzy line. The pink cardstock and ribbon must be SU Blushing Bride, right?, although it looks a little darker in this photo.

I hope you are staying warm and safe in this crazy cold weather scooting over the US! Tomorrow will be our 3rd missed day of school, inconceivable! The first day I worked diligently on school stuff all day, today I do not know what I did (must have been nothing!), but tomorrow I am determined to put the music on and stamp! Wish me luck!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Twisted Sketches: Happy Birthday cupcake

2011-01-31T04:47:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday! Hope you enjoyed your weekend! It went by way TOO fast for me!

I whipped up this little card yesterday when I saw this Twisted Sketches #044 challenge. I had just cleaned off my desk (AGAIN!) on Saturday and found that little cream felt piece cut from a Nestabilities and thought it would be perfect for the sketch. Don't tell anyone...there's a spider web stamped on the back of it! *smile*

This may be the thickest card ever made in the history of cards...good luck with it going in an envelope! ha! And I just noticed when I went to copy the sketch from the Twisted Sketches blog that the twist this week was twine, oops! Luckily, I used a tiny piece of green and white twine through the button. Schwooo! That was close!

Okay, off to walk and get ready for school...gotta be sharp to face those 21 second graders...I'm afraid I stayed up a little bit too late (1:00, ACK!) grading papers. Nothing like putting it off all weekend! ha! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Bring on the Cake
Cardstock: Regal Rose, Wild Wasabi, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Cupcake patterned paper.
Ink: Chocolate Chip.
Accessories: Build a Cupcake Punch, Daffodil Delight Button, Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dot, cream felt from Michaels, Nestabilities Labels One Die, Big Shot, 2-Way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Twine from The Twinery.

OTWC #38: Cameo

2011-01-29T16:13:00.005-06:00

Happy Saturday! I saw this fabulous OTWC#43 challenge this morning and swooned! Aren't all those black and white images YUMM-OH?! I love the silhouette look! I've been dying to get my hands on some new silhouette stamps from Hero Arts and I see Jenni Bowlin has some coming out at CHA right now also! I hope Stampin' Up! adds some too!

I didn't think I could play in the challenge, though, then I remembered I had this cameo stamp! I think I only used it once before and didn't like the card I made with it, so it has been neglected. I stamped the girl in Versamark first and heat embossed with black embossing powder, then cut her out. Then I stamped the whole stamp in Black Memento ink on a white cardstock base, added the cut out cameo on top with dimensionals, and a little crown for good measure. I debated adding more layers, patterned paper, etc but ended up liking her simple.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Edited to add: Thanks to Amy for reminding me that cameos are also Cath's Moxie Fab Challenge right now!! If you make a cameo card, be sure and enter it in there too!

Pattern Pieces: I Fall to Pieces

2011-01-26T05:02:00.003-06:00

Happy Wednesday! Hope you're having a great week!

Here's a super quick card I made a couple of weeks ago with the new SU Occasions Mini stamp called Pattern Pieces. It *almost* makes me want to sew again, but not quite! ha! After I stamped the image...I seem to be stuck on white cards lately...I decided to write "I fall to pieces" on the side, not sure why! Inside I wrote "without you." I can only imagine giving this to dh and I'm sure he won't *get* the pattern pieces, but oh well!

Better dash, or attempt something as close to a dash as this old body will do! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 65: Sew Suite

2011-01-24T04:57:00.004-06:00

Happy Monday! I hope the world is treating you well!

I'm back with a few cards for Stacey's Curtain Call Challenge Act 65, aren't these colors fun?! This challenge is over, I didn't get them photographed and posted in time, but thought I would share them anyway! I used the new Sew Suite stamp set from the SU Occasions Mini Catalog, so cute! Here's another one with the same colors and stamp set:

Well, off to get ready for school. I had to leave town for my grandma's funeral last week, then succumbed to my husband's sickly germs in a strange twist, so here's to a better week! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

2 Sketches 4 You: Keep Calm and Carry On

2011-01-17T08:00:00.004-06:00

Happy Monday! Although I'm afraid it's really not happy because this will be the final week for the 2 Sketches 4 You blog. Can you hear me boo-hooing?! After two wonderful years, the uber-talented Laura and Kazan are exploring other options, which I totally understand and wish them all the best. I cry for myself and my own selfish reasons! ha! ha!

I hope you'll play along with the week's final sketches! Laura and Kazan both posted a sketch and all of the design team members, past AND present, have made cards to share with you. You'll definitely want to check it out! This week's theme is appropriately: goodbye, farewell, good luck, etc. When I heard the news, I knew immediately which stamp I would use: Keep Calm and Carry On!

Since I'm on holiday today, hopefully I'll get a chance to make a second card using Kazan's sketch and share it too. I look forward to checking out your creations with this week's sketches! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Edited to add: I bought that fun stamp at Archiver's in Missouri over Christmas break, but if you google that sentiment with rubber stamp, you'll find some sites that have it! :)

Clean & Simple FTL #122: Emma

2011-01-15T11:30:00.003-06:00

Happy Saturday! It's been awhile, what is going on with me?! ha! ha!

I played around last Saturday for a little bit. I was texting with my precious 7-year old niece Emma who gave me a challenge to make her a pink card (it later turned to pink AND green, so it underwent some revisions!), and it was just the challenge I needed to get me creating again! Since my mojo bank is a little low on funds right now, I went to the super Clean & Simple blog and used this awesome sketch, FTL #122. The cloud and hot air balloon are new Stampin' Up! rub-ons. I applied the balloon to white cardstock, then cut it out.

I hope all is well in your world! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Color Inspiration for Card Makers!

2011-01-06T17:53:00.003-06:00

Have you seen this fabulous new magazine from Paper Crafts?! It's filled with amazing color combinations, then it shows several different cards made using each color combination! The color combinations are great, then it's so fun to see all the different styles of cards made with the colors. I was lucky enough to get six cards published in this issue (it was my last big pub push before my back-to-school deadline...I haven't submitted anything since, sigh), so I thought I would share one of them with you here!

Color Inspiration for Card Makers is available in stores now, or you can find it online here.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Cardstock: Crumb Cake and Whisper White by Stampin' Up!
Rubber Stamps: Define Your Life and Have a Seat by Stampin' Up!
Dye Ink: So Saffron and Crumb Cake by Stampin' Up!
Punch: Corner Rounder by Stampin' Up!
Button: Certainly Celery button from Soft Subtles collection by Stampin' Up!.
Fibers: DMC perle cotton; repurposed wool scrap.
Embossing folder: Winter Set by Sizzix.
Dies: Large Scalloped Die by Paper Trey Ink.
Tools: Big Shot by Sizzix.
Misc: mini glue dot, foam dimensionals.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends! If you are traveling, please be safe!

Just a quick share of a few different Christmas cards I ended up making, at the last minute, of course! ha! ha!

Holiday hugs and love to all!

Edited to add: Several people asked about the embossing folder...it's by Provo Craft for Cuttlebug and it's called Joy & Cheer. It's on their website, on the last (5th) page! Hope that helps!

OTWC #38: merry

2010-12-20T13:35:00.004-06:00

Happy Monday! And happy vacation! I finally ventured into my crafty room, boy was I rusty! lol! Now, to venture back and attack a new box of Stampin' Up! Occasions Mini Catalog pre-order items...or read a book...or play Pictureka...I love these choices! hee! hee! I do need to start thinking about getting some Christmas shopping done too, I guess!

To get me inspired, I played along with the OTWC #38 challenge. How could you not be inspired with these fun colors?! I started making the tree with some Divine Twine, added some "snow" with a scrap from my Tasteful Trims die, decided it looked "merry", and that was that!

I hope you're having a great day! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Clean & Simple Christmas for Ett Trykk

2010-12-10T21:35:00.005-06:00

Happy Friday! What a week! So busy and no time to stamp, boo hoo! :) I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one in this boat this time of the year though! Hopefully this weekend I'll squeeze some in...

In the meantime, I do have a few cards to share that you can find published in the Norwegian magazine Ett Trykk. They invited me to be a guest designer and make a few clean and simple Christmas cards, so exciting! You should definitely check it out...it's full of beautiful cards and you'll definitely recognize some faces of paper crafters that you know featured in this issue! I can't read a word of the magazine, but luckily you don't have to to be able to enjoy the pictures!

Off to grade papers, maybe I can knock them all out on Friday night and get that part of my weekend behind me! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 59: Let It Snow

2010-12-05T13:47:00.005-06:00

Happy Sunday! How do the weekends fly by so quickly?! We are enjoying some beautiful, sunny yet coolish weather in Dallas! Love it! I should be putting the ornaments on the tree (lights went on yesterday, then I faded!) and putting up the decorations, but I took a few minutes to stamp!

I loved Stacey's inspiration photo for this week over at Stacey's Stamping Stage, so I had to play along. Usually I make a *plan* for a card before I start, but this time I just started stamping and gluing things down, no plan! This little already-made card base was the only thing I could find in my Basic Gray cardstock file, yikes! I need to order more fast!!

Oh, and while I was making this I found Footloose on tv, what a classic! My fave line of the day: "This ain't the Middle Ages! We got tv! We got Family Fued!"

Enjoy your Sunday! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Jolly Old Saint Nick.
Cardstock: Basic Gray, Whisper White, Always Artichoke.
Ink: Black, Real Red & Pumpkin Pie marker, Craft White.
Accessories: Big Shot, Polka Dots embossing folder, Always Artichoke big designer button, Colored Pencils, Blender Pen, misc white pom poms & red/white ribbon, Melissa Frances snowflakes, Little Yellow Bicycle letter stickers.

Sweet Centers...SU CASE

2010-12-04T17:28:00.003-06:00

Happy Saturday! Hope your weekend is going well!

After a year, I finally used my Sweet Centers stamp set and one of the treat cups! I copied this card pretty much exactly right from the SU catalog, gotta love that! This was one of the projects I made for my teacher friends to make at our get together last week. I had trouble getting my mojo flowing, hence the CASE! lol!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Sweet Centers, Sparkly & Bright, Tiny Tags.
Cardstock: Old Olive, So Saffron, Baja Breeze, Whisper White, Kraft.
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive.
Accessories: Treat Cup, Linen Thread, Tiny Tag Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, Small Star Punch, Corner Rounder, Dimensionals, misc. craft store snowflake filling.

Jolly Old Saint Nick...on BINGO background

2010-12-02T18:49:00.004-06:00

Happy Thursday!

Can you tell this is my favorite Santa stamp this year?! I love him! Here I went very simple with no coloring and just stamped him in Versamark, then heat embossed with White Embossing Powder. Another favorite this year...this yummy Cherry Cobbler cardstock! The background is embossed with my Big Shot and a little contraband Tim Holtz Bingo embossing folder. Love it!

I entered this in the Kraft Journal hloliday challenge! Did you know there was a blog devoted to Kraft, my all-time favorite cardstock?! Check it out!

Hope you are having a great week! Tomorrow is Friday! Whoo! Hoo! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Jolly Old St. Nick, Tiny Tags.
Cardstock: Crumb Cake, Cherry Cobbler.
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Versamark.
Accessories: Tiny Tag Punch, Wild Wasabi Jumbo Button, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Tasteful Trim Bigz Die, Tim Holtz Bingo embossing folder, white yarn.

Dec. 25 in Paper Crafts!

2010-12-01T17:57:00.004-06:00

Happy Wednesday!

I almost forgot to share this card that is in the November/December issue of Paper Crafts! You can find the issue at your local store or online here. The card is also featured as an online bonus project with step-by-step instructions and materials here.

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Just Add Ink Challenge #45

2010-11-30T04:00:00.002-06:00

Happy Tuesday! Hope your week has started off well! I had a good day back to school yesterday. The kids were pretty awesome, and I had even kind of missed them, shhhhh, don't tell anyone!

I played around with this super cute sketch from Just Add Ink over the weekend. Isn't it so versatile?! My crosswise piece ended up going the wrong direction at the last minute, but I thought it fit the style of the card perfectly this way. I guess I'll stamp some sentiment inside, any ideas? What kind of card does it look like?!

Hope you have a great day! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

2 Sketches 4 You: Kazan's Sketch #67

2010-11-29T08:00:00.001-06:00

Happy Monday! It's back-to-school for me and time for Kazan's Sketch #67 over at 2 Sketches 4 You!

This week Kazan has a super fun Christmas tag sketch for us! I've seen so many cute tags out in the blogosphere lately, I couldn't wait to try it out! Now I want to make handmade tags for all of my Christmas gifts!

Check out the tags the rest of the design team made over at 2S4Y for inspiration! Kazan and Laura provided this tag sketch just for fun this week, and this will be it until 2011 since this time of year gets crazy for most of us!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Winter Post: Color Throwdown #120

2010-11-28T15:18:00.004-06:00

Happy Sunday! Hope you are enjoying your day! I've slowly been working on back to school stuff the last few days, but still taking short breaks to stamp here and there! :)

Today I decided to play along with Color Throwdown #120, aren't these great colors?! I very rarely use Rich Razzleberry, so it was a perfect challenge for me! Everything is SU except for that yummy snowflake flocked paper from Pink Paislee, I couldn't resist!

Okay, more back to school work to do, including sharpening pencils, sigh. The industrial strength pencil sharpeners broke at school, so I brought my little cr*ppy one home to use between projects. I can do about 12 pencils at a time before my hands cramps up too badly! ha!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Winter Post
Cardstock: Rich Razzleberry, Pink Paislee paper.
Ink: Rich Razzleberry.
Accessories: Old Olive Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry Polka Dot Ribbon, Rich Razzleberry Designer Series Button, Felt Snowflake.

Bells and Boughs: Colour Q #60

2010-11-27T11:18:00.003-06:00

Happy Saturday! Where has this week gone?!

I loved the colors in this week's Colour Q Challenge #60, so I decided to play along! Don't you want those mittens?! I made a version of this card yesterday and added glitter on the flower petals, but it did not turn out well! lol! So I tore it apart, restamped, recolored, and put it back together again. This explains the stray specks of glitter hanging around! ha! I love the old-fashioned Bells & Boughs set, but I'm afraid it requires too much coloring for me, what was I thinking?! (Doh! I just noticed I forgot to do the flower centers on the redo! Ugh!)

I hope you are having a great weekend! My plan was to finish making the house spotless then put up a Christmas tree and decorations. Will it happen?! That's the million dollar question! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Finished Size: 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
Stamps: Bells & Boughs
Ink: Staz-On Brown; Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso, Soft Suede & Always Artichoke markers.
Cardstock: Early Espressso, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla.
Accessories: Corner Rounder, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding Ribbon, Aquapainter, Dimensionals, Foof-a-La gold button.

Jolly...and simple...Old Saint Nick!

2010-11-26T14:51:00.002-06:00

Happy Friday! Hope everyone is having a great day after Thanksgiving!

Here's a super simple card I made with Jolly Old Saint Nick! Some old teacher friends who used to come when I had stamp club had been requesting a get together with make and takes over our break, so this is one of the projects I made for them. We had such a great time getting together, I miss those girls!

Enjoy your day and don't wipe the stores out completely! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Curtain Call Color Challenge Act 57: Grateful

2010-11-25T15:44:00.007-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you are having a wonderful holiday, spending the time just the way you want to! DH and I are moving slowly and probably won't eat for another hour, but we like not being on a schedule! Plus, it gave me time to make one little card, hee! hee!

I love Stacey and her color challenges and I haven't had time to play forever, so it was definitely on my priority list this week! I loved these colors and they made a perfect Thanksgiving card! I used the SU Growing Green set, finally got to break it in! The "Grateful" is from the SU Falling Leaves set. Everything is SU except for the tiny bit of Divine Twine and some vintage turquoise lace.

Guess I better go check on those potatoes! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Growing Green, Falling Leaves.
Ink: Versamark, Basic Gray.
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, Cajun Craze, DSP.
Accessories: Heat Tool, Clear Embossing Powder, Modern Label Punch, Big Shot, Embossing Plate, Basic Gray & Whisper White button, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, vintage lace, Janome Sew Mini.

JustRite 12 Weeks of Christmas Blog Hop 12

2010-11-24T09:00:00.004-06:00

Happy Wednesday! Today is a special day because the design team over at 2 Sketches 4 You is participating in a special Christmas Blog Hop with this week's sponsor: JustRite Stamps! You can find the fabulous sketch inspiration AND details about the JustRite prize package, by visiting their blog post HERE.

This is the final week of JustRite Stampers’ Wednesday feature, 12 Weeks of Christmas Blog Hops! If you would like to go back through all of the hops and see all of the gorgeous Christmas inspiration from the past 11 weeks, you can do so by clicking on the 12 Weeks of Christmas Blog Hops category on the JustRite Inspiration blog. All of the designers’ projects are hyperlinked directly to their blog posts that have full details of how they created the project, so you won’t have to search for them!

Don’t forget that JustRite also has some Christmas stamps in their newly released CLING line of stamp sets, too. I used the darling Sparky and Friends set for my project. I stamped the snowflakes in Versamark ink, then heat set them with Heat & Stick Powder and an embossing tool, then sprinkled on some yummy red flocking, and heat set once more. The snowflakes turned out darling with the raised, fluffy dimension.

Please visit these designers’ blogs to see what fabulous JustRite Christmas inspiration they have for you on the hop today!

JustRite Inspiration Blog
2 Sketches 4 You

Debbie Olson

Kazan Clark

Laura Davis

Barb Schram

Angie Tieman

Heidi Blankenship

Courtney Baker

Michele Kovack

Julie Lacey

Sankari Wegman

Laurie Willison

Stephanie Kraft

Mona Pendleton

Angela Barkhouse

Regina Mangum

Santa Hat box

2010-11-23T11:04:00.005-06:00

Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is having a great week! I most definitely am, and it probably has nothing to do with being off work all week! *wink*

I thought I would share this cute, quick little box that I saw and copied from the lovely and talented Kimberly Van Diepen. You can check out her sample and video tutorial here.

Gotta dash, meeting some teachers that I don't get to see very often for a quick bite and a movie! Yippee! Skippee! Then off to the eye doctor and maybe I'll finally fill a prescription instead of wearing the OTC (over-the-counter) readers! lol! Oh, and did I mention that over the last 2 weeks when I've taken off my glasses, 3 different students have gasped and said, "You look pretty without your glasses!" ha! And when I ask, "And with the glasses?"...I got "Well, you look pretty without them." From the mouths of babes...

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

2 Sketches 4 You: Laura's Sketch #66

2010-11-22T08:00:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday!

Time for another fabby sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You! You will LOVE working with this week's sketch! Our sponsor is Just Rite Stamps and I got to work with the super cute set Sparky and Friends! I added some paper from Pink Paislee and Making Memories, then some vintage lace and voila, easy peasy!

Be sure and head over to 2S4Y to check out the other cards from the awesome design team and upload your sample for a chance to win this week's prize from Just Rite stamps!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Maybe a Cupcake Will Help?

2010-11-19T05:20:00.001-06:00

Happy Friday!

We have six birthdays in my classroom this month, so I've had my share of cupcakes...and yes, they do help!

Hope you have a great Friday! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Paisley Prints: gift card set

2010-11-18T05:26:00.002-06:00

Happy Thursday! Hope you are having a great week!

I can't believe I am finally showing my last SU Convention display project! :)

This is another 3D item. I made a little box thing (sort of reminds me of a printer's tray) and laid a little card with matching scallop envelope inside each section. The Paisley Prints set was perfect for making different cards for different seasons/holidays. This is another project that I wish I remembered how I made it! lol! Here's another photo of it, the glare on the cellophane made it a challenge:

On another note, thanks so much for your wonderful, sweet comments lately! I'm especially touched by your supportive comments about my teaching. There are so many thoughtful people out there, what a blessing. I'm so behind in visiting other bloggers out there, but I will soon catch up as I enjoy my Thanksgiving week off next week! :)

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

So Many Thanks...to you

2010-11-16T05:32:00.002-06:00

Happy Tuesday!

Here's one more card made with that very versatile So Many Thanks stamp! The base and ribbon are the new Marina Mist color, I do love blue! Let me know if you have any questions!

Hope you have a great day! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

2 Sketches 4 You: Kazan's Sketch #66

2010-11-15T08:00:00.001-06:00

Happy Monday! Yay! It's time for a new sketch and sponsor over at 2 Sketches 4 You! Kazan provided this fabulous sketch, it made this card come together so easily!

This week I was so lucky to work with a fabulous little kit from Cupcake Cards, our sponsor of the week! Almost everything I used was from the kit: the card base and envelope, all the paper (aren't those snowmen the cutest?!), the aqua tulle and sheer pink ribbon, the cute puffy pink star, and the big cream flower. (The only things that weren't were the brown button and sticky letters, cream felt, and aqua glittery ribbon.)

I hope you'll head over to 2S4Y and see what the rest of the design team came up with and upload your fabby card using this week's sketch! I know you'll want to win one of these darling kits from Cupcake Cards!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Paisley Prints: milk carton box

2010-11-13T07:22:00.004-06:00

Happy Saturday! I'm feeling much better after LOTS of sleep last night! By yesterday afternoon at school, I thought I had reached that point where I had to walk out and never return. I'm really counting on Thanksgiving break to restore me. Any other teachers out there feeling this way?! Yikes! :)

But now for the cute stuff, ha! It's my last 3D box for the week, this one uses the darling Paisley Prints stamp set. This is so bad to admit, but I really can't recall how I made this! I think I must have got a template online and printed it out. I like this box, though, because it's actually very usable (for an odd-shaped, small gift, right?!) since the little clip on top lets you open it and reclose it. After you open some boxes that have big bows, tags, etc you know you can never get them closed and looking right again! I do love these colors for Christmas too: Bashful Blue, Real Red, and Wild Wasabi.

I hope you have a super weekend! We had a little cold front come through Dallas last night, love the way it's feeling! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

So Many Thanks...another 3D box

2010-11-12T05:07:00.006-06:00

Happy Friday!

Continuing with the boxes...here's another! I used the Big Shot with the Matchbox Bigz XL die. I made 4 boxes in different colors, then mixed the "drawers" around and adhered them together. For the sentiment, I ran Whisper White cardstock through the Big Shot with the same die to make the "label" part, then I inked up the So Many Thanks stamp with different colors of markers and stamped. Easy peasy! Let me know if you have any questions!

I know this one is a little bright looking, but I'll have a cute Christmas box to share with you tomorrow! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

So Many Thanks...3D box

2010-11-11T05:00:00.003-06:00

Happy Thursday!

Here's another little 3D box I made for the SU Convention samples, like the one from yesterday. I have several more of these I haven't shared, so maybe this will be little 3D box week, lol!

For this one, I actually took apart an empty Pop Up Glue Dot box and covered it with designer series paper. I think now I could have chosen a more exciting paper, but I think I had some idea in my head at the time. I made the little flag pennants freehand by stamping the So Many Thanks stamp first, then cutting them out. The "poles" are bamboo skewers cut down. I used mini glue dots to help hold them in place. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Counting today there are just 7 more school days before Thanksgiving fall break, whoo hoo! I really can't believe it's getting so close to the holidays! It's still been so warm here, we've barely had fall start. Is anybody feeling the holiday spirit yet?

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

Just Believe...fancy little box

2010-11-10T05:02:00.003-06:00

Happy Wednesday!

Here's a nice little spring box! Seems like a perfect time to share it since it's fall now! :)

I used the Just Believe stamp set and Big Shot with Fancy Box die. Lots of other SU goodies, let me know if you have any questions! To make the flower, I just took some designer series paper and kind of folded it and rolled it up as I went along.

I went to a great vocabulary teacher workshop yesterday, so that was a nice little break! Can't wait to get to school today and try some new techniques out!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!

2 Sketches 4 You: Laura's Sketch #64

2010-11-08T08:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Monday!

It's time for another fabby sketch from 2 Sketches 4 You! Laura's sketch this week is so fun to work with and I went super simple with it to really show off the stencil and artwork from this week's sponsor: Layers of Color Art Stamps. I used their gorgeous Victorian Corner Art Stencil and Fruitful Harvest stamp set.

Head on over to the 2S4Y blog to check out the rest of the design team's gorgeous samples and to upload your submission!

Thanks so much for stopping by and playing along! Hugs and happy stamping!

Recipe
Stamps: Fruitful Harvest from Layers of Color Art Stamps
Cardstock: SU Early Espresso
Ink: Staz-On Timber Brown, Versamark
Accessories: Victorian Corner Art Stencil from Layers of Color Art Stamps; SU Pure Color Pencils, Handmade Ephemera Pack by K & Company; Making Memories lace trim.

J is for Jack-o-lantern

2010-11-06T15:00:00.007-05:00

Happy Saturday! Yes, I know Halloween has officially passed, but I'm running late...as usual...and not quite done celebrating! ha!

I still had one card left to share, another one that didn't get picked up by Paper Crafts. The card below, however, did get picked up and you can find it in the September/October issue of Paper Crafts!

Have I mentioned it's only 2 more weeks until Thanksgiving week break?! Whoo! Hoo! I was sick all week, so it was a rough one! I did go to the doctor Wednesday after school and get antibiotics, so hopefully next week will be better! I survived making volcanoes on Friday with the kids, schwooo, were they excited! They probably could have just worn the safety googles and been content, that was a lot of excitement for them! ha! Scientists have to be safe during their experiments, you know, they never know what the outcome may be and something may blow up!

Okay, Chatty Cathy is out of here! Thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and happy stamping!