Make Mine Stamps

Blogger's Challenge - Emboss It!

I love to emboss and I don't do enough of it!  There are countless techniques you can use when embossing and I love the result.  For this week's challenge, I've used one of the stamps from the Mini that goes live on May 1.  And this one is for the guys!

Isn't this motorcycle gorgeous!  My hubby has a Harley and we are what I refer to as "Harley Hobbyists".  We ride only in the sunshine...never at night...and never in the rain!  We don't own chaps or leathers or any of that stuff!  We just like to ride when the weather is great and there are no storms on the horizon -- yep, we check the weather before we ride and we always ride the backroads.  Love riding!

I started with a base card of Really Red.  I texturized the Black cardstock with the Distressed Texturz plates in the Big Shot and then cut the piece into three pieces for my card.  I wanted to simulate the road so I added yellow lines in YoYo Yellow.  And the best part:  Thom got it and loved it!  I stamped the motorcyle in Versamark Ink and then embossed using Black Embossing Powder.  Next, I used my Going Gray marker to add the color where the chrome would be and then added Really Red and Black where they are on our bike.  I purposefully used Red because this bike looks like ours.  And the best part:  This is one of the fabulously priced single stamps and is under $10!

The word "journey" is stamped in White Craft Ink and embossed with clear embossing powder.  This is also from the new mini and if you stamp it in regular ink, it is made to color the "our" in a different color so it appears to say "our journey".  Really, all the words in this set are very cute and I use it in the clear mounts.

Got a huge day planned and an even bigger weekend.  I hope your weekend is safe and relaxing, and that you are richly blessed!  I'm off to check out the other gal's creations!

What Do You Mean -- It's Too Late?

Many of you know that Andy lives with his father and that is okay.  When Thom and I got married, it was with Andy's blessing, but he was at an age that counselors recommended we not move him.  He was going into Junior High, 7th grade, and moving him at that age, I was told, could be very negative.  I cried every day for two years.  It was probably a great decision for Andy as he was entering puberty (that was a trip because I got all the questions!), but he went from a painfully shy young boy to a very confident young man.  I credit that to not being in the presence of his COPM - Classic Over Protective Mother.  I credit it as well to him being able to stay in the same school system for his entire scholastic career and finally having only one home base, with the exception of the times he was with me.  I really believe that helped him.

The negative, other than me missing him like crazy and trying to do algebra with him over the phone from a duplicate set of school books, was that I don't always get information timely.  Trying to get stuff out of that kid is like prying teeth!  I'm told it is the same with most boys.  At any rate, from the time this school year started, I've been asking about graduation announcements.  In January, another mom told me she had almost missed the deadline and I was aghast -- I DID miss the deadline because the school sent me nothing (even though I called and  asked), his father said nothing (he thought I knew) and Andy didn't share anything (even though I asked on at least eight different occasions!).  Consequently, by the time I knew who to call, they were out of invitations!  Yeah, you read that right -- OUT!  Luckily for me, Chris has extras and gave me what he had so I could send the invitations to our immediate family.  However, I still needed some extras to invite extended family members.  Here is what I came up with and I'm not certain I'm done tweaking.  Thom thinks it looks masculine and I should leave it, but I'm not sure about the brads.

Marion Catholic's colors are green, black and white.  While I was surfing the web a while ago, I saw a card that used the stars in this manner, but I serious don't recall where I saw it -- so there's a tremendously creative demo out there who isn't getting credit for this starred panel and I apologize -- I just remembered that I thought her use of the star stamp, the punches and the brads was excellent.   

I am thinking I might remove the satin ribbon and the brads in the upper left corner.  I'll play with this some more today if I get an opportunity, but these invitations need to be sent this weekend so I had better get some inspiration quickly!  On the inside, I'll just print the information regarding the graduation festivities. 

Tomorrow is Blogger's Challenge and it's all about embossing.  Hmmmm, so many ideas -- but not too much time!  I need to get much accomplished this afternoon and at some point, I've got to pick out some new frames for glasses.  I'm having a terrible time finding something I like and want to pay for -- can you say Budget Buster?  However, my vision has changed so much that if I don't get something soon, I am going to create more problems for myself -- my close vision is suffering and needs new lenses!  It's hard to craft when you can't see what you are doing so I better bite the bullet and get a move on those new frames.

See you tomorrow!  God Bless!

Oops! I Messed Up!

I realized at about 2:30 a.m. this morning (when I woke up with my regularly scheduled hot flash!), that Monday is not the correct date for my Library Class.  The correct day is Tuesday, May 4.  I knew the date was May 4, but I seriously did think it was Monday.  So...if you are thinking you might want to take this class, check your calendar for Tuesday, May 4!  Start to Finish Stamping -- you'll be taking 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper and you'll be doing all of your cutting yourself.  I'll show you how to figure your measurements and we're going to be doing something cool in this class -- but you won't know what it is unless you take it!  So, call the John McIntire Library and get signed up -- 740/453-0391.  This will be a great refresher course for those of you who haven't used your supplies in a while, or for those of you just getting started.  Also, if you are a scrapbooker and would like to know how to use your supplies to make cards, you would definitely benefit from this class!

See you again tomorrow -- I hope to stamp something this afternoon!

Are you Inspired By Nature?

I certainly am!  One of the things I've been taught is that when you pray, you should first start by praising God and no matter what is happening in my day, if I take a look around at nature, there is plenty of material for praising God!  When I iron, I watch what I call "mindless" shows so I can pay attention to my ironing.  But when the Animal Planet is on, I am constantly in awe and wonder of the way God created nature and our environment.

This is a card we made at Card Club last night.  A bit of a late post today, but better late than never!

In my zeal to use retiring colors, I started with a Close to Cocoa base.  I cannot tell you how many changes this card went through before I was "pleased" with it and just finally called it quits.  Colors in the focal image are Pumpkin Pie, Close to Cocoa and Old Olive.  I love this Pumpkin Pie striped ribbon and have been hoarding it, so I decided to use it and let everyone else love it too.  I pulled out my stash of Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons and we opened up the brad, wrapped the legs around the ribbon to cinch it and then attached the ribbon over the seam between the Very Vanilla and Pumpkin Pie cardstock layers. 

The sentiment is stamped in Old Olive on the Pumpkin Pie cardstock.

The group I had last night was fun to be with -- they were all changing up their cards.  I always say I learn something new at each class and I truly did -- I love watching them figure what they can do to make their cards their own.  It's the true joy of creativity and watching a person's face light up when we all tell her that her card looks fabulous!

Andy's ACL is healing nicely per his doctor and he's going to be dancing at prom!  Can't wait to see his date -- she's a gal from another school whom I have not met.  I'll have pictures to share next week for certain!

If you are local and are somewhat new to stamping, call the John McIntire Library and sign up for next Monday's class at 6 p.m. - Start to Finish Stamping.  Cost is $8 and we are making three cards from start to finish.  There are a few slots left and I'd love to stamp with you!  If you are available, check it out but you must register through the library.

I'm giving my hands a rest and won't be stamping today, so I won't be back with anything new until Thursday.  Have a couple of fabulous days!  See you soon!

Stampin' 411 - Sunny Pun Fun

I needed one more card for my Card Club members for Monday night and I was in a bit of a hurry.  I grabbed the sketch challenge from the Stampin' 411 site and here is what I came up with.

Yes, I know it is bright!  The DSP, from the Sweet Pea Paper Pack, uses what I interpreted to be Only Orange and Summer Sun.  I started with an Only Orange basecard and scalloped a piece of Summer Sun cardstock.  I added the scalloped piece to the patterned paper and then hid the seam with a strip of Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon. 

My image was stamped in Timber Brown Staz On Ink and then colored using Only Orange, Summer Sun and Soft Suede inkpads and Blender Pens.  I am not happy with my hippo coloring, but am going to take my watercolor crayons and pencils for the gals to use if they choose.  I layered the image on Summer Sun and adhered it to the card with dimensionals. 

You'll note there is room on the front for stamping at the bottom and I purposely left it blank.  When I hold card club, I schlep many sets of sentiments so my gals can choose what they might need for upcoming card giving opportunities.  I know what I'll use this for, but that might not work for them.  I've packed about 12 extra sets of sentiments, but I think this system works for everyone and I truly think they appreciate being able to personalize their cards.  I love the bright colors in this card and I know my nephew, who is starting T-Ball again sometime in June, will like this card as well (especially  when the green stuff falls out when he opens it!). 

My scrapbooking class went well on Saturday and I'm hopeful the gals enjoyed it.  The comments were excellent and I'm supposed to receive a composite of the evaluations so I can make any improvements that might be warranted and recommended.  Overall, the ladies were a very fun group.  If it is any indication of success, I've already been asked if I would like to do more classes and I definitely will be offering something -- once I've gotten through Andy's graduation on May 30.   I need to start working on the boards we'll put up at Graduation.  I dream layouts in my sleep and I'm thanking God for the inspiration!

Prom is next weekend and then Andy will attend a second prom two weeks after that (different date too!).  His modus operandi is two proms per season and that means two tuxes per season.  Hopefully, he'll have all the pieces when he returns from both proms.  Last year, he was minus a jacket -- now, I ask...HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?  He took it off to dance and when he returned, it was gone.  No one turned it in and I'm certain someone took it.  Basic black tux too -- what's up with that?

Enjoy your Monday and no matter where you are or what you are doing, take a few moments to say a prayer for someone in need -- I'm certain you know someone who would appreciate you whispering their name to God! 

Blogger's Challenge - Moss, Blue and Orange Color Challenge

Hmmmmm....  What can I do with Moss, Blue and Orange?  What shade of blue and what shade of orange?  In my zeal to use my "Fond Farewell" colors, I chose Mellow Moss (it was required), Bordering Blue and Pumpkin Pie (that's orange, right?).  And I have to admit that I added in some Apricot Appeal (I think I'm starting to worry that this color is going bye-bye, even though it wasn't one of my favorite colors before the color renovation was announced -- what do they say:  You always want what you can't have?).

So here it is:

I chose a card base of Bordering Blue Textured Paper and overstamped it with Bordering Blue ink using En Francais.  If they take that stamp away from me, I would seriously have to consider hurting someone...a bunch!  I used my Coluzzle to cut an oval from my card base (I love my Coluzzle and have only one blade left -- what will I do if I can't find anymore blades?  I'd better stock up on these too!).

On Whisper White cardstock, I stamped the floral image from For All You Do using Mellow Moss for the stem and then using Apricot Appeal and rocking and rolling in Pumpkin Pie for the flowers.  I have TONS (did I say TONS!) of the Fire and Ice Circle brads so I cut the butts off of them and used a glue dot to adhere them to the flower centers.  (Wouldn't it be great if we could cut some of our own butts off?  Hmmmm.......I digress....). 

Next, using Mellow Moss, I die cut two of the Little Leaves stems with my Big Shot.  I adhered them to the card and they very closely follow the oval line.  I stamped the flowers from the Vintage Vogue set onto Apricot Appeal cardstock using Pumpkin Pie ink and then cut these out.  I folded the petals to give them some dimension and added the bling brads to make them pretty.  I love how these flowers from the Vintage Vogue set have the writing through them and how this matches my card.  It was nice of Stampin' Up! to do that for me so I didn't have to kiss the stamps to get the look.  I adhered the flowers to the basecard with glue dots.

Now, I will admit that I really like this color combo and I like this card.  I have to figure to whom I will send this card.  (Great use of grammer, eh?)  I know it will cost me more than regular postage because the brads stick up too far and I've got five of them on this card!  Doesn't matter -- can you say "WORTH IT!"?

I'm putting the finishing touches on my class for Saturday at the college.  We're doing alternative scrapbooks and I'm stoked and ready.  I do hope my participants like the projects, as well as my style.  As with all things, I'll pray about this one too!

I wish you all the best over this weekend, including God's blessing at the worship service of your choice!

God Bless You!

Stencils aren't just for Home Decor Anymore!

I revisited the Decor Elements catalog earlier this week and found some stencils I hadn't noticed before.  So, what the heck -- I orderd 'em!  And today, I was delighted when they arrived.  I used the Elegant Trios stencils for a sketch challenge -- those darned aliens were back making me distress the thing!

I started with a card base of Crushed Curry.  I used a layer of the Crushed Curry Print Packs and stamped En Francais in Dusty Durango ink on the DSP. I also distressed the edges of this piece with the same ink.

The long rectangle layer is Dusty Durango cardstock which was run thorugh the Big Shot with the floral Texturz plate.  This piece was distressed with Crushed Curry ink and was liberally smooched with Gold Smooch Spritz!  I think this is going to be addicting -- if you like glitter, you'll LUV Smooch!

Using the floral stencil on Very Vanilla cardstock, I sponged on Crushed Curry ink, then Dustry Durango ink and I highlighted with Close to Cocoa ink.  Next, I used all three inkpads to add some distressing to this image.  This is mounted on Dusty Durango and Close to Cocoa cardstock, but I also liberally spritzed it with the Gold Smooch Spritz which is debuting in the new Occasions Mini in May.  Wait until you see how pretty this is in real life!

For the final touch, I used the Dusty Durango Polka Dotted Ribbon and pulled it through the Close to Cocoa inkpad, sprayed it with Smooch Spritz, tied the knot and adhered the ribbon.  This layer is adhered to the base card with dimensionals.

Again, I prefer clean and simple cards, but I can easily see myself using this stencil over and over and over again.  I'm putting it on a small ceramic vase I have and I'm going to have a ball altering it.  I should wait and show it for the next Blogger's Challenge when we have to alter it since I so struggle with altering.  However, I'm working on it!

Tomorrow is Blogger's Challenge and it's a color challenge.  I have to create my card when I get home from work and I'm praying for some divine intervention!  I need to use my time to finish preppeing for my scrapbooking class at the college on Saturday -- yep, I'm busy and I love it.  I'm also praying that my hands hold out until I'm done this weekend.

I found out today that the retiring colors, which we have affectionately dubbed "fond farewll colors," are available for certain only through May 31.  This includes the accessories in these colors.  However, June 1, these colors and accessories will be available only until inventory is gone.  If there is something you want, please order it soon. 

Yes, I would welcome the opportunity to do a workshop with you so you can earn what you want.  If you'd prefer to do a basket party, let me know and I'll get everything ready.  What's a basket party?  Drop me an email and I'll explain -- it couldn't be easier and hostess benefits await you!

See you tomorrow!  God Bless You!

Simply Stamped

Check out your stamp stash.  Go ahead...I'll wait.  As you look through your images, do you see a pattern?  I've definitely got one and it's flowers.  I have both large and small images and the smaller images don't see as much ink time as my other stamps, no matter the image.  These stamps need some loving too, so I've decided I've got to start concentrating on using some of those smaller images.

I absolutely love the four images that make up the set called A Flower for All Occasions.  But I've rarely used it and I'm not really certain why.

I wanted a simple and quick card last week, so I pulled this set and determined that I would make a one layer card -- which doesn't happen often in this stamp studio!  Again, I'm not certain why because I've seen some simply gorgeous one-layer cards by other demos.

I started with a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamped my image in Timber Brown Staz-On Ink.  I colored the image with my markers.  To add a bit of "oomph" to the card, I pierce the corners and then I stamped the image at the bottom (from Teeny Tiny Messages).  I can always use "Thinking of You" cards because when I always write on the inside of any card I make. 

I've also noticed that since the Post Office is getting picky about how thick an envelope is or how flat it is, they are cracking down on the postage needed to send our hand-stamped cards.  I realize the cards need to go through a machine, but I've got this one figured out.  I cut up manila folders (the cheap ones from Walmart) and put one piece on the top and one on the bottom of the card which makes for a flatter envelope.  These will mail for regular postage as long as I don't have too many layers.   One folder will cut to mail at least five cards, so it really works out well.

I'm hopeful I'll have some stamping time this afternoon.  I'm still prepping for my scrapbooking classes at the college this weekend and am starting to get into full blown panic -- have I remembered everything I need and if not, do I have time to find it?  I'll take a full inventory and type up my instructions today to make certain I have time to triple check before my class on Saturday.  I'm also praying about it and that is real insurance!

Enjoy your Wednesday!  Think about your many blessings today and praise God!

Just Because They Are Old...

Doesn't mean they don't have value!  I'm using a set today that I've had for what seems like FOREVER!  I reach for it often when I need something quick that is easy to stamp.  And I needed a quick Congratulations last week. 

This is one of the sets I first purchased when I found acrylic stamps.  I still love it because it is quick and easy. 

These are retiring Stampin' Up! Colors and I love the combination of Mellow Moss, Pale Plum and Perfect Plum (not retiring).  The dots were made with Versamark Ink and I lined them up using the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, which has become one of my very favorite tools.  In fact, I've been using it so much in classes and clubs that I know I need to order another one.  I've got two of most things and could probably use threes of some things if you ask my class gals. 

The Library class in McConnellsville went very well and I think the gals liked their cards (well, maybe six of the seven did!) and I'm hopeful I've introduced some of them to stamping for a lifetime.  However, because of all the prep I've been doing for classes and clubs, my hands are definitely suffering, so there will be no stamping in my home today.  It's date night anyway, so I'll content myself with unpacking and getting the stamping studio cleaned up for heavy use tomorrow. 

Hopefully you have great weather wherever you are and you have plans to enjoy a beautiful day.  If not...well, there is always tomorrow!

God Bless!

Uh-Oh! It Happened Again!

Do you remember a week or so ago when those aliens took me away and made me craft that really bright card?  Well, I thought it was all over and done with but last week, something happened again.  I didn't leave my stamp studio but my fingers were overtaken with a creative urge that didn't come from MY brain!

It all started when another demo, Wendy Hawkinson, made one of the most beautiful cards I've ever seen with a set that I actually detest.  So, I emailed her to tell her that she had created the most gorgeous card with a set I actually "hate" and that I was going to revisit the set.  She emailed me back to let me know that this set was one of her least favorites as well and that even though she didn't like the card she created, her hubby did.  And the saga continues...

I started with a base of Taken with Teal.  There is a piece of DSP in the Sweet Pea Designer Series Paper Pack that looks to me like it has a darker ink over the Taken with Teal (it's a floral).  I chose this and used En Francais with (are you ready?) Always Artichoke Ink.  I got the exact look I thought I wanted.  I aged the paper by antiquing the edges with Always Artichoke ink. 

Next, I pulled another layer of Taken With Teal and this is when it started getting ugly.  My fingers were itching for a pretty color, but when I awakened from my "trance", this card sat before me.

I used Creamy Caramel and inked it with the Taken with Teal inkpad.  Then, all I can figure is that I used a sponge (the evidence was left on my stamp desk) and used Always Artichoke to sponge this color all around the edges and onto the leaves.  Then I stamped the image from Fresh Cuts onto the Creamy Caramel.  As you can see, it too was distressed with Always Artichoke ink.

I wrapped a Satin Chocolate Chip ribbon around the bottom of the longer Taken with Teal panel, tied the knot and snipped the edges. 

I used acetate to punch a large Heart and then inked it with Always Artichoke ink as well.  I let this dry and pulled a Chocolate Chip corduroy button out of my stash, pierced the heart (arrggh!) and placed the brad and the heart onto the Creamy Carmel panel and then adhered it to the Taken with Teal panel. 

Now, you wanna hear the best part?  Thom absolutely loved this card and proclaimed it "Rich".  Those of you who know me know that this isn't my stamping style.  I'm not sure if menopause, hot flashes and not sleeping are wreaking this havoc on my clean style, but it is starting to show up more and more in my stamping.  Stay tuned -- we'll see where this ends up going!

Now, on Friday, I received an email from Francie letting me know that the card I gave her credit for on Friday wasn't hers.  Screwed up again and to beat all, I knew it wasn't hers -- that card belongs to Pat Palmer, who is eminently gifted herself.  So, a huge apology to Pat!

Here is the card that Francie submitted:

Isn't it adorable?  Sorry ladies!  I do apologize and have a small gift for each of you as a way to ask your forgiveness for screwing this up!

I spent major time cleaning up the stamping studio on Saturday and hit a few closets as well.  Got much done and my space is now more organized and much easier to navigate.  I expect to get major work done in there this week.

Tonight is my first (and I hope not last!) class at the Kate Love Simpson Library in McConnellsville.  I do hope the ladies there enjoy their cards and we all learn something in the process. 

Have an awesome, God-filled day!