Make Mine Stamps

One Sheet Wonder - Day 2

I have a confession to make -- I didn't stamp this on Whisper White cardstock.  Instead, because I was "practicing", I stamped this on the 12 x 12 cardstock backing that comes with our Designer Series Paper -- I freecycled!  So, the ink doesn't "stick" as well because this seems to be a bit more glossy.  So if the ink appears to be a bit smeary, it probably is but if you use Whisper White cardstock, it won't be.

Here is the day two sample using my cast off One Sheet Oh No!

Truly, I wasn't going to post this one until after I had come home from work and ripped it apart to rework.  However, I got an email from Pat saying it wasn't as bad as I thought.  So, you're seeing another cast-off that actually was resurrected from the trash pile.

Please note that the cardstock is Pacific Point.  And if you check out the stamping, you'll see the smaller Pacific Point rounds.  I added those because there just didn't seem to be enough Pacific Point color in the stamping.  Use that as a tip -- if you don't see enough color in your One Sheet Wonder, just add some!

Once again, the colors of ink are Pacific Point, Marina Mist, Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Rose Red and Perfect Pink, and the stamped images are from Circles Circus.  I used Rose Red cardstock for the scallops and used Perfect Pink grosgrain ribbon again.  That is because my ribbon is on backorder and I don't have the new colors to use.  Oh well....I guess God is trying to teach me to be just a bit more patient -- patience is a virtue I currently do not possess.

I used the sentiment from the Family Matters set and stamped thank you in Pacific Point.  You can barely see it, but in real life, it is very visbile.   Why did I use this?  It looks like a child could have done the stamping!

I'm off to get some more of my domestic goddess chores done!  God Bless!

One Sheet What?

Random stamping is not my forte.  I can manage if we're talking about small pieces or perhaps a 4 1/4 x 5 1/2 sheet.  But recently, I stepped out of my comfort zone and entered a swap that required me to random stamp eleven 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of cardstock.  I thought it would be a great way to stretch myself.  Was I ever wrong!  What I was basically supposed to do was to create eleven One Sheet Wonder pieces of cardstock that could then be used to create ten (or more) cards using some additional cardstock and scraps.  Well, I managed to get it done but with considerable angst and lots of creations that "didn't work."

Here is a piece of one of those "wonders" that didn't make the cut.  I ended up choosing another stamp set altogether to actually create my swaps.  But, I determined that I'm making myself use all those pieces of cardstock that are still laying on my desk, or my floor, or in a basket in my stamping space.

This is what you call a "scrap card".  I wanted something quick and it took me approximately six minutes to make. 

I started with a scrap of Wild Wasabi cardstock and folded it in half.  I cut a portion of one of my cast off One Sheet Wonders from the Circles Circus set.  On this one, I used Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Marina Mist and Pacific Point inks.  I added a scrap of Pacific Point cardstock which I punched to give it a decorative edge and covered my seam with Pretty In Pink grosgrain ribbon.  I adhered this to the card and then used Pacific Point ink to stamp my sentiment, which is from Friends 24/7. 

It doesn't look as horrible as I originally thought.  I am actually going to force myself to use every piece of those One Sheet Wonders that I rejected.  Let's see how creative I can actually be when using something I'm not really happy with.  I know they make quick cards and I'm trying to spend some time creating simpler cards that can easily be mailed.  I need to be donating some cards to the church prayer ministry and something this simple is perfect for them -- it doesn't require additional postage and fits into a regular envelope.

Enjoy your day and if you are in Ohio, enjoy this wonderful break in the weather!  God Bless!

New Venture - Bloom!

I've got a dear friend that I don't see nearly often enough who is starting a new venture.  It's been a long time coming and push has finally come to shove.  I'm so glad for her and wanted to do a card to let her know I've been thinking of her and will be praying for her.  This set, Blooming Beautiful, is retiring on Wednesday.  I have never inked this particular stamp in the set that I can recall, but it is perfect for this occasion.

I used retiring cardstock in Mellow Moss (I really am going to miss this color!).  I stamped the image in Brown Staz-On Ink on Very Vanilla cardstock and used my blender pens and the Mellow Moss, Pale Plum and Perfect Plum ink pads to color the image.  I matted this with dimensionals on Pale Plum cardstock -- this was a scrap and I know it doesn't fit perfectly, but it really fit how I was feeling so I used it anyway!

The sentiment, bloom, is stamped in Perfect Plum and the inside is stamped in Perfect Plum with the sentiment "blossom" which is defined.  3a is listed as "a time of vigor, freshness and beauty. b. A period of maximum development and reaching possibilities."  I thought this was perfect for her.

Before I mounted the image, I tied a small knot in my Mellow Moss ribbon and then adhered it around the image.  I like the simplicity of the knot and I love anything that uses ribbon.  I know you know that...it is rare I don't use some sort of embellishment on my cards!

This is also going to be one of the cards we made for the Ronald McDonald House Card Event at the John McIntire Library on August 7.  We will just change the sentiment inside and out but it is a perfect simple card for someone to mass produce.  Did I tell you our goal is 1,000 cards?  It is possible WITH YOUR HELP!

Thom has a flu and as per man standards, is not the best patient in the world.  He just keeps pushing through.  If he isn't careful, he'll end up in the hospital and I won't be happy then.  I just keep trying to keep him hydrated and full of fluids -- he is insistent that he must work the furnace at the office and just drips sweat.  I'm sure he'll be totally exhausted by the time he arrives home this evening.

And, I'm working longer hours this week as well -- getting up by 4 a.m. so I can work out, being at the office no later than 7 a.m. and staying until after 1 p.m.  No, I'm not complaining, but I'm certainly not getting as much done as I'd like either!

Oh well -- I'm grateful to have a job!  Have a fabulous day and God Bless!

Small Purse - 3D Scrapbook

Last year, when I attended convention, Annette, another demo in the same line I am in, gifted me with a scrapbook purse.  It was the absolute cutest thing and I determined then that I would learn how to make it.  It was much easier than I thought and I didn't even have to tear it apart to figure it out.  Many demos will see something they like, tear it apart and create a template.  I always think that is risky for me becuase if I can't make it work, I don't even have the original!

Here's the purse closed up:

I have since added an embellishment to the front, but I was waiting for the embellishments to dry (I had to add a little bling to them!).  My impatient spirit wanted to get the picture taken when I had the opportunity. 

This purse was made using the Cottage Wall scraps of paper I had left and I absolutely love it.  The Cottage Wall paper was gorgeous, but wait until you see how Stampin' Up! has reworked the same patterns -- you will adore it!

So, here's the purse opened and ready to embellish with pictures of whatever events or people who float your boat!

It is all a matter of folds.  As you can see, I didn't have to stamp much here -- because I had to make so many for a swap, I did try to keep it really simple, while using most of the scraps of paper that I had available to me.    

When you see it from the outside, you certainly don't expect this when you open it.  Remember that you can click on any picture and it will enlarge.

Thom asked me to work longer hours this week and as a result of my preparation for the swaps I am participating in, I didn't get to Blogger's Challenge.  That is two weeks in a row and that is not something I'm proud of.  So, look for me to definitely get something ready for Blogger's Challenge next week.  I think I'll start it on Saturday to make certain it gets done!

Have a fabulous weekend and stay cool!  God Bless You!

Fabulous Fourth of July Card!

Thank Goodness for RAKS and FRIENDS!  I've been working on swaps for the VC Rocks group and I always over commit!  Will I never learn? Thom needs me to be at work earlier and longer hours this week so I haven't had time to do anything other than my swaps.  But, Francie has once again come to my rescue with a Fabulous Fourth of July card.

Isn't this a cute Fourth of July card?  I don't make them myself because I generally send more Birthday, Anniversary, Thinking of You, Praying for You, etc.  However, Francie makes cards for all occasions. 

She recently shared with me that she is trying to make cards that cost only regular postage.  When you add bling, ribbon, brads, etc., you generally don't have a flat card and the post office requires an additional .20 in postage.  This design is perfect!  The ribbon is laying flat enough that it only cost one stamp and the design is too darned cute. 

This is the card closed or as I pulled it out of the envelope.  And, here is the card opened.

Way cute!  Sometimes the little touches, like rounding the corners, can make the difference in the card presentation.  This is absolutely adorable!  Thanks for thinking of me Francie!

I've got serious cardage to work out tonight and am almost done with my swaps.  I miss stamping for fun and need to allow myself to do more of that -- after all, that is why I started stamping in the first place.

In July, I've got to get on designing the cards for the Ronald McDonald House but those are mostly for fun anyway since we keep them fairly simple.  I love CAS - Clean and Simple cards and this Fourth of July card falls right into that category.

Have a fabulous day!  I'll see you tomorrow with a 3D scrapbook project!

God Bless!

  

3D Big Shot Creation and a Fabulous RAK

I've been playing with my Big Shot and trying to force myself to start using it for home decor projects.  I always say start small and work up, so here was an easy project that gave me a measure of success.  This is something I need if I am to continue working on that 3D goal!

Andy knows how I love candles and he has a habit of buying them for me as gifts.  Great idea and I just decided that I wanted to do some sort of deco project to wrap around these small jars.  I have at least 10 of them and thought this was something I could easily create.  I was right!

I ran the strip of cardstock through the Big Shot embossing folder and then secured it with brads.  Glue dots won't work because as the candle burns, glue dots melt.  I know this from experience (heavy sigh!). 

Next, I cut my leaves using the Little Leaves Sizzlit and Old Olive cardstock.  The flowers are cut from Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie using the Daisies Die.  I secured them together using the Chocolate Chip Corduory brad.  Again, this makes it nice because when the candle burns, it won't hurt the embellishment on the outside.  The leaves are glued on using glue dots but I don't think this will be a problem.

Very easy, and took about 20 minutes for me to create.  I'm happy with it and next time, I'll use some new methods to create the flowers.  It is important for me to have early success and continue working up -- so look for some newer flowers in the future.

Here's a RAK I received from Carey Rogers of the VC Rocks group.  I think this is one of the most beautiful cards I have ever seen or received.  Thom and I were both WOWED! by this one.  Thanks Carey for sharing your fabulous art with me!

Is this not one of the most gorgeous creations you've ever seen?  I love the colors, the beautiful ribbon and just everything about it. 

I've got another project to share tomorrow, as well as a card from Fabulous Francie!

And Happy Birthday to my wonderful DAD!  I sent his card yesterday and am hopeful he actually receives it today.

Have a wonderful day -- see you tomorrow!

  

Gifts and Home Decor

One of the areas in my stamping that is severely lacking is 3D, Gifts and Home Decor.  Okay, so that's really three areas but I'm lumping them all together.  My goal through the end of July is to start playing and creating in this area.  Here's the first project I tackled.

This is a coaster that I created through layers of stamping.  I had these coasters left over from our bathroom renovation so this project was a no brainer, if you will.  First, I cleaned the tumbled stone tile and let it dry.  Next, I pulled out my craft inks and the Inspired by Nature set.  My goal was to create a scene with some color versus stamping an outline and coloring with markers.

I first inked the grass in Garden Green and stamped it.  Next, I baked the tile for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.  I let this cool and went back at it with the same stamp set.

I used sponge daubers in Pumpkin Pie, Garden Green and Chocolate Chip to ink my flowers and then stamped them into the grass.  Again, I baked the tile and let it cool.

Perhaps I should have stopped here, but never content to just let something be, I used the punch I normally create cattails with to punch out a thick piece of cardboard and lengthened the punch by punching it twice.  I used a small paintbrush dipped in my craft reinker to ink the brush and then laid the cardboard template over where I wanted the cattails.  I painted them inside the template and then lifted the template very carefully.  Once again, I baked my tiles.  I think I could have combined steps two and three, but I was doing enough tiles that I didn't want to chance it.

Because this is craft ink and I baked the tiles, I think the ink would be fine, but I did spray these with a matte acrylic sealer to be on the safe side.  As a final step, I added felt pads to the backside corners so the tile will rest softly on a tabletop.  I like these and have plans to make more to give as door prizes for the Ronald McDonald Card Event we are doing in August. 

Mark your calendars for August 7, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., John McIntire Library lower level if you can help.  I would love to see us make 1,000 cards to donate to the RMH for use by the families who reside there while a loved one is receiving life-saving medical treatment in Columbus.  Can you help?  Can you recruit some others to help as well?  Stampers of all levels, including beginners, ages 16 and up, are encouraged to attend.  It is a free event and I am donating all supplies for the cards.  It isn't necessary to be there for the entire event -- we would be happy to have any time you can donate.  There will be door prizes awarded during the event and all cards made will be donated.  More to come about this event in the future.

Have an awesome, God-filled day and thanks for stopping!

Guest Designers and RAKs!

I have been stamping but not projects I am able to show you at this point.  And since I've been on blogcation, I'm going to share a couple of RAKs I received last week.

The first is from Kathy Thisted and I met her while at the Stampin' Up! convention last year.  We shared a car to go to the Stampin' Up! Offices and had a ball walking around with our mouths open.  This is from a Simply Sent Kit and I love it!

I have to say I had the opportunity to purchase the kit but it didn't "hit me" at the time.  After I'd seen all the other demos making great cards with the paper, I kind of started like it.  Isn't that the way life is?

The next card is from my roomie, Jennifer, through my Virtual Convention group.  Since I can't attend the real thing, I'm part of the Virtual Convention and Jennifer and I are rooming on the 80's floor at the Virtual Hotel, which has some fantastic looking pool boys, let me tell ya!

This is one inventive card and I am thinking it would be a great card to case.

The bright colors are great, but the way she created the watches themselves is amazing to me.  I didn't get this creative gene at all and can stamp, but to create without the stamps themselves isn't something at which I excel.

She used patterned paper for the watch faces and then she used Crystal Effects for the clear glass look -- they are awesome in real life!

Tomorrow, I'm sharing a coaster project I did for this group.  I wanted to create a scene using craft inks and it worked very well.  I'll be doing this project with some teens during the upcoming year through classes at the library. 

In the meantime, enjoy your evening and I'll see you tomorrow.  Be blessed and be a blessing to someone else!

  

Good Intentions....Don't Always Happen!

Last week, on Thursday, I started feeling kind of yucky.  Then on Friday, it was a full blown stomach flu complete with body aches.  No purging of the body, just intense tummy cramps that kept me down and bowled over all weekend.  It was Tuesday before I really started feeling good. 

During that down time, I didn't check email, I didn't eat, I didn't do laundry -- I just vegged and tried to stay alive.   Trust me when I say I just got behind the eight ball.  Today, I've decided to give myself the remainder of the week for a BlogCation and I'll be back with a vengeance on Monday.  I apologize -- I've got tons of ideas to try, but the domestic goddess in me, the one who is Thom's wife, feels that the laundry and housework has to come first.  However, next Monday, The Angel Whom Is Called Desi graces my home and my afternoon will be my own.

Have a fabulous weekend and a glorious Father's Day!  See you Monday!  God Bless!

Blogger's Challenge - Father's Day Cards

It's Friday and that makes me so happy!  I spent a couple of days this week with a stomach bug that was giving me fits and I'm hopeful it is over.

Today, we are to share Father's Day cards.  Not many people know that my own father died of lung cancer when I was but a babe (8 months old to be exact!).  And I was fortunate that my mother married my DAD!  You've read the saying that "Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad."  It's true.  I vividly recall that before I had my mastectomy, I was working one day and my father called me at work.  He didn't normally do that and I knew something must be up.  He was so choked up with emotion he could barely talk, but he said to me, "Tam, I love you.  If I could do this for you, I would do it in a heartbeat."  And I knew he would have done it for me if he could.  His tears made me cry and when I got off the phone, I thanked God that he gave me a dad who loved me that much. 

The story, as I've heard it told, is that my dad and my mom were dating and my dad was playing with me, holding me above his head.  He looked up at me and said, "Ask your mom if she'll marry me.  You need a dad."  I think it's true, but if it's not, it's a great story anyway!  Love you, Dad!

Here's the card I did:

I know I've used this set tons of times, but I love it.  I started with a base of Soft Suede. 

I stamped the image in Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Summer Sun and Soft Suede.  However, some of the grasses are second generation stamping to give you a contrast between light and dark.   The flower stems are all done in Garden Green and I'm getting used to the new color families to figure out what works best with what.  Love Wild Wasabi with Garden Green -- gonna be a favorite combo, I can tell!

I cut my stamped image into four equal pieces and then mounted the squares on Wild Wasabi.  I mounted this piece onto Summer Sun (sorry to see this go!).  Next, I wrapped the Soft Suede polka dotted ribbon around the layer (dots down as always) and tied the cheater knot on top.  This entire panel was adhered to the basecard.

Finally, I used a retired stamp that I will always keep in my stamping closet because I love it so much -- the word, the font and how pretty it looks on cards.

I used Soft Suede and the Horizontal Slot punch to create the cattails.  I'm not sure who to credit with this idea, but I love the cattails with this set and think this is adorable. 

This weekend, if you are close to Zanesville, you need to attend the Gordon Mote concert at Licking Valley High School.  The concert is Sunday at 4 p.m.  Gordon is the premiere studio pianist for all the Christian and Country stars in Nashville.  He's an award winner and the most unbelieveable part is that he has been blind since birth.  The man is a marvel on the keyboard.  He can sing as well and his witness is very inspiring.  It would be a fabulous way to spend your Sunday afternoon.  Tickets are only $10 and I'm telling you, this concert is worth much more than $10!  You'll love the setting too -- very small and intimate and I can't wait to see and hear him play and sing some of his new songs.  He is da bomb!

If you want to hear some of his music, check out this link:  http://gordonmote.com/bio.html

Even if you can't come to the concert, check Gordon's web site out at gordonmote.com  You won't be sorry -- I guarantee it!

God Bless!  Fill your weekend with faith and family!