Make Mine Stamps

LNS Challenge: Thinking of You! and Blue

I'm still trying to get back into the swing of stamping.  Ever feel blocked?  Well, I am so THERE!  As a result, I turned to the Technique Junkies Fun Folds to find a different kind of card.  Thom is into what he calls "dimensional cards" and I thought I'd try to find a way to use some of that paper I find so busy that I struggle with the design.  What's your opinion of this one?

The base card is Wild Wasabi.  This DSP is from the Beyond the Garden Package and although I love this paper, this one is way too busy for me to use comfortably.  Stepping outside my box, I used it for the front panel of this card and then I sat and looked at it for a good long time.  Nope, not happy with this one, but I refused to give up so onward and upward!

I stamped "thinking of you" from Teeny Tiny Wishes in Pacific Point on Whisper White and used the Modern Label Punch to punch the words out.  I punched two extra Modern Labels in Pacific Point and used them to mat the sentiment.  Because I wanted it to look as if there was some "bling" on the punched image, I colored two pearls in Pacific Point with my marker, allowed them to dry and attached them to the card in what looks like the brad position on the punch.  Okay, looks all right at this point...I think?

Here's the fun in this card:

I love it!  It's a stair step fold and it is really easy to do.  I used the opposite side of the DSP on the front to mat the stairs and used Fabulous Florets and Versamark ink to ink my flower. 

My sentiment is from Curly Verses and is stamped in Pacific Point on Whisper White.  I also added some of the small flowers from Fabulous Florets on the sentiment panel.

I promised you yesterday that you would get to see the gorgeous card that Francie sent me.  Well...get ready.  Talk about simple and elegant -- I think this card totally rocks!

I love the basecard color and I think it is close to Cocoa.  The floral stem is Old Olive and she's added some embellishment with the White Gel Pen and I think it's perfect!  And the flowers are absolutely adorable!

Thanks, Francie, for another gorgeous card!

I'll be back tomorrow with a Baby card as I'm going to a baby shower this weekend.  Can't wait!  Have a fabulous Wednesday and be blessed!

Christmas Card Guest Designers

I love getting cards created by friends!  And I like being able to show them off on my blog even more!!

Last Thursday night, I held my customer and hostess appreciation night.  We completed several projects and I told my ladies that I was finally going to get started on my own Christmas Holiday preparations...which I did this weekend.  As a result, there was no stamping in my house!

Today, I'm featuring hand-crafted cards we've received at home.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

This is Francie's card and I love the rustic colors, the gingham ribbon and the use of my absolute favorite font greeting!  I reach for this one often just because the font is so pretty! 

Francie is a professional card maker -- she makes cards for the shut-ins from her church, as well as all occasion cards and cards for every holiday.  She may well have as many stamps and papers as I do and that is really saying something!

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is Kala's card and although she has been scrapping for a good long while, I don't think she has been making cards for quite as long. 

This is her take on a card I originally designed and she has absolutely made it hers.  I often say that during every class, I learn something from my stampers and this is no exception.  People ask me if I mind that someone changes up my designs and the answer is a resounding, "NO!"  To me, CASEing a card I've designed is the purest form of flattery and I love when I get to see creativity flow based upon something I did.  It really juices me to want to share more and to work a bit harder on my original designs.  Nicely done, Kala!

Finally, here's a card that Becky designed based upon a card I blogged. 

I am not certain where she purchased her sparkly paper, but I love the way it sparkles.  Interesting that in our new Occasions Mini, we've got the paper!  I can see some designs in my mind using this paper for certain!  Becky is a pro all the way around -- she's been scrapping forever and has been making cards for as long as I've known her.  Good thing too -- Baby #1 is on the way and we are all excited for her, with her and are hopeful to become adopted Aunts!

I'm hopeful I can stamp something today, but my posting may be hit or miss in the next couple of weeks.  The Holiday Decorations are finally up (thank goodness!), and the gifts have started to be purchased.  We have to get finished because we have celebrations prior to Christmas for family who can only be here before the holiday, then Christmas with family who is closer geographically, and then celebrations with family who can only be here after Christmas.  There's going to be lots of celebration this Christmas!

God Bless and stay safe throughout the holidays!  We have snow and winter weather watches today through tomorrow.  Treacherous driving but beautiful surroundings!

ONE THOUSAND CARDS PLUS!

Well, we started at 10:30 a.m. and we finished at about 2:30 p.m. but WE DID IT!  We made over 1,000 cards for the Central Ohio Ronald McDonald House!  Thanks go to all the ladies who showed up to help and I am so appreciative that they were willing to share their time and talent.

Here are some pictures from the event.  You can click on them to enlarge the photos.

   

 

 

A huge thank you to Becky Clawson and Pat Palmer for helping new stampers learn and successfully make LOTS OF CARDS!  It truly is gratifying to see people realize that they can stamp, they can make pretty cards, and that they can do it all by themselves with just a bit of instruction.

One of the groups I was in over the summer had lots of email flying back and forth.  In replying to someone, she noticed I was in Zanesville and wrote to me off list.  We started emailing a bit and I told her about the event after she told me she had a son who was a Minister here at the First Church of the Nazarene.  Her name is Patricia Gessner and she just became a hobby demo -- she has now officially crossed over to the right side!  At any rate, not only did she come to stamp and made some fabulous cards, she donated some GOJUS cards -- I would really like to steal a couple of them.

Isn't this beautiful!  There were many different sentiments and I'm sure these will be some of the first cards chosen at the house.

I met some wonderful people and am hopeful we can do more of this same type of event in the future.  Everyone was helpful, happy and it made the time fly!  Thanks ladies!  I'll let you know when we can get together to make cards for the Troops and some more cards for the Central Ohio Ronald McDonald House.

If you are local, look for the newspaper account of the event on Friday, August 13.  Patricia West-Volland attended the event for the Times Recorder and took lots of pictures.  She interviewed several of the gals who came to stamp -- I'm looking forward to her take on our efforts.

Back tomorrow.  I've got several workshops scheduled this month and am looking forward to meeting some new people who love to stamp or scrapbook.  Plus, I've got projects to prepare for the college and for my September 13 class at the library on embossing.  If you are a closet crafter and have supplies you don't know how to use, let me know and we'll get some classes out there to help you!

Thanks again to everyone who helped, especially the folks on staff at the library.  A very nice gentleman came to the door to let me in early and loaded all my supplies on a cart, taking me to the room we were using. Then, they continued to check with us to make certain all of our needs were met.  There is no finer facility in Muskingum County than the John McIntyre Library and Blair Tom, the Manager of Community and Public Relations, is about the easiest person to work with that I've ever had the privilege of meeting.  This library is truly a first class community resource!

God Bless!

Guest Designer and Shamless Bribe!

Well, today you are in for a treat!  The Fabulous Francie Holdren, aka "my dear friend" has been at it again!  She cannot be at the Card Benefit for the Ronald McDonald House so she is donating cards.  She told me to go through them and "toss the ones that aren't good enough!"  AS IF THERE WOULD BE ANY NOT GOOD ENOUGH!  AS IF I WOULD TOSS A HANDMADE CARD!  Judge for yourself!

Is that crab the cutest thing ever?  I will admit that I thought about keeping this and sending to my nephew, Braydon, for his birthday.  HE WOULD LOVE THIS!  The eyeballs just make it for me and the way she cut out the cloud and popped it on here is adorable.  And as for the flower pot card -- this is what you call Clean and Simple -- Simply Adorable!  I love these cards and all the others she donated.  You're certain to see more of them as I busy myself getting ready for the event and classes and workshops I have upcoming.  Not only is she a fabulous stamper, she is one of God's own children and it shows -- so unselfish and so supportive and loving to everyone.  She is what I call "Good People" and I have so many stamping friends that fall into this category. 

So, I haven't seen the Press Release in the paper and I really want to get the word out about this event to as many people as I can.  I had some great ideas today which I will put into place, but they don't get cards made for my blog.  Here's is one of the shameless bribes I put together yesterday to BEG people to come and help in our goal of 1,000 cards.

If these were any easier to create, it would be a crime to call them hand-made.  The white behind the chocolate is a small flier plugging the event.  I'm asking everyone I hand them out to if they aren't interested in crafting and helping, to please accept the chocolate as my bribe for them to pass the flier on to someone who might be interested in helping.  Shameless?  Yes.  Results?  Yes!  It was created with the Petal Card Die and my Big Shot.  I did 12 of them in about 20 minutes and used old ribbon I've been hanging onto.  Do you get the idea I'm a hoarder?  Someday you're going to see my horrified face on that hoarding show -- wait and see!  Just so long as my hubby doesn't enter me on that show about being the worst cook on the planet...

So, I'm off to make more kits.  I think Pat may be over to help again today and she just quietly works away (I almost feel guilty!) while I can't keep my mouth shut.  It isn't often I allow anyone into my stamp room and I've sworn her to secrecy about where my stashes are stored. 

And one more thing:  Say a prayer today and in the upcoming days for Julie and her two children.  She is facing surgery on August 4 to remove a mass in her brain and she's a single mom.  Please say a prayer that this is a benign mass and that she receives complete healing.  Please also pray that her children are comforted and that God grants this entire family peace in the upcoming months as they deal with this issue.  Thanks bunches!  Our God is a good God and He performs miracles today just as when He was walking this earth.  His word is as alive today as when He said it and I know the power of praying His words back to Him.  God Bless You and Yours!

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!

  

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!

  

Virtual Convention Rocks!

The dates for the annual Stampin' Up! convention got changed this year and made it virtually impossible for me to attend.  However, I found a group called VC ROCKS! which stands for Virtual Convention Rocks.  This is an absolutely hysterical group of stampers who cannot go to convention for whatever reason, so we correspond via email, exchange swaps and gifts, attend a virtual convention complete with roommate and so far, this has been a great deal of fun.  I'm truly enjoying the different personalities of all of these talented stampers.

The best part?  HAPPY MAIL!  I get mail every week and it is so nice to see the cards that others are making.  The second best part?  It is forcing me to send my own cards.  I don't know when or how it happened, but I've started hoarding my cards!  This forces me to send a few cards each week and I'm hopeful it will get me stamping more as well.

Here are a couple of RAKs that I've received this week.

This card was sent to me by Sue Schemp from Washington state.  I love the colors she has chosen and I don't own this set.  It is nice to see what someone did with this because, quite frankly, I would not know where to start when using this set.

Generally, I choose my stamp sets by what they inspire me to stamp right off the bat.  This set, Garden Whimsy, is one I've looked at several time, but always passed over.  And now, it is retiring so I won't have to wonder what I could have done with it -- too late now!

The next RAK that I received came from a stamper with the last name of Carter in Whitehouse, Texas.  Somehow her first name didn't get inside of this RAK and I'm not sure whom to give credit for this card.

 

My mystery stamper used the Awash with Flowers set and the Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper.  I am hopeful that Stampin' Up! continues to give us two sided ribbon -- it just gives you so many more possibilities and I love having endless options.

Melon Mambo is one of the colors we are keeping during this color renovation, as is Rich Razzleberry.  I'm grateful because I like them both.

I received my new catalog just yesterday and am so happy with the new color families, as well as the direction Stampin' Up! is moving with their product offering.  I think you'll agree when you get your hands on your new catalog as well!  Can't wait to share, but right now, I'm not allowed and I don't want the New Catalog Police camping out on my doorstep so I'll adhere to the policy.

The last card I have to share today was created by Tina Taves and is actually a "TAG".  I've said previously that one of the best things about becoming a demo with Stampin' UP! is the sharing that demos do so freely with one another.  If you never had an original card idea, it wouldn't matter -- there are thousands DAILY that are shared that you can CASE, as long as you give credit to the creator.  That's pretty easy to do too!  And the fact that we get everything a month ahead, earn free stamps, prizes and trips...well that doesn't hurt either!  I love my discount, I love my sister demos and I especially love being able to get new creative ideas on a daily basis -- it's most awesome!  And these are coming from other demos -- Stampin' Up! gives us all of this stuff too -- I wish I had time to try it all!

At any rate, I joined a Tagging group of demos -- we send one another cards and write "You're It" on the outside of the envelope.  Once you receive your "tag", you let the group know that you were tagged, and you tag someone else.  It's a lot of fun and as I said, I love getting happy mail!

This is the Go Graduate set from the current mini.  I love how she put this together and the colors just rock for me.  I'm thinking any graduate would have loved to have received this card!

Tomorrow is Friday and Blogger's Challenge.  Our challenge is to make a Father's Day card and that wasn't hard for me at all.  I did get to use one of my "old" new colors - Wild Wasabi.  I hope you like it!

See you on Friday and God Bless!

WHO KNEW? Home Decor and More!

If you haven't paid any attention to the Decor Elements line from Stampin' Up!, you are truly missing an opportunity!  If you live in an apartment or can't put things on your walls for one reason or another, this is the most inexpensive fix in the world!  Here's a project I did this afternoon in less than one hour and it was so easy!

I waited until I found a frame I liked that was on sale at 50% off.  Brought it home and cut a piece of regular 12 x 12 cardstock down to 9 x 12.  I splotched on some River Rock, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla ink with the plastic wrap the frame was covered in (I'm cheap and I'm trying to be green!).  Next, I rolled some marbles in the Gold Encore ink, tossed my cardstock in a box and rolled those marbles all over it to get that marbled effect.  LOVE IT!  I heat set the gold ink (you must ALWAYS heat set this ink!).

Next, I applied the Decor Elements to the cardstock and here is the result!

The background paper is So Saffron -- in my excitement, I forgot to mention that part!  I love this verse and now I can hang this in my craft room, my house, my office or wherever I need to see it!  Here's a close up of the background I created -- I wanted something a bit special.

Click it and it will get larger.  We have faux painted our walls at home and that was my inspiration.  When I originally decided upon the walls, I wanted to see movement and I think you get that with this background.  I'm very pleased with it.  Yes, I do realize I could have managed to place this exactly in the middle if I had taken the time to measure.  Did you read that it didn't take me very long to create this?  For crying out loud, it's handmade!  And I did it (placing emphasis on the "I"!) -- Anyone who knows me will be grateful to get it and if they squawk about the fact that it isn't exactly centered -- I'LL TAKE IT BACK and give it to someone who will appreciate my effort!

Why is Decor Elements so special?  It's a post-it note for the walls!  Goes on super slick and easy and comes off clean -- no marks, no discoloration and no guilt!  You truly need to take a look at the catalogs and see what inspires you -- then amaze your friends and family with your creative decor!

I received two more RAKS this week and they are both special!

This one is so gorgeous!  This is from Gloria Washek in Oregon.  I just love getting mail from all over the world!  I don't own this set and wish I did.  She embossed on the portion underneath the vellum, as well as on the vellum and then colored the backside of the vellum -- IT IS AWESOME!  I love the embossing on the first layer as well -- this card took some effort and if I had made it, I doubt I would ever have sent it -- it's too pretty to send to someone else!

This would be a great technique card for embossing and the use of vellum -- very effective.

The next card was sent to me by Sue-Lynn Bock from East Greenville, Pennsylvania.  I especially loved how creative she was in using these cards.  These are the Fresh Cut Notes from page 168 in the Idea Book and Catalog.  I've done something similar to what you are about to see, but mine absolutely pale in comparison!

Sue-Lynn scalloped the bottom, added the colored cardstock backing so it fills both the center and shows through the scallop.  In addition, she punched a smaller flower and added the bling brad -- who doesn't love a bling brad -- if you have followed by blog, you know I am a bling brad ho!  Love those beauties!

Okay, so if that isn't enough, she stamped on the card itself and added ribbon!  It's beautiful and I love it.  You know the best part about RAKS?  They are unexpected and these gals never write in them so I can use them to send to someone I want to send some love -- I ask you, "How Awesome Is That?" 

I was even more impressed with how she mailed this.  She flipped the card around so the brad was on the inside and then she used a crimper to crimp a piece of cardstock to put over the card.  It mailed for regular postage with the bling brad and that is quite an achievement!  I may be trying this myself -- I seriously thought it was genius!

Thanks, ladies for making my week!

My hands are really bothering me today and my inner domestic goddess is really laying on the guilt.  As a result, no stamping the remainder of the day.  I've got to go launder work socks for Thom (I should just buy more!) and then iron the pants for this family.  Did I mention I hate to iron but I hate when my inner domestic goddess harangues me and makes me feel guilty even worse than I hate ironing?  So, I'm off to pursue the feel-good vibes that come with cleaning, ironing and fixing the evening meal!

Enjoy your day and make sure you come back tomorrow -- BLOGGER'S CHALLENGE AND SKETCH FRENZY FRIDAY -- I warned you -- It's a twoferone!

  

RAKS - Random Acts of Kindness

You're in for a treat today!  It's no secret that I belong to several different demo groups and each group serves a different purpose in my stamping world.  It's one of the things I love about stamping in general, and about Stampin' Up Demos overall.  Stampers are among the most sharing and caring folks in this world, but Stampin' Up! Demos do so much sharing and giving -- it's a fabulous group of women (and a few men!) and I'm grateful to belong -- hobby demos, business demos, discount demos -- you name it -- we are all blessed to be a part of the family!

Last week, I was super-stressed -- just a whole lot going on in my life.  I'm still trying to get ready for Andy's graduation, my mom is having some tests run to determine what is going on with her health, we have a wedding this weekend, and blah, blah, blah.  I'm sure you are all in similar situations. The stress doesn't really bother me, but sometimes I need to take time for me and I need to do something that relaxes me.  Stamping does that, but sometimes, I'm dry of ideas and I need to read!  Yep, you read that right -- I just need to center myself and pick up a book (or a few books!).  Did that, feel much better now!

However, I received two delightful surprises at work last week - unexpected and very welcome RAKS!  RAK stands for Random Act of Kindness  and they both came from gals who belong to a new group I've just joined since I am not attending convention this year.  When the dates changed from August to July, it becamevirtually impossible for me to attend due to our fiscal year end at work.

This card arrived from Kimber Dunn and I adore it! This is a set I don't own, but really love, called Music Expressions.

I love the colors she used, as well as the fact that she used Shimmery White Paper.  If you have never used this paper, you need to try it.  It's shimmery, thick and gorgeous --you can't help but notice the shimmer and no spray is required!  And, it is perfect for techniques that require a bit heavier cardstick if you want white and not the ivory that Water Color paper seems to be.  The musical instrument (I would screw this up and call it something it isn't, so I'm not calling it anything!) was embossed, colored, cut out, and then mounted with dimensionals.  It's a fabulous card and it absolutely made my day!  Thanks, Kimber!

Then, to beat all, I received another RAK on Friday!  Perfect timing!  This one is completely different and it is from Patrice Herrera.  I love the colors she used, as well as the simplicity of this card.

The bright and happy colors were a perfect end to my work week!  This is the Butterfly Embosslit which I own and have rarely used.  I love the embosslit because it embosses and cuts at the same time, but I tend to think of it more for accent versus focal image.  I'll have to CASE this and use it as a focal image simply because I love the look and the way you can incorporate many colors...plus, it really makes me smile!  Thanks so much Patrice!

The real kicker is that I'm not even active in this group yet and didn't intend to get involved until all of these May activities are over.  I thought I would jump in during June and fill my summer months.  Let me tell you -- this is one active group and I'm going to have to get moving or they'll probably kick me out!

I did get to stamp yesterday and it helped a bunch.  I've gotten everything ready for posting this week, including my Blogger's Challenge for Friday, as well as a new group I've joined, Sketch Frenzy Friday, for sketch challenges.  As luck would have it, Blogger's Challene is a sketch this week as well, so you'll get a twofer!

Enjoy your Monday and make it God-filled!  See you on Tuesday!