Technique Lover's Challenge

So, here I am at 12:40 in the afternoon still in my pajamas! I looked at the Technique Lovers Challenge last night and thought hmmm, that looks like fun I'm going to bed.

After taking the kids to school this morning I thought I'd have some fun and make a quick book mark before I got ready for the day... It wasn't as quick or easy as I thought it was going to be! But that's okay, because I had fun! My little boy Michael is seven and having a hard time learning how to read but making huge improvements as we practice everyday. This stamp came in the mail the other day and he thought it was so cute. I thought I should use it for a book mark to encourage him.
This is a picture of the back of the book mark. I wasn't sure what to do for little boy so I used his monogram.

Supply list: Paper - Tan, White, Nut Brown, Stamps - Rachelle Anne Miller's Lily & Milo clear stamp, Just Rite Stampers Curlz Font set, Ink - Palette Umber, Accessories - Copic markers, Circle Punches, Nestabilities Circles.

I think I better go get ready for the day before I lose track of time again and the kids find me this way when they get home from school!

Have a fun day!

SCS Limited Supply Challenge 186 - White Out

I just finished Splitcoaststampers Limited Supply Challenge, what fun!! I was browsing the recently uploaded gallery page and saw some of the most stunning cards and had to find out what they were all about.

I discovered they were part of the Limited Supply Challenge for this week titled White Out. I carefully read the directions and went to work... This set is by Stampin' Up! called Polars Bears, it's from 2000 but I'm not sure what year it retired. I just know I've always loved this set and have always had a hard time using it and being happy with what I came up with.

I totally love being challenged to get out of my comfort zone creating cards. It challenges me to be better at what I love to do.

Busy day doing sketch challenges

I've had a busy day doing sketch challenges and challenging myself to use up a packet of Stampin' Up! Cherise Designer Paper. And... see if I could make a card using each stamp in the Inkadinkado Cattitude stamp set.

The sketches have been great but I failed in the other two catagories! I still have plenty of Cherise Designer Paper and at least three more cat stamps from the set that haven't gotten inky!
My first card today is SC194, I made it last night before I went to bed. This kind of a sketch is a real challenge to me. I usually make my cards from the "inside out". I think what I'm trying to say is I build around the image in most cases and it just kind of comes to life.

I used Stampin' Up! Brillant Blue Prints Designer series paper accented with White and Brilliant Blue and stamped the Inkadinkado Guitar image in Brilliant Blue classic ink. It pools on the Acrylic stamps and I don't really like that but I don't think I have BB Craft ink and if I do it's packed away in a box somewhere. But we won't get into that!

This next card is also SC194 using Stampin' Up! Cherise Designer paper, Basic Black, Real Red and Very Vanilla. This is an A7 size card, I got a little carried away on my panel sizes but it worked out. I stamped the cat in Versa Fine Onyx Black, a much cleaner impression.
I tried SC194 one more time in my usual A6 size format and got it right. Yea! I used Stampin' Up! Circle of Friendship with the Inkadinkado Cattitude set.
Oh my, that's right... I went back to SC193 again for this next one. I just needed to see what it would look like using designer paper. I like it! And isn't this a cute cat? It reminds me of a Tom cat we used to have. He looks a little guilty to me.
This last one is a sketch from Julee's blog Poetic Artistry called Mojo Monday week 13. It's dated January 2008. I print sketches and set them aside so I can do them when I have time. Nine months is kind of embarassing though...

I should also mention that I used the Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle, Oval and Rectangle dies on some of my cards today.

Black - Red - Gray

I've been playing with sketch challenges and Black, Red and Gray card stock. I seem to be stuck on last weeks Sketch Challenge at SCS and modifying the Color Challenge from a few weeks ago.

My first card is A Sketch For You To Try by Jen del Muro. I didn't see the sketch in time to enter for the give away but I had fun making the card!
This set is called Cattitude from Inkadinkado. I love all the bold images of cats it has. I was out of town for the weekend and got into Michael's a couple of times and did some shopping. Along with a couple of clear stamp sets I discovered Versa Fine Onyx Black ink, ohhh I like it!
This next image is also Inkadinkado, the set is called Rock Star. I also used Stampin' Up! Circle Of Friendship for this card.

I also used the Cuttlebug A2 Swirls and Paisley embossing folders for the Gray panels.

For my last card I mixed Stampin' Up! Sincere Salutations with the Cattitude set and SC193 again.

While I was out of town I got to go to Kelly Paper too. It was our first stop, I felt like a kid in a candy store! The red paper on these cards is Via Vellum Red, the Black is just a Basic Black, SU Basic Gray is in there, Fox River Antique Gray Linen and the Gray on the top 2 cards I can't remember what it's called. I was given a few sheets as samples and I wish now I would have bought a ream. Luckily I have a friend who lives there and has offered to "run to the store" for me and deliver when she comes to Parker again.

SC193

Yesterday's sketch challenge at SCS was really fun. I was able to make my first card this morning after I got my kids off to school. I like all the layers it afforded, it seems to fit my "style".

The stamp I used is from a Penny Black clear set called Bubbly. I colored the Kitty with Copic markers and used a Cuttlebug embossing folder for some texture on the Green Galore panel. The round sentiment is from the SU Circle Of Friendship set. This was also the Color Challenge for Tuesday at SCS, I didn't have Going Gray so I used Basic Gray. I think I'd like to try again when I get some Going Gray. The second card I was able to put together this afternoon. It was tough! I pulled it apart a few times. I had a hard time with the colors, getting the 3 strips the same size, etc.

I guess I'm better first thing in the mornng with my coffee!

I'm always looking for Christmas card ideas. The image is from the retired SU set Miracle Of Christmas and the sentiment is PapertreyINK. Holiday Wishes and a background stamp from Eureka stamps.

My card stock colors are Nut Brown, Certainly Celery and Real Red. I used Copic markers for coloring and three antique brads.

I've been experimenting with a bigger size card again. That Poinsettia stamp was so big I made my card to fit an A7 envelope and I did the same with this Christmas card. The focal image was out of proportion on a smaller card body.

I have news about my kitchen/craft room cabinets, I'm not sure if it's good or bad. I called the guy about my cabinets yesterday because he hadn't called me and he was supposed to be installing them today. He gave more excuses and postponed again. I told him I wasn't waiting any longer he has until Sept. 25th (this year) to have them finished and installed or I'll file a lawsuit. He reconfirmed the deadline and we got off the phone.

I've done some more looking on the internet today and made some phone calls to the Better Business Buearu and the Registrar of Contractors to file complaints.

I'm not really sure what will happen now. I'll either have new kitchen/craft room cabinets the 25th of the month or I'll be traveling to Lake Havasu City to the Court Clerks office on the 26th.

I do feel better now that I've taken some action in the matter.

Thanks A Latte

This stamp is from a set called Smell The Coffee, I made it last week while I was experimenting with a color challenge using Rose Red, Kraft and Black. Brown just seemed to work better for this card so I used it instead. I used the Spellbinders Nestabilities Oval, circle and scalloped oval dies and the Swirl Cuttlebug embossing folder. I colored the flowers in the glass with an Aqua painter and white dye ink, finished it off with a Copic marker and added Crystal Effects to make the glass shine. It was fun!

I've been stamping and working on Christmas cards, luckily I have a few things made up to share because I'm assembling things by the dozen right now.

Today is one of my need to vent days... I called yesterday about the kitchen cabinets and was put off again and he's going to call me tomorrow, etc. They were supposed to be installed 2 weeks ago but there was a problem with the countertop being damaged.

I started thinking about it this morning and getting mad. I'm tired of feeling like I'm being taken advantage of and was starting to fume. I had the wild idea to look up their names and business name at Public Access To Court Information on line to see if they had anything like what's happening to me going on and been taken to court over it.

I found out they have a lot going on. Several cases in the past where individuals and businesses have taken them to small claims court for residential stuff. Hmmm... they also appear to be having some financial problems from what I could see in the court records. I've had this vision in my mind when they don't return my phone calls that they've packed up and left town. I can see myself going to their business and it's empty and they're long gone.

I feel better now, I think I have enough information that's a matter of public record to use when I talk with him again tomorrow. My name VS his name may be on the next court docket with the same judge in small claims court soon. I've never met her but it looks like she knows them quite well.

Pray for us all, this could get messy!

SCS192

I had time yesterday to make a second card for the sketch challenge at SCS, what fun!
I came across this stamp in Lake Havasu at The Sugar Shack. I didn't make it mine the first time I saw it, but I did the next time I was in.

My stamping space still isn't ready but I'm pressing on. I have my storage cubes set up with designer papers in my little boys room now. I found some papers from last year by Stampin' Up! so I thought they'd be nice with this challenge.

I used Copic markers R24, R29, R46, YG93, Y18 & Y19 to color the Poinsettia image. I stamped it twice, once with Palette Noir ink and the second time I used Palette Jardin Moss. I used the black stamped image for the flower. When I finished coloring the flower part I cut it out so I could pop it up on the leaves. I added Crystal Effects to the larger dots in the center of the flower, the shiny dots in the upper right corner are Dew Drops.

I didn't get to do any stamping today, the kids got out of school early and we had parent / teacher conferences. They're doing great and I'm so excited for them and proud of them too.

Enjoy your day!

SC192 & That Bug Again!

I just posted my sketch challenge card on Splitcoaststampers and promised that I've put this stamp set away.

Do you ever have a stamp or a set that you just can't get enough of? Me too... this one is it at the moment.

Anyway, I love sketch challenges and think this one will make a great Christmas card since I've put the "bug" back in the box. That's my goal this afternoon before the kids get home from school. Create a Christmas card with SC192.
Supplies: Paper - Garden Green, Certainly Celery, White, Basic Black, Blue Stripes by Provo Craft, Ink - Palette Noir, Accessories - Copic markers, Copic Spica glitter marker clear, Black Matte Brads, Cuttlebug Paisley embossing folder.

Happy stamping!

My Choice For Love Your Blog Award!

Here I am again to finish the post I started earlier today as promised. These are my 7 nominees for the Love Your Blog Award!

Alisa Tilsner - Port Lincoln, South Australia
Scrapperlicious - Penang, Malaysia
Cindy Haffner's Corner - Saskatchewan, Canada
Fat Cat Stamper - Grass Lake, Michigan
I Stamp
More Is More - Southern California
Chicnscratch

Thanks for all of your wonderful inspiration!

A Blog Award!

Hey wow, I received a blog award from Chris over at Cat's Scratching Post. Thank you! Now I need to pass it on. You should see my blog list! There are so many extremely talented stamping bloggers out here it's mind boggling and overwhelming to say the least.

I copied the "rules" off of Chris's blog so I'd have them for mine:

1) put the award logo on your blog
2) link to the individual(s) that gave you the award
3) nominate at least 7 other blogs
4) add links of the blogs you've nominated
5) leave a comment on those 7 blogs to let them know they have been given an award.

I'm afraid I'll have to come back this evening and do an update with the 7 blogs I've chosen. I have to leave here soon to meet a friend for lunch...

I also wanted to share my entry for this weeks sketch challenge and color challenge over at Splitcoaststampers. I was happy that I had time to make this card this morning and complete both challenges.

The color challenge is Basic Black, Kraft & Rose Red.

I have a new stamp set from Impression Obsession called Smell The Coffee that I wanted to get inky. I really liked the sketch challenge and coffee beans came to my mind for one of the panels when I saw it. I don't have any coffee bean stamps so I browsed through Clip Art on line and found this picture. I down loaded it and opened it in one of my photo software programs and printed a sheet.

I stamped the image in Palette Noir and colored it with Copic markers, a clear glitter pen and used an Aqua painter in a white ink pad for the foam on the coffee. I cut the scalloped boarder with my Carl rotary cutter using the scallop blade. I wish the sentiment stamp would have been inked better in the middle, the practice stamp I did was perfect! Little things...

Have a great day, I'm off to lunch~

Clear Dollar Stamps - Sometimes You're The Bug...

I was a little disappointed this morning when I got up and realized I had "work" to do and wasn't going to have time to stamp today. But look what the mail carrier brought me!

I saw this stamp set on someones blog recently and thought, Wow! Is that ever cute!! Must have!

This is such a large stamp I needed my Creative Memories cutting system to make the circles. Luckily I found it out in the garage in the first box I opened.

The first card I used Tempting Turquoise and Black paper, my designer paper is SU retired several catalogs ago. The stamps I used are from 3 sets, Clear Dollar Stamps - Sometimes You're The Bug & Heaven Bound and Papertrey - Birthday Basics. To get the Happy Birthday stamp to fit the circle I had to shape it a little while I put it on the arylic block. Copic markers - C0, C3, C8, B02, B04, B05, R46. I used a Copic Spica glitter marker on the rear view mirror and tail lights, the SU Word Window punch and a couple of black brads.

I had a hard time with the ribbon ends so I used my SU corner punch to make the photo corners so I could hide the ends.

The designer paper again is SU retired, Lavender Lace card stock, Apricot Appeal foto corners, Wild Wasabi stitched ribbon and Copic markers - BV00, BV11, C0, C3, C8, G40, G24, R46 and once again I used the Copic Spica glitter marker (clear) on the rear view mirror and tail lights.

I just discovered Clear Dollar Stamps online, wow, she has some really cute stamps at very reasonable prices with fast shipping. What more could a girl want?

Box In A Bag

I did some blog browsing last night and kept seeing this cute little Box in a Bag. I linked around to several places and found the lady with the tutorial her name is Diana Gibbs, her blog is called Stampin' With Di if you'd like to check it out. I had to go back this morning and try my hand at the Box in a Bag, I love it!

The next thing on my mind was I'd really like to make it again in a bigger size so I could use it as a gift bag/tote for half a dozen cards. So I did...

I like to make A6 sized cards because they give me a bigger palette to work with so my "tote" is sized to fit 6 A6 cards.

I was browsing again this morning and went to Andrea Walford's blog and much to my delight she's done the same thing for A2 sized cards. Ah, great minds think alike? She's also posted a tutorial for her Purse Box.
I think it's really neat the way one person's idea can give birth to so many variations. The original is a Box in a Bag, Andrea's is a Purse Box, I thought I'd like a "Tote".
My variation to the Box in a Bag is making it fit A6 cards and changing the handles to something a little larger. The round tab punch wasn't in proportion to the size of my tote so I had to think of something else I might have.

I wondered how my oval Nestabilities dies would work for handles so I cut out 2 of the larger ovals. Then I put one of the smallest oval up top like you can see in the picture and cut it again. I ended up with 4 of them for stability. I'm happy with the way it turned out for the first time.
Is everyone as obsessed as I am? I like the way striped paper hides the seam but I'm not crazy about the colors I have together. I will probably make this over and over until I have it just the way I like it. Practice, practice, practice! Can you see Christmas paper?
Happy stamping!

Mint Chocolate

I was inspired by the complementary ribbon samples that accompanied my Verve Visual order the other day. There were two pieces of satin ribbon in Aqua and Chocolate Brown.

I spent the day stamping and just couldn't get enough of this new set, it's called Artful Elegance, the scripture verse is called a Plain Jane. I love being able to make my own patterned paper, it always matches so nice!

The layout for the above card is SC188.

This next cards are also from the Artful Elegance set.

Supply List: Stamps - Verve Visual Artful Elegance, Verve Visual Plain Janes, Stampin' Up! Canvas background, Paper - PapertreyINK Aqua Mist, Nut Brown, Ink - Palette Umber, Accessories - Satin, Organdy & Twill ribbon, Dew Drops "Men", Spellbinders Nestabilities dies.

My day is going better than yesterday when I did my blog post. I called the cabinet maker and talked with him in person. He promised my cabinets would be installed by the end of next week. I plan to keep calling until the job is done. It will be so nice to have my stamping space back again.

A Little Stampin'

It's been a month since my last blog post, wow... I've been trying to work through some issues lately and thought getting back to stamping is part of the answer.

The issue I'm trying to work through is the frustration I feel because my stamp room/kitchen isn't finished yet. Heaven knows I've done my part. The room is repainted, the fixtures are installed, the ones that can't be are purchased and waiting. Even the flooring is ready and waiting and in my way in the laundry room.

When I'd like to stamp I can't find my stuff because I took the room apart and put everythng in boxes because my cabinets were to be installed by the end of May. The boxes keep getting moved around because I couldn't stand them in my living room anymore, etc...

So, I'm still waiting for the cabinets to be ready and installed. When I call about them I don't get any answers about when, she'll check and call me back. My phone hasn't been ringing! Is it any wonder I put this off for so long?

Thanks for letting me vent. On to the fun stuff~

I was in Lake Havasu City (visiting the cabinet maker) a few weeks ago and stopped by The Sugar Shack, she had some of the cutest dollar stamps. I had to have several, this Lizard is one of them.

I used my Copic markers to color "her". G40, B05, C0 & 0. Pulled out my Spellbinders Nestie dies and Cuttlebug dots embossing folder and had some fun. The background stamp is SU Print Pattern in Versamark and the sentiment is also SU Heard From The Heart. Paper colors are Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquoise, Black & White.

The inside of the card reads: "Age is only a number... mine is UNLISTED. Happy Birthday!" The sentiment came with the Lizard, I loved it!

I made a cool new discovery I thought I'd like to share with you recently. Pictured below is a Stampin' Up! stamp from the Heard From The Heart set that I'm using unmounted. I feel like I'm running out of room and would like to use any new SU stamps I buy unmounted to save some space.


These are die cut so I didn't have to cut them out, how nice! I popped them out, took the label and cut around it as close as I could and attached it to the foam backing trying to line it up as it would be on the other side. (Just like when I use the wood blocks.) Then I stuck it down to a plastic sheet I found at the hardware store. They looked at me kind of weird when I bought it and asked for 6 inches of that plastic tablecloth material.
Next I used a different storage box that's smaller and will be easier for me to store. I was using CD cases for my unmounted stamps but some of the acrylic ones that are tiny after I've used them a bit don't stick as well and I lose them out that little opening on the side. These boxes also keep the grit off my stamps, we've had a bit of that lately with the construction going on.
I found theses boxes at Flourishes, I really like them.
Thanks for letting me vent today, sorry to be a bummer but I needed that. I think I'll go make some phone calls about cabinets now!

A Sketch Challenge from iheart2stamp.com

So okay, here's my total C.A.S.E. I was talking about in my last post. The stamper that used this The Cat's Pajamas set and this sketch challenge used Poochie in the rocket instead of Sprinkle and hers was so darn cute! I had to try it too. I colored the image with Copic markers and used Crystal Effects on the top of the rocket to make it look more... realistic?

I feel like I'm getting better with the Copic markers. I realized the other day while using them that they're kinda like the painting I've been doing around the house, the first coat doesn't always look so good but the second coat always looks great!

The sentiment I printed out on the computer, the inside will read, "outta this world!". My youngest son is turning 7 on the 24th and I thought he might like this for a birthday card. It kinda looks like Inky in the space ship don't you think?

My next card is the same sketch using a new Flourishes set I have called Lilac. Now I remember why I like stamping so much! This one was really satisfying to watch come together.
I stamped the lilac in SU Eggplant Envy. I then colored it with the Copic markers using 2 different purples and 3 different greens and some cool gray.
I thought I'd picked up the blender pen but instead had cool gray, so to cover some of my boo boo I thought I'd make a mask and use the SU French Script background stamp and see what happened. Ohhh, I liked it! The Eggplant Envy ink did smear just a little bit too with the Copic markers. Another good reason for the French Script backround stamp. I sponged around the first panel with Creamy Carmel and a tiny bit of Eggplant Envy ink and used the ticket corner punch on the corners. Next I matted the focal image with Eggplant Envy and then Old Olive.
I next used a lighter purple and stamped the magnolia from this stamp set in EE and sponged the edges, matted them on Old Olive and set them aside. I stamped Lilac in EE ink on white cardstock and cut it and matted it on a strip of Old Olive. I next assembled my card following the pattern for the sketch challenge.
Two cards that are the same yet different.
I have some GOOD NEWS today! The cabinet maker called and told me he's working on my project and will have the new cabinets for me in 2 to 3 weeks. The ceramic tile in the bathroom and hallway got finished up today too. I'm feeling like maybe I'll have some "closure" soon! When it all comes together and I get my stamp room back we'll celebrate with some BLOG CANDY! I can't wait!!
I hope you had as much fun stamping today as I did ~ have a great day!

Where'd The Week Go???

Help! I was given a Blog award and have lost the e mail from the awesome stamping blogger that awarded it to me... I've searched and searched and I'm just embarrassed. I did post a comment on her blog the same day thanking her though, so again thank you.

I have been working on some masculine birthday cards for a project that's ready to deliver now and thought I'd share this one with you today.

Supply List: Paper - Deep Blue, Sky Blue, Creamy Carmel, White, Ink - Basic Brown, Palette Burnt Umber, Stamps - Chevy pickup by Copper Leaf Creations, Happy Birthday by PapertreyINK., SU Highways & Biways, All The Rest - Spellbinders Nestabilities Oval, SU Punch and the Copic Markers I used to color it pictured below.

I'm having a hard time typing this tonight because the little black kitty you see in the window below is playing on my chair and desk while I try to do this.
She's a cute little pest. We went to Lake Havasu this last Friday to check in on my cabinet maker and just happened to visit Petsmart. Ahh, and you guessed the rest... My big cat isn't real happy with me but she's warming up to the idea of a playmate. The new kitty's name is Inky and the big kitty's name is Miss Kitty.

The kitchen (my stamp room) cabinets are due to be ready in three weeks. I AM SO READY! We've been working on the hallway bathroom since I'm not stamping very much, it's about compete and looking good. The tile guy came today and started putting in the ceramic tile for that bathroom and hallway. As I talked with him and watched him work I realized - I could do that! My paper cutter wouldn't work for tomorrow's part of the job though. (he he) What would you expect from a bored crafter?

I was able to make a fun card last night using TCP stamps. It's a total C.A.S.E. but I'll share it as soon as I get back here with you.

Happy Birthday Rick

Today is my boyfriend Rick's birthday and this is the card I made for him. He's been helping me around the house with all the repair and remodel projects since the pipe broke under my kitchen/stamp room floor so I thought this "Fella" would be perfect for him.

I'm happy to say he really liked his card and laughed that I'd even gotten his hair right. Don't you just love those Copic markers?! I used Creamy Carmel for my card base, Nutbrown and Ocean Blue, the stamp is a Bella from the Fellas collection, the stamp I used on the blue paper is from The Rubber Riot, SU Circle Of Friendship for the Birthday Wishes, SU extra large eyelets and Copic markers to color the image, 1 1/8" & 1 1/4" circle punches and the ticket corner punch. The layout is from a Pretty Pajama Party sketch (7-01-08) I saw while blog browsing.

What a fun card to make! I've been adding to my collection of clear and unmounted stamps the last few weeks - you know, getting in the mode! Now, I just need the time to play.

I'd also like to thank everyone for their comments, it feels wonderful to be back and your comments are always so kind. Thanks again!

Anniversary Birds by Verve Visual

I saw this sketch on several of the other stamping blogs recently. I know I'm a little behind in the challenge but thought it would be fun to receate. I've added Verve's Anniversary Birds to my collection and had to ink it up!

The card body is thepapermill.com Nut Brown, the pink paper is Stampin' Up!, the ink colors are SU Garden Green, Basic Brown and Palette Noir. I've been playing a little bit with the Crystal Effects so I added it to the bird's wing, added 3 Dew Drops to my rectangle after I rounded the corners and matted it on a scalloped rectangle I made from a Spellbinders Nestability die.

I had some time this morning to make another card, but can't show it for a couple of days. It's a birthday card and I don't want to ruin the surprise!

We finished the redo the bathroom project today, except floor tile. It will be on to painting white walls again soon, I have to do something while I wait for my kitchen/stamp room to be ready!

Petals & Stems by Verve Visual

I got to do some stamping yesterday with the new Verve set Petals & Stems. I added Crystal Effects to the butterfly and middle of the flower and liked the shine and texture it gave.

As you can see from the picture below, I can fill up the table pretty quickly with my stamping stuff. We're using an 8 ft. folding table right now in the kitchen. In the near future I'll have a new table along with cabinets, some tile on the floor will be a welcome change too!

Supplies for the card - Paper - White, Ballet Blue, Real Red, Ink - Ballet Blue, Real Red, Certainly Celery, Pumpkin Pie, Stamps - Verve Petals & Stems, SU retired Dots background, Outlines Rubber Stamp Co. stripes. Accessories - Nestabilities Ovals, White grossgrain ribbon, Red brad, Circle punch to round the tag.

The last picture today is Mikey standing in the sink taking down the blinds with Rick helping before we painted the kitchen. Jenny is sitting in the chair watching.

It's a stamping day!

Since I get to do some stamping today I thought I should do some blogging as well!

When I've had a chance to stamp lately I haven't known where to start or what to make so I thought I'd play with some of the images I got just before Christmas and didn't have much time for then.
This snowman image is from Cornish Heritage Farms, I colored it with Copic markers, the carrot nose is a Copic Spica glitter marker, the snow flake paper I printed, it's from MFT's digital paper. I sponged the edges with SU Bliss Blue ink and the dark layers are Nut Brown and the blue paper is Sky Blue light from Thepapermill.com. Chocolate brown grossgrain ribbon for a finishing touch. This sketch is originally from Bad Sherry, I've totally enjoyed using it over and over or lots of different looks!

My kids are out of school and we're on the run with swim lessons, afternoon free swims and Vacation Bible School this week. Next week they are still swimming but going to visit Grandma & Grandpa for the holiday weekend and very excited.

My stamp room/kitchen is still in a state of limbo so I'm not stamping very much, I'm so ready to be organized again and engrossed in what I love to do. I have my part of the job finished, now all I can do is wait. I decided last week I'd try to do some stamping again regardless of the mess and having to dig through boxes to find what I'd like to use.

I have some new Verve stamps to play with today, I'm excited! Have a great day!

Can I Have My Life Back Yet?

I've been invited to a baby shower today so for a gift I made thank you cards and decorated a bag to put them in.


I was looking at Debbie Olson's blog not too long ago and loved the card she made using a Papertrey set and this sketch. I haven't had the opportunity to make anything for awhile so C.A.S.E.ing helped get me started on this project. Supply List: Paper - White, Pink Light, Nut Brown, Confetti Tan, Stamps - Papertrey Polka Dots, Lizzie Anne Designs Petite Phrases, Thanks unknown, Ink - Palette Noir, SU Pretty In Pink, Accessories - Pink Grossgrain ribbon, Brown Gingham ribbon, SU double corner punch, SU slit punch, Copic markers.


For the gift bag I used the same sketch and Stampin' Up!s Swell News set along with the Sincere Salutations set.
You might be wondering where I've been lately... I've had broken water pipes under the kitchen floor so I've been dealing with plumbers, insurance companies, etc. The pipes needed to be rerouted so this wouldn't happen again in a few years. This is a picture of the wall in my kitchen that the plumbers had to "open up" to find the main piping and tie into it. It's behind my stove and some of the kitchen cabinets.

As you might know the kitchen is my stamp room/work shop. With everything all over the place and torn apart I haven't gotten to do much stamping so I haven't been blogging either.
I have damage to the bottom cupboards from water, damage to the vinyl flooring from cutting a hole in the cement to find the leak, etc. It's going to be a process getting my work space all back together and I'm looking forward to when it's finished. I'm excited too, I have plans to remove the bar in the kitchen so I have more space for a bigger table to put ladies around to teach classes and have some fun.
As for blogging, I'll be in and out as I can make things and have them to post. I do have a project I need to work on for Grace Assembly of God church, they need more welcome booklets from my previous post. Cool!

My last picture today is of Gabriel and Rick putting in my new microwave oven, I've always wanted one of these that go above the stove. Since I'm having the bar removed and that's where the old, I might say 25 year old microwave sat it was a great excuse to get one. And I'm blessed to have friends who can install it for me!
Happy Saturday~

This project was put on hold when my Dad was with me that I was able to finish today.

It's a welcome packet I made for Grace Assembly of God church and I can't wait to deliver it tomorrow. I hope you are having a good day, it felt good to "work" today. I've had some art work go through my mind the last few days, I think I might be returning to normal again!

Beginnings And Endings

My Dad passed away Friday, March 14th. My brother and I will be busy for awhile with what ever comes next so I plan to take a break from everything I can for about 6 weeks.

Thank you so much for your kind words and prayers for our family. I don't really have the words to express how I feel right now. I'm surrounded by my friends and doing okay, I'm also ready for life to get back to some sort of normal.

I'll resume stamping and blogging when the dust settles and I get to get into my new routine.

Until then, don't forget - time is precious.