de-stressing with paper

picture frame

2010-03-12T09:18:00.000-08:00

so i'm currently have this altered picture frame kick. you can find this "naked" wooden frame at michaels for $1. this one i covered sheet music (picked up a book of it at the thrift store for uber cheap!) using modge podge, stamped the swirlys (stampin' ups boraque set), then sanded the edges with sand paper. i inked the edges with holtz distress ink.
those fabulous flowers i learned how to make at the portland scrap expo last month. it's a circle of paper (i used sheet music), cut edges with those crazy scallop scissors and crumple, crumple, crumple. unfold your circles and mist with shimmer inks (this is new, i'll post more about this great product later) and let dry. k. here's where it gets tricky without photo step-by-steps: make fist with your hand and hold hand with thumb up. place circle on top of hand centered with hole created between index finger & thumb. push paper down threw hand and grab from underneath. twist, twist, twist. now the top is a pretty flower! once bottom is finely twisted, cut bottom half of twisty off and adhere (wet glue works best) to a scrap piece of paper.

it's nice to be back, i have lots of other projects i can't wait to share!

my new craft room

2010-01-06T21:30:00.000-08:00

for christmas this year i got a whole new craft room. my mr. mr. painted the room a lovely sour apple green and we put bright pink, sunny yellow, & white polka dots all over.

Him & his dad made 40 boxes (some with drawers, some with shelves, others empty) and he painted those to match. he also made the HUGE desk for me! isn't it just calling out, "create in me!"? i agree.

and look at that hutch! is that a great piece or what?! we found matching hot pink chairs at target so the girls can create with me too!

i'm baaaack!!

2010-01-06T19:26:00.000-08:00

OMG i am so glad to be able to say that once again, i have computer access! i can share my creations with you again! SOOOO EXCITED!!! well, i have missed you all, even if none of you noticed that i was gone. my oldest daughters birthday is coming up, think the first thing i'll post is her birthday party invites.

LOOK OUT WORLD, JENN'S BACK!! =D

muah!
jenn*

so can I use my iPhone to post? I can't figure out how. if u know, please email me!

2009-10-08T12:30:00.000-07:00

new rubbah!

2008-08-26T19:23:00.000-07:00

isn't this just the cutest?!? i got new stamps from TAC and then have been BEGGING me to use them! i haven't created anything in awhile, i just transfered, again, to another 'new' job (same company this time). i have been learning lots and it has been very humbling to go from knowing everything and being great at it all, to having to admit that i'm new and know nothing! to be honest though, i'm tired of making mistakes! =)

recipe:
ink- SU Ccelery, Rred, and Bblue. SU markers Cchip & Ssaffron (for the tree trunk & bird beak/legs)
paper- DP is from autumn leaves, SU Ccelery (textured), Bblue & Wwhite
stamps- TAC "springtime"
accessories- small flower punch, SU Wwasabi ribbon, dimensionals, sanding block (sanded edges, corners, and some misc. parts of the DP)

well, it's tuesday, almost september. the kids are almost back in school. is it wrong of me to be looking forward to stamping on my days off while school is in session? that and watching the price is right! have a super week!

laurieU sketch challenge #128

2008-08-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

did this card for laurieU's challenge over on a shade of blue, see her challenge here. i knew that i wanted to make a faux layer using the masking technique and sponges, turned out great and saved me some paper!

recipe:
ink- SU Llace
paper- SU Ppink, Bblue, Wwhite, and Wwasabi
stamps- SU "she's all that"
accessories- sponges, CB die (used Llace direct to paper on embossing), wasabi ribbon, sakura glitter pen (for top of cake)

fun sketch, thanks laurie!

tape transfer method

2008-08-09T19:50:00.000-07:00

so after i posted the challenge and link to the tutorial, i had yet to participate in the tape transfer method. here it is! i got this cute little chicken from some home magazine (it holds your kitchen scrubbies in it's butt, i cut that part off!). once i saw it, i knew that i had to use it with black, red, & white for a card using this method. i actually made this card last week sometime and just haven't had time to post it yet.

thanks to my candy winners for not yelling at me for my lateness in sending out their winnings, i just worked 8 days in a row, all of the days averaging 11 hours each! i promise i haven't forgotten you!

recipe:
paper- SU Bblack & Wwhite CS, DCWV DP
ink- SU Rred
stamps- SU "carte postale"
accessories- ribbon, white gel pen, black gel pen, SU Rred marker, scallop punches, window punches, corner rounder punch

so i am about to embark on a HUGE stamping change, i am going to fax in my demo application for TAC on monday. i'm going to be an angel! SUPER excited!

have a great weekend!

BLOG CANDY WINNER!

2008-08-02T21:20:00.000-07:00

i used random.org to pick the winner of the blog candy challenge, the winner is........ drum roll please!
sandyh50!

sandy, get me your snail mail addy and i'll get that candy out to ya! and just for playing along, i'd like doris & michelle to also get me their addies as i will get you a little something, too!

thanks for playing, ladies! and thanks for 5,000 hits!

monday makeover challenge & BLOG CANDY!

2008-07-28T11:58:00.000-07:00

andrea over at 'sunny stampin' had a monday makeover challenge and i decided to play! her challenge was to take a card or some other project that you really like and is non-SU and re-make it using only SU products!

this first pic is of one of my favorite cards! it was featured in the feb. '08 issue of 'cards' magazine, found on page 112. jennifer roach did a fantastic job on this card, i could ever only hope to not disgrace her! so here is my only-SU version. there are a couple of big diffrences... i don't have any SU rhinestone brads on hand (i buy 'em, i use 'em!), so i used crystal effects w/ dazzling diamonds glitter instead. card is 4.5" x 7.5"
recipe:
ink- Llace, Wwasabi, Ssaffron, PIpink, Ccelery, & versamark
paper- textured Wwasabi CS for CB, Llace, Wwhite, and DSP is enchante'
stamps- new hostess level 3 set "hapiness always"
accessories- new scallop edge punch, wasabi ribbon, crystal effects, dazzling diamonds, corner rounder, sponges (for ink distressing the edges of CS), and pastels (for chalk distressing the oustides of the center panel)

so, i have finally answered another challenge! and did you see my funky fingernails?!? i just LOVE them! my stamping friend does my nails and she just got this fabulous new green acrylic called 'sour apple' and i think i will always have green fingernails now! =)

enjoy your week!

OH! don't forget about my challenge for the two (2) stamp sets & a whole lot of misc. embellishments! click here for my blog candy giveaway! hurry, ends 8/1/08!

masked blue/brown wedding card

2008-07-27T11:24:00.000-07:00

first off, have to give credit where credit is due. cased card from rgrohall on SCS, to see her card click here. this is a wedding card for a friend that's getting married this month.

first off, i stamped bird on CS and cut out. folded a post-it note in half and used that to stick bird mask to white CS. stamped weathered in Ssky over bird. stamped french script in Bbayou over that. ink distressed the edges of Wwhite Cs w/ blue inks, then brown. used sponge to ink blue around body of masked bird. removed mask and stamped bird in walnut ink. paper flowers & silk flower was dyed with sponges & ink pads. used backward brads in corners of CS as i really wanted to use photo turns there and couldn't find them in my stash!

recipe:
stamps- SU "always"
paper- SU CS Cchip, Ssky, Bblue, Bblue, & Wwhite
inks- SU NQnavy, Ssky, Bblue, Bblue, Bbayou, & Cchip. jim holtz 'walnut stain' distress ink
accessories- small circle punch (for punched corners), silk flowers, paper flowers, silk ribbon, dyeable ribbon, pewter brads (for flowers), black brads (in corners, backwardes), and SPONGES! this card would not have been possible without the sponges!

don't forget to get your piece of blog candy! click here for details! open till 8/1/08!

have a super-duper weekend!

free stuff for a year BLOG CANDY!

2008-07-26T23:06:00.000-07:00

that's right! free 'funky fairies' stuff for a year with their blog candy! click here!

5,000 hits! = BLOG CANDY!!

2008-07-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

blog candy will be two (2) stamp sets! this one pictured below and one from making memories. I will also include a HUGE sort of embellishments (clips, buttons, flowers, etc.)!

as promised, as made possbile by those who visit me, here it is! BLOG CANDY for 5,000 hits!

This is an unmounted earn-only stampin' up! sell-a-bration set from 2007! with it i will include other misc. embellishments, and a set from making memories =)

what i want in return------- i want to see a card or scrap page that somehow incorporates a magazine picture/article. you can use the packing tape transfer method, click here to see the tutorial by jessica. , or just use the magazine page itself. post your project on your page, make sure to link both my page (for the challenge & blog candy) and jessica's page if you use the tape transfer method (for the tutorial) and make sure to comment back that your project is posted so we can all check them out!

challenge is open until next friday, august 1st when i will use the random number generator to pick the winner!

bev is also offering up some blog candy, so hop on over to bevs crafts to see her gorgeous cards and enter for her candy, too!

shabby, baby!

2008-07-18T14:33:00.000-07:00

well, we all know that jenn really likes her stuff to look... old, used, distressed, shabby. so here's the newest "used" project.

recipe:
ink- jim holtz 'walnut stain' distress ink
paper- SU Wwhite CS, TAC DP, lined notebook paper
stamps- SU "doodle this" (stamped flower on backside of DP & cut out) & sentiment is from SU "spring solitude"
accessories- bling blue rhinestone, corner rounder punch for scalloped edges, crop-o-dile for small circle punches in the scallops, sponges for applying the ink to the edges of EVERYTHING!

the new 'batman' is out! can't wait to go see that! or wall-E is out, too! my sister is coming to visit this weekend, haven't seen her since she got married last year! so my weekend is full! whatever you do on yours, hope it's safe & fun!

marker-ing your stamps

2008-07-14T12:16:00.000-07:00

have you ever wondered how to get multiple colores on your stamped bold image? you use markers! that's what i did for my little bird and my branch & leaves.

the bird is actually 4 diffrent colors. i started by coloring his legs with the paint brush side of my SU Aappeal marker. for his body, i started by coloring BashfulBlue all over, then used BalletBlue on most of his back, then finished him up with BrilliantBlue on only the middle of his back.

for the branch, i colored with the paint brush side of my Cchip marker, then colored the leaves with the Oolive marker.

the flowers on the side of the card were done with the '2-step stampin' technique. i stamped the outline of the flowers in SU Ssaffron, then stamped randomly the bold flower image on top to fill in the large flowers with SU Bblue.

recipe:
ink- SU Aappeal, BBlue x 3 (see above), Cchip, Oolive, & Ssaffron
paper- SU Wwhite. colored CS is from the cheap-o colored CS pack from wal*mart
stamps- SU "spring solitude", sentiment is from 'stugio G' ($1 michaels acrylic set)
accessories- blue/yellow ribbon is from $1 bin at michaels, used small circle punch on corners

keep checking back! i'm starting to gather stuff for the fabulous BLOG CANDY that i'll post when i get to 5000 hits! have a super week!

what a touch of sparkle can do

2008-07-11T20:02:00.000-07:00

i should have taken a picture of the card BEFORE adding the glitter to show just how much a touch of a glitter pen can really add to your projects! i use the sakura 'gelly roll', it's like a fine ball-point pen that writes sparkles!

recipe:
ink- Oolive & Bblue markers, Bblue ink
paper- SU Bblue, Ccelery, Wwhite & DP from a SU scrap-pack
stamps- flower (unmounted, got it in a $1 bin at the stamp convention earlier this year), and SU 'small sayings'
accesories- SU Ccelery grosgrain & made a little photo corner & paper peirced it

well, i have a few more projects that i have made and have yet to post. keep checking back! i'm at 4700 hits, getting closer to that 5000 mark! and then, blog candy!

using flower punches

2008-07-09T20:46:00.000-07:00

so i, probably like most of you, have these flower punches (at least 4) that i hardly ever use. in fact, i think it was the first time i used one of them! so i decided to put them to use!

swirls are so in right now, vines, flourishes, doodles.... i picked one and added my little flowers!

recipe:
ink- SU Oolive, stazon black
stamps- vine & sentiment are from 'studio g' ($1 bin at michaels)
paper- SU Ssun, Bblack, Rred, Ssaffron, & Wwhite
accessories- flower punches (???, i've accumatled them over the years), circle hole punch (for flower centers)

so i challenge you----- get out your unused punches and see what you can create with them!

photo distressing

2008-07-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

found some old pictures of my youngest after bath time, she used to just love to be naked!

i have seen lots of cool arrows lately and have been wanting to try one out, so i did! took a piece of chipboard (the kind that comes in the back of packs of papers to keep them from bending, they're like a bonus in the pack of paper!) and freehanded drew an arrow. over and over i drew the arrow until i got it to look half decent, then used craft knife to cut it out! covered it with DP, sanded the paper, attatched some ribbons, whala! is that how you spell it?!

saw the photo scratching in a magazine lately and wanted to try that for a photo-distressed look. i took a thumb tack and scratched the edges of the photos downward to the edges. i rubbed walnut ink on the scratches, then dabbed the ink off with a cotton ball. i gave you a close-up of the edge of a photo so you can see it a bit better. i really like the look it gave my photos!

ingredients:
paper- SU scrap pack, lined notebook paper, cardboard (tore it open and used the insides outward for the photo corners), brown packing paper (for title mat)
ink- jim holtz walnut distress ink, SU Cchip
stamps- SU 'baroque motifs' & 'headline alphabet'
accessories- chipboard, misc. ribbons, SU spriral (for the notebook paper) & tab (for the journaling block under the middle photo) punches, sizzix flower dies w/ my cuttlebug (sanded the edges, used dimensionals to pop up the diffrent layers), big green brad, sanding blocks (used on all DP). used misc. chalks on edges of photo mats for soft distressing.

well, today was the first day of the rest of my life. and it went well! thanks for all the well wishes! have a great day!

long watercolored flower card

2008-07-07T21:41:00.000-07:00

so with as much watercoloring as i have done, i have never used watercolor paper, so i had to try it out. i am pretty dern pleased with the outcome! this card was for my moms birthday this last weekend.

recipe:
ink- Ppink, Llace, Oolive, Ccelery, Ssun, PIpink, Ssaffron, & stazon black
paper- watercolor paper, SU Ccelery & Wwhite CS, DP is from the scrap pile
stamps- SU "in full bloom" & "small sayings"
accessories- aquapainter, circle punch, chalks (for distressing the edges w/ cotton balls), used sakura glitter pen on interior of flowers to make them look oh-so-beautiful!

i start my new job tomorrow! i am filled with that "oh my goodness! what did i do?!?" feeling. i am scared, nervous, excited, anxious.... wonder if i'll get any sleep at all tonight! wish me luck!

oh! just fyi, i will be posting a challenge for blog candy when i get to lucky number 5,000 on my hitcounter, so keep checking back!

K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid!)

2008-07-07T00:16:00.000-07:00

just some fun little simple cards without sentiments (for now) so i can add them later.
recipe:
ink- stazon black, jim holtz 'walnut' distress ink; frog is stamped in Oolive
paper- Wwhite CS; DP is from 'autumn leaves'
stamps- both are from little sets that i got in the $1 michaels bins
accessories- ribbon is a $1 michaels find; used SU scallop punch & 'emagination' circle punch; colored bird w/ NEW prismacolor pencils & blending pencil (outlined both images w/ grey pencil for depth); added some dots & squiggles to the scallops; ink distressed all DP; used small SU circle punch for scalloped paper edges

NEW prismacolor pencils story- so for those of you who have been following along know that i don't pay full price for anything. but i just have to get these pencils! so... i didn't have a coupon, but that's ok because open stock pencils were 25% off at michaels (well, the sale was suppossed to be over, but they left the sign up by the pencils so i got the discount). so i sat in the isle (yes, i sat there on the floor) looking at the backs of the boxes for the 48 and 36 count. i figured out which colors were not in the 36 box and bought those open stock so that i could come back when i had a 50% off coupon and get the 36 box for cheap and still have all 48 colors! arn't i just the smartest little girl?!?

well, time for bed. DH is already there and undoubtledly upset that i let him go to sleep by himself. have a great monday!

pumpkins scrap page

2008-07-06T17:50:00.000-07:00

since i am currently unemployed, i have had lots of time on my hands. when i haven't been sleeping or enjoying my newly installed hot tub, i have been paper crafting! i know i haven't posted in quite awhile, thanks for your patience with me!
my girls love to scoop the 'guts' out of the pumpkins, and making a mess is part, er, most, of the fun. there is journaling on the back of the pictures mounted on the orange circle. used SU scrap pack & alpha sets, if you have any questions on anything else used, just comment or email me!

have a super day!

blog candy!

2008-07-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

there's candy to be had!
pop on over to ila's blog to check it out!

"simply shabby"

2008-07-06T11:52:00.000-07:00

in the current issue of 'take ten', there's an article that i just loved and found oh-so-interesting! on pages 34-36 of the summer 2008 issue, kim hughes did an article, with card examples that you must buy the magazine to see, they're fabulous!
i would like to share kim's shabby ideas with you!

"kims shabby tips-
1. use a sand block to soften the edges when using paper with a white core.
2. use chalks to soften the edges of papers.
3. use chalk inks for a soft edge.
4. use dark inks to grunge up the look.
5. crinkle paper and flatten to add texture.
6. crinkle and sand the paper for a textured, aged look.
7. use walnut inks to give it a washed look.
8. curl up the edges of paper for a worn look."

hope this helps you with your de-stressing of paper!

4th of july bees!

2008-07-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

didn't send any 4th of july cards out, but got the cutest little bee stamps at the stamp convention and had to use them! also wanted to try the soft look of chalk distressing, and here's the outcome!
recipe:
paper- DCWV, SU Wwhite
ink- stazon black, NQNavy
stamps- all images by 'alota rubber stamps'
accessories- ribbon, star eyelets, red thread, star punch, sanding block, circle punch, chalks & cotton balls

county fair scrap pages

2008-07-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

last years fair pages, finally complete! once again, if you have any questions on anything that i used or did with these pages, feel free to comment or email me!
have a great rest of the weekend!

thank you notes

2008-07-05T22:22:00.000-07:00

running low on thank you's, got some inspiration from the newest/current issue of 'take ten'. these cards were simple to make, not time consuming at all, involve raiding the scrap drawer, and give me lots of thank you's to have on hand!

there's lots of misc. stuff involved in these that i am completely unsure of (paper is scraps, sentiment stamp i got in a bin at the stamp show), so i won't fill you in with the recipe. if you have any questions, feel free to comment or email me!

i start my new job next week, looking forward to the change with deep anticipation and excitement!
hope you all had a safe & happy 4th!

fathers day cards

2008-06-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

card #1-
standard 5.5"x4.75"
recipe:
ink- stazon black & Ccelery
paper- Wwhite CS
stamps- SU "loads of love" and sentiment is from great impressions
stamped truck on card and then 4 more times on seperate CS. colored all images w/ watercolor pencils & blender pens. cut out fenders, doors, & wheels and popped them up with dimensionals. on CB, masked truck then stamped sentiment over it, then put final truck on with dimensionals. tried to take a pic so you could see how nice & 3D this is, didn't quite turn out. looks much better IRL.

card #2-
tall 7"x3.5"
recipe:
ink- SU Oolive, Ccrisp, Ssaffron, Ssun, & NQnavy, versamark, & colorbox silver
paper- Wwhite & textured Ppie CS
stamps- penguin pants "fathers day" set, & judiths starburst
stamped outline of ties all over in versamark and heat embossed with glassy glaze powder. stamped over outlines with colored ties.

well, hope you enjoy your holiday!
jenn*

cheers!

2008-06-06T19:47:00.000-07:00

LOVE IT! CB is 7x6.75. a nice tall, thin one! so this is my favorite this week!
recipe:
paper- CB is WWhite. used textured SU Ppie on bottom
ink- SU Ccelery, Ppink, Ppie, Oolive, and versamark, silver is "colorbox"
stamps- "cheers" from penguin pants (this is a 2 dstep stamping set), and little starburst if from "judith"
accessories- stamped glasses in versamark then heat embossed w/ glassy glaze, some A$1 michaels ribbon

love the simplicity and lack of layers! and all those wonderful colors! these colors are much more 'me' than those bold brights were!
have a super day!

50th anniversary card

2008-06-06T19:41:00.000-07:00

this looks SOO much better IRL! have a 50th celebration we're attending this weekend, i know that 50 is gold, so i laid it on!
recipe:
paper- CB is Wwhite, then used SU Bblack CS & handmade gold paper
ink- versarmark
stamps- some generic thing i got at the stamp show a few weeks ago
accessories- "pharoah's gold" embossing powder & narrow black ribbon

pretty simple! love the look of that paper on it!
have a great day!

cosmo bella birthday card

2008-06-06T19:26:00.000-07:00

so this didn't turn out the way that i wanted it to. i am a bit disapointed. however, due to the lacking number of posts that i have, i feel obligated to post this, as un-appealing as it is to me.

recipe:
paper- CB is from some generic set of blank cards w/ envelopes (5x7). rest of CS is SU bold brights & Wwhite
ink- Ppink, versamark, & stazon black. colored image w/ sakura souffle pens in bright colors.
stamps- "cosmobella", & "cheers" by penguin pants (this is a great set! i got this at the stamp show a few weeks ago!)
accessories- bright blue eyelets (used crop-o-dile to set), corner rounder, silk flower, wide green satin ribbon, and narrow hot pink ribbon.

wedding invite

2008-06-06T19:19:00.000-07:00

this is for my brothers wedding invitations. card is 5x7.
recipe:
paper- CB is Vvanilla, peach vellum
ink- SU Ssaffron & versarmark
stamps- SU "wonderful words", "baroque motifs", and "so swirly" jumbo wheel
accessories- used handmade peachy paper shards (tore off very small bits at a time) and glued to edge of torn vellum. stamped sentiment in colored in, then again in versamark and heat embossed w/ glassy glaze enamel.

so it's been almost a month since my last post! EEK! well, i've kinda made up for it and have a few posts for ya! thanks for being patient, ladies! and thanks for letting me know that you miss hearing from me! it feels good to feel wanted!
have a great day!

rest of mothers day cards

2008-05-14T17:19:00.000-07:00

here's the rest of the cards for mothers day, needless to say for those of you who know me, only one card has gone out! i know... i'm horrible!this was done with SU ___ , Ppink, & Wwhite CS, and DCWV DP. bird stamp is from "hero arts" and i stamped him first in SU Ssaffron, then rolled in Ppink. added some sakura glitter pen to him and called it good! used circle punch for scalloped edges then used my paper peircer. used some pretty silk flowers with a rhinestone brad, ribbon is from my 'who knows?' stack.
this card is all SU Wwhite CS. used my SU "delight in life" (sale-a-bration set from '07) for the flowers. stamped the outline of flower in Eeggplant, stamped the filler w/ Llace. stamped some more flower outlines & colored w/ watercolor crayons and watercolored w/ aquapainters, then cut out, curled the edges w/ bone folder, and added to CS w/ dimensionals. used window punch for window & smaller punch for sentiment (SU "warm words"). smaller flowers are stamped in Ssaffron & watercolored using aquapainters & ink pad.
used SU Wwhite & Llace CS for this one. stamped heart (SU "always") in versamark onto Llace, embossed w/ glassy glaze enamel, cut out, and mounted on background panel (stamp is 'darcies', stamped in Llace on Wwhite). used circle punch on corners and mounted again on Wwhite (ink distressed w/ Ssaffron) then used pewter brads in corners. flowers are from SU "delight in life", watercolored using ink pads & aquapainters. used paper piercer & rhinestone gem for additioanl affects.
this one took me awhile! iris is from "psx", stamped in stazon black onto Wwhite CS. stamped it a few times so i could cut out pieces and add later on. colored w/ color pencils & blender pens. after i colored every piece that i had stamped, i cut out misc. petals and added to main panel using dimensionals. i used crystal effects in the center of all the flowers. mounted onto some generic purple & green CS, then onto card base. ribbon is from my no idea pile, used silk flowers and a leaf w/ a brad to finish it off.

hope you all had an absolutely fantastic mothers day!

i'm going to the stamp show on saturday!!!!! SUPER excited!

mothers day card #1

2008-04-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

the countdown is on! have less than 2 weeks until mothers day and i have 5 cards to make. they may not get sent out in time, but at least they will be made!

went for a simple look.
recipe:
paper- SU CS Pink, Ccelery, Bblue, & Wwhite
ink- Ppink & versamark
stamps- SU 'always' & 'so swirly' jumbo wheel
accessories- Bblue brad, glassy glaze embossing powder, silk flowers, paper piercing kit, & paper crimper.

have a super rest of the week!

birthday card from a friend

2008-04-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

i came back from hawaii to find this sitting on my craft table.
the friend that i made that bella birthday card for (the st. paddies
day card) watched our house for us while we were gone, and he
tried his hand at card making all in the name of a friends birthday.

i am super impressed with this card! he got out my stuff (including the CB, see the flower?!), used what he wanted, added elements and framed the CS. he even cleaned the stamps and put them back! he used a glitter marker on the inside.

definately A for effort! thanks rob, you're great! did i mention that while we were gone he got our hot tub in place and in working order?? that's a SUPER birthday gift! thanks rob, you're the greatest!

birthday stuff from an angel

2008-04-29T13:28:00.000-07:00

too cute, right?!? my good friend laurie (visit her blog here) is a TAC demo and absolutely fabulous! both creatively & personally.

she knows that i just love frogs and showered me with
froggy gifts for my birthday. i did get this in time for
my special day, i just got home last night from an
almost 2 week trip to the island of oahu, hawaii to visit
my sister and her family.

laurie is great at using dimensionals, the picture of this
card just doesn't do it justice! and look at her great
coloring job on him! he is just too cute! and on the
scalloped panel, she printed the sentiment on vellum
and put it on the CS.

and this. WOW!! laurie knows that i always have a lot on my mind and am always making lists to try to organize my thoughts. so, here we are! she used the same image and made me a cute little 'toad' do list book! the book is filled with lined papers to make my lists nice and neat.

once again, her coloring is phenomenal, just perfect! and she matched the colors of ribbons to it to a "T"! love that distressing, way to go, girl!

and last, certainly not least, she threw in the stamp! now i can (try to) create fabulous items just like her!

thank you so much, laurie! you rock!

RAK from my SBS2 secrect sister

2008-04-29T12:29:00.000-07:00

look at all the super fab goodies i got! my sbs2 secrect sister (sara, visit her blog here). she sent it perfectly and i got it on my birthday! don't you just love the cute card she sent with it? what great girly stamps! and she paper pieced the shirt on the girl in the middle and the purses. she also added gold "jewelry" to all three ladies. LOVE IT!!

and the goodies! BOY am i lucky! i got some sticky rhinestones, 3 spools of ribbon, an empty bandaid tin and yellow bucket, lots of pretty white paper flowers, an incredible pad of handmade dry-embossed purple & blue papers, and three diffrent bella stamps. how did she know that i love bellas?

thanks SOOO much, sarah! what a great sister you are!

birthday bella card

2008-04-06T17:54:00.000-07:00

i had been waiting for this stamp to come since i ordered it! (duh! ;D)
it just came and i ordered it the first week of march hoping it would come by my friends birthday which was on st. patricks day. yeah... his card was SOO late!

recipe-
paper: all CS is SU (cchip, bblue, ssun, vvanilla & ccelery), DP is DCWV
ink: cchip, ssun, ssaffron, jim holtz walnut stain distress ink
stamps: goodluckabella
accessoreies: square silver brads, thick brown ribbon, oval scallop punches, watercolor pencils & blender pens

know one has even guessed on the trivia! i'll THINK about posting another question.....
hvae a super week!

birdie birthday

2008-03-31T14:23:00.001-07:00

so here's the birthday card i made for my grandma. since i got these sets, they have been begging to be used in some simply elegant design.... i just love this card!

recipe:
ink- jim holtz 'walnut stain' distress ink, SU Cchip, & Ccelery
paper- SU Vvanilla, Ccelery, Cchip, and SU DP enchante'
stamps- SU "always" & "baroque motifs"
accessories- CChip & Ccelery grosgrain ribbon, paper crimper, sponges, Ccelery micro beads, small circle punch, SU markers Ccelery, Bbanana, & Oopuklence, and Ccelery chunky glitter.

thanks for your patience with me, i know i haven't posted in quite awhile. thanks for not 'yelling' at me! =)
have a super week!

road trip with grandma

2008-03-31T12:57:00.001-07:00

some other older photos came out and got used this last weekend.
my mother took the girls to see my aunt and uncle a year or so ago, they had so much fun that weekend!
saw this super cute idea using the SU "abc" wheel to make a road, and got to try it! used SU Bblack CS & Wwhite craft ink w/ the wheel to make my 'road' and used the truck from the SU set "loads of love". i used the girl from the SU "loads of love accessories" to make my little ladies. i colored their shirts the same color as my mom and the girls were wearing in the photos to make them more recognizable. coloring was done with colored pencils and OMS. since my girls are still young, i printed out a map and directions using map quest and used it in the page also.
have a great day!

oh!!!!!! trivia! last question was, "there were a bunch of stars in 'reality bites', can you name 4 of them?" here are the popular ones: wynona ryder, ethan hawke, ben stiller, janeane garafalo, and steve zahn.

current trivia question: from the movie 'the rocky horror picture show', what were the names of the characters played by tim curry & susan sarandon?
have fun!

picnic at the park

2008-03-31T12:48:00.000-07:00

finally got a couple of minutes to spend with some old photos and here's the outcome.

we went to a local park to have a picnic a year or so ago. we got some sandwiches from arby's for our lunch, took some bread to feed the ducks, played on the toys, went fishing, and d'Ete even found a "boy" friend!

all paper is DCWV, used CB for diecut circles. ribbon pulls on top right photo for journaling panel.

sorry i've been pretty much non-exsistant lately. well, for over a month now. i can't believe i'm busier now than during this last holiday season! hawaii in less than a month!

party invitation

2008-03-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

made this for the invitations for my grandmothers surprise 80th birthday party. DON'T TELL HER!! =)

recipe:
card is 3.5" x 7"
paper- CB is SU Vvanilla, used Wwasabi textured, kraft, & Bblue CS
ink- Cchip, Bblue, & Wwasabi
stamps- SU 'please come', 'together forever', ' baroque border' wheel, and 'simple serif alphabet & numbers'.
accessories- new wide Cchip SU ribbon

no new trivia as i just posted the last question.

have a super day!

scalloped birthday girl

2008-03-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

made this card for my friends birthday. since she's a fellow stamper, i had to make it SUPER cute! i love it and think she did too!

recipe:
paper- SU carousel notes (from occasions mini), Cchip & Vvanilla. DP is from clearance pile from local scrap store
ink- SU Cchip, jim holtz walnut stain distress ink
stamps- SU 'she's all that' (from occasions mini)
accessories- wide brown ribbon ($1 michaels), SU Ccelery ribbon, silver brads, small circle punch, silk flower (thanks to my sister, karyn!! i love them!!!)

so we found this awesome 'fun center' and took the girls for a day of fun. we went bowling, the carousel was out of order so we'll do that next time, there was laser tag, a HUGE arcade with an indoor 'big toy' (as the girls call it) and 2 restaurants! we had such a fun time!

the answer to the last trivia question ("what was the name of the unsuccessful sheriff in smokey and the bandit?") is sheriff beuford t. justice. congrats to linda, doverdi, and scrapmomof2 who all got this question correct!

ready for a new question? here it is! there were a bunch of stars in "reality bites". can you name 4 of them? have fun!

asian butterfly

2008-02-29T16:18:00.000-08:00

this actually started out being a cute easter card. i just got some flocking, and since i've never played with it before, i decided to make a cute fluffy bunny easter card with it!
well, we all know that i love to distress my paper, so i ink distressed the yellow CB and just kept going. i have always loved the look of those collage cards and have wanted to give it a try. it doesn't go with my fluffy bunny! :P

recipe:
stamps- swirls are TAC; butterfly is by autumn leaves; paper lantern is by ??? (there's nothing written on the block and i have no idea!); flowers are by great impressions.
ink- jim holtz walnut stain distress ink, SU Rred & Oolive
paper- DCWV pale yellow paper & SU Vvanilla CS
accessories- origami paper & hemp twine

i'm not sure if i like this or not..... it's like it's missing something! i have some dominoes, i painted one gold and mounted it on the butterfly, didn't like it so off it came! huh. i don't know!
no more trivia till someone at least makes a guess!

have a super day!

easter chick

2008-02-29T13:03:00.000-08:00

here's my first easter card of the season. i wanted a simple cute card that didn't get overpowered by accesasories, embellishments, or technique. i think it works!

recipe:
stamps- SU "a good egg", "petals" jumbo wheel
ink- stazon black, SU Oolive, Pink, Ssaffron
paper- Wwhite, Bblue, Ccelery
accessories- Ssaffron & Ppink markers, spiral punch, blender pen & pastels, stapler
*stamped chick on 2 panels. on one panel, i stamped over egg shell w/ flower stamp (in the "good egg" set) in Ppink & colored in w/ marker, then stamped again w/ dots in Ssaffron ink. Cut out shell only and adhered to main image.

i'm not going to give you a new trivia as no one has guessed it yet!

have a super day!

lots of minis & blog candy

2008-02-29T12:31:00.000-08:00

so i'm not dead, just in case that's what you're wondering :D

so for the last 2 workshops that i had and what i did for valentines day, was mini cards. i used 3 x 6 Wwhite CS as the base for all of
the cards and used my SU slit punch on the bottom to "fold" the
card into itself the taking away the need for envelopes.

recipe for card #1:
stamps- SU "doodle this"
ink- Stazon black
paper- Wwhite CS
accessories- SU bold brights watercolor crayons & aquapainter

recipe for card#2:
stamps- SU "love matters"
ink- Ssaffron, Oolive, Rred
paper- Wwhite CS
accessories- Rred & Oolive SU marker, corner rounder punch for
exterior scalloped edges

recipe for card #3:
stamps- SU "fun & fast notes" and "reason to smile"
ink- stazon black, Llace
paper- Wwhite CS
accessories- blender pen & pastels
*stamped buggy in stazon on card and then on a scratch piece
of paper. on the scratch piece, i stamped over it with the butter-
fly from "reason to smile" in Llace then cut out the image to
paper piece it to the card

recipe for card #4:
stamps- SU "fun & fast notes" & "doodle this"
ink- SU Bbayou, stazon black
paper- Wwhite CS
accessories- blender pen & pasels (for beak)
*stamped bird on card then on scratch piece of paper. on the
scratch piece, i stamped swirls from the "doodle this" set on the
bird, then used sponge w/ Bbayou ink for color. Cut out image
and adhered to card.

recipe for card #5:
stamps- SU "fun & fast notes"
ink- Stazon black
paper- mWwhite CS
accessories- blender pens & pastels

recipe for card #6:
stamps- SU "fun & fast notes"
ink- Stazon black
paper- Wwhite CS
accessories- blender pens & pastels, SU Ppink & Llace markers

recipe for card #7:
stamps- SU "happy heart day"
ink- stazon black
paper- Wwhite CS
accessories- blender pen & pastels

ok, to my secret sister, i am truly sorry! i have had stuff sitting on my table for over 2 weeks that i have meant to get off to you! they're sitting right next to the christmas cards that i meant to send off a few months ago! :D it's a good thing it's 'secret' sisters, you don't know who to yell at! :P

ok, for the trivia! you all were great with this one! should i be technical here, or easy on you? after the webster question, i think i'll be easy on ya! the last question was, "what was the name of Michael Knights car on Knight Rider?" and the answer is "KITT". i'll send out some blog candy for the first person to tell me CORRECTLY what the initials stand for!

this weeks trivia question-
what was the name of the unsuccessful sheriff in smokey and the bandit? have fun!

2008-02-23T11:11:00.001-08:00

DD has a bday party to go to today and i have some new CB kids dies that i've been wanting to try out.

recipe:
paper- CS is SU Wwhite, DP is DCWV
ink- SU Wwasabi & Ppink
stamps- SU "happy everything" & "a little birdie told me" (for the hat) and the little starburst one is by judith
accessories- DB dino die, SU scallop punch & marvy scallop punch, paper piercer, ribbon & thread, corner rounder punch (for scalloped edges on DP), sakura glitter pen (on starbursts), and clear stickles (on hat).

thanks for your patience with my lack of posting... this is the first time i've even used my home computer in over a week! i've been checking mail and stuff at work, which makes for a long day as i have so much mail to catch up on!
so i've been working out for over 4 months now, and guess how much weight i've lost!!! are you ready for the big number??!? one pound. one (1). yep! in the last four months, i've been working out at least 4 times per week, i even went on a liquid only diet for 2 weeks (when my tooth was acting up), and that's it! one lousy pound! and i really don't want to hear all that about "muscle weighs more than fat", or "you're probably just toning". rockashawna to that one little pound!

the answer to the last trivia question, "what was the last name of the family that adopted Emmanuel Lewis' character on webster"? well, their last name was Papadopolous! that was a tough one!

and now for the new trivia... i'll make this one easy, to make up for the last one =D
what was the name of Michael Knight's car on Knight Rider? good luck & have fun!

two cards!

2008-02-06T20:02:00.000-08:00

saw a layout similar to this in the new edition of "cards", so here i am, the "casing queen" with my take on it.

recipe for card #1:
paper- CB is textured pink, all DP is from "winter mat stack" DCWV, SU Wwhite sentiment panel
ink- jim holtz "old photo" distress ink
stamps- SU "blooming w/ happiness"
accessories- SU corner rounder punch, silk flower, brad, SU paper distresser, bone folder.

second card, i just love the faux frame technique with this set. this set is fabulous!

second card recipe:
paper- SU Wwhite
ink- all SU Ssaffron, Rred, Oolive, Mmoss, Wwasabi, Ccelery, and Cchip
stamps- SU "trees three", sentiment from rubber soul, heart from judith
accessories- coluzzle cutting system (i used oval)

hey jenn, how do you do a faux frame technique? wow, i am so sorry! let me tell you!
-first, select your card base. frame size will depend on that.
-get another scrap paper that is the size of your card front and using coluzzle cutting system (or nestabilities, or whatever else you might use that i'm not lucky enough to have *wink wink*), cut out shape that you want for your frame that is smaller than your card base.
-you do not need the paper that you cut out, you need the "frame" that you created in the scrap paper.
-tape scrap paper frame to graph paper, or desk, over actual card base.
-begin stamping! you can stamp all over within the frame, whatever your heart desires!
-when complete, take taped "frame" off and look at your masterpiece!
i'd love to see your creations with this fun technique!

so i actually have an excuse for not posting in awhile. i haven't been able to open my mouth much more than an inch since last thursday. monday morning, i decided i was in too much pain and needed to eat and sleep and would call the dentist. well, my wisdom tooth (that was suppossed to be removed over a year ago, but i'm too chicken) had come in sideways and was prohibiting my jaw from working right, hence my mouth wasn't opening. so they had to take it out. and i was awake for the whole thing! just thinking about it still makes me cring! did i spell that right? DH re-did our computer, we now have vista (which i think i hate) and for some reason, there's no automatic spell check! kinda scary that you all might see what i actually type since it won't highlight mistakes in red for me to fix.....

ok, on to the trivia! the answer to the last question (on what sitcome did tom hanks star as a guy who, along with his friend, dressed up as women to live in a rent controlled, female only apartment complex?) was bosom buddies! bonnie, maria, and lori know thier cross-dressing history! =D

and for the current trivia question, what was the last name of the family that adopted emmanuel lewis' character on webster? good luck & have fun!

paper flower card

2008-02-01T22:52:00.000-08:00

hi there! saw some paper flowers in my new addition of "cards" magazine, and thought i'd give it a quick try.

some interesting things about this card:
-there is NO cardstock (except for card base) on this one! i think this might be a first!
-i paper pieced the birds body
-used coluzzle to cut out "flowers" then distressed edges of circles with my SU paper distresser (that is one FABULOUS tool!), then curled.
-i used NO dimensionals on this card! i think this also might be a first!

card recipe:
paper- DCWV
ink- jim holtz "walnut stain" distress ink
stamps- swirl is from TAC, bird is from SU "a little birdie told me", and sentiment is from studio G (michaels)
accessories- buttons, rick rack, hemp twine

ok, for the trivia. for last posts question, "on the early episodes of 'the facts of life', what was the character of tootie seldom seen without?" carol and becky got it right with roller skates! that was a great show! whatever happened to clean shows on tv?

new trivia question-
on what sitcom did tom hanks star as a guy who, along with his friend, dressed up as women to live in a rent controlled, female only apartment complex?

well, i'm off to bed and onto a busy weekend! are you watching the super bowl or preparing and replenishing the goodies for it? =D have fun no matter what you do!

valentine music card

2008-01-30T22:44:00.000-08:00

have to get a start on my valentines.... and i just love using music notes! i don't often, but i love the way they look and what they add!

recipe:
paper- SU Bblack, Wwhite, and Rred
ink- stazon black and SU Rred
stamps- SU "too terrific tags" and "love matters", hearts are from stampabilities, long sentiment is from rubber soul, music notes are from great impressions.
accessories- red glitter, ribbon, white gel pen, silver cord, crop-o-dile

so today was a day off, kinda. had a meeting early early, HOWEVER, it snowed so much the girls didn't have school and i couldn't get up the hill in the car! soooo, i had to call someone to pick me up at the top of the hill (that was fun to walk, early, cold, with laptop, briefcase & purse!). i hate asking for favors! after the meeting though, the girls and i had a 'mario kart' tournament, played outside, and finished the day by being lazy! my kind of day! without the meeting, of course!

ok, for the last trivia question:
what did the initials Alf stand for?
becky, betsy, & kat got it right with "alien life form"! way to go, ladies!

todays trivia question:
on the early episodes of "the facts of life", what was the character of tootie seldom seen without?
have fun with this, and have a great rest of the week!

layered flower card

2008-01-28T21:54:00.000-08:00

i've broken out of my casing phase! (for now... *evil laugh*)

i just can't seem to get enough of this set. i actually got it this summer at a garage sale and this last week is the first time i've used it! it's just perfect for watercoloring, and i just got new crayons!

went to michaels today to try to pick up the january issue of "take ten", and wouldn't you know it, they were out. you see, i only buy that magazine if i have a coupon. i just can't seem to let myself spend $15 on a magazine! so i got my joanne coupon in email today, printed it off, and headed to michaels (you all do know that they take competitors coupons, right?). so i didn't get the one that i wanted, i felt like crying and stomping my feet like my DH! ROAR!!! so i got a little 8x8 magazine called "cards", even more expensive! it's a good thing i had my 50% off coupon! anywho, this little magazine had some great cards inside, just in time for valentines day, too!

recipe:
paper- SU Cchip, Wwhite, Ccelery, DP "autumn leaves, MOD, winter garden"
ink- Ccelery, Rred, jim holtz walnut stain distress ink
stamps- SU "in full bloom", and several "studio G" (michaels $1 acrylic) sets.
accessories- watercolor crayons & aqua painters, clear stickles, red & brown ribbon (?), corner rounder punch, and you can't really see it, but the whole top half of the card is accented with my sakura glitter pen.

well, that's it for me today, just this one. hope you all have a great day, i'll be back wednesday!

OH!! and something that i have been wanting to start and haven't and have decided to do so NOW: random daily trivia, just for fun. heads up though, come 5,000 hits, i'll have some incredible blog candy to give out, so keep checking back in! so for todays (the very first of many to come) trivia question:
what did the initials Alf stand for?
i'll post next time the correct answer, have fun!

-

happy flower card

2008-01-27T22:09:00.000-08:00

once again, my inspiration comes from faith. are you tired of hearing that? i was browsing he blog tonight, and got "the bug" to create!

i decided to use only scraps from my scrap pile for this card, and wanted to do a technique that i hadn't done in awhile. i decided to do cracked glass on the main panel. turned out fabulous!

recipe:
stamps- SU "small sayings", "in full bloom", "warm words", "weathered", and "carte postale".
ink- SU Gguava, Oolive, Ccelery, Bbayou
paper- SU Ccameo, Ggalore, Oolive, Vvanilla, Bblossom, blue is unknown...
accessories- glassy glaze embossing powder,
small circle punch, large window punch,
sakura glue pen w/ chunky silver glitter, aqua
painters & water color crayons.

if you don't know how to do this technique, follow these simple steps:
1. stamp image on CS
2. color image as needed
3. apply versamark on entire panel
4. pour thick embossing powder over panel & versamark
5. heat panel with heat gun
6. while still hot, add more embossing powder. if not hot enough, cover with versamark then add powder
7. heat again
8. powder again
9. heat again
10. place panel in freezer for faster cooling (about 3-5 minutes)
11. take panel out of freezer and bend. it will crack all over, just like cracked glass!
to see the technique demonstrated on SCS, click here.

my sister sent me a card full of quotes and one really hit home with me. i have put it on several post it notes and placed them at the gym, in the car, at work, in the bathroom, and here by the computer. "your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how you view yourself." those are some good words to live by, or at least try to live by!

and with that, i'll let you off the hook and on to monday! have a great one!

wonderful flower card

2008-01-26T22:38:00.000-08:00

once again, faith has been my inspiration. you can see her card here. once again, hers is SOO much better, however, i'm happy with the way mine turned out.

recipe:
paper- SU Oolive, Ccameo, & Vvanilla
ink- SU Oolive, Gguava, & stazon black
stamps- SU "in full bloom" and "weathered" and "warm words"
accessories- both window punches, sponge & stipple brush, silk flower & leaves, brad, glassy glaze embossing powder, sakura gel pens, $1 michaels ribbon, coluzzle cutting system.

my DD Bday party was today, she had an absolute blast! she had a couple of girls stay the night last night, so needless to say, none of us got much sleep! tonight is a much earlier night, and i feel so accomplished today! i worked; set up, had, and tore down a birthday party; played with d (that's her nickname, just 'd') and some of her new toys (i thought that maybe if i played with the hannah montana barbies or DVD games or listened to her CD or play the new HM board game, i'd "get" her. didn't happen); watched part of a movie (then it got suspenseful, not my style); then checked out faith's gallery on SCS; then this beauty came out! i'd call that a pretty productive day!

hope you all have a great rest of the weekend! and faith, just in case you actually read this, you amaze me! thanks so much for your inspiration!

friend card

2008-01-25T19:05:00.001-08:00

i just love this set! i think it should have been put into the current caddy... but that's just me.

recipe:
paper- SU Cchip, Ccelery, Ppink, & Wwhite
ink- stazon black, Ccelery, Ppink, Cchip
stamps- SU "love matters" set (winter mini '06-'07)
accessories- Rhinestones w/ crystal effects; aqua painters w/ ink pads; Ssaffron, Oolive, & Cchip SU markers; pink thread; paper piercing kit; paper crimper; corner rounder.

i actually got the inspiration for this layout from the new SU 'occasions winter mini 08' catalog that i just got in the mail today. OMG there's at least 4 sets in there that i must have! and that glitter! and those awesome rub ons! wondering if i can pre-order them in feb. and get benefits for 'sale-a-bration'??? that would be... i can't think of an analogy for how great that would be right now. spectacular?

so i had a great day off, thanks for asking! got to watch some 'sex & the city' that i've been missing (we have it on DVD), took a nap, and stayed in comfy clothes all day! my oldest has friends over to stay the night and we're making crafts for them to take home. better go before they get out any more of my "hidden" stuff (the expensive stuff that i don't even use!).
have a great weekend!

wicked pair!

2008-01-24T21:55:00.000-08:00

i actually got the sentiment at least a year ago, i was going to use if for halloween and didn't get around to it. you can't see it very well, but i used my small circles embossing folder on the background DS paper, then sanded. guess i didn't think that one through very well! whadayado?

recipe:
paper- SU Ppie, Cchip, & Ccaramel. DCWV DS paper
ink- SU Ppie & Cchip
stamps- jeans are $1 michaels find; sentiment is from great impressions.
accessories- thick brown ribbon is from michaels, orange spotted organza a friend game me (??), and cute little orange thread is from a 'making memories' pack; used silver brads (SU) in the corner after i used the little circle punch to invert the corners. used scallop punches, paper peircer, SU Cchip marker, and stapler.
alright, i think i got it all.

well, at least if i decide to hit snooze tomorrow, i won't feel guilty about not creating. i've done 4 cards tonight! you can't see two of them, they're for my SBS2 secret sis!
have a great night and weekend!

birthday card

2008-01-24T18:01:00.000-08:00

i feel like i've been busier the last 2 weeks than all of december together! it's crazy! sorry to my SBS2 sisters, i haven't been very faithful to you....i promise i do think about you before i run to my bed for my "nap" before i have to get up and do it all over again. and just for clarification, this is not my excuse, i am a woman. this is my reason.
i used one of my '$0.25 a pack of 20' spanish christmas cards for the CB, it's 5x7. my goal was to use something that i haven't used EVER! and i did!

recipe:
stamps- SU "doodle this" and "time well spent"
paper- SU Wwhite
ink- all SU stazon black, Eeggplant, PixPink, Ssaffron, Llace, Ssky, Sshadow, Wwasabi, Ccelery, Gguava, and PIpink.
accessories- used chipboard '9' cutout over CS, covered w/ embossing paste, then added pink micro beads (item
that i have never used); SU aquapainters w/ ink pads for coloring images; used sakura gell roll glitter pen to add some sparkle to pretty much everything.

so here's my first creation in almost a week. i think i'm having withdrawals! and i have tomorrow off. just trying to decide if i should sleep in and stock up on some of those invaluable ZZZZZ's, then create all afternoon, or go work out like i know i should. that hawaiian body isn't just gonna appear! especially with me eating mcd's daily!

so i'm off! hope you are all having a SUPER week!

birthday party invitations

2008-01-19T13:58:00.000-08:00

my daughter wanted a McDonald's birthday
party this year and wanted to use their invitations. i wanted to make them. we compromised. i used the McD polaroid pic. holders as the invitations!

all paper is just misc. from my scrap drawer that just happened to be the right size or close to it. the cake & present stamps are acrylic from the $1 bin at michaels. the "who, what, when..." stamp is a wooden one also from michaels ($1).

used SU markers to write info on invites, used sakura gel pens and glitter pens to color the images and embellish the scallops.

have a great saturday!

horse wanted

2008-01-09T20:50:00.001-08:00

so have you ever gotten stamps that have sat there BEGGING to be used, yet you refuse them the right to be in your projects? that's me with this set. i have this paper tray on my desk that has been collecting items that i knew would fit with this set great. until today, i just didn't know what i wanted to do with it all. and get this, i'm scared of horses! they are beautiful and majestic, but huge beasts at the same time!
we went to wal*mart the other day and all their holiday stuff was super cheap. i picked up some (like 6) packs of cards w/ envelopes for $0.25 each pack. i realized when i got them home that there were sentiments inside and they were all in spanish! oh well, i still got loads of envelopes! i did this card on one of the 5x7's holiday cards.
before we get to the details of this, i must admit, this card WAS NOT CASED! most of the great stuff i get inspiration from others for, this is all me, baby!

recipe:
paper- CB is holiday card, used some kind of generic cream CS on bottom half (ink distressed w/ jim holtz 'vintage photo", stamped small images in Bblue, TWteal, and Ssky inks); generic gray on top (stampled SU 'crackle" stamp and large circle image in Cchip); used notebook paper (ink distressed w/ jim holtz 'walnut stain' ink); part of a paper sack; peeled apart some cardboard and used the inside up for the corner pieces; thick chipboard for title (ink distressed w/ jim holtz 'old photo' liquid stain); SU Vvanilla for scallop pieces.
ink- SU Bblue, Ssky, TWteal, Cchip
stamps- SU 'wanted' set, and 'crackle' background
accessories- scallop punch, green gingham linen, hemp twine, pewter brad, Cchip grosgrain ribbon.

well, think i got it all. it's almost time for bed. i haven't worked out as much as i'd like so i HAVE to in the morning. i figure, chance of a lifetime to go to hawaii.... there's no way i'm going to those beautiful islands and not wearing a bathing suit! countdown is on, bring on the sweat!

have a super rest of the week!

2008-01-07T23:05:00.000-08:00

well, i've been tagged by crissy who said:
The rules of the game:
• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
• Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

so seven facts....
-i am uber organized and a HUGE fan of 'clean as you go'.
-my favorite part of my body is my right arm.
-i have a fear of my children falling to their deaths (we went to a big city mall and my brother was helping my youngest look down one level, i freaked out!).
-we have a pet chinchilla.
-i am horrible at mailing things. i have good intentions, but intentions don't get packages to their destination.
-sometimes i don't wash my face at night.
-i get upset with myself if i am inefficient about anything.

well, i don't know who's left to tag! so here's the deal. if you haven't been tagged in the last 2 months, consider yourself it!

happy monday!

2008-01-07T01:55:00.001-08:00

MAN i wish i could take credit for this card! there is one site that i am absolutely addicted to, and visit as often as i can. this lady is talented, i mean INSANELY talented! her work blows me away! this card was cased (well, i changed some stuff) from faith hofrichter, you should really visit her blog if you haven't yet!

started with a Cchip CB (all CS is SU). layers are Ggalore (ink distressed w/ Wwasabi), PIpink (distressed w/ Rred), Rred (distressed w/ Cchip), and Blossom (distressed w/ Rred).
stamped flourishes (TAC) in Cchip and added touches of sakura glitter pen. small hearts (stamps by judith) are in Rred. green heart (from SU retired set love matters") is Wwasabi ink stamped on Ggalore paper embellished w/ Cchip marker (dots). did larger heart free-hand w/ Cchip marker and used Q-tip w/ Rred ink to fill it in. bird (SU set "a little birdie told me") is stamped on PIpink paper then i stamped flourishes over image in Rred ink. sentiment (SU set "warm words") is stamped in Cchip on Bblossom. used crop-o-dile to set eyelets (do you have one yet? they're marvelous!!)

this was a very involved card.... i love that ribbon, too! i bought a grab bag of red, white, & black ribbons at a local craft store and haven't used much of it. the two layered together look great!

well, i think this might become one of my favorites. now do you see why i love faith? it's such a breath of fresh air to visit her blog. if i were creative, this is the stuff i'd make daily! i love the layers, the dimension, the colors, the distressing!

DH went to bed long ago... better get there myself. have a great week!

2008-01-06T23:37:00.000-08:00

i finally have some time, i just want to keep creating! i know that if i stop, i won't get another chance to until the end of january (i have a work meeting this coming weekend and my oldest daughters birthday is the weekend after that).

card recipe:
paper- i got one of those little $1 scrap pack from joann's, all paper is from that pack, (except the Wwhite that the image is stamped on) it's not quite big enough for the standard sized card, so i made pink sides.
ink- black stazon, Ssky
stamps- image is 'rubber stampede' and sentiment is from 'rubber soul'.
accessories- pink organza ribbon, colored w/ pastels & blender pens, sponged on Ssky ink to Wwhite panel, cuttlebug bubbles embossing folder (then sanded the embossed panel), and paper piercer.

have a super monday!

SCS sketch challenge 156

2008-01-06T21:22:00.000-08:00

click here to see the challenge.

recipe for the first card:
paper- DCWV & SU Mmoss CS
ink- SU Mmoss & SSaffron, stazon black
stamps- TAC set (i forget!)
accessories- silk flowers, cream organza ribbon,
blender pens & SU pastels, versamark marker & silver embossing powder, Ssaffron & Oolive SU
markers, circle punch, coluzzle.

recipe for second card:
paper- TAC & black CS
ink- stazon black, Ccelery, Ppink, Llace
stamps- table is from 'denami design' and cupcake & sentiment are $1 michaels finds
accessories- ribbon, crystal effects, silver embossing powder, coluzzle.

enjoy your monday! today's my saturday! i get to stay up late and watch the new "american gladiators"!

SC155 (split coast challenge)

2008-01-06T18:01:00.000-08:00

so here's my take on the split coast stampers challenge #155 (click here to see challenge).

CB is Wwhite, all other papers are DCWV. punched large window SU punch in the black denim paper that i also ran through the cuttlebut with the heart embossing folder then sanded.

i recently visited mels blog and she reminded me that you can doodle with your glue pen then add glitter and what not. so i scribbled on my black squares with my sakura gel pen then used black embossing powder over it for some shine. used gel pen on hearts, too, then added some SU dazzling diamonds glitter (this looks so much better IRL).

card recipe:
paper- DCWV
ink- SU Bblack, jim holtz 'fire brick' distress ink
stamps- heart is from $1 bin @ michaels, 'valentines' is from rubber soul
accessories- red ribbon ($1 michaels), heart cuttlebug embossing folder & sand paper, heart eyelets, SU dazzling diamonds glitter, black embossing powder, sakura gel pen

well, it's been longer than i would have liked.... for my last day off (do you have any idea what it's like to not get two days off in a row? makes life REALLY hard! especially when you have kids!)
DH & i went snowboarding while the girls were in school. when we got home, OUCH! we haven't been since last season, and due to holidays and the flooding here, i haven't been working out as much as i should have been. how old do i sound, "my back is KILLING me!" it's a good thing that i got a new and ultra comfy craft chair for christmas! hope you all have a great week!

2007-12-28T22:08:00.000-08:00

i'll have to remember to change the settings back to "normal" sized photos, not these HUGE ones! i changed it to make sure you could see the super cute clipboards and forgot....

well, other than being sick, trying to enjoy the holidays, and trying to sleep, this is all i've done since last you've read & i've typed. =)

first card recipe:
paper- DCWV DP, SU Wwhite CS
ink- stazon black
stamps- SU "vases in vougue"
accessories- cuttlebug swirly flower embossing folder, wire, heart punch, craft knife

second card recipe:
paper- TAC DP, SU Wwhite CS
ink- SU TWteal, jim holtz distress ink
stamps- SU "small sayings"
accessories- sizzix flower die, button, wired ribbon, sand paper, cuttlebug circle embossing folder, decorative scissors.

have a great rest of the week! i know i will, our annual company christmas party is tomorrow! i even FINALLY got myself a 'little black dress' to wear. i've always wanted one of those for my closet!

clipboard gifts

2007-12-22T00:40:00.001-08:00

here are some more gifts that i am giving this year for christmas. i thought that since daily we use clipboards at work, i would make some "cool" ones for every one of my managers.

i found the clipboards on sale at Wal*Mart for $0.25 right after school started. i picked up at least 20 of them because i knew that someday, someday, i would do something with them! and here they are!

i used DCWV paper to cover them (used rubber cement on the paper & board, then clamped together to dry w/ clothespins. when dry, i used exacto knife to trim edges, then sanded edges). used misc. ribbon to match each one at the top.

once again,

merry, merry to you!

stamping on candles

2007-12-21T00:22:00.000-08:00

for the "goody baskets" for the family christmas, here's what we got to
add to the super yummy edible stuff.

i did the 'ol stamp on tissue paper then heat it on to the candle thing.

i think most of these are stamps that you've seen before.... so there's not
much use explaining them to you.

if you have questions about the stamps, supplies used, or this ultra cool
technique, just comment on it and i'll get back to ya!

once again,

merry, merry to you!

christmas cards i sent out

2007-12-20T21:22:00.000-08:00

so here are some of the cards that i sent out this year for Christmas. a couple of them i did last year, too (the pink reindeer & the snowflake greeting cards).

recipe-
paper: SU Wwhite, Bblue, SU DP "holiday thyme"
ink: stazon black, SU blue (bashful, ballet, bayou)
stamps: SU "it's snow time"
accessories: wired ribbon, black diamond stickles, stitched ribbon,
large and small oval scallop punches, blender pens & pastels, liquid applique.

recipe-
paper: SU Mmoss, Ccrisp, Vvanilla
ink: SU Mmoss, versamark
stamps: SU "snow flurries", and "many merry messages"
accessories: SU pewter brads & Cchip grosgrain ribbon

recipe-
paper: SU Ppink, Cchip, and Wwhite
ink: SU Cchip
stamps: SU "sleigh full of toys" & "many merry messages"
accessories: SU Ppink & Cchip grosgrain ribbon, bender pens &
pastels, dazzling diamonds

recipe-
paper: SU Wwhite, Ppink, DP "loves me"
ink: stazon black, Chip
stamps: SU "it's snow time"
accessories: sherbert diamond stickles, wide chocolate ribbon,
large and small oval scallop punches, blender pens & pastels, liquid applique.

so i am done with christmas! i have been done shopping for almost a week now. it's weird. i've never been done so early before! i feel like with my luck, our tree will burn to the ground since we have all of our gifts bough and wrapped!

anywho..... these are the cards that i am sending out this year. how bad am i though.... i have yet to send them! i have 5 days left till the day it all goes down, and 2 of those days the post office doesn't work! i'm late! AGAIN! oh well, why change now? =)

merry, merry to you!

YEAH FOR CANDY!

2007-12-20T11:28:00.000-08:00

and HUGE thanks to gabby!

so today, checking the mail was AWESOME! here's the great candy that
i got. once the girls saw that i got out the camera and was going to take
pictures of something, anything, they just HAD to be in the photos.

soooo, here they are! modeling the great stuff that gabby sent! i got
some stamps, some papers, an acrylic block, some die cuts, some note-
books, some, some, some... IT'S SO VERY EXCITING!

so, before i sit down to open and play, once again.....

THANK YOU!!! :)

SBS2: info

2007-12-16T23:13:00.000-08:00

ATTN SBS2 Siestas (message from tracy):

I have created a Yahoo Group for our siestas. Some of you will be receiving an invitation to join via email. I prefer not to post my email address online but if you have not already sent me your information please do so via SCS by private message. My username is stampin-sunnychick.

I am ready for our group to begin blog challenges, RAK’s, and I love Katie’s SS idea.

(Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SBS2Siestas/)

ATTN all SBS members: the SBS Cafe' is Now Open

It's finally here! For all you sisters interested in SBS-sponsored challenges, RAKs, swaps, and more...please visit the new SBS Cafe that Tracy set up. It will be a supa fun place to hang out and grow together. Group admins will be able to post there, and we'll be able to keep the original SBS blog clutter free for our fellow stamping and blogging sisters to sign up.

Go check it out now! http://www.thesbscafe.wordpress.com/

I just wanted to make sure this information has been shared with all our SBS Siestas...

Please post the above information on your blogs, if you don't mind, so we can get the word out.

If you see the info more than once: FABULOUS! I want everyone to be aware of what's going on with the sisters!

snowflakes & snowman

2007-12-16T22:30:00.000-08:00

i know this set has TONS of untapped potential, i had to try to find it! i think i'm on the right track!

so my challenge to myself was to:
1) try something new (i really like the look of crimped paper but haven't brought myself to spend the money on the tool. i used SU Bblack CS and crimped it myself using my bone folder.)
2) use something that i haven't in awhile (i have had this SU DP, "holiday thyme", since last christmas and haven't touched it since.)

recipe-
paper: SU CS Wwhite, Bblue, Bblack. SU DP "holiday thyme".
ink: SU stazon black, blue (ballet, bashful, bayou)
stamps: SU "it's snow time"
accessories: scallop oval punches, stitched black ribbon, blender pen & pastels, liquid applique & heat gun, small circle punch, silver brads, and 'black diamond' stickles.

only 8 days till christmas! if you could, and knew that no-one would ever know, would you peek at your presents? have you ever?

have a great week!

birdie friends

2007-12-15T23:52:00.001-08:00

i got that SUPER cute set from the SU spring mini "a little birdie told me" and have been kinda playing around with it. i also got some new punches that i just had to put into action.

recipe-
paper: CB is SU Wwhite, patterned paper is from a $1 joann scrap pack
ink: stazon black
stamps: SU "a little birdie told me" and "amazing to zany"
accessories: narrow pink ribbon and some funky blue balled ribbon; both SU window punches

have a great rest of the weekend! hit the sales, shop till ya drop!

christmas stars

2007-12-15T20:50:00.000-08:00

wanted to do something with this nativity stamp and star (found in one
of those "4 for $1" unmounted bins at a craft fair). this is what i came
up with. i have been trying to use my SU Ccrisp as i have LOTS of
paper from last years excess.

first card recipe-
paper: SU Ccrisp, Oolive, Vvanilla
ink: SU Ccrisp, stazon black
stamps: nativity, star, saying (all unknown $1 bin unmounted finds)
accessories: SU markers, "pharoahs gold" embossing powder, jim holtz
"old paper" distress ink, stipple brush, star punch, hemp twine

card recipe-
paper: SU Ssun, Vvanilla
ink: stazon black, SU Crisp
stamps: star & saying (unknown $1 bin unmounted finds)
accessories: star punch, stipple brush, "pharoahs gold" embossing powder

snowman christmas

2007-12-15T19:34:00.000-08:00

i know i've been busy lately, and also know that's no excuse to not create. but that's my excuse! the girls have had their holiday school programs this week, i've been trying to get back into the gym, trying to finish our shopping..... the only 'jenn' time has been working or working out. EXCEPT today we had our annual 'holiday baking day' with the kids & my mom. we made like 6 dozen sugar cookies and colorfully frosted them, made some cracker crunch (sounds gross, but is delicious, trust me!) and a gingerbread house.

recipe-
paper: Ccrisp, Oolive, Vvanilla
ink: Ccrisp, Oollive, Versamarker, stazon black, Cchip
stamps: music ("great impressions", snowman ("darcies"), crackle & script (both SU)
accessories: SU markers, ribbon, & glassy glaze embossing powder; jim holtz "old paper" distress ink.

have a great rest of the weekend!

MAN i love great paper!

2007-12-07T16:12:00.000-08:00

i scoured the $1 bin at michaels last week (have i mentioned just how much i love the $1 bin at michaels? SOOOO much!) and found this super cute little bird w/ saying. just had to have it!

CB is from that great designer mat pad from K & Company ("roam" #626324). stamped image in stazon black on white CS and on a piece designer paper and pieced it. distressed the edges of the white w/ jim holtz "old paper" distress ink and layered onto another piece of designer paper. used circle punch on edges of top two layers. bottom layer is SU Vvanilla that i distressed w/ ink (same as above). used pewter brads in corners. went around CB 4 times w/ pink linen thread to increase the natural feel.

it turned out just as i though it would if i used this paper. simple, elegant & super cute!

have a great weekend!

head start on valentines

2007-12-07T15:12:00.000-08:00

decided i wanted to do something with hearts, so thought i'd get a head start on my valentines cards.

CB is black, used DCWV papers (pink w/ hearts, dark denim) and corner rounded the right sides. used cuttlebug hearts embossing folder then sanded. used cuttlebug heart template in black and pink, then layered. stamped "i love you" (from SU '06-'07 winter mini set "love matters") in versamark and embossed with snowdrift powder and pink glitter. tried to do faux stitching w/ white gel pen around the edges, i really don't like it. used wide pink organza and stitched black ribbons on the side to tie it together.

have a great weekend!

more panties!

2007-12-07T13:54:00.001-08:00

since i got these stamps (custers last stamp), i have wanted to put the undies on a "clothesline". and here we are!

papers are DCWV, used cuttlebug swirl embossing folder, then sanded. used crop-o-dile to punch holes in CS and thread hemp twine through to 'hang' the undies with some cool purple mini clothes pins. used some purple grosgrain & light purple (would that be considered lavender?) organza under sentiment for that extra umph.

well, they opened the freeway today, maybe it won't take me 2 hours to get anywhere any more! hope all is well with you and yours, have a great weekend!

just riding along

2007-12-05T21:36:00.000-08:00

got a new stamp! she's a cute chick on a bike! my kinda biker babe!

she's from 'great impressions', i stamped her in stazon black and colored her with my sakura gel pens. used scallop punches to punch her out and mount.

simple card, really. papers are from a small DCWV stack, used cuttlebug swirl embossing folder on top layer. added some pretty lavender organza for even more prettiness.

well, it took me almost 2 hours to get to work today (i live about 25 miles away and it usually takes about 25-30 minutes). i keep hearing these horror stories from customers, employees, and friends about how this flood has damaged not only their property, but their lives. to see some pictures of what we're going through, click here. that is a photo of the freeway (the medians were pushed out of place by the water), the heart of our small community. also, the main way to get from portland OR. to seattle, WA. with the freeway closed for 20 miles, almost everyone in the northwest is being affected by this disaster.

we're ok, meaning our family is safe and our home is un-touched. we do, however, have no wal*mart (AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!) for at least 6-9 months and have had to find alternate means of commute, resulting in HUGE time consumption.

it's very unfortunate that this happened so close to the holidays. it's difficult to want to help the ones who need it now, because it's more than just the kids, homeless, and less fortunate families, it's a whole community. please pray for my little area of the world, desperation already seems to be setting in for some.

have a great week, i hope you are all safe and dry!

scrap pages for christmas

2007-12-04T17:17:00.000-08:00

so my mom came over today and we spent about 3.5 hours
working on some pages for a book for my little sister. she got
married this last summer and at her wedding, she had me make
a collage of photos of them together, my mom make a collage of
her growing up, and his mom make a collage of him growing up.

we decided that for christmas, we'd put all the photos into books
for them so they can actually store them, share them, and don't have three huge collages just hanging around.

we got all the pic's of them together put onto 5 two-page layouts. all papers are from DCWV stacks. each layout has a pull-out tab
(SU punch) so she can journal for the photos.

for embellishments, we used ribbons, buttons, my sizzix flower
die in my cuttlebug, silk flowers, and for the last page, snowflake
stamps w/ SU ink.

well, that's pretty much what i did today. i was suppossed to work
today, but due to floods, almost all local businesses are closed,
including mine. i'll try to take some photos of all the flood damage
(i heard our local wal*mart has 4 feet of water inside!) when i
have to go back to work tomorrow, that is, if i can get there!

hope you all have a great rest of the week !

a book just for me!

2007-11-29T21:09:00.001-08:00

so i keep making stuff, and loving it, and giving it away. the other day was really tough, i felt like crap, internally. you know those days you think you're not worth much? well, i had one of those. they seem to come more often the older i get. then something happened. i got a compliment. from a stranger! that meant it was unbiased and most likely, actually the truth! i decided to make myself a book to document these great little moments that seem to fade so quickly from the mind so that the next time i "have a bad day", i can pick up my book and remind myself that it's not that bad.

i got this little journal book from the $1 bin at michaels. i covered the front and back with this awesome pink and brown (LOVE IT!) paper from DCWV. leaves are from some flower arrangement that i took apart. i found other pinkish papers and ran them through my CB w/ my flower sizzix die for the flowers and topped it all off with that great big pink button. i threaded it with hemp twine to try to tie in the brown. the "j" is SU chipboard that i covered in some other pink paper and got some great ribbons to go around the top of it.

know what i love even more? the fact that my little book has a lower case "j". just the way i like my j's!

have a super night!

flower friend card

2007-11-29T20:56:00.000-08:00

so i finally got out my new stamps (thanks SU!) and played for awhile. then i just kept playing, and playing, and, well, you get the idea.

i love this flower! i stamped it in stazon black (imagine that) and cut it out three times, and used the different layers.

recipe:
stamps- SU "time well spent", weathered, french script, and print pattern
paper- SU Mmoss & Wwhite
ink- stazon black, Mmoss, Ccelery, Oolive
accessories- color pencils, OMS, sakura gel & glitter pens, black diamond stickles

enjoy and have a great rest of the week!

thong & happy life

2007-11-27T21:36:00.000-08:00

just a quick simple card using the new stamps that i got the other day.

CB is SU Oolive, patterned papers are DCWV. used SU scallop punch in Wwhite CS (used stickles on edges), marvy scallop punch w/ DCWV paper underneath.

isn't that sentiment just great? "i wish you a thong and happy life"?! stamps are 'custers last stamp'.

have a great rest of the week!

challenge from gabriela

2007-11-25T23:23:00.000-08:00

okay. so every once in a while, you are hobby-ing along when the end result just amazes you. this is one of those times.

i was checking out some blogs and came across kathleen's, and she had made the cutest card for a challenge on another awesome ladies blog (Gabriela Arriaza). so i checked out the challenge, found out it's for candy (blog candy, which is almost as good, if not better, than regular candy!), and HAD to participate!

so the reason there's two pic's of the same card is the pic's just didn't do it justice! in the top photo, you can see how the glaze pen is sparkling, the dimension of the layers, and the metalics of the embossing.

in the second photo, you can see the cute beard (liquid applique) and the paper piercing on the scallop.

so the CB is SU Cchip, also used Wwhite and Bblue. patterned papers are DCWV. used silver brads, lots of punches, silver embossing powder, sakura gel pens, blender pens & SU ink, and my handy-dandy white gel pen. stamps are from SU "jolly holiday" set (winter mini '06-'07).

YEAHH!!! didn't it turn out SOOO cute?!? DH wasn't too excited, he just came back with, "so are you ready for bed yet?" and walked off. didn't hinder my excitement though, YEAH FOR CUTE SANTAS!

have a great night and happy monday!

remember when.....

2007-11-25T20:26:00.001-08:00

so this last week i got to spend some time with my ever growing niece. she's walking around, making noises, recognizing faces, and getting big! since we live so far apart, i want to make sure that her mom (my little sis), records all those cute little things that come out of her mouth.

the journal is from SU, i painted w/ vanilla acrylic paint, then covered with DCWV designer papers (used rubber cement and clamped in place to dry). used misc. ribbons in coordinating colors. front 'memo' panel is from the SU set "office accoutrement" and is stamped in SU Eeggplant. used similar paper in my CB w/ sizzix flower die for flowers.

i was disappointed when she opened it. i had been waiting and watching so i could see her face and reaction when she saw it, and my littlest one side tracked me at just that moment. my all-time favorite part of giving gifts (especially handmade) is seeing the reaction to the gift on the face of the receiver, and i missed it in this occasion. oh well, she like it!

have a great night!

punch pals stamp-a-stack cards

2007-11-25T18:38:00.001-08:00

i have my first holiday stamp-a-stack scheduled for this week. for this one, i'm going to be using punches, and what better set to go with punches? punch pals from SU!

all supplies for both cards are SU. papers are Bblue, black, and Wwhite. inks are Bblue and black stazon (i think i use stazon with everything!). used ink pad and blender pens to color the tree and penguin.

punches used were scallop, 1 1/4" and 1/2" circle, and both small and regular tag punches.

almost everything on both cards are popped up with dimensionals, i just love that look!

to make sure that she gets credit, i cased this second card (z fold) from palmettostate on SCS. you can see her card here.

have a great night! (christmas went well, by the way! now that she has her gift, i can post it! i guess i'll have two posts for today!)

glitter and scallops and stripes, oh my!

2007-11-21T19:23:00.001-08:00

wanted to do some fun cards, love those scallop punches, and had some new glitter to try out. so here we are!

fish is a stamp that i bought at a stamp show from the "10 for $1" un-
mounted bucket, have never used. stamped him in SU ink, Bblue. went
over his fins w/ sakura glue pen, then added blue glitter.

paper is DCWV (stack 5), ribbon is $1 michaels ribbon. added black
sparkled "stickles" to the outter edge of the inner scallop.

paper for the penguin card is from DCWV "winter mat stack".
penguin is from "great impressions" and is stamped in stazon black. used liquid applique under him for the 'snow'. colored him w/ pastels & blender pens. used blue sakura gel pen around outter edges of inner scallop, and clear glitter stickles around outter edge of outter scallop. ribbon is another $1 michaels find.

simple & sweet! i've spent too much time playing... i have a stamp a stack next week that i have yet to prepare for! AHHH!

thanksgiving greetings

2007-11-21T18:23:00.001-08:00

so i started this card with that "amuse" card in mind. you know the one w/ the light pink background, and they faux framed bunnies in the circles then brayered over in dark pink? but like most things that i use for inspiration, it came out almost completely different.

used coluzzle to make circles (both faux frame & stamping template for leaf placement). stamped leaf ("sarah beise" stamps) in SU inks (used Ccrisp, Ppie, Cchip, Ssun, and Oolive), colored w/ blender pens. used stipple brush w/ both Ssaffron & Oolive inks for background color. used sakura glitter pen on the leaf veins.

stamped "happy thanksgiving" (hero arts) in Cchip on Wwhite and ink distressed edges w/ Ssaffron then used stipple brush in it. got the leaf from the thrift store (nothing like getting a nice big bag of something you know you'll use some day, for only $0.69!). 'tied' it all together with hemp twine.

started out hoping it would be super cool, mid way through was disappointed, am mildly happy with the final piece. once again, though, it has filled a need.

happy thanksgiving!

what great paper!

2007-11-21T15:14:00.001-08:00

paper for this is from the k & company "classic K mckenna mat pad". stamped flower vase (SU level 3 hostess set, "vases in vogue") in stazon black on a piece of scrap paper, colored w/ blender pen & pastels, then cut out and set aside. stamped flower in Oolive on Wwhite, and again in Ccrisp on a scrap paper, colored the flowers w/ pastels & blender pen, cut out flowers and used dimensionals to adhere to image on Wwhite. stamped table (denami design) in stazon black. used dimensionals to adhere vase.

to distress the Wwhite, i used lemon juice w/ a small paint brush on the edges of the CS then heated w/ heat gun.

i might have one more quick one in me for today, not quite sure. we just went and got our christmas tree today (we're celebrating saturday w/ my sister from hawaii and i refuse to have presents w/o a tree!) and the girls are just dying to get it decorated. won't get any stamping done tomorrow (turkey day), have to follow up on work friday, saturday is "christmas".... i might not give you anything else till next week!

well, hope you all have a great rest of the day and week!
happy thanksgiving!

simple stationary

2007-11-21T09:38:00.001-08:00

for a christmas gift, i made a very simple, yet elegant stationary set using the SU set, "carte postal". i just love this set, it's so beautiful!

CB is Vvanilla, used Ccaramel for front panel. inks are Cchip and Oolive (stamped off first). that's pretty much it... i said it was simple!

have a great day!

cracked glass christmas card

2007-11-21T09:20:00.000-08:00

i did this card for a workshop last week and forgot to add it here!

this is a very basic card that focuses on the "cracked glass" technique.

i used SU CS Ccrisp, Oolive, and Wwhite. inks are Oolive & Cchip. used scallop punch for sentiment. colored images w/ blender pen & pastels. added some dazzling diamonds to the snowmans hat, snow-
ball, and the ground under them. and now for the technique:

step 1: stamp your images, color if wanted.
step 2: using versamark pad, cover entire area with clear embossing ink (i used the direct to paper method -paper on table, ink pad upside down all over paper)
step 3: cover area w/ clear embossing powder and heat until melted. be very careful not to over heat!
step 4: repeat steps 2 & 3 three or four times, or until desired effect.
step 5: place project in freezer (not necessary, but it speeds up the cooling process) for about 5 minutes.
step 6: upon taking image out of freezer, bend & crack it!

well, if this isn't a technique that you've tried yet, give it a shot! i do not, however, recommend this at a workshop, the more people you have, the less likely you'll go home with any embossing powder left! i didn't!

have a great day!

super bella fun card (SCS SC150)

2007-11-20T20:50:00.000-08:00

i got my first (and unfortunately, only) bella stamp a couple of weeks ago and haven't had a chance to play with it until now. thank god for vacations!!

started this for challenge 150 on SCS, it went a little ary though... and i kinda went a little "jennifer" on this card (i over-did it just a bit. some say that my cards look like parts of the craft store threw up all over them. i beg to differ.) i really like the funky-chunky layered look, coordinating papers, both card stock and patterned, and if it's a girly card, it's got to have flowers!

as with almost everything else, i ink distressed all papers. used my SU color spritzer tool on the card base. used cuttlebug swirl embossing folder on the striped paper then sanded. used watercolor pencils w/ blender pens on her. you can't see it very well, but used my sakura glitter pen on her cape and the "S" on her shirt.

well, think that's it for today; good thing there's tomorrow!
have a great night!

watery greetings

2007-11-20T19:45:00.000-08:00

i've had all these fishy and ocean related un-mounted stamps for
what feels like ever, and this is the first i've used them. this is only a card front, knew i wasn't going to do anything with this, just wanted to do some playing around with the stamps and my new brayer.

this didn't turn out that cute, and it's totally not my style, but i enjoyed the process! used SU Wwhite CS and started with the dolphin and fish, then did the
wave. masked all the fish & the dolphin then used the stipple
brush w/ Bblue ink on top of CS. went to Ssage on top of wave,
then Tw/teal in middle of "ocean", and last but not least, went
with NQNavy on the floor.

colored the fish & dolphin w/ aqua painters & ink pads. used white gel pen to add some "foam" to the top of the wave and the little splashes around the bottom of the dolphin.

if anything, the end result reminded me that a hobby is not something you do to impress someone else, it is something you do to fill an inner need. my need has been filled... temporarily. =)

have a great rest of the week!

sisterhood of the blogging stampers- 2

2007-11-20T00:02:00.000-08:00

a little 'getting to know you' fact. huh....

almost all my life i thought i was only good at two things, decorating cakes (not very good at it, but when you're horrible at everything else...) and wrapping presents (i LOVE to wrap presents!). then i met someone. she was a scrapbooker. and i was hooked! that was august 2006. i've been an SU demo since september 2006 and just keep loving every minute of it!

i learned to snowboard last winter, SUPER fun!! -except when i thought i broke my butt. i play softball and coach my daughters little league team. i try to work out twice per week with my mom, and once with my dad. i talk to both my best friends (both my sisters) at least three times per week, and if i don't, it's obviously their fault! =)

i manage a restaurant and have been working with food for over 13 years. i love food!

i've got two great little girls, they are such a kick to be around! between you and me, i am going to give them anti-aging medicine. anything to keep them little! i've been a wife for 3 years, i think. it all kinda runs together... we've been together for almost 10 years.

well, other than all that, i'm a pretty up-beat, energetic and hyper person! i get excited easily and love it when others are excited too!

coluzzle christmas card

2007-11-19T22:39:00.000-08:00

isn't that little penguin just too cute? he's from the SU set "punch pals". that's a great set, by the way! this card was inspiration from markies mom
she has a great blog, LOTS of way cute stuff. if you haven't checked her out, it's a must to do so!

everything on this card is SU. it's not often that i do that anymore, but i'm looking for something to do for a stamp-a-stack in the next few weeks. CS is Wwhite, last years in color Ccrisp, and Oolive. inks are craft white, Oolive, and Ccrisp. used scallop punch and hemp twine. colored the penguin with blender pens & pastels. used dimensionals everywhere!

well, that's about it for tonight... i am on vacation though! that means that you just might get a few more projects in the next week or so! my little sis (*wink*) is coming to visit later this week so i have to get my stamping fix from the last few weeks caught up before then so i can give her my absolute undivided attention! unless she wants to make some holiday cards with me while she's here.....

have a great rest of the week!

faux frame technique / fall card

2007-11-19T19:56:00.002-08:00

i just love this SU set "(trees three", from winter mini '06-'07) with this technique! thanksgiving is almost here and i need to get some cards in the mail (yeah, right -for those that know me well). all CS & inks are SU.

faux framing:

step 1: cut out desired frame (i used "coluzzle" oval template on a piece of scratch paper), remember, you don't want the cut out, you want the 'frame'.

step 2: use double stick tape to adhere 'frame' over card base. you can also use a couple of paper clips, one on each side.

step 3: start stamping! this is a great technique for snowflakes, trees & leaves, pictures of people or animals.

step 4: when finished stamping "inside the frame", take frame off card base and finish card. add embellishments, layers, whatever is missing!

have fun with this, i sure did! have a great week!

brayering technique / favorite snowflake card

2007-11-19T17:28:00.000-08:00

i learned a new technique and had to try it out. this technique kinda combines emboss resist and layering using a brayer, i'll go into detail about this technique in just a minute. i found the snowflake stamps (cube stamp w/ 4 sides) for $1 at michaels. used SU Bblue, Wwhite, and Bblack CS, and SU Bblue & NQnavy inks. ribbon is also a $1 michaels find. so now on to this cool new technique..............

step one: heat emboss images (bold images are best, i used versamark ink and embossed w/ glassy powder).

step 2: ink your brayer w/ a the lightest color of ink that you want on your card and bray your cardstock. (wipe off excess ink with a tissue)

step 3: use a sticky note to cover portions of your paper (i used large circle punch w/ my sticky notes in 3 spots, and very small circle punch in 3 spots). if you don't have circle punches, the "coluzzle" system works well, too!

step 4: ink your brayer with a darker ink and bray your cardstock.

step 5: remove sticky notes and look what you've got!

*you can repeat steps three & four many times, progressing towards darker inks.

hope you all have a great week and give this new one a try! when you do try it, let me know how they turn out! have fun!

i've been tagged

2007-11-14T20:49:00.000-08:00

i was tagged by laurie unger (visit her blog here)

Here we go....

1. If you could have 100.00 worth of scrapbook paper or assorted embellishments, which would you choose? embellishments! i always feel that pang of, "if i only had..."

2. If you had to choose between using only stamps or ribbons, which would you choose? stamps. definitely stamps.

3. If you knew how to do both awesome cards and layouts but could only do one for a whole year…which would you do? layouts. i have some serious catching up to do!

4. Would you rather own a scrap booking store or have your own scrapping room at home? well, how technical are we being? i would love my own room, but without the before mentioned $100 in embellishments, feel like i wouldn't be able to fill it. plus, if i had my own store, would i have to work it or pay someone to work it? becuase either way, it wouldn't make a profit with me taking stuff from it all the time.

5. What is your CURRENT card making or scrapping style? eclectic, shabby, i'm a firm believer of more is better!

Here are the rules…………..Please answer the questions on your blog and tag 5 more people to answer the same questions……….make sure you list on your blog who you are tagging….

laurie, i have no-one to tag!! so here's my answers, and i tag anyone who comments on this!

have a great week!

card candy (hostess gift)

2007-11-14T20:11:00.000-08:00

have you seen all the hype of "card candy"? i have and i thought
i'd try my hand at it.

"card candy" is generally embellishments that are either almost or
fully card ready. i chose almost ready.

for my candy, i chose to use the SU set "it's snow time". i stamped
all images in stazon black so i could color them without the ink
bleeding on the images. i used three of every image and colored,
glittered, and roughly cut out for my hostess to use later.

to add to the amount of candy that i had so far, i used my SU
scallop circle punch to punch out some back grounds, and my SU
tag punch. for the tags, i used several different colors of SU CS and used crop-o-dile to punch hole in the top and kept them all together by stringing some hemp twine through them.

to house all the candy, i wen to the local $1 store and found this
little metal bucket that i covered in SU designer series paper
(using red strip tape). embellished the handles with SU ribbon,
and ran ribbon around the bottom of the pail also. i got out
all my left-overs and picked out christmasy colors to make a
paper salad out of to go into the bucket behind the candy.

my hostess loved it, it looks good, and now she's got a head start
on her christmas cards this year!

hope everyone has a great rest of the week! happy stamping!

happy birthday card

2007-11-14T19:41:00.000-08:00

well, better late than never, right?! this is for my newest (the second and last) brother-in-law (his birthday was in mid-october. it wasn't bad enough that he's so new, none of us knew when his birthday was, but when i found out, i made and kept the card!).

this card is one of my newest favorites! <---i think i say this about 90% of the cards that i make. i can't help it, i finally have some self confidence in my hobby!

i'm really not sure quite how long this card took to make as it was one of those that i started, walked away from, came back to, left again, worked a bit on it, then had to go some where, then came back to it and finished it. kinda hard to guestimate the completion time of a project like this.

CB is WW, used SU solid CS and DCWV patterned paper (ran patterned stripe paper through cuttlebug w/ swirl dry embossing folder, then sanded). all paper is ink distressed (NQNavy). Cake is a cuttlebug die, star is from michaels, used oval scallop punches, and circle punch for corners. used lots & lots of dimensionals.

i'll mail it tomorrow... wait, i think i've said that before... man is my sister going to be upset! but then again, she is my sister. she should totally know from past experiences that it takes me FOREVER to mail cards out!

Have a great weekend!

"then came U" scrapbook page

2007-10-26T09:28:00.000-07:00

so everyone in my house has been sick for days, and we haven't been up to much. i had two days off in a row and felt like crap for both of them. i layed around the house watching the new drew carey "price is right", rented "marie antoinette" (i don't know how to spell it), ate crackers, and worked on this page.
all papers are DCWV , except the notebook paper.
--found a new technique for age distresing paper! tear the piece that you will be working on and put (i poured a small omount into a small cup and used a paint brush to "paint" it on) a small amount of lemon juice on the edges. use heat gun on edges of paper to dry the juice, instant distressing!
the flowers are from my sizzix die used w/ my cuttlebug, added dimension to them by curling the edges with bone folder, layered w/ dimensionals, used
buttons in the centers. wanted the pregnancy pic. to take center
stage, so that's the only pic you can see without taking them out of
their little holder. on the back of all the pic's in the holder is journaling about that certain picture.

my daughter is 5 1/2 now and i am just doing her first pages. about 3 years ago now, our computer got messed up and we lost all the pictures that we had. our daughters birth, our wedding, every holiday in between for the last 3 years, we lost. my mother had some pictures that had been laying in hiding, when she found them, i got such a great gift! i can now scrap these little hidden moments!
if you store your pictures on your computer, please, please, please copy them to disk every now and then! take it from me, you'll be SOOO sorry if you don't!

take care and have a great weekend!

more halloween cards

2007-10-18T18:52:00.000-07:00

so, i can't figure out why this is underlining everything! it's driving me crazy and i can't fix it!

i got new stamps! so i had to play........

i did this card for a sketch by laurie unger (sketch #24), you can view her card here. she always has great sketches, try em' out!
CB is SU Bblack, used Ppie as a layer w/ some designer paper (no idea) that i ink distressed w/ Bblack ink. stamped pumpkin ($1 michaels) in black stazon on Wwhite CS and colored w/ pastels, then added some orange glitter (wish i hadn't. i don't like the glitter). punched out with SU scallop punch then layered w/ marvy scallop punch on Ppie CS. black glittery puffy paint accents the scallop.

CS used is SU White, Aartichoke, & Ssaffron. stamped truck (SU "loads of love") and pumpkins (SU "loads accessories") in black stazon and colored w/ watercolor pencils & aqua painters. used crystal effects on pumpkins, cut out and mounted on truck w/ dimensionals. i masked the truck (stamped it on a post it note, cut it out and stuck it to the original image) and stamped the trees (SU "it's snow time") using SU markers (Oolive & Cchip). colored the trees w/ aqua painters & ink (SU Oolive, Mmoss, Ccelery). used sponge w/ ink on it to dab at bottom of white CS for ground effect. clipped the corners (used circle punch) and since i am out of black brads, i used glittery black puffy paint in the corners. this is my favorite out of the two, it's just so harvesty! and the dimension of the trees turned out great!

hope you all have a wonderful day!

mummy wrap halloween card

2007-10-07T12:22:00.000-07:00

i went to the local stamp store this last week to get some halloween supplies, and i saw the cutest halloween 8x8 scrap book with a custom made cover. the cover looked like this------------->
and i thought it would make the cutest card! all CS (Bblack, Wwhite, Oolive) and ink (Bblack) is SU. used "stamps by judith" spider and $1 michaels stamp "boo to you". i took all my white scraps and cut to around 4" the ink distressed them EVERYWHERE. glued to CS leaving a few open areas where i glued googly eyes.

the girls both loved it and mike was even impressed!
hope you all have a great week!

halloween cards

2007-10-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

so i started out with the intention of making halloween party invitations and got side tracked! i came up with these three cards, in the order that they are liked by me. since i thought i'd be making lots of cards, i went to michaels and bought several blank note cards (for $1 and they came with envelopes) to use as the card bases.

this ones ok, without the pumpkin it would make a cute thanksgiving card. used SU CS (Ppie, Bblack, and Wwhite). used SU stamp set "trees three" from 06'-07' winter mini. all inks are SU (Cchip, Ppie, Ssaffron, Oolive, Mmoss, Rred, and Ccelery). pumpkin is a $1 michaels stamp that i stamped in stazon black and watercolored w/ Ppie ink, adhered w/ dimensional. over stamped SU "script" & "print pattern" and put "jeepers creepers" near top ($1 michaels stamp). used corner punch on top and embellished with pewter brads.

this ones a little better. used SU CS Bblack & Ppie (used cuttlebug to dry emboss swirl pattern then went over it w/ sponge & back ink). patterned paper is from a dollar store pack that i picked up. stamped house ($1 michaels) in stazon and used blender pens & pastels to color. punched out with oval scallop punches and embellished w/ gel pens & black glitter puffy paint (you can't really see it in the photo, it's on the right side of the house on the black CS). stamped "boo" ($1 michaels) in versamark and used "snowdrift" embossing powder to make it pop.

and this ones my favorite. it turned out so well! used SU CS Bblack & Ppie (used SU set "fresh fillers in black ink for background), and punched the corners out for effect. black strip down the middle is textured black CS and i used white gel pen around outter edge. used patterned paper ($1 store) w/ SU scallop punch under white square punch (rounded the corners on two, ink distressed one w/ eggplant, one with olive, and one with pie, used black gel pen to embellish outter edges). characters are $1 michaels, stamped in black stazon and cut out. black scalloped strip above and below characters is SU (used corner rounder to get the scalloped edge). "boo to you" ($1 michaels) is stamped in black and went over w/ black embossing powder, stamped on Ppie SC that's layered on black. used orange eyelets to help the purple ribbon ($1 michaels) to go under and around the card. all CS is mounted on dimensionals.

if you have learned nothing, visit your local michaels! LOL, they have some great $1 bins!

hope you all have a great rest of the week!