STAMP, SCRAP and CREATE

New Website

2007-10-29T10:34:00.000-05:00

www.granitestatestamper.com

Hodgepodge Sketch

2007-10-07T19:30:00.000-05:00

When the sketch challenge on Splitcoaststampers first started I made sure to participate every week and really feel that it helped me grow as a stamper. Now I'm so busy that I very rarely participate but need to get back at it. Here's a card I made for a class next week based loosely on Sketch Challenge #140. The base layer is Really Rust with Chocolate Chip as the next layer that is just peaking out behind the new Outlaw DP. The Pumpkins were stamped on Very Vanilla with Timber Brown StazOn and then colored using an Aquapainter and Classic Ink Refills (Creamy Caramel and Really Rust). They are layered over Creamy Caramel and Chocolate Chip over two strips of Chocolate Chip. When I was adding the sentiment I really wanted to use some of my Hodgepodge Hardware but the colors were just off. I really wanted it to be dark brown so I inked it up using my Chocolate Chip Craft Ink and then embossed it with Crystal Clear EP. It turned out like poop. The EP didn't give me a nice even coat with one application and I didn't want to add layer upon layer. It was going to be too bulky. Then I had the idea to try and ink it up with my StazOn and it worked perfectly. It's hard to tell in the photo but it is a warm brown and not at all as dark as it looks. I finished it off by punching the saying with my Oval Punch and attached to the card with brads that I had also colored with my StazOn.

Layout Inspiration from the Fall/Winter Catalog

2007-10-04T19:37:00.000-05:00

This card layout came from page 97 of the Fall/Winter Collection Catalog. The color combo is Always Artichoke, Rose Red and So Saffron. To create the main image I chose to use the set True Friend and to ink up the larger flower with markers, excluding the leaf on the right and stamped it at an angle, centering the stem and putting the flower in the upper right corner. I then inked up the smaller flower image with markers and stamped it so the stem touched the stem from the first image. The saying was stamped in Rose Red and after it had a few minutes to dry I colored it in with a So Saffron marker making sure to not bleed the colors together. The So Saffron layer was cut ½" wider than the main image and I folded this extra over and stamped the stitching in Always Artichoke with the All in a Row set. The ribbon is White Taffeta ~ I love this ribbon. It is so easy to tie it into a simple knot and have it look perfect. To finish off the card I added a yellow Circle Rhinestone Brad.

Fabulous Flowers Card for SUDSOL swap

2007-10-03T09:44:00.000-05:00

When I saw this stamp set, Fabulous Flowers, I knew that it would be part of my first order from the new catalog but when it finally arrived I just went blank. The large flower was overwhelming on the first few cards that I came up with but when I paired it with the new In Colors I loved it. The base of the card is River Rock with a 1" x 5½" strip of Groovy Guava. Both of these layers were stamped tone on tone with the smallest two flower images from the set. The main image is a 2½" x 3¾" piece of whisper white that has the flower images stamped with Groovy Guava, Purely Pomegranate, River Rock and Wild Wasabi. There was too much blank space for me so I used Itty Bitty Backgrounds with Groovy Guava and River Rock to fill it in a bit. I then layered this with Purely Pomegranate. I have an insane need to put ribbon on all of my projects. They just don't look finished to me without it and this card was no exception. I could have just wrapped the Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon around the image and tied it but wanted something a bit different. I used the Horizontal Slot Punch so I could thread the ribbon through the main image which I attached to the front of the card with dimensionals. Last but not least I stamped the Dare to be Fabulous saying with Purely Pomegranate. I used this card for the COTM Swap for September on SUDSOL (Simply Unique Demonstrators Sharing OnLine). You sign up for 1, 2 or 3 partners and then swap cards with them.

Anything But a Card Class

2007-10-02T09:39:00.000-05:00

At least once each month I try to have a class were we make 3-D projects. These are the three projects that we made at the last "Anything But a Card" class. All of these projects only used ½ sheet of Petals & Paisleys Designer Paper. For the notebook we took a 9" x 6" piece of DP and cut it into a 4" x 6" piece and a 5" x 6" piece and used one side for the top and the other side for the bottom. The top piece was a little challenging. We uncrimped one end of the wire coil and unwound it out. After we glued on the DP we used the 1/8" hand held hole punch to create the holes for the wire to be inserted back in. A piece of Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon hides the seam. We used a 2½" x 2¾" piece of the DP layered with Tempting Turquoise and topped with the saying and image stamped on Whisper White. For the Post-It Note holder we started with a 7 ¼" x 3 1/8" piece of Old Olive and scored it at 1½", 1¾", 5" and 5¼". We then layered Tempting Turquoise with a 2½" x 2½" piece of DP that had been stamped with the saying. Another piece of Turquoise Grosgrain ribbon completes the front. To keep it closed we used a Velcro Dot. For the Candle we crimped 2 piece of 2½" x 7" and attached them to the jar with Sticky Strip. Then we layered on 2 pieces of 2" x 7" Chocolate Chip cardstock. We stamped a 1½" x 4" piece of Whisper White and then layered it with Cameo Coral to create the main image. We added a tag that was created with the Tag Punch and the Small Tag Punch. The last project was a beaded RSVP pen. We stamped the flower images on an address label and then cut it down to 3¼" x 1½". We stuck this onto the pen and then covered the entire image with strips of the the Sticky Strip and removed the red liner, taking care not to touch the sticky part. Dirt and oil from fingers will reduce the hold of it and some of the beads won't stick. We then rolled it in Micro Beads and then rolled them between our hands to set the beads in. I hope that this isn't all as clear as mud. If you have any questions just ask.

April Stamp Club

2007-05-24T12:13:00.000-05:00

I had my monthly Stamp Club Card Class this past Friday and these are the cards that we made. I wanted to use all retiring sets so that they would see what they would be missing come July 1st. For the Roses in Winter card we used the Rock 'n Roll Technique. I inked the largest image up with Apricot Appeal and then rolled the edges in Rose Red and then stamped. I repeated this with the middle image and then for the top one I inked it up with Rose Red and then stamped off. I love how these colors look together. The leaves are stamped with Green Galore, the larger image stamped off first and then the smaller image stamped over it. The small flowers are inked with Tempting Turquoise and then stamped off - full strength was just too much for me. It still looked a little bright so I used the speckled stamp from Itty Bitty Backgrounds and stamped randomly with Apricot Appeal and Rose Red. You can't tell from the photo but the top layer is Shimmery White. I used the Ticket Corner Punch on the main image, then layered it on Rose Red and place a Tempting Turquoise brad in each corner. When I first finished the card the Tempting Turquoise layer was plain with no Faux Stitching on it but it looked way too plain. Because the card was already put together I couldn't pierce the holes so I used my Basic Black marker, drew each dot on then and then created the stitches with my white gel pen. The base of the card measured 8½" x 5½" folded in half and is Apricot Appeal with the large rose image stamped with Apricot Appeal. With Father's Day right around the corner I knew that one of the cards needed to be masculine and as this is the only non-retired, manly set I own the decision was made for me. I really like this set and am disappointed that it is retiring. I used Sahara Sand for the base card and the top layer. The base measures 11" x 4¼" and is folded in half and then stamped with the Canvas background stamp in Sahara Sand. The next layer is Buckaroo Blue with black grosgrain ribbon and black eyelets as accessories. I stamped the main image with Jet Black StazOn and then colored it with my aquapainter. I used Sahara Sand to create a subtle shadow under the truck and on the windshield, the wheels, the bumper and the grill. I colored the rest of the truck with Buckaroo Blue and then over the top I colored the flames with Marigold Morning. I distressed the top two layers with the cutter tool and stamped the saying with the black StazOn. For the third card I wanted to create one with a unique fold so I started with a base of Cranberry Crisp and scored in from each end to 2 1/8". Fold these in and this is the card front. I then stamped the card front with the Paisley background stamp in Cranberry Crisp, adhered a piece of white grosgrain around the entire card and then embossed the saying in Winter White EP. The main image is stamped on Shimmery White using Vintage Violet, Cranberry Crisp, Marigold Morning and True Thyme. The vase image was stamped using the "Kissing" Technique. To create it I first inked up the Paisley background stamp with vintage violet and then inked the vase stamp with Cranberry Crisp. To have a greater contrast from the two colors I first stamped off the vase image once and then "kissed" the Paisley with it. This put the paisley design onto the vase stamp in the violet ink. I then stamped the vase onto the Shimmery White. After stamping the stems and flowers I layered the main image onto Cranberry Crisp and then onto Marigold Morning. Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day!

Scrapbook in a Box

2007-04-28T11:44:00.000-05:00

I have quite a few stampers in my clubs who really enjoy scrap booking and always appreciate it when I have a class that incorporates some type of scrapping. For my class this past Saturday I came up with this project. I've heard it called either a Scrapbook in a Box or and Explosion Box. Whatever it's called, it was a big hit with the girls. It does take 2 sheets of 12 x 12 card stock per box so I was very limited on my color choices but really like how it turned out. I used the new set, Crab and Company and the new wheel, Sandy Shells. The card stock is Chocolate Chip, Bashful Blue and So Saffron. I only had 11 sheets of the Chocolate Chip on hand so I used Close to Cocoa on the inside of my sample. The directions that I found online only had a 1" edge for the cover but I wanted to decorate it a little more so I created a 1½". If you kept it to the original 1 inch you can actually get 4 covers from a single sheet of 12" x 12" card stock. I wheeled the outside and then colored random images with Rose Red, Bashful Blue, So Saffron and Chocolate Chip with an aquapainter. For the inside you are able to use the corner that are cut out from each level for matting on the next bigger layer. For example, the corners that were cut out of the Close to Cocoa layer I used as matting for the Bashful Blue layer. So there's really not a lot of waste. You do have to cut down the corners of the Bashful Blue layer to use as matting on the So Saffron layer but the strips that I cut off where used to decorate the sides of my lid. You can up to 21 photos on the inside depending on how much you journal and whether you put photos on the front and back of each layer and on the center. I didn't have that many "beachy" photos so I used pictures from last years fishing derby and didn't journal yet. When I get to it, I will journal on the back side of each layer. I already have requests to do this for another class. I'm so glad they like it. Thanks for looking and have a wonderful day! All Supplies Stampin' Up!® Paper : Bashful Blue, Chocolate Chip, So Saffron, Whisper White Stamps : Crab & Company, Sandy Shells Wheel Inks : Timber Brown StazOn™, Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Creamy Caramel Accessories : Corner Rounder, Grosgrain Ribbon, Aquapainter, Sponge, Sticky Strip, Post-It™ Notes

Too long between posts!!

2007-04-22T17:52:00.000-05:00

One morning almost 3 years ago I woke up and when I rolled over to turn off my alarm the whole room started spinning and wouldn't stop. I couldn't walk or make any movements at all with out it happening and feeling incredible ill! Imagine having the worst case of motion sickness that you can imagine and then multiply it by 10 and just for fun add in the sensation of the room spinning around you and not being able to balance yourself as you walk. I suffered for 2 days until I decided enough was enough and went to the doctors. I had a "text book" case of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo or BPPV. I thought that the doctor was joking, sure I'd heard of Vertigo but it wasn't a real illness was it. I have come to realize that it is indeed a real illness and a nasty one at that. There are positional exercises that I do weekly to keep it away and have only had 2 episodes since being diagnosed. When it does act up I have medication that I can take to help mask the symptoms until I can do an exercise called the Eply Maneuver and then it takes about 24 - 36 hours until I I can function normally again. It is not fun but it is something that I have been able to deal with until about 3 weeks ago when I woke up with it again. During the past 3 weeks I have had 5 occurrences and I am just wiped out. Finally I went to see the doctor and he took me through 3 rounds of the maneuver and changed my medication. I have been dizzy-free for 4 days now and I am so happy. Being able to walk around my house without holding onto the walls never felt so good!!! LOL I even stamped for a Stamp Club Class that I had this past Friday and after all of this rambling and probably TMI on my part here are the cards that I came up with. All Supplies Stampin' Up!® Paper : Certainly Celery, Shimmery White Stamps : Petal Pushers Inks : Certainly Celery, Lavender Lace, Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Bashful Blue Accessories : Corner Rounder, SAMJ, Sweet Shop Ribbon Originals This is a fairly simple card that was inspired by several cards that I've seen. It is so springy and makes me happy to look at it. I stamped the larger flowers once and then rotated the image slightly and stamped again to fill it in. I love the stem stamp in this set as you can stamp each end to create a varied look. All Supplies Stampin' Up!® Paper : Cool Caribbean, Whisper White, Basic Black Stamps : Doodle This, Much Appreciated, In My Thoughts Inks : Jet Black StazOn™, Cool Caribbean Accessories : Aquapainter, Ribbon, Crafter's Tool Kit, Dimensionals, White Gel Pen The colors for this card came from this weeks Color Combination Challenge on Splitcoast. I love all of this years "In Colors" and cannot wait to see the ones from the 2007-2008 SU! Catalog. I know that I am going to love them just from the names. All Supplies Stampin' Up!® Paper : Rose Red, So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, Confetti White Stamps : Bodacious Bouquet, Simple Sayings II, Friend to Friend Inks : Rose Red, So Saffron, Elegant Eggplant, Always Artichoke Accessories : Crafter's Tool Kit, Cutter Kit, White Gel Pen, Air Tool, Rose Red Marker, So Saffron Marker, Elegant Eggplant Marker, Always Artichoke Marker, SAMJ, Post-It® Notes My favorite images are generally the outlined ones that I can watercolor so I tend to not buy solid image stamp sets. I purposely bought several solid image sets last month and I have to say that I am really enjoying them. This is one that I've had my eye on and I'm sorry that it took me so long to get it. The colors for this card are also from the Color Combination Challenge on Splitcoast. I did add the Always Artichoke to the mix though. Thanks for looking and have a wonderful and sunny spring day!!

Blogger RAKs

2007-04-10T15:41:00.000-05:00

I received two Blogger RAKs last week but have been so stinking sick since then that I'm just able to post them. This first one is from Wendy whose blog is www.sunnywl.blogspot.com. I love how the little blue gem just pops! This is a simple yet elegant layout! Thank you so much Wendy. The second is from Debbie Seyer whose blog is www.debbieseyer.typepad.com. This is one of my favorite stamp sets and she used my most favorite paper : shimmery white. If you have never used shimmery white or seen it in person you have to! It is so pretty. Thank you Debbie!

Chocolate Chip Teddy Bear

2007-03-19T10:42:00.000-05:00

Today's Technique Challenge was to use only browns and vanilla to create a card. I knew that I was going to use this teddy bear from the new Bundle of Joy stamp set and when I sat down this card just came together first try! Got to love it when that happens. All Supplies Stampin' Up!® Paper : Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla Stamps : Bundle of Joy, All Year Cheer I Inks : Timber Brown StazOn™, Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa Accessories : Aquapainter, non SU! Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Creamy Caramel Marker, Coluzzle, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig To get the dark ring around the vanilla layer I took the image and rolled the edge on the Chocolate Chip ink pad. When I got this all done it looked a little plain so I used the white gel pen to create the faux stitching and when it was dry I colored over it with the Creamy Caramel marker.

March Stamp Club Class

2007-03-16T14:23:00.000-05:00

This months Stamp Club Class is tonight so I've been designing cards today for it. I know that I shouldn't wait until the last minute but I just seem to work best under pressure. I've come up with 10 or so cards this past week but I wasn't happy with any of them so bright and early this morning I headed down and came up with these three.

All Supplies Stampin' Up!® Paper : Tempting Turquoise, Glossy White, Old Olive, Petals & Paisleys DP and So Saffron Stamps : Polka Dots & Paisley Inks : Black StazOn™, Tempting Turquoise, Regal Rose, So Saffron Accessories : Aquapainter, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Black Journal Marker, Tempting Turquoise Marker, Rose Red Marker, Turquoise Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder

I really like this one except for the "happy" tag. This is the first time that I've used a sentiment tab on a card and I'm just not sure about it. The flowers are water colored on Glossy card stock. I saw on the Occasional Stamper where Kim uses it to water color on all the time and just had to try it. I really like the results - the paper doesn't absorb the ink too quickly and it allows you to add more for shading without the paper tearing.

All Supplies Stampin' Up!® Paper : Buckaroo Blue, Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Sahara Sand and Confetti White Stamps : You Make Me Happy, It's Your Birthday (inside) Inks : Buckaroo Blue, Ruby Red, Mellow Moss, Sahara Sand Accessories : Dimensionals, Ticket Corner Punch, Large Oval Punch, Paper Snips, White Gel Pen, Stamp-a-ma-jig

This is definitely my least favorite of the three. I wanted to use the colors from the cover of the March Stamper's Showcase but I didn't have enough of the Ruby Red to make is the main color so instead of giving up and starting over with new colors this is what I came up with. Hopefully they like it.

All Supplies Stampin' Up!® Paper : Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Confetti White Stamps : Bundle of Joy, Warmest Regards Inks : Timber Brown StazOn™, So Saffron, Close to Cocoa Accessories : Aquapainter, Taupe Grosgrain Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Watercolor Crayons (Close to Cocoa and Barely Banana), Horizontal Slot Punch, White Gel Pen, Dimensionals, Stamp-a-ma-jig, Gold Brads

This is my most favorite. When I first saw this set in the Spring Mini I knew that it would be mine. My favorite stamping technique is water coloring and this is perfect for it. It was lacking a little something when I was done so I added the little bits of ribbon and the gold brad. I will be making more of this one.

Lunch Box Tin Class

2007-03-11T12:21:00.000-05:00

I finally did it! I've had these lunch box tins for almost a year and I finally used them for a class. You can cover an entire tin with 1 - 12" x 12" sheet of designer paper, including the top and the tags for the inside dividers. We used the new Petals and Paisley Designer Series Paper, the Petals Jumbo Wheel and the new Round Tab Punch all from the Spring Mini Catalog. I struggled on how to make the dividers sturdy enough and finally had a light bulb moment and used poster board. I cut the poster board to 6¼" x 4¼", then matted a piece of Old Olive (6" x 4") to them and then, using the new Petals Jumbo Wheel, I stamped the front and back of each one with Old Olive ink. I attached the tag to the top edge of each but haven't labeled them yet. I'm not sure what categories I want on them. I ordered an acrylic template for the tins online and used it to cut the paper for the top. It was a little big but by cutting it down by about an 1/8" if fit perfectly. Everyone loved them!! I charged $15, had 6 people come and they finished in about 1½ hours.

How many challenges are too many for one card?

2007-03-09T10:42:00.000-05:00

This card combines three of the weekly challenges from Splitcoast: TLC106 (frayed ribbon), CC104 (So Saffron, Regal Rose, Certainly Celery and Chocolate Chip) and SC114 (the sketch challenge). The hardest part was using the frayed ribbon. To do this you have to take a length of ribbon and trim off one of the edges and then pull the threads out of the middle. We were supposed to use the threads but after a few attempts of using them my stamp table was covered with ribbon fluff that's from 1/2" to 3" long and it was stuck to everything. So, I ended up using the piece of ribbon that was left over from the fraying process. It is wrapped around the image like a frame. I stamped one of the flowers on the square piece and then cut another one out and attached it with a dimensional. I then attached the center piece with another dimensional so the flower is very 3-D. I wish that I had make the celery piece narrower but overall I like what I came up with.

Back to the program already in progress . . . .

2007-03-01T16:34:00.000-05:00

lol!! This is such a true statement. Life doesn't stop and wait for you to adjust to everything that is thrown at you. I wasn't able to pre-order anything from the Spring Mini last month but was able to put in a HUGE order from it this morning, almost everything from the catalog - lol!! I am going to be mounting stamp sets for the next month!! I remembered that I do have the Polka Dots & Paisley set so I used that and the Color Combination Challenge and the Sketch Challenge from SCS to stamp a couple of cards. This is the second card that I came up with and it is my favorite of the two. The colors are Cool Caribbean, Certainly Celery and Elegant Eggplant (looks like black) and I stamped the base card with Paisley background in Cool Caribbean. You can't see it well in the scan and in real life it is very subtle. I wanted to add ribbon somewhere on one of the cards but I couldn't decide where so I just left it off. This is the first card and I wasn't sure about it. I also used the Monday's challenge (Try a New Technique) which was "Blurred Vision". I used markers to color the flower image and after I stamped it I used my aquapainter to pull the different colors out to almost frame the image. I really like how it worked. When I first saw this set, other than the giant Paisley image, I wasn't really liking it but now that I've finally inked it up - I guess it can stay. I had a Stamping Club Class this past Saturday and needed to come up with a couple of cards using a SAB set. This one is very simple. The girls in my club range from first time stampers to seasoned pro's so I'm always challenged to come up with cards that they all like. They said this was the favorite of the day because of the simplicity of it. I really like how the basic black cardstock make the image pop off the card. The other colors are More Mustard and Old Olive. The base is stamped with the Linen background stamp in More Mustard and then I used the swirly image from Delight in Life to frame the main image. This was inspired by Kim MacNutt. Hers was one of the first website that I found when I started stamping and her creativity and style has influenced my own stamping so much. I've been seeing so many cards with the giant scalloped punch and I love the way it looks but I try to only buy Stampin' Up products that I can demo so I created the Tempting Turquoise layer using the slit punch and the coluzzle. By sheer dumb luck I cut it out the exact right size so the scallops spaced out perfectly. Woo Hoo!!! Got to love when that happens. Now, back to stamping!!

Thank you all so very much!!

2007-02-23T12:15:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that it has been over two months since I last blogged!! I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has emailed me words of encouragement during this time. They each came just when I needed that extra bit of love and encouragement to keep going. Thank you so much!!! The kids, Paige and Timmy, are doing absolutely wonderful and their transition to living with us has been easier than either of us expected. On the other hand dealing with my family has been an absolute nightmare and has pushed me to the edge more than once. Not much surprises me when it comes to my parents actions but they have been more horrible to us than I could ever have imagined and my sister Jessica. . . well, I never thought that she would or could hurt me so much. I just have to believe that I am strong enough to make it through and seeing the changes in Paige and Timmy has been worth it all. My sister Jeana and my niece Ashley and Ashley's husband Lee have stood with us through all of this and I will be forever proud of and thankful for each of them. Just wanted to post a quick update and let you know that I've started stamping again and will post pictures soon. Again, thanks to you all!!!

How many Christmas Cards did you send this year?

2006-12-20T09:15:00.000-05:00

My list of people that I send cards to is out of control!! When my husband and I were celebrating our first Christmas together I couldn't wait to send cards to everyone - and I do mean everyone!! As the years have gone by my list has gotten shorter but it is still out of control at over 100 people (107 to be exact) and I only send cards to close friends and family. Just the stamps alone are over $40 and the supplies . . . we won't go there. So, when I was filling out my cards I found that I was about 15 cards short so I came up with this simple card and it is probably my favorite this year. The Snowflakes are embossed with Winter White EP on Glossy White paper. I used Brilliant Blue ink with the polished stone technique** to create the background. The base card is Bashful Blue and the 2nd layer is Brilliant Blue. It's very pretty IRL. ** To do the polished stone technique you wet a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and then using the reinkers place a few drops of ink on it also. Then you just dab around the paper (you must used the glossy paper for this technique) until you are happy with it. Here's a full tutorial by Beate on SCS => Polished Stone Tutorial <=. Have a wonderful day!

November Christmas Card Class

2006-12-04T20:17:00.000-05:00

Finally I'm able to insert the scans of November's Christmas Cards. I've been so busy that wasn't even able to create these until the morning of my class. All of the girls seemed to like them so I'm happy. I have one stamper that loves, loves, loves this set and asks that I create a card with it for each of the monthly CC classes. lol I'm not sure that I like the way I attached the ribbon or where I attached it. After it was done and was looking at it I wanted to move it to the top of the card and move the stamped images down towards the bottom. I used Bashful Blue and Whisper White card stock; Basic Black and Bashful Blue Ink; and Certainly Celery, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Lavender Lace, Apricot Appeal, Close to Cocoa and Bashful Blue markers. The first image stamped was the snowmen and then we masked them to stamp the trees. Then masked the snowmen and the trees to stamp the snowflakes on the background. I have older nieces and nephews who only want money for Christmas so I usually buy this size card at walmart for 99¢ each. I hate to buy any type of card so I decided to try and make one - this is what I came up with. The card is 8½" x 6½". Then, holding the card the long way in front of you, score it at 3" from one end and 2½" inches from the other end so you have a 3" section, then a 3" section and then a 2½" section. I then folded the 2½" section into the middle of the card and attached it only on one end (easier to slide the money in and out). It's hard to tell from the picture but the card is Handsome Hunter and I stamped the front of it with Encore silver and Handsome Hunter. To create the custom tag I used my HH marker and colored the outline and the "Make Merry" from the Tag So Much hostess set. I then stamped a small snowflake in place of the image. I saw a card on Splitcoast that used Very Vanilla, Whisper White and Creamy Caramel and really liked it but when I tried to create one with these colors I decided against the Caramel and used Gold Embossing Powder instead. The main card didn't scan so well but it really turned out nice. For the edges of the two smaller layers I used the distressing tool on the new Cutter Kit. Embossing is always such a WOW project and one of my stampers, who is new to stamping, was cracking the rest of us up as she was heating her images. She was totally into it and would start to squeal when the EP started to turn. It was too funny!! Here is the final card. These aren't the colors that I had originally wanted to use but when I went to cut it for the class I didn't have enough so I had to change them. I like this combo so much better. Have a wonderful day!!!

Thank You!!!!!

2006-12-03T06:40:00.000-05:00

I've been trying to upload the cards from this months Christmas Card Class and they don't show up. It looks like it is loading then I click done, it shows a little box and then disappears. Go figure because I cant!! lol I want to thank you all for the amazing support and comments. This has been and continues to be the most difficult situation I have ever gone through and as hard as it is for me it is so much worse for my nieces and nephew because they are still living with my parents for the next few weeks. They have been totally cut off from me and my husband (Ray) and my niece (Ashley) and her husband (Lee). If you'll remember them in your prayers that would be awesome. Their names are Jordann (16), Paige (14) and Timmy (12) and they are amazing. They have been through so much and deserve to be happy and safe! Hopefully I can post some cards later today but until then I'm off to paint bedrooms. Have a wonderful day!!!

A moment in the life of an abused child who has grown up

2006-11-25T07:19:00.000-05:00

This has been such a long and trying month. I've sat down to the computer a dozen times trying to let you know where I've been but haven't known where to start. I grew up in an extremely abusive home, physically, verbally, emotionally and sexually, and this has affected every moment of my adult live whether or not I've been aware of it. It has affected each of my brothers and sisters also. You think that when you grow up and leave the house that it is over, that you have finally won, that you are out and safe. Not so, not as long as I allow them to influence every step that I make. Not as long as I stay silent and watch others suffer through the same abuse that I went through. Do you realize that most children who are abused as children grow up to marry abusers and to be abusers themselves? You are what you are taught until someone teaches you better! Thankfully I realized this at a young age and had the influence of a wonderful friend and her family to teach me what a family is supposed to be like. I have a wonderful husband who would never think about raising a hand to me and has never said one disparaging word to me. My parents have guardianship of my younger sisters children due to substance abuse, neglect and domestic violence. They have been abusing my two nieces and my nephew and I have stood by. During this time I have tried to talk to my parents about their behaviour and they have refused to acknowledge what they are doing. I made an effort to help right? I tried to help right? that's enough right? I'll just love the kids and provide a safe place for them to visit. That's enough right? They'll make it through, we did, right? I don't have to turn on my family to make a change do I? I don't have to tell others what's going on do I? I was not doing enough! My husband and I had to stop it. After talking to my sisters and being told that they wouldn't help, that they wouldn't tell the truth about the abuse we had to do it on our own. We went to the state on my parents. My sisters have turned their backs on us and sided with my parents because they don't want to be embarrassed, they want their pasts left alone. Then something amazing happened, my niece and her husband stood up with us. They are a young, married couple with a 2 year old and a baby on the way and they stood up with us. My niece talked to the state, told what it is like at my parents. She is amazing - she is my hero. At 22 years old she is doing what I didn't at her age, what I convinced myself that I couldn't. She is choosing right over wrong and she is suffering for it but she is standing fast and strong. I am so in awe of her. This past month my husband and I became licensed Foster Parents in the state of NH and on December 19th one of our nieces and our nephew will be removed from my parents home and will be placed with us. We will be petitioning the court at that time to have my other niece's case reopened so she can also be removed. At the end of a long month my "family" is smaller but stronger and I can finally say that I am doing enough to stop them. This post is long and rambling but you have been so kind to me. Once this is all settled I will be online more and will post more cards and visit your blogs. Thank you!!!

Christmas Card Dilema . . . .

2006-10-27T11:40:00.000-05:00

Each month I hold a Christmas Card Class. During each class (from August to November) we make 12 Christmas Cards, 3 each of 4 different designs. If my stamping girls attend all 4 classes they will have 48 cards to send to family and friends. This month I have a dilemma. Class is tomorrow and I only have 3 of my cards designed. Normally this wouldn't be a problem as I work best under pressure and often design my cards the day before an event (or the morning of - lol). But . . . I am also trying to put the finishing touches on my new stamping area in the basement so I can use it tomorrow for class. I decided that I wanted to finish cutting the counter tops (ssshhhhhhh - don't tell my husband). It needed to be moved onto the cutting table but since it already had a couple of brackets screwed to the underside for me to hold on to, I decided that I could move it all by myself. Well not entirely by myself, I had three 2 year olds looking on. I grabbed hold of the brackets and lifted and as it started to lift off the floor I remembered that it weighs over 200lbs and is just over 10 feet long and realized that this was not my brightest decision. One end started to turn to the right and the other end decided to quickly jump into the air and my right thumb got stuck in the bracket and twisted at an unnatural angle. I'm not sure if it is broken but it hurts and hurts bad! Now I can't use my right hand so I can't stamp the last card. I think that I can cut the card stock for class and if not my dh will help when he gets home from work. So, my question : Do you think anyone will mind if they stamp 4 cards of 3 designs instead of 3 cards of 4 designs? Here are the cards that I already have: I bought this set, Holiday Trim, after seeing an amazing card by JanTink on Splitcoast. The colors are Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy, Mellow Moss and Apricot Appeal for the star. I've been wanting to use a pink and green color combination and really like how this turned out. The colors are Green Galore and Pink Passion. To color the ornaments I used Gable Green and Pixie Pink instead as the others came out too dard. The stamp sets are Ornamassortment and Crosshatch with a little white gel pen thrown in for good measure. This is probably my favorite of the three. I really like this set, Peaceful Wishes, it is so versatile. The colors are Garden Green, Rose Red, Night of Navy and Silver. I also used Itty Bitty Backgrounds to create the stippling of Navy and Silver. I didn't want to use my Metallic Silver paper when so little of it is showing so instead I took another sheet of navy and used my Zig Painty to color the edges silver and then matted it. No one will ever know if you don't tell them and it is so much cheaper. Thanks for looking!

And the Winner is . . . . .

2006-10-26T18:49:00.000-05:00

Rose Reynolds!! Email me with you address and I'll get it in the mail tomorrow. Congratulations!

Contest!! Free Halloween Layout!!

2006-10-22T07:58:00.000-05:00

I had one no-show yesterday and instead if letting this layout go to waste I'm going to give it away!! Here's how to win : post a comment on this posting between today and Thursday, October 26th at 12:00 noon EST. Then I'll take the number of comments, print them out and have one of my daycare children pick one out of a hat! Good Luck!

Halloween 12 x 12 Layout

2006-10-21T08:31:00.000-05:00

I have my 3rd Scrapbook class this afternoon and am really pleased with the layout that I came up with. (Click on the picture to see a larger view)

I used almost all of the different style papers from the Halloween Night Designer Paper from the Holiday Mini. It does take a little time to stamp the words so I hope that it isn't too much for first time stampers. What do you think?

Directions for the Hidden Message Card

2006-10-20T09:17:00.000-05:00

My family has such drama (understatement of the year - lol) that it's not always possible to get together for special occasions. I don't want any of the children to feel left out or forgotten so I try to create extra special cards and notes to celebrate their birthdays and other important days in their lives. This is the card that I made for my nephew, Timmy, who will be turning 12 tomorrow. He's had such a hard life that I want him to know how amazing my husband and I think he is and that we love him so much. This is such a fun card that I just had to share the directions that I came up with. I'm sure there are other ways (and possibly easier ways) to make it but after trial and error, here's what I do. Cardstock and Sizes: (A) Basic Black - 8½" x 11" (B1) Pumpkin Pie - 4" x 5¼" (B2) Halloween Nights DP - 3 7/8" x 5 1/8" (C) Pumpkin Pie - 2¾" x 4" (D) Old Olive - 4" x 3¼" (E) Basic Black - 2 5/8" x 3 1/8" (F) Whisper White - 2½" x 3" (G) Old Olive - 4½" x 2 7/8"

Decorate (F) and attach it to (E). Then stamp two sayings on (C), one at the top and one at the bottom, making sure that you have at least 3½" between the sayings for the sliding layer. Center (C) onto (B). You don't have to have 2 layers for B. I wanted to use the designer paper and it wasn't sturdy enough so I cut it down slightly (1/8") and layered it on Pumpkin Pie. NOTE : Also at this step (I forgot), using a circle punch, punch a semi circle in the center of the bottom of (B). See finished picture. Using either your cutter or a ruler and an exacto knife, cut a slot on each side of (C) that is about (doesn't need to be exact) 1/16" from the edge and extends about 1/8" past the bottom and top edge (see close up). Slide (D) in the two slots so that the ends are towards the back of the cardfront. Using the bone folder (or the cutter with a scoring blade), score (D) using the slots in (B) as your guide. Do one side and then fold it over towards the center and then score the other side. This will ensure that (D) is not folded too tightly over (B) and will allow it to slide up and down easily. Fold each edge towards the center of (B). Place (G) in the center between the two folded edges of (D) and line up the bottom edge of (G) with the bottom edge of (B). Glue the two folded edges to the back of (G) as shown. I used Tombow Mono Multi Liquid glue and it holds awesomely but some people don't like it. If that is the case then to ensure that it holds I would use Sticky tape for this step. Apply ¼" foam tape to both sides and to the top edge on the back of (B). As you can see I used the leftover edges from my dimensionals. You can also just use dimensionals, placing them about 1" apart. On the front of (B), center your image, (E) & (F), onto (D). If you haven't done it already (I forgot) punch a semi circle in the bottom edge of (B) so you can access (G). Create a ribbon pull on the bottom edge of (G) that is centered in the semi circle. Attach to (A) your main card and enjoy. I hope that these directions are easy to follow but if you have any questions let me know.

Hidden Message Card

2006-10-19T12:51:00.000-05:00

I've been looking at these cards online for quite awhile and finally figured them out! I took pictures while I was making it for a tutorial but I missed one step and don't know if it'll make sense without it. I'm loving the Halloween Night Designer Paper and have a scrapbook layout almost complete that I'll load later this evening.

2006-10-17T10:24:00.000-05:00

I created this card using colors from this weeks Color Combo Challenge on Splitcoast. I never would have used them together but I really like it. The colors are Blush Blossom, Certainly Celery and Tempting Turquoise. You cannot see it in the scan but I also painted the image with Lumiere so it has a subtle shimmer IRL. This is going for the October Card of the Month through Sudsol (a website for only SU demos). This is also for the OCOTM through Sudsol. The pumpkin on the right has been cut out and I attached it with dimensionals. Thanks for looking!!

Happy Birthday Sue!

2006-10-08T19:32:00.000-05:00

This is a birthday card that I created for my mil Sue. The colors are from this weeks Color Combo challenge on Splitcoast. Stamps : Sassy Stems, Paisley, It's Your Birthday Cardstock : Certainly Celery, Real Red, Old Olive, Very Vanilla Inks : Certainly Celery, Real Red, Old Olive, Basic Black, Very Vanilla Craft I used the new distressing tool on the edges of the Vanilla layer and on the Olive layer and dimensionals on the image layers. I don't know if anyone will notice but the image was about ¼" too tall to fit on my vanilla layer so I used the Stamp-a-ma-jig to cut it down to size.

Black and White Challenge Card

2006-10-07T05:59:00.000-05:00

I created this card for the "Try a New Technique" challenge on SCS. This weeks challenge was to create a card using only black and white. This is the card that I came up with. I stamped the Paisley background stamp onto black cardstock with VersaMark and then embossed it with White EP. The little label holder was actually a pewter color so I heated it with my embossing tool and then (holding it with tweezers) I dipped it into black EP and heated it again. I needed to use two layers to get total coverage but I really like how it came out. Then of course I had to add a little ribbon. I really like how it came out and will probably use this card in a future class.

Happy Halloween "Peek-a-Boo" Card Tutorial

2006-09-29T12:12:00.000-05:00

Supplies for this card

Cardstock : Gable Green : 5½" x 11", scored at 3½" and 7" Gable Green : 6 1/8" x 5½", scored at 4¼" Basic Black : (2) 2½" x 2½" Lovely Lilac : (2) 2¼" x 2¼" Ink : Green Galore, Black StazOn Stamps : Cheesecloth, Booglie Eyes, Halloween Backgrounds, All Year Cheer II Accessories : Basic Black Marker, Watercolor Crayons, Deckle Scissors, Aquapainter, Black Organdy Ribbon, Bone Folder, Stamp-a-ma-jig, 1 3/8" Square Punch, Mono Multi liquid glue

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1.) First you need to score each of your Gable Green pieces. The 5½" x 11" needs to be scored at 3½" and 11". The 6 1/8" x 5½" needs to be scored at 4¼" (this will create your 5½" x 4¼" card front).

2.) Fold each piece so they look like this (the long piece should look like a backwards Z with the larger fold towards the back).

3.) Punch a square hole through the smaller two layers of the long piece. Fold them together and push the punch down from the top as far as you can and then center it between the the folds.

4.) Next line up the RIGHT edges of the front fold and the B fold. Punch a square hole through the front lining it up with the square hole in the B fold. Your two pieces should look like the ones above.

5.) Decorate the front layer and the C layer keeping any saying at least ¾" from the bottom of the square punches.

6.) Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, stamp the image that you want to see when the card is closed through the square hole while the larger piece of Gable Green in folded up. The image will be stamped on the Back fold of the card.

7.) Glue the B fold to the back of the front piece (apply glue or mono to the B fold only).

8.) At this point your card should look like the card above. NOTE : When your card is closed you may see the edge of the A fold through the front window. If this happens, trim enough of the A fold so you don't see it. I use the square punch to trim this piece (you can see the image for step 13).

9.) Open the card and and the A fold will now be showing through the square punch. Using the Stamp-a-ma-jig, stamp a saying on the A fold.

10.) Tack the Lovely Lilac and the Basic Black squares together using a small bit of mono in the center. You can line them up centered or at an angle as I have. Next, (I saw this tip on a blog and can't for the life of me find it now ~ thank you whoever you are!!) using a pen or pencil, draw lines on the back of the squares from corner to corner creating an X. Use this X to center the piece in the square punch and viola!! You have a perfectly centered hole. Too cool huh?

11.) I used deckle scissors to trim the edges of the frames and then glued them together. Then adhere one set to the front of the card and the other set to the C layer of the card.

12.) Using your Watercolor Crayons, color the images. 13.) The last step is to apply a line of adhesive or mono right next to the fold on the back layer. This will keep your card together and not allow the back layer to open up. ************************************* I hope that these directions are clear. If you have any questions just ask!

Happy Halloween

2006-09-28T13:03:00.000-05:00

It's difficult trying to show seasoned stampers new techniques and more advanced cards. They've seen it all and are hard to impress. I was looking through the paper work for all of the classes that I've done and all of the ones that I've been to and came across a "Peek-a-Boo" card that I made almost 4 years ago. I knew that this was the one. As I looked at it this idea came to me and it turned out exactly as I wanted. It's so nice when that happens. In order to understand the peek-a-boo part I had to take three pictures of it. The colors didn't come out too well on the first two but the third one shows the real colors (Gable Green, Lovely Lilac, Basic Black). This is what it looks like when it is closed. I need to buy the larger square punch as this image just fit in the opening. Here it is half way opened. You can see that another piece slides out to block the first image with a saying. Fully opened you see the second image. Hope that you like it. I have a picture tutorial coming.

2006-09-23T07:39:00.000-05:00

Today is my monthly Christmas Card Class. They are making 12 cards in 3 hours so I try to have fairly easy projects for them. Here are the four projects that I came up with for this month. This is made with the new Peaceful Wishes set. I'm still trying to come up with a design that I like using the pinecone. I don't use Handsome Hunter and Sage Shadow very often but really like how they look together. This one is very simple. Just using Gold ink to stamp the snowflakes and then embossing the words and the inside saying with Gold Embossing powder. I was trying for the simple yet elegant look. Hopefully they like it. I try to use at least one unusual color combination each month and this is it. Do you ever use a color combo and just love it? This is it for me. I love how these colors look together. There is glitter on the ornaments that makes them look cloudy in the scan but they're not in real life. What's a Christmas Card Class with out snowmen. This is one of the first sets that I bought from the new catalog and when it arrived I was surprised to see that the three long images were one stamp. I cut the block into 1½" x 3½" sections and mounted them separatelyly. I also used the Cutter Kit on this to distress the edges of the back white layer.

I think that fall is here to stay!

2006-09-21T11:44:00.000-05:00

Fall is my second favorite time of year.

I love how the nights are cool and crisp with no humidity but when the sun comes out it warms up everything!
I love how the leaves change to such beautiful colors.
I love the way they smell and sound as they fall from the trees and the kids play in them.
I love going to field hockey and soccer games.
I love apple picking with my family.
I love baking fall recipes.

Hopefully I will be going apple picking this Sunday with my sister, niece and nephew. My husband is looking forward to warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

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I had my stamp club card class this past weekend and wanted to create cards that show what I love about this time of year. Here are two of the three projects that we made. Simple Sketches is one of my favorite sets but I don't use it that often. It was the perfect choice to try and created the many colors of fall. I made a few more of this design and stamped various sayings on them. I have to restrain myself when coming up with pages and cards for workshops and classes or they would all have some type of watercoloring on them. I can remember coloring for hours at a time when I was young. This card uses two of my favorite In Colors, Marigold Morning and Cranberry Crisp. They are a perfect match.

2006-08-31T11:53:00.000-05:00

Join Nestles Chocolatier to receive a coupon for a free bag of Nestlé Chocolatier™ Baking Chocolate. http://nestlechocolatier.fanspeak.net/?C1853_537733

Creating my Snowmen Pop-Up Card

2006-08-28T21:32:00.000-05:00

I've had quite a few people ask how to create the Snowmen Pop-Up card that I posted so I made a picture tutorial, I hope the directions are clear. It is really a simple card once you've seen it done. Let me know how you like it.

Here are the items I used to create it and the basic recipe :

Bashful Blue cardstock 8½" x 5½"
Whisper White cardstock 8¼" x 5¼"
Whisper White cardstock 2½" x 2½" (for stamping the snowmen image)
Bashful Blue 2 5/8" x 5/8" (for layering the title)
Whisper White 2½" x ½" (for title)
Basic Black ink
Bashful Blue ink
markers
Post-It Notes (for masking the trees)
Scissors (for creating the pop out tab and for cutting out the snowmen
Adhesive (I use Tombow Mono Multi Liquid glue)

Fold both of the large sheets of cardstock in half (I corner rounded both). Then stamped the trees on the top half of the whisper white. Stamp the snowmen image on the square piece of Whisper White and colored all of the images with the markers. Create a mask of the trees using a Post-It Note and use it to stamp snowflakes on the background. Cut out the snowmen image. You don't have to cut too closely, as you can see I leave about an 1/8" white border around them. Fold the Whisper White cardstock and cut two slits, about ¾" long and ¾" apart, on the folded edge of it. Push the tab back into the card and press to create sharp creases. Apply glue to only the bottom half of the tab. Attach the snowmen slightly above the crease of the tab.

Glue the Whisper White to the inside of the Bashful Blue and add the finishing touches. I stamped snowflakes on the outside of the card with Bashful Blue, Created a title and attached it to the card with dimensionals and then stamped a sentiment in front of the snowmen.

Christmas is coming!!

2006-08-27T08:38:00.000-05:00

There were Christmas Carols being played, Christmas cookies being eaten and cards being stamped. It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas . . . well, if it wasn't 80° outside it would have. I had my first Christmas Card Class yesterday and it was so much fun. The 12 cards were finished in record time with stampers singing their favorite carols and munching on decorated sugar cookies. Here are the cards we made: This one was a big hit and surprised my stampers at how simple is really is. I just love this set and have already designed 2 more cards with it for my Sept. and Oct. classes. The colors are very soft IRL and the background snowflakes are actually Bashful Blue and not the grayish color that they look like. The colors for this card are straight off the color wheel. I really like how it turned out. The only problem yesterday with this one is that my Real Red is so juicy that it took a bit for it to dry. This one was inspired by JulieHRR. I changed it up a bit and added a little more color. Such a simple yet beautiful card. I love it!! I originally did this card in Lovely Lilac/Almost Amethyst but when I went to cut the cardstock for the class I was short by 4 sheets. So I changed it up to Perfect Plum/Pale Plum. I love, love, love this stamp set. I might be my favorite new holiday set from the current catalog.

The perfect gingham knot!

2006-08-20T11:19:00.000-05:00

I adore ribbon! I don't have a lot (unless you think that owning everyone that SU! sells a lot) but I use it on almost every card that I make. For the longest time making a simple gingham knot frustrated the bajimanies out of me! I practiced and studied cards and searched the internet and then finally figured out what works best for me! I now can attach a perfect square knot of ribbon to my cards and be confident that it will stay on the card. Want to know my secret? Pictures coming soon!

Roses in Winter

2006-08-20T11:06:00.000-05:00

If you could only have one stamp set, which would it be? For me it would be Roses in Winter. I use it almost every day and am never disappointed by how my cards or pages turn out. The funny thing is, I don't even own it. I borrow it from my mother for a few days, give it back and then (usually the next day) I go and get it again. Here's a card that I made for my August Stamp Club Class with it. They all loved it and two of them ordered it!

2006-08-11T19:17:00.000-05:00

I have a class tomorrow and needed to create two more cards for it. So, here they are :

It is so easy for me to create floral cards but other types are a challenge. I first made this as a blue card but one of the other projects is totally blue so I tried it in green, my favorite Green Galore. I really like it. I hope the girls do too! The colors of this card (Chocolate Chip, Buckaroo Blue, Marigold Morning) are from this weeks Color Combo Challenge on SCS. I needed to add more of the Buckaroo Blue to the card so I took a stiff bristle paint brush and used it to add some soft accents on the edge of the top layer. It's hard to see but is so pretty IRL. I think that it needs something else (like ribbon) but one of my stamping girls thinks that I use entirely too much ribbon (as if that could ever happen) so once in a while I try to make one with out it. It is physically painful to glue them together with out any! LOL

2006-08-06T15:57:00.000-05:00

This was inspired by Shelly from http://www.stampandscrapwithshelly.blogspot.com/. I never thought to use the white gel pen to color with. Duh! I really like how it turned out and will be using it for a class next month. This one is so simple but I love it. One of my sisters loves the color purple so I always try to send her birthday, anniversary and holiday cards that reflect that. I'll be using this for my Christmas Stamp-a-stack at the end of this month. I hope that they like it as much as I do.

First Scrapbook Page Workshop

2006-06-23T21:24:00.000-05:00

I like to scrapbook, like is the key word. So when a friend of my sister called and wanted to host two scrapbook workshops, I was less than enthusiastic. (Not to her, just on the inside.) Well, it went very well and I so enjoyed getting back into scrapbook. I have so many pictures that are just being stored in photo boxes that need to be put into albums. It has really inspired me to get off my butt! Here are the two different layouts that I did for the workshops. I wanted to do one layout and use it for both classes but she had some of the same people attending both nights. I loved how each one turned out . I love stamping combined with my pages. It makes them more "me". I hope that you like them.

2006-06-17T05:53:00.000-05:00

I love this new set from the SU Summer Mini. This is a buckle card (tutorial) that we made at my last class. I was concerned that it had too much white but they all really liked it so . . . As I'm designing cards for upcoming classes I get so nervous that no one will like them. I have to get over it and enjoy the creative process. This is the card that I am giving my father for Father's Day tomorrow. I have so few masculine stamp sets and when I find one that I really like it retires. Go figure?!

It is much to early to be awake on a weekend morning!!!

2006-06-04T04:24:00.000-05:00

I'm sure that I'm not alone with this problem but do you ever just wake up in the middle of the night for no reason and cannot fall back asleep? Didn't have to go pee, wasn't thirsty, no bad dreams and I definitely didn't have enough sleep. Oh well, it has given me time to do some stamping and peruse the internet for undiscovered stamping sites. Here is a card that will be part of my "Retirement " Class. I love this set and am so sorry to see it go. The first time I saw the stamp with three topiaries I knew that I had to have it. It is created using Always Artichoke, Very Vanilla and the watercolor paper (which I absolutely LOVE).

2006-05-01T09:07:00.000-05:00

Here's the official list of stamp sets that are going to retire from Stampin' Up this year. The ones in red are the ones that I'm sad to see go. Aged to Perfection Ageless Adornment All Around Alpha All Around Numbers Ancient Asia Angler Aquaria At the races Back Nine, The Bamboo II Birthday Banter Bitty Blossoms Bloomin' Wonderful Bold Alphabet Bold Numbers Border Builders Borders Mini Buds & Blossoms Build a Blossom Business Memos Buttons, Bows & Twinkletoes By Definition Charming Children Classic Caps Close to Nature Crayon Kids Crazy Alpha Crazy Numbers Daisy Delicate Dandelions Delightful Doodles Elegant Beginnings Espress Yourself Fantastic Foliage Favorite Friends Fine Print, The Fintastic Fire Brigade Flora & Fauna Flower Garden Frame & Flourishes Framed Greetings Fresh Fruits Gentler Times Geometric Gladsome Garden Going Buggy Good Sign, A Good Sport Good Times Great Shapes Handmade with Love Handmade with Love II Happy Birthday Greetings Heavenly Heralds Houndstooth I Like Your Style It's a Party Jazzed Up Journaling Fun Just Beakause Just Jeans Just Journaling 1 Just Journaling 2 L'Chayim Ladybug Picnic Let's Party Linograph Little Layers Little Layers II Little Layers Plus Maternal Instincts Memory of the Heart Merry Minstrals Mini Medleys Mini Messages Metherlands Newsprint Alpha Newsprint Numbers Office Ephemera Oh so Sweet On Safari On the Edge Alpha lover On the Edge Alpha upper On the Edge numbers Oriental Brushstrokes Ornament Elements Paris in the Spring Perfect Party Perfect Petals Phrase Starters II Please be Seated Pure & Simple Accents Pure & Simple Alpha lower Pure & Simple Alpha upper Pure & Simple numbers Quick and Cute Quiet Life, A Renaissance Angels Sassy Sayings I Sassy Sayings II Say Something Mice Season's Greetings See with the Heart Set Sail Shapes & Shadows Shape-ups Simple Florals Simple Somethings Simple Stripes Simple Type Accents Simple Type alpha Simple Type numbers Simply Sweet Sketch an Event Smile Smile Some More Smitten Smorgasborders Soft Swirls Something to Celebrate Sparkling Season Special Day Spring Fling Stardust Star Spangled Banner Stencil Alpha Stencil numbers Stipple Celebrations Stipple Rose Surprise! Sweet of You Sweet Seasons Sweet Songbirds Sweet Treats Terrific Tulips Thinking of Father Tidy Alpha Tidy Numbers Time for Fun Toile Blossoms Toucan of my Love Toy Box Travel Post Versatile Verses Very Merry Vogue Verses Wanda's Wit and Wisdom Welcome, Little One Wild Fowl Word Play

Can you say procrastinator?

2006-04-28T09:17:00.000-05:00

Lately I have become such a procrastinator!! I wait until the last minute to design projects for my classes and then wait until the last minute to set up for the classes themselves. This leads to me stressing myself out and then getting cranky at my DH who feels that it is his obligation to tell me that I shouldn't have waited until the last minute. Does he not know that this is not the time to share those words of wisdom. Just a little vent . . . lol.

2006-04-27T13:51:00.000-05:00

I designed this card for my nieces 16th birthday party. I have been seeing the Prima flowers on SCS for quite a while and really wanted to try them so I put in an order for some. I wasn't really sure of what size to get but under the large it said that they were about 1" across with 2 sizes. I figured they would give the measurement of the larger of the sizes, not! I received them and the large are about 2½" (white ones on the card) across. Much bigger than I wanted so I placed another order for the small ones thinking that these would be about ½", wrong again! These ones (the pink one on the card) is maybe ¼". Now I have an order in for the medium ~ hopefully these are the size I have been looking for. Oh well, now at least I can give informed advise if anyone else has questions regarding the different sizes.

2006-04-25T05:13:00.000-05:00

Do you ever get in a rut and need a change? Well, that is how I came to Blogger. I've had a blog at Xanga for quite a few years but never found my groove. I tried to make it an online diary but had a hard time opening up when I had no idea who was reading it. Then I changed to a "what's happening in my life" but came to realize that, other than rehashing my past, my life isn't all that interesting. Finally I decided to change it into a Stamping blog (woo hoo), but . . . after being there for almost 4 years I needed a change. I'm not closing down my blog over there because over the years I have quite a few online friends that I want to keep in touch with. So here it goes, another venture into the blogging world. Do you think I'll do any better here? I hope so!

2006-04-25T04:51:00.000-05:00

This is a card that we made at our April Class. It's hard to tell the difference but the flowers are Barely Banana and the stems are Certainly Celery. I know that a brown card isn't very springy but I just love the look of the brown and banana together. I'm trying to step away from having to use black on every card as an accent color. I haven't strayed very far but as Bob says, "Baby Steps".