THE STAMPING MAMA: Paper Creations and Chaos of an ink obsessed mom

Divine Twine Pom-Poms

2012-01-04T15:03:00.000-08:00

Wow. I didn't actually think I would have another post this soon!
I have to say I am a bit pleased with myself!
But I got Kellan down for a nap, took a shower, which was much needed after almost 3 days, and since the other 3 boys are still at school, I wanted to try to get this card posted that I made last night.

When I went to Impress the other night, they had a sample of these little pom-poms which are made out of Divine Twine. Since I absolutely love twine, what could be better than making little embellishments out of it?

I thought it would be perfect for the top of a party hat for this birthday card. The chevron striped card is also something I picked up the other night....usually I am not one to buy already made cards, mainly because I have a ton of card stock, but I just couldn't pass these guys up!

Gonna keep this short, two posts in two days, is a little much after 4 months of nothing!
Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

So Many Things

2012-01-03T22:46:00.000-08:00

When I logged onto blogger tonight, a part of me wondered if my blog was still here.....

And, yes, even though it is here, I am wondering if there is anyone who still visits.....

I can't believe that it has been over 4 months since I have posted. I have also not stamped in about as long.....well, I have done a few little things here and there, mostly out of necessity, but really, for a reason that I am just about to divulge, I have not been stamping.

In early September, I found out I was pregnant with my 5th child. Although we knew we wanted another, it was a bit of a shock that it happened when it did. As with all my other pregnancies, I became quite sick, and basically everything in my life with the exception of keeping my family fed and in clean clothes, was put on hold. Even one of the greatest joys in my life: stamping.

A few other road blocks came up in November, and then the Holiday and Christmas season hit and I became wrapped up in that.

Now it is January, a time to begin fresh, and start anew. I am happy to say that I had a chance to visit one of my favorite little stamping stores last night for the first time since this past summer. It inspired me to stamp again, although I know that I will not be producing as much as I have in past years. Hopefully it will be enough to share some fun things here, if there's anyone out there that still checks in...... I actually stamped tonight, and made a couple of cards....one just for fun, and the other for the current Paper Crafts call. It would be fun to be published again this year! Hopefully the weather will permit me to get outside tomorrow to snap some pics of the cards and I can get one posted here.

Hope you all are having a great start to 2012.

I am very excited for what this year will bring, mostly because we found out a few weeks ago, that after having 4 boys, BABY #5 is going to be a GIRL!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

When things are hard.....

2011-08-31T15:20:00.000-07:00

....or when life gives you lemons.........you make a card for it! I sent this card to someone very close to me who is going through a heartbreaking situation in life. I wanted to send her a card with an uplifting message. And no, it does not say 'make lemonade' on the inside, because, although I do try to look at the positive angles to any situation, and I do believe that everything that happens in our lives happens for a reason, and believe that we become stronger from our trials in life, sometimes you just have to be sad for a while and let the hurt out before you are able to move on. I know God has a plan and a purpose for each of us in this life and that plan involes joy and sorrow. This is how we grow and learn to love, and learn to lean on Him for peace, comfort and the healing of our hearts.

I hope that time will heal her sadness, and that she will be happy and joyful again shortly.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A Party Elephant!

2011-08-30T06:55:00.000-07:00

I mean who doesn't love an elephant in a party hat!

It feels like forever since I have taken part in a challenge over at the CAS-ual Fridays blog! This weeks' challenge was to use stickers!

I found these little party hat stickers a few months ago, and thought they were just so cute! I think they will work well to make birthday cards for kiddos, which is what this card is for.

The last time I went to my favorite stamp store, my oldest son, Cody, asked me if I would get a stamp of an elephant. I saw this stamp and thought it was super cute, so Cody got his wish!

t feels good to take part in a challenge once again, and I am hoping that as of Wednesday when the three big boys go back to school, that I will be able to put the baby down for a nap and ignore all the other things I have to do, and make some cards!!!! Yay for fall, yay for school and yay for getting to once again do the things I love on a more regular basis!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Yes, I am still here!

2011-08-29T15:05:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it has been a month since I have last posted! Yes, I am still alive, and yes I am still paper crafting and card making! August was just a crazy month for us. It was one vacation after another, with just a few days in between each one....just enough time for laundry!

Here is a card that is basically the same as the last card that was posted. The colors were just changed up a bit and the size was changed to a regular A2 sized card.

Gonna keep this super short.....the 3 big boys go back to school on Wednesday, and I have a TON of things to do!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Oh, What a Happy Summer It Is!

2011-07-29T14:05:00.001-07:00

I should not be doing this right now. For any number of reasons. But I couldn't help myself! Again, what a super fun challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays.

Here is my card. The challenge was to create a 4 x 9 card (which I believe this card to be the first I have ever made) and leave the space open! So tough! But I just made mine super CAS. Almost too much, perhaps!

Here is a close up of the image and sentimnet.I received another check from publications the other week, and so I decided to purchase some new stamps and things. One of the things I got is this Sand by Flowersoft. Ooooh, I love it. And I wanted to try it out, so I came up with this card.

Gonna Keep this short......I have so much to do........and the baby is sleeping!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Crumb Cake CS by SU, Textured White CS by Bazzill, Whisper White CS by SU

Sentiment by Impress, Summer Splash by SU

Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black, STampin Write Markers in Poppy Parade, Crushed Curry, and Pacific Point

Flowersoft Sand and Adhesive, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter by SU

How's Your Day?

2011-07-15T15:34:00.000-07:00

When I saw this sentiment stamp about a month ago, I just had to have it. I absolutely loved it. I envisioned using it to make a card with a stack of laundry....but I have yet to find a stamp of a stack of laundry. If ya happen to see one out there....let me know!

It has been a few weeks since I have been able to play along with all the fabulous talent at the CAS-ual Fridays blog! Life has just been crazy for me since summer began, but with teaching card class last night, I was forced to clean up my craft room, and so it's still looking pretty good, and it inspired me to make a card! I can't believe there have been 11 challenges so far....my how time flies! I decided to use this ice cream stamp for my 'sweets', since I thought a bunch of different scoops would work well with the sentiment.

I have been working really hard the past couple of weeks to clean up and clean out my house which has included my craft room. Plain and simple, I just have too much stuff and I have felt that it has been weighing me down. So I have been purging my house hard core! This week I sold over 70 stamp sets! Wow! And I still could probably purge some more. And a little over a week ago, Kerry filled up the truck and took a load of stuff to good will! And I have a few larger items that I'm going to try to get up on Craigs list this weekend as well.

Sorry, usually I don't go on like that (on my blog anyway)! If you are interested in stamps, please visit my for sale page here on my blog.....I am going to try to update it within this next week.....I will have more SU stamp sets, some brand new that have never seen ink, as well as PTI, Verve, and individual wood block stamps too! I so want them to be loved and used and go to good homes!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Crumb Cake and Whisper White Card Stock by SU.

Sweet Scoops Stamp Set by SU. Sentiment by Rosie's Roadshow Rubber Stamps

Chocolate Chip, Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz Ink by SU

Jute Twine by PTI, Pearl by SU, Signo White Gel Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter by SU, Dimensionals.

Hello Flowers for a Friend

2011-07-14T17:39:00.000-07:00

I have to admit, I am one of those card makers that produces and produces massive amounts of cards.....but it seems like I don't send too many of them out. I need to do that more. I mean, everyone loves to get mail right? I have gobs and gobs of cards sitting around in bins just waiting to make it out into the word! Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Well, this card, I did in fact send to a friend the other day. I felt that she needed a little sunshine in her life....she's havin' a tough time with one of her kiddos! I just wrote a simple message inside letting her know that I love her and that I'm thinking of her and keeping her in my prayers.

I think I'm going to try this....start small, like try to send one card a week to someone I know.....just because!

Gonna keep this short, I could go on for a while, I feel, but I'm teaching card class tonight and I have a few little odds and ends to finish up before everyone arrives!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Hello, Bicycle!

2011-07-13T19:03:00.000-07:00

Here's a card for the challenge over at Moxie Fab World in celebration of the Stamp It! Cards publication that hit stands a couple of weeks ago. And boy am I celebrating this publication!

I don't know if you know....but I had 3 cards published in this sweet issue! So if you haven't picked up a copy, you definitely should.....and you can see some of my creations! This card was one of the ones published in there!

Gonna keep it short and sweet!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Textured White Card Stock by Bazzill.

Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black, Daffodil Delight Ink by SU

Bike Stamp by Hero Arts. Hello Stamp by Impress Rubber Stamps. Crosshatch stamp by Impress Rubber Stamps

Stampin Write Markers in Baja Breeze, Tangerine Tango, Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz, Pink Pirouette, and Regal Rose by SU

Poppy Parade Ribbon by SU

Rhinestones by SU

Corner Chomper by We R Memory Keepers

Stamp It Cards Publication

2011-07-13T14:02:00.001-07:00

My dream has finally come true. Well at least one of my dreams. I have 3 cards which were published in the latest issue of Stamp It! Cards, which is now available. This magazine is fabulous. I was so excited to have my work in here, and then when I got my copy of it, I was blown away at all the amazing card that are in here. So inspiring, and so humbling that my cards are in here amongst some super duper stamping talent! There have been a few (okay, perhaps more than a few) moments when I have thought that my cards are not up to the caliber of everything in here, but slowly, I am coming to the realization that they are in fact worthy. Its been a bit of a journey. Here is my favorite card that was published in the magazine, on the very last page, mind you! With everyone I have shared the magazine with, I have joked that I barely made it! Those birch trees are one of my favorite stamps I do believe! It was a super fun card to make!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Happy Birthday.....Little Birdie!

2011-07-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

Hello All-
It has been quite some time since I have posted.....don't know if there's anyone out there who is still even stopping by my little place here......
School ended and we have been on a roller coaster of summer activity ever since. Sadly I have not had much time for stamping or crafting. Well, I have had time, but I have just chosen to do different things with it, like hanging out with my boys and enjoying the sun that has finally decided to join summer in my little corner of the world!This was a card that I made for the latest PC call, but just didn't get around to submitting it....it's not the greatest card anyway, and I'm pretty sure it would not have been picked up!
Gonna keep this short....the two older boys are at Scout Camp, and Sam is begging me to come upstairs because he's claiming Kellan won't stop hitting him!
Hope you all are having a fabulous start to the summer!
Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Color Blocking in My Own Way

2011-06-17T14:51:00.000-07:00

I just finished a post a little bit ago, and was planning on trying to relax for a few brief moments before I have to go pick up my wrecking crew from school, but then this thought came to me as I was cleaning up my paper (now there's a first: me, cleaning up directly after making a card! HA!) from this card that I made this afternoon.

I thought that this paper from Cosmo Cricket would lend perfectly to making a card for this week's challenge over at the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge Blog, which is Color Blocking.

Here's my card:

Now I must say that color blocking is totally not my forte, or one of my go-to styles for creating cards, but I gave it a try! I think it turned out okay! What do ya think? I know it's not solid colors, but I thought it was cool!

Last night I made a card for this challenge, and then the more I looked at it, the more I really didn't like the exact colors I chose, so I am re-doing it.....if I get it finished, I will try and post it to the challenge as well!

Gonna keep this short....I have to run and get the boys!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Summer Weddings

2011-06-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

It is that time of year, my friends!

Wedding Season!

Usually I don't pay much mind to it, mainly due to the fact that everyone I know is married.

Needless to say, I don't receive too many wedding invites these days.

This year however is an exception.Next week, a good friend's daughter is getting married. I wanted to create a fabulous wedding card for her, that captured summer. Usually when making wedding cards, I don't tend to lean towards such bright colors, but I just love these bright swirls of colors in this Cosmo Cricket paper. It actually makes me think of a Hawaiian wedding, which by the way, some family friends of mine(they were like my second family growing up) youngest son is getting married tomorrow in Hawaii. And I so wish I was there! Weddings and bright tropical colors have been on the brain! I might have to make another card like this for them, as they are having a reception back here in our area in July!

I also have to admit that this card was also created with a dual purpose in mind. I have been hearing about the Paper Crafts Magazine Gallery Idol 2011 Competition, and although have toyed with the idea of entering, really wasn't planning on it. Even thought I have had multiple card picked up for publication this year, I just still don't feel like the cards I create even come close to matching up to the amazing talent out there.....especially for the Gallery Idol Competition.

Well, I'm going out on a limb here, and I am entering this card into the competition.

Just for fun!

Because that's why I create and stamp!

Hope you all have a most fabulous Friday!

I have a card that I made last night for the CAS-ual Fridays challenge, that I want to redo before I submit it....so check back, there might be another card posted today...

Or it might be tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Rainbow Birds

2011-06-16T14:36:00.001-07:00

Here is another card I whipped up super quick for this week's Tuesday Trigger over at the Moxie Fab world! This week's trigger is right up my alley. I have really been in love lately with cards using a rainbow effect. And I love birds too, so this was perfect for me!I bought this stamp some time ago, but this was the first time it has seen ink! What a fun challenge for it to make it's maiden voyage!

This trigger picture of these brightly colored spools is simply divine, or as Cath would put it...... absolutely Moxie Fab! Thanks Cath, for such great inspiration and a great challenge!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Bazzil Textured Card Stock

Birds on Wire Stamp by Penny Black

Cherry Cobbler, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Pear Pizazz, Tempting Turquoise Ink by SU

Jute Twine by PTI

Blue Flowers

2011-06-16T13:39:00.000-07:00

I was over at Karen Baker's blog, The Bald Dragonfly, the other day, and saw that she had played along with a challenge that Virgina Lu had over at her blog that combined inspiration photos and Hero Arts stamps! How fun! I just had to play along! So here's how I Stamped My Hero Heart Out! This was the card I came up with after seeing this sweet picture that Cath had posted over at the Moxie Fab World. The colors just jumped out at me, and I since I love blues, I decided this was the inspiration pic I would use!

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Baja Breeze, Soft Sky, Whisper White Card Stock by SU

Flower Medley Stamp by Hero Arts

Soft Swirls embossing folder by cuttlebug

Baja Breeze Ink by sU

Certainly Celery 5/8 Grosgrain ribbon by SU

Dazzling Diamonds Glitter by SU

A Rainbow of Butterflies

2011-06-15T12:46:00.000-07:00

This weeks Tuesday Trigger: Rainbow Bright, over at the Moxie Fab World inspired me to make the following card!

I have really love the Modern Basics stamp set from PTI, and have wanted a chance to play around with it more, but really haven't had the time. These butterflies were perfect, I thought to lend to the rainbow effect! The sentiment is also from PTI: Think Big Favorites #2, I believe! The inks and paper are all Stampin' UP!

Gonna keep it short today, as I have lots I want to accomplish!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Dies and Flowers and Gems.......

2011-06-10T14:01:00.000-07:00

....and a little embossing too! Oops! There are actually 4 elements here on this card which is my second attempt at the CAS-ual Fridays Tic Tac Toe challenge! Last night as I was posting my first card for the challenge, I was just messing around and had the beginnings for this card here!

With all the fun elements to choose from in this weeks challenge, I found myself last night, going through a bunch of my crafting supplies looking for all the fun things that I could play around with to create cards for this challenge!

This sure has gotten my creative juices flowing!!! Thank you, ladies over there at CAS-ual Fridays for coming up with such an inspiring challenge! It was just what I needed to get my stamping mojo back in gear. I have been so extremely busy lately with everything else in life, that crafting has had to take a back seat (like the third row, back seat......)!

Now I just want to stamp and be creative! And it couldn't have come at a better time. Kerry is taking the three older boys on a father/son camp out tonight, so if I can get the baby to go to sleep early, I can have the whole night to myself!!! I might even have to bop down to my favorite little stamp store, and get myself something new since my FIRST CHECK from having some cards published arrived yesterday! I have told myself for the past few months since getting things picked up for publication, that I wouldn't spend any money on supplies until I actually saw the money! And it came! And now I can go spend it! Yay!

And I just have to say (again) that I have really enjoyed these challenges! They are so much fun for me, they have caused me to step out of my comfort zone a bit, which is great, and all the cards from the Girl Fridays, as well as all the cards made by all the wonderfully talented gals who play along each week are truly inspiring. It makes me want to try harder, craft more, and be the best that I can be, so thanks to all who participate as well as leave such encouraging, sweet comments for me, I truly appreciate it all!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Buttons & Ribbon & Chipboard!

2011-06-09T22:32:00.000-07:00

Yup, those were the three items I chose for this weeks CAS-ual Fridays challenge! The challenge was to play a tic-tac-toe of sorts and pick three items in a row that you see displayed below and create a card with them!I know that I have used this Medallion stamp on the last three cards I have made and posted here on the blog.....but I am just in love with it. On this card, I stamped it on some Inchies, which are 1 inch squares of cut mat board......that counts as chipboard, right? I then added some ribbon at the top with a button, and there ya have it, folks!

Sorry the picture is so poor, but I wanted to snap a picture tonight, and its dark out, so I had to settle for inside. Because, if I left it for tomorrow, who knows if it would get done. Life has been so incredibly busy with the end of the school year upon me, and all the kids' sports and activities coming to an end. It seems like I just don't have any spare time at all.....so I had to quickly take these few minutes tonight, and make this card and get it posted so I could be a part of this weeks challenge over at CAS-ual Fridays. I so missed playing along last week...

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!
Supplies:
Medallion Stamp by Impress
Baja Breeze card stock by SU,
Chocolate Chip Ink by SU,
Early Espresso 1/8" Taffeta ribbon by SU
White Inchies
Buttons by PTI
Corner Chomper

Tuesday Trigger: Take Two!

2011-06-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

I made a second card yesterday for this weeks Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World. I made it while I was writing the post for the first card I made.

I was going to add it to the original post, but wanted to get a decent photo of it and it was kind of a gloomy rainy day, and I ended up running out of day......where does the time go?I used the same stamp as my first card,(love this stamp) but changed up how I used the colors and switched the sentiment and added a few different embellishments. I think I like this card better than the first one.

Today was the first day since the beginning of April that we have not had something going on. No soccer practice. No games. No Cub Scouts. No Track. No activities of any kind. So I'm going to keep this really short so I can go and enjoy the evening with all my boys!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Chocolate Chip Card Stock by SU, Whisper White Ink by SU,

Doily Stamp by Impress, Sentiment by Savvy Stamps.

Ric Rac by May Arts, Pearls by K& Company

Tuesday Trigger: Neapolitan

2011-06-07T14:02:00.001-07:00

My kids LOVE Neapolitan ice cream. Even better are the Neapolitan ice cream sandwiches. And I have fond memories of eating Neapolitan ice cream at my Grandmothers house when I would go and spend the night there on Friday nights as a child.

So I just had to play along with this weeks' Tuesday Trigger over at the Moxie Fab World! Isn't this picture just yummy?Here's the card I whipped up, being inspired by these wonderful colors!

Gonna keep this one short today....I'm trying to get a bunch of things done while the baby is sleeping!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

'Sew' Happy to make this Card!

2011-06-02T09:59:00.000-07:00

I had just a second this morning to take a little peek around blog land, and came across the latest challenge over at the Moxie Fab Word: The I'm Sew Excited Challenge.

With all the craziness that I have been experiencing lately with the school year finishing up, I have not had as much time to craft as I have wanted. So I seized the opportunity this morning when the idea for this card popped into my head.

When I came across the challenge, I so wanted to play along, but among my enormous collection of stamps, I don't have any that have to do with sewing. I have had my eye on the Sew Lovely set from Lawn Fawn for a while, but in my efforts to try not to spend money on stamps or crafting supplies until I see the money from my upcoming to be published cards, I just haven't purchased it yet.

I did remember however, that I had a little mini deck of Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl paper, so I pulled that out, and put the card together! I can't believe I did not use a single stamp! Wow! I found some letter stickers from K & Company that I had lying around to make my sentiment, since again, I didn't have any stamps that would work exactly! Improvise, improvise, improvise! I then threw on some buttons and twine, and there ya have it!

Gonna get going now, the baby has been a bit cranky through my efforts of creating this card, so I'm going to go love on him, and encourage Sam to get dressed for school!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Tuesday Trigger: Inspired by Pyrex

2011-05-29T15:45:00.000-07:00

When I saw this picture for the Tuesday Trigger over at the Moxie Fab World, I immediately fell in love! The colors, the images, everything just stirred up emotions from my childhood! I so remember the patterned Pyrex bowls my mom had in our kitchen growing up! We didn't have this exact set, but we had ones with flowers and mushrooms.....totally 70's......totally cool!
Aren't these bowls just amazing? For a moment, I almost thought about collecting vintage Pyrex. In fact it lasted for more than just a moment! I found myself on a couple of different blogs, craigslist, and even eBay! Then I decided I don't have the time, money or space to have this addiction.....perhaps I'll have to claim it later in life!

Okay, so onto the card, or cards in this case! I just loved the colors in the trigger picture, and I also loved the images of the birds as well, and thought of this Unity stamp set that I have that I thought would be perfect! I made two different cards, and I posted them both because I just couldn't decide which one I liked best. The first one is more simple, but I am just in love with this cross hatch background stamp. I think I have used it on like 3 of the last 4 cards I have made!Do you have a favorite? Let me know, I would love to know what y'all think!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!
Supplies:
White textured card stock by Bazzill. Whisper White smooth card stock by SU
Real Red and Tangerine Tango Ink by SU. Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black.
Crosshatch bkgrnd stamp by Impress, Bird stamps by Unity, Hello stamp by Savvystamps
Black hemp twine and rhinestones by SU, Corner Chomper

A Little Out of My Element

2011-05-28T19:44:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

So I have to admit, that I am a little out of my element on this challenge. And in the past if I have come across a challenge that was out of my element, I just opted not to play!!! But I just am in love with this challenge, and all the lovely people who follow it, play along with it, as well as those Girl Fridays, that I had to give it a chance.

Graduation cards are not my strong suit. In fact, I think that this is the first one I have ever made. Can you believe it? I have no graduation stamps to speak of, so I had to completely improvise this one!! And this is how it turned out! One of my husbands' cousins is graduating from the University of Oregon next month......perhaps this card will have to go to her!!!

For the year '2011' in the circle, I just printed it out on some card stock from Word, since I didn't want to mess around with my number stamps, and I don't have any that are this small anyways! Then I stamped over the top of the numbers and punched it out with a circle punch, layered it on some card stock the same color of the ink, and then again on some AC glittered CS which was punched out with a scalloped circle punch. Stamped the cross-hatched bar across the card, the sentiment, and there ya have it!!!

Gonna keep this short, all my boys are watching MLS Soccer, and then we have the Mariners Baseball Game on Tivo to watch as well. Gonna go join them!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

White textured card stock by Bazzill. Soft Sky Card Stock by SU. American Crafts Glitter Card Stock

Certainly Celery, Soft Sky ink by SU. Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black.

Crosshatch bkgrnd stamp by Impress. Seeing Spots Stamp Set by SU

Rhinestones by SU

A Bit O' Bling and a Story

2011-05-20T17:45:00.000-07:00

Oh, my do I have a story for you guys today! But first I will show you the card I made for this week's CAS-ual Friday Challenge!

I am hoping that this card is in fact CAS.....I got a bit scared as I was reading this weeks' challenge post over there at CAS-ual Fridays. I used my retro background basics stamp from PTI, and added some bling over the tiny circles in between the diamonds. Then I had to use one of my favorite leaves that I stamped on some textured card stock....sometimes I really like how the texture of the card stock comes out through the ink., and the sentiment also is one of my new favs. I think it's pretty clean and simple....hopefully the Girl Friday's will think so as well!

And now for the story:

So as many of you may know, today was the day that the acceptance emails went out from Paper Crafts Magazine for the 'A Card a Day 2012' publication. I submitted 26 cards this go around, the most I have ever submitted, and was sure that at least one would get picked up. Well this morning I checked FB, and saw that things were started, but had so much going on today, I couldn't just sit by the computer......flash to right after picking the boys up from school this afternoon, I came home and checked one more time. All the emails had been sent out, but there was no happy mail in my inbox. I went ahead and made a comment on Paper Craft's FB post congratulating everyone who had made it, and saying that I had submitted a boat load, but it wasn't my turn this go around.

After another hour or so of being outside with my kids, and over at the neighbor's house, I randomly came down and checked my email, and I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES. There it was, an email from Susan that two of my cards had been picked up! I was so happy and so excited, and so feeling like I wish I wouldn't have eaten all that Belgian Chocolate in my moment of upset-ness. Then I went back to FB to make another comment and saw that Paper Crafts had posted on the feed that OOPS! Somehow they had missed me and that an email was coming my way! (I originally didn't see that in my inbox.....I had eyes only for the email from Susan!)

Well I am a bit happier than I was a few hours ago, and yet once again feel so blessed and honored to have my designs and creations on the pages among such talented women! It is truly an honor!!!

What a day it has been...actually it's been a really crazy past couple of days. Yesterday I had to trap a live mole that one of the cats decided to bring in the house!!!! And that was only the tip of the ice burg from yesterday!!! Ha! From card maker to exterminator(don't worry I set the little guy free outside!), my talents never cease!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day.
Supplies

Chocolate Chip and Whisper White Textured Card Stock by Stampin UP

Chocolate Chip, Taken with Teal, and Old Olive Ink by Stampin UP

Background Basics Stamp set by Papertrey Ink, Best Wishes & More Stamp Set by Stampin UP, Thanks Stamp by Impress Rubber Stamps

Rhinestones by Stampin UP

Lawnscaping Challenge #10 - Polka Dots!

2011-05-17T08:56:00.000-07:00

Here is the card I made for the latest Lawnscaping Challenge: Polka Dots. You can check it out here! My only problem, if you can call it a problem, is that I only own ONE Lawn Fawn stamp set. (And I bet y'all are getting sick of seeing me use the same set for these challenges!) I'm eagerly awaiting the upcoming release and want to acquire a few more sets!

In the meantime, for this card, I used the Happy Birthday sentiment from Bake Me a Cake. I used a polka dot background stamp from Savvystamps to make the present.
Gonna keep this short, I was up late last night submitting 26 cards to the latest Paper Crafts call. If you read my post from a few days ago, you know that I was having a tough couple days creating anything that I was happy with. Well, last night the stamping mojo sprung a leak from where ever it was hiding, and all these ideas popped into my head with like 38 minutes left before the submission deadline. So I was submitting cards online, while trying to stamp and create others.....all in all it turned out pretty well. Only two cards didn't make it to being submitted because the time ran out! Oh well, perhaps I'll post them in the next couple of days, or save them and see if they will fit another upcoming call!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!
Supplies:
Whisper White and Pacific Point Card Stock by SU
Pacific Point and Tangerine Tango Ink by SU
Bake Me a Cake Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn,
Large Reverse Dot Background Stamp by Savvystamps
Tangerine Tango Striped Ribbon by SU
Rhinestones by SU
Dimensionals and Glue Dots

UGHHHHHH & Buttons & Twine, Oh My!

2011-05-15T22:25:00.000-07:00

So it has been one of those days that we all have. Nothing is turning out right! I have been so uninspired by what I have been doing that the thought crossed my mind to just give it a rest for a while. Quit crafting. Uh-oh!

I can't tell you how many cards I have attempted today that I haven't even finished because when I get a good way through them, I just don't like what I see. Its like the paper just can't come close to what I see in my mind! Ever have one of these days?

I have a really tough time walking away from crafting on a bad note. I just have this yucky feeling with me until I create something that I am happy with. And so I have been down here in my crafting dungeon trying desperately to come up with something so that I can get some good sleep tonight(baby permitting)! And so I finally came up with this card. It's not my ultimate favorite, but I'm happy enough to put it here on my blog. And enter it into the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge. If you haven't checked out the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge blog, you definitely should. Especially this week. There are some entries over there that will blow you away! Super amazing cards!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies: Crumb Cake CS by SU. Blue Divine Twine. Vintage Buttons by PTI. Jute Twine by PTI. Chocolate Chip and Poppy Parade Ink by SU.

CAS-ual Fridays Challenge #2....Probably the Best that I Know of!

2011-05-14T00:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know how many of you caught the line from Napoleon Dynamite in the title of my post, but I just have to say that I think the CAS-ual Fridays Challenge is in fact the best that I know of. What a great group of women these Girl Fridays are, and what a lovely bunch of all of you who stop by my blog here from the CAS-ual Friday Challenge Blog, and leave such wonderful comments! Its so great to be a part of something so fun and uplifting.

Sometimes for me in my crafting world, I can get quite discouraged. Either a card doesn't turn out the way I thought it would from the picture I had in my mind, or cards that I think are AMAZING don't get picked up for publication....what ever the reason, I have to say over the past week or so, I have really enjoyed all the sweet comments y'all have left me here! So Thanks! You all are the best that I know of. Okay, getting on with things. Here is the card I made for the buttons and twine challenge. If you have followed my blog for some time, you know that I had a little phase where I was a bit obsessed with party hats. Well, it's been a while since I made a card with a party hat and I thought this challenge would work well using one.

For the poof on the top of the hat I took some black 5/8" satin ribbon from SU, and cut into in like I was making grass out of card stock. Then I adhered it in a circular motion on a 1" circle I punched out of card stock. It's kind of a variation of a flower that Karen Baker made out of ribbon over on the May Arts Blog a while back. Anyway, I then added a vintage button from PTI, and tied some black Divine Twine around some Memory Box Patterned Paper that I made the hat out of. The birthday sentiment is from Impress Rubber Stamps and is stamped in Poppy Parade ink by SU!

I am now officially going to bed!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Another CAS-ual Friday Text Challenge Card

2011-05-11T13:12:00.001-07:00

So I'll start off with the disclaimer that I don't even know if I can enter more than one card in this challenge! I should probably go check and see.
I can't tell you all how excited I am that this challenge started. I first began my blog a little over two years ago because I wanted to finally enter some online challenges that I had been stalking for quite some time. For a while there, I was playing along with a number of different challenges, it seemed like there was a card to post each and everyday! But with the way life goes, most of the challenges I began with have either run their course, or I have played them enough, and so I was so happy that the CAS-ual Fridays challenge has been born! I guess what I am trying to say is that it was my love of challenges that got me started in the paper crafting blog world, and it feels good to sort of get back to my roots so to speak-get back to why I started doing this crazy blog thing in the first place.

I love challenges because they get my creative juices flowing and many times pull me out of my comfort zone. I never thought that 8 years ago when I began stamping that I would have ended up where I am. Stamping, blogging about the projects I have created, and even being able to have some of my work published has been an amazing journey, one that I hope continues for a long time to come. I am so humbled and honored to be rubbing shoulders (in an online way) with some truly talented and creative women. I feel even more humbled when people actually comment on my work. I do this first and foremost because I love stamp and create paper crafts, but I can't tell you how much all your comments and well wishes have meant to me.

Okay, I seriously did not mean to ramble on like that.....I don't know what got into me. With that said, here is the second card I made for the CAS-ual Fridays Text Challenge! This idea just popped into my head as I was coming home from taking Sam up to Kindergarten, and since Kellan went down for a nap, I had a chance to make this card!

The flower I stamped in Pink Pirouette ink, and then I inked up a French Script background stamp that I have with Baja Breeze Ink, and using the kissing technique, stamped the flower onto the background stamp to pick up the text over the pink, and then stamped it on the white card stock. Added a sentiment, a few little pearls, and slapped it on the card base. Couldn't be simpler than that! I have to say that I am really pleased with how it turned out with the text on the flower petals. Cuz you know, sometimes I get these crazy ideas that look real nice in my head, but don't work their way onto paper very well! I'm happy this one worked!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Whisper White and Basic Black Card Stock by SU

Fabulous Flowers Set by SU. French Script Bkgrnd Stamp by SU, Think Big Favorites #2 by PTI

Pink Pirouette, Baja Breeze Ink by SU, Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black

Pearls by SU

Moxie Fab World Tuesday Trigger: Skirting the Issue!

2011-05-10T13:44:00.001-07:00

I can't remember the last time I played along with Tuesday Trigger! It's been a while. And I must say that it was quite refreshing to make this card today! Last night was crazy for me trying to get all my cards submitted for the Nov/Dec Issue of Paper Crafts! I always tell myself I am going to submit the cards online as I make them, but it never happens....it seems like every Monday night deadline, here I am sitting at my computer until super late trying to get it all done!

Anyway, enough of that rambling! Like I said before, I really enjoyed making this card for the Tuesday Trigger Challenge over at the Moxie Fab World! You should check it out and play along if you get the chance!

Love all the spring colors in this skirt! I decided to go with the lines on the skirt and try to incorporate them into my card, and I knew exactly which stamp I wanted to use! So I grabbed a handful of ink pads that seemed to somewhat match the colors in the skirt, and in what felt like no time at all, the card was finished! Quite CAS, I must say! And I couldn't resist adding some little pearls around the sentiment, too!
Well, I'm happy I got a post in today! Didn't think that was going to happen! And now I am off to fold a few loads of laundry while Mr. Kellan is sleeping, and before I have to go pick up the other 3 boys from school! Cody has a soccer game tonight as well as Scouts, so I only have about another hour of peace before the craziness of my afternoon and evening begins!

Thanks for Stopping by and have a beautiful day!
Supplies:
Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla Card Stock by SU
Regal Rose, Daffodil Delight, Pear Pizzazz, Pink Pirouette, Peach Parfait, and Chocolate Chip Ink by SU
Long Stripe w/Dot Border Stamp by Savvystamps. Hello Stamp by Impress
Pearls by SU, Old Olive Satin Ribbon by SU
Corner Chomper, Sponges for distressing

It's CAS-ual FRIDAY CHALLENGE at last!

2011-05-05T22:17:00.000-07:00

I have been so excited for this challenge to begin, and today is the day! I should totally be working on all the 60 plants I still have to wrap up tonight for the final day of Staff Appreciation Week up at school, but I just couldn't resist. I guess it will just be a very late night.Here is the card I made using text. I used some patterned paper that had text on it from SU, I am too lazy right now to look up the name, but I used it with the Top Note Die. The I die cut the butterflies, and ran them through my Swiss Dots Cuttlebug folder, added some rhinestones, and there you pretty much have it!

Sorry the picture is so poor. I wanted to get this posted tonight, and well, it's dark outside!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Black, Peach Parfait, Concord Crush, Poppy Parade Card Stock by Su

First Edition PP by SU

Top Note Die, Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Pear Pizazz Twill Ribbon by SU, Rhinestones, Dimensionals

A Spring Hello

2011-05-03T13:05:00.001-07:00

Hi!

I just wanted to share a card I made that I did at my card class in April. I used this tree image from Taylored Expressions, and added some of the Sweet Pea Flowersoft. Love that stuff!!!I hope that I haven't posted this card here on my blog.....I don't think that I have, but I didn't take the time to check. I have been severely needing to get my card/craft blogging stuff organized. The way I have things now just isn't working. With all of the publication calls that I am trying to participate in, and all the other cards I'm making as well, it is tough for me to keep track of where they all belong. Which ones are for publication, which ones are just for my blog, which ones am I going to use to teach card class, which ones have been photographed, which haven't, which ones have been submitted, which ones haven't. I think you get my point. Right now, they are just sitting in random piles on my computer desk. Not really a good plan.

I told myself that I would get completely organized before I stamped anymore cards. But it's so tough. It seems like if I get a minute, I want to create something, not sit around and organize. Plus, it is staff appreciation week, and I am in charge of it at my boys' school, which is making me even busier this week. I have cards to make for teachers.....so I guess I'm going to have to stamp!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A Quick Card for Lawnscaping Challenge #9

2011-05-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I was just doing a little bit of blog hopping and saw that my friend Winter is the guest designer for May over at Lawnscaping!!! I am so happy for her! How exciting!

After seeing her post, I decided to play along! So here is just a quick card I whipped up for the latest Lawnscaping Challenge, which is all about celebrations. I know this card is super simple, and not really up to the caliber of what is submitted to this challenge, but I thought I would play along anyway! I added the little pearls to the cake in honor of the Royal Wedding this past week! They seemed to add that little bit of a distinguished touch to the cake, which jux opposes the crazy little sentiment!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:
Crumb Cake and Whisper White Card Stock by SU
Bake Me a Cake and Party Hearty Stamps Sets by Lawn Fawn and SU
Basic Black ink by SU. Baja Breeze Stampin Write Marker, Copic Markers
Pearls by Stampin Up, 1/8 Taffeta Ribbon in Black by SU, Scallop Trim Border Punch by SU

A Test with a Cute Picture

2011-04-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

So this is a test post because I have been having problems with the spacing in my blog posts.

We'll see if this works.

Here's a pic of Kellan from Sunday. He turned one on Easter. I think he's cutting some new teeth, and he had a miserable night before and a not so hot day, but he did at least enjoy the cupcake! I can't believe my baby is a year old. This past year has gone by too fast.

Supplies:

Okay, so this is not working.....

Why won't it just return one line instead of having huge spaces inbetween these lines????? If you have an answer for me....please let me know!!! Thanks!

A Card and a Story

2011-04-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

Here's another card I made that is just like the card I did for the last Color Throwdown. I just wanted to see what it would look like using different colors.Sorry the pic isn't' that great. I have no excuse as the sun is actually making an appearance today. I should have gone outside to take the picture. And I know the blue butterfly isn't stamped perfect, but hey, call me lazy, after stamping all the other butterflies, I just didn't feel like re-doing the whole thing again.

Now for the story.

Last night was a deadline for a PC call for their Holiday Cards and More publication. I had made a couple of cards I wanted to submit, but life has been super crazy the past few weeks, and so here I was at 10 pm just beginning to submit the few cards I had. Then while I was submitting them I got a couple of other ideas for amazing cards, and so I hustled as fast as I could to crank 'em out and photograph them, and as I was submitting my favorite card, I looked on my computer clock and it said 10:58, but I was almost done. I hit submit, but I had gone too fast, and the picture hadn't uploaded entirely, and it then brought me to a screen that said I needed to add a photo, and then by the time I got back to getting everything figured out, it was past the deadline, and I couldn't submit it. It was a card that used non holiday specific product, and I was so excited to have made the card because it used a stamp set that I have been trying to play around with more and have had a tough time using it.....can ya guess which one? Here's a hint: it's the same one I used to make the above card!!! I'm going to submit it for another call, but I don't know if it will fit this other category exactly. We'll just have to see!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day.

Happy Easter a Day Early!

2011-04-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hi!
Just wanted to share a little Easter card I whipped up for card class this past week! It was a really simple card, but I just love this little bunny peeking out from behind the eggs of the Easter Basket! Sorry about the picture, I didn't feel like going outside! You can't really see, but the eggs have Crystal Effects on them, so they are super shinny! I hope you and your families are having a wonderful Easter Celebration with whatever traditions you may have. It is going to be a busy day in the Winkelman household, as Kellan's first birthday is on Easter this year! We are having a big family dinner here at our home, followed by a birthday celebration for our littlest man!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

One Last Royal Reject

2011-04-22T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here is the last card that I submitted to the PC Stamping Royalty Contest.

After seeing some of the cards up for honorable mention from this contest....I realized this poor little card never had a chance.

Here is a close up of the flower soft I used on the tree to attempt to give it a feel of spring blossoms.

Be sure to check out all the stamps I have for sale....I just added about 20 more sets the other day! There are also some punches and dies I am selling as well. Just click on the stamps for sale tab under my blog header and it will take you directly to my sale page!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Color ThrowDown #138

2011-04-22T14:31:00.000-07:00

Here's the card I made for this weeks' Color ThrowDown.

I've been wanting to play a lot more with this stamp set, but with trying to get cards finished for PC's submission calls, I haven't had much time. I am trying to grow my relationship with this set. I think it is amazing and has so many possibilities, and I am just hoping to create some amazing cards with it.

Gonna keep this short as I just have a few precious minutes....Kellan is sleeping and I have about a half hour before the 3 other boys are out of school and my quiet house turns into chaos!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Whisper White and Night of Navy CS by SU

Night of Navy, Taken with Teal, and White ink by SU

Modern Basics Stamp Set by PTI

Rhinestones by SU, Corner Chomper

A New Color Challenge for Me

2011-04-21T00:28:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I can't remember the last time I stayed up until almost 1am stamping!

Yay for me! Whoo Hoo!

I have been prepping for my card class, creating some new cards, and blog hopping, and I came across this color challenge!Aren't these colors so much fun?

I had to use Modern Basics from PTI, as I am forming a love/hate relationship with it. I love what other people do with this stamp set, and hate what I do with this stamp set. I'm working on this.

Well, I gave it a whirl tonight, and here it is, world!

Sorry the picture isn't that great, but I had to take it inside since, well, it is going on the middle of the night!

ETA: As I was about to publish this post, our Internet went out, and I have been without it for a couple of days........so it is not the middle of the night as I am posting this......but oh well! Plus it gave me the chance to snap a picture of this card outside....so that's a plus!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies;

Chocolate chip, Crumb Cake and Whisper White Card Stock by SU

Tempting Turquoise, Chocolate Chip and Poppy Parade Ink by SU

Modern Basics and Think Big Favorites 2 by PTI, Stripes by Savvystamps

Rhinestones by SU, Tempting Turquoise grosgrain ribbon by SU, Corner Chomper

Rejected From Royalty

2011-04-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

Here are four of the cards I submitted to the Paper Crafts Stamping Royalty Contest. It is always amazing to me of how my perspective changes over time about cards I have made. I was really excited about all of these card when I first made them, which was a considerable amount of time prior to the deadline. As the deadline approached, I began to feel less and less confident that any of these cards had what it would take to 'wow' people, and win the Stamping Royalty Contest. There were, I believe over 2,200 entries for this contest, with only 15 cards being chosen. Those are not very good odds. But that does leave me able to share them here on my blog. The thinking of you card, with the tree is probably my most favorite.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Sam's Birthday Invites

2011-04-14T11:23:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share the birthday invites I made for Sam's 6th Birthday Party. I can't believe he is going to be 6 on Sunday!
I went back and forth trying to decide what to do for his invites. I eventually decided on making them using this cake from Lawn Fawn's Bake Me A Cake Stamp Set. I now have all of my stamp sets that I am selling, listed on my blog! Yea for me. I have been wanting to do this for months, and finally got around to doing it! If you click on the tab under my blog header that says 'Stamps for Sale', it should take you right to the page where they are listed!
Thanks for Stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A Little Change

2011-04-13T17:44:00.000-07:00

Is there something different?

Well, yes there is. I have wanted to change my blog background color back to white for some time now, but the last time I went to change it, blogger had changed their template designs, and my template was old, and it was confusing, and I just didn't want to deal with it, so I left it how it was.

I really didn't like the color though.

Recently my friend Kelley has made a MAJOR change to her blog, and she inspired me to just go ahead and try to navigate my way through the new templates in order to get things back to white.

Well, one thing led to another, and this is what I have come up with for the time being. There are some more things I want to change, or things that aren't quite right, but at this moment I have kids to tend to, and dinner to make, so it will have to do for now.

Really, I just wanted the background to go back to white.

Oh, and I know I haven't posted a card in a LONG time. I am hoping later tonight to post all the cards that I turned in to PC's Stamping Royalty Contest.

One of the reasons I have not posted was that it was Spring Break and we went to the beach house for a few days. I know this picture is not of a card, but atleast it's something to look at!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

In My Beautiful Balloon....A Moxie Fab World Challenge

2011-03-31T14:16:00.000-07:00

I don't know why I am crafting right now. The baby didn't sleep at all last night, and Dylan came home from school mid morning not feeling well, but when I saw this challenge over at the Moxie Fab World, I just couldn't resist playing along. It's all about hot air balloons, and there are some mighty cute cards along with some super fun images....so go check it out!

I only had one problem. I do not own one hot air balloon stamp. Not one. I know this might come as a shock to many of you who know of my stamp collection, but there ya have it; and item I do not own. How in the world was I going to play along with this challenge?So as you can see, I had to get a little creative. Or inventive, as Cath said on the challenge post! Usually when I have to get inventive with something, it takes me a while to come up with what I want to do, but this time around, I knew exactly what I wanted to accomplish.

Over the past couple of days, I have been really into stamping in a rainbow spectrum of colors. I have seen this tactic many different times on various blogs and in magazines, but never really thought of it as my style. But the other day I tried it, and I loved the result that I had (I have several 'rainbow' cards to post over the next number of days~!) so I thought I would give it a try for this challenge with the balloons. I love how it turned out!

I even braved the POURING rain to take the picture outside.....I only will o that for cards that I really love! Otherwise they have to wait for a nicer day!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Circle Circus Stamp Set by Stampin UP

Sentiment by Rosie's Roadshow

Cherry Cobler, Tangerine Tango, Crushed Curry, Certainly Celery, and Tempting Turquoise Ink by Stampin Up

Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black

Whisper White and Basic Black Card Stock by Stampin UP

Black Divine Twine by Wisker Graphics, Rhinestones by Stampin Up, Corner Chomp, Dimensionals, Two Way Glue Pen

Just to Share

2011-03-30T22:28:00.000-07:00

My messy craftiness!

Oh, goodness, me! I came down to attempt to put some clear PTI stamps away tonight, but the problem was they were sitting on my computer desk, as you can see in the first picture,(usually I try to keep my craft stuff off my computer desk, but it just so happened not to be the case today) and then I decided to check my email. After responding to some PTA emails that had to be attended to, I decided to blog hop a bit and ended up over at Kristina Werner's blog. I am so happy I landed there tonight! She is a crafter after my own heart! I'm not the only one!

Let me tell you folks, I love to paper craft, and it seems like it is only as I am creating something that my mind thinks of ideas for the next card or project! Sometimes I even begin making a new card before the one I'm working on is finished....just so I don't lose the idea! I know, it's crazy, but what's a girl to do.

After reading Kristina's post, I decided that I would snap a few pics of my craft room, just as it is. Yes, folks, even the cupboard doors were open. The only things I changed or moved were a couple of card that are needing to be sent in for publication, so I had to move/hide them so that they would not be in the pictures....and wouldn't break my contracts! But besides that, this is exactly how things look!

The saddest part about all of this, is that this past weekend I spent hours cleaning out my craft cubbies(you can see them in the following pic), but mostly I was just going through paper. I got rid of a bunch, recycled a ton of scraps, and have a stack of brand new, never opened packets of card stock that I am going to be either selling for super cheap or giving away at my next card class!Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Happy Easter - A SPCC Color Challenge

2011-03-30T17:56:00.000-07:00

Here's an Easter card I made a few days ago. I used this color combo from the SPCC Color Challenge Blog.

I just love these little birds....and I have tons of fun ideas for them! I thought they would make a cute Easter card. They are quite versatile, I think!

I've been waiting for a nice day to snap a picture of it outside, but it seems that Spring just doesn't want to let me do that! It's been rainy and cold for the past number of days......not at all like it was towards the end of last week when we had temps in the mid 60's! So I finally caved and took the pic inside just so I could get the card up on the blog!

I've been doing a bit of stamping here and there over the past few days.....I've been going back and forth between making holiday and Christmas Cards, (because I know that the next PC call will be for those).....and spring card cards, because, well it's SPRING!

Hoping to get a bit more stamping in tomorrow, because as of Friday the kiddos are on Spring Break, so I know I won't get much accomplished while they are home....but we'll have fun, and that's what counts!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

River Rock and Whisper White Card Stock by Stampin UP

Perfect Plum and Melon Mambo Dye Ink by Stampin UP

Bird Image Stamps from Togetherness Icons stamp set by Unity Stamp Company

Happy Easter by Savvystamps

Melon Mambo Polka Dot Ribbon by Stampin Up

Grass Edge Punch by Martha Stewart Crafts

Hello Flower

2011-03-26T10:56:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday Morning!

Usually I don't post on weekends.....at least I don't think I do. Too much going on with the family......but all the boys, Kerry included have been a bit obsessed with a particular video game, and have been down here playing it all together, and Kellan has been occupied as well, so I decided to come down and stamp a bit.

I tried making a Christmas Card today, knowing that the next Paper Crafts Call will most likely be for Holiday cards. I don't know if I am in the mood for Christmas at the moment. It seems like in the past few days, Spring has finally hit us; the trees are just beginning to bud out with flowers and all the spring bulbs are making an appearance as well.

The card I posted here today, was yet another reject from the Stamp It PC call.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Stamping On Inchies

2011-03-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

Hello there-

Happy Friday to y'all!

Here is a card I wanted to share that I sort of CASE'd from a local stamp store in my area. The little white squares are called Inchies. They are little one inch squares of of mat board, and are so much fun to stamp on and use on cards.

Gonna keep this short.....I'm trying to get a lot done today, as I'm helping out with a baby shower for a friend, and I need to make the dessert, wrap up some prizes, and I wanted to see if I could get a set of thank you cards done for the guest of honor to add to her gift!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A Card To Post

2011-03-24T12:48:00.000-07:00

Hi!

I know I haven't' posted in quite a few days. Just been busy with life, and trying to get my cards ready for the Paper Crafts Stamping Royalty Contest. Got them in the mail yesterday, so it's out of my hands now! Whew!

This card was one that I was going to submit for the Stamping Royalty Contest, but didn't, because at the last minute, I went on FB and saw a post on Paper Crafts page about some rules for the contest that I was not aware of. The rule that I didn't know about had to do with any of the cards submitted for the contest could not have been submitted at any time for publication submissions. I had about 10 cards that I was going to submit to the contest that indeed had been submitted for publication, but were rejected. That really narrowed down the cards that I sent in....but it saved me a little on postage!!!

I have been stamping a lot over the past month getting ready for this contest, and for publication calls as well. I have a bunch of cards that I either did not submit, or were rejected, so come stop back by, as I will be posting them like crazy over the next couple of weeks!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

More Party Hats

2011-03-17T21:28:00.000-07:00

Since I have started submitting cards for publication....I have become quite disorganized. I don't know how this has happened. Most likely due to the fact that my craft room has never quite been cleaned out and re-organized from taking out my HUGE stamping cabinet last summer.

I'm desperately trying to keep everything straight. I have piles of cards for submissions, cards that are going to be published that I need to send in, cards that were not picked up that I want to submit to other publications, cards to post here on my blog, cards that have been posted on my blog that I want to teach/use for my card class, and finally my boxes of cards that once they have been around everywhere else, find thier resting place in the 'cards to send out' box. Whew!

That was long winded. I made this card some time ago, when I was really getting into the party had thing. I think I was going to use this card for some PTI challenge, but then never got around to submitting it in time. So here it is!

Just finished card class for the night, and I'm going to go try to spend a little time with the boys before they get into bed.....they don't have school tomorrow, so at least we can have a lazy morning!

Anyone out there have any great ideas for organizing all their cards? I'm thinking there has to be a better way.......the thing is, I believe the answer is that I need to stop creating for a bit and focus on getting organized.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Twice Rejected!

2011-03-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

This poor card!

I know it's not the most exciting card in the world....masculine cards are a true challenge for me! I submitted it for publication two times, and it did not get picked up either time, so I figured it was time to post it here!

Apparently this one did not have the Luck 'O the Irish! I did however find out today that one of my Halloween cards was picked up by Paper Crafts for their Sept/Oct Issue. So excited!

Hope you all are having a great St. Patty's Day!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Moxie Fab The Cityscapes Are On the Rise Challenge

2011-03-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

Oh what a fun challenge! I just had to play along with this Challenge over at the Moxie Fab World. You should check it out, as Cath has put together a delightful array of cityscapes to look at for inspiration. Also, be sure to see what other creative minds have come up with for this challenge. I took a look myself this afternoon, and there are some REALLY cute cards out there, folks!

Well, here's my card for the challenge!

I had a lot of fun with this card. I knew as soon as I first saw the challenge that I wanted to use these houses from Memory Box. They are so fun and cute! I made a little scene using them along with the little tree and fence....so fun! I colored it all in with Copics and a couple of Stampin' Write Markers too, and then put it on dimensionals and stuck it over the top of the city buildings I created with textured card stock in various blue colors, making the windows on the skyscrapers with a blender pen in some Marina Mist ink. I added some clouds to the card base, threw everything else on, and lastly added the little banner between the two taller houses using some Divine Twine and some Pumpkin Pie and Pear Pizzaz card stock!

I have to say I had a ton of fun making this card.....it is totally what I needed to get me back into the swing of stamping for fun since I have been so busy with stamping for publication submissions......

Gonna run....the baby just woke up and needs to get back to sleep. Someone forgot to give Kellan the memo about daylight savings time. Needless to say he's had a bit of a rough day with waking up and napping.

Can I just say I am SO NOT a fan of daylight savings time? This has to be my least favorite day of the entire year. Don't get me wrong, I love having it be lighter out later, but do we have to switch back and forth every six months? Maybe I just need to move to Arizona. Oh well!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Colorful Lanterns

2011-03-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, here is the last of the rejects from the Go To Sketches submissions. I only submitted 5 cards total, and two of them I am going to submit elsewhere, so I can't show them here....at least not yet.

I liked this card with all the colorful lanterns, but I now realize that it is really tough to see the sentiment on the patterned paper....oh well!

I am pre-posting this, so it's going to be real short. I've been working a bunch on Halloween cards, which seems CRAZY with spring quickly approaching, but I've managed to make a few cute spring cards as well. Hopefully I'll get to share those with you real soon!

Hope you are having a fabulous day.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Another Sketches Reject

2011-03-11T13:12:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it's been a week since I have posted.
It's just been a super busy week, and I haven't been feeling that great to top things off.
Here is another card I made for the Paper Crafts Go To Sketches call, that didn't get picked up.

I have to laugh at myself sometimes. I thought this card was really great when I made it. And then I submitted it and it didn't get picked up, and now that I look at it again, I can see why. It's a nice card, but not one of my favorites, and there's really nothing about it that stands out.

I have a few others that were rejected from this call, that I think I am going to submit to some other publications and/or contests....and it they don't get picked up, then I shall share them here on the good ol' blog.

Gonna keep this short as I came down to do a bit of cleaning in my craft room. I made some cards for the Sep/Oct Paper Crafts call last night, and I was literally trying to stamp and craft in about a 3 inch square area of table. I'm not real good at putting things away when I'm done, due to either the fact that while I am currently working on a particular card, an idea for another card pops into my head and I want to create it before it leaves me, or that the baby woke up, or is awake and is now attempting to get into all things crafty, which is not good. So I told myself that before I make anything else, that I need to do a bit of housekeeping in craft land!

Hope you all are having a fabulous Friday, and have a great weekend as well!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A 'Go-to-Sketches' Reject and a confession

2011-03-05T10:54:00.000-08:00

Where do I begin?

I was so excited a month ago, when 3 of my cards were picked up by Paper Crafts for their Stamp It Cards publication. I thought I had finally hit the mark. I had finally arrived. My first attempt at submitting for publication, and I was picked up. I must be an amazing crafter.

Well, God, by way of Paper Crafts, sure has a way of knocking me back to reality. I think I got a bit of a big head about myself, and thought that from now on, if I kept submitting, that each time at least something of mine would get chosen.

Well, I was wrong. None of the cards I submitted to the 'Go to Sketches' call were chosen. I was really bummed about it yesterday, but today I have a new perspective on the situation. I think that it is so easy for me to forget the main reason why I make cards: I love to do it. It brings me such joy, and is a huge stress reliever for me. I needed to be reminded of this. Everything else is just icing on the cake. Thank you, God for helping me to remember.

With all that said, I wanted to share one of the cards that got rejected. It's funny how my perspective has changes in the past day about the cards I submitted. I thought this card in particular was so AMAZING! And now that I look at it, I think it's a nice card, but nothing extraordinary. I'm just exited to have found a place to share it.

Also, I now have a new 'label' or category for my posts.......'publication rejects', and that's kinda exciting!

A final thought, if you all will indulge me....submitting cards for publication is a lot like life. There are ups and downs. You win some and you lose some. But in the end the race is with yourself. Does what you do make you happy? Does it encourage, inspire and lift up those around you? Do you try to do better than you did before? If you can answer yes to these questions, I think you are on the right track.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day.

Moxie Fab Tuesday Trgger in Yellow

2011-03-04T20:15:00.000-08:00

Hi all-

Gonna keep this short, it's Friday night, and we spent the evening playing games with the boys. They are all now in their pajamas watching Spongebob, trying to wind down, and I came down to pay some bills online, and realized that I had not yet posted the card that I had made a few days ago, for the Tuesday Trigger Challenge over at the Moxie Fab World. (Mostly because when I looked at the card to photograph it, there were some changes I wanted to make to it, but I just haven't found the time. Anyway.

Here's the Trigger Pic,

And here's the card:

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Moxie Fabin' It With Decorative Tape

2011-03-02T15:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

I actually got some time to stamp yesterday, and was able to make a few cards for a couple of Moxie Fab Challenges that are going on right now.

This card is for the 'Get Daring with Decorative Tape' Challenge.

I found this decorative tape deep in one of my drawers of ribbon, and thought that I would use it. It's from Martha Stewart Crafts. I like the sky blue with the poppy color. I think they work well together. I started out making a card that looked a bit different in my mind, but this is what it turned out to be like. Sometimes I guess cards just take on a life of their own!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:
Poppy Parade Card Stock by Stampin Up
Whisper White Craft Ink by Stampin Up
Decorative Tape from Martha Stewart Crafts
Flower and Thanks stamps by Impress
Rhinestones by Stampin' UP

Moxie Fab World Paper Piecing Challenge

2011-03-01T09:13:00.000-08:00

Hi all!

Happy March to everyone! It doesn't feel much like March here, we just got finished with about a week of below freezing temps and snow, but it's supposed to be in the 40's now......oohhh, balmy!

Here's the card I made for the Moxie Fab World Paper Piecing Challenge.

I made this card last night while submitting my entries for the Paper Crafts Go to Sketches call. I only submitted 5 cards, so we'll see if any of them get picked up! If not, I will have some fun stuff to share in the coming days!

I've been having so much fun with these little poofy flowers from Martha Stewart Crafts. And I just can't get enough of this Memory Box Paper either. I used it about a week ago or so to make my niece's birthday card, and just love the pink and green combo, so I thought it would make a cute pieced cake as well.

Gonna keep this short.....the kids all went back to school yesterday after having a week off for mid-winter break, and now I finally feel like I am able to get my house clean! But who knows, if the baby goes down for a good nap, I might have to stamp! Spoken like a true craft addict, eh?

Hope the beginning of March is treating all of you well.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Whisper White Card Stock by Stampin' UP

Whisper White Textured Card Stock by Stampin' UP

Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black

Bake Me a Cake Clear Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn Stamps

Happy Birthday stamp from Handwritten notes by Papertrey ink

Memory Box Patterned Paper from the Pixie Collection

Rhinestones by Kaiser

Flower Stickers by Martha Stewart Crafts

Dimensionals by Stampin UP

My Day

2011-02-27T04:56:00.000-08:00

It is my birthday today.....well actually not today, because I am scheduling this post a few days in advance so it will post on my birthday.

I received this card in the mail a few days before my birthday. It is from one of my best friends in the whole wide world. Kaycee is one of the sweetest, kindest, most giving people you will ever meet. I am so thankful and grateful that she is a part of my life. Even thought we are miles and miles away, sometimes it feels like she is right here with me.

I love this card. It is so us. It made me laugh out loud when I opened it up, and the kids wanted to know what was so funny. I told them it was a card that Auntie Kaycee sent to me. They looked at me kinda funny and went on their way!

Thank you Kaycee for the card, and thank you most of all for being my friend! I love you!

Kaycee is also a very talented photographer and owns her own business. I have a link to her website over on my sidebar. It is called Real life photographs. You should check out her work, she is truly an amazing artist!

So here's to another year.....this past year was a good one for me, and I hope that this coming year will prove to be the same!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Katie's Birthday Card

2011-02-25T04:47:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my niece is 4 years old today!

Happy Birthday Katie!

Here is the card that I made for her birthday! I have really been into these party hats and these Martha Stewart Flowers lately. And I love pink and green together.....thought it would be really cute for a little girl! So here's another take on the birthday hat theme:

Hope y'all have a great weekend! I don't know if I'll get around to posting anything....going to try to get our taxes done and finish up some cards for the Papercrafts call! I don't want to wait until the last minute like last time and have a dozen cards that I'm trying to submit all at once with only 30 minutes until the deadline closes!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

My First Lawnscaping Challenge!

2011-02-21T15:59:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!

I have a new challenge that I have never played along with before! It is called the Lawnscaping challenge, and comes from the wonderful world of Lawn Fawn Stamps! This is the 4th challenge that has been issued over there at the Lawnscaping blog, and I'm super excited to be able to play along.

My only set back was that I only own ONE Lawn Fawn stamp set! So I am a bit limited when it comes to this challenge! The challenge asks for you to use at least one Lawn Fawn product, (although you don't have to), and since this is the set I have, this is the set I used!

There are a couple more LF sets that I have had my eye on, but one of them is out of stock, and so I am patiently waiting for the email letting me know that they have it back in! That way I can get it along with the others that I want and save on the shipping if I order everything at one time! What can I say.....just trying my best to save money in every possible way these days! One of the sets I want however, just happens to be the prize for winning this challenge, so wish me luck!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Bake Me A Cake - Clear Stamp Set by Lawn Fawn

Whisper White Card Stock by Stampin' UP

Memory Box Patterned Paper - Brioche Collection

Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black

Stampin' Write Marker in Red Riding Hood by Stampin' Up

Rhinestones by Stampin' UP

Yellow Flower Sticker by Martha Stewart Crafts

Dimensionals by Stampin' UP

Gray Owl Card

2011-02-21T14:47:00.000-08:00

Here is one of the Gray Cards that I did not enter in the Moxie Fab Gray is the New Black Challenge. I really do like gray and orange together.

The kids are off of school this week! Yay, no getting up early and making lunches! I'm trying to sneak in a little crafting here and there, while still trying to spend as much time with the boys as I can. There a couple things I am stamping away for.....another Paper Crafts call, and of course the Stamping Royalty contest. And I just made my niece a birthday card too! (Her birthday is Friday, s I will post her card then!)

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A Card For Baby Lola

2011-02-17T10:44:00.000-08:00

In the midst of my stamping funk, I decided to make a card for my dear sweet friend Forrest's new baby, Lola!

Love the name by the way. It was one that was always on my list of baby names, but alas, I have four boys, so I was never able to use it. I'm happy that Forrest was.

As I have been trying to go through my stamping stuff, I have uncovered many a stamp that I had forgotten about! Imagine that. It's kinda been like Christmas Morning. The stamp I used on this card just happens to be one of those stamps. It's a Stamping Bella Stamp, called Sweet Pea!

I used some Memory Box paper, and pink Divine Twine, and of course, those super fun Labels 4 Nesties!

I'm just hoping to make it through today. I have card class tonight, and I was feeling a cold coming on last night as I was going to bed, and sure enough, I woke up sick. Yuck. But I have been taking stuff like a champ hoping to stave off whatever it is that is trying to get me down.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

In a Funk and a Couple of Leftovers

2011-02-15T19:47:00.000-08:00

Hey there!

Happy Tuesday......night that is. My day did not really go as planned. Funny how that happens to me.....just about every day.

I can't even explain to you the weirdness I feel. I am definately in a stamping funk. Lost my mojo, or something like that.

I was so excited last Friday when I received the emial from Papercrafts, letting me know that 3 of my cards were being picked up for publication. I have been in stamping heaven ever since then, and I think to day was the first time since then that I have had the opportunity to stamp.

And let me tell you.....it's just not there for me right now. I have been thinking all day that I want to create some really awesome cards....some for the most recent Papercrafts call, which is all about sketches, as well as make cards for the Stamping Royality Contest. I keep telling myself that I should be able to come up with some new and exciting cards, but I just can't. Do you ever feel like that? Like you just can't think of anything? I am surrounded with all these amazing stamps and supplies, and yet nothing is coming to me. Or the cards I have produced today have been CRAP. Not even worth taking pictures of......they just went straight into the recycle bin.

Maybe I'm just trying too hard, I don't know. So if anyone out there has any tips on how to get the stamping mojo flowing....please let me know!

I do however want to share a few Valentine's Cards that I just never got around to posting. Here they are!

Hope everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Papertrey Think Big Challenge

2011-02-12T20:15:00.000-08:00

Here is a card I made for Papertrey Ink's Think Big Challenge. The challenge was to make a card with something REALLY big or oversized as the focal point of the card in honor of a new set they are releasing of sentiments in a really large font. Super fun.

So I decided to make a really big party hat on this card!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies

Whisper White Cards Stock by Stampin' UP, Portobello Road "Boy"Dapper Dots Paper by My Mind's Eye

Basic Gray Ink by Stampin' UP

Handwritten Notes by Papertrey Ink

Flower Sticker by Martha Stewart Crafts, Corner Chomper by We R Memeory Keepers

A Papertrey Tag & Frame Challenge

2011-02-11T21:01:00.001-08:00

I have been sneaking over to Nichole's blog and checking out all the fun challenges that they are having over at Papertrey Ink in honor of their 4th anniversary!

I have wanted to participate in all of the challenges they have had, but just haven't had the time with my busy schedule.

But I did get a chance to make a little tag for the Tag & Frame Challenge. And here it is:

Gonna keep this post short. It's been a long day with sick kids!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies

Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla Textured Card Stock by Stampin' UP

Frames With a Flourish by Stampin' UP, Background Basics: Retro by Papertrey Ink, Handwritten Notes by Papertrey Ink

Crumb Cake and Chocolate Chip Ink by Stampin' Up

Labels 4 Nestabilities Dies, Jute Twine by Papertrey Ink, Flowers by Martha Stewart Crafts, Rhinestones by Stampin' UP, Dimensionals

WHOOO HOOOOO!

2011-02-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

I am so ecstatic, that I just have to share my excitement.

I just got home from the doctors office with Sam. He has strep throat and Scarlet Fever. Scary. But we got the meds and he should be okay.....sorry to digress. Anyway, it's been a crazy day, and I decided to check my email, and there it was.......the loveliest email I think I have ever received!!!

I am going to have 3 cards published in the upcoming Stamp It Cards Vol. 8 of Papercrafts Magazine.

I am so excited I could scream! But I won't because the baby is sleeping!

Thanks for letting me share my excitement with you! This is truly a dream come true for me!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

i love hanging out with you

2011-02-08T20:50:00.001-08:00

Here is a card that did not make the cut for cards that I submitted for publication. I don't know why but I just decided not to submit it. But that means that I can share it here on my blog!

I saw these little hangers in a stamp/paper crafting store a few weeks ago, and just thought they were adorable.

I think I might give it to Kerry for Valentine's Day, even though I don't really care for the holiday that much. Way back in the beginning of our marriage, I threatened him that if he ever brought me flowers let alone roses on Valentine's day, he would be in so much trouble, he wouldn't ever see the end of it. I know that's kinda backwards from what most people want, but I just don't see the point in spending three times the amount of money on flowers than at any other week during the year. And second, if he really wants to do something lovely for me, I would much rather him do it on some random day, and not because Hallmark told him this as the day to do some thing for someone you love.

Sorry about my little rant there. Anyway, I think I might have to give him this card, even though he's already seen it ( I show him all the cards I make, and bless his heart, he puts up with me doing so). I just love him, and am so happy that he is my husband and the father of our 4 children!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

MY OH MY.....

2011-02-07T23:07:00.000-08:00

A new experience for me.

One of the things I wanted to do this year was to submit cards for publication. I just finished my first batch, and boy am I tired.

I think I learned along the was as well.

When I first saw the call, February 7th seemed like such a long way off, and even though I have had the cards that I submitted finished for some time now, I still had all the submitting to do. I think that from now on, I will submit the cards as I make them instead of waiting until the last moment to get them all in. My hands and wrists are quite sore from all the typing.

What a load of time that took! Ha! Why didn't any of ya'll tell me how long that was going to take?

For the most part this was a really fun experience for me. I have no idea how long it takes once things are submitted to find out.......I made a boatload of cards, and it's been really tough to not post them here on my blog, but I guess that's the price for trying to get published!

I do have a card that I am hoping to get posted tomorrow, one that I didn't get around to submitting.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A New Challenge For Me

2011-02-04T09:45:00.000-08:00

Happy Friday everyone!

Here is a new challenge I found at the CPS blog (Card Positioning Systems, not Child Protective Services.....hee hee!) Here is the sketch and the card I made!

Since I have been working so hard on making card for recent publication calls, I feel like I haven't had a chance to make much that I am able to post. But I found this blog, and it looked like a fun sketch, so I tried it out!

It's a rainy day here.....really dark and dreary, so I had to take the pic inside. I'm so thankful that we had some really beautiful days earlier in the week so I could get pictures for all my cards for publication taken outside. I think they turn out better.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies

Paper: Very Vanilla Card Stock, Very Vanilla Textured Card Stock (SU) My Minds Eye Portobello Road "Boy" Dapper Dots Paper

Ink: Crumb Cake (SU)

Stamps: Handwritten Notes (Papertrey Ink)

Other: Soft Sky Double Stitched Ribbon by SU, Corner Chomper by We R Memory Keepers, Sponge and Ink for distressing, Martha Stewart Flower stickers, Rhinestones by SU

Color Throwdown #127

2011-02-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

I decided this year I was going to stamp because it brings me joy.

I decided to take the pressure off myself to feel like I have to post all the time. I wanted to get back to the roots of why I first began stamping and why I began blogging my creations - because it brought me happiness, and I wanted to share my joy and my creations with others.

With that said it has been a while since I have participated in some of the challenges that I have had a lot of fun playing along with. The Color Throwdown being one of them. So here's a card I made for this weeks color challenge!

Here's the color palate I was given:

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Sketchy Thursday.....what's that you say?

2011-02-02T14:23:00.001-08:00

It has been SO LONG since I have played along with Tracy's Sketchy Thursday! Honestly, it has been months and months! So here's a shout out to all those faithful Sketchy Thursday players!!! It feels great to play along with y'all once again! Oh, how much I have missed it.

The past day or so has been a bit crazy and stressful for me. I had this idea for this card in my head when I saw the sketch....and it wasn't till today that I need a little 'time out' from all the stuff I've been dealing with, so I decided to relieve my stress by gettin' my craft on!

Gonna keep this short, as I have to feed Kellan a little something before we head up to school to pick up the other boys!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake (SU), Basic Grey Kioshi Papers

Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)

Stamps: Happy Birthday (A Muse)

Other: Jute Twine (PTI) Pink Rhinestone (stash)

Third Post For The Day: Moxie Fab Jewel Tones Challenge

2011-01-31T16:18:00.000-08:00

Whew! What a crazy blog posting day it has been!

When I first saw all of the color challenges over at the Moxie Fab World earlier this month, I had great intentions of participating in all of them.

Somehow life got in the way of that.

As I was posting card in two of the other challenges earlier on today, I realized that this challenge was one that I really wanted to do. So I had no choice but to make a card; which I did. And here it is. (Thanks to the baby taking a 4 hour nap - he's never done that good before! I guess I was meant to craft today!)

Third post for me for today, so I'll keep this short! I am just happy that I was able to play in 4 out of the six color challenges! If you haven't seen them you should check them out over at the Moxie Fab World.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies

Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay Textured Card Stock, Daffodil Delight (all SU)

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Night of Navy, Daffodil Delight (SU)

Stamps: Bird - Inkadinkado, Island Blossoms (SU) Background Basics: Retro (Papertrey Ink), Warm Words (SU)

Other: Buttons (Basic Grey), Organza Ribbon (SU) Slot Punch (SU), Sizzix Top Note Die (SU), Cuttlebug Swiss Dots Embossing Folder, Jute Twine (PTI), Rhinestones (SU)

Color Inspiration for Card Makers: The Neutrals Challenge

2011-01-31T14:07:00.000-08:00

Wow, this is my second post for the day! Feeling pretty good about that considering all the kiddos were off from school today. Usually when I'm out of my normal routine, I don't get anything craft related accomplished.

I actually made this card a few days ago for this Moxie Fab Color Challenge but just didn't get around to snapping a picture of it or posting it, and since today is the deadline......I figured I better get 'er done!

And since this is the second post for today, I'm going to keep it really short!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies

Paper: Marina Mist, Whisper White (SU)

Ink: Crumb Cake (SU)

Stamps: Little Pieces and Thank You Kindly (SU)

Other: Corner Chomper, Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon

Moxie Fab Color: The Monochromatic Challenge

2011-01-31T14:04:00.000-08:00

Hi All-

Happy Monday! All the kiddos are home from school today due to a teacher work day, and they have friends over, so I have a house full of boys! So much fun.

I realized last night as I was making this card, that today was the last day to enter! Where has January gone? I can't believe that tomorrow is February!

Anyway, here is the card I made for the Monochromatic Challenge over at the Moxie Fab World. I had a different card I was going to submit to this challenge, but it really didn't do any thing for me, so I waited a little while and the idea for this card came to me.

I had a really tough time getting the letters to turn out. I used alphabet letters, and anyway, I won't bore you with the details, but with placement issues and embossing issues, I think I ended up making this card like 5 times before I was happy with the result. And then I thought to myself....is it really worth it to make a card 5 times? I was driving myself crazy, but as a bit of a perfectionist I couldn't just let it go. I even made a different version of the card (below) using a different font of alphabet, and it was much easier, but I didn't like it as much. So I went back and tried it the original way one last time, because I knew if I didn't get it, it would bother me all day.

I just realized I wasn't going to bore you all with the details and well, I pretty much did! Sorry! It was kinda funny because as I was attempting this card over and over and over again, Cody was playing Madden Football with one of his friends and they were talking about third down conversions, and I realized that I was '0' for '5' on my ability to convert into a finished card. So if anyone ever asks you if card making is like football.....you can answer yes.

Thanks so much for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies

Paper: Pink Pirouette (SU)

Ink: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink (SU) Versamark

Stamps: Flourish by Impress, Letterpress Alphabet, Funky Alphabet (SU)

Other: Clear embossing powder, Rhnestones

The Final Gray Challenge Card

2011-01-23T16:24:00.000-08:00

If you can believe it or not, I actually made qutie a few more gray cards for the Moxie Fab 'The Gray is the New Black Challenge', but I just didn't get around to posting them. And actually a couple of them weren't as good as I wanted them to be and I just haven't found the time to re-do them. Perhaps I will get a chance in the coming weeks to get them to my liking and post them later.

This card I am posting here is one that I made for the challenge. It is probably my most favorite card that I did. And the reason I haven't posted it unitl now is that I have been contemplating whether or not to submit it for publication or submit it to the Stamping Royalty Contest. I would actually like to see if anything I make could get published!
Well, you can see that I chose to enter it here, for the Gray Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:
Paper: Whisper White and Basic Gray Textured Card Stock (SU)
Ink: Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight (SU)
Stamps: Essence of Love (SU)
Other: Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon, Rhinestones (SU)

Man Card

2011-01-22T16:50:00.000-08:00

Okay. So like most of you out there, I have a REALLY tough time with masculine cards.....I mean, to me, a card just isn't a card if it doesn't have glitter, bling or ribbon. And so I don't make many masculine cards.

This card is super CAS, but I think it's perfect for a guy. I didn't place a sentiment on the inside, thinking it could be used for Father's Day, or a birthday.

Gonna keep this short!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Moxie Fab Color Challenge: The Bright and Bold

2011-01-18T12:37:00.000-08:00

I actually made this card a number of days ago, but I'm just now getting around to posting it. Above were the colors for the challenge. I'm usually not one to pick these bright colors together to use for a card, so I was a bit out of my element.

I thought these little birds would be absolutely cute in these bright colors, though.

Gonna keep this short, as Kellan is fussing, and I want to have some play time with him before we have to run off to an appointment and then grab the other boys from school!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White CS, Melon Mambo textured CS, Tangerine Tango CS (SU)

Ink: Basic Black, Melon Mambo, Tangerine Tango

Stamps: Aviary, Happy Moments (SU)

Other: 5/8 Black Grosgrain Ribbon, Scallop Border Punch, Rhinestones

More Moxie Fab 'Gray Challenge' Cards

2011-01-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

Well, my friends, I am really having fun with this gray challenge over at the Moxie Fab World.

Yea for Gray!

Here are a couple more cards that I made tonight, plus as I was cleaning this afternoon, I found the other card that I made a couple of days ago, but didn't post because I misplaced it before I had a chance to snap a picture of it. (It is the flower one with the yellow ribbon, not my most favorite card I have made, but thought I would share it anyway.)

The pink and gray one, was inspired, (almost cased) from the first card of the Moxie Fab inspirations. I really liked that color combo, but I think mine has something to be desired. I have had that butterfly stamp sitting on my table for a few months......I won it in a blog giveaway, and it had yet to see ink....so i gave it a whirl!

I think the owl card is my most favorite.

Gonna keep this short, Kellan did not sleep at all last night. I should really get to bed. Poor little guy has a cold. At least he picked a good night to keep me up.....it snowed about 5 inches all during the night, and it was fun to watch. Hopefully he will sleep tonight, so that I can too!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Thanks Card:

Paper: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla (SU)

Ink: Crushed Curry, Certainly Celery, Basic Gray (SU)

Stamps: Silhouette Burst (Hero ARTS) Sentiment: Impress

Other: 1/8 " Taffeta Ribbon in Daffodil (SU), Yellow Stickles

Inspire Card:

Paper: Pink Pirouette (SU)

Ink: Basic Gray (SU)

Stamps: Inspire Butterfly Collage (Memory Box)

Other: Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon (SU), Jewel Bauble

Hello Card:

Paper: Kraft (SU)

Ink: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Basic Gray (SU)

Stamps: Spring Solitude, Halloween Frights (SU) Sentiment: A Muse

Other: Basic Gray Satin Ribbon (SU) Rhinestone (SU) Corner Chomper

Moxie Fab "The Gray is the new Black Challenge"

2011-01-11T16:44:00.000-08:00

I so very much needed something to get my stamping/crafting mojo going, and when I landed over on the Moxie Fab World, and saw this challenge, I knew that this was exactly what I needed.

Gray has actually been my thing lately, those of you who received a Christmas card from me are aware of this. (I don't think I ever posted the card I sent out.) I also had a brief chance in December to make a couple of snowflake cards which incorporated gray. If you would like to see those, you can find them here and here.

So since this challenge so inspired me to 'get my craft on' once again, I just couldn't stop with one card. So here are the cards I have been working on today.

I did make one more card, but couldn't locate it in my messy craft area. I also have a few more ideas in my brain, so perhaps I'll post a few more 'Gray' cards here in the near future!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Love Ya Card:

Paper: Basic Gray, Very Vanilla (SU)

Ink: Basic Gray, Read Red, Pink Pirouette (SU)

Stamps: Lovey Dovey Tree (Memory Bos) Sentiment (Inkadinkado)

Other: Rhinestones (SU) Corner Chomper

Carry On Card:

Paper: Poppy Parade Very Vanilla(su)

Ink: Basic Gray (SU)

Stamps: Keep Calm (rubber soul)

Other: Basic Gray Satin Ribbon (SU)

Hi Friend Card:

Paper: Very Vanilla (SU)

Ink: Basic Gray, Old Olive, Crushed Curry, Tangerine Tango (SU)

Stamps: Dotty Tree Birds (Memory Box) Sentiment (A Muse)

Other: Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Happy Birthday Card:

Paper: Whisper White (SU)

Ink: Tangerine Tango, Basic Gray (SU)

Stamps: Upsy Daisy (SU) Sentiment (PTI)

Other: Basic Gray Satin Ribbon (SU)

Thinking of You Card:

Paper: Basic Gray, Old Olive, Very Vanilla (SU)

Ink: Basic Gray, Taken With Teal, (SU)

Stamps: Dotty Tree Birds (Memory Box) Birch Trees (savvy stamps) Sentiment (SU)

Other: Rhinestones

Shower Invite

2011-01-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

I have not stamped in a long time. Like weeks. But a friend of mine is having a little baby girl soon and another friend and I are throwing her a shower.

So today I tried to start to come up with a few ideas for shower invites. Here is the first one I came up with.

Dylan is home sick with Pneumonia, so we'll see if I am able to get to anymore invites, or if this will be the one I end up duplicating and sending out!!!!

A Moxie Fab Glitter Challenge

2010-12-29T16:39:00.000-08:00

Oh my! It's been a while since I have posted. The Christmas season was very busy and crazy for me, and coupled with the baby, I didn't have very much spare time to craft or stamp, let alone try to make something for a challenge. But when I saw this challenge over at Moxie Fab World, well, I just couldn't resist.

For those of you who know me, you know that I LOVE glitter! So this challenge was right up my alley. This card is a very CAS card, and I am hoping to be able to have a chance to make a few more cards for this challenge, as I have a bunch of ideas rolling around in my head!

The patterned paper I used was just some scrap that I had laying around, and I can't remember who it is by. I think that it's October Afternoon, but it may be Cosmo Cricket? If you recognize it...let me know!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White (SU), Patterned Paper (October Afternoon?)

Ink: Soft Sky, Chocolate Chip (both SU)

Stamps: Solid Stamp (Savvy Stamps) Sentiment (Impress)

Other: Peach Parfait Twill Ribbon (SU), Corner Chomper, Rhinestone. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter (SU)

Another Snowflake Card

2010-12-13T23:17:00.001-08:00

Here's another snowflake card like the one that Katherine saw at Impress.I don't know how much I like it on the white, but I just wanted to see how it looked on something different besides the gray.

Gonna keep this real short. I have been multi-tasking tonight, (or as I like to call it, ADD-tasking), and I don't have a single thing complete. Scrap Calendars, Christmas Cards, Teacher Gifts, Treat Boxes, Client Gifts, Christmas tags....they are all in some stage of getting done, but not quite there!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Vintage Christmas

2010-12-07T15:49:00.001-08:00

I found these sheets of all different vintage Christmas images. I think they are so much fun. I made a card out the the one you see here....so easy, all I had to do was put it on some card stock and then I added a bit of glitter to her hat and the bottom of her coat!
The images are all different sizes.....I think they would make great cards, as well as gift tags. I'm thinkin' that I am going to use them for card class this month! I took one and mounted it on CS and then added glitter to the entire image. It turned out real cute. I haven't taken a picture of it yet.....

Hope y'all have a Jolly Yuletide!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

What Kath Saw

2010-12-06T14:40:00.000-08:00

was a card that I believe looked very similar to this one.

A little over a month ago, my friend Katherine and I were in a little stamping/paper store as we were picking up things for Christmas Cards, crafts, mainly for the advent calendars.

A while later, while doing her mock ups for her cards, she asked me if I had seen a particular card on display in the store. I sort of remembered it, but it wasn't until I made another little trip to the store that I saw the card again and remembered.

The snowflake on the original card was much larger, but this was the only snowflake I had available to me since Kath is currently in possession of my huge snowflake stamp. The bigger stamp allows for more bling to be added, which I think looks better....but for what I had to work with, I think this re-creation turned out quite well.

Hope ya like it, Kath!

Supplies: All Stampin' UP

Basic Gray, Riding Hood Red, and Brushed Silver CS

Versamark Ink

Winter White Embossing Powder

Snow Burst Stamp Set

Diamonds

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Advent Calendar

2010-11-18T08:41:00.000-08:00

This is what I have been working on the past couple of weeks. I'm kinda sad to say that is has actually been weeks....I don't think it should have taken me that long, but nonetheless I am happy to say that I am now finished.

Each day is actually a decorated 3 x 3 envelope, so that a little message or something of the like can be placed in each one. I think I have decided that I will just change it up every year. For this year I am going to place little activities and 'good deeds' that either the kids can do, or that we can do as a family.

My biggest problem after I finally got it all assembled, is trying to find a place to hang it in the house.....

Sorry for the poor quality of the pictures.....I feel lucky to have even taken them and gotten them up on the blog.....I don't have much time in life for editing at the moment!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

JOY Card

2010-11-16T17:41:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that I haven't posted in over 3 weeks.

I have had this card that I wanted so share for quite some time now.

It's really CAS......I've been getting back into that style now for a little bit. It sure makes card making easy.

I have been up to some other Christmas Paper crafts that I am looking forward to sharing soon!

Plus I want to share all the pages from the scrap calendars.....I just need to get with it and take pictures of everything!

And I'm trying really hard to figure out what I want to send out for Christmas Cards this year. It seems like I make a card that I like, and I think, "This is the one," and then I make another card and think that is the one I need to make and send out. Hopefully I will be able to figure it out soon, as I am hoping to get everything stamped and ready to go during Thanksgiving weekend!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Teacher Gift

2010-10-28T17:09:00.000-07:00

Mrs. Tellekamp is Sam's Kindergarten Teacher.

Sam absolutely adores her.

Her birthday was on Sunday, and we (Sam and I) decided that we would make her some cards.

I need to do them super quick, so they were very CAS. I didn't get a pic of the cards themselves, I will have to reproduce one and take a picture of it.

I made 8 cards, all the same, the only difference being the color of ink on the flower.

Then I threw 'em in a cello bag, and added one of the leftover flowers from the flower wreath!

Mrs. Tellekamp loved them....and that makes me happy!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Paper Flower Wreath

2010-10-26T12:57:00.000-07:00

Where have I been?!?

Even I don't know.

But yesterday, I finally got my craft bug back!

Yeah me!!!

I actually have been working on crafty things, I just haven't had the time to share. So sorry to all of you who have faithfully shown up at this blog and wondered why I haven't put up anything new here.

Today I wanted to share something I made last week with a couple of friends of mine. Love this.

So exciting. A friend of mine saw a wreath like this in a paper store, and attempted to somewhat re-create what she saw without buying the kit. Then we all just had to make one of our own! And thanks to Kath who valiantly hot glued the flowers while I moved onto glittering pumpkins...

Here it is:

Sorry for the bad pictures....they really don't do the wreath justice. But it's such a miserable day outside....rainy and windy, that I had to take it inside. One picture is with and the other without the flash!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

A Halloween Card

2010-10-09T21:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a Halloween card I made the other week when I was able to sit down and actually make a number of cards.

I love these little pumpkins...they are so cute and happy.

Gonna keep this short. Life has been crazy busy(as normal) but this past week has thrown me a bit of a wrench. If you want to know what's been going on with me, you can find out here.

Hope y'all are having a GREAT October! It's still super warm here....and it's super humid! Yuck! Hopefully it will cool off soon....I am so waiting for those crisp cool autumn days!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Little Cards.....

2010-09-29T08:57:00.000-07:00

for a new challenge. Well, new to me anyway. And you all know how I just love a new challenge. I found this Cardvarks Clean and Simple Challenge through my friend Kelley's blog. I am always amazed at how she finds all these great sites.....I wish I had more time, but for now, I'll just have to rely on her! (Hope ya don't mind, girl!)

I've noticed that over the past few months, basically since Kellan has been born that I have been reverting back to a clean & simple style. I got kind of carried away a while back....which wasn't necessarily a bad thing, I just find that clean & simple (and quick) is been good for me lately! So of course I was so happy to play along with this challenge!

I've been trying to use up things that I have....and I had this set of little pre-scored 3 x 3 cards, that I thought would be fun to use. So here's what I did with them.

Also, last week, I picked up some of these 1 inch mat board pieces....they are so fun to play with. I have a few other cards that I just made using them as well.

Here's a close up of the little mat board.These two are for halloween. I think the orange one is my favorite. The green one is missing something, I think. I think it needs some orange. Maybe I should have stamped the 'Happy Halloween' in orange.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day.

Moxie Fab Offset Scallops Challenge.

2010-09-17T14:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Afternoon!

I had a great card class last night....it was really small, but wonderful! Thanks again ladies for making class what it is.

I had the chance the other day to make a card for the latest Moxie Fab Challenge: Offset Scallops! This one was really fun.

I decided to make a card for a baby boy....hmmmm, I wonder what has influenced that decision?

I also really love blues. And the new Marina Mist from SU is just gorgeous! I used my offset scallops in 3 different shades of blue to mimic ocean waves! And I just love this cute little whale!

Sorry the picture isn't the greatest....it's been a little soggy around here, and so I took the pic inside instead of out!

Gonna keep it short, got to go pick up the 3 big boys from school!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day....and a great weekend too!

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White , Marina Mist, Baja Breeze, Bashful Blue

Inks: Marina Mist

Stamps: Fox and Friends (SU) Signature Greetings (PTI)

Other: Corner Chomper, Marina Mist 1/8 inch Taffeta Ribbon, 1" circle punch, Stickles

A Card, Some News, and a Confession

2010-09-15T14:24:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I know it was a few days ago, that I promised a card, but my life has just been insanely busy. It seems like the only spare time I have to sit down, I'm nursing a baby!

Here is a card I made a while back when I was messing around with some ideas for a CAS challenge using bling!

And now for some news.....some of you may already know this, but after 7 years with Stampin' UP, my days as a demonstrator with them are sadly over. This was a long thought out process, and in the end, although I love the company and I love their product, I just need that change in my life. The day I made the decision, a HUGE weight was lifted off of me. I will still be teaching/hosting card class, because I still love doing that, and I have come to truly love and enjoy the ladies who come regularly.....I may supply the paper and the designs, but you girls really make card class what it is!!! (Tear!)

And now for my confession. What could it be, you are wondering? Well, for the past 6 weeks or so that it has been since I have crafted, or made any cards, I have been really happy! For the past 8 or more years now, paper crafting has been a big passion of mine and a huge stress outlet for me. This past year, dealing with a difficult pregnancy, and bringing my 4th child into the world, and trying to "keep up with the Jones" so to speak in the card/blog world, I just wasn't happy. I think I got away from why I started in the first place. I like to make card and paper craft for me. I got really bogged down with trying to keep up with different challenges, feeling like I had to make a card every week for every challenge that I had ever taken part in. I felt so inferior to all you other paper crafters out there who create AMAZING things, who seemed to craft all the time, win challenges, get published, and have an amazing life for themselves and their families as well. I just couldn't do it. I was beginning to feel like I could barely keep my head above water. Crazy I know, but I have a very intense and competitive personality....it is what it is.

So towards the end of the summer, I decided to take a break. In the past, if I haven't crafted in a while (like 2 or 3 days) it was like I went crazy! But this long break for me has been great! I hate to admit it, but I have really enjoyed not crafting. I was able to really focus on my kids being home from school, and spend time with them and ENJOY them....especially Kellan!

Well, I'm back now, I don't know that I'm going to be as intense as I was before, but we'll just have to see how things go. I started up card class again this month, and I'm really excited about that. I'm also working on a card for a Moxie Fab Challenge......so check back!

Lastly, thank you to all of you who stop by and visit this blog....I originally started it just for me, to document my crafting, so I'm trying to get back to that.

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

It's been too long....

2010-09-09T11:38:00.000-07:00

Hey all-
Is there anyone out there that still even visits this blog?

The end of summer and the beginning of the school year have been really crazy for me, and that's why you haven't seen anything (cards or not) posted here. But I'm hoping by next week to be back into my regular groove. The card class that I host/teach is starting up again next Thursday, so I'm hoping that it will get me motivated to get stamping again.

I have to admit, and I never thought that I would feel this way, that I has actually been a really nice hiatus this past month or so. It's actually kind of refreshing to have had a break from crafting and stamping, and just focus on enjoying my children and the summer.

I'm hoping tomorrow to post a card.....what? Yep, you heard it right, so if you still stop by and visit me, check back real soon.....I also have some news to share.......

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

MIA

2010-08-13T12:03:00.000-07:00

Where have I been you ask?
We lost Internet service Tuesday evening, and have been working with the Internet provider to get things resolved, but still nothing.
So how am I posting this, you ask? I am sitting in my beach chair in my front yard, connected to my neighbor's network....crazy!
Hoping to be back by early next week with some really exciting things to share! A huge box of stamps and supplies arrived last week and I haven't had the chance to play with them yet, so I hope to have a few new things to post.
Hope y'all are having a great August....my kids go back to school in 3 weeks, which should allow me to really have some time to myself to stamp and craft. It feels like I haven't been able to do much this summer, but I guess that's the price to pay for spending time with my kids!!!
Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day.

A CAS Bling Challenge

2010-08-03T13:31:00.001-07:00

SHHHHHH! Don't tell anyone!

I'm supposed to be cleaning the craft room.

But I couldn't resist making this card when the idea came popping into my head.

Gonna make this a real short post so I can get back to work!!!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Crumb Cake (SU)

Ink: Chocolate Chip (SU)

Stamps: Apple Blossoms set (SU)

Other: Brown String, Corner Chomper, Colored Rhinestones

A Button Challenge: EBTKS #20

2010-08-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

I had the chance to make a couple of cards yesterday, and this was one of them. I absolutely love using buttons on cards, so this was a super fun challenge for me. It was fun too, because I got to use a stamp set that has not seen ink yet, which is always good!

I have a real itch to craft today, but so far I have forced myself to work on my craft space. I know y'all are probable sick of me talking about what a mess I have and what a task it has been so far and will continue to be for some time. With the baby, I only have time to do a little here and there. What I really need is an entire day! Even though I still have a ways to go, it feels so good to clean everything out. My hopes are that with fewer things, I will use what I have, more. Does that make sense?

Kellan is sleeping right now, he didn't have a very good night last night, so I'm hoping to get a couple hours out of him, so hopefully I can get a good amount accomplished and then reward myself with making a few cards!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White (SU)

Ink: Riding Hood Red, Tangerine Tango, Baja Breeze, Chocolate chip (SU)

Stamps: Playful Pieces (SU) Signature Greetings (PTI)

Other: Yellow Stickles, Vintage buttons (PTI)

A Moxie Fab Clean & Graphic Challenge

2010-08-02T17:12:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday all!

I cannot believe it is August already! Wow! It has been a little while since I have made a card. So much is going on,and my craft room is still in complete chaos. It is such slow going trying to to go through every little piece of everything, and find new homes for things and decide what to keep and what to give away! I think I've only gotten through like maybe 5 % of my stuff!

We took the kids and got out of town for a bit last week, which was so nice and much needed! And now we are back and I'm wanting to get a few cards made for a few different challenges. We'll see if that happens!

Here is the card I made for the Clean & Graphic Moxie Fab Challenge....I wanted to submit a card for each of the four categories, and this is my third one......the only one I have not completed my card for is the Classy & Elegant category......since my craft room is a catastrophe, I have not been able to find the exact ribbon I wanted to use....so if I want to get my card in, I think I might have to use something else....we shall see!!! I digress.

I loved the card by Heidi Van Laar which used squares and rectangles which had some of the corners rounded to create a really awesome pattern, so I used that to an extent with the black card stock on my card!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black (SU)

Ink: Poppy Parade, Pear Pizazz, Basic Black (SU)

Stamps: Image & Sentiment (Impress)

Other: Corner Chomper

Moxie Fab: Shabby & Vintage

2010-07-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

I am completely out of my box on this one. This is not something I am comfortable with. Shabby and Vintage is a total style challenge for me, but I am proud to say that I triumphed. (And when I say triumphed, I mean that I finished the card!)

Normally when I see a challenge that isn't my style, or that I don't think I would have an easy time with, or get a good result out of, I just pass that challenge by..."no thank you," I say. But when I saw the 4 style challenges over at the Moxie Fab World Blog, I told myself that if I was going to enter a card for one category, that I had to play in all of them.

Here is my take on the Shabby & Vintage style:

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Baja Breeze, Very Vanilla (SU) Farmhouse (October Afternoon)

Ink: Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy, Dusty Durango (ink refill to dye flower) all SU

Stamps: French Flair, Carte Postale (SU)

Other: Jute Twine (PTI) Fabric Flower, Beads, Pearls (SU)

Embellish Ric Rac Challenge

2010-07-22T14:16:00.000-07:00

I know I'm supposed to be down here cleaning out and organizing my craft stuff, but I had to play along with this challenge! (Thanks, Karen!) I made a really simple card. I originally had three rows of ric rac on the brown, kinda behind the flower image, but just didn't think that it worked, so I took two off. I really liked this card at first, but now that I am sitting here blogging about it and looking at it more, I think that it is lacking something. But I can't put my finger on exactly what that might be.

Gonna keep this short....I can hear the baby waking up and I SO need to clean this place out!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Very Vanilla (SU)

Ink: Taken with Teal, Chocolate Chip (SU)

Stamps: Flower -Savvystamps, Sentiment-Impress

Other: corner Chomper, Orange Ric Rac, Orange rhinestone, Sponges, Swiss Dots embossing folder

Moxie Fab Challenge: Fun & Cute!

2010-07-22T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here is the first of the cards I am making for the Moxie Fab Card Style Week Challenges!

This one is for the fun and cute category. This category was pretty basic for me. It feels like home. One of my favorite styles, so I didn't feel too much out of my comfort zone! I used the Bake a Cake stamp set from Lawn Fawn that I won off of the Lawn Fawn blog a while back(A big shout out to Kelly Marie - Thanks!) I have wanted to ink these ones up for some time now, and I finally got the chance.

Also, I wanted to use some cutsie pie patterned paper as well, and since y'all know what kind of state my craft room was in, I was very lucky that this pad of Cosmo Cricket paper was still out on my table!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day!

Supplies:

Paper: Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla, Real Red (SU) Garden Variety (Cosmo Cricket)

Ink: Basic Black, Not Quite Navy, Daffodil Delight (SU)

Stamps: Bake a Cake (Lawn Fawn)

Other: Corner Chomper, Yellow Stickles, Rhinestones, Yellow Rick rack ribbon

Getting Better

2010-07-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

Looking at my craft area yesterday was really scary. Attacking a project of this magnitude means that things will most likely get worse before they get better. Last night I felt like I had bitten off way more than I could chew.

I really need to go through every little piece of paper, every ribbon.....EVERYTHING, and make those ruthless decisions to get rid of a bunch of stuff. Like my container of chipboard. Have I ever used chipboard pieces on a card? No, but that little voice in my head tells me that I just might need them for a project someday. I think I need to get rid of that voice first.

So I have a bunch of work ahead of me, and I have a feeling with it being summer and having all the kids home and throw a three month old nursing baby on top of that, and its pretty much looking like Halloween before I get it all finished.

So in the mean time, I;m just trying to find a place for all the things that came out of that great big cupboard. I know what I want to do permanently,but that involves getting some specific shelving that has to be mounted to the wall.....so I need a temporary fix.

Here it is:

I took these little cubbies out of Cody and Dylan's closet and was just going to break them down and get rid of them when the thought hit me that I could use them to store all my stuff while I am waiting to clean it out and get the permanent solution in place.

I know this is wishful thinking, but I am really hoping that I will get a chance to get a bunch done with all this stuff in the coming week!

I'll keep y'all posted on how it is going!

Thanks for stopping by and have a beautiful day.