For You

YEAH...my blog has reached 1000, so I will draw a winner on Monday, July 2nd. I want to give those who don't check their emails every day or surf the net to enter the drawing. It happens to be my oldest nephew, Nic's, birthday too! So we will celebrate by giving away goodies on that day. I have been reading your questions and they are good. I will start answering them at the bottom of my posts. If you haven't posted a comment and want to win blog candy see the posting below.

Here is a card that I created a few days ago and just couldn't share it until I got the ribbon correct. This was my third attempt and I am finally satisfied with it. I have had this stamp set for awhile and this is the first time I used it. This is a card for firsts, because this is the first time I used my empressor guide and tool for a card I created. That is how I made the sanded lines on the Clover Meadow cardstock. I have used this before on my scrapbook layouts and like the look, so I tried it as a frame. I think it looks pretty good!

Stamp sets: Elegant Floral, Romantic Backgrounds, Sweet Occasions

Ink: Clover Meadow, Blush, Hollyhock

Paper: White Daisy, Clover Meadow, Hollyhock

Embellishments: Brads, American Crafts polka dots ribbon, CTMH Clover Meadow gingham ribbon, Clover Meadow baby pin

Beth asked: How do I find time to do it all? Well, I am at stay at home mom, so that helps! My scraproom is combined with our family room, so every time the family sits down to watch tv, I sit down at my scrap table and work on something. I am able to leave my on-going projects out, so I don't have to spend time getting my supplies out each time I work. Every free moment I have I try to continue a project I am working on to post. If I don't finish a project to post, I pull something from my archives and post a layout or card. I do try to stamp every day. I didn't do this until I read other stamper's blogs and they make time every day. I thought...I can do that! I think I have gotten faster the more I stamp. I am constantly thinking of stamping. I create cards in my head while driving my car, before I fall asleep and unfortunately even at church. I am working on not daydreaming about scrapping there. LOL! I guess I would have to say I am obsessed and addicted to this great hobby that I started four years ago.

Pattyjo: I wish I could have reached you before July 1st, because the opportunity to earn Kindred Spirits for free is over. It is a promotion that Close To My Heart ran in June. If you held a gathering and the sales were $350 or more, you would automatically get the stamp set free. Sorry!

BLOG CANDY

Well, it is good timing that my blog is working, since my blog is almost at 1000 hits. Above is the blog candy I will give away once it hits 1000. In order for you to be entered into the drawing, you just need to ask me a question. That's right! Just ask me any question in the comments under this blog and I will randomly draw a number for someone to win the goodies. The lucky winner will receive ribbons in different lengths from various companies , green buttons from Button Ups, vellum flower stickers from sticko, butterfly stickers from jolee's boutique and slide frames from COLOROASIS. I will answer the questions when I publish future posts.

Thanks for stopping by and good luck!

I've been tagged!

I have been tagged by Cindy Vernon. This is my first time, so it is exciting! The rules are that I need to post 7 random facts about myself, tag 7 other people, and post the rules. I also need to let the 7 people know that I've tagged them in a comment on their blog. I would tag Jeanne, but I found out she has been tagged already. Hmmm!

I've tagged: April, Dawn, Allie, Nina, Kathy, Cheryl, Anne Marie

7 Random facts about myself:

1. I am a Diet Pepsi addict. That is all I drink 24/7.

2. My favorite sport to watch is Ultimate Fighting - UFC. My husband and I buy the pay-per-view fighting events.

3. I love scary movies, especially vampire movies. I can't tell you how many times I have seen Blade, Interview with a Vampire, etc.

4. I run in the morning at 5:45 a.m. with my friend Heather and hate every moment of it. I am not a morning person!

5. My dad used to call me Kimberly Clown when I was little.

6. My husband used to work for OSHA and we met because an employee reported the company I worked for on a air quality problem. Bad for the company, but good for me! Just so you know, the company didn't get fined.

7. My husband plays electric guitar in a band and I love to dance...great combination!

BLOG Trouble

Hello everyone! I hope this message I am typing gets to you soon! I am sorry my posts have not been coming to you. No, I haven't taken a break or been on vacation. I have been having blog trouble. I posted Bugs & Kisses a couple of days ago and since then my blog hasn't been sent and my pictures keep disappearing. Ugh! I hate technical problems, because I am not good at figuring these things out. I think I have the picture problem fixed (for now). I am still working on why my posts are not being sent. I pray each night they get sent and check my emails bright and early the next day only to be disappointed lately. Well, I hope you enjoy Bugs & Kisses and I have a couple of other cards made for my next posts.

Have a great day!

BUGS & KISSES

I see so many cards with this cute little saying that I had to make a couple of them for my boys to send them to their grandparents. Little Treasurers is the perfect stamp set for this. All products are CTMH unless otherwise noted. I made both of these cards with all scraps from my scrap container, so that is why there is a Clover Meadow card base and a Buttercup card base. You know how I love to use up my scraps.

On both cards I used the leather paper technique on the Cocoa cardstock. The first thing I did was spray the cardstock with water and then crumbled the paper into a ball. After I unfolded and smoothed it out, I swiped my Cocoa ink pad across it to make the ridges stand out.

Then I took Weathered Backgrounds and stamped it in Orange ink on the Orange cardstock. After attaching this to the card I stamped the jar, the fireflies and butterfly from Little Treasures in Black ink. I used the following markers: Grey Wool, Grey Flannel, Sunny Yellow, Desert Sand, Clover Meadow, Citrus Leaf, Brown Bag and silver pen (non-CTMH). I daubed the White Daisy cardstock with Clover Meadow and matted it on Buttercup cardstock.

I stamped BUGS from Bugs in Cocoa ink and KisseS and & from The Works Alphabet (2007 April stamp of the month) in Cocoa ink. I stamped "&" on Clover Meadow cardstock and matted on Buttercup cardstock. I finished off the card with Clover Meadow gingham ribbon (retired) and Buttercup brads.


On this card I used the same techniques and stamp sets I just switched the colors from Clover Meadow to Buttercup when it was appropriate to keep the color scheme.

Technique Tuesday - Embossing

I remembered! Well, it helps that I put it in my Outlook Calendar to remind me every Monday.

Here is another 6 x 6 instruction sheet that was made by another CTMH consultant from the swap I participated in for techniques. This consultant did not mark the back of her layout, so I don't know who to give credit to. Embossing is a great effect...

Basic Heat Embossing

• Stamp an image with tinted embossing pad or versamark.
• Pour embossing powder over the image while the ink is still wet.
• Tap off excess powder and put back into jar for next use.
• Heat the image using a heat embossing tool. The powder will quickly melt, leaving a shiny, raised image.

Rainbow Embossing

• You will need 2-3 different colors of embossing powders.
• Stamp an image with a tinted embossing pad or versamark.
• Pour the first color of embossing powder on only part of the image & tap off excess. Repeat until you have covered the image with the different embossing powders that you have chosen. When adding a new embossing powder, it will not stick where there is already embossing powder.
• Heat the entire image with heat tool.

To the left is one of the Christmas cards I sent out in 2006 where I used the basic heat embossing on the letters JOY. All products used are CTMH.

Products: Peaceful Season My Originals Cards, Bamboo cardstock, Gold embossing powder, Believe Caps stamp set, Vineyard Berry ink, Olive organdy ribbon.

Thanks for stopping by!

Coluzzle Purse

I have been writing a lot about the Coluzzle file folder template and the other day I ran across a few purses I made with the Coluzzle purse template that CTMH carries. It seems like a gift card just isn't the right gift sometimes, but I think that is because of the packaging. When a gift card is given in this cute little purse...WOW...it becomes a great gift! For this card I used all CTMH products:

• Simple Stitches stamp set
• Thoughtful Scripts stamp set
  
• 2006 November stamp of the month - No Peeking
  
• Precious Paisleys paper pack - level 2
• Spring craft buttons
• Spring accent beads
• Sunflower waxy flax
• Pink Carnation cardstock and ink
• Bubblegum ink
• Spring Iris ink
  

Here is another pink purse I made using the 2007 stamp of the month - All My Love, spring accent beads, Chocolate waxy flax, Pink Carnation cardstock, Bubblegum ink, Chocolate ink and retired Chocolate pattern paper.














Just one more for those Christmas gift cards we give during the Holiday season. I used the retired stamp set Winter, the 2006 Stamp of the month - No Peeking, Clover Meadow ink, Holiday Red ink and organdy ribbon. I finished it off with a red button (non-CTMH).

Happy Monday!

S W E E T

It seems as if I am in a colorful mood lately! Everything I have been making is brightly colored with CTMH markers. I might have to try my new watercolor pencils soon.

I have been wanting to make something with my Little Treasures stamp set and finally got around creating a couple of cards. The only difference in these two cards is the stamped image, which are both from Little Treasures. You really need to click on these cards to enlarge them in order to see the detail. I saw a card in our Idea Book that had a message, "You are Sweet." and it made me want to make something similar. I wanted to put the same message on my cards, but I ran out of room, so I just put "sweet" at the bottom. When I send these as thank you cards, I will tell the person they are sweet. Good idea, eh?

I started out with a White Daisy base and put Hydrangea pattern paper from the Carnival paper pack on the front as the first layer. Then I chose Holiday Red and Sunkiss Yellow for my next layers using a concave punch on both of them. I ran the Sunkiss Yellow cardstock through my Cuttlebug (love this machine) to emboss with spots & dots. I sponged, not daubed, but sponged the edges of the stamp image with Hydrangea ink. I colored the jelly beans with Hydrangea, Sunny Yellow, Orange, Holiday Red, Clover Meadow, Crystal Blue, Grey Flannel, Grey Wool and a silver pen (non-CTMH). My son, Tate, wanted me to use blue and I told him we didn't have that color of jelly bean when I was young. He looked at me with big eyes and said, "Why?". I laughed and told him we didn't have all the different colors like now. He couldn't believe it! All I could think of was when I asked my mom about the olden days, and now when I grew up is the new olden days for my boys. I know I am digressing, but I have to tell you that I got carded today in a grocery store. It made my day, since I just turned "40" this year. I thanked the gentleman over and over. Okay, back to the recipe...

I tied purple ribbon with white polka dots (non-CTMH) around the Holiday Red and Sunkiss Yellow cardstock. Then I stamped sweet from Adorable stamp set in Hydrangea ink on a dimensional element, daubed the sides with Hydrangea ink too and added White Daisy brads. I looked at the card and thought it still needed something. When I saw the jelly beans and lollipops, I thought of an old fashioned candy store that would have an awning in front of the store, so I scalloped the bottom of a piece of White Daisy cardstock with my corner rounder (non-CTMH) and daubed that with Hydrangea ink. I put it on top of the card for the same awning effect. I hope you like these. I sure had a lot of fun making them.

Happy Stamping!

Smiling

A card from my archives that I made and gave my husband and boys in March 2007. Sometimes when I am making cards my son, Tate, asks me to make one for him. Well, I can't just make it for him, so all the boys in my life get one. I used Scrapbook Kids Faces and Hands stamp set (retired) for the background in White Daisy ink and Cranberry ink. Then I attached the Cranberry cardstock to the Black cardstock and accented it with Giggles & Grins pattern paper from the Level 2 pack. I punched two squares one in Black and one in Sunny Yellow and stamped the message, "Thinking of You and Smiling" in Black ink. This is so true about my boys. They are such a joy in my life. I am so blessed! This message is from For Every Occasion (2007 April stamp of the month). I finished the card by adding Cranberry organdy ribbon and White Daisy grosgrain ribbon to the top of the card.

Have a great day!

Vacation

This is it! The final stamp from the stamp set Summertime! I decided not to create a card with this one. Since I didn't have time for a layout, I decided to create a tag to go on a layout. I love tags and don't make enough of them. Every time I see one on a card or layout, I love the artwork. All products are CTMH, except the Cuttlebug embossing folder used on the Hydrangea cardstock.

I started with Clover Meadow cardstock and added "ZOOM" stamped in Clover Meadow ink from Flyin' High stamp set. When you see zoom, don't you want to say "zoom zoom"? I do. Mazda did a great job with that advertising! I distressed the edges of the White Daisy cardstock with my Tim Holtz distresser tool and inked the edges in Holiday Red. I colored the vacation stamped image with the following CTMH markers: Star Spangled Blue, Topiary, Chocolate, Holiday Red, Sunny Yellow, Hydrangea, Gray Flannel, Black, and Orange. I matted that on Star Spangled Blue cardstock and then used my Cuttlebug on the Hydrangea cardstock putting it on a piece of Sunflower cardstock.

I have been using a lot of layers lately. I learned this from fellow stampers, who inspire me with their artwork. Then, I punched holes for the Star Spangled bigger brads and put a concho in for the hole to thread my sassy strands (Carnival Collection) through to finish the tag. I took a look at it and thought it needed something else, so I daubed the edges of the tag in Clover Meadow and added "GET-A-WAY" from Get-A-Way stamp set (retired).



By the way, if you are wondering...Belinda's jump start party was great! She is on her way to becoming a CTMH success! Awesome job, Belinda!



Have fun and Happy Stamping!

Time for Flowers

This is the third one from Summertime and just one more to go before this evening. When I first stamped this image and colored it in with CTMH markers, I wasn't sure what I should do with it. Then I spied this Coluzzle file folder card in my scrap container, and I knew this stamped image was perfect for it.

You could send this as a card, put it on a scrapbook page or send it to a friend and she could put it on a scrapbook page. Then you can use it both ways.


I just love these Coluzzle folders ever since I completed the Delight in Everything cards that corporate designed. All products are CTMH unless noted:

• Sunflower cardstock
• Clover Meadow cardstock
• Route 66 paper pack - level 2
• White Daisy cardstock
• White Daisy bigger brad
• Just Blooms paper flowers - Autumn
  
• Friendship Blessings stamp set
• Dainty stamp set
• Summertime stamp set (2007 June stamp of the month)
• CTMH markers: Chocolate, Holiday Red, Garden Green, Topiary, Hydrangea, Orange, Sunny Yellow, Watermelon, Black, Clover Meadow, and Ocean
• Connection Club rhinestone flowers
  
• Chocolate organdy ribbon
• Cranberry ink
  
• Corner Adorner corner rounder for scallops (non-CTMH)
  

Today, my downline, Belinda, is holding her jump start party at my house. Her make-n-take centers around Summertime and that is why I am trying to get something made for each stamp in the set. Wish her luck! I am sure she will do a great job!

Take time for the flowers!

Summer Time!

I am still playing with the 2007 June stamp of the month, Summertime. I wish I would have had enough time to create a layout for this stamp, but I had to settle for making a card. I need to have something created for all four stamps that come on this set by Thursday night.

I thought this card could be sent to someone just to say "Hello" during the summer wishing them well. I finally used the CTMH color guide on the sidebar of my blog. That site is an awesome tool, when you have two colors and need some ideas to finish the project. I had Star Spangled Blue and Orange and the site gave me multiple combinations. As you can see I chose Clover Meadow and Sunflower. You can barely see it, but on the border of the Clover Meadow cardstock, I used Basic Backgrounds stamp set (retired) to stamp the edges.

I have been getting a lot of use out of my background stamp sets. I use Speckled Backgrounds on the Star Spangled Blue and Sunflower cardstock. On the Sunflower cardstock I used just the edge of the background stamp to stamp the border of the paper. This is the first time I tried this and like the effect. The Orange cardstock is stamped with the Weathered Backgrounds stamp set.

In addition, I used For Every Occasion stamp set (2007 April stamp of the month) for the Hello, Sunflower and Holiday Red organdy ribbon, Orange ink, Star Spangled Blue ink, Clover Meadow ink and a Topiary large Spiral. I used a tab punch (non-CTMH) where I stamped the Hello message.

The markers I used to color the Summertime image are all CTMH: Holiday Red, Kiwi, Ocean, Brown Bag, Orange, Hydrangea, Star Spangled Blue, and Sunny Yellow. I daubed the edges in Star Spangled Blue ink.

I wanted to thank you for your comments on past postings. I like to read what you think about the postings and welcome any suggestions you may have on how to improve my blog or artwork. Let me know what you would like to see in the future. By the way, I am on my way to 1,000 hits and I will be giving away blog candy when I hit it, so keep watching on how to enter to win. I always wondered why people gave away blog candy and now I understand. I would like to thank you for stopping by and especially for making comments. I appreciate it!

Happy Stamping!

Technique Tuesday - Generation Stamping

Here is a 6 x 6 page from the swap I participated in created by Marlene Lund, CTMH Independent Consultant, to show the generation stamping technique. It is easy and a great way to use just one color for multiply shades.

Generation Stamping

• Ink up stamp, making sure to get full, even coverage. Stamp onto paper. This is 1st generation.
• Without re-inking, stamping image again for 2nd generation.
• Repeat without re-inking for 3rd generation.

Below is a card where I took this same stamp set and made a birthday card using generation stamping. I used Hydrangea ink instead of Holiday Red.
Other materials used are all CTMH:

• Birthday Bash stamp set
  
• For Every Occasion stamp set (2007 April stamp of the month)
• White Daisy cardstock
• Clover Meadow cardstock
• Topiary brads
• Star Spangled Blue ink

Your turn to try this! Have fun!

You're invited

Okay, I am back to summer. Here is a card I made with the 2007 June stamp of the month Summertime. Right when I saw this stamp I thought of a BBQ invitation. We all have parties in the summertime, when we invite friends over for a little conversation and a great cookout. What could be a better way to spend the summer?

All products used are from the CTMH collection. I stamped the image in black and colored it in with the following marker colors: Holiday Red, Topiary, Chocolate, Cranberry, Bubblegum, Sunny Yellow, Ocean, and Dutch Blue. The card base is Holiday Red cardstock where I used Basic Backgrounds (retired) to emulate a picnic tablecloth and then I used Speckled Backgrounds on the Hydrangea cardstock for detail. I used a paper piercing tool to pierce the edges of the Ocean cardstock and I used Tim Holtz paper distressing tool on the Hydrangea, Ocean and White Daisy cardstock to rough up the edges.

I rubbed the edges of the White Daisy cardstock along a Holiday Red ink pad and added Cranberry brads to the corners. I added cranberry polka dotted ribbon from the Cranberry Ribbon Rounds to the Hyrdrangea cardstock. I topped it off with a daubing a dimensional element with Holiday Red ink, stamped you're invited from For Baby stamp set and added Cranberry brads. On the inside, I stamped date, when, time and please come. Doesn't this card just make you want to go to a BBQ?

Hope your are having a great summer!

Warm Winter Wishes

Again with the winter themed cards...I have been thinking of techniques to show and lately they seem to scream WINTER! On this card, after I stamped the snowflakes in Breeze, I stamp rolled them in Dutch Blue. In addition, I sponge daubed the square dimensional element in Dutch Blue that frames the Warm Winter Wishes message. The inside message is "wishing you a warm nose and toasty toes." Here are the other items I used to make this card:

• Warm Wishes stamp set (retired)
• Black cardstock
• Breeze cardstock
• Dutch Blue cardstock
• White Daisy cardstock
  
• White Daisy bigger brads
• White Daisy pigment ink (new)
• White Daisy sassy strands
  

Have a great day!

Snow is glistening

It is hot and humid in Omaha and I hope this card cools you off if it is hot where you are too. Here is another card I made to show a technique using liquid applique at the crop on July 7th. You really need to click this picture to enlarge it, so you can see the detail under the word snow. I used liquid applique under the word to make it look like the word snow was sitting on top of snow...LOL! I think it turned out pretty good.

I used Glistening Snow stamp set. I created the background on the Barn Red cardstock with this stamp set also. In addition, I used White Daisy cardstock, Ocean cardstock, Just Chillin paper pack - level 2, White Daisy grosgrain ribbon, Vineyard Berry organdy ribbon, White Daisy pigment ink (new), liquid applique, Barn Red ink, Ocean ink and White Daisy bigger brads. I used my Corner Adorner corner rounder to make the scallops on the white daisy cardstock and Just Chillin pattern paper. I attached the winter wonderland stamped image with pop dots to make it stand out on the card and daubed the edge of the square white daisy cardstock with Ocean ink.

Chill out!

Bit again - Happy Birthday

Here is another card I made from the fun Tate and I had experimenting with my Cuttlebug. If you are wondering, Connie, the card is at an angle so you can see the embossing better and the prisma glitter on the package showed up better at this angle. As you can tell, my sister and I tease each other a lot. If you scroll down and look at the comments under yesterday's thank you card, you will see she put a comment begging for you to ask for measurements. Well, she signed it "my favorite sister". Those of you who know me well, know I only have one sister, HER! She thinks that if I had another one, she would be my favorite. She would always try to get me to do things for her when we were young by telling me I was her favorite sister. HAHA! It didn't work. I might be younger, but I'm not naive...LOL!

Back to the card, I made this card to show how to use CTMH adhesive sheets and prisma glitter at the upcoming all day crop I have planned on July 7th. If you live in or around Omaha, NE and would like to attend, I would love to have you come. It should be as much fun you can have for 15 straight hours of scrapping.

I used the following materials to create this card (all products are CTMH unless noted):

1. Party Blocks (retired) stamp set - a good substitute would be Celebration Blocks
   
2. Happy Birthday stamp set
   
3. Outdoor Denim cardstock
4. White Daisy cardstock
5. Rough 'N Tumble paper pack - level 2
6. Sunkiss Yellow cardstock
7. Cranberry cardstock
8. Cranberry ink
9. Sunny Yellow ink
   
10. Cranberry Bigger Brads
11. Cranberry Sassy Strands
12. Prisma Glitter
13. Adhesive Sheets
14. Ribbon Accents Dimensional Elements
15. Cuttlebug (non-CTMH)
    

That's all folks! Wow! Too many cartoons with my kids.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Cuttlebug - Thank You

Well, I finally got my mother's day present out and played with it and I am glad I did. I have been bitten and I like it. I love my Cuttlebug for embossing (That is all I have done with it so far). I hope you can see the thanks below the flowers on this card. It is soooo cool in person! If you click the picture, it will enlarge the photo so you can see it better. In fact, it is huge! My son, Tate, and I tried all the the embossing plates with different colors of cardstock. He loves turning the handle. What was fun about embossing was two-fold...1) I am getting rid of scraps and I always love that and 2) I had to find coordinating paper to go with what I embossed. It is a challenge to come up with something from scratch. I like it better than copying patterns. Connie (my sister) you can quit saying, "I don't, I like patterns". She lets me design something and then I have to give her all the dimensions on the phone, so she can make it. What we do for our siblings?! She has been coaxing me to give the dimensions to all of my cards on my daily posts, but I haven't broken down yet. Let me know by leaving comments about whether you want me to add this to my posts. Maybe that will give me the push I need.

Again, I had so much fun making this card. I finally used my Dainty stamp set. Don't you just love those little flowers. You know I do! The card base is bamboo cardstock and the striped paper is not available currently through CTMH. It was a promo pack that was given to customers who purchased so much in product one month in 2006. I don't remember what month that was and yes, I purchased that much. It is not hard for me to spend, spend, spend on CTMH products.

In addition, I used Cranberry cardstock, White Daisy cardstock, New England Ivy ribbon round, Cranberry ribbon round, White Daisy brads, Cranberry ink, Barn Red ink, Garden Green ink and concave corner adorner (non-CTMH). I inked the edges of the White Daisy cardstock with Cranberry ink.

I hope you enjoy this card as much as I do.

Take time to create!

Technique Tuesday - on Wednesday!

Oops! I forgot to post a technique yesterday instead of just a card. If I could remember what day it is, that would help. I will have to set up a reminder in my Outlook Calendar, so I don't forget.

This 6 x 6 technique page was made by Heidi Bryce, CTMH Independent Consultant. It explains how to complete stamp rolling, which I did on the sympathy card I posted yesterday. The fish on her page are stamp rolled. This is a good technique to get more than one color on my stamped image. Here are the instructions:

Rolling

1. Ink your stamp in one color of ink. Use the lightest shade of your chosen inks.
2. Take your stamp and "roll" the edges on a second color of ink. You can use either a darker shade of the initial color or a contrasting color. It is your choice.
3. You can play around with a little extras like adding two different accent inks. You may also roll just one side of the stamp.
   
4. Play around with different looks and have fun.

Try this technique on your next layout or card. Happy Stamping!

Sympathy - Beloved Blossoms

I never seem to like to make sympathy cards. I guess because I don't like the thought of knowing someone I have to send one to. It is always a good idea to have a couple on hand, so I set down to create them.

I belong to a consultant yahoo group and they have monthly color challenges. This month it is Garden Green, Twilight and Orchid Bouquet. I used these colors in cardstock. In addition, I used Beloved Blossoms (yes, another new flower stamp set), Comforting Thoughts and Floral Tapestry paper pack - level 2. I used my corner punch to punch the scallops on the Garden Green cardstock and put a piece of Orchid Bouquet paper on the inside of the card to show the scallops. To make the scallops, I took the corner rounder guide off my small corner rounder.

I stamped the Beloved Blossoms bloom in Orchid Bouquet and stamped rolled the edges in Hollyhock. The stem is stamped in Garden Green and stamp rolled in Olive. I cut the flower out and attached it to off-white mulberry paper (non-CTMH). I used the small circle stamp from the Beloved Blossom stamp set on the bottom and added Garden Green brads to the middle of them. I finished off the Orchid Bouquet cardstock attached to the front with an Orchid Bouquet marker to make a decorative edge.

Last night, I took some time to create cards to show products and techniques to those who are coming to my July 7th crop. It has warmed up in Omaha and I think I must have been a little warm, because both of the new cards have winter themes. Subconsciously, I must have been wishing for a little cooler temperature. We haven't turned our air condition on yet, so I was a little warm while card making with a lot of lights on in the room. Oh, the sacrifices we make...LOL! Keep an eye out for these on future posts.

Have a great day!

Thank You - Delight

Here is a 3 x 3 card I made using the other flowers in the Delight In Everything stamp set. I just love the little stems. This card is like a card I made at a consultant meeting that was designed by Chris Shouse. A new technique I learned was to use the clear block as a background stamp. I inked the block in Crystal Blue and then stamped it on the Buttercup cardstock. This is one of my favorite new techniques. I never thought about just using my block as a stamp. Since we have twelve blocks, I have twelve new backgrounds...YEAH!

Other accessories used are Let's Get Together paper pack - level 2, Cranberry cardstock and ink, White Daisy brads. I think this the last Delight in Everything card for a while. I am sure I will bring it back because I just can't get enough of those flower sets.

By the way, here is the baby layout I completed for Tanner's scrapbook using Cherish. I finally printed pictures for it. I like it even better with pictures, of course. Here are all my guys! Click the picture and the layout will be huge, so you can see the pictures much better. They are 2 1/2 years older now. Yes, I am not caught up on my scrapbooking either. Join the club!


Thanks for stopping by!

FAMILY

Okay, I know I wrote that I would show you another card where I used Delight In Everything, but I couldn't wait to show you what I made at Brenda's workshop I went to Saturday morning. Isn't this cool?! We used True Fit Folios, which are 12 x 12 file folders and scored it in half and accordian style to make this family picture display. Each pocket, except the first one, holds a little card that can be pulled up to show a picture or journaling. The tabs make it easy to pull them up. The pockets are tight enough to allow me to leave the cards up if I want. In addition to the True Fit Folios, we used Simple Pleasures paper pack - level 2, and Simple Pleasures My Stickease, and the Solo letters, f, a, m, i, l, y stamp sets. Embellishments are cocoa grosgrain ribbon, pewter brads and photo clips, chocolate organdy ribbon, ivory organdy ribbon, crystal blue organdy ribbon and a round metal rimmed tag.

This project was so easy! I guess I have to confess that I didn't have to sew the pockets. YEAH! Everyone at the workshop hated sewing, so Brenda sewed the pockets for us. After we scored the folio to make it accordian style, she sewed by each score line to seal the pocket closed. Decorating the project was the fun part. Now, I have True Fit Folios on my wish list to make more of these displays. They would make a great gift. One lady at the workshop bought the Majestic Blue paper pack and My Stickease to make one of these for cruise pictures she wanted to display. Below are close-ups of the letters, so you can see them better. Don't forget to click on the pictures to enlarge them.

Have fun and Happy Stamping!

Delight in Everything - File Folder 5

This is it...the final one in the five card series of Delight In Everything file folder cards. The card base is Colonial White. Here is the small circle paper I kept writing about where I cut out a circle for the middle of the flower. As you can see, I cut out a blue one for this flower.

In addition, I used Let's Get Together paper pack - level 2, Buttercup cardstock, pewter brad, White Daisy grosgrain ribbon and Cranberry and Garden Green ink. The edges of the card are inked in Garden Green.

Well, I am off to get the kids ready for bed and me too. I have to get up at 5:30 a.m. and run with Heather. I am sure she is sick of me whining about how tired I am when we meet. I don't think there is any rain in the forecast, so there won't be any excuses about why I can't meet.

Oh, I am going to a scrapbooking workshop tomorrow hosted by another CTMH consultant, Brenda. I tell her to invite me to all of her workshops, because I love to learn new ways to use our products. We are going to be using True Fit Folios, Simple Pleasures paper pack and Simple Pleasures My Stickease. I will take a picture of the finished project to show you what we created. I have seen this project completed with different papers and it was so cool. Cross your fingers for me, I might have to do some sewing. Those of you who know me...know I don't sew, not even buttons! What was Home Ec (spelling unknown)? I didn't take it. I took World History instead, so you know how much I hated the thought of sewing in high school. LOL!

Have a great day!

Delight in Everything - File Folder 4

Here is number four. I am almost done posting the Delight In Everything series.

This Cranberry Coluzzle file folder card is decorated with Let's Get Together paper packet - level 2 and the middle of the flower pops of the page. It is from the small circle pattern paper from this same pack. I love new ways to use pattern paper and with these cards it was just a corner of one sheet used to make the flowers stand out. In addition, I used the Buttercup stripe, White Daisy cardstock and grosgrain ribbon, pewter brads and inked the edges with Garden Green.

I can't wait to use this set of paper and stamps for other projects. After the next card, I will post a little thank you card I made with this same stamp set.

Today, I didn't find time to stamp, but I did find time to clean my scrap table. I can't believe how messy it gets with just one project. I have to clean my desk after each project, so I can start with a brand new surface. That way I am not looking everywhere for my tools, because they are hiding under scraps of paper.

Scraps of paper...don't we all have a ton of these. As my father would say, "If you have a 'ton' don't keep it all in the same place." LOL! Dads are full of wisdom! Well, I had a thought this week regarding my scraps. I know, I know, don't hurt myself, right? I have vowed every time I make a card or layout to go to my scrap container and pick at least two coordinating scrap colors and use them on the project. Even if it is just a small piece peeking out behind some pattern paper. I can always dress it up with a background stamp, daubing or my paper piercing tool. I challenge you to do the same. Please leave a comment and share with me how you use your scraps that might help me and others to dwindle our stock pile.

Have a great day and remember to take pictures of every day events! Don't just reach for your camera on special occasions.

Delight in Everything - File Folder 3

I hope you liked Technique Tuesday. I had fun choosing, which technique to show you. I decided to start off with a technique where I could show you some cards created using the showcased technique. I won't always be able to do that, but hopefully more times than not.

Here is the third Delight In Everything card in the series of five. Just two more to show you. I hope you are not getting bored seeing them yet. I think changing the card base color helps make the card seem a little different. For this card, I used Garden Green for the card base. Again, I can't say enough how much I like these file folders cards. The Coluzzle template is easy to work with. You just need to remember to move your shoulder instead of your wrist. If you have Coluzzle templates or are getting them and you have questions, please ask! I would be happy to help you. I know when I first started to use them I wasn't real fond of them. Since I have purchased the file folder and purse templates, I like using them to make my cards a little special. It is always fun to open a card and see something unexpected. I think you get that with this style.

In addition, I used Let's Get Together paper pack - level 2 (awesome collection of papers), pewter brads, White Daisy grosgrain ribbon and I inked the edges of the card with Garden Green ink. Look at the center of the flower on this card. The red center is one of the circles cut out of the pattern paper in the Let's Get Together pack. I think this adds a great touch. Corporate did a great job designing this series.

I got a little stamping done Wednesday afternoon while Tanner took a nap and Tate played at a friend's house. I added pictures to one of the Cherish layouts I completed on National Scrapbooking Day and I made a birthday card that I am going to demonstrate the technique at my all day crop on July 7th and give the card away. Keep watching for those two creations!

Hope you are enjoying your summer! Take time to create!

Delight in Everything - File Folder 2

Here is the second file folder card I made using Delight In Everything stamp set. Instead of using Colonial White cardstock as the base, I used Buttercup. This is the second card in a series of file folder cards corporate designed, so we could show how great Delight In Everything and Coluzzle Templates look. File folders are not just for storing paper anymore. These cards are a great change from the traditional cards I make most of the time.

In addition, I used Let's Get Together paper pack - level 2, White Daisy grosgrain ribbon and pewter brads. I edged the card with Garden Green ink. Ink distressing seems to be a popular technique these days and it is easy to do. I might have to showcase that technique next Tuesday.

These colors remind me of summer and happy things! Click on the link above for Let's Get Together to see other artwork created with this paper packet. You just might have to pick a pack up yourself.

Have fun and Happy Stamping!

Technique Tuesday - Chalk Popping

Chalk Popping always seems to be a favorite of stampers. Even my son, Tate, was impressed by this technique when I showed him.

This 6 x 6 example was made by Kim Eickholdt, CTMH Independent Consultant. I participated in a swap with other consultants for techniques. Here are the directions:

Chalk Popping

1. Ink up your stamp with Versamark
2. Stamp your image on your paper
3. Rub chalk over the stamped image
4. You can use different colors or just one. This is done according to the look you are trying to create.

Here are a couple of cards I created with this technique.

This card was created using Rustic Flowers stamp set (2007 March stamp of the month), Bubblegum organdy ribbon, White Daisy ink and various chalk colors. The little flowers and center of big flowers were created using chalk popping. In addition, I used Black cardstock.






This card was created with Sweet Flowers stamp set and Blue Jeans stamp set. The flowers in the pocket were created with chalk popping. I used Holiday Red cardstock, Star Spangled Blue gingham paper (retired), Holiday Red gingham ribbon (retired), Outdoor Denim ink, Garden Green ink, Holiday red ink, Star Spangled Blue ink and White Daisy brads.


The next time you create try this technique!

Delight In Everything - File Folders

This is the card I tried to post on Monday, so I thought I would send it with the technique I shared today.

Here is the first of a five card series where I used the Coluzzle File Folder template for the card base. The other materials I used:

• Delight In Everything Stamp set
• Let's Get Together paper pack - level 2
• White Daisy Grosgrain Ribbon
• Cranberry ink
• Pewter brads - My Accents

Every time we have a new Idea Book I tell myself I have enough flower stamp sets. Well, every time we have a new Idea Book I buy MORE! I just can't get enough of them and this set is so darn cute! I will have five more cards to show how you can use this set. Keep watching!

Happy Stamping!

Working on....

I have been busy stamping, but I am having trouble posting pictures today. When I download a picture, it just posts a bunch of code. I will keep checking today to see if they have the problem fixed and post as soon as I can. The soonest you will get a post will be tomorrow, Tuesday.

On Sunday, I made five file folder cards designed by CTMH corporate, a sympathy card using the Floral Tapestry color scheme and a 3 x 3 thank you card using Delight in Everything stamp set.

On Tuesdays, I have decided to start Technique Tuesday. Over the weekend, I had a gathering and everyone loved looking through my technique book, so I decided to start posting the techniques to share with you ways to use our products and make your projects pop. Look for this to start tomorrow.

The rest of the week I will show you all the cards I have been making lately. Tate went to a friends house to play for an afternoon and Tanner napped, so I got busy creating. It is amazing how much I can get done, when I am on my own.

Have a great day and watch for new creations!

SUNDAY!

Sunday...a day of rest! I am taking a break today with submitting artwork. With traveling to my sister's and back and catching up at home, I am resting. I think I will watch a movie and RELAX! I did work on a project a little , but it is not nearly finished.

Have a great day and enjoy!

Update on color guide

Hi!

Some of you have emailed me about not being able to see the color guide I posted yesterday. I did not embed it in the blog I sent, so you will have to visit my blog at www.clearlyinspired.blogspot.com or click on the title of that message, New website, and it will take you to my blog. Once you are on the blog page, go below the subscribe box under My favorite sites and it is the first site listed...CTMH color guide.

I hope this helps! If you still can't see it, please let me know.

Once you get to it....HAVE FUN! It is really neat and a good tool to use while creating.

My First Mountain Bike

I pulled another one from the archives, because I am out of town again. Here is a layout I did at a crop in Chariton, Ia last year for Tate and his first moutain bike. I can't believe this is Tanner's bike now, and Tate does not need training wheels any more. Boy, they grow up fast. I guess that is why we take pictures and scrap!

This is the first time I used the empressor guide and tool. It is the tool that makes the raised lines on paper and then I sanded those. You can see them on the gray cardstock. In addition to gray I used Star Spangled Blue cardstock and ink, and Clove Meadow pattern paper (retired). For stamps, I used Off Road, Solo "t", Festive Alphabet (retired), and Essential Alphabet.

The accessories I used are sassy strands, silver large spiral silver brads, white grosgrain ribbon and Dimensional Elements Classic Alphabet. I used my brayer and Star Spangled Blue ink to apply ink to the M, F and B of the title. The mountain bike is a non-CTMH item.

Have a great day and have fun creating!

New website

Hello!

No artwork today, but I added an awesome website to my favorite list on the right just below the subscribe box. It is named CTMH color guide. It is so cool! Go to the site and play around with all the CTMH colors, and it will show you what colors work well together when you are making a layout or card. What an awesome tool! I would love to hear comments from you about how you like this color guide. I know I will use it when I scrap, how about you?

Have fun and Happy Stamping!