Thank You So Much

It seems as if I can't throw anything stamped away. I can clean out my cupboards and closets and toss away, but when it comes to stamping...I have to keep anything I stamp. You know, just in case I might use it later. I will be creating teddy bears cards, because before I bought my prismas I stamped several bears and colored them with CTMH coloring pencils and blended with my aquapainter and blending pen. These have been sitting on my scrap table just looking at me, so I had to use them for a card.



In addition, I needed to use a different style of card from the standard greeting card, 4 1/4 x 5 1/2. I have seen some gate fold cards lately and decided to design one of those. Here is the same card sitting up, so you can see the gate fold design. Notice I cut the baby pink ribbon so the card would open. But when the card is closed (above) the ribbon looks continuous. I fastened the ribbon on the card with a bronze photo hanger. This color looks great with pink. I used my Cuttlebug again on the striped pattern paper. It is hard to see in these pictures, but it shows up nicely in person.

Here I enlarged the embellishment in the upper right hand corner. I used solo "t" stamp set for the sentiment stamped in Hollyhock on Baby Pink cardstock and matted on Chocolate cardstock. I put a flower button in the middle and continued these in the lower left hand corner, so the card would have a "z" flow from the three embellishments used.

Other products used: The Best Way stamp set, More To Adore paper packet and CTMH chocolate marker.

More teddy bears to come!

Happy Stamping!

Technique Tuesday - Soot Stamping

Okay, I broke out one of my many idea books and tried a new technique....Soot Stamping! I thought it would be hard, but it wasn't. The directions were awesome from my book, Stacy and Friends: 40 Techniques for Making Cards. I purchased this book at Hobby Lobby with my 40% off coupon. It is great. I totally forgot about the cd that came with it that includes 40 bonus projects. I am going to have to check that out tonight.

On my card, the school bus was stamped using this new technique. Since I was trying this, I decided to card lift the one shown in the book. It isn't exactly the same, but very similar. I even used twill on the bottom like they did.

Soot Stamping: directions are taken from the book I mentioned above.

1. Hold paper in center of flame until blackened with soot.

2. Let paper cool; press stamp firmly into soot. (You do not put ink on the stamp.)

3. Spray a fixative on image.

Designer tips:

• Use a candle where the wick is even with the candle and not in a well.
• Hold the paper in the middle of the candle's flame to avoid catching the paper on fire.
• Stamps with large or sold designs work best for soot stamping.
• Avoid touching soot as your fingerprint will remove soot. (I had a fingerprint on mine and sanded the edge to blend it all in, so it couldn't be seen.) Once your image is stamped, spray with a clear spray to prevent smearing. (I tried Matte preserve spray and I still had my fingerprint show up. Then I tried hairspray, let it dry and it was fine.)
  
• Use a larger piece of paper than needed so you don't have to apply soot to the paper's edges. This also helps prevent catching the paper on fire.
• You must use glossy cardstock for soot stamping.

Products used: Colonial White cardstock for base, Route 66 paper packet, Adhesive-backed Twill, Glossy cardstock, American Crafts ribbon, Making Memories ribbon holder (not sure what this is called..HEE HEE!), Black ink, School Fun and School Days stamp sets, pencil buttons (company unknown).

This is much easier than it reads. The only problem I had was the image wanted to smear. Once I sprayed it with hairspray and let it dry it was fine.

I think I answered all the questions from my blog candy post, so don't you think I should have a blog candy post soon? Well, I just might have to do that...keep watching!

Michelle, I haven't forgotten your question about my ink pad holder on a different post. My father-in-law did not have the directions, since he is never making another one. I don't think he liked drilling all the holes. Please email me at stampfest@cox.net and I will send you what I gave him to start the project.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Stamping!

Make-N-Takes

These cards are a couple of make-n-takes I made at a meeting I went to last week. Chris went to a leadership conference and came back with the new catty that is coming out in September. So we got to browse through it briefly and create some quick cards with new products.

I only got a glimpse of the new catty and I can't wait to get my hands on my supply of catalogs. The UPS man is visiting on Wednesday, August 1st. Unfortunately he does not stop by until after 6 p.m. BUMMER! You know what I will be doing on Wednesday night...creating my wish list. There are a lot of new exciting products and programs coming out this fall. So much fun!

I didn't have time to post on Saturday, because we left our hotel at 10 a.m. and didn't return until 1 a.m. What a busy, FUN day! Sunday we traveled back, played with the kids and cleaned up a little, so I didn't have time to create anything either. I hope to get back to stamping and scrapping on Monday. I need some sleep to rejuvenate my creative juices. Why do I need a vacation after I return from vacation? I guess too much playing and staying up late at night. Since I am a band wife, I have to stay while they pack up their gear. It makes for a long night, but at least I can say I know the band....LOL!


Happy Monday!

Blast From The Past

One of my favorites. Tate loved peanut butter. I like this so much, because my husband hand drew the JIF letters for me. It looks just like the jar. He is a sweetie!




Tate is still our little fish. This was my monochromatic layout with a touch of color.




Love these colors!


I just have a moment before we had to the Barefoot Bar in Okoboji, so my hubby can set up for their gig tonight. Above are some of my favorite layouts from the past three years I created. These are some of my favorites from the archives. It is funny how my style has changed in just the past year. I still like these even though they seem so simple.

Have a great day!

A Different Approach

First I want to say that if you didn't get a separate post for Peeking Witches, it is listed below. I had my post completely finished and forgot to go back into Blogger and publish it. I have a NOSEY sister, who goes in at night to see what I have done for the day. She can't wait until she gets her email in the morning. So I don't post my new artwork too early, because I know she is peeking. I told her it was her fault for being so snoopy....LOL!

I switched gears from bright and cute cards to a more serious, pretty design. This card was so hard to make. Not because it is a sympathy card, but because I took a different approach than I normally do when I make a card. Most of the time I start with a stamp set first. Well, this time I challenged myself. I started with the Pink Carnation cardstock that I had embossed with my Cuttlebug folder. I have had this embossed cardstock sitting on my scrap table for about two months and decided I needed to use it.

The first thing I did was swipe my White Daisy ink pad across the embossed images. Then I picked my paper packet - More To Adore and distressed the paper with Chocolate ink. I matted the Pink Carnation (embossed) with Chocolate cardstock. The White Daisy flowers just didn't work for me. I read the colors in the catalog for More To Adore and it had Vanilla Cream listed, so I swiped the embossed images again with Vanilla Cream ink. Oh, that didn't look good at all! I was frustrated, so why not swipe the embossed images again in Chocolate. I did! I like how that turned out, so I continued still a little frustrated. I just sat there and looked at the card hoping an idea would pop in my head. Finally, it did! BUTTERFLIES! I had a butterfly already stamped and used my prismacolors to give it a little color. I didn't want it to overwhelm the card, so I used light pink for a soft and subtle look. It is very light and I outlined the butterfly in a shade darker. I attached the butterfly with pop dots to make it look 3-D above the flowers.

Now, time for the sentiment. How could I put my sentiment on the card without messing up the look I was going for and where would I put it? I knew I didn't want to use a square or rectangle, because of the straight lines, so I broke out my Creative Memories cutting system and found the perfect size oval. I stamped my sentiment and distressed the oval with Chocolate ink. Okay, this card was starting to come together. I decided to add pink organdy ribbon to the bottom, used my Corner Adorner concave punch and pink brads in the corners. Viola! It was finished. I am happy with how it turned out and it only took about 30 minutes to make.

I happened to say to my husband, "That turned out better than I thought." when I was standing up from my table. He was walking by, looked over and said, "That is pretty." Wow! I got more than "That's nice." Boy, I needed that!

I used the following stamp sets: Comforting Thoughts and Butterflies.

A reminder that we are on our way to Okoboji Friday morning for a mini-vacation this weekend. I will try to post while I am there. It just depends on Internet service at the hotel and our schedule.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Peeking Witches

This card is my second take on "Witcha Doin'". My sister and I saw a card on a blog a couple of months ago with chickens peeking in from different angles and the statement was "Chicken In". We thought is was so cute, and since then I have chickens on my stamp wish list. I really like all the cards I see with chickens and the sayings that go with them. They make me smile every time. That is the inspiration I had for this card. I was flipping through my stamp sets looking for the other witch I used and saw this set and *POW* I had to make this card too.

You know me by now...I have to use my scraps, so I used the same papers and added the pattern paper on top with the stars and spiders. I really like this paper pack I got more than a year ago. I am so far behind on my scrapbooking that I will have to buy new Halloween paper when I get to those pictures.

The traffic jam cuttlebug embossing folder is new to my collection. I just bought it with my Michael's 40% off coupon. I didn't think I was going to buy this one, but I am glad I did. It is just quirky enough to fit into some of the designs I make.

I used BOO blocks (retired) and SAN small caps again. Man, those letters are so tiny I almost lost a couple on the floor after I cleaned them. I hope you enjoyed my witch cards. I have been downloading files to my computer, so when I am in Okoboji I can still keep in touch. A girl has to have her computer and Internet. It is my link to my world!

Have a good one!

Witcha Doin'

I made this card for my sister, Connie. We call each other every day and ask, "What ya doing?", but it sounds like "Witcha Doin'". I thought of this card, because of all the cute cards I see on blogs that play on words. I don't have many of those stamp sets and now have them on my wish list. Connie and I talk about these cards all the time and I told her I would make one, so here it is. I am pretty proud of this one, because I showed my husband and he was surprised I thought of it on my own. He thinks I cardlift everything I guess. When he makes a comment besides that is nice, I know I have done something better than usual. I keep showing him my creations and he keeps saying, "That's nice". I guess it is the same thing when he shows me a guitar or amp and I say, "That's nice"....LOL!

By the way, I will be heading to Okoboji this weekend, because my hubby is in a band and they play up there. We are not taking the kids, so it will be a mini-vacation for us. I am going to try to have something for you each day. I will have to look through my archives and come up with something, since I don't have time to create more than one project a day lately. I think I will choose some past layouts that are my favorites, since I am supposed to be scrapping more.

Now, back to the card. I used the some of the same paper I used on the BOO card I posted earlier this week. In addition, I used Halloween Night (retired) and SANS small caps stamp sets. I kept struggling with what to do with the ribbon on this card. I had three different ribbons tied around the bottom and just didn't like it. Then, POW, I thought of putting the ribbon on like tags. I see this on other people's artwork and love it, so why not do it myself. I like how that turned out. The ribbon is from Hobby Lobby. I got a ribbon box and all different types of ribbon for 1/2 price. This is awesome for a ribbon nut like me. I had to put the saying "Witcha Doin'" together using SANS Small Caps. Boy, are those little letters. I would love to find this saying on a stamp set already, but I worked around that. I guess that is what is nice about letter stamp sets. You can say anything you want. It just takes more time to create.

So I will surprise my sister with this card some time and I am making another one with the same saying. You should see that tomorrow, if I get time to stamp.


AND I'M ROCKIN' AGAIN!




I got tagged again by Jill Hilliard as a Rockin' Girl Blogger. I found a different image this time. I like blog tagging, because I have found some great blogs to subscribe to and get even more inspiration from every day. You need to check out Jill's blog. It is great! I love the Bella with the guitar. Of course, I would since I am surrounded by guitars at home. I am going to tag five new blogs I have subscribed to lately. Here they are:

Kat (Doodles and Dragonflies)
Linda (Stamping in the Moonlight)
Colleen (Distinctive Touches)
Michelle (Twisted Chick Creations)
Pink Lemonade

All of these are great Rockin' Blogs to check out full of creativity and inspiration!

Happy Stamping!

Technique Tuesday - Emerging Color

I do not have a 6 x 6 layout for this technique. This one was not completed in the technique swap I was participated in with other consultants. I made this card after seeing this technique used on a card Dawn Neal created. Sorry about the color and picture quality. I used to scan my cards and email them to my sister. Now, I take pictures of every project and download them to my computer. The pictures are better when I take them with my camera, especially under my Ott lite on white cardstock.

The top portion of this card was completed using the emerging color technique. Click to enlarge the picture. This technique reminds me of chalk popping.

Emerging Color

1. On a light colored cardstock, stamp your image using Versamark.

2. Cover image with clear embossing powder and heat set with embossing gun.

3. Using a sponge dauber or make-up sponge rub ink randomly around the embossed images.

4. Stamp other images on card and over the embossed images if desired.

This is a fun technique to use. Try it!

A few more questions to answer:

Angela W. asked, "Have you seen the new SU catty and what are you getting first?" Well, I have seen the SU new catty and there are a few things I really like. Even though I am an acrylic girl, my favorite stamp set is Lovely As A Tree. Autumn is my favorite season mainly because of the trees, so this set jumped off the page.

I had two questions regarding organization from Claudia and foodpartyfun, so I am going to give you links to my blog where I showed my stamping room. I posted pictures and talked about how I organize all of my precious stamping and scrapping supplies. Here are the links:

My scrapping room
Paper and ribbon...these are a few of my favorite things
Stamps sets, etc.
End of tour

I still have a few more questions I will answer over the next few days.

By the way, thanks for all the nice comments you make under my posts. I love reading them and appreciate it!

Happy Stamping!

PERFECTION

I am keeping the promise to myself about getting some scrapbooking done. I don't know how long it will last, since I love making cards so much. I am going to try to do a scrapbook layout a week. Right now that seems like a lot to me, but I will see how it goes.

I finished this layout on Sunday. It is one that I made on National Scrapbooking Day and I needed to add pictures and journaling. That always seems to be the hardest part. I don't like going down to my basement and searching for the best pictures for a layout; however, once I am done there I have fun looking through all the pictures ooooing and aahhhing to find the perfect one. I like the option of being able to size the pictures how I want and changing them to black and white. I have always wanted to use black and white photos in my scrapbooks, but never did. If I do the layouts ahead of time using the CTMH Cherish book, I am creative with my pictures too. By the way, the new fall idea book will have the new CTMH Imagine book. YEAH! It is just like the Cherish book with new layouts and ideas. I will be ordering that first.

I love the picture of of Tanner sleeping with his hand closer to the camera. He fell asleep on our couch, and I put the camera right on the couch with him. Baby's hand and feet are so cute and I wanted to take pictures of him at a different angle than above him. I changed this to black and white, because the colors contrasted with the layout colors.

Sorry for the glare on the second page of the layout. My camera flash would not go off on the first page and went off when I was taking a picture of the second page. Pictures of me are not usually on my scrapbook layouts, because I am the one behind the camera most of the time. I had to take advantage of this picture of Tanner and me. I love it! Below is the recipe for this layout. All products are CTMH unless otherwise noted.

paper: Heaven Sent pattern paper (retired); Sweet Leaf, Heavenly Blue, Buttercup, and White Daisy cardstock

stamp sets: Little Angel, Romantic Backgrounds, Believe Caps

ink: Sweet Leaf

embellishments: dimensional elements, Buttercup brads, Heavenly Blue bigger brads, White Daisy grosgrain ribbon, White Daisy buttons, Colonial White waxy flax (it looks white), spring buttons, EK success concave corner punch.


Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Birthday Dude

Happy Birthday Dude is my second attempt using my prismacolors. Wow! It is not as easy to color in people images. I don't know if I got the skin color correct, but I got it as close as I could. I used so many colors on his hair that a hair stylist would be proud of all the highlights...LOL! I absolutely love coloring with my pencils. It takes a while, but I am sure I will get faster the more I play. The color possibilities are endless. Since this is a masculine birthday card, I didn't want to use ribbon and let me tell you THAT WAS HARD! I love ribbon! I kept looking at all of my ribbon and if I would have found the perfect match, I am sure it would be tied on here somehow. I like to give myself a guideline I have to follow, because it makes me use products I might overlook. I have a TON of embellishments and always fall back on the same 'ole thing. I need to start completing the challenges on blogs and Splitcoaststampers (SCS), so I expand my card making ability.

Here's the recipe:

All products are CTMH unless otherwise noted.

Paper: Building Blocks pattern paper; Moonstruck, Black, Buttercup, and White Daisy cardstock

Stamp sets: Happy Birthday, Dude (retired)

Ink: Black, Cranberry

Embellisments: black small spiral clip, black hinge

Non-CTMH: prismacolors, Cuttlebug spots & dots embossing folder, tab file folder punch, Tim Holtz distresser

Happy Stamping!

Waterfall

No, not an actual one. A waterfall card! This is a Mother's Day card I made for my mom last year. I had another busy day, and didn't have time to finish the project I was working on before we had to go to an anniversary party. I had such an itch to stamp today and just didn't get to play much. I hate when that happens! LOL!

I made this card using the tutorial from Splitcoaststampers. What an awesome resource! I am a little directions challenged, but once I figured it out it was so cool. I am a hands on learner. I would rather have someone show me how to do something than read directions. I started with a Black cardstock and used Flutter and Sweet Flowers stamp sets. In addition, I used Blush pattern paper (retired), Blush cardstock and White Daisy cardstock. To finish the card, I used Blush and Garden Green ink, black brads and pink gingham ribbon. Below are pictures of the card in opened positions after I pulled the ribbon.

These pictures are littler, because I scanned this card. You can click to enlarge the images.

After seeing this card again, I think I need to try one of these again.

Another question:

Anouk asked, "If you could only take three crafty items to a deserted island, what would they be?" Wow! I had to to think about this for awhile. Right away I thought of my crop-a-dile, because it is so heavy duty, and I think I could use it many ways (not just for scrapping on the island...LOL!). This is really a great tool, when you need it. It cuts through chipboard like butter.

The second thing I would hope to have with me would be my sizzix machine. I don't use it now, because I bought a cuttlebug, which cuts and embosses. I think I could smash things with it. I don't know what needs smashed, but it could do the job. This is definitely my silly answer.

My third and final thing I would want on the deserted island would be one of my scrapbooks, so I could see pictures of my family. On one hand it would make me sad, because I would miss them. But on the other hand, at least I could see pictures of them. I need to scrap more than I do, so you might be seeing some scrapbooks pages over the next few weeks. I get caught up making cards, because it is so much fun and I get my creative fix quicker. I need to get back to why I started creating in the first place.

Have a great weekend!

BOO

Okay! Here is the first card I made using my prismacolors (click to enlarge). I picked one of the easiest stamp images I had to play with. I have a lot to learn yet, but it sure was fun layering all the colors and pulling them inward to blend. I can't wait to play more with my new toys. Thanks for stopping by and looking at what I have created. Here is the recipe:

Paper: Black, Sunflower, Moonstruck, White Daisy and Hydrangea cardstock (CTMH), Striped pattern paper (Frances Meyer, Inc.), Orange Polka Dot pattern paper (Creative Imaginations)

Stamp set: Trick or Treaters (CTMH retired)

Embellishments: Cuttlebug embossing plate, White gel pen, Bigger black brads (CTMH), Green ribbon (unkown)

Here is the inside of the card. I used White Daisy ink and Happy Haunting stamp set (2006 September stamp of the month, CTMH)


Have a great day!

Rockin' Girl Blogger

I have been tagged by one of my favorite Bloggers, Ana (Ink A Stamp). Thanks, Ana! It is a honor for you (who ROCKS) to tag me. I love your work! I am suppose to tag five blogs that I think are "Rockin' It" and then let them know. This is going to be hard, since I have so many favorites. I wish I could pick more than five, but that is the game. I am going to try to tag some Rockin' Ladies I do not have listed on my sidebar to show you talent I have not taken the time to add to my inspiration list. Here they are:

1. I have to tag, Jeanne (Creative Bliss), because we started blogging at the same time and we have become great email friends. She is on my sidebar, but I like her work and her so much I had to tag her. I know if we lived in the same town, we would hang out all the time. Jeanne is a talented paper artist and she just started digital scrapbooking. SHE ROCKS!

2. Julia (Belle Papier) is another blog I check daily. I just found her a couple of weeks ago and love to see what she is working on...she makes some rockin' pieces of art.

3. Debbie (Thinking Inking) is very creative. I love to she what she has done next. Her use of Copic markers is awesome! She has peeked my interest in these cool markers! Check her rockin' site out!

4. Teresa (Inkfully Yours) is a blog you need to visit. She has some rockin' talent! She has a way with stamps....WOW! You need to see it! Rock on over!

5. Kendra (Inkin' It Up) has awesome artwork on her site. Wowzie! It is a must see. She definitely knows how to rock it up too!

There are so many more I would love to name. I am a little embarassed regarding how many blogs I subscribe to, but I get inspiration from all of them. Keep it coming! LOVE IT!

Happy Stamping!

Bright & Cheery

Boy, is this card ever different from the last ones I posted? I got this idea from a consultant, name unknown, on the CTMH Bulletin Board. She used autumn colors and leaf pattern paper. I decided to use bright & cheery colors. Wow! This card sure is bright. I matted the letters in black, so they would stand out a little and I put a pop dot behind the "U", so it would jump off the card. Here is the recipe:

Paper: White daisy cardstock, Black cardstock Flower Power pattern paper (retired)

Stamp set: Rustic Alphabet

Ink: Hydrangea, Sunflower, Kiwi, Dutch Blue, Bubblegum

Accessories: Black brads

I am still answering questions from blog candy post. Here is another one!

Wendy asked, "What is your favorite thing about CTMH products?"

I have three favorite things about CTMH products. The first one is the clear acrylic stamp sets. I can see where I am stamping and the images are crisp. It makes it easy to stamp, especially when I am two step stamping (When one image is placed right over the other image.).

The second thing I like is the organizational systems they offer. Since the stamps are acrylic they come in nice little envelopes all the same size and I can store (over 200...yes, 200) in such a small space. I love the fact there are only a few blocks I have to buy and carry around. In addition, I love the My Accents organizer. I can take a lot of embellishments with me in just one case.

The third (but not final) thing I like about CTMH products is everything color coordinates. I don't have to run all over town anymore looking for the perfect color paper to make a piece of pattern paper or ribbon. All my paper, ribbon and embellishments match and if you know me that is VERY important.

Happy Stamping!

Gold Vellum

This is the second card I made when I went to stamp at Brenda's last Friday. It is the first time I have used the gold vellum that CTMH carries and I love it! I always think images are so pretty when I stamp them on vellum and the gold makes it even better. I thought this card needed ribbon, but I couldn't find a good place for it. I didn't want to cover up anything I stamped, so I just left it off.

Here is the recipe:

Paper: Cranberry cardstock, Colonial White cardstock, Elegant Bouquet pattern paper, GOLD VELLUM

Stamp sets: Elegant Floral, For Every Occasion

Inks: Cranberry, Barn Red, Garden Green

Accessories: Cranberry brads, EK success concave punch

Another question to answer:

Janet asked, "How long does it take you to make a card?" Since the summer, it seems like it doesn't take me as long as it used to. I make most of my cards within 30-45 minutes. It depends on the detail, if I am coloring in an image, and if I have an idea before I sit down. I try to stamp an image and color it before I sit down to make the card. I will color that image in while I am sitting in a lawn chair or picnic table watching my kids swim or play outside. I got this idea from a blog that I subscribe to and I can't tell you which one, because I subscribe to a lot of them. If you stamp some outline images and then color them in when you have a moment or two or three, when you sit down to make your card it doesn't take so long. I think I have gotten faster over the last couple of months, because I get so many ideas from blogs. It is easier to come up with designs when you have daily inspiration.

I finished buying all the supplies to start using my prismacolors and now I just need the time to play. I have heard less in more and I am going to try to remember this when I color. I am so excited to try this new technique. This will add a lot of time to my card making; however, in the long run I know my images will look better. I hope to share something with you soon after practicing, but it might be awhile. I will have to make other cards and layouts while I get used to my new pencils.

Happy Stamping!

Technique Tuesday - Kissing Technique

This is a fun way to jazz up your solid stamps with some of your pattern stamp sets. This 6 x 6 layout was made by Theresa Woolworth, CTMH consultant, using the kissing technique instructions and examples.


Kissing Technique

Ink up a background stamp making sure it is inked well. Take another stamp, a bold/solid stamp, place it on top of the background stamp...effectively using the background stamp as the ink pad. Then stamp the image on your paper. You will have a great result. Your solid stamps will have endless pattern possibilities.

I created this thank you card by using this technique on the "t" from the solo "t" stamp set. In addition, I used "THANKS" from this set too. It is harder to see the textured look here than in person. The diagonal strip of paper is White Daisy cardstock stippled with Ocean ink. I finished the card with Ocean pattern paper and Daisy White organdy ribbon.

Try this technique...you'll like it!

Create something!

Elegant Floral

Last Friday, I went to Brenda's (another CTMH consultant) and we stamped in the morning. We try to meet once a month. Our kids play while we stamp and talk about all the great new happenings in the stamping world.

I pulled out Elegant Floral and Elegant Bouquet for my trip to Brenda's. I just love this stamp set. It is so pretty, and the paper packet was made for it. I used the following inks: Cranberry, Barn Red and Garden Green. I inked the scalloped dimensional element with Garden Green and then stamp "Thanks" in Cranberry for the stamp set For Every Occasion (2007 April stamp of the month). To finish off the card, I used Ivory organdy ribbon and Cranberry brads. The card base is Colonial White, 5 1/2 x 4 1/4.

Still asking questions:

Cindy asked, "What is your favorite CTMH stamp set to color in?"

I have thought about this question for weeks too! I have come to the conclusion...I don't have a favorite. There are so many outline Halloween and Christmas stamp sets that I can't choose one. If you want to start coloring in more, pick a holiday stamp set. They seem to be the ones I pick first if I am coloring in with markers. I did purchase School Zone and haven't played with it yet, so I will let you know when I do. That one is perfect to color in with markers or prisma colors. By the way, I found a 120 prisma colors set on Ebay for $67.00 and change shipping included, so I bought them. They should arrive this week. I can't wait! I will be stalking the mailman each day, until he brings them. I will have to play a lot with those before I let you see anything I have created.

Happy Monday!

Cherish Layout

I can't believe I finished another scrapbook layout. I created five layouts using the CTMH Cherish book on May 5th and this is the second one I have totally completed with pictures. I thought I had pictures of this layout without the pictures saved on my computer, but I can't find them. I was going to show you how the pictures make a layout, but I got tired of searching through files.

I am so happy when I finish a layout and the boys love to look at them, but it seems to take me forever to go to the basement to print pictures. It takes a long time to find the ones I want to print, and then print them the sizes they need to be. It is not as much fun as playing with all of my scrapping and stamping toys, so I put it off.


Here is page one of the double page layout. I can't believe how little Tanner was, and shame on me for being this far behind on his scrapbook. He will be three in September. I don't think I will ever catch up, but I will have fun trying. The picture on the left he was just a few days old, and the picture on the right he was almost two months old. Boy, they grow up fast!

When Tate saw this layout, he said, "Mom, your hair looks funny." I tried growing it out, when I was pregnant. It didn't take long for me to cut it off. Don't you just love kids and their honesty. I guess he likes my hair now.



Of course, page two has his big brother and him as the main picture. Tate sure loves his little brother. Sometimes Tanner doesn't want that many kisses and hugs. LOL!


Saturday night I went to Archivers to scrap all by myself. I like going to scrap places and meeting new people, who share the same passion for this great hobby! My DH had a gig in his home town and the boys went to stay all night at their grandparents leaving me all alone. DARN! LOL! I usually scrap at home, since I have so many supplies, but a girl needs to get out once in awhile.

Another question:

Terese asked, "When you sit down to make a card what do you do first to come up with an idea?" Most of the time, I usually sit down and look in my scrap container and see if I have a scrap big enough for a card base, then I pick a stamp set to will work with that color. For example, if I am using hot pink, I won't do a sympathy card. If I don't get a card base from my scraps, I start with the stamp set and pick out a color combo I want to work with. I just start building and looking at my supplies to see what I can add. I love using my scraps, because I feel like I am saving money that way. Save a little here, spend a little there! LOL!

There have been times that I will like a color combo on a ribbon or pattern paper and I do start with that and build a card around it. One time for scrapbooking, I designed an entire two-page layout around a tall skinny clown that stretch down the page. Remember, Terese! LOL! For those of you who don't know, Terese is the one who turned me into this obsessed scrapbooking addict, which lead me to stamping! She would laugh at me when I would buy an embellishment just because I thought it was cute. Terese would ask me how I was going to use it, and I would tell her I can build a layout from this. She would just shake her head. Thanks, Terese!

Happy Stamping!

C O L O R

I had something totally different planned to share with you today, and then I went to the mailbox. They're here! TAGS! I participated in a tag swap with other CTMH consultants where we had to pick a CTMH color and make a tag displaying that color in a creative way. Everyone made the same size tag, so we can put them on an "O" ring and show them to people. It is an awesome way to show what colors we carry in paper, ink, etc. Each of us had to make 60 tags of one color and send them to a host, who divided them up and mailed the entire color set back to us. I am so happy with my tag collection. Click on any tag to enlarge it for the detail. Below are my favorites:

I choose the color Olive, so here is mine.


Here are my favorites with the creative consultants' names:

Rose Johnson; Unknown


Unknown; Joanne Coleman


Jennifer Szustakowski (both tags) The black looks really good in person due to the embossing.


Dawn Neal (both tags) I always like Dawn's work.


Unknown; Unknown



Unknown; Unknown - Don't you just love the magnifying glass for the bugs and the baby design for the blue is heavenly....LOL! CUTE!

I would have liked to given the consultants credit, if they would have signed the back of their artwork. That is why I put unknown.

I would like to know which one is your favorite in the comments section.

It is Friday the 13th while I am writing this, so I am going to sign off and go find a scary movie to watch...LOL! I think the Exorcist is on Bravo. I love Friday the 13th!

Have a great day and weekend!

F I R E W O R K S

I have heard...better late than never, so here it is!

My 4th of July card

I was working on this before the holiday and my sister came to stay for the week. I wanted to stamp on vellum, because I always like how it looks and I wanted the star pattern paper to show through the firecracker stamped images. When I was making this card, I found out I need some red, white and blue ribbon. I have none! I can't believe with all the ribbon I own not one spool had the colors I needed. I had to use good 'ole reliable organdy. I tied Outdoor Denim (3/8 inch) and Holiday Red (5/8 inch) together and made a bow. Here is the recipe:

All products are CTMH unless otherwise noted:

Paper: Cranberry cardstock (7 x 8 folded to make a 3 1/2 x 8 card), Independence pattern paper

Stamp Sets: Snap, Crackle, Pop and Celebrate America (retired)

Ink: Cranberry, Outdoor Denim

Accessories: Independence My Stickease level 2, Cranberry brads (Paper Studio), vellum (unknown company), Holiday Red organdy ribbon, Outdoor Denim organdy ribbon, concave punch by EK Success. I think I stated this was from Corner Adorner before. My bad! It is an EK success item and I love it!

I heard from Shannon yesterday and mailed her blog candy to her today (Friday). She was on vacation, so that is why I hadn't heard from her since the drawing. Congratulations, Shannon!

Still answering questions:

Kimberly asked, "What is your favorite color combo?"

Hmmm! This is a hard question to answer. I have been thinking about this question for days and I cannot pick just one. I didn't think I was a pink person, but I love chocolate and pink and any green and pink. Of course, since autumn colors are my favorite, all of them look good together and I can't forget about purple and green...wow! Let me know what your favorites are in the comments section and I will try to create something with that color combo.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention I have a new set-up to take pictures of my projects. I got this idea from Julie Buhler. I put two pieces of White Daisy cardstock together and set it on my desk. I put my Ott lite on the side and put my projects on the White Daisy cardstock. Viola, a little photo studio. The colors should be as true as I can get them, since I am using my Ott lite.

Thanks for stopping by!

Unexpected Visitors

Today, I knew my in-laws were coming, but no one told me they were bringing my husband's aunt and uncle. Whew! I am so glad I did all my cleaning in the morning. They came around 1 p.m. and left around 8:00 p.m., so needless to say I didn't have time to create today. That means I am pulling from my archives again.

I made this card with a Christmas stamp set, No Peeking (2006 November stamp of the month). I love these little packages. They may look familiar from my Technique Tuesday - Prisma Glitter post below. On the layout below, I used these same packages as background stamps and colored them in with CTMH markers as well as using them as embellishments.

On this card all products are CTMH:

Stamp sets: No Peeking, Celebrate (retired), Happy Day (retired)

Ink: Cranberry, Sunny Yellow

Paper: Black cardstock, Giggles & Grins pattern paper

Accessories: metal rimmed tag, Cranberry waxy flax, black beads, Sunny Yellow marker, Cranberry marker, Holiday Red grosgrain ribbon



Another question:

Cathy asked, "How did you get started with stamping?" I went to a scrapbook fair in my husband's home town. People could crop and shop. Well, I shopped. Some vendors had make-n-takes set up and I sat down at the Close To My Heart table. I never heard of them before. The consultant had a tag for us to make and I fell in love with the acrylic stamps. The rest is history. I purchased a catalog from her and bought a couple of winter sets. I joined a stamp club not long after that and then I became a consultant after getting my feet wet with the product. I have had fun ever since and have become an addict. I have over 200 stamp sets and it seems to keep growing. In the last few months, I seem to be working on more techniques and want to dive into prismacolors thanks to Ana Wahlfarht. Her blog Ink A Stamp is listed on my sidebar under Inspiration. She is one of my favorite paper artists and I have been saving my stamping money to make the 120 prismacolors purchase.

Just one more day and if I haven't heard from Shannon K, I will draw another random number to win the blog candy she never claimed.

Have a great day and take time to create!

Baby Brag Book

I decided to decorate one of the many 3 x 3 Kraft mini albums I have purchased for door prizes and gifts. I think people see these and don't know what to do with them. Since I know people having babies, I thought I would make a baby brag book. These are cute little books that have plastic photo sleeves inside and jute to tie the book closed.

All products are CTMH.

First, I covered the album in a piece of pattern paper from Laid Back paper pack and added Outdoor Denim grosgrain ribbon to the edges to finish the cover. I stamped Baby Blocks (retired) in Outdoor Denim ink and colored in the block with Dutch Blue, Bubblegum, Sunny Yellow and Citrus Leaf marker.


I covered the inside front panel in the same pattern paper from Laid Back and attached Outdoor Denim ribbon to the top. I stamped the giraffe and "sweet" saying from Sweet Occasions (retired) stamp set in Dutch Blue ink. I got the idea to stamp the giraffe upside down from another consultant, name unkown, who designed a baby card that way.







Again, I covered the inside back panel with pattern paper from Laid Back and used Tiny Feet stamp set (retired) in Dutch Blue ink.










These are easy to create and make a great gift. Hmmm! Who is going to have a boy next?

Jeanne asked, "What is your BEST time management tip?" I see you are able to sit down when the famil ywatches TV, etc. But for those of us who feel we have to "clean house" first, what does your daily routine look like that allows you to time to create daily?

I used to think I had to do it all every day, but then I heard someone say, "When you are on your death bed, you will never wish you worked more." I agree with that. I know I won't wish I cleaned more. I keep the house picked up and the laundry done by doing so much each day. I used to have a check off sheet where I cleaned certain rooms on the same day each week. Of course, the kitchen is cleaned at least three times a day. Then I found Fly Lady. If you have never heard of her, check out her website. I was religious about following her daily challenge and I have gotten away from it; however, some of the habits just got embedded in my daily routine. I guess it boils down to I don't think my house needs to be spotless all the time. Since my oldest, Tate, has been out of school for the summer, he has a check off sheet for chores. This helps me too. When the TV room is a mess, I know he is the one who has to clean it, so it doesn't upset me. After my rambling, I give you one last piece of advice...if you can keep your projects out, it helps not to waste time packing and unpacking each time you sit down to create.

Thanks for reading my lengthy explanation and HAPPY STAMPING!

Technique Tuesday - Prisma Glitter

I featured this at the crop I hosted last Saturday. It is always a good technique to show, because the adhesive sheets make it so easy to add glitter that sticks.

This 6 x 6 layout was created by another CTMH Independent Consultant, but she didn't sign her work so I can't give her credit. I think the layout is darling! Click the picture, so you can see the glitter.

A favorite technique of stampers, because this fine glitter sparkles while allowing the stamped colors to show through. Use CTMH adhesive sheets to cover an entire section of stamped image (bottom snowflake) or use the glue pen to highlight detailed sections of your design (top snowflake). For a neat approach, keep your prisma glitter in a bowl with a spoon. Hold your art over the bowl while you spoon the glitter over and off your work.

Here is a card I made with this technique Happy Birthday.

Below is a Christmas layout I made with this technique. I used it on the tag in the upper, right corner. Click on the layout to enlarge it.


Hope you enjoy this technique. I always like the results, when I use it.

Happy Stamping!