New to Blog - Labels!

I spent some time late last week adding Labels to my posts. It's something I've been wanting to do for awhile, so I'm glad I finally got started. I still have some older posts to label. So, what are labels? They are cool because if you click on a label - e.g. CreativePlayStamps - all the posts with that label come up for you to look at! So you can see everything I've posted using CreativePlayStamps products. Cool, huh? Well, I think so! lol Hope you find this addition handy! ENJOY!

Fresh Cuts Just Because

SU! Pretty in Pink and Chocolate Chip - what lovely color combination! Pinks and browns generally go well together. I love the richness of the Chocolate Chip color. The sentiment of "just because" comes from the Sell-a-bration rub-ons Love & Happiness. All supplies are SU!

Stamps: Fresh Cuts

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Pretty in Pink, Fresh Cut Die Cut Notes in Whisper White

Ink: Pretty in Pink

Accessories: Love & Happiness RubOns (retired), 5 Petal Flower Punch, Pretties Kit, Word Window Punch, Soft Subtle Brads. ENJOY!

Priceless Fresh Cuts

This is one of my favorite Fresh Cut designs that I made. Besides the pretty, fresh and Summery color combo, I like the flower petal stamping. Instead of pooping out the die cut petals, they are left in. But *how* do you stamp them? My friend Cambria inspired me on this technique! You use post-it notes under the petals and covering the notecard to mask off the part you don't want stamped. Masking is a useful and long-lived technique that provides various results. Give it a try!

I died the SU! Pretties Kit flower right on my So Saffron Classic Ink pad. It seemed to look too dark at first, so I squeezed it between layers of tissue a couple of times which redued the color and helped it dry faster [Note: Mini Glue Dots *do not* stick to dyed, wet flowers! lol - seems like common sense but now you can live from MY experience! :) ]

The Fresh Cut Die Cut Notes are 4" x 4" and come with envelopes - currently only in Whisper White. We'll see what the new catty brings! You cannot mail this size card as is - so you have three choices. Use these die cut notes as gift enclosures, mount them on a 5 1/2" x 4 1/4" piece of cardstock (like the above design), or just use a standard envelope with it instead (you can always make your own 4" x 4" cards out of colored cardstock to use with the envelopes!) All supplies SU!

Stamps: Fresh Cuts & Priceless

Cardstock: Die Cut Notes, So Saffron Prints DSP, Ballet Blue

Ink: Ballet Blue, So Saffron

Accessories: Pretties Kit, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots ENJOY!

Another Fresh Cuts Design

I CASE'd this layout idea from fellow Sudsoler Gretchen Barron. I just changed the focal piece layering for my design. We had a wonderful time at Stampin' Chat last night - THANKS LADIES! :) This was the second make-n-take for that event.

The focal piece is Whisper White Craft Ink and Clear Embossing Powder on Elegant Eggplant. I love how it turns out looking Almost Amethyst! (This works for Whisper White Craft Ink on Night of Navy paired with Bashful Blue too!) I really like the new pieces in the Stylized Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Kit too - how about that cute flower ribbon slide? It also has a Designer Label Punch shaped piece! All supplies are SU!

Stamps: Fresh Cuts

Cardstock: Elegant Eggplant, Almost Amethyst, Whisper White, Almost Amethyst Prints DSP

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Elegant Eggplant Classic Ink

Accessories: Stylized Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Clear EP, Heat Tool. ENJOY!

Fresh Cuts & Die-Cut Notes

Here's a pic of the Die-Cut Notes that are on special with the Fresh Cuts Stamp Set Sneak Peek from SU! It's the large petals that punch out from the front of the 4" x 4" Whisper White notecard. I attached a piece of Whisper White on the inside that has the largest Fresh Cuts image stamped off on it (same image as was the focal piece on yesterday's post.) I also stamped off on the small flower image that trails from corner to corner on each card , except the Soft Sky. Just in case - "Stamping Off" is a technique where you ink up your stamp, then lightly stamp it on your SU! Grid Paper (or other work surface), then stamp on your cardstock. It provides a softer, lighter version of the image that still coordinates perfectly with the cardstock and embellishments. I also played with the Felt Fusion Flowers for the first time. Very pretty, very fun! All supplies used are SU!

Stamps: Fresh Cuts

Cardstock: Fresh Cut Die-Cut Notes, Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky.

Ink: Rose Red, Pumpkin Pie, Soft Sky, Old Olive

Accessories: Felt Fusion Flowers, 5-Petal Punch, Circle Fire Brads and Pretties Kit Clear Brads.

ENJOY!

Fresh Cuts - Sneak Peek Set!

I am sure you have heard about and seen samples using this NEW SU! stamp set called Fresh Cuts. It is a current special available to Hosts and Customers until June 30th - along with some Die-cut Notes (which you'll see in tomorrow's post!)

Well - I am finally playing with my Fresh Cut set and Die-Cut Notes as I prepare some make-n-takes for a Stampin' Chat this Friday night.

Stamps: SU! Fresh Cuts

Cardstock: Almost Amethyst, Elegant Eggplant, Whisper White

Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink

Accessories: Love & Happiness RubOns (SAB retired), Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 5-Petal Flower Punch, Boho Blossoms Punch, Stylized Silver Hodgepodge Hardware, Elegant Eggplant 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Whisper White Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots. ENJOY!

Elvis, Elvis, Let Me Be!

Elvis and sparkly just seem to go together - especially this Jumpsuit Silhouette image from Cornish Heritage Farms. I also finally used some of my SU! Stylized Silver Hodgepodge Hardware Kit (Note: This Kit is no longer available after June 30th - the last day of the Occasions Mini Catalog! - Though I am hoping it will be in the new catty!). Elvis was stamped in the Essential Glue Pad then sprinkled with Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter on a piece of SU! Basic Black that had been sprayed with Silver Glimmer Mist. (Did you know you can get all three of these items for 10% off and Free Shipping for orders $50 or more at CreativePlayStamps?! Offer ends 6/30/08)

Supplies RECAP:

Stamps: Jumpsuit Silhouette - Cornish Heritage Farms

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black, Going Gray & Naturals White

Accessories: Essential Glue Pad; Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter; SU! Stylized Silver Hodgepodge Hardware and Crafters Tool Kit; Creative Memories Oval Cutting System

ENJOY!

ElzyBells - Girl on Swing

Yep - lots of ElzyBells for you today! I am still having fun using the images I stamped and colored on the Stamp Day a week and a half ago. I really love the simplicity and sweetness of these ElzyBells images. This is "Girl on Swing" from the Friendship Collection. You'll see her and Gossip Girl several more times as these were the two main images I stamped and colored that day. I hope you can see the shading and shadowing I tried to effect on her dress, shoes & cheeks.

Which do you like better - the hair colored in like this sample, of just outlined like the previous post?

This is another contest layout challenge from GinaK Designs Friday night release party over at SCS. You can find the details here.

Stamps: Girl on Swing - ElzyBells; Thinking of You - CreativePlayStamps.com

Cardstock: SU! Chocolate Chip, Cameo Coral, Very Vanilla & Loves Me DSP(retired)

Ink: Brillance Graphite Black; SU! Chocolate Chip Classic Ink

Copics: E31, E25, YR000, YR00, YG67, R27, Colorless Blender

Accessories: All SU! - 3/16" Corner Rounder, Ticket Corner Punch, Antique Brass Hodgepodge Hardware, Chocolate Chip Twill Ribbon, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots ENJOY!

ElzyBells - "Gossip Girl"

Though I try not to be a gossip - this telephone gal did remind me of ME! I could be talking to my mom, or one of my best girlfriends - usually about married life, parenting and our faith walk.

This layout comes from the GinaK Release Party this past Friday over at SCS. You can find the layout and contest info here. It comes from oanother one of my fav blogs to visit - Erika Martin. I don't have any GinaK Designs stamps - *yet* - but they are on their way! She's got a lots of wonderful series by herself as well as several other wonderful illustrators. The series that has really put a spark in me is Gina's Kindred Spirits stamps. I can't wait for mine to arrive, so I can stamp and Copic or Koh-i-noor color and share them with you! What's Koh-i-noor? Check out Gina's site now, or wait and see! :)

I liked this layout because it challenged me to use designer paper, which I like, but rarely use. Here's the details the scan doesn't show reall well: Red Spica Glitter Pen on the phone, SU! Close to Cocoa Classic Ink sponged around the edges of the So Saffron Prints DSP, or the red gems that are SU! Fire Circle Brads accenting the sentiment. The paper piercing in the bottom corners shows up well, but around the SU! Scallop Punch is hared to see. I'm still working between scanner and camera for these pics - so please bear with me as this will take me quite awhile.

Stamps: Gossip Girl - ElzyBells Friendship Collection; All Year Cheer I - SU! (retired)

Cardstock: SU! Real Red, Very Vanilla, So Saffron Prints DSP, Loves Me DSP (retired)

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black; SU! Real Red & Close to Cocoa

Copics: Y17, R29,E27, YR000, YR00; Red Spica Glitter Pen

Accessories: Word Window, Scallop & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, Apricot Appeal 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Crafters Tool Kit, Fire Circle Brads, Stamping Sponge,Dimensionals & Mini Glue Dots (all SU!) ENJOY!

Monogram Notes

A set of 12 of these were our gift for our second cousin who graduated highschool this year. Congratulations Jaimie! Here name begins with the most perfect letter! *wink* Since a lot of schools offer "kits" for graduation annoucements, thank yous, etc. I thought some personalized stationery would be the best choice. These came together really quickly once I was able to pull the layout out of my mind's eye! :) {On a side note -

my 20th Class Reunion is this Summer - whoa how time flies!}

Stamps: SU! Quirky Alpha Upper(retired)

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black, Pixie Pink & Whisper White

Ink: SU! Pixie Pink Classic Pad

Accessories: Cuttlebug and d'vine Swirl A2 Embossing Folder; SU! 1/4" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon; SU! Scallop, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches; Dimensionals; Mini Glue Dots. ENJOY!

Just a "Life" Post Today- Austen Heroine Quiz

My friend Patti had this on her blog, and I thought it would be fun to try out. I do like Jane Austen, and maybe I will add the audio books and movies to my Summer list too!

If you like to read, but can't seem to make the time between household tasks and paper-crafting (lol) - give audiobooks a try! They are wonderful while I do dishes, stamp, and drive (must be appropriate for the kids of course) - not so good when I'm blog surfing though! DH & I are huge Harry Potter fans, and Jim Dale (who reads the Potter novels for on audio) is one of the best we've heard! It is a very entertaining listen - and if your kids are old enough their sure to enjoy it too! Another good (middle school and above) kid fantasy series is the Eragon Trilogy. The third book is due this Fall. There are several good Christian series - I especially enjoyed Jan Karon's Mitford Series and am looking forward to the next Fr. Tim Series novel when it is released. anywho - back to Jane Austen...

Answering the questions was interesting, and I felt I had some very different answers in terms of personality charateristics, and yet...it nailed me correctly! Here's my results:

You are Marianne Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! You are impulsive, romantic, impatient, and perhaps a bit too brutally honest. You enjoy romantic poetry and novels, and play the pianoforte beautifully. To boot, your singing voice is captivating. You feel deeply, and love passionately.

Take the Quiz here!

Have fun with this - and let me know which Austen Heroine YOU are! ENJOY!

ElzyBells - Girl on Swing

So how about all these uploads today?! I just couldn't help sharing this ElzyBells card with you! I am so tickled to have some of these images to play with, as I said here. I'm still trying to figure out my new camera myself - so bear with me on image imperfections. I am able to get the glitter to show a little though, so I'm doing something right!

This image is Girl on Swing from the ElzyBells Friendship Collection. I used my Copics to color in the image, then Spica Glitter Pens on the dress, shoes, hair barrette and flower garland. I've been feeling the urge to use buttons lately, and they turned out to be perfect embellishments for this card.

Stamps: Girl on Swing - ElzyBells; One of a Kind- SU!

Cardstock: SU! Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Very Vanilla and Summer Picnic DSP

Copics: B18, E31, E25, YR000, YR00, Colorless Blender; Spica Glitter Pens in Sky Blue & Red

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, SU! Brilliant Blue

Accessories: SU! Star, Large Star, Oval & Large Oval Punches, Bold Bright Buttons, Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots & Dimensionals; Marvy Giga Scallop Oval Punch.

ENJOY!

Graduation Announcements

CONGRATULATIONS to our niece Stephanie on her highschool graduation! When Steph was born, I was living in the upstairs apartment of my sister/b-i-l's house. I remember being woken up in the middle of the night to come sleep downstairs with the now big brother, while they went to the hospital in labor! (Steph long since became a big sister to another brother.)

Steph requested hot pink and black for her announcements - I hope she likes these! I wasn't sure which Cuttlebug A2 embossing Folder she'd like best - so I did some of 4 different designs - Swirls, Script, Diamonds and Distressed (not sure if these are the proper names, as I threw away the packaging and they aren't marked on the folders! lol) The SU! grad hat was stamped in the Essential Glue Pad and covered with Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter, along with the "2008" along the bottom on the Basic Black.

Stamps: SU! Sketch an Event & Simple Type Numbers(both retired)

Cardstock: SU! Pixie Pink, Basic Black & Whisper White

Ink: Momento Tuxedo Black

Accessories: Pewter Ultrafine Opaue glitter, Essential Glue Pad, Creative Memories Cutting System, Cuttlebug & A2 embossing folders, Dimensionals, Stamping Sponge, SU! Black Wide, Organdy Ribbon (retired), Mini Glue Dots

ENJOY!

Chat & Challenge #120 - Mojo Night Cap

I hosted another MOJO Night Cap over at Sudsol (demo only site) last night. I had quite a few stampers, and very few chatters and I still didn't get to upload the sketch and my design here! lol This was my Sketch Inspiration - which I found on the SU! Demonstrator Website's Stampers Showcase - adorable huh? (Wish I had written down who's work it was! I apologize for not doing so, so I could give proper credit.) This design uses: A Little Birdie Told Me, Polka Dots & Petals and Petals Jumbo Wheel; Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Tempting Turquoise & Soft Sky; Scallop & various Circle Punches; Certainly Celery Brads and Soft Sky Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon.

Here is the Sketch I designed from this inspiration:

Here is *my* design using the Sketch(using all SU! supplies):

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Old Olive, Summer Picnic DSP, Whisper White

Ink: Bashful Blue, Old Olive

Accessories: Stampin' Writes in Real Red & Bashful Blue; Real Red Striped Grosgrain Ribbon; Real Red Brads; Ticket Corner, 1 3/8", 1", 3/4" & 1/2" Circle Punches; Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals, Paper Snips. ENJOY!

Warning: Summer Picnic DSP is only available through June 30, along with everything else in the Occasions Mini Catalog! Don't order at your own risk!! :)

Elzybells Angel

I have been adoring the Elzybells images since I started seeing them on Cambria's Blog. They are just the cutest little images! I browse the website often just because they are so cute to look at, and they make me smile. So when I saw Patti had a few Elzybells stamps when I was at her home for the Stamp Day last week (waahh, a week has gone by already!) I had to stamp some images and then have fun coloring them in with my Copic Markers.

I took this pic with my new Canon Powershot S5IS - which I *need* to learn how to make full use of. I was pleased that it caught some of the glitter from the Clear Spica Glitter Pen on the cloud and angel's wings - I hope you can see it to! It didn't pick up the delicate & lovely Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist sheen on the Textile Texture Cuttlebug Embossed SU! Whisper White background though - which goes wonderfully with the Gold Spica Glitter Pen I used on the starts. And then there's the Liquid Pearls I used to add the pearl dots around the edge of the Marvy Giga Scallop Circle. Funny thing about the Liquid Pearls - when I saw them on the CreativePlayStamps website, I thought it would be so cool! But when I got it, I had *no clue* what to do with it! LOL I do now! It is perfect for making tiny pearl accents without having to fuss with a separate adhesive and tiny half-pearls.

Stamps: Elzybells Angel; Stampin' Up! Sincere Salutations

Cardstock: SU! Whisper White & Bashful Blue

Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black, SU! Bashful Blue

Copics: Y21, Y17, B21, YR000, YR00; Spica Glitter Pens in Clear and Gold

Accessories: Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist, Marvy Giga Scallop Punch, Liquid Pearls, SU! Scallop, 1 3/8" Circle & 3/16" Corner Rounder Punches, Stamping Sponge, SU! Pretties Kit (half-pearl), SU! Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon and Gold Cord(retired), Dimensionals, Cuttlebug & Textile Texture A2 Embossing Folder, Mini Glue Dots. ENJOY!

Stamp Day - Patti's Shoebox Swap

Here is the last of the shoe box swap cards from the Stamp Day last week. I can't believe it's been a week already (well, tomorrow anyway!) This is Patti's beautiful design. You can check out her blog, Pure Inkspiration and for details on this card click here.

I love shoe box swaps because there is always some way to "make it your own" - (just like CASEing a layout). Patti used Stickles on teh buterfly's body - I added it to the wings and swirls under the butterfly too!

Patti really has an eye for using designer papers and bling! THANKS Patti! ENJOY!

Stamp Day - Paula's Shoebox Swap

This is my friend Paula's shoebox swap - isn't it cute? Paula always does beautiful work - you can check out her blog Capricious Creations to see more, as well as to see this cards details. I like the subtle color combo - it's so soft and pleasing to the eye. The heart image is from Stampin' Up!, and we watercolored it using the Watercolor Paint Brush and Watercolor Wonder Crayons(WCC). Watercoloring is one of my favorite techniques, especially with the WCC and the Aquapainter. I also got to try out the Spica Glitter Pens, which is made by Copic Marker. I have been wondering about these and now I know they are wonderful! lol You can't see it in the scan, but the scallop circle has each scallop dotted with the Clear Spica Glitter Pen as well as the dots in teh heart and around the SU! Lavendar Lace sentiment layer. Thanks for a wonderful card Paula!

ENJOY!

Stamp Day - Theresa's Shoebox Swap

A few days ago - I posted about the fab Stamp Day I had with some some old and a new friend. This is the shoebox swap from my new friend, Theresa. So many cool things about her swap - but first, isn't her design lovely? :)

I don't usually scan envelopes with my cards, except we made this one using some Provo Craft designer papers. That includes the envelope "liner" in a different pattern. If I'm remembering correctly, for the short side of the envelope you add 1 1/4", and for the long side you use double + 2 1/4" (the 2" is for the flap.) Fold down the top 2", then measure the short side of your card and add 1/4" to that measurement (#B). Measure just below your flap fold line, Measurement #B, and score or fold up the bottom flap. Use your Paper Snips to cut away 1/4" on both sides from the top flap and the bottom flap - this creates the side flaps that fold in for the body of your envelope. Use your SU! Corner Rounder on the top flap corners. Then fold the top flap down, and round the corners of the side flaps too. If you are going to "line" your envelope, measure out the amount that you want (probably 4" x 5" - don't forget to round the top corners!) Fold the bottom flap up, and secure to the side flaps with Sticky Strip. VOILA! (Clear as mud?! lol - Definitely try it out on scrap paper first, until youe get it right)

Another cool thing about this design is the use of the Scor-Pal to create the quilted, dry embossed background on the SU! Pretty in Pink layer. I have heard much about the Scor-Pal, but never seen one or tried one. Of course, I thought I didn't *need* one - but now..... ;)

Stamps: SU! Heartfelt Thanks

Cardstock: SU! Pretty in Pink, Whisper White; Provo Craft Designer Paper

Ink: SU! Stampin' Writes in Regal Rose, Rose Red & Sage Shadow

Accessories: SU! Ticket Corner and Corner Rounder Punches, Sage Shadow Eyelets, Dimensionals & Pretty in Pink Taffeta Ribbon; Scor-Pal; Crop-a-dile

ENJOY!

Father's Day Fun

The Dad in our house decided to have a day to himself for Father's Day this year - he went to Navy Pier in Chicago to be the head footbag net line judge at the Windy City Cup Footbag Tournament. He got to visit with current and old footbag friends, and watch some good sports matches. Footbag is one of his favorite sports - but with family and other commitments, he hasn't had the time to practice and play like he'd like to. So for now, he got the best of both worlds - to be there and to participate in the games by judging. While the Dad was away - the kids and I caught up on getting his cards made!

This card was made by our daughter. She is 6, and she copied the design I made for my f-i-l, using a the Classic Stars Jumbo Wheel and a Real Red, Brilliant Blue & Whisper White theme. (I forgot to scan my card - - lol!)

Stamps: SU! All Holidays, Swirling Stars Jumbo Wheel (retired)

Cardstock: Wausau Bright White, SU! Real Red, and a Turquoise paper she got for Easter from her Aunt & Uncle. (I think it was from the Target paper-crafting section)

Ink: SU! Brilliant Blue and Night of Navy

Accessories: SU! Star & Large Star Punches

ENJOY!

Happy Father's Day to the King

This is the card I made for my dad for Father's Day. Remember my dad, from the Elvis or Is It?... post? Hhmm, looks like I'd better try my new camera next time for taking a pic of this Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter cuz my new scanner doesn't do it justice - it's beautiful in person!

The image is Jumpsuit Silhouette - from the Elvis Series at Cornish Heritage Farms. He was stamped on a SU! Basic Black oval cut with the Creative Memories cutting system, using the Essential Glue Pad . When I saw this Elvis image, my first thought was the Pewter Glitter! Elvis is then attached to a piece of SU! Whisper White that has been coated with Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist, then run through the Cuttlebug using the Textile Texture A2 Embossing Folder (which CreativePlayStamps now carries! WOOHOO!) that I had used my SU! Basic Black Classic Pad to rub ink onto.

I picked up this technique from SplitCoastStampers right after I had gotten my Cuttlebug. Depending which side of the Embossing Folder you rub the ink on - you get different effects. For mine, I rubbed ink on the inside, bottom of the folder so that the ink would be pushed into the paper from the back. If I flipped over the Whisper White, it would look like the "normal" way you use a Cuttlebug Embossing folder. (For the opposite effect, rub the ink on the inside, top of the folder, and the ink will coat the cardstock, but the design pushed in from the inside, bottom will remain the color of the cardstock your are embossing. It is quite cool! Try it, then upload you link here!)

Inside the card, I wrote - "Dear Dad, On Father's Day and everyday, we wanted you to know that you're still the King!"

Here's a recap...

Stamps: Jumpsuit Silhouette Elvis (CHF)

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black & Whisper White

Ink: SU! Basic Black Classic Pad, Essential Glue Pad

Accessories: Iridescent Gold Glimmer Mist, Pewter Ultrafine Opaque Glitter, SU! Corner Rounder Punch, Cuttlebug and Textile Texture A2 Enbossing Folder.

ENJOY!

Reverse Progressive Stamp Sale?!?

If you aren't on the CreativePlayStamps email list yet - you are missing out! They are running a Reverse Progressive Sale starting TODAY with 20% Off, Saturday will be 15% Off and Sunday will be 10% Off! (Discounts off regular prices).


Have you checked out the line of Happy Hoppers stamps they carry? Isn't the above image adorable? I find coloring in line images to be quite therapeutic - no matter what the medium. My favorite mediums are the SU! Watercolor Wonder Crayons and the Copic Sketch Markers. I colored this yesterday during the Stamp Day I posted about earlier today. It's the blending capabilities of the Copics that make using them so pleasant. I feel like I am really being artistic as I try for depth of color, shading, etc. Do you like my spotted bunny with his white outlines? :)

Stamps: Puddle Fun (Happy Hoppers) and Happy Anniversary sheet
Cardstock: SU! Brocade Blue, Mellow Moss & Close to Cocoa
Ink: Brilliance Graphite Black Pigment Pad
Copics: Y15, Y17, B21, B23, E31, E25, YG67, YG93
Accessories: SU! Ticket Corner Punch and Black Brads
ENJOY!

Stamp Day with Friends

On Thursday, I had the fun of a stamping day with two dear friends, Patti and Paula and the pleasure to meet a new friend, Theresa. We began our day with a shoebox swap - which I will be sharing with you over the next few days. A shoebox swap is where you design a project for everyone attending and bring all the supplies including pre-cut cardstock for the opthers to make your project.

The project at right was my shoebox swap. But I have a confession to make - I *forgot* the stamp set! It was supposed to be the SU! One of a Kind stamp set. I looked in Patti's closet and found two sets that worked beautifully with my layout. Important lesson: When you see a color combo, layout, etc. that you like - you *do not* have to have the exact stamp set to duplicate it. Very often, you can use the stamps you have on hand (embellishments too!) along with the layout you wanted to duplicate or CASE (copy and share everything).

Stamp: SU! Wanted and Small Script(retired)
Cardstock & Ink: Purely Pomegranate, So Saffron, Not Quite Navy and Very Vanilla
Accessories: Purely Pomegranate Double-stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Build-a-Brad, Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots and Sponge Dauber. ENJOY!

Chat & Challenge #118

A BIG THANK YOU to Taylor VanBruggen for allowing me to occasionally use her Cupcake Friday sketches for the Chat & Challenges over at Sudsol (demo only site). We had great fun last week playing with Taylor's sketch, and there were many beautiful designs, and even some ABC's (anything but a card)!

This was my creation, using one of my favorite color combinations from the SU! Color Coach: Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst, Rose Red & So Saffron. You can see I used some artistic variation on the sketch! This is the wonderful thing about CASEing someone else's layout - it frees me up to focus more on color, stamps and embellishments and yet, I can still "make it my own". This card uses all Stampin' Up! products.

Stamps: Enjoy Every Moment

Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Almost Amethyst, Rose Red & So Saffron Print DSP.

Ink: Chocolate Chip and Rose Red.

Accessories: Antique Brass Build-a-Brad, 1/2" Circle Punch, Chocolate Chip Twill Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots. ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - June Bookmark

I Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

In our Culture of Death, we are urged full force to focus on ourselves, to give in to our every whim, if it feels good do it. We are told directly but more often indirectly that suffering is unacceptable and that the end justifies the means. Even the littlest sacrifices are looked down upon. For me - temptations on the daily scale are the hardest for me. The temptation to give in to self-righteousness, self-pity and self-criticism are some of my daily crosses. This Scripture verse from St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians has always brought me comfort and strength. God has given us power through His Word, His Son Jesus. This passage helps me to call upon His power - for indeed - God allows nothing to tempt us that we cannot bear with His help.

Stamps: SU! Garden Silhouettes (retired)

Cardstock: SU! Not Quite Navy, Groovy Guava & Soft Sky

Ink: SU! Soft Sky

Accessories: SU! Groovy Guava Double Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet, Antique Brass Brads from Hodgepodge Hardware Kit, 3/16" Corner Rounder Punch & Cratfers Tool Kit (paper piercing); Crop-a-dile. ENJOY!

Stampin' Up! New Catty Sneak Peek Promotion!

At this time of year we are finishing up our current Stampin' Up! Wish Lists and anxiously awaiting the Retiring List (to be released June 15th!) and looking forward to the newest Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog.

Fresh Cut Sneak Peek Promotion
Dates: June 1-30, 2008

Promotion details:
From June 1-30, Stampin' Up! is providing an advance purchase opportunity for the Fresh Cut stamp set (#111634) and coordinating Fresh-Cut Notes (#111882). These two products will be included in the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog.

Customers: May purchase these two products the following ways:
- Buy the Fresh Cut stamp set and get the Fresh-Cut Notes for just $5

(limit one Fresh-Cut Notes at $5).
- Buy just the stamp set for: $21.95.
- Buy just the Fresh-Cut Notes for $8.95.

Hostesses: Hold a $400 workshop, and receive the Fresh Cut stamp set and coordinating
Fresh-Cut Notes FREE.

It's Time to eScape with Stampin' Up!

Stampin' Up! has designated June 25, 2008 as eScape day--a day to put away your cell phones and laptops and focus on reconnecting with your "wireless network." Throughout all of June, we're offering a terrific eScape Bundle with products at 25 percent off, including a few of the essentials to create your own cards!

eScape Bundle (item 113700):
Description Page Number Price
Love Notes assortment p. 167 $8.95
Circle of Friendship stamp set p. 143 $17.95
Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad p. 165 $5.25
Very Vanilla 5/8" grosgrain ribbon p. 191 $7.95
Total (non-bundled) $40.10
eScape Bundle price $30.00

Contact me TODAY to place your eScape Order! and ENJOY a day off from "e"! :)

Scripture Chicks - May Bookmark

Galatians 5:22-23: "But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law."

May is not only the month of Our Blessed Mother Mary, but Pentcost was also celebrated in May on Mothers Day. So I thought this verse would be best to prepare my heart for the descent of the Holy Spirit (which is what Pentecost celebrates.) Jesus promised, before His Ascension, to send a helper to inflame and embolden the passion and zeal of His Apostles and all of us, to confirm us in our faith and help us live it out. (This is the basis for the Sacrament of Confirmation. A sacrament is an outward sign, given by Christ, to give grace.) Scripture tells us the Apostles and Our Blessed Mother were gathered in the upper room when suddenly there was a rushing sound like a strong driving wind and there appeared flames like tongues of fire over the heads of all gathered and they were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to preach His Good News to the crowds gathered outside who were amazed because they each heard in their native language! Isn't this one of the most amazing and exciting Scripture stories? I think their feelings that day were similar to the "high" I feel when I come home from a good retreat or conference - rejuvenated, on fire, and ready to take on the world! Like the Mom's Retreat, Catholic Homeschool Conference and the Stampin' Up! Convention!!

When I am feeling dispassionate and all out of zeal to serve my Lord, I plan to call upon the power of the Holy Spirit through this verse to renew my openness to His Grace, re-direct my focus and refresh my heart and soul in His service.

Wind, flames and the dove are traditional symbols of the Holy Spirit - I chose the dove and the flame, if I could have thought of a way to incorporate some swirls to signify the wind I would have!

Stamps: SU! Peace Be Unto You

Cardstock: SU! Basic Black, Real Red, Pumpkin PIe, Summer Sun & Naturals White

Copics: Y15, Y17, YR04, YR18, R27, Colorless Blender

Accessories: The Essential Glue Pad, Duck Tail Ultrafine Pearlescent Glitter

ENJOY!

Thomas Kincaid Stamps

Both of these images are Copyright Thomas Kincade and Cornish Heritage Farms (CHF) and Stampin' Up! (SU!) for the sentiments.

Lighthouse - Lighthouses are special to us because of our involvement in presenting Marriage Encounter weekends. So I got this stamp because of it's beauty & coloring potential. Watercoloring with my SU! Watercolor Wonder Crayons and Aquapainter is next on the "To Do" List.

Stamps: The Light of Peace Vignette by Thomas Kincade (CHF); It's Your Birthday (SU!)

Cardstock: Night of Navy, Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke & Whisper White

Ink: Tim Holtz Distress Ink - Black Soot, SU! Night of Navy Classic Ink

Copics: Y14, Y15, Y17, E21, E25, E27, YR00, Colorless Blender

Accessories: SU! - Stampin' Writes in Night of Navy & Always Artichoke, Ticket Corner Punch, Paper Snips & Night of Navy Eyelets, Crop-a-dile.

Wishing Well - I am a co-coordinator (with another talented stamper friend!) of the Women at the Well program for our parish. It is a program that occurs four times a year, during the school year. It gives women a night out to renew their faith and spend some time with their sisters in Christ. Sometiems we make event date cards for inviting and table favors - so this stamp will be perfect cuz we can change the coloring with the seasons! do you like my light pink dogwood in bloom in the background? :)

Stamps: Make a Wish Cottage Vingette by Thomas Kincade (CHF); Words of Wisdom (SU! retired)

Cardstock: SU! Rose Red, Sage Shadow, Bashful Blue & Shimmery White

Ink: Adirondack Espresso Dye Ink

Copics: YG67, B21, B23, RV10, RV17, RV23, E25, E27, E31, Colorless Blender

Accessories: Pearl Glimmer Mist (this is on the Rose Red cardstock, very pretty in person, doesn't show up all that well in the scan), SU! Bashful Blue Taffeta Riboon & Dimensionals, and Marvy Giga Scallop Oval Punch

ENJOY!

Snoopy Enjoying Copics!

That's what I labelled this pic when I saved it! The title still makes me smile - lol.

I couldn't wait to share this card! Though the stars on the car didn't turn out quite like I imagined, I think the overall is pretty cute!

First, let me tell you - Copic Markers DO NOT work with the Emboss Resist technique! I had to use the Copic Blender to remove the ink from the clear embossed stars. I *ADORE* the Copic Blender. If you give Copics a try, you must get a Blender right away. I used it to take away some color in the sun, as well as in the sky and on the ground. Do you see the SU! "enjoy" image? This Copic technique was the one that pushed me over the edge to buy some of these fab markers! I read about it on one of my fav blogs Stamp a Little Love Baby ['She's all that' my Copic Go-to-Girl (you remember, Obi Cami Kenobi from my first Copic post?)]. So when you get your Copics and Blender, also get a bottle of Colorless Blender Ink Refill so you can do this technique too! Basically, I applied the Colorless Blender Ink directly to the stamp - then stamped it on the Whisper White cardstock I had completely colored in with the wedge tip of the Copic Sketch Marker. Isn't is WAY COOL! Cambria showed it to make background images, which I hope to try soon!

Okay - so enough about the Copics, what about SNOOPY?! Is this too cute or what? I got Snoopy from CreativePlayStamps. Go check out their Peanuts Collection of stamps - you'll love them! My kids will have fun with it too - they love the Peanuts DVDs we have. I really enjoy being able to share something from my childhood with my own children.

Images in this design are Copyright by Stampin' Up! and Peanuts by Stampabilities.

Stamps: SU! Enjoy Every Moment & Background Basics; Driving Woodstock, Peanuts by Stampabilities.

Cardstock: SU! Shimmery White, Whisper White, Brilliant Blue and Real Red.

Ink: Brilliance Black Graphite and Adirondack Lights Snow Cap

Copic Markers: B18, B23, E31, Y17, R29 and Colorless Blender

Accessories: SU! Small Star & 1 3/8" Circle Punches, SU! Clear Embossing Powder and Heat Tool

ENJOY!

Bookmarks Wrapped Up

As I was finishing up these bookmarks for my dear friend Mindy - and was already 'burning the midnight oil' - I was inspired to create a holder for the bookmarks, so that when Min gave them to her friend (borrowing here from the art of cooking) the presentation was as nice as the entree. I apologize for the blurry pic of the open folder - cheap digital camera (new on eon the way! woohoo!) but you get the idea. I didn't follow any template, I just measured the widest and tallest bookmarks, then figured out the size of the folds and pockets from there - good thing I have 12" x 12" card stock on hand.

Stamps: SU! Define Your Life (journey stamp) and Sketches (retired)

Ink: Adirondack Pitch Black (can't remember if it was the dye or pigment one! That's what happens when one stamps until 3:30am!!) This is one of the new inks I am trying out with my Copic Markers, got it from CreativePlayStamps.com

Cardstock: SU! Textured Basic Black, Blush Blossom & Recollections DSP (retired)

Accessories: SU! Slit Punch, Aquapainter, Watercolor Wonder Crayons in Bravo Burgundy, Blush Blossom Eyelets(retired color), Crop-a-dile & Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon. ENJOY!

Bookmarks for Mindy Continued...

This was one of my favorites out of the six I made for my dear friend Mindy. I especially liked it because of the color combo - SU! Night of Navy, Groovy Guava & Bashful Blue. The image is from the SU! set Garden Silhouettes and is stamped in Bashful Blue, then the focal piece is edged with a Stampin' Sponge in Night of Navy. The SU! Ticket Corner Punch makes the focal layers pop out. The finishing touches are the SU! Bashful Blue Taffeta Ribbon and the Ice Square Brad also in light blue. Simple and elegant - which I think speaks very well of the Peace we get from our Lord. ENJOY!


This simple and lovely bookmark is SU! Pretty in Pink, Basic Black and Naturals White. It is accented with a flower from the SU! Pretties Kit that was sprayed with Silver Glimmer Mist, with an SU! Pretty inPink Brad and Basic Black 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon. ENJOY!

This was another one of my favorites because the colors are so yummy! Yep - yummy - doesn't it look like mint chocolate chip ice cream to you?! ;)

Stamp: SU! Garden Silhouettes

Card Stock: Choclate Chip, Certainly Celery & Whsiper White

Ink: Certainly Celery Classic Pad, then Stampin' Writes in Clost to Cocoa to ink the stem (yep, right over the Certianly Celery ink - it toned the brown down a bit, which I wanted to make sure the verse could be easily read.)

Accessories: All SU! - Antique Brass Jumbo Eyelet, Antique Brass Brads from HodgePodge Hardware, Crafters Tool Kit for paper piercing, Chocolate Chip 5/8" & Certainly Celery 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbons (I used Mini Glue Dots to adhere the ribbons together!), Corner Rounder Punch. ENJOY!





I had fun playing with the Love & Happiness RubOns I got for FREE during SU!'s Sale-abration earlier this year. You can't see the slight gloss to the black rub-ons, but it makes a nice look to this simple bookmark. I used SU! Rose Red, Basic Black & Whisper White card stocks. ENJOY!

Monarch Butterfly Bookmark

The Mindy Bookmarks continued... ;). This Scripture verse speaks of being in Eden and being bejeweled with precious stones. Anyone else hear GLITTER! being exuberantly and joyfully screamed out? heehee But not just glitter, also some gemstone brads!

Okay - so I took advantage of the FAB sale over at CreativePlayStamps, (CPS) [which, by the way, was extended through TODAY, June 2nd - that's 15% off everything in their online store - like all the items I used on this bookmark!] and got LOTS of fun embellishments to play with. so look for some CPS inspiration in the coming months.

#1 CPS Treasure Find - though not new to many of you, The Essential Glue Pad Kit was new to me and IT IS AMAZING! Nothing could be easier. I used it to stamp the CPS Monarch Butterfly image, then sprinkled the Angel Dust Ultrafine Transparent Glitter (similar to SU! Dazzling Diamonds Glitter). I tried out several of the Glitter colors that CPS carries on the SU! Elegant Eggplant cardstock before settling on this one that went best with the SU! Almost Amethyst the Scripture is printed on. If you use alot of glitter you simply MUST have one of these Glue Pads - and why not get it on sale? Get over to CreativePlayStamps TODAY, and you can stock on glitter too! :)

The Butterfly also has a few SU! Fire Circle Brads on it, to reinforce the gemstones talked about in the Scripture verse.

#2 CPS Treasure Find - Gemstone Brads & Velvet Brads, along with felt flowers and butterflies. The Jeweled Brads from Heidi Swapp have some HUGE brads that would great flower centers among other ideas. You really need to check out the entire CPS Embellishment Section they have really expanded. ENJOY!

Pretties Kit Clippie

Another Pretties Kit Clippie Bookmark - isn't it lovely? My dear friend Mindy was the recipient of one of my Scripture Chick bookmarks before her open heart surgery a couple months ago . She liked it so much that she asked me to create some Scripture bookmarks for her to give as a gift, and some to keep for herself. So I'll be posting them over the next couple of days. Choosing bookmarks as my Scripture Chick project (aka Bible Verse Challenge BVC08 on SCS or Divine Design on the original Chicks blogs) was definitely Holy Spirit inspired. I am so enjoying creating these bookmarks!

This time I used the Summer Sun Stampin' Write Marker to polka-dot the Pretties Kit large flower. The Scripture verse is printed on Barely Banana, and punched out using the 1 3/8" Circle Punch. This time around, I tied the bow FIRST, SU! Black Gingham Ribbon for this one, then adhered the bow with a Mini Glue Dot. I like this much better than tying it around the clippie. That's how designing goes isn't it? You keep tweaking it until you hit the perfect combination. That's part of what makes it fun for me, how about you? ENJOY!

Scripture Chicks - April Bookmark

Whew! April and May are CRAZY in our house with dh's work schedule. So though I worked on memorizing my verse for April - the bookmark actually got made last night! May and June are both in the works too, so hopefully with June's I will be caught up and stay that way! :)

This verse struck a chord in my heart when I heard it while watching the movie "The Gospel of John" with dh during Lent this year. If you haven't seen this movie, it really is 99% word for word the gospel of St. John. I followed along in my Bible!

Such a simple verse, and yet so much truth and power. As a Catholic, and as Christians in general, we are all called to this 'dying to self' process. When I struggle with this, I use this verse from His all-powerful Word to redirect my thoughts and thus my actions.

"He must increase, but I must decrease." John 3:30

The inspiration for this simple design took two extra months to come to me - but I love the result. I think it goes with the Scripture verse perfectly! I used a jumbo paper clip (found in Wal-Mart business supply aisle) and attached a Pretties Kit large flower that had been polka-dotted with the writing tip of my Real Red Stampin' Write. Well, my polka-dots quickly turned into little crosses, (though our dd said they looked more like starts to her) as the ink soaked and spread on the fabric of the flower. Not the effect I was trying for, but I still like it.

I mounted the Pretties Flower with Mini Glue Dots to a Whisper White 1 3/8" Circle before mounting it to the jumbo clippie with a Pop Up Glue Dot and attaching another 1 3/8" Whisper White Circle to the back of it. Then a Real Red 1 3/8" Circle and the verse on a 1 1/4" Circle - all with Mini Glue Dots. My BVC08 April Bookmark is finished off with a bow of Real Red 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon and a Clear Brad (also from the Pretties Kit) that I clipped the prongs off of and attached to the middle of the bow with another Mini Glue Dot. Have I told you lately how much I adore the SU! Mini Glue Dots?! They are a staple!!
ENJOY!