Fall Happy Blessings - Part 2

Why Part 2? Because I used the same colors and basic design HERE, but this time changed up the layout just a little bit. See how easy it is to change from vertical to horizontal? Keep your favorite layouts in mind or on hand in a sketch book (decorate an SU! On Board Journal and sketch away!) - then when you want something a little fresher - just change up the direction of the layout. Easy peasy!

Stamps: Happy Blessings
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Always Artichoke and Naturals Ivory
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy & More Mustard
Accessories: Crafters Tool Kit, Large & Small Oval Punches
ENJOY!

Scrapbook Pages? You Betcha!

Have I mentioned before how much I would like to get scrapbooking? I have some 6 x 6 completed, and a hodgepodge of 12 x 12 pages from when I participated in a swap several years ago. But I'd really like to do more scrapbooking in general. I was inspired to do these scrapbook pages by a challenge from GinaK Designs Land Cruise Party this past week. I was hoping to get these done to enter for Challenge #3, however I started about half an hour before contest the deadline - lol! :-) I felt inspired though, so I kept at the layout, finishing the pages this morning.







I enjoy the GinaK Designs Kindred Spirits line of images, they all speak so much to the human experience and everyday life. The image I used is called "Summer Fun" - my kids LOVE water and when I saw this image, I *knew* it would perfect for *when I started scrapbooking*. Yah - I know - ?*when*?, not the best reason for buying a stamp - because I *hope* to start scrapbooking someday. I don't do that very often (anymore!) - but I am glad I did this time. For once, when the inspiration struck - I had something I needed - which usually doesn't happen. :-)

This layout is simple - so you would think it didn't take me very long to create it. WRONG! It took somewhere between 3-4 hours from start to finish. I hope my creative process speeds up with more practice! lol Also - Art over at CreativePlayStamps helped me figure out the Macro feature of my camera (he is a good photographer, some of their nature image stamps came from his photos!) - so I gave it a try so you could see the Kindred Spirits image up close. (Lighting needs work though. You've heard the saying, "Practice makes progress" - right?)

I used Koh-i-noor Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirits and a blending stump (all from GinaK Designs) to color in my images. Then I sponged some SU! Pacific Point ink around the edges of the focal image and mounted it on Stampin' Dimensionals. I'm not sur eif this shows up in the pics for you, but I created a background on the Pacific Point textured card stock page base, using the "Have fun!" from the Kindred Greetings for Kids set. I wanted it to be a subtle background, so I lightly stamped off on a scrap paper, then onto the Pacific Point. I thought the long retired SU! Small Flower Eyelets went well with teh Sumemr theme, as well as Miranda's swimsuit.

Stamps: Summer Fun & Kindred Greetings for Kids (GinaK Designs); Quirky Alphabet Upper, Rough Edges Mini Alphabet & Simple Type Alphabet Numbers (all retired SU!)
Cardstock: Pacific Point Textured, Tempting turquoise, Green Galore, Pink Passion & Whisper White (all SU!)
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, SU! Whisper White Craft and Pacific Point Classic Pads
Accessories: Koh-i-Noor Pencils, Odorless Mineral Spirtis, Blending Stump; Small flower Eyelets, Stampin' Dimensionals & Stampin' Sponge
ENJOY!

Fall Happy Blessings

I made 32 of these cards at a Crop I attended this past Saturday, sponsored by the SCRAP Guild of Northern Illinois. I made them for support letters for the 31 couples who will attending a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend in Benet Lake, WI this coming weekend. The support letter is something they will receive at the end of their Encounter Weekend letting them know other couples were praying for them and their marriage Sacrament throughout the Weekend.

I really like the color combination, very Fall and not over-bearing. The set is from the current Holiday Mini Catalog, and is called "Happy Blessings". I am enjoying the whimsical images in this set, and the coloring capabilities it offers. YES - I realize I DID NOT color in my scarecrow here! LOL Honestly, I ran out of time as the cards had to be delivered that evening. But you know what? I LIKE it not colored in!! I never thought I would say that - ever. I think the lovely colors of the card itself are enough. Something different for me, defintiely outside my "style box" - and I LIKE IT! Woohoo! The corn stalk image is stamped tone on tone in More Mustard, and though it's hard to see in the scan, it is a lovely, subtle background on the card in person. The sentiment actually begins with "happy thanksgiving..." but I didn't want that for this card. Using the Small Oval Punch was perfect, because it leaves those words off for me. A little paper piercing in the left corner of the Always Artichoke strip to tie in with the stitching on the scarecrow - and Voila, I'm done. This design was very quick & easy to make in bulk, even with the number of layers.

Stamps: Happy Blessings
Cardstock: Bravo Burgundy, More Mustard, Always Artichoke and Confetti Cream
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Bravo Burgundy & More Mustard
Accessories: Crafters Tool Kit, Large & Small Oval Punches
ENJOY!

A Day to Honor Priests/Pastors

Each year, on the third Sunday of October, Worldwide Marriage Encounter(WWME), and I believe Serra International, sponsor World Priest Day. It is a day to honor our priests and let them know how much we value and appreciate their vocation to the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Our local WWME Community is sending out these cards to the Catholic priests in our deanery, as well as to area Christian pastors to let them know we love them and are praying for them.

This same card design is also being sent to our newly ordained priests in the Rockford Diocese on behalf of the WWME Presenting Team Community for Rockford, Madison/Milwaukee. We have also circulated and filled a prayer scroll for all our priests - and there will be married couples praying together for the 24 hours on October 26th.

Won't you join us by making a special card for YOUR priest or pastor to let them know how much you appreciate their vocation in serving God's flocks? Leave a comment on this post with a link to your card if you decide to join us.

NOTE: I was going to use the Dynamic Duo colors of Handsome Hunter & Sage Shadow - which are beautiful together. But I had a piece of Baja Breeze laying on my table, so I paired that up instead and WOW! I never would have thought those two colors would look so good together - and the Very Vanilla (rather than Whisper White makes a difference too!) Don't be afraid to try different colors together - some of them will stun you with how well they go together for the project you are working on.

For more information on Worldwide Marriage Encounter in your Christian denomination and in your part of the country/world, click on the name above. Incidentally - THIS is where I got "ENJOY" from, that I end almost all of my posts with. :)

Stamps: Everyday Blessings (Papertrey Inc.)
Cardstock: Handsome Hunter, Baja Breeze, & Very Vanilla
Ink: Handsome Hunter & Versamark
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Pretties Kit(half-pearls)
ENJOY!

Cards for Our Troops - Christmas Edition - Part 5

Here it is - a FIFTH design for the StampinJewels Cards for Our Troops Events this month! Woohoo!! I am so thrilled to be doing this, and to know that when all the cards are completed - StampinJewels family & friends will have sent 150 Christmas Cards to some of our troops in Iraq! And it wouldn't have happened on this scale without the help of the stampers who gave the gift of their time and talent, and put their love into the stamping and assembling of these cards.

THANK YOU!!

The final event for this month is tonight, Oct. 17th at Malta Library. Find more info on the StampinJewels Calendar.
Check back to the Calendar often, to find out about future Cards for Our Troops events...St. Valentine's Day cards are next on my wish list to make and send! :)

Stamps: A Christmas Cardinal (Holiday Mini 2008)
Cardstock: Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, Naturals White & Brushed Gold
Ink: StazOn Black, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Aquapainter(watercoloring with ink pads), Crafters Tool Kit (paper piercing in the front fold, right side corners), Dimensionals ENJOY!

[LOL Note: I just noticed I forgot to color in the beak and claws! I couldn't decide which color to use, then forgot about after I went to bed, heehee Better decide on that before tonight!]

Cards for Our Troops - Christmas Edition - Part 4

Here is the fourth design for the Cards for Our Troops events this month. This design is meant to be simple and understated because the gold heat embossed Holy Family image (from the Holy Triptych stamp set) is more than capable of speaking for itself. The sentiment comes from a NEW stamp set in the Fall/Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog called "Heard from the Heart".

For more info on upcoming events you can do one of two things: Bookmark my event Calendar HERE; AND/OR email me at footbag10@att.net with "Subscribe" in the Subject line and you will be added to the StampinJewels Newsletter & Updates email list. I do sometimes announce events here on the blog - however the Calendar and Newsletter & updates is your most reliable source of information on StampinJewels events.

Don't forget to subscribe to this Blog as an inspiration resource! :)

Stamps: Holy Triptych & Heard from the Heart
Cardstock: Handsome Hunter and Very Vanilla
Ink: Handsome Hunter & Veramark
Accessories: Gold Embossing Powder, Embossing Buddy, Heat Tool
ENJOY!

Cards for Our Troops - Christmas Edition - Part 3

This is a third design for the Cards for Our Troops events this month. At the first event, Theresa and Susan got a lot done on this design, so the final event this month will find this design being assembled. THANKS AGAIN Theresa and Susan for all your wonderful help! :)

I have pined over the loss of Confetti Tan card stock for a couple of years now (actually, I don't even remember when SU! retired that neutral! lol), and resisted liking the Kraft card stock. I've used it several times over the last few months, and now I like it A LOT! lol I blame this on demo friend Tina M. who uses Kraft all the time. It took a couple years of her influence (- but I still won't become a "fly baby"! lol) The reindeer image is stamped in Chocolate Chip, then colored in with Close to Cocoa Stampin' Pastels - direct to paper for a soft look. The sentiment is sponged around the edges with Real Red to soften the starkness of the white around the words.

This is a classic layout that is quick and easy to put together when you need a card fast. Whether you use tag, circle, oval or square punches doesn't matter, and it doesn't have to be layered either. Three images across the top and a sentiment underneath - maybe add a background if you like.

Stamps: Merry & Bright, Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Kraft, Real Red & Whisper White
Ink: Chocolate Chip & Real Red
Accessories: Real Red Gingham Ribbon, Stampin' Pastels, Tag & Small Tag Punch, Tag Corner Punch, 1/8" Hand Punch, Horizontal Slot Punch & Stampin' Sponge
ENJOY!

Cards for Our Troops - Christmas Edition - Part 2

Here is a second design for the Cards for Our Troops events this month. This design was completed last Friday - a quantity of 25.
The second event is coming on 10/17 - see my SU! site Calendar for more info, or contact me.
I found several packs of retired colors in my closet [what's in your closet? ;) ], one of them was Bliss Blue. Anyone remember that color? I still like it! It would be nice to keep every color, wouldn't it?
Stamps: Deer Friends (Level 2, Host Set), Bold Snowflakes Jumbo Wheel, Headline Alphabet(retired)
Cardstock: Bliss Blue (retired), Night of Navy & Whisper White
Ink: Whisper White Craft Ink, Bliss Blue (retired)
Accessories: Scallop, 1 3/8" & 1 1/4" Circle Punches & Ticket Corner Punch
ENJOY!

COPIC Sketch Markers on Sale?!

Hey Copic Marker fans - did you know that CreativePlayStamps carries these wonderful markers AND that they are on SALE at 25% Off right now? For the Copic Sketch Marker sale click HERE.

While you're there - sign up for their newsletter for product updates and coupons, then browse their EXTENSIVE selection of paper-crafting supplies. They've really expanded this past year with awesome products.

Tell them StampinJewels sent you! :)

ENJOY!

YOU Did It! - Cards for Our Troops

The first StampinJewels Cards for Our Troops event was a success! THANK YOU to Anita, Cathy, Jen, Patti, Susan & Theresa for joining me in stamping and assembling cards!! A BIG THANKS to Jay at JDZ's Pizza downtown Malta, IL for the use of his room at the restaurant. We had fun chatting, stamping & enjoying pizza and snacks.

The above two cards are what Cathy worked on - both her own designs! She said she was inspired by other sites and galleries - aahh, a stamper after my own heart - another who knows the joy of CASE'ing (Copy And Share Everything)!!

The first design uses the Doodle This stamp set to create poinsettia-like flowers, as well as a Cuttlebug A2 Embossing Folder - D'vine Swirls. The second design features the NEW Snow Swirled stamp set. GREAT JOB, Cathy and THANKS for your donation for the Cards for Our Troops event!

Between Cathy's cards and the cards the other fabulous gals helped with - we've got 81 cards completed, and many more in progress - WAHOOO! The initial StampinJewels goal was 100 cards - now it's 200 cards. I'm going to add another design for the Oct. 17th event (please see my Calendar here for details.)

I'll post more Cards for Our troops designs over the next few days - I've got at least three more to share with you, so stay tuned! ENJOY!

Cards for Our Troops - Christmas Edition

I am so excited to share with you my first ever "Cards for Our Troops" events. I've been wanting to do something like this for a long time - in honor of World Card-Making Day this month (Oct. 4th) I planned two events. The first one is tonight - Oct. 11th. The second one is Friday, Oct. 17th. The details are listed on my SU! site and on Stampin' Up!'s World Card-Making Day Events page.

For these first events, I am working with Martie Shea, a fellow demo & Sudsoler who has been living this ministry for quite some time. You can check her out at http://stampinfromtheheart.typepad.com

The StampinJewels goal for these first two events is at least 100 Christmas cards - which will go to Iraq for some of our troops personal use , i.e. so *they* can send some Christmas love home to family and friends. I'll post the other three designs over the next few days. This merry little penguin is all ready to bring his love - he's got the tree and the presents! The images are colored by dipping the Blender Pen into the marker colors that have been scribbled on a stamp case lid. It's Watercoloring with the Stampin' Write Markers, and gives a slightly softer look than direct marker coloring, as well as allowing you to create some shadowing if desired. To create the look of layered "snow", tear the Whisper White between your fingers, adhere in layers, then go over the torn parts with your Two Way Glue Pen and apply Dazzling Dimaonds glitter.

Stamps: Punch Pals & Holidays & Wishes
Cardstock: Glorious Green, Confetti White & Whisper White
Ink: Basic Gray, Real Red
Accessories: Blender Pen, Stampin' Write Markers, Real Red Eyelets, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Two Way Glue Pen.
ENJOY!

Scallop Peppermint Spiders

So how cute are these?! These would make cute treats for school or other Halloween parties. You could do these on suckers too, similar to these I did last year. Or how about as a little Secret Spook treat dropped unseen on a co-workers desk?
I found this idea on Lisa Freeman's site - thanks for the great idea Lisa! I still have some of the Peppermint Patties left in a bag on my stamp table from the Batty for You Bouquet I did a few weeks ago. So when I saw these, I *had* to make some to share with you all. No stamps necessary - just a few of the awesome Stampin' Up! punches! Give it a try and let me know how it turns out and what you use it for.

Cardstock: Basic Black, YoYo Yellow, Lovely Lilac, Green Galore, Only Orange, Pink Passion,
Whisper White
Accessories: Scallop Circle, Photo Corners & 1/2" & 1/4" Circle Punches.

ENJOY!

Chat & Challenge 137

It's been quite awhile since I hosted a C&C, but even longer since I posted it here! I got this FABULOUS sketch from Valerie Salmon's site http://gotsketch.blogspot.com/. It is a scrapbook page sketch (#65), but I immediately saw a card in it - and 20 minutes later had the inspiration you see next to the sketch! This was a record time for me - which points to a great sketch in my mind! A square card would perfect for this sketch, but I wanted to show how to adapt to a slightly different shape - so I did a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" design.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Best Yet(Level 1 Host)
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie & Real Red
Accessories: Scallop Edge, Curly Label & Corner Rounder Punches, Fire Circle Brads(red), Flower Fusion Accents & Elements & Dimensionals
ENJOY!

Chat & Challenge 137

It's been quite awhile since I hosted a C&C, but even longer since I posted it here! I got this FABULOUS sketch from Valerie Salmon's site http://gotsketch.blogspot.com/. It is a scrapbook page sketch (#65), but I immediately saw a card in it - and 20 minutes later had the inspiration you see here!

This was a record time for me - which points to a great sketch in my mind! A square card would be perfect for this sketch, but I wanted to show how to adapt to a slightly different shape - so I did a standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" design.

Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Best Yet(Level 1 Host)
Cardstock: Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Whisper White, Summer Picnic DSP
Ink: Pumpkin Pie & Real Red
Accessories: Scallop Edge, Curly Label & Corner Rounder Punches, Fire Circle Brads(red), Flower Fusion Accents & Elements & Dimensionals
ENJOY!

Frankie's Funky Friends

Remember my post of Frankenstein and His Chocolate Bride? Here's another twist with a bunch of funky friends thrown in for 'ghoul'd measure! :) I am using this picture with permission from my Sudsol friend, Gretchen Barron. (Find her original post on these adorable card ideas by clicking on her name.)

The main part of the faces/heads are made using the Big Shot and the EXCLUSIVE SU! die called the Top Note. Mine won't be here in time for me to CASE these adorable cards so Gretchen very kindly gave me permission to use her image. Check out Gretchen's blog - she has incredible talent, and I know you'll be inspired by her talent just like I am. THANKS Gretchen!

If you missed the announcement - SU! now offers the Big Shot, as well as exclusive SU! dies to go with it. Check out my SU! website for more info. Ordering the Big Shot can be an instant Host Benefits order depending on which package you decide on! So check it out and let me know what you'd like! It would also make a wonderful Christmas Wish List item. If you'd like to get started on your Chirstmas Wish List, email me at footbag10@att.net and I'll reply with it attached.

NOTE: Want to find all the Halloween related projects on my blog? Just click on the label "Halloween" and they'll all come up! ENJOY!

WIN Photoshop Elements 7!

Well- that's not the best image of Photoshop 7 - but we want to WIN it not look at it, right?! ;)

I'm sharing this with you here, since taking photos of our fabulous paper-crafting projects, as well as taking good photos for our scrapbooks.

Head on over to The Secret is in the Sauce
to find out more! And don't forget to leave comments here and on the blogs you visit - it's always nice to know what you enjoy about the blog and the posts shared there.

ENJOY!