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Hello Christmas!

I have been very distracted this evening and have only made 2 more Christmas cards for a total of 5 for the month. I guess the whole point of the challenge is to not save them up until the last minute and then be stressed out trying to finish them. So I'm going to set my competitive nature aside and be okay with 50%, since that's a whole lot better than 0%!

For inspiration I once again turned to my Cat's Pajamas stamps. I love these 4.25 x 4.25" cards, especially with Sprinkle, because she kind of likes to steal the show. Just got this Been Good? stamp and have been dying to use it. I did two cards, just flopping the colors around a bit to see which way I like it best. I used this color combination (Cranberry Crisp & Cool Caribbean) for a bunch of cards this Christmas and just loved it. It especially looks good with the retro Cat's Pajamas stamps.

I started by stamping Big Sprinkle on Whisper White in Black Stazon then cutting out with my Creative Memories Oval Cutting System and layering on a larger oval and a Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval punch. Next I cut a piece of Whisper White and randomly stamped Snow Flurries (Stampin Up) in Cool Caribbean and Cranberry Crisp. I layered this on a slightly larger piece of cardstock and used my notch punch on the corners and laced silver cord around all the notches.
Next I stamped the Starry, Starry Hat in Cranberry Crisp on Whisper White and cut out. I did a mixture of Cranberry Crisp re-inker and Crystal Effects and painted the hat. The first one I did was a little thick and you couldn't see the stars on the cap, so I painted the other one thinner and wiped off with a cloth before it dried. I also used this mixture for the diamonds in Sprinkle's collar. Next I applied Liquid Applique to the brim and pom pom of the hat and heated with my heat gun.
Then I stamped Been Good in Cranberry Crisp on Whisper White and punched out with the Word Window Punch and layered onto a small oval punch. Did a few dots with my Basic Black Stampin Write Marker around the ends of the word window punch and the Sprinkle oval. To finish, I glued the hat on, adhered the Been Good sentiment with a pop dot and layered onto a square card base.

Hello Procrastination!

Well, it's officially the last day of January and I have now completed just 3 of the 10 Christmas cards for the Christmas Card Challenge. Guess I'll be stamping into the wee hours tonight. I forced myself to make this card, even though I am just not in the mood for Christmas right now. I also combined this week's SCS color challenge (Night of Navy, Not Quite Navy and a neutral) with the sketch challenge. I was trying to keep it simple so I could mass produce quickly this evening, but I don't like how much paper the angle cuts in the sketch waste, so I'll probably come up with another design for the other 7 cards. I probably should have waited until tomorrow to have some better lighting for the photo, but I'm impatient, so sorry for the poor photo.

To begin I cut the angle piece in Very Vanilla and stamped semi-randomly :) with Snow Flurries in Not Quite Navy and Night of Navy. Then I used a dauber and my Stampin' Pastels in the same colors to highlight the snowflakes and layered the piece on to a larger piece of Not Quite Navy.

Next I stamped Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (The Cat's Pajamas) in Not Quite Navy on Very Vanilla cardstock and cut out with my Creative Memories Oval Cutting System and layered onto a Marvy Mega Scalloped Oval Punch. Next I accented around the scallop and the snowflakes on the Very Vanilla panel with a mixture of Dazzling Diamonds, Crystal Effects and Night of Navy and Not Quite Navy re-inkers.

While the glitter dried, I stamped some more Snow Flurries with Very Vanilla Craft ink on Not Quite Navy cardstock and rounded the corners with my Creative Memories corner rounder punch. Next I glued the angled piece on to the Night of Navy cardstock and attached the Hodgepodge Hardware to the scalloped oval with a brad. Next I wrapped silver cord around the cardstock and through the d-ring and tied a bow to secure the scalloped oval. To finish, I glued the whole thing to a Very Vanilla 4.25" x 5.5" base with the corners rounded.

Hello Shadowbox!

I'm still not feeling very well, but I just HAD to try the shadowbox technique that was yesterday's technique challenge over on SCS. I've wanted to try one of these ever since Dawnmercedes sent me her beautiful City of David one at Christmas time. I liked how this little Cat's Pajamas Love Puppy turned out in my last card so much that I had to use him again.
First I stamped the Medium Heart Circle in Real Red on Real Red cardstock and cut an oval out of the center with my Creative Memories Oval Cutting System. Next I used this as a guide to center the oval over a small square of Basic Black cardstock and cut a slightly smaller oval. I then glued the black piece behind the red piece and pierced around the edges of the black with my paper piercer. I love how this lets the light in on dimensional cards.
Then I stamped Lovestruck in Black Stazon on a Real Read word window punch and layered in front of a Basic Black small oval punch. Did a few piercings at the top and bottom and attached to the Real Red cardstock with Making Memories black mini brads.
Next I lined up my Real Red and Whisper White pieces and scored 1/2" and 1" from both ends. Then I used my Stamp-a-majig to line up the Love Puppy and stamped on the Whisper White with Black Stazon. Then I spruced him up with Real Red marker, red watercolor pencil, an aquapainter and some Strawberry Glitter Glaze (L'il Davis Designs). Then I folded on the score lines and glued the two ends together with Terrrifically Tacky Tape.
Next I made a scalloped border using my slit punch and trimmed to two pieces 4.25" x .5" and adhered to the two sides of the card and cut off the remaining red and white layers behind. I used my 1/8" hand held circle punch to punch the holes in the scalloped edges. For the final touch, I used a glue dot to attach a black and white gingham bow (ribbon from BoBunny designs) to the top of the oval.

Hello Poochie!

DH and I just got back today from a weekend getaway. Right before we were ready to leave, my new Cat's Pajamas stamps arrived in my mailbox! And with no time to cut them out and play, I had to just think about them all weekend. Unfortunately I got a nasty sinus infection while traveling and when we got home today I didn't feel much like crafting. That is...until I saw the little envelope of Cat's Pajamas stamps sitting on top of my clean craft desk. Next thing I knew, I decided to do something simple and then head for bed. So here's my simple valentine with my first Poochie stamp. I'm much more of a cat lover, but his little heart antennae headband stole my heart! I remember wearing some very similar glitter heart antennas when I was younger. The glitter flew everywhere everytime I shook my head! LOL! Luckily I don't think there are any incriminating pictures to prove I ever wore them! :)

I started by stamping the Love Puppy on Whisper White in Black Stazon. Colored in with Real Red marker and a red watercolor pencil and aquapainter. Cut out with my Creative Memories Circle Cutting System and matted on a slightly larger Basic Black Circle. Next, I did some little dots around the edge with my Basic Black marker. Layered the whole image behind a Real Red Mega Scalloped Circle and a Basic Black Giga Scalloped Circle, which I pierced with my paper piercer.


Next I stamped the Medium Heart Circle randomly on a piece of Whisper White and layered onto Real Red. Punched out a Basic Black small oval punch and a Real Red Word Window punch and stamped Lovestruck in Basic Black. Finally I attached the oval and word window punches to the white stamped cardstock with Making Memories small black brads and layered the whole piece onto a Whisper White card base. There you have it...one of the simplest cards I've made in quite a while. Hope you enjoy!

Hello Kanji!

I just love Asian inspired art! Walk into my house and you will see plenty of bamboo, oriental flowers, paintings and art. It all started with this gorgeous red chest we inherited when my husband's grandfather passed away. Something about it just captured my heart the first time I saw it - almost 10 years ago. And once that spark started, there was no stopping me! So, it's probably not surprising that my favorite types of cards to make are Asian inspired. In my big Sellabration order I got Kanji and haven't had a chance to play with it, so I pulled it out for today's Limited Supply Challenge over on SCS. The challenge was to use nothing but black and/or white ink and embellishments. You also needed to use one additional color of cardstock.

For this card, I began by cutting a large circle with my Creative Memories Circle Cutting System in black and white cardstock. I then freehand drew the yin yang divider on the white circle, stacked the circles and cut with scissors. Next I stamped the retired Bamboo II backgroun in Black Stazon on Whisper White, then lined up the black and white pieces with my Stamp-a-majig and stamped the same background on Basic Black with Whisper White Craft ink. I then layered the two pieces onto a larger So Saffron circle, used my Basic Black marker and an aquapainter to go over the bamboo on the white and used my black glaze pen to do the pattern of dots around the edges.

Next I took the Kanji love stamp and stamped in Black Stazon on So Saffron. I then free-handed the curved edge cuts, layered on Whisper White and freehanded the curves again. Next I used my double circle punch to lace the stitched black ribbon through as a flat bow. Finally I used my white gel pen to add some accents around the kanji character and layered the scroll onto the circle with pop dots.

Then I used my Basic Black Stampin' Write Marker to just stamp the Kanji character in the center of my White Prima Hydrangea. I then punched a hole through the So Saffron circle to stick the black flower center thingys (from my January Self-Addressed kit) through the center of the prima. I adhered to the back with Terrifically Tacky Tape, and then glued the entire circle to a 4.25" x 4.25" Basic Black cardbase which I had pierced the corners with using my Mat Pack and a paper piercer.




Hello Plain Janes!

A little while back, a friend over on SCS sent me a package with some stamped images from Simply Said. I have been dying to use them, but I've got so many new stamps to play with, too. Last night when I was having a bit of stamper's block (there are three unfinished cards sitting on my desk that I started and just couldn't find a good way to finish!) I decided to pull the flower image out and have some fun coloring. Then once the image was done, I had no idea what to do, so I rummaged through the huge box of clearance items I bought the first week of January and this cute little bag of Plain Janes chipboard flowers popped out at me.

I started the card by coloring the flowers with my aquapainter and the end of my Night of Navy and Bravo Burgundy Watercolor Crayons. I then used my paper piercer to punch each of the tiny holes on each stem. Next I did a color wash with Brocade Blue around the flower images and on the stems. Then I matted on a piece of Night of Navy CS and then punched two Mega Scalloped Square punches, pieced them together, slid some White Grosgrain through and layered beneath the Night of Navy.

Next I stamped Paisley on Brocade Blue in Night of Navy, punched the corners with my ticket corner punch and then attached the white ribbon and Simply Said image panel with Terrifically Tacky Tape and Night of Navy eyelets. Then I took my Plain Janes chipboard flower, inked it up with Burgundy embossing powder and heat embossed. Then I repeated this to get it good and saturated and sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds on it while it was still hot.

I then stamped the Enjoy sentiment from Fancy Flexible Phrases on Whisper White in Night of Navy and punched with the 1/2" circle punch. Next I dotted around the circle with my Night of Navy marker and colored in with my Blender Pen. I then punched out a 3/4" circle of Paisley stamped Brocade Blue, layered below the Enjoy circle and pierced around the edges. Adhered to the chipboard flower with Terrifically Tacky Tape and then used the TTT to affix the flower to the card front. To finish off, I layered the whole card front on a piece of Bravo Burgundy and added some adhesive rhinestones from the Dollar Tree. Final accents on the flowers, the Enjoy and the scalloped squares were made with a paint brush and a mixture of Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds.


Hello Excitement!

Is it proper to toot your own horn on your blog? Well, guess what - it's MY blog so I'm gonna! :) Allison over at Stampin When I Can named me the Inspiring Blog of the Week! She's got a really fun blog (and the most infectious smile I've ever seen!) - check her out at... http://stampinwhenican.blogspot.com. Thanks Allison! I've got a cheshire cat grin on my face because of you!

To celebrate, (all good things are cause for celebration, right???) I ordered some more Cat's Pajamas stamps. (DH if you're reading...look the other way! Forget you ever saw this post! :) I just didn't think Cupid Sprinkle could be complete without the Lovestruck stamp, and that advertisement on SCS has me thinking about Cat's Pajamas all day long! I figured I should start thinking beyond Valentine's Day so here's a sneak peek of what you'll inevitably be seeing on my blog in the coming months! I've had several people ask me about my experience with Cat's Pajamas so I thought I would share...

The unmounted stamps at The Cat's Pajamas are just the red rubber image - no cushion. They are pretty deeply etched, though when I pulled my trusty ruler out it looks like the etching is about 1/16 inch less thick than Stampin Up stamps. Cat's Pajamas were my first unmounted stamps. I've been buying them unmounted because I can buy more that way. At first, I just used the rubber and Aleene's Tack It Over and Over glue with acrylic blocks. The images were just fine, though sometimes I needed to stamp on a mouse pad to get as dark an image as I wanted for Sprinkle and some of the other bold images. I tried mounting some other stamps I got with EZ mount and vinyl clings, but I really have a hard time getting the vinyl clings to stick to my acrylic blocks. No matter how clean they are, they just slide around, and especially they come off when I'm trying to clean the stamps with my Stamp-N-Scrub. Uggh!

Then I tried some rubber cushion that I got from Purple Onion Designs (yes, I AM a bit of an ENABLER!) and loved it. So I went back and mounted all my Cat's Pajamas stamps on it - still using the Tack It Over and Over (great stuff - got mine from JoAnn.com but you can get it at just about any craft store) and acrylic blocks. I've been so happy with my unmounted Cat's Pajamas stamps - and now that I've mounted them on the cushion I really can't tell a difference in the quality of the stamped image between Cat's Pajamas and Stampin Up. Pure stamping pleasure!

Hello Cupid Sprinkle!

Okay, after a somewhat successful night of sleep (6 hours) I decided to tackle the SCS sketch challenge again. I’ve been dying to use these Bo Bunny brads I found at the LSS that match the Valentine patterned paper. So I pulled out my trusty Cat’s Pajamas stamps again to see if there was anyone who could play well with others. Cupid was just sitting there so happily I had to try!

I started the card by stamping Cupid Sprinkle on Whisper White in Black Stazon. Colored the wings with Pretty in Pink Stampin’ Write marker and highlighted all the pink parts with my trusty Pink Stardust gel pen and gave Cupid some green eyes with my green glaze pen. Then I used my Creative Memories Oval Cutting System to cut out the oval and sponged with Cool Caribbean ink. Finished off with Basic Black dots around the edges, but I tried to glue it on to a Basic Black mega scalloped oval punch too quickly and when I did my fingers got some speckles on the cardstock. So I did it all around to make it look like I meant to! Haha! You can’t tell in the picture, but each scallop has been pierced and then I threaded some silver cord through the top and bottom two piercings and attached to the Bo Bunny paper with a cute little Bo Bunny Brad. Used my provocraft decorative scissors to do the mini scalloped edges on the patterned paper.

Next I stamped Happy Valentine’s Day in Black Stazon on Whisper White and trimmed very closely. I then attached to the hodgepodge hardware with Mono Multi glue. Tacked down the hardware with more Bo Bunny brads and added some stickles accents to the dots at the bottom of the page.

For the XOXOXO panel, I just used a clear sticker from Wordsworth then accented both lines of dots with red stickles. The heart panel is Bo Bunny decorative paper and then I added the black semi-circle dots with my black glaze pen and went over the white heart dots with my clear glaze pen. Punched the corners with the ticket corner punch and attached to Basic Black with pop dots and added some accents to the Basic Black mat with my white gel pen.

To finish, I attached everything to a piece of Tempting Turquoise stamped with the Weathered (Stampin Up) background) in the same color of ink, then layered on a Basic Black card base and tied with a silver corded bow.

Hello Notecards!

This card was supposed to be for this week's sketch challenge over at SCS. I tried...really. But I just couldn't make myself put so many objects on a card after my recent color blocking card. Stamping is supposed to be fun, right? So to step up the fun, I pulled out my beloved Cat's Pajamas stamps again, pulled up my sleeves and got to work. Funny thing is... Angel Sprinkle does not like to share her spotlight! Much like my fur-child, Katie, she doesn't play well with others! So after much maneuvering and fiddling I decided to scrap everything else and just go with this cute Angel panel. Then I remembered these 3.5 x 5 notecards that I just found in my stash this morning when I was looking for shipping materials. Voila! Genius!

To begin, I stamped the Large Frame on watercolor paper with black Stazon ink. Next I pulled out my mask (yes I've stamped this frame a number of times before!) and lined it up over the stamped frame and stamped the panel with French Script in Cool Caribbean. Then I used a dauber to apply Cool Caribbean ink all around the frame. Next I removed the mask and stamped Angel Sprinkle in the center in Black Stazon. Used my Pretty in Pink watercolor crayon and an aquapainter to color in the wings and halo. Then I stamped the Angel portion of the My Angel with Pretty in Pink marker below Angel Sprinkle. Highlighted the word and other pink parts with my Sakura Pink Stardust gel pen.
Next I doodled a frame around the entire panel with my Basic Black marker and attached BoBunny gingham ribbon to the bottom with Terrrifically Tacky Tape. Then I attached the brads through the ribbon and mounted the whole think on Loves Me paper. To finish it off, I punched 4 photo corners with my Nostalgiques punch and did some faux stitching around the edges. Just realized I usually put a touch of green for Sprinkle's eyes - but I forgot. Oh well, she's still cute, cute, cute!

Hello Wise Men!

Today when I saw the color challenge on SCS was actually colors I would put together, I was so excited to try to find some time to stamp! I'm really behind on getting my 10 Christmas Cards done for January (this is only the 2nd one I made. I'm so happy with how this turned out, but completely frustrated with my lacking photography skills. Probably the fact that we have about two total light bulbs working in our living room and kitchen doesn't help! You can't really tell from the pic, but this baby SHIMMERS in real life!



I started this card by stamping the Wise Man Postcard (Stampington & Company) on Brocade Blue in Night of Navy. Next I went over the PostCard words with my Bravo Burgundy Stampin' Write Marker and painted over the star with a mixture of Lumiere and Night of Navy re-inker. Next I trimmed the image with decorative scissors and brushed the edges with the Lumiere/re-inker mixture. When dry I used my Stamp-a-majig to line it up and overstamped the image with VersaMark. Next I brushed Micro Pearl Pearl-Ex over the entire image and wiped with a swiffer cloth. Layered this on Night of Navy, Bravo Burgundy and Night of Navy and adhered with thin pop dots.



Next I stamped the Wise men sentiment (Stampin Up) with Night of Navy on Brocade Blue and used my Mat Pack and a paper piercer to punch holes in the top and bottom. Next I layered it onto a slightly larger piece of Night of Navy with the corners punched with the ticket corner punch. Adhered with thick pop dots.



For the base layer I ran it through my Cuttlebug with the BISK canvas texture plate. I then used a dauber to apply Night of Navy Stampin' Pastels to the entire background. Next I randomly stamped Snow Flurries (Stampin Up) in the Lumiere and re-inker mixture. (I first inked up the stamp with VersaMark, so the paint wouldn't ruin the stamp.) To finish off I punched corners with the notch punch and wove Stampin Up's delectable Silver cord around the edges.

Tag, I'm It!

Well, it was bound to happen. I've been tagged by Aimee, which means I need to give y'all the A-Z lowdown on myself. Here goes...

A-Available or Taken: Taken (9 years since we tied the knot)
B-Best Friend: My wonderful husband Mark (he subscribes to this blog, so it better be him!) :)
C-Cake or Pie: Out of this WORLD lemon cake!!!
D-Drink of Choice: Tully's Coffee
E-Essential Item You Use Everyday: my iPod - one of lifes' greatest inventions!
F-Favorite Color: Cranberry Crisp
G-Gummy Bears or Worms: Has to be worms ... who wants to behead those cute little bears?
H-Hometown: a blink and you missed it town in podunk Idaho (population 2000 and shrinking)
I-Indulgence: Smallville - we have to pay extra to get the CW just so I can watch this show!
J-February: Valentines day, my dad's bday and hubby's birthday - what's not to love?
K-Kids and Names: One tortoise shell fur-child named Katie, although she prefers to go by Shadowcatcher.
L-Life is Incomplete Without: Faith, Family & Friends... and a large collection of stamps!!!
M-Marriage Date: December 20, 1997
N-Number of Siblings: 1 sister and 1 brother. I'm the baby.
O-Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P-Phobias or Fears: creepy crawlies of all shapes and sizes
Q-Favorite Quote: Make the most of yourself, for that is ALL there is of you. - Emerson
R-Reason to Smile: my husband
S-Season: Fall...nothing like sunny afternoon walks in the leaves and crisp October nights
T-Tag 3 or 4 people: Lauren, Allison, Amy and Jen
U-Unknown fact about me: I have never taken an art class (not even in high school!)
V-Vegetable you don't like: PEAS! ewwww!
W-Worst Habit: Addiction to crafting supplies
X-Xrays: teeth, spine
Y-Your fave food: Thai Spicy Noodles
Z-Zodiac: Had to google it - I'm so not into signs.... I'm apparently just barely a Leo.

Hello Color Blocking

For todays technique challenge on SCS I chose to do color blocking. This is a really fun way to design for me. I do it a lot in graphic design, but don't think I have ever done a card this way. I'm feeling less intimidated by all my beautiful new stamps, so I pulled out a brand new set to use today. This morning my BISK arrived and after a few minor technicalites I was embossing away with my new backgrounds. All of the layers on this card are dry embossed with the BISK plates and my Cuttlebug!


I started by inking the flower stamp from Happy Harmony with Taken with Teal and Basic Black Stampin' Write Markers and then spritzing the stamp with water (to give a slight watercolor effect) before stamping on Cool Caribbean. I then cut the image out with a 1/4" border, sponged the edges with Cool Caribbean inkpad and a dauber and then applied Lil Davis Designs Ice Glitter Glaze to the flowers. I got this tube of Glitter Glaze on clearance for $1 at the LSS. I just pulled it out tonight, and I can tell I'll be using this stuff I lot...I loved it! Next I matted on Taken With Teal and used my Mat Pack and paper piercer to punch the corner holes.


Next I took the Dreams come stamp and positioned it in the center of a piece of Cool Caribbean and stamped with Black Stazon ink. I then masked off the center with a Mega Scallop Oval punch and inked with a dauber and Cool Caribbean ink pad. Then I brushed on the Glitter Glaze and let dry. Next I pulled off the oval and did some faux stitching with a Taken With Teal Marker and then pierced some holes in the corners and matted on Taken With Teal.


Cut some rectangles a little bigger than the 3/4" circle punch and sponged around them. Next I punched a Taken With Teal 3/4" circle, cut it in half and dotted with a Black Glaze Gel Pen. I the glued to the Cool Caribbean rectangeles, punched with my 1/16" circle punch and added black Making Memories brads.


For the final color block I took a rectangle and cut diagonal lines with my craft knife. Outlined the Taken with Teal areas with my Black Glaze Pen, used my SAMJ and a marker to stamp just the Dream from the sentiment and dotted below. Punched a 1" circle with two rectangle punches in the center. Dotted around the circle, added a ribbon through it for a bow and mounted with a pop dot. Finally, I layered the whole thing on Basic Black, which was run through the Cuttlebug with the diamond print BISK pattern. There you have it. My color blocking extravaganza!

Hello Pieces Punch!

Sorry I went AWOL for a couple days there! Sometimes life just gets in the way of all this stamping fun. Tomorrow is the birthday of a very special friend, and even though I didn't get it in the mail on time, I want to wish her a happy birthday!
For this card I combined the three challenges I missed while I was AWOL... to use watercolor paper, to use a verse stamp as the main image of the card, and to use this picture as inspiration. The verse stamp is one I found in the $1 bin at Michaels and just couldn't pass up. I just love it.

To begin, I stamped the verse on Stampin Up Watercolor Paper in Black Stazon ink. Then I used the Rose Red Watercolor Wonder crayon to add color around the circle and highlight the words Friend, Most, and Precious. Next I used baby oil and a stump to blend in the color. Then I used an aquapainter directly on the end of my Regal Rose watercolor crayon and went over the center part of the circle. Next I went over the three highlighted words with my Rose Red Stampin Write Marker and then went over the entire piece with my aqapainter. Then I trimmed it out, glued to Rose Red CS and trimmed again.

Next I punched out shapes with my Pieces punch in Rose Red and Basic Black and used a the Marvy Mega circle punch and a strip of Basic Black CS (with the corners punched with the Ticket Corner Punch) to emulate a larger version of the Designer Label Punch. I glued the pieces to Pretty in Pink cardstock and faux stitched around the edges of the punches with white gel pen. Next I dotted around all the pieces with my Sakura Pink Stardust gel pen. Then I stamped the dotted stamp from Delight in Life on the Pretty in Pink with Black Stazon. I highlighted randowm dots with Rose Red marker, stardust pen and the rest with Coffe Ice Stickles. Tied a bow (ribbon from Michael's) around the whole piece.

Next I took a 4.25 x 5.5" piece of Basic Black and used my ruler to draw a line on the back a quarter inch from the left, right and top. I used this line as a guide to punch my slit punch to make the scallop. Next I used my ticket corner punch on the top corners of my Pretty in Pink piece and slid under the Basic Black Scallop. I used my white gel pen to do some faux stitching, then topped each semi-circle with adhesive rhinestones I got from the $1 tree. Finally, I attached the big verse piece on thick pop dots and voila!

Hello Lunchbox!

I got this cute plastic Lunch Box at the $1 tree a few months back. It actually has Easter bunnies printed on the sides, but I thought it would make a good altering project. A few weeks back there was a challenge on SCS to use items from the $1 store. This is my project, which I finally found time to create today - I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out!
To make this I cut a 5.25" x 4" piece of Loves Me paper and a Taken with Teal piece 5 3/8" x 4 1/8. Ran both sheets through my Xyron with permanent adhesive and layered onto the lunchbox. Repeat for back side. Stamped So Very in Taken with Teal, and did some dot doodles with my Chocolate Chip Stampin Write marker. I then used my Mat Pack guide to do the circles above and beneath the so very sentiment in Regal Rose, outlined with Chocolate Chip. Used the paper piercer and the Mat Pack to pierce above and below the sentiment and then used my Tonic paper distressing tool to rough up the top and bottom edges. Sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa, ran everything through the Xyron and layered on Close To Cocoa and Taken with Teal and set aside.

Using my Stamp-a-majig to line it up, I stamped loved three times without reinking. Next I punched out with the small Tag Punch and used my marker to stamp the dots from the Sorry stamp on the bottom of the tag. Used my Brown prismacolor pencil, baby oil and a stump to add some brown lowlights to the tag. Punched the large Tag in Taken with Teal and attached to a 3/4" circle punch out from the Loves Me paper. Attached the tag to the so very panel with the clip and ring thing from Hodgepodge Hardware, an eyelet and pink grosgrain ribbon.

To finish I attached the stamped art to the front of the lunchbox. Next I used 1/2" Terrifically Tacky Tape to adhere the BoBunny ribbon all around the sides of the box and trimmed the handle with a bow of the same ribbon. The final touch was to accent all the dots with a mixture of Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds. Thanks for looking!

Hello January Self-Addressed Kit!

I just got my January Self-Addressed kit today and fell in love with these awesome Crate Papers. I knew I would have to play with them if I got a chance today. Everything in me wanted to use Artfully Asian or Kanji, but I am still working on doing the entire set of weekly challenges using one set. These tropical primas came in a set my darling hubby gave me for Christmas - isn't he such a sweetie?!

This card is for the SC107 sketch challenge. I found it a bit challenging to embellish in both corners like the sketch called for. It seems a little unbalanced, but that's just my opinion! :)This was my first time using my new Stampin' Up notch punch and also the Stampin' Up cord. I absolutely LOVE this cord. I've been using some I got from Michael's years ago on clearance, but the Stampin' Up stuff is worlds above in quality (and value!).
To make this card I stamped Delight in Life with Very Vanilla craft ink on the black fleur de lis paper. Then I cut the two panels to the size I wanted, notch punched and layered on Cranberry Crisp (also notch punched). I tied the cord around the bottom of the Delight in Life Panel and attached the Asian coin (purchased at Starlit Studios) and tied a bow. Next I layered the panels and attached the Delight in Life panel with pop dots. Attached the Prima with a big brad I colored black with Black Stazon ink. Next I cut the floral patterned paper, notched the edges, wrapped with gold cord and layered onto Bazzill Cornbread cardstock. To finish off I attached the double panels with mono-adhesive.

Hello Lumiere!

Today I sat down at my desk intending to work on getting a head start on my 2007 Christmas cards. Instead I saw these Enchante papers left over from today's SCS color challenge and decided to pull out last week's Sketch Challenge again. This sketch is SC106. I used chocolate chip CS instead of Close to Cocoa because I thought it looked better. In my SAB order I got a bottle of Lumiere. A few months ago some gals over on SCS told me I had to have this stuff. Now I've got it and have no clue what I'm supposed to do with it! :) Anyone have any hints? I used it to paint the inside accents of the flower, but then ended up covering it up with crystal effects and glitter, so I have no idea what it would have looked like just plain!
For this card I used all Enchante papers, plus Chocolate Chip and Whisper White CS. I stamped delight in life in Close to Cocoa and colored the flower with Pale Plum and Sage Shadow Stampin' write markers and then added some little dots around the saying in Pale Plum. Used my Mat Pack and a paper piercer to poke holes above and below the sentiment and in the corner of the Sage Shadow paper. Used my Tonic paper distresser to distress the top and bottom of the whisper white panel and then inked with Close to Cocoa ink pad and dauber.
I then stamped the shaded flower from Delight in Life in Pale Plum and used my stamp-a-majig to line up the outlined flower stamp. Next I highlighted with marker and blended with a blending pen. I used a watercolor brush to paint lumiere on the inside lines and center of the flower, then outlined everything on the flower with Crystal Effects and sprinkled with Dazzling Diamonds. Dotted around the flower in Pale Plum and cut out. Tied Chocolate grosgrain ribbon around the middle piece and glued everything down on a Whisper White card base.

Hello Coasters!

The SCS color challenge this week is to use Close To Cocoa, Pale Plum and Sage Shadow. I'm not a fan of Sage Shadow, but I do love the Enchante papers in the Winter Mini. I normally would have pulled out Carte Postale for this challenge, but a fellow SCSer challenged me to use the same set for every challenge this week...and my set is Delight in Life.

This is a square card, measuring 4.25 x 4.25". To begin I cut a 4 inch square of the plum Enchante paper and ran it through my Xyron, then adhered to a 4 inch lightweight coaster. Next I ran the coaster through my Cuttlebug using the Square Stamp die. I flipped the frame around so the white coaster would set off the plum paper. At this time I also used my Stampin Up Large Oval Punch to punch an oval out of the coaster.

Next I pulled out my Stamp-a-majig (SAMJ) and used my Basic Black Stampin Write marker to just stamp the delight part of the delight in life stamp in the center of the oval. Also used my SAMJ to stamp the flower in the center of the coaster square. I then highlighted with my Pale Plum Stampin Write marker and accented with Crystal Effects and sprinkled on Dazzling Diamonds. I then set it aside to dry.

Next up, I stamped Paisley on Pale Plum in the same color ink. Then I stamped Paisley on Close to Cocoa with Pale Plum ink. I cut out a 4.25 inch square of the Sage Shadow Enchante paper and punched a Giga and a Mega Scalloped Square. Next I punched a Giga square of the Close to Cocoa and a Mega square of the Paisley stamped Pale Plum. I stacked all my same size scalloped squares together and punched a hole in each scallop using my Mat Pack and a paper piercer. (This way you only have to do it once per size of square!) Then I pierced holes around the Paisley 4" Pale Plum square.

To finish, I punched a hole in each end of my delight chipboard oval with my Crop-a-dile and laced ribbon through it, wrapped it around the Pale Plum piece and tied a bow. Next I layered all the pieces on, adhering with Tombow Mono-adhesive. I attached the Close to Cocoa scalloped square with thin pop dots. Then I used a watercolor brush to dab bits of crystal effects mixed with Dazzling Diamonds on the tips of all the squares. Whew! If you're still reading I commend you. I'm a little long winded today! :)

Hello Comp Book!

Today's challenge on SCS was to alter a composition book. Since I'd never tried it before, I thought I'd give it a go. My goal was to keep it simple, since I tend to go a little overboard when I alter things...the last one was a clipboard and could be titled the Fiber Fiasco! LOL!

For this book I started with a 7.5 x 11" piece of paper from the Just Delightful Simply Scrappin' Pack. I ran Terrifically Tacky Tape down the edge right next to the black binding and placed the paper on the tape with overhang on the top, bottom and right side. Then folded the corners down, then the top, bottom and right sides, securing with Tombow Mono adhesive. (If I were to do this again, I would just run the whole piece through my xyron. This paper is a heavier cardstock and the mono-adhesive doesn't stick well. I had to go over it again with TTT.) Next I ran another strip of TTT down the edge of the binding where the chipboard ends and covered with Celery grosgrain ribbon.

Then I stamped Delight in Life on a piece of Whisper White with Stazon Black. I colored with Stampin Write Markers in Bashful Blue and Certainly Celery. Then pierced the top and bottom of the panel using my Mat Pack. Next I punched two rectangle punches next to each other and fed ribbon through to make a flat blow and clipped the ends. Layered this panel on a 1/8" mat of Certainly Celery, then a 1/4" mat of Basic Black.

Next I stamped the flower in Stazon Black and colored with Bashful Blue and Apricot Appeal Watercolor Wonder Crayons and an aquapen. Highlighted the edges with my Bashful Blue stampin Write Marker. Then I put Ranger Coffee Ice Stickles in the center of the flower and then covered with Crystal Effects. Also addes some Crystal Effects highlights to the flower and the flower on the delight in life panel. Then I glued everythign down with mono-adhesive. To finish off, I tied 11 knot bows with the Celery Grosgrain and adhered with mini glue dots.

Hello Slit Punch!

I started this card last night and finished it up today. I just love the Cat's Pajamas valentine line and hadn't had a chance to use Cupid Sprinkle yet. This is a square card measuring 4.25 x 4.25".

I began by stamping French Script on Close to Cocoa with Chocolate Chip ink. Next I used my slit punch to create a scalloped border with Regal Rose cardstock and then used my Mat Pack to do two lines of piercings on the Regal Rose.

Next I stamped Cupid Sprinkle by The Cat's Pajamas in Black Stazon on Watercolor paper. I used the Regal Rose Watercolor Wonder Crayon and an aquapainter to color in the wings, then went over the arrow, collar, nose, and outline of the wings with my pink Sakura stardust gel pen. Sprinkles green eyes are done with a green Glaze gel pen. I punched the image out with my Marvy mega scalloped square punch and layered with pop dots (after piercing around the edges with my Mat Pack) onto a Marvy Giga scalloped square punch in Regal Rose. Dotted around the borders of the Giga square with my Coffee Ice Stickles by Ranger. Tied the Stampin Up grosgrain ribbons around the close to cocoa piece, trimmed to 4.25 x 4.25 and attached to a Vanilla card base with mono-adhesive. Next I attached the scalloped piece to the bottom and did some faux stitching with my Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker. Glued down the scalloped squares and then sponged the edges of the card with daubers and inkpads.

Hello Cuttlebug!

Today my darling husband took me to JoAnn's where I used a 50% off coupon to purchase my very own Cuttlebug! I've seen so many cool creations made using the Cuttlebug in the SCS gallery, that I HAD to have one. To give me something to start with I also purchased the stamp die collection and the Thanks embossing folder. When I got home, I ordered the Olivia font on JoAnn.com with another 50% off coupon and also ordered the Big Impression Starter Kit (BISK) - another item I HAD to have, thanks to those enabling SCSers! :) The BISK includes several embossing folders that work with the cuttlebug...including PAISLEY!!!

I am currently finishing up sealing the last of my new sets. This one is Fancy Flexible Phrases, and it's a doozy - double mounted, so 56 surfaces. Hopefully I'll get to play with new stamps tomorrow, but once again there was no time for stamping today. Below is one of my favorite cards I made this Christmas season, using my beloved Cat's Pajamas stamps.

For this card, I stamped the Three Ornaments (Cat's Pajamas) four times in Cranberry Crisp across a strip of Whisper White CS (using my Stamp-a-majig to line them up). Next I stampedPaisley background (Stampin Up) on Cool Caribbean and matted around the ornament strip. I then used the leftover CS to punch out 2 SU Word Window shapes and one Marvy Giga Scalloped Oval shape.

Next I stamped Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Cat's Pajamas) in Cranberry Crisp on Whisper White. I used my Creative Memories Oval cutting system to cut out the stamped sentiment and also a slightly larger oval in Cranberry Crisp. Then I layered these two ovals on the scalloped oval and glued with mono adhesive. Next I stamped Paisley on Cranberry Crisp and layered on a Whisper White Card Base. Finally I glued everything down and painted accents with a mixture of Crystal Effects and Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the ornaments and a dollop on each scallop. To finish it off I glued a knotted bow (ribbon from Michael's) on the top of the oval with Terrifically tacky tape and stuck two adhesive pearls from Making Memories on the word window tabs.

Hello Old Favorites!

I finally finished cutting and mounting 23 of my 25 new sets today. I've sealed three sets with clear fingernail polish as well. Since I've been busy doing all of that, there hasn't been much time for stamping. So I thought I would post my favorite card I made in 2006. I made a set of four of these cards and included them in a decorated tin with other handmade cards. I sold the tin to my sister to give as a Christmas gift. I just love the way it turned out.

I started by stamping Artfully Asian in VersaMark on Very Vanilla and heat embossing with gold detail embossing powder. I then stamped Linen in Close to Cocoa, followed by a few random stampings of Itty Bitty Backgrounds in Close to Cocoa. Next I tore the top and bottom edges and used my Krylon Gold Leafing Pen to color the torn edges. I then painted the flowers with a mixture of Crystal Effects and a few drops of Real Red reinker and set this layer aside.

Next I took a chipboard circle (Bazzill) and applied it directly to my VersaMark pad, then immediately coated with gold detail embossing powder and heat embossed. I let it cool and then repeated to get a nice thick coating. On some of the leftovers from the earlier torn edges, I stamped Circle of Friendship in VersaMark and heat embossed with gold detail embossing powder. I punched the shape out with my Stampin' Up 3/4" circle punch and layered onto a circle cut with my Fiskar's 1" circle punch. I then sponged the edges with Close to Cocoa ink and ran through my Xyron to adhere to the chipboard circle. I punched a hole in the top with my Crop-a-dile and tied red ribbon from Michael's in a knot and clipped the ends.

Next I stamped French Script on Real Red in the same color ink and adhered the very vanilla panel to it with monoadhesive. I used my Stampin Up Double Circle punch to punch 6 evenly spaced holes along the side. I set the gold eyelets with my Crop-a-dile and then laced the ribbon through the eyelets, tied knots on both ends and clipped the ends. To finish, I layered the entire card front on a Very Vanilla card base and adhered the chipboard circle with Terrifically Tacky Tape.

Hello Carpal Tunnel!

I know you all are thinking "Cry me a river!", but my arm and hands are so sore from cutting out all these stamps! So far I have cut out 23 of my new sets (213 stamps). I think I'll leave the last two unmounted until I need a pick me up that can only be cured by new rubber! I've really given these new Stampin Up Craft & Rubber Scissors a workout. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's fun, but they definitely beat any other scissor I've tried to cut stamps out with. I do have a blister on my knuckle from where the handles hit me wrong, but other than that I'm pleased as punch with my $20 investment. I'm about half way done mounting the stamps on the wood (12 sets done). Then I get to seal them all with clear fingernail polish. Uggh - but it will be worth it when I can finally play with them all!


I did take a break today and did the Ways To Use It challenge over on SCS. This challenge was to use Sahara Sand, which I really like, but seem to neglect. Since the month is getting close to half over and I haven't done my 10 Christmas cards for the 2007 Christmas Card Challenge, I thought I better get to work on a design. I've had this Wise men seek Him still stamp from Stampin Up's retired Inspirational Greetings set for ages and never used it because I didn't have the right stamp to go with it. While browsing over at stampington.com I just fell in love with Christine Adolph's Chrismas line and had to have this Wisemen Postcard stamp to go with my Wise Men sentiment.


To make the card, I started with a piece of Sahara Sand and stamped the Linen background in True Thyme. Then I stamped the Wisemen Postcard in Black Stazon and then stamped the splatter stamp from Itty Bitty Backgrounds in Sahara Sand over the top. I tore the edges and set aside. With a left over piece of the Sahara Sand with Linen, I stamped the Wise Men sentiment in black Stazon, cut out, punched with my ticket corner punch and matted with a 1/8" border on Basic Black CS. Next I stamped the Paisley background on Cranberry Crisp with the same color ink. Cut to size, layered on black, and then on the Sahara Sand card base. I intended to use black grosgrain ribbon, but my stash has been depleted, so I cut a strip of black, pierced holes using my new Stampin Up Mat Pack and used a white gel pen to do the faux stitching between the piercings. Next I glued the postcard piece down at an angle with mono adhesive and attached the faux ribbon strip. I then used my 1/8" hole punch to punch holes in the Wise Men sentiment piece and attached black Making Memories minibrads. Used small popdots to adhere to the center of the ribbon strip. The card is a little smaller than the usual size, to accommodate some great new envelopes a friend sent me.

Hello Sellabration!

My Stampin Up Sellabration order is out for delivery this morning!!! I can't wait! I finally ordered the craft and rubber scissors because I've read they make cutting the rubber so easy. I'm skeptical - but willing to try anything, since I do HATE to cut out the stamps! Some crazies out there have even gone so far as to say that the scissors make it *GASP* fun to cut out stamps. I don't think that is possible - LOL. I'm just hoping for something that works! I have 14 sets I got for Christmas waiting to be cut out until these scissors arrive. Add that to the 11 sets coming today and I've got hours of rubber cutting madness ahead of me!

Hello Cat's Pajamas!

I finally had a chance to make a card using my brand new Cat's Pajamas valentine stamps! I just discovered Cat's Pajamas in December and I am totally smitten! These stamps just arrived in my mailbox this week, and I'm already thinking about my next order!

For this card I started by stamping Angel Sprinkle in black Stazon on Stampin Up's watercolor paper. I then used my aquapainter and the end of the Pretty in Pink Watercolor Wonder Crayon to color in the wings. Used my brand new Sakura stardust pen (another obsession!) to accent the wings and fill in the collar and Sprinkle's nose. Then I used my green glaze gel pen to add in the eyes. Cut the image out using my Creative Memories oval cutting system. Layered it on a mega scalloped oval punch in Rose Red, then layered again on a giga scalloped oval punch in Basic Black. Pierced holes and highlighted with my stardust pen.

Next I stamped the Candy Heart Box in Stazon on Rose Red, using my Stamp-a-Majig to line them up. Added some accents with my stardust pen (sensing a theme yet?). Then I placed adhesive backed rhinestones I found at the Dollar Tree in the centers of the flowers on the heart box. Layered the panel on Basic Black, pierced holes and (you guessed it...) highlighted with my stardust pen! On the Pretty in Pink base, I stamped the Medium Circle Snowflake randomly (yes, I know they're lined up - that's as random as I get! LOL!). Used my Crop-a-dile (set the guide to 1/4") to punch the six holes and set the Basic Black eyelets. Laced this beautiful pink ribbon from Starlit Studios through the eyelets, tied in a knot and clipped the ends.

What Was I Thinking?

This card was made with today's What Was I Thinking? technique lover's challenge in mind. The challenge was to use your least favorite stamps and embellishments on a project. I chose All the Best. For some reason I HAD to have this set, but now look at it on my shelf and sigh. Why did I buy this...and what can I do with it? I can't wait until this set is retired and I can sell it, since I can't seem to find anyone willing to trade for it. This Uptown Brown ribbon is also one of my least favorites - purchased over a year ago and all but one spool was unopened. I thought it was so funky in the store, but this color combination really does nothing for me. Pulled out some discontinued cardstock for this one, too... Rose Romance.

To make the card, I first stamped linen on Old Olive with Old Olive. Then I stamped Itty Bitty Backgrounds and sponged around the edges of the layer. I then randomly stamped the starburst in VersaMark in and then went over with a dauber and pastels. Next I stamped the misshapen rectangles in Regal Rose on Rose Romance. Faux stitched around the edges with Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write marker. I used scissors to cut them out, leaving a slight border around each shape. Next I cut strips of the ribbon, folded them in half and stapled them behind to make little ribbon tabs. For the main image, I stamped the leaf image in chocolate chip, then cut out with my Creative Memories oval cutting system. I sponged the insides of the leaf and around the edges with Regal Rose Stampin Pastels and then sponged around the oval with Old Olive pastels. Next I used an eraser to erase around the outer edges of the stamped image. Stamped over the whole thing in VersaMark with the Linen background stamp. Then I went over the Old Olive parts with pastels and an eye shadow applicator. Punched my Giga Scalloped Oval out of chocolate chip, pierced the scallops and went over them with my white gel pen.

Finally I stamped the three leaf image twice in Regal Rose on the top tab and Happy Birthday from Warmest Regards on the bottom tab. Glued everything down with monoadhesive and attached the scalloped oval with pop dots.

Hello Paper!

When did I become such a paper hoarder? One of my stamping resolutions this year is to decrease the clutter in my studio. Today I started in on the first of THREE very large bins full to the brim with paper scraps. My mission is simple...to keep three sizes only: half sheets, quarter sheets and ATC size (3.5 x 2.5 inch). Anything smaller gets punched with various punch shapes, which are then placed in clear envelopes - one for each color. The three sizes will be filed with full sheets. After punching most of the day, I'm beginning to develop a blister on my right hand! I had no idea I had so many scraps.


It's funny, I'm not a keeper in other areas of my life. My email inbox is always clean, I only keep the files I need to for our finances. I have no problem throwing away the scads of junk mail we get every day, but when it comes to paper? I just go crazy! Hopefully this new system will help me keep the clutter at bay...if I can just endure the process of getting through the other 2 and a half bins! :)


Since I was busy punching, I didn't make a card today. This card is one I did yesterday for the Sketch Challenge on SCS. It didn't turn out as great as I had pictured in my mind, but my cards seldom do! First I cut out the Enchante Designer Paper using my Creative Memories Circle cutting system. Next I stamped Linen on Very Vanilla with Close to Cocoa. I then sponged more Close to Cocoa ink on with a dauber and stamped the Carte Postale image in Chocolate Chip. I used Itty Bitty Backgrounds and stamped off once before stamping in Close to Cocoa to give the sprinkled look.

Next I used my 1/8" rectangle punch to punch to slits for the center of my faux bow. I threaded the ribbon through the two holes, crisscrossed the ribbon on the back and fed it back through and wrapped around the sides. Ribbon ends are secured with Sticky Strip.

Next I stamped Linen in VersaMark on Certainly Celery and used daubers to apply Certainly Celery Pastels to the entire background. I then stamped French Script in VersaMark and repeated with the Celery pastels, to get that Poppin' Pastels technique look. Stamped Bonjour in Chocolate Chip, glued the layers and mats down, hand wrote Bonjour around the circle with Chocolate Chip Stampin Write Marker, and then painted Crystal Effects on the Fleur de Lis for the finishing touch.

Hello Kitty!

I love all things Hello Kitty! I remember getting this Hello Kitty pen set when I was 5 that I used until there was no ink left! Pink, red, black, purple and blue - I think it's where my love of colors began. Anyways, every time I see something Hello Kitty, I have to pick it up and touch it and remind myself that I'm an adult now and I really don't NEED anymore Hello Kitty stuff!


When I saw this Hello Kitty paper at Michael's a couple months ago when they were having a 4 for $1 paper sale, I just couldn't resist! Then I promised a fellow stamper that I would make a card for her daughter who is also a Hello Kitty connoisseur! Today's sketch challenge on SCS seemed like the perfect time to use my treasured Hello Kitty paper.


First I painted crystal effects on all of Hello Kitty's bows. Next I used my Creative Memories circle cutting system to cut out the circles. Then I punched the Mega Scalloped Circle and the Stampin Up small oval in black. Used my paper piercer to punch holes around the scallop and then went over the holes and did the stitching with my white gel pen. Glued everything down on Real Red cardstock, placing the scalloped circle on pop dots, added some Making Memories jewel stickers and a bow to finish it off. Quick, simple and so cute!

Hello World!

I had intended to launch my new blog on January 1 with pomp and circumstance, but a bout of the flu and then an upper respiratory infection has kept me out of commission for a week and a half. I guess I'll just start posting and fix the bugs and design issues later.

I made this card today for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers. The colors used are Cool Caribbean, Basic Black and Whisper White. I started by stamping Paisley in Cool Caribbean on Cool Caribbean. Next I stamped Think Big in black on the paisley. The ink is never dark enough for me when I use this stamp, so I always go over it with my Stampin Write marker. Next I did the faux stitching around the letters and the edges of the panel. Layered with 1/8" mats on white, then black. To do the scalloped border I punched 1/2" circles out of leftover paisley stamped Caribbean. Glued them around using my monoadhesive and my Stampin Up grid paper as a guide. Then sponged around the edges with a dauber and the inkpad and finished with some faux stitching. The entire piece is raised on dimensionals.

For the ribbon slider, I used my horizontal slot punch for the slits and then raised the Thanks sentiment panel on dimensionals. I went over the Thanks with my clear glaze pen to give it an embossed feel and shine.