Farewell Embrace Life

This is one of my favorite sets, and I have used it often (sniff, sniff). But, sometimes we have to move on.

This is such a great set for watercoloring and all sorts of fun techniques. Here is a couple cards using Watercolor Crayons. This set always led to such great color combinations. Cameo Coral crayon, Pretty in Pink, and Wild Wasabi...


Apricot Appeal, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke, and Chocolate Chip...

Faux Silk technique...

Bleaching - the stamp image was heat embossed, and the bleach was applied with an aquapainter.

Here, in addition to bleaching, the clear embossing powder was used for a subtle background.

Paper lantern technique...

Today is the last day this set is available, so shop online now to grab yours before it is gone.

Thanks for stopping by!

So Long Garden Whimsy

Time to share some samples from the past using Garden Whimsy.When this set came out, I had to have it. I just loved the butterflies and the color combinations I was seeing with it.

Some swap cards I made with heat embossing.

Cute little buggy bookmarks.

Playing with color blocking (a great way to use scraps!).

And the fun criss-cross cards.

This set is only available for two more days, so shop online now to grab yours before it is gone.

Thanks for stopping by!

Adios Enjoy Every Moment

Enjoy Every Moment is a great scrapbooking set! It comes with whimsical flowers for embellishments, sentiments that are perfect for any page, and a stamp for journaling.

I have also had fun with pairing it with Tart & Tangy in a card.

Here are some display board samples from Virginia Beach Regionals featuring this set.

This set is only available until June 30, so shop online now to grab yours before it is gone.

Thanks for stopping by!

Goodbye Halloween Frights

Just like on Survivor, we have to say goodbye to those who have fallen before us, before we move on to winning the million dollars, er I mean, get to play with the new catalog.

The Halloween Frights stamp set is a fun stamp set for many different projects. I have used it for a scrapbook page in my daughter's baby book.

Remember when we made this popcorn pull at Stamp Club? These would be fun for a kid's school party.

I am particularly partial to Halloween, since my birthday is in October. I joined many Halloween ATC swaps last year, and for one of them I made this ATC.

It uses the salted background technique. The fence, cat, and bat were embossed in black, and I spritzed it with the Spritzer Tool and Basic Black marker. What a fun stamp set!

This set is only available until June 30, so shop online now to grab yours before it is gone.

Thanks for stopping by!

Used Book Sale Finds

Score! I went to the used book sale, sponsered by our local library, and I found some great crafting finds! A huge dictionary for $2, road atlases for $1, and my favorite is below, lots of sheet music. I came home just dying to run some of this through my Big Shot.

There is probably someone rolling over somewhere when I cut this up, but I am so happy! Recycling rules!!

Stamps: Spring Solitude, Warmest Regards; Paper: Kraft, Chocolate Chip, Whisper White, sheet music; Ink: So Saffron, Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Chocolate Chip marker; Accessories: Sponge, Modern Label punch, Chocolate Chip ribbon, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

New Catalog Launch Party - You're Invited!

Are you looking forward to the catalog like me? Join me for the New Catalog Launch Party July 1 and July 6 at 6:30pm.

Stop in to play with some new colors and stamps and socialize with other ladies. Check out the sneak peek posts for some samples I have already made with the new supplies.

Thanks for stopping by and looking forward to seeing you!

More Stamp Club...

Another project we did at Stamp Club - a page of the chipboard album in the Summer Mini. I figured the ladies could use it for a Father's Day gift (perhaps hang at his desk) or even an element for a larger scrapbook page.
We used the Cog On Board chipboard album (pg. 23 of the Summer mini). It is a very economical little scrapbook album at $4.95.

We used extra cog pieces and colored them with craft ink (using sponge daubers). The stamp set Sentimental Journey and Travel Journal DSP was used to embellish the chipboard page, and we used the Cog punch and extra pieces of DSP to create more cog pieces.

Stamps: Sentimental Journey; Paper: Pumpkin Pie, Bashful Blue, Very Vanilla, Travel Journal DSP; Ink: Soft Suede, Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Bashful Blue craft; Accessories: Sponge dauber, Cog punch, 1" punch, Hemp twine, Brads, Satin ribbon, Scallop #2 die, Big Shot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Stamp Club Projects

We had fun at Stamp Club this month making a cute summery project.

This is a square card that uses the Sweet Scoops set and Island Oasis DSP from the Summer Mini. Aren't those colors just sweet enough to eat? We learned the kissing technique, which is perfect for this set!

Stamps: Sweet Scoops; Paper: Pretty in Pink, Whisper White, Rose Red, Island Oasis DSP; Ink: So Saffron, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink; Accessories: Button, Linen thread, Striped ribbon, Dimensionals.

And I was on a square card kick. Yes, I love square cards! Here's one for either Father's Day or any masculine event.

We brayered the Presto Patterns DSP from the Summer mini for the background. It comes white with the pattern already on it, so you can brayer or sponge it to customize it for your project. And we got a chance to play with the Smooch Spritz. There is a small splash of So Saffron DSP (from Tall Tales DSP) behind the Bitty Button.

Stamps: Pedaling Past, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper: Old Olive, Kraft, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, Presto Patterns Specialty DSP; Ink: Old Olive, Black Stazon; Accessories: Scallop Trim punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, Brayer, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Aquapainter, Earth Elements and Neutrals watercolor crayons, Bitty Buttons, Linen thread.

There are just too many great toys in the mini to try at one club meeting. Hopefully we'll get a chance to play with more summer items at the next meeting.

Our stamp club season is over, and sign up for the next season is open. Don't miss sign up at the New Catalog Launch parties on July 1 and July 6! Check out my calendar of events (right margin) for more details. Contact me with any questions.

Thanks for stopping by!

Father's Day Weekend Stamp and Share

We had a jam-packed weekend of fun (and heat!). Some cherry picking on Saturday.

On Sunday, I had a toasty time at the bike race, while Papa and Little Missy enjoyed Father's Day at home, canning some cherries and swimming in the pool.

While Papa went on his own bike ride, we went into the stamping room to make him a card. Little Missy's choice - Bambi.

Janneke did the stamping, and I showed her the world of sponging.

Stamps: Forest Friends; Paper: Whisper White; Ink: Soft Suede, Old Olive, Bashful Blue, markers; Accessories: Sponges.

Thanks for stopping by!

More Sneak Peeks

Another chance to play with new goodies from the upcoming catalog. This one uses the Hostess Level 1 set Because I Care. I love hydrangeas! I'm so excited they came out with a set with a hydrangea image! And I am loving this new In Color Concord Crush.

I stamped the flower twice in Stazon and watercolored and popped up the top layer (thank you Ilina Crouse for the idea!). I patterned the Concord Crush layer by inking the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder with Whisper White craft ink, on the raised side, before running it through the Big Shot.

Stamps: Because I Care; Paper: Concord Crush, Old Olive, Whisper White, Old Olive DSP; Ink: Whisper White, Concord Crush, Old Olive, Stazon; Accessories: Aquapainter, Old Olive grosgrain ribbon, Button, Linen thread, Topnote die, Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

It's Dad's Time!

So, it's typical. I prepare lots of stuff for class, including Father's Day projects, and I don't have anything prepared for my own father. *eye roll* So I quickly put one together so I could get it in the mail. I hadn't really done anything with the car image in Sentimental Journey, and my dad did spend plenty of time fixing cars in his day, so off we go...

I CASED the layout from 'RDiehl' on SCS. I stamped the car in Night of Navy, and then ran it through the Big Shot with the Kit #4 Texturz plate.

The background was spritzed with the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz - love that stuff! Don't those look like little oil spots? I used the Cog punch for an extra little embellishment.

Travel Journal DSP has nice map patterns, and I am such a sucker for maps! I actually bought myself a globe when I was a freshman in college. But maybe that's too much information! Anyway, I'm really digging the paper. In fact, there is a used library book sale on Friday (today!) locally, and I can't wait to pick up a bunch of paperbacks and maps for crafting. But don't tell anyone so I can buy them all up first! ;)

Stamps: Sentimental Journey, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Paper: Night of Navy, Kraft, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Travel Journal DSP; Ink: Night of Navy, Sahara Sand; Accessories: Sponge, Cog punch, Word Window punch, Modern Label punch, 5/16" brad, Night of Navy ribbon, Pumpkin Pie ribbon, Log Cabin Smooch Spritz, Kit #4 Texturz plate, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Thanks for stopping by!

It's Not Too Late!

It's not too late to join me and all the other excited ladies (and men) who share your passion for stamping! Convention is July 20-24 in Salt Lake City, and registration ends tomorrow. You must be a demonstrator to attend, and there is a great $99 mini starter kit special running this month. You can sign up directly from your computer, so don't wait! Join my team and come have a fabulous time with us!!

Thanks for stopping by!

The Bat Signal

We attended a Batman birthday party this weekend. Well, I actually missed it, since I was at my shoebox swap. So Hubby had to step up and take Little Missy to the party. I found the best card to CASE by 'stampingout' on SCS. I only changed up the colors.

The signal silhouette was created using vellum paper, and I gave the night sky a slight bit of dimension by sponging on White Craft ink. Super fun!

Stamps: From the Crypt, Sincere Saluations; Paper: Basic Black, Vintage Violet, So Saffron, Vellum Paper; Ink: Basic Black, Versamark, White Craft, Versamark marker; Accessories: White Gel Pen, Black Embossing Powder, 1-3/4" Circle punch, Large Tag punch, Sponge.

Thanks for stopping by!

Game Night Close-Ups, Part 2

Here is the second part of the close-up pictures and details of the blog hop projects featuring Game Night.

Sorry! Board Game - Here might be a funny way to say "I'm sorry." I created part of the Sorry! board game on my card.

I used the Heart-to-Heart punch to create the start arrow, and I popped up the game pieces and the dice. The words were cut out with Big Shot dies Go Go Boots and Naturally Serif.

Stamps: Game Night; Paper: Real Red, Basic Black, Bashful Blue, So Saffron, Whisper White; Ink: Real Red, So Saffron, Versamark, Basic Black marker; Accessories: White embossing powder, Square punch, 1" Circle punch, Heart-to-Heart punch, Go Go Boots die, Naturally Serif die, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

Slot Machine Box - I created a slot machine using an altered 2-4-6-8 box made out of Brushed Silver cardstock (5-1/2 x 8-1/2 cardstock scored at 2, 4, 6, 8", score bottom at 2" and cut flaps to fold into a box). The pull arm was made out of rolled cardstock, a toothpick, and a fuzzy craft ball sewed on with Linen thread.

The slot was cut using a craft knife, and I blinged out the "Jackpot" sign with Dazzling Diamonds glitter.

Stamps: Game Night; Paper: Brushed Silver, Naturals White, Basic Black; Ink: Real Red, Garden Green, So Saffron, Going Gray, Chocolate Chip; Accessories: Piercing tool, Craft knife, 1/2" Circle punch, 2-Way glue pen, Dazzling Diamonds glitter, Craft ball, Linen thread, Toothpick, Gold coins, Glue dots, Shreaded confetti.

Thanks for stopping by!

Game Night Close-Ups, Part 1

As promised, here is some close-up pictures and details of the cards in the blog hop group photo featuring the Game Night stamp set. This is quite a fun stamp set. Make sure you grab it before it is gone!

Best Wishes Domino Card - And the dominoes fall where they may? I saw the idea for 3-dimensional dominoes from Susan Roberts and thought it looked really cool! I free-handed the dimension with the Basic Black marker and used the Pals Paper Arts sketch challenge PPA44.

Stamps: Game Night, Sincere Saluations; Paper: Basic Gray, Sage Shadow (retiring), Basic Black, Whisper White, Nouveau Chic DSP (retiring); Ink: Black Stazon, Versamark, Basic Black marker; Accessories: Black embossing powder, Scallop Trim edge punch, Basic Black grosgrain ribbon.

Good Luck Chess Card - Life like a chess game? Perhaps this could be a graduation card? I created the chess board background on My Digital Studio, printed on Glossy White cardstock. This card reminds me of the cartoon Donald in Mathmagic Land. I inked Kit #4 texturz plate, by rubbing the ink pad directly onto the plate, before running it through the Big Shot, and I used Mojo Monday sketch 140 for this one.

Stamps: Game Night, Sincere Salutations; Paper: Basic Black, Glossy White, Whisper White, So Saffron, Riding Hood Red, Tall Tales DSP (retiring); Ink: Riding Hood Red, Black Stazon, Real Red; Accessories: 1/2" Circle punch, Wide Oval punch, Black brad, Black grosgrain ribbon, My Digital Studio, Kit #4 Texturz plate, Big Shot, Dimensionals.

I'll finish up with the other two projects tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by!

Tutorial: Felted Cardstock

Happy Monday, Everyone!

Today I will describe my shoebox swap ATC in more detail that I unveiled in last weekend's blog hop.

I printed poker chips off the internet so they would fit into the 1/2" Circle punch. I layered them with two layers of cardstock, also punched with the 1/2" Circle punch, to create a 3-dimensional poker chip. The playing cards and martini where embossed with black embossing powder and colored with Stampin' Write markers, for a nice bright look. And the dice were embossed with white embossing powder on Basic Black cardstock.

For the Garden Green poker table surface, I used the felted cardstock technique. 1. Crumple up and unfold your cardstock several times to break down the fibers.

2. The crumpling will cause the layers of cardstock to start separating.

3. Slowly and careful separate the layers. The inside part of one of the separated layers will be your "felted" surface.

4. Here is the intact piece of felted cardstock.

5. I glued a smaller piece of Whisper White cardstock to the back of the felted cardstock for stability.

6. I ran the piece through the sewing machine to secure the edges. Glue is probably fine, especially when you start layering pieces on top, but this is my personal preference for embellishment.

Stamps: Game Night, Card Games, Cheers to You; Paper: Basic Black, Garden Green, Ruby Red, Very Vanilla, Whisper White; Ink: Versamark, Real Red marker, So Saffron marker, Old Olive marker; Accessories: White embossing powder, Black embossing powder, Sewing machine, Thread.

Thanks for stopping by!