This is a test!

I think I'm moving back to blogger to save money. Just seeing if this blog still works!!

Paperlicious Has Moved

Here is the new address www.paperlicious.typepad.com and a link to my new site. I hope to see you there!!

My Friend's Ebay Sale

My friend Pam is selling quite a nice selection of retired Stampin Up stamps, including wheels, as well as a few non craft items. You can find her auctions here. You won't find a more honest or reliable person with whom to do business.

Messages and More

I have a ton of messages to respond to, or I guess I should say "messages to which I must respond." Anyway, you guys are the best -- I just haven't had time to write back to each of you, but I will. About the blog business, it turns out there is a way I can change this blog to another provider and be able to block certain messages. So, stay tuned. You will not have to be invited. As least I think so! Computer stuff isn't my strong suit and this may take me a few days or longer to straighten out. I am cracking up. I can't count the number of messages that say something along the lines of "I like your blog. No offense, it isn't your stamping I like, I like the way you write." Excuse me! You are writing to an honorable mention awarding winning stamper per Nichole Heady on Papertreyink!!! (I suspect she was throwing me a pity bone for having to cancel going to CHA, but a girl can dream...). Now the first time someone wrote that I was "wow, well that's honest." By the 10th time, I decided -- you know what -- that's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me and I mean it. So, thanks. But, sorry, once I finish cleaning up my major mess, you will be seeing more stamping here... Speaking of cleaning, I am in the middle of a MAJOR clean up of my stamping stuff. I had NO idea that I had so much stuff. More on that later and how I'm organizing it. Anyway, I had a bunch of stuff out and my husband picks up this information sheet from Ellen Hutson on what to do with the Wizard sandwich plates. He's reading it out loud and says -- this makes sandwiches? Should this be in the kitchen? Sadly, he was serious. Wow, what fun finding all the stuff I have and forgot about. Goodnight.

New Blog?

For a variety of reasons I've decided to keep this blog but not accept comments -- at least for the foreseeable future. Since I received a lot of questions asking what was going on I will briefly explain and then we can return to our regularly scheduled programming. There are a few folks who don't like me and continue to comment on my blog making sure that I know this. Well, this is my blog and it is about stamping and about me and that's that. If it were just about stamping even I would stop reading it!!! So, stay and read if you want. Don't waste your time on it if you don't. I hope to have actual stamping to post later today!!

Home Stamp Sale Cancelled

I will, however, be posting my stamps for sale on line. Be on the lookout. In addition, I have to disable all comments on this blog. I am looking into creating another blog that will only be accessible to those I invite. I am sorry it has come to this, but it has.

Totally Unfair

After a week off from my day job, I went back to work today. After 2 hours sleep. And I attended a 3 hour meeting during which I think I gave coherent, accurate, legal advice. At least I think I did. Yes, I am superwoman. I Lawyer, I Mom, I Wife, I Daughter, I Stamp -- not necessarily in that order, but you get it. I'll tell you why this is unfair. My goal in life is and always has been to be unemployed. Going to law school was THE FIRST BIG MISTAKE. The SECOND BIG MISTAKE was passing the bar. Then folks kept hiring me. And promoting me. I kept waiting for someone to knock on the door and explain that I had really flunked the bar and it was all one big misunderstanding. I've always felt in over my head. Then, after years of real litigation (as my high school friend the doctor said to me "you don't actually go to court do you?, to which I replied, "you don't actually touch patients do you?") I snagged my honey pie husband. Another lawyer. And nice. And cute. Surely this meant children and the mysterious world of the stay at home mom. My goal has always been to be the stay at home mom. (When I left the Department of Justice, they gave me KNITTING needles as a going away present!! and wrote on my cake "Good Luck Donna Reed.") (I'm not kidding.) Alas, I married Mr. "I wouldn't think of insulting you by expecting you to stay at home and give up being a lawyer so I'll be your total partner and do more than my share around the house and help raise our son and work 60 hours a week." And so he did and so he does. Of course my fantasy of how a Mom who is home actually spends her day is well, a fantasy. In my mind, the house is clean, but not too clean, no one is sick, dinner is cooking, and my son is always happy. Oh, and I've spent a few hours volunteering at his school and at the homeless shelter, and he has listened to my suggestions on how to improve his study habits. I am a Saint Stay at Home Mom. Luckily, I've been able to work part time, but even with that wonderful schedule, there were those awful days when our son needed to go to the doctor for some minor but important illness, and my husband and I would gently try and convince each other of the importance of our day ("I've got a Supreme Court argument." But, dear, I'm saving someone on death row.", only to be upped by the "I'm meeting with the President." -- all lies, but you get the point.) My Mom once said that the "problem" with my generation was that it had too many choices. I used to think she was right, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe I got it just right. If you are a stay at home Mom, you go honey!! I'm not too proud to admit how jealous I am. And if you are a working outside the home Mom, you go honey too. Do what you need to do to keep YOUR family functioning. I am no closer to understanding any of this than I was when I got those knitting needles -- oh, except I still can't knit. I took up stamping instead!

A Card, Finally

Despite the fact that my "chit chat" generates way more comments than my stamping (sigh!!), I know you all have been anxiously waiting for actual stamping to return to Paperlicious. So, by popular demand -- a Card, Finally: And, since I'm sure you will want to run out and get all of these supplies (said with loving irony), here's what I used to make this little gem: Striped cardstock from Memory Box's Beach collection, layered onto a Memory Box Sage card. Other paper is Memory Box Holly and Eggshell cardstocks and Beckett Expression #80 for the main image. (Note, I provided a link to Ellen Hutson's store because I purchased the paper from her. She is an unusual vendor in that she provides interesting and useful info about the products she sells. In this case, she posted that Memory Box paper is environmentally different because it is coated with soy ink. I have no idea what soy ink is, but it sure makes for a gorgeous finish.) For this thank you card for a neighbor, I stamped one of the images from Stampin Up's Feathered Friends set, which I believe is retired. I bought it last year when it was on sale because it reminds me of Karen Lockhart's images -- small, but full of lots of detail and just so sweet. I stamped it with Black Memories Dye ink and colored it in with the following Prismacolor Pencils -- Pumpkin Orange, Light Peach, Ultramarine, Cloud Blue, Burnt Ochre, Sienna Brown, Dark Green, Process Red, Limepeel, Sunburst Yellow, Sand, and Crimson Lake. No Gamsol, no stumps, no blender pen, no nothing, except kindergarten coloring!! Since I had fun coloring it in I'd thought I'd share a close up: Of course, if you want to examine every detail like a Van Gogh painting, feel free to click on the pictures! I added some white eyelets and some SU red gingham ribbon. It is now 5 am. I never went to bed and I have to be at work in 2 and a half hours. What I do for you!! Praise may commence now.

Back From Vacation

Whether it is validation in the form of comments in our galleries or on or blogs, winning a contest, or just making friends of fellow stampers, I guess in one way or another we bloggers are all looking for something, or we wouldn't take the considerable time and energy to run a blog. In my case, I learned a valuable lesson this past week about the law of unintended consequences, including how easily words can fly from my brain to my fingers (I need an editor) and then from one forum to the next, taking on a life of their own and causing genuine hard feelings. What I thought was a balanced list of suggestions to Stampin Up, including some well deserved praise, clearly was not. Upon reflection, reasonable people could look at what I said as bashing. I know I have a bit of an attitude, but I'm not interested in tearing down anything or anyone. So a huge apology to all! Now, time to go into the stamping room, where piles await.

Used Stamp Sale Coming to Northern VA

Chris Franco, awesome TAC demo, and I will be co-hosting a used stamp and stamping supply craft sale at my home in Fairfax county sometime in September. Tons of great stuff -- TAC, Stampin Up, Hero Arts, Amuse Arts, etc. Paper!! More!! Bring cash only!!! No need to pay for shipping! But first, I'd like some feedback. Do you think you might come and if so, when would you be most likely to show up? Your comment is not a committment, just some feedback. Friday day Friday night Saturday day Please leave a comment and let me know! It is possible that we will have this on several hours over the course of a couple of days. Thanks!

Art Everywhere

We went to Pittsburgh. While we were there we stopped in at the Andy Warhol Museum, where they allow you to take pictures. Plus, we found a lot of art in Pittsburgh! Here's some of the fun things we saw. These are, of course, some of Warhol's work. Remember the story about my Mom touching a Van Gogh? Wish this sign had been up in the National Museum of Art!: Is this sculpture cool or what? The brainiacs at Carnegie Mellon University designed this and it is on the campus. I love it!! And, then our fave, parked right in front of our classy hotel!!!!

You are killing me!!

You incredible design team members!! I so thought I could live without those Copic markers and the air brush thingy. I've resisted Debbie Olson. I've turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to Miss Ellen Hutson. I've been good. But, then I saw Trudee's blog today and I am dying. She's killing me with her amazing creations. Check out this (scroll down to the Autumn Leaves, too) and then figure out if you can live without this stuff!! LOL (Yeah, we can live without it, but will our lives be worth living???).

Do You Love Ribbon?

On our way back from a nice 3 day trip to Pittsburgh, I talked my husband into a one mile detour to the Offray Ribbon Outlet in Hagerstown Maryland. Here's what I got! There are dozens and dozens of yards of ribbon -- 5 different pinks, 2 different oranges, 4 greens, etc.!! Can you guess what I paid for all this? Would $30 surprise you? Well, that would be a steal, wouldn't it? But, that's not what I paid (I sound like an infomercial!!). With tax, all this ribbon cost drumroll... $2.58!! Why didn't I get more?? ***** You know the saying, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen? Well, I can't! So I turned off comments on this blog, at least for a while. Enough said!

Do You Live Near Seattle?

If so, you are one lucky stamper! Julie Ebersole's offering classes. Check out Julie's blog here.

My SU Letter

Wow, I have limited access to a computer right now and cannot respond to everyone's thoughts right now. Thanks for sharing everyone of them. A couple of initial responses -- Re clear stamps -- good for you if you disagree withe me. I've just your average stamper with one opinion. I want to keep buying from SU and would be more likely to do so if I had a clear option, but no one died and elected me stamp czar. Re -- why SU? Good point. What is there about this company that engenders such strong feelings, both pro and con? Maybe because it is has been so dominant? Because it has demonstrators? Not sure. Would I write an open letter about another stamping company? Yes. The other reason I feel a bit impassioned is because I was a demo for SU and basically LOVE the company in many ways. One response to my earlier post was correct -- I want to buy their stuff but only on my terms! That's true. But, I'm guessing that's true for every company I buy from. Got to go, my time on this public computer is up!! More later! Thanks for engaging in this conversation. Someone wrote that I opened up a firestorm on Gingerwood. Unfortuntately I cannot access that site right now. I'll have to check in later.

Open Letter to Stampin Up

Dear Shelli, I used to be a demo for SU. Before that I was a very loyal customer. If you were to visit my craft room, you'd see a well stocked room full of Stampin Up inks and papers and ribbons and embellishments and stamps. But a clever eye would notice that I haven't purchased a thing from SU since December 2006. I would like to be your customer again. May I be so bold as to make a few suggestions? 1. Remove things from the catalog that can be purchased elsewhere for significantly less. For example, your shimmery white paper is about 4 times the retail cost. By including items that are really over priced, it makes me wonder about your profit margin on other items and I feel resentful. Before the internet, customers had limited ability to purchase items and often did not have access to information about alternative cheaper sources. We do now. Just take them out of the catalog, provide a unique version of them, or drop the price. 2. Play to your strengths -- one is your color coordination. Almost every stamper I know loves SU's colored cardstock. We put up with the design of your ink pads just to get our hands on that cardstock! Give us more items that color coordinate -- I'd gladly pay a bit more for sheer polka dotted ribbon in the SU colors. Or watercolor pencils in the colors. Or, just about anything in the SU colors!! 3. Another strength, of course, has been your stamps. I'm guessing that you are losing market share here. I can see it on blogs and on stamping forums. You just don't see that many new SU sets being used and the ones that are being posted are from the same sets. It looks like you have 5 or 6 hits on your hands. One reason for this is the proliferation of design teams and blogs for your competitors. It is time for SU to do the same thing. Get some amazing stampers on board as part of your own design team and let them loose. Put together an SU blog using these artists and see what happens! Small investment and it may pay off big time. Don't limit it to SU demos and let them use other products as well with the SU stamps. I know that you think that your demos will feel cut out, but I truly think that is a mistake. 4. About your stamps. I'm not even going to get into the unmounted/clear debate. Personally, I think you are making a huge mistake by not offering a clear option for some of your sets, but whatever... you are a much smarter business woman than I'll ever be! But, the stamp designs? They are fine. But the catalog is full of so many items that look just like each other and look like other brands. This cuts down on the reason to buy multiple sets. Diversify. How many dots and flourishes does one stamper need?? 5. If you are going to offer wood mounted sets at $ 30 - 40 a pop, you've got to give us a reason to buy them. Why buy the Wild West alphabet set from SU when there are so many similar clear ones at less than $20 or even wood mounted ones much cheaper? This isn't a rhetorical question. I really want to know. Your demos need to have an answer to this question. 6. On line purchasing. Have you noticed the number of stampers who are buying Papertrey's releases BEFORE the images even pop up on the internet? Some of us are addicts and are immature. We go with the mob mentality. You NEED us because we tend to be the big spenders!! For better or worse, the biggest spenders are IMPULSE spenders. Give your demos the ability to have websites with shopping carts and you will increase sales. 7. Shipping. Can we talk? I've heard a hundred demos quote you as saying that "SU loses money on shipping." Let's assume that's true. You have a business problem. No company should lose money on shipping. At the best, you should break even. Fix your problem. Now let's really talk. I don't believe it. I don't believe that SU is losing money on shipping and, even if it is true, it is annoying to hear it. Don't say it. Own up to the fact that shipping isn't your strength and just don't talk about it. Better yet, do something about it. If I'm going to pay that much for shipping I don't want to wait 10 days to get my stuff. Remember, addicts don't like to wait for anything!! Thanks for listening! edited to add: Some of my favorite folks are SU demos. This posting is meant to open a dialog that I hope will lead to increased sales for SU and by definition, its demos.

Once Upon A Time . . .

I understand that some folks start out with an idea and end up creating exactly what they had in mind. Not me! I basically have no idea what I'm doing, so by the time I'm done stamping, my stamp room looks like a tornado swept through. This all started last night when I decided to create a bright, clean, Christmas card. I colored Santa and the children brightly with Prismacolor pencils on nice white paper and set it aside fully intending it to be used on some bright, clear Memory Box paper. Today I picked up the colored image and thought -- Cracked Glass. Never did it before. Think I'll try it. Three hours later, this is the result. Left in this 5 x 6.5" card's wake is an amazing assortment of ink pads, oval cutters, embossing powder, sponging, etc. I literally don't remember all the ink colors I used to turn a simple red and pale yellow Memory Box paper into this background. Here's a pic of the original paper next to the final card! I think it is the small red and yellow tiny windowpane paper from the Homespun collection. It's hard to tell with the wavy effect from the camera, but I think you can see what a trip this paper took! Supplies Used: (as best as I can recall) Stampin Up: A Merry Little Christmas; Season's Greetings stamp sets; assorted earth elements and Real Red and Glorious Green ink pads all used to age the papers and rub onto the Cracked Glass image; Kraft, Ivory Naturals and Ruby Red cardstocks; Copper Hodgepodge brad; and the little paper distressor (used around the oval matting). In addition: assorted Prismacolor pencils; Encore Gold ink; Palette Burnt Umber ink; Ranger clear embossing powder; Creative Memories oval cutter; unknown twill ribbon, Xyron (I covered the image with the sticky side and embossed about 8 times, put it in the freezer and craaack!), and the strip of paper underneath the twill is Basic Grey. Whew! ***** so what's the etiquette here? should I make believe that I don't know that the amazing Nichole Heady picked one of my cards for Honorable Mention on the Papertreyink contest and act all humble like it is an ordinary day in the life of an average stamper or should I just admit that I am stunned?

No Sleep Must Buy

What else can a self respecting woman do when she can't sleep other than buy something??? Well, I'm resisting. In the meantime I am wasting a LOT of time and came up with this little piece of nonsense. I took a How Cynical Are You quiz:

You Are 44% Cynical

Yes, you are cynical, but more than anything, you're a realist. You see what's screwed up in the world, but you also take time to remember what's right.

How Cynical Are You?

Ah, the whole thing is probably some plot to download my keystrokes....oh, wait that' paranoia. Is there a quiz for that too?

Easy to Mail Christmas Card

I want clean, fresh, contemporary, bright, and above all -- easy to mail -- Christmas cards this year. (I am not going to pay extra postage or have a card returned because of a brad or ribbon! I'll save those for hand delivered cards and gift tags.) When I'm looking to meet those criteria, I turn to Memory Box! Love that company! (In addition, I think Stampin Up has some really nice bright contemporary white red and green paper this year.) I made this card with the Memory Box Holiday Brights papers and Memory Box Lime and Cranberry solids. (Since the solid paper is white on the inside, I have a dark outside card with a professional white inside. I love this!) I did not have a stamp of a row of trees that I wanted for this card, so I cut out the trees in the Stampin Up Figure of Speech set. It is part of a square stamp and I just cut the trees right out of the middle of the stamp, slapped them on an acrylic block and stamped 5 times in a row in Memories Black dye ink. If you look closely, there is a cute lime scallop layer under the circle. The words and frill both come from Papertreyink. The nice thing about prismacolor pencils (or really any kind of marker or pencil) is that if you look around, and are willing to blend a bit, you can usually find something to use to match your patterned paper. In this case, SU doesn't have a green that has enough of the right yellow in it to pass for Lime. And I love Memory Box's lime cardstock! My favorite for Christmas this year. I grabbed all my red and green prismacolor pencils and made a little mini chart to use with this paper before selecting the ones with the closest match. The owner of Memory Box, Dave Brethauer, is a prismacolor pencil fanatic so not surprisingly, his paper coordinates quite nicely with the prismacolor line of papers and markers (yes, alcohol markers!!) (I'm taking his class on watercolors and on colored pencils next month!!). In the next few weeks, I will be creating a chart that aligns Stampin Up colors with Memory Box and Prismacolor colors and a few other companies' products as well. It might take me a while, but I think it will be worth it. It makes mixing and matching among products sooo much easier when all the grunt work has been done beforehand. Have a great day!!

And the Winner Is...

Elizabeth, with the following post: Hello! I think you should come here and help me start that stamping group! I live in Yorktown Virginia and we love it! We are retiring here. I think you would love it here! We are 20 minutes from Williamsburg and not to close but not to far away from Norfolk and Virginia Beach and having been stationed near Washington,D.C., I know we are not as expensive as D.C.......! Good luck in what ever you decide...Elizabeth Elizabeth -- please send an email to me to claim your $30 gift certificate to Stampin Up! My email address is bardee1 "at" cox.net The responses were fascinating. My husband asked me to print out the whole list so that we can review each of them carefully. Thanks, this was fun!

The Future

is here: My son and 3 other students finished their summer science internships today by making presentations to their relatives (and some actual real scientists). My son's was entitled "Solar Particle Events and their Impact on Lunar Missions." I would be happy to explain what it was about but I have no clue other than it isn't good to have a solar particle event and a lunar mission at the same time. The other students presented on localities' readiness for disasters (not ready); systems for electronic medical records (not ready); and the government's track record in predicting solar particle events (not good). Let's hope these kids straighten out the world soon! The really great thing is that my Mom went! She looked pretty spiffy -- makeup, jewelry, hair done. Between my baby standing up there lecturing scientists and my Mom being able to attend, I shed a tear! I only wish Andy's other grandparents lived nearby and could have been there. Can you tell which guy is Andy? (Hint: he's not wearing a suit and tie!). Tonight we are surprising Andy with a little gift and here's the card I made to go with it. Supplies Used: Stampin Up Bordering Blue cardstock and Only Orange marker; Memories Black ink; Prismacolor pencils; Creative Memories wavy cutter thing; Beckett's Expression #80 cardstock; and Amuse Twinkle dot for the rooster's eye. And the stamps? Technique Tuesday's NEW Dog and Pony Show clear set. The phrase is straight, but I was able to adjust it on the acrylic block to give it a little curve. If you look closely at this picture, you'll see that I stamped the rooster twice -- once on top of the blue and white card and then again on a piece of white cardstock and cut out a bit of its body. I did this to avoid having part of the rooster's neck look blue! Have a nice weekend and don't forget to look below and check out my contest!!

Which Version Should I Send?

This is the same card taken in two different locations in my home, so ignore the lighting, etc. The only difference is that one has the pewter hodgepodge hardware on it. I originally went with the plain version, added the spiral, and then removed it. This is a sympathy card for my grade school/high school best friend, whose husband died. I'd appreciate some feedback on which version to send. I'm sending it tomorrow (Friday), so a quick comment would be appreciated. Supplies: Sentiment from Wordsworth clear Comfort set; Color Box Prussian Blue Cat's Eyes Chalk ink; coordinating Prussian Blue Prism paper from Cornish Heritage Farms; SU Fine Lace Background, Cardstock Vellum, white grosgrain ribbon, punch and dimensionals (the sentiment is popped up); white eyelets (source unknown); Crop a Dile and Japanese Screw Punch. By the way, the little dot to the right of the word "praised" is part of the stamp. Looks like a mistake to me, so I stamped it twice before noting that it is supposed to be there. Thanks

Win $30 Gift Certificate/Help Us Retire!

My husband and I live in our dreams -- of retirement! We live outside Washington DC and will most likely move from this area in the next 5 - 10 years (we prefer 5, but who knows?). Post a message on this post suggesting a place for us to retire (that meets meets the following criteria, noted below). I'll use the random number generator to pick a winner on Sunday August 12th at 5:pm eastern time. Because the prize is a $30 gift certificate to be redeemed with my friend and Stampin Up Demo Pam Tetreault, you will have to have a US or US Military address in order to win. I will post the winner on Sunday August 12th and give the winner 3 days to contact me. If I do not hear from the winner by the deadline, I'll pick another one... Here are our retirement criteria: 1. Near a university. 2. No super cold winters. 3. Housing cost of living MUST be less than the Washington DC area. To give you an idea, a 4 bed, 2.5 bath home around here goes for about $600,000 give or take a couple of hundred thousand depending upon the exact location. Must be LESS than that. 4. Must have an active arts and culture scene -- music, art galleries, etc. 5. No huge bugs. 6. Decent amount of sun (can't be cloudy or rainy most days). 7. Would be nice to have an active stamping community but this is optional (I'll just form one!). 8. Close to excellent medical care and not farther than an hour from a major airport (not taking no stinkin' little planes anywhere!!). 9. Must not be on known Al Qaeda target list (living through 9/11 in DC is not something I care to repeat...) 10. Would like to avoid major risk of: earthquakes, fires, mudslides, tornadoes, hurricanes. Am willing to trade this for active stamping community, however!! I think that is our top criteria. Suggest away. One post per person please although you can suggest several places in one post. Thanks!

Qs & As, Tagged, and a Card

A few answers to some questions posted here and through emails and private messages on SCS (I'm Joan B over there)! 1. I don't have a way for someone to get an email when I post something new on this rockin' and rolling blog of mine. I tried feedblitz but was bombarded with complaints. I'm not computer literate, especially since we have a MAC. I am truly touched that anyone would ask about this. Does anyone know of any other email service I could use (free, natch!). As a blog reader, I use Google Reader, but some of my readers prefer to get an email. 2. I am not familiar with Georgia Pacific and whether it is "smooth" -- but you can judge the smoothness by just running your hand over it or even tearing it. What I call smooth has some type of coating or special ink that isn't like regular SU colored cardstock, for example. SU's colored cardstock -- and I LOVE it -- just isn't the same as SU's Whisper White. Why can't I explain this better?? 3. No, I do not keep my SCS gallery up to date. I have enough trouble squeezing in stamping and blogging and browsing and shopping that I rarely take the time to post cards in both places. Although, for some reason (perhaps because I am home all week) today I posted my Dancing, Just Because card on SCS. 4. Yes, I really am a lawyer (why would I lie about THAT?). TAGGED I've been tagged several times -- as a Rockin' Blogger and as a Blogger That Makes You Think. Thank You Very Much!! Isn't that sweet? I'm going to pass on tagging others as I'm sure almost every blog I visited has been tagged and I can't figure out how to get the Blogger Tag buttons on my blog anyway! I'm touched that anyone thinks I'm rocking or that I make anyone "think." In fact, stamping and thinking = bad combo sometimes!! LOL And, now the Card. As my teenage son would say -- Meh. Not wild about the card, but I just love this Memory Box Beach paper, and these stamps (popsicle from SU's retired Sparkling Summer and the words from a clear Stampendous set). I could not get this card to rock or think or anything else but I made it so I'm owning up to it! Oooh -- gotta go. Completely forgot about dinner!

Dancing, Just Because

This card uses one of the first stamps I bought -- 3 Dancing Hearts by Hero Arts. It is no longer available through Hero Arts, and if you are interested in obtaining it, let me know and I'll put you in my will. Speaking of dying... I bet you are just dying to know how I made this card, aren't you? I stamped the hearts twice with Memories Black ink on Stampin Up's So Saffron cardstock. I used a variety of Prismacolor pencils and my awesome kindergarten coloring skills to color in the hearts and then the background. I prefer not to use a smooth cardstock like SU's Whisper White, Beckett's Expression #80 or even Memory Box when using pencils, because I like a paper that has a little tooth to catch the crayons. The nice thing about pencils is that you can color over colored cardstock if you add enough layers. Every once in while I picked up a piece of a paper towel and rubbed it over the layers to help to blend them. There are so many layers here, and therefore so much pencil wax on the card, that I didn't think I could stamp over it. I held my breath and used Papertreyink's Paper Trey set and stamped "Just Because" in the Memories Black ink. "Just" came out fine, but "because" was a little spotty, so I worked over it with a Sharpie fine black pen. Added some brads, layered it on SU Black and Pixie Pink cardstocks and then mounted all of it on Memory Box Lime cardstock (LOVE this color and duplex quality of this paper) -- it matches the main image better IRL than on the screen. The finished card is 6 and 1/4" x 4" and is 100% approved by ME.

Joke Time!

Since my Mom's helper lady is on vacation, I took my Mom to the "55 and Over Club" today. It was literally 100 degrees today -- and so attendance was down (code orange, elderly stay inside). I so wanted to stay home and stamp, but off we went with my Mom's low sodium chicken salad sandwich and low potassium drink. Yes, I am a saint... speaking of which -- In the beginning, we pray and say the Pledge of Allegiance. Then the President (of the Club, not George Bush, ha ha, I'm on a roll tonight) reads some cute little stories and a joke. Here's the joke for this week: A couple was arguing about who should make the coffee. Wife: "I like to sleep in, it is the least you can do, since I do all the other cooking." Husband: "I have to go to work in the morning, I like to wake up to a freshly brewed cup." Wife: "But the Bible says the husband is to make the coffee." Husband: "That's ridiculous. If you can show me where it says in the Bible that the husband makes the coffee, I'll do it every day." So the wife whips out her Bible, and says, "Look here. The top of every page on this chapter says "He - Brews." Ha Ha!! I loved it!! I did make a card today, but I'm too worn out by losing at Bingo to upload it tonight. Later, alligator.

Quick Cards

Here are 2 cards I made for co-workers' birthdays. I needed to get them done in advance because the little party we have at work is today and I am off work this week. I used Memory Box matching cards and envelopes for both cards. Memory Box products are not that easy to find on line. I buy from Karen at Paperosity, Ellen Hutson, and Anna at Sassy and Sweet Crafts. All are listed in my $$$ links on the right! My local stamp store, Angela's Happy Stamper (about 25 minute drive for me, so not that local) also carries Memory Box and the owner of Memory Box, Dave Breuthauer, is coming to Angela's in September to teach two classes. I signed up immediately and cannot wait to learn from him. He is a master at watercoloring and using colored pencils on greeting cards and I love his style. For the top card, I adhered strips of 1 inch wide copy paper onto the Eggshell card and used temporary tape to hold down the strips while I stamped, creating a negative space border and then stamped SU Lilac ink and a flower from Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer Flowers set. I like this layout, but will take a little more time to place the flowers in a better arrangement next time I use it. The bottom card uses SU's Artfully Asian and CTMH's Card Sentiments set. The inside is "you are getting better." I used SU markers to color in both cards. Hope Jennifer and Ron like their cards! ****** No stamping today until I clean up the mess I created yesterday making a card (I'll post that later.) I've been keeping to this cleaning plan more or less for the past couple of weeks and it really helps keep me in the mood for stamping.

Copic Review from Your Average Stamper

Unless you are living in a stamper's cave, you have probably seen and read a LOT about Copic and other alcohol based markers (Prismacolor and Trio) in the past 2 months. These are professional grade markers used frequently in illustrations for Manga (Japanese Anime comics). They are designed primarily for drawing entire images -- not coloring in a stamped image. Used by a professional, they rock. But, to inject a note of reality -- it really helps to have talent when using a product (LOL) -- in other words, design team members are professionals. They are really good at what they do and whether they are using a Copic Marker or a #2 pencil, their work is fabulous. And I also try and remember that many design team members are getting these products free or at a greatly reduced cost. So I set out to see -- are Copic markers sufficiently better to be worth the price for ME -- the average non design team member stamper? I bought a few from my local art store, including the colorless blender. Luckily, I got them at 25% off the art store's regular price, but even at $4.50 a piece plus tax, that's a lot of stamping money. (Aside to my husband -- I owe it to my readers to investigate. This isn't stamping money, it is investigative journalism money, so get over it already...) I will be referring to this card I made with them as I discuss my experience (I purposely chose an image that had a larger piece to color -- in this case from Stampin Up's Summer by the Sea): Blending Ability: Look at the shirt and the pants. I used Copics on those and on the sand castle. Did I get a better result than if I had used water based markers, colored pencils, watercolor crayons, chalks, etc.? You decide: Here is a card I made a few months ago using watercolor paper and SU watercolor crayons and markers: Let me put it this way -- if you can blend and shade beautifully with the other mediums, you will blend and shade beautifully with the Copics. However, if -- like me -- you are blender/shading challenged, the Copics are easier than water based markers, etc. but I don't think that they are any easier than using watercolors -- at least for me. (Side note: If you look closely at the first card, you'll see that the Copic ink bled along the edges of the image. I stamped the image with Palette Noir ink onto Beckett's Expression #80 cardstock. Luckily, Ellen Hutson posted a comparison of inks with Copics on her blog Simple Dreams. Ellen came to the same conclusion that I did -- Palette Noir is not the best ink for Copics.) If you check closely again at the little boy, you'll see a bit of an outline on part of the boy (on the left side closest to the castle). I used the Warm Gray W1 Copic marker for this. This is my attempt to copy what I've seen design team members do (I have no shame, do I?). I've tried doing this type of outline before with other markers, and it always looked a little cheesy. I think the Copic gray marker worked much better for this type of shading and I recommend purchasing some of the neutrals if you are looking to achieve this effect and are not comfortable and happy with your results using other products. My bottom line: Using a Copic or other alcohol based marker will not transform you into an artist. When it comes to coloring in an image, you still need to know about source of light and all that artist stuff to really take advantage of these markers. I don't think they are the best use of my money for coloring in images. But, wait -- there's more. IMHO, the very best thing about an alcohol based marker, such as a Copic, is the ability to color stuff so that you can get coordinating paper, ribbon, etc. See the polka dot paper in my first card? It was originally white with red dots -- from Memory Box's Christmas Brights collection. However, I wanted it to coordinate with the creamy sand color of the main image. On a whim, I just picked up the wider end of the Skin White E00 Copic sketch marker and colored the paper. Here is the comparison. Is this great, or what?? The paper did not warp, bleed, or do anything strange. Note: Copics will bleed through to the other side of the paper. Therefore, they are of no value if you are coloring an image on a no layer card. Next -- the ribbon on my little boy card. It started out as White Stampin Up grosgrain ribbon. I went over it with the same Skin White E00 Copic marker and then very carefully edged it with the B04 Tahitian Blue Copic. If you use a heavy hand coloring in the ribbon, it will bleed onto the rest of the ribbon, so do it carefully. Voila -- perfectly matched ribbon, and kind of cute if I say so myself. The marker changes the feel of the ribbon -- it stiffens it. It feels heavier, but not in any way that was a problem. So, are Copics worth the price? That's for you to decide. For me, I will not be buying large quantities. But a few here and there to match patterned paper, yes.

My Mom and Vincent Van Gogh

This is a true story. Today the Washington Post ran a story about how a painting by Van Gogh was discovered underneath another one of his paintings. My Mom sees the headline and gets a glint in her eye. "You don't think this could be the same one do you?" I knew just what she meant.... My Mom grew up in the depression and quit school after 8th grade in order to help support her family. As the 3rd of 8 kids, that's what you did back then. Fast forward to 1974. Her daughter (that would be me) is accepted to law school and off I went to Washington DC. My Mom comes to visit and see her daughter the law student. She's never been to an art gallery. She decides that the first place she wants to go in DC is to the National Gallery of Art. If you've never been, this is a wonderful place. Built in the depression, it is huge and solid and cool and full of amazing things, including several works by Vincent Van Gogh. My Mom had never heard of Vincent, but as soon as she saw one of his paintings, she exclaimed -- "Wow, look at those brush strokes" and rubbed her hand all over the painting. I mean ALL over the painting, just feeling those amazing strokes. There was no guard or alarms back then, at least none I saw. But, I was stunned. My instinct told me that this was NOT A GOOD THING. I grabbed her and we ran out of that museum, down the wide staircase, like bats out of hell. When I explained to her how precious, how valuable, how rare, how expensive, how fragile the painting was, it was Mom's turn to be stunned. She had no idea that NO ONE lays a hand (literally) on a Van Gogh painting. Ever. Except for my Mom.

I'm Thinking,

which is almost never a good idea. I'm not getting a whole lot of fun out of stamping lately. I don't like what I make. It is kind of refreshing and a bit of a relief to say it out loud, so to speak. I'm purposely turning off comments on this post because I don't want anyone to think I'm saying this so you will all say "oh, but your stuff is great, don't be so down." I just feel like saying what is on my mind, to be the Faulkner of the stamping blog world for one night. So, I'm thinking....what am I good at? Or, as the nuns in grammar school would say "At what am I good?" 1. I'm a good editor. 2. I'm a good friend. 3. I'm a good Mom. 4. I'm a good daughter. 5. I'm a good employee. Loyal, conscientious and all that stuff. 6. I'm a good reader -- well, as long as it isn't literature. 7. I'm good at keeping a secret. 8. I'm good at driving (please, let's not have an accident now just for the whole irony thing.) I see it now, my husband coming on to the blog to say, scratch that Friday post, she's gone and hit a rock with the car.... now that I think of it, I did hit the same pole in the same place in the same parking garage 3 times, so forget the driving thing. 9. I'm good at typing. So glad I dropped physics for typing in high school, even if the evil nun physics teacher said I would never make it through college because I was a quitter. Hey, Sister Whatever. I'm a lawyer and you left the convent, so who's the quitter???? 10. I'm good at ordering Grande Caffe Vanilla Frap Light. 11. I'm good at giving money to street folks. Ok, I'm in a MUCH better mood now!!

Good Bye Daria

Here are 2 pictures of a Good Bye Retirement Card/Book I made for my best friend, Daria, who is retiring on Friday August 3rd. Daria and I met the day before law school started -- on August 20, 1974 -- and we've been thick as thieves ever since. We've been each other's friend, therapist, doctor, relationship adviser, confidante, etc. We've also worked in the same office since 1989 -- "OGC" stands for Office of the General Counsel. Did you notice that I: 1. Used the Bind It All, 2. Got the holes straight, and 3. Got the pages inside to turn? Our co-workers signed the pages and left really nice messages for her. Hint -- I cut and punched out the inside pages first and brought them into the office and had folks sign them so the cover of the book wouldn't get worn by folks' passing it around. Then I brought them home to assemble. Supplies Used: Lilykate paper by Basic Grey Stampin Up Banana, Bashful Blue and Celery Green cardstocks and markers and watercolor crayons SU black marker Watercolor paper Sponge SU Barely Banana Classic ink (sponged around the flowers) SU Blue brads Papertreyink Borders and Corners Square (used a portion for the faux stitching) SU Black Craft ink (the flowers are embossed) Cornish Heritage Farms Black Detail Embossing Powder Flowers from Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer Flowers set letters from CTMH Sans Small Caps and Sans Small Lowercase alphabet sets SU Black Classic ink (for the words) SU dimensionals Amuse Twinkle in the centers of the flowers for just a little bling bling SU Word Window punch Circle punch Bind It All Bind It All wires Japanese screw punch (to make holes for brads) Tombow Monomulti Glue Genesis Paper Trimmer

In A Word/Tips on Clear Stamps

In this case, the word is Love and this card is made with Technique Tuesday's NEW "In a Word: Love" set and Lilykate paper from Basic Grey. Add some Stampin Up Bashful Blue ink and cardstock and Beckett Expression #80 base cardstock, SU's Word Window Punch and you are done. (Of course, that doesn't count an hour of fiddling around with various ideas, but you get the drift.) ******* TIPS ON CLEAR STAMPS Yes, I'm a clear stamp junkie and have learned a lot about them over the past 6 months, so I thought I'd share some tips: 1. Buy good quality. I can recommend Papertreyink, Impression Obsession, My Favorite Things, Memory Box, Rusty Pickle, Close to My Heart, Stampendous, and Technique Tuesday without reservation. The jury is still out on Hero Arts and a few others. I like to use them a bit and see how they stand the test of time. If you are unfamiliar with a company, buy the cheapest thing they sell to test it out. I did this with an Inkadinkado clear set and was glad I did. I ended up throwing it out. 2. Storage: You HAVE to come up with a storage system. Unlike wood mounted rubber, these stamps are very very easy to lose (don't ask how I know that). They are, after all, clear and many are quite small. If you buy from CTMH, each set comes in its own heavy plastic folder and CTMH sells a nifty box to store sets. For my other clear sets, I use CD holders. It isn't a perfect solution, but the best I've come up with. 3. Cleaning: this isn't about HOW to clean. It is about actually cleaning and putting them away immediately. Because they are so easy to lose, it isn't worth buying them if you put off storing them after use. I am basically a slob stamper. It isn't unusual for me to wait weeks before cleaning my stamps. You cannot do that with clear. First, they behave better if they are stored away from dust and dirt. But, more importantly, you will lose them if you leave them laying around your stamping table. 4. Images: Clear stamps have not yet reached the level of sophistication in design that rubber stamps have. There are some areas where they are, IMHO, clearly (ha) superior -- anything where placement matters a lot -- alphabets, petals that form a flower, etc. They also are great for shapes like the Borders and Corners. However, you aren't going to find a stamp like the Cornish Heritage Farms' Thomas Kinkade rubber stamps. At least I haven't. 5. The acrylic blocks: These make a HUGE difference. I have bought them over the years and my earlier ones are now crystallized (and useless). Pay for good ones. I love the gridded ones sold by My Favorite Things and I love CTMH blocks. I'm sure that there are other great ones out there. Make sure the block is clear and doesn't distort the image of the paper below. I have two small square blocks, one of them distorts the image of the paper below so that placement doesn't work. I'm always off by a 1/4"! The other is truly clear and placement is perfect. I bought these a long time ago so I can't tell you what brands to avoid! If you are going to build faux ribbons, invest in several blocks of the same size -- long and narrow. There is nothing more annoying than taking the time to get the ribbon stamp straight on the block, inking it in red and then having to remove it to put another ribbon stamp on, and then having to remove the second stamp and put the first one back on. It is time consuming and messy. The blocks aren't that expensive. Take the plunge! Don't forget to clean the blocks once in a while. Whenever I stamp using an acrylic block, I always check the block to make sure ink isn't on it before I place the stamp on the paper. Eventually your hands will get dirty and the blocks will start to look a little grungy. Take the time to wash them with soap and water. It is time well spent. 6. Building words and sentences. Placement on the paper is easy with clear stamps. However, placement on the block isn't that easy -- especially with small letters and words. I have found much better results if I stamp one word or one letter at a time on to the paper, rather than trying to align the letters onto the block. Also, you will be able to get the letters closer to one another on the paper if you stamp them one at a time. However, if you put the letters on the block first, the trim on each clear letter will bump up against the next trim, putting a small space between the letters. For example, in the card above, "I Will Always" is 3 separate clear stamps and I stamped each one at a time, rather than trying to put them on a block at the same time. Capishe??

Distressed Dad

Someone at work suggested that she just might be interested in a 60th birthday card for her Dad, so I whipped this up tonight and hope she will like it. If not, it will get put to good use! I'm not terribly creative when it comes to masculine cards, especially since my husband loves bright bold colors. Supplies Used: Retired Stampin Up Cranberry Crisp cardstock and ink and ribbon; SU gold brads; vanilla shimmery paper (source unknown); retired CTMH Loves Me set (the scrolls); letters from Brand Spankin' New!! Technique Tuesday Provence Large Capital Alphabet; and some distressing from SU's Linen Background and Encore gold pigment ink; SU's dimensionals; and 1 3/8th and 1 1/4" round punches. Finally, the strip of patterned paper is from Basic Grey's 6x6 Perhaps collection. I added the Perhaps paper at the last minute -- the card really needed something to give the center strip a little more pizazz! ********** Thanks to those of you who took the time to respond to my last post about trying to learn digital scrapbooking. I will be home from work next week and will have more time to investigate the options. And an especially large thanks to Emily Giovanni, who emailed me with an offer to teach me over the phone! That is so sweet. I just don't have the chutzpah to take her away from her 3 adorable boys - in other words, I think I need more time than she realizes!!

I Want to Learn Digi Scrapbooking

I have Photoshop Elements 4 and an iMAC. I have Photoshop for Dummies and a couple of books/magazines on digiscrapbooking. I am still lost. Does anyone know of online classes that really work, or real life classes in the Northern VA area???

Borders and Corners Square #1

As you can see from the header on my blog, I love orange and blue. Supplies Used: Stamps: Papertreyink's Borders and Corners Square, Little Lady, and Faux Ribbon. Cardstock: Shimmery White; Stampin Up Bashful Blue; Ink: Stampin Up Bashful Blue, Always Artichoke, and Pumpkin; SU Artichoke marker; Embelllishments: SU white wide organdy ribbon; pumpkin eyelet; word window punch and corner rounder punch. Tools and Other items: Japanese Screw Punch, Mono Multi Adhesive, paper cutter, pearl accent from Ellen Hutson. Just so you know, I made the background with stamps -- used the rounded square from Borders and Corners Square at an angle and repeatedly stamped. The blue and pumpkin "ribbon" is faux. Also, this has a layer -- the top of the card is adhered to another shimmery white card. I lined them up before cutting, adhering and punching the rounded corners.

The BEST CHA 2007 Report EVER

Sure, you've read the other blogs, even looked at pictures, but MY CHA report is the BEST. Several months ago I posted a message on SCS asking if anyone could go to CHA or did you need a "connection." Low and behold I received an email from a lovely stamper who has a store and invited me to attend. I'll keep her name private. Chicago here I come!! I was squealing with delight. I mean CHA = Heaven in my book. My co-worker lawyers thought I was truly a goner, but really, do lawyers' opinions count on matters of prime life importance? I won't even answer that.... The icing on the cake is that Debbie Olson, my favorite stamper in the universe, and I agreed to share a room. Now that is the jackpot of all deals as far as I'm concerned and who knew what kind of emergency legal advice Debbie might need at CHA. It was clearly a match meant to be. I immediately imagined taking out a stamped image and struggling with shading it and having Debbie graciously offer -- "would you like me to show you a few tips?" Voila, I would be a mini Debbie in no time!!!! I'd be blending and concept designing and making focal points! My corners would be square, my layers even. Companies would be begging to send me their products to try. CHA + Debbie Olson = Heaven squared!! Let me tell you, I had the time of my life!!!! It was so worth the money to fly to Chicago and see all of the amazing papers and stamps and ribbons and embellishments in these incredibly creative displays. Felt was everywhere. Felt and texture and flocking and die cut chipboard and incredible ribbons. Alas, I couldn't take any pictures myself because I was only there in my dreams. HUGE PITY PARTY FOR SAINT JOAN STARTS RIGHT THIS MINUTE. I couldn't go. I had to cancel. Fast forward to today (stay with me here, it's related). My son is a very picky eater, preferring anything likely to get him into a cardiologist's office in 10 years. So he isn't going to eat the low fat vegetarian mexican casserole I made for tonight (I'm pretty amazing, aren't I??). Anyway, I explain to him that I am really struggling to find something that he likes that is at least not bad for him and ask him if he has any advice (my sneaky Mom trick to make him think I am soliciting advice when I'm just fooling with his head.) So my 16 year old says: "Mom, you are a good Mom." HUGE PITY PARTY FOR JOAN OFFICIALLY OVER! I'm doing the Cha Cha Cha, but not the craft kind. I'm a happy woman!

Strokes of Luck

The buzz on the alcohol based markers is that they don't leave "lines" or stroke marks. So, I decided to play up that "feature" of the water based markers and created this vibrant orange background with my good old Stampin Up markers (the ones that I thought were expensive until I saw the prices of the Copic, etc!!). I had sooo much fun making this card that the result almost doesn't matter. How I made this card: I stamped each petal of the Loves Me small Technique Tuesday set in Memories Black ink onto shimmery white paper. Since the petals are clear, placement was a snap. I let it set for a good hour or so so the black wouldn't smudge. Oh, I did lots and lots to these petals! Practically wore out the paper trying to get what I wanted -- watercolor crayons, markers, blender pen. When all was said and done, I ended up using SU shades of blue -- ballet, bashful and brilliant crayons and markers. Made a bit of a mess, but salvageable. It looks better IRL than in this pic, honest! The background started out as just some Apricot watercolor crayon around each flower. Then summer sun marker and then, bam, I just went for it with an only orange marker. Too much fun. I really liked the stroked pattern -- reminds me of sun rays. I cut out part of the background around some of the petals just to make it more interesting. I fooled around with the center of the flower, trying out all manner of embellishments. My son told me to ixnay the ribbon and button I had spent a half hour working on, and I decided he was right and used a huge brad from Making Memories. I stamped Best of Luck from the Papertreyink line on a punched out piece of blue cardstock, but really, the flower just needed to BE center stage, so I dumped that and went with the Best of Luck directly on the paper, hoping it would be straight and clear. Success. Whew. After spending a lot of time on a card, you just hate to ruin it in the last seconds, KWIM? Isn't stamping fun????

Borders and Corners Circle #2

I purposely made this card very simple -- few layers and embellishments. It is going to my FIL, who is currently undergoing treatment for a pulmonary embolism. Supplies Used: Stampin Up Cool Carribean and Close to Cocoa cardstocks; Basic Grey Blush 6x6 paper; PapertreyInk Borders and Corners Circle set; brad from Prima Accents (purchased from Paperosity); SU Close to Cocoa Classic and Craft inks -- to get good coverage on the circle sentiment I stamped a bit with the Craft and then continued with Classic); Marvy Uchida circle punches and extra jumbo scallop punch. The extra jumbo size (1.5") scallop punch is so cute, and so much easier to use on a small card than the mega and giga sizes. It is also a pretty yellow. *************** I'm still cleaning my stamp room, but I have made enormous progress. My goal is to clean up after I make each card (as Mary from It's All About the Journey does!!). So obvious, yet so difficult to follow through.

Borders and Corners Circle #1

I numbered this entry because I am IN LOVE with Papertreyink's new Borders and Corners sets, and I intend to make and post a lot of cards with these sets. So versatile! This card uses the Borders and Corners Circle set. It did not turn out as I had originally planned, so I thought I'd show you a bit of the steps I used before I got to the final version. I made the center set of circles with the Marvy Mega scalloped punch and circles cut with my Creative Memories circle cutter. The center circle is stamped with items from Papertreyink's Faux Ribbon and Little Lady sets, and and I stamped the little flowers from the Borders and Corners Circle set into each scallop. Both the center circle and the scallop are from a piece from Memory Box's Homespun collection. It is a very light yellow and white floral design. But it was a little plain, so I punched holes inside the center of each flower in each scallop. I wanted to punch through the red mat, and using the Japanese Screw Punch made that very easy. Here is the original background that I had hoped to use. I took another piece from the Memory Box Homespun collection and stamped it using SU Real Red Classic ink with a few of the items from the Borders and Corners Circle set. While I loved the background I created, I did not like the center piece with it. I think it fights, rather than enhances, it. (Do I sound like an art - eest or what????) So --- after adding a couple of Stampin Up So Saffron brads and some stiched ribbon (source unknown) -- I decided to use yet another piece from the Homespun collection. This one already had some red in it, so I left it alone and matted it on SU Real Red cardstock and the same floral that I used in the center of the card and ended up with this: And then I went to bed! ps. isn't stamping fun?

Where Have I Been?

I received a few messages asking if I was all right. Yes, I'm fine. My Mom fell last week and was back in the hospital, but she is back home again. My stamping room is stocked to the gills with new stuff (stress=purchasing!!) so I am eager to stamp and post some more stuff. So thanks for your messages!

Strawberries

Supplies Used: Shimmery White, Rose Red and Black cardstocks; Memories Black Ink; Stampin Up Rose Red brads and marker and Pretty in Pink, Garden Green and So Saffron Markers; strawberry from Stampendous Little Fruit clear set; lady bug from Memory Box Garden clear set; May Arts Ribbon; SU Sage Advice, slot and corner rounder punches; little black dots around each hole in the scallops source unknown. Green dotted lines clear stamp -- source unknown.

Quilted Sugar

I've been meaning to make a "quilt" card ever since I saw this card on Debbie Olson's blog. You'll notice that Debbie's card is sewn and is beautiful. And, mine is not -- sewn that is! I do not know how to use a sewing machine (my Mom was a seamstress, but she "wanted me to have the kind of life where I could afford store bought clothes.") Can you tell she grew up in the depression? I would have done some faux sewing on this card but I can't find my paper piercer or template! Good grief, that's after I did some cleaning. Except for using an oval that is a bit too large for this card, I am LOVING this quilt effect. It makes easy, fabulous use of coordinated pieces of scrap paper. Debbie cut out 1.5" squares, but I knew that I would use whatever size my square punch is -- in this case 1 3/8". I followed Debbie's 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 pattern and glued each piece on top of another piece of coordinating paper. Then I trimmed, matted, and voila, done. My Japanese screw punch came in handy again -- punching through several layers of paper and the ric rac. Supplies: Memory Box Sugar Collection paper; Stampin Up Pewter Oval Hodgepodge Hardware; brads and ric rac from Chelsea Prima Accents collection; SU Pretty in Pink cardstock and Certainly Celery Marker and oval punches. Pretty in Pink cardstock coordinates with the Sugar collection of paper, but Certainly Celery cardstock does not. For some reason, the celery ink was a good enough match. Base is a shimmery white cardstock (source unknown). Sentiment from Papertreyink.

The Match Game

I'm on a quest to use my non Stampin Up patterned papers and match them to my vast collection of Stampin Up inks, markers, crayons, chalks, ribbons, cardstock, etc. -- you get the picture! In this card, the background papers are from Memory Box's Sugar collection, which I purchased from Ellen Hutson. These 6 x 6 double sided papers are a great bargain and I love every one of Memory Box's collection. I colored in the flowers from SU's Sassy Stems with every pink marker and watercolor crayon that SU makes! I added some So Saffron around the edge and inside the vase, along with a few shades of green crayons for the stems. Yellow Amuse twinkles dot the center of the flowers. Other supplies used: words from a cute Wordsworth set, SU Old Olive Brads and cardstock and SU's Pretty in Pink for a base. Two square scallop punches, SU's Word Window punch, watercolor paper and brush, water, Mono Multi glue, and Memories Black ink. My Japanese screw punch punched right through 4 layers of paper -- including the watercolor paper. Love that thing!! I spent a lot of time fiddling with this card -- ribbon, ric rac, other punches for the words, other words, etc. all were added and removed, until I finally looked up and saw that hours had gone by. Sometimes, you just have to stop.

Hey Mike, Relax!

My husband works very long hours, although he spends a lot of time working from home (nights and weekends). Mike loves to play his guitar, read, exercise, and watch a little TV (he's been known to watch Jon & Kate Plus 8 and Mystery Diagnosis with me!). He loves bright colors, so here is a little card I made for him -- to remind him to RELAX. Supplies: Stampin Up Summer Sun and Basic Black cardstocks, vintage black brads, various markers, small corner rounder; 1 3/8", and 1 and 1/4" punches; Stampendous Clear Set "Little Things," non SU shimmery white cardstock; water, paintbrush, and Black Memories Ink.

Hoppy and Proud

I made this card for our son to celebrate some accomplishments. We'll tuck a little cash inside the card to sweeten the deal! How I made this card: All supplies are Stampin Up unless otherwise noted. The base of the card is Naturals -- it is sturdier than white or ivory cardstock and works well with this color palette. I stamped the little frogs from the Very Punny set with Black Memories ink onto shimmery white cardstock. I let them dry for a few minutes and then colored in the frogs and the surrounding paper with various markers -- I was trying to match the mustardy gold Bazzil paper that I used to make the background. A combination of caramel, more mustard, cameo coral, blush blossom and a little barely banana around the frogs did the trick. I made the background paper with Papertreyink circle stamps from Green Thumb (I think -- my clear stamps have sort of gotten mixed up ....). Clear stamps are at their best when making a background -- the solid stamps work great and it is easy to see where you are going. However, it wasn't that easy, as I messed up the textured side of the Bazzil paper (actual color unknown). So, I flipped it over and again stamped the large circle with Creamy Carmel classic ink and the smaller one with SU's Basic Black. I also used some clear ribbon stamps from either Papertreyink or Limited Edition (organization isn't my strong suit) to add a little interest behind the frogs. Matted the frogs on basic black cardstock, used the small corner rounder to round out the edges of the card and the frogs, adhered some black vintage brads. Made the tag with Too Terrific Tags with the same ink and cardstock as the card, and used the small slot punch to thread black grosgrain ribbon that I had colored with mustard and caramel markers. The colors of the ribbon match well IRL. Now that I've colored the black gingham twice, I'm stocking up on this stuff!! I adhered the matted frog layer with some Mono Multi glue, making sure to leave room for the tag, and then I stepped back and was happy.

Mystery Revealed

So what was Poor Thing Andy doing? Sitting on a bench behind some bushes reading a book. No girl (too shy) No ice cream (not enough $) No skateboard (can't do that stuff -- lack of coordination -- long story) No Ipod (not that interested in Music) No video game store at this shopping area No friends in the area Nope, lost in his own Andy world, reading. Now, no one got an exact answer, but Michele Zwart was the first one to guess reading so she wins! Michele, send me a private message at Splitcoast -- I am Joan B, and we will go from there. You will enjoy dealing with Karen at Paperosity! By the way, I read most of these answers to Andy and we both had a good laugh. He said, they don't know me very well, so they?? Back to cleaning my stamp room. Good grief, this is the worst it has ever been!

SU Catty Review Part Two and a Card

First, the card -- this is the second of 3 baby cards I am making, with the intent to sell. (Do I sound like a drug dealer or what??). I made the baby background with a clear stamp from Stampendous Silhouettes. Just kept inking it with SU's real red and summer sun classic inks. Very easy, although it took awhile. The giraffe is from a clear Memory Box At the Zoo set, and the Summer Sun stripes behind the giraffe are actually Memory Box "grass" from its clear Greenery collection. I just turned it on its side and stamped it 3 times, the middle in a different direction. The giraffe is sporting an Amuse twinkle for an eye. The rest of the card is shimmery white cardstock, SU's real red and summer sun cardstocks; SU bold bright brad and red gingham ribbon. I took an SU Summer Sun marker and just ran it along the white portion of the ribbon to make a red and yellow ribbon. (I'm so happy with the result!!) The card itself is a Holly Memory Box card, which matched well with the SU real red, given that you can't see too much of it. However, the inside is white, and I like that touch. *************** SU Catty Review, Part 2 If you don't already have the catalog, you'll be able to see it on SU's website tomorrow. In the meantime, here are a few more of my opinions. The catalog itself is the best so far. Organized nicely, with new accessories highlighted as new and featured on the bottom of the stamp pages. They done good. A few items that I really like: Jumbo Eyelets -- Antique Brass and Pewter -- $9.95 for 60 eyelets. Photo Corner Punch -- it punches out 2 different sizes. I already have a similar punch, but this is $15.95 and I think will be quite popular. Lots of Chipboard -- circles, and flowers and scallops, and ovals and photo corners. You want chipboard, you got it! The new InColors -- gorgeous. 100% percent winners -- much better than last year's. Sentiment Sets -- there are several nice ones, particularly Hugs & Wishes, Holidays & Wishes and All Holidays-- nice, interesting fonts with a variety of useable sayings. The first 2 are 6 sentiments each for $17.95 and the latter has 12 sentiments for $31.95. Backgrounds -- Each is $17.95 Tres Chic -- a word background, with different fonts and large words, such as Adore, Classic, Genuine, Create, Hope, etc. I can see getting this and using the words individually -- just cut it up and use unmounted. For the money, you get a LOT of words -- about 21, and some swirls. B Baroque -- Big solid bold graphic image -- similar to a background SU had in a winter mini a couple of years ago (or is it the same thing??). This is the kind of thing I wouldn't spend 5 cents on -- except I remember seeing some cards make with that other background. They were stunning. This will be on my first order. Great way to make those difficult sympathy cards. A Dot Spot -- rows of different circles within circles. Frankly, I'm tired of circles, so I'll give this a C+. Posy -- is this new? I think so, although it looks like other backgrounds. Kind of dated looking to me -- small flowers connected with vines. C En Francais -- another version of French Script. If you missed out on French Script, this is nice. Otherwise, why get another one. It does have a very nice font -- lots of elegant swirls. A if you don't have French Script; D if you do! Sanded -- I like this one. It looks like it will leave a sanded impression (duh) A Flower Friend -- Most unusual for SU. I like seeing them branch out. It is one huge flower. A circle with a scallop around it and the word friend underneath. It isn't for me, but many folks will make gorgeous with this one. B Friend by Definition -- remember the other definition background, the name escapes me? This is identical in style, except instead of defining Love, it has typed letters with the definitions of friend. Nice. B Polka Dot -- SU, what took you so long??? LOL I have the Cornish Heritage Farms one and love it. I wonder how this compares. Looks similar. A Happiness -- not pictured with the backgrounds -- for a good reason. It is really 9 rows of images on one big block. Great value if you buy it for $17.95 and cut and use unmounted. The rows consist of diamonds, words, solid background with flowers and circle dots (again), stripes, the word HAPPINESS, little daisies; another stripe (vertical), polka dots and flowers. Not bad for the price. As a background for an entire card - D; as 9 different stamps B+. Christmas Sets -- You can form your own opinions. There are a few that I like, but I'm not wild enough about most of them to purchase. None are in the "buy it or die" class!! Well, there's lots more, but I think you've heard enough of my opinion. Can't wait to hear everyone else's. New catty time is a blast!

SU Catty Review Part One!

is in the house. I thought I'd share a few of my opinions. Level One Hostess Sets: Event Full: 6 stamps with line drawings and sayings on each one. Stocking/fill 'er up; graduation cap/ hats off; cake on wagon/ you take the cake; bunny jumping out of a hat/ you amaze me; hanger with hearts hanging down/hang in there; peapod with 3 peas, one is smiling; sweet pea. Grade: B So Many Sayings: 3 rectangles full of sayings in different fonts, etc. Things like love of a lifetime, missing you, celebrate life, small wonder. Each block has about 10 sayings, so this is an absolute STEAL of a deal -- but unrelated sayings are on the same block. This set cries out for cutting up and going unmounted. Grade: A+ (if you go unmounted); B- if mounted as shown in catty. Oh, So Lovely: set of 4 stamps. Reminds me of Art of Life. One is a long rectangle that is kind of scratchy and then 3 individual flowers in a light double line style that will each fit on top of the rectangle. Very nice. Grade: A Party Punch: set of 6 desgined to go with either the Designer Label Punch (3) and the Tab Punch (3). Grade: B Creative License Simply Scrappin: colors are pumpkin pie, soft sky, wild wasabi and blue bayou (nice combo, by the way). And you get some textured paper (looks like Bazzil). I can never figure out how to use these kits, but if you like scrappin kits, this is a solid A. Sidekick Sayings: set of 3 stamps. Each is a rectangle, with a saying in a font like Friendship Flowers and each has an image to the right of the saying. Christmas is here .... with a tree; the grand essentials of happiness are ....with a branch with leaves; let us be grateful to people who make us happy with a flower. The images are the double line doodle style. This is a nice idea. I think the words are a bit close together, making them hard to read. For that reason I'm giving this one a B-. end of Level One Sets************ A New Hardware Kit -- Pretties Kit $29.95 Nice, very nice. White embellishments and a lot of them -- flowers, pearls, rhinestone brads, beads, etc. You can dye the flowers, which come in 5 sizes (10 each size). I think this is a good buy and give it an A+. More on Stamps: There are some baroque style stamps -- similar to the Baroque Motifs we've seen in the sneak preview and Carte Postale, which is in this catalogue. One is a set called Illuminations. It is 4 stamps, each is a large letter followed by the rest of the wordwith a lot of swirls around the words. It is $28.95 and has an old English feel. The words are Cherish, Joy, Hope, and Thanks. This is one of those sets that isn't my style, but someone else will do something awesome with it!! I'm giving it a C+, partly based on the price. With tax and shipping, that's about $8 a stamp, which is reasonable given the cost of other wood mounted, but I'm just not loving this one enough to pay this amount. Some Western Theme Sets: Hey, I'm a Yankee, so I shouldn't even try and grade these (but I will anyway). Wanted: set of 8, with a solid horse, star, paisley, the word "WANTED" in a Western style (duh) and a few medallion type stamps. $22.95. This is pretty nice. Not something I'd probably buy, but nice. A good B. Bronc Buster: set of 4. A rodeo guy on a bucking bronco in a solid scribbly style, with some flourishes, a stamp that says Genuine The One and Only with a star in the middle; another star with some flourishes and another flourish. B- Starstruck: a set of 6 small stamps. Sort of like Little Pieces only each one has a star in it. $10.95 A+ if you like stars!! Probably a B- for me. Bronco Wheel: this goes with the Bronc Buster and Wanted sets. Kind of a scribbly/solid style with a badge, doodles, a boot with spurs and a steer head(?). $6.50 This is soooo NOT me. C- Do you like dots and circles? There are a lot of sets similar in style to Big Pieces. One is Big Flowers and a coordinating Little Flowers. Big Flowers is a set of 8 for $22.95 and Little Flowers is a set of 6 much smaller stamps for $10.95. Each stamp is a circle with a flower in it and there are a fair amount of dots and scallops. Pretty nice. Not different enough for me, but talented stampers will make really nice stuff with this. B+ Ginormous Flowers set of 6 for $28.95 -- think Big Flowers only really big! I have too many similar flowers, but if you are looking for some big solid shapes, this is for you. B+ Garden Whimsy: A set of 8 for $23.95. I like this one a lot. Solid butterflies, tulip, snail and lady bug with two sentiments and a couple of small bugs with tails. Each has swirls and dots built into the design. Do I need this? No. Will I get it? Probably. Solid stamps are easy -- this will make quick pretty cards. I'm giving it an A-. Whimsy Jumbo Wheel -- more dots and swirls. It's nice enough but how many swirls and dots does a stamper need? I won't buy it, B-. More later, have to go be a domestic goddess....

Soon, Baby, Soon

I made this card for a co-worker, who is expecting her second child (a boy) in July. In all honesty, I was stumped by these little silhouette stamps. They are quite small -- almost too small. So I fooled around for about 3 days until I found a way to incorporate this pregnant woman into a card. I wanted a suitable sentiment, but nothing I had fit, until I saw the word "soon" and I knew I had hit the jackpot for a 9 months pregnant woman in July in DC!!! The inside text is "Hang in There!" Supplies: Stamps: Stampendous Sassy Silhouettes and Impression Obsession Clear Set Sentiments II; Memory Box Homespun and Eggshell papers; Stampin Up cream grosgrain ribbon, blue eyelet and Bashful Blue cardstock; Marvy scallop and oval punches. The base of the card is made with White Papertreyink cardstock -- sent to me for free, courteous of Robyn, a/k/a The Pink Stamper, and Robynstamps on Splitcoast. BTW, totally awesome paper for the base of a card. I wish I didn't have 10,000 (it seems) sheets of white cardstock already! Robyn also sent me an amazing collection of cards -- all of which I will post soon. Isn't that sweet?

Poor Thing Mom Mystery Contest

No stamping today. Just a mystery and a contest with a prize. I had to pick up Poor Thing Son at 4:30 pm today. I gave him "clear" instructions -- stand here in front of Maggie Moos at 4:30 and I'll be there to pick you up. Maggie Moos is an ice cream shop and is in an outdoor "village" of stores, restaurants, book store, library, theaters, etc. Long story short, by 5:00, no Poor Thing Son, but a very worried, very HOT, Poor Thing Mom. After searching for a half hour, I went from annoyed to scared to freaked out. So, I got back in my car to shift the search from foot to vehicle, and as I was driving through the shopping village I spied him. He was . . . So, what was Andy (age 16) doing during the half hour I was having a nervous breakdown? Comment on this post and describe what you think Andy was doing. First person to guess what Andy was doing will win a $35 gift certificate to Paperosity One guess per person. If you live outside of the USA, please check and make sure that Paperosity ships to your home or you are not eligible. I'll announce the winner on Sunday July 1. The fine print: (I didn't go to law school for nuttin') Please leave your name with your entry. At least a first name with an initial for your last name. Anonymous won't work! I will be asking you to contact me through Splitcoaststampers to claim your prize. You will have a week to claim your prize, after that, well, I'll run another contest! Oh, and am I affiliated with Paperosity? No, just love the store!

Poor Thing Son

My order from Paperosity came today, chock full of Memory Box stamps!! I love this store and Karen is sooo easy to deal with. Thanks, Karen for the extra goodies!! I decided to break in Mr. Penguin to make a card for my Poor Thing Son. He started his first sort of real job last week. He is working in an office for 8 weeks this summer. Has to wear nice clothes, etc. Poor Thing Son's comments so far: "I'm in a cubicle with no window!" "Why did we move so far from the city, this commute is killing me." "I have to get up at 6!!" "It's boring being in an office all day." "I worked through lunch because it was interesting." Hey, welcome to my world!! And your Dad's and several hundred million other worker bees!! Anyway, I'll give this card to him tomorrow and wish him some happiness at his "job." Geesh, kids nowadays. Were we this lazy when we were 16??? Note: IRL the card and the images are not blurry!! Supplies Used: Memory Box Posey Penguin (wood) and clear Modern Elements for the little background flowers; Stampin Up Warm Words (I think, the stamp is out of the box); Memory Box Homespun collection (the green gingham) and Holly cardstock from Ellen Hutson's store; SU Black Cardstock and Basic Black ink; White gel pen; SU Real Red marker.

Autism Contest Card Gallery

Finally! Here are the adorable cards stampers made with Gina K's Love You to Pieces Set. Gina designed this stamp set specifically to raise funds for Autism Speaks. (Hint: it is still available and funds will still go to Autism Speaks). As I posted earlier, I picked an envelope out of a box and Christy Nelson won an awesome prize -- a $50 gift certificate to Gina's store, donated by Gina. Gina has proven to be one of the most talented and big hearted stampers in our little community. Thanks, Gina. Now, sit back and enjoy these cards -- each one sure to bring a smile to someone's heart. (Note: they are blank inside and I am going to donate them to the troops in Iraq.)

Beautiful Baby

I'm making a set of 3 baby cards for a woman who expressed interest in buying some. Hopefully, she'll be pleased. Here's my first effort -- I was looking for a gender neutral, simple look. I like the way this came out -- if my potential customer doesn't buy it, I know I'll use it myself. Supplies: Memory Box Sage Duplex Card and checked paper from its Homespun collection; Stampin Up Mini Mates Stamp Set, cream ribbon, brad, lilac cardstock and ink; Impression Obsession words. (I wish I had lilac ribbon, but the cream was a good substitute.) A little trick for easy placement of a small wood mounted stamp -- I took the stamp off the wood mount, slapped it on my acrylic block, stamped 3 times, and put it right back on the wood! I'm not sure how many times I could do this without wrecking the stamp, but it sure came in handy for these little safety pins. (I know I could use the stamp - ma - jig, but I'd have to find it first!!)

Dad's Day

My husband is a great Dad. I could write a book on how patient and caring he is. Instead, I made him a card for him from his teenage son! And, here's the inside of the card: Supplies: Memory Box Holly card; Marvy Uchida Rectangle punch; SU Night of Navy ink and cardstock and Brilliant Blue ink (more on that later); SU Real Red marker; Sakura White Gel Pen; SU Unfrogettable stamps set; Amuse Arts small polka dot alphabet (clear) and the circle stamp is from Impression Obsession Mod Flowers; EK Success 1 inch circle punch. I measured the center of the card towards the top so I would know where to place the rectangle punch and cut out the window of the card. The duplex (white on the inside) nature of these Memory Box cards cry out for windows once in a while. My husband likes really bright cards, so I originally stamped "dad" (one letter at a time) in the brilliant blue ink -- just closed the card and stamped right through the window. However, when I stamped the circles in the same Brilliant Blue, of course, they came out much darker. So, because the alphabet it clear, I was able to ink up "dad" again with Night of Navy ink and it came out perfectly. I find that it is easier to line up the letters or a word with clear stamps if I stamp one word or one letter at a time, rather than trying to get them to line up perfectly on the acrylic block.

Graduation Part Three

My final graduation card for 2007 -- this one is for a friend of my son's. Natalie will graduate from high school on Saturday. They grow up and away! Too wonderful and too sad. Supplies used: Memory Box Sugar Plum duplex card and coordinated paper from the Sugar collection. Memories Black ink; Wordsworth clear graduation stamp; Amuse Arts mini twinkle. No soapbox today!!

Stamping With a Purpose

Personal soapbox alert! Before I get to that, here is the card I made for my father in law for Father's Day. You'll see in a minute why this prompted my soapbox alert. Supplies Used: Cardstock and Inks by SU: Real Red and Always Artichoke; non SU shimmery white cardstock; frog image Rubber Soul; heart by Memory Box; words from Impression Obsession (a set of individual clear words); Cuttlebug Heart Embossing Folder; bling on flower by Amuse Arts twinkle mini. Ok, now that the card is out of the way, here's my problem and my solution. Problem: stamping with no purpose This wastes my money and time -- two things that I happen to like! I've been randomly making cards with no particular purpose other than to have fun. While having fun is a good thing, I've been struggling with the point of this hobby, given its expense, time and space hogging qualities. Sunday is Father's Day. Today is Tuesday. I had no card ready -- and my FIL is many miles away. So, tonight, after rushing so fast to make this card that I forgot the artichoke layer under the frog, and really was too stressed to enjoy my little froggie, I'll slog through a thunderstorm to get to the post office to mail this priority mail (wasting even more time and money). Solution: stamping with a purpose I'm not looking to get published or to try for a design team or to make money. So, what can I do to infuse this hobby with a purpose? I'm making a list of all the cards I know I'll need for the next few months and I'll work my way through the list. Next, I'll be sending cards to the folks who send them to the troops for their use, and I'll be sending RAKs. There is always the need for a bit of brightness in someone's life. So, instead of making and posting stuff and letting the cards pile up, I'll be directing my money, time, and energy to something useful and purposeful. Whew, I feel better already!! Now -- off to the post office . . . . and yes I am going to photograph and post the autism contest cards. It is on my to do list!!

Graduation Part Two

This card is for my nephew Ian, who -- along with his twin Ali -- is graduating from high school this week. Congratulations!! Supplies Used: Memory Box card (Vanilla Bean); Stampin Up Brushed Gold cardstock; star stamp is from a clear set on my table. I think it is from Memory Box's clear Modern Elements set (things are still a bit messy. . .); graduation word block from Art Gone Wild; graduation cap Santa Rosa; SU Chocolate Chip marker to color in cap and to stamp the stars; Sakura glitter gold pen for the tassle and the middle of the stars. The white cardstock is the other side of a scrap from the Vanilla Bean card (yes, my first attempt resulted in scrap paper!). The Vanilla Bean card is identical in color to SU's Chocolate Chip -- I'm annoyed that my camera casts a reddish tone to it, which I've been unable to remove from the picture; however, the texture of Memory Box is quite different. It is smoother than typical cardstock and the fact that the inside of the card is white is so slick!! This also has a matching envelope -- I'll use a mailing label for the address. Due to the new postal rates, I'm avoiding using bulky embellishments on cards that I am going to mail. What a major drag!! I think the crafting industry needs to lobby Congress on this one.

Graduation Part One

Having spent some time yesterday rearranging the piles in my stamp room, I cleared off a big enough spot to make some graduation cards. Here is the first one (for a girl) -- I'll be posting more of them later this week. Supplies Used: Memory Box Card (Sugar Plum); Stampin Up Chocolate Chip Classic Ink; Papertrey Ink Little Lady (scroll dots stamped twice); Brown Prima Accent Flower; SU's Looks Like Spring Punch with which I punched out a flower using some 6x6 patterned paper from the Sugar collection by Memory Box; pearl accents; Hero Arts Happy Graduation stamp. What I especially like about the Memory Box cards is that they are made with duplex paper -- meaning that the insides of all their cards are white. I think it gives the card a more professional look. They also came with matching envelopes and I stamped a few of the swirl dots on the envelope as well. On the down side, most of my inks are Stampin Up inks, and they do not match the Memory Box color palette. Thus, the need to buy more inks -- of course!

Got a Hero in Your Life?

Look no further. Karen at Paperosity has some really nice military themed sets from Art Declassified. They are unmounted rubber on cling foam. I particularly like the sets called Hero. Here's a pic of one of the sets. *********** So, why no card to post? Hmm. My stamp room was/is the worst it has ever been. I have 3 tables and one chair. Even the chair was piled with stuff. It took me an hour and a half this morning just to collect all the paper and put it on my bed so I could see the stamps that must be cleaned and put away. And then there are the punches, inks, etc. -- you get the picture. I also removed a huge trash bag of, well -- trash! So enough of the ying yang, time to go back to cleaning....

Stamping Royalty Winners

Papercrafts Magazine recently announced their winners! Not surprisingly, Debbie Olson was one of the crowned! Congrats, Debbie! You rock. You can get all the details at PaperCrafts magazine blog. Just scroll down a bit.

Simple Joys

Yum -- strawberry shortcake! Papertrey Ink stamps! Not sure which is better, but both bring real joy! Supplies Used: Shimmery white cardstock (source unknown); Stampin Up Real Red and Green Galore Cardstock, Black Gingham ribbon; Classic Black ink; brads;Corner Rounder punch (with the guard removed to make the scallops); and Papertrey Ink Green Thumb stamp set. I know that I've seen a card similar to this one, but I cannot recall where I saw it. If you made one that looks like this, please let me know so that I can credit you with the inspiration. ********** Does anyone else have an ATG gun and have trouble with it? I cannot get the roll of tape to dispense smoothly -- the whole roll gets all messed up. It worked fine for a while but I just put in a new roll (actually, my husband did!) and it is messing up again. Is this me, do I have a defective gun, or are they all like this?

Chatterbox Card

This card is 5" x 7" -- a nice change. I picked up a Chatterbox Card kit at Michaels today. This one is the Beachhouse Kit and comes with 3 different designs -- a floral, a polka dot and a striped -- all with a different design in the inside, and matching green envelopes. It also came with coordinating stickers, but I'm not a big sticker fan. I think I'll use them for the envelope flap. I took the polka dot card and cut a piece of it to add some interest to the top of the floral card. Aren't these flowers gorgeous? Warm Birthday Greetings is from Impression Obsession and the flourishes are from Papertrey Ink, both stamped in SU's Old Olive Classic ink. I added some May Arts pink polka dot ribbon a some Stampin Up pink brads. You would think that with the cards already made, patterned paper and all, this would have been a snap. But, nope, took a while! I swear every week that I will stamp and post more often. I keep breaking my promises to myself. Maybe next week I will be better!

Krafty Birthday Wishes

Here's a basic all-purpose birthday card that is easy to make -- and you can substitute any favorite color combo. Supplies Used: Papertreyink Green Thumb set for the flowers and center dot; Impression Obsession WP17 Sentiments II for Warm Birthday Wishes (3 different clear stamps); Limited Edition Art Warehouse Ribbons and Lace clear stamp set (to make the faux ribbon pieces); Stampin Up Kraft and Night of Navy cardstocks and classic inks; Stampin Up Sage Shadow classic ink; and the shiny green mini brads are from Prima Accents in Meadow purchased from Paperosity. About the Sentiments II set, you get a boat load of clear words for $17.00 and they stamp beautifully. However, the beginning and end of each word is surrounded by a bit of extra "photopolymer" -- a/k/a acrylic -- but way stronger. In order to get the words nice and close to one another, trim the beginning and end of each word prior to placing on your clear block. I had to experiment about 10 times to get just the right placement -- the downside to clear stamps. But, the combinations I can make with this set are truly huge!!

MOD Summer

I don't plan out each element of my cards -- making sure I have coordinating accessories, etc. I just make one piece at a time -- a bit impulsively -- which is why I wish I had made the "Just Because" oval with Rose Red ink, instead of Celery, but I didn't figure that out until the whole card was done. Bad stamper!! How I made this card: All inks and cardstock from Stampin Up: Certainly Celery, Rose Red, Barely Banana, and Cameo Coral (right from the SU color wheel). Flowers from Impression Obsession's Mod Flowers clear set. "Just Because" is from Impression Obsession Oval Greetings clear set, stamped with Celery ink onto white cardstock and cut out. I used the Japanese Screw Punch to punch through the oval and the SU Celery ribbon. The "striped paper" is made with Art Warehouse clear Ribbon and Lace set, stamped onto white cardstock. I also used a couple of pieces from Memory Box's Modern Elements clear set -- a small Banana flower and the thin Celery stems to fill in the background. I cut out a couple of flowers, popped them up with SU dimensionals and used an Earth Elements brad from SU for the center. Now, for the leaves -- I stamped the small strawberry bottom from Papertreyink's Green Thumb with Celery ink onto Celery cardstock and cut out. (I love those polka dotted "leaves.")

Random Ramblings

As many of you know, my job is in downtown DC, smack dab in the middle of the monuments, etc. My office looks out at the Air and Space Museum and the National Gallery is behind that. Awesome. Sometimes working in DC, surrounded by constant political bickering and gossip, etc. gets a bit much, but not today . . . There is a Holiday Inn across the street from my office, where I park. I went through the lobby today on my way to the garage and had one of those moments that make you stop and think. The lobby was full of elderly veterans -- obviously in DC for Memorial Day weekend. Many were there with their wives and frankly, these were the WWII and Korean War vets for sure. So frail and proud -- sipping Starbucks! Thank you soldiers. Well done.

Inspired By My Pocketbook

I bought this cool pocketbook the other day and when I got him home, it spoke "Stampin Up Brilliant Blue and White Craft ink!" I'm sure I'm not the only stamper who "sees" stamping colors everywhere. The other side has stitching around each flower. Not sure why the 2 sides differ, but each is gorgeous. So, of course, I had to make a card using the same colors. I haven't embossed in a while, so I used the "Damask Flower" set from Impression Obsession (these clear stamps ROCK!!), stamped with the craft ink and embossed with some Ranger white embossing powder. The phrase is from the Close to My Heart "Moments" set (free with qualifying purchase in May only). A few Brilliant Blue brads and the SU small corner rounder and we are good to go! Here is the card: Not exactly the same type of flower, but interestingly enough, just today I got an Impression Obsession order in the mail -- and it includes a nice set of great looking fresh flowers. It is called Mod Flowers and you'll be seeing it here soon. I love new photopolymer!! (can't say rubber anymore!) ******** Mom Brag Announcement: Yeah. Our son, 16, just got selected for a paid science internship this summer. I walked in from work today and he handed me the email. That's a "moment" I will remember. He is so happy. Thank you Federal taxpayers. He'll be working with a scientist "modeling solar storm frequency and potential impact on human missions to the Moon." Who knew the sun had storms? I thought it was always "sunny" by the sun!!!

Strawberry Thanks

I am so loving my Papertreyink sets. I waited to get a few sets at once in order to get free shipping -- not sure I'll be able to wait for another 3 sets to debut! Here's a thank you card I made for one of my son's teachers. Supplies used: Green Thumb stamp set from Papertrey ink: SU Classic Real Red and Garden Green inks; SU Real Red marker; SU oval punches; white brads; Japanese screw punch; May Arts sheer polka dot ribbon; SU Garden Green cardstock and Beckett's Expression #80 Iceberg cardstock. I lined the inside front cover with the Iceberg cardstock to hide the ribbon ends. I used the small strawberry stamp (bottom only) to make little "hinges" for the card. Here's a pic of the hinges: While I like the idea of the hinges, I'm not sure how much I like them on this particular card. But, it is done!

Autism Contest Winner!

I'm happy to announce that Christy Nelson from Lincoln Nebraska is the lucky winner of a $50 gift certificate to Gina K's store! My husband closed his eyes and picked Christy's envelope out of the pile. I did not get as many cards as I had hoped, but each was lovely. I'm going to send them to one of the folks collecting cards to be used by the troops in Iraq. I just need to take their pictures first and upload them here -- so stay tuned to see these cards. Thanks to everyone who participated. And -- I want to make sure that you all know that I had planned on donating the $50 for this prize but Gina very generously offered to underwrite the prize. Now, is that nice or what!! Autism is a very tough diagnosis -- let's hope that they can unlock the puzzle soon, very soon! Christy, please email me at bardee1 "at" cox "dot" net

Honeycomb

The well of ideas has run pretty dry lately, but I was inspired by the arrival of my Papertreyink order last night. I know bees make honeycombs, and this is a teeny ladybug, but use your imagination! How I made this card: All stamps from Papertreyink. Repeatedly stamped the 3 little "peapods" from the Green Thumb set with Stampin Up Summer Sun Classic Ink onto Iceberg Beckett's Expression #80 Cardstock, making a row of dots to form a honeycomb like image. Stamped the words from Papertreyink's Faux Ribbon set using SU's Classic Black ink onto the honeycomb background and punched a 1 1/4" circle. I stamped the tiny lady bug from the Little Lady set to add a non bulky accent (think postage!!). Mounted on a SU Black cardstock circle punched with SU's 1 3/8" punch and then adhered to the white Making Memories flower. I used the large circle from Green Thumb to make a honeycomb like background for the bottom portion of the card, stamping with Summer Sun Classic ink onto Summer Sun cardstock and used SU's corner rounder punch to round off the bottom of the card. (Note: I have finally found the perfect use for SU's black ink -- it works beautifully on these clear stamps!).

Your Cards Are Better

Here's the inside of the card my son gave me for Mother's Day: He knows just how to get to my heart! And, here's a card I made for my Mom for Mother's Day: Stamped Both Way Blossoms from SU onto Beckett's Expression #80 cardstock iceberg color (to answer a question -- yes, it comes in a variety of colors and candlelight is an off white, lighter than SU's Very Vanilla) in Black Memories ink and colored in with Pretty in Pink and Certainly Celery Markers from SU. Cut out the panel of flowers and adhered to a Celery card. "It's Your Day" is from one of the SU All Year Cheer sets -- punched out with SU's two tag punches, and tied with May Arts ribbon through a Certainly Celery Brad. I'm not big on these tags, but I have the punches and decided it was time to put them to use!

Cool Color Combo

I made this card for my son to give to his Grandma for Mother's Day. Supplies Used: Stampin Up's Cool Carribean and Real Red cardstock; SU's Cool Carribean ink; Beckett's Expression #80 White Cardstock; SU's red gingham ribbon; Stylized Flowers Cuttlebug embossing folder; and Hero Arts Clear Design U set (CL021). It's a bit hard to see, but the carribean and red panels are mounted on a white card base. I like this color combo a lot. I'm thinking it just might be a choice for Christmas cards this year? If you are a Mom, hope you had a great day!

Girlfriends

Karen Henderson has opened an online store called Paperosity. Karen and I almost met each other last year as we planned on sharing a room at the Stampin Up convention. Sadly, I missed meeting Karen (and the convention), but I still consider her a "girlfriend." She has a wonderful line of scrapbooking papers, etc. for the military -- Memories In Uniform and she is selling these cool kits from Prima: I think you get a lot of great stuff for about $13! Naturally, I had to buy 2 different sets and now I'm hoarding them. I used a clear set that I bought at Paperosity to make this card: How I made this card: All the stamps are from Rusty Pickle's Girlfriends Stamp set. I stamped the focal image with Black Memories ink onto watercolor paper and set aside to try for about 10 minutes. I colored it in with SU's watercolor crayons and an aquapainter. I used the same black ink for the word "Girlfriends" and repeatedly stamped it on a piece of Beckett's Expression #80 Candlelight Cardstock, leaving room for the heart stamp. Fool proof placement because the stamps are clear. I colored in the heart and some of the letters with the watercolor crayons. Mounted everything on Pretty in Pink and Basic Black cardstocks from SU and added the bling flower from Prima Accents Chelsea set, ahdering it with Ranger's Glossy Glaze. ********** My camera appears to be dying, as the quality of my pics is literally fading fast. I should pay attention to the symptoms, as our refrigerator died last week and we let it limp along until -- yep -- sour everything! Perhaps Mom should get a new camera for Mother's Day?? ********** Cards are starting to arrive for the Autism contest! Yeah.

A Modern Wish

This is a Mother's Day card for my MIL, a really great woman! And, she raised a nice young man for me to snatch away oh so many years ago. Thanks, Dorann! Supplies used: Beckett's Expression Cardstock #80; SU Pretty in Pink and Black cardstock; SU Pretty in Pink classic ink; Memories Black ink; Memory Box clear set "Modern Elements" (for the background images); Wishing You set by SU; Pink Ribbon and black vintage brads from SU; White Daisy with Black and White polka dot brad from Making Memories. I colored the daisy with the Pretty in Pink ink pad (looks better in person!). To answer a question, a Japanese Screw Punch also known as a Japanese Book Drill is an awesome tool -- you can punch anywhere through a stack of paper. It has a variety of sizes of bits that screw in and are easily changed. You just push down on the paper and the punch twists. It requires no skill and no twisting of your wrist! You can get one at Bonnie's Best Art Tools. I used it to punch holes through the ribbon and 2 layers of cardstock. Very easy. Here is a picture of it.

Autism Contest -- Remember?

Back on April 1, I announced a contest to help raise awareness and $$ for Autism Speaks. Send me a card made with Gina K Designs Love You to Pieces set, and one person will win a $50 gift certificate to Gina K's shop -- random drawing of envelopes. So far NO Entries! What's up with that? Gina sold a ton of sets so I know some of you have this cute set! For info on the contest, click here. The deadline is May 20th, and it looks like anyone who enters is going to have a good chance! ********* To answer a question about the Limited Edition Ribbon and Lace set used in the post below -- I should have been clearer -- I bought the set at a local store, AC Moore, and that's where I got the 40% off coupon. Sorry about that!

Faux Everything

When I'm buried under a ton of uncleaned stamps and paper scraps, ribbons, etc., my mind goes to the cleaner look! How I made this card: The base is non SU shimmery white paper (source unknown, but SU's is better!). I made the "ribbon trim" with Limited Edition Ribbon and Lace clear stamp set, using SU's Close to Cocoa, Certainly Celery and Bashful Blue classic inks. This set of stamps retails for about $15, but I snagged it with a 40% off coupon (don't you love a bargain?). Excellent quality, too. The small blue flower is from SU's Perennial Favorites. I stamped it with Bashful Blue ink onto a scrap of the shimmery white and layered onto Certainly Celery and Cocoa cardstocks, all punched with 1", 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" circle punches. The circle seemed too small for the card so I made a fake flower with the SU small oval punch and some scraps of Bashful Blue cardstock -- like this: Only then did I remember that I wanted to add a celery brad in the center. I was able to punch through 3 layers of cardstock and scotch tape with my trusty Japanese Screw Punch. That baby rocks! Finally, I stamped "happy" from SU's Polka Dots and Paisley in Close to Cocoa ink. Have a HAPPY weekend!

Coming Up For Air

I've been buried under a mound of life! I've managed to untangle myself long enough to make this card. All supplies are Stampin Up, except for the white polka dot ribbon by May Arts. I cut Certainly Celery cardstock into a traditional A2 5 1/2" by 4 1/4" card. Scored and folded it, and turned it so the fold was on top. I marked off .75" from the side edge of the top of the card and then cut the card from the mark to the bottom corner -- essentially making a trapezoid. I stamped the leaves from Best Blossoms with Versamark ink and then stamped the 3 small flowers with Orchid Opulence classic ink, first onto a piece of celery scrap paper to test out the color and then onto the card itself. I cut out the flowers from the scrap and adhered them on top of the stamped images. Stamped "Spring" from Season by Season in the Orchid ink, and adhered the ribbon.

Mary's Giving Away Very Punny

Check out one of the nicest bloggers I know -- Mary at It's All About the Journey. Mary is giving away the SU set Very Punny!

Delight in Retired Sets!

I am supposed to be hosting a stamp sale in May at my house. I have a ton of Stampin Up sets that I was going to sell and pulled them all out of their shelves. Now, I'm rethinking selling them, as I've been having a ball playing with them. How I made this card: I have a pack of Basic Grey 6 x 6 Daphne sheet from the Perhaps group of paper that, frankly, I'm not wild about. The background of this card is from this pack and has a very faint flower pattern that reminded me of one of the flowers in the retired hostess set Best Blossoms. I took that stamp and, using Stampin Up's Blush Blossom classic ink, stamped the flower over the patterned paper a few times just to add a bit more color. After cleaning off the stamp, I stamped it in The Essential Glue Pad and stamped the flower 4 times over the card. (I stamped on the glue pad before each stamping.) This glue pad really does work without heat. If you decide to use it, remember to clean your stamp right away. I just rinsed mine under running water (no yelling at me!!). Then the fun began. I poured The Art Institute's Ultra Fine Crystal Transparent glitter over the flowers and tapped the glitter off and set the card aside for the glue to dry. I'm not sure how long it takes to dry, but I set it aside for about an hour. The word "delight" is from Stampin Up's retired Paint Prints hostess set and I used a Close to Cocoa Marker to ink it, and put SU vintage brads on either side. Finally, I pierced some holes in the upper and lower corners -- hint: punch the holes BEFORE you put the glitter on! Finally, I mounted the background paper on Close to Cocoa cardstock and then onto a Blush Blossom card.

Pink Black White x 2

I've got 2 cards for you today, to make up for my absence earlier this week. Slight problem -- my camera isn't working properly -- all my pics are coming out too dark, and even my photoshop editing isn't fixing them. So, please take your computer and stand by a sunny window when looking at my blog! Or, use your imagination.... Also, these cards are borderline "blog worthy" -- meaning that when I first started my blog I had dreams of posting only cards that I loved. Fast forward, and I'm grateful when the ink doesn't smudge! How I made this card: Stamped the flower from the SU set Made From Scratch (last year's hostess set?) in SU Pink Passion Classic ink on white paper. Using my nifty Japanese screw punch, I punched a hole in the center of each flower and inserted an SU Vintage Black brad. Cut the edge with a Fiskars scallop scissors and then, using a very small SU circle punch, punched just a tiny piece of the white paper to make room for the ribbon to knot and lie flat. (By the way, the Japanese screw punch is hands down the best $50 I've ever spent.) I wrapped some SU black gingham ribbon as shown. "Love You to Pieces!" is from Gina K's Love You to Pieces Autism Set and I stamped it using Palette Noir ink from Stewart Superior. This next card --- uses the same Pink Passion paper. I stamped each petal from Technique Tuesday's Love Me Still large set (get the small one if you want it for cards) in White Craft ink from Stampin Up. Frankly, the whole thing was a mess, but I kind of didn't want to give up on it, so I edged the petals and the notes in black marker, added glitter with a glue pen and some SU dazzling diamonds and stamped Take Note (from Papertreyink) in Palette Noir ink. ****** To answer a comment -- Yes, Angie -- I live right outside Washington DC and my office is just a couple of blocks from the Capital.

Bits o' Ribbon

This is a great way to use up bits of ribbon. This card is simple, but I'm happy with the result -- especially since I used a long forgotten, retired, Stampin Up set -- Vivid Greetings -- that I bought at a yard sale a couple of years ago. Other supplies used: Cornish Heritage Farms Polka Dot background; Stampin Up Pumpkin Pie classic ink for the background and craft ink for the "hello" image; SU Pumpkin Pie Cardstock; non SU shimmery white cardstock and American Crafts Elements ribbon. edited to add: two folks asked if they could case this card. Of course.

7 Random Things About Me

No cards today. I'm working on some cards with Gina K's Love You to Pieces autism awareness set, but I don't like what I've produced, so you have to wait until my cards = what's in my head! A few things -- Yosha and Jackie Jones and Kerri Davis all "tagged me" -- so I better get with the program and share 7 things about me you probably don't know: 1. I can get very jealous of really fine stampers, especially those published and on design teams. I am not proud of this. Am working on having a totally generous spirit. Instead of thinking "why didn't I think of that?" or "why is her work always perfect?", etc. I want my first thought to be "how beautiful -- good for her (or him)". 2. I was in Florence Italy when the US landed on the moon in 1969. At least I think I was. 3. I talk -- too much. 4. I was on the front page of the Washington Post in 1987. 5. I had a foster child. 6. I would like to write a book. 7. I am afraid of flying and didn't fly for over 10 years -- until AFTER 9/11 (drugs are now my friend!). ******** To answer a few questions from emails and comments, etc: How big is the circle on the card in the last post? A little less than 3 3/4" from one edge to the other (geesh, is that the diameter???) Another thing -- terrible at math! How's my Mom doing? Thanks for asking. Well, she's holding her own in terms of staying out of the hospital, etc., but it appears that her kidney functioning is worsening. Why did I quit being an SU demo and do I regret it? I quit because of the time necessary to deal with my Mom. While I miss it, I do not regret the decision. How long have I been a lawyer and what kind of law? I've mentioned this before, but since this blog is "all about me" LOL, I don't mind sharing it again. I graduated from law school in 1977. Good grief. Anyway, I was a legal aid lawyer for about 10 years, 2 years at the US Dept of Justice doing environmental law, 15 years at the US Dept of Education doing ethics law, and about 3 handling special education law. I appear to specialize in anything that begins with an "e"!!

Birthday Wishes

Do you believe that this is my first card with Looks Like Spring (at least I think it is!)? I bought this set used after the hoopla over it died down last year and just never picked it up. After making the clean card (below) I knew I was in the mood for some distressing and piercing, and generally getting my fingers dirty! 2 hours later, I was relaxed and had made an enormous mess in my craft room. Oh, what a happy day!! I know this picture is a little odd, but we get very little direct sun in our home, so I used the sliver of opportunity this morning to try and take the picture in direct light. I definitely get a truer color of the card, but it is impossible to get a good angle, as I have to lean over the computer to get the card with light, but not a lot of shadows. Too much information??? I used the layout that Debbie Olson used here. She makes it look so easy.... How I made this card: I started with a piece of floral paper from the Perhaps 6 x 6 collection from Basic Grey. Pierced the flower, cut a partial circle and pierced around the circle. I rubbed some SU Certainly Celery classic ink on this circle to bring out a bit of the green. Then I ran back to the computer to study Debbie's layout again! I stamped the main flower from Looks Like Spring in Versamark onto the same floral Perhaps paper and cut it out. Punched a smaller flower using the coordinating SU LLS punch and the same paper. Other supplies used: SU Earth Elements brad; Regal Rose cardstock; Perhaps solid paper; Cranberry Crisp SU classic ink; White Memories ink: SU French Script and Cornish Heritage Farms Mulberry Backgrounds; lots of sponging of Cranberry Crisp and Certainly Celery and a bit of the white ink on the background and the flower; SU narrow white organdy ribbon; Happy Birthday is from SU's Warmest Regards; SU's Crafter's Tool Kit. What my husband said about the card: Like it, except lose the circle. What my son said about the card: I like it, except a bit too pink. Critics everywhere! LOL

Spring, Finally

At last April feels like April. Dogwoods, sun, blue sky. How I made this card: Stamps used: the flowers, center of the flowers, and leaves are from Memory Box clear stamps set In The Garden. I had read that these clear acrylic stamps did not stamp well. Au contrair! They stamp beautifully -- first time! And so easy to place the leaves right on the stems. The words and the stems are from Papertreyink's Paper Trey. Each flower has a tiny Amuse Arts twinkle. Ink: Stampin Up Pink Passion, Lavender Lace classic ink pads and Green Galore Marker; Memories Dye Black ink; black pigment pen for the little marks on the lavender flowers. Memory Box stamps are not as easy to find as others. I ordered mine from Sweet and Sassy Crafts, which I highly recommend. Anna is honest and reliable!

Tagged Twice! ... and More

Ally, over at Rubber Rambles, and Debbie Olson at Thinking Inking both "tagged" me. I need to list my 5 favorite blogs. Oh dear, I'm not a fan of picking favorites (reminds me of never getting to sit with the cool kids in high school!!), but here goes (in no particular order) . . . Ally's Rubber Rambles (not because she tagged me), but because she is funny, and has lots of cool cards and she's not afraid to say "what else does this card need?" Her down to earth attitude speaks to me! I've gotten to know Ally through emails and she is a lovely person. Plus, I love her British witticisms! (Do all Americans secretly regret that we didn't keep the British accent oh those many years ago?? LOL) Debbie's Thinking Inking (not because she tagged me), but because each of her designs is beautiful, precise, and full of rich detail and color. I've gotten to know Debbie a bit also and she's sweet as can be! If you read my blog, you know that when I grow up, I want to be Debbie! Allison's Stampin When I Can -- whenever I post a comment on a blog, Allison has already done so! Her beautiful smile lights up her blog and every comment! That girl is everywhere!! What a big heart. She is an amazingly prolific blog reader and manages to pull together all the blog candy and tutorials into one place. And her cards, kind of hidden among the posts about everyone else's blog, rock! Mary's It's All About the Journey -- There's something about Mary! Check out her new blog banner and her very chi-chi picture!! Her kindness, adorable cards, and sweet disposition just shine through. Mary and I are also friends now. If I don't post for a while, Mary writes to check in on me. Is she a keeper or what? Julie's Paper Trufflez -- I know, so obvious a choice as to be almost uncool! However, although I love Julie's cards, that's not what sends me to her blog. Julie always has some interesting ideas to share -- a peak into the mind of a professional artist, the stamping industry, etc. Her thoughts are true blog candy! Julie is very generous with her time and encouragement. I know, I'm the proud owner of a "Julie card." Ellen's Simple Dreams -- she's one elegant stamper and I learn something every time she posts. If it weren't for Ellen's store, my pocketbook wouldn't have met Arturo Cards and pearls! Plus, Ellen has a huge heart. She's all about relationships. Love her! Yes, I know that's 6 -- so sue me! ************* I haven't posted much this week, despite the arrival in my mail box of new goodies just about every day. I received the autism set Love You to Pieces from Gina K. It's so cute. I love it, but it is still sitting in the box, untrimmed. I haven't been able to stamp. You know how it is. Sometimes the muse just runs away. My day job is on my mind. Lot's of stuff going on, none horrible, but just stressful. This is our busiest time of year -- from February through June 30th. As the work piles on, and interoffice politics happens, I can't help but bring it home with me. Sometimes, literally, as I need to spend extra hours just getting thet work done. Sometimes, figuratively, as I sit and think or worry. It seeps into my stamper cell brains and robs me of the energy to create. Enough!!! I've promised myself that this weekend stamping takes a priority.

Mailable Art

My husband and son returned yesterday from a vacation in South Texas -- visiting my in laws. While there, my teenage son said "Hey, let's go to the Museum of South Texas History." No one else wanted to go, but since they love Andy, they agreed to take him. No, they dragged his video game loving butt to the museum (Andy: "It wasn't the worst museum Dad has made me go to.") But, I digress. The point of this story, and all stories involving museums, is that the museum has a gift shop. Mike bought me this beautiful butterfly pin -- mounted on a card! The company is Mailable Art "A Pin to Give or to Wear." I've given pins as gifts but never thought to package them this way. Too cool so I thought I'd share.

Like My New Blog Banner?

I've been drooling over all the new blog banners. I knew exactly what I wanted -- it was all inside my head. However, my head is a scary place and to add to that, I have zero computer skills. I only know how to type because I dropped Physics in high school and typing was the only other option available at that time. Anyway, I got my blog banner from Jen at Jots and Pixels. Here is how it really works to get a banner from Jots and Pixels. It was all done through emails. Jen asked me what colors I liked, particular design elements I had in mind, etc. She also took the time to look through my blog to get an idea of what I make, etc. I told Jen that I was pretty sure I wanted some polka dots, blue and orange, and something clean and crisp, with no doodles or flourishes. (I like doodles and flourishes but I have this image of myself as being able to create clean and crisp designs. No, therapy didn't help!!) I got to choose from a whole bunch of fonts and then Jen was emailing me versions and I was making suggestions and it was so much FUN. After about 10 emails, Jen had created a blog for me that was exactly what was in my head. How cool is that? Then the PROBLEM. I had a nice blog banner but no way to get it from the attachment to Jen's email to the top of my blog. To be honest, I was pretty frustrated. I had this great banner and no one could see it. Jen sent me some links which purported to explain how to upload the banner but Jen made one big mistake. She confused me with someone who understands computerese. I gave up and figured no blog banner for this girl. JEN to the rescue. She came up with EASY, step by step instructions to me to "edit the html". I didn't think for a minute that I could edit html. Hint: it is just deleting letters and substituting other letters exactly in the manner Jen says to. I can follow directions that assume you are a moron!! It worked. Jen's instructions were so easy that I had the banner up and running in like 5 minutes! I swear those directions are worth the price of a banner!! I know that there are other awesome banner designers competing for your business. When comparing, make sure to ask how the banner will get from your email to your blog! Thanks Jen!

Bird Notes

I fell in love with the Bird Notes set by Crafty Secrets/Clear Art Stamps as soon as I saw them in my local stamp store -- Angela's Happy Stamper in Reston, VA. This is my first attempt to use them. They are acrylic, deeply etched and stamp beautifully the first time. How I made this card: The card is Fabriano Medioevalis stationery. Stamped the birds with Timber Brown Palette ink (I love this ink and this shade of brown -- it is my new favorite waterproof brown ink). Colored in the birds with a brush, a little water and some Stampin Up markers (Ruby Red and Old Olive) scribbled on a piece of plastic. Just picked up a bit of the marker ink with a damp brush. I made a little blue "sky" using the same technique with a Bashful Blue marker. Using Stampin Up's Horizontal Slot punch, I threaded the brown grosgrain ribbon (manufacturer unknown) through the card like this: and tied it in front to cover up the punch hole. You are looking at the inside of the card above and I'm not happy with it, but I like the front. This would be a better technique if used on a layer. When I can find my glue dots, I am going to adhere the ribbon tails. [I'm sure you understand why I can't find them!!] Finally, I stamped the word "happiness" from Stampin Up's Warm Words set (which I think is currently on sale...). After I did, I stared at those birds for a bit. Do they look happy or hungry?? Whatever. They made me happy, so happiness it is!

Angel Policies of Various Companies

As most of you know, an "angel policy" is the stamping community's way of referring to the company's policy regarding using their images, most often in sales of items made with the stamp's image. I researched "angel policies" of various stamp companies and decided to share them with you. Obviously, this list only represents a fraction of the companies that make stamps. I copied the policies from the companies' own websites or directly from the company's catalog, and made no changes. If you have any questions about a particular policy, please contact that company. As I do more research I will add to this list and eventually create a separate blog that contains just Angel Policies. If you know of any more and want me to add them, just post a comment and let me know! Green Grass Stamps (as stated in an email) Feel free to use our stamps to make cards and other things that you sell. Sorry, we need to get that up on our website! Gina K Designs (as stated in an email to me) We are an angel company with no limits as to how many items can be made and sold. We also do not regulate where those items are sold. It can be a fixed location and the internet. We only ask that our images are handstamped only and not electronically reproduced without our expressed written consent. Papertrey Ink We welcome artists who wish to sell their hand-stamped works using images from Papertrey Ink, although there are limitations. We have granted permission in the form of a limited license to use any of our stamp images for the purpose of creating craftworks for sale. Each craftwork created for sale must be personally and individually hand-stamped by the selling artist and may not be reproduced or copied in any form by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying. All PapertreyInk images are copyrighted. You may not use the images for the purpose of creating logos or company trademarks. Magenta Yes, We are an angel company! The products we sell are for personal artistic expression. But our clients may use the hand stamped images in any way they like and even sell limited quantities of hand stamped items made with our stamps, papers , stickers and embellishments.. However they may not be reproduced mechanically in any form or manner without the written consent of Magenta. In most case, our Copyrights should be displayed. Please write, fax or e-mail us for more information about how to respect and display our Trademarks and Copyrights. Thank you! info@magentastyle.com MAGENTA 2275 Bombardier, Sainte-Julie, QC J3E 2J9 Canada Fax: 450 922 0053 A Muse Artstamps A Muse Artstamps is pleased to be an "Angel" Company. This means that our stamp designs may be used in your handmade projects that are sold for profit with the following stipulations: 1. All A Muse Artstamps images are protected by copyright © and may not be mechanically or electronically reproduced in any way, including handmade stamp production. 2. A Muse Artstamps designs may not be used in any advertising or promotion (including hand stamped business cards) without express written permission from the artist. Please contact us. (include email link to info@amuserubberstamps.com) 3. All craftworks must be hand stamped. No other form of reproduction of the images is allowed. 4. You may not use any one stamp in more than 50 for-sale pieces of craftwork in any calendar year. 5. The craftwork must be suitable for all audiences and all ages. You assume all liability for suitability and agree to indemnify A Muse Artstamps and the artist from disputes arising from your work. 6. Electronic distribution of A Muse Artstamps designs is not permitted without express written permission. Please contact us. (include email link to info@amuserubberstamps.com) All other uses of our stamp designs require written permission from the artist. Please contact us at 206-783-4882. CLOSE TO MY HEART ANGEL POLICY EFFECTIVE JUNE 20, 2003 With a heritage of nearly 20 years, Close To My Heart and Jeanette Lynton have provided beautiful art for your hand-stamped creations. This art has added to the beauty of untold number of cards, scrapbook pages and other stamp craft projects. To continue the reach of our beautiful art, Close To My Heart now grants a limited license to use our copyrighted art for purposes of creating stamped art for sale. The terms and conditions of this "Angel Policy" are outlined below: * All Close To My Heart designs are copyrighted by CTMH Co. and are protected under United States and international copyright laws, which means that they cannot be copied without the written permission of Close To My Heart management. * The Angel Policy of Close To My Heart grants limited permission (a license) to purchasers of Close To My Heart stamps to create hand-stamped artwork for sale. Close To My Heart does not limit the types of hand-stamped creations that may be sold under this policy, within reasonable standards of good taste. * Close To My Heart designs may only be used in the creation of original, hand-stamped artwork to be sold by the creator. * Any artwork to be sold must not incorporate third-party copyrighted material. The artwork must contain only Close To My Heart designs and the creator's original art. * The following notice must appear on hand-stamped artwork created for resale: "Designs © CTMH Co." Close To My Heart will make stamps with this notice language available for purchase as one way to provide the required notice. * No image may be mechanically reproduced or copied by any means including, without limitation, photocopying, computer scanning and printing, using overhead or opaque projectors for enlarging or hand-copying images, or any other means. Copying the designs by hand is also prohibited. * Artwork for sale may not be produced through production line efforts where individuals beyond the seller are employed or engaged in the production of the product to be sold, whether for hire or not. * Close To My Heart images may not be used in any electronic media including the use of clip art in any computer or reproduction environment or related use. The distribution of Close To My Heart designs in electronic form is prohibited and is a violation of the copyright held by CTMH Co. * The following limitations are applicable to the sale of hand-stamped creations: o Close To My Heart trademarks and logos may not be displayed as advertising when selling the cards as a means to solicit the sales of the creations. o Hand-stamped creations may be sold at craft fairs, fundraisers, seasonal boutiques or other temporary events. However, hand-stamped creations cannot be sold at a fixed retail location such as a store, mall kiosk, etc. o Hand-stamped creations may not be sold to other parties for subsequent resale. o Hand-stamped creations may not be sold at Close To My Heart Home Gatherings, at Close To My Heart booths at craft fairs, or at other events sponsored by a Close To My Heart Consultant. o Hand-stamped creations may not be sold via the Internet. * Sales may be made only in the United States (including U.S. Territories), Canada, or on U.S. military installations. * Close To My Heart designs and images may not be used for commercial benefit (i.e., in business logos), whether or not for profit. * Close To My Heart may amend its policies governing the use of its copyrighted designs and images, including the Angel Policy, at any time. Amendments to such policies are effective upon publication unless otherwise noted and will be posted on the official Close To My Heart website. Close To My Heart reserves the right to deny or terminate permission to use Close To My Heart designs and images with respect to any particular person. Lockhart Stamp Company The Lockhart Stamp Company is proud to be an "Angel" Company. We are pleased that you would choose our stamps for your projects! We ask that all such projects using our images are hand-stamped. No mechanical reproduction/manipulation of any kind is allowed. We also require a letter requesting permission to use our stamps in this way and an explanation as to how specifically they will be used. The Lockhart Stamp Company 6501 141st Place NE Redmond, WA 98052 425-881-1627 karen@lockhartstampcompany.com A letter of consent will then be issued to you via return mail. Thank you again for choosing The Lockhart Stamp Company! The Angel Company (TAC) Purchaser's License The Angel Company grants purchasers of its stamps a royalty free license to create and sell items which contain The Angel Company and Mabelle RO images, providing each image is hand stamped. Mechanical reproduction without prior authorization is prohibited. Hero Arts Copyright Notice All Hero Arts designs and products are original and copyrighted, including the entire contents of Hero Arts Online. The purchaser of a Hero Arts product is granted a limited license to use such product, for personal, noncommercial use only. Reproduction of Hero Arts products or images in any way for either commercial use or in an inappropriate manner is prohibited without written consent. For questions or further information on our copyright policy, please email info@heroarts.com All Hero Arts products, publications, marketing materials, and websites are copyrighted and owned by Hero Arts, Inc. Additionally, all Hero Arts trademarks are exclusively owned and maintained by Hero Arts, Inc. and may not be used for any reason without our express written consent. You can view a complete list of our trademarks. [This is Joan: I omitted a long list of trademarks, you can see them at Hero Arts' website. Thank you for respecting our trademarks and copyrights. Stamping Bella All of our stamp designs are original artwork created, trademarked and copyrighted by Stamping Bella. Therefore, Stamping Bella's rubber stamps are for personal and non-commercial use only. However, our valued customers may use our products to produce any creations they would like, which can include selling or otherwise distributing these creations in limited quantities. All commercial use of our designs is subject to the following terms and conditions: 1. All stamp impressions must be made by hand and no mechanical or other form of reproduction is permitted. 2. Quantities are limited to projects that are limited in scope and otherwise do not constitute an ongoing business. Additionally, quantities for commercial use are generally allowed if they are in the range of 50 or less handstamped impressions per stamp image. The production of much larger numbers, and/or for an ongoing business, and/or for an endeavor that is not local in nature, is forbidden. 3. Wherever possible, Stamping Bella Trademarks and Copyrights should be displayed. To use our images for this purpose, simply send or e-mail us a letter acknowledging you agree to the above terms, and include the following information: * Your name and contact information * A list of the Stamping Bella's products you plan to use * The quantities you anticipate producing * An acknowledgment that you "Agree to respect Stamping Bella's copyrights." Send, email to info@stampingbella.com. You must communicate with Stamping Bella and await written approval to use our images as you like within the terms outlined above. We appreciate your consideration of our copyrights. ART IMPRESSIONS ART IMPRESSIONS ORIGINAL RUBBER STAMPS is proud to be an "Angel Company". We are pleased that you would choose our stamps for your enterprising projects! We ask that all such projects, using our images are hand-stamped. No mechanical reproduction/manipulation of any kind is allowed. We also we require a letter requesting permission to use our stamps in this way and an explanation as to how specifically they will be used. A letter of consent will then be issued to you via return mail. Thank you again for choosing Art Impressions! To contact Art Impressions for an application for the Angel Policy please send to: Art Impressions Inc. P.O. Box 20085 Salem, Or 97307 Or feel free to call us at: 1-800-393-2014 Impress Rubber Stamps Copyright: All of Impress' designs are copyrighted and are not to be electronically reproduced for commercial gain. Hand stamped, handmade items are permitted for limited resale. Impress and Impress Rubber Stamps are registered trademarks. Impression Obsession We are an angel company, so you may hand-stamp items for sale. Please respect the copyrights of our artists—they work very hard to create new and exciting images. No mechanical reproduction is permitted. Provo Craft Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc. (Provo Craft) is thrilled that individuals desire to create and sell personal craftwork (i.e., craftwork personally created by an individual for sale or distribution by that individual and not for the sale or distribution of any other person or entity) incorporating our products, designs and images. In the interest of the creative community and their desires to share their creativity with others, we have granted permission in the form of a limited license to use any of Provo Craft’s designs, images and other products sold by Provo Craft that are protected under U.S. and/or international copyright laws (hereinafter referred to collectively as the “copyrighted material”) for the purpose of creating craftworks for sale in limited quantities in a limited local geographical location. The rights granted by Provo Craft hereunder provide consideration for the terms and conditions set forth herein and the . As such, any individual using the copyrighted material pursuant to this license hereby expressly agrees to the terms and conditions set forth herein. 1. All Provo Craft products that incorporate, provide or utilize copyrighted material are copyrighted by Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc. and are protected under United States and international copyright laws, which means that they cannot be copied without the written permission of Provo Craft. 2. Any craftwork to be sold must not incorporate third-party copyrighted material. The craftwork must contain only Provo Craft products that are sold under the Provo Craft trademark. 3. The individual may sell or distribute personal craftwork at local community fundraisers, seasonal boutiques or bazaars, or other temporary craft events. Personal craftwork incorporating Provo Craft copyrighted material cannot be sold at a fixed retail location such as a store or mall kiosk, left in a store on consignment, or sold to other parties for subsequent resale, or sold via the Internet. 4.The use of the copyrighted material to be sold with a product, to enhance a product or to design a product on a regional or national level or for any mass production is expressly prohibited hereunder and requires a written licensing agreement with Provo Craft. (The definition of mass produced is more than fifty copies reproduced within a thirty day period of any one design or more than 200 copies per year of any one design. Multi-person assembly-line work counts as mass production.) 5. Quantities for sale of personal craftwork shall be limited by the production limits set forth herein. 6. The limited license granted herein is not a license of the Provo Craft name or any trademarks, trade names, trade dress or logos of Provo Craft and cannot be used without the express written permission of Provo Craft. In addition, the Provo Craft name or any trademarks, trade names, trade dress or logos of Provo Craft may not be used at any location where personal craftwork items are sold, nor may they be used in any manner to solicit sales of such items nor in a manner that states, infers, or implies an affiliation with Provo Craft. 7. You may not use Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc. copyrighted material for the purpose of creating logos, trademarks, trade names, trade dress or trademarks (e.g., company trademarks, product trademarks, product packaging, etc.). 8. Wherever possible, each item using or incorporating Provo Craft’s copyrighted material must be marked with “Includes Copyrighted Material of Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc.” in a reasonable size and location that gives reasonable notice. 9. Copyrighted material of Provo Craft may not be altered in any manner, including but not limited to, masking or overlaying portions in the overall design. Any other alteration will be considered an infringement of copyright. In addition, Provo Craft expressly reserves all moral rights in any copyrighted material. 10. Provo Craft shall, without limitation, have the right to terminate the limited license granted hereunder for any reason whatsoever. In the event that Provo Craft elects to terminate this license for any individual, Provo Craft shall notify such individual in writing of such termination. Upon notice such individual shall immediately terminate the copying, sale and/or distribution of any of Provo Craft’s copyrighted material or products or things that incorporate any of Provo Craft’s copyrighted material. 11. Persons creating personal craftwork items for sale are responsible for complying with any state and local business and tax regulations or any other laws or regulations governing the sale of goods. 12. Persons subject to this license assume all liability for suitability of their work and for any CLAIM OR cause of action arising as a result of the sale, offer for sale and/or distribution of their work and agree to indemnify and hold harmless Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc. and its artists from disputes arising from the sale, offering for sale and/or distribution of their work. 13. Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc. is a Utah corporation. The laws of the State of Utah govern this licence. The state and federal courts of Utah will have exclusive jurisdiction over any proceeding arising from this policy. Any person that operates under this limited license expressly agrees to be subject to personal jurisdiction in the courts of the State of Utah. Any failure by Provo Craft to enforce any of its rights will not constitute a waiver of such rights. For more information about our using our products designs or images, contact Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc. Marketing, at 1-800-937-7686. Effective Date: May 25, 2005 Provo Craft reserves the right to amend or change this policy at any time. Stampin' Up! Stampin' Up! welcomes artists who would like to use our stamp images in their own hand-stamped craftwork that they produce to sell. Therefore, we give permission in the form of a limited license to use any Stampin' Up! stamp images for the purpose of creating craftworks for sale, under the following criteria:

1. Each craftwork created for sale must be personally and individually hand-stamped by the selling artist and may not be reproduced or copied in any form by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying. Mass production, assembly-line construction, production by workers for hire, or syndication of hand-stamped craftwork for sale is strictly prohibited.
2. All of Stampin' Up!'s images are copyrighted, which means that they may not be copied without permission. To help protect the rights granted by these copyrights, all craftwork created for sale using Stampin' Up! images must be marked with one of the images from the official Stampin' Up! Limited License stamp sets shown in the Idea Book & Catalog.
3. There are no quantity limits for for-sale, hand-stamped craftworks that abide by the restrictions as stated in this policy.
4. You may sell your craftworks at community fundraisers, seasonal boutiques, bazaars or other temporary craft events. Hand-stamped items may be sold at nonhostess demonstrator events and at a demonstrator's booth at a temporary commercial event. Hand-stamped items cannot be sold in any permanent retail location (any location that conducts business in a store, consignment shop, kiosk, mall, or Internet site), nor may they be sold to other vendors for resale purposes.
5. You may not use Stampin' Up! images for the purpose of creating logos or company trademarks.
6. Persons creating hand-stamped items for sale are responsible for complying with any state and local business and tax regulations.
7. Persons participating in this angel policy assume all liability for suitability of their work and agree to indemnify Stampin' Up! and its artists from disputes arising from their work.
8. Stampin' Up! is a Utah corporation. The laws of the State of Utah govern the policy. The state and federal courts for Salt Lake County, Utah, will have exclusive jurisdiction over any proceeding arising from this policy. Any failure by Stampin' Up! to enforce any of its rights will not constitute a waiver of such rights.

Strip Technique Challenge

All supplies by Stampin Up. Base card is Confetti Cream. Other cardstock: Real Red, Artichoke and Night of Navy; Red and Navy Markers; Pewter Hardware Hodgepodge and Night of Navy ribbon. Birthday Phrase from It's Your Birthday. What's the Strip Technique? I took a piece of scrap cardstock and cut it 1" by 5 and 1/4". Then I took some scrap pieces of the colored cardstock and cut them 1" wide and then randomly cut them into little pieces of varying widths as shown on card. I covered the long piece of cardstock with double sided tape and then just laid down each little piece of cardstock until I had the whole piece covered. Trimmed to even it up, adhered and then took the saying and mounted it. I really like this Strip Technique. I'm sure others have done it a thousand times but I thought it up today all by my lonesome and gave it my own name! I think this would also work really well with patterned papers. Edited to Add: I was just blog rolling and came across this posting from Card Positioning Systems. I know I saw this yesterday. Obviously that sketch burrowed into my tiny brain and out came my Strip Technique. Always like to give credit where credit is due!! Ok, now it is your turn. How about making a card using the Strip Technique and letting me know about it so I and my blog readers can go take a look see??? What will you win? NOTHING! ********* Speaking of WINNING a $50 gift certificate to Stamping Freak (Gina K Designs), I just got a notice from Gina that my Love You to Pieces set has shipped! So, if mine has shipped, yours has shipped or will ship soon. You ordered it, right? You are going to submit to my Autism contest, right? Right??? I can't hear you!!

HAPPY Thoughts

I decided break out of my usual color palette and try a two-toned card. In this case, I used Stampin Up's Lavender Lace as the background and Elegant Eggplant as the accent color for both the cardstock, inks, ribbon, marker, and eyelet. When it was done, I thought -- great color combo for a sympathy card -- too bad I used HAPPY Thoughts! Whatever... All the images are from Rhonna Farrer Autumn Leaves Botanicals collection and the words are from Papertreyink's Paper Tray. I finished it off with SU eggplant ribbon, pewter hodgepodge hardware and an lavendar lace eyelet. If you look closely, you'll notice some paper piercing along the edge and around the main flourish image. In real life, the flourish looks embossed -- piercing around the edge kind of makes it pop. Personally, I think I'm quite the little stamper genius to add this piercing. I hear the applause!! Thank you, thank you. The layout of this card was stolen, lifted, purloined, taken, cased -- any way you say it, I took it straight from Miss Thinking Inking herself, Debbie Olson. Debbie sent me this darling tri fold card last year and I've been meaning to copy the layout for quite some time, as all original thoughts flew out of my head the day I entered law school. I noticed that the base cardstock on Debbie's card is SU's Blush Blossom, but it feels like it was rolled over or flattened somehow. It has a different, soft texture. I've got to ask Debbie how she did this, but I know she's busy with some deadlines right now! Notice how every detail of her card is done with precision. Sigh. Hey Debbie, prove to the world that you read my blog and answer this question. Um, could someone let Debbie know??? LOL

Major Sale at Ellen's Shop!

Check out this post to see the awesome sale Ellen Hutson is having on Friday the 13th. 13% off everything for 13 hours!! Arturo stationery and pearls here I come. And who knows what else? [Mike, you are on vacation, get off the computer -- you are so not reading this....]

My First Watercolor the Art Impressions Way

My number one stamping desire is to learn to watercolor. Lacking time for a real class, I purchased (after Santa declined to give it to me!!) the DVD called Watercolor the Art Impressions Way. The idea behind this DVD is to stamp on watercolor paper using markers and a watercolor brush. It provides 9 examples and last week I purchased the new clear Art Impressions sets designed to go with this DVD -- I purchased the sets called Watercolor Projects 123 and Watercolor Projects 678 (I think I'll get 456 later!). These stamps also come individually wood mounted and in fact, Art Impressions included a wood mounted stamp as a thank you for my order. Each set has about 15 stamps, some of which are tiny accents, like grass and leaves, and others are larger, including a stamp pot, pitcher and a gate. Very nice. They stamp beautifully! Each set was $15.95. [Note to husband -- you got to go on vacation, I got to order stamps!!] In any event, here is my attempt at watercolor project #2. I still need a lot of practice, but I figured I'd be brave and post my first attempt anyway! I used the following supplies: Watercolor paper (essential to this technique): a variety of SU Markers; SU Garden Green and Confetti White cardstocks; Bind it All; Oval Cutter from Making Memories and non SU ribbons (source long forgotten!). That darn Bind it All just sits there mocking my previous attempts so I put my piece of watercolor paper in it and punched away. I had fun with this card and can see using these stamps with all sorts of containers. You know, I thought about not posting this because it isn't the greatest, but then I thought -- you liked the Bind it All disaster posting and sometimes it is fun to see someone struggling. I hope to post much nicer cards with these stamps as I practice!

Where Did I Get That Bunny Stamp?

I bought the adorable 2 bunny stamp used in the post below at an Artful Stamper/KTDesigns booth at a stamp convention last year. I thought it was an Art Impressions stamp. My mistake!! It is the Smooching Bunnies stamp by KTDesigns and you can get it here. I'm off for major dental work this morning and then to recover this afternoon. Hopefully, I'll be able to create a blog worthy piece later today. Otherwise, may I suggest for your viewing pleasure that you check out Simple Dreams latest strawberry card. Too luscious!! By the way, anyone planning on entering my Gina K Autism Speaks contest??? Order the stamp yet? See this post for more info on the contest!

Snuggle Bunnies

I can hear the sighing just looking at these Smooching Bunnies from KTDesigns. (I previously posted that I purchased this stamp from an Art Impressions Booth, but I was incorrect. KTDesigns is also known as Artful Stamper and I confused the two companies. My apologies.) How I made this card: This image -- which is two bunnies together on one stamp -- just cries out to be watercolored. However, vast amounts of white space are almost always a disaster for me -- until I take that watercolor class that is in my future. I decided to use patterned paper as a way to fill in the space inside these bunnies. I stamped them twice in Palette Noir ink onto 2 different pieces of Stampin Up's Sarah paper and cut out each bunny. (Then I did it again because the ink smudged when I was cutting out the bunnies. Patience.) I mounted the bunnies with Stampin Up's dimensionals onto a bunny I had already stamped onto Bashful Blue cardstock, added some cotton ball tails (adhered with Ranger's Glossy Accents), and placed a tiny blue A Muse Arts mini twinkle dot between the bunnies' noses just for fun. Other supplies: All Stampin Up: Certainly Celery and So Saffron cardstock; striped paper from the Sarah set of decorator papers; Celery ribbon and So Saffron brads. Everything mounted on a non SU white cardstock. Happy Easter and to those who celebrate Passover, I hope your Passover has been a good one.

If Your Child Doesn't Have Autism

or any other developmental delay or other disability -- I have a thought for the day. It doesn't involve donating money, buying stamps, etc. One of the most heartbreaking things about children who are different is that some of them have few, if any, friends. Many of these kids go through school without ever being invited to a birthday party, a bar mitzvah, a sleepover, etc. Or they make a friend, only to have the child drop him or her shortly thereafter. You can't force friendships on kids. But, the next time your child is having a little get together or is a little bored, consider reaching out to the child who may seem remote or too wound up -- the child who no one knows. You have no idea how thrilled both the child and his family will be!

MY DAY

Today was my day (ok, middle of the night!!) to stamp something I like! How I made this card: I took a Fabriano Medioevalis 3-3/8" x 5-1/4" reply card (from Cindy at Starlitstudio), slapped Palette Noir ink (from Ellen Hutson) on Impression Obsession Floral Damask clear stamps, and stamped, holding my breath that I wouldn't ruin another one of these precious cards. Naturally, I made a mistake on one of the images (can you see which one??) but fixed it with an SU Black marker, because TODAY WAS MY DAY TO STAMP SOMETHING I LIKE. I colored in these gorgeous images with Stampin Up Only Orange and Ballet Blue markers. It was looking mighty fine, but needed a little something -- I wrapped some Stampin Up Bluebird ribbon around the card, stamped another piece, colored it in and put it under the ribbon, popped up on SU dimensionals -- wasn't that a brilliant idea???? Took the picture and realized the ribbon was crooked. Then, the genius that is me remembered my Amuse Twinkle sticky shiny things, again from Miss Ellen, and added some mini blue dots on some of the images for that added bling. Sometimes I amaze myself (not)!! *************** To answer a question -- I got the Damask Floral Impression Obsession set at a local AC Moore and used one of that store's 40% off coupon (yes!!).

Arturo + Pearls = Happy Dance

In this case, perhaps a waltz -- certainly something elegant. I placed an order with Ellen Hutson a few weeks ago for some Arturo stationery. Being the awesome crafter/businesswoman and all around nice person that Ellen is, she threw in some gorgeous self adhesive pearls (and some ribbon, too)! I wasn't really sure what to do with the pearls -- they are so beautiful, they went into the "hoard" category! However, today I made this card (which I mostly like): I used the beautiful celery green Arturo card, simply stamped with an SU Taken With Teal marker onto one of the stamps from Impression Obsession Damask Floral clear set (to die for, IMHO and only $15 -- less if you use a coupon!) and the word "Bonjour" from Stampin Up's Carte Postale. This color combination is fabulous, but I felt that I stamped the image and the word a bit too low on the card. Frustration to the max! So, I re-made the card with the blue Arturo stationery and suddenly remembered my pearls! What do you think?????? Pretty darn fabulous, if I say so myself (and you know I rarely crow about my own work.). Amazing what a few pearls can do! I think that Ellen has found the perfect accent when you are wishing you were Audrey Hepburn. (Please don't tell me you don't know who Audrey Hepburn is!) ***** Hmm, so now Julia wants to know my second favorite color. This is getting interesting. After buttery yellow, my second fave is blue! Anyone know why Julia wants to know? Julia??

How Not to Use the Bind It All

Whenever I see some awesome new card, or other item, that someone with talent has made, I completely lose my senses -- I can't help but think "That looks great and it doesn't look that hard to make... if I buy the [fill in the blank] I'll be able to make that too." Perhaps that sounds familiar to you?? So, of course, I bought the Bind It All. The good thing is that I purchased the Bind It All from Bonnie's Best Art Tools. There is a Bonnie and she is the best! If Bonnie sells it and it is something I want, I always buy it from Bonnie. Bonnie sold me my Genesis Paper Trimmer and my Japanese Screw Punch, among other things. Bonnie got my order for the Bind It All and called me to explain that she could ship it more cheaply than the way I had selected and I would get it sooner. Now that's personalized service! The second good thing is that, if I say so myself, I came up with a practical thing to make with the Bind It All -- I wanted a portfolio with an easy way to store some "stuff" -- in this case, envelopes from stampers to whom I "owed" a card, bills that need to be paid, etc. And I made it with the Bind It All! Ok, now the How Not to Use it part. The instructions strongly suggest that you start with a small project. That was my first mistake. By small, they mean -- not a lot of holes to punch. But, I thought I was too smart to start small (passed the bar exam on the first try!!) and I really wanted to make the portfolio. So, here is what happened on my first attempt -- Beautiful, isn't it? I guess I missed the "following directions" class in law school. Keep in mind that I ruined a lovely 9 1/2 by 10 1/2 piece of lightweight cardboard covered on both sides with Stampin Up's Recollections paper. Eventually, however, I made this: Quit laughing!! I know it isn't going to win any design contests, but I also managed to use my woefully neglected Cricut to make the letters. Here's the inside (yes, I know the envelopes are not lined up evenly -- I did that on purpose so you'd learn from my mistakes ---- NOT!!). All in all, I think it is kind of cool. My next project for the Bind It All -- something small! ************* Note: to respond to a comment, the first 3 pictures posted in the entry on Gina K were all made by Gina, not me. Also, another wonderful commenter asked what my favorite color is. I love buttery yellow!

1 out of 150 kids? Really?

So I kept reading that 1 out of 150 kids suffers from a "autism spectrum disorder." I didn't believe it. It sounded like the kind of statistics that parents make up to advocate for their kids. I did some research. I avoided any sites that were run by advocates. I stuck to the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health. First, NIH said 1 out of 1000 kids. Then another NIH website said 3 out of 1000. That's a big difference. Finally, yet another NIH website said -- for accurate prevalence statistics go the CDC. I did. CDC's conclusion? 1 out of 150! I trust the CDC. Good grief. I was so hoping I was wrong. Since boys are more likely to suffer from an autism spectrum disorder than girls, that's a LOT of boys. It's a lot of girls, too, but it is a HUGE number of boys. So I thought about my office. About 75 lawyers. I can think of 10 lawyers with SONS with some type of developmental disorder serious enough to affect their education and their future. That's just based on hallway chit chat. I can think of one lawyer with a daughter with similar issues. That's 11 kids out of 75 families! Totally unscientific, but interesting nonetheless. Of course, lawyers are trained to advocate for just about anything, anytime, but we are especially good at advocating for our kids. Even so, these aren't trifling situations. We aren't talking about kids who forget their books at school. . . . What the heck is going on with our kids??? Is it better detection or is something else going on? I have no clue. And, We won't know unless we make an enormous effort to find out. That takes money and muscle. If you want to learn more, you can start by checking out Erika Martin's stamping blog and blog about her son Zach. ****** I stamped almost all day yesterday. I have a very expensive pile of scrap paper to show for it. I know that most of you understand. Some days you got your mojo, some days you don't.

Autism Stamping Contest and More

a ut ism

One child with autism is one child too many. One adult with autism is one adult too many. While the diagnosis isn't the end of the world, and autism shouldn't define one's life, it is certainly the beginning of a difficult journey. When special education and training ends, and as parents age, there is no greater worry than how a disabled child will fare as an adult. We need to raise awareness and money to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, treat, and dare I say, someday, cure autism -- a condition that is affecting way too many kids. Let's do our part. April is Autism Awareness Month and I've teamed up with Gina K Designs to offer an awesome (if I say so myself) contest. Purchase Gina's Love You to Pieces set (8$ of every set purchased goes to Autism Speaks) and make a card with it. (Is this set stinkin' cute or what!!?? -- I've already ordered it.) Send the card to me. One lucky winner (to be chosen at random) will win a $50 gift certificate to be used at Gina's store! Just in case you are wondering, I have no affiliation with Gina. I am not getting anything out of this (I paid full price for my set!) other than the knowledge that I've helped raise funds towards autism research -- oh, and I'll get a boatload of awesome cards (I hope)! The fine print: 1. Your card must use Gina's Love You to Pieces set. You may use any other materials, including other stamps, but you must use at least one of the stamps in this set. 2. The card must be no bigger than a standard A2 card -- 5.5 x 4.25" (or it won't fit in my post office box). 3. Leave the inside of the card blank, although you may put your signature, etc. on the back of the card. 4. Please make sure to put your name on the return address of the envelope. (I will be putting all the envelopes in a bag and selecting an envelope at random to choose the winner.) 5. Deadline: I must receive the card no later than May 20, 2006. (The stamps won't ship until mid-April, so this gives you time to get your set and send me a card.) 6. I'll announce the winner here on my blog on May 21st! 7. The cards become my property. I will either use the cards for personal RAKs or donate them to charity. I will not use them for any other purpose -- enter a contest, submit to a publication, sell them, etc. If I post them online, I will do so with your name on the picture of the card and in a separate gallery, similar to the one I created for the Black and White card contest. 8. Send your card (one entry per person please) to: Joan Bardee P.O. Box 2913 Fairfax, Virginia 22031 (Yes, I got a post office box just to run these contests!!) If you don't want to, or can't, purchase the set, there are other ways to help raise awareness of autism. I'll be sharing some of these ideas throughout the month of April. If you have any questions about the rules, please post them here as a comment to this post and I'll answer them in a separate post. *********** And since every post "needs" a card, here's one I made for a friend who has some difficult problems. They don't involve autism, but they do involve considerable worries. I am honored that she feels comfortable talking with me about them, and I wanted a card that encourages her to continue to do so, but be upbeat as well. Who can resist ladybugs? Ladybugs on ribbon?? I've been hoarding this ribbon for a year, waiting for just the right moment. Here's a close up of the bug and the ribbon. Too cute! How I made this card: There is nothing unusual about this layout or techniques, so I will just list supplies used. All supplies by Stampin Up unless otherwise noted. Stamp: Very Punny; Cardstock: Green Galore, Real Red, Basic Black and Beckett's Expression #80 Iceberg cardstocks; Cuttlebug A2 Bloom Dots Embossing Folder; Real Red and Green Galore markers; Memories Black Dye ink; Horizontal Slot Punch; ribbon from Really Reasonable Ribbon. After I trimmed the ribbon, I had 2 ladybugs left over, so I trimmed them and stuck them on the card with a bit of Ranger Glossy accents.

More Paisley and a Tease!

I'm still using up the sheet of paisleys I made with the Technique Tuesday Build a Paisley stamp set. I realized AFTER I took the picture that the word "thoughts" is a touch crooked. Good grief. Here's hoping whoever gets this card isn't too picky! How I made this card: This card is BIG! Base card is 9" x 4 and 1/4" Brocade Blue cardstock by Stampin Up. Other cardstock: Becketts Expression #80 Iceberg Cover Cardstock (this paper is virtually identical to SU's Ultrasmooth Whisper White and I purchased it from Marcos Paper), SU Brocade Blue and So Saffron. Inks: All SU -- So Saffron, Brocade Blue and tiny bit of Certainly Celery. Colored in "Happy" with a SU So Saffron marker and outlined it with an SU Brilliant Blue marker. Other stamps: Wordsworth Clearly Happy Everything, SU Aida Cloth Background and Papertreyink's Paper Tray. By the way, I was able to punch the holes and set the SU Certainly Celery eyelets right through the SU Bluebird grosgrain ribbon! Did that with the Crop-a-Dile. And now the tease: April is Autism Awareness Month. While it is nice to promote awareness, let's face it, what we really want is prevention and a cure. And that takes awareness, money, political voice, etc. Stay tuned. I will be doing a tiny part here on the blog to lure you into spending some money on stamping and autism! And, I'll be providing some information on autism throughout the month of April.

Mind Control??

I recently purchased Technique Tuesday's Build a Paisley stamp set. When I sat down to work with it earlier today, I didn't do a very good job of placing the paisleys on the paper -- I think they were too far apart. I knew that Debbie Olson, over at Thinking Inking, had posted a lot of cards with Stampin Up's Polka Dot and Paisleys set. So, I hopped on over to her blog and browsed through her archives and voila, there was this card that Debbie had made with the Technique Tuesday set! Beautiful, isn't it? This was good news because I could study how she placed the paisleys. But, I was a bit taken aback. I had NO memory of seeing this card when I bought this set of stamps -- until I saw Debbie's card. Hmm. I wonder who else is controlling my pocketbook??? LOL So, if I ever post anything that looks a lot like something you've posted, it is unintentional and I ask that you let me know right away. In the meantime, here's the card I made today -- after being inspired by Debbie's. Oops! That's not the card -- that's my "baby" -- happy to be on Spring Break from school. I decided to "stylize" him for my blog. Now, here's the card -- How I made this card: Supplies used: So Saffron, Brocade Blue and Certainly Celery cardstock and classic inks by Stampin Up. Sarah Designer Paper by Stampin Up; Technique Tuesday Build a Paisley and Papertreyink Paper Tray stamp sets: SU large oval punch; SU Bluebird grosgrain ribbon and Soft Subtles Eyelets (set with the Crop-a-Dile). Punched the holes using Stampin Up's Craft Took Kit.

HAPPYwishes Arturo Style

I recently purchased from Ellen Hutson an assortment of Arturo note cards and matching envelopes. They are a lovely soft watercolor card, similar in feel to Fabriano-Medioevalis stationery. However, these come in colors! On a scale of 1 - 10, these are an 11! This paper is so elegant, it is just perfect for a wedding or other special occasion. In this case, I gave this card to a co-worker who just announced her pregnancy. Of all the Arturo colors, this particular one -- Buttercream -- is my favorite. Luscious. Thank you Ellen for finding this stationery! How I made this card: The finished size of this card is about 3.5" x 5.5". The word "happy" is from the Happy Everything set by Clearly Wordsworth, and "wishes" is from Paper Tray from Papertreyink. I stamped both with Stewart Superior's Pallette Hybrid Ink in Noir Black (also purchased from Ellen!), and colored in "happy" with Real Red and a Ballet Blue Stampin Up markers. (In this case, I think coloring in the lines worked!) I punched a 1" circle from the same paper and finished the card with a Stampin Up Real Red brad and ribbon.

Bingo with the 55 Plus Club

Can't sleep, which is a frequent thing with me. As soon as I'm about to nod off, my brain goes into overdrive. So, I thought I'd share a bit of my day. My Mom is slowly dying. Her kidneys are only functioning at about 20 - 25% and her heart is weak. Like most mother/daughters, we have a complex relationship, one that is probably more intense than most, since she lives with us and my childhood was "interesting". Today, however, was a very sweet day, one that I know I'm going to treasure when I look back at this very difficult time. The woman who takes care of my Mom was sick so I had to miss work and be with my Mom. This is not a good thing, but my boss (thank you!) is so very understanding. My Mom was having a good day and Tuesday is "club" day -- the "55 Plus Club" to be exact, so off we went. It is a bit of a big deal, with the gigantic walker, her frailty, my anxiety that she will fall, but we did it! And, yippee it was pot luck lunch day. Lots of food from my childhood. I had totally forgotten about some of that food! My Mom couldn't eat any of it (sodium/potassium issues), but I think she was secretly thrilled that I was there. Since I'm 54, I'd say the average age of the folks there was 80. Without counting me, 85 easy! We started with a Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. I definitely felt like I was with the "Greatest Generation" -- the Depression/World War II survivors. It was touching -- women named Alice and Betty and Helen and June. Women who worked hard and are now sick but enjoying life as much as they can. Everyone had on elastic waist pants, except the 2 men, who were waited on like kings. I kept thinking about my husband. Will we all outlive our hubbies??? The conversation consisted of: who died who is in the hospital what a great daughter I am for taking good care of my Mom (I took a brief bow...) bingo Speaking of bingo, I won $6!! (Should I invest it in a Bella?) A little grumbling from the regulars. Nothing like a young hussy, and a lawyer at that, to take away one of the prizes. I was good. I did not yell at Emma, who talked throughout bingo. They'd call B 11 for bingo, and she'd shout "11 minus 7" or if they called 0 66, she'd yell Route 66. I swear I wanted to bop her, but she's got lung cancer so I decided not to take her out! If I knew for sure that my Mom had "x" number of months I'd take a leave of absence from work. But, it's complicated. She's happier with Hilda taking care of her, and we can't afford Hilda unless I work. Plus, there's my son's tuition and college and our retirement and my husband's parents.... And, she has an amazingly strong will to live and I suspect she may be playing bingo for quite some time! So the juggling continues. Just slap two slices of Wonder Bread on me -- we may not be the Greatest Generation, but we are definitely the Sandwich Generation!

Pink and Green

Trying to work with non Stampin Up patterned paper always is a challenge for me because most of my inks are Stampin Up -- I like things that coordinate/match/whatever -- so easy! I bought this pink and white paper as part of a Rob and Bob collection, which I found at a Border's Book Store! I made the mistake of thinking that one of my 4 shades of pink ink would match. NOT So, I stamped some Glorious Green words and images onto the patterned paper and just ignored the whole non-matching pink thing. Glorious Green is so not my favorite green and I have tons of this paper, so this was a great way to use it. While I'm not a big fan of this shade of green, I love the way just a bit of it looks with pink -- it's got that spring thing going for it! I thought about adding some ribbon, but it just didn't work, so I once again decided to leave well enough alone! How I made this card: I cut the patterned paper into a 4.5" square and stamped the words with SU Glorious Classic ink right onto the paper -- even going in a curve was easy because I was using acrylic stamps (ok, I'm on a tiny soap box, relax, I'll get over it!!!). The flowers and center of the flowers are from Papertreyink's Paper Tray set. The words and phrases are from Wordsworth Acrylic Tiny Words set. Other supplies: white eyelets (source unknown), SU's Glorious Green and Ultrasmooth White cardstocks. The card itself is a 5" square. ******* Thanks for reading my blog. It makes me feel good to know that someone else besides my husband and son are listening to me babble....

Bright (Very) Birthday

This card is actually brighter in real life than on the screen! I made it for my son to give to my Mom for her 85th birthday this past Sunday. Luckily, my Mom was discharged from the hospital on her birthday after a brief stay. How I made this card: I had to rush home from the hospital with my Mom and come up with something quick. I've been wanting to use my Cricut for a while, and really like these big scallop squares. So -- I cut a 4 inch square scallop with the Mini Monogram cartridge on the Cricut, using an off white shimmery paper (brand unknown). Stamped the daisy from Autumn Leaves Flower Stamps by Rhonna Farrer (clear acrylic stamps) in Palette Noir ink. Colored in the daisy with Stampin Up Summer Sun, Green Galore, and Brilliant Blue Markers, and used the small tip of the Brilliant Blue marker to fill in some polka dots. "Happy Birthday" sentiment from SU's Warm Words. Other supplies: SU Brilliant Blue Cardstock and Brads and Green Galore Cardstock; SU Brilliant Blue Classic Ink. I remain enamored with clear stamps -- this set of 12 good size stamps (mainly flowers and flourishes) only cost about $8, since I used a 50% off coupon at AC Moore's last week. However, my objection to clear stamps at present is simply the limited choice of designs -- most have a very similar look -- lots of flowers and alphabets and few other options. So, I remain a rubber fan too! In fact, I'm chomping at the bit to see the July 1 Stampin Up catalogue . . .

Gina K is in the House!

Many of you are already familiar with Gina Krupsky, also known as Gina K, her designs, her blog, her store. I had an opportunity to interview Gina and learn a bit more about her. Whether you "know" Gina or not, I think you are in for a treat. She is one busy woman! Gina does a million things, including designing, making and selling her own line of stamps. Good grief, I don't know where she gets so much energy, but I've loved watching her from a far! Her stamps are absolutely adorable!! When I think of Gina's style, two words pop up -- bright and fun! (Note: the first 3 cards here were done by Gina, and reprinted with her permission -- the 4th card is from Erika Martin, and reprinted with Erika's permission.) Here's another card that showcases her adorable images and awesome sense of style. I love those fishies!!! Imagine being able to draw your own stamps! Too cool. And, isn't this vase of flowers lovely? Daisies!! Can never have too many daisies! Gina also carries the elusive big 8 ounce refill for Ultra Clean Stamp Cleaner! (Yes, I've tried this and it is the best cleaner out there. Buy it now!!). As I said in my earlier post about Ellen Hutson, I'm very impressed by crafters who take risks to start a successful business. That takes courage! Here's the short interview I did with Gina recently. How long have you been papercrafting?; How did you get interested? I began stamping back in 2001. One of my very first stamp purchases was the stamp that Stampin' Up made to help raise money for 9/11. It was the flag. I still have it. I began scrapbooking shortly after that. I got interested when a friend of mine became a Stampin' Up demonstrator and I saw all the cool things she would make. I liked the idea that you didn't need to be an artist because the art was in the stamp, however, stamping made me realize that I was a more artistic person than I realized. I became a Stampin' Up demonstrator shortly after that and earned a couple of cruises and a few recruiting awards which was so fun and such a great experience for me. How did you get involved in designing your own stamps and how difficult a process is this? Sometimes, when I couldn't find the right stamp, I would draw something instead. I also have a series of rubber stamping techniques DVDs and many stamp companies would not give me permission to use their images in my DVDs. (That would be a electronic reproduction.) Some did, but others did not. So that was a motivator too. I had people tell me that I should be making stamps. I laughed and said, oh, yeah, sure. But then, I thought about it more seriously. My husband and I talked about it and thought long and hard about it. We knew it would be a huge investment but we thought the time was right. I resigned as a demonstrator because I didn't want to violate my demonstrator agreement and I began to create my own stamps. How about the store? When did you open it? I opened the store in November of 2006. How time consuming is it to run the store and how do you pick which products to sell? It is unbelievably time consuming! I spend almost every waking hour working on it. Most nights I don't hit the sack until about 3:00 AM! I choose our products based on what I love. I think if I love something, that I will be able to produce the right samples to showcase it well. The store is a great way for me to get my images out but it is not the best way to make a living. Anyone who has an online business will tell you that it's a lot of hard work to update a website constantly and to promote your store effectively. No one can keep this kind of schedule going forever. LOL! My goal down the line is to get my stamp images into stamp stores across the country. I am also looking at opening a store in my home town here in Wisconsin. I would love Gina K. Designs to be 'household" name in the stamp world. Do you have a partner in the business? Did you have to invest a lot of cash to get started? My only partner is my husband. He is so helpful and supportive. He is an attorney by day and helps me do everything else by night. My daughters will be part of the business someday. My older daughter is a fabulous artist and one of her recent drawings will be a stamp soon. My younger one has a great business head so she'll be a great asset! The investment was HUGE! We had to buy a vulcanizer. Most manufacturers require a large investment to carry their line. (Large Minimums and warehouse and retail space is pricey.) We have a large amount of duplicating equipment and a studio for recording. We have a lot invested in lighting and whatnot. We also have several websites that are expensive when you add them all up. Start-ups are high but if you believe in your product, it's worth the risk. How did you choose your design team? (Note from Joan: this is a card by the fabulous stamper Erika Martin, who is on Gina's design team -- I'm not sure which is more adorable, Gina's bunnies or Erika's gorgeous card). My design team was chosen based on artists who I believe represent the way that I like to stamp or the way I wish I could stamp. Each member of our design team is unique. Their varied styles showcase our products well. We are not finished choosing our design team. That will be an ongoing process. Some of the people that I originally approached turned me down for various reasons. That's okay. I believe that God blessed me with the right ones and will continue to bless me with more of the right people. We are really excited to have guest designers starting in April. The art being submitted is fabulous and their are so many stampers out there whose names are unknown who are unbelievably talented. How well someone is known is not a pre-requisite to getting a guest designer spot with us. We want everyone to try submit! Anything about your personal life that you'd like to share? I have a wonderful family and I am proud to be a wife to Tom and a mother to Alicia and Brianna. I am a Christian woman and my husband and I play the music at our church. I am starting a new spot on my blog with "little interesting facts that you would never have known about me" so my readers get to know more about where I came from and what made me who I am today. Some of that stuff will be wild and crazy! LOL!

Worrying About the Audience

I was watching Jon Stewart of the Daily Show being interviewed the other day and of course connected his comments to stamping (as let's face it, you can draw a line from any Point A and it will eventually lead to stamping)! He talked about how he became a good comic. In addition to lots and lots of practice, he only really came into his own as a comic when he stopped worrying about the audience. Worrying about whether the audience would laugh at his jokes stopped his creative thought processes. Hmm.... So I got to thinking, the audience is important. Their reaction is important. It keeps our creative juices flowing, gives us energy. Without an audience, a comic/an artist/a cardmaker goes flat, dries up. A comic needs to hear the laughter. It isn't vain or stupid to want to hear the laughter, is it? But if you create just to get the laughter, it doesn't work... I don't know about you, but I found this quite thought provoking.

What Happened?

You did not imagine that yesterday I posted a message about my Mom wanting her driver's license; and yes, in a fit of pique, I deleted it last night. Bad blogger! No time for stamping this week, but I'll tell you -- my Mom got her driver's licensed renewed today. She was thrilled -- made her feel good. It made me (and her doctor) feel good to hear her say that she has no plans to drive. Life's a kick sometimes~! Promise to post some stamping stuff soon. In the meantime, congratulations Asela Hopkins for winning the Cornish Heritage Farms illustrator contest!

I Like Him

Plain and simple -- I love my husband. He's not nearly as great as I am, but he's a keeper. So, I made this card for him. Afterwards, I decided that it was a bit (ok, a lot) on the girly side, but it's from me and that makes up for it, don't you think? If you look closely, you'll see the little "I like you" -- this is from a great set of clear acrylics from Wordsworth. I've always loved that company and am thrilled they've come out with some clear stamps. The set has 42 sayings and 2 little frames -- I got it from Addicted to Rubber Stamps during last week's 20% off sale and I think I paid around $12 for it. I wondered how clear an impression such a tiny acrylic would leave -- perfect the first time! How I made this card: The design is obvious -- no special techniques, so I'll just list the supplies: Cardstock: Stampin Up Very Vanilla, Pixie Pink, and Basic Black. Stamps: Autumn Leaves Botanicals by Rhonna Farrer and the ever wonderful Polka Dot background by Cornish Hertiage Farms, and Tiny Wise Words from Wordsworth; Markers: Stampin Up Garden Green and Pixie Pink; Non SU black pigment pen (for the little dots in the middle of the flowers); Memories Black ink; EK Success photo corner punch. I needed the punch to cover up the crooked layers in the corner of the card! May Arts Black and White polka dot organdy ribbon and a heart charm (manufacturer unknown) complete the ensemble! ************ To Answer Some Questions I've received here and at splitcoast: 1. Did I post a review of white inks? At first I said no but then I remembered that I did and that I deleted the post. Sorry for the confusion. I have some new white inks so I'll do another review. 2. Have I had any art training? How kind, how very kind of you to ask. My son laughed when I read that one out loud. Unless you count art once a week in elementary school, that would be a "no"!! 3. Am I an SU Demo? No, used to be but no longer. 4. What kind of lawyer am I? The BEST. No... seriously, I practice special education law for a Federal government agency -- if you are in the US, your tax dollars are paying for my stamps!! On behalf of my addiction, thank you!

Heidi Swapp Spring

Despite the fact that I have an ugly cold and cut my finger this morning, I managed to create a masterpiece JUST FOR YOU, my faithful readers. How I made this card: After nursing my wound, I found a standard A2 card made with Stampin Up's Summer Sun cardstock underneath a pile of paper (have I mentioned that I have too much paper???). By the way, in real life, the flower is a better match to the Summer Sun .... I cut a piece of Basic Grey Blush paper into a 4 1/4" square, trimmed one edge with Provo Craft Paper Shapers scallop scissors (of course using the wrong side of the paper so I did not end up with a scalloped edge) and adhered to the card. I very carefully lined up the letters from Amuse Arts Clear Stamps Lowercase-small Polka Dot set onto a gridded acrylic block from My Favorite Things. I stamped them onto scrap paper using Colorbox Fluid Chalk Cat's Eyes Chestnut Brown ink a few times to make sure I had the letters lined up correctly. Then I stamped "Spring" directly onto the Summer Sun cardstock. I folded a large yellow flower from Heidi Swapp in half and secured with a couple of halp circles of paper -- Stampin Up's Chocolate Chip cardstock punched with a 1 and 1/8" EK Success punch and another circle of the Basic Grey punched with a 1" EK Success circle punch. Both circles cut in half before adhering. At this point, I thought about adding something to either side of the word, but decided that I would quit while I was ahead.

JUST Because

In keeping with my goal to use as much as my paper as quickly as possible (so I can buy MORE of course) this card uses 2 different papers from the luscious Basic Grey Blush collection. How I made this card: Well, couldn't be easier. Layered the patterned paper on top of the distressed turquoise paper (both part of the Blush collection -- the full size 12 x 12 sheets) and put both on top of a Stampin Up Very Vanilla card. Stamped JUST Because (2 separate acrylic stamps from Papertreyink) with Dark Brown Fluid Chalk ink from the Color Box Cat's Eyes' Queue Collection (Chocolate and Blueberries) on the turquoise paper. I purchased the Queue Collection from Cornish Heritage Farms. They come in little stacking packs of 6 and I love them -- so easy to store. Punched stamped turquoise paper with the Mega Scallop Punch from Marvy Uchida; added some eyelets from SU's Earth Elements collection, a bit of SU brown grosgrain ribbon and adhered it to the card. It looked like it needed something so I gently unpeeled the bottom of the scallop from the card, slid in a piece of scrap paper and stamped a portion of one of the flowers from the Autumn Leaves Rhonna Farrer Botanicals collection. To answer a previous question from Debbie, Botanicals is my first set of acrylic stamps from Autumn Leaves. They seem thick and deep etched so I don't expect them to tear. However, I'm aware that some acrylics turn gummy or hard after a while. I don't think I will invest too much money in any one brand until I see how they stand the test of time.

Interested in Getting Published?

Then head on over to Asela Hopkins' beautiful blog Hop Art Studio Asela compiled a list of publications and their links to submission requirements. So sweet of her. And, while you are at it, I recommend her earlier post on Rejection. Well said!

Traitorous Thoughts!

I love the feel, the look, the ease of a wood mounted stamp. Yet, I hear the siren song of . . . ACRYLICS! At first I danced a bit with acrylics, doing the polka (!!) with Papertreyink's first set -- Paper Tray -- a set of mainly words and dots. Once I figured out that these small stamps worked better with classic dye ink rather than juicier pigment ink (for me), I was intrigued. They are so very easy to put just where I want them on a page. And then, I met Rhonna Farrer's Clear Stamps by Autumn Leaves! It's official! It's love! I bought the Botanicals set with my 40% off coupon at AC Moore's the other day. I got a beautiful set of 10 good size stamps for less than $10!!! But more importantly, for the first time I was able to make a background with individual stamps and have the layout of the stamps work -- everything stamped in exactly the right spot the first time. Pigment, dye ink, didn't matter. It was love at first sight. I'm thinking of divorcing my wood stamps and going acrylic. I feel awful, like a traitor, especially since I've sold off 5 sets to help pay for my affair with acrylic. Best not to make rash decisions! There's nothing wrong with having both, is there??? How I made this card: The big flower (Rhonna Farrer) stamped with Eggplant Craft ink from SU onto shimmery white paper. Flourish (Rhonna Farrer) stamped with Old Olive Classic ink; little pink flowers are from a portion of a stamp from Stampin Up's Carte Postale colored in with SU's Pixie Pink marker. I then stamped the flower again onto Eggplant cardstock with White Memories ink. The faux pink eyelets are stamped little pink dots from Papertreyink's Paper Tray set. Other supplies used: Old Olive and Pixie Pink (SU) cardstock; SU Word Window Punch; charm from AC Moore's (says follow your dream); Narrow pink organdy ribbon from SU sponged with Pixie Pink classic ink; SU's Warm Words. By the way, I'm going to remake this card later this weekend and you'll be seeing version 2. ********* To answer a question from Jackie (Hi, Jackie!!), I don't think I've tested out white inks and posted the results. I've thought about it though! I did try out different white cardstocks and that may be what you are remembering. The next time I can make space on my stamping table, I think I will try out some different white inks and post the results.

Recollections

I hope you take the time sometimes to read each other's comments on the blog -- particularly the one on polka dots -- interesting info! Each of you always has something to add that makes me think a bit more. I'm still thinking about the responses to my Stamper's Neurosis post. I wish I could meet each of you. I get emails and private messages on Splitcoast from my blog readers and it is great "meeting" so many of you this way. That will have to suffice . . . I'm trying to stick to my pledge not to buy anymore paper until I've used up 1/2 my stash (I know you guys understand the NEED to hoard, buy, accumulate, etc but really sometimes, you just have to use the stuff!). So, I finally opened the Recollections designer paper that I purchased from Stampin Up when I was still a demo. The background paper on this card has no rose in it, and I didn't care for it the way it was (at least on this card), so I used a Regal Rose (so love that color) Stampin Up marker to color in each of the flowers. How I made this card: I closed my eyes and tried to channel Debbie Olsen into my brain. When that didn't work, I cried, got over it and then gave it my best shot!! Most of this layout and design is obvious. In addition to coloring in the flowers, I took the coordinating brown and vanilla striped paper and brayered it with SU's Regal Rose classic ink (have I mentioned that I love that color?) and stamped it with a flower stamp from SU's Carte Postale; the medallion is also from Carte Postale -- stamped three times -- once in Chocolate Chip ink and twice in Regal Rose ink. I used a circle punch to put 2 of the Rose medallions on top of the Chocolate one, with the top one popped up a bit on an SU dimensional. Other supplies: SU Mellow Moss marker; Swarvoski green crystal, which I bought from Cindy at Startlitstudio (link on right); Chocolate Chip, Regal Rose, Very Vanilla cardstocks and Rose ribbon (all SU), and SU's Crafter's Tool kit to place and punch the little holes in the Chocolate Chip cardstock. Tease: I am NUTs over a set of acrylic stamps I used today for the first time. Ooooh...later....

Stampin Kub!

So many blogs, so much talent! From amidst the crowd emerges a fresh young talent. . . If you are not familiar with Kurtis, a teenage boy who has an amazing eye for design and is stamping up a storm, please check out Kurtis' website. His site includes tutorials, a blog, etc. Is it fair that he's a teenager with more talent and creativity in his thumb than this old woman (that would be me) has in her entire body??? Well, yes it is! You just have to hear the love in his words when he talks about his Mama!! Go Kurtis!

Stamper To The Rescue!!

I HAVE to share this story. As many of you know, my Mom has been pretty sick. I mentioned on the blog the other day that she's developed these mysterious tremors -- not shaking like Parkinson's, but full blown weird snake like tremors that left her unable to walk safely. Her doctor and a neurologist were coming up empty. I was beside myself as she really couldn't be left alone at all and couldn't go anywhere without assistance. Major bad development. Stamper to the rescue! I got a message from a total stranger who explained that her Mom developed similar symptoms due to KIDNEY issues. Duh! MY Mom has KIDNEY issues! I think the mystery is solved -- as my Mom's medication was adjusted, her kidney function improved and the tremors are GONE. [Don't even go there and ask me why the doctors didn't figure this out...I literally could write a book....] I can't begin to explain what an amazing act of kindness this simple message was -- I was on the verge of quitting my job or placing my Mom in a nursing home and a stamper took the time to write to me with what in all likelihood is the cause of these tremors. Amazing. Speaking of amazing, Mike and I have been married 17 years. Good grief, he must be old! This is the anniversary card I made for him. How I made this card: Stamped the fish from Stampin Up's Very Punny (omitted the saying) once in Memories Black ink on Shimmery White paper. I wanted two fishes looking at each other. So, I inked up the stamp again, stamped it onto a solid stamp and then took the solid stamp and stamped it onto the paper. Voila! Two fishes swimming towards each other. (If you look closely you'll see that the fish on the right is not as crisp an image as the one on the left. Have to work on that.) The rest of the layout is obvious. I used SU markers to color in the fishies, spreading the ink around with an aquapainter, and adding some "waves" underneath the fish. I also added a couple of Amuse Arts Mini Heart Twinkles from Ellen Hutson's store to the bubbles. (Have I mentioned how great Ellen is??] You can see those here: Other supplies used: Marvy scallop punch; Pumpkin Pie and Whisper White cardstock from SU; Pumpkin brads from SU; Rob and Bob patterned paper; non SU grosgrain ribbon; and a black SU marker to hand write the saying "Wanna Swim?".

A Polka Dot Thank You

Polka dots -- love them, but I can't help but wonder where that name came? Why polka dots??? I wonder if it is somehow related to the diagram of the dance? How I made this card: Stamped the Polka Dot Background from Cornish Heritage Farms with Stampin Up's Chocolate Chip Classic ink onto SU's Very Vanilla cardstock. Mounted on SU's Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla Cardstock and set aside (smudged it, but the strip hides the smudge!). Cut out the circle "T" with the Mini Monograms cartridge and the Cricut machine. Stamped "hank you" and the three dots with Papertreyink's Paper Tray set (try saying that 3 times) in SU's Chocolate Chip Craft ink. The dots actually had a little star in the middle but I used them upside down and got a slightly bigger dot that way (and no star). Added some SU Certainly Celery cardstock under the letter "T" and some SU celery brads to balance out the card. I saw the circle monogram on another card, but I honestly can't remember where. I was browsing stamping magazines yesterday in a book store (didn't buy) and I think I saw this monogram used this way in the most recent Take Ten (does anyone believe those cards took 10 minutes??). If anyone knows the artist's name, please let me know so that I may give her credit. The Paper Tray set is acrylic. As at least one person commented on my previous post, it isn't all that easy to line these little words up evenly on the laser gridded blocks -- takes a few practice tries to get them just right. However, once lined up, they are a dream to place. I stamped each dot separately and the placement was perfect the first time. Cannot do that with rubber. Stamping with acrylic takes practice -- if you press too hard the stamp "smooshes" a bit and the image is not clear. I understand that some folks stamp on top of a mouse pad. I'll have to try that. The jury is still out on acrylic as far as I'm concerned. ******* To answer a previous question -- Cardstock Vellum is a much heavier weight vellum than regular thin vellum. I love it and it is the only vellum I use. I get mine from Stampin Up, but I believe that Marco's Paper also sells it. I see that some of you prefer my "before" card to my "after" card (post below). I really appreciate the feedback. I'm not blogging to soak up compliments (well, not entirely)! I prefer the second version, but these little bits of art are going to get different reactions from different folks. All opinions welcome here!

Revised Card

Remember I said that I had sought and found a "comment buddy?" Well, here is the card on which I sought comment (the ingredients are just a post or two below): I liked the card but thought it was bland. The comment that I received (and I'm paraphrasing) was that the card needed a boost -- perhaps 3 gold brads, some gold cording or some mellow moss -- something to separate the layers and add a little umph. So, I took the advice and here's version #2: How I changed the card: I added several layers of SU Brushed Gold Cardstock, colored in the leaves with a Sakura Clear Gold Glitter Pen, stamped "Thank You" with Cranberry Crisp on some torn SU Cardstock Vellum, and adhered with SU Gold brads. It's hard to see in the picture, but I also took some Encore Gold ink and pressed it onto to the Recollections patterned paper just to add a bit more gold. To be honest, I think the photograph of the second picture is nicer, which adds to its brightness, but next to each other, the second card is clearly better. Thanks, comment buddy! I could keep going and improve this card further, but after re-working it once, I need to move on (I guess I'm easily bored!!).

Do You Like Acrylic Stamps?

I think I do, especially since I got these cool acrylic blocks -- They're made by Apple Pie Memories and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Those lines are laser etched and make all the difference when placing acrylic or unmounted rubber onto a block. I got mine at My Favorite Things, a new store (for me) that also sells some adorable clear stamps. These blocks make placing small acrylic stamps, such as the very nice ones by Papertreyink, so much easier. If you've already invested in other blocks, perhaps taking a fine Sharpie and carefully drawing in some lines would do the trick? So, I'm wondering -- is acrylic a fad, here to stay? Will it dominate or be another choice? What do you think? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Few other things -- yes, I definitely want to post some "before and after" cards to share the results of my collaboration with my "comment buddy." I'm spending more time dealing with my Mom lately and consequently have less time for stamping. I owe so many folks thank you cards that I really need to get on the stick. I don't know about you, but sometimes stamping is a wonderful retreat and other times I just can't do it! This is one of those times! Later today -- it's already 2 am -- I'm spending ALL day with my hubby to celebrate our 17th anniversary. We decided to invest in hiring my Mom's week day caretaker to come on Saturday so we could have a day all to ourselves. Heaven

Invited

For about a year I've wanted some honest feedback on my work. Sure, folks say nice things but let's face it, when's the last time you said to someone -- that's ok, nothing strking, or it's a bit dull or uninteresting? Or, it's great, but it could be better. We are all too respectful of one another to go there uninvited. So I posted a message on splitcoast seeking a fellow stamper who would provide this service for me and I for her. The result? I've teamed up with someone and we've already provided polite, respectful constructive feedback to each other. I've learned so much in just one exchange -- in fact, providing feedback on her card was, in a way, more of a learning experience, and one that I did not expect. Forced me to look at something that I liked with a critical eye. Usually, I look at cards and think, that's nice but never think about why something attracts me. Now, I have to figure out why I like it and find a way to suggest improvements.! I'm hoping that by hearing what she has to say about my work and by commenting on hers, my skills will really grow. So far, her comments have been spot on! I had some responses to my initial request that were along the lines of "but I already like your stuff" -- which I have to say is always nice to hear (yes, that's human nature!) but somewhat off the point. I'm a huge believer that everyone can improve and I have a long way to go. I'm not educated in design principles and it doesn't come naturally. After watching other stampers and papercrafters grow, develop and take risks, I want to do the same. I have a goal -- which I'm not quite ready to go public with yet. But, when I'm feeling more confident, you'll be among the first to hear!

Promises

I made a really stupid pledge on Splitcoast the other day -- I promised that I wouldn't buy any more paper until I've used up 1/2 my stash and I won't buy any more stamps until I've used all the ones I have. I hate when I say stuff like that! How I made this card: Stamps: Rice Paper Background by Cornish Heritage Farms and Asian Art by Stampin Up. Recollections Paper, Naturals Ivory and Cranberry Crisp paper by SU. Stamped the flowers in Chestnut Memories ink and used Cranberry Crisp and Mellow Moss ink pads with an aquapainter to color in the little flowers and leaves. The "Thank You" is stamped in Chesnut ink and then outlined with the aquapainter with Cranberry Crisp. The layout and construction is obvious -- if you look closely, you'll see that I stamped the base of the card with Cranberry ink and the Rice Paper background on the Naturals Ivory cardstock and gently did the same on the background of the main image. I really like this basic layout -- simple, straightforward, easy to mail (nothing bulky) AND it is using up lots of paper!! LOL Speaking of promises.... Almost 17 years ago I promised THIS guy that I'd do the till death do us part thing. He's a keeper -- so far!! How I made this guy: I met Mike when we were both lawyers at the Department of Justice handling environmental cases -- suing polluters. Oh, the good old days when we were knee deep in bad guys and bad chemicals! Then, I bamboozled him into walking down the aisle, fed him brownie cheesecake, and kept him totally under my control!! The layout and construction of this guy is obvious -- cute red hair (well, it used to be red; well, it used to be hair!!!) and orange eyes (oohh) and a smile that will melt your heart. You know what this sweetie said to me yesterday as I quickly grabbed the latest (pre pledge) package of stamping goodies to arrive at our house?? . . . "Go ahead, order something, you NEED to buy some more stuff. It's a good stress reliever!" Nope, you can't have him! He's all mine!

Stamp/Swap Washington DC Metro Area

It will be at the Dunn Loring fire station, which is right near Tyson's Corner in Fairfax Virginia and it's on a Saturday! May 12th to be precise.... I'm going ............. and would love to meet you! Check out this link for more info.

Hat's Off To These Stampers...

To Tracy Durcan (Tracy-Stamper on SCS) for sending me a brand new set of stamps (Stampin Up's Love it) as a thank you for the Black White Contest. Tracy won second prize and she wanted to return the favor. Thanks, Tracy! You can find her blog here . . . To Lynne Clark (Lynnewithane on SCS) for sending me this lovely calendar. I'm posting just 2 of the beautiful "pages" of this calendar. Imagine doing all this work and then sending it to me -- I've never met Lynne!! I'm such a total nincompoop that it took me a WEEK to figure out that the CD case opens up and serves as a stand for this calendar! . . . Thanks so much for thinking of me Lynne. To Julie Ebersole (Julie HRR on SCS) for this post on her blog, covering the subject of intellectual property and its application to the papercrafting industry. My "copyright" info on this blog is a light hearted jab directed at thieves . . . stamping is a hobby for me, but it is a business for others. Julie's post is an excellent reminder . . . To Liz (Redapron on SCS) . . . for her many cards to my Mom. Here is one example of many lovely cards that Liz sent to my Mom. And, finally -- look at this {great} card! Oh, the artist? That would be ME! LOL My internal stamper compass decided that this card was simply magnifico!! (You may laugh, but the beauty of the internet is that I can't hear you!!). It's the card I made for my husband's birthday last week. How I made this card: The 3 heart stamp is and oldie but goodie from Hero Arts and is literally one of the first stamps I purchased. It's a keeper. I stamped it on a Fabriano-Medioevalis card purchased from Starlitstudio (an A+ recommendation for this stationery and store!) with Black Memories ink. Colored in with Stampin Up watercolor crayons -- real red, yoyo yellow, and pink and used an aquapainter to blend. The phrase is 2 words from the new Paper Trey line of stamps. This set of words is called Paper Tray and are clear acrylic. They come in a nifty CD case. I used SU's Real Red Craft ink on these words, which were quite easy to line up on an acrylic block.

I'm Loving This Card!

As soon as I saw this card by Michelle Giraud (flaxychick on Splitcoast) I knew I had the template for my Mom's 85th birthday card. Thank you Michelle! Today I spent a delicious morning -- ok, it extended into the early afternoon -- making this card. I let my hubby do the grocery shopping and take my Mom out this afternoon. This is the first time I've been in the house without my Mom in ages, and it is so relaxing not having to worry about her or being "on duty." She has developed mysterious "tremors" and is spilling her medication, food, drinks, etc. The worst is when she gets up to walk -- even with her walker, she is shaking way too much. The neurologist is doing tests, but it is just a question of time before she falls. My husband and I have been discussing nursing home. I think it will be up to my Mom to decide which is worse -- having the so called "safety" of being in a nursing home or taking her risks with us. Anyway, as usual I digress . . . This is the card being held closed (note how I erased of my thumb on top -- after I took the pic, I could see some blue ink on my nail!) This is the card opened up. It's a bit hard to see the detail in this card, but each panel has some type of embellishment. (if you click on the picture, you'll see a larger version). The front of the card has the word "Happy" going up the front and the inside has almost all of the other words from Stampin Up's Happy Everything set. For the first time in ages, I used eyelets in a card, thanks to the Crop-a-Dile. I am definitely a dork when it comes to "tools" -- and of course, I couldn't get this tool to work at first. Every time I tried to set an eyelet, it would leave a crushed mark on the eyelet. Ruined a lot of eyelets that way. But, I was determined, and fiddled around with the settings, and finally got it to work. I'm now an eyelet lover! I also used the Crop-a-Dile to punch holes in the card to thread the ribbon. Unfortunately, the tool left a darkish mark on the front of the card. Luckily, the ribbon hides most of it. Punch some scrap paper before taking any chances with this thing! If you are like me, you learn by seeing, not by reading, so I thought I'd post a few pics of the pieces of this card so that you can see how to pull it together. Very easy. This is a standard A2 (5 1/4 x 4 1/4) card, folded at the center. I then took the front of the card and made a score down the center and folded as shown. Then I took another piece of 8 1/2 by 5 1/4 cardstock and scored and folded as shown: Finally, you put the cards together as shown, adhering the 2 cards together to make one long card. So cool! Supplies used to make this card: All Stampin Up unless otherwise noted. Stamps: Petal Prints and Happy Everything, and TAC Squiggles (love that set). May Arts White Polka Dot organdy ribbon; non SU green ribbon; Bold Brights eyelets; non SU white brads; Non SU White Shimmery Paper; Ballet Blue, Summer Sun cardstocks; Ballet Blue, Summer Sun, Garden Green classic ink and markers; White Craft ink; Looks Like Spring Punch; Prima flower; Crop-a-Dile; Genesis Paper Trimmer; Japanese Screw Punch; and Mono Multi Glue.

Patterned Paper Rocks!

I set out to make an anniversary card for my sweet in-laws and stamped images from the Stampin Up Fourishes set on the upper part of this card. I stink at trying to take individual stamps and make a background -- in fact, I've asked Splitcoast to do a tutorial on that issue. My backgrounds come out all weird and uneven and most unpleasing to the eye. Patterned paper to the rescue! My instinct would normally be to put the patterned paper on the bottom of this card, but I had to cover up my mistake. I already had stamped and embossed the focal image and if you are super sneaky, you'll notice that the patterned paper is not centered on the card, but this was the only scrap I had left of this gorgeous Basic Grey Blush paper. I think the stripes on either side of the center pink vertical design kind of hides the fact that this paper isn't centered properly. Either that, or just think that I'm avante garde and wanted it this way!! How I made this card: First, I seriously relaxed. I tried really really hard not to think about any other stampers or this blog and just took a deep breath and entered a zone where the only person I tried to please was ME (and possibly my in laws!!). Then, I found some business size envelopes in really nice paper from Crane's stationers in my stash of envelopes. I have NO idea where these came from!! However, they are lovely and inspired me to make a 4" x 9" card. Love this size!! Inked the large flourish from SU's Flourises in Close to Cocoa and then rocked the edges in Chocolate Chip (both by SU) ink and stamped on SU's Blush Blossom cardstock. Then I used the Flourishes Brassy Template from SU and dry embossed the image, mounted it on Chocolate Chip cardstock and inserted some SU Vintage brads. Adhered Basic Grey paper from the Blush collection to the top to cover up the mess I had made trying to make my own background, and then adhered a horizontal strip from the same sheet of paper to act as a bit of a faux ribbon. I adhered the focal image (no dimensionals -- this is going in the mail and I'm trying to avoid hassles with the post office). Stamped a couple of bigger flourishes in Versamark on the bottom of the card and then another smaller one (all from the same set) in Chocolate Chip on the edges. Stamped "Congratulations" (from Warmest Regards) in CC ink. The bottom of the card still looked too spare, so I remembered my cool new clear Paper Tray stamps from Paper Trey. I used CC Craft ink (pigment ink) and stamped two tiny little dots on each side of Congratulations. I loved not having to use a Stamp ma Jig to get these dots exactly where I wanted them. Note: I have so much more to share -- gifts dropping from the sky (ok, my mail box); other cards, etc. Sadly, my job expects me to show up on time! Gotta go.

Stamper's Neurosis Part Two

I am simply amazed by the number of emails, private messages at Splitcoast and comments here on my Stamper's Neurosis post (see below). At first I was relieved -- a few people agree with me, I can't be too nuts. Then as I heard from so many folks whose work I know and love, I was fascinated by everyone's thoughts. However, as the numbers grew, I found myself looking to see how many folks would comment! NO!! Not again!! You see, I can diagnose my neurosis, but not cure it!! LOL I do want to clarify a couple of points -- I love SCS! That site and Gingerwood and others are NOT my problem. I consider them an amazing stamping resource and a source of enormous camaraderie and friendship. My issues are within me -- not a website. Moreover, there is nothing wrong with wanting some validation, praise, attention, etc. There is nothing wrong with having a counter on a blog, with folks linking to certain blogs, commenting on some cards and not others. There's nothing wrong with preferring certain artists over others, or wanting folks to like us!! It is human nature -- I admit it and am not ashamed of it. There is also nothing wrong per se with a little competition (hey, I ran a contest, for goodness sake!). However, I let it get out of control and it was interfering with the reason I've invested so much time and sooo much money into this hobby -- to enjoy, to relax, to share. Enough with the psycho stuff! The next post will be stamping, stamping and some more stamping....but first, off to celebrate my husband's birthday!

To Answer Some Questions...and a tease....

About the Brownie Cheesecake -- you can substitute fat free or low fat cream cheese. It does make a difference, but it is still a great cake. You can substitute Splenda for all or part of the sugar on an equal basis -- one cup of Splenda equals one cup of sugar. I've substituted about 3/4 of a cup with Splenda and used 1/4 cup sugar and my family did not notice (the chocolate chips already have sugahhh and plenty of it). You most definitely do NOT need to add nuts to the crust. Omit nuts, use different cookies (Lorna Doones are great or even Oreos for the ultimate sin!!), experiment -- the ingredients of the crust are totally free form! About the reaction to my Stamper's Neurosis post: Not to be a tease, but I have a LOT to share about that one later tonight when I have more time. Another tease... Cards coming!!!! And some more amazing stuff sent to me by folks I've never met!!

Tutorial: Brownie Cheesecake

This is the must have birthday dessert in our home and since my hubby is the birthday boy this week, I had to make this cake today. This recipe is from Rosie's All-Butter Fresh Cream Sugar-Packed Baking Book by Judy Rosenberg. What more can I say?? I've altered it a tad. Let's say I CASEd it! Before you start, take 16 ounces (2 regular packages) of cream cheese and 4 large eggs and let them sit on the counter until they get to room temperature. Set the oven for 350 degrees. Ingredients for crust: Crust: You can make a typical graham cracker crust or use this recipe, which offsets the deep chocolate nicely: 30 crushed vanilla wafers (I throw them in the food processor) 1 cup chopped nuts (I throw whatever I have in the food processor, but pecans are best) 6 Tablespoons melted unsalted butter (salted will be fine, but not as upscale!) Mix and press the above ingredients in a 9" springform pan, making sure that the bottom is covered and any extra goes up the sides. This will not form a crust to the top. This is ok, in fact, I've made this without a crust and it came out fine. Wrap the pan with aluminum foil and bake for about 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool a bit. Lower the oven to 300 degrees. Fill a 9 x 13 pan with water and put that pan on the bottom shelf. Ingredients for Brownie Cheesecake 2 packages (8 ounce each) creamcheese 1 cup sugar (you can substitute Splenda for all or part of the sugar and most folks can't tell the difference) 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla 1/4 teaspoon salt 12 ounces chocolate chips -- the darker the better. I just found bittersweet chips, but semisweet will do. 1/2 boiling water with a tablespoon of instant coffee mixed in Put the chocolate chips and the coffee on the top of a double boiler. Do not let the water in the bottom of the double boiler boil or the chocolate will "seize" (turn into a hard hunk) -- just get it warm enough to melt the chips. Stir until smooth, remove from double boiler and set aside. Add the salt and vanilla. Mix again. Add the chocolate/coffee mixture and blend until dark and creamy. Put the mixture in the springform pan and bake for 85 minutes. Lick the bowl before cleaning up your mess! (Actually, since the batter contains raw eggs, this probably is not a good idea, but ....) After the cake is done, remove from oven (duh) and cool before putting in refrigerator. Eat this before your kids do! This is intense chocolate and at this point a dollop of whipped cream is not going to kill you any faster than the cake will, and adds to the pleasure of this cheesecake!

The Wedding Card

A friend of mine is getting married tomorrow (!!) and time was running out so I turned to my trusty embossed vellum for the elegant look. Love that look!! Since none of my friends are stampers [ugh], they'll never know how easy this was! (I was going to wait until the weekend to post this, but a couple of folks asked to see it, so in keeping with my new attitude about the blog, why not??) And, here's the inside: How I made this card: All supplies Stampin Up unless otherwise noted: I embossed cardstock vellum with the Textile Embossing Folder from SU, and using my Xyron, adhered it to Pretty in Pink cardstock. I also printed the names "Amy and Stuart" (the bride and groom) on the computer with the same vellum. I took a piece of Pretty in Pink cardstock and punched a rectangle out of it and then trimmed to form a frame. Threaded narrow white and pink organdy ribbon, non SU silver cording and a non SU heart charm that I picked up at AC Moore's this afternoon (the card really needed something else). After I was done with the card, I decided to add a little flourish from Carte Postale, so I masked the center of the card and stamped the flourish in the corner with Encore Silver pigment ink. The inside text is from Versatile Verses and the flower is also from Carte Postale. What I learned from making this card: Stamp the silver flourish first! Use a different, more script like font for the names. Otherwise, I learned that I can have a good time making a card and not worry about what other folks think about it. Hey, I'm trying, I'm trying.

Stamper's Neurosis

Sometime last week I seriously considered packing up all my craft stuff and going back to my long lost love of reading. Way cheaper (why don't they have libraries for stamps???) and much less stressful. Yes, the hobby that started out as a major means of dealing with stress had become a source of stress. How could this happen? Competition. I was competing every day. Blog Counters, Stampers Top 50, Comments, Views, Favorites, I was back in high school. Yes, it was 1967 all over again! I love splitcoaststampers but I got swept up in the competition over there. It's the white elephant in the room that I put there and never talked about. How many of my cards are viewed, how many receive comments, are they anyone's favorites? I think the last straw was a list I saw of the galleries that are most viewed. This isn't a criticism of SCS, but of ME. There is no reason for a 54 year old woman to feel less worthy because my strengths don't lie in the papercrafting world (I make a mean brownie cheesecake and am not too shabby of a lawyer....) LOL I would find myself thinking -- oh, that tool looks cool, if I get it, I'll make stuff as nice as she [fill in name of great stamper] does. Why is her [again insert name of great stamper] stuff always fabulous and my stuff a pale imitation? Maybe if I try no layers I'll be better, or maybe if I try lot of embellishments . . . maybe if I spend my life at this I'll be perfect... Oh, if I don't post something on this blog that I've stamped every day (pictures with descriptions please!!) my readership will drop . . . Am I the only one who is neurotic enough to feel this way???? So, I took a major deep breath, thought about this for a while, had an email exchange with a stamper whom I admire (thank you soo much) and decided to change directions. I'm dropping out of the competition I got swept up in. I'll stamp what feels good to me and hope to reconnect to the reasons I started this hobby in the first place. I'll post when I have something I'd like to share. Edited to add: Based on the number of comments, emails and private messages I received, I see you guys are neurotic too!! Yippee. I feel better already knowing there's company in this madness. Between taking my Mom to get a chest x-ray, picking up her prescriptions and getting a few groceries this morning, I managed to squeeze in an hour whipping up a wedding card I need. I'll be honest. The card is ok, but not great. I'm posting it anyway!!! I had fun making it. Wasted tons of paper, but I had fun.

Friends Matter

Indeed, they do! I made this card for Liz (Redapron on SCS), who has sent oodles of cute cards to my Mom and me. It's the least I could do! I knew when I saw the Love Matters set in the Winter Mini that I would eventually get it. I like the doodley style and love coloring it in. Reminds me of the way kindergarten was before the academic types took over and removed all the fun!! Don't they know it is downright therapeutic to color in the lines??? How I made this card: Not too much mystery to this basic layout. I sponged the Vanilla paper with Blush Blossom and Close to Cocoa inks and stamped "friends" and the little heart with Chestnut ink. I made a rough mask of the "friends" image and stamped over the main image with Aida Cloth inked in Blush Blossom for a little texture and interest. The heart background on the bottom of the card is just various heart stamps from the Love Matters set randomly stamped and colored with markers. Added the Olive strip of paper and the ribbon. It's hard to see in this pic, but the focal image is popped up on SU dimensionals. I like these because they are fairly thin and don't pop up too too much! This was an easy, but satisfying card too make. By the way, I decided to take this card to the post office to see how much it would cost to mail and to have it hand cancelled. Surprise! 52 cents! Just a thought when making cards to mail... Supplies: All supplies from Stampin Up except ribbon. Love Matters and Aida Background stamp sets; Ruby Red, Old Olive, Blush Blossom markers; Chestnut Memories ink, Ruby Red brads; Very Vanilla, Blush Blossom, Old Olive and Ruby Red cardstock; Dimensionals, and Paper Distresser.

Janice (Smitty2004) Wins!

Janice, known as Smitty2004 on Splitcoaststampers, is the winner of the $50 gift certificate for Stampin UP merchandise! Janice, please send Redapron of Splitcoast a private message and you can work out the arrangements for your order!! Janice's beautiful card is a 4 and 1/4" square. Janice used Versamark to ink up SU's Paisley background and then embossed it with Black Ranger Fine Detail Embossing Powder. She also used SU's Delight in Life set to make the flowers. The center of the flower is raised on a dimensional. Other supplies used: SU Whisper White cardstock, Bazill Black cardstock, Black Staz On ink, White SU grosgrain ribbon, Sakura Black Jelly Roll pen, SU Ticket Corner Punch. Janice made the letters with Quikcutz and then dotted them with the Jelly Roll Black pen. Everything about this card works -- the details, original design, craftsmanship and beauty. I think it is definitely Black and White and worth $50!!! Thank you Janice! The second prize goes to Tracy Durcan, whose card is very different than most. I refuse to use the term "simple" to describe one layer cards. They are, in my most humble of opinions, extraordinarily difficult to pull off well. And, since this is my blog, my opinion rules!! Tracy used the following materials in her card: Whisper White cardstock, Black Staz On, SU!'s Best Bar Codes, Rhonna Farrer's Swirls, SU! Hodgepodge Hardware, SU! Black Ribbon, Paper Piercing Tool, Template, Foam Mat, Two Way Glue Pen and Dazzling Diamonds glitter by SU! Tracy, please send me a private message at Splitcoast (Joan B) with your address so that I can get your box of goodies sent to you. Included in your box will be this card, donated by Cindy Mothermay (Mothermark on SCS): Thanks, Cindy! This card is amazing in person -- full of dimension and details! Isn't Cindy nice for doing this??? If you'd like to see the rest of the entries, I created a separate blog just for that purpose. You can find them at BlackWhiteContest ! I looked at every entry, regardless of whether it was emailed to me or posted on this blog. I hope that I managed to get all of the entries posted on the other blog -- if I omitted yours, it was an honest mistake and please leave a message and I will correct my error. I tried my best to ignore the manner in which the card was photographed, as that will often make a huge difference in a first impression. When you see the entries, I'm sure you will agree that selecting winners was not an easy task. Unbelievable talent. Thanks for taking the time to enter. You guys are the best!!! This contest was a very interesting experience. Enough said!!

Interview: Ellen Hutson - Part Two

Here is Part 2 of my interview with papercrafter/artist/storeowner Ellen Hutson and a few more samples of her work. I edited this post to include this drop dead gorgeous card that Ellen just posted on her blog Simple Dreams. It highlights the use of a paper trimmer called Create A Cut, which Ellen sells in her store. I'm dying to get my hands on that paper trimmer! Look at those scalloped edges! Later in the story you will also see two more of her designs -- a lovely Christmas card and a very clever shoe! Enjoy! Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who is Ellen Hutson? Arriving at college, I began taking courses that would lead me to a medical career. Quickly I realized that I just didn’t have the ability to be around all the “gore” and I wondered if my heart could take the “loss” that goes along with a medical career. So I concluded that I should be a teacher. I love children and decided that I would be more suited for the Elementary grades, so off I went on that course. My true passion has always been art. From a very young age I would draw and rearrange furniture. I took photography and art classes, and decided to add an interior design degree to my Elementary Education degree. I studied all aspects of interior design, adding in business courses along the way.