Stampin Hot in Arizona

Hang it up!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:10:00 +0000

The local AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ asked those of us who teach there to create an ornament. They will be handing out the chipboard shape and having a contest for their customers to decorate these for assorted themes and prizes. Of course, us teachers are exempt but I hope mine inspires someone!

I can't remember the name of the paper other than it's be Basic Grey. The Rejoice is from a retired set called Whimsical Greetings and I stamped it with Red Brick VM ink and embossed using Transcendence Embossing Powder. (This is the best clear embossing powder! Can be used on dye ink!!) I used the Mega Scallop Oval and Super Jumbo Scallop Oval punches.

Can you see where I used my Stardust Clear Gel pen?? It's on the Basic Grey paper and the dots on the scallops! I also used a quarter piece of hydra sponge and Chartreuse PH ink on the small scallop for emphasis.

This cool leaping reindeer is from the Reideer Food set. It is available for a short time so if you're interested in it you must order it soon!! Again I used Brick Red VM ink and Transcendence embossing. I also used my White Gel pen for embellishment around the ovals. Oh, the swirls on the edge of the small oval were stamped with Chartreuse PH ink. The red and brown cardstocks are actually 1 sheet of Core'dinations paper! It's double-sided! Love that stuff!

I used some green braiding cord to line the edge of the ornament and for the hanger. And these beads are from the ribbon of beads. I think they were a great touch at the bottom of this ornament. You can also see where I used the Stardust Clear Gel pen on those little dots on the swirls around the edge of the white piece. It was also used on the swirls within the reindeer.

I hope to get this back after Christmas. Now to figure out where to put my initials! Are you getting ready for Christmas?? Got your cards done? Tree out? Gifts purchased? Anyway, you don't have much time left!! Less than a month! Wahoo!

Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:51:00 +0000

I added Lincoln's Proclamation to my personal blog today. Great history! Just scroll down the left sidebar to the Link! Thanks!

O Come All Ye Faithful....

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

I just got a couple of the new Limited Edition sets and played for a few minutes last night. This stamp is from the Noel Noel set of 9 stamps. Some I cut the "bolder" words from the rest. And this background is a technique from the Technique Junkies newsletter called Faux Painted Paneling. If you'd like to get this newsletter please tell Pat that I sent you!

I stamped the words in Burnt Umber plus used the ink and color dusted around the edges of the stamped label. The label is from the Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels One. I found some brads that coordinated very well!

Here you can see a closeup of the stripes. The paper is by Core'dinations so it's brown on one side and red on the other. Can you guess what I did to create this striped background?

Are you tired of my Christmas cards? I do have plenty now to send even after I gave away 2 dozen of them! And with this new Limited Edition set, well, I probably will make a few more. But I really need to get crackin' on my gifts!

And for those in Green Valley, AZ.... My next class is Dec.1 at the AZ Scrapbooking store from 1 - 3 pm. I'll be teaching the Cuttlebug Christmas class that I had early this month. It's back by popular demand!! Please call the store and reserve your space soon! I do have a limit of 10 "students".

Personal Blog Update

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:02:00 +0000

I have just updated my personal blog with the Thanksgiving Proclamation given by George Washington in 1789. Just scroll down the left sidebar and click on my personal blog link.

Drawing Winner!!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Here is the bucket with the 11 names of those who commented about the Christmas Cards....

Here's Dean reaching into the bucket to draw the winner....

And here is the lucky recipient of the 2 dozen Christmas cards!!!

Congrats, Trudy! I'll be contacting you by email to get your addy to mail these cards! Thanks to all of you who posted. I truly appreciate your comments and your visiting my blog as it's for you that I do this. Thanks!

Another Santa card

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

This is the 2nd card I created with Diane's set... I may have to purchase this or borrow again!

This time I also used the background script along with the Santa from the Vintage Santa set. Isn't he just so cool looking?? I stamped on a white cardstock base using Burnt Umber PH ink which I also stamped Santa. I tore the paper around Santa and wiped the edges of him and the card base with the Burnt Umber. I then layered him on some DCWV cardstock and added the 5 mini off-white brads from my stock. This card took less that 10 minutes! I did use my centering ruler (I don't have the link at this time) to space the brads evenly.

Ready to win 24 Christmas cards??

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:35:00 +0000

Today is the final day to enter the drawing for these 2 dozen Christmas cards!

There are 24 cards with envelopes available to some lucky person!! Now, if you are receiving the post by email or Facebook you MUST come to my blog to enter!! Very important!

Rules:
1. Leave a comment on THIS post with your email addy (so I can contact you if you win) of how many cards you send each year. (1 entry in the drawing)
2. Become a follower. (1 entry in the drawing)
3. Tell your friends. Those who comment MUST tell me who told them about this drawing. If your name is mentioned you get another entry in the drawing.
4. Mention this drawing on your site and let me know and get another entry in the drawing.

Entries end November 21 at midnight Mountain Standard Time. I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

If you have any questions you can contact me by way of the "Contact Me" in the sidebar or by the chat box down a ways in the sidebar! Good luck!!

Vintage Santa

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:50:00 +0000

A friend/customer purchased this set of 6 stamps and she was having a bit of trouble getting Santa to stamp completely. Today I borrowed it and played for a few minutes. This is what developed...

This cool santa is from the set called Vintage Santa. There's a script background, snowflakes, and 3 phrases along with Santa. I stamped him on a piece of white cardstock in Burnt Umber PH ink then, using a color duster, added Raw Sienna PH ink on the edges and a hint of Burnt Umber on the very edges. The solid cardstock is from the Amelia Cardstock package and the cool pattern piece is from the Amelia SWIC collection. I used Amelia ribbon and found this coordinating button. I didn't have any scrappers floss the right color so I used white floss and colored it with the Raw Sienna ink. I used a 1/2" glue dot behind the button to adhere it to the ribbon. I love how it came together. What do you think??

Sunday morning is the drawing time for the 2 dozen Christmas cards. Have you entered yet? Just click HERE to go to the proper post and follow the directions!

And if you are a follower already thanks! I don't know why the photos don't always show up. Some kind of glitch with Blogger, possibly! But I know who you are and appreciate you very much!!

It's all pinned up!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Well, clothespinned anyway! LOL! I purchased these 2 oversized clothespins a while back and finally did something with them! Our son and his family went to Disneyland recently and posted these beautiful pics of our granddaughters. I thought, ah ha!! So, I dug out some of our great designer papers and started playing.

Both clothespins were painted to coordinate with the papers chosen. The one on the left is covered using the Sands of Time SWIC and the one on the right is covered with Penelope SWIC.

I used the stamp set, Always Remember, for the text on both clothespins. Here, on the one above, I stamped the text with Gingerbread VM ink, and used my Extra Jumbo Circle punch to punch it for use. I layered it on a large white flower that I also stamped. I found a button that kind of matched the green in the paper and added the scrappers floss (white floss that I inked with the Gingerbread), and adhered with my 1/2" Glue Dots.

Here I layered the image on a piece of purple cardstock from our Penelope Cardstock package. I stamped the image in Jumbo Java VM ink and added the Penelope Ribbon. The little purple paper posies added a feminine touch in my opinion. What do you think?

Also, don't forget to enter my drawing! Go the this POST and follow the directions! I'm not getting many commenters so your chances are good!

A Blast from the Past

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:39:00 +0000

I've been working on Christmas gifts so I can't post those until after the first of the year. So...
I thought I'd give a bit of Montana history! Do you remember the Rick O'Shay and Latigo cowboy characters? Well, Stan Lynde created this syndicated cartoon strip and in 1988 he teamed up with a partner to create the great 1989 Montana Centennial Cattle Drive. I was working as a legal secretary in Red Lodge, MT and our office drew up the incorporation papers and other legal stuff required. Stan was so gracious that he gave us all autographed calendars! Anyway, he also has written some books about the old west and another cartoon series called Grass Roots. Google him! I was all over the web finding fun stuff!

Stan also created a line of rubber stamps and here's 2 of them. I think I have another of 2 cows on both sides of a barb wire fence reaching through to the other's side but I can't guarantee it's his line as I have taken it off the wood block. I have used these 3 stamps a lot and they are well loved.

Also, don't forget to leave a comment on this POST for your chance to win 2 dozen Christmas cards! Just click on the word Post and follow the directions! Drawing takes place this coming weekend!!

It's ornamental!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 14:50:00 +0000

I'm working on my ideas for the Christmas ornaments I give family each year. What do you think of this one?

I purchased a Sizzix die and cut this stocking out of a white coaster. I then cut out a front and back from a piece of scrap from TAC's retired Merry Wishes SWIC paper. I did have to tape the coaster stocking on both sides to keep the topper from coming off. I used my markers to color the edges so they wouldn't be stark white! After adhering the paper I next attached the topper (a separate piece cut out of the coaster) and coated it with White Liquid Applique then used my heat gun to make it kinda bubble. How cool! I also decided to use my Stardust Clear Gel pen on the green lines for more bling. I think I like it. The die has 3 different ornaments, the stocking, a ball ornament, and a light bulb. The stocking is 3 1/2" tall and 2 1/2" wide.

And don't forget to leave a comment on my 11/13 post to win the 2 dozen Christmas cards. Just click HERE to get right to the post. Just follow the directions!!

And my fellow angel, Barb, is having an amazing blog candy offering! Check her's HERE!

It's time...

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

We have a new little coffee shop here in Amado, AZ. Great coffee and some pastries. My dad noticed that she didn't have a clock and Gail (not sure of spelling) said she hasn't found one to her liking yet. So... You know me! I told her to let me play with an idea and here it is! I purchased a "cheap" clock from Walmart for about $5 and removed the cover, hands, and printed face paper.
After using the face to draw a template on a piece of white cardstock I got busy. None of the images are current so I can't give you any links.

I tried to match the colors of her walls which are turquoise, brown, and kind of a mustard. These are sponged on the white exterior of the clock. I used my Stardust Clear Gel pen on the coffee smoke, spoon and word on the coffee cup, and on the donuts so they look like their sugared! In real life it is rather striking. She liked the clock and it does look cool on her wall!

Thank you...

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:09:00 +0000

No words can express my thanks to those who served and/or died preserving our freedom and the freedom of others from oppression. And also I thank those families left behind from those who are now serving or have died and pray for GOD's blessings and comfort for you. Your sacrifice has been great. I pray that our great U.S.A. may long stand as a symbol of the great republic we started out to be as we fought for independence from England's tyranny and the extreme taxes they demanded. The signers of the Declaration of Independence knew the importance of GOD and small government when they created this great document. Oops, got onto my soapbox. Anyway, may GOD's blessing also be on those who love HIM and serve HIM as we fight for our religious freedom to worship GOD through the persecution we are facing in this country.

A guy card...

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:01:00 +0000

My hubby celebrated a birthday Saturday and this is the card I made him. It's simple, as most of my cards, yet I really like it. I don't do a lot of fancy cards since most of my local customers like the easy to do cards. Anyway...

Again I used a cuttlebug folder and beige/black Core'Dinations cardstock for the striped background. I layered it on some brown cardstock that I've had forever. The tree is from the Good Timber set and the label is from Label Lingo, a hostess set. Both are stamped with Burnt Umber PH ink (and I need to get the refill now) to coordinate with the cardstock. The Good Timber set is great for masculine cards and you can jazz it up by using the Stardust Clear Gel pen or even white liquid applique for a snow effect. A very versatile set!

I got a new cuttlebug folder this weekend and hope to play with it soon. Also got the Nested Pines die by Spellbinders which I hope to use for a December class at the AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ.

Let it snow!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

No, it's not snowing here but my card is loaded with snowflakes!! It's not necessarily a Christmas card but that's probably what I'm make it with whatever text I used inside. The background was made using a Cuttlebug embossing folder on my Wizard machine. The paper is by Core'Dinations and is navy on one side and light blue on the other so when sanded the light blue shows! I like this almost as much as the DCWV white core cardstock! Anyway, on to the card...

I had some dark red glossy scraps that I need to use so it is the layer behind the embossed snowflakes and the punched scallop circle made with the Giga Scallop Circle punch and sanded the edges a bit so it would stand out more. I stamped the red circles (Christmas Circles set) in Bordeaux PH ink, punched out using the Mega Circle punch then stamped with the little snowflake from the Ornamental Snowflakes set. I then punched the little snowflake circle from the Christmas Circles set with Agean Blue VM ink, and punched out it with the Extra Jumbo Circle punch. The ribbon is wide sheer red purchased from a local store.

Here you can see I used my Stardust Clear Gel pen on the centers of the snowflakes plus I used it on some of the embossed snowflakes. The pen really adds some pizazz and bling to stamped images!! I think I mentioned in a previous post how much I like it. LOL!

So, are you getting your Christmas cards made? Christmas is just next month!! Remember that I will have a blog drawing for 2 dozen cards with envelopes soon!!

I really appreciate your comments when you see something you like. Just click on the itty bitty red "comments" listed at the bottom of the post and it'll open a new window for you to leave your comment! Sometimes Blogger can get funky and you'll need to refresh your screen to get the info or see things in the sidebar. Beats me what happens and it is frustrating. Also, at the bottom of the left sidebar is a section called "Labels". There you can find posts on a certain theme or "label" that you want to see. I try to make my blog user friendly and if you have an idea to help please let me know. There is even a "chat box" and a search box for your use.

It's Cuttlebug Time!!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Wednesday I had a Cuttlebug Christmas card class at the AZ Scrapbooking store in Green Valley, AZ. Had 5 wonderful ladies and they all said they had a great time. Well, I'm just thrilled! Anyway, I had kits for 8 so when I got home I started playing! Now, the stamped images are on WHITE paper and the background behind the cards is WHITE! Beats me why my camera or my computer changes it but it's not the cream color showing up. But, I do like the cream! So, here's what I made with the leftovers....

I used Hiero Horses and Gingerbread VersaMagic ink on this card. I stamped off once on scrap paper before stamping the horses on the white layer. The text is from the Just Because set. The paper is by Core'Dinations so after I ran it through a Cuttlebug folder I sanded it and the light brown layer shows through. How cool is that! And I used the Corner Chomper to do the rounded corners. This is a great tool! You can do both 1/4" and 1/2" rounded corners and it'll hold those pesky little pieces inside a container until you release them! Plus it has fold-out "wings" to hold the paper corner in place before rounding! Just too cool. You can get a great little carrying/storage case for it, too. Love it! Ok, commercial break is over. On to the next card.... LOL!

Here I stamped the roadster from our Cars set. Still used Gingerbread VersaMagic ink. I used a little color duster to add more ink to the white stamped layer and, to distress it more, I used a Kool Cat Trax tool (I've had this forever and no, I don't remember where I got it!) to add the "chunky" color. And I used the Corner Chomper on the corners.

On this card I stamped images from the Take Pride set. Again, using Gingerbread VM ink I stamped off the elephants first before stamping on the white paper. The text is then stamped "full strength". And again, the Corner Chomper was used.

Did you know that if you click on a stamp set name or any item I have underscored that you'll go to my online catalog/shopping cart and see the product?? That way you can see all the images in the set or what the tool looks like or larger images of the ink or whatever.

I will be stamping the envelopes soon for the 2 dozen Christmas cards that I plan on giving away for blog candy this weekend. I hope to post the drawing info next week so keep coming by!

New Stamp Sets!!!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:39:00 +0000

I just added some information and 4 new sets in the November Specials slide show in the sidebar! These are really cool! I have to put in an order now. Dang! LOL!

On a sad note....

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

We just heard that our daughter-in-law's father passed away this past weekend. Words can never express the pain one feels for a loved one's loss. I made this card for her and her mother (and, of course, our son and granddaughters) who is battling cancer at this time.

I purchased some Core'Dinations cardstock from our local scrapbooking store and it is the dark embossed and the brown that's stamped on. Pretty cool paper! I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder and my Wizard to do the square embossing then I sanded it to bring the light brown through. The stamp is in the set called With Sympathy. I also used another image from the set for the inside. The brown base is from my stash that I've had forever. The little embossed tin flower I received from a friend.

Here's a closeup of the embossed tin. There was 4 in the package. It's rather copper colored, not this silver that is coming across in the photo. The card is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" as I wanted something a bit larger than a standard A2 size. And, while you are reading this, I'd appreciate a prayer for Amy and her mom, Sue, and the rest of the family. Thanks.

New Drawing!!!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:55:00 +0000

TAC™ has a new drawing for free product!!! How cool is this!! The Penelope SWIC collection and a great stamp set!!

What you could win!!!
• Penelope™ SWIC™	retail value: $6.95
• Penelope™ Cardstock	retail value: $6.50
• Penelope™ Ribbon	retail value: $4.95
• Antique Copper Hardware	retail value: $4.50
• Gratitude Journal Stamp Set	retail value: $21.95

	Total retail value: $44.85

Click HERE to enter or enter from the button in the left sidebar. I'm not sure if the "frame" in the set is actually open like it shows. Anyway, enter the information required and best wishes for you to win!

Are you ready for the new year??

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0000

I carry a little pocket calendar to keep track of my days as I sometimes forget I have something planned for a certain day when asked to do something. Since 2010 is just around the corner I purchased a new 2010/2011 pocket calendar for $1 at a Dollar-type store and had to recover it!

I really like our Cha Cha SWIC paper. The colors are bright and cheery. I also used a small scrap from the Cha Cha cardstock pack to stamp the text but I did stamp on the smooth side of the cardstock. You get a much nicer image when you do that. The text is from the Always Remember set which I think is great for the website password books I sometimes make or even scrapbook pages!

For a little more fun I punched out 3 flowers and edged them with the Noir PH ink that I also stamped with (plus swiped around the larger paper pieces). We carry 2 of the punches, Extra Jumbo and Super Jumbo, but the small one is by EK Success, I think. There are 2 more punched flowers to the upper left of the pattern paper in the top photo but since I didn't get black ink around the edges they are hard to see. So, now I'm ready for next year, how about you??

Happy November!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:57:00 +0000

Today I'm just posting to remind you of the November specials. Scroll down the left sidebar to the November Special slideshow. You can click on the slideshow which will take you to my Picassa album for better viewing of the sets, prices and item numbers. We have 2 sets, the Stamp of the Month (SOTM) and the Vintage set available. You can purchase one or both at a special price with a qualifying $30 order. BUT, to get these great specials you must contact me to place your order as going through my shopping cart will not work to get them. Hope you had a fun and safe Halloween!

Don't forget to enter TAC's latest contest!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:19:00 +0000

The final day to enter the Miss Moxie Drawing is Oct. 31!! Here's the LINK! You can only enter once!! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!!

Upcoming class

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:09:00 +0000

Just a reminder for my Green Valley, AZ customers... Don't forget the Cuttlebug Christmas card class on Nov. 4 at the AZ Scrapbooking store from 1 - 3 pm. Cost is $18 and you'll make 3 cards. Please bring a sanding block, a Stardust Clear Gel Pen, and adhesive. All paper will be supplied and I'll have the inks, etc. for you to use. Sign up quickly by calling the store at 520-393-7755!

A semi-creative Christmas card...

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

I purchased a package of 8 blank cards from Michaels a while back and played a bit yesterday. The cards are glossy so I had to be careful when stamping so that my images wouldn't smear.

I should have used the darker green (Viridian Leaf PH) on the stars (Christmas Minis set) in the white circles instead of the light green (Chartreuse PH). The tree (Joy of Christmas set) was also stamped on glossy to match the card and the text is from the Thinking of You hostess set. I used a green from DCWV Brights cardstock stack to layer all stamped images.

Here is a closeup of the tree. The ink had quite a reaction to the glossy. You can see some of the "dots" where I used my Stardust Clear Gel pen for some bling.

Here is the inside. I used the stars again to give some design to the inside and the text is from the Holiday Wishes set. I'm still trying to decide if I need to add something more to the cover. Any ideas or leave it as is?? Comments appreciated!!

A flower for you!

stampincarol@hughes.net (StampinCarol) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:40:00 +0000

I kinda fell down on my posting this week as I've not been creative. Today I finished a card that I started Monday. This sketch came from Heather's Monday Sketch with a change in the ribbon size.

I'm using up paper scraps as I have baskets full! The stamps used are Gerbera Daisy, Joyful Tags, Build-a-Background & Enjoy Nature hostess sets, and a retired set for the Hello on the tag. I used Noir, Orangerie, and Raw Sienna PH inks and colored the daisy with my Prismacolor Pencils.

If you look closely at the flower petals you can see where I highlighted with my Stardust Clear Gel pen. I also used it on the veins of the leaves. I also thought the button was perfect for the flower center but just had to add a piece of white scrappers floss for more fun.

So, do you forgive me for being late with my post? I am working on a blog candy drawing for next month. It'll be 24 Christmas cards with matching envys.