Monday, September 29, 2008

Rylie's Tshirt & another special!!

Well, I did a page of Rowan last so I decided to do a page of our middle granddaughter Rylie with the Tshirt we gave her for her 8th birthday. I even scanned her thank you letter and shrunk it to fit my 8"x8" page. Rylie takes dance lessons and the Tshirt just jumped out at me shouting her name! Love it when I can find gifts like that!

I started with a page from Kaleidoscope Girlz Wing It Pad. I layered the photo and letter on coordinating paper. The little ballerina is from the Twinkle Toes set and colored with Prismacolor Pencils. I also stamped the words from the set to help tie it all together. All the stamping was done using Noir PH ink.

I decided to give you all another gift! To the first 3 who place orders on my ecommerce site or email me (so that you can get the double dips goodies) I will send 5 Christmas cards with matching envelopes! Look through my site and let me know! This offer ends October 15th! Don't forget to check the monthly specials in the left menu column. The Fall Supplement has some really great sets!!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

We have a winner!!

Pat S. in WA said...
Great Idea. Need to learn how to make these. Would be multiple Christmas presents.

Pat, please email me with your snail mail address so I can get this journal in the mail to you!

And thanks to everyone who posted a comment!! It's very encouraging when you like my projects and leave comments. I hope to do a tutorial on this journal some day. Right now I need to turn my attention to Christmas gifts and such.

So, back to stamping!!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Her shadow has grace.

My stepson emailed this gorgeous photo of our youngest granddaughter (in black & white) and I just had to play with it.I started by coloring the dress and starfish using my Pastel Chalks. I added pink to the dress and beige to the starfish. The cardstocks are from the Brights DCWV Cardstock stack which I stamped using my Fancy Curls set and Claret PH ink. All the text is from the This Girl set. The punched border at the top is the new Treading Water Fiskars punch (which gets quite a workout from me!) layered over a strip of white cardstock. The flowers and buttons are out of the Ava Embellishment Jar. I also used white scrappers floss (which I curled) and a hot pink brad.The larger flowers are felt. I scattered some of the florals and buttons around the bottom of the page. Now, isn't she just beautiful!!!

We gave our other granddaughter a cool ballerina Tshirt for her 8th birthday and got a photo and the cutest thank you letter which I hope to scrap soon.

And remember that Friday night at midnight is the deadline for posting a comment on my 5000th hit post for the drawing!! Also, when you post it may take a while to show up as I do moderate the comments.

Monday, September 22, 2008

Box of Cards

I've been playing with some boxes I purchased from Rubber Stamp Concepts at the Paper Gatherings show in Tucson a few weeks ago and here is the first one I've finished. The next 2 I will paint rather than cover with paper as the paper doesn't want to bend when you open the box.
I've had this pattern paper for a very long time so just wanted to use it. It comes in a book published by Design Originals by Suzanne McNeill called Scrap Happy Pinks. I used my Yes! glue to adhere it to the box. The corners are stamped with Fancy Curls using Claret PH ink. The band is white cardstock covered with a strip of the paper then I used my Giga Scallop circle punch on some hot pink cardstock, stamped the circle from Sweet Goodies in Claret ink and punched using the Super Jumbo Punch, added the flower (from Ava Embellishment Jar) and a hot pink brad. This slides on and off and holds the box closed.

Here you see the 5 cards I made for the box. They are 4 1/2" by 3 1/2". I used various punches and Spellbinder Nestability dies for these. The stamps used are: All Season Swirls (a current hostess set), Holiday Magic, Trendy Greetings, and various GWP stamps. I also scored each card using my Scor-Pal, one of my most favorite tools!

Don't forget to post a comment on my 5000th Hit post for your chance to win the Manilla Folder Journal! Remember that I do moderate the comments so it may take up to a day before you see your post.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Over 5000 hits this week!!!

Can you believe it?? I've gotten over 5000 hits since I started my blog so today's surprise is...
Another drawing!!

This is a pocket journal book made from a manilla folder. You can keep photos, coupons, letters, whatever in the 4 inside pockets. Just leave a comment on this post and I'll draw a name a week from tomorrow (Sept. 27). Only 1 comment per person and I do moderate the comments so you may not see it for up to a day. And please include your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner!! Comment eligibility ends Sept. 26 at midnight. And, in case you're wondering, I used the Life is Short and Fancy Curls sets in making this journal. The paper is from our Khamalat SWIC which is now retired.


So, good luck or many blessings or whatever! Just remember, the time is short (bad pun) so get your comment made!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Christmas gifts in the making


I purchased 3 of these magnetic chalk boards on clearance for $2 each at Michaels a couple weeks ago and here is one completed. I used Yes! glue, Amberly Grace SWIC, Tag Tidbits (on the magnet), some coordinating buttons, scrapper's floss, Simple Bet, Swimming Pool Paper Posies, and the Hillary Embellishment Jar items. Oh, I used Noir P.H. ink for the stamping, a silver brad, and some 3/8" wonder tape to adhere the felt flower. Hmmm, now to finish the other 2 and figure out who gets them!!

I'm hoping to reserve a tape at an all day crop October 26 in Tucson. I've got to come up with the $80 for the table and purchase some items (like our great scrapbook kits) for show. Please think of me for some sales to come up with the $$. Would really appreciate it.

And if you are interested in seeing one BIG spider, go to my Livin' Hot blog listed in the left menu under Favorite Links. Just another aspect of life here in southern Arizona!!

Friday, September 12, 2008

Double Dips!


TAC™ is starting a new promotion called "Double Dips". This will be running Sept. 15 - Nov. 3, 2008. During this time we will be offering Double rewards!!! Customers get 2 GWP free stamps on a $30 net order (that means 4 on a $60 net order!). Hostesses will get Double hostess sets and Double 1/2 price items!! And new angels can receive and extra $50 in T-coded stamps free!! So, check out our Fall Supplement and call or email me ("contact me" info in left menu column) with your order! We do take MC, Visa, and Discover and your order will go directly to your home! No need to travel, shop from your computer with your coffee in your jammies, or whatever! You can order directly from my online catalog but you will not be able to get the benefits so you must do this directly through me personally. Hopefully some day TAC™ will have the ability to get these great freebies and benefits available for customer direct orders. So, don't delay!! Get out there and Double Dip!!

The Fall Supplement is NOW available!!

All the new stamps sets are now available for your viewing and purchasing! Wahoo! Can you tell I'm excited!! Click here to see all of them! If this link doesn't work just scroll down the left side menu of my blog to Favorite links and click on Online Catalog and shopping cart. When my TAC homepage comes up (and I recommend opening this in a new tab on your browser by placing your arrow/cursor on the name, right click, then click on open in a new tab) click on the products page, scroll down to Fall Supplement, and click on that. There is also a slideshow of the sets in the left menu. And you can also go to my personal website gallery in the Specials album to see all the sets. Do I have you clicking away?? LOL! Enjoy!

And my prayers are out for those in Texas and Louisiana for the next few days with Hurricane Ike.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Do you like cake??

I happened across this blog and it kept me laughing for a long time! Check it out!

In Remembrance.....


May we always remember the lives that were lost and the pain and fear that we felt. I pray for a safe future, the freedom from terrorists, and a return to godly morals and values.

Halloween Is Coming!

I have seen a lot of Halloween projects recently on blogs and thought these were just the cutest things for our granddaughters! Here you see the finished cone filled with candy corn. I used black paper, Simply Spooky (or any seasonal paper you desire), Sweet Goodies, and All Season Swirls (a Hostess set). Also used black tissue and ribbon from my stash. This would be a great Easter or Christmas idea and you could leave off the tissue, punch holes on opposite sides, add ribbon, and hang from the tree! Anyway, I did a picture tutorial for you!

Here I used my large Nested Circle Coluzzle on the black paper. I cut out the largest circle, approx. 8 1/4". Don't forget that you MUST use the mat or you will ruin your Coluzzle Swivel Knife.

Here I cut the second largest circle on the Coluzzle out of my pattern paper.

Here shows that I cut each circle into quarters. I then glued the smaller quarter circle to the larger, matching the sides.

I then cut a 6" wide strip of tissue paper and glued the tissue to the back side of the top of the cone. Be sure and "gather" the paper. Take your time doing this. I used Designer Dries Clear as it does adhere rather quickly (but you have a couple seconds to move things around).


I then glued the sides of the cone together. This is also a bit tricky. After filling with candy I tied the tissue with my ribbon, stamped my images, cut out, punched a hole, and run the ribbon through it. All these pictures were taken on my Scor-Pal and mat. We do sell the Scor-Pal but not the mat. I keep my Scor-Pal right on my worktable where it is always handy.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Thanks to Heather for her wonderful idea.

Catalog Product Update

The following is effective immediatly. Please correct your catalog if you have one. Thanks!

Please note that the following products have been discontinued by the manufacturer and are no longer available for ordering purposes.

F-100 Gold Keys
A-078 Kissy Fit Big Fab Flowers
Catalogue Page 14
Catalogue Page 84

We appreciate your understanding and attention in this matter.

Also, I hope to have a project uploaded today. I've been busy getting my classes figured out for January, February, and March at the local senior center. I have to have all the paperwork in by tomorrow to get the classes into the catalog. Stay tuned!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Bright and Fun

Another Angel, Laurie, had this challenge on her blog, to not use patterned paper but create your own and follow her sketch. So, I thought I'd give it a try. I used Petal Pack stamps to create the background, Spring Dream flower, and the phrase from Life Thoughts. I used the inks from the Gaugin Palette Spot 4 Pack for the background colors and Noir PH for the flower and text.. The paper is from the Brights Cardstock Stack and white cardstock. I colored the flower using my Aqua Flow water brush and picking up some color from the tips of my Impress Bright Markers. This way I got a softer color than using the markers directly. The ribbon was from my stash.

Maybe you should try a challenge! They're great fun and really get the creative juices working.
Happy stamping!

Correction

I don't know what happened with my post yesterday about the drawing but I did get the pictures corrected here. The email that goes out to my subscribers was really wacky! Anyway, don't forget to enter the drawing!!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

New Drawing to enter!!

Did you know there is a new contest on the TAC website?? Click on the bottom right button that says "Enter Here to Win"! Here is the list of what you may be receiving:
Enter to Win this Angelee™ Natalee™ Package!

What you could win!!!
• Angelee™ Paper Collection
retail value: $6.95
• Natalee™ Accordian Album Kit
retail value: $8.95
• Antique Copper Hardware
retail value: $4.50
• Pewter Hardware
retail value: $4.50
• Angelee™ Coordinating Cardstock
retail value: $6.50
• Angelee™ Ribbon
retail value: $4.95
• Just a Note Stamp Set
retail value: $19.95



Total retail value: $56.30

You must enter by 11:59 pm on Sept. 30, 2008!!! You cannot be an "angel" to enter this drawing and you can chose not to have an "angel" contact you (I'd appreciate your checking no on this if you are one of my customers or yes if you are from southern AZ). Below are photos of the products in the drawing.

Good luck if you enter!!

Playing with Heather's Tuesday sketch

Dang, still can't get the picture moved down for my text. Hmmmm.....

Anyway, I seen Heather's sketch today and decided to give it a go. I used red, olive green, and white cardstock and the patterned piece from the retired Merry Wishes SWIC (boy, I'm gonna miss that paper when I have it all used up!). I stamped the red with some Snowflakes in L'Amore Red and stamped the green with some snowflakes using Versamark and then gently swiped with my Jewel Tones chalk using a cotton ball. I also used the new Fiskars Treading Water border punch on the end. The white is stamped with smaller snowflakes in L'Amore and Chartreuse ink and the Joy is from Whimsical Greetings also in L'Amore ink. Turned out pretty cool, don't you think?

You know that if you click on any of the underlined products you will go to my ecommerce site and see the product. If you desire to purchase any products my ecommerce site is safe shopping, no one will see your personal information and the product will be delivered right to your home! You can shop from the comfort of your computer chair with your coffee or tea without the hassle of driving somewhere or going to a store and the product is not available! So, don't be afraid to give it a try. If you have any problems just click on the Contact Me in the left menu bar and you'll open an email letter to me. Just remember that when you list the item number to use lower case letters and no dashes!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Gift Card Tutorial


Do you like to give gift cards for special occasions? Well, here is a cool way to present them to the recipient. The one on the left is the original design and the one on the right is the one I changed as I think it works better!
I started with a piece of cardstock cut to 4" x 11". I scored on the 4", 5 1/2", and 7" lines. To make my altered version I also scored on the 10" line but cut 1" off on the left. I just love my Scor-Pal for fun projects like this. (In fact, I also have the Scor-Pal mat which is a blue plastic cutting mat with great measurement lines that match the Scor-Pal and fills in evenly the depression where you score your paper. I purchased mine from Scor-Pal and now I keep this great tool right on my work table. You can see parts of it in following photos.)

This is what the original should look like after you folded on the score lines. The altered version would have another fold turned in to make a flap and the other end 1" shorter.
I marked the glue lines. I tried this with 1/4" tape and it barely worked. I suggest a very thin line of glue, I use Designer Dries Clear or even Zip Dry Paper Glue.

After the glue has dried I layed my "gift card" behind the middle flap you just created and marked the edges with a pencil. It is important that you have the card placed with equal distances on each side.
Now lay your card with the glued flap as shown. Use your Coluzzle Nested Circle, Swivel Knife, and Mat to cut out a partial circle. I lined up the Circle with the pencil marks.
This is what your card should look like after cutting. I tried this with my Mega Circle Punch but it just would not cut the double layer of cardstock. You can still see the pencil mark on the "bottom" of the flap. I did erase these.
I gently pried open the cut area and inserted my "card" so you can see how it should hold the card. From here you can decorate to your hearts desire. The original design used a piece of adhesive hook & loop tape to secure the flap. The "flapped" card holder is secured with a notch. I used my Basic Grey Notch Tool and also carefully glued the decorative cover to the notched piece so it wouldn't come apart when in use. I used Kamahlat SWIC that TAC retired but any of our beautiful patterned papers/cardstocks would work wonderfully. I will be posting a picture soon of some that I'm making for a gift card swap on Paper Wings so stay tuned. If you have any questions please "Contact Me". You'll find this link in the left menu column.

Also, my prayers are going out to all those in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas at this time of Hurricane Gustav. I have a new friend and customer, Kathy, of Sulphur, LA , who has evacuated to Oklahoma at this time. She lost her home completely during Hurricane Rita and would appreciate any prayers that her home will be intact after this storm goes through.