Friday, July 31, 2009

Just because....

I seen this sketch on some blog (you know, I look at so many that I really need to write down where I get some of my inspiration) and had to use the last piece of this technique. So, what do you think??



Stamps: Just Because
Paper: white glossy, county blue (from my stash)
Embellishments: felt flowers and red button from Ava Collection, pink buttons, white scrappers floss, 1/2 " Glue Dots
Ink: L'Amore and Noir PH

This card would be good for any occasion! It will require padding and extra postage to mail so hand delivery would be best. Have you tried sketches for card designs? You know we have some in our new catalog! Great inspiration if you're having a brain burp!

Thursday, July 30, 2009

A "Prideful" card....

My hubby needed a LARGE card for a guy where he works that co-workers could sign. A standard A2 card was just too small! I didn't want to use my good designer papers on this so I found some printed paper in my stash to use. I used a full sheet of white cardstock and folded it in half and went from there! I even did Vellum Staining to lightly color the vellum.


Stamps: Take Pride, Running Stitches
Ink: Starry Night PH, Moonlight White Brilliance
Papers: white, vellum, navy
Other: brads, scissors, 1/4" hole punch (can you figure out where I used it?)

Some of the guys where he works really like this card and most of them are Hispanic! One even wanted my business card for his wife! How cool is that!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Beauty is the gift of God

I'm still playing with pieces of background I made using the special technique for my newsletter. Here is another card:



Have you figured out how I did this yet?? Awna got it! It's crumpled saran wrap tapped on my ink pad then on my paper! Anyway I used our Be Still set, Noir & L'Amore PH inks, black & white ribbon, Miss Moxie cardstock, black & white cardstock, red & white scrappers floss, Super Jumbo Circle punch, and my Magic Matter (special little wheels to trace around a shape for cutting). I seen this sketch on a blog last week and thought how elegant it was and I really like how this turned out.

We're on our way to California today so if there are stamps from my used sale that you want I will answer your email or chat on Tuesday.


Monday, July 27, 2009

We have a winner!

Awna guessed the correct technique I used to make the card on It's All Wrapped Up! I used a piece of crumpled up saran wrap that was tapped onto my ink pad!! Now, isn't that just too easy! It sure makes for a cool background! Awna, please email me with your snail mail addy and I'll drop this card into the mail to you!! Thanks for playing!


It's all wrapped up!

Actually this is a technique that I taught last year at Green Valley Recreation. I'll let you guess what I did and the first correct answer will get this card! Those of you who get my newsletter cannot win, I'm sorry!! You all already know the answer!! LOL! Anyway....



The only stamp set used is Butterfly Bits. I did use black cardstock, Miss Moxie red cardstock, glossy white cardstock, black brads, all metal paper piercer (it's in our catalog but I can't find it in the online catalog), Stardust Clear Gelly Pen, and the Scalloped Oval punch. Now, give it your best shot!!

Saturday, July 25, 2009

Need a cuppa Java??

This image is one of those that I stamped while at Seminar. I do not have this set but it sure is cute! The set is called Skinny Birds and I used Cha Cha SWIC and cardstock. Oh, the text is from our Level A Tiny Tidbits but you can only get this fun set if you have a $100 order/party! But have you figured out how I stitched on this?? It's a technique from Technique Junkies! There is no sewing machine involved!



Believe it or not I used some drywall adhesive mesh and my journaling pen! How cool is that! I colored my image with my Prismacolor pencils then used Odorless Mineral Spirits and a blending stump. All images are stamped with Noir PH ink. I even used my paper piercer and punched tiny holes along the steam at the top of the cup! This card used up some small pieces of paper and I love the effect! How are you using up your small scraps??

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Another Beautiful Day!

Early last week Paper Craft Planet had a sketch challenge which was to not use any layers! You know, this is difficult when your are so used to doing so!

I used Beautiful Day and my ancient Impress Brights Markers along with Noir PH ink for the text! I also used my Scor-Pal to make a small frame around the edges. I like how it turned out! This stamp set is in the Serendipity magalogue if you're looking for it.


I guess I proved to myself that one can make a really cool card without using lots of paper! All I used was a 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" folded white cardstock!! And for my friends who are scratching their heads trying to figure out how I got all these colors I just colored my stamps with the markers, huffed on the stamp then applied the stamp to the paper!! Let's see what you can do with no layering!!!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

God writes...


This is the 2nd attempt at using the color combo red, cream, and light blue. I used Spring Boxes (retired), Be Still, Scallop Cardstock stack, L'Amore (stamped off once) & Noir PH inks, and my Scor-Pal and Bug. I think this one turned out a bit better. What do you think??

Monday, July 20, 2009

For your head only

So, I'm not James Bond, you know, Bond, James Bond. Anyway, my dad purchased this hat at a swap meet and it was just crying out for decoration!


I used a recently retired set called Fore! My dad is a golfer so this was appropriate for the cap! I used Noir ink and colored by picking up ink from various PH ink pads using Q-tips! I then carefully heat set with my heat tool. I also stamped the word Fore! on the back adjusting strap. Dad's been wearing it for quite some time now! You know, I think he likes it!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Replenish your card stash blog hop!

Well, some of us angels are at it again! We're just hoppin' to get some cards made and replenish our stash. (That's a BAD pun!)


I just had to play with one of the new sets from our new catalog! This set is called Be Square. Isn't this little fellow cute!! I also used Hemingway SWIC, cardstock, and ribbon.


Here I had to show you the raised owl's eyes. I used my Niji water brush and Pearl Ex to make them shimmer! I also used only Burnt Umber PH ink and Pop Dots to raise up the owl and the circle text which was punched with the 1" circle punch. What do you think?

I have been busy creating this week but you'll have to stay tuned to see them!! Got something every day for your viewing pleasure! If you like something please leave a comment and let me know. Thanks!

And remember, the first person to place an order on my online catalog and shopping cart will receive a gift of 6 cards with matching envelopes! Just click on the new Inspiration Book in the side bar to start shopping! No pressure, enjoy your coffee while you shop, open 24/7!!

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Aged and Purple

I'm working on a swap with other angels to make Christmas cards using stamps that are not considered holiday. So, I used Aged Ornaments along with a text stamp from our Level C Thinking of You set. I also used my Scor-Pal and Scor-Bug for a unique look.


This paper from our Brights DCWV cardstock stack is actually very purple! It just doesn't photo well. I used French Lilac PH ink to stamp the images (the one on the white is stamped off once before stamping on the white) and to distress the card. I also used my Sanding Block on the scored parts first (you know the paper has a white core) and I did not cover the raised parts completely with the purple ink. Pretty cool and very non-traditional, don't you think??

Friday, July 17, 2009

Glowing eyes and leaves!

Does this grab your attention?? Well, don't be worried! I've been playing with 2 products new to our TAC catalog, the VersaMark Frost Dazzle pad and the Stardust Clear Gelly pen! They are so cool!


Here is the finished card. I did discover that my tape would not stick tothe fancy background pieces. I think the VersaMark coats the paper in such a way that tape just doesn't work. I then used my Zip Dry Paper Glue and it worked but took some time. Had I known that I'd have problems getting my layer to stick I would have used the brads all the way through instead of just holding the stamped layer to the scallop square layer.


Here you can see the eyes. The Gelly Pen just made them glow! I used my Niji water brush to pick up some of the Burnt Umber ink to color the little guy from the Be Square set. This is the same ink I used to stamp him.


Here is a close up of the leaves. I used a texture plate through my diecutting machine to create the texture then swiped with the VersaMark Frost Dazzle. It just glows!! I used Bazzil Mono Browns paper. I love how the 5 colors in the pack coordinate so well and each sheet has texture on one side and is smooth on the other! So, now, what do you think of our new products??

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Be Square with a Bad Hair Day

How's that for a catchy title? This is a card I made for an "angel" swap. Since I only have 2 of the new sets (I haven't sent in an order yet) and the swap was for favorite new images I had very little choice in what I could use! But I do really like this Be Square set!

I used Bazzil Mono Browns cardstock, Burnt UmberPH ink, Prismacolor H2O pencils, Niji Water Brush, Grey Tombow Marker, Crystal Lacquer, Pop Dots, and Pearl Ex. The dots on the side were made with my 1/4" hole punch then the circles were glued on and lacquered. I didn't have enough brads for the number of cards I needed to make. I took a close-up of the owl so you can see the coloring and the eyes. They literally glow! I'm trying to remember where I got the sketch so when I find out where I'll edit this post. Don't you just love this little guy!!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Seminar Project #4

Well, I'm still finishing our projects. This little album told me what to add to finish it. Don't you just love it when the project just comes together so nicely and fast!


This album starts with the Mini Deco Album and Angelee SWIC, cardstock, ribbon, and Antique Copper hardware. I used Be Still and Life Thoughts stamp sets, Noir PH ink, Extra Jumbo Flower punch, my trusty Crop-a-Dile, a black journaling pen, Pop Dots, and a sponge. I may just hang this off my purse strap but then, that may ruin the flowers. Hmmm..... What would you suggest?

Sunday, July 12, 2009

The end of my More Mimi mini album!

These are the final pages. I've enjoyed sharing my Seminar pics with you and hope you enjoyed seeing how much fun we had!


The only stamping on these pages is the word Silly from our This Girl set. I also used some small pieces of DCWV cardstock that matched More Miss Mimi very good!


Here I again used our Seminar set on the tag but I also used Fancy Curls on the right side.


Now we're at the end of this little album. The final stamp is from our Inspirational Sayings set. I should have used Burnt Umber PH ink but I got in too much of a hurry and used Noir. Darn! Anyway... Have you figured out what sizes these pages are? They're all about 3" x 3". We used the Bind-It-All to assemble this little album and I also used the Crop-A-Dile Corner Chomper to round all the corners. That is one cool tool! I just cut pieces of the Mimi ribbon and tied them onto the wire binding. Easy yet elegant! Now, don't you want to create a little masterpiece?

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Some more More Mimi mini album

Or you enjoying this?? I did get most of this done in one afternoon. The "fun" part was printing my photos small enough to fit this little rascal!!


Nothing real special about these two pages. Just a couple of tags along with our Seminar set.


Here I used stamps from the This Girl set and Just a Note. The inks I've been using are Burnt Umber and Noir PH. Think you can do this?? Absolutely!!!

Friday, July 10, 2009

More Mimi mini album pages

How about a few more pages!


The right side page I used Fancy Curls and our Seminar set again. I really like that set!



On these 2 pages I again used Inspirational Sayings and the Seminar set. I also used the retired Interact arrow. I stamped it faintly on the back of the pattern paper and cut out the arrow which is pointing to me in the group photo.


Here I have a fun picture of me being a Diva!! I used our Just a Note set and stamped it on a circular tag so I could journal about my photo. I used my stapler to help hold ribbons onto the tags so there is no fancy or special items needed to add ribbons. Most everyone has a stapler! Also, most tags have ink sponged onto the edges to help set them off. Easy - peasy!! Stay tuned for a few more pages!!!

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Mojo Monday Sketch card

I'm working on a swap and decided to try this great sketch from Mojo Monday, #94.



I used our new Robots stamp set, Miss Moxie SWIC & cardstock, Noir PH ink, Pop Dots, and my corrugator. It seems to take forever and in the middle of making 6 of these my favorite Sunlight desk lamp died. Nothing like creating in the dark! At least I still have my Ott lamp! I'll have to get hubby to look at my lamp this weekend.

Another FREE download available!

We've done it again! Another great FREE download for you to create a great Christmas stocking wall hanging!! This was designed by Barb Foster, a very sweet angel!


Just click HERE to get the stocking template to create your own Christmas wall hanging! You know we have to celebrate Christmas in July!! This is a great time to start making your Christmas gifts!

More Mimi Mini Album

Our More Mimi SWIC is now double sided and we created a mini album to show off the paper!
I also used the More Mimi ribbon along with various stamp sets and our old Mimi SWIC paper and DCWV white core cardstock. We also used clear acetate to cover the front and back covers.

For the cover I used a stamp from Inspirational Sayings and Speak From Your Heart seminar set.


These pages used stamps from Speak To Your Heart seminar set.



Here I used our Seminar set again on the label. The label is from the old Mimi paper.

Stay tuned for the next 3 photos! I made this rather simple so that anyone can do this! You don't need anything really special or add lots of layers to make a cute little album!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Seminar Project #1

This card was designed by Laurie Willison who has cards in the new Inspiration Book. Her card was so simple and sophisticated and elegant but I ended up distressing it because of a smudge.

We used white premium cardstock and DCWV green. As you can see I used the Scor-Pal to create the lines then I ran my Chartreuse PH ink over it and the edges to make it pop a bit. We used the Joyful Tags set and stamped the starburst between the scored lines and around the green scallop square punched piece. So, what good have you made of a boo-boo??

Monday, July 6, 2009

Stamped Plate from post dated June 7, 2009

I found the company where I got my supplies to make this cool plate. Click HERE for the website. Click HERE for the original post and picture. Hope this answers a few questions!!

Seminar Project # 5

This is a really cool Dry Erase board! I love it and it was so easy!



We started with a page of the Skirted Tag Album from Serendipity for the base. The paper is Kaleidoscope Girlz WIC and coordinating DCWV cardstock. We added coordinating eyelets at the top and on the ribbon, a binder clip, and black ribbon to tie on the marker. I love it. I think I'll add a large magnet on the back to put this on my fridge. My old board is looking really bad!

Sunday, July 5, 2009

I'm finally finishing my Seminar projects!

Would you like to see them?? Well, I'll start here. We had 8 total! I think a couple of these may become classes for my Green Valley Recreation classes!



This was Project 8. We used a glass pebble/bauble, Uptown Girl paper, a photo turn, ribbon, and adhesive. I added the flower to the back. The image is a new logo, I think.

I think the necklace will go great with a white T-shirt. And you can stamp anything you want to have in the necklace. I've done some with my initial a few years ago. What do you think??

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Happy Independence Day!

Today we celebrate Independence Day. The small nation of the United States of America was born declaring our independence from the tyranny of Great Britain. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were Godly men and they showed their faith in their lives and the Constitution of the United States. Our country was settled by those who fought for religious freedom to worship God. Unfortunately, this nation is turning away from the One who created all things and are preferring to live against God's Holy Word, the Bible. I'm praying for this once great country and believe we can once again be the great nation of democracy we once were but only if we do the following, "Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

I created this card to celebrate our freedoms. Though we are slowly losing them through BIG government and taxation, Miss Liberty still stands in the New York Harbor welcoming visitors and returning Americans. She was a gift from the people of France in 1886 to celebrate our Centennial.


The card uses a retired stamp called Liberty and a current set called Simple Bet. I used navy, dark red, and white cardstocks, Noir PH ink, Pearl-Ex Watercolor Palette, and gold star eyelets. This bottom picture does show a bit of the shimmer. I used my computer to create the word America!

I hope you have a wonderful day today and reflect on the creation of this nation. Tonight we're going into Tucson, AZ to my aunt's to visit then watch the fireworks. We may or may not get rained out but that's the way it goes. So, may God bless you and may you bless God!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Tri Shutter Card

This was a project I made for Paper Wings. It's a variation of the original Tri Shutter Card. I seen this on another blog (wonderful card but I don't remember who) and had to try it!



I used stamps that are now retired but the paper is Hemingway SWIC, cardstock, and ribbon. I love the Fore! set as my dad, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew all golf! The Happy Father's Day across the bottom is from Trendy Greetings.

I think I'll teach this card this winter at Green Valley Recreation. It's a lot easier than you think!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

More unused catalog submissions

Here are some more of my unused submissions.

#1 #2 #3

#1. Hemingway SWIC, cardstock & ribbon , Good Timber stamp set, Burnt Umber PH ink, white cardstock

#2. Hemingway SWIC, cardstock & hardware, Happy Trails stamp set, Hydra sponges, various inks, white cardstock

#3. Reece SWIC, cardstock & ribbon, white cardstock, Holiday Magic stamp set (retired), Chartreuse and Noir PH inks, Scor-Pal,

Last card: Reece SWIC, cardstock, Antique Copper hardware, Joy of Christmas stamp set, Brick Red VM ink, ivory cardstock
What do you think so far? Like them?? I still have a few more!

Christina , Ginger, and Deb had a few rejects. Check them out by clicking on their names!