Christmas Cards - FINALLY

OK, now that all the excitement is over I thought I'd share the Chenoweth 2007 Christmas card with you! I plan on having them completed tonight so they can go postal tomorrow!

David did the embossing using the cuttlebug - which he LOVED to play with! We used: Glad Tidings stamp set, Real Red ink, Real Red, Old Olive, and Very Vanilla CS, Dashing DSP, green organdy ribbon (retired), scalloped oval and regular oval giga punches, white Galaxy Marker and lots and lots of glue.

Hate to cut it short, but I've got to go dry David's tears. His dad has told him that the Father Son Pizza Party he's been looking forward to all week has already come and gone. (It hasn't, they'll be leaving in an hour!) Poor kiddo. But not to worry - his dad WILL make it up to him.

Loaded Christmas

I'm trying to find an EASY Christmas card to send this year, but I'm having issues. I'm just not liking anything I've made so far - it's either too involved to make large numbers or so easy I feel like it's boring.

Well here's my latest attempt. The embossing as well as the circle and scalloped circle were all done on the cuttlebug. Colors are Always Artichoke, Real Red (JUST opened though I've owned it for over a year now - bad Merr!) and Very Vanilla. I water colored the image using Stampin' Up! markers and a blender pen. I added a little glimmer to some of the gifts and that's it... Boring? You tell me.

I guess I'm headed back to my stamp room to try again. If I come up with anything - good or bad - I'll post it in a while.

Christmas Card

Tonight I have another Stampin' Up! workshop and I am so excited! I just love sharing the Stampin' Up! experience with new people and making new friends in the process. Since my hostess tonight is one of the sweetest people I've met in a long time I'm sure that we'll just have a blast.

I thought I'd go ahead and share the card I've prepared for tonight's Make n' Take. My hostess Patty asked for a Christmas theme for our cards so I'll present this card along with a few variations on it in different themes to show how versatile both these stamp sets are! How fun!!

Anywho... the products used on this card are as follows:

• Always Artichoke CS
• Certainly Celery CS
• Soft Sky CS
• Wintergreen DSP
• Always Artichoke Ink
• Soft Sky Ink
• Word Search Background Stamp
• Circle of Friendship Stamp Set
• Round Metal Edge Tag
• Paper Crimper
• Pencil Eraser

If you have any questions about how to make this card or any other on my blog please feel free to EMAIL me. I'd be happy to help! If you'd like to schedule a workshop so I can teach you a great card like this one you can reach me through email as well.

Happy Harvest Card

As promised in my November 2007 Newsletter, here are the instructions on the Happy Harvest Card. This card is simple to make - despite the long supply and instruction lists. If you're not great at water coloring you can substitute markers or colored pencils for the Water Color Wonder Crayons.

Supplies:

• Old Olive Card Stock
• Really Rust Card Stock
• Pumpkin Pie Card Stock
• Very Vanilla Card Stock
• Basic Brown Ink
• Pumpkin Pie Ink
• Really Rust Ink
• Loads of Love Stamp Set
• Canvas Background Stamp
• Tag Corner Punch
• Earth Elements Buttons
• Natural Hemp Twine
• Watercolor Wonder Crayons
• Aqua Painter
• Paper Trimmer
• Adhesive

Instructions:

1. Cut your Old Olive card base.
2. Cut Really Rust Card stock to 5.5" by 2"
3. Using Really Rust ink, stamp canvas on to Really Rust card stock. Rough up one edge with fingernail.
4. Using Basic Brown ink, Stamp image of truck, pumpkins and girl on Very Vanilla card stock. Cut out - I didn't measure, I stamped then cropped as needed to center the image.
5. Mat Very Vanilla with Pumpkin Pie card stock - about .25" wider all the way around.
6. Color in truck, pumpkins and girl using Water Color Wonder Crayons and Aqua Painter.
7. Adhere Really Rust strip (rough edge in) and stamped image to card base as shown.
8. Stamp "Happy Harvest on small scrap of Very Vanilla card stock using Pumpkin Pie ink.
9. Punch two corners with Tag Corner Punch
10. Cut piece of Pumpkin Pie card stock to be .25" wider than scrap Very Vanilla
11. Punch two corners of Pumpkin Pie and adhere to back of "Happy Harvest" tag.
12. Tie a bit Natural Hemp Twine through the button holes, trim ends, and adhere button to the Happy Harvest tag.
13. Adhere tag to card base as shown.

If you like this card and would love some one-on-one instruction for other great holiday cards, contact me today to set up a class or workshop! I look forward to hearing from you, but until then, happy stamping!

Christmas 10-10-20

Here they are! A few of the cards that will be offered in my Christmas 10-10-20 this year! Last year we had a great turn out and it was SO much fun. I hope you're able to join us this year for food, Christmas carols and fun!

What is a 10-10-20 Class?

This is a special stamping event where you will get to make 10 Christmas cards that only take 10 minutes each to complete and you only pay $20 for the class!

But hurry, this class is VERY popular, and fills up fast – so register today! Each session is limited to just 10 people and will be held at my home in Rogersville.

Each session will have an “On-Time Drawing” for a fun prize, and a grand prize will be awarded to the person who places the largest order during that session!

Simply email me and let me know which session you would like to attend. All sessions will make the same cards, but feel free to sign up for more than one session!

Session Schedule is as Follows:

Friday, 11-9-07, Noon – 2pm class
Friday, 11-9-07, 3pm-5pm class
Saturday, 11-10-07, Noon – 2pm class
Saturday, 11-10-07, 4pm-6pm class
Saturday, 11-10-07, 7pm-9pm class

Registration deadline is Saturday, 3 November 2007

Back on Line!

Grrr... Every time we get a decent size rain my Internet goes out. Luckily though, this time my wonderful hubby (who is probably really tired of hearing me whine about the Internet being out!) came to the rescue and fixed the problem!! Yay Tim!! Not to worry though I do have a few cards I've been working on.

I realize the two Snowflake Spot cards look very similar. There is a reason! I was preparing for a workshop and fell in love with the Snowflake Spot card (at right) using the while Stazon ink on one side of the velum and colored pencils on the back. It gives it a frosty look I think. Unfortunately though the card was way too in depth for a workshop. So the second card is my simplified redo. I still did the frosted velum but on the tag this time rather than the entire card front.

In addition to these two cards I made a couple more using Festive Favorites. I'll go ahead and show you the one we made at our workshop. I used Always Artichoke, Bravo Burgundy and Brushed Gold card stock; Chocolate Chip ink, Watercolor pencils, blender pen, Hemp Twine, both tag punches and a couple pieces of Pewter Hodgepodge Hardware.

After the workshop my friend Amy came over and I played around with the Thoroughly Thankful stamp set while she tried to convince me that the Wild Wasabi color "isn't that bad." LOL. I'm sorry to those who love it - I still don't like it! I did use it on my card however to prove to Amy that I can use supplies (or colors) that I don't like!

For this card I used Chocolate Chip, Wild Wasabi, Naturals Ivory and Pumpkin Pie card stock, Chocolate Chip ink, Watercolor Pencils, Blender Pen, Hemp Twine, and pewter Hodgepodge hardware.

Don't you just ADORE fall?! I am so excited that it's that time of year! School is in session, the nights are getting cooler and the leaves will be turning soon! Keep an eye here on the blog for information about my upcoming fall events!!

Excitement is in the Air!

So I had a few of the neighborhood kids over the house this week. Tyler and David sure have a great group of friends to play with, but with two of those boys come older sisters who have to keep an eye on them.

All four of these kids are great. The two boys play with my two boys, one of the sisters stays on my Internet for hours if she's allowed to and the other girl - the oldest - has a love of genealogy and enjoys being crafty. This week I tried a few of my techniques on her and I was very impressed with Miss Beth's craft-itude! She's promised to allow me to practice on her again! Anyway, here is my version of the cards that we worked on together.

The first was a variation on the card in the last post. I turned it on its side and added the dingy but everything else - ink and card stock colors and stamp set remained the same though we went ahead and left off the ribbon this time. We used Prisma Colored Pencils with some odorless mineral spirits - called the gamasol technique. Other techniques include: two step stamping, and masking.

Our second card we used Blue Bayou, Apricot Appeal and River Rock card stock, Blue Bayou ink, and the Au Natural stamp set. This is a stamp set that I bought at the end of the last Stampin' Up! year and have just now gotten around to using. I used the flower, she used the butterfly. This card started out as a spot light card, but I decided that I wanted the entire panel colored in instead. I also used holographic highlights glitter with the two way glue pen to get the glitter exactly where I wanted it. Lastly we died the new Stampin' Up! taffeta ribbon. The color is gorgeous on this ribbon!! What a treat!

Our last card was taken from a card I made at Gwen's house not too long ago. She and I sat down and copied a card from a book - I don't know which book, and if she reads this blog before I put up a new post I'm sure she'll let me know the name of the book! Anyway she was working with a Halloween theme for her card, and I chose an "In Color" theme for mine - in other words there's no rhyme or reason to it! I used Big Pieces and Little Pieces stamp sets, Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou, Groovy Guava, Soft Sky, River Rock and Wild Wasabi card stocks and inks. I still don't like the Wild Wasabi color but I hope that the more I use it the more I will grow to like it - no good so far! Oh, and in addition to all the products listed above we used every size circle punch Stampin' Up! offers!

So now that you've seen all my recent cards here's another one - that I didn't make! I received this as a RAK from AJ Otto (willosmama) from Splitcoast Stampers! I was thrilled to receive such a sweet card, I love the colors and her use of the patterned paper with this stamp set! How awesome!! Thank you so much AJ, I hope you enjoy the card that I've sent you in return. (Should look familiar when it arrives as it's one of the ones listed above!!)

The last thing I wanted to say before I sign off for the night is to let you know that I may be MIA for the next week or so. Many of you may know that my wonderful husband Tim has been serving our country on his third deployment to Iraq and has been gone since June of 2006. Our long wait for his return is nearly ended however as he is expected home sometime before Monday!

I'm sure you can understand our excitement and anxiety as our reunion draws closer. I hope you will pray for our family during this time of transition - especially for the children who now have to readjust yet again. I will post after a while about our reunion and all the wonderful things that are in store for us!

Here's the last picture I shot of Tim before he left home in June. You can tell by the look on his face he was tired of the camera at this point, but I couldn't resist one last shot! I'm lucky he loves me!

Stampin' Up! Group Meeting

I debated titling this post "The Great Tooth Hunt," but in the end decided that though it was a funny title it wasn't QUITE fitting for this post.

I don't have a lot to talk about the meeting. Most of it was business information gleaned from Gwen's trip to Stampin' Up!'s Conference last week. She's come back fully charged and revved to go. She shared quite a bit tonight and I can't wait to implement some of the ideas in my own business!

The high excitement of the night however came when Davy ran out to get his tooth from the car to show everyone. (It's the first one he's lost and is so very proud of it!) Unfortunately he lost it on the way back inside. In tears he tried to explain that his Sack of Gluy-a tooth was missing and that he really needed to find it. (As a translation here friends a Sack of Gluy-a is Sacajawea. He's expecting a "Gold Dollar," for his tooth from the Tooth Fairy.) Poor boy. All of the ladies present at the meeting agreed to go out and help us hunt up his tooth. Fortunately it was found!! Tears magically dried up, a smile (a little lop sided cause he's still swollen from having it pulled) appeared and the world was right with Mr. David Grant. He especially liked it when everyone oooh'ed and ahhhh'ed about what a BIG tooth it was!

So thank you everyone from David, the Tooth Fairy and Me!

OK, with that aside let me present the card I made before going to the meeting. I used River Rock, Soft Sky and Blue Bayou card stock and ink as well as the Boatloads of Love stamp set. The card is pretty strait forward, the only "different" thing I did was died some of our white taffeta ribbon with the River Rock ink to match.

Daisy Crazy

That time of year has nearly arrived! Children dread it, parents wish for it. Yes, I'm talking about BACK TO SCHOOL! Or, as in the Chenoweth household, time to go to school for the first time!! That's right, our Davy, sweet, innocent and docile creature that he is will be wreaking havoc on someone else for most of the day soon!

Jump back a week in time however and picture me with my child (who is never messy and always does exactly what his mama asks him to) in Staples. We're buying school supplies and Mama's desk supplies, cause after all I do have a business to run too! We're tossing stuff in the cart right and left and the magic item tossed in happens to be a combo-pack of printer ink.

For purchasing that combo-pack we received a $10 gift certificate for Staples. My first thought was "Duh, of course I get one of those AFTER I buy school supplies." That little nasty was followed by: "But maybe I can give this to David's soon to be VICTIM - I mean teacher!" (You know, kind of butter her up and get in her good graces before David shows his inner demon!)

So, tonight has been spent trying to dress up that ugly gift card into something I can give to Mr. School Boy to hand over to his poor poor poor unsuspecting teacher on open house two days before school starts.

I used Purely Pomegranate and Bashful Blue card stock, the Build-A-Flower Accents and Elements, the Much Appreciated stamp set, as well as my Stardust Pen (non-Stampin' Up!) I went a little crazy with the flowers, but I was enjoying myself and so that's OK with me. I wasn't sure I'd ever make a project I liked with these flowers and it turned out to be more fun than I imagined it would be! So anyway, that's the front of the card. The inside isn't decorated so I won't bore you with any more on the card.

To accompany the card - and hide the UGLY Staples gift card - I used the Accents and Elements tin. First I punched holes at the top with my Crop-a-Dile and threaded some of the Double Stitched Purely Pomegranate ribbon through to make a little handle. I then punched three holes across the top to insert some of our Circle Rhinestone Brads, I used cool colors for this project. Then I put on some of the self adhesive die cut flowers from the tin on the top, a lot fewer this time though! Time to move on to the chipboard now. I took the "L" letter from our On Board series and covered it with Purely Pomegranate ink. Because I think the "L" looked more like a "1" I cut it up a little to look more like an "L" and punched three little holes down the top with the Crop-a-Dile. Time to go a little crazy with the stardust pen again and viola! All done!

I'm actually thinking about going back in and adding more flowers to the tin... I'm thinking it needs something and it may just have to be more more more more more flowers!! LOL!

Someone, quick!! Stop me!!!!!!

Missouri Sales Tax Holiday!

Good news! Several states' legislatures have passed a special sales tax holiday during specific dates in August. During this period, sales tax does not apply to school supplies. The participating states typically define school supplies as any item normally used by students in a standard classroom for educational purposes.

Missouri: August 3-5

By placing your orders during these dates, you can take advantage of this tax holiday and make purchases without sales tax. What a wonderful opportunity to save some money on stamping and paper crafting supplies!

Based on state statutes, we've identified the items that will be exempt from sales tax in these states during the period. Stampin' Up! will not charge sales tax for these items ordered during this sales tax holiday.

Adhesives

• 2-Way Glue Pen
• Liquid Glue
• SNAIL Adhesive
• SNAIL Refill
• Dotto
• Dotto refill
• Anywhere Glue Stick
• Sticky Strip
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Mini Glue Dots
• Pop-Up Glue Dots
• Greeting Glue
  

Scissors

• Paper Snips
• Craft & Rubber Scissors
• Craft & Paper Scissors

Brushes

• Stipple Brushes
• Flat brush
• Medium brush
• Small brush

Pens and Pencils

• Metallic Art pencils
• Pure color pencils
• Watercolor pencils
• Pencil sharpener
• Uni-ball Signo Gel Pen
• ZIG PaintyBlender pen

Water Color Wonder Crayons

• Bold Brights
• Earth Elements
• Rich Regals
• Soft Subtles
• Neutrals

Markers and Jorunalers

• Stampin' Kids markers
• Stampin' Write markers - You can purchase these individually, but not as the set.
• Basic Black Stampin' Write journaler
• Basic Brown Stampin' Write journaler

Call or email me today to place your order and I will hold that order until the tax holiday!

Preparations Have Begun

Wow, we're having one of those weeks! It seems like all of a sudden we've got twenty irons in the fire and ten more waiting to go in!

Last night we went to WalMart and bought school supplies for two boys. Yes, this year my little guy Davy will finally be starting school! He is SO excited to go, and I'm SO excited for him to be going! We had bought his Superman backpack on ebay over the summer, along with the Superman lunchbox. So this morning we filled up his little pencil box, and piled it all into his backpack, and he wore his backpack around the house all morning. Too stinkin' cute!

In addition to school prep we're also gearing up for Tyler's 10th UnBirthday!! Yay! Ty's birthday is actually in April, but since we only have him in the summers and every other Christmas we like to celebrate his birthday when he comes home! Oh, and what a birthday it's going to be! He's chosen Transformers for the theme, and has invited all his friends from the neighborhood. The really exciting part (for him, I'm not looking forward to it!) is that the boys are invited to stay over for a back yard camp out! YIKES!! I will be over run with 10 year olds in PJ's with S'Mores all over their faces!! See what we put ourselves through for our children?!?!

So somewhere in this madness I've had the opportunity to run over to Gwen's house and play!! Yay!! I made one card and assisted in the building of another.

The card she was attempting was supposed to be for a swap but eventually became complicated enough that she had to move on to something else. But that's OK! It's a cute card, with a circle peek a boo. In other words, you see the vampire image through a hole in the front of the card. Too cute.

We used: Very Vanilla, Basic Black, Only Orange and More Mustard card stock; Basic Black and Going Grey ink; Creepy Crawly paper; Linen background, Weathered background, Booglie Eyes, and the Batty Jumbo Wheel; lastly, we used the following accessories: 1-3/8" and 1-1/4" circle punches, and the paper crimper. It turned out really well. I contributed the part of making it a peek-a-boo card and using the linen background on our Vamp friend because Gwen dislikes having to color things in. I think the linen gives him a comic book look!

The other card I made was using the Baroque Motifs new out in the catalog this year! It's a great set, and so much fun to work with - but then I say that about all my stamp sets!! LOL. I used Purely Pomegranate Cardstock; Blue Bayou double sided designer paper; Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate and Blue Bayou ink; white taffeta ribbon; and a rhinestone brad for the center of the medallion. Easy peasy, too cute, and ready to go.

Alright, friends, so it's time for me to get back to cleaning house. I've got a garage sale going on this weekend and I don't have ANYTHING priced. But, as my best friend Cheryl would tell you, I'm the queen of procrastination!! I do my best work under pressure!! Off I go! Have a great weekend!!

As Promised...

OK, so last night I got a later start than I had anticipated. That's OK, because I was still able to get a few cards done.

If this Bud Basics card looks familiar it's because I had all the card stock cut and the wheeling done at one of my workshops and this was left over. I changed it a tad by adding some of our chipboard covered with some self adhesive die cuts from Stampin' Up!'s "Build a Flower" Accents and Elements. For the center of the chipboard flower I used our Cropadile to punch a hole for a rhinestone brad. Cute cute cute. Add to that the double stitched grosgrain ribbon in Purely Pomegranate and you're set to go!

My second card here is using the Oh, So Lovely hostess stamp set. I have a few friends who are gaga for it, and sure enough it's a treat to use! I was a little worried when I was cutting it apart that I would hate it, but honestly it's great! I used River Rock, Elegant Eggplant and Pale Plum card stock and ink. Stamp sets: Oh, So Lovely, Canvas, and Hugs & Wishes; Paper: River Rock double sided designer paper. Accessories: Metallic Art Pencils and sponge daubers.

So I'm SUPPOSED to be visiting with Gwen today to play some more with our new stuff, but we'll see if the children let me. They seem pretty intent on us staying home today. But, as Tyler will remind everyone he comes across, Mom has VETO power - the greatest super hero power of them all!!

New Cards

So, I had a workshop recently. Thought I'd go ahead and share the cards we made. I was so excited to share the new Fall and Winter Collection for the first time at a workshop! We had quite a few ladies in attendance and I enjoyed them so much! I'm looking forward to stamping with them in the future at various workshops and stamping events!

The first cards we made we used the All Occasions set, which is a Level 3 hostess set. This set includes two Jumbo Wheels and a four piece stamp set. When it arrived at the house I kinda looked at it not sure what in the world I was going to do with it but have since found it to be quiet easy to play with and actually a lot of fun!

We used Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, and Regal Rose card stock; Regal Rose and Purely Pomegranate stamp pads; white grosgrain ribbon dyed with the Purely Pomegranate ink pad, and both the tag punches. The ribbon dying was a huge hit and is one of my favorite tricks!

We made our second card using the Bud Basics stamp set, Basic Outline jumbo wheel, and the Hugs and Wishes stamp set. Ink colors: Soft Sky, Purely Pomegranate, Blue Bayou, and Wild Wasabi. Cardstock: Whisper White, Blue Bayou, Soft Sky, and Purely Pomegranate. We used circle clips from the Pewter Hodge Podge Hardware, and Ice Circle Rhinestone Brads.

I love the look of the new In Colors together! The only two I have yet to use are the River Rock and Groovy Guava though I'm sure it won't be long before I use them as well!

Now I need to get back to laundry duty in preparation for our trip this week. I'll be sure to tell you all about it when I get back!! Oh, and don't forget to check the list below for retired stamp sets for sale!

Miss Me?

I know some of you have missed me because you've been calling and harping on me about updating my blog! To those who don't know me well enough to have my cell number I hope you'll still read this darn thing even though it's been AGES since I've posted! I am glad to be back though, and looking forward to posting new cards!

As for my absence, there's been a TON going on at home. Tim (my DH) came home for two weeks from Iraq. While his visit was short it was wonderful to see him, and we had an absolute blast! It was nice to be able to spend some time with him and renew our marriage a little bit. While he was home we went to Eureka Springs, Arkansas and stayed at the Crescent Hotel. If you ever get a chance to go that way I suggest you stop in and stay the night. It was an amazing adventure to say the least!!

On the coattails of the good news about Tim's visit there was some scary news in our family. My daddy was diagnosed with cancer during my time away from you. I'm sure a lot of women feel that their daddy is the best, but I KNOW mine is. He's over come a lot in his lifetime and it seems so unfair that now he has to face this as well. I am a daddy's girl and this is particularly hard for me - in fact I think he's taking the news better than I am! He has already had the tumor removed, but has to have 14 teeth pulled and a feeding tube inserted before he can start radiation and chemo. Please, if you read this, join my family and I in prayer for Dad's health and well being.

In addition to all that I've been an assistant seamstress for a renaissance guild preparing for their first joust of the summer! It's been an interesting adventure, and so nice to meet new people with a decidedly different view point on a lot of things! I've enjoyed my time with them and am REALLY looking forward to the White Heart Renaissance Faire coming up the next three weekends!

And, as if all that wasn't enough, I've managed to have a few uncomfortable health issues as well. First I managed (who knows how) to pull some of the muscles in my ribcage. Each breath was a struggle and THANKFULLY I recovered quickly. The same can't be said for my next more mysterious illness - a systemic reaction to a bug bite. Yup. Hives and rashes all over my body. I've been itching for just over three weeks, but am making progress since the swelling in my face has gone away and the rash is now located to places not seen by the general public.

So enough about me. How about a card? I did manage to get ONE done while I was away, as well as a pretty little something else too! LOL. What do I call it though? Lets start with the card first though, OK?

I used a new Hostess Stamp Set called All About Occasions that will be coming out July 2007 from Stampin' Up! As a demonstrator I was able to preorder this set (along with a few others!), and I'm SO happy! It is such a cute set, and easy peasy to work with. It comes with two Jumbo Wheels and a four-piece stamp set. So I used black, white, tempting turquoise, and real red card stock, our large tag punch, and ticket corner punch, tempting turquoise and summer sun markers, and turquoise ribbon.

On my LOVE paper craft I used another new Hostess Stamp Set, this one is called In the Spot Light and is SO fun to play with! I can't wait to start demo-ing with this set! Anyway, I covered four coasters with Chocolate Chip cardstock. I stamped the images tone on tone on the Cameo Coral cardstock and then doodled with my Galaxy marker. I punched chocolate chip scalloped ovals out, detailed them with the Galaxy marker again and then added the letters in Apricot Appeal cut out on my Cricut machine. I punched holes in with the Cropodile and tied the pieces together with our white organdy ribbon. So cute, so easy and I think I'll give it to my mother.

Anyway friends, it's getting late and I've got to get back to work on stuff for my retirement party coming up on Monday. If you're in the Springfield, Missouri area and want to come, please join us! Email me for more info!!

Tea Bag Card

What madness! The Red Hot Crop is only two days away and I am NEARLY READY! This last week my living room and dining rooms have been turned into Stampin' Up! Heaven! I've got the table covered with current projects I'm finishing up.

There's a small table in front of the TV with my forms and fliers and hostess packets and other things that I needed to go through. The counter is set up with my card display boards so I can fill in where I need to. And there's a humun-go rubbermade chest in the middle of the floor where I've been storing things as I think of them!


So beyond the chaos that is my house... I thought I'd share my Make & Take for the event. Isn't it cute? (Gwen Mangelson took all the pics for me! Cause it's kinda hard only having two hands!!) It is a Tea Bag Holder card, and just as easy as can be to make!



Materials:
Sahara Sand Cardstock 3-1/4"x9-3/4"
Buckaroo Blue Cardstock 2-1/4"x2-1/4"; 2-1/4"x1-3/4"
Whisper White Cardstock 2"x2"; 2"x1-1/2"
Sentimental Journey Patterned Paper 3" x 3"
Paper Trimmer
Bone Folder
Adhesive
Sticky Strip
Under the Weather Stamp Set
True Thyme, Basic Black classic ink pads
Blender Pens
Mellow Moss and So Saffron Ink Refills


Instructions:
1. Cut cardstock and patterned paper to sizes indicated above.
2. Using bone folder score Shara Sand Cardstock at 3-1/4" and 6-1/2". Fold along score lines and crease with bone folder
3. Cut the right most section in half cross ways to remove a small triangle. (see diagram)
3. Stamp Bowl image in Basic Black ink onto the 2x2 Whisper White cardstock.
4. Ink the steam stamp in True Thyme ink, stamp off on scratch paper, then stamp above bowl image.
5. Pick up some Mellow Moss ink with the blender pen, and color in bowl image. Use the same technique to color in soup and chicken on bowl.
6. Mount this square onto the Buckaroo Blue cardstock, and then again on the patterned paper. Set aside.
7. Using True Thyme ink, stamp sentiment on smaller Whisper White cardstock, mount on Buckaroo Blue cardstock. Set aside
8. Run a line of sticky strip along the bottom edge of the last pannel, remove backing, and fold over to make a pocket.
9. Adhere matted bowl image to the front of the card.
10. Open card and adhere sentiment.
11. Insert Tea Bag in pocket and you're done!

Hope you enjoyed the project! Have fun!

Hot Chocolate Anyone?

Today has been so much warmer than recent history! I'm so glad too, this meant that I got to go run errands without shivering the entire time! What did you do today? I started by hitting the ATM, paying my library fines (I'm HORRIBLE at remembering to return books on time!), had David's hair cut and I got some waxing done, took my main man out for lunch at the local Mexican place, then to the post office to mail some swaps! After all that I came home and put Davy to bed and caught up on my emails and blog surfing! Yay! After all that I got ready for Girl Scouts tonight. We'll be looking at the stars (inside since it's still pretty cold out there!)

I haven't gotten any stampin' or scrapin' done today, but I thought I'd go ahead and post a card I finished up the other day. Here's my recipe:

Stamps: French Script, Espressoly for You
Card stock: Black
Inks: Stazon Black
Accessories: Window Sheet, Pearl Ex Powders, Black Brads

This look is super easy to get! Stamp on one side of the window sheet with Stazon Ink and allow to dry. Once dried run it through the Xyron machine so the adhesive is on the opposite side as the ink! Then using a paint brush dab and fluff your PearlEx powders to cover all the adhesive. Use brads to keep your piece in place as adhesive won't stick for long!

Have tons of fun and I hope to post again tomorrow with some new projects!

Man oh man did I get a ton of emails and posts since yesterday and all of them wanting the same thing… Instructions for the card below! Wow! Glad glad glad that everyone likes it! I was sure impressed with myself when I completed it! (And even as amazing as it looks on the computer it’s 110% better in real life! So anyway, here’s my tutorial on how to make this card!


Polished Stone
Materials:

• 3 different Alcohol inks (I used Terra Cotta, Wild Plum and Currant)


• Krylon Copper Leafing Pen


• Glossy Cardstock


• Felt Dauber (called a “stomper” locally)


• Alcohol Ink Blending Solution

Instructions:

• Randomly dot glossy cardstock with Copper Leafing Pen


• Apply three or four drops of each color to felt dauber, and add some blending solution


• Smoosh all over paper being sure to cover all the white spots. It’s OK if the Copper Leafing mixes in a little.


• Once the cardstock is completely covered hold bottle of blending solution above the cardstock and allow to drip. This will scatter the ink and pen, leaving a marbleize effect.


• The higher you hold the bottle when you drip it the larger the splots are going to be.

This same thing can be accomplished using Stampin’ Up! supplies. Rather than alcohol inks, use reinkers, and substitute rubbing alcohol for blending solution! You’ve got it made!

Have fun, and feel free to email me if you have any questions!

Didn't Do Much...

I've not done much of anything today. I went with my friend to the doctor this morning. Not because she needed me there (for anything beyond comic relief anyway) but because we went scrapbook shopping afterwards! YAY!

We hit three of the local scrapbook stores (there are more than that though!) Ending with Stamper's Studio & Stuff which is my most Fav. because Kristi has GREAT stuff that we can't get anywhere else! AND because that's where I'll be teaching classes starting in February! (Yay me!)

So I picked up some Souffle pens, some more alcohol inks, some cardstock, some new heidi swapps rub-ons that I couldn't resist and also some more chip board stuff - yeah, like I need any more! I also got my hands on a scalloped oval punch that I've been dieing for! I'm so psyched to use it - keep an eye out for projects here using it!

After all that I came home and made this card. The cardstock is all Stampin' Up! and is yummy to the max! I used Rose Red, Brushed Copper and Glossy White. I also used Stampin' Up!'s Kanji stamp set. The symbol means LOVE - which would explane why the word LOVE is written up the side of the card, right? It was really hard to get a good shot of this card, so please take my word for it that this card looks 100000 times better in real life!

Anyway, take care, keep warm, and let me know what you think of the card!!

Arrrg

It's really be a great day. It started with a mad dash around the house to make it presentable enough for company! My Visiting Teachers were coming! YAY!! I was so excited when they got here *JUST* as I was putting our breakfast bowls in the sink. (Got to put that chore off for an hour or so! Yay again!) It was really great to see them, but lo and behold, it got better...

My husband called! Yay Tim!

So half the Visiting Teaching time was taken up with me on the phone with Tim, and them hollering things at me to tell him! It was of course a ton of fun, and it helped that Tim was in a good mood. I guess things are going OK "over there" where ever "over there" is! lol. He doesn't talk much about things there, and keeps changing the subject to home matters. Excape comes in many forms I suppose! Anyway we are all so VERY proud of him. He's a one of a kind guy and just as sweet as can be. (Though he'd probably cringe if he could read this right now! lol!!)

Anywhoo...

I was so stinkin' excited for them to get their gifts I couldn't stand it. I handed them over just as soon as their butts hit leather! lol. They really liked them! YAY ME! Of course at this point they wanna know how I made them, and I just *HAD* to show them my new toy in my newly organized craft room! lol. After we ooooh'ed and ahhhhh'ed over the Cricut we went back in the other room and got to talking and all that fun stuff! What a great lesson we had this morning too! I really do love these sisters. They bring the warmth of the spirit into my home and that's a treasure beyond price!

Anyway, Angie liked hers well enough I'm going to make one for her mother's birthday! Yay! How cool is that?! Since I'm going to do the exact same thing I did for theirs I won't post my exaples again! Not to worry though. I do have a card sample that I made tonight!

I have been trying to get a bunch of mechanics cards made to take into the local stamping/scrapbooking store. We've been in negotiations about my maybe teaching there. I'm trying not to talk about it because I don't wanna jinx myself, just keep everything crossed for me! I plan on going in tomorrow afternoon.

So tonight my mechanical card was the Revolving Door Card. If you want instructions on this one you'll have to email me and I'll share, but I don't feel like typing that much more tonight.

Here's the recipe for the card:

Stamps: Ahoy Matey, Matey's Map, Rough Edges Alphabet
Paper: Ballet Blue, More Mustard, Whisper White
Ink: Close to Cocoa, More Mustard, White Craft
Accessories: Sponge Daubers, Prisma Colored Pencils, Gamasol

I tried something new tonight, in that I used Prisma Colored Pencils and Gamasol to do my watercoloring. I'm not too hot at it yet, but I managed to get things colored in, which is more than I expected to be able to do! For a tutorial on using Prisma Colored Pencils and Gamasol click here.

Gamasol is a brand name of odorless mineral spirits. It can be found at HL, Mike's, and WMart to name a few. Look around! Lots of fun! I'm going to keep practicing, and eventually will be boasting about it here! lol!

So I guess I'd better get off here. I want to make a waterfall card for tomorrow. I think I'll start it to night (the mechanics and all that) then stamp it up tomorrow. More than likely I'll get involved though and just do it all tonight!

Remember to keep your digits crossed for me! I could stand to start teaching again!

Pop Up Polka Dots & Paisley

Go ahead, say that ten times fast!!

LOL, its late, so forgive my horrible humor. I stayed up to make another card with the scraps from the Visiting Teaching gifts (see the post below this one!) All the colors are the same. I'm really enjoying this color combo! I used the Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set. To get the dots all lined up correctly I used the Stamp-a-ma-Jig. I really don't know what I would do without that silly thing! I use it all the time - and it has earned its place on my favorite things list!
If you want directions for the pop up card then email me, and I'll send them to you. I don't know where my upline got the origional instructions from, but like any good stamper I tweak this and change that. If you know where the origional instructions came from, please feel free to let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!!

In addition to all that cardstock I used jute twine and a buckle from the Hodgepodge Hardware. It's actually the first piece of hardware I've used since I bought the kit; my new resolution (as of right this second) is to stop hording all my goodies! So be prepared to see more metals on my cards!

Alright. That's it for me tonight. I really do have to go to bed. I get to give away my goodies first thing in the morning! (Keep your fingers crossed that they like them!!)