Card Art, Etc.

Where Have I Been?

2012-01-31T15:55:00.000-05:00

Life happens I guess. I have cards started and some things I need to post, but this has been the busiest month. I have been updating the IO blog for one thing. I have also been getting the links to the stamps ready when they change over to their new store in the near future. When they do I will most certainly tell you here. They have just finished uploading their NEW Spring 2012 Image to their ONLINE STORE HERE and HERE.

Now for the even more current news and I am late with it. This week they are having a blog hop to celebrate their new stamps. You can read the rules for this week's DT And FAN BLOG HOP, HERE, which continues through this Friday. There will be a $25 Gift Certificate Drawing every day and an additional $25 Gift certificate awarded on Friday, for use in the IO online store, which has all of the new stamps. I have given you the starting point in case you want to be eligible for the special drawing for those who post Monday through Friday. If you have any questions, please ask me.

I am sorry I am 'a day late and a dollar short' as they say!!! I hope to be back in the swing of things shortly. Right now I am busy counting widgets. LOL ;-) Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Happy New Year To You And Yours

2011-12-31T21:30:00.000-05:00

My image is from Photobucket.

Thank you so much for stopping by so I can wish you a very Happy Healthy New Year. Thank you for all of your visits and for sharing your thoughts and time with me.

Love and hugs to you all, my blog friends.

A Unique Video

2011-12-23T23:32:00.001-05:00

I was visiting a fellow stamper's blog, Curt at Curt's World, and he had the below video from YouTube posted. It is a very creative and unique video telling the story of the Nativity and what might have taken place if it happened in today's world. I believe it is done in good taste. I have watched it three times and picked up something new each time. How fun. I grinned a lot. Computer and Internet junkies will love it!

Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

It's Almost Here

2011-12-20T22:25:00.002-05:00

And this could be my last post until after Christmas. It all depends on what I get done. :-) This card was done using another Twisted Easel. It looks like a square easel, but is isn't totally. If it was a square one it would be 5X5. I hated seeing the large margin on the right of square easels, so I changed it a little. The fold for the easel part is the same. A piece of cardstock cut 5"X10 and folded in the middle for the 5"X5". Then don't forget top fold the top as from bottom left to right top (to make a triangle). Look HERE. Now for the difference. I made my card front 5.25" and then mounted it so the overhang would be on the right. Any questions, ask me.

I used Flourishes Poinsettia Boxwood Set for the flowers and the sentiment is from Flourishes Sleigh Ride. The large flower was stamped twice, cut out, was painted with Twinkling H2O's, bottom and top turned over and embossed on mat with stylus, and layered with 3D pop dots. 3MM Mark Richard pearls were added to the center and Stickles Yellow was added in between them. The leftover petals from the second Poinsettia were painted with Twinkling H2O's Olive Green and then mounted as shown after the flower was mounted.

The frame for the flower was done using Spellbinders Labels Thirteen. You can see how I did it HERE. The white embossed background is Cuttlebug's Kassie's Brocade 5"X7" embossing folder. Since my card front was 5"X5.25, the next layer is Bazzill's Dotted Swiss Blissful 4.45"X5.0", then Kassie's Brocade at 4.5"X4.75, then Labels Thirteen frame mounted on a white BG, then on Kassie with 3D pop dots, and last the Poinsettia mounted with 3D pop dots.

The layering of the bottom is pretty self explanatory. I painted the small Poinsettia with the same colors as above. The pearls are 2MM. The sentiment was stamped with StazOn Blazing Red and the die from Spellbinders Fancy Tags One was used as a stencil around it. The die cut was done using more Blissful. The pearls are 5 and 7MM. The ribbon is May Arts and done with the Bow-Easy.

I am using the InLinkz Link Manager again. Some of you said it was helpful. Hope you enjoyed your visit. If I don't make it by your blog to say so before Christmas, I hope yours is MERRY and BRIGHT!! And a very HAPPY NEW YEAR too!! Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

SUPPLIES:

CAS That Was Much Fun

2011-12-04T19:07:00.000-05:00

I was blog hopping and came across Colleen Dietrich's Pastel Sleigh Ride and knew I had to try something like it! The sleigh is from Flourishes Sleigh Ride and the Pine boughs are from Impression Obsession's Winter View. The words are from Flourishes Meet Me Under the Mistletoe.

I stamped the sleigh with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White, painted it with Twinkling H2O's, cut it out and embellished it with a punched Paper Shapers Small Snowflake, added Glossy Accents and Deco Art Glamour Dust, then set it aside.

I punched a border on pink parchment paper with a Martha Stewart Around The Page Punch as shown. I used a Spellbinders Floral Doily Motif die with Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid paper. I cut it in half as shown and mounted it on the pink parchment paper.

Another piece was embossed with one of the folders from Sizzix's Flourish, Dots, and Ribbon set. A piece of SU DP paper was cut for the background. The white embossed paper was mounted on that followed by the pink parchment, the die cut, a piece of lace, and then the sleigh.

I stamped the Pine boughs using SU Certainly Celery Classic dye ink on some white CS, cut out, mounted as shown. Snowflakes were die cut with Cuttlebug's Snowflake #2 die and mounted as shown. I applied Glossy Accents to all of the centers, added pearl stickers to the centers, then dusted with Deco Arts Glamour Dust. The ribbon was tied with the Bow-Easy and mounted with a glue-dot.

The base below was done with the same white CS and SU DP stamped with Impression Obsession Winter View Pine boughs and SU Certainly Celery. A Spellbinders Fancy Tags One die was used for the word base, then the top was stenciled. The words are from Flourishes Meet Me Under The Mistletoe. If I made some grammatical mistakes, I apologize. Somehow tonight I seem to be in a fog. LOLOL So if you have questions, please feel free to ask!

I must be doing something wrong with the Inlinkz Link Manager. I liked it, but it just seemed to take so much time always adding new links. Oh well, hope your weekend was great and thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Supplies:
Stamps: Flourishes Sleigh Ride and Meet Me Under The Mistletoe; Impression Obsession Winter View

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White and Solar White Laid cardstock; Pink parchment cardstock; Stampin' Up DP remnants
Inks: Memento - Brilliance Galaxy Gold; Twinkling H2O's; SU Certainly Celery Classic
Accessories: Paper Shapers Snowflake punch; Spellbinders Tags One, Mark Richards 3mm white pearl stickers; Bow-Easy; Micheal's ribbon, Martha Stewart Around The Page Punches.

Oh By Gosh By Golly....

2011-11-27T16:58:00.000-05:00

Silly as it may seem, when I saw the sentiments in this stamp set it reminded of when I used to watch the Christmas musicals on TV, and I won't tell you who was singing them. :-D This is one of the hardest pictures I have taken. The Whites just really didn't show right.

The card fold is again the Twisted Easel for 4.25X5.5 cards and the instructions can be found HERE.

All of the images on my card are from Flourishes Meet Me Under The Mistletoe. The mistletoe was stamped twice with Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink, cut out, and painted with Twinkling H2O's. The base was done by first using a Spellbinders Circle die with Bazzill Dotted Swiss Irish Eyes DP, cut and embossed. Next, the white layer was first embossed with Cuttlebug folder D'Vine Swirls and then embossed again using their Swiss Dots. A Spellbinders Picot Edge Circle die was then used for the shape. The first mistletoe image was mounted. Then the second one was embossed using a stylus to raise the bow, leaves, and berries, then mounted, using the first one as a base. Glossy Accents was added to the berries.

Both the card front and the base were done with the same cardstocks and techniques as above.

The sentiments were done using Memento Bamboo Leaves ink on white cardstock and then using the same embossing folders as above. (You would have a hard time stamping over the Swiss Dots) :-D The shape for the first one is from a Spellbinders Circle die and then then Magic Matter with the Bazzill Dotted Swiss Irish Eyes DP for the bottom circle. The second sentiment was done the same as the first with the exception that a Spellbinders Tags One die was used and adjusted as shown for the edges.

The ribbon is leftover from I think Michaels. The pearls are Mark Richards 3 and 5mm. The stick pin is from Maya Road Trinkets and the beads are Czech glass beads.

That's all for today! Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

Supplies:

Finally Found Fine Snow Code For New Blogger Template

2011-11-24T13:52:00.037-05:00

I didn't like the big flakes. I found the code for the new Fine Snow that will work with either the Blogger Original or with the new Designer Template. Let me know how you like it and below is how you can do it too. So easy like the old one. First you need to leave this window for my blog open and go to the tab to the right and next to this one and sign into Blogger and:

1. Go to your Blogger Dashboard
2. Click on Design Tab
3. Click on Page Elements
4. Click on Add A Gadget
5. Click on HTML-Java Script
A window will pop-up. (Do Not Give It A Title or it will show on your blog in the side bar.) Leave the window up and:
6. Go back to the tab for my blog
7. Copy the code from the site listed below. I just found out it won't copy and paste into a post, but it will copy and paste into the window one your Design-Edit-HTML window. Here is the site:

Fine Blogger Blogger Snowflakes

It is the THIRD html code down. You left-clicking at the beginning of the code and dragging your mouse to the end of the code. Right click on your mouse and click on Copy in the drop down box:

8. Go to the pop-up window waiting for your code. Place your mouse in the area for text and right click. Click on Paste in the drop-down window.
9. Click on Save at the bottom of the window.
10. I always click on the Orange Save button on the upper right of the Edit Layout Page. It will verify and say your changes have been saved.

I found this code at Blogger Stop.Net - Blogger, Widgets, Template Help! If you have any problems with this, let me know and maybe I can help. Probably too much info, but I was trying to help those who aren't comfortable with making changes to their Edit Layout Page. Thanks for stopping by to look and share.
Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Impression Obsession Yearly Sale Is On At Midnight

2011-11-23T22:12:00.001-05:00

The following post is from Mitra. She has a surprise for you tonight and soon to come too. See below:

The sale is:

25% OFF EVERYTHING on our site (including our clearance section which is already 50% off).
Orders OVER $30 will receive FREE SHIPPING too! (US/CANADA ONLY).

This year:

there is NO COUPON CODE.
The prices are automatically adjusted when you put your items into the basket.
The discount will appear in your cart as "Discount by Category" and the amount in parentheses next to it is the discount amount.
So when you are shopping the prices show up at their regular retail price.

When you select your shipping method:

If you are in the U.S. or CANADA select "STANDARD" shipping to receive the
FREE SHIPPING special.
Select "STANDARD" even if you only have unmounted stamps. You MUST select "STANDARD" to get the Free Shipping.
(If you select "UNMOUNTED ONLY" and your order is over $30 it will still charge the FLAT RATE $5.00.)

Click Here to Shop Our Sale

ALERT! New Website Coming! Save your Wish Lists!

This sale will be the last one on our current site. I have been redesigning the site to include many new features such as:

Order History
Tracking information
Sample cards with the Stamp Images for easier access
Improved Search functionality with keyword searching
Better categorization
and a lot more!!!

If you have a current Wish List and you don't want to lose the information, please print it out in case it needs to be re-entered. (Or better yet, take advantage of our sale and buy the stamps now...LOL).

Love IO Stamps! Then Like us on Facebook! We finally have a Facebook page! It's a great way to keep up with our blog posts, contests, challenges, and has lots of samples our customers and designers share with us. And sometimes I even reward those Facebook fans with random gift certificates!

Isn't that an enabling sale!!! Don't say I never tell you anything. LOLOL. I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving Day for your and yours. Stay safe. Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

Snow Family Fun And No Patterned Paper

2011-11-21T18:48:00.000-05:00

The IO blog is having a "No Patterned Paper" challenge this week, and although I didn't play, I couldn't resist finishing this card that would have been okay to enter. I love Alesa Baker stamps and had started this card a while back.

For some reason I did the card front and base backgrounds first this time. I wanted a 5" square easel card. I used a 5"X10 piece of Domtar Cougar Super Smooth White cardstock for the card. You can find the measurements and instructions HERE. If you would prefer a video, you can go HERE. (You could increase the top half by .25" so it would cover more to the right when open, and set further to the right when flat. It would extend .25" over the bottom part. It would still fit in a 5.5" square envelope.) I may try that next time myself.

The bottom cardstock is 5"x5" Bazzill Basics Blissful from their Blissful Trio collection. The next layer (for the card front) is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock stamped with my Mega Mount and Impression-Obsession Cover-A-Card Pine inked with SU Old Olive. I used snow behind the family that I had left over from another project. I had stamped Cover-A-Card Dots on Neenah CC Solar White Laid CS with VersaMark, added Deco Art Crystal Glamour Dust, and heated it to set. The layers were torn to give a snow drift effect. Then it was layered onto the Pine as shown.

I stamped Impression Obsession Snow Family Fun using Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock. They were painted with Twinkling H2O's, cut them out, turned them over on my Pergamano embossing mat, embossed their caps, scarfs, and buttons with a stylus, and then layered them on top using 3D pop dots as shown. I added Glossy Accents to their buttons, coal, and carrot noses. :-) Viva Decor Ice White Pearl Pen was added to the dots on the little snow-girl.

To finish off the bottom, I used the pine boughs from Impression Obsession's Clear set Winter View, by Alesa Baker on Neenah CC Solar White. The image can also be purchased in red rubber as Pine Garland Border. I used a Spellbinders Fancy Tags One die for the sentiment. The sentiment is from Impression Obsession's Clear set Swirl Tree. The pearls are Oriental Trading Post 7mm pearls. The star pin is from Making Memories Mistletoe Deco Pins. (I altered it in the photo because it looked gray when it really is a pearly white. :-)

So that's all for now. If you want to play, you have until this Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m. The theme is No Patterned Paper and you could wind a $25 Gift Certificate for the online store. You can get the detials by going HERE.

Hope you are having a great week!! Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

Supply List:

InLinkz Link Manager, Pop Up Comment Windows, And It's Snow Time

2011-11-18T21:59:00.000-05:00

InLinkz Link Manager
I don't have a card today, but thought it might be a good time to give you some information. Several people have emailed me to ask how I do my Supply List at the bottom of my posts. It is done through InLinkz. Right now it is free.

You can read all about it HERE. Also in that same post is a CODE for you to use to get it free at this time. If you would like a bigger screen, you can view it on YouTube.
HERE is another post with another CODE.

If you have any problems with the 'CODES', go HERE and send an email to InLinkz.

You can watch another video of how it works HERE. I will say this about that!!! It takes a while the first time you add a link because you are hyper-linking to the site and also to a picture of the product. Once you have done it, however, the next time you use the same product, you just move (drag) it from your product library into the place where you are building your current Supply List. Essentially as your library of products gets bigger, building your list gets faster. So far I am liking it and I think I would pay for it too.

Some Tip Reminders That Help When Blog Hopping:
We all have our 'druthers when we are hopping around looking at beautiful cards and techniques. I like to comment to show my appreciation for the art. The hard part these days is how to do it in a timely manner. These are just my preferences and are not meant to slight someone else's preference and it won't influence whether or not I comment:

A Pop-UP Window for comments is a blessing for me. It allows the reader to have the window next to the card, etc. so they don't have to try and remember all of the detail on the card. You can find out how to do this HERE. You can do this under the Settings and Comments Tabs.
How to stop SPAM comments. Okay, I know the challenges don't like it. I don't determine whose comment can be published. I do ask for ask for word verification. I do get notification by email of the comment. Once in a great while I get someone commenting who has no business there. I just click on it and go to the Comments tab and delete it. When people want to okay it, sometimes I don't see it at the top and think I didn't whatever. LOLOL
And last, but not least, if you are Missing Your Followers, go HERE.

IT'S SNOW TIME!
I learned a few things this year when I wanted to put snow on my blog today. I thought of turkeys for a minute, but they would hurt!! Right? I prefer the light and airy snow, but no, that was not to be this year. I changed over to the new Blogger Designer Template. I found out that the light and airy snow isn't available for that. I even looked to see if there was a CSS code I could add to the template for it. No, I had to settle for what you see. LOLOL

For those of you who still have the old template you can get fine and airy snow HERE. If you don't like these instructions, you can always Google 'Snowflakes for Blogger' and find a lot of instructions there.
For those of you who have the new Designer Template you can get your code and instructions HERE. I found other codes with basically the same big obnoxious flake, but some were too many or too fast. I didn't want a blizzard! LOL

Now if any of you have a Designer Template and know how to get the fine and airy snow, I would appreciate an email with the site that has the instructions and the code too! That's all for now. Our weather has been in the teens the last couple of nights and it should warm up tomorrow a little!! Have a great weekend everyone!

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Meet You At The Mistletoe

2011-11-11T15:20:00.000-05:00

Okay, I have to admit, I am in love with A2 Twisted Easel cards. HERE is my pictorial tutorial. I also love Flourishes stamps and was looking for the Sunflower set when I found their Mistletoe sets. The main site was out of the Sunflower and I found it and the others HERE. It was a great buy and free shipping over $60. She also has a great selection of dies for Cherry Lynn, Heartfelt Creations, Joy Crafts, Maryanne Creatables, and Nellie Snellen. I have hunted all over for these in the states. The service was extra fast. She is in Las Vegas and I am in NC. I had them in 3 days. If you find what you want, tell her I sent you.

For my main image and sentiment, I used Flourishes Christmas Candles. For the border trim and the bottom sentiment I used Flourishes Meet Me Under The Mistletoe. All were done on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock. All were stamped with StazOn Jet Black and painted with my Niji waterbrush and Twinkling H20's. I stamped the candle twice, cut them out, turned them over on my Pergamano embossing mat, embossed the bottom and candle with a stylus, and then layered the top over the bottom as shown. I highlighted the berries on the lamp base with a Viva Decor Ice White Pearl pen.

After the sentiments were stamped they were put through and embossed with the Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Lacey Ovals dies. The die was used as a stencil and a Round Stencil brush was used with Buttercup Twinkling H20's to do the edge around the sentiments. In the photo it looks light orange when it is actually a pale shiny yellow!

The card front was done using Bazzill Dotted Swiss Irish Eyes DP as the base. The Mistletoe border was stamped on Neenah Classic White Solar Crest and then put through the Cuttlebug using their D'Vine Swirls embossing folder. The candle and sentiment were mounted on top. The bottom of the easel was done with the same cardstock and DP as shown. The supports stops for the twist easel card front are Mark Richards Crystal Sticker 10mm pearls.

May Arts ribbon was wound and then threaded through the loops. The bows were done with the Bow-Easy. The stick pin is a corsage pin and Czech beads. The tiny heart above the 'i' on Merry Christmas was done with Twinkling H2O's Garnet and Glossy Accents. The lower left hand corner of an envelope was also stamped with the border mistletoe and painted.

This did not take long at all. I love these sets and will be using them more. Thanks for stopping by to look and share!! Have a great weekend you all!!!

Supplies:

It's A Chair Affair!

2011-11-05T19:57:00.000-04:00

I know, I have used Impression-Obsession's Fall Serenity image before, but I saw a card HERE, that made me want to use it again! So this time I stamped the image twice with Stazon-Timber Brown, so I could use one as a base, and painted with Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan, Buttercup, Dreamsicle, and Ginger Peach. I always paint with a Niji waterbrush. (I never spray my pots of color, and I paint directly from the pot.) I cut both images out.   I turned the painted image over and embossed on a Perganamo embossing mat and embossed with a stylus. I spot stamped the pumpkin on the chair and the little pumpkin on the floor with a dauber of the Timber Brown. I painted, cut them out, and embossed them too.

Here was the fun part! I used my Mega Mount to stamp the upper 'wallpaper' behind the chair with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Round Floral, inked with Memento Bamboo Leaves, on SU Saffron cardstock (I think) .   Then I stamped IO Cover-A-Card Wood Grain, inked with Memento Rich Cocoa, on Bazzill Monochromatic Walnut cardstock.

I put a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock and Spellbinders largest Lattice Rectangle die though the Cuttlebug.   I then used the same die as a stencil to get the wallpaper and floor. I left a space in between as the 'baseboard molding'. These were mounted to the die cut.

A piece of Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock was mounted on white cardstock as the base. The die, with wallpaper and floor, were mounted on to that. I used my retired SU Small Horizontal Slot Punch to be able to place the May Arts ribbon.

3D pop dots were used to mount the chair with pumpkins. Next the larger pumpkin on the chair and the smaller one on on the floor, that were separately cut out, were mounted with 3D pop dots. The ribbon was mounted. I made the triple bow with my Bow-Easy. I twisted each bow loop in the opposite direction to get the swirly effect.

The stick pin was created using a Maya Road Trinkit Crystal pin with Czech leaf and faux pearl beads added after adding a dab of Glossy Accents onto the shaft. The pearls on the chair back and skirt ruffle were added using Viva Decor White Pearls.

I hunted forever to find a post for the really simple easel card fold I used to do this step and found it HERE, using white cardstock. I layered the bottom portion with the Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock, created wallpaper, and more white cardstock.

The sentiment is computer generated. I didn't have a stamp I liked and didn't want to shop or wait. I ran it through the Cuttlebug using a Spellbinders Fancy Tags One die. Then I used my Magic Matter around the die cut. Of course, I had to turn it over on the Pergamano embossing mat and use a stylus around these edges too. The Self-Adhesive Pearl Jewels are some I've had a long time from Oriental Trading Post.

That's it for today and I hope you are having a great weekend! Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!!

SUPPLIES:

Old Fashioned Santa Easel Card

2011-10-28T20:54:00.000-04:00

It was so hard to get a good picture of this. I used glitter on the snowflakes and snow on the image in places. The image, Checking His List by Stamps Happen, Inc., was stamped twice with StazOn Timber Brown .on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock. The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's. The first image was cut out, turned over on an embossing mat and used a stylus in the areas I wanted to raise. Then I painted and cut out his Holly crown with Cardinal, arm and hand, squirrel, rabbit, and list, and mounted as shown with 3D pop dots. Flower Soft Polar White was used for Santa's fur trim. Viva Decor Pearl White was used for the trim on his sash. The ribbon is May Arts used with a Bow-Easy. The pin was made using a Corsage Pear Pearl pin and Czech beads. I always lay a little bit of Glossy Accents along the pin near the top as I slide each bead on and let it sit. It holds them in place.

The card measuares 5"X5". I created the fold using White cardstock according to the directions you can find HERE using my Scor-Pal.

The Background card front is from Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf and Irish Eyes cardstock. The next layer was done using my Mega Mount and Impression Obsessions Cover-A-Card Pine and Stampin' Up Classic Old Olive, with Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb cardstock, that was embossed using Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Snowflakes, added off center at the bottom. Deco Arts Glamour Dust Crystal was added to places on the snowflakes and snow using a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen.

The base is the the same card stock assembly as above. The Snowflakes are die cuts from Cuttlebug Snowflakes #2 and are highlighted with the same Deco Arts Glamour Dust Crystal added to places on the snowflakes with the Sakura Quickie Glue Pen. The die is from Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two and cut from Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock. The die was then used as a stencil on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White for the center. The sentiment is StazOn Blazing Red with Hero Arts Merry Christmas. Hero Arts says this stamp is limited. :-(

I have made a 5.25X5.25 box for this card, but I am patiently awaiting more of the Dotted Swiss cardstock to finish it. :-)

That's my card for now. I hope you enjoyed. I am off to try and finish some more for Christmas, so I should be back here soon. Have a great weekend everyone, and thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

SUPPLIES:

CR84FN40 Color Challenge And Christmas Is Coming

2011-10-11T21:55:00.004-04:00

I have modified my post because a friend brought this color challenge to my attention. When I looked into it, I was inspired when I saw the dedication. This Color Challenge CR84FN40 is dedicated to Steve Jobs. The challenge owner and administrator is Mona Pendleton and her husband, Scott, is a HUGE fan and chose a quote made by Steve himself to inspire all of us. R.I.P. Steve and Thank You for the difference you have made in all of our lives!

If any of you heard the speech that Steve Jobs gave as the commencement speaker in 2005 to Stanford University, you know just how special he was and what he did with life's challenges. I wish I could have heard it 40 years ago. He would have been 16 years old then. :-) You will find it HERE.

I have never ever done a challenge before, so this is a new experience. I hope I do it right!!! LOLOL

And it's about time I got started with my cards. I stamped The Artful Stamper fawn with Copper pigment ink (Challenge Color BROWN) on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock, applied Copper embossing powder, and heated to set. I couldn't find the image on their site and have asked them to send me the link. The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's. Stickles Diamonds and Glossy Accents were used to highlight the snowflakes and berries. The spots on the fawn were done with Viva Decor Ice White Pearl.

I used Spellbinders Curved Rectangles for the shape around the fawn. I put copper toned cardstock through the Cuttlebug and then, using the same die as a stencil for the fawn, mounted it on the die cut.

The background was created by applying SU Creamy Caramel Classic ink (Challenge Color KRAFT) to Impression Obsession's Cover-A-Card Paisley Crystal mounted on my Mega Mount, then stamping on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock. Another piece of the copper toned cardstock was put though the Cuttlebug using the largest die. The Paisley Crystal BG was mounted on top and the red ribbon (from Michaels) (Challenge Color RED) was added.

That was mounted over a piece of folded 6.25"X12" Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock and used as stencil to create the card. The image was mounted on top with 3D pop dots. The bow was tied with the Bow-Easy and mounted. The snowflake die cuts are from Cuttlebug's Snowflake #2 and the cardstock is Arrio Wiggins Curious Ice Gold. I used Mark Richards 5mm pearl stickers for the centers of the snowflakes. The tag is Spellbinders Ribbons Tag Trio, also cut from Curious Ice Gold. The sentiment was done with Brilliance Rocket Red and Impression Obsession Sentiments I.

The stick pin was done with a Maya Road Trinket Heart pin and adding a Czech bicone crystal bead and a copper bead brought back to me from France by a friend, who is also a stampaholic (thank you LaVerne). They are truly beautiful and shine to no end. I added a little Glossy Accent above each bead on the pin before pushing them up next to the heart. It dries really fast and then they don't slide around on the stick pin.

The inside and the envelope images were done by stamping onto Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Text, trimming around them and then mounting on to the cardstock on more text paper, which is what I used to make my envelope. Yes, I made the envelope and it is really easy to do, but that's another story for another day.

SUPPLIES:

New To You Maybe!

2011-10-02T12:01:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was World Cardmaking Day and IO partnered with Operation Write Home for their blog hop. I featured cards I made for the day. I made them in a hurry, I might add. I am going to share them with you here. I also want you to know IO is offering a $25 Gift Certificate in a drawing. To be eligible you need to go the the post and comment. You must comment by 10 pm EST tonight. You will also find links to Operation Write Home, if you are interested in sending your unused cards to troops in war zones, so they can stay in touch with their loved ones in a special way. If you are interested, HERE is the link for commenting and the information. Now for the cards I made:

It is Alesa Baker's Fall Serenity, and it really does remind me of Fall. It is painted with Twinkling H20's watercolors, as are all of the cards. It was cut out, turned over on an embossing mat, embossed with a stylus, then mounted on the Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle. I used Viva White Pearl to accent the chair back. The ribbon, etc. are remnants. My inside left panel is "For The Sweetest Pumpkin In The Patch".

My second card reminds me of an old fashioned Thanksgiving. I used Cover-A-Card Maple Leaves stamped with Memento Cocoa Brown on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid cardstock for the background. Brown ink was also used for the Gary Robertson's Fall Porch image. Dark Brown cardstock was used for the Spellbinders Scalloped Edge frame and the cardstock around the Maple Leaves. The pumpkin, dog and cat, boots, and flowers were cut out, turned over, embossed on an embossing mat with a stylus for depth and then mounted. The inside left panel reads So Very Thankful.

My last card is for Christmas. I used Hannah Davies's Angel in brown ink. I cut her out, turned her over on the embossing mat, and used a stylus to give her depth. She was mounted on Spellbinders Picot Edge Circles, which was mounted on the Score background as shown. The ribbon is May Arts. The background is Alesa Baker's Score and is in a light blue ink. Inside the card on the left-hand panel is the sentiment "Enjoy The Magic Of The Holiday Season".

So there you have it. Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi! I hope to once again attempt to get caught up on my blog hopping too!

Back With A Tribute And A Card

2011-09-10T10:03:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is going to be a very sad day for me and I think for most of us. I will never forget where I was while watching it all happening on TV and getting ready for work on the West coast. I am in awe of those who survived, both rescuers, victims, and their families too. I found a widget of the official 9/11 flag and a picture of the beautiful Reflecting Pools built at Ground Zero. Prayers of energy and peace to the survivors, families, and friends, and to those who have used their time and energy to help and encourage those in need because of this horrendous event.

It's been a while and have I been busy!!   IO is planning a new store website and I have been gathering some information for Mitra. Also, I have been working on some personal things and my yard. It was so hot here this summer we were in drought again and I didn't do much. Now is the time for getting the weeds out and seeding my lawn since it is only in the 80's now.

Now for my offering. I love this Sweet Violets stamp set by Flourishes, but I had never used it until now. Well, if you know me, you know I have to layer and emboss for depth, so............

I stamped the image on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock twice using Brilliance Galaxy Gold.   I painted the images with Twinkling H20's Cherry Sorbet and Moss Green using my Niji Waterbrush. I cut out my base image using my X-Acto knife and painted the edges with the colors of the violets and leaves. Everything forward has been turned over on an embossing mat and embossed with a stylus. Next I cut out the leaves on the second image as shown and mounted with 1/16" 3D pop dots. I did the same with the backs of the flowers, but mounted them using only Glossy Accents.

I ran my new Marianne Die Cutting Frame Swirl 116 through my Cuttlebug using more Neenah Solar White. The second time through was to emboss the center. (Hint: When it doesn't show enough I turn it over with the die in place and use a stylus to accent it more. I used 1/16" 3D pop dots on the leaves of the Violets and 1/8" 3D pop dots for the flowers. I put it aside to wait until I had the second die cut.

I put another piece of Neenah Solar White through the Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Curved Rectangles. The second time was to emboss the center part. I used the die as a stencil to get the center part using SU DP. That was mounted to the center of the Solar White die cut with ATG Gold tape.

I removed the backing on the 3D pop dots of the Violets and mounted them and the Marianne die cut to the Curved Rectangle die cut as shown. I love both these dies!!!!

I cut a piece of the SU DP to 4.25X5.5. The image and die cuts were mounted to it using 1/16" 3D pop dots. May Arts ribbon was run under the Marianne die cut for the outside ribbon. It was run over and under the Marianne die cut for the center piece of ribbon. My bow was done using the Bow-Easy. There are 3 rounds of ribbon. (Hint: I hate trying to get the bow layers to stay separate and found that if I twist the flip the ends backward they look frilly, so that's what I did. I like the look.)

The sentiment is from Impression Obsession's Mini Messages clear stamp set and was stamped using Memento Bamboo Green on Neenah. The smallest Curved Rectangle on SU DP was used for the frame.

The pearls on the corner were purchased on EBay in the nail art section and were cheap and free shipping. I think they were in Hong Kong. Incredible!   The pearls on the sentiment are from Mark Richards 3mm pearl stickers. The heart pearl is Making Memories and the beads are Czech.

That's it for now. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask. Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Supplies:
Stamps: Flourishes Sweet Violets; Impression Obsession Mini Messages

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock and SU DP
Inks: Memento Bamboo Green; Brilliance Galaxy Gold; Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet and Moss Green
Accessories: Spellbinders Curved Rectangles, Marianne Die Cutting Frame Swirl 116; Making Memories White Heart Pearl stick pin; Mark Richards 3mm white pearl stickers; Czech pink faceted and pearl beads; Bow-Easy; May Arts ribbon.

Butterflies And Blossoms!

2011-07-29T21:47:00.001-04:00

I love Flourishes stamps and so when my Butterflies And Blossoms set arrived in the mail I couldn't wait to try it out. I stamped the image twice on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock with Brilliance Galaxy Gold, painted them with Twinkling H20's Cherry Sorbet and Olive Vine, and cut them out.

The second set of flowers and the leaves on the first cut-out were turned over on a Pergamano mat and a stylus was applied to give them dimension.

I folded a piece of 8.5X11 white cardstock in half, width wise, and then ran it through the Cuttlebug with the fold just inside the top part of the largest Spellbinders Curved Rectangles die (so it would not cut the folded part). I ran it through a second time to emboss it around the edge. The same die was used to trace the inside of the same die on a piece of Pink Paislee Butterfly Garden DP. I trimmed around it and taped it to the front of the card.

I ran a remnant piece of Solar White cardstock through the Cuttlebug using a Spellbinders Lattice Rectangle and then again to emboss it. The sentiment from Impression Obsession's True Blue Friend. was stamped to the right of the die cut using Memento Bamboo Green.

I mounted the first image on the left with 1/8" 3D pop dots. Each of the flowers was trimmed and embossed with a stylus on the Pergamano mat. They were mounted using 1/16" pop dots with glue dots used in the center of the flowers. The centers of the flowers are Glossy Accents with yellow clear micro beads.

The ribbon is form Michaels and was wrapped around the top of the card and a knot tied.

The butterfly was trimmed and painted with the same Twinks. It was mounted with a clear glue strip in the middle and 1/8" 3D pop dots under the wings. A little yellow glitter glue was added to the dots on the wings and 3mm pearl stickers were mounted with Glossy Accents down the middle.

Have a great weekend and stay cool. Very hot in NC right now. That is all for tonight you all!! Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!

New Flourishes Stamp Set For Me

2011-07-24T15:56:00.000-04:00

I purchased two new Flourishes stamp sets, Country Charm Labels and Country Charm Borders (and a few others too), a few months ago and finally made time to use them.. :-) These are fun stamps!! Above is my result!

I stamped the label and 3 borders with Momento Bamboo Green ink on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock, painted the little flowers with Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, using a Niji waterbrush, and cut them out. One border is for the inside of my card. I also stamped the envelope bottom with a border too.

I stamped the sentiment, from Impression Obsession's All Occasion I, on the label with Momento Tuxedo Black. flipped it over and embossed the edges on a Pergamano cushion with a stylus. The white doily die cut is from Martha Stewart Doily Lace Shimmer Die Cuts. The scalloped edge is from Spellbinder's Scalloped Circles Large cut from Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz text weight paper (a left over and my "GOING GREEN contribution). The doily was mounted on the scalloped circle. The label was mounted using 1/16" pop dots on the doily.

A piece of the Neenah Classic Crest Solar White was put through the Cuttlebug using their Victoria embossing folder, and mounted on the Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz. Two of the border were mounted on top of that as shown.

The main image with label was mounted on top of the background using 1/8" pop dots. Mark Richards Black Onyx stickers (3mm, 4mm, and 5mm) were mounted as shown. The Black May Arts Ribbon was placed as shown and the Bow-Easy was used for the bow. The stick pin is a pearl boutonniere pin with Czech White heart and black onyx faceted beads.

I didn't take pictures of the inside and the envelope with the borders, but the borders were long enough for both.

Last but not least, I am so proud of me. I finally pulled off making just one card. You have no idea what a habit it can be to do a certain number each time. It is so much faster this way and easier to work around doing the IO blog hop and challenge. Happy camper here!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Flourishes Country Charm Labels, Country Charm Borders; Impression Obsession All Occasion I.

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock, Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz
Inks: Momento Bamboo Green, Tuxedo Black; Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet
Accessories: Spellbinders Scallop Circles, Martha Stewart Doily Lace Shimmer Die Cuts, Cuttlebug Victoria embossing folder; White Pearl Boutonniere pin; Mark Richards Black Onyx 3, 4, and 5mm stickers; Czech white heart and black onyx faceted beads; Bow-Easy; May Arts ribbon.

Thanks so much for stopping by to look and share everyone!!

I Forgot To Tell You

2011-07-19T18:41:00.000-04:00

I don't know if I will get a post up this week. Those of you who know me know that I write the Impression Obsession blog and coordinate the challenges, blog hops, etc. Well this is week Impression Obsession is releasing their NEW FALL-WINTER images at CHA and on their blog. We have 2 opportunities for you to win a $25 Gift Certificate for use in the Online Store.

The first one is a Blog hop all week long. It started yesterday, Monday, July 18, and goes through Sunday, July 24. If you comment on each day on each DT member's blog with new images, your name will be in the drawing to be held Sunday, July 24, at 10 p.m. when the hop is closed. The winner will be announced the next day, Monday.

The second one is a blog hop for anyone who wants to enter the Thursday Challenge. The two most important guidelines are you must use ALL Impression Obsession Stamps on your card and create a card for ANY OCCASION. The challenge starts Thursday, July 21, and ends Wednesday, July 27, at 10 p.m. The winner of that certificate will be announced the next day on DT Thursday

There is also a link to Impression Obsession's NEW FALL-WINTER CATALOG SUPPLEMENT .pdf on the Impression Obsession blog is HERE.

So if you don't see a card, you know what I will be doing. I am counting widgets and writing posts. It keeps me out of trouble too! I invite you to join in the fun and maybe win some free stamps of your choice!! :-) Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi! See you soon!

I Love Mo Channing's Fairies

2011-07-13T19:10:00.001-04:00

I have had this this Mo Manning Slightly Chubby Fairy digital image all painted and waiting. I might also add I am in love with another one of Mo's fairies too (Housework Fairy)! Did you know you can now get her images in clear and rubber? They are 'flying off the shelves like hot cakes too'! I am having a hard time finding them both in one place on-line. :-)

Soooooo, I printed my fairy that I purchased from Mo Manning. I painted her with Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Buttercup, Warm Pecan, Almond Beige, and Solar Gold. Her wings were done using Glossy Accents applied with the trusty little bottle below:

I have 4 or 5 of these filled with the Glossy Accents, Dimensional Glue, Glitter Glue, and Gesso, etc. I also keep a fine fine beading needle in case I forget to put the top back on before putting it away, etc. The tip of the bottle allows me to get right up to the edge of whatever I am doing with it. When I bought mine I think they were around 2.75 each. HERE is the most reasonable I could find at a quick look. If you look for them locally they can be found in wood working shops and places where they sell supplies for tying fly fishing flies. :-)

After applying the GA I added Deco Art Glamour Dust Crystal Glitter to them and then shook off the extra. I used Stickles Diamond over the areas I had painted with Solar Gold and then mounted a 2mm pearl with GA on her ear.

The Backgournd DP's are Frances Meyer Pink/White Polka dots and KandCo Garden Medley Embossed papers.

A while back a friend came to stamp and brought her Ellison Clouds Die with some other stuff. I borrowed it to save the clouds for this card. Here is what the ones I have look like. I also used my Magic Matter disk to get the outside rims using the DP I used for the BG frame. Then I turned them over on a Pergamano/embossing pad and used a stylus to give them depth, then mounted using 1/8" pop dots and leaving room for the ribbon underneath. I mounted the fairy using 1/16" pop dots. Michaels organza ribbon was mounted and the bow tied with my Bow-Easy.

The corners were done with the same Glossy Accents Glue Applicator. Then pushed the peal into it and applied Deco Art Glamour Dust Crystal to it. Let it set for a minute before shaking it off. That helps it keep its rim a little better. The heart pearl button in the lower right-hand corner, with the shank removed, was purchased at Hancock Fabrics.

So some credits are due here. I first fell in love with 'Slightly Chubby Fairy' after seeing it HERE. I saw the corners done on the same blog HERE. One very talented lady, Jenny Gropp at One Krafty Kat!!

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Two Lovely Cards & Two Beautiful Friends

2011-07-12T18:40:00.107-04:00

The Internet is a totally mystical place sometimes. I moved here from NV 8 years ago. I had been stamping for 5 years already and I had never lived away from my home town. I learned a lot of what I know about stamping on line. As I am sure most of you would agree, there is nothing like another stamper, online or not. :-) You can almost see their inky fingers and that look in their eyes when they see a stamp. LOLOL And people think drugs are addictive. Well that is were I met these next two stamp junkies!!!

I received 2 cards this last week and the cards would have been more exciting to me. I always say a person sends a part of themselves when they send someone a card they created. So here are the wonderful hugs I received:

I was expecting one of Shirl's beautiful cards and I had sent her one of mine. She not only sent me this cute and beautiful little girl, but also memories of my one and only trip to Hawaii. You see she lives on the big island in Hilo! The greenest part of the island! She sent goodies and some wonderful coasters and a bag to keep my meals cool in this desert heat in NC, no less . 100 here today. I had helped her with some questions about how to do her sidebars on her blog. You gave me so much more, Shirl. Your card is lovely. I don't know if you all can see it if you click on it. The DP paper sparkles and so does the bow on the beautiful little girl's package! She is beautiful. Thank you for your gifts and your lovely card! You will be hearing from meeeeeee! :-)

This next card is just so beautiful and unusual, kind of like it's artist! She is one of the people I met online through Technique Junkies. Junkie is right, right ladies and gents too? She lives in Apache Junction, AZ. I have wanted to move near there for the last 3 years, but the housing market has decided not yet. Ha! I told her I would move to the mountains of AZ. More like the temperatures in Reno. Anyway, we have become stamping and long distance buddies. When I least expect it, Jackie sends me a card and usually some surprises too! This was no different, but first about her card.

Jackie filmed the technique "Totally Texture", that she used to make this card too, for Technique Junkies February 2011 issue. I don't know if you can see enough of all of the texture if you click on it. It is just beautiful, front and the back, etc. You want to run your fingers over all of the finishes. The paper is another thing entirely. She also designs cards for Paper Temptress. There are at least 2 beautiful white pearl cardstocks used that I would bet are from there. She also sent me Technique Junkies Fancy Folds and Motion Paper Crafts CD. Wow! I love folds. Her daughter also sent me some goodies. I can't thank both of you enough. You better look out, Jackie! I will have to try to even the score!

I have another card almost ready to go. I want to thank you all for letting me share my special week and I am hoping yours was or is turning out swell too!

A Beach Maybe?

2011-07-08T20:33:00.001-04:00

I had this idea and it went totally somewhere else. I used the Impression Obsession stamp, Lanterns, that I kept seeing in a beach scene (without the lanterns for some reason). I pictured the tree and tables and chairs on the sand with the ocean out there! The stamp I used for the ocean and sand was their Cover-A-Card ^TM Wood Grain. Part of it was great for the sand and part of it was great for the ocean (that ended up looking like the sky). Oh Well! The Hi is from the Impression Obsession Clear Stamp Set Anytime Sentiments.

I stamped the Lanterns stamp with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic White Solar Crest cardstock. I painted it using Twinkling H2O's Mallard Green and Warm Pecan. I cut the pieces out and edged with the Galaxy Gold, and then prepared the tree by turning it over on a Pergamano/embossing pad and used a stylus to give the leaves and the trunk depth.

I used Twinkling H2O's Bashful Blue for the ocean (sky) and Golden Sand for the beach on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid cardstock. I stamped the ocean (sky) with Brilliance Moonlight White and the beach with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. I heat set them both and then I added some Stickles Diamonds to the sand here and there and Frosted Lace to the ocean (sky).

A piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid cardstock was put through the Cuttlebug with Spellbinders largest Lattice Rectangle. I used the die as a template for tracing the ocean and the sand. I tore the top of the sand to get a rough finish along the top. They were mounted to the frame followed by the tree and table with chairs. I added Viva Decor White Pearls as highlights. The Hi was stamped with StazOn Timber Brown and then highlighted with a Viva Decor Bronze glitter pen. The pitcher and glasses were highlighted with Viva Decor Crystal Clear. On the bottom right hand side I added 3 dots of the Viva Bronze glitter pen and added 3 3mm pearls to their centers.

The twine was leftover from a previous project and I think it bought it from Michaels. The scene was mounted on a left over piece of Japanese paper from a prior project and then mounted on a piece of Bazzill.

Supplies:
Stamps: Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card™ Wood Grain, Lanterns, Anytime Sentiments.

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Laid, Gold and Aqua cardstock
Inks: StazOn Timber Brown; Brilliance Galaxy Gold and Moonlight White; Twinkling H2O's Mallard Green, Warm Pecan, Bashful Blue, Golden Sand
Accessories: Spellbinders Lattice Rectangles, Viva Decor White Pearls, Crystal Clear, and Bronze glitter pens; 3mm pearls; Stickles Diamonds glitter glue and Frosted Lace, Michael's twine.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

Iris Blooms Floating by Challis & Roo - A Green Card!

2011-06-28T16:04:00.000-04:00

First, I would like to report that 2 bloggers have told me that they noticed their Followers were gone and tested my theory. My theory is that by emptying your Google Reader your Followers are somehow connected. Read HERE. They report that the Followers were back after doing that. :-)

I am still using up images I painted this last Winter in an attempt to go 'Green' and not waste! It was kind of fun going through what I have hoarded in backgrounds too.

I created the image by stamping Iris Blooms Floating by Challis & Roos twice using Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic White Solar Crest cardstock. I heated it to set and painted with Twinkling H2O's Royal Satin, True Blue, Moss Green, and Olive Green. Images were trimmed and the edges were painted with Gold Galaxy too.

Two pieces of the Neenah Classic White were run through my Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Labels 13 and repeated to emboss the edges. One Iris Bloom was mounted onto the embossed die cut with tape, followed by part of the other Iris Blooms and 3D pop dots as shown. X-Acto knife on a healing mat was used to cut open slots for the ribbon on each side of the die cut.

I created the back ground when I was doing this card for the Impression Obsessions Blog HERE, if you want to see the tutorial. So now you know I have had it for almost 2 years. I liked the background so much that I saved 3 more backgrounds to work with later. I used Cover-a-Card™ CC024 Tapestry and CC002 Swirls.

Next I mounted the image with label onto the finished Quilt Background using 3D pop dots. Michaels ivory colored organza ribbon was threaded through the slots and a double-bow using the Bow-Easy was mounted. A gold filigree button from my stash was applied with a 5mm pearl sticker and additional Glossy Accents. I used an acrylic circle and discontinued stamp from Rubber Stamp Tapestry for the tag. I stamped the image and the edges with Galaxy Gold and heat embossed with Egyptian Gold, and tied it on using left over gold cord. 'Hello' didn't show up well enough, so I went over it with an Olive Green Sharpie.

Thanks so much for stopping by to look and share!

Supplies:
Stamps: Impression Obsession Cover-a-Card™ CC024 Tapestry and CC002 Swirls; Discontinued Iris Blooms, Challis & Roo - Inkadinkado; discontinued stamp from Rubber Stamp Tapestry.

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth and Natural cardstock
Inks: VersaMark; Brilliance Galaxy Gold; Twinkling H2O's Royal Satin, True Blue, Moss Green, and Olive Green
Accessories: Judikins Egyptian Gold Embossing Powder, Spellbinders Frameabilities Scalloped Edges (Flower), Fiskars Apron Lace border punch; Michaels Organdy Ribbon, Bow- Easy, Mark Richards 5mm, 3mm pearls; Olive Green Sharpie.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

Which Choice For Allowing Blog Comments And How Easy to Make It

2011-06-25T15:07:00.031-04:00

I a really love being able to blog hop again. Below are some things blogees may not know about the choices they have to make it easier for followers and fellow blog hoppers to comment on their posts. Besides the choices available, I thought it might be fun to see how you all feel as commenters.

First you have to know how to get to where your choices for comments are located.

Go to Dashboard Tab
Click on Settings Tab
Click on Comments

Go down to Comment Form Placement. You have 3 choices:

FULL PAGE - When you choose this one All Of The Posts Show Up On A Page Together, and you cannot view the post itself. It either replaces the blog page with the post totally or pops up in a new tab. A time waster for the commenter having to go back and forth.
POP UP WINDOW - A separate smaller window pops up for your post, and it can be moved along side the image to view while you are commenting about it.
EMBEDDED BELOW THE POST - The post with image has all of the comments posted below it. If there are a ton of posts you have to go back and forth from the bottom to the top to view the image while commenting about it. A time waster for a commenter who is in a hurry.

Move on down the page to Comment Form Message. A place to post a brief message for commenters. Something like thank you for taking time to leave a comment. It appears above the area where the comment is posted.

The next two items are where you decide how easy you are going to make it for your visitor and yourself. You should choose ONE of these, NOT BOTH or NONE at all, by entering NO on each one. I will explain each and why:

The first one is Comment Moderation lets you decide whether or not you are going to approve EVERY post. If you choose Always or Only posts older than (number) days, and it won't show up in the comments area until you approve it. BTW - This is the way that Challenge organizers prefer you choose when you participate in their challenges. If you choose this one you need to be sure to leave your email address in the next area so you can be notified .
The next and second choice is Show Word Verification For Comments. Many commenters do not like this one because it is time consuming. Challenge organizers do not like this one and sometimes will not comment because of the time to do so.
If you choose NO on each choice, Google tries to catch Spam, etc. by entering it in the Spam area of your main COMMENTS TAB. You are advised to check this weekly if you choose neither of the above.

If you choose both trying to avoid the spam posts, you create unnecessary work for you and the poster. I have a poll below to see how you all feel. You can choose 2, your first and second preference. I had a psychologist once tell me he always tried to have 2 choices available. That way if he couldn't have the first he could have some satisfaction is getting the second!!!

When posting a comment do you prefer:customer surveys

I hope I have helped some of you decide what is best for you and your followers. If not, maybe watching the polls above to see how people are answering will help you with the decision. :-) If you have questions about the above or other areas, please ask. Hope your weekend is turning out great! Off to finish a card! Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

This Card Is For You

2011-06-22T17:49:00.000-04:00

Before I talk about this card I would like to give thanks for the inspiration I used for my last card. You can see it HERE. I loved the card Colleen Dietrich at Dietrich Designs as seen HERE. If you have never been there you need to visit and I promise you will want to look for a while!! Thank you Colleen for your inspiration and creativity!

The card above was inspired by Lynn McAuley at Confessions Of A Left-Brained Stamper. I was so excited when I pulled the jpg as an inspiration because Lynn had her name on it so I could find her blog. Do you think I could find the card~!!!!!! Nooooooooo~ So Lynn, if you see this let me know where I saw your card!! :-)

A very simple card. One piece of paper for the quilt look is hoarded leftovers. It is called Italian Venetian and is has gold filigree here and there in the leaves and blossoms. The other is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock. The pieces were punched with a 1 3/8" Paper Shaper punch and mounted to a piece of the Neenah White.

The flourish, from Flourishes Siberian Iris, was stamped on the Neenah white cardstock with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. The pearls are from Oriental Trading Company and they are not sticky and were mounted with Glossy Accents. The green is Twinkling H2O Moss Green.

A Dark Brown Sharpie and a ruler were used for the Faux Stitching. That was run through my Cuttlebug with their Victoria embossing folder. I pieced another piece of Neenah white so everything measured 4.0"X5.25". That was mounted to a piece of Curious Metallic Chocolate text weight.

Now the fun really began. I used my new PTI Flower Bloom #1 die set with the Italian Venetian paper as shown with my Cuttlebug. I used a stylus on a piece of stylus foam to give the petals dimension along with 3D 1/16" pop dots under each petal. The tips of the petals were rounded with the rod of a needle punch. The buttons are from my stash, as well as the gold thread. One button is crystal clear with a gold trim and the other is a pearl pink.

The tag is from Spellbinder Tag Trio and was saved from a past project. The sentiment is by Paper Salon and was embossed with Gold EP. I mounted it on the Italian Venetian paper, trimmed around it, and cut out the ribbon slots with an X-Acto knife. The dots are Stickles Cotton Candy. The ribbon is from Michaels. The stick pin and Czech bead are from my stash!.

I am off to do another card. I am down from 8 cards at a time to 2 and may get to 1. That should speed up my production rate............maybe!!! :-)

That's all for today and thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

Supplies:
Papers: Neenah Classic Crest, Solar White, Super Smooth cardstock and text weight; Curious Metallic Chocolate text weight; Italian Venetian

Stamps: Flourishes Siberian Iris - flourish; Paper Salon For You

Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold; Shaprie Dark Brown; Gold EP

Accessories: Oriental Trading Company pearls; EK Success Paper Shaper 1 3/8" punch; clear and pink pearl buttons; Gold thread from stash; Cuttlebug Victoria; Spellbinders Tags Trio; Stickles Cotton Candy; Michaels ribbon; Bow-Easy; stick pin and Czech from stash.

The Case Of The Missing Followers And How Google Reader Relates

2011-06-18T17:14:00.002-04:00

First I want to thank everyone for encouraging me to try Google Reader, because I think it really helped me bring my Followers list back.

I started out on my DASHBOARD. I usually would go to it and then if you look down you see the READING LIST, followed below that with the BLOGS I AM FOLLOWING, and just beside that are the ITEMS. Well I would go to this "place" to maintain and check out the new posts on the blogs I follow. I would end up doing it here and there as I had time and I could usually tell if I had already seen a post and would go down further. I thought I was really keeping up. Please keep in mind, I have been pretty busy elsewhere for quite a few months and was behind in commenting. I know, I know, not meeeeee! Ha!

So after several of you referred me to GOOGLE READER and pointed it out to me on the DASHBOARD, I proceeded to first access it (Duh Me) by going down to the bottom of the page to the TOOLS AND RESOURCES link and accessed it from there. Was I ever in for a rude awakening. I had over 1000+ posts unread. It seems I was not doing a good job of catching up after being away.

I started clicking on blogs on the left with the most items to catch up. A funny thing happened. When I got below 1000 MY FOLLOWERS CAME BACK. Okay, okay, I know the people who follow me shouldn't have anything to do with the ones I follow, but for the most part they are all the same. After reading about 300+ posts, I decided to just hit the MARK ALL AS READ and see what would happen. I mean, it's not like I wouldn't keep up now. Seriously, I do keep up as some of you have noticed. LOLOL Nothing serious happened and I am up to date and keeping it that way. It is also important to note that they all stay where they were on your DASHBOARD area, you may just have fewer.

I guess what I would like to know for those of you who are missing followers, who don't keep up by using your GOOGLE READER, would you:

Go to your DASHBOARD
Go down to the TOOLS AND RESOURCES area
Click on GOOGLE READER and take a look at your unread post amounts.
If it exceeds 1000 would you just clear it out by clicking on MARK ALL AS READ. (Important to note, if you comment on posts from your DASHBOARD, it doesn't remove them at all and you can still do your thing from there if you choose.
Let us know if your followers came back. I can't remember how quickly it happened for me. Like that night, or within an hour, etc.

I tried to read up on this in the Blogger Help area, and all I could find is that they are two very distinctly different things, but I think they are intertwined in a way that isn't understood yet. You can also get your Google Reader feeds that way too and maybe they are talking about that. They appear above the Follower list. Funny though that you can read blog posts you follow in the Google Reader area (that is supposed to be for Google Feeds) and that is confusing to read!!! :-)

That's all I have on this for now. So far my Followers are right where they belong and so am I, I think!!! I hope your weekend is turning out great and thanks for stopping by to say hi and share too!

It's My Flower Time

2011-06-15T22:24:00.002-04:00

For months I have wanted to do some flower cards and just never made time. Well as you can see, I have. I am starting with a flower I made using Spellbinder's Blossom die set.

The smallest 3 dies from Spellbinder's Blossom set were run through my Cuttlebug twice using Curious Gold Leaf White Gold 8.5X11 text. It is more of a bone color with a gold sheen to it. Text is easier to mold and is still thicker than normal text weight paper. I trimmed the petals in the valleys a little so they would curl easier. I laid them out and then inked up Impression Obsession's Cover-A-Card Dots on my Mega Mount with Brilliance Coral and rocked it over them and then dried them with a heat gun. I curled the petals with a crochet handle and mounted them on top one another as shown. A humongous White pearl sticker was put in the middle and Stickles Cinnamon glitter glue was used for the dots you see around it. At this point I have one petal layer left for the sentiment.

I ran a pink piece of cardstock through the Cuttlebug using their Textile Texture embossing folder. I ran my Opalite Golden Mist pad over the embossed area to add a gold sheen to it. I cut it in half and then taped it to a white piece of Domtar cardstock.

I ran remnant pieces of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. text weight paper through my Fiskars Eyelet Lace Border Punch to do 5 layers at 1.5"X4.0".

A remnant piece of dark brown ribbon was threaded through a piece of May Arts lace and taped to the card. The bow was done with the Bow-Easy. This was mounted on Curious Chocolate.

The sentiment is from Impression Obsession Clear Stamp Set Mini Messages and was stamped on Neenah Solar White Classic Crest remnant cardstock using Memento Rich Cocoa. I placed a clear oval sticker on top of it and then taped to center of the last petal die cut and mounted as shown. Last I used a Viva Decor Cream Pearl Pen to accent certain embossed areas in the paper lace.

I had fun and think I might try a ribbon rose next! Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!

Supplies:
Papers: Domtar White, Super Smooth, 90 lb. Folded card base ; Neenah Classic Crest, Solar White, Super Smooth cardstock and text weight; Curious Gold Leaf White Gold and Chocolate text weight; Pink cardstock

Stamps: Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card CC003- Dots and Mini Messages

Inks: Brilliance Coral; Memento Rich Cocoa; Opalite Golden Mist

Accessories: Fiskars Eyelet Lace Border Punch; Viva Pearl Pen Cream; Cuttlebug Textile Texture; Spellbinders Blossom; Mark Richards 10mm Pearl sticker; May Arts Lace; Bow-Easy; Clear Dome sticker, Michael remnant ribbon

FOLLOWERS - Give Me Your Opinion Please

2011-06-10T10:24:00.002-04:00

Okay, over the last week, I have had several Blogger friends tell me about their experiences with disappearing Blogger Followers. It is a real problem for me when it happens because, other than a short list of feeds for those who don't have a "Follow Me" group, that is what I use to get updates on who has new posts.

Would anyone out there who uses another source that is:

easy to access, besides the regular sidebar feeds,
will let me see at a glance if there is a new post
and hopefully would provide it regardless of the server (Blogger, TypePad, WordPress, etc.)

please comment and let me know what you use and where you got instructions on how to use it. LOLOL I think the reason my Facebook followers aren't showing is because at the moment I have less than 20 Followers. I really don't use that to follow blogs. That's another story. I just want a list I can follow without using tons of sidebar space. :-)

Thanks in advance for your input.

Two Wonderful Gifts, Well Three Actually

2011-06-09T21:50:00.003-04:00

My first gift arrived some time ago. I apologize for not posting it sooner. It is a beautiful card from a very lovely enabler!!! Her name is Mary Ann Evans. The name of her flicker account is OnLine22much. If that doesn't ring a bell for some of us. You should really check out her other cards and things Here. She has a craft room that is way too cool! Her pictures of the card below show something I couldn't get. She used Tsukineko's new Goosebumps! She also used 2 Impression Obsession stamps that she lists on her Flickers account. You really gotta see how Goosebumps sprays on. It is really wonderful. Thank you Mary Ann for your wonderful card. It has been brightening my day every time I sit down at my computer!!! :-)

My next gift arrived just day before yesterday. I have known Linda for a few years and we have kept in touch off and on online. Low and behold, she couldn't access her blog. In the end she finally could get to one of her Dashboards, but had to start a new blog and what does she do to thank me for that!!! She sends me the beautiful box and card below. I would like to talk about the box first!! Isn't it beautiful and enchanting too! Makes me think of wishes come true and trip to Fantasia! It has 4 little drawers. I will do with it what I do with all the cards I receive. I will save it and treasure it.

Here is the really cute card she sent with it. I love the flowers and that totally wonderful bear! I really envy people who can work well with DP too. I have a horrible time with it. I love it too. As you can see she has a knack with paper flowers also. I have them and need to use them more. Thank you again, Linda, for your wonderful surprise. I really needed it this week, especially. I will get even thought. ;-) I am in the process of that right now!!! :-) Enough, you all have to see her blog at Linda B's Crafty Creations!!!

Well everyone, that is all for now. I hope to be back before the weekend is over with a card!!! Thanks, all, for stopping by to look and share!

A Tweet Bird And A New List

2011-06-04T13:00:00.001-04:00

I'll want to let you know about my new list tab. With my new blog layout comes TABS. Love them. They are taking some of the stuff out of my sidebars and placing it on top where you can see them if you like. As you can see, I've added 3 more tabs. I think you can have a total of 7.

The one tab I would like to bring to your attention is the "Any Stamp Challenges". I have been blog hopping more recently and noticed all of the Rubber Stamp Challenges in Blogland. :-) I had someone ask if I knew where there was a list of challenges for 'using any stamp'. I said no, but I would collect them while hopping. If you are interested, check the tab. I was blown away with the ones I have already found. If you know of any I don't have, let me know and I will put them on the list. On to my card!!!

I was over at Stephanie Lanzalotto's blog, My Ink Well, and saw her cute Chickadee card! I didn't have the stamp set she used, but I did have a button I had been wanting to use on a card for some time.

Construction of Bird:

I applied the button to a remnant of white cardstock and drew the legs, tail feathers, and beak with a pencil. I punched out a wing with one of my tear drop punches and then used it to make a larger one with a pencil. Cut it out and used it as a template on some SU DP scraps for the wing and the background for the flowers. Mounted it with a glue dot. I trimmed around the bird, nose, and legs. Lined them with Viva Black Pearl Pen and applied a generous dot for the bird's eye. I used the Viva Hematite Glitter Liner to accent some little dots on DP on the Wing. Set aside to dry.

Stamped on Neenah White Cardstock with Cover-A-Card Swirls and VersaMark pigment ink. Embossed with Clear EP. Used Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Lacey Circles Dies for 2 die cuts. Used larger die as a stencil and brayered with SU Classic Bashful Blue. Used as stencil again on vellum to put over the Bashful Blue part to later stamp sentiment. Used smaller die as stencil for background on SU remnant DP and used Viva Hematite Glitter Liner to accent small circles.

Placed larger die over Vellum as stencil, cut out and mounted over center, placed bird near top, stamped sentiment with StazOn near bottom, created Tweet on computer sticker paper, trimmed around, and placed above sentiment, and used Viva Hematite Glitter Liner over all words.

Mounted bird and words in upper left-hand corner with 3D pop dots. Mounted May Arts ribbon and bow made with Bow-Easy as shown.

Mounted SU DP remnant in center of smaller die cut. Mounted Prima flowers as shown. Used Twinkling H2O's True Blue with Niji waterbrush on edges of larger rose. I wet the edge of petals first with colorless water and Niji. Then brushed the color lightly onto edges. It bleeds and blends on the dampened area for a softer natural look.

It needed something else, so I pulled out a Making Memories Blue Heart Stick Pin and threaded it with a Czech jet black onyx bead and a Blue Moon cultured pearl bead from my stash.

Done except for a little of the DP and Cover-A-Card in thin strips inside the card on the top and on the envelope in the lower left-hand corner.

Thanks for stopping by to say hi and look and share!!

Supplies:

Papers: Domtar White, Super Smooth, 90 lb. Folded card base ; SU Bashful Blue/DP remnants; Neenah Classic Crest, Solar White, Super Smooth; Tan or Bone cardstock;Vellum

Stamps: Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card CC002 - Swirls and Damask; Just Rite Friendship Nested Sentiments; Tweet Computer Generated - Flemish Script BT

Inks: StazOn Jet Black; Brilliance Moonlight White;SU Classic Bashful Blue; Twinkling H2O's True Blue

Accessories: Viva Pearl Pen Black and Glitter Liner Hematite; Niji waterbrush 9mm Small; Cuttlebug; Spellbinders Lacey Circles; Prima Innocence (I think!); May Arts Ribbon; Bow-Easy; Czech black faceted bead, Making Memories stick pin, Blue Moon cultured pearl

Changing To Blogger Template Designer For Three Columns And Tabs

2011-05-30T19:29:00.002-04:00

I converted my Blogger template to 3 columns in 12/2008, using instructions from somewhere on the web. This month I decided I wanted TABS. Yesterday I found the easiest way for me to get the tabs, without the hassle of editing on the actual HTML template, was to convert to the Blogger Template Designer, in effect as of 03/2010. You will see what I mean if you open the HTML Tab and take a look!

I created a Page layout (the Page will give you one Tab plus your Home Tab) first by clicking on Posting, Pages, and New Page. I created a listing page - Tutorials - and then listed my tutorials.

I found it was helpful to remember these features about Template Designer when using it:

My blog was always visible below the area where I was working so I could see what it would look like before I saved it.
I could even view it in a separate window or tab before I saved.
I should always save it when I liked what I saw before going to another step.

There are some other neat features too, as you will see:

STEP 1. Saved CURRENT TEMPLATE (just in case I screwed up) by:

Going to the EDIT HTML tab
Click on the DOWNLOAD FULL TEMPLATE (Upper Right Hand Corner)
A pop up will ask whether to Open With or Save - Click on Open With and write down the location as you see it at the top of the window, so you can erase it when you are done.

STEP 2. Click on TEMPLATE DESIGNER TAB to the right:

You will be in TEMPLATES TAB area on the left.
On the RIGHT I picked SIMPLE.
Click on APPLY TO BLOG (Bright Orange in upper right-hand corner) The Orange will turn Grey.
Do this each time you make a change. You can check out what you do by looking at your blog below.

Step 3. Next I went to the BACKGROUND TAB:

Since I have a White BG in the Simple format, I don't need to pick a background. It says not applicable.

Step 4. Click on the LAYOUT TAB:

The first selection choice to your right is BODY LAYOUT. The second row first choice is 3 COLUMN (with the TEXT in the middle). Just what I wanted. Click on APPLY TO BLOG (Bright Orange in upper right-hand corner) It will turn Grey.
Next you choose your FOOTER LAYOUT. I chose the first one for now. You can always change any of these BTW.
Click on APPLY TO BLOG (Bright Orange in upper right-hand corner) It will turn Grey.

STEP 5. CLICK ON ADJUST WIDTHS (This is for Your Header and Sidebars):

The top"Bar" allows you to pick the ENTIRE BLOG WIDTH.
I chose 1000 px. 3 columns takes a lot of space when you consider widget widths, etc.
Click on APPLY TO BLOG (Bright Orange in upper right-hand corner) It will turn Grey.
Next you are selecting the LEFT and RIGHT sidebars (that hold your widgets, etc.) I chose 250px for each side-bar columns.
Click on APPLY TO BLOG (Bright Orange in upper right-hand corner) It will turn Grey.

STEP 6. HEADER (BANNER):

My Header was totally over to the LEFT HAND MARGIN and nothing worked to get it in the middle (resizing, etc.) If you have this problem here is one way to solve it.
This is the code that lets you ADJUST HEADER TO CENTER
Left Click and drag cursor over code, right click and select Copy in the drop down:

.header-inner .widget {
margin-left: 180px;
margin-right: 30px;}

This is where you paste it:
click on ADVANCED.
In the next column go down to and click on ADD CSS.
Just below where it says "Add CSS", in the white area, RIGHT click and Paste.
Click on APPLY TO BLOG (Bright Orange in upper right-hand corner) It will turn Grey.
Look below to see where your Header is located.
Adjust the 180px you see UP or DOWN until your header is centered. It can even be a -180, etc., if that works. One person had used 240. It all depends on the width of your Header. Be sure to follow the code format though or it won't work at all.
You can see what happens each time by looking at your blog below. When you have it right, click on APPLY TO BLOG (Bright Orange in upper right-hand corner) It will turn Grey.

STEP 7. Your Widgets In Your Sidebars:

You may notice Blogger has moved your widgets, etc. in your sidebars around.
Just go to the Design Tab, you should also be in Page Elements
Move your widgets, etc. in your side-bars where you want them. As I moved mine I clicked on the Orange Save button up to the right near the top.

Step 8. Now About Those TABS:

Go to TABS TEXT and pick out your text. (You will notice that each area you are working on will show bright orange dots so you can see what your are changing.)
Go to TABS BACKGROUND to pick that out. For each one when I had what I wanted I clicked on the Orange Save button up to the right near the top

When you want, you can go back to the Template Designer and finish choosing your FONTS and COLORS for all of the areas for your blog. I'm tired right now, aren't you? LOL It's kind of fun if you just do it one step at a time. If you have questions, please email me. I will try to help. Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

Twinkling H2O's Are Still With Us

2011-05-21T14:59:00.001-04:00

I don't have a card today, but I do have some information. Several people have emailed me over time about H2O's. Here is the scoop. The developer, Leslie Ohnstad, is not currently selling them. Creative Imaginations is doing that for her. You may wonder why I have kept up with this. Well, I have a life time supply of the older H2O's and I plan on using them. CI sent me some of the new and they are wonderful and I use them too. I love watercolor and the shades and hues you can get and there is nothing like looking at a piece of art that SHIMMERS!!!

The difference is that their colors tend to be more vibrant and they do not have as many colors available. Here are your choices currently:

Petite Twinkling H20's - (6) 5gm pots in a package (6 different packs available) - If you Google you will find the different prices being asked for them. I always do that when buying anything. I either bring them up in separate tabs to compare, or put them in a folder until I decide. I also look at shipping. A lot of times you can get free shipping depending on the amount of purchase.

Grand Twinkling H2O's - Sold individually in 10gm pots (24 colors) - As for prices, I suggest Googling as above.

Radiant Rain Shimmering Mists - 22 colors - Same suggestion on pricing as above.

Radiant Rain Concentrate - 24 colors (Daubers) - Same suggestion on pricing as above.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE between the NEW and the other twinks:

1. The colors are more vibrant. People have commented on the disappointment by fewer colors. Watercolors are generally deeper pigment color. For people doing true watercolor, you don't need all of the different colors. You simply wet your surface for that color first with clear water and then add your color to the shade you want. I use 2 Niji watercolor brushes to paint. One is clear water and the other I use for colors. I clean my brush on left over scratch paper or on a Kleenex, depending. I don't spray my pots. I always thought that was messy when just watercoloring, but that's another lesson. (The important thing to remember is you have one deep color that can be many shades, light to dark, of the same color).

2. The Mists and the Concentrates - They have gorgeous mists and, JMO, I would use the daubers for anything where they used "spray the pots". LOLOLOL The daubers are wonderful too.

Here are some blogs, etc. where you can see artists using these current products:

1. Coloring With Twinkling H2Os

2. Luminarte by Creative Imaginations

3. Scraptime

4. Twinkling Stamped Images

5. Coloring with Twinkling H2Os

6. Twinkling H20s Over Copics

7. Coloration mit Twinkling H2O Okay, so it's in German. The point is she watercolors like I do!!!! If you have wondered about watercolor, this is a pretty good idea of how it's done for cards. I use Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. for most of my watercolor when rubber stamping. I have an email into Neenah. I noticed since I last ordered the Super Smooth that anything related is listed as Digital. I have asked if it's the same and will let you know, for anyone interested.

8. Ruffled Card Birthday Wishes

9. You Are Amazing Another good example of watercolor.

10. Stamping With A Whiff Of Joy - A lot of their cards are painted with Twinkling H2Os.

That's what I have for today, everyone. Thanks for stopping by to look and share. Have a great weekend!!!

Easy Twisted Easel Card Tutorial

2011-05-14T15:00:00.003-04:00

I was blog hopping and saw this beautiful Twisted Easel Card at Marti's Essence of Paper blog. That link referred me to Margaret's I Love Crafting blog to view her video on how to do this A2 (4.25x5.5) easel card. After I watched the video, I had a picture of what I wanted to post here. A simple picture tutorial for a quick fold A2 Twisted Easel Card. I want to thank both Martie and Margaret for inspiring me and teaching me how to do it too!!

1. Trim a piece of white 8.5"X11" cardstock to 8.5"X9.75".
2. Cut that into 2 pieces of 4.25"X9.75". Now you have enough for 2 card bases.

3. Score your piece at 5.5" on Score-Pal, leaving one end as 4.25"X4.25" (a square).

4. At the 5.5"X4.25 scored line, line your piece diagonally and score point to point as shown, on the 4.25"X4.25" side. Fold the corner on the upper right to the bottom left of the same 4.25"X4.25" square and it will make a triangle when you fold it.

5. Unfold the corner and turn the card so it is folded like above. The unfolded square will be on top and the 4.25"X5.5" rectangle will be on the bottom. Tape the bottom right-hand triangle as shown.

6. Prepare your card front and base. Both will measure 4.25" by 5.5" as shown above

Card Front & Base Supplies:
Stamps - Hero Arts - CG115 Thank You; Impression Obsession B3568 Thinking Of You (Red Rubber) or All Occasion I (Clear Stamp Set) and Cover-A-Card^TMCC008 Thick & Thin (Red Rubber Cling 5.75"X5.75"
Card Stock: Neenah Classic White Solar Crest 80lb.
Inks - Brilliance Galaxy Gold, StazOn Blazing Red and Olive Green; Twinkling H2O's Ruby Red and Olive Green
Accessories - Michaels Ribbon, Making Memories Heat Pin, Mark Richards Pearl stickers, faux dew drops from the florist part of Michaels.

7. Look at the image in STEP 5. Place your card front directly on top so it covers the whole square and rectangle and press down. Lift up the top from the right hand side and it should look like my card at the top.

How I Prepared My Base For The Twist:
A. (You need to decide what you are going to use to stop the Card Front after it is opened - Buttons, Pearls, Cardstock on Pop dots, etc.) I wanted to leave enough room so I could write a short message. I decided to use part of the main image. I opened the Cardfront until the bottom left and corner was even with the base top edge. I marked along the bottom of the cardfront (lightly) with a pencil. The pieces were mounted with glue as shown and the line erased.

Honestly, putting this tutorial together was more work than the card. LOLOL Then Google took everything down and I was ready to pull my hair out!!!!! Yesterday, around 4 pm, I sent them a message with my site address and in about an hour it was back. Don't think I didn't thank them. Another thanks to Marti and Margaret for their inspiring me.

I hope you try this. It really is a cool and fun fold. Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!

A Quick And Easy Trellis Card

2011-05-02T11:43:00.000-04:00

I needed a quick card for a friend and while blog hopping saw a "Trellis Card". I saved the site so I could give credit. Then after I did the card I promptly deleted the site. :-( I forget what it is you lose first as you get older? LOLOL I searched for it for 30 minutes with no luck, even using Google! I remember that I had loved finding that blog and decided to 'Follow' it. So if I recently visited your blog and commented on your trellis card, please let me know so I can give you credit for inspiring me. :-)

The card was made from leftovers. The image was done at least a year ago, cut out and layered. It is Hero Arts Red Rubber Cling Bouquet In A Vase stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock, and painted with Twinkling H2O's Black Orchid, Mallard Green, and Warm Pecan. The centers are done with Stickles Yellow. The ribbon is May Arts.

The Trellis base background behind the bouquet was done using Spellbinders Lacey and Large Circle dies on the same cardstock and put through my Cuttlebug. The weaving was done using 'white scraps' hoarded from way back when for who knows what!!!

The tag was done using a Spellbinders Blossom die on the Burgundy linen cardstock, a white acrylic tag and Impression-Obsession's new Clear Stamp Set All Occasions I stamped with StazOn Forest Green, and yellow rhinestone stickers. It was tied on with leftover gold cord.

The background paper was, I think, bought on sale at Michaels years ago. I had cut it up for who knows what and it was stored in a box with other pieces I have waiting for a card! The matte around that is Neenah Classic Crest Linen Burgundy. The embellishments are leftover rhinestone stickers and a heart charm bought from Fancifuls, Inc. The faux stitch was done with an SU marker.

Everything was mounted as shown with either my ATG tape gun or 3D pop dots.

I am finding more time to blog hop and love seeing all of your creations too! Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!

A Smaller Folded Napkin Card Tutorial

2011-04-28T19:42:00.000-04:00

First let me blame my friend Sue, at Suzanne's Stamping Spot, who started all of this with her beautiful Napkin card made from a 12"X12" piece of DP. I loved it and wanted to do one, but not as big. I decided to use Martha Stewart Around the Page punches because they are quicker. In reading Sue's post, she refers you to an instruction post found, HERE. I found it works on the rule of fourths, whatever that is!! Ha! Here is my journey to a 5 1/8"X5 1/8" Square Folded Napkin card. BTY, IT IS NOT LESS WORK, JUST BECAUSE IT'S SMALLER!! LOLOLOL....

THE FOLDS:
1. I checked out MS instruction sheet for 10.25" Around The Page. I knew because Sue's finished card was 6" (1/2 of 12"X12") that mine would be a little more than 5". I couldn't quickly figure out how to divide that by 4, (you'll get my point if you try doing it following the site above) so this is what I did. I cut my Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lb. text down to 10.25" square. I used MS Eyelet Lace Around The Page punches and did my edge first instead of last. You will see why soon.

2. I folded it to allow me to crease it (in the middle only) to find the center. I actually ran my thumb nail across it (the center crease).
3. Now fold it the other way and make another crease across your other one (in the middle only).

4. Take a pencil and draw the cross you have made in the center: It will be my guide all the way through.

5. This is the part that allows you to use any square piece of paper for your fold. Take one corner of the paper it to the center (NOT INTO the center) of the paper and crease the fold all the way. (When this was done I also put my folded edges on my Scor-Pal to make them neater and easier to fold later.)

6. This is the step that was first on Sue's larger card, where the measurements were easy to figure out. Your sheet is totally open. You take the two bottom corners of the square and fold them ONLY to the CENTER of the page, creasing the paper, as shown below (1/4 the width/length). Turn the page a quarter of a turn and do the same thing. Repeat until you have four creases as shown:

7. What you do next looks tricky, at least it did to me, but it's relatively easy, once you get one corner going. You have squares on each of the corners. Next to them you have triangles and in the center you have one big square. Gently fold the triangles next to each corner square inward as shown. The only fold not here is the corners being folded back. You will see what I mean below.

THE TRAINGLES:

Okay, so I am not going to go step by step. I will tell you how I set up each step. Let's take a look at the finished product:

MY STAMPED CARDSTOCK:
1. I stamped on Cryogen White cardstock using Cover-A-Card^TMTapestry stamp inked with Memento Bamboo Leaves ink. The stamp produces a 5.75"X5.75" piece. I did two pieces. I used printer copy paper to trace the pieces I would need with a stylus and then I traced it on the stamped cardstock. As you can see from the picture, the corner pieces are not perfect triangles because of the punch I used. :-) The picture looks like I used two different types of green ink because of the lighting. Go figure!

2. I stamped on Curious Ice Gold cardstock using the same stamp and VersaMark pigment ink, applied Stampendous Pearl White Embossing Powder, and heated with a heat gun. I think one piece of 5.75"X5.75" worked. I still used the copy paper first to determine my pieces. Again, I didn't have perfect triangles because of the punch I used. Click on the image to see the difference in the cardstock themselves, even though both names imply white. One has a yellow cast and the other is whiter.

3. For the center I put Curious Ice Gold through the Cuttlebug using a Spellbinders Lacy Circles die. A Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock die cut from a Large Circle Spellbinder die was put through the Cuttlebug using their Swiss Dots Embossing Folder. Another smaller Spellbinders Circle Die with DCWV Latte Metallic Olive Green cardstock was done, and then another smaller one using the Solar White cardstock. The sentiment is from Impression Obsession's brand new All Occasion I Clear Stamp set. The vine twirlies are from Flourishes Sweet Peas Clear Stamp set. The button is from Hancock Fabrics. The butterfly is Martha Stewart's Classic Butterfly 3-in-1 punch. used on Stardream Chiara Rose Quartz paper. The pearls are 2mm I found on EBay HERE.

CARD BAND WITH BOW:

1. The band is a 2.25"X11" piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Cardstock punched on both sides with the same border punch used for the edge. An 11" piece of May Art ribbon was taped to the center. The cardstock was rapped around a pencil to break down the cardstock so it would bend easier. I used the same, just smaller sizes of dies and cardstock for the image as I did for inside the card. I used Flourishes Sweet Peas Clear Stamp set for the image. I stamped it with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and painted it with Twinkling H2O's Buttercup, Cherry Sorbet, and Olive Green. It was cut out with an X-Acto knife, the edges painted again, and mounted with 1/16" pop dots. The button is Hancock Fabrics. It was mounted with tape on the band. The bow is May Arts and done with the Bow-Easy.

Hope your week has been good and that your weekend will be even better. This has been a difficult week for all of us with what happened in the South! Thank you all for stopping by to look and share!

Well It's About Time!

2011-04-16T13:55:00.000-04:00

The left-hand side is a vinyl cover from an old day planner I purchased at Michaels for $1. I put a new 2 year calendar for 2011-12 in it. The one on the right is a vinyl check book cover with a note pad inside that tears from the top like checks do. I found the new day planners with covers at Oriental Tracing Company and got 12 for $1.99 HERE. It seems they are out of stock for these, but these will also work, HERE. I needed a couple other things too. I found the vinyl check book covers and note pads on EBay from a seller. She also has a store site HERE. When I bought on EBay, the total shipping was $2.++. If you bought from her store, I would ask about combining shipping, at least.

I created the first set for a friend who likes purple and green. I used the cover of the old day planner to cut the new covers from (2) 2 sided pieces of DP. I think it's from SU, not sure. It measured 6.25X7.5 for the day planner cover and 6 1/8X6.5 for the checkbook cover.

I used opposite sides of the DP for each cover. The image is Stampendous Shelley Rose Bouquet painted with Twinkling H2O's. The images are from days gone by. The yellow flowers were highlighted with Glossy Accents, the white ones with Viva Ice White and glitter glue for the centers. Any floral image that is elongated will do for the cover. The background is Martha Stewart's Deep Edge Garden Trellis. It was stamped twice for 6". Each piece was trimmed to the edge of the trellis and then overlapped and sealed with glue. The same thing was done with the ends. The ribbon is Michaels $1 bin. The pearls are 3mm stickers. It was woven through the scallops and tied with the Bow-Easy used for the bow.

It really wasn't that much work.....so I did a second set for another friend who likes daisies. I did everything the same except the mat behind the vases is Spellbinders Long Classic Scalloped Rectangles. These images were also done a long time ago. The image is from Impression Obsession Red Rubber Cling Set Charming Gardeners. It was painted with Twinkling H2O's and the edges on the image on the bottle were done with Gold Leaf. The rose bud and daisies were highlighted with Glossy Accents. The pearls are 3mm stickers.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and I should be back soon with more! Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

IO Encouragement Challenge

2011-04-07T00:23:00.002-04:00

When we received our list of upcoming challenges at the end of February, I checked out what encouragement means. It is anyway you would let someone know you are there for them. It would be a person needing comfort, someone who is graduating, a friend who is looking for a job, etc. It just so happens I have a friend who just had a disappointment and another young man, graduating from middle school, who is going on his first plane trip for his birthday. So I thought I would try to do 2 cards using the same layout with different words of "encouragement".

I stamped Leigh Hannan's Watermelon Bugs on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock 2 times using Stazon Jet Black ink. I painted them with Twinkling H2O's Garnet and Mallard Green. I accentuated the heads and bodies with a Spica At You Black pen and then went over the red watermelon and the heads with a Sakura Clear Glaze pen. Trimmed around the edges as shown. I embellished it with 2mm pearls mounted with Glossy Accents.

Ran some Neenah Classic Linen Epic Black through my Cuttlebug using Spellbinders Lacey Squares largest die. Measured the inside of the square and cut Neenah Solar White that I folded for the card.

For the envelopes I used Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Text weight paper, cut 7.25"X7.25", and The Enveloper. I found it very easy to use.

Next I used an ink dauber and Stazon Jet Black ink on the Watermelon Bug stamp as shown below, for the inside top of the card and the lower left hand corner of the envelope. I painted the same as the front of the card. I used a Viva Ice White Pearl Pen to accent around the bugs!

I mounted the ribbons to the card fronts and did the bows with a Bow-Easy. The red plaid is a left over and the red and black organza is May Arts. The white acrylic tags are eons old. I stamped the From the Heart words from Mini Messages with Stazon Blazing Red. I mounted 3 2mm pearls in the middle of the heart and used Glossy Accents around them and the heart. I stamped Fly from All Occasion I with Stazon Jet Black and then used Glossy Accents on the words and the 2mm pearls. They were tied on with gold cord.

So that's my encouragement for this challenge and you can get even more by visiting the IO DT blogs below. You can now join in the IO challenges for the $25 gift certificate drawing by using Inlinkz. Also customers will have from the start of the challenge until the Wednesday before DT Thursday (1 week) to enter their card. More details on the IO blog.

Supplies:

Images: Impression Obsession Leigh Hannan Watermelon Bugs; Clear Stamp Sets All Occasion I and Mini Messages

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock and text; Neenah Classic Linen Epic Black
Ink: Stazon Jet Black and Blazing Red; Twinkling H2O's Garnet and Mallard Green
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, The Enveloper, Cuttlebug, Spellbinders Lacey Squares; 2MM pearls, May Arts ribbon, Bow-Easy, Glossy Accents, Viva Ice White Pearl Pen.

I hope you enjoyed your visit and I should be back soon with more! Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

NetworkedBlogs Widget

2011-04-04T00:23:00.000-04:00

Not my normal kind of post, I know, but I think this information might be helpful to anyone who, like myself, imported their blog to a page on their Facebook site, and then couldn't, for some odd reason, find the widget to post on their blog. Duh me!!!! I actually looked for almost a week.

I tried Googling, typing into the Help section on my Networked Blog page, etc. Then I found, quite by accident, a video by Joseph McDevitt. I set it up in a different tab and had my Facebook page on the other tab. Here is the site for THE VIDEO that kept me from losing my mind. LOLOL The answer was right in front of my face, but I kept looking for something more concrete.

The key for me was to play the video for the different steps and stop it after each one, go to my page and then on to the next step. The link was just too obvious and hiding in plain site among other information. I would outline the steps, but I got so confused trying to follow other people's steps, I think it's better for you to watch the video, like I did.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share! Happy stamping and the next time I will see you is for the IO Inspiration Challenge on this Thursday!! :-)

This Is Anything But A Card

2011-03-17T01:01:00.022-04:00

As you can see it really is. How I got to this point is funny! My friend is having a birthday and so I wanted to purchase a key chain and make cupcake charm (she loves cupcakes) to go with it. Well the charm got made and key chain hasn't arrived and so........I know she likes to keep notes, etc., so..........hence the journal or whatever choose to call it!

I used a background I already had done using my Mega Mount^TM and Cover-A-Card^TM Vines inked with Brilliance Thyme. It was on white cardstock.  I applied an old yellow mustard dye inkpad,  mounted it on a dark brown cardstock, probabaly Bazzil, then mounted those to the front and left inside. That's the neat part about Cover-A-Card^TM. The stamp area is 5.75X5.75 and it fit great here.

I stamped Alesa Baker's  CrŠme Cup with Brilliance Galaxy Gold 3 times on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock, painted it with Twinkling H2O's Daffodil, Fern, Golden Sand, and Warm Pecan, cut out the layers, and placed them as shown. Glossy Accents was added to the rosettes and leaves.

I ran a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock through the Cuttlebug with Spellbinders Lacey Circles and embossed it. Leaving the die on the scalloped piece, I stamped it with Cover-A-Card^TMWispy inked with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. I painted the scallops with Twinkling H2O's Solar Gold. The image was mounted on the die cut and the 3mm pearls were added with Glossy Accents.

My friend loves big ribbon, so May Arts was taped around the cover and inside and a Bow-Easy bow was added with a little lace, to make it even more feminine.  The die cut image was added, along with some leftover buttons with gold sewing thread.

Next I used a stamp from one of Kalani Allred's new friendship sets, True Blue Friend. I inked it with Gold Galaxy, stamped it on white cardstock, put it through the Cuttlebug with one of Spellbinders' Fancy Tags, trimmed it down as shown and used 3mm pearls as embellishments for it.

All this because I didn't get a key chain you ask?? LOL Well, when I did the key chain charm I used the next to largest of Spellbinders Lacey Circles and White Shrink Plastic. I stamped the front with Galaxy Gold and the same image as above. Then I used VersaMark on the edges around it so when I heated it with my heat gun it wouldn't stick to itself. Cleaned off the VersaMark with a soft toothbrush and water, dried it and painted it with Brilliance and Mica Gloss Colors. I heated them to seal and dry and then I applied 2mm pearls and Glossy Accents as a seal and let that dry.

On the back I used a stamp from another Kalani Allred set, All Occasion I. You really need to check out all her new phrase sets starting HERE. You will go crazy, I swear. One is has such cute and fun phrases that I had to have it, even before knowing how I would use them.

So now that you have seen what I did, check out what the IO DT members did too!

And don't forget that the IO Blog is now using Inlinkz for people who want to join in the challenges. Much easier and faster I think. There will be some more changes for the challenges coming soon too. We also have the DT doing posts on their blogs in off-challenge Thursdays. You can check the IO blog on that day to find out who is creating for the day!

Thanks for stopping by to look and share!! See you soon.

An Idea That Went The Other Way

2011-03-13T21:46:00.000-04:00

And a little bit of everything!!! I've had this image forever! I had stamped Magenta's Dasies In A Rectangle on white cardstock with Encore Gold pigment ink and embossed it with gold embossing powder, probably 4 years ago or more. I had painted it with Radiant Pearls and they had faded over time, like Radiant Pearls can do. I went through my "saved images" the other day and decided to do something with it.

The embossed area had tuned a little dark like antique gold. I painted over the ares with Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Gold Dust, Mallard Green, and China Black. They really made the flowers pop. I added Dimensional glue in dots to the centers sprinkles with AIG Old Gold.

For the background I embossed on Neenah Classic Solar White cardstock with Cuttlebug Love Language folder and on orange cardstock with Sizzix Floral Flourishes and Vines. I had a card I had done a long time ago that measured 4"X8.5" and I saved some folded blanks I hadn't used. I punch the top layer with Martha Stewarts Around The Page Eyelet Lace. I measured, cut, and mounted the backgrounds as shown.

I taped the back of the May Arts ribbon, mounted it over and under the embossed backgrounds, and mounted the bow, done with the Bow-Easy. The gold flower finding (bought at a stamp convention) on the bow was bent to fit the knot and a 5mm pearl sticker added with some Glossy Accents.

A corner of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb text was punched with the same corner punch I used for the edge of the card. The words from Just Rite's Friendship Nested Sentiments were stamped with StazOn Forest Green at an angle to the corner. A ruler was used to measure where to cut so the punch could be used on the opposite end. Then the Scor-Pal was used for decorative lines above and below the words. 3mm pearls were added.

Supplies:

Image: Magenta Daisies In A Rectangle, Just Rite Friendship Nested Sentiments
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock and text; orange cardstock
Ink: Encore Gold; Stazon Forest Green; Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Gold Dust, Mallard Green, China Black
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, AIG Old Gold glitter, Cuttlebug Love Language embossing folder, Sizzix Floral Flourishes and Vines, Martha Stewart Around The Page Eyelet Lace Punches, 5 and 3MM pearl stickers, May Arts ribbon, Bow-Easy, Brass (Gold) flower finding.

Okay, now I am scared. I just did spell check and it didn't show me any misspelled words. I just misspelled on purpose and it didn't catch it. Oh well, you know what I meant to type!! Yikes!!! I should be back soon. This Thursday is IO's "Anything But A Card" challenge. Thanks for stopping by to look and share. Praying for the Middle East and Japan. :-( Hope your weekend was good!

It's A Blue Challenge, Not A Blue Day!!!

2011-03-03T00:01:00.000-05:00

When someone says blue to me and doesn't define anything else, for some reason, I think of Delft art or china. Soooo here's how I did my card for this challenge.

I stamped Alesa Baker's new image, Wire Garden Bench, with StazOn Ultramarine. It was painted with Twinkling H2O's Sapphire On Ice. The great thing about watercolor is the different shades from just one color. I highlighted the flowers with a Clear Sakuro Glaze Gel Pen

The edge was done with Martha Stewart's Around The Page String Lace and Neenah Classic Solar White Text paper. I didn't like the white so I ran the StazOn Ultramarine over it and mounted the image on to.

I thought Impression Obsession's Cover-A-Card^TM Round Floral in Ancient Page Cobalt would look a lot like Delft tiles. I stamped it once using my Mega Mount^TM, for the 5.25X5.25 background, and once more for the left inside of the card, the lower left-hand corner of the envelope and the 4 square tiles you see on the corners. I first punched the three squares like you see in the lower right-hand corner where you see the word "hello" with a .75" punch. I highlighted them with a Clear Sakuro Glaze Gel Pen. Then to get the other 3 tiles I used a .5" punch. They were mounted with 3D pop dots. One of the left over hollow frames was used for the word "hello", from Impression Obsession's Sentiments II Clear Stamp Set.

The image was placed on the background with 3D pop dots. I mounted the white seam binding ribbon and then mounted all to the folded card, added the pearl embellishments, did the inside and the envelope and done.

Now there's more fun waiting for you. Below are the blogs of the DT members with more wonderful "Blue Cards".

Supplies:
Image: Impression Obsession - Cover-A-Card^TM Round Flowers, Alesa Baker Garden Bench, and Sentiments II

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock and text
Inks: Stazon Ultramarine and Ancient Page Cobalt; Twinkling H2O's Sapphire On Ice
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, Clear Sakura Glaze Pen, Martha Stewart Around The Page String Lace Punches, 5 and 2MM pearl stickers, White Seam Binding, Bow-Easy

Thanks for stopping by to look and share. Hope to see you all soon!!

I Can't Believe I'm Back This Quick!

2011-02-23T19:56:00.000-05:00

I had no idea where I was going when I inked this image. I had decided to go back though my stamps and pick out favorites and sell the rest. Well, so far I have picked out some favorites and this is one of them. It was made by Sonlight Crafts, Inc. I tried to do a little research and have been unable to find the company at all. I love this stamp and it said, "Layer me, please!".

It was stamped in Brilliance Galaxy Gold, some of it as much as 3 times, and I did indeed cut out and layer every piece of it using 1/16" 3D dots. I painted it first with Twinkling H2O's. After it was layered, I painted around the edges with the Galaxy Gold using a Niji waterbrush. It dries pretty fast that way. The butterfly has two miniature cake stamens that I dyed with StazOn Timber Brown. I used Glossy Accents on the body too.

The punched edge matte for the image was done using Martha Stewart's Embroidered Floral Around The Page punches and then the image was added. I decided to make a 5X6.5" card to use up some surplus card blanks I had been saving, for who knows what! For this, that's what!! So....................

I stamped on Neenah Classic Solar White with Cover-A-Card^TM Swirls, ran that through my Cuttlebug with their Seeing Spots folder, painted the dots with shades of Twinks Moss Green, and mounted the image on top using 1/8" 3D dots.

That was layered onto Classic Crest Laid Solar White cardstock. If you click on it you might be able to see the tooth "embossed" it has. The left border was punched for effect and then a piece of leftover matching green cardstock was placed under it. The top, bottom, and left hand sides were faux stitched with a Galaxy Emerald pen.

Next I made a label for it by using the Embroidered Floral Corner punch. I just went around making the corner until it looks like you see it. The Hello is discontinued from Rubber Stamp Tapestry. Impression Obsession has some great word stamp sets HERE.

The embellishments added were 2 and 5MM pearl stickers with Glossy Accents to give them more strength. The ribbon bow is May Arts tied with a Bow-Easy. The Stick Pin was created using a Pearl corsage pin with an orange Czech glass heart, 2 faux pearls, and one clear Czech bicone bead. The end is a gold stick pin clutch held on with additional help from Glossy Accents.

There is a lot going on here and you will either like it or not!!! LOLOLOL

Supplies:
Image: Impression Obsession - Cover-A-Card^TM Swirls and a Sonlight Impressions stamp
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth and Laid cardstock, Green cardstock
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold and Memento Cottage Ivy; Twinkling H2O's Dreamsicle, Ginger Peach, Buttercup, Lemon Drop, Warm Pecan, Moss Green
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, Glossy Accents, Martha Stewart Embroidered Floral Around The Page Punches, 5 and 2MM pearl stickers, May Arts Ribbon, Bow-Easy, Pearl corsage pin, Czech glass heart, Clear Bicone bead, 2 Czech faux pearls, Gold clutch.

If you have any questions on where to find anything I didn't hyperlink, please feel free to ask. Sometimes I even know where to buy some things cheaper. Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

It's A Cupcake Kind Of Day Challenge!!!

2011-02-17T00:55:00.001-05:00

First I need to remember to tell you that if you participate in the challenge you have a chance to win a $25 gift certificate for the IO Online Store. If you want to play you have until tomorrow night, 9 p.m. Friday. The instructions are in the first side bar over near the top under the "I'm A Winner Tuxedo Cat" widget on the IO blog HERE. Think about the fun and the chance to win $25 worth of free stamps, plus the I'm A Winner widget for your blog.

This was a fun card to create. The Palm Cupcake is one of the NEW Spring IO STAMPS. I stamped it with Brilliance Galaxy Gold, restamped the top part twice so I could layer it, cut them all out, then used a medium embossing tool on the foamy top parts before mounting them with 3D pop dots. The flower was also tooled. I added miniature white pearl cake decorator flower stamens to it for fun and mounted it with 3D pop dots. The bottom of the cupcake and the Palm tree were painted with Twinkling H2O's.

The backgrounds were done using using the Mega Mount^TM, and Cover-A-Cards^TM Wood Grain on top (Pink toothy cardstock inked with Brilliance Moonlight White and heat gun dried), and Hearts (White Laid cardstock inked with VersaMark with Rangers Enchanted Gold embossing powder). The Wood Grain was used on top for a watery look and the heart layers are torn and then embossed on the torn portion with the embossing powder again for a faux heats and sand look. Gold cord was run through the lace and then mounted in the center of the card. (If you click on the card, you will be able to see the grain on the different cardstocks. I think that really made the card even more special.)

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MEGA MOUNT USED WITH THE LARGE 5.75" STAMPS YOU CAN VIEW IT HERE. *Note - I happen to stamp on enough cardstock to take the whole stamp and I use my mount sitting down and rocking it from the bottom to the top, instead of left to right. Whatever floats our boat, right? :-) I like the leftovers for the inside and envelope. etc.

I ran some more white cardstock through my Cuttlebug with a Spellbinders Lacy Squares die and then stamped the You're Sweet with Memento Cottage Ivy. The words can also be purchased as part of Red Rubber Cling Set Sweet Hearts or Clear Stamp Set Sweet Hearts. The words were also mounted with 3D pop dots.

The embellishments are 5, 3, and 2mm pearl stickers mounted with Glossy Accents to make them more permanent for mailing. The buttons are leftovers I have had for eons. The gold cords was used for them as well and they are mounted with large glue dots. The faux stitching was done with Spica At You Olive Green pen and Signa Uniball White pen.

As a finishing touch to the card, I edged the inside of the card and envelope with remnants from the backgrounds.

Now check out the DT members creations on their blogs below for more beautiful cards created with the NEW SPRING stamps too:

Daniela Dobson
Deborah March
Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Julie Koerber
Kelli Richardson
Laura Fulcher

Supplies:
Image: Impression Obsession - Cover-A-Card^TM Wood Grain and Hearts; You're Sweet
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth and Laid cardstock, Pink cardstock with a tooth look
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold and Moonlight White, Memento Cottage Ivy, VersaMark; Twinkling H2O's Gold Sand, Nutty Oak, Mallard Green, Warm Pecan
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, Glossy Accents, Spellbinders Lacy Squares, 5, 3,and 2MM pearl stickers, Kreinik Gold Cord, 3 mother of pearl, Spica At You Olive Green pen, Signa Uniball White pen.

I am closer to posting some more cards!!! Yikes!! Thanks for stopping by to look and share all!!

Is It Spring Yet Challenge

2011-02-02T23:00:00.004-05:00

I can't think of more appropriate words, can you? Yes, "Is It Spring Yet?" is the name of the IO challenge today. IO is offering a $25 Gift Certificate to be won in a drawing on Friday, 9 p.m., that can be used in their online store. All you have to do is enter a card following the rules posted in the sidebar at the IO blog site. You can find them by going HERE!

This was a fairly easy card to create. All of the stamps are NEW for SPRING, except the Dots. The NEW STAMPS can be veiwed HERE.

I created the background using using the Mega Mount^TM, and Cover-A-Cards^TM, Large Dots inked with Memento Dandelion ink, and Wallpaper inked with Mica Gloss Green on White cardstock. It was mounted on a yellow ochre cardstock. It sure didn't look like that after I took the picture. LOLOL

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MEGA MOUNT USED WITH THE LARGE 5.75" STAMPS YOU CAN VIEW IT HERE. *Note - I happen to stamp on enough cardstock to take the whole stamp. I like the leftovers for the inside and envelope. etc.

Then I stamped Alesa Baker's Delicate Daffodils on White Cardstock, painted them with Twinkling H2O's, and then I cut them out.

I stamped Alesa Baker's Lovely Tomorrows on White cardstock, used one of my Circle dies by Spellbinders as a stencil, cut it out, and then edged it with the Mica Gloss Green. I die cut the white Spellbinders pendant and slipped the circle with the words into it.

I mounted the daffodils on the pendant with 3D pop-ups, mounted the pendant on the background with 3D pop-ups, tied the May Arts bow with the Bow-Easy and mounted it with glue dots, mounted 3mm pearls on the pendant, used gold cord through the heart buttons and mounted with glue dots! Done

As a finishing touch to the card, I edged the inside of the card and evelope with remnants from the background. Then I stamped one of the daffodils inside on the left and on the lower left side of the envelope and painted with the watercolors too.

Now check out the DT members creations on their blogs below for more beautiful cards created with the NEW SPRING stamps too:

Daniela Dobson
Deborah March
Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp
Julie Koerber
Kathy Menzies
Laura Fulcher

Supplies:
Image: Impression Obsession - Cover-A-Card^TM Large Dots and Wallpaper; Lovely Tomorrows
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, yellow ocher cardstock
Inks: Memento Dandelion, Mica Gloss Green, Twinkling H2O's Dandelion, Sunburst, Buttercup, Warm Pecan
Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, Glossy Accents, Spellbinders Circles and Heart Renaissance Pendant, 3MM pearl stickers, May Arts Ribbon, Bow-Easy, 3 faux mother of pearl heart buttons; gold cord.

I keep hoping I will get caught up enough to start doing some different stamps more often and maybe some tutorials too. It has been too long. Thanks for stopping by to look and share all!!

New Impression Obsession Spring Stamps and a Gift Certificate Too!

2011-01-24T00:01:00.002-05:00

Starting today, January 24, and through January 29, DT members will be previewing Impression Obsessions NEW IMAGES for Spring each day on their individual blogs. IO is offering a $25 Gift Certificate to be won in a drawing on Sunday, January 30. Now for the best part!! The WINNER will be shopping with the NEW IMAGES in the Online Store!! The new images are in the online store Here.

The rules on how to play for a chance to win the Gift Certificate are HERE.

Now for the card I created using all NEW Spring images. The words are from Kalani Allred's Clear Stamp Set True Blue Friend. It can also be purchased separately in Red Rubber as Best Things. It was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and then put through my Cuttlebug with Spellbinders Beaded Ovals. The beads on the edge were painted with Twinkling H2O's Autumn Skies.

The flowers are Alesa Baker's Daffodil Bouquet. It was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and painted with Twinkling H2O's Buttercup, Lemon Drop, Orange Peel, Dreansicle, Olive Green, and Autumn Skies. The centers were accented with Stickles Diamonds and 2mm white pearl stickers. It was mounted on the die cut with pop dots.

The background was created using the Mega Mount^TM, Cover-A-Card^TM, Thick and Thin, and Memento Pear Tart on White cardstock. Then I stamped over that using Cover-A-Card^TM Daffodils and Ancient Page Turquoise. I am also finding that stamping with the Cover-A-Cards^TMon leftover designer papers is a great way to color coordinate and get rid of remnants at the same time. Also, because of the left overs from the 5.75X5.75 pieces I have some to help with my envelope and inside of the card too!

As a finishing touch to the card, I added 3-7mm white pearls to the bottom right-hand side of the card. I am going to add the daffodils (flowers only without the stems) to the inside left hand side of the card and the lower left-hand side of the envelope.

Now check out the DT members creations on their blogs below for today's part of the hop:

The following days with links will be on the IO Blog. Good luck in the drawing and I hope you enjoy the new designs. Thanks for stopping by to say hi!

Well, I'm Back And It's The Color Purple

2011-01-20T00:41:00.002-05:00

First let me say all of the images I am using today will be released at CHA on January 29. Also, when they are available in the on-line store it will be announced on the IO blog.

It's the Impression Obsession Color Purple Challenge! I stamped the background using Cover-A-Card^TMHeart Swirls and Memento Grape Jelly ink. I stamped Leigh Hannan's Cabbage Roses with Gold Galaxy ink and then heat embossed it so it could rise (See my tutorial for emboss without embossing powder in my left side bar). The Roses were painted with Twinkling H20's Wild Plum and English Lavender.

I did paper piecing by stamping the image again on white cardstock and went over it with the Heart Swirls. Then I cut out the pieces and mounted them on the cup and saucer. I shaded the background with Twinks Olive Green.

I placed one of the Spellbinders Curved Rectangles over the image and marked of what part of the roses I wanted to overlap as shown. Then I trimmed the roses with scissors across the top, not going past the marked points. I placed the die over the image making sure the roses were above the die, so they wouldn't be cut when I put it through. I tuned the image over with the die in place and put it back through to emboss it. I took a piece of the purple cardstock and put it through to cut and then emboss with the same die. I trimmed around the white die cut at the emboss edge and then mounted it on the purple die cut as shown. The corner adornments are flattened gold bead caps with 2mm pearls mounted with Glossy accents.

The words are one of Alesa Baker's new stamps A Loving Note. They were stamped using the Memento Grape Jelly and then mounted using one of the technique with one of the smaller dies from the same set.

The ribbon is May Arts and the pearl heart stick pin is from a Making Memories stash. The flower finding is a left over from items I bought at a convention.

I mounted the main image using pop dots, followed by the ribbon underneath. Then I did the Bow-Easy with the bow and mounted it, added the finding with the pearl heart stick pin, followed by the words.........and done with the card front.

I took the left over ends from the Heart Swirls background and lined the inside of the card and left lower hand corner of the envelope. That's just one of the things I love about the Cover-A-Card^TMbackground stamps. Another is that, while using the Mega Mount with them, I have never had a bad impression. This time I wanted a little aged look, so I took my Niji waterbrush and went over them here and there, blotting after with a Kleenex.

Supplies:

Image: Impression Obsession - Cover-A-Card^TM Heart Swirlsnd, Cabbage Roses, and A Loving Note.

Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, Purple Cardstock

Inks: Memento Grape Jelly, Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Olive Green, Wild Plum, and English Lavender

Accessories: Niji Waterbrush, Glossy Accents, Spellbinders Mega Curved Rectanglels, 2MM from Hong Kong and 1 5mm pearl sticker, 4 Gold Bead Caps flattened, 1gold random flower finding, May Arts Ribbon, Bow-Easy, Making Memories pearl heart stick pin.

Next you can have some more fun by checking out the IO Blog to see what other stampers are doing to join the challenge and why. Anyone who emails me a card using at least one IO stamp will have it posted on the IO blog and will also have a chance to win $25 worth of free stamps.

Don't forget, if you have any questions, you can email me by going to near the top of the left-hand side bar. I hope you enjoy the cards you find and I hope your week is turning out great. Thanks for stopping by to look and share everybody!!

A Very Importatnt Message

2011-01-16T21:15:00.000-05:00

First, I must tell you all thank you for your comments on my last post. I do have 2 more cards on the way, but in the mean time I came across a more pressing need.

I was blog surfing and came across someone who needs our help. I was at JAK Heath's Creating Beautiful Things blog. She is hosting a drive for funds to help Katie Emmerson Renz (a fellow stamper) of Bellingham, Washington. Katie has been diagnosed with stage 4 Stomach Cancer and is currently undergoing her only option which is Chemotherapy.

In addition to the drive for donating, JAK is offering a free digital download and online stores are providing prizes for a drawing. Anyone who donates will also have their name put into the drawing once for each donation. Each donation (£15) through the PayPal link on JAK's site is worth a little less than $25 US dollars. If you are not into the digital or the drawing you can simply click on the PayPal link below. You will probably still get an email from JAK for the digital and I would almost bet your name goes into the drawing too.

PayPal

Katie's blog is My Paper Haven. Katie is married to Kevin with 3 beautiful boys. The twins, age 5, are Nate and Will and Hunter is 10 years old.

I visited Katie's blog and was very impressed with how she is documenting her journey and how very courageous she is about sharing it. My heart and soul goes out to her for her strength and to her family and their needs too during this difficult time.

I will be back soon. Hope your weekend was great and that you have a super week to come. We are having a "Color Purple Challenge" on the IO blog this next Thursday and you will definitely see me by then if not before. Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

I'm Back....At Least For Today And It's An IO Challenge

2011-01-05T23:10:00.033-05:00

I know I haven't posted in like forever!! I apologize to anyone I have worried. I have been busy with personal things and still am, but when I saw the new IO images, I knew I wanted to do at least this challenge. I have really missed posting and stamping, but most of all blog hopping to enjoy the view. LOLOL

IO is going to be releasing their new Spring stamps at CHA the end of this month. You may want to get in touch with your local store or stay tuned for them in the online store HERE. There are tons of new images and Cover-A-Card stamps, not to mention the really wonderful new individual and sets of phrases and words. Enough already, here is my card. :-)

The image I used is not available yet. It is Leigh Hannan's Heat Hive. I fell in love with the bees and the hearts behind it too. You can't tell by looking, but I cut the heart out and then also cut out the flower with the leaves and curlicues. They are mounted with pop dots.

Behind that is a Spellbinders die. I used the die and while it was still on the white cardstock I stamped it with Cover-A-Card^TM Swirls. The background is DP from eons ago mounted on white cardstock. I used the smaller die for the bottom tag and hand wrote the word.I painted the image with Twinkling H2O's. People may think they are not available anymore, but they can be purchased through Creative Imaginations HERE. I used 2, 3, and 5mm pearl stickers to adorn the image and the edges. The ribbon is from Michaels. Don't take my word for it, but check out the IO Design Teams blogs for more new images!!!

And that's not all. If you send a card to me for the current challenge you could win a $25 gift certificate to use in the online store. We have a drawing at the end of the challenge Friday night at 9 p.m. Random.org chooses the winner.

I almost forgot to tell you this post almost didn't happen. When I checked in to post around 10 p.m. last night it wouldn't let me even start a post. I had to go to the "Help" forum and 3 other people were having the same problem. Luckily a person there knew how to get around it and here I am. Pheewwwwww!~!

So, that's about it. I want to wish you all a late Merry Christmas and a very Happy Healthy New Year. I keep hoping I'll have more time to stamp and maybe I will. Hope your week is turning out great and thanks for stopping by to look and share.

A "Bootiful" Halloween Card

2010-09-04T21:33:00.000-04:00

This card is 5.25X5.25". I couldn't resist using these great Leigh Hannan Halloween Window and Pumpkin Patch stamps with the season upon us! I stamped the Window stamp on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock with Stazon Jet Black. The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's. 2 and 3MM pearls were mounted with Glossy Accents to the areas as shown. Stickles Diamonds glitter glue was used for the frost on the windows. A piece of the Solar White cardstock was put through the Cuttlebug using their Distressed Stripes (it reminds me of vinyl house siding). The image was cut out and then the edges sealed with Twinks China Black. The window portion was glued to the "siding" and then the shutters on the side had 3D pop dots put underneath to give dimension.

The pumpkin with vines was stamped again and painted with twinks. The berries were painted orange and then Stickles Orange glitter glue was applied for effect. The eyes and mouth of the pumpkin were painted and then Stickles Yellow used. The pumpkin was cut out with an X-acto knife. The edges were sealed with China Black and then it was turned over on a Pergamano mat and embossed for depth using a stylus. If you click on the image below you can get a close up. Just enough raise to give it depth. It too was mounted with 3D pop dots.

The envelope is handmade from Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. Text paper. The image is the Pumpkin Patch mentioned above. The punched edges are from the DP used on the front with Martha Stewart's Modern Garland Corner and Edge Punches.

Designer paper was used behind the Distressed Stripes siding. A piece of Solar White 80lb Text paper was punched also using Martha Stewart's Modern Garland Corner and Edge Punches. It was first mounted on a piece of SU Orange cardstock. The DP was mounted on that and then the main image was mounted using 3D pop dots. The 5MM pearls were then mounted using Glossy Accents. The pearls all have sticky on the back, but it doesn't hold nearly as well as being reinforced with Glossy Accents. May Arts Deep Green Ribbon was sealed to the cardfront back and passed under the Distress Stripes as shown. The bow was done with the Bow-Easy.

The stick pin is a pear shaped boutonniere pin. The heart is a Czech glass bead with a Clear Czech bead below that. All were sealed in place with Glossy Accents.

The inside (shown below) was done with the same DP used on the front with the same Martha Stewart punches. The image is IO Leigh Hannan's Pumpkin Patch. It too was stamped, cut out, sealed edges with China Black, turned over on the mat and embossed with the stylus, and then mounted with 3D Pop Dots. The words are my own and computer generated.

The edge of the envelope flap is using the same Martha Stewart Garland punches. The tiny pumpkin is from IO Leigh Hannah's Candy Corn Tree. It was trimmed, sealed, and embossed from the back too. Mounted using a 3D pop dot too.

Hope you enjoyed the card. Thanks for stopping by to look and share!! Hope your Labor Day is great too!

A Cute Fall Card! With A Touch Of Halloween

2010-09-04T15:32:00.002-04:00

This cute card is 5 3/8X5/3/8" and was created using IO Leigh Hannan's new Tree Owls. It was stamped on Neenah Solar White Super Smooth cardstock with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and painted with Twinkling H2O's Nutty Oak, Warm Pecan, Ginger Peach, and Daffodil. The background was done using StazOn Saddle Brown ink with IO Cover-A-Card Maple Leaves on Classic Laid Solar White cardstock (It has a tooth to it that you can see in some of the leaves). I used a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen for the dots to make the stars, dusted them with Deco Art Glamour Dust. When dry I painted over the tops and around some with Twinks Daffodil. (Directly below the card above is the bottom of the envelope)

The bow was done using 3 metallic sprays and ivory seam binding. It was then crumpled up in the corner of a ziplock bag and left over night. The next day it was released and then a Bow-Easy was used for the double bow as shown. You can find the instructions HERE. I love the vintage effect.

All of the punched edges were done using SU Orange cardstock and Martha Stewart's Gothic Arches Corner Punch. I used Spellbinders Fancy Tags for the greeting. Below is a close up.

Click on the image and you will see the detail in the owls. Their little eyes were done with Twinks Daffodil and Copic Spica Black glitter pen. Glossy Accents were applied over them, and I swear they almost look just like real 'Owl Eyes'. LOL The heart is from Fancifuls, Inc. online store. I tied it on with some leftover gold cord. The pearls are Mark Richards 3mm. The words are IO Leigh Hannan's Owl Eyes. Isn't that saying just too cute!

The inside of the card, shown below, was done with a stamped area of the Tree Owls and left over remnants from the Maple Leaves background. The envelope is handmade from matching Solar White 80lb. text paper. The flap of the card was done with the same Martha Stewart Gothic Arches corner punch.

It's all in those pesky details. :-) Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

I Forgot To Tell You

2010-08-11T10:55:00.001-04:00

Impression Obsession and Flower Soft are having a Blog Hop TODAY. It is important for you all to know I am not a part of the hop from this blog. A list of all the stops is below and if you play you might win 1 of 4 Gift Certificates. The rules and links are listed below for you. Have fun!

Are you ready for some fun people? The Impression Obsession and Flower Soft Design Teams have teamed up for this blog hop to show you some really wonderful creations! There will be prizes too, and to win you must to follow the rules below.

As you make your way through the hop, to be eligible for a prize:

You must comment on each and every DT blog Post to be eligible to win a prize.
If you don't start at the beginning go there (Flower Soft Blog) as soon as you realize that.

There will be 4 Gift Certificates:

Two $25 Gift Certificates from Flower Soft and
Two $25 Gift Certificates from Impression Obsession

The prize winners will be announced on Wednesday, August 18th:

On the Flower Soft Blog and
On the Impression Obsession Blog

Good luck and have fun!
(Remember if you didn’t start at the beginning of the hop please go to the beginning at the Flower Soft Blog if you want to be eligible to win a prize.)

Below is your list of Flower Soft, Impression Obsession,and both of our DT Blogs to visit:

So there you are! Wasn't that fun! And hang in there!!! You will be hearing from us here at the IO Blog and on the Flower Soft Blog on Wednesday, August 18th, to announce who our winners are. Thanks to each of you for your participation and commenting on all of the creativity put forth by the Design Teams today and for stopping by to say hi and share!!

Well It's About Time, Shirley

2010-08-09T19:28:00.001-04:00

I honestly have to say that the detail in this card is not what has kept me from posting. I am still working on getting my house ready to sell and that means going through my stash in the garage. LOLOL

The main image is Hero Arts Friend. I stamped it with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and thought it would be perfect for layering, so I stamped the flower three more times. After cutting out each layer, the images were then painted with Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Mallard Green, Royal Satin, and Pink Grapefruit. The images were then turned over and a stylus was used on each petal on my Pergamano mat. Each layer was mounted using 1/16" pop dots.

I did the same thing with each of the flowers and also the leaves. On the tiniest leaves I used Glossy Accents. I used 2MM pearls on the large flower and the smaller yellow and purple flowers.

Mark Richards has quit offering 2MM pearls and I couldn't find them anywhere so I went to EBay and guess what? I couldn't believe my eyes. I found I could get 1500 in a little compact for $3.60 from Hong Kong and the shipping was free HERE. It did take 6 days, but that is nothing when you want something. LOL No kidding!! I applied them using dots of Glossy Accents (I use this to cement all of my pearls, rhinestones, etc.) and a Sticky Stick, found HERE. I still buy the other larger ones from craft vendors here.

The smaller of the pink flowers has Liquid Pearl White Opal with a touch of Glossy Accents. And what do you know, they look like tiny pearls too. LOL

I used my Martha Stewart Scroll Lace Around The Page Punch for the edge you see. Bazzill Bling Petty Cash cardstock was used for the mat behind the image. The image was mounted on it with pop dots and then it was attached to the white punched edge mat.

I wanted a pink design for behind the image so I got out my Impression Obsession Mega Mount and used the Cover-A-Card Circle (5.75X5.75) stamp, added some Ancient Page Pink Pizazz and off I went. Not only did I have enough paper for the background you see, but I also had enough for the inside of the card and the bottom left-hand edge of the envelope too. Then I used my Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Butterflies punch to get a butterfly for the main image, attaching (3) 2MM pearls to the middle. Check the details out in my pictures above and below.

For embellishments to the card I used some 3MM pearls for the edges of the punched edge. I added a May Arts bow using the Bow-Easy, and the last Nunn Design pin I had like this. I embellished it with some Stickles Yellow and another 2MM pearl. The pins are discontinued! :-(

For inside the card and the envelope bottom left hand corner I used a flower from the main image. I added ink with my sponge dauber for the image and then painted, punched and cut out and there you go.

Supplies:
Image: Hero Arts - Friend - CG111 and Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Circles - CC012
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, Bazzill Petty Cash
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Ancient Page Pink Pizazz, Twinkling H2O's
Accessories: Martha Stewart Scroll Lace Around The Page Punches, Stickles Yellow and Orange Peel Glitter Glue, Glossy Accents, Mark Richards 3mm pearls and 2MM from Hong Kong , Liquid Pearls White Opal, May Arts Ribbon, Bow-Easy, Nunn Designs Stickpin.

A really fun and detailed card. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Don't Say I Didn't Tell You!!

2010-07-04T08:05:00.001-04:00

This is some of what I received this in my email this morning about IO having a terrific sale and couldn't wait to tell you all:

The sale is going on now and you can start shopping now, if you like, by clicking HERE.
Thanks to everyone for being patient with the site. During the first couple of days of the sale our site gets slammed and it will probably run really slowly. I apologize in advance for the inconvenience, I have alerted my host about the sale and hopefully they can keep it running smoothly. If you experience trouble, try a little later when hopefully the traffic will die down.
Remember, the sale ends on Wednesday, July 7, at midnight!
Because of the volume of this sale and the fact that our computer system does not have these sale prices entered, NO PHONE ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS SALE.
All orders must be placed on the website.

From Mitra to you, "Thanks so much everyone for yet another great year at I.O."

Well, that's all I have for now and thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!

It's The IO Lazy Days Of Summer Challenge Today

2010-07-01T00:00:00.029-04:00

And since I am back at the blog, I decided to submit my card too, along with the IO DT. My card is pretty straight forward. It was inspired by many of the cards, using Alesa Baker stamps, I have seen Julie Koerber do on her blog, Out To Impress, and she does!!

The image was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on 2 pieces of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White CS and then heat set with a heat gun. They were painted with Twinkling H2O's Dreamsicle, Olive Vine, Sweet Thistle, and Warm Pecan (wash to shade background). I trimmed around the best image and mounted over the other one with pop dots. That whole image with background was mounted on a scrap piece of Bazzill Clover Leaf Dotted Swiss. I trimmed around that with scissors, leaving about a quarter inch, letting the edge of the mounted image decide were to cut.

The greeting plaque was stamped by using a dauber for that piece of the stamp. Then it was trimmed around and mounted using ATG 1/4" tape. The faux brads are bead caps I flattened with a bead crimp tool. They were mounted using pieces of ATG tape and Mark Richards 2MM pearl stickers were mounted on top using Glossy Accents.

The white matte is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White text weight paper created using Martha Stewart's Eyelet Lace Around The Page punches. The image was mounted on top as shown.

To create the background mattes I ran a piece of SU Apricot Appeal through my Cuttlebug using the dots embossing folder from Just My Type around the edges. I mounted another piece of Bazzill Clover Leaf Dotted Swiss that had the corners punched using the Eyelet Corner Punch.

I really like the SU small slot punch, but it doesn't reach far enough, so I punched out a 'slot' with it and then drew the slots on my CS where I wanted to put my ribbon through. Then I used my X-Acto knife to cut them out. Didn't take that long at all.

I mounted May Arts ribbon and used the Bow-Easy to create the bow. I glued Mark Richards 2MM and 5MM to the eyelets and corners of the Dotted Swiss cardstock as shown, using Glossy Accents. What you see next to the card is the corner of the handmade envelope stamped with the bud image. Below you can see what I did with the envelope's flap edge and also the image stamped and painted inside the card.

SUPPLIES:
Stamp: Stampassions: Summer Thyme Bouquet by Shara Reiner.
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock and text weight for the punched edges, Bazzil Bling, Stampin' Up and Anna Griffin.
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Heavenly White, Orange Peel, Dreamsicle, Cool Waters
Accessories: Glossy Accents; Deco Art Glamour Dust; 1/8" pop dots, Heart button, Mark Richards 2mm pearl stickers, Martha Stewart Double Loops Punch Set and EK Success Paper Shaper Butterfly punch.

You should also take at look at the wonderful cards that the IO DT did and the other cards the customers are entering for a chance at the $25 Gift Certificate. See the IO DT cards at their blogs below:

First take a look at the Design Team's creations:

And now take a look at the beautiful cards the customers are entering for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate by going HERE. For those of you who are new to IO Blog Challenges, follow the guidelines below and you too can get a chance to win the $25 Gift Certificate for free stamps of your choice in IO's online store:

Challenges are held the First and Third Thursdays of each month, unless otherwise noted.
Please use at least one Impression Obsession stamp.
Please provide the name(s) and/or stamp number(s) of IO stamps only with your email to me. If you have a problem finding this information, sometimes I can help.
Let me know if you want me to post on the IO blog, using only your blog with hyper-link, or both, etc.
Entries will be accepted until that Saturday 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the second sidebar to the right on the IO blog.
All participants' cards will be posted the way you choose the day they are entered.
Cards with only all IO Stamps will permanently be added to the IO Customer Album in the very next sidebar over.
ALL participants in the current challenge will be entered in the drawing for the Impression Obsession $25 Gift Certificate. We use Random.org to select the winner.
It is for use at our ONLINE STORE.

Don't forget a list of our challenges is on the sidebar to the right. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. So get busy out there!! Stamp up a Lazy Crazy Day of Summer card and send it to me. Hope your week is starting out great!! Thanks for stopping by to say hi!

It's Me Again!

2010-06-26T17:40:00.000-04:00

Well, I started to design a card and when I got to the Designer Paper I couldn't decide between two, so I did some of each.

My image is from Stampassions. The designer is Shara Reiner. Isn't it whimsically wonderful. It was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and I colored it with Twinkling H2O's. I high lighted the flowers with Glossy Accents and Deco Art Glamour Dust.

(As of the end of June, or by CHA anyway, they are going to be sold now by Creative Imaginations. There are less colors, but they are more vibrant and they are all in different packaging too.) They will be selling some in 5 gram pots with 6 to a set. There area also some that are different colors in 10 gram pots and sold separately. They will also have the daubers and the sprays too, again in different containers and the sprays do not clog.) They sent me some samples (LUCKY ME) and I am going to do some projects with them soon.

The image was framed with Bazzill Bling cardstock. The edge was done with Martha Stewart corner and border punches. The ribbon is from Michaels and the button is too. Mark Richards 2mm pearls were used in the holes of the button. The butterfly is also an MS punch. I used Glossy Accents on the dots and applied Deco Art Glamour Dust. What you see next to the card is the envelope. It was done using a dauber to ink the image and then painted as shown. Below is what I did with the inside and envelope:

Below is how I did the other card using different DP. Same color, but different shades of pink and design on the paper too!

SUPPLIES:
Stamp: Stampassions: Summer Thyme Bouquet by Shara Reiner.
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock and text weight for the punched edges, Bazzil Bling, Stampin' Up and Anna Griffin.
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Heavenly White, Orange Peel, Dreamsicle, Cool Waters
Accessories: Glossy Accents; Deco Art Glamour Dust; 1/8" pop dots, Heart button, Mark Richards 2mm pearl stickers, Martha Stewart Double Loops Punch Set and EK Success Paper Shaper Butterfly punch.

Well I think that just about covers everything. I hope your weekend is turning out great and I'll see you back here soon. Thanks for all of your emails to say hi and for stopping by to look and share.

Hi Everybody!

2010-06-24T14:20:00.001-04:00

Well, I'm baaaaack! I have been doing cards and cross stitch too, until I broke my left arm. That's almost behind me and I am so excited to have some cards to show. For those of you who are still out there, thanks for waiting.

I find that I am really into layering things and not just DP. Acutally, I love cutting and almost creating a tole look.

I stamped this image on Neenah Solar White cardstock always using Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink. I use this ink like its water. If you want to know why, look HERE. The bugs and heart leaves were then stamped again twice. The Lovebugs on all were painted with Twinkling H2O's Garnet and Olive Vine on all copies.

The scalloped edge around the background copy was done using The Crafter's Workshop 6X6 Template - Stitch Doodle Dot.

The heart leaves were cut out and mounted on the ground copy using pop dots. The Love Bugs were then prepared to be mounted. If you look at each you will see some White Pearl Antennae. Those are Flower Stamen used by cake decorators. I bought mine from Golda' Kitchen online. She had the best selection of sizes and colors too, and shipping was resonable. I bought micro and small. You are looking at the micro here. They were curled around a think croched hook and then mounted to the back using scotch tape. Then the bug was mounted to the leaves, etc.

The dots on the backs of the Lovebugs were done with Ranger Liquid Pearls White Opal. I wanted the spots to have diminesion like the pearls, so Rangers Glossy Accents was used first. Then the sparkles were done by sprinkling lightly with Deco Art Glamour Dust. All Love Bugs were mounted with Pop Dots.

The ribbon is May Arts, done with the Bow Easy, and mounted with glue dots. The Stick Pin is from the Making Memories Mistletoe Deco Pins. A white freshwater pearl and crystal round bead were added too.

The tag is from Spellbinders round die set. I edged it with Brilliance Galaxy Gold using a Niji Waterbrush, wrote the words with a Galaxy Glitter pen, added some Glossy Accents, and added some of the Glamour Dust to that. It was moutned with pop dots too.

And that wasn't enough. I needed the inside for the card and the envy, both shown below. I actually made the envelope so there would be room for the bow and it wouldn't be smooshed. I used some Neenah Solar White text weight paper for it. LOLOL

SUPPLIES:

Stamps: Impression-Obsession - Love Bugs (Red Rubber Stamp) Can also be purchased in Clear
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock,
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Garnet, Olive Vine
Accessories: Rangers Liquid Pearls White Opal; Glossy Accents; Deco Art Glamour Dust; White Pearl Stamens, Crafter's Kitchen Stitch Doodle Dot TCW131, Making Memories Mistletoe Deco Pin, white freshwater pearl and clear crystal bead. 1/16" and 1/8" pop dots.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. My email is in the upper left hand corner of the sidebar. It's great to be back and thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!!

About My Twinkling H2O's

2010-05-21T17:32:00.006-04:00

Many of you had read my post about my missing Twinkling H2O's. Well, the Internet really has made it a small world. It turns out Creative Imaginations will be manufacturing and selling Twinkling H2O watercolors, sprays, and daubers. Leslie Ohnstad, the developer of the LuminArte products will continue selling and demonstrating her Pigment powders and Simple solutions for mix media artists. She will also continue researching new products as well.

About my order, it got lost in the shuffle while Leslie was closing down her warehouse location and moving to her new area. She found my order and it's on its way. Thank you so much, Leslie. I am really sorry for the loss of communication during your hectic time.

During all of the mix up I also had the pleasure and opportunity to talk with Jack Behlmer, CEO of Creative Imaginations, and Cheryl Mezzetti, their DT Coordinator and Education Specialist. I learned that Creative Imaginations has changed the packaging and the product a little too. The Twinkling H2O's colors are more vivid. The 5 gram sets are also in a new package with some added tools for the user's convenience. The 10 gram pots are sold only as singles. (I really like that). The former Radiant Rains have been reformulated so they don't clog up. (And I really like that too!) The daubers are also in new packaging. More tools will also be available to make creating with all 3 products easier. Their big release is scheduled for some time in June. When it happens I will post it here too.

Well, everybody, I for one cannot wait to get my hands on some. And when I do you all will be the first to know and see how I feel about it. Stay tuned and before you know it they will be available at a store near you and online too I hope.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

Not A Card, But Maybe Useful Information

2010-03-28T15:49:00.000-04:00

I use Random.org for the IO blog challenges. I have often wanted to be able to post the picture with the winning number on the post. I haven't solved that yet, LOLOL, but I did find out where to get the Widget for your sidebar, so all you have to do is fill in the number and off you go without leaving your blog. Just click on here on Random.org Widget. You can even customize your colors if you like.

That's all for now and thanks for stopping by the blog to look and share. I have been working on some cards too.

Hey Everybody!!

2010-03-13T06:19:00.000-05:00

Hi, I came here with empty hands and I am almost embarrassed to do it. I haven't posted, I am sure you know, for over a month. I have some personal things I have to do and it is going to take me another good month to get it started. I am going to move sometime in the next year and I have to start getting my house ready for the market......Is there one yet!! LOL

I am going to try to start doing cards again soon, but I don't want to promise when. I have had some of you who are dear blogging friends email to ask if I was okay. What a sweet sweet thoughtful thing to do. I am so sorry you had to do it too.

So to my blogging friends and those who follow, I will be back and I hope soon. It is so true about addictions. I've had a dream about some really gorgeous cards. And it really is true that....

I will be back, and of course, I am still hosting the IO blog. I do need stamps after all~!!!!
Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

It's A Green Thing

2010-02-04T00:32:00.016-05:00

Challenge that is!! It IO Thursday and time for a Green Card Challenge....and Green either brings to mind Irish, St. Patrick's Day or broccoli. Hee hee! As you can see, I thought a little bit about the Irish and also about love. The Fountain of Love., since Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

The image is Valentine Fountain by Leigh Hannan over at Impression Obsession. I stamped it with Brillianced Galaxy Gold on Neenah Solar White, and painted it with Twinkling H2O Moss Green. Highlights are Stickles Lime, Mark Richards pearls, and Glossy Accents.

The frame is Scalloped Fram by Splellbinders with Neenah Natural cardstock. The ribbon is May Arts and the bow was done with the Bow-Easy. The little wing on top was attached with a Glueo-Dot. Shamrock, right? The heart is a button from my stash.

The background is Bazzill Dark Green Polka Dot cardsstock stamped with the Impression Obsession Mega Mount and their Cover A Card Hearts with Brilliance Galaxy Gold. I used Bazzil Bling behind that..
Below is a list of the Impression Obsession Design Team so you can raeally be inspired:

Daniela Dobson
Dina Kowal
Jeanne Streiff
Jenny Gropp ( Will be posted around 11 a.m. EST)
Julie Koerber
Kathy Menzies
Rosemary Marino

If the rest of you would like to enter the challenge and the fun, here are the guidelines:

Impression Obsession stamps only please.
Please provide the name(s) and/or stamp number(s) with your email to me. If you have a problem find this information, sometimes I can help.
Entries will be accepted until this Saturday at midnight.
You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the second sidebar to the right.
All participants' cards will be posted on the IO blog and also permanently in the IO Customer Album in the very next sidebar over.

The drawing will be the following day, on Sunday, for the Impression Obsession $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen from those customers participating in this challenge. I will be using Random.org. It is for use at the ONLINE STORE. The Winner will also receive the "I'm A Winner at Impression Obsession" blinkie. It appears at the top of the IO sidebar to the right of their post column.

Another note, before closing, about the IO blog. The albums have hundreds of cards and each one has a link to the stamp in the IO online store. What a place to spend a while. Thanks for stopping by to look and share everybody!

The ETC. Part Of My Blog :-)

2010-02-01T19:01:00.013-05:00

I have to tell about this. I do needlework besides stamping. I am talking crewel, embroidery, counted cross stitch, etc. See where I am going. I hadn't done any of this for a while and then Etha at A Fiber Artist Gone Stamping and Theresa at Tilting At Windmills started talking about their needlework projects, and I started digging into my stash. After starting my latest project, I saw a sale on a magnifying light that had a circular light like the one shown below:

It's called the Visual Mate II. I got it on sale with a 40% off online coupon from Joann's and the shipping was free. I probably saved about $30.00. Anyway, it works like a charm. It is lightweight, actually lighter than the other one I used without the light. That cord looks like it would be cumbersome, but it really isn't. I have it plugged into an outlet near my nightstand. I do needlework before going to sleep. LOLOL Okay, you might think I look a little weird all hooked up and ready to stitch, but then, I am a little if not a lot weird!!!

Right now I am working on the piece below, for a friend's daughter, and the magnifying hoop is going to be a big help, plus it will save on my light bill too (Green) :-).

It's going to be warmer here tonight, in the higher 20's. Imagine that. By Friday we are expecting more freezing rain. What weird weather!

I'm off to work on a green card for the IO challenge coming up on Thursday. I have some images for other cards in the works too.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share. See you soon.