Happy Thursday!

This is another card I made for the Featured Stamper Challenge last Sunday. I love Kristina's work, and if you haven't seen the new video tutorial on her blog, hop over there and say hi!

I made this card a little bit different from the first one, and used a different birdie stamp. I colored him with an aquapainter & reinkers, and did a soft outline with Bashful blue to make him stand out.

The card base is Sage Shadow, and I stamped the Print Pattern in the same ink. First I glued down the Rust panel, and then stamped the snowflake from Papertrey's Holiday Treats set in Chocolate Chip ink on the Chocolate layer. Of course I had to use some more yummy May Arts satin ribbon from Verve...love this stuff!!!!! We need more colors, Julee!! *wink*

The birdie & sentiment are stamped on Paper Accents Pearized Cream cardstock in Palette Hybrid Noir ink. The main image is popped up for dimension.

Hopefully I'll get some play time tonight...in between watching Grey's and teaching a class!
Have a great day!


Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Christmas Set, Papertrey Ink Holiday Treats, Print Pattern
Paper: Soft Sky, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Pearlized Cream Cardstock
Ink: Palette Hybrid Noir, Soft Sky, Really Rust
Accessories: May Arts Ribbon, Aquapainter & Reinkers, Pop Dots

Love this set!!

See, I told you I was in a Christmas Card mood! Here's another card I made over the weekend using the Hero Arts clear Christmas set, which I just LOVE!! It's all Julee's fault...she made me buy them.

I wanted this card to be really simple, so I made my card base out of Soft Sky, stamped the little scalloped border from my Faux Ribbon set by Papertrey Ink in Palette Hybrid Noir, and added a white strip with black ribbon wrapped around it.

The main images are stamped in Noir on Papertrey White and then colored with Prismacolors and Odorless Mineral Spirits. I masked the tree and stamped the large Skinny Oval from A Muse in Pomegranate to make it look like a tree skirt or a rug. The sentiment is from Papertrey's new Holiday Treats set, and I just love it with these birdies. I matted the image on Basic Black, added some stickles to the star for sparkle, and popped the panel up on pop dots.

Ok, on with other news...

The Verve Visual contest deadline has been extended until Friday!! You still have time... and Julee is giving away some AMAZING prizes to the winners! See this post for more info.

Also, only one more week until you will start seeing Sneak Peeks on the Verve Blog of the new sets (oohh, did I say SETSSS??) that are going to be released in October. Don't worry, I'll remind you!!


Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Christmas Set, Papertrey Ink Faux Ribbon & Holiday Treats
Paper: Soft Sky, Basic Black, Papertrey White
Ink: Palette Hybrid Noir, Purely Pomegranite
Accessories: Offray Ribbon, Pop Dots, Prismacolors & OMS

Another one...look familiar??

I made this while I still had my scraps out from the Color Challenge last week. Lovin these colors!!

My card base is Chocolate Chip with River Rock & Basic Grey Mellow layers on top. The corners of the layers are punched with my Ticket Corner punch and all the edges are sponged with Close to Cocoa & Chocolate Chip (what else would I sponge with people? Can I just say sponged?). The ribbon was originally Pumpkin, so I layed it on my ink pad & colored the other side with my Rust marker. Messy, but effective I think!

I inked up the sentiment from All Holidays with my Chocolate Chip and Really Rust Stampin Write Markers. Popped it up on Pop Dots & thought the 4 brads from Making Memories were just the right touch. I don't care for the little "x's" in the corners, but they're there!


Stamps: All Holidays
Paper: Chocolate Chip, River Rock, Papertrey White, Basic Grey Mellow
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Really Rust
Accessories: 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Making Memories Brads, Ticket Corner Punch, White Glaze Pen, Pop Dots

FINALLY!!!

Ok, still not working, but I did get a chance to upload some pics. Of course I will not show you all of them at once!! ;)

This is a card I made last night for the Featured Stamper Challenge on Splitcoast. I cased this card of Kristina's, and if you haven't seen her blog...go visit! She's awesome, and I love her designs!!

I changed the colors, the stamps, and the layout. Ok, so pretty much I switched the whole thing, but I love it anyway!

The Sage Shadow card base is 4 1/4" square, stamped with my Canvas BG stamp in Sage ink. I cut the Rust and Chocolate Chip panels, and stamped the snowflake from my new Papertrey Holiday Treats set randomly in Chocolate Chip ink on the chocolate panel. Then I distressed the edges with my Distressor tool.

The main image is from the clear Hero Arts Christmas set, which I LOVE!!!! and the sentiment is also from the PT Holiday Treats set, both stamped on Pearlized Cream cardstock in Palette Hybrid Noir. Mr. Birdie is colored with Classic Inks and a Blender Pen, and then I sponged the edges with Chocolate Chip ink.

Which brings me to the ribbon. How much do you love this new wide grosgrain??? This is another brand, but I just had to have it...I love the wide ribbon now! So I tied it around my card base in a knot and popped up my main panel on Pop Dots. You like??


Stamps: Hero Arts Clear Christmas set, Papertrey Holiday Treats, Canvas
Paper: Sage Shadow, Really Rust, Chocolate Chip, Paper Accents Pearlized Cream
Ink: Palette Hybrid Noir, Chocolate Chip, Sage Shadow, Really Rust
Accessories: Blender pen, 5/8" Grosgrain Ribbon, Pop Dots, Distressor Tool, Chocolate Chip marker

No good news yet

ETA: I have also tried connecting my camera with a cable. That doesn't work either. Boo HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSS...........

I've tried everything!! I have dusted both the drive and the card, still no luck. I have cussed. I have pounded on it. I have been chatting online with a Dell support rep and she couldn't fix my problem. Grrrrr. Tomorrow I'm going to my mom's though and will be able to upload. YAY!!!

So tonight I made another paint can for one of my girlfriends to take to a baby shower. This time it was a nautical theme. Think Bashful Blue & White. It's cute! Wish I could show it to you........

I am currently experiencing Technical Difficulties...

Well I have good news and bad news.
The good news is that I stamped tonight!! I made 2 whole cards!
The bad news is that I can take pictures of them, but my computer is not recognizing my card reader or my camera. So I can't show you anything!! I toyed with just describing the cards like there actually was a picture, and then decided to wait and upload them later. Sound good?

And tell me this, fellow stampers. Does it mean I'm a "real stamper" now that it's September and I am totally in the mood for making Christmas cards?? LOL

Sketch a Color Combo

That's my name for this card. Ok, well not really. But I loved this week's Color Combo Challenge on Splitcoast, and the Sketch Challenge was rockin too! So I combined them, and here you go!

I really like how this turned out (although I have to admit that I'm more happy about having a chance to stamp)!! I sat down knowing I wanted to use my new Basic Grey Mellow paper & this Rust colored ribbon by May Arts.
I started with a base of Papertrey White measuring 8.5" x 5.5", and folded that in half. I adhered my layers of Chocolate Chip (5.25" x 4") and River Rock (5" x 3.75") together and then stitched the panel of Mellow paper (3" x 4") with my sewing machine.

The bottom corners are pierced with my mat stack and paper piercing tool, and the sentiment from Verve's Thoughtful Phrases set is stamped in Chocolate Chip. Using the sketch as inspiration, I tied the wide satin ribbon around in a knot.

For the main image, I wanted a clean, simple look, so I started by stamping the small flower from Office Accoutrement in Really Rust on White Cardstock. Then I stamped the stems and leaves from Papertrey's Green Thumb set in Old Olive. Matted that onto chocolate chip and popped it up on Pop Dots.

I hope I get some more time tonight...I cleaned my stamp room so I can get it all messy again! *wink*

Have a great Friday!

Stamps: Office Accoutrement, Papertrey Green Thumb, Verve Visual Thoughtful Phrases
Paper: Papertrey White, River Rock, Chocolate Chip, Basic Grey Mellow
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Old Olive
Accessories: May Arts Ribbon, Sewing Machine & Thread, Mat Pack & Paper Piercer, Pop Dots

I'm Alive! I'm Alive!!!

I'm here! I have not fallen off the face of the earth! You know, this working thing is really cramping my creative style. LOL I have also been working on stuff for customers, and haven't had time to take pictures! :( boo...

I got my new Papertrey sets yesterday, so I really am hoping to get some stamping time in soon. Fingers crossed!!

I've been wanting to show you this forever, and finally am getting around to doing it! This is one of the new Tim Holtz/Cropper Hopper storage containers that I ordered from eclectic Paperie sometime this summer. I emailed Joy and asked if it would hold Stampin Up ink refills, and her answer was as I'd hoped...yes! I don't have many ink refills yet, but just enough to have trouble storing them. This was a perfect solution! It holds 24 ink refills and there's also a storage in the back for my Aquapainters, Blender Pens, or anything else I might need. :)

This is the outside of the case. I haven't decorated it yet...I kind of like the aluminum design but I think I will alter it eventually. Any ideas?

Right now my stamp room is a total DISASTER...there are things everywhere, LITERALLY. Before I can stamp, I really need to clean up in there. HMPH. So hopefully I will have something to post tomorrow?? Maybe not. We'll see. ;)

A Collaboration of Art...

This is a card made for Tommy, my father-in-law. I thought I'd try a new approach for cards (since we celebrate 4-5 at a time!) and let my boys color the image and then create a card around it.

Cole (who is 5 on Monday!) colored Petey from Inky Antics for Tommy's birthday card. I matted him on Basic Black cardstock, and then adhered him onto my Gable Green Base (5.25x5.25). I stamped the sentiment from All Holidays and tied my May Arts ribbon to pull it all together. If you're ever looking for an interesting challenge, let your kids color an image and then try to base a card around it!

Thanks for looking!

Fun Little Ditty

I saw this on Jimmi Mayo's blog and thought it would be fun! Here ya go!

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Phoebe Element...hmmm that's fun!
2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Caramel Sundae Crunch Oreo...ROFLMAO on that one
3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) S-TEUB (sorry, I had to add the b in there...)
4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Red Dog
5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Renae Joplin...hmmm that's a cool name! If I ever become a rock star, that'd be it!
6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) TEUSH...LOLOLOL
7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The") The Green Vodka
8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Harvey Herbert...hmmmm again
9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Delicious Chocolate...this would totally work if I was not white!
10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) Kay Floyd...lol


Some more random thoughts that I have since remembered were in the original list:
1. Don't forget about Verve's contest! You can see it here.
2. Squirrels make me laugh for some odd reason. Don't know why. I see a squirrel, I laugh. They're just so cute.
3. How in the world did Austin get an Archivers but Dallas didn't??? Is that backwards to you? (sorry you Austinites...but there are more of us up here...)
4. Still a mosquito infestation. Anyone know how to fix that??

Gotta go cook...having a quadruple family birthday here tomorrow. Have fun!

New 'Do!

Ok, here you are, you demanding little things, you!
Are you happy? I have little to no makeup on, but my hair was fixed (ish) and I had on clothes. So I figured 2 out of 3 wasn't bad. I'll change my main pic when I get a GOOD pic of me with lipstick on. :D

Hope you like it!

Random Thoughts

I started to type some really fun random musings the other day and I lost them by accident. So here's a whole post of them, just cause I thought it would be fun.

1. I am in love with the new Christmas Basic Grey papers...and they have stamps TOO!!
2. I got a great new hair cut...think Victoria Beckham.
3. I cannot WAIT for Papertrey's new release.
4. If you have multiple personalities, can you ride in the HOV lane? Something I was wondering the other day whilst sitting in traffic, NOT in the HOV lane.
5. Ribbon is just so much fun. I think it's my favorite part of this hobby.
6. I think there's a mosquito plague at my house. Seriously.
7. Why do all but 2 of the above thoughts start with the word "I" ???
8. Does that mean I'm too self centered??

Thursday Throwdown card...on Tuesday!

FINALLY! I've been so behind in blog challenges, and finally got a chance to do something for Colleen's Thursday Throwdown, which was to make a holiday card. Fun!

I borrowed some sets from some AWESOME local SCS'ers / Stampin Up demos to make samples for Christmas cards...and this one I just love. I used the Wanted set (thanks Christy!!!) which I now REALLY MUST OWN, and retired Snowflakes (thanks Chris!!) that I just recently sold on Ebay. lol

I based my design on my card here in case it looks familiar to you. I wish I had the snowflake embossing folder for my Cuttlebug, but I digress. I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

The card base is Papertrey White Stampers Select cardstock with a Real Red panel embossed with the D'Vine Swirls CB embossing folder. I rubbed my Palette Hybrid Noir inkpad on the edges to make them stand out a bit.

How yummy is that image from the Wanted set?? Using my Real Red & Old Olive Stampin Write Markers, I colored the image, huffed, and then stamped in the corner. I then masked it and stamped the tiny snowflakes from the Snowflakes set in Soft Sky. The last step was to stamp the Merry Christmas (from All Holidays). I wanted the black to be really rich when I embossed it, so I stamped first in Versamark, then in Palette Hybrid Noir, and then on my Cardstock. (A little trick I learned from AmyR!) Then I embossed with my Black detail EP. I then rounded 2 corners, matted on Basic Black and Old Olive and stitched around the edges for extra OOMPH. The wide black silk ribbon (from May Arts) really polished off the look I think...I tried other colors but this one was the definite winner. Popped the main image up on Pop Dots and all finished!


Stamps: All holidays, Wanted, Snowflakes
Paper: Papertrey White, Real Red, Old Olive, Basic Black
Ink: Versamark, Palette Hybrid Noir, Soft Sky
Accessories: Real Red & Old Olive Stampin Write Markers, Corner Rounder, Black embossing powder, heat tool, Sewing Machine & Thread, Pop Dots, Cuttlebug D'Vine Swirls folder, Silk Ribbon by May Arts

Look, Julee! I found my Mojo!!

Ok, so I was just all excited that I did Julee's Mojo Monday challenge to use those "almost card pieces" laying around in your stamp room...when I remembered there was a sketch too. So I have my MO....now I gotta go get my JO! lol You'll just have to love me for what I am, as forgetful as I may be.

I got this image (from the Stampin Up hostess set Vases in Vogue) in an image swap a while back. I colored it and there it sat in my sad little box of almost cards (mostly colored images), waiting to be used. Today was her day!

I needed this to be a simple card, mostly because I'm tired and it's late! I've been busy working on Christmas Card samples, so this was a nice little break.
My card base is Soft Sky, stamped with the Print Pattern background in the same ink. I tied 2 strips of ribbon (I promise it matches IRL!) across the front that I found at this amazing store a couple of weeks ago...$2.69 for 18 yards!!!! It matches the Cameo Coral marker I colored the vase with. I also used Artichoke and Rose Red (I think?) for the rest of the image. The black matting makes it stand out a bit I think, and the rounded corners finished it off nicely. I finally got to use my A Muse sentiment...I've had it forever and thought it was perfect for this card.

Ok, so I broke the rules, but I hope you enjoyed my MO...
Have a happy Tuesday!


Stamps: Vases In Vogue, A Muse sentiment, Print Pattern
Paper: Soft Sky, Whisper White, Basic Black
Ink: Palette Hybrid Noir, Soft Sky
Accessories: Markers, Ribbon, Corner Rounder, Pop Dots

A Fun New Card!

I've been wanting to do some different folds, and decided that today was the day! I was inspired by Cambria's blog to do a Criss-Cross card...isn't it cute?! You can see Beate's tutorial here. It was amazingly easy!


I got to use some more of my yummy Gretel Paper from Verve, my sewing machine, and some really pretty cardstock that Julee sent me to play with. It's cranberry-ish color, but It's shimmery, like the pearlized white and cream!! Soooo yummy.

Here's what the inside looks like. I stamped off the flourish (from Inkadinkado) twice in Bravo Burgundy before I stamped it on the Pearlized Cream cardstock. The sentiment is from the All Holidays set, and I stamped it in Palette Hybrid Burnt Umber, stamped off, and then did a drop shadow. The little starbursts are from the Fancy Florals set. I added a tab of the Gretel paper, a couple primas, and tied a ribbon around the outside part. Fun, huh? I am feeling very accomplished.

Hope yall had a great weekend, back to work tomorrow!

Stamps: All Holidays (SU!), Flourish (Inkadinkado), Fancy Florals (Verve Visual)
Ink: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Bravo Burgundy, Palette Hybrid Burnt Umber
Cardstock: Pearlized Cardstock (Cream & Cranberry), Chocolate Chip, Gretel Double sided paper from Cosmo Cricket
Accessories: Sewing Machine, Thread, 5/8" Grosgrain (SU!), Stamp-a-majig, Corner Rounder, Brad (Antique Brass), Primas

Class #2 (actually, it'll be in October...)

Of all the class samples, this one was definitely my favorite. I have been wanting to make an Explosion box FOREVER, but just had never gotten around to it. What was I thinking?! It was super easy and soooo cute. I'm in love with this box.




I am jumping on to the NO MORE HOARDING bandwagon with AJ, so I got out my Enchante papers (which I've barely used!) from the Spring Mini. I've only had it since February. ;)
I used primas, Hodgepodge Hardware, and ribbon...I think I did great!

I'm going to get some rest now...I didn't get pics of my last class project yet, but I'll have something for you tomorrow! Maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to participate in at least one VSN challenge before it's over. It's not working out that great so far.



Have a great day!

September Class #1

This weekend I'm finishing up samples for my September/October classes. I'm rolling out 3, and as each one passes, I'll be introducing a new one. They will start to gear towards gifts for the holidays, and other helpful and fun projects!

This first one is a giant Clothespin, which I've decorated with designer paper and ribbon. I added some rhinestones and a chipboard initial, covered in dp and Icescicle Stickles. I stamped a scripture on the bottom from Biblical Impressions, which says "I can do all things through Christ who strenghtens me."

Tomorrow I'll be posting the other 2 class projects, so if you want times, dates, and info, let me know and I'll email you the flyer!

Have a great weekend!

Stamps: Biblical Impressions Verse
Ink: Palette Hybrid Noir
Cardstock: Notations DSP from Spring Mini (SU!)
Accessories: Ribbon (all SU!), Basic Grey chipboard monogram, Mod Podge, Craft Knife, Basic Grey file set, Stickles, Diamond Glaze

I need new lighting...

This is what happens when you can't see well in your craft room. You get a little out of control...lol

I wasn't going to post this card, but I decided what the heck. Sometimes the cards I hate are the ones yall love! So I'm throwing it out there for the world to see. Don't hit me if you hate it. Lie and tell me you love it, ok? ;)

I still am not feeling well...I now have 2 painful ear infections and bronchitis. And work is still crazy insane...so I haven't had a lot of time to stamp. And I've been working like mad trying to get samples made for the new classes I'm offering...gotta get those done by Saturday to take to my friend Kim! So I'll be busy for the next few nights.

Anyway, on to the crazy card. I made this last weekend when I decided to play with the Stampendous Bee images that AJ sent me. Love them! I colored them with Prismacolors & Odorless Mineral Spirits, distressed and sponged the tar out of them, and then for some reason decided to highlight them like MAD with my white gel pen. lol I also got fancy and rubbed some Pearlex on their wings! There's sure to be some sewing on there somewhere too. :D

I sponged another card front sized panel and stamped the sentiment from Happy Harmony on the bottom. Then I added some 5/8" Grosgrain ribbon from a swap I was in, and mounted it on my Caribbean card base. I'm still trying to get the hang of tying this ribbon...it's tricky but I'm getting there!

I hope yall are doing great...I'm excited about possibly getting to participate in VSN, hopefully I'll feel up to it. Check here for all the details, it's going to be fun!!

Carpe Diem Winners!

Ok, are you ready, folks? Drum roll, please.......

Most creative all around: Dina Kowal
All I can say about this one is WOW. I was totally speechless when Dina emailed this to me. I mean, seriously. Shut up. Amazing.

Best Layout: Mary Jo Price-Williams

I love the design of this card...may have to case it!! :D

Best Executed stamp transformation: Allison

I did NOT get that these were VASES until I read in her description. Way to be creative, girlie!

So you all need to email me your snail mail addy's so I can send your goodies!

Thanks to everyone who played my little challenge...I hope you enjoyed it! Have a great week!

See the Carpe Diem Entries!

I have no idea how to put the slideshow on here automatically, but you can see the entries by clicking the link below. Happy long weekend!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12576492@N02/show/

Another Contest!

No, it's not mine! Head over to the Verve Blog for all the info!
PLUS there's a Labor Day sale!!!!!!!!

Verve Visual Stamps - 10% off
Acrylic Blocks - 10% off
Embellishments - 10% off

And there's more stuff on the Sale page! Woo hoo!!!