Magnetic Bookmark Card!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes It Helps To Get The Yucky Stuff Out Of The Way!

I knew I had some work I needed to get done today and I was tempted to just avoid it and head straight into the craft room.  However, I resisted the urge and decided to buckle down and get the "yucky stuff" out of the way so that then I could enjoy the craft room with a clear head!  It worked!  Unfortunately, I can't show you what I just completed since I decided to try my hand at doing another submission...I'll let you know what happens!
What I can share with you is this fun magnetic bookmark card!  I sent this to one of my wonderful customers - she is a gem!  Making the bookmark is simple.  I took a piece of Regal Rose card stock and folded it over.  Then, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Two Tags Die...except that I placed the fold of the Regal Rose card stock just inside the outside line of the Tag die so that it did not cut the paper into 2 pieces - instead, the fold remained.  I used adhesive magnetic tape on the inside of the bookmark so that it can easily hold its place in a book.  I decorated both sides with various stamps and those great little rhinestone jewels.  To place it on the front of the card, I just stapled a small strip of Daffodil Delight card stock and hung the bookmark over the middle section.  I hope you like it!  I might just have to make a quick video to show you how it's done - although that might not be for another week or so...I've got some other yucky stuff to get out of the way! :)  Oooh - and Pam, if you're reading this....HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! :)

Four Ways Friday #27 - Tiny Tags Stamp Set

Welcome to another Four Ways Friday!  Today I'm using the Tiny Tags stamp set!

This stamp set is oh-so-perfect to use with the Simply Adorned jewelry!  I was inspired to make this necklace for a wonderful friend and the inspiration came from my cousin Brenda.  Brenda shared the idea with me - to make a mommy necklace - and the inspiration took off from there!  I used a few of the images and words from Tiny Tags to stamp on Very Vanilla card stock.  For the large charm I also used an embossing folder.  For the small round charms I used the Calendar Alphabet & Numbers stamp set to stamp the first initials of my friend's two children.  Here is the reverse side of the large charm...

Aren't those kids gorgeous!!!!!!  You can also see that I used the heart image from Tiny Tags on the back of the round initial charms.  I made the baubles with beads and wire and some small lobster clasps that I purchased at my local craft store.  I tied on a few pieces of chantilly ribbon and early espresso ribbon.  I love that you can change these charms out and place whatever you would like inside of them!

Here is another way to use the heart image from the Tiny Tags stamp set.  I stamped the image multiple times in Cherry Cobbler ink onto Whisper White card stock and then punched them out with my 1/2" circle punch.  I adhered them to 3/4" circles of Cherry Cobbler card stock and then used dimensionals to adhere them to the card base.  Finally, I stamped the word "love" in basic black ink.

I love to create stencils with my Big Shot!  For this card I ran a piece of card stock through the Big Shot with the Scallop Rectangle clearlit.  I then adhered this as a stencil to the card base using drafting tape (unlike masking tape, drafting tape easily lifts off of the card stock without tearing anything).  I used a sponge and sponged the stencil with Crumb Cake ink.  Then I took a few of the images from the Tiny Tags set and randomly stamped them using the same Crumb Cake ink.  I then removed the stencil and added some dazzling diamonds with my 2-way glue pen.  Finally, I stamped the dotted outline and the greeting onto Very Vanilla card stock and punched it out using the jewelry tag medium punch.  A piece of twine finishes the card.

This stamp set also provides an easy way to make simple Christmas cards!  I took a 1 1/2" circle punch and punched out a piece of card stock to use as a mask.  I placed it on the card base and then stamped the leafy image from the stamp set around the circle, multiple times and in multiple layers, using Garden Green ink.  You might choose to use different colors of green to create a different look.  I stamped the word "merry" from the set in the center of the wreath in Cherry Cobbler ink using my stamp-a-ma-jig.  I then attached a small knot of real red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon for the top of the wreath.  Finally, I added some dazzling diamonds and a bit of gold stickles to give the wreath some shimmer!  I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!  (ps  I started my new challenge today...40 sit ups and 10 push ups in the morning!  Okay...so my sit-ups may look more like crunches right now and my push ups are on my knees, but at least I've begun!!!!!  Want to join in the fun????)

Timeless Type Monogram Notes

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Allow Your Body Time To Rest

The soreness is starting to fade a bit and I can feel myself wanting to run again.  However, all that I have read suggests taking a week off of running after completing a marathon.  I think I'm just dealing with a bit of fear right now - after all of the running I am afraid that if I stop I will not start again.  I'm afraid of the old adage, "a body at rest tends to stay at rest."  I don't want to fall back into old habits and, at the same time, I want to be sure to allow my body time to rest so that I don't injure myself.  So, to try to keep my body in motion I am starting a new challenge tomorrow - and I'm starting in a realistic way.  I'm calling it my 40/10 challenge - 40 sit ups and 10 push ups every day.  I think I can do it...and maybe I'll even be able to increase the amount after a little while - we'll see.  All I know is that I'm going to do my best to keep this body in motion!
Today's card is part of a set of 8 personalized note cards that I made for a friend for her birthday.  I used the scalloped rectangle sizzlit in the Big Shot and the Timeless Type sizzlits for the monogram.  The Friends 24-7 stamp set provided that great design on the background and on the envelope.  I also used the Wonderfully Worn background stamp to add a bit more interest...along with some sponging.  I created a faux button with card stock and the 1/2" circle punch and added a bit of twine.  I hope you like it!

I Did It!!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  By Changing Yourself, You Change The World

I am home and I did it!!!!!!  (That's me with my hands up just before the start of the race).  8 months ago I decided on a goal - to run 26.2 miles on Halloween day in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.  Now, here I am, sitting in Denver (with very sore legs I might add) and I accomplished that goal!  What an amazing feeling!  To know that 8 months ago I couldn't run a block.  And to know that 2 days ago, I ran 26.2 miles and finished the race.  It really is amazing what you can do when you decide to make a change.  It's amazing that by changing yourself, you change the world.

Define Your Life - Simple Gratitude Card

This is a quick and easy card that I made to say thank you to a friend for a wonderful birthday gift :)  I began with a basic Very Vanilla card and then added some flocked paper (this is not Stampin' Up! paper - it was actually part of the gift that my friend gave me so I felt I needed to use it on her thank you card :).  I used a piece of sticky strip across the top of the flocked paper and then folded and adhered the Very Vanilla satin ribbon as I went along.  The antique brad, attached with a glue dot, adds that vintage flair.  The greeting is from Define Your Life - stamped in Early Espresso ink onto Crumb Cake card stock and then punched out with the extra large Decorative Label punch.  I sponged the edges with Early Espresso ink and then added a few floral images from the Tiny Tags stamp set (some at full strength and some at half strength).  I hope you like it!!!!!  (p.s. I arranged for this post to appear automatically before I left for the marathon...I'm hoping that by the time you read this I will have made it to the finish line and will be on my way home, back to the craft room!).

Altered CD

Four Ways Friday will return next Friday!  Today I've decided to share an altered CD with you instead - I hope you don't mind :)  I love that you can turn an old disc into something spectacular with a bit of adhesive, paper and ink!

This is one side of the CD.  I used Mod Podge to adhere the Garden Gala designer paper to the disc and then used a gold leaf marker to add a touch of gold around the edge.  The letters are from various alphabet and regular stamp sets and one word was cut out of a book :)  I hope you notice the little butterflies!  I used the butterfly embosslit with vellum card stock and then sponged them with classic ink and let them dry.  A bit of glass glitter creates their bodies :)  Did you know that your Crop-a-dile can cut through a CD like butter?!  What a great way to make this altered CD into an ornament.  Here is the reverse side:

I die cut the letters using the Timeless Type dies and added a bit of embossing with the floral image from Eastern Blooms.  Define Your Life provided the wonderful definition of "create."  I added more vellum butterflies and the wonderful basic pearls jewels!  I hope you like it!  Now go get an old CD that you would normally discard and see what you can do!  I would love to see your creations!!!!!  PS...I'm off to run the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC...wish me luck!!!!!! :)

Lovely As A Tree Acrylic Block Stamping

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Count On Your Preparedness!

It's hard to believe that my 8-month journey is about to reach it's pinnacle!  The Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC is something I have been training for for the past 8 months.  It's even harder for me to believe that 8 months ago I couldn't even run a block, let alone a mile...or 26.2!  I have now done what I can to be in shape to make it the full 26.2 miles on Sunday.  Now I just need to maintain my confidence!!!!!  If you find yourself needing something to do on Sunday, feel free to send a bit of positive energy my way! :)
I wanted to share another acrylic block stamping card with you.  For this one I used the size D acrylic block with an image from Lovely As A Tree and the greeting from the Curly Cute stamp set.  A touch of dazzling diamonds on the leaves finishes the look.  I hope you like it!

Card Play #14 - Apple Blossoms Acrylic Block Stamping Video!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Life Works In Mysterious Ways!

I had a number of things to do for work today and, I have to admit, I really wanted to spend time in the craft room!  And I guess the Universe heard my cry since one of my work calls was moved to tomorrow...so off into the craft room I went!  Life works in mysterious ways sometimes - and I love it when it's both mysterious and wonderful!!!! :)
I am loving stamping with my acrylic blocks!  It's like getting a new toy to play with!  Here's another video of a very simple and elegant card that will take you no time to make!  Enjoy!

Card Play #13 - Acrylic Block Stamping Video!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Creativity Relieves Stress!

I'm no doctor and no, I don't have any scientific research that I have collected to support this claim (although I have a feeling that data is out there)...what I do have is personal experience and I am here to tell you, creativity relieves stress!!!!!  I had a stressful call for work the other day and when I hung up the phone I immediately knew that I needed a timeout in the craft room!  And, it worked!!!!  I was able to lose myself in the process of creativity and I walked out of the craft room a changed woman!!!!!  So, when you find yourself stressed out, give yourself a creativity time out!  It's wonderful medicine!!!!

Today I wanted to share more acrylic block stamping with you.  Here's a video on how I created this card.  Enjoy!

Acrylic Block Stamping

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Shop With A Friend!

You may find this strange, but I'm really not a fan of shopping...except, of course, in craft stores!  When it comes to shopping for clothes or shoes my enthusiasm goes right out the door.  That all changed yesterday!  I went shopping with a friend and it made the whole experience fun!  I loved having someone with me who would tell me her honest opinion and also just bring me stuff to try on so I didn't have to keep getting dressed and heading out of the dressing room over and over!  If you're like me and find clothes shopping to be a drag, try heading out with a friend.  It may totally change your perspective!!!!

Did you know that you can apply ink directly to your acrylic blocks and then stamp onto card stock with them?  You get a wonderful rectangle that you can then stamp on or embellish with punched out pieces!  I began with Pink Pirouette on Whisper White card stock and stamped the acrylic block 3 times.  I used post-it notes to mask the edges and stamped the floral image in Basic Gray.  Next came the big hearts and finally the punched hearts coated with Crystal Effects.  I hope you like it!

Fifth Avenue Floral & Copics

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Color (Inside or Outside of the Lines)!

I received some Copic sketch markers for my birthday yesterday and decided I needed to give them a try!  I haven't had this much fun coloring since I was little!!!!!  I stamped this flower image from Fifth Avenue Floral multiple times onto Whisper White card stock using Staz-on Jet Black ink.  I then colored to my heart's content :)  These colors are so vibrant and fun to play with - I'm already thinking about what colors I want next :)  I am looking forward to actually learning how to use the markers and, at the same time, just taking out the markers and coloring without having a clue, was a lot of fun too!  I added a bit of dazzling diamonds to the center of the flowers using my 2-way glue pen.  The greeting is from Curly Cute, stamped with Basic Black ink.  I mounted the floral panel onto Poppy Parade card stock and then onto a Whisper White card base.  I hope you like it!  What can you color today?

YIIIIPPPPPPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I am sooooo excited!!!!!!!  I just received an amazing birthday gift!  I was just contacted by Paper Crafts Magazine and they have accepted one of my projects to be published!!!!!!  YIIIIPPPPPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!  And how crazy is this....this was my first attempt to be published and magic happened!  So that means you have no excuse!  If you've ever wanted to be published, don't wait for the perfect project or a time when you feel like you "deserve" to be published...just give it a shot!!!!!  You never know what might happen!!!!!!  Check out the Paper Crafts magazine website to see the most recent call for submissions!  (click on "magazine" and "reader submissions").  Go for it!!!!!

Life Happens. Love Helps!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Celebrate Your Birth :)

Yup!  Today is my birthday!!!!!  I am very grateful to be here on this incredible journey called life.  I am also grateful that while life is happening, love is helping me right along.  I am so appreciative for all of the love in my life!!!!!!  I also appreciate the love I feel toward creativity!  Today's background was made during the same "trance" as yesterday's :)  Step by step, layer of ink after layer of ink...and of course some shimmery spritz!  Today, celebrate how significant you are - how unique, beautiful and wonderful you are!!!!!!

Can't Even Explain It Background!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Create Something That Inspires You!

I can't even explain how I made this background!  It could be that I was abducted by aliens or put into a trance and hours later this is what emerged! :)  No matter how it came about, what I can say is that it inspires me!  Rather than make a card I chose to make a small sign that I can frame and put up in the craft room - a reminder to create art everyday - whether that is in the craft room, in the kitchen, during the work day.  Look for opportunities to create art everyday and don't forget to create something that inspires you!

Tempting Turquoise Birthday!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Set A Goal And Take Some Action!

Today I'm reflecting a lot on what a goal can do for you...and, even more importantly, what taking action toward that goal can do for you.  I sit here having run 13 miles today - now what I consider a "short" run - as the countdown for my marathon experience begins to wind down.  It is hard to believe that back in March I couldn't even run a block!  It is also such a gorgeous time to run here in Denver - the air is cool in the morning and the trees are displaying their stunning array of colors...just perfect!  Talk about a natural high!!!!!  I also made some progress this weekend on doing some organizing in my craft room and office space.  I still have a ways to go, but I took some action in the direction of my goal and it feels so much better to be moving forward than to be standing still complaining about the mess!  I was beginning to worry that I was going to end up on that show Hoarders!  (Okay, maybe my mess isn't that bad, but internally it was beginning to feel that bad).  So, set a goal and take some action...you will be amazed at how good it will make you feel!

I love Tempting Turquoise!  What a cheerful color!  I used a retired jumbo roller with Tempting Turquoise ink for the bottom of the card and then the little gift stamp from Family Accessories, stamped in Pacific Point ink, to create the background.  Of course, I had to add a dash of dazzling diamonds for some sparkle ;)  A strip of Daffodil Delight run through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dot embossing folder, along with a piece of retired Rich Razzleberry ribbon (can you tell I'm trying to give some of my retired stuff some love?!) were attached to the card front.  Finally, I stamped the birthday greeting from Afterthoughts (hostess set) with Tempting Turquoise and then layered it onto Daffodil Delight, Rich Razzleberry and Pacific Point card stock.  Simple and easy!  I hope you like it!

Four Ways Friday #26 - Ornate Blossom

Thanks for stopping by for another Four Ways Friday!  Today I'm focusing on the Ornate Blossom stamp!

This bold stamp is great for the kissing technique!  For this first 3x3 card, I inked up the stamp with Bravo Burgundy ink and then pressed the En Francais background stamp against the inked stamp.  This is the "kiss."  Then I stamped the Ornate Blossom image onto Very Vanilla card stock.  You can see how the words removed some of the ink on the blossom.  I then stamped the En Francais background stamp at half strength over the card stock and image.  The tag was made from the Tiny Tag stamp set and Jewelry Tag Medium punch.

This bold stamp is also wonderful for creating backgrounds!  I inked up the image with Bashful Blue ink and stamped it multiple times onto Very Vanilla card stock.  I then inked up the image with Marina Mist ink and stamped again over the card stock...multiple times!  I stamped the greeting from the Curly Cute stamp set onto Marina Mist card stock with VersaMark ink and then heat embossed with silver embossing powder.  I used the Scallop Edge Border punch to add the scallops and mounted the piece onto a piece of Bashful Blue card stock.  Some Circle Ice rhinestone brads finish the look.

For this tag I stamped the image in Pretty In Pink ink onto Whisper White card stock cut into a tag shape.  I then created a mask and covered the Ornate Blossom image and stamped the tag with the Bella Toile background stamp in Night of Navy ink at 1/3 strength (you can see the faint image in the background).  I then masked the bottom of the tag and stamped the Bella Toile image again at full strength using Night of Navy ink.  I also used the spritzer tool to spray the full tag with Night of Navy ink.  I stamped the "thankful for..." from the Thankful For stamp set in Night of Navy and then the letters to make the word "you" from the Lovely Letters stamp set.  Dazzling diamonds, applied with 2-way glue, on the letters and part of the Bella Toile image give the tag a bit of glitz.  I tied Pretty In Pink satin ribbon around the tag and then mounted the tag onto Night of Navy card stock.  Finally, I thread a piece of Pretty in Pink satin ribbon through the hole of the tag.

Okay, I've gotta admit, this last 3x3 card is a bit of a hot mess! :)  I began by inking up the image with my markers (Garden Green, Not Quite Navy and Always Artichoke).  I then sprayed the ink on the stamp with water and stamped onto watercolor paper.  Of course, I couldn't leave well enough alone!  I adhered glitter using Crystal Effects - first the aqua...then the olive...then added some pearl jewels.  And, not to be outdone in the glitter department, I made a faux button by layering 5 1/2" circle punched pieces of Not Quite Navy card stock and then covering them with aqua glitter!  The greeting is from the Curly Cute stamp set and was stamped by coloring the same three colors used on the main image onto the stamp and then stamping onto watercolor paper.  Next time I may just stop with the watercolor stamping and leave the glitter on the shelf :)
Thanks for joining me for this week's Four Ways Friday!  I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Where's Michelle?

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Some Days You Need A Break :)

Thanks for stopping by!  I don't have a project/picture for you yet today...and, there's a chance that I will skip today and focus on Four Ways Friday for tomorrow.  Some days you need to take a bit of a break.  And, if truth be told, I spent time in the craft room last night making a bunch of paper rosettes and no finished project! :)  A glue gun is a girl's best friend :)  I figured you didn't need to see a pile of paper rosettes :)  Hope to see you tomorrow!!!!!!

Peace Ornament...Getting Bigger!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Stick With It!

I have never had so much fun with a glue gun!!!!!!  I decided to stick with these ornaments for awhile and I am having the best time!  You definitely need to give it a try!  For this one I decided to go bigger and used the scallop circle die with some regular chipboard.  I covered it with Confetti card stock and then went embellishment crazy (I need to take a better picture when the light is better...I just couldn't wait to get this posted!).  I added rhinestone brads and some snowflakes using the Northern Frost decorative strip die in the Big Shot.  I have a feeling you'll be seeing a few more of these in the next few days :)  A girl can't part with her glue gun too quickly!  I'm sticking with it!!!!

Waffle Paper and Glass Glitter Ornament Video!

I decided to go ahead and make a video to show you how I made the ornament that I posted yesterday.  I had to make it in 2 parts since there was so much to share!  I hope you like it!  Let me know if you have any questions!

Waffle Paper and Glass Glitter Ornament

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Clean Out Your Sock Drawer :)

This may sound very strange...I have been so preoccupied with my sock drawer for weeks!  Opening that drawer was like walking into a room full of snakes!  All these socks - matched, mismatched, holes, threadbare...Quite pathetic!  This morning I decided I had had enough!  I scooped out every last sock and began the sorting process - garbage, donate, where the heck is the other one?, perfect pairs.  Back they went into the drawer - like couples - perfectly matched :)  There are still a few that are waiting for the sock fairy to arrive...I know those matches have to be somewhere! :)

I decided to play more with making ornaments.  My new favorite thing to do is make these paper rosettes!  I need to make a video so that I can share how I've been making them.  I admit that I needed the glue gun to help me keep them together :)  I am also LOVING this glass glitter - it has the perfect amount of sparkle and charm.  An antique brad and pearl jewel add a bit more of a vintage touch.  This ornament is a special gift for someone...I hope they like it :)

Four Ways Friday #25 - VersaMark Ink!

For today's Four Ways Friday I decided to focus on using VersaMark ink (both the stamp pad and the marker).

This first card uses the VersaMark marker!  I used the marker to hand write the words "Happy Birthday" onto Basic Black card stock and then heat embossed with white embossing powder.  The marker has 2 tips - a brush tip and a marker tip and this writing was done with the marker tip.  I made a chalkboard with the Basic Black card stock by mounting it onto a piece of Crumb Cake card stock and then adding a ledge of Brushed Silver card stock for the paper-pieced eraser :)  The girl was made using the All In The Family stamp set.  I colored the stamps directly with a marker in order to create a head back (I drew in some extra hair and made sure to not stamp the face) and the back of the dress (I didn't stamped the buttons on the dress).  I love being able to use the VersaMarker for writing whatever greeting or doodles you like!

VersaMark ink is also great for creating a watermark look.  It can be an economical way to create all different colors since whatever color card stock you stamp VersaMark on, it will dry to be a shade darker than the color of the card stock it is stamped on.  Here, I just stamped the whale from Fox & Friends using VersaMark onto a piece of Pacific Point card stock.  The letters were made using the Serif Essentials and Timeless Type dies in the Big Shot.  I also ran the letters for "boy" through the Big Shot with the Square Lattice embossing folder and sponged with Chocolate Chip ink.  So cute and so easy!

I did an emboss resist technique for this card.  I started with a piece of Whisper White card stock and stamped the large image from Notably Ornate onto the card stock using VersaMark ink.  Then I heat embossed with white embossing powder.  Next, I ran the Vintage wheel over the card stock and embossed image in Baja Breeze ink.  Then, the sponging began!  Perfect Plum, Concord Crush, Pink Pirouette, and Baja Breeze - until I liked the look :)  Then I stamped the bird from Notably Ornate with VersaMark and heat embossed with silver embossing powder.  Finally, I sprayed this panel with a mix of champagne shimmer paint and alcohol in a spray mister.  The greeting border is from Notably Ornate and the greeting from Whimsical Words (retired) - the greeting was stamped in VersaMark and heat embossed with silver embossing powder.  I also rolled the Vintage wheel on the piece of Marina Mist card stock and then punched it using the Eyelet Border punch.  The En Francais background stamp was inked with VersaMark and stamped onto both the Concord Crush and the Perfect Plum card stock (difficult to see in the photo).

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the poppin' pastels technique!  I covered a coaster with Very Vanilla card stock and then stamped it using VersaMark with the En Francais background stamp.  I then took out my pastels and pounced both Pretty In Pink and Perfect Plum pastels onto the VersaMark image using sponge daubers.  I did them same with the Medallion background stamp on a piece of Very Vanilla card stock.  Did I mention I love this technique?! :)  I ran the coaster through the Big Shot with the Scallops #2 die.  I punched the Medallion stamped image with the large scallop circle punch - it's a great size!  Then, I used Tombo mono multi glue to add champagne glass glitter around the edges of both scalloped circles.  Silver waffle paper was scrunched and adhered to the smaller scalloped circle using Sticky Strip.  I then used VersaMark to stamp the greeting from the gorgeous Peaceful Season hostess set and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  I added some pieces of chantilly lace and then adhered the smaller scallop to the larger scallop using dimensionals.  Finally, I used my crop-a-dile to add an eyelet and ran lace ribbon through so that I can hang this beautiful ornament!

Thanks for stopping by for this week's Four Ways Friday!  Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Decorative Label Punch & Baroque Motifs Thanks

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Play With Your Scraps!

This piece of punched Crumb Cake card stock was unearthed from the pile on the craft table the other day and it definitely spoke to me!  I decided the extra-large Decorative Label punch makes a great window for greetings!  I stamped the greeting from the Afterthoughts hostess set, with Versamark ink, onto Bravo Burgundy card stock and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  The Crumb Cake window was sprayed with a mix of alcohol and champagne shimmer mist paint (a great alternative for smooch spritz - it is incredibly economical and can make tons!).  I used dimensionals to pop up the window and then added some Bravo Burgundy 5/8" ribbon.  The flower was made by punching brushed gold card stock and Bravo Burgundy card stock with the Boho Blossoms punch.  I layered 3 of the gold flowers and glued them together and then added the burgundy flower with a dimensional and topped it with a pearl jewel.  Stamping the flourish image from the Baroque Motifs stamp set providing the perfect background for this unique window!  I hope you like it!  What scraps do you have lying around????

Sense Of Time...Crazy Background!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Get A Little Crazy With Your Stamping Supplies!

Getting a little crazy with your stamping supplies is FUN....and, you may even like the outcome!  This background is a great example.  I began with a piece of Cherry Cobbler card stock and decided to open my Concord Crush ink pad and do some direct to paper while dragging and curving the ink pad.  Then came the Sense of Time stamp set - the gears and the clock (there is a stamped clock under the Very Vanilla clock).  Then came the crumple, crumple, mush, mush of the card stock and all of the crinkle lines were calling out to me..."Please!  Put some Champagne Shimmer Mist paint on us!"  So, I obliged - a bit on a sponge and then rubbed across the card stock lightly to catch the peaks of the crumbled creases.  Then came the stamped clock and greeting onto Very Vanilla card stock...and, of course, some sponging.  Finally, that gorgeous antique brads...yes, I'm going to have to order more since I'm using them like crazy!!!!!  The color combination came from the new color coach - I never would have put these colors together (Baja Breeze, So Saffron and Cherry Cobbler) and I really like how they look together!  I hope you like it!  Now go into your craft space and get crazy with your stamping supplies...or, you can shop HERE now for those amazing antique brads :)

Glass Glitter and Antique Brads!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Today Is The Perfect Day To Use A Supply That You Love!

I have to admit that when I received this glass glitter and these amazing antique brads, my first instinct was to stash them away and save...okay, maybe a better word is "hoard"...them!  I realize, however, that when I do that, the stashed items often never see the light of day!  So today seemed like a perfect day to use a few supplies that I am crazy about!  I stamped a piece of Crumb Cake card stock with a few of the images from Friends 24-7 in Crumb Cake ink (can you see the faint flower image in the background?).  I then had to spritz with some Chocolate Chip ink...yes, I'm crazy about my spritzer tool too...even if it does require a little muscle :)  The tag was made by running a piece of Sahara Sand card stock through the Big Shot with one of the Lots of Tags sizzlits.  I stamped a bit with the Crumb Cake ink and then added a bit of Early Espresso ribbon with a thin piece of Sticky Strip.  Finally - the finishing touches - Glass Glitter added with Tombo Mono Multi Glue and that amazing Antique Brad!  A bit of hemp twine and a strip of scalloped Early Espresso card stock complete the look!  I hope you like it!  Now go use a supply that you love!!!!! :)

Greetings, Earthling with Fox & Friends...Forever!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Friends Find You :)

I haven't "chosen" my friends.  Friends have found me over the years - sometimes out of difficult circumstances; sometimes through kind or funny words; sometimes just because we were in the same place at the same time and said "hello."  I truly believe that the people we are meant to meet will find us - we just need to be sure we are open to seeing them when they arrive!

Today's card was inspired by a Crate and Barrel catalog I received that had an insert for their line for children called The Land of Nod.  You can see part of the insert in the foreground of the photo - I loved the green streaked with pink :)  This motley crew seemed like the perfect set of friends :)  I started with a piece of Pear Pizzazz card stock and then used my Melon Mambo ink pad, direct to paper, to create the streaks.  The "friends" were all stamped with Versamark and embossed with black embossing powder.  The greetings are from the Friends 24-7 stamp set - stamped in Early Espresso.  I made the 24-7 tag by punching out the greeting with my 3/4" circle punch and then putting a small eyelet through with my crop-a-dile.  A bit of white crochet thread finishes the look.  I hope you like it! :)

Four Ways Friday #24 - Always

Thanks for stopping by for this week's Four Ways Friday!  This week I'm using the Always stamp set.

This first card uses the small stamps in the Always stamp set.  I stamped them in various colors (Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Pacific Point, and Rich Razzleberry) and punched them out using my 1/2" circle punch.  They are all popped up on dimensionals onto a crumpled up piece of Rich Razzleberry cards stock.  I ran a piece of Tangerine Tango through the Big Shot with the Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder.  The greeting is from the hostess set Afterthoughts.  I colored the stamp using Rich Razzleberry and Pacific Point markers and punched it out using the extra-large decorative label punch.  (Finished card size is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4").

For this second card, I focused on using the heart image from the stamp set.  I stamped it in Cherry Cobbler ink onto Very Vanilla card stock.  A few rhinestone gems and some dazzling diamonds give the heart some sparkle.  I stamped the branch image in Soft Suede ink onto Very Vanilla card stock and punched it out with the heart to heart punch.  A small heart of Pear Pizzazz was also added and I coated this small heart with Crystal Effects.  I sponged and spritzed to give the panel some added interest.  The greeting was stamped in Basic Black and then again in Cherry Cobbler so that I could cut out the word "everything" and pop it up on dimensionals.  A tiny library clip, a bit of linen thread and some 1/4" Old Olive grosgrain ribbon add some more interest.  The background card was stamped with the heart image at 1/3 strength using Crumb Cake ink.

I love the look of monochrome cards!  For this simple card, I stamped the branch image at 1/3 strength onto Crumb Cake card stock using Early Espresso ink.  I also sponged and spritzed (I can't seem to stop myself!).  The bird was stamped with full-strength Early Espresso ink.  The greeting used the letters "VERY" from the "EVERYTHING" stamp - I just used my Early Espresso marker to color the letters that I wanted.  The "thankful" is from the Thankful for You stamp set (retired).  I punched the piece using the Designer Label punch and sponged the edges with Early Espresso and Basic Black.  Don't you just love that antique brad?!  I added it with a piece of Early Espresso card stock that I punched using the Modern Label punch.

This last 3x3 card began with the Very Vintage wheel rolled in Marina Mist ink onto Marina Mist card stock.  The bird was stamped in VersaMark and then embossed with silver embossing powder.  The greeting was stamped with Marina Mist ink onto Very Vanilla card stock and punched out with the Modern Label punch.  A corduroy button and some rhinestone jewels finish the look!  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope to see you again next week for another Four Ways Friday!!!!!

Four Ways Friday coming a bit later on Friday :)

Thanks for stopping by!  I just got home from a trip and I'm pooped!  I thought I would have energy to complete this week's Four Ways Friday tonight, but my body is telling me it's time for sleep :)  So, I will be back a bit later on Friday to post Four Ways Friday - please stop back by! :)

Music Notes Wheel Mini Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Live For Today

Today's card was made from my feeling of living in "the funk."  I have decided that one way to try to combat the funk (yes, I view it as the enemy that needs to be slain!) is to live for today - live in the moment - and do what I can from moment to moment to bring myself closer to where I want to be.  I don't have to tackle everything all at once.  I can chip away, little by little, at the marble that is my life and eventually I will expose the sculpture that is patiently waiting to appear.

This Music Notes wheel is such a simple way to create a gorgeous background.  I wish you could see this card in person - it is so sparkly since I sprayed it with a mixture of alcohol and champagne shimmer mist paint.  The greeting is one part of a stamp in the Sense of Time stamp set.  The image with the greeting is from the Artistic Etchings stamp set - stamped in Basic Black at 1/2 strength.  I am loving these Antique Brads.  I cut the prongs off of this brad and attached it to the card using a mini glue dot.  I hope you like it!

Lots of Tags Love Note

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes You've Gotta Let The Funk Happen...

There are times when the mess in my craft room becomes overwhelming.  And then that feeling of being overwhelmed seems to creep into other aspects of my life and I get to a point where I feel so overwhelmed that inaction seems the only option.  I call these times - "the funk!"  I seem to be finding myself in one right now - feeling like I want to clean up and clean out the closets, the craft room, my office, the garage, the laundry room...you get the picture!  It becomes all or nothing and I seem to choose nothing because all feels like a gargantuan undertaking.  So here I sit in my funk - wanting so much to take some action - yet feeling paralyzed.  Do you have any advice for how to move forward?  I find that going into the craft room - no matter how messy - gives me a moment of solace as I scrape aside everything to uncover a tiny piece of table where creating can happen.  Yet I do dream of an uncluttered space and hope that it will come soon!  Sometimes I guess you've just gotta let the funk happen...and hope it leads to action.  I'm waiting :)

I like to make little love notes to leave around the house when I travel.  For this one I took out some fun new supplies - the Lots of Tags sizzlits and the new glass glitter (isn't it gorgeous?!).  I die cut the tag and then stamped the Bella Toile background stamp onto the Very Vanilla tag at 1/2 strength with Cherry Cobbler ink.  The edges were sponged with Early Espresso and the greeting stamped with both Early Espresso and Cherry Cobbler with the Fundamental Phrases stamp set.  The Cherry Cobbler card stock was run through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  I added a touch of Early Espresso ribbon and some basic pearls.  I hope you like it!

Extreme Elements Halloween

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Notice When Your Prayers Have Been Answered

I realize that it is very easy for me to pray to the Universe for help or healing.  When a friend's dog went missing the other day, I asked the Universe to keep him safe and to bring him home.  It's fair to say that a day doesn't pass without my looking up into the sky and asking for something.  What I sometimes fail to do, though, is to stop and take notice when my prayers have been answered.  Today I paused and realized the dog was home safely and that a friend was able to come home after being away for far too long.  I need to be as open to giving thanks for the answered prayers as I am to continuing to ask for assistance.  I need to notice when miracles are occurring...and I know they are occurring every day - if I will just stop to take notice.  Maybe I would notice more if I could quiet all of my asking for a moment and look and listen at all that has been answered.

Today's card is a variation of a card I did a little while ago.  I decided to change the color palette a bit and also changed the greeting.  I love how easy it is to make a great background using the Extreme Elements stamp set!  I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot more of this set in the weeks to come :)

Owl Punch Bitty Bat Box!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes You Can Go Farther Than You Think!

Wow!  What a day I had on Sunday!  First a 20-mile run!  Then a Halloween Stamp-a-Stack!  Then dinner out with friends!  Bedtime anyone?! :)  Had you asked me Saturday if I would have made it through Sunday in one piece, you would have found me very doubtful!  I wasn't feeling great and was considering skipping my run.  I was also prepping like a wild woman for the stamp-a-stack!  And now, here I sit, after making it through and I am truly amazed.  Sometimes you really can go farther than you think!  You just need to make the decision to begin!

This was one of the projects for the Halloween stamp-a-stack!  Isn't he adorable?!  The bat was made with the 2-step owl punch and 2 ovals that were punched on one side with the 1" circle punch.  The numbers are from the Timeless Type alphabet and the month from the Full Calendar stamp set.  I hope you like it....he is filled with candy after all :)

Four Ways Friday #23 - Texturz Plates (Harlequin)

Hi!  Welcome to this week's Four Ways Friday!  Today I'm focusing on the Harlequin Texturz Plate (part of the Backgrounds 1 set of Texturz Plates).

For this first 3x3 card, I applied Rose Red ink directly to the texturz plate using my ink pad.  I then sprayed the plate with water and placed a piece of watercolor paper on top.  I ran the plate and paper through the Big Shot (with the silicone rubber pad and impressions pad) and this is the result!  It's difficult to see the embossed and debossed areas in the photo - this card has lots of texture!

This 3x3 card using the texturz plate in a very traditional way.  I just ran Sahara Sand card stock through the Big Shot with the plate.  When you use lighter colored card stock, it is very easy to see the great embossed effect the texturz plate gives you.  (For a deeper impression, you can add a layer of scrap card stock - sometimes referred to as a "shim" on top of the impressions plate when you run your "sandwich" through the Big Shot).

This card also used the texturz plate in a traditional way.  However, instead of using card stock, I ran vellum through the Big Shot with the texturz plate.  I love the look the plate gives the vellum!

You can have a lot of fun creating your own textured designer paper with the texturz plates!  I began by stamping multiple images from the Circle Circus stamp set onto a piece of Pumpkin Pie card stock.  I then ran the card stock through the Big Shot with the Harlequin texturz plate.  Once the piece was embossed, I took my More Mustard ink pad and dragged it across the textured card stock.  If you don't push too hard, the ink pad will only ink the raised portion of the harlequin design and give you this great look!
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  Thanks for stopping by!  Have a wonderful and creative weekend!

Finally Friday Will Be Here Later Today!

Finally Friday is still sleeping...well, maybe it's me that's still sleeping and not Finally Friday :)  Either way, Finally Friday and I will be back a bit later today.  Please stop back by :)  Thanks for visiting!

Die Cutting Your Fun Foam - Simple Alphabet

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Capture Those Waking Thoughts!

As I begin to come back into awareness in the morning, my mind seems to flood with all kinds of thoughts and ideas.  If I don't take note of them - either by repeating them in my mind or writing them down on a piece of paper - I can lose them.  So I do my best to try to capture the thoughts and create them if they are art related.  What thoughts float through your mind when you are awakening?  How can you make some of those thoughts realities - especially those that encourage you to create?

Today's idea, of die cutting felt and fun foam, came to me in these waking thoughts.  I tried out the fun foam first :)  I used the Simple Alphabet dies in the Big Shot to cut out the letters and the cute flower and then adhered them to the Whisper White card stock using Tombo Mono Multi Adhesive (that is sticky stuff!).  The finished card size is 3" x 3" and I love all of that dimension!  So simple with high impact! :)  I hope you like it!

Timeless Type Love Card!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Some Things Influence Us In Interesting Ways!

Yes - it's obvious...I was typing way too much today and all of that typing followed me into the craft room!  I had no idea when I walked into the sanctuary of the craft room that my mind would still be thinking email addresses and websites!  And no, I have no idea if this is an actual email address (and please don't try it to find out - I don't want to make anyone mad or have us directing spam in someone's direction...or back in your direction! :)  Some things really can influence us in interesting ways!

This card was so simple to put together!  I love that you can spell anything with the Timeless Type Sizzlits and your Big Shot!  It took me a long time to buy this sizzlit set and I am so glad that I did!  I added an adorable retired brad from last Valentine's day.  I also used my 3/4" circle punch to create the scallops down the side of the card.  The finished card size is 4 3/4" x 4 3/4."  I hope you like it! :)

Cute by The Inch Thank U

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Helping A Friend Can Make You Forget Your Own Worries For Awhile!

Monday was a yucky migraine day :(  I went for a run and it was hot and my head decided to complain in the form of a migraine headache :(  As I type this I am feeling better and hoping to feel 100% soon!  When my headache began I received a call from a close friend who is trying to figure out making changes in her life.  As I put my energy toward listening to her and trying to help her, I forgot about my head for awhile.  I thanked her for calling me since it helped me connect with her and disconnect from my aching head!  It's nice when helping a friend can make you forget your own worries for awhile!

Today's card was so simple!  I stamped the image from Cute By The Inch in Basic Black ink onto multiple colors of card stock and then punched them out using a 1" square punch.  I popped up all the squares with dimensionals and used dazzling diamonds to highlight the "U" in the middle.  I hope you like it!

Greetings, Earthling! Birthday Card!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Even After You Stop Drinking It, The Process Of That Wine Hasn't Stopped

This sentence, spoken by my friend Dr. David Sanders, really struck me today.  I know it is out of context and, yet, I am hopeful, it will strike you too.  The thought that once we consume something it is not "gone."  It stays with us - alive - in some way - like the wine we have tasted.  It stays with you - in your body; in the experience.  Oh how true of so many things in life.  That even though you click to the next website; begin the next book; move on to the next art project - none of these experiences are "done."  Rather, they become a part of you and continue to live and influence you, and others, in so many (sometimes unconscious) ways.  As I consider this, I realize that some things I "put into" my body, may not be things I want to have continue living inside of me and influencing me.  I feel this way, a lot, about news.  I have a terrible habit of clicking on websites that broadcast news, only to click away feeling down about something I read.  That negative energy then lives within me.  And for as much as I can tell - it doesn't seem to be doing me any good.  As you consider the choices you make - even with things as simple as visiting a website - recognize that whatever you encounter will continue to live inside of you.  Maybe this realization will impact our choices on what we decide to allow in :)

We had dinner with friends tonight to celebrate a dear friend's birthday.  For some reason aliens came to mind :)  Probably because this friend is out of this world! :)  I used the greeting from the Afterthoughts hostess set (I'm loving these stamps!) and the alien from Greetings, Earthling!  It's hard to tell in the photo, but this little guy is covered in dazzling diamonds! :)  I only had about 5 minutes to make the card (poor planning on my part!) and yet, even in 5 minutes, it's amazing what you can make!  I hope you like it! :)