Four Ways Friday #15 - Favorite Things Stamp Set

This week's Four Ways Friday focuses on the Favorite Things stamp set.

For this first card I stamped the "few of my favorite things" stamp onto Whisper White card stock with black ink.  I adhered it to Riding Hood Red card stock.  Riding Hood Red also serves as the base for this card.  I used the Spiral Border punch on a piece of Wild Wasabi card stock and added it as a layer on top of a piece of So Saffron card stock.   I stamped the journal block from the Favorite Things set onto the So Saffron card stock in So Saffron ink.  I stamped the letters "y," "o," and "u" from the Rough Type stamp set in Basic Black onto Crumb Cake (formerly Kraft) card stock and then punched the letters out with my 1/2" circle punch.  The letters were then popped up on dimensionals.  The arrow was punched using the This Way punch (retired) from Soft Suede and then popped up on dimensionals.  I coated the letters and the arrow with Crystal Effects (still one of my most favorite products!).  A piece of linen thread and a So Saffron button finish the look.

For this second card, I stamped the "For Today" stamp from the Favorite Things set onto Whisper White card stock in Rich Razzleberry.  I used an Always Artichoke marker to check the boxes and to hand write the world "always."  I adhered this to a piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock and used dimensionals to adhere it to the Whisper White card stock base.  A piece of Kraft taffeta ribbon was attached to the card using sticky strip - this enabled me to fold the ribbon back on itself in order to create the ruffle.  A button was threaded with linen thread and attached to the ribbon using a mini glue dot.  The "i love" was taken from a stamp in the Things I Love stamp set and stamped onto the card using Always Artichoke ink from a marker.  The letters for the word "you" were made using the Simple Letters alphabet in the Big Shot with Always Artichoke card stock.  Of course, I had to coat the letters with Crystal Effects :)  The hearts were added using the Heart to Heart punch with Rich Razzleberry card stock.

This set lends itself really well for use in scrapbooking!  Here I created a small 6x6 scrapbook page that is just waiting for the perfect picture!  The greeting was stamped in Rich Razzleberry onto Whisper White card stock and then mounted onto layers of Rich Razzleberry and Old Olive card stock.  A piece of Rich Razzleberry card stock was run through the Big Shot with the Scallop square die and then adhered behind a piece of Tangerine Tango card stock to create the frame for the photo.  A loop of striped Old Olive ribbon was added before adhering the element to the page.  Finally, the modern label stamp was stamped onto Whisper White using Tempting Turqoise ink, punched out using the Modern Label punch, and then adhered to the page using small silver brads.  The page itself is a piece of textured Tempting Turquoise card stock.

For this final project, I decided to make a small book where I can record a few of my favorite things!  I stamped the journal block image multiple times onto both So Saffron card stock and Wild Wasabi card stock.  I used Rich Razzleberry ink on the So Saffron card stock and Wild Wasabi ink on the Wild Wasabi card stock.  I cut the journal blocks out by hand and then punched arrows using the My Way punch out of Rose Red card stock.  You can't see the arrows in these photos - however, I did adhere an arrow to each of the pages in the upper left-hand corner - exactly over the arrow image that is a part of the stamp.  The front and back cover were cut from Rose Red card stock.  The front cover was sprayed with a mixture of shimmer paint and alcohol (this is a great and economical way to create your own Smooch Spritz - it lasts a long time!).  I then adhered a piece of striped Old Olive ribbon.  The "favorite things" stamp was colored using Rose Red and Wild Wasabi markers and then stamped onto Whisper White card stock and adhered to layers of Wild Wasabi and So Saffron card stock.  This piece was then adhered to the front of the book using dimensionals.  A button with a piece of linen thread was added using a mini glue dot.  The corners of the covers were rounded and then the crop-a-dile was used to punch a hole through the covers and the inside pages.  A 1" ring was placed through the holes to attach the book together and pieces of Rose Red and Whisper White 1/4" grosgrain ribbon were tied around the ring to complete the look.  If you don't have your Favorite Things stamp set yet, please feel free to shop HERE now!  See you next week for another Four Ways Friday - thanks for stopping by!

Post Card Stamping - Bugs & Kisses!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Learn About Other People's Lives - They Just Might Inspire You!

This past weekend we watched the movie Temple Grandin.  It is a true story about a woman with autism who overcomes obstacles to pursue her passion of helping animals.  It was amazing!  I love the message that Ms. Grandin kept repeating - "Nature can be cruel.  We don't have to be."  Temple Grandin continues to dedicate her life to trying to improve the well-being of animals - particularly cattle - even in places like slaughter houses and feed lots.  I was incredibly moved by her determination and the difference she is making.  It inspires me to consider how I can make a difference in my world - whether on a small scale or a grand scale.  Who have you met or read about lately who inspires you?  How might your story inspire someone else?

Today's post card also began with a Crumb Cake postcard and I used two rectangle masks for the "to" and "from" boxes.  I sponged the card with Soft Suede ink.  The ants and bugs and greeting were stamped in a variety of colors - Wild Wasabi, Pacific Point, Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, and Old Olive.  Of course, I had to add some 2-way glue and Dazzling Diamonds to give my worm some glitz!  I hope you like it! :)

Post Card Stamping - Friends 24/7

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It's OK To Go Into Your Cave...As Long As You Come Out For Air Every Once In Awhile

I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to withdraw when I am going through difficult times.  I don't feel like socializing and I don't even feel like reaching out to friends.  For whatever reason, I find it easier to just be on my own and try to make it through my downer moods.  I've come to learn that going into my cave is ok...as long as I do come out for air...or a chat with a friend, every once in awhile.  If I don't come out for air I know that I can spend too much time in my cave.  Too much time feeling sorry for myself.  I can get trapped in negative thinking.  If I allow myself to reach out to a friend or family member it seems that they always have something positive to say - something that touches me and breaks me out of my downer mood.  So allow yourself to go into your cave if you need to...just remember that we all need a little air :)

This is the second post card in my series for my nieces.  I started with Crumb Cake card stock again and sprayed it with my shimmer paint/alcohol mixture to make it sparkle!  The bird was stamped in Rich Razzleberry and the decorative image was stamped in Baja Breeze.  The greeting was stamped with Chocolate Chip.  I even added a bit of sponging around the masked areas (I can't seem to remember which green color I used) to make the masked areas stand out a bit.  I hope you like it!  Postcards are such a quick and easy way to reach out to someone!

Post Card Stamping - Punched Posies

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  There Are Some Things You Are Just Meant To Do

What a crazy Sunday we had!  The neighbor's dogs got out and saw our cat in the driveway and decided to come running after her.  The poor thing was panicked!  She did what she knew to do (although I had never seen her do it).  She ran for the closest tree and started climbing!  Of course, the closest tree was a huge evergreen that doesn't have any branches until about 30 feet off the ground!  So, up went my gorgeous cat and I was a MESS!  I admit it - I called 911 and said something to the effect of "Two dogs just chased my cat up a tree will the fire department come?!"  The emergency responder quickly told me that the fire department does not do that :(  I was tempted to say something like, "But in every show I watched as a kid the fire departments helped cats out of trees!"  I bit my tongue.  Long story short, I did call animal control, which was closed, although there was someone there to talk to and she informed me that cats know what to do.  That they know how to get up into trees and they know how to get out of them - I just needed to be patient - it could take hours...or, as some internet sites indicated...it could take days!  Well, I'm glad to say it didn't take hours or days and the story has a happy ending.  She made it back out of the tree and we got through the trauma (I think she made it through better than I did).  What I did learn is that there are some things we are just meant to do.  For me it is creating.  For her, it is climbing back down out of trees :)

My nieces are in camp for the summer so I decided to stamp a series of post cards so that I can send them quick messages.  This is the first postcard.  I used Crumb Cake card stock and cut it down to allowable postcard size.  I then made two rectangular paper pieces that I temporarily adhered as masks to the front of the postcard.  I sprayed the card with my alcohol/shimmer paint mixture to make it sparkle.  Then I stamped some of the Punched Posies images with White craft ink and with Soft Suede.  I also added some hearts from the Hello Again stamp set in Rose Red.  I colored the middles of the flowers with my Rose Red marker and then added some stickles for some sparkle!  Hope you like it!

Four Ways Friday #14 - Friends Fur-Ever Stamp Set

Welcome to another Four Ways Friday!  If you've been following all week, you know that this has been a week full of Friend Fur-Ever!  Here I share four more ways to use this wonderful, whimsical stamp set!

Remember, you can stamp the same image more than once and then figure out creative ways to use the image multiple times in your layout!  Here I stamped the gift image 3 times onto Whisper White card stock and cut them out.  I then colored them with markers and added some super nova glitter with my 2-way glue pen.  The three packages were popped up onto dimensionals and adhered to the Tangerine Tango card stock.  The terrier was also stamped onto Whisper White card stock and cut out.  His collar was colored with my Pacific Point marker and then super nova aqua glitter was added for some bling!  I also colored his cute nose with my Basic Black marker.  The terrier was also popped up on a dimensionals.  The greeting from Sincere Salutations (I use this set ALL the time) was stamped directly onto the panel using my stamp-a-ma-jig and Basic Black ink.  A panel of Daffodil Delight was adhered to the Old Olive card base before attaching the Tangerine Tango panel.

Masking is another great technique to use with this type of stamp set.  For this second card, I stamped the dog onto the Whisper White panel.  Then, I stamped the same dog onto a scrap piece of paper and cut him out.  I then used temporary adhesive to adhere the mask directly over the dog on the Whisper White panel.  I then used my stamp-a-ma-jig to position and stamp the chair image so that it would appear the dog was sitting on the chair.  I removed the mask and voila!  I used my Aqua Painters to watercolor the chair with Bashful Blue and Pear Pizzazz ink.  Some dazzling diamonds was applied to the chair and the dog collar using 2-way glue.  I stamped the balloon image onto Tempting Turquoise card stock and added some dazzling diamonds to the balloon as well.  The balloon string was stamped with my stamp-a-ma-jig, once again using my mask on the dog, so that it would appear the balloon string was on the opposite side of the dog.  The balloon was popped up on dimensionals.  The white panel was adhered to an Elegant Eggplant panel and then attached to a Wild Wasabi card stock layer.  Finally, I stamped the greeting from Short & Sweet in Tempting Turquoise onto Whisper White and punched it out with the small oval punch.  Another oval was punched out of Melon Mambo card stock using the large oval punch.  I used my crop-o-dile to make holes on either side of the greeting and threaded a piece of 1/8" Marina Mist taffeta ribbon through to attach the greeting to the card.  The greeting is popped up on dimensionals.

How cute is this?! :)  Don't forget you can always create a scene on your card using card stock to create a landscape.  Here I used textured Sahara Sand card stock and adhered it to a piece of Very Vanilla card stock to create the ground and sky.  The puppy was stamped onto Whisper White and cut out.  Of course I added a bit of bling to his collar :)  The dish was also stamped onto Whisper White and cut out.  I then colored the dish with my Aqua Painters and Bashful Blue ink and then added crystal effects.  The greeting was stamped in Basic Black using my stamp-a-ma-jig.  This Very Vanilla panel was then layered onto a piece of Basic Black card stock and then onto a piece of Bashful Blue card stock.  The panel was then adhered to a Very Vanilla card base.

For this final card I created a more complex scene.  I used Crumb Cake card stock to create the ground and adhered it to a panel of More Mustard card stock.  Both puppies were stamped onto Whisper White card stock, cut out, and decorated using markers and glitter on their collars.  The chair was also stamped onto Whisper White card stock and cut out and then colored and blinged :)  I also used Crystal Effects on the chair back and seat.  The chair was adhered to the panel using Tombo Mono Multi-glue and the dog on the chair was popped up on dimensionals.  The second dog was adhered using Tombo Mono Multi-glue.  The little letter was stamped in Basic Black ink onto Regal Rose card stock and cut out.  It was popped up onto a dimensional and then covered with Crystal Effects.  The greeting is a combination of a greeting from the Friends Fur-ever stamp set and the Three Little Words stamp set.  I used a marker to color the part of the Friends Fur-ever stamp set greeting that I wanted and stamped it onto the card panel with my stamp-a-ma-jig.  I then used the stamp-a-ma-jig and Basic Black ink again to stamp the "i love you."  I mounted the panel onto a piece of Concord Crush card stock (love this color!).  I wrapped a piece of Rich Razzleberry ribbon (retired) around the card stock and made a faux ribbon.  Finally, I mounted this entire panel onto a Whisper White card base.  If, by now, you are not totally enamored with the Friends Fur-ever stamp set, I figure it must be hopeless!  I have tried my best all week to show you how AMAZING this stamp set is!  If you are convinced and still haven't purchased it, feel free to shop HERE now! :)  Thanks for stopping by!

More Mutts! Friends Fur-ever!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Get To Know Your Postman/Postwoman!

Al delivers our mail.  At least most days.  It's strange to think that for years we had our mail delivered by someone we never met and whose name we never knew.  Maybe even sad to think that we never took the time to find out.  One day our doorbell rang and the postman was making a box delivery so we opened the door and were able to meet our postman face-to-face.  That's how we learned his name is Al.  Today Al stopped by and we gave him a glass of ice water and a bit of chocolate as he handed us our mail.  This may sound like a strange train of thought...but I know I have heard that you shouldn't name a stray animal if you don't want to keep it since once you give it a name you begin to feel connected to it.  No, I'm not saying that Al is a stray!  What I am saying is that knowing someone's name makes them feel like a person to you.  Who is the person who delivers your mail?  Who is the person who picks up your garbage?  Who is the person who bags your groceries in the grocery store?  Do you know their names?  If not, maybe today is a great day to start to investigate!  It is all a part of feeling more connected as a community.

I warned you - I'm still CRAZY for this Friends Fur-ever stamp set!!!!!!  I took the cart idea one step further in this card.  I stamped the cart onto Whisper White card stock and cut it out and colored it using my Aqua Painters.  I stamped the left-hand dog directly onto the Whisper White card stock panel and used the stamp-a-ma-jig to line up the rope.  The second dog was also stamped and cut out and then popped up on the card with dimensionals.  The cart was also popped up on dimensionals.  This time both of the collars and the grass (created with my Aqua Painter and some Certainly Celery ink) needed some bling!  I used different colors of the super nova glitter and added it to the card using my 2-way glue pen.  Oooh - and I had to glitz the little bird too :)  The greeting was stamped onto Whisper White and punched out with my 3/4" circle punch.  A few additional circles (1" and 1 1/4") were used to layer the greeting.  A small piece of Old Olive satin ribbon finishes the look.  If this card and all the other cards this week have made it impossible for you to live another minute without the Friends Fur-ever stamp set, then feel free to shop HERE now!  If you're still not convinced, check back tomorrow!  Four Ways Friday is featuring this set too!!!!

More Fur For You! Friends Fur-ever!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Nothing Compares 2 U!

Do you remember the song Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O'Connor?  Lately I've been thinking about the title to the song.  I need to find my way back into that realization.  The realization that nothing compares to you - there is no one else like you.  Only you can bring your unique contribution to the world.  I need to pull myself back into this recognition every once in awhile since it can be easy to stray and start to compare yourself to everyone and everything out there and start feeling like you aren't "enough."  You are enough!  You are the only you there is!  Now go out there and shine!!!!!!  NOTHING compares to YOU!!!!!

So....are you in love with this Friends Fur-ever stamp set yet?????  It is sooo CUTE!!!!!  Here I stamped the adorable pooch onto Whisper White card stock and cut him out.  Had to add a bit of glitz to his collar by coloring it with Real Red and then topping it with some Dazzling Diamonds!  I used the stamp-a-ma-jig to get the rope and the little cart in just the right place.  I then stamped a bunch of the hearts using Basic Black ink onto various red/pink shades of card stock and cut them out.  I colored the cart using my Aqua Painters and some Baja Breeze and Basic Gray ink.  I love to cut my dimensionals into small pieces so that I can pop up smaller elements like these little cut out hearts.  Of course, I had to add Crystal Effects to the hearts :)  The greeting comes from the Loads of Love stamp set and works perfectly here.  I used my Scallop Trim Border punch on the Old Olive card stock for the bottom panel and attached it to the Whisper White panel and then attached both to a Marina Mist card base.  The 1/8" Marina Mist taffeta ribbon completes the look.  I hope you like it!  If you still haven't purchased your Friends Fur-ever stamp set, feel free to shop HERE now!

Woof! Woof! Friends Fur-ever!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Things Look Different Depending On Where They Are

We brought a painting home today and put it up on the wall.  It looked dark - darker than we had thought.  So then we moved it to another wall - a wall that had a different paint color on it.  All of a sudden the painting just "popped!"  It looked fabulous!  It just needed the right place to shine.  I think this is true of us as well.  Sometimes we find that we are stifled, dull, low on energy...because we are not in the right place for us.  When we find this to be true, we need to explore where the perfect right place for us might be.  Maybe we just need to relocate for an afternoon - or maybe it's time to relocate for a longer time.  Just know that that perfect right place exists where you will shine!

Did I mention that I'm in love with this Friends Fur-ever stamp set?! :)  For this card I stamped the frame image on a piece of Whisper White card stock.  I then stamped the same image on a scrap piece of paper and cut out the square center to create a mask.  I placed the mask over the Whisper White frame image and then stamped the little dog so that he would looked "framed."  I used my markers and a bit of Dazzling Diamonds to glitz up the frame and the dog's collar.  I then cut out the frame image and popped it up on dimensionals.  I took a piece of textured Sahara Sand card stock and stamped all over it with the bone image in VersaMark ink.  A piece of linen thread was added with a touch of Tombo Mono Multi-glue at the ends to adhere it to the card.  A brad was punched through at the top of the thread to make the picture hangar.  The greeting was stamped in Basic Black ink onto Tangerine Tango card stock and punched out with the round tab punch.  I adhered the tab onto the back of the Sahara Sand card stock and then mounted that piece onto Pacific Point card stock and a Daffodil Delight card base.  Finally I adhered the framed Westie using the dimensionals and cut out a little bone and popped that up on dimensionals as well...of course I had to coat the bone with Crystal Effects.  Are you as in love with this set as I am???  Feel free to purchase the set HERE now!

Who Let The Dogs Out! Friends Fur-ever!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Keep Your Head Down And Keep Plowing Forward!

I went for a run yesterday and ran myself right into a storm!  All of a sudden the wind kicked up and tried to knock me down!  Then the rain started to pelt me...ouch!  But I would not be deterred!  I put my head down (and took off my baseball cap since it was not wanting to stay on my head in the wind) and I kept plowing forward.  At times I wasn't making any progress since the wind was pushing right back at me.  But then the storm broke and I was able to move forward again.  Life has felt a bit like a big storm for me lately - I won't get into the details, but I've been a bit down and sulky :(  Yesterday's run was a lesson for me.  In the midst of this life storm, I need to keep my head down and keep plowing forward.  This storm too shall pass.

If you are not a fan of West Highland terriers, then this post and this whole week will not be the week for you! :)  I am CRAZY for this new Friends Fur-ever stamp set and by the time this week is done I'm convinced that you will be nuts for it too!!!!!  Not only will this week's Four Ways Friday feature this stamp set....so will every other post this week!!!!  Did I mention that I'm madly in love with this stamp set???!!!!  Here I stamped the adorable dog onto Sahara Sand card stock and cut him out.  I also stamped the brush and heart image onto Whisper White card stock and cut that out as well (you can use your sharp paper snips or a hobby knife - both make cutting very quick and easy).  Then came the super nova glitter on the collar and the heart - adhered with 2-way glue.  The word "create" was made using the rough type stamp set and a 3/4" circle punch.  Some of the letters and the adorable Westie are popped up on dimensionals.  Textured Tempting Turquoise and Sahara Sand card stock, along with a bit of Basic Black card stock, complete the look.  I hope you like it!!!!!  If you can't wait another minute to own the Friends Fur-ever stamp set, feel free to shop HERE now!

Four Ways Friday #13 - Folk Flowers Decor Stencil

This week's Four Ways Friday is all about stencils!  You might also think it's all about glitter since the cards, the craft room, and this crafter are all covered in it! :)

This first card uses the Folk Flower stencil in a very traditional way.  I placed the stencil over a Very Vanilla card base and used my sponge daubers to add Pear Pizzazz ink and then Blushing Bride ink.  I love how the colors blend when you use a sponge dauber instead of a regular sponge.  The greeting is from Short & Sweet - I colored the stamp with my markers to create the two-tone effect.  The small and medium oval punches were used to mount the greeting.  Finally, a small button with some twine for a bit of interest!

This second card uses the same stencil in another traditional way.  I placed the stencil over a piece of Whisper White card stock and then used my Basic Gray marker to follow around the outline of the stencil.  For all of these techniques it is probably best to use some drafting or masking tape to keep your stencil from moving.  I used the spritzer tool to add some Basic Gray ink to the background and used my 2-way glue pen to add the dazzling diamonds.  The main panel edges were sponged with Basic Gray ink and the bottom right-hand corner was torn and a piece of Basic Gray card stock placed underneath and torn as well.  The greeting is from the Whimsical Words stamp set (retired) and is popped up on a divided curly label punch.  The brushed silver card stock hearts finish the look!

I seem to be all about butterflies and glitter these days!  For this background, I placed a piece of Bashful Blue card stock in a cardboard box (the new Color Catcher would work great for this project as well) and placed the stencil on top of the card stock.  I then sprayed the stencil with a mixture of water, Rose Red and Elegant Eggplant ink (I had the ink leftover from another project).  I then sprayed over it again with a mixture of shimmer paint and alcohol.  I removed the stencil and let the card stock dry (ok, I admit it...I helped it dry with my heat tool :)  I mounted the background on an Early Espresso card base.  The butterfly was made using my Beautiful Butterflies die in the Big Shot.  I then used my Baroque wheel with Rich Razzleberry ink to give the butterfly a design.  Then came the 2-way glue pen with some super nova glitter (yes, it is all over me, the craft room, everything!).  A small piece of the new 1/8" taffeta ribbon in Early Espresso creates the body of the butterfly.  I punched an oval using the extra large oval punch and then stamped the greeting from Define Your Life onto Very Vanilla card stock (I once again used my markers to color the greeting to create the 2-tone effect).  I popped the greeting up on dimensionals.

I wish you could see this fourth and final card in person!  It is so hard to photograph this effect - it has a ton of texture!!!!  This card was an experiment.  I first took a piece of watercolor paper and wet it with a brush.  Then I painted it with a mixture of water and Rose Red reinker.  Then I added some Elegant Eggplant reinker to the same water and painted again.  I did this a number of times until I was happy with the color.  Then I took my stencil and placed it over the watercolor paper (after the paper had dried).  I then experimented!  I used Flexible Modeling Paste (you can purchase this at the art store) and a sponge to sponge the paste onto the stencil.  You have to wash your stencil well after this technique!  I let the paste dry and then went over the paper again with the water and ink mixture to color the paste.  I then sprayed the entire piece with shimmer paint mixed with alcohol.  In person this really looks a lot like mulberry paper or handmade paper!  The final piece I want to comment on is the ribbon.  I sprayed the white organza ribbon with the ink wash that I used on the card.  I then used my heat tool to help dry the ribbon and the greatest thing happened!  If you heat your organza ribbon, the ribbon will begin to shrink and curl - it's a wonderful effect!  I can't wait to do it again!  Just don't hold the heat tool still for too long over the ribbon - you don't want to burn your ribbon!  Enjoy!!!!

Movers & Shapers Scraps

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Creating Is Good For The Soul

I have spent most of the day on the couch, watching my cat's every move - trying to make sure she is okay and recovering comfortably.  I finally got a bit of a reprieve and was able to head into the craft room for a few minutes to make a quick card.  As always, I found that creating was good for my soul.  Whether it's a few minutes or a whole day, a little creativity is a wonderful way to nourish your soul and calm your worries!  What can you create today?

This card was made with some scraps from my movers & shapers die.  I often use the die to cut out curly labels since they are a touch bigger than the curly label punch and, therefore, create a great layer.  However, I also save the "scraps" - I knew they would come in handy :)  I stamped the image from Pocket Silhouettes using my Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz markers onto Very Vanilla card stock and then popped the "scrap" on top of it.  Behind that I used a scrap from yesterday's card - a crumpled piece of Sahara Sand card stock that was inked with some Sahara Sand using the direct to paper technique.  The greeting from Upsy Daisy was stamped using my Concord Crush and Pear Pizzazz markers and adhered to a piece of Concord Crush card stock.  Finally, a small clip with some Old Olive satin ribbon was added.  I hope you like it!  If you are loving the new In Colors as much as I am and need to have them, feel free to shop HERE now! :)

Collage Birthday - Friends 24-7

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  We All React In Our Own Ways

It has been a challenging 24 hours for me.  What I do know is that we each react to difficult situations in our own ways.  I tend to get emotional - I hold back the tears and finally they break through and the world feels like it is caving in on me.  I know others who go inside - shut down - or just need to get away.  We all have our own ways - our own coping mechanisms.  I believe we need to respect that in one another and I know that can be challenging.  Just remember, we are each trying to get through the emotional situation in the way that seems to work best for us and those ways might just be different.  I feel very grateful that I have someone to reach out to when I am feeling so small - I begin to breathe easier just at the sound of my mother's voice.  At times like these I know that all she wants is for her baby to be okay and it is in that love that I find comfort.  Thank you mom!  Thank you all for your kind thoughts and prayers for our beautiful kitty cat.  She has been recovering from her surgery and we will know more as the tests begin to come back.  For now I wish her a recovery filled with comfort and healing.

Today's card began with a gesso background.  I didn't let the paint dry, instead, while it was still wet, I rolled my Vintage wheel through the wet paint (and then washed the wheel with a toothbrush to clean up the gesso)!  After it dried I began sponging and rubbing different ink colors onto the gesso.  I then rolled the wheel again with Night of Navy ink.  A spritz of alcohol with shimmer paint was also applied (this needs to be done from a bit of a distance or the alcohol will make the ink too wet).  The scallop oval die cut was run through the polka dot embossing folder and then cut to fit the card.  The bird was colored with Old Olive, Not Quite Navy and Chocolate Chip markers and then stamped onto Very Vanilla and cut out with my hobby knife.  I added some dazzling diamonds to the bird (he looks quite sparkly in person!).  A combination of the Lovely Letter and Rough Type alphabets were used for the word "Happy" and "Birthday" was taken from a stamp in the Sincere Salutations stamp set.  For the "H" in "happy," I colored the letter with 3 different markers for a variegated look (Elegant Eggplant, Not Quite Navy and Old Olive).  I used my 1" square punch and 3/4" circle punch to punch the letters and then sponged the edges with Soft Suede.  I rubbed my Sahara Sand ink pad (direct to paper) over a crumpled piece of Sahara Sand card stock and tore the edges.  It fit nicely beneath the bird.  Finally, I added a bit of Basic Gray satin ribbon and two buttons.  I hope you like it!

Fox & Friends Mini Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Your Thoughts And Prayers Make A Difference

It's not often that I reach out and ask for a favor.  Today is one day that I will.  I would like to ask you to make a difference in my life today by keeping Willow, our beautiful cat, in your thoughts and prayers.  She is going into the vet for exploratory surgery and I would so appreciate your positive thoughts that her recovery is quick and that her illness is manageable.  I appreciate your thoughts and prayers - they will definitely make a difference during this challenging day!  Thank you.

Today's card was quick and easy - perfect when my heart and mind are so full.  I stamped the turtle from Fox & Friends in Pacific Point, Tangerine Tango, and Old Olive onto part of a die cut Whisper White circle.  I had to add a bit of glitz with some aqua glitter!  Of course, I needed to trim the ends of the circle when I adhered it to the card base.  The greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes was colored with Tangerine Tango and Old Olive markers and punched out with the Word Window punch.  I added a 1 1/4" Pacific Point circle, an Old Olive button and some linen thread and I was done!  The finished card is 3"x3".  I hope you like it!

Punch Background With Gesso

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Appreciate The Freedom That Creativity Brings!

As I reflect on this holiday weekend - a weekend where we celebrate our independence and our freedom, I realize how much freedom creativity brings.  Freedom from the day-to-day grind.  Freedom from our worries.  Freedom from time.  Creativity is an incredibly significant gift that life brings us.  To show your appreciation, don't squander the gift.  Express your appreciation by expressing your creativity!  After all, only you can bring to life the art that lives inside of you!

Hmmm, so I don't even know where to begin to try and describe the process and many, many steps that I took to make this card - particularly the background.  I'll do my best!  It began with a piece of Whisper White card stock and some butterflies punched out using my butterfly punch.  I adhered the butterflies to the background and then the craziness began.  Let's just say there is white gesso, gesso dyed with Tempting Turquoise ink, dry foam brushing of Certainly Celery and Pretty In Pink ink and  some sponging of colors like Garden Green, Rose Red and I'm sure something else :)  Ooh, and I can't forget a bit of Frost White shimmer paint on top.  And, even though you can't see it, I actually used my Friendly Words jumbo wheel on the background with Certainly Celery ink.  I used the spritzer tool too to add some Rich Razzleberry, Tempting Turquoise and Pretty In Pink ink.  Then, believe it or not, I went and took a 90 minute nap :)  Then I came back to the card and started layering and making the focal images.  I used my Beautiful Butterflies die for the large butterfly - in Bashful Blue.  Then rolled it with Tempting Turquoise ink and the Friendly Words wheel.  Sponged the edges with Rich Razzleberry and added a dash of dazzling diamonds.  Some half pearls down the middle finished the butterfly.  I used Confetti card stock for the greeting from Friends 24-7 stamped in Rich Razzleberry and outlined in cosmos fine glitter.  Finally a few buttons, some linen thread, and a strip of dotted Rich Razzleberry ribbon.  Phew!  I think I need another nap! :)  I hope you like it!  If you don't have dazzling diamonds, frost white shimmer paint, or the Beautiful Butterflies die, it might be time for you to shop HERE now! :)

100 Subscribers On YouTube!!!

I had to share my excitement with you!  I just checked my YouTube channel and I now have 100 subscribers!  YEAH!!!!!  What a wonderful milestone to reach!  Guess I need to get to work this weekend and make some more videos :)  If you want to check out my YouTube channel, just click HERE!

Four Ways Friday #12 - Because I Care Hostess Set

Happy New Catalog!!!!  In honor of the new catalog, I decided to feature the new Because I Care hostess set in this week's Four Ways Friday!  I hope you like it!

This first card uses the flower image and greeting from the stamp set in a very traditional way.  I used my cherry cobbler and old olive markers to color the stamp and then stamped onto Whisper White card stock.  I cut the image out using my hobby knife and then used a bit of 2-way glue to add some dazzling diamonds to the flower.  The background paper was made using my new gesso technique (I'm going to try to upload a video this weekend so you can see how it was made).  I stamped the Artistic Etchings image onto Sahara Sand card stock with gesso and then used a sponge and stipple brush to add some Cherry Cobbler ink (I am loving this new color!).  I also sponged the edges and gave a final spray with shimmer paint mixed with alcohol.  I then adhered the background to a Baja Breeze card and added another layer of Baja Breeze with two rounded corners for my focal image.  I popped the cut out flower onto dimensionals and stamped the greeting in Basic Gray.

For this second card, I stamped the flower image onto Whisper White card stock using Jet Black Staz-On ink.  I then cut the Whisper White card stock into 1" squares, popped those squares up, using dimensionals, onto a piece of Basic Gray card stock and then adhered it to a Whisper White card base.  I used my curly label punch to punch a piece of Basic Gray card stock.  The greeting was stamped in Basic Gray ink and comes from the In A Word stamp set in the Summer mini.  I then punched it out using my oval punch and sponged the edges with Basic Gray ink.  I popped it up on dimensionals and attached it to the curly label punch.  Finally, I stamped the small flower from the Because I Care set and punched it out using my 3/4" circle punch.  It was popped up onto 1/2 a dimensional.  A little bit of 2-way glue on both flowers, with a touch of dazzling diamonds, finishes the look.

Remember, your stamp images don't have to only live as the image itself!  Here, I stamped the flower image onto Whisper White card stock using Jet Black Staz-On ink.  I then took my Butterfly Extra Large punch and punched out 3 butterflies from the flower!  I then sponged over the butterflies with a variety of ink colors (Rich Razzleberry, Pretty In Pink, and Perfect Plum).  I stamped the greeting onto one of the butterflies, over the stamping and sponging.  The background was creating using one image from the Elements of Style stamp set, stamped in Baja Breeze.  I also used the small flower from Because I Care and stamped that at 1/2 strength with Perfect Plum.  Finally, I rolled the background with the Vintage Vogue wheel using Certainly Celery ink.  A small piece of Pear Pizazz card stock was punched with the Scallop Trim Border punch.  I scrunched the card stock in my hand to give it a distressed look and tore the right-hand side.  I then stamped a few images onto the card stock in Baja Breeze at 1/2 strength.  Finally, I sprayed the card stock with Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz (this stuff is addictive!).  I used my horizontal slot punch to punch a hole on the left-hand side of the card stock (I'm so sorry this punch has retired, although I'm sure you can make the card look the same using a small circle punch).  I thread a piece of Rich Razzleberry dotted ribbon through the hole and adhered it on the back of the card stock using snail.  I love using my craft and rubber scissors to cut the "arms" off of my rhinestone brads and then I use a glue dot to adhere them to the card.  The on board chipboard frame was sponged with Whisper White craft ink, allowed to dry, and then sponged with Baja Breeze classic ink.  I sprayed the frame with a little Vanilla Shimmer Smooch Spritz too :)  Finally, I gave the butterflies a little spray with the Smooch Spritz (I told you it is addictive!) and then attached them to the front of the card using dimensionals.

Cards aren't the only place to use your stamps!  I decided to make a small sign to put up in my house using this beautiful flower!  I covered a white chipboard coaster with Whisper White card stock and then stamped the flower image onto the card stock using Jet Black Staz-On ink.  I then colored the image in with my Pear Pizazz and Blushing Bride markers (I am loving these new In Colors!).  I then covered the flower image with Crystal Effects and sprinkled it with a bit of dazzling diamonds (another one of the addictive products!).  I stamped the greeting from Define Your Life in Pear Pizazz ink and then stamped it again in Basic Gray so that I could cut out the word "kindness" and pop it up with pieces of dimensionals.  I layered it onto Pear Pizazz card stock.  I cut a larger piece of chipboard and covered the back with Basic Gray card stock and the front with a layer of Pear Pizazz and then Basic Gray card stock.  You'll notice that I rounded all the edges.  The round the chipboard edges I used a corner rounder that is not by SU! since our corner rounder is only meant to be used on card stock.  Finally, I built an embellishment, beginning with a Basic Gray circle and adding a jumbo grommet, a small button and a pink rhinestone (I cut the prongs off of the rhinestone with my craft and rubber scissors).  This embellishment was added to the sign using dimensionals as was the greeting.  Oops - I almost forgot - before I adhered the Basic Gray card stock to the back of the sign, I adhered a piece of Certainly Celery 1/4" grosgrain ribbon using snail to the back of the sign! :)

If you'd like to purchase any of these wonderful new products...or even some of the old ones that are still around...please feel free to shop HERE now!  I appreciate your business!  Also, if you have a moment, please send some healing wishes our way.  Our beautiful cat is going through a difficult health issue right now and I know your thoughts and prayers will help all of us!  Thank you :)

The New Catalog Is Here!!!!

The new Stampin' Up! Catalog is here!!!!!  Wait 'til you see all the great new stamps, colors and accessories!!!!  Click HERE to shop now and to download a pdf of the catalog!!!!!

Sharing The Work Of Others!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Rejoice In The Creativity Of Others!

Today's card was sent to me by Sharri Alexander and I had to share it with you!!!!  (Thanks so much Sharri)!  I can't stop picking this card up and tilting it in every direction!!!!  It is coated with an amazing layer of smooch spritz and the card practically glows in my hands!  I feel so honored and such a sense of joy when others share their creativity with me - whether by sending me a handmade card, or working quietly and methodically during a workshop or stamp-a-stack.  Have you ever stopped in a park and watched an artist sketching?  Or maybe you have watched a chef cook a wonderful meal - fully involved in the masterpiece they were creating.  It could be a child building a sand castle at the beach or making a picture on the driveway with sidewalk chalk.  Or maybe it's the creative way a dog buries his bone in the yard - in the hopes that he will be the only one to find the secret hiding place.  Other creatures are expressing their creativity all around you - take notice...and rejoice! :)

I also have to share with you a few pages from the Sunny Day CD Envelope Scrapbook that Andrea Luisa Suarez made here the other day!  I am always blown away when I watch individuals take their supplies and get lost in their creative zone!  I think you'll love Andrea's take on the scrapbook!  Enjoy!

Gesso Background Paper - Artistic Etchings Sneak Peek!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Keep Going!

Part way through my run today I was having a debate in my mind of whether to stop altogether.  I felt like I was running through mud...well, I kind of was...and I was getting down about how slow my progress was.  The pull to head inside and call it a day was strong.  And, I decided not to give in.  Instead, I kept going and I am so glad that I did.  When you keep going you prove to yourself that you can move through your obstacles and make it to the other side!  When you keep pursuing something you love, you are sending a clear intention into the Universe that what you are doing matters and is worth doing.  In my experience, the Universe reacts accordingly.  So whatever it is that you are passionate about - whatever truly matters to you, Keep Going!

Today's card is a continuation of yesterday's experimenting with gesso!  This time I started with a piece of Sahara Sand card stock and used a plastic hotel key (like a credit card) to apply gesso to the card stock - it felt like I was stuccoing the card :)  Since I couldn't bare to wait for it to dry, I used my heat tool to hurry the process along :)  I sprayed the card with alcohol mixed with shimmer paint (smooch spritz will create the same effect) and then stamped the card with images from Charming and Artistic Etchings.  I stamped the images in Basic Gray at half strength.  The final touches were the Pretties Kit flowers and pearl, a greeting from Elements of Style and a bit of Hodgepodge Hardware.  I hope you like it!  Time is running out to pick up some of these great accessories that are being discontinued (like the Pretties Kit!)!  Hurry and shop HERE now!

Gesso Background Paper

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Focus For 15 Minutes

I woke up in a bad mood today.  My journal entry this morning began with the word "ARGHHH" in huge black letters!  I knew something had to change!  Part of my frustration was a bad dream.  But part of my frustration was also this growing feeling like I am the biggest scatterbrain on the planet!  Lately it feels like my thoughts jump from one to the next without a moment's notice.  My activities seem to follow that lead - I bounce around on the internet; start a task and interrupt myself a zillion times before coming back to it...you get the picture.  So today I decided I was tired of being frustrated - it was time for some action!  My action went something like this - I concluded that 15 minutes was a reasonable amount of time to require myself to focus on an activity.  So I set the timer on the stove for 15 minutes and spent 15 minutes cleaning the kitchen.  Then I set the timer for another 15 minutes and spent that time taking pictures for my instructions for my Sunny Day CD Envelope Scrapbook.  Then another 15 minutes on the clock to work on the instructions themselves.  I took it all in 15-minute chunks and I have to say I'm pleased with the results.  Maybe in a few days I can build up to 30 minutes!  Wish me luck!

I was inspired to start playing with gesso today!  The inspiration comes from a wonderful book called Collage Lab by Bee Shay.  I haven't even gotten far into the book and already she had me wanting to run into the craft room and break out the art supplies!  So, I applied gesso with a sponge to my new Artistic Etchings stamp image and stamped the gesso onto Sahara Sand card stock.  I let it dry and then sponged over the gesso with Soft Suede ink.  I then sprayed the background with a mixture of alcohol and shimmer paint.  I wish you could see this in person!  For the focal image I stamped the Eiffel Tower from Artistic Etchings onto watercolor paper and then sponged the paper with some Soft Suede ink.  I then stamped the greeting from Sincere Salutations at half strength.  Finally, I used my Soft Suede marker to color the word "thanks" and stamped onto Very Vanilla card stock and punched it out using the curly label punch.  I stamped a second Tower onto Very Vanilla card stock and used my hobby knife to cut it out and popped it up on dimensionals.  I hope you like it!  I am loving the gesso that is all over my fingers!  More gesso is definitely on the way!!!! :)