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!!!! :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  There Is Something To Be Said For Consistency

There are those restaurants that you go to because you always know that the service and food will be good, no matter when you go.  I'd like to believe that people view my blog and my workshops the same way - that as long as they show up, they will have a good time - they will enjoy what they discover.  In order for that to happen I need to be consistent - with my workshops, my posts, my creating.  The great thing about consistency is that it also pays me back!  By showing up every day at my blog, by being consistent with my visits to the craft room, by planning consistent workshops, I'm able to move forward in my creative journey.  There is something to be said for consistency!

Today's card was inspired by a pre-sleep thought :)  I wondered what it would be like to try and dry emboss the top note shape.  So, I die cut the top note from chipboard and temporarily adhered it to the back of the front of my card and ran around the edge with my embossing stylus (I rubbed was paper over the front of the card first in order to allow the stylus to move more smoothly around the edge of the top note).  I then used the "negative" from the die cut to create a mask on the front of the card and stamped the Baroque Motifs image.  I am loving Early Espresso - it is such a rich brown!  I added a tiny bit of stickles to give the card a little sparkle.  Next time I'm going to try this technique with a chipboard that is a little thinner - it was hard to keep the card stock from creasing while using such a thick chipboard.  I hope you like it!!!!

Four Ways Friday #11 - Textured Impressions Embossing Folders

Welcome to another Four Ways Friday!  My focus this week is on the textured impressions embossing folders!  There are oodles and oodles of ways to use these folders.  Here I will show you four...well, maybe five :)

For this first project I pulled out that wonderful aluminum/silver duct tape that you can buy at the home improvement store!  It is great to emboss since it comes with adhesive already on the back.  I ran a piece of the tape through the Big Shot with the Petals-a-Plenty embossing folder.  I then adhered the embossed silver tape to a piece of card stock and punched it out with the Butterfly Extra-Large punch.  Don't throw the backing of the tape away!  Here I tore a piece of it and glued it onto the card as an added embellishment!  Don't you just love this new Marina Mist color!!!!  It's gorgeous in person!

Your embossing folders love to get inked up!  For this card I took the Finnial Press embossing folder and used a brayer with some Crumb Cake ink on it and rolled the ink onto the inside of the embossing folder (I rolled it onto the debossed side).  I then placed a piece of Sahara Sand card stock into the embossing folder and rolled it through the Big Shot.  The ink transfers onto the card stock!  You can use subtle or bold ink and card stock combinations for this technique and the embossing folder cleans up beautifully!  I added a few extra dots with my white gel pen.  The birds were punched using the Two-Step Bird punch and the hearts using the Heart To Heart punch with Rich Razzleberry card stock.  Of course I had to add a bit of Crystal Effects to the birds' wings and the hearts.  The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

This next technique came to me while I was falling asleep last night!  I cut a piece of watercolor paper and stamped all over it using various images and colors.  Then I spritzed the watercolor paper with a bunch of water and let the colors run together.  Due to my impatience when it comes to drying time, I used my heat tool to dry the paper :)  I then ran the watercolor paper through the Big Shot with the Finnial Press embossing folder.  I kept the paper on the embossing folder when I opened the folder up and then took a sanding block and sanded the high points of the design.  Sanding took some of the ink away and brought the white of the watercolor paper back to the surface.  I really like this look!  I added some ribbon and some embellishments from the Pretties Kit (which is retiring).  I had so much fun with this technique I decided to try a different color combination on a different card.  Here's what I came up with:

For this card I used the Petals-A-Plenty embossing folder and covered the watercolor paper with brown shades (Chocolate Chip, Soft Suede, Crumb Cake).  I followed the same steps as I did with the above card.  I know I'll be making more cards with this technique!

Don't forget to spread your wings when it comes to using your embossing folders!  You don't have to limit yourself to card stock!  For this final project I took a piece of copper craft metal and ran it through the Big Shot with the Two Tags die.  I then took the tag and ran it through the Big Shot again in the Elegant Bouquet embossing folder.  Finally, I added a jumbo eyelet with my Crop-a-dile and stamped the metal with Jet Black Staz On.  This tag will look gorgeous on a present and it becomes a keepsake as well!  How else can you use your embossing folders?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  Thanks for stopping by for this week's Four Ways Friday.  If you'd like to purchase any of the embossing folders or other Stampin' Up! supplies used in this post, please visit my website HERE!

CD Envelope Scrapbook - A Look Inside #3

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Set A Goal

Whether it's training for a running race or posting to this blog, I am finding that I can motivate to do things a lot more easily if I set a goal for myself.  It would be so easy to just stay in bed in the morning if I wasn't training for a road race.  It would be easy to not create if I didn't have my daily blog commitment.  What goals can you set for yourself?  You'll be amazed at how motivating a goal can be!

These are the final pages in the CD Envelope scrapbook!  You'll notice a few more Big Shot dies popping up on the pages - the Scallop circles and the Flower...not to mention the movers and shapers label.  A few punches were also used - the large flower, modern label, curly label and round tab punches.  I also incorporated the Punched Posies hostess stamp set - I am loving these great bold flowers!  Now the big question is....what events am I going to scrapbook?! :)  I hope you've enjoyed this scrapbook project and I hope it inspires you to try one of your own!  The Simply Scrappin' kits are a great way to get started.  There are papers, stickers, die cuts...I am saving the stickers for my stamp-a-stack attendees...if there are some left over I'll be sure to embellish my pages even more!  Click HERE to shop for your Sunny Day or other Simply Scrappin' kit now!

CD Envelope Scrapbook - A Look Inside #2

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Don't Let Your List Drag You Down

When I get home from a trip I am usually really exhausted - mentally and physically.  If I know anything about myself it is that I need to give myself time to recharge my batteries and, when I don't, my body will protest and force me to recharge whether I like it or not!  I find that at times I can let my "to do" list drag me down.  I have an on-going list of people I need to call, emails I need to send, errands I need to run.  It can be so easy to get myself in quite the funk - feeling like I just want to rest and, at the same time, feeling guilty that I am not getting back to people as quickly as I would like.  If you are one of these people, I am sorry.  I have not yet mastered the ability to do it all in the time that I have when "doing it all" also means taking care of myself and recharging.  What I am learning is that there is no point letting my list drag me down.  I need to accept that I can only do what I can do and hope that that is enough for those around me.  I am doing the best that I can.

I wanted to share a few more of inside pages from the CD Envelope scrapbook that we will be making at this month's stamp-a-stack.  It's hard to see, but there is a little 3x3 envelope on the top page that opens up - too cute! :)  You may notice a few Big Shot dies were used on these pages - the scallop square and top note fit perfectly!  I also used the great journaling block image from the My Favorite Things stamp set - it coordinates perfectly with the My Way arrow punch!  Stop back by tomorrow and I'll share the remaining pages of the book.  I hope you like it!!!!

CD Envelope Scrapbook - A Look Inside

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Give Your Body What It Needs

Running has become quite the journey for me.  I have been keeping a bit of a journal to document how my body feels during and after my runs.  It amazes me what your body tries to tell you - if only you'll listen :)  A week ago I went for a long run and felt terrible afterwards.  My body went on strike!  I was sick for an entire day after that run.  I mentioned this to a friend who is a trainer at a gym and he said that my body was probably trying to tell me it needed fuel.  I usually run first thing in the morning - so, in effect, I am running when my body has been fasting all night while I've been sleeping.  I usually don't eat anything before heading out the door.  This weekend that changed.  I decided, instead, to eat some oatmeal and peanut butter before heading out.  Wow!  What a difference some fuel can make!  Listen to your body - it is trying to tell you exactly what you need!

Here are the beginning pages of the CD Envelope scrapbook that we'll be making at this month's stamp-a-stack!  I am loving these vibrant colors!  I snuck in some So Tweet on board chipboard.  I covered some of the pieces with paper and sponged the legs with Early Espresso ink (loving this new color!).  It's a bit difficult to see, but these CD envelopes have great little pockets to insert pages in and slide things out of!  I'll share a few more pages with you tomorrow!  Hope you like it!

CD Envelope Scrapbook

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Face The White Space

I began making this little scrapbook from the inside out.  For some reason, the white cover terrified me!  Okay, maybe "terrified" is a strong word, but I admit it, I was scared!  After all, the insides were hidden inside of the book.  But the cover?  That's something everyone would see.  So I delayed.  I waited.  Finally, I faced the white space.  Or, maybe more accurately, the white space faced me.  By the time I got to the cover I could already feel the ideas coming to me.  Don't be scared - face the white space - it will become exactly what it is meant to be!

I decided to change things up for this month's stamp-a-stack.  Instead of doing the usual cards, we are going to be making this adorable CD literature folder scrapbook!  This was my first scrapbook ever, so I'm pretty pleased with the results.  It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be.  Over the next few days I'll be sharing the internal pages with you - maybe a few a day so I can share them all with you this week!  I used the Sunny Day Simply Scrappin' kit (it's retiring, so don't miss out on your chance to get one!) and the Cheep Talk stamp set.  I love these cheerful, bright colors - perfect for Summer!  I hope you like it!  If you want to order your Sunny Day Simply Scrappin' kit, click HERE now!

Four Ways Friday #10 - Circles #2 Die

This week's Four Ways Friday uses the Circles #2 die for the Big Shot!  It is amazing how many different materials these dies can cut through - here I show you four!

The Circles #2 die is great to use for hair accessories!  I just ran some regular craft felt through the Big Shot with the Circles #2 die to make the circles.  I then stacked them one on top of the other - a bit off-center.  I used a bit of brown embroidery floss to stitch them together in the middle making an "x."  I then used a needle and regular thread to stitch them to an everyday pony tail holder.  So easy!

I was so excited when I received my Punched Posies hostess set from the Summer Mini catalog!  This set is adorable!  It also happens to coordinate incredibly well with the Circles #2 die.  For this project I used the die to cut through fun foam sheets in pink, orange and green.  I punched and cut images from the Punched Posies set and layered them onto the foam circles.  The foam circles add great dimension and texture to the card!

Did you know your Bigz dies can cut through craft foil?!  I decorated this frame by cutting through gold, silver and copper craft foil with the die!  I layered the circles and punched through the metal with my crop-a-dile.  Decorative brads complete the centers.  I used silver wire to attach all of the flowers to the wire mesh grid at the bottom of the frame.  Now I need to find the perfect picture to put in the frame!

OK, I admit it...for this last project I got a little corny :)  I saw a similar circle caterpillar on the PaperSource website and couldn't get it out of my mind!  I used the largest circle size on the Circles #2 die and ran Whisper White card stock through the Big Shot with the die.  If you really want this caterpillar to stand on his own, you might want to use chipboard to create him.  I used brads to attach the circles to one another and stamped the body with images from Wow Flowers. Since this card is connected with brads you can compress the card into a smaller size for mailing.  Googley eyes, a mouth, and antennae complete the look :)  Hope you have a fabulous and creative weekend!!!!!

Anniversary - Two-Step Bird and Burst

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  There Are Moments When It Is Important To Stop What You Are Doing

I went for a run this morning.  It felt great - it was hot - it was one of those runs where everything just seems to be working in harmony.  I had planned to continue running my full run - all the way back to the house.  However, as I approached the park not far from my house, I saw my friend and his dog in the park.  The thought went through my mind to just wave and continue running.  Instead I stopped.  My friend has been dealing with an illness for quite some time and I hadn't seen him in awhile.  Connecting with him and hearing how he was doing - even talking about running shoes and the weather - was more important than continuing my run at that moment.  Sometimes we can be so focused on what we are doing - or so dead set on getting something done, that we miss those moments when it is important to stop what we are doing and connect with someone else.

Today's card is for a friend - she and her husband are celebrating their wedding anniversary :)  I sprayed some pieces of Very Vanilla card stock with a mixture of shimmer paint and alcohol.  Our new Smooch Spritz is another alternative - it comes ready to use in a mister!  I ran the Very Vanilla through the big shot with the flower burst sizzlit and punched a bunch of flowers using my flower trio punch (this is retiring...don't miss your chance to get one while they last!).  I also punched the bird and branches using the two-step bird punch.  The Crumb Cake card stock (formerly known as Kraft) was stamped using Early Espresso ink with the Bella Toile background stamp and the Very Vintage wheel.  I also spritzed a little using the spritzer tool.  The Soft Suede card stock panel was run through a textured impressions embossing folder.  Next, stamped the greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched it out with my modern label punch.  Finally, I added a little bit of diamond stickles for a little added sparkle.  I hope you like it!

It's The Thought - Giraffe Humor :)

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Be Punny!!!!!!!!

I just had to do it!  This stamp cried out for being turned into this card!  I just couldn't help myself :)  Hopefully this card is making you smile as much as I am right now :)  Too funny...I mean...punny :)  What stamps do you have that lend themselves well to being turned into puns?  If you find some that make you laugh - please be sure to share!!!!!!!!  We could all use a little pun every once in awhile :)  Smile :)

It's The Thought - Turtles

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Start Where You Left Off

Don't get me wrong - I'm not afraid of new beginnings and sometimes new beginnings are the place to start...and, I also believe, that sometimes starting where you left off is another way to move forward - to learn something new.  I left off in the craft room the other day with a layout similar to this one (with those adorable crabs).  So, when I entered the craft room today, I decided to begin my journey where I had left off and to see where the road would take me.  Here's the end result!

I added some background stamping with the Define Your Life stamp set (a huge favorite of mine).  I stamped in Barely Banana ink onto Barely Banana card stock (will be sad to see Barely Banana retire at the end of the month..sniffle, sniffle).  I took the adorable hostess set, It's The Thought, and went crazy with these turtles!  I decided they couldn't make the journey alone - they needed to be together :)  So I used my stamp-a-ma-jig and piled those turtles one on top of the other :)  I colored them with markers and added some dazzling diamonds to make them sparkle!  The round tab punch added a nice touch with the word "journey" stamped in Old Olive ink.  Finally, the gorgeous striped ribbon...watch for this one in more colors with the new catalog in July!  Yeah!!!!!  I hope you like it...now, where did you leave off before coming to see my blog?  That might be a good place to start :)