Throwback Thursday: Pedaling Past Birthday Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: There has never been another person like you since time began, so there is nothing and no one to compare or compete with.  -Louise L. Hay

Every once in awhile, when I am struggling to come up with a lesson for the day, I turn to a bookshelf and grab a book and open the book up and begin reading until something catches my attention.  Today I pulled the book Meditations To Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay off of the shelf and I found this lesson on comparisons.  Oh Louise, you definitely knew how to speak to me today! :)  She goes on to say, "Comparing myself with other people makes me feel either superior or inferior, never acceptable exactly as I am.  What a waste of time and energy.  We are all unique, wonderful beings, each different and special.  I go within and connect with the unique expression of eternal Oneness that I am and we all are."  If that's not the perfect lesson for the day, I don't know what is! :)
Today's card was a card I needed to put together quickly to accompany a bottle of wine for a friend's birthday!  I used Gumball Green card stock and began by stamping the bike and sentiment from Pedaling Past in Gumball Green.  Next I used my paper piercing tool and the Essentials piercing template to create the "road."  Finally, I stamped the greeting from Curly Cute (yes, that's still a current stamp set!).  Quick and easy masculine birthday card complete! :)

Out On A Whim Wednesday: Paper Sculpted Clouds Video!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Some Mornings Are Magical!!!!

I had a rough night last night - Buddy was up every 2 hours with an upset tummy :(  I felt so badly for him.  We didn't get our usual restful night of sleep, but he was very ready to go for his morning walk when the sun finally came up!  I wasn't sure how far he would want to walk, but he seemed to be absolutely fine going on his usual morning rabbit hunt :)  And this morning was magical!  We found some bunnies to watch...and then we saw a hawk fly out of a bush...and then a hummingbird came whizzing by and started visiting nearby flowers!  We hadn't seen a hummingbird in over a year!!!!  It was such a beautiful way to start the day and hopefully shows promise for where the day is headed :)  Hopefully Buddy's tummy will mend and the magic will continue throughout the day :)  Hope your mornings are magical too!!!!!
I stuck with Stampin' Up! stamping today with the adorable No Peeking stamp set - it is sooo cute!!!!  I did go out on a whim a bit (after all, it is Out On A Whim Wednesday) and decided to do some paper sculpting for the card.  Here is a video to show you how I made the card and the puffy white clouds :)  Enjoy!

Elements Of Style Thank You

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  I Need To Stop Looking To The Comments & Views For Affirmation That I Exist

I post a new post or a new video and I find myself checking the post or the video for the number of views or for comments.  As if to let myself know that if someone looks at my words or my creations that somehow I really do exist.  Giving this power to comments and views has a very dangerous side - because sometimes (much more frequently than not), there are no comments and it can make me feel down.  Why do I let it?  When I go surfing around on the internet, it is rare that I leave comments anywhere - that in no way means that I wasn't touched, inspired, energized by what I saw or read.  I have just visited, as if robed in an invisibility cloak, and didn't leave a sign that I was there.  So I will continue to post, hoping that you are out there - hoping that in some way I am connecting with you, inspiring you, touching you.  Thank you so much for stopping by even if you are wearing your cloak of invisibility :)
Today's card was soooo simple to make and is quite elegant!  I began with a Sahara Sand card base and stamped the Elements of Style floral image in Primrose Petals ink.  Next I punched out a decorative label punch from Naturals Ivory card stock and then did a bit of paper piercing using my piercing tool, piercing mat, and Essentials paper piercing pack (LOVING the piercing pack - you'll be seeing me using this product A LOT!).  I stamped the sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes with Primrose Petals and used the small oval punch to punch it out.  I sponged the edges and popped it up on dimensionals.  Next came a small piece of Crumb Cake seam binding with a vintage trinket pin.  The final touch was a spritz using the spritzer tool and a Crumb Cake marker.  I hope you like it :)

Faux Stitched Birthday Card: A Video!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  I Need To Take Responsibility

I am enjoying a bit of a break from work travel and, of course, was hoping to be uber-productive during this respite.  What I am finding, though, is that I can be just as scatter-brained during the down time as when I am traveling.  It was easy to "blame" the busy schedule for my inability to stay focused on one thing for a long period of time.  To "blame" the hectic pace for my feeling scattered and detached.  However, as I sit here during the "down time" I realize I need to take responsibility for how I have been feeling.  It is not the schedule or the travel - it is whatever is going on inside my head.  And, until I tame that beast, I imagine I will continue to feel distracted, scattered and unfocused.  So how does one tame the beast of bouncing ball rattling around in my thoughts?  Hmmm...good question....I'll let you know if I figure it out and I continue my quest during my time at home...
Today I am sharing a video with you on how to create wonderful faux stitching for your cards!  I am in love with this great Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack!!!!  It has oodles of patterns that you can use for all different occasions!!!!  Enjoy!

Four Ways Friday #96 - Papaya Collage

This week's Four Ways Friday is all about playing with the Papaya Collage stamp set!  Have fun!

Let's begin with simply stamping - just ink and stamps.  This card actually was not designed to turn out this way, but a mistake with stamping the first frame turned this card into an opportunity :)  I actually like what happened!  I stamped the bird first and then stamped the bird onto copy paper and cut it out to create a mask.  I temporarily adhered the mask over the bird and then stamped the first frame at full strength and the additional frames at half and 1/3 strength with Midnight Muse.  Next came the leaves - also at half and 1/3 strength with Gumball Green.  Finally I stamped the sentiment from Bring On The Cake at full strength with Gumball Green.

The images in this set are perfect for layering, layering, layering!  Here I stamped the rose onto multiple pieces of Very Vanilla cs that I then separated with Wild Wasabi cs.  I was inspired by this technique video by Dawn Olchefske.  The bird and hat were both stamped and then cut out.  I then stamped the flourish image onto Primrose Petals cs with Primose Petals ink.  A piece of Crumb Cake seam binding and the sentiment from Itty Bitty Banners finishes the card.

This set has some beautiful images for creating borders and backgrounds.  I began with a piece of Crumb Cake cs that I folded in half and then folded one edge down at 1 1/4".  I then stamped the leaf image in Crumb Cake all over the cs - on the outside panel and on the inside panel.  Next, with the help of the stamp-a-ma-jig, I stamped the circle flourish image across the 1 1/4" band on the card using Raspberry Ripple ink.  I used my piercing tool to add the antique brad.  Then, I sewed the edges of the card down and gently brushed the white thread with Crumb Cake stampin' pastel to blend the thread color into the card.  I then took a piece of Raspberry Ripple cs and layered it with a piece of Crumb Cake cs and stamped the greeting from Loving Thoughts.  Here is a look at the "card" outside of the "pocket."

The frame stamp also makes a wonderful frame for pictures for your cards or scrapbook pages.  I'm not a big scrapbooker (although I'm tempted to start to try a few pages), so I made the frame into a card for Michael from our cat Willow :)

I stamped the frame onto a rectangle of Whisper White cs at half strength and then cut out the inside rectangle.  I then printed a picture of Willow and adhered the frame on top using dimensionals.  Next I added a few rhinestones to the frame.  I then placed the frame on top of a piece of Basic Black cs that I had run through the Big Shot with the Lacy Brocade embossing folder.  That piece was then adhered onto a Whisper White card base.  Next, I stamped the circle flourish image onto a piece of Primrose Petals cs and added a punched Lovely Little Label :)  Finally, a touch of stitched Raspberry Ripple stitched ribbon.
I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  I hope it inspires you to have fun with the Papaya Collage stamp set...or to use another stamp set in some of the ways that you see here!  Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful, creative and love-filled weekend!!!!!

Throwback Thursday: Cool Cat

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Paper In My House Multiplies!!!

When I was little we had pet fish.  I remember when they would die I couldn't bear to flush them down the toilet (the approach recommended by my dad) so I would take little matchboxes and place the fish inside and then go and bury the tiny box by the mailbox.  It was a very exciting day when my parents agreed to allow us to have 2 gerbils that were offered to us by a friend.  The friend said that they were two girl gerbils and we believed her...until we woke up one morning and had 8 gerbils!  Needless to say, my mom was not thrilled.  Well, I've decided that paper in my home is like those 2 original gerbils.  Somehow when I bring a piece of paper into the house the next thing I know it has multiplied into 20!!!!  I'm not sure how it happens (I did finally figure out how it happened with the gerbils).  It does create all kinds of havoc - having all of those pieces of paper running all over the house!  Aack!  So my task, once again, will be to try to tackle these piling pieces of paper and hopefully figure out how they multiply so quickly!  I wonder if you can neuter a piece of paper?????
Today's Throwback Thursday features the Cool Cat stamp set!  I LOVE this adorable cat - so mod!  I have to say that I am a little unhappy that there really isn't a current cat or dog stamp set available from Stampin' Up!  I'm hoping one shows up soon...maybe in the next mini catalog?????  Let's hope so!  In the meantime, I'll use some of my throwbacks to meet my pet stamping needs :)  Here I just used simple ink, card stock and stamps...with three little rhinestones for the collar.  I hope you like it :)  I think it's just purrrrrfect :)

Out On A Whim Wednesday: Pumpkins & Paper Bags

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  You Just Need To Provide The Fertile Soil

Would you believe me if I told you we did not plant the pumpkin vine that you see taking over our yard in this photo?  Well, we didn't.  We did our usual when we prepared the bed for planting this year - spread our compost into the bed and covered the bed with straw and let it settle.  Then we planted tomatoes and peppers, some eggplant and a few beans.  And next thing we knew, a vine showed up from the dirt.  At first we thought it might be a zucchini, but then, as it grew, it looked less and less like a zucchini.  So, out of curiosity, we decided to let it keep growing...and grow it did!  Until it turned into the crazy pumpkin vine that is taking over our yard!  We have already picked one pumpkin from the vine and it looks like we will have at least 4 others.

We don't remember eating any pumpkins last year, so we aren't sure how the seeds ended up in our compost or our garden bed.  It's a great reminder for me though.  A reminder that you don't have to plant the seed - you just need to provide the fertile soil.  The same seems to be true about creating.  When you sit down to create, you don't need to come with an idea or a picture of what it is that you want to make.  You just need to sit down, surround yourself with your version of fertile soil - maybe that is a small space with a few art supplies; maybe a special candle that gets lit or a certain piece of music that soothes your creative muse.  Whatever it is, you just need to provide the fertile soil.  What is meant to then grow, will grow :)

 My friend and her husband and two little girls came for a visit last weekend.  Their daughters are 2 1/2 and 4 years old and I wanted to be sure to have a craft project for them to work on.  So I decided to sew together a few paper bags to create paper bag books for them to decorate.  I provided markers, stickers, fun foam pieces, glue and die cuts.  I even brought out the Big Shot and they LOVED turning the handle and making flowers appear :)  The older daughter even used the die cut "waste" as a stencil and colored in the flower shape with a marker.  It was so much fun to watch them create without any sense of judgement.  They absolutely inspired me! :)

Fine Feathers Sympathy Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Creation is a better means of self-expression than possession; it is through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed. - Vida Dutton Scudder, The Privilege of Age

 This quote was in the May 2012 issue of Real Simple magazine - something I was flipping through the other day (yes, I know it is already the end of July) :)  I haven't read Vida Dutton Scudder's book, so I am not sure the context in which this quote was stated.  Out of its original context the quote spoke to me.  As you know, I am always struggling with the issue of owning more "stuff" for my craft room and have found that purchasing more things can often be an excuse for not creating with the things that I have.  The truth is that when you really want to create you will do whatever you can with what you have.  I think about those who do not have the ability to go out and purchase a new craft/art supply and yet they release the need to express themselves with whatever they can find - scratching a rock against a surface, using a stick to draw in the sand, piling rocks one on top of the other to express that they stood in that very place.  Possessing things does say something about us...I'm not sure what it says about us is truly at the heart of who we are.  To tap into who we truly are at our core we need to explore our own gift of creativity...using whatever we have.
Today's card began with a desire to use a feather image from the Fine Feathers stamp set.  I stamped the image onto Very Vanilla cs and cut it out.  I then took a Baja Breeze card base and ran part of the front through the Big Shot with the Fancy Fan embossing folder.  Next I tore a piece of vellum and a piece of Sahara Sand cs and attached them to the card front with a bit of machine sewing.  I stamped the sentiment from Loving Thoughts in Basic Black and then added the feather with dimensionals.  Have a beautiful Tuesday :)

Papaya Collage Bits & Pieces Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Wait For It!

Michael and I have been wanting a new fountain for the backyard for awhile.  We have spent some time looking - mostly at garden stores.  We came close to buying one about a month ago.  We hemmed and hawed.  It was quite expensive and we just didn't love it like we felt we should for that price.  So we waited.  Well, over the weekend Michael went to the flea market and guess what he came home with???  Yes!  A beautiful metal fountain that is perfect for our backyard and....drumroll please....it was only $40!!!!  (although it would likely be about $200 new in the store).  Sometimes you just have to wait for it.  It will find its way to you in its own time :)  Here is a picture of the new fountain in its new home...the birds have already started visiting :)

Today's card began with the bird from Papaya Collage.  I stamped it with Soft Suede onto Very Vanilla card stock and cut it out.  Next I started gathering up bits and pieces from other card projects - a piece of embossed tissue tape, a dash of seam binding, a strip of scalloped edge.  I added a punched circle from Apothecary Art along with a button and hemp twine.  I love being able to gather up bits and pieces to create a fun collage card.  I hope you like it!

A Day Of Rest

I got home very late Wednesday night/Thursday morning from my latest work trip and I ended up spending most of Thursday is a bit of a daze.  Rather than push myself to try to whip something up for Four Ways Friday, I decided to give myself a rest day to recuperate.  I took Buddy for a walk and then spent most of the morning and afternoon reading a young adult novel that my cousin had recommended (Grave Mercy).  It was the perfect way to spend the day and I am already feeling better.  I also had a visit from UPS...which means I finally broke down and placed a Stampin' Up! order and got a few new things to share with you beginning next week :)  I thought I would quickly put the Typeset Alphabet dies to work with the Big Shot to honor today's rest day :)  I hope you have a restful, beautiful and creative weekend and I will be back next week with some new, fun things to share!!!!!

Throwback Thursday: Handbill Headlines Bookmark Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Go Solo

Go for a ride.  Take a class.  Attend a conference.  Take in a movie.  Try a new restaurant.  Show up at an event.  Sometimes I find myself thinking that I don't want to do something or go somewhere unless someone else can go with me.  When I get up the courage and decide not to wait until someone can join me, I am always happy with the results!  I know "always" sounds extreme.  Yet I haven't found a time when I haven't fully enjoyed the experience.  Whether it is walking around an art museum on my own.  Taking an encaustic class.  Venturing out on a bike ride.  There is something very empowering and exciting about going solo.
For today's Throwback Thursday card I decided to mix the old with the new :)  I began with the Reason To Smile stamp set and stamped the floral image over and over onto a piece of Whisper White card stock.  I cut a strip and sewed the ends to a piece of Pacific Point card stock, making a band.  I used the Two Tags die on the Big Shot with some Gumball Green card stock to make the bookmark.  I stamped the bookmark with the same floral image at 1/2 strength and the sentiments from Handbill Headlines (with Gumball Green ink).  Next came the butterfly from Kindness Matters and a bit of Dazzling Diamonds.  This would be a fun card to give some one with a journal before they go off on a trip or a new adventure in life!  I love that they can take the bookmark with them!  I hope you like it!

Out On A Whim Wednesday: Doodle Fabric

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  When Was The Last Time You Let Someone Spray You With A Hose?
The Tour de France has one again inspired me to get on my bike and ride!  I always get fired up to ride when I watch these athletes do amazing rides.  Of course, it has been hotter than heck here in Colorado so that has been making riding a bit challenging.  The other day I decided to push myself and by the time I was headed home I was experiencing chills from a bit of overheating.  As I pulled into my driveway, I was beat.  And there, on front of me, was paradise!  My neighbors were outside doing some yard work and one of them was standing on a ladder rinsing off part of the roof.  I got off my bike and got his attention and asked if he would mind pointing the hose in my direction :)  It was AWESOME!!!!!  I remember running through the sprinkler as a kid, but somehow, as an adult, the rooftop watering was even better! :)  When was the last time you let someone spray you with a hose?  Maybe it's time!!!!!
Has the photo made you dizzy yet?! :)  I recently purchased the book Sew Wild by Alisa Burke and I have been totally inspired to try to make my own fabric designs!!!!  This is my first larger piece (I started out making two smaller test pieces).  It's been an interesting journey.  I started out with the small scrap paper you can see on the bottom of the photo.  I sketched out the design there and then decided to create a bigger version.  Along the way I changed the design too - adding some scallops and dots.  It is taking me awhile to complete the fabric piece - which has also been a wonderful exercise for me.  I am so used to completing things quickly that it is quite hysterical to listen as my inner critic pipes up when I am moving at the pace required to complete a piece like this.  I'm learning to just smile at the inner critic when it says things like, "Why are you doing this?  What's the point?  What are you going to do with it anyway?  Look at how long it is taking you!!!!"  Well inner critic, Rome never would have been built if the Romans listened to you :)  Neither would so many beautiful pieces of artwork have come into this world...unless the artists chose to put you on mute and move forward anyway.  I am making that same choice!  Onward and upward!!!!! :)

Reason To Smile Just For You Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Don't Let The 1% Determine How You Feel About The 99%

If you watched the Tour de France this year, you may have seen the one stage where a whole group of riders got flat tires.  It was quickly discovered that someone had thrown carpet tacks onto the surface of the road in an effort to sabotage the race.  I was immediately furious!  These athletes are putting their all into this sport and are traveling at rates of speed that I can only dream of.  Just the thought that someone would place tacks in the path of the cyclists and risk hurting the riders was enough to start to get me down on humanity.  A brief televised interview of Bradley Wiggins at the conclusion of Stage 15 of the Tour set my head straight.  He told the interviewer something like this, "99% of the people love the sport and are out here for the right reasons."  Yes Bradley, you are so right!  When I hear about the hurtful actions of one person I need to remember that that one person does not represent the whole.  While their stories may overwhelm us - along with the amount of coverage the story gets - we need to remember that they are an exception rather than a norm.  As the saying goes, "don't let the turkeys get you down."
Today's card came together very quickly using the Reason to Smile stamp set!  I stamped the flower image in three different in colors (Raspberry Ripple, Primrose Petals and Summer Starfruit) and then added some dazzling diamonds to the centers.  The greeting is from Just Believe and it was punched out with the modern label punch.  So quick and so pretty!  If you like the Reason To Smile stamp set, you have until the end of the month to purchase this set for only $5 with a $50 product purchase.  Find out more in the upper right hand corner of my blog! :)

Stamped Labels Collection Framelit Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Wake Up Early

It's been quite hot here in Colorado lately and I find that if I wait too long to take Buddy on his walk in the morning it is just too hot for the two of us to last very long.  I really enjoy taking Buddy on long walks in the morning - over an hour - and I get saddened when we have to cut our walk short as a result of the heat of the day.  If I manage to get up early - before the sun starts to warm the pavement - I find that Buddy is more than willing to give up some snooze time to head out early on his walk!  If you're not accustomed to waking up early (whatever "early" might mean for you), it might be worth giving it a try one day to see if you like it.  Early in the morning there are fewer cars and people out; more critters and birds flying and running around; a certain calm to the air.  I am grateful I have Buddy and our walks to motivate me to see the world at a time that I might otherwise choose to sleep through.  It's a beautiful start to my day :)
Today's card began with a piece of Whisper White card stock that I die cut using a Labels Collection framelit.  Next I stamped multiple words and images using Melon Mambo and Basic Gray ink.  The words and images are from Mixed Bunch, Kindness Matters, Loving Thoughts, Just Believe and Fabulous Phrases.  I added a bit of organza ribbon and some adhesive rhinestones.  The panel was then adhered to a Crumb Cake panel that I had run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder.  Finally, I adhered both layers to a Melon Mambo card base.  I hope you like it :)

Four Ways Friday #95 - Apothecary Art

I am typing this week's Four Ways Friday against the backdrop of the tragedy that occurred in Aurora, Colorado very early this morning.  I woke to reading the news on-line and a wave of mixed emotions washed over me - anger, sadness, frustration.  My heart and prayers go out to each and every one of us who are touched in some way by this senseless tragedy and I pray for peace, comfort and healing.
For this week's Four Ways Friday I decided to focus on the Apothecary Art stamp set.  This set coordinates beautifully with the Labels Collection framelits and it also does fine all by itself!

For the first card I decided to do a bit of stamping...with a bit of a twist :)  Before I began stamping anything, I took a standard envelope and used a labels framelit to cut a hole in the front of the envelope!  I then inserted a Sahara Sand card base into the envelope and used the cut out hole as a guide to stamp the Apothecary Art image onto the card front.  Next I sewed a few embellishments (Comfort Cafe dsp and a bit of fabric) onto the card and added a button strung with linen thread.  Next came a greeting from Apothecary Art that I stamped with Midnight Muse and punched with an oval punch.  I used the color spritzer tool and a Sahara Sand marker to add a dash of color to the envelope and card.  Here is what the card looks like in the envelope:

For this second card, I stamped the image from Apothecary Art using Primrose Petals at half strength.  I also stamped the image using Raspberry Ripple at full strength.  Both were then die cut using a label framelit.  I then punched the center out of the Raspberry Ripple stamped image using my 1" circle punch.  The center was popped up onto the Primrose Petals stamped and die cut piece.  I added a bit of Dazzling Details to the flowers.  Finally, I took the remaining scrap piece from the Raspberry Ripple stamped and die cut image and cut off the ends.  I then used a dab of glue and glued the ends under the Primrose Petal focal piece.  The card base is Naturals Ivory.

Always remember that you don't have to ink up an entire stamp!  For this card I just inked up the floral wreath with my Versamark marker and then stamped the image and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.  I used my aqua painter with some inks to color in the flowers.  Next I embossed some brushed gold card stock using the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder and then cut the card stock into a banner.  The greeting from Teeny Tiny Wishes was then stamped and cut into a banner as well.  A little crochet trim completes the card.

This next project was a bit difficult to take a picture of - sorry about that!  I decided to stamp the image from Apothecary Art onto aluminum tooling foil using Staz-On and then die cut the image using the labels framelits (yes, you can cut through certain gauges of tooling foil with the framelits!).  I then used the crop-a-dile to add small eyelets on the ends and threaded some taffeta ribbon through the eyelets.  I stamped the greeting from Just Believe with Staz-On and then added some Dazzling Details to the flowers.  Here is a close up of this wine bottle tag:

I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!  Thanks so much for stopping by!!!!  I wish you a wonderful, peaceful, creative weekend surrounded by those that you love!!!!!

A Small Delay :)

Thanks for stopping by!  I am working on Four Ways Friday and will do my best to get it posted by later today...tomorrow at the latest!  See you soon!

Throwback Thursday: Furry Folk and Everyday Flexible Phrases

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  It's Fun To Be On The Receiving End Of A Random Act Of Kindness!

My neighbor needed to borrow my car the other day.  My poor car...it is so neglected.  I bought my car back in 1998 and it has made it through thick and thin with me :)  I find that I rarely drive my car - between all of my work travel and being a bit of a home body...along with the fact that Michael invites me to use his car whenever he's home and I need to run some errands - my poor car just sits in the driveway and gets rained on my the evergreen trees and the birds (actually, I wish it were rain :)  So, inevitably, when I finally do go to use my car, she is covered in a mix of bird droppings, sap, dust and pine needles.  Well, this was the state of my car when my neighbor asked to borrow it.  I quickly rinsed the car to remove the surface dirt and off she went.  Well!!!  When she returned my car looked liked a shining beacon of roadworthiness! :)  As part of her errand running, she decided to surprise me and took the car to a car wash!  What a wonderful surprise!!!!!  It really is fun to be on the receiving end of a random act of kindness :)  Now I need to figure out a way to pass it on :)
For this week's Throwback Thursday I decided to mix a bit of the old with a bit of the new :)  The Comfort Cafe designer paper provides the backdrop for the stamping.  The flower is from Furry Folk and, I believe, the word is from Everyday Flexible Phrases.  I created the card along with an accompanying matchbook notepad.  The flowers were colored in using my aqua painter and I added a bit of Dazzling Details to add some shimmer :)  I hope you like them!

Out On A Whim Wednesday: Water For The Bees!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Build It And They Will Come!

Record heat seems to be plaguing quite a bit of the United States this Summer.  It's not just the humans that feel the impact of the heat - Nature is feeling her share too.  The birds and bees are on the lookout for water in these conditions.  So, we went out on a whim, and decided to see if we could construct a few more watering holes for them :)  We already have a few birdbaths and originally thought this newest addition would provide more water for the birds.  What we hadn't thought about was that the bees need the water as much as the birds do and this bath has turned into the popular place for the bees to come and gather water for their hive!  We put this birdbath together quickly - we placed a pot upside down, placed a large pottery dish on top and then added some water and a few river stones!  The bees seem to really appreciate the rocks and the shallow sides of the dish.  The dry sides and the stones give them a safe place to land and hang out while they drink in the water - otherwise they would risk drowning.  Watching the bees and all of their water gathering efforts has led us to do some research - reading parts of the book The ABC's and XYZ's of Bees - which is an amazing encyclopedia about all things bees! :)  We figure if we keep taking care of the bees, they'll keep taking care of our garden :)

Acrylic Block Color Wash Nature Walk Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room: A Step Away Can Save Your Day
I knew I would wax poetic one day :)  I was having a bit of an "off" day.  I was a few notches grouchier than Oscar the Grouch - yup, pretty grouchy.  I walked with Buddy, watched a stage of the Tour de France on tv, ate some chocolate, tried to think happy thoughts - nothing was working.  Finally I decided I needed to step away from the couch and from what I was trying to do and do something else.  (Maybe I should note that what I was working on was that darn Stampin' Up! order that seems to be haunting me - the struggle between wanting more and the strong desire to live with less and use what I have.  I feel bad that "darn" and "Stampin' Up!" are even in the same sentence since it usually provides me so much joy!).  I suggested a bike ride to Michael - I just needed to get outside and participate in an activity that I enjoy and that takes quite a bit of concentration.  And it was PERFECT!!!!!  The ride itself was incredibly enjoyable - cloudy skies, touring through a local park, admiring gardens in bloom.  By the time we got home my day was "saved!"  It's amazing how much a "step away" can really save your day.  If you're feeling like Oscar the Grouch, what "step away" can you take to change your day????
Today's card was made using the acrylic block color wash technique that I shared a few weeks ago.  I combined Wisteria Wonder, Marina Mist and Pretty In Pink on the acrylic block before spritzing it with water and pressing the Very Vanilla card stock against the ink.  I stamped the images from the Nature Walk stamp set using black ink and then added the sentiment from Loving Thoughts.  The panel edges were sponged with Crumb Cake ink and then I color spritzed the card and panel with Soft Suede and Crumb Cake ink.  I hope you like it!

Embossed Tissue Paper Tape: A Video!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  What You Are Doing Right Now Is Addicting

I read an interesting article in the latest edition of Newsweek and it is a bit ironic that I am sharing the article with you here...on the internet.  It came as no surprise to me, as I read the article Is The Onslaught Making Us Crazy? by Tony Dokoupil, to learn that research is now indicating that our internet use leads to "behavior that people are conscious is not in their best interest and does leave them anxious and does make them act compulsively."  The article goes on to say that "the digital connection to depression and anxiety was also once a near laughable assertion" and that now numerous studies are finding that "the more a person hangs out in the global village (internet), the worse they are likely to feel" and that "Web use often displaces sleep, exercise, and face-to-face exchanges, all of which can upset even the chirpiest soul."  I'm not sure if you've noticed any impact of your internet use in your own life.  I know I have.  I notice the urge to run to check my inbox, my blog, my YouTube channel.  The urge to move from page to page on the Internet.  I notice that the urge rears its ugly head frequently during the course of a day...or even an hour!  It is not the technology itself that is the problem - it is about the boundaries we set in using it.  So I am determined to begin with making myself aware of the urges and then beginning to dial back on my actual time on-line.  I am hoping to figure out a schedule where I can do all my weekly posts in one sitting and designate a certain block of time for each day where I will do my searches, respond to email, and interact with "the Net."  Recognize that the behavior of being on-line is addicting.  Peter Whybrow, the director of the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA, was quoted in the article as saying, "the computer is like electronic cocaine," fueling cycles of mania followed by depressive stretches.  I don't know about you, but that is not a cycle I want to be a part of!  So, please, be aware of how reliant you are on your technology.  While I so enjoy your stopping by and enjoying my blog, I would enjoy it a lot more if I knew you were visiting as part of a conscious and structured plan for maintaining a healthy relationship between you and your computer :)
I had a lot of fun creating some of my own tissue paper tape for today's project!  Here is a video to show you how!!!!  Enjoy :)

Four Ways Friday #94 - Reason To Smile

There are a few weeks left to purchase the Reason To Smile stamp set for $5 with any $50 product purchase!  You can find the details on the top right-hand side of my blog.  I decided to put this set to good use for this week's Four Ways Friday!

I love when a beautiful and simple stamp comes together with ink and card stock to make a wonderfully graphic card!  Here I just stamped the floral line image multiple times - at full and half strength - with Island Indigo ink.  I then added a greeting from Petite Pairs and layered the Very Vanilla stamped layer onto an Island Indigo layer before adding the layers to the Very Vanilla card base.  So quick and easy!

I decided to create my own tape for this card!  I took a piece of kraft tissue paper and stamped it with Staz-On and one of the small flower images from the set.  I then adhered a strip of double sided tape to the tissue paper and cut the edges to match the tape.  I then removed the backing paper from the double sided tape and adhered the tissue paper tape to a Crumb Cake card base.  I added some sewing and a focal flower from Reason To Smile.  The greeting is from Pennant Parade.

 

A piece of Naturals pattern stack designer paper served as the beginning for this card.  I stamped the designer paper with image from the Reason To Smile stamp set - using a combination of Primrose Petals (at full and half strength) and Early Espresso ink.  I love how you can create beautiful backgrounds by stamping on patterned paper!  A few punched edges, a bit of embossing, and a touch of punched out stamping complete the card :)  The sentiments are from Fabulous Phrases.

 I always enjoy decorating little gift bags and this time around I decided to make the bag too! :)  I started with a long thin piece of designer paper and then machine stitched the stems using white thread.  I then used Stampin' Pastels to color the thread.  Next I sewed up the bottom and edges of the  little back.  I stamped the 2-step stamping large floral image using Summer Starfruit ink and punched the flowers out with the 1 1/2" circle punch.  The flowers were added to the bag with dimensionals and decorated with dazzling details.  The leaves were hand cut and sponged.  I sewed a piece of Pool Party seam binding to act at the bag handle.  The greeting is from Elements of Style.

I hope you've enjoyed this week's Four Ways Friday!!!!  Now is a great time to get ahold of this wonderful stamp set for only $5!!!!  I wish you a wonderfully creative weekend, filled with love and laughter :)

Throwback Thursday: Oriental Gardens

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes Confusion Comes When There Is So Much Around Us

My craft room is bursting at the seams!  Full of all kinds of materials to play with and create with.  My room feels a bit like a mostly organized, very full closet!  Usually I find that if something isn't visible to me, it does not get used.  The other side of that is that when everything is visible (or somewhat visible) to me, I get confused about what to do!  It's almost like I freeze and just stare around the craft room like a deer in headlights - not knowing what move to make.  I am still battling with the idea of placing my next Stampin' Up! order.  I love the idea of having "new and fresh" to play with.  At the same time, I am already confused by what I have...so adding more things will likely add to the confusion.  That doesn't feel like a result that I want.  So for now, I am in "stall" mode.  Somewhere between placing an order and not placing an order.  Of course, the order that I am currently entertaining began as a "What if I ordered absolutely everything I want from the catalog and holiday mini?  What would that add up to?!"  So that's where I began...and you can imagine the damage an order like that would cause!  No, I'm not going to do that.  And I will likely not choose to refrain from ordering at least a little something.  But until I know what that little something is, I will hang out here in limbo and try to get creative with what I have...if I can get through the confusion :)
Today's Throwback Thursday features a beautiful set called Oriental Gardens.  I love these large plant images.  Here I just stamped the image twice - at full strength and half strength - with Always Artichoke ink.  The sentiment is from another favorite retired set called Sincere Salutations.  If you want to recreate this card with a new stamp set, Summer Silhouettes is a great set!  It has a wonderful leafy image that would look beautiful!  As for the greeting, you might try Delightful Dozen.  It has a lovely "get well soon" sentiment that would work well with Summer Silhouettes!  Enjoy!

Out On A Whim Wednesday: Decorating Matchbook Notepads

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Support Other Artists!

Last Friday I took myself on a fun date :)  I went and walked around the Cherry Creek Arts Festival here in Denver for a few hours.  Talk about inspiration!!!!  It was wonderful to be around all of that creative energy and to watch people walking about to appreciate the creative outpouring the artists had on display.  I often walk through art fairs/shows and take note in my mind of all the different things I might be able to try/make myself.  This time around, I still had that thought in my mind.  At the same time, though, I recognized that without these artists sharing their work, my creative well might have been a bit drier.  So, I decided it was time to give back to these artists and actually buy some things.  It was my way of putting energy back into the well.  To support another artist demonstrates to the Universe that creativity is something to be cherished and honored.  I came home with two new pieces of art - one by artist Olive Kraus and the other by artist Angie Pickman.  It felt wonderful to be able to support these two talented women and to add their energy into my home :)  When was the last time you supported another artist????
Today's Out On A Whim Wednesday began with a gift from my cousin.  When I visited her a number of weeks ago she handed me this box:

She had purchased this box of mini matchbook notepads quite awhile ago - thinking that she would figure out something to do with them.  Unfortunately, they ended up sitting alone in her craft room...until she gifted them to me!  I figured it was time to break out these mini pads and start to decorate them with stamps, designer series paper and ink!  This is the first one that I completed - using the Comfort Cafe designer series paper, a handcut tag, some stamping from Notably Ornate (retired) and Tiny Tags, a touch of sponging, a snip of linen thread, and a scalloped edge.  I hope you like it :)  You can expect to see a few more of these in the near future.  If you don't have these mini matchbooks, think about using the designs/ideas to create focal images on cards :)  See where the inspiration might take you!

Bring On The Cake Banner Card

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  "Writing a novel is like driving a car at night.  You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." - E.L. Doctorow

I came across this quote in the book Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott.  It struck me that creating art - even in the form of a card - is much like driving a car at night.  Sometimes we just know what color we want to use.  Or maybe we have selected a stamp that is calling to us, but we don't have the color planned out...or the design for that matter.  And that is okay.  We can make the whole creative journey that way - just seeing only as far down the road as you can at that given moment.  So get started...the road is waiting!!!!!
Banners still seem to be all the rage when it comes to paper crafting!  So, I decided to join in the fun and create one big banner as the focal point for this card.  I cut a piece of Whisper White card stock and then hand cut the banner end.  I stamped multiple images from Circle Circus around the edges using Cajun Craze and So Saffron ink.  Next came the greeting from Bring On The Cake that I colored using Cajun Craze and So Saffron markers to give it that dual color look.  I then sewed the banner to the card using my sewing machine and a straight stitch.  A few dimensionals on the bottom of the banner give the banner a little lift!  I hope you like it :)

Toilet Paper Ribbon/Lace Roll: A Video!!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Some Days I'm Not Sure What I've Learned

As I sit down to write my lessons from the craft room, I try to reflect on what I have learned that day or the day before.  Maybe something struck me during the day as significant - something I saw, or read, or experienced.  Some days, though, I am left wondering, "What did I actually learn today?"  Maybe that's the learning in and of itself.  That some days we don't grow or learn anything - or maybe we just don't realize yet what the lesson to be distilled from the day is.  I'm sure there is something I learned today - something that is significant for my life - something that will help me along my journey.  Just because I can't recognize it right now, doesn't mean it wasn't there.  Maybe the lesson will become clear in time...
Today I wanted to share a video with you on how to put those good 'ol toilet paper rolls to use :)  (Lorraine, this one is especially for you since I know you have a stash of rolls waiting to be turned into something special!!!!) :)  Enjoy!

Four Ways Friday #93 - Lovely As A Tree

I approached this week's Four Ways Friday with the Lovely As A Tree stamp set much the way I approach nature.  I believe that nature is beautiful all on its own, so I found it difficult to create highly embellished cards with these gorgeous nature images.  So instead, I kept it simple, simple, simple while still incorporating a few different techniques/ideas.  I hope you enjoy this simple approach to nature :)

A few stamps, a bit of ink, and a touch of Dazzling Details.  This is how I approached this first card.  I began with a Sahara Sand base and stamped the large tree in black.  Next I stamped the sentiment from Loving Thoughts.  The finishing touch was a bit of sparkle with some Dazzling Details.  Simple, graphic and bold.

You can add some whimsy to your cards by combining images from different sets.  This tree always reminded me of a drawing, so I decided to pair it with the pen from Established Elegance.  I colored the tree using a variety of Stampin' Pastels.  I love the soft color they give to an image.  The sentiment is from Loving Thoughts.  Imagine if I could draw like that...

I often forget about the gorgeous tone-on-tone effect you can get by stamping with Versamark and then heat embossing with clear embossing powder.  That is exactly what I chose to do for this card.  The image and sentiment (from Apothecary Art) were stamped with Versamark on Always Artichoke card stock.  I heat embossed with clear embossing powder and then adhered the panel to a Very Vanilla card base.  So simple and so beautiful.

If you are in the mood for a meditative exercise, cutting out this leaf image is for you!  I stamped the leaf image and cut it out with my paper snips.  I then colored it using cotton swabs and Stampin' Pastels.  I took the card base and ran it through the Big Shot with the oval Designer Frames embossing folder.  The leaves were popped up on dimensionals and the sentiment from Curly Cute was stamped in black.
I hope you've enjoyed this week's simple return to nature with the Lovely As A Tree stamp set.  I hope these simple ideas inspire you to see the beauty in simplicity :)  May you have a simply beautiful and creative weekend!!!!!

Throwback Thursday: Botanicals

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Do What You Need To Do To Make Yourself Feel Better!

If you follow my blog then you probably know that I often struggle with the whole idea of retiring stamp sets and discontinued items.  I know that I live in a consumer-focused world and that by being a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I am a contributing member of this society of materialism.  Most days I am okay with that.  I love our products and I, like everyone else, like fresh and new products to play with.  Some days though, I find myself staring at my shelves of retired items and it makes me sad.  Sad that I have perfectly wonderful, beautiful supplies that I no longer use because they have been labeled "retired."  Some people part with their retired items.  I don't happen to be one of them (that's another story for another day).  As a matter of fact, I have even been guilty of purchasing retired items because of their beauty and then I stop myself from using them because of their status..."retired."  So the other day I was thinking about placing another Stampin' Up! order in an effort to refresh my supplies and I hesitated.  I have many stamps that have never seen ink - they are as fresh as anything - so why not play with them?  I know what you're thinking..."They're retired!"  Yeah, yeah...and so is my mom, but I still talk to her and spend time with her and enjoy her!  So there!  So I decided to create a special space for my retired and discontinued items that I still keep and love.  Every week I am now going to share Throwback Thursday with you!!!!!  Every Thursday I will ink up one of these much-loved stamp sets and put them to work!  One thing I appreciate about Stampin' Up! is that there is often a current "similar" stamp set available if you want the same look and feel of the retired set.  I will do my best to identify the current set that could give you a similar look.  I hope you enjoy Throwback Thursdays!  I know I will :)
Today's Throwback Thursday features the Botanicals stamp set.  I stamped all of the images onto a Naturals Ivory card base using Basic Black ink (except for the script background - I stamped that image with Crumb Cake ink).  I love how you can create an elegant one-layer card with this set.  You can absolutely create a similar look with the Nature Walk stamp set.  You might even pair it with the En Francais background set.  See what you currently have that might mimic this one-layer look!  Your stamps are calling to you :)

Out On A Whim Wednesday: Playing With Plaster Of Paris

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Take It Off The Shelf And Put It To Use!!!!

Do you have something sitting on your shelf in your creative space that you have never used?  No, this isn't a trick question :)  You can admit to it - your secret is safe with me :)  A particular box of Plaster of Paris has been sitting on one of my shelves for quite a long time...taunting me.  It happened to be not too far from another box - one of Amazing Molding Putty - also unopened.  So the time finally arrived to take those boxes off the shelf and put them to use!  What better way to honor Out On a Whim Wednesday!!!!  The Amazing Molding Putty is super easy to use and I was able to mold a few items in under 40 minutes!  Pretty cool!  I then mixed some Plaster of Paris with water and poured the mix into the molds.  About an hour later you can demold the plaster and then let it sit for another 24 hours to dry.  Here is what one of my pieces looked like when it was removed from the mold:

I am not quite sure where this piece will end up...somehow a wood board and some type of collage seem to be attracting me...we'll see what happens :)  (In case you are wondering, the pattern came off of an antique box that Michael found in the course of his work as an antique dealer...I knew the pattern had to be molded!)  In the meantime, I've been hard at work molding some other objects that I have big plans for!  Sometimes all it takes is taking something off of your shelf and putting it to use to give you a big burst of inspiration!!!!

Acrylic Block Color Wash: A Video!!!!

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Do Something You Don't Feel Like Doing

I spent some indoor time on the couch this past weekend and the tv came on (I hadn't watched any tv in awhile).  I was very excited that the first thing I saw when I turned on the tv on Saturday was the prologue for the Tour de France!  I love watching the Tour and find it incredibly motivating!  After the Tour segment was over, on came the men's gymnastics trials for the Olympics.  Are you sensing a theme here (other than the part that I was watching all men)?  After watching people exercise for an hour and a half on tv, I had the thought that maybe I should try doing a little exercise too.  My exercise, other than walking Buddy, has been sporadic at best lately.  And I've gotta admit, the last thing I wanted to do at that moment was get my butt off the couch and go exercise.  But somehow I did it.  I picked myself up off the couch, put on my workout clothes, placed a P90X2 video in the player downstairs and got to work!  I can't say my motivation increased much during the workout itself, but what did that matter.  I was exercising and getting it done!  I have to admit that afterwards I had a big smile on my face!  I did it!!!!!  Sometimes it's worth doing something you just don't feel like doing - it can really boost your mood!  Give it a try!
Here is a video to show you how I used an acrylic block and some ink to create the color wash background in today's card.  Enjoy!!!!

Nature Walk Stamped Collage

Today's Lesson From The Craft Room:  Sometimes I Let My Temper Get The Best Of Me

I was away last week for work and, as usual, went through my sadness at leaving home and my inability to fall asleep as early as I would like in the hotel rooms.  I hit a bit of a limit on Wednesday night.  It was after 10:30 pm and I had already been listening to the child and his mother (and maybe another voice) in the room next door for long enough.  It sounded as if the child had eaten 15 boxes of Fruit Loops and washed it down with a gallon of Coke.  That child was WOUND UP!  Now I understand that kids will be kids and they need their time to scream and laugh and jump and bang.  I also understand that 10:30 pm in a public hotel during the week is not the time for it.  I contemplated banging on the wall, shouting obscenities or turning the tv to maximum volume.  Instead I chose to take the civil route...and called down to the front desk to inform them that my desire to slumber was being interrupted by the youth and his family next door.  They said they would send security up and apologized for my lack of rest.  I did not hear security come up, but after about an hour, the sugar and caffeine seemed to have worn off sufficiently for the kid to calm down and get into bed (rather than jump on it).  I, of course, was now wide awake and did not find my zzz's until after midnight.  When the alarm went off before 6 a.m. I almost didn't hear it - I was pooped.  But, up I got - showered, packed, ready to start my day...and then the little devil appeared on my shoulder.  Hmmm...it's very quiet in that room this early in the morning.  I bet they are soundly asleep...enjoying their sweet dreams of sugar plum fairies and bubblegum clouds.  And yes, I did it...I admit it...when I went to close my closet after putting on my work clothes, I pushed the door a little...okay...a lot harder than I normally would...just to make it slam!  I also didn't even consider keeping the hotel room door from slamming shut behind me when I went out into the hall with my luggage.  I don't know if it woke them up.  And yes, I know it was a bit passive aggressive of me.  Is it wrong to say...it felt good?!  Yes, sometimes I let my temper get the best of me and I wish I was a better person and didn't allow it to happen.  I guess I still have some room to grow :)
Today's card was a quick stamped collage card.  I created the background with some ink and some water (I think I'll try to make a video of the technique to share with you tomorrow).  I stamped multiple images from the Nature Walk stamp set and then colored in the images with ink and my aqua painter.  I added a touch of dazzling details to the flowers.  The sentiment is from Loving Thoughts.  I finished things off by sponging the edges of the panel with Marina Mist ink.  I hope you like it :)

Reason To Smile Promotion Begins Today!!!

Promotion dates: July 1-31, 2012

Promotion Details: During July, you have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive stamp set, available only through this special offer!

Get the Reason to Smile Set-up to a $20.95 value-for just $5 when you spend $50 on any Stampin' Up! products.

Description	$5 Item	Price
Reason to Smile Wood-Mount Set	131274*	$5.00
Reason to Smile Clear-Mount Set	131275*	$5.00

*Enter this $5 item number after reaching $50 on your order.