Tres Chic

I've been meaning to use this background stamp for such a long time.........it was one of the first ones I ordered in my new catalog in July! Well, today I got it out, dusted it off and put it to use. Pomegranate with white craft ink and that is about it! Also opened up that gorgeous ribbon that has been sitting on the shelf too. I think I might have used something to make the white cardstock a little less stark, but here it is.. Yes, it is simple but I like it! Hope you do too, thanks for looking in.

Season of Joy

Here is another swap from the Gathering in Syracuse. It is made by Rebecca Romero and it is stunning. Here is the recipe:
CS: Purely Pomegranate, Wild Wasabi, and Black
Ribbon: Purely Pomegranate double stitched
Ink: Whisper White Craft and Silver Embossing Pwd

I also see a silver brad there holding the ribbon. Such a pretty card and only one stamp set.............thanks for stopping in today.

Apple Cider

Love this designer paper and how it matches the Really Rust cardstock I started with! Next I used the River Rock with Really Rust ink and the Baroque Motif stamp set. With the half inch punch I made the flowers from the paper and added some crystal effects to make them shine. On top of the choc chip taffeta ribbon I used the scallop punch to cut the other piece of Apple cider paper and there you have it! I started out thinking I would follow a sketch challenge, but didn't follow through, maybe tomorrow. I'm so grateful to Beth for helping me get my scanner back working with my computer again, she did it in about three minutes, I had monkeyed with it for days! Thanks, Beth! Have a great day everyone and stop in again soon.

True Friend

This is my kind of card! Mary Kay sent this to me and I love it, quick and beautiful. She used the True Friend and it's Designer Series matching paper, Apple Cider. I haven't used a lot of texture paper, but seeing this mounted on the River Rock makes me think I need more, it does look elegant. Just the tiny bit of vanilla taffeta ribbon finishes the card just right. Thanks Mary Kay for this great inspiration. We are gearing up for the "Support the Troops" stampathon on Nov. 10. Talked to Judy Tinker yesterday and she has created one of the cards that we'll stamp that day. I'll send the list of suggested items to bring to all my stamp people today. We will be glad to accept monetary donations for shipping the goodies to Iraq. I'll keep you posted, thanks for looking in.

Whale Wishes

This is my version of the card that Diane Zechman /SCS cookiestamper brought to us on Saturday. How clever is this?? I used a CD/DVD sleeve (the blue) and cut a circle of River Rock with my coluzzle to outline it. I stamped the Weathered background on both with Always Artichoke ink and tied the double stitched ribbon around the circle. On the inside: a piece of white cardstock 4 3/4" square that I stamped the fish and grass from Whale Wishes with Always artichoke ink. I scribbled the water line and then colored the water with Bordering Blue with my aquapainter. The 4 x 6 plastic bag has just a small amount of hair gel in it and taped to the back of the white cardstock and slipped into the envelope! Easy but such fun to "squish." I can't wait to get the Boatload of Love stamp set that I ordered this morning! Thanks to Diane for the great idea, it was fun!

Oh so Lovely

This was a swap from the Splitcoast Gathering that I just absolutely fell in love with. It was done by Arin Burdo and I think it is just elegant. She used White, Pomegranate and black cardstock, yes the black is behind the white, but you can't see it well on my piano backdrop. Her ink is black, pomegranate, buckaroo blue, artichoke and soft sky. Accessories are pomegranate double stitched ribbon. Her technique is blender pen and ink, but I'm amazed at how beautifully she shaded the flower. The words are from Stem Sayings and of course the flower is Oh so Lovely. Thank you, Arin, the simplicity of this card is breathtaking. As I look at this closer, I think I see intertwining swirls from Doodle This! I just had to share this beauty!

Lovely as a Tree

Virginia used my all time favorite Lovely as a Tree for her shoebox card Saturday. Starting with Whisper White, we stamped the trees in versamark, embossed in clear emb. pwd then brayered with Soft Sky and Bayou Blue. Or maybe we just stippled over the trees.......that was several days ago you know!! Oh, she also had us punch out the 13/8 circle out of a post it for the moon and later took it off and stippled a little more color on that. We used some Night of Navy toward the center. White taffeta ribbon and the Merry Christmas words from Holiday and Wishes complete this beauty! I wasn't sitting at her table, but she brought tons of extra materials to share with others, which was such a nice gesture. Thanks Virginia.........I love it! Stop again and have a great day.

Doodle This

I was so fortunate to be sitting at the same table with Kirsten Abbe at the Splitcoast Gathering on Saturday. I realized that every time a card really took my eye, I would turn it over and yes, it would have Kirsten's name on it..........she is GOOD! I think this was her demo quality swap card and it is beautiful. Not Quite Navy, Old Olive and a touch of yellow or maybe it is Apricot. The words are from Garden Whimsey and the faux stitching is just perfect. You will see more of her work here in the days coming! I seem to be drawn to her work. Thanks for checking out my blog.

Moose You!

Saturday was the Splitcoast Gathering in Syracuse and it was a great day! I don't understand why a person gets so exhausted doing something they love all day long, but I surely did. It was a wonderful day and I'm grateful to the people who do all the coordination of this great event. I was so happy to have Missy Shipman choose this stamp set for her shoebox card at our table. I have this set and I think she did a great job with it.........the especially clever part was making the frame by using Label Classic stamp set and cutting the frame with the tag punch. It fits perfectly in that rectangle by punching both directions.....clever huh? Here is the recipe for this cute card: Moose You, Label Classics, Creamy Caramel, Close to Cocoa, Chocolate Chip and Very Vanilla cardstock, Choc Chip, Creamy Caramel ,Ruby Red inkpads, Jumbo Eyelet,Red Hemp, Crop a Dile and the tag punch. Thanks so much Missy for this great card!

I'm having trouble with my scanner and not sure about using my camera correctly for blog pictures, so...........bear with me, I hope to get this figured out soon. I was up until 2 AM last night with the online technician trying to correct my problem, but it still isn't working right! The icon for my scanner just won't work on my computer anymore and though I've un-installed the program and re-installed it twice, it still isn't working. I wish I was better with this wonderful technology. Thanks for stopping by today.

Clever little note holder

Wouldn't this make a great teacher gift? Very easy and handy to have. I was inspired by a Kim Wilson technique class from some time ago, and she led us to ChiChiAllen's blog from Dec. 06. Her instructions were easy to follow and her address is chichiallen.blogspot.com. My look is completely different starting with Handsome Hunter cardstock, Roundup designer paper, scallop punch, choc chip taffeta ribbon, and the words from Polka Dots and Paisley. You can't see it, but I also filled the pen with designer paper to match. There is a nice note pad inside and I think I'll make several of these for little Christmas gifts. It is always nice to have something on hand for that unexpected need! Check in again soon, have a great day!

Abundant Joy

One of the many perks of being a Stampin' Up demonstrator is that we receive a monthly magazine called Stampin' Success......I love it! New ideas, scrapbook layouts, and I always immediately go to the page with the new technique as soon as it arrives in my mailbox. This month it's "a watercolor wonder: the stained glass technique" and here is my version. I used the Abundant Joy flower which I stamped on vellum with stazon first. I used the vellum cardstock and I think the regular vellum is what they meant, turned it over and colored with the crayons and aquapainter, than mounted it on white CS with mini glue dots. Isn't it pretty? My background is Lovely Lilac with Doodle This swirls and Short and Sweet words. A bow with the taffeta ribbon finished it for me. Great technique and I'm sure I'll try many more cards using it.

Thanks for looking.

Jolly Snowman!

Make you feel a little chilly? I cased this card from a swap that I got from this year's convention. I don't think there was a name on it, but thanks to whoever did the original. I changed things a bit, but in general it is like the swap I received and loved. Jolliest Time of the Year is the stamp set and I used So Swirley wheel in the background. I liked the touch of gingham ribbon and added that also. Bashful blue, white and black ink and cardstock just about does it. The nose and scarf is colored with my trusty watercolor crayons and aquapainter. The nights are a bit cooler here but not ready for snow just yet! Have a great day, thanks for taking time to check my blog.

Season of Joy

This is a wonderful set from the Holiday Mini....so many good stamps all in one set. I paired this with the Print Pattern background and used the new In Colors, Pomegranate and Wild Wasabi. White uniball pen on the side of the Print Pattern gives it some depth. You can't see it very well, but there is some Dazzling Diamonds here and there on the words to give it a little pep. Wild Wasabi double stitched ribbon holds that 1/2" fold back quite nicely. And yes, I stamped Pomegranate on the same color paper for the background. This was a fun card!

Year after Year

Good Monday morning! Such a busy week-end but a good one too. We had another winner Mystery Hostess on Saturday........congratulations Mary Wagner. This is one of the Christmas cards from the Stamp a Stack. Year after Year, Holiday Tag Team and Flannel Plaid are the stamp sets I used and only Handsome Hunter ink and paper on Sahara Sand background. A couple of punches, scallop and 13/8" and a Rhinestone brad does it! A good time was had by all and hopefully several decided what they will be making for their Christmas cards this year! Thanks for taking a peek today.

Leaves Awash

Believe me the leaves around here are awashing! It has been so dry, I guess we need this rain, but we aren't used to it. I like the idea of this card with the bookmark that folds into it. I used the perforating tool from the cutter kit so it can be easily removed from the card. The jumbo wheel is of course Leaves Awash stamped in Basic Brown and colored in with watercolor crayons and the aquapainter. That is mounted on So Saffron and then Always Artichoke with the word on the window punch from Warm Words. Just a bit of green gingham ribbon at the top to help hold your page! A nice little extra with a card for that special friend.

Last night was my first of two Stamp a Stacks and it worked out well. Congratulations to Anne Marie Heymann for winning the Mystery Hostess prize..........it was a great one! We had a BIG party and she reaped some wonderful benefits, thanks to all who came and ordered! Saturday will be a chance for someone else to benefit. I still have some openings for Saturday AM if anyone in this area is interested. 8:30 until noon, although you no doubt will be done before then. Give me a call if you are interested. Thanks for stopping in today.

Autumn in Central NY????

I thought it might be nice to try another waxed paper resist using the Pumpkin Patch spectrum pad, but not sure it is what I had in mind!! Anyway, here it is, not really like the beautiful colors we saw on a ride in Central NY yesterday, but I tried.......Glossy white of course with the pad and then I used Basic Brown for the trees and word. Mounted that on Pumpkin Pie, Choc. Chip and then So Saffron. Added a little aged copper hardware with the Choc Chip taffeta ribbon and there you are. I'm excited because tonight is my Christmas Stamp a Stack and I love doing them! Check in tomorrow.........

Dorothy's Shaving Cream

Last night at our Stamp 10 meeting I was returning the cards that Dorothy Dimento made with shaving cream and realized I hadn't shown you this beauty! I can't tell you much about what she used, but the simplicity of the card tells it all! I'm not sure how many colors of ink she used, but I would guess only Handsome Hunter and one other perhaps blue. We all oohed and aahed over it and I decided you all need to see what can be done with shaving cream and a few words. We had a wonderful crowd at the meeting last night and I think we all had a good time, what a nice group. Two of our group had just returned from world traveling, so I'm hoping they will be scrapbooking some of their pictures for us. Next month will be scrapbook month by the way. Also the plans are under way for our "Support our Troops" day on November 10. Judy Tinker and Tammy Ayers will be co-hosting the event which will be at my house that Saturday afternoon. All will be invited to stop in to make cards and collect items to be sent to Iraq. I will have a list of items that can be donated in a few days. Hope you all will mark your calendars. Thanks for stopping by today.

Christmas cards already??

Yes, I get so annoyed at the stores for rushing the season, but it is time to think about ordering and making the Christmas card for this year!! This week is my Christmas Stamp a Stack, so I've really been thinking cards for the season for a while now. This one was a favorite technique last year and I chuckle when I think about it.....many, many years ago one of my best friend's husband said to us "crafters", "when you ladies can make something with the lint from the dryer, I'll be impressed!" Well, this is close! This is using a used dryer sheet and it is really very attractive. I stamped the Snowflake Spot on the white cardstock with Night of Navy, and Bashful Blue ink and ran it through my Xyron machine, sprinkled a little dazzling Diamonds on it and laid the dryer sheet on top of it...........simple! It is possible to do this with spray adhesive too, but my Xyron is handy. Then I just embossed the words from Many Merry Messages in Silver, added the silver brads and a couple of torn pieces of Night of Navy and Bashful Blue paper. A very pretty card and a great technique. No, this isn't one of the Stamp a Stack cards, I'll share those next week! Stay tuned................

Thankful thoughts

Well, well, my scanner does work!! And so do my watercolor crayons which have been taking a rest. I do like those crayons and realized this morning that I haven't been using them lately. This is a great stamp set to watercolor........Thankful Thoughts. I did use some blue in the background around all the leaves etc, but it doesn't show up well. The leaf in the left hand corner looks like the trees across the road from our house, beautiful fall colors. Creamy Confetti is the background cardstock with choc chip paper and tafetta ribbon. Again I like the sets that make the whole card, a real timesaver. Busy week coming up with Stamp 10 on Tuesday and my Christmas Stamp a STack on Thursday and Saturday!! Now I'm wondering why I scheduled all this in one week, but it will be a fun week!

September Technique Winner!

This is Dorothy Dimento's winning card for last month. I wish my picture showed the background that she did with shaving cream a little more clearly......it is really gorgeous. Some retired stamps and colors here, but she did a wonderful job and I hope she inspired others to be sure to bring samples next time! Thank you, Dorothy.

File Folder card

This was inspired by the directions on Beate's website a few days ago. Her website is listed on my favorites on the right hand side of my blog, and you should check her out........she is fantastic!
I've used More Mustard and yes, Lyn this is Old Olive with the designer paper . I did use the Wild Wasabi ribbon with it and in real life it matches better than in this picture! Birthday greetings from Hugs and Wishes and the Love You on the punch tab is from Short and Sweet. How often I find that word set fits in tiny places! This is a fun card and can be used for many different occasions. Try it!

Spooky House

Well, what do you know? I've spent hours trying to upload the card that I scanned this morning and still can't get it to come up.......it was a good one too! Well, you can believe that or not! So, after many tries, I decided to try a different card and it came right up here..........who knows. Maybe someday I'll understand my computer. This is the waxed paper resist that we did at my September Technique class. Pretty simple and quick.....my style. My only Halloween words are retired and the new set I ordered were supposed to be in the order delivered today, but now it's almost four o'clock and no UPS........boy am I whiney or what today, sorry. It's a beautiful day and I don't mean to be so negative. The background on the Basic Gray Cardstock is the Spooky Skyline rolled in Black, the ribbon is black grosgrain with a few black gingham ties around it. Back to the waxed paper resist, if you haven't done it, you should try. Wad up some waxed paper and iron it between a couple of pieces of Glossy cardstock. Then with a brayer just roll it with whatever color ink you want. This is Going Gray, then stamp on top of your background. Any lighter color comes out nicely such as Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink etc. Have fun and give it a try. Oh, oh I hear the UPS man now!!!

More Elegant Notes

Yes, I do like this stamp set! I seldom use this background stamp called French Flair, but it does go well with the Elegant Notes, I think. I stamped the words with black on the Brushed Gold paper although it doesn't show up very well, then I mounted it on the black which I had stamped with gold Encore. I planted a Fire Brad in the corner, wrapped some of that nice stretchy gold cord around the whole thing and there you have it! Very elegant, don't you agree? Stop in again...........

Elegant Notes

Good morning........when the new catalog came out in July, this set was my favorite of all the new stamps, maybe because I have taught piano for so many years. Anyway, it was the first set I ordered and last night I realized I never use it!! It is so lovely, it needs to be hauled out and enjoyed. I started with the paisley background, another one I love but seldom use, with the Sage Shadow ink on white cardstock. Stamped the Elegant Notes in Black and punched the half inch black note and added the line with my black marker for the eighth note. The piece on the bottom is what I cut off from the top piece and tied a black grosgrain ribbon around it. I must use this set more often! It is so graceful. Thanks for looking.

Bleach sample

This is a thank you for a very special person! The technique seemed to be the favorite of the September group and very simple using a bleach pen. I've hesitated to use bleach with a stamping group for fear of ruining someone's clothes, but the bleach pen is pretty trusty. We just squeezed a little bit of it in a palette tray and painted the leaf with a small paintbrush. You never know what you will get from the cardstock when you bleach it. This Always Artichoke seemed to come out with a little red, but it may have been the Brown Stazon that we stamped with first, I'm not really sure which, but it is nice! Chocolate chip, Real Red cardstock with a bit of choc chip tafetta ribbon. The stamp sets are With Gratitude and my old standby, Wonderful Words. Thank heavens Stampin' Up didn't retire that one! Stop by again.......I have to go get this in the mailbox!