My new favorite card!

Hope everyone had a great weekend! We did! Saturday we went and swam in my MIL's pool. It's just one of the bigger ones that you take down every year. Now, if Joe has 'that look' on his face when he gets into it, you know, the 'this is colder than a well diggers butt' look, I don't get in. I personally don't like swimming in cold water, but that's just me. Ava and Jolee got in and were having a great time but when I put Clinton in with Joe he started screaming. Wha? Screaming? Could he possibly be like mommy and not want to stand in ice water??? So, he and I ended up playing around on the patio instead. I'll share a few pics later on but for now I want to show you THIS.....


I think this is my new favorite card. I just love the crispness of it! But wouldn't ya know the pirate ship paper piecing is not my idea. I got the idea from debils on SCS. Here is the link to her card. Mine is a little different but credit needs to be given where credit is due! The sunshine is all me though. I punch a 1" hole into Barely Banana and lined up the Cuttlebug flower die over it and ran it through my Sizzix. Then I punched a hole in the paper, glued the outer rim of the sun to the CS and the adhered the inner circle on the the inside of the paper. Stamped Ahoy, Matey and voila! Then I just paper pieced the ship. I will definitely be making more of these!

• Ahoy Matey stamp set
  
• Bashful Blue, Bliss Blue, Barely Banana, Creamy Caramel, white CS
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• Cuttlebug flowers die (are they really JUST flowers? I think not!)
• 1 inch circle punch
• red marker, stickles, pop dots

***
Okay, so now let the torture begin! Pictures of my kids! {wink} I know these need to be photoshop'd but all I had time to do was crop and add my watermark.


I think we have the top of the cheer pyramid girl here! Joe has been doing this with her since she was a baby.


Ava did it too but she gets a little more scared. She hasn't had as much experience as Jolee.

*And by the way, I let my hubby do this because I think his arms are one of the sexiest things on his body!!!! Gotta keep 'em in shape!!

Don't forget to tune in tomorrow for True Talent Tuesday!!!! It's gonna be a good one!!!

Happy Summer!

I am so glad it's summer! I am lovin' that the kids can go out and play in their pool all afternoon while I scour things to photograph! BTW I am still so amazed at how much there is still left to learn about my camera. I am really enjoying figuring everything out though! I just downloaded a free 30 day trial of Photoshop CS3. The real software is around $600-$700 so I'm sure I won't be getting that sucker (although with Joe's school discount I could get it for $400, and Yes! I checked). It will be nice to know what program I really want to get though by comparing what one has versus the other. I really hope to be making some money off of this sometime in the near future. But, first things first, still gettin' comfy with my settings and whatnot first. I would love to do Senior pics. Just set a flat fee for the shoot, make a CD of the pictures, hand it over to the parents and let them decide what they want to print out and where. Plus, I have lots of nieces and nephews to practice on! One of my nieces will be a senior this coming year so maybe she could get some word out. Oh, don't I think big! Let's move on shall we?

Just wanted to make a quickie with my adorable Scraptrends stamps. Love this swim suit! I just inked it up this morning. I also don't know what I would do without my snap stamps!!! They are such a fantastic item to have in your stash! I heard they aren't selling them any more. I hope that's not true because for those of you who might not have gotten them (what, were you having mental problems!? {wink}) I would hate for you to have to miss out!

• White CS
• Scraptrends flexible stamps (found them on clearance at JoAnn's)
• Karen Foster 1/8" snap stamps
• True Blue Prismacolor pencil (one of my fave colors)
• Gamsol and blending stump
• Copic gray marker
• stickles
• ribbon
  

This is one that looked so much better in my head!!! I think by the time I got everything on it might have been just a tad too much. I dunno. I hope you like it Tiffany! Cause it's in the mail and comin' to you! I used chipboard again. Painted it white and distressed it with sand paper. Punched holes in the scallops and added stickles to the holes. Also added stickles to the Cuttlebug flower.

• Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl paper
• Riveting stamp set
• Cuttlebug flower and slides dies
• Mellow Moss classic ink
• Stazon Jet black ink
• Chipboard frame
• ribbon, pop dots, stickles, sand paper, brad

I hope all of you have a good weekend! Make the men in your life have an excellent father's day!!!

RAK and angel wings

So, yesterday was a really odd day for me. I didn't stamp at all. But, the oddest part is, I didn't want to stamp. I have been so tired lately that I didn't even want to put forth the effort to ink a stamp. Other than mowing the grass and doing a little laundry, most of my day was spend snuggled up with my little ones on the couch watching movies or relaxing in the sun while they played in their pool. I did need it though and feel much better today. Although I haven't stamped any yet, I will, I just have been busy this morning trying to get Joe up and ready for class and then I resized and watermarked all of my pics for The Sweet Life Photography too. I made this on Tuesday morning but just haven't uploaded yet. It's the SCS color challenge. I really like these colors together! These images were from an image swap about a year ago. I love this set but don't have it. I think this kind of card is so sweet for someone who you just want to let know that you appreciate and love them.

I tried something new with this card too and I have a feeling that I will be using it more! I thought the edges needed something more than the sponging so I pulled out a pencil, inked up the eraser, and started making scallops on the edges. I have used a pencil eraser before to make dots, but never for scallops. Next time I'll take my time a little more and they won't be so wonky but I like the outcome.

• Furnished with Love (I think!), Paisley BG (Sonlight Impressions)
• Certainly Celery, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip CS
• Chocolate Chip, black, versamark inks
• Mega scallop oval
• pencil eraser
• push pin, ribbon, stickles, pop dots
  

*****
I did get happy mail yesterday though! A RAK from Allison and bunches of Bella images! I can't wait to play!!! Thanks Allison!


Well, I need to get off here and get the kids ready. We are heading in to the library to sign them up for the summer reading program. Our goal this year is 115 books. Last year our goal was 100 but we ended up reading more than that. If they reach their goals their names get put in for prize drawings. Ava won a stuffed kangaroo last year. Jolee was jealous. I tried to explain we didn't do it to win things but when you're 4 you want cool prizes. Maybe her name will be drawn this year!

True Talent Tuesday

Good morning all! I am pleased to announce my very first weekly feature! It will be True Talent Tuesday! Every Tuesday I will showcase an excellent stamper who you may or may not be familiar with. Although I hope after you see their 'True Talent' you will add them to your favorites list.

My very first True Talent is Pam Russell from ParisEstates! This girl rocks! I have been a fan of hers for a while now (since I learned how to make clouds using a scallop punch) and once you see her work, you will be too!

When I told Pam I wanted to feature her she was happy to answer any questions I had for her. She also made the following cards just for me to feature!




Her coloring is amazing! I think I need to take a tutorial for Prismacolor and odorless mineral spirits from her and Tombow markers with a water brush too!

Before I share more of her awesome work I'd like to tell you a little more about her!

A little about yourself: My name is Pam Russell and I am a wife and mother of two (DD is almost 3, and DS is almost 1) in Ontario, Canada. I started my blog (Updates from ParisEstates) in January 2007 and am really enjoying it! I have a special feature on Tuesdays - Turtle Tuesday - where I feature a design with one of my many cute turtle stamps. The blog was started because I love to teach friends about scrapbooking and card making using any new techniques, folds, layouts and designs that I come across - and a blog is such a great way to share with them.

When and how you started stamping: I have always done crafts, any and all kinds of crafts - right from a very young age (thanks Mum!), but I began stamping in 2004 when I attended a CTMH party and haven't looked back.

Your favorite item to use on a card: Colouring!!!!! I love to colour, and there are so many great stamps out there that are just the outline - and you can let your imagination go wild and colour away! I get great results with Prismacolor pencils and Odorless Mineral Spirits, ink pads and a water brush, or my latest addiction - Tombow markers and a water brush! Give it a try!

Other hobbies you might have: Other than spending time with my friends and family - knitting, looking through magazines for inspiration, and basically any kind of crafts at all.

Who is your biggest crafting inspiration: I'd have to say Martha Stewart. She is a lady with an eye for detail (and I admire detail); from the product, to her packaging, it is always "just so". And whether you like her or not, you have to admit she knows how to market and recreate her business!

Now I'd love to share a few of my favorite Turtle Tuesday features. If you only have time to visit her blog once a week, make it Tuesday! This girl does Inky Antics proud! They should pick her up on a Design Team!


And here is just another example of her coloring skills!


Pam's Blog
Pam's Splitcoast gallery

I want to say thanks to all of those reading today and an extra special to Pam for letting me feature her 'True Talent'! Enjoy browsing her work and be sure to add some to your CASE list!

Hey cupcake!

You guys might be noticing my new banner. I can't keep the same one for very long. I like to change it up every once in a while, kinda like my furniture. I also get better with the digi scrapbook stuff as time goes on. Speaking of digi scrapbooking stuff, I was browsing a lot today and ordered some stuff and also downloaded some free stuff too. The new banner uses Corina PhunkyPower paper and the corner overlays from Traci Murphy Designs.

I made this birthday card with some scraps I had laying around. I got this cupcake stamp last week because I NEEDED one. You all know how that is!

• MME patterned paper
• DCWV CS
• Cupcake stamp (Stampabilities)
• Karen Foster 1/8 inch snap stamps
• Mega scallop oval punch, Word Window punch
• aqua painters and re-inkers
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• ribbon, pop dots, stickles, push pin

I do have to say that I am very proud of myself! Last week I did 5 out of the 7 daily challenges on Splitcoast! I rarely ever do any of the challenges over there but I have loved the cards that I have made with the challenges in mind! So, I might end up like a few of the other 'stalkers' on there and get more of a direction on what I can do to expand my paper crafting. Speaking of which, here is my FS18 challenge. Every Sunday they feature a stamper with awesome talent and style (maybe one day I'll be feature, *sigh*) and then you CASE on of their cards. The stamper this week is Seewah. I paper pierced the lines above and below the good friends and I also paper pierced all of the dots on the flourish stamp. I inked the edges with Versamagic cloud white ink and distressed the pink layer.

• Paper Tray (PaperTreyInk), Flourishes (Rhonna Farrer), Simply Said (SU) stamp sets
• kraft, DCWV pink CS
• Stazon Jet Black, Versamagic Pixie Dust, Versamagic Cloud White inks
• ribbon punch
• ribbon, edge distresser, pop dots, push pin

Thanks so much for stopping by! Have a fantastic day and be sure to check back tomorrow for a new special weekly feature!!

Challenge cards with good 'ole Dutchy

Okay, so once I got my stuff yesterday I was torn on what to use first but my longing for the CC paper was too much to bear, so I had to tear it open. This is what I came up with the first time around. It was the SC127 on Splitcoast. I really like this layout and I think I might try it again. I still that it is lacking something but I think if I add anything else I would be overdoing it. However, I did have to add some stickles to make it shine! I also made everything popped up. I think there are like 3 different levels to this bad boy.

• Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl paper
• Wonderful Words stamp set
• Real Red classic ink, Tim Holtz Walnut distress ink
• scallop edge scissors
• spronge, stickles

This is my #2 card with DG paper. I made this for the Ways to Use It challenge #116 on Splitcoast. The challenge was chipboard. Well, whaddaya know!?! I have a new pack of bare naked chipboard sitting on my desk! Yay! I painted a few coats of white onto the chipboard frame and let it dry. Then I took regular sand paper (not the fine grit) and sanded the edges so it would match the distressed look of the paper. The flower is just two of the Cuttlebug flowers stacked on top of eachother (the bottom one in the pic). I really enjoyed doing this card and I just love how it turned out!

• Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl paper
• Noteworthy stamp set (SU)
• Cuttlebug flower dies
• Cosmo Cricket bake named chipboard buttons
• white acrylic paint, brad, velvet ribbon

I hope to be making even more tonight! Oh, and I am getting ready to go update my photography blog! Check it out!

Dutch Girl on my porch!

No, not a real Dutch girl, but something even better!!!!! The Cosmo Cricket Dutch Girl paper!!!!! Wooooooo-Hoooooooo! I have been waiting on this for what seems like forever! It came with all of the other stuff that I won when I made top 20 and top 15 in the Paper Crafts Gallery Idol contest. Lookie at what I get to play with!




So what do I do first?!? Everything is so delicious that I don't know where to start! I do know that those DCWV glitter cards are pretty awesome! I just have to be vewy vewy caweful (in my best Elmer Fudd voice) because you only get 5 in a pack and I don't want to mess any up! Wish me luck!!!!!

*Oh, by the way, I think I might be a little bit coo-coo but the Halfway Cafe paper smells like an antique store! Which is what the paper reminds me of. I thought it must just be the way they make the paper but I smelled the Dutch Girl pack and nope, doesn't smell the same. How weird! But totally cool because the smell completely gets me in the right mood to use it!

No Copics for me!

Good morning all! Today is going to be a good day! I just have a good energetic feeling this morning! I hope everyone has a super-duper day!!

I wanted to make a simple card this morning and I had only used this cherry blossom stamp by Stampendous once before. It's such a beautiful stamp I don't know why I haven't pulled it out more. Anyway, I stamped with Satzon black and used my aquapainter and re-inkers to color it in. I know cherry blossoms are white but I wanted some flowers with color so I just went ahead and colored it with the Rose Romance re-inker. I also added stickles to the centers of the flower but you can't really tell in this pic so I added another up close one.

*By the way, I didn't need a sympathy card for a specific reason, just wanted to keep one handy.

• Cherry Blossoms stamp (Stampendous), Paper Tray (PaperTreyInk)
• watercolor paper
• Stazon Jet Black
• Rose Romance, Close to Cocoa re-inkers
• aqua painter
• stickles
• ribbon
  

You couldn't see the stickles in the big picture so I wanted to give you an up close. Plus I love taking pics with this camera so I don't even need a reason really. {cheesy grin}



This is one I started yesterday a few days ago but got stuck once I got the crown paper sewn on. *Glad I got my sewing machine back in working order by the way* I have been using the flowers from a stem lately (well, always except for the little blue primas I have) and they work just as well as the Primas I think. At least they work for me! I stuck the flowers on and then used my 1/2 hole punch for the center and added a rhinestone and dots with my peach Soufflee pen. The pink in that set seems to be very bright for most of the things I would need it for but the peachy color works well. Next, I stamped with Stazon onto my silk ribbon and added some stickles to the edges. Tah-dah! All done!

• MME patterned paper
• Hampton Arts clear stamps
• Stazon Jet Black
• 1" pink silk ribbon
• flowers from stem
  
• stickles, rhinestone, Soufflee pen, sewing machine, 1/2" hole punch
  

***
Okay, so yesterday I had my regular trip to Blockbuster and Kroger (we get movies every Tuesday) and I wanted to see if Hobby Lobby carried Copic markers. So, being the organized girl I am (if you knew the truth you would laugh) I decided to call first. Riiiiing, Riiiing, "Hello, may I speak to someone in the art department please?" -Transfers call- "Yes, how may I help you?" "I was wondering if you carried Copic markers." "Why, yes we do." "Do you sell them in sets or individually? And if individually, how much are they each?" "We only sell them individually and they are $2.49 each." "Wow! Okay, thank you!" Then, I drive there, park, get my 3 kids out of the car (it is on the way to Blockbuster so I won't complain about that), go straight to the art department and ask someone where they are. She had to take me to the back because I guess they don't keep them up front. So I say "I can't believe that you guys have them for $2.49." "Um, these are $5.89 each ma-am." "Well super! I'm so glad the person on the phone wasted my time! Thank you!" Then I proceed to walk away with a trip into HL wasted! I was pretty mad but I guess I should have known better than to think I could actually find them that cheap. Oh well, I guess there will be no Copics in my future!

On a happier note, I will be introducing new feature to the blog next week! There will be some fun goin' on here! Make sure you check back! I will be sharing some great work by a fantastic artist! Stay tuned!

You Rock and a big H

Alright so I actually sat down and made a card from Amy's Super Sunday Sketch challenge. I didn't get to it last week so I made a point of not getting out of my chair until it was done. I have lots of teenagers and kids in my family so it will be hard to decide who to give it to.

• Guitar stamp (unknown), Paper Tray (you), Simple Bet (TAC)
• The Paper Studio DP
• Marvy Mega Scalloped oval punch
• Oval and circle Coluzzle templates
• ribbon, pop dots

But before I did that this morning I was working on a big 'ole H this weekend. My husband's cousin had her baby shower and she is having a boy in July. I decided I had to do something for her other than buy a gift (which was baby monitors - usefull but boooooring!) so I got this to alter. It was about 12 inches tall or so and was only $2 plus 30% off at Hobby Lobby. The theme for the baby's room is nautical so I had to go with the theme and colors.
Here is the before:


Here is the after:




I painted like 5 coats of white then did 2 coats of the red trim and sanded it all down to distress it a little. Wow, was it time consuming! My back hurt that whole night and I couldn't sleep. BUT! I think she really liked it to it was completely worth it in the end.

Here is a pic of how I wrapped the baby monitors. I couldn't leave it plain! I also put the other stuff in a white gift bag and put a red wooden anchor on the front of it and added some ribbon. I rarely get to do fun stuff like this so I kind of go a little overboard when I do. I also stamped her baby onesies that said 'Future Rock Star' and 'Born to Play' with a guitar beside it. She and her hubby are really into music. He wrote her a song and sang it to her at their wedding, but that's another story for another day. I think I have been blabbing enough already!


I plan on stamping this evening once I update my photography blog so hopefully I'll have some good stuff to share tomorrow! See ya then!

Working my way back up

So, a few weeks ago my 'Stamping top 50' numbers disappeared. I was at 123 which I was very proud of and then it just vanished. I waited a week or so to see if it would come back up but it never did. What I should have done was email one of the people at the top 50 to see what was going on. But, instead I re-registered assuming that my website would still be #123. Wrong-o! I now have to start all the way from the beginning. Ugh! But, I know with all of you guys being so great and loyal, I'll make it back up to 123 and hopefully even higher!

***
I rarely ever do any of the challenges on Splitcoast and I realized the other day that I am seriously missing out! I am passing my some great techniques and avoiding awesome card sketches!

This card is for the SC126. I loved this sketch as soon as I saw it. The card went together easier than I thought too. Isn't that always a a relief!? For the center of the flower I punched a 1/2 inch circle in the turquoise and used a standard hole punch to do the green. Then I just added a few dots and some stickles. Gotta love the stickles!!

• Swirls (Rhonna Farrer), Paper Tray (Paper Tray) stamp sets
• MME Magnolia DP
• DCWV CS
• Stazon Jet Black ink
• 1/2 inch circle punch, standard hole punch

***
I hope everyone has a good weekend! I have to take some stuff into the Salvation Army for donation, get a baby shower gift, and then I have the baby shower to go to. it will be an hour and a half drive but I just love spending time with the people that will be there so it doesn't bother me a bit!

We also have a huge Strawberry festival in town this weekend. The girls want to go but hubby hates crowds (rightly so, there are waaaaaaay too many people in such a small area for this thing!) and I don't know if I could do it by myself with all of those people. Wait, let me rephrase that, I don't know if I WANT to do it by myself! Guess we'll see.

Have a great weekend everyone! Soak up some sun!