Happy New Years to one and all

May 2009 bring you health, happiness and plenty of time for stamping. My playtime is getting cut short today. I'm going in to work at Wendys so someone else can go out for the evening. But I've had a good morning. Had a couple more of my Oriental dolls on the desk. Love this paper.

Now on to my using what I bought and haven't used goal. These little owls are from Hero Arts. Both the card front and the layer behind my images is a new technique from TJs latest newsletter. It was good to get back to making backgrounds. Aren't these owls cute! I colored them in with ink and glitter pens. Wish I had more time to play with them today but maybe tomorrow. Hubby is working, daughter will be gone so I will have all afternoon for stamping. We're ordering Chinese take out which hubby will pick up on his way home and Mom and Dad will be over for a game of Dominoes.

This next cards image is a stamp from I Brake for stamps. It's embossed and colored in with glitter pens. Added some Faux brads. I'm really liking using the faux brads. Imagine all the colors available to us.

The last card for today is another stamp from I Brake for Stamps and the background is a piece of Shimmer Sheetz. Bought it some time ago when everyone was talking about it being discontinued. TJ did a technique with it but I couldn't bear to cover any of the shimmer up with black ink so left it plain. To bad it is not available anymore. It's very pretty.

We all have them

Today I decided to spend the rest of my vacation using stamps or stamp sets I have bought and never used. Look at these cuties from Hero Arts.


I bought them because they were cute but making a card with them became a real challenge for me. So I gathered some oriental papers, vellum and a couple of my backgrounds and got busy.



This is the first one I made. Look at this background paper. Received it in a swap. It is gorgeous and would love to find more of it. I have it in 2 different colors and today was the first time I have had the opportunity to use it. Used a gold glitter pen to color my little girl.


The next 2 I used Copic markers to color. Found out you can not use SU black. It runs and has a blue cast. Stazon works but you must let it dry for awhile. If you use Palette Black Noir though you can color right away. I used 2 of my backgrounds with webbing.


This last one uses a real pretty Oriental paper I bought along with a Shapeabilities Rose. A cousin to the Nestabilities. Colored her with Copics and the rose with the Rub on Metallics.


The square behind her can be made with a 2 3/4" and a 2 1/2" square. Use the SU new scalloped border punch in the center of each side of each square. With the bigger square you get a fancy medallion of sorts and with the smaller square you just get the center piece.
So this week why don't you pull out a stamp you have never used and make a card. Send me a picture of it by email and I will post it here for viewing. I can hardly wait to see what you come up with and tomorrow for me another set of stamps. This one with owls.

I'm back with paint chips

The computer was fixed and home within 3 days. I'm so happy. Do you remember that craze about 2 years ago? Every time I was in a store that sold paint I had myself a handful of paint chips. I had a huge collection. The problem was I just collected them. Never did much with any of it. Finally threw most of them away. This week I grabbed a handful and decided to use them. Take a look. Can you tell they are paint chips? You can stamp on them or use them as a background. Most of the images I received in image swaps.
These 2 use a crackle sample.


This one uses 2 different samples mixed with some paper.

This one is stamped on using Stazon and colored with markers.

computer problems

Just wanted to let you know my fun has ended for a few days. Computer died last night. Hopefully I'll be back on soon. I have been asked how do you post to a blog. Well all you have to do is click on the subject for the post you would like to comment on. In this case it would be computer problems. A new screen will pop up with the whole post in it. Scroll all the way down to the bottom. There will be a place for you to write. If you don't have a google account click on Annonymouse (excuse the spelling) but sign your name to the comment you made so I know who has written me. That's all there is to it. Hope to write you soon. I had a few more Tutorials ready for you. This time I think we need a new computer.

Merry Christmas Eve

Here's a quick card I made this afternoon with 2 quicky tips. See the Cuttlebug background. Run your Card stock through the cuttlebug. Now peel a crayon and rub it across the raised design. Then take a sponge and add color to the rest of the card stock. The crayon resists the ink so wherever you had crayon the ink will not stick. Just something for those of you sitting with the kiddies and coloring. Next thing is see the brads. They are not brads. Take a hole punch, punch whatever color of card stock you want, attach them to the card and then top with Glossy Accents. You could also run the punchies through the small Xyron and after adding to your card, peel of the paper and add glitter. That's it for today. Enjoy tomorrow. I will be back on Friday.

Day 3 another Tutorial and a tip

Hubby is out feeding his farm so I'm free again for a short while. Then we'll be out and about for the afternoon. Look at this image. I ruined it.

It was so pretty and then I decided to emboss a sentiment in the middle. I never never remember to use my embossing buddie. Well this week I have been reorganizing my stuff and putting things out where I can see it. So my embossing buddie is now on my desk in plain sight right next to my heat gun which used to live in a drawer. The image I can not redo as it was one I received in a swap but I'm going to remember my buddie. TIP: put out those things you never think about using. We all have something we bought and it just sits. Put it out where you can see it so the next time you sit down to play you will actually see it. If they are in your sight you might start using them and ALWAYS use your embossing buddie before you sprinkle on the EP.

Now here is my card from yesterdays post. The sentiment is from I Brake for stamps. The little blue jay is from an image swap I was in. Sure would like to know where he is from. I love him.

On to todays project. This is an old technique. but I had never tried it until Kim demoed it for us at our groups get together. You will need a sandwich container or other box similar in size. a few marbles, a couple of reinkers, double sided removable tape and a piece of card stock cut to size.

Tape your card stock to the lid and put a few drops of reinkers in the box.

Add your marbles, close it up and SHAKE IT!! Up and down and side ways and turn it up side down and do it some more. Here's what you get.

Now the ink isn't all gone so tape another piece to the lid. Add a few drops of another color and do it all over again.

Here is the finished project. Hope if you haven't tried this you will.

A quick webbing lesson

Hubby is out running an errand so I have a few moments to play. I LOVE webbing. I know you probably get tired of hearing me say that but I can't help it. Love the stuff!! So here is a real fast background. You need a brayer, piece of card stock and an ink pad. Oh and of course the Webbing. This one is a Kaleidacolor blank rainbow pad. I made my own color combination. Very cool. I used all SU inks; More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie, Mellow Moss, Tempting Turquoise and Night of Navy.



Just take short strokes with your brayer. We're looking for the blotchy look.



OK now fill in the whole piece of card stock with this kind of stroking.



Now is the time for the webbing. It comes in gold, silver, black and white.



Sometimes I spray outside in the grass but for class purposes I bought this rubbermaid wash basin container at Walmart. Lay your piece in the bottom and spray away. Remember to keep your arm moving. If you hold it still you will get big blobs instead of a webbed look.



And here is the finished work of art. I used 3 colors of webbing; black, gold and white.



Keep checking back. I plan to post everyday during my time off with lots of tips and ideas
.

vacation day 2

Husband is home on vacation too. Luckily he is busy cleaning his room. Been in there 2 hours and I can't tell he's done anything. He's a shuffler. Oh well it's keeping him busy. Finished up a few more Collage cards from yesterday. All stamps are from I Break for Stamps and A Time to Stamp. I'm not quite sure the 2 bird ones are done. I think they need something else. Possibly a feather charm.







The yellow and pink butterfly card is a Smoosh. Just took yellow and pink Brilliance and smooshed it around the card stock. It was the only paper I didn't cover with webbing yesterday. The butterfly is embossed with gold and then sponged with distressed inks and cut out. Added a few Nestabilities and some bling.



The last card today uses a technique from TJ called Glimmering Silk. It has a real sparkling look to it you can't see in the picture. Stamps are from I Brake for Stamps. Added a few white dots with a glaze pen.



Well don't forget I will be adding a "how to" for something this week. I just need to keep the husband busy so I can stamp. Hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday.

The vacation has started

and I am having so much fun. This morning I have brayered, sponged and smooshed and then webbed it all. I LOVE webbing. So many different looks and I made dozens in such a short amount of time. When I was finished with that I started samples for my upcoming class on Collage. If you are interested let Susan know at the Stamping Studio in Spring Hill. It will be on April 11th from 12-2. Here are a few of the cards I came up with. All stamps are from I Brake for Stamps and Time to Stamp.

Christmas Cards all finished

Here are 2 more cards. The first one we will be making at the January 16 Crop at The Stamping Studio. The second card uses my beloved Cuttlebug. I finally have the last of my cards addressed and all will be mailed tomorrow. YEAH!! One more week of work and then I am on vacation and to celebrate that we shall be making something during the Holidays. So be watching for it. Not sure what it will be. Hope everyone enjoys the holidays with Family & friends.
Merry Christmas from my Family to Yours.

A few more Christmas cards

It's a bit chilly here this morning. Almost brings back memories of the Northern December. Glad to know though that it will only be here for today and tomorrow we will be back to normal. My kind of winter. No boots, shovels or large heavy coats for us anymore. The batch of cards I addressed last week end were mailed and now I'm starting on the second set. Have the envelopes all addressed. Just need to fill them and will get them off in tomorrows mail.

This first one is Stencil & Paste which I chalked .



The stamp for this one is from I Brake for Stamps. It's embossed and water colored.



This last one is also from I Brake for Stamps. I did a reversed spotlight technique.

Another Fold

I saw this on another blog but the pictures and directions made no sense to me. I gave up on it. Then over on Amazing Paper Grace she had made a card using this folded flower/star and it all fell into place. So here are 2 I made last evening. It was so EASY!! I can't believe I couldn't figure it out the first time. After work I plan to make a few more. I love it!!

Thanksgiving is over

Well today is the day I usually start to address my Christmas cards. Today however we're going to Tampa to visit my husbands brother and his family who have a timeshare there. But when I get home this evening I will get started and mail off a few tomorrow morning. Here is a couple of the cards I will be sending.

I love folds. This was an easy one and it makes a cute Christmas tree.

What did you do with your Christmas Party napkin??

My "Stamping in Florida" Yahoo Group had our Christmas party last Saturday. I don't think any of these napkins were used for the usual purpose. They were snatched up and put away for some later crafting projects. Here's mine. He made such a cute card!! Added lots of Stickles, a couple of glittered snowflakes and some Glossy Accents to his carrot nose. Adorable.
I'm also getting ready to teach some background techniques using the CuttleBug embossing folders at the Stamping Studio. This was an extra background I made and a medallion made using my SU punches.

Happy Thanksgiving and a tutorial

Hope everyone had a wonderful day full of good food and family. I spent all morning playing here at my desk as I wasn't the one making the turkey. I've been working on making gift card holders. Have tried several different versions I have seen on the internet. Here's what I've come up with. It's simple and quick. Cut your main card stock 4 1/4 x 11. Score at 3, 5 1/2 and 8.

Now fold it in half and then fold the 2 outer panels towards your fold. It should look like this.

Next I ran it through the Cuttlebug. Just the front panel. Now you could decorate the front with pretty paper or a background you've made. That's totally up to you.

Now add red line tape to the center portion as pictured and seal shut.

Take your gift card and trace around a 1/4" from the edge.



Cut this out and you have the opening for your card.



Now you could decorate the inside of the card also if you like. Now to finish the outside. Apply adhesive to the center of a 12" piece of ribbon and attach to the card.

Now tie the ribbon in a bow and decorate your front.


Hope this is helpful for anyone giving a gift card for Christmas.