Matchbook Post-It holder

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

This was a little bit of fun we had at my last home party (retiring sets), for the make & take. It's a Post-It note holder, with the matchbook-style closure. It whips up in no time, and everyone loved it.

The fun part about this one, the punches - both tag punches - but the dark purple layer is NOT it's own piece. It's a hole cut in the cool carribbean and amethyst layers! The white tag is popped up on a dimensional and then the flower is stamped and cut out and popped up even further. Little details that make this one a big hit.

An important note when making these: when scoring your cardstock, you must measure the size of the notepad before scoring for a binding on the holder. Otherwise it won't lay right.

Sets: Burst Into Bloom, Expressive Flexible Phrases
Colors: Vintage Violet, Cool Carribbean, Almost Amethyst
Other: Large Tag punch, Small Tag punch, 1/16" punch, silver brads, dimensionals, staple

Now you can carry your post its in style, and no pesky ribbons to tie!

My new stuff - new preview brochure sets and all the new colors - are arriving to my house some time today, so watch out! New samples to be shared SOON!

Until later~

The "Letter"

I thought this was interesting enough to post here... a friend of mine sent this to me in an email and I couldn't resist sharing it with you today, since I'm at work and don't have the stamping stuff available to post.... Be sure to read all the way down to the "P.S." A LETTER To my darling husband, Before you return from your overseas trip I just want to let you know about the small accident I had with the pick up truck when I turned into the driveway. Fortunately not too bad and I really didn't get hurt, so please don't worry too much about me. I was coming home from Wal-Mart, and when I turned into the driveway I accidentally pushed down on the accelerator instead of the brake. The garage door is slightly bent but the pick up fortunately came to a halt when it bumped into your car. I am really sorry, but I know with your kind-hearted personality you will forgive me. You know how much I love you and care for you my sweetheart. I am enclosing a picture for you. I cannot wait to hold you in my arms again. Your loving wife. XXX

P.S. Your girlfriend called.

RAK Back THANKS!!

What a wonderful surprise I got from Allison of Stampin' When I Can yesterday! A RAK back from her! This card is super cute, and the paper is either fuzzy or she used flocking like an expert, but the swirly background is like velvet. SO NEAT!

Allison, I love the use of this pin, too. What a nice touch. Thanks so much for sending this to me from your home in Canada - my husband was impressed that I got something from another country, but it feels like you're just next door. Love it.

Thanks Allison!

Boy oh Boy, Back problems!

Me? No. Thank goodness... but my DH is having troubles so badly that he's saying today that if he's still feeling the way he is right now, he wants me to take him to the hospital. NOT GOOD. He's got lower back trouble in general, but he hasn't been to a chiropractor in at least 2 years, and predictably he's getting worse and worse. Then Saturday he decided to help the landscapers with shoveling and leveling gravel in our soon-to-be-patio site... knowing all along it was going to aggravate his back... and yep, yesterday he was laid up all day in excruciating pain. I went and bought an exercise ball for him to stretch out, as well as a lumbar supporting pillow for him to lean against, which he slumped over and basically rendered it useless.... but what else to do?

Looks like today is going to be search-for-a-chiropractor day. I just hope he doesn't further injure himself at work - yep, the lughead went to work when he can barely walk - men!

Anyway, if you have any tips on relieving back pain, please post a comment here. I'm interested in any tips anyone has to offer beyond cold packs, warm packs, pain relievers and the stuff I already tried. I'm open to any suggestions!

Thanks!

Fun Friend

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

This is an adaptation (aka CASE) of a card done by a friend of mine, Mandi. I wanted to feature retiring sets and punches, so this was a perfect card to showcase.... plus the color combo was kinda fun, too!

The flowers are popped up, and the letters in the center are further popped, for 3 dimensional fun! And, with some quick paper snips, the fun "grass" whips up in no time. Thanks Mandi for the inspiration!

Set: Love Without End, Alphadots
Colors: Marigold Morning, Rose Red, Old Olive
Other: slit punch, piercing template, 1/2" punch, dimensionals

Punch Joy

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

This card was fun for two reasons: punches and color combo! I was playing around with colors, and this combo was not my normal tendancy, but I love it! And the card itself whips up in no time, thanks to punches and the Petals jumbo wheel. I colored the flower stamp with markers to get the 2-tone effect, and then I popped up one flower just to bring a bit more dimension...plus, what would a card be without something popped up?! lol

The tab on the side also highlights the unique side fold and serves as a way to bring attention to where the card opens - so it's utilitarian, too. Who knew?!

When I wheeled the Petals on the Sahara Sand layer, I only did it on the edge so that the inside of the card is still plain and ready for a sentiment. Also, you don't need a cartridge if you're only doing a card, because the wheel is plenty long... so I just used the Real Red inkpad and wheeled away!

Until Next Time ~

Sets: Polka Dots & Paisley, Petals Jumbo wheel
Colors: Real Red, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip
Other: Round Tab punch, Spiral punch, dimensionals, Aged Copper brad from Hodgepodge Hardware, 1/16" punch

Flap Fold Card

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

Yep, retiring images run amok here... and it's not hard to do since 3/4 of my sets are retiring this year... so I'm giving them some last minute attention before the new catty explosion. This flap fold card is fun and has an element of interest, too. It's somewhat like a tri-fold card.

I love those little brad washers you make with the 1/4" circle punch, so I couldn't resist using them on this card too! Sometimes that extra bit of color really adds to the card, ya know?

As for the flowers in the middle, it's a stamp from a set I neglected too much, because there's some gems in there like this one that I never even used until I made this card. Yep, a virgin stamp in my collection, who would have thought?!

Okay, here's the details:

Sets: Petite Patterns, Tag Time
Colors: Certainly Celery, Cameo Coral
Other: celery grosgrain, silver brads, 1/4" punch, 1/16" punch, dimensionals (under the diamond piece)

Joyful Hello

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

This is a fun one that I was originally considering as a M&T for the SU! party I'm doing tomorrow... BUT, I've come up with something else, so it's okay to post on here now. lol! The tag is punched out from the Amethyst layer, and the white tag (smaller punch) is popped up with a dimensional. It's just sorta hard to see.

I'm telling ya, I'm going to be boo-hooing when my stash of Cool Carribbean runs out, but I'm holding out high hopes for Soft Sky... *sniff*

Sets: Petals Jumbo Wheel, Petals & Paisley, Expressive Flexible Phrases
Colors: Vintage Violet, Almost Amethyst, Cool Carribbean
Other: Large and Small tag punches, word window punch, 1/4" circle punch, 1/16" handheld punch, silver brads, dimensionals

Rainy Days

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

This is a quick 6x6 page I created using pics of my daughter from a while ago (she's now 6, yep, I'm WAAAY behind!). I wanted to keep it simple, so I didn't overdo anything for this page. I just used the Alphadots letters, punched them out with the 1/2" punch from SU!, and then coated them with Crystal Effects and let dry. I used the dot stamp from Simply Circles with Brocade Blue for a background, and then I went back and added Crystal Effects randomly on the background as well as on the pictures, creating a "raindrop" effect.

Is Crystal Effects photo-safe? Well, I printed these pictures on my printer at home, so I figured that as long as I saved the original digital file somewhere, I can afford to find out. Besides, I like the effect anyway, and I am not risking any originals, so why not?!

Sets: Simply Circles, Alphadots
Colors: Brocade Blue, Garden Green

Sorry it's been slow....

I promise I haven't forgotten about you all.... I have a new work schedule and things last weekend were keeping me pretty well away from the pc, so tomorrow I plan on hitting you all with some good posts so that you remember I'm still here! lol

I have been working on some cards for a party I'm doing on Friday, so those I can't share with you until after since my hostess may actually be reading this blog right now (Linda, you know it's you!).... but after that it's all yours!

Since there has been a good response on and off the blog about wanting my tutorial on the tiles, I'm going to work on sharing that with you either later on in the week or this weekend. Keep your eyes peeled.

Until later, have a great day!!!!

Marble Tile Coasters

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

These are my classic marble tiles that I did quite some time ago... but do these ever really go out of style?

Yep, I'm posting another from my archives... though I'm planning on going down to my crafting center and try to come up with some new and fresh items to share with you either today or tomorrow....I promise!

These tiles are always a huge hit, and they're so easy to do! I think I'll work on a tutorial for you all so you can know how I do them... interested?!

Sets: French Script (BG), Wonderful Wings
Colors: StazOn Brilliant Blue, Chalks in Lovely Lilac, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue
Other: Tumbled Marble Tiles, Felts dots, Acrylic Sealer

Patio update....

Yep, I wasn't online all weekend (sorry!), but that's because I spent another glorious *cough* weekend running around getting things for this patio we're building.

First, thanks for asking, Chris Scrappin and Stampin in Texas ! You're the reason I'm posting an update! LOL

Okay, so it's coming along....slowly but surely. We've got a lot of retaining wall being put up, so it is slow going, and we're almost out of blocks/bricks/sand...we're ALL out of the semi's worth of gravel. AND they're only about halfway finished! AHH!!! Yep, we've got a very sizable job going, so thank GOODNESS for landscapers, or it would never be done! The part I play in the process is running around buying beer, water, pop etc for them... buying lunch for them... and running to Home Depot or wherever to buy whatever else comes up. Then it's driving one person one place, driving trucks somewhere else... and then try to keep up with the house and my 6-year-old. Yeah, a bit of trouble will be worth the end result, so I'm not complaining at all! I could have to be the person out there digging and building! lol

I'm guessing that we're gonna need at least 1 more weekend to get it done, hopefully not more, but we'll see. I'll have to share the before/after pics when it's done. You'll be amazed at the transformation!

Here's to hard working landscapers everywhere, and especially the ones at my house! Cheers!

Sunset

Aha! I bet you thought all I had was Stampin' Up! stuff, right?! Well, I have purchased a few things along the way, mostly at the Rockford stamp convention they have every year, and this stamp was one of them. Yep, it's one big stamp, and it's unmounted to boot! Don't ask me where it's from, but if pressed I could probably look it up. ; )

Anyway, mixed with my own color schemed spectrum pad, I used the rubber brayer to create the background color before stamping in black. Then I used a sticker sheet over the top of the entire image and then poured Sugar Dust (micro beads from Stamp LaJolla) over the entire thing. It's a texture unlike any other, and though it's heavy and probably requires extra postage (I don't plan on sending this one out anytime soon), it's worth it.

Hope you like it, and Happy Monday!

Tagged!

I have been tagged by Debbie ~~check out her blog! Thanks Debbie for thinkin' of me!

This is the one word answer tag, and anyone who knows me knows one word is VERY hard for me (lol), so here we go:

Yourself: Tired

Your Partner: Stressed

Your Hair: Needy

Your Mother: Best

Your Father: Skilled

Your Favorite Item: computer

Your Dream Last Night: none

Your Favorite Drink: Coke

Your Dream Car: Lambourghini

Your Dream Home: Mansion

The Room You Are In: Office

Your Fear: failure

Where You Want to be in Ten Years: famous

Who You Hung Out With Last Night: family

You’re Not: famous

One of Your Wish List Items: Stamps

The Last Thing You Did: worked

You Are Wearing: jeans

Your Favorite Weather: summer

Your Favorite Book: "And I Alone Survived"

Last Thing You Ate: Granola

Your Life: dramatic

Your Mood: optimistic

Your Best Friend: Chica

What Are You Thinking About Right Now: babies

Your Car: Windstar

What Are You Doing At The Moment: blogging

Relationship Status: married

What Is On Your TV: off

What Is The Weather Like: sunny

When Is The Last Time You Laughed: morning



I am tagging:

Kaye

Lori

Mandi

Okay gals, have fun!!

Been busy the last couple of days!

Okay, not stamping... but we're putting in our patio (FINALLY), and all day Sunday we were working with the landscapers to plan out where things are going.... then yesterday I started my new work schedule (Monday & Wednesday) so I was at work for 12 hours... UGH! No stamping time there...


SO, today I'll share an older card and then hopefully later today I can get to stampin. Thanks for staying tuned!

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

This was a fun mosaic card I did a while back. I tell you, it's a great way to use scraps! And how fun are the olives? lol

Set: Olive You
Colors: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive, Ruby Red
Other: Sticker sheet, clear embossing powder mixed with MicroPearl PearlEx, Hardware in Aged Copper, Hemp twine and gold cord, Tag punch

Another Crab

images (c) Stampin' Up! 1990-2007

Yep, I loved the color combo, the sketch challenge (SC120) and that cute crab enough to play with it again. Putting it all together in a different way makes this set fresh and fun all over again - but then, how COULDN'T it be, right?!

Well, it's Saturday - and now that my DD's last day of school was yesterday I should have some time to play with my stuff. And that could mean anything for this blog!! lol

Set: Crab & Company

Colors: Sahara Sand, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, Basic Black

Other: Markers in Sahara Sand, Tempting Turquoise, Real Red, YoYo Yellow, Apricot Appeal, Cuttlebug D'Vine swirl background

My New Look!

I love the new look of my blog! A HUGE thanks to Stephanie for this wonderful banner she created for little ol' me! I can't tell you how grateful I am for it! It's kinda neat to find a look that is customized for me, and so I'm pumped to unveil it today. I hope you like it, too!

SO, now you can check out her Stephanie's blog, too - I'm sure she'd love the visits, too.

Thanks again, Stephanie - you're the best!!!

Wild Recycling

images (c) Stampin' Up!, 1990-2007

Yesterday I had cleaned my space a bit (I'd never call it "clean" - lol) and ran across a small extra panel that I had created for a previous swap. I was glad I didn't throw it out - it uses some CUTE designer paper! SO, I decided to play with it, and this is what I came up with. I went crazy with the dimensionals as usual... I swear I use those more than any other item besides my mono adhesive! Anyway, it was fun to mix up the papers and alternate with the three colors. I hope you like the result!

Now the test is - do you know which card I had this panel from? I have it posted somewhere on this blog....

Set: Wild About You
Colors: Bashful Blue, Certainly Celery, Marigold Morning
Other: Bashful Blue brads, slit punch, bluebird and celery grosgrain, dimensionals