Pretty Paper & Ink

ASB Color Challenge

2007-09-24T08:30:00.000-04:00

I took a little bit of artistic license on the Color Challenge over at A Shade of Blue last week. The colors were pink, orange, blue and medium green. I chose to use Pretty in Pink, Bliss Blue (Ret.,) Mint Melody (Ret.,) and Apricot Appeal.

I use the squiggle petal from the Stampin' Up! set Pick a Petal. I stamped in multiple times on the colored cardstock listed above and then cut them all out. Well, I have a nice blister on right ring finger from all that trimming but I love the way the card turned out!

I adhered the first layer directly to the patterned paper...do you recognize it? If you are a long-time SU! stamper then you might. It is Pretty in Pink patterned paper from 2002! I am such a hoarder! But,m in reality I only have 6-7 sheets left from the package, in various patterns. OK, I'm back from Memory Lane. ;-)

I used super thick pop dots on the second layer of petals. Then added a little bit of Celery Grosgrain Ribbon (also SU!) The card dimension are 5.5" x 5.5".

New & Improved Blue Heaven at A Shade of Blue

2007-09-22T23:46:00.001-04:00

As I have mentioned previously, I am a Blue Prints Designer at A Shade Of Blue. The articles and tutorials that I write are in the Blue Heaven area of the forum. Normally this is a subscriber only feature. However, until the end of the month you can view all the "back issues" for free. Go Here--->>> Forums Main Page, and scroll down to the Blue Heaven header.

This weekend kicks off the newly formatted Blue Heaven. I feel lucky to be the first team member to publish an article since the changes in the team and the format. :-) The tutorial I just posted there--->>>HERE is on Hand-Stitched Paper. I hope you will check it out! The entire team is super talented. Each Sunday there will be a new tutorial or article by a different member of the team. You will find Blue Heaven editions focusing on Products, Techniques, Scrapbooking, Back-to-Basics and Projects. All the articles are interactive so that you may ask questions directly to the author/artist.

Debossing

2007-09-22T23:30:00.000-04:00

OK...how many of you actually think to flip your embossed cardstock over and use the back side??? I never thought to do this. Until this week that is! The Technique Challenge this week over at A Shade of Blue was Debossing.

I am really giving my Baroque Motifs set a workout lately. This set just screams Autumn to me.

Details:
Paper: All Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Pumkpin Pie, Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla.
Ink: SU! Pumpkin Pie Classic Ink
Tools: SU! Distressing Tool, Baby Wipe, SU! Ticket Corner Punch, Cuttlebug
Embellishments: SU! Grosgrain Ribbon (ret)

Kind Swirls

2007-09-20T22:36:00.000-04:00

This card has a few mistakes on it...but if you can't find them then I'm not going to point them out. **grin**

This card is based on the sketch challenge posted on A Shade of Blue this week. I really enjoyed making this card. The Baroque Motifs set from Stampin' Up! is so versatile. I was going for more of a country look with this design. I used Really Rust, Ruby Red and More Mustard Cardstock and Classic Ink. The swirls are stamped in Old Olive Classic Ink on the Vanilla Cardstock and More Mustard on the More Mustard Cardstock.
I added detail around the large block and the card base itself with a Basic Black Stampin' Write marker; just a simple frame drawn near the edge. I used pop dots behind the smaller panel. Rather than wrapping the ribbon around the card front I trimmed the edges and roughed them up a bit.

Details: All products and Images are Stampin' Up!

Still looking for winner #2

2007-09-19T06:42:00.000-04:00

I'm still looking for winner #2 in my Blog Candy give-away. MaraG, please contact me by Friday at 5PM Eastern. If I do not hear from you I will draw another winner.

Winner number two is MARAG (comment number 15) - You have won a ten dollar gift certificate to Embellished, the online store owned by Lindsey Botkin (aka Jacksonbelle.) Please email me with your name and email address. I will provide you with further details on how to redeem your gift certificate.

Spotlight Stamper Contest

2007-09-17T14:26:00.001-04:00

A Shade of Blue is having a member spotlight contest. The upcoming featured stamper will be chosen based on votes earned. Please check out the link and vote for your favorite card! I have a card there...but I can't tell you which one. While you are there take a look around at the other great information. The Blue Heaven Articles are open to non-members until the end of the week, then they will close to non-members with the release of some great tutorials starting on Sunday the 23rd. My Tutorial on Hand Stitching on Paper is the premier tutorial for the new format of Blue Heaven. <<<---The Blue Heaven link will take you to an index page where you can browse past articles, tutorials and featured artwork.

The New Blue Heaven will feature forum based articles, tutorials with step by step instructions and other great paper crafting inspiration. The forum set up will allow for an interactive experience where you can directly ask the creator/designer/writer about the original post in the thread. Along with the new set-up will be specific gallery folders for each topic that will allow for additional samples created by Blue Heaven Designers to be viewed.

Shopping

2007-09-17T08:08:00.000-04:00

I love to shop. It is no secret...there is no type of shopping that I don't like.

This is the last of the cards I made for The Stamp Shack's Mall of America stamping challenges.

I'm not thrilled with how it photographed. I took about 20 pictures in an attempt to capture the dimensions of the card.

The image is from My Favorite Things' stamp set "You Take the Cake." I inked just the lady and omitted the cake. I then stamped the packages on The Angel Company's Premium White Cardstock. I used Stampin' Write markers to color all the images. The wallpaper background is paper pieced in. This is a retired patterned paper from SU! I think it retired 2-3 years ago. I made the little shopping bags using the yellow scalloped rectangle punch from Marvy...sorry I can't remember the correct size name. The top of the bags is scalloped and the sides and bottom edges I trimmed off to get the straight lines. I then put it all together using pop dots and Mono Multi Adhesive. Mono Multi is great for paper piecing because you have just enough time to slide the paper into the perfect position before the adhesive sets up. The green scalloped background is two offset Giga Scalloped Squares. The pink velvet ribbon is from Michaels and the silver cord is from Stampin' Up! (retired.) All colored cardstock is Stampin' Up!, white cardstock is The Angel Company.

Blog Candy Winners!

2007-09-16T21:04:00.000-04:00

First I want to say thank you to everyone who has been visiting my blog! Your sweet comments really make my day!

Now for the winners... as determined by random.org

Winner number one is SCFRANSON (comment number 21)- You will receive the items pictured in the original blog candy post below. Please email me with your name and snail mail address so I can get your goodies to you.

Winner number two is MARAG (comment number 15) - You have won a ten dollar gift certificate to Embellished, the online store owned by Lindsey Botkin (aka Jacksonbelle.) Please email me with your name and email address. I will provide you with further details on how to redeem your gift certificate.

Thanks again!!

Fun little game

2007-09-16T00:11:00.001-04:00

This is floating around on a lot of the blogs that I read, thought you might enjoy a laugh.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Bear Terraza

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fav ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Moose Track Sugar

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, first three letters of your last name) A-Vig

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Purple Cardinal

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Dee Methuen

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first) Vigal

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink put "The") The Pink Cosmo (politan)

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) Linus James

9. STRIPPER NAME: ( the name of your favorite perfume/cologne, favorite candy) Eternity Salsa

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names ) Dee Manuel

New Challenge Blog

2007-09-15T21:48:00.000-04:00

I am a design team and challenge team member at A Shade of Blue. In order to get some attention for the challenges and features that ASB has to offer we have now started a blog. You can find the blog here--->>> ASB-Challenge Blog.

I hope that you will have a look at the blog and add the blog to your reader program or subscribe for email updates.

Thanks for visiting here and don't forget about the blog candy give away that takes place tomorrow night...scroll down for the info or click here--->>> Blog Candy!!

Alright...I'm giving it away, anyway!

2007-09-15T17:10:00.000-04:00

Scroll down to my Blog Candy post and you will see I mentioned that I would add a gift certificate to one of the most amazing online stores around...but the catch was I had to get to 1500 hits by Sunday. Well, I'm just too excited to let this one mellow... :-)

I am adding a $10.00 gift certificate to Lindsey Botkins' (aka Jacksonbelle) ebay store Embellished. So don't forget to leave a comment on my Blog Candy Post to be eligible. I will be drawing the winners on Sunday night! I just got an order in from Lindsey's store...some Inkadinkadoo Halloween stamps, great ribbon...oh my gosh...I love happy packages!! :-)

What are you doing still reading this post??? Go post a comment so you have a chance to win!!

For the boys

2007-09-12T21:33:00.000-04:00

OK, I'm a self-professed girly-girl. I'm into frills, foofs and ruffles. SO I have a hard time making a true boy card. I was visiting The Stamp Shack and they had some pretty neat challenges to go along with the Mall of America event this past weekend. Well one of the challenges was to view the online store directory for MOA and make a card based on the store of your choice.

I chose Fossil as my inspiration and went on to make this card.

I used a sketch from Jen del Muro's blog for this. You need to check out the great sketches that she posts. Anyhow, I'm pretty pleased with how this turned out. Zachary is convinced it is his...and so it shall be. :-)

Details:
Stamps: Dino Mite (Stampin' Up!)
Paper: Old Olive, Creamy Caramel, Really Rust (Stampin' Up!) Premium White Cardstock (The Angel Company)
Ink: Old Olive & Garden Green Classic Ink, More Mustard and Chocolate Chip Stampin' Write Markers (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories and Tools: Moss Gingham Ribbon, Stampin' Sponge, Distressor (all Stampin' Up!)

Don't forget to visit this post for information on my Blog Candy!!

Baby It's Cold Outside...

2007-09-10T16:34:00.001-04:00

Not really...

I love this set from Lizzie Anne Designs, Christmas in the City. It is the first winter set I have gotten excited about in a long time. This card was a lot of fun to work on, in fact it kick started my creative juices which had gone on vacation for a while. I used Wintergreen DSP from Stampin' Up! for my inspiration. The cardstock is in color Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi. I stamped the image in Starry Night Palette Ink and added a bit to the Soft Sky diamond with a dry sponge. The ribbon and brads are are Stampin' Up!

And don't forget to check out this post--->>> It's Mojo Candy Time for your chance to win some blog candy!!

It's Mojo Candy Time!!

2007-09-10T13:53:00.000-04:00

As a thank you for all 1000+ hits to my wimpy blog...(LOL)...I have candy!!

Please post a comment to this thread to be eligible to win. On Sunday night (September 16th) at approximately 9 PM EST I will go to random.org to find out who the lucky winner is! I will post back here in a separate post. Please post only once, as duplicate comments will not be counted.

Blog Candy includes a 36 sheet package of The Angel Company Vintage Holiday Wing It Collection, a candy tin ready to be altered and holding my favorite Prima Hydrangea Petals, Oodles of ribbon to coordinate with the paper, three Autumn Leaves Clear Stamps and a package of Making Memories Hardware.

And if you surprise me and push me over 1500 hits by the time this drawing happens another lucky winner (separate from the blog candy listed above) will receive a gift certificate to my Favorite Online Store for the latest and greatest in Paper Craft Shopping! So get clicking...I'll announce the store and the amount when I hit 1250 hits! :-)

My mojo left the building BLOG CANDY!

2007-09-10T13:17:00.001-04:00

It's a terrible thing when all you feel like doing when you get some time to stamp is clean your stamp space. Well that is what happened to me! Bleck! Who the heck wants to clean???

Well, I tried and tried to not clean, I forced myself to stamp and I did. I created quite possibly the ugliest card of ALL TIME!!

Here it is!

So to thank everyone who has been visiting and put me at more than 1000 hits while I took a 20 day stamping vacation I am going to FINALLY post my blog candy.

Details will be in the next post. Now go pick your jaw up off the floor and visit someone else's blog who can provide your with inspiring artwork while I edit some photos of stamping I did this weekend...of which I am quite proud! :-)

See you in a few with Candy!!

Grammy's Birthday Card

2007-08-20T13:58:00.000-04:00

My Grandmother turned 80 yesterday. She is still full of life, and her personality is a cross between espresso and lemonade. LOL! This is the card I made for her. Are you sick of looking at this paper yet? I am crazy about it. I used the sketch that Jen del Muro shared this weekend. You can see it on her blog----> I {heart} 2 Stamp. I used the gift stamp from You Take the Cake by My Favorite Things. (I am experimenting with adding edges to photos...not sure I like the way this one turned out. You'll also see a very faint watermark...still working out the kinks on that.)

Details:
Paper: Bazzill tectured cardstock, and Basic Grey Perhaps
Ribbon: Pink Velvet from Michaels
Punches: Marvy Uchida Scallop Giga and Mega
Stamps: You Take the Cake - My Favorite Things

Psssst...

2007-08-20T07:52:00.000-04:00

Blog Candy is coming...

1000 hits is near...

watch and see what the prize will be...

details will be clear!!

I won something!!

2007-08-20T06:52:00.000-04:00

Oh My Gosh!!! I Won!!! I never win anything (doesn't everyone say that when they DO win something??) LOL Just look at the yummy candy!!!! Yahoo I can't wait!! :-)

I read about Card Positioning Systems here-----> Durcan Designs. And I have been using the sketches there when I need help jump starting a project. The sketches are given once a week and then you also get updates on submissions made by fabulous stampers using the sketch. I strongly encourage you to check it out and get inspired!!

I have a few projects that I completed over the weekend. I need to snap some pics and then I will share those this afternoon. Have a great day!!

Family Day

2007-08-17T20:16:00.000-04:00

No stamping today... maybe once the kids are settled in for the night though.

We had a totally busy day. We were up at the crack of dawn for a delivery of sand for the new sandbox that Ed is building for Zachary. It is going under the tree house that Ed built this spring. My hubby is awesome! He built this all by himself! *grin*

After the sand was delivered we piled into Ed's truck and brought some banquet tables to an indoor sports facility that my dad owns. Then from there we drove to Lawrence to see a B-17 from WW2. DH and I think it is so important for our children to have a working knowledge of our history. (I was a history major.) So we jump on every chance we get to explore "living" history with them. Here is a pic of the Aluminum Overcast. I took video while dh did the pics. If I can figure out how to upload video here I will do it.

The afternoon was spent at a birthday party, and then some much deserved pool time for Ed and the kids. I cooked away the afternoon for the five of us, plus for a dear friend who is recuperating from surgery and her family. We all ate like kings, baked ham, asparagus, carrots, Lemon Chicken Rice soup and fruit salad for dessert. Yum!

While reading my ever growing list of favorite blogs I came across a fun game at Lauren's (My Time) Blog. So I'm gonna have some fun with this and then try to sneak away for some stamping...

The object of the game is like Scattegories! You have to think of answers that start with the first letter of your FIRST Name!

Your Name: Allison

Famous Artist/Band/Musician: Alison Krauss

4 letter word: Amor

Vehicle: Acura

TV SHOW: According to Jim

City/Town: Augusta

Boy Name: Alexander

Girl Name: Adeline

Occupation: Accountant

Something you wear: Attitude (bwahahahaha!)

Celebrity: Alan Jackson

Food: Apples

Something found in a kitchen: Applesauce (lame, sorry)

Reason for Being Late: Atrociously behaving children (yes, mine do behave badly from time to time!)

Cartoon Character: Arthur

Something You Shout: AWESOME!!!

Go play now! Have fun!!

Who needs a new HUGE tv?

2007-08-16T15:05:00.001-04:00

Five Minutes for Mom is giving away a 37" mega-mondo TV! Yes it is FREE! All you have to do is visit this link>>>>>>> Five Minutes for Mom for all the details.

The tv was donated by Best Buy (click on Best Buy to view the TV)

Another Lizzie Anne creation

2007-08-15T22:35:00.001-04:00

I am just crazy about the Au Naturale Set from Lizzie Anne Designs, which you can purchase here>>> Jacksonbelle Embellishments These stamps are [i]fabtastical!![/i]

Here is another project I put together. It was so quick and easy! I covered three coasters front and back with Rose Red Designer Prints Paper from Stampin' Up! and then sanded the edges to make them look a little shabby. I use mono multi when I am adhering a large area of paper to chipboard, I find that it holds really well, and I love the little bit of slip time you have. The adhesive stays slippery just long enough so that you can make sure your edges are lined up or your borders are even. I am so alignment challenged! I can't even tell you how many cards I had to pitch because I destroyed them using double stick adhesive tapes and had things all lopsided.

Anyhow...here are more details...the coasters are four inches square. I used my crop-a-dile to punch the holes. Very nice tool, if you don't have one, you need to get one! LOL!! The chipboard photo corner is colored with certainly celery classic ink from Stampin' Up! and then punched with the crop-a-dile and finished with pewter eyelets. I stamped the butterfly on a piece of scrap cardboard that came in a patterned paper pack. then colored it with SU! markers. The ribbons are SU! as well.

Busy, Busy Butterfly

2007-08-15T08:40:00.000-04:00

I have been busy getting the children ready for back-to-school. This is the first year that all three will be attending. Zachary is starting the 3-year-old pre-school program two mornings a week, Sophia is in Kindergarten four afternoons per week and Adrianna is in first grade all day. I intend to change my address to: Me, On The Road, All Over Town, NH. Just look for the zippy green mini-van. I'll be the one trying to outrun the police, LOL! Totally kidding!!

I had another run in with the electricity last night as I was putting the finishing touches on this card:

Lindsey was having a card contest at her blog Embellished and I think it ended last night at midnight...Well as I was getting ready to snap pictures to email to Lindsey the lights went out. As you may have read about a month ago I was up in the attic in my stamp room and the lights went out. It is black as a cave on a moonless night up there when the lights go out. I could not find my flashlight in the dark (I now must invest in a tool belt so that I can wear the darn flashlight!) Anyway I sat up there still as stone having a major anxiety attack. I was afraid to make a sound, so I sat there silent until I heard Ed come up to the bedroom. He flashed the flashlight on the bed and saw I wasn't in it and realized I was up in the attic...in the dark...alone! I finally found my voice and called out to him. He said this morning he will never forget the look on my face for as long as he lives. I was shaking from head to toe apparently, as well.

So, this card is going to serve as a reminder to me for several things:
1. keep the flashlight within reach.
2. never wait until the last minute to take pictures for a contest submission
3. get some big girl panties...seriously, what was going to happen to me in the attic of my own house??? sheesh, I'm a ninny!

Details:
Layout-Modified Z-Fold
Stamps- Lizzie Anne Designs (contest requirement) I purchased mine from Lindsey here>>> Jacksonbelle Embellishments
Paper- Bazzill Cardstock, Basic Grey Beatrice Patterned Cardstock (Perhaps Collection)
Accessories- Word Window Punch, Silver Brads, Light Pink Grosgrain Ribbon (all SU!) Giga Scallop and Mega Plain Circle Punches (Marvy) Palette Ink, Dimensionsals

You Take the Cake

2007-08-09T18:08:00.000-04:00

I am in love with the simple, clean look of white space. I am continually drawn to images of handmade cards that look like my card on the left. I used the You Take the Cake set from My Favorite Things. I stamped the image on the front of the card and then colored it with Prisma's and Gamsol. I wasn't quite happy with the look so I then stamped the image again on Stampin' Up!'s Designer Prints Almost Amethyst paper and trimmed it to look like wallpaper behind the cake diva. I then added Icicle Stickles and Light Orchid Ribbon (SU!)

This was my first attempt at Paper Piecing and I think I have a new technique addiction! Wowzers!!

I hope you have a great weekend. I hope to get a bit of stamping done. I want to make "Welcome Back" cards for the teachers using the Back to School Set from MFT...I"ll have to get creative for the male teachers though...LOL! DH is taking Zach to a John Deere gathering (I say gathering sarcastically) on Saturday. They are going to test drive all the latest and greatest in farm equipment, so I figure it won't be as civilized as a gathering. So the girls and I will craft the day away. :-D

Another ATC

2007-08-06T16:50:00.001-04:00

This is the second ATC I did for the Summer Fun ATC swap I hosted at A Shade of Blue. I had actually done this for an In Color (SU!) swap that never panned out so I filled in a spot on my swap with it. I love how fresh and simple it is.

Details:
Premium White Cardstock (TAC)
Soft Sky and Wild Wasabi Cardstock, Soft Sky Stitched Ribbon, Wild Wasabi, Soft Sky and Pixie Pink Classic Ink, Ticket Corner Punch, Pick a Petal Stamp Set (All SU!)

I'll post another ATC tonight, I need to get a picture though.

Ink you later!

Happy Happy Mail Day!

2007-08-06T16:44:00.001-04:00

Oh how happy I am!! I cannot wait to get into my stamp room and go crazy!! These came in the mail today! I have been lusting after My Favorite Things stamps for months...but I had to have the funds in my paypal account (mind games I play on myself) in order to buy some. Well I was prepared for the August 1 release. Yippee Yahoo!!

I can't wait to share some new creations!

Get Inky Today! You Deserve It!!

Altered Paper Clip Swap - Group One

2007-08-06T09:40:00.001-04:00

These are the Altered Paper Clips for group one of the swap I hosted at ASB I am so thrilled with this little collection of Clips. They are adorable aren't they? Clockwise from top left...Chan Dalrymple, Jenn Lambert, Patti Talbot, Melanie Robson, and me.

Here is a close up shot of mine. I used Certainly Celery Designer Prints Paper from SU! with coordinating Prima's and a snip of grosgrain ribbon. To make them sturdy I used my Cuttlebug to cut through a piece of thin cardboard (it actually came in the package of Outlaw paper I just received, you know, to keep the paper nice and flat.) I adhered the CC Designer paper to the cardboard and then used those big fat glue dots as the middle to hold the front and back together with the clip in the middle. The ribbon and brads are also SU!, the clips are from target.

Quick Baby Set

2007-07-31T06:55:00.000-04:00

I just found out I am going to be an Auntie again! My brother and sister-in-law are expecting number two in early spring 2008. My nephew is such a little cutie pie...I can't believe I am going to have two little ones to spoil! :)

I made this little set of cards a while back...I did a girl version and a boy version. I ended up using the boy version for a friends shower and didn't take a picture (shame.) So I will share this set in celebration of my brother's news!

These little sets are perfect for showers when you are giving multiple gifts. Keeps everything tied together nicely without all the packages having to be attached to each other.

The large card is 4.25" x 5.5" and the smaller cards are 3" x 3".

Technique: Prisma's and Gamsol
Special information: The seed beads on the flowers are attached using monomulti glue

Details:
Stamps: Bittie Babies (Retired - TAC)
Paper: Striped Paper (unknown) Summer Sun cardstock (SU!) Premium White Cardstock (TAC)
Accessories: Prima flowers, seed beads, Celery grosgrain ribbon (SU!) Mono multi glue, Prisma Pencils, Gamsol, pop dots.

DTGD Challenge Card

2007-07-28T08:25:00.001-04:00

Challenge courtesy of SweetMissDasiy and the Dare to Get Dirty Challenge Team. (This link will only work if you are a current fan club member at Splitcoast Stampers.)

I'm pleased with this card. But again I need to work on my photography skills...practice, practice, practice.

I used the Lion from Wild About You (SU!) and surrounded him with leaves from On Safari (Paper Salon.) They are stamped on Premium White Cardstock from TAC. I then punched Amarillo paper from Cosmo Cricket's Halfway Cafe collection using a Giga Scallop Square punch. I took another piece of the Amarillo paper and punched it using the Mega Scallop Square punch. I layered the two punched papers to make a frame (Mega behind Giga,) then attached the lion from the back. The gold wide organdy ribbon is two pieces twisted in opposite directions then layered across the card and attached with sticky tape. The panel on the left is the backside of the Amarillo paper...I love this paper...you can buy it here...Jacksonbelle Embellishments... I layered it on Basic Black (SU!) The tag is made using Paper Tray and Borders & Corners {Rectangles} stamps from Papertreyink. I distressed the edges using the SU distresser tool and attached the tag using Hemp twine.

Other details not covered above: Ink: Lion is So Saffron, Creamy Caramel and Basic Black Stampin' Write Markers. Framed Feel Better Tag is Palette Noir Black. Leaves are Certainly Celery and Mellow Moss.

Bellarina

2007-07-28T08:15:00.001-04:00

I really liked this card when I first made it. But it doesn't photograph well at all. The Stardust gelly roll pen that I used to color in some of te swirls and the bodice on the tutu is looking streaky.

Oh Well! I think I am going to use this for Jami's DTGD Challenge over at Splitcoast. If you are a fan club member you will see a Dare to Get Dirty Folder in the Challenge forum. The Fan Club is celebrating it's Third Anniversary this week and the Dirty Girls, Past and Present, are posting challenges for Fan Club Members to do. It's been a lot of fun. And Saturday and Sunday are going to be wild as instead of four challenges per day...there will be EIGHT! How will I find the time to stamp the all??? I can't wait!!

SO I am off to modify this card per Jami's challenge...wish me luck!

Details:
Stamps: Flourishes (TAC), Bellarina (Stamping Bella)
Paper: White Cardstock (Premium White from TAC) Bashful Blue (SU!)
Ink: Palette Noir Black(TAC & others), Pretty in Pink and Blush Blossom Markers (SU!)
Accessories: Narrow white organdy ribbon (SU!) Stardust Gelly Roll Pen (Inky Antics)

I couldn't resist!

2007-07-27T15:21:00.000-04:00

I've seen this on a few other blogs and had resisted until today...but if you go to the Google search field and type in your name followed by "needs" without the quotes you will come up with some pretty funny stuff! When I typed in Allison needs this is what I found...

1. Allison needs more good farmers to raise corn, wheat, rye, oats, barley, peanuts, cattle, hogs and sheep. (One can never have enough.)

2. Allison needs a loving home. ( I have this already. Google better update itself, LOL!)

3. Allison needs little help from the beauty shop. (Yeeeeeeeah, riiiiiiiight!)

4. Allison needs at least 22-26 million to deal with her. (I'm high maintenance, but come on!)

5. Allison needs to have a good thermal conduction path between the battery boxes. (Ah, the joy of sharing a name with a transmission manufacturer.)

6. Allison needs a scarf. (Not today I don't, just blistering here!)

7. Allison needs to be Mirandized! (I'm innocent! I swear!!!!!)

Dh will het a kick out of reading this post for sure!

Neat or not?

2007-07-26T23:29:00.000-04:00

Are you neat or not? This is what I strive for. Not the most fantastical stampin space, but it is what I have. This room is in the attic and my amazing DH created the space. He cleaned out the attic, built walls, put in the window and a door, provided me with heat, electricity (there is a story there,) carpeting, the whole nine yards. He is awesome! I sometimes feel not worthy, but that only happens for a second and then I move on...LOL!

So, the story about the electricity...I was stamping on Tuesday night...it was late, about 11:00. Remember, I'm in the attic. Well, the power goes out. I live in the middle of the boonies. There is NO light. I put my hand in front of my face, like an inch from my nose, and could NOT see it! The power came back up in like 10 seconds...then it went out again!!! I was paralyzed. I am such a scaredy cat. So I sat there, afraid to move, lest the boogey man would get me. Finally, after another 20 seconds or so the lights came on. Well...I BOLTED down to my bedroom to get my flashlight. Yes, girls, I sleep with a flashlight on my night stand. My children even know not to move it. It is not a toy, it is a life-saving device. So the moral of the story is this...when your DH gives you a stamp room in the attic and tells you, "You really should keep a flashlight up there since you are SO afraid of the dark.", get yourself the biggest flashlight you can find and place it prominently on your desk. :-)

So, all is well, that ends well...you can go and have your chuckle at my expense. Night-night, don't let the bed bugs bite!

No WAY!

2007-07-26T21:29:00.001-04:00

Shannon McGann is just too good to me! ;-)

She tagged me with this little ditty. I was shoving my way through tons of personal and work emails when I found her message! I wish Alberta wasn't so far away because I'd give you (((Hugs)))!!!!! :-)

I need to find 5 gals who need this little icon for their blogs...I'll be back with those nominees later on though. I have GOT to go stamp some of those dynamite challenges going on at Splitcoast. Those Dirty Girls are at it again!!

Peek-A-Boo Card!

2007-07-26T21:15:00.000-04:00

I love how this card turned out! It is one of the samples I created for a tutorial on hand-stitching that I wrote for A Shade of Blue's Blue Heaven E-Zine. Blue Heaven is a subscription benefit from which the funds go to support the site. It is a very small way to help keep the site running.

I call this style of card a Peek-A-Boo card. It opens like a standard card but there is a little card on the front where you can hide a sweet little secret message.

This tutorial is for a future issue. I'll be sure to let you know when it is published!! :-)

Details:
Stamps: Wild About You (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock: Certainly Celery, Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac (Stampin' Up!) Premium White Cardstock (TAC)
Ink: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Almost Amethyst (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories: Mega Scallop Square Punch (Marvy Uchida) Embroidery Floss (DMC) Stitched Ribbon (Stampin' Up!)
Misc: Pop Dots

More stuff coming...I promise!!!

2007-07-23T11:22:00.000-04:00

I want to apologize for being a naughty blogger!!!

DH surprised me and the kiddies with two weekends away...back-to-back...ok the laundry alone is keeping me away from my stamps...but I have got to get back to business here! Here is a pic of the kids having a great time at Story Land in Glen, NH. We were on Alice in Wonderland's Tea Cup ride.

The kids had a blast, they loved the hotel the most though...it had a zero-entry pool which was just what Zach needed to overcome his horrible fear of the water. Now you'd think he has been loving the water for years, but not so...he wouldn't even go swimming at home with me holding him in a death grip. :D

My Papertrey order came in over the weekend and I have TAC and SU! orders coming in at the end of the week. Plus I have so many other little projects to get done! Ack!!!

Butterfly Birthday

2007-07-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

It is inevitable that I get antsy for my PapertreyInk stamps as we approach the 15th of the month. This card uses Butterfly Kisses which is so amazing! I made this card for my sister-in-law. She was an avid gardener until some life events interupted her passion. She had filled her garden with flowers that attracted butterflies. It was wonderful to stand there and watch them flutter about the blooms.

I used Green Galore, Pink Passion and Basic Brown Classic Inks. The cardstock is Pink Passion, and Green Galore (all SU!) The white cardstock is Premium White Cardstock from The Angel Company, it is meatier than SU!'s Whisper White. I like that it lends stability to my cards and other paper projects. It creases quite nicely as well. The ribbon is from Michaels and comes on a wooden spool. I think I bought the ribbon more for the spool than the ribbon itself...I have a project that I need to photograph that uses the wooden spools...Next week sometime for that one though.

We're taking the children to a couple local adventures this weekend. I hope that you are able to enjoy your family and friends and are blessed with what will become happy memories.

"See" you on Monday! :-)

Papertreyink...we're half-way there!!

2007-07-12T17:07:00.000-04:00

Do visit Nichole Heady's blog {Capture the Moment} and see today's super-cute sneak peak! I wish I could sleep on it and wake up with the inspiration for this project! Are you getting super excited for the big reveal on July 15th. Don't forget it's at Midnight...so you're really staying up late on the 14th! ;-)

Enjoy!!

I've been tagged! SHOCK

2007-07-12T07:39:00.000-04:00

I'm in shock! I've been tagged. Since only reviving my blog efforts earlier this week I can't believe that anyone has even been looking on here. I'm enjoying this blogging thing quite a bit actually!

Shannon McGann whose blog is Stamp Till You Cramp! tagged me! You really need to visit her blog...talk about gorgeous artwork!! Shannon is a very talented stamper. Thanks Shannon!! :-)
Oh Wow! I've been tagged!! Still not sinking in...

So I'm going to try to find seven blogs that have not been tagged...at least with this round of tagging. And here are seven random things about me:

I am wild about Kettle brand Salt and Fresh Cracked Pepper Potato Chips.
My right now stamp set is Wild About You (SU!.) Can you believe I only got it yesterday...it's been around for like a year?
I am going back to school for Special Education.
I didn't get to stamp yesterday or today...maybe tonight if I stay up really late though.
I love to be cold! I hate the heat, summer is not my friend. I'm a winter girl for sure.
I said no the first 5 or 6 times my husband asked me out when I first met him. (Shameful! He is such an awesome guy too!)
I like to eat dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner!

Now to tag seven blogs...

If I tagged you please post 7 random ramblings about yourself in a post on your own blog. Then tag 7 other bloggers, let them know and post them on your blog with your ramblings. :-) Clear as mud??

One last sneak peak today...

2007-07-11T07:16:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in a previous post I am hosting a series of 6 monthly ATC swaps over at A Shade of Blue. I am just about ready to swap out the Summer Fun Theme cards and wanted to share mine. I LOVE the way this one turned out. It is a matchbook card. The base is Sahara Sand. I topped the front flap with Tempting Torquoise cardstock and then punched Green Galore with the Giga Scallop Punch from Marvy Uchida. I bought mine at All That Scraps. The mermaid image is from Wildflower Stamps. I stamped her on Premium White Cardstock from The Angel Company and colored her with Stampin' Up! Stampin' Write Markers. I then punched her out (that sounds funny, doesn't it?) with a Mega Oval Punch (Marvy Uchida.) I finished it off by layering her on the Green Galore and pop dotting that onto the ATC Front. I topped it with Orange grosgrain from Stampin' Up!

I love the way the colors pop on this...I shocked myself! I really like how this one turned out! ;-)

A book, put off until tomorrow

2007-07-11T07:07:00.000-04:00

I started this altered chipboard book almost a year ago. It began as a book for me to put pictures of my daughters in...I have another book that is yet-to-be altered for my son's pictures. Anyway, I didn't like the way it was turning out. It was getting too bulky and wasn't closing completely. SO I ripped it apart and starter over. The cover is the original design. I used Memory Makers papers and ribbon, and the stamped image is from Inky Antics. I redid the sketches for the inside pages and will have this book finished by the week-end. But all the details and inside pics of the process are going to be revealed elsewhere as a tutorial. You'll just have to wait and see! ;-)

Papertreyink Sneak Peak...only 4 more days!

2007-07-11T07:03:00.000-04:00

Check out Nichole Heady's blog for another gorgeous project featuring the upcoming stamp sets as well as a great tutorial on the Memory Makers Tag Maker!

I can't wait until The 15th!

Sweet Sophia

2007-07-11T06:55:00.000-04:00

Sophia, my almost 5 year-old, needed a name tag for her gym bag. There are three girls with the same 5$, Walgreens-purchased, bag. Go figure! So rather than just writing her name on the inside I made this name tag and placed it inside a clip-on badge holder . It needed to be quick, as we had to head out the door. This took about 10 minutes.
Details: Bdge Holder - Wal-Mart office supply section
Patterned Paper - The Angel Company
Ribbon - Stampin' Up!, Michaels
Stamps - Little Letters (Retired) Stampin' Up!, Alpha-hip (Retired) The Angel Company

The Sneak-Peaks Have Started

2007-07-10T07:24:00.000-04:00

Oh my gosh! Have you been to Nichole Heady's Blog {Capture the Moment} yet today?? She has started the countdown for the July release of 5, yes I said 5, stamp sets from Papertreyink.com

Nichole has provided a gorgeous sample that gives a sneak peak at the awesome stamp sets, plus some additional information on a pre-order that will begin on August 1st!

And wait until you see how she is storing her scallop punches! You'll want to run out to the store to buy everything you need to make this great rack!

Enjoy!!

Mom always said...

2007-07-09T11:42:00.000-04:00

OK, I'm an idiot! My mom always said "Always be careful using the mandolin and ALWAYS use the guard!"

Well, I was using the mandolin last night to make my favoritest potato recipe (I'll get to that in a minute) and you guessed it...I wasn't using the guard. I was just getting the potato sliced down enough so that is had a flat side on it and wouldn't be all wobbly. As I said to myself "Ok, this is the last slice then I'll use the guard." I felt a slice! "OUCH!" (trust me that wasn't the word I chose at the moment it happened! ;-) ) Well, I sliced the tip of my thumb almost completely off. The cut looks like a "D" with the straight part still being attached and the curved part being the cut. Am I gaggin' you out yet? I guess I should have put a disclaimer at the top! Hubby doesn't think I need stitches...but it is still bleeding a little. It hurts like a be-jeepers too!

Anyhow, that was my Sunday night. DH ended up doing all the cooking. And no I didn't slice myself to get out of grill duty.

Here is what we had:
Yummy Teriyaki Steak Tips
My Secret Coleslaw Recipe
Allison's Favoritest Potatoes

Here is the Potato Recipe:

4 HUGE baking potatoes, sliced super thin with a mandolin. Place potatoes on large sheet of tin foil. Drizzle with Olive Oil. Sprinkle with generous amounts of salt and fresh ground pepper (I prefer a pepper medly using black, red, green and white peppercorns.) Cover with 1/2 cup super finely diced FRESH garlic (only fresh will do.) Wrap potatoes with foil and cook on grill over high heat for about 30 minutes (check for doneness before removing from grill.)

The best part about this recipe is that they are great the next morning heated in a fry pan and served with eggs and toast!

Enjoy!

Good Boots

2007-07-08T21:13:00.001-04:00

I love the Green Thumb stamp set from Papertrey Ink. My daughters have boots that look just like this one. If they had their way they would wear them every day, too. The sentiment is so true! Don't you just feel better when you have the right shoes on...nothing can get in your way or bring you down.

Details:
Cardstock: Cool Caribbean, Pixie Pink and Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper: Certainly Celery (Stampin' Up!)
Stamps: Green Thumb (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories: Ticket Corner Punch, Grosgrain Ribbon, Brads (Stampin' Up!) Mega Scalloped Oval Punch (Marvy Uchida) Flower (Prima Marketing)

Hello Froggy

2007-07-08T15:42:00.001-04:00

Hello!

This little froggy is actually mounted to an ATC that I made for a swap I hosted at A Shade of Blue. I am in the process of hosting six more monthly ATC swaps at ASB. We just finished month three which was a summer fun theme.

Details: Cardstock - White (Premium white from The Angel Company) Cool Caribbean & Mellow Moss (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper - (Pocket Full of Posies Stack from Die Cuts With A View)
Stamps - Frog (Stampin' Up!) Hello (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories - Flower (Prima) Rhinestone (Target $ Spot) Ribbon (Michaels) Mega Scallop Punch (Marvy Uchida)

You're Blessed!

2007-07-08T15:14:00.001-04:00

I just love this card! There is a story behind this creation (...isn't there always??) A beloved friend of mine, who was also the paraprofessional in my childrens pre-school has moved to Vermont. I am still reeling from her derparture. Tina is an amazing woman who can reach into the heart of even the most challenged child and come out with gold. My oldest daughter, Adrianna, is a child with many gifts, but she also has challenges that other children will never face. Tina and I met when Adrianna was three, just starting pre-school and incredibly shy. We didn't know at the time, but trouble was brewing behind those gorgeous baby brown's! Adrianna was diagnosed with epilepsy and started to regress intellectually just short of her fourth birthday. Tina was an amazing anchor for our family, and made sure that Adrianna had all the help she needed while in the classroom. She broke through a barrier that other adults inthe classroom were unable to penetrate. Adrianna began to shine like gold.

I made a thank you card for Tina, and she was blown away. Had she never been thanked before? I asked myself. No, it wasn't that. She was wild about the card. (It's so nice to be appreciated!) Well, I continued to make cards for her and the rest of staff that work with my children. Then one day Tina mentioned how all my cards are displayed in her home and that she wanted to start framing them. I was blown away now.

So, in the end, Tina has moved. But as a going away gift I made her a box of cards to send to her friends and loved ones. This card is just one of the 50 unique cards I made for her. And while it is meant to be a baby card it says so much more to me. Tina is blessed, while she isn't feeling that way right now, given the circumstances surrounding her change of address. She is blessed with one of God's greatest gifts...the ability to show love.

Details: Cardstock - (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper - (Stampin' Up!)
Stamps - Lion - (Paper Salon) Curly Frame - (Stampin' Up!) You're Blessed (Papertrey Ink)
Accessories - Scallop & Plain Punches (Marvy Uchida) RIbbon - (Stampin' Up!)

I'm back...what the heck happened??

2007-07-08T15:07:00.000-04:00

Where on earth have I been?? Well I dug a little hole and buried myself in it. Right around the time I set up this blog I received some upsetting news regarding my health. Long story short, I am going to be having at least half of my thyroid removed at the end of the summer. I feel fine, a bit tired, but otherwise I'm not feeling ill.

In the meantime, I am gonig to continue with my blog. I am excited to have a place to call my own. I have two internet galleries, the bigger one is at A Shade of Blue , which is my favorite place to talk about paper crafting. You should check it out!! My blog will feature the same artwork, but will include more detailed information about the process behind the creation.

I'll jump right in...more to come later today!

Finally took the plunge!

2007-03-05T21:42:00.000-05:00

So after much arm twisting I have decided to start a blog. Hmmm, what have I done...??? Most of what you will find here are cards and scrapbook layouts that I have created. I have been stamping since 2002, and really want to start sharing what I love. I remember hoarding pretty paper when I was a child...snips of wrapping paper, decorative labels, and the such. Now instead of keeping them in an old box under my bed I have a whole room dedicated to paper creations.

I'll be posting at least every other day...and will try to have a new card or scrapbook page for inspiration each time I do. I will also share some of my favorite places on the web for finding stamping inspiration.