Gone baby, gone

Another paper pack gone!! Not that the CTMH Miracle kit had "a lot" of paper in it, but hey! it still counts! This image and sentiment are another from my Unity June KOTM. I also used my CTMH Playful Flourishes as a piercing guide for my embellishment in the top right corner.

Materials
Stamps: Unity June KOTM
Paper: CTMH Miracle kit, kraft
Other: CTMH inks and brads, Stickles, EK border punch

Emboss-resist

When I first saw this stamp in my latest Unity KOTM, I knew it would be a fun one to do the emboss-resist technique with. Only draw back was that because Unity stamps are cling-mounted rubber, it's harder for me to line up the images. I have a Stamp-a-ma-jig thingy but have never figured out how to really us it properly. Guess I'll need to search YouTube.



This second picture shows the clear embossing a little better:



Here's a close up of the emboss-resist outcome. I kinda like that the images are off just a bit. Adds more dimension.

If you've never tried this technique, it's really fairly easy and fun. You can just stamp your image in Versamark and then emboss with clear embossing power. Then just use a sponge and ink to rub ink over the image. The ink doesn't adhere to the embossed image, so you only get ink around the image. With mine, I stamped it in Crystal Blue and Cocoa inks first so I could "resist" with the Sweet Leaf and Desert Sand colors.

Materials

Stamps: Unity June KOTM, CTMH Fringed Phrases

Paper: CTMH Miracle kit

Other: CTMH inks and ribbon, Versamark, EK corner rounder, Nestie die

Last of the Lemonade

OK, I lied yesterday. I guess I only have ONE Lemonade card left to share.

I used it all up! Even the front cover on this card! Lol! Might as well, right? I've been having quite a bit of fun with this Unity image and sentiment. Simple to color, makes for an easy card.

Make sure you stop by my friend Sparkle's blog today. She has some VERY exciting news she's sharing today!!

Enjoy your Sunday. It's a beautiful sunny one here! If I can recover from my late night, I'll take a nice walk and then maybe read out in the sunshine. The concert last night was AWESOME by the way!

Materials

Stamps: Unity KOTM

Paper: BG Lemonade...ummm "dp" front cover? Lol! CTMH Topstitch and Daydream L2pp

Other: Copics, Memento ink, Prima flowers, BG Lemonade button, EK border punch

Using up supplies and RAKs

These two cards use some more RAK images my friend Suzi sent me. They're not really my style, but I still had fun with them. I have no idea what company they come from either. I was able to use up some random Kioshi dp with the second card, and the first used up some more of my CTMH Daydream dp. That Daydream paper is almost gone! Speaking of almost gone.....my BG Lemonade dp is!! I have just a few cards left to show you using the last of it.

Sorry for spacing a post yesterday. Don't know what happened there.... I'm off to a concert tonight with my friend Maria. A local band called Cody Beebe and the Crooks has their CD release concert down in the Fremont area of Seattle. I've been a fan of this band since they first rescued my friend Rachel and I from some drunk guys on St. Patty's a few years ago. Since then, they have been great friends. It's so cool knowing these super nice and awesome guys are seeing their hard work come to fruition. You can check them out on iTunes and on their website. Their sound is rock/blues/Americana/country and VERY cool!

Materials

Stamps: RAK images, Amuse sentiment, CTMH Fringed Phrases

Paper: CTMH Daydream and Topstitch L2pps, BG Kioshi dp

Other: Copics, Nestie, foam tape, misc. flowers and ribbon, rhinestones, CTMH inks

Same image two cards

I totally love this "Umbrella Girl" from my Unity KOTM. Super fun to paper piece and a big hit at the shop, especially pair with this Amuse sentiment. I used my new CB folder again. I think it looks cool embossed over the finished card base. I also use both of my newest Nesties. Fun, fun!

It's been so nice and sunny here lately! Finally!! I think summer need the solstice to finally show up!

Materials

Stamps: Unity KOTM, Amuse sentiment

Paper: BG Lemonade dp, CTMH cs, kraft

Other: Copics, foam tape, Nesties, CTMH inks, BG brads, misc. ribbon, Kaiser pearls

Cup overfloweth

Still more with my Lemonade paper..... "almost" done, I promise! I also used my NEW Cuttlebug folder! I first saw this used on this card by Teresa Kline and I HAD to have it! So I bought it with my last round of Nestie purchases from Cut At Home. Love, love, love it!

This card was made with the intention of using more of the BG Lemonade buttons and brads more than the paper. Isn't this image and sentiment from Unity so cute? I think I'll definately be using this combo a lot. The image will also go great with other sentiments, and vice versa with this sentiment. Love the versitility of my Unity Kit of the Month! Speaking of things I love....this ribbon! I only have a few yards of it and have been very sparing with it. Matches perfectly too!

So do you all like my new blog layout? I've been debating for awhile now whether I wanted to take the time and change it. Now that Blogger added all their cool new templates, I played around the other day until I found this combo. I didn't want the background to be too distracting, plus I've been so into cloud images lately. I think the plain white helps my pictures stand out too!

Materials

Stamps: Unity May KOTM

Paper: BG Lemonade dp, kraft, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, Nestie die, foam tape, BG button and brads, CTMH inks, misc. ribbon

My cool Etsy find

I have been patiently waiting for these stamps to arrive. Well, not really patiently.... Lol! From the moment I found My Rubber Stamps on Etsy, I new that this would be the perfect match to make custom stamps for the back of my cards. For the longest time I've been using printed labels through Vista Print, but I definately like the idea of stamping instead since I'm stamping on the front...

Eunice at My Rubber Stamps makes each personalized stamp from one of the several templates she has on her Etsy. She also carries a lot of cute craft stamps. All the stamps are mounted on these handled blocks for easy stamping. Here's a close-up of what both of my stamps ink up as:

Couldn't pass up a Crown and Crest for my business stamp. Craft "Royalty".....haha! Get it?! So check out My Rubber Stamps on Etsy and get some of your own personalized stamps!

Special Edition Card {Box} Class

These cool boxes are all the rage right now with all the Close To My Heart Consultants. Mostly thanks to my friend and Upline, Nona who posted her cute Kit of the Month on her blog. This is my take on them using Spledor paper and Hot Diggity stamp set, both a major hit with my last card class. I figured that after months and months of coming to my classes and making cards, they needed a fun place to keep them.

Enough space for the cards and the envelopes! This is going to be a fun class!

Materials are all CTMH. Splendor L2pp, Hot Diggity ss, Chocolate Small Alpha ss, Noted Backgrounds ss. Goldrush, Moonstruck, Topiary, and Crystal Blue inks.

Other: EK circle punches

For my "Popsicle"

Happy Father's Day......even though it's mostly women that read this! Lol!

So this card today is for my Dad A.K.A. "Pop-sicle". This quote is especially fitting since he is not my biological father, but he has been my Dad in every since of the word since I was 16. I love him dearly, and couldn't have asked for a better man to help raise me and mold me into the woman I am today. Love ya Dad!!

Materials
Stamps: Unity March KOTM
Paper: CTMH Celebrations kit
Other: Copics, foam tape, EK punch, misc. buttons, CTMH inks, brads and hemp

Gorjuss Lemonade

Just a few more Lemonade cards left to share, I promise. Today's card follows the CA&F sketch again. This time I used my lovely Gorjuss Girl RAK image Amy sent me. Pairs perfect with all the flowery Lemonade papers.

Enjoy your Saturday! I'm off to a Luau at my friend Jackie's place. If the weather holds out, it'll be a very awesome day of food, friends, more food, and games!

Materials

Stamps: RAK Gorjuss Girl image, CTMH Fringed Phrases

Paper: BG Lemonade dp, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, foam tape, CTMH inks, BG brads

More Lemonade and a new Nestie

New presents came in the mail for me last week! I bought two new Nestie sets at 40% off. Can't go wrong! Nice and simple layout that used up all my little Lemonade scraps. Trying to use up my Lemonade buttons and brads too.

Materials
Stamps: Unity May KOTM
Paper: BG Lemonade dp, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, Nestie die, Amuse ribbon, BG button, CTMH inks, foam tape

How's it Rollin'?

Hee hee! Aren't these rollerskates fun?! The image and the sentiment are from my Unity May KOTM. Makes the perfect card to sell at the shop.

We have a couple of competitive roller girl squads around here. One down by the shop in Seattle are called Rat City Roller Girls and their rivals are up north by me called Jet City Roller Girls. Now I know why Jet City call themselves "Jet City" since they started out of Everett which is a big Boeing city, but "Rat City"? I'm thinking it has something to do with being in such a major metropolitan city and the obivious furry residents.....

Anyways, hope you enjoy your Thursday. Just another day here.

Materials
Stamps: Unity may KOTM
Paper: BG Lemonade dp, CTMH cs and pink Daydream dp
Other: Copics, EK corner punch, CTMH inks, BG button, misc. ribbon, CB folder

Like you a Latte!

Still crankin' out the fun sentiments to pair with Gabrielle! She is so fun, and thank goodness she's an easy one to cut out! Lol! I used last week's CA&F's Sketchy Saturday sketch again for this card. Since it won me a free TGF stamp, I kinda have a soft spot for this sketch now! Haha! Plus it's nice and simple.

You're going to get tired of the Lemonade paper again, but I used it ALL up!! "Another one bites the dust"! Enjoy your Wednesday! My second card class is tonight.

Materials
Stamps: KK Gabrielle
Paper: BG Lemonade dp, CTMH cs
Other: Copics, CTMH inks, CB folder, Coluzzle, Signo pen

One for the girls

I got this RAK image from my friend Suzi and it really made me giggle. The sentiment came with it. Paired it with my Cosmo Cricket Material Girl dp. Little bling and some ribbon, and this made for a pretty fast card.

Sorry I've been away for awhile. It was finally sunny around here and I took advantage! Back to blogging now. I'm going to have another round of Lemonade cards to share. I used up the LAST of the pack!

Materials
Stamps: RAK image and sentiment
Paper: Cosmo Cricket Material Girl dp, CTMH cs and Topstitch dp
Other: Copics, EK punch, rhinestones, foam tape, CTMH inks

These guys make me smile

Hee hee! Aren't these two so fun and cute?! When I spotted them at Michael's last week, I totally fell in love with them and had to take them home. I thought they would make some cute Father's Day cards for son-to-dad. I'm taking one to the shop and posting the other on my Etsy.

Then, I was at Big Lots the other day and totally SCORED on loads of clear stamps and stamp sets for only 50cents or $1 each!! Yeah buddy! Even if I only liked one or two of the stamps in the set, it's a great deal. That's where the sentiment comes from. Handy!

Totally forgot that I had these brads that look like screws. Perfect for these cards! I've had them so long that I don't even remember where I bought them. Online I think.... First time I've used this Cuttlebug embossing folder too. I've had that for like six months already. Oops! Better late than never! I'm entering these in this week's Raise The Bar challenge which is all about music.

Have a great weekend! It's supposed to finally be summer here and my friend is celebrating with a big BBQ and party. Yippee!!

Materials

Stamps: Imaginisce Robot Rockin' and Robot Singing, sentiment is Hampton Arts

Paper: KI Memories dp, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, Cuttlebug folder, brads, CTMH inks

More for Pappas

I really love this particular Unity KOTM. It's the same kit I used for yesterday's card. Lots of great Father's Day quotes and "manly" images. I paper pieced the tree image. Used up another paper pack again! Yippee! I'm on a roll! ....too bad I bought some more.....gotta replenish though, right?! Hee hee!


Materials
Stamps: Unity KOTM
Paper: CTMH Everday Celebrations kit
Other: CTMH inks and ribbon, misc. button, EK corner rounder

Sketchy Saturday with FFF and RTB

*~*~* UPDATE *~*~*

I'm a FFF winner!! This card won the challenge! Thank you TGF!

Wow! What a finale on Glee last night huh?! It was perfect. Had me laughing, had me crying, had me wishing it wasn't the finale. I'll admit though, I kinda thought for awhile now that Vocal Adrenaline wasn't going to win Regionals. I know, I know, bad me. But it really helped to show the lessons of the underdog and why we love them so much.....and that Sue has a heart! Lol!

OK.....so back to the REAL reason we're all here today. Three challenges in one card is a big thing for me! Lol! It's been awhile since I've inked up a Miss Anya, and with CA&F sketch this last Saturday I knew she'd be the perfect fit. Pairs nicely with my Splendor paper too, which I used for my "summer" feeling for the Raise The Bar challenge this week.

I added some rhinestones and Stickles to be "Bejeweled and Bedazzled" for this week's Farm Fresh Friday challenge over at TGF which asks you to be inspired by bling. This DKNY watch has been catching my eye lately at Macy's. Comes in green too...... Can never have to many watches!

Enjoy your Wednesday. It started raining again last night. When is summer ever going to get here in the Puget Sound?! Heard it's supposed to shape up for the weekend though.

Materials
Stamps: TGF Miss Anya, CTMH Fringed Phrases
Paper: CTMH Splendor L2pp, kraft
Other: Copics, foam tape, Coluzzle, CTMH inks, EK border punches, rhinestones, Stickles, misc. ribbon

Whoa! I'm late!

Sorry for the late post today. I just got too sleepy last night to prepare this.

Well, I finally got around to making some Father's Day cards. Sometimes making a masculine card can be tricky. At least I found a good way to use up some more of my BG Indian Summer. This was one of those paper packs I totally fell in love with through blogs and online stores, but once I actually got it and tried to use it I just lost interest. Plus, has anyone else noticed how most of the papers are the same pattern, in just a different color? Hmm....

Anyways, I hope you all are having a fabby day! I can't believe it's the Season Finale for Glee already!!! *sniff sniff* Now what am I going to do for excitement and "glee" on Tuesday nights?! At least it's soooo popular now that they were signed on for more seasons!

Materials

Stamps: Unity KOTM

Paper: BG Indian Summer dp, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, Nestie, AC buttons, CTMH inks and hemp

June Card Class

Hello everyone! Wasn't the Sweet November Stamp previews fun?! That Amy is just amazing! Remember that they go live for purchase at All That Scraps TOMORROW at 10 EST!!

Now, on with the show! Haha!

This month's Card Class uses the NEW "Splendor" designer paper and some uber-cute NEW stamps from Close To My Heart! My first class is already full, but my class on Wednesday the 16th is still pretty open, so if you live in the Seattle area let me know if you'd like to come!

For this first card, I totally CASE'd it straight from the Summer Idea Book! When my customers first saw this example in the Idea book, they all "Ooooo'd" and "Ahhh'd" and wanted to learn how to make the fun flower. So easy too! Just use a circle punch to punch out 3 circles and fold them in thirds to make a cone shape. Then glue them together by using a scrap of paper behind them. Fun, fun!

This second card is another CASE from the Idea Book. I totally LOVE this card!! The "Over The Rainbow" stamp set is so great and versatile. I've been way into clouds lately too. Aren't those NEW Splendor Designer brads the perfect complement?! Love 'em!

This last one I had quite a bit of trouble with. I really, really wanted to show how to do "stamp kissing", but I just couldn't pull it off with this stamp. Oh well. But! for this card class, I asked the attendees to bring some supply or embellishment that they've had hanging around forever and don't really know how to use it, or how to give them a new life.

So for this card, I used the good-'ol metal rimmed tag that was the "had-to-have" item years ago and the often forgotten clear apoxy "bubble". I combined them together to give a nice focus on the sentiment and also add balance to the card. Can't wait to see what things everyone brings to share. I will take their items and try to make cards using them in fun ways. I hope that this will be a great learning tool for them to feel more comfortable with using "iffy" products.

Hope you all are enjoying your weekend! It was FINALLY sunny here! Bye bye rain!

Materials: All CTMH. Splendor L2 pp, Over The Rainbow ss, Hot Diggity ss, Noted Backgrounds ss, Simple Stitches ss, Splendor designer brads, corduroy brads, corner rounder. Topiary, Moonstruck, Heavenly Blue, and Goldrush inks.

Other: Metal-rimmed tags, apoxy circles, circle punches

SNS Penelope and Shelly preview

Here is the last of the Sweet November Stamps previews (*sniff*).

Let me introduce Penelope and here cute little friend Shelly. This adorable stamp was created by Amy Young and will be available on June 7th at 10pm EST at All That Scraps. Penelope looks all ready for some summer fun in the sun! Which is why I decided to pair her with this fun October Afternoon dp. Big white clouds and the color yellow always make me think of summer. I also used the Sweet Sunday Sketch #65 for my layout inspiration.

Be sure to check out Amy Young's blog for more great creations using Penelope and the other preview stamp--Darby. And don't forget, you can get your hands on these super cute stamps starting June 7th at 10 pm EST at All That Scraps. Scoop 'em up before they're gone!

Thank you for stopping by these last few days for my guest spot as a Sweet November Gal! It has been a lot of fun. And a special thank you to Amy for asking me to take on this AWESOME adventure!!

Materials
Stamps: SNS Penelope and Shelly, CTMH Say it in Style
Paper: October Afternoon Earth Love dp, CTMH cs, kraft
Other: Copics, Nestie Label 7, misc. ribbon, foam tape, CTMH inks, Stickles

SNS Treasure Tempestwind and Eddy preview

Back again with another Sweet November Stamps preview!

Today I'm sharing Miss Treasure Tempestwind and her friend Eddy. Such another fabulous creation by Amy Young that is available June 7th at 10pm EST at All That Scraps. I really wanted to play up the "Tempest" part of Treasure by coloring her hair the same lilac color as my dp. I also like how she's positioned so it looks like she's really swimming. I used a sketch from Heart 2 Heart Challenges for my layout. Nice and simple one.

Be sure to check out Amy Young's blog for more fun creations using Treasure and another preview stamp--Coral! Also, be sure to make your calendars for June 7th at 10pm EST. That's when all these lovelies we've been sharing will go live for sale at All That Scraps. Get yours before they're gone!!

Stay tuned again tomorrow for one more sneek peek! The cuteness just continues!

Materials
Stamps: SNS Treasure Tempestwind and Eddy, MM "treasure" sentiment, CTMH "friends" sentiment
Paper: CTMH Daydream L2pp and cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Stickles, CTMH inks, brads and ribbon, EK border punch

SNS Pearl Tidepool and Seamoor preview

Here we go!! *NEW* Sweet November Stamps, created by my blog friend Amy Young, are about to hit the market at All That Scraps on June 7th at 10pm EST! But today, I'm giving you a special preview!

Amy had asked me to be a Sweet November Guest Gal for her June release, and it was a total no-brainer to accept. I have always loved Amy's awesome stamp designs, even before she was able to make them into rubber! Terrific artist indeed!

For my card today, I used the super sweet Pearl Tidepool and her little buddy Seamoor. Pearl was sooooo fun to color! At first I was a little nervous of having to color a mermaid, but I really like the way it turned out, especially her hair. And since her name is "Pearl", of course I had to use some adhesive backed pearls for accents! I used Sweet Sunday Sketch #66 for the layout. Pearl was really fun to play with. this would be cute to create a girl's birthday card and then also give her a few plain images for her to color.

So mark your calendars.... This sweet mermaid will be available on June 7th at 10pm EST at All That Scraps. Just search for Sweet November Stamps under C.C. Designs. They should also be on the "new release" page.

Visit Amy Young's blog for more info and cool creations using Pearl and the other SNS preview stamp--Fathom. And stay tuned the next few days for more Sweet November previews!!

Materials
Stamps: SNS Pearl Tidepool and Seamoor, MM sentiment
Paper: CTMH Miracle dp and cs
Other: Copics, foam tape, Coluzzle, misc. ribbon, adhesive backed pearls, CTMH inks and Miracle MyStickease

I'm a....

Woot woot!! I am honored to be a Sweet November Guest Gal this month!! Amy Young put her confidence in me to help her showcase her June release stamps. If been a HUGE fan of Amy's creations since her first altered Anya! Now she brings us one spectacular stamp release after another. There will be SIX new Sweet November stamps released on June 7th at 10pm EST at All That Scraps. And let me tell you, these new stamps are SUPER CUTE!!

Make sure you stop by Amy's blog for some fun facts about her Sweet November Gals and some possible new release candy!! We will be giving you some previews the next few days featuring work using the new stamps, so check back here tomorrow for some *new* SNS release fun!!

Until then, I'll leave you with something I made with one of Amy's adorable SNS that are already available at ATS: Miss Fidget Goblinspider. I totally had to use orange in this creation since it's Amy's favorite color!

Materials

Stamps: SNS Fidget Goblinspider, Heidi Grace sentiment

Paper: CTMH cs and Veranda dp, Sassafrass Lass dp

Other: Copics, Coluzzle, CTMH inks, misc. ribbon, rhinestones, foam tape

More Gabrielle

When I saw this sentiment, I knew I HAD to use it with Gabby! So fun, and so appropriate for the Seattle area. This will surely be a quick sale at the shop. I used a TGF FFF sketch from a while back for the layout.

Stay tuned tomorrow for some AWESOME news and cool things that I'll be sharing!! It's way exciting!!

Materials

Stamps: Kraftin' Kimmie Gabrielle

Paper: BG Nook & Pantry dp, CTMH cs

Other: Copics, CTMH inks and edge distresser, Coluzzle, foam tape, pearls