The Last Valentine

This is my last Valentine card. I'm already sick of them. Maybe a few out of Basic Grey's Bittersweet, maybe................

Here's a link to BG's new line. Beautiful aren't they???

Paper: Bazzil Cranberry and pink smoothies, gold mirror cardstock, Basic Grey Eva.

Embellishments: cranberry ribbon, Kaiser pearls, gold heart clip, Cricut love with gold glitter.

Sisterhood of the Blogging Stampers-#27

I just joined, how about you???

Read all about me to the right of this post.

Chalk Hint

This card is completely chalked. I got it all chalked, cut out and everything mounted and then choked on some pop and spit all over it...........sheesh!!

Chalk is always going to give you a softer look to your cards. I usually chalk the picture how I want and then spray in with cheap hairspray. On this card, I wanted more highlights than I could get with the original chalking. So after spraying and drying, I chalked the areas that I wanted darker and sprayed again. I wanted it darker so I did it again.

Hint: You can set your chalk and then chalk over it being sure to spray inbetween chalkings. Works great!!

Crooked on Purpose

I had to film this card off to the side. The gold mirror cardstock reflected big time.

I must be the worst photographer in the world. I have a really high class digital camera and I still can't take a great picture!!

This card is so much more colorful than the picture...........(sigh)

Stamp: On the inside "Happy Valentine Day" Ink: Colorbox cranberry Paper: Basic Grey Eva, Bazzil Cranberry, gold mirror cardstock Embellishmets: pink ribbon, pink brads, SU gold elastic cord, Kaiser rhinestones Other: Nestabilities scalloped and plain hearts, Cuttlebug dotted swiss

Another Crooked Picture

Another crooked picture. I wish I could find a contest.....I'm a sure winner!!I wish the pink paper showed up as pretty as it actually is. It's polka dot which is a fav of mine.
Comments? Constructive criticism??

Stamp: Penny Black
Ink: Stazon black
Paper: SU white, black & Pink Pirouette; Basic Grey Scarlet
Embellishments: Kaiser rhinestones, JoAnn's ribbons
Other: Fiskers Threading Water edge punch; Cuttlebug folder

New Year's Resolutions So Far.....

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS--COMPLETED!!!

1. I will get my Score It out of the box and learn how to use it....COMPLETED WITH SCORE PAL)

2. I will use my Cricut Expressons machine.....(I've only had it for months!!)COMPLETED
3. I will organize my craftroom and discard, discard and discard stuff that I will never use or I'm sick of. COMPLETED!!
4. I shall figure out this blogging!!!! GETTING THERE!!

YIPPEE!!

Congratulations

CONGRATULATIONS

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!!

BEST OF WISHES

I'm In Love Again or Have you seen Bazzill's Dotted Swiss?

I'M IN LOVE.... AGAIN!!

OMG, have you tried the Dotted Swiss made by Bazzill?? It feels just like you ran the entire piece of cardstock through the Cuttlebug's dotted swiss folder!!! It's texture is so cool and it comes in tons of colors. I found some at my LSS (well sort of, nothing is close to where I live) but here's where you can see it online......

S & C Memories Scrapbooking and Stamps.

Check it out!

Freezing Fog

Here's some pictures that show what it's like. And yes, that's all frozen fog!

Valentine Card #3

Paper: Bazzill Smoothies deep pink, pink stripe???
Stamp: Great Impressions
Ink: Colorbox Cranberry
Embellishments: deept pink ribbon??, tiny brads
Other: Spellbinders Ribbon Tags, Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Folder

Another Valentine Card and a Million Stickers

I cleaned out my stickers today. What an experience!!! lol First of all, I had to get them all together. Some were in a basket and some were in sticker binder (never liked it). After I sorted them by categories; letters, school, baby, red hatters, borders......you get the idea, I looked at the pile of letters and thought I could spell every word in the dictionary and never have to share letters!!! Sheesh!!

Anyway, I kept very few stickers of various themes and bundled up the rest and gave them away. I never use stickers anymore but I thought I might use the school themed ones. Wow what an eye opening experience.

After that, I made a Valentine card out of some paper that I found stuffed in with the stickers. Have you heard of Daisy Bucket stamps??? Well when they started out, they had kits and I must have bought one. I didn't have a clue what to do with all the goodies so I probably just stuffed them in the first place I could find (we are talking about several years ago!). Well I made a card out of those papers............

Sorry about the crooked picture........I'm not a photographer!! Stamp (Je taime) is Penny Black and I used the Cuttlebug Dotted folder.

Comments?? Constructive criticism??

Blog Winners

DRUM ROLL PLEASE......

THE THREE WINNERS OF THE STUDIO G SERIES 25 STAMPS ARE:

GUAM GIRL

CELTICRAFTER/SHARON
CHERI HOWARD

I will try to contact you or you may email me!!! Congrats!!

Turtle Valentine

Here's my first valentine card. Now I fully intended to use my Cuttlebug folders as I have every one ever made. Then didn't do it!!! Boy my memory (or lack there of) amazes me. I was watching Criminal Minds on TiVo and forgot about it.

Anyway, the card turned out ok. The patterned paper shows a little glossier than it really is and the pearls are light pink not red!!!!

I wish I could remember where the paper came from as I have several pages that can intermix. I bought it last year and it simply isn't marked (or I cut it off ). It's shimmery and beautiful. Maybe someone can enlighten me.

The stamp is by Great Impressions. I use their stamps alot. They don't seem to have a site for themselves. I usually buy them at the Danicas or online at Sierra Enterprises. Ribbon is from Papertrey.

Comments? Constructive criticism?

Candy

Score It

I got my Score It out of the box (stamping resolution) but there wasn't any directions...grrr! Does anyone know if there are any online directions???

Candy
PS
Yippee!! A person on one of Yahoo stamping groups gave me this page:
http://www.scorit.com/learning.html

The jazzed card

Ok folks, here is the jazzed up version.

I added some pearls, a flower and lots a paper piercing.

Remember I don't have all the do-dahs that other designer bloggers have but I think I definitely have to update my Prima flowers. Mine are horribly sad.

Comments? Constructive criticism??

Candy

Cleaning, tossing and a card front.........oh my?

I've been cleaning and tossing in this craftroom. I'm almost done. It's certainly NOT my favorite thing to do but in the end it will be worth it.

Most of my early (and some of my recent lol) "stuff" is lacking........another word for ugly!!! I found this card front and thought hmmmmm I think I can jazz it up. So this picture is the card front before the jazz. Pretty boring I know.

In my next post the card will have some "jazz".

Candy

Storage Solutions

I love the uniform look. So I'm gradually changing all my plastic stackables to these wooden stackables. Since my crafting room is black and beige, I'm going with the Walnut/black drawers. However, the closet in this room has a white closet system (it's full also!! hehe) and anything added to it will be white.
Now go look and enjoy. You can buy the cubicles with no drawers and then design your own.
The Best Scrapshelf

Candy
Blog candy drawing 1/16 9 am. Now why haven't you entered?? :)

Cat Card, Danicas

Here's a very simplistic card. I'm beginning to think I like simplicity instead of all the goo-gahs (is that a word?). I don't remember where I got this image but I decided to use it with a little help from the crew at Danicas. I think the kitten is so sweet....she is colored with water color pencils.

Thanks for looking!!

Candy

Studio G Stamp Drawing!!

I WILL DRAW FOR THE STUDIO G STAMPS

FRIDAY JANUARY 16th

9:00 PST

Candy

New Card/ It's A Beautiful Day

This card is made with a little help from my friends at Danicas.

I used Marvy markers to outline the flowers. Then I dabbed yellow and orange pearlescent chalks (Pebbles Inc.) to soften the flowers. The butterflies were just chalked with yellow and orange and then cut out.

Above the smaller flowers, there were buds which were emphasized with orange eyelets. Then I highlighted everything with Stickles (Frosted Lace).

Comments, constructive criticism?????

Candy

Blog Candy/Studio G Stamps

BLOG CANDY

SEE BELOW!!

Birthday Card

Here's a card for a challenge I did on Yahoo group Stampers_Life. I only used scraps!! Yippee!! Here's the card sketch.....

Unfortunately I can't remember where I snatched this card sketch or I would give them credit for it.

Candy

PS Actually after looking at this card again, I'm finding it's pretty darn ugly. I may just have to tear it apart and start again. Maybe tomorrow........

Organizing Scraps

One of my stamping resolutions is organizing this craftroom. I have done really well with organizing ribbons, unused paper groups, plain cardstock, stamps, embellishments and so on. But under my crafting table were 3 baskets of scraps. Everytime I glance at them I felt soooo disorganized. It bugged me forever but I just couldn't cope with doing anything about it. Even worse is that I would never use any of these scraps because I couldn't stand the thought of dealing with the mess!! I'm not kidding, I NEVER used any of those scraps!! I even thought about throwing the whole mess away.

Over Christmas I finally tackled (why during the stress of Christmas, I have no idea) my scrap mess.
Here's how it went:
1. I sorted plain paper from patterned paper. It was sooo BORING!!!!2. I sorted the plain paper by colors.
3. I sorted the patterned paper by predominat color and a misc pile for those papers that didn't fit any color.
4. I had three rectangular wicker baskets that are about 12X16 and probably 10" deep.
5. I bought two boxes of Ziplock gallon storage bags. ( brand name as the store brands aren't as big. I labeled each using a black permanent marker by color.
6. I put the baggies with the plain paper in one basket, the patterened paper/baggies in another basket. In the third basket were baggies for designer groups. For an example, I keep all the scraps to each of my Basic Grey groups together. I labeled each baggy by the Basic Grey group (or whatever the designer is) such as Basic Grey: Eva.
All of these baggies stood on end in the basket.

Why am I telling you all this???? Well I started to make a card and I actually went to my scraps FIRST!!! And it was EASY!!! Wow what a big development for me!!! I figure I won't have to buy white cardstock for at least a year....lol I have two gallon baggies full of it!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that this really did work for me. Good luck with organizing things your way, it's worth it!!
Candy

Blog Candy=Studio G Stamps

I have three (don't ask why!!) extra sets of Series 25 Studio G stamps.

Post a New Year's stamping resolution, here or under my resolutions, you will have a chance to win one of the three sets. They are sooooo cute!!!!

Candy

Happy Birthday

HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS

TO MY

DAUGHTER AND DAUGHTER IN LAW!!

Birthday Card

This is a birthday card for one of my family members. It also is a card for two of my groups at Craft Planet. It goes along with the sketch card challenge (group: Sketch Challenge) and the Basic Grey (group: Basic Grey Lovers).



*Paper: Bazzil Smoothie Browns, Bazzil Smoothie Pinks, Basic Grey
*Ink: Colorbox Brown
*Stamps: Cube Stamp for Happy Birthday, Penny Black (I masked off the bottom of the stamp), Papertrey Borders & Corners
*Other: Circle Nestabilities, circle punch, corner rounder, paper piercer, Cricut cartridge Schoolbook for the J
*Embellishments: Rhinestones, dark brown snaps, pink ribbon

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Candy

Scraps

I've had a big basket full of scraps for months and months. I'm trying to get my paper more organized and I've put off this basket off as long as I can. I almost have this humongous pile of scraps sorted by plain or print (tell the truth I thought about chucking the whole pile and starting a new scrap basket). I'm kind of glad I didn't throw anything away because I've decided I have pretty good taste in paper (wink)!!! LOL

Question: How do you sort your printed scraps. By color??? If so, what about that paper that doesn't fit anywhere??? A misc pile? Comments??

Cricut Hint

Here is a hint about the Cricut. It seems like those darn mats just don't last long. I've seen all sort of hints on how to extend their lives. I've tried them all. Here's the best that I've found:

Use the Kokuyo Dot n Roller adhesive. Run a strip of it along the side and top, being sure to stay on the dark green. When you mount your paper be sure it covers the adhesive strips (you might need the paper a little bigger than usual). Then use your Cricut to cut whatever you want. I use all sorts of sized paper. Be sure and make sure the adhesive is not where your machine cuts. You can rub the adhesive off and add some more when needed. You will not need to stick down the entire top or side of the paper (depending on how much you cut).

I use the same mat over and over and over. Much cheaper!!!

Good luck!!!

The Slice (again!)

I have finally mastered my Slice. I really like it!! I like the versatility that it brings to die cuts and its very easy to use. You have to play with it to understand where to place it on the paper but after I figured it out, I really like it!!

I also bought the stand that it can sit on. It's great because you can store the tiny little cartridges in the drawer. If you are considering buying one, JUST DO IT!! (lol, I live in Nike country).

One hint: don't use too much glue........it makes the paper hard to get up!!

Thank you for bearing with me on this blog, I'm new to it and I've spent hours trying to figure it out.

Later, I'll post another birthday card......I used The Slice on the letters.

Baby Card

This baby card is for a special couple who is finally expecting!!!
*Paper: Bazzil Smoothies (I love this paper!! I like the monochrome color range in each package.)

*Punches: Marvy Oval Scalloped (I use these a lot even though I have the Nestabilities), Fiskers Scalloped Edge Punch

*Stamp: Rubber Stamper (from their baby collection)

*Embellishments: Brads (Imaginesce?? not sure), glitter Martha Stewart, water color pencils

*Ink: Black Stazon
We are seeing the sky and sunshine today. Also some of the snow has melted which leaves a slushy mess when you've had 2-3' of snow. Yuck!!

Today is my husband's 58th birthday. I am so lucky to have 4 birthdays and Christmas in one week......NOT!! Only two more birthdays to go!!
That's all for now!!

Graduation Card

Time to move on to different cards other than Christmas. My niece graduated from college (University of Oregon), my alma mater. Here is a picture of the card I made for her celebration. I used the congratulation Cuttlebug folder and then pierced Yippee. I mounted it on white cardstock to make yippee stand out. Guess what the colors of the U of O are!!! LOL

Candy

Birthday Card

Here is a card that I made for my son's gf's birthday.

Paper: Basic Grey Euphoria
Stamps: Just Rite Stamps
Embellishments: Green rhinestones, SU corner tab punch, nestabilities.

Let It Snow???

The deer have moved in town...

Our backyard...











Our house...

I know there are a lot of places that have snow!! I thought I'd share our snow story. My husband has shoveled out deck three times, each time taking 1-2' off! We do have power and I'm very thankful for that!!!

Candy

Ribbon Rings

Here is a picture of my Ribbon Rings. I have also included the site where you can purchase them under Places I Haunt.

I added extra rings to mine so that they hang lower. It is such a convenient and inexpensive way to organize cut ribbons. At the Ribbon Ring site, they hang them on the wall on wooden pegs. Check it out.

Candy

Caution: Do not try putting your ribbon on the hangers with a cat in the room. My, my what a source of entertainment those moving ribbons are!!! LOL

Glimmer Mists

I just received my order of silver, copper and gold Glimmer Mists. I tried them on one of my extra religious cards (by the way, I got all 25 of them done! Yippee!). I was surprised that it was pretty easy to spray on. I had a few "blobs" but nothing distracting. Now don't you wish I had a picture of the card? So do I!! I've lost the recharger for my camera. It's an older model and I want a new one but Christmas came first. Maybe after......

Here's the site where I bought a packaged deal.

Are you ready for Christmas?? I finally am!!

My Craft Room

Punches






Wall ribbon holders, cricut cartridges and more acrylic stamps in 3 ring binders. The white plastic drawers hold cuttlebug folders, edge punches, Nestabilities and other goodies.









This cabinet holds my holiday stamps and my acrylics (it's full). The baskets under the cabinet hold finished cards.











My everyday stamps are on the wall. Yes that's my cat sleeping on her perch (a favorite place!).






This is my workstation and computer area.












The paper area...







Some of these pictures are a little old. I have since added Ribbon Rings in the closet to hold all the loose ribbon. They work great. I'll add a picture of them later. For some reason I don't have a picture of the die cut machine area. Oops will add that later too.

The Slice

I am still struggling with figuring out this blogging. When I do, I'll post some of my cards. Now on to The Slice.

I'm not an instruction reader, so I spent more time just trying to figure out how to turn it on. Come to find out, you have to charge it!! Duh! Then I didn't know how to get to all the images. I figured out where the cartridge goes all by myself though! Yippee!!
I do think I am going to like it. It is so light weight and portable that I can take it with me when needed.

Still nobody in my family is reading this blog! Booooo on them...

Have a good day!!

Shopping

I went out of town for some quick shopping. Managed to pick up some Stewart punches. I had already bought the train border punch but wanted the single engine punch.....found it!!! Yippee Also picked up some punches at Craftwarehouse to try some punch techniques with. It was a fun day!!

I just got an order for 25 religious Christmas cards. I don't seem to have a religious stamp in this entire room. I guess I've just never needed one. I had to send off a quick order to Papertrey Ink for their beautiful set Every Day Blessings

I ordered from Our Daily Bread: Joy To The World. These two place are fun to browse through!!

12/10 I'm off to Danica's for a class and to learn how to use my Slice. I haven't gotten it or the cartridges out of the box!! I'm meeting my youngest daughter for lunch. She'll be on her way from college for Christmas break.

Here's another picture of my favorite cat, Lucy!! She's so much fun.

Have a good one!!