I Can Create!

While shopping at my favorite craft store, Crafts2000, I found a heck of a deal on the Sizzix Scallop Card! It was on sale, and then I got another discount at the register! So, I had to take it home and play!

I took part in the SCS Michigan Mingle Secret Turkey exchange. One of the cards had to be a hand made turkey card. I had no idea how to make a turkey, at least with out tracing my hand! I really stepped out of the box this time. I used my Stampin Up Designer Series paper and a few punches I hadn't used. This was a fun card make. I just have to find properly fitting envelopes, because the card isn't the "normal" size.

Sizzix Scallop Card Die

Sizzix BigKick

Stampin Up scallop punch

hand held punch

Stampin Up 1" circle punch

Stampin up 1 3/4" punch



Stampin Up paper:

• Designer Series


• Whisper White


• Pumpkin Pie


• Sage

Bic Markers

Another Color Wheel card

This was another roll with the Color Wheel, which has become my favorite toy! I generally just pick a color I wouldn't normally use, and see what combo the Color Wheel dishes out. So far, it has been fun!

Stamps:

• Wildlife Refuge
• Circle of Friendship
• Worn Plaid BG
  

Ink:

• Chocolate Chip
• So Saffron
• Perfect Plum
  

Paper:

• Perfect Plum
• Barely Banana
• Rose Red
  
• Chocolate Chip

Accessories:

• 1" circle punch
• Curly label punch
• vintage brads
  

The Michigan Mini Mingle

This fall, I met with my stamping friends in DeWitt. I love meeting with my fellow Michiganders, and fun is always to be had! I drove with my favorite English firend, Emma, and there is sure to never be a dull moment with Emma!

One the projects for the Mini Mingle was a name tag. I fretted for months, but finally came up with a sketch, and when it came time to create the tag, I flew my the seat of my pants! And here it is:

What's most fun, in my opinion, is the tags! I made shrinky dink tags for each of the Mingles I have attended, and I can add more tags as I go!

My tag tied for second place. Mary one first place with her awesome waterfall tag! Great job, Mary. Tag three is coming in March 2009!

Ahhh, technology!

Well. I finally have my computer back! Whew! It's amazing how dependent one can become on technology! I've made a few things while the system was down, but silly me, I only took pictures of a few things! I need to remember to grab the camera and snap a picture, before I send these things off in the mail.

This is a card I made for my BFF, Melanie. I've had this set for awhile, but I hadn't played with it. This was also the first time I used my Nestabilities. As a matter of fact, both toys arrived on the same day, and it took me months to find the time to use them. Shame on me! This was also my first attempt at coloring with markers. I've been looking at those darn Copics, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't use them enough to justify the expense. Right now, I'm all about buy less, and use what I have! And I have a lot! Here's the details for this card:

Stamps:

• Friends Furever (My Favorite Things)

Card Stock:

• Summer Sun
• Bravo Burgundy
• Whisper White

Ink:

• Basic Black
• Versa mark

Markers:

• Creamy Caramel
• Close to Cocoa
• Summer Sun
• Not Quite Navy
• Chocolate Chip
• Ruby Red

Accessories:

• Friend Cuttlebug Folder
• Scalloped Oval Nestabilities
• Copper Embossing Powder
• Copper Eyelet
• Sizzix BigKick

What did we do before computers?

I'm still without my main computer, and it's driving me crazy! We had to have it wiped clean, and I'm waiting for my husband to load everything, again. I've been able to make a few projects, but without my photo editing software & my watermarks, I don't want to post anything.

So stay tuned.....

Where Are My Projects?

It has been awhile since I posted, but I've found a little bit of a problem. I've managed to make a few projects, but I haven't taken pictures of them. I need to change that! My goal is to get to my stamping space, make some projects, take pictures, and post them here!

Here is a picture I "borrowed" from my friend, Lorien. She was kind enough to take pictures of the door prizes at the Mini Mingle. This is a picture of my gift. I covered a wood box with paper, then made a notebook, post-it note holder, binder clip, and matching pen. It was the first prize to be selected, so I was very pleased!

Blankets for the Homeless Animals

In my spare time, I crochet blankets for the animals at the Michigan Humane Society. This is a picture of the last batch I dropped off a few weeks ago. Two dog blankets and fifty-eight cat blankets! The cat blankets are small, so they fit in the cages. I enjoy making the cat blankets, because they are quick! I can usually finish one in a little over two hours. And I really enjoy seeing the animals get so excited about a blanket! Both animals take their feet and wad their blanket into the perfect pile, and lay down for a nap! It's simple, but it sure does make me happy!

Old Time Favorite

Ahh....Fresh Flowers. I'm pretty sure this set came with my Stampin' Up Demo Starter Kit. I usually make a couple of cards, and then it sits on the shelf for a long time, before I rediscover it!I really do like this set, and I'm glad it never found it's way to the "For Sale" box.

I was busy playing with my Color Wheel again! I just love playing with all the colors it's suggests. Sometimes, I think it's the grossest combo ever, only to didcover it's actually really cool! This was a card I made for my son's teachers at the end of the school year.

Stampin Up Stamps:

• Fresh Flowers
• 
  

Stampin Up Card Stock:

• Cameo Coral
• Tempting Turquoise
• Certainly Celery
• Apricot Appeal
• Taken With Teal
• Whisper White

Stampin Up Ink:

• Cameo Coral
• Tempting Turquoise
• Certainly Celery
• Apricot Appeal
• Taken With Teal

Accessories:

• Marvy Giga Scallop Oval Punch
• Marvy Jumbo Scallop Oval Punch

It's Amazing What's In That Drawer...

My niece turns 10 today. Do you remember ten? For my tenth birthday, I had a party at McDonald's, and it was a HUGE deal. In those days, birthday parties that consisted of more than family & cake & ice cream, were a big deal. Since I know turning 10 is such a big deal, I wanted to make a super special card for my niece. At first, I wanted to "cheat" and use one of the many fantastic swap cards in my stash, but I decided this day is too special to use another person's art.

This particular lay out is inspired by a swap card I received at the Birch Run SCS Michigan Mingle. I can't give credit, because the artist didn't sign her card, but thanks for the inspiration! The card was pretty boring at first, but then I got inspired to use all the goodies I have stored in my craft cabinet. The cabinet of magical toys! I pulled out punches, and dimensionals, and found a paper clip that coordinated oh so well! And then I got inspired to pull out the alphabet & number sets! And for the final touch of fun, I used a couple of Stickles to decorate the flower! I should visit that cabinet of drawers more often!




For this card I used:
Stampin' Up Card Stock

• Pink Passion
• Green Galore
• Lavender Lace
• Whisper White

Stampin' Up Ink Pads

• Brocade Blue
• Green Galore
• Pink Passion
• Versamark Watermark Pad

Stampin' Up Stamps

• Enjoy Every Moment Stamp set
• Daisy Dash Jumbo Wheel
• Classic Alphabet
• Short Order Numbers

Accessories

• Stampin' Up Dimensionals
• Pink paper clip
• Pink & green ribbon
• Stampin' Up Spiral Punch
• Stampin' Up 3/4" Circle Punch
• Cotton Candy Stickles
• Eucalyptus Stickles

• 

Clean....again!

While waiting for the thunderstorms, I decided to tackle my stamping area one more time! I've spent the last year trying to make my space "work," but I haven't found the answer just yet. For the last two days, I have cleaned out & rearranged a lot of my space. I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but I think this is going to work. I still have to find the "perfect" stamps storage, and I would love to have all my card stock in one place. Currently, I have paper everywhere! I managed to condense a lot of stuff, and I have three huge boxes full of stuff that I haven't used. Now I just have to figure out where to get rid of it. Should I put it in a garage sale? Donate it; to who? That's a project for another weekend!

I have also learned an important lesson: quit buying stuff! Yes, I actually said that! I filled up three boxes full of stuff that I thought would be fantastic, yet I never used it. I have SO much paper, that has been completely forgotten. Since I bought it years ago, I found I no longer like it, or I found something better. So, I have to continue this lesson, and quit buying things! I've decided to change my ways. When I get the urge to go solicit the local scrapbook stores, I'm going to go to the basement, and create something! It will not only save money, and I won't have a ton of stuff I will never use, but I will get some cards & scrapbook pages completed, right? I guess only time will tell how well I do with this task!

Another Happy Mail Day

More happy mail arrived the other day! Woohoo! Maybe this working thing isn't so bad! It affords me to buy more fun stuff!

I made this card with my new Kitchen Sink stamp set! I love the three step stamps! I just love the shading and detail that is added with that extra stamp! This card is for a family member who graduated this spring.

I used Stampin Up textured card stock and inks.

• Brocade Blue


• Night of Navy


• So Saffron


• More Mustard

Where Does Time Go?

I couldn't help but notice the April 25 date for my last post. I thought, "Has it been that long since I was able to sit down & type and/or stamp?" Then I realized, I went back to work on the the 28th, so now I understand. That's just not right! A girl should be allowed stamping time on any given day!

Well, it's time to catch up!

Happy Mail

There's nothing like Happy Mail to make a girl feel better! After being sent home early from work, into a horrible storm, I was SO happy to get home, especially when I saw three packages sitting on the table! It was my lucky day!

I finally received my Nestablilities. I almost cancelled my order, and they showed up! Woohoo! In the next box was the Cricut Design Studio. I won it on eBay, and I got an awesome deal! And the third box was from papertreyink! I ordered the Lavender Moon collection, and the Embossing Mat for the Nestabilities. I also received two cards from my monthly card swap! Now, I just need to find the time to play with my new toys!

Then, just a few days later, I received an order from My Favorite Things! I just had to have the new doggie sets, and the What's Up Cupcake set is just too cute. And no, I haven't had time to play with my new stamps, either!

My Very First Binder Clips

It's all Emma's fault! She made the cutest Binder Clips for her swap item at the Birch Run Gathering, and I had to come home & make my own! This was a great way to use all those scraps that I keep. And to all the nay-sayers that laughed at my scrap folder! See, I knew there would be a use for them someday!

Grandma's 90th Birthday Party

My Grandma turned 90 last week, and we threw a surprise party for her. We had family from all the branches of our family tree, and it was great to see everyone. For a special keepsake, I made Grandma a Signature Board and asked everyone to sign it. I hope to find a picture from the party to put in the center of the frame, but Grandma seems to like it just as it is! My Grandma loves pink & she loves roses, too, so I figured Roses In Winter was the perfect stamp set for this project! I also found Marvy pens that matched perfectly! I could have used my Stampin' Up markers, but I didn't have all the matching colors.

New Toys...

After giving up shopping for 40 days, I've finally purchased some new toys! This is one of my new toys. In my opinion it is great ribbon storage. The bag has 200 holes in the sides, and the end of the ribbon sticks out for easy access. I only put 1-2 yards of each ribbon in the bag, to make it easier for transporting. Now I can take my ribbon with me when I travel to crops and other events. And now I have to find more ribbon to fill up the bag. The sides and back are full, but I still have to wrok on filling the front!


UPDATE: I've been asked a few questions:
1) Does the bag hold rolls or scraps? I have about 1-2 yards of each ribbon in the bag. I started with the entire lot of ribbon, without the spool, but I couldn't put all of it in the bag. So, I have "scraps." I suppose you could put rolls in it, but it doesn't have any rods; you'd have to just place the spools in the bag.
2) Where did I get this fun bag? I got mine at 7kidscollegefund.com This was the best price at around $17. I saw them for as much as $37 on other sites!

Ahh...Another moment to stamp! Actually, I was under pressure, but I think that's when I do my best work! I can actually say, "I like this card!" I don't do that very often. This was a fun card to make, and rather quick. It is slightly altered from the original "plan," but I think I like the end result!

I used:

• Doodle This stamp set
• Curvy Verses Stamp set
• Regal Rose CS & Re-inker & ink pad
• Bashful Blue CS & Re-inker
• Certainly Celery CS & Re-inker & ink pad
• Bravo Burgundy Ink pad
• Vintage Brad
• Watercolor brush

The weather is FINALLY getting nice, but I'll escape to the basement to stamp as often as I can!

Thanks for looking!

Finally...Stamping time!

When all the birthday party guests left, I snuck to my stamp space to relax, and here's a card I made for my best friend. I was still cleaning up some piles in my stamp room, and I decided to stop and play with my scrap paper & ribbon! Yes, everything was a scrap, except for the white card stock. And the white card stock is from Papertreyink.com and I LOVE it! EmmaF is the enabler for the card stock. She brought it to the Birch Run gathering, and had to show it to me! So, naturally I came home and had to buy a few packs. It is awesome paper! It's heavy, and a really nice white! The ink hasn't smeared, and I just LOVE it!

This card is going in the mail today. Since we're having such bleak weather, I hope it will brighten my friend's day!


I wanted to give credit to the person who inspired this card. I CASE'd her layout, and I love it!

Stamps Looking for a New Home!

Since I cleaned out my stamping space, I found several stamp sets that have been almost forgotten about. They need a good home, please! All stamps sets come from a smoke-free, pet-free home. I will charge actual shipping costs, with no extras fees.

Stamp set/ Original Price/ Sell UPDATED 03/30/08

A is for Adorable $19.95 $10.00
All Occasions $24.95 $12.50
Art of Life UM $19.95 $10.00
Borders Mini $11.95 $6.00
Business Memos $24.95 $12.50
Fresh Fillers $11.95 $6.00
Listen W/the Heart UM $14.95 $7.50
Little Hellos $19.95 $10.00
Little Layers Plus $19.95 $10.00
Love It UM $19.95 $10.00
Noteworthy UM $12.95 $6.50
Occasionally $16.95 $8.50
Send A Celebration UM $16.95 $8.50
Sketch It UM $34.95 $17.50
Smorgasborders $16.95 $8.50
Stippled Stencils $11.95 $6.00
Suitable for Framing $16.95 $8.50
What Could Be Better $27.95 $14.00

It's Clean!

Well, I'm not sure it looks much different, but I cleaned my stamping space! Above is my cleaned out stamp collection! I have about 35 stamp sets that need to find a new home! Maybe I'll list them here! And see all the yellow-orange spots on the stamp sets? Those denote retired sets! Yes, those are all retired!
This is my newly cleaned up shelving units. I cleared off a shelf and a half, so I suppose I made progress somewhere! I have two of the great QVC must-haves! I had to have them, and I've never used either one of them! Sad, just sad!I moved the location of my stamp collection and my metal shelving unit. This made the space flow a little better. I also moved the stereo, and I now I have better radio reception! I filled up all four of my Snap-n-Lock cases. One is full of ribbon, One is full on embellishments. One is full of card fronts and a few unfinished projects. And the last one is holding my 8 1/2" x 11" paper and chipboard alphabets. My Sizzix alphabets have all been moved to the new style storage, so they stack really nice! My Bind-It-All is still collecting dust, but I had to have it!
Here's is some more stamp storage, and my old entertainment center knows holds a barrage of crafting stuff. I'm waiting for my hubby to buy the correct computer connections. The computer has been sitting there for about a year, and it doesn't run. Well, when it's running with the current wiring, it causes the other house computers to run like molasses in January. And in the bottom of the picture is my "Cutting Center." I moved the cutters from the end of the table, because I now have my big 12x12 paper storage under the table, and I couldn't stand in front of the cutters.
And then there is this monstrosity! It's a great storage system for ribbon, but because the cases open in the middle, it is horrible for most any other items. It also requires a lot of space! Most of the containers are empty, but I have to use them so the system works properly.

And here's a view of the tables and paper storage. The three 12x12 storage cases are on one side, and the 8 1/2 x 11 is on the other side. I love my hanging folder storage containers! I have the paper stored in color families, and even the scraps have a container. You'd be surprised how often I use my scraps. I also just purchased a small rolling tote from JoAnn's. I'll use it to transport my Sizzix goodies to and from crops. I have been using the blue rolling container in the picture, but it is made for kid's toys, not 50 pounds of scrapping goodies!

I still feel like the flow of the room isn't perfect, but I don't know how to fix it. I'd like more uniformity, but I don't' know how to achieve that, either! I'm open for suggestions! IKEA isn't too far from here!

Stamp Space is Almost Clean

Yesterday, I was able to sacrifice myself to the basement for a few hours! I managed to fill up a garbage bag full of trash, and I have two boxes of stuff I need to get rid of! Yes, two boxes! And that's two boxes on top of the three boxes I donated last summer! Yes, I have a lot of junk! Not too much, just a lot of it! Maybe I'll have a garage sale right here!

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! It's Easter Sunday morning, and I am proud to say, I made it! An entire 40 days without buying things I didn't need! But Lent is now over, and that means it's time for the credit card to go into meltdown! Is it the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas that's supposed to be the biggest shopping day of the year? Well, Easter Monday it that day for me! Woohoo!