Stoppin' in with Some Cards!

Hey Stampers! I was able to create a few cards on Monday…just now posting them. One was a sympathy card for a customer of mine who lost her mother a few weeks ago. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted…but I wanted her to know that I was thinking of her!
I made this card using Echoes of Kindness and the same technique as the painted black card below.

The second post is from the Demo Challenge section of SCS. I would paste the link, but you have to be SU! Demo to get in there. Sorry! Anyway, it was from the Wicked Monthly Challenge that normally has a sketch challenge, color challenge, and a technique challenge. I used Just Buzzin’ By with the color challenge…to use Baja Breeze, Blush Blossom and Cameo Coral. That combo was tough! But some how I pulled it off. I hate to use to many extra colors with the color challenges so I just used Whisper White and Basic Black for my neutrals.

I hope you enjoy them. Until the next time, happy stampin’!

Painted Black Challenge

So I finally got a chance to do a Challenge Card! Woohoo! I worked on this card last night. It was Friday’s Limited Supply Challenge. Here is the link to look at the details.

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=413661
Basically the challenge was to use black as the main background to allow the images and colors to pop more. Well, I racked my brain for two days trying to decide which set and layout I wanted to use. So yesterday morning, I received a tutorial email from Michelle (here is the link to her blog) http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/. She inspired me to use this new Just Buzzin’ By set and to try a new technique as well.

The card didn’t turn out as well as I liked. There are too many lines from my brayer, but I thought I did pretty well for the first time. I also used Whisper White instead of glossy paper. I think if I had used the glossy stuff, I might have been better off. I will try that next time.

Anyway…here is the supply list:

Stamps: Stampin’ Up!© Just Buzzin’ By and Echoes of Kindness
Paper: Basic Black, Yoyo Yellow, Whisper White
Inks: Versa Mark, Basic Black, Bashful Blue, Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery
Accessories: Clear Embossing Powder, Gold Embossing Powder, Versa Mark Pen, Brayer, Sponges, Stampin’ Up!© Markers: So Saffron, More Mustard, Apricot Appeal, Rose Red, Pretty in Pink, Always Artichoke, Close to Coca, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun
Techniques: Brayer and Heat Embossing

Learning from Michelle, I dipped my stamps into versa mark then the basic black ink. Added clear embossing powder and heat set. Then I colored in all of my images. To make it so the additional colors don’t stick to the images, color the areas with versa mark pen (you need to clean it like you do with blender pens when switching colors) and heat set with clear embossing powder. After all of the images are embossed, I used the brayer in Bashful Blue at the top. Then I used it in Tempting Turquoise at the very top. Added certainly celery at the bottom the bottom to give the image some grass. Then I used a very important tool to remove excess ink…paper towel! I have learned that I need to add paper towels to the stamp cabinet. LOL I layered the card and Viola…it is finished.

What do you think? TFL!

It's 2009 and this is my 1st Post!

I know I vowed to share my art and publish on my blog more often....well life happened! My parents have officially moved to Tennessee. They are currently house hunting. I have been so behind on everything that deals with stampin' and fun! I just now took down all of the Christmas decorations and I am trying to get my house back in order. I also need to clean the stampin' area because the cable guy needed in my space to hook up all of the new cable. UGH!!!

So since I have not stamped, I thought I would share some a card I received from my Secret Sister. I love it! What a wonderful way to start out this round of Divine Secret Sisters!

Where Have I Been?

Well, I know I made myself a promise to stamp every day and blog every day. Well that promise has been broken! I have been super busy with assisting my parents with the sale of their home. A while back, I mentioned they were moving to Tennessee...well since then...they were really lucky and found a buyer for their house. They are closing on Monday. We have been cleaning out the house, carting boxes every where and now it is about over. I ended up with their entire pantry...so I spent all day Tuesday organizing my pantry. You would think I would not need to shop for a year, but not so...we are piggies in this house! LOL

Not only have I been busy with them, I have been exhausted from keeping a friends 3 year old and two year old on top of my own kids. They totally wear me out, plus I feel like all I do is cook and clean up messes! I don't know how daycare providers have the energy. I keep thinking next year will be easier since they will be in pre-school a few days a week...NOT...their mommy is having another baby and due in February. All is good.

I have not been totally useless as far as stamping. I did manage to have a few stamp camps and a World Card Making Day event. Here are some samples of my cards that I made. If you want the details, here is the link to my Splitcoast Gallery. http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=83394

Thanks for looking and checking things out! Off to try and organize the basement for more of the items I have accumulated from my parents' house! LOL

BLOG CANDY!!!

I was visiting my SCS friend's blog and she referred me to this blog for some fun Blog Candy. Here is the site! http://starvingartistamps.blogspot.com/2008/09/delicious-candy-just-in-time-for.html Be sure to leave them a comment and you might get something from above!!!

Good Luck!

A New School Year Begins

So today was the first day of school! Can you believe how fast the summer went? Well, below is a picture of my kids waiting for the bus. So hard to believe that my oldest is starting 5th grade. He wasn't to excited about his big day...but he was doing better. My middle child was starting 4th grade and she has been ready since school let out in June. She loves school! She was even more excited to know that some of her close friends from last year were in her class too! Then there is the baby with her wild hair. She is only two and will be home with me...which she loves :o) She will be busy with her little friends that will be over three days a week and the rest of the time helping mommy!

Enjoy the picture and Happy New School Year to everyone!

So I was Wrong

I know...I said I was back and then everything went wrong again! I ended up going to Tennessee for a long weekend with my kids and my parents. Then it all came to be a real possibility that my parents were moving to Tennessee. Now, it is official and we have been working on cleaning out their house! My father is leaving next week since school is already back in session. My mother is staying behind to sell the house and get as much time with the kids as possible. It has just been plain nuts!

With school out, my kids are making it very hard for me to get on the computer or even stamp. I hope to get back in the swing of things very soon!