Cards & Things Challenge 26

Good Tuesday morning! You know what that means? It means another Cards & Things Challenge.

This challenge was a good one! I had a lot of fun with it. I have been wanting to make an Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie card--Krista threw Real Red into this color challenge just to give it a little more pop! :)

If I can sneak away today, I would like to make more cards using this great color combination. How about you? If you what to play along visit the Cards & Things Challenge Blog and use Mr. Linky to show off your creativity!

Here's my card for this week's challenge:

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Simply Said

Cardstock: Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie, Real Red

Ink: Real Red

Stampin' Write Markers: Old Olive and Pumpkin Pie

DSP: Sweet Pea DSP (Occasions Mini)

Accessories: Big Shot, Scallop Square, Scallop Oval and Large Oval Punches, Library Clip, Red Gingham Ribbon, Dimensionals, Aqua Painter (flower stems)

*~*20,000*~* and a little candy!

My ticker says that over 20,000 people have visited my blog.

Wow! That is so exciting! Thank you so much for coming to my blog!

I love to create and share, but my favorite part of stampin' blog is hearing your feedback through your comments. As a thank you to all of you who visit me here, I'm offering a little blog candy.

BLOG CANDY:

Short & Sweet

Designer Series Paper: Welcome Neighbor

The only thing that you have to do to be in the drawing is to leave a SHORT & SWEET comment with your name and email address before midnight on March 31st. On April 1st, I will have my daughter, Riley-Kate pick a number that will determine the winner.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Featured Stamper!

I have been featured on The Late Night Stamper Blog!
http://latenightstamper1.blogspot.com/


I'm so excited! I am one of the featured artists on Sherrill Graff's website today. She is an amazing woman and I couldn't be more honored.

What a great day!!! :)

Jellybean

This is my little chick I created. Her name is Jellybean. She's attached to a milkcarton full of what else.... JELLYBEANS! :)

She's pretty simple to make except for those little chicky eyes. Omgosh it was difficult to get them on her face and off my fingers! LOL

A little about Jellybean:

Her head is a So Saffron 1 3/8" circle

Her beak is a clipped corner of Pumpkin Pie CS

Her wings are So Saffron word windows

Her little eyes are Chocolate Chip 1/16" circles

Her cheeks and crest are Pretty in Pink and made from the Bold Cupcake die flower

Her legs are Chocolate Chip and are punched from the XL Bird Punch

She is sponged w/ So Saffron ink and it doodled w/ a Close to Cocoa marker.

Milk Carton

Milk Carton Die

Big Shot

Tea Party DSP

Almost Amethyst cs

Library Clip

Striped So Saffron Ribbon

Boy Toys

My husband, Terry's birthday was last Monday. He turned 39! WHOA!

Anyway, he loves all those boy toys that are in the Stampin' Up! set, Loads of Fun.

I couldn't help myself. I gave him just a couple toys to start with--just a little tease...

But when he pulled it open...wah-lah another snowmobile hiding inside! :)

He grinned..... not even the big boys can have too many toys....

Card Recipe:

Stamps: On Your Birthday, Loads of Love, Loads of Fun

Cardstock: Natural Ivory, Sage Shadow, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Staz-On, Chocolate Chip

Accessories: aquapainter, bone folder, cutter kit, watercolor wonder crayons, dauber and sponge

My Digital Studio

I finally decided to purchase the My Digital Studio from Stampin' Up!© I am so glad I did! I just installed it this afternoon and I couldn't walk away until I made something. Granted this is VERY SIMPLE, but I was amazed that I could sit down with MDS and create a layout in just a few minutes. I am hoping to figure out how to layer different dsp and cardstock and add all the other embellishments, but that will have to wait. My 'merry-hearted boy' is awake and I need to tend to him. :)

Cards & Things Challenge 25

I'm back after 5 days without a computer. It has been the longest 5 days--life without internet is a lot more difficult than I ever would have imagined. I can't believe all the things I look up and do online. I have my fingers crossed that the computer is fixed and that I haven't lost everything. :( Although I know I lost all my emails, several templates and patterns and all my software... I'm just glad that I can connect to the internet.

This is the color challenge this week on the Cards & Things Challenge Blog. Why not play along and get those creative juices flowing... :)

---REAL RED, BASHFUL BLUE and NIGHT OF NAVY---

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Pun Fun, Starring You (SAB)

Ink: Bashful Blue, Real Red, Night of Navy, Black Staz-on

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Real Red, Night of Navy, Whisper White

DSP: Night of Navy (Pattern Pack III) and Bashful Blue

Accessories: watercolor paper, aquapainters, clear button, DMC floss, dimensionals, word window punch, modern label punch, star punch, circle punch

Eggstra Eggstra Easter Card and a Contest....

There's a brand new Sketch Challenge over at the Cards & Things Challenge Blog that starts today. Along with a brand new sketch there is also a contest with a couple sets of really cute stamps as the prize. It's a win-win situation--a little inspiration and a great prize! :)

Here's my card....
I love this cute little chick!

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Teeny Tiny Wishes and A Good Egg

Cardstock: Pretty In Pink, Whisper White, Pretty In Pink

DSP: Sweet Pea Stack (Occasions Mini--this stack is AWESOME)

Ink: Staz-on

Technique: Paper Piecing

Stampin' Write Markers: So Saffron and Apricot Appeal

Accessories: Pretty In Pink Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Trim Border Punch

Every Stamper's Bad Dream

Sunday morning, I got the news. My husband, Terry was ready to spray primer and texture on the basement walls. He did give me a few hours notice so that I could go into my stamp room and perhaps stamp a card or two before he closed it off....

I was a little bit panicky, but for the most part I was excited that the rest of the basement would be done and useable. Well that all changed when I seen the door actually closed off.

Doesn't that just send shivers down your spine? Ohhh how horrible! I was cut off from all things stamping.

Monday morning, Terry informs me that he has work and cannot spray the final coat. I'm starting to really freak out a little now. I haven't had ink on my fingers in 24 hours and he's telling me he's not sure when he will get to it. EEEEK!

Yesterday, I cleaned my closet, washed and hung several loads of laundry out on the clothes line (in Wisconsin--yeah I know brrrr!), got Evan all dressed up TWICE and went out for a walk with him, swept, did dishes, thought about cleaning the bathroom. OMGosh is this a sign of what I would be like if I didn't have stamping??? NEAT and CLEAN...LOL

Needless to say, Terry came home, had dinner and was nudged toward the basement. Luckily, he nudged easy. :) The basement is painted. The plastic is down and everything is back to normal.

Suggestions & Well Wishes I Received:

Thank you. I LOVE YOU, GUYS!

Check out all the samples on Split Coast Stampers!! That will keep you busy for a long while!! LOL
Glenda

Ohhhh you poor, poor baby! My heart weeps for you! Just let him know there will be SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES if he does not get it done tomorrow, as withdrawal is not pretty! LOL!
Stampingly,
Cynthia A. Ferenz

I don't have to worry about my door being block off as it don't have a door. It is open to the whole world. Problem is when it isn't clean it isn't very a very pretty site. I feel for you though Wendy.

Angel hugs

Debby

(This is my absolute favorite)

Wendy Wendy Wendy....you must be in the room when he tapes it up!
Jacqui Lines

Carefully open it and reseal it before he gets home from work, LOL!!!
Margaret

Definitely a farce and trick to keep you away from your beloved stamps! Thankfully, in my household, I'm the painter :) Which reminds me - I'm getting the bug to paint my craft room - the contractor's blah walls are starting to get to me!!!

Sincerely,Pam Staples

My husband would say i could use the day to clean my house! lol Sure hope mine doesn't get the idea to close off my stamping door. lol Hit the dollar stores and find something to decorate for when you get back in your room!
Bfrenda

I'm deleting this QUICK before hubby walks in!!! LOL!
Jackie

BUMMER! You must be "jonesing."
Sage Kimble

I think it's all a farce by your hubs! He's tricking you so you will spend time with him, or even worse...HOUSEWORK! They're tricky like that!! ;o)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marjori Miller

I would tear it off for the day! Hehehe
Rubberstampin@yahoo.com

I am so sorry for you Wendy.
I hope you will make it through the day without withdrawal symptoms, lol. I hope this is the right word for it?
Groeten/GreetingsMarie-José Boumans, the Netherlands

Oh Wendy - so sorry - but you can always clean your house - or bedroom - or wash clothes, or work in the yard, or go shopping? Wanda

When you're not catching up on laundry and vacuuming, you will be meditating on WHERE EVERYTHING GOES once that door is open! And it might be as well if you got someone else to help you with it - four hands is great, ESPECIALLY if the other person has an idea where things will be going!!
Hang in there, we're all agog to see it when it's done!!
Hewitt Hulse

lol - I knoooooooooow whatcha mean, girl!!
Today, I am taking some of my retired SS and stamping a cover sheet with each stamp, then nuking them and removing the rubbers from their blocks, and finally storing them in a CD case. WAHOO - room for more stamps!!!

BRENDA TAPP

LOL, you weren't kidding it's sealed up! Sounds to me like it will be worth the wait. Would love to see the re-do pics when it's done!
Cindy

Get your house chores done for the week so you can just go into the room and stay
Make up 4 days worth of meals and freeze them
Do up the laundry (at least wash and dry)
And tidy up the house
That will keep your mind off the room and the computer!!
Good luck lolol
Gwen Mangelson

OH NO!!!! I don't know what I'd do either!-Erika Martin

I would slice the plastic, squeeze in there, and tape it back up when you're done!!
Kerin Sylvester

Three of this and Three of that...

Last night, I put together the rest of my scallop squares and by bedtime I had 3 little bags completed. I love sewing them together and can would like to proudly state that I didn't put a single square on backward on the last two bags.... LOL :)

This morning, I stamped for a little bit before my Stampin' Room was closed off for the rest of the day. Today, my husband is spraying primer on the basement walls preparing them to be painted. YEA! I guess I can spend one afternoon out of my room---maybe!

These cards are made using Mary Jo Price-Williams' sketch challenge 112.

The first card I used certainly celery DSP... the second card I left plain, I'm not sure which card I like better....

Which one do you prefer?

Bible Bag

This was a custom order little girl bible bag. I thought this was brilliant. When my girls go into church they have their bibles, notebook, pen/pencils and their Sunday School papers. What a better way to keep it all together?

Spring Cleaning -- Baby Cards

Yesterday, I cleaned up my Stampin' Room. It was in desperate need of a good cleaning. I couldn't even fit a piece of cardstock on the table to make a card. Yeah, it gets pretty deep! :) I have TRIED to be a neat stamper and clean up after every card--well that happened for ohhhh... 2 cards and I was back to pushing the piles to the sides of the table to make another card.

It took quite awhile to get everything put away and I'm so thankful that Evan was perfectly okay to be in the playpen while I cleaned. He LOVES to play in my paper and ribbon, but he's not a very gentle little guy. :) He really is such a good boy though... I'm so blessed.

Anyway probably an hour later, I finally found the table and a little pink satin bow that I had made for a card and decided that I didn't like and left for another project.

Looking at that poor lonely little pink bow, I decided that when Evan went down for a nap today I would make a card using it.

Here's my little pink bow on a baby girl card:

Can't just have a little girl card, right?! :)

I made a little blue satin bow to make a matching baby boy card:

They turned out pretty sweet and they were so simple and easy!!

Card Recipes:

Stamps: Animal Stories, Teeny Tiny Wishes (this set is so versatile--I use it all the time!)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Pretty In Pink

Ink: Pretty In Pink, Bashful Blue

Accessories: Border Trim Corner and Edge Punches, Bashful Blue Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals, Perfect Polka Dot Textured Impressions Folder

My Beautiful Blog Award!

Thank you, Connie Smith for this super sweet award. I never imaged in a million years expected to see this little blog on her list, but I'm grinning ear to ear right now. YEA! What a great compliment.

Ok, so the rules for this award are:
1) Add a link and note of thanks to the person giving the award

2) Pass the award on to 15 bloggers whose blogs you have recently discovered that you love to visit.

3) Share 7 things about yourself

1. Gretchen Barron http://gretchenbarron.typepad.com

2. Becky Jensen http://www.stampthat.com/blog/

3. Jenny Moors http://stampingmoments.blogspot.com/

4. Kathleen Hopperstad http://myhappyplace.typepad.com/my_happy_place/

5. Claire Daly http://clairedaly.typepad.com/

6. Dawn Olchefske http://www.dostamping.typepad.com/

7. Heather Wachtman http://creationsbyheather.com/

8. Holly Krautkremer http://rubberredneck.typepad.com/

9. Eileen LeFevre http://elefevre.blogspot.com/

10. Caroline Van Der Straaten http://carooskaartjes.blogspot.com/

11. Krista Visser-Driessen http://www.krista-kris.blogspot.com/

12. Lisa Freeman http://stampingwithlisa.com/

13. Mary Brown http://stampercamper.com/

14. Riley Fitzgerald http://dancerriley.blogspot.com/

15. Monica Weaver http://www.addalittledazzle.com./

7 things about me:

1. I have three children. Dani is 17, Riley Kate is almost 12 and Evan is 16 months.

2. I could eat spaghetti for every meal.

3. I love to watch cartoons.

4. I'm addicted to Diet A & W Rootbeer.

5. Leaving cupboards, dresser drawers or chairs pulled out makes me crazy!

6. My favorite color is PINK!

7. I can't remember what I own for stamps and sometimes have to go check my stash before I hit the submit button to make sure that I don't already have it! :)

Julie's Swap Card

I loved this card the second I opened the envelope. It was sent to me by my sister-in-law and downline, Julie Rasmussen. I think she did a great job on this one!

In fact, I liked it so much I had to CASE it! Thanks, Julie!! :)

Here's my shameless CASE.

Card Recipe:

Stamps: Vintage Vogue

Cardstock: Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Chocolate Chip

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Old Olive, Bashful Blue

Stampin' Write Marker: Bashful Blue

Accessories: dimensionals, scallop trim border, Big Shot, Textured Impressions Folder Perfect Polka Dots, chocolate chip ribbon, ticket corner punch and silver brads

Cards & Things Challenge #23

Good Morning! It's like Pea Soup in Wisconsin this morning. It's a great morning to escape to the Stampin' Room and stamp until the fog lifts. I hope it stays around awhile! *wink*


Today, there is a new color challenge over at the Cards & Things Challenge Blog. Why not hop over there and try it out?


Here's mine:

Card Recipe:

Stamps: FYI, A Flower for all Seasons

Cardstock: Kraft, Elegant Eggplant, Bordering Blue, Whisper White

Ink: Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue, Elegant Eggplant, Summer Sun

DSP: Pattern Pack III (Mellow Moss)

Accessories: Aqua Painter, Cutter Kit and Moss Grosgrain

Spring Matchbox

Today is a beautiful day in Wisconsin. It is in the 40s, the sun is shining' the snow is melting and Spring is on the way. It's days like this that lift the spirit and make you look forward to the months to come. (Although living in Wisconsin, I know that this could turn around in a heartbeat and a blizzard dumping a foot of snow on us could still occur anytime in the next two months...LOL) But for now... all it good! :)

I'm excited to move away from the more subdued color schemes of winter. Although I'm not a big fan of purples--it is a must for spring, isn't it?

Here's my Spring Matchbox...


Inside a little chocolate wrapped in DSP...

Cardstock: Textured Old Olive & Pale Plum

DSP: Cottage Wall

Accessories: Matchbox Die, Big Shot, Beautiful Wings Embosslits Die (Butterflies), Always Artichoke 1/4" grosgrain ribbon, Scallop Edge Punch, dimensionals

Candy Covers: cut 1 x 3 "

Matchbox DSP band is 7"--score at 1 1/2, 2 3/8, 4 1/2 and 5 3/8.

Cutting 12 x 12 Cardstock to use for Matchbox Die

I found these cutting instructions on Patty Bennett's blog--originally this idea came from Lisa Freeman.

The matchbox die is a little longer than 12 inches and rather than waste a lot of paper Lisa came up w/ this awesome way to utilize your cardstock. :) Thanks, Lisa!

Measure in 5 1/2 inches on each of your 4 sides of 12 x 12 cardstock. Cut down 6 1/2 inches to the center of the cardstock. This will make 4- 5 1/2 x 6 1/2 pieces. These 4 pieces will make 2 matchboxes perfectly! Lay one piece over the top and tags and one over the bottom of the matchbox. Wah-lah...all your pieces and no waste!

Marker Club

This month is the start of my first Stampin' Write Marker Club. The Stampin' Write Markers and matching cardstock was delivered today and honestly, I didn't know what to do with them. I wanted to do more for my customers than hand them the markers.

It started that I was just going to wrap a piece of coordinating ribbon around them. Well...no...that wasn't good enough. Then I had an A-HA moment. I thought....2,4,6,8 box. That would be easy enough. Stampin' Write Markers are so pretty that I didn't want to cover them up with cardstock and shove them in a box. So I decided on acetate boxes w/ lids and ribbon to match the color family inside. LOL.. I think I would rather not be the Hostess and get one of these boxes rather than the carrying case from Stampin' Up!©. LOL

PLEASE NOTE: Stampin' Write Markers are to be stored horizontally. I wrapped the grosgrain all the way around the box so that the bow could be retied and the box could be stored on it's side.

Rich Regals

So Saffron with Regal Rose Ribbon

Soft Subtles

Bashful Blue with Pretty In Pink Ribbon

Bold Brights

Only Orange with Tempting Turquoise Ribbon

Box Dimensions 2 x 7 1/4

Using a 8 1/2 x 8 1/2" piece of acetate

Score at 2, 4, 6,8

turn and score at 7 1/4" (this will give you an 1 1/4" bottom)

Box Lid 2 1/8

6 1/8 x 6 1/8" piece of cardstock

score on both sides at 1,2, 4 1/8, 5 1/8 and 6 1/8

cut away tabs, fold up sides and assemble w/ sticky strip

DSP strip 9 x 3/4"

score at 2 1/8, 4 1/4, 6 3/8 and 8 1/2

Wrap around box

March Guest Designer

I was absolutely floored when Krista Driessen contacted me and asked me to be their March Guest Designer on their Cards & Things Challenge Blog. Krista makes such pretty cards. I could not be more honored to be asked. Now I hope I can do her proud! :)


This week is a color challenge--and it was challenging! LOL
C'mon and play along--get those creative juices flowing! :)
Here's the link: Challenge #22

Recipe:

Stamps: All Holidays, Vintage Vogue

DSP: Thoroughly Modern

Cardstock: Soft Suede, Crushed Curry, Whisper White

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Soft Suede

Accessories: Scallop Trim Border, Sponge, Polka Dot Bermuda Bay Ribbon

MIA/Remodeling

I'm sorry that I haven't posted lately, but my husband has been working on our house. This is good news, because when it is finished I will be able to move my workshop tables, which are brand new still in their boxes, into one portion of our basement and have workshops/classes at my house.

I'm so excited to see the progress that he has made in the last couple weeks. I was not excited; however, when I went downstairs to my Stampin' Room and there was a pile of 12' drywall stacked against my door. I got up early that morning so I could have some alone time with my stamps--well I tried to move the drywall and it did not budge. I obviously need to do more strength training... LOL

Yesterday, Terry finished hanging the drywall. ***YEA! I can get back into my Stampin' Room*** It looks so much different than it does in this picture, but I haven't gotten back down there to take more pictures. I can't wait to move my tables in and get Stampin'!