Bright Blossoms Flashback!

Happy Monday!

A relaxing but full day today - NAILED my cardio workout this morning, had coffee with a friend then walked the dog (in -35 degree weather!!!!  ARGH I'm pretty much DONE with winter!!!).  A little "work" then off to the vet to have Koda's paw checked out.  He has managed to cut his carpal pad (the one up the leg a ways) on the ice snow and it was bleeding quite badly yesterday and a little again today so I took him in just to make sure everything was ok.  $135 and a band-aid later all is good.  ... and I have now decided both of the girls are going to vetrinarian school.  $82 for 22 minutes of work.  Seriously.  Vet school it is!

Thought I'd post a few more of the cards I've been putting together from my "left overs".  I love this card ... and's rediculously quick and easy ... and a great card for the boy birthday parties we are going to this month!

 I was sad to see this "Need for Speed" set retire.  It's a "keeper" for sure!  The other 2 images are a quad bike and a jet boat.  GREAT set!

This next one coordinates with a set that I was surprised is still current - Bright Blossoms:

I had it tucked away and haven't used it in AGES ... I think because I was sick to death of it!  This set was one that was available on a pre-order before it hit the main catalogue a few years ago.  That meant it was oneof the only new stamp sets I had to play with ... so I played with it ... a lot ... and then was sick of the sight of it!  I didn't actually use the Bright Blossoms set on this card - but I did on the envelope ... but the retired DSP paper coordinates with it.  The sentiment is from "Happy Day" - another set that you wouldn't think you would use very often but you DO! ... check out page 112 to check that one out.

OK ... I'm off to search for food for dinner ... I'm thinkin' fish ...

Pop in again soon - until then ... have a stampy day!


Tam

Timeless Talk Thank You

Happy Sunday!

Yes, aside from walking Doodle Dog it's pajama day for me, I think!  Back to "too cold for me" so flannel jams and a craft room are in my future!

Just a quick one today - I wanted to show you the card I made with the templates that were leftover from this card:

 This one looks a lot more like the original than yesterday's card *lol*.  Here it is:

Fun!  It was quick and easy and makes a nice little thank you.  I changed it slightly from the template in that I got rid of the extra white mat layer and added a crumb cake mat.  The rest is pretty straight forward.  The Timeless Talk and Gorgeous Grunge stamp sets stamped in Crumb Cake and Early Espresso.  Hard to see here but the centre of the bike wheels have Crumb Cake Candy Dots in the centre for a little texture and interest. 

See the envelope?  Check out the return address stamp in the corner - FREAKIN' LOVE IT!!! 

Thanks to Sara T for ordering one of these stamps last week ... it reminded me that I wanted to order one for myself.  Am I ever glad I did!!!  These are the new personalized stamps that are available - the Circle Monogram Stamp.  $29.95 Canadian and worth every penny!  I purchased a personalized return address stamp last year and to be honest kinda hated it.  These stamps are outsourced and the rubber isn't etched as deeply as the "regular" Stampin' Up! stamps.  As such whenever I stamped the image I would get edged of the stamp inked too - drove me crazy.  If I pressed lightly the image wouldn't always come out clear - if I stamped firmly I would get the edges.  Not with these new photopolymer stamps - they ROCK!  I'm going to order another one for the back of my stamps ... and maybe one for Alicia too ... I feel a mini-addiction coming on!  These personalized stamps have SO many possibilities!!

Right - I'm off to make another cup of joe ... and kick back .. before I have to put on my flannel boobie holder, thermal socks and wool toque to walk Doodles!  Until next time - have a stampy day!


Tam

Blessed Easter Fun Fold Card

Happy Saturday!

Hibernating most of the day as Mother Nature has decided to be mean again ... I'm starting to dislike her ....

As promised, today I'm going to show you the "ther" card that I made using the leftover templates I found to make this card:

Ok ... are you ready:

 Ta Da!!  *lol*  No - I'm not drunk and I didn't make a mistake.  THIS is the card that came from the black and white card templates.  It totally cracks me up!  SERIOUSLY!  I started with the black and white stuff ... and that's what I ended up with!!  No lie! It just kept changing little by little ... the rectangles turned into an oval ... then the black turned into Artichoke sponging ... then the fold of the card changed and it morphed into what you see.  Crazy!

Here is the inside:

 

 

Wanna learn how to make the fold?  Okee Dokee!  Start with your standard half sheet of card stock ...

 ... and fold it in half so it is standard 5 1/2" x 4 1/4". Then fold the front of the card in half again so it is 5 1/2" x 2 2/16" like so:

 Open the front again and centre your oval framelit along the fold like so:

 Now.  We only want to cut HALF of the oval ... the inside half ... so when we place the top cutting plate thingy on top of the framelit we only place it UP TO the fold line .. like so:

 This way there is only pressure on half of the framelit when it goes through your big shot and thus only cutting where the pressure was ... like so:

Now you just refold it so the half-oval pokes out to the right and decorate it.  For my card I cut a second oval and stamped THAT so the fold line is hidden.

I stamped the Blessed Easter stam with black Staz-on and used my finger dauber to ink the edge of the oval with Always Artichoke.  I outlined the flowers with my Real Red marker and then my blender pen to pull the color into the rest of the flower, making it look pink.  I did the same with the leaves - used my Always Artichoke marker to outline it and then my blender pen to pull the color into the white spots.  I used the YUMMY Crushed Curry Chevron Ribbon for an easy accent.  When you open the card this is what you see:

I didn't originally plan to punch out the sentiment (which is froma retired set, Blessings from Heaven ... I think!) but I smudged it when I stamped it so a do-over was in order!  I stamped it and punched it out with my framelits, sponged the edge in Artichoke and popped it up on dimensionals.  I also added a little Delicate Details Lace Tape along the left hand side just to jazz it up a bit.  I love how this turned out ... especially considering it started out like this:

*lol*

Pop in again - I have a Thank You card to share that I made with another left-over Christmas template.  Until then - have a stampy Saturday!


Tam

So Very Grateful ...

Happy Friday!!

How is it that I look forward to weekends even though I'm a work-at-home-mom?  It's not like a LOT changed in my day from a weekday to a weekend!  ... I suppose I just like having my peeps around even though we tend to do our own thing most of the day.  I DO have reason to celebrate the weekend THIS week ... NO WORKOUT TOMORROW!!  Woo Hoo!!  Oh.  Em.  Gee.  I've been doing my new T25 workout videos ... and I can't believe I'm still alive!  *lol*  Monday was a cardio workout.   I made it to the end but seriously - I thought I was going to throw up.  And really.  Should a woman at my age and in my level of fitness (or lack thereof) REALLY be doing "jump squats" ... REALLY??  OBVIOUSLY Shaun T has never had children.  I won't provide you with a graphic overshare on the workings of my bladder control but let's just say jumping jacks + squats + 2 litres of water are NOT a good combo!  Just sayin'!!  Tuesday - Thur were all different videos working different areas.  Some I nailed ... some not so much.  Today was a fresh new hell as I got to do TWO of them back to back.  Oh yes - 25 minutes of agony wasn't enough.  Shaun recommends TWO workouts on Friday "but if that's too much don't stress about it, just do the second one on the weekend".  Uh, ya, Shaun.  Right.  Given that my legs were so shaky after the "lower focus" workout I had to hold onto both handrails going down the stairs I figured I'd be lucky if I could STAND on the weekend, let alone workout ... so I pushed through another 25 minutes of cardio. Whilst I didn't feel like throwing up this time it wasn't my idea of a great time.  The only thing keeping me going was knowing that I didn't have to do it tomorrow!!!  So YAY for Friday!!  ... and bring on 9 Friday's from now when I'll (apparently) be "Beach Ready" ...... or in traction ... time will tell *lol*

SOOOOOO!  My organizing / purging / sorting has slowed down a bit the last 2 days.  Not just because all I get accomplished by noon is working out, walking the dog and showering but also becasue the "fun" organizing / purging / sorting had been done.  Now it's the REALLY time-consuming stuff that makes me not wanna play anymore.  I managed to get down there last night for Rebecca / Mom time and while she painted I made cards.  That's one of my projects!  I have a box FULL of all the old "left overs" from old parties and classes.  Ziplock bags FULL of cut card stock.  Sounds like it should be quick to slap the cards together since they are already designed and cut right?  Ya, no.  Not in my world.  First of all I'm lucky if I can figure out which card was MADE with which bag of stuff ... and then I have to hope I still own the stamp set that I used ... and then I have to still LIKE the original card I made.  See?  It's complicated!  Be that as it may I pressed on ... and managed to purge one bag of templates.  The first card came from the leftovers from this Christmas card:

I loved this card!  It was made with the now retired Watercolor Winter.  It was so quick and clean!  I thought I would crack off the extras using the same layout and just change the stamp set so I could maybe use the design again in a future class or party.  Ya.  No.  What was supposed to be quick ended up taking about 2 hours!  This was my first attempt:

 Hmmm ... It's ok ... not as awesome as I hoped it would be.  I used theAdorning Accents folder for the embossed part and the So Very Grateful stamp with Staz-on Black Ink.  I colored the centres of the flowers with my Raspberry Ripple marker and then used the Silver Sparkle Dazzling Details glue to bling it up.  (Did you realize there IS a Silver glue?  I didn't until it had been around for about 6 months!  Check out page 166 of the catty!  I knew there was the Dazzling Diamonds and Cherry Cobbler glue but that one slipped under my radar!)  The little flowers are from none other than the SAB FREE set Banner Blast!  AND the little flower coordinates with the tiny flower punch from the Itty Bitty Punch pack - who knew??!!)  The top left flower was punched out and popped up on a dimensional and then I added a grey Candy Dot in the centre ... and then used the silver glue to sparkle it.  The others are punched out but not popped up and just have glitter in the centre.  Yay - I like it but it didn't blow my hair back.  Since I had more templates to use I tried again.  Here was my second attempt:

Hmmm  I dunno.  Not an award winner.  I just wasn't feeling it, I guess.  Same idea, just no color.  I sued a gimmer black brad this time and some DSP - the Kaleidoscope DSP from the Occasions mini.  Meh. 

I grabbed another stack of templates and made them up pretty much as-was ... I just changed the sentiment to one from the current hostess set "Express Yourself".  This was a CASE of a Mary Fish Card:

This is a fun, easy little card.  I spend about half an hour trying to change it to use some of the new DSP from the mini ... but ended up with what I started with.  It really is great just the way it is!  The butterfly is punched out with the butterfly punch and then paper pierced using the Occasions Paper Piercing pack.  The paper, DSP and ink are all Rich Razzleberry (which is just fun to say!).  A few rhinestones finish it off nicely.

So that's what I've been up to ... oh!  I DID make an easter card with this template that looks NOTHING like the original card.  I'll a) find it b) take pics of it tomorrow and c) post it.  Until then, have a stampy Friday!!!


Tam

SAB - Birthday Bash Bundle

Happy Thursday!!!  And a big WOO HOO to the Canada Ladies Hockey Team on bringing home the gold!!  How do you know when Tamara is highly emotional?  She cries at the outcome of a hockey game! *lol*  … yes, I admit, I shed a cheer of happiness for our team but also a tear of sadness for the US ladies.  Oh I know, there is supposed to be this rivalry and hatred going between Canada and the US but really!  I felt so bad for them losing like that!  They lead the game 2-0 until the last 3 minutes of the game- we manage to tie it up and then steal the medal in overtime!!!  How absolutely heartbreaking for the US :(  … and especially those US players who won't see another Olympics.

Right … no time to "chat" today … I have 5 children 5 and under destroying my house and there has been a request for popcorn.  OK!  I aim to please!  (and anything to lower the decibel level around here!)  I just thought I'd post another video on another one of the SAB Bundles you can order.  The cost of this bundle is $77.55 wood (item #135316); $69.55 clear (item #135317)  - which gets you your choice of a free SAB item.

The purging is coming along nicely … just not quickly!  I DO have some projects planned in my head … so hopefully those will come to reality soon!

Until next time, have a stampy Thursday!


Tam

Happenings Simply Created Card Kit by Stampin' Up!

Happy Tuesday!

Are you liking these videos?  I do! ... But, as you've probably guessed by now I love pretty much everything about Stampin' Up! *lol*.  I don't have a project of my own to share today (more about that in a sec) so thought I'd share this.  This is my favorite kit ... to date!  ... of course I haven't put my other kits together yet so I'm sure I'll have a new favorite once I do!  What I love the most about this kit ... aside from the cards are pretty, good for any occasion, either gender and are a smaller size than normal (which means less writing on the inside!!) ... Is the price!!  $18.95 to make 15 awesome cards!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!!  That's CRAZY cheap!!  (oh ... inexpensive ... not cheap ... my Marketing Professor at Uni taught us not to say cheap ...) you can't beat that deal with a stick, as my dad would say!  Should I admit that I have one of these kits ... and just bought 2 more?  Love them that much!

So!  "Why don't you have a project to share with us, Tamara?" I hear you cry.  Well ... I haven't been crafting!  I have been deep into excercise, family and purging "stuff" over the last few weeks ... And I like it!  Oh don't worry …  I'm not giving up crafting by any means ... I just need to get my house in order ... quite literally!  I feel every room I walk into is bursting at the seams and I can't seem to get it under control.  I move things from one room to another but don't seem to make much headway!  Today was a little better ... I organized my pantry ... for the 3rd time in 2 weeks.  I finally got some Rubbermaid containers for my baking "stuff" ... the chocolate chips, marshmallows etc and I THINK I'm happy with that little corner of my world.  I also have my bedroom and bathroom a little better than it was.  Craig and I bought a little shelf thingy for over the toilet and a corner unit at IKEA last week.  Once it was all together and in place it looked stupid!  Sigh.  That just made more work for me.  I had to find a new home for the corner unit ... which ended up being in my bedroom.  THAT meant moving the picture that was I it's way ... and THEN I had to find knick-knacks to put ON the shelves.  Seriously??!  I actually went out and BOUGHT knick-knacks!!  Um .... Doesn't that defeat the purpose of purging crap when you end up having to then go out and buy new crap to out on the new organization-of-crap stand that you just bought??!!  See???  It's HARD being me!

I've been in my craft room purging too.  Who needs 165 file folders?  Really.  I ask you.  Then I realize that I have a duplicate of every single card I have ever made.  EVERY ONE!  Do you have any idea how many cards U've made in 8 years??!!  LOTS!   Is that really necessary to keep every one??  Or mentally HEALTHY to keep every one?  I caught Craig dialling the producers of "Hoarders" last night.  I stopped him just in time ... by promising to get a grip.  Yes, I will take PICTURES of my little works of art and then donate the cards ... but it all takes time, doesn't it ... so I haven't been crafting ... I've been getting a grip.

Now that you're up to date on a lot of nothing go out and enjoy this great weather!  I'm off to get the kids.  Until next time ... have a fabulously stampy day :)


Tam

Love You To The Moon Valentine ... at last!!

Happy Monday!!

OK ... it's 8:07 pm ... not as early as I would like, but a promise is a promise and I promised I 'd post this card today so here I am!

Ready?

 Ta da!  Not your usual pink and ready heart / girlie Valentine, is it?  Nope!  But I still really like how it turned out!  I'll be brief, since it's bedtime for the girls ...

I used Basic Black card stock as the base.  I then grabbed my Gorgeous Grunge set and my gold metallic Encore ink pad and made the starry background.  (I tried it with Illuminate ink first and it was nice and silvery/shimmery but I liked the gold better).  I punched out a circle in Smoky Slate with my 2 1/2" circle punch and used my Gorgeous Grunge stamp inked in Basic Gray to spatter the "moon".  I stamped the sentiment from Love You to the Moon in gold metallic Encore ink and punched it out with the large heart punch.  I used the small heart punch for the shiny small heart and the chevron punch for the pointy arrow thingies.  I was going to use my new Gold Foil Sheet but it was across the room and I was too lazy to get up ... so I grabbed the envelope liner that was in the "Good as Gold" free Sale-a-bration card kit (it's the same foil ... it was just closer to me *lol).  I used mini glue dots and dimensionals to put it all together.  Of course on the inside I wrote "I think you're out of this world" :)

So there you have it - my Valentine card for the kids ... at long last. 

WE all had a GREAT Valentine's day.  Aside from the Lego Movie we went to Friday night, the hi-light for the girls was that Trixie paid us a surprise visit!

That crazy elf!  I wonder if she's going to pop in at Easter too ;)

 

Speaking of popping in, make sure you pop back yourself to see what else I'm up to.  Until then, have a stampy week!

 

 

Tam

SAB - Yay for Cards

OK OK!  I PROMISE!  Today I WILL post the Valentine cards I made for the girls!  I TOOK the pictures yesterday, I just did't POST the pictures yesterday.  I ended up spending 4 hours entering orders … then it was off to Mom's for turkey dinner (ugh!  I'm STILL full!!)

As I'm sitting here drinking my coffee (and reviewing the Weight Watcher's program *lol*)  I thought I'd post the Stampin' Up! video of the Yay for Cards Bundle.  I LOVE kits!!! Look at all the stuff you get!!  … and of course because it is over $60 ($64.30 + s/h/gst) you earn a free SAB item when you purchase it!

If you’re the kind of person who never has enough cards on hand but never has enough time to make a bunch, don’t despair! The Yay for Cards bundle pulls together what you need to create loads of cards without spending loads of time. Bundle includes:

• Happenings Simply Created Card Kit (makes 15 cards; envelopes included)
• On Its Way Simply Sent Kit (makes 8 cards; envelopes included)
• Thanks & Hello Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Smoky Slate and Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin’ Pads
• Mini Glue Dots

Pop in again later when I PROMISE, I'll have that Valentine project to share!  Until then … have a stampy morning!

My Digital Studio™ Framed Chalkboard Art by Stampin' Up!

Happy Sunday!

Yes, I know you were hoping to see the girls' Valentine card that I promised you yesterday ... soon!  I couldn't get a decent picture of it yesterday due to the lighting.

... so I'm sitting here with the dog on my feet and the cat in my armpit waiting for the family to wake up.  Oh sure ... I COULD go upstairs and place those orders or pay some bills ... but I SO love my quiet "me" time every morning ... one more cup of coffee!

I thought I'd share another video with you this morning.  This is a technique I plan to try ... one day!

Enjoy your coffee!  Have a stampy day!

Tam

SAB - All Wrapped Up Bundle

Happy Saturday!

I hope your Valentine's Day was as great as mine was!  Usually February 14 flies under my radar ... I'm not a flower-lovin' kinda gal (I don't "do" plants and flowers ... too much up-keep ... things that live in pots just come to my house to die ... yes, it's just a plant hospice, really ...) and I'm not into either of us running around looking for something to buy just to "prove" our love.  We try to do that on a regular basis.  Heck, want to show me you love me?  Bring me a cup of coffee in the morning (which he does ALL the time!) or I'll buy you a pack of socks (because I noticed your old ones are getting holes) ... Valentine's Day is nice for the girls but me?  ... meh .... I can take it or leave it.  But today really was awesome.  Love was definitely in the air around here!  The girls woke up to cards and a stuffie from us ... AND a surprise visit from Trixie, our beloved Elf!!  SO nice to see her again!!  The kids toddled off to school excited to share their Valentine treats while Craig and I got to  spend the day together.  Craig had the day off.  He gets every 4th Friday off but almost every time he does I have work or he has errands and we rarely get to spend the day together.  Not this time!  I cancelled technique class tonight so I could spend the day with my 3 favorite people.  It was fantastic!  Crag and I went to Ikea.  THAT's my idea of a fun date!  We bought a bookcase and shelves for my craft room ... And some other do-dads just for fun!  We went for lunch and had a really nice afternoon together.  After school Rebecca asked when we could go to the Lego Movie.  I said "how about now"?  We wanted to take them to the movies for a treat but figured it would be a nightmare at the theatres with it beingValentine's Day ... but I had checked the schedule and there was a 5:10 pm showing.  Perfect!  Off we went ... and we had a great time.  We let the girls stay up a little later than usual while Craig played on the x-box and I crafted.  Yep ... it was a perfect, relaxed, loving day.  I was sad to see it end.

So!  Want to see the Valentine cards I made for the girls?  (Yes ... I finished them at 8:30 pm  Valentine's Eve!). Sure you do!  But you'll have to come back later for that ... I haven't taken the pictures yet *lol*. In the meantime, I thought I'd share the Stampin Up! Video of the All Wrapped Ip Bundle I mentioned a few days ago in my bundle post.  When you buy this bundle you earn a free SAB item ?. and end up with lots of great product for quick and easy packaging.  The Clear mount bundle is  $71.90 - wood is $74.90.

That's it for now!  Until later ... Have a stampy day!

Tam

Wood grain Valentine ... and random art!

Happy Valentine's Day Eve!

Argh!  I SHOULD be horizontal on the couch right now ... I'm exhausted (what else is new?!) and I have the house to myself for half an hour!!!  I've been propping my eyelids open with toothpicks all afternoon (I just don't think it would be right to take a nap whilst being paid to watch my neighbour's son!) ... but I have slowly been chipping away at little projects and now seem to have caught a small second wind.  Oh well ... "they" say sleep is over rated anyway!

So today I just HAD to share a few projects with you.  You know what I'm going to say, right??  Yep .. I LOVE THEM!!!  I wanted to post them sooner but I ended up prepping for my Technique class all day Tuesday and then I was at the school all day yesterday helping Rebecca's teacher with a project that was stressing her out ... so here we are 3 days later!

First up ... Random Art!

You know that this year I haven't scheduled the girls in any "formal" extra-curricular activities, right?  Right.  We just schedule Mom/Daughter Dad/Daughter time.  (I highly recommend this!  Yes, it's a SAD statement of our times that we have to schedule time to be with the ones we love but that just seems to be the reality of 2014.  If it isn't on the calendar it doesn't happen!)  Well!  Monday as Alicia/Mom night.  She ALMOST bailed on me.  She wanted to play Monster High dolls with Rebecca.  Rebecca doesn't often WANT to play dolls with her so she was chomping at the bit.  She asked if it was ok if we did it another night.  The exhausted mom in me said "Sure!  Fine with me!"  but then I changed my mind and said I really wanted to spend time with her, if that was ok.  I stressed the importance of making time to be together ... and she agreed.  When I asked what she wanted to do she gave it some thought and asked "Can we paint?".  Sure!  Her little face lit up like a Christmas tree!  So down to the craft room we went ... to paint.  FYI - I don't paint *lol*.  We had SO MUCH FUN!!!  Here is what Alicia made:

 LOVE IT!  I particularly like the eyelashes she put on the smiley faces :)

... and here is what I made:

LOVE IT TOO!!!  Seriously!  The last painting I made was 2 summers ago ... with the kids.  I'm thinking I want to take a class - it's FUN!!!  I had NO idea what to do ... so I just started globbing different colors all over the canvas.  Befor elong it looked like something the cat yacked up ... no problemo! ... I just covered the whole dang thing in red paint ... and the cat-yack images underneath showed up as a hint of black/dark grey.  I loved it!  I kept going!  I grabbed a Q-Tip and made random swirls all over it - and then splotched some yellow, blue and white paint here and there ... and then dragged the Q-Tip through those.  LOVE IT!  20 minutes later I was done ... and sad that I didn't have any more canvases on hand!  Here is the one I made 2 summers ago:

I guess I'm an abstract - shape kind of painter, eh?  Anyway!  I had fun trying something new.  I highly recommend it!

Wanna see a card project now?  OK ... here is the Valentine I designed for My Love:

This was also one of the cards we made at class Tuesday night.  It's a perfect card for Craig.  No fuss, no bling.  Clean and simple.  SO easy to do too!  The base is Very Vanilla - matted with Baked Brown Sugar and then Early Espresso Core-dinations card stock that was run through the Woodgrain embossing folder and sanded.  I then took my heart framelit and cut out the hear shape.  I cut out another heart from the Very Vanilla cards stock and taped it in the heart space (make sense?)  I didn't want the vanilla heart to carry all the way through the Baked Brown Sugar mat ... not a big deal but I wanted the BBS mat to layer the whole piece.

I stamped the You & Me sentiment from the Perfect Pennants set (page 27 of the Occasions catty) in Early Espresso.  THEN!!!  LOOK AT THE LITTLE ARROW!!!  I just got these little Essentials Wooden Elements last week ... and only because I needed to spend a few more dollars to earn a free SAB item ... they didn't blow my hair back when I saw the picture in the catty ... but when I got them it almost blew my hair right off!!!  I LOVE THEM!!!  They are super thin and light ... and you can stamp on them - eeeeeeeee!!!!  I used the "forever" from the Fabulous Phrases (page 70 of the main catty) - I inked it in Espresso and used my Stamp-a-ma-jig to line it up perfectly.  I attached it with 2 mini glue dots.  LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!  The finishing touch was a little linen thread wrapped around the wood grain layer.  Quick, easy and fabulous!!!

Right!  Craig just called ... he got stuck at the office so if I hurry I can still get 20 minutes on the couch ... so I'm outta here!  Have a stampy night, a stampy Valentine's Day and a stampy weekend!


Tam

Bleaching Technique

Happy Tuesday!

Is it Spring yet?

That's all I have to say about that.

Short and sweet today, as I need to get cracking and set up for class tonight! 

As of Sunday night I still hadn't settled on a technique.  I had a few in the back of my mind and played around for an hour or so before I decided we'd be learning the Bleaching Technique.  Here is the card we will be making:

I've wanted to do this technique for quite a while now ... like a few years! ... but to be honest a) using bleach in a carpeted room scared me and b) I didn't have a stamp set in mind that would work well with this technique.  I had seen the technique done by adding bleach to a baby wipe to make a bleach-ink pad of sorts.  You stamp your stamp in the bleach and then on your card stock.  Meh.  I tried it - didn't get great results.  Sunday I switched it up a bit and came up with the card above.  I stamped the orchid image from Happy Watercolor (have I convinced you to buy this set yet?  I've used it, what, 5 or 6 times already in the last few weeks??) in black Staz-on and stamped it a few times on Basic Gray card stock.  I then punched out (5) 1" squares and matted them with black postage stamp punched shapes.  THEN I went in with bleach.  I used an old blender pen (that is now reserved for bleach!) - dipped the pen in the bleach and "colored" each flower.  When the bleach dries the grey turns to a vanilla color.  I stamped the sentiment (from A Dozen Thoughts) in Staz-on and added a pearl to one of the orchids and I was done!

I had a lot of fun experimenting with bleaching different colored card stock.  My favorite was the Elegant Eggplant - the bleached color is a pretty pink ... not what you would expect!

This card was my first attempt ... but I couldn't "nail" the layout ... and it's didn't make the cut.  Thought I'd share it anyway so you can see the whole bleached image:

So there you have it - a new technique to play around with!

I'm off to cut paper now - pop in again soon - until then - Have a stampy day!


Tam

Gift Bags for the Teachers :)

Happy Monday!

Ahhhh ... Sweet Monday.  I'm totally loving today so far and it's only 11:20 am :)  I've alredy accomplished a lot whilst procrastinating on walking Doodles in the -31 degree temperature.  Nopthing says "I'm avoiding something" like organizing the pantry *lol*

I'm excited to share the KEY-UTE little bags I made on Saturday.  Check them out:

I LOVE THEM!  I've been staring at them ever since I made them!  ... 'cause you know, I just had to put them in the kitchen where I COULD stare at them all day!  Everything about them makes me smile!!!

Last week I was Michaels ... I needed to pick up more Rainbow Loom elastics.  Bloody NORA those things are "the" hot item these days!!! ... and at $3.00 a bag SOMEONE is making some money on them *lol*.  AAAAAAnyway ... whilst I was there I thought I'd have a little snoop around and ended up in the sticker/scrapbooking aisle ... not a place I usually end up ... but I'm glad I checked it out!  They had a number of package of Teacher Stickers on massive clearance ... you know the ones I mean - the ones the teacher's put on the tests, homework etc ... the A+, Well Done, You Rock type of stickers.  Well!  These things were normally $6 and up ... and they were on clearance for $1.49 a pack.  WELL!  You KNOW I'm a sucker for a deal ... so I had to buy them ... but WHY?  What did I need with 1,700 stickers??  Well I couldn't think of any reason for ME to have them ... but for that price I felt another RAK coming on!  I bought 6 packs of stickers for a whopping total of $9.00 to give to the girls' teachers ... just because.  Teachers spend SO much of their own money on posters and supplies like these I thought it would be nice to give them some :)  Now ... how to package them ...

I had ONE lonely white paper bag in the house ... I spend about an hour Friday night looking for one more buit to no avail.  So Saturday I headed out to buy a few more ('cause you KNOW I can't be out of stock ... drives me crazy if I'm out of something for just such crafting/packaging emergencies!!!!)  Once I had the bags I just got to play with my toys and decorate them.  These were SO fun to make!! 

I used my Banner Framelits to make the Calypso Coral banner and the Sweet Dorbet (SAB) designer paper banner.  I used my brayer to color one of my doilies with Pool Party Ink.  I made a Summer Starfruit flower with the new spiral die and then my new Fringe Scissors to cut thin strips of Calypso Coral paper that I scrunched up and hot glued in the centre.  I used my oval punch and Bitty Banner punch with some basic black card stock for some petsl-type accents ... and then grabbed my cork flowers from the free SAB Sweet Sorbet Accessory pack for another flower accent.  I added a jumbo pearl to the centre of that and then (if you look closely) a string of 7 small pearls to the doily.  I stamped the "Just Because" sentiment in black Staz-on (from the "A Dozen Thoughts" set ... I finally broke down and bought this set a few months back just for this one sentiment ... and am I ever glad I did.  I've been using it quite a bit lately!) 

My favorite part of the bag is the little blue pom pom from the free SAB Banner Kit.  When I saw them in my kit I didn't know what to do with them!!!  I KNEW I wouldn't ever use them on a banner but ever since I got them I've been ITCHING to cut them in half ... so that's what I did *lol*.  I grabbed my exacto knife and sliced that sucker open!  They are mainly fluffy fibre-y stuff with a loose type of styrofoam inside.  I hot glued it to the bag (actually I hot glued everything to the bag.  My glue gun is my new best friend lately!!)

The final touch was some retired Pear Pizzazz ribbon I found in my basket of tricks.  I love how it adds a little touch of decoration to the handle and really balances the whole project.  LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

I can't wait to give it to Mrs. Martire and Mrs. Minard.  These ladies are GREAT teachers - kind, patient, smart and always smiling.  My girls love them and so do I ... it's time to pay it forward!!

That's it for today.  Pop in again soon to see the Technique card I came up with for class tomorrow night.  Until then - stay warm and have a stampy Monday!


Tam

Hip Notes Stamp Set and Essentials Wooden Elements by Stampin' Up!

Happy Sunday!

I'm happy to report that Rebecca seems good as new and life as we know it can resume.  That means birthday parties and errands for this Mom!

I DID manage to hit my craft room for an hour last night ... just what I needed!  I whipped up 12 more of my little coffee cups ( I so love them!) and then spent an hour or so playing with my new(ish) toys decorating some paper bags for the girls' teachers … yep, more RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness).  Pop in again soon to see those little cuties!

This morning I thought I'd post the SU video hi-lighting the new Essentials Wooden Elements.  I have to admit … I only just bought these little wood pieces.  I was pretty sure they weren't (as the title states) "essential".  Well I was curious about them (the pictures in the catalogues never do the products justice) … and I needed to spend another few dollars to earn another SAB item, so I bought them.  They are so flippin' adorable I can't STAND it!!!  I haven't used them yet but I'm thinking' Craig's Valentine card is going to be sporting one of them!!!

Anyway - thought I'd share the video.  I'm off to drink coffee now. Check back later to see those teacher gifts!  Until then, have a stampy morning!


Tam

Bundle Up to earn FREE SAB items!!

Happy Saturday!  ... well ... for SOME it's a happy Saturday.  Not for my 'becca Boo.  She woke up feeling fine but about an hour after she got up she started throwing up ... and throwing up ... and throwing up.  She didn't have a fever but just kept getting sick.  After a short nap she seems 90% better.  She managed to eat and keep it down but is still taking it easy ... giving mom lots of time to draft blog posts and e-mails!

So!  I wanted to FINALLY post some of the great bundles Stampin' Up! has put together!  They are great for ME as I usually do this during SAB so it's one less thing for me to do - they are great for YOU because they take the time and brain power out of you having to come up with awesome projects to make.  BEST OF ALL is the bundles are all around the magic $60 price point ... the $60 mark that gets you a FREE Sale-a-bration item.  Woo Hoo!  FREE!  Who doesn't like FREE??!!  This is the time of year I stock up on all my adhesives, white card stock and envelopes for the earn.  I need that stuff all the time and I earn FREE stuff when I stock up now!

Here are the bundles SU has put together (these are featured in the SAB brochure - pages 4-8 ... click on the image over on the right hand side to see the full brochure layout!)

Yay for Cards Bundle - item #135336 - $64.30


If you’re the kind of person who never has enough cards on hand but never has enough time to make a bunch, don’t despair! Our Yay for Cards bundle pulls together what you need to create loads of cards without spending loads of time. Bundle includes:

• Happenings Simply Created Card Kit (makes 15 cards; envelopes included)
• On Its Way Simply Sent Kit (makes 8 cards; envelopes included)
• Thanks & Hello Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Smoky Slate and Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin’ Pads
• Mini Glue Dots

Birthday Bash Wood Bundle
Price: $77.55 Wood (#135316); $69.55 Clear (#135317)

Love to give handmade birthday cards but don’t love to figure out what goes together? Then we have a bundle for you! Our Birthday Bash Bundle has the paper products, accents, and birthday stamp set. The bundle coordinates with the Banner Blast Stamp Set for even more birthday fun! Available in wood-mount and clear-mount. Coordinates with the Banner Blast Stamp Set. You can add it for FREE at checkout, or you can choose any other Sale-A-Bration free item.

Bundle includes:

• Remembering Your Birthday Stamp Set
• 8-1/2" x 11" Whisper White Cardstock (40 sheets)
• Whisper White Medium Envelopes (40)
• 2013-2015 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers• Whisper White Baker’s Twine
• Rhinestone Basic Jewels

All Wrapped Up Bundle
Price:  $74.90 Wood (#135339); $71.90 Clear (#3135340)

Don't buy generic gift bags. Wow your friends!

Bundle includes
• Oh, Goodie Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Gumball Green Classic Stampin’ Pad
• Smoky Slate Stampin’ Write Marker
• Tag a Box Bundle
• Tag a Bag Bundle
• Tab a Bag Accessory Kit
• Bermuda Bay 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon
• Crushed Curry 3/4" Chevron Ribbon

Party, Party, Party!  Bermuda Bay Bundle OR Calypso Coral Bundle
Price:  $71.35 Wood; $66.90 Clear

 

You’ll find lots of reasons to celebrate when you see how easy it is to put your party décor and invitations together. Coordinates with the Banner Punch. You can add it for FREE at checkout, or you can choose any other Sale-A-Bration free item.

Bermuda Bundle includes
• Celebration Basics Simply Created Kit for décor (15 Kraft pennants, 4-7/8" x 7-1/2" ea.; die-cut letters that spell "Celebrate"; 12' of chunky Baker’s Twine; 10 printed goodie bags, 5-7/8" x 4" ea.; 1 sheet of bag closures; 10 round printed tags, 2-1/2" ea.; 20 perforated tags, 3" x 2-1/4" ea.)
• Bermuda Bay Celebration Add-On Kit for color (4 sheets of 12" x 12" self-adhesive streamers—cut to fit; 12' stitched garland; 2 sheets of die-cut accents, 1 sheet ea. 12" x 12" and 7" x 12"; 12 sheets of 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper; Stampin’ Spritzer for coloring streamers--use with Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills, sold separately)
• Celebration Basics Invitations (10 printed Kraft invitations, 4" x 5-1/4" ea; 10 envelopes)
• Materials for creating your own cards (Simply Celebrate Clear-Mount Stamp Set; Classic Stampin’ Pad and Ink Refill; Note Cards & Envelopes)

Calypso Bundle includes
• Celebration Basics Simply Created Kit for décor (15 Kraft pennants, 4-7/8" x 7-1/2" ea.; die-cut letters that spell "Celebrate"; 12' of chunky Baker’s Twine; 10 printed goodie bags, 5-7/8" x 4" ea.; 1 sheet of bag closures; 10 round printed tags, 2-1/2" ea.; 20 perforated tags, 3" x 2-1/4" ea.)
• Calypso Coral Celebration Add-On Kit for color (4 sheets of 12" x 12" self-adhesive streamers—cut to fit; 12' stitched garland; 2 sheets of die-cut accents, 1 sheet ea. 12" x 12" and 7" x 12"; 12 sheets of 6" x 6" Designer Series Paper; Stampin’ Spritzer for coloring streamers--use with Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills, sold separately)
• Celebration Basics Invitations (10 printed Kraft invitations, 4" x 5-1/4" ea; 10 envelopes)
• Materials for creating your own cards (Simply Celebrate Wood-Mount Stamp Set; Classic Stampin’ Pad and Ink Refill; Note Cards & Envelopes)

 

Life On the Go Bundle - $69.00

You’re always on the go—capture life on the go too!

Bundle includes
• Make Note This and That Rotary Stamp
• Retro Fresh This and That Journal
• Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Marker
• Retro Fresh This and That Designer Stickers
• Retro Fresh Designer Journaling Tags
• Essentials Wooden Elements
• Essentials Hardware Clips
• SNAIL Adhesive
• Retro Fresh This and That Designer Washi Tape

 

OK!  That's it for the bundles for today ... I've spend about 5 hours doing e-mails and blog posts and I think my brain is DONE!  So I'll leave it there for today.

 

Pop in again soon - until then - have a stampy day :)

 

 

Tam

Retro Fresh Journal ... for Life on the Go!

Happy Friday!

I hadn't planned on posting today ... but I had a cup of coffee (in leau of a nap!) and have 11 minutes before I have to go pick up the short people from school so thought I'd share this video of the new Retro Fresh Journal and embellishments that are offered in the Occasions 2014 catalogue.  I LOVE this journal!  "WHY?" I hear you cry!  Well ... let me tell you!


I am FINALLY going to start chipping away at all of those "One Day" projects that have been in the back of my mind for YEARS and I'm inviting you to come along and do yours too! I can't WAIT to get going on this one! I have baggies FULL of all the concert, hockey/football and dance/ball ticket stubs going back to when I was in High School. Once Upon a Time I actually framed all the stubs I had and hung them on the wall. Ya. That was pre-children. My stash has since grown, the frames came off the walls (my taste in decor has improves somewhat!) and now they just sit. No more! 

I will be using the new Retro Fresh products in the mini catalogue to make an awesome little scrapbook of all my treaures. The Washi Tape, Stickers and Journaling Tags will make this SUPER quick and easy ... and help me check one thing off my "one-day" to-do-list!  If you are in the Edmonton area and would like the details of my class (being held Friday, February 28th, 2014 at 6:30 pm) please e-mail me or leave a comment and I will forward you the details.

If you AREN'T in the Edmonton area and would like to purchase the journal to make your own little scrap book may I suggest you take advantage of bundling products so you can earn a FREE Sale-a-bration item?  Check out page 8 of the SAB brochure (click on the image over on the RHS ...) to see the great products you can order (and let me say ... I just got the little wodden slements they show ... KEY-UTE!!!  LOVE THEM!!!)

OK ... 3 minutes until I have to leave - better sign off!  Until next time ... have a stampy day!


Tam

Valentine Treats ... and RAKs

Happy Thursday!!

Been AWOL a bit this week.  I pretty much lost track of what day it was!  Monday Craig came home at noon with a wicked cold ... the kids had Tuesday off (Faith Development Day for the Teachers) and Craig also ended up staying home from work sick (THAT'S a first!!) so by Wednesday I thought it was Monday ... or Saturday.  Then today was a half day ... and Craig came home at noon again ... I seriously had to look at the calendar this afternoon to try to figure out the date!  It's all good, though.  Although I hate when one of my clan is sick it DOES make me feel needed and I know what my "job" is for the day ... and that makes me happy :)

You know what ELSE makes me happy?  RAKs ... know what those are?  Random Acts of Kindness.  Yep.  I've been doing more and more of those over the last 6 months and ya know what?  They make my heart smile.  Truly.  Have you ever done something *nice* for someone for no particular reason? ... just to make them smile and hope that they have a nice day?  If you haven't you should.  It is the best feeling in the world.  This morning I got out of the shower and sitting on the counter was a steaming cup of coffee.  Craig had made it and brought it to me before he left for work.  He was already down the road by the time I found it ... and it made me smile.  What a great way to start the day.  I was in a good mood all morning ... even when I was walking my Doodle Dog in the -31 degree weather.  I was in a good mood when we passed the mail lady sorting mail into the superboxes a few blocks away from my house.  We often pass her and chat briefly.  This morning we chatted a little longer and she said she had something for me.  Craig's passport had come in and I needed to sign for it.  I mentioned I had to leave to get the kids so wouldn't be home so she fished it out of the truck, I signed for it and was on my way.  She was grateful she didn't have to make an extra stop.  I was grateful I didn't miss her and then have to drive to the post-office to retrieve it (although that WOULD give me a chance to say hi to my favorite Post Office Lady (hi Deb!)).  I was surprised and impressed that she knew my name and address.  Although we've seen each other a number of times how on earth she would remember my name and address is beyond me (moreover, the mail was for CRAIG, whom she has never met!  She must have known MY last name and address, saw HIS last name and address and put it all together!)  ANYWAY! ... we chatted about the flippin; weather (as us folk here in Alberta do 90% of the time!) and how we'd rather be in Cancun right now ... then we were on our way.  When I got home I was still smiling and knew that I just HAD to pass on my smile with an RAK ... so I ran down to my craft room and found the ONE little coffee cup I had left, popped a package of Coffee Crisp Hot Chocolate inside it, jotted down a note and took it to my mail box for her to find about 10 minutes later:

Can you read the note?  It says "Mail Lady whose name I don't know ... Stay Warm!"

I haven't check the mail box since to see if she took it ... but I'm pretty sure she would have.  After all she obviously knows who I am ... and hopefully she doesn't think I'm some kind of freak trying to poison her and would drink it.  Meh - even if she doesn't drink it I'm quite sure it made her smile ... and that's enough for me.  Moreover, it made ME smile thinking about it. 

That's how it works.  You do something nice for someone "just because" ... and maybe they'll pay it forward and do something nice for someone else ... and so on ... and so on ... and so on ... and before you know it the world is one big happy, smiley place ... an YOU feel best of all!

*Sniff* - it's just such a beautiful thought, isn't it?? 

Anyone want to hold hands and sing Coombaya with me?? 

*lol*  Ahhhh - I crack myself up ... perhaps the lack of sleep is making me punchy again ...

OH!!!!

Speaking of lack of sleep ... remember a while back I mentioned I shouldn't be left unsupervised in the wee hours of the morning with a TV, a phone and a credit card?  ... or was that in a Facebook post I made?  Well - yes ... a few months ago the infomercials got me and I bought the Cindy Crawford skin products "Meaningful Beauty" (WHICH, btw I absolutely LOVE!!!)  WELL!  2 nights ago I was awake at 2:30 am ... so I started channel surfing (as you do) and stumbled across the T25 workout videos.  Yep.  I bought 'em *lol*  I say again ... I should not be left unsupervised ...

Now before you slap your hand to your forehead shaking your head hear me out!  I'm done with Jenny.  ... Guess I should tell Jenny that soon, eh?  (Note to self - call your consultant and tell her you're done).  Jenny was good - Jenny worked ... I lost 20 pounds ... but I'm done.  6 months of the same food and I'm done.  Need somethin' new.  Bring on Shaun T and the T25 workout videos.  Yes-sir-ee Bob - in a short 10 weeks (50 days) I'll be sportin' a bikini better than most teenagers ... (while looking 20 years younger with my soft, dewey, radiant skin!)  Woo Hoo!  And yes ... I'll take before pics ... and I'm making Craig take my bathroom scale to the office.  I will NOT weigh myself for at LEAST 25 days.  Why?  Because the number on the scale doesn't MATTER!!!  I don't CARE if I weight 152 - 154 pounds (yes, that's what I weigh at the moment).  I want to ROCK that pair of size 6 jeans!!!  THAT'S what was driving me crazy about the Jenny Craig.  The focus is on the number on the scale ... it has to be, really, so they can figure out when you've reached your goal and you can start maintenance and learn how to eat something other than expensive microwaveable food!  Problem is the number was driving me crazy!  I worked out 15 days in a row and ate what I was supposed to eat and the scale didn't reflect that.  I LOOKED better and FELT better but the scale didn't move ... so I'm done with that.  We'll try T25 and I'll report back accordingly ... and yes, I'll even show you the before and after pictures!

Right!  Enough rambling and tangents, yes?!  Let me show you a few pics of the Valentine Treats I've put together this year.  Did I post these ones yet?  No, I don't think I did.  I started the tags over a month ago but only just made the treats this week ... here they are:

I made these for my customers this month.  The really were fairly easy to make ... mind you I DID do it in stages ... over the last month ... so maybe they *weren't* that quick!  I bought the Pretzels at Michaels ... melted some Candy Melts - spread the chocolate over the pretzel then added candy sprinkles.  To let them dry I could have layed them on parchment paper but instead I used my cookie drying rack and stood the pretzels up in the grooves.  They are in little bags sold at Michaels as well, specifically FOR pretzels!  Who knew such things were necessary in life??!!  I made the tags with my heart framelits in Real REd and STrawberry slush.  The *thanks* is from the photopolymer set "Another Thank You" and I made the strip into a banner with my paper snips.  I added a little heart for decoration and tied it to the pretzel with bakers twine.  You can't really see it but the flags/banners are curved a little.  I used my bone folder to break down the fibres of the paper so they have a little wave to them.  Fun!  I love how they turned out ... and they are SOOOO yummy!!!!

I wasn't going to invest that much time and effort into the kids' friends treats.  Nope - I needed 60 of those so quick, easy and cheap was the name of the game.  Here is what I came up with ... took maybe 2 hours from start to finish:

Yay!  I cut 2" x 4" strips of white card stock and punched the tops with the new scalloped tag topper punch. and stapled two packs of pop rocks to the back.  I bought the pop rocks in bulk at the Dollarama - $2 for 50 ... so for $6 everyone gets some popping fun!  For the You Rock I had STARTED making tags in My Digital Studio.  I used the Word Bubble shape with You Rock inside it ... but then realized I'd have to cut them out by hand or some other fiddly process ... so I aborted, headed to Google and found a free download from Avery Labels (of all places!) for the one you see above.  All I had to do was hit "print" and then I punched the circles out with my 1 3/8" circle punch and tape them on!  Does it GET any better than that??!!  NO I say!  It doesn't! 

So now I'm ready for Valentines WAAAAY ahead of schedule ... well .. more or less ... I guess I should make a card for My Love ... and maybe the kids ... and I think Trixie, our Elf on the Shelf just may be paying us a visit ... so no ... I guess I'm not *quite* done.

I AM, however done with this post (don't cheer!  That's not nice!  And this post is supposed to be about being NICE ... hmm is that supposed to be *suppose to be* or *supposeD to be*? ... better ask Dad tomorrow when I randomly drop by for a coffee.  (see what I did there ... I tied the beggining of the post with the RAK to the end of the post with another RAK .. see?  Like it?  Clever?  Would my high school English teacher Mr. Hurley be impressed?  Do you follow the way my brain works?  ... does it scare you?)   Never mind ... don't answer that. 

Go!  Do an RAK ... say a little prayer for my mental health ... and smile :) 

Until next time ... have a stampy night!


Tam

Happy Watercolor Bookmark

Happy Tuesday!

What?!!  Nothing on the calendar but "movie and dinner" with my BFF??!!  That's MY kind of day!!

TodayI'm sharing the last project I made for my display board. It's super quick, super easy and super cute:

Ta Da!  I wanted to show off the new Scalloped Tag Topper Punch and this little bookmark does it!  I used a 2" x 3" strip of Whisper White cs - punched the top, stamped the Happy Watercolor flower in Staz-on, SLIGHTLY shaded it with a blender pen, Pink Pirouette and So Saffron ink and stamped the sentiment in Crushed Curry (but I forget what set the sentiment is from!  Lord knows I have about 50 "Thank You" images kicking around!!!  I finished it off with some Crushed Curry Chevron ribbon that I scooped up on one of the weekly deals, and tied a small piece of twine around it.  It took me approximately 3 minutes from start to finish.  Sa-weet!

Now …. what to do with my day …. I better grab a coffee and give it some serious thought!  Until next time, have a super stampy day!

Tam

Petal Parade

Happy Monday!

I don't have long today … Alicia begged me to go to assembly today so I could watch their Zumba video … okayyyyy… should be a giggle!

So right to it.  Today is quick, quick, quick!

See?  Told ya it was quick!  I CASEd the idea from Leonie Schroder over at www.stamp-a-latte.com.  It makes a really sweet and quick Thank You note … yes, I'll be mass producing these for my customers bags!

I used the FREE Petal Parade stamp set for the "burst" along with the Simply Celebrate set for the sentiment.  I used Elegant Eggplant and Smoky Slate and Garden Green and Wld Wasabi.  I used the Itty Bitty Butterfly punch for a quick and easy embellishment … and a little rhinestone for some bling.  Love it!

Right - gotta fly … pop in again soon!  Have a stampy day :)

Tam

See Ya Later CASE

Happy Sunday!

Ahhh Sunday … a quiet, family-filled day today, I think.  We're planning on hitting the Ice on Whyte Winter Festival today.  It's been on the to-do list for over a week now but it hasn't happened yet for one reason or another.  Looks like today's the day!

Before we head out I wanted to share one of MY favourite cards from my display board.  I can't take ANY credit for it whatsoever … I CASEd it 99.9% from the fabulous Mary Fish over at www.stampinpretty.com.  Yes, like thousands of crafters, I stalk Mary on her blog daily.  Seriously.  Every morning.  EVERY morning.  Pop over and you'll see why!  Here is her/my card:

Love it.  Simply love it.  All the colours, shapes and textures are just perfect together. Period.  The ONLY thing I changed was the scalloped layer … mine is in the new gold foil card stock. Mary's was in the silver … and I only changed it because I didn't (yet) have the silver!

This card uses all new products.  How delicious!!

• Gold Foil Cardstock
• Starburst Framelits
• See Ya Later FREE SAB set
• Sweet Sorbet FREE SAB DSP
• FREE SAB Delicate Dots embossing folder
• FREE Crisp Cantaloupe Twine

I used Sahara Sand cs as the base, black Staz-on for the sentiment, Crisp Cantaloupe for the layer and the heart is from the Owl Builder punch.

Brilliant, Mary … just brilliant!

OK … off o exercise, shower and get this party started!  Until next time … have a stampy Sunday!

Tam

Giggle Greetings Sarcasm

Happy Saturday!

Yep, a slow start to the weekend … I'd much rather sit here drinking another cup of coffee than walking the dog and doing jumping jacks (I haaaaaate jumping jacks!! … note to self … buy a better supporting jumping jack bra …) alas … if I don't walk him by 10:00 am he comes over to me, puts his head on my lap and stares me down until I concede.  I SWEAR he can tell time!!  So I better get on with it.

Just a quick, fun one today to give you a little smile ...

Hee hee.  Love this cat from Giggle Greetings. I more or less CASEd the card from Joan Robertson at www.dailystampede.com.  I used some Retro Fresh DSP cut into a banner , used Always Artichoke for a mat, stamped the cat in Staz-on and used my blender pen with Artichoke for the grass.  I then grabbed my fancy new scissors from the mini to make some grass with a scrap of Pear Pizzazz card stock.  The sentiment is from Just' Sayin' stamped in Crushed Curry (yep, still loving that color!)  I used my Word Bubble framelits to punch out the sentiment and popped it up on dimensional.  Quick, easy and funny … it's actually is in Alicia's top 3 favourites from my board :)

That's it for today … Doodles tells me it's time to go.  Pop in again tomorrow to see a GREAT card I CASEd from Mary Fish.  It's in MY top 3 favourites from my board!  Until then, have a stampy Saturday!

Tam