Faerey Wings and Stamping Things

Papertrey quilt set

2008-10-16T22:28:00.002-04:00

This is inspired directly by Amy Rysavy of Prairie Paper and Ink. My apologies for not linking it, but my browser keeps crapping out on me when I try and go to her blog. I think that I have a link to her blog in my sidebar though.

Anyway. I made this (different colors than Amy) for a friend's mother who was so kind to host us all weekend. We were complete strangers to her and she was the sweetest woman I think that I have ever met. She was just so warm and welcoming and so much fun. DH seems to think it is too personal to give someone that I have just met, but I think that it is perfect.

Now, with it being 10:30 pm and all, I don't have a frame for it just yet. I am going to stop at the dollar store tomorrow and get a plain frame and white wash it to match the clean simplicity of the design and colors.

I used Papertrey white, Aqua Mist, and Spring Moss paper, as well as Aqua Mist, Spring Moss, and Palette Noir ink. I just used a blender pen and dabbed on the edge of the ink pad to color in the quilt squares. And yes, I am just getting this set. My mother got it for me for my birthday two weeks ago. And now I have seen the add on set and I -must- have it. Soon. Very soon.

That's all for now, kids.

In Memory

2008-09-11T00:00:00.001-04:00

Title Unknown...

2008-08-18T20:30:00.000-04:00

Yes, I'm a pirate....

2008-08-15T22:24:00.000-04:00

Scrapblog

2008-07-04T22:37:00.001-04:00

Married

2008-07-03T18:28:00.003-04:00

Need I say more?

Soldering

2008-06-23T21:40:00.003-04:00

This soldering thing is HARD! The edges are really hard to get smooth and keep em even and shiney....I can't figure out the trick. Practice, I suppose. *sigh*. So here they are.

The papers are DCWV Once Upon a Time collection. I just trimmed them down and then wedged them in between two pieces of memory glass, copper taped the edges, and attempted to solder. Practice, practice, practice!

Wedding Invitation

2008-05-18T21:49:00.003-04:00

I know that it has been a while, but I have been busy with alot of rl stuff going on. So my darling boyfriend and I are getting married in June! Here is the invitation I came up with.

The card is made out of vellum (just regular old vellum) and stamped on the front with Whisper White, So Saffron, and Always Artichoke craft ink. I then let the cards lay for three days and didn't bother heat setting. I just let them dry naturally. I think the stamp is by Penny Black...not sure on that though.

I then made up the wording in Microsoft Word and printed it on Whisper White cardstock and cut them out and just laid them in the vellum card. I used my Crop A Dial to punch two holes in the folded side, through the vellum and cardstock and threaded the Saffron ribbon through it.

I wanted simple and clean. I think I might have acheived it with this invitation. Sorry about the picture quality!

Papertrey Junkie

2008-03-16T23:11:00.001-04:00

Yeah. It's a self proclaimed title at this point.

I still haven't opened any of the stuff I bought last release....and I just ordered paper, ribbon, and ink from this months release.

I might just need some inspiration....and the will to stamp again.

Snow!

2008-03-08T14:43:00.002-05:00

See how deep? That address sign is two feet high.
Dad and my brother walking in the truck tracks in the driveway. The snow is about a foot deep, maybe a little deeper in places because of drifting. Actually, we just saw on the weather channel that it is 18" here in Columbus. I have never seen snow this deep before! Dad says it hasn't snowed like this in my lifetime.
My car. It's suck and it's not going anywhere. Dad says that hopefully we will be able to get it out tommorrow, but it's snowing again, so who knows.

Snow. Lots of it.

2008-03-07T16:27:00.002-05:00

Its snowing....alot. I'll be honest, I don't think that I have seen this much snow in years. More time to stamp? One would think....but I am trapped at my parents house and haven't been able to leave because we are under a level 2 emergency. Fun. No stamping for me. :(

Valentines Day

2008-02-16T13:59:00.002-05:00

Supplies: Fabriano Mediovalis square notecard, Blush Rose and Chestnut Roan fluid chalk ink by Clearsnap, French Flair BG by SU!, Birds and Nests stampset by Cavallini, and sentiment from Out on a Limb stamp set by Papertrey Ink.

I saw a card done up on Mama Dini's Stamperia that caught my eye. Reverse masking, sponged ink and then stamps. I wanted to do something simple and elegant for my dear boyfriend for Valentine's Day, and this is what I came up with.

I started out with a Fabriano notecard and made a freehand mask out of a cheap piece of cardstock and tacked it down with Tombow removable adhesive. I used cheapo makeup sponges and sponged the Blush Rose ink onto the card, then inked up my stamps and randomly stamped before removing the mask. Then I stamped the sentiment and viola! Done.

Twin sammich

2008-02-10T20:38:00.000-05:00

We went to Re-enactor Fest 4 in Chicago this weekend. This is where I ended up Saturday night at the Re-enactors Ball! I met these two girls (twins) and we became pretty quick friends. Thanks to these dolls for helping me with curling my hair and putting on makeup! (I don't normally do those things....but it was a Ball we were going to!) So much fun!

I will likely scrapbook this soon!

Saw these....

2008-01-07T19:33:00.000-05:00

On Bad Sherry's blog and seeing as how DBF and I are getting into the pirate era re-enacting....

This is a huge post....

2007-12-09T21:11:00.000-05:00

So these are just a few of the things that I made for the 'craft show' that I did yesterday. It turned out to be more like people who sold Avon and Mary Kay and Tupperware and such, than actual crafts. *sigh* Ah well....I still made a little money so that was nice. Now, here are the projects....sorry, I don't remember everything that I used on each one.

Green Thumb mini photo album- I found the albums at Michaels for $1 and just covered and decorated. This one was my favorite!

Spiral Boquet mini photo album

My version of snowman soup

Snowflake Serenade card- based off of a card I saw on Nichole Heady's blog (I think).

Spiral Boquet card

Peaceful Wishes card

Believe tree card- based on a card seen on Nichole Heady's blog.

Figgy Pudding snowman card.

Whoo hoo! Look at me posting again. :P

Wow...time does fly

2007-12-01T09:18:00.000-05:00

It's been over a month, eh? I don't really have a whole lot to post becuase I have not taken any pictures of the things that I have made. I'm doing a craft show next Saturday...whoopdedoo. :P I have piles of things to sell, but nothing is priced yet and who knows how well anything will sell. I hope it does though...if not, I'm only out $20 and I have a ton of gifts for the girls that I work with.

Let me see here...Oh right. The job. Still kicking my butt, though not as much as it was when I started. I am starting to get into the swing of things. And let me tell you...working with that many women is dramatic. Grr.

What else...oh...Michael got a job and we had to do a fly by trip to Canada to get his visa renewed. That was fun. Customs and immigration for two hours. Bleh.

I'll take some photos of stuff tonight and see about posting them. That will be one hella huge post though!

Wateercolor Tree

2007-10-29T22:20:00.000-04:00

Supplies: Lovely as a Tree (Stampin' Up!); More Mustard, Ruby Red, Watercolor paper (Stampin' Up!); Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Ruby Red, More Mustard markers (Stampin' Up!); chocolate chip ribbon.

So it's a trifold card. I don't have measurements really, but it is just 4.25x4.25 and I just folded it to the point where I liked it. I stamped the oak leaf stamp all over the More Mustard piece in More Mustard ink and sat it aside.

The tree. Well....I took the markers and started with the lightest color and just thumped the brush end of the marker against the 'leaf' part of the tree, then repeated untill the darkest color was last. I colored the trunk and small branches with a Chocolate Chip marker. Next, I sprayed the stamp lightly with water and then stamped on watercolor paper. WOW! Ok so it was a little damp and took several minutes to dry, but I love the way it turned out. Too cute. Elegant.

The thing I don't like about the card? I don't think I like the ribbon....

SC 147

2007-10-24T21:29:00.000-04:00

Yeah....I did a sketch challenge...it's been a while.

Supplies: Basic grey Blush paper, Bazzil Basics textured paper (I cannot remember the colors), Snowflake Serenade by Papertrey Ink, Believe by Papertrey Ink, antique brads by Making Memories, Colorbox Fluid Chalk Ink: Chestnut Roan, Rose Coral, Blush Rose, and Creamy Brown, Sakura Stardust pen.

Yeah so I am not sure how I like it. You can't see in the photo, but I traced all the snowflakes with a Sakura Stardust pen....

It just seems bland....DBF thinks it's beautiful though.

October is....

2007-10-17T06:19:00.000-04:00

Everyone already knows that it is Breast Cancer Awareness month....but here is just my little way of showing my support too!
Supplies: Think Pink stamp set (MFT), White CS (Papertrey ink), Pallete Noir Hybrid ink (Stewart Superior; Pretty in Pink, Blush Blossom, and Bliss Blue markers (Stampin' Up!), 4" chipboard coaster, Pink grosgrain ribbon (Michaels), UTEE, Pink EP, Versamark, pinback (that I pirated from another pin....I'll replace it tonight when I get more pinbacks at the craft store).

Well I saw this idea on SCS, well, not exactly this idea. I saw a card by someone who mentioned that the ribbon could come off and be worn. So I though to myself...."Self, why don't you break down and buy that MFT set and use the little torso stamp to make a pin with a ribbon behind it...." The idea started out simple and exploded from there.

I modpodged the white cardstock to the coaster and stamped in Pallete Hybrid Noir ink, then colored with markers. Squished the whole thing in Versamark and doused it in UTEE and heated it. I think I did that three times till it was all smooth. Then I squished each side in Versamark and embossed the sides with pink EP to finish them. Since the coaster was so raw on the cut edges it took about three coats to get it nice. And to finish I just attached the ribbon with glue dots and used some E6000 glue to stick the pinback on. Ta Da!

And in other unrelated news. I know I haven't posted much. Why? My new job is killing me. Not really. It's just training and getting acclimated and such. I'm getting really tired really fast and just haven't had the gumption for crafting. I did drag the supplies downstairs and made an almost CASE of this card by Nichole Heady for my mothers Christmas cards. Only twenty of them, but still....that's alot of coloring. And no, I didn't find the Sharpie poster paint pen. I used an Elmer's Paint Pen and it seemed to work pretty well.

So we'll see. I should start feeling more up to stuff soon....we'll see! :)

Schtuff

2007-09-23T09:33:00.001-04:00

Lots of things have been happening to me recently, hence the lack of posting going on in my life. So here's some stuff:

09/11/07- My last post. Also the day that I drove my rear downtown and interviewed at The Eye Care Center. I was there for TWO FREAKING HOURS!

09/12/07- The day the interviewer from The Eye Care Center called and HIRED ME...making $4/hour more than I was at the chiropractors office, with FULL paid benefits, paid uniforms, 401K, parking, etc. Right. Momentary panic, then accepted the job. Then I had to call my mother (who is my office manager) and tell her that I got a new job. I should mention that I worked at the chiropractors for oh...10 years. With my mom. It's been awesome.

09/13/07- The day I had to tell my boss /Dr. of ten years that I was leaving the practice to move on to a better job. That was harsh and I was a real chicken about it.

09/14/07- The day I had to tell everyone else at the office that I was leaving....ouch.

Skip the weekend because I was sick with bronchitis and just kinda rested and did nothing other than daydream about stamping....but I was too sick to sit up in the chair to do it.

09/17-09/20/07- Monday through Thursday at the chiropractors....working my butt off to get things caught up and done so that my mom (still the office manager) didn't have to do it all when I left. *sigh* Things went ok...but I took my time cleaning out my office.

09/21/07- My last day. The doctors (there are two) gave me a GORGEOUS Tiffany necklace. I get cards and gifts that make my cry....and lots of flowers that made me sneeze. I ended up giving half of them to my Grandmother so that I wouldn't die from pollen overdose. The girls took me out for lunch...then when the day ended we all got a little teary saying goodbye...though it's not goodbye, it's just 'see ya soon'...because of course I will stop by....I have a bad back, apparently. :)

I proceded to cry all the way home. Then I took my anti-nausea pill and my antibiotic and slept for 3 hours straight. I finally feel good again.

Yesterday I watched my friends baby for her while she was at work. I thought that taking him to Easton to play in the fountain would be fun since it was hot out....boy I was I wrong. The fountain went over like a lead balloon. He screamed and clung to me and wanted nothing to do with it. Luckily, Easton rents out strollers for no charge, so we got one and just wandered around untill DBF met us there. Then we headed home and had some Wendy's for supper. Good day.

Now...I'm just waiting for my Grandmother to pick me up on the way to church. I haven't been to church in years...so this should be interesting.

I am going to stamp later though. I want to finish my latest notebook so that I have something to take notes in tommorrow at my new job.

Oh and I should mention. My best friend interviewed at the same office on Friday doing a receptionist type job....so keep your fingers crossed that she gets it. She needs to get out of her current job. And it would be so cool to be that close to her!

2007-09-11T10:04:00.000-04:00

Pictures of stamp sets

2007-09-04T20:39:00.000-04:00

Charming Gardeners

IF THERE ARE ANY SPECIFIC SETS YOU WANT TO SEE AND DON'T SEE THEM HERE (I'm having a blonde moment with posting them all...) PLEASE EMAIL ME AT faereygirl@sbcglobal.net or post a comment!

I really don't want to hae to put this stuff on eBay....

2007-09-01T09:19:00.001-04:00

SO PLEASE TAKE IT OFF MY HANDS! I have this listed on SplitCoast as well!

First and foremost....Pearl Ex....I bought ALL OF THIS PEARL EX and I NEVER use the stuff!I also have the following colors of Pearl Ex available...some have never been used, and others have been used once and a miniscule amount:

Flamingo pink, super copper, brilliant gold, sunset gold, sparkle copper, aztec gold, sparkle gold, super russet, interference violet, interference gold, silver, micro pearl, super bronze, turquoise, brilliant yellow, true blue, antique silver, misty lavender, antique copper, spring green, duo green-yellow.

21 Colours! $1.50 each! Buy 2 for $2.50. $26.00 for the whole lot or make me an offer!

On to the TAC sets. I am cleaning out my stamp room and these ALL MUST GO. Prices are as listed, but feel free to make me an offer on groups of sets and I WILL COMBINE SHIPPING!

Wild Animals $13 + Shipping. Used ONCE!
Sassy Cats $5 +Shipping. Used once!
Something For You $5 + Shipping. Never Used!
Charming Gardeners $13 +Shipping. Used once!
Tag Tidbits $6+ Shipping. Gently Used!
You're Invited $3+shipping. Gently used!
Trendy Greetings $13 +Shipping. Gently Used!
Hip Hardware $4 + Shipping. Used ONCE!
Celebrate $5 +Shipping. NEVER USED!
Little Somethings $6 +Shipping. One stamp used ONCE!
Ancient Alphabet $14 +Shipping. Only a couple letters used!
July Stamp of the Month set $4 +Shipping. Gently used!
Jungle/Hip Hip Limited Edition set $5 + Shipping Gently used!
Hey You (gift with purchase stamp) $1+Shipping. Never Used.
FBI Girly stamp (uncut still...and I dont recall the name of the set) $3 +shipping. Never used.
Booking stamps (25 stamps total) $10 + Shipping. Gently used!

I have pictures of ALL of the TAC stamps. PM with your email if you want to see pictures of any of them!

And finally....WOOD BLOCKS and SU plastic hinge cases!!! I have a TON of wood blocks and cases from unmounting my SU sets! MAKE AN OFFER! PM if you need specific sizes, etc! I will be MORE than happy to help you out!

ETA: Removed items sold on SCS.

I'm a schmuck

2007-08-29T07:21:00.000-04:00

Did you guys know that? I didn't until yesterday. Apparently I was....well, we won't get into that.

Supplies:(Stampin' Up! Unless otherwise noted) Enchante Double Sided Designer Paper, Pale Plum CS, Perfect Plum ink, Versamark, UTEE, and a buncha ribbon that I got from TexasJodyLynn's ribbon share ( I dunno the names of all the colors....).

So I made this for my coworker because I am a schmuck. I took the little $1 notebook apart (just pried the binding apart and yoinked all the suff out), then covered in the Enchante paper and used my Crop A Dial to punch the holes. I lined the covers with Sage Shadow cardstock...and used Mod Podge to adhere it all. So once it was dry I put the whole thing back together and used the Cricut to cut out the initial in Pale Plum.

When I laid the initial on the book, it looked boring. So I sponged the edges with Perfect Plum ink....and it still looked boring. I smooshed the letter in Versamark ink and then covered in UTEE and heated. Smooshed in Versamark again and dumped more UTEE and heated. Did that three times till it was smooth and glassy. IRL....it's really shiney and pretty.

Once I got the ribbons tied on, I realised it wasn't enough, so I made a little micro beaded pen to match. No stamping on either of these projects folks....I just realised that.

Oh....but I did show my friend how unmounted stamps worked last night. She had NO idea. And she was impressed.

I've always been a Tiger....

2007-08-27T22:30:00.000-04:00

But my friend works at Pickerington North....which are the Panthers. (Central is the Tigers) so I made these cute little paw magnets in their school colors....

I think they're cute....I hope the teachers do too!

Wedding Invites

2007-08-21T20:26:00.001-04:00

Well here they are, the invitations that I busted my butt on for my friends wedding. I used Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, and Lavender Lace cardstock. The cakes are a $1 stamp from Michaels and embossed with sterling silver embossing powder.
I really liked that Mark and Heather wanted to keep it simple for their wedding invitations...and to keep the cost of mailing down. These cards (the pattern is from Nichole Heady's blog) fit in a standard A2 envelope. The response card is just a postcard!

I embossed the back of the response card to match the invitations. They came out so cute. I only had to make 60, so it wasn't so bad. Just alot of piecing together and almost production line stuff.

When I made the sample for this invitation, I used the Textile Cuttlebug embossing folder, but they preferred the Divine Swirls embossing folder. I think it turned out beautifully. The original intention was to use a small magnet or removable double sided tape to keep the flap closed, but Mark ended up getting me a Basic Grey Notch and Die cutter to make the little notchy bit to keep the flap closed.

What do you all think?

Back from Pennsic

2007-08-18T16:33:00.001-04:00

It was rainy, stormy and freaking hot! But so much fun, as usual.

I don't really have a picture that just conveys Pennsic as it is....but this will do. These are my people...the people of Eoforwic. What's Eoforwic? A really rocking group of Canadians that we camped with this year and last year and hopefully we will camp with next year.

Anyway. I got my ribbon share from Jody while I was gone and I am still trying to get it all organized. So my desk is COVERED in ribbon right now. I have finished the wedding invitations and will post a photo of them soon. Now I have a few 8x8 scrapbooks to do that people have ordered from me. And what am I doing? Blogging. *sigh*

Came up with some new classes to teach at Michael's so hopefully those will actually go over and my classes will pick up a bit. :)

I think that's it for now. More soon.

Away I go....

2007-08-01T23:34:00.000-04:00

The 'pink' and olive tent on the left hand side is our humble abode for the next week and a half. Yay! Tommorrow we leave for Pennsic for the haul and for War Week....some folks know, others dont....its the biggest SCA event of the year and last year was my first year. I -loved- it.

So many good friends and parties and fun things to do. I'll be gone till the 13th. No blogging till then....not that I blog much anyway, lol!

Snapshots of a Good Life

2007-07-20T17:55:00.001-04:00

I met Karen Russell.

Shorter than I expected. Not a problem. There is a whole lot of personality stuffed in there...good person. Great person.

Yes, she really looks like that when she teaches....and this was a nice photo. I have some hilarious ones in my folder. I'm sure she will love me for not sharing them...I'll send them to her anyway.

This was my workstation. I got a bit messy and my fingers are still covered in paint and a bit of glue here and there....the final result was worth it.

And I learned alot. I mean, so much that you just need to take a class with her to understand. I took notes.

I haven't taken notes since junior high.

She must be special.

Baby, Oh Baby

2007-07-18T19:30:00.000-04:00

This is a photo from the last weekend in April of myself and my VERy pregnant friend, Myia. We were bellydance partners for a long while before I took a break from dancing, and she got pregnant.

Well she had her baby at 3 am this morning! His name is Devon and he was two weeks late and had to be delivered by cesarian. 8 pounds, 8 ounces. Mommy and baby are fine. Daddy is tired and was a little loopy when I talked to him, but everyone seems to be doing ok.

I'm going to see her Friday, so I will bring baby pictures then!

My grandpa

2007-07-16T10:55:00.000-04:00

My mom broke the news to me on Friday morning and I pushed it out of my mind all weekend and it suddenly hit me this morning.

My grandpa has cancer. It's prostate cancer, caught very early, and very treatable, but in the end it's still cancer. He was always nervous to go to the doctor because he was afraid they would tell him that he had cancer.

That's him. Goofball that he is. I took that photo with my unimpressive Fuji Fine Pix Z5 at my grandparents 50th anniversary party last spring.

Yeah, he's going to be fine. I just wanted to put this in here for posterity, and so you guys would know what's going on. Yep. He'll come out perfect. And goofy as always.

I would like to introduce you to....my toes.

2007-07-15T20:45:00.000-04:00

That is the single best photo of me that was taken at the SCA event yesterday...and I took it myself. The photos of me doing archery and such turned out very grainy and therefore were deleted on sight....that and I looked like crap on toast, but I shot well!

I was pretty proud of this one of Michael fencing with Lorenzo (aka the dude in tights on the left hand side of the photo), in mid thrust. Despite driving two hours to get his fencing certification and not ending up getting it, we had a decent time.

What happened? Well you need two full marshalls to certify you (we totally need certification by the 25th so he can fight at Pennsic War), and one of the marshalls had his car break down on him on the way to the event. *sigh* Figures. Hopefully there will be another way. We're working on it.

Another of Michael and Lorenzo. I really wish that I had a nice, nice digital camera (SLR...I'm partial to the Canon Digital Rebels, but I know alot of folks aren't), but right now I am shooting with a 6 megapixel Fugi Fine Pix Z5...which was highly impressive to the camera dude at the Cord Camera scrapbook Center. Meh. I need lenses....adjustable....zooooooom. Options!

One day, I'll have one. We'll probably buy it in Canada because we found them about $200 cheaper there.

Karen Russell class this Friday folks....be prepared for my geekness!

Harry Potter Coma

2007-07-12T08:40:00.001-04:00

I may be in love. Daniel Radcliffe is just turning into a little underage hawtie. Yep. I'm sad.

Don't read below if you don't want to be spoiled....it's just my little review:

While it was the one movie so far that barely stuck to the book, the storyline was the same and it was freaking AWESOME! I held my breath when the credits started to roll and everything just started to fall into place right off...the dementor attack in the underpass by the park, the crazy cat lady neighbor, the Order of the Phoenix House.

My heart melted at the first glimpse of Sirius Black. Oh how I long for Harry to have a family... Dolores Umbridge was hilarious and annoying at the same time (as Jackie O. wanna be perfectionists usually are), and Snape...well played! (Traitorous snipe that he is...Alan Rickman is still amazing).

I got teary when they formed Dumbledore's Army and Harry had a speech about how defending yourself against the Dark Arts was just luck for him. And then he kissed Cho...Oh...oh that was sweet...until she betrayed the group and told Dolores Umbridge about the room they were practicing in. Come to find out later that Umbridge had used Veritserum on her and other students.

Let's see....ah...at the ministry in the Department of Mysteries...brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant. Except for when Sirius uh....well, died...crazy Beatrix Lestrange used the Avara Kevara curse on him and Harry lost the only family he had left. *weep* Yes, I had tears. What a wuss am I?!?!

All in all I loved it and I want to see it again just to look it over one more time to see if there was any little tidbit I missed. Maybe I will go Sunday or something. I hope the DVD is released before Christmas, though I am sure it will be out a good deal before then.

Now. Next Friday is like my dream day. First, I get to take a class with Karen Russell at the Cord Camera Scrapbook Studio in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, then that evening is the Harry Potter Midnight Magic party at Barnes and Noble. Well of course I will be there...I *heart* everything Harry. And well. I will probably have a book review for you by the end of next weekend. If Harry dies, I'll be inconsoleable. Yep. Save Harry Potter.

2007-07-09T11:42:00.001-04:00

Can't get the title bar to work! Grrrrr...

Nothing stamped today.

I made some nifty tile coasters yesterday with some tissue paper that a book came wrapped in. DBF loves them. Apparently I need to make more for him to give as gifts. I'll try and post a picture of those later tonight.

I am hoping that my paper comes today....I need to finish Mark and Heather's wedding invites and get them shipped off and I totally cannot do that without paper!

Oh. And because of Ms. Karen Russell...I bought a hermafix tab dispenser thingie for class. It's a heinous blue color. I saw once where someone had painted an ATG gun. Think that the hermafix thing can be done too???? I want to make it pink and sparkly!

Fangirl!

2007-07-05T15:26:00.000-04:00

I mentioned a few days ago that I recently perused the new Cord Camera Scrapbook Center out in Pickerington...well....I also mentioned that Karen Russell is going to be there teaching a class on July 20th-Snapshots of a Good Life.

Do you know how psyched I am to say that I am going to that class!!?!??!?!?

Oh I am such a fangirl. I just got online and freaking emailed her to tell her how psyched I am to meet her and to take her class.

I'm a dork.

And a fangirl.

The new catty is heeeeerrrrreeeeeee

2007-07-04T21:59:00.000-04:00

Nice cover, eh? The samples in the new catty are wonderful and very attractive...I have been so inspired by them and have even taken the time to draw up some layouts based on the cards and pages I saw!

Not sure what is on my wishlist yet. I'm trying to be very well behaved and not go insane with the spending. But here is what I do really, -really- like:

Sleigh Bells Ring, pg. 41- It's a beautiful Christmas set, I really like the way it looks and the samples done with it, but I know there is NO way I can make it look that pretty. I am not good at colouring in the slightest....I just can't seem to get pretty stamps like that too look right. (And yet another reason I didn't order any Thomas Kincaid stamps from CHF).

Sealed with a Kiss, pg. 48- Cute.....cute....still unsure about it.

Polka Dots & Paisley, pg. 68- It's -really- growing on me. I used this at stamp club a couple months ago, and didn't like it at first, but the more I look the more I like it....:D

Doodle This, pg. 99- I want it. yes. I do.

Winds of Grace, pg. 109- Like it....on the fence about buying tho. I think it would be good to make cards for my dad.

Priceless, pg. 117- Love it.

Baroque Motifs, pg. 126- Yeah, when I saw this set in the preview catty, I absolutely HAD to have it. HAD TO HAVE IT. Now that I look at it more, I am not sure. Will I use those chunkier images? I have tons of Rhona swirls....do I need more?

Wing It, pg. 126- Hilarious! Those wings could go on SO MANY THINGS! I keep picturing the heart with wings tattooed on the arm of a biker....hehe.

Illuminations, pg. 127- Love it. Dunno if I would use it.

Pick a Petal, pg. 133- I like it....it's adorable!

Elegant Notes, pg. 134- Love this set....I wish I still sang or played guitar.

Define Your Life, pg. 159- I love this set.....love it....want it. I will have it.

All the DP is awesome. I am having a hard time deciding which I like the most and which I want to get. The ribbon rocks and the new In Colors are so freaking cool! I do know that I want to order those first so that I can get to playing with them.

I really think that the Stampin' Stack and Store is awesome and I would love to have one. That would help with my clutter issues for sure!

And the Paper Pretties....wow. SU! Was totally in my brain on that one.

OMG....

2007-07-01T09:19:00.000-04:00

I was at the new Cord Camera Scrapbook Center in Reynoldsburg/Pickerington area yesteray. Thank goodness my Grandma told me that she had seen it out there the other day or I would have NEVER KNOWN that it was there. I was highly, highly impressed with their expansive selection and LARGE classroom space.

I was looking around while Michael harrassed the girl at the coffee stand (YES! It has a Joe's right inside the store!) to make him a coffee. Then I saw it.....Karen Russell is coming to teach at that store on July 20th! I was geeked! Completely! I am so going to that....

AND....for the comment I got on my last post....

The music on my blog is by James Carrington and the song is called Ache. I heard it on an episode of Smallville last season and have been hooked ever since. But the scene also had hottie Lex in it, so who wouldn't be hooked?!

WT119 -and- CC120

2007-06-29T23:07:00.000-04:00

I got the inspiration from this card partially from Amy R. and the rest is all about the challenges. Yes, I have been stamping more lately. Yay!

Supplies: Little Lady stamp set by PaperTrey Ink, Palette Noir ink by Stewart Superior, Pretty In Pink, Marigold Morning, and Cool Carribean CS by Stampin' Up!, black mini brad by Spare Parts, Platinum Vellum, Sakura Clear Stardust pen.

It's hard to see, but the spots on the wings and the trail are all shimmered with the Sakura Clear Glaze pen. I stamped the wings with Noir on Cool Carribean then cut them out and then cut out some platinum vellum just a titch bigger than the CC wings. I stamped a black body out and then attached the wings to the body and popped it up on a dimensional. I just did the scallops with a corner rounder and glued them down before stamping the bug trail.

Like?

I put a thingie on the side...

2007-06-28T20:50:00.003-04:00

On the sidebar thing. I am SOOOO not good at this blogging thing and am actually considering switching to Typepad because I heard it is easier, but we'll see....

Stampin' Space

2007-06-26T20:52:00.000-04:00

I -finally- got my stamping space finished and put together!!!

This is the shelf for all of my stamps, all of which are unmounted (aside from Carte Postale). Above that I keep my multipacks of paper from Michaels and my two pathetic little bottles of Primas, Snap Stamps, box of glitter and beads as well as my mounted stamp sets, and my Pearl-Ex. I keep a small Stampin' Up! box with most of my acrylic blocks in it on this shelf as well so that they are handy.

So here is where I keep my inks and background stamps. I don't have a storage unit for them yet, but my dad is building me a spinning caddy for them that will hold up to 60 inkpads, not just Stampin' Up!. I also just have my re-inkers sitting up there for now, alongside all my Stickles and my embossing powders. I have some smaller ink spots in one of the small boxes and then my fluid chalk inks stacked next to that.

And this is the whole kit and kaboodle. I have had this desk forever....my dad built it for me when I was about 7 years old and it has moved everywhere with me since then. I keep my paper there in that storage bin on the right and below it is a cabinet full of things that I don't use much but cant bear to part with. I also keep my Cropper Hopper ribbon keeper next to it so that the ribbon is handy. The caddy on my desk did have a ton of fancy edged scissors, but I put them away and store my most used tools in it.

Of course my laptop sits there and under that are drawers that are filled with tools, accessories, markers, pencils, etc. And just to the left of that is my paper cutter, my second cutter with a scoring blade and my Coluzzle kit.

That's about it. Nothing fancy or exciting, but it's a REAL space, as opposed to the floor and the toolbox I used to work out of. The table I had at the old apartment was nice, but this is much, much better in my mind.

Finally....a card

2007-06-21T22:50:00.000-04:00

As I posted earlier, I have been having a bit of a rough way to go in regards to my family. Well....here's a card....

Supplies: Stampin' Up CS (Blush Blossom, Sage Shadow), Patterned paper by K&Co, Staedler cold press watercolor paper, Javabellas by Stampin Bella, White organdy ribbon, aquapainter and markers by Stampin' Up!, Green stickles, Sakura Clear stardust pen, small corner rounder punch.

Pretty, eh? I was kinda a b**ch to my mom the other day (we work together...my brother is her favorite and I've recently felt more self consious about it and hurt....) and I felt bad about it. I shouldn't have said what I did, but she took it waaaaayyyyy out of proportion and I felt like pond scum. So I came home and made this card for her and wrote a note to apologize.

I posted on SCS the other day about my severe lack of watercolouring skills. Of course Jeanne S. and JulieHRR offered up some awesome advice, so that afternoon I went out and bout a 5x7 pad of cold pressed water color paper. Oh my gosh....I am so not going back to any kind of white after watercolouring on that dreamy stuff....wow. So thanks to them!

I feel better, and we talked it out...but I still shouldn't have said it. Bad daughter. Bad!

In other news, I have been stamping more....I don't photograph everything like I should, but I do stamp more. I got a cute little light to mount on the underside of my shelf on my desk....flourescent, I know, bad....but it works so well for what I want. And slowly I am starting to get all my stamping stuff unpacked....finally!

Not posted in a while....sorry.

2007-06-21T09:18:00.000-04:00

I thought I had a card for you that I stamped last night, but apparently not....as my cd that I burned is saying that there is nothing on it! Grrr!

So....I haven't posted in a while....there is a reason for it. My grandparents moved into the state from West Virginia and I have been helping my Grandmother and spending time with them. My Grandfather is very sick....two strokes and Alzheimers unfortunately...and we just had to put him into a nursing home.

Awful places, nursing homes. I had never been in one untill I went to see him there. It hurts....alot. I am lucky I wasn't driving that day because I sobbed all the way home. I hate to see him like that.

I was trying to remember him before the stroke the other day, and I couldn't come up with any memories...how much does that suck?

I am really just not in a good place right now....so maybe I'll get to post a card later.

Something about Me

2007-06-04T09:08:00.000-04:00

Saw this on Splitcoast....

Yourself: I love me, most of the time
Your Partner: I love him more than I thought I could love
Your Hair: blonde-ish
Your Mother: My confidante, my rock
Your Father: A little nuts....
Your Favorite Item: My promise ring
Your Dream Last Night: That my OBGYN called and told me I was pregnant
Your Favorite Drink: Sprite
Your Dream Car: Corvette
Dream Home: In the country with my own stamping room
The Room You Are In: My office at work (it's Sage Shadow!)
Your Fear: oddly....aliens. Not Star Wars aliens, but like 'Signs' aliens. ET freaks me out!
Where You Want to be in Ten Years: Just...happy
Who You Hung Out With Last Night: My boyfriend
You’re Not: confident
One of Your Wish List Items: a digital SLR
The Last Thing You Did: Print out insurance forms before switching to SCS for a bit
You Are Wearing: Scrubs- ceil blue pants and a floral top and white sketchers with pink
Your Favorite Weather: sunny and 75!
Your Favorite Book: Any Harry Potter
Last Thing You Ate: Oreos
Your Life: It's getting there...
Your Mood: tired
Your Best Friend: Jen T.
What Are You Thinking About Right Now: going home
Your Car: Honda Civic
What Are You Doing At The Moment: sitting in my office chair
Relationship Status: In a relationship
What Is On Your TV: don't have one here
What Is The Weather Like: Sunny with a chance of thunderstorms
When Is The Last Time You Laughed: Yesterday evening- MTV movie awards

Yep. I'm boring.

PaperTrey Ink

2007-05-31T18:45:00.001-04:00

Dontcha just *heart* their stuff?!? I do. Boy do I. I posted on SplitCoast yesterday about how giddy I was when I opened my box of stamps. It was -pristine-. It really is the little touches that make a company stand out in my mind. And....I will order again. Definately.

Supplies: Stampin' Up cardstock (Real Red, Basic Black), PaperTrey Ink cardstock (white....YUM!), Stampin Up! Ink (Real Red), Stewart Superior Pallete Ink (Noir), Papertrey Ink stamps (Little Lady).

De-lish! I stamped the large ladybug all over the yummy, crisp white cardstock. Then I stamped the little ladybug and all of the antennae. I cut it into pieces, mounted it on Real Red and then onto Basic Black card bases and stamped the sentiments. I decided the envies needed to match, so I stamped those too.

Supplies: Stampin Up cardstock (Summer Sun, Pixie Pink, Gable Green), PaperTrey cardstock (white), Stampin' Up Ink (Summer Sun, Pixie Pink, Gable Green, Creamy Caramel, Basic Black), Silver mini brad, pink velvet ribbon.

There was NO plan for this card...and it showed cause it took me an hour and a half to make. I just started stamping and pling! it all came together....love it when that happens.

Some stuff

2007-05-28T15:14:00.000-04:00

This is....well...sorta what Sparky's wedding invitation will look like. I made up three samples, and they liked this one the best, but we made some changes to the design and such.

Supplies: Stampin' Up CS (Very Vanilla, Elegant Eggplant, and Lavender Lace), Martha Stewart Crafts (clear monogram frames stamp set), Stampin' Up (Ivory Organdy Ribbon), Provocraft (Textile cuttlebug embossing folder).

Simple, yet elegant I think. changes to be made? Well the embossing is going to be done with the swirls embossing folder, and nix the Martha monogram. Instead we are using the wedding cake stamp and embossing with silver EP...and nixing the ribbon. Simple enough....I think.

I found the pattern for this card here. I love Nichole Heady's blog....she always has such cute stuff. And as such, I ordered my first two PaperTrey ink stamp sets on Saturday...Little Lady and Green Thumb! I am -wicked- excited about them coming this week. Incidentally, I also have some new Bella's coming this week also!

I tried some pergamano as well...using what I had...an embossing thingie and a paper piercer on black fun foam.

I dunno. I think it looks ok....I'll keep trying because this craft dates back to the 14th century and that is -perfect- for when DBF and I do re-enacting...gives me something I can sit down and do while he goes out and battles.

Some stamps for sale

2007-05-22T19:52:00.000-04:00

Alright kids...all of these are unmounted to use with acrylic blocks...some have never been used more than just to stamp the index on the EZ Mount when I first got them. If you have any questions or interest, please email me at faereygirl@sbcglobal.net or leave a comment here!

Bad Sunday

2007-05-20T14:23:00.000-04:00

Well we had some bathroom issues last night. I.E.: the toilet always needs plunging...for everything. Well it backed up AGAIN last night and we couldn't get it fixed this time. So we shut off the water at the emergency valve and called maintenence. They never bothered to call back or come, so we went to bed, thinking that it was ok because we turned the valve off, which it should have been.

But noooooooooo. I woke up at 6:30 this morning to hear the toilet RUNNING. I open the bathroom door and FWOOSH! Water flooded out and onto the carpet. Michael lept out of bed and started bailing the gushing water out of the toilet and dumped it into the tub. I went downstairs to get towels and noticed that there is water POURING from around the light fixtures in the kitchen and dining area...onto the counters, carpet, the oak dining table, his computer and my sewing machine. So we're both soaked and annoyed and tired, so we head out to the store, buy a new plunger and this CLR plumbers stuff. Its like this pressure in a can....its supposed to blast the clog out of the line in two seconds. Yeah. Right.

Michael called maintenence again and still no call or person showed. We just bail out the toilet every hour on the hour.

He called again an hour later and told them that we were going to call a plumber if someone did not show up in an hour and take care of this...it was an emergency, therefore someone had to come out. So the guy shows up twenty minutes later and looks at the mess not only in the bathroom, bedroom, and hall...then in the downstairs and apologized PROFUSELY for ignoring our call Saturday night because the management company said that toilet problems were not an emergency in their eyes. He, however, felt that they were, but was just following orders.

So the dude made a hella lot of noise and finally got it unstuck. Apparently the previous tenant had the same problem and there was something litterally jamed in the pipes that needed to be pushed through with an auger. The ceiling, wall and carpets should be fine, they just need to dry out. *sigh* We should have been ok with just turning off the water and waiting....turns out that after we turned it off the washer inside the shut off snapped and started letting water back through, so he fixed that too. We're ok now. Just a little damp and waiting to dry out...and we're really not happy because we have had nothing but problems with this place since we moved here a few weeks ago. I think we will be looking for somewhere new over the next couple weeks.

We went grocery shopping afterwards and bought a Swiffer Wet jet cause obviously I needed to mop and my mop died in the move (don't ask). I cleaned and Michael took out the garbage and washed the towels. I had just laid down to take a nap and he said "Honey! Come look! There are green CHICKENS out in our yard!" Yes, there is a pond behind our house.

Right.

Being Canadian you would have thought he would have known better.

Update

2007-05-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

I got a comment on the photocubes...

No, they're not all coaster. It's actually a wood black just painted with white craft paint. ;) I should have mentioned that, but I was having a blonde day....and I was really tired. Hehe.

More Mother's Day...

2007-05-13T20:17:00.000-04:00

Well this will be my last Mother's Day gift post...until next year at least. I had to have a clandestine stamp meeting with my FAB! demo since I was unable to make it to stamp camp Saturday morning. So we met in the grocery store parking lot and she gave me my kit and I paid her, then made this photo cube this morning!

The first photo is me and my mother at my bridal shower a few years ago. Yes I am divorced now, but I still love the photo...we both look good in it! LOL!

The second photo on the left hand side of the cub is my brother when he was...oh....9 or so, holding his new cat. She was a rescue and mom still has her. Her name is Cammy....and she's a whole hella lot tubbier now! And he is now 20!

The bottom photo on the left is me, mom, and dad when I was 10 months old. They took me on a carousel together...I was so thankful to find the photo! And the photo on the right is me and my bro a few years ago.

I gave her that cube and the candles from the previous post and she loved them both. She got all teary at the photos tho and said she was going to put it on her desk tommorrow!

And one last note for today....I started *FINALLY* getting my stamp space put together. There is still alot of work to do and I totaly need to figure out where I want everything, but it will get there! Whoohooo!

Mothers Day-part 2

2007-05-10T19:57:00.000-04:00

I made this one for my Grandma. I think I need to make ANOTHER one for my mom's friend Kathy, who we lived next door to for 18 years. She was like a mother to me...maybe I will do that one in purples. And change it a little...

Mother's Day Gift

2007-05-09T23:14:00.000-04:00

Well since my mother doesn't read my blog (I don't think she actually knows about it...) I figured that it would be ok to go ahead and post what I made for her!

Supplies: Ink: Rose Red, Regal Rose, Pretty In Pink, and Always Artichoke by Stampin' Up!, Stamps: Roses in Winter by Stampin' Up!, Trendy Greetings by TAC, Others: white tissue paper, candles from Dollar Tree, small glass tray from Dollar Tree, Pink flat marbles from Dollar Tree.

I burnt my fingers alot doing these little candles, but I think they turned out adorable. I plan on making one for my Grandma tommorrow using yellows because yellow roses are her favorite.

I made this 5 In 1 Template box to put the candles in. The tray was too big so I plan on dragging out some ribbon tommorrow and tying it all together with a nice card.

Good? Yes? No?

'Nother bracelet

2007-05-04T22:16:00.000-04:00

This one for the Pickerington Panthers. The purple and white one in the previous post was for the Pickerington Tigers. Yep. Alma Mater. Well....there was only one school then, now there is two....yep. Big stuff.

I stamped the tiger....er, panther paw in white Stazon and let it dry, then stamped over it in Vibrant Violet stazon. I think it works well!

I've been tagged!

2007-05-02T16:33:00.000-04:00

Wow....never honestly thought it would happen to me. I remember reading a post by someone a while back about not being one of the 'popular kids' or whatnot, so I took alot of that to heart..and never had a second thought about being Tagged until I got a comment from Created By U.

Seven things about me....

1.) I am a re-enactor. I do viking re-enactment and now am branching into pirateera re-enacting. I go to a two week re-enactment in the middle of summer and love every second of the blissfulness...well, except for when certain individuals try to create drama.

2.) I hate closed mindedness. Add snap judgements to that. Don't judge someone untill you know them, you will be eating your words later, I guarantee. This has happened all too recently in my life.

3.) I am a hopeless Chipotle addict. I love chicken burrito bol with rice and pinto beans and extra cheese. Skip the fork, scoop the goods out with Chipotle chips!

4.) I don't own one pair of plain socks. They all have pictures or fun things on them. Right now I am wearing light blue socks with poodles on them. Yep. Poodles.

5.) I am a Star Wars geek. I'm too young to have seen the originals in the theater, but apparently my father took me to see Return of the Jedi when I was two. And I was hooked from then on. Really, I think that if Qui Gon Jin had not died, the Empire would have had a serious dent in it's plans....

6.) I work for a chiropractor. I have worked for him for ten years on May 23rd. I doubt he will remember. (long story) My mother works for him too....she's worked for him for 26 years in October. My job started out as a high school mentorship project and they realised that I was good at the job and I have been at it ever since.

7.) I have an entire closet full of garb. Yep, you read that right. I have an ENTIRE closet full of renaissance/re-enactment clothes and shoes. I see something I like, I make it....or DBF makes it for me. Want a picture? Here is the dress he HANDSEWED for me for pirate era stuff.

That is my beautiful friend Nurianna with me. Seems there was a bit of a rainstorm Saturday night and her table coverings got soaked through. Bummer! She's the BEST gypsy facepainter ever. :)

So now I have to tag seven people? Yeah uhm...I am sure they have already been tagged, but I am going to just showcase some of my favorite blogs to go to each day....

1.) Dawn Mercedes

2.) Busy Bee

3.) Prairie Paper and Ink

4.) Paper Trufflez

5.) Mama Dini

6.) InkyPaws

7.) SherLyn Design

Bracelets

2007-05-01T22:29:00.000-04:00

Cool, huh? I was demoing the new Martha Stewart line at Michael's on Saturday and happened upon some Shrinky Dink plastic. Woot?! So I snatched it up ($4.99 for 10 sheets) as well as some white Stazon opaque ink and headed home. After carefully selectng Carte Postale, I stamped each image on black Shrinky Dink plastic, punched the images out with round and oval punches, punched holes with my Crop A Dial and then shrank in the toaster oven!

Once shrunk, I attached them to jump rings and attached to the bracelet. Honestly, they needed something so I went BACK to Michael's and purchased some crystals and added the little drops. This thing got such a good reaction that I made a Pickerington Tigers one and am sending it to school with my friend tommorrow to see if these little bad boys can sell!

I like em. Alot. Must make more with butterfly stamps!

Stamp Club Thursday and Moving.

2007-04-27T07:15:00.000-04:00

I made it to stamp club this week. After busting my tush the way I have been the past few days, I deserved it! I ordered 4 inks and the round tab punch from the Spring Mini. I swear, I have been having DREAMS about that thing....I don't know why. But for some reason I think that deep in my unconsious, I neeeeeeed it. :)

All Supplies by Stampin' Up!: Au chocolate double sided designer paper, Chocolate Chip CS, Perfect Plum CS, Chocolate chip ink, Vintage Violet ink, Doodle This, Warm Words, Everyday Flexible Phrases, Chocolate grosgrain ribbon, Vintage Violet stitched ribbon.

Check out the ROCKIN' new watermark too! *squee* I decided that I suck at photoshop too much and spend $4 (well freaking spent) dollars on thise little beauty from Dina Kowal. My demo (fabulous chick that she is) found the pattern for this box on SplitCoastStampers, here. Cute, isn't it?

All Supplies by Stampin' Up!: Certainly Celery CS, Whisper White CS, Stazon Jet Black ink, gold eyelets, Cool Carribean Re-inker (w/Aquapainter), Certainly Celery Marker, Doodle This, All Year Cheer eight billion and a half (joking!), and some color of yellow marker that I forget. ;)

This is one of those great standing up window card things! They are a TON smaller than I thought, but honestly in most gallery pictures and things, everything looks so big that it throws me off! We used the Crop A Dial to set the eyelets...love that thing. And Cool Carribean ink with an aquapainter to paint the flower! I am so thinking that I need this 'Doodle This set. :)

That's about all I have for now. I would post the other card from Stamp Club, but I can't remember any of the colors or anything that we used in it....aww heck, here it is anyway, just for looks.

Now, we just moved last weekend and are still in the midst of unpacking. I am kinda pirating wireless internet from a neighbor (duh....you use a security code!) so it is a little touch and go around here with my blogging and SCS time. Hopefully the phone company will get my DSL sorted out by Tuesday like they promised...ugh. :(

Alive

2007-04-18T23:48:00.000-04:00

I'm not dead, I promise. We're moving house on Friday and I have been a busy bee packing up the apartment. I hate moving. It stresses me out...and I cry....and then make myself ill over it all with worry. I think it is because of the stress from the last time I moved. The circumstances were not good. They got worse....and I dunno. I....I am going to stop rambling about it now.

Once my new stamping room is all set up, I will post more. I'll try and update on the progress....:)

Rose Butterflies

2007-04-11T18:38:00.000-04:00

Well, I saw a card similar to this on SCS yesterday by emmiestamps and loved it so much that I decided to CASE it....sorta. I changed things! I always intend to CASE and always end up changing something to suit my tastes a little more. Nothing wrong with that.

Supplies: All supplies by Stampin' Up! (unless noted) Stamp set: Butterflies of Happiness, Paper: Regal Rose, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla; Ink: regal Rose, versamark; Ivory organdy ribbon. Pink EP by Stampendous, Coluzzle cutting system nested oval, Platinum vellum from Hobby Lobby.

Cuttlebug Textile A2 embossing folder, Glue Dots, Tombow Mono Multi.

It's cute, eh? Pretty self explanatory really....the butterflies were stamped on platinum vellum (it's a very shimmery vellum that I found at Hobby Lobby) with Versamark and then embossed with a pastel pink embossing powder. It's very shimmery in real life. The thought crossed my mind to add glitter or stickles, but sometimes you just know what will kill a nice looking card.

ATC Swap

2007-04-10T20:57:00.000-04:00

I had sworn off swaps after I did my first. I don't know why, other than the fact that I felt pressured and like I was on a deadline (which technically I was). I was in a slump a few weeks ago so I started looking on the swap forum and joined a black and white ATC swap. My reasoning? ATC's are small....and black and white intrigues me.

Supplies: Basic Black cardstock, Whisper White cardstock, black and white chiffon ribbon from Michael's, Terrifically Tacky Tape, clear microbeads, silver brads by Spare Parts. Gerbera Daisy stamp by TAC. Pallete Hybrid Noir ink. Iridescent Prisma glitter.

It's kinda cute, isn't it? I am really pleased with the way they turned out. This is the third attempt at these cards...the first two did not turn out so hot. I just used .44 cent ribbon from Michael's and plain silver brads to add a little zip. I stamped the Gerbera Daisy with Pallete Hybrid Noir ink by Stewart Superior and then covered the paper with sticky strip. Then I mushed it in the clear microbeads, then mushed it into prisma glitter to fill in the gaps and add sparkle. It's hard to see in the photo though.

I am considering putting some stamping things for sale on my blog in the next few days. Yes, we are moving to a larger place and I get my own stamping room, but I have several sets that have never seen ink and I want them to go to a home where they will be used and loved. I also have a great deal of individual stamps that I want to put up for sale as well. They are all unmounted and have no blocks, so they will be cheap. I just never use them and think they could be better loved elsewhere! Stay tuned!

Bad Blogger! BAD!

2007-04-07T13:17:00.000-04:00

Yes. I am a bad blogger. Tto be honest, my heart has not been into papercrafting the past few weeks. I have just had alot on my mind...the stalkers probably think I am dead! ;)

Anyway, my friend Sparky asked me if I would make up some sample invitations for him and his girl to choose from so that I can make their wedding invitations. Here is the first:

Supplies: Purple CS from Hobby Lobby (no brand noted), Very Vanilla CS by Stampin' Up!,Versamark Ink, Clear EP, Silver Pearl-Ex, Textile Cuttlebug Embossing Folder by ProvoCraft, and Tombow MonoMulti liquid glue.

I used Dawn Mercedes brilliant pocket card pattern for this card, but made it larger. Finished size is 6.25x6.25. The wedding colors are purple, ivory and silver and Heather wanted something simple and elegant, with NO flowers and NO butterflies. What kind of girl doesn't want flowers or butterflies?!!? Teasing, Heather, teasing....;)

I bought a Cuttlebug embossing folder today and used it in my pasta machine...harder than I thought it was going to be unfortunately (so Michael is going to buy me a BUG when we get our tax return!!!), but I think it turned out nice, none the less. I didn't take a photo of the inside, but I mounted a piece of VV CS on the inside flap (the part that opens) the same size as the front so that the invitation can be printed on it. Then in the pocket I tucked an ivory card and envelope for the reply card, et all.

Oh right, and for my stupid moment....I realised that I have uhm "misplaced" my silver EP, and have forgotten to replace it. So I stamped the initials in Versamark, sprinkled silver Pearl-Ex over it and then clear EP over that and embossed. I kinda like how it turned out all splotchy looking, but I will pick up more silver EP in the not too distant future so that I can do this properly. I think it needs a ribbon around it to hold the card closed....what do you think?

I also don't like the cardstock weight of the dark purple. I need to find some dark purple solid colored paper that is just paper weight....this card is sooooo heavy!

In other news, the watermark that I made broke. I can't figure out what the hell is wrong with it, so I'm just typing over the card and dropping the opacity down on the lettering. Works for me, does the same job, and takes ten seconds.

Neato Pocket Card

2007-03-25T22:04:00.000-04:00

I got the most gorgeous RAK from DawnL in my mail on Friday. I kept staring and kept staring and couldn't figure out how to make it! Finally I looked in her gallery on SCS and found the card she had sent me and followed a link to another gallery and voila! There were the directions for this nifty little pocket card.

Supplies: DCWV Old World 8x8 paper stack, TAC CS in dark green, SU! Very Vanilla. All inks by Stewart superior pallete hybrid inks (Sorry, I don't know the colors because they arent on the spots!!!! My durn labels faded. :( ), SU! Definately Decorative Grapes set.

Wow....I got this set from eBay and it had never seen ink before! Apparently it has been retired for a while....I dunno. I just felt like making something that had to do with grapes to inspire me to finish the bottle labels for my boyfriends wine that he makes!

I love how this has a little pocket inside. Dawn put a little bit of CS with a note on it in mine, but I bet it could be a great gift card holder or something too!

Birthday Invitation

2007-03-22T19:41:00.000-04:00

Yep. That's my mom. She was 17 when this picture was taken and she is still this beautiful, just 33 years older. Well, she will be on April 3.

I used 5x5 Fabriano notecards and envelopes for this invitation. Stampin' Up! Creamy Caramel ink, Art of Life stamp set, Very Vanilla and Creamy Caramel cardstock, and Ivory organdy ribbon.

I used a Coluzzle to cut the hole in the card and printed the photo on vellum paper. My best friend and I stamped the flower and leaves from Art of Life onto the cut paper with Creamy Caramel ink then attached the photo with a vellum tape runner.

The inside of the invitation is printed on Very Vanilla cardstock using a creamy caramel color from the list of RGB to SU! colors. I layered the VV on a piece of Creamy caramel and then adhered them inside. I didn't take a photo cause I totally didn't feel like photoshopping all of that out....please forgive.

It needed something, so I whipped a little bow with ivory organdy ribbon onto it and voila! Nice, eh?

New goodies

2007-03-13T22:09:00.000-04:00

I quit my job at Michaels today, and she asked me to stay on a bit longer for a few things, and so I agreed to do so. Mainly for the discount, honestly...but I love my boss there and I love working with her! It was a hard decision to make, but I think I made the right choice since re-enactment season is coming up and I am getting promoted at my regular job! Yeah!

Anyway. I had to go back to Michaels tonight because I realised I was completely out of MonoAdhesive roller and I needed it to finish the invitations to my mom's 50th birthday party next month. I will post those when they are completely done and up tommorrow!

So I was one of those rude idiots on the phone the whole time while I was shopping for adhesive, wandered a bit and ended up with this handful of pretties. I love the ribbon, but I was restraining myself because I am taking a trip to Toronto this weekend and so want to hit the bead shops on Queen Street...save money, more beads. Yeah!

I made a decision about these little clear stamps and the blocks. I am going to buy up a bunch of the stamps and the blocks, a black ink pad, stamp scrubber and cleaner, and a box of plain, pre-made cards and put them all in a nice basket for my BFF. I'm getting her hooked, slowly and surely....that might just put her over the edge. Maybe....*evil grin*

Stamp Club

2007-03-12T19:58:00.000-04:00

CS: Confetti White CS, Green Galore (I think....), Glossy White. Ink: Versamark, spectrum pad. Accessories: Clear EP, white organdy ribbon. Stamps: butterfly of Happiness, SU!

So this was my first brayering experience and my first time trying the Joseph's Coat technique. I am a little brayer illiterate! And spectrum pad illiterate.....ah well. Despite the fact that we did not have an embossing buddy, I think this turned out well!

First we inked up the brayer with the spectrum pad and rolled it over the glossy cardstock. Let it dry, it didnt take long, then stamped the butterflies with versamark and powdered them with clear EP and heated it up. Then I brayered a dark blue (I can't remember the color, I'm sorry!) over that and buffed the ink off of the flutterbyes. Then embellish! I think that was how it went....I hope.....:D

Best Fishes

2007-03-07T21:46:00.000-05:00

All schtuff by Stampin' Up! Paper/Ink: Certainly Celery, Tempting Turquois, Cool Carribean, Whisper White. Stamps: Very Punny, Art is Life, Linen BG. Mini Brads by Spare Parts.

Right, so I needed to make a card for my granparents anniversary this Friday (51 years and still strong) and this is what I came up with. I used Laura's Color Combo Site to come up with this combo, but I am not sure how I feel about it yet. I found the layout on SCS a while back, but honestly, I can't remember which sketch challenge it was!

Stamped Linen BG with Certainly Celery on the CC CS and sponged the edges with the same ink. Tied the Celery organdy ribbon around the Tempting Turquoise CS and glued it down. I felt that the Cool Carribean panels needed some oompf so I stamped CC on the CS with the rough stamp from Art of Life...insta oompf!

Stamped the fishes from Very Punny with Basic Black on Whisper White then watercolored with a Niji Aquabrush and pad ink. Punched out with a one inch circle punch and glued the whole shebang down! Nifty, eh?

Sketch Challenge 111

2007-02-28T22:15:00.000-05:00

I know it is a little late, but I have not had alot of time to blog, let alone stamp anything interesting. I did, however, just finish up teaching a session (9 weeks) of card making and stamping to 6 MRDD adults, so I should be able to start having some more free time. Yay!

Sketch Challenge 111. Supplies: All SU!, except the ribbon is from the wedding aisle at Michael's. Paper: Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, Whisper White. Ink: Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, Brocade Blue. Accessories: Ribbon, Sakura Clear Stardust pen.

I like it...simple and clean, and probably the last card this season that I will make with my 'borrowed' (ie: stolen from the stamping box that my friend has left at my apartment for over a YEAR! That should be termed wreckless abandonment and means the stamps are mine, right? *grin*)....unless of course it snows again....

By the way, I found the COOLEST ribbon at Michael's this week. It's all spooled on wooden spools....velvet, stitched, and stripes. Oh it's yummy! I plan on buying some up this week and will post it as soon as I do!

Also....I saw a new line of papers and scrapbooks called "Once Upon A Time" Wow....glitter and bling and soft fairytale prettiness....*sighs contently* I so need some of this....and an idea to scrapbook with it!

I agree....

2007-02-26T22:04:00.000-05:00

http://paper-and-ink.blogspot.com/2007/02/stampers-neurosis.html

Sums up how I feel nicely. Don't think I could have put it so elquetly though.

Toronto and the Pirate Pub Night

2007-02-18T22:29:00.000-05:00

Just literally got back from Toronto, Ontario Canada....exhausted. Here is a pic from the Pirate Pub Night that we went to....it was to raise money for the second annual Pirate Festival that is held at Fort York over Labor Day Weekend! We are so going....because Michael won free passes for being the 'best dressed' pirate there!

Had a great time though. Dissapointed that I came home and my new Bellas were not here yet! Ah well, maybe tommorrow!

No card....but ICE!

2007-02-15T13:46:00.000-05:00

I'm back at work today after two days off due to ice and snow (I don't think the folks in this town could honestly handle more than 6 inches of snow without freaking out about the "white death"....as one of my Canadian patients calls it....)......annnyyyyyywayyyyyyy...

We had a little drama this morning. First, the door wouldn't open because the entire side of the building is a solid 1.5" of ice. Well then. That doesn't make it very easy to get to work, does it?!?!

The door is just a little back from that, but I thought that shot was neat! How did we get in the office? A little bit of force and the clever use of a shovel handle....basically, take aim, thwack, hope you don't break the glass. It worked well.

My boss is out front as we speak using a sledgehammer to chip the ice off of the sidewalk so that none of our patients fall and kill themselves...funny how he pays someone to do these things for him and he is still out there doing them himself. Hum.

Then....this happens:

I heard this strange ticking sound and suddenly a gush of water came pouring into the waiting room...of course. Melting ice. Perfect! So the wall is saturated and ruined, carpet is soaked and it is still pouring in. We called the co-owner of the building (he built the joint and co-owns it with my boss) and two hours later, he is still not here.

I like to try and think of it as zen....it's calming. It's relaxing. I am one with the universe.

I am one with the universe and I have to pee.

I hate Valentine's day, but.....

2007-02-14T19:51:00.000-05:00

I made this card for DBF anyway. Stamps: A Light Heart-Stampin' Up!, Paper:Basic Grey Blush, Stampin' Up! Very Vanilla and Chocolate Chip, and Bazill Basics pink, Ribbon:Pink grosgrain-Michael's Crafts, Brads: Making Memories mini silver brads.

It was easy really. Make the card base out of Bazill Basics pink CS, adhere the Basic Grey Blush line patterned paper to the front of the card. I used mini glue dots to adhere the ribbon on. Then I stamped the Love stamp from A Light Heart onto Very Vanilla CS, cut an oval out of chocolate chip and mounted them together. Then I mounted the oval over the ribbon with dimensionals.

It needed something! So I added the three little brads in the corner to balance it out.

I still don't like Valentine's Day, but I love him so I made this card, baked a Chocolate Chip French Silk cake, and made him a steak dinner. I must be in Luuuuuuuuuuuuuvvvvvveeeee.

CC101B

2007-02-13T16:43:00.000-05:00

All supplies by Stampin' Up!: Happy Harmony SAB set, Linen BG, celery ribbon, Certainly Celery CS and ink, Cranberry Crisp CS and ink, So Saffron CS and ink. Giga scallop oval punch by Marvy Uchida.

Pretty self-explanatory...but....I used the So Saffron ink and stamped the Linen BG onto So Saffron CS. I added the ribbon and tied the knot before mounting it onto the Cranberry Crisp. I punched a circle of Certainly Celery CS and cut a smaller oval with a Coluzzle out of Very Vanila and stamped the flowers from Happy Harmony on it and inked the edges. It needed something, so I added the sentiment in Cranberry Crisp ink in the corner!

Image: Lockhart Stamp Company, Marvy Uchida Giga Scalloped Oval punch, Pretty in Pink CS by Stampin' Up!, Sentiment Stampin' Up! Simplay Said, Colorbox Fluid Chalk ink in Chestnut Roan.

Well I ordered the punch from Ellen H.'s store on Saturday evening and it was in my mailbox yesterday! Along with it was a thank you note stamped with Lockhart's Rosebud gown on Fabriano paper. I used the Coluzzle and cut out the image, then mounted it on a Pretty In Pink scalloped oval, then mounted it on a Fabriano reply notecard and stamped the sentiment in chalk ink. Easy peasy? Right?

CC100

2007-02-09T09:53:00.000-05:00

I know that most of you have seen CC100 by now, but I really liked it and wanted to share it again...

Stamps: Stampin' Up! Delight In Life - Sellabration 2007 set.

Paper: Stampin' Up! Cool Carribean, Chocolate Chip.

Ink: Stampin' Up! Cool Carribean, Chocolate Chip, Blush Blossom.

Accessories: Coluzzle oval template, mini glue dots, Niji Aqua Brush, Sakura clear Stardust pen, Tombow Mono Multi.

Well I didn't win the big CC100 prize, because I was too lazy and laid on the couch too long before getting up to do the challenge! That's alright, I plan on making that AWESOME color challenge book myself (CASE'd heavily....but there is no way it will be as gorgeous as the one Leigh made!) along with a sketch challenge book of a similar nature! Wouldn't that just ROCK?!

The base of the card is Cool Carribean and I layered a piece of Chocolate Chip over top that I had cut using my new Coluzzle for the very first time! I stamped the sentiment in Cool Carribean and added that little swirly gig for a bit of flourish.

The flowers were stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock and watercolored using re-inker and a Niji Water Brush (from TAC or Michaels-about $8). I used a Stampin' Up! marker to color Blush Blossom in the centers of the flower, the accented with the Sakura clear Stardust pen.

If you don't have one of these Sakura clear Stardust pens....you so totally need one. I got mine from StarLitStudios on eBay. I have seen them at Joann's, but once you visit the StarLitStudios store, Joann's is just kinda a waste of time!

Not an Owl Post....

2007-02-08T08:26:00.000-05:00

But a cute little mailbox!

Ok let's take care of the business end of things first. I cannot get Blogger to work on my laptop at home....AT ALL! Every time I try to sign in, I get booted right back to the sign in page. Michael is going to try and fix this problem this evening, so hopefully I will be able to get back to some more regular posting. I love to post, really! I have SO much to share (alot of it non-stamping related....but stuff I love anyway!) and I would like to get back to it. I can use his laptop...but all my stuff is on mine, UKWIM!?! Moving on...

I never found the Target mailboxes but I did find this larger mailbox in the seasonal aisle at the local grocery store and purchased it instead.

Supplies:

Paper-Basic Grey's Blush line (Lovin' it!), Bazzil Basics textured paper(I don't remember the color, I just grabbed it at Archivers cause it matched!). S

tamps- Stampin' Up! Carte Postale.

Ink- Stampin' Up! Chocolate Chip, Timber Brown Stazon.

Accessories- ribbon from Michaels, Marvy Uchida Mega Scalloped Square Punch, Stampin' Up! Large and Small Oval punches.

Adhesive-Mod Podge Matte adhesive, Tombow Mono Multi.

It was actuallt pretty simple to assemble. I cut a sheet of the Basic Grey paper the size of the mailbox and wrapped it around and dented the spots where holes needed to be cut. Cut the holes, Mod Podged the paper down then added the strips of plain colored paper as accents and as well on the front. The rest was cake! Stamp, punch, ink, glue....add ribbon and VIOLA!! Cute little mailbox!

I did a OSW (which, bad Faerey....I forgot to photograph.) and made 10 valentines cards with matching envies and stuffed them inside. I gave this to my mother as a gift and she LOVES it. Her best friend conned me into making a bunch more which she sold to teachers at school, which is awesome!

Anyway. Will try and post again soon....gotta get that computer glitch fixed soon!

Problems

2007-02-03T18:14:00.000-05:00

I'm having problems accessing blogger, all. I am using DBF's computer right at the moment, so until I can get it working on my laptop again, there won't be too much updating going on. Hopfully he can fix it soon! I have alot to update and share with you all!!!!!

New projects and stuff! Promise that I will get it fixed soon!

Thanks for your patience!

I've Been Tagged!!!

2007-01-23T08:25:00.000-05:00

I was tagged by Dawn!

A-Available or Taken: Taken by a darling Canadian
B-Best Friend: Jen T. She's been my best friend forever...boys are stupid, throw rocks at them.
C-Cake or Pie: Cake, but only if it's by Tailor Made Cakes
D-Drink of Choice: Hot tea with cream and sugar
E-Essential Item You Use Everyday: I use my computer everyday
F-Favorite Color: Pink
G-Gummy Bears or Worms: Worms....definately worms...
H-Hometown: Beckley, West Virginia
I-Indulgence: I let myself buy something frivolous once or twice a month....today, its going to be stamps....Stamp Club tonight!
J-January or February: February...because it is one step closer to spring than January.
K-Kids and Names: I don't have kids, I have cats Tonks, Chloe, and Cosette
L-Life is Incomplete Without: Friends and Family
M-Marriage Date: I'm not married, in fact, I get my final divorce papers tommorrow!
N-Number of Siblings: 1- Nicholas
O-Oranges or Apples: Oranges. They're easier for me to eat than apples....unless they're cut up.
P-Phobias or Fears: Spiders....and Aliens. Don't ask.
Q-Favorite Quote:"A woman is like a teabag, you never know how strong she is going to be untill she gets into hot water" Eleanor Roosevelt
R-Reason to Smile: There is always a reason to smile, some people just choose not to.
S-Season: Fall
T-Tag 3 or 4 people: Michael, Jen, Kim
U-Unknown fact about me: I sing opera
V-Vegetable you don't like: Brussel sprouts...I've never tried them, but they just look and smell icky.
W-Worst Habit: Biting my nails....even though they're acrylic!
X-Xrays: I've had several since I work for a Chiropractor....2 sets for each car accident and two on my hand when I fell and he thought I broke it.
Y-Your fave food: Chipotle burrito bowl
Z-Zodiac: Libra....ha! They think I am balanced....

Whups....

2007-01-21T20:19:00.000-05:00

faereygirl@sbcglobal.net is my email. I have NO idea where my 'Email Me' link went...I will work on getting it back up!

And the winner is....

2007-01-12T16:05:00.000-05:00

InspiredByInk! Girl....drop me an email with your snail mail addy and I will get these wicked cute little stamps in the mail to you ASAP!

Hey everyone, thanks for the rockin' comments on my blog! I just wasn't sure if folks read or not, so this was a pretty good gauge!

I'll post more stuff up soonish!

CC95

2007-01-08T22:24:00.000-05:00

I made this card for Color Challenge 95 on SCS. Yeah, it's a week or so late, but better late than never! The windows are made with a Marvy Uchida Mega square punch and some good old fashioned hand cutting on the Cool Carribean layer. I stamped color on color Cool Carribean with the French Flair background stamp. The sentiment is on a tag made with the Cuttlebug and the flower is colored with reinkers and a blender pen, then touched in the center with silver Stickles. Easy Peasy!

Don't forget to look one post below at my Blog Candy give away! :D

Blog Candy

2007-01-07T12:28:00.000-05:00

Well I was at Joann's yesterday and picked up these two wicked cute Valentines Day stamps to give away. Just leave a comment about your favorite Valentines Day just....thing (tradition, memory, etc) and I will choose a winner on Friday January 12th and get these pretty little darlings in the mail to you ASAP.

This is my first time trying this....so I don't know how many folks actually read my blog, but we will see soon! :D

CC93

2007-01-05T20:39:00.000-05:00

Wow I haven't done a color challenge in a while! Meh. I made a watermark at the behest of JeanneS. on SplitCoast as well! It's plain, but it does the job!

So anyway, this card is for color challenge 93: Chocolate Chip, Rose Red, Blush Blossom, and Sage Shadow.

I used Chocolate Chip as the base color for this card, then a layer of Blush Blossom that is stamped with the Leaves A La Carte wheel using Chocolate Chip pad ink. There is a layer of Rose Red with another Chocolate Chip piece on top of that and it is stamped with the sprig of flowers from the Carte Postale set using Versamark ink to create a watermark effect.

The main image is colored with Prismacolor pencils and mounted on Rose Red and Sage Shadow. All of the edges are inked with Chocolate Chip pad ink and a sponge bit.

I will try and post more, really. My life just got turned upside down the past few weeks and this weekend will be the first NORMAL weekend that I will have had in a good long time.....*sigh*

The Sith Theory

2006-12-26T13:41:00.000-05:00

Nothing to do with stamping...

I was thinking today that if Qui-Gon Jinn had not been killed off in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, that the whole sith thing in Revenge of the Sith would have never happened.

Qui-Gon would have beat the fear of the Force into Anakin Skywalker and would have whipped that wussy (but HAWT) whiney little Sith wanna be into shape.

Peace in the galaxy, balance in the force...but no movies 3, 4, 5, and 6.

TLC96

2006-12-25T21:55:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I popped onto SCS after I got home from Christmas dinner at my parents house (yummy yummy....and I love my family so much!) and I saw that there was a Technique challenge up for today. We were supposed to use some wrapping paper from a gift to make a thank you note....here's mine:

The base is Certainly Celery stamped with Mellow Moss using the French Script background stamp. I used the corner ticket punch and punched the corners of a Mellow Moss piece, a piece of the Andrew's Jewelers bag that I recieved today and a piece of Very Vanilla. I inked all th edges and stamped the swirl thingie from Carte Postale on the VV and mirrored it (thanks to notimetostamp for that idea!) in Old Olive. The ribbon is adhered with glue dots and is actually the handle from the gift bag. I punched an oval from the bag and an oval from VV and stamped and inked the edges with Old Olive then stuck it down using two silver brads.

Thats about it...I love the way it turned out though!

Hope that you all have a good rest of the holidays!

Twas the day before Christmas....

2006-12-23T23:53:00.000-05:00

And I did a little work today. Well that and I spent a good deal of time with my DBF, my best friend and her one year old baby. I love that kid, and so does DBF...he likes to play with the kiddo....it is so sweet to see. And this is the man who said to me about a year and a half ago "I don't like kids, I don't want to have any." Ok, truth be told, I felt the same way about that time too, mainly because of the fact that I was with an alcoholic at the time. When DBF started dating a while later, that feeling started to change. I guess it all depends on who you are with. When I was with the wrong person, I didn't want kids. Now I can hardly wait to start trying. Yep, it's that good.

This is another simple thank you note set that I stamped on the SU! pre-cut notecards. I stamped the trees from Lovely As A Tree and then colored them with Prismacolor pencils and used odorless mineral spirits to blend. The sentiment is from TAC, the Trendy Greetings set.

And here is a set using Simply Said. I just love making these little sets. I think they will make a nice little add on to gifts.

And this....is the piece de resistance....a pinecone ball ornament! I think that I need to use longer pins next time because the little pins I got were hard for me to keep my fingers on. If you make one of these....definately use a thimble. My fingers are SORE! but I think this little beauty was well worth it!

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

Thank you notes

2006-12-20T23:55:00.000-05:00

I decided to make thank you note sets to put along with Christmas gifts this year. My mom and brother are always buying them the day after Christmas to use, so I thought I would help them out!

All of the cards are made with pre-cut notecards (I needed to spend $5 on my stamp club order to finish it out this month) from SU! in Whisper White and stamped with Basic Black with the flower from Natural Beauty. The flowers are colored with Prismacolor Pencils and Gamsol. The sentiment is stamped with Basic Black and is from Noteworthy.

Also made with the pre-cut notecards. I stamped the tree from Lovely As A Tree with Always Artichoke and the sentiment from Noteworthy in the same color. I colored the trunk a with a dark brown Prismacolor Pencil.

Gift Card Holder Class

2006-12-19T18:46:00.000-05:00

Well I am teaching a Gift Card Holder class at Michaels this Saturday morning. I sat down today and planned the cards and pre-cut the paper and ribbon and things, then packed the stamps, pencils, punches, and glue. I think I might be ready for this one.

This card is made with ValuPak CS from Michael's...I have to use what I have in the store to teach with, that way the students can purchase the things we use. The inside of this card is an envelope....yes. An envelope. The CS is cut to 4 1/2 x 5 3/4 and folded in half, then the envelope is glued in. I used a craft knife to cut the envelope down to make the pocket a bit lower so that the gift card can be seen nicely. Then I glued smaller pieces of CS over the inside part of the envelope, kind of like matting, to cover it and to add just a bit more oompf to the inside!

I stamped the snowglobe and the snowman on white CS and colored them in with Rose Art colored pencils then used a ticket punch on the corners and layered it on the green and adhered the whole thing to the front of the envelope/CS contraption. Clear as mud? :D

This is the pocket card from Sketch Challenge 101 over on Splitcoaststampers. Again I used the cheap-o CS from Michaels. The image is by Stampendous and is colored with Rose Art colored pencils. The card stays closed with use of a half of a velcro dot just adhered to the inside.

This is a pocket card that I learned how to do from SCS. Again, Michaels CS, patterned paper, and ribbon. I figured it would be cute to use removable glue dots to hold the gift card onto the insert card.

What do you guys think?

Some Carte Postale...

2006-12-17T19:40:00.000-05:00

Well it has been a while since I have posted, I haven't had alot of time to do anything. Starting this week though, I get to start working normal hours at work (40 hours instead of 55-60), Michael starts his new job (yay! I have seen the TN Visa...he is a LEGAL resident of the U.S. for the next 12 months!!!), so life is going to calm down considerably.

Eventually, I get to knock my hours down at work further so I will have more time to craft and stamp, therefore, there will be more posts on here! :D So the pas few weeks I have also finished most of my Christmas gifts (new sew fleece blanket for grandma and two for my brothers dorm, a scrapbook for my grandmother, and I made a lap quilt for my mom.)...I still need to wrap them all and make the tags.

Anyway....here are a couple of cards that I managed to squeeze in today:

The base of this card is Perfect Plum. On a layer of Pale Plum I stamped French Flair BG with Perfect Plum Classic Ink. I also used Perfect Plum ink to stamp the sentiment in the upper left hand corner. It needed something...so I cut a square of Very Vanilla cardstock and stamped the Fleur De Lis in Sage Shadow ink, DTP inked the edges then mounted it on a piece of Sage Shadow cardstock. It still needed something, so I added a bit of vanilla organdy ribbon and just tied a knot....because I suck at tying bows.

Well the base layer is Rose Red and the next layer is Regal Rose. I stamped the French Flair BG with Rose Red craft ink and sponged the edges with the same. I stamped the sentiment on Whisper White cardstock and sponged the edges, then used the handheld punch from Michaels to make the slits. Then I threaded white organdy ribbon through and tied them in knots and glued it all down with Mono Multi. It still needed something, so I stamped the bird from Carte Postale on Whisper White with Rose Red craft ink and cut it out, then mounted it with a dimensional and glue dots. I added a bit of shimmer with a Sakura clear Stardust pen.

Let's talk about life for a moment

2006-12-04T15:16:00.000-05:00

It's called War-Scrapping. :D

I was re-reading some of my older blog posts and remembering the 8x8 scrapbook that I did for my cousin's wedding a few months back. I pre-made the whole thing and took pictures at the wedding, had them printed in about 5 minutes at Walgreens, and popped them onto the mats in the scrapbook while on the way to the reception.

My grandpa was my get-away driver, if you will.

A month later I was out with my brother and he was using his Apple PowerBook on the way and had internet connection because he was picking up wireless from houses along the way....he calls it War-Driving. I dunno why....

So I call what I did....War-scrapping.

Stupid thought for the day. :D

Stamp table cleaning and then....stamping!

2006-12-03T17:39:00.000-05:00

Well...I think that I am in LOVE with this Peaceful Wishes set. I had it in my head this morning that I was going to make some cards. We got up late and Michael made bacon and eggs while I cleaned and organized the stamping table, then, I got to work...

This card is using the colors for CC90 on SCS this past Tuesday. A card by WAXYO inspired me, but I stared working....and changed it up. The base is True Thyme stamped with True Thyme ink with the pine stamp from Peaceful Wishes. The next layer is Cranberry Crisp with the edges distressed using the distresser from the Making Memories Distressing Kit. The nex layer is Blush Blossom stamped with Blush Blossom and the pinecone stamp from Peaceful Wishes. Edges were also distressed and I layered both pieces with Mono Multi Adhesive.

And finally....The last layer is stamped on Whisper White with True Thyme ink. I dabbed the berried off with a baby wipe and used a red marker to ink those. Huffed and stamped the image. I distressed the edges with the MM Distresser before mounting as well.

I stared at the card a long while and realised that it needed something. So I inked up the sentiment with True Thyme ink and plonked it onto the side.

I did another one too, but I will post that one tommorrow!

Fan Boys!!!

2006-11-30T10:25:00.000-05:00

http://www.worstpreviews.com/review.php?id=650

OMG! I know this has nothing to do with craftiness, but I saw this trailer when I rented Clerks II the other day....and I about DIED laughing.

I know...I am a die-hard Star Wars Geek.

I need Star Wars stamps. O.O

Thanksgiving Day Stamping

2006-11-23T21:56:00.000-05:00

I kinda had to use acrylic blocks to keep this one standing and closed so that it could be seen properly! That makes the photo quality a little crummy...but I plan on getting one of those cute little stands tommorrow at Michaels so that I won't have this problem anymore!

This card measures 4.25"x4.25" and is folded about half inch short of being even. I punched half of a 1" circle in the top edge of the card, stamped the love stamp from Riveting on Whisper White CS and punched it before lining it up with th punched circle and adhering it to the card.

The background is stamped with Pink Passion and Versamark inks using stamps from the Simply Said stamp set. Then I stamped the flowers from Simply Said and water colored them using Pink Passion, Perfect Plum, Green Galore and Ruby Red inks. Layered this onto Perfect Plum and adhered both to the card. Added some touches on the flowers with Sakura Clear Stardust pen. Viola. Done. Cute.

Is that....mojo...?

2006-11-20T08:56:00.000-05:00

Is that my mojo that I see coming back? I don't know...I don't want to jinx it with getting all excited. So...this card....is made with my new Peaceful Wishes stamp set and French Script BG. (My DBF and I joked that I broke in three virgin stamps this weekend!)

I stamped French Script BG with Cranberry Crisp ink on Cranberry Crisp paper and then inked the edges with Chocolate Chip. Stamped Linen BG with True Thyme ink on True Tyme paper and inked the edges with Chocolate Chip. Stamped the sprig with True Thyme on Whisper White CS and inked the edges with....wait for it....Chocolate Chip AND Creamy Caramel. The corners are punched with SU's ticket corner punch (innit just rockin'?) and stuck together with the miracle in a little green and white bottle...Mono Multi.

After all the layers were put together....it still needed something so I busted out some Versamark and Classy Copper EP then stamped and embossed the Peaceful Wishes sentiment.

Whoot! It's the inspiration fairy hitting again!

Stuff I did today....

2006-11-18T23:42:00.000-05:00

I got a little uppity today and did some stuff....went to Michaels and got some glass ornaments, then went to Home Depot and bought a glass block and a diamond drill bit...

Dad used his drill press and the new diamond drill bit to drill a half inch hole in the back. I washed it and let it dry. While that was going on, I sat down and used the large flower from Paint Prints with Ruby Red ink. I stamped the flower once, turned it 1/4 turn and stamped again before re-inking to make the poinsettas. Then I used the small dots from Paint Prints with Summer Sun ink to make the centers. I also stamped the Seasons Greetings stamp from Sincere Salutations in Ruby Red. I took a sponge and inked the edges and some of the stark white spots on the CS with Creamy Caramel.

I spread Mod Podge all over the back of the CS and attached it to the front of the block, then smoothed more MP over the top to seal it on and press the air bubbles out. I stuffed a string of 20 Christmas lights into the hole in the back, then wrapped the block in wide ribbon and hot glued the (jerry rigged) bow down to the top. Viola! It's so pretty when lit, but the picture turned out crap!

Aren't these the darndest things?! I stamped the stocking, snowman, and Christmas Tree from Little Somethings onto plain white CS and colored them. Then I punched them with a half inch circle punch and used Judikins Diamond Glaze to adhere them to the backs of flat glass marbles. Then I put a small round magnet on that and adhered it with the DG again. I stuck them in this Altoid tin as a set and will get around to covering it soon to make it a cute matchy matchy set!

Re-inker onaments. Well...they didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. I did get the hang of it with the last few . I put a few drops of re-inker in the ball and a few drops of water before swirling it around inside. I dumped out the excess water and ink then poured a fine clear glitter into the ball and swished it around to coat evenly. Some of them are kinda stripey, some clumpy....I need some advice on these! I want to make some before the craft show in a couple weeks! I used Crandberry Crisp, Buckaroo Blue, and True Thyme on these ones.

An oldie but goodie

2006-11-14T18:46:00.000-05:00

Well, sorry for the lack of updates recently, but life has been pretty crummy the past few days. It'll get better, it has to....soon. It will. Ah. The power of positive thinking. :D

So I made this card a while back. I like it though. The stems are inked with a geen marker and the petals with a purple marker. I think the only stampin' Up! thing that I used on this card was this flower from the Art of Life set.

So I inked up the flower and stamped it a few times and thought, "hey, you should distress that a bit." So I busted out my handy Making Memories distressing kit and went to town. The 'primas' are also by Making Memories, and they were white. I smudged them against a violet ink pad and then attempted to dry them with my heat gun.

After melting a hole through my embellishment case...I realised that I charred the flowers. Go me!!! Burnt primas on the menu for tonight! I put em on there anyway...they didn't look too bad after all.

Added some hardware and a bit of leftover bridal ribbon and ping. Done. Burning flowers aside, I think the whole card took me 20 minutes....it took much longer to get the burnt flower smell out of my apartment. ;)

Well...

2006-11-07T20:03:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I thought that I would leave the folding tutorial near the top a while so that everyone could check it out. I got some nice comments and one person asking if we could chat about my stamping slump! So....I a link to send me an email message up on my profile for anyone who just wants to chat...or send a note....or to fling some encouragement my way!

Thanks everyone!

Oh....new post in the next couple of days...I think I might do a contest. Still thinking on that though!

Gift Card Holder Tutorial

2006-10-31T20:25:00.000-05:00

***Please note....this is NOT my pattern. I have no idea where it came from, someone else taught me how to do this. I have found similar patterns on the internet for a similar card though!***

First, start with a sheet of 12x12 paper (Stampin' Up!'s 12x12 double sided paper is fabulous for this.

Fold the sheet in half and crease with your bone folder. The pattern that is on the outside of this fold will be the pattern on the outisde of your gift card holder.

Next, open the paper back up and fold the edges in to meet the middle, crease with your bone folder.

Open these back up and you will have three creases in your paper.

See the creases? I know, the pic makes it a bit difficult. Take the edges and fold in about 1/4"....this does not have to be perfect! Crease with a bone folder.

Then fold the corners in to meet the first set of creases and crease. (I hope this is making sense!)

Next, leaving the corners folded in, fold the sides in to meet the middle again. Easy peasy!

Flip the paper over (keeping it all folded), and fold one end down to the end of where the corners are folded in. Yes...I hope the picture helps you, I am so not good at explaining this!

Flip over again (Keeping everything folded) and fold the other end to meet the folded end neatly.

Fold the paper back over and flip the larger part over to meet the smaller. Crease them well!

Alright, tuck the big end into the little end and....voila! Almost done! You're almost there, don't give up now!

Fold the card in half and you're done! There are 4 spots to put a gift card or small sentiment cards....or whatever you want. I use a small bit of ribbon to tie mine closed!

Gifting myself

2006-10-31T19:39:00.000-05:00

So my friend Leli suggested buying myself a gift in the hopes that it would bring my stamping drive back. I think she just wants to get more pretties in the mail.

So I bought this super cute tote from Michaels! I only ended up paying $13 and I had purchased a few other things. Thank goodness for the employee discount (though I looked at my reciept on Sunday and realised that I got 50% off everything that I purchased!)....and apparently last week employee discount was....well anyway....I found out just in time apparently.

I also ended up buying a few different 12x12 patterned papers and some more silver eyelets. I realised that I only had two silver eyelets! How can one go on without silver eyelets?!?! Anyway...I think that I will need them for my class next week, if I get any students *crossing my fingers and hoping to everything that is listening*.

I plan on teaching a unique cards class next week...a folded gift card holder (which is posted in my gallery and people went APE over), a pocket card, and a waterfall card. I set my demo samples out today so hopefully they will attract some attention. And for those who liked the folded card, I am going to try and post directions up here one day this week. It's really not as hard as it looks....I promise! ;)

ETA: I changed the settings so that people other than just blogger members could comment...so please do! And enjoy!

Stamping with Jen

2006-10-29T19:09:00.000-05:00

We made 16 cards yesterday for her son's 1st birthday party invitations! It was tedious and took 3 hours because Jen had never stamped before but we had a good time and got them all done in the end!

These are all made with a Bazzil Basics monochromatic textured carstock pack, white cardstock from TAC, Wild Animals stamp set from TAC, You're invited stamp set from TAC, and Pallette Hybird inks. Looks impressive to me. And at the Halloween party she showed EVERYONE the cards!

And yes....that is her and I...SuperGirl and BatGirl!

Hum.

2006-10-27T13:47:00.000-04:00

Well...in an effort to get re-aquainted with stamping and cardmaking and the likes, I am going to try to post here more often. As such, I joined the Stampers Top 50 site to get my blog out there a bit more and I was toying with the idea of doing some sort of give away to see about getting people reading. Personally, I peruse about 50 blogs a day (no, I don't have a life or children....it is just something I do between patients and when I am relaxing in the evening), and enjoy every single moment of it.

I realise (and BOY do I realise) that I am not the -best- stamper on SCS but I am trying and when I have the inspiration and am not in a slump, I love to stamp and make cards! That is all that matters!

It doesn't matter if you are the best, all that matters is if you love doing it. Someone on SCS said that today and it made a hella great deal of sense.

I was going to post a card, but well, Blogger was being mean and wouldn't let me. I am sure that one day this site will learn that resistance is futile....

Stamp Club

2006-10-25T10:13:00.000-04:00

So I made the decision to switch Stampin' Up! demos. It took me about three months to make the decision, but I finally did it. I just decided that I wanted a little more hands on with my demo and a little less pressure to do a party. My old demo wanted me to do a party and I wasn't really up for it, but I felt bad about not doing it! I don't have alot of friends that stamp and untill last night, I had never stamped with other people.

I went to the stamp club meeting, which was 5 minutes from me (rather than the hour round trip just to pick up stamps with the previous demo). I got there a few minutes early because it was dark and I wasn't -exactly- sure where I was going. The demo was really nice and very welcoming and her home is absolutely BEAUTIFUL.

So I sat down and we chatted a few moments and then the rest of the ladies came in and the demo introduced me to them. I felt weird...I feel weird meeting new people and I get really nervous and stutter like a moron. On top of that fact, I have a horrible cold sore that is making me look like a leper...so I felt even more freakish. They were all incredibly nice though, cold sore or not.

We made two projects. This was a new concept for me...seeing as how I am a pretty much self taught stamper. Stamping with others is FUN too! We chatted and cracked jokes and had snacks (oh I need that veggie pizza recipie.....yum).

This is the first. It is a gift card holder made from a 12x12 sheet of the double sided paper from the Holiday Mini. No cuts, only folds. I am hoping to be able to reproduce it for a class I am going to teach at Michael's...but we will see when I try it on my own tonight. We inserted small corrdinating cards which I stamped with Circle of Friendship. Some of the ladies did snowflakes, but I really was feeling this cranberry color!

This is the second one. My apologies for the crooked scan...but the durn thing just WOULD NOT stay still on the scanner bed. I will try and photograph it this evening and then repost it. This is an accordian fold card. The inside (not shown, obviously) is a piece of cardstock slightly smaller than the outside of the card itself. It is folded into an accordian shape every 1" and glued to the front and back cover. The outside is Always Artichoke, Cranberry Crisp, Creamy Caramel, and confetti kraft all edged with a sponge and Chocolate Chip ink. The image is from Always On My Mind. I am not sure what set the sentiment is from though.

All in all...loved stamp club. I can't wait untill next month to go and spend time with these ladies again and stamp some more cool things. In fact, my demo invited me to do a couple of her stamp camps if I am so inclined to do so...I think I will...it sounds like a ton of fun to me. The one thing that stamp club did do to me....was it made me regret unmounting my SU stamps. I miss the wood. I miss it alot. I might go home and re-wood mount everything (my boyfriend will KILL me) so that I can use it more often. I stamped more before I went totally unmounted. I wonder if that is the problem? Meh. ;)

Cricut Review

2006-10-22T15:58:00.000-04:00

Well. I got to use the Cricut for the first time at Michael's this weekend. I demoed it for two hours and spent that ENTIRE time just cutting out words and shapes for the demo scrapbook I am doing for my class next month. Thought I would do a review of the chirpy little thing!

First...it's compact and portable. Very light and easy to carry by it's handle if you don't have the nifty little case for it. I plugged it in and pushed the on button...it was like the Starship Enterprise opening up! Fab! The warmup time is minimal and the Cricut is ready to go in a matter of seconds.

Unfortunately I didn't have the instructions and I had never seen one of these bad boys in action, so it was a guessing game after that. Luckily the little display screen had step by step instructions on it! I, however, was unaware that you needed to stick you paper to a cutting mat BEFORE putting it in the machine! Whoot! So 8 sheets of paper later, I finally figure it out. My EC at Michael's didn't leave them out with the machine, so I was clueless.

Stick paper to cutting mat, load paper. After that it's cake work. Type in the letters you want, make sure you spelled it RIGHT, select cutting style and size, press cut. Simple as that.

Once you unload the paper, you have to carefully peel the paper from the mat because the mat is slightly sticky. It is a bit tricky but it comes up. I found a couple of the tools in the Cricut Tool Kit to be hella helpful with that.

When I was finished with the two hours of demoing, I had a huge stack of die cut things...nothing to do with them...but a huge stack of them. It's a pretty nifty machine, but I honestly cannot say that I would spend the $300 to purchase it. I don't use die cuts that much, and if I need one I can always just bop into the classroom and use theirs!

Been a busy week

2006-10-15T10:59:00.000-04:00

I have been a hella bad poster. I guess when I have nothing to post about....I don't post. I haven't made any cards aside from the ones at my card class on Thursday and I gave those to my students to take home with them.

I am in a stamping slump....it's bad this time too...I ordered $80 worth of new stamps on Thursday and I am not even excited about them. :( Or my SU stamp club order for the month....ugh.

Someone beat me out of this.