"RAK From Kristine"

I got this cute RAK from Kristine the other day. With a Bella and a Saying inside. How cool is that? I have been dealing with a 6 week headache that turned into a 5 day migraine in the middle of it. Then back to the headache. I had a CT scan and it came back normal. Which I am happy about, but that means that they don't know what is causing my headache. AGH!!! I think I am going to have to try some other options. Maybe a chiropractor or headache clinic. I don't know. If you have any suggestions, I am up for anything. I just want to get rid of it. It is easier to stamp when your head is pain free. LOL I hope to stamp a lot this weekend.

"All The Best"

Here is another retired stamp set that I have and haven't used in forever. It is kinda fun to bring them all out and give some of them some attention. I made a card similar to this in stamp camp a couple years ago. We used a copper square tag for the greeting. I didn't have any copper ones so silver it is. i also popped the tag up on pop dots. Not SU dimensionals but thicker dots. This is a perfect masculine card too. Instead of using the thanks that comes with the set. The Happy Birthday from "Something to Celebrate" fits as well.
Stamps: All The Best
Paper: Not Quite Navy, Old olive
Ink: Not Quite Navy, Old Olive
Accessories: SIlver Tag, White Organdy Ribbon, Pop Dots

"One Fish Two Fish Red fish Blue Fish"

This week is going to be all retired sets. I didn't come up with this card idea. I saw it on splitcoast. But I do make it a lot for little kids birthdays. I also buy them the book to go with the card. I colored the image with colored pencils and colored the background blue to simulate the water. Then I covered the bag with diamond glaze or crystal effects. If you use markers, they run when the glaze is put on. I learned that the hard way. I usually use thin sheer ribbon for the bows but I didn't have any so I used grosgrain. I don't like it as much as the sheer ribbon. I printed off the words from my computer.
Stamps: All Wrapped Up
Paper: Yo Yo Yellow, Glorious Green, Brilliant Blue, Real Red, Only Orange, Whisper White
Ink: Stazon Black
Accessories: Prisma Colored Pencils, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, White Grosgrain Ribbon, Diamond Glaze

"Out of Retirement"

I decided to get some of my stamps "Out of Retirement" I don't have many current sets but I have a lot of retired. I dusted off Fun Filled and came up with this. This was one of those cards that look better in your head than they do on paper. In my head I didn't have the primas. I liked the card but it needed something. So I set it aside and then it hit me. Primas! Perfect. Now I really like it. The black and white polka dot ribbon kinda makes a frame.
Stamps: Fun Filled, Stampendous
Paper: Pixie Pink, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Pixie Pink
Accessories: Black and White Dotted Ribbon, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Sponge, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder, Primas, Pink Brads

"Criss Cross Card"

I finally made a criss cross card. It was way easier than I thought it was going to be. I know I will totally make more of these. It is a real fun card and did I mention easy to make? I didn't make the band that goes around the card. I don't have any 12x12 SU paper. I think it looks fine just the way it is. I used my apple cider paper since it is the only double sided paper that I have. But you don't have to have double sided paper to make this card, you can have two papers that go together. I found the tutorial on Splitcoast. You can find it here. I stamped a flower from the True Friend stamp set and cut it out and put it on the tab. I also stamped one on the bottom left of the insert.
Stamps: True Friend, Warmest Regards
Paper: Chocolate Chip, Really Rust, Very Vanilla, Apple Cider DP
Ink: Really Rust
Accessories: Gold Brad, Round Tab Punch, Tacky Tape

"Harvest Mix"

I don't have anything new to post today. The only thing I had left in my folder is this card I made for the September VSN. One of the challenges was to make a card with harvest mix candy colors. I don't care for this card at all. I think there is too much orange. But just cause I don't like it doesn't mean you won't like it right? So this is what I am posting today.
Stamps: Stampendous, Small Script
Paper: Only Orange, Chocolate Chip, Summer Sun, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Brown Dotted Sheer Ribbon, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folder, CM Cutting Tools, Giga Scallop Punch, SU Markers, SU Large and Small Oval Punch

"Thanks For Playing"

Thanks Dawn and JoAnna for playing "Pay It Forward" I will send your goodies Monday.
Dawn is from Amusing Musings and Things
JoAnna is from JoAnna's Creative Expressions
Check out their blogs if you haven't already.

"Pay It Forward"

Pay it forward is the new blog tag. I don't know who started it but I am guessing that you have seen it on other blogs. I found one on Melissa Kaufman's blog Simply Pink. She sent me this wonderful bunch of goodies. Now I have agreed to "Pay it Forward" and send someone else some goodies. So I will take the first two people that comment on this post and are willing to "Pay it Forward" themselves. Put your e-mail address in the comment so I can get your mailing address. Or if you have a blog and I can get your e-mail address from there, you don't need to leave your e-mail.

"Are you sick of this paper yet?"

I think I am going to have to "retire" this paper for a while. I really do love it but I have to stop using it before I hate it. LOL The first card I made is a thank you card. I made 9 of these for the ladies in my yahoo group that gave me the $50 gift card. I borrowed the designer label punch from my demo. I don't think I will get it though. For me it is hard to work with. I think I am just going to punch a bunch of them from my scrap paper. I cased this layout from a card I got from my friend Ginny that I met at SCS SO CAL Stamp Mania. Her card used more layers than mine but I used the same stamps. I really like how it turned out.
Stamps: Simply Said, Riveting
Paper: Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Bo Bunny DP
Ink: Basic Black, Real Red, Bashful Blue
Accessories: Designer Label Punch, Lt Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Markers, Small 1/4in Circle Punch

This card I made using another stamp set that I borrowed from my demo. Fun & Fast Notes. I think I might just have to get this set. I like most of the stamps in the set. I like this card but looking at it now, I think I should have used a different color ribbon. The black kinda bugs me now. The greeting is from Stampendous. It came in a 5 or 6 pack of greetings. I like the font.
Stamps: Fast And Fun Notes, Stampendous
Paper: Bashful Blue, Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Bo Bunny DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Markers, Black Grosgrain Ribbon, SU Gel Pen, Giga and Mega Scallop Square Punch

"Last Halloween Gift Set I promise"

Seriously, I swear this is the last Halloween gift set. This is the completed set for the ladies in the office and for the two aids in my daughters class. I gave them to them today and gave the other gift sets to the principal and vice principal yesterday. They were all a big hit. I knew that they would love them as much as I loved making them. Now I need to start planning for Christmas.
Stamps: Stampin' Up, Hero Arts
Paper: Basic Black, Only Orange, Whisper White, Creepy Crawly DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Scallop Punch, SU Circle Punch, SU Markers, Stickles, Trident Gum, Velcro Dots, Giga and Mega Scallop Punch, SU Gel Pen, Crimper, Hershey Bar, Hershey Nuggets, White and Black Organdy Ribbon

"You Go Girl"

I didn't do much stamping this weekend. This is one that I made last month. The Bella image I got from Kristine. The greeting is a $1 stamp from Michael's and the paper I got at my local stamp store. I don't know who makes it. I put pink brads in the center of the primas. I hope to do some stamping this week.
Stamps: Stamping Bella, Michael's $1 stamp
Paper: Basic Black, Pixie pink, Whisper White, DP
Ink: Basic Black, Pixie Pink
Accessories: SU Markers, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig, Primas, Brads

"Have a Great Day"

I decided to make a manly card today. You never know when you are going to need one. I colored this one with SU markers and the paper is from a die cut with a view stack. I also broke out my photo corner punch. I don't really like it but it needed something and ribbons and stickles were out of the question. Looking at it now, I think it needed brads. Also the card isn't crooked, it is my scan. I also used the Gelly Roll glitter pen for the ice in the cooler.



Stamps: Stamping Bella, Studio G Clear Stamps
Paper: Brocade Blue, Real Red, Whisper White, DCWV DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Photo Corner Punch, SU Markers, Gelly Roll Glitter Pen.

"I Have The Best Friends In The World...."

Even if I haven't met them yet. Well, I have met Kristine but not the others. You all remember "Ugly Bird" right? Well, I decided to do an "Ugly Bird" contest in my yahoo group. I sent them all 6 images of the "Ugly Bird" and they could submit up to 6 cards for the contest. I was going to have my neighbor judge them and the winner was going to get an "Ugly Bird" stamp of their own. I had 9 people sign up for the contest and I knew from the list of ladies that there was no way I was going to be able to pick a winner. They are all so talented and have their own styles. So I decided that I was going to get them each an "Ugly Bird" stamp and call them all winners. They had no idea. So when it came time to pick the winner. I sent them all an e-mail saying that they all were winners and they were each going to get an "Ugly Bird" stamp of their own. I totally surprised them and it felt good to do something nice for them. So, yesterday, I went to my mail box and there was a package for me. It was a RAK from all my friends that participated in the contest. They were all beautiful cards. But to my surprise, they gave me a $50.00 visa card and the most beautiful letter, thanking me for my kindness and generosity and for our friendship. I was shocked. I even had several tears in my eyes while I was reading the letter. It was so not necessary what they did. I didn't want anything in return. I wanted to do something nice for them and look what they did for me. How cool is that. Below are the cards that they submitted. Can you see why there was no way I could pic a winner?

"Ugly Bird Contest Cards"

"Tee-rific Birthday"

I made this card for my husband's aunt. She is totally into golf. Something I can't do. I got the Bella image from Kristine and the greeting I made on the computer. I colored her with markers and matted the image three times to match the paper. Which is Bo Bunny. My new favorite paper. I know she will like it. They live on a golf course and golf seven days a week.





Stamps: Stamping Bella
Paper: Certainly Celery, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Whisper White, Bo Bunny DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: Brads, SU Markers

"Bling Bling Birdie"

I really love Summer Sun. I think next to Celery, Summer Sun is my favorite color. It goes with practically everything. I have pared it up today with Ruby Red and Basic Black. I really like using black in my cards. It kind of makes the other colors pop. This birdie stamp I had wanted for months. I ended up getting it from my friend Shelly when I was in MN this summer. For this card, I colored the bird and added some bling on the tips of his tail. I mounted the image on a black oval that I dotted with the SU white gel pen. It matches the ribbon perfectly. For the background, I cuttle bugged two separate pieces and cut them in half and put one half of each on the card. I really like the look of the two different colors. The greeting is from the hostess set So Many Sayings punched out with the word window.
Stamps: So Many Sayings, Rhonda Farrer Clear Stamp
Paper: Ruby Red, Summer Sun, Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Markers, Bling, Dotted Ribbon, SU Gel Pen, Word Window, Cuttlebug, Embossing Folders, Ticket Corner Punch

"Roses in Winter Rak"

I made this yesterday for a RAK. I love love love Roses in Winter. I use it a lot for gift sets. I wish you could see how glittery it is. I put dots of stickles in the centers of the white flowers and rubbed stickles on all the flowers, including the ones in the nugget box. I made a wrapped Hershey bar, 3 nugget box, and gum wrapper.





Stamps: Roses in Winter
Paper: Regal Rose, Rose Red, Whisper White
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Regal Rose, Rose Red, Mellow Moss, Kraft White
Accessories: Crimper, Hershey Bar, Giga and Mega Scallop Oval, Stickles, Trident Gum, Word Window, Tacky Tape, SU Circle Punch, SU Scallop Punch, Hershey Nuggets, 3x1 Address Labels, White Organdy Ribbon,

"Simply Pink Blog Candy"

If you haven't checked out Melissa Kaufman's blog "Simply Pink" yet, you should. She is so talented and funny. We met through the blogging world. Her blog is one that I visit daily. Anyway, she is offering some "Pinkilicious Sweet Treats" for hitting a milestone. However, nothing is pink but who cares, it is cool candy. Here is the link to try to win some cool stuff. Now through Friday.

"A Kristine Card"

I don't have any of the My Favorite Things stamps...yet. I got this stamped image from Kristine. I also got the paper from Kristine. And I copied Kristine's layout from one of her "kick it up cards". So I named this card A Kristine card. I colored this with SU markers to match the paper. Which I think goes very well with this stamp. I am still trying to figure out why these people don't have heads. I don't think I will ever know the answer to that.



Stamps: My Favorite Things, So Many Sayings
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Regal Rose, Apricot Appeal, Whisper White, DP
Accessories: SU Markers, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

"Friends Forever"

Here is a card I made last night. I think this little birdie is so cute. I put some bling in the center of the flower. The greeting is from the hostess set "So Many Sayings" It comes as a set of three. My demo gave it to me. She also had someone cut 17 wood blocks for me so I could cut them all out separate and have 34 stamps instead of just 3. What a sweetheart. I just love her. She is so good to me. I took a picture of them for you so you can see what I am talking about. It took me about two hours to cut them out and mount them but it is totally worth it.


Stamps: So Many Sayings, Fun & Fast Notes
Paper: Certainly Celery, Apricot Appeal, Regal Rose, Whisper White
Ink: Basic Black, Regal Rose
Accessories: Cuttlebug, Giga and Mega Scallop Punch, SU Markers, SU Gel Pen, Celery Grosgrain, Bling, Word Window

"True Friend~You Friend"

I fell in love with this paper and stamp set when I went to Kristine's house for VSN. I pretty much cased her card. I did make a few changes. I didn't use the sewing machine and I switched the layout around. Here is her card. The flower is stamped three times and cut out in three layers. Then I rubbed Versamark all over it and embossed with iridescent ice. It is sooooo sparkly. I used those thick pop dots to give it dimension. The stampin' up ones are too flat. My scanner kinda made it look a little dented but it isn't. It is very pretty in real life.
Stamps: True Friend, Fabulous Flowers
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Versamark, Close to Cocoa
Paper: River Rock, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Apple Cider DP
Accessories: Heat Gun, Iridescent Ice EP, Stamp-A-Ma-Jig

"More Halloween Goodie Bags"

Ok, I can't stop making goodie bags. What is wrong with me? LOL These are for the teachers. If you remember I already made nugget boxes for the teachers and the aids. Well, a lady saw them in my splitcoast gallery and wanted to buy 10 of them, so I made four more of them and sold her all 10. So that left me with nothing for the teachers and aids. I was just going to make the nugget boxes again. Seriously, that was the plan. Then last night, I was giving the girls a bath and all of a sudden I am cutting paper and making gifts. I don't know what happened. I couldn't stop. I usually don't do this much for Halloween. I go overboard at Christmas, but not Halloween. What was I thinking? I am almost done with everything for the school. I have goodie bags for the principal and vice principal, goodie bags for the teachers, nugget boxes for the office staff, bag toppers for my two daughter's classes, and my nephew's preschool. I only have to do two more things for the aids and I am done. Then I will move on to Christmas. Whew!!!
Stamps: Booglie Eyes, Tag Time
Ink: Basic Black
Paper: Ballet Blue, Only Orange, Basic Black, Whisper White, DP
Accessories: SU Scallop Punch, SU Circle Punches, SU Markers, Trident Gum, Velcro Dots, Giga and Mega Scallop Punch, Crimper, Hershey Bar, Tangerine Grosgrain, M&M's, Hand Held Rectangle and Circle punch, Corner Rounder, Tacky Tape, Life Savers

"Season for Joy"

I thought I would mix in a little Christmas with my Halloween stuff. I made these two cards at stamp camp. I really like how simple these are. I think I might have to get this paper. But if I get the paper, then I have to get the stamp. AGH!!! It is a never ending cycle isn't it. November is my month to host the stamp camp so maybe I will have to splurge. I thought it was one of these cards that has the stampin' up logo in the corner of the pattern paper. But I guess it isn't. Why do they do that? Why do they have to put the logo on the paper. I never see it until I have my card all put together. Man, that is annoying. Has that ever happened to you?

Stamps: Season For Joy
Paper: Certainly Celery, Real Red, Whisper White, Dashing DP
Ink: Real Red
Accessories: Red and Celery Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

"Halloween Gift Set"

Here is the finished gift set for the principal and vice principal at school. I was only going to make the pull up m&m holder, then I thought maybe I should give them a wrapped Hershey bar too, since at school, that is my signature treat. Then I made the nugget boxes for the teachers and had two extra so why not put them in the goodie bag too. Then we made those cute gum wrappers in stamp camp and I couldn't pass those up. Finally I wrapped a pack of lifesavers. Now I have a complete goodie bag. I almost made beaded pens and a notebook but I have to save something for Christmas right?
Stamps: Hero Arts, Tag Time, Trick or Treat
Paper: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White, Creepy Crawly DP
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Scallop Punch, SU Circle Punch, SU Markers, Stickles, Trident Gum, Velcro Dots, Giga and Mega Scallop Punch, SU Gel Pen, Crimper, Hershey Bar, Hershey Nuggets, White and Black Organdy Ribbon, Tangerine Grosgrain, Orange Stickles, M&M's, Hand Held Rectangle and Circle punch, Corner Rounder, Tacky Tape

"Gum Holder"

These are the gum holders that I made for the goodie bag. I will post the entire set tomorrow. These are so fun to make. Super easy and real cute. They are for the trident 5 piece packs of gum. I found a multi pack of 8 for I want to say $1.99 at Target. We made these at my stamp camp and I fell in love with them. I think I am going to make these with all my gift sets from now on. I was going back and forth on whether or not to get the SU scallop punch. Seeing how I have the Marvy ones. I didn't really think I needed it. Well, my demo has it and we used it for a few projects and I had to get it. It is so cute. I know I will use it a lot. The pumpkin stamp I used is from tag time. (retired)It fit perfect for the theme. I also added stickles on it so it would have some shimmer. Here are the directions for the gum holder.

Stamp: Tag Time
Paper: Basic Black, Whisper White, Pumpkin Pie
Ink: Basic Black
Accessories: SU Scallop Punch, SU Circle Punch, SU Markers, Stickles, Trident Gum, Velcro Dots